Paul Faroh
From the kitchen to the choir loft, from welcoming pilgrims as they stepped off the bus to praying with them in the quiet of the church, Fr. Paul Faroh, OFM Conv., spent his life filling God’s people with good things.
Fr. Faroh died on Saturday, Oct. 28, in Findlay. Born Elias Fredericus Faroh on Feb. 22, 1930, in Lorain to Taufie and Mehaba (Zegiab) Faroh, he was baptized at St. John Parish in Lorain on June 15, 1930. He professed simple vows as a Conventual Franciscan on July 14, 1962, and solemn vows on July 15, 1965. After serving as a brother for more than 20 years, he was ordained to the priesthood on May 11, 1985.
He was predeceased by his parents and his sisters, Sultana Toth, Alice Patterson, Henrietta McConnell, Hanna Dager, Josephine Dunnigan and Lillian Faroh, and his brother, Charles Faroh. He is survived by his brother George Faroh. Fr. Paul also had 18 nieces and nephews.
As a brother, Fr. Faroh served as a cook at the Novitiate in Auburn, Ind., (1961-1970) and then at the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey (1970-1977). Following ordination, he served as pilgrim director at the shrine (1985-1992), on the retreat center staff at Mt. St. Francis, Ind., (1992-1995) and as pastor at St. Joseph Parish in LaGrange, Ind. (1995-2004). He then returned to the shrine where he lived the rest of his life.
Lexington (Ky.) Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., said of Fr. Faroh: “His love of food and hospitality became connected to the example of Jesus who frequently taught in the setting of a meal and who left us his ongoing presence in the form of bread and wine … Fr. Paul created so many friends and relationships, in the kitchen, around the table and at the table of the Lord.” For pictures and stories of Fr. Paul’s Franciscan service, please visit the OLC province website, franciscansusa.org.
Visitation took place at the Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation, 315 Clay Street, Carey, on Thursday, Nov. 2, followed by a wake service. On Friday, Nov. 3, visitation continued at the basilica until the funeral mass. There was a wake service in the chapel at Mt. St. Francis, Ind., on Sunday, Nov. 5. The mass of Christian burial was on Monday, Nov. 6, in the chapel and interment followed in the friars’ cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be made by mail to the Province of Our Lady of Consolation, 103 St. Francis Boulevard, Mt. St. Francis, IN, 47146.
A friend to all he met. Although my time with Fr. Paul was brief, his impact has been lifelong. Many good memories of working in the kitchen with him with my family. A principal I try to live by he shared at mass one weekday at The Mount. “What if”,he preached ,”one is judged primarily on the ‘worst ‘ relationship fostered during a lifetime “. He shared for him, that would be the relationship he had with himself. So many challenges this has presented to me to do my best in all dealings with others. I pray you were at peace with yourself , my fine friend, as I am confident you are now at peace with our Lord.
I started to write a letter to Mr. Tanber when he sent us a letter for Father Paul when he was ill at Christmas. After finishing the letter, I had misplaced the envelope with the return address. I would like to personally thank Mr Tanber for his letter, and ask that he get in touch, if possible. Below is the letter I wrote to him.
Dear Mr. Tanber,
It was with great sadness that I opened and read your Father Paul letter because it told me he is either gone or no longer able to write his wonderful letters. As I sit here writing this letter, tears stream down my cheeks, and I don’t even know why… I cried, not at the loss of my father, brother, or son, although grievously wounded for each loss. Perhaps telling the story of how Paul touched our life can help me understand the reason for today’ tears.
We met Father Paul in a manner based on necessity, rather than desire. While living in the Pacific Northwest, our son lived near Lagrange, IN. In early December, 2002 our son was in a tragic accident near Lagrange, and was taken from us a little over a week later.
At this time, although calm, and appearing to be fully in control of the situation, on the inside I was completely drained and busted.
We did not live in this area, and were struggling to find a church for our sons funeral. That was a how we first met Father Paul. He invited us into his church, and performed a beautiful service for our son. But it didn’t stop there… Father Paul invited us into his home and cooked us a marvelous multi-course Lebanese dinner, and we had a long, heart felt discussion about family, faith, his family and life, our family and life…
I remember my wife asking him what the man at grievous sin was, and without batting an eye, he said ingratitude. That has stuck to me to this day. From that day forward, I thought of Father Paul as the most
Spiritual person that I’ve had the honor to call friend. We stayed in touch all these years, and often he would send us some of his delicious candy at Christmas.
I tell you this story because, in the beginning of our relationship, Father Paul gave me what I needed at a time of terrible grief, and he did it with real love, kindness, and a simple faith. At the same time, he renewed my faith in God, 8 years after I turned my back on him with the loss of a younger brother. He opened my eyes to the grace of God when it should not have been possible.
I started this letter the day I received your letter. Now, years later I’m finally finishing it. This was a painful letter to write. Every time I wrote a little bit, I had to put it down.
I thank you for your kindness, and ask for the details of Father Paul’s last chapter and where he was laid to rest. I also ask what his favorite charity was so that I can honor this great friend one final time.
With the greatest respect,
Randy Adkins
164301 W Lemley Rd
Prosser, WA 99350
Email: Altenwelt@gmail.com
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