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: pmcmanamon@archdiocese-no.org 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 dates for next year's 12-day Pilgrimages: "Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus in the Holy Land of Israel" from May 26 to June 6, 2020, with Fr. Sidney Speaks (8 spots left). 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. Follow the Path of St. Paul in Turkey and Greece, as he formed Christian communities that spread the growth of the Church Jesus founded, from June 21-25, 2020, with Fr. Beau Charbonnet (8 spots left). 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. Enjoy the Beauty and the People of The Emerald Isle with Msgr. Harry Bugler in his homeland of Ireland from July 6-17, 2020. If you are interested in joining us, 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 December 8, 2019: Cohen Andrew Falgoust, son of Dennis Charles Falgoust and Bridget Elizabeth Brelet, born October 17, 2019. May God's grace and blessings received through this Sacrament guide him throughout his life! |
| January 24, 6 p.m., Men's Club Bingo/Dinner Fundraiser January 26, 11 p.m., Mass with inauguration and blessing of the new council members January 26, 5:15 p.m., CYO meeting January 27, 9:30 a.m., Mass for EEC-7th grade January 27, 10:15 a.m., Legion of Mary meeting January 28, 6:30 p.m., School of Religion January 30, 7 p.m., Men's Prayer Group, Adoration Chapel January 31, 9 a.m, Archdiocese Catholic Schools Week Mass February 3, 10:15 a.m., Legion of Mary meeting February 4, 6:30 p.m., School of Religion |
| 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 |
| "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 Thorril “Tee” and Karen Betz Family has been selected as the January Family of the Month. Tee has been a member of St. Christopher Finance Council and School Board for over 30 years. He has also been a member of the Men’s Club for over 25 years, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a contributor to the Fall Fest for over 20 years, as well as a Eucharistic minister. Karen has chaired the 25th and 50th wedding anniversary celebrations for over 25 years. She has participated in neighborhood Stations of the Cross on Palm Sunday and St. Joseph’s Altars. Both Tee and Karen have been so generous with their time and very supportive of our priests and parish. They have assisted the CYO in the past and are actively involved with their children and grandchildren at St. Christopher School. We are so grateful for the Betzes' tireless commitment to serving God within our parish and thank them for sharing their love and faith. May God richly bless them! |
Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus withstands the
opposition of the Pharisees to heal a man with a
withered hand. His healings like this one signified the
arrival of the kingdom of God.
When Jesus began to preach, his theme was that the
kingdom of God is at hand. In his own person an
entirely new way of ordering things was on offer.
Then—in his love and nonviolence, in his mocking of
the Pharisees and religious establishment, in his
healing and teaching—Jesus was demonstrating
precisely what the reign of the God of Israel looks like.
This way of life inevitably awakened the opposition of
the powers that be. At the climax of his ministry, Jesus
faced down the resistance of "the world," to use the
typical New Testament term, meaning that whole
congeries of cruelty, betrayal, denial, violence,
corruption, and hatred by which human affairs are
typically ordered.
He permitted all of that darkness to wash over him, to
crush him, to snuff him out. But then, on the third day,
he rose again from the dead in the power of the Holy
Spirit, and thereby outflanked, outmaneuvered, and
swallowed up the darkness.
Peace,
Bishop Robert Barron
opposition of the Pharisees to heal a man with a
withered hand. His healings like this one signified the
arrival of the kingdom of God.
When Jesus began to preach, his theme was that the
kingdom of God is at hand. In his own person an
entirely new way of ordering things was on offer.
Then—in his love and nonviolence, in his mocking of
the Pharisees and religious establishment, in his
healing and teaching—Jesus was demonstrating
precisely what the reign of the God of Israel looks like.
This way of life inevitably awakened the opposition of
the powers that be. At the climax of his ministry, Jesus
faced down the resistance of "the world," to use the
typical New Testament term, meaning that whole
congeries of cruelty, betrayal, denial, violence,
corruption, and hatred by which human affairs are
typically ordered.
