News - April 2018 RSS Feed

A year brings about many  changes. With the end of the school year approaching, I find myself grading a large stack of papers. As I read, I’ve been pleased by the number of check marks I write in the margins, or the comments focusing on strengthening analysis rather than “analyze, not summarize.” 

Some of Ronnie Osmer’s earliest memories are of watching his father race cars on weekends at a dirt track in Mississippi. “I was told I was a very good observer and that I had lots of opinions if he didn’t do the right sort of things on the track,” said Osmer, recalling one particular race in which his father was running a close second.

A few signs have been sprouting up recently in yards around St. Christopher the Martyr Church in Metairie. They herald that the homeowner is affiliated with the parish’s Knights of Columbus Council 4508.

Underscoring the importance of mercy for his pontificate, Pope Francis convened 600 priests from all over the globe – priests he had commissioned as “Missionaries of Mercy” in 2015 – for a second time in Rome April 8-11.

As Father Kurt Young indicated in a worthy reflection last year on the feast of All Souls, we must be careful about eulogizing the recently deceased, such as during funeral services, lest we neglect to pray for them among the poor souls in purgatory.

Since 1842, the Catholic Church in New Orleans has been chronicled by an interesting mix of Catholic newspapers, reporting on the faith life of the local church. Here is an overview of Catholic press history in the Archdiocese of New Orleans:

The annual jubilee celebration of priests, deacons, sisters and brothers was held April 22 on “Good Shepherd” Sunday at St. Rita Church in New Orleans.

Stuart Hall second grader Dawson Huckabay was baptized April 14 amid the distractions of a tornado watch, pouring rain and ear-splitting thunder.

Academy of Our Lady’s “Fleur de Lis” yearbook earned a Gold Medal certificate from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA). The Louisiana Scholastic Press Association (LSPA) also awarded the yearbook first place, division pages; second, feature photo; second, academic spread; and third for  student life spread, cover design and sports photo.  

Jane Helire, an educational and vocational coordinator at Covenant House New Orleans, handed the stack of white, handwritten flash cards to Dashea, a teenager and a single mother. Dashea had finished 10th grade but had dropped out and did not have her GED.

In reflecting on the 300th anniversary of the City of New Orleans, Archbishop Gregory Aymond has made it a point of emphasis to stress the interconnectedness of the city’s civic and religious histories. That shared history came into clearer focus April 17 at the Tricentennial Interfaith Prayer Service at St. Louis Cathedral, where dozens of religious leaders of many different faiths joined New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and spoke of a common bond of love and respect that needs to be strengthened if the city is to overcome its shortcomings.

If the Louisiana Softball Coaches Association’s final Top 10 poll holds true to form on Saturday (April 28), Mount Carmel will repeat as champion of Division I. The LSCA has ranked the 2017 Division I champion as the top Select school in its Class 5A poll.

Naming a child is an important task for parents, because it gives children a sense of identity and belonging to their family and to God, Pope Francis said.

I am just getting around to reading past issues of the Clarion Herald after a busy Lenten and first half of Easter seasons, so this comes a bit late but may help in the future.

ST. THERESA OF AVILA, with the New Orleans chapter of the Organ Historical Society, organ recital “The Leipzig Connection,” by organist Bruce Stevens. April 29, 3 p.m. 1404 Erato St., New Orleans. Open to public.

Freelance photographer Joe Trombatore captured this striking image of the Dutch-built, three-masted, topsail schooner “Oosterschelde” arriving under sail April 19 in front of St. Louis Cathedral for the Tall Ships New Orleans 2018 celebration, part of the City of New Orleans’ Tricentennial festivities. 

You traveled to Rome recently as a member of the Papal Foundation. Can you explain what the Papal Foundation is? The Papal Foundation was established in the United States in 1988, and its mission is to serve the Holy Father by bringing together individuals who are committed to sharing their Catholic faith, their energy and their resources in whatever way the pope requests.

Usted, viajó a Roma recientemente, como miembro de la Fundación Papal. ¿Podría explicar, qué es la Fundación Papal? La Fundación Papal, se estableció en los Estados Unidos en 1988, y su misión es servir al Santo Padre, al reunir a personas que están comprometidas a compartir su fe Católica, su energía y sus recursos de la forma que el Papa lo solicite.

There’s tangible evidence that Tulane football is ready to turn the corner – a big, wide turn toward respectability. Winning has been an elusive endeavor Uptown. Since winning eight games and the Hawaii Bowl in 2002, the Green Wave has had one winning season. Since 2002, Tulane has won three or fewer games in seven seasons.

“Home is where the heart is.” It’s a cliché we’ve heard over and over as the distinction between a house and home. A house is a place of dwelling or the physical substance. But a home is something that’s intangible – it’s family and the feeling of belonging.