In remembrance – Father Roger Bourgeois, SSS

Funeral services for Father Roger Bourgeois, SSS will begin with visitation 4-7 p.m. Aug. 26 in St. Paschal Baylon Church, 5384 Wilson Mills Road, Highland Heights. Evening Prayer – Office of the Dead will be prayed beginning at 4 p.m., followed by the Vigil for the Deceased  at 6:30 p.m.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Father Bourgeois will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Aug. 27 in St. Paschal Baylon Church. The Rite of Committal will take place at 1 p.m. at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon.

Both the Mass and vigil will be livestreamed on the St. Paschal Baylon Parish website.

Father Bourgeois, 96, died Aug. 22.

He was born Aug. 16, 1930 to the late Clifford and Lena Bourgeois in Gardner, Massachusetts.

Father Bourgeois professed his vows in the congregation of the Blessed Sacrament  on Sept. 8, 1952, and he was ordained to the priesthood on Sept. 21, 1957.

.

Those who knew him said he was known for his meticulous attention to detail and care for the liturgy, community, parish and personal friends.

He served the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament for 10 years in the Philippines as a parochial vicar and novice director (1958-1968).

 Returning to the United States, he served as local superior of Highland Heights Blessed Sacrament community at St. Paschal Baylon 1968-1971 and 1999-2013. He served as a parochial vicar several times: at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Parma (1971-1974), at St. Paschal Baylon Parish (1974-1982), Downtown St. Joseph Parish in San Antonio, Texas (1982-1987 and 1992-1994) and St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Albuquerque, New Mexico (1994-1999).

He also served as pastor of Sacred Heard Parish in Salt Lake City, Utah (1987-1992), and parochial vicar and chaplain of St. Ann Shrine in Highland Heights (2013 until his death).

Father Bourgeois had other leadership roles with the Blessed Sacrament community including local superior (2001-2017) and provincial vicar (2002-2006).

Contributions in his honor can be  made to the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, 5384 Wilson Mills Road, Highland Heights, Ohio 44143.