Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph
WE ARE GOD’S HOLY FAMILY
.
The scriptures of Israel are filled with many stories of barren couples who
were miraculously granted the gift of children by God. Surely the best
known among these is the first reading from today, from which Luke took
inspiration when he recounted the miraculous birth of John the Baptist to
Zechariah and Elizabeth, and the more miraculous birth of Jesus to Mary
and Joseph. In each instance, we are given examples or role models of
those who trusted in God. More than examples of those who trust, they are
models of self-surrender. They abandoned their own presuppositions and
prejudices about the workings of the world and turned their lives over to
belief in a God who can make life grow where none ought to; a God who
can turn death around into a new and unimagined life; a God who can,
today, take a tiny child of humble parents in an insignificant town and
make him into a light for all the world. This is what we, as God’s holy family, are called to do each day: to trust not in ourselves and the way we
think things should be, but to open ourselves and surrender ourselves in
faith to a God of endless promise.
Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
December 28, 2014
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Mission Statement
The Parish of St. Mary Magdalen is a Roman Catholic Faith Community who, in the spirit of Jesus Christ through the
Holy Spirit, welcomes all people, cherishes the Eucharist, fosters faith formation for all ages and serves our parish and
the larger community in hope and charity.
Parish Weekly Bulletin
St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church
6425 West Metairie Avenue
PARISH OFFICE
Pastor........................Rev. Robert D. Massett
Parochial Vicar…..Rev. Christian DeLerno,Jr.
In Residence..Rev. Bartholomew Chukwuma
Deacons...........Angelas Robin & Henry Nuss
Acolyte…………………………Chuck LeBlanc
Parish Secretary.......................Barbara Croy
Phone (504) 733-0922 Fax (504) 733-0869
Parish Coordinator: Susie Sullivan.733-8980
Parish Rel. Ed. Coor.: Linda Earle..733-8980
Parish Website:
www.stmarymagdalenchurch.com
Parish Email Address:
[email protected]
PARISH OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Thursday..............9:00AM - 4:00PM
After hours by appointment only
WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE
Mon.- Fri., 6:30 AM & 8:30AM; Sat., 8:00 AM
CONFESSIONS
Saturdays, 2:30-3:30 PM
WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday Vigil Mass - 4:00 PM
Sunday Masses - 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 AM
6:00 PM
Metairie, Louisiana 70003
SCHOOL OFFICE
Principal.......................Ms. Kimberly Downes
Asst. Principal............Mrs. Valerie Rodriguez
CRE/Counselor………….Mrs. Bronwyn Myer
Secretary........................Mrs. Dianne Hughes
Office Phone..........................(504) 733-1433
Office Fax..............................(504) 736-0727
Cafeteria............................... (504) 733-6580
BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL CARE
Co-Directors...Caren Favaloro & Shari Mader
Phone.....................................(504) 733-4768
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In Church, be sure to visit:
PRO-LIFE CORNER; ADULT PARISH
LENDING LIBRARY; CHILDREN’S
CORNER/LIBRARY/PRAYER CENTER
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SOCIAL APOSTOLATE MINISTRY
Hours: Wednesdays, 5:30PM-6:30PM
Facility Entrance on W. Metairie Ave. to right
of church.........................................734-5833
GIFT SHOP & PRAYER GARDEN
Hours: Tues. & Fri………....1:00PM-5:00PM
Saturdays.................2:00PM-5:00PM
Sundays.................8:30AM-12:15PM
Phone:.............................................734-5833
BAPTISMS: Every 3rd Sunday of the month at 12:15PM.
Baptism Seminars on 1st Monday at 7:00PM (NOTE new
time) in Chapel. Baptism Seminar is mandatory for first
child.
Archdiocesan Policy on Infant Baptism:
www.arch-no.org/Human Resources/Policies/Policy on
Infant Baptism OR may be found on the Parish website.
