Mass Schedule First Saturday Mass 8:30 a.m.

Saturday Vigil 5 p.m. Sunday 8 a.m., 10 a.m.,

Noon & 7 p.m. Mon. - Fri. 7 a.m. & 8:30 a.m.

Parishioners who are ill or shut-in Contact the Pastoral Center for home

visits or Holy Communion

Sacrament of Penance Held 30 minutes before each

weekend Mass or by appointment.

Sacrament of Marriage Couples should make an appointment

with one of the parish priests 6 to 8 months in advance.

Sacrament of the Sick (Anointing) By appointment only.

Contact the Pastoral Center.

Pastoral Center Staff Rev. Colin Braud

Pastor

Rev. Francis Nguyen Parochial Vicar

Deacon James Rooney Deacon Jim Venturella

Ms. Tiffany Durgin, PHR Office Manager

Mrs. Christie Bourg Director of Ministries

Mrs. Kelli Bourgeois Parish Secretary

Pastoral Center Monday-Friday

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Closed Noon - 1:00 p.m. Phone: 504-347-2203

Fax: 504-347-2223 Website: www.vol.org

Religious Education Director of Religious Ed

Mrs. Jenny Doskey Phone: 504-341-8477

CCD Classes begin in September RCIA Classes (Adults)

begin in August

Visitation School Principal

Mrs. Carolyn Levet, M.Ed. 3520 Ames Blvd.

Phone: 504-347-3377 Grades Pre K-2 through 7th

Visitation of Our Lady Church 3500 Ames Blvd. Marrero, La. 70072

December 30th, 2018 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

OUR FAMILY PRAYER Loving and faithful God, through the years the people of our archdiocese

have appreciated the prayers and love of Our Lady of Prompt Succor

in times of war, disaster, epidemic and illness.

We come to you, Father, with Mary our Mother, and ask you to help us in the battle of today against violence, murder and racism.

We implore you to give us your wisdom that we may build a community founded on the values of Jesus, which gives respect to the

life and dignity of all people.

Bless parents that they may form their children in faith.

Bless and protect our youth that they may be peacemakers of our time.

Give consolation to those who have lost loved ones through violence.

Hear our prayer and give us the perseverance to be a voice for life and human dignity in our community.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us.

Mother Henriette Delille, pray for us

that we may be a holy family.

December 30, 2018 Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph 2

Feast of the Holy Family, Year C

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. The celebrations that follow Christmas have a certain logic to them. In a couple of days we will celebrate the maternity of Mary on January 1st, which is a holy day of obligation. This weekend we celebrate the reality that Jesus joined a particular human family. He became man, and also submitted Himself in obedience to a mother and a father, namely Mary and Joseph. One of the things that can make this time special is getting to spend time with our family. But often times the pace and stress can take over, and we can forget why we do what we’re doing. Christmas can also open up old wounds. We have encounters again with people who may have hurt us in the past, including family members. Old grudges and resentments that we’ve been holding onto for years can rise to the surface. If we let it, the Christmas Season can bring healing. If we open our hearts to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph the joy of Christmas can heal our wounded souls. This is part of the power of Christmas and the celebration of the Holy Family. Mary and Joseph knew what stress was. They had to deal with the stresses and anxieties of daily life as well. They also had to deal with serious things as well. Just days away from giving birth to Jesus, the pregnant Mary journeyed to Bethlehem because of the census by Caesar. This journey may have taken up to nine days. As all expectant mothers and fathers tend to worry when their child is so close to being born, I’m sure both Mary and Joseph worried during this journey. And then days after having Jesus, it is revealed to Joseph that they must flee to Egypt, as Herod gave the order to kill all boys two years and younger who lived in or near Bethlehem. Again, I’m sure this worried both Mary and Joseph. Finally, when Jesus was twelve years old, Mary and Joseph lost their child. He was gone for three days. Can you imagine the fear and worry that Mary must have felt? Think about Joseph. He let God down because he couldn’t even protect His Son. Sometimes we can have a sanitized view of the Holy Family, but they were real people. They had real emotions, real worries, and real concerns. What makes them special is that Jesus was at the center of their family, both spiritually and literally. May we keep Jesus at the center of ours. May our families here at Visitation look to the Holy Family this time of year for renewal of mind and spirit, and for strength and comfort during those days when it just feels like everything is coming apart. Reflection by Fr. Braud

December 30, 2018 Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph 3

Last Chance for Confirmation 2019! The Sacrament of Confirmation is received by 11th graders in the Archdiocese of New Orleans in their home parishes. The last day to register at VOL will be Friday, January 11, 2019. The Confirmation Information Packet can be found on our website at vol.org/confirmation-preparation under the Faith Formation tab. It contains the registration, all requirements with forms and a listing of all events. Please contact Mrs. Jenny Doskey at jdoskey@vol.org or at 341-8477 if you have any questions.

CCD Holiday Schedule CCD classes WILL NOT will not meet on Tuesday, January 1st, 2019 due to the New Years Holidays. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 8th, 2019. Have a Blessed New Year. Mrs. Jenny Doskey, Director of Religious Education

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God

(HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION)

Vigil Mass: Monday, December 31st at 6 p.m.

Feast Day Masses: Tuesday, January 1, 2019

at 8 a.m. & 10 a.m.

Office Holiday Hours The Pastoral Center will be CLOSED through

January 1st, 2019.

The office will open on

Wednesday, January 2nd at 8:00 a.m.

In the event of an emergency,

please call 341-7609.

Visitation of Our Lady School’s Registration for 2019-2020

Registration for the 2019-2020 school year will be held February 4 - February 9, 2019 for students entering Pre K-2 through 7th grade. During January, school tours may be scheduled for prospective families. Families will be able to visit classrooms, meet the faculty and administration as well as receive necessary information regarding registration. Please visit our school’s website at school.vol.org for more information and call 347-3377 to schedule a tour.

Mass Intentions

Saturday, December 29 5:00 p.m. The Tran Family, Maria Ana Gongora, Tia Nina Aguire, Nilton Vedros, Linda Aucoin, Sam Galley, Lloyd Robichaux, Eugene Boudreaux, Julie Sobert Boudreaux, Dot Tourelle, Cindy Morales Ribaul, Betty K. Fasullo, Josephine M. Fasullo, Philip A. Fasullo, Sr., Paul J. Fasullo, Sr., Raymond John Ford, M/M Wilbert Kinler, Sr., M/M Russell Ford, Peter Tran, Jim Adair, Mary Anne Barre, Ronald Lally, Jr., Jeanie Rocker Sunday, December 30 8:00 a.m. Parishioners 10:00 a.m. Norman Melancon, Jr., The Melancon Family, The Miguez Family, Lupe Betanof, Lui Betanof, Hari Betanof, The Tran Family, Jimmy LeBlanc, Sr., Mitchell Dugas, Marie & Charles Poche, Sr., Marlene Hernandez, Matthew Rooney, Paul & Betty Territo, Freddie LeBlanc, Phong Anh Vu, Harold Olivier, Jr., Abdon “Bill” Perque, Camille “Bebe” Miller, M/M John McDonnell, Jr., M/M Alfred Moore, Mrs. Katherine Melvin, Christine Cruz, Earl Hernandez, Teodoro Hera, Escolastica Hera, Antonio Limjuco, Miriam Gonsoulin, Wayne Gonsoulin, Rosa Santamaria, Rosemary Simoneaux Folse, Dominic Tran 12:00 p.m. M/M Amos K. Collins 7:00 p.m. Adam Chartier, Sr. Monday, December 31 7:00 a.m. The Tran Family 8:30 a.m. Jimmy LeBlanc, Sr. 6:00 p.m. Donald Bourgeois Tuesday, January 1 8:00 a.m. Sal Barcelona, Sr. 10:00 a.m. Jean Adair Wednesday, January 2 7:00 a.m. Agnes Garofalo 8:30 a.m. Steven Waymon Young Thursday, January 3 7:00 a.m. Cary Gomez 8:30 a.m. The Altar Society Friday, January 4 7:00 a.m. Dominic Tran 8:30 a.m. Donald Bourgeois Saturday, January 5 8:30 a.m. For Holy Vocation to the Priesthood & Consecrated Life

Weekly Collections The second collection taken at all Masses the weekend of December 16th for the Retirement Fund for Religious totaled $2,076.60. Thank you for your continued support!

Priests’ Mass Schedule Please keep in mind that the schedule is always subject to change without notice.

Week of December 31st, 2018 - January 6th, 2019

Monday, New Year’s Eve 7 a.m. & 8:30 a.m. Fr. Francis/Dc. Jim R.,

& 6 p.m. (Vigil Mass) Fr. Francis

Tuesday, Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God 8 a.m. Fr. Braud & 10 a.m. Fr. Francis

Wednesday 7 a.m. Fr. Braud/Dc. Jim V. & 8:30 a.m. Fr. Francis/Dc. Jim V.

Thursday 7 a.m. & 8:30 a.m. Fr. Braud

Friday 7 a.m. Fr. Braud & 8:30 a.m. Fr. Francis

Saturday 8:30 a.m. Fr. Braud

5 p.m. Fr. Braud

Sunday 8 a.m. & 10 a.m. Fr. Braud Noon & 7 p.m. Fr. Francis

2018-2019 Fiscal Year

WEEKLY BUDGET $18,064.00

25th week

Sunday, December 16, 2018 Offertory Collection $18,765.00 Bldg. Fund collection taken 12/9/18 1,717.07 $20,482.07

PROGRESS REPORT Cumulative Budget $451,600.00 Cumulative Income 406,324.91 BEHIND -45,275.09

Not a member? Want to become one?

Call Mr. Danny @ 957-5848

December 30, 2018 Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph 4