(transcribed by Leora White, 2008)

DEDICATION

To all who have served Southwest Louisiana in the Catholic school classroom, especially the
Sisters Marianites of Holy Cross who are, themselves, observing a centennial of service
to our area, this book is joyfully dedicated.

THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

August, 2, 1982

It gives me great pleasure to offer my congratulations to St. Charles Academy on this 100^th anniversary of its founding, which marked the beginning of Catholic education in the Diocese of Lake Charles.

All members of the Diocese can take pride in this Centennial of St. Charles Academy and in the growth of Catholic education during the past century, both at the Academy and at the many other schools that have been established in Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jefferson Davis Parishes.

I applaud those who have so unselfishly devoted themselves to education in the Diocese.  You have provided the guidance and inspiration which helped frame the character and ideals of countless young Americans. 

Please accept my best wishes for a future of continued distinction.

(Signed) Ronald Reagan

FOREWORD

            April 23, 1910 is a day long remembered by the people of Lake Charles.  It was on this day that the heart of the City was burned out in what some consider the greatest fire of the decade in Louisiana.  The “Great Fire” consumed 109 buildings over an area encompassing two blocks wide by half a mile long.  Included were those of the Catholic Church complex on the block bounded by Ryan and Bilbo streets.  The buildings destroyed were the Immaculate Conception Church, the rectory, the convent, the academy, the boys' school and a small structure to the rear of the school used for plays and other activities. 

            Great as this tragedy was, much of what was destroyed was in time replaced.  Irreplaceable, however, were the church and school records. The Right Reverend Monsignor Hubert Cramers, pastor of the church at the time, tersely noted on the inside cover of the baptismal record of 1908 (fortunately spared):  “All records of baptisms, etc., previous to January 1, 1908, were burned in the disastrous fire ….H. Cramers, Rector.”  These records would have been of inestimable value to the historian of a later day writing of church and school activities prior to the fire.  The present writers, therefore, had to rely on whatever sources were available to them.  Among these were letters and church reports found in the Archives of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, records at the Mother House of the Marianite Sisters also in New Orleans, Lake Charles newspapers, contemporary eyewitness accounts, and stories handed down through the years.  Their task was not an easy one.

            The fire was a sort of watershed in the history of the Catholic schools in Lake Charles.  Although the leaders in education - both clerical and lay - had done well in establishing a thriving system in the quarter century prior to the disaster, it was in the years that followed that a really first-class system of church-oriented education emerged.  Under the valiant and constructive leader ship of Monsignor Cramers, supported by the largesse of his parishioners, a new era dawned, and like the fabled phoenix, the school system resplendently rose from its ashes.  Those pastors who succeeded him proved worthy of the legacy he had left to them.

            Vision and foresight are due to the early priests of Immaculate Conception Parish.  This is especially true in the case of Father Michael Kelly, under whose pastorate formal Catholic education had its beginning.  St. Charles Academy, established in 1882, was built two years preceding the meeting of the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore convoked to consider problems of education in the United States.  This council ordered Catholic parents to send their children to Catholic schools whenever it was possible, and ordered each parish throughout the country to establish its own elementary schools.  Thus it was that a pastor of the Immaculate Conception Parish anticipated a command of the Church.

            From these early days, Catholic education continued to grow at an accelerated pace.  Standards of excellence set in the years preceding the outbreak of World War II, were continued and improved in the post-war period.  The educational program established has always been mindful of the ideas set forth in Vatican II, where the Ecumenical Synod made clear its interest in the natural development of youth. 

            The new Diocese of Lake Charles is making every effort to follow the aims of Catholic education as indicated by the Synod.  These aims are:  “To create for the school community an atmosphere enlivened by the gospel spirit of freedom and charity….to help the adolescent in such a way that the development of his own personality will be matched by the growth of that new creation which he became by baptism….to relate all human culture to the news of salvation, so that the light of faith will illumine the knowledge which students gradually gain of the world, of life, and of mankind.” 

            We wish to express our indebtedness to the large number of persons who helped to make this book possible.  To mention them all would certainly involve a lengthy catalog of names.  Suffice it to say, however, some deserve to be mentioned.  First and foremost, we wish to acknowledge in a very special way the support and encouragement received from our bishop, the Most Reverend Jude Speyrer.   At the top of the list also is the Centennial Committee from whom came excellent ideas that set the general tone of the book and its format.  This committee, headed by Mr. Vernon Keating, was made up of the following persons:  Mrs. Gloria P. Ambrose, Mrs. Marian Bono, Miss Noel Byrd, Mrs. Gloria Combre, Miss Kathleen Molloy, Mrs. Vita Pumpelly, Mrs. Kathleen Keating, Miss Patricia Millerick, Mr. Carroll Fontenot, Sister Pat Alston, Mr. Herman Berken, Mrs. Martha Marcantel, Mrs. Bernadine B. Proctor, Mrs. Gene St. Romain, Sister Gloria Cain, Sister Camille Martinez, Miss Karen Rathmell, Mrs. Elaine B. Bodin, and Dr. Donald J. Millet.

            Special acknowledgement also goes to those who so graciously accepted assignments in preparing the histories of the various schools appearing in this book.  They, along with the local architects and artists, who made excellent pen and ink drawings from faded and torn pictures of schools in existence in the early period of parochial school education, deserve much credit.  Their names will appear with their contributions. 

            Although we naturally take full responsibility for the form and content of this book as it stands, we would like to express our deep gratitude to the many who made substantial contributions in supplying pictures and who gave intimate vignettes of parochial school life in the earlier years.  Among these are:  Mr. Michael Jones, Mrs. Lloyd Barras, Sister Mary Finian, Sister Hilary Bodin, Sister Mary Praxeda, Mrs. Elaine St. Mary, Sister Mary William, Sister Colette Guidry, Miss Josephine Moss, Mrs. Lucile Smithers (dec.), Miss Alma Schindler, Miss Lydia Schindler, Miss Niel Gauthier, Miss Eula Mae Gauthier, Dr. Malcolm Leveque, Mrs. Malcolm Leveque (dec.), Mrs. Robert Andrus, Monsignor George Bodin, Brother Raphael Bodin, Brother John Young, Brother Richard Arnandez, Miss Catherine Bodin, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Elms, Father Vincent Sedita, Mrs. Bernadette Goodwin, Monsignor H. A. Larroque, Father Louis Melancon, Mrs. Donald J. Millet, Mrs. Theda Benoit, Monsignor Leo Gassler (dec.), Miss Josephine Moss, Sister Bertilla McNeely, Mrs. Sarah L. LeBlanc, Mr. Cornell Chaumont, Mr. and Mrs. Jack W. O’Reilly, Mrs. Barbara Melton, and Mr. Gus Quinn, Jr.

            Special thanks to Mr. James R. Broussard and Monsignor James Michael Gaddy who permitted the use of their book titled, The Church at Lake Charles, Louisiana: 1850-1910, edited by the Reverend Donald J. Hebert, and published in 1976.  This publication was used in the preparation of the “Introduction.”

            Further acknowledgement is due for the use of several unpublished sources.  Among these are the Marianite Chronicles, the Marianite History, by Sister Mary Praxeda; and the school newspapers: St. Charles Academy Times, The Clarion, and The Gospel.  These newspapers gave interesting and intimate portrayals of the life, hopes, and aspirations of the students over the years. 

            A debt of gratitude is owed to the Lake Charles American Press for permitting the use of pictures unobtainable elsewhere, and the publicity given to the centennial publication.  Other newspapers rendering assistance were the Southwest Louisiana Register, the Lake Area Guide, and the Morning Star.

            To these and to all the unsung heroes who showed interest in this book, we are grateful.  Without their help and dedication, this effort would not have been possible. 

Donald J. Millet

Elaine B. Bodin

CONTENTS

Foreword

Introduction

St. Charles Academy (Lake Charles) Part I

St. Henry’s Covent (Jennings)

Sacred Heart School (Lake Charles)

St. Charles Academy in the New Era Part II

J. A. Landry Memorial School (Lake Charles) 

St. Joseph’s School (Vinton)

Immaculate Heart of Mary School (Lake Charles)

St. Margaret’s Parish School (Lake Charles) 

Immaculate Conception Cathedral School (Lake Charles) 

Our Lady’s School (Sulphur)

St. Maria Goretti School (Lake Arthur)

Our Lady Queen of Heaven School (Lake Charles)

Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Elementary School (Jennings)

St. Louis High School (Lake Charles)

Regina Caeli Center (Lake Charles)

Holy Family Catholic School (Moss Bluff)

Our Catholic Education:  A New Beginning

Reminiscences

Benefactors and Patrons

A Pictorial Portfolio of the Centennial Celebration

THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS:

1882 – 1982

THE CENTENNIAL OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION

IN “IMPERIAL” CALCASIEU

Edited by

Donald J. Millet Sr.

and

Elaine B. Bodin

Alta Printing Company, Inc.

Lake Charles, Louisiana

September 11, 1982

INTRODUCTION

By Donald J. Millett Sr.

            News of the creation of the Diocese of Lake Charles by Pope John Paul II was received in the Lake City on January 29, 1980.  This new division of the Catholic Church in Southwest Louisiana includes the civil parishes of Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jefferson Davis. It is an area that nearly coincides with old Imperial Calcasieu established in 1840.  On April 25, Monsignor Jude Speyrer, in impressive ceremonies witnessed by thousands of people who gathered in the Lake Charles Civic Center, was installed was the first bishop of the See.

            The diocese was carved from the Diocese of Lafayette which had been created in 1918 from the Archdiocese of New Orleans.  And because of its relative isolation especially in the early years, was late to develop.  It is Louisiana’s last frontier.

Long inhabited by the Atakapa Indians, white settlement didn’t begin until the era of the American Revolution.  For it was at this time that Martin LeBleu, probably the first settler, made his home on English Bayou, a tributary of the Calcasieu River.  LeBleu was followed by other settlers.  One of these was Charles Sallier - after whom Lake Charles was named - followed by Jacob Ryan, Samuel Kirby, Thomas Bilbo, Michael Pithon, and others.  Population growth throughout the first half of the Nineteenth Century was slow.  In an area embracing over 5,000 square miles, the population by 1860 was only 4,452.

A majority of the inhabitants was of the Catholic Faith.  And ministering to their spiritual needs were occasional missionaries from Texas, New Orleans, St. Martinville, Abbeville, and other churches already established.  On these visitations, missionaries traveled on foot, on horseback, and, when possible, used boats; preached, taught catechism, heard confessions, administered the Holy Eucharist, performed marriages and validated others, baptized infants, and held meetings with the faithful.  These intrepid sons of the Church followed lonely trails, forded bodies of water, and many times slept under the stars surrounded by croaking frogs, wild animals, snakes, and alligators. 

One of these early missionaries was Father P. F. Parisot whose Reminiscences of a Texas Missionary, published in 1899, is one of the very few sources of missionary activity in Calcasieu Parish in the middle part of the Nineteenth Century.  An Oblate of Mary Immaculate from France, Father Parisot visited the parish soon after his arrival in Texas in 1852.  A revealing passage in this work states:  “After crossing the Sabine River, I visited Calcasieu Parish, an immense district in Louisiana in some parts of which a priest had not been seen for fifteen or twenty years.” 

Father Parisot spent about two and a half months in Calcasieu on his first visit.  He found three Catholic families in the small community on the east side of the lake that the people referred to as Charleston and later Lake Charles.  He administered the usual Sacraments of Baptism, Penance, and the Holy Eucharist. Sometimes it happened that a marriage was performed or validated within the same hour that the couple’s infant was baptized.  Father Parisot also held regular catechetical instruction for those old enough to understand and for catechumens. These instructions lasted several days, or even weeks, depending upon the circumstances and need. 

The Reminiscences also give an interesting account of his second visit to Calcasieu.  Traveling southward down the Calcasieu River in a sailboat accompanied by a merchant named Pujo, Father Parisot ministered to the spiritual needs of the people on both banks of the river while his companion sold or bartered his wares.  Crossing over the Calcasieu River to the Mermentau River on foot, he rejoined his friends who had sailed from the moth of the Calcasieu to the mouth of the Mermentau River by way of the Gulf and sailed northward, repeating his services along the way.  On his three-day mission, he was invited by a Protestant preacher to preach to his congregation.  On this occasion he spoke of the four marks of the Church in English, and later that day was invited to dine at the preacher’s house.  On returning to Lake Charles, he then made preparations to carry his missionary activities to the northern part (now Beauregard) of the parish.  Here he baptized eleven Indian children. 

Father A. Borias, a Texas priest, was introduced to the Calcasieu mission field by Father Parisot.  The Baptismal Registers of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Galveston indicate that Father Borias probably baptized 129 persons in the parish from May 7, 1854 to May 7, 1855.  With Father Borias, the missionary work of Texas priests in Calcasieu ended. 

From 1855 on, priests were sent to the area from the Archdiocese of New Orleans.  The first of these were brothers - Fathers Gilbert and Francois Raymond. They came to Louisiana from France in 1854.   The two priests set the pace for further missionary activity in Calcasieu. In January of the next year, Archbishop Blanc appointed them to St. Landry’s Church in Opelousas - Father Gilbert as pastor and his brother as assistant.  These dedicated men were destined to serve in Southwest Louisiana for the next thirty-five years.

            Not long after the arrival of the Raymond brothers in Opelousas, Archbishop Blanc extended their duties to include Calcasieu - giving then the authority to act as his vicars general to the area.  Father Francois made his first visit in 1856, where on the first Sunday of his arrival, everyone - Catholic and non-Catholic alike - attended Mass in the courthouse which served as a temporary church. 

            With the growth of the Catholic population in the four years from 1856 to 1860,  the need of a church became manifest.  Father Francois was equal to the task.  The only problem was the location of the church.  One faction favored the property donated for this purpose by the Sallier family near the Sallier Cemetery.  The other faction, led by Father Francois, felt that a location near the center of the village would be more convenient and practical.  The latter prevailed.  Property was purchased across the street from the courthouse and construction of the church began.  On September 26, 1858, the finished church was dedicated to St. Francis de Sales (the name was later changed to Immaculate Conception when a new church building was dedicated on October 2, 1881).  The overall cost was $2,200.  This included all real estate purchased during the missionary era, and the expense incurred in building and furnishing the church, erecting a fence, and leveling the lot.  The church building alone cost $1,300.  Approximately $600 was raised by the people of Calcasieu, while the rest was paid from the treasury of the mother church in Opelousas. 

            With the new church it was possible to handle the growing population.  In 1856, there were twenty families of from ten to twelve children each.  All of these, of course, were not Catholics.  On the eve of the Civil War in 1860, the total population in Lake Charles, the main community in Calcasieu Parish, had increased to three hundred.  Father Francois estimated that the total Catholic population in Calcasieu was about 1,700.

            Pastors from Lake Charles made frequent visits to the outlying portions of the parish.  Difficulties of travel for them can only be imagined.  For instance, a priest traveling from Opelousas to Lake Charles could count on two full days and a portion of a third day’s journey.  Leaving Opelousas in the early morning, he could be at Miller’s ferry on Bayou Nezpique by nightfall.  By evening of the next day, he reached the residence of Arsene LeBleu, who offered his hospitality to him.  And on the third day he arrived in Lake Charles.

            Hospitality was also extended to the priests in the lake community.  Father Francois could always depend on Arsene Sallier, son of Charles Sallier, for board and keep before a rectory had been built.  Actually, the Sallier home became his headquarters until the church was completed. 

            Assisting Father Francois in covering the settlements of Calcasieu were a number of priests. Among them were Father Francois Fallot, Fathers Louis and J. M. Lafranc, and Father Nicholas Simon.  The latter was appointed pastor in Lake Charles in 1866.  But finding the task of being the sole pastor over so large an area too arduous, he requested reassignment.

            With the departure of Father Simon at the end of 1866, Lake Charles was again placed on the list of mission stations, with Abbeville now the mother church.  Father Theodore Lamy, pastor in Abbeville, in addition to his duties in his home parish, now had Calcasieu under his pastoral care.  On one of his visits to the lake community in June 1869, he baptized eighteen persons.  This visit was the last of the missionary trips from Abbeville. 

            In the latter part of 1869, Father Francis Magniny was appointed pastor to St. Francis de Sales with Father Etienne Badoil as his assistant.  The two priests’ were received with great cordiality in Lake Charles.  Local Catholics provided food and shelter for them until the old rectory, now in need of repair, could be made livable.

            It didn’t take long for the two priests to assess condition among their parishioners.  They complained of indifference to the Faith and religious ignorance.  This they attributed to the absence of resident priests for too long a time among the people, and to the low level of education.  Added to their difficulties was the outbreak of yellow fever in the lake community.  Both priests came down with the disease, but only one was spared of its ravages.  Father Magniny died in 1870, scarcely a year after his arrival. 

            With Father Badoil’s recovery in New Orleans, he returned to Lake Charles as pastor.  Here he served until 1873, when he requested to be transferred.  Father Christophe Cuny was named his successor with Father N. Pouillon his assistant.

            Like many of the other priests who were sent to the large parish of Calcasieu, the records of Father Cuny’s pastorate are scanty.  The Lake Charles Echo in its April 18, 1874 issue made this brief comment about Father Cuny:  "The Catholic Church is under the pastoral care of Father Cuny, a gentleman of culture and amiable manners.  The majority of our citizens belong to this faith, and we believe that the ministry of the parish priest is very acceptable to his people.”  The same newspaper in a later issue also mentioned that religious instruction classes were frequent, that catechism was taught on Sunday afternoons, mainly to those preparing to receive the Eucharist for the first time.  One of the supporters of Father Cuny was the well-known Captain Daniel Goos.  At a concert given for the benefit of the church in 1875, there were sixteen performers at the musicale and twelve of them were children of the captain. These children were brought to the footlights and introduced by the captain himself.  In 1876, Mrs. Eugene Hutchins was the president of the Ladies’ Altar Society, and Miss Marie Landry was secretary.  Father Cuny followed the custom of the times of auctioning off the pews in the church.  His pastorate was short lived.  He was succeeded by Father Badoil after a year and a half stay in Lake Charles.  Father Badoil’s acceptance of a second pastorate in Lake Charles was conditional.  The diocese was to pay all of his debts, mostly incurred in Calcasieu during his first ministry, and amounting to three hundred dollars; he was to receive payment of fifteen dollars a month for board, and his stay in the lake community was not to exceed ten months.  These conditions were evidently met, and at the end of the specified time, he was transferred to St. Peter Church in Reserve, Louisiana, a small community up the river from New Orleans, where he died in 1908.

            The years following Father Badoil’s transfer were prosperous ones for Calcasieu.  A new day was dawning for the parish.  Although now smaller in size after Cameron was made a separate civil parish in 1870, the Church jurisdiction remained the same.  Population increased from 6,733 in 1870 to 10,076 in 1875.  In Cameron the population grew from 1,596 to 2,131 in the same period.  People were attracted to the area by the post-Civil War boom in industry and commerce.  The vast longleaf pine forests in this part of the state provided lumber for reconstruction and expansion after the war.  Saw mills sprung up in the richly-timbered area, and schooners shipped out lumber to Galveston and other ports of the Gulf of Mexico.

            Spiritual advance didn’t keep up with growth of the parish.  From the time of the transfer of Father Badoil in April 1876, to the appointment of Father Michael Kelly in spring of 1879 the Church in Calcasieu came under the pastorates of two young priests - Fathers Julien Charles and Gustave Auguste Jobard.  They came to Calcasieu under an arrangement that Father Jobard would become pastor of an area comprising Lake Charles and the southern part of Calcasieu, while Father Charles would be pastor in Mermentau with the northern and eastern parts of Calcasieu within his pastorate.  The arrangement didn’t work too well.  Complaints from Catholics in the area grew over matters that would appear trivial today.  Added to this were the differences arising between the two priests.  Father Jobard left Lake Charles in the spring of 1877 while Father Charles continued to minister to the people in Lake Charles from Mermentau until his transfer in 1878.  Lake Charles remained without a resident priest from the time of Father Jobard’s departure to 1879 when a new pastor was appointed.

            The new pastor was Father Michael Kelly.  Father Kelly, brought with him a zeal and enthusiasm for accomplishment, and inaugurated an era of stability and progress during the eight years of his pastorate.  He found the parish physically run-down and the parishioners divided among themselves.  As will be seen in the next chapter, he launched a program of building and expansion that was to set the pace for the rest of the century and on into the new century.

SAINT CHARLES ACADEMY

(LAKE CHARLES) PART I

By Elaine B. Bodin

            Father Michael Kelly, sixth pastor of the Church at Lake Charles, petitioned the Marianite Provincial House in July of 1881 asking for Sisters to staff his fledgling school.  According to the Marianite Chronicles:  “Under circumstances so adverse and unpromising that any other, less passionate for good, would have been daunted into discouragement, the worthy Father argued, begged, insisted and finally prevailed upon the Holy Order of the Sisters Marianites of Holy Cross to establish a branch school for young ladies in Lake Charles.  After several unfruitful attempts success, in the end, crowned his efforts.”

            On August 31, 1882, the Mother Provincial and four other Sisters arrived in Lake Charles to begin their labor of love - and to institute the foundation of formal Catholic education in Southwest Louisiana.  The party of Sisters consisted of Mother Provincial Mary of the Immaculate Conception Prevered, Sister Mary of St. Francis Haggerty (who became the first principal), Sister Mary of St. Paula Carter, Sister Mary of St. Philomena McCamley and Sister Mary of St. Vincent McDonald.

            A welcoming committee consisting of Father Kelly, Mrs. F. A. Gallaugher, Mrs. M. J. Leveque, Mrs. Jeremiah O’Brien and Mrs. Joseph Cazeux greeted the fatigued Sisters at the train depot.  They were rather shocked to learn that no convent awaited them, as notice of their coming had not been received in time to obtain suitable arrangements for them.  Jeremiah O’Brien came forward, however, and offered the Sisters a house he owned about a block from the church property.  Inadequate though it was, it served as their dwelling place for better than two years.  The main building consisted of two rooms, one with a fireplace in it.  The refectory and kitchen were contained in a small separate building which was drafty and cold in the winter and which had a roof that leaked when it rained.

            The schoolhouse was ready for occupancy when the Sisters arrived, however.  Measuring thirty-five feet by fifty-two feet, it had been converted from the old chapel - the same building that had been erected twenty-five years earlier as the first Catholic church in the area.  Built in 1858 by the missionary efforts of Father J. F. Raymond from Opelousas, it continued to serve as the church after Lake Charles was made a separate parish in 1869.  After the hurricane of August 22, 1879, inflicted such heavy damage to the parish property, Father Kelly elected to repair the rectory and build a new church.  October 2, 1881, saw the completion of the new edifice with a new title - Church of the Immaculate Conception.  Having finished this project, the indefatigable priest leveled the ground on the southwest corner of the church property at Ryan and Kirby Streets and relocated the obsolete chapel to this area.  He then repaired and adapted the building for use as a schoolhouse.  All of the buildings faced Ryan Street.

            The first day of school opened on September 11, 1882, with twenty-eight pupils registered; however that number rose to seventy before the initial term was ended.  All three departments were conducted in the one room and only girls were accepted at the time. 

            Each day started with a study period from 8:15 to 9:00 a.m.  Dismissal was at 3:30 p.m., and Saturdays were school days.  Congé days, or holidays, were observed on Thursdays, a custom carried over from France. 

            The pioneering spirit and enthusiasm of the Sisters were manifested in many ways.   From Sister Mary Praxeda’s Historical Notes, we glimpse some of this spirit in Sister Mary Francis’ observations after coming to this section:

1882.    The town of Lake Charles, prettily situated upon the lake of the same name, is a pushing, go-ahead town of some 1,400 inhabitants.  The houses are all snug and substantially built as becomes a town having within its corporate limits and immediate vicinity ten large saw mills whose aggregate weekly production is 2,100,000 feet of lumber. This immense amount finds a ready market in Galveston, Corpus Christi, the Rio Grande, and all the seaports of Mexico, etc.  There are three hotels, a fine large hall, three planing mills, two shingle mills and a rice mill, besides several shipyards and two well-supported newspapers.

The Lake which is not more than three or four miles in circumference might be considered a mere enlargement of the Calcasieu River, were the contact of the two more extended, but the River makes its exit scarcely a quarter of a mile from the point where it enters, making a most abrupt curve to the Gulf.  The River is a beautiful stream, with but little current, navigable for ninety miles.

Though the largest part of the population is engaged in logging, saw milling, etc., the land readily repays cultivation; rice and cane grow abundantly on the rich prairie lands.  Rice has only of late years been cultivated, but the “Coulees” are now ditched and dyked, and make possible unsurpassed rice fields, the yield being abundant.

                               As pleased as Father Kelly was with the Academy and its success, something was lacking - his boys, men of the future, were being neglected.  The tireless priest built a school for boys which opened its doors in March of 1883.  It was situated at the southeast corner of the church property at Bilbo and Kirby Streets and was initially staffed by one lay teacher.  Boys up to the age of twelve were accepted.  There were forty-six young men enrolled the first semester.  The Marianites were approached to staff the boys’ school.  They had to obtain permission from their Superiors, as they were primarily trained to teach only young ladies refinement and academics for their proper formation.  After permission was granted, another Sister arrived in early October of 1885, to take up her duties with the boys’ school.

                               The first Commencement Exercise (probably along the line of an Honors Program) of St. Charles Academy, the pioneer Catholic school of Southwest Louisiana, was held July 17, 1883.  From all accounts, it must have been an enjoyable event in spite of the fact that Dolly, Father Kelly’s horse, ate some of the crowns of honor. Dolly was something of a pet and on ordinary days apparently had free rein on the school grounds.  She could turn on the water faucet when thirsty, and would sometimes audit music lessons in progress by sticking her head in the school room window nearest the piano. 

            Father Kelly instituted work on the new convent for the Sisters in May of 1884 and the Sisters were enjoying their new home by the following Christmas.  It was formally blessed on February 7, 1885, by the pastor who had, himself, spent a good deal of time and physical labor working on the house.

            The convent was a large two-storied white frame Victorian structure, measuring forty-seven feet wide and seventy feet long.  The façade featured a colonnaded veranda running nearly the entire width of the front of the building, upstairs and down, with another double porch at the rear.  The central entrance doorway was flanked by two long windows on each side and this pattern was repeated on the higher level.  Its hipped roofline was crowned by a stately cupola. Typical of the times, the kitchen was in a separate building in the rear of the main house as a safeguard against fire.  Inside, there were fourteen large rooms, an exhibition hall and individual teachers’ departmental space.  Two spacious halls extended the whole length of the building and five brick chimneys with fifteen fireplaces graced the building.

            Just what sort of classroom obstacles confronted the Sisters in the 1880s?  At first they dealt with problems of discipline and indolence on the part of the children, primarily due to their wards’ previous absence (in some cases) of organized religious and academic instruction.  But apparently this was duly overcome with time and perseverance.  Certainly by the second annual Commencement and Distribution of Premiums on July 5, 1884, praise was heaped upon those pupils attending the academy on jobs well done.  The program consisted of a combined effort of stage presentations, displays of embroidery handwork and presentation of prizes in English, French, Music, Tapestry and Crochet work, Piety, Examination, Merit, Deportment, and Regular Attendance. 

            On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1885, the Societies of the Children of Mary and of the Holy Angels were organized.  During the following month of May 1886, the first local public observance was held in honor of the Blessed Virgin.  The Sodalists walked in procession from the convent to the church carrying Our Lady’s Banner.  After a sermon on the dignity and virtues of Mary, the Banner was blessed and aspirants to both Sodalities were received.  Then the statue of the Blessed Virgin was crowned.

            In addition to Father Kelly’s many priestly duties, the relentless hard physical work made inroads on his health and he left the parish in 1887.  “The Builder” (as he would be subsequently known) died the following year. 

            The good-natured, portly Father E. J. Fallon became the next pastor and the spiritual tempo of the parish began to gain momentum under his guidance.  His task would be to instill appreciation for Catholic education during the three years he would spend at Immaculate Conception.  It was recorded that Father Fallon baptized two hundred and eighty-three persons in 1888.  He was scrupulous about the scheduling and carrying out of all services.  In spite of a large territory to serve (“Imperial” Calcasieu), a typical Sunday would have two Masses in the morning with a sermon at the second Mass.  In the afternoon, catechism followed Benediction.  An integral part of the catechetical instruction was that contributed by the Sisters, with their happiest endeavors centered around preparing the children to receive Holy Communion.

            That the Sisters were making a vital contribution to the education of the youth of the area cannot be too highly stressed.  An excerpt from the September 5, 1888 Lake Charles American states:  

Among the first should be mentioned the Young Ladies’ Academy conducted by the Sisters Marianites of the Holly Cross, where all the common branches are thoroughly taught, and by an easy and natural graduation, the pupil is advanced to the higher departments of instruction.

Music and art are interspersed in the curriculum, with language, and literature, giving a finish and culture attainable in few schools of its grade. 

The Boys’ School conducted by the Sisters, is very flourishing.  We cannot too highly commend the excellent work of these noble women.

            St. Charles Academy graduated its first student June 30, 1887.  The laurel crown of victory and the crown of honor were placed upon the head of Miss Julia Leveque. In her touching valedictory, she repeated again and again her thanks to the Sisters who had been so constant in her behalf. This young lady would one day become the first native Lake Charles Marianite, taking the name of Sister Mary of St. Hyacinthe in the religious community.  She would also return to her home town and teach at St. Charles Academy in the capacity of music teacher. 

            From the Chronicles dated July 7, 1889, comes the entry that “on Friday evening of last week the distribution of prizes of St. Charles Borromeo’s Academy took place at Williams Opera House.  It would not be too much, when we state that it surpassed the expectations of every one who had the pleasure of being present.”  It described in detail the four one-act plays, mentioning that one play was performed in French, and the grace and beauty of each rendition.  It ended by mentioning “the distribution of prizes began and, that on the principle of 'honor to whom honor is due,' many hearts were made glad by the beautiful and expensive books received as rewards.” 

            The Sisters were saddened to learn of the death of their beloved Superior, Mother Francis Haggerty who died in New Orleans during the vacation of 1889. Replacing her was Mother Mary Raphael, and outstanding educator and administrator.

            Father Fallon announced his own transfer to his congregation in November of 1890.  He was a great man, had brought about spiritual renewal and the congregation was saddened at his leave taking.

            Father Arthur Drossaerts became the new pastor in December of 1890, the first of the Dutch priests who would labor in Lake Charles’ behalf.  He was a genial man with a hearty laugh whom the people learned to love dearly.  Father Drossaerts was destined to become Archbishop of San Antonio at a later date.  Under this cheerful priest, who was sincerely dedicated to his work, the people began to lose their mission-type posture and assume a more mature witness and vitality about their religion. 

            The year 1892 brought a new era to St. Charles Academy, also.  A notation mentions that the Sisters witnessed, with joy, the Baptism of two black children whom they had previously trained in their Sunday afternoon catechetical classes.

            Once the convent had been built with its capacity for boarding students from the outlying regions, the Sisters’ unique training and influence were extended to others outside Lake Charles, Catholic and non-Catholic alike.  December 8, 1894, saw three of the young boarders being received into the Church by the pastor.

            And what did the school children of the 1890s do for fun?  Several times a year the students packed picnic lunches and under the careful watch of the Sisters and pastor, spent the day at Rose Bluff, the Mosses’ plantation home.  Rose Bluff encompassed the land on which the Cities Service Refinery stands today.  These picnics were time markers for the children: “the time before or after the picnics in the fall and the one in the spring” became their way of marking the seasons.  Their mode of transportations on these occasions was the ferryboat Hazel, piloted by Captain A. W. Wehrt.

            In December of 1892, the parish was once more dismayed over the announcement that they were losing a beloved pastor.  Father Drossaerts was generally well thought of by everyone and had remained in favor with the congregation in spite of his work among the black population.  It had been the custom for priests to look after the spiritual needs of the Negro community from the beginning of the Church in this area, even prior to the Civil War.  After the war and the period of Reconstruction, however, an attitude of bigotry prevailed.  The priests and Sisters faced criticism from certain elements within the church for their devotion to catechetical instruction and administration of the Sacraments to the black community. 

            Replacing Father Drossaerts was Father Cornelius Van de Ven, twenty-seven years old at the time, and also a native of the Netherlands.  Soft-spoken and retiring, comely of face and manner, the dedicated priest would spend ten years at Immaculate Conception and would later be elevated to the rank of Bishop of the Diocese of Natchitoches.

            Father Van de Ven was extremely busy and very resourceful.  He originated a newspaper called the Catholic Calendar which was as instructional as it was unique.  It was necessary then, as now, to promote the cause of Catholic teachings for the personal edification of the flock, that they might better appreciate the gift of Faith and, possibly, defend it on occasion.   But if polemics had its place, the Calendar included bits of parish history at times, and little homey observations at others.

            A new boys’ school was built under the pastorate of Father Van de Ven; and on September1, 1902 Father blessed the school building after the opening of the fall term with the celebration of the Mass of the Holy Ghost.  This was one of the last official acts he made as pastor at Lake Charles, as he left Immaculate Conception in October of 1902, having been reassigned to Baton Rouge.  He was a good pastor and a man of great abilities.

            Misses Lydia and Alma Schindler remembered Father Van de Ven very well.  Miss Lydia received First Holy Communion from his hand.  She recalled a particularly humorous incident.  Father Van de Ven attempted to raise money for the Church in many innovative ways.  One endeavor entailed taking some of the school children to the various mission stations.  The Sisters would carefully rehearse the children in dramatic recitations and plays to be presented at these outlying stations.  An admission fee was charged, with the money reverting back to the work of the Church at the missions - a type of self-help project, in a way.  Miss Lydia remembered with startling clarity the time she was to recite Nobody’s Child.  For the part, she was barefoot and dressed in ragged clothing.  She began to feel the part after awhile and started crying.  Maggie Crowley, the mayor’s daughter, begged her father to give Lydia a dime because she was so pitiful in appearance!

