Q: With the summer heat about to arrive, the norm is for people in New Orleans to dress down even more casually than they do at other times of the year. The issue of church attire is a sensitive one – especially in an area where it’s hot nine months out of the year. What’s your perspective on how people should dress for Mass? Archbishop Aymond: I have a variety of feelings about this. There’s a part of me that remains grateful to God that a person is in church, regardless of how he or she is dressed. I certainly realize there are individual circumstances where a person may have other responsibilities and is not able to dress in what we might consider an appropriate manner, so I want to be sensitive to that. At the same time, the church is a sacred place – truly holy ground. It is a … [Read more...]
Memorial Day
Monday, May 25, 2026 The Parish Office will be closed on Memorial Day and the morning Mass at St. Henry Church will be celebrated at 8:00am. … [Read more...]
Ordinations to the Priesthood 2026
On Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Louis Cathedral, Archbishop James Checchio will ordain Deacons Brett Christopher Barrios, Joseph Ky Thanh Bui. William Joseph Sigl and James Vu to the Presbyterate for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Reception at the Old Ursuline Convent to follow. … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – May 24, 2026
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. (Acts 2:1-4) Today we celebrate the Feast of the Pentecost, which commemorates the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, an event which occurred fifty days (including Easter Sunday) after the Resurrection. Historically and symbolically, Pentecost is related to the Jewish Festival of Weeks, celebrating the day (occurring fifty days after the Exodus) on … [Read more...]
Corpus Christi Mass and Eucharistic Procession
Sunday, June 7, 2026 Corpus Christi Mass and Eucharistic Procession. Vatican Exhibit of Eucharistic Miracles. In two weeks, we will have our annual Eucharistic Procession to show our belief in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament. … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – May 17, 2026
When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven (Acts 1-9-11) Today we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension, which is the elevation of Christ into heaven by His own power in the presence of His disciples. In Sacred Scripture, this occurred on the fortieth day after the Resurrection – which was actually last Thursday, traditionally called “Ascension Thursday.” However, the celebration of the Ascension has been moved … [Read more...]
Happy Anniversary to the Basilica of St. Stephen!
May 12, 2026 Feast of Sts. Nereus and Achilleus, Martyrs; Feast of St. Pancras, Martyr This Tuesday marks the fourth anniversary of the designation of Church of St. Stephen as a Minor Basilica. It’s also one of the days upon which one can receive a plenary indulgence (under the conditions listed on the plaque at the front entrance on the Camp Street side) for visiting. We are grateful to the Holy See for the honor of being one of only ninety-four Minor Basilicas in the United States. … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – May 10, 2026
Beloved: Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope. (1 Pet. 3:15) For a number of years, or dearly departed Director of Religious Education, Phillip Bellini, ran a series of articles in the bulletin on “Apologetics.” Since the word has the same origin as our word “apology,” often time people think that the word means to “say you’re sorry.” That’s not the case, but the origins of the words are similar. Both “apology” and “apologetics” come from the Greek word “apologia” but the original meaning of the word has changed in our current use of the word “apology.” In the classical Greek legal system two key technical terms were employed: the prosecution delivered the “kategoria” which was like … [Read more...]
Prayer in Preparation for the Consecration of the Archdiocese of New Orleans to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, fountain of eternal life, Your Heart is a glowing furnace of Love. You are my refuge and my sanctuary. O my adorable and loving Savior, consume my heart with the burning fire with which Yours is inflamed. Pour down on my soul those graces which flow from Your love. Let my heart never rest until it finds You, who are its center, its love, and its happiness. Let my heart be united with Yours. Let my will be conformed to Yours in all things. May Your Will be the rule of all my desires and actions. Amen. … [Read more...]
Upcoming Ordinations
On Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Louis Cathedral, Archbishop James Checchio will ordain to the Diaconate Hoang Pham and Seth Smith for the Archdiocese of New Orleans; and Micheal Jawino for the Archdiocese of Tororo. On Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Louis Cathedral, Archbishop James Checchio will ordain Deacons Brett Christopher Barrios, Joseph Ky Thanh Bui. William Joseph Sigl and James Vu to the Presbyterate for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. … [Read more...]
