About St. Edward Catholic Church · New Iberia, Louisiana
St. Edward Catholic Church is a historic African-American national parish in New Iberia, Louisiana, in the Diocese of Lafayette. Founded under the pastorate of Monsignor Langlois with the help of the Holy Ghost Fathers and an initial $10,000 gift from Mother Katharine Drexel of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, it has served the Black Catholic community of the region since 1917. The parish shares its mission and campus life with St. Jude Chapel in nearby Olivier and the still-operating St. Edward Catholic School (founded 1918). Its mission statement calls the parish family to make 'Christ known, loved, and served by all, in hopes of setting the community and the world a blaze.'
- Established
- 1917
- Patron
- Saint Edward (named in honor of Edward Morrell, Mother Katharine Drexel's brother-in-law, who purchased the property on which the school and church sit)
- Rector
- Father Donald Bernard (installed July 31, 2022)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana
Why belong here
St. Edward offers the rare combination of deep historical roots in the African-American Catholic community of Acadiana and a fully active parish life today: three Sunday Masses (two at the main church and one at St. Jude Chapel in Olivier), daily weekday Masses, a robust schedule of Confession, RCIA/OCIA, Religious Education (CCD) for children, a Finance Council, Pastoral Council, Family Life Commission, Outreach Commission, Buildings & Grounds Commission, and youth ministry. Add the still-thriving St. Edward School on the same campus, the St. Katharine Drexel Family Life Center dedicated in 2021, a Cemetery ministry, multiple music ministries serving every Sunday Mass, and an unmistakable spirit of welcome — the parish motto 'Welcoming You Home' captures it well.
Mass times at St. Edward Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- St. Edward — Monday: 5:30 p.m. (before/with Mass)
- St. Edward — Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 6:00 a.m. – 6:25 a.m.
- St. Edward — Thursday: 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (before noon Mass)
- St. Edward — Saturday: 3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. (before vigil Mass)
- St. Jude Chapel (Olivier) — Sunday: 8:30 a.m. – 8:55 a.m. (before 9 a.m. Mass)
- By request before and after weekday Mass (per Catholic Mass Time)
Parish History & Heritage
St. Edward Catholic Church traces its origins to the Spanish colonial foundation of New Iberia in 1779, when 19 people of African descent arrived alongside Francisco Bouligny. After New Iberia's incorporation in 1836, the city's first Catholic church was Saint Peter, and Black and white Catholics worshipped together under segregated seating. Under Monsignor Langlois's pastorate, a National Parish for African-American Catholics was established, and in 1916 a request was made to Archbishop Blenk for a priest exclusively serving the Black Catholic faithful. The Holy Ghost Fathers accepted the call. Mother Katharine Drexel of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament gave an initial $10,000, helped build the school and the still-standing convent, and is honored as a foundress. The school opened November 18, 1918, delayed weeks by the Great Influenza epidemic.
- National African-American parish established under Monsignor Langlois
- 1916: request to Archbishop Blenk; Holy Ghost Fathers arrived
- $10,000 founding gift from Mother Katharine Drexel, Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament
- St. Edward Catholic School opened November 18, 1918
- Mother Katharine Drexel canonized October 1, 2000 by Pope John Paul II
- St. Katharine Drexel Family Life Center dedicated August 7, 2021 by Bishop J. Douglass Deshotel
- Father Donald Bernard installed as pastor July 31, 2022
Mission & Vision
The parish's Mission and Vision statements frame the daily work of the parish family across the church, the school, the chapel, and the Family Life Center. The mission is rooted in baptism and confirmation: by these sacraments, the faithful are initiated into the Paschal Mysteries of Christ and sent to evangelize, invite, educate, inform, and form all peoples into the one family of Christ.
- Mission: '…make Christ known, loved, and served by all, in hopes of setting the community and the world a blaze.' (Luke 12:49)
- Drawing on Matthew 28:19 — 'Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.'
- Stated motto/culture: 'Welcoming You Home'
St. Jude Chapel — Olivier Mission
St. Jude Chapel in Olivier is a mission of St. Edward Catholic Church, serving the Catholic faithful in the surrounding rural community. Father J. P. Lonergan, who arrived in 1936, is credited with introducing the idea of a mission in Olivier. The Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament began teaching catechism there on June 17, 1944, and first Communion was received in a temporary church. The mission chapel became a reality through the generosity of Miss Elizabeth Frey Raspberry of Iowa, who donated $20,000 in memory of her son. The St. Joseph Society, a local benevolent society, sold its hall and property to the mission for $1,000; the hall was dismantled and rebuilt on the mission grounds.
- Mission chapel of St. Edward Catholic Church
- Address: 4406 Old Jeanerette Road, Olivier, LA 70563
- Sunday Mass: 9:00 a.m.; Confessions 8:30–8:55 a.m.
