Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: March 01, 2020
“The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men oft go awry” wrote Scottish poet Robert Burns way back in 1785. His words have pretty much become a proverb, underscoring the danger of making detailed plans since nobody can be certain of success. A century later German general Helmuth van Moltke put it another way, in words that military leaders still memorize: “No battle plan survives first contact with the enemy.”
These ideas are the ones running through my head right now as we move BOTH deeper into Lent AND closer to our plans to replace lights high in the rafters of our beloved Cathedral’s ceiling. Let me explain:
Again this year Ash Wednesday probably found most all of us very determined to make this Lent the best ever, with a strong and serious focus on penance, and extra works of prayer and mercy. If you haven’t wavered so far, good for you! God is blessing you! But many are already wondering how their carefully-thought-out penances, which seemed so doable just a week or so ago, turned so quickly into broken promises and frustrations. God is blessing you too, but with more difficult graces!
And although as I write this the exact starting date isn’t finally set, I’m told we’ll soon be having to move for three weeks out of the Cathedral into the Parish Hall for Mass, probably on weekends as well as weekdays. Lent is only five weeks long, so start praying that the project will fit cozily into this time, for I don’t want to imagine celebrating Holy Week amidst scaffolding and dust. If we can’t get it done in Lent, it may have to wait until the dog days of summer. So pray hard for a quick start, and then safe and speedy work high above the Cathedral’s floor.
Finally, please mark your calendar for 4 pm on Saturday, April 25. I know it seems like a long ways away, but this year it will be THE Cathedral Evening! That’s when we honor parishioners and friends who have done so much for our community, as well as enjoy a feast and all of the smiles that go along with good food and each other here on Cathedral Square! Elsewhere in this issue of The Carpenter, on page 6, is a list of past honorees: it’s practically our very own “Hall of Fame” in its listing of great parishioners who’ve given us such great service and great memories.
After looking over that list, if you would like to nominate someone new either as one of our own St. Joseph’s Apprentices or for the Cathedral Community Award given to someone who’s made an impact on the wider Baton Rouge family, please do so soon! Just email me at pastor@cathedralbr.org with your ideas! Be sure to tell me why you think they are deserving, and plan on purchasing your tickets for the gala evening, which begins with our 4 pm Mass and continues with a banquet.
In the Lord,
Rev. Paul D. Counce
