2024-0274
Title
Proclamation: “Fête-Dieu du Mississippi 2024”
Body
P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, the solemn flotilla will embark on the Mighty Mississippi for a one-time only Blessing of the River and the Great State of Louisiana on August 14th and 15th; and,
WHEREAS, many records show the long history of Christianity in St. Charles Parish with French and German pioneers paving the way for the faith based community you see today; and,
WHEREAS, in 1770 the Catholic Church received land grants from Luis de Unzaga, Governor General of the Province of Louisiana; and,
WHEREAS, following the land grants, what is known today as St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Destrehan, holds quite a history, first established by German settlers under French rule in 1723, as St. Jean des Allemands Catholic Church Karlstein (Trinity Plantation) located in Taft. Later relocating in 1740 to the east bank calling itself St. Charles or “Church of the Germans”. In 1764 the King of France donated the Church’s property to the King of Spain until 1800 when the King of Spain returned the property to the King of France. In 1806 the Church was destroyed in a fire and rebuilt as a wood-framed church painted red known as the Little Red Church and rebuilt yet again in 1921 calling itself the St. Charles Borromeo Church with a congregation of over 2,000 parishioners today; and,
WHEREAS, by 1775, the land upriver from New Orleans was divided into two ecclesiastical districts named after the two churches of the area, the parishes of St. Charles and St. John the Baptist. They operated as two separate governmental districts, each with a commander appointed by the governor. Both banks of the down-river section, now part of St. Charles Parish, became known as the Primera Costa de los Alemanes (First German Coast); and,
WHEREAS, the Catholic Diocese of Louisiana was established on April 25, 1792, followed by the arrival of Father Paret in 1848 on the German Coast serving St. Charles (Red Church) parishioners, soon St. Charles Parish was included in the newly established New Orleans Archdiocese in 1850; and,
WHEREAS, the “Fête-Dieu du Mississippi” will pass through Luling on Thursday, August 15th on its route from Baton Rouge to New Orleans blessing the river at multiple places along the way; and,
WHEREAS, all the Christian faithful of the region are invited to participate from approximately 12:30 pm on Thursday, August 15, 2024, to approximately 2:00 pm on the levee across from the road from the Westbank Bridge Park.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, WE THE MEMBERS OF THE ST. CHARLES PARISH COUNCIL AND THE PARISH PRESIDENT, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, AND THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2024, as
“FÊTE-DIEU DU MISSISSIPPI”
IN ST. CHARLES PARISH AND FAMILIES, BUSINESSES AND CHURCHES ARE ENCOURAGED TO “COME DOWN TO THE RIVER” AND PARTICIPATE IN THE BLESSING.
MATTHEW JEWELL WALTER PILIÉ
PARISH PRESIDENT COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT III
MICHAEL A. MOBLEY WILLIE COMARDELLE
COUNCILMAN AT LARGE, DIV. A COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT IV
HOLLY FONSECA MICHELLE O’DANIELS
COUNCILWOMAN AT LARGE, DIV. B COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT V
LA SANDRA D. WILSON BOB FISHER
COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT I COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT VI
HEATHER SKIBA MICHELE DEBRULER
COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT II COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT VII