Article by Jay Fadden
Francis T. McFarland was born in Lynn, Mass., in 1931 and spent his early years in Kittery, Maine. He was the only child of his devoted parents, Marion and Francis McFarland. Marion was a convert to the Catholic faith and doted on Frank. They were inseparable and enjoyed each other's company.
After some wonderful years in Maine the family moved to Brighton, Mass., where Frank attended Boston College High School. It was at BC High that he first met Jack Lawless, who would become like a brother to him. Frank was an excellent student. While many students were considering jobs as doctors, businessmen, police officers and firemen, Frank dreamed of only one thing: becoming a Catholic priest. In February 1957, more than eighty men were ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Boston. They all had hopes and dreams of spreading the Gospel message of Jesus to people yearning to be touched by the word of God. One of these newly ordained priests was Father Francis T. McFarland. Father Frank would tell me years later of how moved he was seeing the expression on his mother's face at his ordination.
Father Frank served in parishes and the tribunal before he got a call in 1970 from Cardinal Cushing. It would change his life. He was asked to be assistant director of Boston Catholic Television. It was not an opportunity that he jumped at immediately. He enjoyed preaching to a congregation and had no formal training in television. He had always dreamed of being a pastor and interacting with the Church community. He prayed for God to lead him as he struggled with the decision. While it was not what he wanted to do, he was loyal to the Archbishop of Boston and said he would move to Boston Catholic Television. He assisted Msgr. Walter Flaherty, the director of the Center, and tried to learn as much as he could about television while producing a radio program. He dedicated himself to his work, but still longed to be a pastor.
In 1976, Msgr. Flaherty died suddenly of a heart attack and Cardinal Medeiros asked to meet with Father Frank. The Cardinal asked Father Frank if he would accept the job as director of BCTV. Once again, Father Frank needed to make a decision that would prevent him from following his dream. He accepted the job and worked tirelessly.
He hired his good friend Jack Lawless as assistant director and, together, they began to expand the Center. They started a cable station that, today, is the largest archdiocesan station in the world. Father Frank started a monthly bulletin (the precursor to this magazine) and produced programs that were deeply spiritual. He began to connect with viewers in a way thought impossible by most television experts. Television can be a very cold medium, but Father Frank brought a warmth and enthusiasm that were seldom seen. He devoted his priestly life to the "parishioners of the airwaves," as he liked to call them. He cared for and loved them, and they reciprocated in kind. He believed in them and they trusted him. Father Frank became pastor of the
largest parish in the world. This is not something he sought. He would have
been happy in a small parish with 50 parishioners. But he understood the
importance of the Daily Mass and the Sunday television Mass, The Rosary,
and all the other programming. People thirsted to hear the word of God
proclaimed and he sacrificed to serve them.
He would often share some of the mail that had come to him directly. Each letter was important to him; each story resonated. He prayed for all those who asked and believed deeply that our parishioners of the airwaves were not a number but each was an important part of the body of Christ.
The outpouring of love from people upon news of his death was incredible.
We received more than 8,000 letters from people whose lives he had touched. The staff was numb, but kept working because they knew how important that would be to him. What I remember most is the number of priests that attended his funeral. Father Frank had a great bond with his brother priests and always supported them. At the end of the funeral Mass, the priests all stood and sang the Salve Regina, Hail Holy Queen, which was so appropriate because of his devotion to Mary and the rosary. Today, Father Frank rests in St. Joseph's Cemetery in West Roxbury, Mass.,with his parents.
On July 17, 2001, Msgr. Francis T. McFarland died of a sudden heart attack. It was a devastating blow to all those who considered him a friend, so many of whom had never even met him. Yet the pain was dulled by a phrase he often used, "Jesus is alive." We all caught a glimpse of Jesus in the words and actions of Father Frank. How fortunate we were to have known him, and what a gift he was to the Church. He was a friend to all – and I am sure that today he is in paradise.
