Love God Serve Others Make Disciples

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church Belle Chasse, Louisiana December 17, 2017 Sunday, December 17, 3rd Sunday of Advent Children s Liturgy of the Word during 10:30 a.m. Mass HSR Holy Hour, Church-5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, December 18, Jer. 23:5-8; Mt. 1:18-25 Communion Service, Day Chapel 7:30 a.m. Baptism Seminar, Day Chapel 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 19, Jgs. 13:2-7, 24-25a School Christmas Caroling, Church 8:30 a.m. OLPH Skate Night, Skate Country 6:30-8:30 p.m. Weekday Mass, Church 7:00 p.m. Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help 6:50 p.m. RCIA, Day Chapel 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 20, Is. 7:10-14; Lk. 1:26-38 Mass, Day Chapel 7:30 a.m. Rosary, Day Chapel 9:30 a.m. Thursday, December 21, Sg. 2:8-14; Lk. 1:39-45 Weekday Mass, Day Chapel 7:30 a.m. AHG, Cafeteria 6:00-7:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal, Church 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 22, 1 Sm. 1:24-28; Lk. 1:46-56 Weekday Mass, Day Chapel 7:00 a.m. Saturday, December 23, Mal. 3:1-4, 23-24; Lk. 1:57-66 Confessions 3:00-3:45 p.m. Vigil Mass 4:00 p.m. Sunday, December 24, 4th Sunday of Advent Sunday Masses 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. Christmas Eve Masses 4:00, 6:00 & 10:00 p.m. Monday, December 25, Christmas Day Mass 9:00 a.m. Next Sunday is the 4th Sunday of Advent 2 Sm. 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16. The Lord will make the house of David secure forever. Rom. 16:25-27. The mystery kept secret for endless ages is now made clear. Lk. 1:26-38. You shall conceive and bear a son. 12/16, Saturday, 4:00 p.m. John & Ruth Ferrell 12/17, Sunday, 8:00 a.m. Mary Helen Burlette, Jimmy Elledge, Donald Verret, Sr., Stanley Pavlas, Rhea Pitre Ledet 12/17, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Patsy Ansardi, Ramona Buras, Pamla DeJean, healing of Deborah Buras, Lucille Bernard, Emile, David, & Ray Martin, Francis Gainey, Alex Mistich, Tim LeBoeuf, Eric Lundin, III, Bill Serpas, Ivo Seput, Ruzica Seput, Nona Boudreaux, Souls in Purgatory, Maria Popich, Thomas Becnel, Sr., Sanders & Dobard families, Mary Hingle 12/17, Sunday 7:00 p.m. for the parishioners 12/19, Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. Patsy Ansardi 12/20, Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. Stanley Pavlas 12/21, Thursday, 7:30 a.m. Richard Anthony Jones 12/22, Friday, 7:00 a.m. Linda Gainey 12/23, Saturday, 4:00 p.m. Karen Poole Roussel, Jerry Pigniolo, Richard Frederick, Krieger Family, Eliza Loyacano, Thomas Becnel, Sr., Francis Gainey, Trena Avist, Anthony & Maxine Schnapp, Albert Beshel, Darlene Lejeune Robbins, Jules & Tracy Desroches 12/24, Sunday, 8:00 a.m. for the parishioners 12/24, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Rosemary Schaubhut Hebert, Pat & Dolly Stakelum, Al Pitt Buras, J. P. Petrovich, Patsy Ansardi, Ramona Buras, healing of Deborah Buras, Pamla DeJean, Edgar Hall, Kemp Hall, Lucille Bernard, Ray Ansardi, Emile, David, & Ray Martin, Sanders & Dobard families, Anton Popich, Trena Avist, Francis Gainey, Ivan Taliancich, Bill Serpas, David Pierce, Sr., Steven Barrois, Vicko Seput, Riley, Prout, & Smith families, Peter Frisch, Jr., Peter Frisch, III, Elisa Navarro, Maria Popich, Jozo & Ane Popich, Stjepo & Katica Ladilo 12/24, Sunday 4:00 p.m. John W. Lonadier, Sr. 12/24, Sunday 6:00 p.m. for the parishioners 12/24, Sunday 10:00 p.m. Eric Lundin, III, Ben Mistich, Alex Mistich, Bobby Mistich, Tim LeBoeuf, Mistich & Zeler families, Stafford Juneau, Joseph Celetano, Tomas Becnel, Sr., Bobby Cappiello Pope sintentionfordecember TheElderly That the elderly, sustained by families and Christian communities, may apply theirwisdomandexperiencetospreadingthe faithandforming thenewgenerations. Love God Serve Others Make Disciples

Third Sunday of Advent OLPH Online Giving Is Available on Our Website. You can easily create your donation account online and make changes at any time. Visit our website at www.olphbc.org and click on Give Online. December 10, 2017 193 Envelopes/Online: $ 9, 405.07 (includes school support) Loose: $ 1,291.00 Children s Collection: $ 8.00 Extraordinary Donations: $ 210.00 (Masses, Sanctuary Light, Sacraments, candles, etc.) Total Income: $10,914.07 Average Weekly Expense: $ 11,950.15 Immaculate Conception: $ 1,291.00 Retirement Fund: $ 1,879.00 Thank you to our parish family members who faithfully support our parish. May God bless you for your generosity! The Sanctuary Light will burn this week in loving memory of: Pamla De- Jean, requested by David & John De- Jean; Bill Serpas, requested by Dolly Roy; Mary Hingle, requested by Maurice St. Ann; and Linda Gainey, requested by Walter & Lois LeJeune. If you would like to have the Sanctuary Light burn in memory of a loved one, call the Church Office. The donation for the Sanctuary Light is $10. Sponsor of the Week: Venice Marina The Advent & Christmas Candles placed around the Baptismal font were donated by