Fr. Theriot’s crucifix helps raise money for soup kitchen

Fr. Donald Theriot may have left this Earth more than two years ago, but he is still helping his parish.
Fr. Theriot died in November of 2013. Many of his belongings are still in the rectory at St. Mary Magdelan Catholic Church.
John Listi is the new coordinator for the Christian Service Center in Abbeville. He was also good friends with Fr. Theriot.
Abbeville Rotarian Rob Roy approached Listi about St. Mary Magdalen possibly donating an item for a live auction the Rotarians were having during the fourth annual St. Patrick’s Day Fundraiser at Magdalen Place.
This year the Rotarians have plans to use the funds raised from the St. Patrick Day event for the Christian Service Center, to remodel the soup kitchen.
Because the Rotarians were helping the Christian Service Center, Listi communicated with Fr. Louis Richard about what the church could donate to the auction.
Fr. Richard looked around and discovered Fr. Theriot’s crucifix, which was in the rectory.
The crucifix was donated to the Rotarians. His crucifix was auctioned off.
The winning bid was $4,000 purchased by a couple from Kaplan. Jack Gupta and his wife, Dr. Padmini Gupta purchased the cross.
Then they announced that the crucifix will be donated to St. Anne Catholic Church in Cow Island. St. Anne’s Church was one of Fr. Theriot’s first assignments.
“I was thrilled with the crucifix at the auction,” said Listi. “This shows how much Fr. Theriot meant to the community.”
The unofficial amount raised for the one-night event is just over $20,000. Listi said that money will go far in repairing and remodeling the soup kitchen.
Work has already begun on the building. It has been leveled.
The kitchen serves 70 people a day, four days a week.