A Joyful Homecoming

After four years and four months of extensive renovation, St. Charles Borromeo Church, located at 1985 Highway 308 in Thibodaux, joyfully reopened its doors on December 21 with a 10 a.m. Mass, church blessing, and altar dedication celebrated by Bishop Simon Peter Engurait. More than 450 parishioners and friends filled the church for the long-anticipated return.

Complete with a new roof, restored furniture, and a refurbished baptismal font, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church maintains its stained-glass windows and original architectural design while incorporating modern upgrades. The original altar and sanctuary furnishings were carefully repaired and restored. As part of the altar dedication, sacred relics of St. Gabriel Possenti, St. Lucy, and St. Peter—symbols of courage, holiness, and steadfast faith—were placed within the altar.

Parishioners and friends packed the church for the first Mass back. With the main church, chapel, and choir loft combined, the church has a total capacity of 507 people. Fr. Baby “Philip” Kuruvilla, pastor since the summer of 2024, could feel the excitement as he addressed the parishioners. “Your patience, prayers, and steadfast faith have carried our parish family,” he said. “You remained hopeful when the road was long, supportive when challenges arose, and united in the belief that God would bring us back—back to our church, to our community, and to the heart of parish life.”

Many parishioners worked together in the months leading up to the reopening, forming restoration and “coming home” committees to keep the rebuilding process moving smoothly while also building awareness and anticipation for the parish’s return to church. Helen Zeringue, a lifelong parishioner who served on both committees, shared how she felt about the return. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience of excitement and joy,” she said. “We are finally back home.”

The church had sustained significant structural and water damage from Hurricane Ida, forcing the parish to temporarily celebrate Mass in the Life Center using furnishings from the chapel. “We just waited,” said Zeringue. “Our patience was tested.”

Architect and lifelong parishioner Tommy Boudreaux became involved during the latter stages of the project, offering both professional expertise and personal commitment to see the job through. As an intern in the 1980s, Boudreaux had designed the original church building, making his return to the project especially meaningful. “This was truly a labor of love,” he said. “Pretty much everything but the pews was salvaged and restored. This facility is one of my favorites.”

Parishioners had hoped to return to their church in time for Christmas, but continued obstacles made the timeline uncertain. Throughout the process, Fr. Baby encouraged the community to trust in God and remain hopeful. “Everyone came together to do what they could,” he said. “I could see their anxiety and anticipation.” Reflecting on the journey, he added, “God is good all the time, and He really showed the great things He can do.”

Fr. Baby noted that celebrating the reopening during Advent—a season of hope and faith—made the moment even more meaningful for the parish. After years of waiting, the community now holds a renewed appreciation for their church and deep gratitude for the place of worship God has provided.
St. Charles Borromeo Church traces its roots to 1865, when Very Reverend Canon Charles M. Menard, along with the priests of St. Joseph Church in Thibodaux, established a mission chapel along Bayou Lafourche. Built on the Bourgeois family property and named St. Charles, the chapel gave the surrounding community its name. The mission became an official parish in 1912, with Father Albert S. Mauret appointed as its first resident pastor. In 1976, Monsignor John G. Keller assumed the pastorate, formalized the parish’s full name, and later oversaw construction of the current church building, completed in 1989.