Father Joseph Bachand

Webster, Texas — Father Joseph G. Bachand, M.S., 68, a missionary of Our Lady of La Salette, died Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, at Regency Village in Webster, Texas.

He was born Dec. 15, 1949, in Jewett City, son of Francis and the late Edna (Millovitsch) Bachand. He attended grammar and high school in Jewett City prior to entering college at La Salette Seminary in Altamont, N.Y., and Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass. He entered the Novitiate of the Missionaries of La Salette on July 1, 1969, in Bloomfield.

Father made his first profession on July 2, 1970, at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Hartford and his perpetual vows on Sept. 19, 1974, in Washington, D.C. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 15, 1976, at the La Salette Shrine in Ipswich, Mass. Upon his ordination, Father Bachand ministered at the La Salette Shrine and Apostolic Center while completing his graduate studies in theology. In 1981, he was named the co-director of the Inter-Provincial Novitiate in Pawtucket, R.I., as well as taking on the position of editor of “Our Lady’s Missionary.” Father Bachand was appointed the coordinator of the La Salette Shrine in Ipswich in 1985 and a year later, was named director of the Shrine. Father Bachand’s abilities and talents were recognized by the La Salette community and he was elected to serve four terms as a provincial councilor.

Father was the director of Formation and director of Post-Novitiate Formation in Washington, D.C. He also served as director of Spiritual Formation at the St. Luke Institute in Silver Spring, Md. In 2006, Father was elected provincial superior of the North American Province and three years later was elected for a second term. In 2012, he was elected a general councilor of the congregation and was stationed in Rome. Four years later he also assumed the duties of superior of the International Community at La Salette, France. When his health declined, Father returned to the United States for medical care.

Father Bachand shared his wisdom and spirituality with members of the congregation, those discerning religious vocations, many retreatants and all who sought his insights. His ministry took him to more than 40 countries on five continents. He was greatly admired and respected by his La Salette brothers for his deep love of being a priest and of serving Our Lady of La Salette. He was privileged to preside over the baptisms of some of his friends’ children and many years later, to also preside over their marriages.

In addition to his La Salette community, Joe is survived by his father, Francis Bachand of Brooklyn, Conn.; his brothers, sisters and their spouses: Ed and Denise Bachand of Canterbury, Linda and Steve Knotts of Florida, Pete and Jan Bachand of Palmetto, Fla., Dan and Gloria Bachand of Little River, S.C., Don and Lucy Bachand of South Carolina, Gerry and Trish Bachand of New London, and Marianne and Jim Lane of Nashua, N.H.; and numerous nieces, nephews, godchildren and friends.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018, at St. Mary Church in Jewett City. Friends and relatives are asked to assemble at the church before 10 a.m. Calling hours will be held at Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home in Jewett City from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Burial will be at Mount St. Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield at a later date.

Contributions in Father’s memory may be made to: Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette Retirement Fund, 915 Maple Ave., Hartford, CT 06114-2330.