Terrebonne's parish president, council members take oath of office

Colin Campo, Houma Courier-Thibodaux Daily Comet
·2 min read

Bread was broken, communion was had and prayers were spoken as Terrebonne's elected official took their oaths of office before the laws of God and the laws of man.

Parish President Jason Bergeron and the incoming elected Council members were sworn into office at noon, Thursday, Jan. 4, at the St. Francis De Sales Cathedral, 500 Goode St. in Houma. The Mass and communion were led by the Very Reverend and Director of the Cathedral Jay Baker, and the swearing in was carried out by Chief Judge of the 32nd District Randall L. Bethancourt.

"It was pretty," Jack King said. This was King's first time seeing the inauguration of a Parish President, and the Houma resident was hopeful for the future. "He's going to be a good parish president."

Judge Randall Bethancourt reads Terrebonne Parish President Jason Bergeron the oath of office during Mass at the Francis De Sales Cathedral, 500 Goode St. Houma, Thursday, January 4.
Judge Randall Bethancourt reads Terrebonne Parish President Jason Bergeron the oath of office during Mass at the Francis De Sales Cathedral, 500 Goode St. Houma, Thursday, January 4.

Following communion, Baker said the newly elected officials had a lot of work ahead of them as the parish is still reeling from Hurricane Ida, a struggling economy and more. He then led the congregation in a prayer to support the officials in the times to come.

After the prayers were completed, Bethancourt read Bergeron and the Council members the oath of office, and the reins of power officially passed from one administration to the next. Asked how it felt now that it was official, Bergeron said it felt great, and that he was eager to start working.

"It's like a birthday, you know how you feel when you turn 48. It's similar to 47," Bergeron said. "I'm just ready to get to work."

Terrebonne Parish's incoming Parish Council Members of 2024 are sworn into office Thursday, Jan. 4, during Mass at the Francis De Sales Cathedral, 500 Goode St. in Houma.
Terrebonne Parish's incoming Parish Council Members of 2024 are sworn into office Thursday, Jan. 4, during Mass at the Francis De Sales Cathedral, 500 Goode St. in Houma.

Outside the church, former Parish President Gordon Dove gathered with members of the administration. He said he wished Bergeron good luck, and that he was just a phone call away. Dove said he agreed with the reverend that there was still rebuilding to do, but that the parish would be receiving a windfall of money to help in the form of Community Block Development Grant during the next year.

Terrebonne Parish President Jason Bergeron applauds the Terrebonne Parish Councilmembers as Judge Randall Bethancourt finishes swearing them into office during Mass Thursday, Jan. 4, at the Francis De Sales Cathedral, 500 Goode St. in Houma.
Terrebonne Parish President Jason Bergeron applauds the Terrebonne Parish Councilmembers as Judge Randall Bethancourt finishes swearing them into office during Mass Thursday, Jan. 4, at the Francis De Sales Cathedral, 500 Goode St. in Houma.

"I wish him all the luck in the world," Dove said. "I told him any time he needs, gimmie a call. We're behind him, I mean, if he's successful, Terrebonne is successful."

A second inauguration was held later that night during a meeting of the outgoing Terrebonne Parish Council at the Barry P. Bonvillain Civic Center. The inauguration was ceremonial in nature as the elected officials already had taken office earlier that day.

After the outgoing councilmembers recognized and honored past public servants, they exited the stage and the newly sworn in members of the Parish Government had their first meeting of the year. As the first order of business of the Terrebonne Parish Council, John Amadee was chosen to be the Council Chairperson, and Carl Harding was chosen as the Vice Chairman.

This article originally appeared on The Courier: Terrebonne Parish president, council members take oath of office