St. Christopher the Martyr Catholic Church |
| 309 Manson Avenue, Metairie, Louisiana 70001 Phone: 504-837-8214 |
Sunday: 7:30, 9:30, and 11 a.m. (6 p.m. on 2nd Sunday, CYO) Mon., Tues., Thurs., & Fri.: 6:30 and 9:30 a.m. Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. Feast: 6:30 a.m, 9:30 a.m., and 6 p.m. Confession: Saturday, 3:00-3:45 p.m. Contact the rectory to make an appointment for other times. Sacrament of the Sick: Second Saturday of the month following the 4 p.m. Mass Adoration Chapel: Mon.-Fri., 8:00-1:00 Novena: Tues., following the 6:30 a.m. Mass |
| MASS SCHEDULE |
Rev. Raymond Igbogidi, Pastor e-mail: pastor@stchristopherano.com Deacon Charles Duke e-mail: ewduke@msn.com Deacon Phil McManamon e-mail: pmcmanam@yahoo.com Ms. Janet Schluter, Secretary e-mail: scmrectory@outlook.com |
| CLERGY AND STAFF |
| RECTORY OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 504-837-8214 |
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| May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Our condolences go out to family and loved ones. |
| Save the date for next year's 12-day Pilgrimage to the Holy Land lead by Deacon Jerry Martinez: May 26 to June 6, 2020. You will visit the humble home of Joachim and Anna where the Angel Gabriel visited Mary, the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem, the Sea of Galilee, the house of Caiaphas where Jesus was held for trial, the Antonia Fortress where Jesus was tried by Pilot, the site of the Crucifixion, and the tomb where Jesus rose from the dead. The pilgrimage to Turkey and Greece with Fr. Beau Charbonnet from June 12-25, 2020, will follow in the footsteps of St. Paul as he formed Christian communities that spread the growth of the Church Jesus founded. Starting from Istanbul (Constantinople), we travel south to visit the Seven Cities of the Book of Revelations, then take a cruise across the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, stopping at Patmos, Rhodes, Crete, and Santorini, then tour Athens, Corinth, and Delphi. The pilgrimage to Ireland with Msgr Harry Bugler will be July 7-18, 2020. If you are interested in attending one or more of the meetings, please contact Deacon Jerry at 559-4495 or pilgrimswayusa@aol.com and provide your name and contact information. |
| Precious in His Sight |
| Adoration Chapel |
| We welcome into the faith community of St. Christopher our newest member, who received the Sacrament of Baptism on September 8, 2019: Olivia Cabral Mendel, daughter of Michael and Wanele Mendel, born August 30, 2018. May God's grace and blessings received through this Sacrament guide her throughout her life! |
| September 21, 4 p.m., Mass, Celebration of Marriage Anniversaries, reception following September 22, 5-8 p.m., CYO meeting (no Mass) September 23, 6 p.m., Legion of Mary meeting September 24, 9:30 a.m., Mass, K-4th grades September 24, 6:30-7:45 p.m., School of Religion September 25, 9:30 a.m., Mass, 5th-7th grades September 26, 7 p.m., Men's Club meeting September 26, 7 p.m., Men's Prayer Group, Adoration Chapel September 29, 8-11 a.m., CYO Pancake Breakfast, Parish Center September 30, 6 p.m., Legion of Mary meeting October 1, 6:30 p.m., School of Religion October 3, 7 p.m., Knights of Columbus meeting October 3, Men's Club Fall Fest Setup Night 1 October 4, 9:30-5:30, Veneration of Padre Pio, St. Rita, Uptown |
| A “Gift” is offered to all members of St. Christopher Parish. Spending only one hour with OUR LORD in the Blessed Sacrament can be a way to clear your mind and help you live a better life. Come join in adoration of OUR LORD. The hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. Information is on the table at the entrance to church, or you may direct any questions to Jerry Cox at 458-3152. Please help us to keep our Adoration Chapel open. Thank you and God bless. |
| Pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Turkey/Greece, and Ireland |