Peanut & Tommy Huff in memory of deceased family members, Christmas Trees The Christmas trees at church were donated in loving memory of: Loredia Terrebonne and Juliet Cheramie, requested by Lettie & Donnie Kennair; Darrell Roy, requested by Dolly & Dean Roy & family; Robin & Jess Wood and Alex and Clara Jacksina, Rose and Pete Adams, requested by Dutch & Evelyn Jacksina; and the deceased members of the KC s, requested by the Knights of Columbus. Advent and Christmas Flowers Continuing through Advent, the Altar Society will be accepting donations toward church decorations for the Advent and Christmas season. Donation envelopes are included in the bulletin and will also be available on the gift table. Please write clearly on the envelope so that the memorial may be published. Schedule of Christmas Liturgies Christmas Eve: 4:00 p.m. Mass - Christmas Chorale, 3:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Mass - Christmas Carols, 5:45 p.m. 10:00 p.m. Mass - Heavenly Chorus Prelude - 9:45 p.m. Look to the back now! Look and remember to support these businesses when you need a product or service. Also, tell them thank you for their interest in Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Christmas Day 9:00 a.m. Mass - Student Choir Prelude - 8:45 a.m.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church Belle Chasse, Louisiana December 17, 2017 Third Sunday of Advent Weekend of December 16/17, 2017 In today s second reading Paul concludes his le er to the Chris an community at Thessalonica by providing it with ac ons to take as they wait for the return of the Lord. The first ac on is to rejoice always and give thanks in all circumstances. This sounds easy but it s not. The two words that make this task difficult are always and all. This means giving thanks and rejoicing even when our circumstances are not always moments of joy and thanksgiving, or when we are confronted with a broken world. Prayerful stewards rejoice and give thanks in all circumstances because they are people of hope. A good reflec on this week would be how the season of Advent can give you reason to hope. OLPH OLPH School News Middle school elective, Animal Welfare students took a field trip to PAWS. On December 7, they made ornaments for the Angel Tree in preparation for the Open House and Kennel Auction at PAWS. The students also toured the facility and selected one cat and one dog to sponsor. They were tasked with obtaining information about the animal. From there they are writing an article to promote the adoption of that animal! This is such a wonderful learning opportunity for the students. Skate Country Dec 19 @ 630-830 PM $5 a skater presale tickets only Call the School Office 394-0757 Mark your calendars! There will be a Parent & Student meeting for those who will be receiving the sacrament of Confirmation next fall on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in the church. This is for students who are presently in the 10th grade in both Catholic Schools and Non-Catholic Schools. For more information check the website at www.olphbc.org or contact C.C. Merritt in the parish office or by email at cre@olphbc.org. Second Grade parents there will be a parent meeting for those who are eligible to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist this year on Thursday January 11 at 6:00 p.m. in the church. This is for both school students and PSR students. For more information contact C.C. Merritt in the parish office or by email at cre@olphbc.org

Third Sunday of Advent Prayer for the 3rd Week of Advent O Almighty God, gracious provider and giver of life, we anxiously await the celebration of your birth. Like the people of long ago, our ancestors in faith, we, too, are in need of light, in need of direction, in need of your Word, to show us the way. Our busy lives and the consumerism that surrounds us make it difficult to recognize your kingdom and to hear your voice. Help us Lord, to focus on you. We pray that you hear our prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. Did you know! ADVENT WREATH The Advent wreath is a popular symbol of the season. Some say the wreath has its roots in pagan rituals associated with winter solstice. The meaning of the wreath has changed so that the four candles interspersed around the wreath now represent the coming of Jesus Christ. Typically, the Advent wreath holds three purple candles and one pink or rose-colored candle. As a whole, these candles represent the coming of the light of Christ into the world. One candle is lit on each Sunday during Advent, but on the third Sunday the candle is rose-colored to remind people to rejoice in the Lord. This third Sunday is called Gaudete Sunday, as Gaudete comes from the Latin word for "rejoice." The change from purple as the liturgical color to rose represents the change from being a season of repentance to celebration. 