Bulletin for the Week of May 11, 2014 and the Pastor's Corner

The Pastor’s Corner 

Happy Mother's Day!! Today, we celebrate Motherhood, a most wonderful vocation dedicated to the nurturing and Christian formation of children (regardless of the age of the children!). The good of children is entrusted to mothers and fathers by God. The vocation of motherhood is first and foremost taught by the life of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and is best exemplified incarnately by Our Blessed Mother, Her being a model of Christian discipleship.

Motherhood is a blessing and gift from God. As in all things, God teaches us how to properly respond to the gifts He gives. In other words, what is truly "good" is taught to us by God. Therefore, the standard for being a "good" mother or father is provided by God in the life of His Son and as taught by His Church, as well as the good example of saintly mothers, especially our Blessed Mother.

In every generation there is "conventional wisdom" of what being a "good mother" means. Indeed, the specific circumstances of a mother's life does impact what it takes to be a good mother. However, the core of a mother's mission remains constant in every generation and never changes: Nurturing by word and deed the seeds of salvation God has planted in their children so that their children can one day live in the Communion of Saints in heaven. Any conventional wisdom that is inconsistent with this core mission does not teach "good" motherhood.

Today, we thank all our mothers who have given to each of us true goodness in the lives that they lead. We pray for all mothers who struggle in their vocation through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, the Seat of Wisdom. We pray also, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, the Mother of Consolation, for mothers whose children have passed from this life into the next. Finally, we thank God for the blessing of children and motherhood in His plan of salvation!!

     Fr. James Brady

Parish Picnic - Many Thanks! 

Many thanks to those who helped at our parish picnic last week. Fun and fraternity was had by all, and it was a great way for us to celebrate Easter and spend time together as a parish family. Besides the many individuals who made the picnic possible, especially Dirk and Dee Boudreaux, who coordinated it, we would like to thank also the following groups and businesses for their support:

     B & D Marble and Granite
     Tony Chachere's
     Knights of Columbus Council 1173
     St. Landry Altar Society
     The Catholic Daughters of America - St. Landry Court
     Chief Perry Gallow
     St. Landry Church Maintenance Staff
     St. Landry Church Parish Council

Thanks again!

The bulletin for the week of May 11, 2014 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 SaintLandryCatholicChurch.

Homily for the Third Sunday of Easter

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 --- over four years ago. This mass, Third Sunday of Easter, is our three hundred and twenty fifth 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 homily from St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana.

Bulletin for the Week of May 4, 2014 and the Pastor's Corner

The Pastor’s Corner 

Last weekend, as was widely reported in the news, Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II were canonized saints in a celebration in Rome.  Indeed, we do celebrate all the saints and what they teach us about Jesus and living a life in union with Him.  We thank God for the gift they are to us, and try to imitate their good example in our own lives.  Both men canonized last weekend were instrumental in the workings of Vatican II, the Church council that provided so many gifts to us today, including having our formal worship, particularly the Mass, now celebrated in local languages.  This makes our liturgies more understandable for us.  The documents and teachings of Vatican II, even to this day, are oftentimes misunderstood.  Although I certainly cannot provide a full commentary of Vatican II in a Pastor's Corner, it is good to note a few things of which we all should be aware and thankful.

Vatican II, in part, was intended to update our methods of discipline and teaching to be more conducive with the culture of the modern world.  There can be no doubt that the 20th Century (1900-1999) saw an unprecedented increase in technology and availability of information, and technological advances continue at that unprecedented rate even to today.  Education became more readily available to so many.  To think that we went from a time when electrical  power was unavailable to where we are today during that time period is quite simply, astounding.  Medicine went from using leaches and lobotomies to our current state of micro-surgery and other modern marvels never dreamed about at the beginning of the century.  We went from no cars to landing on the moon during that century.  Just in the last 50 years,  we've moved from the invention of bulky calculators to computer technology that is wireless and fits in a pocket; from manual typewriters to word processors.

The participants in Vatican II understood that the teachings of our faith remain the same, because Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  However, the presentation of Truth taught by Jesus can and should be adapted to the times to promote a deeper understanding of our Faith, and thus a deeper Love of God in our hearts.  Therefore, we not only live the disciplines that Jesus taught us, but with greater technology and information, we are better able to understand them, and better understanding leads to greater acceptance and joy in their practice.  The Truth that Jesus taught will never change, but we can be blessed with a greater means to know and understand the Truth, and thus be more willing to live in the Truth.  Besides the holy lives that Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II lived, we thank them for being instrumental in helping us grow in our ability to better know and understand God.

One such Truth Jesus taught is His Resurrection, which we continue to celebrate until Pentecost Sunday.  Our celebrations include our Parish Picnic, which is today after the 10am Mass.  Our children received their First Communion last weekend, and our young adults will receive Confirmation from Bishop Jarrell on May 25 at the 5pm Mass.  Let us continue to pray for our young people receiving these Sacraments, and pray that we as a community, encouraged by the Hope of the Resurrection, continue to grow closer to Our Lord and Savior!  God Bless!!

     Fr. James Brady

The bulletin for the week of May 04, 2014 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 SaintLandryCatholicChurch.

Homily for Second Sunday of Easter

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 --- over four years ago. This mass, Second Sunday of Easter, is our three hundred and twenty 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 homily from St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana.

Bulletin for the Week of April 27, 2014 - and the Pastor's Corner

The Pastor’s Corner 

Many of you have come to me offering to help with improvements to our church building. The sanctuary carpet is in need of replacement after decades of use. The handrails in the sanctuary could use replacing by some more fitting to sanctuary decorum. Our bathrooms are sorely in need of updating and being made handicapped accessible. Some have mentioned wanting to see the restoration of our beautiful sanctuary lamp. Currently, we do not use a fitting altar for our worship as our current altar is a table moved from the rectory some 40 years ago when the previous altar was broken. Because of this, we cover the altar with altar cloths. As a Eucharistic Community, we should provide a fitting altar for our most important formal worship, The Holy Eucharist.

With the approval of our Finance Council and Parish Advisory Board, we've begun a campaign to make all of these needed improvements to our church building: “The Sanctuary Project.” The cost of all of these improvements is about $100,000.

This is a St. Landry Church project in which we want all to participate in any way they can and know of our appreciation for their support. All identifiable gifts will be recognized in the bulletin by name or memorial alone, as requested by the donor. If we are blessed in receiving donations exceeding the costs of current planned improvements, we will use those donations for other improvements here in our church building – namely, improved lighting and sound as well as pew repair or replacement.

Although the campaign will officially start later this spring, we can accept donations now. Some of you have already heard about it and have pledged support as well as made donations. Many thanks to those who have already responded!

As your pastor, I am very excited about The Sanctuary Project. Although we are certainly pleased when projects are undertaken and achieved, the real joy is seeing the generosity of heart that underlies the project as thanks to God for what He has already given to us. It is a sign of the health and vibrancy of our community because of the Love of Christ that resides in our hearts. God Bless you all!

     Fr. James Brady

The bulletin for the week of April 27, 2014 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 SaintLandryCatholicChurch.

It is well with my soul

Here is a little sample of the music from last night's Easter Vigil Mass. JP Poirier leads the St. Landry Catholic Church Choir in "It is well with my soul".

Click the link below ...

   http://www.stlandrycatholicchurch.org/Audio/20140419EasterVigil8PMItIsWellWithMySoul.mp3

Homily for Easter Vigil

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 --- over four years ago. This mass, Easter Vigil, is our three hundred and twenty second 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 homily from St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana.

Bulletin for the Week of April 20, 2014 - and the Pastor's Corner

The Pastor’s Corner 

Alleluia, Alleluia!! The Lord is Risen! We rejoice today because of God's goodness to us in giving us the gift of eternal life. We now celebrate Easter for 50 days, 10 more than Lent, because we are an Easter people, living in the hope of the Resurrection! While we acknowledge the struggle of our earthly life during the 40 days of Lent, we now celebrate the gift of eternal life for the 50 days of Easter.  We especially celebrate Easter during this coming week, which is referred to the Easter Octave. The Easter Octave ends next Sunday, which is commonly referred to as Divine Mercy Sunday.

Fittingly, during the Easter Season we will celebrate two of the sacraments of initiation, First Communion and Confirmation, and we will celebrate the Easter Season as a community with our parish picnic. Please be sure to keep our second graders and high school juniors in your prayers as they make their final preparation for the reception of these sacraments. As previously announced, our annual parish picnic will take place on May 4, 2014 after the 10am Mass. It is our community's way of celebrating God's Easter gift to us.  Please be sure to mark your calendars and join us for theses celebrations!

Let us enjoy this season, and let the promise of eternal life fill our lives with joy!! Alleluia, Alleluia!!

     Fr. James Brady

The bulletin for the week of April 20, 2014 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 SaintLandryCatholicChurch.

Photos from Good Friday

We've got photos from Good Friday at St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana. Click here to see them all.

Homily for Good Friday

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 --- over four years ago. This service, Good Friday, is our three hundred and twenty first 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 homily from St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana.

Photos from Holy Thursday Mass and Procession, April 17, 2014

We've got photos from last night's mass and procession at St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana. Click here to see them all.

Homily for Holy Thursday

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 --- over four years ago. This mass, Holy Thursday, is our three hundred and nineteenth 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 homily from St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana.

