News Post

St. Joseph’s Academy gathered as a school community to celebrate the annual Vocations Mass on September 30. The Eucharistic celebration was held in the Academy Student Center. Father Josh Zelden, SJA’s chaplain, was the celebrant.

Freshman Julia Downs welcomed the large gathering. Senior Isabella Vargas lit the memorial candle to remember the members of the Academy community who have passed away, especially since the last mass. 

“Saint John Henry Newman once said, ‘I am created to do or to be something for which no one else is created: I have a place in God’s counsels, in God’s world, which no one else has… God knows me and calls me by my name,’” Downs said. “We gather this morning to celebrate that we are called by name. Each one of us has a vocation, a special call by God, to transform the world through service. Each of us is called in a very special way to serve God, as priests or sisters, husbands and wives, teachers and coaches, and sons and daughters of God. As students and faculty, we join together in our willingness and openness to answer God’s call in each of our lives.” 

Junior Sadie Bozeman read from the first book of Samuel. 

In his homily, Fr. Josh reflected on God’s invitation to choose our paths in life. “Do you know how to attain happiness?” he asked. “By choosing the highest and best good for the unique circumstances of your life. Who knows best what that is? Your parents? Friends? Teachers? Enemies? Celebrities? People on the internet? You? Of course it’s God. God is all-knowing, all-loving and all-powerful. He knows what is best for us. He wants what is best for us. He has the power to make what is best for us happen. … We come to know God’s plan and acquire the courage to act on it by cultivating a personal relationship with Him.”

Sophomore Amelie Lajoie and freshman Myka Barker led the prayers of the faithful. 

Prior to communion, Fr. Josh commissioned the seniors who have volunteered and participated in training to serve as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion during SJA masses this year. They were Nola Adams, Caroline Babin, Adeline Bonner, Skylar Bordelon, Jenna Braud, Caroline Burkhalter, Mia Carlson, Hayley Cavalier, Addison Comeaux, Camille Cotton, Rebecca Dardis, Louisa deBlieux, Linley Denstel, Kate Dornier, Bella DuBos, Sophie Farah, Olivia Funes, Emily Guillet, Madilyn Harrison, MorganDee Hawkins, Hannah Hebert, Emma Herpin, Emerson Hosch, Claire Lanclos, Amelia Lalonde, Reese Landry, Evie LeBlanc, Shelby Lenguyen, Audrey Manda, Sophia Marionneaux, Julia Mayeux, Kate McCann, Claire McGuinness, Caroline McKay, Sophia Montalbano, Greysen Millet, Kennedy Papillion, Ella Peek, Cecilia Pickering, Madison Plauche, Charlotte Rabb, Catherine Raemsch, Madison Rambo, Juliana Robillard, Carolyn Robinson, Sarah Schmeeckle, Jacqueline Schroeder, Amelia Scioneaux, Maddie Seely, Mila Tabor, Annie Tanory, Jane Templet, Ava Thevenot, Kate Trahan, Aimee Usher, Clare Valluzzo, Isabella Vargas and Addison Wampold.

Danielle Baird directed the choir. Cantors were seniors Allison Riley and Grace Buras. Musicians were Martha O’Hara, keyboard, and Hugo Andricain, guitar. 

Following mass, Dean of Women Christina Richardson recognized the Sisters of St. Joseph in attendance, especially those celebrating jubilee anniversaries: Sisters Anna Schellhaas (80 years), Annie Ramagos, Barbara Hughes, Dianne Fanguy (65 years), Evelyn Mee (70 years), Joan Laplace, Julie Kraemer, Kathleen Babin (80 years), Lucy Silvio and Adelaide Williamson.

Richardson also recognized members of the faculty and staff celebrating milestone years of service in their vocations at SJA. Honored for five years were Suzie Adler, Kelsey Baines, Alyse Carriere, Danielle Laird, Christi Lummen, Melissa Shaw, Catherine Thefenne and Tiffany Trascher. Recognized for 10 years were Holly Brown, Holly Browning, Allison Bruton, Amanda Henley, Jade McCune, Cord McKeithen, Bonnie Rader and Linda Thompson. Honored for 15 years were Hugo Andricain, Sharon Cashio, Lauren Sommer and Robert Williams. Recognized for 20 years were Aubrey DeJohn, Greg Hanner, Vicki LaPlace, Cristina Latiolais, Michelle Lofland and Sara Rounds. Honored for 30 years of service to SJA was Stacia Andricain.

Congratulated for their outstanding performance on the PSAT were National Merit commended students Julia Bodin, Lily DeCarlo, Kaylie Hollis, Evie LeBlanc, Audrey Manda, Ava Waggenspack and Lucy Walsh, as well as semifinalists Tiana Khuri, Claire McGuinness, Sophia Montalbano and Allison Riley.

Senior Skylar Bordelon closed the assembly with the singing of the alma mater.