St. James Major Church packed for final Mass

by Peter Finney Jr.

By Peter Finney Jr.
Clarion Herald

St. James Major Parish in Gentilly closed its rich history book on 104 years of parish life June 30 with about 500 people – many of them former parishioners – packing the church on Gentilly Boulevard in New Orleans for the 10 a.m. Mass celebrated by Father Michael Labre.
The Sunday morning Mass normally draws about 140 people, but the farewell Mass attracted former parishioners from all over, many with deep sacramental ties to the parish even though they have moved out of the area.

A widespread ‘flock’

“What it tells me is St. James Major, which was established 104 years ago, has sent the people of God, here and there, and they are elsewhere,” Father Labre said. “They belong to many other communities. My sisters and brothers in Christ, continue to depend on each other and in faith. Trust in our God.”

Ken Martinez, a St. James Major parishioner for 56 years, said his children were educated at the parish school and made their first Communions and confirmations and were married at the church.

“It’s kind of a bittersweet thing, but I keep saying, it’s a place to worship,” Martinez said. “No matter where you go, wherever, as long as you’re in a church, that’s where Christ is. That’s what we’re supposed to be doing. We’ve got to look past everything else. It’s tough right now, you know? (It’s) the shock of not being here anymore.”

Martinez said he was unsure if he would follow parishioners to the newly established St. Martin de Porres Parish – formed from the merger of St. James Major, Transfiguration of the Lord Parish and St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Parish. He may check out St. Dominic or Our Lady of the Rosary parishes, as well.

Three parishes into one

The new St. Martin de Porres Parish will worship at Transfiguration of the Lord Church (the original St. Raphael the Archangel Church at Elysian Fields and Prentiss avenues). It is located about two miles from St. James Major.

Longtime St. James Major parishioner Madeline Curtis said she definitely intends to attend St. Martin de Porres, as did several other parishioners.

“What gives me hope is knowing that we still have priests,” Curtis said. “Some states and countries do not have priests, so we are lucky enough to have a church. Wherever the church is, I’m going to find it. I’m going to start going and try to make it my home. And, if that doesn’t work out, I’ll find a home.”

Curtis said she also was extremely proud of one other fact: Her great-grandson, Jett Carroll, was the final person baptized at St. James Major.

“That was a very, very happy moment for me,” Curtis said.

Another former longtime parishioner, Kay Berrigan, a nurse, moved from St. James Major in 2003 after having served in many ministries at the parish. She was even summer camp director for two years and was reminded by camper Donna Kitchen that she removed a large splinter from her foot that she picked up bowling barefoot at Mardi Gras Lanes.

“I’m here because I love St. James,” Berrigan said. “That’s all I can say. I loved it because we were close. It makes me very sad that it’s closing.”

After the final Mass, parishioners gathered in the cafeteria for snowballs.
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