Thomas Bender IV

Organist and director of music Thomas B. Bender IV (Tommy) has served St. Rita Parish since the beginning of June, 2000 being present that weekend for then-pastor, Fr. Harry Bugler’s twenty-fifth jubilee.  Tommy has been involved in Catholic music ministry, in some form or fashion, since 1981 when he was a student at St. John Vianney Preparatory Seminary in New Orleans. Since then, he served in a similar role at his home parish of Immaculate Conception, Marrero for seventeen years. He also served as librarian and Chapel organist at St. Martin’s Episcopal School in Metairie. He currently serves as the Director of the Rev. Robert J. Stahl, S.M. Memorial Library at Notre Dame Seminary, having earned his Master’s in Library and Information Science from LSU in 1999, as well as, assistant Chapel organist. He is married and has two sons, who have also served as music ministers at St. Rita on occasion.