IN REMEMBRANCE: Fr. Richard Thibodeau, C.Ss.R.
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January 21, 2022Fr. Richard Thibodeau, the first Provincial Superior of the Denver Province whose leadership was so appreciated that he was elected to serve a third term, died on January 16 of COVID-related pneumonia in Oconomowoc.
An exceptional administrator blessed with the sensitivity to navigate difficult issues, Fr. Richard served in leadership positions throughout his 44 years of Redemptorist ministry.
Born on October 9, 1949 in Milwaukee, Richard Keith Thibodeau felt called to the priesthood in elementary school. He attended a vocation weekend at St. Joseph’s Preparatory College in Edgerton, WI and was accepted into the Redemptorist formation program of the former St. Louis Province. He entered novitiate in 1969 and professed temporary vows on August 2, 1970.
After graduating from Holy Redeemer College in Waterford, WI, he made second novitiate and professed perpetual vows on August 25, 1973. He proceeded to Mount St. Alphonsus Seminary in Esopus, NY for four years of theological studies. He wasn’t an athlete or avid sports fan, yet he seemed to consistently rank near the top of the annual football pool. When his puzzled fellow seminarians asked his secret method to pick winners, he quipped that he simply picked the city in which he would rather live.
After he was ordained to the priesthood on June 3, 1976, Fr. Richard earned a Master of Arts in Teaching and completed graduate courses in Educational Administration at Whitewater State University in preparation for returning to the Redemptorist formation program. He joined the faculty of St. Joseph’s Preparatory College in 1977 and was later appointed principal, a position he held until the school closed in 1980. He joined the faculty at Holy Redeemer College in Waterford, WI and was elected vicar of the local community, positions he retained until the school closed in 1985.
With the end of the formation program, Fr. Richard was appointed Marketing Director of Liguori Publications at Liguori Mission House in Liguori. After two years, he was appointed rector of the community and was named president of Liguori Publications. The 1980s were heady years for the publishing house, enabling the ministry to make significant financial contributions to support the ministries of the former St. Louis Province.
Fr. Richard was a very private person, and his confreres generally viewed him as a “confrere’s confrere” – a good religious and an intelligent, thoughtful and supportive leader. He was elected Consultor of the Ordinary Provincial Council in 1990, and also served as vicar of the Villa Redeemer community in Glenview, IL. At that time, a merger of the St. Louis Province and the Oakland Province was being negotiated.
When the merger was completed in 1996, he was elected as the first Provincial Superior of the new Denver Province. He served two terms, and received permission from the General Government to serve an additional term, extending his time at the helm until 2005.
As Provincial Superior, Fr. Richard was a hardworking, exceptional administrator. He encouraged the development of new initiatives and provided sufficient support to ensure their success. Those dealing with difficult circumstances found in him a compassionate ally. Fr. Richard also garnered respect at the international level of the Congregation. During his tenure, the Denver Province celebrated the beatification of Francis Xavier Seelos in 2000. Five years later, he successfully managed the consolidation of the Vice Province of New Orleans.
After years of caring for his confreres, Fr. Richard was perfectly suited for parish ministry. He served as pastor of St. Michael Parish in Chicago from 2005 until 2011, and as pastor and local superior of St. Alphonsus Parish in New Orleans from 2011 until 2019. He was popular with parishioners and successfully raised funds to renovate both historic churches.
Fr. Richard was appointed local superior and director of the Redemptorist Retreat Center in Oconomowoc in 2019. He was evaluating spiritual programs and retreats when the global pandemic interrupted operations, and ultimately led to his unexpected death.
A Memorial Mass is scheduled at the Redemptorist Retreat Center in Oconomowoc on January 20, and at St. Mary’s Assumption Church in New Orleans on January 21.
The St. Clement Redemptorist Mission Community is hosting funeral services at the St. Clement Chapel in Liguori. A rosary is scheduled at 3:00 pm and a vigil is planned at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 26. A Mass of Resurrection is scheduled at 10:00 am on Thursday, January 27, followed by burial in the Liguori Cemetery.
Confreres and friends may participate online at: https://www.facebook.com/andy.patin9
May Fr. Richard, a faithful Son of St. Alphonsus, rest in the eternal peace of the Redeemer.
(Submitted by Kristine Stremel, with contributions from Fr. Robert Fenili, Fr. Dick Mevissen and Fr. Mike McAndrew. Courtesy of DenverLink.)