An Open Letter from Bishop Deshotel

                                                                           
              Funeral Services Announced for Father Charles Patrick Moffatt, S.S.J.
 
   Josephite Father Charles Patrick Moffatt died at Stella Maris Nursing Home in Baltimore, MD on August 7. He had been a patient there for the last three months. He was 92 years old and a priest for 61 years.
 
   A proud native of Detroit, Michigan, he was baptized in Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church and educated in its parish school. Charles attended St. Anthony High School and University of Detroit, in the Motor City. He served seven months in Germany with the U.S. Army Infantry during World War II, as a Corporal and received an ETO, Rhineland Campaign medal. Upon completing college, Charles worked as an Investigator with the Detroit Welfare Dept. He entered St. Joseph’s Seminary in 1951 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1957.
 
   Fr. Moffatt’s first assignment was as an assistant at St. Francis Xavier parish in Baltimore, MD and two years later was sent as an assistant at Our Mother of Mercy Church in Beaumont, Texas where he served for five years. He was assigned to Epiphany Church in New Orleans for another two years when he was appointed to his first pastorate at St. Philip Church, also in the Crescent City.
 
   After overseeing the building of a new church at St. Philip’s following the destruction of Hurricane Betsy. Fr. Charles was assigned in 1968 as pastor to the only Josephite parish in his native Detroit at St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church. In 1973 he was assigned back in New Orleans to St. Raymond Church where he administered the building of a new church, he left in 1981 for further studies at the University of Notre Dame, IN.
 
   In 1982 he served one year at St. Joseph’s in Welch, La, and then was assigned to an eight-year term as pastor at Our Mother of Mercy parish in Houston, TX. He was then assigned an eight-year term as pastor in 1991 to Most Pure Heart of Mary parish in Mobile, Alabama.
 
   Fr. Charles served in the vocation department, then in 2005 another four-year ministry as pastor of St. Luke Catholic Church in Washington, DC.
 

    In Fr. Moffatt’s final active five years of ministry,
he served as clergy fill-in, while residing at
St. Francis of Assisi parish in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. 

     Failing health brought him to St. Joseph Manor in 2014.
 
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 1501 Oliver Street, Baltimore, MD 21213, on Tuesday, August 14 at 11:00am with viewing beginning at 9 a.m. until Mass time. Burial will follow at New Cathedral Cemetery, Baltimore, MD.
 
Preceded in death were Fr. Moffatt’s parents Patrick and Christina, his sister Maureen (Bill) Mott and his brother Gerald Moffatt.
 
Surviving is his sister Gertrude White, nephews Mark (Teri) White and Brain White, Peter (Carol) Mott, Kevin (Kathy) Mott, Bill (Nadine) Mott Jr., Tom (Pam) Mott, Michael (Jill) Mott and David (Heather) Mott. Also survived by his niece Kathleen (Ken) Mott-Crossman, 29 great nephews and nieces and several great -great nephews and nieces.
 

Father Kenneth A. Buddendorff, SJ,
Campus Minister, Vocations Promoter and Priest,
Dies in Southern Louisiana

Father Kenneth A. Buddendorff, SJ, died Friday, Aug. 3, 2018, in Grand Coteau, La. He was 88 years old, a Jesuit for 70 years and a priest for 57 years.

Remembered by his Jesuit brothers as joyful and enthusiastic, his life will be celebrated in a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18, in the St. Charles College Chapel in Grand Coteau. The visitation will be immediately beforehand, beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the same location. Burial will be in the Jesuit Cemetery at St. Charles College.

Born in New Orleans on Sept. 9, 1929, he was the son of Kenneth Buddendorff, Sr. and Marguerite Mumme Buddendorff. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, James, and his sister, Doris Buddendorff White. He is survived by a sister-in-law, Shirley Buddendorff Sanders and other family, as well as his brothers in the Society of Jesus.

After graduating from Jesuit High School in New Orleans in 1947, he attended Loyola University in New Orleans for one year (1947-48) before entering the Society of Jesus on July 1, 1948 at St. Charles College in Grand Coteau. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 14, 1961, in the St. Joseph Chapel on the Spring Hill College campus in Mobile, Ala.

Fr. Buddendorff’s ministry included work in secondary and higher education, as well as provincial administration for the former New Orleans Province. He had a special interest in promoting the Christian Life Community, an international association of lay Christians who use the teachings of St. Ignatius Loyola as the basis of their spiritual lives. His interest in and success with vocation promotion led him to be appointed the first full-time vocation director of the New Orleans Province, a post in which he served off-and-on from 1966 to 1991.

“Father Bud,” as he was known, was popular with students as a campus minister at both Jesuit high schools in New Orleans and Dallas and at Loyola University, where he served on the campus ministry team for many years. He served for briefer periods as campus minister at Spring Hill College and at Southern University in Baton Rouge.

He served for two years (1970-72) as executive assistant for the first vice-provincial for formation in the New Orleans Province. He served as rector of the Jesuit community at Jesuit College Prep in Dallas (1991-97); director and superior at Our Lady of the Oaks, a retreat house in Grand Coteau (1997-2008); and assistant director of a community for senior Jesuits in New Orleans. At Our Lady of the Oaks he helped develop a program to train directors of the Spiritual Exercises, reflecting his keen interest in making them available as widely as possible.

In his work with men entering the Society of Jesus, his buoyant and reassuring manner eased the concerns of both Jesuits and parents alike. He was a strong believer in the Gospel’s message of justice and compassion, and these were often in his preaching. Above all, he was available for many works of the Society, embracing every mission given him to the best of his ability. In the reflection that he wrote for the observance of his 70 years as a Jesuit this year, he notes the various ministries in which he served and he concludes: “Joy and love filled my life in each of these ministries.”

Following First Vows Fr. Buddendorff studied humanities in Grand Coteau. He continued his studies at Spring Hill College earning a Bachelor of Arts in English and completing his philosophy requirements. His studied theology at St. Mary’s College in St. Marys, KS (1958-62) where he earned the S.T.L. (1962). During a sabbatical at the Institute of Spirituality and Worship at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, CA (1976-77), he earned a Certificate in Theology Studies.

We remember with gratitude all that God has done through his life of service to God and God's people. Memorial gifts may be made to the USA Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus at 4511 West Pine Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108 or online at http://jesuitscentralsouthern.org

   A Mass to Mark the 59th Anniversary of
Charlene Marie Richard's Death will be held Friday, August 3, 2018.

     The Friends of Charlene Richard organization announces the date of the Annual Mass of Petition marking the 59th anniversary of the death of Charlene Marie Richard. This Mass will be offered on Friday, August 3rd, 2018 at 6 p.m. at St. Edward's Church in Richard, Louisiana. Father Keith Pellerin, Pastor of St. Phillip Neri Church in Kinder, will be the main celebrant.
    This year's celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. with the praying of the Rosary. Immediately following the Mass, a reception will be held in the church hall.

       For more information, contact the
Friends of Charlene Richard
at P.O. Box 91623, Lafayette, LA 70509.

Bishop Douglas Deshotel has announced new assignments for thirteen Priests throughout the Diocese of Lafayette, and for the seven Transitional Deacons who will be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, June 23, 2018.  All Diocesan Priests are assigned for a six year period, with an option to renew for another six years at the end of their first term. Newly ordained Priests are typically assigned as Parochial Vicars (Assistant Pastors) for a three year period.  Each year at this time, Bishop Deshotel confers with the Diocese of Lafayette Priests' Personnel Board to examine the upcoming assignments and assess the needs of each parish before assigning a new Pastor or Parochial Vicar. Here are the priests who will be heading to new assignments beginning next month.
 
