About Nativity of Our Lady · New Iberia, Louisiana
Nativity of Our Lady is a Roman Catholic parish in New Iberia, Louisiana, situated in the heart of Acadiana and belonging to the Diocese of Lafayette. The parish community worships at 130 N. Richelieu Circle and serves Catholics in New Iberia and the surrounding area. According to GCatholic, the parish was established in 1964, and today it is led by Pastor Fr. Matthew P. Higginbotham, with Fr. Ed Degeyter serving as Sacramental Minister, under Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel of the Diocese of Lafayette. The parish offers a full schedule of daily and weekend Masses, the sacraments, an active Faith Formation program, a youth group, an O.C.I.A. (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process, and a wide array of ministries that span liturgy, spiritual life, religious education, community outreach, and social needs.
- Established
- 1964
- Patron
- Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Matthew P. Higginbotham
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana
Why belong here
Nativity of Our Lady offers a complete Catholic life in one parish: weekend and daily Mass, Reconciliation before every Mass, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and Baptism preparation, plus a structured O.C.I.A. process for adults seeking full initiation. Parishioners of all ages are drawn into service through Faith Formation classes, the Nativity Youth Group, Vacation Bible School, the Knights of Columbus, Our Lady's Altar Society, the Music Ministry, Pro-Life Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, the Baptism Team, the Wake Ministry, and outreach like St. Francis Diner and door-to-door evangelization. With active offices, a staffed Faith Formation team, and a campus that includes the parish church and Nativity Mausoleum, it is a welcoming parish home for anyone moving to the New Iberia area.
Mass times at Nativity of Our Lady
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 pm to 3:45 pm
- 30 minutes before weekday Masses
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration at the Divine Mercy Chapel in St. Peter's Church, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (contact Philip de Mahy at 337-551-2312)
About Nativity of Our Lady Parish
Nativity of Our Lady is a Roman Catholic parish in New Iberia, Louisiana, in the Diocese of Lafayette. According to GCatholic, it was founded in 1964 and today worships from its campus at 130 N. Richelieu Circle. The parish describes itself as a community of believers in Jesus Christ serving New Iberia and the surrounding area, and welcomes newcomers to register as parishioners.
- Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana
- Bishop: Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel
- Pastor: Fr. Matthew P. Higginbotham
- Sacramental Minister: Fr. Ed Degeyter
- Founded 1964 (per GCatholic)
Mass and Sacrament Schedule
The parish publishes a regular Schedule of Masses and Reconciliation on its website. Weekend Masses are offered Saturday evening and twice on Sunday morning. Weekday Masses run Tuesday through Friday at varying early-morning hours, with a special First Saturday morning Mass each month.
- Saturday Vigil Mass — 4:00 pm
- Sunday Masses — 8:00 am & 10:00 am
- Tuesday Mass — 7:00 am
- Wednesday Mass — 9:00 am
- Thursday Mass — 7:00 am
- Friday Mass — 7:00 am
- First Saturday Mass — 9:00 am
- Reconciliation — Saturday 3:00–3:45 pm and 30 minutes before weekday Masses
Devotions and Prayer Life
Beyond the Mass schedule, Nativity of Our Lady maintains a rich devotional rhythm with several regular Rosaries and Bible Studies, and points the faithful to 24/7 Eucharistic Adoration at the nearby Divine Mercy Chapel in St. Peter's Church.
- Pro-Life Rosary — Wednesday 8:20 am
- First Friday Rosary — 6:30 am
- First Saturday Rosary — 8:20 am
- Patriotic Rosary — Third Tuesday 7:30 am
- Bible Study — Tuesdays 9:00 am and Thursdays 6:00 pm in Barsen Hall
- Eucharistic Adoration — 24/7 at the Divine Mercy Chapel, St. Peter's Church
Parish Staff
The parish office is staffed by a team that includes the pastor, a sacramental minister, parish secretary and bulletin editor, director of faith formation, youth director, receptionist and mausoleum clerk, and a bookkeeper/benefits coordinator. Email contacts are listed on the parish Staff page.
- Pastor — Fr. Matthew P. Higginbotham
- Sacramental Minister — Fr. Ed Degeyter
- Parish Secretary / Bulletin Editor / Archivist
- Director of Faith Formation
- Youth Director
- Receptionist / Mausoleum Clerk
- Bookkeeper / Benefits Coordinator
- Parish office phone: (337) 364-8360
Sacraments
The parish website dedicates a section to each of the seven sacraments, with special pages for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and the O.C.I.A. (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). Couples are asked to contact Fr. Matthew Higginbotham at least six months before a wedding.
