Saturday Anticipated 4 p.m. (organ & cantor) Elderly Mass Sunday—9:00 a.m. (organ & cantor);

11:00 a.m. (organ & cantor; 5:00 p.m. (organ & cantor) Monday, Wednesday & Friday - 6:15 a.m.

Tuesday & Thursday - 5:30 p.m.

First Saturday 8:00 a.m. followed by recitation of the Rosary

Fatima Votive Mass

13th of the Month, May - October | 5:30 p.m.

Monthly Peace Mass This Mass heeds Our Lady’s call to pray for

world peace and conversion of hearts. It is prayed on the First Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m.

The Sacrament of Penance Sat.—1 hour prior to the Vigil Mass; Sunday—30 minutes prior to Mass; Mon, Wed, Fri & 1st Saturday 30 minutes prior to Mass; Tues & Thur.—1hour prior to Mass The Sacrament of Baptism The Sacrament is celebrated on the third Sunday of each month,

following the 11:00 a.m. Mass. Please contact the parish office before the baby is born for required classes. Sponsors are to be confirmed and practicing Catholics who attend Sunday Mass. The Sacrament of Matrimony Due to a new “couple mentoring” marriage preparation program, arrangements are to be made with

the Church office, if at all possible, at least ONE YEAR in advance. To avoid schedule conflicts, all wedding dates held at Our Lady of Fatima must be confirmed with the Parish Administrator, who should be the first contact of the couple. Please visit our Parish Website to review wedding and music guidelines, and details of paperwork and preparation requirements.

2319 Johnston St., Lafayette, LA 70503 Pastor: .................................................... Rev. Msgr. Jefferson DeBlanc Parochial Vicar: ................................................... Fr. Nathan Comeaux Deacon.............................................................................. Timothy Maragos Administrator: ............................................................. Stephanie Supple Parish Secretary: .............................................................. Mona Bouillion Receptionist: ........................................................................ D D McElligott Bookkeeper: .................................................................... Annie Governale Director of Music .............................................................. Keith D’Anna Organist, Choir Master .................................................. Keith D’Anna Bulletin Editor .................................................................... Keith D’Anna Church Office: ...................................................................... (337) 232-8945 Church Fax: ............................................................................ (337) 232-0323 School Office: ........................................................................(337) 235-2464 Church Website: ...................................... www.fatimalafayette.org

Office Hours Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

MASS SCHEDULE

Sunday, July 12th - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

CONTACT US

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In today’s second reading, Saint Paul gives us reason to hope for a wondrous future beyond our imagination. He preaches this hope amidst the suffering of the early Christian communities. “Brothers and sisters: I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us” (Romans 8:18). Good stewards realize that by remaining faithful to the Gospel with persistence, fervor and endurance, our hope in the promises of Christ Jesus will be rewarded. Reflect this week on concrete ways you can remain faithful to the Gospel during these challenging times.

Weekend of July 5th

Weekly Offertory Budget ...................... $15,384.62 Total Offertory Received ........................ $14,756.30 Weekly Budget +Over, -Under ............... -$628.32 Total Mercy Works ........................................... $361.00

