Uptown New Orleans Catholic Church on Napolean Avenue - Monsignor Nalty
Rectory 504-899-1378 | Fax 504-899-0480
School 504-891-1927
ststephenpar@archdiocese-no.org
From the Pastor – August 9, 2026
Peter said to him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Mt. 14:28-31)
There are three things about the above encounter between Jesus and Peter from today’s Gospel that should make us think. First, there is the command of Jesus; second, there is the fear of Peter; and third, there is the reaction of Jesus to Peter’s lack of faith.
First, we have to recognize that Jesus “commands” Peter to go across the water. If Jesus gives us a command, then He certainly will give us the grace to fulfill it. This happens in our vocations, and in our lives. “What God has joined, men must not divide,” is the command that Jesus gives to married couples. And the grace of the Sacrament of Marriage gives married persons sufficient strength to live permanency, fidelity and openness to God’s gift of children in marriage. But it’s also the command of Christian discipleship: “Love God above all things and your neighbor as yourself.” If Jesus gives the command, you can bet He’ll help us do it.
Second, Peter becomes frightened and looks at the wind and waves rather than Jesus. If we start spending more time looking at the terrors of this world (especially sin and death), we will take our eyes from Jesus. And that’s when we fail or fall.
Third, when we start to fail or fall, we need to say what Peter does: “Lord, save me!” And thankfully, that’s when Jesus will stretch out His hand and save us.
There’s probably no greater indicator of the need for the Sacrament of Penance in any of the other miracles of Jesus. He has already commanded us. God did so in the Ten Commandments, and Jesus made them more understandable by compiling them into one commandment to love God and neighbor. But when we feel insecure or scared or threatened or tired or lazy or inclined to sin, then we take our eyes off the Lord who called us to be Christians. And we fall into water or dirt or worse. And that’s when we have to remember what Peter did. He called on the Lord to save him. We should place ourselves in front of the Lord each day and say the same thing. And He will tell us, “Why did you doubt? I love you. Go receive forgiveness for your sins, and you will be saved.” Confessions are in the church at 3:00pm on Saturday and 9:00am on Sunday. Or make an appointment whenever you need to be saved from sin.
(Very Rev. Msgr.) Christopher H. Nalty
msgr.nalty@gmail.com
Masses
St. Stephen
Saturday Vigil at 4:00 pm
Sunday at 8:00 am and 10:30 am
Sunday at 5:00 pm at OLGC
Our Lady of Good Counsel (OLGC)
Center of Jesus the Lord
Charismatic Mass
Sunday at 10 am
Weekdays Masses
Monday – Friday 6:30 am St. Henry
Tuesdays 6:00 pm St. Stephen
First Fridays 6:00 pm Latin Mass
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Tuesdays 4:45 – 5:45pm St. Stephen
Thursdays 7:00 – 8:00am St. Henry
Confession Times at Good Shepherd
Saturdays 3:00 – 3:45pm St. Stephen
Sundays 9:30 – 10:15am St. Stephen
Sundays 10:00 – 10:30am OLGC
First Fridays 6:30 – 7:00pm OLGC
The Assumption of Mary
August 15, 2026
After the Ascension of Jesus, Mary aided the beginnings of the Church by her prayers. In her association with the apostles and several women, we also see Mary by her prayers imploring the gift of the Spirit, who had already overshadowed her in the Annunciation. Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son’s Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians: “In giving birth you kept your virginity; in your Dormition you did not leave the world, O Mother of God, but were joined to the source of Life. You conceived the living God and, by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death.”
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son’s Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians: In giving birth you kept your virginity; in your Dormition you did not leave the world, O Mother of God, but were joined to the source of Life. You conceived the living God and, by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death.
When we speak of the origin, mission, and destiny of the Church, we can find no better way to conclude than by looking to Mary. In her we contemplate what the Church is at present through its “pilgrimage of faith,” and what the Church will be in the homeland at the end of the Church’s journey. There, “in the glory of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity,” “in the communion of all the saints,” the Church is awaited by the one she venerates as Mother of her Lord and as her own mother.
In the meantime, the Mother of Jesus, in the glory which she possesses in body and soul in heaven, is the image and beginning of the Church as it is to be perfected in the world to come. Likewise, she shines forth on earth, until the day of the Lord shall come, a sign of certain hope and comfort to the pilgrim People of God.
(Since it falls on a Saturday, the Assumption of Mary is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year.)
