With Lent approaching in two weeks, I want to call attention to the changes that we may observe in the liturgies. “Austere” is the watchword for the liturgical celebrations of the Season of Lent. The Church has proclaimed a time of fasting and self-denial and she teaches by example. The priest is vested in violet, “the gloomy color of affliction and mortification,” except on the Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday) when he may wear rose vestments. During Lent the sanctuary is bereft of flowers and we use less ornate linens. The Gloria is not prayed (except on the two Solemnities) and the Alleluia is entirely absent throughout Lent. Further, the use of musical instruments is limited to the accompaniment of singing. By this penitential “fast of the senses,” Holy Mother Church … [Read more...]
NOLA Catholic Experience
This month, the archdiocesan Office of Communications launched its latest initiative, the NOLA Catholic Experience blog at nolacatholicexperience.wordpress.com. With a blog team of about 12 and the blessing of Archbishop Aymond, this blog will be an outlet for New Orleans Catholics from various walks of life to share their experiences living their Catholic faith in their everyday lives. Please encourage people to go to the blog, read the messages and respond as the Holy Spirit moves them to what they hear. It is our hope that this blog will become a powerful tool in the New Evangelization and reach people where they are by telling the stories of people very much like them who live in this world but are not of this world. Again, to read the blog, go to the website above. If you would like … [Read more...]
Building Committee
 As you have heard announced at Mass, we will soon begin a push to do major restorative work on St. Stephen Church. With that in mind, the first thing that needs to be done is to make up a project report which will be given to an architect to gain an understanding of the costs involved. The first meeting of the Building Committee will be next SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3 IN THE RECTORY AT 9:00AM. If you cannot attend, but are still interested in participating, please email Msgr. Nalty at cnalty@goodshepherdparishNOLA.com  … [Read more...]
Venerable Henriette Delille
The Sisters of the Holy Family will celebrate the 170th anniversary of their founding and the 200th anniversary of the birth of their foundress, Venerable Henriette Delille. The celebration will begin with a symposium depicting the life, spirituality, genealogy and charism of Venerable Henriette Delille on Friday, November 16, 2012 from 5:00p.m – 7:00p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1100 Chartres Street. The celebration will continue on Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 11:00a.m. with a Mass in honor of the 170th anniversary of the Sisters of the Holy Family and 200th anniversary of the birth of Venerable Henriette Delille at St. Louis Cathedral, 615 Pere Antoine Alley. … [Read more...]
Religious Education Schedule 2012-2013
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) – This is a series of classes for those who are interested in either becoming Catholic or those who are curious about the teachings of the Catholic Church. Â Catholics who have not had religious instruction in a long time would also benefit from these classes. Â The classes meet every Wednesday night at 7:00pm beginning September 5, 2012 (exclusive of Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks) until Easter in the rectory. The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) is an association established in 1562 in Rome for the purpose of providing religious education. In its modern usage, CCD is the religious teaching program of the Catholic Church for school age children to learn the basic doctrines of their faith, especially as they prepare for First Holy … [Read more...]
Update on America Code Blue
A local group of Catholic women organized a Blue Envelope Campaign which resulted in over 52,000 letters mailed from New Orleans to elected officials in Washington. The letters urged them to support legislation to overturn the HHS Mandate. The group, America Code Blue: Reporting Our Nation's Religious Freedoms, has three goals. Inform and storm Congress with letters, educate people in the pews, and attract media attention to this issue. With Archbishop Aymond's support and encouragement to involve the local parishes, the effort has been a huge success. Parishioners have expressed deep gratitude in learning more about the HHS mandate and the opportunity to unite their voices against the mandate. One voice united with thousands of others resonates loudly. Our goals in New Orleans have … [Read more...]
Questions Welcome USCCB
Nationwide Insert Summer 2012 Lately, the Church's teaching on contraception has been getting a good deal of public attention in the media. This has naturally led to people asking questions, especially if this teaching is news to them. Even as Catholics, we may be struggling with questions of our own. It's good and helpful for us to acknowledge and explore our questions. And it's healthy for us to grapple with God the Father's desire for our happiness. He understands our human nature””his Son became one of us (Jesus is true God and true man)! Jesus, through his Spirit of wisdom and knowledge, can handle the questions, struggles, or anxieties we bring to him (see Matthew 11:28). Blessed John Paul II, quoting the words of Christ, would often encourage us: “Do not be afraid!” We should … [Read more...]
Year of Faith 2012-2013
With his Apostolic Letter of October 11, 2011, Porta Fidei, Pope Benedict XVI declared that a "Year of Faith" will begin on October 11, 2012 and conclude on November 24, 2013. Â One simple way to celebrate the Year of Faith is available on this website: Â www.flocknote.com/catechism. Â If you put in your email address, you will automatically receive a daily email for each day of the Year of Faith with a brief selection from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Â By the end of the Year of Faith, you will have read the entire Catechism!! … [Read more...]
Center of Jesus the Lord is not closed
It appears that a number of people believe that the Center of Jesus the Lord is closed. The Center of Jesus the Lord Charismatic Renewal Center continues to operate at 1236 N. Rampart St. in the old Carmelite Monastery. Fr. Lance Campo is the Director; Fr. Denzil Perara is in residence; and Deacon Rodrigo Fonseca are our clergy staff. Â In the future the Center will be moving to Our Lady of Good Counsel. The date of the move will be publicized when all of the details are finalized. For information about the upcoming events or ministry of the “Center,” please call Helen/Sheila at 529-1636. … [Read more...]
Divorced people are not “outside” the Church
[What follows is a clarification from the Holy Father that you might consider handing along to any of your Catholic friends who are divorced and remarried] During the World Meeting of Families held from May 30 – June 3, 2012 in Milan, Italy a Brazilian family raised the issue of divorced couples who have remarried and cannot avail themselves of the Sacraments. Pope Benedict XVI affirmed that “this is one of the great causes of suffering for the Church today, and we do not have simple solutions. Naturally, one very important factor is prevention. This means ensuring that, from the beginning, the act of falling love is transformed in a more profound and mature decision. Another factor is that of accompanying people during marriage, to ensure that families are never alone but find authentic … [Read more...]
