Tuesday, February 2 The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord commemorates the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the presentation of Christ in the temple, which took place 40 days after his birth as Jewish law required. According to Mosaic law, a mother who had given birth to a boy was considered unclean for seven days. Also, she was to remain 33 days "in the blood of her purification." Luke tells us, quoting Exodus 13:2,12, that Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem because every firstborn child was to be dedicated to the Lord. They also went to sacrifice a pair of doves or two young pigeons, showing that Mary and Joseph were poor. Once in the temple, Jesus was purified by the prayer of Simeon, in the presence of Anna the prophetess. Simeon, upon seeing the Messiah, gave … [Read more...]

"Gaudete" Sunday enters in rose colored vestments signifying joy. Isaiah’s message is upbeat, filled with joy and possibilities.  James, on the other hand, is encouraging patience. He cautions us against complaining while enduring any hardship.  Matthew’s Gospel relates the story of Jesus being asked by John the Baptist if He was the one who was to come. Jesus confronts both John the Baptist and the crowds, including us. “What did you expect?” It is time for us to answer that question. What do we expect of Christ in our lives?  How can we use this time to answer that question? … [Read more...]

Last Tuesday, Pope Francis announced a special year dedicated to St. Joseph starting from 8 December 2020 until 8 December 2021, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of St. Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church, as well as the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady. The Apostolic Penitentiary also issued a decree granting special indulgences for the duration of the special year to celebrate the anniversary and “to perpetuate the entrustment of the whole Church to the powerful patronage of the Custodian of Jesus.” More to come on this next week! … [Read more...]

We need your support! The inside and most of the outside of St. Stephen Church is now beautifully restored. In order to keep the costs manageable in the 2017-2018 restoration, we were forced to eliminate some projects. We will gradually address items omitted from the original restoration in the coming years. First on our list is the front porch. It needs work! We would like to install this beautiful mosaic (on display near the Camp Street door) in the center of the porch, surrounded by a decorative border. … [Read more...]

Parish Intentions In Memoriam... Vincent Aiola Jr, Lena Amadeo, Peter Amadeo, the Baehr Family, Hudson Bain, Rose & Rodney Ballor, James Baptiste, Louise Dutrey Baptiste, the Bell Family, Mr & Mrs Elmo J. Bourgeois, David Bowie, Mary Frances Braud, Adelaide Brennan, Cleonise Brown, Marie Louisa Broussard Brown, Marlene Brown, Neely Brown, Pauline Brown, Tom & Mary & Brigid Burke, Mary Carnody, Dorothy Carr, George Carr, Anne & Fintan Carroll, Sister Ererentia & Anne Carroll, Ernestine Charlebois, James Aza Charlebois, Robert Charlebois, Thomas Charlebois, Lois Collins, William "Bill" Collins, Mr & Mrs Richard W. Cooper Sr, "Grandma" Cosgrove, Mr & Mrs John C. Coyle, the Cressend Family, Juanita Lamb Daigrepont, Robert Daigrepont, Ruby & Hurlin Daire, … [Read more...]

The bankruptcy court in case number 20-10846 pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana has set a deadline of March 1, 2021 to file a Sexual Abuse Proof of Claim in the Archdiocese of New Orleans Bankruptcy. A Sexual Abuse Proof of Claim form may be found at: www.NolaChurchclaims.com The bankruptcy court in case number 20-10846 pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana has set a deadline of November 30, 2020 to file a General Proof of Claim in the Archdiocese of New Orleans Bankruptcy. A General Proof of Claim form may be found at: https://www.donlinrecano.com/Clients/rcano/Static/BDPOC … [Read more...]

Spiritual work of mercy - During the month of October, please join in our prayer. “Father and maker of all, you adorn all creation with splendor and beauty, and fashion human lives in your image and likeness. Awaken in every heart reverence for the work of your hands, and renew among your people a readiness to nurture and sustain your precious gift of life. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen. … [Read more...]

OCTOBER 5, 2020 The Saint Thomas More Catholic Lawyers Association, in conjunction with the Archdiocese of New Orleans, announce the celebration of the 68th Annual Red Mass, invoking the Holy Spirit upon the bench and bar of the State of Louisiana, on Monday, October 5, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans, will be the principal celebrant. Reverend Mike Kettenring, a priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, will be the homilist. Members of the bench and bar of the State of Louisiana, as well as the public, are invited to attend. Masks are required and social distancing will be observed in the Cathedral. … [Read more...]

The Catholic Communications Campaign is set for September 20-21, 2020, in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. This collection supports the evangelizing work of the church throughout the world by supporting media: news- papers, television, radio and digital or online media. Fifty percent of the funds collected in the Archdiocese of New Orleans remain here to support Catholic new media efforts and the Clarion Herald. To learn more about the national program visit www.usccb.org/ccc and locally visit http://nolacatholic.org. … [Read more...]

In 1993, Pope St. John Paul II presented the world with an encyclical entitled Veritatis Splendor, Latin for “the splendor of the truth.”  The encyclical is one of the most comprehensive and philosophical documents on moral theology in the Catholic Church.  The opening sentences set the tone: “The splendor of truth shines forth in all the works of the Creator and, in a special way, in man, created in the image and likeness of God (cf. Gen 1:26). Truth enlightens man’s intelligence and shapes his freedom, leading him to know and love the Lord. Hence the Psalmist prays: ‘Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord’ (Ps 4:6).” The encyclical begins by asserting that there are absolute truths accessible to all persons, and that that moral law is universal across people in varying … [Read more...]