Rev. Francis Xavier Callahan

On July 6, 2017, Rev. Francis Xavier Callahan beloved son of the late Frances Bernard Callahan & Virginia Frances (Dowling) Callahan; loving brother of Kathleen Roche (James) & Virginia Ebner (George); cherished uncle of James Roche, Virginia Roche King, Kathleen Roche Bell, Michael Ebner & Theresa Ebner Brouse. He is also survived by great nieces & nephews Amanda, John, Joey, Samantha, Daniel & Lucy and great great nephews James & Julian as well as many beloved friends.

Visitation at the family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc., 1050 York Rd. (Beltway exit 26) on Sunday, July 9 from 3 to 5 p.m. & on Monday, July 10, from 3 to 7:30 p.m. at St. Margaret Catholic Church,141 Hickory Ave., Bel Air, MD with a Vigil service beginning at 7 p.m.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Tuesday, July 11, at Stella Maris Chapel at 10:30 a.m., where Rev. Callahan will lie in state beginning at 9:30 a.m. Interment in Crest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to your parish for their specific needs. Rev. Callahan was ordained May 25, 1963 by Cardinal Lawrence Shehan. He then served St. Dominic Parish, Hamilton from 1963-1970; St. Ambrose Parish, Baltimore City from 1970-1971. He then served as Director of Collegial Services at the Catholic Center with his residence at Holy Cross. He chaired the national convention of NFPC (National Federation of Priests' Councils). Rev. Callahan founded the National Organization for Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy and he organized and contributed to "Spiritual Renewal of the American Priesthood." He also led clergy retreats on the implementation of the document. He served as Pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in Baltimore City from 1976-1986, Saint Margaret Parish, Bel Air from 1986-2006 where he retired Pastor Emeritus in 2006. In retirement he served the Community of Saint Michael, Aberdeeen Proving Ground and Edgewood Area Chapels.

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