Betty Arnaud Roy's Memories of Nonco

As I ponder what prompted me to agree to work with Jerry Richard, someone I did not know, on the beatification and canonization of an old man from my childhood, I realize that special forces were at work.

The story begins…

In 2010, about four years ago now, I was visited by Jerry Richard. I knew his parents, Wilma Miller and Lawrence Richard. I knew his brother Lawrence Richard, Jr. who had married Gloria Schexnayder. Wilma and Lawrence Sr. were friends of my parents, Nola Artigue and Clarence “Choat” Arnaud. They were about the same ages and Lawrence and my father were in the Little Flower Council 3621 of the Knights of Columbus. They were also both farmers and as farmers in the area often did, they would lend a helping hand when needed.

When Jerry and I met at my kitchen table, he asked if I remembered Nonco and told me that he wanted to work on his canonization. Would I be willing to help? he asked. Well, in my family, we have a hard time saying “No.” I immediately heard myself agreeing without thinking what might be involved. As Jerry and my husband recounted K.C. stories, I was already questioning my sanity.

It had been a difficult eight years. The 10 years or so before then, I had devoted to caring for my mother and volunteering at my church parish. One day, my life fell completely apart. I found pornography on a church computer. My pastor had me train in the program called "Create a Safe Environment for Children." I knew that the matter had to be reported. And, it had to be reported to the F.B.I. The next morning when I attended Mass, my world had changed. My church parish -- my friends -- had turned against ME! What did I do wrong?

Now, Jerry was asking ME to help canonize Nonco. I was not even sure I knew what I believed anymore. But, as soon as I was able, I started researching the process of beatification and canonization and realized that in my lifetime, I would not see it happen. It does take time. I was getting pretty close to my seventies; but, instead of throwing in the towel, I could not let it go. My next reaction was: I had better get a move on!

I accumulated forms and studied how others had become saints. In particular, never curious about him before, I read about St. John Francis Regis, the patron saint of our little town of Arnaudville. Among many other things, St. John Francis Regis had helped destitute women by having them make lace in order to support themselves. I was being drawn into something magnificent! But, Jerry Richard went away. I did not hear again from him for two years.

One day, Jerry Richard reappeared. He wondered if I was ready to work on Nonco. Always quick tempered, I immediately (almost screamed!) responded: “Don’t ask me to do something if you are only wasting my time. Two years ago, I started this and you did not do what you said you would. Are you serious or not!” Thank God, Jerry has a calm spirit and we quickly came to an understanding. We set a plan of action and a time frame.

Daily, I express my gratitude to God for the abilities He has given me. I believe all of my work experiences have led me to this one great thing in my life--the canonization of Auguste "Nonco" Pelafigue. Working for Attorney J. Minos Simon and then Oilman Baker Littlefield, helping establish an artist presence in Arnaudville after Hurricane Katrina and helping a dietitian work on a nonprofit corporation gave me what I needed to help set up a 501 (c) (3) corporation and a website for the Auguste “Nonco” Pelafigue Foundation, Inc.

On June 6, 2012, Jerry Richard personally carried the documents to the Louisiana Secretary of State Office. He even covered the charge for filing. We were official. We did not have any money with which to operate. But, it was the 35th Anniversary of Nonco death. He died on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

During the Christmas Season of 2013, Charles Hardy suggested that although we had limited funds, we should visit the nursing home in Arnaudville and make small donations to two of the residents. We selected two couples who had known Nonco. We enjoyed our visit there but something was happening to me. As I walked the halls and greeted the residents, I knew I wanted to do more at the nursing home. In January 2014, I asked the Nonco Foundation Board if I could start an Apostleship of Prayer League of the Sacred Heart Group at J. M. Morrow Nursing Home. They agreed. On February 6, 2014,at 9:30 a.m., we handed out leaflets to the residents and had our first Apostleship of Prayer Nonco Group meeting. We asked the residents to bring leaflets to their roommates who were not physically able to attend the meeting, and to family members who visited.With the help of my husband, my sister Mavis Fruge, Jerry Richard's sister Lucy Romero and Henry Charles Taylor, we had made it happen! Nonco's work was continuing.

