SLS 24RS-1575 ORIGINAL
2024 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 70
BY SENATOR BOUDREAUX AND REPRESENTATI VE MYERS
COMMENDATIONS. Commends and congratulates Kim Boudreaux on receiving the
prestigious Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal and for her leadership of Catholic Charities of
Acadiana.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2 To commend and congratulate Kim Boudreaux on receiving the prestigious Pro Ecclesia et
3 Pontifice medal and for her leadership of Catholic Charities of Acadiana.
4 WHEREAS, Kim Boudreaux, the esteemed chief executive officer of Catholic
5 Charities of Acadiana, has been honored with the prestigious Papal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice
6 medal by His Holiness Pope Francis in recognition of her distinguished service to the
7 Catholic Church; and
8 WHEREAS, the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice is one of the highest honors bestowed by
9 the Pope upon lay women and men, symbolizing a profound commitment to the principles
10 of Christian charity and teaching; and
11 WHEREAS, the medal was instituted by Pope Leo XIII in July 1888 to
12 commemorate his golden sacerdotal jubilee, with the award becoming a permanent papal
13 distinction in October 1898 and, until 1993, it was the highest honor that could be obtained
14 by women; and
15 WHEREAS, in December of 2023, Bishop Douglas Deshotel of the Diocese of
16 Lafayette, presented this distinguished award to Kim Boudreaux, highlighting her exemplary
17 dedication to Christian charity and service to the community, and emphasizing her pivotal
18 role in advancing the mission of Catholic Charities of Acadiana; and
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SLS 24RS-1575 ORIGINAL
1 WHEREAS, the last time the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice was awarded in the Diocese
2 of Lafayette was in the 1940s, underscoring the rarity and significance of the recognition for
3 this award; and
4 WHEREAS, Bishop Deshotel nominated Kim for the award; sending the nomination
5 and letter of approval to the Vatican where it was handled by the Secretary of State of the
6 Holy See before being submitted to Pope Francis for his signature; and
7 WHEREAS, as a young adult, Lafayette native Kim Boudreaux felt a very distinct
8 calling to live a life of service to people that were suffering; and
9 WHEREAS, Kim sold all her possessions and traveled abroad to work as a
10 missionary spending much time in her 20s in Mexico, India, Thailand, and Malaysia; and
11 WHEREAS, in fall 2001, Kim returned home to Lafayette and volunteered at
12 Catholic Charities of Acadiana's St. Joseph Diner and "just fell in love with the
13 organization's work"; and
14 WHEREAS, Kim started with an entry-level job with Catholic Charities of Acadiana
15 when she felt God calling her to serve and decided to stay with the organization as long as
16 God would have her; and
17 WHEREAS, in 2005, Kim began working as the director of Catholic Charities of
18 Acadiana and passionately describes her work as "having the opportunity to show kindness
19 to people in the moments they need it the most"; and
20 WHEREAS, Kim Boudreaux's leadership at Catholic Charities of Acadiana has been
21 instrumental in organizing charitable efforts, focusing on upholding the sanctity of human
22 life and assisting the most vulnerable members of society; and
23 WHEREAS, Catholic Charities of Acadiana, under Kim Boudreaux's guidance, has
24 tirelessly carried out the corporal works of mercy, embodying the Gospel's call to
25 compassion and service to those in need; and
26 WHEREAS, Kim Boudreaux's extensive experience in foreign missions, including
27 her work with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, has enriched her leadership at
28 Catholic Charities of Acadiana and inspired a profound commitment to serving the people
29 of Acadiana; and
30 WHEREAS, the work of Catholic Charities of Acadiana includes providing essential
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1 services to people experiencing homelessness, poverty, or hunger, and its programs include
2 free meals through St. Joseph Diner, emergency shelter, food distribution, free showers and
3 other hygiene services, and financial resources for people in crises; and
4 WHEREAS, Bishop Douglas Deshotel's nomination of Kim Boudreaux for the Pro
5 Ecclesia et Pontifice award and Pope Francis' granting of the nomination reflects her
6 outstanding contributions to the community, her steadfast commitment to Christian
7 principles, and her exceptional organizational skills in fulfilling the mission of Catholic
8 Charities of Acadiana.
9 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
10 extend heartfelt congratulations to Kim Boudreaux on her receipt of the Pro Ecclesia et
11 Pontifice medal and commends her for exemplary leadership and dedication to serving the
12 Catholic Church and community through her role as chief executive officer of Catholic
13 Charities of Acadiana.
14 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the invaluable contributions of Catholic
15 Charities of Acadiana under Kim Boudreaux's guidance, providing essential services and
16 demonstrating unwavering compassion for those in need, is also hereby recognized and
17 recorded for posterity.
18 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Kim
19 Boudreaux as gratitude to her and the entire staff of Catholic Charities of Acadiana for their
20 selfless work in upholding the principles of Christian charity and making a profound
21 difference in the lives of individuals and families throughout Acadiana.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Dawn Romero Watson.
DIGEST
SCR 70 Original 2024 Regular Session Boudreaux
Commends and congratulates Kim Boudreaux on receiving the prestigious Pro Ecclesia et
Pontifice medal and for her leadership of Catholic Charities of Acadiana.
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