            On another occasion, they gave one of their benefit performances in Leesburg (now the town of Cameron) on a Saturday.  It was bitterly cold; the rain had turned to sleet and the return boat hit a sandbar.  Father Van de Ven had to get back to Lake Charles to celebrate Mass the next day, so he left the children in the charge of the Sisters, procured a horse somehow and got in very late Saturday night.  After the boat was disengaged from the sandbar, the children got on their way and reached home at 5:00 Sunday morning.  Their parents were quite concerned and hurriedly bundled the children to bed. 

            Both sisters recalled having classes in the small wooden building that was formerly the mission chapel during the pioneering years.  Miss Alma remembered the primary grades being taught there, and Miss Lydia recalled penmanship classes after-lunch period, also conducted there.  The ground floor of the convent at the time contained the main classroom.  Of the Sisters from that period, Sisters Genevieve, Anthony, and Dennis came to mind, with Sister Raphael as Superior.

            After Father Van de Ven had been elevated to the Bishopric of Natchitoches, Sister Genevieve prevailed upon Miss Alma to write a letter of congratulations to him in the name of the Schindler family.  He answered, and during the course of the letter mentioned that Father Cramers was supposed to travel up to visit him, and wondered if she knew why he hadn’t come as yet.  That letter was thrown away several years ago when the sisters moved from the old family home into a smaller and more convenient house.

            Replacing Father Van de Ven was Father Hubert Cramers, who was destined to become a legend within his own lifetime.  Born September 3, 1875, in the Dutch town of Thorn, ordained in Louvain, Belgium on June 29, 1898, Father Cramers answered an appeal for volunteers to work in the Diocese of New Orleans while still pursuing his seminary studies.  Like his predecessor, Father Cramers was just twenty-seven when he came to Lake Charles, where he would labor as pastor for the next thirty-three years.  In later years, people would cite his overwhelming love and generosity towards people - the young, the poor, and the elderly; somehow, anyone needing a champion or assistance had his attention.  His very life remains an example to us of one who is open to God and His work here on earth.  He was generous to a fault (or to a virtue?).  Parishioners would give him a new overcoat or a pair of shoes to replace his own worn-out clothing - only to see him give them away to the first needy beggar to come to his door.  The practice of giving sandwiches from the rectory kitchen to the downtrodden began under Father Cramer’s pastorate and has continued to the present day.

            Upon entering the parish, he found within the two Catholic schools one hundred and ten girls enrolled at the academy and seventy-eight boys at the parochial school under the supervision of eight Marianites.

            Father Cramers’ first sizeable undertaking was the overseeing of the construction of the new academy on the corner of Ryan and Kirby Streets, to replace the obsolete chapel-turned-school building.  As the land apportioned for the academy was rather limited in breadth, the building was situated lengthwise; therefore, the part facing Ryan Street, with its beautiful bay window, was actually the side of the building.  The main entrance faced the side of the church.  It was two-storied, of brick exterior, with magnificent Gothic windows.  Notes from Monsignor Leo Gassler’s manuscripts gives this description of the new academy:  “The rooms are high, well ventilated and cheerful.  5 rooms are upstairs, 2 of which measure 45 by 27, 2 others 33 ½ by 18; and the center room 20 by 18.  Downstairs in the library and assembly room of the Children of Mary.  Also cloak room, recreation hall and stationery room are there.  The whole basement maybe converted into school-rooms without any danger of being subject to dampness.  $11,000 was spent on this building.” 

            Dedication ceremonies for the new St. Charles Academy were held on December 19, 1904, with Bishop Cornelius Van de Ven presiding.  After the Solemn High Mass was celebrated, the people walked in procession to the adjacent school for the laying of the cornerstone, at which time God’s special blessings for the school were invoked.  Following the dedication rites, a reception in honor of Bishop Van de Ven was held in the boys’ hall at which an elaborate program was presented.

            Mrs. Lucille Smithers, now deceased, recalled her days as a boarder at the downtown convent in an interview six years ago.  She noted their weekly outing was a Sunday afternoon stroll, walking two abreast, down to the Barbe home on Shell Beach Drive and back.  Two Sisters led the group and two walked at the end of the line - very prim, and very proper.  However, back within the confines of the girls’ dormitory, these “proper” young ladies were known to have had pillow fights on occasion, when the Sisters weren’t looking. 

            In July of 1909, Sister Mary of St. John Berchmans was named Superior at the Lake Charles House, replacing Sister Mary of St. Raphael, who had been appointed Mother Provincial of the Louisiana Province.

            April 23, 1910, started out like any other day.  The sawmills sounded their early morning whistles for this was a Saturday - a work day.  As the day quickened, many sounds wafted over the high-board fence that surrounded the sides and back of the church and school property:  people as they went about their business - with the accompanying creaking of wagons and buggies over the brick pavement, the Hazel’s intermittent whistles, the clanging of the trolley as it rounded the tracks on the corner of Ryan and Kirby Streets.  The air was dry and the wind was brisk. 

            Towards the middle of the afternoon, a trash fire at the rear of the William’s Opera House across the street got out of hand and brought about unprecedented heartache in Lake Charles.  The Opera house in its prime had attracted many celebrities.  At the turn of the century it had served the Academy and the parochial students as a fitting place to stage plays and receive honors at the end-of-the year ceremonies.  In its last years, however, it had been condemned and closed because of its dilapidated state.  Made mostly of heart pine lumber, it readily went up in flame as the trash fire spread.

            Three long blasts on the big whistle at the Service Ice Factory alerted the townspeople of the fire and its location, but by the time the wagons arrived, the fire, aided by high winds, had leapt across the street to Boudreaux’s Meat Market and then on to the adjacent church buildings.

            Apparently the church caught fire first, and flying embers from the roof flew over the parochial school and then, in rapid secession to the rectory, academy, and convent.

            In the face of imminent threat, Mother Berchmans, after deliberate consideration, gathered all deeds, records, and valuables and placed them in the hands of a trusted friend to be taken by buggy to an area of safety in the woods.  This proved futile as every thing was destroyed when that part of the woods was also ravaged by fire.

            Mother Berchmans was busily engaged in trying to save some of the household furnishings in the company of Sister Petronilla and Doctor John Martin, a loyal friend of the Marianite community.  When the heat from the burning courthouse became so intense, the convent windows cracked and splintered then caught fire.  They barely had time to leave.  The Sisters protected their faces with their veils and Dr. Martin threw his coat over his head.

            Pathetic tales survived this tragedy.  One story concerned a Sister, dazed from shock, who had carried a Ciborium for hours.  When she finally found Father Cramers, he assured her that her loving concern for the Blessed Sacrament was commendable, but that at the first sign of real danger, he had hastened to the Tabernacles and consumed the consecrated Hosts. 

            In addition to Mother Berchmans and Sister Petronilla, there were four other Sisters who experienced the fire:  Sisters Albert, Gertrude, Ursula and Edith.  They escaped with only the clothes they were wearing.

            An eyewitness, Miss Neal Gauthier, tells of viewing the holocaust:  after hearing the three blasts from the ice factory, she went to the corner of Ryan and Peake Streets and watched until the heat became too intense.  She said it was most devastating to watch the flames arching out and over on both sides of Ryan Street forming a black tunnel down the center.  The noise from the burning buildings as they fell was terrifying, and this continued for several hours.

            Misses Lydia and Alma Schindler remembered the Great Fire very well.  Their home at 518 Pujo was spared, but family members remained ever vigilante in the yard in case the flying embers reached it. The sisters had an uncle who was very ill within the house and an ambulance stood by in case he had to be moved.  They remembered it as a time of great stress.  Their back fence burned down, but they considered themselves very fortunate in having so little damage

            A number of people made heroic efforts to save church and school buildings, their contents and records, but it was almost all in vain.  All marriage records performed by priests of the Immaculate Conception parish up to the time of the fire were lost.  In the case of Baptismal records, the files were partially reconstituted at a later date using individuals’ Baptismal records as references.

            By six o’clock on that fateful day, one of the most beautiful and vital parts of Lake Charles lay in smoldering ruin:  the Court House, City Hall, all Catholic church properties, some of the first business buildings and many homes.  In all, a loss of one hundred and nine buildings, sixty-five of these residences were recorded.  This covered an area of seven city blocks that roughly included the area between Ryan and Common, and Pujo and Clarence Streets. 

            St. Patrick’s Sanitarium opened its doors that first night to Father Cramers, the Assistant Father Espitallier, and Sisters and boarders, and they remained there for several nights thereafter.  In like manner, others who had been spared opened their hearts to the less fortunate. 

            Amidst the odor and desolation of ashes, the morning after the fire Mass was celebrated in an unused skating rink located at the southeast corner of Bilbo and Pujo Streets.  The taste of ashes is bitter, indeed, but on significant factor remains:  not one life was lost in the Great Fire of 1910. 

ST. HENRY’S CONVENT

(JENNINGS):  1904 -1916

By Hilda Bayhi

            St. Henry’s Convent of Jennings, Louisiana, was a school conducted by the Marianites of the Holy Cross - a religious teaching order from the Mother House in New Orleans.  It was inspired by Father Joseph Peeters, pastor of Our Lady Help of Christian Parish since 1892, who saw the need for Catholic education among the children that the institution was opened on August 31, 1904, and destined to continue for a period of twelve years.

            The convent property was located on the northeast corner of Cutting Avenue at Third, and occupied about two-thirds of the block.  The two-story building was a combined school and chapel, with the school on the first floor and the chapel on the second.  The structure, a large, square-shaped building painted in a pale-blue color, was fronted by a wide porch with large white columns that reached to the top of the second floor.  Steps extended across the length of the porch.  There was a concrete walk that ran from the steps to the sidewalk paralleling the street.  The home of the nuns was at the northern edge of the property.  Between the convent and the home was a playground enclosed by a high wooden fence for the girls.  The boys’ playground was on the northeast corner of the block at the rear of the building. 

            Behind the convent was a bell tower connected by a boardwalk.  The lower part of the tower was boxed in and used for storage and to shelter Father Peeter’s beautiful dog.  The upper part of the tower resembled a scaffold.  The bell rope was tied to a cross support on the tower and out of reach of the pupils.

            The first floor of the convent had four large rooms, three of which were used as classrooms and the fourth as a dormitory for the boarding girls.  The classroom on the north side of the hall was used for the primary grades taught by Sister Anathasia.  The next door on the same side of the hall led to the dormitory.  Just behind this door were the wide stairs leading to the upstairs chapel.  Under the stairs was a cloakroom and a space for storage. 

            On the south side of the hall at the southwest corner was the classroom for the middle grades.  This was Sister Brenden’s room.  On the same side of the hall nearest to the front door was the classroom for the upper grades taught by Sister Denis.  The number of grades taught varied from year to year depending upon the progress of the pupils and the general enrollment.  All the classrooms had double desks.  The tops of the desks were hinged and could be lifted to get instructional material as the need arose.  When the lid was lifted, the teacher at the desk could not see the child behind it.  Blackboards surrounded the three walls of the room, with the fourth wall  pierced by windows.  The children were separated.  Girls sat in rows nearest to the blackboards, while the boys sat on the window side.  Between them was a wide space that formed an aisle.  The teacher’s desk and and chair were on a raised platform in the corner of the room reached by climbing three stairs.  On the floor level was a chart stand for teaching purposes. 

            Each grade recited lessons in groups at the foot of the teacher’s platform.  While this was going on, the other children were kept busy with seat work awaiting their turn to recite.  Sister tapped a bell for attention, to correct disobedient pupils, and to change one group to another.  It would seem that he had her hands full trying to keep an eye on everyone while at the same time listing to the reciting group.  All of the classrooms had the same physical arrangement, and the classes were all taught the same way.

            The dormitory was outfitted to care for two nuns and thirty resident pupils.  In addition to a single bed, each pupil had a washstand with a bowl and pitcher.  Each pupil brought her own bed linens, blankets, towels, and other personal effects.  In addition, she had her own plate, cup, saucer, glass, eating utensils, napkin ring, napkin, etc. for the refectory.  The sleeping quarters for the nuns in the dormitory were curtained off from the girls’ area.  Usually on weekends the dormitory was deserted; the pupils had gone home.

            Discipline was always very strict.  A case in point was the story of the two altar boys who peeked in the windows of the girls’ dormitory.  The Sisters heard of the escapade, and in time learned the names of the culprits.  The next morning when the altar boys came downstairs from the chapel, the two Sisters were waiting at the foot of the stairs with stout sticks in hand and effectively used them on the boys’ shins.  This ended the “Peeping Tom” episode.  Pupils were generally well behaved.  They knew that any breach of good conduct would be severely punished. 

            The chapel upstairs included the whole second floor.  For many years it had served as the parish church.  The altar section occupied the north side of the room with the pews facing the altar.  The hand-pumped organ was the center of the south wall.

            The altar was of wood and handmade.  When the new church was built, this altar was moved to the structure and used there for many years.  It wasn’t replaced until the Ladies’ Altar Society was able to raise enough funds to have a specially-made marble altar in France.  All of the statues that were then in the chapel are now in the new church. 

            Pews were arranged in five rows facing the altar.  Two Masses were celebrated on Sundays:  at 7:00 and at 9:00 o’clock in the morning.  On every third Sunday no Mass was held.  This Sunday was reserved for the celebration of the Mass at Lake Arthur and Hathaway which were within the parish.  In these early days, pews were auctioned off once a year to the highest bidder for use in the year following.  This was usually done on a Sunday in the spring after a High Mass.  Two families could bid for the same pew and then make arrangements to see what family would use the same pew at a given Mass.  Sometimes a family with children shared the same pew with a childless couple or one with a small family.  This arrangement worked, as there was always enough room for all at the same Mass.

            The pews to the south of the stairs were reserved for the black members of the congregation.  This section was always filled at Mass.  These parishioners always did more than their share toward the support of the chapel. They contributed of their time and effort at every benefit given for the building and upkeep of the new church. 

            After the new church was built, the blacks still had their reserved section.  This arrangement continued until a church was built for them south of the railroad track.

            The home for the nuns was on the northern boundary of the convent property facing Cutting Avenue.  A walk connected the front steps with the street sidewalk, and though covered with grass and hardly discernible, can still be seen.  A raised board walk connected the latticed side porch with the nearest class room.  On this porch was a water pump and a drinking cup to provide drinking water for the nuns.  Midway between the porch and the school was another one for the pupils. 

            The lower floor of this story structure had one or more living rooms where music lessons were given.  There was also a large dining room called a refectory, a kitchen, and a side porch.  The upstairs had several rooms.  One of these was used to board boys.   Another was used as sleeping quarters for the nuns.  Except for the two nuns who supervised the girls’ dormitory, the rest of them lived her.  Sister Benigna did the general housework and the cooking for the nuns. 

            The dining room table was large enough to seat twelve boarders (girls and boys dined together), six of each with a nun at each end.  The table was equipped with a drawer at each place setting.  This drawer held a plate, a glass, a cup and saucer, a knife, fork, and spoon to be used by the person sitting at that place.  When the pupils came to the table, they took out all the eating equipment and set their places.  Invariably, grace was said before meals and the blessing after.  Table manners were observed at each meal.  Food was passed around to each pupil.  After the blessing, a housekeeper brought in a dishpan filled with hot, soapy water; a washcloth, and a drying cloth.  Each pupil washed and dried his plate and utensils and placed them neatly in place in the drawer for the next meal.  No one left the table until all of this was done. 

            Music was an important part of the school curricula.  There were two pianos in the wide hallway downstairs in the convent building.  Sister Rosalie was the first teacher to give lessons.  Solos and duets were practiced each day so that the pupils could exhibit their skills at the annual concerts.  At a later time, piano lessons were taught in the front rooms of the nuns’ home.

            Sister Marceline succeeded Sister Rosalie as piano teacher.  It was she who organized a string orchestra.   This orchestra included four violins, four mandolins and guitars, and other instruments.  The size of the orchestra depended on the number of pupils taking lessons.  The orchestra had a small ensemble which played for enjoyment, but ware sometimes called upon to provide music at civic and other meetings. 

            The teaching methods used by the Sisters were evidently good judged by the lasting interest in music that they had instilled in their pupils.  Several continued playing long after their school days.  Regina Simon and Pauline Massart were church organists for many years; and Beatrice Bourgeois played the piano at a movie theater in Jennings for a long time prior to the advent of “talking pictures.”  Several earned their livelihood by becoming music teachers. 

            As mentioned earlier, the girls used the playground between the convent and the nuns’ home.  The usual games played were hopscotch with several variations, jump rope with several trick-jumping stunts; pump, pump, pull away; and ring around the rosy.  The older girls had a baseball and basketball team which they played in season.  These games were played for recreation and enjoyment, since competitive sports for girls were then unknown in the educational system.  Claudia Lee Hebert remembers that the nuns on the way to their quarters often stopped and turned the jump rope for the smaller children.  This was quite a thrill for the girls. 

            An extracurricular activity still remembered by some of the pupils was the annual exhibition held in the Opera House at the corner of Main and Railroad Avenue.  Evelyn, a sister, and this writer were in one of these exhibitions.  Two lines of primary-school girls wearing white dresses, white shoes, and white stockings, and carrying a man-size white handkerchief strolled on the stage from the wings, using a step-slide-step to the center of the stage.  When the pianist played a certain chord, all the children sneezed “ah choo” in their handkerchiefs.  This was the act, but it was very exciting to be in a program on the stage before an audience.  All the exhibitions given by the nuns were based on music and motion with variations from time to time.

            To get the pupils from the convent to the auditorium where the practice sessions were held in anticipation of the “big day” at the Opera House, the nuns lined up the pupils and marched them in single file through town to the practice place.  Since all of the sidewalks in Jennings at that time were made of wooden boards, it was necessary for the pupils to watch their steps.  A broken board or one missing could cause injury.  What a time the good Sisters must have had to keep everyone together and to avoid getting hit by a loose board that came up if one walked too far on the edge!

            May 12, 1912, was an eventful day.  All the pupils assembled for the pleasant duty of congratulating Father Peeters on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood.  Owing to a recent heavy rain which made traveling impossible, His Excellency, Archbishop James Hubert Blenk and a number of invited clergymen were unable to be with their fellow priests for this day.  The month following, June 19, graduation honors were conferred on three young ladies:  Agnes Laurence, Annie Laurence, and Regina Simon. 

            The year that followed saw the continued falling off of the enrollment.  The last graduation exercise was held on June 25, 1913.  Graduation honors were conferred on Beatrice Bourgeois, Irma Jeanke, and Florence van Gundy. 

            Several years later, on February 29, 1916, the beautiful new church, now completed, was blessed with solemn ceremonies.  At the same time, the title of Honorary Cannon of the Cathedral of New Orleans was conferred on the worthy pastor, Reverend Peeters, who had done so much to help educate the young boys and girls in Jennings and the area served by his ministry.  Clergy and laity came from far and near to attend the double ceremony and to congratulate most sincerely their beloved “Pere Peet.”  Both ceremonies were presided over by Archbishop Blenk.

            Now financially unable to continue, the school building was put up for sale in 1915, and finally sold for $750 in 1928.  In the following year, the land on which the school stood was sold for $2,000. 

            At the end of the school year, 1915-16, the Marianites wrote “finis” to their twelve years they had given to Catholic education in Jennings, and withdrew to their Mother House in New Orleans.

SACRED HEART SCHOOL
(LAKE CHARLES)
By Gloria P. Ambrose and Bernadine B. Proctor

            Traditionally, Catholic parishes begin with the focus on building a church first, then a school.  With Sacred Heart Parish, it was the other was around.

            The only Catholic Church in Lake Charles in the early 1900s was the Immaculate Conception Church, which was quite some distance from the black community.  It had become standard  practice for the black Catholics of the area to meet in groups on Sunday mornings for the “walk to town” to attend Mass.

            There were special bonds among these people having to do not only with their race and religion, but also with the fact that many were strangers from “down east” (Louisiana), and had migrated to Lake Charles at about the same time.  On these walks, it was customary for adults to group together, while the children skipped and frolicked behind.  Adult conversation usually centered around common problems and concerns.

            Occasionally these talks brought up the question of education for their children - an advantage that they had not had.  Maybe they could solve the problem.  But how?

            On one of these Sunday mornings, the men of the group decided that it was time to stop talking and to do something about the problem.  Since they were powerless, maybe the pastor of the immaculate Conception Church - Father Hubert Cramers - would be able to give them direction.  They would approach him after Mass. It was decided that Louis Adams would do the talking, since he was a businessman and a natural leader.  Gilbert Rochon would back him up, while the others lent moral support.  Among these interested men were William Greene, Paul Lewis, Jack Martin, Frank Perry, J. A. Porche, Onezein Geyen, John Moore, James Olivier, and Felix Henry.

            Father Cramers was very kind and considerate.  He would have occasion to be in Lafayette in a few days, he said, and would speak of this to the Reverend W. J. Teurlings, pastor of St. John’s Church.

            There followed consultations with the Holy Family Sisters, who had no nuns available at the time.  A recommendation was made, however, that Miss Eleanor Figaro, a recent graduate from St. Paul High School in Lafayette, could teach regular academic subjects as well as instruct the children in Catholic doctrine.  It was hoped that this might attract more black communicants which, in time, would justify a resident priest.

            Miss Figaro arrived in 1908, to begin her teaching career.  On her first day in Lake Charles she was entertained at a party in the home of Louis Adams on Haskell Street where it had been arranged that she live.  There were twenty-five guests at the party, and all did their best to make the young teacher feel at home.

            At Green’s Hall on Boulevard the next day, eighteen pupils enrolled in the first private school for Negroes in Lake Charles.  Among the pupils were Eula Hebert and Irene Rochon who were later to become charter members of the Mothers' Club.

        On October 1908, the school board was organized. The members were: Felix Henry, Louis Adams, Onezein Geyen, Gilbert Rochon, Delmar Hebert, John Moore, Columbus Henry, James Olivier, Paul Lewis, and William Greene. 

            The monthly rental for the hall was ten dollars, and the teacher's salary twenty dollars.   In order to fund these expenses, concerts were given.  For the first six years, Miss Figaro didn’t receive a penny.  She supported herself during this time by giving music lessons. For warmth during the winter, she dug out an old discarded stove from the trash pile.  One cold day when heat was badly needed, the bottom fell out.  Six children were enrolled in her First Holy Communion Class in the first year. This number increased every year thereafter.

            In 1910, property at the corner of Louisiana Avenue and Pine Street was purchased.  Men of the walks-to-town group were among the volunteers who erected a building that was eventually nicknamed “the little red school.”  Classes were now moved from Green’s Hall to the new school. 

            At about this time, Louis Adams, at whose home Miss Figaro boarded, moved to New Orleans.  The young teacher moved in at the home of the Lewises on the corner of Pine and Haskell Streets.  Later, she boarded with the Ryans at 717 Louisiana Avenue.  Miss Mary Ryan was recruited to help with the growing school population. 

            On August 6, 1918, came the devastating storm that did great damage to Lake Charles.  But, perhaps the worst misfortune was to the young teacher.  The school building was blown down.  Gone for the moment were the wonderful dreams of that little red school which one day would be replaced by a high school with hundreds of pupils. 

            Miss Figaro was not discouraged; however, with the assistance of Miss Ryan, present teacher of the third grade at Scared Heart School, she calmly moved the school back to Green’s Hall.

            There the school remained for a year.  In September 1919, it was moved to the Ryan’s home.  By the latter part of October 1919, the little red school had been repaired and Miss Figaro moved her small, but rapidly increasing flock, there.

            Father Anthony Hackett was named pastor to the black Catholics in August 1919.  For two years, he celebrated Christmas in the little red school.  For the first Christmas, the crib was made of greenery secured from the woods, and the Infant Jesus was only a picture.  Although crude, it represented the faith of the people and their willingness to follow the King of Kings.  It was very cold in the unfinished buildings; so cold that Father Hackett could scarcely pick the Sacred Host from the chalice.  The people were trembling with cold that made their hands nearly useless.

            For a year after his arrival, Father Hackett lived with Father Cramers.  In 1920, property was purchased on Mill and Louisiana Avenue to build a rectory.  It was a crude affair with no conveniences, but it meant so very much to the small parish.  The linens and other furnishings cost $165.00.  These were bought on credit by Miss Figaro.  The bed clothing was donated by the Altar Society of the Immaculate Conception Church.

            The month of May 1922, brought another step toward success.   Father Hackett had secured the services of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament to take charge of the school.  Mother Katherine Drexel, a great patroness to the Church, financed the building of a convent, and three Sisters were sent to help with the school.  These three nuns - Mother M. Amadeus, Sister M. Winifred, and Sister M. Cyprian - occupied the new quarters.  Mother Katherine had also helped with the addition of a second story to the new church building, and this provided four classrooms into which the school operations were transferred from the little red school house.  The enrollment had now increased to over two hundred pupils.  Teaching assignments were:  Mother M. Amadeus, principal, taught the sixth and seventh grades; Sister M. Cyprian, the fourth and fifth grades; Miss Mary Ryan, the second and third grades; and Miss Figaro, the first grade and primer.  The new principal had begun by testing all of the pupils and assigning grade levels according to the test results.  On May 29, 1923, the first graduation exercise had three graduates:  David Moless, Theodore Rochon, and Naomi Porche.

            The little red school, now vacant, was renovated to be used as a social hall.  However, after two years, the growing school enrollment made it necessary to transfer the primer and first grade classes to the original school. 

            In 1923, first-year high school was added, and the three grammar school graduates returned to Sacred Heart.  Miss Mary Rochon (now Mrs. Morrison) was appointed to teach the third and forth grades.  This brought the teaching staff to three nuns and three lay teachers.

            The school year 1924-25, brought another generous donation from Mother Katherine for renovation of the little red school building.  Second and third year high grades were added.  The term ended with closing exercises held for the first time at the Palace Theater on Enterprise Boulevard.  Althemus (Tom) Porche and Eleanor Geyen were the graduates; however, they returned to Sacred Heart the following year when the eleventh grade was added.  The school enrollment rose to three hundred. 

            In August 1925, Mother Amadeus was transferred to Brooklyn, New York, and mother Camilla was appointed the new Superior.  In the same year, Sister Gabriella arrived to help with the teaching. 

            The teaching staff was then composed of Mother Camilla, Sister Cyprian, Sister Gabriella, Mary Rochon, Mary Ryan, and Eleanor Figaro.

            The first high school graduation took place in 1927.  The following students were members of this class:  Joseph A. Porche, Anita Esclavon, and Eleanor Geyen.

            That summer, Miss Ryan, Miss Figaro, and Miss Rochon attended summer school at Southern University in Baton Rouge.  In the fall semester, teacher-training was offered in the eleventh grade as part of the curriculum.  Teachers now had the advantage of attending classes three times a week given by Sisters of Xavier University.  From this humble beginning, the Normal School and the Saturday Extension Course of Xavier University came into existence. 

            The Normal School for teacher-training was established as a separate department in 1929, offering first-year college credit.

            In 1928, Daietta Perez, Helen Guidry, and Eleanora Geyen, graduates of Sacred Heart in the June commencement were added to the teaching staff.  In 1929, after seven yeas of faithful service to the school, Sister M. Cyprian was transferred to St. Edwards in New Iberia.  The same year, Sister M. Guadeloupe and Sister M. Dominica came to Sacred Heart, now making a total of four Sisters teaching in the school.  That summer many of the teachers attended Xavier.

            Father Hackett was transferred to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in November 1929.  His departure was greeted with much sadness.  However, no one hated it more than he did.  He was succeeded by Father Charles J. Hannigan as pastor.

            The same year saw the school advance a step further.  The teacher-training program was transferred from the eleventh grade to the first year of normal work carrying college credit.  Natrice Vital was the only regular student in the first year, but lay teachers had an opportunity of taking college biology with her.  A teacher from the Second Ward was also a biology student. 

            In 1931, Mother Camilla was transferred to Corpus Christi Convent in New Orleans. (Corpus Christi was the largest Catholic Negro School in the world.  At that time, it had an enrollment of 1,500.)  Sister M. Gabriella became the next Mother Superior.  In the same year, Sister M. Barnabas came to Lake Charles as a member of the staff.

            In the next year, a Saturday Extension service of Xavier University made it possible for teachers to earn second-year college credits.  The first class consisted of thirty-two students, twenty of whom were regular normal students.

            In 1933, Sacred Heart School conducted its first Summer Extension.  It is interesting to note that Miss Figaro was the leader in this endeavor.  When Reverend Mother Katherine Agatha visited the school in 1931, Miss Figaro appealed to her for such a service for Sacred Heart.  She explained that it was easier to have instructors come to Lake Charles than to have students attend the institution in New Orleans. If such an arrangement could be worked out, she promised an enrollment of fifty students.  As it turned out, there were seventy-five who enrolled.  Miss Figaro’s services to the school were all done without thought of public acclaim.  She modestly remained behind the scenes of action.

            Mother Katherine’s generosity again fulfilled a need.  She provided the financial help in building a Domestic Science building for Sacred Heart.  This structure was used as a Science Room on the first floor, and a Sewing Room on the second floor.  Both departments were well equipped for the services that they were to perform.  At about the same time, a large plot of ground adjoining the present site of the rectory was purchased as a playground for the children.  Later, in the 1950’s, the Science Building was moved to the rear of the convent.  This gave the Sisters more living space. 

            Xavier Center, now offering regular courses in addition to education, was forced to discontinue in 1941 for lack of classroom space.  This had been a problem for some time as enrollment continued to grow beyond the ability of the school to handle it.   During the formative years, the school never once sacrificed quality education for the sake of a large enrollment.  On a number of occasions, parents were forced to meet with disappointment when classroom capacity had been reached. 

            It is of interest to note that the 1933-34 session, Sacred Heart School was classified Grade A (first class), with a score of 955 out of a possible score of 1,000 in competition with fifty-nine other State-approved schools.  This was clearly indicative of the high caliber of teachers and pupils at Sacred Heart School.  In 1940, the school was admitted to membership in the Southern Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges.

            The post-war years witnessed continued growth.  In 1949, a gymnasium was built which included a cafeteria and more high school classrooms.  Added to this was a library/home economics building located on newly-purchased property.  And in 1952, a Manual Arts Shop was constructed.  This sparked a new interest among male students who developed new skills and discovered latent abilities that they were unaware of possessing.

            In April 1953, Sacred Heart School mourned the passing of its founder, Miss Eleanor Figaro.  The entire student body acknowledged their loss as they solemnly paid her a last tribute.  She had lived to see her dream fulfilled in the growth of her one-room school to a modern educational plant capable of providing the best education for the children of Sacred Heart Parish and the larger area.

            New facilities came in 1956.  A new Library/Home Economics building was dedicated in February of that year.  The girls now had adequate facilities to train them as homemakers.  The building is located directly south of the gymnasium on Division Street.

            Eight years later, in 1964, another modification was made.  The “Science Building” was detached from the convent, the upper story demolished, and the remaining part of the structure moved by trailer truck to add to the chapel at Prien Lake.  The Convent was then permanently enlarged and renovated. 

            During the 1960’s, Lake Charles, like the rest of the nation, was going through educational changes.  Because of the Supreme Court decision banning segregation, Church authorities advised that the high school division of Sacred Heart be discontinued and the students encouraged to attend St. Louis High School. In response, Sacred Heart School in 1967 held its last high-school graduation exercise.  Only the elementary school now remained and pupils of different races and creeds were now welcomed.

            In 1973, a new use was found for the little red school.  It became a home for an early-childhood center.  The center was dedicated to and named the “Eleanor Figaro Early-Childhood Center” in 1978 in memory of that outstandingly courageous woman who had a dream of a complete school at Sacred Heart.

            The black people of Lake Charles for the most part have a deep and abiding faith in God.  They will sacrifice as much as necessary to see that their children receive the greatest possible share of the unique heritage which is theirs.  Hence, attendance at a Catholic school is a priority for all those who can possibly afford to provide this valued treasure for their children.

            The contribution of Sacred Heart School to the community since it inception in 1908 is immeasurable.  Everyone can be justly proud of the young men and women who have passed through its portals, trained to take their places in the civic, professional, religious, and social life of the world. 

            The Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament have contributed much to the spirit of the Sacred Heart.  Their daily life reflects their loyalty and magnanimity.  These dedicated religious have teamed up with lay teachers and priests to teach youth to seek, to find, to recognize and to possess truth.  We salute and thank them. 

            The Holy Ghost Fathers have served the parish well since they came to Lake Charles in 1919.   The immense debt of gratitude owed to them over the years cannot be expressed adequately, let alone returned in full.

ST. CHARLES ACADEMY IN THE NEW ERA: PART II

By Elaine B. Bodin

            Cleanup operations began immediately after the “Great Fire,” and a relief fund was started by some of the more affluent citizens of the community.  The City Council, just fifteen days after the disaster, met at the Majestic Hotel and issued a new fire ordinance.

            Because of the significance of being wiped out materially, the fire stands as a turning point in the history of Immaculate Conception Parish.  At this point, a committee was immediately formed to begin the awesome task of planning and rehabilitation.

            A Chronicles notation on April 25, 1910, reported that a committee had been appointed to secure quarters for the Sisters, and had expeditiously performed it work.  District Clerk James W. Gardiner, an alumnus of St. Charles Boys’ School, offered the use of his property (described as the handsome Elstner residence) on Pujo Street as a temporary convent.  This hospitality was gratefully accepted by the Sisters.  School reopened on Monday, May 2, 1910. 

            The parish erected a large barracks-type building on Iris Street where the KC-Chancery building now stands, to be used as a temporary church on Sundays and a boys’ school on weekdays.  On Monday mornings, the boys placed the pews against the walls, moved the desks into place, rolled down the heavy canvas partitions and four classrooms were thus improvised.  The altar and some of the pews at the far end of the building were retained in place for a day chapel.  On Friday afternoons, the canvas draperies were rolled up to the ceiling, the desks stacked against the walls, the pews reassembled, and the building was thus prepared for Sunday Masses.

