About Our Lady of Good Hope Chapel · Lafayette, Louisiana
Our Lady of Good Hope Chapel is a Catholic mission of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Lafayette, Louisiana, in the Diocese of Lafayette. Established in 1950 as an annex to serve the Freetown, Port Rico, and Mills Addition historical neighborhoods, the chapel is one of two worship sites of the oldest Black and Creole Catholic parish in the Acadiana region. The community identifies strongly as African-American Catholic, gathering at the chapel for the Sunday 9:00 AM Mass while the main parish at 326 S. Washington Street hosts the other Sunday liturgies and parish offices.
- Established
- 1950
- Patron
- Our Lady of Good Hope (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Fr. Anthony "Tony" Anala, SVD
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana
Why belong here
Our Lady of Good Hope Chapel offers Sunday Mass at 9:00 AM right in the heart of Lafayette's historic Freetown neighborhood, alongside weekday and Saturday Vigil Masses at the parent St. Paul the Apostle campus. The parish welcomes families with a Saturday religious education program for grades 1–12, an adult confirmation class, sacramental preparation for Baptism (celebrated the 4th Sunday of the month), weddings, and First Communion and Confirmation. It is a community that openly identifies as African-American Catholic and Black & Creole Catholic, with a special concern for the poor, providing not only liturgy but emergency relief, comfort, and prayer to neighbors in Fightinville and Freetown.
Mass times at Our Lady of Good Hope Chapel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM
- By appointment (call the parish office)
History of Our Lady of Good Hope Chapel
The Chapel of Our Lady of Good Hope was established in 1950 as an annex of St. Paul the Apostle Church to serve the historic Freetown, Port Rico, and Mills Addition neighborhoods of Lafayette. Before the chapel building existed, Catholics in these neighborhoods gathered for worship in Good Hope Hall. Its parent parish, St. Paul the Apostle, had been founded in 1911 as the first African-American Catholic parish in Acadiana and was originally shepherded by the Holy Ghost Fathers (Spiritans); ministry is now provided by the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD).
- Founded: 1950
- Parent parish: St. Paul the Apostle, Lafayette (founded 1911)
- Predecessor worship site: Good Hope Hall
- Neighborhoods served: Freetown, Port Rico, Mills Addition
Mission Statement and Identity
The parish describes itself as 'the oldest Black & Creole Catholic church' in the area and states its mission is 'to serve the people in the Fightinville and Freetown neighborhoods in Lafayette, Louisiana, striving to lift up the most generous and the poorest of the poor of our Parish and neighborhoods.' Members commit to walking together in faith, witnessing to peace and justice, teaching, and giving service with a special concern for the poor.
- Identifies as African-American Catholic community
- Areas of outreach: Fightinville and Freetown
- Provides Catholic services, emergency relief, comfort, prayer and 'good hope'
Pastoral Staff and Leadership
The chapel is pastored along with the parent St. Paul the Apostle Church. The parish's own pastoral-staff page lists the current pastor and lay staff who minister to both worship sites.
- Pastor — Fr. Anthony 'Tony' Anala, SVD (Divine Word Missionary)
- Director of Religious Education (DRE) — Ms. Bobbette Castille
- Trustee — Mr. Gobb Williams
- Trustee — Mr. John Broussard
- Secretary — Ms. Linda Moten
- Music Minister — Mr. Jimmy Joubert
- Music Minister — Mrs. Geraldine Broussard
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The parish provides religious education classes on Saturday mornings for children in grades 1 through 12. Sacramental preparation follows a two-year track: Reconciliation and First Communion are typically received in 2nd grade, and Confirmation in 10th grade. An Adult Confirmation class is also offered for those out of high school who have not yet been confirmed, meeting twice per month.
- Religion Classes — Saturdays, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM, grades 1–12
- Two-year sacramental preparation for Reconciliation and First Communion (2nd grade)
- Confirmation preparation (10th grade)
- Adult Confirmation Class — twice per month
- Volunteer opportunities for CCD teachers/aides and Confirmation teachers
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Matrimony, and provides sacramental certificates on request. Weddings require at least six months' advance notice, and Baptisms are celebrated on the fourth Sunday of the month.
- Baptism — application after Mass, by email, or in the parish office; celebrated the 4th Sunday of the month
- First Communion & Reconciliation — two-year preparation beginning in 2nd grade
- Confirmation — 10th grade, plus adult class
- Wedding — at least 6 months' advance notice
- Sacramental certificates available on request through the parish office
Parish Life and Giving
The parish supports its ministry through an Annual Fall Tax Appeal and online giving. The church hall is available for rental for events by contacting the hall manager. A parish registration packet is offered for new families wanting to formally join the community, with forms accepted by mail, email, or in the collection basket.
- Online Giving via the parish website
- Annual Fall Tax Appeal (suggested $50 per family)
- Church Hall Rental — contact Mrs. Bessie Thibeaux at (337) 235-0272 or (337) 254-2865
- Family Registration Packet available
- Parish office hours: Mon–Wed 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Thu–Fri 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Visiting and Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone or fax. The chapel is on Covenant Street in central Lafayette, while the main parish church and offices are on S. Washington Street.
- Parish office: 326 S. Washington Street, Lafayette, LA 70501
- Chapel address: 301 Covenant Street (also reported as 303 E. Convent St. by GCatholic), Lafayette, LA
- Phone: (337) 235-0272
- Fax: (337) 235-3100
- Parish office hours: Mon–Wed 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Thu–Fri 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM