Name: Center's 50th Anniversary Celebration Mass!
Start: 2025-09-21T11:00:00-05:00
Location: 1307 Louisiana Ave, New Orleans, LA

Center's 50th Anniversary Celebration Mass!

A Legacy of Faith and Renewal: The Center of Jesus the Lord Celebrates 50 Years of Ministry
New Orleans, LA - What began as a dream in the heart of one devoted priest has become a cornerstone of spiritual renewal and service in the city of New Orleans. This year, the Center of Jesus the Lord (CJL) marks its 50th anniversary-a milestone in a remarkable journey rooted in prayer, healing, and outreach.
Founded in 1975 by Father Emile LaFranz, an archdiocesan priest with a heart for missionary work, the Center grew from the ruins of a once-abandoned building into a vibrant spiritual oasis. Fr. LaFranz was drawn to the Transfiguration of Our Lord Discalced Carmelites buildings, which had sat dormant and deteriorating for four years. With a vision of a House of Prayer, he gathered a community of volunteers and began the tireless work of physical and spiritual restoration.
The Center quickly became a place of profound transformation. Renovated and revived, it hosted prayer meetings, healing services, retreats, and conferences. Many sought individual counseling, while others came for its outreach-feeding and clothing the poor, and ministering to those struggling with chemical dependency. At its peak, the Center welcomed thousands who experienced God's mercy and healing power.
Fr. LaFranz, known for his joyful preaching and deep compassion, was a sought-after speaker in the Christian Charismatic movement. His Friday night prayer meetings often drew hundreds, with reports of miraculous healings and life-changing encounters with God. His spirit of joy and inclusiveness-seeing all people as made in God's image-left a lasting imprint on those he ministered to.
For years, the Center fed the homeless of New Orleans, serving full hot meals from its commercial kitchen. It not only nourished bodies, but hearts and souls, becoming a hub for Christian growth and missionary outreach.
Following Fr. LaFranz's death, the Center faced challenges but endured through the intervention of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the steadfast support of the Holy Spirit. Then came Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which devastated the city and left the Center with over $350,000 in damages. In October 2005, members gathered for their first Eucharist since the storm, beginning the process of rebuilding both structure and spirit.
In January 2016, the Center moved from its French Quarter location on Rampart Street to the beautifully restored Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in the Garden District. It is now known as The Center of Jesus the Lord at Our Lady of Good Counsel.
Throughout its 50 years, the Center has been a fertile ground for vocations. Many have found their calling to the priesthood within its walls, including Father Beau and others whose names are to be announced. Today, the Center remains under the pastoral leadership of Father Anthony Inam, following the legacy of previous directors including Fathers Vincent Bono, H.J. Adams, John Capuci, Lance Campo, Sergio Serrano, and George Roy.
Celebrating 50 Years
Preparations are underway for the Center's 50th anniversary celebration. The festivities will begin with a special Mass on September 21, 2025, at 11:00 AM, celebrated by the Archbishop of New Orleans at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. A reception will follow at the Center.
The anniversary committee is also planning a Gala (date TBD) and is actively hosting fundraising events. The first, held on August 2nd, kicked off the effort. A Broadway Murder Mystery Dinner is scheduled for November 7, 2025, promising an evening of entertainment and community fellowship.
The Center extends a warm invitation to all former members and friends to return for the celebration. Organizers are especially hopeful that many of the priests who began their spiritual journeys at CJL will return to honor the place that helped shape their vocations.
As the Center of Jesus the Lord celebrates this golden jubilee, it remains a beacon of God's love, mercy, and healing-a living testament to the vision of Father Emile LaFranz and the enduring power of faith in action.