June 7 – 17, 2010, you are invited to join in a spiritual pilgrimage as we seek a deeper personal relationship with Our Lord in the village of Medjugorje. Our Lady Calls Pilgrimages provide a comprehensive look into the apparitions, spirituality, history, culture and the ongoing presence of Our Lady. $2399 per person. For more information or to receive a brochure, please call Sherry Corne at 504-682-6980.

The Order of St. Louis Award is one of the highest and most cherished honors bestowed by the local Church on a member of the laity. It was established more than thirty years ago to recognize individuals who have given unselfishly of their time and talent to work of the Church. The medallion will be presented in special ceremonies by Archbishop Aymond at the St. Louis Cathedral on May 2nd.

Our recipients this year are:

Rusty Serpas
St. Bernard

Scott & Cynthia Giroir,
Our Lady of Lourdes

If you are a past recipient who lost their medallion in Katrina, please call the rectory.

Parents want help from government, media makers Media portrayal of drug abuse, alcohol, and inadequacy of ratings cause concern Greater availability of easy-to-use parental controls desired

A United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) national survey of parents about media’s impact on their children finds parents are deeply concerned about inappropriate content in media and want help from the media industry and government to be able to control it. The Parents’ Hopes & Concerns About the Impact of Media on their Children study was commissioned in response to a notice of inquiry by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The major findings of the survey highlight parents’ deep concern about inappropriate content in media and a desire to be able to better control it. Over 80 percent say they want to be able to control access to media content that depicts violence, sex, illegal drug use, alcohol abuse and profane language. Of special concern are media portrayals of illegal drug use and alcohol abuse, which currently are not considered by many ratings and parental control systems. On the issue of being engaged in monitoring their children’s media usage, over 90 percent of parents say their family has rules about what media their children can use and watch, and more than half say they use parental controls for television, Internet and video games. Two?thirds say there are three factors that would increase their use of parental controls: better understanding of parental controls; ability to block television ads they think contain inappropriate content; and greater availability of media products with parental controls already set. Three?fourths of respondents say makers of media products should do more to help protect children from inappropriate media content, while 58 percent say government should also do more Full results can be viewed on line at http://www.usccb.org/comm/Parents-Hopes-Concerns-Impact-Media-on-Children.pdf

Thanks to those who have assisted in our new Pew Drive. We are approaching the 52% mark collecting $33,800 thus far. Our goal of 100% will be $65,000. Donations can be made in memory or honor of someone. Please consider assisting us in reaching our goal. Forms can be found on the back table of Church.

After consultation regarding Mass times at Our Lady of Lourdes, beginning Sunday, April 11, Mass will move from 11:30 to 11:00 am.

Mark your calendars for an exciting week of VBS.

High Seas Exploring the Mighty Love of God
July 5 - 9, 2010
OLPS School Cafeteria
9:00a.m. to 12 noon

More information coming soon.

Each year, the Serra Club honors one Altar Server from each parish for their faithful and dedicated service as an Altar Server. They will attend a special Mass on April 20th, be presented with a Certificate from Bishop Fabre and enjoy a special dinner. This year the recipients are:
Hannah Hutchinson, St. Bernard
Tristan Gray, Our Lady of Lourdes

Serves terminally ill patients and their families by providing physical, emotional, and spiritual support at the end-of-life.

Volunteers are needed in Orleans and St. Bernard Parishes to provide companionship to our patients through reading, playing cards or checkers, and other capacities.

If interested call Jo-Ann Moore at 504-832-8111.

St. Bernard Catholic Church
Katelyn Marie Engolia
Gracelyn Ann Engolia
Alexis Marie Cooper

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
Payton Joyce Guzman
Jackson Christopher Gonzales
Dominick Christopher Jabbia
Addison Grace Melerine
Hayden Matthew Nunez
Jimmie Louis White, Jr.

The Servants of Christ Mission in Reggio are in need of Non-Perishable food items for their food bank. As we anticipate the season of Lent, you are invited and encouraged to donate to this worthy cause. Boxes are in the back of Church to receive your nonperishable food donations.

The Archdiocese of New Orleans Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebration will take place on Sunday, June 28 at 3 p.m. at St. Philip Neri Church in Metairie. All participants must register through their Parish. The celebration will not be a Mass, but a prayer service. Attendance of Mass for Sunday obligation will have to be met within one's Parish. Last day to register will be Wednesday, March 25 to facilitate the mailing of confirmation letters, preparing scrolls and seating assignment of the couples.

Totus Tuus Retreat Weekend is a vocation discernment retreat for single Catholic men, high school seniors, college age and over who have no dependents. It is hosted by diocesan priests and seminarians. Archbishop Aymond will participate. The weekend provides an opportunity to learn about serving God and the church as a diocesan or parish priest. It gives an inside look at what it is like to be a diocesan priest, showing the joys, opportunities and challenges of priesthood without pressure for commitment. There will be presentations, discussion, prayer and social time. This is a time to ask questions, reflect and pull it all together. There is no charge for the weekend. For more information contact Fr. Luis Rodriguez or Fr. Steve Bruno at the Vocation Office at (504) 861-6298 or e-mail: vocations@archdioceseno. org.

Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday by all Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. Those who are bound to fast may take only one full mean. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to each one’s needs, but eating solid foods between means is not permitted. Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics 14 years or older on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays of Lent. The determination of certain days as obligatory days of penance should not be understood as limiting the occasions for Christian penance. The spirit of the season of Lent should be maintained throughout the weeks of Lent. The obligation to observe penitential days of the church is serious. Failure to observe individual days of penance is not necessarily considered serious. No one should be scrupulous in this regard. People should seek to do more rather than less, since fast and abstinence on the days prescribed should be considered a minimal response to the Lord’s call to penance and conversion of life.

Catholic Charities - Operation Helping Hands
Are you or someone you know still trying to come home after Hurricane Katrina? Is your house drafty with no insulation in the attic? Does the outside of your home need to be painted? Catholic Charities’ Operation Helping Hands may be able to help you. We have programs to help elderly, disabled, and low-income homeowners who are trying to get back home, have their homes weatherized, or need the outside of their home painted. Certain guidelines do apply and must be met. For more information and to see if you qualify call the Hotline number at (504) 895-5439.

February 28, 2010 Church in Eastern Europe
March 21, 2010 Catholic Charities
March 14, 2010 Catholic Relief Services
April 2, 2010 Holy Land Collection
April 25, 2010 Catholic Home Missions

Please make note and plan to give generously to these upcoming collections. Catholic Charities has been moved to March 21, 2010 because of Mardi Gras.

Starting Monday, February 22nd, all is invited to gather and pray the Liturgy of the Hours with a Scripture Study on the Psalms and New Testament to follow. This will take place at the Servants of Christ Mission 4513 East LA46 (Judge Perez Exit) and will be offered daily Monday-Friday at NOON. Spread the word and bring a friend. If you have any questions, please call Kenny Forsythe at 439-9941.