Sister Marjorie Hebert is Catholic Charities' leader

Marianite Sister Marjorie Hebert had served for the last four months as the interim president and chief operating officer of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans (CCANO).

At the end of a national search, Archbishop Gregory Aymond announced May 1 that Sister Marjorie would lead the organization as its permanent president/CEO, saying her experience in education, health care, community and building “will continue to be a blessing” to the archdiocese and the Catholic Charities.

“The word ‘interim’ was always a period of time for me,” Sister Marjorie said. “It really didn’t impact the energy or the enthusiasm that I felt for the work and the mission of Catholic Charities. I just entered into it with all my desire to really serve.”

Sparked Our Lady of Wisdom

From 1997 to 2008, Sister Marjorie was the driving force behind the creation, construction and operation of Our Lady of Wisdom Health Care Center, which began as a vision among numerous religious congregations for a skilled-nursing facility for their aging members.

She then served for three years at Our Lady of Holy Cross College as vice president for finances and operations and as associate to the president for ministry, before taking a one-year sabbatical in 2012.

In her four months at Catholic Charities, Sister Marjorie said she has been “greatly impressed by the depth of dedication and commitment” of the more than 600 people who provide hands-on service in the organization’s programs.

“I’ve been impressed by the authenticity of the mission of Catholic Charities,” she said. “There is no program under the sponsorship of Catholic Charities that has ever wavered in the fulfillment of the mission. This is truly the fulfillment of the Scriptures and the Lord’s mandate for us to perform the corporal works of mercy.”

Economic challenges

Sister Marjorie said one of the looming challenges for CCANO is the economic impact of reduced grants received from the federal or state government, which fund much of the organization’s work. That may lead to some restructuring.

“We’ve developed a strategic plan with our priorities for services, the major commitments being to further develop our services to families, to advocate for the homeless, for education or for those coming out of prison, helping people secure jobs,” Sister Marjorie said. “We’re not getting any good reads that we can look for more funding. If anything, we’re trying to make adjustments to continue to maximize our services with the limitations we have, and that calls for restructuring and renegotiating contracts. How can we best spend the money that is there?”

Hispanic ministry

Sister Marjorie said one of CCANO’s most robust programs is to members of the Hispanic community, providing English courses, tax form preparation and immigration information. CCANO also has recently received additional funding to work with individuals who are coping with losses from Hurricane Isaac. She said CCANO also has “grave concerns” for meeting the community’s behavioral health needs.

“We’re challenged, and we are restructuring our programs so that we better collaborate with the other services in the community,” she said. “I’m very grateful to the archbishop for the opportunity to continue to serve in the archdiocese.”

Pope Francis’ model

In addition to one of her favorite Scripture readings – “Lord, grant success to the work of our hands” (Psalm 90) – Sister Marjorie said she has been inspired by the example of Pope Francis.

“He is a model for us in his spirit of servant leadership,” Sister Marjorie said. “That’s what should be inspiring us as we deliver and give service. He models for us what we are called to be and to do.

“Serving in this position will give me the opportunity to work with and assist God’s people in the larger church, and I look forward to that opportunity. While this will be very challenging, I know I will find great fulfillment in answering the Lord’s call to me.”

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