Volume 90, Number 3 January 21, 2018: The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Weekly Eucharistic Adoration Wednesday, January 24, 2018 12 noon - 6:00 p.m. Small Chapel in Sacristy 2250 Main Street Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802 OFFICE HOURS: Monday Thursday: 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m., Friday: 8:00 a.m. 12 noon (Closed Daily for Lunch 12:00 12:30 p.m.) Telephone: 225.387.6671 Fax: 225.387.6674 Email: info@sacredheartbr.org Website: www.sacredheartbr.org MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil: 4:00 p.m. Sunday: 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. Tuesday & Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. (No Wednesday Daily Mass when school is not in session) Thursday & Friday: 9:00 a.m. Church is open on Tuesdays from 7 a.m. 9 a.m.; Thursdays & Fridays from 8 a.m. 1 p.m. Please call or e-mail your prayer requests to Clare Coulon at 387-6671 or ccoulon@sacredheartbr.org
January: Sanctity of Life Month Tomorrow is January 22, the 45 th anniversary of Roe V. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States. That ruling and its companion case Doe v. Bolton made abortion the law of the land for the full length of pregnancy up to and including the very moment of birth. No one knows exactly how many babies have been aborted in the United States the number is probably somewhere between 45,000,000 and 60,000,000 lives. Adolf Hitler is reported to have said that it was easier to tell a great lie than a small one, and that has certainly been the history of the abortion industry, an industry that is now worth billions of dollars. Let s explore some of the lies. In the early days of the crusade to legalize abortion, the argument was that women were going to have abortions anyway and forcing them into so called back alley abortion simply consigned both mother and child to death since these abortions were inherently unsafe. The number of deaths according to groups like NARAL [the National Abortion Rights Action League] were in the tens of thousands. Dr. Bernard Nathanson, a member of NARAL at this time and later a pro-life advocate, admitted that the number was simply made up. It sounded large and that was the point, but it wasn t the truth. The truth was that since the advent of antibiotics in the 1940 s and 1950 s abortion had become much safer, for the mother at least, and back alley abortions were rarely that. Most abortions in the 40 s, 50 s and 60 s were performed in doctors offices. In 1973, the year the Supreme Court heard Roe and Doe, ultrasound did not exist and the human genome had not been mapped. The court dodged the question of when life began calling it a question outside the competence of the court, and determined that the product of conception (i.e. embryo or fetus) was not a person as understood under the 14 th amendment. Of course, the court was selective in what information it was prepared to accept. Medical science was not as advanced in 1973 as it is today, but no textbook of obstetrics at the time had any question that human life began at the moment of conception. Seven men, in an exercise of raw judicial arrogance, stripped personhood from children in the womb. This lie set up ripples in law generally because until that time no one had doubted that a child in the womb was anything else but a person in law. Civil and criminal statutes were based on this assumption. Now in many places laws are contorted so that a child in the womb is a person only if the mother says it is. The lies went on. Abortion supporters, immediately after Roe and Doe, began to try to make abortion main stream. They argued that the product of conception was simply a blob of tissue not human at all. This lie fell apart with the advent of ultrasound. Now women could actually see the child in the womb, and the blob of tissue argument went out the window. It isn t an accident that in abortion clinics, where ultrasounds are regularly done to assess gestational age, mothers are never allowed to see the image of their child. DNA science proved that within a matter of just a few minutes after conception the child s entire genetic code is established. Everything that child will be genetically speaking is present; only time is needed to express that code fully. Today, the lie is about personhood. Philosophers and politicians and physicians debate when a human being becomes a person, as if mind and body are two separate and divisible things. And so we have prominent people today advocating for what, even ten years ago, would be considered murder, saying that born babies, infants and toddlers, those with severe disabilities, those with Alzheimers, etc. are not persons because they lack a certain level of brain function and/or cognitive ability and therefore should be able to be humanely killed. I repeat, this is not the lunatic fringe, these ideas come from respected scientists, philosophers and ethicists. (Continued on Page 3) Page 2 January 21, 2018
