A Call to Battle: Catholic Men's Conference, presented by Men of Immaculata, is held annually in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on the first Saturday of Lent. This nationally recognized conference draws over a thousand men from across the Gulf Coast to experience a day of prayer, worship, world-reknown Catholic speakers, and fellowship. The 2020 Call to Battle Conference, titled "What is Truth?" features key note speakers, Fr. Wade Menezes (Fathers of Mercy), from EWTN Television and Radio, Catholic Bible Scholar and Author, Jeff Cavins, and dynamic parish priest, Fr. Mark Beard, of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. In exploring the question, "What is Truth?" posed to Jesus by Pilate in the Gospel of John 18:38, this conference will expose the distorted view of relativism in the modern world and clearly reveal the Truth, Who is Jesus Christ. With keynote talks by our featured speakers, Mass with Bishop Michael Duca, lunch by chef John Folse, and 1200 men praying the Rosary, this is an event that will ignite the Holy Spirit within all in attendance. In addition, there will be time for fellowship with other Catholic men, to discover ministries and resources in the exhibit area and experience the Lord's mercy and forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconcilation offered throughout the day. Early discount ticket pricing of $50 for adults and $25 for students (ages 13-24) is available through December 29th, 2019. On December 30th, tickets price increase to $60/$30 while available. Demand for this annual conference is always high and with limited seating, this conference will sell out early. Don't wait to reserve your tickets, get yours today! Begin your Lent with over 1000 brothers in Christ! Join us in Baton Rouge, St. George Church on Saturday, February 29th,2020 for the 4th Annual Men of Immaculata: A Call to Battle Conference - "What is Truth?"

As a ministry of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Catholic Counseling Service provides ongoing support to our local community through affordable quality counseling with a unique perspective that upholds the richness of our Catholic faith. Understanding that each person has God-given dignity and inherent goodness, we accompany our clients on their journey towards healing and change. Making the decision to start counseling can be difficult. Let us accompany you on the journey by speaking confidentially with one of our intake coordinators. The intake coordinator will collect necessary information and match you with one of our counselors—who will contact you personally for an appointment. We provide services in three locations: Main Office:2814 S. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118 North Shore: 4465 Highway 190 East Service Rd, Covington, LA 70433 Laplace: 799 Fairway Dr., Laplace, LA 70068 To speak with someone or to make an appointment please call Catholic Counseling Service at (504) 861-6245 or email us at CCS@arch-no.org. Appointments are available day or evening, and all inquiries are completely confidential.

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be celebrated with a Vigil Mass at St Joseph on Wednesday August 14 at 6:30 pm. Masses on Thursday August 15 will be at 8 am, 12:10 pm, and 6:30 pm at St Joseph. St Anthony will have only one mass at 8:30 am on Thursday August 15. See you at mass.

Save the date --- Community Center For Life's TASTE FOR LIFE BANQUET AND AUCTION ++ Thursday October 10, 2019 6:30 in the evening. Call CCLife at 504-227-9090 or email cclife@bellsouth.net for more information or drop by 539 Lafayette St Gretna LA 70053.

The next opportunity for potential marriage preparation mentor couples to be trained in the In Home Marriage Preparation program written by Jan and Lloyd Tate will be Saturday, August 17, 2019, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Slidell from 8:30 AM- 5:00 PM. The training will be presented by the Tate's, and the cost is $125 per couple.

Since its inception in 2008, Auctions in August has raised $946,000 for hundreds of non-profits. Auctions in August is a silent auction Gulf Coast Bank hosts & facilitates beginning August 1st and ending August 30th. Items are available for bidding at each our 19 branches and online. The auction is open to everyone: bank employees, customers, and the general public. Please consider donating a gift certificate, unique gift, or priceless item that will attract bidders and help us raise funds for your favorite non-profit organization. Donors are able to choose which non-profit they would like 100% of the proceeds from the sale of their items to benefit. For more information, please feel free to contact auction@gulfbank.com with any questions.

JPSO is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2019 Citizen's Academy! It runs on Thursdays from 6-9 pm beginning on September 19. Come get a behind the scenes look at all divisions within JPSO that make us one of the best around! Spots always fill up quickly, so be sure to get your application in as soon as possible. You can find the application by clicking on this article.

