ST. ROSALIE CATHOLIC CHURCH
HARVEY, LOUISIANA
The readings today offer simple and direct words of
encouragement. The prophet Isaiah speaks of the Messiah’s
coming, at which time human infirmities shall be healed. The Old
Testament verses also reflect the return of Israel from Exile by the
power of God. Isaiah exhorts his readers to be strong and fear not.
If the second reading from the book of James makes us a bit
uncomfortable, we accept his words as a challenge. We live now,
as then, in a society which places too much emphasis on material
goods and personal status.
In today’s gospel when Jesus heals the deaf man His gestures
remind us of the sacrament of baptism. Even though at the moment
of our baptism our ears were opened to hear God’s word, we often
turn away from His words of truth, preferring to listen instead to
worldly messages which might lead us astray. God’s mercy,
however, reaches to the hardest of hearts. In Mark’s gospel it was
through the intercession of caring people that Our Lord healed the
deaf man. The ones who brought their friend to Jesus trusted the
compassion of the Messiah. We need to be open to God’s word
and pray for understanding so that we, too, might be instruments of
grace for others.
Today’s Scriptures: Isaiah 35:4-7; Psalm 146; James 2:1-5; Mark 7:31-37
BLESSED MOTHER’S LAMP will burn in memory of Walter
Treadaway.
SANCTUARY COMMITTEE: Kathy Savona, Anne Rudolph,
Faye Gomez, Sylvia Higgins, Kathleen LaGrange.
SPONSOR OF THE WEEK
In Loving Memory of
Elaine & Fr. Jon Parks
Isabella & Lemm Bauer
Anonymous Wisdom:
Be nice to your kids. They’ll choose your
nursing home.
Words to Live by:
A proverb is a short sentence based on long
experience.
– Miguel de Cervantes
September 9, 2012
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
4:00p.m. Carlos Savona
6:00p.m. Carmen Austin, Eula Mae Breaux, Pete Ditta, Linda
Ditta(living), Hilton Lirette, Terry Thibodeaux, Abel
Hunter, Warren Richoux, Jr., Val Plaisance, Harry
McCall, Sr.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
8:00a.m. For our living and deceased parishioners
10:30a.m. Beatrice & Sam Zappulla, Sr. & Sam Jr., Walter
Treadaway, Ronnie LaGrange, John & Christina
Bertucci, Terry Thibodeaux, Abel Hunter, Barbara
Baye, Elise Schouest, Julius Hebert, Conchetta D.
Parks, Floyd “Doc” Belsome, Calvin Danos, Marleen
Marmillion, Oscar Cordovi
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
7:00a.m. Ivy & Rosalie Landry
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
7:00a.m. Edward Melanco, Sr., Isabella Bauer, Rita Ann
Saladino Towler, Marleen Marmillion
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
7:00a.m. Saladino, LeBlanc Families Deceased, Henry Rink
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
7:00a.m. David & Baby Mary Bruce
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
7:00a.m. Charles “Tee”, Tommy & Steve Blanchard
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
7:00a.m. Armbruster & Brown Families Deceased
4:00p.m. Perkins & Guillot Families Deceased
6:00p.m. Carmen Austin, Spera & Fazande Families Deceased,
The Keller Family Deceased, Hidalgo, Simoneaux &
Tassin Families Deceased, Hilton Lirette, Dominic &
Conchetta Bellipanni, Patty Robicheaux Herman,
Warren Richoux, Jr., Bellipanni Family Deceased,
Poor Souls In Purgatory
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
8:00a.m. Mabel Gerstner, Carlos Savona, Tim & Madonna
Gautreau, Josephine & Vincent, Jr. Distefano, Barbara
Baye, Darrel Hall, Dominick Bartolo, Jr., Terry
Thibodeaux, Marie Lamoureux, Rosie May Ledet, Ray
Comeaux, Floyd “Doc” Belsome, Marleen Marmillion
Second Collection: There will be a second collection taken up
next weekend at all Masses for the Catholic Communication
Campaign. This collection communicates the Good News through
Catholic social media activities and enriches our faith through
podcasts, television, radio and print media. Half of all proceeds
remain in our archdiocese, so please be as generous as possible.
Second Collection: Due to Hurricane Isaac we were unable to
have our final second collection dedicated to the Fair last weekend.
Because of the importance of these collections, we will have a
second collection dedicated to the Fair on the weekend of
September 22nd and 23rd. All money collected stays here at St.
Rosalie and provides necessary “operating money” for a successful
fair. There is a need to reschedule this vital collection. Please be as
generous as possible.
Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Fair Flowers: The Fair Flower Fund is now collecting donations.
Place your donation in an envelope with your name and marked for
“Flower Fund.” Drop the envelope in the collection basket or bring
to the Parish Center. If you wish your donation to remain
anonymous, please indicate your wishes. For Special Flower
Requests, call Charlotte Falgout at 368-1734 or 349-8078.
