Do YOU want to do something to help your disadvantaged neighbors but can’t find the time? On a limited budget yourself? Over-committed with job and family responsibilities? Now you have the opportunity to do much good with a simple and very short investment in time! From February 25, 2015 to March 25, 2015, you can go to http://www.gulfbank.com/ and look for Society of St. Vincent de Paul – St. Stephen Church. Help to vote us a grant to help us provide shelter vouchers, snack packs, groceries and hot meals at the Rebuild Center and Ozanam Inn. You may cast 1 vote per day from any valid email address. Awards will be based on the number of votes received. VOTE DAILY TO SUPPORT YOUR ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHAPTER! … [Read more...]
Morning of Spirituality for Men
February 6, 2015 By
The next Archdiocesan Morning of Spirituality for Men will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2015, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, located at 4640 Canal St. in New Orleans. The theme for our 20th Men’s Morning of Spirituality is “Music of the Spirit." Our speakers, John Blancher of Rock N Bowl and Ye Olde College Inn, Reid Wick of the Bucktown Allstars, and Jerry Christopher of Bag of Donuts will discuss how their Catholic faith guides their family lives and work in the New Orleans music industry. As always, in addition to the presentations, the day will include prayer, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic adoration and benediction, and the celebration of the Eucharist with Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond. New Orleans. For more information, please … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – February 1, 2015
February 1, 2015 By
I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kindred, and will put my words into the mouth of the prophet; the prophet shall tell them all that I command. Whoever will not listen to my words which he speaks in my name, I myself will make him answer for it. (Dt. 18:18-19) In the Acts of the Apostles, both St. Peter (3:22) and, St. Stephen (7:37) quote the above passage as referring to Jesus. Jesus is the prophet who came to teach us (in word and deed) how to live according to God’s plan and attain the Kingdom of Heaven. And when the time came, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit upon His Apostles to guide them and us through the Holy Catholic Church. But Jesus foretold that some would not listen to His words, and He warned us that we would be persecuted for following … [Read more...]
Blanket Drive
January 26, 2015 By
From Miriam Ogden: On a recent Sunday morning as I was driving home, I saw a homeless man at the red light. I stopped to give him something to eat. I asked him how he was doing. He said, not well, that he barely slept the night before because he slept on the ground and it was so cold and he did not have a blanket. I told him that God loves him and that I would pray for him. As I drove off, I felt so sad, guilty, about my wonderful bed with sheets, blankets and pillows. By the time that I got home, I realized that I had to do something. I spoke with two priests who thought that a blanket drive was a good thing. When I told Metairie Lakelawn funeral home about my idea, they really liked it and have put up a sign requesting that their employees donate a blanket by Tuesday. At which time … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – January 18, 2015
January 26, 2015 By
John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” (Jn. 1:35-36) In the readings this weekend, we have a lot of “naming” going on. John calls Jesus the “Lamb of God”: John’s disciples call Jesus “Rabbi”: Andrew refers to Jesus as the “Messiah (the Christ)” when he speaks to his brother, Simon; and Jesus calls Simon “Cephas (Peter).” It almost sounds like pledge week at a fraternity house where everyone gets a new nickname! But what we’re dealing with has both theological and practical implications. In the Bible - and in real life - names are important. In William Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, the lovers have a dialogue about their own names. It begins with Romeo hearing Juliet call his name: “O Romeo, Romeo, … [Read more...]
DO YOU KNOW… the difference between a ministry and an apostolate?
January 11, 2015 By
“Ministry pertains to the administration of a sacrament, celebration of liturgy and other liturgical rites and is specific to those with Holy Orders. “Laity spread the Gospel of Jesus and the truth of Catholicism in the secular world through whatever means they can - this is properly called an apostolate. The St. Vincent de Paul Society or the Knights of Columbus are excellent examples.” (adapted from Wikipedia, 12/18/2014) Our parish Apostolate Fair begins next weekend, January 10/11. The format will be slightly different than in years past. Every weekend, 2-3 apostolates will have information and representatives available at each mass. We hope this will make it easier to focus on those groups that interest you. The schedule is: January 10/11 Extraordinary Ministers of Holy … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – January 4, 2015
January 11, 2015 By
“And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage.” (Mt. 2:9-11) Why were the “wise men” wise? Were they wise because they knew the movements of the stars in the sky? Were they wise because they understood the seasons of the year or the movements of nature? What made them wise? The word for “wise men” is a Greek word that we transliterate as “magi.” The magi were interested in trying to understand the created world, but they searched for more. The magi might have been smart because of all of their knowledge of the physical world, but wisdom is … [Read more...]
Louisiana Life March
January 2, 2015 By
Saturday, January 24, 2014, Baton Rouge, La www.prolifelouisiana.org/LALifeMarch A group from the parish will travel to Baton Rouge on January 24 to participate in the Louisiana Walk for Life at the state capital. The trip will allow us to show our solidarity with all the other people of God in commemoration of the misguided Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision in 1973. Please let us know if you would be interested in participating in this event. We will make a final determination concerning scheduling after we find out how many people have an interest in participating. You may email Miriam Ogden at g.moscati@cox.net … [Read more...]
Tax-Free IRA Opportunity Made Available to Our Parishioners through December 31st
December 29, 2014 By
On Tuesday, December 16th, Congress passed the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014, which allows owners of IRAs over the age of 70 ½ to make tax-free contributions up to $100,000 from their plans to qualified parishes, schools, and other Archdiocese of New Orleans ministries. This gift-giving opportunity provides an excellent opportunity to make a special gift to our parish, and, at the same time, lower your taxable income for the year. This opportunity is effective only through December 31, 2014. Thank you for considering this opportunity! If you would like additional information on how to support our parish through an IRA contribution, please contact Josephine Everly (504-596-3031) or Robert Menard (504-596-3043) at the Catholic Foundation. … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – December 21, 2014
December 29, 2014 By
“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High.” (Luke 1:31-32a) A few years back I was praying the Rosary with our small group at 11:00am in front of the abortion clinic on St. Charles Avenue near Louisiana (before it closed), and I got yelled at by a Fundamentalist. Although I’m used to experiencing taunting while I’m praying in front of abortion clinics, I’m not used to being yelled at by a fellow “Christian” because I’m praying the Rosary. One would think we could take a moment to set aside our differences in a mutual effort to pray for an end to abortion! The point of the man’s rant was that I was “glorifying” Mary by saying the “Hail Mary.” He was yelling at us “Mary is dead. Why … [Read more...]
