Solemnity of Christ the King November 24, 2019 Joseph P. O. Box 365 117 South Main St. Loreauville, 70552 (337) 229-4254 FAX (337) 229-4255 Rev. Barry F. Crochet, Pastor Rev. Godwin Nzeh CMF, Associate Pastor Deacon Christopher Doumit, Pastoral Assistant [email protected] stjosephparishonline.org MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil Mass — 4:00 p.m. Sunday — 7:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. [9:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory] Monday, Wednesday and Friday — 6:45 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory Tuesday and Thursday — 5:30 p.m. at Saint Joseph Thursday — 10:00 a.m. at Saint Catherine Apartments First Saturday — 8:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION Every Saturday from 3:00 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. and one-half hour before all weekday Masses, or by appointment during office hours. OFFICE HOURS Monday through Thursday — 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. RECEPTIONIST/BOOKKEEPER/CEMETERIAN Mrs. Gail Borel — [email protected] RECORDS CLERK/PLANT MANAGER Gladys Lasseigne RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Mrs. Sherry Hebert — [email protected] MUSIC MINISTRY Mrs. Janice Carboni & Mr. Michael Arceneaux (Saturday — 4:00 p.m.) Miss Amber DeMarco (Sunday — 10:30 a.m.) BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE Mr. Ken Theriot and John Thomas Neuville EUCHARISTIC ADORATION The chapel is open every day from 6:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. FUNERALS Please contact the office prior to contacting the funeral home. Funerals are celebrated in the morning of Tuesdays through Saturdays no later than 11:00 a.m. A Funeral Vigil is celebrated on the preceding evening at 6:00 p.m. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Baptism classes are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:45 p.m. in the rectory. Baptism are held on the second and fourth Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. Please contact the parish Almighty ever-living God, Whose Will is to restore office for scheduling. SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY all things in Your beloved Son, the King of the Couples must contact the pastor at least six months prior to the proposed wedding date. universe, grant, we pray, that the whole creation, set SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK Contact the parish office to schedule a pastoral visit. free from slavery, may render Your majesty service SAFE ENVIRONMENT and ceaselessly proclaim Your praise. Contact the parish office. Please pray for our parish family members who are sick: We invite you to submit the names of people who are in need of our prayers.

Jess Koch, Lisa Adcock, Kendall Romero, Alicia Durand, Janice Poirrier, Inez Barras, Helen Bastian, Butch and Debbie White, Stacy, Joseph Huval, Marie Lee Prioux, Troy Barras, Kelly Guy Thibodeaux, Lydia May, Louis “CoCo” Landry Jr., Jerry Ransonet, Jessica Scott, Mary Smith, Brian Thibodeaux, Cora Fruge, Jimmy Clifton, Rowena Borel, Megan Scully, Maxine Laviolette, Jackie Savoy, Barry Thibodeaux, Doris “Boutte” Latiolais, Dawn Derouen, Matil LasSalle Romero, Falyn Sonnier, Barras, Michele Dugas Burke, Paul Crochet, Craig Breaux, Helen Rickey Sonnier, Caline Provost, Katie Boutte, Patricia Freyou, Simon, Ross Rouly, Jamie Brady, Holly LeBlanc, Faye Gary, Tony Lecia Broussard, Jason Walker, Ronald Albert Sr., Michael Berard, Glenn Romero, Stuart Sandoz, Duffy Domingue, Eric Theriot, Ken Adcock, Roshondra Nora, Noah Abraham, Jimmy Clements, David Louviere, Hayden Ransonet, Trevor Louviere, LeBlanc, Chad Borel, Sophie Bonin, Ashley Hebert, Stephen Vanessa Courville, Wayne Louviere, Austin Willett, Willey Dugas, Bonnie Hebert, Jon-Luke Lancon, Bobbie Boutte.

