St. Joseph School

	St. Joseph School
	Welcome St. Joseph School is dedicated to forming young people by encouraging them to develop a responsible relationship with God, a sound mind and body and a desire to attain academic excellence in an atmosphere that stresses Catholic values out of which will develop morally competent, Christ-centered individuals. In addition to academic excellence, St. Joseph provides growth in sportsmanship, leadership, and teamwork through various athletic programs. St. Joseph competes in basketball, softball, and football at the elementary level. At the high school level, basketball, softball, baseball, cross-county running, and now football round out the athletic choices available. History of St. Joseph School In 1899, St. Joseph School opened its doors with ninety pupils under the direction of Father J.B. Limagne and the Sisters of Divine Providence. Until 1908, the school offered only elementary grades, and in 1920 the high school was established. The school was also changed from a pay school to a parochial school. St. Joseph operated on a tuition and procedure basis. And in 1926, St. Joseph High School was established as a Louisiana High School by the State Board of Education. The Golden Jubilee of St. Joseph School was celebrated in 1951. The official blessing and groundbreaking for the school gym was begun at this time. In 1967, the Brothers of the Holy Eucharist, a local diocesan Community, brought their apostolate to help staff the school and they continue to serve the school today. In 1993, The Marianites of Holy Cross joined the teaching staff in the high school department. In 2005 Kenneth DeCook became the principal of St. Joseph School In addition to being one of the oldest Catholic Schools in the area, St. Joseph is the only Catholic High School within the civil parish of Avoyelles. For a complete history of St. Joseph School visit www.sjschool.com/History.htm How to Enroll Contact the school at 318-922-3401 for enrollment information. Annual Activities For a calendar of events and special community programs please visit www.sjschool.com

	Built in 1899: St. Joseph School is oldest school in diocese still in original building
	By Jeannie Petrus, CT Editor As I waited alone in the deserted foyer of St. Joseph High School in Plaucheville for Brother Paul Casey to return from the Baccalaureate Mass at the adjacent Mater Dolorosa Church, I felt an eerie feeling of a kindred spirit with me. Maybe someone I had known long ago who was happy to see me in this very old school and was welcoming me. “But who?” I thought. I had never been to St. Joseph School and certainly didn’t know anyone from Plaucheville. So I sat in the old wooden church pew in the school’s foyer and looked around. There was no doubt I was in a Catholic school with all of the beautiful pictures of Jesus and Mary and both large and small crucifixes on the walls. The worn-out, yet well-groomed wooden floors had obviously held up to the shoes of thousands of happy schoolchildren and dedicated religious over the many, many years. “How old is this school anyway?” I wondered. A modern sign outside the window answered my question almost immediately. “St. Joseph School – Established in 1899,” I read aloud, almost surprising myself that I said the words out loud. I hoped no one heard me talking to myself, but still I felt “someone” smiling and chuckling softly under “his” breath. Then it occurred to me. My grandfather, Curry Broussard, and his brothers Milburn (later to become Msgr. Milburn Broussard), Wilmore, and sister Maude, were all born and raised in Avoyelles parish. I wondered if my grandfather, a devout Catholic, ever walked the floors of this school. For a moment, I imagined him dressed in his 1910 khaki knickers and wearing hand-me-down saddle shoes, running up the concrete steps to the old wooden Victorian style front porch of the school. He probably carried his books tied together with an old leather belt. My daydream was abruptly interrupted by the sound of quick footsteps and a heavy swinging rosary approaching. “Are you Mrs. Petrus?” asked a smiling gentle, man in a black garment. It was Brother Andre Lucia, brother superior. As I introduced myself and explained the reason for my being there, I noticed the constant flow of students returning to class after the weekly Mass. Busily, they passed in the halls talking among themselves, but each finding the time to say “morning, Brother Andre,” as they passed the two of us. As we continued our conversation, I overheard Mr. Gerard Jeansonne, assistant principal of St. Joseph School, congratulating one of the students by name, as the senior responded with a polite ‘Thank you, sir.” Sister Mary David, one of the Marianites of Holy Cross teachers at the school, approached a small girl by name and asked if she had recovered from the stomach flu she had last week. She too, responded with a polite, “Yes, thank you, Sister.” So much politeness, so much respect. I was impressed. But soon it was time to get to work and start the interview. For the next two hours, I was engaged in a fascinating interview with the Brothers of the Holy Eucharist who have taught and served the students at St. Joseph School for the past 43 years. I learned how the order began and how their vocation is a calling, separately and distinctively different from the vocation of a priest. I began to understand the love these Brothers have for God and their strong desire to live their life in service to God in community with each other. I also learned a little about St. Joseph School. It is the oldest Catholic school in the diocese that is still located in its original building. Built in 1899, St. Joseph opened its doors with 90 students under the direction of Father J.B. Limagne and the Sisters of Divine Providence. Until 1908, the school offered only elementary grades, and in 1920, the high school was established. During the Flood of 1927, St. Joseph School was the only building standing in Plaucheville. According to archive records, the first floor of the school flooded, so the Sisters retreated to the second floor, where they cooked and helped feed the people of the community who were devastated by the flood. In 1951 a gym was added and in 1967, the Brothers of the Holy Eucharist brought their apostolate to help staff the school. In 1993, the Marianites of Holy Cross joined the teaching staff in the high school. Today, St. Joseph remains the only Catholic High School in Avoyelles Parish and is staffed by more religious (three brothers and two sisters) than any other Catholic school in the diocese. It is truly a beacon of Catholic identity in Avoyelles. At the end of the interview, I asked the Brothers if any of them knew my uncle, Msgr. Milburn Broussard. Of course, Brother Andre did. He knew him while working at St. Mary’s parish in Cottonport. I told him how I wondered if it was possible that Msgr. Broussard, and possibly my grandfather, had attended this school. After bolting from his chair and returning a few minutes later, he showed me the original register of students from 1900 – 1920. Sure enough, on several pages between 1908 -1913, I saw my grandfather’s name and four of his eight brothers and sisters. My grandfather, Curry, died in 1968, but I know he was there at St. Joseph’s School that day, welcoming me to see a glimpse of his past. hhhhhh hhhhh

