Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: June 21, 2015
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
As we continue to “enjoy” our Louisiana summer’s warmth, I have to admit that the Cathedral calendar is pretty empty over the next month or two. Perhaps it’s that way in your household as well? I’ll be joining my family at the beach in a few weeks, and am trying to do a little “long-postponed” canon law work as well. Is this the time of year that you too finally get around to some of the things you’ve neglected for a while? If so, you’re making me feel better with my procrastination!
One thing special that is coming up in the middle of next month will be on Saturday, July 11. In anticipation of “Bastille Day,” that is, la Fête Nationale de la France, later that week on the 14th, we’ll be celebrating our French heritage, so that day we’ll celebrate our 4 pm vigil Mass in French. While I’m sure I have a pretty thick “American accent,” I’ll do my best!
Okay, I’ll admit that the Mass won’t be completely done in French! Most of the preaching will be in English! But we’ll pray as many of the orations and other prayers of the Mass en français, introducing these as best we can right before the celebration! We’ll do our best to make sure it’s prayerful as well as celebratory. Our Development Committee under the leadership of Mrs. Bobbie Carey, will be handling preparatory arrangements, and we know by long experience that they always do a superb job. So please make plans now to join us that afternoon; it will be special.
On this occasion we’ll be joined by members of the L’Assemblée Français, a local French club founded over a half-century ago by the late Ernest Geymard of The Advocate newspaper and the late Cecil Taylor, former Chancellor of LSU. Last time we did this the French Consul in New Orleans was able to come; while we know that this year another commitment is preventing it, we’re hopeful that he will be able to send a representative. I hope word gets to the various French clubs at St. Joseph’s Academy and other local high schools as well.
Now as I write this I am reminded of another liturgical language we might try one day: remember, back when Louisiana was a colony of France (from 1682 to 1764 and again briefly from 1802 to 1804) and during the Spanish (1764-1802) and early American periods (from 1804), even when most residents of Baton Rouge spoke French, the Catholic Mass back then was never celebrated in French. As we know, before 1966 it was prayed entirely in Latin! I do occasionally celebrate Mass privately in Latin, and perhaps it would be good to rediscover that part of our ecclesiastical heritage as well from time to time. Here at the Cathedral, after all, we do draw upon a great deal more of our Latin musical traditions in our singing than many other parishes. We just might be able to manage a pretty good job!
Other than the French Mass, however, things are kind of slow right now. The end of the fiscal year is coming up, and preliminary glances at the ledgers show that we seem to be doing all right. Sure, due to the Parish Hall project just completed our “building funds” have been reduced to a minimum, now gained solely from interest earned on our “dedicated” capital fund at the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, but our operating funds collected at Mass seem to be holding up well. We can pay our bills! And as for future building projects – like waterproofing the Cathedral’s exterior and improving sound and light – well, we’ll manage. The future isn’t here just yet, though!
Sincerely in the Lord,