Homily for Palm Sunday

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 --- over four years ago. This week, Palm Sunday, is our three hundred and eighteenth 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 homily from St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana.

Bulletin for the week of April 13, 2014 - and the Pastor's Corner

The Pastor’s Corner 

Today we celebrate Passion Sunday, also known as Palm Sunday. It marks the beginning of our remembrance this coming week of the events that give rise to our salvation, Jesus' Passion, Death and Resurrection. There are several special liturgies and other events this week. Please check the insert in this bulletin for our Holy Week schedule.

A special effort should be made by each of us to attend the major liturgies of the Easter Triduum, namely Holy Thursday Mass celebrating the Institution of the Eucharist, Good Friday Services commemorating our Lord's Passion, and the Easter Vigil.   Easter weekend often begins early in the secular world, with our children having off from school and many places of employment closing Good Friday for the Easter weekend. This extra time gives us the opportunity to attend the Triduum Liturgies.  A thought for reflection this week: If we can make time for other social events during the Easter Holiday, then should we not also be able to make time to attend the Easter Triduum Services? And if we cannot make the time, then do we need to examine our priorities?  We know what Jesus' priority was during this time.  God Bless, and may this week fill you with Christ's love, and the zeal to act on it!!

     Fr. James Brady

LAST SCHEDULED CONFESSION BEFORE EASTER

     The last scheduled confession before Easter will be Wednesday, April 16 before 12:05pm Mass.

St. Landry Catholic Church

Holy Week Schedule

Monday of Holy Week, April 14, 2014, 6-7pm

Opelousas Citywide Penance Service

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Tuesday of Holy Week, April 15, 2014 at 7pm

Opelousas Catholic Passion Play

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Holy Thursday, April 17, 2014 at 7pm

Mass of the Lord’s Supper/Adoration until 10pm

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Good Friday, April 18, 2014

Stations of the Cross for Children @ 10:30am

Celebration of the Passion of the Lord @ 3pm

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Holy Saturday, April 19, 2014 at 8pm

Easter Vigil

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Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014

Easter Masses at 8am, 10am and 5pm

The bulletin for the week of April 13, 2014 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 SaintLandryCatholicChurch.

Homily for the Fifth Sunday in Lent

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 --- over four years ago. This week, the Fifth Sunday in Lent, is our three hundred and seventeenth 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 homily from St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana.

Bulletin for the Week of April 06, 2014 - and the Pastor's Corner

The Pastor’s Corner 

Last weekend, we passed the halfway point of Lent.  Our focus slowly shifts from the fundamentals of removing sin from our lives and being more fervent in our prayer (Our Love of God), almsgiving (Our Love of Neighbor) and fasting (The discipline necessary to live a Christian life) to the Paschal Mystery (suffering and death leading to new life).  It is a good time to take advantage of Sacramental Confession and to meditate more deeply on the coming commemoration of Jesus' Passion, Death and Resurrection during Holy Week.  If we have not been faithful to our Lenten goals, it is never too late to begin!  If we have succeeded in our Lenten goals, we thank God for the Grace of conversion.  If we have failed in our Lenten goals, then we are humbled (in a good way) and realize our weakness and need for God's strength.  In any case, we don't give up, but keep trying!  God knows that we all struggle to live a good life in imitation of His Son, and delights in our effort, knowing it leads to a strengthened relationship with Him.  Our continuing struggle gives us new life in Christ, and thus we live the Paschal Mystery every day, looking forward to our Easter Resurrection at the end of our earthly life.

We also look forward to our Easter celebrations as a parish.  Please keep in prayer our children preparing for First Communion and young adults preparing for Confirmation.  As usual, First Communion will take place at the 10am Mass on April 27, 2014 and Confirmations will take place at the 5pm Mass on May 25, 2014, with Bishop Jarrell as celebrant.  Our annual parish picnic will take place on May 4, 2014 after the 10am Mass.  Please mark your calendars and make plans to attend and celebrate these wonderful events as a parish family. 

May God continue to bless you during this Lenten Season!

     Fr. James Brady

Congratulations to Yvonne Normand!  

Congratulations to our very own Yvonne Normand, who was named the Chamber of Commerce's "Citizen of the Year" last week.  This is the highest honor bestowed by The Chamber and recognizes Yvonne's service to St. Landry (civil) Parish as well as her work here in Opelousas and at St. Landry Church.  Yvonne and her husband Keith, along  with their children, are long time parishioners here at St. Landry.  Her family's dedicated service to our community goes back to her parents.  Of course, her father, Deacon Arthur Lognion, served here at St. Landry and is still gratefully remembered.  Yvonne's dedication and service to our church has always been greatly appreciated, and we are happy that her service to our greater community has been so fittingly recognized.

