BY: LEIGH STUART

St. Joseph Seminary College “Deo Gratias”

Friends of Saint Joseph Seminary College gathered for an evening of dining and dancing on Oct. 27  in support of this religious institution. St. Joseph’s Abbey was founded in 1889 with the monastery created to serve as “a school for the Lord’s service.”

 “Deo Gratias,” held at the Abbey near Covington, began with vespers at 6 p.m. After services, patrons enjoyed jazz, local cuisine, and cocktails—like the festively named “Abbey-tini”—followed by music by the ELS Band. The evening’s festivities also included a silent auction and raffle. Silent auction items encompassed artifacts from the 17th and 18th centuries, hotel stays, religious statues, and even a dinner for eight prepared by the monks at the Abbey. Raffle items included restaurant packages, hotel stays and a Bixby cross necklace from Boudreaux’s Jewelers. Linda McCarthy, Suzy Neal and Puddy Robinson co-chaired the event.


Fr. Gregory Bouquet, Ginny and Jim Kelly, and Judeyanne Coudrain




Carole Townsley and Jennifer Rice




Archbishop Phillip Hannan and Dr. William Barfield




Puddy Robinson, Linda McCarthy and event co-chair Suzy Neal




Angele Darling, Abbott Justin Brown and Gary Darling