Sister Frances Therese McGlynn, CSJ

Sister Frances Therese McGlynn was a Sister of St. Joseph for sixty-nine years. Born on Long Island in Kings Park to Lillian and Thomas, Fran attended St. Joseph’s Elementary and Kings Park High School.

After entering the congregation in 1948 Fran earned a Bachelors and Master’s degree in Education from St. John’s University.She taught elementary school in St. Ambrose, Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Victory, St. John the Evangelist, St. Francis de Sales and St. Joachim’s. She served as Principal at Nativity in Brooklyn for six years.

Attentive to people and concerned for their well-being, Fran served as Parish Visitor in St. Clare’s in Rosedale and Human Development Coordinator at St. Mary of the Isle in Long Beach. Living out her call as a Sister of St. Joseph, Fran was a relational person, compassionate and a good listener. She gained new skills in her studies at Adelphi University obtaining certification as a Social Worker and Counsellor. This only enhanced Fran’s innate love of people and her willingness to serve as mentor to many young people.

A congregational woman, Fran shared her gifts generously and her warm humor, obvious in the gleam in her eyes, lifted the spirits of all those around her, especially the nurses and staff here in the convent. In her later years her ministry at St. Brigid’s and presence in St. Christopher’s supported so many in their joys and struggles. Loyal and kind, Fran’s friendship was a gift to many. I do believe that gleam in her eye was brighter when she knew she was wearing something attractive and stylish.

As we will hear in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians today, Fran was strengthened by the Spirit and knew Christ dwelled within her. We need to hold on to that awareness as we feel sorrow at Fran’s unexpected death. We, like the apostles at the Transfiguration, need to realize that as they had been overcome with fear and hid themselves, when they finally looked up, they saw only Jesus. Today we have confidence that Fran now sees only Jesus, the source of her life and love. There is nothing to fear.

Sister Frances Therese McGlynn, CSJ died on August 1, 2017 in the 69th year of her religious life.