Jesse A. Watley

Deacon Jesse A. Watley was ordained for the Archdiocese of New Orleans on May 11. 1996.  In the 17+ years since his ordination he has been assigned to several parishes including St. Louis Cathedral, and the former parish of St. Simon Peter.  He is currently assigned to Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos Parish in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans. For a time he served as the temporary Parish Administrator of St. Augustine Parish in the Treme.

After working 30 years at BellSouth, Deacon Watley retired and took a job working full time as the Executive Director of Pastoral Services for the Archdiocese of New Orleans.  He has served in that capacity since 2007. He has also worked as an Assistant Director of the Permanent Diaconate Office and serves as a Liturgical MC.

He has been married for 33 years to Alicia Wiltz Watley.  They are the parents of 3 adult sons, Aaron, Andrew and Anthony.