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August 15, 2011 Meet Deacon Candidate
Meet Deacon Candidate
Emile J. Barre
Roderick “Benny” Broussard
Home Parish: St. Joseph’s, Colfax and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Tioga
Home Parish: Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Alexandria
Occupation: Commercial salesman
Occupation: Retired educator
Marital Status: Married 6 years to Lynnette Barre
Marital Status: Married 50 years to Nelwyn “Joy” Oxley Broussard
Military: Louisiana Air National Guard
Education: BA in Education, M.Ed., +30 Graduate Hours
Parish Involvement: 20 years as a CCD teacher, youth director, Steubenville, Knights of Columbus Why I became a Deacon: Several unrelated instances, over a period of many years, kept bringing the term “deacon” into my life. Before I even knew about the diaconate program, my mother use to call me “deacon.” About 10 years ago, one of my fellow deacon candidates, Mike Young, asked me if I wanted to attend diaconate classes. I said no at that time, because I was involved in so many ministries. Then about five years ago, I picked up a Church Today and noticed on the front page, that a new diaconate program was being formed in the diocese. That’s when I felt God calling me to this ministry. Ministry Interests: Teaching and music, working with young adults, working with the elderly. Most inspiring part of the program:: All of the professors and presentations
Parish Involvement: Third Degree Knight of Columbus, Council 8029; lector, Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist at OLPS and at Rapides Regional Hospital, acolyte.
Emile J. Barre were great, informative and interesting. But the most inspiring part of the program was the week spent at the arch-abbey, St. Meinrad. Participating in daily prayer with the monks and the quiet setting and solitude of such a beautiful part of God’s creation provided an ideal opportunity for self-reflection and discernment on the ministry I am pursuing. Thank you: To my wife Lynnette, who has been unwavering in her support from the beginning; and to the priests in my life, over the past 20 years, who have guided me, advised me, and encouraged me on my journey of faith, especially Father Gerald Foley.
Why I became a Deacon: I have spent my entire life in service to others as a teacher and principal. Since my retirement, God has given me graces and blessings encouraging me to answer His call to serve as an ordained deacon. Influences in Faith Journey: One Sunday in Church, I heard Father Jim Foster say he needed someone to help him with his ministry. I felt God telling to me to go to the sacristy after Mass and offer my assistance to Father. Within a few months of helping, Father Foster began encouraging me to become a deacon. I went to the diocese and inquired about the diaconate program. With God’s graces, I enrolled in the program and am now
Benny Broussard in my fifth and final year of diaconate studies. Ministry interests: Hospital ministry, assisting the home bound, and assisting at Mass. Most inspiring part of program: The most inspiring part of the program is the knowledge I have gained about my faith. This knowledge has strengthened me in my faith and has instilled in me a desire to serve as one of God’s laborers. Thank You: To my wife Joy, my family, Father Jim Foster, Father Dan O’Connor, Bishop Herzog, and all the diaconate candidates and their wives.