Francis P. McCartin OMI

Rev. Francis P. McCartin, OMI, 95, died on June 24, 2009 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence in Tewksbury, MA after a period of declining health. He was born in Lowell, MA on September 15, 1913, the son of Francis and Margaret (Walsh) McCartin and one of 13 children. He was the first of three brothers to join their uncle, Rev. James B. McCartin, OMI, who died October 17, 1973, as a Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.


Fr. McCartin was educated in Lowell, then attended Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. He entered the Novitiate of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Tewksbury on September 7, 1931, professing his first vows on September 8, 1932. He also attended the Oblate Scholasticate in Washington, DC. His Ordination to the priesthood took place in Washington, DC on June 7, 1938 with Bishop John Michael McNamara presiding.


Following Ordination, Fr. McCartin was assigned in 1938 to St. Patrick's Parish in Ligonier, IN. He spent the next 23 years preaching parish missions based in Ligonier, IN, Toledo, OH, and Newburgh, NY. He also taught while in Newburgh and Toledo and served in various chaplaincies. In 1960, he completed a five year Naval Academy course which led to his designation as a Qualified Celestial Navigator. In 1962, he was assigned to Washington, DC as Province Director of Public Relations. His next assignment, in 1964, saw him preaching missions, once again, from his base at the Oblate Novitiate in Tewksbury, MA, which is now the site of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Infirmary and Residence. He remained assigned to Tewksbury until his death, and continued preaching well into his 80's.


In addition to his Oblate family, Fr. McCartin is survived by one sister and four brothers, Margaret M. Teague of Westford, MA; Philip C. and Mary Ann of Osterville, MA; Norbert T. and Patricia of Dracut, MA; Dr. Lawence M. and Mary Joy of Lowell, MA; and former Missionary Oblate, Paul C and B. J. of Asheville, NC.


Besides his parents, he was predeceased by two sisters and five brothers; Mary A. McCartin and Anne E. Loughran; William T., James J., Robert A., John P. and deceased Oblate, Rev. Joseph T. McCartin, OMI.