IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 21, 2019 MARRERO, LOUISIANA VOLUME 49, NUMBER 3

Sunday, July 14, 2019 Weekly Collection

Envelopes……………....$3,078.00 Loose……………..…….$ 1,127.00 Total Collection…...…...$ 4,205.00

Thank you for your generosity.

Being away for a month made it feel like quite an adjustment after I got back. I have to say if felt l little strange. Part of it was getting back and saying good bye to Fr. Pedro. I even miss his plucking on the guitar. Now I know what parents go through when one of their children is learn-ing a new instrument. I did want to scream a couple of times: go up to your room and play that thing! Fr. Steve and I have been missing each other. At the end of the school year our principal

made several changes to address the

school’s financial realities. Cutting back is

never easy. No one is more grateful for our

staff and faculty than I. I will always fight

for just compensation for their great work. I

do feel that they all have the school’s best

interest at heart. I believe one main issue

is due to our school campus doubling in

size with the integration of Immaculata/

AOL’s campus. This has doubled the cost

of upkeep, maintenance, electricity and

janitorial. With the addition of a full-fledged

early childhood program settling in after 3

years, we’ve had to reevaluate and consol-

idate some staff and administration. Final-

ly, the enrollment in Catholic Schools

across the board has dwindled. These re-

alities have caught up with us. I know that I

and the administration team prayed and

planned well to make the best decisions

possible.

Love, Fr. Jimmy

What does it take for me to help someone in

need? How can I imitate the good Samaritan?

Two of today’s readings focus on hospitali-

ty, the way we treat a guest. Abraham re-

ceives a visit from three strangers and he

treats them extravagantly, only discovering

in the end who they really are. Martha and

Mary welcome Jesus to their home, each

serving him in her own way. In between we

hear from Paul, who as a missionary was

welcomed by faithful Christians in towns

around the eastern Mediterranean. Today

we are afforded the opportunity to sit back

like Mary did and listen to the Lord speak.

We hear the Lord speak to Abraham, assur-

ing him that his wife, Sarah, will finally bear

a son. We hear the Lord speak to Martha

and Mary, assuring them of the importance

of listening and learning. We hear the Lord

speak, as we do each Sunday, in the break-

ing of the bread. Let us listen and hear what

the Lord says to us. Through our ears, may

we offer the hospitality our Lord desires.

“Walk straight, act right, tell the truth. “Don’t hurt your friend, don’t blame your neighbor; despise the despicable. “Keep your word even when it costs you, make an honest liv-ing, never take a bribe. “You’ll never get blacklisted if you live like this.”

(Psalms 15: 2-3a,b, 4, 5.)

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Saturday, July 20th 4:00 p.m.

Bernadette & Vic Cortez, Sandra Barrios, Lori DeLaune , Mr. & Mrs. James LaForest, Sr., Mike Lopez , the Souls in Purgatory & thanksgiving for

prayers answered Sunday, July 21st

8:00 a. m. Laurent & Betty Verdin, Special Intentions of Walter

Danner 10:00 a.m. Mass

Guy & Laura Adams, Benjamin Hernandez & Ma-rie Schouest, Quentin J McGuire, Surasak, Kiri,

Surapol, Barbara Laurent, Michael Hinojosa, Kay Melanson, and the Birthday of Rodney Martin.

12 Noon Mass Luisa Ramona Marte & Luz Maria Valdez.

6:00 p.m. All Parishioners of Immaculate Conception

Monday, July 22nd 6:00 p.m.

Wilfred Williams, Jr. Tuesday, July 23rd

6:00 p.m. Keith Waguespack

Wednesday, July 24th 6:00 p.m.

Myra Bellanger LaChute & Lawrence Blanchard Thursday, July 25th

6:00 p.m. James Stein

Friday July 26th 6:00 p.m.

This weekend’s second collection is for the

Black & Indian Missions, please be generous.

Schedule: Ministers of the Eucharist

4:00 PM Mass July 27 & Aug 3— Donna &

William Bentel, Elaine Klibert, Katie Liljeberg,

Kim Ranson, Del Woolsey.

8:00 AM Mass July 28 & Aug 4- E. Cloutet,

C. D’Aquin, R. Lamy, C. Lasserre, D. Modenbach

and M. Verdin.

10:00 AM Mass Aug 11– J. Bellanger, C.

Blanchard, D. DiMarco, R. Hebert, R. Rawle, F.

Stevenson.

10:00 AM Mass July 28 & Aug 4– P. Camardelle, L. D’Aquin, J. Mailhos, S. Nguyen 6:00 PM Mass July 21 & 28— F. Lipovsky, G.

Smith, S. Verret, D. Guise.

Schedule: Ministers of the Word

4:00 PM July 27—R. Billiot

Aug 3— L. D’Aquin

8:00 AM July 28—C. Lasserre

Aug 4— D. Rudolph

10:00AM July 28—P. Simon

Aug 4— C. Blanchard

6:00 PM July 28—H. Smith

Aug 4—A. Gongora

Vigil Lights

This week the vigil light at the Blessed Sacrament is in loving memory of Gene “Butch” Russell, Jr.

This week the vigil light at the St. Joseph Statue is in loving memory of Raymond & Utah Prestenbach.

This week the vigil light at the Blessed Mother Statue is in loving memory of Herbert & Earlene Pitre.

SANCTUARY CLEANING

July 27—Mary Aguilar, Charlene Blanchard, Ma-

rie Dearstine, Rosalind Hebert, Katie Liljeberg,

Suyapa Martinez.

Aug 3 –Hong Huong, Arvella & Elaine Lesnak, Marlene

Saucier, Peggy Simmons ..

Tree of Life

We offer parishioners a way to remem-

ber a loved one, a special event, special

sacrament or just to have a family name

listed on one of our leaves on our Tree

of Life. This tree is located on the St. Jo-

seph side wall to the rear of our church.

At your convenience check it out and call the

parish office if you are interested in having a leaf

engraved.

Estar fuera por un mes hizo que se sienta como un gran ajuste después de volver. Tengo que decir que se sintió un poco extraño. Parte de esto también fue volver y decir adiós al Padre Pedro. Inclu-so echo de menos el sonido de la guitarra. Ahora sé por lo que pasan los padres cuando uno de sus hijos está aprendiendo un nuevo instrumento. Quería gritar un par de veces: sube a tu habitación a tocar esa cosa!. Padre Steve y yo nos hemos echado de menos. Al final del año escolar, nuestra principal hizo varios cambios para abordar las reali-dades financieras de la escuela. Recortar nunca es fácil. Nadie está más agradeci-do por nuestro personal y facultad que yo. Siempre lucharé por una compensación justa por su excelente trabajo. Siento que todos tienen lo mejor para la escuela en el corazón. Creo que un problema principal se debe a la duplicación en tamaño con la integración del campus de Inmaculada /AOL. Esto ha duplicado el costo de man-tenimiento, electricidad y conserje. Con la integración de un programa completo de la primera infancia que se estableció des-pués de 3 años, hemos tenido que reeva-luar y consolidar parte del personal y ad-ministración. Finalmente, la inscripción en las escuelas católicas en general ha dismi-nuido. Estas realidades nos han alcanza-do. Sé que yo y el equipo de administra-ción oramos y planeamos bien para tomar las mejores decisiones posibles.

Con Amor, Padre Jimmy.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 21, 2019 MARRERO, LOUISIANA VOLUME 49, NUMBER 3

Ministros de la eucaristía horario Julio 28– Liliana Alegría, Blanca Díaz, Rosa Pina, Gladys Reyes, Marina Romero, Néstor Aguilar.

Agosto 4– Liliana Alegría, Blanca Díaz, Rosa Pi-na, Gladys Reyes, Mariana Romero, Néstor Agui-lar

Ministros de la Palabra horario

Julio 28—Nydia Lara Agosto 4—

Educación Religiosa ¡Otro año escolar á terminado! Una vez más á sido un momento de gran bendición para los niños de nues-tra Parroquia. Este año, nuestra Escuela y Escuela Pa-rroquial de Religión han preparado y presenciado los Bautismos de siete de nuestros estudiantes y la Primera Reconciliación y Primera Eucaristía de cincuenta y ocho jóvenes. Además , celebramos el Sacramento de la Con-firmación con veintiún de nuestros estudiantes de secun-daria. ¡Tan pronto como termina, comienza de nuevo! Ac-tualmente estamos aceptando la inscripción para la Es-cuela Parroquial de Religión 2019-2020. Para registrar-se, puede venir a la Oficina de la Iglesia y completar un formulario de inscripción. Los formularios estarán dis-ponibles de Lunes a Viernes de 10:00am – 12:00 pm y de 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Las fechas de fin de semana para la inscripción estarán disponibles a fines de verano y se anunciarán más adelante. Si su hijo recibirá la Primera Comunión el próximo año (escolar), deberá enviar una copia de su Certificado de Bautismo. La cuota de ins-cripción es de $25 por el primer niño y $15 por cada uno adicional. Por favor vea a Rhonda o al Padre Jimmy si esto presenta una dificultad. Confirmación de la Escuela Secundaria En la Arquidiócesis de New Orleans, los jóvenes que son bautizados y están en el undécimo grado pueden recibir el Sacramento de la Confirmación. La Parroquia de la Inmaculada Concepción celebrará este Sacramento nuevamente el 12 de Marzo de 2020. Los candidatos que asistan a las escuelas públicas y católicas deben re-gistrarse para la preparación final.

