Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: February 11, 2018
Last weekend certainly was a different one for me. On Friday I came down with a full-blown case of the flu. Boy, it’s been years since illness hit me so hard! I’d almost forgotten how miserable the “chills ‘n’ sweats” are, especially through the long hours of night after night. Not until Monday did the fever break, thank goodness. With any luck I’ll just feel drained for a few more days and then I’ll get back to normal.
My special thanks go out to Father David Allen, the pastor of Holy Family Parish across the river in Port Allen. At the last minute he was able to rearrange his schedule (by giving his associate all of the Masses there!) and so he came to help by taking all of the Masses here. He says he thoroughly enjoyed celebrating with you all. And thanks too to all of our liturgical ministers – readers, servers, musicians, communion ministers, ushers, everyone – for helping him out.
Because of the flu I wasn’t able to be at Sheila Juneau’s last “farewell reception” on Sunday, but from all reports it was very nice. Now our “new” staff and I will really get down to the business of running the place without her! (I wonder how long it will be before we really, really miss her?? And how long it will be before she really, really misses us!!)
You know, being beset by any illness or injury makes a person realize how precious good health really is. Each year February 11 is the Church’s World Day of Prayer for the Sick. Pope St. John Paul II started it in 1992 to focus prayers for those suffering from illnesses. It coincides with the annual commemoration of Our Lady of Lourdes, and is an important opportunity for us to reflect on how the sufferings of those who are ill can help them become closer to Christ, as well as how caring for the sick is a profoundly holy vocation. Take a minute now (and more minutes on Sunday, February 11!) to pray that sickness be transformed into health, even as we are transformed by sickness to be more like unto Jesus in His sufferings.
When you’ve come to the Cathedral in the past two weeks, have you noticed the new railings around the baptistery? Some time ago I asked Mr. Tom Bruno of New Orleans, the artist and metalsmith who crafted the other railings in the sanctuary, to complement them by installing railings protecting the baptismal font area. The velvet ropes used previously were solely ornamental: they did not prevent persons from falling down the steps (and were too tempting and dangerous for children to try to swing on!). The new railings harmonize with the others in our liturgical space, and I think make the whole baptismal area a great deal more attractive as well as safe. What do you think?
Sincerely yours in the Lord,
Fr. Paul
