Letter from the Diocese & Corrected Information from Avoyelles Today

Editor’s Note: This article corrects and replaces information published in last week’s edition regarding parish realignments in Avoyelles Parish. The following reflects the official Together as One Church Pastoral Plan as released by the Diocese of Alexandria. We thank our community for bringing the error to our attention and for understanding that we are human and mistakes can happen.“Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Today, I write with deep gratitude and renewed hope as we mark the completion of our Together as One Church pastoral planning process and formally release the decisions made on the realignment of parishes and missions. This moment is the fruit of nearly two years of prayer, listening, discernment, and collaboration across every corner of our diocese.

I first want to express my heartfelt thanks to the members of the Core Team. Their dedication, long hours, and careful reflection guided this process with wisdom and fidelity to the mission of the Church. I am also deeply grateful to our priests, who supported this effort with openness, honest dialogue, and a shared commitment to strengthening parish life.

Most especially, I thank you — the faithful people of our diocese. Your prayerful participation in parish sessions, regional gatherings, and online feedback made this truly a diocesan process. Your experiences, hopes, concerns, and insights shaped the final recommendations in a significant way. This plan could not—and should not—have been formed without you.

With this realignment of parishes and missions in mind, we will concentrate on the Four Pillars identified when this process was announced. We will seek ways to collaborate within deaneries and pastoral planning areas in coordinating Mass schedules and ministries. We will challenge parishes to expand their vision beyond those who regularly attend Mass by engaging in evangelization in their communities. We will renew our commitment to mission through effective discipleship. And we will encourage a vibrant parish experience through liturgies that are reverent and life-giving, and through parish and diocesan programs that help disciples become mission-driven. While some elements call us to change, every part of the plan is and will be ordered toward helping our communities flourish as living witnesses to the Gospel.

Official implementation of the structural changes and new pastoral assignments will begin on July 1, 2026. In the months ahead, we will continue to communicate with you and with parish leadership to ensure a smooth and prayerful transition.

I invite you to read the full scope of the pastoral realignment and learn more by visiting the Diocesan website. There you will find information about the recommendations, timelines, and next steps for each region of the diocese.

Though I am confident that the process we have undertaken is the right one for the future of the Church, I understand these results are very difficult when they directly affect you and your family. Change is hard. The changes may affect where you worship, how far you need to drive to attend Mass or participate in parish events, and what you consider to be your intimate faith community. I appreciate these decisions may cause you to be sad and lead to a time of grieving. With all my compassion, know that my prayers are with you on this new journey. I pray that you will be welcomed and embraced by a larger parish and diocesan family of mission-driven disciples.

Let us continue to entrust this work to the Holy Spirit. May the Lord strengthen us as we grow together—united in faith, hope, and love—as one Church.

With gratitude and every blessing,

Most Reverend Robert W. Marshall, Jr.
Bishop of Alexandria”

The Diocese of Alexandria has released detailed parish realignment recommendations for Avoyelles Parish as part of its long-term pastoral planning initiative, Together as One Church. The corrected information is drawn directly from the diocesan pastoral plan and supersedes parish details previously reported.
According to the diocese, implementation of the plan will begin June 1, with the announcement of clergy assignments. Once assignments are made, pastors will have up to one year to carry out parish transitions, including shared pastorates, amalgamations, and closures.
Bishop Robert W. Marshall Jr. said the planning process followed nearly two years of prayer, consultation and discernment and is intended to strengthen parish life, improve collaboration and ensure sustainable pastoral care amid priest shortages and demographic shifts.
The corrected parish recommendations affecting Avoyelles Parish are listed below, including continued shared pastorates, parishes transitioning to resident pastors, amalgamations and scheduled closures.
Parish-by-parish listing
•Christ the King Church, Simmesport will remain a parish in a shared pastorate with St. Peter Church, Bordelonville.
•Holy Ghost Church, Marksville will remain a parish in a shared pastorate with St. Joseph Church, Marksville and St. Genevieve Church, Brouillette.
•St. Genevieve Church, Brouillette will remain a parish in a shared pastorate with St. Joseph Church, Marksville and Holy Ghost Church, Marksville.
•St. Joseph Church, Marksville will remain a parish in a shared pastorate with Holy Ghost Church, Marksville and St. Genevieve Church, Brouillette.
•Immaculate Conception Church, Dupont will remain a parish in a shared pastorate with Mater Dolorosa Church, Plaucheville.
•Mater Dolorosa Church, Plaucheville will remain a parish in a shared pastorate with Immaculate Conception Church, Dupont.
•Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Fifth Ward will remain a parish in a shared pastorate with St. Francis de Sales Church, Echo.
•Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, Mansura will remain a parish in a shared pastorate with St. Paul the Apostle Church, Mansura.
•St. Paul the Apostle Church, Mansura will remain a parish in a shared pastorate with Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, Mansura.
•Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Moreauville will remain a parish in a shared pastorate with Sacred Heart Church, Moreauville.
•Sacred Heart Church, Moreauville will remain a parish in a shared pastorate with Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Moreauville.
•St. Alphonsus Church, Hessmer will remain a parish in a shared pastorate with St. Martin of Tours Church, Belledeau.
•St. Martin of Tours Church, Belledeau will remain a parish in a shared pastorate with St. Alphonsus Church, Hessmer.
•St. Joseph Church, Cheneyville will remain a parish in a shared pastorate with St. Martin Church, Lecompte.
•St. Peter Church, Bordelonville will receive St. Michael Church, Rexmere in an amalgamation and will remain a parish in a shared pastorate with Christ the King Church, Simmesport.
•St. John the Baptist Church, Deville will remain a parish with a resident pastor as long as sufficient priests are available and will serve the Mission of St. John the Baptist, Moncla.
Parishes moving to resident pastor status
•St. Anthony of Padua Church, Bunkie will receive Church of the Little Flower, Evergreen in an amalgamation and will remain a parish with a resident pastor.
•St. Mary’s Assumption Church, Cottonport will remain a parish with a resident pastor.
Amalgamations and suppressions
•Church of the Little Flower, Evergreen is to be suppressed and amalgamated with St. Anthony of Padua Church, Bunkie.
•St. Michael Church, Rexmere is to be suppressed and amalgamated with St. Peter Church, Bordelonville.
Closures scheduled within one year
•St. Charles Chapel- Goudeau (Evergreen) is scheduled to close within one year.
•St. Richard Chapel, Hickory Hill (Marksville) is scheduled to close within one year.