Catholic Men and the Rosary

Today, I ran into an article about Catholic Men and the Rosary ... how praying the rosary can be a masculine exercise not restricted to women and funerals. The news site it is posted on is a secular one and they didn't get everything perfect. But I think you'll find this a nice, enjoyable read.

Also remember, each and every Monday, at 6 PM, there is a rosary prayed in front of the Father Verbis Lafleur Monument. At this time of the year, the rosary is prayed for protection from hurricanes. Come join us tonight!

Here is the article:

http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_D_rosary28.234e215.html

Homily for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Homilies are now available to download and listen to!

As part of our answering the challenge of the Holy Father to go out and evangelize utilizing new technologies, we're now offering the homily each week for download. Clicking the link to the homily should download it and automatically start it playing in whatever music player your computer is set up with.

On the technical side, the file sizes are about 5 megs which means it may a minute or two to download on slower Internet connections. It is also an MP3 formatted file which means that these are essentially podcasts. Don't worry if all the technical words don't mean much to you. It means we're using the latest in technology in order to make sure our church parish can reach the most people.

The current week's homily is available on a link on the front page of the website next to the link for the current week's bulletin. On the page with the prior bulletins, the corresponding homily will be sitting side by side with its bulletin. We started on the anniversary of the start of the Catholic Church, Pentecost Sunday --- just over one year ago. This week, the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, is our seventy-second podcast to be posted. This week, the homily is given by Father James Brady, our new pastor.

So, take a listen and let us know what you think. Click here to download the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time homily from St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana.

Cast the Love of Christ upon the World

This weekend, the second collection will be the Peter's Pence Collection.

The Peter’s Pence Collection provides the Holy Father with the assistance he needs to carry out his most important charitable works. The proceeds benefit the most disadvantaged: victims of war, oppression, natural disasters, and others.

Pope Benedict XVI has said, “God’s love . . . gives us the courage to continue seeking and working for the benefit of all” (Caritas in Veritate, no. 78). Cast the love of Christ upon the world—please be generous in today’s Collection.

The Peter’s Pence Collection derives its name from an ancient custom. In ninth-century England. King Alfred the Great collected money – “pence” or pennies – from landowners as financial support for the Pope. Today, the Peter’s Pence Collection supports the Pope’s philanthropy by giving the Holy Father the means to provide emergency assistance to those in need because of natural disaster, war, oppression, and disease

Examples of Peter’s Pence Collection Funded Programs

• Nazareth Boys Town in Mbare, Rwanda, received assistance from Pope Benedict XVI to take in abandoned orphans who are victims of genocide and civil war.
• Casa di accoglienza Giovanni Paolo II Opera Don Orione is a residence that gives free shelter and specializes in helping special-needs pilgrims to travel to Rome. It was recently refurbished through assistance provided by the Peter’s Pence Collection.
• In Bosnia, the Hospital of St. Vincent de Paul, a health institution in Sarajevo staffed by religious, was established with support of the Collection.

The second reading this weekend reminds us that our abundance must supply the needs of others.  Jesus became poor, so that we might become rich.  We are called to follow his example by giving of our time, talent, and treasure to help those in need.

Contacting Monsignor J. Robert Romero at his new parish, St. Anthony of Padua in Eunice

Contact information for Monsignor J. Robert Romero at his new parish, St. Anthony of Padua in Eunice:

Msgr. J. Robert Romero
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
P.O. Box 31
Eunice, La. 70535

Bio of our Seminarian this summer, Alex Albert

Seminarian Alex Albert at Altar Server's Day Mass, Teurlings Catholic High School

Hello St. Landry Church. My name is Alexander Albert and I am the seminarian assigned to your parish for the summer. I just finished my first year at seminary and will be classified as a junior at St. Joseph Seminary College (a.k.a St. Ben’s) this fall.

I grew up in Kenner, La. which is just west of New Orleans. I have two brothers, one older and one younger. My parents are married and live in Semmes, just north of Mobile, Al. They moved there about a year after Katrina hit our home because my mother’s job relocated and offered incentives to pay for moving costs.

As for my education, I went to public school in Kenner until 5th grade, when I transferred to our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School. From there I attended Archbishop Rummel High School. I graduated and went to UL where I majored in Middle School Education for three years. During that time I began to grow in my faith with guidance from Our Lady of Wisdom student center and eventually discerned the call to the priesthood. After finishing my junior year at UL, I transferred into St. Ben’s with enough credits to classify me as a sophomore there. Because Wisdom was so integral to my discernment, I decided to enter under the Diocese of Lafayette with Wisdom as my home parish.

I enjoyed my first year at seminary and should be ordained, God-willing, in about 6 years. I look forward to working in the parish and getting to know the community.

God Bless!

Alex Albert

Short bio of our new pastor, Father James Brady

Father James Brady on his way to the installation mass at St. Landry Catholic Church

Fr. Brady was born in Philadelphia, PA and moved with his family to Pascagoula, MS as a child. He is one of seven children, and his older brother is also a priest serving the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. His father is a permanent deacon. After high school, Fr. Brady attended
Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL and received a degree in accounting in 1987. After college he attended the University of Mississippi School of Law where he received a juris doctorate in 1990 and then moved to Lafayette where he practiced law for 11 years. In 2001 Fr. Brady entered formation for the priesthood and attended Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. He was ordained a deacon in January of 2006 and a priest in July of the same year. After ordination, he was assigned to study Canon Law at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and received a degree May of 2009.

Since that time, Fr. Brady has been serving as associate pastor of St. Michael’s Church in Crowley.

BLOG EDITOR'S NOTE: Just as in the parable that showed the good in the Samaritan, we need to be able to embrace our Yankee/Ole Miss new pastor (very big smile). Welcome Father Brady!

