Residents Say Goodbye to Father Louie Lohan

Throughout the weekend, the public and the St. Thomas congregation will be gathering to remember the man who has served as a spiritual leader to so many. Jerry Levens, Master of Ceremonies at Thursday night’s event, says, "I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Judging by the teary eyed crowd at a reception for Lohan Thursday night, it’s clear many were touched by Father Louie’s compassion and kind spirit. One time many refer to is his service to the community after Hurricane Katrina. Representative Richard Bennett (R), District 120, says, "I can tell you as an alderman at that time in the City of Long Beach, Father Louie helped us get through that storm, not only just as a parish and as a church, but as a community and the Gulf Coast, and as a state."

Father Louie has served as a Catholic priest since 1971, touching hundreds of lives along the way. Billy Skelli, Mayor of Long Beach, says, "After the storm, it was such a growing process I think for so many of us, we just grew some more, with the hurt and the hurting of people around us, and Father Louie was always there. He was ecumenical. He was for all the citizens on the Coast, but Long Beach."

Father Louie was also instrumental in getting the church rebuilt, starting with saying a mass just one week after the storm. Bennett also says, "And hundreds from various denominations were given powerful words of encouragement by Father Louie, which ultimately resulted in letting them know that everything would be ok."

As he prepares to say his final masses Sunday, the entire diocese is taking the time to say their thanks.

Bishop Roger Morin of the Diocese of Biloxi, closes, "Let there be no doubt that the Catholic Diocese of Biloxi has overflowing gratitude for Father Louie Lohan and we pray for God’s blessing on him in all the years that lie ahead."