Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: February 19, 2017
Right now most of southern Louisiana is at least a little bit distracted by the carnival season. Even if you’re not “into” going to parades and balls and such, we can all be generally happy that the local economy is boosted by Mardi Gras and especially by the tourism and sales it generates. It’s also a season for more “family time,” and that’s never a bad thing. True, nobody likes the disrupted traffic patterns before parades and the trash left on the streets afterwards. Here at St. Joseph, we have to forego Saturday evening Mass for the three weeks before Lent due to the parade-routes all around Cathedral Square. Yet, all in all it’s kind of a small price to pay for living in one of the truly unique places in the world! Besides, isn’t it nice to be able to satisfy our annual craving for King Cake?
All this being said, we should begin to think about Lent. Don’t wait until the last minute to think about it, you’ll risk doing nothing, and ruining the whole experience. Please give some “advance thought” to our upcoming, classically Catholic penitential season.
The “first” Lenten practice is Ash Wednesday Mass on March 1, at 7:30 am, 12 noon and 5 pm. Ash Wednesday is not a “holy day of obligation” – because it doesn’t need to be! Join the crowds and begin your Lent in the best way possible.
The “mandatory” penances for Lent are fasting and abstinence. Catholics between 18 and 59 must fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and if over 14 they must also abstain from meat on those days and all other Lenten Fridays. (Frankly, I think that all children over 7 ought to eat no meat on those days too. Like they say on television: “C’mon man!” It’s not hard!)
The most popular “regular” Lenten practices here at the Cathedral include daily Mass Monday through Friday at noontime, and weekly Stations of the Cross on Fridays at 11:30 am. Why not decide to worship at Mass each day – or at least 2 or 3 extra days each week – this Lent?
Our special “weekly” Lenten opportunity takes place on the five Wednesdays of Lent between Ash Wednesday and Holy Week. From 5 to 6 pm we host a quiet weekly “Holy Hour” in the Cathedral. The Most Holy Eucharist is exposed in the monstrance for adoration, and the time is deliberately kept quiet for everyone’s private prayer; we end the hour with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. If you’re thinking of “doing something special” during Lent, this just may be the perfect thing for you!
Sincerely in the Lord,
Fr. Paul
P.S. – Thank you so much for your cooperation with last Sunday’s Stewardship of Finance appeal. You’ve been so generous – please continue to please God by giving back to Him and His Church!
