Notre Dame Seminary

A Message from the Rector

Fall 2020

Dear Friends:

Although our semester started off with the highest enrollment in our nearly 100 year history with three new dioceses sending seminarians to us, we continue to live through the challenges of the pandemic recognizing the suffering of those with the virus, families who have lost loved ones, and those suffering from financial hardships. Hurricane Laura brought devastation to the Lake Charles area effecting family members of our seminarians and bringing pastoral challenge to the Church in Lake Charles. Nearly forty seminarians spent ten days assisting with recovery, clean-up, and distribution of food as well as offering spiritual care and presence in the neighborhoods. In the midst of these realities is the work of our primary mission: forming renaissance priests for a missionary evangelization. “Renaissance” pertains to those priests who are protagonists in building up a culture of life and faith rather than a Church that retreats from society. Our Lord commanded Saint Peter to go deeper in the waters of man to be a catcher/fisher of souls. This inspiration is how we at NDS want our seminarians to view American culture without the temptation of judgment, cynicism, and antagonism. Joyful, holy, and faithful priests – this is what our country needs today. Please pray for us, our mission and seminarians, as we assure all who support us of our prayers.

Sincerely yours in the Lord,
Father James A. Wehner
Rector

Rector's Conferences

"The Mystical Body of Christ in Formation"

January 17th, 2020

"Forming Renaissance Men to be Missionary Priests: The Call of Saint Matthew"

December 7th, 2019

Previous Conferences

Weekly Rosary with the Rector
The people of New Orleans and throughout the gulf south have a deep devotion to Our Lady of […]

Archbishop Hughes Celebrates Espicopal Ordination Anniversary
On Monday, September 24th the Notre Dame Seminary Community celebrated the Fest of the Exaltation of the Holy […]

Hurricane Laura Recovery
Seminarians are assisting with recovery in Lake Charles distributing supplies, assisting Catholic Charities, and providing spiritual presence. The […]

Mass of the Holy Spirit
“If you and I follow the lead of the Holy Spirit, our hearts will be prayerful, our minds […]

Pontifical Olympics
The Summer and Fall Olympics were cancelled however NDS was able to host the Pontifical Olympics in order […]

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Congratulations to Mrs. Cindy Nolan, a loyal volunteer and friend of Notre Dame Seminary, as she is honored as the 2020 Regina Matrum Award Recipient! Always willing to go above and beyond for NDS Seminarians, we are incredibly grateful for the time, talent, support, and prayers that Mrs. Cindy graciously gives to us.
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Notre Dame Seminary also has been the recipient of her time, talent and treasure through the Christmas luncheon for priests and the annual seminary gala.

Through this, they’ve heard “heartwarming stories, the battles they go through at the seminary and how their vocation came about. You have such faith in the future of our church with these men.”

What has most deepened her faith recently, she said, was being a host family for international seminarians such as Thomas Binanbiba Bamoah from the Diocese of Yendi in Ghana, Africa, who recently became a deacon. It’s here she’s witnessed the love seminarians have for the church. Many, like Thomas, arrived in New Orleans with just the clothes on their backs and have humble needs.

When asked what he wanted for an ordination gift, Deacon Thomas told the Nolans about a special missal he could use when he returns to Ghana to celebrate Mass at 20 to 30 sites beyond his parish. The Nolans recognized further necessities and bought him three pairs of sturdy sandals, to which he replied, “Now I have shoes for 10 years.”

This encounter with Deacon Thomas was just another blessing to Nolan."

“What a gift God has given us,” she said. “They’ve dedicated themselves to this life and our job is to support it. To see this man who is so dedicated to the church and to his people. ... We have to do these things. That’s what we’re here for.”Regina Matrum 2020 awardee Cindy Nolan will be honored at her parish, St. Andrew the Apostle, on Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. Read about her faith journey.

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