IN THE MEDIA

3rd ANNUAL ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER DAY IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA PRAYER BREAKFAST 

For more information contact:   Jennifer P. Angelle, jennifer@angelle.com c/txt. 337-288-9665

Lafayette, Louisiana.  Today, on May 1, 2024, Louisiana celebrates St. Joseph the Worker Day, as designated by 2021 Louisiana Senate Regular Session Resolution 116 and unanimously adopted on June 1, 2021 by the Louisiana State Senate, the first of its kind in the United States of America.  

A prayer breakfast was hosted at the Petroleum Club of Lafayette, Louisiana in the historic Oil Center where over 200 Louisiana workers, faith, and community leaders joined together in celebration.  Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel of the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana was the keynote speaker offering words of inspiration and support of workers across Louisiana, past, present, and future.  

Bishop Deshotel reminded us, “. . .that for the laborer, St. Joseph is a just man, a faithful spouse and father and a hard worker. He cares for his family, he guarded and protected Mary and Jesus, was obedient to God and faithful to his calling. On this day, it is appropriate for us to pause and recognize human labor is noble, creative, and a means of enriching the lives of others. It is further appropriate for us to honor all workers and to pray that St. Joseph inspire all who labor in this life.”

Acknowledgment of efforts of military, educators, first responders, health care providers, energy workers, barbers/beauticians, fisherman, farmers, auto mechanics, restaurant workers, finance, banking, insurance industry workers, and administrative staff, was made by former Lieutenant Governor and founder of USA Energy Workers, Scott A. Angelle.  He shared that nearly 2.1 million Louisianans made up the civilian workforce in 2023 generating a gross domestic product of $238.2 billion.  He added a special tribute to the most important vocation of all, motherhood.             

Inspired by Joseph the Worker as a model for all working men and women, the Louisiana resolution points to virtues such as patience, peacefulness, prudence, protector, provider, and prayerfulness – the resolution uses historical points involving and sacred scripture to ultimately call for the elevation and celebration of all Louisiana working men and women each year on May 1, now referred to as St. Joseph the Worker Day in the State of Louisiana.   

“Bishop Deshotel reminded us of the sacredness of work and his comments inspired today’s audience,” shared founder of USA Energy Workers and master of ceremonies for the event, Scott A. Angelle; and served to further echo the previous comments of Fr. Donald Hugh Calloway, Vicar Provincial of the Marians of Immaculate Conception, “This celebration sprung from the fruits of the 2021 worldwide ‘Year of St. Joseph.’  This grass-roots effort promotes great virtues, strong work ethic and zeal.   I applaud Louisiana for leading the way, and I am hopeful that other states can be inspired, initiate, and implement May 1st celebrations in their schools and workplaces.” 

This year’s celebration also included an educational component, as the event coordinators partnered with Diocese of Lafayette Superintendent Anna Larriviere and implemented an educational outreach program to nearly 1000 7th grade students within the Diocese, to raise awareness regarding the virtues and characteristics of St. Joseph the Worker through an essay, poetry, and arts contest.   Said Superintendent Larriviere, “this was a perfect opportunity to involve our next generation of workers; this has all the makings for a national model.” 

Special guests included Scanlan Foundation President, Larry W. Massey, Jr., and Catholic Literary Arts (CLA) President & Founder, Sarah Cortez.  “We are excited to participate with this effort to further the mission of helping children learn to write well and to write within the unsurpassed Catholic literary and devotional traditions,” says Cortez.

CLA selected the winners of essay contests, and they were announced at today’s event.  First Place: Jaxon Angelle, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School with his essay titled "A Role Model for Labor.”  Second Place: Adeline Hoffpauir, Academy of the Sacred Heart, and Third Place: Gemma Nicko, St. Ignatius Catholic School. 

Angelle Architects and John Paul the Great Academy Arts Instructor, Erika Littell, served as the judges for the art contest.  First place was awarded to Beau Barrios, 7th Grader at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School.  He created a pen and ink drawing of St. Joseph the Worker featuring Louisiana imagery of a pelican, shrimp, and a carpenter’s bench.  (Featured below.)  Second place went to Jana Higginbotham, 7th Grade, Sts. Peter & Paul School, Scott, Louisiana and third place to Rosalie Caffery, 7th Grade, Academy of Sacred Heart, Grand Coteau, Louisiana.  Each student was awarded a scholarship, personalized letter and a certificate signed by Bishop Deshotel for their efforts.  

“Keeping with the Cajun tradition of sharing a cup of coffee each morning while counting our blessings and honoring the value of human work, each attendee was provided with a ‘little lagniappe’ - a commemorative mug  - as well as other giveaways.  We are hopeful these keepsakes will serve as reminders to live out all year long the inspiration from today! We are hopeful to continue building this unique groundswell of support for our Louisiana workers,” commented Jennifer Angelle, Event Chairperson and owner of Hugs from Heaven.  To learn more, visit the newly launched website www.saintjosephtheworker.com.