A Possible Dream

In 1935, the Holy Ghost Fathers were asked by Most. Rev. Bishop Desmond of the diocese of Alexandria to establish a church for black and Creole Catholics in Natchitoches, LA. Before this they were attending another local catholic church. Masses were separate as any other liturgical service. But if they were together at a mass the african american and creole were seated at the back of the church and received communion last.

With prayer and hard labor and having as a great instrument, Msgr. Anthony Piegay, Old St. Anthony Church was built and the school in 1939 with the Sisters of Divine Providence as staff and some other teacher of the area. The school was build in honor of Msgr. Piegay and was named, Piegay Memorial School. Sadly, the school was closed in 1971 and in due time sold. Apparently and allegedly, the money was given to another catholic school that was in financial crisis. The money given was never paid back to St. Anthony. This decision brought some pain and discouragement. Nevertheless, the parishioners kept the good faith and unity. In the early 70's the sisters returned to their mother house in San Antonio, Texas.

Many Holy Ghost Fathers became pastors of St. Anthony of Padua. From Fr. Ivan Huber the first pastor in 1936 to Fr. Eugene Lavery (1944); Fr. Francis Nolan (1946); Fr. Edward F. Wilson (1948) and Fr. John S. Roudeau in 1958. Fr. J. Smith replaced Fr. Roudeau in 1961. Fr. Smith was instrumental in building the new church. Even though no local bank of the City of Natchitoches wanted to provide a loan to St. Anthony's parishioners, perhaps or apparently it was assumed that it would be difficult for them to repay the loan. Ground breaking of the new church took place in May of 1963. The First Holy Mass was celebrated in the new church on the Solemn Christmas Mass at Midnight in 1963. The Blessing of the Church and new rectory was in January of 1964 by Most. Rev. Bishop Charles P. Greco.

The assumption was definately wrong by the local banks of Natchitoches. The loan was given to St. Anthony by a Bank from Opelousa, St. Landry Parish, State of Louisiana for the amount of $60,000.00. The loan was paid in ten years and Fr. Smith and the parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua burned the note as a sign of dedication, commitment and happiness and freedom.

With the new Church building the Holy Ghost Congregation as many male and female religious orders and congregations and as many laymen and women, where experiencing the spirit of Vatican Council II. The Holy Ghost Congregation implemented the doctrine, teaching and spirit of Vatican Council II into the spiritual life of the parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua.

Fr. Smith, after many year of active ministry retires in 1975. Father Thomas Dolan is assign to St. Anthony’s and retires his pastorship in 1980’s. Fr. Eugene Moroney became the new pastor and only served for two years dying of a massive heart attack in 1982. From 1982 to 1984, Fr. Joseph A. Behr was appointed pastor. In 1984 Fr. Julian Wrobel followed as pastor until 1997 when Fr. Norbert Rosso took his place until he retired in 2001 returning to his Congregation in California.

A New Beginning, the diocesan priesthood

In 2001 Bishop Sam G. Jacobs, now Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux, assign as pastor the first diocesan priest, Fr. Gregory Downs that served until 2006. In June of 2006 Bishop Ronald P. Herzog assigned Fr. Jamie Medina Cruz, S.T.L. as the next diocesan priest to St. Anthony. Fr. Jamie continue his pastoral duties at St. Anthony of Padua. With the Spirituality of the Diocesan Priesthood a new school of spirituality and pastoral life in active ministry is taking place at. St. Anthony of Padua.

Today St. Anthony of Padua Church is a mosaic of culture, serving different ethnicity and cultural background: A frican American, Creoles, Latinos, Asians and Caucasian. Many pastoral groups are involve in the spirit and church life at St. Anthony of Padua: Holy Name Society, Altar Society, Christian Mothers, Religious Education, Youth Ministry, Altar Server Ministry, Jr. H. Ministry, Young Adult and College Ministry, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Lectors Ministry, Parish and Finance Council, Charitable Gaming (Bingo), Home Bound Visitation, Ushers Ministry, Hispanic Ministry, Church Fair Ministry, Cenacle of the Marian Movement, Building Committee and in the process of starting a Music and Liturgy Committee. But over all, presence ministry which is from all ministries the most important one in the life of St. Anthony of Padua Church.

In 2007 Fr. Jamie Medina invited Bishop Ronald P. Herzog for the blessing of the New Hall in honor of St. Anthony of Padua. Inside the Hall a beautiful Chapel was dedicate to St. Martin de Porres. Other projects are taking place in the Church. The interior of the Church is slowly being renovated and refurbished. All of these pastoral and refurbishing dreams and reality are taking place, thanks to the pastoral vision, dedication and effort of the parishioners. St. Anthony of Padua is an active church and dedicated to build a community and culture of faith, hope and love.

From generation to generation it was passed on to the parishioners of St. Anthony that the title of the Church was in honor of Msgr. Piegay. Recently Fr. Jamie discovered in the church's attic a document that clearly indicates that the official title of the Church is St. Anthony of Padua. It reads in latin "Titulus Ecclesiae", Title of the Church: St. Anthony of Padua.