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Family of the Month for September 2024 was Tim & Lela Rushing Knight of the Month for September 2024 was Perry Scioneaux All practical Catholic gentlemen 18 years and older are invited to join our council. Contact Robert Beadle or Joel Ocmand for details

The Sound of the Bells of St. Peter Church Will Soon Return Several months ago, the electronic/digital bell system stopped working for unknown reasons. This precision instrument reproduces the sound of actual bells, and truly inspires us as it strikes the hours, the Angelus, and plays Easter hymns and Christmas carols as those seasons dictate. The positive side of this electronic/digital bell and carillon system is that it doesn’t require the maintenance of real tolling bells which we at St. Peter’s do have in our imposing and beautiful bell tower; however, after almost 60 years now, these bells, completely exposed to the elements and the weather, are in need of attention in order to be functional again. These three bells would only strike the hour, ring the Angelus, peal joyously together for weddings and other festive occasions, and toll for funerals, and are not capable of playing hymns and carols because there are only three bells and thus, only three notes, and hymns and carols are composed of many more than just three notes. In the future; however, I would like to explore what it would take to bring our three real bells to be functional and safe to be rung again. For many years now, churches all over the world have used and are still using electronic bell systems as their only bell/ carillon system or as a supplement to real bells. Such is the case with the Catholic churches of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The Stella Roman Foundation was established well over 60 years ago to provide churches with these electronic bell systems as gifts of the estate of Stella Roman. She set aside in her will that a certain sum of money was to be invested and used to fund the purchase of these bell systems for the churches of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the Dioceses of Baton Rouge and Houma-Thibodaux. In addition to gifting these systems to churches, the foundation also replaces them when they break, malfunction, or just stop working, as it seems the fate of our bell system here at St. Peter’s. I am happy to announce that a new digital bell/carillon system will soon replace our old system that “just stopped working.” Fr. John Marse wrote the foundation trustees this past June, and at their meeting in August, the foundation members approved a replacement. In my own experience as a priest for the past 37 years, these bell systems get better, smaller in size yet more precise and accurate, each year. The system that we will soon receive is valued at $10,000 retail – certainly a wonderful gift to St. Peter Church parish as we approach the 60th anniversary in 2027 of the completion and dedication of our present church building. I will keep you updated on the installation of the equipment and will let you know when the bells will begin ringing again along the River Road and beyond in Reserve.

If you are, or have, a student in grades 9 - 11 seeking to be Confirmed, please fill out the brief form linked to the QR code below for preregistration by August 1. Students are reminded that if they attend a Catholic school, they will still have to register for Confirmation in their home parish. Official registration will be mailed out August 5 to students who pre-registered. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Kay Vicknair at [email protected].

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone for your prayers, well wishes, and gifts as we begin retirement. It was very special for us to celebrate with all of you -- our parish family, and our friends and family. Your generosity and kindness are greatly appreciated. May God bless you all with joy and peace in your lives.

Dear Fr. John, St. Peter Parish Staff would like to thank you for your dedication to St. Peter, It has truly been a pleasure working for you. We wish you well and hope you get some well deserved rest and relaxation. We are so blessed that you will still be in the area. So, see you later!

Summertime has arrived and with it, the ever-present chance of summer storms. High winds, tornadoes, thunderstorms, and flash floods, make these storms frightening and dangerous. As I write this, my last column, all eyes are on the Gulf of Mexico as the first tropical system may be developing off the Texas coast. How ironic that the Scripture readings today, especially the Gospel, speak to us about violent storms; and how the disciples were fearing for their lives. Not to fear, but Jesus calmed the storm. In our life, when we experience “storms of life,” we can’t handle it on our own—but we can turn to the Lord who will be with us during the storms of life.

THANK YOU! Words can not express how I felt at my Retirement Mass and Celebration afterwards. Many people commented that they could feel the love the parishioners have for me and the love that I have for you. It was truly a GREAT celebration! There were many people and organizations that were part of the planning process, I thank you for a wonderful celebration. To all the singers, Ms. Mimi Blank, the organist, Judge Sterling Snowdy, the director, I THANK YOU for helping us lift our voices to the Lord in prayerful song. I will not say “goodbye” because I am not leaving Reserve. I am sure I will run into you either at the post office or the store. I will also occasionally celebrate Mass here too. Once again, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for allowing me to serve as Pastor of St. Peter Parish for the past eleven years.

Moved by the Holy Spirit, we gather today as a family—a parish family as well as children of God—to celebrate the Eucharist. It is appropriate to think of our family of faith, for in today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus tell the crowds that whoever does the will of God is part of His family. It has been a privilege for me to be a part of the St. Peter Parish Family, especially for the past eleven and a half years to serve as pastor. On July 1st St. Peter Parish Family will once again be shepherded by a native son—Fr. Ray Hymel. I truly see the hand of God as well as the guidance of Msgr. Eyraud in the appointments of two native sons to return home and serve our parish family of St. Peter as pastor.

JOIN US TO CELEBRATE FR. JOHN MARSE’S RETIREMENT ON JUNE 9TH Starting with 11 AM Mass we will celebrate Fr. John’s upcoming retirement with a reception following at the KC Hall. All are invited to attend and celebrate. Food and refreshments will be provided. Designed envelopes are available for those of you who would like to gift Father Marse with a monetary gift. The envelopes are located at the tables at all entrances of the church. The envelopes can be placed in the collection baskets or you may bring your envelope to the celebration on June 9th, we will have a basket available for envelopes.

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, traditionally called Corpus Christi. In the most recent revision of our liturgical rites, the name for this day is expanded to be a more complete reflection of our Eucharistic theology. We are a Eucharistic people, receiving sustenance from the Body and Blood of our Lord in the Eucharist so that we may be sent out as disciples, manifesting the Real Presence of Jesus in our lives as we build up the Body of Christ—the Church.

This week we return to the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. However, this Sunday and next Sunday are designated as solemnities—special days that call our attention to the central mysteries of our Faith. Today, on the first Sunday after Pentecost, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. This feast invites us to consider what we believe about God, who has revealed Himself to us in the Trinity—one God in three Persons.

The Parish Office will be closed Monday, May 27, 2024 in observance of Memorial Day

The season of Easter concludes today with the Solemnity of Pentecost. On Pentecost, we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles gathered in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. The descent of the Holy Spirit marks the beginning of the Church. As a community of faith, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to “go out into the world to proclaim the Gospel message.”