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