The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the Extraordinary Form will be celebrated on First Friday, June 2, 2023 at the Marian Altar in the Basilica of St Stephen Church. … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2023
From Archbishop Aymond in the Clarion Herald
May 27, 2023 By
Q: With the summer heat about to arrive, the norm is for people in New Orleans to dress down even more casually than they do at other times of the year. The issue of church attire is a sensitive one – especially in an area where it’s hot nine months out of the year. What’s your perspective on how people should dress for Mass? Archbishop Aymond: I have a variety of feelings about this. There’s a part of me that remains grateful to God that a person is in church, regardless of how he or she is dressed. I certainly realize there are individual circumstances where a person may have other responsibilities and is not able to dress in what we might consider an appropriate manner, so I want to be sensitive to that. At the same time, the church is a sacred place – truly holy ground. It is a … [Read more...]
Nominations Sought for 2023 St. John Paul II Award
May 27, 2023 By
The Catholic Community Foundation (CCF) is seeking nominations for the 26th annual Saint John Paul II Award. Names of nominees and related information must be submitted to CCF by Sunday, June 11, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. 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(s) or permanent deacon High moral character Volunteer service and board memberships Exemplary personal values https://ccfnola.org/sjpii-award-nomination … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – May 28, 2023
May 27, 2023 By
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. (Acts 2:1-4) Today we celebrate the Feast of the Pentecost, which commemorates the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, an event which occurred fifty days (including Easter Sunday) after the Resurrection. Historically and symbolically, Pentecost is related to the Jewish Festival of Weeks, celebrating the day (occurring fifty days after the Exodus) on … [Read more...]
Corpus Christi Mass and Eucharistic Procession
May 27, 2023 By
Sunday, June 11, 2023 All are invited to participate in a Eucharistic Procession immediately following the 10:30am Mass on June 11. 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 lead by a crucifer, and we will chant Eucharistic hymns as we bring carry Jesus in the Holy Eucharist throughout our neighborhood! … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – May 21, 2023
May 20, 2023 By
When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven (Acts 1-9-11) Today we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension, which is the elevation of Christ into heaven by His own power in the presence of His disciples. In Sacred Scripture, this occurred on the fortieth day after the Resurrection – which was actually last Thursday, traditionally called “Ascension Thursday.” However, the celebration of the Ascension has been moved … [Read more...]
Gift of the Holy Spirit
May 20, 2023 By
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 … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – May 14, 2023
May 14, 2023 By
Beloved: Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope. (1 Pet. 3:15) For the last several years our Director of Religious Education, Phillip Bellini, has been running a series of articles in the bulletin on “Apologetics.” Since the word has the same origin as our word “apology,” often time people think that the word means to “say you’re sorry.” That’s not the case, but the origins of the words are similar. Both “apology” and “apologetics” come from the Greek word “apologia” or apologia, but the original meaning of the word has changed in our current use of the word “apology.” In the classical Greek legal system two key technical terms were employed: the prosecution delivered the “kategoria” which … [Read more...]
Upcoming Ordinations
May 8, 2023 By
On Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Louis Cathedral, Archbishop Aymond will ordain to the Transitional Diaconate Austin Barr, Jorge Gomez, and Cuong Tran for the Archdiocese of New Orleans; Paul Oyie for the Archdiocese of Tororo; and Lawrence Wumya for the Diocese of Yendi. On Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Louis Cathedral, Archbishop Aymond will ordain Deacons David Doyle, Cory Ford, Long Pham, and Kevin Seay to the Presbyterate for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – May 7, 2023
May 7, 2023 By
You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9) Somebody was recently telling me that, although he didn’t come to Sunday Mass at St. Stephen, he did pick up the bulletin and read my “sermons.” After being assured that he did go to Sunday Mass, just somewhere else, I told him that these bulletin reflections are rarely connected to my Sunday homilies. Although they can be my first thoughts on the Gospel or another one of the readings, there are only rare similarities between this column and the Sunday homily. This is one of the more typical reflections. I plan on preaching this Sunday about the Gospel, which is about Jesus “preparing a … [Read more...]
