HLS 19RS-286 ORIGINAL
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 21
BY REPRESENTATIVE LEGER
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences on the death of Father Patrick Joseph "Pat"
Mascarella
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To express the condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana on the death of Father Patrick
3 Joseph "Pat" Mascarella.
4 WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the
5Louisiana Legislature have learned of the death of Father Patrick Joseph Mascarella on
6January 24, 2019; and
7 WHEREAS, Father Pat Mascarella felt the call of God at a young age, and by the
8eighth grade, he entered St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict, Louisiana; he continued at St.
9Joseph until he transferred to Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans in 1961, where he
10completed his education and training; Father Pat was ordained on December 17, 1966; and
11 WHEREAS, Father Pat was appointed to serve in many parishes in the Diocese of
12Baton Rouge, including St. Charles Borromeo, St. Therese of Avila, Our Lady of Mercy, St.
13Isidore the Farmer, Christ the King, St. George, and St. John the Baptist; Father Pat made
14an indelible impression on many parishioners and lifelong friends at each parish he served;
15and
16 WHEREAS, vision problems had always plagued Father Pat; he took a sabbatical to
17attend the Lafayette School for the Blind, where he learned Braille; as his eyesight declined
18further, his new guide and companion, Pace, a beautiful yellow lab, helped provide Father
19Pat an independence he was not willing to give up; and
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HCR NO. 21
1 WHEREAS, despite his blindness, in 2016, Father Pat earned a master's degree in
2religious studies from Louisiana State University; his master's program included art classes,
3and he was known to use his art for spiritual focus in his homilies; and
4 WHEREAS, Father Pat was committed to advocating on behalf of people with
5disabilities; he served on the Louisiana Rehabilitation Council for one six-year term; with
6Pace by his side, he often testified in committee meetings at the state capitol, providing
7impassioned testimony and a voice for people with disabilities; and
8 WHEREAS, Father Patrick Joseph Mascarella is survived by his siblings, Lucian
9Mascarella, and his wife Wilma, Tom Mascarella, and his wife Pat, and Marion Mascarella;
10his sisters-in-law, Joyce Mascarella and Hazel Mascarella; and many nieces, nephews, great-
11nieces, and great-nephews.
12 WHEREAS, Father Pat Mascarella possessed a special wisdom derived from both
13study and experience and will be missed by so many throughout the Baton Rouge area.
14 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
15express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of Father Joseph Patrick "Pat"
16Mascarella and does hereby recognize and record for posterity his singular contributions and
17achievements, which will forever be remembered and continue to be a source of pride and
18honor for his family and friends, his church, and the state of Louisiana.
19 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
20family of Father Patrick Joseph "Pat" Mascarella.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 21 Original 2019 Regular Session Leger
Expresses the condolences of the legislature on the death of Fr. Patrick Joseph "Pat"
Mascarella.
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