Francis T. McFarland was born in Lynn, Mass., in 1931 and spent his early years in Kittery, Maine. He was the only child of his devoted parents, Marion and Francis McFarland. Marion was a convert to the Catholic faith and doted on Frank. They were inseparable and enjoyed each other's company.
After some wonderful years in Maine the family moved to Brighton, Mass., where Frank attended Boston College High School. It was at BC High that he first met Jack Lawless, who would become like a brother to him. Frank was an excellent student. While many students were considering jobs as doctors, businessmen, police officers and firemen, Frank dreamed of only one thing: becoming a Catholic priest. In February 1957, more than eighty men were ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Boston. They all had hopes and dreams of spreading the Gospel message of Jesus to people yearning to be touched by the word of God. One of these newly ordained priests was Father Francis T. McFarland. Father Frank would tell me years later of how moved he was seeing the expression on his mother's face at his ordination.
Father Frank served in parishes and the tribunal before he got a call in 1970 from Cardinal Cushing. It would change his life. He was asked to be assistant director of Boston Catholic Television. It was not an opportunity that he jumped at immediately. He enjoyed preaching to a congregation and had no formal training in television. He had always dreamed of being a pastor and interacting with the Church community. He prayed for God to lead him as he struggled with the decision. While it was not what he wanted to do, he was loyal to the Archbishop of Boston and said he would move to Boston Catholic Television. He assisted Msgr. Walter Flaherty, the director of the Center, and tried to learn as much as he could about television while producing a radio program. He dedicated himself to his work, but still longed to be a pastor.
In 1976, Msgr. Flaherty died suddenly of a heart attack and Cardinal Medeiros asked to meet with Father Frank. The Cardinal asked Father Frank if he would accept the job as director of BCTV. Once again, Father Frank needed to make a decision that would prevent him from following his dream. He accepted the job and worked tirelessly.
He hired his good friend Jack Lawless as assistant director and, together, they began to expand the Center. They started a cable station that, today, is the largest archdiocesan station in the world. Father Frank started a monthly bulletin (the precursor to this magazine) and produced programs that were deeply spiritual. He began to connect with viewers in a way thought impossible by most television experts. Television can be a very cold medium, but Father Frank brought a warmth and enthusiasm that were seldom seen. He devoted his priestly life to the "parishioners of the airwaves," as he liked to call them. He cared for and loved them, and they reciprocated in kind. He believed in them and they trusted him. Father Frank became pastor of the
largest parish in the world. This is not something he sought. He would have
been happy in a small parish with 50 parishioners. But he understood the
importance of the Daily Mass and the Sunday television Mass, The Rosary,
and all the other programming. People thirsted to hear the word of God
proclaimed and he sacrificed to serve them.
He would often share some of the mail that had come to him directly. Each letter was important to him; each story resonated. He prayed for all those who asked and believed deeply that our parishioners of the airwaves were not a number but each was an important part of the body of Christ.
The outpouring of love from people upon news of his death was incredible.
We received more than 8,000 letters from people whose lives he had touched. The staff was numb, but kept working because they knew how important that would be to him. What I remember most is the number of priests that attended his funeral. Father Frank had a great bond with his brother priests and always supported them. At the end of the funeral Mass, the priests all stood and sang the Salve Regina, Hail Holy Queen, which was so appropriate because of his devotion to Mary and the rosary. Today, Father Frank rests in St. Joseph's Cemetery in West Roxbury, Mass.,with his parents.
On July 17, 2001, Msgr. Francis T. McFarland died of a sudden heart attack. It was a devastating blow to all those who considered him a friend, so many of whom had never even met him. Yet the pain was dulled by a phrase he often used, "Jesus is alive." We all caught a glimpse of Jesus in the words and actions of Father Frank. How fortunate we were to have known him, and what a gift he was to the Church. He was a friend to all – and I am sure that today he is in paradise.