Congratulations, Yvonne.

St. Landry Church Lent Activity Schedule

Weekday Mass Schedule
Monday – Friday at 12:05pm; Saturday 8am (Church)
**********************************************
Confession Schedule
Monday – Friday from 11:30am to 12pm
Saturdays from 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Sundays 4 to 4:45pm
Citywide Penance Service – Monday, April 14, 6-7pm
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Stations of the Cross
Fridays at 5:15pm in the Church
Followed by soup and bread dinner in Valentin Hall **********************************************

Additional Weekly Activities

All Activities are in Valentin Hall

Tuesdays at 6pm – Lenten Gospel Study. The study is in a modified “Come Lord Jesus!” format designed for Lent.

Wednesdays at 6am – “That Man is You!”

Wednesdays at 5:15pm – “Come Lord Jesus!” Group


Adult Confirmation Class – Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation for adults (21 years of age or older) will be provided on Monday evenings.  The Sacrament will be administered at the Easter Vigil (April 19 at 8pm).  Please call Deacon Diesi at the office (942-6552) for more details.

The bulletin for the week of April 06, 2014 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 SaintLandryCatholicChurch.

Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent

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 --- over four years ago. This week, the Fourth Sunday in Lent, is our three hundred and sixteenth podcast to be posted. The homily is given by Father Tom Bouterie, from Food for the Poor.
You can find out more about this wonderful group at http://foodforthepoor.org/

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

Bulletin for the Week of March 30, 2014 and the Pastor's Corner

The Pastor’s Corner 

This weekend, we welcome Fr. Tom Bouterie from Food for the Poor.  During Lent, we practice "almsgiving," which includes any charitable act towards those in need.  This weekend we are given the opportunity to practice "almsgiving" for those who are in most need.  Food for the Poor serves our brothers and sisters who, through no fault of their own, are unable to meet their basic needs.  This is often due to a lack of resources, development, education or drought.  We are so blessed to have been born or to live in a society that is able to provide these resources or the opportunity to obtain them.  Imagine a society without adequate water, or no schools, or no hospitals?  This weekend provides an opportunity to practice what we preach, and we welcome Fr. Bouterie and thank him for giving us this opportunity.

On another note, last week I sent a letter to all families whose children attend Opelousas Catholic regarding attendance at Sunday Mass.  The letter is included as an insert in this bulletin.  Although written to the parents, it certainly applies to all of us and is a reminder of how important our Sunday worship and reception of the Eucharist is to our spiritual life.  I hope you take time to read it and then share it with our brothers and sisters who may not be attending Mass each week.

Finally, a safety concern.  Our church building, including the bathrooms, is open to the public during Mass.  Therefore, anyone can enter them.  Although it is best to take care of any anticipated bathroom needs prior to Mass, the need to use the bathroom facility does occur.  In order to access the bathrooms, one must go outside and walk along the south side of the church, and the entrance is close to a public street.  Parents of young children are reminded of this, and we strongly recommend, for reasons of safety, that they escort their children to the bathroom if a need to use it occurs during Mass.

     Fr. James Brady

This coming week, on April 2, it will be the 105th Anniversary of the first Mass in our current church building. In 1900 a temporary church was completed. In 1902 the task of removing and clearing away the old church was started. In 1903 the foundation was formed with concrete and brick from the old church. On August 8, 1908 the cornerstone was laid. During the winter of 1908-1909 construction of the walls continued and was completed and occupied. On April 2, 1909, the first Friday of April, the first mass was said in the current St. Landry Church. The interior of the church was not completed. Father John Engberink was our pastor who built the church. Father Engberink is buried in the floor of the church near the sanctuary. Monsignor Albert Benedict Colliard followed Father Engberink as Pastor. Monsignor Colliard completed the interior. Monsignor Colliard is buried in St. Landry Cemetery near the cross. Monsignor Broussard was the pastor following Monsignor Colliard. Monsignor Broussard in 1963 had the interior of the church redecorated and air conditioned. We thank all our ancestors in faith who helped to make our worship in our beautiful church possible through their time, talents and financial support!

St. Landry Church Lent Activity Schedule

Weekday Mass Schedule
Monday – Friday at 12:05pm; Saturday 8am (Church)
**********************************************
Confession Schedule
Monday – Friday from 11:30am to 12pm
Saturdays from 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Sundays 4 to 4:45pm
Citywide Penance Service – Monday, April 14, 6-7pm
**********************************************
Stations of the Cross
Fridays at 5:15pm in the Church
Followed by soup and bread dinner in Valentin Hall **********************************************

Additional Weekly Activities

All Activities are in Valentin Hall

Tuesdays at 6pm – Lenten Gospel Study. The study is in a modified “Come Lord Jesus!” format designed for Lent.

