Annual Fund

This past year presented many of us with unique challenges and hardships. It also showed us the power of community and unity in the face of turmoil and uncertainty. As we reflect upon 2020, we pray for those that have passed away and their families. We also look back in gratitude at all of those that aided our ministry through acts of donation, support, and guidance.

With your support we were able to undertake and successfully accomplish a great deal within our cemeteries including a number of beautification and restoration projects, such as:

• Roof and attic restoration of the St. Roch Chapel
• Restoration of the wrought and cast iron gates within St. Roch Cemetery No. 1
• Tree plantings within St. Patrick Cemetery No. 3 and St. Joseph Cemetery No. 1
• Expansion of our Abandoned Tomb Initiative
• Drainage work in St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 to help with water management

We were also able to complete construction on the new St. Michael the Archangel Mausoleum and the St. Mary the Angels Mausoleum in St. Louis Cemetery No. 3. The adjoining St. Michael the Archangel Cremation Garden is dedicated to Veterans, Police, Firefighters, and First Responders. These new sacred spaces provide additional choices for families and allow us to show our support and gratitude to those that work so hard to protect and serve our community.
 

Throughout the year we also strengthened our relationships with partnering institutions, increased our preservation initiatives, and expanded upon what we are able to offer those interested in genealogical research. Some such projects include:

• A six-part genealogical workshop series produced in collaboration with the Office of Archives and Records of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the Louisiana Division/City Archives & Special Collections of New Orleans Public Library
• Commencement of a new conditions survey of St. Louis Cemetery No. 2
• Partnered with Tulane University’s Preservation Studies Program to produce measured drawings, condition reports, and historical documentation of a number of tombs in St. Joseph Cemetery No. 1
• Welcomed students from Tulane University School of Liberal Arts to St. Patrick Cemetery No. 1. Under the direction of Prof. Laura D. Kelley, Ph.D, the students utilized headstones and tablets as primary source material to document and present narratives exploring the lives of early Irish immigrants and their descendants in New Orleans.
• Partnered with @504tography and Tulane University to document our cemeteries using aerial photography.
• Updated our website with a “Research and Records” tab that includes digital maps of all of our cemeteries and links to additional useful information

We also took a bit of time to appreciate the beauty of our cemeteries and have some fun by hosting our inaugural St. Roch Run back in August, and our second annual photography contest. Calendars featuring the winning images are available from each of our cemetery offices.

Your contributions have helped many of these initiatives occur, and for that we are sincerely thankful. With your support we are planning to continue this momentum of care and expansion into 2021. 

Why should you support New Orleans Catholic Cemeteries? 
Your gift to the Annual Fund of New Orleans Catholic Cemeteries will go directly towards preserving and improving the sacred spaces under our care. Operating as a non-profit, and actively managing 13 cemeteries, is a task that we simply would not be able to accomplish without your continued support. Your gift secures the future of these sacred spaces and allows us to expand our programming and improvements so that these important historic cultural landmarks will be preserved for future generations. We look forward to continuing our partnership with you well into the future. Thank you and God Bless.

(New Orleans Catholic Cemeteries is a 501(c)(3) Organization, and therefore your gift is tax deductible)