Author: Father Albert

Great Saints in Dark Times

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From the bulletin of June 14, 2020      Perhaps by now, you’ve come to see that the Church was in some pretty dark times in the 16th and 17th centuries. Between the Protestant Reformation, the re-introduction of slavery to Europe (and the New World), the violent wars that these divisions sparked, and the brewing conflict between the Church and Galileo (and other scientists after him) things must have seemed pretty rough. It is in the worst of times, however, that God raises up the greatest saints. Before I delve into the infamous Galileo controversy, I want to briefly sum up...Read More

The Awful Mystery

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Trinity Sunday, A                                                                                                       June 7, 2020Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette Video of the 8am Mass: https://youtu.be/c6QNZhfHWvw If you think you understand the Trinity, you’re wrong. If you don’t believe in the Trinity, you’re wrong. Perhaps more than anything else, this mystery of the faith is the most humbling because we are forced into the position of firmly believing what we cannot possibly understand while we are also expected to try to understand. In other words, we have to try to do something even though we know we’re going to...Read More

Pastor Column: Adoration Chapel Update

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From the bulletin of June 7, 2020      Many of you have been asking about the re-opening of the adoration chapel in our parish hall. It has not been open during Phase I because 25% of that small chapel is too easily surpassed. That being said, as soon as phase II begins, the adoration chapel will re-open, but there are some adjustments you should know about.      The first thing is that I want to have regularly scheduled exposition every week. At this point, it looks like we’ll do Exposition every Wednesday afternoon with benediction later in the day. I’ll...Read More

Pastor Column: Slavery

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From the Bulletin of Pentecost Sunday May 31, 2020      I want to back up about 100 years on our historical journey. The Council of Trent was a major event in the history of our faith, clarifying much of what we have always believed and continue to believe as Catholics. But there were other historical currents running alongside this one whose source was just a little before the 1500s.      There are some who argue criticize Christianity by saying that it permitted or even encouraged slavery . They point to passages in Scripture which tell slaves to be obedient and...Read More

Given to Break the Barrier

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Pentecost Sunday, A                                                                                                   May 31, 2020Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette Video of Mass: https://youtu.be/ZU7ExFUPT4g “Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?” That’s a quote from a comedy in the 90s when I was a kid. Kids today might know the movie, but more likely they’ve only seen the meme that uses that scene. Memes are interesting. Short clips, iconic pictures, or really great lines sometimes transcend their original context to become a standalone piece of the online culture. What’s interesting about them is what...Read More

Indulgences

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Column from the bulletin of Ascension Sunday May 24, 2020           I’ve spoken of these several times now, but it’s time to actually explain what they are and how they work. An indulgence is not “buying your way into heaven” and anyone who thinks of that way is misunderstanding the whole structure. In short, an indulgence is a way to access and apply God’s grace and mercy to a specific persons’ life. Ultimately, Salvation comes through Christ and all grace comes from Christ. An indulgence is no exception, it is just a formal structure for understanding the many ways that...Read More

To Shouts of Joy

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Solemnity of the Ascension, A                                                                                   May 24, 2020Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette Video of 8AM Mass: https://youtu.be/N-I0uCsPXIg “God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.” That’s my favorite response of the whole year. I look forward to it every time Ascension rolls around. Not just the music – there are different versions that are all pretty good – but what it says, what it means to me… to us if we’re paying attention. I mean, if we’re honest, most people pay no attention to...Read More

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