Deacon Frank Flood

If there is ever any doubt about the number of endeavors a person can undertake, one needs to look no further than Deacon Frank Flood. From civil engineering to pastoral formation, Deacon Frank has done it all. He has demonstrated commitment and dedication to his family, his parish, his career and his community in ways that are too numerous to count. Being ‘involved’ has been the cornerstone of his life, bringing many achievements and wonderful blessings.

Deacon Frank and his wife Maureen settled in Massapequa Park forty years ago. At that time, he was working for Nassau County’s Department of Health and needed to reside within the County. While they lived in Hempstead, they sought a more relaxed, cozy environment. After discovering a wonderful community, friendly people and more trees than they imagined, Massapequa quickly became their home. And during forty-five years of marriage, Deacon Frank and Maureen have been blessed with seven children and twelve grandchildren.

In 1967 Deacon Frank transferred to Nassau County’s Department of Public Works where he served as the Director of Environmental Engineering from 1975 until his retirement in 1992. During this time he was a member of the Massapequa Park Village Planning Commission and later became a Village Trustee and Deputy Mayor. Since 1995 he has served as a Commissioner of the Massapequa Water District.

In addition to his robust career, community service, and taking care of his large family, Deacon Frank also gave his time and talent to St. Rose of Lima. He initially became involved in the parish as a CCD teacher for high school students. As he and his wife began to enroll their children in St. Rose of Lima’s School, he increased his involvement and became active in the Holy Name Society. To this day he cherishes the fond memories of softball games and ‘A Day in the Park’ picnics that this ministry coordinated. In the early 1970’s, he served as Parish Council President and in 1972, he and Maureen began the in-home Pre-Cana program with four other couples, including Deacon Dennis O’Connor and his wife. Deacon Frank also became a Eucharistic Minister and in the late 1980’s was asked to join the Parish Renewal Weekend team.

While the Parish Renewal weekends deepened Deacon Frank’s own spirituality, it also tested his ability to interrelate with others. He had sensed a calling to the Diaconate in the early 80’s, but it wasn’t until Deacon Ken Sullivan prompted him during a renewal weekend that that he decided to act on his calling. With Maureen’s full support, he enrolled in the Pastoral Formation Institute’s very first class with Deacon Frank McGuinness. He completed three years of study before entering the Seminary of The Immaculate Conception in Huntington. He was ordained in 1994 and was officially assigned to St. Rose of Lima. At that time, Deacon Frank returned to the Seminary for a sixth year to study Homiletics, after which he received the facilities to preach at Sunday liturgies. As a Deacon, he is involved in the Baptism program and when requested, he has presided at Wakes and Weddings.

The Diaconate has been a very rewarding experience for Deacon Frank, one full of blessings and daily challenges, especially in preaching. “Believing what you read, teaching what you believe and practicing what you teach is a constant challenge,” says Deacon Frank. “But the reward in preaching is the studying necessary to try to understand the Gospel and express it so you can really help people,” he adds.