By Debbie Shelley
The Catholic Commentator
As the church grapples with many challenges, candles flickered in St. Joseph Chapel in the Catholic Life Center, testifying to the faithfulness of the present honored religious holding them, who have weathered the storms in the church’s history and light the path for Catholics to “keep going.” These men and women were honored at a Jubliee and Consecrated Life Mass Feb. 1.
A Mass honoring men and women religious celebrating jubilee anniversaries was held at the Catholic Life Center on Feb. 1. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator
The Mass was celebrated in conjunction with World Day for Consecrated Life.
Remarkable events in the life of Jesus resound in the Mass Readings of the Fourth and Fifth Sundays in Ordinary Time. Most significant is the word of God, of which we are to know, live and proclaim. Many are hesitant for feelings of unworthiness because of sin. Others proclaim, yet receive rejection. Fear holds many from the mission. How can we understand the call and live out the mission given to us by the word of God?
The call
The joy of this past Christmas resonates as we begin in Ordinary Time of the liturgical season. Even though the decorations are stored away for another year consider finding a space to display at least one sign of Jesus’ Nativity as a reminder of the joy of His humble birth. The celebration of the Second and Third Sunday Masses of Ordinary Time empower us to recognize the joy of God, the movement of the Holy Spirit and the mission of Jesus Christ.
The universe is vast, precise and infinite. The more we seek to find the endpoint, the more we realize the magnitude of space and time is something to behold. We know who created the universe. As Catholic Christians, we begin the Creed with these words, “I believe in one God, the father almighty, maker of heaven and earth … ” Thus, it makes sense to look to the sky as a compass for travel and time. Therefore, we begin the new calendar year (the Gregorian calendar year,
Advent provides starlit path to spiritual peace
By Debbie Shelley
The Catholic Commentator
(Third in a series)
Pictured above is the Nativity from Sts. Anthony of Padua and Le Van Phung Church in Baton
The liturgical season moves to Christmas, which we celebrate for 12 days. Yes, 12 days. Keep your trees and nativities displayed as we journey from lighting the last candle of Advent to the visit of the Magi. </span id=”1″>
He shall be peace (Mi 5:4) </span id=”2″>
The prophet Micah foretells the plan of salvation from God. From the least of the tribes of Israel shall come the strength of God. From the smallest of towns, shall
The liturgical season of Advent is upon us. This year there are 23 days in Advent, yet at the time of this publication, there will be 17 days remaining. This means Christmas Day is 18 days away.
However, wait a moment before jumping ahead to Christmas. Rushing through Advent is like rushing the cooking time of a roast, which ends up being under-cooked; it is not quite ready. Advent tends to be over-shadowed by the secularism of the season. People’s anxiety levels
By Debbie Shelley
The Catholic Commentator
(Second in a series)
Imagine St. Joseph’s reaction when he learned his betrothed Mary, whom he had not yet had relations, is with child.
Did St. Joseph’s heart pound as he felt his dreams shatter? Hurt and confused, did he withdraw from Mary and struggle with anger and self-pity before deciding to divorce her quietly? And when he resolved to end things civilly an angel
By Debbie Shelley
The Catholic Commentator
(First of a series)
Imagine: You stop to pray in the middle of your day. There’s a stirring in the air … a glow … a powerful presence. What’s happening? Who is this?! Your heart pounds, you tremble as an angel stands before you.
“Do not be afraid, for you have found favor with God,” the angel tells you.
As we venture through Advent and anticipate God’s
We celebrate the end of the liturgical year rejoicing in Christ, our true king, followed by the First Sunday of Advent, reminding us of the last judgment and preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
“You say I am a king”
(Jn 18:37)
Pilate is seeking truth in a trial he is forced into hearing. Instead of being swayed by Jesus’ accusers Pilate privately takes him aside and pointedly asks about his
By Debbie Shelley
The Catholic Commentator
When students’ eyes light up or they raise their hands to answer questions, volunteer or plunge into an activity it means success in the frontline mission of evangelizing and catechizing the youth, say directors of religious education and catechists in the Diocese of Baton Rouge.
Catechist Kirsten Collins interacts with sixth-grade students involved in a small group discussion as part of a lesson on God the Father
By Debbie Shelley
The Catholic Commentator
Hungering and thirsting for righteousness means loving people enough to get involved in their lives and protect their dignity as sons and daughters of God, according to Father Rick Andrus SVD, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Baton Rouge.
In looking at the fourth beatitude, a key point to remember about “righteousness” is God alone is righteous, said Father Andrus.
“What Jesus is saying (in the beatitude) is that ‘Blessed are those who have a heart like God.’ God’s heart is not set on
Dear God, I must rely more on you than on me.
I must rely more on your perfection than on my holiness.
I must rely more on your faithfulness than on my promises.
I must rely more on your goodness than on my inclinations.
I must rely more on your providence than on my planning.
I must rely more on your grace than on my ability.
I must rely more on your power than on my strength.
I must rely more on your wisdom than on my ingenuity.
I must
Without a doubt the Scripture readings proclaimed during Mass for the 20th and 21st Sundays of Ordinary Time (Year B) invite all to a deeper awakening of faith. Those seeking to understand are invited to sit at the table, taste and see the goodness of the Lord, share life in community, receive living bread and become what you receive.
Invitation
The seven columns upon which wisdom has built her house (Prv 9:1) indicates perfection. Here all are
By Dina Dow
The Sunday Mass readings for the next two weeks place us directly in the middle of the season of Ordinary Time as we celebrate the 16th and 17th weeks. Recently we explored extraordinary passages about miracles, healings, mercy and discipleship, as well as amazement, suspicion and outright rejection. These next six weeks will call upon the deep faith of Jesus’ followers and belief in the presence of Jesus. In other words, it is about to get very Real, with a capital “R.” The reality begins through the familiar analogy of a shepherd. The 16th
The Catholic Commentator along with the Archives Department of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, is launching Capital City Faith, which will trace the history of Catholicism in the city of Baton Rouge through a series of articles and photographs provided by the Archives Department.
By Ann Boltin
Although we are celebrating the bicentennial of the incorporation of the great city of Baton Rouge, the Catholic Church has been a
The Catholic Commentator
About 300 black Catholics throughout South Louisiana examined their spiritual roots during a Lenten Day of Reflection at the Catholic Life Center on Feb. 13.
More than 300 black Catholics from around South Louisiana attended the Sankofa Lenten Day of Reflection at the Catholic Life Center on Feb. 13. Photo provided by Deacon Alfred
By Richard Meek
The Catholic Commentator
(Second in a series)
Holy Communion will always be at the center of the Catholic Church; it is what separates Catholicism from other denominations.
But not all who attend Mass are necessarily eligible to receive the body and blood of Christ. Father Paul Counce, judicial vicar for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, said canon law is clear that a communicant must meet four requirements, including having fasted for at least one hour prior to receiving Communion; be in a state of grace, also known as properly disposed; believe in the
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