Rev. Msgr. Roger A. Swenson
Deceased: 2010-03-09
Diocese: NEW ORLEANS
Seminary Graduation Year: 1970
Reverend Monsignor Roger A. Swenson, Pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Metairie, LA, died on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 after battling cancer for over two years. Monsignor Swenson was born in Winona, Minnesotaon January 21, 1937, son of the late Winfred A. and Jeanette Lurkowski Swenson. He received his elementary, high school education in Lake City, MN. He received his B. S. in Mechanical Engineering from Marquette Universityin Milwaukee in 1959 and his Masters in Automotive Engineering at the Chrysler Institute of Engineering in 1961. In 1964 he entered the diocesan seminary at St. Mary’s College, Winona, MN from which he received a B.A. in philosophy in 1966. He studied at the North American College in Rome from 1966 to 1970. On May 17, 1970 he was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. He served as associate pastor at St. Raphael and St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parishes in New Orleans. His first assignment as pastor was at St. Anthony of Padua, Luling, then St. Leo the Great in New Orleans, before being named pastor of St. Catherine of Sienain Metairie on November 20, 1999. He was named a Prelate of Honor on September 22, 1999. In addition to his pastoral assignments, Msgr. Swenson taught and was rector-principal at St. John Prep. Through the years he served as associate vicar for clergy, director of continuing formation for priests, member of the archdiocesan liturgical commission, clergy personnel committee, advisory board, Loyola institute for Catholic Studies, Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, Knights of Columbus St. Catherine of Siena Council 12686 and Priests for Life. Monsignor Swenson is survived by two sisters, Carol Bleizeffer wife of Bernard Bleizeffer of Greenwood, Indiana and Maxine Olson of Rochester, Minnesota; two nephews, David Bleizeffer husband of Mary C. Bleizeffer and Terry Bleizeffer husband of Karen Bleizeffer; two nieces, Mary Hegrenes wife of Jon Hegrenes and Elizabeth Eide wife of Matthew Eide; five grand nieces and nephews and two soon to be born. Relatives, friends, Clergy and Religious of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena Parish and former parishioners of Monsignor Swenson are invited to attend the Visitation and Funeral Mass at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 105 Bonnabel Blvd., Metairie, LA. Visitation will be on Friday, March 12, 2010 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St Catherine of Siena Church by Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans, on Saturday, March 13 at 10:00 a.m. Monsignor Swenson will be interred next to his parents in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Lake City, Minnesota at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, March 19, 2010. Eternal rest grant unto him, Lord, may he rest in peace. Donations in Memory of Monsignor to St. Catherine of Siena Building Fund, 105 Bonnabel Blvd., Metairie, LA70005, preferred. Arrangements by Jacob Schoen and Son Funeral Home.
