Monsignor Francis had the great honor of being the priest with the longest record of service in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Ordained on May 22, 1952, he faithfully served God and His people for 74 years and looked forward to celebrating his 75th anniversary of ordination the following May. Monsignor Francis passed away peacefully on July 27 at the age of 97, leaving a legacy of faith and pastoral care that will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Monsignor Francis was born in Houston, Texas, on December 16, 1928, the beloved son of Wanda Clara Trojanowsky Francis and James Francis Jr. Proud of his Texas roots and Houston heritage, he carried both with deep affection throughout his life. He was baptized at Immaculate Conception Church in Houston and attended grade school there and at Sacred Heart Church. Answering God's call to the priesthood, he attended St. Mary's Seminary in La Porte and later earned a Master's Degree in Religious Education from the University of St. Thomas in Houston.

During his 74 years of ministry, he served as parochial vicar at Saint James in Port Arthur, Saint Mary's in Orange, Queen of Peace, the Church of the Annunciation in Houston, and St. Pius V in Pasadena. He later served as pastor of Saint John the Baptist in Hungerford, became the founding pastor of Saint Edward's in Spring, and served at Saint Joseph in Baytown and St. John Neumann Parish in Northwest Houston. At every assignment, he faithfully shepherded the people entrusted to his care. He retired in name only in 2006 and continued serving parishes throughout Houston and the surrounding area.

Monsignor had a gift for connecting with people and making each person feel welcome, valued, and heard. After so many years of ministry, he became something of a local celebrity. He could hardly go out in public without someone stopping to thank him for a Baptism, wedding, Confirmation, or Confession, or to share how he had touched their life or the life of someone they loved. These encounters reflected the reach of his ministry and the affection generations of families held for him.

He was a shepherd after Christ's own heart and found great joy in administering the Sacraments of the Catholic Church. Even at 97, his devotion never waned. He continued hearing confessions, offering guidance, celebrating Mass, and visiting and anointing the sick. Monsignor was especially devoted to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and shared a close spiritual friendship with the Carmelite Sisters, who cherished him as he cherished them.

Monsignor also embraced life beyond his ministry. He loved all the local sports teams and was an excellent golfer. He enjoyed traveling, hunting, fishing, skiing, and competing in almost anything. One of his treasured travel memories came in Rome when St. John Paul II reached out and touched him.

He was ambidextrous in a way uniquely his own. Anything requiring two hands, including golf, tennis, and batting, he did left handed. Anything requiring only one hand, such as writing or eating, he did right handed.

His home reflected his many interests. He loved art and owned innumerable paintings. He also loved music, particularly Dixieland and other jazz, and enjoyed listening to records on his turntable. A gifted conversationalist, he welcomed parish groups and friends into his home and enjoyed sharing good food, good company, and stories. His Thursday night poker games with the Knights of Columbus were a favorite tradition filled with competition, laughter, friendship, and fellowship.

Monsignor Francis is survived by beloved cousins from the Drymala, Storemski, and Trojanowski families, along with countless parishioners from the many communities he served. He was also blessed with many friends who encouraged and supported him throughout his journey. Among them was Father Norbert Maduzia, whose care, friendship, and priestly brotherhood were a constant source of strength. Father Norbert often said with a smile, "When I grow up, I want to be just like Monsignor Francis," a fitting tribute to a priest whose life inspired so many.

Monsignor carried a deep love for his mother, Wanda. She spoke Polish, and as a child he often sat with her to pray the Rosary. Through those evenings of prayer, she planted in him a lifelong devotion to the Blessed Mother. A statue of Our Lady stood in the front yard of his home as a visible sign of his faith and trust in her intercession.

During Hurricane Harvey, floodwaters devastated homes across the street, behind him, and for miles around, yet Monsignor's home remained untouched. He often spoke of feeling the Blessed Mother's mantle of protection over him, the same love and shelter he had known from his own mother. For Monsignor Francis, the love of his earthly mother and the love of the Blessed Mother were forever intertwined, guiding and embracing him from his earliest days until his final journey home to God🙏

In lieu of flowers, Monsignor Francis requested that memorial donations be made to St. Dominic Village for the Retired Priests Fund.🙏

https://archgh.org/archbishop-joseph-a-fiorenza-priest-retirement-residence-fund

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace.🙏