11 Sat. 4:00 p.m. Anticipated: The Nugier Family, Melvin R. Boesch, Nathan, Loretta, & Robert Schiller, Edwina Smith Her-nandez, Gerald & Alberta Gossen, Eva Fontenot, James Judice, Mr. & Mrs. Stephen R. Moore, Sr., Mr. & Mrs. Frederick J. For-stall, Avis Moore Rupert, Charles Blanchard, Roy Walker, Sr., Ryan Robert Guilbeau, John Junior Manning, Teresa Kristy Pham, Gladys Rhodes, Ann Landry, Sandra Jean Courmier Flake, Rosamaria Reyes-Silva, Trent Meche; Living & Deceased Members of: Michael & Fred Landry & Family, The Bouvier & Boudreaux Families, The Ison & Eva Fontenot Families; Living: Edna Hornsby 12 Sun. 9:00 a.m.: Living: Jay Luke, III 11:00 a.m.: Col. Thomas N. & Lena B. Ritchie, Ronald J. Lalonde, Sr., Diane Menard Gossen, Eva Fon-tenot, Amanda Claire Judice, Lynn Kallam Ditch, Faye Marie Gesser, Thomas & Edney Guidry Families, Rachel Martin, Trent Meche; Living & Deceased Member of: The Ison & Eva Fon-tenot Families, The Kallam, Langlinais, Judice, & Hamilton Families, The Prejean, Fleming, Martin, Leger, & Cary Families; Living: Clay Judice 5:00 p.m.: Fatima Parishioners / Pro-Populo 13 Mon. 6:15 a.m.: Living: Lauren Luke 14 Tue. 5:30 p.m.: Mrs. Beatrice Boustany 15 Wed. 6:15 a.m.: Gordon Marshall 16 Thu. 5:30 p.m.: Eva Fontenot 17 Fri. 6:15 a.m.: Living & Deceased Members of the Ison & Eva Fontenot Families 18 Sat. 4:00 p.m. Anticipated: The Nugier Family, Vivian Boudreaux, Mary Catherine Bouvier, Ashley Cormier, Nathan, Loretta, & Robert Schiller, Edwina Smith Hernandez, Gerald & Alberta Gossen, Eva Fontenot, Amanda Claire Judice, Lynn Kallam Ditch, James Judice, Charles Blanchard, Roy Walker, Sr., Faye Marie Gesser, Mr. & Mrs. Stephen R. Moore, Sr., Mr. & Mrs. Frederick J. Forstall, Avis Moore Rupert, Ryan Robert Guilbeau, Jack Guidroz, Teresa Kristy Pham, Gladys Rhodes, Willie & Eunice Boudreaux, Ann Landry, Sandra Jean Courmi-er Flake, Rosamaria Reyes-Silva, Trent Meche; Living & De-ceased Members of: Michael & Fred Landry & Family, The Ison & Eva Fontenot Families, The Kallam, Langlinais, Judice, & Hamilton Families; Living: Mike & Darlene Hillman, Special In-tentions for Family 19 Sun. 9:00 a.m.: Fatima Parishioners / Pro=Populo 11:00 a.m.: Farrell DesOrmeaux 5:00 p.m.: Diane Menard Gossen, Eva Fontenot, Rachel Martin, Del Goodson; Living & Deceased Members of: The Ison & Eva Fontenot Families, The Prejean, Fleming, Martin, Leger, & Cary Families, The Trent Meche Family; Living: Jeremiah Huval, Clay Judice

AROUND THE PARISH

Diocesan and Parish Specific Directives (Coronavirus)

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Fatima Parish Office is now open to the public with limited hours 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday

THE CHURCH IS NOW OPEN FOR MASS

Mass Times: Saturday 4:00 p.m. - Primarily for the elderly and immune compromised, but all are welcome to attend

Sunday at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. - Weekdays follow normal schedule

Each parishioner is STRONGLY encouraged to bring and wear their own mask

The schedule for Confessions is as follows:

1. Saturday, from 3:00 to 3:50 p.m. and Sunday afternoons from 4:00 to 4:50 p.m. in Knight Hall Auditorium.

2. Sunday mornings from 8:30 to 8:50 a.m. & 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. in the Church. 3. Tuesday & Thursday from 4:30 to 5:25 in Knight Hall Auditorium.

4. Monday, Wednesday, Friday & First Saturday in the Church prior to Mass.

Private appointments to receive the Sacraments of the Anointing of the Sick and/or Confession can be scheduled by calling the parish office at (337) 232-8945.

If no answer, please call our Answering Service at (337) 572-4176 to reach a Priest.

Until the Adoration Chapel is fully reopened, there will be a Holy Hour in Church each Wednesday

from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. All are welcome.

Sign-up TODAY! Go to https://formed.org/signup Your Parish Code is 7f573e

You may also download the FORMED APP on your smartphone. Email administrator@fatimalafayette.org if you need assistance.

THIS WEEKS LINEUP

TUESDAY, JULY 14: Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

Listen: St. Kateri Tekakwitha THURSDAY, JULY 16: Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Watch: St. Therese of the Child Jesus; Watch: No Greater Love: A Unique Portrait of the Carmelite Nuns Watch: Edith Stein: The Seventh Chamber

