NEW ORLEANS (LA)
National Catholic Reporter

Jan. 09, 2012
By Zoe Ryan

Before, during, and after Our Lady of Good Counsel in New Orleans closed in 2008, parishioners were sad. And angry. And dedicated: They kept vigil in the church for three months until police officers forced them out.

But now, the disappointment is eroding to appreciation.

The New Orleans archdiocese announced last month that the Center of Jesus the Lord, a charismatic Catholic community, would move into the empty church building of Our Lady of Good Counsel, located in the Garden District. Although it will not be a parish and cannot offer parish programs, the community will use the space for Mass and other charitable activities.

“We’re very pleased,” said Barbara Fortier, the parish council president of the former Our Lady of Good Counsel and a parishioner there for 26 years. “It’s been a difficult couple of…