Diocese_Of_Sandhurst_YearInReview_2021

52 IN MEMORY Rev. Fr Francis James Hart was a priest of Sandhurst for 52 years. He served in the parishes of Cohuna, Euroa and Wangaratta. His Funeral Mass was held at Sacred Heart Church, Yarrawonga where, in 1959, he was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Sandhurst. Fr Frank was raised in a loving extended family on a family farm in Boosey near Yarrawonga. Those who knew Fr Hart well, know that it was on the family farm in Boosey, near Yarrawonga, where he felt most in touch with God. It is probably also why Fr Frank didn’t mind the nickname “Boosey” given to him by fellow priests when they were seminarians. ‘’Boosey” had only positive connotations for Fr Frank. Fr Frank and his family were devout Catholics and very much involved in parish life. Fr Frank was an altar boy throughout most of his childhood and as he became a young man, niggling thoughts about the priesthood became stronger. After conversations with his Parish Priest and Bishop Stewart, Fr Frank committed to returning to high school as a mature- aged student. He completed two years of schooling in one, then entered Corpus Christi College, Werribee. “Frank had a great image of God and what it meant to be loved … He was aware of that big river of life.” Fr Des Welladsen Fr Frank Hart 31 March 1939 – 3 January 2021 “Fr Frank was a striking presence, full of energy and passion, and ripe for the challenges of leading a parish through the positive changes of the second Vatican Council.” Cohuna parishioner “He loved his priesthood dearly. He wanted to take on the world and became frustrated when positive changes didn’t come as quickly as he thought they should.” Fr Des Welladsen “Frank was good fun; he had an eye for a lonely seminarian and his mischief-making and good humour was part of his charm.” Fr Rom Hayes