LEWISTON — Rev. Fr. Robert A. Parent of Auburn and Arthur Allard of Lewiston will be the guest speakers at the USM Lewiston-Auburn Senior College “Food for Thought” 11:30 a.m. luncheon on Friday, Jan. 9.

Their topic will be “Genealogy,” which will entail the vast collection of genealogical records French-Canadians and their descendants have at their disposal, along with their relation to and as a product of New France, its laws, and history.

A short introduction and overview of the sizable holdings of the Maine Franco-American Genealogical Society will be included in the presentation.

The public is invited. There has been a change in the reservation policy. Reservations must be made by noon Wednesday, Jan. 7, by calling 753-6510.

Parent graduated from the University of Delaware, earning his degree in art history. He did his theological studies in Boston and was ordained to the priesthood in 1986 for the Melkite Greek-Catholic Church in the U.S.

He served parishes in Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut before returning to Maine in 2004. He is working for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland as chaplain to the Latin Mass communities at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Lewiston and the Cathedral in Portland.

Parent started doing genealogical research on the Parent family as a young boy and has never stopped. He is a genealogist and a member of the Association of the Parent Families of America, the Societe de Genealogie de Quebec and serves on the board of directors and is past president of the Maine Franco-American Genealogical Society, 217 Turner St., Auburn.

He has also studied French-Canadian art, architecture and history at Laval University on Quebec City. He has done research on the Parent family in U.S., Quebec and French Archives.

Allard, a native of New Hampshire, served in the U.S. Coast Guard, stationed in South Portland, and is familiar with Lewiston, having relatives here. He met his wife, Claire, in Lewiston and decided to remain here. He found employment with the Lewiston School Department’s Nutrition Program, providing different services to all the public schools daily. He retired from the Lewiston Public School Department with 31 years of service.

Allard is the regional director for the Maine Association of Retirees.

Allard also was interested in genealogical research as a young man. He has researched history on the Allard and Therriault families in the U.S., Quebec, Nova Scotia and France. He serves as vice present of the Maine Franco-American Genealogy Society and is in charge of the research division.

Allard keeps current with any activity dealing with genealogy researches. He participated in the Arcadian National Congress, which was held in Madawaska and Fort Kent in August.

Senior College, now in its 17th year, presents the monthly 11:30 luncheon program in Function Room 170 at USM LAC. The cost, which includes lunch, is $7 with advance reservation or $8 at the door. Reservations must be made by noon on Wednesday, Jan. 7, by calling 753-6510. Any late callers will be considered “at the door.”