The period of preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary according to the devotion of St. Louis de Montfort will begin this Thursday, November 5, and will end with the consecration on Tuesday, December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God. Booklets containing the prayers to prepare for the consecration can be found in the vestibule of the church. Fr. Vidrine will teach a three-part series about the importance of the Total Consecration later in November. If you have never consecrated yourself to Mary, Fr. Vidrine highly encourages you to do so. It is important that we receive the gift of Mary’s Motherhood that Jesus Himself gave us from the cross. As St. Louis de Montfort affirms, Mary “is the surest, the easiest, the shortest and the most perfect means of going to Jesus Christ” In this consecration, we entrust ourselves to Mary, body and soul, without reserve, that we may belong entirely to Jesus Christ.
*** To see the video about the relics that aired on EWTN Live, click here. ***
The relics of St. Mary Magdalene, often called the ‘Apostle to the Apostles’ throughout the history of the Church, have been venerated in Sainte Baume, France, since the 2nd century. Now, Fr. Romeric, a French Dominican Priest will carry the reliquary here to Acadiana during the first week of November. This is the first time the relics of Mary Magdalene have been in the USA. A part of our rich Catholic Tradition is the joy of venerating those who have valiantly lived, and often died, for Christ. St. Mary Magdalene reminds us that holiness is eternal. Come and experience God’s grace manifested through the tibia bone, which knelt before Risen Christ Jesus. All are invited. For more information, contact Fr. Jason Vidrine, 337.536.9258, frvidrine@saintpeterchurch.org or Rosana Beyer, 337-466-8303 (cell), 337.546.0153 (home), wannawhy@yahoo.com.
Mid to late October is normally a beautiful time of the year in Cajun Country, and the weather lately has been no different. For many years, this very pleasant weather that usually lasts throughout the month has helped devout Catholics of southwest Louisiana to prepare for one of the major religious holidays of the year: La fête de Toussaint. This is the Cajun French name for All Saints’ Day, and it is has been one of the most reverent celebrations of our culture. While customs varied in different parts of Acadiana, parents and children would traditionally set aside their normal routines for at least one day out of the year to tend the burial places of deceased family members, and prepare it for the day of prayer, le Jour des Morts, or All Souls Day. A description of different traditions of our Cajun culture found in a book published in the 1950’s said this about La fête de Toussaint in Louisiana:
“Possibly nowhere in America is All Saints’ Day observed so strikingly as it is among the Louisiana French. For days preceding it, each family will clean, whitewash or paint the tombs, prepare artificial flowers, design wreaths and place these on the tombs. Among the financially better fixed, chrysanthemums and dahlias are used in decorating the graves. Before the expansion of the Church as we have it today, family and neighborhood cemeteries were common. In the afternoon of All-Saints’ Day, the blessing of the graves takes place. A procession is held around the cemetery. The priest is at the head; the people follow. The beads are recited while the blessing is taking place. The ceremony ends with a sermon and the singing of the Libera. In some sections where the priest cannot assist, candles are lit at dusk, one for each member deceased and an all night vigil is held. Where outdoor altars exist, Mass is celebrated in the cemeteries on All Souls Day.”
All Saints’ Day falls on a Sunday this year, and so it will be celebrated next Sunday, November 1. All Souls’ Day follows on Monday, November 2. We will observe the following schedule this year:
Many thanks to all who helped to make the Confirmation Mass and reception a great success. The food was great and the many helping hands made it easier for everyone. Thanks!
The St. Peter School annual bazaar will be held on the school grounds beginning Saturday, October 24th at 9:00 a.m.- until. Saturday activities include: games, country store bingo, sweet shop, foods and fun. On Sunday October 25th- B-B-Q plate lunches will be served. Tickets may be purchased from any St. Peter School family. Dinners may be picked up at the K.C. Hall from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. There will be a live auction held at the K.C. Hall at 1:00 p.m.
All invited and encouraged to support St. Peter School.
