St.Michael the Archangel Catholic Mission
2/14/1985
In discussing the church's history, the Rev. Francis Sander, of the Order of St. Benedict, recalls that, in 1981, a number of Catholic families in Bush were driving 15 to 20 miles to attend church. Concerned that their children were not receiving sufficient religious instruction, parents contacted Sander, who is also pastor of St. Jane de Chantal Church in Abita Springs, about meeting with some of the group in Bush. However, when it was learned that there were about 100 Catholic families in the area, Sander discussed the possibility of starting a mission with the archbishop, who encouraged him to proceed.
After several attempts to find a suitable meeting place, an agreement was reached between Sander and the pastor of the Bush United Methodist Church, the two congregations and the Catholic and Methodist bishops. This paved the way for Mass to be held at the Methodist church, an arrangement that lasted about a year.
Later, 10 acres of land was obtained, and with the help of an anonymous donation of $100,000, construction on the new church began.
After construction was completed, the Methodists, having just bought new pews, donated the older ones, which were stripped and refinished by members Dottie and Edmond Salathe and Ida and Bill Adler. The two couples also added kneelers to the pews.
Fr. Sander said that after the interior was painted, a 3-foot statue of Christ on the wall behind the altar table appeared to shrink. It was decided that Mandeville sculptor and artist Roc Paul would paint a mural on the wall that is now the focal point of the interior.
The base of the altar table, donated in memory of W.I. Meyer, is made of linden wood and was hand-carved in Italy. The upper portion of the table was built by Vince Simoneaux of Abita Springs.
During Mass, Fr. Sander was assisted by Deacon Frans Labranche, of Mandeville. Deacon Labranche gave a brief talk on “Perspectives,” and modern jargon to explain the Apostle Paul’s writings, saying, “Without love, you are nowhere.
Fr. Sander, in announcing an upcoming pizza party, said there is no harm mixing pleasure with spirituality, quoting St. Theresa’s pray to God to “deliver me from sad saints.”
10/1985
Mass was held in hall till the"Turtle" was built.