A Christmas Giving Tree has been set up next to the St. Anthony Statue. St. Vincent de Paul Society would like to be able to offer more dollars and maybe pay an entire utility bill for someone in need. All donations will be designated to assist with an utility bill payment.   Take an “ornament” from the tree in the rear of church and return before the end of July. There is no need to buy a present and wrap it; the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will do the rest!  God's blessing to all of you! … [Read more...]

The Vigil Mass on Saturday, July 15 will be celebrated at St. Henry Church to honor one of our patrons on his feast day. Next Saturday at 4:00pm, there will be the annual St. Henry Feast Day Mass at St Henry Church, followed by a small reception at Grits Bar, located at 530 Lyons Street.  If you went to St. Henry’s School, attended Mass at St. Henry, are named Henry, been to Henry’s bar, or have ever met anyone named Henry, you are invited! St. Henry (6 May 973 – 13 July 1024) was the fifth and last Holy Roman Emperor of the Ottonian dynasty, from his coronation in Rome in 1014 until his death a decade later.  He was crowned King of Germany in 1002 and King of Italy in 1004. He is the only German king to have been canonized. Henry was the son of Henry, Duke of Bavaria. As his father … [Read more...]

On Friday, June 29, the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Pope Benedict XVI will bestow the pallium on 38 metropolitan archbishops, including 14 from Europe and six from North America. The Americans are: Archbishops Jerome Listecki of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Dennis Schnurr of Cincinnati, Ohio; and Thomas Wenski of Miami, Florida. The vestment is called a “pallium,” (plural is “pallia”) and it is a narrow band of cloth woven of white lamb's wool with a ring in the center which rests on the shoulders of its wearer. The narrow band falls down the front of the chest like a necktie and goes similarly down the back. It is decorated with six black crosses, one on each tail and four on the loop. The pallium has its origin as a liturgical vestment of the Holy Father since at least the 4th century, … [Read more...]

The life of John the Baptist is a preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ, and the circumstances of his birth are miraculous. In Luke's Gospel, John's parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, were without children and beyond the age of child-bearing. During Zechariah's time of priestly service in the Temple in Jerusalem, he is chosen to offer incense in the Holy Place. While there, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to him and announced that he and his wife will give birth to a child, and that they shall name him John. However, since Zechariah doubted the message, he was made mute until the time of John's birth. Here, a little math is in order. At the Annunciation, which we celebrated on March 25, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to inform her that she would conceive Jesus. But … [Read more...]

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...]

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...]