Metairie, in the early part of the twentieth century, was an area of farm houses, barns, dairy cows, cultivated fields and orchards.  Catholic families were ministered to by priests assigned to parishes in New Orleans and Kenner. Metairie became part of Mater Dolorosa at the turn of the century.

In 1909, Robert Bensberg donated a piece of land at the intersection of Labarre Road and the tracks of the Louisiana Railway and Navigation Company. On this site Fr. Joseph Prim, Pastor of Mater Dolorosa, erected a small country chapel. On February 13, 1921, Archbishop John William Shaw established St. Catherine of Siena Parish, with Rev. James J. Furlong as the first pastor.

Through the kindness and generosity of the Codifer Family, the parish became the owner of a parcel of ground measuring 472' by 148' on Bonnabel Boulevard which was sufficient for all necessary buildings to be erected. The parish had been saved a large debt by this worthy donation. To honor this gracious donation, a memorial plaque is attached to the first pew in the church. The Codifer family remains today a vital part of the parish history.

In 1925, the then pastor, Fr. Jarysch, erected a residence, a combination school-auditorium and a convent, facing Bonnabel Blvd. Because of the number of parishioners, the original church was turned into a parish hall and the new auditorium was converted into a church. In 1926, five Sisters of the Incarnate Word from San Antonio arrived to staff the school. In May, 1939, Msgr. Paul A. Melancon was called to assume the pastorate of St. Catherine. Under his leadership, four rooms were added to the school in 1944, and in 1947 eight more rooms were added to accommodate the growing number of students. In that same year, the church was enlarged to accommodate the expanding number of parishioners.

During and after the years of World War II, the community of St. Catherine continued to thrive. In September 1951 work began on what was referred to as the Parochial School Annex.

In 1952, The Jefferson Parish Times showed a picture of Msgr. Melancon and a group of committed parishioners attending a meeting to determine methods of raising funds for a new church. In 1957, the new church was completed by Lionel F. Favret Co., Inc.

During Msgr. Melancon's tenure as pastor, the parish territory was diminished with the establishment of St. Louis King of France and St. Angela Merici. However, when Msgr. Melancon retired, the physical plant had grown to include the cafeteria-gymnasium, a new school building, a convent, and the remodeled old wing of the school.

Msgr. Melancon was succeeded by Msgr. Gerald T. Barrett. During Msgr. Barrett's tenure the parish facilities were greatly expanded to include a new rectory, the Melancon Center, and the ultimate renovation and construction that would bear his name, the Barrett Complex.

In 1996, the rectory was redesigned so as to afford a separate Parish Office and a separate rectory for the clergy.

Under the leadership of Msgr. Roger A. Swenson, the school was again renovated so as to allow for a larger cafeteria for the students, additional storage and rooms for use by the teachers and parish organizations.

In addition, the church built in 1957 underwent renovations by Charles Favret, Inc., headed by the grandson of the original contractor, and Mr. Nano Turchi, Architect.

After the death of Msgr. Swenson, Rev. Eugene Jacques was named as pastor effective July 1, 2010.  

Archbishop Gregory Aymond named Rev. Ronald L. Calkins the 9th pastor effective July 1, 2014.  During Fr. Ronnie's pastorate, he led a pastoral plan that sought to help our pairsh become "Centered On Christ, Ablaze with Love."  

When Fr. Ronnie stepped down due to health reasons, Rev. Timothy D. Hedrick, who had served as parochial vicar with Fr. Ronnie for four years, was named the 10th pastor on May 27, 2018.  

In June of 2019, the parish purchased the adjacent apartment complex in order to expand the campus and add a green space.  In 2021, Gator Field, an artificial turf field, was completed.

St. Catherine of Siena's long history shows that the parish has always been a vital and integral part of the community and a continuing source of spiritual and community life to its members.  Catherine of Siena celebrated a century of ministry in Old Metairie in 2021!

A Brief History of St. Catherine of Siena

1921      Parish Established
1926      School Established
1957      New Church Constructed
1957      Senior Building (now Sr. Imelda Building) Constructed
1965      Junior School Building Constructed
1966      Incarnate Word Building Constructed
1973      Parish Office Constructed
1975      Melancon Center Constructed
1991      Barrett Complex Constructed
1996      Rectory Constructed
2021      Gator Field Dedicated
 

A new coat of arms was created for the 100th anniversary of St. Catherine of Siena Parish. The symbols on the coat of arms carry unique meanings for the church and for the school.

For St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School, the keys signify Catholic education; the book, academics; the fire, St. Catherine of Siena’s famous words, “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire”; and the fleur-de-lis, the French origin of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, who staffed the School at its founding in 1926 and for the majority of its years of operation.

As the logo pertains to St. Catherine of Siena Church, the keys represent our patroness’s convincing Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome from Avignon in 1376; the book, the Scriptures; the flame, that the  parish is guided by the Holy Spirit; and the fleur-de-lis, the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

St. Catherine of Siena Parish — The Early Years: 1909 to 1939

Metairie, with its high ridge of land, has long been a desirable suburb of New Orleans. The name Metairie is taken from a French word which means a parcel of land that is leased on a 50/50 crop sharing agreement. The land was once used by the ancient Chapitoulas Indians. It was settled as a farming area over 200 years ago and was the site of French colonial plantation. French and then Spanish Capuchin Friars settled here as did many other groups who recognized the riches of the area.

In 1845 Metairie Ridge was made part of the parochial territory of St. Mary of the Nativity Church in the city of Carrollton, then a part of Jefferson Parish. At the turn of the 20^th century, St. Mary’s united with Mater Dolorosa and the people of Metairie become part of that parish.

Metairie retained its rural characteristics well into the early decades of the 20th century. Metairie Road then was flanked by farm houses, barns, dairy cows, cultivated fields and orchards. Due to the growing Metairie population, Father Francis Prim, pastor of Mater Dolorosa, began a search for property in the area to build a chapel for the benefit and convenience of the people. In 1909 Robert Bensbury, the owner of a country home in Metairie, donated a piece of land to the Mater Dolorosa Church at the intersection of LaBarre Road and Metairie Road along the Louisiana & Arkansas Railroad tracks. Father Prim had a small chapel erected on that site. The chapel was designated as a mission of Mater Dolorosa and it was dedicated on November 7, 1909, under the invocation of St. Catherine of Siena. The quaint wooden country chapel was designed by architect H. Jordan Mackenzie. A newspaper account of the dedication of the building by Bishop J.M. Laval described the chapel and its setting:
 
“Far out on the Metairie Road, in one of the most isolated and at the same time picturesque portions of the suburbs of New Orleans, a little rustic chapel was blessed…The little structure makes a pretty picture, with its background of moss hung oaks, and Louisiana palmetto waves around.”
 
The charming but remote house of worship did not always fulfill its intended purpose. In order to secure a clergyman for Sunday Mass, Bensbury would drive his automobile to Carrollton on Sunday morning to bring one of the Mater Dolorosa priests to the Metairie chapel. According to Monsignor Bezou, this routine was frequently broken: “roads were impassable, tires deflated, the motor stalled, the priest was indisposed or called to other duties, or some other circumstances, such as bad weather, forced cancellation of Mass. Meanwhile, worshippers would wait patiently for an hour or more, fanning themselves or shivering in the pews, depending on the season, until word reached them that no Mass could be offered that Sunday.” As a result, Metairie residents with their own transportation preferred going to church in New Orleans where services were more dependable.
 
In January of 1921, Archbishop John Shaw decided to provide Metairie with a parish and a resident pastor. In February he established the Metairie area as St. Catherine of Siena Parish, with the St. Catherine’s chapel as the parish church. Rev. James J. Furlong was named the first pastor and his jurisdiction went from the New Basin Canal (West End Boulevard) to Shrewsbury Road and from the railroad tracks to the Lake. Rev. Furlong performed the first Baptism in the new parish and the parish was formerly incorporated under the laws of the State of Louisiana as the “Congregation of St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church.”
 
In late 1921 the chapel was moved from the LaBarre Road site to a lot on Bonnabel Boulevard, two blocks away from the present St. Catherine’s location. Rev. Furlong reported a regular Sunday attendance of about 200 people and an average collection of $12. 
 
In this small church, on an out-of-the-way site, the Sacrament of Confirmation was administered to a class of 81; it was the first Confirmation of St. Catherine Parish on June 8, 1923.
 