Please note that our office will purge the names on our sick list every quarter. We ask anyone who lists someone’s name to please call the parish office to add or remove a name. November 17, 2019 Mass Intentions — 11/23-11/29 Regular Sunday Offering Envelopes (63%) $ 3,945.00 Saturday 4:00 p.m. StJo — Aymar Jimmy Eldridge, Elaine Plessala and Regular Sunday Offering Loose (37%) $ 2,351.00 “Poon” and Beulah Dugas, Ide Dugas Eldridge Family, Cheryl Segura, Jeanette Weekly Budget $ 7,384.62 Family, Alexis Laviolette Family, Wayne “Jan” Crochet, Pliny Walet Family, Agnes LeBlanc, Lily Mae and Alvin LeBlanc, Otto Breaux, Angus and Florence “Flo” Regular Collection Total $6,296.00 Sr. and Laurence Girouard, Terradot Mestayer, Louis and Elbay Judice, Boots Difference -$ 1,088.62 Family, Theresa Girouard Allen, Tasey and Thomas, Joe Boudreaux and Justin Completion Loan Balance $ 87,284.25 Becky Eldridge, Clarence Champagne Boudreaux, L.J. and Anita Grivat and Completion Collection $ 1,162.00 Family, Robert Prados Family and Breaux Parents, Louis Landry, Una and Otto Family, Chad Romero, Deyna Champagne, Landry, Widley Louviere, Anita and Lennet Insurance Balance 2019-2020 $ 27026.00 Audrey Crochet, Jordan Prince and Special Grivat, Antoine Judice Families, Suzette B. Insurance Collection $ 1,090.00 Intention, Joseph Dressel, Kimberly Judice, Kelly Louviere, Butsy Walet, Sandra Decuir, Decuir and Dugas Family, J.O. Sr. Angelle and Glenn Angelle, Percy Granger, 129 of 1314 families used collection envelopes (10% participation). and Marie Neuville and Ted Neuville Ruben Rogers, Elizabeth Capps Rogers, 206 of 1314 families attended Mass this weekend (16% attendance). Family, Barry Eldridge and Ned Broussard Claude Hebert, Cecile Hebert, Deacon Jay Thanks to those who practice Sacrificial Giving and give Families, Melvin Dugas, Roy Sr. and Gladys Bergeron, Archbishop Harry Flynn, Sue of their time, talent and treasure as an act of profound Christian stewardship. Berard, Forbus and Myrtle Mestayer Sr., Crochet. Granger and Mestayer Family, Ronald, Sr. Monday 6:45 a.m. OLV — Landry and The Sanctuary Lamp is burning for and Mildred Gonsoulin, Leed and Mabel Champagne Families Ancestors and Louto and Anite Gondron Family Gondron, Fred Laviolette, Louis and Grace Descendants and Souls in Purgatory, Pope, Moran, Virginia Frioux, Lennet and Marie Priest, Religious, Ruben Rogers, Elizabeth The Vocation Chalice is in Antoinette Crochet, Clenie and Eve Segura Capps Rogers, Claude Hebert, Cecile The Adoration Chapel and Billie, Sally Domingue, Cabrol and Hebert, Deacon Jay Bergeron, Archbishop Please pray for vocations. If you would like to have the vocation chalice Domingue Family, Lorraine Huval, Preston Harry Flynn, Sue Crochet. and Agnes Huval, Martha Escagne Tuesday 5:30 p.m. StJo — Steve and in your home please call the rectory office at 229-4254. Rodriguez, Lloyd Broussard, Claude and Donna Berard Family, ancestors an The Bi-Monthly Statue is in the home of Felicie Granger, Nancy Broussard, Clarence descendants, special intentions, Annie Lee Dale and Arlene Theriot and Hilda Landry, Antoine Judice Families, Labiche Bourgeois and extended Family, Suzette B. Judice, Kelly Louviere, Sylvia Adams and Haoom Family, Landry and The Weekly Statue is in the home of Thibodeaux, Francis and Art Mazerole, Champagne Families Ancestors and Michael and Christine Arceneaux Billie and Armance Barrilleaux, Will and Descendants and Souls in Purgatory, Pope, Lily Roberts, Collins and Doris Louviere, Priest, Religious, Ruben Rogers, Elizabeth Saint Joseph Altar Candles are burning for Kay Dooley and William and Dolores Capps Rogers, Claude Hebert, Cecile Eric Champagne, Pliny Walet Family and