About Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church · Erath, Louisiana
Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church is a small Catholic parish in Erath, Louisiana, in Vermilion Parish, belonging to the Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana. The Catholic community in Erath worships in a building first erected in 1916 as a mission church under the direction of the Delcambre priests, and it was formally established as its own parish on February 10, 1928. Today the parish is served by Fr. Clinton Sensat and two deacons, and offers daily and weekend Mass, an active religious education program for grades 1-12, the Knights of Columbus, an Altar Society, and a parish cemetery and mausoleum for the local Catholic faithful.
- Established
- 1928
- Patron
- Our Lady of Lourdes
- Rector
- Fr. Clinton Sensat
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana
Why belong here
Our Lady of Lourdes offers a tight-knit Catholic community rooted in almost a century of faith in Erath, with daily and weekend Mass in English, Eucharistic Adoration every weekday morning, regular Confession before every Mass, and beloved devotions like the Rosary, the Chaplet of Our Lady of Sorrows, and Stations of the Cross in Lent. Parishioners can raise their children in the faith through SPARK (Grades 1-5), EDGE middle school (Grades 6-7), Chosen Confirmation prep (Grade 8), and the new joint high school youth ministry 'Our Lady of the Waters' with Our Lady of the Lake in Delcambre. The parish is also home to the Knights of Columbus Council #3872, an Altar Society, a Parish Pastoral Council, a Parish Finance Council, and a Cemetery Committee — many ways to belong.
Mass times at Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before every Mass in the church
- By appointment — call the parish office at 337-937-6888
Adoration times
- 30 minutes before each weekday Mass, Tuesday–Friday
- First Fridays, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Noon)
Parish History & Identity
Our Lady of Lourdes traces its roots to 1916, when the original church structure in Erath was built and used as a mission church under the direction of the Delcambre priests. On February 10, 1928, the community was formally raised to parish status with the Diocese of Lafayette, giving Erath its own Catholic parish. The parish takes its name and devotional life from the apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes to St. Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, and the parish site carries links to Bernadette, the apparitions, the message of Lourdes, and the 70 miraculous healings at Lourdes recognized by the Church.
- Original structure built: 1916
- Established as a parish: February 10, 1928
- Previously a mission under the Delcambre priests
- Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Clinton Sensat, Pastor, who celebrates the regular Mass schedule and parish funerals and whose Sunday homilies are linked on the parish site's Homilies tab. He is assisted by two deacons — Dcn. Timothy Marcantel and Dcn. Glynn Stutes — and a lay staff team. Mrs. Connie Hayes serves as Receptionist and Archivist, Mrs. Nicole DesOrmeaux is Director of Religious Education, and Mrs. Katie Hernandez is Director of Communication. Earlier pastor Fr. Zachariah is remembered fondly in parish bulletins for his pastoral care, alongside Deacons Darrell Dubroc and Ted Moulard.
- Fr. Clinton Sensat — Pastor
- Dcn. Timothy Marcantel — Deacon
- Dcn. Glynn Stutes — Deacon
- Mrs. Connie Hayes — Receptionist and Archivist
- Mrs. Nicole DesOrmeaux — Director of Religious Education
- Mrs. Katie Hernandez — Director of Communication
Devotions
The parish keeps a rich devotional life in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of Sorrows. First Saturdays begin with the Rosary at 9:00 AM followed by the 9:30 AM Mass. The Chaplet of Our Lady of Sorrows is prayed on Tuesdays at 11:00 AM, and during Lent the parish gathers for Stations of the Cross at 6:00 PM on Fridays.
- First Saturday Rosary — 9:00 AM (followed by 9:30 AM Mass)
- Chaplet of Our Lady of Sorrows — Tuesdays at 11:00 AM
- Stations of the Cross — Fridays during Lent at 6:00 PM
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Our Lady of Lourdes runs a full religious education program from first grade through high school, coordinated by Director of Religious Education Nicole DesOrmeaux. The elementary program SPARK (Grades 1–5) meets on Sunday mornings; EDGE serves middle schoolers in Grades 6–7; Chosen is the parish's Confirmation sacramental prep for Grade 8; and high schoolers (Grades 9–12) are invited into 'Our Lady of the Waters,' a joint youth ministry with neighboring Our Lady of the Lake in Delcambre.
