Community Generously Supports Growing Ministry for the Poor
By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles
LAKE CHARLES — The return of the Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana Jazz Brunch was welcomed by 240 supporters on Laetare Sunday, March 30, at the Historic Cash & Carry, generously donated by Rick and Donna Richard. Laetare is Latin for rejoice, and there was plenty of rejoicing going on.
From a silent auction with competitive bidding, a delicious brunch provided by Roderick Stutes and Occasions, to entertainment by professional saxophonist Marcus Davis and His Excellency Bishop Glen John Provost on the keyboard, the joyful event was a huge success in large part to the charitable support of many in the community.
This was the first time since 2019 for Catholic Charities to host the Jazz Brunch because of delays brought on by COVID, back-to-back hurricanes, and many other natural disasters.
Sister Marie Josepha Kluczny, RSM, Executive Director, told the guests that Catholic Charities is not simply a social service agency.
“We are an arm of the Catholic Church by which we reach out to embrace and gather a people to our Lord,” she said. “Our work is ultimately to be an instrument of God’s mercy through which people experience the love of Christ and come to love Him more fully in return.”
The theme of this year’s brunch was “Hope – A Sure and Steadfast Anchor of the Soul.” (Hebrews 6:29)
“We can certainly agree that the world is in need of hope right now,” Sister Marie Josepha remarked. “Pope Francis has called for this to be a Jubilee Year of Hope. At Catholic Charities, we often work in the realm of the passion of hope. People come to us hoping to find housing or assistance with their rent, hoping to receive food, hoping to make their funds stretch to the next month.”
Sister emphasized, “This work is important. It is a work that the Lord commanded us to do as we hear in Matthew 25: Shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and whatever you do to the least of these you do to me.”
Among the numerous services provided by Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana is its monthly food distributions, a total of 12 in all — two at the Catholic Charities site in Lake Charles, and 10 sites spread out over the five-parish region in Big Lake, Bell City, Creole, DeRidder, Elton, Jennings, Kinder, Ragley, Sulphur, and Vinton.
“The monthly food distribution makes a difference in so many lives,” said Sister Marie Josepha. “One woman who was coming through the line told a volunteer that after her housing and medications are paid for each month, there is nothing left. The only food that she gets is what she receives from Catholic Charities.”
A total of 994,251 pounds of food was distributed to 9,030 individuals throughout Southwest Louisiana, according to the agency’s 2023-2024 Impact/Annual Report.
Calling attention to one of the newer programs offered through Catholic Charities, Sister shared the much-needed service of its mobile laundry / shower trailer that launched in November 2023. From January to December 2024, a total of 436 showers and 796 loads of laundry were provided.
“It is so easy for us to take for granted the blessing of being able to take a shower, but for those whose only shower each month is at our trailer, they tell us that these services make them feel human again,” said Sister Marie Josepha. “It is not just a shower. It is about their dignity.”
On the day of the brunch, the talented saxophonist is a regular volunteer of the laundry / shower trailer.
Sister praised the work of her dedicated staff of 11 and of the many volunteers who are helping make a huge impact in the community with their good works.
“The Lord is the backbone of our organization, but the staff and volunteers are the boots on the ground, working with clients day in and day out throughout the year and just do what needs to be done,” she said.
Some of those good works include rent and utilities assistance, help with prescription and funeral costs, SNAP applications, food bank, prisoner re-entry services, homeless outreach and the laundry/shower trailer.
SPECIAL HONOREES
The highlight of the brunch was the recognition of Rick and Donna Richard, and Sandy Gay for their many years of service and generosity to Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana.
Caritas Award
This year’s Caritas Award was presented to Sandy Gay for exemplifying a life of selfless giving.
“Sandy Gay has served as mentor and friend to thousands of people from her work as a volunteer that began as a teenager,” Sister Marie Josepha said as she began her remarks. “She has brought comfort and hope to many through her roles within the Diocese of Lake Charles and Catholic Charities, not least of which being her work in disaster preparedness and response. Sandy seems to have a great gift and love for pulling people together to meet the needs of the suffering.
“When the first director of Catholic Charities, Sister Mary Vianney Walsh, RSM, arrived, Sandy mentored her, helping her learn the ropes of the organization,” Sister shared. “Sandy had already helped the community recover from hurricanes Rita (2005) and Ike (2008), and when the Sabine River floods of 2016 and 2017 and Hurricane Harvey hit (2017), she was an invaluable resource.
“Not only did she continue to mentor Catholic Charities staff, but she stayed on to help our organization with the application and management of one of the largest disaster relief grants Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana has ever received. This grant was used to purchase ‘Big Joe,’ the 26-foot refrigerated food distribution truck which continues to serve the needs of the poor throughout our five-parish region,” Sister said. The truck is affectionately named after St. Joseph, patron saint of the poor.
Saint Peter Claver Award
This year’s recipients of the Saint Peter Claver Award are Oliver “Rick” and Donna Richard. The award, named for the patron saint of the Diocese of Lake Charles, honors service to the least among us.
“Rick and Donna Richard were some of the first people I met in Lake Charles,” Sister Marie Josepha recalled. “I learned that Rick and Donna were committed to the flourishing of Lake Charles and had been working to rebuild and restore beautiful old buildings in our city and putting them to use to benefit our community.
“I learned of Rick’s support for opening a facility to shelter the homeless. I can see that these two people have a heart for making Southwest Louisiana a better place for every member of this community,” she pointed out.
“When Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana was looking for a warehouse or some land on which to build a garage to house our Catholic Charities vehicles and trailer, I reached out to Rick hoping he would know of some properties available,” she explained.
Fighting back her tears, Sister Marie Josepha said, “Rick graciously agreed to a meeting, and to my surprise, offered to donate some land. He is choked up and I am, too,” she noticed as her recollection stirred emotions up in Rick.
“In all my interactions with Rick and Donna, I have found them remarkably free and creative in the ways they benefit our community. Their giving does not look any one particular way. Whatever they feel would truly provide a needed service, whatever would promote the continued growth of our community, and of those who live in it, is of interest to them.
“I know that our entire community has benefited from their creativity and generosity,” Sister emphasized. “For their care for the needs of the homeless and all persons in our community, please join me in congratulating Rick and Donna Richard.”
Immediately following the presentation of their award, Bishop Provost bestowed on each of them a Medal for the Order of St. Charles in the Member class to express gratitude for all that they have done for the Diocese of Lake Charles saying, “Know of our deep, deep gratitude.”
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For more information on the amazing work of Catholic Charities, visit https://www.catholiccharitiesswla.com/impact-report
If you are interested in helping with the ministry of Catholic Charities, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Individuals and groups are welcome.
To learn more about the connection between Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana and the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan, CLICK HERE.
