RSS Feed

The drive to collect baby supplies for young, single mothers began last year at the Abbeville Fire Department with the hopes of it growing.
For its second year, it has.
A Pregnancy Center & Clinic, a non-profit groups based out of Lafayette, is once again partnering with the Abbeville Fire Department. This year, the Lafayette Fire Department has joined to help the cause. A Pregnancy Center & Clinic, a non-profit organization, has its home office in Lafayette. It’s pantry that helps single mothers is called Grace’s Closet.
“Last year went really well,” said Betty Henson of Abbeville, who volunteers with A Pregnancy Center & Clinic. “This year, we’re hoping for enough supplies to fill up Grace’s Closet for a whole year.”
Aptly named “April’s Showers,” the drive will last through April. Donations can be dropped at the Main Fire Station at 210 W. Vermilion St. in Abbeville as well as all 14 stations in Lafayette.
Items needed include:
• diapers (preemie and newborn
• baby powder
• baby lotion
• baby wash
• baby shampoo
• baby bottles (capped and packaged)
• diaper rash cream
• receiving blankets
• diaper bags
• Boppy pillows
• pacifiers (packaged)
• infant car seats
“These are all things that mothers need during the first few months,” Henson said. “Many of the mothers we help don’t have anything.”
Henson said a special thanks goes out to Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza and Abbeville Fire Chief Jude Mire for allowing the drive to take place through the fire department.
“We are so thankful for them allowing us to start it here and working again with us this year,” Henson said.
For those in the community, especially local businesses, Henson presented a friendly challenge.
“I would love to see the businesses have a little friendly competition to see who can bring in the most items,” Henson said. “I think that would be a great thing.
“This is all going to such a great cause.”

MAURICE — Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church for Ozita Marie Catalon, 76 who died Friday, March 24, 2017 at Abbeville General Hospital.
Services will be conducted by Pastor, Fr. Stanley Jawa, SVD.
Interment (Entombment) will be in St. Alphonsus Cemetery
Ozita serviced 35 years as an educator with the Vermilion Parish School District.
Ozita is survived by her husband of 55 years, Joseph Emanuel Catalon of Maurice, LA; two sons, Sherman (Phyllis) Catalon of Burleson, TX, Marcus (Michelle) Catalon of Baton Rouge, LA; eight grandchildren Raven, Kyle, and Drake Catalon of Lafayette, LA, Kendall, Jalen, and Savannah Catalon of Burleson, TX, Brandon and Mason Catalon of Baton Rouge, LA; one great grandson, Kumasi Kearney Jr. of Lafayette, LA; one sister, Mary (Dalton) Wilturner of Lafayette, LA and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her son, Joseph Bryan Catalon; daughter in law, Sandra Sinegal Catalon; parents, George Martin and Olita Trahan Martin, and a host uncles and aunts.
Visitation will be held Saturday April 1, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church from 7a.m. to 11a.m.
Sign the guestbook online at www.syriefh.com
Arrangements have been entrusted to Syrie Funeral Home, Inc. of Lafayette, LA.

ABBEVILLE – A Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Nghiem Van Nguyen, 100, will be held at 8:00AM on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church with Fr. James Nguyen officiating. Visitation will be at David Funeral Home of Abbeville on Friday, March 31, 2017 from 4:00PM until 9:00PM with a prayer service at 6:00PM; and on Saturday, April 1, 2017 from 7:00AM until the time of service. Interment will follow at St. Paul Cemetery.
A native of Ha Trai, North Vietnam and a resident of Abbeville since 1975 Mr. Nguyen passed away at 7:20PM on Monday, March 27, 2017 at Abbeville General Hospital. He was a devoted Catholic who enjoyed going to church and gardening.
He is survived by his eight children, Khuyen Nguyen, Mat Nguyen, Thu Nguyen, Mai Nguyen, Tho Austin Nguyen, Tam Nguyen, Dr. Tai Nguyen, and Dr. Derek Nguyen; a brother, Hien Nguyen; forty grandchildren; and thirty five great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Thao Nguyen; his parents; and sister, Nga Nguyen.
Serving as pallbearers will be Truong Nguyen, Tien Nguyen, John Nguyen, Vu Nguyen, Hoang Nguyen, Truong Nguyen, Darrel Nguyen, and Romero Nguyen.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Abbeville at 2600 Charity St. (337)893-3777 will be handling the arrangements.

February 26, 1930 ~ February 16, 2017

ABBEVILLE — A Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 1, at 11 am at St. Mary Magdalen Roman Catholic Church, Abbeville, Louisiana, for the repose of the soul of John F. Montagne, age 86, who passed away February 16th at Eastridge Nursing Home in Abbeville.
Visitation will be observed and rosary will be prayed at St. Mary Magdalen Church from 10 am until the time of the service.
Bishop Glen Provost will be the celebrant and Father William Blanda and possibly others will concelebrate.
John was born February 26, 1930, in Abbeville. He graduated from Castle Heights Military Academy, Lebanon, Tennessee, attended Louisiana State University and served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged with the rank of 1st Lieutenant. For many years, John was an antiques dealer and manager of the John Nugier Estate.
John faithfully served as organist at St. Mary Magdalen Church for many years, and after relinquishing that duty he remained a devoted member of the choir until declining health led to his retirement.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fernand John Montagne and Odette St. Martin Montagne, sisters, Jeannette Montagne Motty and Marian Elise Montagne McDade, brothers-in-law Francis “Chanky” Motty and Joseph William McDade, DDS as well as nephews Frank Francis Motty and Michael Joseph McDade.
John is survived by his nieces Susan Claire Motty, Nanette Marie Motty Mouton, Sue Guidry Motty, Dorothy McDade Juneau, Lydia Marie McDade, Anne Marie McDade and nephews Andre’ Pierre Motty and Stephen Michael Motty. In addition, great nieces Dodi Ann Fontenot, Natalie Elizabeth Holeman, Andrea Motty Humble and Jillian Motty Primeaux and great nephews Mack Shane Motty, Chad Rene’ Motty, Jarrod Michael Motty, Matthew Francis Motty and several great great nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the staff of the Eastridge Nursing Home and caregivers Shaketha “Mukkie” Moore, Dorothy Viltz and April Mitchell and the staff of Hospice of Acadiana, especially Dr Corbett LeBouef and Robin Broussard for their compassionate care of John during his extended illness.,
*Note: Memorials for John Fernand Montagne should be to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston St, Suite 200, Lafayette, La 70503.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.