Like many other people, I found myself with lots of free time recently because of Governor Edwards’ Stay at Home directive in March during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. There were more opportunities for prayer and reading. The beautiful spring weather beckoned me outdoors to exercise, get some sun, and fill my lungs with fresh air. I also decided to continue one of my personal service projects. Over the years, I have developed an eye for rubbish that disfigures our roadways. Most of you have seen prisoners in a work detail collecting trash along highways. Municipalities participate in “Cleanest City” contests. Posted signs read “Keep Our City Clean.” These images have made me more aware of the problem of littering. As a citizen, I like to do my part in gathering and properly disposing of litter. The general slow-down caused by the pandemic permitted me to devote more hours to cleaning Fatima Church property and both sides of Johnston Street from Ira Nelson Horticulture Center to Cajundome Boulevard. I also cleared refuse from the upper portions of Oakview Boulevard and Ronald Boulevard. Where does rubbish accumulate? Trash was embedded in bushes and underbrush on Church property and along the streets. There was a considerable amount of litter near the sidewalk that skirts the southbound lanes of Johnston Street. This sidewalk, slightly sunken with respect to the adjacent land and street, is bounded on one side by a series of cement bumpers that run parallel to Johnston and on the other side by a fence on the Blackham Coliseum property. The walkway serves as a drainage conduit for water during heavy downpours with the result that patches of mud accumulate on it. From the coliseum, the ground slopes downward as it approaches the sidewalk, breaking off into a steep cliff just before reaching the fence. A portion of the cliff is supported by a low retaining concrete wall. A narrow dirt pathway, which is a trap for trash, runs partway between the cliff and fence. How did I collect the trash? I used a standard trash picker with rubber grippers so that I could easily place the garbage in a bag for disposal. I dressed in my work clothes with gloves and facemask. I also wore a neon yellow T-shirt for enhanced visibility because I was working in the vicinity of traffic lanes. Who discards rubbish? I assume that pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists do, whether intentionally or unmindfully. Rushing air may also blow trash from the bed of a truck and the driver may not realize it. What kind of trash did I encounter? There were innumerable cigarette butts and cigarillo tips. I gathered cellophane wrappings, Styrofoam cups with lids, lots of straws, aluminum cans, plastic water bottles and caps, metal screws and washers, flex ties, pieces of cardboard and paper, AA batteries, tissues, pieces of broken glass,

plastic bags, paper bags, beads, fast-food containers and wrappings, paper napkins, tooth flossers, plastic utensils, gloves, coins, pens, pencils, bobby pins, an abandoned hubcap, a pair of sunglasses, towels, and printed receipts. I picked up a brightly colored umbrella, two heavy duty exhaust pipes, and a fresh can of beer. I even extracted from mud at the bottom of a ditch an unopened bottle of wine! While I concentrated on gathering larger clumps of rubbish, I did not neglect smaller pieces. I recently learned to my surprise that the filter of a cigarette is made of cellulose acetate (a form of plastic), although it looks like white cotton. Sadly, these cigarette butts are among the major pollutants and I did painstakingly collect many of them. Litter is one of the great challenges facing us. A “throwaway culture” gives rise to pollution and waste,* as Pope Francis wrote in his Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, published on 24 May 2015. The Holy Father’s letter bears on “global environmental deterioration.”** Laudato Si’ gave me a new and urgent perspective on the issue of proper disposal of garbage.

Each year hundreds of millions of tons of waste are generated, much of it non-biodegradable … from homes and businesses, from construction and demolition sites, from clinical, electronic and industrial sources. The earth, our home, is beginning to look more like an immense pile of filth. In many parts of the planet, the elderly lament that once beautiful landscapes are covered with rubbish. †

“Laudato Si’, mi’ Signore” (“Praise be to you, my Lord”) are the words of Saint Francis of Assisi in the Canticle of the Creatures, a magnificent text in which the medieval saint speaks of the Earth as “a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.”†† In his Encyclical, Pope Francis addressed “every person living on this planet … to enter into dialogue with all people about our common home.”‡ Francis hopes that Laudato Si’ will assist us “to acknowledge the appeal, immensity and urgency of the challenge we now face” and to do something about it.¶ The Holy Father urges us to go beyond treating the symptoms. Next Week: Laudato Si’—On Care for Our Common Home,

Part II: Beyond the Symptoms * Pope Francis, On Care for Our Common Home Laudato Si’ (Washington, D.C.: United States Catholic Conference, 2015), § 22; ** Laudato Si’, § 3; † Laudato Si’, § 21; †† Laudato Si’, § 1; ‡ Laudato Si’, § 3; ¶ Laudato Si’, § 15.

