IN REMEMBRANCE: Fr. Gerard LaPorte, C.Ss.R.
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May 24, 2024Fr. Gerard “Gerry” LaPorte, a beloved mentor to generations of Redemptorist missionaries, died on May 17 after suffering a heart attack at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis. Blessed with a brilliant mind and a quick wit, Fr. Gerry was an exceptional preacher, pastor and canon lawyer who served in ministry exclusively in the South for more than five decades.
Arthur and Carmelite (Abadie) LaPorte welcomed Gerard Bernard to their family on January 28, 1939 in New Orleans. He and his siblings grew up around the Redemptorists at St. Alphonsus Parish, and their uncle, Alphonse Abadie, was ordained as a Redemptorist priest in 1942.
After graduating from St. Alphonsus School, young Gerard entered St. Joseph’s Preparatory Seminary in Kirkwood, MO. An exceptional student with real leadership skills, he was quite popular and a source of entertainment for his classmates, who enjoyed his wit and antics.He proceeded to novitiate at Mount St. Clement’s in DeSoto, MO and professed temporary vows on August 2, 1960. While completing theological studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Oconomowoc, WI, he shared his musical gifts as a member of The Collarmen, a talented seminarian music ministry that recorded albums under the Cuca Records label.
Gerry professed perpetual vows on September 2, 1963 and “fulfilled a dream” when he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Thomas William Murphy, C.Ss.R., D.D. at Immaculate Conception Seminary Chapel on June 29, 1965.
The newly ordained priest was sent to study for a Master’s degree in Canon Law at the Angelicum in Rome. He returned to the United States with his degree in 1968 and was immediately appointed to the faculty of Mount St. Alphonsus Redemptorist Theologate in Esopus, NY. In addition to Canon Law, he served in the Liturgy and Comparative Religion Departments, and was Director of The Collarmen seminarian music ministry outreach.
Fr. Gerry was named assistant pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Corpus Christi, TX in 1972. He thoroughly enjoyed pastoral ministry, and was instrumental in helping the Diocese of Corpus Christi reorganize its Matrimonial Tribunal. Three years later, he was appointed pastor of Holy Rosary Church and superior of the local community in Houma, LA.During the next six years, he helped the Diocese of Houma– Thibodaux organize a Marriage Preparation Program and served as a Matrimonial Tribunal Judge and as a member of the Arbitration Board.
Fr. Gerry was so respected by his confreres that they elected him to serve as a Consultor on the Vice Provincial Council in 1981. While serving in leadership during the next six years, he was involved in ministry planning and served as local community superior, Vocation Director and Bursar for the Vice Province of New Orleans. He served as rector and director of Holy Redeemer in Lacombe, LA during the 1986-1987 school term, and then returned to parish ministry at St. Alphonsus Parish in New Orleans, where he remained for the next 35 years.
Fr. Gerry was involved in many outreach ministries serving people in need, including Beginning Experience and Caring Companions. He served on the Matrimonial Tribunal and as an Appellate Judge for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and as a Chaplain for PEACE (Eucharistic Adoration Chapels). He volunteered for the Family Life Apostolate and earned a Master’s in Education in Counseling from the University of New Orleans in 1994, at the age of 55.
A compassionate confessor and spiritual director, Fr. Gerry was an insightful counselor for all who sought his wisdom. Although Fr. Gerry was granted retirement status in 2009, he continued to celebrate Masses at nearby nursing homes and preside at funerals for the faithful in New Orleans. He was known as “The Alb-Wearing Priest” because he arrived already dressed to celebrate a quick liturgy, but the depth of his holiness and spirituality was evident when he shared his insights on the Sacred Scriptures.
Fr. Gerry was an animating presence in the St. Alphonsus community and is remembered for reading the Times- Picayune cover-to-cover every morning and watching Jeopardy every afternoon. It was no surprise that he correctly answered most of the questions asked of contestants. He loved everything about his hometown, and was such an avid fan of the New Orleans Saints that his doctor prohibited him from watching the games to help keep his blood pressure in check. Health issues necessitated his move to St. Clement’s Redemptorist Mission Community in Barnhart in 2022, and he was a valued member of that community until his sudden and unexpected death.
Confreres and friends are gathering at the St. Clement Redemptorist Mission Community Chapel for a Wake Service at 7:00 pm on Friday, May 24. A Mass of Resurrection is scheduled at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 25, followed by burial at the Redemptorist Cemetery. The New Orleans Redemptorist community and the LaPorte family will celebrate a Memorial Mass for Fr. Gerry at 12:00 noon at St. Mary’s Assumption Church, followed by a reception at Mercy Endeavors Senior Center.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.