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The Calling
The story of The Table of St Francis began with one man’s life-changing encounter with Jesus.
Born in Thailand and raised Buddhist, Brother Francis grew up in a comfortable and secure life before beginning his professional career as a bank manager with the Bank of Thailand at a young age of 18. He later moved to Australia, where his journey took him into the culinary world. He became a successful kitchen supervisor before venturing into business, managing cafés and eventually running his own businesses. His achievements in the hospitality and business sectors earned him multiple awards and recognition.
Beyond his professional achievements, family has always been at the heart of Brother Francis' life. He is a devoted husband to his wife, Carol, and a loving father to their three sons, Faizal, Graham and Calvin.
In the eyes of the world, Brother Francis had achieved success—a thriving career, his own businesses and a comfortable life. Yet something greater was about to call him in an entirely different direction.
Amazing Grace
One night, Brother Francis had a dream—an encounter with Jesus that would ultimately change the course of his life. A calling was received:
“Preach the Good News, feed the poor, and help the people rejected in love.”
Those words became more than a message. They became a mission.
Brother Francis made the extraordinary decision to leave behind his business and the life he had built. He embraced the Catholic faith and dedicated himself to serving those who most in need.
At his Confirmation, he chose the name Francis, inspired by St Francis of Assisi—the saint whose life of simplicity, compassion and love for the poor deeply reflected the calling now taking shape in his own life.
What began as one man’s encounter with Christ grew into a desire to create something much bigger:
a place where people could experience compassion without judgement, dignity without conditions, and know that there would always be a place for them at the table.
That calling would eventually become The Table of St Francis.
Missions Beyond the Table
The calling that inspired Brother Francis did not begin—or end—with The Table. Over the years, that same call to “preach the Good News, serve the poor and help the people rejected, with love” has inspired him to initiate and support other missions, each responding to a different need in its own way.
From faith and community to health, wellbeing and service, these works form part of a wider story—one calling, expressed through many acts of love.
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