St. Alphonsus dedicates new parish activity center

On Sept. 22, a large crowd got their first glimpse of the new St. Alphonsus Liguori Church in Greenwell Springs Parish Activity Center during its dedication. Their consensus was “it’s beautiful” and “very much needed.”

Bishop Michael G. Duca said before blessing the building, “We bless created things to give them a new and deeper meaning.

“The life of a Christian is to always see the world through eyes of faith. Not just to see what appears in front of them, that is simply created and has a value for this world, but we see all things in the eyes of faith that this world has been created for us. To give glory to God.”

He pointed out that a blessed rosary is not just an instrument of prayer. It reminds us of Jesus’ death on the cross and the care God has for mankind to send his son into the world.


The bishop added, “Today we bless this building that is not just a place to have parties, although we will have parties here. It’s not just a place for us to learn things, but we will learn things here. It’s a place that we come together in Christ’s name to celebrate always as Christian people, we come to learn about our faith and learn more deeply what it means to be believers. This is a holy place because we hope to do everything here in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

The bishop noted that the activity center is a valuable asset to St. Alphonsus and the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

The new facility has a dividable banquet hall, more meeting space, and is a larger and a more efficient building for events. It has a full kitchen for cooking/serving and an outdoor pavilion. St. Alphonsus Church ministries and St. Alphonsus School will have a venue for adults, youth and children for activities including retreats, banquets, parish receptions, meetings and other celebrations.

The parish activity center will also limit the demand on the Family Center (Gym) and church meeting rooms, which are currently used to capacity by both the church and school ministries. 

St. Alphonsus Pastor Father Mike Moroney and St. Alphonsus Executive Director JoAnn Stein each addressed the assembly and thanked everyone for their support through prayers, financial assistance and volunteering to help the building possible.



Father Moroney noted the parish has experienced tremendous growth alongside the city of Central, so the building will expand the space for the parish and its ministries to function.

After the attendees prayed the prayers of the faithful, Bishop Duca sprinkled the walls of the building.

At the dedication reception, people mingled and toured the activity center, and many enjoyed themselves in the outdoor covered pavilion adjoining the building.

Many parishioners with a long history with St. Alphonsus welcomed this new chapter for the church.

“We really needed this facility,” said Dickie Watson, an active volunteer at St. Alphonsus who earned an honorary lifetime membership with the Knights of Columbus for more than 25 of years of membership with the Knights. “We were looking forward to this day. When we were first introduced to the idea of this (building), we thought, ‘How soon can we get this?’ Everyone saw a need.”


 Long-time St. Alphonsus parishioners Susie and Scott Fontenot noted that the building increases the capacity of the church and school to serve its families.

“There’s potential to use it for so many different things that might come up or any activity the church might have to offer,” said Susie Fontenot.

Parishioner John Bourgeois saw the capacity for crawfish boils and other functions in a nice location. He also noted the facility will alleviate the congested schedule of church and school activities in the gym.

He added, “I think this (activity center) will be like a magnet. It’s a beautiful place and people will come here to get together."

Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator