6th Sunday -- Meditate on 6th Sorrow: The Return From Egypt "But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee." (NABRE Mt 2:22). Our Father...Hail Mary...Glory Be... -- Meditate on 6th Joy: Life with Jesus and Mary at Nazareth "When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth." (NABRE Lk 2:39). Our Father...Hail Mary...Glory Be...

St Joseph Church has the 3:00 slots on Sundays and Mondays at the Gretna Bingo Palace. Please come out to play BINGO and support our Church.

We are pleased to announce that starting in 2021, the Archdiocese of New Orleans will host an annual wedding anniversary celebration for those couples who have been married for 25 years. The 2021 Silver Anniversary celebration will take place on Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 3:00 PM at St Joseph Church in New Orleans. This event is only for couples married in the year 1996 in celebration of their 25 Wedding Anniversary. Please Note: This celebration will not be a Mass, but a prayer service. Attendance of Mass for Sunday obligation will have to be met within one’s respective parish. If you will be celebrating your 25 Wedding Anniversary next year (married in the year 1996) and wish to attend, please register with the parish office by January 15, 2021.

The Penitential Act and the Gloria · At the beginning of each Mass, we take time to prepare ourselves through the Penitential Act to enter into the sacred liturgy and encounter Christ. We ask God to help us that by acknowledging our sins we may prepare ourselves to listen to his Word and share in the Body and Blood of Christ. We recognize our need for God’s help – our need to be saved – so we ask his mercy upon us: “Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.” · Immediately following this (on Sundays outside of Advent and Lent and on solemnities, feasts, and at other solemn celebrations) we join the angels and saints in heaven and sing the Gloria – the same hymn sung by the angels to the shepherds heralding the birth of Jesus (Christmas). The incarnation is God’s response to our sinfulness! During Lent and Advent, we do not sing the Gloria due to the penitential nature of the seasons and the emphasis on expectancy. · In these seemingly routine moments of the Mass that we can become all too familiar with, the Lord invites us to bring our minds and hearts into the deep mystery of our faith – God so loves us that he sent his Son. Jesus has come not to condemn the world, but to save the world.

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! Come join us for Mass and Novena.

Please join in praying the Novena to St Joseph for all special intentions for yourself and others. Click on title to display Novena.

Pilgrimage Dates are June 3 -12, 2022 ++ Discover Switzerland, Austria & Bavaria with Oberammergau Passion Play The distinct cultures of Switzerland, Austria, and Bavaria await you. Explore delightful Bern on a panoramic sightseeing tour featuring the Bundeshaus (the Swiss Parliament), the famous Bear Pit, the Rose Gardens, and the gothic cathedral. Your time in Lucerne, the “Swiss Paradise on the Lake,” includes a leisurely paced Alstadt (Old Town) walking tour. While in Innsbruck, enjoy a panoramic visit to this city’s Olympic landmarks. In beautiful Salzburg, stroll through Mirabell Gardens and along the quaint Getreidegasse (site of Mozart’s birthplace). Have dinner in Austria’s oldest restaurant, St. Peter’s. Fairy tales come to life with a picture stop at Bavaria’s most famous castle, Neuschwanstein. Your amazing journey concludes in the charming village of Oberammergau. Here you’ll witness a spectacular performance of the Oberammergau Passion Play, whose origins date back to 1634. Watch as the entire village comes together to present you with their rendition of this Biblical story. Register now to view this special On-Demand webinar!

Come Lord Jesus! Bible Study -- In St Anthony Parish Office/Hall -- Thursdays at 10:30 in St Anthony Rectory ++ Also at 1 pm St Joseph has their CLJ in the St Joseph Social Room ++ Please join us for either++ It’s a program that was developed in the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana, USA 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.

Every Parish in the Archdiocese of New Orleans will have the Sacrament of Reconciliation offered from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Please confess your sin, so as to receive God's Love and Mercy. It is ok to go to a different Parish to have your Confession heard; but it truly your Pastor who should hear your confession so that he may better minister to your soul.

Please join in praying the Novena to St Joseph for all special intentions for yourself and others. Click on title to display Novena.

