About Our Lady of Lourdes · Violet, Louisiana
Our Lady of Lourdes is a Roman Catholic parish in Violet, Louisiana, serving the St. Bernard Parish community as part of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The parish traces its origins to a small mission chapel of the early 1900s and was formally established in 1916; its current church building was dedicated on August 29, 1998 and, after being devastated by Hurricane Katrina on the seventh anniversary of that dedication, was lovingly rebuilt and rededicated on November 22, 2009. Today the parish is led by Reverend Kenneth Smith and offers daily and weekend Masses, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacraments, a Parish School of Religion, RCIA, Knights of Columbus Council 8442, and a wide range of lay ministries serving the families of St. Bernard Parish.
- Established
- 1916
- Patron
- Our Lady of Lourdes
- Rector
- Reverend Kenneth Smith
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of New Orleans (Metropolitan Archdiocese of New Orleans)
Why belong here
Our Lady of Lourdes is a Christ-centered, tight-knit St. Bernard Parish family that has rebuilt itself from Hurricane Katrina's destruction through the faith and generosity of its people. The parish offers daily and weekend Mass, Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays and Fridays, monthly devotions and rosary groups, a Parish School of Religion from 1st through 11th grade, RCIA for adults, the Knights of Columbus (Council 8442), the Ladies Auxiliary, a Helping Hands outreach to those in need, a Food for Seniors distribution in partnership with Catholic Charities, and a Bereavement Ministry — giving parishioners numerous ways to live, worship, and serve together in Violet.
Mass times at Our Lady of Lourdes
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesdays: 5:30 PM – 5:50 PM
- Saturdays: 3:30 PM – 3:50 PM
- Sundays: 8:30 AM – 8:50 AM
- Sundays: 10:30 AM – 10:50 AM
Adoration times
- Tuesdays: 7:15 AM – 8:00 AM
- Fridays: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (per parish website; Friday Holy Hour)
About Our Lady of Lourdes Parish
Our Lady of Lourdes is a Roman Catholic parish in Violet, Louisiana, rooted in an early 1900s mission chapel and formally established as a parish in 1916. The parish describes itself as 'a parish established in 1916 rich in history and tradition,' and welcomes both long-time parishioners and visitors to join its journey of faith. It belongs to the Archdiocese of New Orleans and serves the families of St. Bernard civil parish from its church at 2621 Colonial Boulevard.
- Established 1916 from an early-1900s mission chapel
- Located at 2621 Colonial Blvd., Violet, LA 70092
- Member parish of the Archdiocese of New Orleans
- Reverend Kenneth Smith, Pastor (since July 2022)
Mission Statement
The parish's mission statement reads: 'We, members of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, are committed to establish a safe haven for believers in our community. Having Christ as the center of our worship and being impelled by his teachings: We continually grow in ministries that address the needs and concerns of our community. We strive to be a vibrant "Christ Centered" spiritual family and experience His love and presence in the celebration of the Eucharist.'
History of the Parish
Our Lady of Lourdes evolved from a mission chapel built in the early 1900s into the oldest Catholic church in St. Bernard civil parish. After St. Bernard Church and the adjoining rectory were destroyed by fire on February 13, 1916, our chapel became the mother church of the civil parish. The Livaudais family donated the chapel land, and Manuel Molero bought a building for $50 and gave it to Lourdes — that building later became the parish community center. A new church was built on Colonial Boulevard (corner of Judge Perez Drive) and dedicated by Archbishop Francis B. Schulte on August 29, 1998, exactly seven years before Hurricane Katrina devastated the building on August 29, 2005.
- Early 1900s: mission chapel built in St. Bernard Parish
- February 13, 1916: St. Bernard Church fire makes Lourdes the mother church of the civil parish
- July 13, 1997: groundbreaking for the new church at Colonial & Judge Perez Drive
- August 29, 1998: Archbishop Francis B. Schulte dedicates the new church
- November 22, 2009: Archbishop Gregory Aymond rededicates the rebuilt church after Katrina
Hurricane Katrina and the 'Miracle' Reopening
On the seventh anniversary of its dedication, Hurricane Katrina destroyed the church building in 2005 and the pastors were transferred. Within six months, parishioners returning to St. Bernard began a movement to reopen the church at a time when the Archdiocese was actually closing or combining parishes. The parish history page describes the April 2008 permission to resurrect as 'our miracle,' granted through 'the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes and the faith of a resilient people.' Father John Arnone accepted the dual assignment to Lourdes and St. Bernard Catholic Church in November 2008, and Archbishop Gregory Aymond presided at the rededication Mass on November 22, 2009.
