About Our Lady of Pompeii Catholic Church · Tickfaw, Louisiana
Our Lady of Pompeii Catholic Church is a small, close-knit Catholic parish in Tickfaw, Louisiana, situated in the Tangipahoa Parish area and belonging to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge. Tracing its roots to 1909, when Italian immigrants working the local strawberry farms gathered for the first Mass, the parish carries on cherished Italian-Catholic devotions such as the annual St. Joseph's Altar (every March) and the Blessed Mother Celebration and procession (first weekend of July, since 1927). Today the parish celebrates a faithful weekend and weekday schedule, is shepherded by a Sacramental Minister with diocesan clergy support, and is sustained by a Parish Life Coordinator, secretary, bookkeeper, and deacon.
- Established
- 1909
- Patron
- Our Lady of Pompeii (Madonna di Pompei)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Jamin S. David, J.C.L., V.G. (Vicar General, listed by the diocese as Administrator); Rev. Michael A. Galea (Retired, Sacramental Minister)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge
Why belong here
Our Lady of Pompeii is a tight-knit Catholic community in rural Tangipahoa Parish where, as parishioners put it, 'everybody feels like family.' Generations have been baptized, married, and laid to rest here, and the parish continues Italian-Catholic traditions like the St. Joseph's Altar in March, the Blessed Mother procession each July (held since 1927), and a dramatic Palm Sunday Last Supper. With active liturgical, catechetical, and outreach ministries — and the convenience of Saturday Vigil, Sunday, and weekday Masses plus First Friday Adoration — new parishioners are warmly welcomed to register and get involved.
Mass times at Our Lady of Pompeii Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:45 – 5:15 p.m.
Adoration times
- First Friday of every month: Mass, Exposition & Benediction, 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Welcome & Parish Identity
Our Lady of Pompeii Catholic Church welcomes visitors, newcomers, and returning Catholics to a small but vibrant community in Tickfaw, Louisiana. The parish describes itself as 'a Catholic community rooted in tradition, committed to nurturing faith, deepening relationships with Christ and one another, and serving both our parish family and the wider community.' Through worship, formation, and outreach, the parish supports the growth of the domestic church — every home as a place of grace — and invites all to walk with them in love, discipleship, and mission.
- Mission rooted in worship, formation, and outreach
- Focus on the domestic church — every home as a place of grace
- Open invitation to register as parishioners
History of the Parish
Catholic life in the Tangipahoa area traces back to missionary priests from France, Germany, and Italy, and was developed further by Benedictine Fathers from St. Meinrad, Indiana, who arrived in 1889. Italian immigrants working the local strawberry farms gathered for the first Mass at Tickfaw in 1909 with Father Placide Gabbrielli, and a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Pompeii was built two years later as a mission of Mater Dolorosa Church in Independence. In 1929 the Spanish Dominican Father Pelegrin de la Fuente took up residence in Tickfaw. The parish was re-established canonically on April 12, 1973, and the current brick church's cornerstone was laid August 9, 1974, then dedicated by Bishop Sullivan.
- 1909 — First Mass in Tickfaw by Father Placide Gabbrielli
- 1911 — Chapel built and dedicated to Our Lady of Pompeii
- 1929 — Spanish Dominican Father Pelegrin de la Fuente takes up residence
- 1930s — American Dominicans replace the Spanish after the Spanish Civil War
- 1940s (WWII) — Returned to mission status under Mater Dolorosa, Independence
- April 12, 1973 — Canonically re-established as a parish
- August 9, 1974 — Cornerstone laid for the current brick church; dedicated by Bishop Sullivan
Cherished Parish Traditions
The parish carries forward distinctive Italian-Catholic devotions that connect generations to its immigrant heritage. Each March parishioners prepare a St. Joseph's Altar for the whole community to attend. On the first weekend of July the Blessed Mother Celebration includes a solemn procession that has continued uninterrupted since 1927. On Palm Sunday the community stages a dramatic reenactment of the Last Supper.
- St. Joseph's Altar — every March
- Blessed Mother Celebration & Solemn Procession — first weekend of July (since 1927)
- Last Supper reenactment — Palm Sunday
Sacraments
The parish prepares the faithful for and celebrates the seven sacraments of the Church. Families seeking Baptism begin by contacting Deacon Al Levy for an appointment. Reconciliation is offered each Saturday before the Vigil Mass. Couples preparing for Marriage are welcomed into Marriage Preparation, with the Parish Office coordinating Confirmation and other rites. Funerals are coordinated through the funeral home, which then contacts the parish office.
- Baptism — contact Deacon Al Levy
- Reconciliation — Saturday 4:45–5:15 p.m.
- Marriage — Marriage Preparation available; contact Parish Office
- Confirmation — contact Parish Office
- Funerals — coordinated through the funeral home
- Anointing of the Sick — via Sacramental Ministry
Liturgical Ministries
Our Lady of Pompeii invites parishioners to serve at the altar and in the worship life of the parish. Liturgical volunteers serve as Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Altar Servers, Musicians, Ushers, and Greeters — roles open to anyone wishing to volunteer when they join the parish.
- Lector
- Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
- Altar Server
- Music (Choir)
- Usher
- Greeter
Pastoral, Catechetical & Outreach Ministries
Beyond the sanctuary, the parish runs a Marriage Preparation program and a Pastoral and Catechetical Ministry that supports ongoing faith formation. Outreach ministries extend the parish's service into the wider Tangipahoa community through partnerships with charitable organizations and direct service to neighbors in need.
- Pastoral and Catechetical Ministry
- Marriage Preparation
- Bereavement Ministry
- Council of Aging (outreach partnership)
- CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
- Restoration House Baby Bottle Campaign
Parish Staff & Leadership
Our Lady of Pompeii is served by a Sacramental Minister with the assistance of a deacon and lay staff, under the canonical administration of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Parish operations are supported by a Parish Life Coordinator, Secretary, and Bookkeeper.
- Rev. Michael A. Galea — Sacramental Minister (Retired)
- Deacon Albert Levy, III
- Erin Duvic — Parish Life Coordinator / Secretary
- Bob Wegman — Bookkeeper
- Diocesan Administrator: Very Rev. Jamin S. David, J.C.L., V.G. (Vicar General & Moderator of the Curia)
Visit, Contact & Become a Member
New parishioners are warmly welcomed to register online or by visiting the Parish Office. The parish invites everyone — whether new to the area, looking for a church home, or simply curious — to reach out by phone, email, or the website contact form. Online Giving is also available through the parish's giving portal.
- Mailing address: P. O. Box 276, Tickfaw, LA 70466
- Phone: (985) 345-8957
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://ourladyofpompeiiparish.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourladyofpompeiichurch/
- Online Giving available via parish website
- Parish Registration available online or at the Parish Office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Placide Gabbrielli1909
Celebrated the first Mass at Tickfaw in 1909.
- Father Pelegrin de la Fuente, O.P.1929
Spanish Dominican priest commissioned to take up residence in Tickfaw; led the Spanish Dominican ministry that lasted into the 1930s.