“The Lord will guard your coming and your going, both now and forever.” – Psalm 121:8.

“This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” –Genesis 28:17.

As churchgoers pass through the large wooden front doors of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Picayune, they see these scriptures painted in gold above the doors that lead to the nave. These visitors are also are greeted by a man with a smiling face who dons exotic ties.

On Nov. 6, Theodore H. Barzé, Jr. was awarded the Lumen Christi award, a national award that recognizes outstanding members of parishes and missions, his wife Lynne A. Barzé said.

The Catholic Extension presents the Lumen Christi award, which is Latin for Light of Christ, for the Mississippi Diocese of Biloxi to someone every year. The award is given to an individual who demonstrates how the power of faith can transform lives and communities, something Theodore Barzé said he has been accustomed to since he was an infant.

Theodore Barzé grew up in a Catholic family in Madisonville, La., who instilled the Light of Christ in him before he could walk, he said.

“I was born and raised going to church every Sunday. It’s always been that way. I even tried to join the choir when I was 12-years-old but when I tried, everyone told me the ushers were calling for me, which was a nice way of saying ‘you can’t carry a note in a bucket,’” Theodore Barzé said.

In 1989, he and his wife moved to Picayune and immediately joined the Knights of Columbus, a club in which his father also participated.

Theodore Barzé said he never felt he had to be saved by Christ because—growing up in a religious household—he always felt God was with him. However, he still goes to church every Sunday and supports those that walk through its doors.

“The best part about what I do is seeing God’s actions brought out through what I do. I reach out to everyone of all ages and denominations,” Theodore Barzé said.

The Lumen Christi award is given to those that inspire others through their efforts to build faith, protect the innocent, inspire hope and ignite change, Lynne Barzé said.

To Theodore and Lynne Barzé, a relationship with Christ is more than just going to church on Sunday, but talking and praying with Him every day and living a life through His light.

In May, Theodore Barzé experienced a change in his life that magnified everything he has been taught since he was a child. He attended a religious event called Cursillo, which focuses on teaching people how to become effective Christian leaders over the course of a three-day weekend.

“I feel like at one point in life, you ask yourself, ‘Man, I’ve been a good Catholic or Christian, I’ve been doing this and that, what more is left to do?’ And when I went to this Cursillo, it opened my eyes to what is possible,” Theodore Barzé Jr. said. “Now, people look at me in a different light. I felt my religion was taken to the next level. It’s a great feeling.”

Lynne Barzé said that people have always felt comfortable talking with her husband about anything, from personal problems to discussions about the weather. She said he just has the Light of Christ shining through him which people are drawn to, which seems to run in the family.

In August of 1989, his mother won the award in the diocese of New Orleans for the same reasons. Now that Theodore Barzé has won the award, he feels like all the life lessons his mother taught him were not wasted.

“I didn’t have to win this award to know that what my mother taught us stuck with us, but winning this award helps solidify that,” he said. “It tells me what others think about me and it is quite nice to know that I am making a difference in other people’s lives.”

Although the award is given to only one person, Theodore Barzé cannot help but thank all of the parishioners of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church for honoring him with the Lumen Christi award and all they do for the church.