Sunday Homily l 12.28.14 l Holy Family

MASS READINGS  Sunday, December 28
•  All the readings together
•  Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
•  Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
•  Colossians 3:12-21
•  Luke 2:22-40

FR. MARK'S HOMILY  Feast of the Holy Family

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CORE MESSAGE

Holy families don't "just happen" ... if we want our families to be holy we have to live intentionally.

WISDOM FROM THE HOLY FATHER

Pope Francis on Family

“And I want to repeat these three words: please, thank you, sorry. Three essential words! We say please so as not to be forceful in family life: “May I please do this? Would you be happy if I did this?”. We do this with a language that seeks agreement. We say thank you, thank you for love! But be honest with me, how many times do you say thank you to your wife, and you to your husband? How many days go by without uttering this word, thanks! And the last word: sorry. We all make mistakes and on occasion someone gets offended in the marriage, in the family, and sometimes—I say—plates are smashed, harsh words are spoken but please listen to my advice: don’t ever let the sun set without reconciling. Peace is made each day in the family: “Please forgive me”, and then you start over. Please, thank you, sorry! Shall we say them together? [They reply “yes”] Please, thank you and sorry. Let us say these words in our families! To forgive one another each day!”

Recorded Sunday, December 28, 2014 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana. © Fr. Mark Toups, 2014

COMING JANUARY 2014! 
THE HOLY MASS: 
Why do we do what we do at Mass?

Class 1 
Who determines how we worship God?
Tuesday, January 6 from 6-7:30 p.m. > in the church
Saturday, January 10 from 8:15-9:45 a.m. > in the church
> Will also be available through YouTube

Class 2 
The Passover Meal:
Why was it important and how does it connect to Mass
Tuesday, January 20 from 6-7:30 p.m. > in the church
Saturday, January 17 from 8:15-9:45 a.m. > in the church
> Will also be available through YouTube

Class 3 
The Liturgy of the Word
Tuesday, January 27 from 6-7:30 p.m. > in the church
Saturday, January 24 from 8:15-9:45 a.m. > in the church
> Will also be available through YouTube

Class 4 
The Liturgy of the Eucharist
Tuesday, February 3 from 6-7:30 p.m. > in the church
Saturday, January 31 from 8:15-9:45 a.m. > in the church
> Will also be available through YouTube

Class 5 
True Presence: Is the Eucharist really Jesus?
Tuesday, February 10 from 6-7:30 p.m. > in the church
Saturday, February 7 from 8:15-9:45 a.m. > in the church

> Will also be available through YouTube

Christmas Schedule

CHRIST THE REDEEMER Christmas Schedule

Let's Get Ready Confession
Christmas Eve, December 24: Confessions from 7 a.m. to 12 noon

Christmas Eve Wednesday, December 24
Christmas Eve Mass: 4 p.m. in the Church (Fr. Mark)
Christmas Eve Mass: 4 p.m. in the Family Life Center (Fr. Blair)
Christmas Eve Mass: 6 p.m. (Fr. Mark)
Christmas Eve Mass: 8 p.m. (en Español)
Christmas Eve Mass: 11 p.m. (Fr. Mark)

Christmas Day Thursday, December 25
Christmas Day Mass: 7:30 a.m. (Fr. Mark)
Christmas Day Mass: 9:30 a.m. (Fr. Mark)

Sunday Homily l 12.21.14 l Advent Week 4

MASS READINGS  Sunday, December 21
•  All the readings together
•  2nd Samuel 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16
•  Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27-29
•  Romans 16:25-27
•  Luke 1:26-38

FR. MARK'S HOMILY  Advent Week 4

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CORE MESSAGE

There's a difference between being prepared and ready.

Let's Get Ready Confessions in December

• Monday, December 22: Confessions from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 23: Confessions from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Wednesday, December 24: Confessions from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Recorded Sunday, December 21, 2014 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana. © Fr. Mark Toups, 2014

Karoline Theriot: Rocking my World!

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Christmas Schedule

Let's Get Ready Confessions in December
Saturday, December 20: Confessions from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Monday, December 22: Confessions from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tuesday, December 23: Confessions from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday, December 24: Confessions from 7 a.m. to 12 noon

Christmas Eve Wednesday, December 24
Christmas Eve Mass: 4 p.m. in the Church (Fr. Mark)
Christmas Eve Mass: 4 p.m. in the Family Life Center (Fr. Blair)
Christmas Eve Mass: 6 p.m. (Fr. Mark)
Christmas Eve Mass: 8 p.m. (en Español; Fr. Glenn)
Christmas Eve Mass: 11 p.m. (Fr. Mark)

Christmas Day Thursday, December 25
Christmas Day Mass: 7:30 a.m. (Fr. Mark)
Christmas Day Mass: 9:30 a.m. (Fr. Mark)

Sunday Homily l 12.14.14 l Advent Week 3

MASS READINGS  Sunday, December 14
•  All the readings together
•  Isaiah 61:1-2A, 10-11
•  Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54
•  1st Thessalonians 5:16-24
•  John 1:6-8, 19-28

FR. MARK'S HOMILY  Advent Week 3

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CORE MESSAGE

If we want this Christmas to the best Christmas ever then it must be connected to reality. If we really are going to welcome a savior we have to let God into our regrets, resentments, and resistances.

