OakThe
From Our President
“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” 1 Peter 4:10
As we celebrate 180 years of our beloved CathedralCarmel School, it is truly an honor to reflect on the many ways the Foundation supports and strengthens this extraordinary school community. For nearly two centuries, Cathedral-Carmel has been guided by faith, tradition, and a deep commitment to forming hearts and minds rooted in Christ. Through the generosity of those who believe in our mission, the Foundation plays an important role in fostering a nurturing and high-quality educational environment for our students.
The Foundation supports Cathedral-Carmel through grants and scholarships that provide tuition assistance, enhance classroom resources for our teachers, and fund meaningful campus improvements. These efforts are made possible through our permanent Named Endowments, which allow us to faithfully steward what has been entrusted to us while investing in generations to come.
Over the past year, we have made exciting progress in expanding our Named Endowment program. With the addition of four new endowments, we are now proud to steward a total of thirteen.
These endowments are a lasting testament to the generosity of Cathedral-Carmel parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends, whose continued support allows the Foundation to expand its service.
Each generation has answered the call to sustain this mission, and CathedralCarmel’s story reflects 180 years of perseverance and God’s faithfulness.
I would like to thank our Executive Director, Sarah Hyde, and the Foundation’s Marketing Committee for their dedication in bringing this publication to life. The time, care, and creativity they poured into this magazine are evident on every page.
Finally, thank you to all who supported the Foundation this past year, whether through generous giving or participation in our annual golf tournament. Your involvement makes a meaningful difference. May God continue to bless the Cathedral-Carmel community as we honor our past and look towards the future with hope and gratitude.
In Christ, Jeffrey Lowry, President
Angie Thomassee Dore’ President
The Lowry Family Caroline (5th), William (3rd), Mandie, Jeffrey, Eleanor (7th)
Expanding Our Impact
Rooted in Purpose. Growing with Intention.
Over the past year, the Foundation Board has been deeply rooted in reflection and intentionality, prayerfully discerning our role as stewards and refining our mission to clearly reflect both our responsibility and our hope for the future.
BRINGING OUR MISSION TO LIFE
Since launching our revised mission and purpose last year, we have remained committed to bringing those words off the page and into action. Through the faithful service of our board members, our mission has taken shape in tangible, visible ways.
POP-UP BANNERS
New pop-up banners now display our mission and purpose at events, offering a clear visual reminder of why we gather and whom we serve.
TABLE COVER
A branded table cover creates a welcoming, professional presence wherever the Foundation is represented.
SOCIAL MEDIA
A dedicated social media presence broadens awareness, deepens connection, and highlights the ongoing work of stewardship happening behind the scenes. Follow along and grow with us.
LOOKING AHEAD
Our focus remains clear and unwavering. We will continue to live out our mission by:
INCREASING AWARENESS
GROWING OUR ENDOWMENTS
CREATING MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIVING
Guided by faith and entrusted with a legacy nearly two centuries strong, we remain committed to serving as faithful stewards—preserving what has been built and preparing what is yet to come.
The power of storytelling
A cornerstone of these efforts is The Oak magazine—an intentional investment in storytelling that celebrates our roots, honors legacy families, and invites our community to help shape the future of Cathedral-Carmel School.
Mission in Action
Proudly Serving
The Club Grand Coffee provides an opportunity to educate our current CCS grandparents of meaningful ways to volunteer on campus and support their grandchildren and the school by sharing their time, talent, or treasure.
Board Members gather each quarter for focused, collaborative meetings dedicated to advancing the school’s mission. These sessions allow leaders to review progress on established goals, make informed decisions, and strategically plan for the school’s future, ensuring long-term strength and continued growth.
Board Members distribute The Oak magazine during the annual Grandparents’ Day program to raise awareness and encourage CCS grandparents to partner with the Foundation in sustaining our legacy.
The Marketing Committee working diligently on the content and layout of The Oak magazine, ensuring readers receive high-quality, engaging information. Their efforts highlight the impactful work of the Foundation while showcasing the school’s remarkable 180-year milestone.
2026 MARKS THE 180 ANNIVERSARY OF CATHEDRAL-CARMEL SCHOOL TH
Sisters
of Mount Carmel and Chr istian Brothers laid the foundation for Cathedral-Carmel School
1846 with eight students, later known as Mount Carmel Convent. Despite epidemics and the hardships of the Civil War, the school continued to grow and graduated its first class in 1880.
Evangelist Church circa 1916
building” of Mount Carmel Academy, was built in addition to the convent. Buildings were added to campus as the enrollment increased.
established a boys’ school under the Christian Brothers. Cathedral High School opened in 1919 with 170 students, and the first graduating class was in 1923.
School building still sits in the middle of campus.
“To teach minds and touch hearts.” Founder of Christian Brothers
Oak
“Love one another… uphold one another.”
– Mother Therese Chevrel, Foundress in USA , First Superior in Louisiana
girls final graduating class of 1967.
Cathedral High School’s all boys final graduating class of 1967.
In 1968, Mount Carmel and Cathedral merged to form Cathedral-Carmel High School, br inging boys and girls in grades 7–12 together on the Cathedral campus for the f irst time. That same year, grades K–6 were united on the Mount Carmel campus.
graduation rings after Ring Mass (left); A new sign for CathedralCarmel High School being erected on the front lawn circa 1968 (right)
students to the high school campus, forming Cathedral-Carmel Elementar y. Later that year, St. Thomas More Catholic High School opened. By 1983, the addition of grades K–8 established the structure of Cathedral-Carmel School.
Our Roots Run Deep
Over 180 Years Strong
For 180 years, Cathedral-Carmel has stood as a living testament to faith, family, and foundation. Our legacy is as enduring as the great oak tree that rises between our church and our school. Like the majestic oak, our roots are strong and steady, nourished by generations of families who have built, prayed, and grown together in Christ.
