[times Picayune] Deacons 25th Anniversary

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Shell/Motiva workers give to Bayou Liberty Sunday, January 07, 2007

Sandra Pichon

As part of the Shell/Motiva hurricane recovery effort along the Gulf Coast, a generous donation was made to the Bayou Liberty Civic Center through their Ambassador Grant Program. This program provides financial resources to enable employees to make an impact in communities affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Advertisement

Eligible employees could apply for a grant up to $1,000 to support a rebuilding/recovery project that suffered losses during these storms. Tommy Pichon, a member of Bayou Liberty Civic Center and son of President Junior Pichon, donated his $1,000 as did Chris Smith, operations manager for Perdido Asset/Operations for Operational Readiness and Assurance Group of Slidell; Kevin Hart, Ursa Princess Water Flood Focal Point of Mississippi; Tim Vaughn, Operational Readiness and Assurance Sub Sea Focal Point from Mississippi; and Chris Canulette with Motiva, who is from Slidell. Together these grants totaled $5,000. Smith presented the check and inspected the building. Junior Pichon said the money would first be used to obtain power for the building so that work could continue, and secondly for a security system to protect against the vandalism that has so beleaguered the organization. Tommy Pichon said the contributions were made by people he works with on a daily basis. "We all work together and some of the guys live in areas where there was no hurricane damage. They went in with us to try and help the community," he said. He said other employees have, like his friends, pooled their resources. He knows of playgrounds that have been rebuilt and Habitat homes that have been financed by Shell/Motiva employee grants. "You can't use it on yourself, it is to rebuild the communities" following the hurricanes, he said.

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1/10/2007

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When active, the civic center provides Easter egg hunts and a Christmas party for children of the community, as well as a ball field for the community and a home for a Boy Scout troop. The 54-year-old civic center has served the community well and now needs to be rebuilt. The club is still in need of workers, materials and donations of any kind. For information or to volunteer, call Junior Pichon at 643-2581. ....... Deacons George Menges and Dan Haggerty were recently honored at St. Genevieve Catholic Church for their 25-year anniversary. The deacons graduated together from the seminary in New Orleans in 1981. Their wives, Janet Haggerty and Mary Menges, lit the Advent candle before Mass. A beautiful choral opening was sung by the choir under the capable music director, Ryan Rhodes. George Menges said, "Part of the joy of being a deacon has been in teasing Dan (Haggerty) -- and he's never once retaliated. The joy, plain and simple, is that all 25 of my years of service have been on the bayou. Nine and one-half years at Sacred Heart in Lacombe, then when Father Mark Lomax came, I returned to St. Genevieve. "Bayou people are the greatest, the friendliest, most helpful and have such a powerful love of God. I thank you for your friendship, love for the past 25 years," he told those gathered. The Rev. Roel Lungay said he's had three of the best deacons. "Paul Mumme, then there is my 'Boogalee Deacon George' and my 'Santa Claus Deacon Dan.' I couldn't ask for better," he said. Dan Haggerty said, "For those of you who know my story, you know God has a profound sense of humor. I have found my service as a deacon to be enriching and rewarding, and my work through the police departments and FBI fulfilling. I continue to be the chaplain for Slidell Police Department. "I would not be where I am today were it not for my wife, Janet. She is the reason I am who I am and where I am. And I thank God for family and friends," he said. On hand for the celebration was the Rev. William O'Donnell, Deacon Ron LeBlanc and Deacon Bob Binney. A delicious buffet reception was held outdoors following the Mass. Mass continues to be held in the parish hall, which is now consecrated as a church, until plans are completed to begin the new church. ....... Sandra Pichon lives in the Bayou Liberty area. She may be reached by calling 649-3116. All submissions become the property of The Times-Picayune and will not be returned; submissions may be edited and may be published or otherwise reused in any medium.

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1/10/2007