The Rev. Reed Bellingham celebrates Mass at Our Lady of Prompt Succor in Coteau following his ordination to the priesthood earlier this month. 

Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Coteau held “one of the most important Masses” in 89 years this week as Coteau native and newly ordained priest the Rev. Reed Bellingham celebrated Mass at the church.

The celebration came following the ordination of Bellingham earlier this month. Our Lady of Prompt Succor sponsored Bellingham during his ordination years.

According to the church’s social media, it has been 89 years (since 1934) since Our Lady of Prompt Succor had had its own ordained priest serving as the pastor of the church.

According to the Diocese of Lafayette, Bellingham was named as parochial vicar of St. Bernard Catholic Church as well as chaplain of Teurlings Catholic High School in Lafayette.

Bellingham was ordained along with the Rev. David Furka, who was appointed as parochial vicar of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in New Iberia and the Rev. Michael Vidrine, who will be working as parochial vicar of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Ville Platte and Saint Lewis Chapel in Lewisburg. Vidrine was also appointed as chaplain of Notre Dame High School in Crowley.

The ordination was conducted by Bishop Douglas Deshotel at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

John Dugas, a Loreauville native, also took part in a transitional diaconate ceremony in May on the way to ordination of the priesthood.