Today, those deep roots continue to spread. Legacy families remind us where we have come from, their branches reach high, shading and guiding the next generation. And new families, our rootlets, bring fresh life to the soil,
extending the spirit of Cathedral-Carmel into the future. Together, they form one thriving community, grounded in tradition yet growing toward tomorrow.
As faithful stewards, we continue the work of those who came before us, expanding opportunities to give, strengthening our endowments, and ensuring that CathedralCarmel School remains a place where faith takes root, families flourish, and Christ-centered students are formed. Through lasting legacies and generous hearts, we keep our roots strong and our mission alive for generations to come.
Loving
The Bernard Sisters our Legacy
Stories of Cathedral-Carmel School often stretch across generations. Few families reflect that legacy quite like the Bernard sisters.
Raised by parents who believed deeply in Catholic education, the Bernard daughters grew up in classrooms at Mount Carmel and in the pews of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, just steps apart.
Today, their connection to CathedralCarmel spans four generations, 27 graduates and six current students, each continuing a tradition that began with their parents’ sacrifices many decades ago.
It is a story rooted in a school community that has shaped Catholic education in Lafayette for nearly two centuries. Some of their earliest memories, however, come from the simplest moments of childhood.
Every Wednesday morning, the Bernard sisters walked from Mount Carmel to St. John Cathedral for Mass, chapel veils pinned carefully in their hair as they made the familiar walk down the sidewalk with their classmates. And if someone forgot her veil?
“There was always a Kleenex,” Denise says with a laugh. “They would just put a Kleenex on your head.” It is one of those everyday memories the sisters still laugh about today, one that perfectly captures what growing up in Lafayette’s Catholic school community felt like.
For Denise Bernard Duhon (CCHS ’79) and her four sisters, Maxine Bernard Nicolosi (Mount Carmel ’65), Joan Bernard Sims (CCHS ’71), June Bernard Alexander (CCHS ’73), and Jan Bernard Angelle (CCHS ’77), those walks to Mass were simply part of the rhythm of growing up at Mount Carmel and Cathedral-Carmel. Prayer began every class. Weekly Mass was part of the school day. Faith was woven into everyday life in ways that would shape them long after graduation.
When the Bernard sisters were growing up, Lafayette’s Catholic schools looked a little different than they do today. Mount Carmel, led by the Sisters of Mount Carmel, served as the girls’ school, while Cathedral High School, under the
Denise Bernard Duhon CCHS Class of ‘79
direction of the Christian Brothers, educated the boys just steps away near St. John Cathedral.
The eldest sister, Maxine, completed her high school years at Mount Carmel. By the time her younger sisters reached high school, the schools had evolved into CathedralCarmel High School, where Joan, June, Jan, and Denise would graduate in the years that followed.
But the story of this family’s Cathedral-Carmel legacy begins even earlier, with their parents. Maxine “Mac” Bernard, a proud Cathedral High graduate himself, and his wife, Ola Mae Reed Bernard, believed deeply in Catholic education. Keeping their daughters in Catholic school required sacrifice, but it was something they never questioned.
“Our parents worked very hard to keep us there,” Joan says. “It meant everything to them.” Looking back now, the sisters realize just how much that commitment shaped their lives, and the generations that followed.
And like so many Cathedral families, the lessons their parents passed down would shape the way the sisters approached their own childhood, their faith, and the memories they still cherish today.
School Days & Sacred Moments
The Bernard sisters’ childhood memories are stitched together with moments both joyful and unforgettable. Denise remembers walking into her kindergarten classroom for the very first time. “My teacher told me I was one of the tallest girls in the class,” she says, smiling. “That was the last time anyone ever called me tall.”
For Jan, many of those memories happened outside the classroom. After school, students would gather under
the great Cathedral oak tree to wait for their buses. “We would just sit there and visit and wait,” Jan says. “That oak tree is one of my earliest memories.”
School traditions filled the campus, pep rallies where students shouted themselves hoarse competing for the coveted spirit stick, homecoming parades with decorated floats, and football games where girls pinned colorful spirit ribbons to their shirts. “Elocution night was a big deal,” Jan says. “You had to memorize poems or stories and perform them in front of everyone. I won one year!”
For Joan, the sense of belonging began on her very first day at Mount Carmel. “I remember being greeted by Joanie Domengeaux Autin,” she says. “She had been assigned to show me around for the first few days. That meant so much, it made me feel like I belonged right away.” School life was full of small moments that the sisters still laugh about today.
During one memorable moment, the school cafeteria rolled in small televisions so students could watch the moon landing live. Another time, a nononsense nun named Sister Aquinas carried a rollon deodorant container filled with holy water. When students misbehaved, she would shake the bottle, sending drops of holy water onto them. “It kept us in line,” Joan says with a grin.
“In fifth grade at Mount Carmel, I loved helping with the kindergarten students,” June says. “A few of us would put out the cots and sit with them while they took naps for Miss Mouton and Miss Oliver.”
Some memories were joyful, others were historic. June clearly remembers being in third grade when President John F. Kennedy was shot. “Our teacher started crying,” June recalls. “And we prayed the rosary.” Moments like that remain etched in memory.
Jan Bernard Angelle CCHS Class of ‘77
June Bernard Alexander CCHS Class of ‘73
Maxine Bernard Nicolosi Mount Carmel Class of ’65
Joan Bernard Sims CCHS Class of ‘71
Loving
The Bernard Cousins our Legacy
But mostly, what the sisters remember is the feeling of being surrounded by faith, community, and family.
“Cathedral always felt like a family,” Joan says. “I felt safe and loved there.” That sense of connection extended to the teachers who shaped their experience. “Some of my favorite teachers were Lynn Mouton for math, Anne Caradine for speech, Br. Faber for math, and Br. Bernard, my Uncle Ivy, for French,” Joan says. “Now my favorite teachers are Allison Sims, my daughter-in-law, and Kelli Duhon Montesano, my niece, who both teach third grade.”
