Father Raymond Picard

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Father Raymond Picard, a priest of the Diocese of Portland, who passed away on April 20, 2024, at the age of 83.

Fathe Picard was born on September 8, 1940, in Biddeford, the first of 10 children. He grew up on a farm in Saco. After completing eighth grade, he attended St. Hyacinth P.Q. and later St. Paul’s Seminary in Ottawa, Ontario.

He was ordained a priest by Bishop Daniel Feeney on May 22, 1965, and served at many parishes during his 45 years of active ministry. They included serving as assistant pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Portland, St. John in Rumford, St. Francis de Sales in Waterville, St. Joseph in Old Town, and St. Ignatius in Sanford. In 1977, he was named pastor of the mission of St. Anne at Peter Dana Point, followed by pastor of St. Joseph in Sinclair and Holy Family in Daigle in 1968. He would later serve as pastor of St. Athanasius & St. John Parish in Rumford, St. Patrick in Newcastle, Our Lady Queen of Peace in Boothbay Harbor, and Sacred Heart in Yarmouth and St. Jude in Freeport.

Funeral Services:

Reception of the Body & Liturgy of the Hours – Thursday, April 25, at 3 pm. at Sacred Heart Church, 326 Main Street, Yarmouth. Father Picard will lie in state in the church until 6 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial – Friday, April 26, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 326 Main Street in Yarmouth, celebrated by Bishop Robert Deeley

Burial – Friday, April 26, at 3 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, 380 Academy Hill Road, Newcastle.