Amite City Council Introduces Ordinance to Rename Street in Honor of Father Mark Beard

For 12 years, Father Mark Beard shepherded St. Helena Church in Amite, a flock he grew to love.   

His ministry was life-changing for many, a source of inspiration for Catholics but others as well. He had emerged as not only the face of St. Helena but also for the tiny hamlet of Amite, tucked away in northern Tangipahoa Civil Parish.  

This past August, the heart of the Amite community was shattered when Father Beard was killed in a single vehicle crash on Interstate 55 while returning home from his beloved Our Lady of Hope Center in Chattawa, Mississippi. Eight months later the city continues to recover, but his presence will forever be remembered.  

As testament to Father Beard’s impact on the community, Amite City Council members on April 2 introduced an ordinance that would rename the street in front of St. Helena, where Father Beard served as pastor from 2011 until his death in 2023, in his honor. The ordinance, which is scheduled to go to a final vote at the council’s May 7 meeting, would rename the 200 block of West Chestnut Street to Father Mark’s Way.  

“On behalf of the family, it is quite an honor, and we appreciate it,” said Gary Beard, Mark’s brother, as he fought through tears while addressing the council.  

As presented, the ordinance states that Father Beard impacted the Amite community in a way that will benefit the town for years to come. The ordinance went on to say Father Beard “gave his all to the Catholic Church, to his family and to the community.” 

“He imparted spirituality, wisdom, love and vision to all he met,” the ordinance reads.  

“The people of this area meant a lot to Mark,” Gary Beard said. “He loved you as do I.” 

“We are even planning to bring our business (Consolidated Services) here,” he said. “The Beard family plans to be here for a long time.” 

St. Helena parishioner Betsy Donnelly told the council she can think of no one more deserving to have a street named after Father Beard. 

“If you know Father Mark, and most everybody in our town did, it didn’t matter what color you were, it didn’t matter what religion you were, if you had a problem and needed to speak to someone about anything his door was always open,” Donnelly said. “He was just a special man. We’ll never replace him. We just think this would be an honor well deserving of him.” 

Following the meeting, Gary Beard said jokingly of the new street name that “from a human perspective I always thought Mark got his way.” 

On a more serious note, Gary Beard discussed how much his brother loved the city, its residents and how much he loved being in Amite.  

“For our family, it is such an honor; it’s so wonderful,” he said.  

Donnelly, also after the meeting, said she still misses Father Beard and daily he is in her thoughts. 

“He meant everything to me, he turned my life around,” she said. “He was a just a wonderful teacher. A wonderful leader, He taught us our faith.” 

Father Miles Walsh is serving as interim pastor until a new pastor is appointed by Bishop Michael G. Duca.