St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church

June 18, 2018

In the last 6 weeks, nearly 2,000 children have been separated from their parents at the Texas border. Separating children from their parents often leads to long-term emotional scarring. Particularly for these families who are already in a state of anxiety and fear, the impact on both the children and the parents, will no doubt be long-lasting. As a people of faith, we must speak out for these children.

The teaching of the Catholic Church is that if a person is experiencing injustice, persecution, or danger, they have a human right to find a place of security in which to begin a new life. We believe in the dignity of the human person and the preservation of the family. Nations are encouraged to create laws that will allow legal immigration in a just way. As a church we have never suggested, “Open our borders – all are welcome”, yet countries must regulate their borders with justice and mercy. We believe immigration should be guided by laws that show charity while providing safety and security. Our current immigration laws are not guided by these principles and are not fair or just.

Let us recall the principle in Jewish law and the teaching of Jesus, “Do to others what you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31). We are called to pray for those unjustly treated and to be a voice for them. I invite all people of good will to join me in prayer for our sisters and brothers and to act on their behalf by contacting our government officials and urging them to stop these dehumanizing practices and make a sincere effort towards comprehensive immigration.
                                                              Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond, D.D.
                                                                     Archbishop of New Orleans

From Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director, Benjamin Clapper..."We applaud our legislators and Gov. Edwards for passing and signing pro-life laws this legislative session, including our Adoption Option Act, our law to defund abortion businesses, and the 15-week trigger law!  Read more about all laws passed on LaRTL legislative wrap-up, including how Legislators voted on each bill.

Deacon Lee Poche was ordained as a Transitional Deacon for the Archdiocese of New Orleans on May 19, 2018.  Deacon Lee will serve in St. Mary Magdalen Parish this year from June to October.   He will then return to Notre Dame Seminary for further studies until his ordination to the priesthood on June 1, 2019. Click to learn more about Deacon Lee.

JUNE: HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH

SMM Parish is sponsoring a month-long drive to collect much needed supplies for the Free Indeed Home for victims rescued from human trafficking. Collection boxes will remain at all church entrances throughout the month of June. Suggested donations: 1^st aid supplies, light bulbs (especially ceiling insert bulbs), brooms, mops, twin bed sheet sets (white only), garbage bags (especially kitchen size), furniture polish, Soft Scrub cleaner, Kaboom, Brillo pads, cooking oil.
 

 
SPECIAL PARISH CELEBRATION

Honoring Deacon Jim Heneghan 
Farewell Fr. Vincent Phan
Welcome Transitional Deacon Lee Poche

Jim Heneghan is to be ordained to the diaconate by Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond on Saturday, June 23, 2018. He will celebrate at St. Mary Magdalen Church on Sunday, June 24 at a Reception in his honor at 12 Noon in Massett Hall. At the same time we will also be saying farewell to Fr. Vincent, who has been named pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Folsom, LA AND welcoming Transitional Deacon Lee Poche who will be in residence at SMM from June-October. Please join us in celebrating this special occasion!!!
 

CYO Ice Cream Social on Sunday 
June 24 from 7 - 8:30 pm
in Massett Hall 

Current members should bring their dues and membership forms for the 2018-2019 year. CYO is open to all youth in grades 8 - 12.  We especially invite all young people that have recently completed 7th grade! You are now eligible to join the CYO. Our events include spiritual, service, sports, and social activities aligned with our Catholic Faith. Annual dues are $15 and include the insurance fee with the Archdiocese. Membership forms can be printed from the CYO page on the parish website.  https://stmarymagdalenchurch.com/cyo 

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal of New Orleans (CCRNO) will sponsor its annual Day of Refreshment for Women on Saturday, June 23, from 10AM to 3PM at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Kenner, in the school gym. The theme is “We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight.” Patti Mansfield and Kim Lukinovich will teach; Andi Oney and Denise Beyer will lead praise; Janice Charbonnet and Mary Lukinovich will give testimony. Cost is $30 and includes lunch. Women from the region come to enjoy teaching, fellowship, small groups, prayer ministry and music by Mercy Beaucoup. Register online at www.ccrno.org by Wednesday, June 20, noon, to order lunch. On-site registrations are accepted but no lunch is guaranteed. For more information, call CCRNO at 504-828-1368 or visit www.ccrno.org.
 

