On the week when we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Archbishop Aymond has asked that every parish offer Confession for an hour and a half. To that end, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, Confessions will be heard in the Basilica of St. Stephen beginning at 5:00pm until 6:30pm. … [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...]

Parents of children who will be making their First Holy Communion or receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation next year are kindly asked to contact the office so that we can organize religious education for the Fall. Thank you! … [Read more...]

(The Rectory is closed) The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected--the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative. “I would like to remind everyone, especially governments engaged in boosting the world's economic and social assets, that the primary capital to be safeguarded and valued is man, the human person in his or her integrity: ‘Man is the source, the focus and the aim of all economic and social life’.” (Pope Benedict XVI, Charity in Truth [Caritas in Veritate], no. 25, … [Read more...]

The “IHS” monogram is an abbreviation or shortening of the name of Jesus in Greek to the first three letters. It is sometimes transliterated into Latin characters as IHS. The abbreviation is meant to reflect the Holiness of the Name of Jesus – something to be revered. Oftentimes this symbol is present on the large host that the priest consecrates at Mass to remind the priest that – after the Consecration – he is holding Jesus. The particular symbol above is also the symbol for the Society of Jesus founded by St Ignatius Loyola, whose feast was July 31. … [Read more...]

St. Stephen Catholic School has its first day of classes on Monday, August 11, and we have our first weekly school Mass in the Basilica of St. Stephen on August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at 9:00 am. This is a Holy Day of Obligation. Mass will also be celebrated at St. Henry Church at 6:30am. I wish each parishioner could come to at least one school Mass (which are normally at 9:00am on Fridays) during the year to see what well-behaved, enthusiastic, and attentive students we have at St. Stephen’s. 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...]

Basic workshops for new Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) are being presented this Summer by the Office of Worship. Attendance at a workshop for EMHCs 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/lay-liturgical-ministry-formation. 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...]

The Most Holy Trinity June 15, 2025 The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ June 22, 2025 … [Read more...]

Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd and High Priest, we praise you and offer you our sincere gratitude for calling Pope Leo XIV to serve as the shepherd of the universal church. May he lead us as a loving shepherd who cares for his flock and seeks out the lost sheep. May he be for us a gentle and listening father, a faithful teacher and a steward of your sacred mysteries. Grant him health, strength, and wisdom. Strengthen the bonds of unity among us so that we may serve you as one body. Purify us and sustain us in charity for your love for us never fails. Grant that we may boldly answer your call to mission. You who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen. … [Read more...]

Blazon The left field is blue with a silver fleur-de-lis; the right is white, with a flaming heart pieced by an arrow, entirely red, and resting on an uncovered book. Above the shield there is a silver mitre, adorned with three gold bands joined by a gold vertical post, with fluttering red infulae, fringed with gold and adorned with gold crosses; in front of the infulae there are the crossed Petrine keys, gold (bend) and silver (bend sinister), linked by a red cord. Explanation The coat of arms of the Holy Father Leo XIV On the left field of the coat of arms of the Holy Father Leo XIV, the blue background recalls the heights of the heavens and is characterized by its Marian significance, a classic symbol referring to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the lily or fleur-de-lis (flos … [Read more...]