A Family Rooted in Faith
Faith was not simply something the Bernard sisters learned at school, it was deeply woven into their family life.
Their uncle, known in the family as Uncle Ivy, was a Christian Brother and their mother’s brother. When he entered religious life, he chose the name Brother Bernard, a name he carried even before his sister married Maxime Bernard. He taught French at Cathedral High School, coached tennis, and served as athletic director, dedicating his life to Catholic education. Today, he is buried at De La Salle, and his legacy continues through the tennis courts at St. John Paul the Great Academy, which are named in his honor.
His influence left a lasting impression on the sisters. “I would visit him and bring him homemade
gingerbread,” June recalls. “We were very close.”
For Maxine, those experiences helped shape a lifelong faith. “It was such a faith-filled school,” she says. “Mount Carmel emphasized religion completely. We learned how to live our faith there.”
That faith extended far beyond the classroom. The sisters celebrated many of their sacraments at St. John Cathedral, from Baptism to First Communion to Marriage, continuing a family tradition centered on faith and community.
“Our whole lives revolved around the Cathedral,” Jan says.
The Next Generation
When the Bernard sisters grew up and began raising families of their own, the decision to send their children to Cathedral-Carmel felt deeply intentional. “My husband and I made it a mission to send our children there,” Denise says. “We wanted them to grow up with the same Catholic faith that shaped us.” Soon the next generation of Bernard cousins filled the classrooms together.
“All of our children, mine and my sisters’, were in school at the same time,” Jan says. “They grew up more like siblings than cousins.” The connections formed there have lasted decades. Even today, the sisters often run into former classmates at Mass, in the grocery store,
or around town. “Our class is still very close,” Jan says. “Fifty years later, we still see each other all the time.”
Flipping through old yearbooks, Jan recalls seeing her godfather, Tommy Gardner (CCHS ‘49) a member of their extended family, crowning the homecoming queen her senior year, while his brother, Jack Gardner (CCHS ‘47), also took part in the ceremony. Moments like that serve as a reminder that Cathedral-Carmel’s story is shared across many families, each connected through generations of students, teachers, and traditions.
As Jan reflects, the legacy of Cathedral-Carmel has many branches, not just their own. For Joan, one of the greatest joys has been seeing the legacy continue through the next generation. “I love going to campus and seeing my grandchildren there,” she says. “And seeing so many grandparents I went to school with, now watching their grandchildren too.”
This year, that legacy feels especially meaningful, as all of the sisters have at least one of their grandchildren attending Cathedral-Carmel, a rare and joyful moment for their family.
Four Generations and Counting
Today, the Bernard family’s Cathedral-Carmel legacy stretches across four generations. Children became parents. Parents became grandparents. And the same school that shaped the Bernard sisters continues to shape the next generation of their family.
For Maxine, the feeling is simple but powerful. “It makes me so happy,” she says. “I feel like they’re getting a wonderful education, and I’m proud that they’re continuing the same legacy.”
But when the sisters talk about that legacy, their thoughts always return to their parents. Their father, who was proud to see his daughters attend his alma mater. Their mother, who worked hard and sacrificed so her children could receive a Catholic education.
Looking around today, at their children, their grandchildren, and the generations still to come, the sisters know exactly how their parents would feel. “They would be so proud,” Jan says softly. In many ways, that pride is what keeps the Bernard legacy alive.
For the Bernard sisters, Cathedral-Carmel was never simply a school. It was the place where their faith
was formed, their friendships were built, and their family’s story began.
And with every new generation of Cathedral-Carmel students, that story continues
Maxime and Ola Mae Bernard
Standing left to right: Joan, June and Maxine. Seated left to right: Maxime, Jan, Denise and Ola Mae. The Family Dog, Okie, rests at their feet.
22nd Annual
Golf Tournament
The Cathedral-Carmel Foundation’s Annual Golf Tournament once again delivered an unforgettable day of energy, camaraderie, and community spirit. Parents, alumni, grandparents, and friends filled the course, turning our signature fundraising event into a vibrant celebration of support and purpose.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our teams, sponsors, and volunteers, the tournament raised nearly $52,000 to sustain the Foundation’s ongoing work.
We are grateful for the enthusiasm that keeps this beloved tradition growing each year, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the course as we aim even higher next year.
Winners 2025
FIRST PLACE
Albert Guilliot
Bill Elliott
Richard Landry
Stephen Landry
THIRD PLACE
Keith Saltzman
Scott Rainwater
Ben Smith
Billy Dressler
CHIPPING CONTEST
Patrick Langlinais
CLOSEST TO HOLE
#9 Mark Knight 11’5”
#4 Digger Barras 2’4”
#14 Blaine Prejean 3’2”
#15 Marcus Bryant 2’10”
SECOND PLACE
Marshal Deaton
Aaron Guidry
Digger Barras
James Joubert
LONGEST DRIVE
#7 Digger Barras
SAVE OCTOBER 5, 2026
Oakbourne Country Club
$52,000 raised 36 teams | 140 GolFers most successful Tournament! over 22 years! $632,000 raised
1st place
Bill Elliott, Richard Landry, Stephen Landry, Albert Guilliot
Digger Barras Longest Drive & Closest-to-Hole
This year, $12,500 was donated to CCS for campus improvements—investing directly in the spaces where our students learn, grow, and thrive.
The Southwest Group Team
Tournament Entry Gifts
Patrick Langlinais | Chipping Winner
Golf Cart Fun
Our Mission
To ser ve as dedicated stewards by expanding endowments and creating giving opportunities, enabling us to f inancially support Cathedral-Carmel School in cultivating lasting legacies and Chr ist-centered students.
