Rev. José I. Lavastida
President's Letter
Dear visitor to our website:
Blessings in the Lord!
We have begun a new semester at Notre Dame Seminary, after a rather fast start with 35, about one third, of our seminarians being part of the March for Life in Washington D.C. this year. It was an incredible event in which we were able to represent our Seminary in standing for life from conception to natural death.
This was a particularly important march in light of the recent developments coming from Washington D.C. concerning the statement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued by Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in which Catholic universities, hospitals, and many other entities working with those most in need, will be required to put aside their Catholic identity and disregard their consciences in order to provide health plans that from this year on will provide services contrary to Catholic teaching. Such approach is unprecedented in the history of our country, and will cause great damage to those institutions that want to preserve Catholicity, especially those institutions who serve all persons regardless of faith tradition.
In Washington D.C. we were exhorted to remain aware of the ways our Church will be responding to this threat to our Catholic identity throughout the year, and to specially pray for changes in the approach our government is taking. We pray for that, and ask you to join us in that intention.
We have begun a good semester with great construction projects happening as we get ready to provide an incredible face-lift to our 1923 building. Renovations are under way for central air-conditioning to be installed in our buildings, which will help tremendously in preserving its life and combating effectively water intrusion. We are also renovating all of our bathroom facilities.
We thank you for visiting our site, and hope that you can find useful information and inspiration to live a life closer to God.
As many of you know, Notre Dame Seminary is a Theologate and graduate school of theology whose main purpose is to form men to the ministerial priesthood of Jesus Christ. We also have lay people who benefit from our programs and dedicate themselves to receive a degree in Sacred Theology. Be aware of our special M.A. Program that meets only on Saturdays. Call our offices if you want more information on how you can get a Masters in Theology here! It is a great experience with a great faculty!
We have been serving the Gulf South region since 1923, and through this website you will have access to much of our history and to the contribution of our students to the propagation of the Kingdom of God in this world.
We ask you for your prayers, your support, and any other contribution you feel could help us spread the good news that God is alive in our midst through his continued call to serve Him through the holy priesthood of Jesus Christ, the High Priest. You have an opportunity on this website to make your financial contribution to the seminary and to priestly formation.
May Mary, the Immaculate Mother of Christ, and our mother, continue to inspire you to follow the ways of her Son, who is Lord for ever and ever.Amen.
Pax Christi,
Very Rev. José I. Lavastida, S.T.D.
President Rector