Miss Creole Gumbo reigns as an ambassador for the Bridge City Gumbo Festival for one year. Being Miss Creole Gumbo is about community, involvement with other Fairs and Festivals, Friendships and allaround Fun. Promoting the Gumbo Festival is a chance of a lifetime. As Miss Creole Gumbo, you will get to experience Louisiana at its best and do fun things along the way like; pick strawberries in the fields, have orange eating contest in Plaquemines Parish, race down the levee in a cardboard box, shuck Oysters in Amite, race frogs in Rayne, light bonfires, and so much more. Most of this is on the weekends with a group of other festival queens you will soon call sisters. As Miss Creole Gumbo you will receive a trophy, two beautiful embroidered banners, signature personalized Gumbo crown (outgoing). She will receive a travel reimbursement up to $50 or each of the 12 mandatory events. Her chaperone will also receive the same travel reimbursement (see details in contract). An award of $1,000 on odd years, i.e. 2019, 2021, 2023, will be payable to the Queen upon fulfillment of signed contract. On even years, i.e. 2020, 2022, 2024 Miss Creole Gumbo will represent the Gumbo Festival at the Mystick Krewe of Louisianians Washington Mardi Gras Ball held in our Nation’s Capital, Washington D.C. Entry and accommodations will also be paid for her to represent the Gumbo Festival at the annual Louisiana Fairs and Festivals (LAFF) convention held in Baton Rouge. During this weekend, Miss Creole Gumbo will compete for the title of Queen of Queens. After almost a full year of traveling the state of Louisiana as an ambassador for the Gumbo Festival, she will reign over the Gumbo Festival enjoying a fun-filled weekend welcoming visitors from across the state. As she ends her reign Miss Creole Gumbo will host visiting queens from across the state, during the coronation ball weekend, in a weekend of fun activities including staying at the cabins at Bayou Segnette, a swamp tour and many other fun activities. This weekend will be the culmination of a year of travel and fun as Miss Creole Gumbo. However, although your reign will end you will always be a member of the past queens club with opportunities to stay involved in the strong tradition of the Gumbo Festival. If you are a Catholic young lady between the ages of 17-23 by January 2020, Natural born female and a citizen of the United States, single status, never having been married or cohabitated with anyone, no children and have never been pregnant, currently do not hold a binding title, have never been convicted of a crime, are of moral character, reside on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish (minimum 1 year), and/or the daughter / granddaughter of an active parishioner of Our Lady or Prompt Succor or Holy Guarding Angels (minimum 1 year). YOU could be the next Queen of the World Famous Bridge City Gumbo Festival. Please read full details by clicking on this article. The deadline is August 30, 2019.

This year marks two decades since GACC opened its doors at 519 Huey P Long Avenue. The Center's Museum interprets the unique German immigrant contribution to Louisiana's history through exhibits, lectures, and events. Free of charge, the museum is open from 10 am to 3 pm Wednesday through Saturday. In recognition of the center's 20 years, a special exhibit of photographs will debut on July 24 entitiled, "From Mechanickham to Gretna: German Families, Events and Landmarks."

Clarence Acosta died Friday June 28, 2019 on the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Clarence served faithfully at St Joseph Church & Shrine for many years as an Altar Server. His funeral will be on Wednesday July 3, 2019 at St Joseph Church & Shrine. Visitation is from 10 am to 11 am and Mass will begin at 11. Please come and pay your last respects and keep Clarence and his family in your prayers. Well done good and faithful servant. Come and receive the place prepared for you since the foundation of the world.

A proposal from the New Orleans and Gulf Coast Railway Company would expand train tracks by creating another spur in the city of Gretna in order to transport Canadian crude oil. This would be dangerous to our city. Smaller trains have already derailed in Gretna from NOGC Railway Company. Send a letter to your Senators and Representative to stop this atrocity. Tell them to go a different route and to respect our city, our community, and our citizens. Click on this article to get to the pdf's to print and send to Senators Kennedy and Cassidy, as well as Representative Richmond.

