Annunciation Catholic Church of Bogalusa, located at 517 Avenue B, in recent months welcomed its new pastor, Father Daniel Brouillette, who was ordained on June 6, 2009.

“Father Bru,” as he is affectionately referred to by his parishioners, knew he was called by God at a very early age.

“I knew I wanted to be a priest when I was in the second grade. I wanted to serve the Lord by helping those who were hurting. Of all the many aspects of my calling, the thing that I most enjoy is celebrating Mass. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith,” said Father Bru.

At 32 years of age, Father Bru is full of excitement about serving the Lord and the people of Bogalusa. It has been a bit of an adjustment for him to come from a church with 3,700 families to a church with 450 families.

One difference that Father Bru has encountered is the slower pace of life in Bogalusa. He is accustomed to moving things along at a pretty fast clip. He said with a smile, “I hope that compromise will be reached, with me slowing down a bit and my parishioners perhaps speeding up a bit.”

Many matters are on Father Bru’s heart concerning his work at Annunciation. He wants to provide for the pastoral needs of his people. His desire is to enliven and invigorate parish life within the church and school.

Father Bru stated, “I really think we should consider the church and school as one, with no line of demarcation between the two.”

Part of Father Bru’s vision is to reach out to those who have fallen away from the Catholic Church by helping them to understand the great love that Christ has for everyone. He desires to bring the sacraments to the home bound and reach out to those who are incarcerated.

“I have many ideas that have not yet come to fruition. I have dreams and plans for the youth of this parish to feel comfortable, safe, wanted and welcome. Many things are in the works to encourage and build up the youth. I want to be Christ to the people. I want to be the example of Christ to people out and about the city of Bogalusa,” he said.

St. Peter’s in Covington is Father Bru’s home parish, and he previously served at St. Charles Borromeo in Destrehan in St. Charles Parish. He is an avid sportsman and enjoys trapshooting. Father Bru has been fortunate enough to travel the nation with his sport.

He is one of three children and is the product of a multi-generational Catholic family.

According to Father Bru, “The needs of the community at large are important. One means of meeting financial needs is through the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Additionally, we are all fortunate to have Our Lady of the Angels Hospital provide excellent health care to the people of Bogalusa and surrounding areas.”

In addition to Annunciation’s regular schedule of services, a Spanish Mass is now be celebrated at 5 p.m. on Sundays, with Confessions starting at 4:30 p.m. prior to Mass.

The youthful Brouillette brings fresh ideas and excitement to Annunciation and said he hopes to accomplish the goals God has placed in his heart by following his personal maxim, prefer nothing to Christ.