After 55 years of priestly service that included pastoral
duties and teaching, Josephite Father Francis M. Hull retired
Sept. 28. He served as pastor of St. Joseph Church in
Alexandria since 2002. Josephite Father Ugochukwu J. Cletus
is the new parochial administrator of St. Joseph Church.
Father Hull was born Dec. 20, 1923, in Philadelphia and
graduated from St. Thomas More High School. He served in the
U.S. Army Air Corps in the South Pacific during World War II.
Father Hull said he became interested in the Josephites when
he served in the Army and traveled through the Southern
states and saw the poor treatment of black soldiers.
The Josephites were founded in Baltimore in 1893. Their
mission is “to advance the teachings of the church in the
African-American community.”
He entered St. Joseph Seminary in Washington and was ordained
at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate
Conception in 1957.
Before becoming pastor of St. Joseph, Father Hull taught high
school and college and served as rector of the Josephite St.
Augustine High School in New Orleans. He served as pastor for
parishes in New Orleans, Houston and Washington. He also
served as editor of the Josephite Harvest for 14 years.
At 88 years old he was a vigorous pastor, but heart problems
spurred his decision to retire. He made his plans for
retirement known last March.
Father Hull had aortic bypass surgery Oct. 3.
“I didn’t want the parish to worry about my recovery,” Father
Hull said about his retirement. “I loved St. Joseph
(Church).”
Despite his recent surgery, he said he’s feeling well and
doctors are happy with his progress.
After his recovery, he’ll help out at Masses when asked and
admits that going from working as a priest for 55 years to
retirement will take some getting used to.
“It’s a change,” said Father Hull. “But I welcome the
vacation.”
Beverly Anderson, director of religious education at St.
Joseph, has worked with Father Hull for 10 years. She said
that he has been active in the civil rights movement and has
been an inspiration and champion for justice for years.
“He has dedicated his life to evangelizing
African-Americans,” said Anderson. “He will be missed.”