Come, Lord Jesus! is a Bible Study and So Much More! *** It's a program that was developed in the Diocese of Lafayette in the late sixties and early seventies by Father Conley Bertrand, a parish priest. Graced with a love for prayer and Scripture and an ardent zeal, he sought to communicate these qualities to his parishioners. Come, Lord Jesus! is the fruit of many years of prayer, reflection on Sacred Scripture, and experimentation. This inspiring program is a complete study of the Sunday Readings, including Gospels (Be My Witness), Epistles(Love One Another) and the Old Testament(Give Glory to God) in three separate volumes. Following the Liturgical Calendar and utilizing the Catechism of the Catholic Church, members grow in sanctification through prayer, Scripture, Eucharist, and Christian community. This Catholic faith formation program creates an atmosphere of prayer and helps to develop an awareness of the Divine Presence as well as nurtures an ardent desire for God. --- Divinely inspired and uniquely designed, Come, Lord Jesus! is based on Acts 2:42 which states, "They devoted themselves to the teaching of the Apostles, and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers." This format offers a powerful and effective method of bringing active Bible study into the life of every Catholic as it links the truth of Scripture with Sacred Tradition. +++ Come, Lord Jesus! is a program spread by personal witness. +++ It began as one group and continues to grow. Currently, there are thousands of members who meet weekly for an unparalleled style of Bible study. Come, Lord Jesus! has extended through dioceses of Louisiana and in many other states. It has also reached territories beyond the USA; all by a method of evangelization encouraged by Father Conley Bertrand. This program is so powerful that several groups which started in the early seventies are still meeting weekly! Mission Statement +++++ The Mission of Come, Lord Jesus! is the transformation of each member into the very image and likeness of Jesus by a process of formation that includes prayer, Scripture, Eucharist, and Christian community. The program assists its members in developing their full potential as human beings and as children of God, as well as developing a more personal relationship with Jesus. It requires a commitment to meet weekly in small Catholic faith communities where its members are formed into ardent apostolic witnesses and zealous parish ministers. ++++ Membership ++++ Members come into the program by way of personal invitation or through one of our many Outreach Campaigns in Church Parishes across the country. All members who are meeting in a Come, Lord Jesus! group are to be registered with the central office and are expected to follow the prescriptions and guidelines for conducting Come, Lord Jesus! meetings as outlined in the Come, Lord Jesus! office manuals. There is no registration fee to join; however, weekly "Gift Bags" are passed around the group to support the administration of the central office. The cost of materials equates to around $7.00 per year.

Want to have more meaning in your life? Do you want to do something that is satisfying and of great service to your community? Then come volunteer for Hospice Specialists of Louisiana! Volunteers are needed on the North Shore, South Shore, Baton Rouge, Laplace, and Gretna. Being a hospice volunteer is like helping out a friend or neighbor in their time of need. No special skills are needed. Working around schedules is not a problem. Volunteering helps boost your resume and you also get to meet new and interesting people from all walks of life. Give volunteering a try and call Tawnya Sisco at 985-710-6008 or email at tsisco@ashla.healthcar

Congratulations to Deacon Peyton Joseph Plessala and Deacon Connor Robert Plessala. They were ordained to the Transitional Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Mobile (AL) by Archbishop Thomas Rodi (a New Orleans native) at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mobile, AL on June 1, 2019. Both were baptized at St Anthony Church in Gretna by Fr. Poche. These two men will be ordained next year to the presbyterate to serve as priests in the Archdiocese of Mobile

Congratulations to our St Joseph and St Anthony Parishes honorees who are celebrating 50+ years of Sacramental Marriage. From St Anthony, our couples are: Mr and Mrs Ronald Bordelon, Mr and Mrs Lionel Kass, Mr and Mrs Steve Murphy, and Mr and Mrs Jay Paul Roussel. From St Joseph, our couples are: Mr and Mrs Richard Majeste and Mr and Mrs Frank Maness. We wish you many more years of marital bliss.

