Monsignor McGrath ‘Zooms’ into role as new chaplain of Naples Chapter

As the new chaplain of Legatus’ Naples (Fla.) Chapter, Monsignor Frank C. McGrath recently attended his first chapter meeting.

“And that was a Zoom meeting,” said Monsignor McGrath, 76, a priest of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn., who has been on assignment for six years in Naples as chaplain for the Ave Maria School of Law.

Monsignor McGrath celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination this summer and is still going strong in his priestly ministry. He recently spoke with Legatus magazine.

What are your early impressions as a Legatus chaplain?

An organization like Legatus that works to unite peers for the cause of Christ and His Church is very valuable, very worthwhile. The bishops recognized that rather early on, and that’s why they got behind it right away. The members find a great support system that helps them to be the faithful Catholics they want to be, but also active and intelligent Catholics.

How are things going for you six years into your assignment at the Ave Maria School of Law?

It’s a great assignment. Basically, Tom [Monaghan] said he wanted a priest on campus to manifest the Church’s presence, celebrate two Masses a day, and be available for Confessions. The job description has evolved a bit. I help with public relations. The development office invites me to different events so I can meet visitors, friends, and benefactors. I say prayers before and after various events around school. I visit classes and try to be very present to the students and actively engage with them. The school is about 60 percent Catholics, so I work and relate with people from other faiths as well.

How would you describe the caliber of students there?

They’re highly committed to becoming lawyers. They’re very involved in their studies. There are a number of students who are highly committed Catholics, and they want to use their profession to make a difference, to serve the Church, to serve the Faith. The majority of students want to use their career to benefit society. There is a Christian culture here of service, and that is encouraging to see. The students are very friendly, very respectful, and there is a lot of kindness, a lot of joy here. They’re a remarkable group.

Had you had prior experiences with attorneys and people in the legal profession?

In high school, I had several friends whose dads were lawyers. In my first couple of assignments as a priest, there were a lot of lawyers in the parishes. I was also involved in Cursillo and the Charismatic Renewal, and there were a number of lawyers, men and women, in those movements. I respected their intelligence and their ability to think logically and clearly, which is something the law school works to create in the students.

When did you first feel called to the priesthood?

I was about 10 years old, in the fifth grade at St. James School in Stratford, Conn. I started getting attracted to the life of the priests, and decided to go to Notre Dame High School in Fairfield to be near priests. After high school, I went into the seminary, so I had an early call to the priesthood.

Do you enjoy any hobbies?

I like to play a little golf when I can. When I first came here, I was doing a lot of bicycling. I’ve given that up. I enjoy occasional swimming in a local pool and at the beach. I also read a lot. I have more free time than I had as a pastor, so I use it for prayer and spiritual reading.