Burses Total Over $1 Million

Tuesday, 13 October 2009 14:04

New burse funded with bequest of more than $250,000 LAKE CHARLES - The largest donation to establish a seminary burse for the Diocese of Lake Charles has been received from the estate of Mitchell G. Duhon of Lake Charles, according to The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles. The generous bequest also pushed the total amount invested in the 51 burses to more than $1 million.   The legacy from Mr. Duhon, a lifelong resident of Lake Charles and member of a pioneer family of the area, was made to help provide for the education of seminarians. The Mitchell Duhon Seminary Burse was funded with $252,984.14, bringing the total value of seminary burses for the Diocese to $1,107,695.47.    “This was a farsighted donation on the part of Mr. Duhon, in so far as it has the long-range education of seminarians in view and a desire on the part of the faithful, particularly Mr. Duhon, to see that our priests receive the best preparation, formation and education possible,” Bishop Provost said.    According to family members, Mr. Duhon, a bachelor and a charter member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish, was a “very private person, deeply religious. He would say his prayers each morning as he walked out to pickup his newspaper, as he had a long driveway.    “He was friends with the priests at Queen of Heaven for years and entertained many of them over the years in his home.” Also, it was pointed out that many times “he opened the church for the first Mass of the day and that he had a strong devotion to the Way of the Cross. He never missed an opportunity to pray at the Stations of the Cross. He was guided in his decision to make this gift by his relationship with Jesus Christ.”    Father Keith Pellerin, pastor of St. Martin de Porres Church, confirmed the early morning ritual. “Every Sunday morning he was here before 6:30 a.m. because he wanted to be in the church by himself to pray the Way of the Cross,” Father Pellerin said. “When we were a chapel, he had his own key and opened it up himself. Perhaps it was one of the devotions that he was taught as a child.”   Father Pellerin also noted his private nature. “He never wanted to call attention to himself. He didn’t want accolades. One year Mr. Duhon was chosen to receive one of the Maple Leaf awards and he didn’t want to go to the ceremony. He said, ‘I’m not doing this for that (the award and recognition). It’s what God has called me to do and what He calls me to be’”.    Mr. Duhon, who died on April 28 at the age of 85, graduated from LaGrange High School and attended McNeese Junior College. A member of the United States Navy he was ultimately trained as a frogman and assigned to an underwater demolition team following Underwater Demolition School. He also attended Southwestern Louisiana Institute in Lafayette and the U.S. Navy Reserve School of Communications at Harvard University in Boston. He was a veteran of World War II having done occupational reconnaissance duty with his underwater demolition team in Japan.    Following his discharge, he attended Loyola University of the South School of Pharmacy in New Orleans and began his pharmaceutical career at Gordon’s Drug Store in Lake Charles and Cade’s Pharmacy in Sulphur, later opening his own business, Enterprise Pharmacy at the corner of Enterprise Boulevard and Twelfth Street.     He was a member of the Louisiana State Pharmaceutical Association, Monsignor Irving DeBlanc Knights of Columbus Council 4562, and Monsignor Cramer’s Assembly 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. He was a parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church and St. Martin de Porres Church.    A seminary burse is a permanent fund set aside to provide income for the education of seminarians. The principal of the fund is never spent but invested, with the interest used each year for education expenses of those men studying for the priesthood. Since the principal is never touched, this fund is truly a "gift that will give forever." Donations made to any seminary burse will continue to support the education of seminarians in perpetuity.     Seminary burses can be established with any amount of money and gifts may be added to current burses.    For more information about making a contribution to create a special burse of your own choosing or adding to an existing burse contact Bishop Provost or Father Daniel Torres, at 337-439-7400, Ext. 220, or email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .