John F. Flynn, O.S.A. (1927 - 2024)

Rev. John F. Flynn, O.S.A., entered eternal life on January 14, 2024. He was 96 years old, and the oldest member of the Province at the time.

John Francis Flynn was born on July 13, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois, to Clarence and Edna (Slaven) Flynn. He was baptized on August 7, 1927, at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus Parish in Chicago, where he also received his First Holy Communion at age 7. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation on May 18, 1939, at the same parish.

After graduating from Little Flower Parochial School in Chicago in 1941, John enrolled at St. Rita High School in Chicago, where he studied for one year. He then entered the Augustinian minor seminary program at St. Monica Seminary in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, where he studied for two years. He completed his high school studies at Augustinian Academy in Staten Island, New York, earning his diploma in 1945.

He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate on September 8, 1945. He professed simple (temporary) vows on September 10, 1946, and solemn (permanent) vows on September 10, 1949. He was ordained to the priesthood on September 19, 1953, in Detroit, Michigan.

Following his profession of vows, John studied at Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania, earning a B.A. in Philosophy in 1950. He then followed the program of theological studies at Augustinian College in Washington, D.C., from 1950 to 1954. During this time, he also studied at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., earning an M. A. in History in 1954.

Father Flynn taught at St. Rita High School in Chicago from 1954 to 1957. He was then named Master of Professed, serving first at Conception Abbey in Conception, Missouri, where he also taught history. When the students moved to the newly completed Tolentine Hall in Olympia Fields, Illinois, in 1958, he moved there with them and continued serving as Master of Professed and teacher. When the students reached the level of theology in 1961, they began their studies at Augustinian Academy in St. Louis, Missouri. Father Flynn went with them and served as Master of Theologians and teacher. He continued in these roles when they returned to Tolentine College in Olympia Fields in 1962. In 1964-1965, he served as Master of Novices at St. Monica Novitiate in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. He then returned to Tolentine College as Master of Professed and teacher in 1965.

Father Flynn served as Associate Pastor at St. Anthony Parish in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, from 1967 to 1968. In 1968, he was named Associate Pastor of St. Rita Parish in Chicago, serving there until 1971.

When the Province opened the Theologate at St. John Stone Friary in Chicago in 1971, Father Flynn was named its first Master of Professed and Prior of the community.

In 1972, he was appointed Pastor of Immaculate Conception/St. Henry Parish in St. Louis, Missouri, and served in that position until his election as Prior Provincial in 1979.

At the conclusion of his four-year term as Provincial in 1983, he became Prior of the retirement community at St. Monica Monastery in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.

In 1985, he went to Holy Rosary Parish in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he served as Associate Pastor. He was then named Administrator of St. Peter Parish in Douglas, Michigan, in 1986. The following year he was appointed Pastor of St. Rita Parish in Chicago, a post he held until 1990. Father Flynn was Associate Pastor of St. Clare of Montefalco Parish in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, in 1990-1991. He returned to St. Peter Parish in Douglas, Michigan, in 1991, where he served as Pastor and Prior. He was then appointed Associate Pastor of St. Clare of Montefalco Parish in Chicago in 1995. He was named Prior of the St. Rita High School community in 1999. Then, in 2000, he was appointed Prior of the St. Clare of Montefalco/St. Rita Center House community in Chicago.

In 2001, the Province established Our Lady of Grace Community at Marian Village, an retirement facility in Homer Glen, Illinois. Father Flynn was named the first Superior of this community, whose membership was comprised primarily of retired friars needing special attention and care.

When the program for friars needing assisted living was moved from Marian Village to Tolentine Monastery in Olympia Fields in 2003, Father Flynn was assigned to St. Matthew Parish in Flint, Michigan, where he was semi-retired. In 2010, he moved to St. Peter Parish in Douglas, Michigan, where he served as Prior. In both these parishes, Father Flynn provided pastoral ministries as needed in various locations.

Due to declining health, Fr. Flynn was moved to Bl. Stephen Bellesini Friary in Crown Point, Indiana, in 2013. He offered sacramental assistance at St. Matthias Parish nearby as needed. He moved to assisted living at St. Anthony Home in 2016 and skilled care in 2020. Fr. Flynn occasionally offered sacramental help as needed at St. Anthony Home.

On January 14, 2024, Fr. Flynn peacefully passed to his eternal home.

Fr. Flynn will be remembered for his warm personality, pastoral care, and sensitivity to people’s needs. His ministry spanned over 70 years, and he left a lasting impact on the many people he served in numerous locations.

He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, IL.

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