St. Bernard (Established in 1787)

DAILY MASSES Monday—Friday: Mass 8:30 a.m. First Saturday 8:30 a.m.

WEEKEND MASSES Saturday Vigil 4:00 p.m.

Sunday 10:00 a.m.

2805 Bayou Road St. Adoration Chapel: P. O. Box 220 Any Time St. Bernard, LA 70085

MISSION STATEMENT In the total love for Jesus through the Heart of Mary, We St. Bernard Catholic Church commit to BE BOLD—BE CATHOLIC—BE CHRIST And faithfully pass it on...Heart to Heart. I.M.

Office Hours: 9:30—1:00 Monday—Thursday Phone: (504) 281-2267 — Fax: (504) 281-2268 E-Mail: [email protected] www.stbernard-stbla.com

Rev. Hoang M. Tuong, Pastor St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery: (504) 421-9533 Cell Phone: 985-705-0357 Lynne, Parish Secretary, Cell: (504) 421-5969 Rev. Charles Caluda, Retired Lenore—Religious Ed Deacon Norbert Billiot, Jr. [email protected] Music Director: Bea Girard

Baptism: Parents are asked to call the office. Baptisms will be held the 3rd weekend of the month or by special arrangement. Sacrament of Reconciliation: Confessions are held before each Mass, or call for an appointment. Communion of the Sick: Please call when someone is ill or in the hospital. Sacrament of Marriage: Couples must contact the church at least six (6) months before the date of the wedding. Christian Burial: Please contact the funeral home to make arrangements they will contact church and cemetery. Pastoral & Finance Meeting - Pastoral Council meetings will be announced. Volume 52 Issue 41 28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OCTOBER 13, 2019 Saturday October 12, 2019 Ministry Schedule Rosary 3:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. All Parishioners of St. For Next Week: Bernard Catholic Church; Bernard & Chase Naquin; Duke Collins; Donald Saturday, October 19, 4:00 p.m. Serpas, Sr.; Tim George; John and Timothy George; Sal Celebrant: Fr. Hoang Gagliano; Mazie LaFond; Karen Smith; Donna Lector: Mary Frances Gonzales; Scotty Lopez; Beth Byrd Ruiz; Richie Byrd; Ministers of Communion: Charles, Cornelia & Lori Robertson; Fr John; and all on our Sick List Dwight

Sunday, October 13, 2019 Rosary 9:30 a.m. Sunday, October 20, 10:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Charles L. Smith; Gauthé Family; Agnes & Wallace Serpas; Jerry Wheat; HJ Lind; Josephine & Celebrant: Fr. Hoang Reese Nunez; Mike, Rosie & André Colletti; Dickie Lector: Maureen Stander; Merle King; Louise M. Alphonso; Larry Ministers of Communion: Gonzales, Jr.; Raymond Serpas; Jason Steele; Sandra Serigne; Walter Guidry; Chester Romero; The Romero Angela Family; Rudy Alphonso; Martin & Cecile Alfonso; Jerry, Vernon & Nathan Alfonso; Juan & Frankie Montelongo; Alfred Nunez, Sr. & Family; Ramona Ramos; Karen Smith; Weshe Melerine; Adam & Evelyn Gonzales; Sanctuary Lamp Flora Calabrasi; Healing of Sylvia Guillot and Phillip Beth Byrd Ruiz Acosta; and all Military Personnel & Families

DAILY—Rosary 8 a.m.—Mass 8:30 a.m.: Marian Candle Monday For Our Youth Tuesday All Sick & Dying Cornelia Robertson Wednesday All Souls in Purgatory Thursday All Parishioners Friday Deceased Priests St. Joseph Candle Saturday (only First Saturday) 8:30 a.m. Frs. Don, JP, Kenney & John

