Adoration Chapel: Mon-Fri. after morning Mass until 5pm.
Thank you! We would like to thank everyone who participated in the Sec-ond Annual St. Joseph’s Altar. We would also like to say a spe-cial thanks to Carla Richard, the Catholic Daughters, and the ACTS men who helped put the alter together. Thank you to all of our wonderful parishioner who brought food, made cooking and bread, also we would like to thank everyone for the donations made whether it be can goods or the money. We hope that next year it will be bigger and better than the times before! Thank you again for everything you have done to help make the altar such a success!
TODAY ’S READINGS First Reading -- The Israelites ate of the yield of the land of Canaan (Josh. 5:9a, 10-12) or 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a. Psalm -- Taste and see the goodness of the Lord (Ps 34) or Psalm 23. Second Reading -- Whoever is in Christ is a new creation (2 Cor 5:17-21) or Eph 5:8-14. Gospel -- This man welcomes sinners and eats with them (Lk 15:1-3, 11-32) or Jn 9:1-41 [1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38].
READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 65:17-21; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-13b; Jn 4:43-54 Tuesday: Ez 47:1-9, 12; Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; Jn 5:1-16 Wednesday: Is 49:8-15; Ps 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18; Jn 5:17-30 Thursday: Ex 32:7-14; Ps 106:19-23; Jn 5:31-47 Friday: Wis 2:1a, 12-22; Ps 34:17-21, 23; Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 Saturday: Jer 11:18-20; Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-12; Jn 7:40-53 Sunday: Is 43:16-21; Ps 126:1-6; Phil 3:8-14; Jn 8:1-11
Four Saints who served in the military On November 11 each year we celebrate Veterans Day, the day our country honors military veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces. The history of the na onal holi-day dates back to 1918, when it originated as Armis ce Day. It is a day when we thank those who have served our coun-try, but also pray that we will some day live in a world with-out war. The Catechism states, “The fi h commandment forbids the inten onal destruc on of human life. Because of the evils and injus ces that accompany all war, the Church insistently urges everyone to prayer and to ac on so that the divine Goodness may free us from the ancient bondage of war. All ci zens and all governments are obliged to work for the avoidance of war” (CCC 2307-2308). At the same
me the Church allows, “as long as the danger of war per-sists and there is no interna onal authority with the neces-sary competence and power, governments cannot be denied the right of lawful self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed” (CCC 2308). It is a tricky issue, one that the Church has had to grapple with over the ages. Throughout the years there have been many holy men and women who had to discern what the best course of ac on should be in the face of armed conflict. Here are four such examples of saints who, through military service, chose to be a beacon of light in the midst of war. Saint Joan of Arc At a young age, Joan heard the voices of St. Michael, St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. Margaret of An och in-struc ng her to “be good” and “go to church.” However, as she grew older these voices began to direct her towards the fierce war between France and England. They told her that she must help Charles VII secure the throne at Reims and even lead the French armies into ba le. Taking up this mission, Joan dismissed the camp followers — pros tutes, gamblers, and others — who distracted the dis-heartened army and urged the soldiers to go to confession and a end Mass. Joan’s leadership and counsel helped the French win key victories in the war. At the head of the army or in the midst of ba les she carried only a banner marked with the ini als of Jesus and Mary and refused to touch a sword.
FOOD FOR THE JOURNEY The Central Deanery of the Diocese of Lafayette presents “Food for the Journey”, a monthly lunchtime speakers series designed to help Catholics live out our faith in our daily lives. Our speaker for April is Rev. Nicholas Dupré, Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Parks. Food for the Journey will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at River Oaks Catering and Event Center Lafayette, 520 East Kaliste Saloom Road, beginning at 12:00 noon. An optional buffet is available for purchase beginning at 11:30 a.m. All are welcome to come “eat and be fed” – please bring a friend! Pre-registration is not required. For more information, please call Danielle Huval (232-1322).
