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CommentatorT H EC A T H O L I C2 021 L PA G E N E R A L E XC E L L E N C E AWA R D R E C I P I E N TOctober 8, 2021 Vol. 59, No. 18PAGE 5Holy Ghost recovering‘GOD SPARED US’news.diobr.orgFamily survivesIda, reachesout to needyBy Richard MeekThe Catholic CommentatorWith skies clearing as HurricaneIda continued its catastrophic marchnorthward, Judy Phillips, dodging fallen trees along the way, drove away fromthe house of her friend where she andher family had ridden out the storm.But rather than check on her ownhome, she drove to St. Joseph Churchin French Settlement, where she is a parishioner, to help mobilize relief efforts.Within hours water and MREs were being distributed and in the ensuing daysthousands of meals, countless cases ofwater and hundreds of tarps would bedistributed from Livingston to Maurepas and points in between.“We had to clear (her friend’s) driveway of four trees before we could evenleave,” Phillips said “Then we wentstraight to the church because we knewDamage from Hurricane Ida blocked the pathway to the home of Judy and Dugan Phillips in French Settlement. They also spent19 days without electricity because a neighbor’s tree that fell during the storm ripped off the electrical box from the Phillips’mobile home. Photo courtesy of Judy Phillipswe would have to do whatever wasneeded.”Unaware of the status of her ownhome, Phillips, a para-professional atFrench Settlement High School, calledthe boys’ basketball coach and teammembers, the majority of whom are St.Joseph parishioners and belong to theSEE SETTLEMENT PAGE 4Council meeting needs of North B.R.Debbie ShelleyThe Catholic CommentatorPASTOR INSTALLATION – Bishop Michael G.Duca ceremonially presented the key to OurLady of Mt. Carmel Church in St. Francisville toFather Brad Doyle when he installed him as pastor on Sept. 18. At the same Mass, seminariansfrom the Diocese of Baton Rouge were recognized and came forth to receive a special blessing from the bishop and were presented beforea joyful OLOMC congregation. Photo by Debbie Shelley The Catholic CommentatorThe new North Baton RougeSt. Vincent de Paul council at St.Gerard Church in Baton Rouge ismeeting needs and creating relationships with the poor and peopleexperiencing homelessness amongthem.North Baton Rouge has a highconcentration of poverty as wellas a stigma for being crime ridden.The council’s efforts are geared atrevitalizing St. Gerard and its surrounding community to changethat.Outreach efforts were ongoingby some core volunteers, such as“Mama Seabell” Thomas. She anda small group of volunteers havebeen feeding people with the limited supplies they could pool together.With the help from St. Vincentde Paul council, St. Gerard has expanded the days it serves people.Now on Tuesdays and Thursdaysat St. Gerard’s Seelos Hall there’slaughter, sharing of stories, wordsof gratitude as well as well-balanced, hot meals distributed to theneedy.Volunteers also go out into theneighborhoods to distribute mealsand helping those who are unableto come.“We are trying to take care ofthe whole person, meeting theneeds of heart, mind, body andsoul,” Thomas said.But people coming are gettingmore than a hot meal. They’realso being assessed and givenguidance and resources to helpwith utilities, medicines, findinga home and employment, saidGreg Accardo, president of the St.Gerard SVDP council.Accardo, who is Grand Knightthe Knights of Columbus Council17544, said the council Redemptorist High School alumni arejoining the efforts to help those inneed.“I invited all the alumni andSEE GERARD PAGE 16
2The Catholic Commentator October 8, 2021The riches of wisdomBy Dina DowWelcome a new season as fall colors radiatefrom leaves remaining on the trees that withstood the gales of Hurricane Ida. There exists a resounding appreciation for the slightly cooler temperatures with arenewed sense of hope in theLord. As seasons change, thelove of God remains constant.Meditating on this we turn tothe Mass readings for the 28thand 29th Sundays in OrdinaryTime, which speak of the spirit of wisdom, thecall of detachment and a summary of the mission of Jesus.Wisdom (Wis 7:7-11)The writings of King Solomon in the Bookof Wisdom are inspiring. While discerningGod’s offer to Solomon for anything he asks,Solomon prayed for prudence, the pivotal ofthe four cardinal virtues and the one that“disposes practical reason to discern our truegood in every circumstance and choose theright means of acting toward it.”Prudence guides the other virtues, settingrules and measures of decision making, forexample, following the Ten Commandments.With prudence, Solomon asks God for wisdomand understanding above earthly treasure.Wisdom, the highest gift of the Holy Spirit,is received in the sacrament of baptism then“increased and deepened in the sacramentof confirmation” (Catechism of The Catholic Church 1303). It is a “spiritual gift whichenables one to know the purpose and planof God” (CCC 1831). Would this be the gift Iwould request from God? How can I grow inthe virtue of wisdom?What must I do? (Mk 10:17-30)We are familiar with the Gospel passage.A man runs to Jesus, kneels before him asan acknowledgement of humility and surrender. The man seeks wisdom, asking, “Goodteacher, what must I do to inherit eternallife?” Jesus points the man to the goodness ofGod, who is the source of eternal life. He alsomakes apparent the path via the Ten Commandments, foundations of love for God andneighbor. The man basically says, “I do obeythe commandments.” Jesus, with deep love,reveals to the man that he lacks just one thing– detachment. “Sell what you have, give to thepoor and you will have treasure in heaven;then come and follow me.” Wait. Jesus, youare asking me to sell everything that givesme some sense of security, donate the moneyfrom the sale to the poor and follow you?This is not to say that having material goods is wrongor bad. But, as Bishop RobertBarron of the Archdiocese ofLos Angeles teaches, “Blessedare the poor in spirit for theirs isthe kingdom of heaven is a formula for detachment. How blessed are you if you are not attached to materialthings? If you have not placed the good thatwealth can buy at the center of your concern.When the kingdom of God is your ultimateconcern, not only will you not become addicted to material things you will, in fact, be ableto use them with great effectiveness for God’spurposes.” How am I effectively using thegoods I have for the building up of the kingdom of God and in accord with God’s plan?What is the center of my concern: seekingGod’s wisdom or something else?Seated with Christ (Mk 10:35-45)Following the previous teaching is a request made by brothers, St. James and St.John, to sit on either side of Jesus when hisglory comes. This is a place of great honor.Jesus is aware of their lack of understanding.His glory comes with suffering and a different baptism, the passion of the cross. As Jesusendures his Passion, suffering and death tooffer salvation for all by his ultimate sacrifice,so too will the apostles endure much sufferingas the mission of discipleship embraces struggles, rejection, crosses and glory in Jesus.Jesus affirms that no one will be greaterthan the other. Rather, to follow Jesus is toaccept his mission as our own. He explains,“For the son of man did not come to be servedbut to serve and to give his life as a ransomfor many.”As we strive to be “seated” with Jesus dowe answer “yes” to the call of servant leadership and offer sacrifice of our lives as self-giftfor the good of the other and the glory of Godin Jesus Christ? Am I seeking worldly power,pleasure, wealth and honor, as Bishop BarronSEE GOSPEL PAGE 15Life-GivingFA I HArchbishop Emeritus Alfred M. Hughes is shown donning a hard hatand hammering in a nail during construction of the new Catholic Charities of Baton Rouge building in 1999 when he was bishop of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. The CCDBR building was part of the “Campaignfor Tomorrow” campaign, which was the diocese’s first capital campaign since its founding. Campaign funds also were used to build theChrist the King Church and Student Center in Baton Rouge, renovationof the Bishop Robert E. Tracy Center and the Catholic Education Fund.File photo The Catholic CommentatorEncountering theHeart of St. JosephGUARDIAN OF THEMYSTERY OF GODObedience is one of the three vows taken by consecratedreligious. St. Paul, however, speaks of an “obedience of faith”to which all are called. “Obedience” comes from the Latin“oboedire” – the verb “audire” (“to hear”) and the prefix, ob(“to; toward”). Obedience then is to listen in a way that movesus towards action.The obedience of faith depends not on our initiative but onGod’s self-revelation. God is not a media we choose. God reveals himself when and how he wants.In St. John Paul II’s encyclical on St. Joseph, the pope identifies Joseph as the model of the obedience of faith and quotesVatican II’s Dei Verbum, “ ‘The obedience of faith’ must begiven to God as he reveals himself.” St. Joseph responded toangelic dreams in taking Mary as his wife and in the flight toand return from Egypt. He heard and he acted.St. Joseph’s obedience to God’s revelation to Mary is alsoinstructive. God chose to reveal his will for Mary not in angelic dreams but in the appearance of St. Gabriel, the salutationof Elizabeth and the prophecy of Simeon. Despite the verydifferent character of these revelations, St. Joseph listenedto God speaking to and through Mary. Here, too, St. Josephacted.Am I listening with an obedient heart? Do I limit the waysGod can reveal himself to me or to others? St. Joseph praythat we may hear and obey and in doing so draw close to yourson’s holy face.Shane M. Owens PhDAssistant Professor of Theology,Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Universitynews.diobr.org Facebook.com/TheCatholicCommentatorBishop Michael G. Duca PublisherFather Tom Ranzino Associate PublisherRichard Meek EditorDebbie Shelley Assistant EditorWanda L. Koch Advertising ManagerLisa Disney Secretary/CirculationNicole Latiolais Graphic DesignerThe Catholic Commentator (ISSN 07460511; USPS 093-680)Published bi-weekly (every other week) by the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge,1800 South Acadian Thruway,Baton Rouge, LA 70808; 225-387-0983 or 225-387-0561. Periodical Postage Paid at Baton Rouge, LA. Copy mustreach the above address by Wednesday for use in the next week’s paper. Subscription rate: 14.00 per year.POSTMASTER, send address changes to The Catholic Commentator, P.O. Box 2028, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-2028.
