St. Philomena

History of St. Philomena Church

The Catholic community along Bayou Lafourche at Labadieville began with Father Charles Menard's first mission in April 1842. He solicited pledges for a chapel, broke ground on September 18, 1847, and saw it blessed on March 28, 1848, under the patronage of St. Philomena. Bishop Antoine Blanc established the parish in 1855 with Father Cyprian Vennisat as first pastor; Father Vennisat built the first brick church in 1860 and founded both the parish school (1871) and the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. The present church was built in 1888; Father A. F. Ravoire added the side transepts in 1908. A 2013 revitalization campaign restored the historic building and engaged new families.

• 1842 – First mission at Brule Labadie by Father Charles Menard ("The Apostle of Bayou Lafourche")
• 1847 – Construction of the chapel begins (September 18)
• 1848 – Chapel blessed under the patronage of St. Philomena on March 28
• 1853 – Rectory completed
• 1855 – Parish established by Bishop Antoine Blanc; Father Cyprian Vennisat named first pastor
• 1860 – First brick church built by Father Vennisat
• 1871 – Sisters of the Immaculate Conception founded; St. Philomena School begins
• 1888 – Present church building constructed (eclectic style with Gothic elements)
• 1908 – Side transepts added by Father A. F. Ravoire
• 2005 – St. Philomena School closes after 100+ years of Catholic education
• June 2013 – Revitalization & Renovation campaign launched to restore the church

Saint Philomena, Powerful with God

The parish's patron, Saint Philomena, is venerated as a virgin and martyr. Her relics were discovered in the Catacombs of Priscilla in 1802, and she earned the title "Philomena, Powerful with God" because of the many favors and reported miracles associated with her intercession. In 1837 Pope Gregory XVI elevated her devotion and authorized her liturgical feast (August 11). She is widely invoked as patroness of infants, babies, and lost causes.

• Relics discovered in the Catacombs of Priscilla in 1802
• Symbols on her tomb tiles include a lily, arrows, an anchor, and a lance — signs of virginity and martyrdom
• Inscription: "Pax tecum, Filumena" ("Peace be with you, Philomena")
• Elevated by Pope Gregory XVI in 1837; known as the "Wonder-Worker of the Nineteenth Century"
• Liturgical feast day: August 11

Architecture and Cemetery

The 1888 St. Philomena Church is built in an eclectic style, with the most striking Gothic touches being the graceful pointed arches and inserts of tracery. Its windows are made of art glass and opalescent glass, celebrating the beauty of unpainted glass. Father A. F. Ravoire added the side transepts in 1908. The parish cemetery dates from the earliest years of the parish and remains a tangible link to the community's founders: the founder of "Labadie" is buried there, and a monument still stands to those who died in the yellow fever epidemic. Mausoleums were later added as the cemetery reached capacity. In June 2013 the parish began a revitalization and renovation campaign that has enhanced the church's original architecture and preserved it for the future.

Parish Staff

St. Philomena is led by a small, devoted staff serving the parish of Labadieville.

• Rev. Amal Raj Savarimuthu — Pastor
• Amy Good — Director of Music
• Trunell Landry — Secretary
• Marci Melancon — Bookkeeper
• Jackie Bailey — Director of Religious Education
• Terri Thibodeaux — Assistant Director of Religious Education
• Elvin Ponvelle — Maintenance

Faith Formation and Religious Education

The parish runs a Religious Education (CCD) program directed by Jackie Bailey, with Terri Thibodeaux serving as assistant director. A Summer Religious Education Program is offered, and the parish welcomes volunteers to serve as catechists or classroom assistants and to help with snacks. The parish is also collaborating with St. Anne, Assumption, and Holy Cross (Morgan City) to take incoming 9th–12th graders to the Steubenville South 2026 youth conference in Alexandria, LA.

• Year-round Religious Education program
• 2-Week Summer Religious Education Program (volunteers needed)
• Steubenville South 2026 youth trip — register via Terri Thibodeaux at [email protected]

Knights of Columbus

Catholic men of the parish are served by Knights of Columbus Council 11061. The Council is part of the broader Bayouland cluster, alongside Council 1099 which serves St. Anne, Assumption, and St. Benedict parishes.

• Council 11061 (St. Philomena) — contact Henry Clement at 985-688-6083
• Council 1099 (St. Anne / Assumption / St. Benedict) — contact John Giambrone at 985-519-2296
• More information at www.kofc.org

Bayouland Churches

St. Philomena is one of the Bayouland Churches — a collaborative cluster of parishes along Bayou Lafourche that share staff, youth programs, and other pastoral initiatives. The shared Bayou Catholic text-alerts (text "BayouCatholic" to 84576) keep parishioners updated across the cluster.

• St. Philomena (Labadieville) — 118 Convent Street
• St. Anne (Paincourtville / Plattenville area)
• Assumption Church
• St. Benedict Church
• Emergency Telephone Line for the cluster: (985) 236-9224

Sacraments

Information about the sacraments is available through the parish office, including preparation for Baptism, Marriage, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, and funerals. Annulment information is also coordinated through the St. Philomena office. To schedule anything sacramental, contact the parish office at 985-526-4247.

• Baptism — contact the parish office
• Marriage — contact the parish office
• Reconciliation — Tuesday and Saturday (see Confession times)
• Anointing of the Sick / Funerals — via the parish office
• Annulments — coordinated through the St. Philomena office