Agnes Breaux, Charles and Jackie Dooley, Earl Mestayer, Bobby and Mark Hebert, Deacon Jay Bergeron, Archbishop Poirrier, Chad Romero and Deyna Champagne Braquet and Cathy Braquet Latiolais, Ken Harry Flynn, Sue Crochet. Segura, Ossie Romero, Jr., Irving Judice, Wednesday 6:45 a.m. OLV — John Flowers on the Altar are in loving memory of Walter and Doris M. Judice, Cobey Braquet, Michael Steiner, Landry and Champagne Eric Champagne Erma Delaune Family, Darrell Judice, Families Ancestors and Descendants and Sophie F. Bonin Family, Sam and Glo Souls in Purgatory, Pope, Priest, Religious, MINISTERS FOR NEXT WEEK Delcambre and Family, Ruben Rogers, Ruben Rogers, Elizabeth Capps Rogers, Elizabeth Capps Rogers, Claude Hebert, Claude Hebert, Cecile Hebert, Deacon Jay Date Extraordinary Cecile Hebert, Deacon Jay Bergeron, Bergeron, Archbishop Harry Flynn, Sue and Readers Eucharistic Altar Servers Time Ministers Archbishop Harry Flynn, Sue Crochet. Crochet. Sunday 7:00 a.m. StJo — Mr. and Mrs. Thanksgiving Day Kristyn Dorsey November 28 Isela Kerne Claire Breaux Madeline Ackal Clark Provost, Special Intention Provost Thursday 8:00 a.m. StJo — Mrs. Francis 8:00 a.m. Earl Price Emma Ackal Family, Gwen Borel, Sis Provost and Noelie Lachausse, Deceased Catholic Daughters, Solar, Leona Mestayer Family, Tracey Hollie Guidry and Family, Judice and Viator November 30 Sandra Boudreaux Jillian Angelle Jana Angelle Defelice Guilbeaux, Maude Granger and Families, Earl O. Savoy, Perry J. Burke, 4:00 p.m. Roberta Degeyter David Devillier Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Granger, John Michael Bertha B. Eaves, Shelton Joseph and Ella December 1 Carolyn Roseberry Brynn Blanchard Sandy Sonnier Steiner, Jay Gonsoulin Family, Paul Sonnier Mae Desormeaux Freyou, Kernis and 7:00 a.m. Debbie Oubre Chaz Blanchard Family and Clyde Warfel Family, Sandra P. Aimee Peltier, Edgar and Emmerite Peltier, Chad Breaux Confirmation Students Horton, Loto and Leah Louviere, Antoine Stanley and Elsie Crochet, Yvonne LeBlanc, 10:30 a.m. Confirmation Students Hassie Breaux Avery Begnaud “Boy” LeBlanc Family, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Braquet, Francis Crochet, Don Davis, Johnny Albert Sr., Champagne and Landry Eric Champagne, Wilbert J. “Spic” LeBlanc, Please pray for our priests, seminarians, deacons and religious Families Ancestors and Descendants and Eunice Fitch Giblin, Anthony “Tony” Eternal Father, we lift up to You these special sons and daughters. Sanctify Souls in Purgatory, Pope, Priest, Religious, LeBlanc, Joseph Irvin Lege, Maige Breaux them. Heal and guide them. Mold them into the likeness of Your Son, Jesus, Maude Granger and Mr. and Mrs. Francis Lege, Belinda Marie Lege, Landry and the Eternal High Priest. May their lives be pleasing to You. In Jesus’ Name Granger, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Granger, Dr. Champagne Families Ancestors and we pray. Amen. Raymond Schneider, Elaine Schneider, Skip Descendants and Souls in Purgatory, Pope, Rev. Arockiadass Thanaraj, HGN/Matthew Romero November 23 Schneider, Lolly Harbin, Breaux and Priest, Religious, Ruben Rogers, Elizabeth Dcn. Carlton Lee/Sr. Clairette Grondin, SE Delcambre Families, Lenwood Delcambre, Capps Rogers, Claude Hebert, Cecile November 24 Emus Borel, Tony and Rita Chataignier, Hebert, Deacon Jay Bergeron, Archbishop Ruben Rogers, Elizabeth Capps Rogers, Harry Flynn, Sue Crochet. Rev. Charles Nicholas Trahan/Nicholas Ware November 25 Claude Hebert, Cecile Hebert, Deacon Jay Friday 6:45 a.m. OLV — Landry and Dcn. Barney LeJeune/Sr. Doris Ann Roy, SEC Bergeron, Archbishop Harry Flynn, Sue Champagne Families Ancestors and Rev. Clint Trahan/Cole Zaunbrecher November 26 