I’m Frank, a seventy year old born into an Irish Catholic tribe, the oldest of nine siblings with 31 first cousins. Family is important to me. After my 66 years in Bergen County, NJ, my “Jersey Girl” bride and I moved to Hellertown, PA to be nearer to seven of our nine grandchildren. Actually, from here we are closer to them all.
I was raised to be a Goldwater Republican. My latter years of high school began to raise some doubts. I remember in my first semester of college seminary being introduced to books by Fr. Dan Berrigan, No Bars to Manhood, and Night Flight to Hanoi. I was exposed to a different Gospel than I had heard in my parish. It was not necessarily popular in the college seminary program, but I continued to read and learn. Eventually that reading brought me to a love for scripture and Catholic social teaching.
I came close to ordination but left the seminary. After a year and a half as a parish youth minister, Eileen and I were married and have been for over 40 years now. We met at Camp Fatima in June 1972. We married in 1978. Being an Irish male I was slow to realize the gift I had been given.
We’ve raised three pretty cool kids, doing our best to raise our children in a nonviolent home. We marched against nukes, and we took the kids with us to soup kitchens. We supported their activities and even did a little coaching. They have gone on to find nice careers and even better spouses. And we have the extra bonus of nine grandchildren.
I worked as a carpenter and remodeling business owner for many years, later becoming a certified kitchen and bath designer. When our last college tuition check was paid, my lovely bride encouraged me to do follow my heart’s desire, to work in service to the people of God. I worked 10 years for Family Promise as an educator and advocate serving homeless families, I am now the Peace through Justice Facilitator for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace (CSJPs). In that role, I serve as one of the congregation’s NGO representatives to the UN. I am also leading the congregation’s response to the Laudato Si Action Platform.
While I’ve changed careers as often as… well… Eileen has always been focused on her love of teaching pre-school special needs children. She just retired in June of ’21 which enabled and motivated our move.
This blog offers a looks at my journey in nonviolence. I am no role model, but find the experiences I have had made me a better person.
In 2008, at a Chapter meeting of the CSJP sisters and Associates we heard Rev. John Dear speak about nonviolence in a way that seriously challenged me to grow in nonviolence. I began reading about nonviolent heros, studying principles of nonviolence. I took a week long retreat with Fr. John and spent several weekends in Chicago doing nonviolent training with Pace e Bene.
The charism and support of the congregation continues to help me grow, for that I am eternally grateful.