Moragne

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matt. 25:23 The Rev. Msgr. James C. (JC, Fr. Jim) Moragne entered eternal rest on Sunday, October 5, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. following complications from emergency surgery. Fr. Jim was born June 11, 1944, and attended St. Joseph’s Seminary in St. Benedict, LA where he received his Associate of Arts degree in 1964.

He then attended UNO and received a B.A. in Mathematics in 1970 and taught in the St. Tammany Public School system for one year before enrolling at Notre Dame Seminary. He was ordained to the Diaconate in May, 1974 and served at St. Genevieve’s in Slidell until he received his Master’s Degree in Divinity and was ordained to the Priesthood on May 10, 1975. He became the Associate Pastor at St. Francis de Sales Houma before it became part of the new Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

He was a teacher and Rector at St. John Vianney Preparatory Seminary from 1976 to 1982 while in residence at St. Angela Merici, St. Ann’s, and St. Francis Xavier parishes. He was assigned to assist the Baton Rouge Diocese at Christ the King Catholic Student Center at LSU, where he ministered from 1982 to 1984. He was appointed Vice-Chancellor for Spiritual Affairs by Archbishop Hannan in 1984.

While fulfilling his duties at the Chancery, he was in residence at St. Clement of Rome and later Our Lady of the Rosary parish. He was named a Prelate of Honor (Monsignor) by the Holy Father in 1988. In 1989 he was appointed Pastor at Holy Family parish in Franklinton. He later served as Pastor at St. Lawrence the Martyr parish in Kenner and St. John the Baptist parish in Paradis, where he served for the past thirteen years. He became Chaplain at Nelson Coleman Correctional Center in St. Charles Parish in 2007.

He was most recently installed as Pastor at St. Hubert’s parish in Garyville, an assignment he had sought and where he ardently desired to serve until his retirement. Fr. Jim is survived by his siblings, Ernest C. Moragne (wife: Rose), Viola (Vikki) Orman (husband: Bernie), Daniel L. Moragne, F. Thomas Moragne (wife: Peggy), Paul J. Moragne (wife: Tisa), Dr. Martha (Candy) Moragne Turner (husband: Dr. Joseph). He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews: Dawn Moragne, Cammie Moragne Perry, Angie Nelson Muko, Wendy Nelson, Jason Moragne, Lisa Moragne Bartels, Bridget Moragne Buccaran, Paul A. Moragne, Jason Turner and Michael Turner. He is also survived by great-nieces and great-nephews Julie Perry, Olivia Perry, Natalie Perry, Amber Muko, Devon Muko, JP Muko, Amanda Nelson, Matthew Bartels, Michael Bartels, Taylor Buccaran, and Chase Buccaran, and by his loving and devoted aunt, Peggy McGregor and her family with whom Fr. Jim shared many happy memories. Fr. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest C. and Viola D. (McGregor) Moragne and three siblings: Michael Frank, Pierre Gerard, and John Patrick. Funeral arrangements include a wake and rosary at St. Hubert’s in Garyville on Wednesday evening, October 8, 2008 from 7 pm to 9 pm.

A wake will be held at St. John the Baptist Church in Paradis on Thursday, October 9, 2008 from 10 am until a Mass of Christian Burial at 2:00 pm, the Most Reverend Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes officiating. Burial at St. Joseph’s Abbey in St. Benedict will be private. Arrangements by JACOB SCHOEN AND SON FUNERAL HOME.