October 8, 2021 The Catholic CommentatorBAA launches with high hopesBy Richard MeekThe Catholic CommentatorDays before the 2021-22 Bishop’s AnnualAppeal launched, optimism was evident in theStewardship Department of the Diocese of BatonRouge.For the past two years the BAA has topped theambitious bar of 1 million, no small accomplishment this past year when Louisiana and much ofthe country spent several months in lockdown asthe tentacles of COVID-19 spread.“We still collected the same amount (last year)as prior to the pandemic,” administrative assistantSheryl Richardsaid, also acknowledgingthat HurricaneIda presents anadded challengefor 2021-22.“I’m alwaysoptimistic thatpeople want togive and want tobe a part of the greater good,” stewardship director Gwen Fairchild said. “We raised more than 1million last year and we did not expect that.“This is (Bishop Michael G. Duca’s) annual appeal and where he is able to support ministries.”Under the theme “Caring for Our Families Inthe Spirit of St. Joseph,” which pays homage to theYear of St. Joseph, the appeal launched Oct. 4 andextends through June 15.In his BAA message, Bishop Duca said the past18 months have been a “roller coaster of emotionsas we have grappled with the many challenges theglobal pandemic has ushered into our lives.“As we look to the future, our ‘new normal’ mayseem unclear but it is comforting to know that wedo not have to face it alone. A crisis that aimed todivide us, drew many of us closer together.”He said the BAA presents the diocese with anopportunity to “do good unto others.”According to Tamika Edwards-Raby, coordinator of Stewardship Services, ministries receiving BAA funding include Catholic Charities of theDiocese of Baton Rouge, Respect for Life, campusministry, Catholic education and vocations.A year ago, campus ministry receivedT H EC A T H O L I C 305,000, seminarian education 300,000, Catholic education 200,000 and CCDBR 203,000.Fairchild said she meets with Bishop Duca andchief financial officer Glenn Landry to discussdisbursement but the final decision rests with thebishop.“This is how he reaches out for help is throughhis appeal. He’s very hands on and I’m excited tohave a bishop that cares and wants to see everything and know everything,” Richard said. “Heknows this is his appeal.”Perhaps one of the biggest changes for 202122 is a separate prayer card for donors or for eventhose who are unable to donate. Previously, theprayer card wasa part of the donation form.Fairchildsaid the separateprayercard will allowBishop Duca tocollect the cardsand read themand pray overthem at (daily) Mass. She said the bishop will never know if someone gave or not but he can prayover that person’s prayer request.“A person and (Bishop Duca) can take theprayer card and not worry about anything else,”Fairchild said, noting the bishop also blessed thecards.“To be able to hand him the prayers is good,”she added. “He has the prayers of the people andsees where they hurt and their needs.”Since its establishment by the late Bishop Stanley Joseph Ott, the Bishop’s Annual Appeal hasbeen instrumental in the growth of programs andprojects of special good works within the diocese.Fairchild said she is also hoping for the BAA tohave more of an online presence so as to be able toreach others.Richard said a printed brochure outlining thedetails of the BAA and who benefits is availableand the same brochure is also available online.Fairchild invited everyone to participate andencourages parishioners to send a prayer request.For more information or to donate to the BAA,contact Fairchild at 225-336-8790 or visit officeofstewardship.com.C O M M E N T A T O RHot-off the Press & Deliveredto You for Only 14 per yearTO SUBSCRIBE, CALL it . DIOBR.ORG/THE-CATHOLIC-COMMENTATORYou are invited to a Prayer Breakfast with Speaker LisaFlood. Please join us for our next Prayer breakfast, October 30, 2021 from9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. at Oak Lodge Conference Center in Baton Rouge.The music ministry of Mercy Beaucoup will lead us in Praise & Worship. About our speaker: On the feast of Divine Mercy Sunday2008, Lisa and her family had complete healing and returned totheir Catholic faith! For the past 10 years, she has served inCatholic media as a host Of Focus Catholic TV programand as a co-host of Catch the Fire on Catholic CommunityRadio. Come hear her powerful testimony and be inspiredduring this new evangelization for such a time as this! Formore information or to register online, go to https://bit.ly/MagBROct2021or contact Gwen Gillis at 225-505-7050by Oct. 26.Celebrating 60 yearsof the Diocese ofBaton RougeA Special Section coming Nov. 5The section will highlight the history of thediocese through the six bishops and themany changes in the area of the Diocese ofBaton Rouge.Advertising deadline is Oct. 20Call 225-387-0983 Wanda Kochfor more information.The Official Newspaper of the Diocese of Baton RougeSince 19633
