Vol. 29 No. 5 March-April 2014 Sacred observances to mark Holy Week Join us at St. Aloysius Parish for Holy Week observances marking Jesus Passion, Death and Resurrection. From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, St. Aloysius joins the worldwide Church in commemorating the most important time of the Church calendar with a variety of holy rites. Palm Sunday is the time when we remember Christ s triumphal entrance into Jerusalem. In keeping with parish tradition, the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses will begin with processions from the bell tower into the church. Because of construction at St. Joseph Cathedral, St. Aloysius Church will host the diocesan Chrism Mass Wednesday, April See the complete schedule on Page 3 for more information on these rites, as well as a schedule of daily Masses held the week after Easter. 16, at 10:30 a.m. During this liturgy, Bishop Muench will bless the Holy Oils, and the priests of the diocese will make their annual re-commitment to priestly ministry. You are invited to attend this diocesan Holy Week celebration. The Easter Triduum, the three days of fasting and prayer before Easter, begins with Holy Thursday. Sundown on Holy Thursday marks the end of Lent. On this day, St. Aloysius will celebrate the Mass of the Lord s Supper, followed by Adoration. Good Friday is the solemn day marking the death of Christ. The day s rites include morning prayer, Solemn Stations of the Cross and three hours of silent prayer followed by the celebration of the Lord s Passion. Holy Saturday continues the silent vigil begun on Good Friday. A morning prayer service will be held and that evening, the Solemn Vigil of Easter, when the Paschal candle will be carried into the darkened church with the proclamation that Christ is the light of the world. Easter Sunday Masses mark the return of flowers to the church, the return of the Alleluia and the beginning of the 50 days of rejoicing before the Feast of the Pentecost. Father Than Vu is shown baptizing a new member of the St. Aloysius congregation. In Baptism we are cleansed from original sin, making us Christians, Children of God and heirs of heaven. More photos on Page 3. Child Care Center news. Pages 4-5 Krewe of St. Aloysius rolls! Pages 6-7 Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Page 8 2025 Stuart Avenue Baton Rouge, LA 70808 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Baton Rouge, LA Permit #754 Inside Alive Mass schedule... 2 Parish School of Religion news... 2 Holy Week, Lenten schedules... 3 Senior Ministry luncheon... 3 Mardi Gras fun... 6-7 March-April 2014, ALOYSIUS ALIVE, page 1
PSR classes wrap up; catechists needed Students in the Parish School of Religion Grades 1-6 completed their last class on Feb. 23. Classes will resume in the fall. Thanks go to the catechists for preparing and sharing their faith to the students, as well as to the students and their parents. The goal is to have two or more catechists to help teach each class. Due to the sizes of the classes this fall, there is also a need for two extra catechists to teach the first-, second- and fourthgrade classes. Even if you have never taught before, but feel that you might be called to teach, please contact Tricia Greely at 225 343-6657 or at tgreely@ staloysiusparish.com. You will be provided with information and the materials needed to teach the class. Meetings are two hours on Sunday morning for seven sessions in the fall and six sessions in the winter. Mass Schedule SATURDAY 8 a.m. Mass, Vigil 4:30 p.m. SUNDAY 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. HOLY DAYS Schedule will be announced DAILY MASSES Monday & Wednesday, 6 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday, 8 a.m. RECONCILIATION: Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and by appointment for private rite. Page 2, March-April 2014, ALOYSIUS ALIVE Craig Gannuch Wendy Stanford Edward Dunigan Diane O Connor Mag Wall Editor-in-Chief Father Than Vu Assistant Editor Laura Duhe Mindy Piontek Michael DiResto Published by St Aloysius Parish. Postage paid at Baton Rouge, LA. Postmaster: Staff Photographers Cristyn Hodges Cathy Dardenne Armando Corripio Carol Smith Allison Bush Managing Editor Ken Duhe Copy Editors Lisa Tramontana Megan Holman, Mindy Piontek Writers Michael J. Acaldo Cathy Dardenne Blythe Lamonica Troy Robertson Claire Grandy Angela Falgoust Send address changes to Aloysius Alive, 2025 Stuart Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 FUNERALS: Please contact the Parish Office prior to scheduling with the funeral home. If after hours, follow directions on voicemail. PARISH SCHOOL: For information, phone 383-3871, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. NURSERY/CHILDCARE CENTER: For information, phone 343-1338, 7:00 a.m. -5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. BAPTISM: Please contact the Parish Office during early months of pregnancy. Baptismal preparation is required. SPONSORS: Baptism & Confirmation sponsors must be confirmed practicing Catholics in good standing in the Catholic Church, and if not St. Aloysius Parishioners, must provide a letter of good standing from the parish where they are registered. MARRIAGE: Couples are asked to contact the priest at the beginning of the period of engagement at least six months prior to the projected date of the marriage. CARE OF THE SICK: The Eucharist is brought to the sick weekly and hospital visits made weekly. Families of the sick are encouraged to notify the Parish Office.
