Home Sacraments & Worship | Feb. 11, 13, 18 & 20 | Visitation of Our Lady, Marrero Sacraments & Worship | Feb. 11, 13, 18 & 20 | Visitation of Our Lady, Marrero This course will help catechists see the sacred within the ordinary and appreciate how the Catholic Church's seven sacraments celebrate life and put them in touch with God. It offers an opportunity to explore the rich tradition of sacramental theology and practice that is fundamental to Catholicism. It seeks to engage catechists in an encounter with this essential dimension of Catholic life so that they can better appreciate the meaning underlying the sacraments and their own lives. At the end of this course the catechists will be able to show understanding of what realities of human life are celebrated by each of the seven sacraments and identify the symbols in each of the seven sacraments and the key aspects of each ritual. Catholic school teachers, Parish School of Religion catechists, and catechetical leaders can earn Office of Religious Education basic certification credit for completing this course, however, the course is open to anyone seeking to learn more about their Catholic faith.

The second collection at all Masses February 16-17, 2019 will be taken up for Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans. Your parish’s support in this second collection provides crucial funds that enable Catholic Charities to bring hope and support to those in need in our archdiocese. Donations through this second collection enable Catholic Charities to help over 77,226 individuals and families each year. Donations provide life-giving services such as food deliveries for the elderly, care for the physically and developmentally disabled, support and care for new and expecting mothers, and so much more! Please encourage your parishioners to join in this mission of service to the poor and vulnerable by supporting Catholic Charities with an open and generous heart. 95 cents of every dollar received goes directly to community services.

You're invited to the Word on Fire Institute Digital Summit!

This February 19th, 20th, and 21st, hear from thirteen of the leading experts in Scripture, theology, philosophy, spirituality, sociology, history, science, and literature as they discuss the important and challenging task of evangelizing the unaffiliated.

This exciting new event will be held completely online and is 100% free to join!

Get your FREE pass by going to: 
https://wordonfire.institute/summit2019 Travel is NOT required! This is a fully online conference so you can enjoy it from the comfort of your own home or office.

Each day from February 19th - 21st we will release four new, exclusive, online discussions.

In this novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help (also known as Our Mother of Perpetual Help from this icon pictured on the left) we pay tribute to the Blessed Virgin Mary in asking for her assistance. This picture of the Blessed Mother with her Divine Son above has helped her provide strength, comfort and even miracles to the faithful for centuries! .......... Oh Mother of Perpetual Help, grant that I may ever invoke your powerful name, the protection of the living and the salvation of the dying. Purest Mary, let your name henceforth be ever on my lips. Delay not, Blessed Lady, to rescue me whenever I call on you. In my temptations, in my needs, I will never cease to call on you, ever repeating your sacred name, Mary, Mary. What a consolation, what sweetness, what confidence fills my soul when I utter your sacred name or even only think of you! I thank the Lord for having given you so sweet, so powerful, so lovely a name. But I will not be content with merely uttering your name. Let my love for you prompt me ever to hail you Mother of Perpetual Help. Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for me and grant me the favor I confidently ask of you. (Then say three Hail Marys).......... First placed in the Church of San Matteo in Rome in 1499, the picture was thought to be lost at one point after Napoleon’s armies sacked that church in 1798. Fortunately, however, it was in the care of the Augustinian fathers until Pope Pius IX ordered that the icon be given to the Redemptorist order at the Church of St. Alphonsus in Rome in 1866 for public viewing once again. Since then it has been copied and venerated in churches and homes all over the world. Note in this picture how Jesus, while safely cradled in his mother’s arms, looks anxiously at St. Gabriel the Archangel, who holds the cross and nails for His Crucifixion. (St. Michael the Archangel, at left, holds the lance, spear, and the vessel of vinegar and gall for our Lord's Passion as well.) The Blessed Mother looks at us solemnly, perhaps as if in contemplation of her beloved Son’s future Passion and death for our salvation! Remember that when we pray this novena to our Lady of Perpetual Help, that we are not choosing to worship her over her Divine Son. She is "our Mother on the order of grace,” according to a Vatican II document, and all the graces Mary gives us come directly from our Lord. She is always ready to intercede with Him on our behalf, but never for anything contrary to His wishes. As long as we approach her as we do Him, with sincerely humble and contrite hearts, we can count on her aid and guidance. Mary’s last spoken words in the Gospels concerned her Son when she said at the wedding feast at Cana “Do whatever he tells You” (John 2:5). If we persevere in our intentions to do Christ’s will for us, we are doing hers as well.

Isaiah 43 is a parenting and mentoring program that provides services to families, church parishes, and communities that strengthen their capacities for peacebuilding. Created in partnership with the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Isaiah 43 is rooted in Judeo-Christian values and teachings. Youth and families are empowered to be peacemakers, to be active in promoting peace in their neighborhoods, and to live by the values of love, peace, and forgiveness. The program engages youth and parents to encourage peaceful conflict resolution, skillful communication, constructive discipline, forgiveness, and leadership development. Isaiah 43 was developed to help youth, families, and parishes strengthen skills for peacebuilding through mentoring activities, parenting fellowships, family support, ministry development, and community collaboration. Isaiah 43 partners with parishes interested in supporting families with these services.