Dcn. Leon LeJeune/Sr. Carmelita Latiolais, SEC Crochet. Descendants and Souls in Purgatory, Pope, Rev. Harold Trahan/Pier Zeringue 10:30 a.m. StJo — Eric Champagne, John Priest, Religious, Judice and Walet Family, November 27 Dcn. Tom Lindsey/Sr. Pat Gauthier, SEC Mullican, Loto Louviere, Jr. and Gam and Ruben Rogers, Elizabeth Capps Rogers, Rev. John Lan Tran, SJ/Dylan Allen Velma Gondron, Sylvia Thibodeaux, Claude Hebert, Cecile Hebert, Deacon Jay November 28 Dcn. Joseph Liuzza/Sr. Rosanne Plagens, SFCC Shelton Joseph and Ella Mae Desormeaux Bergeron, Archbishop Harry Flynn, Sue Rev. Joseph Sai Tran, SVD/Reed Bellingham Freyou, Alvin and Faye Tauzin, Edmonia Crochet. November 29 Dcn. Phil Lizotte/Sr. Ameline Theriot, SFCC Tauzin, Marcel and Nadage Broussard, Sunday, November 24, 2019 Sunday, December 8, 2019 Sunday, December 29, 2019 Solemnity of Christ the King Second Sunday of Advent Feast of the Holy Family [Last Sunday of the Church Year] Confirmation Class — Last Class Monday, December 30, 2019 November 24 —November 28, 2019 Confirmation Rehearsal Priests vs. Seminarians Thanksgiving Holidays Immediately after the 10:30 a.m. Mass Basketball Game — 6:30 p.m. NO Religion Classes Cathedral Carmel School Gym Monday, December 9, 2019 Lafayette, Louisiana Thursday, November 28, 2019 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Thanksgiving Day [NOT a Holy Day of Obligation] Tuesday, December 31, 2019 Mass — 8:00 a.m. Mass — 6:45 a.m. Weekday Mass — 6:345 a.m. Saint Joseph Church Our Lady of Victory Church Saint Joseph Church Offices Are Closed Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Solemnity of Mary Vigil Mass — 4:00 p.m. Saturday, November 30, 2019 Parish Pastoral Council Meeting Saint Joseph Church Christmas in the Village Saint Joseph Rectory — 6:00 p.m. [Holy Day of Obligation] Loreauville Town Hall — 6:00 p.m. Sunday, December 15, 2019 Wednesday, January 1, 2020 Sunday, December 1, 2019 Third Sunday of Advent Solemnity of Mary, Mother God First Sunday of Advent [Holy Day of Obligation] [First Sunday of the Church Year] Confirmation Mass — 10:30 a.m. Saint Joseph Church Mass — 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 3, 2019 Saint Joseph Church Advent Parish Mission Monday, December 16, 2019 Saint Joseph Church — 6:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus — 7:00 p.m. Mass — 9:00 a.m. Saint Theresa Hall Our Lady of Victory Church Wednesday, December 4, 2019 Advent Parish Mission Thursday, December 19, 2019 Friday, January 3, 2020 Saint Joseph Church — 6:30 p.m. Patriotic — 6:00 p.m. First Friday — The Most Holy Name of Jesus Saint Joseph Church Mass — 6:45 a.m. Thursday, December 5, 2019 Our Lady of Victory Church Advent Parish Mission Sunday, December 22, 2019 Saint Joseph Church — 6:30 p.m. Fourth Sunday of Advent Saturday, January 4, 2020 First Saturday Friday, December 6, 2019 Tuesday, December 24, 2019 Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Seton First Friday Christmas Eve Mass — 8:00 a.m. Mass — 6:45 a.m. Weekday Mass — 6:45 a.m. Our Lady of Victory Church Our Lady of Victory Church Saint Joseph Church Sunday, January 5, 2020 Saturday, December 7, 2019 Christmas Vigil Mass — 4:00 p.m. Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord First Saturday Saint Joseph Church Mass — 8:00 a.m. [Holy Day of Obligation] Sunday, January 5, 2020 Our Lady of Victory Church Baptism of the Lord Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Confirmation Class — Day of Recollection Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord [Holy Day of Obligation] Catholic Daughers and Knights of Columbus Social Christmas Mass at Dawn — 7:00 a.m. Saint Theresa Hall — 5:00 p.m. Saint Joseph Church