Article by Jay Fadden
Francis T. McFarland was born in Lynn, Mass., in 1931 and spent his early years in Kittery, Maine. He was the only child of his devoted parents, Marion and Francis McFarland. Marion was a convert to the Catholic faith and doted on Frank. They were inseparable and enjoyed each other's company.
After some wonderful years in Maine the family moved to Brighton, Mass., where Frank attended Boston College High School. It was at BC High that he first met Jack Lawless, who would become like a brother to him. Frank was an excellent student. While many students were considering jobs as doctors, businessmen, police officers and firemen, Frank dreamed of only one thing: becoming a Catholic priest. In February 1957, more than eighty men were ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Boston. They all had hopes and dreams of spreading the Gospel message of Jesus to people yearning to be touched by the word of God. One of these newly ordained priests was Father Francis T. McFarland. Father Frank would tell me years later of how moved he was seeing the expression on his mother's face at his ordination.
Father Frank served in parishes and the tribunal before he got a call in 1970 from Cardinal Cushing. It would change his life. He was asked to be assistant director of Boston Catholic Television. It was not an opportunity that he jumped at immediately. He enjoyed preaching to a congregation and had no formal training in television. He had always dreamed of being a pastor and interacting with the Church community. He prayed for God to lead him as he struggled with the decision. While it was not what he wanted to do, he was loyal to the Archbishop of Boston and said he would move to Boston Catholic Television. He assisted Msgr. Walter Flaherty, the director of the Center, and tried to learn as much as he could about television while producing a radio program. He dedicated himself to his work, but still longed to be a pastor.
In 1976, Msgr. Flaherty died suddenly of a heart attack and Cardinal Medeiros asked to meet with Father Frank. The Cardinal asked Father Frank if he would accept the job as director of BCTV. Once again, Father Frank needed to make a decision that would prevent him from following his dream. He accepted the job and worked tirelessly.
He hired his good friend Jack Lawless as assistant director and, together, they began to expand the Center. They started a cable station that, today, is the largest archdiocesan station in the world. Father Frank started a monthly bulletin (the precursor to this magazine) and produced programs that were deeply spiritual. He began to connect with viewers in a way thought impossible by most television experts. Television can be a very cold medium, but Father Frank brought a warmth and enthusiasm that were seldom seen. He devoted his priestly life to the "parishioners of the airwaves," as he liked to call them. He cared for and loved them, and they reciprocated in kind. He believed in them and they trusted him. Father Frank became pastor of the
largest parish in the world. This is not something he sought. He would have
been happy in a small parish with 50 parishioners. But he understood the
importance of the Daily Mass and the Sunday television Mass, The Rosary,
and all the other programming. People thirsted to hear the word of God
proclaimed and he sacrificed to serve them.
He would often share some of the mail that had come to him directly. Each letter was important to him; each story resonated. He prayed for all those who asked and believed deeply that our parishioners of the airwaves were not a number but each was an important part of the body of Christ.
The outpouring of love from people upon news of his death was incredible.
We received more than 8,000 letters from people whose lives he had touched. The staff was numb, but kept working because they knew how important that would be to him. What I remember most is the number of priests that attended his funeral. Father Frank had a great bond with his brother priests and always supported them. At the end of the funeral Mass, the priests all stood and sang the Salve Regina, Hail Holy Queen, which was so appropriate because of his devotion to Mary and the rosary. Today, Father Frank rests in St. Joseph's Cemetery in West Roxbury, Mass.,with his parents.
On July 17, 2001, Msgr. Francis T. McFarland died of a sudden heart attack. It was a devastating blow to all those who considered him a friend, so many of whom had never even met him. Yet the pain was dulled by a phrase he often used, "Jesus is alive." We all caught a glimpse of Jesus in the words and actions of Father Frank. How fortunate we were to have known him, and what a gift he was to the Church. He was a friend to all – and I am sure that today he is in paradise.