            The Sisters moved into the old Fournet home on the southeast corner of Gill and Ryan Streets, and this rented building served them as convent and academy until December 1914.  The Judge Fournet home was a massive wooden structure with a large yard and a cistern behind the house.  The entire second floor was devoted to dormitories - on one side of the long central hall were the Sisters’ quarters and on the other, the boarders’ space.  The first floor was used for classrooms, music room, refectory, kitchen, and small office.

            Miss Gauthier remembered visiting the boarders after school at the Gill Street academy.  She described the beautiful stairway and balustrade connecting the first and second floors.  Bannister-sliding was forbidden, which seemed to bring forth the most daring of the youngsters.  To negotiate the rail in its entirety usually resulted in knocking over the newel post ornament and bringing down wrath upon the culprit.  It was generally conceded the “Mother Raphael ran a taut ship.”

            A treasured memory of boarding days at the convent was the custom of four o’clock gouter, at which time slices of French bread saturated with cane syrup were served.

            About a year after the fire, Father Cramers called a meeting of Immaculate Conception Parish for the purpose of increasing badly needed revenues.  It was suggested that, in place of pew rent, perhaps yearly subscriptions for church support would be more advantageous.  By this time, a concerted effort for collecting funds towards the building of the new church was in progress.  A letter dated March 17, 1912, reported that the pastor had asked Favrot and Livaudais of New Orleans to draw up plans and specifications according to the sketch submitted the previous fall. By September of that same year, the plans for the new church and rectory were an accomplished fact.  After they were accepted, a contract was signed December 17, 1912, with Reinhart and Donovan and work began January 8, 1913.

            Checking on the construction of the church became practically a ritual with the parishioners.  Every Sunday afternoon after Benediction at the temporary church, everyone walked over to the site of the emerging edifice to see what progress had been made during the previous week.

            With the rectory already built, and the church progressing nicely, attention was turned to the building of the new academy.  A building fund had been started by the Marianite Order almost immediately after the fire.  However, two years after the fire, construction of an academy was still only in the discussion stage.  Mother Raphael took the initiative and wrote a direct plea to Archbishop Blenk for permission to rebuild.  She pointed out that funds were available as a result of the generosity of influential friends. 

            Father Leo Gassler, Vicar General for Religious Orders, arrived in Lake Charles in October of 1913.  A meeting of those people interested in the rebuilding of the academy was called.

            A meeting several months later with Archbishop Blenk, the architect Livaudais, Mother Raphael and an impressive group of townspeople discussed plans and financial ways and means for the erection of a new convent and academy.  On April 28, 1914, the contract was signed and ground-breaking took place on May 4^th. 

            The May 1, 1914, edition of the Lake Charles Weekly American Press offers this information: 

            Another fine building was assured Lake Charles last evening when Sister Raphael, for the Sisters Marianites of the Holy Cross, signed the formal contract with J. A. Petty, of New Orleans for the erection of the new convent and school of the order on South Ryan Street at its junction with Miller Avenue.

            The cost of the building when completed will be approximately $40,000.  While the price had been agreed upon for some weeks, certain changes necessary in the plans delayed the formal signing of the contract.

            Under the terms of the contract, the building is to be completed on December 14, but the contractor gives the sisters the option of occupying any completed portion of the building when it is in shape for occupancy.  Under favorable conditions this will give the sisters an opportunity to open the fall term of school in the new building. 

            The site of the new convent and school, one of the most beautiful in the city, was purchased by the sisters from the Perkins Estate several years ago for $6,000.  It affords plenty of room for the building and future enlargements and extensions and ample playgrounds for the pupils.

            The new building itself will be thoroughly creditable and in keeping with its surrounding.  It will be of brick, fireproof; with two stories and a basement, steam heated and electric lighted.  A large auditorium for the giving of school entertainments will be among its conveniences and besides ample accommodations for day pupils it will be able to care for 50 boarding pupils.

            Everything about the building will be in keeping with modern ideas of school construction, and it is so arranged that additions can be built as needed with no inconvenience and a minimum of expense.

            More than ordinary interest is felt in Lake Charles in the rebuilding of Holy Cross Sister convent schools and much gratification will be felt over the successful outcome of their labors.

            From the blueprints, the original layout of the Academy revealed a building constructed in a modified shaped horseshoe.  There were five entrances.  The first level contained boiler rooms, rest rooms and great open spaces that would provide the children a place to play in inclement weather.  Some partitioned sections were unfinished and actually had dirt floors.  There were vent holes in the brick walls of the basement area. The second level boasted five large classrooms, a cloakroom, three music rooms, a study hall, an art room, a spacious vestibule, a parlor and an office for the Superior.  The north wing contained the boarders’ refectory, a community room, the Sisters’ refectory, a kitchen, pantry, laundry and storage area. 

            The third level revealed an auditorium fifty-four feet by seventy-two feet (the whole western wing), plus boarders’ dormitories - one huge room and a smaller one, each with rows of lavatories incorporated into the dorms themselves, and baths.   There were two private bedrooms, the Sisters’ dormitory and baths, the infirmary, plus the heart of the building, the chapel.  All corridors and stairwells were the same as in later years, but the building would undergo many interior changes over its sixty-year life span.

            Dedication of the Academy was held on June 10, 1915, at eight o’clock in the morning, with Father Cramers officiating, followed by a Solemn High Mass.  Commencement exercises were held in conjunction with the dedication rites.  By that time, Sister Mary Justin had become the new Superior of St. Charles, replacing Sister Mary Raphael.

            The Big Storm of August 6, 1918, brought more heartache to Southwest Louisiana.  On that Tuesday afternoon in Lake Charles, at least six persons died and many were injured.  Although much property damage was caused, the church and academy withstood the 135 mph winds, sustaining only minor damage.  The boys’ school on Iris Street was leveled.  With the opening of school just several weeks away, the parish was faced with problems.  The situation was met by placing the boys in the academy basement - in the part with the earthen floor!   In the years that followed, even until after Landry Memorial School became a reality, the academy was coeducational and accepted boys through high school, graduating its last male students in 1929.  Doctor Malcolm Leveque, recalling his days at the academy, said that the boys sat on one side of the classroom, and the girls on the other side. 

            On April 11, 1925, the State Department of Education informed the principal, Sister Mary Seraphia, that St. Charles Academy was an approved secondary private institution with the same rank as State-approved four-year public high schools. 

            The St. Charles Parent-Teachers Association was officially organized in 1925, and was an outgrowth of the Mothers’ Club which originated in 1917.  Over the years, the Mothers’ Club sponsored many little projects to relieve some monetary need.  The mothers would make delectable food items - candy, popcorn balls, ice cream, candied apples, ham and chicken salad sandwiches and pigs-in-a-blanket to sell.  The unique recipe for the latter was brought to light by Mrs. Homer White, who noted that it had originated with Mrs. Columbus Moss, now deceased.  To make pigs-in-a-blanket:  start with regular biscuit dough,  of which tomato juice is substituted in place of milk or water, roll dough out very thin, and cut a rectangle 2 ½” by 5 ½” for each wiener used.  Spread a mixture consisting of one part butter and one part mustard over dough; encase raw wieners in dough and “pinch” closed at the seams; bake at 350 degrees until done. 

            The young people growing up in the 1920s remember the annual picnics that Father Cramers sponsored.  Most people had assumed that November 4th was his Feast Day, but an enterprising parishioner later looked up the date and discovered it was the Feast of St. Charles Borromeo, the Patron of the Academy!  It was recalled that it never rained on the day of the picnic.  Initially, the outings were held at Walnut Grove where the present-day Port of Lake Charles is located.  Later, it was held at Prien Lake at the Boy Scout camp.  There were games, and food, and fun; and Father had the children gather great branches of colorful fall leaves to be later placed on the church altars.  While everyone furnished his own lunch, Father Cramers provided crates of fresh fruit, cold drinks, and candy.  If anyone was unfortunate enough to miss one of these events, Father Cramers would seek out that child the next day at school and give him or her a gift of fruit and candy - such was his love for the children.  

            Mrs. Zoë Barbe Lassman remembered her days as a boarding student at St. Charles Academy.  She said the boarders’ outing for the week was a ride in Father Cramer’s car.  She recalled blackberry picking on some of these outings.  The berries were prepared later for the boarders’ supper.  She cited Father Cramers’ kindness to the children, and said that they, in turn were “crazy about him.” 

            An event which directly affected St. Charles Academy was for opening of a J. A. Landry Memorial School on September 6, 1927.  Under the direction of the Christian Brothers, the school opened its doors to boys from the fourth through ninth grades that first year, and accepted boys through the eleventh grade by its second year of operation.

            A sister who taught in Lake Charles from 1928 to 1933, and who requested anonymity, recalled her days serving the Master in the Vineyard of St. Charles Academy.  She spoke lovingly of serving with Sisters Hyacinthe, Brendan, Ita, Petronilla, Simon, Magdalen de Pazzi, Catherine Moss, Hubert, Richard, Columkille, Aldegonde, Kieran, Principal Mother Adrian and others.  She recalled their work with the girls, the small boys and boarders - and the inspirational input of Fathers Cramers and Perrault that so enhanced their efforts with their charges. 

            Sister recalled the opening of Landry Memorial and the fact that 1928-29 was the last year for high school boys at SCA.  Among the retainers, she called to mind Dennis Ryan, Eddie Prudhomme, Gabe Nunez, Mickey Condon, Eddie Shaheen, and Haywood Miller.  She remembered the boys’ lively interest in the World Series and the fact that they were perfectly at ease among the thirty-plus young ladies of the Senior Class of 1929. 

            Improvements accomplished by Mother Adrian at St. Charles were many and varied.  The dirt floor of the basement was paved, thus affording accommodation for a science department, a music practice room and a recreation room.  Formerly, only the first and second grade classroom, assembly hall, and boarders’ dining room had utilized the ground floor.  This last section was later converted into the sisters’ kitchen and dining room to make space for a needed classroom.

            Sister said that among her first thirty-plus students, she could recall these girls:  Alma Leveque, Annie Schindler, Yvonne Hanks, Fay Malloy, Zita Gardemal, Gwen Taylor, Germaine Comeau, Babbette Gallagher, Margaret Bailey, Katherine Morgan, and Jeanette Broussard.

            Happy incidents brought to light by Sister included the first SCA tennis court (Sister enjoyed playing the game), May devotions, Prien Lake picnics, Easter Monday Calcasieu River boat rides to Thompson’s Camp, the plays and pageants produced by the school, Father Cramers’ outings in the old Ford, and the blue car, gift of the parish for his elevation to Canon.  Joyous happenings…spiritual renewals….all this and more came rushing back to claim attention.  Sister maintains that all the recollections are happy, and that the opportunity to review them was refreshing. 

            The celebration honoring the fiftieth anniversary of St. Charles Academy was held in conjunction with the closing of the school year in 1933.  The observance began with solemn High Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception.  Monsignor Cramers celebrated the Mass, Father W. Perrault served as deacon, Father W. Frantzen, subdeacon.  Bishop Jules Jeanmard presided, and Archbishop Drossaerts presented the Jubilee sermon in which he paid glowing tribute to the Sisters.  At the noon banquet for visiting clergy and religious, special tribute was given to invited quests, Mrs. Marie Gallagher and Mrs. Jerry O’Brien Powell, the two remaining persons who had served as welcoming committee to the Sisters as they arrived in Lake Charles in 1882.  Sister Mary Hilary, primary-first grade teacher at the academy in 1932-33, recalled the golden anniversary celebration.  She laughingly related her special contribution of “golden rose” mint cups - made of numerous hand-cut gold leaves fashioned around little white mint cups.  These were filled and used as “favors” at each banquet place setting.

            More than a thousand guests called during the open house which followed that afternoon at the academy.  The day was brought to a close with a graduation program of the seventh graders and of the high school in the academy auditorium that evening.  The allegory Faith, Hope and Love was presented by the seniors and other students portraying the history of the school during its fifty years of existence.

            Of those early years of St. Charles, historian Sister Mary Praxeda had this to say:  “The growth and maintenance of St. Charles Academy shall remain a perpetual tribute to the zeal of the priests, sisters and generosity of Lake Charles’ Catholics and non-Catholics.  To the able women who guided her destiny much credit is due.  Sisters Mary of St. Justin, Seraphia, Edith and Adrian have indeed been valiant women. Sisters Mary of St. Justin and Seraphia coped with great financial difficulties that burdened the new St. Charles, Sisters Mary of St. Edith and Adrian, the educational demands later.  It is due to the foresight and providential awareness of these capable Superiors, substantiated by the unflagging support of their sister companions, that St. Charles has doubled its spacious grounds.  Sister Adrian purchased a lot to the rear of the playgrounds; Sister Edith acquired the Perkins residence and gardens to the north of St. Charles.  Improvements, rearrangements and additions to the academy made by Sister Adrian gave at least eight additional rooms, making possible a more spacious library, an enlarged science room, a new club room for students and several additional classrooms.  Landscaping the grounds and equipping playgrounds were the work of Sister Edith, whereas beautification of the lovely St. Charles Chapel was the work of both Sisters.”

            Saturday, August 10, 1935, was a sad day for Immaculate Conception Parish.  Pastor for thirty-three years, beloved Monsignor Crammers died at age of sixty - a victim of cancer of the throat.  The loss of this priest, who came close to being all things to all men, overwhelmed the parishioners.  On August 13, the Solemn Requiem Pontifical Mass was offered, with Bishop Jeanmard as celebrant, assisted by a number of area priests.  Archbishop Drossaerts delivered the sermon, which dealt with the fruitful work of this holy man - his generosity, and love of all people.  Burial was in a specially prepared vault just outside the sanctuary in the main aisle of the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

            Monsignor John Vigliero replaced Monsignor Cramers on September 12, 1935, and would remain at Immaculate Conception five years.  Children attending St. Charles during that time recalled his warmth and kindness.  He liked to visit the school during morning recess.  As his car would turn into the schoolyard and “round the circle” the children converged upon him.  Forgotten were the games of hopscotch and Red Rover, the swings, see-saws and merry-go-round.  He responded to all of this exuberance in his typically pleasant, deliberate manner.

            Memories of that era, recall too, students lining up by the grades in the basement of the academy at the beginning of each school day.  The Morning Offering and pledge of allegiance to the flag were said as a patriotic anthem (“My Country ’tis of Thee” is best remembered) was sung by all present.

            Music was an integral part of the curriculum of St. Charles Academy. Monsignor Gassler assessed the position at the early part of the century by remarking on the high standards of the Marianite institution, and concluding that the music was unsurpassed.  It remained so through the years following with many musical-enrichment advantages offered: band, chorus, and the resultant concerts and stage productions.  Do you remember the May Festivals held on the back lawn of the academy those many years ago?  There was always a resident music teacher available for the purpose of private piano keyboard instruction.  Of those instructors Sisters Hyacinthe, Benedict, Catherine, Bartholomew and John come to mind. 

            In 1938, the Archdiocese of New Orleans conducted a contest for the words of a hymn to be used for the Eighth National Eucharistic Congress.  Sister Mary Norbert (O’Bryan), a Marianite and alumnae of St. Charles Academy, had the honor of winning with her composition Hosanna, Glory, Praise by Thine.

            February 23, 1940, marked the beginning of the longest stewardship of any pastor at Immaculate Conception to date.  Father Louis H. Boudreaux was destined to serve the church at Lake Charles for thirty-four years.  Born January 30, 1908, in Crowley, Louisiana, he entered the seminary at the age of thirteen and finished at St. Joseph’s College Seminary at sixteen.  He went to Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, then to the North American College in Rome to study Theology.  He finished at twenty-one, too young to be ordained into the priesthood with his class.  He went on to receive his Doctorate in Sacred Theology June 28, 1930, at the age of twenty-two.  While waiting for his ordination, he used this time to travel in France, Germany, and Switzerland.  Bishop Jules Jeanmard interceded for him and obtained a special dispensation to allow his ordination eighteen months before the required age of twenty-four.  He was probably the youngest priest in the world at the time. 

            By the time Father Boudreaux arrived in Lake Charles to take up his duties, he had already served at St. John’s Cathedral in Lafayette for five years, and then as Chancellor of the Diocese for another five years.  Always the patrician, this unusually gifted man was fluent in, or understood, a half dozen languages. 

            The new pastor found St. Charles Academy a flourishing institution.  There were twelve teaching Sisters at this point and the enrollment was approximately three hundred and fifty students.

            The Sodality of the Children of Mary and the Society of the Holy Angels, organized so long ago on December 8, 1885, continued to be a noteworthy endeavor.  A very active branch of the sodality, the Catholic Students’ Mission Crusade, was responsible for “ransoming” hundreds of pagan babies over a period of years. This quaint phraseology bespoke of the truly lofty missionary zeal of students spiritually adopting and financially helping underprivileged babies and young children in foreign countries.

            On April 13-14, 1948, the Sisters Marianites of Holy Cross paused to observe the Centennial of their service in Louisiana.  The order was founded in 1841 by the saintly Basil Anthony Mary Moreau in LeMans, France.  (At the present, his Cause has been advanced for Beautification.) In 1882, the time of their establishment in Lake Charles, the order was only forty-one years in existence.  Their whole history, like that of their founder, is a study of courage and perseverance for the Faith.  The Mother House remains in LeMans and the Louisiana Provincial House is in New Orleans.

            After serious appraisal of the educational system within the parish, Monsignor Boudreaux undertook the building of a parochial school in 1949.  The academy building was very over crowded.  A new parochial school, however, could provide educational services for grades one through eight for girls and one through four for boys, thus relieving the academy’s space problems.  Landry Memorial would continue to educate boys from grades five through twelve.  St. Charles would thereafter be a high school for girls only.

            Immaculate Conception School opened its doors to clergy parishioners and other well wishers on February 19, 1950, for a dedication ceremony and open house.  Bishop Jules B. Jeanmard of Lafayette officiated at the dedication rites and commended the three-storied building “to the honor and glory of God.”  The new building had been connected to the older academy building by a “bridge” at the second level.  The Sisters Marianites of Holy Cross were also named to staff the new school and were housed in the Sisters’ living quarters within the academy.  Sister M. Imelda was the first principal of ICS.

            On Sunday, November 3, 1957, the diamond jubilee of the Marianite Sisters in Lake Charles was celebrated, marking seventy-five years of formal Catholic education in Southwest Louisiana.  The observance opened with a Solemn High Mass at 11 a.m. in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.  Monsignor George A. Bodin, pastor of St. Margaret’s Parish, was the celebrant, and the jubilee sermon was given by Monsignor Boudreaux. 

            Following the Mass, the Sisters were guests at a luncheon held in the school gymnasium.  Serving as hostesses for the luncheon were members of the St. Charles Academy-Immaculate Conception School-Parent Teacher Association. 

            An open house, presided over by Sister M. Theresa, was held at the school that afternoon from 2:30-5:00 p.m. welcoming former students, graduates, and friends.

            Accompanying the jubilee celebration was the announcement that the St. Charles Alma Mater, dedicated to the late Sister Mary Philomena Tobin, had been registered with the Register of Copyrights, Washington, D. C. The song was written in 1951 during Sister’s last year at St. Charles Academy by senior students from her home room – the same group of six girls that had constituted her room since their freshmen days.  After Sister’s untimely death just one month after the 1951 graduation, it was only fitting that the group agreed to dedicate the song to their special friend.  Claire Monticello Elder composed the music and Frances Fournet Tennyson wrote the words.  Elizabeth Johnson Fontenot was also instrumental in securing the copyright. 

ST. CHARLES ACADEMY ALMA MATER
 

 As the years fade by, we gaze with pride
Upon our monument so rare,
Its statutes grand, its hallowed halls
Are memories we share.

Its torch enlightens our vocation,
Its symbol the sign of our land,
Its workers grand, with eternal zeal,
Lend us a helping hand.

Our cherished school, our Alma Mater,
Our dear old St. Charles High. 

            A new cafeteria was built for the schools in 1963 at a cost of $120,000.  Designed to serve both schools, it accommodated three hundred and fifty students at a time.  Open house was held on the afternoon of November 3, 1963, with the SCA-ICS Parent Teacher Association hostessing the event.   The Academy Chorus, directed by Jerry Crews, provided the entertainment.  Sister Mary Winifred was principal of both schools at the time, and Mrs. Rose Vincent had been named cafeteria supervisor. 

            The official school newspaper was the SCAT (St. Charles Academy Times).  A random view of editions from the 1960’s portrayed a remarkable student body.  The “name of the game” was winning, and they did that very well - in debate, athletics, chorus, speech tournaments, science and social studies fairs, and even boasted the first Girl’s State Governor from Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana.  In addition to the newspaper, they produced a yearbook called the Borromean.  They attended leadership meetings, held Home Ec. style shows, invited guest speakers to share ideas with them.  They inducted members into the National Honor Society, attended retreats, chapel services, and May crownings.  They presented Handel’s Messiah at Christmastime; concerts and operettas, plays and talent shows at other times.  They served on the Landry football court, sponsored beauty balls, celebrated Monsignor Boudreaux’s birthdays and always had the most beautiful float in the community Christmas parade.  They wrote poems and pondered life and God’s plan in it all.  It was a lovely, exhilarating tension of challenges offered and accepted.

            For one hundred and twenty-five years the original Marianite habit had remained unchanged:  fluted white bonnet with black veil, black floor length, long-sleeved dress, the large Seven Dolor Beads which hung from the blue cincture about the Sisters waist, the heart-shaped collar which fitted about the neck and covered the upper waist, and the silver heart which was attached to the collar.  In accordance with recommendation which followed Vatican II General Council, the congregation began the lengthy process of updating its rules, directives and dress.  On Christmas Day, 1966, the Sisters donned their new modified habits.  At a later date, they were given the prerogative of adopting lay dress.

            By the 1960s, the urgent need for St. Charles and Landry to consolidate was becoming evident.  There was much concern over the future of Catholic Secondary Education in and around Lake Charles.  The leaders in the consolidation movement stressed that the two schools as separate entities could not continue due to financial problems.  Outside experts advised that a high school cannot excel in this age unless it has a student body of at least five hundred students.  Consolidation would give an enrollment of about six hundred pupils initially and would assure maximum curriculum offering.

            As if to give added impetus to the merger, the H. C. Drew Estate when approached, offered to donate a $300,000 Manual Training Wing, provided a matching gift from the community would be forthcoming and that the two schools would, indeed, consolidate.  The Drew Wing, with its departments of Homemaking, Shop, Business Machines and Arts and Crafts would yield as diversified a curriculum as possible. In addition, the school facilities would lend itself most worthily to the Calcasieu Center for Catholic Studies - an exciting and challenging offering heretofore unknown in its developed stage.

            It was with this promise that the area Catholics consented to the consolidation.  This was a hard decision for the majority of parents to make - and the students to accept - though the practical elements were so carefully explained.  Pupils of St. Charles Academy through its long history had set a remarkable record for excellence, and were recognized as formidable opponents in the various contests and rallies.  Of  that particular school spirit, Sister Winifred would, at a later date, remark that it was such a pleasure to work with people who really wanted to learn, and who tried so hard.  “I enjoyed my years at St. Charles,” she said.

            As the time drew near for its closing in May of 1970, a kind of desperate activity set in and each student wanted to make “the last endeavors the best.”  The chorus chartered buses and visited other Marianite schools, giving stirring performances wherever they went. Mundane activities became welcomed chores and even bundling up books was done with a flair.  Everything about the academy somehow seemed transformed, cherished.  Goodbyes were hard and the last graduation ceremony of St. Charles was a poignant occasion.  One era was finished and another was about to begin.

            Quoting Father James Gaddy:  “the contribution of the Marianite Sisters’ work in and about St. Charles Academy was and remains incalculable.  Innumerable children were converted through their faith and teaching, not to mention the enormous good will generated through the educational services they provided for non-Catholics as well as for those of their own faith.  Vocations, religious and priestly, at least thirty in number, undoubtedly contributed greatly to the growth and vitality of our Catholic faith in southwest and indeed, all of Louisiana, assuredly even farther.  Like a rock dropped into a pool, the rippling effects of their ministry have likely spread out in ever-increasing circles and touch the minds and hearts of only, in literal truth, God knows whom.” 

            After the school merger of Landry Memorial and St. Charles Academy, the academy building served only in the capacity as home for the Sisters.  Security had become a real problem with such vast spaces and five entrances.  It had been condemned by the Fire Marshal’s office and termites had infested parts of the structure. Therefore, the parish bought a grey, two-storied twelve-room house at 1624 Foster Street early in 1974, which became the new St. Charles Convent.  The parish also purchased the academy building and its land from the Marianite Order.  Demolition of the obsolescent building commenced in April of 1974.  It was a traumatic experience for the parishioners to see the sixty-year old landmark being torn down.  A former St. Charles boarder remembered it thus:  “an experience not unlike finding out you can’t go home again.”

SAINT CHARLES ACADEMY 

PRINCIPALS

Sister Mary Francis Haggerty

Sister Mary Raphael O’Donovan

Sister John Berchmans Quilter

Sister Mary Raphael O’Donovan

Sister Mary Justin Neubig

Sister Mary Liguori Mazaret

Sister Mary Seraphia O'Brien

Sister Mary Edith Dinneen

Sister Mary Adrian Collins

Sister Mary Edith Dinneen

Sister Mary Adrian Collins

Sister Mary Theresa MacDonald

Sister Mary Winifred Daly

Sister Mary Theresa MacDonald

Sister Martha McClellan

PASTORS

Reverend Michael Kelly

Reverend E. J. Fallon

Reverend Arthur Drossaerts

Reverend Cornelius Van de Ven

Reverend Hubert Cramers

Reverend John A. Vigliero

Reverend Louis H. Boudreaux

MARIANITES FROM LAKE CHARLES AREA

Active Members:

Sr. M. of St. Hyacinthe (Julia Leveque)

Sr. M. of St. Norbert (Florence O’Bryan)

Sr. M. of St. Rosalie (Marie Edith Leveque)

Sr. M. of St. Catherine (Frances Marie Moss)

Sr. M. of St. Hilary (Rose Cecile Rice)

Sr. M. of St. Bonaventure (Leona Legros)

Sr. M. of St. Aurelia (Mathilde Rhorer)

Sr. M. of St. Blandine (Edna Hebert)

Sr. M. of St. Joan of Arc (Marie Arceneaux)

Sr. M. of St. Germaine (Marjorie Buckingham)

Sr. M. of St. Clothilde (Lurline Broussard)

Sr. M. of St. Colette (Christelle Guidry)

Sr. M. of St. Zita (Lillie Guidry)

Sr. M. of St. Monica (Frances Stelly)

Sr. M. of St. Peter (Lurlie Boudoin)

Sr. Magdalen Broussard

Sr. Judith Bride

Sr. Barbara Marie Dupuis

Sr. Mary Margaret Camalo

Sr. Jo Ann DeLoach

Extended Members:

Josephine Moss

Virginia Larkin

Patricia Black

Michaelyn Camalo

Mary Jane Stein

J. A. LANDRY MEMORIAL SCHOOL
(LAKE CHARLES)
By Elaine B. Bodin

            The local dilemma of how to proceed with the education and formation of young Christian men was resolved by the actions of one prominent resident of Lake Charles in the year 1925.  Recently widowed, Mrs. J. A. Landry was seriously considering devoting part of her inheritance to some charitable enterprise in memory of her husband.  As it happened, she heard a sermon delivered by Bishop Jules Jeanmard in Immaculate Conception Church on the great need for Catholic education.  Mrs. Landry was greatly touched by his words.  As the city already had St. Charles Academy, primarily established for the education of girls but no institution for Catholic boys, she resolved to establish one as a memorial. 

            The Founding Lady of Landry Memorial purchased the extensive grounds and building in the city which had formerly served as an orphanage for the Louisiana Baptists.  The cost of the building and sixteen acres of land was $25,000, with an additional $30,000 spent on remodeling and adapting the property into a modern school.   After this was accomplished, she transferred the property to the Brothers of the Christian Schools (Christian Brothers), that they could assume operation of the school.  Six Brothers composed the charter faculty. From the September 1, 1927, edition of the American Press comes this description of the school: 

The building as remodeled faces the north, with an imposing entrance. Concrete walks lead across the side lawn from the gates to the great pillars before the door. 

The grounds have been leveled and an artistic planting is being made of trees and shrubbery.  The sixteen acres of campus which surround it will be prepared for athletic grounds, ready for ball, tennis and other sports.

The long dormitory is supplied with comfortable beds, with lockers for each boy.

There is an attractive chapel where religious services will be held. 

The school is now ready to accommodate 24 boarding pupils, while 150 day students can be cared for.

            The first day of school for Landry Memorial was September 6, 1927, with Brother Anselm as first principal.  Enrollment at the beginning of the school term was eighty-five students.  For the first year of operation, the institution admitted boys from the fourth through the ninth grades, but accepted boys through the eleventh grade (the extent of grade levels at that time) by the second year.  Of great significance was the acceptance of boys from outside Lake Charles, made possible by the boarding facilities of the school. 

            According to information supplied by Brother John Young, on December 15, 1927, Bishop Jeanmard dedicated the school under the title of Landry Memorial High School.  Some weeks later, Brother A. Arsenius, Visitor of the New Orleans-Santa Fe Province, delivered to Mrs. Landry a diploma of affiliation to the Christian Brothers Institute.  Her solicitude for the welfare of the Brothers and “her boys” as she called the students, lasted until her death.

            In 1929, in order to accommodate fifty resident students and to improve recreational facilities, Mrs. Landry funded the building of an extension to the school plus the addition of a large swimming pool. 

            Landry became accredited in February of 1930.  That same year twelve high school graduates from the school received diplomas at commencement exercises. 

            The fourth session of Landry began on August 30, 1930, with approximately seventy boarding pupils and two hundred day scholars.

            The pastor, Father Hubert Cramers, took great pride in the school.  What had been a long-cherished dream of his, also, had at last become a realization.  Father Leo Gassler, writing on Monsignor Cramers, said:  “The schools, too, come in for their share.  He visits the pupils and takes great interest in their studies.  That he is a great favorite of the children goes without saying.”

            The annual picnics Father Cramers sponsored were a case in point.  Every November 4^th, cars and trucks were engaged to transport teachers and students to the picnic grounds - initially held at Walnut Grove (site of the present day Port of Lake Charles), and later at the Boy Scout camp at Prien Lake.  Games, food, and fun were the order of the day.

            Mrs. Katherin Dunn remembers Father Cramers taking the students from both schools in his car to visit various St. Joseph Altars on the feast day.  He had to make many trips in order to accommodate all of the children. 

            Henry Elms remembered riding his horse to school in the early 1930’s.  He lived out on South Street (Ryan Street), across from the present McNeese State University campus.  After arriving at school, he tethered his horse out in the field.  One day a prankster let the horse get away and it took Elms hours of searching to find the animal.

            In 1930, it was necessary to provide additional space to Landry Memorial because of increased registration.  Funds were borrowed, and work began on a new two-story building adjacent to the school.  It would function as a gymnasium and auditorium, with four classrooms on the second floor.  Completed by January of the following year, the total cost of the gymnasium was $40,000.  February 14, 1931, saw the formal dedication and blessing of the new complex. A celebration the night before included several exhibition basketball games and two bouts of boxing before approximately a thousand fans.  Following the athletic programs, dancing was enjoyed that evening within the gym from 9:30 to 1:00 o’clock the following morning.  The Imperial Orchestra of Lake Charles furnished the music. 

            There were one hundred ninety students enrolled at Landry for the fall term of 1931.  The opening of school was always accompanied by a Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, with the students of Landry and St. Charles Academy in attendance.  The liturgy for those special Masses was always the Mass of the Holy Ghost.

            Twenty-one young men graduated from Landry Memorial in commencement rites in the school auditorium on May 30, 1932.  Principal speaker for the occasion was the former Governor of Louisiana, Alvin O. King.  In his address to the graduates, he charged the seniors “to remember that success is measured more by leading a good life, giving service and benefit to family, neighbors, friends and the country and world in general, rather than by the amount of money one accumulates or public acclaim accorded one temporarily by his fellowmen.”  The salutatory was given by Albert Gardes and valedictory was delivered by V. Medd Hennington.

            In 1934, the senior prom at Landry was held, with music provided by the Johnny Mims ten-piece orchestra.  Proceeds from this event were applied toward a concrete tennis court, the class gift to the school.  This particular year also marked the first year Landry graduates wore caps and gowns. 

            Saturday, August 10, 1935, was a sad day for Landry Memorial and all the Immaculate Conception parish.  Pastor for thirty-three years, beloved Monsignor Cramers was dead at the age of sixty, a victim of cancer.  Replacing Father Cramers was Monsignor John Vigliero, who served as pastor for the next five years.

            December 7, 1941, marked the entry of the United States in World War II, which tried men’s souls and disrupted so many lives.  There were two hundred and nine Landry alumni who served in that war.  Landry students also participated in the war effort in many ways.  The sale of war bonds and stamps were major endeavors, as were scrap-metal drives.  The Landry boys belonged to the school ROTC, and they drilled faithfully every day after school.  A Civil Air Patrol group was organized, also.  The Landry PTA gave aid to War Service Relief, an organization set up to render aid to nuns and children in Europe. 

            Mrs. Landry, gracious friend and benefactress of Landry Memorial High School, died November 1, 1942.  A generous legacy in her will enabled the school to liquidate much of its indebtedness incurred up to that time.  She left behind a priceless gift to the community that is used and enjoyed to the present day - witness

the present St. Louis High School which has fallen heir to the property.

            Brother August Raphael, who taught at Landry for the academic year of 1944-45 remembered the special masses for students at Immaculate Conception Church every Sunday at 9:00 a.m.  The Brothers would sit with their classes on the right side of the church and the Sisters with their St. Charles girls on the left.  The school choirs would alternate singing the Mass.

