Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Father Harry Tompson
May his virtues live on in the stories we share and the actions we take.
Father Harry made it happen and made it matter.
As principal and president of Jesuit High School, Fr. Tompson could be stern, indomitable, and funny. We've heard the tale of his leadership at the Manresa Retreat House that Father led hundreds of men into deeper contemplation of their faith through thoughtful examination and by his example.
Parishioners of Immaculate Conception still praise Father Tompson's extraordinary homilies, his exuberant and off-key singing voice, and his exceptional ability to make everyone feel a personal investment in fostering their faith and well-being. His embodiment of Jesuit values empowered people to strengthen their love for others and be of better service to those in need.
Perhaps his greatest legacy is being an early champion of social justice.
He wanted everyone to know God's love, including the community of unhoused people occupying the Central Business District when he was pastor for Immaculate Conception Church.
While others may have turned them away, Father Harry invited them in. He converted the Parish Center next door to the church into a makeshift day shelter for unhoused individuals, allowing them a place to shower, use the restroom, wash their clothes, and find respite from the harsh realities of living on the streets.
No one could move a crowd
quite like Father Harry.
Watch his master oratory skills in action.
Footage courtesy of the Tompson Family
Father Harry's Impact on Local Leaders
Mayor Mitch Landrieu reflects on his relationship with Fr. Harry.
Mayor Marc Morial, excerpt from The Gumbo Coalition
"Father Tompson’s living example of strength and compassion made us feel welcome. It made all the difference in the world. We knew he was genuine and that he cared about our well-being.
That’s what showing compassion can do – it gets people to buy into you as a human being and welcomes you inside their walls of doubt or suspicion. As a leader, compassion moves your team to trust that you have their well-being in mind and that you are willing to see them as human beings – not just cogs in an organization’s machine.”
At the Harry Tompson Center, we root ourselves in Father Harry’s commitment to treating every individual with dignity, humanity, and respect.
We make it our mission to listen to the needs of the unhoused community and respond in a way that they know that we truly care about them.
Harry’s Heart for the Unhoused
Father Tompson's legacy lives on in the stories that we share, in lives that we touch, and our shared commitment to lend a helping hand to those who need it most.
Twenty years after his passing, Father Harry Tompson, S.J. remains a memorable and legendary figure in the New Orleans community.
Read Your Favorite Harry Father Stories
Humble Beginnings of the Harry Tompson Center
Father Harry Tompson opened the Parish Center next door to Immaculate Conception in 1999. As pastor, Father Tompson wished to expand efforts on behalf of the poor. He was interested in outreach, intervention, and direct services for those in need.
The original Parish Center had only one full-time staff member and one full-time volunteer. It had just two bathrooms, each equipped with a clean toilet and shower. Around 80 guests a day would come to wash up, do laundry, and relax in a safe and clean environment.
After his death in 2001, Fr. Tom Stahel and a group of parishioners worked to convert the Parish Center into an official 501(c)(3) non-profit in Father Harry’s name. The Harry Tompson Center gained non-profit status in 2004. By this time, nearly 200 unhoused individuals were visiting the Center daily.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused significant damage to the Parish Center and the HTC was forced to shut its doors. In the aftermath of Katrina, hundreds of people were displaced and experiencing homelessness. The need for a larger space to serve this community became apparent. Together, members of our Board and others working in homeless services dreamed up a new center that could serve even more guests with expanded services.
The HTC partnered with St. Joseph's Church, Lantern Light Ministry, and Catholic Charities Hispanic Apostolate to build a new center near the Claiborne overpass. University of Detroit Mercy’s School of Urban Design partnered with local architect Wayne Troyer and the St. Joseph's Rebuild Center opened its doors in June 2007.
Since then, the Harry Tompson Center has provided day shelter and services to thousands of unhoused individuals. Father Harry's legacy lives on in the little moments we share with our guests when they feel seen, heard, and cared for and we believe our founder would be proud.
His Legacy Informs Our Mission
Our mission is to provide a calm and caring environment in which to serve the needs of the poor and homeless in the downtown New Orleans area.
Basic Daily Needs
Showers, restrooms, laundry, hygiene kits, and phone access are just a handful of services that make life easier for our guests.
Housing Navigation
Our case managers work closely with guests to end their homelessness for good through our rehousing and family reunification programs.
Day Shelter
Guests know that they can turn to the HTC to provide a haven where they can find quality care, respite, and community in our open-air courtyard.
Lasting Legacies
As part of his effort to expand available resources to poor and underserved communities, Father Tompson founded The Good Shepherd School and Cafe Reconcile in the late 1990s. Today, these institutions continue to uplift, empower, and provide opportunities for children and young adults in New Orleans.
The Good Shepherd School
He knew the only way to truly address poverty was at its roots by providing our poorest children with the best education possible, and he knew that Nativity schools in other cities across the country were doing this with considerable success.
With the determination and vision of Fr. Tompson, The Good Shepherd School opened its doors to thirty children in the fall of 2001 and began to provide them with a unique educational opportunity firmly rooted in the Nativity model of education. Today, GSS serves 291 Pre-K4 through 7th grade students.
