The Ragin’ Cajun Catholics at Our Lady of Wisdom broke ground for a new Church and Student Center on Friday, November 15. Bishop Deshotel celebrated noon Mass, followed by a ceremony under the hundred year old Live Oak trees on the building site, which is located across the street from the current Our Lady of Wisdom Church and Student Center. Gathered for the event on the spectacular-weather day were over 300 students, alumni, donors, and community members. The event that was 10 years in the making, included remarks from Bishop Douglas Deshotel of the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana; Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL President; principal architect James McCrery of McCrery Architects in Washington, D.C., former pastor Fr. Bryce Sibley, and current Pastor and Chaplain of Our Lady of Wisdom, Fr. Patrick Broussard.
Fr. Patrick Broussard made a surprise and historic announcement of a six-million-dollar gift to the Catholic Student Center from the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation and Phyllis M. Taylor, a 1963 graduate of USL. She was represented by Dr. James Caillier, a 1964 graduate of USL. This is the largest gift given to any entity in the Diocese of Lafayette and represents Mrs. Taylor’s legacy to the students of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
During his remarks at the historic event, Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL President, remembered Our Lady of Wisdom’s rich history: “As [students have] navigated the challenges and discoveries of college life, Wisdom has provided something very precious – a chance to reflect, to grow and to connect not only with others but to their personal beliefs and values. Wisdom has inspired countless students to lives of purpose, compassion and integrity. And by their example, they have gone on to inspire other students – of all faiths and distinctions – to do the same. In other words Wisdom has inspired Wisdom. Our University is an environment that encourages students to grow – intellectually, individually and spiritually. Throughout its existence, Our Lady of Wisdom has symbolized and strengthened our commitment to producing graduates who are prepared to make meaningful contributions to the world.”
Mary Hernandez, Executive Director of Advancement for Our Lady of Wisdom and Campaign Director reported, “There has been a flurry of fundraising activity this fall leading up to our groundbreaking. We began the school year in August with 20.6 million in dedicated funds. Today, thanks to the investment from the Taylor Foundation and several other significant gifts, we have 27.6 million dollars committed toward the 35-million-dollar project budget. We are tremendously grateful to the Taylor Foundation and Ms. Taylor for their investment in these college students. We also have $600,000 committed toward our $3.5 million dollar capital reserve fund, which is designated for the care and maintenance of the new facility. The generosity of our alumni is truly remarkable!”
LEMOINE will begin construction in early January 2025 and the project is expected to take 18 months. Ben Simms, LEMOINE Vice President, stated “It is an incredible honor to play a part in building this sacred space. Our Lady of Wisdom will stand as a beacon of spiritual guidance, a home for fellowship, and a source of strength for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette community, creating a legacy that will uplift countless lives for years to come. It’s a privilege for us to contribute, in some small way, to the unique and powerful mission that Fr. Broussard, Fr. Ware, Mary Hernandez, and the entire staff passionately carry forward.”
McCrery Architects under the direction of James McCrery, principal architect, and Will Seath, project architect designed the new facilities. It includes a new Church that will seat 584 and a 25,000-square-foot Catholic Student Center. The Catholic Student Center facility will include spiritual and intellectual formation spaces, including an adoration chapel, multiple bible study rooms, lecture hall, and a library. Community and student gathering spaces include a cafe, game room, and living room. A new grand hall will be a premier venue for large events and wedding receptions. Outdoor spaces that connect Our Lady of Wisdom to the main university campus include the church plaza, student center lawn, courtyards, porches, and balconies.
In June 2022, the Diocese of Lafayette completed a historic land transaction. In the cash and trade deal, the Diocese exchanged 5 acres of land with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to acquire 1.4 acres in the heart of the campus for Our Lady of Wisdom Church and Catholic Student Center’s new home.
The Ragin’ Cajun Catholic Student Ministry has been present and active at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette since 1923 when the Newman Club, now known as the Ragin’ Cajun Catholics Student Ministry, was established at what was then Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute (SLII).