Our Purpose
Preser ving our legacy, prepar ing for our f uture.
Sustaining Our Legacy
“He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness.” 2 Corinthians 9:10
For more than twenty years, Cathedral has been our parish home—a place where our faith has been nurtured and our family has grown. Our daughter, Bella, flourished at Cathedral-Carmel School, and the foundation she received there will stay with her for a lifetime. This is one of the many reasons our family chose to establish the Carroll Family Campus Improvement Endowment. This gift is simply our way of saying thank you to CCS for the impact it has had on our family.
We believe that giving back strengthens community and builds lasting bonds. It is especially powerful to know that families directly benefit from the generosity shared by others. As a family, we have always believed that giving is better than receiving, and it warms our hearts to see how even humble generosity can make a lasting difference.
This same sense of gratitude is what led me to serve on the Foundation Board. Serving in this role allows me to help protect and strengthen the mission of
Cathedral-Carmel School—not just for today, but for generations to come. It is deeply meaningful to take part in stewardship that ensures the values and faith that shaped our family will continue to shape others.
Establishing this endowment has also invited us to reflect on what truly fuels our charitable decisions. For us, that motivation comes from the teachings of Jesus Christ. In 2 Corinthians 9:10–12, we are reminded that God gives us the grace to be generous, and that our giving becomes a way of offering thanks to Him.
It is our prayer that this year, and the years ahead, are filled with peace, hope, healing, and generosity. We are grateful to belong to a parish and school community that lives out these values so beautifully.
If you are discerning how to give back in a way that reflects your gratitude and values, I invite you to prayerfully consider establishing a Named Endowment. Through endowment grants and scholarships, we ensure that Cathedral-Carmel continues to form hearts and minds long into the future.
Best
Regards, Tony Carroll, Board Member
The Carroll Family Tony, Bella (‘25), Monica
CHOOSE YOUR CONTRIBUTION LEVEL
• Minimum gift: $10,000
• $100,000+ gifts may be customized and generates ongoing annual support for generations 1
CHOOSE HOW TO GIVE
• Make a one-time gift
• Include CCS Foundation in your planned giving or estate plans 2
• Spread your gift over three years
• Campus Improvement 3
CHOOSE YOUR IMPACT
Direct your annual earnings to one of the following:
• Tuition Assistance
• Teacher Resources
Named Endowments
TUITION • TEACHER • CAMPUS
Tuition Endowment Funds
Providing tuition grants and scholarships that help CCS students continue their education.
CATHEDRAL-CARMEL FOUNDATION TUITION SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to 7th grade students who have attended CCS since Pre-K and embody leadership, service, excellence, and positive influence.
“It motivates me to keep working hard and to make the most of every opportunity.” — Addison Ham, Recipient
MSGR. KEITH DEROUEN TUITION SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to 8th grade students who exemplify leadership, faith, and fellowship.
CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST TUITION GRANT
Awarded to an individual who is both a current student and an active parishioner of the church.
LINDEN J. BERCEGEAY TUITION SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to a 5th grade student who demonstrates perseverance in the classroom, school activities, and spiritual life.
Sarah Hyde, Everett White, Addison Ham, Jeff Lowry
Teacher Endowment Funds
Supporting CCS faculty and staff who play a vital role in student success.
ROBYN & PHIL BOUDREAUX TEACHER GRANT
Awarded for academic, enrichment, or resource programs and materials to enhance student learning proficiency.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS TEACHER GRANT
Awarded to support initiatives that strengthen the Catholic formation of the students.
Mrs. Hallea Ryan
of the Year & Endowment Recipient
PAUL ZEHNDER TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to the Teacher of the Year for materials that enhance the classroom, instruction, and student learning.
“Both honors made me feel seen— not just for test scores or curriculum coverage, but for the relationships I build with students and the effort I put into creating a classroom where every learner feels valued, challenged, and capable.”
— Mrs. Hallea Ryan, 8th grade ELA
Teacher
Campus Endowment Funds
Ensuring CCS remains a beautiful, safe, and welcoming environment for all.
CARROLL FAMILY CAMPUS GRANT
DR. & MRS. ELMO LABORDE CAMPUS GRANT
Assisted with restoring and repainting the campus perimeter fence.
NEWLY SECURED 2025
Named Endowment Funds
MANDIE & JEFFREY LOWRY Teacher Endowment
FR. CHESTER ARCENEAUX
Tuition Endowment
MANNING FAMILY
Teacher Endowment
KAY & CHARLES OGE’ Tuition Endowment
We extend a heartfelt thank you to our generous benefactors who established new endowments this year.
Financial Growth
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first-fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” Proverbs 3:9–10
Explore Your Giving Options
IRA DISTRIBUTIONS — If you are 70 ½ or older, you can give a tax-free gift directly from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
STOCKS, SECURITIES, AND REAL ESTATE — Donating appreciated stocks, securities, or real estate can be a tax-efficient way to support the Foundation - capital gains taxes on the increased value of those shares over the years.
DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS — Establishing a donor-advised fund allows you to make a tax-deductible contribution to the fund and recommend grants to the Foundation over time.
LIFE INSURANCE — Naming the Foundation as a beneficiary or transferring ownership of a life insurance policy qualifies as a charitable deduction for the cash surrender value or premiums paid.
BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS — Donors can name the Foundation as a beneficiary of their retirement plans, IRAs, or life insurance policies.
WILL BEQUESTS — Including the Foundation in your will or trust is a meaningful way to leave a legacy. This planned gift can reduce estate taxes and ensure future support for our school.
CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUSTS — Establishing a trust provides you with an income stream while benefiting the Foundation.
CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES — A charitable gift annuity provides donors with fixed payments for life in exchange for a donation.
PROPERTY DONATIONS — Donating real estate, such as a home or land, can provide significant tax benefits.