FIRST RECONCILIATION/COMMUNION&
CONFIRMATION: Must have 2 consecutive years of
Catholic religious instruction prior to reception of these
sacraments. Contact Parish Religious Education
Coordinator for further information.
WEDDINGS: Contact Parish priest at least 6 to 8 months
prior to planned date of marriage. Celebrated Friday
evenings; Saturday mornings, early afternoons or
evenings. Church Fee: $200; Chapel Fee: $100.
FUNERALS: You are encouraged to celebrate funerals in
our Church or Chapel. Wakes & visitation also possible.
CARE OF THE SICK: Communion brought to
Homebound weekly by Extraordinary Ministers of
Communion. Anointing of Sick available on individual
basis by appointment.
CARE OF THE NEEDY: See Social Apostolate Ministry.
EXPOSITION OF BLESSED SACRAMENT:
Sundays, 12:15-1:15PM
Call Parish Office for further information.
PARISH WEEKLY BULLETIN
St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church
Metairie, Louisiana
December 28, 2014
Rev. Robert D. Massett
Vol. XXXVI, No.52
WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS
Monday, December 29
6:30 AM
8:30 AM
Living Intention for Sr. Enda Byrne
Joseph Centanni
Tuesday, December 30
6:30 AM
8:30 AM
Louis V. Levy
Orlando Rocha
Wednesday, December 31
6:30 AM
8:30 AM
Fr. Michael Joseph Nguyen
Rosemary Staehle
Wednesday, December 31
Feast of Solemnity of Mary Vigil
6:00 PM
Joseph Radosti
Thursday, January 1
Feast of Solemnity of Mary
8:00 AM
10:00 AM
Croy Family
Rosalie Couch
Friday, January 2
6:30 AM
8:30 AM
Imbraguglio & Breath Families
Fr. Michael Joseph Nguyen
Saturday, January 3
8:00 AM
Barbier, Blancher & Newell Families
Saturday, January 3
Feast of Epiphany of the Lord Vigil
4:00 PM
Florence Gravois, Bobb W. Hunley,
Rosalie Couch, Dee Broussard, John
& Clare McDermott, Hazel & Harold
Howat, Isabelle D. Timmreck, Earl &
Lillian Dennies
Sunday, January 4
Feast of Epiphany of the Lord
8:00 AM
9:30 AM
11:00 AM
6:00 PM
Bertucci & Trapani Families
SMM Parishioners
Jeffrey Hauck, Anna Menkiewicz,
St. Jude Society Prayer List, Hallie
Espenan
Genevieve Ducote, Alice & Dewey
Ponthier, Vernon Ducote, Hal Ducote
Rev. Christian W. DeLerno, Jr.
PRAY FOR THE SICK OF OUR PARISH
Jackie Markey, Teresa Lacour, Ryan Thiel, Rick Speeg,
Gracelyn Chaplain, Dennis Coughlin, Jr., Kelly Fletcher
Growl, Kenneth & Kevin Teen, Ben Todd, Joe
Giarratano, Luca Scozzari, Evelyn Olwell, Ed Schiafino,
Donald Toepfer, Brian Dufour, Mary Ann Meaux, Dilly
Surratt, Yvonne Toups, Ryan Songy, Gayle Songy,
Nathan Lopiccolo, Linda Nicholls, Jerry Hollingsworth,
Sherry St. Pe, Ann Flick & Family, Rosemarie
Entringer, Pat Hogan, Judge Thomas Wicker, Ivan
Antunovic, Arianna Crawford, Claire Duplantier,
Daphine Dufour, Gloria Robles, Melissa Glueck, Danny
Adams, Allison Daigre, Frank R. Bayer, Jr., Olivia
Sumrall, Michael Borne, Diane Voigt, Joel Brennan,
Bob & Linda Veitinger, Elise Ramcourt, Jeanene Moran,
Kelly Nagy, Augie Daesner, Cindy Hogman, Addison
Couvillion, Jerry Fender, Linda Conran, Kayla Pelman,
Linda Civella, Nick Doize, Marcia Graff, David Robins,
Ashley Clement, Wanda Adams, Jenny Mayeur, Judith
Massa, Carol P. Ramos, Rosemary Pizza, Julianne
Andressen, Lauretta Erwin, Ryan Olwell, Judy Copping,
Kathy Barbier, Jessica LeBlanc, Viola Juneau, Betty
Feltey, Bob Hollingsworth, Fr. Martin Smullen, Lori
Lambert, John Weyman, Kathryn Feltey, Frank Kent,
Sharon Linton, Ray Groves, Michael Rodriguez,
Kathleen E. Jones, Melanie Gaumond, Alice Rockvoan,
Keith Nunez, Ray Schmidt, Rose Marie Curran
BURIED IN CHRIST
Joseph Winkler, Vivian Obergon
and Mary L. Schluter
SMM WEBSITE UPDATE
The weekly bulletin, as well as parish events are also posted on
