At this past Wednesday’s General Audience, Pope Leo XIV said, “The liturgical year is not a static representation of past events, but an encounter with Christ Himself, who desires to immerse His people in the mysteries of the history of salvation.” The heart of Welcome Home Sunday isn’t just asking someone back into a building, or even back into a habit. We are inviting everyone into an encounter with the living Christ, who still speaks, heals, nourishes, and sends His people forth. The Holy Father continued: “To sanctify Sunday, it is fundamental to celebrate the Eucharist. Listening to the Word and partaking of the Body of Christ entails … the coming together in one, that is, the joyful gathering of the faithful. In this assembly, the Christian community makes visible its communion with … [Read more...]
Archives for August 2026
From the Pastor – August 16, 2026
Jesus said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” (Mt. 15:26-27) For the first 36 years of my life, I spent a lot of time listening to homilies at Mass, rather than giving them. Of course, I’ve heard some amazing homilies. But I’ve also heard some that didn’t say a lot to me. One of my biggest pet peeves was when there was a line in the Gospel that begged to be explained and the homilist ignored it like nobody heard it. I think that the above quote from this Sunday’s Gospel is just that sort of quote. Think about it, did Jesus just call that woman a “dog”? That’s strong language! And she just accepted it?? First, we have to … [Read more...]
The Queenship of Mary Aug. 22
The Feast of the Queenship of Mary – the Coronation – was established in 1954 by Pope Pius XII in a document called Ad Caeli Reginam. The original date for this feast was chosen as May 31st, but was later moved to the octave day of the feast of the Assumption, August 22nd. The Catholic faith states as a dogma that Mary was assumed into heaven, and is with Jesus Christ, her Divine Son. Mary should be called Queen, not only because of her Divine Motherhood of Jesus Christ, but also because God has willed her to have an exceptional role in the work of eternal salvation. Jesus Christ as Redeemer is Lord and King. The Blessed Virgin is Queen, because of the unique manner in which she assisted in our redemption, by giving of her own substance, by freely offering Him for us, by her singular … [Read more...]
Pope St. Pius X – August 21
Pope Saint Pius X was an Italian named Giuseppe Sarto, who was born in 1835 near Treviso, Italy. He was the second born of ten children of Giovanni Battista Sarto, the village postman, and Margherita Sanson. He was baptized on June 3, 1835. Though poor, his parents valued education, and Giuseppe walked 4 miles to school each day. As a poor boy, he was often teased for his meager lunches and shabby clothes, but he never complained about this to his teachers. He eventually came to the attention of the parish priest because of his devotion to the Mass as an altar server. In 1850, at the age of 15, he was given a scholarship from Cardinal of Venice (who his parish priest had written) to attend the Seminary of Padua, where he finished his classical, philosophical, and theological studies … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – August 9, 2026
Peter said to him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Mt. 14:28-31) There are three things about the above encounter between Jesus and Peter from today’s Gospel that should make us think. First, there is the command of Jesus; second, there is the fear of Peter; and third, there is the reaction of Jesus to Peter’s lack of faith. First, we have to recognize that Jesus “commands” Peter to go across the water. If Jesus gives us a … [Read more...]
The Assumption of Mary
August 15, 2026 After the Ascension of Jesus, Mary aided the beginnings of the Church by her prayers. In her association with the apostles and several women, we also see Mary by her prayers imploring the gift of the Spirit, who had already overshadowed her in the Annunciation. Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son's Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians: “In giving birth you kept your … [Read more...]
Pornography Addiction
The internet has opened up an easy access to pornography which has become a major addiction in our society and a burden to many men. And the Church wants to help. The Archdiocese of New Orleans has a confidential Catholic 12-step program for men struggling with an addition to pornography called the “My House Men’s Group.” For more information contact (504) 430-3060 or email myhouse@archdiocese-no.org … [Read more...]
Back to School
St. Stephen Catholic School has its first day of classes on Tuesday, August 18, and we have our first weekly school Mass on August 21 at 9:00 am. I wish each parishioner could come to at least one school Mass during the year to see what well-behaved, enthusiastic, attentive and participatory students we have at St. Stephen’s. Unfortunately, most of the children that attend St. Stephen Catholic School do not live in the parish and, therefore, attend Mass at their home parish. However, you do know some of our students (and former students) who participate as altar servers at our Saturday 4:00pm Vigil and Sunday 10:30am Mass. Those young men are representative of the quality of the students that we educate here in our parish. If you know someone who is looking for a wonderful Catholic … [Read more...]
Feast of St. Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr – August 10
One of my favorite saints, and one of the patrons of the City of Rome is the Deacon-Martyr, St. Lawrence. There are actually more churches built in Rome to honor St. Lawrence in the Holy City than any other saint, including St. Peter, himself. His story of courage and his great love for the poor reveal the reasons behind these devotions. During the persecutions of the Emperor Valerian in 258 A.D., numerous priests and deacons were put to death and wealthier Christians had their wealth confiscated and were forced into exile. Pope Sixtus II was one of the first victims of this persecution, being beheaded on August 6. According to the writings of St. Ambrose, as Pope Sixtus was being lead to his death, Lawrence met him and asked: “Where are you going, my dear father, without your son? … [Read more...]
