Rev J Wilson Matt

Reverend Joseph Wilson Matt, 96, of New Iberia, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 5, 2014 after a full and active life that touched the hearts of thousands and spread the joy of Christ through his nearly 74 years of ministry as a priest of the Roman Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Thursday, October 9, 2014 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in New Iberia. The Most Reverend Bishop Michael Jarrell, D.D. will be the Celebrant and Reverend Eugene Tremie, will be the homilist. A gathering of family and friends will be Thursday from 8:30 AM until 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in New Iberia. Entombment will be in a family cemetery at a later date. Fr. Matt was born on May 20, 1918, to Angelas & Celise Blanchard Matt of Eunice, Louisiana. As the 5th of six children, his childhood was filled with experiences and adventures. Colorful stories surrounded his early years, including those of a Shetland pony named Dixie that he rode around town and sometimes charged children a nickel in exchange for a ride around the block. As a student at St. Edmund, he was taught and spoiled by the Marianite Sisters, and often participated in school plays. At a young age, Fr. Matt discovered his talent for singing and doing so at school and church came naturally. He served as an altar boy from early childhood through his teen years, often attended daily mass, and upon graduating from high school at the age of 17, was awarded the American Legion Medal. After high school, he considered studying law, however tight finances due to the Great Depression, as well as encouragement from nuns and priests who were a part of his upbringing, steered him towards St. Anthony Seminary College in San Antonio. He later attended St. Josephs Seminary, also known as St. Bens, in Covington, LA, and finished his theological studies at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. In addition to academia, Fr. Matt enjoyed playing football and baseball while in the seminary. After 10 years of college and religious training, Fr. Matt was ordained on March 17, 1945 at the Cathedral of St. John, Lafayette, LA, by Bishop Jules Jeanmard, the first bishop of the Lafayette Diocese. Days later, he began his first assignment as associate pastor of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Franklin, La. As he continued serving the Church, he subsequently blessed many other church parishes in Opelousas, Evangeline, Oakdale, Gueydan, Lafayette, Duralde, and in New Iberia, where he was pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus for 21 years. As he served the Church, Fr. Matt displayed an unmistakable spirit and spunk that left his footprint on the lives of those who had the good fortune of knowing him. He cracked jokes, infused French in his speaking, spoke his mind, used newspapers and magazines articles in his messages, recommended reading for nearly every subject, spontaneously broke into song, This Little Light of Mine was a favorite, and spread his message of love every time he had the chance. I love you more today than yesterday and less than tomorrow became his signature phrase to begin each sermon, and he eventually transitioned to teaching his parishioners how to say it in French, Italian, German, and Spanish. He was also known to express that, attitude is everything and had particular emphasis on family, vocations, and evangelizing. With a twinkle in his eye and a booming voice, he was a charmer who loved bringing out the best in people, while realizing that sometimes his candid nature and unwillingness to compromise his position could be offensive. He genuinely and regularly asked forgiveness from those he hurt, promising he would always keep trying. And while people would often flock to him for his bright smile, giant hugs, and words of wisdom, nearly everyone sank in their pews and couldnt get far enough away when he carried a cordless microphone down the aisle at mass. Fr. Matt would amusingly share it was his technique for keeping parishioners awake. And just when it was thought he might be getting a little feeble or too old to drive himself around, Fr. Matt was seen sporting around New Iberia in a convertible. Fr. Matt had a tremendously giving, selfless spirit and took great pride in tending to the needs of others. He would often reach out personally through telephone calls, visits to the sick, and frequented nursing homes. He financially supported many causes for needy children, including tuition assistance at Catholic schools and efforts in Haitian/Guatemalan orphanages. He is survived by a host of relatives, including multiple nieces and nephews. Fr. Matt is preceded in death by his parents, Angelas & Celise Blanchard Matt, and his five siblings, a brother Charles Cleveland Matt, sisters Eunice Matt Quirk, Bernice Matt, Beatrice Matt Gonsoulin, and Jeanette Matt Young. The family would like to thank Consolatta Nursing Home, Dr. Paul Gullotta, Linda Wyatt, Mr. and Mrs. Adam Jumonville and family, Jay Roco, Mary Fezzia, Cynthia Williams, Brenda Malveaux, Della St. Julian, Mildred Romero, Charles Delahoussaye, and Jeannine Kelly for their unselfish commitment of time in the care of Father Matt. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made toward the construction of the new middle school gym, to be named in his memory at Catholic High School. Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, New Iberia, LA 70560, 337.365.3331 is in charge of arrangements.