The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. (Mk. 1-12) I always look forward to Lent. And this year is no exception. Now that Lent is here, I’m happy to create my own little desert of calm by the Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It’s the perfect remedy for the last two weeks of noise, feasting and excess. One of the good disciplines of Lent is “giving something up.” When I was in seminary, I remember my rector publicly acknowledging that he gave up cigars during Lent. And then one Friday in Lent, I walked by his room and smelled cigar smoke. The next day I asked him about it, and he said that he decided to do something different that year because he felt like everyone knew he gave up cigars. … [Read more...]
Archives for February 2015
From the Pastor – February 16, 2015
Brothers and sisters, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:31) Over the next three days, many of us are going to do a fair amount of eating and drinking! And that’s not a bad thing. Fat Tuesday is meant to be a time of feasting in preparation for the fasting and austerity of Lent. But that doesn’t mean that Lent is a “holy” season and Mardi Gras is a “pagan” season. As St. Paul tells us above, everything should be done for the glory of God. A recent article in the Times Picayune had a question asked the question: “What vices are you giving up for Lent?” And then it listed a long list of “vices,” including among them “meat” and “alcohol.” Now it’s certain that excessive drinking and obesity are unhealthy, but can we … [Read more...]
Ninth General Synod
At the Chrism Mass on April 15, 2014, we will convoke the Ninth General Synod of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The purpose of the synod is to discern God’s Vision and Priorities for our local church for the next three-five years. I have appointed Sister Elizabeth (Beth) Fitzpatrick, O. Carm., Sister Mary Ellen Wheelahan, O. Carm. and Fr. Pat Williams as Archdiocesan Synod Leaders. They will work in partnership with Paul Breaux and the Catholic Leadership Institute to tailor the synod vision and priority setting process to meet the specific needs and goals of our archdiocese. We hope that this synod will be an opportunity for us to “work together for your joy.” (2 Cor.1:24) … [Read more...]
Lenten Message for 2015
From Our Holy Father, Pope Francis Lent is a time of renewal for the whole Church, for each communities and every believer. Above all it is a “time of grace” (2 Cor 6:2). God does not ask of us anything that he himself has not first given us. “We love because he first has loved us” (1 Jn 4:19). He is not aloof from us. Each one of us has a place in his heart. He knows us by name, he cares for us and he seeks us out whenever we turn away from him. He is interested in each of us; his love does not allow him to be indifferent to what happens to us. Usually, when we are healthy and comfortable, we forget about others (something God the Father never does): we are unconcerned with their problems, their sufferings and the injustices they endure… Our heart grows cold. As long as I am relatively … [Read more...]
Catholic Charismatic Conference
SET FREE is the theme for the Catholic Charismatic Conference March 13-15, 2015, at the Landmark Hotel in Metairie, Louisiana. All speakers are known for their ministry in healing and in the New Evangelization. Bob Canton, Fr. Robert Cruz, Deacon Larry Oney, Fr. Simon Peter Engurait and Sr. Lucy Lukasiewicz will be the guest speakers. On Saturday morning there will be a Healing Mass and in the afternoon a family session. Healing prayer will be offered both Saturday night and Sunday morning. You may pre-register for the weekend at www.ccrno.org. If you would like to attend a single session, you may register at the door. For more information on schedule: Call CCRNO at 504- 828-1368 or visit www.ccrno.org. … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – February 8, 2015
Job spoke, saying: Is not man's life on earth a drudgery? Are not his days those of hirelings? He is a slave who longs for the shade, a hireling who waits for his wages. So I have been assigned months of misery, and troubled nights have been allotted to me. (Job 7:4) Most of us know the story of Job. He was faithful to God, but God let the devil take away all of Job’s possessions, kill all of his children and ruin his health. And despite his misfortunes, Job does not curse God. But that doesn’t stop him from bemoaning his situation. The passage above reflects his poor attitude, but it speaks to a truth. The world often imposes on us many miseries. We get tired and frustrated with work. We get in arguments with family members and friends. We get sick, we can’t pay the bills, … [Read more...]
St. Vincent dePaul
Do YOU want to do something to help your disadvantaged neighbors but can’t find the time? On a limited budget yourself? Over-committed with job and family responsibilities? Now you have the opportunity to do much good with a simple and very short investment in time! From February 25, 2015 to March 25, 2015, you can go to http://www.gulfbank.com/ and look for Society of St. Vincent de Paul – St. Stephen Church. Help to vote us a grant to help us provide shelter vouchers, snack packs, groceries and hot meals at the Rebuild Center and Ozanam Inn. You may cast 1 vote per day from any valid email address. Awards will be based on the number of votes received. VOTE DAILY TO SUPPORT YOUR ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHAPTER! … [Read more...]
Morning of Spirituality for Men
The next Archdiocesan Morning of Spirituality for Men will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2015, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, located at 4640 Canal St. in New Orleans. The theme for our 20th Men’s Morning of Spirituality is “Music of the Spirit." Our speakers, John Blancher of Rock N Bowl and Ye Olde College Inn, Reid Wick of the Bucktown Allstars, and Jerry Christopher of Bag of Donuts will discuss how their Catholic faith guides their family lives and work in the New Orleans music industry. As always, in addition to the presentations, the day will include prayer, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic adoration and benediction, and the celebration of the Eucharist with Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond. New Orleans. For more information, please … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – February 1, 2015
I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kindred, and will put my words into the mouth of the prophet; the prophet shall tell them all that I command. Whoever will not listen to my words which he speaks in my name, I myself will make him answer for it. (Dt. 18:18-19) In the Acts of the Apostles, both St. Peter (3:22) and, St. Stephen (7:37) quote the above passage as referring to Jesus. Jesus is the prophet who came to teach us (in word and deed) how to live according to God’s plan and attain the Kingdom of Heaven. And when the time came, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit upon His Apostles to guide them and us through the Holy Catholic Church. But Jesus foretold that some would not listen to His words, and He warned us that we would be persecuted for following … [Read more...]
