MSGR. GERALD MAURICE LEFEBVRE died on September 18, 2016 at the age of 85 years. He was born of Victor and Elsie Miller Lefebvre on September 11, 1931 and was a native of Port Allen. He was a priest of the Diocese of Baton Rouge for 60 years, retired, and a resident of Baton Rouge.  He attended Catholic High School, St Joseph Seminary and Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.

He is survived by his sisters Mary Beth Montgomery, Verne Green, and Eleanor Bankston as well as by nine nephews and ten nieces. He was predeceased by his sister Leona Lefebvre Dupont, brothers Wilmer, Victor, and Robert Lefebvre and his nephew Robert Dupont.

Msgr. Gerald was ordained by Bishop Louis Caillouet for the Archdiocese of New Orleans on June 9, 1956. Over the course of his ministry life, he served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans at Mater Dolorosa Church; and then in the Diocese of Baton Rouge at St. John the Evangelist, Plaquemine, St. Mary of False River, New Roads, St. Thomas More Church, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Maringouin, St. Isidore the Farmer, Baker, St. John the Baptist in Brusly, St. Agnes in Baton Rouge, St. Gabriel in St. Gabriel, St. Patrick Church, and St. Stephen the Martyr Church, Whitehall. He also undertook a variety of other assignments during the course of his ministry as Vice Chancellor, Editor of The Catholic Commentator, Dean, Ecclesiastical Notary, Officialis, Director of Diocesan Communications, member of the College of Consultors, Chairman of the Ecumenical Affairs Office and Director of Conference for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.  Msgr. Gerald was a faithful priest, a generous pastor and shepherd to many.

A vigil wake will be held Thursday, September 22, 2016, from 5 pm to 9 pm at Rabenhorst East Funeral Home, 11000 Florida Boulevard.  The vigil wake will continue Friday morning, September 23, at 9 am at St. Jean Vianney Catholic Church (16166 S. Harrells’ Ferry Road) until the Funeral Mass at 11 am. The principal celebrant of the Funeral Mass will be Bishop Robert W. Muench accompanied by the priests of the Diocese of Baton Rouge.  Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery in Baton Rouge.  Following the Funeral Mass a reception will be held at St. Jean Vianney Parish Hall.

Priests and deacons attending are asked to bring diocesan vestments with vesting in the School Library. 

Please pray for his family and all who mourn him, especially his sisters Mary Beth, Verne and Eleanor. 

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. Amen.