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Our Story
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Saint Luke began in June of 1982, when Archbishop Hannan charged Fr. Adrian Hall (then pastor of Saints Peter and Paul in Pearl River) with the building of a new parish east of I-10. Fr. H
all suggested SAINT LUKE THE EVANGELIST as its patron which the founding committee adopted and its mission was set from the very beginning: to build up the kingdom of God.
On September 12, 1982, Archbishop Hannan formally dedicated the parish name and work on the building of the new church began. Easter Sunday of the following year (1983) welcomed 1,169 parishioners for Holy Mass.
The parish complex grew rapidly with the construction of a worship center in 1987, always in the hope that in future years, the parish would build a permanent church. Classroom wings and a community area to accommodate an increasing membership was also added.
An Administration and Apostolic Work Center was added, followed by a new Rectory, portable buildings (used for classrooms and meeting rooms), an Adoration Chapel, and even a subsequent expansion to the Worship Center.
In July of 1997, Fr. Rodney Bourg (who had been the pastor of St. Peter in Reserve, LA) began work as Saint Luke's second pastor who continued the work of expanding the church complex. A new Youth building was built in 2002, followed by a Family Life Center with more classrooms, a conference room, and a spacious auditorium. A maintenance/printing shop was added in 2004, and the construction of a permanent church was temporarily set aside.In 2005, Hurricane Katrina took a severe toll on the Gulf Coast, but Saint Luke was graciously spared any real damage, and the people of our parish family quickly turne
d their hearts toward assisting other parishes in the area welcoming Catholic Charities, sharing the Youth Center and Family Life Center, solidifying support through Good Samaritan Ministry, and embracing an influx of displaced parishioners from those affected communities. We were blessed with the dedicated faith and service of those new amazing people who became part our parish family.In June of 2006, Fr. Mark Lomax (who had been pastor of Saint Mark in Chalmette, LA that was severely damaged in the storm) arrived to lead Saint Luke. Fr. Mark immediately set to work at trying to beautify the church.Despite the challenges that Saint Luke faced over the years, the Lord has always continued to bless our parish family with a resolve to build on the firm foundations of the past and blaze a trail of great joy and bold faith to build a parish family of missionary disciples on fire with the love for the Risen Lord!
In October of 2020, Fr. Jared Rodrigue who was serving as parochial vicar at Saint Margaret Mary was welcomed as the current pastor of Saint Luke. The dream to build a new permanent church, in keeping with the beautiful history - and future - of Saint Luke is now growing closer to fruition through our WELCOME HOME Capital Campaign.
Many other dedicated priests have served at St. Luke as well: Fr. Rhenne Cervantes, Fr. James Jeanfreau, Fr. Louis Persac, Fr. Adrian Pijoan Figuerola, Fr. Joseph Man Tran, Fr. Elberto Vasquez, Fr. David Robicheaux, Fr. Vinh Dinh Luu, Fr. Joseph Thang Dinh Tran, Fr. Hoai T. Nguyen, Fr. Francis Offia, and Fr. David Frank.
Devoted permanent deacons have also assisted in the important work of the parish. Some have passed from this life: Deacons Robert “Bob” Trainor (+2015), Robert “Bob” Binney (+2019), Paul Augustin (+2021), and Ron LeBlanc (+2023). Deacons still serving today include: Deacons Harold Burke, William “Bill” Faustermann, and Mark Pennington. All of these have given dedicated and loving service through OCIA, Liturgy, and countless ministries and events.
St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church has been consistently blessed by the hard work and prayers of faithful parishioners who have loved Jesus Christ and His Church and who have given so much of their time, talent, and treasure to make a welcoming home to all members of our community.