Author: Father Albert

Pastor Column: Rerum Novarum VI

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From the bulletin of December 27, 2020      Continuing our journey through Pope Leo XIII’s landmark document, we pick up this week with how the government should view religion and family. First, the pope lays out the principle that “the State must not absorb the individual or the family; both should be allowed free and untrammeled action so far as is consistent with the common good and the interest of others.” For this reason, “the safety of the commonwealth” is the reason for government’s existence and it is therefore its primary responsibility.      But this does not boil down to...Read More

Homily for Christmas: What Should I Get Him?

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Christmas                                                                                                        December 25, 2020Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette https://youtu.be/gns-hSBBzXE What should I get them? Especially after a year like 2020, we’ve all asked this question countless times these past few months. What kind of gift is the best thing to give to my loved ones? How best to convey the love and hope they most need to receive? What makes for a good gift? Expensive? Thoughtful? Practical? Helpful? Like most children, as a kid I often thought the most expensive gifts were the best. The Playstation 2… the new computer – knowing...Read More

Homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent: The Secret of Joy

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4th Sunday of Advent, B                                                                                December 20, 2020Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette https://youtu.be/DHSpmke_dnI Do you know the secret? This advent, I’ve warned you about the end of the world. I’ve told you to follow the Holy Spirit. I’ve called you to rejoice and promised you joy as a result. But are aware of the secret to this world-ending, spirit-filled, unbeatable joy? The secret is poverty. That might surprise you. You’ve surely heard the maxim “money can’t buy happiness,” but this goes a bit further than that. Scripture is actually pretty clear about it...Read More

Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Advent: Rejoice!

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3rd Sunday of Advent, B                                                                                December 13, 2020Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette https://youtu.be/lNXlwOj7IVg ♫Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you O Israel♫. That joyful refrain is from one of the best known hymns in the Christian tradition. And it is a great time to sing it since today is Gaudete Sunday, Latin word that means “rejoice.” That’s why I am wearing this bright color, because rose vestments represent great joy. The Lord is near, our salvation is at hand, and our anticipation is building. And the longer we’ve waited, the greater our joy....Read More

Pastor Column: Winter Ember Days

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From the bulletin of December 13, 2020           We’ll pause temporarily on our journey through Rerum Novarum to remember an ancient practice called the “Ember Days.” You may remember that we’ve observed these before. The Ember Days are a traditional time of prayer and fasting connected to each season of the year. The idea is to sanctify – to make holy – each  season. While not as popular now, the practice of fasting has always been a central part of the Christian call to holiness. It purifies our attachment to food, reminds us of the fact that many go without,...Read More

Homily for the Immaculate Conception: What Mary Knows

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Immaculate Conception                                                                                  December 8, 2020Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette https://youtu.be/qx3mpYP2VNg Mary, did you know? If you’re not familiar, that is the title of a popular song that circulates around this time of year. After centuries of being almost anti-Marian, it is encouraging to see many protestants take another look at Mary with the affection that we hear in this song. It makes for some pretty music and many people want to hear it at Church and while they’re out and about during this run up to Christmas. For all its merits, however, what...Read More

Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Advent: Why Wait?

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2nd Sunday of Advent, B                                                                               December 6, 2020Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette https://youtu.be/_xhplRF-n6E Why wait? It’s been a tough year, why wait to have the Christmas parties? Why not have the gifts now? It’s been a tough twenty centuries, why does God wait? Why has it taken more than 2000 years for Jesus to come again and just put an end to this mess of a world? Peter addresses that question in our second reading. His answer is simple: God waits so that we have time to repent. St. Peter tells us that...Read More

Pastor Column: Rerum Novarum IV

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From the bulletin of December 6, 2020      Last week, we saw that it was wrong to assume that different “classes” of society are naturally hostile to each other. Pope Leo XIII instead suggested that each member of society learnt o recognize their shared interest in the common good of society and that each remember the duties they owe to the rest. In this regard, the Church can serve as an intermediary by reminding each of their role in contributing to the good of all.      Taking up the typical distinction of worker and owner, the pope explains that workers...Read More

Homily for the 1st Sunday of Advent: Journey or Destination?

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1st Sunday of Advent, B                                                                                November 29, 2020Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette https://youtu.be/yVT9H1--wTw “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.” You’ve probably heard that in conversation or on TV, or perhaps read it on cards and inspirational placards. As a reminder to take our time and enjoy things on our way through life, it speaks to an important truth. Yet, taken at face value, it is actually quite wrong and dangerously so. When you apply it to life as a whole, the saying can leave a person in existential dread, wondering...Read More