Back to School
St. Stephen Catholic School has its first day of classes on Tuesday, August 18, and we have our first weekly school Mass on August 21 at 9:00 am. I wish each parishioner could come to at least one school Mass during the year to see what well-behaved, enthusiastic, attentive and participatory students we have at St. Stephen’s. Unfortunately, most of the children that attend St. Stephen Catholic School do not live in the parish and, therefore, attend Mass at their home parish. However, you do know some of our students (and former students) who participate as altar servers at our Saturday 4:00pm Vigil and Sunday 10:30am Mass. Those young men are representative of the quality of the students that we educate here in our parish. If you know someone who is looking for a wonderful Catholic environment in which to educate their children, please have them investigate St. Stephen Catholic School!
Christmas in July!
The St. Vincent de Paul Society needs your help. During the hot summer months, we have many asking for help with their utility bills. A Christmas Giving Tree has been set up next to the St. Anthony Statue. All you have to do is pick an envelope and place in a donation. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will do the rest! God bless you!
Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola – July 31
Ignacio López de Loyola was born in Spain in 1491, the youngest of 13 children. In 1506, he adopted the last name “de Loyola” in reference of the Basque city of Loyola where he was born. In 1509, Ignatius took up arms under the Duke of Nájera and participated in many battles without injury to himself. However, on May 20, 1521, in a battle against the French, a cannonball wounded both of his legs. During his recuperation at Loyola, Ignatius read the Life of Christ by Ludolph of Saxony, a commentary on the Gospels with extracts from the works of over sixty of the Fathers of the Church; the book influenced his whole life. Ludolph proposes that the reader place himself at the scene of a Gospel story and visualize the scene in a simple contemplation.
During his recuperation at Loyola, Ignatius read the Life of Christ by Ludolph of Saxony, a commentary on the Gospels with extracts from the works of over sixty of the Fathers of the Church; the book influenced his whole life. Ludolph proposes that the reader place himself at the scene of a Gospel story and visualize the scene in a simple contemplation. He also read the lives of the saints.
When Ignatius left Loyola he had no definite plans for the future, except that he wished to rival all the saints had done in the way of penance. His first care was to make a general confession at the famous sanctuary of Montserrat, where, after three days of self-examination, and carefully noting his sins, he confessed, gave to the poor the rich clothes in which he had come, and put on garment of sack-cloth reaching to his feet. His sword and dagger he suspended at Our Lady’s altar, and passed the night watching before them. The next morning, he retired to a cave near the neighboring town of Manresa, where he retired for prayer, austerities, and contemplation, while he lived on alms.
It was at this time, too, that he began to make notes of his spiritual experiences, notes which grew into the little book of “Spiritual Exercises.”
St. Ignatius spent a number of years studying in Paris, where he became thoroughly versed in the science of education, and learned by experience how the life of prayer and penance might be combined with that of teaching and study. Starting a small society in Paris, the Society of Jesus was approved by the Holy See in 1540. He died on July 30, 1556 and was canonized in 1622.
Currently, the Jesuits are the single largest religious order in the world, numbering nearly 20,000 members, of which nearly 14,000 are priests. They work in 112 nations on six continents.
Ignatian Volunteer Corps
ENRICH YOUR RETIREMENT – ENRICH THE LIVES OF OTHERS
Are you retired or finished raising your family? Do you want to give back, enrich your spiritual life and build community with other mature adults? Then consider joining the Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC) here in New Orleans. At IVC we believe the life experience, wisdom, and skills of 50+ women and men, rooted in Gospel values, can bring justice, and transform the world. For more details, visit our website at ivcusa.org/ivc-offices/welcome-to-ivc-new-orleans, or contact Becky Goff (Regional Director) at bgoff@ivcusa.org.
Pornography Addiction
The internet has opened up an easy access to pornography which has become a major addiction in our society and a burden to many men. And the Church wants to help. The Archdiocese of New Orleans has a confidential Catholic 12-step program for men struggling with an addition to pornography called the “My House Men’s Group.” For more information contact (504) 430-3060 or email myhouse@archdiocese-no.org
Feast of St. Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr – August 10
One of my favorite saints, and one of the patrons of the City of Rome is the Deacon-Martyr, St. Lawrence. There are actually more churches built in Rome to honor St. Lawrence in the Holy City than any other saint, including St. Peter, himself. His story of courage and his great love for the poor reveal the reasons behind these devotions.
During the persecutions of the Emperor Valerian in 258 A.D., numerous priests and deacons were put to death and wealthier Christians had their wealth confiscated and were forced into exile. Pope Sixtus II was one of the first victims of this persecution, being beheaded on August 6. According to the writings of St. Ambrose, as Pope Sixtus was being lead to his death, Lawrence met him and asked: “Where are you going, my dear father, without your son? Where are you hurrying off to, holy priest, without your deacon? Before you never mounted the altar of sacrifice without your servant, and now you wish to do it without me?” The Pope assured him that: “after three days you will follow me.”
