THE LENTEN SEASON A distinction is to be made between Lent and the Easter Triduum. Strictly speaking, Lent ends with the beginning of the Triduum on Holy Thursday. The Ordo notes: “Lent runs from Ash Wednesday until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper exclusive on Holy Thursday.” FASTING AND ABSTINENCE Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. Those who are bound to fast may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to each one’s needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted. Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics 14 years or older on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and on all Fridays of Lent. The determination of certain days as … [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...]

This past legislative session, the pro-life movement faced many challenges including pro-abortion ballot initiatives and legislation targeting pregnancy resource centers. However, several states stood firm in their courageous defense and advocacy for life. For the fifth year in a row, Arkansas is at the top of the Life List as the most pro-life state in America. Continuing in its momentum from last year, Louisiana comes in second after enacting numerous life-affirming laws, including a law that protects unsuspecting pregnant women from the fraudulent provision of chemical abortion drugs. Tennessee secured its spot as the biggest mover on the Life List, advancing from 13th to 6th. The state enacted strong protections against abortion trafficking of minors and allocated funds to pregnancy … [Read more...]

Phyllis Treigle | Trey Cassels| Melissa Brocato Louis Hackett | Patrick Tuck | Brian Morgan The Basilica Choir Sunday, December 15 at 4:00pm. Admission is free, but a freewill offering will be accepted to support the upcoming restoration of the organ. … [Read more...]

Holy Day of Obligation Monday, December 9, 2024 6:30am at St. Henry Church 12:00 noon at the Basilica of St. Stephen The dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses, as Pope Pius IX proclaimed in 1854:  The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin (Pius IX, Ineffabilis Deus, 1854: DS 2803). This doctrine was revealed through the Scriptures (Mary was “the absolute fullness of grace”) and the long Sacred Tradition of the Church.  But it was finally declared as dogma on December 8, 1954, exactly nine months before the celebration of the birth of Mary on September 8. The doctrine is quite … [Read more...]

October 6 at 11:45 am Feast Day - October 4 Many of the stories that surround the life of St. Francis of Assisi deal with his love for animals. Part of his appreciation of the environment is expressed in his Canticle of the Sun, a poem written in Umbrian Italian in perhaps 1224 which expresses a love and appreciation of Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Mother Earth, Brother Fire, etc. and all of God's creations personified in their fundamental forms.  Francis' attitude towards the natural world, while poetically expressed, was conventionally Christian. He believed that the world was created good and beautiful by God but suffers a need for redemption because of the primordial sin of man. He preached the universal ability and duty of all creatures to praise God (a common theme in the Psalms) … [Read more...]

September 18, 2024 5 pm – 6:30 pm As we do every year, Archbishop Aymond has asked that each parish offer the Sacrament of Confession on the nearest Wednesday to the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. This year that date is September 18, 2024. … [Read more...]

September 21-22, 2024 Attention all married couples: We invite you to a weekend getaway designed to bless and enrich your faith and your marriage at the beautiful St. Joseph Abbey in Covington. You and your spouse will spend time growing closer through inspiring talks, private couple time, individual prayer time, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration and the celebration of the Mass! Through God’s grace, you will walk away with a renewed strength and a deeper commitment to each other and to God. To register for your relaxing and rejuvenating retreat, visit FaithandMarriage.org. A suggested donation is requested but not required. Cost should never be a reason why a couple cannot make a weekend! Scholarships are available! If you have any questions, please call (504) … [Read more...]

August 15, 2024 HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION! Masses at 6:30 AM (St Henry Church) and 9 AM (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 Resurrection … [Read more...]

August 3-4, 2024 Thank you for your generosity to the Diocese of Eluru in our mission appeal last weekend. Monsignor Bala and the members of his diocese are extremely grateful. … [Read more...]