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. Henry Paul Antony, HGN
Email: hgnpaul@gmail.com
Phone: 337-334-2193
I am Fr. Henry Paul Antony from India. I was born in May 07, 1986. I belong to the Order of Heralds of Good News of the Province of Mary Queen of Apostles, India. It is a Clerical Missionary Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right. I discerned the call of God in 2003, joined the Seminary right after 10th grade, and was ordained a priest on May 06, 2014. Right after my Ordination until April 2022, I was serving in India on different assignments; as Parochial Vicar, Principal in Catholic Schools and as Provincial Secretary.
Indeed, I am fortunate to do my ministry in the Diocese of Lafayette and to be appointed as Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rayne, on May 9th 2022. I am glad and happy about my stay and ministry here and I am very much excited to work, pray with you all, and offer Holy Mass for all your intentions and well-being. God bless your undertakings and family……..
Yours in the Lord,
Fr. Henry Paul Antony, HGN
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!
Barry LeBlanc – Deacon
Deacon Barry LeBlanc was born in Rayne, LA. He has been a member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church his entire life. He received all of his sacraments at St. Joseph. He attended Rayne Catholic Elementary and graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1982. In 1985 he married his best friend Josette Istre, and together they have 4 children. They are blessed to have multiple grandchildren and more on the way.
He was ordained to the permanent diaconate on May 21, 2016, at St John the Evangelist Cathedral in Lafayette, La by Bishop Douglas Deshotel. Among his favorite things to do in the parish are, baptisms and hospice ministry. He is also involved in Elementary Faith Formation (1st -5th grade), Confirmation (11th grade) and men’s ACTS. He continues to stay open to God’s calling and looks forward to serving the people of St. Joseph.
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.