Jewels of Southern Catholicism: New Orleans archive documents a vibrant faith and tradition - Catholic Colleges And Universities - Center for the Study of Catholics in the South at Loyola University

National Catholic Reporter, Oct 25, 2002 by Deborah Halter

"The center plans to enlarge the archive through documentary projects focusing on today's Catholics, so that future generations will have a better understanding of their past," he says. "Shared traditions are a positive source of identity. Folklore is an important part of history that continues in contemporary life."

As important as the archives are, Estes says that outreach is a crucial element of the center's mission.

"Our interest is in public programs, to raise awareness" of Catholicism in the South, he says. "This is a seed waiting to open."

On Estes' wish list are regular faculty symposia, extended study of Southern religious women, "quality production" videos concerning immigrants to the South, and exploring the religious histories of Catholic populations. And, he envisions teaching parishes how to archive their own stories, so that faith communities anywhere may leave a full legacy for future generations.

The center is the nation's only Catholic studies institute focusing on religious life in the South. In time for Christmas last year, it received a Challenge Grant for $500,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The center now seeks private donors to help raise $1.5 million required to match the three-to-one grant.

Deborah Halter lives in New Orleans. She is former editor of Arkansas Catholic, a newsweekly for the Little Rock diocese.

For more information

David Estes, Director, Center for the Study of Catholics in the South

Loyola University
Campus Box 198
6363 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans LA 70118
504-865-2476

estes@loyno.edu