Mike Stutes remembers Nonco.
Nonco Foundation Archives • May 29, 2016
Mike Stutes served as custodian of St. John Francis Regis Church for many years. He tells of Nonco in this essay recounted to Charles Hardy for the Radio Maria broadcast, March 22, 2014.
Mike Stutes, who was the janitor at St. Francis and Little
Flower School, had this moment with Nonco....
"I would unlock the doors of the church at 5:30 in the morning for 6 o'clock Mass. One winter day I first opened the door on the south side of the Church, entered and walked to the door on the north side, under protection from the blistering north wind. When I opened the door, Nonco was standing there, shivering in the cold in the teeth of that North wind. I let him in and said "Nonco, when you arrive before me go wait for me on the south side of the church so the north wind doesn't hit you so hard. Nonco simply said ‘That's OK. I just offer my suffering up to Jesus, thank you.’”
My name is Betty Ann Taylor Richard. I was born and raised in Arnaudville. My parents were Welzie and Anna Schexnayder Taylor. The last home I can remember was on Ti-Adam Guidry Road on the corner where there use to be a big oak tree that grew in the middle of the lane. I remember pretty well when Nonco would appear at our house. He usually had his hat on and also his dog. Sometimes, he would carry his dog because his little dog would get tired. Usually, we would sit on the end of the porch and he would visit and talk about the leaflet that he would give us. Yes, today, we all wish we would have paid more attention to him and have shown him more thankfulness. I wish I would have; but, when you are young, you don't think that way. I hope all that the people are doing in Arnaudville will be successful and Nonco will be canonized. It would be wonderful. Thank you! P.S.: My little brother is Henry Charles Taylor, the Nonco Foundation Treasurer.
I had kidney disease and it led to having 17 stones that generated a lot of pain and suffering. With the help of various doctors, mainly at emergency rooms, the medicines and procedures resolved this problem. The doctors told me that the damage to my kidneys was done. I would never be the same. My kidneys were not functioning normally. Favor Requested: I prayed for Nonco to intercede. That was my only hope to pray to him. I immediately started feeling better. My condition greatly improved. I set up an appointment with my doctor and we were both shocked when tests results showed my kidney function was normal. Favor Received: There is no doubt, Nonco, thru his intercession, remedied my kidney medical problems and got the kidneys to heal and to perform normally. I continue to pray to Nonco, a SERVANT OF GOD, to help with a long list of medical problems I continue to have. I will be willing to put all of this in the form of an affidavit, have it notarized and tell my story to the Pastor of Arnaudville.
Irene Gardemal is a friend of Mary Agnes Hardy dela Houssaye Belleau, great niece of Nonco. The following is an email which Irene sent to Mary on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
Nonco's intercession is felt by Louise McCann is one little way.
Irene F. Bourque, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, shared a story of her family's generational devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Via Facebook, Raymond Clause, sent the following about "Nonco." Thank you, Raymond! "I lived close to his house. He spent his life for Jesus Christ and Catholic Church in Arnaudville. I can't began to tell you all the good things he did. It's an honor for me to have known him. He taught me religion and most of the kids in my age group. I know he has a place in heaven. May God bless him!"
Seola "Ce Ce" Arnaud Edwards tells her Nonco story.
Memories by Geraldine "Gerri" Frederick Quebedeaux