Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: June 26, 2018
Dearest Parishioners and Friends,
As I sit down to write this column, the celebration of Bishop Robert Muench’s Golden Jubilee of priestly service has just ended. It was a wonderful Mass of Thanksgiving, with almost 50 of his family members, many dozens of old friends, eight other bishops, some 36 priests and 15 deacons, and representatives of every Parish in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, joining together in prayer for and with him. The music, under the expert direction of Mr. Robbie Giroir, our organist and choir director, was particularly wonderful.
BUT, as you’ve probably heard by now, all of the heat and fun proved to be rather too much for Bishop Muench, who grew weak and basically passed out while greeting well-wishers at the reception in the Parish Hall afterwards. Everyone was worried about him, as EMS was called and they transported him to Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center for observation. Although as I write this he seems to be recovering nicely – he probably was just overcome by the heat, and maybe a bit dehydrated since he had just been celebrating at a Mass and reception for a few hours – I know that he will still appreciate all of our ongoing prayers for him.
As I mentioned last week, the Parish Office will be closed on Wednesday, July 4, for the Independence Day holiday. There will not be any noontime confessions or daily Mass that day either, as all of downtown will pretty much be deserted that day!
But we won’t “shut down” for long! In a couple of weeks, on Monday, July 16, at 6 pm, another of our wonderful Parish Potluck Suppers will be held. Please plan to come and bring a dish – it doesn’t matter it if it’s an appetizer, salad, side, bread or dessert, since we supply the main course!). And invite your friends, for while we sample each other’s foods we get to visit, “catch up” with one another’s goings-on, and cement our Parish community by shared conversation and good will. At the suggestion of our Parish Development Committee, the décor – and maybe even some of the food! – will reflect a French theme! (I guess that’s because the French National Holiday, Bastille Day, occurs in July!) Can you think of any way to boost the fun by your participation?
In Jesus’ Name,
Fr. Paul D. Counce
