Opelousas
Louisiana
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Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church
History
Our Lady Queen of Angels Church Parish
In the early days of the summer of 1967, the Most Reverend Bishop Maurice Schexnayder determined that a new Church parish should be established. This parish was to be known as Our Lady Queen of Angels, one of the titles of Our Lady taken from her Litany, in keeping with Bishop Schexnayder's policy in naming every new Church he founded in the Lafayette Diocese. This new parish was to be located on the south side of Opelousas and was to draw parishioners from parts of St. Landry, Holy Ghost, St. Leo and St. Charles Borromeo Church parishes.
The first Pastor, Reverend Joseph C. Jaubert, arrived in June 1967. A meeting, attended by representatives of about 200 families, was held in the Teenage Center in South City Park for the purpose of forming the first steps necessary for the establishment of the new parish. For most people present the organization of a new Church parish was viewed as a big undertaking - and they were right. Soon, however, the new pastor's enthusiasm, leadership, and grasp of the problems involved became evident, and a feeling of anticipation and togetherness soon prevailed. The first Parish Council was formed at this meeting and Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish was on its way.
First came the problem of finding a temporary site for Sunday Mass. Through a very satisfactory arrangement with the St Landry Parish School Board, the Opelousas High School Auditorium was made available. An altar set up in excellent view of the stage, the congregation seated in comfortable, theatre-type seats, air conditioning in the heat of summer, all made a satisfying interim arrangement. On weekdays Mass was celebrated in the homes of parishioners and in the former home of the Christian Brothers where the pastor was domiciled. The many meetings that were necessary in those planning days were held in the homes of the counselors and in the meeting rooms of the American Bank and the Planter's Bank.
Now came the serious and time-consuming work of organizing the new parish. Many devoted men and women drew together around their pastor and cheerfully and efficiently accomplished the many tasks presented.
A census was taken to determine the number of souls included in the new Church division. The initial count indicated that 668 families lived within the geographical boundaries designated by Bishop Schexnayder. A Board of Trustees and Chairpersons for parish organizations were named to begin serving the need of the Church community. A secretary and two maintenance men were employed.
Next, the acquisition of the land for the Church building and the finances needed to purchase the land were accomplished in short order. At this time all parishioners were contacted and asked for financial donations and / or pledges to support the parish needs.
These efforts were extremely successful and the parish was financially on its way.
It was determined that the first building was to be a combination church and catechetical hall. It was to have a central section to be used as a temporary church, plus five (5) classrooms on each side, living quarters for the Pastor in the rear, and offices in the front. The ground breaking took place in January 1968. In October 1968 the first Mass was celebrated in the Church-Hall. A solemn High Mass preceded the Blessing of the new facility by Bishop Schexnayder.
The work of the Parish continued through this time and many people were actively involved in all phases of Church work. Dedication and enthusiasm were evident and Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish was thriving. Active Church groups included the Ushers, the Ladies Altar Society, the Altar Servers, the Choir, the Commentators, the Lay Ministers, and the CCD Teachers.
On November 6, 1972, a new pastor came into our midst to assume leadership of Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish. Reverend Lloyd P. Hebert took to the task with such a spirit of dedication and zeal that in five (5) years the debt on the Church complex was retired. In 1977, the Church property was enlarged through the purchase of an adjoining lot and house.
The Parish continued to grow and it soon became evident that it was time to consider the erection of a permanent church building. Therefore, the pastor and the Parish Council approached an architect and requested preliminary design plans for this building. By early 1980 the plans were finalized, bids were left out, and a contract awarded for the construction of the building. An impressive ceremony was held in May of 1980, where parishioners symbolized their oneness with the Church by placing cups on soil brought from their homes in to an excavation under the altar site, was held in May of 1980.
Construction of the Church building was completed in November of 1982. On November 13, 1982, Bishop Jude Speyrer of the Diocese of Lake Charles blessed the Church. Ten (10) days later Bishop Gerard Frey of the Diocese of Lafayette dedicated the Church to Our Lady Queen of Angels.
