Author: Father Albert

Pastor’s Column: Trent

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From the bulletin of the 6th Sunday of Easter, May 17, 2020      I’m sorry it has been such a long time since I’ve put anything in this column! I am glad, however, that we are beginning a gradual return to something like “normal.” As part of that, I want to pick up where we left off. You may remember that the last few columns talked about Martin Luther, The Reformation, Faith and Works, and being Instruments of God. So, our historical journey has taken us up to the point of the 1500s when the “Reformation” took place and raised...Read More

Homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter: Reason For Hope

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6th Sunday of Easter, A                                                                                              May 17, 2020Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette Video of the 8am Mass: https://youtu.be/YBtLrtXJleA “It is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.” Does that mean it’s God’s will for us to suffer? Yes. Sometimes, it is God’s will that you suffer. There are different ways this happens… and different reasons for it. Suffering is an unavoidable part of life, so this teaching from St. Peter, our first pope, is actually more hopeful than it sounds. It...Read More

Homily for the 5th Sunday of Easter: To Be Priests

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5th Sunday of Easter, A                                                                                              May 10, 2020Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pyh42WHY1k& What does it mean to be a priest? It’s a question, most people don’t often think to ask; one of those things everyone kind of already knows but no one really knows how to explain. If you do ask someone, you’ll hear answers like this: “a person who minsters to others.” “A professional religious person.” “A preacher or pastor.” “A person who prays for people and leads services.” These aren’t completely wrong, but they miss the point....Read More

Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Easter: The Patient Shepherd

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4th Sunday of Easter, A                                                                                              May 3, 2020Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette Video for the Mass: https://youtu.be/Kz4bl1hPIVg “In verdant pastures he gives me repose.” What a day to proclaim this psalm when, after a long time away, we can gather together as God’s flock on a beautiful day in this pasture of our Church. “You spread a table before me.” And what a joy it is to finally spread before you this table of the Lord’s Body and Blood after two months of distance and hunger! “I came so that they...Read More

Homily for the Third Sunday of Easter: The Path We Walk

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3rd Sunday of Easter, A                                                                                             April 26, 2020Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette Video of whole Mass: https://youtu.be/qbP3ttkVaKc If the Last Supper was the first Mass, then what we read today is the second. The same basic structure is there: Jesus teaches from Scripture, recalling important passages but explains to them what it means. he takes bread, blesses it, breaks, and gives it to them. Take, Bless, Break, and Give – these are the same four actions of Jesus at the Last Supper, when he institutes the Eucharist. To top it off,...Read More

Homily for Divine Mercy Sunday: Dispersed Faith

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Divine Mercy Sunday                                                                                                 April 19, 2020Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette Video of Mass: https://youtu.be/u6Erxe3n9WI Dispersed. That’s the context. The second reading, from the first letter of St. Peter, is addressed to those who have been dispersed. For the Ancient Israelites, a central part of their religious and cultural identity rested on God’s promise of a land to call their own. The Promised Land was and still is a crucial theme for all of Scripture. This idea of a divinely-given homeland made it all the more painful, therefore, for a Jew...Read More

Homily for Easter Sunday: Exclusive Salvation

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Easter Vigil/Sunday Part 3 of Triduum 2020            April 11, 2020Fr. Albert                            St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette Part 1 - Holy Thursday Part 2 - Good Friday Video of whole Mass If you thought the Last Supper was exclusive, or that access to Jesus on the Cross was exclusive, you must realize much more so is what we celebrate now: the resurrection of Jesus Christ; So exclusive that no one gets to be there. The resurrection happens inside a sealed tomb with no witnesses. No radio broadcast, no recordings, no livestream. Just Jesus...Read More

Homily for Good Friday: Exclusive Suffering

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Good Friday of the Lord's Passion                 Part 2 of Triduum 2020                        April 10, 2020Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette Part 1 - Holy Thursday Video of entire Service: https://youtu.be/k8EE0pJbQP4 Though there is a crowd this time, it is still only a few who actually have access to Jesus on the Cross. Instead of twelve men, it is mostly women, Jesus’ mother the most notable among them. Of the select few chosen to represent us all at the Last Supper, only one is also present to represent us at the foot of the Cross. Perhaps this...Read More

Homily for Holy Thursday: Exclusive Service

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Mass of the Lord's Supper                  Part 1 of Triduum 2020                                  April 9, 2020Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette It’s not fair, is it? That only a few get to be here for this solemn, holy feast. I mean, Jesus has hundreds, if not thousands of followers, disciples who would gladly share this supper with him. Just a few days ago, he was publicly hailed as the Messiah entering into Jerusalem with the waving of palms and the singing of songs. But the crowds, the general public… they don’t get to be here for the...Read More

Out Of Hand

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Fifth Sunday of Lent, A                                                                                  March 29, 2020Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette Video of Mass: https://www.facebook.com/stjohnjtown/videos/1430435507117449/ Perhaps you, like me, are starting to get tired of just how well these readings line up with our bizarre situation. I don’t really want to keep preaching about the Coronavirus, but I can’t seem to escape it. The Gospel keeps setting up the topic too perfectly. Like today. A gospel about a sick man who dies. Really, Jesus? The whole world is dealing with sickness and death right now – can’t you just give us...Read More