RETAINED LIFE ESTATE — Donors may transfer ownership of their home or farm to the Foundation while retaining the right to live on the property for life.
EMPLOYER MATCH — Explore whether your employer participates in a matching charitable gift program, effortlessly doubling or even tripling the value of your donation.
UNRESTRICTED CASH GIFT
PERPETUAL PLEDGE
GIFT IN-KIND
HONOR/MEMORIAL GIFTS
ANNUAL GIVING
LEGACY BRICK PAVER
GOLF TOURNAMENT
NAMED ENDOWMENT FUND
The Hightower Family Living our Legacy
Long before they were parents bringing their children into Cathedral-Carmel School, Paige Hensgens Hightower and Thomas “Trey” R. Hightower, III were students walking those same halls themselves.
Both attended Cathedral-Carmel as students, Paige from 1993 to 2001 and Trey from 1987 to 1997, shaped by the same traditions, teachers, and rhythms of school life. Though their years overlapped, they experienced the school in different seasons.
Four grades apart, they spent their days in different buildings, moving through the same community in distinct ways. Paige was in the same grade as Trey’s younger brother, Tad, from kindergarten through senior year at STM, and had known Trey’s family since she was five years old, growing up alongside them without ever imagining how closely their stories would one day align.
Their connection to Cathedral-Carmel extends well beyond their own years as students. It is part of a larger family legacy rooted in Mount Carmel and Cathedral-Carmel traditions. Paige’s paternal grandmother, Gloria Deshotels Hensgens (Mt. Carmel ’45), and Trey’s maternal grandmother, Nancy Josephine Theriot Texada (Mt. Carmel ’53), were both part of that foundation. That legacy continued through their own generation with siblings Eleanor Hightower James (CCS ’98), Charles “Tad” Hightower (CCS ’01), and Anna Hensgens (CCS ’04).
It was not until after college that Paige and Trey’s relationship began. The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist held a special place in that story, where they were both engaged and later married, marking the beginning of their life together. Years later, that same foundation would bring them back to Cathedral-Carmel, this time as parents.
Today, with four children, Thomas and Joseph, twins in first grade, Michael, in Pre-K, and Melanie Marie, who will begin Pre-K in the fall of 2026, their connection to Cathedral-Carmel has come full circle.
The same school that shaped their own experiences is now shaping the daily lives of their children.
That legacy is shared across their extended family as well, with cousins now attending Cathedral-Carmel
together, Charlie Hightower, in second grade, and Lucy Hightower, in Pre-K, with their younger sibling, Jack Hightower, set to begin next year. Together, they are growing up in the same classrooms and traditions that once shaped their parents.
Their memories of Cathedral-Carmel are marked by moments that have stayed with them long after their years on campus. For Paige, she remembers waiting in a long line of students outside the old library under the pavilion, each one eager for a moment with former principal Mr. Bercegeay. “He gave me the biggest bear hug,” she recalls. “And I now realize he gave that same love and attention to hundreds of
students, every single day.”
That sense of being known and cared for extended into the classroom. Paige speaks with particular gratitude for the teachers who shaped her, especially Mrs. Kerne, her fifth-grade history and science teacher, whose storytelling brought lessons to life in a way that felt real and engaging.
Another lasting memory comes from her third grade teacher, Ms. Ficaro. “I distinctly remember her stopping to pray at Mary’s statue on the front lawn before school,” Paige says. “That image has stayed with me. I still think about it every time I pass by.”
For Trey, his experience at Cathedral-Carmel was just as formative, shaped by mentors who emphasized discipline, leadership, and respect. When asked about his favorite memory, Trey answers without hesitation.
“Never losing to Fatima in any sport.” It is a response that reflects both the spirited rivalry, and the pride students carry long after their school days.
He also acknowledges the influence of leaders like Mr. Bercegeay and Coach Larry Comeaux. “They were tough leaders who taught us that respect was earned,” Trey says. “But they were sincere, and they brought out your best.”
Beyond the classroom, Trey remembers an environment that offered opportunities to grow, compete, and build friendships that have lasted well beyond graduation.
Those experiences shaped not only who Paige and Trey became, but what they hoped to give their own children.
Choosing Cathedral-Carmel for their family was something they approached with intention and gratitude. “We wanted them to experience the same strong academic foundation and faith-filled environment that shaped our childhood,” they share. “A place where faith is part of everyday life was very important to our family.” Now, as parents, they see
Paige Hensgens smiles for her 3rd grade school portrait
those lessons taking root in meaningful and deeply personal ways.
One day, their son Joseph began walking around the house reciting a prayer Paige had never heard before, carefully explaining what it meant and why they say it. Thomas reminds the family to say blessings before meals and at bedtime, often repeating what he has learned in class. And their youngest son, Michael, recently offered a simple but powerful reminder: “We must always go to Mass, ok, Momma?”
“There is nothing more meaningful than hearing your children speak so eagerly and lovingly about prayer and the Church,” they share.
As they look at Cathedral-Carmel today, Paige and Trey see a school that has grown and adapted while holding onto the values that shaped their own experience.
“Although CCS has adapted to the modern learning environment, the value system is still very much alive,” Trey says. They believe the energy on campus has only grown stronger, with families, faculty, and students all invested in continuing that momentum.
During their tour of Cathedral-Carmel, former Director of Admissions, Jan Lochridge, shared an observation that stayed with them. “The children here are just very happy,” she said. “You can see it on their faces every day.”
For Paige and Trey, that happiness reflects something deeper, a place where children are known, supported, and encouraged in every aspect of their lives.
Encouraging other families to choose CathedralCarmel comes easily to them. “We encourage others to choose Cathedral-Carmel School for the principles it was founded upon, the rich Carmelite and Christian Brother heritage, and the enduring legacy of Catholic education rooted in faith, discipline, and care for the whole child,” they share.
