Announcements
New executive director for local Catholic Charities named
Nicole Bourgeois, Ph.D., LMFT
Nicole Bourgeois, Ph.D., LMFT, has been named as the new executive director for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, effective April 1. She will replace Robert Gorman, who is retiring June 30, 2019, after 37 years of service to the diocese.
The Raceland native graduated from Central Lafourche High School and went on to attend the Louisiana Scholars’ College at Northwestern State University where she earned a bachelor of science degree in psychology, the University of Louisiana at Monroe where she earned a master of arts degree in marriage and family therapy, and St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX, where she earned a doctor of philosophy in marriage and family therapy. Her former employment includes marriage and family therapist and owner of Beehive Behavioral Health, LLC; therapist at the Teche Action Clinic; adjunct professor at Northcentral University, Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Xavier University in New Orleans and Texas A&M–Central Texas.
She is a parishioner of St. Charles Borromeo Church parish in the St. Charles Community. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to help serve the people of our area and beyond through the many different ministries that Catholic Charities has to offer. I am honored and humbled to be chosen to follow Rob Gorman as he retires, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from his experience in this transition,” says Bourgeois. “I am also looking forward to working with the staff and volunteers to answer the call to meet the needs that are currently being unmet in our diocese. By working together, we can truly make a difference in our world. As Dr. Seuss’ Lorax says, ‘Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.’” BC
Steubenville on the Bayou Conference is June 14-16 By SHAWN LAPEYROUSE It’s that time of year again … when we all start to look back on our relationship with Christ … a time for reflection, it’s Lent! And as we prepare to celebrate Easter, the day of our risen Lord, the pinnacle of our Christian Catholic faith, we must also look into the future and consider what our faith journey will look like beyond the Easter Season and the rest of our life. How can we make sure our relationship with God remains strong? What is something we can do or experience, to keep that faith? In June, Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH, and Lift 3:16, Inc. of Houma, will offer the Steubenville on the Bayou Catholic Youth Conference and in September, Lift 3:16, Inc. will offer the Lift Adult Conference. Both of these events will offer the participants opportunities to encounter Christ in a deeper, more fulfilling way. The Steubenville on the Bayou Catholic Youth Conference will be held June 14-16 at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center in Houma. This conference will feature speakers from all around the country who have made it their life’s mission to reach out to the youth today, to make sure they each have a chance to truly know the love of God our Father! The 2019 Bayou speakers include: Chris Stefanick, Sarah Swafford, Father Rick Martignetti, Brian Greenfield and Michael Gormley. The worship band, More Than Sunday, will lead attendees into deeper worship throughout the weekend. Bishop Emeritus Sam G. Jacobs will also be present throughout the weekend and Bishop Shelton Fabre of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux will preside over the 34 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • April 2019
closing Mass on Sunday. This dynamic group of speakers, musicians and religious will lead the youth through a unique journey to build their relationship with Christ, sending them home with tips on how to continue to keep that relationship vibrant and relevant. Those interested in attending the Steubenville on the Bayou Catholic Youth Conference should reach out to their church parish’s youth minister to register, as each attendee must register with a group. If your church parish is not sending a group, we encourage you to reach out to the Lift 3:16, Inc. office to find out which parishes near you are attending – many groups are willing to take any youth interested in attending this event. Registration is limited so we strongly recommend that you register sooner than later! Any youth ministers or parents wishing to register a group can do so via our website! The Lift Adult Conference will be held Sept. 27-29 at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. This event will be similar to the youth conference’s schedule and is open to anyone 18 years of age or older. Adults may register individually or we encourage church parishes to form groups: Register a dozen people and we’ll make it a “baker’s dozen” for the same price … for every 12 people registered with your one group, you’ll register the 13th person at no charge! More information will be coming soon, but mark your calendars for this amazing lifechanging event! You can reach the Lift 3:16, Inc. office at info@lift316.com. We also invite you to visit our website at www.Lift316.com. BC