About Immaculate Heart of Mary · Lake Charles, Louisiana
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Lake Charles in southwest Louisiana, serving a historically African American Catholic community on the north side of Lake Charles. Founded in 1949 as a mission of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, it was elevated to parish status in 1953 by Bishop Jules B. Jeanmard and retains its roots in the Spiritan (Holy Ghost Fathers) and Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament missionary tradition. The parish complex at 2031 Opelousas Street includes the main church, Founders' Hall, and the connected Our Lady of Fatima Mission Chapel at 1700 Graham Street, where an early Sunday Mass is celebrated. Under the leadership of its current pastor, Father Rommel Tolentino (appointed July 1, 2022), the parish describes itself as 'a welcoming community… united in the presence of the Eucharist and formed by faith in the Holy Spirit' that brings others to God through prayer, service, stewardship, and cultural worship.
- Established
- 1949 (as mission); 1953 (erected as a parish)
- Patron
- Immaculate Heart of Mary (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Reverend Father Rommel Pasion Tolentino
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lake Charles (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
Immaculate Heart of Mary offers an unusually tight-knit, multigenerational Catholic family rooted in a proud African American heritage of faith, stewardship and service — a parish that has sent three of its own young men on to priestly ordination. Daily and Sunday Masses are offered in two worship sites (the main church and Our Lady of Fatima Chapel), Eucharistic Adoration is built into the weekly rhythm (Thursdays and First Fridays), Confession is readily available, and a thriving calendar of parish organizations — from the Knights of Peter Claver, Ladies Auxiliary, Christian Mothers, Holy Name Society, Legion of Mary, St. Vincent de Paul, ACTS retreats, men's and women's Scripture sharing groups, PREP religious education and youth ministry — means there is a real place for every age and interest to belong and to serve.
Mass times at Immaculate Heart of Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM (before 4:00 PM Mass)
- Sunday: 30 minutes prior to each Mass
- Thursday during Holy Hour: 7:45 AM – 8:15 AM
- First Friday during Holy Hour: 7:45 AM – 8:15 AM
- Any other time by appointment — call the Pastoral Center
Adoration times
- Day Chapel — Holy Hour and individual prayer, Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
- Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction — Thursdays, 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
- Holy Hour of Reparation — every Thursday, 11:00 PM to midnight
- First Friday Adoration — 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Parish Story & Heritage
Immaculate Heart of Mary began in the fall of 1949 when Spiritan pastor Father Clement Roach of Sacred Heart Parish, concerned with Catholics in the outlying areas, purchased a five-acre lot and built a four-room multi-purpose hall as a mission chapel. Father Harold S. McNeil, C.S.Sp., Sacred Heart's assistant pastor, was assigned to it, and Bishop Jules B. Jeanmard erected IHM as a parish with Fr. McNeil as its first pastor. The parish retains the missionary DNA of the Spiritans and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament (founded by St. Katharine Drexel), and considers itself a granddaughter of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and a daughter of Sacred Heart of Jesus — even preserving 'Immaculate Conception' and 'Sacred Heart' within its own name.
- Founded as a mission in 1949 on a five-acre lot
- Erected as a parish in 1953; Fr. Harold S. McNeil, C.S.Sp., first pastor
- Heritage rooted in the Spiritans (Holy Ghost Fathers) and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament
- Three parishioners ordained priests (Frs. Marcus M. Johnson, Clyde Thomas, Gerard Jordan)
- 50th anniversary of parish erection celebrated in 2003
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) — directed by Jacqueline Mathews — provides classroom religious instruction from Kindergarten through 11th grade plus RCIA Adapted for Children, held in Founders' Hall. PREP Classes for the 2025–2026 year meet Sundays from 9:45 to 10:45 AM, with registration at $30 per family. The parish also runs RCIA for adults exploring the Catholic faith and a thriving Youth Ministry for ages 6 to 18 with separate Middle School, Elementary and High School gatherings under the theme 'Young Disciples Exploring Christ; Growing in Christ; and Becoming Christ Centered.'
