Job spoke, saying: Is not man's life on earth a drudgery? Are not his days those of hirelings? He is a slave who longs for the shade, a hireling who waits for his wages. So I have been assigned months of misery, and troubled nights have been allotted to me. (Job 7:4)
Most of us know the story of Job. He was faithful to God, but God let the devil take away all of Job’s possessions, kill all of his children and ruin his health. And despite his misfortunes, Job does not curse God. But that doesn’t stop him from bemoaning his situation. The passage above reflects his poor attitude, but it speaks to a truth. The world often imposes on us many miseries. We get tired and frustrated with work. We get in arguments with family members and friends. We get sick, we can’t pay the bills, and we worry about the future of ourselves and our country.
So what’s the solution? Recently I’ve been doing marriage preparation for a number couples, and one of the things that I’ve been noticing is the number of couples who don’t go to Mass every Sunday, but only once or twice a month. I wonder how many people don’t realize that missing Sunday Mass is a serious sin? If it involves full knowledge and full consent, then it is a mortal sin. Remember, all three conditions (grave offense, full knowledge, and full consent) have to be present for a sin to be a mortal sin. God says to “keep holy the Sabbath.” And Jesus showed us how to worship when He gathered His apostles at Last Supper and instituting the Holy Eucharist. He commands us to “take this all of you and eat of it…do this in memory of me.” As followers of Jesus, we are obligated to keep holy the Sabbath by attending Sunday Mass. It is a grave obligation.
But there’s something else going on here. Let’s look at it from Job’s point of view. When Job was focusing on the things of the world – the things he’d lost – he was miserable. But then God spoke to him, and told Job that he was seeing the whole picture. Job didn’t understand that his suffering had a purpose. And once Job acknowledged that he was short-sighted, he no longer bemoaned his condition.
Sunday Mass is the time of the week that we allow God to speak to us and help us understand our own condition. In a sense, we “climb the mountaintop” and come into Holy Communion with God. And when we’re up on that mountain contemplating the most important things like life, death, love and eternity, we should be able to look back down into “the valley” and get some perspective on our worldly problems. They’re not going to disappear while we’re in Mass, but in the grand scheme of things, worldly troubles should pale in the face of God’s Divine Love. Sunday Mass helps us more than we’ll know until we see God face to face. (Rev. Msgr.) Christopher H. Nalty
From the Pastor - January 29, 2012
I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kindred, and will put my words into the mouth of the prophet; the prophet shall tell them all that I command. Whoever will not listen to my words which he speaks in my name, I myself will make him answer for it. (Dt. 18:18-19)
In the Acts of the Apostles, both St. Peter (3:22) and, St. Stephen (7:37) quote the above passage as referring to Jesus. Jesus is the prophet who came to teach us (in word and deed) how to live according to God’s plan and attain the Kingdom of Heaven. And when the time came, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit upon His Apostles to guide them and us through the Holy Catholic Church. But Jesus foretold that some would not listen to His words, and He warned us that we would be persecuted for following Him.
When we think of persecution, we usually think of the martyrs of the early centuries of Christianity. Most people don’t realize that there were more martyrs for Christianity in the 20th century than in all of the previous 19 centuries combined. And persecution still exists. And it even exists in our own country. The Church is ridiculed, mocked and ignored, especially when it speaks the truth regarding fundamental issues of life and human sexuality. Abortion – the intentional killing of innocent unborn children – is accepted as some sort of Constitutional right. State governments have passed laws redefining marriage – an institution of mutual complementary self-giving between a man and a woman ordered to the procreation of children – as also including same sex relationships, which are in and of themselves infertile. The Church has also had to close adoption facilities when they would be forced to place children into same-sex relationships.