            The Clarion was the official school newspaper at Landry.  A random review of editions from the 1950s gives a rare insight into Catholic education of the time.  The articles depicted with great earnestness the young man pursuing their studies, sports, choir, band, debate, and drama club activities.  Stouthearted Men and The Drink Song were offered in concert right along with Ave Maria and Benedicta Es Tu. Dramatic plays tended toward such male-dominated subjects as The Jolly Roger and Prince of a Guy.  The confraternity of Christian Doctrine, under the guidance of Brother Ambrose Joseph, taught catechism at St. John Bosco and St. Henry churches.  The Senior Sodality conducted clothing and food drives for the needy, and all took aptitude tests, attended retreats, lectures and prepared for graduation and life.  The activities were done with a certain finesse as befitted gentlemen.  One recognized the understated sense of tranquility and goodness there.

            One of the more outstanding forms of Catholic public worship, and one in which Landry Memorial and students figured in prominently, was Christ the King observances held during the 1940s and 1950s.  On a bright and beautiful Sunday afternoon, area Catholics assembled at some point and proceeded in solemn order to a suitably-prepared outdoors destination.  Some years the processions marched from St. Charles Academy to Landry Memorial and other years, from Landry to Killen Stadium at Lake Charles High School.  The rosary was recited along the way.  The rationale behind this devotion was to offer public homage and express loyalty to Jesus Christ as our King.  In addition, each year the event was dedicated to some special purposes; for example, one year it was a public act of thanksgiving for the cessation of warfare in Korea.  Hymns, acts of consecration, a sermon, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament comprised these special services. 

            A building fund drive for Landry Memorial was begun March 1, 1953, with a goal of $275,000.  Dedication of the resultant new high school building marked the completion of the first major expansion at the school in over a score of years.

            Of all the Brothers assigned to Landry over the years, perhaps Brother John was the best loved and remembered.  Gus Quinn, Jr. of the class of 1955 remembered with nostalgia the man and the times he served.  Mr. Quinn recalled that Brother John seemed to have always served as assistant principal in the many years he spent at Landry.  He wore black, high-topped shoes.  A very gentle man, even when scolding students for transgressions committed, would say:  “tsk, tsk, ‘tis not good.”   He taught until he was seventy-eight years old, then retired.  A brilliant man, he found the inactivity of retirement boring, so he went to Guatemala as a missionary - at the age of eighty!  He spent years there and was most effective in this new ministry.  At age ninety-three today, he is back in Lafayette at the Christian Brothers’ retirement home, still working for his favorite charity from his easy chair.

            Robert Kleinschmidt, of the class of 1957, recalled the time he and a friend committed a minor infraction and were sent to the chapel to reflect and pray over it.  He said things were going well until his friend had a vision of the Blessed Virgin.  “Then,” he said, “I left.”

            Joseph Champeaux, a former Landry student, recalled his days at the school from 1955-57, and the kindness of Brother Alfred, principal of Landry at the time.  As Mr. Champeaux’s father lay dying in an Air Force hospital in Texas, the principal was apprized of the situation.  Brother Alfred drove with Joe to his hometown, Lafayette, and then told him, after having reached their destination, that his father was not expected to live.  It was a very special kind of compassion and concern that he had, and was never forgotten by Joe.  Today the Champeaux family still considers Brother Alfred a close friend and have tried to remain in touch with him. 

            Mitchell Barras, class of 1962, remembered the school Masses at Immaculate Conception Church at 7:30 every Thursday morning.  He recalled Brother Herman teaching him his prayers in Latin so that he could become an altar server.  Also remembered were Fathers Mouton, Mallet, Crimaldi, and Bourque who would come to Landry to teach subjects.  Father Edward York, too, was recalled as once having served as Spiritual Director for the school in addition to teaching history.  Mitchell felt close to all of them, and said they served as fine examples to the students.  Father Mouton organized the Knights of the Altar at Landry, and faithfully attended the meetings which were held once a month.  Mr. Barras remembered there being thirty or forty altar boys at one time from grades four through twelve.

            Six Christian Brother vocations have come from Landry:  Brothers Andrew Terry, Ephrem Hebert, Austin Bourgeois, George Hetzel, Bill Ray, and deceased Walter Williams (a missionary to Africa at the time of his death).

            In 1963, the Christian Brothers relinquished operation of Landry.  Father Harry Benefiel was appointed principal of the school which became a diocesan school, operated by diocesan priests under the leadership of Bishop Maurice Schexnayder.

            About that time another consideration was becoming increasingly clear:  the urgent need for Landry and St. Charles to consolidate.  An open meeting was held on November 25, 1963, for people concerned with the local direction toward which Catholic education was heading.  Financial considerations would ultimately doom both schools on the course they were taking.  Educational experts advised that a high school cannot excel in this modern age unless it has a student body of at least five hundred pupils.  Consolidation would yield that number and more.  However, this was a hard decision for the majority of parents and students of both schools to accept, since each school had enjoyed a fine tradition. 

            With determination, the machinery for a consolidated school was set into operation.  The old Baptist Orphanage building had been torn down in Father Benefiel’s time as principal of Landry.  The part of Landry High that had been built in the mid-1950s would be incorporated into the new structure.  The million-dollar project began on what would become the only area Catholic high school in and around Lake Charles.  With the exception of a portion of the Drew Wing, it was completed by June of 1970.  An open-house was held to introduce friends and well-wishers to St. Louis High School.

            A very important era in Catholic education had come to a close, and another era was just beginning.  J. A. Landry Memorial School of splendid memory had ceased to exist. 

J. A. LANDRY MEMORIAL SCHOOL

PRINCIPALS

Brother Anselm (Salaville)

Brother Joseph (Durand)

Brother Anselm (Salaville)

Brother Basil Gabriel (Daigle)

Brother O. Paul (Charbonnier)

Brother B. Edwin (Arnandez)

Brother Camillus (Gremillion)

Brother Robert (Fitzgerald)

Brother Alfred (Kane)

Brother Nicholas (Grahmann)

Reverend Harry Benefiel

Reverend Robert Angelle

PASTORS

Reverend Hubert Cramers

Reverend John A. Vigliero

Reverend Louis H. Boudreaux

ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL

(VINTON): 1950-1966

Reverend George Gendron

            St. Joseph’s Catholic School was an answer to prayers.  Although the need for a school was evident, there were no Sisters immediately available to staff the school. Father Armand Nadeau, M.S., pastor of St. Joseph’s Church encouraged his parishioners to pray the Rosary one day at the same time each week to obtain Sisters.  In time, Father Nadeau went to Fall River, Massachusetts, where the Mother House of the Sisters of St. Joseph is located.   There, the Very Reverend Mother Jeanne Therese, Provincial of the Sisters of St. Joseph generously offered to provide four Sisters.   These were:  Sisters Mary Norbert, St. Genevieve, and Therese who arrived in Vinton in August 1950, accompanied by Mother Marie Cecile.

            After the preliminaries of getting acquainted and registration classes began in September in the Parish Hall.  This structure was the original St. Joseph’s Church which was used from 1920 to 1930 when the present church was built.  Classes ranged from kindergarten through the fourth grade with an initial enrollment of 107 pupils.  Tuition was four dollars for each pupil.  Each year thereafter, a grade was added until there were eight grades. 

            When the Parish Hall was demolished in 1953, classes were moved to a large house located across the street from the present St. Joseph’s Church.  Classes were held through May 1956.  In September of that year, the school was moved to the Church Hall in the 1600 block of Horridge Street.  The first grade class, however, was taught in one room of the DeCoux home next door to the Church Hall.

            In September of 1957, the new St. Joseph School opened with eight grades and a complete staff of Sisters - one of the very few Catholic schools that could boast of having a complete staff of religious.  On November 9, 1957, the school was dedicated and Confirmation conferred by Bishop Maurice Schexnayder

            The school cafeteria was staffed over the years by the following workers:  Mrs. Della Bruce, Mrs. Lula Mae Vincent Young, Mrs. Edna Wilfer, Mrs. Annie Mae Ogea, and Mrs. Rose Stafford.

            St. Joseph’s School continued in operation until the end of the school session in May 1966, when the enrollment had increased to 270 pupils.  The school was forced to close when the Mother House recalled the Sisters to teach in Massachusetts.  In the sixteen years of the school’s life, the following Sisters taught at St. Joseph’s:  Sister Paul of the Cross, Sister Jeanne of the Scared Heart, Sister Mary Celine, Sister Mary Xavier, Sister Mary of Assumption, Sister St. Agnes, Sister Mary Lucy, Sister St. Ida, Sister Mary Felicita, Sister Francis Regis, and Sister St. Pierre.   These Sisters were in addition to the original four.  Sister Henri Joseph was the housekeeper for a number of years.

            Sister Regina Marie attended St. Joseph’s School as did native born Sister Marilyn Bello, both of whom became Sisters of St. Joseph’s.  Sister Regina Marie substituted as teacher when any one of the Sisters was incapacitated.  Sister Marilyn Bello is now on the staff of Our Lady’s School in Sulphur, and lives in St. Joseph’s Convent in Vinton.  She drives a school bus with some forty-five pupils each day from Vinton to attend the school in Sulphur. 

            During the illness of Sister Mary Lucy, Mrs. Myrtle Dugas, a substitute lay teacher, was employed.  Also, for the last three years the school was open, Mrs. Elmire Hoffpauir taught the first grade classes. 

            Certainly, it was a sad day for the people of St. Joseph’s Parish when the school closed.  The school building, however, is still being used for such varied activities as CCD instructions, feeding program of the elderly, and for other parish activities.

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL
(LAKE CHARLES)
By Sister Marie Petra Dempsey, S.B.S.
 

             The present dynamic and growing parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Lake Charles owes its very existence to the dreams of two outstanding Holy Ghost Fathers, Father Harold McNeil and Father Herbert Schuster.  The story of the parish reads like a fairy tale.

            With the influx of good, rural Catholic families from Church Point, Eunice, and other small towns into Lake Charles, it soon became evident to the pastor at Scared Heart Church, Father C. A. Roach, C.S.Sp., that a mission chapel was needed.  A large piece of property was purchased on Opelousas and Cherry streets and a multi-purpose hall was built.  For many years this hall served as the church for the rapidly-increasing congregation.  Many of the parishioners were young newlyweds.

            In 1949, Father Harold McNeil was placed in charge of the new mission of Immaculate Heart.  Father commuted for many years from the Scared Heart Rectory to Immaculate Heart Church.  Recognizing the need for religious instruction for the children, Father McNeil solicited and obtained the help of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, who taught at Sacred Heart School.  Classes were held on Saturday morning and Sunday afternoons.  The number in the classes were usually fifty.  Classes were held in every conceivable place - in the sacristy, in the church, in the small lunchroom, but mostly out in the large, open sandy yard.  The yard boasted one tree, and if you were fast enough you could establish squatter’s rights to that space.  Children of all ages and sexes were invited and did come to the religion classes!  Choirs were formed, altar boys trained, and an altar society organized.

            With the increasing number of children (about a thousand) Father solicited the help of more Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament to help teach as well as train some lay people as CCD teachers.  Since transportation posed a problem for some families, the Sisters went out to Guillory’s farm and taught classes there.  Summer classes needed more Sisters and teachers, and again the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament came to the rescue.  Guillory’s farm was a favorite, since more often than not some of the livestock joined the classes!  Cows were frequently heard to voice a “Moo” in agreement with some stated truth!

            Father McNeil seemed to be everywhere!  Another mission was opened in Iowa, Louisiana.  Again the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament came to the rescue and went once a week to this mission.  Eventually, this chapel and mission were taken over by the Josephite Fathers. 

            When Immaculate Heart was established as a parish in 1953, Father McNeil was appointed pastor and moved into a trailer home on the parish grounds. His enthusiasm and zeal made him a much respected and well-loved man.  Soon the little hall could not contain the large numbers desiring to attend services.  Additional Masses were added and still they came.  Plans were set in motion to build a church.  Recognizing the large number of skilled laborers - masons, bricklayers, cement finishers, carpenters, painters, plumbers, and electricians in the parish, Father solicited some volunteer hours from them to get the church going.

            The children attending catechism classes were encouraged to save their pennies for the Sunday collection.  Parish teams were formed to raise the needed money for the church.  Activities were plentiful and the social life of the parish grew as the money came in for the church.  The drive and enthusiasm for their parish is a characteristic that exists to this day in Immaculate Heart Parish. 

            Finally, the day came for the blessing of the large pink-bricked church.  Truly it was one of joy for all and especially for Father McNeil.  Shortly after the dedication of the church, the Lord, through Father McNeil’s superior, asked Father to move on and share his zeal with other children of God.  Father was assigned to a Holy Ghost Mission in Puerto Rico.  While there, he was taken sick and died shortly thereafter.  His name may not go down in this earth’s history, but we know it is written in the book of everlasting life as a “true and faithful servant.”

            Father Herbert Schuster succeeded Father McNeil as pastor of Immaculate Heart in 1960.  Father continued the team approach for the raising of the needed money to keep the parish going.  He initiated the parish Rodeo and was known as the “Rodeo Priest.” 

            One of the first projects Father Schuster initiated was the commencement of a rectory.  In spite of a heart condition, Father drove tractors, dug ditches, and tackled any activity needing brawn or brain.  In his leisure time he made beautiful beadwork and tile pictures of various subjects.  Under the spiritual guidance of such a dynamic and personable man, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish continued to grow.  Religion classes - both elementary and high school - were large.  Space was at a premium.  It was not unusual to see classes being held in the grandstand of the Rodeo viewing section!  Of course, there were no animals present, but the aromas pervading the air never let you forget their abode was directly beneath you and your class!  The Rodeo venture was a tremendous success!  The rectory consisting of three offices, four bedrooms, chapel, kitchen, dining room, and community room was completed.  It is a masterpiece of architectural art, and continues the lines and color of the church. 

            In the fall of 1960, Father Schuster succeeded in purchasing three of the barracks on sale at the former Chennault Air Force Base in Lake Charles.  With a group of men (Father knew how to get men to work) the barracks were moved onto the parish grounds, and the first step in a parish school was begun.  Utilizing the abilities of the men in the parish, the drab gray buildings were converted into five beautiful, modern classrooms.  Additions were added onto the former church and the parish now boasted a church, rectory, parish hall, lunch room, and a school.  It was like crossing the Rubicon to get from the school to the dining room on a rainy day!  The yard became a great mud hole.  Soft, oozy mud covered everything.  Children and teachers walked a tight rope to the dining room.  The church was across the length of the yard making it inaccessible from the school on rainy days. 

            School opened on September 3, 1961 with an enrollment of 132 pupils for grades one through four.  Two Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and Mrs. Natrice Higginbotham formed the staff.  The Sisters commuted each day from Sacred Heart Convent.  The enthusiasm and joy of the parishioners were demonstrated in their faithful support of the parish school. Although the majority of the parish children still attended public school, their presence and use of the school for CCD classes were encouraged and desired. 

            In 1963 Father Schuster succeeded in renting a very spacious private home on Opelousas Street as a temporary convent.  Four Sisters were assigned there and commuted each day to school.  In 1967, for economical reasons the Sisters moved back to Scared Heart since space was available in the newly renovated convent with the closing of Scared Heart High.

            Activities in the parish rarely, if ever, interrupted the academics of the school.  Owing to the diversity of the levels of the children entering the school, an upgraded primary approach was used for the first six months.  This enabled teachers to identify and set up specific strategies to cope with the diverse levels of the children. 

            Within the space of two years from its opening, the fifth and sixth grades were added.  This necessitated another addition to the school, so plans were incorporated for further expansion to seventh and eighth grades.  Each year the enrollment increased.  In 1966 the first class to be graduated from Immaculate Heart School consisted of twenty-two pupils.  In 1975, a kindergarten was opened to provide readiness skills to prospective elementary children. 

            The quality of education and the Catholic philosophy of the school have been maintained over the years through the dedicated, qualified, and competent faculty and staff at Immaculate Heart School.  Parent participation and parish support have played and continue to play significant roles in the success of the school.  Many of the graduates have gone on to university degrees.

            The sudden death of Father Schuster in 1970, shocked the parish.  Father died of a heart attack.  The love, respect, and esteem in which Father Schuster was held was evidenced by the massive turnout of religious and lay leaders of the city for his funeral.

            At the death of Father Schuster, the parish moved forward with the fulfillment of some of his unrealized dreams. 

            A new building housing a gym, cafeteria, and meeting rooms is the latest addition to the plant.  Math and reading labs are housed in their own buildings.  The entire school and church have been completely air-conditioned.

            The Holy Ghost Fathers still operate the parish and have the additional help of a young Holy Ghost Brother.  The curriculum for the school has been changed to meet the needs and requirements of a state-approved school without sacrificing the basic purpose for which it was built.  The pupils of the school participate in numerous types of sports and activities.  An interested, qualified, and active school board keeps alive the dreams of two of God’s finest priests!  Immaculate Heart parishioners are confident of the prayers of these two men for their continued success.

            After twenty years as teachers in the school, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament have withdrawn from the school.  A lay principal has been trained in the administration of the school.  One Sister of the Blessed Sacrament will coordinate the CCD program and the training of teachers of religion, another Sister of the Blessed Sacrament will work in the school as coordinator of religion. 

            Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish will continue to move ahead in its work toward the achievement of God’s kingdom on earth, under the able leadership of its present pastor, Reverend M. Carr, C.S.Sp., and associate pastor, Reverend J. Burke, C.S.Sp.

SCHOOL PRINCIPALS

Sister Maria Petra             1961-1966

Sister Emmanuel Marie      1966-1967

Sister Mary Walter            1967-1973

Sister M. Grace Connelly  1973-1975

Sister Rita Radloff             1975-1980

Sister Nathelee Bryant       1980-1981

Sister Naomi Menza          1981-1982

Miss Linda Pappion           1982-

ST. MARGARET’S PARISH SCHOOL

(LAKE CHARLES)

By Virginia Rasmussen

            The present St. Margaret’s Parish grew from an area of south Lake Charles that was mainly agricultural.  However, after 1940, the area experienced a tremendous growth with the building of chemical plants and oil refineries.  This industrial growth attracted of new residents.  Many of the people came from all parts of Louisiana and the nation and were Catholic in religious preference. 

            As a result of this growth, a recommendation for the formation of a new parish was submitted by Monsignor Louis Boudreaux.  It was on July 16, 1945, that Bishop Jules Jeanmard, the first bishop of Lafayette, signed a document entitled Decree of Erection of the Parish of Saint Margaret’s, Lake Charles, Louisiana.  The decree stated: “…Being moved by the prayers of the people living in the section of Calcasieu Parish situated south of Lake Charles city limits …a careful examination having been made to the plan submitted …by virtue of our ordinary power…we do hereby separate, divide, and dismember the section of Ward 4 of Calcasieu Parish situated immediately south of the city limits of the City of Lake Charles …from the parish of Immaculate Conception.”

            The parish was not small with regards to area.  The newly-formed St. Margaret’s Parish boundaries were to be Sallier Street/ Twelfth Street on the north and the Calcasieu River on the west.  The southern boundary was Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Big Lake and the eastern boundary was St. John Vianney Parish of Bell City.  At this time there were about a thousand families living in the area designated as St. Margaret’s Parish.  Later the parishes of Our Lady Queen of Heaven and Our Lady of Good Counsel, the McNeese State University Church, would be carved out of this original St. Margaret’s Parish area. 

            Besides formally creating St. Margaret’s Parish and setting forth it limits, Bishop Jeanmard appointed the Reverend (later Monsignor) George Bodin as the first pastor.  In a July 1945 interview the new pastor stated the biggest need for this new parish was “…for the High Mount area surrounding St. Margaret’s to be within the city limits.”  That need has since been met. 

            The parish has progressed to what it is today from the original acquisition of five lots at Bank and Seventeenth Streets which were obtained by Monsignor John Vigliero at a cost of $625.00.  The chapel was erected on that property in 1940 by Monsignor Louis Boudreaux.  Because of a shortage of building materials after World War II,  the building of a rectory  was delayed and the new pastor had to commute from Immaculate Conception  Parish until 1946.  Some parishioners, having been a part of the parish since its beginning, remember the old church on Bank Street - the dirt roads - and the new school.

            St. Margaret’s Parish School was established in 1949 under the direction of the pastor, Monsignor George Bodin, and staffed by the Sisters Marianites of the Holy Cross.  When the school opened, the faculty consisted of Sister Mary Anthony, principal, two teachers and 154 pupils in grades one through three.  The religious staff lived in a rented house and moved to a surplus Army barracks.

            The year 1950 saw an enrollment increase, new grades added, and Sister Mary Modestus become principal.  The school joined with the parish in celebration when the new church was completed in November 1951, and blessed on January 1, 1952.  The site of the present church, located at Enterprise Boulevard and Seventeenth Streets was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Joubert.

            By 1956 the school had added two classrooms, the playground was expanded, a part-time music teacher was added to the staff, and Sister Mary Clare took over as principal.  By 1959, the Sisters Marianites of the Holy Cross moved from the Army barracks to their new convent completed that year.

            The 1962 school year opened with the facilities expanded to include kindergarten through the eighth grades.  The building program was highlighted by the annexation of a central library and a first-aid room staffed by mothers who volunteered their time.  Sister Cor Maria was the administrator.  A new wing constructed in 1964 provided eight classrooms.  The cafeteria was remodeled, the teachers’ lounge was renovated, and a separate administrative office was added.  Sister Mary Cyril assumed the duties of principal of 1965. 

            The St. Margaret’s Board of Education was organized in 1966.  The Board has evolved into an effective regulatory body serving to implement policies of the Diocesan Board of Education.  It presently consists of the Pastor, School Administrator, and eight representatives appointed by the Parish Council and the Parent-Teachers Club.  The St. Margaret’s Board of Education at its inception considered such problems as a 1% pay increase for lay teachers, a $5.00 pay raise for the janitor, and a 5 cent increase in the lunch participation fee.

            State Accreditation on February 28, 1967, was a landmark in the school’s history and October 1967, saw the school affiliated with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.  Sister Mary Austin was named principal in 1969. 

            Sister Helen Fontenot served as administrator from 1971 - 1976.  These years of progress saw the installation in September 1971 of the Clock and Automatic Bell System.  In August of 1973, the air conditioning of classrooms was completed through the combined efforts of the Parish Council, the Parent-Teachers Club, and St. Margaret’s School parents.  Educational growth has always been a part of St. Margaret’s school progress. The guidance and Career Education Program began in 1973 under the direction of Sister Helen, assisted by Sister Marlene and Sister Daniel.  The purpose of the program was to help build proper attitudes in all pupils, as well as inaugurating direct programs of study for the gifted pupil and those pupils needing help in particular areas of study.

            February 23, 1974, the present pastor, Father Charles Dubois was appointed.  The 1975 -1976 school years saw the addition of a Reading Lab and Mathematics Lab as part of St. Margaret’s School educational expansion.  The 1976 year opened with 505 pupils, three religious and twenty-three lay teachers on the staff.  Sister Marlene was named as the new administrator. 

            The Open Placement Policy adopted by the Sisters Marianites of the Holy Cross and the decrease in members of the order was often a topic of discussion.  In 1977, St. Margaret’s School opened without religious educators on the faculty.  The tradition of academic achievement in a Christian environment continued under the able leadership of the pastor, Father Charles Dubois, and our first lay principal, Mr. Allan Powers.

            Father Harry Greig assumed responsibility for the religious education in the school in 1977.  The St. Margaret’s Band and the Athletic Booster Club was formed.  The federally-funded Tutorial Program was initiated in 1978, and Mrs. Jo Self was named as the first Administrative Assistant. 

            In 1979, Miss Noel Byrd became the principal, and St. Margaret’s School initiated its charter members into the Reverend Harry Greig Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society. The school athletic program also joined the newly-formed Calcasieu Athletic League.  In the spring of the year, pupils and faculty attended the ordination of Bishop Jude Speyrer.  Father Greig was named the new Chancellor of the Diocese of Lake Charles.

            The Student Council Association was reestablished in 1980.  The dedication of the Family Life Center took place in the new gym.  This marked the occasion for additional facilities to be used by the school and the parish. 

            In 1981, St. Margaret’s School opened with 520 pupils, in grades from kindergarten through the eighth.  In addition to the regular academic programs, religion, art, physical education, band, and choral music are offered.  The school has a part-time guidance counselor and a full-time librarian along with a reading lab teacher, math lab teacher, and first grade reading tutor.  Pupils at St. Margaret’s have a choice of many extracurricular activities:  4H Club, Yearbook Staff, National Junior Honor Society, Pep Squad, Cheerleading, Student Council Association, spelling bee, Science and Social Studies Fairs, Campfire, Blue Birds, Girl Scouts, football, basketball, track, volleyball and softball.  The pupils at St. Margaret’s consistently score higher than the national average on standardized tests. 

            Under the guidance of Monsignor George Bodin, Monsignor J. Clifford Gaudin, Monsignor Michael J. Benedict, Monsignor Fernand H. Gouaux, and the present pastor, Father Charles Dubois, the school has progressed from the beginning and has become the community of faith that it is today.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHEDRAL SCHOOL

(LAKE CHARLES)

By Elaine B. Bodin

            Monsignor Louis H. Boudreaux, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, undertook the building of a parochial grade school in 1949.  Several years prior to the actual building project, a serious appraisal of the educational system within the parish took place.  The large brick building of the academy had become inadequate and overcrowded.  It was decided that St. Charles would function nicely as a high school for girls only.  A new parochial school could provide educational services for grades one through eight for girls, and one through four for boys.  Landry Memorial School would continue to educate boys from grades five through the twelfth. 

            With that thought in mind, the pastor and parishioners set up a goal of raising $100,000 within a three-year period to be used as a down payment for a new school building.  Construction started after a substantial part of the money had been realized.  The long-range plan was to liquidate the remaining indebtedness in twelve years.  While $300,000 was the first estimate of building coats, $380,000 was the final total. 

            Immaculate Conception School opened its doors to clergy, parishioners, and other well wishers on the afternoon of February 19, 1950, for a dedication ceremony and open house.  Bishop Jules B. Jeanmard of Lafayette officiated at the dedication rites and commended the three-storied building “to the honor and glory of God.”  Blessing of the cornerstone and the massive red brick building preceded a program in which congratulations were extended by Mayor T. C. Price, City School Superintendent G. W. Ford, Catholic School Superintendent the Reverend I. A. Martin of Lafayette, and Bishop Jeanmard. 

            Joined to St. Charles by reason of tradition and proximity, the new building was connected to the older academy building by a “bridge” at the second level.  The Sisters Marianites of Holy Cross were also named to staff the new school. Sister Imelda was the first principal of ICS.  In the years that followed an academic tradition was begun, which has been carefully nurtured through to the present day.

            Thirteen years later, on the afternoon of November 3, 1963, Immaculate Conception School and St. Charles Academy hosted an open house in the modern air-conditioned cafeteria that had recently been completed.  Built to serve three hundred and fifty pupils, it was initially under the supervision of Mrs. Rose Vincent.  Parent-Teacher Association members served as hostesses and the outstanding Academy Chorus, directed by Jerry Crews, provided entertainment for the occasion. 

            Former pupils were pressed into recalling the days when ICS stood in the shadows of St. Charles.  There were as many as seventeen or eighteen sisters teaching within the two schools at a time, with lay teachers filling in where needed. 

            Ann Coleman Romero recalled those pre-Vatican II and pre-60s days “when the veil between religious and laity had not yet been dropped.”  She said for the pupils, the sisters lived a kind of other-worldly existence, filled with all sorts of secrets and mysteries. Their third-floor cloister was the source of endless speculations by those not allowed into its inner sanctums, and they spent their off-moments wondering if the sisters had long or short hair, if they could ever watch television, and if anyone would ever be lucky enough actually to see one of the sisters eating anything!

            Recalling the sisters, there was Sister Rosalie, with sixty first graders in tow, “the only reading teacher many of us would ever need, and her use of phonics and rhythm bands was a technique that many instructors are only just learning about.” 

            Of other Marianites:  “Sister Clare, who used to spread her black veil out like Superman’s cape, covering up the recitation lessons she had written on the board while we chanted them back to her; Sister Mary Magdalene, whose special goodness was evident even to rowdy fifth graders;  Mother Ligouri, whose classes everyone longed to be in; Sister Cyprian, who taught us every rule of grammar that we ever needed to know; Sister Marie-Therese, as tiny as some of the students she taught and who was the unquestioned charmer of ICS.  And all the others, too many to name, who entered our lives and helped to shape them, each in her own way.” 

            The former students recalled the strictness - and the sensitivity - of the Sisters with regard to their charges.  Barbara Melton remembered a fellow student who had lost her mother in death and was inconsolable.  The girl sought out her homeroom teacher of the previous year, Sister Incarnata, who sustained the child’s courage from one week to the next - a study in caring.  This same Sister took her whole class down to the lakeside one fine spring day to hold religion class.  Have you ever read from the New Testament at the water’s edge?  Memories of Sister Kay inviting pupils up to the rooftop of St. Charles on particularly clear nights to view the heavens through her telescope were also recalled. 

            Another alumna, requesting anonymity, recalled her childhood spent at ICS.  Looking back, she said she now realizes what a special time the ‘60s held for her.  She remembered Sister Patricia operating the stationery store where holy cards, Kris Kindl gifts and religious Valentines could be purchased;  Sister Alfred teaching interested pupils various kinds of needlework during recess periods;  the Jesse tree during Advent season - with Sister Celestine soliciting comments from the students at 8 a.m. assembly on the meaning of that day’s symbol; Sister Colette and her crew working on Christmas floats - and the music!  The Christmas concert was always special.  She recalled that Jerry Crews could always be counted on to include something novel each year, which was not an easy task, since all the grades in groups of twos, were responsible for the preparation of a couple of numbers, which could quickly exhaust any choirmaster’s repertoire.  The school children knew Handel’s more famous arias and choruses of the Messiah by heart, since the St. Charles chorus sang selections from it every year.  She said:  “is it any wonder that the pupils emerged, generally, as better-rounded students than their peers from non-religious schools; coming from a tradition where the arts of living were acknowledged necessary for the nourishment of the spirit?  In like manner the sciences of living were recognized as necessary for the training of the mind.” 

            The young lady recalled the music festivals where SCA and ICS always walked away with ratings of superior; where the children were practiced singers of polyphonic music, and where Sister John’s piano students were competent solo performers in the elementary school grades. 

            Again, at Christmas:  “…and the crèche sets we had!  Each classroom had one.  Some of the Sisters had their own foot-high figurines.  I have seen Bethlehem emerge in a day’s time, from brown paper crushed and molded to resemble caves.  We dramatize the Nativity every year, but who will forget the Christmas assembly the year that the living figures took their place on stage, and the Angel of the Lord entered stage-right with the Baby Jesus (which was a doll) held high above her head?   The children had arranged it cleverly so that the real baby was hidden before hand in the hay in the manger, and its sister, playing the Virgin Mary, picked it up and cradled it in her arms, and we had a real Baby on stage that year!” 

            The 50s and 60s at ICS were a world of May crownings, music festivals, pageants, birthday celebrations for Monsignor Boudreaux, Thursday morning Masses at Immaculate Conception, the sodality and ransoming of pagan babies, Baltimore catechisms, 4-H activities, intramurals, the school chorus, Benediction in the chapel and always, music interspersed into everything.  It was a special time.

            As with most private schools, the annual fund-raising event has been a perennial endeavor of the Parent-Teacher Organization.  Most years the Spring Festival was the prime fund raiser.  In addition, Christmas Boutiques were our specialty until everybody seemed to be sponsoring boutiques, thus diluting its appeal.  To take the boutique’s place, the PTO initiated the successful “Christmas Walk” tours of beautiful homes in Lake Charles. For the past several years, a different set of lovely homes, decorated for Christmas, have been opened to the public with proceeds from ticket sales going to the school.

            Perhaps the most enterprising single endeavor along this line was the Bicentennial quilt project executed by women from the Parent-Teacher Organization of ICS.  Completed by early 1976, it depicted forty-two different facets of Lake Charles covering education, religion, industry, and recreation.  At least thirty women worked on this time-consuming quilt resulting in a most unique and inimitable piece of artwork.  The quilt was bought for $5,000 by the heirs of the late Mr. and Mrs. William T. Burton and donated to the Imperial Calcasieu Museum in memory of their parents.  Over the years, these extensive projects on behalf of the school have created a climate of togetherness for the families involved, and many enduring friendships have developed from working towards a common goal.

            After the school merger of Landry and St. Charles in 1970, the academy building served only in the capacity of home for the Marianites teaching at St. Louis and ICS, and storage room for the latter.  Security became a problem, and the building was finally condemned by the Fire Marshal’s office.  Early in 1974 the parish bought a grey two-storied, twelve-room house at 1624 Foster Street which became the new St. Charles Convent.  The parish also purchased the academy building and its land from the Marianite Order.  Demolition began in April of 1974.  Parishioners found it a painful experience to see the sixty-year-old landmark being demolished.  Immaculate Conception School now stood alone at 1536 Ryan Street.

            The following December the parish was plunged into deep mourning over the death of its beloved Monsignor Boudreaux who, after thirty-four years as pastor, died just hours after his official retirement as pastor.  At that time Sister Martha McClellan was principal at ICS.  In the time-honored tradition, the school staff, particularly Sister Martha and Sister Colette Guidry, vice principal, sustained and consoled the community.  On the morning of Monsignor Boudreaux’s funeral, the students from St. Louis and ICS attended an early morning memorial Mass at Immaculate Conception Church. 

            Monsignor H. Alexandre Larroque became the next pastor and took up the task of ground improvement where once St. Charles Academy had stood.  One year later, as part memorial service for Monsignor Boudreaux and part parish Feast Day celebration, a marble obelisk was erected in the courtyard at Immaculate Conception School - and indeed, the whole newly landscaped and reconstructed grounds were dedicated in Monsignor Boudreaux’s memory.  The School Board chairman, acting as Mistress of Ceremonies for the dedicatory rites stated:  “He lives.  Father Boudreaux lives in our hearts and minds and in God’s own company.  Therefore, it is befitting that this Living Memorial be dedicated to his honor and glory - a living commemorative that witnesses the presence of our hope for tomorrow - our children - and on whom Monsignor Boudreaux lavished such fatherly concern.”  Members of the PTO and the school staff, under the guidance and leadership of principal Sister Colette, hosted the formal reception which followed in the school cafeteria. 

