2024 Mission Presenters

Jordan Haddad, Ph.D. is a Professor of Dogmatic Theology at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, LA. He is originally from Houma, LA, and has studied at Louisiana State University (‘12), Notre Dame Seminary (‘15), and The Catholic University of America (‘22). Jordan has published essays for various Catholic theology journals and is also a Scholar Associate of the Society of Catholic Scientists.

Together with Abigail Reller, he co-founded The St. Louis IX Art Society (SL9) in July 2021 and currently serves as President. Although he is not an artist himself, he deeply appreciates the intersection of the Catholic faith and art, science, culture, and philosophy. 

Jordan’s inspiration behind co-founding SL9 is to revitalize the Catholic culture of South Louisiana. Although this region has a long history of a rich Catholic culture, it is withering away with each passing generation. He hopes that SL9 will not only help stem this tide but also become an active force for the proclamation of the Gospel and the revitalization of Catholic life.

Jordan currently lives in Covington, LA, with his wife, Shannon, and their three children.

Jaclyn Warren is an artist living Covington, Louisiana. Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, Jaclyn was raised in the Catholic Church- an institution that continues to serve as an endless source of artistic inspiration. Guided by the belief that the holy scriptures are as relevant today as ever, Jaclyn has devoted her artistic pursuits to relating ancient texts to the modern person. Through technical virtuosity, she devises highly allegorical compositions, which evoke a sense of tangibility to passages that are thousands of years old.

Following her first solo exhibition at the age of 18, Jaclyn enrolled in the Savannah College of Art and Design, and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Painting, with a Minor in Drawing. During her time at SCAD, she also attended the Yale University Summer Art School, and studied under Norm Paris, Sam Messer and Kathy Kuharic.

After spending the year following graduation to study psychology at Armstrong Atlantic State University, Jaclyn obtained her Master of Science Degree in Art Therapy from Florida State University.  Jaclyn is the illustrator of Brilliant! 25 Catholic Scientists, Mathematicians, and Supersmart People, an award-winning title from Pauline Books & Media and Word on Fire. Her artwork has been featured in publications such as Our Sunday Visitor, Dappled Things, and in even in feature films, television specials, and documentaries.

Take a look at Jaclyn's art

James Rosenbloom is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and composer based in South Louisiana. James currently serves as the director of sacred music at St. Philip Neri Parish in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. He is also a frequent guest musician and collaborator for many prominent songwriters, composers, and thinkers within the Catholic and secular spheres of music.

As the son of professional musicians, James’ love for music began in his childhood home where he was exposed to a variety of musical styles. His journey to performing and composing began in the context of Sunday mass and other sacred liturgies at many churches throughout his hometown of Baton Rouge, LA. James began studying the cello in 1998. He quickly gained access to a broader musical skill set across many stringed instruments, which include proficiency on the upright bass, guitars, mandolin, and banjo, as well as in styles ranging from Jazz to bluegrass and pop. James received his B.S. in Cello Performance in 2011 under the direction of Dennis Parker, and served in the Acadiana and Baton Rouge Symphonies. James has performed for the Chautauqua Festival, as well as the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music Spoleto Festival in Spoleto, Italy in 2010 and 2011.

James’ 2014 debut album, Small Things With Great Love, charted near the top of the iTunes instrumental charts, and selected works (as well as commissioned works) have been programmed for numerous of liturgies and concerts in the years since. James has a strong desire to reflect his many musical influences into a signature voice for instrumental and vocal compositions.

Guided by the principal that Beauty is the ultimate evangelization tool, James’ approach to music focuses on collaboration, precision, service, joy, and an endless pursuit of objective beauty. With nearly two decades of professional experience on stage, on screen, and in the studio, James is a consistent resource for artists, producers, thinkers, and creators looking to add value to their own art, understanding, and events.

James resides in New Orleans with his bride, Sarah, his two curious daughters, Esther and Alma. He also has a B.S. in business administration, and runs comprehensive financial planning practice as a Certified Financial Planner.

Listen to James' music

The challenge of building, renovating, and especially maintaining church buildings increases as the Church grows. This is especially important when viewed through the lens of stewardship. This sense of stewardship for the built environment motivates Nathaniel in the pursuit of technical excellence and expertise in the built Catholic tradition.

NATHANIEL FRANK:

Nathaniel sees the richness of the theological, symbolic, and artistic aspects of the faith as vehicles through which God communicates his intimacy to mankind, and consistently works to grow in sacramental appreciation of the faith to perfect his craft. Equipped with unique professional skills and experiences, he utilizes best practices for industry technology, consultant and contractor partnerships.

Nathaniel recognizes the mission of the non-profit as more than just a job. It is an opportunity to use the gifts God has given him to work with and for the Church to craft, create, repair, and maintain architectural environments that lift the mind and heart to God. Having served as Director of Operations and/or Project Architect for several commercial architectural firms, Nathaniel brings a wealth of experience to bear in projects of various scales and complexity for the Church. His sensitivity to the tradition of the church informs his work in the design of authentically Catholic structures.

Nathaniel is also the founding principal architect of Sainte-Chapelle Studios, a full-service architectural firm comprised of a passionate team of designers, artists, & theologians that craft each project to the specific needs, budget, culture, and spiritual heritage of each Catholic parish , school, and sites of ministry.  By pairing his skills in cross-disciplinary project management with Building Information Modeling and team management, Nathaniel ensures projects benefit the Church for years to come.

He currently resides in Covington with his lovely wife and two beautiful daughters. 

JOSEPH BASS:

Joseph Bass, MA, MBA, is a graduate of LSU ('11), Saint Joseph Seminary College ('15), Notre Dame Seminary Graduate School of Theology ('17), and LSU-Shreveport ('22). 

Joe is thrilled to serve as the Vice-President of Operations for The St. Louis IX Art Society and Senior Design Director for Sainte-Chapelle Studios. His professional and ministerial background has instilled a passion for integrating the very best of business innovation and creativity with the proclamation of the Gospel. Having been formed in the heart of the Church for many years, Joe is acutely aware of the power art has to communicate the deepest mysteries of the faith. Ultimately, Joe hopes the mission of SL9 helps to infuse souls with the wonder, joy, and healing of God's beauty. He is deeply grateful for the opportunity to advance the mission of The St. Louis IX Art Society. 

Joe currently lives in Mandeville, LA, with his wife Katie and their two children, Samuel and Lucy. 

See Nathaniel and Joseph's work and vision