New Pastoral Appointments 2026

After consultation with the Priests’ Personnel Board, and with their favorable recommendation, Most Revered Simon Peter Engurait, sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, is pleased to make the following clergy announcements and appointments, effective July 1, 2026.

*ADDITIONAL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED MONDAY, JUNE 8:

Rev. Peter Tai Le has been appointed Pastor of St. Lawrence the Martyr Catholic Church in Kraemer, as well as St. James Chapel in Choctaw, for a six-year term. He most recently served as Pastor of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary in Houma.
  
Rev. Thomas Kuriakose has been appointed Pastor of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Houma for a six-year term. He most recently served as Pastor of St. Lawrence the Martyr in Kraemer, as well as St. James Chapel in Choctaw.
  
Rev. Brice Higginbotham, SSL has been assigned to pursue a Doctorate in Sacred Theology with a Biblical focus under the Pontifical Faculty of Theology at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, IL. These studies will be undertaken as Father Brice continues to serve as Pastor of Our Lady of Prompt Succor in Chackbay.
 
Rev. Ronald Camet has been assigned as the hospital chaplain at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. He will reside at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. He is a priest of the diocese of Tagbilaran in the Philippines. 

Deacon Stephen Brunet has been appointed to the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma from his previous assignment of St. Bridget in Schriever.
 
Please keep these, and all of our clergy, in your prayers during these times of transition.


PRIEST RETIREMENTS
 
Very Rev. Jay Baker, ordained June 13, 1992, will be retiring from active ministry after serving the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux for 34 years. He most recently served as Rector of the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma.
  
PASTOR APPOINTMENTS
 
Rev. Rusty Bruce has been appointed Rector of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux a six-year term. He most recently served as Pastor of St. Hilary of Poitiers in Matthews and St. Anthony of Padua in Gheens. 

Rev. Joseph Chacko IMS has been appointed Pastor of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Golden Meadow for a six-year term. He most recently served as Pastor of St. Andrew in Amelia.
  
Very Rev. Vicente DeLa Cruz has been appointed Pastor of St. Hilary of Poitiers Catholic Church in Matthews and St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Gheens for a six-year term. He most recently served as Rector of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux.
  
Rev. Brett Lapeyrouse has been appointed Pastor of St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Thibodaux for a six-year term. He most recently served as Pastor of Sacred Heart in Morgan City.
  
Very Rev. Eric Leyble has been appointed Pastor of St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Houma for a six-year term. He most recently served as Pastor of St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Thibodaux.
  
Very Rev. André Melancon has been appointed Rector of the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma for a six-year term. He most recently served as Pastor of St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Houma.
  
Very Rev. Thankachan "John" Nambusseril has been appointed Pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Morgan City for a six-year term. He most recently served as Pastor of Our Lady of Prompt Succor in Golden Meadow.
  
Rev. Robert Rogers has been appointed Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Thibodaux for a six-year term. He most recently served as Pastor of St. Louis in Bayou Blue.
  
Rev. Josekutty "Joe" Varghese has been appointed Pastor of St. Louis Catholic Church in Bayou Blue for a six-year term. He most recently served as Pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Thibodaux.
  
ADMINISTRATOR APPOINTMENT

Rev. Alex Okiror has been appointed Administrator of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Amelia for a one-year term. He most recently served as Parochial Vicar of St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Thibodaux.
  
  
PAROCHIAL VICAR APPOINTMENTS
 
Rev. Davis Ahimbisibwe has been reappointed Parochial Vicar of St. Hilary of Poitiers Catholic Church in Matthews and St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Gheens for a one-year term.
 
Rev. Mr. Scott Beslin, who will be ordained a priest on Saturday, June 6, 2026, has been appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Houma for a one-year term.
 
Rev. Picchignito Ferreira pfsgm has been reappointed Parochial Vicar of Holy Family Catholic Church in Dulac and St. Eloi Catholic Church in Theriot for a one-year term.

Rev. John Mary Dang Dang Khoa CRM has been reappointed Parochial Vicar of Thanh Gia (Holy Family) Catholic Church in Amelia for a one-year term.
 
Rev. Joseph Lapeyrouse has been reappointed Parochial Vicar of the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma for a one-year term.
 
Rev. Matthew Prosperie has been appointed Parochial Vicar of both St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Thibodaux and St. Bridget Catholic Church in Schriever for a one-year term. His residence will be at St. Genevieve.