LETTING GO OF THE BANANA

“If our wanting is to be wholehearted then what we want must be connected to the rest of reality”

Regret

1. Have we made decisions that have negatively altered the direction of our life?
2. Have we made mistakes that have hurt us or others?
3. Do we have relationships that have suffered because we chose to work too much or neglect the time needed to nurture relationships?
4. Do we have sins we’ve committed that we’re ashamed of ... especially the sins we have been absolved of but can’t forgive ourselves of?
5. Have we lost time in life because “we were lost” (“I’ll never get her teenage years back when I was drinking)

Resentment

1. Do we have buried anger that we hold onto to protect us from the pain of the regret?
2. Do we feel trapped because we can’t undo it … we’re angry at being trapped.

Advent

1. We can resist forgiving
2. We can resist asking for forgiveness
3. We can resist the Sacrament of Reconciliation
4. We can resist or struggle forgiving myself of?

HOMEWORK: LET'S TAKE CHRISTMAS SERIOUS

Regrets
Get a sheet of paper and make a list of the following regrets. 

• Decisions I’ve made that have negatively altered the direction of my life
• Mistakes I’ve made that have hurt me or others
• Relationships that have suffered because I chose to work too much or neglect the time needed to nurture relationships
• Sins I’ve committed that I’m ashamed of ... especially the sins I have been absolved of but can’t forgive myself of
• Time that was lost because “I was lost” (time with God, family, etc.)

Resentments
Get a sheet of paper and divide into four columns.

• Column 1: Resentments. List it all (people, places, things, life, situations, God—everything or everyone with whom I am angry with, resent, feel hurt or threatened by)
• Column 2: The Cause. What happened? Be specific as to why I am or was angry.
• Column 3: Affects Me How? How did it or does it make me feel? 
• Column 4: Where Was I To Blame? What’s the truth here? Where was my responsibility in this relationship? What might I have done instead? Where was I at fault?

Resistance
Prayerfully look at the insights from your reflecting on your regrets and resentments. Ask yourself the following questions and commit to action.

1. Who do I need to forgive? Don’t forget, this person may or may not still be alive. What’s the best way for you to really forgive them?
2. Who do I need to approach and ask them to forgive me? Be prudent here, don’t rush this process. Ask God to show you how to proceed.
3. What do I need to bring to the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
4. What do I need to forgive myself of? (If you need help with this, Fr. Mark can be of assistance.)

Let's Get Ready Confessions in December

• Friday, December 19: Confessions from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Saturday, December 20: Confessions from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Monday, December 22: Confessions from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 23: Confessions from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Wednesday, December 24: Confessions from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Recorded Sunday, December 14, 2014 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana. © Fr. Mark Toups, 2014

Sunday Homily l 12.07.14 l Advent Week 2

MASS READINGS  Sunday, December 7
•  All the readings together
•  Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
•  Psalm 85
•  2nd Peter 3:8-14
•  Mark 1:1-8

FR. MARK'S HOMILY  Advent Week 2

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CORE MESSAGE

Do you really need a Savior this Christmas?

SOBERING STATISTICS

• 36% of registered voters voted November’s primary elections
• 64% of registered voters voted in the 1950s

• 73% of Americans trusted the government or elected officials in the 1950s
• 24% of Americans trust the government or elected officials

• 50% of Americans consider themselves happy. 50% of Americans, half of our country, do not consider themselves happy.
• Only 45% of American adults—less than half—believe their children will have a better life than they are.
• A few years ago Americans spent $150 billion on pornography, alcohol and illegal drugs. That’s more than the Federal government’s $130 billion budget for education.

• Somewhere around 60% of American Catholics went to Mass on Sunday in the 1950s
• Less than 25% of American Catholics will go to Mass today

• 16% of Americans do not believe in Jesus Christ - that’s more than double the 8% in 1990
• 13 million American adults believe their salvation is unimportant
• Every five seconds someone dies - without ever hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ

• 1/3 of Americans believe that Christmas is a cultural holiday
• In that same survey, 1 out of every 4 American Catholics believe that Christmas is a cultural holiday

• 88% of American children believe in Santa
• 78% of American recognize believe in Jesus Christ

• 2/3 of Americans my dad’s age believe Jesus is central to Christmas
• Less than ½ of Americans my age believe Jesus is central to Christmas

Recorded Sunday, December 7, 2014 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana. © Fr. Mark Toups, 2014

Sunday Homily l 11.30.14 l Advent Week 1

MASS READINGS Sunday, November 30
•  All the readings together
•  Isaiah 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7
•  Psalm 80
•  1st Corinthians 1:3-9
•  Mark 13:33-37

FR. MARK'S HOMILY Advent Week 1

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CORE MESSAGE

This can be the best Christmas of your life. However, we have to make a decision to prepare this Advent if this Christmas is going to be different.

