November 30, 2013

Fr. Robert Barron: 1st Sunday of Advent



FR. ROBERT BARRON: 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
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November 29, 2013

Looking

FRIDAY OF THE 34TH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME

> All the readings together
> Daniel 7:2-14
> Daniel 3:75,76,77,78,79,80,81
> Luke 21:29-33
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November 28, 2013

Time

THANKSGIVING DAY

> All the readings together
> Sirach 50:22-24
> Psalm 145:2-3,4-5,6-7,8-9,10-11
> 1st Corinthians 1:3--9
> Luke 17:11-19
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November 27, 2013

Thanksgiving Mass Schedule

Thanksgiving Masses:

Today, Wednesday, November 27: Vigil Mass @ 5:30 PM in the church
Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28: Mass @ 7:30 AM in the church
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Forgiveness

WEDNESDAY OF THE 34TH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME

> All the readings together
> Daniel 5:1-6,13-14,16-17,23-28
> Daniel 3:62,63,64,65,66,67
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November 26, 2013

Expectations

TUESDAY OF THE 34TH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME

> All the readings together
> Daniel 2:31-45
> Daniel 3:57,58,59,60,61
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November 25, 2013

Gratitude

MONDAY OF THE 34TH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME

> All the readings together
> Daniel 1:1-6,8-20
> Daniel 3:52,53,54,55,56
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November 23, 2013

Fr. Robert Barron: 34th Sunday of OT



FR. ROBERT BARRON: 34TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME
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November 17, 2013

Homily: Sunday, November 17, 2013

33RD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME
"THE FINAL JUDGEMENT"



Missing the YouTube plug-in? Click here to listen to the homily via YouTube.


 Recorded Sunday, November 17, 2013 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana. © Fr. Mark Toups, 2013

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November 16, 2013

Fr. Robert Barron: 33rd Sunday of OT



FR. ROBERT BARRON: 33RD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME
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November 11, 2013

Fr. Gallen: November 11 Update

PRAYING FOR FR. GALLEN
Update from Ireland: November 11, 2013



My brothers and sisters at Christ the Redeemer:

Wanted to continue to update you this morning in regards these special days with Fr. Gallen.

First: an update from Ireland. No major news from overseas today. Fr. Gallen remains in the hospital. His family is with him. Here is selected text from an email sent to us yesterday from Josephine (Fr. Gallen's sister): "John had a lot of visitors over the weekend. He was happy to see all his nieces and nephews, but was exhausted when everybody left." ... "After everyone left, John talked about the Rosary and tried leading us through the prayers." ... "He remains a bit weak and in some pain."

Fr. Gallen and his family remain at the hospital with him. The team of doctors are consulting today as to how to best proceed. A family meeting is planned to discuss the conversation of consulting of physicians. We will update you with any appropriate information from the family's conversation with the doctors.

And ... of course ... let's keep praying everyday at 3:00 PM. It seems as if well over 1,500 of us here in Thibodaux are now praying at the hour of Divine Mercy! Keep it up! Again, 3:00 PM is affectionately known as "The Hour of Divine Mercy". As Christ who is our Redeemer died at 3:00 PM, the 3:00 PM hour has long been regarded as a sacred time each day. Therefore, I would like everyone of us to pause everyday at 3:00 PM and pray (1) an Our Father, (2) a Hail Mary, and (3) a Glory be to the Father. These three simple prayers all prayed at the same hour, will bind us as a parish family and petition God to bestow graces upon our beloved Fr. Gallen. Set your alarm. Fix your phone. Leave a sticky note on your computer. Do whatever it takes. All us ... no matter where we are ... let's pause every day ... starting today ... and pray for Fr. Gallen ... everyday at 3:00 PM.

Great seeing y'all this weekend!

Again, as we know more we'll share more. We're all in this together ... let's keep praying ...

Fr. Mark
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November 10, 2013

Homily: Sunday, November 10, 2013

32ND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME
"AN UPDATE ON FR. GALLEN"


Missing the YouTube plug-in? Click here to listen to the homily via YouTube.


 Recorded Sunday, November 10, 2013 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana. © Fr. Mark Toups, 2013

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November 9, 2013

Fr. Robert Barron: 32nd Sunday of OT



FR. ROBERT BARRON: 32ND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME
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November 8, 2013

Fr. Gallen: November 8 Update

PRAYING FOR FR. GALLEN
Update from Ireland: November 8, 2013



My brothers and sisters at Christ the Redeemer:

Wanted to continue to update you this morning in regards these special days with Fr. Gallen.

First: an update from Ireland. There is no significant news to report in regards to Fr. Gallen. We did receive an update from his sister, Josephine. She reported "a good night" where "he seemed to rest better." As has been available, members of Fr. Gallen's family are "rotating" staying with him around the clock. Again, Fr. Gallen is comfortable. He is getting the best comfort care possible.

