NEW ORLEANS – Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans (CCANO) has promoted employee Martin Gutierrez to chief operating officer. They shared the announcement in a press release, noting that Gutierrez has dedicated the past twenty-two years of his life to CCANO clients and the parishioners of the Archdiocese, by serving as the former director of Hispanic Apostolate, former director of Immigration and Refugee Services and former division director.
“We are thrilled to promote Deacon Gutierrez to chief operating officer for Catholic Charities,” said Sr. Marjorie Hebert, president and CEO of CCANO. “His heart for service and dedication to our mission is truly inspiring. We look forward to having him continue to share his years of experience and innovative ideas with our team as he steps into this new role.”
Gutierrez became an ordained deacon last summer, following five years of intensive preparation and 18 years of consideration.
“I spoke with my wife about this and decided that since our three children have established careers, I could focus on this call,” he said. “I didn’t plan to work for a nonprofit or a church, so at first this was just a job. Then, I fell in love with the mission and realized this was my calling. This is not a career for me; it’s a vocation.”
Gutierrez met his wife, Judi, through a Hispanic Apostolate Youth Group. They now have three children together, one of which recently became a priest.
CCANO provides a comprehensive network of social services for the homeless, hungry, elderly, at-risk youth, pregnant women, individuals with developmental delays, and many more. The nonprofit’s services are rooted in the eight civil parishes of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, with food and nutrition services benefiting the entire state of Louisiana.
Incorporated in 1938, Catholic Charities was established to help coordinate the numerous agencies of the Archdiocese of New Orleans serving the poor and vulnerable. Today, the organization is one of the largest and most active Catholic Charities agencies in the United States with over 500 employees.