 
Effective July 2, 2018:
 
Reverend James Brady, JCL, has been appointed as Pastor of Saint Pius X Parish in Lafayette for a period of six (6) years.  Father Brady is currently Pastor of St. Landry Parish in Opelousas.


                                                               FATHER JAMES BRADY, JCL


Reverend Monsignor Russell J. Harrington has been appointed as Pastor of Saint Landry Parish in Opelousas for a period of six (6) years.  Msgr. Harrington is currently Pastor of Saint John Berchmans Parish in Cankton.


                                      MSGR. RUSSELL J. HARRINGTON


 
Reverend Kenneth Domingue has been appointed as Pastor of Saint John Berchmans Parish in Cankton for a period of six (6) years. Father Domingue is currently serving as Pastor of Saint Leo Parish in Leonville and Saint Catherine Parish in Leonville and its mission of Saint Jules in Prairie Laurent.


                                                 FATHER KENNETH DOMINGUE


Reverend Patrick Broussard has been appointed to residence at Saint Edmund Parish in Lafayette and appointed to full time ministry as Director of Vocations. Father Broussard is currently serving as Parochial Vicar of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.


                                               FATHER PATRICK BROUSSARD


Reverend Edward Duhon has been appointed as Parochial Vicar of Saint Genevieve Parish in Lafayette for a period of three (3) years.


                                                            FATHER EDWARD DUHON


Reverend Darren Eldridge has been appointed as Pastor of Saint Leo Parish in Leonville and Saint Catherine Parish in Leonville and its mission of Saint Jules in Prairie Laurent for a period of six (6) years.  He is currently serving as Pastor of Saint Mathilda Parish in Eunice and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Chataignier.


                                                               FATHER DARREN ELDRIDGE

 
Reverend D. Blaine Clement has been appointed as Pastor of Saint Mathilda Parish in Eunice and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Chataignier for a period of six (6) years.  He is currently serving as Pastor of Saint Peter Parish in Grand Prairie.


                                                           FATHER D. BLAINE CLEMENT


Reverend Daniel Picard has been appointed as Pastor of Saint Peter Parish in Grand Prairie for a period of six (6) years. He is currently serving as Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus and and Saint Mary Parishes in Port Barre. 


                                                             FATHER DANIEL PICARD


Reverend Clint Trahan has been appointed as Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Saint Mary in Port Barre for a period of six (6) years.  He is currently serving as Pastor of Immaculate Conception in Morse and its mission of Saint Aloysius in Midland and Saint John the Baptist in Lyons Point.


                                                        FATHER CLINT TRAHAN


Reverend Neil Pettit has been appointed as Pastor of Immaculate Conception in Morse and its mission of St. Aloysius in Midland and St. John the Baptist in Lyons Point for a period of six (6) years.  He is currently serving as Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish in Cecilia and Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Cecilia.


                                                         FATHER NEIL PETTIT


Reverend Gregory P. Cormier has been appointed as Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish in Cecilia and Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Cecilia for a period of six (6) years.  He is currently serving as Pastor of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish in Abbeville.

                                   
                                                             FATHER GREGORY CORMIER


Reverend François Sainte Marie, MIC, has been appointed as Pastor of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus in Abbeville for a period of six (6) years.
    
                        
                                            FATHER FRANCOIS SAINTE MARIE, MIC

Reverend Taj Van Courtlan Glodd appointed Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Plaisance and its mission of St. Ann in Frilot Cove for a period of six (6) years.  He is currently serving as Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Ville Platte.


                                                          FATHER TAJ GLODD

 
Reverend Mr. Blake Steven Dubroc will be ordained to the Holy Priesthood on Saturday, June 23, 2018 and will be appointed as Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Ville Platte, its mission of Sacred Heart in Belaire Cove and Saint Joseph Parish in Ville Platte for a period of three (3) years.


                                                    DEACON BLAKE DUBROC


Reverend Mr. Korey Ray LaVergne will be ordained to the Holy Priesthood on Saturday, June 23, 2018 and will be appointed as Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in New Iberia for a period of three (3) years.


