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Saturday, February 5, 2022, 9:00 AM
DEATH NOTICE OF A REDEMPTORISTFr. Richard Thibodeau, C.Ss.R., the first Provincial Superior of the Denver Province who was so appreciated that he was elected to serve a third term, died on January 16 of COVID-related pneumonia in Oconomowoc, WI. An exceptional administrator blessed with the sensitivity to navigate difficult issues, Fr. Richard served in leadership positions throughout his 44 years as a Redemptorist missionary.
Born on October 9, 1949 in Milwaukee, WI, Richard Keith Thibodeau felt called to the priesthood in elementary school. He attended a vocation weekend at St. Joseph’s Preparatory College in Edgerton, WI and was accepted into the Redemptorist formation program of the former St. Louis Province. He professed temporary vows on August 2, 1970 and perpetual vows on August 25, 1973, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 3, 1976.
Fr. Richard earned a Master of Arts in Teaching and completed graduate courses in Educational Administration in preparation for returning to the Redemptorist formation program. He joined the faculty of St. Joseph’s Preparatory College in 1977 and was later appointed principal, a position he held until the school closed in 1980. He joined the faculty at Holy Redeemer College in Waterford, WI and was elected vicar of the local community, positions he retained until the school closed in 1985.
With the end of the formation program, Fr. Richard was appointed Marketing Director of Liguori Publications at Liguori Mission House in Liguori, MO. After two years, he was appointed rector of the community and was named president of Liguori Publications.
Fr. Richard was elected Consultor of the Ordinary Provincial Council of the former St. Louis Province in 1990. He also served as vicar of the Villa Redeemer community in Glenview, IL.
A merger of the St. Louis Province and the Oakland Province was being negotiated. When the merger was completed in 1996, Fr. Richard was elected as the first Provincial Superior of the new Denver Province. He served two terms, and received permission from the General Government to serve an additional term, extending his time at the helm until 2005. Highlights of his tenure include the beatification of Blessed Francis X. Seelos in 2000 and the consolidation of the Vice Province of New Orleans in 2005.
After years of caring for his confreres, Fr. Richard was perfectly suited for parish ministry.
He served as pastor of St. Michael Parish in Chicago from 2005 until 2011, and as pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish in New Orleans from 2011 until 2019. He was popular with parishioners and successfully raised funds to renovate both historic churches
Fr. Richard was appointed director of the Redemptorist Retreat Center in Oconomowoc, WI in 2019. He was evaluating spiritual programs when the global pandemic interrupted operations, and ultimately led to his unexpected death.
Funeral Arrangements and Memorial Masses
Redemptorist Retreat Center
Oconomowoc, WI
Thursday, January 20, 2022
5:00 – 6:30 PM Visitation
6:30 PM Memorial Mass
St. Mary’s Assumption Church
New Orleans, LA
Friday, January 21, 2022
7:00 PM Memorial Mass
St Clement Redemptorist Mission Community
Liguori, MO
Wednesday, January 26, 2022
3:00 PM Rosary
7:00 PM Vigil
Thursday, January 27, 2022
10:00 AM Funeral Mass Burial immediately following
St. Michael Church in Old Town
Chicago, IL
Saturday, February 5, 2022
9:00 AM Memorial Mass in Church
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
