“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 … [Read more...]
Join the 2014 Public Square Rosary
(with America Need Fatima and 40 Days for Life) What: The Holy Rosary Where: Near the Planned Parenthood Site (on Claiborne between Jena and Cadiz) When: October 11th at Noon For more info contact Lydia Rose at 452-5392 … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – October 5, 2014
Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?” (Mt. 21:42) In the Gospel this Sunday, Jesus quotes part of Psalm 118 about the stone rejected by the builder becoming the cornerstone. This passage was understood even by the early Church as a prophecy of His Resurrection from the dead. But – as a I learned on a trip to the Holy Land a number of years ago – there’s another interesting, more literal meaning to the passage. The Temple in Jerusalem is built using huge stones that were quarried from an area close to the city. Some of these stones are as big as school buses, and can still be seen in the “wailing wall.” Once the temple was done, the … [Read more...]
Vocation Weekend for High School and College Age Men
Come and See Vocation Discernment Weekend for high school juniors and seniors, and college- age men will be held November 7-9, 2014 at St. Joseph Seminary College, Covington, Louisiana. This is an opportunity for men who are interested in the priesthood and who would like to find out more about seminary life. There is no cost for the weekend but availability is limited on a first come, first served basis. For more information or to register, call the Archdiocesan Vocation Office at (504) 861-6298 or e-mail vocations@archdiocese-no.org. … [Read more...]
Synod for the Family in Rome
Sunday, 28 September is to be set aside as a Day of Prayer for the III Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, scheduled to take place in Rome from October 5-19 to treat the topic: The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization. We are invited to pray for this intention during Mass and at other liturgical celebrations, in the days leading to the synod and during the synod itself. In Rome, in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, prayers will be recited each day in the chapel of the icon, Salus Populi Romani. The faithful, individually but above all in families, are invited to join in these prayers. The suggested prayers include the Prayer to the Holy Family for the Synod, composed by Pope Francis, as follows: Prayer to the Holy Family for the … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – September 28, 2014
Thus says the LORD: You say, ‘The LORD's way is not fair!’ Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair? (Ez. 18:25) “That’s not fair!” I can’t even imagine how many times I heard that growing up. I grew up in a house with three sisters and a brother. And one thing about us, we grew up with a strong understanding of justice. Well, justice as we defined it. When it came time to cut the pecan pie for dessert, we would scrutinize the pieces down to the last crumb. And if someone got a bigger piece, one of us would exclaim: “That’s not fair!” And if one of us was invited to spend the night at our grandparents, then a scorecard was kept. If there was not a perfect rotation so that each of us went in order, it would happen again: … [Read more...]
Prayer Ministry
The Problem with Islam by (Rev. Msgr.) Christopher H. Nalty Please don’t think that I’m trying to become the victim of a fatwa by the provocative title to this article. But there is a problem with Islam. All around the world, followers of Islam are engaging in terrible acts of brutality and violence in the name of their religion. At the same time, there has been condemnation by some more “moderate” Muslims. Why? A number of years ago, I was visiting one of my sisters, and she invited a friend of hers to dinner with us – a devout Muslim. In the midst of dinner, he began to challenge me on Christianity and it’s core belief: The Holy Trinity. He argued that God is one, to which I agreed; but he denied that God could be “three in one” as we profess in the Nicene Creed. It’s hard … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – September 21, 2014
“Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous? ‘Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.’” (Mt. 20:13-16a) A number of years ago, one of my closest friends and I were on a retreat at Manresa. Although it was a silent retreat, several of my buddies and I used to sneak out to the levee late on the last evening of the retreat as kind of “debriefing.” I remember looking up at the starry sky and my friend saying: “Wouldn’t it be great to have a ‘simple faith,’ like a farmer. You just got up in the morning, did the farm work, went back into the house in the evening and prayed for good … [Read more...]
Priest Convention & Daily Masses
Next week is the annual Archdiocese of New Orleans Priest Convention. Fr. Doug and Msgr. Nalty will be unavailable from September 23-25. Please contact the parish office for emergencies. Mass will continue at St. Henry Church at 6:30am all week, and the 6:00pm Mass at St. Stephen’s will be celebrated by Fr. Menard because Fr. Chambers is out of town due to the death of his brother, John. Please keep the Chambers family in your prayers during their time of loss. … [Read more...]
Second Harvest Helpline
The Second Harvest Helpline is a toll-free number that assists community members with public assistance applications (SNAP, CCAP, Kinship Care, FITAP, and Child Support), emergency food assistance, and referrals for specialized services and programs. Those in need of services can call 1-855-392-9398 for assistance. Second Harvest Community Advocates are availableMonday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and can assist English and Spanish-speaking clients over the phone or schedule a meeting in-person. … [Read more...]
