St Jude Shrine

If i weren’t lazy and didn’t want to drive too far then I would join this church! My two best friends since high school have a long history at this church. Keep in mind that this is St. Jude Church/​Our Lade of Guadalupe church and has a shrine for St. Jude, a grotto for Our Lady of Guadalupe, a Community Center across the street (serving the poor) and a gift shop. I may be lazy and only write one review.
Here is my history of this church, I have attended the midnight mass here (magical with a full on gospel choir with talented singers as well as musicians-​thing drums, saxaphone, guitar, etc.), 11:15am mass, and 6pm mass. One of my best friend’s Mom attends the 6pm mass and coordinates the lectors. So she convinced me to lector for one of the 6pm masses. (I have a history or lectoring at my college church LSU, and St. Dominic church (Young Adult Group). The St. Dominic Young Adult Group that I was a part of has donated turkey dinners one Thanksgiving to the community and it was an amazingly rewarding experience. We worked with the Sr. who works with the poor. I have also attended the St. Jude fundraiser in the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the past two years and enjoyed myself immensely. Father Tony has such a good reputation as well as the church itself that everyone comes out to entertain (including this past year the 610 Stompers, Charmaine Neville etc.).
This is a very ethnically and SES diverse community mixed with tourists (since it’s in the French Quarter), locals, homeless people etc. The 11:15am mass is packed so I recommend getting their early because their gospel choir is awesome! I enjoy buying my candles in the gift shop (say «Hi» to Ms. Layla (sp?) and Ms. Leela (sp?) who are very sweet ladies that work in the gift shop. Then I light my candles before the mass if there is time (one in front of St. Jude, the other in front of Our Lady) or after mass if I’m running late.
The ushers wear bright red jackets so they are easy to recognize. Just to explain how packed there are, there are extra chairs in the main aisle because so many people come. There is a great community there. Generations of family have gone to this church. I have run into some of my students here as well.
As for the preaching, Father Tony is one of the priests that I admire for his short and sweet homilies that are relevant and to the point. He tells a story that you keeps you engaged and he walks around the church to make sure to engage people. The deacon is also very good too.
I truly can’t say anymore of how great they are!