Official - July 5, 2014

In Order to provide pastoral care for the people of God in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Archbishop Aymond has made the following appointments:

Reverend Thomas Schaefgen, O.P. as Director of Campus Ministry for Tulane Catholic Center, effective July 1, 2014.

Reverend Mr. Mariano D. Veliz, O.P., as Deacon intern, St. Anthony of Padua Parish, New Orleans, effective August 1, 2014.

John Smestad Jr. as the Executive Director of Pastoral Planning and Ministries, effective January 1, 2015.

I am very grateful to John for accepting this responsibility which is of utmost importance as we plan for the implementation of the Synod and our pastoral planning beyond that. In this new position, he will also be the lead agent in providing collaboration and integration of all of our ministries as we work together to foster God’s kingdom in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

“I express heartfelt gratitude to John for his almost 12 years as Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. He has carried out these responsibilities in a most effective way and has truly provided ministry and leadership for our young Church. He has touched the hearts of many young people as well as the adults who serve in youth and young adult ministry.
We will begin, very shortly, a search for the Director for the Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office.

Malise Lagard, MA, CI will serve as Coordinator of Catholic Counseling Service of the Family Life Apostolate for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, effective July 1, 2014.

We are grateful to Mario Sacasa for his very effective leadership in expanding the Counseling Program. Effective July 1, 2014 he will serve as Assistant Director of Human Formation at Notre Dame Seminary. He will be a great asset to priestly formation.