The third Pastor, Reverend Millard Boyer, arrived in August of 1985. Father Boyer brought with him a great deal of dedication to hard work and an interest in continuing the enthusiasm of the parishioners in building a devotion to Our Lord. He also saw a need to have a permanent rectory in the parish. Once again, the services of an architect were requested and plans for a rectory and a separate office building were commissioned. Shortly, these plans were approved and Bishop Harry J. Flynn of the Diocese of Lafayette gave permission for the buildings to be constructed. They were completed in September 1990. The dedication and Open House were held on November 26, 1990.
The parish continued to grow and now numbered one thousand four hundred seventy four (1474) families. Due to this growth, Rev. Gregory Downs arrived to serve as associate pastor in July 1991. His presence allowed for more activities to be made available for the parishioners. Father Downs was instrumental in establishing the Divine Mercy Adoration Chapel. The Chapel has been in existence for the past nine (9) years and has provided another avenue for parishioners to draw closer to God.
Our Lady Queen of Angels Church celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary in October 1992. Bishop Harry J. Flynn of the Diocese of Lafayette was the principal celebrant of the Mass. He was assisted by Fathers Millard Boyer and Gregory Downs. At a "covered-dish" meal in the Parish Hall, Jim Durio traced the history of the parish from its inception to date. It seemed to many in the audience that this parish had been indeed been blessed. The first twenty-five (25) had yielded an abundance of opportunities for its parishioners to truly be members of a wonderful Christian community.
Now, forty years since its inception, Our Lady Queen of Angels parish has grown in population (1,672 families) and in spirituality. Credit must be given to the first members of the parish, many of whom are now deceased or home-bound. The parishioners, along with pastors, worked diligently to develop the successful Church Parish which we all enjoy today. The physical plant is attractive and provides ample space for all of the parish activities. We continue to be blessed with parishioners who are happy to be involved in Church work.
Our Lady Queen of Angels Church Parish
In the early days of the summer of 1967, the Most Reverend Bishop Maurice Schexnayder determined that a new Church parish should be established. This parish was to be known as Our Lady Queen of Angels, one of the titles of Our Lady taken from her Litany, in keeping with Bishop Schexnayder's policy in naming every new Church he founded in the Lafayette Diocese. This new parish was to be located on the south side of Opelousas and was to draw parishioners from parts of St. Landry, Holy Ghost, St. Leo and St. Charles Borromeo Church parishes.
The first Pastor, Reverend Joseph C. Jaubert, arrived in June 1967. A meeting, attended by representatives of about 200 families, was held in the Teenage Center in South City Park for the purpose of forming the first steps necessary for the establishment of the new parish. For most people present the organization of a new Church parish was viewed as a big undertaking - and they were right. Soon, however, the new pastor's enthusiasm, leadership, and grasp of the problems involved became evident, and a feeling of anticipation and togetherness soon prevailed. The first Parish Council was formed at this meeting and Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish was on its way.
First came the problem of finding a temporary site for Sunday Mass. Through a very satisfactory arrangement with the St Landry Parish School Board, the Opelousas High School Auditorium was made available. An altar set up in excellent view of the stage, the congregation seated in comfortable, theatre-type seats, air conditioning in the heat of summer, all made a satisfying interim arrangement. On weekdays Mass was celebrated in the homes of parishioners and in the former home of the Christian Brothers where the pastor was domiciled. The many meetings that were necessary in those planning days were held in the homes of the counselors and in the meeting rooms of the American Bank and the Planter's Bank.
Now came the serious and time-consuming work of organizing the new parish. Many devoted men and women drew together around their pastor and cheerfully and efficiently accomplished the many tasks presented.
A census was taken to determine the number of souls included in the new Church division. The initial count indicated that 668 families lived within the geographical boundaries designated by Bishop Schexnayder. A Board of Trustees and Chairpersons for parish organizations were named to begin serving the need of the Church community. A secretary and two maintenance men were employed.
