Bulletin for the Week of April 04, 2010

The bulletin for the week of April 04, 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.

Photos from Good Friday Service - Join us for Vigil tonight at 8 PM

A parishioner venerates the cross held by altar servers at St Landry Catholic Church during Good Friday Services.

We've got photos up from the Good Friday Service. It's the full service along with the veneration of the cross.

See the photo gallery here ... http://www.stlandrycatholicchurch.org/gallery2/main.php/v/20100402GoodFridayService/

We also have photographs of the practice before the service here: http://www.stlandrycatholicchurch.org/gallery2/main.php/v/20100402GoodFridayPractice/. Our altar servers work very hard during the Easter Triduum as well as throughout the year and we want to thank them.

You'll notice there is no activity on the Twitter, Blog, and Facebook accounts for the St. Landry Bell. The bell rang during the Gloria of Holy Thursday Mass and won't be heard again until the Gloria of the Easter Vigil. Our church is quiet and is awaiting the Risen Lord.

Please join us tonight at 8 PM for The Easter Vigil Mass. Or come Easter Day for our two masses, one at 8 AM and the other at 10 AM - no 5 PM mass. St. Landry Catholic Church, 1020 North Main Street, Opelousas, Louisiana.

Easter Blessing

Christ yesterday and today,

the beginning and the end,

Alpha, and Omega,

all time belongs to him,

and all the ages,

to him be glory and power,

through every age forever.

Amen.

By his holy and glorious wounds

may Christ our Lord

guard us and keep us.

Amen.

May the light of Christ, rising in glory,

dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.

(From the Blessing of the Easter Candle, Easter Vigil Liturgy)

A Reflection on Baptism - by St. Basil

We imitate Christ’s death by being buried with him in baptism. … The bodies of the baptized are in a sense buried in the water as a symbol of their renunciation of the sins of their unregenerate nature. As the Apostle says: “The circumcision you have undergone is not an operation performed by human hands, but the complete stripping away of your unregenerate nature. This is the circumcision that Christ gave us, and it is accomplished by our burial with him in baptism.” Baptism cleanses the soul from the pollution of worldly thoughts and inclinations: “You will wash me,” says the psalmist, “and I shall be whiter than snow.” We receive this saving baptism only once because there was only one death and one resurrection for the salvation of the world, and baptism is its symbol. (From a work ‘On the Holy Spirit’ by Saint Basil, bishop).

Readings and Themes for the Week of April 04, 2010

Readings for Faith Sharing
Week of April 04, 2010,
Easter

Reading Acts 10:34a, 37-43

Peter is an eyewitness: The Lord is risen.

Psalm 118

"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad."

Reading II Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8

All who are baptized, set your hearts in heaven. Christ our Passover is sacrificed: Out with the old, in with the new.

Gospel: John 20:1-9

Three witnesses, Mary, Peter, and John, each in her or his way respond to the empty tomb.

THEME:

We are a resurrection people!

Today we follow Mary of Magdala, Peter, and John to the tomb where we find the stone rolled away. Sharing their amazement, we find that the tomb is empty. That empty tomb stands as an everlasting sign of hope – hope for a world free from fear, free from sin, free from death. As God’s word is proclaimed, let us be filled with joy and gladness on this Easter day.

Questions of the week

Question for Children:

What is good and new in your life?

Question for Youth:

Resurrection reminds us that what looks bad can lead to something good.

What has resurrected or gone from bad to good in your life over the past year?

Question for Adults:

In what way have you risen from "deadness" in your life?

Stewardship
Easter Sunday
The Lord has truly been raised.
He was made known to us in the breaking of the bread. Luke 24:13-35

The location of Emmaus has not been definitely established. Two sites northwest of Jerusalem make strong claims. One is approximately seven miles from Jerusalem, as reported in Luke’s gospel, the other is approximately twenty miles, but makes a stronger case. The disciples that encountered Jesus would have left Jerusalem early in the morning. Walking at a brisk pace they could cover twenty miles in one day. They do not recognize Jesus, but are impressed with his knowledge of Scripture. They urge him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over. “It would be nice to know the location of Emmaus, but it is much more important that the two disciples realized, “Our hearts were burning within us?” They recognized Jesus as the Risen Lord in the Breaking of the Bread and rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the others. Do we recognize Jesus as the Risen Lord in the Breaking of the Bread? Do we rush out to tell others? This Easter is a good time to start to do that!

Stewardship Expressions

Consider what you have learned in Lent and Easter. Have you realized a new appreciation for Christ’s life, death and resurrection in direct relationship to your life and eternal future? How will you continue to appreciate and develop this special bond of love that Christ extends to each person?

A steward is grateful for God’s love and returns love abundantly.

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. This week, Good Friday, is our fifty seventh podcast to be posted. This week, the homily is given by Monsignor J. Robert Romero.

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

3 PM - Good Friday

"It is finished."

John 19:30

Way of the Cross - 7 PM from the Colosseum in Rome

Joseph Fuhrich (1800-1876)
Way of the Cross 1844-46
Church of St. John Nepomuk - Vienna

Anniversary of the First Mass at St. Landry Catholic Church

Today is the 101st anniversary of the first mass at St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas, Louisiana!

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 and 101 years ago today, the first mass was said in the current St. Landry Catholic 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.

Photos from Holy Thursday Mass - Join us tonight at 6 PM for Good Friday Services

Monsignor J. Robert Romero washes the feet of parishioner Howard Fournier during Holy Thursday Mass.

We've got photos up from Holy Thursday Mass. It's the full mass along with the traditional foot washing and the reposition of the blessed sacrament.