4The Catholic Commentator SETTLEMENT From page 1parish’s youth group, immediately began volunteering.At one point, before supplies began to pour in, Phillipssaid volunteers started openingMREs and placing them in a bigpot to cook. Phillips, a native ofAcadiana, boasted with prideshe “added a little Cajun touchand it was not that bad.”“We just opened up (the parish hall) and whoever neededsomething to eat that night wewere able to feed them,” shesaid. ”We did not have a lot thatnight but we had something.The first 72 hours we were onour own.”Under the direction of St. Joseph pastor and savant disasterrelief chef Father Jason Palermo, who orchestrated a similareffort during the flood of 2016,the parish, with the help of about40 students, would ultimatelyserve more than 25,000 meals.But it would be days beforePhillips learned the conditionof the family’s motor home.“I had no idea if we werespared when I started helpingbut I had to continue to help,”she admitted. “It would nothave mattered what happenedthere. There was nothing Icould do (at) my house so I went(to the church).“Whatever happened (at thehouse) had happened.”Phillips’ husband and granddaughter eventually were ableto get into their neighborhood,which sits on a small river nearFrench Settlement, via a highwater vehicle. What they foundwas that a neighbor’s tree hadfallen and in the process takenwith it the electrical box fromthe Philips’ mobile home. Ultimately, the family would be 19days without electricity, including for four days after schoolresumed.The path to the mobile home,which was raised in 2016 afterflood waters came within onehalf inch of entering, was alsoblocked by fallen trees but Phillips was relieved none had landed on the house.“I’m not sure I deserve itbut God helped,” Phillips said,tears filling her eyes as she satin the kitchen of her home, enjoying the banter of her twogranddaughters, who she adopted when they were 2 and sixmonths old, as they chided eachother about dinner and homework.“I realized how quickly it canbe taken away and how Godonce again spared us,” she added.Phillips also enlisted the aidof an initially reluctant London,her 16-year-old granddaughter,to helped deliver food to thosein need.“I was off of school and didnot want to wake up early; Iwanted to sleep in,” she said.“But they started letting medeliver and I looked forward togoing.”“I like to help people whoneed help,” she added. “I do thateven if there is not a catastrophe.”London recalled that on herway to Livingston she saw people living in a house where treeshad fall on their roof.“I saw a tree had fallen ontheir car and assumed theycould not go anywhere so I gavethem six lunch plates,” she said.Phillips, 60, praised the entire St. Joseph community forOctober 8, 2021The French Settlement family of Judy and Dugan Phillips spent 19days without electricity in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. A neighbor’stree that had fallen during the storm tore off the electrical box of thePhillip’ home. Photo provided by Judy Philipsreaching out to many needyfamilies. She has belonged toseveral churches in the past,including in Henderson andBreaux Bridge but said she’snever seen a parish in the waySt. Joseph has.“St. Joseph is a fantastic,fabulous church,” Phillips said,while also giving credit to Father Palermo. “He is a fabulouspriest.”For pennies a day receivethe Commentator at home!CommentatorT H ESUBSCRIPTION: RENEWALC A T H O L I C NEW SUBSCRIPTIONTO PAY BY CREDIT CARD, CALL: 225-387-0983 Check Money order for 14 per person per year.SEND MY SUBSCRIPTION TO: I’d like to give a subscription for an additional 14 per year.ENCLOSEDNAMEADDRESSCITY STATE ZIPPLEASE SEND GIFT SUBSCRIPTION TO:NAMEADDRESSCITY STATE ZIPGIVEN BYMAIL TO: THE CATHOLIC COMMENTATOR, P. O. BOX 2028, BATON ROUGE, LA 70821-2028
