About Our Lady of the Rosary · Larose, Louisiana
Our Lady of the Rosary is a Roman Catholic parish in Larose, Louisiana, situated on the banks of Bayou Lafourche in the South Lafourche community of Lafourche Parish. Founded in 1873, it belongs to the Diocese of Houma–Thibodaux and serves as the spiritual home for Catholic families across the bayou communities of Larose, Cut Off, and surrounding areas. The parish operates Holy Rosary Catholic School (Pre-K through 8th grade) alongside a robust Faith Formation program and is known for its longtime pastoral leadership, its rosary-themed stained glass windows, and its active cemetery ministry. Today the parish is administered by Father Stephen Castille, with daily Mass in English and a bilingual ministry that includes Spanish-language faith formation and a Spanish Holy Hour.
- Established
- 1873
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Rosary (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Stephen Castille (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Houma–Thibodaux
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Rosary offers daily and weekend Masses, the Sacraments, a vibrant Faith Formation / CCD program for children (in English and Spanish), the parish-run Holy Rosary Catholic School (Pre-K through 8th grade), and a long tradition of lay involvement through the Parish Council and dozens of ministries. With more than 150 years of continuous service to South Lafourche, the parish combines deep Catholic heritage — including Rosary-mystery stained glass windows and the historic Holy Rosary Cemetery — with active ministry to families, youth, the Spanish-speaking community (with a Spanish Holy Hour each Friday), and the poor through St. Vincent de Paul. It is a welcoming place for new parishioners, with straightforward registration, online giving, and bulletin resources online.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Rosary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before every Mass (weekday and weekend)
- Weekday confessions by appointment
Adoration times
- Friday 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Spanish Holy Hour (Praise & Worship in Spanish) in the Chapel
Our Lady of the Rosary — Parish Overview
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church serves the South Lafourche community from its location on East Main Street along Bayou Lafourche in Larose, Louisiana. Established in 1873 and part of the Diocese of Houma–Thibodaux, the parish continues a 150-year-old Catholic tradition of worship, formation, and service to families along the bayou. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to noon and 1 PM to 4 PM, and the parish maintains an active online presence with weekly bulletins, online giving, and a Facebook page.
- Address: 12911 East Main Street, P.O. Box 10, Larose, LA 70373
- Parish Office: (985) 693-3433
- Rectory: (985) 693-8850
- Fax: (985) 693-7551
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.olrlarose.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olrchurchlarose/
History of the Parish
The parish traces its roots to a small chapel built in the mid-1800s on the banks of Bayou Lafourche near Canal Harang. Growth along the bayou led to the construction of a permanent wooden church in 1873 with land donated by Octive Harang. The third and present church was completed on February 21, 1933 under Father Charles Tessier, accommodating 565 families at a cost of $33,000. The parish's patroness is honored in stained glass windows installed during the 1955–1965 renovation under Father Emile Fossier, and the parish school — Holy Rosary Catholic School — opened its doors in 1963.
- Mid-1800s: Small chapel built on Bayou Lafourche near Canal Harang
- 1860s: Priests visit four times a year for Baptisms, communion, instruction
- 1873: First permanent wooden church built; Rev. Hyacinthe Brindejone first priest
- August 7, 1894: Congregation de Notre Dame du Rosaire formed
- February 21, 1933: Present (third) church completed under Fr. Charles Tessier
- 1963: Holy Rosary School opens with 42 students (1st–2nd grades)
- 1985: Fr. Dean Danos becomes first pastor from Larose in the Diocese
Holy Rosary Catholic School
Holy Rosary Catholic School, located at 12925 E Main St, Larose, is the parish school and serves children from Pre-K 2 through 8th grade. It was founded in 1963 under Father Emile Fossier with 42 students in 1st and 2nd grades taught by the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. The school is currently led by Principal Amy Garner and a faculty that includes religion, math, ELA, science, social studies, resource, and athletics staff. The school shares close ties with the parish — Wednesday's 9:00 AM 'HRCS Mass' is celebrated for the school community.
- Address: 12925 E Main St, Larose, LA 70373
- Phone: (985) 693-3342
- Principal: Amy Garner ([email protected])
- Administrator liaison: Fr. Stephen Castille
- Grades served: Pre-K 2 through 8th grade
- Includes religion, math, ELA, science, social studies, athletics
Faith Formation / CCD / Religious Education
Our Lady of the Rosary runs a parish-based Faith Formation (Catechism / CCD / Religious Education) program for children in Grades 1–6, preparing them for the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. Lay catechists and aides teach one-hour weekly classes on the parish grounds. The parish offers the program bilingually: English classes on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM, and Spanish classes on Wednesday afternoons at 4:30 PM and Saturday mornings at 11:00 AM. Sacramental preparation and Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion are integrated with regular Faith Formation.
