LA SR30

Commends Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Lafayette on its 90th anniversary, with the church celebrating its first Holy Mass on December 23, 1934, and formal dedication on February 10, 1935

Recognizes the church's historic significance as the first southern parish to have all African-American residents in both the rectory and convent, established by four African-American priests ordained by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD)

Notes the parish grew to more than 2,300 parishioners within five years and was originally tasked to serve 50,000 African-American Catholics in the Diocese of Lafayette

Acknowledges the church school closed prior to 2016-2017 but reopened in April 2022 as a Prime Time Head Start program with Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities funding, adding capacity for nearly 200 students and five new classrooms

Directs a copy of the resolution be transmitted to Father Anthony Ataamine Anala, SVD