Christmas Day Mass — 9:00 a.m. Our Lady of Victory Church

Christmas Day Mass — 10:30 a.m. Saint Joseph Church

The Daughters of Saint Paul are back with a new tour and a new lineup for the Advent Parish Mission He is Born Christmas Concert!

for the Be inspired by the voices and stories Village of Loreauville of the Sisters as well as by the sounds of Christmas carols new and old, Presented by bringing joy and peace to all who listen! Rev. Garrett Savoie Pastor of Ticket and Seating Options: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church Premium Seating for Sponsors New Iberia, Louisiana (Closest to stage), Priority seating at $50 per ticket, and General admission: December 3-5, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. $35 per ticket for adults, 17 & under $15.00 per ticket Our Lady of Victory Church No physical tickets will be issued. Check in required at the venue. Confessions heard each evening Ushers will help you find your seats. during the Mission

For more information call: 504-887-7631

Jon- Luke Patrick Lancon the 2½ year old son of Elby and Many thanks to all Dana Gachassin Lancon has been diagnosed who supported our with potentially life-threatening health issues Confirmation Class

Please include him as a with the recent Special Intention in your prayers Shrimp Boil.

Everybody is now a Please pray for our students Prayer Warrior

We ask for the intercession of as they make their Confirmation Charlene Richard, the “Little Cajun Saint” on December 15.

Prayer to Charlene Richard (1947-1959) Prayer for Beatification

Charlene, when you were only twelve years old, Our Father in Heaven, you showed heroic faith, hope, and love; moved by the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ, dying of leukemia, you joined yourself to Jesus on His Cross Your Son and our Savior, and offered your intense pain for others. we lift up our hearts to You You thereby echoed Saint Paul’s words in Colossians 1:24: and ask that, if it be Your will, Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up You grant our request. what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of His Body, the Church. May Your servant and native of Louisiana, Charlene Marie Richard, Charlene, I believe you are with God. be raised to sainthood by the Holy Father, Please ask our Heavenly Father, Successor of the Apostle Saint Peter, His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and visible head of Jesus’ Church on earth. and the Holy Spirit to grant me the following favor: We trust this prayer to You (mention favor sought) through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus, Charlene, thank you for helping me. under her title by which She is known May Jesus Christ always be praised. as the Patroness of Louisiana: May Mary, Jesus Ever-Virgin Mother, The Immaculate Conception. always be called blessed. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be Why Did the Wall Fall, 30 Years Ago? that “when John Paul II kissed the ground The demand for religious freedom, in other by George Weigel at the Warsaw Airport on June 2, 1979, he words, was at the center of the John Paul II began the process by which communism in -inspired Solidarity movement in Poland, November 9 marked the 30th anniversary Poland — and ultimately everywhere — even as it became an increasingly prominent of the peaceful breach of the Berlin Wall would come to an end.” My friendly part of the human rights resistance to — the symbolic high point of the amendment would be to note (as the Polish communism in Czechoslovakia, Lithuania, Revolution of 1989, which would be pope did) that a lot had been happening in and what was then the Ukrainian Soviet completed seven weeks later by the fall of east central Europe before John Paul’s June Socialist Republic. the Czechoslovak communist regime and 1979 pilgrimage to Poland; so the pope did Getting this history straight is important, Václav Havel’s election as that country’s not so much begin, as he did accelerate, the not just as a matter of intellectual hygiene president. A few days before the actual process of dismantling European but for the future. Public officials who do anniversary, German foreign minister communism through an effective not grasp the centrality of religious freedom Heiko Maas penned a brief essay on the nonviolent resistance based on the assertion to the collapse of European communism reasons why the Wall came down, which of basic human rights. And he did that in and the emergence of new democracies in was striking for what Mr. Maas didn’t part by giving the Catholic components of central and eastern Europe are unlikely to mention. the resistance new courage, rooted in the appreciate the centrality of religious He did not mention NATO’s conviction that “Rome” now had their freedom to free and virtuous 21st-century steadfastness against a vast Soviet campaign backs (as it hadn’t in the 1970s). societies and to 21st-Century democracy. It of agitation and propaganda over western But I will happily accept Professor is a sadness to note that Foreign Minister military modernization in the 1980s. Gaddis’s citation of June 2, 1979, as a signal Maas is not alone in his ignorance, and in He did not mention President Ronald moment in this process. What happened what one fears may be his insouciance Reagan or Prime Minister Margaret that day? Unbelievably, after more than 30 about the first freedom. Thatcher — he didn’t even mention West years of communist repression, a pope A few days before the 30th anniversary German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. from behind the iron curtain celebrated of the Wall coming down, former Irish From my point of view, however, the Mass in Warsaw’s Victory Square. And president Mary McAleese gave a lecture at most glaring omission in Mr. Maas’s essay during that hitherto unimaginable event, a Trinity College in Dublin. Did she celebrate was his complete lack of attention to the vast crowd chanted, “We want God! We her Church’s role in liberating a continent? pivotal figure in the Revolution of 1989, want God!” No. Instead, she made the bizarre claim that Pope Saint John Paul II. Just as oddly, the That dramatic scene was the curtain- infant baptism and the consequent foreign minister neglected to mention the raiser on nine days of national renewal in obligation of parents to raise their baptized moral revolution — the revolution of which John Paul, in dozens of speeches and children in the faith may violate the U.N.’s conscience — that John Paul II helped addresses, never mentioned politics or Covenant on the Rights of the Child. ignite and that gave the Revolution of 1989 economics once and ignored the Polish Hard to believe, but true — and an its unique human texture. This is bad communist government completely. Rather, urgent reminder that bad history makes for history. And bad history always raises he played numerous variations on one great bad public policy. warning flags about the future. theme: “You are not who they say you are. Professor John Lewis Gaddis of Yale Remember who you are — reclaim the University is America’s most distinguished truth about yourselves as a nation formed George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of Washington, D.C.’s Ethics historian of the Cold War. He is not a by a Christian history and a vital faith — and Public Policy Center, where he Catholic, so he could not be accused of and you will eventually discover tools of holds the William E. Simon Chair in special pleading or sectarian bias in writing resistance that communism cannot match.” Catholic Studies.

