Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church Background:
Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church is a community ofRoman Catholic Believers located in the Historic St. Roch Neighborhood. Though the parish is predominantly African-American and Roman Catholic, our doors are open to people of all races and religious denominations.

Archbishop James Hubert Blenk founded the Parish in November of 1911. On Christmas Day, 1911, under the leadership of Father Alexander Charles, the people of the historic St. Roch community gathered in a house on the corner of St. Roch Avenue and North Johnson Street to celebrate the first Mass in our now-revered old parish.

Within seven months of that celebration, the land was purchased and the first "real" church for this new community was dedicated. However, the "Great Hurricane of September 29, 1915" leveled the little church and the need for a second church was pressing. Six months after the destruction of the first church, a second church was dedicated on the same parcel of land.

During the 1920's, through the Grace of God, the parish's membership began to grow rapidly. In addition, by 1930, the need for a larger church was apparent due to the overflowing crowds that packed into the small church building. Therefore, the parish embarked on designing and raising funds to pay for a new church structure. Before the first brick was laid for the new church, the parishioners had already collected enough money to fund their "Dream Church."

In 1931, the present Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, on the corner of St. Roch Avenue and North Prieur Street, was dedicated. It is of Greek cruciform (cross) style with red brick and carved white stone exterior. The beautiful structure that was built at a cost of $150,000.

Through the years, many pastors and parishioners have worked extremely hard to build up our parish family and to keep our parish home looking as beautiful as it did in 1931.

In 1999, more than 250 new families joined the existing community. On December of 1999, they church embarked on a "Star of the City: Evangelization Program" to restore the parish facilities, energize the ministries and build up the parish membership.

In July of 2001, we completed a $90,000 restoration. On July 7, 2001, Auxiliary Bishop Dominc Carmon, SVD, presided over the Blessing of our Newly Restored Church. The Highlight of our restoration project is the Sanctuary Artwork by renown, local artist, Vernon Dobard. His work is entitled, "The Dance of Holy Innocence."

On January 18, 2002, Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes formally named Fr. R. Tony Ricard as our Pastor. Fr. Tony served as the Parochial Administrator from July 10, 1999 until his appointment as our Pastor.

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the parish. On September 24, 2005, Hurricane Rita hit the area. Because of that storm, our parish received more damage. We are now working hard to rebuild our community.

Father Tony biography:
Rev. R. Tony Ricard, M.Th., M.Div., is a Priest for the Archdiocese of New Orleans and is the Pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish. He is also a Core Instructor of Church Doctrine for the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University in New Orleans. Fr. Tony has given keynote addresses, retreats, revivals, and youth talks across the nation. At last count, he has preached in 18 countries.

Fr. Tony is a native of New Orleans and a proud graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School and St. Augustine High School. He is a former New Orleans Public School teacher who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Loyola University, a Master of Theology degree from Xavier University’s Institute for Black Catholic Studies and a Master of Divinity degree from Notre Dame Seminary.

Excerpt of one of Father Tony’s homilies:
“On August 29, 2005, life as I knew it was changed forever. It was on this date that Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast. Never could I have imagined the pain and heartache that we, the Katrina Survivors, would have to endure. Yet, somehow, we are surviving. Somehow, we are making it. And, somehow, We Still Believe! We know that it is through God’s Grace that we have been able to make it. Our faith is what has strengthened us for the Battle of Recovery. As I look back on my post-Katrina journey, I realize now, more than ever, how much God loves us”.