Do you long for a way to grow your faith in God in the company of men of all ages? Journey is a gathering where men pray, read and have authentic discussion about God and their lives. Designed to not conflict with family obligations or work, Journey gathers every Friday morning from 6:00AM until 6:55AM at the Holy Name of Jesus Adoration Chapel (corner of LaSalle and Palmer) and via Zoom. It ends just in time for 7:00AM mass. No preparation is necessary, and feel free to participate as best fits your schedule. If you are interested in attending and/or being added to the weekly email reminder, please contact Dan Jens (dnljens@yahoo.com or 504-228-1415) We also open the Adoration Chapel for silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament at 5:15 for any men who enjoy prayer before … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – September 14, 2025
“And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” (Jn. 3:14-15) One of the most popular verses from all of Sacred Scripture is John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” At one time it was hard to go to a football game without seeing “John 3:16” on a sign in the end zone. And it’s a wonderful verse that calls to mind God’s love. But we need to remember the two verses preceding it (above). We know that God loves us through a variety of ways, but the way that God showed His love for us was by “giving” His Son to be sacrificed for our sins. That’s the meaning behind this Sunday’s … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – September 7, 2025
“If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Lk 14:26-27). What does it mean to be a Christian? The word was first used by St. Luke in Acts 11:26, where he recounts that: “it was at Antioch that the disciples [of Jesus] were called ‘Christians’ for the first time.” So being a Christian means being a disciple (from the Greek word for “pupil”) of Christ. If you read the Scriptural quote above, then Jesus has some pretty high standards for those who would choose to be His disciple. A disciple must “hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters and even his own life” and he must … [Read more...]
Apostolate Fair
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion have one of the most important roles in our parish community by assisting the celebrant in distributing the Body and Blood of Our Lord to those at Mass and to those who are unable to attend Mass. Adults 18 years and older who have received the three sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation) may serve as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Lectors serve the parish community in a very special way; their goal is to engage the hearts and minds of the congregation as they proclaim the Word of God. Ushers greet parishioners as they enter the church, assisting those who need help finding a seat and providing information and directions for new visitors to the church. Ushers are also responsible for taking up and … [Read more...]
The Holy Name of Mary
September 12 By St. Alphonsus de Liguori Richard of St. Laurence states "there is not such powerful help in any name, nor is there any other name given to men, after that of Jesus, from which so much salvation is poured forth upon men as from the name of Mary." He continues, "that the devout invocation of this sweet and holy name leads to the acquisition of superabundant graces in this life, and a very high degree of glory in the next." After the most sacred name of Jesus, the name of Mary is so rich in every good thing, that on earth and in heaven there is no other from which devout souls receive so much grace, hope, and sweetness. Hence Richard of St. Laurence encourages sinners to have recourse to this great name, "because it alone will suffice to cure them of all their evils;" … [Read more...]
Pope Gregory the Great – September 3
Pope St. Gregory I (540 – 604) is better known in English as Gregory the Great. He was pope from 590 until his death, and is well-known for his writings, which were more prolific than those of any of his predecessors. First and foremost, Gregory was a monk. Although Gregory was resolved to retire into the monastic lifestyle of contemplation, he was forced back into a world that, although he loved, he no longer wanted to be a part of. In texts of all genres, especially those produced in his first year as pope, Gregory bemoaned the burden of office and mourned the loss of the undisturbed life of prayer he had once enjoyed as monk. It is beyond the scope of a short article to attempt any elaborate estimate of the work, influence, and character of Pope Gregory the Great, so I’d prefer … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – August 31, 2025
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted. (Lk 14:11). What is humility? The word origin comes from the Latin word “humus,” which means “dirt.” It can have negative connotations as being “lowly” or “abased,” but Catholics tend to see humility as a virtue. And the reason for that? It’s because Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the epitome, the essence of humility. He came from the highest station possible: He is the Lord, the Creator of the Universe, the Word made Flesh, the Alpha and the Omega. And from the highest station, He chose the lowliest station on Earth. He was born in a stable. He grew up in one of the smallest backwaters of the Middle East. He became an “itinerant” preacher and had nowhere to lay his head. He owned nothing … [Read more...]
Labor Day – September 1, 2025
(The Rectory is closed) The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected--the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative. “I would like to remind everyone, especially governments engaged in boosting the world's economic and social assets, that the primary capital to be safeguarded and valued is man, the human person in his or her integrity: ‘Man is the source, the focus and the aim of all economic and social life’.” (Pope Benedict XVI, Charity in Truth [Caritas in Veritate], no. 25, … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – August 24, 2025
Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” (Lk 13:23-24). What does it mean to be “saved”? We use the word all of the time. We might save money by buying something on sale. We might save electricity by turning down the thermostat. We might save for a vacation or save our breath when in an argument against someone stubborn. We might want to save the whales, save the rain forest, save the lake or save the cemeteries, to quote some international or local causes. So what does that “someone” in the verse above mean when he asks Jesus whether “only a few will be saved.” The Greek word being used is from the root “Soter,” meaning “Savior.” … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – August 17, 2025
Jesus said to his disciples: "I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. (Lk 12:49-51). A few years ago, Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI reflected on the Gospel passage we hear this Sunday. He said: There’s a passion of ours that must grow from faith, which must be transformed into the fire of charity. Jesus said: I came to cast fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled. Origen has conveyed us a word of the Lord: “Whoever is near me is near the fire.” The Christian must not be lukewarm. The Book of Revelation tells us that this is the … [Read more...]
