News - September 2022 RSS Feed

Each October the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month, and the first Sunday of October is observed as Respect Life Sunday. As Catholics, we are called to cherish, defend, and protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning of life to its end, at every point in between. During the month of October, the Church asks us to reflect more deeply on the dignity of every human life.

Today, Sunday, September 25th is FAMILY DAY in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. This year, the theme for Family Day is “Rise to the Occasion.” To “Rise to the Occasion” means to take responsibility for what is right in front of us. Like a small amount of yeast in a huge mass of flour, we make the whole dough rise and reach its full potential. We “rise to the occasion” when we encourage each member of our family to be the person God calls them to be. We “rise to the occasion” when we contribute to our church parish’s life that needs our presence and participation.

Today, the second collection will be for the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC). Your support helps CCC engage and build Catholic communities in the United States and around the world using the internet, television, radio, and print media. Half of the funds we collect remain in the Archdiocese of New Orleans to support local efforts. Be a part of this campaign to spread the Gospel message.

As Catholics, we belong to a liturgical church. One aspect of this is the observation of the Church Year—a fixed, three-year (Sunday) calendar. In other words, we follow the Lectionary. We do not freely choose the readings, but rather, subject ourselves to the discipline of a Lectionary that proclaims the same message to all members. This is part of being a universal Church. That being said, on 9/11, today’s celebration just happens to proclaim stories of God’s mercy in each of the readings, as well as the responsorial Psalm 51. It is the great penitential psalm known as the Miserere. This anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy becomes even more significant in the light of subsequent terrorism in our country. Today’s Second Reading from Saint Paul to Timothy expresses the evangelist’s gratitude to Christ for being treated with mercy and patience. The Gospel’s parable of the prodigal son completes the mercy and forgiveness circle.

The Holy Spirit draws us here today to worship our Lord—to listen to God’s word, and to celebrate the Eucharist. On this Labor Day weekend, as we recognize the blessings of human labor and of all those who work, whether paid or unpaid, we are also inspired to take part in the Lord’s work. May our celebration of the Eucharist strengthen us as we labor in the vineyard—helping to bring Christ’s saving message to a hungry world.