- Director of Religious Education: Jacqueline Mathews (337-436-8093)
- PREP classes Sundays 9:45–10:45 AM in Founders' Hall
- Grades K–11 plus RCIA Adapted for Children
- Adult RCIA team journeys with those seeking membership
- Youth Ministry for ages 6–18 (Middle School, Elementary, High School)
Adult Faith: Scripture Sharing & ACTS Retreats
Two lay-led groups — the Men's Scripture Sharing Group (Mondays at 5:30 PM in the Founders' Hall downstairs classroom) and the Women's Scripture Sharing Group (Mondays at 4:00 PM in the Founders' Hall Conference Room) — break open the Readings of the upcoming weekend Liturgy for knowledge, understanding, and personal application. The parish also hosts ACTS Retreats (Adoration, Community, Theology, Service) for men and women; the 2025 IHM Men's ACTS Retreat is scheduled August 21–24, 2025, with a Commissioning Mass on Sunday, June 29 at the 11:00 AM Mass. Fr. Keith Pellerin serves as the Bishop's Liaison for ACTS Retreats.
- Men's Scripture Sharing — Mondays 5:30 PM
- Women's Scripture Sharing — Mondays 4:00 PM
- ACTS Retreats for men and women
- 2025 IHM Men's ACTS Retreat: August 21–24, 2025
Parish Organizations
A wide network of parish organizations gives members of every age and interest a way to serve. Christian Mothers fosters family spirituality and supports the priest and bishop; the Holy Name Society promotes reverence for the Sacred Names of God and Jesus and performs the Works of Mercy; the Legion of Mary (Tuesdays 5:30 PM) visits the sick and homebound and coordinates outdoor rosaries in May and October; St. Vincent de Paul screens and assists those in need within parish boundaries; the Pro-Life Ministry collects baby items and supports Abraham's Tent; Bereavement Ministers maintain a Wall of Remembrance and organize the annual Memorial Mass on All Souls Day; and the Vocations Promotion Committee circulates a vocation cross among parishioners.
- Christian Mothers
- Holy Name Society
- Legion of Mary (Tuesdays 5:30 PM)
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Pro-Life Ministry
- Bereavement Ministers
- Vocations Promotion Committee
- Sick & Homebound Visitation
- Social Justice Committee
- Evangelization Committee
Knights of Peter Claver
The Knights of Peter Claver — the largest African American lay Catholic organization in the United States, active in 34 states and founded in 1909 by four Josephite priests and three laymen — has a long-standing home at Immaculate Heart of Mary. Council #141 and Ladies Auxiliary Court #141 were established during Father Schuster's pastorate. The parish is also home to the Junior Knights, Junior Daughters, Fourth Degree Assembly #22, and the Ladies of Grace Chapter #22. Their shared goals include supporting the pastor, parish and bishop, instilling civic pride, awarding scholarships, developing youth character, and providing social and intellectual fellowship.
- Knights of Peter Claver Council #141
- KPC Ladies Auxiliary Court #141
- KPC Junior Knights
- KPC Junior Daughters
- Fourth Degree KPC Assembly #22
- Ladies of Grace Chapter #22
Parish Bazaar
Held the first weekend of October, the Parish Bazaar is the largest parish-wide event of the year and the parish's primary fundraiser. It draws on every corner of the community — set-up and clean-up crews, kitchen work, food preparation and service, ticket and refreshment sales, game-booth shifts, the flea market, the raffle booth, and the grounds crew all depend on volunteer labor.
- First weekend of October
- Largest annual parish-wide event and fundraiser
- Volunteers needed for booths, kitchen, food prep, ticket sales, games, flea market, raffle, and clean-up
Clergy & Staff
Father Rommel Tolentino pastors the parish with Father Shaji Jose, HGN, as priest in residence and Sister Maria Howell, RSM, as Parish Life Coordinator/Assistant. Deacon Joseph Elray Bushnell (ordained December 2001 by Bishop Edward Braxton) continues his diaconal ministry, including coordinating Communion Services in homes with the Legion of Mary. The lay staff includes DRE Jacqueline Mathews, Office Manager Sharon Samuel, Receptionist/Secretary Willa Bushnell, Bookkeeper Debbie LaFleur, Maintenance Person Chad McCardle, Housekeeper Victoria January, and Cook Bonnie Kron.
