Bringing Unity and Awareness Through Prayer and Art

With  the recent installation of a new statue of Saint Josephine Bakhita on the altar, St. Joan of Arc Church in LaPlace is planning a series of celebrations focused on bringing attention not just to the life of the saint, but also to the issue of human trafficking as part of the parish’s efforts to reinvigorate their Right to Life ministry. Saint Josephine Bakhita is the Patron Saint of Human Trafficking and the victims and survivors of human trafficking.

“I believe this is the only statue of Saint Bakhita in the archdiocese,” said Father Jose Lavastida, St. Joan of Arc pastor. “The five-foot-tall statue is located to the left of the main altar next to a statue of Saint Joseph and is receiving plenty of positive feedback from parishioners.”

The first celebration will be on the eve of her feast day, Saturday, Feb. 7, and will begin with 4:30 p.m. Mass followed by Vespers, a reflection from Father Daniel Okafor, pastor of St. Jane de Chantal Parish in Abita Springs, and a social for the community.

“The reason for the celebration is because our parish Right to Life Ministry had been dormant for a while, and it is being reestablished with quarterly activities related to pro-life themes along with monthly Mass intentions,” Father Lavastida added. “February is the first month and the intention for the month is for the victims of human trafficking. Since Saint Bakhita is the patroness for those fighting against this evil, and we just installed the statue, it was perfect timing.”

He added the parish has reached out to parishioners and those at the deanery and archdiocesan level to invite people to pray with them during Mass and Vespers under the protection and intercession of Saint Josephine Bakhita on Feb. 7 and throughout the month.

“I think it is going to be a beautiful Mass and those attending are going to see something they are not used to viewing,” said Father Lavastida. “It is going to be prayerful in an atmosphere where spirits are raised and hearts moved and everyone praying together for one intention. I hope that people leave here that evening knowing more about this important saint and are moved when they see the statue.”

According to parish secretary Pamela Meariman, long-time parishioner Nyler Williams wanted to bring in a statue of a saint that recognizes and embraces the parishes African American community. “The response has been overwhelming, and the statue is just beautiful,” she said. 

“I have been coordinating the social for the evening and putting together pamphlets about Saint Bakhita to get her story out there and help get the pro-life ministry up and running again,” Meariman said. “We hope to bring unity to the community along with fostering support and camaraderie across the parish and archdiocese.”

The statue of Saint Josephine Bakhita along with a statue of Saint Margaret were originally commissioned by former St. of Joan of Arc pastor Father David Ducote who worked with the Fiat Studio in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The process began in Dec. 2024 and the final products where delivered to the parish in Oct. 2025. 

Brent Torres, St. Joan of Arc director of music and technical facilitator, said that the choirs will be singing gospel-style music chosen to coordinate with the Mass and Vespers theme.

“Before I retired as a federal supervising officer for sex offender cases, I was in contact with human trafficking victims,” he said. “I hope us having this service can help victims see they have a saint they can turn to and pray to find solace and healing. I feel a strong connection to this evening and would like to see some peace brought to victims of this continuing horrific crime and suffering that these people endure.” 

Richard Cherie, the late Bishop Cherie’s brother, is providing the music ministry for the special occasion and his Star of the Sea singers will be joining him. “We are planning to provide music that corresponds with the readings for that weekend,” he said. “I am looking forward to contributing to this Mass and Vespers as it is important that we make people aware human trafficking is happening here in our own backyards.” 

In addition to the Feb. 7 activities, St. Joan of Arc will host a Spiritual Rosary on Feb. 21 at 5:30 p.m., following 4:30 p.m. Mass to pray for all victims, survivors and perpetrators of human trafficking.