St. Dominic Catholic Church

NEW ORGAN

We need organ donors!

Not your liver or kidneys, but help funding the purchase and install of our new church organ!

Our previous organ, a temporary replacement after Katrina, was in critical condition without any means of repairing the 45-year-old outdated components.

We were blessed to have the opportunity to purchase a 2002 Rodgers Custom Four-Manual Organ in excellent condition from the former St. John Bosco Parish in Harvey, La. for $15,000. The cost of purchasing a comparable brand-new organ today would be approximately $225,000.  

Additionally, it cost approximately $14,000 to have the new organ removed, transported, and installed here at St. Dominic, which included wiring and placement of 32+ speakers, including antiphonal speakers and a Zimbelstern (an organ stop that creates a tinkling bell sound by striking small bells mounted on a rotating star or wheel. It's a mechanical or electronic device used on pipe organs to add a celestial or festive effect to music, often accompanying triumphant or joyful pieces like Christmas hymns) . 

Associated electrical work to power the speakers and the organ was approximately $15,000. 

The total cost for purchase and install was ~$45,000 and we need your help to pay for it!

With your support, we can pay for our immensely improved organ’s capabilities and sound, enhancing our liturgies at St. Dominic and helping us all lift our voices in prayer. 

Please consider becoming an organ donor – no anesthesia required, just a generous and giving heart.

SACRED SANCTUARY OBJECTS

St. Dominic lost all of its vestments and other liturgical items in Hurricane Katrina and since that time, through several pastors, we have been slowly building back our sanctuary and sacristy supplies.  These new liturgical items will be blessed and dedicated to the worship of Almighty God here at St. Dominic and they will help augment the dignity and reverence with which the sacred liturgy is celebrated in our parish church -- helping our faithful to turn towards the Lord in adoration and prayer.  

Double Corpus High Altar Crucifix – $3,000 

The double corpus high altar crucifix is for the center of the main altar.  It will have an image of the Crucified Lord on each side so that both the minister and the faithful may face the Lord at Mass.  This tall model will allow our clergy to raise the Eucharistic Sacrifice to the Crucified Lord at the elevations.

Adjustable Sanctuary Stand – $1,500

This stand will hold the censer, the chalice, and other liturgical items. 

Red Altar Server Cassocks for Christmas and Easter Seasons (52) – $4,250

The red server cassocks will be used by our altar servers during the Christmas and Easter seasons and on other special occasions.

Thabor (throne) for Eucharistic Adoration – $4,100

The thabor is a liturgical throne used during Eucharistic Adoration.  The thabor allows the monstrance with the exposed Blessed Sacrament to be raised up high on the altar for the adoration of the faithful.

Adrian Hamers Victory Censer & Boat – $2,300

The new censer is victory-sized, and it is capable of burning incense for large spaces like our church.

Side Altar Crucifixes – $1,400 for seven (7)

Our seven side altars have had no altar crucifixes since Katrina, and now all side altars will be complete and prepared to serve their purpose as altars of sacrifice.

[If you would like to assist separately from this campaign, please consider opportunities listed here and contact Father Paysse directly. On checks, please note “Sanctuary Objects/Church Projects” on the memo line.] 

Support St. Dominic's Music Ministry!

Pursuant to our continued efforts to improve St. Dominic’s Music Ministry and to enhance the quality and prayerful atmosphere of our liturgical celebrations, we are requesting financial assistance to help offset the hiring of four section leaders for our 12:15pm Choir. The addition of dedicated section leaders will provide essential musical support and leadership to our volunteer members and will assist in our efforts to attract more choir members.

Each section leader–Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass–will be responsible for: 

• Assisting with vocal technique and part preparation during weekly rehearsals

• Offering musical guidance and stability during Sunday liturgies

• Supporting the director in achieving a balanced and unified choral sound

• Encouraging volunteer participation and fostering a deeper sense of community 

A weekly stipend of $100 per section leader, covering both rehearsal and Mass is recommended. The total annual cost for all four positions will be $20,800.

Thank you for your support!

Other Projects/Improvements:

Archdiocesan and Haiti Flags for Nave with Four (4) Brass Poles – $1,100

Upgraded poles (4); addition of Archdiocese of New Orleans flag and new corresponding Haiti flag

Weekday Mass Altar Candlesticks – $2,400;

New altar-top refillable candlesticks for use at weekday Masses; more cost-effective for use at daily Masses, reserves beeswax candles for Sundays and Holy Days

Tabernacle Repairs – $500.