Two priests from Erath celebrate 50 years of serving God

ERATH - Erath has had only two native sons who became priests in its 116 year history. Both men were ordained 50 years ago in 1964 and each celebrated their 50th Anniversary of their ordination in 2014.
Largely due to former Pastor Father Emery Labbe, two Erath men were guided into the priesthood. Father Albert Gayle Nunez and Monsignor Charles Joseph Dubois entered the priesthood in the fifties. Both were ordained in 1964.

Father Gayle Nunez

Father Gayle Nunez was born on August 25, 1937 to Curly and May Nunez. The Nunez’s lived in Gross Isle. He has one brother Norman, and two sisters, Brendalyn Nunez Pickett and Sherry Nunez Melancon. Nunez was a 1955 Erath High Graduate. Nunez attended U.S.L. for two years, and then entered the seminary during the late fifties. He was ordained on June 6, 1964. Father Gayle Nunez was the first Erath Native ordained in the history of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Parish. His first mass was held on June 7, 1964. As an active member of the clergy for the Diocese of Lafayette, he has served in Carencro, Lake Charles, and Lyons Point. He is currently serving as Pastor in Washington, Louisiana.
When asked about fond memories of Erath, Nunez stated that one of his childhood memories is one of a farm and country life as a four year old going early in the morning crossing the dew covered grass to grandma’s kitchen (next door) to sip his coffee milk. Other fondly remembered memories included his initial meeting with Father Emery Labbe to declare his intention to enter the seminary to become a priest and celebrating his first mass at Our Lady of Lourdes on June 7, 1964.

Monsignor Charles Dubois

Monsignor Charles DuBois is the son of the late Simon and Regina (Brown) Dubois born on November 5, 1939. He has two older brothers, Andre and Richard Dubois. He graduated from Erath High School in 1957 and was ordained December 19, 1964, following his studies at Immaculata Seminary College in Lafayette and Notre Dame in New Orleans. His first mass was held on December 20, 1964 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
For those who grew up with “Charlie” (Father Charles) in Erath, describing his youth usually brings, with it, a grin or smile that tells you a story without actually having to hear it. Born the baby of the family with a sense of humor, one thing intertwined with Erath’s native son Charles Dubois are sweet memories of humorous, playful and mildly mischievous ventures that still today, seem to bring a gleam to the eyes of those remembering him. As many stated, one thing is certain, whether you have met a young “Charlie” or “Father Charles” in your life, he seems to remain in your hearts, attached to a story and of course, a certain smile.
Monsignor Charles Dubois is currently is the Pastor at St.Theodore’s Catholic Church in Lake Charles. He is has also served as Associated Pastor at St. Michael’s in Crowley and at Immaculate Conception in Lake Charles. As Pastor he served at St. Margaret’s in Lake Charles and Our Lady of the Lake in Lake Arthur.
Monsignor Charles Dubois is still with the Diocese of Lake Charles, while Father Gayle Nunez is still active in the Diocese of Lafayette. Collectively, the Erath Priest duo now have a cumulative century of work behind them with more to come. Father Gayle Nunez celebrated 50 years of service on June 6, 2014, while Monsignor Charles Dubois, celebrated his half of century of priesthood on December 19, 2014.
Father Gayle Nunez celebrated 50 years of service on June 6, 2014, while Monsignor Charles Dubois, celebrated his half of century of priesthood on December 19, 2014.