Catholic Daughters Angel Tree Once again, our Catholic Daughters of the Americas are selling Angel Cards for any monetary donation. These cards have a place to write the name of your deceased loved one or someone who needs prayer or just someone special to you for whom you would like for others to join you in praying. The cards will be hung on a Christmas tree Extra Confession Times for Advent in the lobby of Saint Joseph Church so that everyone can see the pretty red cards. This Wednesday, December 4 (During the Advent Mission) will be a reminder to all our parishioners to pray for these people. 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. At every Sunday Mass parishioners will be reminded to pray for the Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church intentions on our Angel Tree. Please contact any Catholic Daughter or check at the Rectory for the cards. They will be available Wednesday, December 11 and 18 throughout the Advent season. We thank you for supporting the 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Catholic Daughters. Saint Joseph Church

These Days of Testing How can we sheep ask so much of our So what are we laity to do? We cannot by Helen Freeh shepherds when we are not willing to be — however appealing the idea — throw living examples of Christ to the world out weak and wayward shepherds, but we Fr. Thomas Weinandy recently wrote a ourselves? How can our shepherds ask do have the real power of prayer and sobering article in which he concluded: “I anything of the sheep that they are not personal holiness. Saint John Henry believe it will be the laity who bring about willing to model first for us? Newman’s motto cor ad cor loquitur, “heart the needed purification … More A mutual acceptance of the burden of speaks to heart,” must be one each of us specifically, I believe it will depend mostly rebuilding the Church needs to be made by laymen and women takes as our own. on faithful and courageous Catholic each and every member of the Body of We must teach the joy of the faith first women.” Cardinal Robert Sarah in his new Christ, whatever their vocation. It is not a and foremost in the secret recesses of our book, The Day Is Now Far Spent, also duty only for laypersons, nor for religious families, because, as Mother Teresa speculates that “women have a special role alone. famously said, peace begins in the home. to play” in helping priests dedicate Perhaps we are moving into a time of We must live this peace and its fruit, joy, at themselves “radically to God.” Perhaps, as great destruction in which the institutional home, and from the sanctuary of our Pope Francis has declared, this is the “Age Church as we have known it for over a home, emerge as witnesses of joy to all of the Laity.” But I have my doubts. millennium will crumble, as happened after those we meet in our daily lives. If we laity are the ones to fix this mess, the fall of Rome and the conquest by I have three young children, the oldest then just how can we do it, having no Germanic tribes. of whom will receive her First Holy institutional power in Church politics? Are Yet even if waves of destruction sweep Communion in the Spring. My husband we simply to use the power of the purse to over us, we will hold on to the flame of and I will prepare her and our sons, as well force wayward bishops “back in line”? faith not merely through the hierarchical as we possibly can, for the tribulations they That is no true solution to this problem, structure of the Church, but through will face in our world, by teaching them the although recent financial reports suggest domestic catechism and underground joy of the faith. that Peter’s Pence may be suffering