Signup for Keeping Vigil in the Basilica

signupgenius.com/go/9040A4FA8AC29ABF49-60647373-keeping#/   … [Read more...]

Christmas Decorating Help Needed

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 14, 2025 after the 10:30am Mass. Anyone willing to help please contact the parish office. … [Read more...]

THANKSGIVING SCHEDULE

Masses on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 will be at 8:00am at St. Henry Church … [Read more...]

Thanksgiving Baskets – THANKS!

The St. Vincent de Paul Society would like to thank everyone for your help in providing Thanksgiving Baskets for the needy of our parish. With your help we are hoping to feed over 40 families for Thanksgiving this year. Thanks for sharing your blessings with others. “For I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; a stranger, and you welcomed me.” (Mt. 25:35) … [Read more...]

Parish Intentions

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

Apostolate Fair

Knights of Columbus Our area wide Knights of Columbus De La Salle Council 3411 offers a real, visible example of Catholic Charity in action.  Our chapter participates in many regularly scheduled service projects: they provide food and clothing to the needy, bring Holy Eucharist to shut-ins and schedule monthly service days at St. Henry and St. Stephen campuses to address maintenance issues, among other things. Open to men over 18 years of age, the KC are a great group that has fun as they serve the parish and wider community! Altar Servers Our Altar Servers play a very important role in the liturgy. They are part of the procession, handle incense, help prepare the altar for Mass, aid with baptisms, and help with the sacred vessels. Our parish has a great need for young men desiring to … [Read more...]

The Sorrowful Mother September 15

Over thirty days, the Church has celebrated four feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary: the Assumption (August 15), the Queenship (August 22), the Nativity (September 8), and the Holy Name of Mary (September 12). On September 15, we usually recall “Our Sorrowful Mother,” also known as Mater Dolorosa in Latin. This year the feast will be preempted by the Sunday Mass. Over the centuries, the Church has recognized popular devotion to seven sorrows of Mary: (1) the Prophecy of Simeon over the Infant Jesus (Lk 2:34); (2) the Flight into Egypt of the Holy Family (Mt 2:13); (3) the Loss of the Child Jesus for Three Days (Lk 2:43); (4) the Meeting of Jesus and Mary along the Way of the Cross (Lk 23:26); (5) the Crucifixion, where Mary stands at the foot of the cross (Jn 19:25); (6) the Descent from … [Read more...]