            The Reverend Louis Melancon became the next pastor of Immaculate Conception parish, and the emphasis in the school was on change and greater social awareness.  Weekly school Masses were the norm in spite of a shortage of priests. 

            An announcement was made that significantly changed the church community in Lake Charles and the role of Immaculate Conception School in this community. On January 29, 1980, a much-heralded press conference was called for 8:00 a.m. in Lafayette.  Lake Charles had been named a diocese and would include the area once known as “Imperial” Calcasieu.  Monsignor Jude Speyrer, Vicar General of the Lafayette Diocese was named first bishop of the new See.  This announcement ended a year of speculation by parishioners.  It was generally known that in mid-February of 1979, Monsignor Clemente Faccani, apostolic delegate emissary, visited Southwest Louisiana as part of a process for a feasibility study to determine the possible advantages in restructuring the Catholic Dioceses of southwest, central, and northern Louisiana. 

            Excerpts from a letter by Father Melancon to the children at ICS concerning their school: 

Congratulations to you as you have been named by our Holy Father Pope John Paul II a diocese with Immaculate Conception Church as the Cathedral and our school the “Cathedral” School.

As you know, the Apostles were the first bishops of the Church and they  appointed other men to follow them as bishops.  Each bishop had a certain area of the church for which he was responsible.  Until last Tuesday, Lafayette was our diocese with Bishop Gerard Frey as our bishop.  The Pope wants smaller dioceses so that the bishop can know his people better.  This is why he made us a diocese with Bishop Jude Speyrer as our first bishop.

We are a smaller diocese now with fewer priests, religious and lay people.  Let each man, woman and child pull together, work and pray to make it the best diocese in the world. 

I am very happy to be your pastor and a part of these new events here at Immaculate Conception, God Bless you.

            On April 25, 1980, Immaculate Conception Cathedral School children joined the thousands who witnessed the ordination and installation of our bishop at the Civic Center.  The ceremony began promptly at 2:00 p.m. and lasted for two and one half hours. ICCS students joined in the cheering as His Excellency, Bishop Jude Speyrer, whose heraldic motto is “To Bring Good Tidings,” entered the coliseum.  Everyone knew that history was being made on that day.  As is his prerogative, the bishop bestowed a holiday to parochial students of the Lake Charles Diocese for the following Monday.

            The Sisters Marianites of Holy Cross have contributed one hundred years of devoted service to our schools and community.  They, too, are celebrating this Centennial in a very special way.  Presently with us are Sister Mary William, Sister Mary Danielle at ICCS, and Sister Lurlie Boudoin who is employed at St. Patrick’s Hospital.

            Today Immaculate Conception Cathedral School student body numbers three hundred and fifty pupils with a faculty of twenty-three persons.  Under the leadership of Father Vincent Sedita, pastor, and Patricia C. Millerick, principal, the school is grateful for a good beginning and views the future with optimism. 

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHEDRAL SCHOOL

STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

            We the Faculty of Immaculate Conception Cathedral School, are dedicated to the Catholic education of the total person by endeavoring To Teach as Jesus Did through message, community, and service.  Our primary objective is to instill in each individual the Catholic principles, attitudes and values which promote the development of a deep and personal love of God, Community and Society; individuals who are responsible morally and personally; who are capable of contributing positively to their faith and American Society.

            Our further commitment is to provide an educational environment which will foster the development of the basic skills of the individual - spiritual, intellectual, emotional, physical, cultural and social - all which enable him to function adequately in our complicated, technological world. 

            Building a spirit of community is vital to the educational process.  Hence, we endeavor to promote favorable relationships among all members of the administration, faculty, staff, home, and students, in order to establish a constructive, positive atmosphere in which learning is enjoyable.

            This philosophy is a reflection of the attitudes and goals expressed in Vatican II, in the Declaration of the Christian Education and To Teach as Jesus Did, all of which equip the individual with the tools needed to build new experiences upon old ones, to apply what has been learned to new situations, and to appreciate and desire learning.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHEDRAL SCHOOL

PRINCIPALS

Sister Mary Imelda Voelker

Sister Mary Theresa MacDonald

Sister Mary Winifred Daly

Sister Mary Celestine Aycock

Mrs. Mildred Simms

Sister Martha McClellan

Sister Colette Guidry

Sister Mary Elizabeth Lanning

Miss Patricia Millerick

PASTORS

Reverend Louis H. Boudreaux

Reverend H. Alexandre Larroque

Reverend Louis Melancon

Reverend Vincent Sedita

OUR LADY’S SCHOOL

(SULPHUR)

By Sister Michelle Geerkin

            Our Lady’s School was built in 1952 on property donated by Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Stelly, during the pastorate of the Reverend Eugene Viellard.  The original building consisted of the front part of the present structure and housed six classrooms, a principal’s office, a teachers' lounge, a small cafeteria, and living quarters for the Sisters. 

            In 1953 the Reverend Paul Denis, who was named principal, recruited lay teachers from the parish, and made plans to put the school into operation for the 1954 school term.  Within time he secured the services of the Dominican Sisters of Houston for the future staffing of the school. 

            Workshops were held in the summer of 1954 to acquaint the lay teachers with the methods, procedures, and policies recommended by the Dominican Sisters.  In September, the school was formally opened with a staff of six lay teachers.  This was the first parochial school in the Diocese of Lafayette to open staffed by all lay teachers. 

            In the next school year of 1955-56, however, two Dominican Sisters joined the staff to be followed by others as time went on. 

            Great strides have been made since the school’s beginning.  There are now nineteen classrooms, an audio-visual room, a centralized library, a large cafeteria, a clinic, a teachers’ lounge, a secretary’s office, the principal’s office, bookroom storage facilities, two reading and math labs, and an auditorium.  A satellite kindergarten program was started in Carlyss at St. Theresa’s Church in 1980.  Our Lady’s School has grown from an enrollment of 230 pupils in 1954 to the present 430. 

            The Sisters of the Dominican Order were the Administrators of the school until the end of the school term in 1971-72.  In the next school year, however, they were replaced by the Sisters of St. Joseph under the principalship of Mrs. Ellen C. Campbell, the first lay head of the school.  In 1979, the Sisters of St. Joseph were followed by the Sisters of the Most Holy Sacrament.  LaSalette Brothers and priests have acted as Religion Administrators since 1975, and the lay principal had been succeeded by a Sister of Most Holy Sacrament from Lafayette.

            Our Lady’s Educational organization, started in 1954, has as its purpose to help the school fulfill the goal of Catholic education: to prepare the pupil to be a worthy citizen, both in this world and the next.

            The School Board of Our Lady’s School inaugurated in January 1968, has as its primary function the assistance of the pastors and principal in preparing the curriculum and establishing fiscal policies.  It is also the duty of the Board to see that the educational standards established by the State Department of Education are carried out. 

            Although centered in Sulphur, the school serves a number of parishes.  These are:  Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Immaculate Conception, St. John Bosco, St. Theresa, St. Joseph, Our Lady of LaSalette, and St. Theodore.

            The school has a great future potential.  Located in a highly industrialized area, all evidence points to continued growth.  The communities served are all predominantly Catholic in religious preference.  And from its inception, enrollment has grown from year to year. 

            Projected for the future is the construction of a gymnasium.

ST. MARIA GORETTI SCHOOL

(LAKE ARTHUR)

By Peter J. Theunissen

            Lake Arthur is an agricultural community with a population of approximately four thousand, ninety percent of whom are parishioners of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church.  In the mid-1950s,  pastor Reverend Harry Pelous inspired in his congregation support for his dream of a Catholic school in the parish.  This dream fulfilled, St. Maria Goretti School opened in September 1956 with a faculty of six Olivetan Benedictine nuns from Jonesboro, Arkansas, and 144 pupils in grades one through four. 

            In a building designed with the idea of future growth, the single wing contained eight classrooms, a cafeteria, a kitchen, an office for the principal, and a teachers’ lounge.

            Father Pelous, his funding limited in a small community with income dependent on agriculture, offshore oil, and small businesses, had to start in a modest way.  His goal was to expand by one grade a year, providing space and staff as need required.

            In 1959-60, a new wing was added to the building.  Thus was added eight additional classrooms, and an expanded kitchen area with storage rooms above.  Also, in 1959, the first two lay teachers were added to the faculty.  As enrollment increased and the number of available nuns declined, lay faculty became more and more important to meet the needs of a developing program.  Some of the lay teachers were provided by South Mission and were sent from Catholic colleges in the North to teach in Catholic schools in the South.  These dedicated teachers taught for comparatively low salaries, thus providing a substantial saving for Goretti.

            In 1961, construction began on the high school building.  This building provided for classrooms, a Home Economics Department, a Science Laboratory around a central gymnasium, and auditorium, and a large meeting room.  Much of the material for this structure was recycled from the old Welsh High School at a great savings for the struggling new school.  Members of the community, parents, and pupils, put in hundreds of man-hours on huge heaps of old bricks, scraping off chunks of mortar, cleaning, sorting and stacking.  In 1965, Goretti High School was able to graduate it first class of twenty seniors. 

            In the next year, Goretti High School officially became the Catholic High School for the surrounding area, receiving ninth graders from six other church parishes is three civil parishes  Goretti also has several elementary pupils from these church parishes.  This consolidation brought in black pupils into the system for the first time, since there were no black Catholic families with school-age children in Lake Arthur at the time. 

            In 1969, a kindergarten class was added for the first time, with nursery school classes added in 1978.  At the peak of enrollment, there were 489 pupils and twenty-nine teachers.  This number declined somewhat partly owing to the increase in tuition, the school’s main source of income.  At the same time, the Benedictine Community, which has been the main source of teachers, faced a critical shortage of Sisters to serve in its many schools.  The number of Sisters assigned to Goretti steadily dwindled; and the 1981-82 school year began with an all-lay faculty for the first time.

            The success of Catholic education at Goretti is due entirely to the dedicated service of its pastor, patrons, principals, faculty, but especially to the parents and pupils, who have been ever willing to give of their time, talents, and money for Goretti School.

OUR LADY QUEEN OF HEAVEN SCHOOL

(LAKE CHARLES)

By Truman Stacey

Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church Parish came into existence on May 31, 1957, by decree of the Most Reverend Maurice Schexnayder, Bishop of Lafayette, having been carved out of territory that had previously been part of St. Margaret Parish.

            The decree of erection, signed by Bishop Schexnayder, also named the Reverend Adrian Van Hal as the founding pastor.  Two laymen in St. Margaret Parish - B. P. Babineaux and Junius Dubois - who resided in the geographic bounds of the new parish, were named parish trustees.

            Almost the first thought of the new leaders of the parish was for the education of the parish children.  A school was a necessity, but there were no facilities, and no teachers. During the early days of the parish, even the celebration of the Mass was held in either St. Margaret’s Church, or in Christ the King Chapel, or in privately-owned buildings. 

            But help was on the way.  On October 10, a group of men of the newly-formed parish met and organized a Knights of Columbus council, taking the name of the church parish.  A building committee was appointed, with Charles C. Jaubert as its chairman.  The committee staged a drive to build a council hall at 3828 Ernest Street, by selling building bricks at ten dollars a brick. 

            On October 11 of the next year, the new hall was completed and dedicated by Bishop Schexnayder.  The facilities were immediately made available to Father Van Hal and the parish, and two days later, Our Lady Queen of Heaven School had its first beginnings. 

            A kindergarten was formally opened in the new KC hall with twenty-four pupils enrolled.  Mrs. Raymond Langlois was engaged as teacher. 

            All concerned realized, of course, that classes in the KC hall were to be temporary, and plans were already being drawn for a school building.  When the parish had been established, it owned forty-acre tract adjacent to West Claude, Creole, and Quilty streets.

            A temporary building was erected to be used as a church, and later to be converted into a parish hall.  Immediately south of this structure, a school was planned.  Architectural plans were drafted, and as soon as possible work was started upon a pavilion, with classrooms on either side.

            Meanwhile, classes continued to be held in the KC hall, with the Reverend (now Monsignor) Joseph Bourque, then an assistant pastor, as the school administrator. 

            On May 30, 1959, the kindergarten held its first graduating ceremonies.  Ten pupils were graduated.  In September, the school began its second year, with a kindergarten of over forty pupils, taught by Mrs. Jean Hebert, and a first grade of twenty-seven pupils taught by Mrs. Langlois. 

            On March 6 of the following year, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the new school building and pavilion, with Monsignor Louis H. Boudreaux, dean of the Lake Charles Deanery, officiating. 

            The new pavilion was completed, and dedicated in September of 1960, with Bishop Maurice Schexnayder presiding over the ceremonies.  The new complex contained six classrooms, and that fall grades two and three were added to the kindergarten and first grade.  All classes were taught by lay teachers. 

            In September of 1961, grades four and five were offered, and that same month, Bishop Schexnayder announced that Monsignor Irving A. DeBlanc, of Washington, D.C., would become the pastor of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish.  He had served a six-year term as the national director of the Catholic Family Life Bureau, but was being recalled to the Diocese of Lafayette for pastoral assignment

            AT the end of 1961, it was announced that the addition of the fourth and fifth grades had boosted the enrollment to 232 pupils. 

            In August of 1962, plans were made for an addition to the church building, which was to be a multi-purpose structure to serve as a cafeteria and an auditorium for the school, as well as furnishing rooms for religion classes.

            In October, Mother Georgianne and Sister Petrine of the School Sisters of Notre Dame visited the parish at the request of Monsignor DeBlanc, to discuss the possibility of that religious congregation taking over the conduct of the school.

            In January of 1963 the new cafeteria opened it doors, with Mrs. Daniel Soileau as the first manager.

            And in March Monsignor DeBlanc announced that the sixth and seventh grades were to be added to the school.  At the same time he announced that the School Sisters of Notre Dame would provide teaching personnel for Our Lady Queen of Heaven School.  A house to serve as a convent for the Sisters was purchased and remodeled.

            The first Sisters arrived to take up their new responsibility in August of 1963.  They were Sister Elaine, principal; Sister Bernard, Sister Miriam Therese, and Sister Rose Rita.

            The next month, in keeping with long-range plans for expansion of parish facilities, Bishop Schexnayder approved the construction of a large new addition to Our Lady Queen of Heaven School, to consist of a library, an administrative section, and ten classrooms.  A contract was awarded to Hebert Brothers, Inc., for the construction of the new facilities, on a bid of $327,000. 

            Also in 1963, a nursery was added to the school, primarily to take care of the children of the school’s lay teachers.  As time went on, its facilities were expanded. 

            The new school building was completed and opened for use at the beginning of the school year in September of 1964.  At that time, the eighth grade was added to the school curriculum.  Also, Mrs. Harold Westrope was employed as a full-time secretary and receptionist for the school. 

            On January 31, 1965, the new facilities were dedicated and blessed by Bishop Schexnayder.  Mayor Alfred Roberts and Parish Superintendent of Schools H. A. Norton took part in the ceremonies, along with Mother Georgianne, the provincial superior of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, along with about thirty members of the clergy and about fifty religious. 

            May 26, 1965, was a banner day in the history of Our Lady Queen of Heaven School.  On that day, the first eighth grade class was honored.  A total of nineteen pupils, who had completed the eighth grade, were presented with their certificates by Monsignor DeBlanc. 

            During the next five years Our Lady Queen of Heaven School grew to an enrollment of almost 500 pupils in kindergarten through the eighth grade.  The nursery, licensed by the State of Louisiana and Calcasieu Parish, grew to a capacity enrollment of fifty children from the age of eighteen months through five years. 

            In May of 1971, after the opening of the new church building at 3939 Lake Street, the old church was converted into a combination gymnasium and auditorium, thus providing space for the development of a complete physical education program. 

            In August of 1973, Sister Gloria Cain, SSND, was appointed principal of the school to replace Sister Paulette. 

            A reading laboratory was opened in a newly constructed classroom in September of 1980.  At this time a teacher was provided, and the school was able to offer a remedial program in reading for all pupils in grades one through six who are in need of such assistance.

            At present, Our Lady Queen of Heaven School has 531 pupils in kindergarten through the eighth grade.  The nursery has an enrollment of eighty children from eighteen months through five years of age. A third kindergarten class will be added in September of 1982. 

            The faculty consists of seventeen classroom teachers, two physical education teachers, one instrumental music teacher, two vocal education teachers, one instrumental music teacher, one remedial reading teacher, one librarian, one French teacher, one religion coordinator, and four teachers on the nursery staff. 

            From the beginning the leaders of the school have pursued the highest academic standards.  In April of 1964, the school was approved by the Louisiana State Department of Education. 

            Through the efforts of Sister Elaine, and a faculty of dedicated professionals, the school completed a comprehensive self-study, and was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in August of 1969.  At the time, Our Lady Queen of Heaven School was the only Catholic elementary school in Louisiana to have such an accreditation. 

            In March of 1974, the school completed the interim five-year period of study by the Southern Association.  Under the direction of Sister Gloria, the faculty conducted and completed a third self-study in preparation of the ten-year visitation from the Southern Association.  The visiting team completed its study and report in September 1979, and Our Lady Queen of Heaven School’s accreditation was once more confirmed. 

            The primary reason for the rapid growth of the school, according to the testimony of parents, is the fact that the Catholic Christian dimension of instruction is outstanding.  This dimension is developed in all aspects of the school and is integrated with high academic expectation.  It is for this reason that parents want their children at Out Lady Queen of Heaven School.  It is also for this reason that they are so active in their support of the school through its organizations. 

            Parents are looking for an extension of the home for their children.  They are looking for an atmosphere of care and happiness as well as discipline and self-directed learning.  Our Lady Queen of Heaven School, from its inception, has placed high priority on the building of Christian community among the faculty, pupils, parents, and the large society.  This priority integrated with high academic quality has been and still is the hallmark of the school. 

            The educational dream or vision continues to grow and is shaped by its leaders - pastor, principal, faculty, parents, and pupils.  The status quo is not acceptable when so much more is possible.  It is their belief that they are limited only by their imaginations.  Christian education must always meet the needs of the whole human person in society and the times that he lives.  It must constantly nourish the individual’s faith and always strive to make that faith vibrant, conscious, and alive in today’s world.  No one is ever denied admission because he is unable to afford tuition. 

            The three principals who have served since the school’s beginning have contributed much to its development as an educational institution.  They have also contributed to Catholic education locally, in Louisiana, and the entire South. 

            Sister Elaine Schaeffler, SSND, has had a distinguished career in education.  A graduate of St. Louis University, she was principal of Notre Dame High School in St. Louis for ten years, principal of Sacred Heart Grade School and High School in New Orleans for nine years, and principal of Mount Carmel Grade and High School in Houston for six years before coming to Lake Charles.

            Sister Elaine has been a member of the executive committee of the National Catholic Education Association, and an advisory member of the E.T.S. at Princeton University.  She has given workshops on the evaluation of schools in Lafayette, St. Louis, Houston, Cleveland and Omaha.

            Sister Elaine has completed her term as principal in 1970, and in September of that year, she was succeeded by Sister M. Paulette Strakos, SSND.  She remained in the educational system of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish as a parish coordinator for religious education for Catholic pupils attending the public schools.  She is now in her twentieth year of service to Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish.  In April of 1981, Pope John Paul II recognized her services to education by conferring upon her the Papal Medal Benemerenti (Well-Merited), as a just recognition of her outstanding contributions. 

            Sister Paulette is a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio.  Prior to her coming to Lake Charles, Sister Paulette was principal at Sacred Heart of Jesus School in New Orleans, and had been a teacher in SSND schools Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas.  After three years as principal at Our Lady Queen of Heaven school, she was transferred by her Order to the foreign missions, and assigned to Ghana, Africa. 

            Sister Gloria Gain, SSND, became the third principal of Our Lady Queen of Heaven School, and under her able direction the school has maintained its high standards and rate of growth.  She believes that schools were made for children, not children for the schools.  She has done much to shape and fashion the school as it exists today.  Education at the school considers the talents and needs of each child.  Parents and other members of the community are also aware that their support and services are essential to the school through volunteer programs, active membership in the school board, home and school organization, and the booster club.  Sister Gloria and the faculty operate out of the framework that education is truly a community effort with everyone having something to contribute for the good of all.  The parish Catholic school is the means by which everyone is brought together in a cooperative effort.  It is a place where old can share with young a living history and culture; young can interact with elderly to enrich and rejuvenate their lives. Rich and poor alike come together to work for a common cause and belief. In short, the Catholic school breaks down barriers and builds up community.

OUR LADY IMMACULATE CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

(JENNINGS)

By Mrs. Bernard Marcantel            

            Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Elementary School opened its doors to its first pupils, about 140 of them, on September 2, 1958.

            The school had been two years in the planning and one in the building.  Two Teresian Sisters and five lay teachers made up the faculty.  Mother Odette Daigle was principal and Father Charles Marin was pastor of Our Lady of Christians Parish Church. 

            On October 15, Bishop Maurice Shexnayder dedicated the school and the convent which had been built next to Our Lady Help of Christians Church. 

            When the school opened, there were two first grade classes, two seconds, one third, and one fourth.  The second year, were two classes in the fifth grade.  In the year following, there were two sixth grades, two sevenths, and two eighths.

            In 1959, Immaculate Conception Parish opened a new elementary school staffed by the Sisters of the Most Holy Sacrament.  The two schools operated independently until May 1969. 

            In September 1969, Immaculate Conception and Our Lady Help of Christians schools consolidated, with all classes being held on the O. L. H. C. campus.  The name of the school was changed to Our Lady Immaculate.  The school now served all three church parishes in Jennings:  Our Lady Help of Christians, Immaculate Conception, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help. 

            In September 1971, at the Bishop’s request, O. L. I.  reopened the school building next to Immaculate Conception Church on Lake Arthur Avenue, and the Sisters of the Most Holy Sacrament joined the faculty with the Teresian Sisters and lay teachers.  O. L. I. now operated with the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades at South Campus on Lake Arthur Avenue. 

            Although no provisions had been made for a central library when O. L. H. C. school was built, Mrs. Martha Marcantel started a library at the school when maintained on a voluntary basis.  She joined the faculty as a teacher in September 1963, but continued to run the library with the help of volunteer mothers.  In May of 1970, she resigned her teaching position, became part-time librarian for the school years 1970-71 and 1971-72, while she returned to U. S. L.  to get her library certification.  In 1972 she became full-time librarian for O. L. I., with a library on each campus. 

            In the spring of 1962, O. L. I. began participating successfully in 4-H.  That fall O. L. I. began a basketball program. 

            In 1970 a kindergarten was opened at O. L. I. and O. L. I. had its first football team. 

            In May of 1972 the Teresian Sisters left O. L. I.  The Sisters of the Most Holy Sacrament remained.

            In May of 1973, O. L. I. became the 17^th Catholic Elementary School in the Lafayette Diocese to receive official state accreditation. 

            In the spring of 1974 O. L. I. held its first annual bazaar as a fund-raising project. 

            In September of 1974, the 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grades returned to the North Campus.  Kindergarten, 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd grades moved to the South Campus. 

            In September of 1975, O. L. I. opened a Pre-Kindergarten class for 4-year olds. Also in September O. L. I began sponsoring Bingo games once a week as a means of raising funds for the school.  And O. L. I. added music to its curriculum, hiring a part-time band instructor.  By October 1977 the band had grown to 58 members.

            In November of 1976, O. L. I. began construction of a splendid new air-conditioned library in the center of the North Campus school.  This library was fully paid for upon it completion.  On Friday, April 22, 1977 the library was officially dedicated by Monsignor Robert Angelle, Vicar of Education of the Diocese of Lafayette. 

            When school opened for the 1977-78 term, all classrooms on both campuses were air-conditioned.

            The civil parishes served by Our Lady Immaculate School are Jefferson Davis and Acadia. 

            The church parishes served by Our Lady Immaculate School are Our Lady Help of Christians, Immaculate Conception, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

            Both campuses of O. L. I. are ideally located and are assets to the city.

            In the past, the area serving both campuses was mostly residential.  However, in recent years the area around North Campus on Roberts Avenue has become more commercialized, with an automobile agency, a bank, a clothing store, a grocery store, a flower shop, and other businesses in the neighborhood.  However, the south side of Roberts Avenue has lovely, well-kept homes facing the school. 

            South Campus on Highway 26 is one of the buildings in a block which contains, besides the school , Immaculate Conception Church rectory, the Sisters’ home, and an auditorium-gymnasium.  Three sides of this block are surrounded by homes.  Across the highway to the East are the Parish Fair Grounds and two new city department buildings. 

            There is one foreseeable change in the future of this area.  There is a large residential subdivision adjoining the North Campus area to the rear.  This is now in the process of being opened.  Formerly this was a soybean field. As a residential subdivision it will be a lovely addition to Jennings and will make the campus much more valuable and desirable.

            When school opened in September 1979, O. L. I. became the first school in Jeff Davis Paris whose pupils were able to take advantage of the many splendid educational TV lessons on PBS. Our pupils regularly see history lessons, science lessons, book talks and reading programs all of which are viewed in the audio-visual room in the library.  Pupils are also able to see many fine educational films and filmstrips which are borrowed from the Educational Media Center in Jennings.   The faculty feels that these films and TV lessons are a great source of reinforcement and enrichment of the material studied in the textbooks.

            Our pupils have a Student Council, a Beta Club, and Elementary and a Junior 4-H Club, as well as football, basketball, and track teams.  In the planning stage is the construction of a gymnasium in the near future.

            Priests of the three church parishes which Our Lady Immaculate School serves in 1982 are Reverend Marshall Boulet, Pastor and Reverend Albert Borel, Associate Pastor of Our Lady Help of Christians Church; reverend George Betzenhauser, Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, and Reverend T. L. Herlong, Pastor of Immaculate Conception Church.

            The principal is Mr. Doug Daigle.

SAINT LOUIS HIGH SCHOOL

(LAKE CHARLES)

By Elaine B. Bodin

            St. Louis High School is the natural offspring of St. Charles Academy and J. A. Landry Memorial School.  Its traditional history and values have derived from both schools of happy memory and it is located on what was once the Landry campus.  The school is named for both St. Louis, Crusader King of France and patron saint of Louisiana, and Monsignor Louis H. Boudreaux, the late pastor of Immaculate Conception parish.  The priest worked very hard for both parent schools, and then for the later consolidation.

            The urgent need for St. Charles and Landry to join forces had become rather crucial by the 1960s.  As early as November 25, 1963, an open meeting was held for interested people concerned with Catholic Secondary Education in Lake Charles and its environs.  The leaders in this movement stressed that the two schools as separate entities could not continue because of financial problems.  Experts from outside the system advised that a high school cannot excel in this age unless it has a student body of at least five hundred pupils.  Consolidation would give an enrollment of approximately six hundred students initially and would assure a maximum curriculum offering.

            As if to give added impetus to the merger, the H. C. Drew Estate, when approached, offered to donate a $300,000 Manual Training Wing, provided a matching gift from the community would be forthcoming and that the two schools would, indeed, consolidate.  The Drew Wing would make the new school a comprehensive one in keeping with the reason for consolidation.  In addition, the school facilities would lend itself more worthily to the Calcasieu Center for Catholic Studies - an exciting and challenging offering heretofore unknown in it developed stage.

            It was with this promise that the Catholics of this area consented to the consolidation.  But it was a hard decision for the majority of parents to make, and the students to accept, even though the practical elements were so well enumerated.  Both schools had enjoyed a fine tradition each in its own right.

            Anticipating its opening as a coeducational institution for the following fall session, the new St. Louis High School sponsored and open house on Sunday, June 7, 1970 from two to five o’clock in the afternoon.  With great pride visitors beheld a school that had no parallel in this area.  The focal point, the great commons, is accessible from every other section of the building.  One enters the area from the exterior through a carpeted foyer at the entrance on Bank Street.  Rather resembling an enclosed air-conditioned shopping mall, this vast area would be utilized for Masses, assemblies, rallies, forums, once school opened.  The specially treated hard-surfaced flooring, the well-placed skylight sifting gentle natural light down on the splashing fountain, and live greenery greet the senses.  Eliminating the need for halls, the commons has lockers and trophy showcases along the western wall.  The two most prominent features within this area, however, are the St. Charles Chapel on the south end and the Landry Library on the north end.  The chapel is built in a circular shape, has folding doors that can close into a small chapel or open to the commons to accommodate the whole student body at one time.  At the other end is the glass enclosed, oval-shaped two-level Landry Library.  The chapel symbolizes love of God, the library, love of knowledge, the latter through the former.  Both facilities manifest the ideals of the Catholic school and memorialize the parent schools. 

            Other sections visited were the student union, departmentalized teaching units, the Drew Wing, the administration facilities and the redesigned older section of Landry that had been incorporated into the new school. 

            In is dozen years of operation, St. Louis has maintained an enviable record of academic excellence.  In standardized testing St. Louis students consistently score higher than other area schools, and ninety-five percent of its graduates go on to a college education.  In literary and speech rallies, St. Louis has been the over-all winner for ten consecutive years in its division.  The students have had impressive results in the Science and Social Studies Fairs, Southwest Louisiana Play and Speech Festivals, Debate Tournaments, Sports and Music also come in for their share of glory.

            Pupils can become Honors Diploma Candidates by enrolling in designated Honor Courses and working toward a twenty-five and one-half credit diploma.  Of all pupils who earn Honors Diplomas, the top ten are selected as St. Louis Honors Graduates of each year.  Graduates have been accepted as students at some of the most outstanding universities in the United States.

            In mid-February of 1979 Monsignor Clemente Faccani, apostolic delegate emissary, came to Southwest Louisiana as part of the process for a feasibility study to determine the possible advantages in restructuring the Catholic dioceses of southwest, central and northern Louisiana.  From that point on, Catholics were caught up in the issue by speculating on what was to be done and who would be our next bishop.

            Speculation was ended when a much-heralded press conference was called for eight o’clock on the morning of January 29, 1980 in Lafayette.  The exciting announcement proclaimed that a new division for the Catholic Church in Southwest Louisiana had been made by Pope John Paul II.  The new Diocese of Lake Charles would include the civil parishes of Allen, Beauregard, Jefferson Davis, Cameron and Calcasieu.  Immaculate Conception church, the mother church of this five civil parish area, was designated the Cathedral of the new See.   Monsignor Jude Speyer, Vicar General of the Lafayette Diocese, was named first Bishop of the Lake Charles Diocese.  Bishop Frey, in his statement hailed this event as one of the most significant events in the history of the area, and said indications of the feasibility study showed that the people of the more western section could be best served as a new diocese, and the Gospel mission of the Church would be more effective with the pastoral presence of a bishop for that area.

            April 25, 1980, was most memorable as thousands gathered at the Lake Charles Civic Center for 2:00 p. m. to witness the ordination and installation of our bishop.  The entire student body of St. Louis High School was invited to witness this history making event.  The young people also joined in the cheering as His Excellency, Bishop Jude Speyrer, whose heraldic motto is “To Bring Good Tidings,” entered the coliseum. It was a day for rejoicing.  The Bishop bestowed a holiday for students attending Catholic schools of the Lake Charles Diocese for the following Monday.

            A drive to build a new half million dollar gymnasium was launched in 1980 by clergy, lay people and the administration for St. Louis High School.  Citing the inadequacy of the present fifty-year old gym, the plan also includes renovation of the latter.

            St. Louis is unique in many ways.  Thirteen ecclesiastical parishes subsidize and take an active part in the operation of the school.  Its Board of Directors consists of clergy and lay people from each of the participating parishes. There are six hundred and forty six pupils presently attending the school. 

            The torch has been passed, promises have been kept.  Beneficiary of history and values from parent schools, St. Louis surfaces, nevertheless, with its own characteristics and identity - living and working today in preparation for the future.

ST. LOUIS HIGH SCHOOL

STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

            St. Louis High School operates as an important educational center for the Catholic Church in this area.  Formed from its two parent institutions, Landry Memorial High School and St. Charles Academy, St. Louis High School continues a long tradition of providing its students with both a superior education and an appreciation of the values of the Christian heritage into which they were born. Seeking to reflect the attitudes and goals expressed in Vatican II, The Declaration on Christian Education we believe that:

By virtue of its very purpose, while it cultivates the intellect with unremitting attention, the school ripens the capacity for right judgment, provides an introduction into the cultural heritage won by past generations, promotes a sense of values and readies for professions… The school sets up a kind of center whose operation and progress deserve to engage the joint participation of families, teachers, various kinds of cultural, civic and religious groups, civil society and the entire human community.

            It is the belief in the spiritual nature of the person, the sanctity of his actions, and his communal dependence upon others to work out his own spiritual destiny that gives St. Louis High School its unique and primary reason for existing.  We see value in an educational milieu that is directed by a spirit of Christian love and sincere concern for each individual.  Hoping to provide an atmosphere in which a love of learning can be pursued, we believe that love, not fear, is the strongest impetus toward successful learning.  It is in this spirit of love that we undertake our responsibilities to those with whom and for whom we are working. 

            St. Louis High School dedicates itself to two ends:  service to its students and service to the community.  Recognizing that its chief responsibility is to those who come to learn within its walls, the school remains sensitive to the individual and collective needs of the student body.  It seeks always to recognize the existence and importance of individual abilities, individual interests, individual goals; it encourages expression of the particular and unique. 

            In its efforts to educate its students fully, St. Louis High School believes it must help to develop the moral, spiritual, social, and physical aspects f the individual, as well as the aesthetic and intellectual.  We feel the absolute need for providing an atmosphere in which ideas flow freely and serious questions can be raised without fear; we do not, however, equate freedom with license, and we continue to affirm the need for the development of self-discipline through concerned supervision. In short, we believe that education is dynamic rather than static, and that we must continue to create an atmosphere of learning conducive to individual growth. 

