Redemptorist Fr. LaPorte, 85

Redemptorist Father Gerard “Gerry” LaPorte, who served in ministry for over five decades, died May 17 at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis, Missouri. He was 85.

Born on Jan. 28, 1939, in New Orleans, Father LaPorte was the son of Arthur and Carmelite (Abadie) LaPorte. He and his siblings grew up around the Redemptorists at St. Alphonsus Parish.

Father LaPorte followed the footsteps of his uncle, Alphonse Abadie, who was ordained as a Redemptorist priest in 1942. After graduating from St. Alphonsus School, Father LaPorte entered St. Joseph’s Preparatory Seminary in Kirkwood, Missouri. He professed temporary vows on Aug. 2, 1960. 

He completed his theological studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and professed perpetual vows on Sept. 2, 1963. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 29, 1965.

Father LaPorte received a master’s degree in canon law at the

Angelicum in Rome. He returned to the U.S. in 1968 and was appointed to the faculty of Mount St. Alphonsus Redemptorist Theologate in Esopus, New York. 

He also served in the Liturgy and Comparative Religion Departments and was director of The Collarmen Seminarian music ministry outreach.

Father LaPorte was named assistant pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1972. Three years later, he was appointed pastor of Holy Rosary Church and superior of the local community in Houma.

During the next six years, Father LaPorte helped the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux organize a marriage preparation program. 

Father LaPorte served as rector and director of Holy Redeemer in Lacombe in 1986 and then returned to parish ministry at St. Alphonsus Parish in New Orleans, where he remained for the next 35 years.

His Funeral Mass was celebrated May 25 at St. Clement Mission Community in Barnhart, Missouri. He was buried in the Redemptorist Cemetery.