‘We need more people to teach them the word of God’
As a child, David Faucheux told his mother that he didn’t know why but he felt he was watching over people – and that is what he’s done.
“I don’t know what it is – there is something about me,” Faucheux said. “I’m looking over everybody. I couldn’t explain this. It’s a feeling I had and still have to this day.”
The Luling resident is humble about what he feels is a special connection with God that has come to him in silent prayer, which he does several times a week.
What came to mind were Sister Faustina’s words, which Faucheux recounted as, “I am bringing you into seclusion so that I myself may form your heart according to my future plans.”
Faucheux said this is what called him in reflective prayer, which coincides with the solemn religious observance of Lent.
One of those mysteries arose years ago when Faucheux suddenly asked God what he wanted him to do. He said he got an answer: “I want you to go and pray the rosary with the prisoners at the prison.”
Despite his deep devotion to God, he remained uncertain about the move and consulted Sheriff Greg Champagne, who told him to contact the chaplain at the old jail in the St. Charles Parish Courthouse at the time in Hahnville (later the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center in Killona). He didn’t talk to the chaplain and actually decided not to pursue the ministry or at least until he went to mass the following week.
His priest asked him to stay after mass and then asked him if he’d be willing to minister at the jail. An astounded Faucheux, who had told few people about his message from God, took on the ministry for several years.
While the public may condemn the prisoners, Faucheux said he recognized a profoundly different meaning to their lives.
“We need to stop condemning and judging people, as bad as their crime is, and start praying for change,” he said. “We have judgmental society and I’m guilty of it myself.”
But Faucheux saw the hardship to many prisoners’ families and how so many of them struggled to resume their lives.
“The main problem is we have overcrowded prisons and not enough rehabilitative programs for these prisoners,” he said. “We need more people to teach them the word of God and work through these problems – and bring the light of God to them.”
Faucheux’s path in life changed only a couple of years ago when he had to give up the prison ministry because of his health problems.
Despite being diagnosed with congestive heart failure eight months ago, he is unchanged in his efforts to minister to others in whatever ways he can. He said God told him to do the Stations of the Cross, which he has done and will do at 7:30 p.m. April 7 at Barras and Cheryl Cloudet’s residence at 306 River Oaks Drive, Destrehan, which is open to the public.
“I’m a blessed man for the Lord using me the way he does is a gift,” he said fighting back emotion. “I’m humble about it. It’s a real blessing for me and my family.”Faucheux gives people a prayer card that he said “Jesus and the Blessed Mother put in my mind to write down. This prayer is like a morning offering.”
He also gives talks to the community at no charge, but Faucheux concedes his views on death have changed since his own diagnosis in August. He is more devoted to visiting the sick now, and believes they have brought him even closer to God.
“That’s a joy for me … to prayer with those who are ill,” he said.
Faucheux’s deep faith keeps him with prayer.
“Whatever you do, try a little bit each day to have a deeper relationship with God whether it’s in prayer or helping someone in need.”
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