Fr. Peter "Pete" Mockler

Father Peter Francis ""Fr. Pete"" Mockler, age 65, passed away on January 30, 2014, at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Lizana.
Father Pete was born on Nov. 4, 1948 in Woodbrook, Newbridge, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, Ireland and he studied at St. Patrick College, Carlow, Ireland and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson on June 10, 1973. He arrived in Mississippi on Aug. 26, 1973. Father Pete's first assignment was as associate pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Gulfport, where he served from Sept. 1, 1973 until Sept. 3, 1978. He served at Sacred Heart - Pascagoula from 1978 - 1980 and on September 11, 1980, he was named pastor of St. Ann Parish, Lizana. On Jan. 14, 1988, he was appointed pastor of Our Lady of the Gulf Parish, Bay St. Louis. In 2001, he was appointed pastor of St. Ann Parish, Lizana for a second time and served there until his death. Father Pete served on numerous diocesan boards and committees. On Dec. 23, 1977, he was named the first director of the Diocese of Biloxi's permanent diaconate program. At the time of his death, he was a member of the College of Consultors, the Presbyteral Board and the Diocesan Finance Committee.
He was preceded in death by his father, James Mockler.
Survivors include his mother, Mary Mockler, 11 siblings, Mary (Sonny) Ryan, Kathleen (Kevin) Mullins, Margaret (Johnny) Mullins, Bridie (Tony) Haverin, Fr. Paddy Mockler, Eileen (John) O'Loughlin, Nora (Tommy) Bane, Ann (John Francis) Walsh, Michael Mockler, Bernadette (Sophinne) Mocker, and Teresa (Martin) Mockler, his aunt, Margaret Quinn, his cousin, Fr. Tommy Conway, and numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, and other relatives.
There will be 2 services. First, A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 3 pm Sunday, February 2, 2014 at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Lizana, where visitation will be from 1 - 3 pm. A rosary will be recited at 2:30 pm. Second, A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 5 pm on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church in Bay St. Louis where visitation will be from 3 - 5 pm. Burial will take place on the grounds of St. Patrick's Church in Newbridge, County Galway, Ireland.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Association of Priests, 237 E Amite Street, Jackson, MS 39201.
The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Gulfport, is in charge of arrangements, and an online guestbook may be viewed and signed at www.riemannfamily.com