FOUR THINGS YOU CAN DO THIS ADVENT

1. Theotokos: audio and text available daily on the blog.
2. Daily Mass.
3. Chant the Liturgy of the Hours. Monday through Friday. 8:00 AM.
4. Form a small group. Resources available online.

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift?

Recorded Sunday, November 30, 2014 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana. © Fr. Mark Toups, 2014

Sunday Homily l 11.16.14 l Seasons: Part 6

MASS READINGS Sunday, November 16
•  All the readings together
•  Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
•  Psalm 128
•  1st Thessalonians 5:1-6
•  Matthew 25:14-30

FR. MARK'S HOMILY 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

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CORE MESSAGE  Seasons of Waiting

We all go through seasons where we have to wait. You don't have to struggle. There is hope in the season of waiting.

1. God is active in the wait, even when you can’t see it.
2. The wait forces to the surface things in us that are hidden to even to us.
3. The wait often purifies us grasping for what we want versus receiving what we want. 

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift?

Recorded Sunday, November 16, 2014 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana. © Fr. Mark Toups, 2014

Live Web Teaching

RECORDED VIDEO FROM THURSDAY NIGHT
Recorded Live on Thursday, November 13 @ 8:00 PM CST

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Sunday Homily l 11.02.14 l Seasons: Part 4

MASS READINGS Sunday, November 2
•  All the readings together
•  Wisdom 3:1-9
•  Psalm 23
•  Romans 5:5-11
•  John 6:37-30

FR. MARK'S HOMILY All Souls Day

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CORE MESSAGE  SEASONS OF LETTING GO

We all go through seasons where we have to let go. You don't have to struggle. There is hope in the season of letting go.

Recorded Sunday, November 2, 2014 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana. © Fr. Mark Toups, 2014

GOOD FRIDAYS Confessions all day, every Friday!
This Friday! November 7, 2014

•   7:30 AM Daily Mass
•   7:00 AM to Noon: Confessions
•   12:05 to 12:35 PM: Daily Mass
•   12:35 to 7:00 PM: Confessions

1.  November 7, 2014
2.  November 14, 2014
3.  November 21, 2014
4.  December 5, 2014
5.  December 12, 2014
6.  December 19, 2014

Sunday Homily l 10.19.14 l Seasons: Part 2

MASS READINGS Sunday, October 19
•  All the readings together
•  Isaiah 45:1, 4-6
•  Psalm 96
•  1st Thessalonians 1:1-5
•  Matthew 22:15-21

FR. MARK'S HOMILY 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time

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CORE MESSAGE  SEASONS

God wants to bless you. We all go through seasons when God is blessing you.

Recorded Sunday, October 19, 2014 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana. © Fr. Mark Toups, 2014

GOOD FRIDAYS Confessions all day, every Friday!
STARTING This Friday! October 24

•   7:30 AM Daily Mass
•   7:00 AM to Noon: Confessions
•   12:05 to 12:35 PM: Daily Mass
•   12:35 to 7:00 PM: Confessions

1.  October 24, 2014
2.  October 31, 2014
3.  November 7, 2014
4.  November 14, 2014
5.  November 21, 2014
6.  December 5, 2014
7.  December 12, 2014
8.  December 19, 2014

Fr. Robert Barron: 29th Sunday of OT

FR. ROBERT BARRON 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time
•   Click here to listen to Fr. Robert Barron's homily for this coming Sunday

Daily Mass Homily l Friday l 10.17.14

MASS READINGS  October 17, 2014
•  All the readings together
•  Ephesians 1:11-14
•  Psalm 33
•  Luke 12:1-7

FR. MARK'S HOMILY  Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch

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Recorded Friday, October 17, 2014 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana. © Fr. Mark Toups, 2014

GOOD FRIDAYS  Starting October 24th!

•   7:30 AM Daily Mass
•   8:00 AM to Noon: Confessions
•   12:05 to 12:35 PM: Daily Mass
•   12:35 to 8:00 PM: Confessions

1.  October 24, 2014
2.  October 31, 2014
3.  November 7, 2014
4.  November 14, 2014
5.  November 21, 2014
6.  December 5, 2014
7.  December 12, 2014
8.  December 19, 2014

Daily Mass Homily l Thursday l 10.16.14

MASS READINGS  October 16, 2014
•  All the readings together
•  Ephesians 1:1-10
•  Psalm 98
•  Luke 11:47-54

FR. MARK'S HOMILY  Thursday of the 28th Week of Ordinary Time

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Recorded Thursday, October 16, 2014 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana. © Fr. Mark Toups, 2014

GOOD FRIDAYS  Starting October 24th!