Cafe Reconcile
In 1996, Rev. Harry Tompson, S.J., joined with concerned community members Craig Cuccia and Tim Falcon to address the system of neglect, violence, and generational poverty that had plagued out-of-school youth in New Orleans’ troubled Central City neighborhood.
Today, Cafe Reconcile’s Workforce Development Program has successfully graduated more than 1,500 youth between the ages of 16 and 24. These students leave the 8-week program with basic independent living skills, interpersonal skills, and work skills, enabling and empowering them to successfully enter the workforce.
We'd like to thank our incredible sponsors who make our mission possible by contributing to the 2021 Father Harry Tompson Legacy Campaign.
Champion of Justice
Ronnie & Gwen Briggs
Pat & Cecilia Cuntz
Donald Decell
Donald & Cathy Espenan
J. Edgar Monroe Foundation
Drew & Lynn Marsh
Homilist Extraordinaire
Moises Arriaga, M.D.
Fluid Process & Pumps, LLC
Parishioners of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church
Reiling Family Foundation
Richard & Anna Tompson
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church
Stephen & Keenan Romig Charitable Fund
Todd B Johnson Family Charitable Fund
Retreat Master
Drs. Clay & Bonnie Boyd
Buddy Naquin for St. Judes Hospital
Rusty Chimeno & Dean Terrebonne
John & Lynne Combe, Jr.
Stephen & Alexis Darbonne
Deek & Leisa DeBlieux
Dr. & Mrs. Peter DeBlieux
Jeremy Dunaway
Mrs. H. Mortimer Favrot, Jr.
Michael & Susan Guarisco
Sheriff Marlin N. Gusman
Dr. & Mrs. Charles Haddad
Charles & Mary Haydel
Jonathan & Teri Hunter
Jean & Dan Jens
Hansen Koch
Tom & Geri Kolwe
Lamarque Automotive Complex
Mark & Jane Landry
Ms. Sheldon Lykes
Patty & Eddie Rice
Fred & Susan Rodriguez
Terri Romano
Rosemary Ryan
Dr. Joseph Sampognaro
St. Ann Catholic Church & Shrine - St. Anthony Ministry
Jim & Mary Temple Thomas
Dr. Mack & Victoria Thomas
Robert & Margaret Tonti
Leon & Mary Toups
Taylor & Dianne Walet
Mr. & Mrs. Peter A. Zuppardo, Sr.
Friend To All
M. Nan Alessandra
Dwight Barnes
Mary Baudouin & Tom Fitzgerald
Kevin Boshea
Dr. J. Berengher Brechtel
Jim & Emily Brown, Jr.
Ms. Sheryl Brown
Elise & Bill Brundige
Roy M. Bowes
Ed Burns
Ralph & Linda Capitelli
Ken & Roberta Chevis
Mr. George Chimento
David & Andree Code
Ralph & Patricia Cox
Jack & Denise Currault
Lewis & Sheila Derbes
Mr. & Mrs. Paul H. deVerges
Clancy & Margo DuBos
Duplantier Family
Jack Eumont
John & Sheryn Finnan
Dr. Marshall Fitz and Mrs. Patricia Judd
Mr. Bernard H. Gordon
Sharon & Curt Hearn
George Hebbler, Jr.
Mary Hillery
Joel & Pattie Hron
Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Club
Vicki Judice & John Koeferl
Charles LaCour
Michael & Carolyn Nee + Gloria Dreux
Jim, Claudia, Caroline, & Emily Nelson
Marie Louise Guste Nix
Richard & Donna Marino
Drs. John & Peggy Moffatt, Jr.
Mayor Marc Morial
Ms. Sherry Palermo
Mike Palmintier
Patricia Judice Ruckstuhl Family
David & Gisele Prados
Peter R. Quirk
George & Mary Jo Relle
Mark & Mary Ripple
Valerie & Jerry Robinson
John & Ellen Ruckert
Ryan Gootee General Contractors
Dr. Gary Sander
Mr. & Mrs. Edgar Saunders, Jr.
Paul Schaetzle
Sylvia Schully
Mr. & Mrs. Craig A. Silva
Ken & Betty Tedesco
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Tompson, Jr.
Cesar Vazquez
Sue Weishar & Brad Dude
Loretta Whyte
Mr. & Mrs. William and Lauren Wightkin
Mike & Carmie Winters
The Write Image, Inc.
James J. Zito
We would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to the following individuals for dedicating their time and talents to the Father Harry Tompson Legacy Campaign.
2021 Gala Planning Committee
Cafe Reconcile
Clarion Herald
Good Shepherd School
HTC Guests, Staff, & Volunteers
Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church
Mayor Mitch Landrieu
Vincent B. Liberto
Samantha Miker
Mayor Marc Morial
Storytelling Supporters
Harry Tompson was a many-sided man and every side was like an electric battery. He was uninhibited, fearless, and indomitable. He was expansive and confident, boundless and unstoppable. Honorable, strong, prepared.