Many of you may not be aware that the Archdiocese of New Orleans has a very active social media presence. Almost everyone is aware of the updated Archdiocese of New Orleans website at www.archdiocese-no.org but did you know that we are on Facebook and Twitter as well? Please “Like” the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans on Facebook. You may also want to “Like” the following related Facebook pages: Archbishop Gregory Aymond Archdiocese of New Orleans Young Adult Ministry Black Catholics of New Orleans NOLA Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans New Orleans Catholic Schools NOLA Vocations - Info for Men and Women Notre Dame Hospice Project Lazarus You can also “Follow” us on Twitter: @archdioceseofno @catholiccharitiesNO @2ndharvestGNOA … [Read more...]

The CYO/Youth & Young Adult Ministry Office announces the next Theology on Tap series, to take place on Tuesdays in October 2013, at the Irish House in New Orleans. Each Tuesday will present a different speaker speaking on a relevant contemporary theological topic, and the Irish House has some great taps to share.  The evening begins at 6:30pm, and the speaker start at 7:00pm. … [Read more...]

Respect Life Sunday will be observed on the weekend of October 5, 2013 and October 6, 2013. The CYO or another parish organization will be selling the 2014 Right to Life Calendars that weekend. The calendars cost $5.00. For more information contact Jan Delcorral at (504) 952-7277. … [Read more...]

1. At the beginning of every meal, giving thanks for the company at the table and for the food, is most appropriate. Allowing “Grace before Meals” or a prayer made up by one of the members teaches the children prayer is necessary in our lives and can be personalized. 2. Saying “The Morning Offering” each morning as a family unites the family for the day. 3. Praying the Rosary as a family bolsters the unity of the family. It also provides a forum for teaching the Mysteries of the Rosary as well as Scripture. 4. Just as each morning the family gathers to recite the “Morning Offering,” the family can gather at the end of each day to give thanks to God for the blessings they have received. During this time, they can share one blessing for which they are most grateful. … [Read more...]

The dining table over the years has taken on a different purpose than originally designed. It has become the “dropping off zone” for assorted things coming into the house. When it’s time to eat, we grab a plate, get the comfortable place on the sofa and eat off a T.V. tray. Losing the dining table as a place to gather and share a meal as a family is not all that is lost. Spending quality time with one’s family, utilizing the time to share the experiences of the day, gives the family the opportunity to bond with one another. Additionally, table time with the family opens opportunities to educate in faith and life. Before starting what can be shared at the table, it will help to understand the dining table as one of the most important “tools” in the home. It may not be the place … [Read more...]

1. Parents are expected to be the first and best teachers of their children in the ways of faith. Unfortunately, many parents have forgotten the basic teachings of the faith. Thus, it makes it difficult to teach the children. Spending time at the table discussing these teachings enables both parents and children to learn. It will also provide a forum to understand what your children understand regarding faith. 2. List some of the basic teachings of the faith, such as: a. The Liturgical Year is broken up into Seasons of the year much like our regular calendar. Our Church year begins with Advent (Color is Purple). Christmas Season follows Advent. The color is White. Green is the Color for Ordinary Time which follows Christmas. This leads to Lent, Purple color. Lent melts into Easter … [Read more...]

St. Stephen Catholic School had its first day of classes on Tuesday, August 14, and we had our first weekly school Mass the next day on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at 9:00 am. I wish each parishioner could come to at least one school Mass (which is normally at 8:30 am on Friday) during the year to see what well-behaved, enthusiastic and attentive students we have at St. Stephen’s. Unfortunately, many of the families 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 Saturday 4:00pm Vigil and Sunday 10:30am Mass. Those young men are representative of the quality of the students that we … [Read more...]

Tell a family you know that you appreciate something specific about them, e.g., the way they listen to each other, respect each other, help others, etc. Pray for all families who are hurting because of lack of communication and misunderstanding within the family. Ask someone you see today to share one special experience of his/her family as that person was growing up. Decide one thing you can do to help one person in your own family today. Set definite dates and times to do one of those no-cost family activities each week or month. Encourage someone you know to share one reason it is fun to be a member of his/her family. Remind one person you meet today that she/he is a special gift from God to family and friends. Give someone in your family five extra minutes of your TOTAL … [Read more...]

The following Catehcumens and Candidates entered the Catholic Church at this year's Easter Vigil! Beau AdmireCharles BakerShon BakerJoel DondisRonald DavisMichael GillDevin ReidPatrick SchreiberAnne VanDevenderKaren Wu … [Read more...]

OPENINGS STILL AVAILABLE SUMMER SERVICE OPPORTUNITY FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of New Orleans, and the Office of Religious Education are offering a summer service camp, Students Engaging in Reflective Volunteer Experiences, SERVE. The camp is an opportunity for high school students to give back to the community and achieve the service hours required by many parochial high schools. Sessions run for five weeks with 40-hour sessions, a 20-hour session or 12-hour sessions. SERVE sites include a day camp, food bank, homeless shelter and Head Starts. SERVE is offered on both the Northshore and the Southshore. Students must be incoming freshman. Registration is non- refundable – $30.00 for SERVE and $15 for Mini-SERVE. Registration is open now until full.Limited … [Read more...]