Fr. John Phelan, S.J. or fondly called Fr. Jack

Born August 31, 1922 in Bronx, New York

Parents:
John Anthony Phelan and
Nell Mickler Phelan
(now both deceased)

Education:

• Our Lady of Mercy Grade School, 1936
• Fordham Prep, (New York) 1940
• Fordham College, (New York) AB History 1943
• Bellarmine College, (New York) MA 1953
• Woodstack College (Maryland) 1959
• Fordham University, (New York) MS Education 1970

Experience

• Office Clerk, Macy’s Department Store, New York City, 1940
• Oiler, Quonset Naval Depot, Rhode Island, 1941
• Oiler, Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York City, 1942
• Pvt., Cpl., Lt., & Captain, Company E, 343rd Regiment 86th, Infantry Division, U.S. Army (stationed in Europe and the Philippines), 1943 –46
• Clerk, First National City Bank, New York City, 1946-48

Society of Jesus

• Entered the Society of Jesus in 1948
• Taught Religion, Latin, and Speech at Brooklyn Preparatory School in New York City from 1953 to ‘54
• Ordained to the priesthood on June 21, 1958 by Cardinal Francis Joseph Spellman, Archbishop of New York
• Arrived at the Ateneo de Naga on July 20, 1960
• Taught English and Religion to third high school students
• Was appointed Dean of College in 1961 and taught Theology and Education
• Was appointed Guidance Counselor in 1964; was also moderator of the Knights of the Blessed Sacrament, Adoracion Nocturna, St. Francis Xavier Sodality, and St. Therese Sodality.
• In the 70’s he was Director of the Guidance Department, Head of the Theology Department, and moderator of the Adoracion Nocturna and the Christian Life Community (which replaced the Sodalities).
• In the 70’s he was at various years Dean of College, and was even President in 1978.
• He continued to be Director of Guidance in the 80’s.
• In the 90s he was Vice President for Alumni Affairs up to the early 2000’s.

On a personal level, Fr. Jack was available anytime anywhere to the students, alumni, and Bicolanos for confession, counseling, and assistance. His kindness and generosity are legend. He was goodness personified. To Fr. Jack, Ateneo de Naga, where he spent more 40 years of his life, will always be his home, his maogmang lugar.