MASSES & INTENTIONS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2018 4:30 P.M. MASS – Fran Meaux, George, Pat & Penny Schneider, Joseph & Mildred Guillory, Florence Guillory, Francis Guillory, Hosey Guillory, Andrus & Ella Mae Frilot, Benton Smith, Evelyn Sandell, Galton Boudreaux, Sonja Billodeaux, Berlinger, Marcantel & Horton Fly., Liv. & Dec., Paul LaFleur, Freddy Gorman, Marcalene Ceaser, Lloyd Taylor, Roselyn Victorian, Enola Gradney SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2018 7:30 A.M. MASS – Pro Populo (For the People) 10:00 A.M. MASS – Carol Deshotel, Leonard Beaubouef & Sons, Ophelia Fontenot, Rev. Father Peter Nguyen Phi Vu, Ryan Rozas Fly., Curley Victorian, Fr. Jacob S. Conner MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2018 9:00 A.M. MASS – Jessie Naquin TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2019 7:30 A.M. MASS – Pro Populo (For the People) 10:00 A.M. MASS – Frank Mougeot WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2019 6:00 P.M. MASS – Fr. Jacob S. Conner THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2019 6:00 P.M. MASS – Rodney & Jerry Bushnell FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019 6:00 P.M. MASS – Mr. & Mrs. Harris Ceaser SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 2019 8:00 A.M. MASS – Sr. Zélie Thérèse of the Redeemer 4:30 P.M. MASS – Fran Meaux, Benton Smith, Frank Mougeot, Evelyn Sandell, Paul LaFleur, Freddy Gorman, Elmo Smith, Lloyd Taylor, John & Virginia Spears Fly., Keith LeJeune, Sonja Billodeaux, Angelle L. Durio & Linda LeJeune, Seminarians SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2019 7:30 A.M. MASS – Pro Populo (For the People) 10:00 A.M. MASS – Carol Deshotel, Leonard Beaubouef & Sons, Edward & Ora Peloquin, Rodney & Jerry Bushnell, Timothy Childers

_________________________________________________ Last Week’s Collection TBA BSA Total to Date (Quota - $11,609.00) $7,787.88 Maintenance Fund to Date $12,665.15 Priests Retirement Fund (quota $1,409.00) $645.05 Christmas 2

nd Collection – Christmas Charities

PRAYER LIST Tyler Alexander, Robert Andrews, Amy Bairnsfather, Phil Beard, Charles Beaubouef, Georgia Bell Baggett, Tyler Bellow, Jocie Bergeron, John O’Neal Bergeron, Alvin Billodeaux, M/M Lincoln Briscoe, Margaret Briscoe, Deanne LeBlanc Broussard, Ambrose Bushnell, Bernice Bushnell, Belle Carrier, David & Natalie Carrier, Linda Beaubouef Cazes, JoAnn Cormier, Gordon Cotton, Brittany Courville, Jeane Daigle, Aiden & Renlee’ Darbonne, Louise Guidry Darbonne, Donna Dunnehoo, Noah Ferry, David Fontenot, Zaylen Frank, Tim Germany, James & Jill Gilbert & Fly., Elaine Giles, Tim Giles, Phielomone Goodly, Becky Gorman, Dixie Granger, Rachael Granger, Vergie Granger, Charlene Guidry, Juanita Guidry, Harrison Harmon, Joseph Harmon, Mildred Harmon, Esther Harmon, Jackie Hebert, Dolores Holden, Gwen Holder, Bob & Charlene Ireland, John, Shenita & Perella Jackson, Joey James, Cindy Langley, Essie Langley, Jessica Lindsey, Brian Manuel, Jennifer L. Manuel, Kevin Manuel, Marlin Manuel, Wilson Manuel, Larry Marcantel, Brandy McCarty, Christina McNutt, Josh Miller, Patrica Mikas, Janice Moreau, Brad Morgan, Clifton & Carolyn Morgan, Howard Patin, Sonya Pickett, Hannah Popillion, Ena Prudhomme & Fly., Jimmy Prudhomme, Ann Reed, Brenda Dodd Reed, Dara Reed, Gary Reed, Linda Reed, Leah Rexrode, Don & Debra Rider, Salis & Janice Rider, Ann Rooney, Fr. Fred Russi, Pat Abshire Savant, Helen Sheeman, Lois Singleton, Yvonne Smith, Donald Taylor, Ken Taylor, Diana Tichy, Matthew Truman, Dollyanna

Victorian, Kyle Vidrine, Hannah and Linda Voeller, Bruce Walker, Linda Weldon, Nicole Young

Vocations Candle and Cross – Semonia Harmon

Ladies Altar Society

The next meeting of the Ladies Altar Society will be January 8th

at 5:30 P.M. in the hall.

Center for Catholic Studies Class Offered

Fr. Nathan Long will offer a class titled: St. Paul, How to listen to and understand the second reading. Class dates are Jan. 29, Feb. 12, 19, and 26 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Class cost is $50. Register online at https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=58d33f. For more information call 337-439-7400 or email Marlie Mudd at Marlie.mudd@lcdiocese.org. Classes will be held at the McNeese Newman Center at 221 Aqua Dr., Lake Charles, LA.

Poinsettias for Christmastide

Poinsettia donations of $30 are being accepted in memory of or in honor of a loved one in the collection or bring it to the church office. In memory of Douglas R.Daigle & in honor of Jeane Daigle. In memory of deceased members of the KC’s Oberlin Council 3353. In memory of Roland & Verlie Chaumont. In memory of Gene & Velma Brakel. In memory of Jack Johnson. In memory of deceased members of Steven & Carolyn Fontenot Fly. In memory of Angelle L. Durio & Linda LeJeune. In memory of Anthony, Keith and Carol Deshotel. In memory of Frank Mougeot. In memory of Bernard Fontenot. In memory of Deceased members of the Aguillard Fly.

This Week @ SJoA Sunday, December 30

th – Holy Hour at 6:00 P.M.

Monday, December 31st – Holy Hour from 11:00 P.M. to

12:00 A.M. followed by food and fireworks Tuesday, January 1

st – Holy Day of Obligation Mass at 7:30

A.M. and 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, January 2

nd – NO ADORATION, CCD or Youth

Group; Mass at 6:00 P.M.

Saturday, January 5th – Mass at 8:00 A.M.

From Father Conner

1. First, I’d like to wish you continued Christmas wishes. Since we haven’t even completed the Christmas Octave yet, we’re still well within the Christmas season. May the joy of the Lord’s Nativity remain with you and your family as we celebrate this beautiful season!

2. If you happened not to attend one of the Masses at SJoA last Sunday, I encourage you to listen to my homily from the Fourth Sunday of Advent. I completed my reflections on Bishop Provost’s recent Decree. Specifically, I focused on the Most Holy Eucharist. During that sermon, I asked all parishioners to commit to the following:

a. Make at least one hour of Eucharistic adoration per week; b. Participate in at least one Eucharistic procession per year; c. Commit to one hour when SJoA hosts 40 Hours Devotions.

As you no doubt remember, His Excellency has required all of these

in every parish of the Diocese. But, as you will hear in my sermon:

it’s not really the parish that needs these things. It is us parishioners.

Please give the sermon a listen. You can access my Youtube channel

by going to Youtube and searching Ad Deum Productions. The

channel can also be accessed from SJoA’s website. A link to it is on

the homepage.

3. The Octave Day of Christmas, that is, January 1st, is a day of precept (aka, holy day of obligation). SJoA will have two Masses on January 1st: 7:30 am & 10:00 am. We’ll also have a New Year’s Eve Holy Hour at 11:00 pm. Refreshments will be served at the Parish Hall after the holy hour.

My Cursillo Experience

I am excited to be able to share with you my experience at Cursillo. First, let me say I wasn’t excited about going but only went after some considerable prodding from friends. After all, at that time, I considered myself a devout Catholic, and was satisfied with where I was spiritually and morally, so it took the arm twisting of my friends and even Father. In hindsight I suppose it was that and a little of the fear of the unknown that kept me from making a Cursillo, but deep down I really knew that I needed to go and that a Cursillo would be good for me.

With the support of my brothers in Holy League I finally made it to the Cursillo Center. As we arrived, I had that “deer in the headlights look,” meaning that I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. But my sponsor was there to support and encourage me, along with a fellow SJoA parishioner who was also making a Cursillo of his own. I might add that, initially, I didn’t have the same level of enthusiasm as that fellow parishioner for what we were going to do.

I had a real battle with anxiety but I prayed and reminded myself of all the men and women back in Oberlin praying for me. At that I calmed down and even began to see that my anxiousness was somewhat comical. After that, my adventure to go more deeply into the Catholic Faith resumed.

