November 1, 2022
Dear Opelousas Catholic Faculty, Staff and Students:
Give honor and glory to Christ, our Eucharistic King!

Firstly, I would like to say something very dear to me and my heart: I would like to say that I am
eternally grateful for the many difficult sacrifices that my mother (OC 1982) and father made
for my sister (OC 2012) and I to have a Catholic education. On another note, I would also like to
thank Opelousas Catholic (and the Academy of the Immaculate Conception) for educating my
family for the last four generations.

It all started for my family at AIC (Academy of the Immaculate Conception) when my
grandfather, Raymond “Beedy” Herpin, graduated in 1937. Then, all of his children attended
AIC and then OC when the name changed. From this new name, my wonderful mother, Bonnie
Herpin Darbonne, graduated in 1982. Then after this came all of his grandchildren, the last of
which was myself, a graduate of the OC class of 2021. (Once a Viking, always a Viking!) Lastly, is
now the youngest and current generation of the Herpins at OC, the great-grandchildren of
whom are Kathryn Lafleur, Amelie Richard and her sister Camille, Dawson Bordelon and his
sister Bailey.

Secondly, I would like to thank the faculty and staff. If it was not for you, our beloved school
would surely crumble. I guess, in this situation, what Coach Braham always says is true: “It takes
a village”. To be able to multitask, run an entire school and inspire the minds and hearts of
hundreds of young people is amazing! You all deserve more than what you get for doing so
much for us – inspiring, guiding, teaching and raising (in a way) the next generation of
Christians in this incredibly evil and dark world we live in. You are truly teaching them to be a
light for others. Wow – truly amazing, just amazing!

Thirdly, I would like to thank our pastors. This group of five men who are chosen by Christ runs
this school behind the scenes. These men work tirelessly behind the scenes solving every issue.
However, in front of the curtain, they celebrate the Holy Sacrifice for us weekly, hear our
confessions, and teach and guide us in our spiritual journey. God bless them, and may He be
with them always!

Fourthly, I would like to thank something that cannot hear or understand me, something that
may look like nothing to others: the halls of our beloved Opelousas Catholic. Always
overlooked, it was in these blessed halls that I made many cherished memories. Like for
example, the time that my mom and I had to chase a bird out of the building one morning
before school. Also when I was entering first grade (Aunt Jo’s class), we changed sides and
uniforms.

Next, I would like to say a few things to the students. My advice to you is this: Persevere, keep
going. You WILL get through. Keep Christ in your life and He will guide you on the right path.
Just know this, students: you don’t have to be the smartest kid in the world to get into Heaven.
You can honestly be as dumb as a rock and still get to your, our final destination. All our Blessed 
Christ cares about is how much love you showed, not your good grades. Now, I am not saying to get all F’s, but … you get the point. In the words of our very own Fr. Matthew Higginbotham: “Life is about Heaven. Let’s get there!”

My beloved school, place of my many cherished memories of which I will never forget her faculty, staff and students, please know of my prayers for you and your success both in Christ and in life. God bless. My love is with you all in these most troubling times.

In conclusion, after I graduated I did something wonderfully great in the eyes of the Lord. On April 24, the Eve of the Feast of Divine Mercy, I entered a Religious Community. My community was founded by the Rev. Mother Mary Angelica. It is called the Knights of the Holy Eucharist. Currently, I am a Postulant (which is the second stage of formation). On July 25, the Feast of St. James the Greater and our Community’s 24th Anniversary, I became a Postulant. I am living with the Knights in Lincoln, Nebraska (and it is starting to get really cold). Today is October 18 th, and it was 17 degrees F when we woke up, and all day it has been hovering in the upper 20s. God willing, next October I will be entering Novitiate. After this, I will be referred to as “Brother” and will receive my Habit and a new name. In Christ may we serve the world with love,

Michael Darbonne

My Prayer for Opelousas Catholic

Almighty and Eternal Christ, Son of the Living God, we, as a family, beseech thee humbly to look down with mercy and compassion on Thy daughter, Opelousas Catholic. May she through Your Divine Power, prosper and benefit through the graces which You bestow on her. May she flourish in students, faculty and staff, and may they all have abundant Faith in You, Almighty Christ. May You always be with those of whom work or learn at Opelousas Catholic as well as be present in her classrooms and in her halls and other buildings. May You also be present in her students, faculty and staff so that they, whether inside or outside of school, may shine bright with Your blinding Light. We ask all of this in the name of the Crucified One, Jesus Christ our Mighty Lord. Amen. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us! Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!


 

This year's appeal for 2022-2023 gifts will be designated to provide a full time interventionist on staff to work wiith students in grades 5-12. Specific needs for these students can be addressed by designing methods of learning most appropriate for them. Click here to bless us with your online donation.

May God bless you for making these dreams come true.

Opelousas Catholic is now a latex free zone as well as a nut free zone. We have recently discovered that we have students and faculty with latex allergies. We have several students with severe (deadly) allergies to peanuts and other nuts. There are other students with less severe, but still threatening nut allergies. Parents and students from grades PreK-12 are reminded to refrain from bringing any products with nuts on campus. 

OCS does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, creed or
national origin in admissions or employment policies.

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