About St. Basil · Duson, Louisiana
St. Basil Catholic Church is a small rural parish serving the community of Judice, an unincorporated farming area south of Lafayette in the heart of Acadiana (Cajun Country), Louisiana. The parish is part of the Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana and is named for St. Basil the Great, the 4th-century bishop of Caesarea and Doctor of the Church. The community worships and gathers as farmers, oilfield workers, plumbers, electricians, first responders, teachers, and tradespeople who share both the Eucharist and Cajun family tables. St. Basil's mission statement centers on believing that Jesus Christ came to reveal the fullness of God's love, and on continuing to celebrate that love through praise, sacraments, service, and community.
- Established
- 1970
- Patron
- St. Basil the Great (Bishop of Caesarea, Doctor of the Church)
- Rector
- Rev. Donavan Labbé
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana
Why belong here
St. Basil is a close-knit rural Catholic community where faith runs deep beneath a warm, informal Cajun welcome. Visitors are invited to share in the Eucharist at the Saturday Vigil or one of two Sunday Masses, get involved through ministries like the Knights of Columbus, Ladies Altar Society, CCD religious education, Youth Group, or liturgical roles (lector, usher, altar server, music, communion minister), and grow as disciples alongside neighbors who are farmers, oilfield workers, tradespeople, teachers, and retirees. The parish also walks with adults seeking initiation, brings Communion to the homebound, and supports a parish cemetery — all in a setting where 'we are less without you, and better with you.'
Mass times at St. Basil
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 6:00 AM (30 minutes prior to 6:30 AM Mass)
- Wednesday 6:00 AM (30 minutes prior to 6:30 AM Mass)
- Thursday 6:00 AM (30 minutes prior to 6:30 AM Mass)
- Friday 6:00 AM (30 minutes prior to 6:30 AM Mass)
- Saturday 3:30 PM (30 minutes prior to 4:00 PM Vigil Mass)
- Sunday 7:30 AM (30 minutes prior to 8:00 AM Mass)
- Sunday 9:30 AM (30 minutes prior to 10:00 AM Mass)
About St. Basil Catholic Church
St. Basil Catholic Church describes itself as a small rural parish south of Lafayette in the heart of Acadiana, the region known as Cajun Country. The parish community includes farmers, oilfield workers, plumbers, electricians, finance and medical personnel, first responders, retirees, bricklayers, carpenters, welders, teachers, and both white- and blue-collar workers. Beyond the shared Eucharist, they gather at family tables for crawfish, fresh Gulf seafood, jambalaya, gumbo, etouffee, boudin, and other home recipes. The parish is quick to note that while the spirit is wonderfully informal, the faith is deep — and that visitors will quickly learn there are 'three ways of pronouncing the name of St Basil' in Judice.
- Mission: 'We believe that Jesus Christ came to reveal the fullness of God's love for us, and we continue to celebrate that love through praise, sacraments, service, and community.'
- Located in Judice, an unincorporated farming community south of Lafayette.
- Worship is in English; Reconciliation is offered before every Mass.
History of the Parish
St. Basil began as a mission of Holy Cross Parish in Lafayette, established in November 1969 at the direction of Bishop Maurice Schexnayder. After early Masses in homes and in the Judice School auditorium, the first parish council met on December 18, 1969, and approved a plan to build on two acres south of the school. On June 18, 1970 the mission was elevated to a parish and Rev. William Koch was appointed first pastor. With $15,000 in seed money — split among the bishop, the Extensions Society, and Holy Cross — volunteer crews of tradesmen from the parish raised the first church over the summer of 1970, and the first Mass was offered on September 13, 1970. A permanent rectory/office, parish hall, and a parish cemetery followed in the years after.
- 1969 (Nov) — St. Basil established as a mission of Holy Cross, Lafayette.
- 1969 (Dec 18) — First parish council meeting.
- 1970 (Jan 19) — Council approves plan to build.
- 1970 (Mar 2) — Bishop Schexnayder's first official visit; 84 young people confirmed.
- 1970 (Jun 18) — Mission elevated to a parish; Rev. William Koch named first pastor.
- 1970 (last weekend of Jul) — Construction begins under contractor E.J. Simon.
- 1970 (Sep 13) — First Mass celebrated in the new church.
Our Staff
The parish is served by a pastor, a deacon, and a small lay staff who together oversee worship, faith formation, music, finances, and parish operations.