But, something else happened. I felt drawn to return to the nursing home. I wanted to talk to Mathilde Bourque about Nonco. When I did, I felt her love and her strength. It was so inspiring that I wrote about it and asked Harriet Lofton, the administrator, if I could post it on the nursing home website. My plan was approved and I have written almost one story a month since then.

On Thursday, my visit day at the nursing home, KATC TV 3's Mycah Hatfield interviewed some of the residents and me and the segment which broadcast told of how I was recording their stories. I told her it was because of Nonco. He visited many residents of Arnaudville in his lifetime. He planted the idea in my mind. His ministry is alive and well in Arnaudville.

We, the directors of the Nonco Foundation, face daily challenges. This is a full-time job for me. I complain sometimes that I do not have any free time -- and I don't. I give it all away. But, progress is being made. Jerry and I have been joined by many people who are just as devoted to the cause as we are. But why?

My memories of Nonco began before I started school. This funny little man would come walking to our house which was probably four miles from where he lived. He would not come in nor stay long and his little dogs would be running around him. He seemed so peaceful and he always had time to say a kind greeting to us children. In my earliest memories of the man, I knew he was holy. Before I attended school, he delivered Sacred Heart leaflets and we learned our Morning Offering from our mother and those leaflets.

When I did go to Little Flower School, Nonco was my teacher. He was very strict just like my parents were. I am certain I tried his patience as much as I did Mom and Dad's. Once, he donated a rabbit to be raffled because the nuns needed some piece of equipment. I don't remember how I got a nickel to buy a chance but I did and I won the rabbit. I remember Nonco struggling to get the wooden crate on the bus and under a seat so that I could bring it home. Our bus driver, Mrs. Ruby Gil Broussard, was not at all happy. Nonco talked her into allowing the rabbit on her bus.

I was in one of Nonco's plays that I remember. My line was: "Comment je detest ce haricots vert." I don't know why my line was in French but I remember it was.

It has been many years since I started working on Nonco's canonization. So many times things just seems to happen. For example, I was looking for a certain image of the Blessed Mother to add to the Nonco.org website. I looked online and in books and could not find what I wanted--my idea of the Blessed Mother. Finally, in desperation, I pulled out the prayer cards of the many funeral I have attended in my lifetime. At last, I found the perfect image. When I turned the card over, it was the prayer card of Cecile Pelafigue LeBlanc, Nonco's niece. I do feel Nonco's presence.

The people who had gotten involved in the work of the Foundation have become great friends. We seem bonded together on this great mission. It is not often that we are called to work on something so important. I had not visited the nursing home very much. Walking the halls and greeting the residents moves something in me. All of this has happened because of Nonco. I have a new ministry and a stronger faith than ever before.

Last month, I asked the board if I could start a group at St. Agnes Nursing Home in Breaux Bridge. To my surprise, the nursing home is owned by Paul Jude Hardy, a great nephew of Nonco. We will hold our first Apostleship of Prayer Nonco Group meeting there on June 15, 2016.

So, although Nonco died on June 6, 1977, his mission continues. The Apostleship of Prayer and League of the Sacred Heart continues. The oldest organization of St. John Francis Regis has survived all of these years because of Nonco's devotion. The priests from Arnaudville, Monsignor Robert "Bob" Angelle, Father Gary Schexnayder, Father Mike Arnaud, Father Brian Taylor, have pledged their support to help get Nonco canonized. They believe he had a great impact on our lives.

Life goes by so fast. Already, we have lost the help of Genevieve Hardy Angelle, Jean Taylor, Clarence C.J. Robin--all charter members of the Nonco Foundation. We ask you to stand with us. If you have any memories of Nonco, please share them with us. If you have any documents or pictures that pertain to Nonco, please at least let us make copies of them. If you have anything that Nonco used, please let us photograph it if you don't feel you can donate it to the Foundation's archives.

Thank you.

Betty Arnaud Roy

337-523-5832

Saint Theresa's Prayer

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.

Amen. Thank you, Jesus!