(Continued on from Page 2) Lies create more lies. Recent exposés have shown how the abortion industry has found yet another way to make money the selling of body parts. The law allows the donation of aborted remains for the purposes of clinical research, but it does not allow the sale of these tissues for profit. Investigations by the federal government and state governments are currently underway to determine if abortion giant Planned Parenthood is engaged in selling body parts for profit, choosing one abortion method over another regardless of maternal safety to harvest the most profitable tissue, and taking and selling fetal tissue without the mother s consent. The fundamental lie here is that human beings aren t anything special, that babies are not persons when compared to a high primate or a dolphin; they certainly aren t unique, made in the image of God, and of great price, loved by God from all eternity and redeemed at the price of His own Son s blood. The dualistic idea that the human mind and body are somehow separate rather than a unity allows the belief that a cognitively impaired or undeveloped mind is less than human and that such a person has no absolute right to life. I am reminded of something written by Dr. Leo Alexander in 1949 in the New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Alexander was a consultant in the war crimes trial at Nuremburg of the Nazi doctors. His conclusion regarding the corruption of German medicine applies to the abortion question, to the euthanasia issue and to attempts by some in our society to turn man into a machine with disposable parts. He names the lie. He said, Whatever proportions these crimes finally assumed, it became evident to all who investigated them that they had started from small beginnings. The beginnings at first were merely a subtle shift in emphasis It started with the acceptance of the attitude that there is such a thing as life not worthy to be lived. In Christ, Clare Coulon Altar Server January 27-28, 2018: Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00 PM 9:00 AM 11:00 AM Lucy Herasymiuk, Kailyn Vessel, Danielle Jones (sub req.) Christian Francis, Carleigh Helouin, Martin Helouin Anna Bowden, Sid J Bowden, Claudia Pickell Reader Michael Comeaux (1) Franny Comeaux (2) Lisa Gardner (1) Mario Guadamud (2) Katherine Spaht (1) Greg Stevens (2) Extraordinary Minister BC Deacon/ Sacristan (1) Donna Wilson (2) Deacon/ Sacristan (1) Mary Ann Reech (2) Deacon/ Sacristan (1), Natalie Overall (2), Robert Overall (3) Extraordinary Minister PB Andrea Lefebvre (1) Andrew Lefebvre (2) Jerelyn Key (1) Perry Key (2) Debbie Pickell (1), Gary Pickell (2), Sid Bowden, Jr. (3), Maurice Broussard (4) Cantor Melissa Seidule Melissa Seidule Melissa Seidule SUNDAY NURSERY: Open Sunday, during the 11 a. m. Mass, in Parish Hall for children up to 5 yrs old. NOVENA TO OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP Follows 8:00 a.m. Mass on Tuesday NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS EVERY 1ST FRIDAY OCTOBER - JUNE CONFESSIONS: 11 a.m., MASS: 12 noon NOVENA: 12:30 p.m. ""Sacraments"" CONFESSIONS Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. Thursday & Friday 8:30 a.m Saturday 3:00-3:45 p.m. and by appointment. MARRIAGE Couples should contact the Parish Office at least six (6) months prior to the desired date and must complete the Marriage Preparation Program. BAPTISM Seminar required. Please visit the website or call the Parish Office for information. CARE OF THE SICK Visits made regularly to hospitalized and homebound. Contact the Parish Office for Anointing of the Sick or to receive Holy Communion. FUNERAL PLANNING Please call the Parish Office prior to scheduling with the funeral home. Page 3 January 21, 2018
(Reprint from January 7th bulletin.) Page 4 January 21, 2018
#SacredHeartProud Prospective families are invited to discover why Sacred Heart of Jesus is the "Small School Making a Big Difference!" They'll enjoy student-led tours and see the school in action, then will visit with administration and current school families. They're also invited to worship with us at our 8 a.m. school Mass. Open House begins in the school library. Photo ID: Sacred Heart of Jesus School eighth-grader Madeleine Brown (left) and fifth-grader Mackenzie O Brien have been named the 2017-18 Students of the Year for the school. Sacred Heart of Jesus School Names Students of the Year, Madeleine Brown and Mackenzie O Brien (Reprint from January 7th bulletin.) Sacred Heart of Jesus School eighth-grader Madeleine Brown and fifthgrader Mackenzie O Brien have been selected as Students of the Year for the 2017-2018 school year. Brown is the daughter of Anglyn and Jesse Brown and O Brien is the daughter of Christina and Joe O Brien. The students will represent Sacred Heart of Jesus School when the Diocese of Baton Rouge selects Students of the Year for the Diocese. Students prepare a portfolio, including a biographical sketch, academic achievements, leadership activities, recognitions and evidence of service and citizenship efforts. #SacredHeartProud #SmallSchoolBigDifference #HeartOfBatonRouge Page 5 January 21, 2018
