About St. Anthony of Padua · Luling, Louisiana
St. Anthony of Padua is a Catholic parish in Luling, Louisiana, on the west bank of the Mississippi River in St. Charles Parish, belonging to the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The parish was canonically established on July 1, 1961, with Fr. Gerald Barrett as its first pastor, though Catholic worship in Luling traces back to 1902 mission chapel services and ultimately to the 1877 founding of nearby Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. Today the parish serves its community from its present church on Angus Drive (blessed in 1969) with daily and weekend Masses, Religious Education (PSR), a youth group (CYO), Knights of Columbus council, OCIA formation, Music Ministry, St. Anthony's Manna food pantry, and an active Family Life apostolate.
- Established
- 1961
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Fr. Vinh Luu
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of New Orleans
Why belong here
St. Anthony of Padua is a welcoming west-bank parish with daily Mass, weekend vigil and Sunday liturgies, and a full schedule of devotions and formation for every age. Catholics can grow in faith through the Parish School of Religion (PSR K–11), the youth-run Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) for grades 6–12, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), and Music Ministry that welcomes singers and instrumentalists. Outreach happens through St. Anthony's Manna food pantry (Wednesdays 10:00–11:45 a.m.) and the parish's Knights of Columbus council, while couples can grow together through the 'Two Become One' marriage retreat and Family Life gatherings.
Mass times at St. Anthony of Padua
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM (and by appointment)
- Tuesday: 5:15 PM – 5:45 PM
- Thursday: 5:15 PM – 5:45 PM
- First Friday: (see announcement)
- First Saturday: 8:00 AM
Parish History & Heritage
St. Anthony of Padua's story begins in 1877, when Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary was founded in Hahnville to serve west-bank Catholics, with mission chapels sprouting up in Luling, Ama, and Des Allemands. The Luling mission moved into a frame building on (now) Easy Street in 1902, then relocated to a Spanish Colonial Revival church on Ellington Street in 1926. On July 1, 1961, Bishop John P. Cody erected St. Anthony of Padua as an independent parish and appointed Fr. Gerald Barrett as its first pastor. The present church on Angus Drive (at Sugarhouse Road) was blessed in 1969 to accommodate the growing community.
- 1877 – Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary founded (mother parish on the west bank)
- 1902 – First Luling mission chapel on Easy Street
- 1926 – Spanish Colonial Revival church on Ellington Street
- July 1, 1961 – Parish canonically established; Fr. Gerald Barrett named first pastor
- 1969 – Present church on Angus Drive blessed
Architecture of the Historic Church
The 1926 Ellington Street church — built when Luling was still a mission of Holy Rosary — was a notable local landmark in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, with its design drawn from the missions and houses of Spanish colonists in the American Southwest. According to local preservationists, it was one of the last historically significant structures in old Luling and a rare example of the style in the region. The St. Charles School Board purchased the building in 1974, and it subsequently served as kindergarten classrooms, a book depository, a warehouse, and a woodworking shop.
Mass & Worship Schedule
The parish offers the Holy Mass every day of the week, with a Saturday Vigil at 4:00 PM and two Sunday Masses at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Confessions are heard Saturday afternoons before the Vigil Mass and on Tuesdays and Thursdays before evening Mass, with First Friday and First Saturday opportunities, and by appointment at any time. A monthly Healing Mass with prayers over the sick is a beloved devotion.
- Saturday Vigil Mass — 4:00 PM
- Sunday — 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM
- Weekday Masses — Mon 9 AM, Tue 6 PM, Wed 6:30 AM, Thu 6 PM, Fri 11 AM
- First Saturday Mass — 9:00 AM
- Confessions — Sat 3:15-3:45 PM; Tue & Thu 5:15-5:45 PM; First Friday/Saturday; or by appointment
- Monthly Healing Mass with prayers over the sick
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Anthony's Parish School of Religion (PSR) — the parish's religious education program — meets on Monday evenings for two age groups: PreK-5th grade from 5:30-6:45 PM, and grades 6-11 from 7:00-8:15 PM. Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation is offered within PSR, and registration is open for the upcoming program year. Adult formation toward full initiation into the Catholic Church is offered through OCIA.
