“Ministry pertains to the administration of a Sacrament, celebration of liturgy and other liturgical rites and is specific to those with Holy Orders. “Laity spread the Gospel of Jesus and the truth of Catholicism in the secular world through whatever means they can - this is properly called an apostolate. The St. Vincent de Paul Society or the Knights of Columbus are excellent examples.” … [Read more...]

Members of the Altar Society would appreciate help on Sunday, December 22 immediately following the 10:30am Mass to assemble the manger and trees for our Christmas crèche! Thanks! … [Read more...]

“Christmas at St Stephen's" will be presented on Gaudete Sunday, December 15th, at 4:00 pm, at St Stephen Church.  Included will be both familiar and perhaps some unfamiliar Sacred Music befitting the season, with compositions by Adolph Adam, Johann Sebastian Bach, Carson P. Cooman, Calvin Hampton, Jan Kern, Franz Liszt, Nicola A. Montani, John Francis Wade, and Pietro A. Yon, as well as Gregorian Chant. Acclaimed performers will be Phyllis Treigle, Melissa Brocato, Judy Seghers, Trey Cassells, Louis Hackett; the Good Shepherd Choir; and organist Brian Morgan (Director of Music at Good Shepherd Parish). There will be no charge for admission, although free-will donations will be accepted.  For further information, please telephone the rectory at (504)899-1378. … [Read more...]

We will need help in decorating the church for Christmas because some of our regulars are unable to do so.  This is an early message, but we will decorate the church on December 22, 2019 after the 10:30am Mass. Anyone willing to help please contact the parish office. … [Read more...]

November 1 – All Saints Day is a Holy Day of Obligation. Vigil Mass on October 31 at 6:00pm (St. Stephen) Masses at 6:30am (St. Henry) and 9:00am (St. Stephen) … [Read more...]

The Archdiocese of New Orleans will be hosting a training by Life Perspectives to broaden your understanding of grief and loss after miscarriage and abortion, explore how to be a safe place for hurting men and women, and provide healing resources to help those in your community. The training will take place on Thursday, October 17, 2019, from 6:30-8:30 PM at Schulte Auditorium at Notre Dame Seminary (2901 S. Carrolton Ave). There is no cost for the training and all materials will be provided. Please register by going to nolacatholic.org/miscarriage or contact the Office of Marriage and Family Life at 504-861-4243 or mfl@arch-no.org. … [Read more...]

“In the celebration of Mass the faithful form a holy people, a people whom God has made his own, a royal priesthood, so that they may give thanks to God and offer the spotless Victim not only through the hands of the priest but also together with him, and so that they may learn to offer themselves.”  This is the basis for the “full conscious and active participation” of the faithful demanded by the very nature of the Liturgy.  Because the gathered liturgical assembly forms one body, each of its members must shun “any appearance of individualism or division, keeping before their eyes that they have only one Father in heaven and accordingly are all brothers and sisters to each other.”  Singing is one of the primary ways that the assembly of the faithful participates actively in the Liturgy. … [Read more...]

Tuesday, October 8, 2019 In December 1531 the Blessed Mother appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico asking him to have the Bishop Juan de Zumarraga to build a church in her honor.  The Bishop was reluctant to just take his word and asked for sign from Juan.  He returned with a cloak of roses which were not native to the area.  The Blessed Virgin had arranged the roses in his cloak and she told him to bring them to the Bishop.  When he showed the bishop and even more wondrous sign appeared; a remarkable portrait of Our Lady was imprinted on the coarse fabric of his cloak.  The image and the cloak are displayed for the veneration of the faithful to this day at Our Lady of Guadalupe basilica of Mexico City. The Knights of Columbus have over the years had 7 Silver Roses made.  One Rose was … [Read more...]

The people of the Bahamas have suffered great destruction-loss of life and property. We continue to pray for them. If anyone wishes to offer financial help, they may give their gift at the parish or send it directly to me at 7887 Walmsley Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70125. Please mark the envelope: Hurricane Relief. Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond … [Read more...]

St. Stephen Catholic School had its first day of classes on Monday, August 5, and our first school Mass on Friday, August 9.  We also had a nice group of parishioners join us for our second school Mass last week on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at 9:00 am.  I wish each parishioner could come to at least one school Mass (which is normally at 9:00 am on Friday unless a Holy Day of Obligation falls during that week) to see what well-behaved, enthusiastic and attentive students we have at St. Stephen’s. Unfortunately, many of the families that attend St. Stephen Catholic School do not live in the parish and, therefore, attend Mass at their home parish.  However, you do know some of our students (and former students) who participate as altar servers at our … [Read more...]