A Beautiful Homecoming

On Saturday, March 28, after nearly five years of post-hurricane recovery, St. Eloi Catholic Church, located at 1335 Bayou Dularge Road in Theriot, reopened its doors to parishioners. Bishop Simon Peter Engurait consecrated the altar and rededicated the church at a special 10 a.m. Mass that Palm Sunday weekend. 

As a part of the new altar consecration, relics of St. Constantius of Perugia were sealed into the altar and Bishop anointed the altar with Holy Chrism.
 
“This is a place of unity and communion, where we gather as children of the Father,” said Bishop. “Monsignor Legendre said disasters will be everywhere and anywhere, and the important thing is the presence of God.”
 The renovation of St. Eloi Catholic Church blends the parish’s rich history with its renewed future. Original features—including pews, Stations of the Cross, and antique statues—have been preserved, while elements of the original American Gothic-style church have been reintroduced. These include a restored antique wooden high altar and pulpit from Iowa, sacred artwork and décor from Belgium, and a sandstone baptismal font from England. A new altar of sacrifice was constructed using marble from antique altar gates, and bronze gates from the former church have been incorporated into the sanctuary. A prominent crucifix now stands at the front of the church, offering a visible reminder of Christ’s sacrifice.
 
Lifelong parishioner Chad Bourg reflected on returning home: “There is a huge sense of relief to finally be back. Seven generations of my family have worshipped at St. Eloi, and we felt it was our obligation to ensure the church—spiritually and physically—could continue on Bayou Dularge. We can now celebrate the sacraments in a place our ancestors left for us, a place that truly feels like home.”
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For the past few years, St. Eloi’s Masses were celebrated in the Knights of Columbus 8779 building. The parish’s recovery began immediately after the storm under the leadership of Fr. Dean Danos, who ensured the continuation of Mass and sacraments while coordinating cleanup efforts until his retirement in May 2022.
 Pastor Fr. Antonio M. Farrugia, who has served the parish since June of 2022, reflected on the journey: “The people of Dularge now rejoice to be back in church! May their witness of perseverance shine as a beacon of faith for those who may feel distant from Christ or His Church. We desire to welcome all—especially those who feel broken—that through the sacraments, they may encounter their own healing and restoration.”
 
Administrative assistant Amy Denton shared that, after years of uncertainty following Hurricane Ida, the parish is now in a place of gratitude and renewed hope. “We are still here, and with God’s grace we are ready to come back stronger than before,” she said. 
Special thanks to the parish staff, building committee, reconstruction team, the Knights of Columbus, donors, parishioners, and volunteers who participated in the recovery and renovation process over the past few years.

 Established in 1875, St. Eloi Parish traces its origins to the deep faith and perseverance of a bayou community. The parish was founded through the generosity of Marie Seraphine Thibodaux, who donated land in thanksgiving for the safe return of her sons from the Civil War. Named for St. Eloi, the patron saint of her late husband, the church was built by local families who first gathered for Mass in a plantation store before constructing a permanent structure from cypress harvested in nearby swamps. From its earliest days—marked even by a rain-soaked inaugural Mass—the parish has stood as a symbol of resilience, unity, and enduring faith in the region. The last Mass in that church was celebrated on November 13, 1971.
 
The current church structure was built in 1972, overseen by Msgr. Francis Legendre. It honored the original church by displaying preserved images and statues of the Sacred Heart, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. More than 400 parishioners gathered for the dedication of this church by Archbishop Phillip Hannan.
 
Masses at St. Eloi Catholic Church are celebrated Saturdays at 5:30 p.m., Sundays at 9 a.m., and Tuesday through Friday at 8:45 a.m.