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.

Homily for the Twenty Second 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 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, is our eighty 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 Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time homily from St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana.

Pastor's Corner - Father Lafleur Anniversary Mass

Pastor's Corner

On Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 6:30 p.m., we will celebrate the annual memorial Mass for Fr. Verbis Lafleur. The mass will be celebrated by Father Francis Lowe, a military chaplain currently stationed in Arkansas, whose father was a prisoner of war alongside Father Lafleur during World War II. As most of you know, there is a beautiful monument in the front of our Church to celebrate Father Lafleur’s memory. Fr. Lafleur is an example to all of us in giving over his life to God and his neighbor, namely his "neighbor" being fellow soldiers and prisoners of war during World War II. By all accounts, his life is something we should try to imitate because of his fearless willingness to serve God, neighbor and country. Fr. Lafleur's biography follows this Pastor's Corner. His call to priesthood was first received and nurtured here at St. Landry Church starting as an altar server. I hope we can all join together for this special celebration of his life, and to see the fruit of God's work in our parish. This year a book titled "But He Dies Not”, has been published. The authors, Pete and Suzanne Guerra, will be attending the mass and will be autographing copies of the book. The book chronicles Fr. Lafleur's life here at St. Landry Church, in our diocese, and then his distinguished military service. It is "required reading" for those who want to know about the history of St. Landry Church. For more information about Father Lafleur, please visit http://fatherlafleur.org/. There, you can learn about his life, download prayer cards, and even submit prayer requests.

Father James Brady

Fr. Verbis Lafleur's Biography

Fr. Lafleur was born on January 24, 1912 in Ville Platte, Louisiana. In 1926, his family moved to Opelousas, Louisiana. From early in his life, he felt a calling to the priesthood. Father Colliard, pastor of St. Landry Church at the time, arranged for young Verbis to enter St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary in St. Benedict, Louisiana in 1927. For 11 years, he prepared for the priesthood at St. Joseph’s Seminary and at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was ordained as a priest on April 2, 1938. Fr. LaFleur then celebrated his First Solemn Mass in St. Landry Catholic Church April 5, 1938.

Father Lafleur’s first assignment was St. Mary Magdalene in Abbeville, Louisiana. He joined the Army Air Corps in the summer of 1941, nearly one half year before the U. S. became involved in World War II. Father Lafleur was assigned to Albuquerque, New Mexico, until he was assigned at Clark Field in the Philippine Islands just a few weeks before it was attacked on December 8, 1941. For his bravery in action, he won the Distinguished Service Cross and was later awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. After that, he became a Prisoner of War for approximately two and one half years including stays at O’Donnell, Cabanatuan, Davao, and Lasang. On September 7, 1944, Father Lafleur gave his life while aboard a torpedoed “hell ship” carrying over 700 American Prisoners of War. By all accounts, Fr. Lafleur gave his life helping other prisoners off a prisoner ship the Japanese had not marked as "non-combatant”, while many of his fellow prisoners protested because they believed he should evacuate because his life and ministry was more important to the other prisoners who might survive.

In 1945, Father Lafleur's classmates and family members gathered in Ville Platte for a Memorial Service in his honor. The Knights of Columbus in 1946 held a parade in his honor from the Opelousas Court House to St. Landry Catholic Church. Notre Dame Seminary Alumni dedicated a bronze plaque in his memory on November 27, 1951. On May 21, 1989, he was honored at the dedication of the Chaplain Hill monument at Arlington National Cemetery. On December 7, 2005, a dedication of the Father Lafleur Shrine in St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana, was held. On September 7, 2007, the Father Lafleur Monument was dedicated at St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana.

Readings and Themes for the Week of August 29, 2010

Readings for Faith Sharing
Week of August 22, 2010,
Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading I Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-2

Ancient wisdom insists that the more humble we are, the greater we are.

Psalm 68

"God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor."

Reading II Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a

Far from frightening, our encounter with God will be like a glorious holiday.

Gospel Luke 14:1, 7-14

Jesus presents his own version of table manners.

THEME:

Give as God gives- - in humility and love.

The living word manifests God’s presence and leads us to conversion of heart. As God’s word is proclaimed in this holy place, let us pray that our hearts will be turned toward greater compassion for the poor and needy in our community and beyond. Let us be attentive to sacred words that call us to Christian hospitality.

Questions of the week

Question for Children:

Jesus tells us that we should treat everyone as a guest.

Who do you tend to shun or not be nice to?

Question for Youth:

God asks us to do for others without hope of repayment.

This past week, what did you do for someone else for which you won’t be repaid?

Who are the people most in need of your generosity?

Question for Adults:

Who are the people living near you that you would find it most difficult to invite to a meal in your home or to invite to be a part of your life?

Bulletin Bites
"Invite the poor, the cripples, the lame, the blind, and the unwanted: blessed will you be because of their inability to repay you."

A parishioner noted to his pastor that Jesus dined with the rich and famous of his day. He asked, “Do you think Jesus would belong to an exclusive country club if he were here today?” The pastor answered, “I suspect he might, if he could afford it. But his guests would include people who could not afford it, people who need a bath and a new set of clothes, people who have not recently had a decent meal, people who are lame, who limp, or feel their way with a white cane.” The pastor then said to his parishioner, “You belong to a very exclusive country club. Have you ever brought such guests to your club?” The man said nothing. The pastor added, “When we leave Mass and go into God’s world, we are supposed to be Jesus present in the world. So, when you are at your exclusive country club Jesus IS a member. You might want to start reviewing your guest list.”

Bulletin for the week of August 29, 2010

The bulletin for the week of August 29, 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 First 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 First Sunday in Ordinary Time, is our eighty 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 Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time homily from St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana.

Pastor's Corner - Message from Father James Brady

There has been much going on the last week. Initially, the attendance at our Masses has grown, and we hope that continues. The Mass is the central and most important part of our spiritual life because in it we worship God in the way Jesus told us ("Do this in memory of Me"). The Eucharist is the source and summit of our life, not just here on earth, but for our life in eternity. In this worship, we should always respond to the gifts God has given us. Because of the growth in attendance at Mass, there will be a need for additional ministers at our Eucharistic Celebrations. Our St. Landry Church ministry call will be next month, and I hope that those of you who are called to serve at Mass, whether it be as a Minister of the Word, Minister of Music, Extraordinary Minister, Usher, Minister of the Eucharist for those unable to attend Mass, or Altar Server will be generous with your time and talent if you have that gift to give at the service of the Church.

We began some projects this week on the grounds of the Church. First, the roofing project for Valentin Hall, and the parking garage have begun, beginning with the garage this week. The Valentin Hall project will begin within the next month. Also, the gardens next to the rectory building were removed by the inmates at St. Landry Parish Correctional Center. The proximity of the gardens to the building caused a drainage and varmint problem for the building. We appreciate the help from the men who came to remove those gardens and those at the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's office who made it possible! The roofing repairs for the rectory and south sacristy of the Church will begin next month, and hopefully, with their completion, will resolve all problems with roof leaks in our buildings.

Many responded to the request for a monstrance for the Valentin Hall Chapel, and the response is greatly appreciated. We will have a new monstrance in the near future. As a final note, many thanks for your generosity in giving to the Church. As you know, there are ongoing renovations to the rectory in addition to the other projects mentioned above. We've been blessed over the last few weeks with generous donations of materials and funds (both from inside our Church parish and from outside donors) that have made these repairs and renovations possible.

Father James Brady

Now taking orders for the new Father Lafleur book!

The new book about Father Joseph Verbis Lafleur --- the life, faith, and sacrifice of a military chaplain --- is now available!

The book was written by Peter J. Guerra & Suzanne Dore' Guerra.

You can get to the order form here: http://fatherlafleur.org/html/order_form.html

The book was produced locally by Andrepont Printing ... you can support them by clicking here.

Download the flyer here: http://fatherlafleur.org/BookFlyerReduced.pdf

Readings and Themes for Week of August 22, 2010

Readings for Faith Sharing
Week of August 22, 2010,
Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading I Isaiah 66: 18-21

Outcasts will be gathered home by God as a precious offering in glory.

Psalm 117

"Go out to all the world and tell the Good News."

Reading II Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13

Discipline strengthens what is weak.

Gospel Luke 13:22-30

The doorway into the kingdom is narrow.

THEME:

Following Jesus calls us to risk and not always taking the easy road.

God’s sacred word shows us the way to eternal life. The entrance is narrow, yet we are strengthened each week as we gather in this holy place to be fed at the table of the word. May the proclamation of today’s scriptures keep our eyes focused on the Lord.

Questions of the week

Question for Children:

How do you show that you are a follower of Christ?

Question for Youth:

Jesus tells us that being His disciple will be very hard.

Of all the things that Jesus tells us about the way that we are to live our lives, what is the hardest thing for you to do? Why?

