By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles
LAKE CHARLES –– The dying wish of a beloved priest was finally fulfilled when the Monsignor DeBlanc / DMMM Joy Care Center opened its doors on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 425 Seventh Street.
The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles, blessed the non-profit adult day care center in the presence of several Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy Sisters (DMMM), some of whom will oversee and work at the all-faith based center.
Monsignor DeBlanc / DMMM Joy Care Center
in the Diocese of Lake Charles on Friday,
September 6, 2024.
“It has been a looooong journey, but we are happy that today we are experiencing this,” said Sister Maria Providentia Igboelusi, Regional Superior, USA / Canada Region, who traveled from New York for the grand opening.
The adult care center, named for the late Monsignor Irving A. DeBlanc, longtime pastor of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Lake Charles, will have a registered nurse on site, offer hot nutritious meals and snacks, daily exercise, supervised therapeutic activities, provide courtesy transportation, and offer local outings.
Before Monsignor DeBlanc passed away in 2006, he set aside monies for the DMMM sisters in his Will stating that he wanted them to start an adult day care center for the elderly and to name it “JOY” for Just Older Youths. His desire came from experiencing the care the religious sisters showed him when he fell ill in his old age.
Bishop Glen John Provost with a statue of an angel
to show their appreciation for his support and
guidance over the years. Pictured with Bishop
Provost is Sister Maria Providentia Igboelusi,
Regional Superior, USA / Canada Region.
It was at the invitation of the late Bishop Jude Speyrer (founding Bishop of Lake Charles), the late Monsignor Joseph Bourque, and Monsignor DeBlanc in the summer of 1995 that the DMMM sisters arrived in the Diocese of Lake Charles from Nigeria.
Through their apostolate, they have been involved in taking care of the elderly in homes and hospitals over the past 29 years.
“Let us ask God’s blessings on all who will use and work at this care center and let us ask for the Divine blessing of this building,” Bishop Provost prayed before he walked around sprinkling each room with holy water. “We pray it will be of much benefit to those who utilize it and draw from the services of the sisters.”
To express their appreciation, the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy presented their “good shepherd” with a statue of an angel.
“As you have guided us, Bishop Provost, we are asking the Blessed Mother of Mercy and the angels to guide you and the Diocese of Lake Charles,” said Sister Maria Providentia.
The 18-year journey of opening the center was not without its ups and downs, and when it looked like it was getting close, back-to-back hurricanes in 2020 caused a major setback.
DMMM Joy Care Center in Lake Charles, a Mass was
officiated by Rev. Michael Beverung on Saturday,
September 7. The facility was blessed the evening prior
by Bishop Glen John Provost.
“Hurricane Laura did a lot of damage to this place, but as we say in my language, the devil arrived very late,” said Sister Providentia. “The building suffered some material damages, but it cannot damage our souls. We can have challenges, but it cannot damage who we are.”
While many people and organizations were instrumental in seeing the care center come to completion, Sister Providentia made special mention of Sudduth & Associates for their legal assistance without charging any fees.
“James E. Sudduth III has been our attorney on this journey. His law firm worked assiduously to see that this project came to fruition without charging a dime,” Sister Providentia pointed out with gratitude.
A special Mass was celebrated in the care center on Saturday, September 7, by Rev. Michael Beverung, Parochial Vicar at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, who holds a special place in his heart for his longtime pastor.
“I was baptized by Monsignor DeBlanc. Not only that, toward the end of his life, my mother and I had the opportunity to spend time with him at his house before he passed,” said Father Beverung.
“We are blessed that the legacy of Monsignor DeBlanc will continue to live on through this beautiful ministry that is much needed in the area,” he said. “The center will bring lots of joy and faith to the community.”
The Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy hosted receptions on Friday and Saturday and offered tours of the facility.
The hours of operation for the Monsignor DeBlanc / DMMM Joy Care Center are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 337-496-6575 or 337-429-5186, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, third bishop of Lake Charles, is surrounded by Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy sisters, some of whom serve in the Diocese of Lake Charles. Through their apostolate, they have been involved in taking care of the elderly in homes and hospitals over the past 29 years here in Southwest Louisiana.
