Fall-Winter 2013-2014

and Spanish. This was three years before Sr. Faustina was beatified, and 10 years before she was canonized. “I came on the job just as the ‘rocket’ of Divine Mercy was taking off,” said Fran. “All of us were realizing that here, on this little hill in Stockbridge, we were being tasked by God to spread the Divine Mercy message through- out the world.” For Fran, his job quickly morphed into a ministry. Serving under five Marian directors of the Association, he would travel exten- sively. He would miss more than a few meals at home. He would be the one locking the center’s doors in the evening. On weekends, his modest, compact Honda car would often be the lone vehicle in the parking lot. “This job suited him,” said his daughter, Paula Morehouse, 41. “It became the daily fabric of his life.” “He’s dedicated to the Marians,” said Nancy, Fran’s wife of 42 years, two weeks before his retirement. “He always has been. I think it will be hard on him to leave. Every day, he wakes up raring to go to work. We both feel he was blessed. It’s been a fantastic opportunity.” A regular guy with an unusual task With a penchant for sweater vests, a firm handshake, and a wide smile, Fran took over leadership of the center with a bearing that revealed a hard-charging purpose. His singular management style with his staff combined military discipline (he served as a lieutenant colonel in the Massachusetts National Guard) with fatherly affection. Most staff meetings led by Fran felt more like a team huddle than a lecture. His zeal to spread the Marians’ charism was equaled only by his drive to find the most effective ways of carrying it out. He surrounded himself with staff who, as he says, “have talents I’ll never have.” He gave them freedom to experiment. He gave them the lion’s share of the credit. With direction from the Marians, Fran helped forge relationships with Divine Mercy apostles around the world, including people who would become official distributors in their respective countries of the Marians’ books, prayercards, and pamphlets. He developed with his staff successful fundraising As executive director, Fran oversaw fundraising for the Marian mission to the Philippines. F elix C arroll Add your personalized paving stone to the Blessed John Paul II Plaza: MemorialsOnEdenHill.org/JPIIPlaza 1-800-671-2020. Memorialize a loved one, create a tribute, or celebrate a special event such as a birthday, First Holy Communion, wedding anniversary, or ordination. Honor the legacy of Blessed John Paul II Create a lasting tribute with an engraved paving stone in the Blessed John Paul II Plaza at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy.­