- Pastor: Rev. Fr. Rommel Pasion Tolentino
- Priest in Residence: Rev. Fr. Shaji Jose, HGN
- Parish Life Coordinator/Assistant: Sr. Maria Howell, RSM
- Deacon: Joseph Elray Bushnell
- DRE: Jacqueline Mathews
- Office Manager: Sharon Samuel
- Receptionist/Secretary: Willa Bushnell
- Bookkeeper: Debbie LaFleur
Leadership Councils
Two councils guide the parish. The Pastoral Council, chaired by Father Tolentino with John Lewis as Vice Chairperson, includes elected parishioners plus the DRE, Parish Life Coordinator, and trustees Joseph 'JJ' St. Mary and Darlene Howard. The Finance Council, also chaired by the pastor, includes John Lewis (Pastoral Council Vice Chairperson), Wanda Johnwell, Marshall Simien, Marsha Duplechain-Williams, Sheroyne Capdeville, and the two trustees.
- Pastoral Council chaired by Fr. Rommel Tolentino
- Pastoral Council Vice Chairperson: John Lewis
- Trustees: Joseph 'JJ' St. Mary and Darlene Howard
- Finance Council chaired by Fr. Rommel Tolentino
Our Lady of Fatima Chapel
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Chapel at 1700 Graham Street in Lake Charles is the parish's mission chapel, where the Sunday 7:00 AM Mass is celebrated. The chapel was renovated under Father Karl Fusilier (pastor from July 1, 1999), with the highlight being the installation of fourteen stained-glass windows depicting the Stations of the Cross. It is listed on the Diocese of Lake Charles site as a mission chapel served by the priests of Immaculate Heart of Mary.
- 1700 Graham Street, Lake Charles
- Sunday 7:00 AM Mass
- Renovated under Fr. Karl Fusilier (1999)
- Fourteen stained-glass windows of the Stations of the Cross
Parish Office & Contact
The Parish Pastoral Center at 2031 Opelousas Street is the hub for parish business, with hours Monday through Thursday 8:30 AM to Noon and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM, and Friday 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM. The parish may be reached by phone at 337-436-8093 (Fax 337-436-8033) and offers online registration for new parishioners and online giving through the parish website.
- Address: 2031 Opelousas Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
- Phone: 337-436-8093; Fax: 337-436-8033
- Pastoral Center hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–Noon, 1:00–4:30 PM; Fri 8:30 AM–1:00 PM
- Online parishioner registration and online giving available via the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Harold S. McNeil, C.S.Sp.1949 – (mission); first pastor from 1953
Founded the mission chapel on the five-acre lot in 1949; first pastor when IHM was erected as a parish in 1953 by Bishop Jules B. Jeanmard; enlisted the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament to begin religious instruction.
- Rev. Herbert F. Schuster, C.S.Sp.assigned August 20, 1960
The 'Rodeo Priest'; introduced the parish to the rodeo, which funded the new rectory and the opening of the parish school staffed by the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. Bells installed in the bell tower; Holy Name Society and St. Vincent de Paul Society formed; Knights of Peter Claver Council #141 and Ladies Auxiliary Court #141 established.
- Msgr. Ronald Grothparish administrator from 1994; pastor from July 1995
Led the parish's Evangelization efforts.
- Rev. Karl Fusilierassigned July 1, 1999
Renovated Fatima Chapel; installed fourteen stained-glass windows of the Stations of the Cross.
- Rev. Timothy Goodlyassigned November 2003
Built the new rectory; renovated the sanctuary and church interior; led repairs after Hurricane Rita.
- Rev. Marcus M. Johnsonassigned 2009
Parishioner-ordained priest; renovated the sacristy, added two classrooms to Founders' Hall, and landscaped the church grounds.
- Rev. V. Wayne LeBleuappointed July 1, 2015
- Rev. Joby K. Mathew (Associate Pastor)appointed July 1, 2015
- Rev. Rommel Pasion Tolentinoappointed July 1, 2022
Current pastor; previously pastor of Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (2014-2022); also Chaplain of Stella Maris Seafarer's Center in Lake Charles and Chaplain of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.