About St. Joseph · Iota, Louisiana
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Iota, Louisiana, founded in 1892 as a canonical parish within the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Today it is part of the West Region of the Diocese of Lafayette and serves more than 800 families—over 2,200 parishioners—who gather for the Sacramental life of the Church. The parish also oversees St. Michael Chapel in Egan, founded as a mission church for families in that area, and is the proud owner parish of St. Francis Elementary School (Pre-K through 8th grade) and a supporting parish of Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish in Crowley. The community centers on the Eucharist, ongoing faith formation, Perpetual Adoration, and a range of lay ministries.
- Established
- 1892
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Fr. Andrew Killeen
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lafayette (West Region)
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a multi-generational Cajun-country parish where over 800 families worship together at four weekend Masses split between Iota and the Egan mission chapel. Catholics here can attend daily Mass, send their children to the parish's own St. Francis Elementary School, and take a holy hour in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel. With CCD/religious education for parish youth, a Knights of Columbus council, Catholic Daughters, Ladies Altar Society, St. Martha's Guild, and active outreach through funeral meals and parish charity, newcomers find concrete ways to plug in and be known.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday (Vigil) at St. Joseph — 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM
- Saturday (Vigil) at St. Michael — 30 minutes before Mass
- Sundays — 9:15 AM to 9:45 AM
- Friday — 6:00 AM to 6:20 AM
- 30 minutes before all other weekday and Sunday Masses
- By appointment (contact the parish office)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel — contact the parish office to sign up for a weekly holy hour
Welcome to St. Joseph Catholic Church
St. Joseph Catholic Church, founded in 1892 as a canonical parish within the Archdiocese of New Orleans, now serves as a vibrant Roman Catholic parish in the West Region of the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana. The parish is a united family of faith made up of over 800 families—more than 2,200 parishioners—who come together in prayer, sacrifice, and service through the Sacramental life of the Church. Whether you are a lifelong member, a recent arrival, or simply exploring the Catholic faith, the parish welcomes you.
- Founded 1892 in the Archdiocese of New Orleans
- Now in the West Region of the Diocese of Lafayette
- Over 800 families / 2,200+ parishioners
- Pastor: Fr. Andrew Killeen
Our History
St. Joseph Catholic Church was established in 1892 as a canonical parish within the Archdiocese of New Orleans, marking the beginning of a rich legacy of faith in the Iota community. Over the decades the parish has flourished and now stands as a vibrant community in the West Region of the Diocese of Lafayette, with more than 800 families representing over 2,200 parishioners. St. Michael Chapel, the parish's Egan mission church, was given its current chapel structure in 1981 under Fr. John Hassink, who lived in residence at St. Michael from 1974 to 1986.
- Established 1892
- Originally part of the Archdiocese of New Orleans
- St. Michael Chapel current building completed 1981
- Fr. John Hassink served in residence at St. Michael 1974–1986
St. Michael Chapel — Our Mission Church in Egan
St. Michael Chapel is a mission church of St. Joseph located on Egan Highway next to Egan Elementary School. It serves the Catholic families of Egan and the surrounding rural area with Sunday and weekday Masses and a full sacramental life coordinated through the Iota parish office.
- Sunday Mass at St. Michael — 9:00 AM
- Tuesday Mass at St. Michael — 5:30 PM
- Confessions 30 minutes before Mass
- Sacramental records maintained by St. Joseph Church, Iota
St. Francis Elementary School
Founded over a century ago, St. Francis Elementary School is nestled beside St. Joseph Church on St. Joseph Avenue in Iota, Louisiana. Serving children from Pre-K through 8th grade, the school educates around 130 students with a student-to-teacher ratio averaging 14:1, ensuring an environment where each child is known and nurtured. The mission of St. Francis School is to provide an environment of academic excellence and a lived Catholic faith, challenging each student to reach their full potential with the unwavering support of family and community.
- Parish-owned Catholic school, Pre-K–8
- About 130 students, 14:1 ratio
- Approved by the Diocese of Lafayette and aligned with Louisiana standards
- Co-educational, welcomes all students regardless of background
Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish (Crowley)
St. Joseph is one of seven owner parishes of Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish in Crowley, the regional Catholic secondary school. Parish families participate in and benefit from this collaborative Catholic high-school apostolate.
