St Stephen Catholic School will be hosting their annual school fundraiser during the Mardi Gras parades.  Please patronize the school by purchasing food and drinks through the windows of the school facing Napoleon Avenue.  They will also offer bathroom passes for those wishing to avoid the Port-o-Lets.  They clean the bathrooms continuously throughout each day.  Please support our school that serves some of the neediest members of our community! … [Read more...]

In his recent message, Pope Leo invites us to contemplate one of the best-known and, we might say, most challenging parables for humanity: that of the Good Samaritan. Jesus, as a true teacher and guide, shows us that loving our neighbor is not a matter of theory, but rather charity put into practice, which breaks down cultural, religious, and social barriers. It is loving to share in the suffering of others, helping to bear the burden of the fragility broken by illness, which prevents them from living in peace and with dignity. The World Day of the Sick calls for prayer and closeness towards those who suffer. Yet it also aims to raise the awareness of God’s people, healthcare institutions and civil society with regard to a new way of moving forward together. The prophecy of Ezekiel … [Read more...]

February 2026 For children with incurable diseases Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope. Please pray for the intentions of the Holy Father! … [Read more...]

Monday, February 2 The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord commemorates the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the presentation of Christ in the temple, which took place 40 days after his birth as Jewish law required. According to Mosaic law, a mother who had given birth to a boy was considered unclean for seven days. Also, she was to remain 33 days "in the blood of her purification." Luke tells us, quoting Exodus 13:2,12, that Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem because every firstborn child was to be dedicated to the Lord. They also went to sacrifice a pair of doves or two young pigeons, showing that Mary and Joseph were poor. Once in the temple, Jesus was purified by the prayer of Simeon, in the presence of Anna the prophetess. Simeon, upon seeing the Messiah, gave … [Read more...]

If you have not registered or requested envelopes, you can register on-line or call the rectory for more details! … [Read more...]

The Easter Season officially concluded on the Feast of Pentecost two weeks ago, and and on the following Monday we began “Ordinary Time” anew with the colors of the vestments and altar furnishings returning to green from the violet of Lent and the white of Easter.  What’s so “ordinary” about it?  Actually, “Ordinary Time” is the English translation of the Latin Tempus Per Annum (“time throughout the year”) and gets its name from the word ordinal, meaning "numbered," because we begin to count the weeks rather than the seasons. Ordinary Time, depending on the year, runs either 33 or 34 weeks, and makes up the time in the Church calendar that does not fall within the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, or Easter. The Church celebrates two periods as Ordinary Time.  The first period, ran … [Read more...]

Poinsettias in the Sanctuary during Christmas make for a beautiful display. Thanks for helping us decorate the altar! Vincent Aiola Sr, William Allen, Cherie Austin, Evie Beck, Mr & Mrs Elmo J. Bourgeois, June Bourgeois, Marie Louise Broussard, Marlene Talley Brown, Mr & Mrs William Collins, Maurice Doyle, Claire Brown Fair, Hazel Fair, Aaron Gamble, Lilian Gamble, Leslie Guise, Mercedes Guise, Michael Guise Sr, Mr & Mrs Fred Johnson Sr, Fred Johnson Jr, Benedict LeBlanc, Mr & Mrs Edward LeBlanc Sr, Raymond Ledoux, Rafael Madan, Shirley Mallory, Joy Newman, Richard J. Roth Jr, Debbie Sherman, Bruce Snider, Neil & Georgia Mae Thompson, Gloria Tobias, Dennis Weil, the Marchessault Family, and the Ritchotte Family, Leonard Evans, Earline Johnson, Carroll & Germaine … [Read more...]

Giving to charity shows a great reliance on God, and God rewards a cheerful giver.  Ever since I began “tithing,” God has given me more blessings than I can imagine.  And as He gives me more, I try to give more away. Collections in our parish cover less than 50% of our parish expenses. With the costs of insurance, salaries, utilities and upkeep, we have a tough time. Without some generous benefactors donating at year’s end, we would be in bad shape! We’re a parish that is very generous to the poor, but we also need to be good stewards of our church and buildings that have been left to us by past generations. Please consider the following:  If you give less than $5 into the collection each week, perhaps you can raise it to $5.  And if you give more than $5, perhaps you can raise your … [Read more...]

Elizabeth Bayley Seton was the first native born American to be canonized by the Catholic Church.  Born two years before the American Revolution, Elizabeth grew up immersed in New York society. In spite of her high society background, Elizabeth's early life was quiet, simple, and often lonely. As she grew a little older, the Bible was to become her continual instruction, support and comfort; she would continue to love the Scriptures for the rest of her life. In 1794, Elizabeth married the wealthy young William Seton, with whom she was deeply in love. The first years of their marriage were happy and prosperous. Within four years, Will's father died, leaving the young couple in charge of Will's seven half brothers and sisters, as well as the family's importing business. Unfortunately, … [Read more...]

Dear brothers and sisters, the glory of the Lord has shone upon us, and shall ever be manifest among us, until the day of his return. Through the rhythms of times and seasons let us celebrate the mysteries of salvation. Let us recall the year's culmination, the Easter Triduum of the Lord: his last supper, his crucifixion, his burial, and his rising celebrated between the evening of the 2nd day of April and the evening of the 3rd day of April, Easter Sunday being on the 5th day of April. Each Easter -- as on each Sunday -- the Holy Church makes present the great and saving deed by which Christ has forever conquered sin and death. From Easter are reckoned all the days we keep holy. Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, will occur on the 18th day of February. The Ascension of the … [Read more...]