- August 29, 2005: church destroyed by Hurricane Katrina
- April 2008: Archdiocese of New Orleans permits reopening
- November 2008: Father John Arnone assigned as shepherd
- November 22, 2009: rededication Mass and ceremony
Our Pastor and Staff
The parish is led by Reverend Kenneth Smith, who joined in July 2022 for his first pastoral assignment. He succeeds Father Bryan Howard (2017–2022), Father Luke Nguyen (2012–2017), Father John Arnone (2008–2012), and a series of earlier pastors including Father Frank, Father Kyle Dave, and Father Raymond Guillot. The parish secretary is Georganna Alphonso, and Kathy Huff serves as Director of Religious Education. For Sacramental emergencies after office hours, the dedicated line is (504) 356-1737.
- Reverend Kenneth Smith — Pastor (since July 2022)
- Georganna Alphonso — Parish Secretary
- Kathy Huff — Director of Religious Education
- Emergency sacramental line: (504) 356-1737
Faith Formation Ministries
Faith-formation ministries at Lourdes include the Parish School of Religion (PSR), which serves all Catholics in 1st through 11th grade and follows the public-school calendar. Classes meet Mondays from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM during the school year (Sept 8, 2025 – Apr 27, 2026); students are expected to attend at least 20 of 26 classes. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation (2nd grade) and First Communion (2nd grade) is conducted through the PSR with required parent meetings and retreats. Confirmation preparation happens in 11th grade in coordination with St. Bernard Parish Confirmation classes.
- Parish School of Religion (1st–10th grade), Mondays 6:00–7:30 PM
- 1st Reconciliation (2nd grade)
- 1st Communion (2nd grade)
- Confirmation preparation (11th grade, in coordination with OLPS)
RCIA — Christian Initiation for Adults
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the parish's process for welcoming newcomers into full communion with the Catholic Church. It serves both adults seeking to join the Catholic faith and confirmed Catholics who simply want to learn more as they continue their journey. The parish provides an RCIA Registration Form in PDF and additional RCIA information on its website.
Spiritual and Outreach Ministries
Lourdes runs a wide array of spiritual and service ministries. The Helping Hands ministry uses parishioner donations to assist those in need. Food for Seniors is run in partnership with Catholic Charities of New Orleans and distributes food from the parish; only those registered with Catholic Charities can receive. Bereavement Ministry supports those who have lost a loved one, and Visitation Circle members (described in parish outreach materials) visit the sick, homebound, hospitalized, and nursing-home residents — including at Pershing Estates, Keystone Meadows and Keystone Gardens — bringing Holy Communion and offering prayer.
- Helping Hands
- Food for Seniors (Catholic Charities of New Orleans)
- Bereavement Ministry
- Visitation Circle (visits to sick, homebound, hospitalized, nursing homes)
- Bringing Holy Communion to homebound after Mass
Vocation and Evangelization
The Vocation Ministry helps parishioners discern God's will in their lives — whether to married life, religious life, or the priesthood. The Evangelization Ministry is tasked with bringing the gospel 'to the men and women of today, especially through use of new technology such as social media.'
Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical roles include Altar Servers, Ushers, Music Ministry, Lectors, and Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist / Ministry to the Homebound. Eucharistic ministers must be fully-initiated, practicing, registered Catholics; training is required, and ministers are scheduled according to parish needs. Many ministers additionally bring Holy Communion to the homebound immediately following the Mass at which they serve.
