St. Martinville – Father Michael Champagne and the Community of Jesus Crucified celebrated the opening of a new youth center in St. Martinville with a blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony last Thursday.
The Oratory Don Bosco, located at 515 West Port Street, will serve as a safe place for boys and girls to learn about God and prayer in a recreational setting. This summer it will offer summer Bible Camps and in the fall after-school care where youths can get help with homework.
But it won’t be all work. Once the learning period is over, the kids can play ping-pong, pool, foosball, horseshoe, and basketball. They’ll even enjoy snow-cones and soft serve ice cream. Future plans include opening a workshop to teach older students basic crafts such as plumbing, electrical work and carpentry.
With help from some very generous donors, Father Champagne purchased the former funeral home on the birthday of St. John Bosco. The new youth center is named for the saint, a 19th-century Italian priest who is known for working with the poor and young people to remedy their lack of education, opportunities, and faith. The blessing of the building and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Jan. 31, his feast day.
The center is filled with beautiful, sacred artwork. The Stations of the Cross that adorn the walls were originally in the old St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Carencro. They were donated to the community and Father had them renovated in the likeness of the Stations of the Cross at Notre Dame.
There is also a Hall of Saints with pictures of over 200 saints so that the youngsters will have holy role models to look up to.
Parents can register their children for Summer Bible Camp, free of charge, by contacting the Saint Teresa Center of Mercy at 337-680-6271.
