About Immaculate Conception · Sulphur, Louisiana
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church is a family-oriented Roman Catholic parish serving Sulphur, Louisiana, in the Maplewood neighborhood of Calcasieu Parish. It belongs to the West Deanery of the Diocese of Lake Charles and is pastored by Reverend Timothy Goodly, who took up the role on July 1, 2018, after recently celebrating his 25th anniversary as a priest. The parish offers three Sunday Masses plus a Saturday vigil, weekday daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration on Fridays, the Sacrament of Penance several days a week, and an active youth and family life program including a monthly Youth Mass, religious education (PREP), RCIA, and the Together in Holiness marriage enrichment series.
- Established
- 1959
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Reverend Timothy Goodly
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lake Charles (West Deanery)
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception offers an unusually full sacramental and devotional schedule for a parish of its size — three Sunday Masses plus a Saturday vigil, daily Mass Monday through Friday, Eucharistic adoration every Friday afternoon, and confessions six days a week. The parish is explicitly described as family-oriented, with active members of all ages, a monthly Youth Mass, the Together in Holiness marriage enrichment series, PREP religious education, RCIA for adults, and a connection to Our Lady's School in the community. It is a place where multiple generations can find a role: lectors, ushers, greeters, faith formation, school council, and pastoral council.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 2:45 PM (or by appointment)
- Sunday: 10:15 AM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM
- Friday: 8:00 AM
Adoration times
- Friday: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM (Day Chapel)
Our Parish
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sulphur (also referred to as the Maplewood parish) sits in the West Deanery of the Diocese of Lake Charles. The parish describes itself as 'family-oriented, with active members of all ages dedicated to serving our Lord and ministering to others,' quoting 1 Corinthians 12:12 on the unity of the many members of one Body. It maintains a visible presence in southwest Louisiana through its worship schedule, PREP and RCIA programs, and a partnership with Our Lady's School in Sulphur.
- Part of the West Deanery of the Diocese of Lake Charles
- Family-oriented parish community
- Tied to Our Lady's School in Sulphur
History of the Parish
Founded in 1959, Immaculate Conception has been served by more than a dozen priests in its history. For its first four decades the parish was staffed by the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette (M.S.); in 1999 it transitioned to diocesan leadership. The parish's published clergy list offers a near-complete succession of pastors, beginning with Rev. Henry Lenz, M.S. (1959–1962) and continuing through the current pastor, Rev. Timothy Goodly (2018–present).
- Founded 1959
- Originally staffed by Missionaries of La Salette
- Transitioned to diocesan clergy in 1999
- 13+ pastors and administrators across its history
Clergy and Pastoral Staff
Reverend Timothy Goodly is the current pastor, having officially begun his ministry at Immaculate Conception on July 1, 2018. The parish also lists Deacon Harry 'Bud' Wagner among its staff. The clergy page of the parish website provides a full succession of previous pastors, both from the La Salette era and the diocesan era.
- Reverend Timothy Goodly — Pastor (2018–present)
- Deacon Harry 'Bud' Wagner
- Contact: parish office 337-625-3364
Pastoral Council
The parish is led pastorally by Father Tim Goodly as chairperson, supported by two trustees and a council with commissions in Religious Education, Evangelization, Worship and Spiritual Life, and Social Justice and Community Services, plus at-large members and two seats reserved for representatives of Our Lady's School.
- Father Tim Goodly — Chairperson
- Mike Danahay — Trustee
- Brenda Quesnel — Trustee
- Jason Bartlett — Social Justice and Community Services
- Paula Hunter — Religious Education
- Lynn Leger — Evangelization
- Raye Ann Swarts — Worship and Spiritual Life
- Roy Coniglio, Mary Little, Edwin McCall, Beth Phillips, Randy Prejean, Ran Prince, Elva Vance — Members at Large
- Jana Taylor and Jonathan Brandon — Our Lady's School representatives
Mass and Worship Schedule
The parish offers one of the more full schedules in the Diocese of Lake Charles: a Saturday vigil, three Sunday Masses, daily weekday Mass, and a monthly Youth Mass on the first Sunday.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM
- Sunday: 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM
- Monday–Friday daily Mass: 8:30 AM
- Holy Days of Obligation: 8:30 AM and 6:00 PM
- Youth Mass: first Sunday of every month at 11:00 AM (Grades 6–12 serve as lectors, ushers, greeters)
Sacraments of Initiation
Immaculate Conception prepares parishioners for the three sacraments of Christian initiation — Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist — drawing on the Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraphs 1212, 1275, 1276, 1277) on its website. Children typically prepare through the PREP (Parish Religious Education Program), while adults enter through the RCIA process. The parish also brings Holy Communion to the homebound on request.
