VOL Parish Weekly Bulletin February 11, 2018 | Page 2

February 11, 2018 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Views From The Pews 2 Did You Know? Phil writes, “I don’t make it a habit to disagree with priests but you are dead wrong on this one. You said in your homily that pain is a blessing. I know how I feel. Pain is a curse. It is not a blessing and never will be .” “God the Father never cursed his Son, Jesus. Yet, he gave him enormous pain. He gave Jesus the pain so that his Son could forgive our sins and open Heaven in a way that would be a spectacular example to us. Jesus died on a cross in horrific pain so that we could never legitimately say God doesn’t understand our pain and so that He could show us that suffering, when it is endured to serve others, is the heart of love. I understand how you FEEL. From a feelings standpoint, we all hate pain. But, when despite our FEELINGS, we WILL to endure pain to allow God to pour grace into the world for others, pain becomes sacramental, not a curse.” Father Mike Office Closed The Pastoral Center will be CLOSED Febr uar y 12 - 14 for the Mardi Gras Holiday. In the event of an emergency or death, please call 341-7609. Fasting and Abstinence Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics who are 18 to 60 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 each one’s needs, but eating between meals is NOT PERMITTED. Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics 14 years or older on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and on all Fridays of Lent. The determination of certain days as obligatory days of penance should not be understood as limiting the occasions for Christian penance. Way of the Cross The Way of the Cross will be celebrated every Friday evening during Lent immediately following a 6 p.m. Mass. This traditional journey to Calvary, using the texts from Holy Scripture, has been a consolation and source of faith and grace to many. The Church grants to those who participate in the Way of the Cross a plenary indulgence. More than half of all adolescents and teens in America have been bullied online, and it is not being done by just a few. Approximately half of adolescents and teens are aggressors. They have bullied others online. Parents, let’s get involved. Such bullying is a grave sin. Father Mike Safe Haven Sunday: Equipping the Family, Safeguarding the Children The family home is to be a safe haven. But, the inappropriate use of technology in the home deprives it of this role and is the greatest threat to the sanctity of marriages and families today. Pornography and other online threats are often one click away, and parents can feel overwhelmed with not knowing how to best protect their children in our fast-paced digital world. Next weekend, February 18-19, the First Sunday of Lent, the Archdiocese of New Orleans is taking a bold step to help families by celebrating “Safe Haven Sunday.” This awareness day will provide access to practical resources that any caring adult can use to protect themselves and our precious young people from online risks. Please join us with your prayers and presence as we prepare for this unique event. To learn more, please contact the Archdiocese of New Orleans Office of Marriage and Family Life at [email protected] or visit www.nolacatholic.com. Eucharistic Adoration Christ suffer ed and died for Y OU. His love for you is unfathomable. It’s time to take time for Him. Visit Him during Eucharistic Adoration on Thursday, February 22, 2018, in the Day Chapel. Call the Pastoral Center at 347-2203 to be placed on the Adoration schedule. Drop ins are ALWAYS welcome!!