Good Shepherd Parish – St. Stephen Catholic Church

From the Pastor – June 15, 2025

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.” (Jn 16:12-15)

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. In the early days of the Church there was no special day to honor the Holy Trinity, but that changed in the 3rd century when the Church was confronted with one of the first great heresies: Arianism. Although this heresy seems strange to us today, it stated that God the Father was always existing but that He was separate from the lesser Jesus Christ, who was created by Him. Then, the Father, working through the Son, created the Holy Spirit, who was subservient to the Son as the Son was to the Father. This belief was declared to be false by the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D., 1600 years ago this month.

Without going into too much theological detail about the controversy, we simply affirm the Nicene Creed which we recite each Sunday. In the Creed we declare that we believe in one God: “the Father, the Almighty”; His Son Jesus Christ, who is “God from God” and “one in being with the Father”; and the Holy Spirit who “proceeds from the Father and the Son” and who “with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified.” But this isn’t the only time we proclaim the Trinity. Each time we make the sign of the Cross we are praying “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” This is our declaration of our belief in the Holy Trinity: One God in Three Divine Persons.

Since it is sometimes hard to wrap our minds around the concept of “One God in Three Persons,” the Holy Trinity is best described as a mystery. But this shouldn’t trouble us, because the infinite grandeur of God is obviously so much greater than our finite minds can comprehend!

In truth, it’s not our minds that need to comprehend but our hearts. As Pope Benedict said several years ago, the Holy Trinity is a communion of love: “Jesus has revealed to us the mystery of God. He, the Son, has made us know the Father who is in heaven, and has given us the Holy Spirit, the Love of the Father and of the Son. Christian theology summarizes the truth about God with this expression: only one substance in three persons. God is not solitude but perfect communion. For this reason, the human person, image of God, is fulfilled in love, which is the sincere gift of oneself.” So the Holy Trinity may not be easily grasped in the mind, but since we’re made in God’s image, it can be experienced through love. Through the self-giving love of husband and wife God generates a child, a fruit of their love. In love we find the Trinity, because God is love.

(Very Reverend Msgr.) Christopher H. Nalty
msgr.nalty@gmail.com

Masses

St. Stephen
Saturday Vigil at 4:00 pm
Sunday at 8:00 am and 10:30 am
Sunday at 5:00 pm at OLGC

Our Lady of Good Counsel (OLGC)
Center of Jesus the Lord
Charismatic Mass
Sunday at 10 am

Weekdays Masses
Monday – Friday 6:30 am St. Henry
Tuesdays 6:00 pm St. Stephen
First Fridays 6:00 pm Latin Mass

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Tuesdays 4:45 – 5:45pm St. Stephen
Thursdays 7:00 – 8:00am St. Henry

Learn More about Adoration

Confession Times at Good Shepherd
Saturdays 3:00 – 3:45pm St. Stephen
Sundays 9:30 – 10:15am St. Stephen
Sundays 10:00 – 10:30am OLGC
First Fridays 6:30 – 7:00pm OLGC

Corpus Christi Mass and Eucharistic Procession

Sunday, June 22, 2025

All are invited to participate in a Eucharistic Procession immediately following the 10:30am Mass. The procession will exit the Church, turn right on Napoleon Avenue and then go around the school and the church before returning into the church for Benediction. It will be led by a crucifer, and we will chant Eucharistic hymns as we bring carry Jesus in the Holy Eucharist throughout our neighborhood!

We would like to invite First Communicants and young children (K-4th) to wear white attire to lead the procession.

Trinity Sunday

Trinity Sunday, also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, is celebrated a week after Pentecost Sunday in honor of the most fundamental of Christian beliefs—belief in the Holy Trinity. We can never fully understand the mystery of the Trinity, but we can sum it up in the following formula: God is three Persons in one Nature. The three Persons of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—are all equally God. They cannot be divided. As the above diagram shows, each person of the Holy Trinity is a separate person, having been identified as such in the Holy Bible, but each are also the One True God. It’s why we make the sign of the cross in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, rather than the “names.” It’s a profound mystery that many other religions reject. It’s not something that is easily explainable, but it was revealed by Jesus Christ through His Divine Word, and the Holy Spirit has filled our hearts and minds to help us understand it. We reinforce our belief in the Holy Trinity each time we make the sign of the cross.

