Fr. John Charles Flannery, OP

Born to William Louis Flannery and Frances Duchscher on March 14, 1932 at Jamestown, North Dakota, and raised in Southern California, Fr. John Flannery died peacefully and unexpectedly at St. Albert Priory, Oakland, CA on March 24, 2013 in the presence of other Dominicans who provided the Sacraments at his passsing. He was preceeded in death by his parents, a sister, Marie Gurski, and an older brother.

He began his Dominican vocation in August of 1953 and made first profession in 1954.  He was ordained a priest on June 10, 1960 at St. Mary Cathedral in San Francisco, CA.  With the intention of serving as a missionary, Fr. Flannery studied medicine at Marquette University where he received his MD degree in 1956.  He served as a medical missionary and priest in Ocosingo, Mexico until forced by politial changes to return to the US where he went on to obtain a degree in psychiatry from the University of Michigan.

Fr. Flannery put his educational background to good use in a variety of ministries.  He served as part-time chaplain at San Quentin Prison, as visiting professor of Psychiatry and Relgion at the Graduate THeological Union in Berkeley, CA.  and as Director of Psychiatric Emergency Services for Maricopa County Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ.

He also served and Newman chaplain at the Arizona State University, pastor of St. Dominic Church in San Francisco, and, beginning in 1985, served two terms as Prior Provincial for the Western Dominican Province.  After completing his second term he served as chaplain/doctor for the Native American population at Whiteriver, AZ,

Fr. Flannery was spiritual director and counselor to many, including diocesan priests and seminarians in Phoenix and San Diego.  Later, especially after his retirement in 2009, he offered that same ministrty to his own Dominican Brothers.  In July of 2011 he moved to St. Albert Priory in Oakland, CA where he died on Palm Sunday, 2013 in the afternoon.

Fr. Flannery will be missed for his talents as an administrator, confessor, counselor and spiritual director, for his sense of humor, and for his kind and respectful demeanor toward all he met.

His vigil service:  St. Albert Priory Chapel - Tuesday, 2 April 2013 - 7:30pm

His Mass of Christian Burial: St. Albert Priory Chapel - Wednesday, 3 April 2013 - 10:00am

Burial at St. Dominic Cemetery, Benicia, CA immediately after funeral.

Donations in Honor of Fr. Flannery may be made to the Western Dominican Province - Education of Seminarians at 5877 Birch Court - Oakland, CA 94618.  One may also make a donation on-line.

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