Ville Platte Rotary:

By: HEATHER
BOGARD
Associate Editor

Rotarian Mable Foreman invited Monette Richardson and Kristi Johnson with Sacred Heart Evangelizing Ministry as the guest speakers for the December 16, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club.
Richardson said she and Johnson co-founded the group as a way to “ignite our community through faith, prayer, worship and evangelizing, thus enabling all of us to grow in our relationship with the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The group was originally organized and led by Father Tom Voorhies, but now Father Mitchell Guidry leads the ministry.
The ministry began in May 2024 with a women’s day of reflection.
Richardson shared during Lent last year, Sacred Heart Evangelizing helped to bring relics of St. Padre Pio to Sacred Heart for veneration and will return for Lent in 2026. A representative from Charlene Richard spoke with the group.
The group also hosts many faith-filled activities, such as days of reflection, couples date night, movie night and painting. In addition, two bus pilgrimages are in the works. The goal is to bring these opportunities into our own community and host one event each month. Richardson shared the response has truly been encouraging.
As the ministry has grown, the group has added two new committees. The Feet of Jesus committee, led by Louisa LeBas and Angie Manuel, focuses on outreach, service and tangible acts of charity and they are currently leading a sock and blanket drive and toy drive have been held, as well as meals, to assist those in need throughout the community. Items have also been donated blankets and items for animal shelters and baby items for pregnancy centers in Opelousas and Mamou. Karen Doucet leads the youth and teen outreach committee to encourage the youth of the community to nurture faith and fellowship among the young people.
Richardson said they were grateful for the opportunity to share who they are and what they do and invited everyone to worship with them and serve along side with them to grow in their love of the Lord.
Some of the upcoming events hosted by Sacred Heart Evangelizing include a holy mass celebrated by Father Manny Fernandez on Thursday, January 15, at 6 p.m., dinner and a movie night in the Sacred Heart High School Commons on Saturday, January 17, after 4 p.m. mass. The movie “Lillies of the Field” will be shown, and a German-themed dinner will be served.
During the month of February, a Book Study leading into the Lenten season will be held. “No Greater Love: A Biblical Walk Through Christ’s Passion” by Dr. Edward Siri will be the featured book. The study will be led by Carla Daigle and will be held each Wednesday in February in the Father Verbis Lafleur Meeting Room from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event, and you must purchase your own copy of the book.
Rotary President Beau Wilson reminded members there will be no meeting on Tuesday, December 30.
The next Rotary meeting will be held Tuesday, December 23, with a program presented by Rotarian Eric Gil.