"An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints". To gain indulgences, whether plenary or partial, it is necessary that the faithful be in the state of grace at least at the time the indulgenced work is completed. A plenary indulgence can be gained only once a day. In order to obtain it, the faithful must, in addition to being in the state of grace: — have the interior disposition of complete detachment from sin, even venial sin; — have sacramentally confessed their sins; — receive the Holy Eucharist (it is certainly better to receive it while participating in Holy Mass, but for the indulgence only Holy Communion is required); — pray for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff. It is appropriate, but not necessary, that the sacramental Confession and especially Holy Communion and the prayer for the Pope's intentions take place on the same day that the indulgenced work is performed; but it is sufficient that these sacred rites and prayers be carried out within several days (about 20) before or after the indulgenced act. Prayer for the Pope's intentions is left to the choice of the faithful, but an "Our Father" and a "Hail Mary" are suggested. One sacramental Confession suffices for several plenary indulgences, but a separate Holy Communion and a separate prayer for the Holy Father's intentions are required for each plenary indulgence. For the sake of those legitimately impeded, confessors can commute both the work prescribed and the conditions required (except, obviously, detachment from even venial sin). Indulgences can always be applied either to oneself or to the souls of the deceased, but they cannot be applied to other persons living on earth.

Parousia: The Bible and the Mass is coming Lent 2021. Get ready to join host Scott Hahn to uncover how and why all of God’s action, in creation and redemption, is ordered to the Mass. You'll see the Mass in a whole new light. Sign up to watch for FREE.

The Gretna Historical Society was founded in Gretna, Louisiana in 1969 by Lloyd E. Gomez (insurance man, volunteer firefighter, and community activist), who descended from Gretna pioneers, German immigrants Claudius and Catherine Nuss Strehle. The articles of incorporation for the GHS were drafted by Gretna attorney Everette F. Gauthreaux and signed in his law office on October 26, 1969. Today the GHS operates the Gretna Historical Society Museum Complex at the corner of Lafayette Street at 2nd. It consists of three 19th century Creole cottages, a blacksmith shop, and the Louisiana Fire Museum. The GHS also owns and maintains the caboose and train depot on Huey P. Long Avenue at 4th Street. There are no requirements for membership in the GHS, other than the timely payment of annual membership dues of $20 per person. Monthly meetings are held at the St Joseph's complex at the corner of Newton and 7th Streets, on the second Thursday of every month at 7:00 pm. Guests and prospective members are always welcome to attend the meetings. The society newsletter, Gretna Chronicles, is published monthly and mailed to its members.

Please join in praying the Novena to St Joseph for all special intentions for yourself and others. Click on title to display Novena.

Be A Part Of Our History -- ST JOSEPH CHURCH is offering you an opportunity to purchase custom bricks that cross the grounds and forge the walkways of our HOLY FAMILY MEMORIAL GARDEN. Guidelines For Brick Order: Bricks can be inscribed with your family's name, or in memory of a departed loved one, or any inscription of your choice (subject to approval). A contribution of $50.00 for each brick will enable you and your loved ones to be remembered. + Bricks are engraved with one, two, or three lines of text. + There are 17 characters on each line; this includes the blank spaces between words. + Alumni Bricks have "Class of 19__" on a line below the name (St Joseph graduates only). + Memorial Bricks have "In Memory of" on a line above the name. + Name Bricks have the name engraved as you designate. + Family Bricks have "Family" on a line below the name. [Bricks are installed after they have been paid in full and received from the manufacturer.] Click this article for order form to fill out and drop it off with your payment to the Parish Office.

Lenten Fish Fry Friday, March 26, 2021 (Take Out Only) St. Joseph Church Parking Lot Sixth and Newton Streets Gretna, LA 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Fish Dinner Includes fried fish, baked macaroni, coleslaw, dessert, and bread - $10.00 Shrimp and Grits Dinner Includes shrimp, grits, coleslaw, dessert, and bread - $10.00 Sponsored by St. Joseph St. Vincent de Paul

That Man is You! honestly addresses the pressures and temptations that men face in our modern culture, especially those relating to their roles as husbands and fathers. The program harmonizes current social and medical science with the teachings of the Church and the wisdom of the saints to develop the vision of man fully alive! Please come join us for a truly Catholic Men's Fraternity that drinks coffee, respects women, and gives praise and glory to God. ++ This semester will focus on: The Battle Over the Bride Empowering men to take the next step in authentic male leadership, The Battle Over the Bride focuses on their role as husband and their deep desire for self-sacrificial love. Offering proven solutions and practical methods, it provides an incredibly clear pathway to overcoming the pressures men encounter in going to the end of love.