- Founded in spirit by Father J. P. Lonergan (arrived 1936)
- Catechism began June 17, 1944 under Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament
- Built with $20,000 gift from Miss Elizabeth Frey Raspberry of Iowa
- St. Joseph Society sold its hall and property for $1,000
Clergy, Staff & Leadership
The parish is shepherded by Pastor Father Donald Bernard (installed July 31, 2022) and Associate Pastor Father John Okebule, with the diaconal ministry of Visiting Deacon Rev. Mr. Roland Jeanlouis and retired Deacons Rev. Mr. Steve Rogers and Rev. Mr. Raymond Derouen. Lay staff handle parish operations, communications, the Family Life Center, finance, music ministry, and cemetery care.
- Pastor: Father Donald Bernard
- Associate Pastor: Father John Okebule
- Visiting Deacon: Rev. Mr. Roland Jeanlouis
- Deacon (Retired): Rev. Mr. Steve Rogers
- Deacon (Retired): Rev. Mr. Raymond Derouen
- Secretary: Michelle Vital
- Communications & Family Life Center: Debra S. Mitchell
- Finance: Bonnie Davis
- Maintenance: Michael Collins
- Housekeeping: Sharon Berard
- Cemeterian: Lydia Jacobs
- Music Ministry: Stephen Rochelle (Sun 9 & 11 a.m.), Dr. Kenel Williams (Sat 4 p.m. & Sun 7 a.m.), Mary Mouton, Carrol Brooks
- Trustees (Pastoral/Finance Council)
Parish Life, Ministries & Commissions
St. Edward Catholic Church organizes much of its lay apostolate through commissions and councils that pair lay leadership with the priests. The Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Religious Education Commission, Family Life Commission, Outreach Commission, and Buildings & Grounds Commission cover the breadth of parish life. A Youth Minister works alongside the pastor, and OCIA welcomes adults into the Catholic Church.
- Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) — for unbaptized adults, baptized Christians seeking full communion, and Catholics needing Eucharist/Confirmation — led by Deborah Conner
- Religious Education Commission (CCD / Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) — Judy Joseph, leader; prepares children for Penance, Eucharist, and Confirmation
- Family Life Commission — Delores Raymond, leader
- Pastoral Council — Curley Mouton, leader
- Finance Council — James L. Russell, Jr., leader
- Outreach Commission
- Buildings & Grounds Commission — Facilities Liaison Michael R. Landry
- Youth Ministry — led by Youth Minister Sean Moore with Fr. Don
- Lectors ministry
St. Edward Catholic School & Family Life Center
St. Edward Catholic School, opened November 18, 1918, was founded by Mother Katharine Drexel and operated by the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament until the summer of 2004, when it transitioned to fully lay leadership while retaining the foundress's Eucharistic mission. After integration in the early 1970s the school became the kindergarten through third-grade Catholic school of New Iberia (with pre-kindergarten later added) and remains a feeder for Catholic High School (4th–12th grades). The dedicated St. Katharine Drexel Family Life Center was built on the parish campus and consecrated on August 7, 2021 by Bishop J. Douglass Deshotel; it serves parish gatherings and community events, including Father Bernard's installation reception.
- School founded by Mother Katharine Drexel; opened November 18, 1918 (delayed by influenza)
- Run by Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament until summer 2004
- Integrated in early 1970s; now serves Pre-K through 3rd grade
- Daily Religion classes; weekly school Mass with the pastor ('Father Don')
- Faith activities: Blessing of the Pets, May Crowning, Lenten Mission, Christmas Nativity, Eucharistic Procession, Divine Mercy Chaplets, Rosaries, Way of the Cross
- St. Katharine Drexel Family Life Center dedicated August 7, 2021 by Bishop J. Douglass Deshotel
Sacraments & Devotions
St. Edward prepares the faithful for and celebrates all seven sacraments, with Christian Burial and on-site mausoleum interment available to parishioners. Reconciliation is offered generously throughout the week to accommodate working schedules, and OCIA provides a structured path into the Church for adults.
- Baptism preparation (inquire at parish office)
- First Holy Communion (via CCD)
- Confirmation (via CCD)
- Sacrament of Reconciliation — see detailed schedule above
- Matrimony (inquire at parish office)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Christian Burial — celebrated at the church; interment in St. Edward Catholic Church Mausoleum
- OCIA for unbaptized adults, baptized Christians, and Catholics missing Eucharist/Confirmation
Visiting, Contact & Office Hours
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Edward by phone during administrative office hours or via email and an online contact form on the parish website. Online giving ('ISH GIVE 52') is available, and the parish calendar helps groups request use of the Family Life Center.
- Phone: 337-369-3101
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Friday closed
- Online giving via ISH GIVE 52 through the parish website
- Weekly bulletin available for download on the parish website
- Facility request and calendar available online
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor Langlois
Founding-era pastor under whom the national African-American parish was established; in 1916 Archbishop Blenk's request was answered by sending a priest exclusively for the Black Catholic faithful.