Father Marcell remembered

Father Robert Marcell is fondly remembered by priests and laity for his novel approach to catechizing others and having them evangelize others with the Gospel message. He did this by living with vibrant joy and immersing himself into the church parishes and apostolate ministries he served.

Father Marcell died July 24. He was 91. 

Born Jan. 22, 1931 in Amelia, Father Marcell, known by many as “Bob,” was 14 years old when he entered St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict, followed by Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. He was ordained June 9, 1956 in New Orleans by Auxiliary Bishop Louis Caillouet.

He later obtained master’s degrees in psychology and pastoral counseling. 

When the Diocese of Baton Rouge was established in July 1961, Father Marcell chose to become part of the diocese because he believed he could be in better touch with the people in the smaller diocese, he noted in an interview with The Catholic Commentator on the occasion of his 60th jubilee 

Father Marcell served many Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Baton Rouge for 45 years, including Ascension of Our Lord Church, Donaldsonville; St. John the Evangelist Church, Plaquemine; Christ the King Church and Catholic Center, Baton Rouge; St. Joseph the Worker Church, Pierre Part; St. Thomas More Church, Baton Rouge; St. Francis of Assisi Church, Smoke Bend; St. Isidore Church, Baker; St. Aloysius Church, Baton Rouge; St. Clement of Rome Church, Plaquemine; Immaculate Conception Church, Denham Springs and Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Livingston; and St. Gabriel Church, St. Gabriel. 

He was also a member of the Bishop’s Senate of Priests; clergy personnel board; the College of Consulters and director of council for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. 

Many priests crossed the path of Father Marcell, who celebrated his 60th jubilee June 9, 2016.

Father Jon Koehler, retired, remembers Father Marcell’s involvement in educating and promoting the role of the laity in the church.

“I was (Father) Bob Marcell’s associate at St. Aloysius,” said Father Jon Koehler. “(Father) Bob and I arrived July 1, 1974, replacing (Msgr.) Dan Becnel, who retired.

“Father Marcell believed whole heartedly in Vatican Council II. He was instrumental along with other pastors in the starting of the Religious Studies Institute for adults in the formation of parish leaders. He believed in the leadership role of women in the church as evident with the rapport he had with the (women religious) who were involved with the parish school and various ministries of the parish.”

Father Joel LaBauve, retired, noted, “He had a unique approach to ministry. It was a very modern taste.” 

He commended Father Marcell for the many great services he provided for the diocese.

“He served us well, and I am grateful for that,” said Father LaBauve.

Candy Muse, former director of pastoral ministries at St. Aloysius, was one of many laity who attributed her own call to more active participation in the church to Father Marcell.

“He was innovative and wonderful,” said Muse. “He was constantly looking for ways to empower the laity through workshops and educational opportunities. He was very open in working with people to get everyone involved.”

She recalled the time Father Marcell called on her 30 years ago to become director of lay ministries for St. Aloysius. Through his guidance and support she earned a master’s degree in Ministry/Theology from Loyola University and became a group facilitator for the Loyola’s Graduate Extension Program (LIMEX).

“He made a huge turning point in my life,” said Muse. “He’s meant a lot to St. Aloysius. He was very giving and self-giving in what the church is supposed to be.”

Susan Brown, a St. Aloysius member, talked about how Father Marcell was relentlessly looking for resources to provide Catholics to deepen their faith formation. As Catholic resources began to be established online, such as commentaries and programs that bring “Scripture alive,” Brown and Father Marcell served on a committee that was formed at St. Aloysius to research these resources in order to provide people tools they could utilize “day in and day out” to stay connected with their faith. Father Marcell was retired by that time but he attended the meetings. He insisted on not receiving special treatment because he was a former pastor.

“He was more than just one of us, he was one among us,” said Brown. “He believed in the common wisdom of many.” 

Even when declining health caused him to live in a nursing home, he was still vibrant and would partake in festivities such as Mardi Gras celebrations, etc., said Brown, who would bring him to Mass.

Father Marcell was also known for his strong commitment to social justice.

“In the early 1980s I served on the St. Aloysius school board,” said Lisette Borné. “During that period Father Marcell asked that someone write a letter to the superintendent of East Baton Rouge Schools expressing the support of St. Aloysius for the many challenges EBR schools were dealing with as plans to desegregate the schools went forward. (I agreed) to write the letter. 

“However, the next couple of weeks passed without my writing it, and I was then lovingly and respectfully reprimanded by Father Marcell. 

“It was only then that I saw how passionately he wanted the public school system to know of the support its Catholic school neighbors had for its desegregation plans. I sat down that day and wrote our letter of support. I remain very proud of Father Marcell’s sensitivity during this difficult and unprecedented time.” 

Father Marcell deeply enjoyed his priestly ministry and still celebrated Mass when called on as long as he was able.

“I’m thankful God has called me to the priesthood,” Father Marcell said in his jubilee interview. “And I’m still willing and able to continue.”

A funeral Mass was celebrated July 29 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Patterson. A memorial Mass will be held at St. Aloysius Church, Baton Rouge, on Saturday Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. Bishop Michael G. Duca will preside.