Father Louis Abdoo, longtime Riverside priest, called to Eternal Rest

Father Louis Abdoo, I.M.C., a longtime Riverside priest and pastor, died peacefully on the morning of July 28 at the age of 79. A priest of the Institute of Consolata Missionaries, Fr. Abdoo faithfully served the parish community of St. Francis de Sales for the past 23 years, the last nine as Administrator.
“We are all very shocked and saddened as Father Lou just one week ago had celebrated his 50th Anniversary of Ordination,” said Father Leonard DePasquale, a fellow Consolata Missionary priest who lived with Fr. Abdoo at the rectory of St. Francis de Sales. “We ask God’s blessings upon Father Lou in His eternal kingdom.”
His priestly ministry in the Diocese of San Bernardino began in 1996 when he was assigned as a parochial vicar to Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral in San Bernardino. He also served as a chaplain to Serra Club, District 157, San Bernardino.
He was born on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1944, in Utica, New York and ordained a priest on July 24, 1973. He celebrated his 50th year of priesthood the weekend before his death with his parish community.
His religious profession as a Consolata Missionary was 57 years ago, in 1966. Prior to coming to the Diocese, Fr. Abdoo served as a missionary in Kenya, Africa, and in the Amazonic Caqueta Region of Colombia.
All funeral services for Fr. Abdoo were held on Monday, July 31 at St. Francis de Sales Church. Fr. Abdoo was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Gloria and her husband Ronald Campbell, Anita Abdoo, and Anne Kuenzli. and is survived by his sister, Theresa (John) King, and brother, Albert Abdoo, and by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was buried in his home state of New York. His family will participate there in a Mass according to their tradition in the Maronite Rite, as Fr. Abdoo was bi-ritual and often celebrated Maronite Liturgies. May Fr. Abdoo be blessed for his priestly service and may he rest in peace.