in its networks, like the ones that the Catholic I may not feel great joy in being a annual revenues, which no doubt will get faithful in Elizabethan England created Catholic right now, but I know the truth the the attention of Rome. despite official persecution. Catholic Church safeguards — and in that The two laymen’s forcible removal of Blessed Fulton Sheen declared in 1974 truth lies the joy. What is this joy but the the wooden fertility statues from the church that we were entering the fourth fall and rise truth that we are sons and daughters of the of Santa Maria in Traspontina ought to be a of the Church in which our great test will triune God; that we are the people He serious wake-up call to the Vatican be to resist the “spirit of the world.” Yet he loved so much that He sent His only Son to bureaucracy regarding the steps some laity was undaunted: “These are marvelous days suffer and die that we might have eternal are willing to take in response to a sense of in which to be alive. I thank God that I can life with Him in Heaven. outrage and powerlessness. The removal of live in these days, because these are days of the statues temporarily resolved a problem, testing.” but clearly cannot resolve The Problem. All the faithful must thank God that we Dr. Helen Freeh received her B.A. and M. A. The burden of a rebirth for the Church have been chosen for these times to from the University of , and her Ph.D. from seems unfairly to have been put on the preserve and convey to new generations the Baylor University. She has taught at Hillsdale shoulders of the laity, especially given that essential nature of our faith, which is joy, College, where she met her husband, John. She is most lay Catholics have been poorly but the joy that comes through rejecting our now in temporary early retirement, raising and catechized in Catholic schools and parishes own will and accepting God’s Will and Plan homeschooling their children in Lincoln, Nebraska. — see the recent Pew study, which found for our lives. Virtus tentamine gaudet! Strength that almost 70 percent of Catholics do not rejoices in the challenge. believe in the Real Presence. That is what we face today. While we Yet the laity also seem too quick to point may find ourselves echoing Frodo’s fingers at weak and silent bishops and fault complaint in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, them for every problem the Church “I wish it need not have happened in my experiences. We blame our priests and time,” we must heed Gandalf’s response: bishops for their sins and weaknesses, but “So do all who see such times. But that is how many Catholic laity fail in living their not for them to decide. All we have to own daily lives in accord with Christ and decide is what to do with the time that is His Church’s moral teachings? given us.”

Parish Offices will be closed on Wednesday, November 27 and Thursday November 28 for Thanksgiving Holidays. KEITH E. THIBODEAUX -- ATTORNEY AT LAW 422 SOUTH MAIN STREET SAINT MARTINVILLE, LA 70582 PHONE: 337-394-3034 FAX: 337-394-3518

-

-

-- - 120 Main Street - Loreauville, LA 70552 - Todd Simon – Owner - 229-6386 - -- - -

R & R Glass Works Repairs & Installation Oubre Ricky Bourque, parishioner Memorials 365-9311 & Vaults, L.L.C. 806 W. Washington St. New Iberia, LA 70560-4212 -- - 337-367-9260

Julius “Buddy” Ransonet & Glenn Guidry, owners

Metal Roofs — Canopies — Doors Metal Building Components - Free Estimates

TECHE LUMBER & BUILDING SUPPLY, INC. Paint, Roofing, Hardware -- 1304 Hopkins Street, New Iberia, Specialty Storm Shutters - Scott R. Guidry Ÿ 229-9792 - Operable & Decorative

700 N. Main Street, Loreauville, LA 229-4224 - Perry Judice, owner