By: HEATHER
BOGARD
Associate Editor
This week, we take a look back at the events of March 6, 1974.
•Msgr. J.M. Bourgeois celebrated his Golden Jubilee marking the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, “the church which he built and served and loved.” Msgr Bourgeois was ordained at St. Martin of Tours Church in St. Martinville on June 14, 1924, by the late Bishop Jules Jeanmard. Msgr. Bourgeois served as assistant pastor in Abbeville and was named pastor in Oberlin in 1929 prior to being appointed to Sacred Heart in Ville Platte in 1930. He remained pastor of Sacred Heart for 40 years, until his retirement in April 1970. Msgr. Bourgeois was a native of Loreauville and studied for the priesthood at St. Joseph’s Seminary in St. Benedict, St. Mary’s in Baltimore, Kenrick in St. Louis, and Notre Dame in New Orleans.
The church parish also celebrated its 120th anniversary, with its first baptismal record dated July 9, 1854.
It was noted, to date, there were 11 pastors of Sacred Heart: Father Beaugier (1854-56), Father J.F. Raymond (1856-60), Father C. Riggollet and Father Rene Vallee (1860-68), Father Ernest Forge (1868-73), Father Eugene Fraering (1873-78). Father P.L. Pensier (1878-98), Father Henry F. Chastel (1898-1910), Father Louis J. Savy (1910-30), Msgr. J.M. Bourgeois (1930-70), and Msgr. Edward Fruge (1970-present).
•Sister Judith Coreil MSC, a native of Ville Platte, was named assistant superintendent of New Orleans parochial schools.
•Mike B. Janowski, Evangeline Parish librarian, was elected as councilor for the Louisiana Library Association Chapter in the American Library Association for a four term (1974-1978).
•Charles J. Tassin was one of 13 veteran members of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus to receive the Order of Merit Award in recognition of his service to church and community. Tassin joined the Knights of Columbus in 1935 and transferred his membership to the Ville Platte Council #1754 in 1944.
•Two members of the Ville Platte Rotary Club attended the annual international convention held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that year. Lindsey Veillon and Oscar Sylvester and their “Rotary Annes” were among the 12,000 Rotarians and guests from across 73 countries in attendance. The convention’s theme for the year was “Improving the Quality of Life.”
•Sale items at A&P included: nectarines and tomatoes (.39 per pound), giant box of Tide detergent (.69 with a &.50 food purchase), beef rib-eye ($2.39 per pound), one-pound pack of Eight O’Clock Coffee ($1.17), and 10-pound bag of A&P brand medium grain rice ($2.49).
•Sale items for Brown’s Furniture’s 28th anniversary sale included: four-piece living room suite featuring sofa, love seat, chair and ottoman ($388.28); Frigidaire portable dishwasher ($138.28); four-piece maple bedroom suite featuring formica top double dresser, mirror, four-drawer chest and panel bed ($228.28); and nine-piece Spanish dining room suite featuring table, five chairs, one arm chair, glass front china cabinet and buffet ($549.28).
•Movies released in June 1974 included: “Chinatown,” starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway, “Where the Red Fern Grows,” starring Stewart Peterson and Beverly Garland, and “You and Me,” starring David Carradine and Barbara Hershey.
•Popular songs of June 1974 included: “Band on the Run” by Paul McCartney and Wings, “Dancing Machine” by The Jackson Five, “Help Me” by Joni Mitchell, “Midnight at the Oasis” by Maria Maldaur, and “Sundown” by Gordon Lightfoot.
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