Readings For The Week

October 5—6, 2019 Monday: Rom 1:1-7; Ps 98:1-4; Lk 11:29-32 Tuesday: Rom 1:16-25; Ps 19:2-5; Lk 11:37-41 Attendance: 74 Wednesday: Rom 2:1-11; Ps 62:2-3, 6-7, 9; Lk 11:42-46 Thursday: Rom 3:21-30; Ps 130:1b-6ab; Lk 11:47-54 Collection: $1,064.60 Friday: 2 Tm 4:10-17b; Ps 145:10-13, 17-18; Poor Box: $ 288.12 Lk 10:1-9 Saturday: Rom 4:13, 16-18; Ps 105:6-9, 42-43; Lk 12:8-12 Thank you for your support Sunday: Ex 17:8-13; Ps 121:1-8; 2 Tm 3:14 — 4:2; Lk 18:1-8 1st Reading - Exodus 17:8-13 Gospel - Luke 18:1-8 The Book of Exodus (the word “exodus” means “departure”) is the second book in the five books of the Law (the Torah). This week we hear the first of two parables on prayer (we This book tells of the oppression of the Israelites in Egypt, will hear the second one next week). The question has often the birth and education of and his flight into the land been put to Jesus “When and how will the end come?” Jesus of Midian, his encounter with God on Mount Sinai (Horeb) always answered that we are to persevere in humility so (the burning bush), Moses’ return to Egypt and pleadings that we will always be ready. with Pharaoh, the plagues of Egypt, the institution of the 18:1 Then he [Jesus] told them a parable about the Passover, the passing through the Red Sea, the giving of the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. ten commandments at Mt. Sinai, the golden calf, and the 40 years As the last verse in this reading makes clear, mere continual of wandering in the desert. prayer is not what He is talking about, but fidelity to God The time between the crossing through the Red Sea and the must be the motivator of this prayer. arrival of the Israelites at Mount Sinai was three months. It He said, 2 “There was a judge in a certain town who neither was during this three month period that the people feared God nor respected any human being. 3 And a widow complained that they were thirsty. God commanded Moses to speak to a rock (he struck it with his staff) and water A woman who has lost her male agency in a patriarchal flowed from it for the people to drink. Jewish oral tradition society was powerless. must have held that this rock followed the Jews in their 40- in that town used to come to him year wandering because no such event is mentioned in the The woman has faith that justice will be done and is Old Testament. 1st Corinthians 10:4 however does record therefore persistent. We need to remain firm in our faith: this “following rock”. How different this epistle might have been if Paul had said “If it isn’t faith and prayer go hand in hand. written in Scripture I won’t believe it.” and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my Our reading today occurs immediately after the rock story adversary.’ and explains why we (priests and charismatics at least) Probably a rich, influential man. The widow was too poor to pray with arms outstretched. bribe either the judge or his assistant and these officials did 8 [In those days] [ ], Amalek came not wish to alienate important citizens. Amalek is not a person, but a nomadic tribe listed in the genealogy of Esau (Genesis 36:12). 4 For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he Just as fought with Esau, so their descendants are thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect destined to fight. The Amalekites controlled the caravan any human being, 5 because this widow keeps bothering me routes between Egypt and Arabia. I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and waged war against Israel. and strike me.’” 6 The Lord said, “Pay attention to what This is the first military activity of the newly freed Hebrews. the dishonest judge says. 9 Moses, therefore, said to Joshua, Two lessons are drawn via the argument from the lesser to This is the first mention of Joshua in sacred Scripture. It is Joshua who is later designated to lead the Israelites into the the greater: promised land. 1) If the persistent pleading of the helpless widow is “Pick out certain men, and tomorrow go out and engage fruitful, how much more will the persistent praying of Amalek in battle. I will be standing on top of the hill with Christian disciples achieve? the staff of God in my hand.” 2) If an unjust judge yields to the pleadings of a widow, how This requires faith (and acting on it) on the part of Joshua. Joshua will be fighting while Moses looks on. much will a gracious God? 10 So Joshua did as Moses told him: he engaged Amalek in 7 Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who battle after Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer Aaron them? 8 I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for Moses’ brother – later to become High Priest them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, and Hur. A contemporary of Moses who later governs the Israelites The parousia may be long in coming, but it will come surely, with Aaron when Moses is absent. It is strange that a man so speedily, and in a completely unexpected way. prominent in the early traditions of the exodus should will he find faith on earth?” disappear without a trace. The question is not about God’s vindication of God’s 11 As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the persecuted community; God will vindicate them. The better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest, Amalek question is whether Jesus’ disciples will remain faithful to had the better of the fight. 12 Moses’ hands, however, grew tired; Him during the long haul caused by the delay of His return. Yahweh fights for Israel only when Moses’ hands are raised. Our Lord has promised His Church that it will remain true This establishes Moses as a sort of mediator-Christ figure. to its mission until the end of time (Matthew 28:20); the so they put a rock in place for him to sit on. Meanwhile Church, therefore, cannot go off the path of the true faith. Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and But not everyone will remain faithful: some will turn their one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till backs on the faith of their own accord. We must stay sunset. Even though Moses is the mediator between God and the watchful and persevere in the faith and in prayer even Hebrews, he requires support from the people. This shows though people around us fall away. our responsibility to support our , bishops and priests. 13 And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. St. Feast Day: October 17 On Oct. 17, the Roman Catholic Church remembers the early Church Father, bishop, and martyr Saint Ignatius of Antioch, whose writings attest to the sacramental and hierarchical nature of the Church from its earliest days. Eastern Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate his memory on Dec. 20.

