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Bayou Vista Elementary’s second nine weeks winner of a bike is first-grader Grace Mathews, who is pictured with teacher Heather Crappell. The bike was donated by Crappell’s Fish Market. Each nine weeks, students who earn honor roll, principal's list, good behavior and perfect attendance get their name put in for a drawing for a bike.

Submitted Photo

The 8th annual Jubilee of the Word Bible Marathon begins Wednesday January 18 at 12:30 p.m. in the town square of St. Martinville. The outdoor event normally draws over 3000 faithful through the course of the 5-day continuous reading. The Holy Bible will be read publicly in front of the Diocese of Lafayette’s oldest church parish, St. Martin de Tours. The parish was erected in 1765 and the present structure dates to 1836.

During the four days of continuous reading, 300 lectors from the various 121 church parishes and 30 missions in the Diocese of Lafayette as well as faith leaders from other denominations from across Acadiana will be employed. The Bible Marathon will help to accentuate the rich cultural heritage of the region by including its various nationalities and languages. In addition to English, selections of the Bible will be read in French, Italian, German, Spanish, Vietnamese, Hebrew, Latin, and Greek.

The special Bible event is intended to help “prime the pump” and re-ignite a love for the Word of God and its practice in our lives. “People everywhere love to exercise. It’s important to stay in physical shape, which is why many participate in programs such as CrossFit and compete in Iron Man races, triathlons, and marathons. And we wanted to provide a way for people to spiritually exercise,” says Fr. Michael Champagne, of the Community of Jesus Crucified, organizer of the event. “We, as Christians, and all men and women of good will, need to ‘shake the dust off’ our Bibles and begin to ponder God’s plan for our lives. In these chaotic times we often get confused about how we are to act in our personal lives, in our families, at work, and in our dealings with others. God’s pre-eminent way of speaking to us is through the Sacred Scriptures. Every page of the Bible recounts God’s burning and fatherly love for us, and the Bible Marathon is a reminder of that love.”

Bishop Deshotel of the Diocese of Lafayette participates in the Bible Marathon every year. He comments, “The Jubilee of the Word Marathon serves as a reminder of the importance of the Bible, the word of God, and the sacred Scriptures. In the very noisy world we live in today, the significance of the word of God can be easily lost. The Bible is a record of God’s interaction with the human race” and “culminates in the Person of Jesus Christ.” Sr. Anne- Marie, CJC recounts, “It was very peaceful just to sit and listen to the Word of God. It was wonderful to see all the different faith groups coming together to proclaim the love of God for His people.” Bishop Glen Provost, a native of Lafayette, participated in previous years. “The sacred Scriptures are like the sun, and to read them openly and completely is like basking in full daylight. To read them in St. Martinville, where my 18th-century ancestors were nurtured by the Catholic sacraments, is to return to the roots of my faith, which benefited from that sunlight,” stated the Bishop of Lake Charles. Lisa Schmidt, a long-time participant, commented, “Reading the Bible again just reminds you how important and rejuvenating it is to read it always. Scripture is eternal like God because it is alive.” Louisiana’s attorney general, Jeff Landry, will also read. Referencing that the rule of law won’t fail if it is anchored in the Law of God, Landry said, “The Jubilee of the Word Marathon is a great way to recover that wisdom and reflect on it together.” Many Bible studies were spawned as a result of the public Bible Reading in the square and the event has inspired other Bible Marathons at McNeese State University, in New Orleans on Carrollton Avenue, and most recently in Colorado.

Priests will be available each day to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation by means of the Spiritual Care Unit (SCU – Mobile Confessional). Catholics who are properly disposed can obtain a plenary indulgence by reading or listening for 30 minutes from the Holy Bible in the Square during the event. Organizers are asking all lectors to invite at least 10 people to come along with them and listen to the Word while it is being proclaimed in the Square. “We need proclaimers of the Word, but also hearers of the Word, and most importantly Doers of the Word” recounts Fr. Champagne.

Lectors will be reading from a very special, handmade Bible during the Marathon. The Bible measures 12” x 18” in its closed position and weighs nearly 25 lbs. The Bible was blessed by Pope Francis for the first Bible Marathon held during the Year of Mercy in 2016 and has since been used in other Bible Marathons hosted across Louisiana and the United States. It has been read cover to cover 14 times in various locations since being blessed.

The new Friar Truck will be rolled out for the Bible Marathon. The retrofitted antique fire truck has been transformed into a mobile church with a built-in pulpit. The Friar Truck will be used for proclaiming the Word of God during this year’s Bible Marathon. The truck also is stocked with free Bibles and Epiphany Holy Water. The mobile pulpit is used for itinerant street preaching and reading the Scriptures publicly at various locations throughout the region. Bishop Deshotel blessed the friar truck in 2022. Participants at the Bible Marathon can take home holy water blessed on the Vigil of this year’s Solemnity of the Epiphany, while supplies last.

