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Brother in the news.
Brother in the news.
As Seen in: 
Vol. 47 No. 28 October 1, 2008
Father Sean Gann, new pastor, feels like he’s come home
By Mary Iapalucci Staff Reporter
Father Sean Gann was installed as pastor of St. Joseph’s, Kings Park, the parish
where he was baptized. Father Gann, second from right, is welcomed to the parish
by, from left, Deacon John Trodden, Msgr. Alex Manly, pastor emeritus, and Msgr.
T. Peter Ryan, area dean, who baptized Father Gann 43 years ago. TLIC photo/Mary
Iapalucci
Kings Park — “It’s nice to be home,” Father Sean Gann said at his installation
as pastor of St. Joseph’s parish here, in the church where he was baptized 43
years earlier. The lasting, spontaneous applause that erupted when he entered
the church for the 5 p.m. Mass and his installation on September 21, said that
the parish was equally glad to have him back.
While his family moved to Huntington when Father Gann was a toddler, the
family’s roots remain deep in the Kings Park community. Since he came back to
the parish in June, Father Gann has met many parishioners who were friends with
his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, some of whom still live in
the parish.
“This building was only seven years old when my parents and godparents brought
me here to be baptized,” noted Father Gann at the Mass, held on the 50th
anniversary of the dedication of the church building. The young associate pastor
who baptized him was Father T. Peter Ryan, now Msgr. Ryan, whose role as area
dean means he officiated at the new pastor’s installation.
The series of connections continued as St. Joseph’s Deacon John Trodden, a
friend of the Gann family, proclaimed the Gospel at Mass, just as he had done at
Father Gann’s first Mass after ordination.
“To call it a coincidence almost makes it too simple,” said Father Gann. “It is
a wonderful grace to come back here. I got started here. The rest is history.”
During his homily, an emotional Father Gann said, “I could never express
adequately what this day means to me.”
“This isn’t just any parish to me. For all it has meant to my family, I pledge
to give you my love and service without measure.” He pointed out that St.
Joseph’s became his “mother’s spiritual home since she first stepped off that
boat from Ireland.” Sitting in the first row, her face radiant with pride and
joy, his mother Mary nodded in agreement.
After the Mass, she spoke of how excited she was and how very proud of her son.
She would have been happy to celebrate his being named pastor anywhere, but
being at St. Joseph’s made it “very special.” A graduate of St. Joseph’s School,
she was married in the church and has always had a deep connection to the
parish.
Father Gann was an associate pastor at nearby Christ the King parish, Commack,
for the past nine years. Before that, he was an associate at St. Lawrence in
Sayville. Joining his mother in the front row were Father Gann’s two “other
mothers.” Jean Giedris and Lorraine Mattimore of St. Lawrence said they
“adopted” the young priest during his first assignment and remain close friends.
During the offertory, the three women and Mattimore’s husband Jim brought the
gifts to the altar.
The church was packed to standing room only with parishioners as well as many
friends from past assignments. The combined choirs of St. Joseph provided
inspirational music, starting a half hour before Mass. Fourth Degree Knights of
Columbus provided an honor guard for the processional. Following Mass, there was
a long line to enter the parish hall for a reception dinner.
Deacon Trodden, who was a friend to Father Gann’s godfather uncle since their
days at St. Joseph’s Elementary School, was happy to have Father Gann back at
the parish. “He’ll be a great pastor for us. He has something for everyone,” he
said.
“I have felt at home here since day one,” said Father Gann, who thanked pastor
emeritus Msgr. Alex Manly for welcoming him and his dog, Smudge, into the
rectory. “It has made the transition almost seamless.”
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Last modified: 12/05/2007
© Copyright 2008 The Long Island Catholic
As seen in This Week - Sept 27,2008 
As seen in The Smithtown News - August 21,2008 
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