            Finally, St. Louis High School recognizes that it operates essentially as an extension of the home, and so seeks to cooperate in every way possible with the parents of its students.  Realizing its responsibilities to the larger community outside the walls, the school dedicates itself to the education of students who are and will be concerned, engaged citizens.  Because the cultural, moral and political tone of a community is largely determined by the quality of its schools, St. Louis School seeks to stimulate in its students an interest in the responsibilities and potential of vigilant citizenship.

ST. LOUIS HIGH SCHOOL

PRINCIPALS

Reverend Robert Angelle

Mr. Vernon Keating

Dr. Thomas Halbert

REGINA CAELI CENTER

(LAKE CHARLES)

By Sister Helen Mary Gieb and Delores Larson

            Regina Caeli Center, affectionately referred to as “the little gray school house,” opened its doors and its heart to eight very special pupils on August 25, 1970.  This was the culmination of nearly a year’s study, planning, and hard work that began in December 1969.  Sister Warin of the School of Notre Dame had discussed with Sister Helen Mary Gieb of the possibility of opening a special education center in Lake Charles.  Sister Helen flew to Lake Charles on December 16, to confer with Monsignor Irving DeBlanc, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church, and Sisters Lillian and Giovanni of the School Sisters of Notre Dame.  Monsignor DeBlanc looked favorably on the program for the mentally retarded but did not feel that there was an immediate need for a program for deaf children. On February 20, Sister Helen and Sister Rose Rita drove to Lake Charles to again meet with Monsignor DeBlanc and Sister Lillian to make plans for the future special education center. 

            The dwelling at 3903 Kingston Street, immediately south of OLQH Church, was found appropriate for conversion into a school and was purchased from the owner, Mr. David Cook.  Plans were then drawn for remodeling the building.  May 2 was an exciting day for Sisters Helen Mary, Rose Rita, and Celestine as they interviewed the parents and tested prospective pupils for the 1970-71 school year.

            In July and August, the sisters were busy cleaning and painting to get everything readied for the formal opening.  By August 10, a house was about to become a school.  Jean Hebert and a crew from OLQH parish set up the desks and made final plans to receive the first class.  Initially, there was one large classroom at the front part of the building, a small office, restrooms for the children, and living quarters for Sisters Helen and Elaine.

            Reporting for the opening day of school were Gil Boudoin, Jimmy Chambers, Dennis Crochet, Buster Hebert, Patty Westrope, Blanche Williams, Kevin Derouen, and James Derouen - the first pupils of the new school.  Sister Helen was both principal and teacher. Volunteers were called upon to assist. Those responding were Ana Blessing, Hazel Yoder, Helen Reed, Florence O’Carroll, and Steve Voisin.  Enrollment increased.  Before the end of the first semester, Karen Queenan, Patrick Theriot, Cora Richard, and Jenna Baronet had been admitted as pupils to be followed in January by Dale Jones, Ida Granger, and Tony Roy.  The total number of pupils for the first year was fifteen. Of this first class, one is presently in college, another completed high school, three are attending regular high school, two are in special high school programs, three are gainfully employed, and five are in various sheltered environments.

            A small classroom addition to the school in 1971 made it possible to enroll twenty-six pupils and add two members to the faculty.  These were Sister Judith Schaeffler and Annette Duhon. Forty-five persons responded to the call for volunteers to assist the teachers.  Enrollment increased to thirty-one at the beginning of the 1972 school year.  New faculty members were Helen Davenport, Clarice Jones, Mary Hantz, Madeline Savoy, and Marcie Dimond.  Volunteer assistants numbered thirty-two.  In this year, arrangements had been made with McNeese State University to extend the Student Nursing Program to the school, and Dr. Richard Calhoun was named the school’s medical advisor. 

            Beginning in the fall of 1972 and continuing until the fall of 1977, the McNeese Student Teaching Program became a regular feature at the Center.  Sister Helen directed sixty-four students in completing their practice teaching requirements in Special Education.  The program ended when the state phased out the program in private schools. 

            The year 1974 was a year of physical expansion.  New buildings were constructed and major improvements made.  A “new look” was given to the little gray schoolhouse with the addition of a porch surrounded by large white pillars, a foyer, a new front classroom, and a room for the volunteer help.  This was supplemented in 1976 with the addition of an office, restrooms for girls and volunteers, and an enlargement of the back classroom.  In the next year a library and a speech room were added.  And through a memorial gift of five thousand dollars made in 1979 by Edward Shaheen in memory of his parents, a gazebo was built.  This structure is used for lunchtime activities and for entertainments. 

            A great debt of gratitude is owed to the many volunteers who made the program of expansion possible.  Among these were Clyde Hantz, Norris Adams, Gloria Hebert, Gene and Gloria Verret, and many others who gave of their time and labor to make of the school what it is today. 

            In the twelve years of Regina Caeli’s existence funds were raised by the parents of pupils.  Garage sales accounted for over $37,000; raffles, $32,000; a Western Dance brought in $9,000, and a Walk-for-Catholic-Education totaled $1,544.

            Grateful support has been extended from a variety of sources.  The Kiwanis Club of Lake Charles sponsors two annual scholarships; the area Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Daughter of America make annual contributions, and the Bishop’s Service Appeal provides an annual subsidy of five thousand dollars.  Anonymous monetary gifts are received from time to time.  In addition, the Alhambra Club has sponsored Christmas parties, the Knights of Columbus and the St. Louis High School Library Club sponsors an Easter-egg hunt for the pupils. Pupils from Barbe High School have taken part in Halloween parties. End-of-school parties been sponsored by Burger Chef, Bowlarena, the Mike Queenans, and the Carlton Joneses.  In the past three years, mothers have prepared Thanksgiving dinners with their appreciative children providing the entertainment.

            Regina Caeli’s concept and purpose is to devise individualized programs tailored to the needs of the pupils.  This is done through testing and through the child’s personal history.  A brochure prepared by the Center summarizes the school’s aims and purposes:  Regina Caeli “offers a program of special education to children with mental retardation and other learning disabilities.  The center is dedicated to helping the child, regardless of race, color, or creed to become a happy and useful member of adult society.  It combines a balanced program of spiritual, academic, social, and personal experiences for the optimum growth of each child.”  As a measure of success in attaining these goals, Regina Caeli was listed in 1977 as the only approved non-public-special-education school in the state of Louisiana.  In 1975, Sister Helen was named “Principal-of-the-Year” in the Diocese of Lafayette. 

            Monsignor DeBlanc and the other priests of OLQH Church have given much of their time in developing the spiritual and moral growth of the pupils. They have so ingratiated themselves with the Center that the pupils eagerly anticipate their visits.  Father Bill (Ruskoski) and Father James Miles have assisted in religious programs.  Sisters Helen and Joanita and Gloria Verret have helped many of the pupils in preparation for communion and confirmation.  Active participation in church affairs is encouraged.  A case in point was the baptism of Merrel Clifton.  The child was baptized at a school Mass with the pupils providing the singing and readings.

            In addition to the specialized curriculum, a well-rounded program of outside activities is offered.  The 4-H Club was organized in 1975 followed several years later by the first annual Western Day. Pupils participate each year in the Special Olympics, and usually bring back their share of awards.  In the 1981-82 school year, a WuShu Class was held twice a week.  WuShu is a form of Chinese martial arts and provides another means of developing coordination and balance for the pupils.  Don Perry, from Shreveport, was the volunteer instructor.  One class learned to play a musical instrument called the “soprano recorder,” and four members of this class participated in the OLQH Band Class.  Several girls belonged to the Cheer Leading and Pep Squads groups of OLQH Church.  The younger pupils participated in the Creative Movement Class headed by James Schul and sponsored by Adolescent ETC. 

            Various groups have entertained the children.  Among these was the “Up With the People” cast, who spent a full morning at the school entertaining and getting to know the children on an individual basis.  The children did their share of entertaining, visiting nursing homes, and putting on shows for their parents and friends. 

            Every effort has been made to stimulate the imaginations and the social conscience of the pupils.  Selective films are shown once a week in the Library and birthdays are celebrated monthly.  A speech therapist, furnished by the Calcasieu Parish School Board has sixteen pupils currently enrolled in the program.  Student nurses from McNeese State University teach a health program.  Pupils are encouraged to compete with one another.  A spelling bee was held for the first time in 1982 with Trent Dubus the winner.

            The pastor is ex-officio chief administrative officer of the total parish educational program.  A school board evaluates the performance of the school and recommends and establishes policies which assist school personal in improving academic programs.  The Center is directed by a School Sister of Notre Dame. The teachers, both religious and lay, are professionally trained and certified in the field of special education.  The speech therapist teaches on a part-time basis.  Volunteers assist in the program

            The present faculty and staff consists of Sister Helen, principal; Clarice Jones, secretary; and Barbara Clark, Mary Hantz, Cathy Hebert, and Theresa Bourgeoise, teachers.  The librarian is Laura Lueck, and the speech therapist, Kathy Griffith.  Volunteers are Fern Moore, Gloria Verret, Rita Langlois, Catherine Blessing, Billy Donovan, Laura Lueck, Delores Larson, Libby Simonson, Grace Guth, Dot Cupaldi, Sherry Louviere, and Janelle Johnson.  There were forty-eight pupils enrolled in the 1981-82 term.

            Although Regina Caeli Center is one of the youngest schools in the Lake Charles Diocese, it holds a high place in its excellence, achievements and service.  It makes a unique contribution to the diocese.

            As the first group of Sisters came to Lake Charles in 1882 with a dream and a prayer and founded St. Charles Academy, so must all who believe in Regina Caeli see that the dream is realized for all special children. 

HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL

(MOSS BLUFF)

By Mrs. Ronald Guillory

            The story of Holy Family Catholic School really began in 1978, when the Reverend Joseph A. Bourque was appointed pastor of the St. Theodore Catholic Community. Working together with his parish council, Father Bourque could see the need for a Catholic school in the Moss Bluff area.  Approximately 95 percent of the people moving into the area were young families.  The public schools were crowded, and a number of non-Catholic religious denominations were opening private schools that were being attended by Catholic children.

            In September of 1978, Father Bourque asked his sister, Mrs. Lovica Hebert, to help him organize a nursery.  The nursery was opened on January 2, 1979, with Mrs. Hebert in charge.  Growth was gradual.  Currently, the nursery enrolled forty-two children ranging in age from six weeks to kindergarten. 

            Ideas for an elementary school then began to unfold.  After much consultation with the parish council and many individuals in both Catholic and public education, the decision was made to delay the opening of the school until August 1981. A building with eight classrooms was constructed to be used for CCD religion classes in 1979, with the idea that it would also be used for school classrooms when the parish was ready for it.  In time, the parish council made a survey to determine the number of families interested in sending their children to a Catholic school.  The decision was finally made to move slowly by first providing a diocesan and state approved kindergarten program the first year, then proceed with plans to add one grade each year through the eighth grade. 

            Parents of all interested kindergarten-aged children were called to meet early in June of 1981.  Mrs. Peggy Guillory was appointed the first kindergarten teacher and principal.  Mrs. Guillory had been very active in the affairs of the St. Theodore Catholic Community.  She is the wife of Ron Guillory and the mother of five daughters.  She holds a Master’s Degree in Education.  Father Bourque and Mrs. Guillory instructed the parents on the school programs.  They were then asked to make a commitment to send their children to the school in the fall of 1981.  Thus it was that the kindergarten opened in August of that year with sixteen children. 

            At the second parents’ meeting shortly thereafter, a temporary school board was formed.  Elected president was Mrs. Charlotte Colosky, who was most instrumental in providing important information and services to the new school during her term in office.  Appointed to serve on the board were Mrs. Pam Dibbley, secretary; Mrs. Phyllis Savoie, vice-president; Father Bourque, pastor; and Mrs. Peggy Guillory, principal.  Later, Mr. David Savoie was appointed.  The school Board outdid itself in attempting to “go by the book” in establishing a sound-policy foundation for the school.  The name chosen for the institution was the “Holy Family Catholic School.”  Final approval came from Bishop Jude Speyrer on August 21, 1981, and the school opened three days later amidst great excitement and anticipation. 

            As was to be expected, the school board members and the parents had a big job ahead of them.  Even though the school consisted of only a kindergarten classroom, all regular reports had to be submitted to the diocesan office and to the Calcasieu Parish School Board office.  Being a brand-new school, Articles of Incorporation and other documents had to be completed, approved by the proper authorities, and filed. Mrs. Colosky was equal to the task in handling these transactions. 

            The program chosen by the school and used in the kindergarten classroom was the Open Court reading program in combination with exposure to the Crossties program currently being used in the Calcasieu Parish public schools.  Emphasis is placed on language arts (learning the alphabet phonetically) and on numbers.  The kindergarten room was set up into learning centers, both structured and unstructured.  A reading center, housekeeping center, music center, science center, and a puzzle and block center were set up, along with group presentation area in the room. 

            With the help of Mrs. Dru Sonnier, a volunteer in the room-mother program who served as chairman, Mrs. Guillory undertook many special projects with her class.  The children especially enjoyed taking cardboard pictures frames out on the playground in older to take a “closer look” at the small things that God made.  Many “discoveries” were made in the midst of excitement and activity.  Mrs. Sonnier devised a mothers’ teacher-aide program for the kindergarten, with one mother attending on Tuesday morning, and one on Friday morning in order to free Mrs. Guillory for other special instruction periods. 

            An important part of the instructional program at the kindergarten level deals with the five senses.  Finger painting was begun every Friday morning, using one color at a time.  When the child realizes that colors are “magic” and can form a different color when mixed, he has a chance to create his own “masterpiece,” frame it, and take it home.  All then gather together in a shared responsibility to clean up afterwards.

            In September, the children began their first cooking project - homemade applesauce.  Each child had the opportunity to cut up at least one slice of an apple, while the teacher showed the class how a recipe works. The applesauce was cooked in the classroom in an electric skillet, and the children sampled their own project!

            In October, the children studied a complete unit dealing with the planting, harvesting, and marketing of a corn crop.  In conjunction with this unit, Mr. Bill Holleman, manager of the local Market Basket grocery store, was honored by the pupils with a “People Pleaser Award” for the month after which, he conducted the class on a complete tour of his store. 

            Also in October, the Moss Bluff Volunteer Fire Department paid the school a visit.  Fire Captain Jimmy Bastow and an assistant fireman brought their fire-fighting engine to the school and explained its purpose to the class.  Each child was then allowed to sit in the cab of the engine.  The pupils in both kindergarten and the nursery school participated in a fire drill before examining the fire engine.  Mrs. Ruby Malone was the teacher of the three and four-year old nursery school class. 

            At Halloween time, the children came to school dressed up in costumes and displayed their Halloween spirit by parading through the nursery and then trick-or-treating with Father Bourque and his rectory office staff.

            The focus in November was that of praise and thanksgiving to God for all things, especially for the school and its children, parents, and staff.  The children studied in depth the Thanksgiving story - even to the point of  “entertaining" a live turkey at their Thanksgiving party.  The children also constructed their own Indian headbands and Pilgrim hats.

            The beautiful story of Christmas was emphasized in December.  A giant Nativity bulletin board was set up to impress the children of the importance of the Christ story.  In the same month, they were honored by a special visit from Bishop Graziano of San Salvador.  The bishop was in St. Theodore parish conducting a mission at the time.  He brought home the Christmas story in a very special way that the pupils will not soon forget.  For their Christmas party, they made all the Christmas-tree decorations.  These included jingle bells, gingerbread boys, and Santa Clauses.

            Also in December, the children and three chaperones “piled” into the church parish van to go to the Lake Charles Civic Center for a presentation of the The Pied Piper. 

            The class received a special gift - a golden hamster - from the Ken and Betty Hanks family in January.  The “resident pupil” was named “Nicki” by the children and was placed in a see-through plastic home in the Science Center, where the children studied the habits of their new friend. 

            The month of January also brought with it a meeting of the Diocesan School Board convened to consider the future of Holy Family Catholic School.  Superintendent Gerald Dill and his reviewing committee met with Father Bourque, Mrs. Colosky, Mrs. Savoie, Mrs. Pam Dibbley, and Mrs. Guillory.  The question under consideration was:   May we add grades one and two in the fall of 1982?  After a thorough study, a decision approved by the St. Theodore parish council was presented to Bishop Speyrer. Receiving the go-ahead signal from the bishop, plans were then formulated to add more teachers and make provisions for additional pupils. 

            Although February was the shortest month in the year, it was filled with activity for the school and church.   On ground-hog day, February 2 (a very cold and rainy day) the school held a parents’ and teachers’ meeting, after which the mothers treated everyone to a bowl of steaming-hot gumbo.  The fellowship was of value, and everyone enjoyed himself.  In the same week, on February 6, the St. Theodore Catholic Community came together to witness a most joyous celebration - the dedication of the brand-new church building. It was a proud day for the parishioners, as they had long outgrown the multipurpose church building the Moss Bluff parishioners had been using.  The old church building was renamed the Holy Family Center in keeping with the name given to the school.  The school children attended the dedication at a special youth Mass celebration at 6:30 a. m. the next day.

            On Ash Wednesday, the associate pastor of St. Theodore, Deacon Roy Melancon, gave the children a guided tour of the new church, explaining the meaning of the ashes and Lenten season.  He then distributed ashes to the children.  As a special Lenten activity, the children learned how to make soft pretzels, a food which people at one time ate during Lent.  With the loan of the nursery oven and the help of mother-aids, the pretzels were not only well made, but they were also good.

            While school activities continued, other things of a secret nature were going on.  Unknown to Mrs. Guillory and the children, a friend of the school was fashioning a seal for the school.  Merle Rivette, a volunteer worker in the parish library and a talented artist, came up with a very beautiful and symbolic seal of the holy family.

            The seal, or logos, now appears on all the school stationery.  It was sent to a local t-shirt warehouse to imprint on shirts worn by the pupils.  The adopted shirt color was navy blue with the seal and name of the school in white.   The shirts are worn every Friday and on field trips.

            In March, an important aspect of the school was established.  This was the formation of a parent-teacher organization.  The school board had decided to present this idea at a meeting to all parents of kindergarten pupils, and to future parents.  There was unanimous agreement that such an organization would be helpful to the school.  A slate of officers was elected on the night of March 30, and the name of the organization decided upon was “Parents and Teachers in Christ” (P.T. C.) 

            A unique arrangement was adopted for the P.T.C. officers.  Since the school was named after the Holy Family, the decision was made to have couples serve in each position.  Thus, the slate selected was:  Presidents:  Rodney and Dru Sonnier; Vice-President:  George and Penny Dugas; Secretaries:  Phil and Betty Bodman; and Treasurers:  Ron and Peggy Guillory.

            The first project sponsored by the P.T.C. was a benefit dance on April 21, with the Sonny Bourg Band supplying the music.  The event was a big success.  It served not only as a means to raise necessary funds for the school, but it also brought parishioners together for a good time.

            At about this time, Mrs. Guillory was in search of qualified teachers for the first and second grades earlier provided for.  She was also trying to find someone who would replace her as principal.  She found that serving full-time on the staff of the school, while trying to be a full-time mother for five children and caring for a husband, left little time for anything else.  As it turned out, Ron Guillory, Peggy’s husband, who was teaching the eighth grade at the Moss Bluff Middle School, found out that he would be free at noon each day.  Holding a Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision with additional college credits in Guidance and Counseling, he applied for and received the principalship of the Holy Family School beginning in the fall of 1982.  Father Bourque humorously mentioned to the parents that Peggy would now be Ron’s assistant!

            The first-grade teacher was appointed in April. She is Mrs. Charlotte Loftin, a University of Mississippi graduate with an outstanding record.  She has joined the faculty filled with enthusiasm and excitement.

            The second-grade teacher was added to the faculty in May.  A parishioner of St. Theodore and a mother of two sons, Connie Fruge was chosen for her academic qualifications, for the strength of character, and for her love of God.  These characteristics were made evident as she began preparations for the school year. 

            During the last three months of school, the children were fortunate enough to be exposed to a trial-music program furnished by Mr. Terry Hanks, who was employed in St. Theodore parish at the time.  Terry’s visits with his guitar named “Joy” were happy and exciting times for the children.  However, owing to his need to move to another location, he left for Houston and other activities.

            As April drew near, the kindergarten children had a number of classroom visitors.  These were Dr. Allen Dennis and Dr. Steve Latiolais, two local dentists, who instructed the pupils in proper dental hygiene.  Dr. George Storer, a local veterinarian came to the school with “George,” one of the dogs from his kennel. The children were shown how to keep a dog clean, and how to properly care for it.  A lesson was also given on dog illnesses. 

            With April also came Easter with its beautiful meaningful promise of new life.  Complete with songs of the resurrection, filmstrips of the story of Easter, and prayer celebration, the children prepared for the joyous Alleluia season.  Before Holy Week was over, the pupils joined together in an Easter egg hunt, a sing-along, and a party.  The room mothers again helped to provide refreshments and treats.  Among there were:  Dru Sonnier, Janice Mouhot, Susan Fontenot, and Suzanne Hollier.

            The end of April saw a field trip to Hardee’s where the children learned how the morning biscuits are made, and were treated to a breakfast of juice or milk and hot biscuits.  They then traveled to the Moss Bluff Parish Library, where they became acquainted with library procedures and saw a film on how to take proper care of books. 

            May, 26, 1982, became a historic date as Holy Family Catholic School graduated its first kindergarten class.  The children marched in to a crowded house of proud parents and friends, who were presented a program that showed some of the accomplishments the children had gained in the year.  Father Bourque gave a beautiful talk, then he presented each graduate with a certificate and a big hug.  Thus ended the school’s first year of operation climaxed by cheers, goodbyes, and tears. 

            However, this must be considered a beginning.  Preparations are afoot for the coming year.  An excellent religious coordinator and teacher was recently appointed.  The teacher, Mrs. Sue Fontenot, is known for her diligence, earnestness, and friendship qualities.  She was chosen to help pupils find a close relationship with God through her efforts.

            Mrs. Paula Hanks, a former first-grade teacher at St. Margaret’s Catholic School, was added to the staff as reading coordinator to work with the teachers on an in-service basis, with the parents and children, and to train the teachers’-aides.  Mrs. Hanks conducted a workshop for the principal, teachers, parents, and aides on Monday, June 28, in the church library center.  Helping her was Mrs. Carol Landry, presently a first-grade teacher at St. Margaret’s.  All of those in attendance departed very excited about the language-arts program to be used in the school.

            At present, principal Ron Guillory and his new school board, consisting of the Reverend Monsignor Joseph Bourque, Deacon Jack Reynolds, Deacon Roy Melancon, George Dugas, Rodney Sonnier, Thial Pete, and Amy Reynolds, are busily making arrangements for new bathroom facilities, a water fountain, and other necessary additions to the present school building.  Everyone looks forward, with God’s help, to many years of building the lives of children in a Catholic atmosphere in the presence of loving teachers and staff, and to promote the family image so desperately lacking in today’s society.

            Thanks go to Monsignor Bourque for his vision and dreams of having a Catholic School in Moss Bluff - the very first school established in the new Diocese of Lake Charles. 

OUR CATHOLIC EDUCATION:

A NEW BEGINNING

By Reverend Monsignor Irving A. DeBlanc, Ph.D. LL.D 

            Some of your may remember the story of the Indian and his reactions to a new lighthouse being built.  After many months when it was finished, he stood staring at it when a thick fog began to roll in.  “Ugh,” he said, “light shine, bell ring, horn blow, but fog come in all the same.” 

            No matter how much we shine our lights and ring our bells and blow our horns, it is the fog with which we must ultimately contend. 

            The first element of that fog is what constitutes “Catholic Education.”  Einstein said of education in general, “It is that which remains after you have forgotten everything you learned in school.”  He no doubt, meant that education is not a mass of inert fact and ideas, but an attitude, a style, an appetite, an approach, a frame of mind, a continuing function of the whole personality.  It was Emerson who said, “The truest test of civilization is not the census, nor the size of the cities, nor the crops - no, but the kind of man the country turns out.”  Catholic schools belong to an educational tradition as old as Western Civilization.  They were an integral part of the American settlements and have been the major component of a nonpublic education sector established during the past century.  Today, private education remains a significant partner in American elementary and secondary education, just as it is on the level of higher education.  The private or parochial system is as American as is the public school system.  The Catholic school system gives sound evidence of strength for the foreseeable future, not only in the Diocese of Lake Charles, but nationally.  For those who favor an alternate educational system, one which is free to compete and innovate, to adopt various values and philosophies, one which promises great motivation, this is good and welcome news!

            After the U.S. Supreme Court decisions of 1971 and 1973, many supporters and opponents doubted that the private and parochial school could long survive.  Although most proponents of private and parochial education apparently feel that these decisions were unfair and unwise, the law of the land clearly dictated that nonpublic education face these pivotal years without public financial assistance.  The strain has indeed been great and the financial story of most private and parochial schools has not yet been told.  The vote of confidence, however, given nonpublic education by parents, pupils, and communities during the past few years, is unmistakable.  Catholic schools in the Lake Charles diocese and the country have been to stabilize and regenerate.  In terms of academic offerings, class sizes, and faculty degrees, experience and certification, our Catholic schools continue at their finest hour.

            All things considered, private education is alive under trying circumstances and ready to live in the Lake Charles diocese and in America for many future generations.  Our attitude is anything but negative, especially since the last five years give very positive indications for the future.  Perhaps the most hard-earned lesson of the past educational decade is that reality cannot be denied.  Undoubtedly, the most encouraging aspect of these years is the irrepressible desire and support demonstrated for Catholic education.

            Few in the late 60s would have predicted such a development.  The fundamental force is just as clear and powerful today as it has been over many decades, even centuries.  Many parents, students, and educators believe that education must include the value and considerations of religion and the behavior that such beliefs call forth.  Further, it is evident that secular knowledge is in no way compromised by the integration of religious values, and that personal and institutional discipline is essential to this process.  Dr. Mortimer Adler in his book, The Angels and Modern Man, audaciously demands that our schools go back to basic liberal arts for our survival as a democracy.  Hundreds of thousands are going to college in their late 20s because they have not been taught those basics of observing, measuring, estimating, evaluating, and problem solving - of character.  This is one special forte of the Catholic school system. 

            There is a caution!  We must shun Catholic coziness. Some say, “We have survived the 60s and 70s.  We have made it.  It looks like our Catholic schools will survive.”  This would be complacency, and would prevent a further maturing of the Church, especially since Vatican Council II.  We now see a new emphasis on learning rather than on teaching.  We see a focus on establishing a living community and not just academic excellence.  The Catholic Church is more “who” than “what,” more a “relationship” than an “institution.”  This is part of the new beginning.  Lifelong education is becoming more and more a reality.  Catholic education begins at a much earlier age and never ends.  The Catholic bishops of the United States had directed us “to teach as Jesus taught” - with growth of His living message, with developing a Catholic community and expanding a Christlike ministry.  To effect this program, “to teach as Jesus taught,” the Catholic school system is virtually indispensable.

            The teaching of religion to public school students is extremely important.  There is, however, a small amount of time available to do this.  This places almost insurmountable obstacles for those who want to “teach as Jesus taught.” 

            The principal of the school, of course, is the key difference between a successful school and a poor school.   The principal must be an instructional and dedicated leader who clearly states and enacts Catholic goals for the school.  Capable and well-informed teachers are indispensable.  The vision and commitment of a strong pastor is vital.  Still, if Catholic education is to grow and prosper, it will be mainly the work of the Catholic laity.  The “people of God” as an image and reality have come into their own.  The future success of the Catholic education in this diocese will more and more be the work of an informed and trained Catholic laity.  A clear definition will always be required describing the role of the bishop, the pastor, the principal, the local and diocesan school boards, and the parish council as well as parents.  But it must be understood that the operation of a Catholic school is not merely a mater of being managerial, but also ecclesiastical.  It must continue to be a Church function to truly succeed as a Catholic school.   

            It is this dimension of being “Catholic” which assures us of a new beginning in this diocese.  Parents must be passionately devoted to the Church and its teachings.  They must really want their children to be Catholic.  Our Catholic schools will not survive if students are allowed in large numbers to squander the Catholic faith of their parents and recklessly abandon this inheritance from saintly pioneers of the past.

A New Crisis Will be Faced in Education

            Professor Diane Ravitch has described the public schools of New York City as a “battlefield of social change.”  The first school crisis was the early 19^th century struggle over religion in the public schools.  The outcome was the establishment of independent Catholic parochial schools without public support.  The second school crisis was the impact of needs of the new immigrants who were largely Italians or Jews.  The third school crisis was a “crusade for efficiency.”  The cost along with efficiency in education was the issue.  The fourth school crisis described by Ravitch was wagged over the presence of racism in the schools, and the inferior education being offered Negro children. 

            The point of giving this resumé is to suggest that the four school crises that she recounts contain the principal elements that still beset not simply the public school system in one city, but the educational efforts of the country as a whole.  Every important issue of the past remains basic to those four crises in a search for a viable definition and realization of community. We believe that Catholic education is in a very strong position to offer a successful concept and practice of “community.”  In Chapter 17 of St. John’s Gospel, Jesus prayed, “I am not praying for the world.  I am praying for those (the apostles and holy women).  I pray also for those who believe through their words… that they may be one, Father, so that the world may believe it was You who sent me.”  He is talking about a love relationship - about community.  Christ’s credibility depends on our love for one another - the formation of a Catholic Community - a family that takes care of each other.  He says it is extremely important that His people be loved.  Then the world will know He is the Messiah.  God’s plan for us is community. 

            This gives rise to a fifth crisis; the crises of virtue:  a new beginning.  We believe the Catholic school system, with renewed focus on virtue, will give an even greater contribution of love, commitment, and discipline to our community and our country.  The true Catholic school is one of our greatest hopes and one of our greatest needs. 

            The success of our Catholic schools, of course, depends on how effectively teachers reach the mind, the heart, and the feet of students - The mind:  students are taught truth with intellectuality and intelligibility.  The heart:  they are taught intimate love of God, of country, of neighbor, so that cold freon is no longer a part of their human system.  Finally, the feet:  they learn by doing.  It is not only a matter for them of being able but of being good.  When one meets a Catholic student, one expects to meet a Christlike person, not Catholicism or an “ism.”  We do not expect to meet just a nice middle-class American, or a genteel non-denominational Christian, but a Catholic!  He/She expects to grow up as a Catholic who does not hesitate to go to a weekday Mass or receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation frequently, or to show his appreciation of devotion to the Mother of Christ, or to attract others to learn more about his/her Catholic faith, or to listen to his/her bishop or pastor, not as a matter of obedience, but of love.  The future of Catholic schools in this diocese depends upon the proper emphasis on the Catholic mind, the Catholic heart, and the Catholic “feet”:  a new beginning!

A Catholic Mind

            If a school or a society cannot rouse itself to the pursuit of excellence, the consequences will be felt in everything that it undertakes.  As Americans we accept two principles:  All men should be equal, and we also quickly applaud the other, “let the best man win”; or as the Irish sometimes say, “I’m as good as you are, and a great deal better, too!” 

            There are many individuals who can never be entirely happy in a world which judges man on the basis of what he can do, his achievements.  Men are not equal in their native gifts, and will not be equal in achievements.  That is why Catholic schools want to stress equality of opportunity.  We may not all hit home runs, but every man should have his chance at bat.  No feature of our society is more highly treasured today then the opportunity and freedom to become what I am capable of becoming before God and man.  Few themes have gripped the imagination of Americans so intensely as the discovery of talent in the poor boy who becomes an outstanding priest, a frail youngster who develops athletic skills, or the slum child who shows scientific genius.  No system, however, which issues an open invitation to every youngster to “shoot high,” can avoid facing the fact that room at the top is limited.  Let-the-best-man win philosophy can lead to something close to the law of the jungle.  Catholic schools with their frequent individualized approach gives opportunity for academic excellence to everyone.  All children must be given the same quality of instruction.  Take two cartons.  One holds a quart, the other a pint.  Fill them and they are both full to capacity.  But fill the quart carton with cream and the pint carton with dirty water.  They are both full, but not with the same quality product.  Dr. Adler insists, “The best education for the best is the best education for all.”  We believe with William James that, “the wealth of a nation consists more then anything else in the number of superior men that it harbors.” 

            But by superior men, we mean more than men with critical qualities of mind; they must also have durable qualities of character which will serve them in circumstances they cannot now even predict.  Of all mistakes made in using academic and intelligence tests, perhaps the worst are made in trying to apply the results beyond the strictly academic.  There are other powerful ingredients often not measured:  attitudes, values, motive, nonacademic talents, zeal, judgment, staying power.  A youngster with great intellectual gifs may be too lazy to unwrap them.  Catholic schools must be holistic in approach.  It must never be forgotten that ours is one of the few societies in the history of the world in which performance is a primary determinant of status.  What the individual can “deliver” in the way of performance is the major factor in how far he can rise in the world.  The European system separates youngsters at ten or eleven year of age on the basis of ability and begins preparing some for University education, some for trades and crafts.  Americans believe the youngster should have many successive opportunities to discover himself.  We allow for a possible “late bloomer” to loaf his/her way through a prolonged adolescence.  We often believe it is better to let a student try college and fail rather than tell him he is not smart enough to go to college.  But the invitation to each individual to achieve the best that is in him requires that we provide each with the particular kind of education which will benefit him.  This does not mean we ignore individual differences, but we deal with them wisely and humanely.   Everyone does not have a right to be a college graduate anymore than everyone has the right to run a four-minute mile.  Catholic schools can and must give not only equality of opportunity but quality or respect - regardless of ability.  This is another reason for their success:  a new beginning!

            Lewis Terman and Catherine Cox found that historical geniuses were characterized not only by very high intelligence, but by the desire to excel, by perseverance in the face of obstacles, by zeal in the exercise of their gifts. 

