Go to the audioslide show and  listen to Monsignor Nelson speak about his priestly ministry.

By Michael J. Johnson
Desks have played a major role in the 43 year ministry of Monsignor Francis J. Nelson, pastor, Saint Frances Cabrini Church Savannah.

Most recently Monsignor Nelson retired from the position of Vicar General after 12 years in that office, a position whose duties he carried out while concurrently the pastor at Cabrini where he has served for 20 years. From behind the Vicar General’s desk he acted as the Bishop’s right hand man.

The job description for a pastor is much broader. While Monsignor Nelson does spend time at his desk, most often he is out of the office tending his flock.

“You never know,” he says, “when each day comes what will pop up. One element in this business of being a priest is that you have to expect anything and be surprised by nothing.”

When asked, about highlights Monsignor Nelson said, “Starting Saint Frances Cabrini School has been the most significant achievement while at the parish.” The school began in 2001 with a class of 23 students in grades Pre-K and Kindergarten. The school which now has 175 desks in 10 classrooms, serves 130 students in grades Pre-K to 8th grade.

Monsignor Nelson is himself a product of a similar school. After 12 years behind desks receiving a Catholic education, Monsignor Nelson graduated in 1956 from Saint John Neumann High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The next 16 years placed him at desks in the seminary and graduate school.

After attending the Seminaries of Saint Thomas in Bloomfield, Connecticut and Saint Mary’s in Baltimore, he was ordained a priest May 14, 1966, in his home parish of Saint Monica, by Thomas J. McDonough, Bishop of Savannah. He went on to graduate school to earn his Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL) Degree in 1967 from Saint Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore and in post-graduate school he earned a Licentiate Degree in Canon Law (JCL) from Catholic University, Washington, D.C. in 1972.

His curriculam vitae documents the numerous administrative desks he managed concurrently while in pastoral ministry in parishes in Macon and Savannah. His multiple assignments made sure he was neither desk jockey nor rectory rat.
First assigned as associate pastor in 1966 at Saint Joseph Church in Macon, he was made a professor of religion at Mount De Sales High School in Macon.

His subsequent assignments brought him to Savannah and environs where he served in several parishes and began a dual career in varied administrative offices making use of his theological and judicial education.

Beginning in 1968 he has had stints serving as: Vice-Officialis, Diocesan Tribunal; Officialis, Diocesan Tribunal; Vice Chancellor, Diocese of Savannah; Vicar Forane, Savannah Deanery; Member, College of Consultors; Vicar General pro tempore; Vicar General; Diocesan Judge; Interim Chancellor; named Prelate of Honor; and elected to the Presbyteral Council.

On Friday, September 4, four days after he retired as Vicar General, Monsignor Nelson celebrated the First Friday Mass at 9:00 a.m. for the daily communicants and the students of Saint Frances Cabrini School. The altar servers that day waited patiently as Monsignor Nelson watched the students gather for Mass. Then with a wave of his hand the choir began the Entrance Song and the Mass began.

His priestly ministry continues in the parish where he, as all pastors do, administers the sacraments, meets with committees, visits the sick, and with his staff manages the parish.