- SPARK Elementary Religious Education (Grades 1–5) — Coordinator: Mrs. Nicole D. DesOrmeaux; Sunday Sessions 9:30–10:45 AM
- EDGE Middle School (Grades 6–7) — Coordinator: Mrs. Annette Oliva; Monday evenings 6:15–7:30 PM in the parish hall
- Chosen Confirmation Sacramental Prep (Grade 8)
- Our Lady of the Waters High School Youth Ministry (Grades 9–12) — partnered with Our Lady of the Lake, Delcambre; Worship, Fellowship & Discipleship
- Curriculum: Alive in Christ (Grades 1–5)
Parish Organizations & Councils
Parishioners at Our Lady of Lourdes can plug in through several established councils and societies. The Knights of Columbus Council #3872 is active in the parish — including running the Lenten Fish Fry Fridays in the Parish Hall. The Altar Society supports the church's liturgical life. Governance and stewardship are shepherded by a Parish Pastoral Council chaired by Steven Bordelon, a Parish Finance Council chaired by Kenneth Ducote, and a Cemetery Committee chaired by Deacon Ted Moulard. The Knights of Columbus also maintain a separately incorporated 'Our Lady Of Lourdes Knights Of Columbus Home Association.'
- Knights of Columbus Council #3872 — Grand Knight Marc Bordelon
- Altar Society — President DD Lamartiniere
- Parish Pastoral Council — Chairperson Steven Bordelon
- Parish Finance Council — Chairperson Kenneth Ducote
- Cemetery Committee — Chairperson Deacon Ted Moulard
- Knights of Columbus Home Association (incorporated)
Sacraments & Sacramental Prep
The parish website includes a Confession/Reconciliation page that explains Confession is heard 30 minutes before every Mass or by appointment, and that First Confession is a required component of the parish's First Communion preparation. Confirmation sacramental preparation is provided through the 'Chosen' program for 8th graders. The parish also celebrates the Sacrament of Marriage and Masses of Christian Burial, with Father Sensat serving as celebrant at most funerals.
- Confession / Reconciliation — 30 min before every Mass or by appointment
- First Confession & First Communion Sacramental Prep
- Confirmation Sacramental Prep (Chosen, Grade 8)
- Marriage preparation & celebration
- Anointing / Funeral Masses
Cemetery & Mausoleum
Our Lady of Lourdes maintains a parish cemetery and mausoleum on its grounds, where Catholic funerals of lifelong parishioners continue to be celebrated. The Cemetery Committee, chaired by Deacon Ted Moulard, oversees this ministry. Burial there is referenced repeatedly in parish funerals, including those for longtime members who were baptized, made their First Communion and Confirmation, and were married at Our Lady of Lourdes.
- Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery
- Our Lady of Lourdes Mausoleum
- Cemetery Committee chaired by Deacon Ted Moulard
Community Life & Outreach
Beyond Mass and formation, the parish runs beloved community events. The Knights of Columbus Council #3872 hosts Fish Fry Fridays during Lent (every Friday except Good Friday) in the Parish Hall, with dine-in and to-go plates. The parish also welcomes public visitors to those events and encourages families to invite friends into the EDGE middle school program. The parish offices are open Monday through Thursday mornings for parishioners and visitors.
- Fish Fry Fridays during Lent — Knights of Columbus Council #3872 in the Parish Hall
- Parish Office Hours — 8:30 AM – Noon, Monday–Thursday
- Parish Hall used for EDGE and Knights events
Visit, Contact & Connect
Parishioners and visitors can reach Our Lady of Lourdes by phone, email, or in person. The parish office is staffed Monday through Thursday mornings; Mass is celebrated as listed above, with confessions before Mass and by appointment. The parish also maintains an official Facebook page and an active bulletin that lists sick parishioners, memorial donations, and pastoral notes.
- Phone: 337-937-6888
- Fax: 337-937-8650
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 700 S. Broadway St., Erath, LA 70533
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu, 8:30 AM – Noon
- Facebook: Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church (Erath, LA)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Zachariah
Earlier pastor; thanked in parish bulletins for mass, kindness and pastoral care.
- Fr. Clinton Sensat
Current pastor; celebrates parish funerals and weekday/weekend Masses; his Sunday homilies are linked on the Homilies tab.