Readings and Themes for the Week of October 3, 2010

Readings for Faith Sharing
Week of October 03, 2010,
Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading I Habakkuk 1:2-3, 2:2-4

How long, Lord, will you make me witness misery?

Psalm 95

"If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts!"

Reading II 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14

Guard the rich deposit of faith you were given.

Gospel Luke 17:5-10

When you have done everything for the kingdom, do more.

THEME:

Faith is the anchor and force of life!

The prophet Habakkuk cries out to God in despair. The prophet is honest in his cry, for he feels abandoned and without help. Faced with the realities of war, terrorism, greed, and hopelessness that fill our earth, we also cry out to our God. These cries can only arise out of the hearts that know God’s presence, mercy, and compassion. Using the parable of the mustard seed, Jesus tells us of the immense power of faith. Let today’s sacred word strengthen our faith and urge us to proclaim justice to a suffering world.

Questions of the week

Question for Children:

Jesus teaches us that our faith is powerful and with it, we can do great things.

We can forgive, love, and share with others.

Which of these do you do most often?

Question for Youth:

The Gospel story tells us even a little bit of faith is enough to make amazing things happen.

How are you keeping your faith alive and growing?

What good things happen in your life because of your faith?

Question for Adults:

Being “in Christ” means living as Christ teaches.

What signs do you see in your life of generosity, forgiveness, hospitality, or any other of Jesus’ teachings?

Bulletin Bites
"Lord, increase our faith."

In asking Jesus to “Increase our faith!” the apostles reveal a very human trait – the desire to have someone else do for us what we can do for ourselves. Jesus understood that the apostles were asking him to teach them how to grow in their faith, but he responds by challenging them to “Increase your own faith”. Like the apostles, we are stewards of our own faith. We are responsible for the growth, maturity, and quality of our faith. As the Word Made Flesh and God Incarnate, Jesus lived and taught us how to constantly grow in our faith. His life and teachings are recorded for us in the Gospels and the other books of the New Testament. If, like the apostles, we truly want to “increase our faith” we must spend time every day reading and meditating on the Books of the New Testament, especially the Gospels. No one can do that for us. We must do it for ourselves. There will be a test.

Bulletin for the Week of October 03, 2010

The bulletin for the week of October 03, 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.

Homily for the Twenty Sixth 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 Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, is our eighty sixth podcast to be posted. The homily is given by Father James Brady.

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

Readings and Themes for the Week of September 26, 2010

Readings for Faith Sharing
Week of September 26, 2010,
Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading I Amos 6:1a, 4-7

Woe to the complacent rich!

Psalm 146

"Praise the Lord, my soul!"

Reading II 1 Timothy 6:11-16

Seek after virtues with lasting value.

Gospel Luke 16:19-31

There once was a rich man, and at his gate lay the beggar Lazarus.

THEME:

God cares for the poor and the oppressed and we should too!

Once again we are about to listen to scriptures that challenge us to the core. If any parable is critical of a culture of consumerism and greed, it is today’s familiar story of the rich man and Lazarus. This parable has power to chill us to the bone, since it gets to the heart of what it means to be a true disciple. Let us open our hearts to these words and pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen us on our journey of conversion.

Questions of the week

Question for Children:

Jesus teaches us to share what we have with others.

What do you have that you are able to share?

Question for Youth:

The Gospel story tells us that we are judged by what we do or don’t do for the poor and needy.

How are you currently reaching out to those in need?

What more could you do?

Question for Adults:

What choices can you or have you made to balance your own life with those who are homeless, poor and in need of assistance for daily living?

How does this Gospel reading inform you about that?

Bulletin Bites
"If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead."