Please join in praying the Novena to St Joseph for all special intentions for yourself and others. Click on title to display Novena.

Interested in becoming a reader at Mass or an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion? Basic workshops for new Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and basic workshops for readers will be presented this Spring by the Office of Worship. Attendance at the workshop for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion is required before a person can be delegated by the Archbishop to serve in this ministry. Attendance at the workshop for readers is strongly recommended for new readers and all readers who have not previously attended a workshop The complete schedule can be found on the Office of Worship website at https://nolacatholic.org/lay-liturgical-ministry-formation. Participants are to be pre-registered by their parish before attending.

Abbey Art Works, located on the beautiful grounds of Saint Joseph Abbey has announced its 2021 schedule. Workshops, classes, and retreats coming up soon include:  When Art Tells You What to Think -The Propaganda of Andy Warhol and Jacques Louis David, Lecture by Br. Christopher Schaefer, O.S.B., Saturday, January 23 @ 9:30 a.m.  Drawing for Beginners with Chryl Casso Corizzo, Fridays in February & March.  Unique Double-billed Workshop. Choose one: Painting the Costumed Model Workshop with Auseklis Ozols or Plein Air Workshop with Phil Sandusky. February 8-10.  Oil & Water – Classic Instruction in Oil and Watercolor Painting with Lyn Hill Taylor. Thursdays. Year-round. Printmaking: Copperplate Etchings with master printmaker Phillip Sage. Wednesdays. Year-round. Registration and other details for these classes and more are available at www.saintjosephabbey.com/abbeyartworks. Abbey Art Works can also be contacted at 985-327-1021 or info@abbeyartworks.com.

The second collection on March 13-14, 2021, benefits Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and the U.S. bishops’ international outreach service. CRS works to sustain development for people in underdeveloped countries to help them become self-sustaining. CRS also responds to disasters such as the recent one in the Philippines and Indonesia. Your assistance with this collection will go to help “Jesus in disguise.”

Please join in praying the Novena to St Joseph for all special intentions for yourself and others. Click on title to display Novena.

7th Sunday -- Meditate on 7th Sorrow: The Loss Of The Child Jesus "But not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. (NABRE Lk 2:45). Our Father...Hail Mary...Glory Be... -- Meditate on 7th Joy: The Finding Of The Child Jesus "After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. (NABRE Lk 2:46). Our Father...Hail Mary...Glory Be...

On March 20 and 21, the Archdiocese of New Orleans will host a very important second collection to raise funds to offset the costs of educating seminarians at Notre Dame Seminary and St. Joseph Seminary College. This is the first time this collection has been held in the archdiocese and all funds will go directly to supporting the educations and formation of the 30 men currently studying to be priests in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The annual cost to fund one seminarian is $45,000 and this total is one of the largest budgetary items in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Please continue to pray for these men and those who work with them on their priestly formation, and please give generously to this very important fund that will provide monetary support to those men who will minister to the people of God in New Orleans for many years to come.

St Joseph Church has the 3:00 slots on Sundays and Mondays at the Gretna Bingo Palace. Please come out to play BINGO and support our Church.

We are pleased to announce that starting in 2021, the Archdiocese of New Orleans will host an annual wedding anniversary celebration for those couples who have been married for 25 years. The 2021 Silver Anniversary celebration will take place on Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 3:00 PM at St Joseph Church in New Orleans. This event is only for couples married in the year 1996 in celebration of their 25 Wedding Anniversary. Please Note: This celebration will not be a Mass, but a prayer service. Attendance of Mass for Sunday obligation will have to be met within one’s respective parish. If you will be celebrating your 25 Wedding Anniversary next year (married in the year 1996) and wish to attend, please register with the parish office by January 15, 2021.

Please join in praying the Novena to St Joseph for all special intentions for yourself and others. Click on title to display Novena.