Father Maximos Constas will give a lecture on Maximus the Confessor: A Bridge Between The Churches at Notre Dame Seminary on Wednesday February 20, 2019 at 6:30pm in the Schulte Auditorium.

In this novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help (also known as Our Mother of Perpetual Help from this icon pictured on the left) we pay tribute to the Blessed Virgin Mary in asking for her assistance. This picture of the Blessed Mother with her Divine Son above has helped her provide strength, comfort and even miracles to the faithful for centuries! .......... Oh Mother of Perpetual Help, grant that I may ever invoke your powerful name, the protection of the living and the salvation of the dying. Purest Mary, let your name henceforth be ever on my lips. Delay not, Blessed Lady, to rescue me whenever I call on you. In my temptations, in my needs, I will never cease to call on you, ever repeating your sacred name, Mary, Mary. What a consolation, what sweetness, what confidence fills my soul when I utter your sacred name or even only think of you! I thank the Lord for having given you so sweet, so powerful, so lovely a name. But I will not be content with merely uttering your name. Let my love for you prompt me ever to hail you Mother of Perpetual Help. Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for me and grant me the favor I confidently ask of you. (Then say three Hail Marys).......... First placed in the Church of San Matteo in Rome in 1499, the picture was thought to be lost at one point after Napoleon’s armies sacked that church in 1798. Fortunately, however, it was in the care of the Augustinian fathers until Pope Pius IX ordered that the icon be given to the Redemptorist order at the Church of St. Alphonsus in Rome in 1866 for public viewing once again. Since then it has been copied and venerated in churches and homes all over the world. Note in this picture how Jesus, while safely cradled in his mother’s arms, looks anxiously at St. Gabriel the Archangel, who holds the cross and nails for His Crucifixion. (St. Michael the Archangel, at left, holds the lance, spear, and the vessel of vinegar and gall for our Lord's Passion as well.) The Blessed Mother looks at us solemnly, perhaps as if in contemplation of her beloved Son’s future Passion and death for our salvation! Remember that when we pray this novena to our Lady of Perpetual Help, that we are not choosing to worship her over her Divine Son. She is "our Mother on the order of grace,” according to a Vatican II document, and all the graces Mary gives us come directly from our Lord. She is always ready to intercede with Him on our behalf, but never for anything contrary to His wishes. As long as we approach her as we do Him, with sincerely humble and contrite hearts, we can count on her aid and guidance. Mary’s last spoken words in the Gospels concerned her Son when she said at the wedding feast at Cana “Do whatever he tells You” (John 2:5). If we persevere in our intentions to do Christ’s will for us, we are doing hers as well.

On any given Sunday, 80% of the congregation at Mass has either been afflicted with, or affected by the disease of addiction. This disease is an equal opportunity illness, disregarding gender, occupation, age, race, nationality, or social status. It is conservatively estimated that each afflicted person will affect a minimum of four (4) other people. A notable characteristic of this disease is denial, based in shame and sustained by a “conspiracy of silence.” The first step in addressing the problem is to begin talking about it, thus reducing the shame and opening the door to treatment and recovery. It is commonly said that there are only three ways out of addiction: Treatment, Incarceration, or death! It is widely noted that if there is an addict or alcoholic in the family, the whole family needs to be treated because of the pain and suffering that it causes. But there is hope! St Joseph Church has begun the process of creating a parish SUBSTANCE ADDICTION MINISTRY (SAM) What is SAM? S.A.M. stands for Substance Addiction Ministry. SAM is a parish-based ministry that is designed to provide a safe, confidential place for people touched by addiction to share their personal experiences with others. SAM provides educational information about addiction through professionals in this field. If you have any questions, contact the office. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at St Joseph Church Office at 7pm.

On Thursday, February 28, 2019 St. Angela Merici Catholic Church will be hosting it’s “YOU’RE NOT ALONE” Community Forum on addiction. This joint effort is the church's response to educate the community about the devastating effect that opioid addiction has on the person, the family, and the community. Information and education about the disease of addiction is power for those who have been afflicted with an addiction as well as the affected family and loved ones. Our Special Guest Speaker will be Most Reverend Gregory Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans. Additional speakers will include: Dr. Kenison Roy, with Avenues Recovery who will talk about the brain disease of addiction. John Antonucci with Longbranch Healthcare will address how addiction affects the family. Kevin Gardiere from Bridge House will share his experience with addiction. Deacon Louis Bauer will share how the church has responded to the addiction epidemic through the Substance Addiction Ministry (SAM). Following the speakers, there will be a Q&A Community Forum. Following, the Q&A, those attending will be invited to visit with the 30 resources who will each have a table to hand out information. The resources include over a dozen addiction treatment facilities, 3 sober living houses, (4)- 12 step groups, interventionists, counselors, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and many other valuable resources. Where: St. Angela Merici Gym 901 Beverly Garden Dr. Metairie, La. 70002 Time: Doors open at 6:00pm – Speakers from 6:30 – 8:00pm 8:00-8:30 – Visit the participating 30+ resource tables

Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus will be held at St Anthony Church every 1st Friday after the 8:30 am morning mass.