History reigns

Thunderstorms in the surrounding area on April 15 threatened to dampen Ascension of Our Lord Church in Donaldsonville’s 250th anniversary celebration. But the church’s “rain or shine” outlook and people’s prayers helped keep the rain at abeyance and added extra joy as the church celebrated its history of being “living stones” of the church in the community.

Bishop Michael G. Duca was joined by Bishop Emeritus Robert W. Muench and priests of the Diocese of Baton Rouge with special ties to the church for the celebration.

In his homily, Bishop Duca, a Dallas native, noted that when it comes to a church celebration, such as the building of a new church or the anniversary of the church, he thinks of his experiences with the church in the city in which he was raised.

He noted that in his life, in everything, from his parent’s marriage, his baptism, attending Catholic Schools and seminary and then his ordination, the church was “already there” to make it possible.

“I thought the church was there waiting for me,” said Bishop Duca.

But the realization is that the church “hasn’t always been there.” It was built up by people who have gone before who sacrificed and committed themselves in order to prepare a place for following generations, said the bishop.

“Today we stand on 250 years of living stones, the life and breath of people who sacrificed, who committed themselves, who lived with difficulties of history,  of nature, disease; who lived through ‘differences of opinion’ between the (arch) bishop and the parish; lived through years of building this church, but always staying committed and always being here to live out their lives as disciples of Jesus Christ so that others who came after them would have a place. The church would be waiting for them for the next generation.

“And we today celebrate, remember, give thanks to God for their good, faithful labors over the years.”

The bishop said he likes to use the definition of celebration as “taking time to really enjoy and give thanks for something that is already ours.”

“Today we celebrate the mystery, the wonder of Ascension Parish in 250 years of witnessing to Christ in the world,” said the bishop.

With the celebration comes an awareness that the church is more than a physical structure, which can always be destroyed, such as by as a storm, noted Bishop Duca. He emphasized the church is the people, the body of Christ.

The church building is a physical representation of the “church alive” and is meant to be a place of holiness where the body of people receive the sacraments and live as a community and go forth to be witnesses of the living church, according to the bishop.

Father Matthew Dupré, pastor of Ascension of Our Lord, thanked Bishop Duca and Bishop Muench, his fellow priests, deacons and Donaldsonville Mayor Leroy Sullivan. The mayor had presented Father Dupré with a proclamation declaring April 15 as Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ Day in Donaldsonville.

Father Dupré also expressed his pride in the Ascension community for their hard work in planning the anniversary celebration.

“Many, many months ago I was visiting with a friend in Baton Rouge and I was lamenting the fact that the COVID pandemic would cause us to miss the 250th anniversary of Ascension of Our Lord parish,” Father Dupré said. “The response I received from this friend was that the 250th anniversary was too special of an occasion to skip over and that it needed to be celebrated, especially after all the isolation we experienced during the pandemic. And she was right.

“Once I began to reach out to the parishioners to help plan the celebration the response was overwhelming. Not only were they open and responsive to the request for help with the planning, but the sentiment was one of, ‘we need to do this right because this church parish has meant so much to us and our families and to the community, and we want to honor those who have come before us, and we want to give witness to the generations that are yet to come.’ ”

“Thank you always seems a bit inadequate and insufficient. Especially when I know so much hard work by so many people has gone into our celebration,” said Father Dupré.

After the closing hymn “My Eyes Have Seen the Glory” attendees proceeded to enjoy a festive reception. Some also came back into the church to “soak in” its beauty and pray.