Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: November 08, 2015
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Our celebrations of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days have begun our annual special “month of remembrance” of the departed. Be sure you stop and inscribe the names of you and your family’s beloved dead into the special book in the Mary Chapel: this listing of names (our “Purgatorial List”) are specially prayed-for not only during the month of November but each Tuesday for the rest of the year. And remember that special blessings may be had by visiting a church or especially a cemetery during this month to pray for the faithful departed.
But, to be honest, we’re already beginning to “look ahead” here at the Cathedral. Thanksgiving week is always popular: on the Solemnity of Christ the King, November 22, the last week of the Church’s liturgical year begins. Also that evening, at 6 pm, the annual downtown ecumenical Thanksgiving service will be held at First Presbyterian Church on North Boulevard. Our own traditional “Thanks giving Vigil Mass” will be on Wednesday, November 25, at 5 pm; during this celebration you’re invited to bring the bread and wine you’ll use the next day at your family’s meal, so it can be properly blessed in advance of the feast! And of course, our 4th Degree Knights of Columbus will fry a turkey for you (see p. 5 in this Bulletin for the order form) if you’d rather not cook one yourself!
On November 28/29, Advent time begins a new liturgical year and our preparation for Christmas. This year two unique celebrations are prominent on our calendar. First, on the holy day of Tuesday, December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, we’ll inaugurate the special Jubilee Year of Mercy which Pope Francis has called: Bishop Muench will formally open our “Holy Door” to begin what should be special blessings upon us all over the next 12 months. Then, the very next Sunday, December 13, at 12 noon, we will celebrate with a special Mass and reception the 150th Anniversary of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Baton Rouge: it was founded in St. Joseph Parish back in 1865 by our 19th pastor, Father Cyril Delacroix! I urge you to do your best to join us for some or all of these special events.
Sincerely in the Lord,