For their own family, that legacy is something they see every single day, and something they carry with deep pride.
“We take great pride in sending our children to school in the brown and white uniforms,” they share. “It is a daily reminder that our children are part of something far greater.”
There is a deep sense of gratitude in that, knowing their children are walking the same halls, forming the same foundations, and growing in the same faith that shaped their own lives.
And in watching that unfold, Paige and Trey are not simply remembering their time at Cathedral-Carmel, they are living it again through their children, with a deeper appreciation for all that the school has meant to their family and all that it continues to give.
Trey Hightower on the run during his eighth grade football season
From Our Pastor
My Dear Cathedral Families, can scarcely express.
As we celebrate the 180th anniversary of Cathedral-Carmel School, I am filled with deep gratitude and a profound sense of joy. This milestone invites us not only to look back on a rich and faithful history, but also to recognize the countless individuals whose dedication and sacrifice have made this moment possible.
For 180 years, Cathedral-Carmel School has been a community rooted in faith, guided by values, and committed to forming the whole person. Generations of students have walked these halls, carrying with them the lessons learned here into their families, their professions, and their service to the Church and society. Their lives stand as a testament to the strength and purpose of this institution.
I am especially mindful of the clergy, religious, educators, and families who have sustained this mission across the decades. Through times of challenge and change, their steadfast commitment ensured that the light of faith and learning continued to shine brightly. We owe them a debt of gratitude that words
What is most inspiring; however, is that the spirit which guided the founding of Cathedral-Carmel School remains alive today. In the enthusiasm of our students, the dedication of our teachers, and the support of our families, we see a vibrant continuation of that original vision. This is not merely a celebration of the past, but a living witness to a mission that endures.
As we mark this 180th year, let us do so with thankful hearts and renewed purpose. May we continue to nurture minds, strengthen faith, and serve one another with generosity and love.
Be assured of my prayers for the Cathedral-Carmel School community and for all who will carry its legacy forward in the years to come. May God bless each of you as we move forward together in faith and service.
Sincerely,
Very Rev. Chester Arceneaux, VF Pastor | Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
From Our Principal
My Dear CCS Families,
This year, Cathedral-Carmel School reaches an extraordinary milestone: 180 years of excellence in Catholic education. I am profoundly grateful for the foundation laid by generations of families, board members, alumni, grandparents, and parishioners. Their dedication, through prayer, donations, and hard work has sustained our school’s legacy, and this anniversary invites us not only to celebrate, but also to reflect on the history that brought us here.
My prayer is that future families will be able to look back with pride and gratitude on the efforts and accomplishments of those of us who serve today. There is a unique sense of fulfillment that comes from building something meaningful and lasting, yet, in the moment, we often fail to recognize the true significance of what we are creating together. With time, a glance in the rearview mirror reveals that every effort, every act of love, and every investment in our mission, ultimately benefits the children of Cathedral-Carmel and our community as a whole. We are not only educating capable young citizens but are also forming young hearts to know and love God, and I believe that history will look kindly on what we have accomplished.
The familiar line from the 1989 film Field of Dreams — “If you build it, they will come” — captures the spirit of our shared vision.
Together, we continue to build a school community, rooted in academic excellence
and strong Catholic values. If the majestic Cathedral oak tree next to our school could speak, I am sure the encouraging message would be “stay rooted in Christ” and you will be just fine! We thank you once again and ask for your prayers and your continued efforts in shaping our collective future.
With a full heart, I remain,
Kay B. Aillet, CCS Principal
Join Us In Prayer
School Prayer
We thank You for our Cathedral-Carmel School community; our faculty and staff, our students, our parents, our priests, our supporters and friends. Each day, You give Yourself to us. We now gather in Your name and we give ourselves back to You and ask for Your protection. Be with us today. Act within us and through us. Accomplish in us all that we need to do Your will and to reflect the values You taught us. We take a moment to silently pray for all of our special intentions. We ask this in Your name and in the name of Mary, our Mother.
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, pray for us. St. John Baptist de LaSalle, pray for us. St. John the Evangelist, pray for us. Live Jesus in our hearts, forever. Amen.
Cut Here and Join Us In Daily Prayer
THE YEAR OF
The virtue of charity, received at baptism and strengthened by faith, is much more than simple kindness. While often seen as being nice or helpful, Christian charity is deeper: it is loving God above all and loving our neighbor as ourselves for God’s sake.
Charity shapes how we treat others, moving us beyond selfishness and teaching us to love as Christ does. Through charity, our actions reflect God’s love and remind us every person is created in His image, deserving dignity and respect.
Charity is not just a feeling but a daily choice, strengthened through small acts—welcoming others, helping without being asked, speaking
Join Cathedral-Carmel School in prayer as we grow closer to Jesus by living out His virtues. The Virtues in Practice program, focuses on a new virtue each year—centered on Faith (’23–’24), Hope (’24–’25), and Charity (’25–’26).
kindly, and choosing mercy. When charity guides us, our school and homes show Christ’s love in action.
Saint John Baptist de La Salle modeled charity through service, especially in educating and caring for the poor. Saint John the Evangelist shows us charity is rooted in a relationship with Christ, while Our Lady of Mount Carmel reminds us it begins with listening to God and responding in faith.
As a school, we are called to grow in charity daily. By loving God and one another with patience, we are witnessed to Christ’s transforming love and help lead others closer to Him.
Act of Charity Prayer
O my God, I love You above all things with my whole heart and soul, because You are all-good and worthy of all my love.
I love my neighbor as myself for love of You. I forgive all who have offended me, and I ask forgiveness of all whom I have offended.
Lord, help me to love as You love, in my words, my actions, and my choices, today and always. Amen.