Next, the acquisition of the land for the Church building and the finances needed to purchase the land were accomplished in short order. At this time all parishioners were contacted and asked for financial donations and / or pledges to support the parish needs.
These efforts were extremely successful and the parish was financially on its way.
It was determined that the first building was to be a combination church and catechetical hall. It was to have a central section to be used as a temporary church, plus five (5) classrooms on each side, living quarters for the Pastor in the rear, and offices in the front. The ground breaking took place in January 1968. In October 1968 the first Mass was celebrated in the Church-Hall. A solemn High Mass preceded the Blessing of the new facility by Bishop Schexnayder.
The work of the Parish continued through this time and many people were actively involved in all phases of Church work. Dedication and enthusiasm were evident and Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish was thriving. Active Church groups included the Ushers, the Ladies Altar Society, the Altar Servers, the Choir, the Commentators, the Lay Ministers, and the CCD Teachers.
On November 6, 1972, a new pastor came into our midst to assume leadership of Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish. Reverend Lloyd P. Hebert took to the task with such a spirit of dedication and zeal that in five (5) years the debt on the Church complex was retired. In 1977, the Church property was enlarged through the purchase of an adjoining lot and house.
The Parish continued to grow and it soon became evident that it was time to consider the erection of a permanent church building. Therefore, the pastor and the Parish Council approached an architect and requested preliminary design plans for this building. By early 1980 the plans were finalized, bids were left out, and a contract awarded for the construction of the building. An impressive ceremony was held in May of 1980, where parishioners symbolized their oneness with the Church by placing cups on soil brought from their homes in to an excavation under the altar site, was held in May of 1980.
Construction of the Church building was completed in November of 1982. On November 13, 1982, Bishop Jude Speyrer of the Diocese of Lake Charles blessed the Church. Ten (10) days later Bishop Gerard Frey of the Diocese of Lafayette dedicated the Church to Our Lady Queen of Angels.
The third Pastor, Reverend Millard Boyer, arrived in August of 1985. Father Boyer brought with him a great deal of dedication to hard work and an interest in continuing the enthusiasm of the parishioners in building a devotion to Our Lord. He also saw a need to have a permanent rectory in the parish. Once again, the services of an architect were requested and plans for a rectory and a separate office building were commissioned. Shortly, these plans were approved and Bishop Harry J. Flynn of the Diocese of Lafayette gave permission for the buildings to be constructed. They were completed in September 1990. The dedication and Open House were held on November 26, 1990.
The parish continued to grow and now numbered one thousand four hundred seventy four (1474) families. Due to this growth, Rev. Gregory Downs arrived to serve as associate pastor in July 1991. His presence allowed for more activities to be made available for the parishioners. Father Downs was instrumental in establishing the Divine Mercy Adoration Chapel. The Chapel has been in existence for the past nine (9) years and has provided another avenue for parishioners to draw closer to God.
Our Lady Queen of Angels Church celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary in October 1992. Bishop Harry J. Flynn of the Diocese of Lafayette was the principal celebrant of the Mass. He was assisted by Fathers Millard Boyer and Gregory Downs. At a "covered-dish" meal in the Parish Hall, Jim Durio traced the history of the parish from its inception to date. It seemed to many in the audience that this parish had been indeed been blessed. The first twenty-five (25) had yielded an abundance of opportunities for its parishioners to truly be members of a wonderful Christian community.
Now, forty years since its inception, Our Lady Queen of Angels parish has grown in population (1,672 families) and in spirituality. Credit must be given to the first members of the parish, many of whom are now deceased or home-bound. The parishioners, along with pastors, worked diligently to develop the successful Church Parish which we all enjoy today. The physical plant is attractive and provides ample space for all of the parish activities. We continue to be blessed with parishioners who are happy to be involved in Church work.