Pastor
Very Rev. Brent L. Smith, VF
Email: bsmith@diolaf.org
Phone: 337-334-2193
Fr. Brent was born and raised in St. Martinville, LA. After graduating as valedictorian from St Martinville Senior High, he attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. There he earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1996. He worked as a registered nurse for many years and then returned to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and earned a Masters of Science in Nursing in 2010. He worked as a nurse practitioner in the area of cardiology until entering seminary formation in 2012. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from St. Joseph’s Seminary in 2014, and then a Master of Divinity (Summa Cum Laude) from Notre Dame Seminary in 2018. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Douglas Deshotel for the Diocese of Lafayette in June 2018.
He served as parochial vicar at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Crowley, LA until his current appointment as pastor of St Joseph’s Parish. He was assigned as Chancellor of Notre Dame High School and currently serves as the Dean of the Western Deanery.
Parochial Vicar
Rev. Connor Poirrier
Email: frconnorpoirrier@gmail.com
Phone: 337-334-2193
Fr. Connor Poirrier is the Parochial Vicar of St. Joseph Catholic Church where he is responsible for the distribution of the Sacraments, fostering a love for Jesus within the people, and helping implement the Catholic Church’s vision of evangelization. On a mission to glorify God by the salvation of souls, he is focused on improving faithfulness to Our Blessed Lord and creating an environment where people can encounter Christ. For Fr. Poirrier, offering the Sacraments and encountering people is the most rewarding part of his life.
Prior to taking on his role at St. Joseph, Fr. Poirrier gained experience in leading annual mission trips to various countries and serving other parishes in the Diocese of Lafayette as a seminarian, deacon, and priest.
On November 1, 2023, Fr. Poirrier was assigned to the parish of St. Joseph by Bishop Deshotel. He is grateful to God to be able to serve in whatever way he can.
Deacons
Tim Ledet – Deacon
Deacon Tim was born in Baton Rouge, LA and moved to Worthington, Ohio in 4th grade, where he lived until graduating from Bishop Watterson High School in 1979. He then moved to
Lafayette, LA and attended University of Louisiana at Lafayette, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-Law. Deacon Tim has enjoyed a 30-year career as a petroleum landman and currently works for Dunn Exploration Company, LLC in Houston, Texas.
Deacon Tim is married to Christy Moore of Rayne, and together they have 4 daughters, 3 sons-in-law and 6 grandchildren, with hopefully many more to come. He was ordained a Permanent Deacon September 9, 2006 and has been blessed to serve St. Joseph Parish since. It is through the truth of God’s love that Deacon Tim finds joy and he is passionate about spreading
love’s good news by serving God and neighbor. Deacon Tim says, “Serving others helps us recognize the dignity of every person and how every person deserves to be loved, which defines our own dignity.”
Denis LaCroix – Deacon
Welcome to the St. Joseph Parish website! As a Catholic community of believers we welcome and encourage you to live out your gospel call to holiness as a part of our parish family!
My name is Deacon Denis LaCroix. I was baptized at St. Joseph’s, served here as an Altar Server for many years, was educated at Rayne Catholic Elementary and Notre Dame High School, received the sacraments of Penance, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation at St. Joseph’s and married my wonderful wife in the sanctuary of our beautiful church. My roots run deep in this parish and I am so honored to call St. Joseph’s my home!
I’m the oldest child of the late Cleo LaCroix and Julia Falcon LaCroix Breaux. I’m married to an amazing Irish New Orleans lady, Shawn Murphy LaCroix, and we have two adult daughters, Rachel and Brittany.
I was ordained a Deacon for the Diocese of Lafayette by Bishop Michael Jarrell on August 25, 2012…19 years after receiving what I discerned as my initial call to the Diaconate. My hope for you is that you persevere in the call God has given you. The purpose of a Deacon’s ministry is to imitate “Christ the Servant” – the One who came not to be served, but to serve. My prayer is that God will use my Diaconate ministry to inspire all in our community to be of service to others…given our incredible parishioners; this prayer is constantly being answered!
Clergy contact information may be obtained from the parish office at (337)-334-2193. For after hours emergencies, your call will be directed to an answering service.