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REV FRANCIS M. HOLLAND
WINOOSKI - The Rev. Francis M. Holland, passed into eternal life with the Lord on June 9, 2012. Father Holland was born on Jan. 4, 1926, in Northfield. His parents, John M. Holland and Alice E. Cain Holland, predeceased him. Father Holland received his early education at St. Monica's Elementary School in Barre and St. Michael's High School in Montpelier. He also attended St. Thomas Minor Seminary in Bloomfield, Conn., St. Michael's College in Winooski Park and St. John's Seminary in Brighton, Mass. Father Holland was ordained on Jan. 5, 1952, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Burlington, by Bishop Ryan. Father Holland did ministry in a number of parishes throughout the state, as an associate pastor and pastor, in Cambridge, Milton, Essex Junction, Burlington, Winooski, Bennington, St. Johnsbury and White River Junction. During his lifetime, Father Holland served on the Presbyteral Council for the Diocese. He was also, at one time or another, the Director of the following programs: Vermont Newman Apostolate, Diocesan Permanent Deacon Program; Vermont Vietnamese Community; The Society for the Propagation of the Faith; Vermont Worldwide Marriage Encounter; The Vermont Home Schooler Community and State Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus. Father Holland served as Chaplain to Champlain College, Johnson State College and the University of Vermont. Father also served on the faculty of Cathedral High School, Rice High School, Bennington Catholic High School, Champlain College and Lamoille Union High School. Father Holland was very active in retreat ministry for priests, religious sisters, and high school and college students. He served as a credentialed spiritual director to a large number of clergy and laity alike, having been awarded four master's degrees as follows: St. John's Seminary (Master's Degree in Divinity); St. Michael's College (Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling and a Master's Degree in Religious Studies) and Creighton University, Omaha, Neb. (Master's Degree in Spirituality). He accepted a six month assignment in volunteer ministry at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. He also accepted another assignment as acting chaplain to the Marist Brothers Community in Rome, Italy, for a period of five months. After being granted senior priest status in 2005, Father Holland remained active in a number of parishes throughout the state. In addition to his parents, Father Holland was predeceased by four brothers, Timothy, John, Lawrence, and Daniel; and a sister, Mary. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Bishop Matano at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Burlington on Saturday, June 16, 2012, at 10 a.m. Interment will be in the family plot in Northfield Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, June 15, 2012, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Cathedral. Arrangements are under the direction of the Ready Funeral and Cremation Service, South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Road, South Burlington. To send online condolences, please visit www.readyfuneral.com (http://www.readyfuneral.com). In lieu of flowers, Father requested that donations be made to the Diocesan Vocations Office, 55 Joy Drive, South Burlington, VT 05403.