Holy Thursday: April 17 (There is only one Mass today.) 7 p.m., The Mass of the Lord s Supper (The liturgy includes the ritual of the washing of the feet. After Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament continues in the Parish Hall until midnight.) Good Friday: April 18 9 a.m.: Morning Prayer (The Parish Administration Building Chapel) Noon until 3 p.m.: Silent Prayer Observing the Three Hours 3 p.m.: Celebration of the Lord s Passion/Veneration of the Cross Holy Saturday: April 19 9 a.m.: Morning Prayer (Parish Administration Chapel) The Solemn Vigil of Easter: April 19 8 p.m. (No 4:30 p.m. Mass today) (The liturgy includes the lighting of the new fire and the Easter Candle, the Celebration of the Word of God, Baptism and Christian Initiation, and the Easter Eucharist.) Easter Sunday: April 20 Masses at 7 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. There will be no 5:30 p.m. Mass today. Easter Week Monday, April 21, (no 6 a.m. Mass) Tuesday, April 22, 8 a.m. Mass Wednesday, April 23, 6 a.m. Mass Thursday, April 24, 8 a.m. Mass Friday, April 25, 8 a.m. Mass Saturday, April 26, 8 a.m. Mass Mark your Calendars!! SENIOR MINISTRY LUNCHEON Thursday, May 15, 2014 11:30 a.m. Luncheon St. Aloysius Parish Hall Please plan to come! Movies made in Louisiana Stations of the Cross Each Friday of Lent: 8:30 a.m. (immediately after the 8 a.m. Mass) and at 5:30 p.m. The Private Rite of the Sacrament of Reconciliation Every Saturday, from 3:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. Wednesdays: April 2, April 9 and April 16 from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Palm Sunday, April 13 We begin Holy Week with the blessing of palms, the commemoration of Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and the proclamation of the Passion of St. Matthew. The procession from the bell tower takes place at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses. The Chrism Mass, April 16, 10:30 a.m. Because of construction at St. Joseph Cathedral, St. Aloysius Church will host the diocesan Chrism Mass. During this Liturgy, Bishop Muench will bless the Holy Oils, and the priests of the diocese will make their annual re-commitment to priestly ministry. You are invited to attend this diocesan Holy Week celebration. Presented by Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne Reservation deadline is Friday, May 9, 2014 Cost is $12.00 Please make checks payable to St. Aloysius Church and mail payment as your reservation to: Claire Grandy, St. Aloysius Church 2025 Stuart Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70808 March-April 2014, ALOYSIUS ALIVE, page 3
Good times continue at the Child Care Center The party doesn t stop for these tots! The Christmas holidays may be over, but there is always a reason to celebrate at the St. Aloysius Childcare Center. Even a little snow is a reason to have fun! The children celebrated Valentine s Day by sharing love and treats with their friends and teachers. Classroom parties included such Valentinethemed snacks as heart-shaped cookies and Rice Krispies treats and, of course, the great Valentine exchange. All the children brought sweet notes and treats for all of their friends and teachers. Kids wore festive gear and shared hugs and kisses before going home. Next up: Mardi Gras and the annual Krewe of Tots Parade. The parade was another huge success with parents and children alike. The wagons never disappoint -- they were themed with fun characters like trains, queens and LSU s very own Mike the Tiger! Even the popular Duck Dynasty Krewe made an appearance, complete with duck calls, as well as the traditional green, gold and purple themes that signify the season. The wagons rolled to the excitement of screaming students at the big school. Riders threw beads, toys and trinkets. Thank you to all the parents for your generosity, including preparing and providing throws and decorating these beautiful floats for the Krewe of Tots. Every month the children celebrate specific themes with corresponding crafts, show and tell days, and visitors. February was national dental hygiene month, and the children in the Annex enjoyed a visit from the Tooth Fairy to demonstrate good dental hygiene. Special thanks to Pediatric Dental Specialists for making that possible. Spanish focus words and sign language focus words for the month included tooth and toothbrush. Another great example of how learning and fun go hand in hand. As these tots and preschoolers say, laissez les bon temps rouler! The good times keep rolling at St. Aloysius Child Care Center. Page 4, March-April 2014, ALOYSIUS ALIVE
Mardi Gras! Child Care Center Fish Fry March-April 2014, ALOYSIUS ALIVE, page 5
St. Aloysius krewe makes Mardi Gras fun St. Aloysius Mardi Gras was very big this year! It was a beautiful night for 700 guests to attend the Southdowns Parade viewing party, 59 riders on the St. Aloysius float and many float walkers. This excitement can only happen with the help of our chairs and co-chairs of each event. Nathan and Elizabeth Fourrier chaired the Mardi Gras float, and Marcelle Kogel chaired the viewing party with the help of co-chair Jill Henry. A very big thank you to the KC s for preparing jambalaya and the many volunteers who made this night safe and fun for all! Page 6, March-April 2014, ALOYSIUS ALIVE
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RCIA builds community; sponsors needed On Feb. 23, St. Aloysius Parish welcomed four adults into the RCIA process. Already one with us in Baptism, Allan Butler, David Ellzey, Fay Kaufman and Chris Smith study, pray and attend Mass with us each week on their faith journey to becoming members of the Catholic Church. They join catechumens J.K. Wilson, Emily Morton and candidates Penny Harrell, Claburn Harrell and Matthew Waghalter. We give thanks to God for bringing these people into our community. Also in February, many parishioners read and discussed the book Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic by Matthew Kelly, and are now asking how they can be more engaged as Catholics. One suggestion is to become a sponsor for one of our candidates. Your generous gift of time to another person will increase your knowledge of Scripture, enhance your prayer life, build community and immerse you deeper into your faith. RCIA continues throughout the year. Five people who have just begun the process need sponsors. So what is a sponsor? A sponsor is a companion to one candidate and a representative of the St. Aloysius church community in the rites of RCIA. No particular knowledge is necessary, just an openness and willingness to share your faith experiences with another person. The time commitment is about one hour after the 9 a.m. Sunday Mass. If you can share your faith, are committed to prayer and Eucharist and can give another person a few hours of your time each week, then you, too, can change the world. You can be an evangelizer. For more information about the RCIA process or to join as a sponsor, please contact Rebecca East, reast@staloysiusparish.com or call the parish office, 343-6657 ext. 3024. Page 8, March-April 2014, ALOYSIUS ALIVE