2019 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 97
BY SENATOR PEACOCK
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commend the Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church of Bossier City on the occasion of
its fiftieth anniversary and to celebrate the sacrifice and faith of its founders.
WHEREAS, it is with great respect of purpose that the Legislature of Louisiana does
hereby commend the good works and spiritual guidance provided by Mary, Queen of Peace
Catholic Church to the community it serves; and
WHEREAS, Mary, Queen of Peace 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 Fr. Nicholas Onyach, and Permanent Deacon Michael Straub; and
WHEREAS, on Sunday, May 19, 2019, the congregation of Mary, Queen of Peace
Catholic Church will observe this special occasion with a celebratory Mass, a luncheon, and
other activities in recognition of its history and growth; and
WHEREAS, the Mary, Queen of Peace 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; its pastor ministers the sacraments 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, the notion of Mary, Queen of Peace
began with the faith of the Thomas Caplis family that contributed to the development of the
farming community of Caplis in south Bossier Parish; and
WHEREAS, a son, Johnny Caplis, and his wife, Beatrice, were devout Catholics with
a dream of establishing a church; and
WHEREAS, Johnny convinced his mother, Maggie, to donate a parcel of land for the
site and to consider a suitable name for the church; and
WHEREAS, the chosen name of Mary, Queen of Peace was to be in remembrance
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of family members who had served in World War II and in gratitude of those individuals
who remained in the community to continue farming in support of the war effort; and
WHEREAS, when completed, the first service performed in the new chapel was the
wedding of a nephew, Joseph Edmund Caplis Jr.; and
WHEREAS, the chapel of Mary, Queen of Peace was dedicated on May 13, 1969,
by Bishop Charles P. Greco of the Diocese of Alexandria as a mission of Christ the King
Catholic Church in Bossier City; and
WHEREAS, Beatrice Caplis tended to the upkeep of the church until her death in
1979; in her will, a trust fund was set aside to maintain the chapel; and
WHEREAS, thirty years later, in March 1999, Bishop William B. Friend of the
Diocese of Shreveport, established the parish of Mary, Queen of Peace with St. George
Catholic Church in Coushatta as its mission; and
WHEREAS, the congregation continued to grow and a larger church building was
dedicated on December 3, 2005, by Bishop William Friend; and
WHEREAS, today, Mary, Queen of Peace serves a devout church population of more
than 330 families and the chapel is now referred to as the John Anthony Caplis Center; and
WHEREAS, the first pastor to serve the flock was the Reverend Fr. J. Carson
LaCaze, while the Reverend Msgr. Earl Provenza served from 1999 until 2006, the Reverend
Fr. Joseph Ampatt served from 2006 until 2018, and the Reverend Fr. Nicholas Onyach
serves presently; and
WHEREAS, the heart of Mary, Queen of Peace is found in those individuals who set
about to organize activities that reinforce a sense of spiritual devotion; and
WHEREAS, Mary, Queen of Peace now rests in the capable hands of the latest
generation of devoted leadership who flourish in God's grace; and
WHEREAS, five decades ago Mary, Queen of Peace was built as a testament 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 Mary, Queen of Peace are disciples who
worship their God, rejoice in a living faith in Jesus Christ, and reflect upon His love,
goodness, and teachings.
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church on the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary
on Sunday, May 19, 2019.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Reverend Fr. Nicholas Onyach.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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