•   7:30 AM Daily Mass
•   8:00 AM to Noon: Confessions
•   12:05 to 12:35 PM: Daily Mass
•   12:35 to 8:00 PM: Confessions

1.  October 24, 2014
2.  October 31, 2014
3.  November 7, 2014
4.  November 14, 2014
5.  November 21, 2014
6.  December 5, 2014
7.  December 12, 2014
8.  December 19, 2014

Daily Mass Homily l Wednesday l 10.15.14

MASS READINGS  October 15, 2014
•  All the readings together
•  Galatians 5:18-25
•  Psalm 1
•  Luke 11:42-46

FR. MARK'S HOMILY  Memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus

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Recorded Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana. © Fr. Mark Toups, 2014

GOOD FRIDAYS  Starting October 24th!

•   7:30 AM Daily Mass
•   8:00 AM to Noon: Confessions
•   12:05 to 12:35 PM: Daily Mass
•   12:35 to 8:00 PM: Confessions

1.  October 24, 2014
2.  October 31, 2014
3.  November 7, 2014
4.  November 14, 2014
5.  November 21, 2014
6.  December 5, 2014
7.  December 12, 2014
8.  December 19, 2014

Daily Mass Homily l Tuesday l 10.14.14

MASS READINGS  October 14, 2014
•  All the readings together
•  Galatians 5:1-6
•  Psalm 119
•  Luke 11:37-41

FR. MARK'S HOMILY  Tuesday of the 28th Week of Ordinary Time

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Recorded Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana. © Fr. Mark Toups, 2014

GOOD FRIDAYS  Starting October 24th!

•   7:30 AM Daily Mass
•   8:00 AM to Noon: Confessions
•   12:05 to 12:35 PM: Daily Mass
•   12:35 to 8:00 PM: Confessions

1.  October 24, 2014
2.  October 31, 2014
3.  November 7, 2014
4.  November 14, 2014
5.  November 21, 2014
6.  December 5, 2014
7.  December 12, 2014
8.  December 19, 2014

Daily Mass Homily l Monday l 10.13.14

MASS READINGS  October 13, 2014
•  All the readings together
•  Galatians 4:22-27
•  Psalm 113
•  Luke 11:29-32

FR. MARK'S HOMILY  Monday of the 28th Week of Ordinary Time

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Recorded Monday, October 13, 2014 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana. © Fr. Mark Toups, 2014

GOOD FRIDAYS  Starting October 24th!

•   7:30 AM Daily Mass
•   8:00 AM to Noon: Confessions
•   12:05 to 12:35 PM: Daily Mass
•   12:35 to 8:00 PM: Confessions

1.  October 24, 2014
2.  October 31, 2014
3.  November 7, 2014
4.  November 14, 2014
5.  November 21, 2014
6.  December 5, 2014
7.  December 12, 2014
8.  December 19, 2014

Sunday Homily l 10.12.14 l Seasons: Part 1

MASS READINGS Sunday, October 12
•  All the readings together
•  Isaiah 25:6-10
•  Psalm 23
•  Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20
•  Matthew 22:1-10

FR. MARK'S HOMILY 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time

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CORE MESSAGE  SEASONS

1.  Seasons have a beginning and an end
2.  Seasons have a distinct personality
3.  Seasons have something to accomplish

Recorded Sunday, October 12, 2014 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana. © Fr. Mark Toups, 2014

GOOD FRIDAYS Confessions all day, every Friday!
STARTING Next Friday! October 24

•   7:30 AM Daily Mass
•   8:00 AM to Noon: Confessions
•   12:05 to 12:35 PM: Daily Mass
•   12:35 to 8:00 PM: Confessions

1.  October 24, 2014
2.  October 31, 2014
3.  November 7, 2014
4.  November 14, 2014
5.  November 21, 2014
6.  December 5, 2014
7.  December 12, 2014
8.  December 19, 2014

Sunday, Sept 21: Back to Basics, Part 5

MASS READINGS TODAY
•  All the readings together
•  Isaiah 55:6-9
•  Psalm 145
•  Philippians 1:20-27
•  Matthew 20:1-16

FR. MARK'S HOMILY 25TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

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Recorded Sunday, September 21, 2014 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana. © Fr. Mark Toups, 2014

Good Fridays: Coming Soon!

GOOD FRIDAYS CONFESSIONS ALL DAY FRIDAYS!
STARTING OCTOBER 24

• 7:30 AM Daily Mass
• 8:00 AM to Noon: Confessions
• 12:05 to 12:35 PM: Daily Mass
• 12:35 to 8:00 PM: Confessions

1. October 24, 2014
2. October 31, 2014
3. November 7, 2014
4. November 14, 2014
5. November 21, 2014
6. December 5, 2014
7. December 12, 2014
8. December 19, 2014

Examination of Conscience

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE 

Taken from Go in Peace: Your Guide to the Purpose and Power of Confession; 101 Questions and Answers, by Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J. and Sean Brown. Ascension Press.