- English CCD: Saturday and Sunday 11:00 AM
- Spanish CCD: Wednesday 4:30 PM and Saturday 11:00 AM
- Sacramental prep: Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation
- Enrollment begins in August
RCIA and Adult Faith Formation
The parish provides the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church, as well as adults who need to complete the sacraments of initiation received in childhood. Inquiry and formation sessions are typically offered in the parish.
- RCIA program for unbaptized adults and adults needing sacraments
Quinceañera Program
Reflecting its growing Hispanic ministry, the parish offers a Quinceañera program that prepares young women for this traditional celebration of faith and culture. The program is coordinated with parish leadership.
- Quinceañera formation for young women in the parish
Parish Ministries and Organizations
Lay involvement is central to parish life at Our Lady of the Rosary. A Parish Council advises the pastor on parish priorities, and a long list of ministries involves parishioners in liturgical service, faith formation, youth work, family life, and outreach. The parish's St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is a notable outreach arm.
- Altar Servers
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Parish Council
- RCIA team
- Confirmation Team
- CCD / Faith Formation catechists and aides
- CYO (Basketball, Cheerleading, Track)
- Youth Group and Young Adult Group
- Spanish-language ministries (CCD, Holy Hour)
- St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store (985-693-3815)
- Parish Store / Office Volunteers
Holy Rosary Cemetery
The parish operates Holy Rosary Cemetery, which doubled in size during Father Dean Danos' pastorate (1985–2005). Father Charles Tessier, who built the present church in 1933, is buried in Holy Rosary Cemetery. The parish cemetery is part of the parish's ministry to the whole South Lafourche community.
- Holy Rosary Cemetery on parish grounds
- Includes a mausoleum (first phase)
- Cemetery ministry contact: parish office
Clergy and Staff
Our Lady of the Rosary is currently administered by Rev. Stephen Castille, who also serves as Administrator for the parish according to the Diocese of Houma–Thibodaux active priests list. Two deacons have historically served the parish: Deacon Michael Cantrelle (ordained May 18, 1996, retired 2017) and Deacon Davis Doucet (retired 2016), both natives of Larose. Pastoral leadership since 1985 is closely identified with Father Dean Danos, who served 20 years.
- Administrator: Rev. Stephen Castille ([email protected], 985-693-3433)
- Deacon Michael Cantrelle (1996–2017)
- Deacon Davis Doucet (retired 2016)
Getting Involved and Online Resources
New parishioners can register using the Parishioner Registration Form available on the parish website, with a separate Family Registration Update form for current families. The parish offers Online Giving through its website, publishes weekly bulletins, maintains a Facebook page, and provides downloadable forms for Mass Intentions, Bank Draft, Safe Environment, and Family Registration. Parishioners are invited to join the Parish Council or one of the many ministries listed on the website.
- Parishioner Registration Form (online)
- Family Registration Update Form
- Mass Intentions Form
- Bank Draft Form
- Online Giving
- Weekly Bulletins (online)
- Safe Environment Information
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Hyacinthe Brindejone1873–1876
First priest of the parish, served community of ~300.
- Rev. Dominic Crespin1876–1879
- Rev. Oliver Bre1879–
- Rev. E.F. Lavacqueryuntil 1889
Church enlarged during his tenure.
- Rev. Emile Peufier
Pastorship during which the Congregation de Notre Dame du Rosaire was later formed.
- Rev. Adrien Kohnerfrom 1890
With trustees and Archbishop Janssens, formed the Congregation de Notre Dame du Rosaire on August 7, 1894.
- Rev. A.M. Rochardfrom 1896
Effected minor repairs; began efforts for a Chapel in Cut Off.
- Rev. Charles Tessieruntil 1950
Built the present (third) church, completed February 21, 1933. Celebrated golden Sacerdotal Jubilee December 19, 1937. Buried in Holy Rosary Cemetery.
- Rev. Emile Fossier1955–1965
Renovated the Church; installed Rosary-mystery stained glass windows; opened Holy Rosary School (1963); CCD formalized.
- Rev. John Keller1968–1973 (associate then admin)
Maryknoll Missionary; organized Religious Education Committee; installed first Eucharistic Ministers.
- Rev. William Koninkx1970s
Initiated project of identifying the Parish by sections.
- Rev. Warren Chassaniol
Served with Fr. Malachy McCool.
- Rev. Dean Danos1985–2005
Native of Larose — first pastor in the Diocese to serve the Parish he grew up in. Cemetery doubled in size.
- Rev. Joseph Periera2005–2006
Administrator.
- Rev. Francis Bui2006–2010
Pastor.
- Rev. Alberto Santiago2008–2011
Associate then pastor.
- Rev. Robert Rogers
Administrator.
- Rev. Ronilo Villamor2012–May 2018
Pastor.
- Rev. Domingo Cruz2017–2022
Retired in-residence associate pastor.
- Rev. Duc Bui2018–2024
- Rev. Stephen Castillepresent
Current Administrator of the Parish.