About Mary Queen of Peace · Mandeville, Louisiana
Mary, Queen of Peace is a Roman Catholic parish in Mandeville, Louisiana, on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Founded on June 18, 1988 by Archbishop Philip M. Hannan, it began as a small community of 'roaming Catholics' meeting first at Rouquette Lodge, then in a shopping center, then in a multipurpose building, before its permanent church was dedicated by Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes on October 5, 2008. Today it serves roughly 2,000 families and operates Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic School (Pre-K through 7th grade), with weekday daily Mass, livestreamed Sunday Masses, an active RCIA (OCI) process, marriage and youth ministry, and outreach through St. Vincent de Paul and a long-standing partnership with St. Benoit Parish in Haiti.
- Established
- 1988
- Patron
- Mary, Queen of Peace (Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Queen of Peace)
- Rector
- Rev. Robert T. Cooper (appointed effective July 1, 2023 by Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of New Orleans
Why belong here
Mary, Queen of Peace is one of the largest and most active parishes on the Louisiana north shore, with a daily 9:00 AM Mass, four Sunday Masses (one livestreamed), generous Confession times seven days a week, First Friday and First Saturday Adoration, and a vibrant OCI (RCIA) program for those becoming Catholic. Families are drawn by Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic School (Pre-K 3 through 7th grade), robust youth and young adult ministry, marriage enrichment and family life programs, men's and women's ministry, parish missions and retreats, and concrete outreach through St. Vincent de Paul and a long-standing Haiti parish partnership. It is a parish that markets itself as 'fundamentally relational' and 'radically hospitable,' rooted in the Archdiocese of New Orleans' Catholic tradition on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain.
Mass times at Mary Queen of Peace
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM (or by appointment)
- Monday – Saturday: 8:30 AM – 8:55 AM
- Sunday: 7:30 AM – 7:55 AM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 9:25 AM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 11:25 AM
- Sunday: 5:00 PM – 5:25 PM
Adoration times
- First Fridays: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Exposition and Adoration)
- First Saturdays: 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM (Exposition and Adoration)
Parish History
Founded June 18, 1988 by Archbishop Philip M. Hannan as a mission to the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, Mary, Queen of Peace grew from a handful of 'roaming Catholics' into one of the largest parishes in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The community met first at Rouquette Lodge, then in a shopping center, then in a multipurpose building on its present West Causeway Approach campus, and finally in the permanent church dedicated by Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes on October 5, 2008. Its four pastors have been Fr. Bill O'Donnell (1988–1995), Fr. Ronald L. Calkins (1995–2014), Msgr. John-Nhan Tran (2014–January 2023, now Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta), and the current pastor Fr. Robert T. Cooper (since July 1, 2023).
- 1988 — Parish founded by Archbishop Philip M. Hannan; Fr. Bill O'Donnell named founding pastor
- Early days — Worship at Rouquette Lodge, then 'Our Lady the Shopping Center'
- 1995 — Fr. Ronald Calkins appointed second pastor
- 1996 — Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic School opens
- 2005 — Parish opens its doors after Hurricane Katrina to displaced families from St. Bernard and New Orleans
- 2008 — Permanent church dedicated October 5 by Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes
- 2012 — Permanent classroom building blessed at the school (replacing post-Katrina modulars)
- 2013 — 25th anniversary celebrated at Mass with Archbishop Gregory Aymond
- 2014 — Fr. John-Nhan Tran appointed third pastor
- 2015 — Fr. Tran donates a kidney to a priest in Oklahoma City
- October 25, 2022 — Pope Francis appoints Fr. Tran Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta
- January 23, 2023 — Fr. Tran ordained bishop
- July 1, 2023 — Fr. Robert T. Cooper installed as fourth pastor
Architecture & Liturgical Art
The permanent church, dedicated in 2008, is a freestanding building whose most recognizable feature is a 14-foot triangular stained-glass window dominating its front façade. The glass is backlit from within the narthex, with lights circuited to the exterior lighting so the church glows as a community beacon at night. A New Orleans-based liturgical artist, known for stained glass, tabernacles, painted and etched glass, enamel murals, statuary, chairs and altars across the Gulf Coast and at St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, designed the church's window program along with much of the altar and tabernacle work. The pre-2008 multipurpose building is now the Parish Center, containing a parish hall, offices, classrooms, a child-care room, and a youth room.
