Father Francis Berner, 78, former pastor and chaplain, dies Oct. 15

Father Francis Bruseau Berner, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, died on Oct. 15 at Our Lady of Wisdom Health Care Center in New Orleans.

He was 78 and had served for 52 years as a priest of the archdiocese.

Father Berner was born on Feb. 7, 1944, in New Orleans, to Francis Bruseau Berner Sr., and Isabelle Sarrat.

He is survived by his brother, Gerald E. Berner (Karen), a niece, a nephew and their children.

Father Berner attended Our Lady of Lourdes School in New Orleans and St. Christopher the Martyr School in Metairie. His secondary education was at St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict.

He attended Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans and was ordained to the priesthood on June 12, 1970, by Auxiliary Bishop L. Abel Caillouet at St. Mark Church in Chalmette.

Father Berner served as associate pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual, Kenner; Holy Cross, Morgan City; St. Lawrence the Martyr, Metairie; and St. Angela Merici, Metairie.

He served as co-pastor at St. Lawrence the Martyr and as pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish at the University of New Orleans.

In addition to these pastoral assignments, he served as a high school chaplain and was coordinator of high school chaplains in the archdiocese of New Orleans.

He most recently served as priest-chaplain at West Jefferson Hospital and Our Lady of Wisdom Health Care Center.

Father Berner retired in 2019.

His Funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 21 at St. Christopher the Martyr Church. Interment was at Lake Lawn Park Cemetery.