Four scores of faith are celebrated in Belaire Cove

Eighty years ago, along a gravel road in the rural southeastern part of Evangeline Parish not far from the St. Landry Parish line, a new church was dedicated under the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This church, the Sacred Heart Chapel in Belaire Cove, celebrated its anniversary on Tuesday, March 3, with a special Mass and a reception in the church hall.
The chapel was dedicated on March 3, 1940, by Bishop Jules B. Jeanmard and was built at a cost of $3,000.00. Of that amount, $2,000.00 came from the Catholic Church Extension Society of Chicago, and the rest came from donations. The two-acre property for the chapel was purchased from Mrs. Marie B. Fontenot, the widow of Octave P. Vidrine Sr., on May 30, 1938, for $150.00. Another acre was purchased on April 2, 1941, for $75.00.
The committee responsible for construction of the chapel was chairman Aldes Soileau, Atale Fontenot, Onile LaFleur, Horace B. Fontenot, Joseph V. Vidrine, Angelas Deville, Albert Soileau, Olin Fontenot, Dallas Fontenot, and Tanzy G. Fontenot.
During his homily, the chapel’s pastor, Fr. Tom Voorhies, led a meditation on the first reading about the prophet Ezekiel’s vision of water flowing from the right side of the Temple of Jerusalem.
“We know the Romans were master executioners,” Fr. Voorhies said. “They always put the spear in the right side of the body through the heart to make sure the person was dead. This water flowing from the right side of the Temple of Jerusalem was ultimately a prophecy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. John, at the foot of the cross when the Roman soldier pulled the spear out, water and blood flowed from the side of Christ.”
“As Ezekiel saw this water flowing from the Temple of Jerusalem,” he continued, “that became a raging river. We can say those were the waters of Baptism. If we put all the waters of Baptism for everybody who was baptized in this chapel, it would come out to a nice quantity of water. But, if you would add everybody from Sacred Heart, Queen (of All Saints), Plaisance, and everywhere around the world, it would probably be a raging river of water.”
Fr. Voorhies then led a meditation on the Gospel from John Chapter 2 where Jesus cleansed the Temple because it should be a house of prayer.
“Think of all the prayers that have been lifted up from this alter and from these pews to almighty God throughout 80 years,” he said.
“We can say He cleansed the Temple of Jerusalem of all these animals because it was the ultimate sign there was going to be no more need for animal sacrifices. The rabbis had a tradition then the Messiah would come then all the animal sacrifices would finish and you would only have the thanksgiving sacrifice of bread and wine.”
“That’s exactly what happened. About 40 years after the death of Jesus, in the year 70 A.D., the Romans destroyed the Temple of Jerusalem. There were no more sacrifices since then until this day except the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.”
Fr. Voorhies ended his homily by saying, “We are still that Church, and we are still here after 80 years.”
At the end of the mass, native son Fr. Richard Vidrine shared memories of growing up in Belaire Cove.
“How much times have changed since then,” he said. “How much this community has changed? We have central cooling. We have central heating. We have carpeting not old wooden floors that crack and creak as you go in and out. And, not everything is covered with dust because we have paved roads today.”
“But,” he continued, “the faith of the people has remained strong always and forever. That’s what makes this community so special. It’s the beautiful people, their faith, their trust in God, their love of neighbor, and their love of God. It’s come a long way since then, but we still have beautiful priests taking care of you. You still have a beautiful community of faith, and we’re so blessed today.”
Fr. Vidrine concluded, “Christ is always here in this church. When you go by, we always make the Sign of the Cross. That’s why we keep our faith going as we come each Saturday to receive the Body and Blood of Christ and to give thanks for His many graces and blessings. May Belaire Cove continue to thrive and grow especially in faith forever.”