Friday, December 15th, 2023, 6:30 PM
The event will begin with a festive concert in the church sanctuary at 6:30pm featuring renowned published singer/songwriter John Angotti, his band, and friends, Lorraine Hess, Shannon Fried, and Kate Abreo.
Festivities continue outdoors in Mercy Square with candlelit caroling led by the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School Choir, select numbers from the 2023 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Christmas Musical, and additional entertainment, emceed by Jim Hanzo.
After caroling, sip and savor complimentary jambalaya, pizza, sweet treats and beverages to stay toasty and warm while the kids also delight in decorating cookies, toasting s'mores, and making keepsake Christmas crafts. Take time to visit with Santa Claus and take a ride on the Polar Express Train.
Meet and greet the musicians at their outdoor tents following the concert, with opportunities to purchase music and merchandise.
Doors open at 6:00pm. Admission is free and open to all. A love offering will be collected to benefit the Divine Mercy Concert Series and Music Ministry in our efforts to bring additional quality musical events to our Parish. Your support is greatly appreciated!
For more information about this event, please contact Garrett Fried, Director of Sacred Music ([email protected]) or the Divine Mercy Parish office.
If you know of a business or establishment that would help us advertise this event, please contact the Divine Mercy Parish Office to request a free 12"x18" full-color printed poster for pickup, available while supplies last. Or, if you wish, download promotional material to share and help us advertise:
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Portrait PNG (11x8.5)
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This annual event was founded in 2021 and serves as an anchor event for the emerging Divine Mercy Concert Series, a program of Divine Mercy Music Ministry. The event has continued to grow in scale, attendance, collaborations, and outreach each year since its inception and meets a spiritual and seasonal need for the parishioners of Divine Mercy Parish ("the Cathedral of Kenner") and our larger community of East Jefferson. Although the focus of this event is a musical one, we endeavor to also provide an outlet for seasonally-themed, family-centric fun and fellowship with candlelight caroling, food, outdoor entertainment, and activities for the kids.
It is our strong desire to keep this event free and open to all. However, due to the upfront costs that are entailed with offering an event of this scale, the ability to continue to offer this event in a free and non-ticketed format relies heavily on generous financial contributions through free-will offerings of attendees, and even more critically on one-time or sustaining sponsorships from supportive and committed underwriters. Whether your desire is to remain anonymous, sponsor in memory of a loved one, or help promote your business, we have creative opportunities to help marry your wishes and/or needs with those of this worthwhile cause. To discuss opportunities, please contact Garrett Fried, Director of Sacred Music (
Tax deductible one-time and recurring contributions to the Light of the Stable fund can be made any time through our online giving platform via your chosen payment method (credit, debit, ACH).
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www.johnangotti.com
John spreads the Gospel message through word and song, taking a special interest in reaching today's youth and stressing the importance of finding God in the everyday lived experiences.
John's collection of experiences as Director of Children's, Young Adults, Adults and Contemporary Music Choirs, as well as his experiences in the secular world, have prepared him for his full time music ministry; a ministry which sends him around the world as a speaker and presenter for conferences and events.
He is the Director of Music and Liturgy at St Philip Catholic Church in Franklin, TN as well as a full time music missionary spreading the message of Jesus through out the country in parishes, schools, and conferences such as the National Catholic Youth Conference, National Conference for Youth Ministers, National Pastoral Musicians Conference, Los Angeles Religious Education Conference, The East Coast Religious Education Conference, The NCCA Conference, The Hofinger Religious Education Conference in New Orleans, and the NCEA.
www.lorrainehess.com
Lorraine Hess is a Catholic singer, songwriter, music minister, and recording artist. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University, and has a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University Institute for Ministry, New Orleans. She has served the church in music since age 16, and she currently directs music ministry at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Metairie, Louisiana.
She has performed at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the National Association of Pastoral Musicians Convention, the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry, Mid-Atlantic Congress, the International Catholic Stewardship Conference, the Catholic Women of Faith Conference (Nashville), New Orleans World Youth Day, the National Catholic Educators Association Convention & Expo, the Catholic Health Association Conference, the New Orleans Archdiocese Leadership Celebration, the National Organization for Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy (NOCERCC) & at concerts, youth events, parish missions, retreats and liturgies throughout the country. Lorraine has also performed in John Angotti’s original musical, JOB, The NOW Testament, and has appeared on the nationally televised shows The Power of Love hosted by the late Fr. Michael Manning, SVD and Live With Passion with Fr. Cedric Pisegna, C.P.
Shannon has served as a liturgical musician for over 25 years, including as a cantor and choir member since the founding of Divine Mercy Parish. As a passionate educator, she has been a faculty member at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School for 15+ years and currently serves in administration as the Dean of Student Life and Formation and is a former Youth Minister of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.
She has sung for numerous liturgies, concerts, conferences, parish missions, pilgrimages, and other engagements and is a member of Lorraine Hess's band.
Shannon and her husband are parishioners of Divine Mercy Parish and are the proud parents of two beautiful children that attend St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School.
Kate Abreo is a teacher, singer, and actress who earned her B.A. from the University of New Orleans and her M.M. at Loyola, where she studied voice with well-known classical vocalist, Ellen Frohnmayer and New Orleans jazz proficient, Leah Chase-Kamata. In addition to performing in various musicals in the New Orleans area, Kate has also appeared in several shows, parades, and promotional videos for both the Disney Cruise Line and the Disney World Resort. Some of her favorite past projects include her work on the Magic Kingdom stage show, “Storytime with Belle” and her participation in New Orleans singer/songwriter Paul Sanchez’s work, “Nine Lives” at Tulane’s Dixon Hall. Kate is furthermore privileged to have been both a member of the National WWII museum’s highly acclaimed Victory Belles and a former affiliate of the prestigious Actors’ Equity Association.
Kate is a familiar face around Divine Mercy Parish, having been a choir member at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, a seasonal cantor for Masses and special liturgies, and performed a lead role in John Anogotti's regional premiere of JŌB: The Now Testament at Divine Mercy in 2016.
Do you have quality photos or videos from previous Light of the Stable events that you can share with us?
If so, send them to [email protected].