Crosier Father Louis “Louie” Mraz has entered eternal rest. He died March 13 at an assisted living home in Phoenix at the age of 89.
Fr. Mraz, osc, was born March 8, 1928, in Streator, Illinois, to Leo and Susan (Mollo) Mraz. The priest joined the Crosiers in response to an ad in a 1949 Crozier magazine and was known for faithfulness to his flock.
“Crosiers make clear why we live and, because of that, how to live,” Fr. Mraz wrote in a brief Q-and-A for the community.
After his ordination in 1959, Fr. Mraz was assigned to the Crosier mission in Agats, Papua, Indonesia, where he served the people for 20 years. Upon his return to the United States in 1980, Fr. Louie became a member of the Crosier Community of Phoenix.
He served as associate pastor at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Scottsdale from 1980 to 1989. There Fr. Mraz was part of the building and dedication of the Fitzpatrick Center which provided additional religious education space. He also served as associate pastor at St. Helen’s Catholic Church in Glendale from 1989 to 2008, when he retired.
That’s where Elizbeth Kottoor encountered him. She often attended daily Mass there and noted his strong faith.
“He came across as a very intelligent and sharp person, very gifted in his homilies. He seemed very human and very humorous,” Kottoor said.
Fr. Mraz is survived by his cousin, Edward (Darcy) Mollo of Illinois; his Crosier confreres, the parish communities of Blessed Sacrament and St. Helen; and numerous friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Leo Mraz.
Funeral services March 18
9:30 a.m.: Reception of the Body followed by Morning Prayer for the Dead
10-11 a.m.: Visitation
11 a.m.: Mass of Christian Burial
all at St. Helen Catholic Church, 5510 W. Cholla St. in GlendaleA private burial will take place at a later date
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Crosier Community of Phoenix, P.O. Box 32705, Phoenix, AZ 85064-2705.
