SLS 19RS-113 ENGROSSED
2019 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 7
BY SENATOR CLAITOR
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of Father Patrick Joseph
Mascarella.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2 To express the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the death, on
3 January 24, 2019, of dedicated and beloved priest and tireless advocate for the
4 disabled, Father Patrick Joseph Mascarella, at the age of seventy-seven.
5 WHEREAS, Patrick Joseph Mascarella was the eleventh child of Charles and Lucy
6 Territo Mascarella, first generation Sicilian farmers and grocery store owners in Louisiana;
7 and
8 WHEREAS, Patrick Mascarella was raised with his numerous siblings next door to
9 the family grocery store on Highland Road; and
10 WHEREAS, Patrick Mascarella felt the call of God at a young age and by the eighth
11 grade entered St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict, Louisiana, in St. Tammany Parish and
12 continued his education in 1961 at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana; and
13 WHEREAS, as a seminarian, Father Mascarella said he was taught the joy of
14 learning which he enjoyed throughout his entire life and credited his faith formation and
15 foundation to these early years; and
16 WHEREAS, having completed his education and training, Father Mascarella was
17 ordained a Catholic priest on December 17, 1966, eventually serving for over forty years
18 until his retirement from full-time ministry in 2009; and
Page 1 of 3 SCR NO. 7
SLS 19RS-113 ENGROSSED
1 WHEREAS, Father Mascarella said his parents were good faith role models and he
2 particularly remembered his mother always walking around the family home carrying her
3 rosary; and
4 WHEREAS, during his long service in the priesthood, Father Mascarella served in
5 numerous parishes in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, including St. Charles Borromeo Church
6 in Baton Rouge, St. Theresa of Avila Church in Gonzales, Our Lady of Mercy Church in
7 Baton Rouge, St. Isidore the Farmer Church in Baker, Christ the King Church and Catholic
8 Center in Baton Rouge, St. George Church in Baton Rouge, St. John the Baptist Church in
9 Brusly, Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Church in Denham Springs, St. Joseph
10 Church in Paulina, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Gramercy, and St. Michael Church
11 in Convent; and
12 WHEREAS, Father Pat made an indelible impression on each of the parishes in
13 which he served, relating his homilies to his own life experiences, connecting with the
14 congregations in a very personal and caring manner; and
15 WHEREAS, in addition to his leadership of these parishes, Father Pat was
16 instrumental in developing key programs of stewardship on the parish level, directing
17 continuing formation for priests, helping to create and adopt new ways of evangelization
18 through faith-based classes, retreats, and increased liturgical participation; and
19 WHEREAS, Father Mascarella's greatest challenge was his deteriorating eyesight,
20 having worn glasses most of his life, the results of detached retinas, macular degeneration
21 and other issues stealing his ability to see and remain independent in living his life; and
22 WHEREAS, much like any other challenge in his life, Father Mascarella faced his
23 ever degenerating eyesight head on, taking a sabbatical to learn Braille and how to use a
24 white cane and eventually pairing with his beloved service dog, Pace; and
25 WHEREAS, after spending two weeks in Oregon getting to know each other, Father
26 Pat and Pace returned to Baton Rouge to live a full and independent life, depending only on
27 each other; and
28 WHEREAS, in 2016, with Pace an active participant throughout, Father Mascarella
29 earned his master's degree in religious studies from Louisiana State University; and
30 WHEREAS, in the course of obtaining his advanced degree, Father Pat took art
Page 2 of 3 SCR NO. 7
SLS 19RS-113 ENGROSSED
1 classes that kindled an interest in painting, sculpting, pottery, and other artistic endeavors,
2 and was pleased to have his own small exhibit at a local facility in Baton Rouge; and
3 WHEREAS, through his personal struggles with his loss of sight, Father Pat became
4 a vocal and untiring advocate for those with disabilities, lobbying at the Capitol with Pace
5 at his side; and
6 WHEREAS, in response to his dedication to Father Mascarella, Pace was named
7 Service Animal of the Year in 2011; and
8 WHEREAS, as Father Pat was retiring from his clerical life, he and Pace settled
9 down in Spanish Town, where Father Pat was active in the Historic Spanish Town Civic
10 Association, and the pair was a familiar and welcomed presence on the sidewalks of that area
11 in the capital city; and
12 WHEREAS, if the calling to live a religious life is, at its heart, a dedication to the
13 service to others, to bringing the teachings of the Church to congregations, and to living
14 according to the teachings of Jesus Christ, there has been no better servant than Father
15 Patrick Joseph Mascarella, a dedicated and loving servant of the Church and a fixture in the
16 Catholic community in Baton Rouge and its surrounding parishes.
17 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
18 express sincere condolences upon the death of Father Patrick Joseph Mascarella, a man of
19 the Church and a dedicated servant of God.
20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
21 Lucian Mascarella, on behalf of Father Mascarella's entire family.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Mary Dozier O'Brien.
DIGEST
SCR 7 Engrossed 2019 Regular Session Claitor
Expresses condolences upon the death of Father Patrick Joseph Mascarella.
Page 3 of 3