The origins of the celebration of Trinity Sunday go back to the Arian heresy of the fourth century, when Arius denied the divinity of Jesus Christ by denying that there are three Persons in God. To stress the doctrine of the Trinity, the Fathers of the Church composed prayers and hymns that were recited on Sundays as part of the Divine Office, the official prayer of the Church. Eventually, a special version of that office began to be celebrated on the Sunday after Pentecost, and the Church in England, at the request of St. Thomas à Becket (1118-1170), was granted permission to celebrate Trinity Sunday. The celebration of Trinity Sunday was made universal by Pope John XXII (1316-34).

For many centuries, the Athanasian Creed was recited at Mass on Trinity Sunday. While seldom read today, the creed can be read privately or recited with your family to revive this ancient tradition.

Upcoming Celebrations

The Most Holy Trinity
June 15, 2025

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
June 22, 2025

PRAYER OF GRATITUDE FOR THE GIFT OF A NEW POPE

Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd and High Priest,
we praise you and offer you our sincere gratitude
for calling Pope Leo XIV to serve as the shepherd of the universal church.
May he lead us as a loving shepherd
who cares for his flock and seeks out the lost sheep.
May he be for us a gentle and listening father,
a faithful teacher and a steward of your sacred mysteries.
Grant him health, strength, and wisdom.
Strengthen the bonds of unity among us
so that we may serve you as one body.
Purify us and sustain us in charity
for your love for us never fails.
Grant that we may boldly answer your call to mission.
You who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

Coat of Arms of Pope Leo XIV

Blazon
The left field is blue with a silver fleur-de-lis; the right is white, with a flaming heart pieced by an arrow, entirely red, and resting on an uncovered book.
Above the shield there is a silver mitre, adorned with three gold bands joined by a gold vertical post, with fluttering red infulae, fringed with gold and adorned with gold crosses; in front of the infulae there are the crossed Petrine keys, gold (bend) and silver (bend sinister), linked by a red cord.

Explanation
The coat of arms of the Holy Father Leo XIV

On the left field of the coat of arms of the Holy Father Leo XIV, the blue background recalls the heights of the heavens and is characterized by its Marian significance, a classic symbol referring to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the lily or fleur-de-lis (flos florum).

In the other field, white in color, there is the emblem of the Augustinian Order, a flaming heart pieced by an arrow. This image symbolically represents the words of Saint Augustine in the book of Confessions: “Sagittaveras tu cor meum charitate tua” (“You have wounded my heart with your love”). It is an element that has always been present in the emblem of the Augustinians from the sixteenth century onwards, albeit with several variations, such as the presence of the book symbolizing the Word of God capable of transforming the heart of every man, as it was for Augustine. The book also recalls the enlightened works that the Doctor of Grace gave to the Church and humanity. White (in an ivory shade in the papal coat of arms) is a recurrent colour in other coats of arms of religious orders, and can be read as a symbol of holiness and purity.

The motto, “In Illo uno unum” (“In the one Christ we are one”), recalls the words of Saint Augustine in a sermon, the Exposition on Psalm 128, explaining that “in the one Christ we are one”, “one in the One Christ.”

The Orans Posture

The Latin word “orans” is translated as “one who is praying.” The “orans posture” is praying while lifting up one’s hands. This posture of prayer has a Scriptural basis in First Timothy: “I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.” (1Tim. 2:8).

The orans posture was common in early Christianity and can be seen in early Christian art. Several of the early Church Fathers saw it as “the outline of the cross.”

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (the “rubrics,” or rules for the celebration of the Mass) references the orans posture with the phrase “with hands extended.” It is instructed to be done twenty-eight times and is used as a direction only for the priest; the laity are never directed to pray “with hands extended.”

Among the laity this practice reemerged with the charismatic renewal in the 1970’s. Used first in private prayer, it has worked its way into the Liturgy. It is a legitimate gesture to use when praying, as history shows; however, its use as a private gesture in the Mass can conflict with the system of signs which the rubrics are intended to protect.

There are some priests that instruct the faithful to assume the orans posture at Mass during the recitation of the Our Father. This is incorrect. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy states that: “no person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority.” If a handful of people are innocently praying in the orans posture during the Our Father, most priests are not going to go out of his way to embarrass them or cause them to feel uncomfortable. Their action is probably not a distraction to anyone around them, but it is not part of the rubrics of the Mass.

