About Notre Dame · Saint Martinville, Louisiana
Notre Dame Catholic Church (also known by its formal title Notre Dame Perpetual Secours) is a predominantly African-American Roman Catholic parish in St. Martinville, Louisiana, in the Diocese of Lafayette. Established in 1938 and served for decades by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), it grew from a small mission into a thriving center of Catholic life on the Bayou Teche. Today the parish is led by Fr. Abelardo Gabriel, S.V.D., and Fr. Marcel Danyo, S.V.D., and continues its mission of evangelization, faith formation, and service to the African-American Catholic community of St. Martin Parish.
- Established
- 1938
- Patron
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Notre Dame Perpetual Secours)
- Rector
- Fr. Abelardo Gabriel, S.V.D.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana
Why belong here
Notre Dame welcomes anyone looking for a praying, family-oriented parish rooted in the African-American Catholic tradition. Weekly devotions like the Tuesday Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena and Mass, multiple choirs, a Bible Study, Sisters in Christ, Legion of Mary, Associates of the Blessed Sacrament, Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver, Junior Knights and Junior Daughters, and strong RCIA, Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation programs make it a true community of faith, service, and stewardship.
Mass times at Notre Dame
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30–4:45 p.m. (per parish website) or 4:00–4:30 p.m. (per aggregator listings), or by appointment
Parish Identity & Mission
Notre Dame Catholic Church (formally Notre Dame Perpetual Secours) is a predominantly African-American Catholic parish in St. Martinville, Louisiana, in the Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana. Its mission statement describes itself as 'a community of African-American Christian stewards committed to an active concern for the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of each member of our church family,' pledged to ongoing evangelization, sacred scripture, prayer, hope, communication, dedication, and leadership.
History
Established in 1938, Notre Dame opened its doors to Rev. Maurice Rousseve, S.V.D., and his successor Rev. Anthony C. Bourges, S.V.D. — both members of the historic first class of African-American priests ordained by the Society of the Divine Word. The parish grew into a thriving center of Catholicity on the Bayou Teche, with a school staffed largely by the Sisters of Mercy. Future Bishop Harold Robert Perry, S.V.D., served as assistant pastor here from 1948 to 1949 before founding St. Joseph in Broussard and eventually becoming Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans.
- Founded 1938
- Society of the Divine Word (SVD) parish since its founding
- Notre Dame School graduated its 1944 class under Rev. Roussève and a Sister of Mercy
- Served by generations of SVD priests and lay African-American Catholic stewards
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Devotion
The parish's formal title — Notre Dame Perpetual Secours — reflects its longstanding Marian identity. Every Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m. the community gathers for the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena followed by Mass, a devotion especially treasured by the parish.
- Tuesday 6:00 p.m. — Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena & Mass
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently led by the Society of the Divine Word, with two priests and two deacons serving the community. A full team of lay staff and ministry leaders supports the parish office, religious education, and liturgy.
- Fr. Abelardo Gabriel, S.V.D. — Pastor
- Fr. Marcel Danyo, S.V.D. — Associate Pastor
- Deacon David Chambers, DDS — Deacon
- Deacon Carlton Lee Sr. — Retired Deacon
- Mrs. Christine Robertson — Secretary & Bulletin Editor
- Brendaline Etienne — Bookkeeper
- Tujuana Chambers — Website Editor
- Janice Anthony — Parish Council President (listed on staff page)
Liturgical Ministries
A strong team of liturgical ministers supports the celebration of Mass, with multiple choirs serving different Mass times and trained lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, and hospitality ministers.
- Ministers of Music: Ashley Charles (337-356-7404) & Roy Anthony
- Eucharistic Ministers: Jackie Narcisse (337-394-9470)
- Lectors: Mary Wiltz, Leatha Jones, Delores Bourda, Rosie Houston
- Altar Server Trainers: Reggie Landry & Tyra Richard
- Ministers of Hospitality: Yvette Morris / Dudley Malveaux
- Choirs: 5 p.m. Men's Choir (Earl Dundas), 7 a.m. Choir, 9 a.m. Choir, 11 a.m. Choir
Faith Formation & Sacraments
Notre Dame runs a full sacramental program for children and adults, including RCIA/OCIA for those becoming Catholic, Baptism preparation, First Communion, and Confirmation. Religious education is coordinated by a Director of Religious Education with age-level coordinators.
- Baptism & RCIA — Faith James
- Director of Religious Education (DRE) — Sandra Solomon
- First Communion Coordinator — Lisa George
- Confirmation Coordinator — Adrienne Landry
- Weddings Coordinator — Malcom Ledet (337-394-3276)
Adult Ministries
The parish offers a wide range of adult spiritual, devotional, fraternal, and service organizations — many with deep roots in African-American Catholic tradition.
- Knights of Peter Claver — Jimmy Charles
- Ladies of Peter Claver — Eula Lee
- Adult Rosary — Melba Malveaux (337-394-6428)
- Bible Study — Lois Trahan (337-394-3302)
- Sisters in Christ — Menda Batiste (337-394-4184)
- Worship and Retreat Team — Sandra Solomon (337-394-9146)
- Legion of Mary — Rita Lewis (337-394-6926)
- Associates of the Blessed Sacrament — Gretna Pickney (337-394-5023)
- Drexel Society — Gloria Polite (337-394-1420)
- Church Fair Committee — open
- Ladies Auxiliary — open
- Pastoral (Parish) Council — President David Savoy
- Finance & Management / Trustees — Junius Narcisse (337-417-0701) & Ted St. Julien (337-849-6706)
Youth Ministries
A vibrant youth program introduces children and teens to parish life, liturgical service, and the wider Catholic fraternal tradition.
- Youth Group — Paula Fontenette, Christine Neveu, Malcom Ledet, Loretta Charles
- Junior Daughters — Lisa George
- Junior Knights — Timothy Sonnier or Lyndon Raymond Sr.
- Junior Ushers — Christine Neveu (337-394-8392)
- Altar Servers — Viola George & Tyra Richard
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
The parish office is open five days a week and welcomes visitors, registration inquiries, and sacramental requests. Phone, fax, email, and a website contact form are all available.
- Address: 201 Gary Street, Saint Martinville, LA 70582 (Mailing: P.O. Box 677, Saint Martinville, LA 70582)
- Phone: 337-394-3084
- Fax: 337-394-5380
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. & 1:00–5:00 p.m.; Fri 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
- Website: http://notredamech.weconnect.com/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Maurice Rousseve, S.V.D.1938–
Founding pastor; member of the historic SVD class of African-American priests.
- Rev. Anthony C. Bourges, S.V.D.
Second African-American pastor of Notre Dame Parish.
- Harold Robert Perry, S.V.D.1948–1949
Served as assistant pastor; later became the first openly African-American Catholic bishop (Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans, 1966–1991).
- Fr. Abelardo Gabriel, S.V.D.present
Current pastor.