About St. Hilary of Poitiers · Raceland, Louisiana
St. Hilary of Poitiers is a Roman Catholic parish in Raceland, Louisiana, situated in the Central Lafourche area and part of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Established in 1965, the parish is named for the 4th-century Church Father, Saint Hilary of Poitiers — a defender of Nicene Christianity and Doctor of the Church. The parish is clustered with St. Anthony of Padua in Gheens; the two parishes share clergy, staff, and a main parish office on Twin Oaks Drive. St. Hilary offers ten Masses each week, an active sacramental and formation life, and a robust slate of ministries for youth, adults, and families.
- Established
- 1965
- Patron
- Saint Hilary of Poitiers
- Rector
- Rev. Rusty Paul Bruce
- Diocese
- Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
Why belong here
St. Hilary of Poitiers is a welcoming Catholic parish in the heart of Central Lafourche where families can worship through ten weekly Masses and frequent opportunities for Confession and Eucharistic Adoration. Beyond the liturgy, the parish invests heavily in formation and fellowship — a relaunched Youth Group that draws more than 80 teens on a single night, an endowed Youth Formation Fund, small groups, Men's and Women's fellowship, Better Together marriage and family ministry, Corks & Catholicism, Vacation Bible School, and an active Knights of Columbus council that partners with the local Good Samaritan Food Bank. Whether you are new to the area, looking for a vibrant place to raise your children in the faith, or simply seeking a community to pray and serve with, St. Hilary offers a place to belong.
Mass times at St. Hilary of Poitiers
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM
- Half hour before all Daily Masses
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel (hours to be confirmed with the parish office)
About St. Hilary of Poitiers
St. Hilary of Poitiers Church in Raceland, Louisiana, is a vibrant Catholic parish serving the community since its establishment in 1965. Named after the 4th-century Church Father and Doctor of the Church, Saint Hilary of Poitiers, the parish is known for its welcoming atmosphere and strong sense of community. The parish offers a variety of religious services including Mass, the Sacraments, and religious education programs, and provides extensive youth and adult formation opportunities through ministries such as Youth Group, Better Together: Marriage and Family Ministries, small groups, Corks & Catholicism, Men's Fellowship, and Women's Study Groups.
Parish Mission Statement
As published in the parish bulletin: "We, the family of St. Hilary of Poitiers Church Parish, are committed to share our Catholic Faith both by word and action. We are called to speak and live the message of the gospel in our daily lives, as well as becoming Eucharist to others. It is through the Spiritual, Social and Community activities that we hope to minister to the needs of the people of the Central Lafourche area."
Office Hours and Contact
Parish office hours, phone, fax, and email are listed for parishioners and visitors. The parish office serves both St. Hilary of Poitiers in Raceland and the clustered St. Anthony of Padua in Gheens.
- Phone: (985) 537-6002
- Fax: (985) 537-4408
- Email: [email protected]
- Monday–Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed noon–1:00 PM for lunch)
- Friday: 8:00 AM – noon
Sacraments
St. Hilary celebrates the full sacramental life of the Catholic Church. Baptisms are scheduled on designated Sundays, marriages require eight months of preparation and diocesan marriage preparation, and the parish brings Communion and the Anointing of the Sick to those who are homebound or hospitalized.
- Baptism: celebrated on the 1st and 3rd Sunday after the 11:00 AM Mass
- Marriage: contact the pastor 8 months prior; participation in the Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program is required
- Communion of the Sick: call the parish office for a visit from a priest or to arrange ongoing visits
Youth and Family Formation
Faith formation is a central pillar of parish life at St. Hilary. The parish's youth ministry was relaunched with the support of the St. Hilary of Poitiers Youth Formation Endowed Fund, administered through the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana. Youth Group nights include dinner, a theme-based game, a talk, reflection, live music from the parish worship band, prayer, and fellowship — split into sessions for 5th–7th graders and 8th–12th graders. Elementary events for Pre-K through 4th grade round out the calendar.
- Youth Group (5th–7th grade and 8th–12th grade sessions)
- Elementary events (Pre-K through 4th grade)
- Vacation Bible School
- St. Hilary of Poitiers Youth Formation Endowed Fund
- Youth Masses
- Better Together: Marriage and Family Ministries
Adult Faith Formation and Fellowship
Adults at St. Hilary have multiple opportunities to grow in faith and build community, from formal study to fellowship-centered gatherings.
- Small groups
- Corks & Catholicism
- Men's Fellowship
- Women's Study Groups
Parish Staff and Clergy
St. Hilary and the clustered St. Anthony of Padua parish are served by a team of clergy and lay staff who share offices and responsibilities across both parishes.
- Rev. Rusty Paul Bruce — Pastor
- Rev. Davis Ahimbisibwe — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Paul Birdsall — Director of the Office of Worship; Administrator of St. Hilary & St. Anthony
- Deacon Timothy Vedros — Deacon
- Diane Melancon — Coordinator of Parish Life & Youth Formation Team
- Sarah Matherne — Office Manager & Youth Formation Team
- Sarah Salinas — Youth Formation Coordinator (St. Hilary & St. Anthony)
- Harold Matherne — Maintenance Manager
- Cindy Martin — Housekeeper
Clustered Parish: St. Anthony of Padua, Gheens
St. Hilary of Poitiers and St. Anthony of Padua in Gheens are clustered parishes that share clergy, staff, a website, and a Parish Office located at St. Hilary, the main church. St. Anthony offers its own weekend Mass schedule and seasonal Masses during Advent and Lent.
- St. Anthony Saturday Vigil: 6:00 PM
- St. Anthony Sunday: 9:00 AM
- St. Anthony Advent/Lent Wednesday Mass: 5:30 PM
- Confession at St. Anthony: 30 minutes before each Mass, or by appointment with Fr. Davis
Outreach and Service
Service to the wider community is part of the parish's mission. The Knights of Columbus council at St. Hilary is particularly active, especially through its partnership with the local Good Samaritan Food Bank in Central Lafourche.
- Knights of Columbus
- Good Samaritan Food Bank partnership
- Visits to the sick and homebound
Diocese and Community
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of more than three dozen parishes in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, whose mother church is the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma and whose co-cathedral is St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. The parish serves the Central Lafourche area and is listed on the diocesan roster under the name 'St. Hilary, Mathews.'