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Knights of Columbus Donate to Religious Education
A very special thank you to the Knights of Columbus for their generous donation to the Diocese of Lafayette. Timmy Trahan and Tim Boudreaux, representing the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus of Louisiana presented Bishop Deshotel with a very generous donation of $5,200 for the ERE Program (Excellence in Religious Education.) Thank you for your generosity! -
Statement from Bishop Deshotel on Hurricane Dorian
“I join the entire Catholic Community of the Diocese of Lafayette in expressions of sadness for the countless numbers of people suffering from the effects of Hurricane Dorian. As residents of south Louisiana, we have had similar challenges with hurricanes.
Let us offer our prayers for the many victims, especially those in the Bahamas, who have lost their lives, families or homes. I ask every Catholic church parish to include a special petition in the Prayers of the Faithful for their intention.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is coordinating a nationwide collection to help in recovery efforts. Donations may be made to “Hurricane Dorian Relief” to Catholic Relief Services or Catholic Charities USA.”
+Most Reverend J. Douglas Deshotel
Bishop of Lafayette
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Services Announced for Governor Blanco
Visitation and Funeral Services have been announced for Governor Kathleen Blanco, who died Sunday, August 18, 2019 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
A "Celebration of Life-Interfaith Service" will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2019 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge. Afterwards, Governor Blanco will lie in state for a public visitation in the Rotunda of the Louisiana State Capitol from 1-6 p.m..
Public visitation continues on Friday, August 23, 2019 in Lafayette 12:30 – 8 p.m. at the St. John the Evangelist Cathedral Church Hall. The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be recited at 3 p.m., and a prayer service will take place between 6-7 p.m., both services will be in Cathedral Hall. Visitation will resume Saturday morning between 8-10 a.m., before processing to the Cathedral for a Mass of Christian Burial, beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Private, family interment will be held following the mass.
All events to be held in both Baton Rouge and Lafayette may be viewed on the home page of the Diocesan website, www.diolaf.org. You may also view the services on our Ustream Channel, https://www.ustream.tv/channel/catholic-diocese-of-lafayette-laA number of broadcast television stations throughout the state will air the services live, as well.
Click here to view the Diocese of Lafayette
Live Stream of Gov. Blanco's Visitation and Funeral Mass
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Bishop's Statement on Death of Gov. Kathleen Blanco
"On behalf of the entire Catholic Community of the Diocese of Lafayette, I wish to offer deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Governor Kathleen Blanco. Her life of service to those in need fulfilled the Gospel mandate of care for the sick, homeless and forgotten. Now that she has imitated Jesus Christ in suffering and death, she will also imitate Him in resurrection to new and everlasting life."
+Most Reverend J. Douglas Deshotel
Bishop of Lafayette
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Teurlings Catholic HS Welcomes Chancellor
The Diocese of Lafayette is excited to announce that Reverend Brian Taylor has been appointed to the position of Chancellor for Teurlings Catholic High School in Lafayette. Fr. Taylor is currently serving as pastor of St. Genevieve Catholic Church. He will serve as TCHS Chancellor for a three-year period, in addition to his current pastoral duties.
Fr. Taylor is the son of Howard and Vicki Taylor of Arnaudville. He has three brothers, one sister, four nieces and two nephews all from Arnaudville. In 1989, Fr. Brian graduated from Arnaudville High School, and following graduation, he attended T. H. Harris in Opelousas, for Licensed Practical Nursing. After graduation he worked as an LPN for several years. In 1998 he entered St. Joseph Seminary College in Covington and graduated in 2000, from there he attended classes at the Pontifical North American College in Rome until 2003, from Rome, he transferred to Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans graduating in 2004 and then was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priesthood on June 8, 2006. Following his ordination, he was assigned as Associate Pastor of St. Joseph Church in Rayne until 2008 and then was appointed Pastor of St. Augustine Church in Basile from 2008 to 2012. Welcome, Fr. Brian! -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 29th, 2019
Crossroads Catholic Bookstore now under ownership of Catholic Charities of Acadiana
LAFAYETTE – Crossroads Collective, formerly Crossroads Catholic Bookstore, a Catholic non-profit business that has operated in Lafayette since 1984, is now under the ownership of Catholic Charities of Acadiana.