- Baptism: classes 2nd Thursday of the month; Baptisms the following Saturday after 4 pm Mass
- First Communion: prepared through Faith Formation
- Confirmation: prepared through Faith Formation
- Marriage: contact Fr. Matthew six months in advance; see Marriage Guidelines document
- O.C.I.A.: process for non-baptized adults, converts, and baptized Catholics seeking full Communion
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation at Nativity of Our Lady is led by a Director of Faith Formation and serves parish school children and their families through weekly religious education classes, Vacation Bible School in the summer, and a Safe Environment Training program. The Faith Formation Office, located at Barsen Hall (337-365-3759), coordinates catechists, class calendars, and youth sacramental preparation.
- Faith Formation Teaching Ministry
- Faith Formation Calendar published annually on the website
- Vacation Bible School (one week each summer)
- Safe Environment Training for adults and volunteers
- O.C.I.A. for adult initiation
Youth Ministry
The Nativity Youth Group brings the parish's middle- and high-school youth together for fellowship, service, and faith, organized through Barsen Hall. Activities include service projects, prayer, and social events, with both youth members and adult mentors invited to participate.
- Nativity Youth Group
- Youth Group Registration Form available on the website
- Contact: Barsen Hall at 337-365-3759
Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical life at Nativity of Our Lady is supported by a wide range of lay ministries that serve at the altar, in the choir, and in the assembly. Coordinators and contact numbers are listed on the Ways to Serve page of the website.
- Music Ministry — parish choirs directed by Wade Gachassin
- Altar Servers — open to students entering 4th grade and up (Amber Salsman, 337-339-1223)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Lectors
- Ushers
- Our Lady's Altar Society — sanctuary care, hosts, wine, altar linens (Cindy Landry, 337-256-2208)
Spiritual Life and Outreach
Parishioners walk with one another through every stage of life. The parish offers a Baptism Team for parents and godparents, a Wake Ministry that leads the Rosary at funeral homes, an Our Lady of Sorrow meal ministry for grieving families, and a Pro-Life Ministry with a weekly Rosary and an annual Walk for Life at St. Peter Church. Outreach Evangelization sends parishioners door-to-door in the community to invite others back to the Church.
- Baptism Team — monthly preparation of parents and godparents
- Nativity Wake Ministry — Rosary at funeral homes (Cynthia Elmer, 337-364-2408)
- Our Lady of Sorrow — meals for bereaved families (Barbara Breaux, 337-380-7266)
- Pro-Life Ministry — Wednesday 8:20 am Rosary and Walk for Life (Brenda Romero, 337-365-3421)
- Outreach Evangelization — door-to-door ministry (Paul Gulotta, 337-577-6377)
- That Man is You (TMIY) — men's program (joint with St. Peter's)
- Come, Lord Jesus! — small-group faith-sharing (Larry Viator, 337-256-1307)
Social Needs and Community Service
Nativity of Our Lady feeds the hungry and serves those in need through the St. Francis Diner ministry and the Knights of Columbus. Two parish teams cook and serve food at the diner on a rotating monthly schedule.
- St. Francis Diner — two monthly teams (Barbara Breaux 337-380-7266, Athena Fage 337-364-4665)
- Knights of Columbus — parish council for Catholic men, fellowship and service
Nativity of Our Lady Mausoleum
The parish maintains the Nativity of Our Lady Mausoleum on its Richelieu Circle campus, alongside the church. The Mausoleum Clerk works out of the parish office and handles arrangements for families, allowing parishioners to be laid to rest on the grounds of their parish church.
- On-campus mausoleum at 130 N. Richelieu Circle
- Administered through the parish office (337-364-8360)
- Receptionist/Mausoleum Clerk handles arrangements
Office Hours, Giving, and News
The parish office is open weekdays with morning and afternoon hours, and the parish supports online giving, weekly bulletins online, and a News and Updates page that announces events such as the annual Bishop's Services Appeal. Online Giving is a web-based electronic contribution service that lets parishioners manage their offerings by checking, savings, or credit/debit card.
- Office Hours: Mon/Tue/Thu 9 am–12 noon and 1–5 pm; Wed 9:30 am–12 noon and 1–5 pm; Fri 9 am–12 noon
- Online Giving available through the parish website
- Weekly Sunday Bulletin available online in PDF
- Bishop's Services Appeal 2026 promoted via the website
- Parish Registration Forms (PDF and .docx) available online
Diocese and Deanery
Nativity of Our Lady belongs to the South Deanery of the Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana, which groups parishes across Iberia, St. Mary, and St. Martin civil parishes. The diocese is led by Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel.
- Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana
- South Deanery — Iberia, St. Mary, and St. Martin civil parishes
- Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel
- Diocesan website: diolaf.org