- Altar Servers
- Ushers
- Music Ministry
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
- Lectors
- Ministry to the Homebound
Parish Organizations
Beyond ministry-specific groups, Lourdes hosts several parish-wide organizations. The Knights of Columbus Council 8442 (chartered in 1882 globally, locally active at Lourdes) meets on the first Thursday of the month. The Ladies Auxiliary — chartered in 2006 as part of the Louisiana Ladies Auxiliary Association — meets the second Thursday to assist the Knights and promote religious and social fellowship. The Mature Adult Social Group 'Nifty Fifty' (50+) usually gathers on the third Wednesday of the month at 11:30 AM for lunch and games.
- Knights of Columbus Council 8442 (1st Thursday)
- Ladies Auxiliary (2nd Thursday)
- Mature Adult Social Group 'Nifty Fifty' (50+) — 3rd Wednesday at 11:30 AM
Sacraments
Our Lady of Lourdes prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Infant Baptism requires a registration class (Infant Baptism Guidelines are on the parish site). Couples should contact the office at least eight months before their desired wedding date; the wedding date is confirmed by the officiating priest. Reconciliation is heard before each weekend Mass and on Tuesday evenings. Confirmation preparation for high-school students takes place through the Parish School of Religion; for adults, through RCIA. Anointing of the Sick is available upon request, with a dedicated Sacramental emergency line at (504) 356-1737.
- Baptism — infant guidelines and registration form available
- Marriage — contact office at least 8 months in advance
- Reconciliation — before each weekend Mass and Tuesdays 5:30 PM
- Confirmation — PSR (youth) and RCIA (adults)
- Anointing of the Sick — upon request; emergency line (504) 356-1737
- Eucharist — daily and weekend Masses
Facilities and Grounds
The Lourdes campus includes the church building at 2621 Colonial Blvd., a Community Center (built under Father Luke Nguyen's tenure to expand parish life), and an outdoor Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes on the southwest corner of the property. The church is open daily for private prayer, and offices are open Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed Friday).
- Main church (dedicated 1998; rededicated 2009)
- Community Center
- Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes (southwest corner of campus)
- Office hours Mon–Thu 9 AM – 4 PM (closed Friday)
Visit, Contact, and Get Involved
Parishioners and visitors can register as parishioners using the online New Parishioner Registration Form on the parish website, or express interest in a specific ministry through the Ministry Interest Form. The full schedule of Masses, confessions, adoration, and devotions is published on the parish website. Sacramental emergencies are answered any time by calling the parish emergency line at (504) 356-1737. The parish office can be reached at (504) 682-7070 or by emailing [email protected].
- New Parishioner Registration Form on website
- Ministry Interest Form on website
- Email: [email protected]
- Office: (504) 682-7070 · Fax: (504) 605-2064
- Emergency line: (504) 356-1737
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Borredonpre-1916/1916
First resident priest of the new Our Lady of Lourdes chapel; lost his adjoining rectory and residence at St. Bernard Church when it burned on February 13, 1916, after which Lourdes became the mother church of St. Bernard civil parish.
- Father Frank
Pastor during the building and 1998 dedication of the new church; worked alongside Father Kyle Dave and earlier Father Raymond Guillot; transferred after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
- Father Raymond GuillotAssigned July 1, 2000
Newly ordained priest assigned as assistant; served as chaplain of Archbishop Hannan High School and guided Lourdes youth; later transferred to a neighboring parish while retaining the Hannan chaplaincy.
- Father Kyle DaveAssigned July 2003
Assigned by the Archdiocese to assist Father Frank; known for energy and for getting parishioners more involved by 'fanning their flames of faith.' Transferred after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
- Father John ArnoneNovember 2008 – June 2012
Accepted the assignment to shepherd both Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernard Catholic Church after Katrina; shepherded the parish through its 2009 reopening and rededication; later assigned July 1, 2012 as Pastor of The Visitation of Our Lady Parish, Marrero.
- Father Luke (Hungdung) Nguyen2012 – July 2017
Assigned by Archbishop Aymond effective July 1, 2012; under his guidance the parish began and completed construction of the new Community Center. Reassigned July 3, 2017 as Pastor of St. Anthony Parish, Lafitte.
- Father Bryan HowardJuly 3, 2017 – June 2022
First pastoral assignment for the newly ordained Father Howard; led the parish for five years.
- Father Kenneth SmithJuly 2022 – present
Current pastor and first pastoral assignment; the parish history page notes he 'continues to lead us today into our next 100 years.'