ENROLLED
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 31
BY REPRESENTATIVE WILLARD
A RESOLUTION
To commend Reverend Anthony M. Bozeman, SSJ, pastor of St. Raymond and St. Leo the
Great Parish in New Orleans, on the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of his
ordination.
WHEREAS, the faith community of St. Raymond and St. Leo the Great in New
Orleans is celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the ordination of its beloved pastor,
Reverend Anthony M. Bozeman, SSJ; and
WHEREAS, Father Bozeman was raised in Philadelphia, began his formal education
at Our Mother of Sorrows, and graduated from West Philadelphia Catholic High School; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from high school, Father Bozeman attended LaSalle
University in Philadelphia and, during his pursuit of an undergraduate degree, he joined the
military, where he would serve in the defense of his country for sixteen years as a member
of the Air National Guard; and
WHEREAS, Father Bozeman later entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in
Philadelphia, and he was ordained to the priesthood on May 20, 2000, serving as parochial
vicar at Our Lady of Grace and Our Lady of Hope parishes in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, in June 2005, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia released Father Bozeman
to pursue God's call even further as a member of the Josephite religious community; in
October 2005, he was assigned as parochial vicar of Our Mother of Mercy and Our Lady
Star of the Sea parishes in Houston, Texas; and
WHEREAS, on August 1, 2006, the Josephites assigned Father Bozeman as pastor
of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in New Orleans; and
WHEREAS, in October 2006, Archbishop Alfred Hughes of New Orleans appointed
Father Bozeman as chaplain of Xavier Preparatory School, and on July 12, 2008, he was
assigned as pastor of St. Raymond and St. Leo the Great Parish; and
WHEREAS, over the past twelve years, the St. Raymond and St. Leo the Great faith
community has been guided with outstanding service, vision, and commitment by Father
Bozeman; his vision of taking Jesus to the streets became a reality at the first annual Old
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Fashioned Tent Revival, It's a Love Thing, held in 2011 at Hunter's Field and, in later years,
at Lemann Playground; this event has seen more than three hundred attendees per night,
including people of many denominations; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the Black National Catholic Congress Pastoral Plan,
Father Bozeman established the Evangelization and Social Justice ministries, which
expanded outreach to feed the homeless and widen the voter registration program; and
WHEREAS, in his capacity as past president and vice president of the National Black
Catholic Caucus, Father Bozeman hosted the fiftieth anniversary mass and reception of the
organization in 2017; this event brought together bishops, priests, deacons, and clergy from
all areas of the United States; and
WHEREAS, Father Bozeman was instrumental in creating an endowed scholarship
for the Institute of Black Catholic Studies housed at Xavier University of Louisiana on
behalf of St. Raymond and St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church; this endowment will
live in perpetuity; and
WHEREAS, St. Raymond and St. Leo the Great Parish thrives as a unified
community of faith and fellowship, and Father Bozeman merits a special measure of
commendation for his exceptional leadership as the twentieth anniversary of his ordination
is commemorated.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Reverend Anthony M. Bozeman, SSJ, pastor
of St. Raymond and St. Leo the Great Parish in New Orleans on the twentieth anniversary
of his ordination; does hereby commend Father Bozeman and honor him for twenty years
of dedication to the priesthood; does hereby congratulate him as he celebrates this most
significant and memorable event; and does hereby extend to him and the congregation best
wishes for richest blessings in their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Reverend Anthony M. Bozeman, SSJ.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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