Cut Here and Join Us In Daily Prayer
MARY CARROLL
4th grade • September: Charity
Being kind and showing Jesus’s love is the best way to show Charity. You always want to make good choices. Sometimes it is hard to do the right thing and even if you do the wrong thing Jesus will be a little disappointed but you should always remember that Jesus is never going to stop loving you.
ISABELLA ROMERO
8th grade • January: Fortitude
Jesus has made himself known through the virtue of Fortitude by always being around me at campus.
I can tell he is there through nature, people, and many others. This shows me how much God cares about us and how much more he has instored for us.
CONNOR PRIMEAUX
3rd grade • October: Friendship
The Virtue of Friendship means treating others with kindness and respect, just like Jesus did.
WILLIAM BAUMER
5th grade • December: Purity
Jesus made himself known to me by the theological virtue of purity by filling my heart with goodness. I can tell Jesus is in me because I hear his voice when I do something bad and good, telling me what’s right and wrong.
ARDEN BRONZOULIS
8th grade • February: Prudence
Jesus has made himself known through the monthly virtue of prudence by giving me the strength to make the right decisions in times of hardship. He has also given me the wisdom to know which decisions I should be making in certain situations.
Kindergarten • April: Forgiveness
Forgiveness means that we forgive people and if we forgive them they would forgive us and they would not be mean to us and they would actually want to be our best, best friend!
COLLINS BEGNAUD
Preservation istoric
PRESERVING OUR LEGACY, BUILDING OUR FUTURE
In November 2025, we raised our glasses in a joyful champagne toast to honor the incredible generosity of our Preservation Donors who helped us complete Phases 1 and 2; and proudly unveiled the beautifully restored Middle School Building. From the sacred renewal of our chapel and new confessional to the impressive Science Lab and vibrant classrooms, every corner reflected the love and dedication poured into this project.
In the future, we hope to embark on plans for Phase 3 involving new classroom windows in grades 2nd-4th, transitioning from window units to central AC/Heat, and installing new LED light fixtures and ceiling tiles.
The continued success of Cathedral-Carmel School is possible with the generosity of our parents, grandparents, alumni, and community supporters. Together, a legacy of academic excellence, a strong Roman Catholic identity, and a spirit of growth endures.
We invite you to consider making a donation— large or small—to support continuous classroom and campus improvements. Every contribution helps create a more enriching, safe, and inspiring learning environment for our students. Your generosity makes a lasting impact.
PRESERVE THE LEGACY, DONATE TODAY!
Contact Sarah Hyde Foundation Director
(337) 235-5577
shyde@cathedralcarmel.net
foundation@cathedralcarmel.net
www.cathedralcarmel.com
Capital Campaign
A Sacred Renewal
CHAPEL RESTORATION
The Chapel has undergone a thoughtful restoration, honoring its spiritual purpose and architectural beauty. A newly added confessional offers students a quiet, dignified space for reflection and reconciliation. The original wood floors have been refinished, preserving the character of the space where tradition meets renewal–inviting all to pause, reflect, and find peace.
A Golden OPPORTUNITY
Legacy Square
Paving the way from the past to the future!
Each Spring and Fall, the Cathedral-Carmel Foundation provides a special opportunity to all Tiger fans to purchase a personalized engraved Legacy Brick.
Up to (3) lines of text (20) characters per line 4X8” BRICK $100 LEGACY BRICK
EVERY BRICK PURCHASED WILL HELP FUND CAMPUS BEAUTIFICATION.
Your personalized brick is placed in Legacy Square (around the flagpoles on the front lawn of campus).
A lasting tribute to honor or memorialize a family member or loved one, to pay tribute to a favorite mentor, commemorate a special event, or leave your mark as a graduate!
The Perfect Gift.
Scan QR code to purchase a brick or mail checks payable to:
Cathedral-Carmel Foundation
848 St. John Street, Lafayette, LA 70501
Alumni Spotlight
T-he spirit, culture, -and the musical -heritage of our community come to life through alumni like Michael Doucet. A proud graduate of Cathedral High School’s Class of 1969, Doucet has spent decades preserving and elevating Cajun music on a global stage as the founder and frontman of multi Grammy award winning group, BeauSoleil. His passion for tradition and excellence reflects the same values that have long defined the Cathedral-Carmel experience.
Cathedral Memories
What are some of your favorite memories from your time at Cathedral?
• Consolidation with the Mount Carmel girls (we were juniors)!
• The Christian Brothers replaced by Mount Carmel nuns.
• Playing guitar & drums for our Victory dance after playing an entire football game.
• Going to rally at LSU for Ms. Grimsel’s mixed quartet & getting the only Superior score in the state of Louisiana plus partial scholarship to LSU.
Were there any teachers, mentors, friendships or experiences at Cathedral that had a lasting impact on you? Brother Faber, period! Gale Breaux teaching us fractions; no horse/cows! I think the CCHS friendships were life-long endeavors. I was able to get to know a cross section of Lafayette’s society.
Early Musical Experience
Were you already playing music while you were a student, or did that journey begin later? Haha! I played trumpet & French horn in our marching band until 9th grade. Be it known that we had to go to morning practice before school and we were not given school credit. However, we had great instructors like Charles Major, Harry St. Pierre, Mr. Buras & Brother Marcel.
Who were some of your earliest musical influences growing up in Acadiana? Bobby Charles, Harry St. Pierre, Harry Grieg Swing Orchestra
Michael Doucet
FOUNDER OF BEAUSOLEIL
CCS CLASS OF 1969
What stands out in your memory about the first time you played music in front of a large audience? It was where I belonged.
Career and Achievements
You’ve spent decades sharing Cajun music with audiences around the world. What has been one of the most meaningful moments of your career? Being the first Cajun group to garner a Grammy win in 1998, but there are dozens of other highlights as well.
As the founder of BeauSoleil, your work has played an important role in preserving both the culture and the language. What has it been like watching Cajun music gain positive global recognition? I love it that people now know so much more about our French Acadian heritage than in the 1970s. It was a much smaller world back then.
