About St. Peter the Apostle · Hackberry, Louisiana
St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church is a small Roman Catholic parish in the unincorporated community of Hackberry, Cameron Parish, in southwest Louisiana. It belongs to the Diocese of Lake Charles (West Deanery) and is currently pastored by Reverend Arvind Minz, H.G.N. Despite only about 120 registered families, the parish is one of the largest in the diocese by area, covering the western half of Cameron Parish from Calcasieu Lake to the Sabine River, and includes a mission church, Our Lady of the Assumption, in Johnson Bayou.
- Established
- 1955
- Patron
- Saint Peter the Apostle
- Rector
- Reverend Arvind Minz, H.G.N.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lake Charles (West Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Peter the Apostle offers an intimate Catholic community in the heart of coastal Cameron Parish, with three Sunday Masses (including an anticipated Saturday evening Mass at Hackberry plus the 11:00 a.m. Mass at the Johnson Bayou mission), traditional Friday Eucharistic Adoration from after the 8:30 a.m. Mass until 4:00 p.m., daily weekday Masses, and ministries that span the whole family — Knights of Columbus (with two active councils), Catholic Daughters of the Americas, OCIA for adults, youth group, and marriage preparation. With about 120 families, it's the kind of parish where the pastor and staff — including longtime secretary/religious-education coordinator Regina Aucoin — know parishioners by name.
Mass times at St. Peter the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Before each Mass
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Exposition and Adoration, every Friday after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, continuing until 4:00 p.m.
History of St. Peter the Apostle Parish
Catholic life on Hackberry Island dates to the late 1800s, when Lake Charles priests began visiting families settled by the Ellender family before the Civil War. In 1890 the new Sacred Heart Parish in Creole made Hackberry a regular mission stop, and a small chapel known as Doiron Mission was erected. Archbishop James Blenk of New Orleans visited in 1908 by launch, confirming a class and being entertained at the Vincent home. The parish was not canonically erected until 1955, when the post-World War II industrialization of Calcasieu Parish finally brought enough Catholics to the area. Bishop Jules B. Jeanmard — the very priest who had visited in 1908 — issued the edict of establishment, naming Rev. Theodore Brandley, M.S., as founding pastor. A new 300-seat church was dedicated in 1964, and a rectory, cemetery, and parish hall have been added since.
- Ellender family settled Hackberry Island before the Civil War
- Doiron Mission chapel built in the 1890s under Rev. John Engberink
- Archbishop James Blenk visited by launch from Lake Charles in 1908
- Parish canonically established in 1955 by Bishop Jules B. Jeanmard
- Rev. Theodore Brandley, M.S., named founding pastor
- New church dedicated in 1964 (seating 300)
Pastor & Parish Staff
St. Peter the Apostle is currently pastored by Reverend Arvind Minz, H.G.N., a member of the Heralds of Good News religious congregation, who was assigned by Bishop Glen John Provost effective July 1, 2017. The parish secretary, bookkeeper, youth-group coordinator, safe-environment coordinator, and parish catechetical leader is Regina Aucoin, who along with her husband Will also serves as a marriage-preparation mentor. The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) team is led by Scott and Julie Benoit.
- Pastor: Rev. Arvind Minz, H.G.N. (since July 1, 2017)
- Secretary / Bookkeeper: Regina Aucoin
- Youth Group & Safe Environment Coordinator: Regina Aucoin
- Parish Catechetical Leader: Regina Aucoin
- OCIA: Scott and Julie Benoit
- Marriage Preparation Mentors: Will and Regina Aucoin
- Diocese: Diocese of Lake Charles (West Deanery)
Mission: Our Lady of the Assumption, Johnson Bayou
The parish serves a second active mission, Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, at 6470 Gulf Beach Highway in Johnson Bayou, Cameron Parish. Mass is celebrated there on Sundays at 11:00 a.m., Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m., and the First Saturday of each month at 8:30 a.m., with the Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help following the First Saturday Mass.
- Sunday: 11:00 a.m.
- Wednesday: 5:30 p.m.
- First Saturday: 8:30 a.m.
- Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help after First Saturday Mass
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Despite its small size, St. Peter the Apostle hosts two active Knights of Columbus councils — one of the few parishes in the nation able to make that claim. F. J. Pavell Council 8323 is based in Johnson Bayou, and Father John McNamara Council 11576 is based in Hackberry, named for the parish's fourth pastor. The Agnes Pavell Court 2265 of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas draws its members from the Holly Beach and Johnson Bayou missions. Other ministries include a youth group, OCIA for adults, and marriage preparation with parish mentors.
- Knights of Columbus — F. J. Pavell Council 8323 (Johnson Bayou)
- Knights of Columbus — Father John McNamara Council 11576 (Hackberry)
- Catholic Daughters of the Americas — Agnes Pavell Court 2265
- Youth Group
- OCIA
- Marriage Preparation
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Parish Catechetical Leader, Regina Aucoin, coordinates faith formation for children and youth, and also serves as the parish's Safe Environment Coordinator. Adult inquiry into the Catholic faith is handled through OCIA by Scott and Julie Benoit.
- Parish Catechetical Leader: Regina Aucoin
- OCIA team: Scott and Julie Benoit
- Safe Environment Coordinator: Regina Aucoin
Visiting & Contact
The parish office is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; on Mondays and Fridays it is open by appointment only. The mailing address is P.O. Box 372, Hackberry, LA 70645, and the parish can be reached at 337-762-3365 (fax 337-762-3160) or by email at [email protected]. The pastor's email is [email protected].
- Office: 337-762-3365
- Fax: 337-762-3160
- Email: [email protected]
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon & Fri by appointment; Tue–Thu 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Theodore Brandley, M.S.1955
Founding pastor, named by Bishop Jules B. Jeanmard when the parish was canonically erected.
- Rev. Francis Lundgren, M.S.1960
- Rev. Richard Donahue, M.S.1962
- Rev. John McNamara, M.S.1967
Honored by having the Hackberry Knights of Columbus council named for him (Father John McNamara Council 11576).
- Rev. William Doherty, M.S.1970
- Rev. Joseph M. McMahon, M.S.1973
- Rev. Alvarez Gilbert, M.S.1975
- Rev. Edward Brunnert, M.S.1977
- Rev. Eugene F. McKenna, M.S.1987
Had previously served at St. Peter Parish on a temporary assignment; died in 2001.
- Rev. Roland Vaughn2001
Assigned after Father McKenna's death; cared for the parish and its missions.
- Rev. Arvind Minz, H.G.N.2017–present
Assigned effective July 1, 2017 by Bishop Glen John Provost; current pastor.