Rev. Msgr. Francis T. Goguen

He was pastor of St. Cecilia’s Parish in Leominster since 1992. Monsignor Goguen was born in Gardner, February 13, 1942. The son of Maxime J. and Claudia M. (Cormier) Goguen. He graduated from Our Lady of the Holy Rosary School in Gardner and from Assumption Prep. in 1959. He studied from 1959 – 1961 at Assumption College. He then attended the Seminary of Philosophy in Montreal where he obtained his B.A. in Philosophy in 1963. He then attended the North American College in Rome and obtained a license in theology from the Gregorian University in 1967. While in Rome he was able to attend some of the public sessions of the Second Vatican Council.

He was ordained a priest on December 17, 1966 in St. Peter’s Basilica by Bishop Francis F. Reh, rector of the College. In 1974 he received his masters in Religious Education from Loyola University in Chicago. Msgr. Goguen was associate pastor of St. Anthony Parish, Fitchburg and St. Mary Parish, Spencer, before being assigned as an associate to St. Cecilia’s Parish, Leominster, in November 1976.

In 1983, he was named pastor of Notre Dame Parish, Southbridge. He was appointed pastor of St. Cecilia’s Parish, Leominster in June of 1992 until the present.

Msgr. Goguen has been a dean and member of the Diocesan Presbyterian Council as well as a Consultor of the Diocese. He was also a member of the Board of Governors of the Catholic Free Press.

He was given the title Monsignor in 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI. He leaves one Aunt and many cousins.

A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Cecilia’s Church, 170 Mechanic St., Leominster at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 19, 2013. Monsignor Goguen will lie in honor on Wednesday, December 18, from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. in St. Cecilia’s Church. A Vigil service will be held in church at 7:00 p.m. led by the Most Rev. Daniel P. Riley, retired Bishop of Worcester. Burial will be in St. Cecilia’s Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Saint Cecilia’s Restoration Fund, 170 Mechanic Street, Leominster, MA 01453.

Wright-Roy Funeral Home, Inc. 109 West St., Leominster, is directing arrangements.