Fr Frank was born in Kyabram (VIC) on 10 July 1926, the son of Thomas Shortis and Catherine O’Rourke. His early years of schooling took place at Byrneside and Lancaster State Schools. Following two years at Kyabram High School Frank completed his secondary education at Assumption College, Kilmore.
On12 March 1946 Frank joined the Carmelites, entering the Novitiate at Wahroonga (NSW). The following year he made his first profession of vows as a Carmelite and began his studies for the priesthood at Whitefriars Monastery, Donvale (VIC).
Having made his Solemn Profession (life-long commitment) in 1950 Frank was ordained priest on 11 January 1953 St Augustine’s Church in his home parish of Kyabram.
In the early 1950s the idea of expanding the Carmelites’ ministry to include education was gaining momentum in the Province. Finally a decision was made to establish a secondary school for boys on the Order’s property at Donvale. A number of Carmelites, Fr Frank among them, began studies at Melbourne University to prepare for their roles in the new school which became known as Whitefriars College.
From 1954 to 1960 while studying at Melbourne University Frank lived in the Carmelite Parish of Port Melbourne (VIC). In addition to his studies and assisting in the parish, Frank was also Acting Parish Priest at Port Melbourne and Acting Novice Master at Hunters Hill (NSW) at various times during these years.
In January 1960 Frank was named the first Headmaster of the new College which opened in January the following year. With him on staff in that first year were Fr James Pilkington, Br Thomas Butler and Fr Matthew McPhee.
For the next 12 years Frank oversaw the growth and development of the College and the formation of its staff. Especially important to Frank was the cultivation of the religious and spiritual dimensions of students’ lives.
Late in 1972 Frank was asked to be founding principal of Geoghegan College, Broadmeadows (VIC) a new co-educational, senior secondary venture of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, now known as Penola Catholic College. The project of establishing the school was marked with many frustrations, difficulties and uncertainties. Frank saw the potential of a new and different style of education for senior students, one which would help them to transition to tertiary educational opportunities.
In August 1979 Frank was elected Prior Provincial of the Australian Carmelites. Among the events which took place during his 6 years as Provincial were the celebration of the centenary of the arrival of the Carmelites in Melbourne, the re-invigorating of the Province’s Communications Ministry, development of Province Administration, the establishment of the Carmelite Institute of Spirituality and the development of a conference centre in the Order’s monastery at Donvale.
Having completed his term as Provincial Frank embarked on a sabbatical in 1986 doing courses in personal renewal and spirituality in NSW and VIC. In 1998 he became part of the spirituality team at the Carmelite Institute, Donvale.
Following the Provincial Chapter in 1988 Frank was appointed Parish Priest of Our Lady of Mt Carmel Parish, Hilton, WA. Always an engaging public speaker and preacher Frank nurtured his parishioners by unfolding for them the riches of the Scripture readings at Mass and gently leading them to reflect on the place of Christ and the Gospel in their lives. During his time as Parish Priest at Hilton Frank led the parish in building a beautiful new parish church.
Following the death of Fr Shane O’Connor in 1997 Frank was again elected Provincial, firstly to complete Shane’s term of office and then for a further 3 years in 1998. Having completed his term as Provincial Frank was appointed to Our Lady of Mt Carmel Parish, Coorparoo (QLD) where he remained until March 2014 assisting in the parish in Coorparoo and working part-time in the Carmelite Archives at Middle Park (VIC).
On 13 January 2013 Frank celebrated the 60th anniversary of his Ordination with a special mass at Whitefriars College attended by over 200 family and friends including a contingent of parishioners from Hilton who provided the music.
In March 2014 Frank decided to move back to Middle Park to be near to his family. Frank worked in the Carmelite Archives at Middle Park. His long membership of the Order and ability to recall events, places, names and faces made him invaluable in correctly classifying many documents and photographs.
Unfortunately Frank’s health began to decline rapidly in January this year and Frank died peacefully at Cabrini Palliative Care, Prahran (VIC) at 12.45am on Friday 24 July 2015.
The Carmelites of Australia and East Timor mourn the loss of a respected brother, remarkable educator, wise counsellor and faithful friend whose wisdom and gentleness will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.
Concelebrated Requiem Mass for Fr Frank will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, cnr Richardson & Wright Streets, Middle Park VIC on Friday 31 July at 11.00am. Burial will follow in the Carmelite section of Williamstown Cemetery, Champion Road, Williamstown at the conclusion of mass.
David Hofman, OCarm.
