A man of service

Passionate in Christ … compassionate with all … a great sense of humor … humble and accessible to one and all, despite their circumstances in life …

This is Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville – as described by George Kappaz, a long-time friend.

Kappaz has no trouble introducing Bishop Dorsonville to the people of Houma-Thibodaux. He and his wife, Amarie, who live just outside of Washington, D.C., have known Bishop Dorsonville for well over 15 years. Kappaz says that he was introduced to him by his father when he brought then-Father Dorsonville to his home.  

“We immediately hit it off and have likewise become very close friends. My parents have known him for about 20 years. He and my father became quite close friends, and Bishop Dorsonville has been a great source of strength and joy in my very large, extended family’s life since my father’s passing 10 years ago,” says Kappaz.

He adds that his mother, all his brothers and sisters and their respective families consider Bishop Dorsonville to be a “treasured blessing” to their family.

When asked what he believes will make Bishop Dorsonville a good bishop for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, he mentions a “true dedication to his flock – near and far.”

“This is a bishop, priest and man who deeply cares about those all around him – whether parishioners, those in need (spiritually or materially), and whether well-known to him or even those many unknown to him that benefit from his caring hand. This is truly a man of service to God and the community.”

He shares, “He will become one with the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and the diocese with him, I’m sure.”
Kappaz further assures, “Bishop Dorsonville is humble and accessible, and the people of Houma-Thibodaux will find in him a pastor whose door is always open, regardless of one’s circumstances – poor, wealthy, well-dressed, shabbily dressed, outgoing or shy. It matters not.”

A businessman who travels extensively from his home near Washington, D.C., to Europe to the Far East and South America, Kappaz speaks to Bishop Dorsonville nearly every week and has become accustomed to sharing family meals as their schedules permit. Sometimes the meals are home-cooked meals and other times, formal affairs.

“The best times are those quiet moments spent together in deep and meaningful conversations about God and life in general.”

Bishop Dorsonville is known to have a love of Kappaz’s wife’s paella and he believes the bishop will experience a similar love for the many Cajun and Creole dishes our area has to offer him.

The Kappaz family has mixed feelings about the bishop’s new assignment as they will miss visiting him as often, however, Kappaz concludes, “We are overjoyed that the Holy Father has given him the leadership of your diocese, and that more of the world will now get to experience the wonderful presence that is Bishop Mario Dorsonville!”