And the stakes have gotten higher. Just last week, the current Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in the Obama Administration issued a ruling that Catholic employers and organizations must pay for sterilization and all FDA-approved contraceptives, including drugs that can cause an early abortion. Never before in U.S. history has the federal government forced citizens to directly purchase what violates their beliefs. The Bill of Rights says we are free to live by our religious beliefs. Forcing us to buy coverage for sterilization and contraceptives, including drugs that induce abortion, is a radical incursion into freedom of conscience. This is not a matter of economics and healthcare, it is a suppression of the Church’s right to preach and live the Gospel. Archbishop Aymond – joined with all of the bishops of the United States – has asked each of us to notify our Congressional representatives and register our outrage. I have done so. Here is a way that you can do the same: www.usccb.org/conscience . All that is necessary for evil to triumph in the world is for good people to do nothing. I hope you will join me in the battle for our beliefs. (Rev. Msgr.) Christopher H. Nalty
Palm Sunday Branches Needed
Last Year's Palm Sunday Branches Needed!
Each year the blessed palms from Palm Sunday are burned to make the ashes for Ash Wednesday. We will burn them at the Masses next weekend. Since the palms are blessed, burning is the suitable way to dispose of them. Please remember to bring them to Mass next weekend and place them in the brass urns in the back of the church. Thank you!
St. Joseph Altar
Next week we are having “FLOUR and SUGAR SUNDAY.” Please consider brining a bag of flour or sugar and placing it in the large wooden box at the entrance of the church. The flour will be used for backing the St Joseph's Altar cookies. The workshop for making cookies will be announced soon!
Ya’ Mama was Pro-Life, dahlin’!
Americans United for Life released their seventh annual “Life List” this week – a ranking of all 50 states based on the way each addresses a comprehensive list of life issues – from abortion to euthanasia. For the second time in three years, Louisiana tops the list, followed closely by Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Nebraska and Arkansas. But we should never stop working and praying until the government of our country changes the law to protect human life in the womb. Every biological textbook teaches that human life begins when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg. From that moment on, that unborn child should be protected. Please join us in prayer each Saturday at 11:00am outside of the abortion clinic located at 3500 St. Charles Avenue (next door to the Capital One bank near the Louisiana Avenue intersection).
The Mass Explained Study Groups
Beginning on Tuesday, February 28 at 6:30pm (after the evening Mass) and continuing each Tuesday of Lent, we will have a study group to discuss a book written by Msgr. James P. Moroney called “The Mass Explained.” Please contact Phillip Bellini, Director of Religious Education if you would like to participate so that we can be sure to order enough books.
Msgr. Moroney is a consultor to the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments and served as Secretary for the Pontifical Commission Vox Clara that guided the new English translation of the Roman Missal.
Mardi Gras Madness
Thursday, February 16, Friday February 17, Saturday, February 18 and Monday, February 20 Tent in front of church set up with tables and chairs, BYOB drinks, pot luck, electric BBQ grill available.
Sunday, February 19 Sales of Jambalaya, Bread Pudding, Soft Drinks and Beer
Please call the parish office, if you are able to help on Sunday, February 19!!
Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions
February 2012
General Intention Access to Water. That all peoples may have access to water and other resources needed for daily life.
Missionary Intention Health Workers. That the Lord may sustain the efforts of health workers assisting the sick and elderly in the world's poorest regions.
Please pray for the intentions of the Holy Father!
For all? For many? For whom?
I have received quite a few questions about the language change in the translation of the Consecration of the Precious Blood in the Eucharistic prayer from “it will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven” to “it will be poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Rather than reinvent the wheel, I include below the answers to six questions that have come from the website of the United States Conference for Catholic Bishops:
1. What does the decision regarding the translation of pro multis mean? After having consulted with Conferences of Bishops throughout the world, Pope Benedict XVI determined that the translation of qui pro vobis et pro multis effundetur in remissinem peccatorum, presently translated “which will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven,” will be changed in the new edition of the Roman Missal to “which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (See circular letter from Francis Cardinal Arinze to Presidents of Conferences of Bishops , dated October 17, 2006 [Prot. no. 467/05/L]).
2. Why did the Holy Father choose to translate pro multis as “for many” and not as “for all”? For many is a more accurate translation of the Latin phrase pro multis than the present translation. This is also the wording used in the Biblical narrative account of the Last Supper found in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark:
Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28).
Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many (Mark 14:24).
