On All Saints Day, Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at noon, Msgr. Nalty will bless the Vincent de Paul Cemeteries on Soniat and Loyola Avenue (behind Newman School). The St Vincent de Paul 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. On the same day at 12:30pm Msgr. Nalty will bless the St Joseph Cemeteries on Washington Avenue and Loyola, another place where many parishioners are buried. Many people take the occasion of the blessing as a time to beautify these resting places and pray for the souls of their faithfully departed relatives, priests, religious sisters and friends. … [Read more...]

In December 1531 the Blessed Mother appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico asking him to have the Bishop Juan de Zumarraga to build a church in her honor. The Bishop was reluctant to just take his word and asked for sign from Juan. He returned with a cloak of roses which were not native to the area. The Blessed Virgin had arranged the roses in his cloak and she told him to bring them to the Bishop. When he showed the bishop and even more wondrous sign appeared; a remarkable portrait of Our Lady was imprinted on the coarse fabric of his cloak. The image and the cloak are displayed for the veneration of the faithful to this day at Our Lady of Guadalupe basilica of Mexico City. The Knights of Columbus have over the years had 7 Silver Roses made. One Rose was presented to Pope Francis in 2014. … [Read more...]

Listen.  Accompany.  Heal. One weekend … All the difference.  Join us for the Beginning Experience of New Orleans Weekend Retreat October 13-15, 2023 at the Cenacle on the Lake Retreat Center located at 5500 St. Mary Street in Metairie.  For more information including registration and fees, contact Registrar, Liz Reis at (504) 858-1813 or email lzbthreis@yahoo.com.   Weekend program includes materials, two nights’ lodging and five meals.   Beginning Experience is an international ministry founded by a Catholic religious sister and her divorced friend offering hope and healing for those who have lost their marriage through death, separation or divorce.  The Beginning Experience weekend transforms lives and has helped thousands navigate the road through grief.  Visit … [Read more...]

October 3, 2023 This year the Basilica of St. Stephen will host the Rosary Congress on Tuesday, October 3.  It will begin with an opening Mass at 8:00am.  The normal parish Mass will take place at 6:00pm.  The basilica will be open all day for 24 hours of prayer.  There is a full schedule of the events on the fliers on the tables in the back of church.  This year we will also have the Silver Rose! … [Read more...]

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion have one of the most important roles in our parish community by assisting the celebrant in distributing the Body and Blood of Our Lord to those at Mass and to those who are unable to attend Mass. Adults 18 years and older who have received the three sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation) may serve as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Lectors serve the parish community in a very special way; their goal is to engage the hearts and minds of the congregation as they proclaim the Word of God. Ushers greet parishioners as they enter the church, assisting those who need help finding a seat and providing information and directions for new visitors to the church.  Ushers are also responsible for taking up and … [Read more...]

During the week when we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Archbishop Aymond has asked that every parish offer Confession for two hours.  To that end, on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, Confessions will be heard in the Basilica of St. Stephen beginning at 5:00pm until 6:30pm. … [Read more...]

Basic workshops for new Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will be presented this Fall by the Office of Worship. Due to COVID restrictions, workshops will be conducted on a virtual platform with a limit of 15 participants per session. Attendance at this workshop is required before a person can be delegated by the Archbishop to serve in this ministry. The complete schedule and more information can be found on the Office of Worship website at nolacatholic.org/basic-workshops-for-emhc. Participants are to be pre-registered by their parish before attending. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Worship at 504-861-6300 or worship@arch-no.org. … [Read more...]

Be a part of history by adding your personal, parish/ministry or business name to the credits as a supporter of WLAE-TV’s upcoming film: Formed: Notre Dame Seminary and the Path to Priesthood. Visit wlae.com/seminary or for more info, email helen@wlae.com. WLAE is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization. Donations must be received by August 31 for inclusion at the red-carpet premiere on September 15.  After the local and statewide public television premieres, the film will be available on YouTube @WLAETV. … [Read more...]

St. Stephen Catholic School is getting ready to restart school in the end of August for the youngest students and in early September for the older students.  I wish each parishioner could come to at least one school Mass (which is normally at 9:00 am on Fridays, unless a Holy Day of Obligation falls during the week) during the year to see what well-behaved, enthusiastic, and attentive students we have at St. Stephen’s.  Our first school Mass was on Friday August 18, 2023, and it was wonderful to have the Basilica full of singing!  Unfortunately, most of the children that attend St. Stephen Catholic School do not live in the parish and, therefore, attend Mass at their home parish.  However, you do know some of our students (and former students) who participate as altar servers at our … [Read more...]

August 15, 2023 HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION! Masses at 6:30am (St Henry Church) and 6:00pm (Basilica of St Stephen) After the Ascension of Jesus, Mary aided the beginnings of the Church by her prayers. In her association with the apostles and several women, we also see Mary by her prayers imploring the gift of the Spirit, who had already overshadowed her in the Annunciation. Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son's … [Read more...]