- Baptism
- First Penance
- First Communion / Eucharist
- Confirmation
- RCIA for adults
- PREP for children
- Homebound Holy Communion visits (call 337-625-3364)
Faith Formation and Adult Education
Beyond the Sunday Mass schedule, the parish promotes ongoing Catholic formation for adults through the Franciscan-at-Home online learning platform and the Together in Holiness marriage enrichment series. To enroll in Franciscan-at-Home, parishioners create an account at franciscanathome.com and select 'Diocese of Lake Charles' as the diocese and 'Immaculate Conception Catholic Church' as the parish — access is then granted free of charge.
- Franciscan-at-Home online adult faith formation (free to parishioners)
- Together in Holiness — year-round marriage enrichment for couples (contact Paula Hunter, [email protected])
- PREP (Parish Religious Education Program) for children
- RCIA for adults
Youth and Young People
Immaculate Conception places a clear emphasis on involving young parishioners in the life of the parish. On the first Sunday of every month, the 11:00 AM Mass is celebrated as a Youth Mass, with students in Grades 6–12 invited to read, usher, and greet. Families can sign up via the parish website or by texting @iccyouthma to 81010 to join the ICC Youth Mass Remind group. The parish also links to the Diocese of Lake Charles Youth Events website for wider regional opportunities.
- Monthly Youth Mass (first Sunday, 11:00 AM)
- Youth lector / usher / greeter sign-ups
- ICC Youth Mass Remind group (@iccyouthma → 81010)
- Diocese of Lake Charles Youth Events (linked resource)
Parish Outreach and Marriage Ministry
The Together in Holiness Formation Series is the parish's signature ministry for married couples, equipping spouses with formation, encouragement, support, and practical tools to grow together in holiness and to form their children in the Catholic faith. The Social Justice and Community Services commission of the Pastoral Council coordinates the parish's broader outreach.
- Together in Holiness marriage enrichment series
- Social Justice and Community Services (Pastoral Council commission)
- Evangelization commission
Becoming a Parishioner
Immaculate Conception welcomes new members through its online Church Membership Registration Form. Registration forms are also available at the entrances of the church and in the church administrative offices. New members are asked to indicate sacraments already received (Baptism, First Penance, First Communion, Confirmation) and whether they need PREP or RCIA instruction.
- Online Church Membership Registration Form on icsulphur.org
- Paper forms at church entrances and parish office
- PREP contact for children's sacrament preparation
- RCIA contact for adult initiation
Our Lady's School
Two seats on the parish Pastoral Council are reserved for representatives of Our Lady's School, indicating a formal, ongoing partnership between Immaculate Conception and the Catholic school serving the Sulphur community.
- Our Lady's School representatives: Jana Taylor and Jonathan Brandon on Pastoral Council
- School–parish liaison is built into parish governance
Staying Connected
Parishioners can stay informed through several channels offered by the parish, including Flocknote text notifications, an online giving portal on the parish website, and a Facebook page linked from the site footer. The parish office can be reached at 337-625-3364 during business hours.
- Flocknote text/email notifications (signup via icsulphur.org/church-notification-information-form)
- Online Giving portal on the parish website
- Facebook page (linked from icsulphur.org)
- Office phone: 337-625-3364; Fax: 337-625-9547
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend Henry Lenz, M.S.1959–1962
Earliest pastor listed on the parish clergy page; Missionaries of La Salette.
- Reverend Francis C. Lundgren, M.S.1962–1967
Missionary of La Salette.
- Reverend James J. Shahrigian, M.S.1967–1976
Missionary of La Salette; later transferred to Our Lady of La Salette Parish in Sulphur.
- Reverend Francis A. Fitzsimmons, M.S.1976–1981
Missionary of La Salette.
- Reverend Roland Bernier, M.S.1981–1987
Missionary of La Salette.
- Reverend William P. O'Brien, M.S.1987
Missionary of La Salette.
- Reverend Edward J. Brunnert, M.S.1987–1995
Missionary of La Salette.
- Reverend Egidio A. Vecchio1995–1999
Transition between La Salette and diocesan pastors.
- Monsignor Vincent Sedita1999–2009
First diocesan pastor of record.
- Very Reverend Aubrey Guilbeau2009–2017
Diocesan pastor.
- Very Reverend Ruben Villarreal2017–2018
Diocesan pastor.
- Very Reverend Edward J. Richard, M.S., V.F.January 2018 – June 2018
Missionary of La Salette; Administrator during the transition.
- Reverend Timothy Goodly2018–present
Current pastor; began July 1, 2018; recently celebrated 25th anniversary of ordination.