Michelle Marcotte Macicek is among the 2022 New Orleans Archdiocese Distinguished Alumni Award recipients honored today at a reception at Notre Dame Seminary. Archbishop Gregory Aymond and Dr. RaeNell Houston, Executive Director and Superintendent of Catholic Education and Faith Formation, presented awards that recognized alumni who have made outstanding contributions in one or more of the following ways: exceptional service to the church; exceptional accomplishment in chosen field; exceptional service to local, state, or national entities; exceptional service in support of their school.

Michelle is a devoted wife and mother of six children who lives out her faith daily at home and in the community. During her student years at St. Mary’s Dominican High School (Class of 1999), she was mindful and appreciative of receiving a Catholic education and as a mother, teacher, and active in ministry she recognizes even more the importance of faith formation for young women. As a St. Mary’s Dominican High School alumna, Michelle continues to be drawn to service – one of the four Dominican pillars, as she shares her love for Catholic education and leading Service Learning Projects at St. Catherine allowing each grade to have a unique opportunity to serve those in need. Exemplifying the Dominican pillar of community, at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Metairie, Michelle has served teaching middle school religion and held the role of Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE). In addition to managing the home life of six children who are all receiving Catholic education, Michelle is currently the Director of Marriage and Family Life at St. Catherine and serves as a member of the parish Leadership Team. She and her husband Scott have a passion for marriage and family outreach and oversee marriage and family life activities at St. Catherine where they have been mentoring engaged couples in marriage prep for the last five years.  

Michelle answers the call from the Order of Preachers To Praise, To Bless, To Preach by coordinating monthly women’s adoration nights where she also helps with praise and worship.  Additionally, she is involved in the parish’s music ministry on Sundays.  She coordinates the “Beloved” women’s ministry and recently piloted a bible study for middle-school girls called “Blaze” led by Dominican high school girls. She has a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother and daily desires the courage to imitate her “yes” to God’s call for her and her family. This, she says, is her personal fiat.  Michelle shared, “We are called to serve and to impact our community. To share with others my faith is how I strive to live each day of my life.”  Her faith in action is summed up by a quote from Fr. Michael Graham, “Service is what prayer looks like when it gets up off its knees and walks around the world.”