3. Does this mean that Christ did not die for everyone? No. It is a dogmatic teaching of the Church that Christ died on the Cross for all men and women (cf. John 11:52; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Titus 2:11; 1 John 2:2). The expression “for many,” while remaining open to the inclusion of each human person, is reflective also of the fact that this salvation is not brought about in some mechanistic way, without one’s own desire or participation; rather, the believer is invited to accept in faith the gift that is being offered and to receive the supernatural life that is given to those who participate in this mystery, living it out in their lives as well so as to be numbered among the many to whom the text refers.
4. What is the significance of “for many” in this context and in the context of the Gospel? With these words, Jesus identifies his mission to bring salvation through his Passion and Death, his offering of himself for others. In a particular way he identifies himself with the Suffering Servant of the Prophet Isaiah, who suffers to take away the sins of many (Is 53:12).
5. What will this mean for the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy when the Roman Missal, Third Edition, is introduced? When the change is first introduced with the Roman Missal in Advent 2011, the shift from for all to for many could be misunderstood as some sort of narrowing of the scope of Jesus salvific action. It will be important to keep in mind the context of the narrative both in the Gospel and in the liturgical action. In the context of the Last Supper, Jesus was speaking to the Twelve, extending the reach of his sacrifice beyond the boundary of his closest disciples. In the context of the celebration of the Eucharist, the phrase for you and for many connects the particular gathered assembly with the larger sense of the Church in every time and place, as if to say not only you gathered here, but many more as well. In this regard, for many has an eschatological meaning beyond some particular limited number.
6. What is happening to this text in other languages? The 2006 circular letter was addressed not only to the United States or to the English-speaking world, but to all Conferences of Bishops and all language groups. For example, in Spanish, what had been translated as “por todos” will now be translated as “por muchos.” That change will be implemented when the Spanish translation of the Roman Missal is approved and published for the dioceses of the United States of America.
Good Stewardship
An article on the front page of last Thursday’s Times-Picayune saddened me somewhat. It said that out of all religious groups in America, the group that gave the smallest percentage of their income to their church were Catholics. While Mormons generally give the Biblical 10% we call “tithing,” and while the average churchgoer in the United States gives 2.4 %, Catholics give the lowest percentage of every other religion.
And before you think the reason I was saddened is because our church is need of repairs or because we need more money to operate, let me tell you the real reason: giving to charity shows a great reliance on God, and God rewards a cheerful giver. Ever since I began “tithing,” God has given me more blessings than I can imagine. And as He gives me more, I try to give more away.
Collections in our parish cover less than 50% of our parish expenses. With the costs of insurance, salaries, utilities and upkeep, we have a tough time. Without some generous benefactors donating at year’s end, we would be in bad shape! We’re a parish that is very generous to the poor, but we also need to be good stewards of our church and buildings that have been left to us by past generations. Consider the following: If you give less than $5 into the collection each week, perhaps you can raise it to $5. And if you give more than $5, perhaps you can raise your contribution by 25%.
Thanks for your consideration!
A Thank You Letter
December 15, 2011
When the song of the angels is stilled When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner, To rebuild the nations, To bring peace among others, To make music in the heart. Howard Thurman
Dear Parishioners,
This is the season of giving and we are so grateful for your wonderful gift of socks, gloves, tshirts and toiletries. These are wonderful treats for our guests . This is an acknowledgement of this donation to Lantern Light, Inc. and that you have received no goods or services in return for this donation. Thank you very much for your help in spreadingjoy and blessings to all of God’s people!
The cold weather is here. Our guests are enjoying the warm mittens and hats, the hot chocolate, and the other items that your generosity makes possible. We usually can’t make snowmen here but when the weather is in the 30 to 60 range it is cold to those who have to be out in it day and night. Their way of life is often difficult to imagine.