The Penitential Act and the Gloria · At the beginning of each Mass, we take time to prepare ourselves through the Penitential Act to enter into the sacred liturgy and encounter Christ. We ask God to help us that by acknowledging our sins we may prepare ourselves to listen to his Word and share in the Body and Blood of Christ. We recognize our need for God’s help – our need to be saved – so we ask his mercy upon us: “Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.” · Immediately following this (on Sundays outside of Advent and Lent and on solemnities, feasts, and at other solemn celebrations) we join the angels and saints in heaven and sing the Gloria – the same hymn sung by the angels to the shepherds heralding the birth of Jesus (Christmas). The incarnation is God’s response to our sinfulness! During Lent and Advent, we do not sing the Gloria due to the penitential nature of the seasons and the emphasis on expectancy. · In these seemingly routine moments of the Mass that we can become all too familiar with, the Lord invites us to bring our minds and hearts into the deep mystery of our faith – God so loves us that he sent his Son. Jesus has come not to condemn the world, but to save the world.

Please join in praying the Novena to St Joseph for all special intentions for yourself and others. Click on title to display Novena.

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! Come join us for Mass and Novena.

Please join in praying the Novena to St Joseph for all special intentions for yourself and others. Click on title to display Novena.

Pilgrimage Dates are June 3 -12, 2022 ++ Discover Switzerland, Austria & Bavaria with Oberammergau Passion Play The distinct cultures of Switzerland, Austria, and Bavaria await you. Explore delightful Bern on a panoramic sightseeing tour featuring the Bundeshaus (the Swiss Parliament), the famous Bear Pit, the Rose Gardens, and the gothic cathedral. Your time in Lucerne, the “Swiss Paradise on the Lake,” includes a leisurely paced Alstadt (Old Town) walking tour. While in Innsbruck, enjoy a panoramic visit to this city’s Olympic landmarks. In beautiful Salzburg, stroll through Mirabell Gardens and along the quaint Getreidegasse (site of Mozart’s birthplace). Have dinner in Austria’s oldest restaurant, St. Peter’s. Fairy tales come to life with a picture stop at Bavaria’s most famous castle, Neuschwanstein. Your amazing journey concludes in the charming village of Oberammergau. Here you’ll witness a spectacular performance of the Oberammergau Passion Play, whose origins date back to 1634. Watch as the entire village comes together to present you with their rendition of this Biblical story. Register now to view this special On-Demand webinar!

Come Lord Jesus! Bible Study -- In St Anthony Parish Office/Hall -- Thursdays at 10:30 in St Anthony Rectory ++ Also at 1 pm St Joseph has their CLJ in the St Joseph Social Room ++ Please join us for either++ It’s a program that was developed in the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana, USA 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.

Every Parish in the Archdiocese of New Orleans will have the Sacrament of Reconciliation offered from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Please confess your sin, so as to receive God's Love and Mercy. It is ok to go to a different Parish to have your Confession heard; but it truly your Pastor who should hear your confession so that he may better minister to your soul.

Please join in praying the Novena to St Joseph for all special intentions for yourself and others. Click on title to display Novena

Parousia: The Bible and the Mass is coming Lent 2021. Get ready to join host Scott Hahn to uncover how and why all of God’s action, in creation and redemption, is ordered to the Mass. You'll see the Mass in a whole new light. Sign up to watch for FREE.

Lenten Fish Fry Friday, March 26, 2021 (Take Out Only) St. Joseph Church Parking Lot Sixth and Newton Streets Gretna, LA 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Fish Dinner Includes fried fish, baked macaroni, coleslaw, dessert, and bread - $10.00 Shrimp and Grits Dinner Includes shrimp, grits, coleslaw, dessert, and bread - $10.00 Sponsored by St. Joseph St. Vincent de Paul

That Man is You! honestly addresses the pressures and temptations that men face in our modern culture, especially those relating to their roles as husbands and fathers. The program harmonizes current social and medical science with the teachings of the Church and the wisdom of the saints to develop the vision of man fully alive! Please come join us for a truly Catholic Men's Fraternity that drinks coffee, respects women, and gives praise and glory to God. ++ This semester will focus on: The Battle Over the Bride Empowering men to take the next step in authentic male leadership, The Battle Over the Bride focuses on their role as husband and their deep desire for self-sacrificial love. Offering proven solutions and practical methods, it provides an incredibly clear pathway to overcoming the pressures men encounter in going to the end of love.

