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LAKE CHARLES – Correcting a “geographic inequity,” Bishop Glen John Provost has created a fourth deanery in the Diocese of Lake Charles – the South Deanery – with parishes formerly part of the West and Central deaneries. The effective date of the Deanery's establishment is Thursday, Aug. 21.

Very Reverend Anthony Fontenot, the former dean of the East Deanery and now pastor of Christ the King Catholic Church in Lake Charles, is the founding dean of the South Deanery. The establishment of the new deanery was announced at the Ordination Mass for 17 permanent deacons held Saturday, Aug. 16.

Parishes that make up this new deanery are Christ the King, Lake Charles; Our Lady Star of the Sea, Cameron; Sacred Heart of Jesus, Creole; St. Eugene, Grand Chenier; St. John Vianney, Bell City; and St. Mary of the Lake, Big Lake, including its mission in Sweetlake, St. Patrick.
  
The four churches in the civil parish of Cameron were formerly in the West Deanery while the two from Calcasieu Parish were formerly in the Central Deanery.

The formation of the South Deanery acknowledges the ongoing concern and interest of the Bishop and the Diocese in the church parishes along the coast.

  
The Code of Canon Law grants to the bishop the ability to join neighboring parishes into special groups – deaneries. The dean of the group, also known as a vicar forane, has specific duties as dean:

  • promotion and coordination of the common pastoral activity within the deanery;
  • seeing that the clerics of the deanery lead a life in harmony with their state in life and perform their duties with diligence;
  • seeing that religious functions follow Church norms;
  • seeing that the good appearance of churches and sacred furnishings are maintained;
  • seeing that parish books are correctly managed;
  • seeing that the parish rectory is well maintained;
  • seeing that clerics, following the norms of the diocese and the norms of Canon 272, attend theological lectures, meetings, or conferences;
  • making sure that the priests of the deanery have access to spiritual helps and aid in difficult pastoral circumstances; and
  • making sure that pastors in his deanery are well cared for when they are sick or dying.

Additionally, the dean must follow the particular norms of the diocese. Canon 555 also particularly mentions that a dean must visit the parishes of the district in accord with the regulations made by the diocesan bishop.

Formerly, the dean of the West Deanery had responsibility for parishes from St. Joseph in DeRidder to St. Eugene in Grand Chenier, an inordinately long distance to travel.

“It was a challenge for the dean,” Bishop Provost said. “The reconfiguration will enhance the service and ministry the dean can offer to the churches of south Lake Charles, Bell City, and Cameron.”
  
The Central Deanery, led by the Very Reverend Marcus Johnson, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Lake Charles, includes The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Lake Charles; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Lake Charles; Our Lady of Good Counsel, Lake Charles; Our Lady Queen of Heaven, Lake Charles; Sacred Heart of Jesus, Lake Charles; St. Henry, Lake Charles; St. Margaret of Scotland, Lake Charles; St. Martin de Porres, Lake Charles; St. Raphael, Iowa; and St. Theodore, Moss Bluff.  

The East Deanery under the leadership of the Very Reverend Jacob Scott Conner, pastor of St. Joan of Arc in Oberlin is made up of Immaculate Conception, Jennings; Our Lady Help of Christians, Jennings; Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Jennings; Our Lady of Seven Dolors, Welsh; Our Lady of the Lake, Lake Arthur; Sacred Heart of Jesus, Oakdale; St. Charles Borromeo, Fenton; St. Joan of Arc, Oberlin; St. Joseph, Elton; St. Joseph, Welsh; St. Lawrence, Raymond; St. Paul, Elton; and St. Philip Neri, Kinder.

Parishes in the West Deanery, led by the Very Reverend Aubrey Guilbeau, pastor of Immaculate Conception in Maplewood, includes Immaculate Conception, Maplewood;  Our Lady of LaSalette, DeQuincy; Our Lady of LaSalette, Sulphur; Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Sulphur; St. John Bosco, Westlake; St. Joseph, DeRidder; St. Joseph, Vinton; St. Peter the Apostle, Hackberry; St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Carlyss; and the new parish of St. Pius X, Ragley

 

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