Members of the Altar Society would appreciate help on Sunday, December 22 immediately following the 10:30am Mass to assemble the manger and trees for our Christmas crèche! Thanks! … [Read more...]
Christmas at St Stephen’s
December 14, 2019 By
“Christmas at St Stephen's" will be presented on Gaudete Sunday, December 15th, at 4:00 pm, at St Stephen Church. Included will be both familiar and perhaps some unfamiliar Sacred Music befitting the season, with compositions by Adolph Adam, Johann Sebastian Bach, Carson P. Cooman, Calvin Hampton, Jan Kern, Franz Liszt, Nicola A. Montani, John Francis Wade, and Pietro A. Yon, as well as Gregorian Chant. Acclaimed performers will be Phyllis Treigle, Melissa Brocato, Judy Seghers, Trey Cassells, Louis Hackett; the Good Shepherd Choir; and organist Brian Morgan (Director of Music at Good Shepherd Parish). There will be no charge for admission, although free-will donations will be accepted. For further information, please telephone the rectory at (504)899-1378. … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – December 15, 2019
December 14, 2019 By
“Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near.” (Phil. 4:4-5 ) This third Sunday of Advent is called “Gaudete Sunday” from the Latin St. Paul uses when he tells us to “rejoice in the Lord always”: gaudete in Domino semper! The spirit of the Liturgy in Advent is one of expectation and preparation for Christmas and the Second Coming of Christ, but our penitential attitude is suspended on Gaudete Sunday so that we might focus on the joy of our Redemption, which should never be far from our hearts. To highlight the importance of Gaudete Sunday, the priest wears rose vestments and lights a rose candle on the Advent wreath. Why do we mark this day by focusing particularly on joy? It’s because … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – December 8, 2019
December 8, 2019 By
John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. (Mt 3:1-3) The Christmas Season can often be a time of anxiety for us. There’s so much to do, so much to prepare. We have cards to write, homes to decorate, presents to buy, parties to attend, year-end reports to finish, etc. etc. etc. And when it’s all over, we let out a big sigh and enjoy ourselves. Then we clean up. And then we prepare for the next holiday, whether it’s New Year’s, Mardi Gras, or perhaps a Superbowl party… Sometimes it seems like it never ends. Surely, we know that we’re called to … [Read more...]
Christmas Decoration Help Needed
December 2, 2019 By
We will need help in decorating the church for Christmas because some of our regulars are unable to do so. This is an early message, but we will decorate the church on December 22, 2019 after the 10:30am Mass. Anyone willing to help please contact the parish office. … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – December 1, 2019
December 1, 2019 By
Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come. (Mt 24:42-44) A lot of times, the analogies of Jesus are just that – analogies. But sometimes they hit closer to home. At times, we have had problems with security at St. Stephen Church. We have had incidents where people have tried to get into our church by breaking door handles and even using pry-bars. Every time we put up our pro-life signs in front of the church, someone steals them. We’ve had chalices and even a collection bag stolen. And then … [Read more...]
First Friday Traditional Latin Mass
December 6, 2019 6:00pm in St Stephen Church
December 1, 2019 By
Margaret Mary Alacoque was born on 22 July, 1647 and died on 17 October, 1690. From her early childhood Margaret showed intense love for the Blessed Sacrament, and preferred silence and prayer to childish amusements. Throughout her life Margaret found consolation in the Blessed Sacrament, and Christ made Himself visually apparent to her. This did not surprise her, and she thought others had the same Divine assistance. Although tempted by the luxuries and distractions of the world, Margaret entered the Visitation Convent in 1572, where her visions became known. Because of her perceived “special status,” she was subjected to many trials to prove her vocation. She showed obedience, humility, and invariable charity towards those who persecuted her. First Friday Devotion Jesus recounted … [Read more...]
