Deceased Friars

Rupert McCann, OFM

Rupert McCann

1905 – 1958

Fr. Rupert McCann, OFM, was born in Passaic, N.J., on Sept. 25, 1905. He studied at St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., for five years, and entered the Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., Aug. 21, 1924.

He professed temporary vows Aug. 24, 1925, and made his profession of solemn vows Aug. 25, 1928. Fr. Rupert was ordained a priest June 9, 1931.

After teaching at the seminary in Callicoon for two years, Fr. Rupert entered upon a 24-year career in parish ministry, which he truly enjoyed. After working for five years at New Jersey parishes in Paterson and Butler, he went to St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City for two years.

In 1941, Fr. Rupert returned to his ministry at New Jersey parishes. He was appointed pastor at St. Joseph Church in Lincoln Park, and in 1945 he became pastor of Our Lady of the Angels in Little Falls. He then served for four years at Holy Name Parish in Garfield and for five years at St. Joseph’s Church in East Rutherford as an assistant pastor.

In 1955, he was appointed guardian and pastor of St. Patrick’s Church in Buffalo, N.Y. In that same year, Fr. Rupert’s brother, Fr. Gerard (Vincent) McCann, OFM, went to Brazil as a missionary.

Fr. Rupert was a friar who always had a smile on his face, and his congeniality was contagious. He could always find a good thing to say about others. As a guardian his main concern was to minister well to his brothers.

He died at St. Mary’s Hospital in Passaic, N.J., on June 18, 1958. He was 52 years old, a professed friar for 32 years and a dedicated priest for 27 years.

Each of us should be called a lesser brother, a Friar Minor. Each one of us should wash the feet of the others.”

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Rupert McCann, OFM

Rupert McCann

1905 – 1958

Fr. Rupert McCann, OFM, was born in Passaic, N.J., on Sept. 25, 1905. He studied at St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., for five years, and entered the Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., Aug. 21, 1924.

He professed temporary vows Aug. 24, 1925, and made his profession of solemn vows Aug. 25, 1928. Fr. Rupert was ordained a priest June 9, 1931.

After teaching at the seminary in Callicoon for two years, Fr. Rupert entered upon a 24-year career in parish ministry, which he truly enjoyed. After working for five years at New Jersey parishes in Paterson and Butler, he went to St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City for two years.

In 1941, Fr. Rupert returned to his ministry at New Jersey parishes. He was appointed pastor at St. Joseph Church in Lincoln Park, and in 1945 he became pastor of Our Lady of the Angels in Little Falls. He then served for four years at Holy Name Parish in Garfield and for five years at St. Joseph’s Church in East Rutherford as an assistant pastor.

In 1955, he was appointed guardian and pastor of St. Patrick’s Church in Buffalo, N.Y. In that same year, Fr. Rupert’s brother, Fr. Gerard (Vincent) McCann, OFM, went to Brazil as a missionary.

Fr. Rupert was a friar who always had a smile on his face, and his congeniality was contagious. He could always find a good thing to say about others. As a guardian his main concern was to minister well to his brothers.

He died at St. Mary’s Hospital in Passaic, N.J., on June 18, 1958. He was 52 years old, a professed friar for 32 years and a dedicated priest for 27 years.