Reverend Monsignor Richard DeStefano
Msgr. Richard DeStefano, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Beaumont, died April 1 at Christus Hospital-St. Elizabeth. He was 82, actively retired and had been in residence at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, Beaumont.
A Mass of Christian Burial is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 7, at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, Jefferson & Wall Streets, Beaumont. A Mass of Christ the Eternal High Priest will be at 7 a.m. Wednesday, April 7, at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica for those unable to attend the 10 a.m. funeral Mass. A Rite of Committal will follow the 10 a.m. Mass at Magnolia Cemetery.
Visitation will be 4-10 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, Beaumont. The body will be received at the Basilica at 4 p.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 6 p.m., and Vigil and Evening Prayer at 7 p.m.
A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Richard DeStefano grew up in Connecticut. He was one of the five children of Angelo DeStefano and Mary Mastriani DeStefano. As a young man he served in the Korean Conflict in the U.S. Army. While he was in his country’s service he discovered his calling to the priesthood. Richard DeStefano entered St. Mary Seminary in Houston. He was ordained to the priesthood June 2, 1962, by Bishop W.J. Nold for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
Msgr. DeStefano’s first assignment as a priest was as assistant pastor at Christ the King Church, Houston. This was followed by serving in several parishes as the assistant pastor. One of these was at Immaculate Conception, Liberty, where, as assistant pastor, Msgr. DeStefano supervised the construction of the church building. He later returned to Immaculate Conception as pastor and oversaw the construction of the parish hall, educational building and day chapel.
He served as pastor of several parishes in Southeast Texas during his 48 years of priestly ministry including St. Peter the Apostle in Groves where he was the founding pastor. His last assignment as a pastor was at St. Jude Thaddeus, Beaumont, from 1990 to 2000 when he retired.
He was named a Prelate of Honor by Pope John Paul II April 11, 1997. Msgr. DeStefano was a member of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.
Msgr. DeStefano also served the diocese as Director of Liturgy, Director of the Permanent Diaconate and Director of Stewardship and Development in addition to being on numerous councils, committees and commissions of the diocese, including serving as chair of the Diocesan Building Committee. He was the president of the current board for The Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Beaumont, Inc. The annual Msgr. Richard DeStefano Faithful Stewardship Award, sponsored by the Office of Stewardship and Communications, is named after him for his exceptional display of Stewardship throughout the years.
The fondest memories many have of him are the wonderful gatherings where he cooked for family, friends and parishioners.
Msgr. DeStefano is survived by his brother Michael J. DeStefano of Edgewater, Florida, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins in Florida and Connecticut. He was preceded in death by his brothers Jack and Salvador and sister Katherine.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fund for the Education of Seminarians and Ministers, Diocese of Beaumont, PO Box 3948, Beaumont, TX 77704.
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