St. Catherine’s Improvement Association was formed and 11 lots were bought in Crestmont Park as a better location for the church in 1923. Concentrated efforts were made to raise funds. Rev. Furlong devoted his zeal in establishing parish organizations, among which was the Altar Society. By 1923 the parish population increased to 1,007 members.
 
The parish was partitioned in 1924 by Archbishop Shaw and St. Francis Xavier Parish was formed. (Eventually St. Louis King of France, St. Angela Merici, and part of St. Agnes would be carved out of the original St. Catherine Parish territory.)
 
Rev. Furlong resigned in April of 1924 and on July 11, Rev. B.J. O’Donnell was assigned as second pastor of St. Catherine of Siena. The Codifer family donated property at the present site of the parish Church and the old chapel was moved to this site. Rev. O’Donnell’s pastorate was cut short by his death on February 3, 1925, at age 51, and Rev. Furlong temporarily served the Church until April, when the Rev. Leo Jarysch took over as the third pastor.
 
Rev. Jarysch was responsible for building new buildings. He erected a rectory and in 1925 he enlarged the church. In 1926, he opened a parish school with the building of a combination school-auditorium and an enrollment of 133, 60 boys and 73 girls. It was staffed by five Sisters of the Incarnate Word from San Antonio, Texas, who lived in a convent built on the site. Even the remodeled church was too small for the growing congregation, which now numbered 1,150 and so the new auditorium was converted into a church and the old church became a parish hall.
 
By 1927 it was decided that St. Catherine’s would permanently remain at the Bonnabel site. The parishioners that year numbered 1,970.
 
Rev. Jarysch organized the Holy Name Society, then the Ushers Society. In 1931 the Parish League of the Sacred Heart was initiated. Rev. Jarysch instituted the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and the CYO in 1935. In May, 1939, Rev. Jarysch became pastor of St. Joseph Church in Gretna. For two months, the Rev. Paul A. Carroll Badeaux, Chancellor of the Archdiocese, served as Parish Administrator.
 
On July 21, 1939, the Rev. Paul A. Melancon, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church at Smoke Bene, La., was called by Archbishop Rummel to assume the pastorate at St. Catherine. One of the new pastor’s first undertakings was the formation of a Mother’s Cooperative Club. In 1949, Rev. Melancon was made a Domestic Prelate by the Holy Father and was granted the title Monsignor.
 
References:
Metairie: A Tongue of Land to Pasture by Msgr. Henry Bezou
Essays by Roger Baudier, Sr., K.S.G.

Submitted by Jerry Madere
 
St. Catherine of Siena Parish — The Middle Years: 1939 to 1971

Our fourth pastor, Msgr. Paul Melancon, came to St. Catherine Parish on July 21, 1939. He had been pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church at Smoke Bene, Louisiana. In 1949 he was elevated by the Pope Pius XII to the rank of Domestic Prelate with the title of Right Reverend Monsignor. His tenure of 31 years as pastor was a period of many activities, reorganization, extensive parochial development, and parish progress, perhaps climaxed by bringing to realization a long-cherished dream of the cooperative congregation—a spacious parish church. 
 
The parish population in 1940 stood at 2,150, but a census taken in 1943 showed 3,850 parishioners in the parish. Due to the housing shortage of World War II there was rapid development on the Eastbank of Jefferson Parish, notably in the Metairie area. Average Mass attendance of 1,400 in 1940 had gone up by 1951 to 4,000, consisting of 3,000 adults and 1,000 children. The 1951 parish census also revealed a parochial population of 5,850. Sunday Masses had to be increased to four in 1940 and five in 1948, then six in the next year. In 1964 the Catholic population in the new census was reported at 6,200 people, and Sundays now had seven Masses.
 
Spiritual progress was notable. The 18,000 Communions of 1940 grew to 22,000 in 1942, and 32,000 in 1945. In 1951 the pastor could report 78,000 Communions among the parishioners. The average yearly number of Baptism had been in the 30s. The year 1956 showed 322 Baptisms and approximately 2,200 Catholic families in the parish. Communions in 1956 amounted to 112,000 and in 1968 the pastor reported 225,000 Communions in his yearly report.
 