The words of Jesus at the end of the story about the rich man who had more than he needed and Lazarus the beggar seem rather harsh. There is no gentle way to say that when we are dead it will be too late to do the good we should have done when we were alive. Unfortunately, when it comes to imitating Jesus we all have a little Scarlett O’Hara in us: “I’ll take care of that tomorrow!” We will get around to it. Try this exercise. Get a pencil or pen and a blank sheet of paper. Draw a circle. Take a pair of scissors and cut along the lines of the circle. Now write inside the circle the letters TOIT, You now have a ROUND TOIT. You no longer have any more excuses for not imitating Jesus. That is, of course, unless you do not know Jesus. And whose fault is that? Here is another exercise: Pick up the Bible!! Read it!! You will learn what Jesus promised and that He rose from the dead. With that knowledge and your ROUND TOIT, you should be all set. Get busy imitating Jesus by loving God and your neighbor as yourself.

Bulletin for the Week of September 26, 2010

The bulletin for the week of September 26, 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.

Homily for the Twenty Fifth 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 Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, is our eighty fifth podcast to be posted. The homily is given by Father Joshua Guillory.

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

Readings and Themes for the Week of September 19, 2010

Readings for Faith Sharing
Week of September 19, 2010,
Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading I Amos 8:4-7

God cannot forget the sin of those who cheat the poor.

Psalm 113

"Praise the Lord, who lifts up the poor."

Reading II 1 Timothy 2:1-8

Pray for everyone, not just your own.

Gospel Luke 16:1-13

You cannot be the servant of God and the servant of many.

THEME:

How do we use what God has given us?

Today’s first reading begins with the words “Hear this.” Let us heed this call and open our ears to listen to words that challenge us to the very core.

Questions of the week

Question for Children:

Clothes, food, toys, all cost money.

How do you keep your faith more important than money?

Question for Youth:

The Gospel tells us that money can get in the way of serving God.

How can you use all that you have (possessions, money, time, talent) to serve God?

Question for Adults:

Money is an important part of modern life.

What is one way you can keep the need of money in balance with your faith?

Bulletin Bites
"Prepare a full account of your stewardship!"

Are we ready to hear Jesus say that to us? Here are some simple truths about stewardship you might want to keep in mind: A steward is a person who is given responsibility for the preservation and productivity of the property of another. The first question of a Good Steward is “For what am I responsible” For disciples of Jesus Christ, being a Good Steward is not an option! It is an obligation of our baptism. A Good Steward is aware that everything we have and everything we ever will be comes from God and belongs to God. Good Steward is not a title – it is the way we imitate Jesus Christ! A good Catholic Steward accepts responsibility for a constantly growing Faith, a mature Prayer Life that is about listening to God, all of the Talents and Abilities and Gifts we have received from God, the welfare of our Community of Faith, and Evangelization – helping others find God. A true disciple of Jesus Christ will eventually hear: “Good and faithful steward, come, enter into My Kingdom.” Don’t we all hope to hear that?

Bulletin for the Weekend of September 19, 2010

The bulletin for the week of September 19, 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.

Grandparents' Day

Grandparents’ Day (September 12th) provides an opportunity to share special time, ask questions, hear stories, and gain a greater appreciation for the lives and contributions of earlier generations toward faith, family, and society. Time is a special gift to share in relationship with others. Offer a gift of your time this day.

Prayer for Grandparents

Dear God, please bless my grandparents.

Thank you for the life they gave my parents and for the life they give to me.

For the ways they helped me and made me strong, I give thanks.
For the ways they love me no matter what, I rejoice.
For the ways they have paved the road that leads me here, I am grateful.

Let them grow in wisdom and joy in life.
Let them find peace and rest from their work.
Let them be healed of every sickness and pain.
And let them see with their own eyes the glory of your Son,
Jesus, in the love of their children and grandchildren.

Bless them always until they come to rest in you.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Homily for the Twenty Fourth 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 Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, is our eighty fourth podcast to be posted. The homily is given by Father James Brady.

