The parish is very grateful to all who have donated food and food ingredients for our annual St. Joseph celebration. I have spoke to those involved, and we are hoping for an alternative date, perhaps May 1, 2020, which is the Feast of St. Joseph, the Worker. Please pray for an end to the COVID-19 epidemic and the fear and uncertainty that it is causing around the world! . … [Read more...]

As you might understand our parish is under tremendous financial pressure during the time when our church is closed, and we cannot take up the Sunday collection. I don’t want to seem like I’m making a “money grab,” and you know how infrequently I talk about money, except for the appeal I made for our Restoration, but I am now compelled to ask. Even though the church is closed, we still have to pay for all of our utilities, and I have not stopped paying the salaries of our wonderful and dedicated staff. If you could set up an online giving account on our parish website and donate, it would be greatly appreciated. If you receive envelopes, it would be extremely generous of you to mail them into the office so that we can continue to pay our bills. And if you’re feeling extra generous, since … [Read more...]

Notre Dame Seminary’s Lay Programs will be having an Open House on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, from 6:00-7:30 PM in the NDS Pastoral Center. This event will be an excellent opportunity for all interested parish and school religious educators and lay ministers to receive more information about the NDS lay programs (Institute for Lay Ecclesial Ministry and Masters of Arts in Pastoral Leadership) and scholarship opportunities. Please call (504) 866-7426, ext 742 to reserve a spot. … [Read more...]

In preparation for the St. Joseph Altar on Thursday, March 19, we will begin collecting ingredients for the traditional Italian cookies and for the meal itself.  We would greatly appreciate donations of these ingredients on the following dates: February 1 & 2               All purpose flour February 8 & 9               Sugar (regular & powdered) February 15 & 16           Crisco shortening (not butter) February 22 & 23           Spaghetti March 7 & 8                  Wine March 14 & 15               Fresh vegetables & fruit Because we know that some parishioners find it difficult to get to St. Stephen Church during the Mardi Gras parades, you are more than welcome to bring food donations on other than the assigned days. Thank you for your … [Read more...]

The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130) Notre Dame Seminary Bible Marathon 2020: A Public Reading of The Bible for 100 Continuous Hours Tuesday, January 28th at 12:30 PM- Saturday, February 1st at 6:00 PM Front Lawn of Notre Dame Seminary The Celebration of Candlemas will follow the Bible Marathon with Mass at 6:00 PM in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at NDS. Bible Marathon 2020 Sign Ups are NOW OPEN! Visit nds.edu to view available proclamation times. … [Read more...]

Margaret Mary Alacoque was born on 22 July, 1647 and died on 17 October, 1690. From her early childhood Margaret showed intense love for the Blessed Sacrament, and preferred silence and prayer to childish amusements. Throughout her life Margaret found consolation in the Blessed Sacrament, and Christ made Himself visually apparent to her. This did not surprise her, and she thought others had the same Divine assistance. Although tempted by the luxuries and distractions of the world, Margaret entered the Visitation Convent in 1572, where her visions became known. Because of her perceived “special status,” she was subjected to many trials to prove her vocation. She showed obedience, humility, and invariable charity towards those who persecuted her. First Friday Devotion Jesus recounted … [Read more...]

For World Mission Day 2019 Baptized and Sent: The Church of Christ on Mission in the World Dear Brothers and Sisters, For the month of October 2019, I have asked that the whole Church revive her missionary awareness and commitment as we commemorate the centenary of the Apostolic Letter Maximum Illud of Pope Benedict XV (30 November 1919). Its farsighted and prophetic vision of the apostolate has made me realize once again the importance of renewing the Church’s missionary commitment and giving fresh evangelical impulse to her work of preaching and bringing to the world the salvation of Jesus Christ, who died and rose again. The title of the present Message is the same as that of October’s Missionary Month: Baptized and Sent: The Church of Christ on Mission in the World. … [Read more...]

Notre Dame Seminary will host a roundtable discussion for laity to discuss the concept of “clericalism” on October 22, 2019 starting at 6:30pm.  This meeting is for laity only and will be facilitated by Sharon Rodi.  If anyone would like to participate in this program, please contact Msgr. Nalty by email or through the parish office because space is limited. … [Read more...]

September 29, 2019 To help bring families together in a spiritual activity and promote devotion to Mary, the Knights of Columbus are pleased to announce the 5th Sunday Rosary Program. Knights, their families and other parishioners are encouraged to pray the rosary as a corporate body every time a 5th Sunday occurs during a month.  This will be done this Sunday at 10:00am, before the 10:30am Mass. … [Read more...]

Last week, we commemorate the eighteenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pa. Ten years ago the bishops of the United States issued a pastoral message, Living with Faith and Hope, in which they drew on the rich resources of our Catholic faith to minister to our nation and world. Below is an excerpt from the document found here: usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/september-11/ “After September 11, we are a wounded people. We share loss and pain, anger and fear, shock and determination in the face of these attacks on our nation and all humanity. We also honor the selflessness of firefighters, police, chaplains, and other brave individuals who gave their lives in the service of others. They are true heroes and … [Read more...]