Fr. Ronnie Calkins announced on March 17 that he is stepping down as pastor of SCS in May and will take a new assignment as chaplain of St. Anthony’s Garden on the north shore.

Archbishop Aymond has made the following pastoral assignments for St. Catherine of Siena Parish: 

Pastor:
REV. TIMOTHY D. HEDRICK
effective May 28, 2018

Parochial Vicar:
REV. GARRETT O'BRIEN
effective August 1, 2018
 

LETTER FROM FR. RONNIE

Dear Parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena Parish,

Since I was diagnosed with cancer last July, I have been incredibly blessed by the support I have received from you through your prayers and your words of encouragement. I have always been grateful to God for the privilege of being a part of this great parish but no more so than in these past several months when, despite the trial of cancer, my spirits have been lifted by your loving care.

As you are aware, I have been undergoing chemotherapy as part of my cancer treatment. It is uncertain what the future treatments may entail. I have made my best efforts to minister to the pastoral needs of the parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena Parish despite traveling several times to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. I wish to take this opportunity to thank all who have assisted me in my role as pastor and who have made it possible for the parish ministries to continue so well during my periodic absences. I wish especially to thank Fr. Tim for all he has done.

However, St. Catherine is a large and remarkably vibrant parish and needs a full time pastor. After much prayer and consultation, I have decided to step down as pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish. This has not been an easy decision, but I think that it is in the best interest of all concerned. Archbishop Aymond has graciously accepted this decision and has appointed me to serve as the chaplain of St. Anthony’s Gardens, which is a senior residence in Covington operated by the Archdiocese of New Orleans. This assignment will allow me the time to focus on my health issues while remaining in priestly ministry. My last weekend here at St. Catherine of Siena Parish will be May 26-27, 2018.  I am happy that Fr. Tim will follow me as pastor and continue the work that we began four years ago. 

Again, I wish to express my gratitude for your prayers and kindness. I will continue to keep you, the parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, in my prayers. I pray that St. Catherine of Siena Parish will always be a community Centered on Christ and Ablaze with Love. I ask you to keep me in your prayers as well.

May God bless you and your loved ones.

Sincerely in the Lord,
Reverend Ronald L. Calkins 
 

LETTER FROM FR. TIM

Dear St. Catherine of Siena,

It has been a true blessing to serve with Fr. Ronnie for the last four years!  I am grateful for him being a strong mentor for me and for his friendship.  He is a good and faithful priest of the Lord!  Through his time here and everywhere he served over the last 40 years as a priest, Fr. Ronnie has generously given of himself and touched the lives of many people.  Please continue to pray for Fr. Ronnie during this time of transition and for his healing!

In order to celebrate Fr. Ronnie’s 40th Anniversary and to thank him for his service as our pastor, we will host a Mass of Thanksgivingon May 26 at the 4 pm vigil Mass.  After the Mass, there will be a reception in the gym.  Everyone is invited to attend!

Over the last four years, St. Catherine of Siena has become home for me.  I am looking forward to continuing to serve at SCS as pastor.  Please pray for me also as I take on these new responsibilities.  I am looking forward to working with the parish staff, school staff, and all of the ministry leaders and volunteers in our parish.  We are truly blessed with a strong community of faith!

I am also looking forward to serving with Fr. Garrett O’Brien and Deacon Andrew Gutierrez and to working with them as we serve the people of God at SCS!  We are blessed to have both! 

St. Catherine of Siena…pray for us!
Fr. Tim
 

LETTER FROM FR. GARRETT

Dear St. Catherine of Siena Parish,

Hello from Washington, DC! I’m Fr. Garrett O’Brien and I can’t wait to begin my assignment as your new parochial vicar. I was born and raised in Covington, an alumnus of St. Paul’s High School and Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio. I graduated there in 2007 and entered Notre Dame Seminary where I received my formation for the priesthood. During that time I had assignments at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Kenner and St. Francis of Assisi in New Orleans. I was ordained a priest in 2012 and then served for four years as parochial vicar at St. Joan of Arc Parish in LaPlace. I really loved my time in the ‘River Parishes’ but our archdiocese needed me to undertake studies in Canon Law, which is why I’m currently living in Washington DC. As soon as I finish my studies this August, I’ll begin my new assignment serving all of you at St. Catherine. While serving St. Catherine, I’ll also be serving in our Archdiocesan Tribunal. I know the Lord has great things in store for us at St. Catherine, and until we meet in August, you all will be in my prayers!

In Christ,
Fr. Garrett

Transitional Deacon Andrew Gutierrez
Assigned to SCS for Internship

Archbishop Aymond appointed Andrew Gutierrez to serve at St. Catherine of Siena Parish for his diaconate internship.  Andrew is 24 years old and was born and raised in Metairie.  He attended elementary school at his home parish of St. Clement of Rome.  During his time at Archbishop Rummel High School, Andrew experienced a conversion and grew stronger in his faith.  Andrew first started hearing the call to the priesthood as a student at ARHS.  After graduating in 2011, Andrew studied Psychology at LSU.  After two years of LSU football games, developing great friendships, and being heavily involved at Christ the King Catholic Center, Andrew responded to God’s call and entered seminary. Five years later, he will be ordained a transitional deacon on May 19, 2018 in St. Louis Cathedral at 10 am.  Deacon Andrew is excited to begin his assignment at St. Catherine of Siena which will last from the end of May until the middle of October.  Please pray for Andrew as he completes his studies and prepares for his diaconate ordination!