Rev. Joseph Puthuppally

A funeral mass celebrating the life of Rev. Joseph Puthuppally, 81, of Monroe, LA, will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, August 17, 2019, at the St. Matthew Catholic Church in Monroe, LA. Rev. Peter Mangum, presiding, assisted by Rev. Mark Franklin, Pastor of St. Matthew Church and concelebrated with brother priests. Interment will follow in St. Matthew Catholic Cemetery in Monroe, LA, under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home Monroe, LA.

Father Joe went to his heavenly home on August 15, 2019, at the St. Francis Medical Center surrounded by his family.

Father Joe was ordained on October 2, 1966, in Pune, India. He served as Headmaster of the St. John's Catholic School in Banaras, India for 15 years. In 1986, he came to America and served as Pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church in Keyport, NJ. In 1997, he came to Monroe, where he served as Pastor of St. Matthew Catholic Church until his retirement. He also served as Vicar Forane of the eastern deanery in the Diocese of Shreveport. Father Joe loved the outdoors spending time in his gardens, with his specialty of growing beautiful roses, flowers and vegetables. He was an avid tea connoisseur and enjoyed the many flavors of different countries. Father Joe was a devout admirer of Saint Teresa of Calcutta. He and his sister, Thresa were present in Rome, Italy at her canonization.

Survivors: Four sisters, Thresa John, Sister Theres Martin, Rossamma Kuzyamthadam, and Bridght Paliyal; Brother, Mathew Joseph Puthuppally; and numerous nieces and nephews.

His nephews will serve as pallbearers. Brother priests will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM, Friday, August 16, 2019, at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Monroe, LA, with a Vigil at 6:30 P.M. followed by recitation of the Rosary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Matthew Catholic Church or St. Vincent DePaul.