Monsignor Minette

Monsignor James J. Minette, age 87 of Rohnert Park, California, died on Tuesday, January 20, 2004, at the Beverly Manor in Petaluma, California.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 29 at the Church of Saint Paul in Sauk Centre. Vigil service will be held 7:30 p.m.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of Saint Paul in Sauk Centre on Friday, January 30 at 11 a.m. with the Very Reverend Marvin Enneking presiding. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Monsignor James Joseph Minette was born on February 17, 1916, in Ross, North Dakota. He was the son of Edward and Rose O'Connor Minnette. He attended grade school at the St. Cloud Children's Home and high school at Sauk Centre.Monsignor Minette received his seminary training at St. John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota and the St. Paul Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. He was ordained on June 8, 1941, by Bishop Joseph F. Busch at St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, Minnesota. Monsignor Minette celebrated his First Mass at St. Paul's Church, Sauk Centre on June 10, 1941.Monsignor Minette served in the following assignments: associate pastor, St. Mary's Cathedral, St. Cloud, Aug. 1941-July 1944; U.S. Army Chaplain, July 1944-May 1946; Chaplain, St. Cloud Hospital, May 1946-January 1951; U.S. Army Chaplain, January 1951-September 1952. Monsignor Minette was the founding pastor of Holy Spirit Parish, Saint Cloud and served there from September 1952 until June 1964. From June 1964-January 1990, he served as pastor of San Bartolome parish in Maracay, Venezuela, which he was instrumental in establishing. Monsignor Minette retired in January 1990. On January 10, 1990, Father Minette was named a Domestic Prelate of the Holy Father with the title of Monsignor.In his retirement in California Monsignor Minette served the Hispanic Community, Sonoma, California. He also served as a Chaplain at the Ursuline Convent, Santa Rosa, California.Monsignor Minette also served as Chaplain for the Catholic War Veterans.

Monsignor Minette is survived by his sister, Sister Mary (Rose) Minette of Rohnert Park, California and his twin brother, Carl Minette of Duluth, Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Ray, Arthur and Paul Minette, and sisters, Marian Leveroos, and Helen Fristed.

Memorials are preferred to St. Cloud Diocese Venezuelan Mission, PO Box 1248 ? St. Cloud, MN 56302.