St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church

Children, who have previously attended classes at SMM, will receive registration forms in the mail next week.  Please complete and return registration forms along with registration fee to the rectory (Mon.- Thurs., 9am-4pm) OR on registration dates. Registrations for Parish School of Religion (PSR) will be taken in Massett Hall on the following dates:

Monday, August 20 from  6:30-7:30pm
AND
Monday, August 27 from 6:30-7:30pm

Registration packets for NEW students can be obtained and returned to the rectory along with a copy of their Baptismal Certificate. After registration dates, forms may be returned to the rectory office.
 

REGISTRATION FEE FOR PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION STUDENTS, GRADES 1 – 11

$40-one child; $15-each additional child; $60-maximum fee for any one family.

CLASSES

The Parish School of Religion Program is for students attending private or public school.  Classes are held every Monday evening beginning September 10, 2018 from 6:45 pm until 8:00 pm. Classes for students in grades 1 thru 3 are located in the “B” building; students in grades  4 thru 11 are located in the “A” building.

 YOUNG ADULT CONFIRMATION PROGRAM

This Confirmation Program is for High School Students attending Catholic, private or public schools. In the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Confirmation Candidates MUST COMPLETE 2 CONSECUTIVE YEARS of religious instruction in either a Catholic High School or a Catholic Parish High School Program. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE! Therefore, if you are a high school student and are entering the 11^th-12^th grade this school year (2018-19), you should register for the confirmation program NOW in order to be confirmed in the spring of 2019. Contact Linda Earle at 733-8980 for more information regarding PSR or Confirmation Classes.

Archdiocesan Sidewalk Counseling and Prayer Ministry

Please consider joining us (from your home or place of choice) in the 54 Day Rosary Novena praying for our country and all of the life issues.  The novena starts on the Feast of the Assumption, Aug. 15th, and runs through Oct. 7th, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Here is the link to follow the novena:  http://archive.fatima.org/apostolate/vlarchive/vl130_1211.asp

Humanae Vitae 

Pope Paul IV wrote and dated the encyclical Humane Vitae  July 25, 1968 and it was issued at a Vatican press conference on July 29, 1968 making it 50 years old this week.  Section 17 of the encyclical contained 4 predictions made by Pope Paul IV,  there would be:

1) An increase in marital infidelity.
 

2) A general lowering of moral standards.
 

3) A loss of respect for women (man would “reduce her to being a mere instrument for the satisfaction of his own desires”).
 

4) Governments would coerce people into using contraception and intervene in citizens’ sexual relationships.  

The Pope's predictions were controversial in 1968.  Many of the predictions have come true, but the debate has shifted to whether contraception had any influence on those societal changes. 
Do you think there is any connection?

Supreme Court News 

Supreme Court Ruling,  June 26, 2018--NIFLA v. Becerra, a 5-4 ruling written by Justice Clarence Thomas. The suit, brought by the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, challenged a California law requiring licensed pregnancy resource centers to disclose where women could receive free or low-cost abortions, and requiring unlicensed centers to insert state-dictated material in their advertising, thus violating the First Amendment rights of all pregnancy resource centers in the state. 
This was a freedom of speech issue, focusing on the required speech in which the pro-life facility was required to give notification of abortion as an alternative.  With the 5-4 ruling it is somewhat concerning how precariously close to loss of freedom of speech our country has come.
For more analysis-  National Right to Life News

Sponsored by Catholic Men of Christ, OLPH

When: Friday, August 24, 2018 at 7:00 PM
Schedule: Confessions available during service
                  6:30 – 6:45 Praise & Worship
                  6:50 – 7:00 Introduction of Catholic Men of Christ & Fr. Robert Cruz
                  7:00 – 8:00 Mass
                  8:00 - End Healing Service
Where: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 1908 Short St. – Kenner (Rivertown)
What: The purpose of this event is to bring the healing message of the Gospel --- the healing message of our Lord Jesus Christ --- both by teaching and by praying for the sick.
Event Facilitator: Rev. Robert-Joel Cruz, Priest of the Diocese of Houma-ThibodauxFr. Robert-Joel Cruz has been blessed by Our Lord with a missionary spirit, especially for the people of Guatemala. By the mercy, love and generosity of the Father, he is gifted with a Healing Ministry and Prayers of Liberation & Deliverance Ministry.
 

FRESH FIRE 2018

Fresh Fire 2018, a day-long gathering for those desiring refreshment and empowerment in the Holy Spirit, will take place Saturday, August 25, 2018, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at St. Benilde Cafeteria, 1901 Division St., Metairie. The event is sponsored by the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of New Orleans (CCRNO). Speakers will include Al Mansfield, Patti Mansfield, and Alex Lorio (replacing Johnny Bertucci). The theme for the day is “Return to Your First Love” and will focus on the call of the Lord to us now, one year after celebrating our Golden Jubilee. The day will include praise, worship, preaching, and empowerment ministry. Music will be provided by Jamie Diliberto and Tongues of Fire. Registration is $30 per person and includes lunch (special price for youth ages 18-30 is $10). Register online at www.ccrno.org no later than Wednesday, August 22, 2018, 12:00 noon, to reserve your lunch. On-site registration will be accepted but no lunch is guaranteed. Call CCRNO at 504-828-1368, for more information.
 

WOMAN’S NEW LIFE CENTER GALA FOR LIFE
October 5, 2018, 8-11PM
Club XLIV, Champions Square

There will be live music, Silent Auction, fine food & Open Bar. All proceeds will support the Woman’s New Life Center next door to Planned Parenthood and providing service to women in unplanned pregnancies. For more info: www.womansnewlife.com/gala

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.
 

We are starting a pilot session at SMM on Wednesday, August 29. Want to know more about ALPHA? Contact Patsy Ricau @ 813-4327.

 

R.C.I.A. Process
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.

ROSARIES NEEDED FOR HEALTHCARE

Rosaries are needed for patients in healthcare facilities. We need rosaries that are made of either rope-like twine or plastic. We are unable to use the ones that have any metal parts as they have a tendency to tear the skin of some patients. If you can donate any of the needed rosaries, please send them to:
Deacon Jeff Tully | 1000 Howard Ave. | New Orleans, LA 70113

 

 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 grahamo@cox.net