the parish website. Go to: www.stmarymagdalenchurch.com
PASTOR’S CORNER
In our world today, there are countless numbers
of scholars, institutes and political leaders trying to
make the world a better place.
What they are discovering is the answer lies in
family and truth and family and truth depend on
faith!!
Jesus, Mary and Joseph are the models for
family, truth and faith!!
Let us ask the Holy Spirit to make the whole
world a family of truth and faith beginning with our
own!!
Happy New Year,
Fr. Bob
TREASURES FROM OUR
TRADITION
FEAST of the HOLY FAMILY
Today’s feast is new as feasts go, and
it sets us this year in a very modern
crisis. Amid conflicting schedules and
commitments, a young man, testing the
limits, has strayed from his parents and gone off to the big
city. Mary and Joseph search frantically, only to find the
child Jesus in the temple, conversing with the elders and
scholars of the law, who are amazed at his wisdom. In the
time of Jesus, the temple was the religious center of Jewish
ritual. Outside of Jerusalem, people gathered in the
synagogues, centers of learning, for daily prayer and study.
Still, everyone longed to journey to the temple to participate
in the offerings, and to fulfill certain obligations of the law
that could only be done there. On this feast, we catch a
glimpse of the family of Jesus: parents dealing with the
normal stresses of raising a child, and yet completely
grounded in the ways of faith and tradition. There has
always been an appreciation in Christianity for the value of
pilgrimage—the journey to holy places that is a symbol of
our life’s journey to God, and a sense of connection to
important events in our family history. During the
Christmas season, many of us undertake pilgrimages to
the family homestead for festival meals, to the parishes
where we were formed in the faith, or perhaps even to a
beautiful manger scene or festival of lights. There are few
better days than this in our calendar for spending time with
the family, especially on a short pilgrimage to a favorite
place. Just make sure that no one gets left behind!
—James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
CELEBRATING CATHOLIC FAMILIES
Living the Word
Feast of the Holy Family
We call families the “domestic Church” because the
family is one important place where people learn
about our faith and Catholic traditions. How do you
learn about our faith, prayer, and Catholic traditions
in your family? Talk about the faith of your family
members, dating back in time. Parent tell your
children as much as you know, and show them any
“artifacts” that you might have, like a rosary that
belonged to a grandmother, or an internet photo of
the church where you were baptized . Talk about
how you learned about God or prayer from your
parents or other key figures in your life. Take time
to appreciate the role families play in passing faith.

Feast of the Solemnity of Mary
(Holy Day of Obligation)
Thursday, January 1, 2014
6:00PM Vigil Mass; 8:00AM & 10:00AM*
*NOTE new Mass time
On this feast, we can see how devotion to
Mary has been a beacon of hope to the sick
throughout history. In the new cathedral of
Los Angeles, the faithful enter through a
single door topped by a striking sculpture of
Mary with arms stretched down in compassion. Sculpted
into the massive bronze doors are the titles of Mary most
treasured by various cultures. Many of them speak of how
the sick are consoled by a sense of Mary’s presence. In
praying the rosary and savoring the stories of Mary’s
steadfast love in the face of all suffering, the sick are
strengthened by one of our tradition’s most shining
treasures, and the whole Church is enriched.
