By JESSICA DAIGLE

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE — A generous endowment fund has been created for St. Joan of Arc parishioners who would like to send their children to the St. Joan of Arc School, but would not be able to do so without financial assistance.

The Msgr. Robert G. Vincent School Endowment Fund has been established at the Catholic Foundation of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and was made possible through initial gifts from Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Guidry of LaPlace and another couple, who would like to remain anonymous.

The fund is named after the St. Joan of Arc’s former pastor, Msgr. Vincent, with an opening contribution of $5,000 by each couple. It is the donors’ hopes that the fund generates additional gifts through contributions from parishioners, parents and alumni. According one of the anonymous benefactors, to name the fund after Msgr. Vincent was appropriate because, as pastor at the church for 16 years, he had a love for children.

According to Larry Bourgeois, principal of St. Joan of Arc School, the contributors are not alumni, but active parishioners whose now grown children attended the school.

Bourgeois said the endowment fund is specific to the school and will only benefit parishioners of the church in tuition assistance for their children.

The Catholic Foundation, who will send the school regular reports on the growth and status of the fund, manages the fund.

Bourgeois said a collection for the fund will be taken every week at St. Joan of Arc Church, and they will accept contributions in lieu of gifts for parishioners.

The Catholic Foundation holds endowments for, and has benefited, church parishes, charitable organizations, social causes and schools of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The Foundation said it is committed to the financial maintenance and enhancement of the educational and spiritual ministries of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

To make a contribution to the Msgr. Robert G. Vincent Endowment Fund, contact Jennifer Suarez at the rectory at (985) 652-9100.