	Brother Paul Casey: 50 years as a Brother of the Holy Eucharist
	By Jeannie Petrus, CT Editor In 1957, Brother Paul Casey, F.S.E. heard about a new order of Brothers being started in Louisiana by Bishop Charles P. Greco. At the time, he wasn’t sure if joining this new order, hundreds of miles from his home in Dover, N.H., was the right choice. But this year, 50 years later, Brother Paul is celebrating his Golden Jubilee of entrance into the Brothers of the Holy Eucharist in the Diocese of Alexandria. Brother Paul was a young Irish Catholic in Dover, New Hampshire, when he saw an ad for a new order in Louisiana in the Sunday Visitor. Since he was interested in pursuing a religious life, he wrote to Brother Aloysius, brother founder, for 2-3 years inquiring about details of the new order. “At the time, I could not make up my mind between the Passionate Brothers in New York and the Brothers of the Holy Eucharist in Louisiana,” he said. He and his mother (Madeline Elizabeth) decided to make a 9-day novena to St. Therese of Little Flower. He asked for guidance in making the right choice. “On the first day after the novena was completed, I received an acceptance from the Brothers of the Holy Eucharist, and on the second day, an acceptance from the Passionate Brothers,” he said. “I had decided to go with the one who accepted me first – the Brothers of the Holy Eucharist. When he first arrived in Louisiana to begin his studies at Our Lady’s Novitiate in Cottonport, he had second thoughts about having made the “right” decision. “Coming from Dover, N.H. to the humid heat of Louisiana, I thought for sure that St. Therese had made a mistake in leading me to this order,” said Brother Paul. “But I soon learned to cope with the heat, and realized I had made the right decision.” After making his profession of vows in 1960, he continued his formation working with other brothers in ministry and preparing for a career in service ministry. On Feb. 11, 1964, he made final vows and changed his name to Brother Paul. He soon completed his degree in Elementary Education from Dominican College in New Orleans. Throughout his 50 years, Brother Paul has served as an elementary teacher at Don Bosco’s Boys Home in Cottonport, St. Mary’s School in Natchitoches, St. Anthony’s School in Cottonport, Holy Ghost School and Presentation Academy in Marksville, St. Anthony’s School in Bunkie, and St. Joseph School in Plaucheville. The last 36 years of his teaching ministry has been at St. Joseph School. “The best part of my ministry is bringing children closer to God,” said Brother Paul. “Brother Paul’s greatest talent is teaching young children about God,” said Brother Andre Lucia, superior of the Brothers of the Holy Eucharist. “He has brought numerous people to the Catholic faith, and most of the time, through their own children.” “He also prepares for the liturgy, working in the sacristry, and teaching religious education in the school and parish, said Brother Andre. “We are so fortunate to have him as a part of our community.” hhh hhh