Office of Vocations

On Saturday, May 8, the thirteen men who are studying to be permanent deacons were instituted as acolytes at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Alexandria. This is the final step before they are ordained deacons next year. Pictured in front is Alexander Mangini; second row left to right: Kenneth Sayes, Roger Christopher, Bishop Robert Marshall, Fidel Andrade, Chad Thibodeaux. Third row left to right: Leslie Glankler, James Moreau, Reginald Ducote, Jason Lavergne. Back row:  Kenneth Primeaux, Samuel Jones, Harlan Guidry, Douglas Moreau, Deacon Richard Mitchell (director of the Diaconate Program).

Contact Information

Rev. Luke LaFleur
Director of Vocations

P. O. Box 7417
Alexandria, LA 71306
Phone: (318) 445-2401
Email: frllafleur@diocesealex.org

 

Deacon Richard Mitchell
Director of the Permanent Diaconate

P.O. Box 7417
Alexandria, LA 71306
Phone: (318) 445-2401
Email: dcnrmitchell@diocesealex.org

 

Rev. Martin Laird
Vicar for Religious

P.O. Box 9
Plaucheville, LA 71362-0009
Phone: (318) 922-3131
Email: frmlaird@parish.diocesealex.org

 

Sister Sandra Norsworthy, OLS
Vicar for Women Religious

9968 Bayou des Glaises
Moreauville, LA 71355
Phone: (318) 985-2772
Email: sacredheart@kricket.net

 

Our Seminarians

Deacon Donnie Kuzma

Matthew Bonner

Blaine Phillips

Jacob Cass

Gabe Dowden

Graham Descant

Matthew Kramer

Our Deacons

Deacon Richard Mitchell

Deacon William “Bill” Aldridge

Deacon E.J. Barre, III

Deacon L G Deloach

Deacon Darrell Dubroc

Deacon William “Bill” Endris

Deacon Stephen Gramigna

Deacon Lawrence “Larry” Feldkamp

Deacon Greg LeBlanc

Deacon Ted Moulard

Deacon Steven Newbury

Deacon Gary Schupbach

Deacon Paul Sunderhaus

Deacon Fidel Andrade

Deacon Doug Moreau

Deacon Lee Moreau

Deacon Kenny Sayes

Deacon Chad Thibodeaux

Deacon Roger Christopher

Deacon Reggie Ducote

Deacon Jason Lavergne

Deacon Les Glankler

Deacon Alex Mangini

Deacon Sam Jones

Deacon Mark Guidry

Deacon Luke White

Deacon Tommy Robichaux

Deacon William Travis

Deacon Michael Young

Deacon John Whitehead

Deacon Patrick McCusker

Brothers of the Holy Eucharist (F.S.E.)

Infant Jesus Monastery
P.O. Box 25
Plaucheville, LA 71362-0025
Phone: (318) 922-3630


Sisters of the Holy Family (S.S.F.)

Mere Henriette Convent
3200 Elliott St.
Alexandria, LA 71301
Phone: (318) 483-9480

Julliette Gaudin Convent
3110 George's Lane
Alexandria, LA 71301
Phone: (318) 619-8573

Superior: Sister Greta Jupiter, SSF
6901 Chef Menteur Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70126


 

Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows (O.L.S.)

www.ols.org

St. Joseph Convent
440 Browns Bend Rd.
Alexandria, LA 71303-4146
Phone: (318) 443-1553

Sacred Heart Convent
P.O. Box 179
Moreauville, LA 71355
Phone: (318) 985-2164

Superior: Sister Sandra Norsworthy, OLS
9968 Bayou des Glaises Rd.
Moreauville, LA 71355

Vocations Director: Sister Fatima Aphiri, OLS
Email address: vocations@ols.org


 

Sisters of the Secular Institute of the Two Hearts (S.I.T.H.)

Superior: Mother Agnes Frias, SITH
P.O. Box 1179
Hanceville, AL 35077


 

Robert Johnson and Thomas Kennedy were ordained to the holy priesthood on May 22, 2021 at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Alexandria.

How to become a priest.

The Office of Church Vocations is commissioned to reach out to those who want to join the clergy and to minister to those who have already made the decision to join the clergy. God promises to provide shepherds and ministers to His people. It is the task of the Office of Church Vocations to encourage, support and inform the men and women in the diocesan community as they consider whether they have been called as priests, deacons, sisters, brothers, or ministers of Christ's sacraments, His Gospel and His life.

Each of us has a call - a vocation - to be holy as a married or single lay person, or as a priest, deacon, or a religious brother or sister. God offers to everyone the special graces required to fulfill their calling. Through prayer, vocation retreats, workshops and preaching in the church parishes, the Office of Church Vocations strives to strengthen parishioners' relationships with God to ensure that they are filled with the grace necessary to fulfill their calling.

Catholics who feel called to support the ministry of the Office of Church Vocations can join the Serra Club to pray for vocations and affirm the clergy and religious as they seek to submit themselves to Christ through their vocations.

Prayer for Vocations

"Heavenly Father, bless your Church with an abundance of holy and zealous priests, deacons, brothers and sisters. Make us a kind and understanding family so that we will help one another discover our vocations and follow them faithfully. Form us all in the likeness of your Son so that in Him, with Him and through Him, we may love You more deeply and serve you more faithfully, always and everywhere. With Mary we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen."

How long does it take to study for priesthood?
Answer: 8-10 years!

Requirements:
4 years of college with a minor in philosophy
4 years of theology
8 total years and the student graduates with a Masters of Divinity.

However, if a student has a 4-year college degree in anything, but not a minor in philosophy, he must
take two years of philosophy (also called pre-theology) before taking the 4 years of theology:
4 years of college with a degree
2 years of philosophy (pre-theology)
4 years of theology
10 total years and the student graduates with a Masters of Divinity.