Wednesdays at 6am – “That Man is You!”

Wednesdays at 5:15pm – “Come Lord Jesus!” Group


Adult Confirmation Class – Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation for adults (21 years of age or older) will be provided on Monday evenings.  The Sacrament will be administered at the Easter Vigil (April 19 at 8pm).  Please call Deacon Diesi at the office (942-6552) for more details.

The bulletin for the week of March 30, 2014 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 SaintLandryCatholicChurch.

Homily for the Third Sunday in Lent

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 --- over four years ago. This week, the Third Sunday in Lent, is our three hundred and fifteenth 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 homily from St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana.

Bulletin for the Week of March 23, 2014 - and the Pastor's Corner

The Pastor’s Corner 

This weekend we continue our discussion about the nature of sin. Last week, we spoke of sin in general terms, and that sin separates us from God. Ever since Adam and Eve took the bite of the apple, we have needed God to lead us, if only we were not afraid to be led and would trust Him. Trusting God without fear and letting Him lead us to goodness is the way we maintain our right relationship with Him. As free beings with a Fallen Nature, however, it is a struggle to do so, especially when we encounter hardship.

Today we will analyze what makes a good act. In order to do so, we should examine the object of the act (the goal or desired result), the intention of the act, and the circumstances under which the act is done. In order for an act to be completely good, all three of these things must be good. When this happens, then the act is considered "perfect." If any of the three are not good, then they are considered imperfect, and thus lacking of some goodness, and are sinful if we knowingly commit them. Even if our object is good, though, our way to achieve the goal must also be good. We've all heard the saying: "The ends don't justify the means."

Through thoughtful reflection about the things we do, examining the object, intention and circumstances, we hope to live more fully a life of goodness in the way God has taught us. Next weekend, we will welcome Fr. Thomas R. Bouterie from Food For The Poor. During Lent, we focus on prayer, almsgiving and fasting, and our Church provides opportunities for these activities. Next weekend provides an opportunity for almsgiving, helping those, who through no fault of their own, are in need of basic necessities. We look forward to welcoming Fr. Bouterie and assisting him in his ministry to the poor.

     Fr. James Brady

St. Landry Church Lent Activity Schedule

Weekday Mass Schedule
Monday – Friday at 12:05pm; Saturday 8am (Church)
**********************************************
Confession Schedule
Monday – Friday from 11:30am to 12pm
Saturdays from 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Sundays 4 to 4:45pm
Citywide Penance Service – Monday, April 14, 6-7pm
**********************************************
Stations of the Cross
Fridays at 5:15pm in the Church
Followed by soup and bread dinner in Valentin Hall **********************************************

Additional Weekly Activities

All Activities are in Valentin Hall

Tuesdays at 6pm – Lenten Gospel Study. The study is in a modified “Come Lord Jesus!” format designed for Lent.

Wednesdays at 6am – “That Man is You!”

Wednesdays at 5:15pm – “Come Lord Jesus!” Group


Adult Confirmation Class – Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation for adults (21 years of age or older) will be provided on Monday evenings.  The Sacrament will be administered at the Easter Vigil (April 19 at 8pm).  Please call Deacon Diesi at the office (942-6552) for more details.

The bulletin for the week of March 23, 2014 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 SaintLandryCatholicChurch.

Homily for the Second Sunday in Lent

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 --- over four years ago. This week, the Second Sunday in Lent, is our three hundred and fourteenth 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 homily from St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana.

Bulletin for the Week of March 16, 2014 and the Pastor's Corner

The Pastor’s Corner 

Many thanks to all for the success of our parish mission last week!  It was great to see so many praying and learning together.  What a great way to start our Lenten Season!!  We especially thank Deacon Randy Hyde for his stirring story of the working of Christ in his life and his helping us how to learn to "Embrace Calvary." We also thank Deacon Joubert for his efforts in coordinating and providing for the logistics of the mission. The purpose of the mission is to help us come to know Jesus more deeply during Lent, and by acknowledging the healing power of His Mercy, to be able to imitate Him more deeply in our lives.  Properly lived, Lent will bring us greater joy when we come to Good Friday and Easter.

For those of you who were unable to attend the mission, please know that the mission talks can be heard on our website.  We thank Andrew Guidroz, our site manager, for recording and making these talks available for all.

