LIGHT OF THE STABLE 2025: A NIGHT OF CHRISTMAS MUSIC & MISSION
The event will begin with a festive holiday concert in the church sanctuary at 6:30pm featuring published singer/songwriter, podcast host, and inspirational speaker Lorraine Hess, joined by the Divine Mercy Parish Choir and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School Choir.
Festivities continue outdoors in Mercy Square with candlelit caroling and additional entertainment. After caroling, sip and savor complimentary jambalaya, pizza, sweet treats and beverages to stay toasty and warm while the kids also delight in toasting s'mores and taking a ride on the Polar Express Train. Meet and greet Lorraine at her outdoor tent following the concert.
Doors open at 6:00pm. Indoor concert begins at 6:30pm. 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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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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Lorraine Hess is a Catholic singer, songwriter, music minister, speaker, author, and recording artist born and raised in New Orleans. She grew up in a family of jazz, gospel, classical and Cajun musicians, and her writing is strongly influenced by her eclectic South Louisiana heritage. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University and has a master’s degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University, New Orleans. Since the age of sixteen, she has served the church in music, and she is currently the Director of Music Ministry at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Lorraine has released seven solo albums of original liturgical and sacred music: We Shall Be Healed (2008); Child of God (2010), Cradle in Bethlehem (2012), As I Pray (2015), Glorify Him (2017), See the Miracle (2019), and Veritas (2023). She also produced a music video for the year of St. Joseph entitled, With a Father’s Heart (2021). Her music can be found in World Library Publications of GIA Publications, More Voices as One I, II, and III,
One in Faith, Gather 4, Voices, and Novum. Her music is also featured in the hymnals.
The Mass of St. Catherine of Siena, her original mass setting, was published in 2022 was a finalist for Mass Setting of the Year in 2023 by the Association of Catholic Publishers.
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), Las Vegas Archdiocesan Conference, New Orleans World Youth Day, WINE (Women in the New Evangelization), Catholic Women in Action, GO! Gulf Coast Faith Formation Conference, Legatus, and at concerts, youth events, parish missions, retreats and liturgies throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.
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. She is an ambassador for Jubilate Tours and leads pilgrimages overseas.
Lorraine is also published as a writer for the Liturgical Singer; she is a contributing writer for CatholicMom.com and Liturgy Training Publications. She is also co-host of the podcast, “Beloved” available on all podcast platforms.
Lorraine and her husband, Rob, have been married since 1990, are proud parents of four sons, her greatest vocation.
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].