First Commandment: I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:1-2) Also, see Matthew 4:10, 22:36-38; Mark 7:14-23

• Have I doubted or denied the existence of God?
• Have I lost hope of salvation or despaired of God's mercy?
• Have I refused to believe those things God has revealed in Scripture and Tradition?
• Have I engaged or believed in fortune telling, horoscopes, the occult, good-luck charms, tarot cards, palmistry, Ouija boards, séances, or reincarnation?
• Have I denied my Catholicism or refused to defend the Catholic Faith?
• Have I spent time in prayer on a daily basis?
• Have I ever received Communion in a state of mortal sin?
• Have I ever deliberately told a lie in Confession or have I withheld a mortal sin from the Priest in Confession?
• Am I addicted to any sort of chemical substance or any sort of self-indulgent behavior that alters my ability to be a free-thinking and free-choosing individual?
• Have I let hobbies or forms of leisure and entertainment become the most important aspects of my life?

Second Commandment: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. (Exodus 20:7) Also, see Matthew 5:33-37,22:36-38; Acts of the Apostles 19:13-17; Colossians 3:17

• Have I blasphemed or insulted God?
• Have I used God's name in vain, that is, in a careless or frivolous manner?
• Have I cursed someone by wishing evil upon them?
• Have I broken an oath or a vow, such as perjuring myself in a legal trial?
• Have I gotten angry at God?
• Have I insulted a sacred person or abused a sacred object?
• Do I hesitate to mention God's name in appropriate situations, in conversations with friends and family members, such as social and political discussions which have a religious dimension to them?
• Have I neglected learning more about God through study and reflection?

Third Commandment: Keep the Sabbath Day holy. (Exodus 20:8) Also, see Matthew 22:36-38; Mark 2:27-28; Hebrews 4:9

• Do I remember to attend Mass and make the effort to go every Sunday?
• Have I missed attending Mass on any Holy Day of obligation?
• Do I arrive at Mass on time? Do I leave early?
• When I participate in the Mass, do I focus on the liturgy and my prayers, or do I let my mind wander and dwell on unrelated subjects?
• Do I choose to work on Sundays when I am not obligated to?
• Do I disregard the religious observance of the Sabbath in general?

Fourth Commandment: Honor your father and mother. (Exodus 20:12) Also, see Matthew 15:4-6, 19:19, 22:39-40; Romans 13:9; 1st Corinthians  4:14-17; Ephesians 6:1-3

• Have I disobeyed authority, be it that of my parents, employer, government laws, or Church teaching?
• Did I neglect my duties to my husband, wife, children or parents?
• Did I neglect to give good religious example to my family?
• Did I fail to actively take an interest in the religious education and moral formation of my children?
• Do I set legitimate moral norms for my children and do I enforce the consequences of bad behavior?
• Did I cause tension and fights in my family? Did I care for my aged and infirm relatives? Have I disrespected or belittled the elderly?

Fifth Commandment: You shall not kill. (Exodus 20:13) Also, see Matthew 19:18, 22:39-40; Romans 13:9; Ephesians 4:31

• Have I killed or physically injured anyone?
• Have I had an abortion, or have I encouraged or assisted someone else to get one?
• Have I attempted to commit suicide?
• Do I support the right to suicide?
• Did I use or cause my spouse to use birth control pills (whether or not realizing that birth control pills do abort the fetus if and when conceived)?
• Have I taken part in or given my approval to a "mercy killing" (euthanasia)?
• Did I become angry, impatient, envious, unkind, proud, vengeful, jealous or hateful toward another?
• Have I engaged in unjustifiable physical violence toward others?
• Have I abused my children by violent or other means?

Sixth Commandment: You shall not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14) Also, see Matthew 19:18, 22:39-40; Mark 7:22; Romans 13:9; Ephesians 5:3-4)

• Do I look at pornography or read romance novels for the purpose of enhancing my own self-indulgent fantasies?
• Did I use impure or suggestive words? Tell impure stories? Listen to them?
• Did I commit impure acts by myself (masturbation)?
• Did I commit impure acts with another- fornication (premarital sex), adultery (sex with a married person)?
• Have I engaged in homosexual activity?
• Do I treat my own spouse as an object of my personal sexual gratification?
• Have I practiced artificial birth control (by any means, including pills, devices, withdrawal)?
• Have I or has my spouse voluntarily been sterilized?
• Did I marry or advise anyone to marry outside the Church?

Seventh Commandment: You shall not steal. (Exodus 20:15) Also, see Matthew 19:18, 22:39-40; Mark 7:21; Romans 13:9; Ephesians 4:28

• Have I stolen other people's property?
• Have I helped or encouraged other persons to steal or keep stolen goods?
• Have I knowingly bought or kept goods that I knew were stolen by someone else?
• Have I made restitution for any goods that I have stolen, or returned goods that I knew were stolen by another?
• Have I failed to keep any contracts I have entered?
• When making a purchase, have I remained silent when recognizing a monetary mistake in my favor?
• Have I given or accepted bribes or kickbacks, especially to increase my influence in government or business matters?
• Have I paid my bills responsibly?
• Have I incurred unnecessary debt?
• Have I gambled money in such a way as to deprive myself or my family of the necessities of life?
• Have I neglected my duties while on the clock, failing to put in an honest day's work for the wages that I earn?
• Do I pay my employees a fair wage by which they are able to adequately support themselves and their families?
• Do I take advantage of the religious beliefs of my employees by telling them that their work is a ministry, so as to justify the low wages I pay them, when I could easily pay them more?
• Do I share my goods with the poor and needy, showing generosity to them?