"What's wrong with us?"  That's the question Deacon Hyde asked at the beginning of his homily last weekend while introducing the mission.  We heard in the first reading last weekend the Story of the Fall of Mankind, when Adam and Eve were tempted by the serpent and then ate of the forbidden fruit.  Because of this, sin entered the world.  As I mentioned a few weeks ago, we will explore the nature of sin over the next two weeks in the Sunday homilies.  This weekend, we will explore the nature of sin in general, beginning with Adam and Eve.  Next weekend, we will examine how we are to evaluate specific acts for their goodness or their sinfulness.  Understanding the nature of sin and how to evaluate or examine our own actions is critical to being able to properly repent of the things we have done wrong, and then to make sure that we truly imitate Jesus in all His Goodness.

May God continue to bless us on our Lenten journey!

     Fr. James Brady

St. Landry Church Lent Activity Schedule

Weekday Mass Schedule
Monday – Friday at 12:05pm; Saturday 8am (Church)
**********************************************
Confession Schedule
Monday – Friday from 11:30am to 12pm
Saturdays from 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Sundays 4 to 4:45pm
Citywide Penance Service – Monday, April 14, 6-7pm
**********************************************
Stations of the Cross
Fridays at 5:15pm in the Church
Followed by soup and bread dinner in Valentin Hall **********************************************

Additional Weekly Activities

All Activities are in Valentin Hall

Tuesdays at 6pm – Lenten Gospel Study. The study is in a modified “Come Lord Jesus!” format designed for Lent.

Wednesdays at 6am – “That Man is You!”

Wednesdays at 5:15pm – “Come Lord Jesus!” Group


Adult Confirmation Class – Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation for adults (21 years of age or older) will be provided on Monday evenings.  The Sacrament will be administered at the Easter Vigil (April 19 at 8pm).  Please call Deacon Diesi at the office (942-6552) for more details.

The bulletin for the week of March 16, 2014 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 SaintLandryCatholicChurch.

Lenten Mission Night 3 - St. Landry Catholic Church

Here is the audio for the third and last night of the Lenten Mission at St. Landry Catholic Church, given by Deacon Randy Hyde. Click here.

Lenten Mission Night 2 - St. Landry Catholic Church

Here is the audio for the second night of the Lenten Mission at St. Landry Catholic Church, given by Deacon Randy Hyde. Click here.

The mission continues on Wed (March 12) with a mass at 5:30 PM and the mission talk from 6 PM to 7 PM.

Lenten Mission Night 1 - St. Landry Catholic Church

Here is the audio for the first night of the Lenten Mission at St. Landry Catholic Church, given by Deacon Randy Hyde. Click here.

The mission continues on Tues and Wed (March 11 & 12) with a mass at 5:30 PM and the mission talk from 6 PM to 7 PM.

Homily for the First Sunday in Lent

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 --- over four years ago. This week, the First Sunday in Lent, is our three hundred and tenth podcast to be posted. The homily is given by Deacon Randy Hyde.

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

Bulletin for March 09, 2014 and the Pastor's Corner

The Pastor’s Corner 

This past week we began the Lenten Season, a time of prayer, almsgiving and fasting. During the Lenten Season, we focus on many things, such as repentance and the forgiveness of sins and increased prayer, almsgiving (charity) and fasting (discipline).  Sin, whether it be our own sin or the sin of others, is the cause of suffering in the world, beginning with the Sin of Adam. Suffering caused by the sin of others is "innocent" suffering, whereas suffering because of our own sins can be referred to as "culpable" suffering. We all have a mix of innocent and culpable suffering as we have all sinned and are all burdened by Original Sin. Jesus, Our Savior, had all innocent suffering because He was Divinely conceived and committed no sins. All His suffering was due to the sin of humanity, that is, us. Suffering is a mystery and can be difficult to understand. Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do good things happen to people we think are bad? We take solace that Jesus redeemed all suffering, and gave it a purpose, namely our salvation and the salvation of the world.

This weekend our Lenten Parish Mission, presented by Deacon Randy Hyde, will be introduced at all of the Sunday Masses. The mission will address the issue of suffering and how we can "Embrace Calvary."  The mission will then take place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, March 10, 11 and 12.  Mass will be offered at 5:30pm each night, and will be followed by the mission talk beginning at 6pm. Please mark your calendar and make every effort to attend, as learning how to embrace the sufferings of Jesus at Calvary is one of the most important things as Christians we can do, as by doing so we can better understand Jesus’ Love for us and our response to that Love.  Hope to see you there!

A reminder that there are many additional opportunities for prayer and study during Lent here at St. Landry, and these activities were listed in a bulletin insert last weekend and are contained on the calendar in this bulletin.  We hope you are able to participate in these activities as we journey through Lent and move towards the immediate events that led to our salvation, the Death and Resurrection of our Lord and Savior.

