LABBE GERARD MORRISSETTE

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LABBE GERARD MORRISSETTE Labbe Gerard morrissette est decede paisiblement, mercredi le 1er decembre, au Foyer Valade, a lage de quatre-vingt-quinze ans. Gerard, fils dAlfred Morrissette et dAlice Dionne, est ne a Winslow, ME, E.-U., le 5 avril 1909. Outre le presbyterium de Saint-Boniface, il laisse dans le deuil deux freres, le Pere Dominic du diocese de Joliet, Ill., et Bernard de North Andover, MA, en plus de neveux et nieces. Apres ses etudes primaires a lecole Saint-Francois de Sales, Waterville, ME, (1917-1924), son secondaire au College de lAssomption, Worcester, MA (1924-1925), au College de Montreal, Qc (1925-1927), Gerard poursuivit ses etudes au Seminaire Eymard, Suffern, NY (1927-1930). Il a ete Frere dans la Congregation du T.-S.-Sacrement de 1934 a 1952. Il se dirigea ensuite au Seminaire de Saint-Victor-de-Beauce, Qc (1952-1954). Il fit ses etudes theologiques au Grand Seminaire de Saint-Boniface (1954-1958). Mgr Maurice Baudoux, archeveque de Saint-Boniface, lordonna pretre le 29 juin 1958 a la paroisse Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Winslow, ME. Labbe Gerard fut successivement vicaire a Holy Cross (1958-1960), aumonier au Sanatorium a Saint-Vital (1960-1961), puis cure a Treherne (1961-1963), a South Junction (1963-1965), a Pine Falls (1965-1980). Il a ete charge du ministere a la chapellenie Csur-Immacule-de-Marie a Saint-Vital de 1980 a 1982. Il prend sa retraite en 1982, a Saint-Victor-de-Beauce, Qc, ensuite au Pavillon Mgr Racine a Sherbrooke, Qc., puis a la Residence Saint-Antoine, S-B, Mb (1986-2002). Une sante flechissante lobligea a demenager au Foyer Valade en 2002. Au moment de sa retraite du ministere actif, Mgr Hacault lui rendait le temoignage suivant: "Tu as assume avec joie des responsabilites nombreuses et tu as porte avec succes toutes les charges pastorales qui tont ete confiees au cours de ces vingt-quatre annees de travail constant dans le diocese". Monsieur Morrissette comme ses confreres lappelaient affectueusement, a servi joyeusement et fidelement dans des services et ministeres varies de lEglise. La messe des funerailles sera presidee par Mgr Emilius Goulet, p.s.s., archeveque de Saint-Boniface, le lundi 6 decembre a 14h00, en la Cathedrale de Saint-Boniface. Linhumation suivra au cimetiere devant la Cathedrale. Le diocese de Saint-Boniface et la famille Morrissette desirent remercier la direction et le personnel du Foyer pour les soins prodigues avec respect et devouement envers labbe Morrissette. La famille et les amis sont invites a signer le livre de condoleance au www.obitbulkloaduairiestoday.com. FATHER GERARD MORRISSETTE Fr. Gerard Morrissette passed away peacefully, Wednesday morning, December 1, 2004, at Foyer Valade. He was 95 years old. Gerard, son of Alfred Morrissette and Alice Dionne, was born in Winslow, ME, USA, on April 5, 1909. Besides the St. Boniface presbyterium, he will be remembered by his brothers, Fr. Dominic of the diocese of Joliet, IL and Bernard of North Andover, MA, and many nieces and nephews. After attending St. Francis de Sales School, Waterville, ME (1917-1924), Gerard completed his secondary education at College de lAssomption, Worcester, MA (1924-1925), College de Montreal , QC (1925-1927). Gerard studied at the Eymard Seminary, Suffern, NY (1927-1930). From 1934 to 1952, he was a Religious Brother with the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. After a few years of post secondary studies at the Seminaire Saint-Victor-de-Beauce, QC (1952-54), Gerard attended the St. Boniface Major Seminary (1954-1958) for his theological studies. Archbishop Maurice Baudoux, Archbishop of St. Boniface, ordained him to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of St. Boniface, on June 29, 1958, in St-Jean-Baptiste Church, Winslow. Fr. Morrissette served consecutively in the following parishes, assistant priest at Holy Cross (1958-1960) chaplain at the Sanatorium, St. Vital (1960-1961) pastor in Treherne (1961-1963), in South Junction (1963-1965) and in Pine Falls (1965-1980). He was the priest in charge of Coeur-Immacule-de-Marie Chaplaincy from 1980 to 1982. He retired in 1982, taking residence at St-Victor-de-Beauce, QC, then at the Pavillon Mgr Racine, Sherbrooke, QC, and finally at Residence Saint-Antoine, (St.B.). Due to failing health, he was admitted to Foyer Valade in 2002. When Fr. Morrissette retired from active ministry, Archbishop Hacault commended him with these words: "You took up joyfully many responsibilities and you carried out successfully all the pastoral charges entrusted to you during your 24 years of active ministry". Monsieur Morrissette, as he was affectionately known by his confreres, served faithfully and joyfully in various Church ministries. The funeral mass for Fr. Morrissette will be presided by Archbishop Emilius Goulet, P.S.S., on Monday, December 6 at 2:00 p.m., in St. Boniface Cathedral, with viewing at 1:30 p.m. Interment will be in the cathedral cemetery. The Archdiocese of St. Boniface and the Morrissette family wish to thank very sincerely the personnel of the Foyer Valade for the attentive and devoted care given to Fr. Gerard. Salon mortuaire Desjardins Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements, 233-4949 or toll free 1-888-233-4949. Family and friends are invited to sign the Book of Condolence at www.obituariestoday.com.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 04, 2004