2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 215
BY SENATOR BOUDREAUX
A RESOLUTION
To commend Father Robert Seay, OFM, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle/Our Lady of Good
Hope Catholic Church in Lafayette, Louisiana, for his pastorship and express
appreciation to the Franciscan Friars for their administration of the Church parish.
WHEREAS, St. Paul the Apostle is the oldest Black community in Lafayette and
Diocese of Lafayette; and
WHEREAS, in 1980, the Franciscan Friars arrived to shepherd the flock at St. Paul
the Apostle Church succeeding the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) Fathers who had served the
Church parish since its inception in 1911; and
WHEREAS, in 1980, the Franciscan Friars took over the parish of St. Paul the
Apostle, and the first Franciscan pastor was Father Ric Schneider, OFM, who served for
three years, providing great spiritual leadership and during that time the St. Paul parish hall
was built in 1983; and
WHEREAS, the Franciscan Friars are men of great faith, and this was especially
exemplified in Father Michael Doerflein, OFM, who served from 1983 to 1988; Father
Dennet Jung, OFM, who served from 1988 to 2000; and Father Robert Seay, OFM, who has
served since 2000; and
WHEREAS, Father Robert Seay, OFM, always dreamed of being a Franciscan priest,
but it took him a little longer than most to realize that dream as a nontraditional Black
seminarian; and
WHEREAS, Fr. Seay has worked to quell hotbeds of riots and racial unrest in
Boston, New York, and Louisiana, and is often invited to consult on testy, delicate
community situations; a peacemaker whose quiet presence has calmed even the most volatile
rabble-rousers; and
WHEREAS, Father Seay, at age eighty-three has been a priest for forty-one years and
wherever he has been, he has made a difference; and
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WHEREAS, through his tireless ministry to the parishioners of St. Paul the
Apostle/Good Hope Catholic Church, he exemplifies what a blessing all the Franciscan
Friars called to serve the parish have been; and
WHEREAS, on June 25, 2017, the St. Paul the Apostle/Good Hope Catholic Church
will have an appreciation day celebrating the Franciscans upon their departure.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend Father Robert Seay, OFM, for his pastorship of St. Paul the
Apostle/Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church; does hereby recognize the good works
and services Father Seay has performed; does hereby express gratitude for the many lives
Father Seay has touched during his ministry; and does hereby extend to him best wishes for
health, happiness, and God's richest blessings in the years to come.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does
hereby express appreciation to the Franciscan Friars for their administration of St. Paul the
Apostle/Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church and their service and contributions to its
parishioners.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Father Robert Seay, OFM, and to the Franciscan Friars.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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