In a 2007 general audience on St. Ignatius of Antioch, Pope Benedict XVI observed that “no Church Father has expressed the longing for union with Christ and for life in him with the intensity of Ignatius.” In his letters, the Pope said, “one feels the freshness of the faith of the generation which had still known the Apostles. In these letters, the ardent love of a saint can also be felt.”

Born in Syria in the middle of the first century A.D., Ignatius is said to have been personally instructed – along with another future martyr, Saint – by the Apostle Saint John. When Ignatius became the Bishop of Antioch around the year 70, he assumed leadership of a local church that was, according to tradition, first led by before his move to .

Although St. Peter transmitted his Papal primacy to the bishops of Rome rather than Antioch, the city played an important role in the life of the early Church. Located in present-day Turkey, it was a chief city of the , and was also the location where the believers in Jesus' teachings and his resurrection were first called “Christians.”

Ignatius led the Christians of Antioch during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian, the first of the emperors to proclaim his divinity by adopting the title “Lord and God.” Subjects who would not give worship to the emperor under this title could be punished with death. As the leader of a major Catholic diocese during this period, Ignatius showed courage and worked to inspire it in others.

After Domitian's murder in the year 96, his successor Nerva reigned only briefly, and was soon followed by the Emperor Trajan. Under his rule, Christians were once again liable to death for denying the pagan state religion and refusing to participate in its rites. It was during his reign that Ignatius was convicted for his Christian testimony and sent from Syria to Rome to be put to death.

Escorted by a team of military guards, Ignatius nonetheless managed to compose seven letters: six to various local churches throughout the empire (including the Church of Rome), and one to his fellow bishop Polycarp who would give his own life for Christ several decades later.

Ignatius' letters passionately stressed the importance of Church unity, the dangers of heresy, and the surpassing importance of the Eucharist as the “medicine of immortality.” These writings contain the first surviving written description of the Church as “Catholic,” from the Greek word indicating both universality and fullness.

One of the most striking features of Ignatius' letters, is his enthusiastic embrace of martyrdom as a means to union with God and eternal life. “All the pleasures of the world, and all the kingdoms of this earth, shall profit me nothing,” he wrote to the Church of Rome. “It is better for me to die in behalf of Jesus Christ, than to reign over all the ends of the earth.”

“Now I begin to be a ,” the bishop declared. “Let fire and the cross; let the crowds of wild beasts; let tearings, breakings, and dislocations of bones; let cutting off of members; let shatterings of the whole body; and let all the dreadful torments of the devil come upon me: only let me attain to Jesus Christ.”

St. Ignatius of Antioch bore witness to Christ publicly for the last time in Rome's Flavian Amphitheater, where he was mauled to death by lions. “I am the wheat of the Lord,” he had declared, before facing them. “I must be ground by the teeth of these beasts to be made the pure bread of Christ.” His memory was honored, and his bones venerated, soon after his death around the year 107. St. Callistus I October 14 Patron Saint of Cemetery Workers

Pope Callistus I is celebrated in churches throughout the world as a saint and martyr on October 14. The saint caused a major controversy, including a that lasted almost two decades, by choosing to emphasize God's mercy in his ministry. However, the early Pope's model of leadership has endured, and his martyrdom in the year 222 confirmed his example of holiness.

