There will be Stations of the Cross and Confessions on Fridays of Lent at the Basilica of St. Stephen with Confession at 5:30pm and the Stations at 6:00pm.  Remember that Msgr. Nalty is also in the Confessional from 3:00-3:45 pm on Saturdays and 9:00-10:15 am on Sundays. … [Read more...]

Knights of Columbus will be hosting the Lenten Fish Fry on the Fridays of March 14th, March 21st, April 4th and April 11th. Food will be served after the Stations of the Cross at St. Stephen Church. Plates consist of Fried Fish, French Fries, Cole Slaw, Vegetable, Dessert, and a drink. More details will follow next Sunday! Proceeds benefit the K of C’s and Good Shepherd Parish. … [Read more...]

If any of you have access to sago palms (the kind pictured here), we would love to get some for decorations in the church and to bless in two weeks on Palm Sunday (April 13, 2025). Please don’t cut your palms until a few days before Palm Sunday! Please bring them to the rectory or leave at the back door of the sacristy. … [Read more...]

At 2:30pm on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Archbishop Aymond will present the Order of St. Louis IX Medallion to our parishioners Michael Shanklin and Gil D’Aguin. The Order of St. Louis IX award was established more than 40 years ago to honor those members of the laity who have contributed their time and talents to the church. Even if you don’t know Michael and Gil, you know of their work! Michael is one of our faithful sacristans who opens the church, sets up and serves the 8:00am Mass. Gil is an usher at the 10:30am Mass and is also our “parish artist,” responsible for beautifully painting our Stations of the Cross and repairing our statues. “Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me.” (Mt 25:40). … [Read more...]

THE LENTEN SEASON A distinction is to be made between Lent and the Easter Triduum. Strictly speaking, Lent ends with the beginning of the Triduum on Holy Thursday. The Ordo notes: “Lent runs from Ash Wednesday until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper exclusive on Holy Thursday.” FASTING AND ABSTINENCE Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. Those who are bound to fast may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to each one’s needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted. Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics 14 years or older on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and on all Fridays of Lent. The determination of certain days as … [Read more...]

It's almost Lent! This season provides us as Catholics an opportunity to "repent and believe in the Gospel." One of the ways we can best do this is by going to Confession, where we have the opportunity to accept the many graces God has in store for us through this beautiful – and often underutilized – Sacrament. But Lent isn't the only time to make Reconciliation part of your schedule. Frequent Confession has so many benefits, including: Confession helps us to better “know thyself.” St. Augustine and countless other saints and doctors of the Church talk about the importance of knowing ourselves well. Through coming to know ourselves better, we realized how fallen we are, and how badly we need God’s help and grace to get through life. Frequent Confession helps remind us to rely on God … [Read more...]

This past legislative session, the pro-life movement faced many challenges including pro-abortion ballot initiatives and legislation targeting pregnancy resource centers. However, several states stood firm in their courageous defense and advocacy for life. For the fifth year in a row, Arkansas is at the top of the Life List as the most pro-life state in America. Continuing in its momentum from last year, Louisiana comes in second after enacting numerous life-affirming laws, including a law that protects unsuspecting pregnant women from the fraudulent provision of chemical abortion drugs. Tennessee secured its spot as the biggest mover on the Life List, advancing from 13th to 6th. The state enacted strong protections against abortion trafficking of minors and allocated funds to pregnancy … [Read more...]

On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court legalized abortion throughout the United States in its companion decisions Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton. Since that time, millions of children have lost their lives, and millions of women and families have been wounded by abortion. On June 24, 2022, the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision overturned Roe v. Wade, and we praise God for the great opportunity state and federal legislators now have to protect pre-born children. While God, in His mercy, ended the nearly fifty-year nationwide regime of abortion on demand, right now state and federal laws, in many instances, are still hostile to pre-born children. So, great prayer and advocacy is very needed. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), no. 373, designates … [Read more...]

Monday, December 26, 2024 at 6 PM175th Anniversary Please join us for Mass on the Feast of St. Stephen, Protomartyr on December 26, 2024 to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the founding of our parish. The Mass will also be the celebration of the Permanent Diaconate, so many of our permanent deacons will be present with their families. Saint Stephen Parish was erected in 1849 by Bishop Antoine Blanc, who invited the Vincentians (Congregation of the Mission) to administer the parish. After outgrowing the original small church built in 1851, the parish made plans to erect a new church on a design worthy of its present needs and of the future prospects of the parish. On November 21, 1871, the cornerstone of this church was laid by Archbishop Napoléon-Joseph Perché. Construction was … [Read more...]