“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” (Mk 5:1) The Nine Beatitudes are the roadmap to happiness, holiness, and Heaven. They sound so wonderful, but they stand in stark contrast to the path that the world tells us will make us happy. We should listen carefully to Jesus: The world tells us that happiness is found in wealth. Jesus says, rather, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.” The world tells us we’re happy when we don’t have anything to worry about. “Don’t worry, be happy!” Jesus says, “Blessed are those who mourn”: blessed are those who are saddened by the suffering and sinfulness they witness in the world. The world tells that that strength and power make us happy. Contrast that to the humility … [Read more...]
Blessing of the Cemeteries
On All Saints Day, Sunday, November 1, 2026, at noon, Msgr. Nalty will bless the Vincent de Paul Cemeteries on Soniat and Loyola Avenue (behind Newman School). The St Vincent de Paul Cemeteries are the resting places for many longtime parishioners of St. Stephen Church, as well as the Vincentian Priests and Daughters of Charity who served our parish for over 150 years. On the same day at 12:30pm Msgr. Nalty will bless the St Joseph Cemeteries on Washington Avenue and Loyola, another place where many parishioners are buried. Many people take the occasion of the blessing as a time to beautify these resting places and pray for the souls of their faithfully departed relatives, priests, religious sisters and friends. … [Read more...]
All Saints, All Souls and Halloween?
“Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name…” we pray every day. “Hallow,” there’s that word we’re hearing a lot about at this time of year. And it means “holy.” So what does “Halloween” mean, and where does it come from? The origins of Halloween are very Christian and very American. Although it’s true that the ancient Celts of Ireland and Britain celebrated a minor festival at this time of year which commemorated the end of summer and the beginning of the darkness of winter, that feast wasn’t on a specific day but tied to the position of the sun. Halloween specifically falls on the last day of October because it’s the Evening before the Feast of All Saints, or "All Hallows," which falls on November 1. So it’s All Hallow’s Eve, contracted to Hallowe’en. … [Read more...]
Remember to Pray for the Faithful Departed!
Traditionally, the Church dedicates each month of the year to a certain devotion. In November, we remember the Holy Souls in Purgatory – faithful Christians who have died and gone before us but who still must atone for their sins. The time they spend in Purgatory cleanses them so that they may enter Heaven free from all effects of sin. Praying for the dead, especially for those we have known, is a requirement of Christian charity. Our own prayers and sacrifices can be offered up to relieve their suffering. The following prayer, among others, can be incorporated into our daily prayers during this month: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. A plenary indulgence, … [Read more...]
All Hallows’ Eve
Halloween or All Hallows' Eve is not a liturgical feast on the Catholic calendar, but the celebration has deep ties to the Liturgical Year. These three consecutive days ”” Halloween, All Saints Day and All Souls Day ”” bring to mind the Communion of Believers. On earth we are called the “Church Militant,” because we are striving to get to heaven. We pray for the “Church Suffering,” the souls in Purgatory, especially on All Souls Day (and even the entire month of November). We also honor and ask the intercession of the “Church Triumphant,” those souls, whether canonized or uncanonized, who are in Heaven. In England, saints or holy people are called “hallowed,” hence All Saints Day was “All Hallow's Day.” The evening before the feast became popularly known as “All Hallows' Eve” or even … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – October 23, 2026
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” (Mt. 22:36-40) In English we use the word “love” in a lot of ways. We might use it to describe our favorite restaurant, “I love La Petite Grocery.” We might use it to describe our favorite tech device, “I love my iPhone.” Or we might use it to describe bigger things, like “I love New Orleans.” And in all of these usages, it’s used primarily as a superlative of the word “like.” When it comes to people, the usage of the word … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – October 18, 2026
“We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father, knowing, brothers and sisters loved by God, how you were chosen. For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.” (1 Thess. 1:2-5) A number of years ago, I remember the Archbishop calling all priests to a Holy Hour of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament at St. Louis Cathedral. And the way he did it was so succinctly Trinitarian. He asked us to “come let us pray with Our Lord Jesus to the Father that He will send the Holy Spirit down upon us.” I remember hearing it and having a new and different … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – October 11, 2026
“On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.” (Is. 25:6) It’s interesting how many times Sacred Scriptures describe Heaven in terms of food and drink. The “promised land” was a place flowing with “milk and honey.” Alternatively, Isaiah describes a “mountain” with “rich food and pure, choice wines.” For people living in an arid place, the idea of abundant food and drink was very appealing, especially in times of famine. But Jesus takes the analogy even further by describing a wedding banquet, something that was by far the most joyous occasions in the life of a Jew. If you think today’s wedding receptions are “over-the-top,” think again. Jewish weddings were marked by an eight day party … [Read more...]
Pope St, John Paul II
Wednesday, October 22, 2014 is the first time that the Church throughout the world will celebrate the Feast Day of Pope St. John Paul II. Pope St. John Paul II, also known as Saint John Paul the Great, was Pope from October 16, 1978 until his death on April 2, 2005. He was the second longest-serving pope in modern history after Pope Pius IX, who served for nearly 32 years from 1846 to 1878. Born in Poland, John Paul II is credited as helping to end Communist rule in his native Poland and eventually all of Europe. John Paul II significantly improved the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion. One of the most traveled world leaders in history, John Paul II visited 129 countries during his pontificate. As part of his … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