| Mark Your Calendars |
| "Prayer Room" on Our Web Site |
| In the words of Alfred Tennyson, "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of." There is a new Resources page on our site that is focused on prayer, where we, as St. Christopher parishioners, can learn about and join together in praying for each other's concerns and intentions. You are invited to contribute your intentions (large and small, your thanksgiving or your needs) so that we may all join in lifting them in prayer. Quiet time with God spent thanking Him, seeking His will, listening . . . is a gift that you give yourself! May our relationship with God be strengthened, and may our capacity to love and be loved increase as our hearts reach out to each other. |
| Knights of Columbus Family of the Month |
| Each month, the Knights of Columbus present this award to recognize a deserving family for their outstanding contributions to St. Christopher Parish and School. The Phil and Barbara McManamon Family has been selected as the September Family of the Month. Deacon Phil’s first assignment after becoming a deacon in 2015 was, and remains, St. Christopher. While currently working on his master’s degree in theology, he serves as director of the Parish School of Religion and also is involved in St. Christopher’s bereavement ministry. As a member of the Knights of Columbus, he leads the Advent and Lenten retreats and Silver Rose events. Barbara is a Eucharistic minister and assists Phil in his various ministries. Phil and Barbara are blessed with three grown children and one grandchild, with two others on the way, due in February 2020. We are so grateful for their tireless commitment to serving God within our parish and thank them for sharing their love and faith. May God richly bless them! |
Friends, in our Gospel today Jesus heals a man with a
withered hand. As I’ve said many times before, we
tend to domesticate Christ, reducing him to a guru or
a teacher, one spiritual guide among many. But this is
to do violence to the Gospel, which presents him not
simply as teacher but as Savior.
I realize that the culture militates against Christianity at
this point, for it steadily teaches the ideology of self-
esteem and self-assertion. "I’m okay and you’re okay."
"Who are you to tell me how to behave?"
But this sort of thing—whatever value it might have
politically or psychologically—is simply inimical to a
biblical Christianity. The biblical view is that we have,
through the abuse of our freedom, gotten ourselves
into an impossible bind. Sin has wrecked us in such a
fundamental way that we have become dysfunctional.
Until we truly feel what it means to be lost and
helpless, we will not appreciate who Jesus is and what
he means.
Jesus is someone who has rescued us, saved us,
done something that we could never, even in
principle, do for ourselves.
Peace,
Bishop Robert Barron
withered hand. As I’ve said many times before, we
tend to domesticate Christ, reducing him to a guru or
a teacher, one spiritual guide among many. But this is
to do violence to the Gospel, which presents him not
simply as teacher but as Savior.
I realize that the culture militates against Christianity at
this point, for it steadily teaches the ideology of self-
esteem and self-assertion. "I’m okay and you’re okay."
"Who are you to tell me how to behave?"
But this sort of thing—whatever value it might have
politically or psychologically—is simply inimical to a
biblical Christianity. The biblical view is that we have,
through the abuse of our freedom, gotten ourselves
into an impossible bind. Sin has wrecked us in such a
fundamental way that we have become dysfunctional.
Until we truly feel what it means to be lost and
helpless, we will not appreciate who Jesus is and what
he means.
Jesus is someone who has rescued us, saved us,
done something that we could never, even in
principle, do for ourselves.