Interested in becoming a reader at Mass or an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion? Basic workshops for new Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and basic workshops for readers will be presented this Spring by the Office of Worship. Attendance at the workshop for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion is required before a person can be delegated by the Archbishop to serve in this ministry. Attendance at the workshop for readers is strongly recommended for new readers and all readers who have not previously attended a workshop The complete schedule can be found on the Office of Worship website at https://nolacatholic.org/lay-liturgical-ministry-formation. Participants are to be pre-registered by their parish before attending.

Abbey Art Works, located on the beautiful grounds of Saint Joseph Abbey has announced its 2021 schedule. Workshops, classes, and retreats coming up soon include:  When Art Tells You What to Think -The Propaganda of Andy Warhol and Jacques Louis David, Lecture by Br. Christopher Schaefer, O.S.B., Saturday, January 23 @ 9:30 a.m.  Drawing for Beginners with Chryl Casso Corizzo, Fridays in February & March.  Unique Double-billed Workshop. Choose one: Painting the Costumed Model Workshop with Auseklis Ozols or Plein Air Workshop with Phil Sandusky. February 8-10.  Oil & Water – Classic Instruction in Oil and Watercolor Painting with Lyn Hill Taylor. Thursdays. Year-round. Printmaking: Copperplate Etchings with master printmaker Phillip Sage. Wednesdays. Year-round. Registration and other details for these classes and more are available at www.saintjosephabbey.com/abbeyartworks. Abbey Art Works can also be contacted at 985-327-1021 or info@abbeyartworks.com.

A Monthly Rosary For Peace for law enforcement, emergency personnel, firefighters, military, and peace in the world will be held at St Joseph Church. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information call Mary Grace at 504-367-7515.

On March 20 and 21, the Archdiocese of New Orleans will host a very important second collection to raise funds to offset the costs of educating seminarians at Notre Dame Seminary and St. Joseph Seminary College. This is the first time this collection has been held in the archdiocese and all funds will go directly to supporting the educations and formation of the 30 men currently studying to be priests in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The annual cost to fund one seminarian is $45,000 and this total is one of the largest budgetary items in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Please continue to pray for these men and those who work with them on their priestly formation, and please give generously to this very important fund that will provide monetary support to those men who will minister to the people of God in New Orleans for many years to come.

St Joseph Church has the 3:00 slots on Sundays and Mondays at the Gretna Bingo Palace. Please come out to play BINGO and support our Church.

The Penitential Act and the Gloria · At the beginning of each Mass, we take time to prepare ourselves through the Penitential Act to enter into the sacred liturgy and encounter Christ. We ask God to help us that by acknowledging our sins we may prepare ourselves to listen to his Word and share in the Body and Blood of Christ. We recognize our need for God’s help – our need to be saved – so we ask his mercy upon us: “Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.” · Immediately following this (on Sundays outside of Advent and Lent and on solemnities, feasts, and at other solemn celebrations) we join the angels and saints in heaven and sing the Gloria – the same hymn sung by the angels to the shepherds heralding the birth of Jesus (Christmas). The incarnation is God’s response to our sinfulness! During Lent and Advent, we do not sing the Gloria due to the penitential nature of the seasons and the emphasis on expectancy. · In these seemingly routine moments of the Mass that we can become all too familiar with, the Lord invites us to bring our minds and hearts into the deep mystery of our faith – God so loves us that he sent his Son. Jesus has come not to condemn the world, but to save the world.

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! Come join us for Mass and Novena.

Do you want to be a volunteer fire fighter or belong to a company of dedicated first responders? Consider becoming a Volunteer Firefighter or an Honorary Member. Meetings are held once a month on Fourth Tuesday of the Month. Click on links on St Joseph Website for application.

Pilgrimage Dates are June 3 -12, 2022 ++ Discover Switzerland, Austria & Bavaria with Oberammergau Passion Play The distinct cultures of Switzerland, Austria, and Bavaria await you. Explore delightful Bern on a panoramic sightseeing tour featuring the Bundeshaus (the Swiss Parliament), the famous Bear Pit, the Rose Gardens, and the gothic cathedral. Your time in Lucerne, the “Swiss Paradise on the Lake,” includes a leisurely paced Alstadt (Old Town) walking tour. While in Innsbruck, enjoy a panoramic visit to this city’s Olympic landmarks. In beautiful Salzburg, stroll through Mirabell Gardens and along the quaint Getreidegasse (site of Mozart’s birthplace). Have dinner in Austria’s oldest restaurant, St. Peter’s. Fairy tales come to life with a picture stop at Bavaria’s most famous castle, Neuschwanstein. Your amazing journey concludes in the charming village of Oberammergau. Here you’ll witness a spectacular performance of the Oberammergau Passion Play, whose origins date back to 1634. Watch as the entire village comes together to present you with their rendition of this Biblical story. Register now to view this special On-Demand webinar!