FINANCIAL SCAM SEMINAR

Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office (JPSO) will be hosting a Financial Scam Seminar in order to help teach our citizens how to better protect themselves from economic crimes.It will be held June 20 at 7pm at East Jefferson General Hospital - EJGH (in the Esplanade Room 2). In order to reserve your seat, email brown_sr@jpso.com. Hurry, because seats may fill up fast!
 

Men’s Emmaus Retreat – July 20-22, 2018

Put aside the “hustle and bustle” of daily life and attend the men’s Emmaus retreat the weekend of July 20-22, 2018.  The retreat is held at Rosaryville Spirit Life Center and retreat house in beautiful, peaceful Ponchatoula, Louisiana.   The retreat is based on the scripture passage “The appearance on the road to Emmaus” (Luke 24: 13-35) and is an uplifting experience that has a profound effect on men’s lives.  The retreat begins at 5:00 PM Friday and ends after the 5:30 PM mass on Sunday.   Round trip transportation is provided from St. Dominic Church.  Please don’t ignore this opportunity but pray on it instead.   Something special definitely awaits you at Rosaryville!    

Please contact the following men for additional information:  Norman Madere @ (504) 481-0411 or Rick Valadie @ (504) 655-8932 or Jim Musso @ (504) 231-5395

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL NEWS

The Parish Pastoral Council will hold their next meeting on Wednesday, July 25 at 7:00 PM in the Convent Bldg.  Meetings are open to all parishioners, however, parishioners who wish to address the Council must submit, in writing, the topic of discussion along with their name and telephone number.  This information should be submitted to the Council Chairperson, c/o the Rectory, at least 15 days prior to the meeting.  Minutes of all meetings are available for review on the website or at the rectory.
 

Saint Mary Magdalen
FEAST DAY CELEBRATION
Service Awards & Ministry Recognition

Sunday, July 22, 2018 at 11:00 AM Mass

All involved in any Ministry at SMM are particularly invited to attend this Mass to be recognized for their generous contributions to our parish. Following Mass ALL are invited to attend a JAZZ BRUNCH in Massett Hall in honor of our Patroness and all SMM Volunteers. Please join us for this special celebration!

You may now donate online!!!  Use this new feature for the weekly collection, Building & Maintenance Fund and Capital Campaign Fund.  Other special collections must be made during Mass.  Donate here!

Greetings & Welcome!

I am grateful if you are already a parishioner or if you are considering joining our parish. St. Mary Magdalen is an incredible place and I have greatly enjoyed working here since my arrival!

Led by the Holy Spirit, we are currently in the process of reimaging our parish; in essence, doing everything we can to provide a spiritual home for all interested.  We want and need you to join us so that you are encouraged to take your faith seriously, live your faith daily and share that faith with others - inviting them to join our parish.  We certainly have room to grow in this overall process, but we also welcome you to help us to become the best parish we can be.  I invite you to share your gifts and talents with us so that we can all truly live God’s desire for Christian charity and community.  THAT is the easiest way and the true meaning of evangelization.

I would love to get to know you better, so please contact me at the rectory office to set up an appointment.  May God bless you and yours!

Your friend in Christ Jesus Our Lord,

Fr. Chris DeLerno, Pastor

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.
 

RITE OF CHRISTIAN      INITIATION OF ADULTS

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.


PARISH ADVOCATES for PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
SMM would like to introduce Shirley Bertucci and Cindy Graham as our Parish Advocates for Persons with Disabilities.  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 at 504-554-5024 or shirlb2c@cox.net or Cindy Graham at 504-733-3638 or grahmo@cox.net