Maria Immacolata
A History
A History
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
The Most Reverend John P. Cody, Archbishop of New Orleans,
Immacolata Catholic Church. The announcement of the
Fleming. Father Fleming and the new congregation of Maria
Immacolata first celebrated Liturgies in the Houma Junior High
School gymnasium for almost two years. Meanwhile, at the end
of Estate Drive, a new church-school complex was being built.
The fir Holy Mass was celebrated in the new church on April 25,
1965. The new church featured a wall of folding panels that
section that could be used as a school cafeteria and meeting
hall. Later, located directly behind the
church/cafeteria/meeting hall, a convent/house for Benedictine
Sisters staffing the school was built. At this time, the church
parish consisted of approximately 300 registered families.
In 1977, the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux was created and
carved out from the Archdiocese of New Orleans making Maria
Immacolata part of the newly formed Diocese of
Houma-Thibodaux with Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux as the first
bishop.
On June 7, 1980, Father Richard Hemenway succeeded Father
Fleming as pastor. On May 7, 1987, the diocese granted Maria
Immacolata permission to purchase property and to construct a
new church on Corporate Drive. Under the leadership of
Father Hemenway and the Parish Building Committee, the
current church, located on Corporate Drive was completed and
dedicated on September 30, 1988, coinciding with the parish's
twenty-fifth anniversary. On December 2, 1989, parishioner
Douglas J. Authement was ordained to the permanent
diaconate and began serving as deacon at Maria Immacolata
until 2003. At this time, the church parish consisted of
approximately 950 registered families.
Upon the death of Father Hemenway, Father Caesar Silva was
appointed pastor in April of 1996. Under the leadership of
Father Caesar Silva and the parish building committee, given
by Father Hemenway's family and in memory of him, the Bell
Tower was constructed. To continue, under the guidance of Fr.
Silva, generous memorial donation were made for the
purchase of new sanctuary furnishings. New liturgical decor
included a new white marble altar and life-size statues of the
Crucified and Risen Jesus for the sanctuary and Mar, the
Blessed Virgin.
In July of 2004, Father Clyde Mahler, in the first pastorate,
succeeded Father Silvas as pastor. In the church, liturgical
enhancements continued. Again through generous memorial
benefactors, the glass-etched vestibule doors were installed;
the carpet was replaced with Italian marble tile; an Ambry
display case, a Candlestick, Processional Cross and Altar
Candles were donated as memorials.
On November 16, 2004, a letter requesting permission to
continue the planning of a Community Gathering Center for the
parish was accepted and approved by the diocese, which
included permission to have a feasibility study. The results
from the feasibility study were favorable, and the diocese
granted the hiring of Cheramie/Whitney Architects. However in
2005, the Community Gathering Center project was delayed due
to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Before the hurricanes, budget
costs estimates were expected to be at $l.5 million; however,
due to the significant increase in building/labor costs, the
project was now projected to costs approximately $2.3 million.
Working with the Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils, MICS
Advisory Council, Stewardship Committee and Parish
Construction Project Committee and by a parish consensus
vote held in church the weekend of January 14-15, 2006, all felt
that the need for our Gathering Center was too great and we
should proceed with the help of God's grace. Construction
began in July 2007, with completion in August 2008. The Grand
Opening was scheduled with Bishop Sam Jacobs, but
postponed because of two new September/October
hurricanes, Gustav and Ike. The new Grand opening and 45
Year Parish Anniversary was held on October 19, 2008.
Present, our church parish consist of approximately 1,264
registered families.
Immacolata Catholic Church. The announcement of the
Fleming. Father Fleming and the new congregation of Maria
Immacolata first celebrated Liturgies in the Houma Junior High
School gymnasium for almost two years. Meanwhile, at the end
of Estate Drive, a new church-school complex was being built.
The fir Holy Mass was celebrated in the new church on April 25,
1965. The new church featured a wall of folding panels that
section that could be used as a school cafeteria and meeting
hall. Later, located directly behind the
church/cafeteria/meeting hall, a convent/house for Benedictine
Sisters staffing the school was built. At this time, the church
parish consisted of approximately 300 registered families.
In 1977, the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux was created and
carved out from the Archdiocese of New Orleans making Maria
Immacolata part of the newly formed Diocese of
Houma-Thibodaux with Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux as the first
bishop.
On June 7, 1980, Father Richard Hemenway succeeded Father
Fleming as pastor. On May 7, 1987, the diocese granted Maria
Immacolata permission to purchase property and to construct a
new church on Corporate Drive. Under the leadership of
Father Hemenway and the Parish Building Committee, the
current church, located on Corporate Drive was completed and
dedicated on September 30, 1988, coinciding with the parish's
twenty-fifth anniversary. On December 2, 1989, parishioner
Douglas J. Authement was ordained to the permanent
diaconate and began serving as deacon at Maria Immacolata
until 2003. At this time, the church parish consisted of
approximately 950 registered families.
Upon the death of Father Hemenway, Father Caesar Silva was
appointed pastor in April of 1996. Under the leadership of
Father Caesar Silva and the parish building committee, given
by Father Hemenway's family and in memory of him, the Bell
Tower was constructed. To continue, under the guidance of Fr.
Silva, generous memorial donation were made for the
purchase of new sanctuary furnishings. New liturgical decor
included a new white marble altar and life-size statues of the
Crucified and Risen Jesus for the sanctuary and Mar, the
Blessed Virgin.
In July of 2004, Father Clyde Mahler, in the first pastorate,
succeeded Father Silvas as pastor. In the church, liturgical
enhancements continued. Again through generous memorial
benefactors, the glass-etched vestibule doors were installed;
the carpet was replaced with Italian marble tile; an Ambry
display case, a Candlestick, Processional Cross and Altar
Candles were donated as memorials.
On November 16, 2004, a letter requesting permission to
continue the planning of a Community Gathering Center for the
parish was accepted and approved by the diocese, which
included permission to have a feasibility study. The results
from the feasibility study were favorable, and the diocese
granted the hiring of Cheramie/Whitney Architects. However in
2005, the Community Gathering Center project was delayed due
to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Before the hurricanes, budget
costs estimates were expected to be at $l.5 million; however,
due to the significant increase in building/labor costs, the
project was now projected to costs approximately $2.3 million.
Working with the Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils, MICS
Advisory Council, Stewardship Committee and Parish
Construction Project Committee and by a parish consensus
vote held in church the weekend of January 14-15, 2006, all felt
that the need for our Gathering Center was too great and we
should proceed with the help of God's grace. Construction
began in July 2007, with completion in August 2008. The Grand
Opening was scheduled with Bishop Sam Jacobs, but
postponed because of two new September/October
hurricanes, Gustav and Ike. The new Grand opening and 45
Year Parish Anniversary was held on October 19, 2008.
Present, our church parish consist of approximately 1,264
registered families.