According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are gifts which assist us in furthering our sanctification and help “complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them.” The term “gift” means that the Holy Spirit bestows them; they are supernatural gifts operating in a supernatural manner. They are not gifts one simply invokes in times of emergency. The gifts are enumerated in Isaiah 11:2-3. The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are: Wisdom – The gift of wisdom allows us to see God at work in our lives and in the world. For the wise person, the wonders of nature, historical events, and the joys and sorrows of our lives take on deeper meaning. Understanding – The gift of understanding allows us to comprehend how we should to live as a follower … [Read more...]
Catholic Community Foundation Seeks Saint John Paul II Award Nominations
The Catholic Community Foundation (CCF) is seeking nominations for the 25th annual Saint John Paul II Award. Names of nominees and related information must be submitted by Sunday, June 1, 2025. A nomination form, which includes submission details, can be downloaded from the foundation’s website at www.ccfnola.org. The award will be presented to an outstanding Catholic layperson(s) or permanent deacon who resides in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and who exhibits inspirational examples of generosity and Christian stewardship. Award criteria include: Practicing Roman Catholic layperson or permanent deacon, High moral character, Volunteer service and board membership, Exemplary personal values. Contact Pamela Richard at prichard@ccfnola.org with questions. … [Read more...]
Ordination to the Priesthood 2025
On Saturday, May 31 at 10:00 am, Archbishop Aymond will ordain Deacon Joseph Grayson Martello to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of New Orleans at the Cathederal-Basilica of St. Louis, King of France. All are welcome to attend the ordination Mass. For those that cannot attend, the Mass will be streamed live at thedailymass.com. … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – May 25, 2025
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. (Jn 14:27-31) How do we define peace? Politically, it can be defined as an “absence of conflict.” If we are busy at work, it might mean “no interruptions.” Some parents might equate peace with their kids being asleep or at their grandparents’ home for the night. Peace happens to some people when their cell phone finally runs out of power or when a storm knocks out the internet and the television. … [Read more...]
Novena to the Holy Spirit
Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts (to be prayed beginning May 30) The novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas since it was first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trbinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and strength and love so sorely needed y every Christian. NOVENA PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom … [Read more...]
Mission Appeal – 2025
This weekend the second collection is for the Servants of the Poor Congregation of India. They will make an appeal to help with “rendering services both Material and Spiritual to the poor.” Your generosity to this appeal will be used by the sisters to support mainly children who are affected and infected by HIV/AIDS, elderly, sick and destitute people who are living in our free Nursing homes, health care services, education, orphanages, boarding homes, adoption centers, rehabilitation homes, social service centers, and centers for evangelization. Thank you for helping these missionaries bring Christ to the poor. Sister Sheeja Thomas from the congregation, serving in San Antonio Archdiocese will be here to make this appeal. Please be generous to this most worthy cause. … [Read more...]
PRAYER OF GRATITUDE FOR THE GIFT OF A NEW POPE
Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd and High Priest, we praise you and offer you our sincere gratitude for calling Pope Leo XIV to serve as the shepherd of the universal church. May he lead us as a loving shepherd who cares for his flock and seeks out the lost sheep. May he be for us a gentle and listening father, a faithful teacher and a steward of your sacred mysteries. Grant him health, strength, and wisdom. Strengthen the bonds of unity among us so that we may serve you as one body. Purify us and sustain us in charity for your love for us never fails. Grant that we may boldly answer your call to mission. You who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen. … [Read more...]
Coat of Arms of Pope Leo XIV
Blazon The left field is blue with a silver fleur-de-lis; the right is white, with a flaming heart pieced by an arrow, entirely red, and resting on an uncovered book. Above the shield there is a silver mitre, adorned with three gold bands joined by a gold vertical post, with fluttering red infulae, fringed with gold and adorned with gold crosses; in front of the infulae there are the crossed Petrine keys, gold (bend) and silver (bend sinister), linked by a red cord. Explanation The coat of arms of the Holy Father Leo XIV On the left field of the coat of arms of the Holy Father Leo XIV, the blue background recalls the heights of the heavens and is characterized by its Marian significance, a classic symbol referring to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the lily or fleur-de-lis (flos … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – May 18, 2025
My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (Jn 13:33a, 34-35) The Gospel of John could be called the “Gospel of Love.” It condenses the stories about Christ into one succinct passage in the third chapter, the verse seen often on signs at football games: John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” It gives us the reason and purpose of the first coming of Christ. He came because God loves us, and He came to give us eternal life in His love. The word “love” that is frequently … [Read more...]
Sunday Collection for Retired Diocesan Priests
May 10-11, 2025 Each year on Good Shepherd Sunday the Archdiocese of New Orleans designates a special second collection to help support the medical and retirement expenses of our diocesan priests. Please be generous in supporting those priests who have given their lives to serve us and the Church! … [Read more...]