Because no completely trustworthy biography of Pope Callistus I exists, historians have been forced to rely on an account by his contemporary . Although Hippolytus himself was eventually reconciled to the Church and canonized as a martyr, he vocally opposed the pontificate of Callistus and three of his successors, to the point of usurping papal prerogatives for himself (as the first “”). Nevertheless, his account of Callistus' life and papacy provides important details.

According to Hippolytus' account, Callistus – whose year of birth is not known - began his career as a highly- placed domestic servant, eventually taking responsibility for his master's banking business. When the bank failed, Callistus received the blame, and attempted to flee from his master. Being discovered, he was demoted to serve as a manual laborer in Rome. Thus, under inauspicious circumstances, Callistus came as a slave to the city where he would later serve as Pope.

Matters went from bad to worse when he was sent to work in the mines, possibly for causing a public disturbance, if Hippolytus' account is to be trusted. However, Callistus may also simply have been sentenced due to a persecution of Christians, as he was among the many believers eventually freed on the initiative of Pope St. Victor I.

During the subsequent reign of , Callistus became a deacon and the caretaker of a major Roman Christian cemetery (which still bears his name as the “Cemetery of St. Callistus”), in addition to advising the Pope on theological controversies of the day. He was a natural candidate to follow Zephyrinus, when the latter died in 219.

Hippolytus, an erudite Roman theologian, accused Pope Callistus of sympathizing with heretics, and resented the new Pope's clarification that even the most serious sins could be absolved after sincere confession. The Pope's assertion of divine mercy also scandalized the North African Christian polemicist Tertullian, already in schism from the Church in Carthage, who also erroneously held that certain sins were too serious to be forgiven through confession.

Considered in light of this error, Hippolytus' catalogue of sins allegedly “permitted” by Callistus – including extramarital sex and early forms of contraception - may in fact represent offenses which the Pope never allowed, but which he was willing to absolve in the case of penitents seeking reconciliation with the Church.

Even so, Callistus could not persuade Hippolytus' followers of his rightful authority as Pope during his own lifetime. The Catholic Church, however, has always acknowledged the orthodoxy and holiness of Pope St. Callistus I, particularly since the time of his martyrdom – traditionally ascribed to an anti-Christian mob - in 222.

St. Callistus' own intercession after death may also have made possible the historic reconciliation between his opponent Hippolytus, and the later . The Pope and former antipope were martyred together in 236, and both subsequently canonized.