8 Modern Errors Every Catholic Should Know and Avoid (One will be published each week) 8. Role reversal Jesus said that the Holy Spirit whom he would send to us would convict the world (see John 16:8). And thus, the proper relationship of a Catholic to the world is to have the world on trial. St. Paul says, Test all things. Hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thes. 5:21-22). So, again, the world is to be on trial based on the light of the Gospel. But too often Catholics have things reversed and put the Word of God and the teachings of the Church on trial, judging them by the perspective of the world. We should judge all things by the light of God. And yet it is common to hear Catholics scoff at teachings that challenge worldly thinking or offend against worldly priorities. Many Catholics have tucked their faith under their political views, worldviews, preferences and thoughts. If the faith conflicts with any of these worldly categories, guess which usually gives way. Jesus says, If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels. (Mk 8:38). But many are ashamed of the Lord s teachings that do not conform to worldly and popular notions. All of this amounts to a tragic role reversal wherein the world and its notions overrule the gospel. It should be the world that is convicted by the Holy Spirit. Instead we put very God himself in the role of defendant. It should not be so. Do not be deceived: God will not be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Gal 6:7-8) So here are just eight entries onto our compendium of modern errors. More need to be added and you can help. These are only eight. I am just getting started. I hope you will add to the list and define carefully what you identify. But for now, consider this eightfold list of modern errors that are common even in the Church. Msgr. Charles Pope

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church Belle Chasse, Louisiana December 17, 2017 VISITATION OF THE SICK: Inform the Church Office when someone is sick, shut-in or hospitalized and unable to attend Mass. FUNERALS: Inform the Church Office as soon as possible when someone in the family dies, preferably before contacting the funeral home. NEW PARISHIONERS: We welcome you to a very friendly and enthusiastic community. Please register at the Church Office or complete a Welcome Card located in the church gathering space. Also, when moving out of the parish or changing your address, please notify the Church Office. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: Baptisms are celebrated on the fourth Sunday of the month following the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Parents are expected to call the Church Office three months before the anticipated birth to make an appointment for the pre-baptism seminar. The seminar is held on the third Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Day Chapel in Church. SACRAMENT OF FIRST COMMUNION: First Eucharist is celebrated the first Saturday of May for students in the 2nd grade or above who will be completing their 2nd year of religious education at the time of the celebration. Information can be found on our website: www.olphbc.org. For more information, contact C.C. Merritt in the Church Office or email: cre@olphbc.org. SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION: Confirmation is celebrated in the Fall of 11th grade. Candidates must attend Catholic high school or be enrolled in the High School of Religion program in 9th-11th grades. All candidates are asked to register in their freshmen year and no later than January of their 10th grade year. Information and registration can be found on our website: www.olphbc.org. For more information, contact C.C. Merritt in the Church Office or email cre@olphbc.org SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: Contact the Church Office at least nine months prior to the planned date. No other arrangements should be made before contacting the Church Office. Archdiocese of New Orleans Safe Environment Refer to the Web Site: http://www.nolacatholic.org/safe-environment for policies and procedures concerning safe environment and child protection Mass Cards - If you would like a Mass for a deceased person, please contact the Church Office. A beautiful Mass card with an image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help will be mailed to the person of your choice for an offering of $5 per Mass. Send your $5 donation to the Church Office, with the name of the Mass intention, name and address where the card is to be mailed, and who s making the request. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: The mission of OLPH's Religious Education program is to bring the Good News of God s love to all children and their families and to call them to commit their lives to Christ. Religious Education classes are available for children in Preschool through adults. We encourage parents to be parishioners of OLPH when registering students for Religious Education classes. Census forms can be obtained from the Parish Office during regular business hours, in the gathering area of the church or you can register online. Call C.C. Merritt, 504-394- 0314, or email cre@olphbc.org for more information. SUNDAY LITURGY OF THE WORD: Children in grades K- 2nd are invited with a catechist during 10:30 a.m. Mass to the Day Chapel for the Liturgy of the Word. A summary of the readings of the day is discussed on their level. PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION: PSR classes for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade not attending a Catholic school, are offered on Tuesday or Wednesday during the school year from 4:45 6:00 p.m. HIGH SCHOOL OF RELIGION: Students in 9th through 12th grade not attending a Catholic High School are offered classes on Sunday evenings 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the KC Hall. RCIA: Interested in the Catholic Faith Come to RCIA Are you or someone you know interested in becoming Catholic or completing Sacraments? Please join our RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). We have a Year-Round RCIA process that you can enter into whenever you are ready. This is for you if you have never been baptized, if you have been baptized into another denomination and now want to become Catholic, or if you are an adult Catholic but have never been confirmed. Sessions are held every Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the Day Chapel. Call Dolly Roy at 394-0314. Issues of the Clarion Herald are available on the cart in the church library. Payment envelopes are available next to the Clarion Herald. The yearly cost for the Clarion Herald is $20. Make checks payable to OLPH Church. Children s Offering Envelopes: Children s offering envelopes are available in the church library. Please take a few envelopes for your child to use. They may be colored and decorated. During the collection, the children are invited to bring their offerings up and place them into a basket in front of the altar. Memorial Walk to Honor our Loved Ones We are taking orders for the next Phase of the Memorial Walk in the back of OLPH Cemetery. We invite all who wish to honor the memory of a deceased family member or friend to participate by purchasing an engraved brick for $50, thus assuring them a permanent place to be remembered at OLPH. Order forms are available in the church library.

Third Sunday in Advent.CYO Goes Caroling Riverbend Nursing Home Saturday, Dec. 16 2:30 p.m. Youth Mass, Saturday, Dec. 16 4:00 p.m. Christmas Party Saturday, Dec. 16 5:00 p.m. 743 Oak Tree Road CYO Welcomes New Members Year Round 8th-12th graders may join anytime. Call Camille or Mike Chudzinski, 433-9707 27136 Hwy 23 Port Sulphur, LA 70083 Phone (504) 564-3344 Fax (504) 564-0174 www.plaqueminesmedicalcenter.com

Financial Feasibility Study Report: Summary The Institute for School and Parish Development (ISPD) recently conducted the Financial Feasibility Study in order to determine attitudes about a proposed campaign for Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish. 542 surveys were completed by parishioners and school parents; a crosssection of 49 people were personally interviewed by ISPD associates; and 115 people handed in their Individual Input Sheets from five Input/Listening Sessions. ISPD projects that Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish can raise approximately $900,000 -- $1,100,000 from a 5-year capital campaign that can be conducted with parish families, school families and the surrounding community. This conclusion is based upon the following: There is a firm belief in Father Kyle and the leadership of the parish. There is also a strong urgency to continue moving along the current path as a parish and school. 75% of the 542 people who took the survey in November indicated that they either Strongly Agree or Agree that OLPH should move forward with a campaign. Of the parish families who filled in the survey at Mass, 64% indicated they would financially support a campaign. Of the school families who filled in the survey, 75% indicated they would financially support a campaign. Of the 49 people personally interviewed by ISPD, 92% indicated they would financially support a campaign. In addition, with the same people, 76% are either Very Favorable or Favorable about moving forward with a campaign. Also, 82% of those interviewed rated the parish as either Outstanding or Above Average. In terms of priority ranking, ISPD indicated that improvements to the school, building a multi-purpose building, and making improvements/modifications to the church are of equal importance to the 600+ people who gave input. ISPD also went on to make four key recommendations: 1. Decide upon the priority order and scope of facility components and the necessary phases needed in order to address the three main facility components that the parish supports. 2. Continue to move forward in implementing the OLPH Strategic Growth Plan with the four Implementation Teams. 3. Move forward with an outside facilitator to work with Father Kyle in re-organizing and redirecting the parish staff at OLPH a staff that will work with the pastor in moving OLPH from maintenance to mission. 4. Once 1-3 are successfully completed or are in progress, begin organizing a capital campaign to fund the future direction of OLPH.