Vidrine honored

The church pews of St. John Cathedral in Lafayette were filled Friday night with church goers who gathered to remember the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Mass was held also for the purpose of recognizing individuals from each church parish within the Diocese of Lafayette, whose lives echo the same beliefs and values that King himself lived and died for.
Speaker at the annual mass, Deacon Roland Jeanlouis of Our Lady of Victory in Loreauville explained that Friday night’s mass was one that was meant to “honor people who have done great things in church, family, or community more than once.” He described the recipients as people who “love their God above anything, and love their neighbor as thyself.”
When it came to choosing a recipient of the Martin Luther King, Jr. award from the Sacred Heart Parish, the parish advisory council and Sacred Heart Pastor Thomas Voorhies decided that Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine was the perfect honoree.
Vidrine, who said she was “completely surprised” to be chosen for this high honor, was an easy pick for Voohries and the council. Voohries said, “Jennifer (Vidrine) was an obvious person to choose. She possesses all of the qualities we look for in a recipient.”
During Jeanlouis’ sermon, the deacon spoke about King’s desire to unite all of mankind by “standing up to defend the needy, poor, and sick.” It is that very desire that Voorhies and the parish advisory council saw in the Ville Platte mayor that led Sacred Heart’s priest and council to select Vidrine.
Much like Jeanlouis described King, Voorhies described Vidrine stating, “Jennifer is someone who works hard for peace and justice through being able to get different races to work together. She is helping create unity within our town, which is what Dr. King spent his life doing in our country.”
For the mayor, this award is one that has left her feeling “humbled.” Vidrine said, “It speaks volumes that the Catholic church chose me, a non-Catholic to accept the Martin Luther King, Jr. award. Being chosen shows that unity among the people exist here and that we are all one as Ville Plattians, no matter our sex, religion, or race.”
Jeanlouis closed out his homily or sermon by leaving the 85 award recipients with a lasting challenge. Jeanlouis said, “I challenge each of you to continue your good work. Continue to stand up for faith, justice, and equality, and give guidance to those who are in need. Lasting change can take time, but perseverance and prayer can make anything happen.”
Those words are ones that Vidrine took to heart.
After leaving the mass, Vidrine said, “Every morning when I get on my knees to pray I ask the Lord to order my steps in his word. That is how I plan to continue his work; by leading the people of Ville Platte in the way that Christ wants me to lead his people.”