For the first time in its history, the Archdiocese of New Orleans will have a native at the helm as Archbishop.

Most reverend Gregory M. Aymond, Archbishop-designate, was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI last week from Rome. The installation mass will be held August 20 at 2 p.m. at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans.

Currently the Bishop for the Diocese of Austin, Texas, Aymond was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 1975 after completing his studies at Notre Dame Seminary. He was a parish priest and high school teacher until 1985 when he began teaching at the seminary. He was later appointed rector of the seminary and then was ordained auxiliary bishop of New Orleans in 1997. He has been bishop in Austin since 2000.

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Msgr. Frank Giroir of St. Anselm Catholic Church in Madisonville worked with him on a lot of committees, including the priestly life and ministry board. “(Aymond) was in charge of building the retirement center for priests on the Westbank and I replaced him on that board when he left. The fact that he’s the first native-born archbishop will be a great help when he begins to face the difficulties in the archdiocese post-Katrina. He’s a very personable and spiritual individual. He will have some serious decisions to make post-Katrina due to the priest and financial shortages.”

Giroir added that Aymond was the bishop representative of the National Catholic Education Association board and has a lot of experience with Catholic education. This will also help him in post-Katrina New Orleans.

Anselm’s new church building is due to be consecrated Aug. 16, just days prior to the new Archbishop taking office. The alternate date is October 11, the weekend of the Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival.

“Just pray the consecration doesn’t need to be changed,” said Giroir. A new church cannot be used until consecrated by the archbishop.

Many other residents of the Northshore expressed their excitement about Aymond.

Jackie Catalanotto of the Covington Food bank said, “I am very excited. I knew him as a monsignor. He’s very friendly, loves people and is just a down-home sort of guy.”

John Baldwin agreed. “I think he’ll be great for our area.”

Aymond has been very active with numerous committees and boards of U.S. bishops on the national level and served as chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Catholic Educational Association from 2000 to 2004 and chair of the U.S. Bishops’ Committees on the Protection of Children and Young People and the World Missions Committee. He also has been a member of the USCCB Committees on Diaconate, Catholic Education, Vocations, Priestly Formation and Campus Ministry.

He currently serves as a member of the USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, and the Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations.