CityBusiness names Sr. Marjorie Hebert ‘2014 Woman of the Year’
By: Greg LaRose, Editor November 14, 2014
In any given fiscal year, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans has more than 500 employees and serves almost 90,000 families. In May 2013, Sister Marjorie Hebert became president and CEO of the charitable organization and now guides, directs and facilitates the more than 35 programs and services catering to the needs of the community. 6 sq
It’s the latest in a string of leadership roles Hebert has held in the archdiocese, all after a 25-year career as a school teacher and administrator.
New Orleans CityBusiness singled her out for her career accomplishments and community impact as its 2014 “Woman of the Year” in a luncheon event today at the Hyatt Regency.
Hebert, who was educated by the Marianite Sisters of Holy Cross, said she always knew she wanted to live a life of service.
“From the earliest times, I wanted to be like [the Marianites],” Hebert said. “I wanted to be engaged in the work of the church.”
She entered the Marianite order in 1960 and made it her perpetual profession in 1969.
Having spent the first 25 years of her service in the church as a teacher and administrator, Hebert was chosen to lead the development and coordination of Our Lady of Wisdom Healthcare Center, an Algiers facility catering to the aging lay and clergy members of 18 different congregations. She served as its CEO for 13 years.
She served for three years as vice president for finances and operations and associate to the president for ministry at Our Lady of Holy Cross College. Archbishop Gregory Aymond then asked Hebert to join Catholic Charities.
She said the biggest challenge she has had to overcome in the transition is understanding and embracing the full scope of all that Catholic Charities encompasses.
To explain, she references a Bible verse, Ephesians 3:18.
“I like to use the gospel: The length, breadth and depth: the fullest measure, the depth of God’s love, you can’t fathom all of that,” she said. “That’s how deep it is, how broad it is, how all-encompassing [Catholic Charities] is. It serves people, individuals, regardless of their faith or tradition. We serve people, not because they are Catholic but because we are Catholic.” read more