We would like to extend our best wishes to Ms. Jo Anna Russo, Principal of St. Anthony School, and Mrs. Mary Lou “Cookie” Alexander, School Secretary, on their upcoming retirements at the end of June. Ms. Russo has been principal of St. Anthony School for the last ten years. She has been a dedicated and passionate leader, as well as well an advocate for all children during her many years as an educator. Ms. Russo is thoroughly loved by all whose lives she touched and will be sincerely missed by students, parents, and staff. Ms. Cookie, as she is affectionately known by all, has been the school secretary for the last eight years. Her smiling face and willingness to help will be missed by all. Patti Waddell, Assistant Principal, will replace Ms. Russo and Ms. Simone Scanio will replace Ms. Cookie as secretary.

DEEPEN YOUR PRAYER LIFE; HELP OTHERS DO THE SAME! ** ARE YOU A WOMAN OR MAN OF PRAYER? ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WORKING WITH SMALL GROUPS? ** On June 22nd St Pius X will host a Facilitator Training-Retreat for the "Lord Teach Me To Pray" (LTMTP) prayer series. There is no charge. It will be conducted in a retreat setting and discernment atmosphere. Come & discern if God is calling you to become a facilitator! Or, if you are simply interested in finding out more about Ignatian Prayer and the LTMTP prayer series, you are all invited! For info and registration contact Dianne Caverly at (504) 283-9292 or dlcaverly@gmail.com. Or to download a registration form, go to www.lordteachmetopray.com.

WHO WE ARE ==== Mission Statement: Catholic Mobilizing Network is a national organization that mobilizes Catholics and all people of goodwill to value life over death, to end the use of the death penalty, to transform the U.S. criminal justice system from punitive to restorative, and to build capacity in U.S. society to engage in restorative practices. Through education, advocacy, and prayer, and based on the Gospel value that every human is created in the image and likeness of God, CMN expresses the fundamental belief that all those who have caused or been impacted by crime should be treated with dignity. CMN works in close collaboration with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and lives the Spirit of Unity of its sponsor, the Congregation of St. Joseph. *** What We Do: === EDUCATION CMN creates and distributes educational materials about the Church’s pro-life teachings regarding the death penalty and restorative justice for use in parishes and faith communities. These resources include radio podcasts in English and Spanish, workshops with facilitator guides, state-specific fact sheets, parish bulletin inserts, and more. CMN also networks and presents at national, faith-based conferences each year to educate and mobilize people of faith to end the death penalty. *** ADVOCACY === CMN supports and energizes state campaigns to repeal the death penalty and amplifies the Church’s call for the end of capital punishment. Working with bishops, State Catholic Conferences, Catholic dioceses, religious communities, partner organizations, members of the laity and more, CMN empowers people of faith to speak out against the death penalty in their own communities and implore their state officials to repeal the practice. CMN works closely with Catholic and secular anti-death penalty partners to achieve maximum impact. *** PRAYER === CMN recognizes the power of prayer and encourages and facilitates prayer for victims of violence, for those on death row, and for a justice system rooted in mercy and compassion. CMN creates and distributes prayer cards, plans prayer services, and offers other spiritual resources. Being grounded in prayer serves as a catalyst for people of faith to act to end the death penalty.

With great pride and joy, we give thanks to God for 15 of our children who received First Reconciliation on March 23, 2019 and First Communion on April 27, 2019. Our beloved children are: Peyton Armshaw, Sicily Aucoin, Ryan Boudreaux, Ellie Bui, Mya Burns, Braylen Jimenez, Grant Magness, Madison McKinnie, Audrey Morgan, Naomi Romero, Brayden Smith, Justin Terraza, Amir Walker, Ahmad Walker, and Olivia Ward. Well done good and faithful servants!

Join us on a 15-day Pilgrimage in the Footsteps of St. Paul through Turkey and Greece October 16 – October 30, 2019 In Turkey, we will visit the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse, Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, and the House of Our Lady. In Greece, we will visit Philippi, Thessaloniki, Corinth, and Athens. Tour includes all air flights, daily Mass, all meals, first class hotels, guides, etc. Father Gary Copping from St. Joseph Church in Gretna will be our Spiritual Guide. For a detailed itinerary or more information, contact Carol Becnel, (504) 330-3415.