Perhaps the most outstanding achievement of Monsignor Melancon’s pastorship was the building of a new church. In 1952 the Jefferson Parish Times showed a picture of Monsignor Melancon and a group of committed men attending a meeting to determine methods of raising funds for a new church. In 1957, the new church was completed by Lionel F. Favret Co., Inc., and was dedicated on July 14, 1957.

Parish societies were re-energized and thrived as never before with innumerable activities constantly under way. One of the pastor’s first undertakings upon his arrival was the formation of a Mother’s Cooperative Club and Holy Name Society. These two organizations gave invaluable help in every parish undertaking, material as well as spiritual. The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, CYO, Scouting Programs, Ushers, and League of the Sacred Heart speak well for the spirit and realization of Catholic life and activity in the parish.
 
The parishioners in general developed a stirring cooperative parochial spirit, seconding the efforts of the Pastor and the projects he proposed to the congregation. This was evident in improvements to the parish plant, which included a new convent, a remodeling of the old wing of the school, and a new school building, cafeteria and gymnasium, all paid for in record time, culminating with an imposing new parish church, as noted above. The generosity and cooperation of the parish are reflected in the parish finances, as well in the material achievements and improvements.
 
The parish school grew in leaps and bounds as well. The 1942 school enrollment of 365, with six Sisters and one lay teacher on the staff, grew to 520 in 1945, and the staff was increased to nine Sisters and one lay teacher. The year 1956 saw the school pass the 1,000 mark, with 1,486 children in the parochial school, and the teaching staff increase to 12 Sisters and 14 lay teachers, thus making St. Catherine’s one of the largest parochial schools in the Archdiocese at the time.
 
Monsignor Melancon retired in January 1970 after serving the parish for 31 years. On Palm Sunday, March 22, 1970, he wrote in the bulletin to his parishioners, “I am deeply grateful for your devotedness throughout the thirty-one years I have spent with you. Seldom does a pastor find such constant cooperation and willingness as I have been accustomed to here at St. Catherine’s. The burdens that could have been heavier were lightened by your sharing them.”
 
Monsignor Melancon died on October 26, 1978.
 
Rev. Gerald T. Barrett became our fifth pastor on March 21, 1970. He was a native of Gretna, Louisiana, and former Pastor of Holy Cross Church in Morgan City.
 
Submitted by Jerry Madere

St. Catherine of Siena Parish — 1970 to the Present: The Growth Continues

After Monsignor Melancon retired in January 1970 (having served St. Catherine Parish for 31 years), the Rev. Gerald T. Barrett became our fifth pastor on March 21, 1970. He was a native of Gretna, Louisiana, and former Pastor of Holy Cross Church in Morgan City. 
 
He got to work right away developing the parish, its ministries and overseeing its growth. He formed a parish council and together with them sought the services of a Parish Coordinator to assist in the many programs which began to evolve in order to meet the needs of a growing parish. In 1973 he oversaw the formation of a new rectory-business office from which parish affairs were conducted. 
 
In 1975 Monsignor Barrett added a multi-purpose parish hall to the parish campus. He dedicated this new building under the name of Melancon Center in honor of his predecessor. The Melancon Center served as a general meeting place for the many parish organizations and functions.
 
Monsignor Barrett’s next accomplishment was the purchase of the land at the corner of Bonnabel Boulevard and Codifer Avenue for the construction of a two-story building which contained a pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classrooms and a 500-seat auditorium. This building was designated the Monsignor Barrett Complex by the Building Committee, in honor of our pastor.
 
The census of 1992 reported 2,204 families with 7,500 individual members and provided its parishioners with a wide range of spiritual and temporal services and activities.
 
Monsignor Barrett died on February 18, 1993.
 
In 1993, Fr. James J. Lohan was appointed as the sixth pastor of St. Catherine. In 1996 the rectory was redesigned so as to afford a separate Parish Office and a separate rectory for the clergy. 
 
In 1999, Msgr. Roger A. Swenson became the seventh pastor. Under his leadership, the school was again renovated, allowing for a larger cafeteria for the students and additional storage and rooms for use by the teachers and parish organizations. Included in the renovations were a new covered walk and service areas as well as an expansion of the cafeteria and air-conditioning of the gymnasium.  
 
