Pastors of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
 
Pere Adrien Emmanuel Rouquette  (Missisonary in Lacombe 1859 – 1886)
 
First Louisiana native to be ordained a Catholic priest.  He was ordained on July 2, 1845 at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans.  His poetry inspired many of the famous American writers of that time.  He left a long and memorable legacy.
 
Father Francis Balay, O.S.B.  (pastor 1919 – 1929)

Father Balay was a native of Bordeaux, France.  He was born on December 19, 1875 and ordained in France on October 4, 1904.  He served Lacombe and St. Tammany Parish since 1915.   He was the first official pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church.  He built our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in 1923.  He was a dynamic, vivacious and energetic man who used all of his God given talents to accomplish many goals.
 
 
 

Father Joseph Bordenave, who served as pastor for 27 years (1934 – 1961)
Father Bordenave continued to accumulate funds for the restoration of the church.

 
 










Father Harry Smith, C.S.R. (1961 – 1963) 
 
By then, the church was near collapse.  Under Father Smith’s administration the old wooden structure was dismantled and the second Sacred Heart of Jesus Church (with bell tower) was built.

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Father Smith used the funds which Father Balay and Father Bordenave had accumulated to 

build a new brickchurch.  The beautiful stained glass windows, which are still in the church today, were a gift to Sacred Heart of Jesus Church from the chapel at St. Scholastica Academy in Covington. One unfortunate event occurred during the new brick church’s planning and building.  The statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that had survived the hurricane and had been the inspiration for the Church’s name did not endure the Louisiana climate. 
 
Father Howard H. Hotard (1963 – 1969)

During his pastorate, the rectory was moved and renovated.  Father Hotard completed the construction of the church as well as the grounds and interior furnishing.  Rouquette Hall was built in 1966.  The church was dedicated on May 12, 1963 by Archbishop John P. Cody.  Father Hotard always celebrated Holy Mass with pomp and circumstance resulting in a beautiful stately meaningful ceremony. 
 




Father Paul Gaudin (1969 – 1976)
Father Gaudin established the first parish council and the Ladies Altar Society.
 
Monsignor Malcolm Strassel (1976 – 1984)
 

Monsignor Strassel raised funds to add a kitchen to Rouquette Hall and began restoration of the Lourdes Shrine.
 
Father Jerry Dabria (1984 – 1985)


Father Dabria served the parish for a short time but was fondly remembered by parishioners.
 
Father William O’Brien (1985 – 1989)

Father O’Brien served the parish well until his untimely demise.  Father O’Brien was murdered in the rectory on the morning of January 8, 1989, the feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord.  Archbishop Phillip M. Hannan celebrated his funeral mass at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church on January 11, 1989. During his tenure, restoration of Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine was completed and dedicated.
 
 
 
 
Father Paul Desrosiers (1989 – 1998)
 
On September 11, 1993, a fire destroyed the church built by Father Smith.  A new rectory was built on property acquired across the street.  The former rectory was dedicated as O’Brien Hall.  Additional property was purchased adjacent to Rouquette Hall and a new Sacred Heart of Jesus Church was built.  The new church was dedicated on April 28, 1996. 
 







Father William O’Donnell (1998 – 2009)
 
 

 Father O'Donnell served the parish well and was also fondly remembered by parishioners.

Father Kyle Dave (2009 – 2014)
 
Many spiritual programs and ministries were instituted under his tenure.  Renovations were made to the church, the shrine and Rouquette Hall.  Sacred Heart of Jesus also received its first webpage until Father Dave’s leadership.  Father Kyle was a very spiritual, exuberant, multi-talented, industrious, dynamic priest.  He was a friend to all of the citizens of Lacombe and admired and respected by everyone.  He was also an excellent orator.  After reading the history of the church and it’s original founders I would compare Father Kyle’s contributions to those of Father Balay.  His tenure at Sacred Heart of Jesus was short but he also left a memorable legacy.
 
 
 
 Father Thomas Kilasara is the current pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.