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