Rev. Msgr. Francis Tuohy

Reverend Monsignor Francis R. Tuohy was a holy man. Beyond this distinction, however, he was a man of of great compassion and honesty. Friends and strangers alike always knew where they stood with Msgr. Tuohy, always knew that they could count on his generous, loving spirit when they needed it most.

Like many men of the early twentieth century, Joseph K. Tuohy dreamed of a better life. Leaving his beloved Irish homeland, Joseph went in search of promise and opportunity, two things he knew he could find in America. Joseph and his wife, Winifred McMahan, settled in the Midwest, choosing the bustling city of Indianapolis, Indiana, as their home. Joseph began working as fireman, and it was a position he would proudly hold for the next forty years, until a fire on January, 5, 1960, took his life. Sadly, Winifred died at a young age; however, Joseph re-married Anna Helen McNelis in the early 1930’s. While Joseph spent his days serving the community, Anna Helen spent hers looking after the growing Tuohy family. She gave birth to a son, Francis, on the Feast of Assumption – August 15, 1935. Francis became the third of five Tuohy children, and though not born in Ireland, he and his siblings were all firmly connected to their Irish roots, especially through the church.

Msgr. Tuohy grew up on the Eastside of Indianapolis, attending grade school at Little Flower with his brothers J. Joseph, James, and Thomas, as well as his sister Bernadette. In school, Francis was a bright student. He excelled in all his studies, and found that exercise of the mind offered the kind of excitement that he loved. But Fr. Tuohy wasn’t always studying. He enjoyed being social too. He played football for the Little Flower team and participated in Cub Scouts, learning the important life skills that no classroom could teach him. He was also a devoted camper at CYO Camp Rancho Framasa on a yearly basis as a young man.

By the end of grade school, he knew exactly what he wanted to do next: enter the seminary. The announcement was a bit worrisome for his parents, who thought Frank was a bit young to go off and live by himself. Though his father told him to stay, Frank knew he had to go. He was the only one in the family who ever said no to his father – and got away with it. When he became a young student at the seminary, he was of a rather small stature. The Tuohy family made frequent trips to check up on their son and brother, but it was always a long day. They would go to Mass at 5:30 a.m. then hit the road for six hours, which is how long it took them to reach the southern part of the state. Frank welcomed the visits from his family with open arms, especially since he boarded at St. Meinrad for the entire year, returning home only during summer break and Christmas.

Frank loved school and was very proud to be a student at St. Meinrad. He was learning a lot from his experience there, both in the classroom and as a chauffer for Archbishop Schulte during summer breaks. For the last four years of his schooling, Fr. Tuohy attended Catholic University in Washington, D.C. He was there during the funeral of President John F. Kennedy, and was honored to serve a minor role in his funeral liturgy.

Though both of his parents were deceased by 1961, Msgr. Tuohy thought of them both during his ordination at St. Meinrad on May 7 of that year. He celebrated his first Mass at a place very close to his heart: Little Flower Parish in Indianapolis. Feeling confident, grounded, and prepared, Frank knew, even at his first Mass, that the priesthood was meant to be his path. He became the Assistant Pastor of Our Lady of the Greenwood in 1961, and he was incredibly thrilled, the following year, to officiate the wedding of his sister, Bernadette. It began a tradition that would continue for years to come, a tradition of Fr. Frank officiating nearly all of the family celebrations, including Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, and weddings.

By 1966, Fr. Tuohy had served as Assistant Pastor at both Our Lady of the Greenwood and St. John the Evangelist. He had also served one year as the Assistant Chancellor. He then earned the title of Chancellor of the Archdiocese, and continued his parish work as the pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle (in Fortville) until 1974. During all this time Fr. Tuohy remained in close contact with his classmates from St. Meinrad, which included many influential priests, some of whom would become bishops.

