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THE CONFESSOR a Publication of St THE CONFESSOR A Publication of St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church VOLUME 28, NUMBER 5 www.steddy.org MAY 2018 Parishioners honored with St. Louis Awards Parishioners Yvette Fouchi and Jason and Jodie Cavignac will be awarded the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ Order of St. Louis Medallion honoring their years of dedicated service to St. Edward the Confessor Parish. Yvette, Jason and Jodie will join honorees from other parishes in the Archdiocese for a special service on Sunday, May 6 at St. Joseph Church, where Archbishop Gregory Aymond will present the awards. Yvette, Jodie and Jason each recently shared their thoughts on their years of life, service and community at St. Edward. Yvette Fouchi has been a Edward. Yvette stretches St. Edward parishioner far beyond our community since 1986. She has one and Archdiocese as she is daughter and recently on the Board of Directors became a grandmother to for Mission Support for the Isaac who is now 9 months Archdiocese of Tororo in old. Yvette is deeply Uganda. With all of these committed to God and His activities and ministries, Church and displays this she still had time to attend dedication through her acts Notre Dame Seminary. She and work in her Church is commissioned as a Lay community and beyond. As a child, Yvette learned the importance of giving and Ecclesial Minister with a Masters Degree in Pastoral serving others from her parents. Yvette states, “this award Leadership. Yvette confesses, “I was humbled and burst represents, not just my activities, but that this parish truly into tears upon learning about receiving this award.” As makes it easy for me to respond to God’s call.” for what the future brings, Yvette says, “I don’t look for Yvette is a vowed celibate who has a committed prayer things. Opportunities just appear and I respond—always life which fuels her ministries. She is a familiar face in the with the help of others.” She will indeed continue local Pro-Life movement, coordinating the bus trip from spreading God’s love. St. Edward to Baton Rouge for the annual March for Life, Jason and Jodie Cavignac moved into St. Edward heading the peaceful “walks” in front of abortion clinics Parish after they married in 2000. Jason is an attorney and she is a Sidewalk Counseling trainer for the with the Couhig Partners Law Firm and Jodie is a second Archdiocese of New Orleans. She is currently working on grade teacher here at St. Edward School. They have two the Anti-Human Trafficking Committee for the sons, both of whom are altar servers: Andrew is in 8th Archdiocese helping young girls in the healing process grade at Jesuit High School and Matthew is in 6th grade after having escaped the clutches of human trafficking. In here at St. Edward. They both agree that their lives have addition, she is on the Greater New Orleans Human been enriched by their involvement at St. Edward Parish. Trafficking Task Force. She is a Prison Ministry Mentor Jason states, “We are glad to be a part of such a family- for the Archdiocese striving to show the loving and oriented, spiritual and vibrant parish.” welcoming face of Jesus to young boys who have made Jodie has lived in St. Edward Parish all of her life and is poor decisions. Yvette is also an advocate for the elderly, a graduate of St. Edward School. She began teaching here coordinating our Prayer and Presence Ministry on a in 1996. She is an Extraordinary Minister of Holy monthly visit to residents at St. Anthony Nursing Home. Communion and has been a teacher at the Children’s Yvette truly has a big heart for life from conception until Liturgy since the program began. Jodie also teaches at death, especially for the most vulnerable. Vacation Bible School each summer. She has been an Here at St. Edward, Yvette is a Lector, an Extraordinary active member of Ladies Council for many years and has Minister bringing Holy Communion to the homebound, the co-chaired a number of booths at the Cochon, including coordinator for our Social Justice and Respect Life the Animal Wheel, Grocery Booth and St. Eddy’s Shop. Ministries and has consecrated herself and many Jodie recently took over as coordinator of the Altar parishioners’ homes to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Servers. Immaculate Heart of Mary. Most recently, she is Jason, although relunctant to join STEAM in the organizing a Prison Prayer Partners Ministry here at St. See ST. LOUIS, Page 3 1 Parish Seder Service: A celebration of our faith heritage • Pictured at left, Lesli Gueydan lights the candles at the start of the Seder Meal; • Fr. Seiler washes the feet of Steve Gueydan showing the importance of service. The annual parish Seder meal, held on Palm Sunday, celebrated our • Fr. Seiler Jewish religious