Question for Adults:

As you wrestle with today’s Gospel, what signs do you see in your
own life that you are “with God”?

Bulletin Bites
"I do not know where you are from"

What will we do if Jesus speaks those words to us when we finally meet him? Will our face go pale and our knees buckle? Will we be very frightened? Will we mumble, “I ate and drank in your company and you taught me”? What if Jesus asks us, “But what did you learn? Did you eat and drink in the company of the hungry, the homeless, the naked, the oppressed, and the diseased? Do they know where you are from? If people in need in our world know where we are from, Jesus will know where we are from. He will recognize us right away and he will be anxiously waiting for us to enter into his presence. Jesus is very clear”: “People will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at the table in the Kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Where do we want to be when we all take our places in God’s Kingdom?

Bulletin for the Week of August 22, 2010

The bulletin for the week of August 22, 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 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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 Feast of the Assumption, is our eightieth podcast to be posted. This week, the homily is given by Father James Brady.

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

Father Lafleur Memorial Mass

The Father Lafleur Memorial Mass

The Lieutenant Father Joseph Verbis Lafleur Memorial Mass will be at 6:30 PM, September 7, 2010 on the anniversary of Father Lafleur’s death at St. Landry Catholic Church, 1020 North Main Street, Opelousas, Louisiana.

The mass will be celebrated by Father Francis Lowe, a military chaplain currently stationed in Arkansas, whose father was a prisoner of war alongside Father Lafleur during World War II.

For the last several years, St. Landry Catholic Church has hosted this annual Mass in honor of one of its former altar boys; it was, in fact, through the help and guidance of the pastor, Father A. B. Colliard, that a young Lafleur was eventually able to enter the seminary. Today, some of Father Lafleur’s relatives in the Opelousas area are still parishioners of St. Landry Catholic Church. In 2007, a monument in honor of his memory was erected on the church grounds.

After being ordained to the priesthood in 1938, Father Lafleur went on to serve both his church and his country as a military chaplain during World War II. He and more than 600 other prisoners were killed when the Japanese ship transporting them was torpedoed. Although Father Lafleur’s body was never recovered, survivors later recalled that he was last seen trying to help others escape from the sinking vessel. In the years that followed, Father Lafleur’s family received letters from many others to whom he had ministered during the war, sharing their stories of how deeply the priest’s selfless actions touched and inspired them.

In October 2008, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Joseph Guerra assisted the Lafleur family in submitting a request to the U.S. Army, asking that Father Lafleur be considered for the Medal of Honor. While the family is still awaiting a decision on that matter, Lt. Col. Guerra has authored a book which chronicles Father Lafleur’s heroic endeavors as a military chaplain. The family is hopeful that the book, which is currently being printed by the local Andrepont Printing business, will be available in time for this year’s Memorial Mass.

Those who are interested in learning more about Father Lafleur are encouraged to visit http://www.fatherlafleur.org/ for further information.

Monstrance needed

The monstrance used for First Friday adoration and benediction in the Valentin Hall Chapel is broken and it is not feasible to repair it.

The monstrance is a sacred vessel used to display the consecrated host for adoration, benediction, or during processions. The word monstrance comes from the same root as our English word "demonstrate" - to show. The monstrance is many times designed to resemble the sun, symbolizing Christ as the Light of the World.

If anyone is interested in donating a monstrance for our church parish, please contact me at the church office (337) 942-6552 or email me by clicking this link on the church website. Your generous gift of a monstrance will provide a beautiful item that will be central to worship in our parish for this and future generations to come.

Father James Brady

Pastor's Corner - Welcome to Monsignor Louis Melancon

We welcome Monsignor Louis Melancon to our parish. Many of you already know him because of his good work at Opelousas Catholic School. He will reside, for the next few weeks, here at St. Landry Catholic Church. Due to the renovations in the rectory described in previous bulletins, he will reside in Washington throughout this school year. Beginning in the Fall of next year, he will reside here at St. Landry on a more permanent basis. Between now and then, we look forward to Monsignor's presence in our parish.

Readings and Themes for the Week of August 15, 2010

Readings for Faith Sharing
Week of August 15, 2010,
The Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary

Reading I Revelation 11:19a, 12:1-6a, 10ab

A woman is clothed with the sun and crowned with stars.

Psalm 45

"The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold."

Reading II 1 Corinthians 15:20-27

Christ is the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Gospel Luke 1:39-56

As David danced before the ark, so John leaps in his mother’s womb in the presence of the Lord in the womb of Mary.

THEME:

God’s power among us gives us strength.