October 8, 2021 The Catholic Commentator5Holy Ghost School bruised but recovering from IdaBy Richard MeekThe Catholic CommentatorAs the fury of Hurricane Ida’scategory 4 winds subsided, HolyGhost School in Hammond principal Donna Wallette and herhusband visited the school to assess the initial damage.Although Hammond’s streetswere strewn and often blockedby fallen trees, and damage waspervasive, at first glance thenews was encouraging at HolyGhost.“When you first see it youthink ‘Oh my god it could havebeen so much worse,” Wallettesaid. “None of the trees fell ontothe actual buildings.”A day later, however, a farmore somber reality began tosettle in. All eight buildings onthe school’s campus had sustained some form of damage.Water had seeped through leakyroofs and mildew was rapidlyforming.Water that had backed upfrom a city drain flooded St.Dominic Hall.“Tuesday (Aug. 31) is when itreally hit me and I saw the mildew,” Wallette said. “I knew ifI did not have something doneimmediately it would be significantly worse.”She immediately contactedthe school’s insurance companyand a day later a water damagerestoration service was on sitebeginning the arduous processof drying out classrooms.“They were pumping air anddrying out every classroom,”Holy Ghost technology coordi-nator Will Bordelon, who spentmany days alongside Wallette incleaning out buildings and setting up new classrooms, said.The company also beganto dry out Holy Ghost Church,which also sustained wind andwater damage, to the extent thatMass is now being celebrated inthe old church for the foreseeable future.Perhaps most severely damaged was the old schoolhouse,which will likely be shelved forthe remainder of the school year.With no electricity and one ofsummer’s last gasps of oppressive heat, Wallette and severalstaff members gathered to mapout a strategy for reopening theschool as soon as possible. Merging creativity and practicality,classrooms were moved, closets and at least one workroomturned into de facto offices forteachers, and an office in the administrative building refitted fora classroom.With a plan in place and theclassrooms dried and remediation complete, progress wasswift. Three weeks after the eyeof Ida had swept through Tangipahoa Civil Parish, on Sept. 20school doors were flung open towelcome an eager student body.“For the extent of the damage we had we probably shouldnot have been able to open thatquickly. Things just fell intoplace, and there always seemedto be a solution to the problem,”Bordelon said.“God was with us,” Wallettesaid. “It was amazing that wewere able to find places for ev-Storm damage from Hurricane Ida affected all eight buildings on thecampus of Holy Ghost School in Hammond. Photos provided by Donna Wallette Holy Ghosterybody. I wanted everybody tofeel like they had a place to work,their own place to hang their hatand feel comfortable and not dis-placed.“People had to go home tothat. How sad would that be ifthey would have to be displacedhere and displaced when they gohome.”She said several facultySEE HOLY GHOST PAGE 8Diocese of Baton RougeHigh School Open HousesInformation: www.csobr.orgSt. JoSePh’S acadeMyBaton Rouge225-388-2236sjabr.orgThursday, October 21, 20214 – 6:30 p.m.Open to 7th – 8th grade girlsand their parentsSt. Michael highBaton Rouge225-753-9782smhsbr.orgWednesday, October 27, 20214:30 – 7 p.m.Open to 6th – 8th graders andtheir parentsSt. thoMaS aquinaS highHammond985-542-7662stafalcons.orgThursday, November 4, 2021Beginning 6 p.m.Open to 6th – 8th gradersand their parentsSt. John highPlaquemine225-687-3056stjohnschool.orgTuesday, November 9, 20216 p.m.Open to 7th – 12th gradersand their parentscatholic highBaton Rouge225-383-0397catholichigh.orgThursday, November 11, 20213:40 – 6 p.m.Open to 6th – 8th grade boysand their parentsaScenSion catholic sted FamiliesPlease Participate inFind Out FridaysCall for Appointmentscatholic ofPointe couPéeNew Roads225-638-9313catholicpc.comcriSto rey Baton rougefranciScan high225-615-7479cristoreybr.orgDirector of AdmissionsErica ING HEARTSEDUCATING MINDSENCOURAGING TALENTEMBRACING THE FUTURECatholic Schools Office P. O. Box 2028 Baton Rouge, LA 70821 225-336-8735