Eighth Commandment: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16) Also, see Matthew 5:33, 19:18, 22:39-40; Romans 13:9; Ephesians 4:25

• Have I told any lies?
• Have I deliberately deceived any persons who had the right to know the truth of a matter?
• Have I injured the reputation or effectiveness of other persons by spreading falsehoods about them?
• Have I given a false testimony in court or in a legal procedure, thereby committing perjury?
• Do I deal with other persons in a sincere and honest manner?
• Did I fail to keep secret what I should have kept confidential?
• Have I gossiped about friends or enemies, revealing personal private information that is detrimental in nature? Have I done so without even knowing with certainty the truth of the matter?
• Do I criticize others or hold negative and uncharitable thoughts about them?
• Has my reluctance to speak in defense of truth or the faith because of my own fear or laziness led others to sin, or made them susceptible to it? Has my own taste for immoral actions or events encouraged others to follow suit and deny God's will?

Ninth Commandment: You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. (Exodus 20:17) Also, see Matthew 5:27-28, 19:18, 22:39-40; Romans 13:9; Ephesians 5:3-4

• Since this commandment treats the issues of one's interior desires rather than overtly sinful deeds, one must examine mental attitudes and choices one makes about thoughts one dwells on.
• Did I respect all members of the opposite sex, or have I thought of other people as objects?
• Have there been times in which I chose to dwell on lust, even if I have not acted on it?
• Have I reflected on past sexual sins for the purpose of indulging in the reminiscence of the gratification those recollections offer?
• Have I instigated or actively engaged in impure thoughts by reading books, seeing movies, or listening to conversations which are sexually stimulating?
• Do I try to steer my imagination from lustful thoughts that treat other persons as objects for my use rather than as objects of pure love? Do I pray when I am tempted by impure thoughts? Do I direct my thoughts to other things so as to resist the temptation to lust?

Tenth Commandment: You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. (Exodus 20:17) Also, see Matthew 6:21, 19:18; Mark 7:22

• This commandment also concerns internal attitudes rather than overt actions, though here it concerns the neighbor's property.
• Have I envied other people's families or possessions?
• Have I made it a primary goal in life to acquire as many material possessions as possible?
• Have I felt compelled to "keep up with the Jones"?
• Do I always want more than I have?
• Am I greedy or selfish in regard to my possessions?
• Do I place my trust in God's providence, entrusting my material and spiritual needs to His care?
• Do we thank God for all He has given us and are we satisfied with these gifts?

Sunday, Sept 14: Back to Basics, Part 4

MASS READINGS TODAY
•  All the readings together
•  Numbers 21:4-9
•  Psalm 78
•  Philippians 2:6-11
•  John 3:13-17

FR. MARK'S HOMILY EXULTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

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Video: How to Make a Good Holy Hour

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Here you ... click the video below ... help on how to make a good holy hour.

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Tips on How to Make a Good Holy Hour

HOW TO MAKE A GOOD HOLY HOUR 
TIPS FROM FR. MARK

Ever try to pray only to soon find out you don’t know what to do? Ever visit the Adoration Chapel only to leave frustrated because you didn’t know how to pray? Here are a few suggestions as to how to make a good holy hour.

Minutes 0-5: Meditate on the following quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “God calls man first. Man may forget his Creator or hide far from his face; he may run after idols or accuse the deity of having abandoned him; yet the living and true God tirelessly calls each person to that mysterious encounter known as prayer. In prayer, the faithful God’s initiative of love always comes first; our own first step is always a response.” (no. 2567)

Minutes 5-10: Look in your heart, look at your life. What do you want? What do you really want from God? Tell God right now what you need from Him during this time of prayer.

Minutes 10-15: Find a passage from the Bible. Maybe it’s a Psalm; maybe it’s the readings from daily Mass; maybe it’s the readings at the upcoming Sunday Mass. Simply find a passage from Scripture. Read the passage slowly. Get familiar with the text. Read the passage a second time, this time read it even slower. Very, very slowly read the passage a third time. Pay attention to which word, words, or phrases “tug” at your heart or get your attention.

Minutes 15-25: Think about your life; think about the reality of your life. What are the word, words, or phrases from the Bible speakng to in your life? How does the Bible passage connect to your life? Think. Look deep within.

Minutes 25-35: Talk to God. Talk to God as if He were a real person. Talk to God like Moses did: “The Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as one man speaks to another.” (Exodus 33:11)

Minutes 35-45: Listen. God will speak to you. Maybe God will speak to you through a thought in your head ... or a song in your heart ... or a memory ... or a feeling in your body. Listen with all your senses.

