About Visitation of Our Lady · Marrero, Louisiana
Visitation of Our Lady is a Roman Catholic parish in Marrero, Louisiana, on the West Bank of the Mississippi River across from New Orleans. Founded as a mission church in 1942 and formally established under its current name in 1963, it is a family parish with a parish school (since 1965), weekly Mass in English, OCIA/RCIA formation, public-school CCD, Eucharistic adoration, and an active Knights of Columbus council. It belongs to the Archdiocese of New Orleans and is currently pastored by Very Rev. Colin Braud, V.F., who was appointed in July 2018.
- Established
- 1942 (mission); 1963 (dedicated as Visitation of Our Lady)
- Patron
- The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Very Rev. Colin Braud, V.F.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of New Orleans
Why belong here
Visitation of Our Lady offers a deep, traditional Catholic life on the West Bank: four Sunday Masses and a Saturday Vigil, daily Mass Monday through Friday, weekly Confession and First Saturday Confession, monthly all-day and second-Thursday evening Eucharistic Adoration, a parish school (PK through 7th grade) rooted in faith and academic excellence, and a CCD program for public-school children that goes all the way to 11th-grade Confirmation. Its Knights of Columbus council, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium, OCIA process, and the annual Cajun Festival — the parish's biggest fundraiser and community gathering — make it a practical place to raise a family, bring children into the sacraments, and serve the West Bank of New Orleans.
Mass times at Visitation of Our Lady
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:50 PM
- Sunday 7:30 AM – 7:55 AM
- Sunday 9:30 AM – 9:55 AM
- Sunday 11:30 AM – 11:55 AM
- Sunday 5:30 PM – 5:55 PM
- Weekdays 6:30 AM – 6:55 AM
- Weekdays 8:00 AM – 8:25 AM
- First Saturday 8:00 AM – 8:25 AM
Adoration times
- Second Thursday 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Fourth Thursday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Parish History
The Visitation of Our Lady parish community traces its roots to 1942, when it began as a mission of Immaculate Conception Church in Marrero. After decades of growth through temporary worship spaces, the building now used as the school cafeteria was dedicated as Visitation of Our Lady Church in 1963 under founding pastor Fr. Paul Richard, who served the parish until his death in 1983. The School Sisters of Notre Dame arrived with the opening of Visitation of Our Lady School in 1965 and remained on faculty for more than twenty years. Fr. Mark Lomax briefly succeeded Fr. Richard and was followed by Fr. Joseph Tranchina (1983–1985) and Fr. Richard Maughan (1985–1995), who completed the parish's founding vision by building the present-day church in 1988. Fr. Michael Fraser took over in 1995, with parochial vicar Fr. William Reed arriving in 2002 and Fr. Michael Kettenring joining in 2004 (and leaving in 2018 for St. Philip Neri in Metairie). The current pastor, Fr. Colin Braud, was installed on July 2, 2018.
- 1942 — Founded as a mission of Immaculate Conception, Marrero
- 1963 — Dedicated as Visitation of Our Lady under Fr. Paul Richard
- 1965 — Visitation of Our Lady School opens; School Sisters of Notre Dame arrive
- 1988 — Present church building completed under Fr. Richard Maughan
- 2018 — Fr. Colin Braud installed as pastor on July 2
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Children and adults at Visitation are formed through several complementary programs: the parish-school religion curriculum for PK–7, the public-school CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) program for grades K–11, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium rooted in the Montessori method and Sacred Scripture, and a Special Sacrament Program that prepares older students for First Penance and First Holy Communion. OCIA classes begin in September for adults and older teens.
