By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles
An invitation by Bishop Glen John Provost more than 10 years ago was the just the beginning of expanding the essential ministry of serving the poor through Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana.
It was not long after His Excellency was assigned to lead the Diocese of Lake Charles as its third shepherd (2007) that he realized the wonderful work that Catholic Charities was doing. With the variety of services it provides, he knew that it must have a stable atmosphere to continue its long-term mission of service to the most vulnerable.
To accomplish this goal, Bishop Provost reached out to Mother Mary McGreevy, the Superior (at the time) for the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan.
“Only bishops are allowed to request religious orders to come to their diocese,” he explained.
“After my invitation, Mother McGreevy and I had a conversation, at which time I was told that they would love to come to the Diocese of Lake Charles, but we would be on a waiting list.”
Bishop Provost was not dismayed by this response in the least.
“I told Mother McGreevy that I would put the matter in the hands of Our Lady of Lourdes, to which she responded, ‘Oh, my, you are pulling out the big guns!’,” Bishop Provost shared lightheartedly. “I have always relied on Our Lady of Lourdes for special intercessions.”
Two months later, Mother McGreevy informed Bishop Provost that she would be sending two religious sisters to assist in the Diocese of Lake Charles.
“Specifically, I wanted the Religious Sisters of Mercy to do two things in our diocese,” said the bishop. “I wanted one sister to run Catholic Charities, and I wanted one sister to oversee religious education in the diocese.”
Bishop Provost announced their arrival in September 2013, giving initial credit to Sister Mary Vianney Walsh, RSM, who paved the way at Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana.
“When I first invited the Sisters of Mercy of Alma to our diocese, Sister Mary Vianney and Sister Miriam MacLean, who we remember with great affection, were the Sisters of Mercy to come and establish a convent,” Bishop Provost recalled. “They began what has become, so far, a nearly 12-year service in our diocese.”
Sister Miriam would take the reins of Catholic Charities in 2018, expanding its food distribution program from three sites to 11 in five civil parishes across the diocese. She helped the people of Southwest Louisiana through many difficulties, especially those affected by COVID-19, and the aftermath of the 2020 hurricanes, flooding, and ice storms.
Sister Marie Josepha Kluczny, RSM, assumed the role of Executive Director on September 25, 2023, and continues the mission of bringing people to Christ in their moment of need.