            The Catholic school system’s emphasis on excellence in academics shows great promise for the future, but its emphasis on Christlike character is more crucial.  It must endlessly counsel, awaken, encourage, discipline every individual student.  If the Catholic school system were ever to lose this capacity to evoke the best individual performance in a student, its great days are over.  Outstanding parent or teachers can pass on their wealth or knowledge, but they cannot pass on the will to win, or a fierce determination to struggle when needed.  Difficulty is the nurse of greatness.  Ease and easiness corrode us.  The purpose of rigor is not simply to screen out the less able but to screen out the less highly motivated in the way of performance.  The ones who get through a Catholic school should not only be of superior ability, but of superior character.  This involves a great emphasis on Catholic values.  High motivation is as precious a commodity in a Catholic school as the greatest of talents.  There is too little sense of reward in many schools.  Why finish high school or go to college?  Our Lord taught us the secret of commitment and motivation when He said to Peter, “Peter, do you love me?”  Catholic schools offer great rewards in this world and the next.  They accept students generally who will take Catholic education seriously.   It is no “sin” to let the non-serious enter a Catholic school.  It is a “sin” to let any substantial portion of the student body drift through school without effort, without growth and without a goal or motivation.  Catholic schools must be committed to stretch the individual to the utmost of all his/her potentialities.  Not only because of the extra sacrifices parents are making financially and otherwise, but the very purpose of a Catholic school is to give freedom to its students to become fully what God wants them to be.  Catholic schools must honor excellence; indeed they must demand it in every socially accepted human activity however humble the activity.  They must at the same time scorn shoddiness however exalted the activity.  An excellent plumber is infinitely more admirable than an incompetent philosopher.

            If Catholic schools were ever to screen it students, it would not be to screen out the less able, but the less highly motivated.  We know a good deal about things men work for - love, security, status, money, power, pleasure, possessions!  But why are some individuals indomitable while others are tossed about by events like the bird in a badminton game?  Why do some come to defeat early while other rise from defeat and constantly discover new resources of energy and spirit?  There must be compelling goals and a sense of movement toward these goals. There must be a vision that lifts their minds and spirits above the tensions of the moment.  Intellectual talent is not enough motivation. Doing the will of God with truth, love, justice, and beauty is a rewarding goal.  Christ has said that the Father will not tolerate a waste of talent.  Society, too, demands commitment and responsibility from those who are talented and rewards them as best it can.  As the Dutch in Holland expect their children to speak several languages; as the Greeks expect good oratory from their leaders; so Catholic schools expect their students to strive for excellence!  Some kind of excellence is within reach of everyone. A society that does not believe in anything will never achieve excellence. Catholic education is built on faith in Jesus Christ.

            Many honor Catholic education; few understand its larger purposes. It is not only developing the intellectual and the moral, it also makes possible a perpetual self-discovery, perpetual reshaping to realize one’s best self to be the person God wants him/her to be.  Catholic education involves a development of the whole self as well as becoming “the people of God” in a shared purpose.  We are one generation away from paganism.  We dare not remain idle.  We must not go to sleep on a full stomach.  We cannot give into the narcotic of easy living.  We must meet our purpose as Catholics with vigor, courage, and dedication.   We must reach for excellence!  This is surely the age of the expert.  We must produce a great new generation or see the collapse of what Catholics in this community have achieved in the past. 

            One century ago, pioneers in Catholic education set out in Lake Charles to show that they had something unique and worthwhile to offer.  They knew that the whole community was watching them.  They had sublime confidence.  Today, we recall their high goals.  We need a reaffirmation of our shared purposes.  We need dedicated school teachers.  We need trained parents.  We need a recommitment to the goals of our pioneer Catholic educators.  We welcome a new burst of commitment and renewed evidence that Catholic people in this community work hard for something they believe in rather than enjoy a spirit of laissez faire and apathy:  a new beginning!

            John Mason Brown put it this way:  “Life owes us little.  We owe it everything.  The only true happiness comes from squandering ourselves for a purpose” - or rather is it a Person? Our Lord, Jesus Christ!

A Catholic Heart: Catholic Schools Teach Love and Community as a Main Focus

            It is within our power to make Jesus credible to the whole world.  In St. John’s Gospel we are told that unity among us is the proof that Jesus is sent by the Father.  It is the test of the credibility of Catholics and of Christ Himself.  In our Catholic schools we have to have a Catholic identity.  To do so we need a relationship with Catholics and others.  We cannot really be “Catholic” alone.  We must draw on each other’s strengths.  Students, teachers, and parents become more and more aware of the goodness of those who surround them.   A Catholic community is all of us.  We simply cannot leave it to just a few lay people or priests and religious.  All must grow constantly in their awareness of the other person.  They are not to pray, for instance, as isolated individuals.  Most find it difficult to understand that they are Church.  Catholics learn to pray as Church and not just as Joe and Mary.  The liturgy, therefore, often happens more at desks and at home than even at the altar. 

            The Scriptures are seen not as just a book.  It is the “Book of the Church.”  Before the New Testament writings were recorded, they were memories spoken and passed on.  The Gospels first came into being in the hearts of the people communicating their faith and love to one another.  What the four Evangelists wrote down was not an inspiration given them privately, but an inspired work lived and communicated among the people.  The Scriptures are the Church’s memory of Jesus and how much He meant to the people.  Scripture is an appeal from the Church to read the Book in terms of where we belong in the midst of these people:  a new beginning!

            Catholic students are not just people of ritual, or ethics, or of Scripture or prayer, but very definitely people of the Sacraments.  They are immersed in Baptism and raised again to new life.  This is incredibly wonderful!  It is a call to belong to one another:  a call to recognize that we are incorporated into Christ’s body and linked to all the baptized.  Fr. Charles Gallagher, S. J., tells forcefully this point in his booklet, Being the Body of Christ.   To love and be loved require a risk.  Too many do not want to be loved, afraid that they might be controlled!  We are not baptized privately.  We have a call to a new relationship, a call to belong not only to Christ but especially to all who are baptized.  The people of God have called us not only to belong to Christ but also to each other.  In Confirmation, again there is a real calling forth by the community of believers.   The whole point of Confirmation is that one must get involved as never before.  When confirmed, one is commissioned to carry out the Gospel message to make disciples of all nations.  It is a public vow to live the life of a Catholic community.   It is through this deep relationship of students and faculty that the world is going to believe that we are the body of Christ.  It is not something that happens one evening, but the beginning of a process. Students must sense this call:  the attraction to belong to this Mystical Body.  Confirmation is a mandate from the Catholic Community to speak in their name wherever we are.  If because of their action, students and faculty establish an atmosphere of indifference in the hearts of those around them, and they are not leading others to really belong to this Body of Christ, they, then, must frequent the Sacrament of Reconciliation and seek forgiveness for destroying the credibility of the Church in the eyes of others.  Sin is not a private thing!  When we sin, we diminish the Church.  We sin when as Catholics we are unwilling to be identified as a Catholic.  When a Catholic sins, he/she makes the Body of Christ less believable, less meaningful, less attractive in the eyes of the world.  To seek reconciliation with the body, we do not go to God alone.  Many too often focus in Confession more on what happens to them than to the persons they have offended.  Frequency of Confession indicates our sense of responsibility to others.  The real goal of this Sacrament of Reconciliation is to deepen our relationship with the people of God:  to form an environment of love.

            So, too, with the Eucharist, students are taught to take this Sacrament seriously.  It is a true meal with one another from which we are to understand each other better, be more responsive to one another, be more tender, less critical, more willing to let each other into our lives.  The real test then may be:  do students, faculty, and parents go to Mass and Communion on weekdays whenever they can?  The Eucharist is a meal, not a feeding.  A meal includes people.  The family table is a beautiful and important liturgical preparation.  Breaking bread with others of the faith on a regular basis is also fitting.  Many do not consider the possibility of daily Mass because the opportunity is not offered them.  In going to Mass with others, we must feel closer and more attracted to them with a greater bond than ever before.  The Eucharist is again an expression of belonging to one another.  At Mass we look around to see who is sick, lonely, imprisoned.  Students are called to be a family even more than they are called to be “good.”  People should be “fighting” to get a Catholic education, not only because of academics, but because of the love that exists in that Catholic school.  Too often, too many have been accountable to themselves and to God only, but that is not the way it should be.  Students are taught to bring other people into their lives so that their decisions can be tested.  It means that they are community; that is, interdependent and family.  The call of the Gospel is to know the right thing; but also, it is to love.  Catholicism is not only ethics; it is a deep love relationship.  Catholic students should not find it difficult to call themselves “Catholics.”   They do not need to identify with that vague expression, “Christian,” which may imply some apology. To be “Catholic” must involve being Christian. 

            One goes to a Catholic school not to learn to be a good, middle class American citizen who believes in one God.  One goes to learn about being a Catholic who believes in all Christ taught, as recorded in Sacred Scripture, and 2,000 years of tradition in the Church.  Maybe the most significant quality of that early Church was the love they had for one another.  We may have seen more good theology in the past fifty years than centuries before, but maybe we are having less influence as a Church than ever.  Unity is the difference.  With emphasis on heart, and love, and relationship, teachers in Catholic schools cannot be less “Catholic” than those they teach.  We are what we are mainly because of the people we love most.  Heart must speak to heart in a Catholic school:  a new beginning! 

Teaching Catholic Action and Ministry

            Catholic education in the future will be emphasizing a new direction:  not just goodness, but magnanimity; not just obedience to Christ, but love!  Jesus said to His apostles, “Do this for me.”  Catholic students, no doubt, hear the same plea.  Community is what really counts.  But this means getting involved!  It is not merely a matter of being nicer to others, or doing more things around the parish, school or community.  It is a deliberate choice to involve oneself in the lives of others.  It is first a deliberate acceptance of God’s will to be “a people.”  It is a voluntary step to include others in our lives in an intimate, Catholic way.  Students are living in a cold, pagan world, and it is very difficult for them to let up anchor and live the Gospel message. Too often as good middle-class Americans, Catholics have had good ideas, but then they dump them on their priests and religious, or hire someone else to do it.  The only way we can live this Catholic life is to become insulated by the warmth and tenderness of a loving relationship through a faith experience.  One is reminded in Catholic schools to form clusters, not cliques, with those who share our many values.  Those with whom we hang around are the greatest single factor in whom we become.  Service then becomes the outgrowth of whom we are to one another.  Students and faculty respond to people rather than to needs.  A relationship is formed.  People remember what they have learned about us not so much by what we did for them but because of a relationship.  We are not kind and close only to people who need us.  The best thing we can give is ourselves! 

            Teachers are not just to do good things for students, but to integrate them into their lives - to love them is to really draw out the best that is in them.  Teachers also learn to be integrated into the community or Church parish.  The people there can really count on them.  Parishioners then relate to teachers as well as students as one of them - the same blood runs through their veins, the blood of Jesus Christ.  The uniquely special thing Catholic school students are taught is not just service and apostolic hours, but a deep love.  It is from this love that action flows.  From our prayer, a power goes out from us to heal as Christ healed the lady who touched the hem of His garment.  Mother Teresa of Calcutta has said so often that the real starvation people suffer is not for food, but for love.  The question every student must ask is:  “Am I really involved in the lives of my fellow students and parishioners, and are they therefore better off?”    Being academically able and being efficient are important, but that was not given as the sign of Christ’s presence of the credibility of His Church.  A true love relationship with action such as The Beatitudes was the evidence to look for.  It is not a question only of serving but of belonging.  The very fact that others come to the same school or choose to belong to the same community is a call for students to reach out to them in a particular way.  Catholic students are still taught to reach out beyond particular groups, otherwise they are inward and narrow and not truly Catholic. 

            One has to know what is happening to others: that Mary is alienated, that Peter is poor, that Barbara is lonely.  (So many are hurt.  They have been viciously criticized. Criticism is a great common denominator.  Then anger ensues, then apathy, then disaffiliation.)  Students must reach out with compassion.  Those who have drifted from the Church must be hugged back into the active Body of Christ.  When we give the sign of peace at Mass, it is more than a mere handshake.  We are involved and can parody: 

I was lonely and you invited me to a swimming party.  I left Mass early, and you noticed it.  I was hungry and out of a job, and you treated me to a sandwich.  My parents were divorced and you gave me special attention.  I belong to a minority group and you invited me to your home.  I was imprisoned with lots of babysitting and you baby sat for me. 

            The relationship is such that when your friend cries, you taste the salt. Those hurts in life will not be healed by good theological opinions.  They maybe healed by a compassionate relationship.

            One of the criteria for a good Catholic school is the love that is clearly apparent all over that campus.  Students cannot delay getting involved.  “Later on” is too late.  They need to exercise their “apostolic” leg muscles.  Catholic school students should be profoundly exposed to the deep, powerful movements of Cursillo Encounter, and Charismatic renewal, and other like movements. 

            Teachers as true leaders must develop other leaders along the way.  This is one of the best indications of a real leader.  They must not sit back passively waiting for somebody else to provide magic shortcuts to the kind of community many envision.  The community of believers, who truly accept and live their relationship with one another, proclaim Christ first and foremost to one another, and then to the whole world by truth, love and action.

            Jesus told us to love one another as He has loved us.  This cannot be accomplished by attending a common ritual.  We need even more.  We need little schools, little “West Points” of Catholic lay leadership.  We celebrate holiness at the altar and get our energy there but what I do after Mass at home or school, tells me whether or not I am holy - a new beginning.

Concluding Remarks 

            Our Catholic schools are, or should be, the power cells in the church parish.  They are vital adjuncts to the liturgical and social life of the parish.  Consequently, the pastor’s and the parishioners’ viewpoint about the best interests of the school may sometimes differ from the viewpoint of a professional educator.  There is some talk now of the educational advantages of middle schools, in which students of many church parishes can enroll.  Centralizing schools, of course, has advantages especially academically and some disadvantages.  One disadvantage is that the role of the pastor as teacher is endangered. To move toward centralization often means his removal as teacher.  We see this pastor’s role as exceedingly important.  It is a meaningful role which should be emphasized in the Christian formation of youth.  The pastor has a responsibility which no school board should take away.  Often the school is the church parish’s most effective contact with the neighborhood.  It lets the neighborhood know that the Church is in its midst.  The pastor who sees the good the school is doing, beyond the confines of the classroom, acts understandably when he opposes certain changes in the school system.  “The new” must be demonstrated as “the better” before it is accepted. 

            The question is also asked:  Can we continue to support Catholic schools with the high standards of education that is demanded?  This question has fitted into the rising costs during the past decades.  We have, however, seen our people select their priorities.  With the unusually rapid inflation in real estate, for instance, people still greatly increased their total spending for housing.  They spent less on automobiles. People also spent less on recreation and foreign travel.  People did not, however, cut back on private and parochial school tuitions.  By the end of the last decade the American standard of living was higher than it had ever been.  Our per capita income last year (l981) was higher then ever before - higher even after inflation, higher even after income taxes! 

            We put up for what we believe in!  A decade ago, one out of nine adult Americans had received four years of college; by 1980, it was one out of six.  College and University enrollment at the beginning of the decade was 8.6 million; at the end, it was 12.2 million.  Because Catholic education appeals so strongly to those who take education seriously, to those who want religion to be the soul of instruction, to those who want love and discipline balanced in school, our people continue to prioritize their funds and send their children to Catholic schools more and more these past few years.  In the next decade we can expect to see in this diocese not only a growth of Catholic schools, but an all-out development of Catholic adult education.  There is strong evidence of both in the mind and in the plans of our bishop, Jude Speyrer.  As soon as there is more success in Catholic adult education, the most important of all stages of Catholic education, we can expect Catholic schools and Catholic “CCD” programs for public schools students to be even more effective.

            Bishop William Friend of the Alexandria-Shreveport Diocese and a past superintendent of Catholic Schools said recently that he had a dream of Catholic education in the future.  Among his many thoughts, he envisioned “Catholic educators who would move in attitude from a positive focusing on survival to one of achievement; from a posture of doubt to one of hope; from an emphasis on material costs alone to a realization of what is possible from God’s power and from releasing the opportunities for people to say ‘yes.' "

            Commencement speakers are fond of saying that education is a lifelong process, but most forget to prove that for most of us, the learning process comes to an end very early in life.  For so many, Catholic education is something that happens in schools and colleges maybe like stuffing sausage or training seals.  They believe it happens to young people between the ages of six and twenty.  But Pasteur said wisely, “Chance favors the prepared mind.”

            May our minds be prepared to help us become what the Almighty has given us the potential to become; the people of God; a community with love and faith; Catholic educators with a new beginning; students who truly and best witness the credibility of Christ. 

REMINISCENCES

THE SISTERS MARIANITES OF HOLY CROSS

            FOUNDER: The Very Reverend Basil Anthony Moreau was born on February 11, 1799 at Laigne-en-Belin, near Mans, France.  Basil completed his primary studies under his pastor, his classics at Chateau-Gontier, and after a brilliant course in the Seminary of Mans was ordained at the age of twenty-two.  Father Moreau spent two years with the Sulpicians in Paris and at Issy.  During the succeeding twelve years he taught philosophy, theology, and Sacred Scripture, serving also as Assistant-Superior of the Grand Seminary.  On March 1, 1837, Father Moreau organically united the Auxiliary Priests and the Brothers of St. Joseph into the Association of Holy Cross.

            Encouraged by the success of the Fathers and the Brothers in the education of young men, he also founded an order of Sisters who were to devote themselves to the education of young women.  On August 4, 1841, four candidates for the new foundation were clothed in the religious habit, and immediately commenced their novitiate.  Thus the Congregation of the Marianite Sisters of Holy Cross was founded at Le Mans, France and the first Superior of the young community was Mother Mary of the Seven Dolors.

            In 1848, a foundation was established in Louisiana.  The Statutes of the Congregation which received temporary approval on February 19, 1867, received final approbation by a decree of Pope Leo XIII, on October 28, 1885.  This approbation means that the Vicar of Christ marks the Congregation as a work of God and that it has the blessings of the Church. 

            After resigning as Superior-General and enduring much suffering, Father Moreau died January 20, 1873.  His last moments were gladdened by a special blessing from Pope Pius IX.  Father Moreau is buried in the community cemetery at Mans.  At the present his Cause has been advanced for Beautification.

ST. CHARLES ACADEMY 1914-1970

            SISTER MARY LUA LYNCH:  During the year 1914, the Sisters Marianites of Holy Cross enjoyed “Moving Day” in Lake Charles.  Sisters Justin, Ursula, Hubert, Thomas, and Alfred remained at the old St. Charles Convent to pack up. 

            Sisters Coleman, Praxeda, Richard, and I went to the new building to prepare it for residence.

            We swept, mopped and scrubbed all day.  When we grew tired, we sat on the floor to rest.  No furniture arrived during the morning hours.

            Naturally, as the day advanced, we grew hungry, and naturally, we had forgotten to bring anything to eat.  To forget the hunger, we sang hymns and songs while resting.  Tired and hungry we watched for, and examined every truck-load that came from the old Convent.  Finally, in mid-afternoon, the truck brought loaves of bread and cans of condensed milk.  Fortunately, too, we found a can-opener.  We sat on the floor, and had a delightful meal on bread and condensed milk.  Never was a meal so delicious! 

            Next day was Sunday.  Again, because no stove had been connected, we had a meager breakfast.  However, the Catholic Daughters heard of our plight, and came to our rescue.  They supplied the Sisters’ meals until they could help themselves. 

            Soon, attendance at school began to increase.  The boarding school filled to capacity with boys and girls. 

            I am over ninety years of age.  Of the Sisters who were in Lake Charles for “Moving Day” only Sister Praxeda and I are living. God bless you!

            SISTER MARY PATRICIA LEWIS:  In my fifty-two years of teaching, I’ve worked with many wonderful priests, but none can compare with Father Cramers.  He was the most Christlike I’ve ever known. When I arrived in Lake Charles assigned to teach the first grade at the age of seventeen, he looked on me as a child and always called me “Patsy,” at a time when nicknames were practically unheard of for Sisters.  I always looked on him as a “Father.” 

            I loved taking care of the little boarders with Sister Hubert.  I remember well going to the clothes room right after school to get the little ones’ clothes ready for the next day.  I recall, too, taking the little ones out of their beds in my arms while they were fast asleep to the bathroom, otherwise I would have “another problem” in the morning. 

            Later on, I helped with the little-boy boarders.  While preparing them for their first their first confession, one of the boys, Roddie Steele, said to me, “Sister, I must have disobeyed you about a thousand times,” and I thought to myself, “That’s about true.”  But when he went to confession, Father took him on his knee and listened as only Jesus could.  Every afternoon, Father came to the yard to spend some time with the children and sat on the bench under the spreading tree. They climbed on his knee vying to be closest to him.  There one could see his Christlike spirit coming through, the joy he evidenced in the simple happiness of youth.  This was also evident in his enjoyment of the Sisters’ recreations.  In his special rocking chair in our community, he occupied many an evening sharing our games and amusements and recounting many stories of life in Holland, and of the many experiences he’d been through ministering to the people where a resident priest was unheard of.  A very special holiday of his was Easter Monday set aside by him as “Sisters picnic.”  It entailed a boat ride on Thompson’s boat up and down the Calcasieu River with the day spent at their camp.  He enjoyed every game, especially croquet …and he enjoyed winning, too. They were the simple happy days!

SISTER MARY JUDE LEWIS:  I taught in Lake Charles from 1932 to 1935, and remember being very happy during those years.  I do not recall particular occurrence at this time except one sad one.  I remember vividly the grief of all the Sisters and Parishioners when Death claimed our good friend, Monsignor Hubert Cramers. 

SISTER JEANNE NACOL:   My first year of Profession, 1927-28, I was sent to Lake Charles.  I was a young sister then and taught music with Sister Hyacinth, who was the music teacher.  I had many pleasant memories of that first year.  Monsignor Cramers was Pastor.  Every Sunday he brought us candy and often took us out for a ride.  Going out was a rarity.

Memories of my later years in Lake Charles, 1954-77, are varied and beautiful. I loved Lake Charles.  We had so many good and generous friends who well always be remembered and prayed for.  I was music teacher for almost twenty-three years, and had many talented youngsters and teenagers from Lake Charles and neighboring towns.  Many varied activities added zest to the work of music.

The Community celebrations with our Sisters and also of St. Patrick’s Community were varied and very enjoyable. 

            Also, the big Fairs given by I.C.S, and St. Charles which were a delightful diversion and lots of fun. 

            I also cherish the memory of our beloved Pastor, Monsignor Boudreaux, who was so good and so generous to us. 

            I find that I cannot crowd all my memories of Lake Charles in a letter. I just loved it all.

            SISTER MARTHA McCLELLAN:  As I sat with my breakfast coffee this morning, I started jotting down some memories; and it was like opening a floodgate.

            I know the early forties include Father Boudreaux giving us the first automobile the convent could ever call its own.  He gave us his, and at the time stating it was Marianite blue - the color of our cinctures.  He and Father Vidrine made sure that it learned how to drive and do it well.  I can hear him saying:  “Remember, ‘stop’ means STOP, not pause.” 

            My first experiences in teaching CCD in the missions was with Father Bodin.  Every Sunday morning, he came early to give us Holy Communion, so we could eat breakfast before going to the children’s Mass.  Sister Clare and I went out to St. Margaret’s and then, once a month, we went on to Tree Island.  It was in that very small chapel that we froze in the winter.  On several occasions Father Bodin left his overcoat on, while we would move a small heater up and down the aisle during Mass so everyone could have a bit of heat.  It was also at this chapel that an inquisitive cow put her head through the sacristy window and ate two arrangements of artificial flowers. 

            Three of us - Sisters Philomena, Clare and I taught CCD with Father Vidrine in Goosport.

            Speaking of Sister Philomena, I can so plainly see her sitting at her desk in the boarders’ study hall, crocheting the Sacred Heart badges. She had such a devotion to the Sacred Heart.

            Sister Edith was the source of much joy, confusion, dread, and love.  Oh, how I hated to bring the basketball team home for a game when we had lost.  She would not tolerate anyone losing.  But, when we won, she was willing to spend a couple of hours with us talking about the game. 

            She loved to plan surprises for the Sisters.  Getting ready for Christmas, she made something special for each one of us.  She also prepared Easter baskets for us.  One year, we had received some exceptionally bad news on Holy Thursday.  To lift everyone’s spirits, she put our Easter gifts on our desks that night.  Even though Good Friday had to be observed, we experienced her love and concern.

            None of us could ever forget Sister Bartholomew’s one-day-a-year-in-bed time.  This was when she prepared for her annual pageant.  One was built around the various Ave Marias.  It was delightful when completed; but many differences of opinion arose during the preparation and production time. Nothing was too difficult for Sister to envision; the results proved that. 

            The second-floor hall with is black and white linoleum squares caused many sore muscles and back aches, even for the young. The colors ran, so they had to be scrubbed individually.  Mother Adrian put together a “mop,” about the size of a beach ball, with a handle.  It was covered with cloth and weighted with God-alone-knows-what.  But, it produced the shine we wanted.

            I almost forgot the famous (or infamous) chicken-salad sandwiches Sister Philomena made every week.  She was always making things for the missions.  The students sold those sandwiches like hotcakes.  And we had the fun of helping her make them.  I think the working people near the academy waited for the day when they were to be sold; most of the girls had regular customers.  The missions were taken care of.

            SISTER COLETTE GUIDRY:  As far as I am concerned personally, there are so many things which WERE my happy life in Lake Charles, either at the Academy or at I.C.S. or at St. Louis. 

            I recall:  always the topmost awards went to our students for any thing they entered - 4-H Club, Choral, State Education Competitions, Girls State, Debate, Plays, Newspaper, Literary Organizations, Catholic Students Mission Crusade, and Sodality.  And many more which distinguished the exceptional student, as each and every one of them was.  It was sheer pleasure working with the faculties, families, as well as with the students themselves.

            Some people who “made” the place were Monsignor, of course; Sister Winifred, Jerry Crews, Monsignor Angelle, Sister Celestine, and many others. 

            Great memories ….

            SISTER CLAUDETTE MARIE HENRY:  I taught at St. Charles Academy from August 1953 to 1958.  During this time I was known as “Sister Claude.”  I taught chemistry, general science, French I, Algebra II, Religion II, and biology.  I was sponsor of the C.S.M.C. (Catholic Students’ Mission Crusade).   I also was in charge of the cafeteria, the basketball team, and taught CCD each Saturday.

            At that time, there were boarders at St. Charles.  I supervised them for study hall.  We lived in dorms (large rooms with a dozen beds in each.) 

            It was during these years that Monsignor Louis Boudreaux had private bedrooms and baths built, installed air conditioning and an elevator for the Sisters.

            We walked to Mass in those days, because we were too many for one car.  Each Sunday afternoon, we also walked to Church for Benediction.

            Each Sunday we were treated to a concert by Sister John - though she never was aware of it.  Each Saturday Sister Rose Elizabeth and I listened (in season) to Notre Dame football games on the radio, while counting cafeteria money for deposit.  Mother Ligouri would sit in the recreation room, and ever so often would come in to ask how the game was going.

            In the summer of 1954, I took some students on a two-week bus tour during which we attended a three-day national C.S.M.C. Convention. 

            I remember during the ‘50s, we sent many drums/boxes of canned food, clothes, soap, etc. to Sister Leo in Pakistan to distribute to needy children. 

            No one would make biscuits or pies like Alberta, our cook.

            I made many friends while in Lake Charles, some with whom I still correspond.  I have beautiful memories, and some bad memories - such as those of Hurricane Audrey.  I simply have too many memories to state them all.

            SISTER WINIFRED DALY:    My memories of Lake Charles are fond ones.  I was there for thirteen years, all of which I enjoyed immensely.  I saw St. Charles Academy grow from 150 students in 1953 to 250 in a few short years.  Sister Edith ended her term as principal in 1954.  She was followed by Sister Theresa, after whom I was principal until 1966. 

            For some years there were separate principals for the elementary and high schools, but when Sister Theresa came, she became the principal of both schools.  This arrangement continued until just a few years before SCA was united with Landry to become St. Louis High School.  We had some excellent teachers during those years, who were totally dedicated.  It was only dedication which made them work with such zeal, for such low salaries, and for so long a time.  We were fortunate enough to have 15 or 16 Sisters during that period. 

            One of the things that stands out in my mind is the wonderful parents whose deep interest in the school was manifested in their remarkable cooperation.  They readily made themselves available at all times.  I refrain mentioning names, fearing, because of the large number, that I would omit someone, but out PTC officers, and later our School Board members, were the most cooperative and helpful people I have ever met. They were instrumental in getting a school bus with green stamps - no small undertaking, to say the least.

            I could not omit a word about our great friend and advisor, Monsignor Boudreaux.  He was always ready to help whenever we needed him. He remodeled our living quarters in 1957, which had been badly in need of repairs.  From two large dormitories, he constructed private rooms and added air-conditioning.  A new cafeteria in the early sixties was his brainchild.  What a contrast - this large, bright, and airy cafeteria as compared with our cramped quarters in the basement of St. Charles.  Monsignor Boudreaux understood young people, and never condemned them for their mistakes.  The students loved him and celebrated his birthday every year with a program prepared and executed by the student themselves.

            St. Charles Academy had some excellent students who were ambitious and took advantage of the best in education which we tried to give them in every field of endeavor.  In the late fifties and early sixties, SCA reached a peak of excellence in academic work, debate, music, and 4-H.  We won many honors in those years.  It was then that it became evident that something had to be done, because we had outgrown out facilities at St. Charles.  Plans were begun, then, for the amalgamation with Landry. 

            Although I hesitate to mention names, I feel I should give credit to one individual who gave his time unstintingly to keep the school and convent in repair.  He remodeled the Home Ec Department, built and tiled rest rooms for the girls, and managed an untold number of smaller repairs, for which he received no compensation. Indeed, we Marianites are deeply grateful for this great benefactor, Mr. Roland Stoute.

            SISTER LURLINE BROUSSARD:  Father Hubert Cramers stands out in my memory.  My encounter with him was as a child in grammar school, a boarder at St. Charles Academy.  I picture him now as a strong person whose heart worked overtime for everyone, and I mean no one escaped his great love!  Do anything wrong?  How could we when we were surrounded by our pastor’s love and affection. This love of his had eyes and ears that saw and heard much more than could be said.  His love was genuine.  If someone had hurt you in any way - your feelings or you experienced any physical hurt from a scratched finger to a broken arm - his loving embrace would absolutely cure all ills.  When Father arrived in the schoolyard at St. Charles, the word went around:  “Father Cramers in on the ground.”  There was no place close enough for all of us to be near him.  He always had a smile, and a big cigar in his mouth. 

            Each Thursday, Father Cramers came for us, the boarders, to ride out in the country.  We had a marvelous time.  He taught us to love nature.  We stopped along the road to see the “bear Tree” which we had named.  Then we picked up arms full of dogwood flowers to take back to the convent for Thursday evening Benediction.  Sister Magdalen de Pazzi always knew we would return with flowers for the Chapel on Thursdays. 

            On one of our Thursday rides, Father had to make a sick call, as he called it.  He prepared us to visit a family whose relative had died and was laid out in their living room.  I can still remember us standing very close to Father near the coffin as he prayed with the family. You can imagine the questions he had to answer when we returned to his big blue car.  I think this was my first encounter with death.  He gently led us to the real meaning of death and resurrection.

            As I look back, I realize how his great love embraced all, affecting the Sisters who taught us and took care of us.  Returning from our Thursday rides with Father Cramers, we would go to the sacristy with flowers we had picked.  The Sisters were all assembled in the chapel waiting for us to return.  Now I know they were praying their office and Seven Dolor Beads.  Sister Hyacinth was at the organ, Sister Hubert checking to see if we were tidy enough for appearance in the Chapel, especially after a ride with Father.  We had had a chance to have ice cream all over our faces and hands.  The ice cream was a compliment of Father Cramers.  The Sisters were aware of how happy we boarders were - how safe we were with this loving shepherd.

            On the feast of St. Hubert, the entire school went to Prien Lake for a school picnic.  The Incarnate Word Sisters from the hospital were also there at the picnic to help celebrate.  Sister Richard Scahill was very busy in the big kitchen at St. Charles preparing the boarders’ lunch, and we went by there to give her a hand.  What great fun to have Father Cramers with us!  Sister Hubert Walsh was also an honoree that day.  Father saw that everyone had fun, and he gave us ice cream whenever we wanted some. 

            Whenever we had anything going on in our St. Charles auditorium at night, Father Cramers would come up the middle stairs to the door of the dormitory to bring the little boarders ice-cream cone in bed!  Poor Sister Hubert!  She tried desperately to keep our pajamas and bed linens from the drippy ice cream.  We were thrilled, of course, because this deviated from our dormitory rules! 

            I received my Solemn Communion at Immaculate Conception Church.  I was dressed in white with the veil and all.  But what really made this occasion solemn, was the Father Cramers gave me the Body and Blood of Christ with such love and affection - as a father would feed his child/children.  So vivid is the memory of that day, that I still feel the thrill in my heart in recalling it.  I was the smallest in the Communion Class and led the class into the Church.  My heart was pounding, but one look at Father Cramers calmed me. 

            SISTER JOAN OF ARC ARCENEAUX:   Father Hubert Cramers loved children, and took an interest in the boarders at St. Charles Academy.  On Saturday mornings, he set out in his old Ford-touring car with as many of the young ones he could possibly pack inside.  He was off to one of his country missions for Mass.  It would be ten o’clock or later by the time we reached our destination.  Remember, in those days we fasted from midnight.  Father had us sing hymn after hymn and song after song.  One of his favorites was “Come, Josephine, in my flying machine.”  After arriving at our destination, he heard Confessions, while the older girls made ready the altar for Mass.  Of course, we sang hymns during Mass, too. It could have been around one o’clock by the time Mass was over.  We then had breakfast at that hour.  And back home - SINGING AGAIN.           

            October and May brought the same delights.  After Devotions were over, the old car was packed, and May time became blackberry- picking time.  We at as we picked.  And back we rode to get ready for retiring.  (Many other tales could be written.) 

