Brother Francis (Frank) J. TenHoopen, MM

Born: January 25, 1952
Oath: May 27, 1978
Died: June 29, 2024

Brother Frank TenHoopen died on June 29, 2024 in the Assisted Living Unit at Maryknoll, New York. He was 72 years old and a Maryknoll Brother for 46 years.

Francis Joseph TenHoopen was born in Zeelan, Michigan on January 25, 1952, son of William and Helen Eggleston TenHoopen. He grew up with six brothers and three sisters. He first attended St. Mary’s Grade School in New Salem and then finished in public school of Bellaire, Michigan. In 1966 he entered St. Peter and Paul High School Seminary (PIME) in Newark, Ohio. Continuing in his formation with PIME (Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions), he attended Maryglade College Seminary at the University of Detroit where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religious Studies in 1975. He entered Maryknoll at Hingham, Massachusetts in September 1977, and took his First Oath to the Maryknoll Society on May 27, 1978.

Brother Frank did his Overseas Training Program (OTP) in Kenya from August 1979 through May 1981, working with the SOS Children’s Home and as patron of the Young Christian Students movement at Jericho Parish, Nairobi. He professed his Permanent Oath to the Society in April 1982, and was officially assigned to the Kenya Region. While working in Kenya Brother Frank continued his studies, and in April 1983 received his Master of Arts from Maryknoll Seminary, New York.

After four months of language school in Tanzania, Brother Frank was assigned to Kilifi Parish. Brother Frank devoted his entire mission career to the people in Kenya. He worked in the formation of Small Christian Communities until 1990 when he was assigned to the Youth Office of the Archdiocese of Mombasa and became the Youth Coordinator for the Archdiocese. In addition to planning many youth seminars and workshops throughout the Archdiocese, Brother Frank established many archdiocesan programs that promoted youth leadership and entrepreneurial skills. He established a hostel for priests that served both archdiocesan and visiting clergy in Mombasa. Brother Frank developed very close personal relationships with Archbishops John Njenga and Boniface Lele. He served in the Archdiocese’s administration for many years as director of finance and fundraising. The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops also engaged him as an adviser on finances and fundraising. Brother Frank coordinated the fundraising and construction of Our Lady Mother of Africa Pastoral Center, a retreat and conference center for the Archdiocese.

In addition to his many duties in archdiocesan administration, Brother Frank managed programs to assist disadvantaged children and children who had been trafficked. One of his most impressive efforts was Mahali pa Usalama, a home for trafficked and sexually abused children. He assisted the late Brother John Mullen in establishing an archdiocesan community of Brothers, the Brothers of Jesus the Good Shepherd, in Mombasa. For several years, Brother Frank served as the superior of the Brothers. Brother Frank was renowned for his great love of dogs. Throughout his years in Kenya, he always had many canine companions.

Brother Frank participated in the 1999 Inter-Chapter Society Assembly (ICSA) held in Kenya. In 1998 he was elected Assistant Regional Superior of the Africa Region, a position to which he was re-elected in 2001 and 2004. He was a Delegate to the Eleventh General Chapter in 2002, representing Permanent Oath Brothers Serving Overseas.

In August 2016 Brother Frank was assigned to the U.S. Region with Senior Missioner Status, and worked with the Assisted Living Unit at Maryknoll, New York. He was assigned to the Senior Missioner Community in March 2018 and resided at the Society Center in Maryknoll, New York.

Brother Frank is survived by his sisters: Barbara McNally, Kathy Bowker, and Mary Lennington; his brothers: William TenHoopen, Roger TenHoopen, and Michael TenHoopen,; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers Joseph, Thomas, and Patrick TenHoopen.

Wake services were held on July 6, 2024 in the Holy Spirit Chapel and the Queen of Apostles Chapel at the Maryknoll Society Center. Mass of Christian Burial followed at 11:00 a.m. and was concelebrated in the Queen of Apostles Chapel. Father Lance Nadeau was the Celebrant and homilist. Brother Mark Gruenke read the biography and Brother Brendan Corkery read the Oath. Burial followed in the Maryknoll Society Cemetery with Father Juan Zuñiga presiding at the graveside prayers.