Come Lord Jesus! Bible Study -- In St Anthony Parish Office/Hall -- Thursdays at 10:30 in St Anthony Rectory ++ Also at 1 pm St Joseph has their CLJ in the St Joseph Social Room ++ Please join us for either++ It’s a program that was developed in the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana, USA 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.

Every Parish in the Archdiocese of New Orleans will have the Sacrament of Reconciliation offered from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Please confess your sin, so as to receive God's Love and Mercy. It is ok to go to a different Parish to have your Confession heard; but it truly your Pastor who should hear your confession so that he may better minister to your soul.

Retreat Schedule 2020-21 for Saint Joseph Abbey The Retreat Center at Saint Joseph Abbey announces its 2020-21 schedule for retreats sponsored by the Abbey. Each retreat includes conferences organized by the Abbey monks, common prayer, and reconciliation. The theme this year is "Be Not Afraid: Finding God's Peace Amidst Life's Uncertainties." Visit www.saintjosephabbey.com/abbey-retreats for dates and more information. Upcoming Willwoods Married Couples Retreats at the Abbey can also be found at this link. Established in 1978, the Willwoods community provides opportunities for growth and enrichment through its Faith and Marriage Apostolate. For more information, contact Jason Angelette at 504-830-3716 or visit www.FaithandMarriage.org.

Parousia: The Bible and the Mass is coming Lent 2021. Get ready to join host Scott Hahn to uncover how and why all of God’s action, in creation and redemption, is ordered to the Mass. You'll see the Mass in a whole new light. Sign up to watch for FREE.

Pope Francis has asked our parish to support the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, which helps Christians in the Holy Land. Your support helps the church minister in parishes, provide Catholic schools and offer religious education. The Pontifical Good Friday Collection also helps to preserve the sacred shrines. The wars, unrest and instability have been especially hard on Christians. In these times of crisis, the Pontifical Good Friday Collection provides humanitarian aid to refugees. When you contribute to the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, you become an instrument of peace and join with Catholics around the world in solidarity with the Church in the Holy Land. PLEASE BE GENEROUS! For more information about Christians in the Holy Land, visit www.myfranciscan.org/good-friday.

Lenten Fish Fry Friday, March 26, 2021 (Take Out Only) St. Joseph Church Parking Lot Sixth and Newton Streets Gretna, LA 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Fish Dinner Includes fried fish, baked macaroni, coleslaw, dessert, and bread - $10.00 Shrimp and Grits Dinner Includes shrimp, grits, coleslaw, dessert, and bread - $10.00 Sponsored by St. Joseph St. Vincent de Paul

That Man is You! honestly addresses the pressures and temptations that men face in our modern culture, especially those relating to their roles as husbands and fathers. The program harmonizes current social and medical science with the teachings of the Church and the wisdom of the saints to develop the vision of man fully alive! Please come join us for a truly Catholic Men's Fraternity that drinks coffee, respects women, and gives praise and glory to God. ++ This semester will focus on: The Battle Over the Bride Empowering men to take the next step in authentic male leadership, The Battle Over the Bride focuses on their role as husband and their deep desire for self-sacrificial love. Offering proven solutions and practical methods, it provides an incredibly clear pathway to overcoming the pressures men encounter in going to the end of love.