6The Catholic Commentator QAOctober 8, 2021Month of the Rosary/Bells will be ringingOctober is referred to as theMonth of the Rosary. Why?The following is an excerpt froman article entitled “Why is October the Month of the Rosary?”written by Bishop Daniel H. Mueggenborg of Reno, Nevadaon Sept. 25, 2018 forthe Northwest Catholic Journal.“The short answer is this: Octoberis dedicated as theMonth of the Rosarybecause we celebratethe memorial of OurLady of the Rosaryeach year on Oct. 7.“To understandthis feast, we needto go back in time.In the 16th century,the Islamic OttomanEmpire presenteda serious militarythreat to western Europe and sent a fleetof ships to attack Christian defenses insouthern Europe. Pope Pius V recognized the grave danger and organized afleet called the Holy League to confrontthe navy of the Ottoman Turks.On Oct. 7, 1571, the two naviesengaged in a pivotal battle that woulddetermine who controlled maritimetraffic in the Mediterranean, Adriaticand Aegean seas. The fate of westernEurope depended upon the success ofChristians in this navy battle, whichinvolved more than400 warships (it wasthe largest naval battlein Western history forcenturies).“Pope Pius V knewhe needed more thanjust military strengthto defend ChristianEurope, so he askedthat all the faithfulpray the rosary, requesting the intercession of the BlessedMother. At the end ofthe Battle of Lepanto,the Holy League wasvictorious and themaritime expansion ofthe Ottoman Empirewas permanentlyprevented.“The next year, Pius V established afeast on Oct. 7 in honor of the BlessedMother, originally called Our Lady ofVictory. After a few centuries, the nameStump the DeaconDeacon George HooperCommentatorT H EAMITEWinn DixieBAKERB R HealthcareNorthridge HealthcareBATON ROUGEAffinity Nursing HomeAlbertson’sAlexander’s Highland GroceryAscension Books and GiftsAnthony’s DeliB R General HospitalBergeron”s City MarketBet-R-StoreBordelon’s PharmacyBrookstown HardwareCalandro’sCarpenter HouseCatholic Art and GiftsCentral PlumbingCharlie T’s (barber)Circle KCracker BarrelCVSDelmont Garden’s Librarywas changed to Our Lady of the Rosaryto more clearly recognize that prayerwas the greatest power at work that dayon the seas.”The rosary is a powerful prayer. Prayit often and with confidence. Pope PiusV attributed more to the “weapon” of therosary than to the power of cannons andthe valor of the soldiers who fought inthe Battle of Lepanto. This might be agood month to turn off your radio whenyou get in your car and to offer up yourpetitions to Mary as you pray the rosary.QAWhy do we ring the bells inMass?Ringing of bells during the Massis an old custom, dating back toat least the 13th century. It mayhave been inspired by changes in churcharchitecture where the people wereunable to see the altar during Mass.Thus, ringing of bells became necessaryto alert the congregation that somethingimportant was happening.Since then, the practical reasonsfor ringing the bells have all but disappeared but bell ringing can still servethe purpose to call attention to the moment of the consecration, to reawakenwandering minds and a useful teachingtool for children and adults alike. Italso adds reverence and solemnity tothe Mass; bell ringing is another way topraise God.According to the General Instructionof the Roman Missal ringing of bells isallowed in two places during Mass:Shortly before the consecration, atthe time of the epiclesis in the Eucharistic Prayer when the priest extendshis hands over the bread and wine to beconsecrated. He prays that the gifts ofbread and wine will be blessed so thatthey may become the body and bloodof our Lord Jesus Christ. The ringingof the bell alerts the congregation thatthe consecration of the bread and wineis about to take place at the elevation ofboth the eucharistic bread and the chalice. After the consecration of the hostand the wine, the priest elevates thesacred host and the chalice of preciousblood for all to see. The ringing of thebells signals to the congregation thatthe bread and wine is now the body andblood of Christ.For more information, Google Catholic Straight Answers – When May bellsbe used at Mass?DEACON HOOPER is a deacon assistantat Immaculate Conception Church inDenham Springs. 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October 8, 2021FAITH JOURNEY The Catholic Commentator740 Days for Life ‘loving the mothers and the babies’By Debbie ShelleyThe Catholic CommentatorWhen a woman approaching an abortion clinic is greeted with words of s
What is the center of my concern: seeking God’s wisdom or something else? Seated with Christ (Mk 10:35-45) Following the previous teaching is a re-quest made by brothers, St. James and St. John, to sit on either side of Jesus when his glory comes. This is a place of great honor.