Second: an update from things here in the parish. Yesterday, we finalized the detailed arrangements for the eventual day. We also spoke with Fr. Pat O'Brien! He sounds great! He's bouncing back from his own health challenges, but seemed in good spirits. He asked about the parish, inquired about Fr. Gallen specifically, and mentioned that he prays for the parish family at Christ the Redeemer daily. He passes on hellos to all of us here in Thibodaux. We laughed a lot, for merely hearing his voice is a delight.

Third: it seems as if well over 1,000 of us here in Thibodaux are praying at the hour of Divine Mercy! Keep it up! Again, 3:00 PM is affectionately known as "The Hour of Divine Mercy". As Christ who is our Redeemer died at 3:00 PM, the 3:00 PM hour has long been regarded as a sacred time each day. Therefore, I would like everyone of us to pause everyday at 3:00 PM and pray (1) an Our Father, (2) a Hail Mary, and (3) a Glory be to the Father. These three simple prayers all prayed at the same hour, will bind us as a parish family and petition God to bestow graces upon our beloved Fr. Gallen. Set your alarm. Fix your phone. Leave a sticky note on your computer. Do whatever it takes. All us ... no matter where we are ... let's pause every day ... starting today ... and pray for Fr. Gallen ... everyday at 3:00 PM.

See y'all this weekend!

Again, as we know more we'll share more. We're all in this together ... let's keep praying ...

Fr. Mark
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November 7, 2013

Fr. Gallen: November 7 Update

PRAYING FOR FR. GALLEN
Update from Ireland: November 7, 2013



My brothers and sisters at Christ the Redeemer:

Wanted to continue to update you this morning in regards these special days with Fr. Gallen.

First: an update from Ireland. The entire Gallen family is embracing these sacred days with their brother. Fr. Gallen remains in the hospital. His family is with him. Here is selected text from an email sent to us yesterday from Josephine (Fr. Gallen's sister): "He's quite prayerful today and thankfully a priest came to visit him and blessed him and spent time praying with him." ... "He talked a lot about his years in America and how he wouldn't have changed his vocation." ... "It's a day at a time now."

Again, Fr. Gallen is comfortable. He is getting the best medical treatment possible. His family does have the privilege of being with him round the clock. Fr. Gallen and his family remain at the hospital with him.

Second: an update from things here in the parish. Yesterday, your team here in the office met with representatives of the Pastoral Council and other organizations to finalize arrangements for the eventual day. As I mentioned yesterday, planning now with prudence and discernment helps us enter these sacred days more prepared and interiorly recollected.

Here's what we discerned as God's desire for our parish family:
  • We plan on hosting two events here at Christ the Redeemer. First, none of us knows when the the final day of Fr. Gallen's life will be. Again, the doctors themselves told us "several days" or "serval weeks." However, within 24 hours of Fr. Gallen's final breath, we will gather as a parish family and pray the Rosary. We have approximately 400 email addresses of parishioners. We'll send out a batch email as soon as we get word of his death, and then call remaining parishioners who don't have emails. We'll gather in the evening for a Rosary which will be lead by members of the Knights of Columbus and the Ladies Altar Society. 
  • Secondly, at some point thereafter we will host a Memorial Mass. The date and time of the Memorial Mass are to be determined, as we discern many things such as the calendars of all those invited, as well as what's most convenient for our parish family. We finalized the details of the Memorial Mass last night including readings, music, ministers, as well as ways we can include parishioners from the other parishes Fr. Gallen served (St. Mary's in Raceland, Sacred Heart in Morgan City, St. John's in Thibodaux, and the Spanish speaking community in Thibodaux). Of course, details in regards to the Memorial Mass are still fluid; however, I feel we now have "banks of the river" so that the water can flow. Again, planning now with prudence and discernment helps us rest and enter these following days more able to pray.

 Third: As I mentioned yesterday, I would like to invite everyone of us in the parish family to a special spiritual exercise. 3:00 PM is affectionately known as "The Hour of Divine Mercy". As Christ who is our Redeemer died at 3:00 PM, the 3:00 PM hour has long been regarded as a sacred time each day. Therefore, I would like everyone of us to pause everyday at 3:00 PM and pray (1) an Our Father, (2) a Hail Mary, and (3) a Glory be to the Father. These three simple prayers all prayed at the same hour, will bind us as a parish family and petition God to bestow graces upon our beloved Fr. Gallen. Set your alarm. Fix your phone. Leave a sticky note on your computer. Do whatever it takes. All us ... no matter where we are ... let's pause every day ... starting today ... and pray for Fr. Gallen ... everyday at 3:00 PM.