Novelty Booth Donations: Our Novelty Booth is still in need of
prizes. Please bring your donations of new items for the booth to
the Parish Center. Please do not bring old unwanted and broken
items.
The Altar Society/Women’s Club: New officers will be installed
at the Installation Dinner to be held at the Empress of China
Restaurant on Monday, September 10 at 6:00 p.m. If you have not
yet made your reservations please call Judy Baldassaro at 8587044.
Fair Tickets: Ticket stubs, in an envelope with the money, may be
placed in the collection basket or dropped off at the Parish Center.
If you did not receive your tickets or if you need additional tickets,
contact the Parish Center at 340-1962.
Volunteers Needed: If you can give a few hours of your time to
help with the construction of the fair booths or work in a booth at
the Fair, please call the Parish Center 340-1962. Volunteers are an
essential part of a successful fair. Please consider participating in
this year’s Fair. This invitation to volunteer is extended not only to
the adults, but to students, grades 8-12, also. Note: Students will
earn one service hour credit for each hour worked. We suggest
three hour shifts, but any amount of time would be greatly
appreciated. Any questions call Ann White at 366-1098. Booth
construction begins on Saturday, September 22 at 8 a.m. Contact
O.J. Orgeron at 442-6280 for information.
A Special Mass: On Sunday, September 30, 2012, Archbishop
Aymond will celebrate the annual liturgy for the Victims and
Survivors of Violence and Sexual Abuse at the 11:00 a.m. Mass in
Louis Cathedral. The Archbishop will remember those who
participate in prayer. He asks that you submit the names of
families who have suffered from violence and sexual abuse. The
Archbishop will invite them to this special Mass. They are asked to
bring a photo of the loved ones to process in with these images.
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land: Walk in the Footsteps of Jesus!
Join Spiritual Director Fr. Louis Richard. In a real way, making a
pilgrimage to the Holy Land draws us closer to Jesus of Nazareth.
The Scriptures will come alive as we visit Our Lord’s homeland,
and each day, we will take time to renew and affirm our faith – to
pray and reflect. On this journey of a lifetime, you will walk in
the footsteps of Jesus, November 17-29, 2012. Pilgrims will visit
Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Gethsemane, Mount of
the Beatitudes, Jordan River, Mediterranean Sea, Mount Tabor,
Cana, and Jerusalem. Accompanied by a very knowledgeable,
multi-lingual, and experienced Catholic pilgrimage guide. This
experience is sure to be an opportunity to renew and appreciate
your faith in preparation for Advent. Space is limited. For more
information, call (337) 291-1933, ext. 303.
Dear Parishioners,
Welcome back! We have all had a most stressful week to
say the least. Some had it more difficult than others, some not so
bad. Those lucky people who have generators basked in their airconditioning or at the very least kept their refrigerators going and
were able to salvage their food. In the backyard of the rectory we
have a generator, but unfortunately, the motor does not work. I
promised myself a new motor in the near future.
As far as damage to the church, damage was very
minimal. A tile above the St. Rosalie statue inside the church fell
down, and my roof on the carport is now in my backyard. Migs has
another toy to play with these days. The School suffered minor
damage, so, in that sense we fared pretty well, thank God.
On a sad note, our dear friend and former pastor, Fr. Jim
Curran passed away on Labor Day in St. Petersburg, Florida after a
recent surgery. Fr. Jim was a wonderful example of what a
Salesian priest is in the spirit of St. John Bosco. As I write this
column, funeral arrangements are incomplete. We owe a great debt
of gratitude to all the wonderful things he did for this church. If
anyone got a quick entry into heaven, I am sure it was Fr. Jim.
This week in the Gospel story, Mark relates a miracle
account. It is the story of Jesus healing the deaf man. Jesus has the
ability to mediate the power of God. With that ability he can bring
about miracles which bring forth healing among people.
Sometimes the miracle occurs without Jesus doing much of
anything. Other times, Jesus seems to function as a traditional holy
person and engages in rituals for healing that were prevalent
during his time. Today’s Gospel story is one such miracle
involving traditional ritual actions. A person brought to Jesus is
suffering from a double ailment. He is both deaf and mute. It is the
people who brought the ailing person to Jesus who asked that he be
healed and not the person himself. This often happens.
Jesus did not want anyone to know about this healing, that
is why he takes the man off to the side for the healing action. You
might ask why Jesus did this? Jesus does not want to be known
primarily as a miracle worker. His real identity must be connected
to his suffering, death, and resurrection and not to his ability to
perform miracles. People do not heed Jesus’ request, they spread
the word. But in their enthusiasm to spread the word, they are
misunderstanding who he really is, and why he is doing what he is
doing.
Have a great week. See you next time.
God’s Blessings
Fr. John