- Rev. Donavan Labbé — Pastor
- Deacon Robert LeBlanc
- Cindy Richardson — Director of Religious Education / Sacramental Coordinator; Youth Group Sponsor
- Susan Laborde — Music Director / Cantor
- Carolyn Hulin — Bookkeeper
- Danette Stutes — Parish Secretary / Safe Environment Coordinator; Cemetery Sales
Religious Education (CCD)
The parish provides Catholic religious education for children in grades 1 through 9 as a formal support for parents — 'the first teachers of their child in the ways of faith.' Classes meet on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings depending on grade level and are held in the church hall. Registration for the next year takes place in March and includes a fee for books and materials, with a late fee assessed for late submissions; new parishioners may also register in the fall.
- Grades served: 1st through 9th
- Class nights: Tuesday and/or Wednesday, depending on grade
- Location: Church Hall
- Registration: March for the following year; fall registration for new parishioners
- Adults seeking First Eucharist or Confirmation are also assisted by the parish.
Adult Initiation (RCIA)
The parish welcomes adults who have never been baptized as well as baptized Catholics who have not yet received First Eucharist and/or Confirmation. The community of St. Basil accompanies inquirers and 'striving disciples' through the process of becoming fully initiated into the Catholic faith, including helping resolve any life situations that may need attention before the sacraments are received.
- Open to unbaptized adults and to baptized Catholics missing Eucharist or Confirmation.
- Companions accompany candidates through the process.
- Contact the parish office to begin.
Youth Group
The St. Basil Youth Group brings together students in grades 4 through 12 for fellowship, prayer, fun, games, food, movies, and service to the community. Meetings are held at least once a month on designated Sundays in the church hall, and the group takes three to four outings each year.
- Open to students in grades 4–12
- Meets at least monthly on designated Sundays in the church hall
- Typical meeting: hot meal, group meeting, age-divided topics, fun and games
- Three to four group outings per year
Liturgical Ministries at Mass
Recognizing the Sunday assembly as 'the work of the people,' the parish invites lay men and women to serve in liturgical roles. The parish writes: 'this act of worship is the work of the people, both in the assembly and in the liturgical ministries that are part of the role of the laity.' Altar servers are open to any boy or girl in the parish who has made their First Communion.
- Lector
- Communion Minister (Eucharistic Minister)
- Usher
- Music ministry
- Altar Server (open to boys and girls who have made First Communion)
Communion to the Homebound
St. Basil brings the Eucharist to parishioners who, because of age or health, can no longer attend Mass. The parish calls this ministry 'the food to sustain them on their journey in what is more than likely the sunset years of their life' and welcomes volunteers who can offer their time to visit and bring Communion.
- For elderly or homebound parishioners
- Volunteers needed — contact the parish office
Ladies Altar Society
The Ladies Altar Society is a women's ministry dedicated to the care of the church's sacred furnishings and worship environment. Members maintain the ceremonial objects used in worship and items in the sacristy, handle the church's decor for holidays and special occasions, and help plan and attend receptions held after certain events throughout the Church year.
- Cares for ceremonial objects and the sacristy
- Decorates the church for holidays and special occasions
- Plans and serves at parish receptions
Knights of Columbus
The St. Basil Knights of Columbus council is the local chapter of the worldwide Catholic fraternal service organization of Catholic men. The parish describes them as 'Catholic men who lead, serve, protect, and defend.'
- Catholic men's fraternal and service organization
- Parish-based council at St. Basil
- Part of the international Knights of Columbus
Parish Cemetery
The parish established a cemetery in the early years of its life so that members of the Judice community could 'be laid to rest in eternal peace' together. Cemetery sales are coordinated through the parish office by the parish secretary.
- Established in the early years of the parish
- Cemetery sales handled by parish secretary Danette Stutes
Stewardship & Online Giving
The parish supports online giving as part of its stewardship, with a 'Parish Give' online giving portal and 'Online Registration' links featured on the homepage.
- Online giving available
- Online parish registration available
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Basil by phone, email, or in person during office hours. The office is closed on Mondays; otherwise it is open Tuesday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The parish encourages visitors to 'worship with us' and notes, 'we are less without you, and better with you.'
- Address: 1803 Duhon Road, Duson, LA 70529
- Phone: (337) 984-2179
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM (closed Mondays)
- Website: https://www.stbasiljudice.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William KochMay 1970 – March 1974
First pastor; built the original church from a vacant lot with a $15,000 seed fund.
- Rev. Fernando RoyMarch 1974 – September 1980
- Rev. Conley BertrandSeptember 1980 – November 1989
- Rev. Henry BroussardNovember 1989 – June 2004
Longest-tenured pastor (nearly 15 years).
- Rev. Rex BroussardJune 2004 – July 2018
- Rev. Steven C. LeBlancJuly 2018 – June 2022
- Rev. Donavan LabbéJune 2022 – present
Current pastor.