Looking forward to seeing you at Mass this weekend. Again, as we know more we'll share more. We're all in this together ... let's keep praying ...

Fr. Mark
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November 6, 2013

It's 3:00 PM

THE HOUR OF DIVINE MERCY


I would like to invite everyone of us in the parish family to a special spiritual exercise. 3:00 PM is affectionately known as "The Hour of Divine Mercy". As Christ who is our Redeemer died at 3:00 PM, the 3:00 PM hour has long been regarded as a sacred time each day. Therefore, I would like everyone of us to pause everyday at 3:00 PM and pray (1) an Our Father, (2) a Hail Mary, and (3) a Glory be to the Father. These three simple prayers all prayed at the same hour, will bind us as a parish family and petition God to bestow graces upon our beloved Fr. Gallen. Set your alarm. Fix your phone. Leave a sticky note on your computer. Do whatever it takes. All us ... no matter where we are ... let's pause every day ... starting today ... and pray for Fr. Gallen ... everyday at 3:00 PM.
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Fr. Gallen: November 6 Update

PRAYING FOR FR. GALLEN
Update from Ireland: November 6, 2013



My brothers and sisters at Christ the Redeemer:

Wanted to send a brief update this morning in regards these special days with Fr. Gallen.

First: an update from Ireland. Fr. Gallen's sister, Mary, arrived in Ireland yesterday. With her arrival his entire family is now with him. By way of reminder, Fr. Gallen is the oldest  of six children: Charlie (wife: Mary), Mary (husband: Joe), Jimmy (wife: Marie), Tommy (wife: Maura) & Josephine (husband: Jim). The entire Gallen family is now gathered with Fr. Gallen. Fr. Gallen remains in the hospital. 

Fr. Gallen fell on Monday, October 28th. He was at home resting after a morning of chemotherapy. Weakened from the treatment, he attempted to walk and fell at home. The fall, while scary in and of itself, did leave him with a cut on his head requiring stitches and hospitalization. He has not left the hospital since the fall. He is comfortable. He is getting the best medical treatment possible. His family does have the privilege of being with him round the clock. Fr. Gallen and his family remain at the hospital waiting ...

Second: an update from things here in the parish. On Tuesday:
  • We sent an email to all those in our parish database informing the parish of the news
  • We contacted both Bishop Fabre and Bishop Jacobs
  • We contacted both Sacred Heart in Morgan City and St. Mary's in Raceland (Fr. Gallen's former parishes)
  • The Diocese sent an email to all the priest and deacons
  • We took the next step in conversation (begun previously with the Pastoral Council) as how we as a parish might respond on the eventual day and soon later celebrate his life

Today, your team here in the office will meet with representatives of the Pastoral Council and other organizations to further prepare for the eventual day. Planning now with prudence and discernment helps us enter these sacred days more prepared and interiorly recollected.

Third: I would like to invite everyone of us in the parish family to a special spiritual exercise. 3:00 PM is affectionately known as "The Hour of Divine Mercy". As Christ who is our Redeemer died at 3:00 PM, the 3:00 PM hour has long been regarded as a sacred time each day. Therefore, I would like everyone of us to pause everyday at 3:00 PM and pray (1) an Our Father, (2) a Hail Mary, and (3) a Glory be to the Father. These three simple prayers all prayed at the same hour, will bind us as a parish family and petition God to bestow graces upon our beloved Fr. Gallen. Set your alarm. Fix your phone. Leave a sticky note on your computer. Do whatever it takes. All us ... no matter where we are ... let's pause every day ... starting today ... and pray for Fr. Gallen ... everyday at 3:00 PM.

As we know more we'll share more. We're all in this together ... let's keep praying ...

Fr. Mark
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November 5, 2013

Fr. Gallen: November 5 Update

PRAYING FOR FR. GALLEN
Update from Ireland: November 5, 2013



My brothers and sisters at Christ the Redeemer:

With a father's heart I post this morning in regards to Fr. Gallen's health. 

Late in the evening on Monday, November 4, we received sobering news that our beloved Fr. John Gallen is not doing well. Let me explain ...

When Fr. Gallen originally returned to Ireland this spring, we, as a family, knew that he wasn't returning necessarily to "recover" as much as he was returning to Ireland to be with his family during the next season of his life. As we prepared to say good-bye, we together embraced the reality that a day would soon come where we would prepare yet again. Well ... that day has indeed come. 

Monday we were informed that Fr. Gallen's cancer is advancing and no longer responding to chemotherapy. The doctors in Ireland are now using the language of "dying" rather than "treatment". The doctors there have said his condition will quickly worsen. The doctors themselves have used the language of "several days" or "several weeks" remaining. Of course, we would all love to know if it is days or weeks; however, cancer doesn't give you a timeline. What we do know is that we have cherished days remaining to pray together as a parish family.

