About Sacred Heart of Jesus · Creole, Louisiana
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church is a small, historic parish in Creole, in the marshlands of Cameron Parish in far southwest Louisiana. Founded in 1890 by Rev. John Engberink as the mother parish for Catholic settlers along the lower coast, it has been rebuilt at least four times after devastating Gulf hurricanes. The original church was destroyed by Hurricane Laura in August 2020 and, while recovery and rebuilding continue, the community now worships in a converted barn on parish property and at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Life Center. In February 2021 the Diocese of Lake Charles amalgamated Sacred Heart with Our Lady Star of the Sea in Cameron and St. Eugene in Grand Chenier into a single parish, Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church — East Cameron.
- Established
- 1890
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Reverend Jerish George, M.O.C.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lake Charles
Why belong here
Sacred Heart of Jesus is a tight-knit coastal Catholic community where Sunday Mass has been celebrated continuously for more than 130 years, in spite of being knocked down and rebuilt four times by hurricanes. It remains the spiritual home for families across lower Cameron Parish who received all their sacraments here. Worship is intimate — the pastor travels between Creole, Sweetlake, Grand Chenier, and Big Lake to bring Mass, the sacraments, and visits to the homebound to a far-flung flock, and parishioners pray the Hurricane Prayer for Safety year-round. To visit is to step into a place where faith, family, and the Gulf coast are inseparable.
Mass times at Sacred Heart of Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Half hour prior to each Mass
Adoration times
- Saturdays, following 3:30 p.m. Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament (before Vigil Mass)
History of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish
Catholic life along the lower Cameron coast of Louisiana began in 1890 when Rev. John Engberink began serving the scattered Catholic families of the marshlands from what would become Creole. The next century saw 23 pastors care for the parish, the community rebuilt repeatedly after hurricanes, and a slow consolidation of Catholic life along the Gulf. The Missionaries of LaSalette ministered to the parish from 1948 until 1968. Msgr. M. J. Bernard's 25-year pastorate (1972–1997) marked the parish's longest pastoral era and a virtual rebuilding of its buildings and programs. Hurricane Laura destroyed the church on August 27, 2020, and on February 2, 2021, the Diocese of Lake Charles amalgamated Sacred Heart with Our Lady Star of the Sea and St. Eugene into the present parish, Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church — East Cameron.
- Founded 1890 by Rev. John Engberink
- Missionaries of LaSalette, 1948–1968
- Hurricane Audrey (1957) virtually wiped out the town of Creole
- Msgr. M. J. Bernard, pastor 1972–1997
- Hurricane Rita (2005) and Hurricane Ike (2008) battered the parish again
- Hurricane Laura destroyed the church on August 27, 2020
- Amalgamated into Sacred Heart of Jesus, East Cameron on February 2, 2021
Amalgamation of 2021 and the East Cameron Parish
Following the destruction of 2020, Bishop Glen John Provost issued a decree amalgamating Sacred Heart of Jesus (Creole), Our Lady Star of the Sea (Cameron), and St. Eugene (Grand Chenier) into a single parish, Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, East Cameron. Rev. Jerish George, M.O.C., was named first pastor. The territorial bounds of the new parish stretch from the intersection of Ward Line Road and Highway 14 south to the Intercoastal Canal, and from that same intersection east and south to Fruge Road and down to the Intercoastal Canal. A new church building is planned for Sweetlake, where St. Patrick mission has long stood on higher ground. Until that future church rises, Mass continues in lower Cameron at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Life Center in Creole and in a converted barn one street west.
- Amalgamated parishes: Sacred Heart of Jesus (Creole), Our Lady Star of the Sea (Cameron), St. Eugene (Grand Chenier)
- First pastor of the amalgamated parish: Rev. Jerish George, M.O.C.
- Future parish site planned in Sweetlake
- St. Patrick mission in Sweetlake absorbed into the new parish territory
Worship Schedule and Sacraments
Sacred Heart of Jesus offers a full weekly schedule of Masses plus the Sacrament of Reconciliation before each one. Since the Hurricane Laura destruction of the church building, Mass has been celebrated in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Life Center and, beginning October 9, 2021, also in the Rodrigue barn at 163 Mallard Lane. Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament precedes the Saturday Vigil Mass at 3:30 p.m. Father George also continues to celebrate Sunday Mass at 8:00 a.m. in the church hall of St. Mary of the Lake in Big Lake, and administers the sacraments to homebound families along the coast.
- Saturday Vigil Mass, 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday Mass, 9:00 a.m.
- Tuesday and Thursday Mass, 4:30 p.m.
- Wednesday and Friday Mass, 7:15 a.m.
- Confessions: half hour before each Mass
- Eucharistic Adoration on Saturdays following 3:30 p.m.
- Anointing of the Sick and homebound visits available on request
Clergy and Staff
The pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus, East Cameron, is Rev. Jerish George, M.O.C., a priest of the Missionaries of Compassion who has served in the Diocese of Lake Charles since September 2019. He also serves as pastor of St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in Big Lake. Father George lives in the renovated Sacred Heart rectory behind the Life Center, which makes it easier for him to travel between Creole, Sweetlake, Grand Chenier, and Big Lake to celebrate Mass, visit the sick, and administer the sacraments. Parish trustees and lay leaders assist with church records (available by email) and ongoing ministries.