- 14-foot triangular stained-glass window above the front of the church
- Backlit stained glass in the narthex; lights tied to exterior lighting as a community beacon
- Liturgical art program coordinated by a single New Orleans artist (stained glass, tabernacle, altar, statuary)
- Multi-building campus: church, Parish Center, classroom buildings, music rooms, community center
Pastoral Leadership & Ministry Team
The parish is led by Fr. Robert T. Cooper with the support of Parochial Vicar Fr. Cuong Tran and Assisting Priest Msgr. W. Bilinsky, as well as Deacon Eddy Beckendorf. A large lay ministry team directs formation, outreach, liturgy, communications, hospitality, stewardship, finance, facilities, and development.
- Rev. Robert T. Cooper — Pastor
- Rev. Cuong Tran — Parochial Vicar
- Msgr. W. Bilinsky — Assisting Priest
- Deacon Eddy Beckendorf
- Audrey Huck — Co-Director of Children's Formation; Director of Marriage, Family Life & Women's Ministry
- Karen Baker — Director of Music Ministry
- Dylan Mitchell — Pastoral Associate / Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry
- Stephen Johnson — Director of Men's Ministry
- Elizabeth Duracher — Director of Outreach and Community Service
- Cherie Erkel — Director of Liturgy, Sacraments & Parish Life
- Lori Kilgore — Director of Parish Operations & Stewardship
- Nicole Johnson — Co-Director of Evangelization, Engagement & Adult Formation
- John Tomba — Director of Development
- Charisse Saucier — Co-Director of Children's Formation; Director of Pastoral Care
- Reagan Hightower — Director of Communications & Media
- Kelle Serio — Director of Hospitality & Connection
- Jennifer Coco — MQPCS Director of Christian Formation
- Tom Huck — Director of Grounds & Facilities
- Dana Stiller — Director of Finance & Administration
- Matthew Jochum — MQPCS Principal & Executive Director
- Sue Boudreaux — Pastoral Assistant
Sacraments
Sacraments are coordinated through the parish office with specific directors for each area. Baptisms are normally celebrated on the first Sunday of each month at 2:00 PM, with private baptisms permitted on Saturdays and Sundays (but not between Sunday Masses). Confession is offered every day of the week, including before each Sunday Mass. Matrimony preparation and enrichment is run through Audrey Huck; Saturday-evening weddings have been permitted in the church since June 2022. The sick are visited through the Pastoral Care office.
- Baptism — first Sunday at 2:00 PM; private baptisms Sat/Sun (not between Masses)
- Confession — daily (see full schedule above) or by appointment
- First Communion & Confirmation — through parish formation programs
- Matrimony — preparation and enrichment via Audrey Huck; Saturday weddings allowed since 2022
- Anointing of the Sick — via Pastoral Care
Becoming Catholic (OCI / RCIA)
Mary, Queen of Peace uses the name 'OCI' (Order of Christian Initiation) for its RCIA process. The journey is open to anyone over the age of seven who is inquiring about the Catholic faith, with no commitment required at the start. Candidates participate in prayer, study, reflection, and the communal life of the parish, and are fully initiated into the Church at Easter. Nicole Johnson (Co-Director of Evangelization, Engagement & Adult Formation) leads the process.
- Open to all inquirers age 7+
- Full sacramental initiation at Easter Vigil
- No initial commitment required
- Contact: Nicole Johnson, Co-Director of Evangelization, Engagement & Adult Formation
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a multi-track formation program for all ages. Children are served through the parish's Christian Formation program (co-directed by Audrey Huck and Charisse Saucier) and the parish school. Youth and young adults are served by PAX Youth Ministry under Dylan Mitchell. Adults participate in Wednesday Scripture Study (a 20-session 'Foundations of Faith' walk through the Catechism led by Nicole Johnson) and the OCI/RCIA process. Marriage enrichment, men's ministry, and women's ministry round out the formation ecosystem.
- Children's Formation (Pre-K through elementary) — co-directed by Audrey Huck & Charisse Saucier
- PAX Youth Ministry & Wayfinder's Week (Dylan Mitchell)
- Young Adult Ministry (Dylan Mitchell)
- Wednesday Scripture Study — 'Foundations of Faith' Catechism series (Nicole Johnson)
- OCI (RCIA) for adults and children over 7 (Nicole Johnson)
- Marriage Enrichment — workshops, Willwoods Marriage Retreat, Supper & Substance
- Men's Ministry (Stephen Johnson)
- Women's Ministry (Audrey Huck)
- Christian Service program integrated with the school
Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic School
Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic School is a parish school serving Pre-K 3 through 7th grade at 1515 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville. Established in 1996 (and preceded on the campus by Father O' Donnell's founding vision), the school today has about 412 students in a coeducational setting. Tuition for the highest grade is approximately $7,470 per year. A permanent classroom building, replacing post-Katrina modular structures, was blessed in 2012. The school has a structured Christian Service program coordinated by the Dean of Student Life & Christian Formation (Matthew Johnson), with monthly themes and a year-end Christian Service Mass and award.