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

Laudato Si’ - On Care for Our Common Home

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GROWING IN HOLINESS - LET US PRAY

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LOVED ONES WHO LEAVE THE CHURCH

Send their names to St. Monica Sodality, c/o St. John Cantins Parish, 825 N. Carpenter Street, Chicago, IL 60622-5499. The Sodality will include your loved ones in their prayers and sacrifices. When all other efforts fail, the only thing left to do is pray and sacrifice. Consider joining the St. Monica Sodality. Writing to the above address will give you infor-mation on how to do so and the requirements for membership.

BLESSING OF THE UNBORN CHILD

Follows the Sunday 9 & 11:00 a.m. Masses the 1st weekend of the month.

Sacred Heart Home Enthronements

Call the Parish Office to schedule your Sacred Heart Home Enthrone-ment. Promoters go into the home to conduct the Enthronement, which follows a 9

day period of prayer by the family.

Prayer for Cancer Patients

A statue of St. Peregrine, patron of cancer patients, is made available to

go into the homes of those diagnosed with cancer. This statue of St. Peregrine was ac-quired from a convent in the city of Lille, northern France. The statue was hand-painted by nuns in the

mid 1900s. Call the parish office ot get on the roster.

Prayer Calendar for Priests

Monday, July 13 Rev. Bryce Sibley Tuesday, July 14

Rev. Gregory Simien Wednesday, July 15

Rev. Brent Smith Thursday, July 16

Rev. William Snyders, SJ Friday, July 17

Rev. Cedric Sonnier

Saturday, July 18 Rev. John Stacer, SJ

Sunday, July 19 Rev. Clint Trahan

ADORATION OF THE

BLESSED SACRAMENT WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE CHURCH

EACH WEDNESDAY FROM 6:00 TO 7:00 P.M.

ALL ARE WELCOME

TO ATTEND AND PRAY FOR AN END TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

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In sr. lucia’s own words - the 3rd apparition at Fatima 07-13-1917

A few moments after arriving at the Cova da Iria, near the holmoak, where a large number of people were praying the Rosary, we saw the flash of light once more, and a moment later Our Lady appeared on the holmoak. “What do you want of me?” I asked. “I want you to come here on the 13th of next month, to continue to pray the Rosary every day in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary, in order to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war, because only she can help you.” “I would like to ask you to tell us who you are, and to work a miracle so that every-body will believe that you are appearing to us.” “Continue to come here every month. In October, I will tell you who I am and what I want, and I will perform a miracle for all to see and believe.” I then made some requests, but I cannot recall now just what they were. What I do remember is that Our Lady said it was necessary for such people to pray the Ro-sary in order to obtain these graces during the year. And she continued: “Sacrifice yourselves for sinners, and say many times, especially whenever you make some sacrifice: ʻO Jesus, it is for love of You, for the conversion of sinners, and in repara-tion for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.ʼ” As our Lady spoke these last words, she opened her hands once more, as she had done during the two previous months. The rays of light seemed to penetrate the earth, and we saw as it were a sea of fire. Plunged in this fire were demons and souls in human form, like transparent burning embers, all blackened or burnished bronze, floating about in smoke, now falling back on every side like sparks in huge

fires, without weight or equilibrium, amid shrieks and groans of pain and despair, which horrified us and made us trem-ble with fear. “It must have been this sight which caused me to cry out, as people say they heard me.” The demons could be distinguished by their terrifying and repellent likeness to frightful and unknown animals, black and transpar-ent like burning coals. Terrified and as if to plead for succor, we looked up at Our Lady, who said to us, so kindly and so sadly: “You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace. The war is going to end; but if people do not cease offending God, a worse one will break out during the pontificate of Pius XI. When you see a night illumined by an unknown light, know that this is the great sign given you by God that he is about to punish the world for its crimes, by means of war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father. “To prevent this, I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart, and the Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays. If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be mar-tyred, the Holy Father will have much to suffer, various nations will be annihilated. In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she will be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world. In Portugal, the dogma of the Faith will always be preserved; etc...Do not tell this to anybody. Francisco, yes, you may tell him. “When you pray the rosary, say after each mystery: ʻO my Jesus, forgive us, save us from the fire of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are most in need.ʼ” After this, there was a moment of silence, and then I asked: “Is there anything more that you want of me?” “No, I do not want anything more of you today.” Then, as before Our Lady began to ascend towards the east, until she finally disappeared in the immense distance of the firmament.

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engaged encounter weekend

Have you ever thought about at-tending a Marriage Encounter Weekend? Would you like to rekindle the romance and passion in your marriage & improve your communication skills? Well, now is the time. And, you can do it from the comfort of your own home! Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the July 24-26 Weekend will be presented virtually. Registration will be limited to 10 couples. So, dust off the computer, charge up the iPad, tablet or phone and sign up. You can register online at www.LAMS-wwme.org or call or text Gary & Susie Muños at 225.439.3384.

prayer for hurricane season O God, Master of this passing world, hear the humble voices of your children. The Sea of Galilee obeyed your order and returned to its former quietude. You are still the Master of land and sea. We live in the shadow of a danger over

which we have no control: the Gulf, like a provoked and angry giant, can awake from its seeming lethar-gy, overstep its conventional boundaries, invade our land and spread chaos and disaster. During this hurricane season we turn to you, O Loving Father. Spare us from past tragedies whose memories are still so vivid and whose wounds seem to refuse to heal with the passing of time. O Virgin, Star of the Sea, Our Beloved Mother, we ask you to plead with your Son on our behalf, so that spared from the calamities common to this area and animat-ed with a true spirit of gratitude, we will walk in the footsteps of your Divine Son to reach heavenly Jeru-salem where a stormless eternity awaits us. Amen.

* * * * new date * * * *

Spend a weekend away from the cares and distractions of everyday living. Attend a Catholic Engaged Encounter Weekend. The weekend is open to any engaged couple

wanting to prepare for a deeper more mean-ingful life together in a marriage recognized by the Catholic Church according to its Church law. Upcoming weekend dates are August 7-9, September 18-20, November 13-15, January 8-10 of 2021. For cost of weekends, other dates, and to learn more, visit our web-site at www.ceelafayette.org or contact Paul

& Carolyn Trahan at 337.254.8947 or cee.trahan@gmail.com

men of the parish - serve our lord

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and

continue to help them.” He-brews 6:10 Beginning in September, ushers will no longer be scheduled by the parish staff as we have had to do to ad-dress Phases of COVID19. We will have regular Usher

Captains on each weekend of the month. We thank these men of our parish for their commitment to our Fatima fam-ily and our Church. For all other men who have been ushering the past few months/years and all men who attend Fatima Church, we ask that you seek out the Usher Captain when arriving to Church to inquire if he needs you to assist with Usher du-ties. You will typically find him in the nave of the church of the Usher’s room.

usher captain list - august 2020

4:00 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass

1st weekend of every month ...................................... Gerald Bouvier 2nd weekend of every month................................. Scott McElligott 3rd weekend of every month ..................................... Jason Crochet 4th weekend of every month ........................................... Roy Walker 5th weekend occasional................. Rotated amongst volunteers

9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass

1st weekend of every month .........................................Bobby Young 2nd weekend of every month......................................... Steve Moore 3rd weekend of every month ................................... Chuck Bernard 4th weekend of every month ................................................. Joe Wolf 5th weekend occasional..................................................Bobby Young

11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass

1st weekend of every month ............................................ Troy Naquin 2nd weekend of every month..................................... Todd Lambert 3rd weekend of every month ...................................... Brad McBride 4th weekend of every month ................................ Stephen Kramer 5th weekend occasional........................................... Stephen Kramer

5:00 p.m. Sunday Mass

1st weekend of every month .................................. Keith Kishbaugh 2nd weekend of every month.................................. Greg Broussard 3rd weekend of every month ..................................... Kelvin Mamou 4th weekend of every month .................................... John Foreman 5th weekend occasional................. Rotated amongst volunteers

SAINTS - OUR EXTENDED FAMILY IN HEAVEN

Read more at CatholicSaints.info

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Monday, July 13

Son of Gisella of Bur-gundy and Henry II the Quarrelsome, Duke of Bavaria. Ed-ucated at the cathe-dral school in Hildes-heim by bishop Wolfgang of Regens-burg. Became Duke of Bavaria himself in 995 upon his father’s death, which ended Henry’s thoughts of becoming a priest. Ascended to the throne of Germany in 1002. Crowned King of Pavia, Italy on

