By Br. Thomas Anderson in "These I Have Known"

Brother Alphonse (John Hayes Barbier, 1910-1972)
I believe it was Brother Maurice who, as provincial, at a retreat conference said: "From time to time we should make an act of faith in our community." The thought comes as I write these brief sketches of some of our confrères of yesteryear. I believe in an organization that can produce such men as I have been writing about. This is not to minimize the primacy of the family environment; for, as Brother Felix Hoffman used to say: "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear." Well, enough philosophizing.
I do believe, though, in a religious community that can nurture a Bernard a Roland an Alphonse, a George … ad infinitum. One need not read the biographies in the Annuaire to realize that their confrères can dig beneath the surface weaknesses, the human failings, even the idiosyncrasies, and find the "gem of purest ray serene." My own modest efforts seek but to re-enforce the same thought. More philosophizing! Let's get on.
To say that Brother Alphonse was a one hundred percent committed religious would be to repeat what has been said of so many other of our dear deceased. To say that he was undemonstrative in his piety would also be to say ditto to what has appeared in other sketches in this series. To say that he was an enthusiastic and conscientious teacher would be more of the same. What we want, it seems to me, is Brother Alphonse's distinctive contribution; and that, by common agreement, is concern for and efficiency in supplying the alimentary needs of his confrères.
Getting up an attractive menu and serving a delectable meal is an art; and its practitioners, especially in religious communities, are few and far between. With too many stewards, the slogan seems to be: "Root, hog, or die!" And its fundamental principle might be said to be: "All that doesn't choke will fatten!"
Not so with Brother Alphonse. Even before entering the community he gave indications of his gustatorial concerns. When the Barbier family entertained visitors, young Hayes brewed the tea, baked the cake, and served the guests with all the élan of a typical Southern host.
And, in the community – Brother, if you have never lived with Brother Alphonse, you'll never know. If he had remained in secular life, he might have become maître d' or major domo at the Waldorf-Astoria our chief chef at Antoine's, Arnaud's, or Galatoir's. That may be stretching it a trifle; but one can fantasize, can't one?
But, whether it was a work-a-day meal or a festive banquet, all the planning was done with meticulous care. Whoever abolished the feast-day course dinners, soup to nuts, with pousse cafe as a finale, that had been a tradition in the community from immemorial? In Baton Rouge, and possibly in other places, Brother Alphonse made contacts that gave an added touch to festive occasions: steak prepared by D'Amico and shrimp cocktail from Bonnecaise to mention only two. It was like the Trout Marguery that Brother Martin had Galatoire's prepare for the Feast of the Sacred Heart at Saint Aloysius in New Orleans. As one old French Brother was wont to exclaim: "Mon dieu, que c'est bon! C'est gourmand qui pourrait le dire."
Brother Alphonse was adept at sewing, and he put this talent, like the rest of his talents, at the service of his confrères. In the days before we could afford to patronize dry-cleaners, he did the cleaning and pressing himself for any Brother requiring his services. It pained him to see a Brother slovenly dressed, or wearing a suit that seemed to have doubled as a sleeping-bag.
In his eagerness to help, he sometimes got on people's nerves. Very hard of hearing, he would vacuum-clean carpets while the less energetic attempted to take a nap. He sometimes annoyed certain of the brethren by his over-concern. It seemed that every moment he was in the house, he was busy sweeping, dusting, mopping – in the chapel, the kitchen, the community room, his private room or that of another. And woe betide the Brother, no matter who he was, found drinking coffee without using a saucer. "Friend, it looks as though you'll never learn."
Brother Alphonse was an easy man to talk to. The younger Brothers looked on him as a big brother to whom they could go when faced with a problem. His loving service had nothing in common with the service inspired by a desire for popularity. He won over the prejudiced, not by heated arguments, but by gracious service rendered with the smile. He seemed never to get angry, always in command of his emotions, seldom critical of others.
His teaching career was divided about equally between America and Africa. At one time he was headmaster of the intermediate school at Okaru in the Sudan. The Bishop of Juba praised him profusely. In the United States he was stationed at one time or another in Vicksburg, New Orleans, Mobile, Baton Rouge, and Thibodaux.
At Saint Aloysius in Vicksburg, Brother Alphonse started teaching in the "Baby Room" and every year he advanced with the same class up to the seventh grade. In his motherly care of the "babies" he was like Brother Conrad, of happy memory, and Brother Farrel, still in the apostolate.
His untimely death, or his death which seemed untimely when judged by human wisdom, occurred at Brother Martin High School in New Orleans. When his confrères heard of his seeking help in carrying the groceries into the kitchen, they knew that a remarkable life was coming to a close. And so, he has gone to join those who, through charity, have "fulfilled the whole law."