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Welcome to New Orleans Coadjutor Archbishop Checchio!
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The Archdiocese of New Orleans welcomed Coadjutor Archbishop James Checchio today during a press conference held at the Notre Dame Seminary.Southern hospitality was ever present as archdiocese staff and seminarians welcomed the Coadjutor Archbishop.“May he have continued blessings as he comes to New Orleans and brings his education and talents to our city,” said Archbishop Gregory Aymond. “Thank you to those who are gathered here.”The Coadjutor Archbishop Checchio said he felt privileged to come to New Orleans and was looking forward to a smooth transition.“I have been to the city many times and have enjoyed its culture, food, people and faith,” he said. “It never entered my mind that I would live here. The last time I was here I was gifted a signed Saints football, I embrace becoming a Saint.”He went on to say that he asked Mother Mary for her support in his new role and pledged to keep the people of the Archdiocese of New Orleans in his daily prayers and asked for theirs in return. Also, he is looking forward to serving with and learning from both Archbishop Aymond and Archbishop-emeritus Alfred Hughes during the transition.Archbishop-emeritus Hughes welcomed him and thanked him for saying yes and bringing his gifts to New Orleans.Coadjutor Archbishop Cheechio closed the press conference saying he was grateful to be standing with the Archbishop’s of New Orleans, past, present and future.Following the news conference Coadjutor Archbishop Checchio joined Archbishop Gregory Aymond on a whirlwind tour of places in the archdiocese.
Their first stop was St. Augustine High School where he met with students, school leadership and the Josephite priests. St. Aug took particular pride in showing off their locker room and gymnasium to the new coadjutor archbishop.
The next stop was St Catherine of Siena School where he met with a classroom of 2nd grade students and then the entire 1st through 7th grade. He was able to speak to the students emphasizing the importance of receiving the Eucharist and prayer and then the children sang a song to welcome him to New Orleans.
The final stop was to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans PACE Center at the renovated St. Cecilia Church in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans where he took the time to greet all of the participants. Photo GalleryCoadjutor Archbishop Checchio will return to New Orleans for the Mass of Welcome on November 18. More information and details about that Mass will be released at a later date.