However, Monsignor Swenson’s largest undertaking was a renovation of the church. He recalled consulting with architect Nano Turchi about what he would like to see accomplished by the major renovation of the 47-year-old church. “I wanted it to be light and airy,” he said. “And he carried that out.” Gone were the tower-like air conditioning duct enclosures that dominated each side of the sanctuary. The opened space gave the sanctuary a more open feel. The original tabernacle, supported by a pair of bronze angels, was moved from a partially hidden side area to the left of the altar, inside the sanctuary. The elevated sanctuary steps were rounded to produce a less severe look. To the right of the altar, a new baptismal font of natural stone construction was elevated and made visually prominent. In the area formerly occupied by the tabernacle, two reconciliation rooms were installed to allow for confession either face-to-face or behind a screen. The six former confessionals along the side walls were transformed into striking shrines containing statues designed by local artist Ruth Goliwas.
 
The renovation also included a new soundproof vestibule area for parents with antsy children. A hidden lift to the right of the altar was added to allow access to the sanctuary to persons with disabilities. Pews were completely refurbished, a porcelain tile floor was installed, and lighting, air-conditioning, and sound systems were upgraded. The church renovations were completed by C.G. Favret Co., which did the original construction of the church. “It was my grandfather’s (Lionel Favret) company, and my father (Harold) was project manager of the church in 1957,” said Charles Favret. The new renovations were blessed by Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes on September 25, 2004, at the 4 pm Mass. 
 
Monsignor Swenson died of cancer in 2010.
 
Archbishop Gregory Aymond named Rev. Eugene Jacques as pastor effective July 1, 2010. On July 11, 2010, he was installed at a special Mass with a reception following in the Barrett Complex. He served until he was reassigned in 2014.
 
Rev. Ronald L. Calkins was named the ninth pastor of St. Catherine effective July 1, 2014. He had been pastor at Mary, Queen of Peace in Mandeville for 19 years and oversaw a tremendous growth in parishioners when the parish moved into a new building on West Causeway Approach from a space in the Turtle Creek Shopping Center on Highway 22. At St. Catherine, he led a pastoral plan that sought to help our parish become “Centered on Christ, Ablaze with Love.” Also assigned to St. Catherine in July 2014 was a newly ordained priest, Rev. Timothy D. Hedrick. Under the leadership of the new pastor and young priest, the parish responded to their calls for spiritual growth and fellowship. Attendance at Mass increased and the weekly collections rose. Perhaps an indication of the faithfulness of the parishioners led Fr. Calkins to announce that 5% of the weekly collection would be donated to the Archdiocese for its programs to assist those in need.
 
St. Catherine also began to utilize the Internet, creating a parish website, a Facebook page for the church and school, and enabling parishioners to donate online as well as communicate with the parish office.
 
Rev. Calkins resigned as pastor for health reasons in 2018 and was succeeded as pastor by Rev. Timothy D. Hedrick on May 27, 2018. 
 
In June 2019, the parish purchased the adjacent apartment complex to expand the campus and add a green space. A capital campaign was launched to pay back the archdiocese for the purchase price of the land as well as construction of a “Field of Dreams,” a lighted, graded, and striped field for the use of not only the school children but also for outdoor parish functions. Unfortunately, just as this campaign was getting underway, the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic virtually shut down activities across the country. School was closed and Masses were closed to the public. Fr. Tim, however, was undeterred. Along with parochial vicar, Rev. Andrew Gutierrez, they began a livestream celebration of the Mass, all the while saying the Mass and preaching sermons to an empty church. Never one to let his parishioners forget the need to worship, one Sunday Fr. Tim rode down every street of St. Catherine Parish holding the monstrance housing the Blessed Sacrament while riding on a trailer pulled by a pickup truck. Gradually, indoor restrictions were eased and Mass was opened to 25% and then 50% capacity. School reopened in August 2020, with appropriate precautions to protect the children.
 
Now, as we approach the 100th year anniversary, the pandemic gradually has begun to subside with the introduction of multiple vaccines and people having recovered from the disease. Attendance at Mass has increased dramatically.
 
St. Catherine of Siena’s long history shows that the parish has always been a vital and integral part of the community and a continuing source of spiritual and community life to its members. 
 
References:            
Clarion Herald, September 22, 2004
Mary, Queen of Peace website
St. Catherine of Siena Parish website
 
Submitted by Jerry Madere