The Community Center For Life (on the corner of 6th and Lafayette -- 1 block from St Joseph Church) is in need year-round of baby items for new and young mothers. Items needed are: Similac Advance/Similac ProAdvance Formula, baby wipes, Head-to-Toe Baby Wash, Baby lotion and other Baby Care products, Onesies (gender neutral), bottles (Dr. Brown, Tommee Tippee). swaddles/blankets (gender neutral), gift cards (Target, Walmart, Amazon), and pretty much anything that a baby can use and/or wear. The CCL is also registered at Target as: First Name - Community Center For Life and Last Name: CCL. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Interested in becoming a reader at Mass or an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion? Basic workshops for new Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and basic workshops for readers will be presented this Spring by the Office of Worship. Attendance at the workshop for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion is required before a person can be delegated by the Archbishop to serve in this ministry. Attendance at the workshop for readers is strongly recommended for new readers and all readers who have not previously attended a workshop The complete schedule can be found on the Office of Worship website at https://nolacatholic.org/lay-liturgical-ministry-formation. Participants are to be pre-registered by their parish before attending.

Abbey Art Works, located on the beautiful grounds of Saint Joseph Abbey has announced its 2021 schedule. Workshops, classes, and retreats coming up soon include:  When Art Tells You What to Think -The Propaganda of Andy Warhol and Jacques Louis David, Lecture by Br. Christopher Schaefer, O.S.B., Saturday, January 23 @ 9:30 a.m.  Drawing for Beginners with Chryl Casso Corizzo, Fridays in February & March.  Unique Double-billed Workshop. Choose one: Painting the Costumed Model Workshop with Auseklis Ozols or Plein Air Workshop with Phil Sandusky. February 8-10.  Oil & Water – Classic Instruction in Oil and Watercolor Painting with Lyn Hill Taylor. Thursdays. Year-round. Printmaking: Copperplate Etchings with master printmaker Phillip Sage. Wednesdays. Year-round. Registration and other details for these classes and more are available at www.saintjosephabbey.com/abbeyartworks. Abbey Art Works can also be contacted at 985-327-1021 or info@abbeyartworks.com.

St Joseph Church has the 3:00 slots on Sundays and Mondays at the Gretna Bingo Palace. Please come out to play BINGO and support our Church.

The Penitential Act and the Gloria · At the beginning of each Mass, we take time to prepare ourselves through the Penitential Act to enter into the sacred liturgy and encounter Christ. We ask God to help us that by acknowledging our sins we may prepare ourselves to listen to his Word and share in the Body and Blood of Christ. We recognize our need for God’s help – our need to be saved – so we ask his mercy upon us: “Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.” · Immediately following this (on Sundays outside of Advent and Lent and on solemnities, feasts, and at other solemn celebrations) we join the angels and saints in heaven and sing the Gloria – the same hymn sung by the angels to the shepherds heralding the birth of Jesus (Christmas). The incarnation is God’s response to our sinfulness! During Lent and Advent, we do not sing the Gloria due to the penitential nature of the seasons and the emphasis on expectancy. · In these seemingly routine moments of the Mass that we can become all too familiar with, the Lord invites us to bring our minds and hearts into the deep mystery of our faith – God so loves us that he sent his Son. Jesus has come not to condemn the world, but to save the world.

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! Come join us for Mass and Novena.

Pilgrimage Dates are June 3 -12, 2022 ++ Discover Switzerland, Austria & Bavaria with Oberammergau Passion Play The distinct cultures of Switzerland, Austria, and Bavaria await you. Explore delightful Bern on a panoramic sightseeing tour featuring the Bundeshaus (the Swiss Parliament), the famous Bear Pit, the Rose Gardens, and the gothic cathedral. Your time in Lucerne, the “Swiss Paradise on the Lake,” includes a leisurely paced Alstadt (Old Town) walking tour. While in Innsbruck, enjoy a panoramic visit to this city’s Olympic landmarks. In beautiful Salzburg, stroll through Mirabell Gardens and along the quaint Getreidegasse (site of Mozart’s birthplace). Have dinner in Austria’s oldest restaurant, St. Peter’s. Fairy tales come to life with a picture stop at Bavaria’s most famous castle, Neuschwanstein. Your amazing journey concludes in the charming village of Oberammergau. Here you’ll witness a spectacular performance of the Oberammergau Passion Play, whose origins date back to 1634. Watch as the entire village comes together to present you with their rendition of this Biblical story. Register now to view this special On-Demand webinar!

Come Lord Jesus! Bible Study -- In St Anthony Parish Office/Hall -- Thursdays at 10:30 in St Anthony Rectory ++ Also at 1 pm St Joseph has their CLJ in the St Joseph Social Room ++ Please join us for either++ It’s a program that was developed in the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana, USA 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.