On June 20, 2018, during a noon Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette, Bishop Douglas Deshotel formally established Catholic Charities of Acadiana. The Bishop signed the ceremonial papers for the official reorganization of Catholic Services, to Catholic Charities of Acadiana, with a family heirloom pen from the family of the first Bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette, Bishop Jules Jeanmard. Also signing the legal documents during the Mass were Msgr. Curtis Mallet, Vicar General of the Diocese of Lafayette, and Kim Boudreaux, executive director of Catholic Charities of Acadiana. Concelebrants of the Mass included Fr. Chester Arceneaux, Fr. William Blanda, Fr. Louis Richard, Fr. Howard Blessing, Fr. Jared Suire, Fr. Patrick Broussard, and Fr. Rene Pellessier.
The newly founded Catholic Charities of Acadiana will include a select number of Diocesan offices in addition to the services already offered through the former Catholic Services of Acadiana. Catholic Charities of Acadiana will serve to further highlight and expand existing social ministries to the 8 parish region that encompasses the Diocese of Lafayette.
“I am looking forward to seeing the entire Diocese involved in the charitable works of the Church,” said Bishop Deshotel. “I believe now is the time to increase the reach and impact of this work throughout all of our parishes. This reorganization will allow us to better respond to Jesus’ call to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, and visit the sick and imprisoned.”
“We are excited to broaden the scope and reach of our services and meet the needs of the most vulnerable in our community,” said Catholic Charities of Acadiana Executive Director Kim Boudreaux. “We have a responsibility to work for social justice by removing the root causes of injustice in our society and improve systems for the good of all.”
A reception was held after the Mass in Cathedral Hall with a presentation from President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, Sister Donna Markham.
For more information about Catholic Charities of Acadiana, please visit their facebook page or website at the links below.
https://www.facebook.com/CatholicCharitiesAcadiana/
http://catholiccharitiesacadiana.org/