We will be offering online giving in the very near future for your convenience and safety during this interim period when there are no public masses.  We pray for all our parishioners and know that several are experiencing financial hardship.  We hope that those of you who are able will consider continuing to support our church by mailing your offering to the rectory:  309 Manson Avenue, Metairie, LA 70001.  Thank you for your continued generosity.

In the wake of the cancellation of all public Masses in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, you may live-stream Mass at St. Louis Cathedral at your convenience at https://thedailymass.com/mass/.  The streams are for Mass at 12:05 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. on Sunday.

With the global spread of COVID-19 financially impacting the ministry of the U.S. church, the #iGiveCatholic online giving platform activated its national website March 26 to begin accepting donations from individuals and businesses in support of parishes, schools, and ministries of 39 dioceses across the country.

We are in a bit of a crisis as 99% of our food comes to the main entrance of church, school, and drop-offs at the rectory, and many people are requesting assistance.  We are planning to give out about 35 boxes of food April 1st and are short several items.  Please read this letter for further details.  Any food or monetary donation would be greatly appreciated.

St. Christopher is presently seeking someone to serve the position of church secretary.  The secretary handles a wide range of office tasks and acts as a liaison between parishioners and the church's administration, as well as an executive assistant to the Pastor.  As noted in the Job Description, applicants must have good verbal communication and writing skills.  Please send résumé, cover letter, and list of references to pastor@stchristopherano.com.   

The Men's Club will sponsor a Parish Fish Fry and Ham Bingo on  April 3.  Doors open at 6 p.m. in the gym.  There will be fried and grilled fish plates, fried shrimp, shrimp pasta, and cheese pizza.  Soft drinks, beer, and desserts will be available for purchase.  Dine in or take out!  Cash, checks, and credit cards will be accepted.

Attention:  Many parishioners are continuing to receive texts and e-mails alleged to be from Fr. Raymond, requesting money, gift cards, etc.  They are  SCAM and should be disregarded.  The numbers  504-702-7823 and  504-290-3620 do not belong to Father and are fraudulent.

You are invited to participate in a special prayer of our Holy Father Pope Francis on Friday, March 27, at 12 noon.  During the Statio Orbis, which will be streamed from the Vatican website at www.vaticannews.va, Pope Francis will grant to all participants the Plenary Indulgence before imparting the Urbi et Orbi blessing.

The Beginning Experience Weekend is a wonderful healing experience for those suffering a loss of a spouse either through death or separation/divorce.  The weekend will be held on April 24, 25, and 26, 2020, at Rosaryville Spirit Life Center in Pontchatoula.  Those who have attended this weekend attest to the
new hope they have received and the powerful safe and loving environment they found in the experience.  Under the sponsorship of the Archdiocese of New Orleans Family Life Apostolate, this international program has helped thousands navigate the road through grief.  For more information, call, text, or e-mail Roslyn, (504) 481-1083 or rosemill@charter.net.

Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics who are at least 18 but not yet 59 years old.  Those who are bound to fast may take only one full meal.  Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to one's needs, but eating solid food between meals is prohibited.  Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics 14 years and older on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays of Lent.  

Confession will be available in all parishes within the Archdiocese on Wednesday, March 18, March 25, and April 1, 2020, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.  Please note this letter of March 15, 2020, by Archbishop Aymond.

Please join the St. Christopher Altar Society for a Morning of Reflection on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, from 9:00 to noon.  There will be a Rosary and Mass, followed by a presentation by guest speaker, Deacon Steve Gordon, at 10:15.  A light lunch will be served.  For more information, please call 858-8866.

During this Lenten season, please join us on Fridays at 6:30 p.m. to pray the Stations of the Cross.  Jesus carried this cross for each of us, offering us salvation and calling us to a holy life with Him . . . forever. 
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You, because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
 

On Sunday, June 7, 2020, at 3 p..m., St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, there will be a prayer service for those celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary.  Each couple will receive a certificate and picture with Archbishop Aymond.  Please register by Friday, March 20, by contacting the parish or visiting nolacatholic.org/wedding-anniversary.

Lent is a time of prayer, penance, and sacrifice, a time for the entire family to be more attentive to the words of Jesus and to each other. In order to assist families in observing Lent together, CYO has made paper bags with 40 ideas for families to try during Lent. This is a simple way to bring Lenten actions to life beyond giving up something. If you are interested, please take one bag per family, and we will add more bags as needed. The bags are located in a blue bin in the back of church. CYO hopes you enjoy this Lenten devotion.

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.  

The Second Collection this weekend, March 21-22, is for Catholic Relief Services, which is a humanitarian aid organization that helps the poor and vulnerable overseas by responding to major emergencies, fighting disease and poverty, and nurturing peaceful and just societies. Your assistance is most appreciated!

Please warmly welcome Fr. Thomas Ededjo. Archbishop Gregory Aymond has granted priestly faculty to Fr. Thomas to assist with Masses and other sacraments here in St. Christopher and elsewhere within the Archdiocese as needed.

The St. Christopher Drama Club will be rescheduling to a later date Twinderella, the Musical, which was set to be presented on Saturday, March 21, 2020, in the Parish Center.