The Cursillo kicked off with a bang, and I mean that almost literally. While Father Ted may not be a giant physically, he is a real man whose passion for Christ isn’t easily matched. His fire shook all of us and stirred us up and out of our spiritual sluggishness. Wow, that man is on fire for God and I knew I wanted the same thing. The next several days were extremely intense. Everything focused on God, His glory, His kingdom, and the sanctity of souls. I quickly learned that what I thought I knew of our faith was just the tip of the iceberg. There was so much more than I had ever realized, and God was calling me through this Cursillo to open my heart, mind, and soul to Him completely.

To conclude, in case you’re wondering, that scared feeling I had initially had, it was gone. Just like a temptation after piously saying Our Lord’s or Our Lady’s Names, that fear was put to flight. So I want to encourage any of you who may be hesitant about a Cursillo. Are you satisfied with yourself? Are you afraid of what you don’t know? Don’t be. Please … for love of God, your soul, and your family: do everyone a favor. Turn right now to the Devil and say get lost. You are the evil one and you cannot win. I belong to God. Hit the Devil in the heart with your spiritual dagger sign up for the next Cursillo.

Your Brother in Christ,

Ryan J. Rozas

What is Cursillo? The Cursillo is an encounter with Christ. Correctly applied and overseen, the Cursillo Movement can have very positive results in the spiritual revitalization of the world. The Christ-Likeness in a few good people is contagious. The transference of Christ’s values to others in one’s family, school, place of business, etc, is the Christianization of environments that the Cursillo promotes. The goal of the movement is that Christ be that prime influence in society. So it is said that the primary objective of the Cursillo Movement is to develop in adult Christians a consciousness of their power and mission to become leaders in the work of Christian renewal, and to sustain them as they provide a Christian leaven in civic, social and economic life. This “Christianization” of environments is what the Cursillo movement is all about. Format of the Exercises Cursillo is a Spanish word meaning “little” or “short course.” It begins on a Thursday evening and ends the following Sunday night. During those three days the Cursillistas (those attending) live and work together, listening to talks given by priests and laymen. They also attend Mass, receive Holy Communion, pray the rosary, and visit the Blessed Sacrament daily. The priest, who is the “spiritual director”, and the laymen who make up the Cursillo team spend weeks working and praying together in preparation. The Cursillo takes careful planning because the time is short and the subject extensive. Not a Retreat A Cursillo can be made only once in a lifetime, therefore it is not a substitute for a retreat. The basic atmosphere of a Cursillo differs greatly from the individual solitude of a retreat. During the three day exercises the teachings of Christ are discussed in a climate of joy, with many singing and joke sessions. Actually the Cursillo makes succeeding retreats more profitable and Cursillistas are encouraged to make regular retreats. Encounter with Christ A Cursillo is an encounter with Christ. That sounds too simple but it’s not. Think about it: a real meeting with Christ. If that is understood, then the power, beauty, and joy of the Cursillo movement will be understood. Interested? Attend one. Cursillo Website Next SJoA Ultreya http://www.whowillsit.com Sunday, January 13th, 5:00 pm

Cursillo Schedule for 2019

Prairie Rhonde, LA Men’s Cursillos - January 10-13 - May 9-12 - July 11-14 - September 12-15 Women’s Cursillos - February 7-10 - June 20-23 - August 8-11 - October 10-13 Men’s Renewal Weekend - March 8-10 Women’s Renewal Weekend - December 13-15 Cursillo Family Picnic - Sunday, May 5th

SAVE THE DATES New Year’s Food and Fireworks Tuesday, January 1

st at 12:00.o1 A.M.

Epiphany Holy Hour followed by Epiphany Party and Gumbo Sunday, January 6

th at 3:00 P.M.

SJoA Confirmation Day of Reflection (Mandatory for all Confirmation Students) Monday, January 21

st (Martin Luther King Holiday) at the Cursillo Center in Prairie Ronde.

Fr. William Doyle (1873-1917), known best as Fr. Willie, is one of Catholic Ireland’s most shining gems. This holy priest served as a military chaplain in World War I and was killed in action, but that isn’t even the beginning of his claim to sacred fame. There are many stories told about this great priest from his short life, and this is one such anecdote.

SJoA Confirmation Tuesday, March 19, 2019