- Founded 1996; Pre-K 3 through 7th grade, coeducational
- Permanent classroom building blessed 2012 (replacing post-Katrina modulars)
- Principal: Sybil Skansi; Assistant Principals Amanda Duplantier (lower school) and Beth Loisel (upper school)
- Christian Service hours by grade: Pre-K/K = 3 hrs; 1–2 = 5 hrs; 3–4 = 10 hrs; 5–6 = 15 hrs; 7 = 20 hrs
- Monthly Christian Service Mass on the first Wednesday; 'Feed The Hungry' food collection
- Tuition approx. $7,470 (highest grade) per Niche listing; preschool and K–4 guides published on the school website
Outreach, Charity & Mission
Outreach is coordinated by Elizabeth Duracher, Director of Outreach and Community Service. The parish runs a St. Vincent de Paul conference, a 'Feed The Hungry' food collection at the monthly Christian Service Mass, and other corporal works of mercy through the Archdiocese of New Orleans. It maintains a long-standing partnership with St. Benoît Parish in Haiti, recognized and celebrated at the 25th-anniversary Mass in 2013. The parish has a history of responding to natural disasters — welcoming displaced families after Hurricane Katrina (2005) and sending volunteer disaster-repair teams during Fr. Tran's pastorate.
- St. Vincent de Paul conference
- 'Feed The Hungry' food collection at the monthly Christian Service Mass
- Partnership with St. Benoît Parish, Haiti
- Disaster response: post-Katrina hospitality 2005; volunteer repair teams under Fr. Tran
- Heritage Manor nursing home visits (communion to the homebound) — a tradition since the early days
Music & Liturgy
Music Ministry is directed by Karen Baker and supports the parish's Sunday Mass schedule (including the livestreamed 11:30 AM Mass) and the major feasts of the liturgical year. The parish's Liturgy, Sacraments & Parish Life office, under Cherie Erkel, coordinates the ministry of the altar and the parish's liturgical art program.
- Music Ministry — Karen Baker, Director
- Liturgy, Sacraments & Parish Life — Cherie Erkel
- Coordinated liturgical art (stained glass, altar, tabernacle) across the church and Parish Center
Getting Involved
The parish publishes an 'MQP Parish Playbook' outlining its vision and invitation to participate. Visitors and newcomers are encouraged to introduce themselves after Mass; small-group ministry, weekday Mass, OCI, the Marriage Workshop, the Lenten Fish Fry, and seasonal retreats are common entry points. The parish also runs Kelle Serio's Hospitality & Connection ministry to help newcomers plug in.
- Hospitality & Connection (Kelle Serio)
- Parish Playbook published online for newcomers
- Small-group ministry, OCI inquiries, Bible study, retreats
- Volunteer opportunities through Outreach and the school
Visiting & Contact Information
Parish offices are open during normal business hours at 1501 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, LA 70471. Phone: (985) 626-6977. Pastor's email: [email protected]. The Sunday 11:30 AM Mass is livestreamed online through the parish website. The school's separate contact and tuition guides are available at school.maryqueenofpeace.org.
- Address: 1501 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, LA 70471
- Phone: (985) 626-6977
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Parish website: https://maryqueenofpeace.org
- School website: https://school.maryqueenofpeace.org
- Sunday 11:30 AM Mass livestreamed online
- Diocese: Archdiocese of New Orleans (https://nolacatholic.org)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William 'Bill' O'Donnell1988 – July 1995
Founding pastor; gathered the original community of 'roaming Catholics' that worshipped first at Rouquette Lodge, then in a shopping center, then in a multipurpose building on the present campus. Honored by Archbishop Aymond in 2013 as the parish's 'founding pastor.'
- Rev. Ronald L. CalkinsJuly 1995 – 2014
Second pastor; oversaw the rapid growth of the parish, the opening of Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic School in 1996, the post-Hurricane Katrina outreach to displaced families, and the planning and construction of the permanent church building (dedicated 2008). Honored as Guest Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives on May 10, 2007 by Rep. Bobby Jindal.
- Rev. Msgr. John-Nhan Tran2014 – January 2023
Third pastor; Vietnamese-born priest ordained 1992, previously pastor of St. Joan of Arc in LaPlace. Donated a kidney in 2015 to a priest in Oklahoma City; rallied parish volunteer disaster-repair teams. Appointed by Pope Francis as Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta on October 25, 2022 and ordained bishop January 23, 2023.
- Rev. Robert T. CooperJuly 1, 2023 – present
Fourth and current pastor; previously pastor of Divine Mercy Parish; appointed by Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond and announced March 25, 2023.