Author: Father Albert

The Fourth Sunday of Lent - Laetare, C                                                        March 31, 2019Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette Sin. Repentance. Hellfire. More and more, these words have faded from common usage even though they are almost trademarks of conservative Christians. They are important, necessary words. Over time, however, they’ve accumulated some baggage… become a little distorted by the passage of time and the loss of perspective. When I say “repent or you will go to Hell,” what do you think of? Perhaps not you, but many people think of an angry God, a mighty judge out...Read More

The Second Sunday of Lent, C                                                                       March 17, 2019Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette Avoid sin at all costs. Fight temptation, even if it kills you. That’s the message that Lent starts with every year. It’s a little intense. Perhaps it gets you motivated. Perhaps it challenges you and frightens you at the same time. Perhaps it simply overwhelms you. Well, that’s the way it has to be, but that’s also why this weekend, the 2nd Sunday of Lent, always gives us this profound revelation of God’s glory in the Transfiguration. It’s as if...Read More

Ash Wednesday                                                                                                          March 6, 2019Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette The ashes don’t do anything, you know. At least, not like the sacraments. The sacraments always give grace, even if we do not accept it. The ashes are what we call a sacramental. They don’t give us grace. They’re just there to help us use the grace we’ve been given already. And yet, Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular days of the year. It seems like everyone, even many non-Catholics go out of their way just to get some dirt smeared...Read More

The Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time, C                                                     February 24, 2019Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette Love of God, Love of Neighbor. It’s the mission statement I made last week… the two greatest commandments for every Christian. And these two are always and everywhere connected. It is impossible to actually love your neighbor unless you love God. And, if you claim to love God, but do not live out love of neighbor, that love is not genuine. Love of God and love of neighbor are always connected. Here, Jesus proves that point by taking “love...Read More

The Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time, C                                                          February 10, 2019Fr. Albert                                Farewell to St. Peter’s                         St. Peter’s, New Iberia “Here I am,” Lord,” send me!” Just under 10 years ago, I prayed these same words that we hear from Isaiah. It was a lot like having a crush at first, but that sense grew from mere attraction into a commanding love until it seemed to be a permanent fixture in my spiritual life. For what I had thought was the third time in my life, I had fallen in love. Unlike the two previous falls,...Read More