Rev. John T. McCall, O.S.A. (1907-1989)

Rev. John T. McCall, O.S.A. entered eternal life on February 11, 1989.

John Thomas McCall was born on August 31, 1907 in Charlestown, Massachusetts to Thomas and Margaret (Campion) McCall. He was baptized on September 8, 1907 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Charlestown. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation on June 17, 1920 at the same church.

John received his elementary education at local schools. He began his high school education at St. John Prep School, Danvers, Massachusetts, and continued at Lawrence High School, Lawrence, Massachusetts. He then attended Villanova Preparatory School, Villanova, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1924.

John entered the Augustinian Novitiate on June 25, 1924. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine on June 26, 1925 and solemn (permanent) vows on September 1, 1928. He earned a B.A. in Psychology from Villanova College, Villanova, in 1928. John did his theological studies from 1928 to 1932 at St. Monica College, Rome. He was ordained a priest on September 12, 1931 in Rome. Villanova College awarded him an M.A. in Sociology in 1933.

Father McCall's first assignment was in 1932 to Villanova College, Villanova, where he taught while taking courses toward his Master's Degree. From 1935 to 1942, he was a teacher at St. Thomas High School, Rockford, Illinois. When the new Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel (Augustinians of the Midwest) was formed in 1941, he was affiliated to that Province.

In 1942, Father McCall was transferred to St. Rita High School, Chicago, as a teacher. He joined the U.S. Navy as a Chaplain in 1943, serving in that role until 1946. Upon his discharge from the Navy, he returned to teach at St. Rita High School. In 1950, while still at St. Rita, he was elected Secretary of the Province.

Father McCall returned to teach at St. Thomas High School, Rockford, in 1952. He was then assigned to Cascia Hall School, Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1959. At Cascia Hall, he was a teacher and Prior (local superior) of the Augustinian community. From 1962 to 1968, he was Assistant Pastor of St. Rita Parish, Chicago, and Prior of the Augustinian community there. At the conclusion of his term of office in 1968, he was transferred to St. Mary Parish, Rockford, where he was Assistant Pastor and Prior.

Father McCall became a Senior Friar, with reduced ministerial responsibilities, in 1977. He joined the community at St. Monica Monastery, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and remained there until 1986, when he moved to Bl. Stephen Bellisini Friary (St. Rita Parish), Racine, Wisconsin.

While taking part in the Province retreat in Mundelein, Illinois, Father McCall suffered a serious stroke in June of 1988. He was disabled and moved to Lincoln Village Convalescent Center, Racine. He died there on February 11, 1989 at the age of 81.

In his early years, Father McCall was noted as an adventurous person who was not adverse to taking risks. After his return from military service in 1946, he became somewhat reclusive and a voracious reader. He could venture into almost any area of discussion and hold his own. In his final days, he was consoled by the daily attention of members of his community.

Father McCall is buried in Lawrence, his home town, at St. Mary Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be made to: The Midwest Augustinians, 10161 S Longwood Dr, Chicago, IL 60643-2032 or via our Onlin e Giving Page.