Fr. Francis M. George became Pastor of St. John Catholic Church on July 26, 2000. Previous assignments include: Pastor of St. Agnes, Fowlerville (1992-2000), Parochial Vicar at St. John, Jackson (1990-1992), St. Thomas the Apostle, Ann Arbor (1988-1990) and St. Thomas Aquinas, East Lansing (1987-1988). Growing up in Genesee County, Fr. Francis enjoyed 12 years of Catholic Education, and graduated from Luke M. Powers Catholic High School in Flint in 1979. Fr. Francis received a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1983 from St. Meinrad College Seminary, St. Meinrad, IN, and a Master of Divinity from St. John Provincial Seminary in Plymouth, MI in 1987. Fr. Francis was Ordained to the Priesthood on September 12, 1987 in St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing, MI, after completing 8 years of Seminary Education and Formation. Fr. Francis also did advanced academic studies in Art and Architecture and Evangelization during a Sabbatical at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy (August 24-November 24, 2015). In addition to his Parish duties, Fr. Francis currently serves on two Diocesan Commissions: a) Diocesan Worship Commission as an ex-officio member (since 1988), and b) as Chairman of the Committee for Liturgical Design (since 1989) which reviews all Church renovations and construction projects. Fr. Francis had also previously served 6 years on the Diocesean Steering Committee for RCIA, and 3 years on the Priests Assignment Commission. Fr. Francis has also written Homilies and Universal Prayers for Liturgical Commission Publishings. Fr. Francis is a celebrated Catholic Graphic Artist, and has two clip art books published through Liturgical Commission Publishings. The books are entitled, "Let the Symbols Speak" 1989, and "Let the Seasons Speak", 2000.