- St. Joseph is one of seven owner parishes
- Located in Crowley, Louisiana
- Regional Catholic high school for Acadia Parish
Sacraments
St. Joseph Church in Iota celebrates all seven sacraments and maintains all sacramental records for both St. Joseph Church and St. Michael Mission Chapel in Egan. Parents preparing for Baptism, couples preparing for Marriage, and adults seeking entry into the Catholic Faith are asked to contact the office for an appointment with Fr. Killeen.
- Baptism — for children under 7, contact the office
- First Holy Communion — prepared through CCD
- Confirmation — teens and adults, contact the office
- Marriage — contact the office; review the Wedding Policy
- Annulment inquiries — Mrs. Gretchen Chaumont
- Funerals / Christian Burial — contact the Church Office
- Sacramental certificates — $5 fee per certificate, checks payable to St. Joseph Church
Ministries & Organizations
The parish is blessed with a wide variety of ministries that nurture faith, foster service, and strengthen the parish community. Whether one feels called to proclaim the Word as a Reader, spend quiet time with the Lord in Adoration, support parish life through the Ladies Altar Society or St. Martha's Guild, or engage in fellowship through the Knights of Columbus or Catholic Daughters, there is a place for everyone.
- Knights of Columbus
- Catholic Daughters
- Ladies Altar Society
- St. Martha's Guild (funeral meals)
- Perpetual Adoration Adorers
- Altar Servers
- Ushers
- Lectors / Readers
- Parish Council
- CCD teachers (volunteers)
St. Joseph / St. Michael CCD — Religious Education
The parish's CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) program provides religious education from Kindergarten through 10th grade for children of St. Joseph and St. Michael. As of recent years, approximately 264 students were enrolled across both campuses (about 190 at St. Joseph, 74 at St. Michael), supported entirely by volunteer catechists. First Holy Communion is prepared through CCD, and Confirmation class meets separately on Sundays.
- Religious education for K–10
- Approximately 264 students parish-wide
- All-teacher volunteer catechist model
- Confirmation class meets Sundays 5:00–6:00 PM
- Director of Religious Education: Daniela LeDoux
Cemeteries
The parish maintains two historic cemeteries: St. Joseph Cemetery in Iota and Sensat Cemetery in Egan. Both cemeteries are open to visitors from sunrise to sunset, and visitors are asked not to remain after dark. Inquiries about the availability of ground plots and mausoleum spaces can be directed to Nanette at the parish office.
- St. Joseph Cemetery — Iota
- Sensat Cemetery — Egan
- Open sunrise to sunset
- Plot and mausoleum inquiries through the parish office
Our Staff & Clergy
St. Joseph is led by Fr. Andrew Killeen, who was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Douglas Deshotel on Saturday, June 6, 2020, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette. A native of Lafayette, he grew up in the parish community of St. Pius X Catholic Church and attended Catholic school throughout his life. The staff and Parish Council support the spiritual and temporal life of the parish.
- Pastor: Fr. Andrew Killeen
- Director of Religious Education & Cemetery Records: Daniela LeDoux
- Secretary & Bookkeeper: Nanette Roy
- Annulment contact: Gretchen Chaumont
- Trustee: Joe Cart
- Rectory Housekeeper/Maintenance: Annie Pickett
- Parish Council: Pam Brown, John Mrak, Kristian Earles, Mike Hebert, Nancy Pousson, Patsey Miller, Ryan Latiola, Christina Regan
Contact & Visit
The parish office is located at the church and can be reached by phone, fax, or email. Office hours and sacramental appointments can be arranged by calling ahead.
- Address: 604 St. Joseph Ave., Iota, LA 70543
- Phone: (337) 779-2627
- Fax: (337) 779-2632
- Email: [email protected]
- Sacrament line: (337) 432-6817
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Hassink1974–1986
Lived in residence at St. Michael Chapel in Egan and provided pastoral care there; oversaw construction of the current St. Michael chapel in 1981.
- Fr. Andrew Killeen2020–present (as pastor of St. Joseph/St. Michael)
Ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Douglas Deshotel on June 6, 2020, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette; a native of Lafayette who grew up at St. Pius X parish.