In Memory of . . . Bennie Vance Atkins, Ceila Atkins, Herman Bastian Sr, Lydia Maria Bastian, Phillip Bellini, Mr & Mrs Elmo J. Bourgeois, Brandon Brimmer, Rodney & Rose Bullen, Marie Louise Broussard Brown, Marlene Brown, Neely Brown, John Brunet Sr, Bernard Caillouet, Doris Pinseau Caillouet, Odile & Albert Ceasar, James & Ernestine Charlebois, Robert Charlebois, Carol Clanton, Hurlin & Ruby Daire, Beverly Davis, Frank H. “Happy” Davis Jr, Charles & Mary Ann Doyle, Mary & Alvin Rudy Eason, Sonia Lopez Eisele, Hugh & Donie Evans, Hugh Evans Jr, Claire Brown Fair, Hazel Fair, Leland Fair, Leonard Fair, William Fair, Lewis Fawcett, Patricia Fleming, David Forly, Robert Fuentes Jr, Aaron “Skip” Gamble, Armen Gamble, Lilian Gamble, Joan Glynn, Larry Harlaux, … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – November 16, 2025
“They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony.” (Lk 21:12-13) What does it mean when Christ tells us that “they will persecute you”? We can easily look at the history of the Church and see persecution, beginning with our very own St. Stephen, the first martyr. The first “official” persecutions began in 1st century Rome and were conducted by the emperor Nero. Those early persecutions led to the Great Persecution of the 3rd century by the Roman Empire, persecutions that didn’t end until Christianity was legalized in 313 A.D. We can look at the persecutions of Christians by the Moslem invasion in North Africa, which led to the … [Read more...]
Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions
November 2025 For the prevention of suicide Let us pray that those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts might find the support, care, and love they need in their community, and be open to the beauty of life. Please pray for the intentions of the Holy Father! … [Read more...]
First Friday Devotion
Jesus recounted the following to St. Margaret Mary, and this devotion has been recognized by the Church: “To all those who, during nine months on end, will receive Holy Communion on the first Fridays of every month. I promise the Grace of final perseverance. They will not die in My disgrace, but will receive the Sacraments (if necessary), and My Heart will be sure shelter for them in that extreme moment.” The First Friday promises of our Lord to St. Margaret Mary: 1. I will give them graces necessary for their state of life. 2. I will establish peace in their houses. 3. I will comfort them in all their afflictions. 4. I will be their strength during life and during death. 5. I will bestow a large blessing upon all their undertakings. 6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the … [Read more...]
Feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Sts. Peter and Paul – November 18
The Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican (photo left), is the second patriarchal church at Rome (after the Basilica of St. John Lateran), and under the main altar lies the precious mortal remains of St. Peter, the “rock” on which Christ built his Church. St. Peter was martyred during the persecutions of the Emperor Nero from 64-67 B.C. He was crucified upside down in Nero’s circus (arena) for the enjoyment of the crowds and to cast blame away from Nero after the Great Fire of Rome in July, 64 A.D. He was originally buried originally in a simple grave on the Vatican Hill. The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the walls (photo right) lies over the remains of St. Paul, who was martyred during the same persecutions. Since Paul was a Roman citizen (having been born in Tarsus), he could not be … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – November 2, 2025
“And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it [on] the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him [on] the last day.” (Jn. 6:39-40) One of the more obvious jobs of a pastor is presiding over liturgical events, whether it’s Sunday Masses, weddings or funerals. We are currently in the fall New Orleans wedding season, during which I have at least one wedding every weekend. But I’ve also provided over a few funerals recently. Although most people understand the purpose of a funeral, some people don’t. They might call it a “celebration of a life.” While I am always happy that someone led a holy, exemplary life, … [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...]
From the Pastor – October 26, 2025
“God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.” (Lk 18:11) I recently heard a quote to the effect that “there are only two types of people in the world: saints who think they are sinners and sinners who think they are saints.” That pretty much sums up the two characters in today’s Gospel. The Pharisee has justified his life, and the Publican has condemned his own. In truth, each of these men was a sinner in some way. As the Evangelist John said: If we say that we have not sinned, then we make God a liar, and His word has no place in our hearts (1 Jn 1:10). So what separates the two men? Simply one fact. One acknowledged the reality of his life and the reality of his sin, and one didn’t. And having recognized the reality … [Read more...]
Blessing of the Cemeteries
On All Saints Day, Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 11:00am, Msgr. Nalty will bless the St Vincent Cemeteries on Soniat and Loyola Avenue (behind Newman School). These 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. At 11:30am, Msgr. Nalty will bless St Joseph Cemetery located at 2220 Washington Ave. If you care to attend, an indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful who devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, even if only mentally, for the departed. The indulgence is plenary each day from the 1st to the 8th of November; it is partial on other days of the year. To acquire a plenary indulgence, one must fulfill … [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...]
