BishopAccountability.org
	A New Pastor Is Leading the Way By Stephen P. Clark The Advocate May 13, 2007 http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-mcgrath3amay13,0,6149056.story? coll=stam-news-local-headlines Darien - Last June, the Rev. Frank McGrath was appointed to a broken parish. St. John Roman Catholic Church on the Post Road was shattered after its longtime pastor, the Rev. Michael Jude Fay, resigned amid allegations he stole more than $1 million from the parish to pay for a lavish - and somewhat open - life with his boyfriend. When McGrath took the helm, parishioners were reeling from news about Fay and another priest at the church, the Rev. Michael Madden. Madden had his supporters because he helped hire a private investigator to follow the money when he thought the diocese was ignoring the case. The diocese stripped Madden of some parish duties and placed him on leave, and he left the priesthood weeks later. "The parishioners were hurt and shocked," McGrath said. "Some angry, all grieving." McGrath said he met with many parishioners to understand their feelings. Then he set about reviving his flock. He revitalized the parish council and the finance committee, developed new ministries, including one for the bedridden, and encouraged parishioners to become more active. Next month, the parish will have its first picnic in years. Perhaps most important, McGrath strengthened financial controls at the parish and brought transparency to the bookkeeping. Parishioners now receive quarterly finance reports and a presentation at the end of each Mass. The 62-year-old McGrath, who has been a priest for 37 years, said he has no special skills as a leader. "I just love the people and connect them with the Lord," he said. Many parishioners describe him as charismatic, trustworthy, spiritual and accessible. "I think he was exactly what the parish needed," said Maryann Lehmann, 45, a parishioner for eight years. "It's such a breath of fresh air to have someone with so much enthusiasm behind him. There's more life in the parish in the past year than the whole time I've been there." McGrath said his approach is to "ask the Lord for help, and things start happening." Born in New Britain and raised in Stratford, McGrath first wanted to become a priest when he was 9 and switched from public to Catholic school. "I had a desire to serve the Lord," he said. McGrath began doing that full time when he graduated from Notre Dame High School in Fairfield. He has been a pastor or administrator of five parishes, worked in Belgium, and is chaplain for the Westport police and fire departments. As director of clergy personnel for the Diocese of Bridgeport, McGrath was one of Bishop William Lori's closest advisers for several years. His responsibilities included recommending where priests should be assigned and helping them with their assignments or retirement. "It was a great honor to serve priests," he said. During his tenure, the Roman Catholic Church struggled with sex abuse allegations against many priests. Good priests did not make headlines, McGrath said. "I saw some great priests," he said. "I had a broader perspective than just seeing trouble." But he saw his share. In January 2002, he was assigned to St. Mary parish in Ridgefield as an administrator after the former pastor was accused of sexual abuse. He stayed for three months until a pastor was found. That assignment was as challenging as the one at St. John, McGrath said. But this time he hopes for a long tenure. "I really love the people here," he said.
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