Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

09/01/2026

Shining Bright at Central Catholic! ✨

Today, Mrs. Vaccarella our Superintendent of Catholic Schools visited classrooms at Central Catholic.

During her classroom visits, she observed students actively learning through partner activities, group collaboration, and creative hands-on experiences, including using Play-Doh as math manipulatives!

What stood out most was the wonderful engagement in the classrooms and the strong rapport between teachers and students. ❤️ These positive relationships create classrooms where students feel supported, encouraged, and excited to learn.

Thank you to the amazing teachers and students at Central Catholic for welcoming Mrs. Vaccarella and for continuing to BE THE LIGHT each and every day! ✨

"Let your light shine before others..." — Matthew 5:16

09/01/2026

Shining Bright at Vandebilt Catholic High School! ✨

Mrs. Vaccarella, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, had the opportunity to visit classrooms at Vandebilt Catholic today, and the LIGHT was shining bright! 🌟💙

Throughout her classroom visits, she witnessed students actively engaged in learning through:

👨‍🎓Meaningful student engagement
🤝 Group collaboration and teamwork
🔎 Research and inquiry
🛠️ Real-world, hands-on projects
💻 Technology integration
🎨 Creativity and graphic design

It was wonderful to see teachers creating learning experiences that challenge students to think, create, collaborate, and apply their learning to the real world.

Thank you to the incredible educators at Vandebilt Catholic for continuing to BE THE LIGHT for our students each and every day! ✨

“Let your light shine before others…” — Matthew 5:16

08/31/2026

Greetings from Bishop Simon Peter in Rome! 🇻🇦

08/30/2026

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me."

Fr. Alex Gaudet reflects on the readings for the Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/083026.cfm

08/29/2026

IDA TOOK A LOT FROM US.
BUT IT DIDN’T TAKE OUR FAITH. ✝️

Five years ago, Hurricane Ida changed everything.

The damage was widespread across the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Nearly 400 buildings were damaged. Seven churches were rendered unusable. Roofs were torn away, classrooms were damaged, and we were suddenly facing an uncertain road ahead.

Then came the cleanup. The waiting. The rebuilding.

And the people. ❤️ People who showed up to help their neighbors. People who opened their doors, lent a hand, gave generously and worked tirelessly to help our communities begin again. Generations of faith came together to make an unforgettable mark on our history.

Five years later, we can look back and see how far we have come.

More than 140 roofs have been replaced, and countless churches and schools have been repaired and restored. Along the way, we have rebuilt with the future in mind, making our facilities stronger and more sustainable for the years ahead.

We are grateful for all that has been accomplished, while recognizing that the journey is not over. There is still work ahead. But through it all, God has been with us. And we can trust Him with what comes next.

Together, we pray:
Gracious and loving God, five years after Hurricane Ida, we remember the loss, the impact and the many lives affected by the storm.
We thank You for the strength and grace You gave us in difficult moments, especially in the days when we did not know how we would get through.
Thank You for those who lent a helping hand in our darkest times, for the hearts that gave generously and for the communities that stood together.
Comfort those who continue to carry the weight of what was lost, and give them peace and hope.
As we look to You, our Father, guide us as we move forward. Help us to remember the lessons of these years, to care for one another and to trust that You will remain with us in whatever lies ahead.
May we never forget Your faithfulness, and may we always recognize Your presence among us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.



St Mary's Nativity Church Our Lady of the Isle Catholic Church Holy Savior Catholic Church - Lockport, La Maria Immacolata Catholic Church Saint Eloi Catholic Church Holy Family Catholic Church, Dulac, La St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church - Thibodaux

08/29/2026

New Job Alert! 🚨

Our diocesan Office of Worship is now hiring an administrative assistant to support diocesan liturgies and special events throughout the year.

This is a great opportunity for someone who is organized, dependable and detail-oriented, but also enjoys working with people and bringing events together behind the scenes.

Apply now at www.htdiocese.org/employment.

08/28/2026

Ciao, Roma! 🇮🇹

Bishop Simon Peter Engurait is headed to Rome for the annual training for new bishops!

Since 1994, newly-ordained bishops from every corner of the world gather annually for prayer, formation and fellowship. They also spend time with the Holy Father. Bishop Simon Peter will meet and receive instruction from the successor of St. Peter himself. What a gift for him—and for our diocese! 🇻🇦

While Bishop is away, Fr. André Melancon, our Vicar General, will oversee the day-to-day operations of the diocese.

Please keep Bishop Simon Peter, and all the bishops who will be with him, in your prayers for safe travels and a fruitful time together.

Buon viaggio, Bishop Simon Peter! 🙏

08/28/2026

Happy 55th Birthday, Bishop Simon Peter! 🎉

Most Rev. Simon Peter Engurait was born in Ngora, a small town in eastern Uganda, the seventh of 14 children. Today, he shepherds the faithful of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, an ocean away from the parish where he first served at the altar as a boy.

His birthday falls on the memorial of St. Augustine, a saint whose words have special meaning for him. When he was introduced to our diocese as bishop-elect, he shared this reflection from St. Augustine: “For you I am a bishop, but with you I am a Christian. The first is an office accepted; the second is a gift received.”

Today, we give thanks for the gift of Bishop Simon Peter and for the faith, joy and pastoral care he brings to our diocesan family.

Happy birthday, Bishop! Our prayers are with you today and every day! 🙏

08/25/2026

Leading Together. Growing Together. Being the Light! ✨

Today, Superintendent Amy Vaccarella welcomed our Catholic school principals and presidents to Central Catholic in Morgan City for a Leader Meeting.

They welcomed a special guest, Sr. Clara Maria of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, who will soon be joining the Office of Catholic Schools. We’re grateful for the ways she will help us continue strengthening the Catholic identity and mission of our schools. ❤️✝️

They began the day with Holy Mass, grounding their time together with Christ at the center. 🙏 The rest of the day continued with classroom observations and meaningful collaboration--sharing ideas, learning from other another, celebrating what is working, and discussing ways to further strengthen Catholic education throughout our diocese.

We’re grateful to Central Catholic for hosting us and giving our leaders a chance to see the wonderful things happening on their campus.

Here’s to a great year ahead!

08/25/2026

Exciting news! A new location has been added for the visit of the St. John Paul II relic next month. It will now be going to St. Thomas Aquinas on Monday, September 21 for 12:15 mass and veneration until 4 p.m. It will still be at Christ the Redeemer that morning and at St. Joseph that evening.

See the full schedule here: https://www.htdiocese.org/traveling-relic-of-jpii.

A rare and special relic of St. John Paul II is coming to the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux!

From September 18-21, the faithful will have the opportunity to pray and venerate a first-class relic of St. John Paul II as it visits a few parishes in our diocese.

The relic contains the liquefied blood of St. John Paul II and is one of four such relics in existence. It is the only one designated as a pilgrim relic, allowing it to travel and be made available for public veneration.

We invite you to take part in these special opportunities for prayer and to seek the intercession of St. John Paul II for yourself, your family and our Church.

View the schedule at htdiocese.org/traveling-relic-of-jpii.