SULPHUR — His Excellency, the Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles, was the celebrant and homilist for the 17th annual Clergy and Religious Recognition Celebration on Tuesday, September 10, at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church.
For a combined 615 years of service to the Catholic Church, this year’s honorees included a total of 10 priests, 13 deacons, 1 religious brother, and 6 religious sisters. The following were recognized for significant anniversaries:
- 70 years — Brother Don Smith, M.S.
- 60 years — Rev. Monsignor Charles Dubois and Rev. Jude Brunnert, M.S.
- 55 years — Sister Mary Leonie T. Iweh, D.M.M.M.
- 45 years — Sister Monica O. Okeke, D.M.M.M.
- 30 years — Rev. Jude Fernando, T.O.R.; Rev. Mathew Panackal, M.O.C.; Sister Chiebuka M. Mbaronye, D.M.M.M
- 15 years — Rev. Arvind Minz, H.G.N.; Rev. Jenesh Joseph, H.G.N., Rev. Joby Mathew, H.G.N.; and Sister Mrija Hope Nuculaj, R.S.M.
- 10 years — Very Rev. Matthew Cormier, V.F.; Rev. Pradeep Gali, H.G.N.; Sister Shalini Michael, D.S.H.S; Sister Princy Poulose, D.S.H.S.; Deacon Joseu Canelo, Deacon Errol DeVille, Deacon Richard Donahoe, Deacon Keith Ellender, Deacon Christopher Fontenot, Deacon Mike Guillory, Deacon Patrick Hebert, Deacon Jesse Menard, Deacon Harold Nixon, Deacon Tony Pousson, Deacon Brian Soileau, Deacon Stephen Starr, and Deacon Al Weinning
- 5 years — Rev. Michael Caraway
Following the Mass, Rev. Michael Caraway, Serra Club Chaplain, gave the invocation and blessing of the meal at the luncheon in Fr. Vecchio Hall. The welcome and acknowledgements were given by Col. John Halloran, Serra Club Past President, and closing remarks and benediction were given by Bishop Provost.
The annual recognition celebration is coordinated by the Serra Club of Lake Charles and supported by the Knights of Columbus Assemblies and Councils; Knights of Peter Claver Assemblies, Chapters and Courts; Catholic Daughters of the Americas Courts, Christian Mothers, Parish Altar Societies, and East Deanery Serra Club. Other benefactors of time, talent, and/or treasures were Bernadine and Alexander Daboval, and Craig and Jackie Guillory.
All honorees for 2024 received a check in $10 increments for their years of service. Col Halloran said to date, a total of 364 priests, deacons, and religious brothers and sisters have been honored over the past 17 years with contributing organizations donating a total of $92,700 to the honorees.
