Father Francis Pouliot remembered as ‘a great man of God’

Father Francis Pouliot had a slogan he would often repeat during the 22 years he served as pastor of Visitation in south Minneapolis: “Well begun, half done.” These words stayed with Dan Gleason, who served as principal of Visitation School during all of those 22 years. He would hear them during the first week of classes, when Father Pouliot celebrated Mass and tried to help students understand the importance of getting off to a good start.  

The inspirational priest behind those words died April 3 at age 89. 

“Around Vis, he became famous for that” saying, said Gleason, 74, who served as principal of the school from 1977 to its closure in 2008. “All the kids knew that. Every first day of school every year, he would bring that into his homily — ‘Well begun, half done.’ He’d talk about what that meant, getting off to a good start in school with your homework and your attitude and being nice to the other kids.” 

In Gleason’s eyes, Father Pouliot, who served as pastor of Visitation from 1983 to 2005, practiced what he preached. Gleason called him “a great man of God to work with,” and had no trouble describing his strong attributes. 

“He was such a kind man,” said Gleason, who later served as principal of Holy Trinity Catholic School in South St. Paul before retiring in 2017. “He didn’t just imitate God’s kindness. Jesus was living in him. Jesus’ kindness just came through him all the time. And, I think everybody felt that.” 

While serving together at Visitation, Gleason and Father Pouliot came up with the idea of riding a tandem bike together during the annual Marathon for Nonpublic Education, which took place in the fall. A large number of Catholic schools would gather at Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis and walk or bike the marathon together. Gleason said he and Father Pouliot rode the tandem bike together for about 10 years. It’s one of his fond memories of working with and for Father Pouliot. 

The priest grew up on a farm with 12 siblings in what is now Corcoran. He later attended Nazareth Hall, a preparatory seminary in St. Paul, and continued his studies at The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, then was ordained a priest in 1958. During the summer, he worked on the family farm. His younger brother, Eugene, later followed a similar path to the priesthood and is a retired priest in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. 

Known to his family as “Father Fran,” he was a source of encouragement and inspiration to his family, his parishioners and young priests. He came out of retirement in 2008 to serve as parochial vicar of Maternity of Mary in St. Paul. While there, he served as a mentor for Father Peter Williams, who had first seen Father Pouliot earlier in his life. During his childhood, Father Williams would sometimes attend Mass at Visitation with his grandmother. Father Pouliot left a strong and lasting impression that helped forge a priestly vocation. 

“It is evident that he loves being a priest,” Father Williams said about Father Pouliot in an article published in 2010 by The St. Paul Seminary, “something that is like contagious joy for those who have the privilege of knowing him.” 

Marian Neumann, Father Pouliot’s younger sister, remembers going to Nazareth Hall for visits while he was studying there. 

“He was a very cherished big brother,” said Neumann, 83. “He was the seventh child of 13, and I was the 11th. … We had no freeways, so we would have to pack a lunch (because of the long drive to and from Corcoran). Usually, us four younger children would go with Mom and Dad, and we would have a picnic lunch at Nazareth Hall. It was just really something to be able to go down there and see these young boys preparing for the priesthood. It was just a special feeling. The day ended with Benediction in the chapel there, and listening to them (singing) Gregorian chant was just awesome.” 

Before his assignment to Visitation, Father Pouliot served at St. Mary in Waverly (1958-1960), St. Therese in Deephaven (1960-1965), St. Joseph in West St. Paul (1965-1969), St. Stephen in Anoka (1969-71) and St. Lawrence in Faribault (1971-1983). His ministry also included being a chaplain for the Knights of Columbus, plus a number of other roles while serving as pastor of parishes where he was assigned, leading one of his nieces to remark, “He could never say ‘No.’” 

The funeral Mass for Father Pouliot is 11 a.m. April 8 at Annunciation in Minneapolis, preceded by a reviewal at 10 a.m. Archbishop Bernard Hebda will be the main celebrant, and Father Peter Williams will deliver the homily. There will be a visitation 4-7 p.m. April 7 at Annunciation. Interment will be at St. Jeanne de Chantel Cemetery in Corcoran.