Bishop's Dinner Award Recipients

Central Deanery
William and Sandra Mills
 
Will and Sandra Mills (both lifelong residents of Lafayette), along with Pastor Francis Martin, co-founded the first crisis pregnancy center in Lafayette Parish—the Acadiana Crisis Pregnancy Center, now known as A Pregnancy Center and Clinic (APCC).  Will, Sandra, and Pastor Martin brought together Catholic and Protestant leaders in the pro-life movement to provide young Lafayette Parish mothers with a choice for life through support and care.  At the APCC’s     inception, Will worked hard to attain funding and support for the Center while Sandra volunteered in the clinic.  Indeed, Sandra discovered she was pregnant for their second child when “testing” out new pregnancy tests for the clinic!  For many years, the APCC held an annual fundraising event at The Hilton Hotel which brought numerous national pro-life speakers to Acadiana to raise funds and public awareness.  In the 38 years since the APCC opened its doors, it has saved thousands of babies and helped thousands of mothers in Lafayette Parish.  Many of those babies have gone on to become mothers, giving birth and life to another generation. 
Will and Sandra have also advocated for the unborn through the Mills Family Foundation, which has supported pro-life centers and ministries throughout the South, including The       Desormeaux Foundation, Caring to Love Ministries in Baton Rouge, Opelousas Pregnancy Center, The Source in Houston, TX, and The Hope Pregnancy Center in Temple, TX.  Mr. Mills has also been an active supporter of Louisiana Right to Life, Acadiana Right to Life, National Right to Life, and Priests for Life.  He has also supported numerous political groups throughout the country who help elect pro-life representatives defend the unborn.  Some of these groups include the following:  the Catholic Advocate, The Susan B. Anthony List, Focus on the Family, Campaign for Working Families, The Family Research Council, and Concerned Women for America. 
With the deep convictions of their Christian faith, Will and Sandra Mills have vastly improved our Lafayette community by supporting mothers in crisis and saving the lives of the voiceless.  Moreover, they would be the first to say that their passionate support of the pro-life community has allowed them to experience more deeply the saving love of Christ and strengthen their own relationship with the Lord.  Will and Sandra have been blessed with six children and six grandchildren (with one more grandchild on the way).
 
 
 North Deanery
Dr. Brent Prather

Dr. Prather is a pediatric doctor, father of 3 and grandfather of 7. He has facilitated or spoken at over 30 Pro-Life walks and he has served on the New Life Center board for over 10 years. He chaired a 3.5 year effort to raise over 1.2 million dollars to convert an old hotel  into a shelter for women and children. The New Life Center, located in Opelousas, provided emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services for up to 52 homeless women and their children. During its time in service, they were able to assist over 2,000 mothers and children. Dr. Prather has spoken to many groups on Pro-Life issues and he is  active with the St. Landry Parish Right to Life. He always accepts low to no income patients, speaks on Pro-Life at every opportunity and for 10 years he has represented the American academy of pediatrics as a state media promoter sharing his personal experience of prolife. Dr. Brent Prather is an adoptee who was able to find and thank his birth mother for giving him an opportunity to live.  In 1952, Dr. Prather was adopted through Volunteers of America. He was raised in Opelousas and graduated from Opelousas Catholic High School. He followed the footsteps of his dad and became a pediatric Asthma and Allergy specialist. Currently he operates the Prather Pediatric and Allergy Center in Lafayette. He has written over 350 articles about parenting and allergies.
During the 1990’s, he was friends with a biology teacher that allowed him to speak to High School students regarding the dangers of early sex and adoption. He also worked with adoption agencies and hospitals speaking to troubled birth mothers. He would share his adoption story and gave many mothers peace with their decision to place their baby for adoption.
Dr. Prather has been a prolife supporter for many years and has assisted with the development of the St. Landry Right to Life and has assisted with 5k prolife fundraisers and walk for life efforts.
 
 

South Deanery
Regina Viator

Ms. Viator is a mother, teacher, coach and wife with 9 children, 24 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. She is a co-founder, Board Member and Vice President of the Mother Teresa Foundation; which has the mission to save babies and help mothers through their pregnancy. The Mother Teresa Foundation coincides with the Unexpected Pregnancy Center & the Moms and Babes Boutique in New Iberia. She is the president and cofounder of the Bayou Teche Right to Life organization. Regina is the Pro-Life Coordinator at Our Lady of Prompt Succor where her and her late husband, Mike Viator, taught CCD classes over the last 20 years. She always stressed the importance of Life issues when teaching CCD and to her own children. Regina and Mike Viator also started saying the Pro-Life rosary in their church parish before every Mass which still continues today with the help of Parish leaders. “God has given us all many talents. I feel mine is to be in the background and do whatever is asked of me.”                                                                                


West Deanery
Sylvia Putnam

Ms. Putnam supports the Pro-Life activities of St. Mary Magdalen Church and Vermilion Catholic School. She  assists with the efforts of the Christian Service Center and the Vermilion Women’s Resource Center. Sylvia exemplifies the Pro-Life cause by organizing a weekly prayer line, attending any/all pro-life activities in the community and frequently visiting the ill & suffering. She has taught  catechism, and is a Eucharistic minister in her church parish. Sylvia recently hosted the Vocations Chalice in her home. She also cared for her husband through 35 years of Parkinson’s disease. Ms. Putnum is considered a leader and icon in the Vermilion Community.
 

                Barbara Martin in Memory of Pastor Francis Martin (Acadia)
              Stephanie Andrus (Evangeline)
              John Manes (Iberia)
              Dr. Kim & Bonnie Hardey (Lafayette)
              Norris & Patsy Thibodeaux (Lafayette)
              John & Jeri Miller (St. Landry)
              Clifford “Cliff” Hebert (St. Martin)
              Paula Taylor (St. Mary)
              Freddy & Sandy Dubois (Vermilion)

Future Award Recipient Nominations
2023 Nomination Form