You were recently honored as Louisiana’s Humanist of the Year—what did that recognition mean to you personally? I was both honored and humbled by the award, but awards are not the reason I continue to perform. It’s music from my family, my culture, and my heart. In 1986, BeauSoleil set out to ‘Cajunize’ the United States, and we’ve carried that mission forward ever since—proud to have performed in all 50 states more than three times each.
Advice for Students
What advice would you give to Cathedral students who are pursuing their passions—whether in music, the arts, or another field? Follow your heart and do the right thing.
What qualities or habits do you think helped you succeed in your career? Practice, practice, practice!
Looking back, did you ever imagine that a kid from Lafayette would one day be sharing Cajun music with audiences around the world? Of course!
Leading
The Alleman Family our Legacy
Legacy takes many forms at Cathedral-Carmel School. For some families, it is lovingly passed down through generations. For others, it begins with a single, faithfilled decision. For Katie and Jake Alleman, CathedralCarmel represents the beginning of their family’s legacy, a place where they prayerfully chose to plant roots, trusting that their children would grow spiritually, academically, and personally within its Christ-centered community.
Katie grew up in Abbeville, attending Mount Carmel Elementary before graduating from Vermilion Catholic High School and later LSU. Jake was raised in Rayne, graduating from Rayne High School before earning his degree at LSU. Though their childhoods were rooted in different towns, both were formed in communities where faith and family were foundational. Those early experiences would later influence the decisions they made for their own children.
After graduating from LSU, Katie began her teaching career in the Lafayette Parish School System, where she taught for eight years. Yet even in those early professional years, she sensed that her journey might eventually lead her back to Catholic education. “In the back of my mind, I always knew I would move to a Catholic school,” she reflects. When she became a mother, that quiet pull grew stronger. She felt deeply that she wanted to teach at the same school her children would attend, a place where faith would not simply be taught but lived.
That nudge became reality when a friend and former coworker called to share that Cathedral-Carmel had an opening for a fifth-grade language arts teacher. Katie interviewed, was offered the position, and stepped into what she describes as perfect timing. “It felt like it was meant to be,” she shares. What began as a professional transition quickly became something far more meaningful. Katie would go on to teach at Cathedral-Carmel for eight years, a season that laid the foundation for Charlotte and Alice to follow in her footsteps as students.
Today, Charlotte is headed into eighth grade and Alice is into fourth, each building her own memories within the same halls where their mother once taught. For Katie and Jake, choosing Cathedral-Carmel was grounded in a shared desire: that their daughters would deepen their faith, develop solid values, and receive a strong academic education to prepare them for the future. Being able to work at the school where her children learned was an added blessing, weaving family life and vocation together in a beautiful way.
Katie remembers the exact moment she knew
Cathedral-Carmel was the right fit. Attending her first school Mass, she was struck by the sincerity of the faith-filled community. Fr. Chester’s homilies felt genuine and relatable, and the sweet voices of children singing stirred something deep within her. “Those weekly Masses would fill my heart with so much joy,” she recalls. In that moment, she saw not just a school, but a community centered on Christ.
The Alleman family’s favorite memories reflect the richness of that experience. Katie smiles when recalling faculty Christmas parties during her teaching years. Charlotte treasures her Grand Canyon field trip, while Jake cherishes the opportunity to share that adventure alongside her. Alice fondly remembers running in the Color Run. Each memory is distinct, yet together they form a mosaic of shared experiences that bind their family to Cathedral-Carmel in lasting ways.
Beyond academics and activities, the Alleman family speaks most profoundly about community. CathedralCarmel has not only provided a well-rounded education for Charlotte and Alice but has also strengthened their faith within a supportive and loving environment. The girls are encouraged to work hard, pursue excellence, and grow in virtue, lessons that will extend far beyond their years in elementary and middle school.
For Katie and Jake, one of the most powerful aspects of Cathedral-Carmel is the countless opportunities for involvement through volunteering, ACTS, parish life, and friendships formed with other families. Those relationships have proven especially meaningful during life’s most difficult seasons.
When the Alleman family experienced the heartbreaking loss of their son, Will, the school and church community wrapped their arms around them. Through prayer, meals, cards, gifts, and steadfast presence, Cathedral-
Carmel demonstrated the tangible strength of a faithfilled community. It was in those moments that the Alleman family witnessed the true power of belonging. In time, they chose to honor Will’s life by establishing a foundation in his name, one that now helps other families grow through the adoption process.
When asked what it means to lead their legacy, Katie reflects thoughtfully: “To me, leading my legacy means striving daily to serve others, model kindness, and become a person I would be proud to be remembered by.” It is a legacy not measured solely by achievements, but by love, service, and faith lived consistently.
Looking ahead, Katie and Jake hope their daughters will continue forming genuine, lifelong friendships while deepening their love of learning. They pray that one day Charlotte and Alice will look back on their years at Cathedral-Carmel and remember supportive teachers, joyful moments, lessons learned, and days filled with laughter.
To families just beginning their journey at CathedralCarmel, Katie offers both reassurance and a smile: “You’ve made an amazing choice. And read the Weekly Roar, or you’ll be forever confused about what’s going on.”
It is advice offered with warmth and humor, but beneath it lies a deeper truth. Cathedral-Carmel is more than a school. For the Alleman family, it is a place where faith is strengthened, friendships are formed, and community carries one another through both joy and sorrow. In
leading their legacy, the Allemans remind us that sometimes the most meaningful journeys begin with a quiet nudge and a willingness to follow where God leads.
Alice (3rd grade) enjoying the Color Run with friends in Kindergarten
Jake and Charlotte pause to enjoy the Grand Canyon views during the 6th grade CCS trip
PRESERVING OUR LEGACY, PREPARING FOR OUR FUTURE.