February 11 is the anniversary of John T. McCall, O.S.A.

John Thomas McCall was born August 31, 1907 in Charlestown, Massachusetts, to Thomas and Margaret (Campion) McCall. He was Baptized September 8, 1907 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Charlestown. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation June 17, 1920 at the same church.

John received his elementary education at local schools. He began his high school education at St. John Prep School, Danvers, Massachusetts, continued at Lawrence High School, Lawrence, Massachusetts, and graduated from Villanova Preparatory School, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1924.

He entered the Augustinian Novitiate June 25, 1924. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine June 26, 1925 and solemn (permanent) vows September 1, 1928. He earned a B.A. in Psychology from Villanova College, Villanova, in 1928. He did his theological studies from 1928 to 1932 at St. Monica College, Rome. He was ordained a Priest September 12, 1931 in Rome. He received an M.A. in Sociology from Villanova College in 1933.

His first assignment was in 1932 to Villanova College, Villanova, where he taught while taking courses toward his Master's Degree. From 1935 to 1942 he was a Teacher at St. Thomas High School, Rockford, Illinois. When the new Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel (Augustinians of the Midwest) was formed in 1941, he was affiliated to that Province.

Father McCall was transferred in 1942 to St. Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois, as a Teacher. In 1943 he joined the U. S. Navy as a Chaplain, serving in that role until 1946. Upon his discharge from the Navy, he returned to teach at St. Rita High School, Chicago. In 1950, while still at St. Rita, he was elected Secretary of the Province.

He returned to teach at St. Thomas High School, Rockford, in 1952. In 1959 he was assigned to Cascia Hall School, Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he was a Teacher and Prior (local superior) of the Augustinian community. From 1962 to 1968 he was Assistant Pastor of St. Rita Catholic Parish, Chicago, and Prior of the Augustinian community there. At the conclusion of his term of office in 1968, he was transferred to St. Mary Catholic Parish, Rockford, where he was Assistant Pastor and Prior.

Father McCall became a Senior Friar, with reduced ministerial responsibilities, in 1977. He joined the community at St. Monica Monastery, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and remained there until 1986, when he moved to Bl. Stephen Bellisini Friary (St. Rita Catholic Parish), Racine, Wisconsin.

While taking part in the Province retreat in Mundelein, Illinois, Father McCall suffered a serious stroke in June, 1988. He was disabled, and moved to Lincoln Village Convalescent Center, Racine. He died there February 11, 1989. He was 81.

In his early years, Father McCall was noted as an adventurous person who was not adverse to taking risks. After his return from military service in 1946, he became somewhat reclusive and a voracious reader. He could venture into almost any area of discussion and hold his own. In his final days he was consoled by the daily attention of members of his community.

He is buried in Lawrence, his home town, at St. Mary Cemetery.

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