Minutes 45-50: Return to the Scripture passage again. Read it slowly one more time. Is there any word, words, or phrases that speak to you again?

Minutes 50-55: What can you do today, this week, to act on what God has revealed to you? Practically speaking, in your real life, what can you do?

Minutes 55-60: Thank the Lord. Blessings are specific and so should our gratitude. Tell God specifically what you’re thankful for.

Sunday, August 31: Back to Basics, Part 3

MASS READINGS TODAY
•  All the readings together
•  Jeremiah 20:7-9
•  Psalm 63
•  Romans 12:1-2
•  Matthew 16:21-27

FR. MARK'S HOMILY 22ND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

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ME

• Quick welcome to visitors and guests
• Spent the week with our staff. We have a great staff … we a few new people joining our team … I’m excited about our growth as a parish family, about the quality of our team + new team, about our future. It was a great week.
• God was exceptionally near to me when we were in Diamondhead on retreat.
• Then, I came home and I noticed a flatness.
• Great things happening in the office … great conversations with y’all … great being home … I’m so very happy.
• However, it’s like the air sailed out the balloon, things were dry the last few days.
• Struggled to rest in prayer … trying what I know to do, but struggled.
• Discouraged in prayer led to other discouragements.

WE

• I think we all share this in common
• I think we all know what it’s like to want more … to have great hope … to hear and see others thriving … and then to struggle > to not know what to do > to leave disappointed > to not get what we wanted >>> to be discouraged
• I get discouraged … a lot of get discouraged
• I want more … I think a lot of us want more 

WHY SHOULD YOU KEEP LISTENING?

• I think a lot of us are searching in life.
• I think we all want more from God; however, sometimes it just seems hard and we get discouraged.
• So what if … what if God could speak directly to you and the discouragement today?
• What if God could give you hope?
• What if you and Him were easier?
• What if prayer were easy? … or easier?

GOD

• Today's first reading: from Jeremiah 30
• Jeremiah is discouraged. Listen to his discouragement:

1. “You duped me, O Lord, and I let myself be duped”
2. “All the day I am an object of laughter; everyone mocks me.”
3. “Whenever I speak, I must cry out, violence and outrage is my message; the word of the Lord has brought me derision and reproach all the day.”
4. “I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more.”
5. “I grow weary”

• Can you hear his discouragement?
• Ever feel like that?

TRANSITION TO CORE MESSAGE

• This Sunday is the 3rd week of this “Back to Basics” series. Perhaps you’ve tried the first two challenges … and things went great.
• Perhaps you tried … and nothing happened.
• Maybe feeling great … maybe discouraged.
• Taking it one step further … prayer can be difficult because I think for a lot of us we want to pray, but don’t know what to do.
• We learned how to “say our prayers;” however, what we learned as a kid doesn’t suffice for what we face as adults.
• Reach crisis in life > and you pray
• Worried … or in love … or care for other > and you pray
• Get hungry for more … take a shot for growth > and you pray

CORE MESSAGE

• The third thing we can do to help our spiritual life is to learn how manage discouragements, and learn how to pray
• Prayer is different from “saying your prayers” and some of us need to learn how to pray.

YOU (What is the one thing you can do this week?)

• We can prepare for Sunday Mass + we can go to daily Mass + we can spend an hour a week in the Adoration chapel.
• However, you might say: “Fr. Mark, I don’t know what to do.” 
• I made a handout + plus I’m gonna offer an hour teaching this week at three different times!
• I believe in you. I believe in God. I believe in His desire.
• I am convinced that this can be the best year of your spiritual life!
• This week, make one holy hour. Commit praying at home, or in the Adoration chapel, or somewhere.
• “But then it is as if fire is burning in my heart … (Jeremiah 20:9) … 
• But listen to what follows! “But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not prevail. Sing to the Lord, praise the Lord, For he has rescued the life of the poor” 

WE

• What if we all did that?
• What if discouragement weren’t the end?
• What if you could pray better this year?
• What would life look if prayer were easier?
• What would you life look like if this were the best year of your spiritual life?
• Let’s pray right now …

Recorded Sunday, August 31, 2014 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana. © Fr. Mark Toups, 2014

Fr. Robert Barron: 22nd Sunday of OT

FR. ROBERT BARRON: 22ND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME
Click here to listen to Fr. Robert Barron's homily for this Sunday.

