Rev. Pierre E. Lachance

Rev. Pierre E. Lachance, O.P., 90, of 2446 Highland Ave., Fall River, formerly of St. Anne's Dominican Priory, Middle St., died Tuesday, July 4, 2006 at Catholic Memorial Home. Born in Fall River, he was the son of the late Emile R. and Helena (Robitaille) Lachance. In 1929 he entered the Seminary College de Montreal in Canada. Seven years later, in 1936, he joined the Novitiate of the Dominican Fathers in St. Hyacinthe, Canada. He was ordained a priest by the late Bishop James E. Cassidy in St. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River on June 27, 1942. Returning to the Dominican House of Studies in Ottawa, Canada in 1944 he became a teacher of theology, philosophy and liturgy and was also assistant master of students through June 1955. He was called to do Missionary work in Saskatchewan, Canada from 1956 to 1958. His last assignment was in 1959 when he returned to his native church of St. Anne in Fall River. His interests and involvements were many and varied., including the Charismatic Renewal and the Greater Fall River Clergy Association. He introduced Healing Services at the Shrine in 1978 and conducted services every Sunday afternoon. He founded St. Anne Fellowship and was spiritual director of the Lay Dominicans. He has written articles for the Anchor and the biography of many Dominicans who died at St. Anne's. As Rector of St. Anne Shrine, directing the popular Novena to St. Anne and St. Jude with his staff, he introduced the daily open confessional, either face to face or the traditional "secret" or "private" manner. He was fond of the archives of the Dominicans, the history of the Parish and Shrine and prominent figures in their history. He was the last Dominican Father living at the Monastery on Middle Street in Fall River. Father Pierre E. Lachance's death on July 4, 2006 coincided with the actual date of the 100th Anniversary of the dedication of the upper church! Survivors include a sister, Beatrice Golden of Swansea; 3 brothers, Robert LaChance of Swansea, Gerard LaChance of Fall River and Roland Lachance of Newington, Connecticut and many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Lillian Desmarais, Juliette Lessard and Normand, Bertrand, Raymond, Emile and Hector E. "Pat" LaChance. His funeral mass will be held Monday, July 10 at 11:00 AM in St. Anne Church, 750 So. Main St., Fall River. Burial, Notre Dame Cemetery. Visitation, Sunday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM in St. Anne Church, with a prayer service at 7:30 PM. Donations may be made to St. Anne Parish and Shrine, 818 Middle St., Fall River MA 02721. Online guest book @ AuclairFuneralHome.com Funeral arrangements entrusted to AUCLAIR FUNERAL HOME, 690 So. Main St., Fall River.