- James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
WEEKLY COLLECTION
Envelopes (12/14)
$ 8473.00
Loose Collection
$ 2102.70
Total
$10,575.70
2nd Collection-Religious Retirement $ 3838.00
Feast of Immaculate Conception
$ 1461.00
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COMMENTS FROM THE NATIONAL
RIGHT TO LIFE COMMITTEE
A New Year’s resolution from author/
columnist George Weigel: “Protecting
the right to life for all vulnerable is the great civil
rights issue of this time...When that becomes the
talk, the pro-life walk has a real chance.”
LETS KEEP OUR CHURCH CLEAN
Let’s have pride in our church and help keep it
beautiful! Please return all missalettes to their places
after Mass and take with you any bulletins, papers,
flyers or pamphlets you may have picked up. Thank
you!!
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Readings for Sunday, January 4:
First Reading — Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem!
The Lord shines upon you and the glory of the Lord
appears over you (Isaiah 60:1-6). Psalm — Lord,
every nation on earth will adore you (Psalm 72).
Second Reading — The Gentiles are coheirs,
copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the
gospel (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6). Gospel — Magi
from the east arrived, looking for the newborn king
of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-12).
The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997,
International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
A PRAYER FOR EVERY FAMILY
by Pope St. John Paul II
God, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth descends, Father, who are Love and Life, ensure that every
human family on earth shall become, through Your Son,
Jesus Christ, "born of woman," and through the Holy
Spirit, the source of divine charity, a true shrine of life and
love for the generations which are always renewing themselves. Ensure that Your grace shall guide the thoughts
and the works of spouses toward the good of their families
and of all families in the world. Ensure that the young generations shall find firm support in the family for their humanity and their growth in truth and love. Ensure the love,
reinforced by the grace of the Sacrament of Matrimony
shall show itself to be stronger than any weakness and
every crisis through which our families pass at times.
Amen.
PRAYER LIST FOR SERVICE MEN & WOMEN
We pray for those in our parish who are fighting overseas for our country and against terrorism.
SPC Donald Monteleone, Jr.,Air National
Guard; Sgt. Brian Lane, Maj. Jason E.
Burkett, USMC; Matthew J. Scott, USN;
Seth Restivo, Evan Lina; PFC Kenny Grunberg; Lt. Spencer Farmer, Army Rangers; PFC Matthew
Ballard; Lt. Joseph Bush, US Army; GySgt Albert Latour
Jr., USMC; Maj. Ignacio Assasf, USANG; Sgt. Matt Llewelan, USANG; SPC Derek Vial, US Army; MN3 Ethen
Meyers
Prayer for our Men and Women
in Military Service
O Prince of Peace, we humbly ask Your protection
for all our men and women in military service. Give
them unflinching courage to defend with honor,
dignity and devotion the rights of all who are
imperiled by injustice and evil. Guard our churches,
our homes, our schools, our hospitals, our factories,
our buildings and all those within from harm and
peril.
Protect our land and its peoples from
enemies within and without. Grant an early peace
with victory founded upon justice. Instill in the
hearts and minds of men and women everywhere a
firm purpose to live forever in peace and good will
toward all. Amen.
LET’S PRAY FOR OUR SEMINARIANS
In order to support vocations in our diocese, you are
asked to add a special prayer for seminarians to your
daily prayers. The best way to encourage and support our seminarians is to pray for them.
Prayer for Vocations
Loving God, How awesome are your ways! Through
your abundant love you bless us with gifts that can
make our world holy and just. Dwell deep in our
hearts that we may know how to share these gifts.
