In the pilgrimage of this life, hidden with Christ in God and free from enslavement to wealth, they aspire to those riches which remain forever and generously dedicate themselves wholly to the advancement of the kingdom of God and to the reform and improvement of the temporal order in a Christian spirit. Among the trials of this life they find strength in hope, convinced that "the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that will be revealed in us" (Rom. 8:18). -Apostolicam actuositatem, Prayer for the Protection of Religious LibertyO God our Creator, from your provident hand we have received our … [Read more...]
What is Ordinary Time?
The Christmas Season officially concluded on the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord last Sunday, and Monday we began “Ordinary Time” with the colors of the vestments and altar furnishing returning to green from the violet of Advent and the white of Christmas. What's so “ordinary” about it? Actually, “Ordinary Time” is the English translation of the Latin Tempus Per Annum (“time throughout the year”) and gets its name from the word ordinal, meaning "numbered," because we begin to count the weeks rather than the seasons. Ordinary Time, depending on the year, runs either 33 or 34 weeks, and makes up the time in the Church calendar that does not fall within the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, or Easter. The Church celebrates two periods as Ordinary Time. We just entered the first period, … [Read more...]
Eucharistic Miracles of the World
Sunday, June 23, 2019 is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). On that weekend, our parish will have the Vatican International Exhibit of Eucharistic Miracles on display. Did you know that there have been hundreds of documented cases where the bread and wine consecrated at Mass actually turned into visible flesh and blood? The exhibit showcases dozens of these cases with photos and descriptions.Catalogue of the Vatican International Exhibition With an extensive assortment of photographs and historical descriptions, the exhibition presents some of the principal Eucharistic Miracles that have taken place over the centuries and throughout the world. Most Eucharistic miracles involve incidences in which the Host has “turned into human flesh and … [Read more...]
THANK YOU, Brother Knights!
From the Knights of Columbus:On behalf of the Knights of Columbus Council, I want to thank Msgr. Nalty for allowing the Knights to conduct the Lenten Fish Fry at The Mother Pauline Center. Thanks to all the parishioners that came to the fish fry in support of our fund raising event. And to the volunteers who gave of their time and talents to prepare, cook and clean up for these meals: A HEARTY THANK YOU!We are truly blessed by the number of people who come forward to make these events the success that they are. Of the monies raised one-half will go to The K.C. Youth Expansion Program (YEP). The second half goes to Good Shepherd Parish. A check for $1,338.47 was presented to Msgr. Nalty following the 8:00 AM mass on Sunday May 19. … [Read more...]
Good Church Etiquette
An instructive reminderRemember to keep your Eucharistic fast by abstaining from food and beverages (water excluded) for an hour before Mass.Always dress modestly and appropriately. Arrive early to allow for personal prayer and/or read the readings of the day.Turn off all mobile devices while still in the vestibule. This is your time with God and His people.Use the restroom before or after Mass. Men remove hats or caps before the Lord.Deposit all water bottles in the waste receptacles.Make the sign of the cross with Holy Water upon entering.Genuflect with great reverence towards the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle before entering your pew. If unable to genuflect, a profound bow is respectful.Refrain from chit-chat which distracts others who are … [Read more...]
Congratulations to Maria Brady and Kate Mascari!
Archbishop Aymond will present the Order of St. Louis IX Medallion to our parishioners Maria Brady and Kate Mascari on Sunday, May 19, 2019, at 3:00 p.m. in St. Joseph Church. 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 Marie and Kate, you surely know of their work! They are two of our most diligent rectory volunteers. Both of them help us with the collection counting. Kate is also involved with the Society of St Vincent de Paul, and Maria helps with our sacramental registers. “Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me.” (Mt 25:40). … [Read more...]
Mother’s Day and May Crowning
The beginning of Mother's Day in the United States is usually attributed to a declaration made in 1873 by Julia Ward Howe in which she asked all woman to come together to work for peace. Julia is best known as the author of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” which she wrote in 1862. After the publication of the poem, Julia became more famous, and she began to give public speeches, many of which were against war. Julia had witnessed first-hand some of the worst effects of the Civil War – not only the death and disease that killed and maimed the soldiers, but the widows and orphans who were left behind. In 1870, Julia Ward Howe took on a new issue and a new cause. She determined that peace was one of the most important causes of the world. She wanted women to come together across national … [Read more...]
Corporal Work of Mercy: Feeding the Hungry
A request from Deacon Richard Eason: “The parish provides a meal service for the homeless at the Rebuild Center on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, and at the Ozanam Inn on the 4th Thursday of each month. This is a great opportunity to serve Our Lord’s neediest people and enjoy fellowship with our parishioners. The next meal service is set for March 3rd. For those interested, the meal is cooked in the kitchen of the rectory of Our Lady of Good Counsel, beginning at noon on the day before. The meal service is provided at the Please contact Dorothy ‘Dottie’ Forly,” at 242-1919. … [Read more...]
The Story of the Palms
It was a common custom in many lands of the ancient Middle East to cover in some way the path of someone thought worthy of the highest honor. In 2 Kings 9:13 Jehu, son of Jehoshaphat, was treated to this honor. Each of the four Gospels report that the people of Jerusalem gave Jesus the honor of walking on a covered path. However, in the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) we hear that the people lay their garments and cut rushes to place on the street. Only the Gospel of John specifically mentions palms. So what is the significance of the palm? The palm branch was a symbol of triumph and of victory in Jewish tradition, and is treated as such in other parts of the Bible (e.g. Leviticus 23:40 and Revelation 7:9). Based on this significance, the scene of the crowd greeting Jesus by … [Read more...]
Nine Church Walk
A traditional New Orleans devotion takes place on Good Friday next week. The “nine church walk” calls for pilgrims to walk from church to church, stopping briefly in each of nine churches, to pray and meditate on the passion of Christ. In other parts of the world, particularly in cities like Rome where churches are densely congregated, Catholics visit churches on Holy Thursday, rather than Good Friday. Traditionally, nine signifies the nine days of a novena. A wonderful novena to begin on Good Friday is the Novena for Divine Mercy, which continues until Divine Mercy Sunday.Many pilgrims begin the nine church walk at St. Stephen Church as early as 7:00 am. They will arrive in family groups, parish communities and youth groups.St. Stephen Church, St. Henry Church and Our Lady of … [Read more...]
