St. Christopher the Martyr Catholic Church
309  Manson Avenue, Metairie, Louisiana 70001
Phone:  504-837-8214



    Saturday Vigil:  4 p.m.
    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
e-mail:  raygidi@yahoo.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
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.  To learn more, join
Fr. Sidney Speaks and Deacon Jerry Martinez at 1 p.m. on August 25, 2019, in the
Parish Center at St. Joseph the Worker, 455 Ames Blvd., Marrero.
      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.  To learn more, join Fr. Beau Charbonnet and Deacon Jerry Martinez at
7 p.m. on August 25, 2019, at St. Angela Merici Church, 901 Beverly Gardens Dr.,
Metairie.
      The pilgrimage to Ireland with Msgr Harry Bugler will be July 7-18, 2020.  To
learn more, join Fr. Harry on Sunday, September 8, 2019, at 7 p.m. in the Parish
Center at St. Philip Neri Church, 6500 Kawanee St., Metairie.
      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 and the meeting(s) you plan to attend.
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 August 11, 2019:  Maverick Michael
Lynn Cascio, son of Ryan Michael Cascio and Monica Lynn.  May God's grace
and blessings received through this Sacrament guide him throughout his life!
August 17, 8 p.m.-midnight, Back-to-School Luau
August 20, 9 a.m., Altar Society Rosary and Mass (no meeting)
August 20, 4:30-9:00, Family Night at Andy's Bistro to benefit CYO
August 29, 7 p.m., Men's Prayer Group, Adoration Chapel
September 3, 4:30-9:00, Three B's Restaurant Give-Back Night to benefit CYO
Septebmer 5, 7 p.m., Knights of Columbus meeting
September 8, 6 p.m., CYO Mass and meeting (Parent attendance requested)
September 10, 6 p.m., Outreach Ministry meeting
September 10, 6:30 p.m., Parish School of Religion begins
September 11, 10 a.m., Mission Rosary Makers meeting
September 11, 6 p.m., Rosary Broadcast, Parish Center
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 Greg and Beverly Mangiaracina Family has been selected as
the August Family of the Month.  Both Greg and Beverly perform the sacristan
duties and serve as Eucharistic ministers at daily Mass and on Saturday.  They
also recite the Rosary before the 4 p.m. Mass on Saturday and serve as altar
servers at the 9:30 a.m. Mass when needed.  They are blessed with 10 children,
20-plus grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.  We are so grateful for the
Mangiaracinas’ tireless commitment to serving God within our parish and for
their inspiring devotion to the blessed Sacrament.
We appreciate your dedication and for sharing your love and faith so actively
on behalf of our parish!  May God richly bless you and your family!
Friends, today’s Gospel tells of Mary’s visit to
Elizabeth. I’ve always been fascinated by Mary’s
“haste” in this story of the Visitation. Upon hearing the
message of Gabriel concerning her own pregnancy
and that of her cousin, Mary “proceeded in haste into
the hill country of Judah” to see Elizabeth.

Why did she go with such speed and purpose?
Because she had found her mission, her role in the
theo-drama. We are dominated today by the ego-
drama in all of its ramifications and implications. The
ego-drama is the play that I’m writing, I’m producing, I’
m directing, and I’m starring in. We see this absolutely
everywhere in our culture. Freedom of choice reigns
supreme: I become the person that I choose to be.

The theo-drama is the great story being told by God,
the great play being directed by God. What makes life
thrilling is to discover your role in it. This is precisely
what has happened to Mary. She has found her role—
indeed a climactic role—in the theo-drama, and she
wants to conspire with Elizabeth, who has also
discovered her role in the same drama. Like Mary, we
have to find our place in God’s story.

Peace,
Bishop Robert Barron
Gospel Reflection
Luke 1:39-56
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.  
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
Ave Maria Mutual Funds

1-866-AVE-MARIA

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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 by Monday, September 16, 2019.  
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:
September 8
October 13
November 10
December 8
January 12, 2020
Baptismal Seminar:
August 30
September 27
October 25
November 22
December 20
Second Collection
There will be a special collection for the Altar Society at the Masses on
August 17-18.  The Altar Society takes care of preparing the altar each week.  
They are responsible for the flowers, linens, cleaning, etc.  The cost of the
flowers has increased significantly, and while a $40 fee is collected from those
who wish to have a special remembrance, the cost of the flowers is much more.  
We thank you in advance for your generosity!
Parish School of Religion
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.
Mission Appeal
Please welcome Fr. Rajasekar, MSFS, who will be speaking at all masses
August 24 and 25 regarding the mission appeal for the Diocese of Sivagangai in
Southeast India.  Your generous donations will help fund all ministries of this
Diocese where the majority of people are poor farmers and colie workers.  
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 17.