Francis T. McFarland was born in Lynn, Mass., in 1931 and spent his early years in Kittery, Maine. He was the only child of his devoted parents, Marion and Francis McFarland. Marion was a convert to the Catholic faith and doted on Frank. They were inseparable and enjoyed each other's company.
After some wonderful years in Maine the family moved to Brighton, Mass., where Frank attended Boston College High School. It was at BC High that he first met Jack Lawless, who would become like a brother to him. Frank was an excellent student. While many students were considering jobs as doctors, businessmen, police officers and firemen, Frank dreamed of only one thing: becoming a Catholic priest. In February 1957, more than eighty men were ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Boston. They all had hopes and dreams of spreading the Gospel message of Jesus to people yearning to be touched by the word of God. One of these newly ordained priests was Father Francis T. McFarland. Father Frank would tell me years later of how moved he was seeing the expression on his mother's face at his ordination.
Father Frank served in parishes and the tribunal before he got a call in 1970 from Cardinal Cushing. It would change his life. He was asked to be assistant director of Boston Catholic Television. It was not an opportunity that he jumped at immediately. He enjoyed preaching to a congregation and had no formal training in television. He had always dreamed of being a pastor and interacting with the Church community. He prayed for God to lead him as he struggled with the decision. While it was not what he wanted to do, he was loyal to the Archbishop of Boston and said he would move to Boston Catholic Television. He assisted Msgr. Walter Flaherty, the director of the Center, and tried to learn as much as he could about television while producing a radio program. He dedicated himself to his work, but still longed to be a pastor.
In 1976, Msgr. Flaherty died suddenly of a heart attack and Cardinal Medeiros asked to meet with Father Frank. The Cardinal asked Father Frank if he would accept the job as director of BCTV. Once again, Father Frank needed to make a decision that would prevent him from following his dream. He accepted the job and worked tirelessly.
He hired his good friend Jack Lawless as assistant director and, together, they began to expand the Center. They started a cable station that, today, is the largest archdiocesan station in the world. Father Frank started a monthly bulletin (the precursor to this magazine) and produced programs that were deeply spiritual. He began to connect with viewers in a way thought impossible by most television experts. Television can be a very cold medium, but Father Frank brought a warmth and enthusiasm that were seldom seen. He devoted his priestly life to the "parishioners of the airwaves," as he liked to call them. He cared for and loved them, and they reciprocated in kind. He believed in them and they trusted him. Father Frank became pastor of the
largest parish in the world. This is not something he sought. He would have
been happy in a small parish with 50 parishioners. But he understood the
importance of the Daily Mass and the Sunday television Mass, The Rosary,
and all the other programming. People thirsted to hear the word of God
proclaimed and he sacrificed to serve them.
He would often share some of the mail that had come to him directly. Each letter was important to him; each story resonated. He prayed for all those who asked and believed deeply that our parishioners of the airwaves were not a number but each was an important part of the body of Christ.
The outpouring of love from people upon news of his death was incredible.
We received more than 8,000 letters from people whose lives he had touched. The staff was numb, but kept working because they knew how important that would be to him. What I remember most is the number of priests that attended his funeral. Father Frank had a great bond with his brother priests and always supported them. At the end of the funeral Mass, the priests all stood and sang the Salve Regina, Hail Holy Queen, which was so appropriate because of his devotion to Mary and the rosary. Today, Father Frank rests in St. Joseph's Cemetery in West Roxbury, Mass.,with his parents.
On July 17, 2001, Msgr. Francis T. McFarland died of a sudden heart attack. It was a devastating blow to all those who considered him a friend, so many of whom had never even met him. Yet the pain was dulled by a phrase he often used, "Jesus is alive." We all caught a glimpse of Jesus in the words and actions of Father Frank. How fortunate we were to have known him, and what a gift he was to the Church. He was a friend to all – and I am sure that today he is in paradise.
