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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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 and is observed until their 59th birthday. 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 and on all Fridays of Lent.  The determination of certain … [Read more...]

The first Rosary Congress was held in Poland.  Pope John Paul II wanted to visit his native country in 1979. The government with sanctions made the visit impossible. A prayer group went to God in prayer. Through inspiration they came to pray 7 days and nights, with Masses, Eucharistic Adoration and the Rosary hourly at their National Shrine to Our Lady of Czestochowa. On the seventh day, all government sanctions were dropped. The Pope was allowed to visit his native country. In 1988, The Rosary Congress came to the United States. John Downs, a quadriplegic, was inspired to organize the first Rosary Congress at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in Washington, D.C. Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is patroness of the United States. Imitating the Polish people who … [Read more...]

WEEKDAY MASS:   On Federal holidays the morning Mass at St. Henry Church is moved from 6:30am to 8:00am.  Such will be the case on Labor Day, Monday September 5, 2022 SCHOOL MASS: When the school Mass falls on a First Friday, it will be moved to the Thursday before that Friday.  Such is the case next week. … [Read more...]

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