heritage with a representation of a traditional displays the Passover meal. Steve and Lesli Gueydan and their children, Hunter piece of matzo, and Brady, served as the host family, joining Father Seiler and the ’bread of Father Kevin at the head table. Narrator Beverly Denton described affliction’, that the symbolic meanings of the various rituals including the foods reminds us of the tasted, a sample plate of lamb, haroset, unleavened bread and unleavened herbs. As it was at a Passover meal that our Lord celebrated His bread eaten by Last Supper — instituting the Eucharist — many of the symbolic the ancient actions and rituals of the meal are still reflected today in our Israelites, fleeing celebration of the Mass. Over 100 parishioners participated. the bondage of Egypt. Growing in Virtue Blessing of Expectant Mothers Join us on May 6 at the 10 a.m. Mass for a Gardens growing...flowers blooming...beauty all around Blessing of Expectant Mothers, which takes place us...What is growing from within? twice each year offering prayers and support to Are you growing in gratitude? families preparing for the birth or adoption of a Are you growing more in love with God? child. Please join us. Are you growing in showing love and kindness to those around you? Are you growing in grace and virtue? Easter Gratitude Scripture reminds us, “Neither the planter nor the waterer matters, but only God who makes things grow” On behalf of our entire parish, I wish to offer my 1 Cor 3:7. God desires to bring forth growth and beauty sincerest thanks to the many people who worked so within us, if we allow Him and if we ask Him. Come and diligently in preparing for Holy Week and the Easter spend time with Jesus and let His beauty grow within Triduum services: you! Our Adoration Chapel is open on Monday, Fr. Kevin, Deacon Steve, Tim Meaut, our parish Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. You’re staff, Music Director Paul Boquet, the cantors and invited! parish choir, our reverent teams of Altar Servers and Mass Greeters, Altar Society members, Liturgy Committee, Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers, and every- 2019 Confirmation Registration one else who added to the planning and celebration High school juniors and seniors wishing to receive the of our services. Sacrament of Confirmation with our parish in 2019 must Our church maintained a simple beauty through Holy register by making an appointment with Mr. Trevor Week and was brightly arrayed with flowers and light in Huster, our Director of Religious Education. The deadline time for the Easter Vigil Mass. The deep reverence and for registration is Friday, August 31. In preparation for prayerful devotion of all who participated in the liturgies this sacrament, all candidates must participate in classes, was noted by many. Our parish is truly blessed to have so a retreat, and an interview. To make an appointment, or many dedicated and talented individuals. Thank you all for further information, please contact Trevor Huster at for your support, prayers, and dedication. 888-0703, Ext. 18 or at [email protected]. 2 ST. LOUIS AWARDS, From Page 1 Holy Spirit Novena beginning, enjoys the brotherhood and being a part of such a great organization. The support shown by its The first novena to the Holy Spirit took place in the members to one another and to parishioners is Upper Room between the Ascension and Pentecost extraordinary. Jason has served as president, vice Sunday, with the Blessed Mother and the Apostles and president, treasurer, and new member chairman and has disciples who were gathered there. Our world today is in worked tirelessly to support STEAM activities, dire need of an outpouring of the Holy Spirit! Please join including the Super Bowl Pancake Breakfast, Breakfast our parish community in preparation for the Feast of with Santa, Lenten Fish Fries, Crawfeast Cookoff, Gus Pentecost, and pray the Holy Spirit Novena with us Pumilia Golf Tournament, Summer Children’s following all Masses beginning Friday, May 11 Cabbageball and Adult Cabbageball. Jason is always through Saturday, May 19. Copies will be available in there to offer his advice as well as provide the time, back of church. muscle and organization to ensure the success of their events. Jason has also volunteered at many booths during the Cochon, including the hamburger and beer booths. Most recently, he has been drafted to the Founder’s Day Mass Cochon Finance Committee. Friday, June 1 Jodie says, “We didn’t realize it until we started to get involved in the community, but by giving of oneself, Everyone is invited to attend the 6 p.m. you get so much more in return, many blessings Mass on Friday, June 1st where we will including growing in faith and learning more about our celebrate the 54th anniversary of our parish.
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