FLAVIN, REV. JOHN EDWARD
Father John returned home to God on May 30, 2020 at age 83. The only child of John and Loretta Flavin, young John Edward attended Little Flower parish school, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the Major Seminary in Mundelein, after which he was sent to Rome for theological studies at the North American College and Gregorian University.
Following early ordination in December, 1960 his first assignment was to Our Lady of Grace parish on Chicago’s north side, after which he was invited to join the faculty of FatherQuigley, his alma mater, where he served for 12 years as a much loved teacher of History while also helping at St. Gertrude and St. Catherine of Siena parishes. He was elected the fourth president of the Priests’ Senate, appointed to develop and oversee a new Evaluation program for parishes and clergy, and to serve on the board of the PRMAA (Priests’ Retirement and Mutual Aid Association.)
His first pastorate was at St. Sebastian’s, a small but richly diverse parish in Lakeview, which faced challenges from gentrification, immigration and the onset of the AIDS epidemic. The parish offered services in both Spanish and English, sponsored an excellent elementary school, hosted the weekly Dignity Mass for the LGBTQ community, and provided pastoral care for Catholic patients at Illinois Masonic hospital, just across the street. The parish also voted to convert their underused convent into a hospice for AIDS patients, rechristening it Bonaventure House.
Father John was a busy and very happy priest. His second and final pastorate was Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a mega-parish in Glenview, where he enthusiastically supported the many activities of this vibrant community. He fostered construction of an addition to the burgeoning school, encouraged the Sharing committee, and assisted with Sister Paulanne’s extraordinary programs for needy families.
He enjoyed celebrating Baptisms, First Communions, weddings and graduations as well as bringing Communion to the sick, and grieving with families at the funerals of their loved ones. His regular exercise was taking long walks throughout the parish and encountering parishioners on their home turf. He also eagerly anticipated Thursday gatherings with his comrades from the ordination class of 1961, a tradition that spanned more than half a century and included golf, unless it snowed, and lively conversation before, during and after dinner.
Retirement was not easy for Father John. He missed his work, and was hobbled by increasingly poor health, but through it all maintained remnants of his lovable, feisty personality. Now may he rest in God’s deep peace. Well done, good and faithful servant.