In 1975, he was appointed Vicar General of the Archdiocese. Four years later, he was honored with the designation of Prelate of Honor, and assumed the additional role of Archdiocesan Administrator. Fr. Tuohy excelled at juggling his responsibilities as parish priest and administrator, always tackling each of duties with the utmost skill. As Administrator of the Archdiocese, it was his great honor to represent Indianapolis on a visit with Pope John Paul II. Msgr. Tuohy reentered parish work in 1981 as pastor of St. Mark the Evangelist. He continued as vicar general during this time as well. In 1985, Msgr. Tuohy became the pastor of St. Luke and began serving on the Board of Consultors.

Though Msgr. Tuohy made many transitions over the years, one thing remained constant: his ability to connect with his audience. He was a very good homilist, complete with textured voice inflections and the ability to really tell a story. His voice was certainly his way of expressing his faith, as he did through oration and through music. The beautiful tones of his tenor voice were beautifully highlighted by Gregorian Chant, an art he’d learned at St Meinrad and happily continued throughout his days as a priest. Msgr. Tuohy was clearly very connected to his faith, but especially to the way it related to his Irish heritage. He traveled to Ireland on many occasions, both with friends and by himself. He became the Ireland link for the Tuohy Family, and even after his first visit, he was fascinated by his father’s homeland. He loved Irish toasts of all kinds, perhaps his favorite being the one he delivered on his brother’s sixty-fifth birthday: “Glory be to God in high heaven, and thanks to all His Angles and Saints, that you should have lived so long and done so little harm!” Needless to say he had a very keen sense of humor.

Msgr. Tuohy loved Ireland dearly, but he loved seeing the world too. He enjoyed London for its “big city” feel, and of course Rome and the Vatican for their ties to the Church and its history. As for the ideal vacation, he would choose something relaxing and sunny, like Arizona or California; something where he could just sit and enjoy reading The New York Times or history book. As his family recalled, Fr. Tuohy truly loved reading and was a spirited intellectual. He had a keen interest for church history and world politics.

Family was very important to Fr. Tuohy, especially his nieces and nephews. He never failed to throw a St. Nicholas Party for them. Christmas was certainly Fr. Tuohy’s favorite family holiday – they all were, really, but especially Christmas. You could always find him happily making the rounds to family and friends after Christmas Masses. His nieces and nephews were an incredibly special part of his life, and it gave him great joy that he was able to be part of many of their Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, and weddings. He was very much the bond in the Tuohy Family – a beautiful example of a family man.

In 1994, Msgr. Tuohy was honored with another important designation: Protonotary Apostolic. He then became pastor of Christ the King Catholic Church the following year, at which time he also become an Archdiocesan Judge with the Metropolitan Tribunal. He held both of these positions until his retirement from active service on July 7, 2004.

During his more than forty years of priesthood, Rev. Msgr. Francis Tuohy served in many Indianapolis parishes, earning the love and respect of priests, parishioners, friends, and family alike. Fr. Tuohy described the priesthood as an “awesome experience,” and it’s certain that no role could have brought more joy to his life. He enjoyed his service to the Catholic Church immensely, making it no wonder that one of his favorite saying – the one that best communicated his attitude toward life – was, “Thanks be to God!”

Shortly before his death, a doctor asked Msgr. Tuohy if he would become a priest again. His answer was a resounding “yes,” without reservation. That incredible enthusiasm, commitment, and love will be greatly missed, and always remembered.

Rev. Msgr. Francis R. Tuohy, JCL, PA, 69, lifelong resident of Indianapolis and well respected Roman Catholic priest, died March 24, 2005. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas E. Tuohy. Survivors include his siblings, J. Joseph Tuohy, James L. Tuohy, and Bernadette Cunningham; a host of loving and devoted nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

Friends and family will gather on Wednesday from 3:30 to 8 p.m. in Christ the King Catholic Church. A vigil service will begin at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10 a.m. in the church, followed by interment in the Priests’ Circle at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery.

You are invited to visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a memory, sign the guestbook, or make a memorial contribution (in lieu of flowers) to the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, for the education of priests.