OUR LADY OF FATIMA
CATHOLIC CHURCH
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OUR LADY OF FATIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH |
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Fr Francis Dougherty's twilight years 1990 - 91
The labors of 8 years clearly
weighed heavily upon Fr Francis in his final year. There was a video shot of his
Mass on January 1st of 1991 that shows a very frail man staying at his post
until the end.
Even in the last few weeks of life, he continued to celebrate Mass in his
rectory being too weak to leave the house.
First Holy Communicants pose in 1990 with Fr Francis.
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| This photograph was
taken in the last year of Father's life in the completed rectory in which he breathed forth his last. |
As Father became more
frail, Fr Timothy Henneberry would make the long trip up from Miami to help out, eventually succeeding him as Pastor in November 1991 |
His initial site of interment
The Turbulent Years 1991 - 96
The period of quiet growth sustained
under Father Francis Dougherty's guidance would be severely tested with the
advent of his passing in 1991.
A series of visiting priests would staff the parish from 1991 until 1996.
Fr Timothy Henneberry
(Fr Francis' immediate successor)
Fr Henneberry was a "mover and a
shaker" as the Americans say - he got things done.
Here he assists as one of the twelve panels of the beautiful stained glass
windows is installed in the church.
Prior to this there was only transparent glass in the church.
This photograph was featured in the St Petersburg Times in December 1992.
May Devotions 1993
Fr William Greene officiating - May 9, 1993
First Holy Communicants 1995
Fr James Marolus was Pastor
then
May 28, 1995
The Annual Visit to Fr
Dougherty's grave
After Fr. Francis was laid to rest, it
became the custom of parishioners to gather
at Father's grave side to pray for
the repose of the soul of their beloved
parish priest on the Sunday closest to the date of his passing.
This custom continues today although Father was re-interred at the Church in
2002
under the direction of the then Fr. Fulham.
Fr Sergius Maria p
residing
(unknown date) in the 1990s
  
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Copyright© Our Lady of Fatima Spring Hill, |
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