Frank Wittouck, SCJ, to Receive 2020 Klingler Award
Growing up in Chicago, young Frank Wittouck wanted to go to the “China missions.” Later, when considering a vocation, he’d been interested in the Claretians as well as the Priests of the Sacred Heart. Although the Claretians’ modern facilities and amenities made Divine Heart Minor Seminary in Donaldson, Indiana look “shabby” by comparison, the “care and camaraderie” he felt from the SCJ recruiters and seminarians convinced him that was the place to go. He entered there in 1952 and was ordained in 1965, spending the next 55 years as an SCJ. “I’ve enjoyed almost every minute of it. I had a fulfilling life, and so many opportunities I never would have had otherwise,” he recently told JPR Commission member Fr. Ed Zemlik in an interview.
At one point later in his career, Fr. Frank was pastor at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Houston, one of the largest parishes in the archdiocese. Prior to that he’d played many roles – a teacher, Province Director of Formation, a military Chaplain. But his time “animating the laity” at Seton in the 90s was when he felt like he made the greatest impact during his active ministry. Later he would continue to minister in Texas, serving with Frs. Richard (Mac) MacDonald and Frank Clancy in “the Valley.”
But when Fr. Frank retired in 2000, 35 years after ordination, he didn’t stop having an impact. His doctor told him to go someplace warm for his neuropathy, so he went back to Houston, but it wasn’t really retirement. He became a volunteer prison chaplain, ministering in 7 different prisons over 12 years. He also got involved with Marriage Encounter and led programs around the country, and often celebrated Mass on Sunday morning at the “Loaves and Fishes” soup kitchen/women’s shelter downtown, as well. Being “present” to so many in need, or looking inmates in the eye and saying hello to each one could be a challenge, he told Fr. Ed, but a little energy on his part would give him such a big reward.
But perhaps Fr. Frank’s greatest volunteer love in his “first retirement” was the people and programs at Magnificat Houses, a group of shelters for the homeless and ex-offenders started by Rose Mary Badami, a woman Fr. Frank compared to Mother Theresa. Magnificat houses 160 men and 30 women at a time, and one of Fr. Frank’s roles was to help them find jobs, He joked at the time that he was unqualified, because he’d only applied for two jobs in his life! But as with prison ministry, chaplaincy, and formation, the “ministry of intentional presence” was ultimately what he did best and so naturally.
When Fr. Frank had to start his “second retirement” here in the Sacred Heart Community in Franklin, the Executive Director of Magnificat wrote this in their newsletter:
At one point later in his career, Fr. Frank was pastor at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Houston, one of the largest parishes in the archdiocese. Prior to that he’d played many roles – a teacher, Province Director of Formation, a military Chaplain. But his time “animating the laity” at Seton in the 90s was when he felt like he made the greatest impact during his active ministry. Later he would continue to minister in Texas, serving with Frs. Richard (Mac) MacDonald and Frank Clancy in “the Valley.”
But when Fr. Frank retired in 2000, 35 years after ordination, he didn’t stop having an impact. His doctor told him to go someplace warm for his neuropathy, so he went back to Houston, but it wasn’t really retirement. He became a volunteer prison chaplain, ministering in 7 different prisons over 12 years. He also got involved with Marriage Encounter and led programs around the country, and often celebrated Mass on Sunday morning at the “Loaves and Fishes” soup kitchen/women’s shelter downtown, as well. Being “present” to so many in need, or looking inmates in the eye and saying hello to each one could be a challenge, he told Fr. Ed, but a little energy on his part would give him such a big reward.
But perhaps Fr. Frank’s greatest volunteer love in his “first retirement” was the people and programs at Magnificat Houses, a group of shelters for the homeless and ex-offenders started by Rose Mary Badami, a woman Fr. Frank compared to Mother Theresa. Magnificat houses 160 men and 30 women at a time, and one of Fr. Frank’s roles was to help them find jobs, He joked at the time that he was unqualified, because he’d only applied for two jobs in his life! But as with prison ministry, chaplaincy, and formation, the “ministry of intentional presence” was ultimately what he did best and so naturally.
