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Joyce Baran posted a condolence
Sunday, July 16, 2023
As a priest, then a Monsignor
Your duties would unfold,
Your ministry with gentle guidance
Always looked into the depths of the soul.
Your vision and understanding,
Still embracing us in this way,
In God's love you will always be with us.
Your touch on our hearts from above every day.
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Elizabeth Siegel posted a condolence
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Oh Fr. Frank! What a blessing it was to know you!
I first met Fr. Frank at Madonna House in 2000, as he was an Associate priest there. Later I went to work alongside him in the Diocese of Bridgeport. He was such a comfortable person to be with--reminds me of 2 Cor. 1:4.
Always affable, always of good cheer. Ready to listen and encourage. When he saw me, his face would light up as if I were so special to him. I am sure many others felt the same way.
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of his person, and the gift of his priesthood. May you know all the joys of heaven!
Elizabeth Siegel
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TOM & JOAN O'BRIEN uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, June 25, 2023
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Msgr.(Fr.)Frank McGrath was a very holy priest, wonderful pastor at Christ the King and a good friend.
So many memories over the years. One year on the Feast of our Lady of Lourdes, Fr. Frank witnessed us making our Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary in the old upper Chapel. in the photo Fr. Frank was present as we renewed our wedding vows on our 25 th Anniversary, along with many other happy times.
Thanks for the blessing you always have been in our lives Fr. Frank, please pray for us.
Until we meet again May the Lord hold you in the palm of His hand.
Tom and Joan O’Brien
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Suzanne Taylor posted a condolence
Sunday, June 25, 2023
Monsignor served as our pastor when we were at Christ the King in Ann Arbor. He helped my husband, Dan and I when we had some decisions to make about our life. He always made me feel loved, affirmed and respected.
He was truly a loving man of God.
J
Jon Sinnott posted a condolence
Friday, June 23, 2023
Monsignor Frank was a wonderful individual filled with much love for God and all the individuals who knew him .. always a positive individual who would LISTEN rather than SPEAK when confronted with an issue.. his presence was inspirational and filled with the GOOD NEWS of JESUS… a true Christian Disciple who led many to follow Jesus.. Please pray and Bless us Monsignor Frank
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Charlene Weir posted a condolence
Friday, June 23, 2023
So sorry to lose Fr McGrath but he is heavens gain!!! Fr McGrath baptized my daughter Shannon at 4 when we came back to the church!! That was 43 yrs ago!! He was a kind man! He also had a huge impact on my brother!! Actually, our whole family loved him!! R.I.P Father!
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Nancy Bradford posted a condolence
Thursday, June 22, 2023
He was a wonderful Pastor and great man. He always made everyone feel special. Heaven got a true Saint. It was an honor to know him. We will see you in Heaven one day when it’s our time. Love Nancy Lalonde Bradford.
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Margie LoBello uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
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Monsignor Frank had a gift for loving people and appreciating them for who they were. He found a way to connect with others even if they were much different than himself. He went deer hunting in Western New York State with Joe and is family in the the Allegheny Mountains. He endeared himself to Joe’s family and the farmers whose land they hunted on. He wrote a letter of recommendation for us when we were adopting our daughter and supported us in the process. He often stopped by our home after he went to see patients at St Joes hospital in Ann Arbor. He would sit and visit while I cooked or folded laundry and encouraged me to continue whatever I was doing when he arrived. We raised Golden Retrievers in the late eighties and gave him his first 2 puppies. He had never had a dog before he told us but each became his close companion. When his second dog passed we were no longer raising dogs. It was so good to see his parishioners in Connecticut gifted him with a Golden Retriever later. Father Frank had a profound affect on our lives and Joe and I are so grateful for our pastoral care and the friendship that we received from him.
He was a priest who shared the love of Christ in the truest manner.
The attached picture is on a Christmas Day when he stopped by and fell asleep after a busy day.
Joe and Margie LoBello
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Bob and Patty Kryszczak uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
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Fun, laughter, great conversation and golf! What more could you ask for?
What a fantastic day on the golf course with our golfing buddies. Monsignor Frank, Kevin Cieply, Patty Kryszczak and Bob Kryszczak (taking the picture).
God Bless Monsignor Frank
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Theresa Hofer posted a condolence
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Msgr. McGrath (Fr. Frank, then) was my pastor and regular confessor in the 1980s and early 1990s. I could not possibly overstate the impact that he had on my life in those formative years: showing me the Lord's mercy with gentleness and humor and guiding me in a way that always fully respected my freedom.
He was also one of the most balanced people I've ever known, equally comfortable giving spiritual direction and playing softball with the guys. He was able to build bridges of peace and healing even in very challenging situations, as some of his assignments in his long priestly life showed.
Thank you, Lord, for giving us Fr. Frank, and thank you, Fr. Frank, for saying, "Yes," to the Lord's plans for your life. May you quickly see the face of our beloved Lord Jesus.
Theresa Hofer
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Karen Wagner uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
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Dearest Fr. Frank,
My favorite priest friend, godfather to my daughter. You were so influential in my life and faith formation. We missed you when you left Ann Arbor, yet always held you close to our hearts. Our visits and friendship meant the world to us. Thank you. May you rest in eternal peace.
Love from the Wagner Family: Karen, Mike, Rebecca, Michael, Rachel, Matt and their families
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Sr. Dorcee Clarey uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
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Fr. Frank was most instrumental in helping me come back to the sacrament of Reconciliation which I struggled with because of some spiritual abuse as a child. One day I walked into confess, and he greeted me with: "I have been praying for you to come."
A good friend for many years.
From an email from him: "How good the Lord is. If I had 1000 lives to live, I would say yes again to the priesthood in each life."
