Deacon Stall cherished prison ministry

    Deacon Louis W. Stall, who was ordained in the original permanent diaconate class of 1974, died Oct. 7 following a lengthy illness. He was 83.
    Deacon Stall, a native of New Orleans, served for many years as director of prison ministry for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Former Archbishop Alfred Hughes celebrated his funeral Mass Oct. 9 at St. Cletus Church in Gretna, and Deacon Patrick Dempsey delivered the homily. Deacon Stall was buried at Greenwood Cemetery.
    “I think he saw his work in prison ministry as the back of the vineyard,” said Deacon Dempsey, who was assigned to St. Cletus with Deacon Stall. “He told me one time that the back of the vineyard is as good as being in the front of the vineyard. That was his way of putting it all into perspective. It’s all God’s work – not just what people see on the altar.”
    Deacon Dempsey said even before he entered formation to become a permanent deacon, Deacon Stall had asked him and future Deacon John Walker to do prison ministry as laypersons in local prisons, which meant setting up Catholic Communion services for the inmates.
    “He was my role model and mentor,” Deacon Dempsey said. “When you come into the diaconate, it’s not like being thrown off a horse. There are people who plant that seed. Deacon Lou led both of us into the ministry.”
    Deacon Stall is survived by Antoinette (Bunny) Stall, his wife of 62 years; a brother, Gasper Steven Stall; and his children: Bonnie Stall, Louis W. Stall Jr. (Sue), Donna L. Thiberville (Harold), Charles P. Stall (Karen), Richard S. Stall (Mary Catherine), Ronaele Cunningham (David), Linda Stall and Gloria Stall. He also had 19 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
    He was preceded in death by his parents, William C. Stall and Lena Trapani Stall, and two brothers, Jacob and Paul Stall.
    Deacon Stall’s final appointment was as chaplain at the Jefferson Parish Community Correctional Center.