Msgr. Ronald Groth
March 2, 1943 ~ May 10, 2020
Jennings
Reverend Monsignor Ronald C. Groth
Reverend Monsignor Ronald C. Groth, 77, a retired priest of the Diocese of Lake Charles, died Sunday, May 10 – Mother’s Day – in his residence in Hathaway. A native of Elton, Msgr. Groth was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Lafayette at St. Lawrence Parish in Hathaway on May 31, 1969 by The Most Reverend Warren Boudreaux, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette.
In accord with recent civil requirements for indoor services and adhering to limited seating, public viewing for Monsignor Ronald Groth will be held in St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Raymond on Thursday, May 14th beginning at 6:00 pm and concluding with a Scripture Service at 7:00 pm. Viewing will resume in St. Lawrence Catholic Church on Friday, May 15th beginning at 9:00 am and concluding with a Mass for Eternal Rest of Monsignor Groth at 10:00 am. A private funeral Mass and burial for family and clergy will be celebrated at a later time. Funeral services are under the direction of Miguez Funeral Home.
He celebrated his first Holy Mass on June 1, 1969, in St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Hathaway and his first pastoral assignment following ordination was as assistant pastor to St. Raphael Catholic Church in Iowa.
Msgr. Groth was named a Prelate of Honor to His Holiness Pope John Paul II, with the title Monsignor, on June 3, 1990 and was a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
He received his college/philosophy training at Immaculata Minor Seminary in Lafayette and at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston and his theological education at the University of St. Thomas in Houston – graduating with a Master of Theology degree. He earned a Master of Spiritual Theology degree in 1994 from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.
Other pastoral assignments included assistant pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in New Iberia, St. Mary Magdalen in Abbeville. and pastor of Our Lady Help of Christians in Jennings. While still in the Diocese of Lafayette, before the formation of the Diocese of Lake Charles in 1980, Msgr. Groth served as Vocation Director and Diocesan Chairperson of Evangelization.
In 1981, he was named Chaplain for the McNeese Catholic Student Center at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church.
Other assignments in the Diocese of Lake Charles included stints as pastor at St. Philip Neri in Kinder, rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Lake Charles, administrator (then pastor) at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Lake Charles and pastor at Our Lady Queen of Heaven. In 2005, he was named pastor to St. Lawrence in Raymond, then became pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus in Lake Charles and pastor of Our Lady of the Lake in Lake Arthur.
In Lake Charles, he served as Director of Evangelization, director of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith, and director of campus ministry, including a time as state chairman of campus ministers. He has also served as chaplain to the various Knights of Columbus Councils and Catholic Daughters of the Americas Courts in most of his assignments and was the secretary for the Jennings Ministerial Alliance.
In 1988, Msgr. Groth was awarded the Clergyman of the Year Award by Msgr. Cramers Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. He authored a high school religion textbook series used locally along with writing Evangelization training materials and pamphlets.
A member of the Companions of Honor of the Diocese of Lake Charles, Msgr. Groth was a columnist for the Catholic Calendar and The Southwest Catholic as well as serving on the Clergy Committee and the Campaign Cabinet for the successful diocesan capital campaign Return to the Lord.
A Knight of Columbus, he received numerous awards and honors in his more than 50 years of ordained ministry.
Survivors include his brother Bob Groth of Lake Charles, his sister Joan G. Minor of San Antonio and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles F. and Neva D. Groth and sister, Gayle G. Fontenot.
**Please note that the gathering capacity will be limited to 25% occupancy as per state compliance**
In Lieu of flowers, contributions for Masses in Msgr. Groth’s memory may be made to the Church Parish or to a Catholic Charity of your choice.
Services
Funeral Mass:
Friday, May 15, 2020
10:00 am - 12:00 am
St. Lawrence Catholic Church Rosary:
Thursday, May 14, 2020
7:00 pm - 12:00 am
St. Lawrence Catholic Church Visitation:
Thursday, May 14, 2020
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
St. Lawrence Catholic Church Visitation:
Friday, May 15, 2020
9:00 am - 10:00 am
St. Lawrence Catholic Church View current weather.
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My thoughts and prayers are with Msgr. Groth's family. Such a dedicated priest with a loving soul. Always smiling and willing to help anyone with a need. May he RIP.
“Debonair” having a sophisticated charm.
This is the word he often used.
We know you used it in the best way, Chere.
I’m going to miss you old friend , mentor, spiritual director , BROTHER., Hathaway is our family. DBC
Thankful for having known you all of your priestly ministry.
I could never thank you Enough for what you did my family when my passed away, you have always be in my heart, may you Rest In Peace now.
May my classmate rest in peace he was truly a beautiful person. He always knew he was going to be a priest even in our school years. Truly loved by all.
Rest In Peace, Ronnie. You were a wonderful friend and classmate. You always wanted to be a priest and you made a great one. You will be issued by many.
I will always remember my time with Msgr Groth at OLQH in Lake Charles. Our thoughts and prayers to your family. Rest In Peace my friend!
A chair in Heaven’s choir was reserved for Ronnie the day he was born. I regret not knowing him better.
Monsignor used his God-given talents in so many ways – Catechism, Bible studies, Faith Renewals…he never said no. I know Jesus welcomed him with open arms and a smile. I can just imagine Monsignor responding “Mais chere, I’m so glad to be home and I got a story to tole ya!”
Fr. Groth knew us in Abbeville and he was so easy to get to know and comfortable to be with. He was " just himself" & and made friends easily. He will not be forgotten and so sad that he is gone but will be remembered in a special way .It was a privilege to know him if only for a brief time. Rest in the Lord arms.
My heartfelt sympathy is extended to the Groth family for your loss. The Arnold LeBlanc family have many cherished memories of Msgr. Groth. Arnold and Msgr. served as alter servers in Hathaway. Later he was the celebrant for our wedding, blessed our first home together, and officiated at our son, Josh's, eighth grade graduation from ICCS.Msgr. was an amazing comforter during Arnold's cancer journey, later anointing Arnold prior to his death and officiating at Arnold's funeral services. There are many more special memories which will bring us peace and comfort. "Mais chere,"his memory will live on in our hearts.
From the first time I met Monsqr Groth was at a Catholic Daughter convention and thought he was the greatest man and I still do. He will be deeply missed 😢😢. Prayers for the family.
Msgr Groth touched our hearts & our souls. We thank God for the gift of his life, his ministry, & his love.
Msgr. Groth’s warm and approachable personality always made you feel welcome and completely at ease. What inspiring homilies! His humility and reverence were the only qualities that could outshine his smile. We were so blessed to have him as our shepherd.
Condolences to all of the family.
I am Ronnie’s cousin. I have not seen him in years. When I lived in Kinder we would see each other more often. Wanted to let you know that I sincerely regret his loss.
I’m Saddened to hear this. I had the greatest respect for Monsignor Groth. He was a great priest an effective leader and just a warm-hearted man.He always caused me to focus on the important things. As I thought of him just now I felt both sadder but also calmer.
Msgr. Groth was a respected , insightful man with a keen sense of humor who our family was honored to know. He succeeded in teaching the Catholic Faith with fresh insights. i called them "Grothisms". He was always available to help my 90+ year old father and comforted my sister Dawn and I when our father peacefully passed away just shy of 98. Thank you Msgr. Groth …a very special instrument of God.
Father Groth was instrumental in helping me and many other young college students navigate through the transition from high school to college and beyond. He transformed the student center and was a sensible and caring Priest.