- Rev. Jerish George, M.O.C. — Pastor
- Trustee: Stephanie Rodrigue
- Religious education contact: 337-540-4623
- Diocese of Lake Charles Vicar General overseeing coastal recovery: Rev. Ruben Buller
Parish Ministries and Organizations
Although small, Sacred Heart has long sustained an active lay life. Under Msgr. Bernard the parish welcomed RCIA, scripture study, retreats for youth, married couples, and the elderly, and a thriving religious-education program. Father McGrath expanded the Parish Life Center, established a monthly First Friday Mass, and chartered a Legion of Mary praesidium. Today's lay apostolate continues through the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, Junior Catholic Daughters, altar servers, lay ministers of Communion, the Ladies Altar Society, and a robust religious-education program that has continued through the post-storm years.
- Knights of Columbus Council 3014
- Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court 1463
- Junior Catholic Daughters (weekend sacristans)
- 31 altar servers (historically)
- Lay Ministers of Communion
- Ladies Altar Society
- Legion of Mary praesidium
- Religious education PreK–11
Faith Formation and RCIA
Religious education has continued for all grades, PreK through 11, for the second year running since Hurricane Laura. The RCIA process (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is directed from the parish and welcomes adults seeking Baptism, Confirmation, or full reception into the Catholic Church. Father McGrath personally taught the religion sessions, which in his tenure numbered 242 students; today Father George continues this catechetical ministry across the amalgamated East Cameron parish.
- Religious education PreK–11
- RCIA for adults
- First Communion and Confirmation preparation
- Contact for faith formation: 337-540-4623
Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery and Mausoleum Project
The Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery in Creole, adjacent to the Life Center, has long been the resting place of generations of coastal Catholic families. After the destruction of the mausoleums by Hurricane Laura, a multi-parish Mausoleum Project is underway to remove the remains interred within the destroyed mausoleums at Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery in Creole and Our Lady Star of the Sea Cemetery in Cameron and reinter them at cooperating cemeteries (including St. Rose in Cameron and Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Grand Chenier). Venture Global is funding all costs incurred with the reinterments. The project is coordinated by Randy and Susan Bourque (Bourque-Memorials, 337-431-xxxx, [email protected]).
- Mausoleum Project removing and reinterring remains after Hurricane Laura damage
- Funding provided by Venture Global
- Contacts: Randy or Susan Bourque (Bourque-Memorials)
- Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery located on the parish grounds in Creole
Hurricane Recovery and Coastal Devotion
Lower Cameron Parish has been hammered by storms for more than a century: the catastrophic 1918 hurricane destroyed every church building in the parish, Hurricane Audrey in 1957 killed more than 400 people, Rita in 2005 and Ike in 2008 brought further rebuilding, and Laura in 2020 with Delta six weeks later destroyed the church. In response, the Catholic faithful gather each year near the start of hurricane season for the 'Mass to Avert Storms' celebrated by the Bishop of Lake Charles, followed by a pilgrimage to the Historic Shrine of Our Lady Star of the Sea in Cameron for the 'Blessing of the Coast.' Parishioners pray the Hurricane Prayer for Safety 365 days a year.
- Annual 'Mass to Avert Storms' with the Bishop of Lake Charles
- Annual pilgrimage and 'Blessing of the Coast' at the Shrine of Our Lady Star of the Sea
- Hurricane Prayer for Safety prayed year-round
- Sacred Heart of Jesus Life Center used as temporary worship space after Hurricane Laura
Getting Involved and Contacting the Parish
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed to join Sacred Heart's worship and ministries. For church records and sacramental questions, the parish can be reached by phone at (337) 542-4795 or by email at [email protected]. Religious education registration and inquiries can be directed to 337-540-4623. The parish's Facebook page (Sacred Heart of Jesus Creole) is the easiest place to follow current Mass times, fundraisers, and recovery updates. Mass offerings, mausoleum reinterment arrangements, and stewardship opportunities are coordinated through the parish office.
- Parish phone: (337) 542-4795
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Religious education: 337-540-4623
- Facebook: facebook.com/SacredHeartofJesusCreole
- Altar Society, Legion of Mary, and Knights of Columbus welcome new members
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Engberink1890
Founded the parish and began serving Catholic families of the lower Cameron coast.
- Rev. William J. Teurlings1895
- Rev. Theophile Stenmans1899
- Rev. Joseph Drolet1899
- Rev. Hubert Cramers1899
- Rev. Joseph S. Schmitt1902
- Rev. P. C. Cambiare1902
- Rev. John H. Hoes1907
- Rev. J. M. Heil1913
- Rev. P. J. Buissink1914
- Rev. Odilon Brise1919
- Rev. Achile Rousseau1921
- Rev. Louis Perronet1922
- Rev. Cornelius J. van Merrienboer1927
- Rev. Francis I. Bischof1930
- Rev. Theo Hassink1945
- Rev. Emil Chartier, MS1948
Beginning of Missionaries of LaSalette care of the parish.
- Rev. Alvarez Gilbert, MS1953
Missionaries of LaSalette.
- Rev. Joseph Decoteau, MS1960
Missionaries of LaSalette.
- Rev. Anthony Bruzas, MS1962
Missionaries of LaSalette.
- Rev. Frederick J. Webert1968
Returned parish to diocesan governance.
- Msgr. M. J. Bernard1972–1997
Longest-tenured pastor; rebuilt the parish physically and pastorally; introduced RCIA, scripture study, retreats, new organ and windows, expanded offices and a new mausoleum.
- Rev. Joseph McGrath1997
Expanded the Parish Life Center, formed a Legion of Mary group, established monthly First Friday Mass; taught at religion sessions and directed RCIA.
- Rev. D.B. Thompsonpre-2021
Served as priest caring for Sacred Heart and Our Lady Star of the Sea parishes along the coast after Hurricane Laura.
- Rev. Jerish George, M.O.C.2021–present
Appointed first pastor of the amalgamated Sacred Heart of Jesus, East Cameron; also pastor of St. Mary of the Lake, Big Lake.