ENROLLED
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 21
BY REPRESENTATIVE LEGER
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To express the condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana on the death of Father Patrick
Joseph "Pat" Mascarella.
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the
Louisiana Legislature have learned of the death of Father Patrick Joseph Mascarella on
January 24, 2019; and
WHEREAS, Father Pat Mascarella felt the call of God at a young age, and by the
eighth grade, he entered St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict, Louisiana; he continued at St.
Joseph until he transferred to Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans in 1961, where he
completed his education and training; Father Pat was ordained on December 17, 1966; and
WHEREAS, Father Pat was appointed to serve in many parishes in the Diocese of
Baton Rouge, including St. Charles Borromeo, St. Therese of Avila, Our Lady of Mercy, St.
Isidore the Farmer, Christ the King, St. George, and St. John the Baptist; Father Pat made
an indelible impression on many parishioners and lifelong friends at each parish he served;
and
WHEREAS, vision problems had always plagued Father Pat; he took a sabbatical to
attend the Lafayette School for the Blind, where he learned Braille; as his eyesight declined
further, his new guide and companion, Pace, a beautiful yellow lab, helped provide Father
Pat an independence he was not willing to give up; and
WHEREAS, despite his blindness, in 2016, Father Pat earned a master's degree in
religious studies from Louisiana State University; his master's program included art classes,
and he was known to use his art for spiritual focus in his homilies; and
WHEREAS, Father Pat was committed to advocating on behalf of people with
disabilities; he served on the Louisiana Rehabilitation Council for one six-year term; with
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Pace by his side, he often testified in committee meetings at the state capitol, providing
impassioned testimony and a voice for people with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Father Patrick Joseph Mascarella is survived by his siblings, Lucian
Mascarella, and his wife Wilma, Tom Mascarella, and his wife Pat, and Marion Mascarella;
his sisters-in-law, Joyce Mascarella and Hazel Mascarella; and many nieces, nephews, great-
nieces, and great-nephews; and
WHEREAS, Father Pat Mascarella possessed a special wisdom derived from both
study and experience and will be missed by so many throughout the Baton Rouge area.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of Father Patrick Joseph "Pat"
Mascarella and does hereby recognize and record for posterity his singular contributions and
achievements, which will forever be remembered and continue to be a source of pride and
honor for his family and friends, his church, and the state of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of Father Patrick Joseph "Pat" Mascarella.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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