Educación y Preparación Sacramental Para Adultos Si usted o algún adulto que conoce está interesado en recibir los Sacramentos, o si solo quieren un lugar para hacer hacer preguntas sobre lo que creemos y por qué, comuníquese con Rhonda a la Oficina de la Iglesia.

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

ICC PARISH & SCHOOL 95th ANNIVERSARY

Immaculate Conception Church & School

will be hosting the “Les Bon Vivant” Anni-

versary Gala on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019 at the Four

Columns. The evening will include a patron party, hors

d’oeuvres, buffet dinner, silent auction, raffles and mu-

sic by Groovy 7. Sponsorships and tables reservations

are available now at $5000 level, $3000 level, $2000

level and $1500 level. Individual general admission

tickets will be sold at a later date.

SILENT AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED!! Part of the suc-

cess of the Gala will be gathering donations of items

for the silent auction. Can you, your company, or may-

be a friend that has a local business make a dona-

tion? All donations are greatly appreciated and are tax

deductible. Items needed include: restaurant gift certif-

icates, gift certificates for services (hair, nails, spa),

artwork, hotel stays, excursions (swamp tour, movie

passes), electronics, wine, designer and gift items.

For more information on sponsorships or to make a

donation, contact Silvana Collins at 347-4409 ext. 21.

Religious Education

As soon as it is over, it begins again! We are currently accepting registration for the 2019-2020 Parish School of Religion (PSR). To register, you may come to the Church Office and fill out a Registration form. Forms will be available Monday- Friday 10:00a.m -12:00, and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Weekend dates for registration will be available at the end of summer and will be an-nounced later. If your child will be receiving First Com-munion next (school) year, you will need to submit a copy of her or his Baptism Certificate. The registration fee is $25 for the first child and $15 for each additional child. Please see Rhonda or Father Jimmy if this pre-sents a hardship.

High School Confirmation In the Archdiocese of New Orleans, young people who have been Baptized and are in the eleventh grade may receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Immacu-late Conception Parish will celebrate this Sacrament again on March 12, 2020. Candidates attending Catho-lic and Public Schools must register for final prepara-tion. Registration forms are available as stated above. We look forward to meeting all of our candidates. Final preparation will begin in October.

Adult Education and Sacramental Preparation

If you or an adult you know is interested in recei-ving the Sacraments, or if you just want to ask questions about our faith, call Rhonda at the pa-rish office. This preparation is also called RCIA.

Reflection on todays Readings: It is the kind of story that everyone loves to hear:

an ordinary person treats a stranger kindly and

the stranger turns out to be someone extraordi-

nary. A waitress receives a thousand-dollar tip

from a plainly dressed customer. A taxi driver

helps a stranger whose car broke down and the

stranger turns out to be someone famous. In to-

day’s first reading, Abraham plays the role of the

humble host, accommodating three strangers dur-

ing a hot afternoon in the desert. He and Sarah

go over and above in serving them—freshly

baked rolls, a choice steer, curds and milk—much

more than they could be expected to do. At the

end of the story the strangers reveal themselves

to be much more than three wandering travelers.

It is the LORD, come to Abraham in the form of a

humble guest.• Jesus comes to Martha and Mary

as a guest as well, though they know who he is

from the start. Last week we heard the story of

the good Samaritan, prefaced by the scribe who

answered that love of God and love of neighbor

are the keys to inheriting eternal life. In Martha

and Mary we see both of these commandments

followed. Martha shows love of neighbor in the

way that she serves their guest. Mary shows love

of God in the way that she sat with Jesus and lis-

tened to every word he spoke. In the way that

they treat the guest in their home, they do every-

thing the Lord asks of us.• Saint Paul reminds us

that in his day it is the Gentiles who play the role

of the humble host. Christ finds a home among

those who were thought to be inferior. In turn, the

Gentiles carry Christianity to the ends of the

earth.

Question of the Week

Do I act differently around strangers

who look important and ones who don’t?

Do I treat others with kindness, whether

listening or serving?