St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church

Through the generosity of our parishioners giving their time, their talents, and their treasure, we will continue to strengthen our parish.  Thank you to all who have or will share their Stewardship of Treasure to support our ministires, facilities, and programs.  

The Online Giving program is a convenient way to practice responsible financial stewardship. 
You can make one-time or recurring donations via electronic check or debit/credit card in any of the following categories:

• One-Time Gift
• Weekly Collection
• Building & Maintenance Fund
• Capital Campaign Fund

(NOTE:  If you choose recurring donation, you will be sent an email prompting you to create an account.  Once you create the account, you will be able to increase/decrease amount and place on pause if needed.)

More information on the Online Giving page.

National NFP Awareness Week:
Love, Naturally!

The Archdiocese of New Orleans is encouraging all parishes to join National NFP Awareness Week, July 21-27, 2019. This year's theme is Love, Naturally! Cooperating with God's design for married love.
 

For more information and resources go to our Respect Life Page.

The Trump administration announced Monday evening that parts of the Protect Life Rule, which prohibits recipients of Title X family planning funds to refer or provide abortion services, will go into effect immediately. The Protect Life Rule will strip about $60 million in federal funding from Planned Parenthood, whose clinics both refer for abortion services and are co-located with abortion facilities. Planned Parenthood presently receives about one-fifth of the total amount of Title X funds distributed and serves about 40 percent of all clients who benefit from Title X. For complete details see the Catholic News Agency article. 

Registration is now open for our next ALPHA Session here at SMM which begins August 29, 2019.      Invite your family members, neighbors, co-workers—anyone who would like to join us in sharing food, fun, and faith! To register, contact Patsy Ricau @ pricau@cox.net, or 504-813-4327.

2019 SEAFOOD FESTIVAL NEWS (click for details) 
The Festival Committee is planning our Seafood Festival.
Our theme is: God Bless America & St. Mary Magdalen.
For this effort, we are having 2 General Meetings:
Wednesdays, July 17 and August 21
at 7:00 PM in Massett Hall. 
All are invited to come and join the planning effort. 
SAVE THE FESTIVAL DATES:  October 4, 5 & 6, 2019

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Saint Mary Magdalen FEAST DAY 

Mary of Magdala was known for having seven demons driven out of her before her love was transformed and directed by Christ.  Her conversion brought her to such great devotion to Christ that she followed him, standing loyally and faithfully nearby during his arrest and crucifixion.  She was the first to see and speak to the Risen Christ and was commissioned by Him to announce His Resurrection to the world. From that point, she was known as the “Apostle to the Apostles”. She, along with the Apostles, received the gifts of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost and went out into the world proclaiming the Good News. She spent the last 30 years of her life and a contemplative hermit. Her feast day is JULY 22.  Prayer to St. Mary Magdalen & Litany of St. Mary Magdalen.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION SPECIAL SESSION ON MARY

SMM Adult Faith Formation Committee presents Bishop Robert Barron’s Word on Fire Catholic Ministries video entitled: Mary, the Mother of God. In this video presentation, Bishop Barron journeys to the humble remains of Mary’s house in Nazareth, to the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus and to the shrines of Lourdes and Guadalupe to explain the Church’s teachings about Mary as the Mother of God, the Immaculate Conception and the dogma of the Assumption. The session will be held on Monday, August 12, 2019 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in the Discipleship Center. For more information to register, call Linda Earle at 504-733-8980. Please register by August 5, 2019.

Meet our New Principal, Ms. Theresa Hebert (click here).

On Sunday, July 28, the Parents’ Club will hold a sale of used uniforms from 9AM-12Noon in Massett Hall. 

PARENT ORIENTATIONS 
Thurs., Aug. 8 at 6:00 PM in Church…...PK3, PK4, Kinder, 1st & 2nd
Thurs., Aug. 8 at 6:30 PM in Church….………..…..……...Grades 3-7
STUDENT ORIENTATIONS 
Fri, Aug 9 from 9-10:30AM……………….......NEW students, gr. K-7
Fri, Aug 9 from 9-10:30AM……………….....ALL 5th Grade students
(Students wear complete uniform)

Please Note: Parent Orientation Night is vital for a good school year and are for parents or guardians ONLY. Please do NOT bring the children as there will be NO child care available.  All supplies may be dropped off the night of orientation.

ALSO—Bookstore items will be sold, lunch money collected & Used uniforms will be available for purchase on Orientation Night.

OPENING SCHEDULE

Mon., Aug. 12        ALL grades............11AM In-Door Dismissal
 Tues, Aug. 13        ALL grades…...……………………...Full Day

Notes:     Supervision & Carpool Line begins at 7:45 AM   
                School Hours: (Grades 1-7) 8:05 AM—3:10 PM
                                           (Grades PK3-Kinder) 8:05 AM-2:55 PM
                1st morning bell rings at 8:05 AM
                Tardy Bell rings at 8:10 AM

Please NOTE:   After-School Care is NOT available on early dismissal days               
              

Saturday 2:30 - 3:30PM

Archdiocesan Guide to Going to Confession and Examination of Conscience (click) 

St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church is called to foster a welcoming community, to form disciples for Jesus Christ and to joyfully evangelize.

Unifying Vision: Walking together with Christ, igniting the Spirit within, living God’s Call.
 

Do you know someone who is interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith?  Someone who has been thinking about converting to Catholicism, but has not taken the initial step?  Someone who is already Catholic but feels that they have not progressed in or fully understand their faith and would like to pursue it further?  Our journey of faith will begin in August and continue through Easter.  If you are interested in joining the RCIA Program or have further questions, please call Susie at 733-8980.

ARMS WIDE OPEN 
Bereavement Ministry
SMM Parish is happy to announce the start of our Arms Wide Open (AWO) Bereavement Ministry.  This ministry of compassionate parishioners can help you and your family before, when, and after a loved one dies.  Services provided include: 1) advice and information about “end of life” issues; 2) help with planning the funeral liturgy; 3) keeping in touch and offering prayers and spiritual support during the year following the funeral; and 4) information about grief counseling and other resources offered by SMM,  neighboring parishes and the Archdiocese.  For more information about the AWO ministry, please call the parish office at 504-733-8980.


KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS NEWS
Saving Lives through Ultrasound Machines-- The Knights of Columbus has donated over 1,000 ultrasound machines to 750+ pregnancy centers. As the Supreme Knight has said, “What greater legacy can a council leave, than to save the life of a child?” Help contribute to the single greatest humanitarian achievement of the Knights of Columbus as we strive to save millions of lives.  

 PARISH ADVOCATES for PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

SMM Parish Advocates for Persons with Disabilities are Shirley Bertucci and Cindy Graham.  In keeping with the mission of the Archdiocesan Commission, we at SMM want to ensure that individuals with disabilities and their families are full, active participants in all aspects of our church community. 
If you or a family member is a person with a disability and: 

• Would like to know about accessibility at SMM
• Have questions or concern about inclusion in our parish
• Have suggestions about how we can improve participation in the life of our parish as a person with a disability,

we want to hear from you. Please contact Shirley Bertucci shirlb2c@cox.net or Cindy Graham  grahamo@cox.net