Martin C. Maraist Jr.

A memorial mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Opelousas on Monday, August 18, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. for Father Martin C. Maraist, Jr., 81 who passed away on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at St. Martin Hospital in Breaux Bridge Father Maraist was a native of St. Martinville and spent his formative years in Opelousas. As a deacon he served at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Lyons Point and at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church in St. Martinville. He became an associate pastor in St. Martinville and later at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Opelousas. He was then appointed pastor at Our Lady of Mercy. His next assignment was as pastor of St. Peter Catholic Church in Morrow and Mission of the Resurrection Chapel in Whiteville. He then went into retirement due to ill health. Father Maraist is survived by one brother, James Roy Maraist, and his wife, Anita, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin C. Maraist, Sr. and Emily Guilbeau Maraist, and his sister, Elise M. Reines. As per his wishes, his body was donated to Tulane University School of Medicine. The family wishes to express a special thank you to Monsignor Jeff DeBlanc for his faithful and kindly efforts in visiting with Father throughout his prolonged illness.