FR. LAMBERT’S FAREWELL MESSAGE

My Beloved Holy Ghost Parishioners,

Reminiscing on the last six years of serving as the Pastor of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Opelousas, I have realized how much this parish and every member have helped me grow and develop as an individual, a priest, a leader, and a spiritual father. I came in 2016 as an unexperienced priest having managed two small parishes in the Lafayette area.

Because of my lack of experience, I came into this Church Parish in 2016 with fear, anxiety, and unease feeling. In fact, I was not sure if I would be able to stay longer at Holy Ghost. Yet, with the grace of God I was able to enter into the ministry at the biggest African American Catholic Church in the country with confidence and high-spirits. Based on my experiences thus far, I can truly testify that with God all things are possible.

With your support and collaborative efforts, we have done what we could within these six years of my pastorship. There are still more unfinished things to do, but I am confident that under the leadership of your new shepherd, Fr. Justin Arockiasamy, SVD, the unfinished works will be well taken care of. Even though our accomplishments may seem small and insufficient, they, at least, set a good tone for so many great things to come.      

 As I exit the parish, I would like to present to you the statistics of the sacraments and sacramentals administered during my six years of pastorship at Holy Ghost. Our sacramental record indicates that:

• 126 people were baptized
• 112 people received their first Communion.
• 125 people received the sacrament of Confirmation
• 27 weddings
• And 405 funerals which began with the mass of Christian burial on July 9, 2016 for Mr. Michael Declouet and ended with Shirley Ann Laws on June 18, 2022.

 WORDS OF GRATITUDE

I cannot thank everyone enough for the contributions you have made to the parish during my pastorship, and the contributions that are yet to come. Big or small, each contribution was, is, and will be so vital to the life and mission of the parish. From the very beginning I knew that I could count on you in moving this parish forward. And we have done it together. Therefore, I want to offer you my sincere gratitude.

I pray that Holy Ghost Parish continues to become home to everyone irrespective of their background especially the fallen away, the sick, the forgotten, children, teenagers, young adults, adults, elderly, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, transgender, Divorced, broken homes, and people from different walks of life.

I also owe a huge debt of gratitude to my fellow SVDs who have been mission partners to me in my six years at Holy Ghost: Fr. Jerome Gaston LeDoux, SVD, Fr. Rofinus Jas, SVD, Fr. Hai Pham, SVD, Fr. Thomas James, SVD, and Fr. Dilip Kumar Soreng, SVD. You all have become a brother and an inspiration to me.

 WORDS OF APOLOGY

In my ministry I have tried to do my best as a priest, a leader, and a spiritual father. However, I am still far from perfect, and I may have failed to meet your expectations. Therefore, allow me to offer my heartfelt apology. I pledge to learn from my failures in order to become a better Pastor, priest, leader, and spiritual father. And for the good things I already started here, they will serve as an inspiration for my future ministry. I have enjoyed working with each one of you in many different capacities.

 MY NEW ADDRESS

Beginning July 1, 2022, I will reside at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church Rectory located at 3325 Danneel Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70115. Stay in touch and let us pray for each other.

 CLOSING

Thank you so very much for all your love & support. I will miss Holy Ghost Church very much, but I know that you all are in the good hands of a new shepherd who is young, energetic, and well-seasoned in the ministry. I ask you to give him the support you have given me; to love him as your own; and be patient with him. Just as I came to the parish with my own gifts, I am certain Fr. Justin will offer more with his God given gifts.

 These past six years passed by so quickly. It seems as though it was only yesterday I walked into this parish as an unexperienced priest and pastor. Yet, they have become gracious and unforgotable years.  Holy Ghost will forever be the parish I lovingly call “Home”.

 Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Lambert A. Lein, SVD

The Outgoing Pastor of Holy Ghost Catholic Church

Holy Ghost Church Spring Raffle

Proceeds to Benefit Holy Ghost

One In The Spirit Campaign

To be given away

1st prize- $1500.00 Cash

2nd prize- $750.00 Cash

3rd prize- $300.00 Cash

Drawing– Sunday, July 3, 2022

Donation: $2.00 per ticket or $20.00/book

Tickets available after all weekend masses and at the Parish

Office during normal business hours.

Sacrament of Baptism

Baptism Class/Workshop

 First Saturday of the month at 9:00 am  in the Parish Life Center

Rite of Baptism

Rite of Baptism will be celebrated after the

5:00 pm Mass 

- The Baptism schedule is as follows:

Deadline for registration/interview: July 6, 2022

Baptism Class & Baptism: July 9, 2022

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR BAPTISM REGISTRATION FORM

Our Live Stream Mass throughout the month of June is made possible through the generosity of  

Knights of Peter Claver Fr. John Council 8 and Ladies Auxiliary Court 8

The SVD Associates Teleconference Rosary will be held every Friday each month  at 7:00 p.m. All are invited to join in. 

 Dial-in number  720-740-9863

 access code  3657425#

Go to Joseph

Year of St. Joseph

Diocese of Lafayette

Read more..

PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

2022 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION  ZOOM  CLASS SCHEDULE               

Church bulletin advertising

Contact: Debra Mayeux with Liturgical Publication @ 225-400-4106

Masses

1st Saturday Mass:

8:00 a.m.

Saturday Vigil Mass:

5:00 pm

3rd Saturday Outdoor Vigil Mass- 4:00 p.m.

(Suspended until further notice)

Sunday- 7, 9, 11 am

Weekday Masses

7:00 am

Click on the link above to make an online donation or pay your tithes and camapign pledge using a credit card or bank account.

Parish Office Hours of Operation

Monday-Thursday

8:30 a.m- 4:30 p.m.

closed for lunch

12 noon- 1:00 p.m.

Friday

8:30 a.m.- 12:00 noon

Celebration of the Eucharist

SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION: Saturdays 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. During the week: 6:30 a.m. and at any time by appointment.  Click Here to learn more                  

Baptism: Please meet with a priest to register for the Baptism preparation Class. The Baptism Class and The Rite of Baptism takes place on the first Saturday of the month with the Rite of Baptism at the 5:00pm Mass. Click here to learn more

Marriage: Make arrangements with a priest/deacon at least six months prior to the anticipated wedding date. No arrangements should be made with any vendor prior to consultation with a priest or the deacon.  Click here to learn more...

Anointing of the Sick: Please call the office to schedule to anoint someone who is seriously ill or before surgery.  If you have a homebound elderly or infirm person, please arrange with the priest for periodic visit and holy communion. Click Here to learn more..

       

Click here for Holy Ghost Parish Life Center Rental  

Upcoming Events