The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power. TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION HEALING AND SALVATION Christian liturgy has always contained an The readings today speak of healing and opportunity to make a choice for sharing. From the salvation. In Second Kings, Naaman, a commander beginning, Christians pooled their resources, of the army of the king of Syria, develops leprosy. especially for the care of widows and orphans, at the He goes to a stranger, a prophet from Israel, when weekly Eucharist. Over the years, the collection no one else can cure his disease. Much to his became detached from the liturgy and baskets or surprise, after a simple bath in the river, he is cured. plates would be passed through the community In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus cures ten lepers and sends while the Mass was going on at the altar, or them to the priest. Only one, a Samaritan, returns to contributions would be collected at the doors. In thank Jesus for his cure and only he hears the words, Milan’s Ambrosian Rite, these gifts have always “Your faith has saved you.” The psalm and Timothy been brought to the altar by lay people in procession. remind us that salvation involves justice, kindness, In German countries, the ancient custom was for the and faithfulness and forever links us with Jesus. In a entire assembly to process with their gifts—first the world as broken as ours, both healing and salvation men, then the women, then the priests and are necessary. deacons—to offer their gifts at the altar. The old Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. ceremony of included a curious vestige of this procession: people would present the pope with two loaves of bread, two barrels of wine and Please Pray for Our Sick water, five candles, and three cages containing Manuel Alfonso; Debbie Gonzales; Charles Duhe; Harold J. Lind, III; pigeons or turtledoves! Aiden Smith; Madeline Colletti Cimino; Gene Perez; Patricia Fincher; —James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. Frances Evans; Donald Campo; Edna O’Rourke; Marlene Campo; Bernard Naquin, Jr.; Dorothy Easley; Devin Dimadigo; Kylie Gritter; Let sleep find you holding your Bible, and when your Naquin; Sheri Fernandez; Christina Landry; Brett Gagliano; Brendan Graf; Emile Evans; Landon Ansardi; Kayla Vogelaar; Mindy head nods let it be resting on a sacred page. Casanova Dardar; Wilmoy & Florine Shows; Brett Bergeron; Allen —St. Nunez; Eleanore Erato; David Casanova; Danny Morales; Riley Richards; Hyacinth Serpas; Jerrilee Odinet; Karley Draper; Hailey PUMPKIN PATCH Martin; Lorraine Daroca; Barbara Simpson; George; Joy This year the Pumpkin Patch will be from October Fernandez; Marianne Marks; Kimberly Mones; Avery Cantrelle; Rita 15th until the 30th. The school field trip hours are Bauer; Sandy Thurman; Talor Gutierrez; Erica Stewart; Maggie Serigne; Valerie Wheat; Hunter Hoffmann; Christina Gardner; AJ 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The family time during the week Arnone; Evis; Michelle Matthews; Fr. Charley; Sandra Jones; William is 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The weekend hours are Noon Ybarzabal; Don Clark; Fred Everhardt; Thelma Lee; Lela Weber; to 6:00 pm. Janey Yates; Connie St. Pierre; Tino Mones; Mary Gagliano; Patrick Campo, Sr.; Joyce Serpas; Michael Fernandez; SE Kreiger; Pasqual Please remember that our church depends on our Alfonso; Henry Dietrich; Sidney Evans, Jr.; Hope Serigne; Mr. & fund raisers to bring in the money to help meet our Mrs. Caesar; Mary Barker; Bob Couch; Linda Gagliano; Rhonda financial obligations. With this in mind, please Riley; Norbert Billiot, Sr.; Lisa and Samantha; Paul consider volunteering for a few hours, a day, or Remick; Justin Serpas; Rene Poche; Lisa Montelongo; Bobbie Schmitt; Barbara Robin; Lorenza Acosta; Becky whatever you can spare. Couture Riker; Linda Melerine; Stephen Lobre; Barney Koons; Romona Lucas; Paul Serigne; Taylor Tycer; Dan Assevado; Wendy Walls; Kaleah Kate Ma; Robert ADORATION CHAPELS Oalmann; Campo; Arley Jarammillo; Robert Burns; Peter The Deanery Adoration Chapel located at OLPS invites you to come Peterson; Anna Morales; Elsie Smith; Philip Deogracias; Beverly spend a little time with the Lord in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Bachemin; Ryan Peltier; Lonny Becnel; Kerry Robertson; Pat Come for a few minutes or consider becoming a “committed adorer” Cassagne; Jimmy & Dolly Brien; Margie Palmeri; Misty Morales; for a particular hour. OLPS 8 am to 8 pm Monday-Friday. If anyone would like to be on the committee at OLPS please contact them. Esther Gonzales; Katie Caluda Sanpart; Carol Morales; Michele OLPS is need of adorers if you can commit please call them. Our Lady Morales; Kim Juminias; Charolotte Luna; Elba Quiles; Branden of Lourdes has Adoration on the first Wednesday of the month. St. David; Ralph Ziegler; Wayne Landry; Sylvia Guillot; Ryan Guerra; Bernard has Adoration on Thursday. Please consider spending an Hillary Miller; Phillip Acosta hour with the Lord. Call the office to add or remove someone from list. cisco’s HTG. & A/C

682-7866 St. Bernard Memorial Funeral Home Melissa Castanedo SERVING Sales Manager ST. BERNARD PARISH Have You Pre-Planned? Call for More Information. SINCE 1989 504.279.6376 • Cell 504.258.0198 www.stbernardmemorial.com www.ciscosac.com 701 W. Virtue St. | Chalmette, LA 70043 ✂ Please Cut Out This “Thank You Ad” Is this film suitable for my children? and Present It The Next Time You Patronize One of Our Advertisers Reviews and ratings of an extensive list of movies, both current and archived is available at: The Most Complete http://www.usccb.org/movies/ Online National Thank you for advertising in our church bulletin. This service is provided by the Directory of I am patronizing your business U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Office of Film and Broadcasting Check It Out Today! Catholic Parishes because of it! LAW OFFICES OF SIDNEY D. TORRES, III

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