- Parish-school religion (PK4–7) — Sophia Institute textbook series; weekly school Mass; First Penance/First Communion in 2nd grade; Confirmation follows
- CCD — Tuesdays 6:45–7:50 PM, grades K–11; First Communion in 2nd grade, Confirmation in 11th; contact Ms. Emily Oncale 504-341-8477
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd — atrium-based, Montessori style; contact Mrs. Jessica V. Arbour [email protected] / 504-341-8477
- Special Sacrament Program — First Penance and First Holy Communion for students 3rd grade and up who missed the sacraments
- Director of Religious Education — Ms. Emily Oncale, 504-341-8477
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a year-round journey toward full initiation into the Catholic Church for the unbaptized and for Christians from other denominations. Weekly sessions meet from 7:00 to about 8:00 PM, with a $20 donation for materials. A $20 donation is requested to cover textbook costs. Contact Fr. Braud at 504-347-2203 or [email protected].
- For the unbaptized and baptized Christians entering into full communion
- Sessions weekly, 7:00–8:00 PM
- Sessions begin each September
- Spouses, fiancés and sponsors are welcome to attend
Parish Ministries & Organizations
The parish sustains a strong lay apostolate through fraternal and service organizations. Its ministries cover men's fellowship, food-bank support, and parish-school partnership.
- Knights of Columbus — fraternal service council; meets fourth Thursday of the month; contact Mr. Joey Plaisance, 504-341-1774
- Makin' Groceries — drop non-perishable food into the baskets at church for the St. Vincent de Paul food bank; contact Mrs. Bernia Jean Rhodes, 504-347-2203
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd — see Faith Formation section
- Cajun Festival volunteer committee — see Outreach section
Visitation of Our Lady School
Visitation of Our Lady School, located at 3520 Ames Blvd., has been educating students on the West Bank since 1965. The school identifies its mission as challenging and accompanying students on the journey of spiritual, academic and physical growth. It offers a Catholic curriculum using the Sophia Institute religion series, weekly Mass for students, First Penance and First Holy Communion in 2nd grade (celebrated on the Saturday morning before Mother's Day), and a Special Sacrament Program for older students who missed sacraments. The current principal is Mr. Brandon Surrency.
- Address: 3520 Ames Blvd, Marrero, LA 70072
- School office: 504-347-3377 (7:30 AM – 3:30 PM, Mon–Fri)
- Email: [email protected]
- Principal: Mr. Brandon Surrency ([email protected])
- Director of Religious Education (school-side contact): Ms. Emily Oncale, 504-341-8477
- Religion series: Sophia Institute (K–7)
Devotions & Outreach
Beyond weekday Mass, the parish gathers for the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena on Tuesdays after the early morning Masses and supports local food relief through Makin' Groceries. The annual Cajun Festival is the parish's flagship outreach event, drawing West Bank families for three days of food, live music, games and an auction to raise funds for parish operations and advertise local Marrero businesses.
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena — Tuesdays 7:30–8:00 AM and 9:00–9:30 AM
- Makin' Groceries — parish-wide food drive for St. Vincent de Paul food bank
- Cajun Festival — 3-day annual fundraiser with live music, food, games, and business sponsorships
Contact & Clergy
The Pastoral Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to noon and 1:00 to 4:00 PM. The office can be reached at (504) 347-2203; the pastor can be emailed at [email protected]. Administrative assistant Amber Choina can also be reached at [email protected].
- Pastor — Very Rev. Colin Braud, V.F. ([email protected])
- Parochial Vicar — Fr. William Reed
- Director of Religious Education — Ms. Emily Oncale (504-341-8477)
- Administrative Assistant — Amber Choina ([email protected])
- Office: 3500 Ames Blvd, Marrero, LA 70072 — (504) 347-2203
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Paul Richard1963–1983
Founding pastor; served until his death.
- Fr. Mark Lomax1983 (interim)
Associate pastor who became pastor upon death of Fr. Richard.
- Fr. Joseph Tranchina1983–1985
- Fr. Richard Maughan1985–1995
Completed the founding vision by building the present church in 1988.
- Fr. Michael Fraser1995–
- Fr. Michael Kettenring2004–2018
Joined Visitation in 2004; moved to St. Philip Neri (Metairie, LA) in 2018.
- Fr. Colin Braud2018–present
Became pastor on July 2, 2018.