Our website, lanternIight.org , has been revamped and you can keep updated on our news and refer others to it to for information about Lantern Light. Do check it out!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! With gratitude and wishes of peace and joy, The Presentation Sisters 1802 Tulane Ave. New Orleans, LA
St. Blaise Throat Blessing
Friday, February 3 after 6:30am (rectory) and 8:30am (church) Masses
On Friday, February 3 the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Blaise, the bishop of Sebaste in Armenia who was martyred in the year 316. The oldest accounts tell us that Blaise was a physician at Sebaste before he was made bishop. At the time of the early 4th century persecution under Licinius, he was taken prisoner at the command of the governor, Agricolaus. After suffering various forms of torture St. Blase was beheaded.
The most popular story attributed to St. Blaise occurred while he was in prison, when he cured a young a boy with a fishbone in his throat who was in danger of choking to death. That story, and the fact that St. Blaise had been a doctor, made the saint very popular for intercessory prayer for throat ailments.
At an early date, the veneration of this Eastern saint was brought into Europe, and Blaise became one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages. Numberless churches and altars were dedicated to him.
On the his feast the blessing of St. Blaise will be given in St. Stephen Church. The blessing of the throat is carried out using two white taper candles that were blessed on the previous day, February 2, the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas Day) . The white color of the candles symbolizes purity. A red ribbon draped over the base of the candles symbolizes the martyrdom of St. Blaise. The candles are grasped in an X-shape and held up to the throat of the person receiving the blessing: "Through the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Online Donations
The convenience of electronic giving!
Good Shepherd Parish is pleased to announce that we have completed the preparation to offer electronic giving as a way to automate your regular donations. Electronic giving is convenient for you and provides much-needed donation consistency for the parish.
Set up automated donations to Good Shepherd and you’ll never again have to worry about finding your envelopes or check book before Mass. You may have your donation transferred automatically from your bank checking/savings account OR your credit card. You select the donations you want to make, the amount and the frequency (weekly, semi-monthly, monthly), then you don’t have to think about it again unless you want to make a change. You may donate to parish stewardship/regular collections, the poor fund, the restoration fund... even help us cover the cost of your weekly Clarion Herald.
You may also complete and return a paper authorization form . Return it in a sealed envelope to Dianne Caverly in the parish office, and she will set up a recurring donation according to your specific instructions.
There is a fee, paid by the parish, to use this service. The checking/savings account fee is $0.25 per transaction. The credit card fees are a percentage of your donation, approximately 3% of the total ($3.00 per $100.00 donation). YOU choose the most convenient way to donate; Good Shepherd will cover the fee.
Your donation will be processed by Vanco Services, LLC. Vanco processes electronic donations for more that 10,000 churches and nonprofit organizations. If you have any questions about the program, please call Dianne Caverly at the parish office.
Good Shepherd Parish frequently receives calls from “parishioners” to have their children baptized, get a school voucher, get married or serve as a godparent. In order for the parish to agree to these things, you must be a “registered” and “contributing” parishioner. This isn’t our rule; it’s the rule of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. All information is kept in strict confidence by the parish.
To be “registered” at Good Shepherd Parish means that (1) you have completed a parish census form or have registered online , (2) you use parish envelopes or checks for donations.
And now we’ve made it easier for you. You can now register online. Just click here. It’s free, and we promise not to SPAM you. But we will occasionally keep you informed of important information. And in the case of parish events, you will be the first to know!
Confession Times at Good Shepherd
Saturdays at 3:00pm (before the 4:00pm Vigil Mass)
Sundays at 9:30am (before the 10:30am Mass)
Adoration at Good Shepherd Parish
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. (Mt. 11:28)
There are two opportunities to participate in Eucharistic Adoration in our parish. Every Tuesday, there is a Holy Hour from 5:00-6:00pm in the church prior to the 6:00pm Mass and a Holy Hour every Thursday from 7:00-8:00am in the Rectory chapel immediately following the 6:30am Mass.
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Last Year's Palm Sunday Branches Needed!
Next week we are having “FLOUR and SUGAR SUNDAY.” Please consider brining a bag of flour or sugar and placing it in the large wooden box at the entrance of the church. The flour will be used for backing the St Joseph's Altar cookies. The workshop for making cookies will be announced soon!
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. (Mt. 11:28)