He permitted all of that darkness to wash over him, to
crush him, to snuff him out. But then, on the third day,
he rose again from the dead in the power of the Holy
Spirit, and thereby outflanked, outmaneuvered, and
swallowed up the darkness.
Peace,
Bishop Robert Barron
| Gospel Reflection |
| Mark 3:1-6 |
| 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 in need of regular size boxes or bags of cereal, beans and rice, spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, pasta and rice mixes, grits, oatmeal, ramen noodles, cans of tuna, chicken, Vienna sausages, Spam, fruit, peanut butter and jelly, soups, tomato sauce, gravy in packs or bottles, and drink mixes such as 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. |
| Elizabeth Celeste Dunn McCuller, January 8, 2020 Kathleen Root Bondi, January 11, 2020 Blaise Joseph Dupont |
| 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 |
| NASH Air Conditioning & Heating Service, Maintenance & Installation “Nash in a Flash” 504-835-4440 www.nashac.com Since 1970 |
| 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. |
| Food Pantry for Outreach |
| 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. |
| 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! |
| CYO Summer Camp |
| Our CYO could use your help! St. Christopher CYO has seven members attending Life Teen Summer Camp, a Catholic summer camp in Tiger, Georgia, on June 8-13, 2020. We are $350 away from paying the full cost of camp, not including the cost of transportation to northern Georgia. Please grab a gold envelope from the back of church if you would like to donate. If the envelope with your desired amount is gone, feel free to donate that amount without an envelope. Please drop off donations to the rectory. The CYO is so thankful for your generosity and support. |
| Wedding Anniversary Celebration |
| The Archiocesan Silver Wedding Anniversary Celebration will take place on Sunday, March 22, 2020, at 3 p.m. in St. Joseph Church in New Orleans. The event is for couples married in the year 1995 in celebration of their 25th Wedding Anniversary. |
| Greetings from Our Pastor |
| January 8, 2020 In the last week of January we join the nation in celebrating Catholic Schools Week. Our schools work continuously to remain institutions of academic excellence, deeply rooted in Christ’s teachings. However, in order to remain successful, Catholic schools depend on financial resources. Catholic schools are not in it for the money, but just like most things in today’s evolving world, there are significant costs associated with their continued success. Teachers must be paid a just wage, facilities must be kept up to date, and faculty and staff must work hard to keep their educational practices up to date. Despite these challenges, we are charged with making Catholic education more affordable. By offering financial support to the mission and ministry of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, you are affording a child an opportunity that is otherwise out of reach. Catholic schools help form disciples who live out our Christian faith, and it is the responsibility of every Catholic to assist in these efforts. As a result, every parish in the Archdiocese of New Orleans will take up a second collection on January 25th-26th. Thank you for your kind support. The funds collected through the second collection will support the Champions of Catholic Education tuition assistance fund. This fund provides assistance to families that cannot afford the full cost of Catholic school tuition. Our Catholic schools and families need your support. Wishing you God’s blessing and with gratitude for your generosity, I am, Sincerely in Christ, Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond Archbishop of New Orleans |
| 2020 Collection Envelopes |
| 2020 envelopes are ready to be picked up. They have been placed in the front of church on the left-hand side. If you do not have envelopes and wish to start using them, please call the rectory, 837-8214. |
| Bingo Night to Benefit Students Traveling to D.C. |
| The Men’s Club will be sponsoring a Bingo/Dinner on Friday, January 24, to benefit students who are preparing to travel to Washington, D.C. Tickets for the dinner, along with World’s Finest Chocolate, will be sold outside church at Masses on January 18-19. The dinner menu will be pulled pork, beans, and coleslaw. Advanced tickets are $8.00; tickets at the door are $9.00. |
| Second Collection |
| Next weekend, January 25-26, there will be a send collection for Catholic Schools Week. Thank you for your generosity! |
