The Rev. Francis A. Messing, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Mobile and formerly in residence at Sacred Heart Parish in Grove Hill, died July 24, 2010, at Mobile Infirmary Hospital. He was a resident of Allen Memorial Home in Mobile since 2007, after suffering a severe stroke.

Fr. Messing was born in Shelby, Neb. in 1928. He attended Conception College Seminary in Conception, Mo. (1950-1954) and theology studies at Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans, La. (1955-1959). On June 13, 1959, he was ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ for ministry in the Archdiocese of Mobile, at Sacred Heart Parish in Shelby, Neb. He received a master of arts degree in history from Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans in 1965, and a master of science degree in guidance and counseling from Creighton University, Omaha in 1968.

His assignments included teaching religion and director of guidance at Bishop Toolen High School for Girls, Mobile, 1959-1972; administrator of Mother Mary Parish, Plateau, 1972; pastor of St. Martin of Tours Parish, Troy, 1972-1974, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Citronelle, 1974-1977 and St. Francis Xavier Parish, Mobile, 1977-1980. He was associate pastor, St. Jude Parish, Montgomery, 1980- 1987; pastor of Mother Mary Parish, Phenix City, 1987-1989, City of St. Jude, Montgomery, 1989-1991; and St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Atmore, 1991-1993. In his later years, he was the resident priest, Sacred Heart Parish, Grove Hill, 1993- 2007. Fr. Messing retired from active priesthood Feb. 1, 2008.

Funeral arrangements will be Saturday, July 31, with visitation from 9-10 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc Parish, 1260 Elmira Street in Mobile. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Mobile with interment to follow at Catholic Cemetery, 1700 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Mobile.