IN MEMORIAM

Rev Fr. G. FRANCIS

At about 5 a.m. on the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord (23rd May 2004 Sunday) at the age of 88 Rev. Fr. G. Francis rested in peace "to dwell in the house of the Lord to behold the beauty of the Lord" (Ps. 27:4) Let us praise and thank the Lord for all the blessings and graces showered upon good Fr G. Francis during the past 88 years of his earthly life. It is good to remember and recollect howtheGOOD LORD has led him from the beginning till the end.

Rev. Fr. G. Francis was born on 29.02.1916 at Palayamkottai as son of Mr. G.M. Gregory Pillai & Mrs. Roseammal. He had his secular duties at St. Xavier's High School, Palayamkottai & St. Mary's High School, Dindigul. He was sent to St. Joseph's Apostolic Seminary, Alwaye where he had his Major Seminary studies and formation from 1937 to 1943 and he was ordained priest on 21.12.1943 by Rt. Rev Gabriel Francis Tiburtius Roche, S.J. D.D first Bishop of Tuticorin. During the past 60 years of his priestly life and ministry, he has faithfully served the Lord and His People in various capacities such as Asst. PP at Holy Family Church, Vadakkankulam, S.H. Cathedral Tuticorin (twice & Our Lady of Snows Tuticorin, as Secretary to Bishop Roche as well as Ministry of Bishop's House Tuticorin, as Asst. Director of St. Joseph's Charity Institute Adaikalapuram (twice) He has worked as Parish Priest in the following seven parishes Kilamudiman, agudy, vembur St. Thomas Church, Pragasapuram, Sippikulam, Se & Perumanal.

He has worked as Chaplain in the following three places S.H. Hospital Tuticorin, St. Joseph's Leprosy Hospital Arockiapuram and finally at the Home for the Aged, Ettayapuram Road, Tuticorin from 26th July 1988 onwards. Fr G. Francis has spent nearly 16 years in the above-mentioned Home for the Aged run by the Little sisters of the Poor who took very good of him till the end, particularly after Fr G. Francis had a stroke and was bedridden, unable to say Mass, unable to take care of himself. Along with the sisters, a especially appointed attendant lady Mrs. Rose Mary from al Colony Tuticorin helped Fr G. Francis by takinggood care of him. Only the Lord can reward them all worthily for their devoted services We have to learn so many things from good Fr G. Francis his piety and fidelity to personal prayer life, his ever loving and sympathetic consideration for the poor people who approached him for help.

Though Fr. G. Francis suffered so much with physical pain the in bedridden condition, he never murmured or complained, and he was always resigned to God's Will in everything. He was ever loyal, obedient and respectful to Bishop and superiors. He was ever cheerful in the Lord and he was humorous too. On the Feast day of the Ascension of the Lord, Fr. G. Francis would have been happy to receive the final call of the "His Lord master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of Our master" (Mt. 25:21)

May his soul rest in peace!

Fr. A. Rajareegam, PP,
O.L.V., State Bank Colony, Tuticorin.