May 15, 1004. Married Saint Cunegunda, but was never a father. Some sources claim the two lived celibately, but there is no evidence either way. Henry’s brother rebelled against his power, and Henry was forced to defeat him on the battlefield, but later forgave him, and the two reconciled. Henry was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 1014 by Pope Benedict VIII; he was the last of the Saxon dynasty of emperors. Found-ed schools, quelled rebellions, protect-ed the frontiers, worked to establish a stable peace in Europe, and to reform the Church while respecting its inde-pendence. Fostered missions, and es-tablished Bamberg, Germany as a cen-ter for missions to Slavic countries. Started the construction of the cathe-dral at Basel, Switzerland; it took nearly 400 years to complete. Both Henry and Saint Cunegunda were prayerful peo-ple, and generous to the poor. At one point he was cured of an un-named illness by the touch of Saint Benedict of Nursia at Monte Cassino. He became somewhat lame in his later years. Widower. Following Cu-negunda’s death, he considered be-coming a monk, but the abbot of Saint-Vanne at Verdun, France refused his application, and told him to keep his place in the world where he could do

much good for people and the ad-vancement of God’s kingdom. Born: May 6, 972 at Albach, Hildesheim, Bavaria, Germany Died: July 13, 1024 at Pfalz Grona, near Gottingen, Saxony (in modern Germa-ny) of natural causes Canonized: 1146 by Pope Blessed Eu-gene III

Wednesday, July 15

Healed from a childhood disease through the prayers of Saint Francis of Assisi. Bonaventure joined the Order of Friars Minor at age 22. Studied theology and philosophy in Paris, France, and later taught there. Friend of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Doctor of Theology. Friend of King Saint Louis IX. General of the Franciscan Order at 35. Bishop of Albano, Italy, chosen by Pope Gregory X. Cardinal. Wrote commentaries on the Scriptures, text-books in theology and philosophy, and a biography of Saint Francis. Doctor of the Church. Pope Clement IV chose him to be Arch-bishop of York, England, but Bonaven-ture begged off, claiming to be inade-

quate to the office. Spoke at the Coun-cil of Lyons, but died before its close. Born: 1221 at Bagnoregio, Tuscany, Italy Died: July 15, 1274 at Lyon, France of natural causes Canonized: April 14, 1482 by Pope Sixtus IV

Friday, July 17

The only son of a wealthy Christian Roman senator. The young man wanted to devote himself to God, but his par-ents ar-ranged a marriage for him. On his wedding day his finacee agreed to release him and let him fol-low his vocation. He fled his parent’s home disguised as a beggar, and lived near a church in Syria. A vision of Our Lady at the church pointed him out as exceptionally holy, calling him the “Man of God”. This drew attention to him, which caused him to return to Rome, Italy where he would not be known. He came as a beggar to his own home. His parents did not recognize him, but were kind to all the poor, and let him stay there. Alexis lived for seventeen years in a corner under the stairs, pray-ing, and teaching catechism to small children. At his death an unseen voice was heard to proclaim him ‘The Man of God’, and afterwards his family found a note on his body which told them who he was and how he had lived his life of penance from the day of his wedding until then, for the love of God. Died: early 5th century Canonized: Pre-Congregation

st. henry ii

st. Bonaventure of bagnoregio

st. alexius of rome

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15th Sunday in Ordinary Time - July 12, 2020

Using the best seeds doesn’t always guarantee the best plants. An older Italian gentleman straight from Italy gave me these amazing tomato seeds that he claimed produced the best tomatoes ever grown. Without doubt, the fruit he shared with me was a testament to that fact. These tomatoes were amazing! I couldn’t wait until the next growing season to plant these seeds and harvest my own tomatoes. The whole experiment ended up a failure. I did everything the gentleman said, but my fruit didn’t even come close. What happened? At first I was perplexed, then some years later the light dawned. The problem wasn’t the seeds, it was the soil!

You cannot sow seeds in any old place and in a haphazard way and expect them to be at their best. It doesn’t work that way. Planting the seeds is the easiest part. Preparing the soil is the challenge. Tilling, mulching, en-riching, and building up the nutrients are all required for good fruit. Then after the seeds are planted, more care is required in order to maintain that healthy, nutrient rich environment for those seeds to sprout, grow, and flourish. God happily sows the seeds of his Word. What do we do with them?

If we expect to be a passive bystander and have good fruit magically grow, we are mistaken. Bearing the good fruit of God’s Word requires preparation and work. We have to cultivate the soil of our lives so that those seeds can find a proper home. This one thing alone takes a great deal of patience, time, and effort. What kind of preparation have we put into our lives so that we can be a recipient of God’s seed? It takes a great deal of soul-searching and ego-checking to properly prepare. God is the ever faithful and persistent sower. If the seeds do not bear fruit the first time, God will come back time and time again, giving it another try.

If we have created a suitable bed for sowing, then once the seed is sown, we must properly maintain them. What is our maintenance plan for the seeds of God’s Word? We need not only a source for water but a water-ing schedule. We need to weed, aerate the soil, nurture the young plants, protect them, and provide proper nutrients. What does our spiritual maintenance plan look like? If we have done all things well, imagine what the seeds of God’s Word could produce in us! ©LPi

gospel meditation - encourage deeper understanding of scripture

PARISH ORGANIZATIONS AND INFORMATION

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Engaged Couples Attend a Catholic Engaged Encounter Weekend. The weekend is open to any engaged couple wanting to prepare for a deeper more meaningful life together. For more information contact Paul & Carolyn Trahan at 337.254.8947 or 337.898.9257 or cee.trahan@gmail.com.

Natural Family Planning Natural Family Planning Courses are held in conjunction with marital prep. FMI, Contact the Parish Office.

Reclaim Sexual Health Catholic Recovery Program: reclaimsexualhealth.com (online help 24/7)

Porn Addiction Support Group for Men:

Weekly meetings are held for one hour and fifteen minutes. Strict confidentiality is observed. A confidentiality statement is signed by each prospective member of the group. Call and leave a confidential message at 337.945.3995 for more information.

Healing Hearts Weekly meetings for women whose lives have been affected by porn or sexual addiction of a loved one.

Must sign confidentiality statement.

Call 337.404.6113.

Unplanned Pregnancy Call 1.800.256.7222 for free confidential counseling regarding keeping or placing your baby.

PARISH ORGANIZATIONS ARE SUSPENDED OR

MEETING VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!

Mondays 6:30pm (WOMEN)

DD McElligott, 319.8866 Tuesdays 5:30pm (MEN)

Art Mixon; contact by email only Email: amixon@petroquest.com

6:30pm (WOMEN): Email: Stef.Buchholz1@gmail.com

Thursdays 6:00 am (MEN) Joe Wolf, 349.2645

6:00 am (MEN): Deacon Tim Maragos, 235.1521

Fridays 1:00 pm Adele Connolly, 278.0531

1:00pm (WOMEN) Susan Foret, 316.4932

Email: ssforet@usa.net Saturdays 8:00am

Anne Pesacreta, 739.5903 First Saturday

9:00 a.m. after Mass & Rosary

Parish Representatives

Jill Jordan or DD McElligott

337-319-8866

SESSIONS OF “COME, LORD JESUS!” ARE SUSPENDED OR MEETING VIRTUALLY

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!

Women’s Group “WOMEN OF GRACE”

(Contact Stephanie at the Parish Office for upcoming events!)

Mommy Meals - Outreach to new moms

Mercy Meal Team - Outreach to the sick St. Gemma Food Bank

- Outreach to the needy

Mary’s Mothers Formation for mothers of school age children

Catholic Daughters - 3rd Thursday, 6 pm Knights of Columbus - 1st Thursday, 7 pm

Sts. Joachim & Anne Society - 2nd Tuesday - Rosary/Social

Fatima Mercy Works - Monthly outreach to needy

Men’s Group - CAST

CAST stands for Catholic, Apostol-ic, Sacramental, Theology, and is the focus of a Fall and Spring Fishing Retreat in Grand Isle. The CAST men then meet regularly on a monthly basis for fellowship and study. CAST Masses are every Monday morning at 6:15 a.m. and Tuesday evenings at 5:30 p.m. If interested in making the CAST retreat, contact the Parish Office.

6th through 8th grade YOUTH FORMATION

(Contact Stephanie Supple

for more information)

Young Women of Grace and Young Warriors

THE CHURCH - SEXUALITY Post Abortion Trauma Rachel’s Vineyard

The next Rachel’s Vineyard Re-treat for healing after abortion is scheduled for July 10-12, 2020. The retreat begins at 6 p.m. on Friday and concludes at 3 p.m. on Sun-day. Project Rachel is a great pro-gram to help you prepare for the Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat. If you are interested in either Project Ra-chel (individual sessions) and/or Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat, please call Project Rachel at 337.261.5607 or Trista at 337.261.5598.