Deacon Paul Soileau

Deacon Paul Soileau worked for Dow Chemical as chemical engineer for more than 32 years when he retired in September 2020. During those years, he managed large organizations and counseled other employees about their retirement. It was those counseling sessions that lead him to his own calling, a vocation in ministry.

“I would always ask them what they were going to do after retirement since many were retiring in their mid-to-late fifties,” said Deacon Soileau.  “In that discussion I would mentor them to be sure to have a plan, not for financials but for how they would spend their time after retirement that was meaningful to them and would occupy their time.  After having that discussion many times, I began to think about my own plan which then caused me to think about what I enjoyed doing that was meaningful and worthwhile. 

“This naturally led me to consider further study of the church and Scripture.  About the same time, the priest shortage began to get more press, and so I wanted to help that issue too.  Matching these two interests resulted in pursuing the diaconate.” 

Deacon Soileau and his wife Jill, both natives of Harahan, have been married for 37 years and have two children, Madelene, 26, and Gabriel, 23. The couple grew up attending Catholic schools in New Orleans and Deacon Soileau credits his parents for instilling a strong Catholic faith for he and his five brothers and sister. 

Deacon Soileau graduated from Louisiana Tech University, then started his new life in Baton Rouge with Jill and a job with Dow.

“After college, Jill and I were married and began exploring our Catholic faith, first with Bible studies, a trip to Medjugorje and then teaching parish school of religion (PSR),” said Deacon Soileau. “These were very formative years that set into motion a deep desire to learn more and more about our faith.  All through our married life we have been very active in Bible and ecclesial studies and retreats.”

Deacon Soileau said the most challenging part of his studies for the diaconate was the amount of reading and writing involved, which was something he was unaccustomed to as an engineer.

“The theologians at FranU (Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University) really challenged us with not only many readings but the length of the readings,” said Deacon Soileau. “Only by God’s grace was I able to get through them while working full-time.  It seemed so insurmountable at times, but it never failed, I always got through them.”

Deacon Soileau credits his wife with helping him stay focused and encouraging him to continue on. Deacon Soileau has been assigned to St. Thomas More Church in Baton Rouge. 

“I’m excited about becoming a deacon to serve the priests and (Bishop Michael G. Duca) as needed.  I look forward to assist with the hospital and nursing home ministries as well as adult formation and Bible studies,” he said.