April 8, 2025 // Diocese

A Life Shaped by Listening to God’s Call

Erika Barron

Advertising Account Executive

“Come work for me, and I will take care of you.”

Those were the words Francie Hogan heard in a dream in 1987. She followed the Lord’s call, which led her to spend more than 30 years working for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend as a graphics specialist and website coordinator in the Secretariat of Communications. In January, Hogan entered into semi-retirement, postponing full retirement as she continues to serve the diocese in a part-time role.

Michigan born, Hogan moved to Fort Wayne- South Bend when she was studying graphic design at Saint Francis College (now the University of Saint Francis). In Fort Wayne, she would meet her husband, Tim, while working in a local record shop. They would go on to have three children – Vanessa, Meghan, and Jordan.

Josh Schipper
Francie Hogan poses with Bishop Rhoades during her retirement party in the diocesan communications office at the Archbishop Noll Center in Fort Wayne. Hogan, who has served the diocese since 1987, entered semi-retirement in January. She now works two days a week and focuses on the design of Today’s Catholic and its website.

Shortly after Jordan was born, Hogan was let go from her job and was feeling unhopeful at the prospect of finding a new one. One night as she was sleeping, she heard a voice in her dream telling her not to worry and assuring her that she would be taken care of. Believing this was a sign from God, the lifelong Catholic knew she was meant to work for the Church.

She was hired part time under editor John Ankenbruck to design advertisements, scan in national news stories that were received from Catholic News Service (on a dot matrix printer), and wax pages for production (which would be driven to the printer located more than an hour away). By 1989, Hogan was hired as a full-time employee and began sharing her time between Today’s Catholic and the communications office, which at the time was led by Christine Bonahoom-Nix.

Throughout the decades, Hogan saw many changes – new editors of Today’s Catholic, new communications directors, several shifts in the physical location of the communications office, and massive changes in technology.

One thing that never changed was her deep desire to serve the Lord.

One of her favorite memories involved a meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops taking place at Notre Dame.

“I got to go and take Tim’s mom with me,” Hogan said. “We were able to see all the bishops walk in. She really thought that was the bees’ knees!”

Another fond memory for Hogan was attending the Catholic Media Conference in New York City.

“I have loved my job,” Hogan said. “No two weeks have ever truly been the same.”

Outside of her time in the office, Hogan is a member of the board of directors for Miss Virginia’s Food Pantry, a local nonprofit committed to reducing food scarcity in the Fort Wayne community and providing healthy and balanced food to anyone in need. She is a member of St. Mary, Mother of God, a parish known for its service to the most vulnerable among us – something that has always been deeply important to Hogan.

When not in the office or volunteering, Hogan can often be found working in her garden. Her homemade salsa is a particular favorite treat of her co-workers in the communications office. Even more important, she is known by all as a constant listening ear, always eager to lend a hand and ready to offer wise counsel whenever she is consulted.

Hogan is also passionate about creating art. Whether painting, making jewelry, or creating thoughtful handmade gifts for her loved ones, her time in her home studio always yields something special. When opportunity presents itself, she certainly cannot pass up the opportunity to return to her beloved Michigan and immerse herself in one of its treasured lakes.

As she enters semi-retirement, Hogan hopes to have more time to focus on her hobbies and interests. Since January, she has reduced her time in the communications office to two days a week, focusing mostly on weekly layout and production of Today’s Catholic.

Hogan said the most important takeaway from her many years at the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend is to “listen and follow the Holy Spirit wherever He leads.”

Most certainly, she will continue to do so as He leads her into a new and exciting season of life.

Erika Barron is the advertising account executive for Today’s Catholic.