About Center of Jesus the Lord · New Orleans, Louisiana
The Center of Jesus the Lord is a Roman Catholic charismatic renewal community in the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana, situated in the Garden District at the restored Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Founded in 1975 by Fr. Emile LaFranz inside the former Monastery of St. Joseph and St. Teresa of the Discalced Carmelites on North Rampart Street, the Center grew into a hub of praise, healing, retreat work, and outreach for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. After suffering more than $350,000 in damage from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the community relocated in January 2016 to the former Our Lady of Good Counsel church building. Today the Center offers the only Sunday charismatic Catholic Mass in New Orleans, alongside daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration, healing prayer, retreats, and ministries serving the poor and homeless of the city.
- Established
- 1975
- Patron
- Jesus the Lord
- Rector
- Rev. Anthony Inam
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of New Orleans
Why belong here
The Center of Jesus the Lord is the only Catholic charismatic worshiping community in New Orleans offering a Sunday charismatic Mass with contemporary praise and worship followed by healing prayer. Rooted in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal that began in 1967 and reached New Orleans in 1969, the Center blends the full sacramental life of the Catholic Church with the gifts of the Holy Spirit — teaching, intercession, prophecy, deliverance prayer, and healing services — alongside active outreach to the homeless, hungry, and chemically dependent through Our Father's Table and a food bank distributing more than 3,000 pounds of food a month. Whether you are a lifelong Catholic, new to the faith, or simply seeking spiritual renewal, you will find a warm, Spirit-led community committed to worship, healing, and serving the people of New Orleans.
Mass times at Center of Jesus the Lord
Weekly Mass schedule
Adoration times
- Thursday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (excluding the last Thursday of the month)
- First Saturday 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (with Healing Prayer following until noon)
History of the Center of Jesus the Lord
The Center of Jesus the Lord was born in 1975 when Fr. Emile LaFranz reopened the long-dormant Monastery of St. Joseph and St. Teresa of the Discalced Carmelites on North Rampart Street as a Catholic charismatic retreat and worship center. Volunteers rebuilt the physical plant and, once habitable, the community launched prayer meetings, healing services, retreats, conferences, counseling, and works of charity — feeding and clothing the poor and assisting those with chemical dependencies. After Fr. LaFranz's death, a succession of pastors (Fr. Vincent Bono, Fr. H.J. Adams, Fr. John Capuci, Fr. Lance Campo, Fr. Sergio Serrano, Fr. George Roy, and Fr. Lance Campo again) shepherded the community through difficult seasons until Hurricane Katrina struck on August 29, 2005, causing more than $350,000 in damage. Members returned by October 2005 and, in January 2016, the Center relocated to the restored Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in the Garden District under Archbishop Gregory Aymond, reopening as a shrine and permanent home in December 2015.
- Founded 1975 by Fr. Emile LaFranz
- Originally housed at the former Carmelite Monastery on North Rampart Street
- Hurricane Katrina damage: $350,000+ (2005)
- Relocated to Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, January 2016
- Reopened as shrine and permanent home, December 2015
Sunday Celebration
The Center's flagship offering is the only Sunday charismatic Catholic Mass in New Orleans. The morning begins with the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 10:00 AM, followed by praise and worship at 10:15 AM, the Charismatic Mass (Eucharistic Celebration) at 10:30 AM, and immediately afterward healing prayer and fellowship (donuts in the rectory). A second, quieter Novus Ordo Mass without music is offered at 5:00 PM on Sundays. The Sunday Mass is also livestreamed on Facebook for those unable to attend in person.
- 10:00 AM – Divine Mercy Chaplet
- 10:15 AM – Praise & Worship
- 10:30 AM – Charismatic Mass
- Immediately after – Healing Prayer and Fellowship
- 5:00 PM – Novus Ordo Mass (no music)
Weekday Mass and Devotions
The community gathers throughout the week for daily Mass, praise, and Eucharistic adoration. Tuesday has a charismatic shape with 10:30 AM praise and worship followed by an 11:00 AM Mass and a $4 community lunch; Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday offer a simple noon Mass. Eucharistic adoration is held on Thursdays from 5:00–6:00 PM (excluding the last Thursday of the month) and on First Saturdays from 10:00–11:00 AM, followed by healing prayer until noon. The Center's 24-hour prayer line remains a constant ministry of intercession.
- Monday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday — 12:00 PM Daily Mass
- Tuesday — 10:30 AM Praise & Worship, 11:00 AM Mass, lunch and fellowship after
- Thursday Adoration — 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM (except last Thursday of month)
- First Saturday — 10:00 AM Healing Prayer & Holy Hour Mass with Adoration, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM Healing Prayer
Faith Formation & RCIA
Faith formation at the Center serves both adults and children. The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) welcomes those wishing to become Catholic as well as baptized Catholics needing the Sacrament of Confirmation (call 504-529-1636 ext. 27). Children preparing for the sacraments of initiation — baptism, first Communion, and penance — receive formation each Sunday at 9:30 AM. The School of Healing Prayer, Life in the Spirit Seminars, and ongoing Monday Night Bible Study round out formation for every age and stage.