Daily Mass in Thibodaux: By Time

DAILY MASSES IN THIBODAUX  ORGANIZED BY TIME

6:30 AM > Monday thru Friday, Saint Joseph Co-Cathedral
7:00 AM > Monday thru Friday, Saint Genevieve
7:30 AM > Monday thru Saturday, Christ the Redeemer
8:00 AM > Thursdays only, Saint Thomas
9:00 AM > Fridays only, Saint Genevieve
12:05 PM > Monday thru Friday, Christ the Redeemer
12:15 PM > Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, Saint Thomas
5:30 PM > Monday thru Friday, Saint Joseph’s Co-Cathedral
7:00 PM > Tuesdays only, Saint Thomas

Daily Mass in Thibodaux: By Church

CHRIST THE REDEEMER CATHOLIC CHURCH
720 Talbot Avenue
Mondays: Masses at 7:30 AM & 12:05 PM
Tuesdays: Masses at 7:30 AM & 12:05 PM
Wednesdays: Masses at 7:30 AM & 12:05 PM
Thursdays: Masses at 7:30 AM & 12:05 PM
Fridays: Masses at 7:30 AM & 12:05 PM
Saturday: Mass at 7:30 AM

SAINT GENEVIEVE CATHOLIC CHURCH
815 Barbier Avenue
Mondays: Mass at 7:00 AM
Tuesdays: Mass at 7:00 AM
Wednesdays: Mass at 7:00 AM
Thursdays: Mass at 7:00 AM
Fridays: Masses at 7:00 AM & 9:00 AM (School Mass)

SAINT JOSEPH CO-CATHEDRAL
721 Canal Boulevard
Mondays: Masses at 6:30 AM & 5:30 PM
Tuesdays: Masses at 6:30 AM & 5:30 PM
Wednesdays: Masses at 6:30 AM & 5:30 PM
Thursdays: Masses at 6:30 AM & 5:30 PM
Fridays: Masses at 6:30 AM & 5:30 PM

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH
Nicholls State University
Mondays: Mass at 12:15 PM
Tuesdays: Masses at 12:15 PM & 7:00 PM
Wednesdays: Mass at 12:15 PM
Thursdays: Mass at 8:00 AM

SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURCH
2085 Saint Mary’s Street
Tuesdays: Mass at 7:00 AM
Wednesdays: Mass at 7:00 AM
Thursdays: Mass at 7:00 AM
Fridays: Mass at 7:00 AM

Sunday, August 24: Back to Basics, Part 2

MASS READINGS TODAY
•  All the readings together
•  Isaiah 22:19-23
•  Psalm 138
•  Romans 11:33-36
•  Matthew 16:13-20

FR. MARK'S HOMILY 21ST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

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ME

• Quick welcome to visitors and guests
• After I graduated from Nicholls I moved to Washington DC and worked for a management consulting firm
• My experience of Nicholls was great … track ... fraternity … youth ministry
• God was near. I could touch him. It was one of the best “seasons” in my life
• On the other hand, living in DC was different … hours … stress … transition.
• I don’t handle transition well, so it took me a long time to adjust
• God seemed far away. I still prayed … kinda. I still went to Mass. However, the nearness was gone. 
• Nicholls … DC 
• Near … far

WE

• I think we all share this in common
• I think we’ve all felt God close … then felt Him far away … near … far … personal … invisible.
• How many times have you and I “repeated” the same pattern? 

WHY SHOULD YOU KEEP LISTENING?

• I think a lot of us are searching in life.
• I think deep within ever human being is the desire for something bigger than them … to know that something out there can help me 
• However, we also want to know that God is thinking of me … my life … my questions
• What if God were there … and what if you could experience more easily?

GOD

• Often God seems mysterious, transcendent, completely other:
• “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor?” (Romans 11:33-34)
• On the other hand, God seems to want to be known:
• “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15)
• “flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father” (Matthew 16:17)
• What we know about God is that He is mysterious – He is mystery – but He is also near; He is in Heaven, but He is also on earth; He is everywhere, but He wants to be immediately close to you.

TRANSITION TO THE CORE MESSAGE

• How can we now – here on earth – in the midst of our lives in Thibodaux easily experience both God’s mystery and His nearness? Mass
• Sunday Mass … and … daily Mass

TIE INTO THE SERIES

• Last week we started a journey together, a journey called “Back to Basics”
• There are seven basic things that you can do to make this year the best year of your spiritual life
• Last week: No. 1 ... we can prepare for Sunday Mass
• This week: No. 2 ... we can go to daily Mass

CORE MESSAGE

• Going to daily Mass can dramatically impact your spiritual life

TESTIMONY TO CORE MESSAGE

• Back to Nicholls … it was daily Mass …

YOU (What is the one thing you can do this week?)

• As I offer the invitation … the opportunity … the challenge today, I also want to say I’m proud of you.
• Last August 2013: 20 people at only one daily Mass
• This August 2014: 100 people at now two daily Masses
• If you’re already going to Mass daily ... I’m proud of you … and I challenge you to share your experience of what daily Mass has meant to you
• If you usually go during Lent … or if you used to go during Lent … if it worked then, it can work again … try it again
• If you’ve never been to daily Mass ... try it once
• This week ... I challenge everyone of us to go to 1 daily Mass

WE

• What if we all did that?
• What if you had the best spiritual year ever?
• What if we all had the best year ever?
• Let’s pray right now …

Recorded Sunday, August 24, 2014 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana. © Fr. Mark Toups, 2014