08/22/2026
Dear Parishioners of Ascension of our Lord and St. Francis of Assisi Church Parishes, I am excited to announce the following about some capital improvements at St. Francis of Assisi Parish and the kick off of a campaign to fund these improvements, but I want to assure the parishioners of Ascension of our Lord that we also have some exciting projects coming for Ascension of our Lord Church Parish as well. You have not been forgotten! With God all things are possible and all that we do and are planning to do are for the greater glory of God, while enhancing our worship and communal life together.
Fr. Matt
Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Francis of Assisi Church Parish,
As we enter this extraordinary moment in the life of the Church, our hearts are filled with gratitude and joy. It is with great excitement that we join Catholics around the world in celebrating the special Jubilee Year of St. Francis, promulgated in commemoration of the eighth centenary of the passing of our beloved patron. From January 10, 2026 to January 10, 2027, the universal Church is invited to follow the example of the Saint of Assisi—embracing holiness of life, peace, humility, and charity.
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has arranged this Jubilee as a continuation of the graces of the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025. During this sacred year, the Apostolic Penitentiary grants a plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions, to all who devoutly participate in the Jubilee and who visit, in a spirit of pilgrimage, any Franciscan church or place of worship dedicated to St. Francis. This grace extends not only to members of the Franciscan family, but to all the faithful, including the elderly, the sick, and those unable to leave their homes, who unite themselves spiritually to the Jubilee celebrations.
What a blessing it is that our own parish, founded under the patronage of St. Francis of Assisi, is able to celebrate this Jubilee in such a personal and meaningful way. This year invites us to renew our commitment to the Gospel, to deepen our love for one another, and to strengthen the spiritual home entrusted to us by generations of faithful Catholics.
And so, in this sacred Jubilee Year, we turn our attention to the needs of our parish church and parish hall—spaces that have served us well but now call for renewal.
Since 1884, when the pastor of Ascension of Our Lord first traveled north along the Mississippi River to the settlement known as Smoke Bend, our parish has been a place where faith has taken root and flourished. From Masses celebrated in private homes and a local store, to the construction of our first church in 1890, to the building of our current structure in 1975, the people of St. Francis have always responded with generosity, sacrifice, and love.
Our church today still bears the marks of that heritage: the cypress altar and pulpit, the stained-glass windows and Stations of the Cross preserved from the previous church, and the pews generously donated by Our Lady of Mercy in Baton Rouge. These sacred elements remind us that we are part of a living tradition—one handed down with care, devotion, and pride.
Now, as we celebrate 128 years of parish life, we are called once again to be good stewards of the spiritual home entrusted to us.
To ensure that our church and parish hall continue to serve our community with beauty, dignity, and safety, we are launching a campaign to raise $400,000 for:
• New pews worthy of our worship and comfortable for our parish family
• New flooring in the church to enhance the beauty and safety of our sacred space.
• Improvements to the sanctuary to elevate our liturgical celebrations (see back of page)
• Renovations to the Parish Hall to support our ministries, gatherings, and community life.
This effort is more than a renovation—it is a Jubilee act of faith. It is our opportunity to honor the sacrifices of those who built this parish and to ensure that future generations inherit a church that reflects the beauty of God and the vitality of our community.
Your generosity in the past has always been a testament to your love for St. Francis Parish and your desire to hand on our traditions to your children and grandchildren. We ask you now to prayerfully consider how you can participate in this Jubilee project. Every gift matters. Every sacrifice echoes the spirit of St. Francis. And every act of generosity strengthens the future of our parish.
I invite you to prayerfully consider your financial contribution to this Jubilee Year of St. Francis Campaign. Whether it be a one-time donation or a commitment to donate to this cause spread over the next twelve months, every way of giving is needed and much appreciated. I understand that some may be able to give more and some may be able to give less, but know that every gift is appreciated. We have about 230 registered families at St. Francis, which would amount to a $1,750 one-time donation per family or a $150/month donation per family for the next twelve months to help achieve our goal. This, of course, would be a donation in addition to your already dedicated tithing. Please consider filling out the attached campaign form and return it to the office. It can be placed in an envelope marked as Year of St. Francis Campaign or placed in the collection basket.
As we walk together through this Year of St. Francis, may the example of St. Francis inspire us to live with humility, charity, and peace. May this Jubilee be for each of us a time of renewal, grace, and deeper commitment to the mission of Christ.
Thank you for your faith, your generosity, and your unwavering love for our parish. May God bless you abundantly in this holy year.
In Christ,
Fr. Matt Dupre