Please note the time/date changes for grades First through Ninth. We will begin class promptly at 9:00 A.M. and end at 10:25 A.M., followed by Mass which ends at approx. 11:30 A.M. Holy Mass is mandatory and will be part of the hours necessary to fulfill the religious requirements.Please note that your child attends class properly dressed. No shorts, tank tops or revealing clothes are permitted.
Children may be dropped off at the front entrance at St. Peters School. Whether you bring your child or if they drive themselves, please help to instruct them on being present when classes begin. They are old enough to understand promptness is a mature characteristic they need to foster and coming in fashionably late for class will not be accepted. If for any reason you think your child is not making it to classes, or if we suspect the same, it is important we contact one another for their welfare. Parents are encouraged to attend Mass with their children and they may be picked up following Mass at St. Peters Church.
If a child misses more than 2 classes, advancement status will be in question. Valid excuses must be provided.
Students will be expected to come in ready to learn sound Catholic doctrine so respect and attention for teachers is imperative. We are very pleased that you are guiding your child to the light of faith. Please keep in your prayers the Church, the Holy Father, Father Vidrine, CCD teachers and all who help St. Peter Church.
Yours in Christ,
Christine Campbell, Director of Religious Education
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15) falls on a Saturday this year. For this reason, the Bishops of the United States have removed the obligation to attend Holy Mass for the feast. While it is NOT a Holy Day of Obligation this year, it remains a great Holy Day in honor of Our Lady. For your spiritual benefit, Holy Mass for the feast of the Assumption will be celebrated in the two different forms of the Church’s Liturgy: on Friday, August 14, there will be a Vigil Mass celebrated at 5:30pm in the Ordinary Form (which you’re used to). On Saturday morning, there will be a Mass at 9:30am in the Extraordinary Form (in Latin, as it was before the Second Vatican Council). May our Mother Mary continue to help us to serve Our Lord faithfully that we may join her in praising Him forever in Heaven.
Are you or someone you know interested in joining the Catholic Church? Are you a Baptized adult Catholic who has never received the Sacrament of Confirmation? If you answered “Yes” to either of those two questions, contact St. Peter Parish Office to register for RCIA Classes. These classes (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) will begin in September. Spread the word! To get more information about the R.C.I.A. process, contact: Christine Campbell, the Director of R.C.I.A., 337. 536.9258, christine@saintpeterchurch.com or click here.
No longer “guess work,” Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an effective, scientifically based method of family planning that treats fertility as a normal, healthy process. The most common approach is the Sympto-Thermal Method which is based on changes in a woman’s cervical mucus, waking or resting temperature, and cervix. These observable signs change in response to the hormones of the menstrual cycle. It only takes seconds a day for a woman to track her fertility; then the couple interprets the chart and makes a decision based on their family planning intention. NFP works through periodic abstinence during the method-defined fertile time for couples who are avoiding a pregnancy. NFP can be used effectively throughout a woman’s entire reproductive life. Regular cycles are NOT required. NFP is NOT Calendar Rhythm.
Does it work? It can be highly effective for couples who are avoiding or achieving a pregnancy. Couples who are taught well, understand the method, are clear about their family planning intention, and carefully follow all the rules for avoiding a pregnancy all the time will experience a 98 to 99.9 percent effectiveness rate. Couples who occasionally do not follow all the rules for avoiding a pregnancy will most likely experience a pregnancy rate similar to the many artificial methods of family planning.
How do I learn? Effective use of NFP involves learning from a certified NFP Provider. The Diocese of Lafayette recommends two organizations: the Couple to Couple League and the North West Family Services, which provide several ways for women and couples to learn NFP.
Who can use NFP?
Couples who want to share responsibility for family planning
Couples who are trying to avoid a pregnancy
Couples who are trying to achieve a pregnancy
Women who want to understand their menstrual cycle
Women during all phases of their reproductive life: typical, long, or short cycles, after childbirth and discontinuation of hormonal contraception, while breastfeeding, and during premenopause
Benefits
Low cost
No harmful side effects
Highly effective for avoiding or achieving a pregnancy
Marriage enrichment and mutual understanding
Morally acceptable by all religious faiths
Self understanding
Appreciation of fertility and children
Fosters respect for and acceptance of the total person.