For more information or to register to read, call Sr. Marie- Thérèse, CJC at (337) 394-6021 or fetedieuduteche@gmail.com. More information on the Bible Marathon and other new evangelization events and endeavors of Fête-Dieu du Teche, LLC can be found at www.jesuscrucified.net and at www.facebook.com/CommunityOfJesusCrucified

Friday, Jan. 13
7:09 a.m. 2700 block of Sixth Street; Medical.
7:27 a.m. 1000 block of Hickory Street; Suspicious vehicle.
8:26 a.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Alarm.
9:29 a.m. 1600 block of Federal Avenue; Animal complaint.
9:41 a.m. Fifth Street/Railroad Avenue; Stalled vehicle.
10:07 a.m. 1000 block of Third Street; Domestic.
10:19 a.m. 500 block of General Patton Street; Animal complaint.
10:21 a.m. 400 block of Idaho Street; Complaint.
10:43 a.m. 1000 block of Second Street; Medical.
11:16 a.m. 700 block of Justa Street; Medical.
12:19 p.m. 700 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Remove subject.
12:27 p.m. 900 block of Marguerite Street; Complaint.
12:53 p.m. 2400 block of Sixth Street; Medical.
2:22 p.m. 1100 block of Ditch Avenue; Complaint.
2:24 p.m. 900 block of Marguerite Street; Juvenile problems.
2:40 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Disturbance.
2:56 p.m. U.S. 182 Bridge; Traffic incident.
3:18 p.m. 100 block of Oak Street; Complaint.
3:22 p.m. La. 70; Remove subject.
3:30 p.m. 2600 block of Elm Street; Animal complaint.
4:40 p.m. 100 block of Mallard Street; Complaint.
4:51 p.m. 500 block of Hilda Street; Hit and run.
6:18 p.m. 600 block of Terrebonne Street; Disturbance.
6:54 p.m. 200 block of Onstead Street; Theft.
7:27 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Complaint.
8:06 p.m. General Patton/Sixth streets; Suspicious person.
8:10 p.m. Sixth/Bowman streets; Suspicious person.
8:33 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
9:14 p.m. Bowman Street/Federal Avenue; Suspicious person.
9:15 p.m. Second/Ash streets; Suspicious person.
9:22 p.m. Terrebonne Street/Federal Avenue; Suspicious person.
10:11 p.m. 800 block of Youngs Road; Alarm.
Saturday, Jan. 14
2:09 a.m. 700 block of Leona Street; Disturbance.
2:43 a.m. 2400 block of Tiger Drive; Suspicious vehicle.
2:51 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Assistance.
5:55 a.m. 1400 block of Bernice Street; Medical.
7:06 a.m. Egle Street/Federal Avenue; Suspicious person.
7:32 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Medical.
7:38 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
7:59 a.m. 800 block of Youngs Road; Alarm.
10:49 a.m. 30 0 block of Glenwood Street; Animal complaint.
11:17 a.m. 2700 block of Sixth Street; Medical.
11:33 a.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Utilities.
12:56 p.m. 2700 block of Sixth Street; Medical.
2 p.m. 1000 block of Ditch Avenue; Domestic.
2:42 p.m. 600 block of Belanger Street; Complaint.
3:17 p.m. 300 block of Glenwood Street; Animal complaint.
4:11 p.m. 300 block of Second Street; Animal complaint.
4:29 p.m. 500 block of Louisa Street; Medical.
5:19 p.m. Roderick/Keith streets; Suspicious person.
5:40 p.m. 700 block of Freret Street; Loud music.
6:29 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Building check.
6:36 p.m. 100 block of Eleventh Street; Complaint.
7:42 p.m. 800 block of Youngs Road; Complaint.
8:32 p.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Open door.
10:08 p.m. Clothilde Street/La. 70; Suspicious person.
10:17 p.m. 1000 block of Eighth Street; Suspicious person.
10:36 p.m. Mount Street/Railroad Avenue; Suspicious person.
10:38 p.m. Youngs Road Boat Landing; Suspicious person.
Sunday, Jan. 15
1:17 a.m. 500 block of Egle Street; Loud music.
1:22 a.m. Fourth/Everett streets; Suspicious person.
1:37 a.m. Fifth Street/Brashear Avenue; Suspicious person.
1:59 a.m. 600 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
2:02 a.m. 700 block of Willow Street; Vehicle burglary.
2:49 a.m. Louisa/Sixth streets; Found property.
4:05 a.m. 1900 block of Elm Street; Criminal damage.
5:39 a.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Alarm.
6:25 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Medical.
6:32 a.m. 600 block of Onstead Street; Vehicle burglary.
7:28 a.m. 1300 block of Main Street; Warrant.
10:36 a.m. 1400 block of Ellzey Street; Vehicle burglary.
10:38 a.m. 1500 block of Cedar Street; Vehicle burglary.
10:41 a.m. 900 block of Belanger Street; Vehicle burglary.
10:53 a.m. 800 block of Sycamore Street; Vehicle burglary.
11:04 a.m. La. 70; Lost and found.
11:10 a.m. U.S. 90 East/Martin Luther King Boulevard; Traffic incident.
11:22 a.m. 900 block of Short Street; Animal complaint.
11:26 a.m. 1800 block of Garner Street; Alarm.
11:38 a.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Aggravated assault.
11:44 a.m. 600 block of Leona Street; Vehicle burglary.
11:55 a.m. 1500 block of Sixth Street; Complaint.
12:39 p.m. Willow Street/Veterans Boulevard; Suspicious person.
1:33 p.m. 600 block of Louisa Street; Theft.
1:49 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Complaint.
3:42 p.m. 900 block of Onstead Street; Medical.
4:25 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Animal complaint.
5:29 p.m. 1600 block of Elm Street; Vehicle burglary.
6:10 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Loud music.
6:30 p.m. Redwood/Sandra streets; Suspicious person.
6:54 p.m. Filmore/Myrtle streets; Suspicious person.
6:59 p.m. 1400 block of Ellzey Street; Found property.
7:13 p.m. 600 block of Leona Street; Building check.
7:43 p.m. Brashear Avenue/Boat; Accident.
8:19 p.m. 100 block of Roderick Street; Alarm.
9:05 p.m. Marguerite/Seventh streets; Suspicious person.
9:17 p.m. 800 block of Hickory Street; Vehicle burglary.
9:36 p.m. 900 block of Sycamore Street; Complaint.
10:13 p.m. Levee Road/Apple Street; Suspicious person.
11:07 p.m. Diane Drive/Justa Street; Suspicious person.
11:19 p.m. Marguerite/Elm streets; Suspicious person.
Monday, Jan. 16
12:31 a.m. Federal Avenue/Kidd Street; Suspicious person.
1:43 a.m. Poncio Street /Railroad Avenue; Suspicious person.
2:01 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Suspicious person.
2:27 a.m. Onstead/First streets; Suspicious person.
2:39 a.m. 600 block of Brashear Avenue; Suspicious person.
2:41 a.m. Victor II Boulevard/Ida Street; Suspicious person.
5:15 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Harassment.