""Week of January 21, 2018"" ""Readings"" Sunday, Jan. 21 Jon 3:1-5, 10/Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 [4a]/1 Cor 7:29-31/Mk 1:14- Monday, Jan. 22 2 Sm 5:1-7, 10/Ps 89:20, 21-22, 25-26 [25a]/Mk 3:22-30Mk 2:18-22 Tuesday, Jan. 23 2 Sm 6:12b-15, 17-19/Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 10 [8]/Mk 3:31- Wednesday, Jan. 24 2 Sm 7:4-17/Ps 89:4-5, 27-28, 29-30 [29a]/Mk 4:1-20 Thursday, Jan. 25 Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22/Ps 117:1bc, 2 [Mk 16:15]/Mk 16:15-18 Friday, Jan. 26 2 Tm 1:1-8 or Ti 1:1-5/Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8a, 10 [3]/Mk 4:26-34 Saturday, Jan. 27 2 Sm 12:1-7a, 10-17/Ps 51:12-13, 14-15, 16-17 [12a]/Mk 4:35-41 Sunday, Jan. 28 Dt 18:15-20/Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9, [8]/1 Cor 7:32-35/Mk 1:21-28 MON 22 TUE 23 WED 24 THU 25 FRI 26 SAT 27 SUN 28 ""Calendar"" No Daily Mass Knights of Columbus Officers Meeting, 6:30 p.m., KC Office Daily Mass/Novena/Coffee, 8 a.m., Church/PH Children s Choir Rehearsal, 2:45 p.m., Choir Loft First Reconciliation, 6:00 p.m., Church Daily Mass with School, 8 a.m., Church WEEKLY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION 12 noon - 6:00 p.m. in the Sacristy Chapel SHS Open House (See Page 5) SVdP Meeting, 6:30 p.m., AC-Fr. Dugas Rm. Church Open 8 a.m.-1p.m. Daily Mass, 9 a.m., Church Church Open 8 a.m.-1p.m. Daily Mass, 9 a.m., Church Confessions, 3-3:45 p.m. Vigil Mass, 4 p.m., Church Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Masses, 9 & 11 a.m. PSR 1st Eucharist Class, 9:30 a.m., AC-Fr. Smith Rm. ""Mass Intentions"" Date Mass Intention(s) 01-23-18 8 a.m. Mark Poole 01-24-18 8 a.m. Elaine DeCuir Smith 01-25-18 9 a.m. A Special Intention 01-26-18 9a.m. Brenda Cunningham Malone 01-27-18 4 p.m. Van Stevens; Martha B. Haase 01-28-18 9 a.m. Cecilia Tramonte; Rev. Jerome Dugas 11 a.m. The Parishioners of Sacred Heart ""Feast Days"" Monday, January 22: Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children: This day of prayer commemorates the anniversary of the decision by the Supreme Court of the United States, Roe v. Wade, that overturned all state laws and legalized abortion. A companion case, Doe v. Bolton, legalized abortion through all trimesters of pregnancy. Tuesday, January 23: St. Vincent, Deacon & Martyr: Vincent was born at Huesca, Spain. He became a deacon and served St. Valerius at Saragossa. Vincent suffered martyrdom at Valencia during the persecutions under Emperor Diocletian (r. 284-305). Vincent was cruelly tortured because he would not surrender the holy books. He converted the warden of the prison and then died. He was honored by Sts. Augustine, Pope Leo I, and Prudentius, and is considered the patron saint of vinedressers in some regions of Spain. He is the protomartyr of Spain. Wednesday, January 24: St. Francis de Sales, Bishop & Doctor of the Church: St. Francis is one of the great saints of the Catholic Counter Reformation. He was named Bishop of Geneva, the home town of Calvin, one of the most significant Reformation figures and the founder of the Reformed tradition. St. Francis recalled many in that town and in the surrounding areas to their Catholic faith by the witness of his life and the power of his writings. His two most famous works are Controversies and his devotional work still widely read today, Introduction to the Devout Life.. He is the patron saint of writers, journalists and the deaf. Thursday, January 25: The Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle: This feast recalls the conversion of the Apostle to the Gentiles as it happened one day on the road to Damascus. A great persecutor of the Church encountered Christ, and that meeting changed his entire life. After a time of prayer and study, the persecutor became one of the greatest, if the not the greatest, evangelist Christianity has ever seen. From the moment he encountered Christ, St. Paul became wholly His. Friday, January 26: Sts. Timothy and Titus, Bishops: Timothy and Titus were disciples and students of St. Paul from whom they learned the Christian faith. Both were made bishops by Paul: Timothy of Ephesus and Titus of Crete. They are mentioned in the New Testament and were recipients of the so-called Pastoral Epistles. Saturday, January 27: St. Angela Merici, Virgin: St. Angela Merici was born in Italy in the latter half of the 15 th century. She was a holy child who was orphaned at the age of 10. As an adult she developed a deep desire both to serve God and to educate women and children. She founded the Ursuline order of religious sisters to do this, and especially to educate poor women and children. (The Ursulines are the oldest religious order of women dedicated to the teaching of women in the history of the Church. ) As teachers, she and her sisters sought not only to give students information and knowledge but to guide them in developing virtue so, as mothers, they could evangelize their families in the faith. St. Angela died in 1540 at Brescia, Italy. Page 6 January 21, 2018