Monsignor Fernand L. Pichette

Monsignor Pichette was born on April 18, 1932 in Manchester, New Hampshire and was ordained a priest on May 31, 1958 by Bishop Matthew F. Brady, D.D., fifth Bishop of Manchester, at Saint Joseph Cathedral in Manchester. Monsignor Pichette studied at Saint Francis College, Biddeford, Maine and then he completed his ecclesiastical studies at Saint Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, MD.

Monsignor Pichette served as Chaplain to Mt. Carmel Home and the Veteran's Administration Hospital from June - August, 1958. He was then assigned as associate pastor of Saint Anthony Parish in Sanbornville in August, 1958; Saint Martin Parish, Somersworth in October, 1958; Saint Francis Xavier Parish, Nashua in June, 1963; and Sacred Heart Parish, Laconia in September, 1967. In June, 1971 Monsignor Pichette was named Temporary Administrator of Saint Mary Parish, Claremont where he served until November of that year.

In May, 1973, Bishop Ernest J. Primeau, D.D., S.T.D. appointed Monsignor Pichette pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Lebanon. In June, 1979, Bishop Odore J. Gendron, D.D. appointed Monsignor Pichette Episcopal Vicar for Christian Formation for the Diocese of Manchester. During his tenure he resided at Saint Anthony Parish, Manchester. In 1986 he was appointed Secretary for Ministries. Bishop Gendron appointed Monsignor Pichette pastor of Saint Charles Parish in Meredith in December of 1986 where he served until he retired in 1999.

On May 10, 1986 Monsignor Pichette was awarded the Prelate of Honor. He served as a Diocesan Consultor and on the Presbyteral Council for a number of years. He also served on the Diocesan Vocation Board.

During his retirement, Monsignor Pichette remained actively engaged in parish ministry especially at Saint Elizabeth Seton Parish.

Family members include his sister, Denise Acorace of Manchester; his brother Gaston Pichette and his wife Leona of Keene; nephews, Kevin Acorace and Michael Pichette; nieces, Cynthia Acorace, Nancy Pappas, Vivian Jones, Lucy Roberts and Debbie Hutchins; his lifelong friend and caretaker Janet O'Connell.

He was predeceased by his parents Edouard and Marie A. (Croteau) Pichette, sister Carmelle Guertin, nephew Kenneth Acorace and niece Collette Levesque.

The Most Reverend Francis J. Christian, Auxiliary Bishop of Manchester, presided at a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Elizabeth Seton Church on Thursday, July 22, 2010. The Rite of Committal was celebrated immediately after the Mass at Mount Calvary Cemetery, 474 Goffstown Road, Manchester, New Hampshire. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Priests' Retirement Trust Fund, C/O Diocese of Manchester, 153 Ash St, PO Box 310, Manchester, NH 03105-0310.