| Notre Dame Seminary Open House |
| There will be an Open House for Lay Programs on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Please RSVP by March 9 by calling 504-866-7426, ext. 742. For more information on the three degreed lay programs available, please see https://nds.edu/laymasterprograms. |
| Scam Re: Fr. Raymond |
| Attention: Recently many parishioners are receiving texts and e-mails alleged to be from Fr. Raymond, requesting money, gift cards, etc. They are SCAM and should be disregarded. The number 504-702-7823 does not belong to Father and is fraudulent. |
| Mark Your Calendars |
| Letter from Archbishop Aymond |
| With my appointment as Pastor and as a result of my imminent installation on Sunday, July 14th, 2019, there was the urgent need to reconstitute the parish finance and pastoral councils. The two councils needed to be present at the installation so that the new pastor is officially introduced to them as part of the rite of installation of a new pastor. This necessitated the constitution of the current members of the council after some consultations. I tried to ensure every organization in the parish is somehow represented in the newly constituted membership of the councils. The members of the Finance Council are Tee Betz, Larry Favalora, Pamela Papia, and Paul Waelde. The members of the Parish Pastoral Council are Vance Ott, Chairperson; Mark Choina, Vice Chairperson; Dianne Klibert, Secretary; Sherri Eck, Assistant Secretary; Ruth Garcia, Russell Gaubert, Alan Latapie, Rita Lopinto, Brian Lousteau, Dr. Frank Martello, Morgan Muscarello, and Jimmie Papia. To ensure there is annual renewal of the parish Pastoral Council, we have developed a system whereby some places on the Council will become vacant each year. These seats will be filled by election following a nomination process, either by self-nomination whereby a person may propose that he/she might be considered, or alternatively through nomination by others whereby someone might be proposed by other parishioners, always with the consent of the person being proposed. This process will be outlined clearly in the future at the necessary time for the elections. Currently there are eleven members on the Pastoral Council. Three will serve for one year, and so towards the end of this year, 2020, these three seats shall be vacated, necessitating an election to find three new members. In late 2021, four seats shall again be vacated and filled through the election process. And in late 2022, the remaining four seats shall also be vacated and will be open for election. Apart from this first Pastoral Council, which has necessitated different mandates for the members, some serving one year, some two years and some three years, in the future all the elected members will be elected for a term of three years which can be renewed once. In the proposed council by-laws, it is recommended that council members should be active members of St. Christopher the Martyr Parish and supportive of the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. They should be dedicated to the mission of the Church and the values and goals of the parish. They should possess the skills to assess needs, evaluate, plan, think logically and creatively, communicate clearly, and work collaboratively. The foundational meeting of the Pastoral Council was held on October 14, when an officer from the pastoral planning department of the Archdiocesan Chancery office facilitated our first meeting. We shall have the inauguration and blessing of the new council members on Sunday, January 26, at the 11 a.m. Mass. There will be a reception after the Mass in the Parish Center so that parishioners have an opportunity to meet the council members formally. Please keep the new councils in your prayers so that we may serve you well. Rev. Raymond Igbogidi, Pastor |
Baptism:
February 9, 2020
LENT
April 19, 2020
May 10, 2020
June 14, 2020
July 12, 2020
February 9, 2020
LENT
April 19, 2020
May 10, 2020
June 14, 2020
July 12, 2020
Baptismal Seminar:
January 31, 2020
February 28, 2020
March 27, 2020
April 24, 2020
May 29, 2020
June 26, 2020
January 31, 2020
February 28, 2020
March 27, 2020
April 24, 2020
May 29, 2020
June 26, 2020
| Tee Betz Larry Favalora Pamella Papia Paul Waelde |
| FINANCE COUNCIL |
| PASTORAL COUNCIL |
| Vance Ott, Chairperson Mark Choina, Vice Chairperson Dianne Klibert, Secretary Sherri Eck, Assistant Secretary Ruth Garcia Russell Gaubert Alan Latapie Rita Lopinto Brian Lousteau Dr. Frank Martello Morgan Muscarello Jimmie Papia |