- RCIA (adults and Confirmation candidates)
- Sacramental Preparation for children (Sundays at 9:30 AM)
- School of Healing Prayer
- Life in the Spirit Seminars
- Monday Night Bible Study
- Small Christian Communities across the metro area
Healing, Prayer & Charismatic Gifts
Healing and prayer are at the heart of the Center's identity. Healing Prayer is offered immediately after every Sunday and Tuesday Mass. The Healing Ministry ministers to physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs, and the Prayer Ministry sustains a 24-hour prayer line for special intentions and intercession for all mankind. The School of Healing Prayer equips members to minister to others, and 'Moment of God's Grace,' a monthly prayer meeting, gathers the community on the fourth Friday of each month at 7:00 PM.
- Healing Prayer after every Sunday and Tuesday Mass
- Prayer Ministry with 24-hour prayer line
- Healing Ministry (body, mind, soul)
- School of Healing Prayer & Retreats
- Moment of God's Grace Prayer Meeting — 4th Friday at 7:00 PM
Outreach & Charity
From its earliest days, the Center has combined contemplative prayer with hands-on works of mercy. Our Father's Table feeds and ministers to homeless and hungry neighbors, and the Food Bank Ministry distributes more than 3,000 pounds of food monthly to affiliated Catholic, Episcopalian, Methodist, substance-abuse rehabilitation centers, and a center serving homeless teens across the New Orleans area. The Evangelization Outreach Ministry fields the Emile Vincent Players, a 50-member cast that travels throughout the Archdiocese performing the passion play of Christ, and the annual Good Friday 'Soles for Christ' Walk draws 300–500 people who journey between nine New Orleans churches praying the Stations of the Cross.
- Our Father's Table — feeding the homeless and hungry
- Food Bank Ministry — 3,000+ lbs. of food distributed monthly
- Emile Vincent Players — passion play troupe (~50 members)
- Annual Good Friday 'Soles for Christ' Walk (nine churches)
- Women's Ministry
- Pastoral Counseling with three spiritual directors
Pastoral Team & Staff
The Center is currently led by Rev. Anthony Inam, who serves as celebrant of the Masses, with Rev. Denzil Perera in residence. The lay staff includes Office Administrator Tien Pham, Administrative Assistant Helen Owens, Office Assistant Timothy Ngo, and Web Site lead Shane Robichaux. The community is supported by three spiritual directors who provide pastoral counseling.
- Rev. Anthony Inam — celebrant / pastor
- Rev. Denzil Perera — in residence
- Tien Pham — Office Administrator
- Helen Owens — Administrative Assistant
- Timothy Ngo — Office Assistant
- Shane Robichaux — Web Site
- Three spiritual directors on staff
Catholic Charismatic Renewal
The Center of Jesus the Lord is part of the worldwide Catholic Charismatic Renewal, which began in February 1967 at Duquesne University and now touches an estimated 120 million Catholics in 235 countries. The Renewal took root in New Orleans in 1969 when Fr. Harold Cohen, S.J., began prayer meetings at Loyola University and founded the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of New Orleans (CCRNO). The Center is solidly rooted in the Church in obedience to the Pope and clergy, and in 2014 Pope Francis addressed the 37th National Convocation of the Renewal, calling it 'a current of grace in the Church and for the Church.'
- Catholic Charismatic Renewal began at Duquesne University, February 1967
- Renewal arrived in New Orleans in 1969 via Fr. Harold Cohen, S.J.
- Center founded locally in 1975 by Fr. Emile LaFranz
- Quoted by Pope Francis, June 2014, as 'a current of grace in the Church and for the Church'
Contact, Visit & Sacraments
Visitors and parishioners can reach the Center at (504) 529-1636, with a fax and prayer request line at (504) 529-5003 and a separate prayer request line at (504) 503-1206. The community gathers at 1307 Louisiana Avenue in the Garden District. Sanctuary candles may be lit and Masses offered by filling out the form in the hall or calling the Center. Baptisms and weddings are arranged by appointment. The Sunday 10:30 AM Mass is livestreamed on Facebook for those unable to attend in person.
- Address: 1307 Louisiana Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70115
- Phone: (504) 529-1636
- Fax / Prayer Request Line: (504) 529-5003
- Prayer Request Line: (504) 503-1206
- Email: [email protected]
- Baptisms and weddings by appointment
- Sunday Mass livestreamed on Facebook
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Emile LaFranz1975 – c.1995 (his death)
Visionary founder; reopened the former Carmelite monastery and established the Center as a charismatic renewal and retreat center.
- Fr. Vincent Bono
Succeeded Fr. LaFranz after his death.
- Fr. H.J. Adams
Director following Fr. Bono.
- Fr. John M. Capuci
Ordained for the Archdiocese of Boston in 1990; charismatic preacher and author of 'Opening the Gates of Praise'; grew Sunday attendance roughly 375%.
- Fr. Lance Campo
Renewal advocate; led the community during a transitional period.
- Fr. Sergio Serrano
- Fr. George Roy2009–2015
Led the Center through the post-Katrina recovery and the relocation process.
- Fr. Lance Campo
Returned for a second tenure.
- Fr. Anthony Inampresent
Current celebrant/pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel.