By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

EDGARD – The parishioners of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edgard have a special reason to be thankful this holiday season. Last week during a Mass celebrated on Thanksgiving Day, Pastor Joel Cantones bestowed a blessing upon the church’s newly restored stained-glass windows.

“I’m very glad and satisfied that the broken stained-glass windows are already fixed,” said Cantones, adding, “(The parishioners) are happy it got fixed before the holidays.”

The Archdiocese of New Orleans accepted a bid from Lynchburg Stained Glass Company to repair the windows for $21,500. The repaired windows are nearly indistinguishable from the originals, although Deacon Warren Pierre, a skilled carpenter, said he can tell a slight difference.

“It’s not the same as the original one, but it is close,” said Cantones.

Aside from fixing the decorative glass, the company also repaired the protective glass that faces the outside of the building.

In July, vandals threw rocks through the three stained-glass windows behind the altar at the historic church. The 90-year-old windows were built in Munich, Germany, and set in place the same year the church was consecrated.

One of those windows depicts St. John the Baptist himself, so these particular windows have particular value for the church and its parishioners.

While the community is happy the windows have been fixed, they are disappointed that more progress has not been made in finding those responsible. The church held a fundraiser, and there is a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the responsible party.

“This is a small community,” said Cantones. “Maybe the one who did this is not from our community.”

Cantones said that on the evening prior to the vandalism, the church hosted an out-of-parish wedding and that perhaps the vandals were somehow related to that event.

“They need to look at that scenario,” said Cantones.

He also explained that Crimestoppers is looking at two suspects in the case but cannot release the names until suspicions are substantiated.

Still, Cantones remains hopeful that those responsible will one day be brought to justice.

He said, “I still believe that someday God will reveal the truth.”

Anyone with any information regarding the crime is urged to call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.