We all love Fr. Gallen, for he indeed was a father to is all. The news of his decline sobers us all ... and of course invites us all to pray.

I'm sure many of you have questions about many things. Many of you may be asking: "When will he die?" "How will the parish find out?" "Will we have a memorial Mass?" "Can we pray for him now?" And many other questions ...

We on our end will do the best we can to communicate well with you. Your team here in the office is consulting with parishioners (Pastoral Council, KC Council, LAS, etc.) about a variety of details so that as a parish we may move forward with prudence and discernment considering the pastoral needs of these special days. As we come to know things we will pass them along to you as quickly as possible. As come to know we tell you as soon as possible.

I have cleared my calendar as much as possible to be most available to the circumstances presented to us. If you have questions ... need a listening ear ... or want to stop by the office for a cup of coffee ... know that the door is open. We're all in this together. 

Let's keep praying for each other ... and for our beloved Fr. Gallen.

In Christ,

Fr. Mark
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November 3, 2013

Homily: Sunday, November 3, 2013

31ST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME
"IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU'RE HEADING ...
YOU MIGHT GET LOST ALONG THE WAY"

INTRODUCTION

Road trips ... family trips ... getting lost ... reading maps

CONNECT INTRODUCTION TO DAILY LIFE

If you don't know where you're heading, there's no guarantee you'll get anywhere ... and you might even get lost along the way.

The same is true in life: If you don't know where you're heading, there's no guarantee you'll get anywhere ... and you might even get lost along the way.

CORE MESSAGE

We're supposed to live life on earth with Heaven as our inevitable destination.

WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES TELL US ABOUT THIS?

The readings at Mass during the month of November will eventually shift, just as the Liturgical Year shifts. December is just around the corner, and with it Advent is closer than we think. Advent marks the beginning of a new Liturgical Year. Therefore, November leads us to the close of our current Season of Ordinary Time. Thus, as the Liturgical Season comes to and end, the Church will begin to draw our attention to our end ... to the End Times.

There are two ways to describe the word "end". If I start my trip at 3 PM in Thibodaux and my trip ends at 5 PM in Abbeville, what's the "end" of my trip: 5 PM or Abbeville? How do we define the word "end" ... by time or destination?

It's important to live our lives ... now ... with the "end" in mind.

UNPACKING THE CORE MESSAGE

1. It's too easy for us to live as if our lives were for "this world" only. 
2. Many of us are afraid of death. 
3. Pregnancy without birth is odd ... pregnancy is designed to lead to birth. Likewise, life without death is odd ... our life on earth is designed to lead us to death ... and therein to Heaven.
4. If you don't know where you're heading, you'll get lost along the way. Life is really not supposed to feel this hard.
5. Do you know where you're heading? Is you life, and all that you do, getting you ready for the end, or the End.

CONCLUSION

Recorded Sunday, November 3, 2013 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana. © Fr. Mark Toups, 2013

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November 2, 2013

Fr. Robert Barron: 31st Sunday of OT



FR. ROBERT BARRON: 31ST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME
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November 1, 2013

All Saints Day

REMEMBER: 
All Saints Day is a Holy Day of Obligation

Mass times at Christ the Redeemer are:
  • 7:30 AM
  • 12:05 PM
  • 5:30 PM
  • Confessions heard 30 minutes prior to each Mass



FR. ROBERT BARRON: HOMILY FOR ALL SAINTS DAY
> Click here to listen to Fr. Barron's homily for All Saints Day.

WHO DAT ... A LITTLE LAGNIAPPE ...











From the history of the New Orleans Saints ...
First the brainchild of local sports entrepreneur Dave Dixon, who also founded the Louisiana Superdome and the USFL, the Saints were actually secretly born in a backroom deal brought about by Congressman Hale Boggs, Senator Russell Long, and NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle. The NFL needed congressional approval of the proposed AFL-NFL merger. Dixon and a local civic group had been seeking a NFL franchise for over 5 years and had hosted record crowds for NFL exhibition games. To seal the merger, Rozelle arrived in New Orleans within a week, and announced on November 1, 1966 that the NFL officially had awarded the city of New Orleans an NFL franchise. The team was named for the great jazz song most identified with New Orleans – "When the Saints Go Marching In", and it was no coincidence that the franchise's official birth was announced on November 1, which is the Catholic All Saints' Day. When the deal was reached a week earlier, Dixon strongly suggested to Rozelle that the announcement be delayed until then. Dixon told an interviewer that he even cleared the name with New Orleans' Archbishop Philip M. Hannan: "He thought it would be a good idea. He had an idea the team was going to need all the help it could get."
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