Faith at Work – September 2022

Up next in our “Faith at Work” series is Father Cody Chatagnier! Born in Houma in 1983, he lived in Chauvin, Louisiana for the first 3 years of his life then ended up in Bayou Black where he would attend Bayou Black Elementary, Greenwood Middle School, Houma Junior High, and Terrebonne High School. After graduating from Terrebonne in 2002, he stayed in the area and attended Nicholls State University and graduated in 2007 — Fr. Cody is a bayou boy through and through!

But God had bigger plans for this “bayou boy” — in May of 2016, Fr. Cody became an ordained priest within our diocese! He shared that aside from God’s calling, he was inspired to pursue the priesthood because of the many priests that shaped his life through the years. Fr. Cody currently serves as the Pastor of St. Ann Catholic Church in Bourg, Louisiana. 

When asked what he wanted lay people to know about the priesthood, Fr. Cody shared, “I hope that lay people know that being a priest is an incredible calling and a great privilege from our Lord. That privilege involves a very heavy cross.” He went on to say that he has ordinary tendencies similar to lay people such as visiting with his family and friends and resting, but he says that the good of the church and especially the parish of St. Ann is always on his mind and in his prayers. Fr. Cody even thinks about his parish when he has time for one of his favorite hobbies: thrift shopping. He says that he loves to haggle over prices on various things both for himself and for St. Ann! 

Fr. Cody remembers being introduced to the Catholic Foundation when Bishop Sam Jacobs first introduced the idea while he was still in seminary. He is currently working with our Foundation in regards to the Bishop’s Appeal, The Fr. Willie Todd Foundation, and St. Ann’s Parish Endowment. Through his work with the Foundation, Fr. Cody says that there is an intentionality and authenticity that is evident when the Catholic Foundation builds and fosters relationships and offers help to the community. 

He also emphasized the importance of the Bishop’s Appeal, The Fr. Willie Todd Foundation, and St. Ann’s Parish Endowment in regards to growth at both the parish and diocesan level. He has seen firsthand how ministries such as St. Ann’s Culture of Life Baby Closet, seminarian education, and adult and youth formation have benefited directly from the mission of the foundation. Fr. Cody also shared that these ministries would not be possible without the support of people in our community, and says that any volunteer help or monetary donations are greatly appreciated. 

Thank you Fr. Cody for your “yes” to the priesthood and your dedication to our diocese and the Catholic Foundation! If you are interested in the work the Catholic Foundation is doing within our community and want to get involved, please take a look around our website, give us a call at 985-850-3116, or send us an email at cfsl@htdiocese.org to learn more.