Help fight crime in our community. Text anonymous tips to Gretna Police Department to fight crime and help keep our community safe! Fighting crime is a partnership. In Gretna, the public is the greatest crime fighting resource. With tip411, you can share anonymous information about crime, drugs, domestic violence, bullying, suspicious activity and other crimes via text message or the free smartphone app. It is 100% anonymous. The tip411 system removes all your identifying information so officers receive no identifying information about you -- not your name, not your phone number, not your address. Nothing! How do I use it? 1. Send anonymous text tips -- send a text message to 847411, then type the keyword GPDTIPS, add a space, type your tip info, and hit send. 2. Submit anonymous tips using FREE smartphone app. Download free Gretna PD app for iPhone and Android to submit anonymous tips from a smartphone. 3. Use anonymous web tip form on your computer. Visit the Gretna PD website at www.gretnapolice.com

This season has brought about several changes for Community Center for Life, but our ministry has been privileged to remain open as an essential services operation. We have served families across 20 different zip codes with a specific increase in requests for assistance with diapers, groceries, baby formula, and other necessities. We have continued to provide crisis intervention and long-term counseling, ultrasounds, prenatal and parenting classes, and more - all at no cost to our clients. Since the pandemic, we have conducted over 550 varied appointments ranging from in-person, virtual, curbside pick-up, and home delivery. Even with the onslaught of changes, the mission to glorify God by sharing the overwhelming love and hope of Christ remains the same. Here is a testimony of one woman who was considering abortion during the pandemic and texted a staff member the next day with this message: “I wanted to thank you for just being able to hear me, not judge me, and welcome me with open arms. I thank you for the counseling because I did notice a few things about myself that I never took the time to think about or even speak about to anyone. Thank you for just helping women all over make us feel comfortable enough to trust you. You are a blessing and I thank God for meeting you!” This is the testimony of a mother who remembered us after receiving help in the past and recently gave birth during the pandemic: “I am a single mom with one daughter and I do it all on my own. When I found out I was pregnant again, I felt lost and had no hope. The center immediately popped into my head the moment I found out. I knew they could help me see over this mountain. They not only helped me to keep my baby but also helped me to see a different version of myself. I learned a lot talking with the counselor…and now I have hope!” Please join us in our mission via this virtual Baby Bottle. Click on link for more information on how to participate and get involved. We rely completely on the support of our local churches to protect the unborn and serve the most needy and vulnerable families in our community. We covet your prayers and your partnership! Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information or for requests to help families in your area.

In an effort to better serve the faithful of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, we are pleased to announce the creation of the Department of Catholic Education and Faith Formation. The Department of Catholic Education and Faith Formation will include Catholic schools, parish schools of religion, RCIA programs, evangelization, adult education, and catechist certification programs focused on a shared ministry of forming life-long disciples. Dr. RaeNell Houston will serve as Executive Director and Superintendent of Catholic Schools and will be supported by Deputy Superintendents, Deacon Michael Whitehouse and Mrs. Martha Mundine along with additional professional staff. By creating this department, it is our hope to eliminate a duplication of efforts enabling us to focus resources on Catholic education and religious education for all ages in both our parishes and our Catholic schools. The mission statement of the Department of Catholic Education and Faith Formation is: Led by the Holy Spirit and centered in the person of Jesus Christ, the mission of the Department of Catholic Education and Faith Formation is to provide service, support and guidance to all parish and school communities in the shared ministry of evangelizing, catechizing and educating with standards of excellence to form life-long Disciples who witness God’s love with joy.