                                                                   DEACON KOREY LAVERGNE

Reverend Mr. Stephen André Pellessier will be ordained to the Holy Priesthood on Saturday, June 23, 2018 and will be appointed as Parochial Vicar of Saint Bernard Parish in Breaux Bridge for a period of three (3) years.


                                                   DEACON STEPHEN ANDRE PELLESSIER

Reverend Mr. Benjamin James Pitre will be ordained to the Holy Priesthood on Saturday, June 23, 2018 and will be appointed to residence at Sacred Heart of Jesus in Ville Platte and to serve as Sacramental Minister to Saint Peter Parish in Morrow and its mission of Resurrection in Whiteville until September 23, 2018, at which time he will return to Rome to complete his studies.


                                                                        DEACON BEN PITRE

 
Reverend Mr. Andrew Philip Schumacher will be ordained to the Holy Priesthood on Saturday, June 23, 2018 and will be appointed as Parochial Vicar of Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist in Lafayette for a period of three (3) years.


                                                          DEACON ANDREW SCHUMACHER

Reverend Mr. Brent Lee Smith will be ordained to the Holy Priesthood on Saturday, June 23, 2018 and will be appointed as Parochial Vicar of Saint Michael Parish in Crowley for a period of three (3) years.


                                                         DEACON BRENT SMITH


Reverend Mr. Joseph Kyle White will be ordained to the Holy Priesthood on Saturday, June 23, 2018 and will be appointed as Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Broussard for a period of three (3) years.


                                                           DEACON KYLE WHITE

Please join us in offering prayers for these new Pastors and Priests
as they begin their new assignments.

  Bishop Deshotel ordained three seminarians to the Transitional Diaconate during a 10 a.m. Mass on Saturday, May 26, 2018 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.  They are, seen below from left, Randy Joseph Courville, Salinger Miguel Istre and Donald Davis Bernard.

  Donald Bernard is a graduate of John Paul the Great Academy and a philosophy graduate of St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict.  He is sponsored by St. Pius X Church Parish in Lafayette. He preached his first Mass at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 26 at St. Pius X.  This summer, he will be assigned to St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Abbeville. 

  Randy Courville is a graduate of Cecilia High School and philosophy graduate of St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict.  He is sponsored by Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Henderson.  He preached his first Mass at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 26 at Our Lady of Mercy.  This summer, he will be assigned to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish in Church Point.

  Sal Istre is a graduate of St. Thomas More High School and a philosophy graduate of St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict.  He is sponsored by Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Lafayette.  He preached his first Mass at 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 27 at Our Lady of Fatima.  This summer, he will be assigned to St. Peter Parish in New Iberia. 

   The new Deacons discussed their path to the priesthood with Communications Director Blue Rolfes on a special edition of "Catholics Today" also on www.diolaf.org.

  Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel has appointed Father Steven LeBlanc as Pastor of St. Basil Church in Judice, effective July 2, 2018.  He has served as Pastor of St. Pius X Church in Lafayette for the past 11 years.  Father LeBlanc succeeds Father Rex Broussard, who is retiring from active ministry after serving as Pastor of St. Basil for 14 years. A new Pastor for St. Pius X will likely be announced in mid-June.  Congratulations to both of these outstanding priests, and keep them in your prayers as they take this next step forward in their vocations.

                                                       FATHER STEVEN LEBLANC
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   Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School in Scott has a new Principal!

   Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School, Rev. Mark Derise, Chancellor of Sts. Peter and Paul, and Ms. Anna Larriviere, Superintendent of Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Lafayette, are pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Danielle Babineaux as Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School Principal for the 2018-2019 school year.

   Mrs. Babineaux received both a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction along with certification in Educational Leadership and Instructional Coaching from UL Lafayette.

   A native of Scott, Mrs. Babineaux is married to Jerome Babineaux and they have three children.


                             DANIELLE BABINEAUX

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