Father Norman A Farland

Father Norman Farland, M.S., 77, a Missionary of Our Lady of La Salette, died September 11, 2016 at the rectory of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission in Wahneta, Florida. Father was born July 11, 1939 in Putnam, Connecticut, the son of the late Albert and Philomene (Richard) Farland. He attended Catholic grammar school and La Salette Seminary High School before he studied at the La Salette Seminary Altamont, NY. He entered the La Salette Novitiate in Bloomfield, CT on July 1, 1959 and made his first profession of vows on July 2, 1960. Father completed his studies in Philosophy and Theology at La Salette in Ipswich, MA. On May 28, 1966, he was ordained to the priesthood at the La Salette Shrine in Ipswich.

Upon his ordination, Father Farland served as Assistant Pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Fitchburg, MA. In 1973, he volunteered for, and was appointed to, the La Salette Missions of Argentina, where he ministered as Assistant Pastor in Las Termas. He became the Pastor of a La Salette parish in Cordoba, Argentina in 1977. In 1980, he was appointed Secretary and First Assistant of the La Salette Argentine Missions. Father Farland returned to the United States in 1991 and was appointed Parochial Vicar of Blessed Trinity parish in Orlando, Florida. He ministered there until his appointment in 1993 as the Administrator of the Mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Wahneta, FL, where he continued to serve until his death.

Father Farland’s passion was to serve the poor, especially migrant farm workers and their families. His parish was established by the Bishop at the request of these workers who needed a place to meet, pray and “feel at home”. Father was the perfect choice for this parish family. In addition to his spiritual work, Father’s efforts were to try to meet the many needs of the population through health care, dental services, free legal services for immigration and work abuse, Spanish A.A., English classes, G.E.D. classes and many other services. Father Farland was assisted in this work by Sister Paula of the Presentation until her retirement in 2015.

In addition to his La Salette confreres, Father Farland, M.S., is survived by his brother, Leo Farland and his wife Lucile; two sisters, Cecile Bachmann and her husband Lewis; and Theresa Collard and her husband David; all of Plainfield, CT. Father is also survived by many nieces nephews and friends. He was predeceased by his step-mother, Diana Farland.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated on Thursday, September 15, 2016, at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Center, Wahneta, FL and Bishop John G. Noonan will preside. Calling hours will be at Our Lady of Guadalupe Center in Wahneta on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Burial will be at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield, CT at a later date. Contributions in his memory may be made to: to Our Lady of Guadalupe Center, 2150 State Road 559 (Bomber Road), Wahneta, FL 33880-5600 or Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette Retirement Fund, 915 Maple Avenue, Hartford, CT 06114-2330.