“'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!' But he said in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.' Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Mt. 25:11-13) What does it mean to “fear the Lord”? Fear seems to be something negative. We associate it with threats and negative consequences. So what does the Psalmist mean today when he says that those who “fear the Lord” are blessed? Perhaps surprisingly, “fear of the Lord” is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, along with Wisdom Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge and Piety. Fear of the Lord is more closely related to “awe,” and allows us to be aware of the glory and majesty of God. A person with wonder and awe knows that God is the perfection of all we desire: perfect knowledge, perfect goodness, … [Read more...]
November – ALL SOULS REMEMBRANCE
Parish Intentions In Memoriam... Vincent Aiola Jr, Lena Amadeo, Peter Amadeo, the Baehr Family, Hudson Bain, Rose & Rodney Ballor, James Baptiste, Louise Dutrey Baptiste, the Bell Family, Mr & Mrs Elmo J. Bourgeois, David Bowie, Mary Frances Braud, Adelaide Brennan, Cleonise Brown, Marie Louisa Broussard Brown, Marlene Brown, Neely Brown, Pauline Brown, Tom & Mary & Brigid Burke, Mary Carnody, Dorothy Carr, George Carr, Anne & Fintan Carroll, Sister Ererentia & Anne Carroll, Ernestine Charlebois, James Aza Charlebois, Robert Charlebois, Thomas Charlebois, Lois Collins, William "Bill" Collins, Mr & Mrs Richard W. Cooper Sr, "Grandma" Cosgrove, Mr & Mrs John C. Coyle, the Cressend Family, Juanita Lamb Daigrepont, Robert Daigrepont, Ruby & Hurlin Daire, … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – October 25, 2020
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” (Mt. 22:36-40) In English we use the word “love” in a lot of ways. We might use it to describe our favorite restaurant, “I love La Petite Grocery.” We might use it to describe our favorite tech device, “I love my iPhone.” Or we might use it to describe bigger things, like “I love New Orleans.” And in all of these usages, it’s used primarily as a superlative of the word “like.” When it comes to people, the usage of the word … [Read more...]
Remember to Pray for the Faithful Departed!
All Souls Indulgences 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. A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful, who on the day dedicated to the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (as well as on the Sunday preceding or following, and on All Saints' Day) piously visit a church. In visiting the church it is required that one Our Father and the Creed be recited. To acquire a plenary indulgence one must fulfill the following three conditions: (1) Sacramental Confession, (2) Holy Communion, and (3) … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – October 18, 2020
“We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father, knowing, brothers and sisters loved by God, how you were chosen. For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.” (1 Thes. 1:2-5) A number of years ago, I remember the Archbishop calling all priests to a Holy Hour of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament at St. Louis Cathedral. And the way he did it was so succinctly Trinitarian. He asked us to “come let us pray with Our Lord Jesus to the Father that He will send the Holy Spirit down upon us.” I remember hearing it and having a new and different … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – October 11, 2020
“On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.” (Is. 25:6) It’s interesting how many times Sacred Scriptures describe Heaven in terms of food and drink. The “promised land” was a place flowing with “milk and honey.” Alternatively, Isaiah describes a “mountain” with “rich food and pure, choice wines.” For people living in an arid place, the idea of abundant food and drink was very appealing, especially in times of famine. But Jesus takes the analogy even further by describing a wedding banquet, something that was by far the most joyous occasions in the life of a Jew. If you think today’s wedding receptions are “over-the-top,” think again. Jewish weddings were marked by an eight day … [Read more...]
Notice Regarding Archdiocese of New Orleans Chapter 11 Reorganization
The bankruptcy court in case number 20-10846 pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana has set a deadline of March 1, 2021 to file a Sexual Abuse Proof of Claim in the Archdiocese of New Orleans Bankruptcy. A Sexual Abuse Proof of Claim form may be found at: www.NolaChurchclaims.com The bankruptcy court in case number 20-10846 pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana has set a deadline of November 30, 2020 to file a General Proof of Claim in the Archdiocese of New Orleans Bankruptcy. A General Proof of Claim form may be found at: https://www.donlinrecano.com/Clients/rcano/Static/BDPOC … [Read more...]
Be a Good Steward
Good Shepherd Parish needs average weekly collections of $6,500 in order to fund parish operations. Rarely does our collection exceed $5,000. Thankfully, we often cover our deficit with year-end donations by generous. I encourage you to take this time to prayerfully consider whether you might increase your donations to our parish. For those who are able, please consider an additional 10% per week. Your help will make a big difference in our ability to meet our financial obligations. One way to make this easy is to use our electronic giving program. Simply sign up at our web site: www.GoodShepherdParishNOLA.com. Go to the Online Donations tab at the top of the page to set up your online giving account. You may also use the paper authorization form, available at the Online Donations … [Read more...]
Respect Life Program USCCB
Spiritual work of mercy - During the month of October, please join in our prayer. “Father and maker of all, you adorn all creation with splendor and beauty, and fashion human lives in your image and likeness. Awaken in every heart reverence for the work of your hands, and renew among your people a readiness to nurture and sustain your precious gift of life. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen. … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – September 27, 2020
“Thus says the LORD: You say, ‘The LORD's way is not fair!’ Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?” (Ez. 18:25) “That’s not fair!” I can’t even imagine how many times I heard that growing up. I grew up in a house with three sisters and a brother. And one thing about us, we grew up with a strong understanding of justice. Well, justice as we defined it. When it came time to cut the pecan pie for dessert, we would scrutinize the pieces down to the last crumb. And if someone got a bigger piece, one of us would exclaim: “That’s not fair!” And if one of us was invited to spend the night at our grandparents, then a scorecard was kept. If there was not a perfect rotation so that each of us went in order, it would happen again: … [Read more...]
