Thoughts for today

     Just read an article by James V. Schall, S.J. at The Catholic Thing

    

     Today is the feast of John the Evangelist. In this upcoming year of the New Evangelization, we are reminded that the Good News still needs to be proclaimed. I particularly like this paragraph:

“We live in an era in which we want to hear of “new things” (rerum novarum). We cannot quite grasp that Christianity was not intended to evolve into something else other than what John saw, heard, and touched. The Catholic Church does not exist to come up with something “new” that no one ever thought up before. Of course, what it teaches and holds is precisely what no one ever heard before. But once we have heard it, we forget that its newness is rooted in the very being of God, ever ancient, ever new.”

     How can something old be new? How can memories from so long ago be considered an actuality in our present day? Well, James Schall puts it so well that it ‘is rooted in the very being of God’.

     God is eternal, but not in the way that means He lives in time and time has passed for Him and is moving forward. The concept is hard to think of, but God lives in ALL time. Our past is present to Him, our future is present to Him. Why? Because He created time, therefore time belongs to Him in its entirety – past, present and future.

     Time does pass for us and unfortunately we tend to forget those things that have passed some time ago. Maybe not forget the event, but forget the significance of the events.

     When Christ was born as human, He made known to us the importance of humanity and impressed upon us what He wished us to be. More than 2000 years later, many of us have assigned that miraculous moment as just a memory, or event in history and think that His story is one of many and not much different than other words printed in a book somewhere.

     We have to wake up and realize that the ink is still fresh! The miracle is still unfolding before our eyes and we only need to turn our gaze to Christ who rose from the dead and is with us always!

     How do we do that? By reading and listening to the Word with new eyes and new ears! No longer can we let the fallen world influence our thoughts and actions. Rise up and embrace Christ! Only through Him can we achieve the magnificence that God so wishes for us. That is why He is with us at all times, pouring His grace upon us and giving us the gifts we need when we need them. We only have to open and believe!

     May God bless us all this Christmas Season and bring us that newness of life!

Deacon Jimmy

Merry Christmas

Complacency

Just read an article on Archbishop Chaput (Catholic.org) about complacency being the enemy of faith. I think this article addresses some of the issues developing in many areas of our church. 

He said in his address, "The Church is community of faith alive in the present but also connected across the years through time." 

That is one statement that resounds in my heart. I was ordained a year ago as a Permanent Deacon by Bishop Sam Jacobs. When his hands were upon my head, I felt that I was connected throughout the ages to all the Deacons that had come before me, Permanent and Transitional. There was a feeling of awe as I realized that Bishop Sam was ordained from past Bishops who were ordained by the original Apostles given that power by Jesus Christ Himself.


Once we realize that connection from the past, we have to bring our faith into the full light of day. Those faithful from the past had a certain zeal for Christ. They were willing to die to make His message known. They faced lions in the arena, death by torture, stoning, burning, beheadings..... You get the picture.

What do we face today? Some offhand remarks, an offensive glance and maybe even a verbal confrontation to stand up for our faith. How do we respond? Do we back down? Do we shrug our shoulders and walk away? Why don't we have the strength to stand and speak up for our God?

There are many complacent Catholics who seem to pick and choose what is convenient and easy to do. You know the excuses (I've used them myself), "I don't have time for that", or "It isn't good for me at this time." No longer can we sit idly by and wait for someone else to take up the cross, we must act! 

We, as Catholics, have to stand up for our faith and profess our beliefs with zeal! How do we do that? By learning our Catholic roots all over again. 

In my homily this past weekend I asked the children to rip open those Christmas gifts as fast as they could and I asked the adults to watch them. With all the eagerness and excitement as those children open their gifts, we should open the gift which God has given us with the same amount of fervor. Let us tear into our bible once again! Read the stories of the Saints who went before us. Watch the examples of our good priests who care for us and bring us the Eucharist with humility and compassion. Listen to the strong and steadfast words of the bishops who inspire us. Pay attention to the Pope who is Peter's successor, he is truly being molded by the Holy Spirit to give us hope in this world that is becoming technologically advanced but descending into primitive immorality.

My Christmas wish this year is that all who call themselves Catholic can reignite that spark from the past within their souls and set this present world on fire with all the zeal and passion they can muster so that we can have a future of goodness and peace.

God bless you all!
Deacon Jimmy

1st week of Advent

The 1st Sunday of Advent went very well with the new translation. I hope you read carefully the new wording and were able to see and even feel the richness of these texts. In some areas it was a little awkward, I know, but we will get used to it and the beauty of the translation will become more evident during this Advent and especially in the Christmas Season.