Following a growing national trend of non-profits who are pursuing social enterprises to generate sustainable revenue, Catholic Charities of Acadiana sought the opportunity to merge with Crossroads Catholic Bookstore which took effect on July 1, 2019. All profits from sales at Crossroads Collective now benefit the programs of Catholic Charities of Acadiana.
“We want to honor the legacy of Crossroads Catholic Bookstore and the impact those involved in its ministry have made in Acadiana for over the last thirty years. It is a blessing to have been given this opportunity to carry on the legacy of Crossroads and not only continue its mission but to expand its significance.” says Kim Boudreaux, CEO of Catholic Charities of Acadiana, “this endeavor allows our community the opportunity to support and engage in the work of Catholic Charities of Acadiana in a new way and make their purchasing experience have meaning.”
Among its large selection of traditional Catholic gifts and books, Crossroads Collective will further expand its inventory to highlight local artisans and support ethically sourced and fair trade products from around the world, which reflects our desire for both local and global solidarity.
About Catholic Charities of Acadiana: Catholic Charities of Acadiana’s mission is to care for the sacred gift of all human life, especially the most vulnerable. Since 1973, its programs have represented a response to the Gospel call to carry out the corporal works of mercy: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, offering hospitality to the homeless, caring for the sick, visiting the imprisoned and burying the dead.
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POPE FRANCIS GRANTS PLENARY INDULGENCE
TO FETE DIEU DU TECHE PARTICIPANTSPope Francis, through his Grand Penitentiary, His Eminence Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, has granted a plenary indulgence to participants of Fȇte- Dieu du Teche on August 15, 2019.
The indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly participate in the opening Mass at St. Leo the Great in Leonville, to those making the procession by boat down the Teche, and to those who participate at the various stations along the bayou in the recitation of the Marian Rosary and Benediction. Participants should pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life and for the good of the family and conclude their participation with an Our Father, Creed, and a Marian prayer such as the Hail Mary.
This indulgence is under the normal conditions which means that the faithful must intend to gain the indulgence, perform one of the indulgenced acts as given above, be in the state of grace and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Penance within 20 days, receive Holy Communion, pray for the Holy Father’s intention, and be free from all attachment to sin, mortal and venial. Many thanks to Pope Francis for his support of Fete-Dieu du Teche!
Fȇte-Dieu du Teche, a Eucharistic Boat Procession down the Bayou Teche, will take place on the Feast of the Assumption, Thursday, August 15, 2019! Join us as we celebrate the 254th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Catholic Faith to Acadiana and the 202nd Anniversary of St. Martinville!
Hosted by Father Michael Champagne and the Community of Jesus Crucified, the festivities will begin on Thursday, August 15, 2019, at 8am with a French Mass by Bishop Douglas Deshotel at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Leonville. After Mass, at 9:30am, the 37-mile Eucharistic Boat Procession to St. Martinville will begin, making stops along the way for Rosary and Benediction in Arnaudville, Cecilia, Breaux Bridge, and Parks.
To sign up to participate or to get more information call Father Michael Champagne at 337-394-6550 or visit https://www.facebook.com/CommunityofJesusCrusified/
or www.fetedieuduteche.orgJoin us as we honor Jesus and Mary and remember our ancestors who brought the Catholic Faith down the Teche!
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US Bishops Approve Major Reforms at Baltimore Summit
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Diocese Donates to Emily House
The Diocese of Lafayette presented Catholic Charities of Acadiana with a donation of over $2,500. The Office of Safe Environment held several fundraisers during the month of April in observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Fundraisers such as selling Blue Pinwheels, the national symbol for child abuse prevention.
The money raised was donated to The Emily House, an emergency shelter for homeless women and children in Lafayette operated by Catholic Charities of Acadiana.
If you would like more information on The Emily House or other services provided by Catholic Charities of Acadiana, please visit http://catholiccharitiesacadiana.o rg/
Pictured from left:
Diana Schexnaider, Safe Environment, Diocese of Lafayette;
Maureen Fontenot, Chancellor of the Diocese of Lafayette; Bishop Douglas Deshotel;
Ben Broussard, Chief Communications Officer of Catholic Charities of Acadiana;
Sarah Baquet, Community Engagement Coordinator of Catholic Charities of Acadiana;
Lisa Frederick, Safe Environment Coordinator, Diocese of Lafayette.