Tenth Pastor of St Joseph Church. 1968-1970.
Father Francis Lamendola was a priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans for 63 years. He died June 16, 1999 at the Chateau de Notre Dame Nursing Home. He was 89 years old when he died.
"Lamy", as he was known by his priest friends, "served well and in many places." Father Lamendola displayed a special heart for the poor. As pastor of St Joseph in Grosse Tete, Father Lamendola "had religious education, ball teams and all types of programs in this very small town. This was his thing. He alway said the church must be involved with the people."
Father Lamendola was born in Raceland and raised in Baton Rouge. He attended St Joseph Seminary College and Notre Dame Seminary and was ordained in 1936.
Following assignments in Thibodaux and Raceland, he received his first pastorate at St. Joseph in Grosse Tete in 1948. He was subsequently pastor at St Frances Xavier Cabrini in Livonia, Holy Savior in Lockport, St. Teresa of Avila, New Orleans, St Joseph, Gretna, and Our Lady of Prompt Succor in Chackbay.
Father Lamendola served as deanery moderator of the Holy Name Society, as chaplain at East Jefferson General Hospital and Metairie Manor, and was active with the Knights of Columbus.
He retired from active ministry in 1980.
"Even when he retired from active ministry he did a lot of ministry (at the Chateau de Notre Dame)." He used to sit in the front and greet everyone. He was a beautiful example of concern and hospitality. He loved the Blessed Mother. The night before he died he was saying the rosary."
Father Lamendola was ordained in 1936 in a very different time. He saw a lot of changes in the Church. It would have been very easy for him to become disillusioned, but Father Lamendola remained very faithful to his priesthood.
At the time of his death, Father Lamendola was survived by Benedictine Sister Gertrude Lamendola and Rosalie Gagnard.
Father Lamendola's funeral mass was celebrated June 18, 1999 at St Frances Xavier Cabrini Church in Livonia. Interment followed at Cabrini Masoleum in Livonia. (Article from Clarion Herald - July 8, 1999)