Rev. Michael Cerretto

The Rev. Michael P. Cerretto, CSB, passed to eternal life on Aug. 28, 2014, in Rochester New York. He was 74 years old and had been a Basilian priest for 45 years.

Father Michael was born in Long Beach, California, but grew up in Rochester. His father died several years ago. Father Michael is survived by his mother, Margaret, his brother and sister-in-law Rocky and Angela and their children.

Father Michael spent most of his years of Basilian ministry as a dedicated teacher and administrator at different Basilian high schools: Catholic Central in Detroit; Aquinas Institute in Rochester, Andrean High School in Gary, Indiana, and St. Thomas High School in Houston, Texas. He served as treasurer and oversaw the finances of both the schools and the local communities.

Later he moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he was involved in parish ministry in Hatch, New Mexico, and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. On the diocesan level, he helped set up a Catholic School Board and was involved in the education of men in the Permanent Diaconate Program. In 2001, Father Michael accepted the post of Secretary General for the Basilian Congregation in Toronto, Ontario. At the time, Bishop Ricardo Ramirez, CSB, wrote to Father Michael, "I take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude for your generous and loving service to the People of God. Yours has been a vibrant ministry and your priestly life has been exemplary to many of us. You are not only leaving a parish, but also a diocese that has grown to admire you." Following that assignment, Father Michael returned to Las Cruces and served the cathedral until his recent return to Rochester for health reason.

Funeral services for the Rev. Michael Cerretto, CSB, were held in Rochester on Sept. 3. A memorial Mass will be held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Thursday, Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m., presided by Bishop Ricardo Ramirez.