October 10, 2012

MASS IN PORT NECHES PARK




ACADIAN/CAJUN EVENTS

PORT NECHES, TEXAS

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Port Neches, Texas

A Mass will be said by Fr. Gary Schexnayder of Lafayette on the front porch of La Maison Beausoleil in the Port Neches Park. After the Mass there will be music and food including chicken/sausage gumbo, boudin, and sweets. Bring your lawn chairs!

This link will provide more information about La Maison Beausoleil and the Port NechesPark: http://www.ci.port-neches.tx.us/port-neches-parks-2/la-maison-beausolei/

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY: After World Wars I and II, Cajuns went to east Texas to find work, especially in the refineries. Many of us in Louisiana have ancestors who were part of that movement.

Per Paul LeBlanc: A few more details: Those that came after WWII joined cousins who had been there for generations.

A non-profit organization chartered in the 1980’s, Les Acadiens du Texas is dedicated to the preservation of the culture and language of the Acadian people. Since about 1988 a Mass has been said on the second Sunday in October. In fact, for many years Fr. Hebert said that Mass. This will be Fr. Schexnayder’s second year making the Mass.

Several Breaux du Monde members are planning to attend this Mass in Port Neches. If you have one, please wear your Breaux t-shirt. Please contact Breaux du Monde at breauxdumonde@cox.net for additional details.

Note: In case of rain, Mass will be indoors at the Port Neches KC Hall, 700 Central Drive, Port Neches (phone 409/772-1883).


MATHIEU ROUILLARD



Monday 15 October 2012
Speaker: Marcel Pronovost
Author & Researcher from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Topic: "Mathieu Rouillard: First Known European Buried in Louisiana"

Marcel Pronovost is a Québec native who has written a novel about his
ancestor Mathieu Rouillard's tumultuous life. His book "Feu et Lieu"
has recently been translated from French into English under the title
"Hearth and Home."

The whole life of Mathieu Rouillard and of his
family takes place in the context of the events in New France in the
period between 1660 and 1702.

Marcel will recount the life of his ancestor that will give anyone with French-Canadian roots who is descended from a coureur du bois an excellent glimpse into the highs and lows of such a existence. Their contact with native peoples and
fur merchants is quite interesting as is the struggle to balance life
with a wife and family, often hundreds of miles away.

Mathieu Rouillard is believed to be the first European to have died and been
buried in Louisiana.

Marcel will have books available for purchase. Please come out to this
meeting, bring a friend, Marcel is a dynamic speaker!

amitiés,

Jay Schexnaydre
President, GRSNO