THE CONFESSOR. Feast of St. Blase. World Marriage Day

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1 THE CONFESSOR A Publication of St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church VOLUME 28, NUMBER 2 FEBRUARY 2018 Sin is a Sickness Grace is the Cure Fr. Philip Neri Powell, O.P. Ash Wednesday February 14 Ashes will be distributed during Mass at 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. and during Prayer Services held at 12 noon and 7:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross Wednesdays at 8:15 a.m. (school) Fridays at 6:30 p.m. Adoration Chapel Hours Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Candlemas Day On Friday, February 2, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. In the Gospel reading for the day, Simeon called Jesus a light for all the nations. As such, this feast has been long known as Candlemas Day, a feast of lights. Blessed candles will be available at the 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Masses that day, and also at the weekend Masses on February 3-4. Feast of St. Blase The Feast of St. Blase is celebrated on Saturday, February 3. Blase was a bishop martyred in the early 4th century and has long been associated with healing of ailments of the throat. We will have a blessing of the throats at the 8:30 a.m. Mass that day, as well as at all weekend Masses on February 3-4. SUPER BOWL PANCAKE BREAKFAST Join STEAM at their annual Super Bowl Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, February 4, from 8 a.m. to 12 Noon in the school cafeteria. $5 per person (adult or child) if paid in advance; $6 per person at the door. This all-you-can-eat meal features pancakes, sausage, milk, coffee and orange juice. Children under 5 eat free. Table sponsorships are available for $50, which include six tickets for the big breakfast. Register and pay at 1 Monday-Wednesday February :45 p.m. Talk Each Evening 7:45 8 p.m. Q & A Session Come deepen your understanding of the basics of the Church s teachings on sin, grace and salvation, focusing particularly on how to use Lent as a time for receiving God s abundant gifts. Fr. Philip Neri Powell, O.P., is a Dominican friar of the Province of St. Martin de Porres. He is originally from the Mississippi Delta and a convert to the Church from Episcopalianism. He completed his doctorate in literature from Ole Miss in 2000 while a novice brother. He did his work in theology and philosophy at The Aquinas Institute in St. Louis and Blackfriars Hall, Oxford University. Ordained a priest in 2005, Fr. Philip Neri served as a campus minister and adjunct professor of English and theology at the University of Dallas. Upon completion of this assignment, he moved to Rome where he spent three years completing a license in the philosophy of science at The Angelicum. In 2011, he returned to the U.S. where he served for one year as Parochial Vicar of St. Dominic Church in New Orleans. He currently serves at Notre Dame Seminary as the Director of Homiletics, a Professor of Philosophy, and a priest-formator. He is Prior of his Dominican community at St. Dominic Church in Lakeview. World Marriage Day St. Edward s Marriage Enrichment Ministry will celebrate World Marriage Day at the 10 a.m. Mass on Sunday, February 4. We will recognize and honor: The longest married couple The newest married couple Couples married 50+ years Join us at Mass as we celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony. Couples who have been married for 50 years or more are asked to inform an usher of their presence at the beginning of Mass as we will have reserved seating for them.

2 Fasting and Abstinence Guidelines for Lent Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. Those who are bound to fast may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to each one s needs, but eating solid food between meals is not permitted. Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics 14 years or older on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and on all Fridays of Lent. 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 very important to our spiritual lives. 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. Archdiocese To Celebrate Golden Wedding Anniversaries The annual Archdiocesan Golden Wedding Anniversary celebration will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 10, at St. Philip Neri Church in Metairie. Couples from parishes across the Archdiocese who are marking their 50th anniversary this year are invited to participate. So that certificates can be prepared and seating arrangements made, our parishioners should register at St. Edward for this event no later than Friday, March 2. To sign up, stop by the Parish Center or call Please note that this celebration is a prayer service and not a celebration of the Mass. Participation does not meet one s Sunday obligation to attend Mass. Love and Be loved in Adoration! Love is in the air! A popular book encourages growth in loving relationships through five love languages: words of affirmation, presence, touch, gifts and acts of service. Jesus shows His love for us fully in every way in the Holy Eucharist! The Word is made flesh and is present dwelling among us. He touches our hearts physically and gives gifts of grace and serves us by washing away sin and guilt. Wow! What love! What return shall I make unto the Lord for all His goodness to me? (Ps. 116:12) Love is repaid by love alone. Come to Him in the Adoration Chapel and extend the time you touch Him when you receive Him in Communion. Be present to the One who is present for you. Speak your words of love to Him who speaks in the Scriptures and in your heart. Give Him the gifts of your time, your praise, your life and offer to follow and serve Him. The Adoration Chapel is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. You are invited. Come and be with the One who loves you most. Come and be loved and love in return! Purchase Tickets or Sponsor The St Edward the Confessor Gala and Auction To register online please visit Or Contact Karen Cameron at or stedgala@gmail.com Saturday, March 10, 2018 The Ridgeway 7:30 pm 2431 Metairie Road Metairie, LA Gala Admission $ 50 Per Person $60 at door if still available Parking on Premises Black and Gold Patron $ 250 Includes admission for 2 and publicity Auction Board or Band Sponsor $ 300 Includes company name, sponsorship and publicity Eagle Patron $ 500 Includes admission for 4, publicity, and reserved table Our Prayer and Presence Ministry visits residents at St. Anthony s Nursing Home on the second Saturday of each month. They bring a bit of cheer to all those they meet. Pictured above are parishioners who visited there in December. 2 Sponsorship Level: Amount: Check # Sponsor Name: (as it will appear in program) Address City State Zip Phone (day) (evening) Contact Name address:

3 School Registration Registration is open for the academic year for new students at St. Edward the Confessor School. Registration forms may be completed in the School or Parish Office. St. Edward School has an excellent elementary program for Pre-K3 through 7th grades as well as an Early Childhood Center focusing on Pre-K1 and Pre-K2. The School is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is State approved. Staffed by the Sisters of the Living Word, the Daughters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary and certified lay teachers, our school was named by the U.S. Department of Education a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in , and a No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School in Standardized tests, administered each spring, regularly show that scores by St. Edward students are well above the national percentile. St. Edward School offers many extra educational opportunities. Students use advanced computer-oriented programs, such as Writing to Read, Accelerated Reading and Accelerated Math, and have access to state-of-the-art computer and science labs. An in-house closed-circuit TV system features a student-run daily news program. Students participate in art, music, foreign language, physical education and sports programs, as well as a variety of extracurricular activities and clubs. The school day runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For the convenience of working families, an Extended Care Program is offered. Before-school care begins at 7 a.m. and after-care, which includes a homework room, runs until 6 p.m. The fee schedule for this program will be available at registration. The technology fee for students in Grades KN-7 is $100 per student. The registration fee is $150 per student, plus a $15 per family subscription to the Clarion Herald, required by the Archdiocese. A non-support fee of $350 per child is also due from non-supporting families. In order to be classified as a supporting parishioner for school purposes, the family must have contributed a minimum of $420 to the church parish in The tuition rates are: 1 student: $5,500 for supporting; $5,800 for non-supporting. 2 students: $9,625 for supporting; $10,150 for non-supporting. 3+ students: $12,375 for supporting; $13,050 for non-supporting. Please contact the Parish Office at for more information. What You Need To Register Your Child For School To register new students for the school year, please bring a copy of the child s: birth certificate; baptismal certificate; Social Security card; health record; and a current report card for students in kindergarten through sixth grades. 3 SCHOOL NEWS The breezeway between the church and the school administration building has been dedicated as St. Gianna s Way thanks to the generosity of Mr. John Francis. Mr. Francis won the high bid at the Auction and Gala last year. He is currently the District Deputy of the Knights of Columbus and a current coach for a sports team at St. Edward School. He also occasionally substitutes as a P.E. teacher. St. Gianna Beretta Molla was canonized on May 16, She was a wife, mother, doctor and pro-life witness who died caring more for doing right by her unborn child than for her own life. Today that child is a physician herself, and involved in the pro-life movement. Pictured below are Principal Dr. Tom Becker, Mr. John Francis and his daughter Kaitlyn Francis, past Grand Knight Perry Achee and Fr. Seiler. Krewe of St. Edward Join us as our Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten classes present their annual Carnival parade this month. Come out and see their creative floats and catch some throws from these eager marchers. The parade begins at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 9, in the parking lot (no cars will be allowed in the parking lot). Happy Mardi Gras!

4 THURSDAYS, FEBRUARY 1, 8 Catholics Returning Home 7 p.m. in the Parish Center FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2 CANDLEMAS DAY Blessed candles available SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3 FEAST OF ST. BLASÉ Lay Carmelites Meeting 6 p.m. in the Parish Center SATURDAY-SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3-4 Blessing of Throats At all Masses Blessed candles available at all Masses SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4 STEAM Super Bowl Pancake Breakfast 8 a.m. to 12 Noon in the cafeteria World Marriage Day Celebrated at the 10 a.m. Mass Adoration & Benediction Following the 4:30 p.m. Mass MONDAYS, FEBRUARY 5, 19, 26 PSR Classes 4:15 p.m. in school TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6 Ladies Council Board Meeting 7:45 p.m. in the Parish Center WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7 STEAM General Meeting 7 p.m. in the cafeteria WEDNESDAYS, FEBRUARY 7, 21, 28 Children s Rosary 3:15 p.m. in church Parish Choir Rehearsal 7 p.m. in church THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8 Prayer Service for victims of slavery and trafficking following the 6 p.m. Mass FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9 Krewe of St. Edward Parade 10 a.m. in the parking lot School Dismissal 11 a.m. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10 Prayer & Presence Ministry Visits St. Anthony s Nursing Home Meets in Gathering Space after the 8:30 a.m. Mass MONDAY-FRIDAY, FEBRUARY School Closed No PSR Classes MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12 LUNDI GRAS Parish Center Closed TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13 MARDI GRAS Parish Center Closed; Mass at 7 AM only; No evening Mass WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14 ASH WEDNESDAY Masses 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Ashes also distributed at prayer services at 12 Noon and 7:30 p.m. Hour of Intercession for Priests, Deacons and Religious 9:30 a.m. in church St. Vincent de Paul Society 7 p.m. in the Parish Center THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Evangelization Meeting 7 p.m. in the Parish Center FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16 Young Marrieds 8 p.m. under the Pavilion FRIDAYS, FEBRUARY 16, 23 Stations of the Cross 6:30 p.m. in church SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 SLW Retreat 9 a.m. in the Parish Center 4 St. Jude Volunteers Meet in the gathering space of church at 10 a.m. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19 Hilltoppers Board Meeting 12:45 p.m. in the Parish Center MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY LENTEN MISSION 7 p.m. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 Baptismal Seminar 7 p.m. in the Parish Center WEDNESDAYS, FEBRUARY 21, 28 Stations of the Cross for School 8:15 a.m. in church THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22 Hilltoppers Luncheon/Meeting 11 a.m. at The Esplanade Room at East Jefferson General Hospital Ladies Council General Meeting 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23 STEAM Fish Fry 6 p.m. in the cafeteria Cenacle of Our Loving Mother at 7 p.m. in church SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Oblates of St. Benedict 2:00 p.m. in the Parish Center SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Baptisms 1:30 p.m. in church Confirmation Class 5:45 p.m. in school CYO Social following the 4:30 p.m. Mass MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26 Lay Carmelites 7 p.m. in the Parish Center Parish Bible Study 7 p.m. in the Parish Center TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 Parish Bible Study 10 a.m. in the Parish Center WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Social Studies Fair 7 p.m. in the cafeteria STEAM s first Fish Fry is scheduled on Friday, February 23. The drivethru (Sr. Julia s driveway on Park Drive) will be open from 5:30 7:30 p.m. only, while the walk in (in the cafeteria) will open at 6 p.m. Please note: the drive-thru will have a limited menu: shrimp, fish and combo platters served with hushpuppies and French fries only. Look for all the details (menu and cost) in upcoming bulletins and flyers sent home through school. A big THANK YOU to everyone for having supported the Free Indeed safe house for young girls aged who have been sex trafficked. Many people have sent household items, school supplies, financial donations, as well as supported our Theology of the Body retreats we hold there by covering the day in prayer and sending homemade sweets. Thank you!!

5 SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY February 8 is the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, the patron saint for victims of slavery and trafficking. It has also been designated as an annual day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking. Following the lead of the Archdiocesan Respect Life Office, which recognizes February as Human Trafficking Awareness month, the St. Edward Social Justice Ministry is promoting the following two works of mercy: Spiritual Work of Mercy A short Prayer Service for victims and survivors of labor and sex trafficking will be held in church immediately following the 6 p.m. Mass on Thursday, February 8. Everyone is invited to attend. Corporal Work of Mercy Collection of Gift Cards from Big Box Stores (such as Walmart, Kmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowes,...) Gift cards may be dropped off at the Parish Center throughout the month of February. All donations will be taken to the Free Indeed House, a safe house for girls ages who have been rescued from sex trafficking. Your donations are greatly appreciated. LADIES COUNCIL NEWS The Ladies Council s February General Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 22, in the cafeteria beginning at 7:30 p.m. Our World's Finest Chocolate fundraiser kicks off on February 5 and runs through February 23. This is a great opportunity to stock up on Easter candy! And the Mardi Gras dress down day will be on Friday, February 9. Have a fun and safe Mardi Gras! STEAM NEWS Our next general membership meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 7 in the school cafeteria. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. As always, dinner will follow the meeting. Join us and learn more about the St. Edward Association of Men! STEAM is hosting a Super Bowl Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, February 4 from 8 a.m. to 12 Noon in the cafeteria. This all you can eat meal includes pancakes, sausage, milk, coffee and orange juice. Only $5 if paid in advance (adults and children); $6 per person at the door. Go online at STEAMevents.org to pay in advance. Additional upcoming events include our Lenten Fish Fries on February 23 and March 9 as well as our Crawfish Cook-off on April 14. Find us on Facebook to get the latest information on upcoming events. The STEAM Facebook page is listed as St Edward Association of Men STEAM. Find us and don t forget to hit like to follow. 5 GRANDPARENTS CLUB NEWS December was a grand month and we are geared up for Mardi Gras and Lenten celebrations. The Krewe of St Edward rolls in the parking lot on February 9. We look forward to seeing everyone for the best parade ever. Our Parish Lenten Mission is February and Stations of the Cross will be every Friday at 6:30 (following the 6 p.m. Mass). On February 23, STEAM will hold their first fish fry. Please bring desserts for us to sell. This will help fund for our City Park night. HILLTOPPERS NEWS 2017 ended in a flurry of activity. We usually collect each month for the St. Edward food pantry; this year gift cards were given to be included in the Christmas baskets. Pictured below having fun at our Christmas Party with Santa Claus are Georgette Tompson and Catherine Vairin. The New Year started with a bang!! On January 11, the Hilltoppers went to the Race Track for a special outing - any winnings to share? And our new venue for our monthly luncheon/meeting at East Jefferson General Hospital was a big success. The upcoming February meeting will be on Thursday, February 22, at East Jefferson General Hospital (Esplanade Room, located on the first floor). Cost is $20. Doors open at 11:00 a.m. for socialization with lunch being served at 12 noon. Reservations must be made by Friday, February 16, and mailed to Evelyn Hudson, 1109 Carnation Avenue, Metairie, LA ( ). We are planning to go to St. Joseph's Seminary (The Abby) on April 17, with lunch following at Gallagher's 527 in Covington. Call Dot Charlet ( ) for more info. You need not be a member to attend. Parishioners age 55 and older are invited to join the Hilltoppers. Contact Carol Hollier ( ) for more information.

6 KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS The Knights of Columbus are selling raffle tickets and accepting donations to provide service dogs and other therapeutic services to local combat veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Tickets are $25 each. The drawing will be held on March 20, First prize is a one week stay at an Okaloosa Island condo; second prize is 3 nights at a condo in San Destin. To donate, purchase tickets, or for more information, contact Jason Branch at jbranch_04@yahoo.com. SISTERS OF THE LIVING WORD DAY AT THE RACES St. Edward the Confessor Church 4921 West Metairie Avenue Metairie, LA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID METAIRIE, LA PERMIT NO. 615 Outdoor Way of the Cross Everyone is invited to our Outdoor Way of the Cross on Saturday, March 10 at 11 a.m. on the church and school grounds. Among all gathered, those wishing to participate in carrying the full-size cross will take turns between the stations with everyone stopping to meditate briefly at each one, concluding with the final station and prayers in the church. Join Sr. Julia and the Sisters of the Living Word for a Day at the Races at the New Orleans Fairgrounds on Saturday, March 10, from Noon until 5 p.m. All proceeds benefit the Sisters and their ministries. The cost of $60 per person includes fairgrounds admission and a lunch buffet. There will be a silent auction and lots of fun with friends. More information and registration forms are available in our school and parish offices and on the tables in back of church. GENERAL PARISH INFORMATION Pastor: Parochial Vicar: Deacons: Acolyte: School Principal: Director of Religious Ed.: PARISH STAFF Rev. Gerald L. Seiler, Jr. Rev. Kevin T. DeLerno Steven J. Koehler Gerard J. Fasullo, Sr. (Retired) Timothy G. Meaut Dr. Thomas E. Becker, Jr. Trevor Huster ADDRESSES, TELEPHONES AND Parish Office: 4921 West Metairie Ave. Metairie, LA (504) ; (504) FAX stedward@steddy.org Parish Website: School: 4901 West Metairie Ave. Metairie, LA (504) ; (504) FAX stedschool@steddy.org School website: SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE Vigil (Saturdays) at 4 p.m. Sundays at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 noon and 4:30 p.m. WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE Mondays through Fridays at 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. Holy Days of Obligation follow special schedules. See weekly bulletin. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturdays at 2:30 p.m., Sundays at 4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays at 5:00 p.m., and by appointment. 6 PARISH PRAYER LINE For special prayer requests, call the Parish Office at BAPTISMS Generally celebrated on the fourth Sunday of the month at 1:30 p.m. Call the Parish Office to make arrangements two months in advance of the anticipated birth or adoption. Parents and godparents must attend a Baptismal Seminar, usually scheduled at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month. WEDDINGS Arrangements are to be made with one of the priests at least six months in advance. FUNERALS Please notify a priest as soon as possible when someone in the family dies, preferably before contacting the funeral home. NOVENA Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help prayed after the 6 p.m. Mass on Wednesdays. EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the chapel. COMMUNION AND CARE FOR THE SICK Weekly visits are made to persons confined to the home. The Sacrament of the Sick is available for all who are seriously ill or about to undergo surgery. Please call the Parish Office for these special services or in the case of emergency. THE CONFESSOR The deadline is 9 a.m. on the first Monday of each month. Send information to Joanna Whitcomb (jwhitcomb@steddy.org).