- PSR PreK-5 — Mondays 5:30-6:45 PM
- PSR grades 6-11 — Mondays 7:00-8:15 PM
- Contact: Director of Religious Education Melanie Saunée — [email protected]; (985) 785-8885 ext. 3
OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
Adults interested in learning about the Catholic faith or completing the sacraments of initiation are invited to participate in OCIA. The parish coordinator, Lucinda Adams, can be reached through the parish office, and an online interest form is available on the parish website.
Youth Ministry (CYO)
The Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) of St. Anthony of Padua focuses on fellowship and spiritual growth for teens in grades 6-12, combining parish service, community outreach, and outings coordinated with the CCD program. CYO meets on the 3rd Saturday of the month, with additional weekly meetings in the summer, and communicates through text, email, GroupMe, Mass announcements, and social media.
- Open to students entering grades 6-12
- Monthly meetings (3rd Saturday); additional weekly meetings in summer
- Contact Melanie Saunée ([email protected]) or Michelle Distefano ([email protected])
Altar Servers
Altar Servers are a wonderful entry point for youth into church ministry — those who have received First Eucharist are invited to serve. Parents and guardians are important partners in the ministry, supporting their server's regular attendance and spiritual growth.
- Contact: church office or Mrs. Michelle at [email protected]
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry under the Minister of Music enhances the liturgy through singing and instruments. Anyone who can sing or play an instrument is welcome to join, with the ministry meeting three times per year to plan schedules and events.
Knights of Columbus
The parish's Knights of Columbus council is an active lay apostolate, with regular general meetings and officers meetings. Recent parish-wide events include supporting the Beatification of Fulton Sheen through rosary-making efforts.
Family Life & Marriage
Family Life hosts gatherings for parishioners and spouses, including the annual 'Two Become One' marriage retreat — a grace-filled day for husbands and wives — and regular Family Life meetings.
- 'Two Become One' marriage retreat (registration available online)
- Monthly Family Life meetings
St. Anthony's Manna — Social Outreach
St. Anthony's Manna is the parish's social outreach ministry, providing emergency food assistance to neighbors in need through a parish food pantry. Those needing help — or wishing to volunteer — can contact coordinator Angie Schexnayder at the parish office (extension 2).
- Food pantry hours: Wednesdays 10:00-11:45 AM
- Coordinator: Angie Schexnayder — ext. 2 at (985) 785-8885
Parish Staff & Contact
The parish office is staffed Monday through Thursday and can be reached at (985) 785-8885 or [email protected]. Office hours are 10:00 AM-3:00 PM on Monday and Thursday, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday, closed Friday. Religious Education office is reachable at extension 3.
- Pastor: Fr. Vinh Luu
- Deacon: Mike Fabre (cell 504-564-3504)
- Deacon: Kevin Robicheaux (cell 504-487-1794)
- Administrative Assistant: Jen Lirette
- Director of Religious Education: Melanie Saunée — [email protected]
- St. Anthony Manna Social Outreach Coordinator: Angie Schexnayder
- Adult OCIA Coordinator: Lucinda Adams
Parish Devotions & Special Events
The parish maintains a calendar of special devotions and seasonal events — including the monthly Healing Mass, Patriotic Rosary, MMP Cenacle Mass & Prayer, the annual Corpus Christi Procession, Our Lady of Fatima Feast Day observance, a Rosary Makers group (including for the Beatification of Fulton Sheen), the First Sunday Procession with Donut Sunday, and occasional relic installations such as the St. Sharbel Relic visit.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Gerald Barrett1961–
Appointed first pastor of the newly created parish of St. Anthony of Padua on July 1, 1961.