‘We come to worship God in both languages.’ Kenner priest guides church through turbulent times.

‘We come to worship God in both languages.’ Kenner priest guides church through turbulent times.

When the Rev. Luis Duarte became pastor of St. Jerome Catholic Church in July 2025, he had no idea how deeply his church and congregation would be impacted by the federal government's immigration sweeps.

Raids Rattle Kenner Parish, But Priest Won’t Lock The Doors

At St. Jerome Catholic Church in Kenner, Father Luis Duarte has spent months trying to keep a mostly Hispanic flock from scattering as federal immigration sweeps pull neighbors out of the pews. Weekend Masses that once packed the church have emptied out in a hurry, and the parish has leaned into bilingual liturgies and livestreamed services to hold people close from a distance. Some of the very choir members and volunteers who kept the place run…