Consecration to the Holy Family O Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, who having come to enlighten the world with Thy teaching and example, didst will to pass the greater part of Thy life in humility and subjection to Mary and Joseph in the poor home of Nazareth, thus sanctifying the Family that was to be an example for all Christian families, graciously receive our family as it dedicates and consecrates itself to Thee this day. Do Thou protect us, guard us and establish amongst us Thy holy fear, true peace and concord in Christian love: in order that by living according to the divine pattern of Thy family we may be able, all of us without exception, to attain to eternal happiness. Mary, dear Mother of Jesus and Mother of us, by the kindly intercession make this our humble offering … [Read more...]

With Advent here for next four Sundays, I want to call attention to changes that we may observe in the liturgies.  Advent has a twofold character: it is a time of preparation for the Solemnities of Christmas, in which the First Coming of the Son of God to humanity is remembered, and likewise a time when our minds and hearts are led to look forward to Christ's Second Coming at the end of time. For these two reasons, Advent is a period of devotion and expectation. The liturgical color for Advent is violet, just as it is in Lent. Both seasons prepare us for great feast days. And like Lent, Advent is meant to include an element of penance in the sense of preparing, quieting and disciplining our hearts for the full joy of Christmas. “During Advent the floral decoration of the altar should be … [Read more...]

Poinsettias in the Sanctuary during Christmas make for a beautiful display.  We appreciate a suggested donation of $25 in memory of departed loved ones whose names will be recorded in the bulletin and on the parish website. Thanks for helping us decorate the altar! … [Read more...]

The Advent wreath is a set of four candles which are lit each Sunday of the Advent Season. Three of the candles are violet-colored, and one is rose-colored. The violet candles symbolize faithful expectation, and the rose candle symbolizes joy and hope. These colors mirror the colors of the priest's vestments used during the Sundays of Advent. In earlier times, the season of Advent had stronger penitential and ascetic aspects, and a relaxation of disciplines was offered on the third Sunday of Advent, called Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin for "rejoice", the first words of the Introit. This turn is reflected in the shift from violet to rose. One violet candle is lit on the first evening of Advent (a Sunday). On successive Sundays, the second violet candle is added, then the rose candle on … [Read more...]

During Advent, we refrain from singing the “Gloria in Excelsis Deo / Glory to God in the Highest.” Why? Let’s start with some basic rules of liturgy set down by the Second Vatican Council in its Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.  Within the cycle of a year the Church “unfolds” the whole mystery of Christ, from the incarnation and birth until the ascension, the day of Pentecost, and the expectation of blessed hope and of the coming of the Lord (no.102). The church is to be particularly directed toward feasts of the Lord that point to salvation (no.108). In other words, a principle in ritual is to celebrates “feasts” and “fasts” in different ways so as to allow the mysteries of Christ to be made clear by the celebration. The Resurrection of Christ takes pre-eminence and is … [Read more...]

The Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican (photo left), is the second patriarchal church at Rome (after the Basilica of St. John Lateran), and under the main altar lies the precious mortal remains of St. Peter, the “rock” on which Christ built his Church.  St. Peter was martyred during the persecutions of the Emperor Nero from 64-67 B.C.  He was crucified upside down in Nero’s circus (arena) for the enjoyment of the crowds and to cast blame away from Nero after the Great Fire of Rome in July, 64 A.D.  He was originally buried originally in a simple grave on the Vatican Hill. The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the walls (photo right) lies over the remains of St. Paul, who was martyred during the same persecutions.  Since Paul was a Roman citizen (having been born in Tarsus), he could not be … [Read more...]

This is the proclamation which set the precedent for America's National day of Thanksgiving, and sets apart the last Thursday of November "as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise.” The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with … [Read more...]

Traditionally, the Church dedicates each month of the year to a certain devotion. In November, we remember the Holy Souls in Purgatory – faithful Christians who have died and gone before us but who still must atone for their sins. The time they spend in Purgatory cleanses them so that they may enter Heaven free from all effects of sin. Praying for the dead, especially for those we have known, is a requirement of Christian charity. Our own prayers and sacrifices can be offered up to relieve their suffering. The following prayer, among others, can be incorporated into our daily prayers during this month: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. A plenary indulgence, … [Read more...]

The Ozanam Inn will begin a new program in January to teach men and women working on the program there English and Math skills so they can pass the high school equivalency test (HISET), The Oz needs volunteers to work with these clients on these subjects on Friday mornings from 9:30am to 1:00pm. It isn’t necessary that the volunteers be educators. All that is needed is a willingness to help the clients improve their skills so they can have better opportunities in the job market, get back to living independently and enjoying an abundant life that Jesus has in mind for all souls.  All the teaching materials will be provided by the Oz. An information program will be held at the Oz on November 2, 2022 at 5:00pm. If you are interested, please contact Deacon Rich Eason at 504-319-5214. Also, … [Read more...]

Jesus recounted the following to St. Margaret Mary, and this devotion has been recognized by the Church: “To all those who, during nine months on end, will receive Holy Communion on the first Fridays of every month.  I promise the Grace of final perseverance. They will not die in My disgrace, but will receive the Sacraments (if necessary), and My Heart will be sure shelter for them in that extreme moment.” The First Friday promises of our Lord to St. Margaret Mary: 1.  I will give them graces necessary for their state of life. 2.  I will establish peace in their houses. 3.  I will comfort them in all their afflictions. 4.  I will be their strength during life and during death. 5.  I will bestow a large blessing upon all their undertakings. 6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the … [Read more...]