Fr. Jim Gannon Biography

The summer of 1983, as my Franciscan year of novitiate was coming to a close, I started the process of registering at the Catholic Theological Union ( C.T.U.), Chicago, Illinois, where I would continue my theological studies. 

The C.T.U. registration form asked ~ How many children did your mother give birth to?  This question was startling as it forced me to answer ~ five children and not four children.  I am the third child born to Jeanette (Flanigan) and James Gannon. My two sisters, Patricia + JoAnn and my brother Joe, were born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  A sister, Sharon Teresa, died a few months after her birth. 

My parents made sure we all received Catholic grade school and high school education.  My sisters, brother and I all attended St. Bernard’s Grade School.  My sisters attended St. Hubert’s High School for girls; my brother and I attended Father Judge High School for boys.  After high school graduation I attended DeSales University, Center Valley, PA; where I received a B.A. in English Literature and certification in secondary education.

After graduation I commenced a seven year teaching career at Archbishop Ryan High School, Philadelphia, PA; one of twenty-two Philadelphia Archdiocesan High Schools; the largest Catholic High School in the world (2,300) students; administrated by the Order of Friars Minor from 1966 – 2008.  Day after day, Franciscan Friar, Gabriel, would say ~ “Mr. Gannon, you would look wonderful in brown.”

Finally, after two years I asked him if he thought that I would make a good U.P.S. Driver.  “No”, he said, “You would make a good Franciscan.”  In 1981, while continuing my teaching career, I entered the formation program of the Assumption Province of the Order of Friars Minor.  In August 1982 I entered the novitiate at St. Mary of the Angels, Green Bay, Wisconsin.  One year later, August 1983, I professed first vows. Concluding my theological studies at C.T.U. I professed Solemn Vows as a Friar Minor and was ordained May 1987.