Wishes Can Come True

Thursday, 04 December 2008 09:15

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Morris J. LeBleu Director of Communications Diocese of Lake Charles 337-439-7400, Ext. 304 Wishes can come true!    LAKE CHARLES – Two parishes of the Diocese of Lake Charles and one special Diocesan ministry have been included in the 2008 Christmas Wish List program of the Catholic Church Extension Society.    At St. Peter the Apostle in Hackberry, mud and debris coated the floors and furniture in the wake of Hurricane Ike. Father Rommel Tolentino recovered some liturgical items after the storm, however, little was usable, most being pitted by salt water or dented in the storm surge. Purificators, corporals, chalice veils, and the rest of the altar linens — were lost. Waterlogged Sacramentary and the Book of Gospels need to be replaced. This is the second time in three years that the Church was damaged by storms, having lost the rectory and church office as well as a majority of the church building to Hurricane Rita in 2005.    At the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Jennings, the parishioners love their parish.  But most are elderly and living on fixed budgets.  In this difficult economy, they struggle even to contribute a few dollars a week to the parish.  Immaculate Conception has many needs, but the wish at the top of their list is a new confessional.  Essential post hurricane repairs were made to the roof and pipes, but others were never completed for lack of funds. Painting, wallpaper, additional lighting and new furniture are needed and will cost about $4,300.    Here in the Diocese of Lake Charles more than 100 families include a member who is deaf or hearing impaired.  The ministry to the deaf operates on a shoestring budget and has no allowance for larger items.  But in this special Year of St. Paul, Father Aubrey Guilbeau, dreams of  bringing the great apostle’s ministry to life for the deaf community, who learn primarily through visual means.  He’s seeking a laptop computer and projector to do PowerPoint presentations.  The equipment would also serve the diocese for retreats and other religious instruction.  The total for both needed pieces is $830.    If you would like to help with any of these needs, you may contact the entities directly: St. Peter the Apostle 337-274-2686; Immaculate Conception 337-824-1164; Father Guilbeau 337-436-7251. You may also make a gift to Catholic Church Extension Society at secure.epagecity.com/site/epage/65175_667.htm, or call 1-888-47-FAITH (1-800-842-7804).    Catholic Church Extension Society has been of great assistance to the Diocese of Lake Charles since our inception, including providing more than $1 million to aid in the cleanup and repair following Hurricane Rita.