Sometimes in life we just have to speak in a language that is proper to the occasion. You know, at the ballpark watching a game, we might use a louder voice and ask the referee 'kindly' to clean his glasses so he can see. Or watching a movie at a theater, we will whisper to the person next to us about how the scene that just took place could never happen in real life.

So it is in worship. When we come to mass, we aren't at a game or a movie, we are in the presence of God the Almighty. We come to the liturgy to touch the throne of God and plead with the Heavenly King to have mercy on us, to let Him know how much we love Him and how truly sorry we are for having offended Him by our sins.

The language we should use would be a courtly language. That is what the original Latin language was meant to be, an elevated language of worship to lift our hearts and voices at the same time. 

So, for the next few weeks, study the words - immerse yourself in the liturgy and you might be able to pray differently and even see the world differently through the eyes of a child of God!

God bless and have a great day!
Deacon Jimmy

Good explanation of the New Missal Translations

Mission Ambition Postponed :-(

Our Mission Ambition trip to Alabama has been cancelled due to low registration. We will be looking at something around January to serve God's community. Please send us your ideas and feedback.


God Bless,
Dcn Jimmy

All Saints Day

Today is a Holy Day of Obligation. We rejoice in all the men and women who are blessed in the eyes of the Lord and enjoy the Heavenly Liturgy. Let us make a special effort to make mass today.

Tomorrow will be All Souls Day (Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed), Please remember in your prayers all who passed from this life, especially those from our St. Bernadette Parish this year.

God Bless and Peace,

Deacon Jimmy

New Missal Translation musings

After passing by the cell phone store the other day, I saw a line outside. I wondered what all the fuss was about? Did that many people have a complaint about their phones? Was there some impending doom or price increase about to happen to make everyone so anxious?


Noooooo..... It was a new phone update! A NEW OPERATING SYSTEM! Wow!


I started thinking, "Maybe we can look at the New Missal that way?" 
The New Roman Missal 3.0!!!! Upgrades to the Liturgy! Better, more efficient! Tons more features!

If we did it that way, would there be a line going into church waiting for it to open?


Let's look at Advent as a time to upgrade our worship!


God Bless and have a great Advent!

New Mass with Technology

 We are going to begin explaining the improvements to the Mass in the coming weeks preparing for the transition in Advent. Below are a couple of useful apps for your iPhone to help with this transition. While we don't really want you to be using your phone during mass, it would be helpful to be able to review the New Mass before attending. I will be updating a list of websites and links to useful apps on the right side of this page from time to time. so keep checking in! God Bless!




iPhone App for the New Mass parts
iMissaliMissal

Picnic Time!

Come join in the fun!

Mass Music Changes

Hello all!

Just attended the choir practice for St. Bernadette last night and was able to hear the new mass parts we will be using for the Advent Season and beyond. Our Diocese has recommended the Mass of Renewal and I find the music wonderful!

I know sometimes we don't like change, but the beauty of this music will really lift the soul in prayer to God. Take a moment and visit the website http://www.massofrenewal.com/ and hear some of the music we will be using. You should start hearing this soon as we will begin practicing before Advent.

God Bless and have a great day!

Listen carefully

Don't forget our Mission Ambition meeting after the 9:00am mass this Sunday October 2nd (around 10:30). We need to get all registrations in and finalize plans.

See you there!

Changes are coming!

Hello all!

Many new things will be happening at St. Bernadette over the next few months and years and we are excited about them! Not only will the revisions to the Mass begin to enhance our liturgies, but it will offer an opportunity for the faithful to recapture the sense of the sacred in our worship. Keep an eye on your bulletin and this blog for all the news concerning the changes, how and why they were made.

We embark on a New Evangelization course and hope many of you will take advantage of the offerings we have at St. Bernadette for educational and spiritual edification.

Great Video!

Let me know what you think and how we can reach those who have slipped away from our wonderful faith.

Retreat News

 

St. Thomas Aquinas Nicholls State University is offering a retreat. Check them out online!
http://stthomasthibodaux.org/campus-ministry/awakening

Bishop's Visit this weekend

Our Bishop, Sam Jacobs is visiting our parish this weekend for the 5-year goal setting process and last night's mass at 4pm was great! After mass the Pastoral Council presented those goals to the Bishop and he was able to help us walk through them with his incredible vision and passion for the Church.

One of the areas needing focus will be Young Adults and why a lot of them are 'slipping through the cracks', so to speak. We know the 'busyness' of life is distracting and makes us all lead a life OF the world rather than living a truly Catholic life IN the world. Living a Catholic life essentially means staying focused on Christ and being involved in the Church as you live your life raising children, earning money, going to college, and even contemplating your vocation.

St. Bernadette remains committed to help you and walk with you through life. We need your input however to be able to offer you what you need.

Is there any area of concern that you need questions answered?

What can St. Bernadette do to bring you back to mass and make it more meaningful?

What areas would you like to be involved in that you are reluctant to ask about?

Let us use this blog as a brainstorming board to resolve these issues you have either with the faith or St. Bernadette.

In Matthew's Gospel we see Jesus is willing to help immediately:

And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?"
(Mat 14:25-31)

One thing we have to keep in mind in this passage is that when Peter did focus on Jesus, he WAS able to walk on water! Only when Peter saw the distractions of the storms around him, did he begin to sink, but Jesus was there when Peter called out to Him. 

Jesus will not abandon us, He will be with us forever. Come to St. Bernadette and see the fire that is being rekindled in our hearts.

God Bless,

Deacon Jimmy

St. Bernadette's Mission Ambition

     Mission Ambition is St. Bernadette’s program organized and lead by Young Adult Ministry. It is designed to give us an opportunity to reach out on a personal level to those in our country who need help.

     This year we will be traveling to Alabama from November 19 – 23, 2011 and will be working with the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Birmingham. This Diocese was located in the tornado stricken area where many people lost their homes and some their lives. Our mission will be to help Habitat for Humanity in rebuilding those homes or wherever else we are needed.

     You must be 18 years of age or older and also be aware that this will involve a lot of walking and physical activity. The cost of the trip is $200 and includes training and preparation, transportation, housing, meals and snacks. The registrations will be limited to 21 people and a deposit of $100 is due for September 1, 2011.

     For more information and to register, please call Fr. Charlie Perkins at St. Bernadette 879-1506.

IGNITE!

WORLD YOUTH DAY CELEBRATION!

Sunday, August 21, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

St. Bernadette Catholic Church

                  Keynote speaker: Paul George

The day will include powerful words of encouragement for the

young church, praise and worship music, powerful prayer

experiences and close with the celebration of Mass with Bishop

Sam Jacobs.

All teens, young adults, and the adults who walk with them on their

journey of faith are invited.

 

  Call the Office of Youth Ministry at 850-3151 for more information.

Theology on Tap

St. Bernadette's Theology on Tap series for the summer has ended. :-(

This doesn't mean the discussion of our faith and our focus on Christ has to take time off! :-)

It is easy to keep the discussion going in our electronic age. Those of you who met at the ToT gatherings hopefully have exchanged emails and cell numbers and will keep in touch with each other as you struggle through the intricacies of life. This blog may be a way of keeping in touch and you can even suggest topics you might want us to expand upon. St. Bernadette also has a YAM page on Facebook - join the group and interact!

Bottom line is - Christ does not take time off from loving you, so let's keep Him close to our hearts and souls also!

God Bless

Great Day!

Our Transitions in Life day was a great day for reflection, sharing and joining our voices and hearts in prayer.

Fr. Charlie started the day off with a Reconciliation prayer. Mike DiSalvo then gave us some wonderful stories, insights and questions for us to ponder on in our lives as we transition into work, college, married life and possibly religious vocation.

Each of us has our path we have taken in life, but we need to stop and ask God what His will is for us in our lives. Even in those days we feel Him the most distant from us, He is right there with us in the pain, struggle and uncertainty we face. Brenda LeBoeuf gave us some great words on prayer and how we can make it become effective in our daily work, play and rest to make God truly present in our hearts.

The day ended beautifully with adoration and mass. Fr. Charlie's excellent homily brought us to the 'anchor in the storm'. God is our anchor and we need to stay connected to Him at all times. His love is what will help us weather any storm.

Our next Theology on Tap will be at 6:30pm this Tuesday (August 2nd) at Pepper's again and our speaker will be Fr. Joshua Rodrigue. Come have great fellowship for our final Theology on Tap this summer!

New Blog For St. Bernadette!

Welcome to the St. Bernadette Young Adult Ministry Blog!

We will be posting stories, pictures, and information so that we can all keep up with what is happening at St. Bernadette. From time to time we will be asking questions and presenting ways you can keep Christ in your life while living in this crazy world.

Also, if you have comments on anything it is welcome but, for the beginning of this blog, there will be comment moderation. So please be patient with us as we step into the digital world and get our feet wet.

God bless you all,

Deacon Jimmy