News - September 2018 RSS Feed

At what age would you want to die? I was somewhat startled to hear that question as the opening pitch for a student-led discussion. But as the answers rolled in, I was surprised to hear numbers in the 90s and even 100s. As for me, it was a question I had never seriously considered, certainly not as long as my students. How long, I asked myself, is too long?

There it is, right in the middle of today’s Gospel – the statement we might consider God’s particular word to the church in our time: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea” (Mk 9:42).

Sacred Heart students, faculty and friends volunteered at Covenant House, cleaned storm drains throughout New Orleans and helped clean, garden and prepare food at Ronald McDonald House on Sept. 15.

No other district rivalries pique the interest of prep football fans as do three games matching  traditional Catholic League foes. Jesuit and Holy Cross have played each other for 96 years, twice needing two games to decide which was the better.

Last year, when they were St. Dominic fifth graders, twin sisters Lily and Lulu Centola asked their classmates to make treats for a recess bake sale, raising more than $100.

Next month, third through seventh graders from across the Archdiocese of New Orleans are invited to learn about the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) during a fun-filled Saturday of prayer, stories, games, live music, crafts and Mass celebrated by Archbishop Gregory Aymond.

More than 200 priests of the Archdiocese of New Orleans gathered Sept. 18-20 for a convocation and heard from Archbishop Gregory Aymond and experts from the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC) on life issues.

Honoring mothers and fathers means being grateful for the gift of life and Christians should never insult anyone’s parents, Pope Francis said.

We know that raising a family in today’s world is challenging. Not to mention trying to raise children with their eyes focused on God in our Catholic faith. 

Queridos hermanos: el Concilio Vaticano II, presenta a la Iglesia como Pueblo de Dios y Sacramento de Reconciliación para todos los hombres, poniendo de relieve la condición profética de todos los cristianos por el hecho de serlo. Por eso, cada cual en el lugar que le corresponde sigue siendo necesario en la construcción del Reino.

There were more than 200 priests who attended the annual Archdiocese of New Orleans Priests’ Convocation last week, and Msgr. L. Earl Gauthreaux, pastor of St. Maria Goretti Parish, stood out among his casually dressed colleagues, and not just because of his peach “color rush” golf shirt.

Last June during Sunday Mass at Mary Queen of Peace Church, two congregants were so moved by the homilist’s request for financial assistance, they held a business meeting after church to brainstorm ways to raise money for the charitable cause.

Second Harvest Food Bank is well known for its work helping those who are food insecure, but many might not realize that it also steps up in times of national disasters. Even though it has been 13 years, New Orleanians won’t ever forget the generosity of others in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Mount Carmel Academy’s junior Big Sisters joined their eighth-grade Little Sisters for the annual Big Sister Little Sister Luncheon Sept. 7. Juniors gave their eighth-grade counterparts advice and a teddy bear mascot that they share. At the end of senior year, Big Sisters will officially pass the butterfly mascot down to their Little Sisters.

We all continue to experience sadness as we remember our sisters and brothers who became victims and survivors of sexual abuse by clergy. Once again, I ask you to join me in lifting them to the Lord, that they may know his healing. 

ST. EDWARD THE CONFESSOR, Ladies Council general meeting, Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m., cafeteria. Ladies Council Mass Oct. 14, 10 a.m. Also,  Gift Wrap, Cookie Dough fund­raiser pickup (all grades) Oct. 25-26. Also, Pumpkin Palooza, Oct. 25 during school. Trunk or Treat with food, games, Oct. 27, 6-9. $10 a family. Participating cars are free, but must supply candy. 982-8912.

GRAPEVINE, Texas (CNS) – Hispanic Catholic leaders are living an important moment in the history of the Catholic church in the U.S. and are called to rise and continue the work of building the church, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez said Sept. 23.

When the faithful flock to Our Lady of Divine Providence Church for the 28th annual Greater New Orleans Rosary Congress – a seamless week of hourly rosaries, special Masses, sacred music and perpetual adoration set for Oct. 6-12 – they will have the thrill of knowing that their witness to the prayer’s saving power has inspired Catholics in at least two other states to launch their own rosary gatherings.

The call happened on a Monday afternoon after a Saints’ win over the Cleveland Browns. “Drew Brees almost cost us the game,” said the caller, who professes to be a football expert. “I am not sure he has it anymore.”

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, New Orleans, for Vincentian Father Louis J. Franz, a New Orleans native who died July 11 at Apostle of Charity Residence, Perryville, Missouri. He was 86.