Catholic Campus Ministry at Tulane began many years before the old Audubon Tea Room building on the corner of Audubon and Zimple Streets was purchased. Informal efforts to bring Catholic students together beginning in the late 1930′s gradually developed into the formation of a Newman Club, which received official university and archdiocesan recognition in 1943. Fr. Robert E. Tracy (the future founding bishop of the Diocese of Baton Rouge) was appointed by Archbishop Rummel as the first chaplain. He was followed by Fr. Gerald Frey (another future bishop) and Fr. Malcolm Strassel. In 1950, Fr. James Benedict was appointed as chaplain, and it was under his leadership that the Audubon Tea Room was purchased and converted to use as the Catholic Student Center in 1954.
When I arrived as an undergraduate student at Tulane in the Fall of 1960, the Catholic Student Center had an active “Newman Club” and Fr. Benedict was still the Director until I graduated in 1964. He was also pastor of St. Augustine Parish and for that reason he was given a couple of other priests at different times to help him, Frs. Cleve Dowling and John 1110mann. When Fr. Benedict was appointed pastor of another parish in 1964, he was replaced by Fr. Bernard Dauenhauer who served until the Center was entrusted to the Dominicans in Fall 1966.
The Dominican presence has continued to this day. The following is a list of those who have served as Director or Associate Director in that time, Frs. Val McInnes OP, Gilbert Roxburgh OP, Brian Donovan OP, R.B. Williams, OP (as assistant), Robert Bany OP, Matthew Powell OP, Patrick Reid OP, Terence Davis OP, Daniel Morriessey OP, Matt O’Conner OP, Jerry Malizia OP, Chris Dunphy OP, Tom Condon OP, Scott O’Brien OP, Armando Ibanez OP, Marcelo Solorzano OP, John Boll OP, Therese Leckert OP and Faye Cavalier OP. Fr. R.B. Williams OP returned as Director/pastor in 1998. In addition, Jody Blanchard SJ, Sr. Mary Mertzluff SLW, and Fr. Dan Dwyer OFM have served at the Center.
Although there have been some renovations to the upstairs chapel during Fr. McInnes’ and Fr. O’Brien’s terms as pastor, and a new roof during Fr. Condon’s time, most of the maintenance to the building has been routine. But some major things involving wiring, plumbing, foundation and safety have begun to show up and the Parish Council has decided to embark on an effort to rehabilitate the Catholic Center at Tulane’s building.
In August 2005 Father Jose David Padilla, OP and Father John Lydon, OP arrived in New Orleans to begin their ministry at the Center, Father Jose as Pastor and Father John as Campus Minister. Katrina did welcome them! Father Jose went to Hammond and Father John to Houston. In November Father Jose resumed one Mass each Sunday at the Center. Father John returned in January 2006. The ministry continued with a new Parish Council, returning students and newer challenges following Katrina. In the summer of 2007 Father Jose went to Rome for further studies in New Testament. While awaiting a new pastor Father John became administrator. In April 2008 the Archdiocese decided to close St. Thomas More parish and return the center to its original status as a Student Center. Father John became the Director of Campus Ministry. Currently the Center has grown with a greater number of students participating in Mission Honduras, Covenant House Gala, Retreats, Feed Jesus, Outreach New Orleans, and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Pantry. The former parishioners, now the Faith Community, continue to enjoy the liturgical life and support the students in the mission of the center, a Eucharistic Community of Prayer, Hospitality and Service.