See the photo gallery here ... http://www.stlandrycatholicchurch.org/gallery2/main.php/v/20100401HolyThursdayMass/

We also have photographs of the practice before the mass here: http://www.stlandrycatholicchurch.org/gallery2/main.php/v/20100401HolyThursdayPractice/. Our altar servers work very hard during the Easter Triduum as well as throughout the year and we want to thank them.

You'll notice there is no activity on the Twitter, Blog, and Facebook accounts for the St. Landry Bell. The bell rang during the Gloria of Holy Thursday Mass and won't be heard again until the Gloria of the Easter Vigil. Our church is quiet and is awaiting the Risen Lord.

Please join us tonight at 6 PM for Good Friday services including veneration of the cross at St. Landry Catholic Church, 1020 North Main Street, Opelousas, Louisiana.

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. This week, Holy Thursday, is our fifty sixth podcast to be posted. This week, the homily is given by Monsignor J. Robert Romero.

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

Mass of the Lord's Supper - Tonight at 6 PM

Pope Benedict XVI washes the foot of a priest during the Cena Domini mass at the Basilica of Saint John Lateran in central Rome April 1, 2010.

REUTERS/Andrew Medichini/Pool (ITALY - Tags: RELIGION)

Tonight, please join us at 6 PM for the Mass of the Lord's Supper at St. Landry Catholic Church, 1020 North Main St., Opelousas, Louisiana. This mass focuses on Our Lord's Last Supper with his apostles and directly points to the institution of the Eucharist and the institution of the priesthood. During the mass, Monsignor J. Robert Romero will wash the feet of parishioners reenacting the Gospel of John, Chapter 13, verses 14 thru 16:
 

If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.

 

The Holy Father's Prayer Intentions for April 2010

Pope Benedict XVI blows inside an amphora containing holy oil during a Chrism Mass, in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Thursday, April 1, 2010. The Chrism Mass marks the start of the Easter celebrations.
(AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for April 2010 is: "That every tendency to fundamentalism and extremism may be countered by constant respect, by tolerance and by dialogue among all believers."

His mission intention is: "That Christians persecuted for the sake of the Gospel may persevere, sustained by the Holy Spirit, in faithfully witnessing to the love of God for the entire human race."

Schedule for the Easter Triduum

Schedule for Holy Week

Holy Thursday;	April 1;	6:00 PM Mass
Good Friday;	April 2;	10:30 AM Children's Way of the Cross
Good Friday;	April 2;	6:00 PM Service
Holy Saturday;	April 3;	8:00 PM Vigil Mass
Easter Sunday;	April 4;	8:00 AM Mass 10:00 AM Mass NO 5 PM MASS

City Wide Penance Service - Tonight at 6:30 PM

City Wide Penance Service... St. Landry Church
March 29, 2010 @ 6:30 p.m.
Confessions

We ask parishioners to remember to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) before the Wednesday of Holy Week. Ordinarily the last day for Confession before the Easter Triduum is the Wednesday of Holy Week. We have a City-Wide Penance Service here at St. Landry Catholic Church on Monday of Holy Week, March 29, 2010 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Please remember confessions are heard on Saturdays (except Holy Saturday) from 3:00 pm until 3:45 p.m. in church. Confessions resume on Easter Monday, April 5, 2010.

Pastoral Council Elections

This year we have two positions on the St. Landry Pastoral Council to fill.

In April, we will seek nominations. They must be in by April 15th.

In May, we will have an election.

Parishioners are asked to pray for enlightenment as we begin our discernment for Pastoral Council membership.

Palm Sunday and the Catechism of the Catholic Church

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

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

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

During the homily, Monsignor Romero referenced paragraph 1992 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church under the topic of Justification.

1992 Justification has been merited for us by the Passion of Christ who offered himself on the cross as a living victim, holy and pleasing to God, and whose blood has become the instrument of atonement for the sins of all men. Justification is conferred in Baptism, the sacrament of faith. It conforms us to the righteousness of God, who makes us inwardly just by the power of his mercy. Its purpose is the glory of God and of Christ, and the gift of eternal life.

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies him who has faith in Jesus.

Two Homilies - Blessing of the Palms and The Passion

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.

This week, we have TWO homilies. The current homilies are available on links 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 homilies will be sitting side by side with its bulletin. We started on the anniversary of the start of the Catholic Church, Pentecost Sunday. This week, Homily for the Blessing of the Palms and the Homily for the Passion, are our fifty fourth and fifty fifth podcasts to be posted. This week, the homilies are given by Monsignor J. Robert Romero.

So, take a listen and let us know what you think. Click here to download The Palm Sunday, Blessing of the Palms homily from St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana. And click here to download The Palm Sunday, The Passion homily.

Stewardship during Holy Week

Palm Sunday begins Holy Week. Jesus’ arrival in town was cheered and celebrated before attitudes changed later in the week. This week let us especially show our constant love of Christ. Reread the Gospel from Ash Wednesday (Matt. 6:16, 16-18). Attend Holy Week services.

Celebrate the gift of the Eucharist. Fast and abstain with a willing and loving spirit. Be attentive for opportunities to be servant leaders. Good stewards live in communion with Christ.

Let Every Tongue Confess that Jesus is Lord

Once again, we have reached that special week we call “Holy’. Once again, Christ is striding across its days, leaving his bloody footprints on his way to our salvation. Once again we are looking at a way to come to know THAT Jesus. This time we turn to Scripture, specifically the Passion according to Mark. Pray for the grace to come to know Christ as you read slowly through this dreadful time in his life. Give yourself time that you may pause when you need to, bow in your heart if you need to, weep if you need to. Let the Spirit guide you in this meditation.