Mass Intentions Saturday, March 30 @ 4:00pm: Mary Ann Dugas, David L. “Boo” Prejean, Harry Leger, Louise Sonnier, M/M E.J Mouton Family, John Wade Mouton, M/M Ozere Domingue Family, Dupre Hebert, John Allen Prejean, Adley & Beverly Scrantz, Sybil Alleman, Helen C. Perot, Emetile & Edward Bourque Sr., M/M Paul Brown, Wilsey Vincent, Fanny LaGrange, Beatrice A. Peterson, Lost Soul, Stanley LaPoint, Maria Tang Thanh Van, William Jarrell Jr. Sunday, March 31 @ 6:30am: For the People Sunday, March 31 @ 8:00am: M/M Davy Hollier, M/M Clam Duhon, Spiritual Healing, Becky Rabalais, Maria Tang Thanh Van, William Jarrell Jr. Sunday, March 31 @ 10:00am: Deanna Sonnier, Sylvia Comeaux, M/M Adrian Vega, Rayford Domingue, Jessie Naquin, Jeanette & Errol Robichaux, Eldene Leger Sunday, March 31 @ 5:00pm: Joseph Cuu Nguyen Monday, April 1 @ 12:10pm: Norma Boudreaux (HBD), Vincent Guidry, Matthis Ta Nguyen, M/M Thomas Breax (L)(Ann), Maria Tang Thanh Van, Joseph Phong Vu, Mr. Saloom Tuesday, April 2 @ 8:00am: Rosemarie Sonnier Adams, Lynn Poirrier Sr., Maria Tang Thanh Van, Mr. Boustany Tuesday, April 2 @ 12:10pm: Ty Tran Wednesday, April 3 @ 6:30am: Jeanne Bergeron (L)(HBD), Run Dinh, Claudra Gomez Wednesday, April 3 @ 12:10pm: Carral Menard (L)(HBD), Joseph Cumg Nguyen Thursday, April 4 @ 8:30am: Mary Rien Dinh, Anna Columbia Thursday, April 4 @ 12:10pm: Joseph An Nguyen Friday, April 5 @ 6:30am: M/M John Alex Prejean, Randy Rivera (HBD), Sensat Come Lord Jesus Group (L), Joseph Hung Nguyen, Joseph Tuan Trinh Friday, April 5 @ 12:10pm: Souls in Purgatory, M/M Larry Hebert, M/M Earl Tanner, Sr., Eldene Leger
Eucharistic Ministers for April 6/7 4:00pm: Debbie Boudreaux, Becky Daigle, Dn. Tanner
6:30am: Steve & Jean Provost, Louise Credeur
8:00am: Steve Hebert, Eric Stromer, Carral Menard, Neil Vera, Charles Frederick
5:00pm: Harold Stutes, Karen Granger, Leighton Mire
Readers for April 6/7 4:00pm: Lee Boudreaux 6:30am: Georgie Mouton 8:00am: Johnny Richard
10:00am: Gary Kimble 5:00pm: Paula Pearson & Ann Sonnier
Altar Servers for April 6/7 4:00pm: Blake Broussard, Grant Duplehin, Camille Swilley 6:30am: Mary-Ester LeBlanc 8:00am: Abigail Mahne, Kairon Hayes, Madison Lenox 10:00am: Cora Broussard, Reid Broussard, Jaxon Cho, Jake Domingue, Jake Fontenot 5:00pm: Gabriel Reeed, Ellen Faye Thibodeaux, Jack Babineaux
RCIA will be available every Thursday from 6:15pm-7:30pm in the parish office. For more information contact the parish office.
The Way of the Cross will be every Friday during Lent in the Church at 5:30pm.
The KC fish fry will not be held the weekend of the Boudin Festival on April 5th.
There will be a collection every Friday during Lent for the missions.
Spring Family Day will be April 14 after the 10:00am Mass. There will be hamburger and fries for all as well as an Easter egg hunt for the little ones. Everyone is asked to being a chair or blanket and drinks. Please call the office to let us know you will be attending so we can make sure we have enough burgers and fries for everyone
Announcements
Applications for the Women’s ACTS retreat are now available, registration forms are on the Church website and in the Church office. Please bring your registration forms to the Church as soon as possible. The retreat cost is $250. Space is limited. The retreat is May 9-12.
Fourth Sunday of Lent
A Dutch department store had suffered countless petty thefts. And threats of arrest didn't deter the shoplifters. The store switched to a more painful deterrent: pubic shaming! The store’s ingenious management hired a marching band, purchased flowers and made signs celebrating the “10,000th shoplifter.” Then, when security spotted a women on the in-store cameras shoplifting some clothes, employees immediately descended upon her. They treated her like royalty, jubilantly saluting her light– fingered ways. The embarrassed women froze, stunned by the spectacle. Then she pulled the party hat off her head, snatched a piece of “10,000th shoplifter” cake and dashed out with the band in hot pursuit (Reader’s Digest, March 2017) Boy, I would have loved to have seen that! But that is nothing compared to the scene that Jesus created in the return of the Prodigal Son. The father does no shaming, no berating and no blaming. He just received his son with love. Did he deserve such treatment? Probably not, especially by our earthly standards, but his father could not help but show him love and forgiveness. That is how our heavenly Father will treat us. How blessed we are! Father, I forget how much you love me. I think you are ready and anxious to punish, but you only want to receive us back home. You never change. You forgive always. You hold no grudges. You are just waiting for us to take the first step. This Lent, I want to come home to you. AMEN Do you see God as a punisher or a loving father? With grace and gladness. Stories and reflections for each day of lent. Fr. Thomas J. Connery
TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Today, Laetare Sunday, breaks the somberness of Lent for a little rejoicing, and the readings all summon us to an awareness of reconciliation. One of the best-loved stories of our tradition is today's Gospel story of the runaway son and the prodigal father. Prodigal, of course, is an adjective meaning spendthrift or extravagant to a degree bordering on recklessness, and although the boy maxes out the credit cards, it is really the father who is prodigal with forgiveness. Part of the excitement of this Laetare Sunday is rooted in the ancient catechumenate. Long ago, midway through Lent, the elect were focusing more and more on the gift of reconciliation accomplished for them by Christ and about to be realized in the Easter sacraments they were preparing to celebrate. In some places, the elect were even bedecked with roses on this day. A person bedecked with roses sticks out in a crowd; a person formed by the Eucharist and committed to living a life of reconciliation does, too. That's you! --James Field, Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co.
Pray for the Priest and the Seminarians
March 31: Very Rev. Thomas Voorhies & Nicholas Ware
April 1: Pope Francis & Rev. Kevin Bordelon, Director of Seminarians
April 2: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI & Rev. Patrick Broussard, Director of Vocations
April 3: Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel & Seminary Faculty, Parents and Benefactors of Seminarians
April 5: Bishop Emeritus Michael Jarrell & Cole Zaunbrecher
April 6: Rev. Thomas Vu & Dylan Allen
April 7: Rev. Richard Wagner, SSJ & Reed Bellingham
Looking Ahead to Holy Week! Wednesday– Sts. Peter and Paul School and The Elementary CCD are putting on the Living Way of the Cross in the Church at 6:00pm.
Holy Thursday– First Communion will be at 6:30pm, No morning Mass, the office and adoration chapel will be closed.
Good Friday– Service is at 3:00pm, Office and Adoration Chapel will be closed.
Easter Vigil– Saturday April 20 at 8:00pm.
Easter Sunday– We will have a 6:30am, 8:00am and a 10:00am ONLY!
Collection: $12,246.85
WEEKLY EXPENSES: $17,000
MONTHLY EXPENSES: $68,000
Collections for the weekend of:
April 7: Second Collection is for the Church Debt
April 14: No second Collection
Please consider putting Sts. Peter & Paul Church and School in your will
Sacramental Information & New Parishioners Baptism: Expectant parents, who are parishioners, should contact the office four to six (4 - 6) months before the birth of the child. Marriage: Couples planning marriage need to make an appointment with the pastor at least six months before the intended wedding date to begin the preparation process. A wedding date cannot be scheduled without approval of the pastor. Anointing of the Sick: Contact the office to schedule an appointment, home or nursing home visit, and, if death is imminent , contact the office for immediate action. First Communion and Confirmation: Contact the Elementary DRE or High School DRE respectively. Holy Communion for the Homebound: Contact the parish office to request a visit. If you are interested in becoming Catholic or receiving Confirmation as an adult, or if you simply want to learn more about your faith, contact the office to inquire about RCIA. “Jesus said to them, ‘Come, and you will see’” (John 1:39). New Parishioner Forms are found in church and on our website (Policies and Forms, Census Form) and should be submitted to the office. Parishioner Funeral: When a parishioner passes away we ask that you please contact the parish office first before going to the Funeral Home. Fr. Mark would like to set up an appointment with the family of the deceased.
Act of Consecration Holy Mary, Mother of God and Virgin, I choose thee this day for my Queen, Patron and Advocate and firmly resolve and propose never to abandon thee, never to say anything against thee, nor to permit that anything be done by others to dishonor thee. Receive me, then, I beg thee, as thy perpetual servant; assist me in all my actions and do not abandon me at the hour of my death. AMEN
St. John Berchmans
To Jesus our Friend O Jesus! You are my true Friend, my only Friend. You take part in all my misfortunes; You take them on Yourself; You know how to change them into blessings. You listen to me with the greatest kindness when I relate my troubles to You and You have always balm to pour on my wounds. I find You at all times; I find You everywhere; You never go away; if I have to change my dwelling, I find You wherever I go. AMEN
St. Claude Colombie’re
Morning Offering I think of You, Lord, at the dawning of a new day. I offer You all that I am, and even what I am not, that You may fill what is lacking. Be my inseparable companion, whatever the day may hold. Sanctify my work that it may advance the coming of Your Kingdom. Illuminate my thoughts, and fortify my will that I may walk faithfully as Your disciple. Let Your Light and Love transform me into the likeness of Jesus. May Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven; Your will, not mine, and I will remain in that peace that the world cannot give. AMEN
For My Family
Lord, bless this family of which I am a part. Show us how we can help one another. Teach us to share our interests, sorrows and joys with one another, to be ready to make sacrifices for one another. I ask that I may find my joy in serving them, as you found Your joy in serving Mary and Joseph on earth. AMEN
Fourth Sunday of Lent A BROKEN HEART
When [the soldiers] came to Jesus, [they] saw that he was already dead. John 19:33
I look at your dead body on the cross. The soldiers, who have broken the legs of the two men crucified with you, do not break your legs, but one of them pierces your side with a lance, and
immediately blood and water flow out. Your heart is broken, the heart that did not know hatred, revenge, resentment, jealousy or envy but only love, love so deep and so wide that it embraces your Father in heaven as well as all humanity in time and space. Your broken heart is the source of my salvation, the foundation of my
hope, the cause of my love. (Heart Speaks to Heart, 36-37)
A modern autopsy might list blood loss or asphyxiation as the cause of Jesus’ death. But we could rightly say that he died of a broken heart. His heart had slowly been breaking throughout his years of ministry, as he anguished over the
stubborn refusal of the religious leaders to admit their legalistic hypocrisy and to recognize his Messianic mission.
For Gethsemane to Golgotha, his spiritual anguish was exacerbated by physical agony and torture beyond our
human comprehension. The soldiers were surprised when they pierced his heart to discover that he was already
dead. But we are not surprised. We know that when his mission was accomplished, jesus, of his own will, “gave up
his spirit” (John 19:30). Our faith rests on the blessed assurance that his heart was broken, forming the source of our salvation, the foundation
of our hope and the cause of our love. Loving Savior, we thank you that you died of a
broken heart– broken for us and for our salvation. AMEN
The Saving Passion. Lenten Devotions: Inspiration from Henri J.M. Nouwen
Sunday March 31, 2019: Fourth Sunday of Lent; First Scrutiny; CLJ in CCD Bldg. at 6pm; Formation 6-7
Monday, April 1, 2019: April Fool's Day; Book of James in the Hall 6:15-8pm
Tuesday, April 2, 2019: St. Francis of Paola; Rosary in the Cry Room at 9am; CLJ in CCD Bldg. at 9:30 am; Elementary CCD; Mass at 8:30am & 12:10pm; French Rosary at 8:00am
Wednesday, April 3, 2019: Prayer group in Cry Room at 10am; CLJ in CCD Bldg. at 6:30pm; Choir Practice 6-7
Thursday, April 4, 2019: St. Isidore of Seville; RCIA in the parish hall at 6:15-7:45; School Mass at 8:30am & 12:10pm.
Friday, April 5, 2019: St. Vincent Ferrer; First Friday; Abstinence– No Meat; Mass at 6:30am & 12:10pm; Way of the Cross at 5:30pm; NO KC Fish Fry. Pro-Life Rosary at 5:40am
Saturday, April 6, 2019: First Saturday; The Village 9-10:30am; Pro-Life Rosary at 7:40am
Weekly Calendar Saint Francis of Paola’s Story Francis of Paola was a man who deeply loved contemplative solitude and wished only to be the “least in the household of God.” Yet, when the Church called him to active service in the world, he became a miracle-worker and influenced the course of nations. After accompanying his parents on a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, he began to live as a contemplative hermit in a remote cave near Paola, on Italy’s southern seacoast. Before he was 20, he received the first followers who had come to imitate his way of life. Seventeen years later, when his disciples had grown in number, Francis established a Rule for his austere community and sought Church approval. This was the founding of the Hermits of St. Francis of Assisi, who were approved by the Holy See in 1474. In 1492, Francis changed the name of his community to “Minims” because he wanted them to be known as the least (minimi) in the household of God. Humility was to be the hallmark of the brothers as it had been in Francis’s personal life. Besides the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, Francis enjoined upon his followers the fourth obligation of a perpetual Lenten fast. He felt that heroic mortification was necessary as a means for spiritual growth. It was Francis’s desire to be a contemplative hermit, yet he believed that God was calling him to the apostolic life. He began to use the gifts he had received, such as the gifts of miracles and prophecy, to minister to the people of God. A defender of the poor and oppressed, Francis incurred the wrath of King Ferdinand of Naples for the admonitions he directed toward the king and his sons. Following the request of Pope Sixtus IV, Francis traveled to Paris to help Louis XI of France prepare for his death. While ministering to the king, Francis was able to influence the course of national politics. He helped to restore peace between France and Brittany by advising a marriage between the ruling families, and between France and Spain by persuading Louis XI to return some disputed land. Francis died while at the French court. Reflection : The life of Francis of Paola speaks plainly to an overactive world. He was a contemplative man called to active ministry and must have felt keenly the tension between prayer and service. Yet, in Francis’s life it was a productive tension, for he clearly utilized the fruits of contemplation in his ministry, which came to involve the workings of nations. He responded so readily and so well to the call of the Church from a solid foundation in prayer and mortification. When he went out to the world, it was not he who worked but Christ working through him—“the least in the household of God.” Saint Francis of Paola is the Patron Saint of: Sailors
2019-2020 CCD REGISTRATION For grades 1st - 8th, registration will be held on Tuesday, April 9th at the CCD Building from 5PM to 7PM. Children are no longer automatically registered. Cost of registration is $25 per child. First Communion fee is $50. There will be a $25 per child late fee for not registering on time.
This week the sanctuary lights burn for:
Church: Elia Mouton Chapel: J. Allen Mouton
Sts. Peter and Paul School News Encounter Night – Please join us for the upcoming Encounter Night on April 4th in the school chapel. More information may be found on the flyer. SAVE THE DATES FOR OUR SPRING EVENTS: April 12 COLOR RUN - Get
ready to have some fun again this year! Proceeds go to the driveway paving project.
April 13 SPRING PICNIC -
This year’s picnic will have many new additions including fun jumps, cake walk, live music (TBA soon), vendors, and silent auction.
May 6 KNIGHTS
CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT - This year the event will feature a Helicopter Ball Drop. Please visit the school website for additional information and to purchase your golf ball!
South Louisiana Giving Day – SPPS will take part in the Community Foundation of Acadiana Giving Day on May 9, 2019. Please visit the southlouisianagivingday.org website to view our profile. All proceeds from this day will be added to the gym fund. Employment Opportunities - Resumes are currently being accepted for the 2019-2020 school year and may be emailed to [email protected] 2019-2020 Enrollment – While several classes currently have a waiting list, we do have openings remaining in some grades. If you would like to schedule a tour, please contact Renee Ory at 337-504-3400. ACT Aspire Testing – Testing will take place the week of April 1-5. Please make sure your student arrives on time, well rested, and has a healthy breakfast.
Visit them: 1301 Old Spanish Trail, Scott, LA 70583
Pope Francis: What I do each night, before bed. Commenting on Jesus’ healing of the leper (Luke 5:12-16) at today’s Wednesday general audience, his final audience before taking a summer pause, the pope’s catechesis centered on the leper’s plea to Jesus: “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” “I will confide something personal to you,” Pope Francis told the faithful and pilgrims gathered in a sunny St. Peter’s Square. “In the evening, before going to bed, I pray this short prayer: ‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.’ (Luke 5:12). And I pray five ‘Our Fathers,’ one for each of Jesus’ wounds, because Jesus has cleansed us by his wounds.” “If I do this, you can too, at your home, and say: ‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean’ and think of Jesus’ wounds and say one ‘Our Father’ for each of them. Jesus always hears us,” he said. The leper in the Gospel “does not ask only to be healed, but to be ‘cleansed,’ that is, made completely whole, in body and heart,” Pope Francis explained. “Indeed, leprosy was considered a kind of curse from God, a form of deep impurity. The leper had to keep far away from everyone; he could not enter the temple or any divine service. Far from God and far from men. What a sad life these people lived.” The leper’s plea teaches us that when we present ourselves to Jesus, “it is not necessary to make long speeches,” the pope continued, saying: “A few words are enough, provided they are accompanied by full confidence in his omnipotence and his goodness.” Jesus is deeply struck by this man’s faith and trust. As St. Mark tells us in his parallel account, “moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I will; be clean’ (Mk 1:41). “Contrary to the prescriptions of the Law of Moses, which prohibited anyone from approaching a leper” (cf. Leviticus 13:45-46), Pope Francis explained, “Jesus stretches out his hand and touches him.” “How often do we really encounter a poor man when he comes to us?” Pope Francis asked. “We may even be generous, we may have pity, but usually we do not touch him. We offer him a coin, we toss it there, but we avoid touching his hand. And we forget that that is the body of Jesus. Jesus teaches us not to be afraid to touch the poor and the outcast, because He is in them.” Concluding his last Wednesday catechesis before the summer holidays, Pope Francis again reminded everyone to examine their conscience at the end each day, kneel before God and pray: “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” “Do it, do it before going to bed, every evening,” he said. (This article was written by Diane Montagna and can be found at: http://aleteia.org/2016/06/22/pope-francis-what-i-do-each-night-before-bed/#sthash.B1dNKsQy.dpuf)