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

Pastor's Corner - from Father James Brady

By the time this Sunday arrives, the roofing project for Valentin Hall should be completed except for some touch up work and the painting of the fascia boards. The roof looks great, and we want to thank our contractor, Mikor Construction, for doing such a professional job. The roofing projects on the rectory and the south sacristy will begin this week and should be completed within a week's time. I want to thank all for their patience in working around the construction during these weeks, especially our daily Mass attendees.

The readings this week focus on the need for us to recognize our sinfulness, because this recognition begins the process of our repentance, followed by God's mercy and forgiveness, and then resulting in our transformation in His Grace. As we hear the Gospel reading today, we should each think of ourselves as the Lost Sheep, and think of the love God has for us at our return to the flock. Remember, Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but rather to liberate it and save it!

Father James Brady

Readings and Themes for the Week of September 12, 2010

Readings for Faith Sharing
Week of September 12, 2010,
Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading I Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14

The people worship a golden calf, and God loses all patience with them.

Psalm 51

“I will rise and go to my father”.

Reading II 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Paul, once the worst of sinners, is an example of Jesus’ forbearance.

Gospel Luke 15:1-32

When the lost are found, even the angels rejoice.

THEME:

Come home! God’s forgiveness is always there. God forgives before we even ask for forgiveness.

Today’s Gospel offers us some of the most moving parables we hear during the course of the liturgical year. Let our hearts be gladdened by the stories of the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the prodigal son. Let these words touch our hearts and help us realize how great is God’s reconciling love for us.

Questions of the week

Question for Children:

The father in this story welcomed his son home, even after he ran away and did bad things.

How do you know God welcomes you after you do that?

Question for Youth:

The prodigal son was welcomed home even though he had sinned.

How hard is it for you to ask for forgiveness?

Is it hard for you to believe that you are still loved even when you have sinned?

Question for Adults:

When you wander away from being true to your faith, how do you know God will take you back?

What signs do you see?

Bulletin Bites
"I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.’"

It is important for parents to tell their children, I love you! Parents nurture, protect, and provide for their children during their early life then become role models, teachers, and disciplinarians. That last role may cause a child to doubt the love of a parent... One young couple learned early in their marriage to tell their children I love you and to hug and kiss their children every day. Their children learned to respond. Later, when their sons and daughters were covered with dirt and sweat after a tough football game or other event, they searched out their parents to hug and kiss their parents to hug and kiss them and say I love you, regardless of how they played or the outcome of the event. The parents, children and now grandchildren, all hug, kiss, and tell each other, ! They all know that they can go to each other, when necessary, and say”, I have sinned against heaven and against you, and I am sorry”. They know they will be hugged and kissed and told I love you, no matter what they have done or failed to do. That is true stewardship of Christ-like love.

Bulletin for the Week of September 12, 2010

The bulletin for the week of September 12, 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.

Labor Day - Two Prayers

St. Joseph the Carpenter, circa 1645 by Georges de la Tour

Two prayers today for workers and laborers on this Labor Day. The painting above hangs in the Louvre. It depicts St. Joseph using an awl to drill a hole in a piece of wood in a position reminiscent of the cross. Jesus as a child holds a candle providing light and symbolizing his obedience.

Two Prayers for Workers/Laborers

O God, the creator of all things, who formed the law of labor for the human race, graciously grant that by the merits and patronage of St. Joseph, we may do the work You assign us and earn the reward You promise. Through Our Lord, Jesus. Christ. AMEN

Lord God, You have created all things, and imposed on man the necessity of work. Grant that, following Joseph’s example, and under his protection, we may accomplish the work you give us and obtain the rewards you promise.
This we ask through our Lord, Jesus Christ. AMEN

Homily for the Twenty Third 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 Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, is our eighty third podcast to be posted. The homily is given by Father James Brady.

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

Interview with the authors of the new book "But He Dies Not" - story of Father Verbis Lafleur

Remember - the annual Father Lafleur memorial mass will be this Tuesday night, September 7, at 6:30 PM at St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas, Louisiana.