Mary’s joyful song of praise, her Magnificat, resounds throughout this great festival in honor of her assumption into heaven. Let us be attentive, as was the Blessed Virgin Mary, to God’s word of comfort, peace, and challenge for all who long to see the face of God.

Questions of the week

Question for Children:

How does your relationship to the Blessed Virgin Mary help your faith?

Question for Youth:

Mary said YES to God, to cooperating with God’s plan for her life.

What do you think God wants for our life?

How well are you cooperating with God’s plan?

Question for Adults:

In your own words, how would you describe the role of Mary in the work of Christ?

Bulletin Bites
"More blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb."

On November 1, 1950 Pope Pius XII, in his Encyclical Letter Munificentissimus Deus, proclaimed, declared and defined to be divinely revealed dogma that "... the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory." Some ask why, how, when, and where? Those are fair questions. The simple answer is "It’s a mystery!" But it is more important to ask, "Why not?" Why would Jesus not want to honor the young girl who accepted God’s call to be his mother [at great risk to her life], who carried him in her womb and gave birth to him in a cave, who watched him grow and was with him when he died on a cross and who rejoiced at his Resurrection by assuming her uncorrupted body to be with him in heaven for eternity? The world would be a much better place if we all honored our parents, family, friends, and strangers who often do so much for us that we do not appreciate. Once again, Jesus reveals to us that gratitude is the beginning of generosity.

Bulletin for the Week of August 15, 2010

The bulletin for the week of August 15, 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 Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Two for the price of one!

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 Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, is our seventy-ninth podcast to be posted. This week, the homily is given by Father James Brady speaking about Hands Together, missionaries to Haiti. Their website can be found at http://www.handstogether.org/ This is a second homily for this weekend - so you get two for the price of one!

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

Anniversary - Laying of the Cornerstone for St. Landry Catholic Church

Today is the 102 year anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone for the current building here at St. Landry Catholic Church. When standing outside of the church facing the front doors (to the east), the cornerstone is to your left. It was carved in 1907 and put into place on August 8, 1908. From my notes on the history of St. Landry Catholic Church ...

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.

As you can see from the photo at the top of this posting, the cornerstone is in Latin …

Ad

Laudem Dei Omnipotentis

Sub

Invocatione St. Landerici Epi – Et

Conf. Mense Januarii A.D. MCMVII

Primarius Novae Aedis Lapis

Collocatur Sedente S.S.D.N.

Pio Papa X

Reverendissime J.H. Blenk S.M. Arch

Rev. J. Engerbrink

Rectore Opelousas

Larry Jagneaux is a parishioner here that many of you know as a Eucharistic Minister at 10 AM Sunday mass.  Larry also teaches Latin 101 and Latin 102 at the Aquinas Institute and has published a textbook on Latin. He was gracious enough to translate the cornerstone as … (with a few additions to clear up the names and abbreviations)

To the praise of Almighty God, under the invocation of St. Landry, conferred in the month of January, 1907, the first stone of the new Church, set during the pontificate of Pope Pius X.  The most Reverend James Hubert Blenk, Society of Mary, being the Archbishop of New Orleans, and the Reverend John Engerbrink, Rector of Opelousas.

Homily for the Nineteenth 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 Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, is our seventy-eighth podcast to be posted. This week, the homily is given by Bill Darling who represents Hands Together, missionaries to Haiti. Their website can be found at http://www.handstogether.org/

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

51st Anniversary of Charlene Richard's death

Tonight, at 6 PM at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Richard Louisiana, Father Wayne Duet will celebrate mass on the 51st anniversary of the death of Charlene Richard.

Charlene died as a child at the age of 12 of leukemia. Thousands of people visit her gravesite each year as a testament to her faith while going through a difficult illness.

At 5 PM, a rosary will be prayed. Immediately afterwards, Deacon Reggie Bollich will make a presentation about the Charlene Richard Mission house located in Northern Thailand.

Father Joseph Brennan who wrote the book, "My Name is Charlene" will be present to sign copies of his book before mass. Barbara Gutierrez who wrote the book "Charlene" will be there as well.

Prayer cloths made by the St. Edward's Ladies Altar Society, prayer cards, and brochures from the Friends of Charlene will also be distributed free of charge.

A reception will follow the mass.

You can contact the Friends of Charlene at PO Box 91623, Lafayette, LA 70509.