When Fr. Frank had to start his “second retirement” here in the Sacred Heart Community in Franklin, the Executive Director of Magnificat wrote this in their newsletter:
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“When [our] beloved chaplain announced his upcoming retirement, faces fell all around campus. Fr. Frank Wittouck, SCJ, has spent the last ten years serving the spiritual and the temporal needs of our residential community – and with a delightful flair!
“With one knowing glance, Fr. Frank brings humor to self-discovery as he counsels residents (and often staff) through rough patches. He revels in ‘the pure joy of living with the poor.’ He enjoys “hanging out” with his immediate neighbors in our prison release progams. He brings great depth to our jobs program, coaching them in resume writing and interviewing, celebrating their successes and helping them move past disappointment. He has been known to phone Jesus!” |
owever, though they keeping making him retire, Fr. Frank shows no signs of slowing down. As soon as he was out of quarantine after the move here in July, he was trying to find out how to get involved with St. Vincent de Paul and local homeless shelters!
Fr. Ed Z asked how Fr. Dehon had influenced Fr. Frank. He admitted he didn’t appreciate him that much when he was younger – he was more interested in being part of “a gang of guys that like each other and do good work.” But as he got older, he came to understand the wisdom of the Founder’s attitude of openness to new assignments and creating new approaches for changing times. And Dehon’s maxim, “Get out of the sacristy” could be on Fr. Frank’s coat of arms! Above all, he told Fr. Ed, Fr. Dehon, was “a doer,” and that’s one of his biggest values. “90% of life is showing up, and I want to be one of those who show up.”
So, for a lifetime of ministry of presence and pastoral care to God’s people in parishes, in the military, in prisons, in soup kitchens and homeless shelters; for his efforts to form young SCJs and the laity in the spirit of Fr. Dehon, “showing up” and allowing himself to be formed himself by the poor and downtrodden he spent so much of his time with, the Justice, Peace and Reconciliation Commission is pleased and proud to name Frank Wittouck, SCJ, as co-recipient of this year’s Johnny Klingler, SCJ, Social Action Award, on behalf of the U.S. Province of the Priests of the Sacred Heart.
To read about his co-recipienst, Fr. Mike O'Brien and Sacred Heart Parish in Canton, MS, click here.
As of this writing, plans are for Fr. Frank and Fr. Mike to receive their awards in the mail, and then join us virtually for a brief program on September 18 as part of the U.S. Province Jubilee Celebrations. We will update this post as further details are available.
Fr. Ed Z asked how Fr. Dehon had influenced Fr. Frank. He admitted he didn’t appreciate him that much when he was younger – he was more interested in being part of “a gang of guys that like each other and do good work.” But as he got older, he came to understand the wisdom of the Founder’s attitude of openness to new assignments and creating new approaches for changing times. And Dehon’s maxim, “Get out of the sacristy” could be on Fr. Frank’s coat of arms! Above all, he told Fr. Ed, Fr. Dehon, was “a doer,” and that’s one of his biggest values. “90% of life is showing up, and I want to be one of those who show up.”
So, for a lifetime of ministry of presence and pastoral care to God’s people in parishes, in the military, in prisons, in soup kitchens and homeless shelters; for his efforts to form young SCJs and the laity in the spirit of Fr. Dehon, “showing up” and allowing himself to be formed himself by the poor and downtrodden he spent so much of his time with, the Justice, Peace and Reconciliation Commission is pleased and proud to name Frank Wittouck, SCJ, as co-recipient of this year’s Johnny Klingler, SCJ, Social Action Award, on behalf of the U.S. Province of the Priests of the Sacred Heart.
To read about his co-recipienst, Fr. Mike O'Brien and Sacred Heart Parish in Canton, MS, click here.
As of this writing, plans are for Fr. Frank and Fr. Mike to receive their awards in the mail, and then join us virtually for a brief program on September 18 as part of the U.S. Province Jubilee Celebrations. We will update this post as further details are available.