John McCann, pastor of the Church of St. Mary in Manhasset, is now 75 years old, and per Roman Catholic Church doctrine, he’s hit his age of retirement.
“Catholic priests have to submit their resignation when they’re 75 years old. It’s canon, canon law,” said McCann, who on May 31 will celebrate his 50th year in the priesthood with a celebratory mass. “Bishops, too, have to submit their resignations when they’re 75.”
For McCann, who arrived at St. Mary’s as the 11th pastor in parish history in 1998, it was a time to leave marked not just by the traditions of his faith but also the clues provided by biology.
“I think the body tells you that [it’s time to retire],” he said. “If you haven’t gotten there yet, you’ll know. You don’t have the same energy that you used to have.”
McCann grew up in New Hyde Park and attended St. Mary’s High School before collegiate and post-graduate studies at St. John’s University and the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington.
He became an associate pastor at Saint Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Glen Cove in 1974 and was appointed pastor there a decade later. In 1991, he was named a domestic prelate by Pope John Paul II.
McCann directed all pastoral activity within the parish and its elementary and high schools, presiding over Manhasset’s Catholic community during major events like the September 11 terrorist attacks and 2012’s Superstorm Sandy.
But McCann declined to comment on the nature of his tenure with St. Mary’s, saying, “I do not like to talk about my goals and achievements. I let other people talk about that. I’m here to preach the gospel and serve the community.”
McCann’s retirement will begin June 24, a parish official said.
A party will be held for McCann on May 29 at the North Hills Country Club at 6:30 p.m. A reception will also be held following the May 31 mass.
CORRECTION: A May 22 version of this article was headlined ‘St. Mary’s pastor to retire from priesthood.’ McCann is not retiring from the priesthood, as priests serve until death. He is, however, leaving the St. Mary’s parish. We regret the error.
