Father Voorhies shares Easter message with Ville Platte Rotary Club

By: HEATHER BOGARD
Lifestyles Editor

During the March 22, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club, Rotarian Larry Lachney invited Father Thomas Voorhies, pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ville Platte, to share an Easter message with the group. He shared a brief background, saying he was a graduate of Cathedral Carmel in Lafayette and attended seminary at Holy Trinity Seminary in Dallas, Texas. He was ordained in Rome and served there for four years. After returning to the states, he served as pastor in Delcambre and Scott before coming to Sacred Heart nearly one year ago. Father Voorhies then read the Gospel from that morning’s mass and shared what he said during his homily, discussing the passion of Christ and how we cannot “outsin” God’s forgiveness. He then shared the church’s schedule for Easter weekend, including Holy Thursday mass, where the last supper and washing of the feet will be reenacted. The washing of the feet will be done by the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) candidates. The annual walk through town beginning at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and ending at Sacred Heart will be held Friday morning and the Passion narrative from the Gospel of John will be read. He also said that there will only be a communion service on Good Friday, and the Easter vigil mass will be held after dark Saturday evening.
Father Voorhies then shared that Bishop Michael Jarrell’s last mass will be held tonight, March 24 at St. John’s Cathedral before Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel is installed on Friday, April 15. This mass will be a “Chrism Mass,” during which the oils used by priests during mass, funerals and other sacraments are refreshed. Priests in attendance will also renew their commitment to their vows.