LAKE CHARLES — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has obligated $4,844,146.76 for repairs to various structures, as well as the completed demolition of those destroyed, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, located at 1102 Mill Street.
The federal assistance is part of Hurricane Laura recovery efforts for the Society of the Roman Catholic Church of the Diocese of Lake Charles. The announcement was made by U.S. Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) in a press release on Friday, January 24, 2025.
Approximately $1.3 million of diocesan funds have been expended to date at Sacred Heart of Jesus. This obligation by FEMA is good news as the Diocese continues to rebuild from the catastrophic hurricanes of Laura and Delta in August and October of 2020.
His Excellency, Bishop Glen John Provost expressed his gratitude to all who were involved in this phase of recovery.
“I am delighted to learn of this very positive development, long-awaited and requiring a great deal of planning and preparation,” Bishop Provost said.
“I wish to thank Congressman Higgins and his staff for their assistance. As well, I truly appreciate the hard work and effort that went into making this progress possible. May God continue to prosper Sacred Heart Parish in Lake Charles as it moves into the future, building on its rich past and legacy.”
The reimbursement will be made at 90 percent federal cost-share and authorized under Section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Act.
Upon hearing of the FEMA obligation for Sacred Heart Parish, Reverend Joby Mathew, H.G.N., Pastor, shared the following statement:
“With hearts full of gratitude, we give thanks to the Lord, who hears the prayers of His faithful. This blessing is a testament to God’s providence and a call for us to remain steadfast in faith.
“In this Jubilee Year, as pilgrims of hope, we are reminded that perseverance in prayer and trust in the Lord will always guide us forward.
“I am deeply grateful to our parishioners for their unwavering faith, to Bishop Provost for his steadfast support, and to Congressman Higgins for his advocacy on our behalf. We also thank all those whose efforts have brought us to this moment.
“As we look ahead to the work of repair and rebuilding, may we continue to walk in faith, strengthened by God’s grace and united in His love.”
Much of congressional work to advance recovery projects occurs behind the scenes, and Congressman Higgins has played an important role in federal assistance for the Diocese of Lake Charles.
“South Louisiana stands strong through every storm. To date, my office has worked tirelessly to deliver over $5 billion in disaster recovery relief,” Congressman Higgins said in a statement about the funding. “Our office will continue to prioritize hurricane recovery and work with our local, state, and federal partners to ensure that much needed resources are delivered for strong economic growth and prosperity.”
Once a project is obligated by FEMA, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) will work closely with the Diocese to finalize the grant, begin the reimbursement process for expenditures to date, and allow for Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish — established in 1919 — to work with Architect Randy Goodloe on determining budgets for various phases of repairs. Since FEMA funding is a reimbursement program, expenditures for eligible work completed must be submitted before the funds are reimbursed.
Pending additional significant obligations from FEMA for completed work that the Diocese of Lake Charles has funded, as well as providing substantial project budgeting details, there are many churches, parish halls, administrative and other ancillary structures that are waiting to begin the repair or rebuild processes.