     Fr. James Brady

St. Landry Church Lent Activity Schedule

Weekday Mass Schedule
Monday – Friday at 12:05pm; Saturday 8am (Church)
**********************************************
Confession Schedule
Monday – Friday from 11:30am to 12pm
Saturdays from 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Sundays 4 to 4:45pm
Citywide Penance Service – Monday, April 14, 6-7pm
**********************************************
Stations of the Cross
Fridays at 5:15pm in the Church
Followed by soup and bread dinner in Valentin Hall **********************************************
Lenten Mission
“Embracing Calvary”
Presented by Deacon Randy Hyde
Introduced at Sunday Masses, March 8th and 9th
Mission: March 10th, 11th and 12th
Mass at 5:30pm; Mission begins at 6pm
**********************************************

Additional Weekly Activities

All Activities are in Valentin Hall

Tuesdays at 6pm – Lenten Gospel Study (Note: Begins March 6, the Thursday after Ash Wednesday).  Also, the group will not meet March 11 due to the Parish Mission, but rather will meet that week on Thursday, March 13 at 6pm).  The study is in a modified “Come Lord Jesus!” format designed for Lent.

Wednesdays at 6am – “That Man is You!”

Wednesdays at 5:15pm – “Come Lord Jesus!” Group


Adult Confirmation Class – Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation for adults (21 years of age or older) will be provided on Monday evenings.  The Sacrament will be administered at the Easter Vigil (April 19 at 8pm).  Please call Deacon Diesi at the office (942-6552) for more details.

The bulletin for the week of March 09, 2014 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 SaintLandryCatholicChurch.

Ash Wednesday Mass Times

Ash Wednesday Mass Times

8:40 Opelousas Catholic All School Mass
12:05 Mass
5:30 Mass

Homily for the Eighth 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 --- over four years ago. This week, the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, is our three hundred and ninth podcast to be posted. The homily is given by Deacon Dwayne Joubert.

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

Bulletin for the Week of March 2, 2014 and the Pastor's Corner

The Pastor’s Corner 

This week we begin the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Lent is a time when we reflect on our struggles in this life, and we watch Jesus show us the way to eternal life. I am once again looking forward to making this Lenten Journey with you.

Lent recognizes that we still struggle in our earthly life despite the fact that our Savior died and rose from the dead. Salvation is ours, but we still struggle in this life until our passing into eternal life. The reason for this is that God will not impair our freedom to make us follow Him.  Our love of God and our neighbor is a choice, and a choice is no choice if we are not free to make it.  Scripture tells us that we are all sinners, and our sins always affect us and others negatively.  Sin produces our struggle in this life, whether it be our own sins or the sins of others that affect us.

During Lent, we will examine the nature of sin in a series of homilies after our parish mission next week, which will help us to learn how to "Embrace Calvary."  The Lenten Parish Mission will be given by Deacon Randy Hyde and will be introduced next weekend at all Masses, followed by the mission on March 9, 10 and 11 at 6pm in the church.   Mass will precede the Parish Mission presentations at 5:30pm for those who may not have had an opportunity to attend Mass during the day.

Enclosed in this bulletin is an insert containing the Liturgical Schedule for Lent, as well as additional opportunities for prayer, study and fellowship during the Lenten Season.  We hope that these activities can help all of us to grow closer to Jesus during the season of Lent and to celebrate the joy of Easter more deeply.  In recognizing our own sinfulness in Lent, we better understand the gift from God the Father in the life, suffering and death of His Son, so that in the Resurrection we celebrate at Easter we can better appreciate the gift of eternal life despite our sins.  Hopefully, we will then be more open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to live better lives!  Praise to our Lord Jesus Christ!!

     Fr. James Brady

St. Landry Church Lent Activity Schedule

Weekday Mass Schedule
Monday – Friday at 12:05pm; Saturday 8am (Church)
**********************************************
Confession Schedule
Monday – Friday from 11:30am to 12pm
Saturdays from 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Sundays 4 to 4:45pm
Citywide Penance Service – Monday, April 14, 6-7pm
**********************************************
Stations of the Cross
Fridays at 5:15pm in the Church
Followed by soup and bread dinner in Valentin Hall **********************************************
Lenten Mission
“Embracing Calvary”
Presented by Deacon Randy Hyde
Introduced at Sunday Masses, March 8th and 9th
Mission: March 10th, 11th and 12th
Mass at 5:30pm; Mission begins at 6pm
**********************************************

Additional Weekly Activities

All Activities are in Valentin Hall

Tuesdays at 6pm – Lenten Gospel Study (Note: Begins March 6, the Thursday after Ash Wednesday).  Also, the group will not meet March 11 due to the Parish Mission, but rather will meet that week on Thursday, March 13 at 6pm).  The study is in a modified “Come Lord Jesus!” format designed for Lent.

