Archives for April 2020

Friday, May 1st: The Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker

In the first half of the 20th century, communism had gained support from many leaders around the world, and entire nations had succumbed to its ideas. In 1937, Pope Pius XI realized the serious threat that Communism posed to the common good, and called upon St. Joseph to protect the Church from the many errors of Communism. As a result of the Popes words, Catholics fervently began to pray to St. Joseph, specifically under the title of "Terror of Demons" to combat atheistic ideas of Communism. They also invoked the help of St. Joseph in the cause of workers rights. Both of these issues were major topics of concern in the mid-20th century. The threat of worldwide Communism was felt by everyone, including the Pope. Pope Pius XII turned to St. Joseph and denounced the falsehoods of … [Read more...]

Contagion of Hope

[Read more...]

From the Pastor – April 26, 2020

As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.” (Lk 24:28-31a) In 2004, Pope Saint John Paul II announced a special “Year of the Eucharist, and issued the Apostolic Letter, Mane Nobiscum Domine, declaring the special year and outlining its purpose. It remains one of my favorite of his letters. The Latin title “Mane nobiscum Domine” is translated “remain with us, Lord,” and recalls the words in today’s Gospel spoken by the … [Read more...]

From the Pastor – April 19, 2020

Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” (Jn 21-26-29) We call him “Doubting Thomas,” but the words spoken by Thomas after he touched the hands and side of Jesus are the most important of John’s Gospel because they form a literary “inclusion” with the very first words of the Gospel.  In John 1:1 we read: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  And then that … [Read more...]

From the Pastor – April 12, 2020

We are witnesses of all that He did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem.  They put Him to death by hanging him on a tree.  This man God raised on the third day and granted that He be visible, not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.  (Acts 10-39-41) One year when I was working in Rome, my parents came to visit me in the weeks before Easter.  Since my Dad was a permanent deacon, he sat next to me on the altar when we went to celebrate Mass at the beautiful church of St. Alphonsus near St. Mary Major where the original image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is enshrined.  As it came time to read the Gospel, my Dad asked for the blessing, and then began to solemnly intone “Al-le-luia!  … [Read more...]

Church Will Be Open For Adoration!

Please respect “social distancing,” and please don’t come if you are sick. St Stephen Adoration on Tuesday from 4:45-5:45 pm St Henry Church Adoration on Thursday from 7:00-8:00 am. “Since things are changing daily, please go to the parish website or our parish Facebook page, @GoodShepherdNOLA, or Monsignor Christopher Nalty’s personal Facebook page @monsignorchristopher.nalty for the most up-to-date information.” … [Read more...]

From the Pastor – April 5, 2020

On the next day, when the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet him, and cried out: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel.”  (John 12:12-13) A common custom in many lands of the ancient Middle East was to cover in some way the path of someone thought worthy of the highest honor.  In 2 Kings 9:13 Jehu, son of Jehoshaphat, was treated to this honor.  Each of the four Gospels report that the people of Jerusalem gave Jesus the honor of walking on a covered path.  However, in the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) we hear that the people lay their garments and cut branches to place on the street.  Only the Gospel of John specifically mentions palms. So, … [Read more...]