Two from H-T Diocese are finalists for prestigious award

The Rev. Simon Peter Engurait, vicar for Catholic charities in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and pastor of St. Bridget Catholic Church in Schriever, and Karen David, Catholic Charities Board chair and interim chief administrative officer, have been chosen as one of the seven Lumen Christi finalists from a group of 40 nominees.

The Lumen Christi Award is Catholic Extension’s highest honor, given to people "who radiate and reveal the light of Christ present in the communities where they serve," the Roman Catholic Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux said in a press release.

“These humble heroes of our Church are sources of hope for us and our country,” said Catholic Extension’s president, the Rev. Jack Wall.

Award finalists receive $10,000 to support and enhance their ministry. From among these finalists, the Lumen Christi Award recipient will ultimately be selected and given a $25,000 grant, along with an additional $25,000 grant for the nominating diocese.

Just after a week after Hurricane Ida damaged 75% of the diocese's properties on August 2021, the executive director position at Catholic Charities
Houma-Thibodaux became vacant.

Bishop Shelton Fabre (who since been named archbishop of Louisville, Kentucky) asked Engurait, a member of his senior leadership team, to serve
as interim director.

Engurait asked David, a retired senior executive at Johnson & Johnson, to serve as his right-hand officer. David, a longtime diocesan volunteer at the Catholic Community Center food bank and thrift store, refused compensation when offered the
role.

“This is a gift I can give to our community,” David said.