The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the Extraordinary Form will be celebrated on First Friday, June 2, 2023 at the Marian Altar in the Basilica of St Stephen Church. … [Read more...]

The Catholic Community Foundation (CCF) is seeking nominations for the 26th annual Saint John Paul II Award. Names of nominees and related information must be submitted to CCF by Sunday, June 11, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. The award will be presented to an outstanding Catholic layperson(s) or permanent deacon who resides in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and who exhibits inspirational examples of generosity and Christian stewardship. Award criteria include: Practicing Roman Catholic layperson(s) or permanent deacon High moral character Volunteer service and board memberships Exemplary personal values https://ccfnola.org/sjpii-award-nomination … [Read more...]

Sunday, June 11, 2023 All are invited to participate in a Eucharistic Procession immediately following the 10:30am Mass on June 11.  The procession will exit the Church, turn right on Napoleon Avenue and then go around the school and the church before returning into the church for Benediction.  It will be lead by a crucifer, and we will chant Eucharistic hymns as we bring carry Jesus in the Holy Eucharist throughout our neighborhood! … [Read more...]

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are gifts which assist us in furthering our sanctification and help “complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them.” The term “gift” means that the Holy Spirit bestows them; they are supernatural gifts operating in a supernatural manner. They are not gifts one simply invokes in times of emergency. The gifts are enumerated in Isaiah 11:2-3. The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are: Wisdom – The gift of wisdom allows us to see God at work in our lives and in the world. For the wise person, the wonders of nature, historical events, and the joys and sorrows of our lives take on deeper meaning. Understanding – The gift of understanding allows us to comprehend how we should to live as a follower … [Read more...]

On Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Louis Cathedral, Archbishop Aymond will ordain to the Transitional Diaconate Austin Barr, Jorge Gomez, and Cuong Tran for the Archdiocese of New Orleans; Paul Oyie for the Archdiocese of Tororo; and Lawrence Wumya for the Diocese of Yendi. On Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Louis Cathedral, Archbishop Aymond will ordain Deacons David Doyle, Cory Ford, Long Pham, and Kevin Seay to the Presbyterate for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. … [Read more...]

Mass of the Lord’s Supper At the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday (7:00 PM) sufficient hosts are consecrated for that Mass and for the next day. These consecrated Hosts remain in a ciborium on the corporal in the center of the altar until the end of Mass, after which they are carried in Solemn Procession to the Altar of Repose, with the priest vested in a Cope and Humeral Veil, and covered with a canopy. The Blessed Sacrament remains in the temporary tabernacle at the Altar of Repose, and the Holy Thursday service concludes with the stripping of all altars except the Altar of Repose. Holy Thursday is a day of exceptional devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, and the repository is the center of the love, prayers and aspirations of the faithful.  After the Good Friday service, … [Read more...]

Many of you know that two seminarians from the Community of Jesus Crucified are now living on the top floor of the rectory.  These seminarians make a Holy Hour of Adoration each day at 5:00p in the Basilica of St. Stephen.  During the next two weeks the Archbishop has asked every parish in the Archdiocese to offer Confessions from 5:00-6:30pm on Wednesday.  So the basilica will be open for Adoration and Confessions over the next two Wednesdays, and we are considering making this a regular practice. … [Read more...]

On Fridays in Lent there will be Stations of the Cross at the Basilica of St. Stephen with Confession at 5:30pm and the Stations at 6:00pm.  Remember that Msgr. Nalty is also in the Confessional from 3:00-3:45pm on Saturdays and 9:00-10:15am on Sundays. Following Stations, there will be Fish Fry in the parking lot behind St. Stephen Church! … [Read more...]

After the Stations, beginning on March 3, the Knights of Columbus will host a Lenten Fish Fry at the rear of the Rectory consisting of fried Catfish, French fries, coleslaw, and corn for $12.00. Proceeds will be benefit both Good Shepherd Parish and Knights of Columbus. … [Read more...]

It's almost Lent! This season provides us as Catholics an opportunity to "repent and believe in the Gospel." One of the ways we can best do this is by going to Confession, where we have the opportunity to accept the many graces God has in store for us through this beautiful – and often underutilized – Sacrament. But Lent isn't the only time to make Reconciliation part of your schedule. Frequent Confession has so many benefits, including: Confession helps us to better “know thyself.” St. Augustine and countless other saints and doctors of the Church talk about the importance of knowing ourselves well. Through coming to know ourselves better, we realized how fallen we are, and how badly we need God’s help and grace to get through life. Frequent Confession helps remind us to rely on God … [Read more...]