The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation, more commonly known as the Nashville Dominicans, will soon begin a new mission at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School in Metairie, LA.  Starting in August of 2024, three religious sisters will join the faculty at St. Catherine of Siena. 

The dream of having religious sisters back in the school stemmed from a series of coffees hosted in 2014 when Fr. Ronnie Calkins and Fr. Tim Hedrick began their ministry at SCS to get to know the parishioners and their hopes and dreams for the parish. 

“Nine years ago, parishioners clearly expressed a desire to have religious sisters teaching in the school again,” said Fr. Tim Hedrick, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena. “We are grateful for the many years of ministry that the Sisters of the Incarnate Word provided at SCS and are looking forward to our new partnership with the Nashville Dominicans. The religious sisters will help strengthen our Catholic identity at SCS.”

“We are so impressed with St. Catherine of Siena and look forward to being part of this vibrant and faith-filled parish and school community named after a great Dominican saint," said Mother Anna Grace Neenan, OP, Prioress General. "We are grateful for the invitation to collaborate with the parish and so many wonderful teachers and families in the mission of Catholic education.”

“We look forward to welcoming the Nashville Dominicans back to New Orleans,” said Archbishop Gregory Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans. “I am grateful to Mother Anna Grace Neenan, OP, for accepting the invitation from St. Catherine. I have great respect for the Nashville Dominicans and look forward to collaborating in ministry.”    

St. Catherine of Siena is no stranger to religious sisters.   From 1926 to 2011, the Sisters of the Incarnate Word faithfully served at St. Catherine of Siena as teachers and administrators.

Mrs. Maria LaFleur, principal of St. Catherine, will remain as principal of the school and the Dominican sisters will join the existing faculty and staff.  Mrs. LaFleur said, “When I was a student at SCS, I have fond memories of the sisters teaching me. I am thrilled that our students will soon have that same opportunity.”

The specific sisters who will be teaching at SCS will be announced at a later date. The sisters will be full-time teachers in grades 1 - 7.  The exact grades that the sisters will teach will be determined next year based on the needs of the school at the time and the sisters assigned.

The Dominican Sisters are not new to New Orleans.  They served at Cathedral Academy in New Orleans until its closure in 2012.

Since 1860, the Nashville Dominican Sisters have served primarily as educators in Catholic schools.  Currently there are over 310 sisters in 52 schools in 31 dioceses in the United States, as well as Canada, Ireland, Scotland, the Netherlands, Italy, and Australia. Forty percent of the Congregation of St. Cecilia is under the age of 40. For more information about the Nashville Dominicans, visit: www.nashvilledominican.org.

St. Catherine of Siena and the Archdiocese of New Orleans look forward to welcoming the Nashville Dominicans back to New Orleans!