            SISTR ALBINA GUILLORY RECALLS:  The early 60s found me missioned in Lake Charles at Immaculate Conception School as assistant principal to Sister Theresa McDonald, MSC, and teaching eighth-grade girls.  I remember very little about the first class, but in the second year the girls were just great.  Every suggestion found them greatly motivated, so that really they taught themselves - all I did was guide them.  Though I had had only boys in Algiers (Holy Name of Mary and St. Agnes on the Jefferson Highway), I really enjoyed the girls.  One of them later became one of our Sisters, Sister Joel Miller, MSC.

            On Saturday, I taught in the Christian Doctrine Program with Jo Moss.

            I recall Jerry Crews being choral director, and the many hours we practiced for the Hallelujah Chorus - but it was magnificent over T.V.  That year, I remember, McNeese presented Handel’s Messiah, a chorus of many former St. Charles Academy graduates.  A record was cut which I still enjoy playing during the Christmas Season. 

            I have had the opportunity of going to Lake Charles lately.  I missed seeing the building on the corner of Ryan Street which we referred to as “Ivanhoe.” 

            I remember how great the 4-H Club was, winning Achievement Day just about every year.  I have nice pictures of those activities.

ST. HENRY ACADEMY:  1904-1916

(Jennings)

By Sister Mary Lua

            Five Marianites of Holy Cross from their Provincial House in New Orleans arrived at St. Henry Academy on August 31, 1904.  In spite of the predominantly Protestant population of the little city, the Sisters were kindly received by the people of Jennings. 

            A few days later, on September 5, the Academy opened it doors to a goodly number of boys and girls.  Parents were interested, not only in the education of their children, but also in the local oil industry as the chief source of wealth in Jennings.  Production from the Jennings oilfields was then the largest in the world.

            The five pioneer sisters were Sisters Mary Albina, Benigna, Dennis, Martina, and Rosalie.  In the course of the years, music education was conducted in turn by Sisters Mary Rosalie, Marcelline, and Hyacinth. 

             On September 12, the school building was blessed by the devoted pastor, Reverend Joseph Peeters, affectionately called “Pere Peet.”  All the pupils and a large number of the Catholic congregation attended the Mass of the Holy Spirit, asking God’s blessing on the work of the school year. 

            The second floor of the Academy was an auditorium, used temporarily as the parish church.  There was no Catholic Church in Jennings, hence the use of the school hall.

            Since the parish income was not sufficient to build a church in Jennings, collections were held regularly for that purpose.  Father Peeters and his brother, Louis Peeters, both from Belgium, started the task of building a suitable edifice near the school.  Louis Peeters was an architect.  He oversaw, directed, and took part in the construction of the new church. Quite often, Father Peeters, too, helped with the cement blocks.  When funds were low, work had to stop until a sufficient amount came in to pay the workers.

            The Church bell, which was also the convent bell, stood in the school yard.  It was a typical plantation bell mounted on an elevated framework.  Occasionally the bell would get “stuck.”  Then the Sisters would call their near neighbor, Mr. Drew Castile, who came immediately, climbed up and set the bell sounding again.

            On the third Sunday of each month, Father Peeters drove leisurely in his horse and buggy conveyance to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the people in Lake Arthur.  Consequently, there was no Mass in Jennings on the third Sunday.  Hearing this, one of the Sisters exclaimed, “Just think of it!  I had to come to the Convent to miss Sunday Mass!  Am I in a foreign mission country?”  The answer came, “For you, this is a foreign mission.  Jennings is a long way from Ireland.”

            Occasionally a kind neighbor drove the Sisters to Mass either in Lake Arthur or Mermentau.  In the Lake Arthur church, people sat on planks supported on wooden “horses.” 

            The school year began early in September and closed at the end of June. The closing was celebrated by what was called an “exhibition.”  This performance took the form of an entertainment, bringing out the talent of the pupils - a play, music, singing, etc.  The first of these entertainments took place on June 26, and 28, 1905, and was staged at the Opera House.  Through the kindness of the Mayor and the Town Council, the Sisters were given the use of the Opera House free of charge.

            On July 25, 1905, Archbishop Chapelle paid his first pastoral visit to Jennings.  His Excellency was celebrant of the Solemn High Mass at which he praised the work of the Marianites throughout Louisiana, especially in the very non-Catholic portion of the state. He urged the parents to patronize the convent school and thus aid in an apostolic work. 

            This was Archbishop Chapelle’s first and last visit to Jennings.  Soon after his return to New Orleans, God called him home to his eternal reward.

            During the summer vacation, according to custom, the Sisters went to their Provincial House in New Orleans for the purpose of making their annual eight-day retreat.  In 1905, because of an outbreak of yellow fever in New Orleans, the Sisters did not go there.  They made a retreat privately. 

            When school reopened on September 14, 1905, there was a large attendance of pupils present.   Others were absent a few days because of quarantine restrictions. 

            During the month of May 1906, Mother Cesaria, Provincial Superior, paid her customary annual visit to St. Henry Convent.  She visited each class in the school, questioned the pupils in different subjects, particularly in religion.

            On June 10 of the same year, a small group of children received Our Lord in Holy Communion for the first tie.  The children were prepared for this event by a three-day retreat, the firs time ever held in Jennings.  Many non-Catholics attended the little ceremony of First Communion.

            The Exhibition at the end of the school year took place on June 25, and June 27, at the Opera House.  A large and appreciative audience attended.  Premiums were awarded the pupils of the first time. This novelty gave much pleasure to the parents, and more especially to the children, who had worked so hard for the promised awards. 

            Proceeds from the sale of tickets for this performance was the means of support for the Sisters during the summer vacation.  Tuition, music lesions, and an occasional “raffle” were the means of support during the school year.

            On Ascension Thursday in May 1907, Jennings was visited by a terrific storm, which uprooted trees on the school property.  The doors of the Academy were blown open, and the dormitory was flooded.  The Sisters were unable to attend Mass that day although Father Peeters celebrated the Holy Sacrifice during the storm.

            On June 23, seven pupils received their first Holy Communion.  The communion class of the previous year joined in the procession, and received Holy Communion with their little companions.  At the request of many non-Catholics, the closing exhibition, which had been staged on the 17^th, was repeated on the 25^th.

            The life of the Sisters was simple.  Performance of Religious Exercises, recreation, preparation of class work filled their days. 

            An occasional tramp came along asking for a bite to eat.  It was customary to ask these “Knights-of-the-Road” to do some chore before being fed.  On one occasion, Sister Athanasia asked the hungry one to chop a few chunks of wood.  She added, “I will hold the dog while you go to the back.”  His task finished, the traveler carried an armful of wood to the kitchen door.  He asked Sister Zita who was busy preparing breakfast, to hold the dog before he came in.  Kindly, Sister Zita turned to him and said, “Come on in.  Sure poor old Carlo wouldn’t hurt anybody.  He hasn’t a tooth in his head.” 

            There was another ne’er-do-well around town who, much to his displeasure, went by the name, “Beer-Keg.”  Mischievous little boys used to call out to him, “Hello, Beer-Keg!”  Then they made sure to hide or run to a safe distance. 

            One day he came to the Convent to weed the little garden.  Sister Marcelline met him and with her gracious smile, greeted him heartedly with, “Good-morning Mr. Beer-Keg!”  No casualty resulted.

            On May 23, 1908, His Excellency, Archbishop Blenk arrived in Jennings on his first pastoral visit.  He was met by a large, enthusiastic crowd of people among whom were the pupils of St. Henry Academy.  On the following day, the Archbishop conferred the sacrament of Confirmation on one hundred-forty recipients, including many adults.

            That afternoon, His Excellency was welcomed to Jennings, in a particular way, by the pupils, who gave him a formal and delightful reception.

            At the end of May the children were delighted to take part in the ceremony of crowning the statue of the Blessed Virgin.  This crowning was the first of its kind in Jennings, and was repeated each year during the month of our Lady. 

            In June, a class of sixty boys and girls received our Lord in Holy Communion for the first time.  They prepared for this solemn event by a three-day retreat conducted by Father Peeters.  The crowded church gave evidence that piety and devotion were gaining around in this center of civilization.

            The commencement exercises, consisting of the usual entertainment, were enhanced on June 23, 1909, when honors were conferred on Miss Leona Theriot, the first graduate of St. Henry Academy.

            May 12, 1912, was an eventful day.  All the pupils assembled for the pleasant duty of congratulating Father Peeters on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of his ordination to the Priesthood. Owing to a recent overflow, which rendered traveling impossible, His Excellency, Archbishop Blenk and a number of the clergy were unable to be with their brother priest on this important day. 

            At the annual commencement of June 19, 1912, graduation horrors were conferred on three young ladies, Agnes Laurence, Annie Laurence, and Regina Simon.

            During the following years, a similar pattern was followed.  However, it was noted that the number of pupils was falling off.  The poor attendance was a matter, not only of financial loss, but also of deep regret and concern on the part of the sisters.

            At the commencement exercises on June 25, 1913, graduation honors were conferred on Beatrice Bourgeois, Irma Jeanke, and Florence van Gundy.  These were the last St. Henry graduates. 

            The beautiful new church, now completed, was blessed with solemn ceremonies on February 29, 1916.   At the same time, the title of Honorary Canon of the Cathedral of New Orleans, was conferred on the worthy pastor, Reverend Joseph Peeters.

            Clergy and laity came from far and near to attend the double ceremony and to congratulate most sincerely their beloved “Pere Peet.”  Both ceremonies were presided over by His Excellency, Archbishop Hubert Blenk.

            The school building was put up for sale in 1915 and was sold in 1928.

            Quote from the proceedings.  “We … Sell, assign … unto E. D. Connor … accepting for himself, his heirs… a certain building … known as St. Henry Academy. 

            “It is understood that the building only is being sold; no land is included. 

            “This sale is accepted … for the sum of $750.00.  Purchaser has paid $200.00 The balance to be paid at the rate of $55 per month beginning on May 1, 1928.”

            The ground was sold in 1929 and was purchased by Mr. Charles R. Houssiere for the sum of $2,000.” 

            At the end of the school year, 1915-1916, the Marianites were withdrawn from Jennings where they had served zealously for twelve years. 

            The Sisters who served as superior during these years were Sisters Mary Albina, Bernardine, Dennis, Seraphia, Albert, and Hyacinth.  All gone to their heavenly reward. 

BROTHERS OF THE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS

            FOUNDER:  John Baptist De La Salle was born in France in 1651 of a family of lesser nobility.  He entered the ecclesiastical state early in life, becoming a canon of the Cathedral of Rheims at age sixteen. His ordination to the priesthood was delayed by the death of both parents and the necessity of seeing to the education of his brothers and sisters.  At age twenty-eight after having taken his doctorate in theology, he was ordained and could have looked forward to a promising career in the Church of France. 

            But Providence caused him to become interested in the education of poor boys who, by and large, did not have much schooling available to them.  He gave up his canonry, eventually even family patrimony work exclusively at establishing a group of men as teachers in the school for the lower classes.  This group which came to be known as Brothers of the Christian Schools had an identity by 1680 and soon De La Salle had schools in several of the cities and larger towns of France.  When he died there were over one hundred Brothers in the Institute and a foundation had been made in Rome.  Presently, three hundred years later, there are some ten thousand Brothers in sixty-five different countries, of whom about sixteen hundred are in the United States. 

            In 1900, John Baptist was canonized by the Pope of the time, Leo XIII. In 1950, Pope Pius XII declared him Patron of all Teachers.

J. A. LANDRY MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL

1927 – 1970

            BROTHER MICHAEL LANGLE:  Brother Michael, now 85 years old,  recalled that he was assigned to Landry from 1932 to 1935, at the time that Brother Anselm Eloi was director, and that he was assistant principal during his last year at Landry.  He remembers: 

The school became well known, even famous for its drama club that put on outstanding plays every year - the most famous was the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which was performed in several cities in Louisiana and as far away as Houston and Dallas.

Later on, the school gained prestige by the success achieved by its graduates.  The best known are Dr. Quentin Thompson, Ph. D., professor a the University of Arizona; Mr. Max Borges, the architect who built the most famous edifices in Havana, Cuba, just before Castro revolution; and his brother, Philip Borges, a well-known plastic surgeon now living in Washington, D.C.  Many of Landry’s graduates made their mark in the professional and business world. 

            BROTHER STEPHEN TEISSANDIER:  I was in Lake Charles at Landry Memorial for only two years, 1938- 1940.  I keep wonderful memories of those two years.  I did specially find the students to be very fine young men and good students.  The Brothers were then rather poor, but in spite of that, life was most pleasant and happy.  The parents of the students and friends of the school were most helpful.  Monsignor Vigliero, then pastor of the parish, was most encouraging and understanding.  Landry High had one of the finest bands in the state, under the direction of Mr. Eddie See, a wonderful musician.

            BROTHER RICHARD ARNANDEZ (FORMERLY BROTHER B. EDWIN): The school was opened in 1927, under the direction of Brother Anselm, who remained the principal for nine of the first ten years.  I recall that as a Junior Novice (minor seminarian) in those days, we went for a picnic to visit the premises about a week before school started in September of 1927.  Brother Anselm was succeeded as principal in 1937 by Brother Gabriel and he in turn by Brother O. Paul in 1941. In the summer of 1942, I was assigned to Lake Charles as teacher and sponsor of the Senior class, and assistant principal as well.

            World War II had recently broken out for the USA, and everybody’s enthusiasm for the war effort was at fever pitch.  I recall students’ enthusiastic response to the scrap-metal drive.  The boys scoured the city and countryside in search of caches of old iron, especially junk cars.  On Saturdays, teams accompanied by the Brothers, sallied forth in trucks placed at their disposal by the Air Base, gathered scrap metal which was turned in to the local dealers for the government.  We raised quite a lot of money in this way, which was employed, I think, in buying equipment for the school laboratories and the Landry ROTC.  The ROTC included all the high school boys who drilled faithfully every day after school under the command of Captain Donnie Shetler and his staff, especially Staff Sergeant Tommy Williams.  We were very proud of them.

            A little later, when a Civil Air Patrol group was organized, a number of Landry boys, mostly seniors and juniors, promptly enrolled.  We, then, introduced a course in Aeronautics, taught by the unforgettable Brother Faber.  The school also promoted the sale of war bonds which also helped the war effort. 

            It was in my first year, 1942-43, that saw Landry win the State football championship in its class by defeating a highly touted team from North Louisiana (I must confess that I have forgotten the town it came from).  This was followed by a splendid banquet served to the victorious athletes, their families, and friends.  The crowd filled the gym to capacity, and the oratory that followed was not unworthy of the occasion.

            The next couple of years were rather lean ones, as most of the older boys had been drafted or had volunteered for service, leaving just a small group for the graduating classes of 1944 and 1945.   However, we did manage to maintain high scholastic standards that made Landry as well known in academic circles as in athletic contests.  I recall at this time that only two schools offered courses in physics and trigonometry.  They were Lake Charles High and Landry.

            In the summer of 1944, I succeeded Brother Paul as principal.  We had about 300 day pupils (grades 3 through 11 - there were only 7 grades in grammar school at that time), and 40 to 50 boarders came from the area extending from Houston to Lafayette.  We could have admitted more, but our facilities were very limited.  The old building was in a sad state of disrepair, and because of the war, it was impossible to obtain the material needed to repair or restore the building.  It was only owing to the untiring efforts made by the Brothers on weekends and holidays that the buildings were maintained in a more or less usable condition.  I have always thought that Landry was the prime proof of the fact that a good, even a great school, is not made up mainly of buildings and equipment, but of people: a faculty totally dedicated to its task, and a student body proud of itself, of its traditions, and of its ideals. 

            One of the fondest memories I have of my three years as principal at Landry has to do with the remarkable cooperation the Brothers and I invariably met with by the students’ parents.  I have never found a more interesting group of people to work with.  In particular, I recall with gratitude a group that was called the “Catholic School Board,” organized by Monsignor Louis Boudreaux. It gave me, and I think the principal at St. Charles as well, very great help in raising funds with which to pay the tuitions of needy and deserving students. I have always thought of this group as a fine example of true Catholic Action. 

            One of the highlights of the school’s program was the First Friday Mass.  Although not required, it was attended by about 90 percent or more of the student body.  Most of them received Holy Communion, and walked back to the school in good order in time for the opening class.  People sometimes told me how much they had been impressed by seeing this group of high-spirited youths making their way back from church with little or no supervision, and in such good order.  We were really proud of them. 

            Another thing we were proud of was the number of priestly and religious vocations that came to light among the students.  The Christian Brothers and the Diocese of Lafayette still number a respectable contingent of their personnel who owed their early religious education to the Brothers in Lake Charles.

            Nor were the students’ cultural interests neglected.  We had a fine band, directed at one time by Mr. Eddie See, some of whose members later achieved outstanding success and recognition in the music field.  Among these are Mr. Herman Vincent, Mr. Robert Landry, and I am sure others.  I, myself, for several years took it upon myself the coaching of the annual plays given by the pupils and performed before a large and enthusiastic audience.  The number of Landry boys who went on to make names for themselves in the various professions is large and impressive - a tribute to the Brothers who grounded the so well in the fundamentals of English, math, and science, and who inspired them with the determination to make something of themselves in life.  Of these, too, we are very proud. 

            All too soon my three years as principal were up.  I was sent by my superiors to a special-training program in Rome in 1947.  I never came back to Lake Charles except fleetingly during the six years I served Provincial from 1949 to 1955.  It was during this time that the new school building was erected, and long-overdue improvements began to be made to the school plant.  For my part, I shall always be proud of the modest part I played in the history of Landry Memorial High. I am profoundly grateful to all the fine people I met and appreciated there.

            BROTHER THOMAS (BROTHER ALDRED KANE): Your very kind letter announcing the celebration of One Hundred Years of Catholic Education in “Imperial” Calcasieu did not reach me until the very date of your deadline.  Nevertheless, I could not resist the opportunity to share some of my thoughts and memories of the nearly twenty years it was my pleasure to work in that part of the Lord’s vineyard.

            To begin with, my entrance into the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools at De La Salle in Lafayette where I made my novitiate and received the name of Brother Alfred.  Following college, I taught at Cathedral High School in Lafayette and at the old St. Peter’s College in New Iberia.  Then,  in 1948, I began a most wonderful, maturing and challenging career at Landry Memorial in Lake Charles.

            Time has a way of playing tricks on the memory - but I could walk today into the classrooms - were they still existing - and call out names of hundreds of boys who, during the next twelve years, were my delight and joy.  It would seem only natural to pick up with English lessons, listen to recitations of Macbeth’s soliloquies, and then go down the hallway for choir practice each afternoon! And how those boys could sing with their hearts as well as with their voices.  If I have ever touched the lives of any youngsters with a sense of wonder and beauty, it was through the medium of music.  It was a deeply spiritual experience for them, I am certain.  And it was also for the parishioners as well as for their director. 

            After four years where I had truly felt at home, my superiors sent me to Lafayette to teach high school boy preparing to enter the Christian Brothers.  Then, after a year of further study in Rome, I was reassigned to Landry as its principal. 

            A new classroom building had just been built through the heroic efforts of Brother Robert and under the leadership of Mr. Wade Plauche and a group of dedicated men and women.  This caused a new wave of enthusiasm and pride to be moving the school towards greater achievements in all phases of a Catholic school for boys.  I could never forget the support of the parents and friends.  I truly believe we had a real community very much involved in Catholic education.  The support of Monsignors Louis Boudreaux and George Bodin and all the priests of the deanery gave the excellent faculty of Brothers and laymen and laywomen the courage to forge ahead in academics as well as in athletics.  At the very core, of course, were those really tremendous students who could be counted on to do their best.  They were responsive, motivated, and achieved well-earned recognition.  It was a joy to witness this momentum, and I had just about settled in to savor the rebirth of the work of Brothers Anselm, Daniel, Paul, Edwin, Robert Barnaby - especially dear Brother N. John, when I was assigned to our college in New Mexico.

            So, I left Lake Charles, and the great Southwest Louisiana.  But I took a great treasure with me - not only the rich experience of having grown as an educator and affirmed in my vocation as a Christian Brother, but the names and faces of hundreds of boys, their parents, and friends who worked together in that great apostolate - the Christian education of youth.

            Your invitation to attend the celebrations on the weekend of September 11-12 is most gracious.  Distance and my present duties as associate director of the permanent deaconate and dean of studies at the diocesan seminary could pre-empt the fulfillment of a cherished hope.  However, it the Lord wants me to be there, He will certainly make it possible. 

            BROTHER AUGUSTINE:  I taught in Lake Charles from 1951 to 1961.  I taught on the fifth and sixth grade levels.  Many a youngster will remember the “Buddy Check” in my class.  Some grown men today still keep them as memories of bygone days.  The Buddy Check System was a way of giving credit for achievement.  It included from learning the multiplication tables to the Morse Code.  Mr. James Bradshaw, the present editor of the Acadiana Profile, recalled to me all the English grammar that he learned through the use of this system. 

            We also had the “Good Mark” and the auctions.  I remember how the parents were amazed at the speed with which the little boys lined up at the bell.  The questions of gaining a good mark or losing one for being late meant a great deal to these fine little boys.  When auction days came they could use their good marks to bid for prizes.  Sometimes the prized included a knife or flashlight along with holy pictures and books.  I believe the key ingredient for all the competition that I used with the smaller boys was a sense of fair play.  These methods truly gave us a family spirit, and no child was ever left out. 

            In those days I took care of the little leagues in softball, football, and basketball.  Many a trophy was won in city competition.  I believe that taking care of these sports gave me a better insight into the characters of my pupils and built a fine school spirit among the younger boys. 

            A colorful character we must not forget when speaking of Landry School during my time, was cafeteria manager Mrs. Rogers.  She had her faults, but she was devoted to the brothers and students for a good number of years.  Later on she was replaced by Mrs. Eva Hebert who is still an excellent cook and is a wonderful person.

            I don’t think enough can be said about the wonderful PTA of Landry.  Mrs. Angel Miller, along with many a devoted parent, certainly made a remarkable contribution to the school.  I can recall our school fairs, field days, dances and barbecues.  Those were the days when our school budget wasn’t much over $20,000.

            Mr. and Mrs. Eddie See graced our school programs for many a year.  They both were excellent musicians.  The Landry Band was known for its fine musical quality. 

            Mr. Williams and M. Cormier gave their time and talents to make Landry’s Boxing team a real contender. How can anyone forget Floyd East, our most illustrious boxer?  The fight of that decade was Floyd East and Pat Patterson of Lafayette.  The old gym saw a lot of action in those days. 

            BROTHER N. JOHN:   Concerning the topic of J. A. Landry Memorial School, the first question was:  “Why a new school, especially a Catholic school, should be opened in Lake Charles, when Lake Charles was already so well endowed with excellent schools?”  What appeared superfluous to many otherwise good Catholics, whose children were enrolled in the existing schools, did not appear so to Bishop Jeanmard, not to Father Cramers or to Mrs. Landry.  The existing schools were all right in their teaching of the ordinary subjects:  language, mathematics, sciences, foreign languages, etc., but they lacked the religious spirit.  The religious atmosphere is what Landry School was called to provide. 

            The beginnings were hard and slow.  To help them meet the expenses, the Brothers opened a boarding section that could accommodate from forty to fifty boarders.  Thus, Catholics from the countryside, who wanted their children to receive a Catholic education, now had a place where they could send them.

            Of course, comfort for the Brothers was practically unknown: in summer a fan for the community room; in winter a small stove was expected to furnish enough hear for a rather large room.  In the sleeping quarters of the Brothers a large exhaust fan pumped some fresh air through half-opened windows, while the room doors remained wide open.  In winter, a stove burning in the center of the lobby gave some heat to the rooms around it, which had their doors open.  The meals were frugal and consisted of common foods.  In spite of that, there was cheerfulness in the house.  Once in a while some good neighbor like Mrs. Mesh, Mrs. Hage, and the Micelle family sent us some delicacy on feast days.  More particularly, Mrs. Landry would look after the well-being of her Brothers.  Meanwhile, the school was growing in numbers and prestige, but Lake Charles High was still THE school. 

            It was only in August of 1944 that I reported for duty at Landry High School.  Brother O. Paul, and excessively kind person, had just ended his three-year term of directorship, and left the direction to Brother Edwin, his auxiliary of the preceding year. Brother Edwin set about to improve the content and the quality of the courses.  It seems that some students who had failed at Lake Charles High decided to come to Landry to graduate more easily.  They had calculated wrong.  The first year I taught at Landry (1944-45), I had two grades in my class, Juniors and Seniors.  It was a rather large class.  Achievement tests were given frequently; copying was made difficult. At the mid-year examinations the students that had come with the hope of graduating easily withdrew.  Only nine seniors graduated in 1945.  Today they are lawyers, engineers, band directors, etc. It was one of the best classes I have taught in my life. 

            Brother Edwin was of the opinion that we should complete our series of courses in mathematics. Consequently, we introduced a course in plane trigonometry.  The students were delighted, and their school spirit and pride in their school increased.  A student, who was constantly comparing what was done at Lake Charles High and what was done at Landry, enthusiastically exclaimed:  “Now we have something above Lake Charles High!”  There followed a series of successes, for now instead of competing mainly in sports, Landry High went out for competition in many other fields.  The students took a more active part in the State Rallies to gain scholastic achievements.  As the years went by, the number of first and second places obtained in scholastic subjects increased.  Students like Jerry Korsmeyer, generally came back with one or two first places.  In 1949, Gus William Schram, Jr. gave such a good test at the Southwestern Louisiana Rally in Bookkeeping, that the Director of the Rally sent a letter of congratulation to the Director of Landry School, stating that Gus had not only been first in his Class, but had received more points than any other student in all the Classes. 

            The band under the guidance of Mr. See had obtained individual awards, and had trained students of superior talent, such as Mr. Herman Vincent of international fame.  Under the direction of Mr. George Hage, a Landry graduate, the Landry Band became a first-class band that could brilliantly compete with other bands.  Then the Landry Choir, under the direction of Brother Alfred, became the pride of Landry School.  The Sunday Children’s Mass, on account of the Boys’ Choir seemed for a time to attract more adults than children. Another big success was the Speech section, under the guidance of Brother Denis.  It happened that one year the Debating Team of McNeese was composed nearly 100 percent of Landry graduates. 

            When I left Landry School in 1962, the trophies that had been displayed year after year on top of the bookshelves of the library were so numerous that no more space was left to display new trophies. 

            The word “library” reminds me of many things.  First of all, the library had a most humble beginning.  When the school opened, the library was the last thing thought of.  First, a few books were donated; mostly books of reference.  For lack of an appropriate place, those books were left in the lobby, around the central pillar.  Such an arrangement was bound to be short-lived.  The books that were there became misplaced, separated from their series.  Some thing had to be done.

             Although few in number, those books had to be protected, and above all, more books had to be added if the school wanted to possess a library.  Books were being bound free by a federal agency for the school libraries.  So broken books were given a decent form; and besides having an attractive appearance, most of the time those books contained valuable information.  As time was going by, the State, according to set rules, began to give books to the libraries of private as well as of public schools.  Thus the Landry Library obtained a certain number of literary, scientific, and historical books.  Once I was in charge of the library, I examined what was on the shelves.  Some books were inappropriate and were discarded.  Worthwhile additions were donated by individuals and through the generosity of the Landry PTA.

            By now the old library had no longer space for anything new.  Luckily the drive for new accommodations had been successful; in fact, the drive that had been carried on after much consideration, showed that Landry School had many friends.  As a consequence, the construction of the new building that was to provide six new classrooms, up-to-date chemistry, physics, and biology laboratories, and a spacious library was begun at once and in use in 1955.

            Now the library was one of the important places in the school.  I must say that it became a real place of reading and of research.  Just a few years after, the school accounts and records that I kept became too much for me.  They were made part of the work of the school secretary, Mrs. F. X. Bride.  This new arrangement allowed me to serve full time in the library.  Whatever was good in the old library was saved and placed on the spacious shelves of the new.  Many more books were now acquired, some bought, and others donated.  Many of the old ones that were worthwhile to be saved, were rebound.  Juvenile series for the grammar grades were acquired:  stories of dogs, horses, detective stories, cowboy stories, and simple books of science.  All of them were catalogued, accessioned, back-shellacked, etc.  They had an appealing appearance on the shelves and were extensively used.  Many of the old Landry graduates attending McNeese came often for research work or for help in their studies.  I was delighted to see them and to give them all the help I could.  It was much work, easy work in a way, because what is done with love is done much more easily.

            Of devoted persons of the past, I must mention Mr. Pelafigue, particularly, with all kinds of thanks and praise.  He was a carpenter, a mason, a plumber, etc., to Landry.  A common worker today earns as much in one day as Mr. Pelafigue received in one month.  Good Mr. Pelafigue!  May God reward him! 

            Another person much dedicated to the Brothers was Mrs. Rogers, who was cook for the Brothers for a good number of years.  At times a little too “bossy,” she did a wonderful work for us.  Regular, honest, trustworthy, she took care of everything as if it were her own. 

            When we had the school cafeteria under the directions of Mrs. Eva Hebert, we did not worry about it.  Mrs. Hebert was like a mother to the children.  She loved them and tried to give them the best food she could.  She was always smiling and always happy.  When something was hard or painful, she had a soothing expression, “For the souls in Purgatory!”  Wonderful Mrs. Hebert! 

            The people of Lake Charles showed themselves friendly and generous.  All deserve thanks, but I will limit myself to giving the names of only three, apologizing to all the other donors for not mentioning more.  The three are:  Judge Alfred Barbe, who had had no relation, whatever, with the school but contributed a first donation of $5,000.  The second, Mr. Wade Plauche, who at that time had no children attending Landry, but, besides monetary contributions, became involved in the running of the modernization drive, and rendered a most valuable service.  The third is Mr. Gus G. Quinn, Sr., who drew the plans of the new building, besides contributing other help.  Many thanks to them, and to all those who, according to their means contributed to the construction of the new building and to equipping it.

            And then, my work at Landry had come to an end.  So at the end of August 1962, I left for De La Salle Christian Brothers house in Lafayette, Louisiana.  Mrs. A. P. Wheeldon replaced me as librarian.  I surmise that her work has been much better than mine, for she has been serving as librarian much longer than I.  Thanks, Mrs. Wheeldon, and congratulations! 

            I departed from Lake Charles exactly twenty years ago, but I left there a good chunk of my heart!  I don’t forget the students I taught there.  Every day I pray God to grant them the grace of living and dying in His Holy Love, so that on the day they will appear before Him, they may hear the welcoming words:  “Well done, good and faithful servant … enter into the joy of thy Master!” 

            The blessings of God be with you.

            BROTHER CLADIUS:   I started teaching in Lake Charles in August of 1947 and remained until June 1948.  Naturally, being my first teaching assignment, the school became a special place in my life.  Landry does hold a very bright spot in my life as an educator. 

            The memories of that year which come to mind are the really hard times we had.  However, we took them in our stride.  Because the times affected all of us, we felt equal in our life styles to that of our student body.  Most of he students were from middle-class families, but they were accepted with the same spirit as though they were the richest in the world. 

            The parents gave their all, even at times paying their children’s tuition with a couple of chickens, or a few jars of home-made preserves.

            From these pupils have come many leaders of the present community of Lake Charles.  Yes, I am proud to have contributed a part of myself to the boys of the fourth grade of 1947-48.  Though the classes were large, they fitted the spirit of the school to do all “we” did to the best of our talents.

            To the people of Lake Charles and former pupils of Landry, may I say to you that I still have a place in my prayers for you, and an honored place in my heart and memories.  Yes, we Brothers are proud of “our” boys, and I hope they continue to carry the imprint of what was given to them by their former teachers.  God bless them all.

            BROTHER BERNARD KINNEAVY:  I spent three very happy years at Landry Memorial High School (1952-1955).  Some names and memories which come to mind follow.  

            I was associated with the choir.  I remember Mrs. Eddie See as a real saint and a great pianist.  We had many happy trips and public appearances as a choral group.  The athletic program was always good under Coach Billy Lantrip.  I remember especially the boxing success of outstanding athletes like Floyd East.  The priests were always most cooperative.  As far as my associations were concerned, Father Murphy Bernard was always available when needed.  The active Parents Club kept Landry going.  It was a terrible loss when Mrs. Edward Miller died while still so young. 

            The students were very active, generally very capable and pleasant to deal with.  There were no serious disciplinary problems during my three years there.  The Brothers who made up the faculty at the time were all great to work with, and we had a lot of fun together, while running a good school.  I particularly appreciated the experience of Brother N. John and the administrative ability of Brother Robert Fitzgerald, the principal. 

            It pained all of us when the decision was reached ror the Brothers to withdraw from Lake Charles.  We are all grateful for the years we spent there, and we are happy that the work of Catholic education continues at St. Louis High School.

            REV. MSGR. HARRY BENEFIEL:   It was the day after Christmas in 1962, when Bishop Schexnayder walked over to the Lafayette Cathedral Rectory and “told” (he didn’t ask) me that he wanted me to go to Lake Charles to keep Landry High School open.  He said that the Christian Brothers, who had guided the destinies of Landry since its opening in 1927, had decided that they could no longer staff the school.  The date of my appointment as principal (in waiting) was January 23, 1963.  The bishop told me that I could take two other priests of the diocese with me to staff the school. Monsignor Richard Mouton, Superintendent of the Diocesan Department of Education, and I went over the lists of priests in the diocese.  We chose Father Robert Angelle and Father Julius Robicheaux.   The bishop had emphasized that he would not force these priests to join me.  It would be up to us to convince them of the need to accept the appointments.  And since the diocese did not have extra funds to keep the school going, it would be up to me to find the money.

            While I arrived in Lake Charles in January, Father Robicheaux didn’t come until June.  The third priest, Father Angelle, having received a grant to further his degree in mathematics at LSU during the summer, would not join us until August.  Since the Brothers were selling their home in Lake Charles, the first thing I had to do was to provide living quarters for the three of us.  We were welcomed to Lake Charles by Monsignor Louis Boudreaux, and accepted his invitation to live and eat at the Immaculate Conception rectory for the time being. 

            A