Wednesdays at 6am – “That Man is You!”

Wednesdays at 5:15pm – “Come Lord Jesus!” Group


Adult Confirmation Class – Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation for adults (21 years of age or older) will be provided on Monday evenings.  The Sacrament will be administered at the Easter Vigil (April 19 at 8pm).  Please call Deacon Diesi at the office (942-6552) for more details.

The bulletin for the week of March 02, 2014 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 SaintLandryCatholicChurch.

Homily for the Seventh 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 --- over four years ago. This week, the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, is our three hundred and eighth 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 homily from St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana.

Bulletin for the Week of February 23, 2014 and the Pastor's Corner

The Pastor’s Corner 

Over the last few weeks our Church has been in the news in light of a United Nations report regarding the protection of children. The report was very negative towards the Church, and I think it fair to say that it was a "hit piece" designed to malign the Church and to try to alter Her Faith and teachings. Needless to say, in the past there were wrongs committed by both clergy and lay people in the Church, and for that we as a community have apologized, taken corrective action to make sure it does not happen again, and to the best of our ability helped and supported the victims and their families.

Here at St. Landry, as in all parishes in the Diocese of Lafayette, a Safe Environment Program has been implemented for all clergy, employees and volunteers who work with our children (this same program is also at Opelousas Catholic). The program includes criminal background checks and yearly training regarding proper boundaries, detection and reporting of any potential problem. The program is a "gold standard" of education of clergy, employees, volunteers, parents and our children for the safety and protection of our young people. Despite the existence of serious and systematic abuse problems in our society in general (the problem is not just a Catholic Church problem, but rather a societal problem; just ask any of us who work in this area), other institutions including schools (both public and private) and churches, for the most part, have not implemented such a program. To date, the program has been very effective, albeit no program is perfect.

However, the United Nations report went further than just addressing the protection of children, and addressed matters of our faith that it thinks should be changed, including our teaching on marriage and the dignity of life from conception to natural death. Rather than taking a shot at the United Nations regarding its lack of diligence regarding other serious and, unfortunately, commonplace crimes against children that occur worldwide, including the use of "children soldiers," slave trafficking, child labor, and child prostitution (not to mention the problems of poverty, healthcare and education), or by noting the well documented corruption that the United Nations has had through the years, I think it more fruitful to reflect on what the report teaches us about our world and our role in it as Catholics.

First, we have discussed in homilies over the past year or two the widening of the gap between secular morality (the morality of our society) and our Catholic morality (what the Church teaches us is moral) in the United States, with particular examples being the new health care law (Obamacare) and the recent Supreme Court decisions on marriage. We can now safely say that this widening of the gap is not only in the United States, but also worldwide. Second, we can see that in this widening of the gap that secular governments and authorities will attempt to force Catholics to accept their morality by the use of their power over those they govern, even if it violates legitimate religious beliefs. Third, in the attempt to force secular morality upon us, we will be impugned because of our religious beliefs, whether being called or thought of as bigots (as happened during the debate on marriage) or unenlightened/ignorant as is common in secular media commentary. At some point, if this widening of the gap continues, we may be made to make certain choices between the practice of our faith or submitting to laws that require us to violate our religious beliefs.

Our response as Catholics is simple, but may be difficult. The widening of the morality gap is being caused by changes in secular morality instituted by governments. Our morality is rooted in Our Savior, Jesus Christ, and what He taught us. His teachings have not and will not change, because they are the Truth. We are not at liberty to change God's teachings, nor will we try. Our job is to simply live by them in imitation of Our Savior, not trying to make Jesus into who we want Him to be, but rather letting Him make us into who He wants us to be. Catholics have always been good citizens in just societies, and the less just a society becomes, the more tension increases between governmental authorities and the Church. This is nothing new, as it has occurred repeatedly in societies all over the world since the founding of our Church by Jesus Himself some 2000 years ago, and at times has led to persecution.

For now, our mission remains the same: To know our faith and to live it so that we can be with God in eternity, resisting the temptation to "go along" with societal norms that violate our faith. We must properly educate our young in word and especially in deed so they will also be able to live and be firm in the faith given to us by Jesus. We cannot compromise our faith, because eternal life is the most important and precious gift we have been given by God. We must not be afraid or ashamed of our faith, but rather know it and share it, especially by loving each other as Jesus loved us. As good citizens, we also do what we can to make our society more just and truly good by the changing of hearts and minds. Let us resolve to continue to remain firm in the Truth taught to us by Jesus and His Church!.

     Fr. James Brady

The bulletin for the week of February 23, 2014 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 SaintLandryCatholicChurch.

Homily for the 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 --- over four years ago. This week, the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, is our three hundred and seventh 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 homily from St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana.