2019 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 76
BY SENATOR PEACOCK AND REPRESENTATI VE CARMODY
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commend Saint Joseph Catholic Church of Shreveport, Louisiana, on the occasion of its
seventieth anniversary and to celebrate the faith and sacrifice of its founders.
WHEREAS, it is with great respect of purpose that the Legislature of Louisiana does
hereby commend the good works, spiritual guidance, and educational scholarship provided
by St. Joseph Catholic Church to the community it serves; and
WHEREAS, St. Joseph has been blessed to be led by exceptional members of the
priesthood; today, the present leadership lies in the capable hands of its pastor, the Reverend
Matthew T. Long; parochial vicars, the Reverend Fidel Mondragon and the Reverend Biju
Kuriakose; and priest in residence, the Reverend Thomas John; and
WHEREAS, Fr. Long is aided by three skilled assistants, Deacon Bruce Pistorius,
permanent deacon; Deacon Freeman Ligon, outreach coordinator; and Deacon Bill Roche,
director of faith formation; and
WHEREAS, the church calendar for 2019 abounds with special events and service
opportunities that incorporate socials, picnics, rededication ceremonies, memorials,
observances, and fundraising activities; and
WHEREAS, St. Joseph Parish holds a special place in the lives of the congregation;
the sacred seeds of love and redemption have been sown in the hearts of all who pass
through its doorway; priests and laity minister to the liturgical needs of the congregates from
baptism, first communion, penance and reconciliation, confirmation, the Eucharist, and
marriage, until anointing of the sick, requiem, and rite of Christian burial; and
WHEREAS, from very modest beginnings, St. Joseph was established on February
25, 1949, with a Mass performed by the Most Reverend Charles P. Greco, Bishop of
Alexandria, in a temporary setting in the Broadmoor Theater; and
WHEREAS, this humble church body began with little more than the strength and
tenacity of its parishioners, but it quickly grew in number; and
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WHEREAS, the first pastor, Father J. B. Gremillion, held the first Mass in the new
church building fifteen months later on Palm Sunday, April 2, 1950; and
WHEREAS, the church continued to grow exponentially and quickly focused on
religious education; the cornerstone for a new school was laid on May 31, 1951; the St.
Joseph School was staffed by the Sisters of the Divine Providence and was readied for
enrollment of students in the fall term; and
WHEREAS, today, St. Joseph Catholic School instructs over four hundred students
in elementary and middle school from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade; and
WHEREAS, the heart of St. Joseph Catholic Church is found in those individuals
who set about to organize activities that reinforce a sense of devotion and provide for the less
fortunate; service ministries incorporate participation in Mary's Workers, Altar Society,
Men's Group, Altar Servers, Men's Fellowship, Knights of Columbus, Bible Study, Music
Ministry, the St. Joseph Guild, Vacation Bible School, and St. Vincent de Paul Society; and
WHEREAS, there are other outreach ministries that offer counseling for youth,
married couples, and single adults and also provide assistance to those with special needs
such as bereavement, visitation, prayer and rosary groups, substance rehabilitation, and
family crisis; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, St. Joseph underwent an extensive $3.5 million renovation,
adding stained glass windows and rededicating key sacred elements within the sanctuary;
and
WHEREAS, the Adoration Chapel at St. Joseph offers a peaceful place for reflection
at any time to anyone who wishes to experience God's grace through prayer and meditation
in the presence of the Eucharist; and
WHEREAS, throughout the history of St. Joseph Catholic Church numerous pastors
have graced the pulpit to become the conduit of God's love and direction; and
WHEREAS, in the beginning, other associates who served with Fr. Gremillion were
Rev. Joseph P. Scherer, Rev. Cornelius O'Brien, and Rev. Eugene Bleakley; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Msgr. Marvin Bordelon was named pastor in July 1958 and his
associates were Fr. Richard Lombard, Fr. Cornelius O'Brien, Rev. Edmund J. Moore, Rev.
Msgr. Walter Walsh; and
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WHEREAS, Rev. William F. Allen was appointed pastor from June 1967 until
September 1969; he served with associates Rev. George Faler, Rev. Edward Deasy, Rev.
John Ryan, and Rev. Joseph Robert Inzina; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Msgr. C. Murray Clayton was a young priest who would lead for
nearly a quarter century, from 1969 until his retirement in 1993; and
WHEREAS, Father Clayton's list of associates included Rev. Paul T. "Buddy"
Ceasar, Rev. Roger McMullen, Rev. Russell Lemoine, Rev. James A. Foster, Rev. Jesús
Oliva, Rev. Curtis Woods, Rev. Stephen Wright, Rev. Matthew Woollett, Rev. Ted Albert,
Rev. John Pardue, Rev. Franz Graef, Rev. Michael Kammer, and Rev. Msgr. Walsh; and
WHEREAS, later clergy included Fr. Stephen Wright, Fr. Karl Daigle, Rev. Peter
B. Mangum, Rev. Douglas S. Sweet, Rev. Joseph Kallookalam, Rev. Charles Glorioso, Fr.
Mark Franklin, and Fr. Mike Thang' Wa; and
WHEREAS, St. Joseph now lies in the capable hands of the latest generation of
devoted leadership who flourish in God's grace; and
WHEREAS, seven decades ago St. Joseph was built as a monument to faith; its
parish continues as a vibrant community that encourages the tenets of Catholicism through
education and service to mankind; and
WHEREAS, this faithful congregation of St. Joseph Catholic Church are disciples
who worship their God, rejoice in a living faith in Jesus Christ, and reflect upon His love,
goodness, and teachings.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend St. Joseph Catholic Church of Shreveport on the occasion of its seventieth
anniversary.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Reverend Matthew T. Long.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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