Peace,
Bishop Robert Barron
| Gospel Reflection |
| Luke 6:6-11 |
| We are very thankful for all the support by our parishioners. Without your help, we would not be able to provide the assistance needed. We are probably as low on food as we have ever been. We are in need of boxes or bags of cereal, beans and rice, spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, pasta and rice mixes, grits, oatmeal, and ramen noodles. We also need cans of tuna, chicken, Vienna sausages, spam or similar products, fruit, peanut butter and jelly, soups, tomato sauce, gravy in packs or bottles and drink mixes like tea bags, Kool-Aid, hot chocolate, and Crystal Light. Please help us by checking current "best by" dates. If you are in need of assistance, call 831-7692 and leave a message. We will return your call. May God bless all of you. |
| Louis A. Hosch, Jr., August 29, 2019 Elvine “Noonie” Bourgeois Ovella, September 1, 2019 Carita Julia Breaux, September 2, 2019 |
| Flowers and Sanctuary Lights |
| Flowers and sanctuary lights for 2019 are available. There are several open weeks for the flowers on the altar and for sanctuary lights. What a beautiful way to remember relatives or someone special (living or deceased)! You could say “Congratulations,” “Happy Birthday,” or “Happy Anniversary.” Please call 837-8214 to reserve a weekend. The cost is $40, made payable to “St. Christopher Altar Society." |
| Advertiser of the Week |
| Zummo’s Super Market Lunches * Po-Boy Sandwiche * Liquors 3425 Metairie Road 833-8628 |
| Lost and Found |
| There are many items that have been left in church and are on the shelf on top of the poor box under St. Anthony. The items include rosaries, umbrellas, etc. Please check to see if any of the items belong to you. |
| St. Christopher Parish Census Form |
| St. Christopher Parish is developing enhanced paper and digital communication capabilities. You can help us by providing us with your information. Use this link to set up your personal user name and password for the database. |
| Anniversary Celebration |
| On Saturday, September 21, 2019, at the 4 p.m. Mass, St. Christopher will celebrate couples who have attained 25 and 50 years or longer of marriage this year. A reception will follow in the Parish Center. If you plan to attend, please call Gail Giardina at 834-5135. |
| Food Pantry for Outreach |
| CYO Membership and Fund Drive |
| Calling all youth! The mission of St. Christopher CYO is to serve the needs of all youth: spiritual, emotional, social, and physical. We offer guidance to assist young people as they assume responsibility for themselves and for their relationships with their peers and community, as well as creating an environment which leads them into a relationship with God through Christ and His Church. Membership is open to students in 7th grade up until the age of 18. We have Mass and our meeting every second Sunday of the month, with Mass beginning at 6 p.m. and the meeting at 7 p.m. in the gym. For more information, contact Kelsie Bordelon at kelsielabauve@gmail.com. In the foyer of the church, you will find CYO information on the table and a donation board with envelopes for your use. Our youth need your support! |
| Spiritual Retreats |
| A spiritual retreat is an opportunity to withdraw from the routine and pressures of life, and to open our heart and mind to God’s love for us and discern the movement of the Spirit in our life and surrender to God’s will. There are a variety of options available for a retreat in and near the Archdiocese of New Orleans, ranging from one day of reflection to a three-day silent retreat. For people seeking a deeper experience of growth in their relationship with God, there are also options for individual spiritual direction with a companion experienced in the spirituality of the Desert Fathers and saints of the Church. St. Christopher is blessed to have clergy with experience in spiritual direction and companionship. For more information and assistance in determining the spiritual experience that best suits you, please contact Dcn. Phil McManamon at 451-0009 or pmcmanam@yahoo.com. |
| Holy Baptism |
| If you have a child who will be Baptized, the upcoming dates to prepare for are as outlined below. You must attend the Baptismal Seminar in order for your child to be Baptized. |
| Baptism: October 13 November 10 December 8 January 12, 2020 |
| Baptismal Seminar: September 27 October 25 November 22 December 20 |
| Parish School of Religion |
| It's not too late to register! The St. Christopher Parish School of Religion (formerly known as "CCD" is starting registration for the 2019-2020 school year for children in kindergarten through 8th grade who are attending non-Catholic elementary school. Classes are held in the EEC Building from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. on most Tuesday nights during the school year, beginning Tuesday, September 10. Please fill out the registration form and return it with a payment of $35 to the parish office. If you have any questions, please contact the deacons or Fr. Raymond. |
| School of Religion Teachers Needed |
| We are in need of a few teachers/helpers for the Parish School of Religion program. Please call the rectory if you are able to assist. |
| Altar Society Appeal |
| Ever wonder what exactly the Altar Society is about? Do you know who prepares the altar each week with the beautiful floral arrangements, cleans the linens, vacuums, dusts, cleans the door and windows, etc.? Well, it’s the Ladies of the Altar Society (and sometimes with a little help from their spouses). The ladies also prepare for the receptions for the St. Louis Awards and the 25th-50th Wedding Anniversaries and also sponsor the Day of Reflection each Spring, among other needs when called upon. The Altar Society is always looking for new members. If you would like to join us, our meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of each month, preceded by the Rosary and Mass in the Church at 9 a.m. We would love to have you! |
| Confirmation Meeting |
| For anyone entering their junior year and wanting to make Confirmation in May 2020, there will be an informational meeting in church at 7 p.m. on September 18 in church. Please note the date change from September 17 to September 18 and bring a copy of your Baptismal Certificate. |
| Pro Life |
| "Abortion is the only surgery for which the surgeon is not obligated to inform the patient of the possible risks of the procedure, or even the exact nature of the procedure. Indeed, abortion providers are the only medical personnel who have a 'constitutional right' to withhold information, even when directly questioned by the patient." David Reardon, Aborted Women: Silent No More |
| St. Pio Comes to the Archdiocese of New Orleans |
| We are excited to welcome relics of popular 20th century stigmatist Capuchin priest and spiritual father, St. Pio of Pietrelcina, affectionately known as "Padre Pio." St. Rita Church, on 2729 Lowerline Street, will receive his relics, which will be on display for veneration from 9:30-5:30 on Friday, October 4, 2019. There will be a Mass in honor of St. Pio celebrated by Archbishop Aymond, with reserved seating for St. Rita parishioners in the central nave and all else open to first arriving. For more information, please see this site or call 866-7426. |
| Mary Dorman, 104 years old, with Fr. Raymond after the 6 p.m. Mass on Sunday, September 8, 2019. How inspiring to see a 104-year-old coming to Mass still, to worship her God and to celebrate with her brothers and sisters in Christ. |
| Tickets must be purchased no later than October 2, 2019. Please click here for more information and the ticket form. |
| Willwoods Married-Couples Retreat |
| Would you like to take a break away with your spouse and spend quality time enriching your marriage? Then join us on our upcoming Married Couples Retreat at the newly renovated St. Joseph’s Abbey’s Christian Life Retreat Center in Covington on September 28-29 or October 12-13 . A married- couples retreat does not mean that someone is failing, but rather it is a falling into the arms of our Lord. It is a weekend dedicated to giving you and your beloved the opportunity to find rest, strength, and enrichment, which is something we all need! A once-a-year commitment to attending a retreat as a couple is a great habit that will bless and deepen your love for God and each other! To register, call 830-3716 or visit www.FaithandMarriage.org. A suggested donation is requested but not required. Scholarships are available; cost should never be a reason why a couple cannot make a weekend. |
| Rosary Rally |
| Please join our Rosary Rally on October 12 in the courtyard from noon until 2 p.m. America urgently needs the prophetic messages of Our Lady at Fatima. Above all, America needs a clear direction, a great purpose, and the means to achieve it. The admonitions, requests, and warnings of Mary Most Holy can rightly be called a heaven-sent survival manual. |
| We are excited to welcome relics of popular 20th century stigmatist Capuchin priest and spiritual father, St. Pio of Pietrelcina, affectionately known as "Padre Pio." St. Rita Church, on 2729 Lowerline Street, will receive his relics, which will be on display for veneration from 9:30-5:30 on Friday, October 4, 2019. There will be a Mass in honor of St. Pio celebrated by Archbishop Aymond, with reserved seating for St. Rita parishioners in the central nave and all else open to first arriving. For more information, please see this site or call 866-7426. |
