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In the middle of the summer we hear readings from Sacred Scripture that speaks of the fruitful earth. Today and the next two Sundays Chapter 13 of Saint Matthew’s Gospel will be proclaimed. This section of the Gospel is often referred to as the “Parable Discourse” because Jesus will use parables to teach the people. Today we hear about the parable of the seed. Jesus will teach us that there is different type of seeds: good, bad, and wasted. As we gather this weekend for Mass our faith is nourished by the Lord through Word and Sacrament. We pray that we may be rich soil for the Word of God to take root, bloom, and thrive across the earth.

As we celebrate the Fourteenth (14th) Sunday in Ordinary Time, this weekend is also the Fourth of July holiday. Our celebration of our nation’s independence will be a little different this year because of COVID-19, but that should not deter us from reflecting on the freedom that is ours because of our “founding fathers and mothers.”

The Archdiocese's CYO office has rescheduled it's annual Youth Leadership Award Celebration. This year the following students will be recognized as outstanding youth from our parish: Laken Audiffred Rio Frazier Alyssa Hebert They will be honored at Divine Mercy Church in Kenner on Saturday, July 11.

Our monthly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will take place on Wednesday, July 1st. Adoration begins at 1:00 P.M. and concludes with Benediction at 6:00 P.M. I invite all who are able to spend some time in the presence of our Eucharistic Lord. There are many things that we need to pray for as well as many things to be grateful.

LECTORS NEEDED We need Lectors to proclaim the Word of God at our weekend Masses, especially at the 5:00 P.M. Saturday Vigil Mass. The ministry of Lector proclaims the Word of God at Mass and in doing so serves as the mouthpiece through which God speaks to the Church. If you feel that you are being called to the ministry of Lector, please contact Father Marse at 536-2887. Training will be provided.

Last week’s and this week’s Gospel readings are known as the Discourse on the Mission. Faith, hospitality, and gifts are common motifs today. Jesus discusses the challenge of living the Gospel. Faithful discipleship comes with demands; but we are not to keep the Gospel message to ourselves—it must be proclaimed and lived no matter what the cost. For those who are faithful, the reward will be newness of life.

St. John the Baptist Civil Parish will not have its annual firework celebration this year because of COVID-19. Let us continue to celebrate the freedom that we have in the United States of America.

Happy Father’s Day! I would like to take this opportunity to wish all fathers and father figures a very blessed Father’s Day. This year’s gathering of family may be a little different because of COVID-19; but be assured of God’s continued blessings upon you as we, your sons and daughters honor you.

oday we celebrate the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Traditionally known as Corpus Christi. Before He gave His life on the cross for the salvation of the world, Jesus gave His body and blood to His disciples in the form of bread and wine, instructing them to continue this practice in memory of Him. Just as God led Moses and the Israelites out of Egypt and provided manna and water in the desert; so too, does Jesus gives us His Body and Blood to strengthen us in life. During the COVID-19 pandemic when we could not gather as a community to celebrate the Eucharist, I constantly heard from parishioners that they really missed receiving Holy Communion. As we receive Holy Communion today at Mass, let us realize the sustenance we are given: The Body and Blood, soul and divinity of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ!

This weekend there will be a special collection to benefit the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, a triennial collection approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Established by Pope Saint John-Paul II in 1985, the Archdiocese for Military Services is the only U.S. diocese responsible for providing pastoral care to men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Please prayerfully consider a contribution to this special collection to support active-duty military men and women, and their families.

Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Trinity. We honor the Holy Trinity—one God, yet three Persons. God is one, but God is not alone. God is love and in the Trinity we have an ideal example of a relationship of pure and infinite love. Every time we make the Sign of the Cross, we are reminded of the love that bonds the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Wednesday, June 3rd is our monthly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Adoration begins at 1:00 P.M. and concludes with Benediction at 6:00 P.M.

It is fitting that we say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the Church. As we celebrate the Solemnity of PENTECOST, the Church is born. The Apostles, along with the Blessed Mother, receive the Holy Spirit. They leave the Upper Room and go out to proclaim the Gospel message to all the world. From the beginning of His Mission, Jesus was always on the move, found in streets, the neighborhood homes, the marketplaces, and the temple. To be Christian is to follow His footsteps—to find Him never in one place but to be on the go, taking His message of hope to where it needs to be heard. For Christ is not absent from the world. Through the sacraments we are joined to Christ by the Spirit, we are now His presence.

It was good seeing so many parishioners at Mass this past weekend. Hopefully, as times goes by, more people will feel safe to return to Church for Mass. Until then, remember, that Archbishop Aymond has dispensed Catholics from attending Mass as long as we are in a pandemic.

We are planning on having Masses on the weekend of May 16th & 17th.

Unfortunately, this year's Golden Wedding Anniversary scheduled for June 7, 2020, has been canceled. However, since this event always includes those married 50 years or more, those planning to attend this year can plan to attend next year in 2021 and still receive a scroll and a picture with the Archbishop.

HAPPY EASTER! I know this is not the celebration of Easter we are accustomed to celebrating. For many of us, we gather during the Sacred Triduum to celebrate the beautiful Liturgies of the Church. It is also a time of celebrating with family and friends. However, this year, we will not be able to do that because of COVID-19, the coronavirus.

Palms will be blessed and available after 5:00 pm on Saturday April 4. They will be placed under the portico for parishioners to pick up

Although the Gospels for this year are mostly taken from the Gospel of Matthew, for the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent in Cycle A they are taken from the Gospel of John. Today we will hear the story of the healing of the blind man to which we turn for insight in the spiritual life. For people in the Bible, isolation from the community was a form of death. Life was re-entry into the community. As we celebrate the blind man’s healing, we celebrate his acceptance and return to the community. What is it that needs healing in our lives? How do we need to change our hearts and let Christ’s gifts of freedom, light, and life enter us?

During this holy season of Lent, we examine and reflect upon our lives and call of God for aid. There are times in our lives when we feel alone—abandoned. We may ask ourselves, “Is the LORD in our midst or not?” For the next three weeks we will be hearing the Gospel of John. Today, as the Samaritan woman encounters Jesus; she has a life-changing experience of mercy. We, too can receive new life and life-giving water from the Word and sacrament in which we encounter Christ.