Google Background Image

Screen shot of St. Landry Catholic Church themed Google Home Page

If you are a big user of Google and need a background image, download the image here: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuM7HFvAHFU1p4yU0LW-rMldgAL0Orkr4EwbMg7Hohi_hUiwMGVHHsa5faw79OMdFZfGW1Q97ktHcx8zc2QIfMTAFUn-BE2L7-Uox0-adUvlBXAluy2mpPC5phXUbPIl1wuRK_zGdpEDRq/

On the Google Home page, there is a link in the lower left hand corner that allows you to pick an image downloaded to your PC as your image.

Readings and Themes for the Week of June 27, 2010

Readings for Faith Sharing
Week of June 27, 2010,
Thirteenth Sunday

Reading 1 Kings 19:16b, 19-21

Elisha left everything to inherit Elijah's prophetic role.

Psalm 16

“You are my inheritance, O Lord”.

Reading II Galatians 5:1, 13-18

A proper use of freedom includes service to others, motivated by love.

Gospel Luke 9:51-62

Jesus expects us to leave everything to follow him.

THEME:

We are invited to "come follow"

Today’s readings give us examples of ways we can respond to the Lord’s call. Elisha abandons his livelihood and his family to become Elijah’s attendant. The Lord Jesus demands a single-hearted response to the call to follow him. Saint Paul reminds us that when we say “yes” to the Lord, much is demanded of us. Saint Paul tells us that our response is summed up in one statement: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Questions of the week

Question for Children:

To follow Jesus means to do what is right.

During this past week, when did you follow Jesus by doing the right thing you were asked to do, the first time, without an excuse?

Question for Youth:

The people in the story had lots of reasons why they couldn’t follow Jesus.

What makes it hard to be a disciple of Jesus?

Why do you make the choice to follow Jesus even though it is hard?

Question for Adults:

Sometimes we are like the people in the Gospel and have many excuses for why we cannot follow Jesus.

This past week when did you follow Jesus even though you had many excuses not to?

Bulletin Bites
"No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God."

When Elijah calls to Elisha, he hesitated, “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye.” Elijah does not prevent him. Then Elisha kills the team of oxen he was driving, uses the wood of the plow to build a fire to burn their flesh and distributes it to the people and follows Elijah. He detaches himself from everything he previously depended on. Paul tells us, “For freedom Christ set us free.” Christ teaches us to be free from attachment to things of this world. This freedom is not for selfish pursuits, but “to serve one another in love.” Jesus calls us to follow him, but we sometimes hesitate. If we start to follow Jesus but let other attachments distract us, we will never be free to discern God’s will for us and respond in freedom to God for all that he has given to us. What are the attachments in our life that keep us from the true freedom that allows us to follow Christ, without hesitation? Make a list.

Bulletin for the Week of June 27, 2010

The bulletin for the week of June 27, 2010 has been posted. Click here to see it.

The calendar on the website has been updated with all events for the coming week along with prayer intention information and information on the second collection for all of the masses. Take some time to look at our calendar here.

Updates are also being made to our St. Landry Catholic Church blog. You can get to the blog from the church home page under the Bulletins and News section or you can just click here to go to it.

Don't forget, we're also sending out live updates via Twitter. Our Twitter name is StLandryCath. You can see updates by clicking here.

And we're also on Facebook --- friend us! You can see our updates on our page StLandryCatholicChurch.

It's official! Welcome to our new pastor, Father James Brady!

Father James Brady on his way to the installation mass at St. Landry Catholic Church

Today is the official first day of our new pastor, Father James Brady!

Father Brady was installed at the 5 PM Sunday mass at St. Landry Catholic Church. We all want to congratulate him on his assignment here at the Mother Church of St. Landry Parish. We all look forward to working together with him.

Father James Brady, after the installation ceremony, sits in the pastor's chair at St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana

We love you, Monsignor! St. Anthony's is getting a fine priest!

Monsignor J. Robert Romero (center) with his brother Kenneth Wayne Romero (left) and his father Joseph Robert Romero (right)

It's official today. Monsignor J. Robert Romero, our pastor for the last 5 years, is now the pastor of St. Anthony of Padua in Eunice, Louisiana. Monsignor, we all want to thank you for your leadership and your love. Good luck in your new assignment and I feel confident we'll see you as part of your duties as episcopal vicar of the northern region of the Diocese of Lafayette.

Installation of Father James Brady

Installation mass of Father James Brady, celebrant Vicar Monsignor J. Robert Romero, St. Landry Catholic Church. http://yfrog.com/5fc4jnj

Homily for the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Homilies are now available to download and listen to!

As part of our answering the challenge of the Holy Father to go out and evangelize utilizing new technologies, we're now offering the homily each week for download. Clicking the link to the homily should download it and automatically start it playing in whatever music player your computer is set up with.

On the technical side, the file sizes are about 5 megs which means it may a minute or two to download on slower Internet connections. It is also an MP3 formatted file which means that these are essentially podcasts. Don't worry if all the technical words don't mean much to you. It means we're using the latest in technology in order to make sure our church parish can reach the most people.

The current week's homily is available on a link on the front page of the website next to the link for the current week's bulletin. On the page with the prior bulletins, the corresponding homily will be sitting side by side with its bulletin. We started on the anniversary of the start of the Catholic Church, Pentecost Sunday --- just over one year ago. This week, the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, is our seventy-first podcast to be posted. This week, the homily is given by Monsignor J. Robert Romero.

So, take a listen and let us know what you think. Click here to download the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time homily from St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana.

Sunday, June 20, 2010 declared a Day of Prayer for oil spill

 First, I'll post the Archbishop's statement and follow it up with the text from the legislature.

Archbishop Aymond expresses gratitude to legislators, calls on Catholics to pray during the Day of Prayer for the oil spill

 

A statement from Archbishop Gregory Aymond, Diocese of New Orleans

 

We thank the legislators for declaring Sunday a Day of Prayer. This is a public sign of our humble dependence upon God.

Our hearts and prayers go out to those who were killed in the explosion. Likewise we offer prayerful consolation to their families and friends.

 

The oil spill has very challenging affects on many people in our community, especially the fishing industry, oil industry and related works. We also need to be attentive to the impact on our environment and economy.

We ask God to reassure us and to walk with us in this very challenging time. We pray that:

• we may not lose hope,
• we will persevere in tough times,
• we will see God’s compassion and love in these trying circumstances,
• God will lead scientists and engineers to a permanent solution soon,
• we will bear this cross with trust,
• we will reach out in prayer and with financial resources to those whose livelihood and family life have been affected.

The Catholic Church through Catholic Charities will continue to be present to those affected by offering food, counseling and other emergency services now and in the long-term.

 

God never abandons us but walks with us during this challenging time in the history of our state and nation.

From the Louisiana State Legislature:

Regular Session, 2010 ENROLLED

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 145

BY SENATORS ADLEY, LONG, NEVERS, ALARIO, AMEDEE, APPEL, BROOME, CHABERT, CHAISSON, CHEEK, CLAITOR, CROWE, DONAHUE, DORSEY, DUPLESSIS, ERDEY, B. GAUTREAUX, N. GAUTREAUX, GUILLORY, HEBERT, HEITMEIER, JACKSON, KOSTELKA, LAFLEUR, MARIONNEAUX,MARTINY, MCPHERSON, MICHOT, MORRELL, MORRISH, MOUNT, MURRAY, PETERSON, QUINN, RISER, SHAW, SMITH, THOMPSON AND WALSWORTH

A RESOLUTION

To recognize and declare Sunday, June 20, 2010, as a Statewide Day of Prayer for Louisiana and for the population and region surrounding the Gulf of Mexico, in particular those people affected by the environmental and economic disasters that erupted in the aftermath of BP Deepwater Horizon oil leak.

WHEREAS, in times of great distress and need, we, the people of this land, have always turned to private, public, and corporate prayer; and

WHEREAS, a Statewide Day of Prayer provides each of us with a powerful opportunity to humble ourselves before our Almighty God; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Louisiana are urged to pray for a solution to this crisis, each according to his or her own faith, to pray for God's continued guidance and protection, and to join in the observance of a day of prayer, seeking God's blessings upon both our state and nation; and

WHEREAS, although there exists a great diversity of types of prayer, prayer is always about calling upon God, and prayers woven together through common effort can themselves become an awesome and powerful force; and
WHEREAS, a day of unified, intercessory prayer, by and for those people living throughout the regions around the Gulf of Mexico, to pray for an end to this environmental emergency, sparing us all from the destruction of both culture and livelihood; and

WHEREAS, untold millions of people, not only in regions surrounding the Gulf of Mexico, but throughout the world, will be affected by this event; a crisis that remains unaffected by the efforts of mortal man; and

WHEREAS, we now turn our attention and our prayers to the present circumstances and humble ourselves before Almighty God.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby designate Sunday, June 20, 2010, as a Statewide Day of Prayer for Louisiana and for the population and region surrounding the Gulf of Mexico.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge the citizenry of the state and all people of faith throughout the United States and the world to give personal thanks, each according to his faith, for the blessings we have received, for God's continued guidance during these trying times, and for God's grace to bring an end to the devastation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of Legislature of Louisiana calls upon the people of Louisiana to join each other and the entire community that is linked by the Gulf of Mexico in this unified expression of faith and hope.

PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

A few new photos of the St. Landry Bell

St. Landry Bell, photo by Dr. Richard Harmon

I've just posted a few new photos of the St. Landry Bell, compliments of Dr. Richard Harmon.

Find them here on the website: http://www.stlandrycatholicchurch.org/gallery2/main.php/v/StLandryBell/

Or you can find them at Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/stlandrybell?v=photos#!/album.php?aid=10137&id=100000864409668&ref=pb

Electronic Altar Missals?

Our friend James, over at the Opinionated Catholic, has commented about a new initiative to provide the text of altar missals on the new iPad tablet computer. He comments here and gives references back to another blog here and then back to a news article here. To be clear, the Church isn't going to an electronic missal on the altar any time soon. But there is new software that demonstrates that it is functionally possible.

The person behind the initiative is Father Paolo Padrini, the same person who developed the iBreviary app for the iPhone and iPad, iBreviary Pro, and the Pope's social networking site: http://www.pope2you.net/. The iBreviary Pro app is a wonderful app that I use on my iPhone. It contains the full Liturgy of the Hours, all of the readings for the day's mass, the full missal text including the full order of the mass, and many prayers. It is all available in multiple languages including English and Latin.

For years, I carried my own missal to mass. In the case of weekday masses, I have two small missals depending on what part of the year it is. And I have another missal for Sunday mass. But, once I could access them via my iPhone, I stopped carrying them. I have full access, nice and back lit, right on my iPhone. I can adjust the size of the print for easier reading. And it's _always_ with me. I also make notes to myself on the iPhone during the homily, especially when the homilist references the Catechism and the Compendium. I have copies of each of them on my iPhone as well that I can refer to easily.

I prefer to pray the Liturgy of the Hours using one of the four leather bound volumes that applies to the current day. On occasion, though, I'm later than I planned on business or something comes up that I don't have the leather book with me. Being able to pray that particular hour of the day by using the iPhone in my pocket makes life easy. When you consider that the cost of a set of books to pray the Liturgy of the Hours can be around $150, the free price of iBreviary Pro is very attractive. Also, many laymen learning to pray the Hours are intimidated by having to move the ribbon place markers around within the Liturgy of the Hours in the books to figure out what needs to be prayed. The iBreviary Pro puts everything in order so all you have to do is pray. It's a great way for a layman to get his feet wet and decide to acquire the books ... and it can help teach you how to use the books.

Now, being a layman in the pews utilizing an iPhone or iPad isn't the same as using one on the altar. But there are positives there as well. Being able to adjust the print size can be helpful. It can be on the correct page always without having to flip through the book. Lectionaries and altar missals are large and expensive. Electronic versions can be a lot less expensive. In the case of the new translations of the mass that is coming out in the next year or so, we're waiting on the long ramp up time for publishers. With an electronic reader, the changes could be sent out instantly to electronic missals.

All that being said, one thing James compares this to is the use of wax candles for the liturgy. And there, I think he's touched on an important point. There is something organic about the mass --- in its history and development. Wax candles add to that authenticity and symbolism. Proper chalices and vessels add to that. And I think the richness of a heavy, paper book adds to that as well.

The use of an iPad as a missal reader may have applications. In a "travelling kit", where a priest has small vessels in a case, it might be very functional to use an iPad as the missal. Overall, though, within the context of an established church, I don't see it being the preferred form for a missal.

Father's Role in Family and Society

Some recent studies have demonstrated how important a father is to his child's development. Children with fathers present have a lower rate of delinquency, drug, and alcohol use, teen pregnancy, and so on, than those with absent fathers. The father's presence is also a significant positive factor in children’s getting a college education, finding a satisfying job, and making a lasting marriage. Psychotherapists today are saying that both parents are vitally important to the stable development of their children. The mother's input is invaluable in the formative pre-adolescent years but the father's most important influence is at adolescence. Single mothers tell us that it is terribly difficult to teach their children about the meaning of God the Father, who seems so impersonal because their natural fathers have abandoned their children. Adolescent daughters long to hear from their fathers that they are beautiful and loved. In fact, a girl's choice of partner and satisfaction in marriage is often directly related to the relationship she has had with her father. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the vital importance of the father’s role comes from the fact that he with his wife cooperates with God the Creator in bringing a new human life into the world. There is no power greater than that (#2367). (A few Biblical references to fathers: Genesis 2:24, Exodus 20:12, Ezekiel 19:19-20, Sirach 3:1 16, Matthew 19:16-22, John 1:14, 2 Cor. 6:16-18, Ephesians 6: 1-4, 1 Thess. 2:11

Appreciation from Monsignor J. Robert Romero

Last Sunday’s ‘Thanksgiving and Appreciation party’ was great. I appreciate the love I experienced in so many people. Your kindness is wonderful. I would like to say thanks to all who organized the party and to all who cooked the food and prepared items and who provided the environment. It was such a wonderful graced-filled event. Everything was wonderful. Thank you for your love. I love you, too. I will miss you. I will continue praying for you. May God bless you!

Monsignor J. Robert Romero

Thoughts and Updates from Monsignor J. Robert Romero

Cemetery

I was reminded that it was on June 22, 2005 that Father Gene Tremie and I woke up in two different towns, he in Ville Platte and I in Opelousas - Father Tremie, the 25th Pastor of St. Landry Catholic Church; I the 26th Pastor of St. Landry Catholic Church. Father Tremie coached me on a particular need. After putting a new layer of asphalt on the church parking lot, Father Gene told me that he thought the cemetery roads should be asphalted. I told Father Tremie, “I have never been in St. Landry’s Cemetery.” So the first morning as Pastor, I visited the cemetery. It did not take a rocket scientist to agree, the cemetery needed asphalting. So we were able to get the project accomplished before the Cemetery Tours in October.

I did not realize how much an improvement it made to our historic cemetery. Over the years, as I walked to check things out in the cemetery, I realized how beneficial the asphalting is. Visiting the cemetery is easier and its appearance is more attractive. [The appearance is also enhanced with the refurbishment of the fence on Union Street. This was accomplished in the Fall of 2009.]

Mausoleum

At the same time, I noticed the Mausoleum needed attention. I was able to get someone to give it a good cleaning. But that was not enough. It needed more maintenance. In one section the terrazzo floor sank. The curb was falling off in some places. The roof was leaking. The paint was coming off. It needed a good refurbishment. It took a while, as we experienced hurricanes by the names of Katrina, Rita, and Gustav. I wanted a company to do refurbishment who builds mausoleums. So, we were able to get Architectural Concrete Products, Inc. of Gretna, Louisiana to do it. They work for Acme Mausoleum Company. Architectural Concrete is the only company in Louisiana with the specialty to build mausoleums. They did a very good job in refurbishment. The total cost of the project was $31,200. We paid $26,792.30 and borrowed $4,407.70 to complete the payment.

Property and Liability Insurance

Now you may think I am a little cheap. I am conscious of the fact that we need $39,000 to pay the Property and Liability Insurance in July. At this time we have a little over this amount in savings. I am not complaining. I just make a point, income and expenses are not always on the same page. It is not unlike many people’s personal finances. We have to put aside for some bills and wait to pay other bills. The church survives financially from Sunday’s to Sunday’s collection. Many people survive from pay check to pay check. Many of us depend on God from week to week. Our church buildings are big. So our Insurance reflects our condition.

Valentin Hall

Now let me update in regard to Valentin Hall. This is the old convent built in the 1950’s. We use it as our Office and Family Life Center. It is a strong building. It is a beautiful building. Over time, repainting was done inside the building. This winter, with the severe winter, we began work in the cemetery later than usual. We used the time to continue repainting. We repainted two halls, and the east room (yellow room) and the north room (green room). As we continued, we noticed moisture was coming through the walls. We stopped painting in the north room, thinking we should stop painting until we correct the moisture coming through the walls.

So as Father Tremie coached me about the cemetery roads, I now coach Father Brady about Valentin Hall. Contractor and consulting architect advise we begin with the roof and facia repairs at the same time. I also think that we should do water sealing of the bricks so it is complete. This will be difficult for us to do financially as our Property and Liability Insurance takes up most of our savings. We are advised that while the shingles on the roof are asbestos, (at this time) the rules of abatement for roofs are not as complicated as other asbestos abatement. Valentin Hall and the car garage are both in need of attention. This is going to be one of Father Brady’s concerns.

Hearing Assistance

Some parishioners tell me they sometimes have difficulty hearing at mass. We recently installed a special broadcasting device that uses the airwaves to broadcast what is said and sung in church. It is like a radio for inside church. To benefit from this hearing assistance, one needs a receiver with ear pieces. Some who tried this hearing assistance found it helpful, some did not. As we get receivers, we will let parishioners know. The receiver will need to be purchased by the person who will use it and be responsible for replacing the battery in the receiver. The cost of the receiver is to be announced.

Other Items

Now other items were accomplished, namely: We improved our air conditioning in church with a new compressor. We beautified the liturgy with new altar server’s vestments. We refurbished some church vessels. We installed a new bell management software. We have a Father Lafleur shrine in church and monument in front of church. We have a new church website with the weekly bulletin and Sunday homily. We are on facebook and twitter. We have a Father Lafleur website. We did some painting in the rectory but more attention needs to be done. We began a parish outreach ministry, ministry fair, and International Dinner. An item that is still on-going is the work Mr. Lee LeJeune is doing indexing our sacramental records and checking the quality of our digital copies of these records. When he completes the project, we will be more effective in using computers to do archival research.

Our Greatest Resource

Our greatest resource is our parishioners. I find we have great parishioners who are dedicated and talented. We have parishioners who are very spiritual and who are very alive with God. However, we may be working on legacy and not on reality. We are no longer a church parish with 2,000 plus families. We are a smaller church parish whose parishioners number around 800 families. We give around 500 communions a weekend. With our large church building, we are spreading ourselves as a congregation too thin. The 5:00 p.m. mass is attended by a vast majority of non-parishioners from whom we have difficulty finding altar servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of communion and musicians. There are not many parishioners attending this mass. We have a strong need for our parishioners to know each other and to appreciate each other. We are a small integrated congregation who is spread out among four masses and who is busy with life. [When we divide 800 families by 4 masses we have 200 families per mass, in a big church building.] Even young families with both parents working have a difficult time organizing their family life with church. If we can continue inviting and welcoming, we may see growth in our church life. Let us continue reaching out to each other and seek to grow in the love of Jesus Christ.

Please Keep Growing

Keep coming to Christ as He calls us to deeper conversion of life and to greater love of Him and neighbor, to greater love with each other. Let us follow Jesus’ Way and become parishioners of whom people say of us, “See how they love each other.”

PRAYER

Almighty God, you made St. Landry an outstanding exemplar of Divine love and faith that conquers the world and added him to the role of saintly pastors. Grant by his intercession that we may persevere in faith and love, and become sharers with St. Landry in your glory. We ask this through Christ Lord. Amen.

Readings and Themes for the Week of June 20, 2010

Readings for Faith Sharing
Week of June 20, 2010,
Twelfth Sunday

Reading I Zechariah 12:10-11, 13:1

He was pierced for our sins.

Psalm 63

“My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God”.

Reading II Galatians 3:26-29

We are children of God in Christ Jesus.

Gospel Luke 9:18-24

Take up the cross.

THEME:

Filled with the Holy Spirit, John the Baptist spread the good news of Jesus

We take up again the Sunday-by-Sunday reading through the Gospel according to Luke that was interrupted by Lent and Eastertime. We find ourselves at a great crescendo in the Gospel as Peter identifies Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus throws cold water on this declaration of faith by reminding the disciples about the Messiah’s sorrowful fate. And the followers of the Messiah must share this fate.

Questions of the week

Question for Children:

How can you follow the example of John the Baptist and tell others about Jesus this week?

Question for Youth:

John the Baptist was sent ahead to prepare people for Jesus’ message.

How does your life, including your words and actions, help others to know what it means to be a follower of Jesus?

Question for Adults:

What can you do this week to spread the good news about Jesus?

Bulletin Bites
"But who do you say I am?"

Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do the crowds say that I am”? They respond with several names or possibilities. Then Jesus asked, “But who you say that I am”? Now the question is personal. To answer they must reveal what is in their heart and head.

Peter said, “You are the Messiah of God”. That took great faith and courage.

The implications were enormous: Jesus wastes no time in bluntly telling them that the “Son of Man” was going to suffer, be rejected by the authorities: killed and rise on the third day.” Jesus leaves nothing to the imagination. Then he adds what his closest friends were most afraid to hear:

“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me”. We may be relieved that we were not present with Jesus two thousand years ago. But Jesus is present with us today—in the Eucharist, in His Church. He asks each of us, “Who do you say that I am”?

How do you answer him? Are we willing to accept the consequences?

Bulletin for the Week of June 20, 2010

The bulletin for the week of June 20, 2010 has been posted. Click here to see it.

The calendar on the website has been updated with all events for the coming week along with prayer intention information and information on the second collection for all of the masses. Take some time to look at our calendar here.

Updates are also being made to our St. Landry Catholic Church blog. You can get to the blog from the church home page under the Bulletins and News section or you can just click here to go to it.

Don't forget, we're also sending out live updates via Twitter. Our Twitter name is StLandryCath. You can see updates by clicking here.

And we're also on Facebook --- friend us! You can see our updates on our page StLandryCatholicChurch.

The Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, The Compendium, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Today, during his homily, Monsignor Romero referenced the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. These are a wonderful references to Catholic teaching.

The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is available by clicking here for the Vatican website.

And the Catechism of the Catholic Church is available by clicking here for the Vatican website.

During the homily, Monsignor Romero referenced questions 422 thru 423 of the Compendium. Then, Monsignor referenced paragraphs 1993 thru 1995 in the Catechism.

First, the Compendium:

422. What is justification?

1987-1995
2017-2020

Justification is the most excellent work of God's love. It is the merciful and freely-given act of God which takes away our sins and makes us just and holy in our whole being. It is brought about by means of the grace of the Holy Spirit which has been merited for us by the passion of Christ and is given to us in Baptism. Justification is the beginning of the free response of man, that is, faith in Christ and of cooperation with the grace of the Holy Spirit.

423. What is the grace that justifies?

1996-1998
2005
2021

That grace is the gratuitous gift that God gives us to make us participants in his trinitarian life and able to act by his love. It is called habitual, sanctifying or deifying grace because it sanctifies and divinizes us. It is supernatural because it depends entirely on God’s gratuitous initiative and surpasses the abilities of the intellect and the powers of human beings. It therefore escapes our experience.

And now, the Catechism.


1993 Justification establishes cooperation between God's grace and man's freedom. On man's part it is expressed by the assent of faith to the Word of God, which invites him to conversion, and in the cooperation of charity with the prompting of the Holy Spirit who precedes and preserves his assent:

When God touches man's heart through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, man himself is not inactive while receiving that inspiration, since he could reject it; and yet, without God's grace, he cannot by his own free will move himself toward justice in God's sight.

1994 Justification is the most excellent work of God's love made manifest in Christ Jesus and granted by the Holy Spirit. It is the opinion of St. Augustine that "the justification of the wicked is a greater work than the creation of heaven and earth," because "heaven and earth will pass away but the salvation and justification of the elect . . . will not pass away." He holds also that the justification of sinners surpasses the creation of the angels in justice, in that it bears witness to a greater mercy.


1995 The Holy Spirit is the master of the interior life. By giving birth to the "inner man," justification entails the sanctification of his whole being:

Just as you once yielded your members to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now yield your members to righteousness for sanctification. . . . But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is sanctification and its end, eternal life.

Homily for the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Homilies are now available to download and listen to!

As part of our answering the challenge of the Holy Father to go out and evangelize utilizing new technologies, we're now offering the homily each week for download. Clicking the link to the homily should download it and automatically start it playing in whatever music player your computer is set up with.

On the technical side, the file sizes are about 5 megs which means it may a minute or two to download on slower Internet connections. It is also an MP3 formatted file which means that these are essentially podcasts. Don't worry if all the technical words don't mean much to you. It means we're using the latest in technology in order to make sure our church parish can reach the most people.

The current week's homily is available on a link on the front page of the website next to the link for the current week's bulletin. On the page with the prior bulletins, the corresponding homily will be sitting side by side with its bulletin. We started on the anniversary of the start of the Catholic Church, Pentecost Sunday --- one year ago. This week, the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, is our seventieth podcast to be posted. This week, the homily is given by Monsignor J. Robert Romero.

So, take a listen and let us know what you think. Click here to download the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time homily from St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana.

Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Sacred Heart of Jesus from Valentin Chapel, donated by Nita Vandergriff David and Children

Today is the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Below, you'll find instructions to pray the Chaplet of the Sacred Heart.

The Chaplet Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus

On the Crucifix say:

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.

Body of Christ, save me.

Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me! Passion of Christ, strengthen me! O good Jesus, hear me. Within Your wounds, hide me. Permit me not be separated from You. From the malignant enemy, defend me. At the hour of death, call me and bid me come to You; that with Your Saints, I may praise You forever and ever. Amen.

On each of the large beads say:

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I implore that I may ever love You more and more. (say this once)

On each of the small beads say:

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You! (say this 10x)

At the end of each set of small beads say:

Sacred Heart of Jesus be my salvation! (say this once)

At the end of each decade:

Mary, Mother of God, be my love.

At the conclusion say:

May the Heart of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament be blessed, adored and loved with grateful affection at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen.

We'll miss our Monsignor Romero

Monsignor J. Robert Romero with Father Jared Suire, a former seminarian who was assigned to St. Landry Catholic Church, at Father Suire's First Mass at St. Therese in Abbeville, Louisiana, June 6, 2010

Monsignor J. Robert Romero, our Monsignor, is being assigned to St. Anthony Padua in Eunice, Louisiana. We all have heavy hearts as we tell him goodbye and wish him well in his new assignment. After only 5 years, Bishop Jarrell needs him in another parish and, though we are sad to lose him, we understand that this is part of the life of a priest within our Church.

This Sunday, after 10 AM mass, we'll be having a party in his honor. Please join us at the Knights of Columbus Hall next to Roy Motors right near St. Landry Catholic Church here in Opelousas, Louisiana.

His last mass will be the 5 PM Sunday Mass on June 20th. There, he wil install our new pastor, Father James Brady.

From Monsignor J. Robert Romero:

As announced last weekend, I am being transferred to Eunice and Duralde. Bishop Jarrell has asked me to be the Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Eunice and Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Duralde. That is right, two (2) church parishes. Bishop Jarrell has appointed Father James Brady to be Pastor of St. Landry Parish in Opelousas. The date that the appointments are effective is on June 22, 2010.

God challenged me on Friday, May 21, 2010. The gospel reading for the mass on that day (Friday of Seventh Week of Easter, Year II) was John 21:15-19. It is the gospel where Jesus asks Peter three times “do you love me?” Peter says, “Yes, Lord …” Jesus answers“, Feed my sheep.” Then Jesus ends by saying, “Follow me.”

As I was giving the homily, I realized the homily was for me. Jesus is the gateway to love. When we love Jesus, Jesus gives us something to do. In the doing, we follow Him. Bishop Jarrell’s request was an opportunity to accept Jesus’ love and then respond in love. It also becomes for me a time of pruning selfishness out of my life and letting love grow more intense. However, it is not just me, it is all parishioners also being challenged by Jesus to love Him as Jesus gives us a task. Then Jesus says to us, “Follow me”. May we together ask Jesus, “Jesus, console us as we accept your invitation. Help us love you more intensely. Amen.” [We love Jesus first. Then Jesus gives us a task. When we do the task in love, we follow Jesus.]

Readings and Themes for the Week of June 13, 2010

Readings for Faith Sharing
Week of June 13, 2010,
Eleventh Sunday

Reading I 2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13

The Lord forgives David’s sin.

Psalm 32

"Lord, forgive the wrong I have done."

Reading II Galatians 2:16, 19-21

Christ lives in me.

Gospel Luke 7:36—8:3 OR 7:36-50

Jesus forgives the woman's sins.

THEME:

Love rather than judge.

This first Sunday in the very long stretch of Ordinary Time that will bring us to the threshold of Advent roots us firmly in the Gospel of Saint Luke. Today we listen to the story of a meal that Jesus shares in the home of a Pharisee. At that meal, the Lord has something to teach this Pharisee and something to teach us about the nature of the Eucharist. May today’s word be one of reconciliation and hope for each one of us and for our Church.

Questions of the week

Question for Children:

This week, how can you welcome someone in your neighborhood who is feeling left out?

Question for Youth:

Jesus was able to see the faith of the woman, even though she was a sinner.

Who is in need of your forgiveness, even though they have done you harm?

What is one way that you can offer forgiveness to someone in the weeks to come?

Question for Adults:

How can you show compassion toward the marginalized members of society today?

Bulletin Bites

"The one, I suppose, whose larger debt is forgiven."

Kenny Rogers sings a Country Western Song, “Oh Lord it is hard to be humble when you are perfect in every way”. Could it be our theme song? Is the fact that we might be mistaken or wrong pretty far down on our list of possibilities? And we are proud of that? The ability to admit that we are in error or have done evil does not come easy. For many people, the three most difficult words are not “I love you”, but “I am wrong” and “I am sorry”. And there is the always difficult “I forgive you!” Contrary to the song by Kenny Rogers, true humility is the willingness to say, “I am wrong”! and “I am sorry!”, when necessary. And sometimes the best way we can give is to forgive. And the more we feel we have to forgive, the more we need to give. God gave us all that we have and are. Have we used all of god’s gifts as he intended? If not, have we said, “I am wrong” and “I am sorry”? Our God is an awesome God. He wants to say, “I forgive you”! in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. When was the last time we took advantage of that blessed Sacrament? Well, that is too long!

Summer Expressions

Look for God’s presence and gifts. See Jesus reflected in the faces, words, and actions of others. Know that your call to discipleship and stewardship commissions you to also imitate Christ in all aspects of daily living. Give yourself summer gifts of time for contemplation, prayer, and spiritual reading to enhance your relationship with God. Keep Mass attendance a priority throughout the summer months. Look for opportunities to “pay forward” kindnesses received from others. Gift others with caring words, acts of service and gracious hospitality.

Bulletin for the Week of June 13, 2010

The bulletin for the week of June 13, 2010 has been posted. Click here to see it.

The calendar on the website has been updated with all events for the coming week along with prayer intention information and information on the second collection for all of the masses. Take some time to look at our calendar here.

Updates are also being made to our St. Landry Catholic Church blog. You can get to the blog from the church home page under the Bulletins and News section or you can just click here to go to it.

Don't forget, we're also sending out live updates via Twitter. Our Twitter name is StLandryCath. You can see updates by clicking here.

And we're also on Facebook --- friend us! You can see our updates on our page StLandryCatholicChurch.

Feast of St. Landry is today, June 10

This is a reposting from the blog last year.


St. Landry’s feast day is today, June 10th. Who is St. Landry? St. Landry is a former Bishop of Paris, France, being consecrated Bishop of Paris in 650. On becoming Bishop of Paris, St. Landry saw the need of a proper institution for the care of the many sick poor of Paris. St. Landry built the first major hospital in Paris and dedicated it to St. Christopher. The hospital later changed its name to the Hotel-Dieu and is still open today. St. Landry is known for his generosity in times of famine and for his concern for the suffering poor. There are many stories that describe him selling off his possessions to help.

He is the patron of our church parish as well as our civil parish here in Opelousas, Louisiana. The Landry name is also a common surname for Cajun families in south Louisiana.

A Prayer:

Almighty God, you made St. Landry an outstanding exemplar of Divine love and faith that conquers the world and added him to the role of saintly pastors. Grant by his intercession that we may persevere in faith and love, and become shares with St. Landry in your glory. We ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

New Father Lafleur book featured in the Opelousas Daily World

We had a nice visit with the authors of the new book, "But He Dies Not", written by Pete Guerra and Suzanne Dore Guerra last week. In the coming weeks, I'll be posting video of interviews with them. The book is scheduled for release this summer.

There was a wonderful article on them in the Opelousas Daily World that you can find by clicking here.

Don't forget ... the Father Lafleur website can be found at http://fatherlafleur.org/

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ and the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Today, during his homily, Monsignor Romero referenced the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Catechism is a wonderful reference to Catholic teaching.

The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is available by clicking here for the Vatican website.

And the Catechism of the Catholic Church is available by clicking here for the Vatican website.

During the homily, Monsignor Romero referenced questions 282 thru 286 of the Compendium.

282. How is Christ present in the Eucharist?

1373-1375
1413

Jesus Christ is present in the Eucharist in a unique and incomparable way. He is present in a true, real and substantial way, with his Body and his Blood, with his Soul and his Divinity. In the Eucharist, therefore, there is present in a sacramental way, that is, under the Eucharistic species of bread and wine, Christ whole and entire, God and Man.

283. What is the meaning of transubstantiation?

1376-1377
1413

Transubstantiation means the change of the whole substance of bread into the substance of the Body of Christ and of the whole substance of wine into the substance of his Blood. This change is brought about in the eucharistic prayer through the efficacy of the word of Christ and by the action of the Holy Spirit. However, the outward characteristics of bread and wine, that is the “eucharistic species”, remain unaltered.

284. Does the breaking of the bread divide Christ?

1377

The breaking of the bread does not divide Christ. He is present whole and entire in each of the eucharistic species and in each of their parts.

285. How long does the presence of Christ last in the Eucharist?

1377

The presence of Christ continues in the Eucharist as long as the eucharistic species subsist.

286. What kind of worship is due to the sacrament of the Eucharist?

1378-1381
1418

The worship due to the sacrament of the Eucharist, whether during the celebration of the Mass or outside it, is the worship of latria, that is, the adoration given to God alone. The Church guards with the greatest care Hosts that have been consecrated. She brings them to the sick and to other persons who find it impossible to participate at Mass. She also presents them for the solemn adoration of the faithful and she bears them in processions. The Church encourages the faithful to make frequent visits to adore the Blessed Sacrament reserved in the tabernacle.

Homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Homilies are now available to download and listen to!

As part of our answering the challenge of the Holy Father to go out and evangelize utilizing new technologies, we're now offering the homily each week for download. Clicking the link to the homily should download it and automatically start it playing in whatever music player your computer is set up with.

On the technical side, the file sizes are about 5 megs which means it may a minute or two to download on slower Internet connections. It is also an MP3 formatted file which means that these are essentially podcasts. Don't worry if all the technical words don't mean much to you. It means we're using the latest in technology in order to make sure our church parish can reach the most people.

The current week's homily is available on a link on the front page of the website next to the link for the current week's bulletin. On the page with the prior bulletins, the corresponding homily will be sitting side by side with its bulletin. We started on the anniversary of the start of the Catholic Church, Pentecost Sunday --- one year ago. This week, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, is our sixty ninth podcast to be posted. This week, the homily is given by Monsignor J. Robert Romero.

So, take a listen and let us know what you think. Click here to download the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ homily from St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana.

Readings and Themes for the Week of June 06, 2010

Readings for Faith Sharing
Week of June 06, 2010,
Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Reading I Genesis 14:18-20

Over bread and wine, the mysterious Melchizedek blessed the Lord.

Psalm 110

"You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek."

Reading II Corinthians 11:23-26

Every time we eat the Lord's body and drink his blood, we proclaim his life giving death.

Gospel Luke 9:11b-17

The feeding of the multitudes.

THEME:

Jesus continues to offer himself to us and feed us in the Holy Eucharist.

The miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes stands as a reminder to us of the abundance of God’s generosity. As we listen to this remarkable story, let us ask God to do what may seem impossible to us, just as the feeding of the multitudes seemed impossible to the disciples. The things that seem so out of reach---world peace, justice of the oppressed, ood for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, an end to terrorism----can become a reality when we become what today’s festival calls us to become: the very body of Christ sent forth to a hungry world.

Questions of the week

Question for Children:

How can you share what you have received from Jesus with others this week?

Question for Youth:

Each week when we celebrate the Holy Eucharist, we are asked to "do this in remembrance of me".

How else do you acknowledge the importance of Jesus in your life?

Through prayer? Through the ways that you treat others?

Question for Adults:

How can you prepare yourself to be nourished by Jesus in the Eucharist this week?

Bulletin Bites

“He said the blessing over them (the fishes and the loaves), broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd." Luke 9:11b-17

None of the Gospels tells the exact details of how four or five thousand men, plus women and children, are fed with a few loaves and two fish. The Church teaches us that the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fish was a prefiguration of the Body and Blood of Jesus. But let us consider another miracle, just as great. Jesus knew the Semitic ethic that required people to share with others. He knew people carried food and wine under their garments, but refrained from taking it out for fear others had not brought their own. Note that Jesus blessed the loaves and fish and gave them away. He did not keep any for himself. Did people see his generous act and decide to share what they had with one another? In the context of God’s gifts to us of reason and free will—the ability to choose to be generous or not to be generous, what is the greater miracle: multiplication of loaves and fish, or multiplication of generous hearts? Which makes us a greater witness to the Real Presence of the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist?

Summer Expressions

Think back to the time(s) you first felt loved. How did you notice the feeling? What circumstances gave you the awareness of another’s care and connection to you? How has your sense of being loved grown over time? Using your personal experiences, in what ways do you show others your care and love in daily life and in special ways?

Bulletin for the Week of June 06, 2010

The bulletin for the week of June 06, 2010 has been posted. Click here to see it.

The calendar on the website has been updated with all events for the coming week along with prayer intention information and information on the second collection for all of the masses. Take some time to look at our calendar here.

Updates are also being made to our St. Landry Catholic Church blog. You can get to the blog from the church home page under the Bulletins and News section or you can just click here to go to it.

Don't forget, we're also sending out live updates via Twitter. Our Twitter name is StLandryCath. You can see updates by clicking here.

And we're also on Facebook --- friend us! You can see our updates on our page StLandryCatholicChurch.