“There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, ‘Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!’” But God said to him, “You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?” Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God. (Lk 12:18b-21). A few years ago I spoke to a Catholic group in Baton Rouge. Although my talk was about the Apostolicity of the Church (being founded on the Apostles and the current bishops being their successors), at the end a man asked me a question about clerical celibacy. “Father, why do priests have to be celibate” was the simple question. Unfortunately, celibacy … [Read more...]
Archives for July 2016
Knights of Columbus Raffle Tickets
Next weekend the Knights of Columbus will be selling raffle tickets for the items below. Tickets are $20/each, but look at all of the wonderful prizes, 40 in all. I’m sorry that I had to make the print so small, but it was the only way the prizes could all fit in the bulletin! Grand Prize - 3 Club seats to Saints vs Lions + $150.00 @ Ruth's Chris + Hard Rock Casino package + 3 rounds of golf at the Oaks Second Prize - 2 seats to Saints vs Bucs on 40 yd line loge club seats + $100.00 @ Acme + 2 Tickets to LPO Opening Night Additional Prizes - 2 Sideline bunker Club seats to Saints vs Bucs + $100.00 @ Bacchanal + 2 tickets to LPO Opening Night - 3 Loge End Zone seats Saints vs Rams + $100 @ Andy's Bistro + 2 JPSO Season Tickets - 2 Club seat tickets Saints vs Panthers + … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – July 24, 2016
“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Lk 11:9-10) per·se·ver·ance?[pur-suh-veer-uhns] –noun 1.steady persistence in a course of action, a pur-pose, a state,etc., esp. in spite of diffic-ulties, obstacles, or discouragement. 2.Theology . continuance in a state of grace to the end,leading to eternal salvation. Anything that’s worth doing requires perseverance. The Latin verb “perseverare” is composed of two words: “per” meaning “through”; and “severare” meaning “to be severe or strict.” So perseverance means to achieve something through being strict. And the obvious object of the … [Read more...]
A Statement from Archbishop Gregory Aymond on Recent Violence
“Let There Be Peace on Earth” The deadly shootings in Baton Rouge, LA, Falcon Heights, MN, and Dallas, TX, the stabbing in Kenner, LA and the deadly attack in Orlando last month are heartbreaking and cause fear among us. We must pray for those whose lives have been taken and for their families. We live in a time of great violence and terrorism. Terrorism is rooted in hate and not only caused by international forces, but we in the United States are experiencing terrorist attacks against one another. Let us pray: Merciful God, forgive us for the disrespect we show for human life. Lead us to be wise and patient enough to deal with conflict through words and prayer – not with guns or through violence. May those who have died have life in your kingdom. Grant comfort and peace to … [Read more...]
Salvation Army Vouchers
As many of you know, a substantial portion of the money that our parish donates to the poor is used to purchase vouchers for the Salvation Army shelter on Claiborne Avenue. We purchase the vouchers for $10, and the voucher provides a homeless person with access to a bed, a shower and two square meals. This week I received a letter from the Salvation Army telling us that, due to our having purchased 500 vouchers this year, we now qualify as a “Shelter Partner,” meaning that our vouchers will now cost us 20% less, or $8.00. Instead of keeping the savings, we have decided to purchase 20% more vouchers each month to further help those who are in need. “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me.” … “Amen, I say to you, what you … [Read more...]
A Statement from Archbishop Gregory Aymond on Recent Violence
“Let There Be Peace on Earth” The deadly shootings in Baton Rouge, LA, Falcon Heights, MN, and Dallas, TX, the stabbing in Kenner, LA and the deadly attack in Orlando last month are heartbreaking and cause fear among us. We must pray for those whose lives have been taken and for their families. We live in a time of great violence and terrorism. Terrorism is rooted in hate and not only caused by international forces, but we in the United States are experiencing terrorist attacks against one another. Let us pray: Merciful God, forgive us for the disrespect we show for human life. Lead us to be wise and patient enough to deal with conflict through words and prayer – not with guns or through violence. May those who have died have life in your kingdom. Grant comfort and peace to … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – July 17, 2016
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (Lk 10:25-27) There’s a tendency to take this Sunday’s Gospel as an encouragement of laziness. We hear that Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus doing nothing, and Martha is doing all of the work. Yet, when Martha complains, Jesus reassures the two that Mary has “chosen the better part.” So doing nothing but listening to Jesus is better than helping out around the house? Sounds like a quick way our of household chores! “Need me to mow the lawn? Sorry, but I’ve chosen the “better portion”; I’m heading to the Adoration Chapel to pray! That’s not really what’s going on here. What Jesus is referring to is not the … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – July 10, 2016
There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Lk 10:25-27) If you could ask God one question, what would it be? Would you ask about the future? Would you ask for the next Powerball number? Next year’s Superbowl Champion? Or perhaps you’d want to know about something from the past. Why did Katrina hit us? Why did my loved one have to die? Perhaps you’d want to know the answer to something current. Why do bad things happen to good people? What is the cure for cancer or … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – July 3, 2016
At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. … Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God is at hand for you.' (Lk 10:1, 7-9) The mission of the 72 disciples of Jesus has been spoken about by the Fathers of the Church in several ways. St. Augustine thought the 72 to be the first priests of the Church working in concert with the 12 Apostles (bishops). Other saints, such as St. Cyril, saw the 72 as the first worshipping community of Christians sent out to teach. Either way, the 72 brought the Gospel (Good News) of Christ to those whom had never received it. Theirs was the work of “evangelization,” from the Latin … [Read more...]
