Welcome, Fr. Luis Rodriguez

Dear Divine Mercy Parishioners:

I have often said, “If God has a sense of humor, so should we!” Who would have thought that I would be assigned to a parish church in Kenner for a third time!  But one thing I am sure of is that God wants me here, with you.

As many of you know, my second assignment as a priest was to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish (2003-2004) where I had the privilege of serving Bishop Carmon and some of you as parochial vicar. It was my shortest parish assignment lasting only thirteen months. At first, I was not happy about this assignment because the church was a multi-purpose building with some ugly yellow chairs! I also have to admit that I had some fear about this new assignment because the parish community had in recent years gone through a very rough time. I questioned why God was doing this to me. The beauty in all of this was that I ended up loving the SEAS community and when I left, I had made and kept some long lasting friendships! I was very saddened to leave.

I was then appointed Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of New Orleans and parochial vicar of St. Angela Merici Parish, a lovely and faithful community in Metairie. And I loved it there too! After almost two years at St. Angela, I was asked to be the parochial vicar and a few months later pastor of Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Kenner (2006-2009). I could not believe that I was changing parishes again. And to top it off, I am being assigned to a parish that had just experienced some serious heartache. Why is this happening to me? But God knows what He is doing. After becoming pastor, the Archdiocese announced the closures and merger of SEAS and NOL. For fourteen months I worked with Fr. David Dufour to begin the merger of these two parishes. Being the only priest that had been assigned to both parishes, I was being bombarded by members from both sides. I thought to myself over and over again, “Dear Lord, why is all of this happening to me, to us?” But again, I tell you, God knows what He is doing. Through all of these struggles, something beautiful was taking place, slowly but surely: two parish families were asked to blend and become one and after a few years have become this beautiful and life-giving community called Divine Mercy Parish!  

Once Divine Mercy Parish was established, I was sent to St. Clement of Rome in Metairie, my parish before I became a priest. It never crossed my mind that I would return to SCR as a priest and remain as pastor for the next fourteen years! And what blessed years these have been! 

Now after all these years, I am heading back to Kenner for round three. One of the first things I need to tackle upon my arrival is what do we, your parish priests, want to be called. The complication here is that with two priests named Luis, who prefer to be called by their first name and not by their last, we still have not figured out this little dilemma. But this weekend is our deadline. We will let you know.

Yes, God has a sense of humor, and yes, God knows what is best for you and for me. What a wonderful opportunity for me to lead this great parish that I am blessed to come back to. I look forward to these years to come as pastor of Divine Mercy Parish and getting a chance to really know and serve you, its loving and faith filled members! 

Fr. Luis Felipe Rodriguez
Pastor