Msgr. Michael Curran: In Memoriam REV. JOHN P. CUSH ’98, C’15, ACADEMIC DEAN Msgr. Curran, a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, was born in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, in 1955. An only child, he attended Cathedral Preparatory Seminary in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, where he encountered some fine diocesan priests who inspired him to pursue a priestly vocation. For his college years, Msgr. Curran went to Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception in Douglaston, New York, where he majored in philosophy. Upon the completion of his bachelor’s degree, Bishop Francis J. Mugavero of Brooklyn assigned Msgr. Curran to complete his priestly formation at The Pontifical North American College. There, “Mickey” Curran became a well-loved and highly respected seminarian who made friends with all he encountered. While a student at the College, Msgr. Curran completed his STB at the Pontifical Gregorian University and his STL in Sacramental Theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum of St. Anselm. Bishop Mugavero ordained him a priest on June 29, 1981, at St. James Cathedral Basilica in Brooklyn. Following his studies, the newly ordained Fr. Curran was assigned to his beloved Breezy Point, Queens, New York, where he served as a parochial vicar at the Church of St. Thomas More-St. Edmund. In 1985, Bishop Mugavero assigned him to doctoral studies in moral theology at the Alfonsianum, which he completed in 1988. From there, Msgr. Curran entered the world of seminary formation where he was a model of wit, good humor, scholarship, and kind wisdom. From 1988-1997, he served as a professor of Moral Theology at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, New York, as a formation advisor. In 1997, at the request of then-Rector Msgr. Timothy Dolan, Fr. Curran joined the formation faculty of the College. He 26
The Pontifical North American College
was the Academic Dean and the Director of Admissions, as well as a beloved formation advisor. In 2002, he returned to the Diocese of Brooklyn, where he served as pastor of St. Catherine of Alexandria, Boro Park, Brooklyn. Pope St. John Paul II named him a Chaplain to His Holiness with the title Reverend Monsignor in 2003. Msgr. Curran returned to Breezy Point in 2005 as the pastor of St. Thomas More-St. Edmund, which would later be conjoined to St. Geneveive’s as the newly established parish of Blessed Trinity. He loved the community dearly and strove to bring these three churches into one family of faith. The parish was hit by “Superstorm Sandy” in 2012, and while many families suffered dearly, Msgr. Curran worked mightily to assist them. In 2013, Msgr. Curran joined the faculty of St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie, New York, as a professor of Moral Theology and the Director of Accreditation. He also began to assist as a weekend associate at Holy Name of Jesus in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn. Throughout all those years, Msgr. Curran aided on various hospital and medical ethics boards as well as serving for many years as the President of the Alumni Association of the College. When he became ill and needed kidney transplants, a parishioner and a brother priest assigned with him were generous enough to donate them to him. After an illness, Msgr. Curran died on October 10, 2021, in New York. His Vigil Mass was offered in the chapel of St. Joseph’s Seminary and his Funeral Mass at St. Thomas More Church in Breezy Point. As his diocesan brother, as a priest who served with him in a parish, as a seminarian formed by him, as someone who succeeded him in his role at the College, and as his friend, I am grateful to God for the years with which we were blessed by the gentle, good humor and kindness of Michael Curran. He loved the College completely and she has benefitted from his goodness. May his memory live on in the hearts and prayers of all alumni. n
