Stanley C. Bourassa, 75

ÝÝÝ Crookston - Monsignor Stanley C. Bourassa, 75, Crookston diocesan priest, died on Wednesday, August 11, 2004 at his retirement home on Cable Lake, supported by his friends and under Hospice care. He had served the diocese for 45 years in active, priestly ministry and had been retired for the past five years.

ÝÝÝA funeral mass for Msgr. Bourassa was held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 16, at the Cathedral; of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston. A graveside service was held on Tuesday, August 17.

ÝÝÝStanley Bourassa was born on April 13, 1929 to Katherine Viola (Sevalier) and Stanley Elliot Bourassa in Duluth, where he lived until he was 11.

ÝÝÝAfter moving to Minneapolis, he completed his elementary education at Incarnation Grade School. He graduated from DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis in 1947. He attended Nazareth Hall Preparatory Seminary in St. Paul from 1947-48, then completed both his college and theology studies at St. Johnís University/Seminary in Collegeville.

ÝÝÝMsgr. Bourassa was ordained by Bishop Peter Bartholomew for the Crookston Diocese on June 4, 1955 at St. Cloud Cathedral. He was made an honorary prelate (monsignor) by His Holiness John Paul II on April 11, 1990.

ÝÝÝHe served as assistant pastor at St. Joseph Church, Red Lake Falls from 1955-57; St. Anne, Crookston, 1957-61; St. Phillip, Bemidji, 1961-62; Sacred Heart, East Grand Forks, 1962-69.

ÝÝÝMsgr. Bourassa was pastor at St. Mary, Fosston and St. Lawrence, Mentor, 1969-77; Sacred Heart, East Grand Forks, 1977-81; St. Bernardís, Thief River Falls and St. Ann, Goodridge, 1981-91; St. Clement, Grygla, 1984-91; Assumption, Barnesville and St. Cecilia, Sabin, 1991-99.

ÝÝÝCatholic education was much of the focus of his priestly ministry. He taught at high school level for four years at St. Josephís Academy, Crookston, and seven years at Sacred Heart High School in East Grand Forks. As diocesan superintendent of schools (1969-77), and as diocesan vicar of education (1977-86), he represented diocesan education interest on local, state and national levels.

ÝÝÝMsgr. Bourassa retired July 31, 1999. Shortly after his retirement, he was severely injured in an auto accident, which left him disabled until his death.

ÝÝÝAt the time of his retirement, Msgr. Bourassa said, ?If education was the focus, pastor ministry at the parish level was my primary love. The challenges of implementing Vatican II at the parish level provided adult formation opportunities in almost all aspects: ecclesiology, Christology, spirituality, devotional life, art and architecture (directed building of new church in Thief River Falls, new church and rectory in Fosston, church addition in Barnesville), liturgical renewal, sacramental theology and practice.?

ÝÝÝHe also noted: ?Becoming an intimate part of the parish families served over the years, provided my most significant memorable experiences... being there to welcome new members, sharing in the growing-up problems of the young and old, sharing the joyful moments and the grief moments of so many loving persons, being part of the experiences of first sacraments, graduations, marriages, anniversaries and death moments.?

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