After the death of Sixtus, the prefect of Rome demanded that Lawrence hand over the riches of the Church. Lawrence asked for three days to gather together the wealth. On the third day, at the head of a small delegation, he presented himself to the prefect. When ordered to give up the treasures of the Church, he presented the poor, the crippled, the blind and the suffering, and said: “these are the true treasures of the Church.”
The prefect was angered by his perception of the saint’s flippancy, so he ordered that Lawrence die by being placed on a gridiron and “grilled” to death. St. Ambrose relates that during his torture Lawrence cried out “This side’s done, turn me over and eat.” (Assum est, inquit, versa et manduca.) As a result of his death and his courage, St. Lawrence is considered the patron saint of chefs. He is also a patron saint of deacons and comedians (!).
Since the Perseid Meteor Shower typically occurs on or near Saint Lawrence’s feast day, some refer to the shower as the “Tears of Saint Lawrence.”
Feast of the Transfiguration – Aug 6
While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” (Lk 9:34-36a)
Most of the Church Fathers saw the Transfiguration as a glimpse of the glory of Christ given to his disciples so that they might be strengthened to witness the scandal of the Cross. And this is certainly true. But three things immediately jump out of the reading.
First, is the number of apostles. Not all of the twelve are present – only Peter, James and John, the same three apostles that would accompany Jesus into the Garden of Gethsemane. Even though they were strengthened by their witness to the glory of the Transfiguration, they would still flee at the beginning of the persecution of Christ.
The second point is the encounter between Jesus and Moses and Elijah. Of course, an easy connection can be made to Jesus being the fulfillment of the law (represented by Moses, who received the Ten Commandments) and the prophets (represented by the prototypical prophet Elijah). But it’s important to note what they are discussing on Mt. Tabor. Shrouded in glory, they’re not focused on Heaven’s glory but on the “exodus that He was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.” This exodus meant the passage Jesus would make from the slavery of death to the Promised Land of eternal life, a journey prefigured in the exodus by which Moses led the Jewish people out from the slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land of Israel. And the means by which Jesus would accomplish this exodus is His suffering and death. Once again, the Transfiguration points to the cross.
And then comes the third, penultimate point of the passage: God the Father speaks. He confirms His Son’s true identity. Jesus wasn’t John the Baptist, or Elijah, or one of the prophets, as many people believed. He wasn’t simply the long-awaited Messiah. God the Father thundered from heaven, “This is my beloved Son!” Then he gave a command to the three apostles with Jesus on the mountain: “Listen to Him!” The command echoes to us to listen to what Jesus said about his suffering and death, and believe in Him.
The encounter on Mt. Tabor is given for us to remember where we are headed. Is it to the glory of Heaven represented by the transfigured Lord? We hope so. But we can only get there through the Paschal Mystery: the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
St. John Vianney Feast Day August 4
Patron Saint of Parish Priests
Jean-Baptist-Marie Vianney was born on May 8, 1786, in the French town of Dardilly, the fourth child of Matthieu Vianney and Marie Beluze.
His life was impacted at a young age by the French Revolution, which forced many loyal priests to hide from the government in order to celebrate the Sacraments. Since priests daily risked their lives because of the religious persecution, Vianney’s early life as a Catholic was hidden, having received his First Holy Communion and Confirmation is secret ceremonies in private homes.
When the Catholic Church was re-established in France 1802, John’s father allowed him to begin studies for the priesthood in the neighboring village of Ecully at a school run by Father M. Balley. Although John’s studies were interrupted when he was drafted into Napoleon’s armies in 1809 (he never served), he was eventually ordained a priest on August 12, 1815 in the Couvent des Minimes de Grenoble, saying his first Mass the next day. He was appointed to Ecully as assistant to Msgr. Balley, his priest-hero because Balley had remained faithful during the Revolution.
As a parish priest, Vianney realized that the destruction of the Catholic Church during the French Revolution had led to great religious ignorance and indifference. He began to zealously catechize his parishioners, courageously condemn errors and lax moral practices and tirelessly call sinners to repentance, especially through Confession. St. Alphonsus Ligouri (Feast Day August 1) once said, “A priest needs to be a lion at the pulpit and a lamb in the confessional.” Vianney fit the bill.
After being appointed as the Cure of Ars (a small city near Ecully) Vianney came to be known internationally, and people from distant places began traveling to make their Confession to him. By 1855, the number of pilgrims had reached 20,000 a year. During the last ten years of his life, he spent sixteen to eighteen hours a day in the confessional.
On 4 August 1859, Vianney died at age 73. His bishop presided over his funeral with 300 priests and over 6,000 people in attendance. In 1925 he was canonized by Pope Pius XI. In honor of the 150th anniversary of Vianney’s death, Pope Benedict XVI declared a Year for Priests in 2009.
Location Map
Join Knights of Columbus
NOLA Adoration Chapels