Inspire many to respond generously to your call to
service in the Church. May the fire of your love direct us on our journey that we may act justly, love
tenderly and walk humbly with you. We give you the
praise and honor now and forever. Amen.
VOCATIONS
Family Life can build values integral to a strong vocation — whether to priesthood, religious life or
marriage. Teaching your children to value commitment, service and prayer will help them make strong
vocation decisions as adults and live out those vocations with success and fulfillment.
Serra for priestly and religious vocations
THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH
Monday, December 29
NO Parish School of Religion Classes
Tuesday, December 30
Wednesday, December 31-New Year’s Eve
Rectory/Parish Offices CLOSED
Social Services Building-CLOSED
Thursday, January 1New Year’s Day
Rectory/Parish Offices CLOSED
Friday, January 2
Rectory/Parish Offices CLOSED at Noon
Saturday, January 3
Rosary in Chapel after 8AM Mass
Confession every Saturday
2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Sunday, January 4
King Cake Breakfast in Cafeteria after AM Masses
Family Mass
9:30 AM
Adoration of Blessed Sacrament, 12:15-1:15 PM
CHILDREN’S CORNER
All children are invited to visit the new
Children’s Corner located in the ProLife Corner of the church. Sunday
Mass Booklets & Bulletins; religious items; color
sheets or activity pages are available FREE to all
children. Also the Children’s Religious Book Lending Library is open. Children are invited to check
one or more of 268 books. The Children’s Prayer
Center is located in this area and children are invited
to write their prayer intentions on slips of paper.
Theme for Christmas (ways you are doing things for
others ): I am celebrating Jesus’ birthday by... Put
intentions in prayer gift box. Intentions will be offered up at Sunday Masses.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
FOR BABY JESUS
All are invited to a special
Birthday celebration for the
Baby Jesus on Sunday, December 28 after the 9:30
AM Mass in the Cafeteria. Please join us as we celebrate our Savior’s birth!!!
PARISH CHRISTMAS CONCERT THANK YOU
Many thanks to our Parish Music
Director, Carol Temes and Cantors:
Nancy Guy, Kate Abreo, Sydney
Provensal & Jake Penick for the
wonderful Christmas concert on
Dec. 17. It was outstanding!!! Also thanks to the St.
Jude Society for providing eggnog & treats in the
lovely decorated Prayer Garden afterwards.
SOCIAL APOSTOLATE THANK YOU
The Social Apostolate would like to thank the Men’s
Club for assembling and helping to distribute the
Thanksgiving & Christmas Baskets this year. Their
help was greatly appreciated!!!
ANNUAL PARISH KING CAKE BREAKFAST
Next Sunday , January 4 on the Feast of the Epiphany, the Men’s Club will host the Annual Parish
King Cake Breakfast. King Cake in the cafeteria
after the 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 AM Masses. All are
invited to join us!
2014 CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS
Parishioners who wish to receive their 2014 statement of contributions to the Church may call the
Rectory at 733-0922, Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM to
4:00 PM. They will NOT be automatically sent out;
they must be requested.
2015 SMM CHURCH DONATION ENVELOPES
Some parishioners still have not picked up their
church donation envelopes for the year. They are
available for pick-up at the rectory office, Monday
thru Thursday from 9AM to 4PM.
SMM GUIDE BOOK & CHURCH DIRECTORY
We are in the process of updating our annual Guide
Book and Directory for the Church. This book helps
us all to know more about our Church. As last year,
the book is being provided at no cost to our parishioners, including the mailing to each family and
again it is being subsidized by local businesses who
advertize in it. If you own or manage a business and
would like advertizing information, please call the
rectory office at 733-0922, Monday-Thursday, 9AM4PM. Recent survey results by Guide Book Publishing show that 92.1% of families would rather patronize businesses who advertize in the guide book. It
“does pay” to advertize in our Guide Book and Directory.