Retired Lt. Col Douglas W. Levet, 76, of Baton Rouge, La., passed away peacefully on January 6, 2023. Doug was adopted by and preceded in death by his loving parents, Emile Xavier and Emmadel Peltier Levet. He was raised in Bayou Sale, La.
He graduated from LSU, and served in the US Army for over 30 years, including the Gulf War, earning a Bronze Star and numerous other citations. Doug was a real estate broker for 44 years in Louisiana.
Doug is survived by his wife Brenda Pearson and his children, Ashley Bradford and husband Donald, Scott Levet and wife
Ashley, Haley Levet and partner Alicia, Hannah Levet and fiancé Dakotah, and stepdaughter Rebecca Abrams; his grandchildren, Taylor Sanders and husband Quentin, Mya Levet, Chandler Marino, Jacob Clement, Joshua Clement, Emma Levet, Leighton Boutte, Korbin Soileau, Zachary Abrams, Jack Abrams, and Logan Abrams and great-grandchildren Beckett and Jansen Sanders.
Doug leaves behind eight siblings: Donna Sutherland, Emile and wife Wanda, Ronnie and wife Rita, Albert, Judy and husband
John Prejeant, Barbara and husband Martin Hendee, Ellen Anne Still and husband Phillip, Bill and wife Cory and Joan and
husband Dale Craft. This crew has a bond like no other.
Doug was a passionate LSU fan, never missing a home baseball or football game. He was the “High Muckety Muck” of the famous R3BG tailgate crew. He was an active member of Cadets of the Ole War Skule, cooking jambalaya to welcome the new cadets. The Army and LSU fostered a lifelong friendship that Doug shared with his deceased best friend and partner-in-crime, Col. Calvin Robbins.
He loved and was an active member of the Military Officers of the World Wars, MOAA, VFW, Cortana Kiwanis, Partnership of the Americas, and several others.
Not one to sit still much, Parkinson’s was his toughest battle. He fought like a warrior should, and God healed him after a 19-year fight. He lived out his last two years at the VA Home in Jackson, La. where he was loved and cared for by the wonderful people at the home. They sent him off with a proper and very sentimental military service.
Doug was known and respected in many diverse circles, never meeting a stranger, and never holding a grudge. He never met a stray animal he didn’t love and often adopt! Doug was a proud American, Louisianan, and blessed his Baton Rouge community. He will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Charlet Funeral Home, 4230 High Street, Zachary, La. 70791, on Friday January 20, 2023.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in Doug’s name. Michael J. Fox Foundation, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163 US.
Signing off, “Doug Levet, 928-1111!”