The Pastor's Corner - A Message from our Pastor, Father James Brady

Things continue to go well in the transition of pastors in our parish. Each week I get to know more people and am learning more about our parish. It's been a great month and I appreciate everything each of you have done to welcome me and make my transition comfortable. As several of you have suggested, one liturgical adjustment that could be made is to schedule more Eucharistic Ministers for each Mass. As the new school year approaches, Mass attendance tends to increase as families return home from vacation, and this has occurred over the last few weeks. It is expected that Mass attendance will continue to increase for the next few weeks as more families return home and we settle into our "school year" rhythm. We are in the process of scheduling additional Eucharistic Ministers, but this may take a few weeks, so I ask for your patience in the interim.

This Sunday, August 8th, is the 102nd anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone in our current church. This is a good time to reflect on the beauty of our Church and to thank those who came before us for the great gift they left us. Our worship of God is most important, and our ancestors and predecessors definitely left us a most fitting place to do so. On a trivia note, the rector/pastor at the time of construction of the Church, according to the cornerstone, was "Rev. J. Engerbrink.” In Valentin Hall, there is a portrait of a priest named "Fr. John Engberink" who was the "Dutchman" responsible for building the current Church and was the pastor here from 1895 to 1918. His tomb in the Church has the same spelling. In the rectory, there is a mini-portrait of "Fr. John Embrank”, who looks exactly like the man in the portrait in Valentin Hall. We know all three are the same man, but his name is spelled differently in each place, and two of the three items (the cornerstone and the mini-portrait, which have the most diverse spellings) appear to have been done within a close period of time. Does anyone know the correct spelling?

Father James Brady

Readings and Themes for the Week of August 08, 2010

Readings for Faith Sharing
Week of August 08, 2010,
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading I Wisdom 18: 6-9

On the long-awaited Passover night, God’s children offered the paschal sacrifice.

Psalm 33

"Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own."

Reading II Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19

By faith, we join our ancestors in faith, as together in hope we journey toward our homeland.

Gospel Luke 12: 32-48

The Son of Man will come at an unexpected hour.

THEME:

Do not live in fear. Live, and be ready!

Let us now be attentive to the word of God, which reminds us to nurture our faith constantly, our vision focused on the coming of the Lord. We await our inheritance of the heavenly kingdom promised to those who put their faith in the Lord Jesus.

Questions of the week

Question for Children:

Jesus tells us to always be ready to hear him.

What are some ways he speaks to us?

Question for Youth:

If Jesus were to knock on your door today and give you a report card on your life as his disciple, what grade would you get?

Where would be your areas for improvement?

Question for Adults:

On a daily basis, what are some ways to keep yourself ready for God to act?

How do you pay attention to God’s often-less-than-obvious actions?

Bulletin Bites
"For where your treasure is, there also will be your heart."

The trash we put on the curb to be discarded reveals much about who we are and what we do in life. It contains the packaging of the products that we treasure. It reveals where our heart is. What is in our trash? Is it packaging from the latest electronic games, the best type of athletic equipment, the current fashion in clothes [no matter how revealing], the appliances with the most features, containers that held gourmet foods, too many liquor bottles and beer cans, and the shredded documents of the fortune we are trying to amass? There are some people whose hearts are not revealed by their trash. They have no trash. Sadly, they have nothing to throw away. They do not have sufficient food and they have very little clothing. We would do well to remember the words of Jesus, “Much will be required of the person who has much, and still more of the person entrusted with more”. When we bring our trash to the curb we should ask, “How much treasure have I been entrusted with and what does this trash reveal about my heart?”

Bulletin for the Week of August 8, 2010

The bulletin for the week of August 08, 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.

St. John Bosco comes to Louisiana

The relics of St. John Bosco -- "Don Bosco" -- are being brought to a few churches in New Orleans later this month.

 

Last year was the 150th anniversary of his founding of the Salesians ... the Society of St. Francis de Sales ... and the relics are touring the world as part of the celebration.

 

The Salesians are best known for providing education for the poor throughout the world. In Haiti, they take in young boys who have been abandoned by their families due to poverty, educate them in a trade, and then attempt to have them reunited with their families as not only a family member but a provider.

 

On the itinerary:

• New Orleans: September 19-20 veneration at St. Rosalie Parish in Harvey, La.
• September 21, Youth Rally at Alario Center in Westwego, La.
• September 21-22 veneration at St. John Bosco Parish in Harvey, La.

More details at the website, Don Bosco Among Us.

Homily for the Eighteenth 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 Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, is our seventy-seventh podcast to be posted. This week, the homily is given by Father James Brady, our new pastor.

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