Click here to see an interview with the authors produced by the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQFb1I8Xzh4

The Pastor's Corner - Father James Brady

This week at Mass we hear in the Gospel Reading what might seem to be confusing words from Jesus: “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple”. Sacred Scripture is one way that God reveals Himself to us, but as Catholics, we also believe in God’s revelation to us in Sacred Tradition. Both are important to our understanding of God and our faith. In Sacred Scripture, we have to remember that translation is important. Different translators might translate words or phrases differently. This is one of the reasons why certain bibles are approved by the Catholic Church, and others are not. In addition, proper interpretation of Sacred Scripture is also important. When we may be confused about what a certain passage in Sacred Scripture means, we should research or ask someone who has properly studied Sacred Scripture. Ideally, regular Bible study and the use of Catholic commentaries can help answer many of our questions. Two good study bibles are the “Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, New Testament” (New Testament only) [click here] and “The New American Bible, St. Joseph Edition” (both Old and New Testaments) [click here].

This particular scripture passage in today’s Gospel should be interpreted as meaning we must put God first in our lives, ahead of even our family. Having a good relationship with God first, will flow through us and make it possible for us to have a good relationship with our family and neighbors. Without this good relationship with God, ultimately those other relationships will falter. So we must make sure we are in right relationship with God first, so that we can have authentic charity towards others in our lives.

Father James Brady

The Holy Father's Prayer Intentions for September 2010

Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for September  2010 is:

"That in less developed parts of the world the proclamation of the Word of God may renew people’s hearts, encouraging them to work actively toward authentic social progress."

His mission intention is:

"That by opening our hearts to love we may put an end to the numerous wars and conflicts which continue to bloody our world."

Readings and Themes for the Week of September 05, 2010

Readings for Faith Sharing
Week of September 05, 2010,
Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading I Wisdom 9:13 – 18b

Our choices in life are timid compared to God’s choices for us.

Psalm 90

“In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge”.

Reading II Philemon 9-10. 12-17

Paul baptizes a slave and then expects the slave’s master to accept the slave as a brother.

Gospel Luke 14:14: 24-33

Do you want to be a disciple? Renounce everything else, with no reservations, no regrets.

THEME:

Commitment is required to follow Jesus.

Today’s Gospel is one of the most difficult for the modern believer to understand. Jesus’ words sound too harsh. After all, isn’t this the same Jesus who gave us the law of love? As Christians, we need to struggle with these hard sayings. As we listen to these words, let us be attentive to the reminder in today’s passage from the book of Wisdom -- we simply can’t think big enough to understand the Lord’s intentions. We need the assistance of the Holy Spirit, whose presence we acknowledge in this holy place.

Questions of the week

Question for Children:

Jesus says that in order to be one of his followers, we must be close to him.

When do you feel closest to Jesus?

Question for Youth:

Jesus tells his disciples that they must renounce their possessions in order to be His disciple.

If you had to, could you leave everything behind to be with God?

What would hold you back and how much of a struggle would it be?

Question for Adults:

Today’s Gospel is demanding!

How do you as a modern man or woman “denounce your possessions?” What does this mean to you?

Bulletin Bites
"Anyone who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple."

“Uh, Jesus, can’t I keep my iPhone4?” Jesus might point out that He
said renounce [from the Latin words re=back and nuntiare + tell, meaning: To give up a claim, right, belief, practice, way of living, feeling, etc. Jesus might add, “You may use that iPhone4, but you may not claim that it, or anything else you think you own, actually belongs to you.

Everything you think you possess comes from God and belongs to God, who wants you to have what you need to enjoy life, but not if that means others, who are in real need, must do without the necessities of life.” That is a hard concept for people who cling doggedly to their possessions to understand and accept. As stewards of all we have God expects us to work out how much we need for ourselves and those for whom we are responsible, and how much we should share with others in need. So Jesus would probably say, “Enjoy MY iPhone4, and let others enjoy it too”.

Bulletin for the Week of September 5, 2010

The bulletin for the week of September 05, 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.