Gift of the Holy Spirit

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are gifts which assist us in furthering our sanctification and help “complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them.” The term “gift” means that the Holy Spirit bestows them; they are supernatural gifts operating in a supernatural manner. They are not gifts one simply invokes in times of emergency. The gifts are enumerated in Isaiah 11:2-3.

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are:
Wisdom – The gift of wisdom allows us to see God at work in our lives and in the world. For the wise person, the wonders of nature, historical events, and the joys and sorrows of our lives take on deeper meaning.

Understanding – The gift of understanding allows us to comprehend how we should to live as a follower of Jesus Christ. A person with understanding is not confused by the conflicting messages in our culture about the correct way to live. Similar to “common sense,” the gift of understanding perfects a person’s speculative reason in the apprehension of truth. St. Thomas Aquinas described it is as a gift “whereby self-evident principles are known.”

Counsel (Right Judgment) – The gift of right judgment allows us to see the difference between right and wrong, and to choose to do what is right. A person with right judgment avoids sin and lives out the values taught by Christ. This gift of truth allows the person to respond prudently and happily to God’s commandments.

Fortitude (Courage) – The gift of fortitude allows us to overcome our fears and to be willing to take risks as a follower of Christ. A person with courage is willing to stand up for what is right in the sight of God, even if it means accepting rejection, condemnation, or even physical injury and death. Courage gives us the firmness of heart to do good and endure evil.

Knowledge – By the gift of knowledge, we understand knowledge of the meaning of God’s Revelation, especially as expressed in the life and words of Jesus Christ. A person with knowledge is always learning more about Scriptures, Sacred Tradition and the teachings of the Church. It is not simply an accumulation of facts and figures.

Piety (Reverence) – With the gift of piety or reverence, have a deep sense of respect for God and the Church. A person with reverence recognizes our total reliance on God and comes before God with humility, trust, and love. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote that Piety “is the gift whereby, at the Holy Spirit’s instigation, we pay worship and duty to God as our Father.”

Fear of the Lord – Fear of the Lord is more closely related to “awe,” and allows us to be aware of the glory and majesty of God. A person with wonder and awe knows that God is the perfection of all we desire: perfect knowledge, perfect goodness, perfect power, and perfect love. This gift is described by St. Thomas Aquinas as a fear of separating oneself from God. He describes the gift as a “filial fear,” like a child’s fear of offending his father, rather than a “servile fear,” that is, a fear of punishment.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are something for which we need to pray. We beg the Holy Spirit to give us these gifts! And here is a good traditional prayer:

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who, before ascending into heaven, didst promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thy Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me, that He may perfect in my soul the work of Thy grace and Thy love.

Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Thy divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining Heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with Thee, and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God, and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Thy true disciples and animate me in all things with Thy Spirit. Amen.

Catholic Community Foundation Seeks Saint John Paul II Award Nominations

The Catholic Community Foundation (CCF) is seeking nominations for the 25th annual Saint John Paul II Award. Names of nominees and related information must be submitted by Sunday, June 1, 2025. A nomination form, which includes submission details, can be downloaded from the foundation’s website at www.ccfnola.org. The award will be presented to an outstanding Catholic layperson(s) or permanent deacon who resides in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and who exhibits inspirational examples of generosity and Christian stewardship. Award criteria include: Practicing Roman Catholic layperson or permanent deacon, High moral character, Volunteer service and board membership, Exemplary personal values. Contact Pamela Richard at prichard@ccfnola.org with questions.

Ordination to the Priesthood 2025

On Saturday, May 31 at 10:00 am, Archbishop Aymond will ordain Deacon Joseph Grayson Martello to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of New Orleans at the Cathederal-Basilica of St. Louis, King of France. All are welcome to attend the ordination Mass. For those that cannot attend, the Mass will be streamed live at thedailymass.com.

Home Middle #3 Widget

This is a widgeted area which is called Home Middle #3. It is using the Genesis - Featured Page widget to display what you see on the Metric child theme demo site. To get started, log into your WordPress dashboard, and then go to the Appearance > Widgets screen. There you can drag the Genesis - Featured Page widget into the Home Middle #3 widget area on the right hand side. To get the image to display, simply upload an image through the media uploader on the edit post screen and publish your page. The Featured Page widget will know to display the post image as long as you select that option in the widget interface.

Take a 360 Degree Tour of the Basilica

Our 4pm Vigil Mass is livestreamed on our Facebook page.