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Stan Weber uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
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A young man was called to the priesthood, to minister God’s grace.
Frank McGrath freely assented to that call each day for 53 years of his earthly life.
As he shared with me and others, such would have failed at the human level only; but for his renewed awakening to God’s love of him through his Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
I too experienced such reawakening at a time of great need of God’s mercy and human kindness.
Fr. Frank invited me 37 years ago to live in his Word Of God household, a home comprised of single men living in truthful commitment to Jesus Christ and one another.
By our sharing of holy love and goodness, rebuilt within me was hopefulness and joy which were animated within our christian fellowship.
Requiem Aeternam, Fr. Frank.
Stan
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Frances Vanicelli posted a condolence
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
I always found your down-to-earth holiness exceptional and inspiring. You have been a fine example of a man who has loved our God with your whole heart.
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Ave Maria School of Law posted a condolence
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Monsignor was an extraordinary person who touched the lives of each person whom he welcomed to Ave Maria Law. Monsignor’s kindness, empathy, and genuine concern for others fostered a wonderful and supportive environment on our campus. His warm smile, compassionate nature, and quick Irish humor will be deeply missed.
God grant him eternal rest, and may perpetual light shine upon him.
Ave Maria School of Law
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MaryAnn Madaffari uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
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Thank you for being such a special and spiritual support to our family!
May you rest in God’s peace and love now.
Until we meet again.
Bridget Buono, MaryAnn and family
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Christine Imbrogno posted a condolence
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
I was running my toddlers into St. John's preschool, trying not to be late for work. Outside the entrance was always a group of moms all wearing their yoga pants, sipping Starbucks and chatting about where they would meet for lunch, clearly they weren't working moms. Also outside the entrance was Monsignor McGrath greeting all the children (so sweet). One day as I was running through the parking lot, Monsignor noticed me snarling at the non-working moms...I told him I wish I could be one of them to which he said, they wish they could be you! Love him and have missed him since he left for FL! May he rest in peace with the Lord...
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Chuck Greenwood posted a condolence
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
I am writing this today because Msgr Frank meant so much to me in some of the toughest times of my life. It seemed like God brought us together, or me to him, at those times, because he knew I needed it, I needed “Father Frank.”
The last time was like a reenactment of the parable of the “prodigal son” when he took me into his home and family in Ann Arbor. He nourished my sinful and troubled soul back to life. I will never forget and always love this wonderful Priest, man, friend and spiritual warrior.
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Don Mierendorf posted a condolence
Monday, June 19, 2023
Dear Msgr. Frank-
You have many, many people praying for you now because of the many, many lives you've touched in your priestly life.
Thank you for giving the sacraments to me and Pat and our children. Thank you for being founding pastor of Christ the King. Thank you for the strokes in golf and for letting me win occasionally.
Last month Roger and I had lunch with Tom (who lives on the west side of the state now) and Tom said how he and his wife were trying to find a faith-filled priest and parish, and might have to move again to find them. Tom said that you were the best pastor he ever had and he prayed that God will give the Church more like you. Roger and I were quick to agree.
When I shared with Jeff that you were seriously ill, he told me how lovingly you reached out to him on our golf weekends and you brought him closer to the Lord. I could go on...
Know that there are so many people that you loved and served back here in Michigan, who are praying for you and storming the gates of Heaven for you right now.
May Jesus, Mary, and Joseph intercede for you now before the Father.
God bless you, Fr. Frank. We love you...
Don and Pat Mierendorf
for Sr. M. Elise FSGM, Sr. Rebecca SGL, Emily and Joe, Anne and Tim, Matt and Kate, Stephen and Tash, Tom and Colleen and 15 grandchildren.
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The Walsh's planted a tree in memory of Monsignor Frank McGrath
Monday, June 19, 2023
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"Monsignor Frank Charles McGrath" will remain in our hearts forever.
Please wait
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Dcn. Gerry Holowicki posted a condolence
Monday, June 19, 2023
Fr. Frank – where to begin? I have so many great memories of Fr. Frank that I can only share a few.
When we were in our thirties, we lived together leading households of men as mini communities. They were wonderful times of prayer, fellowship and “sandpaper ministry” (rubbing off the rough bits). We entertained a lot due in no small part to Fr. Frank’s love for people and large social network. We also had a lot of fun including downhill ski trips out West or cross-country skiing locally for example. His humor and penchant for practical jokes still makes me laugh!
A very memorable moment was when Fr. Frank spontaneously challenged me to go further in serving the Lord. One day after I came home from my IT management job, out of the blue he said, “Gerry, when are you going to stop working for the kingdom of Unisys and start working for the kingdom of God.” This comment eventually led me to become a Deacon. The character of his priestly ministry and humanity were a big influence not only in my becoming a deacon but also in my outlook on many spiritual and pastoral affairs.
He married my wife and I in Belfast, Northern Ireland. What a great blessing!
In summary, Fr. Frank was a very godly priest, pastor and friend who loved ministering to others. In particular, he loved leading people to Christ and caring for them. He had a profound love for God and others and deeply loved the Church. Thanks be to God for such a wonderful man, friend and priest.
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Stuart Collins posted a condolence
Saturday, June 17, 2023
Fr. Frank was a much-beloved pastor while serving as priest at Christ the King pastor in Ann Arbor: we all knew that he fully embraced and loved being a priest.
I will always remember laying in my hospital bed in 1991 and feeling the immediate uplifting presence of Christ when Fr. Frank came to visit me.
Lord, receive your faithful servant, who manifested Jesus to so many during his lifetime.
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The family of Monsignor Frank Charles McGrath uploaded a photo
Thursday, June 15, 2023
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