[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 172 (Thursday, November 3, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE LIFE, SPIRIT, AND LEADERSHIP OF THE LATE REVEREND 
                           THOMAS JAMES, SVD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 3, 2022

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I rise to remember the life, 
spirit, and leadership of Reverend Thomas James, SVD, the Divine Word 
Missionaries.
  It is with great honor, admiration, and deep privilege that we 
celebrate the life of Rev. Thomas Anthony James, SVD, who died 
peacefully on Friday, October 28, after a lifetime of priestly service. 
He was born on June 11, 1942, in St. Martinville, Louisiana, to Collins 
Henry James, Sr., and Eva Anthony James and is the eldest of three 
children.
  Father James was educated at Notre Dame Catholic Elementary School in 
St. Martinville. He pursued his studies at St. Augustine Seminary in 
Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, and was ordained to the Holy Priesthood 
by Auxiliary Bishop Warren Boudreaux of the Diocese of Lafayette on 
December 18, 1969. Recognizing the need for and importance of 
increasing vocations to the priesthood among African Americans, Father 
James became an active member of the Black Clergy Association and 
devoted himself to that cause and to his ministry.
  His first assignment was at Verbum Dei Catholic High School in Los 
Angeles, California, where he served as Teacher and Principal for 
almost 20 years. He returned to Louisiana in 1987 and was named 
Associate Pastor at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in 
Lafayette. The following year, he was named Pastor at St. Edward 
Catholic Church in New Iberia and served as Episcopal Vicar of the 
South Region of the Diocese of Lafayette under Bishop Edward O'Donnell.
  In 2002, Father James returned to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic 
Church in Lafayette to serve as Pastor. This church had been built to 
accommodate the ``First Four'' African American priests ordained in the 
United States, and several of them had been stationed there. A deep 
historian, Father James connected the parish and its people to the 
``First Four,'' understanding their struggles and persevering in 
service with gratitude. One of his proudest accomplishments was 
erecting a Memorial to these ``First Four'' African American Priests on 
the grounds of Immaculate Heart.
  In 2015, Father James was named Pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church 
in Broussard, and St. Anthony Mission Chapel in Cade. During his time 
at Immaculate Heart and in Broussard, Father James served as Episcopal 
Vicar of the Central Region of the Diocese of Lafayette under Bishop 
Michael Jarrell and for a brief time under Bishop Douglas Deshotel. In 
addition, he served three terms as Vice-Provincial for the Southern 
Province of the Divine Word Ministries and served several terms on the 
Provincial Council. He dedicated himself to mentoring young priests 
throughout the course of his ministry, and he embraced a paradigm of 
truth and service in his quest to share God's Word and open hearts, one 
person at a time.
  He was dedicated to service in his support of Miles Perret Cancer 
Services, Veterans programs, and Hospice of Acadiana, where he served 
on the Board of Directors. He loved teaching, reading, enjoying time 
with his friends, fishing, and listening to music. He was a great 
storyteller, and most of all, he loved to serve God's people and he 
loved being with his family, whom he cherished so deeply.
  Father James was preceded in death by his parents, Collins and Eva 
James, his nephew and Godson, Collins James III, great-nephew Christian 
James Batiste, great-niece Skylar Elizabeth Batiste, and great-nephew 
Denzel Anthony Batiste; and a host of other relatives.
  He is survived by his siblings, Sister Geneva James, SSF, and Collins 
James, Jr. and his wife, Hazel; his niece Louise and her husband, Amos 
Batiste, Jr.; great nephews Dylan and Tyler Batiste and Brandon 
Chapman; great-nieces Naseyani and Khylee James and their mother, 
Forqueena James; and a host of relatives and friends.
  I'm sending prayers to Father James' family, friends, students, 
colleagues, and church community.
  He will be so missed.
  I take comfort that now, he is at peace with his Savior in heaven.

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