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April 28, 2020
Tuesday
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“I rejoiced when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” (Psalm 122:1)
Effective May 1, 2020, I am lifting the suspension on public liturgies in the Diocese of Lake Charles. The faithful are hungry for the Eucharist.
Pastors may use their discretion while respecting current guidelines regarding the number and manner of attendance (i.e. 10-person limit and social distancing) to ensure that the faithful have access to the Eucharist. Our liturgical tradition puts many options at our disposal.
As we all know, the COVID-19 virus remains a menace to the public’s health. However, the State Government has indicated that, in the event of continued improvements, there will be a gradual loosening of restrictions on social gatherings. At that time, State officials hope to allow gatherings of 25% of a building’s maximum occupancy. In view of this possibility and the lifting of the suspension on public liturgies, I am issuing a Directive attached to this pastoral letter. This document details what steps pastors must take in reopening churches. In preparation for this gradual process of reopening, pastors should determine, with the assistance of the local fire marshal, an accurate maximum occupancy of their respective churches. Your pastors are asked to implement these directives, and I request your kind cooperation.
On Friday, May 1, 2020, a day dedicated to St. Joseph the Worker, I will consecrate the Diocese of Lake Charles to Mary, Mother of the Church, joining Archbishop Jose Gomez, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, who will lead the nation in this same consecration.
Let our prayers remain intense for an end to this pandemic and for those infected with the virus. O Lord, grant the deceased rest and eternal peace. May Our Lady Star of the Sea, continue to pray for our safety and health, as I remain always in prayer for you and
Devotedly yours in our Lord,
Tuesday
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“I rejoiced when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” (Psalm 122:1)
Effective May 1, 2020, I am lifting the suspension on public liturgies in the Diocese of Lake Charles. The faithful are hungry for the Eucharist.
Pastors may use their discretion while respecting current guidelines regarding the number and manner of attendance (i.e. 10-person limit and social distancing) to ensure that the faithful have access to the Eucharist. Our liturgical tradition puts many options at our disposal.
As we all know, the COVID-19 virus remains a menace to the public’s health. However, the State Government has indicated that, in the event of continued improvements, there will be a gradual loosening of restrictions on social gatherings. At that time, State officials hope to allow gatherings of 25% of a building’s maximum occupancy. In view of this possibility and the lifting of the suspension on public liturgies, I am issuing a Directive attached to this pastoral letter. This document details what steps pastors must take in reopening churches. In preparation for this gradual process of reopening, pastors should determine, with the assistance of the local fire marshal, an accurate maximum occupancy of their respective churches. Your pastors are asked to implement these directives, and I request your kind cooperation.
On Friday, May 1, 2020, a day dedicated to St. Joseph the Worker, I will consecrate the Diocese of Lake Charles to Mary, Mother of the Church, joining Archbishop Jose Gomez, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, who will lead the nation in this same consecration.
Let our prayers remain intense for an end to this pandemic and for those infected with the virus. O Lord, grant the deceased rest and eternal peace. May Our Lady Star of the Sea, continue to pray for our safety and health, as I remain always in prayer for you and
Devotedly yours in our Lord,
+Glen John Provost
Bishop of Lake Charles
Bishop of Lake Charles
Children and The Act of Contrition - Fr. Alexius
Friday
April 24, 2020
A priest whom I went to seminary with called and told me of what he had recently experienced. The story was that he had been to see a dying man near 90 years of age who had been away from the Church since his twenties. Thankfully, the gentleman was able to speak and remember and wished to be reconciled through the Faith. The gratitude that my friend had to God for preserving this man’s life long enough to be reconciled was increased when he asked the gentleman to recite the Act of Contrition. Half-way believing that the man would not remember it, my friend was surprised when he heard, “ Act of Contrition. O my God I am heartily sorry…” and finished the entire prayer. How many times had this man said that prayer in all of the years he had lived apart from the Church? my friend wondered, for he did not hesitate in saying the entire prayer. Surely he would have forgotten it if he had not said it on occasion in the previous 60 something years. Had that prayer moved God to preserve his live until he could be reconciled?
My friend shared his realization of how important our memorized prayers are. We quickly recite them with little thought of their value. But how valuable they become to the person who is on the verge of crossing into a realm we know only through belief. Asking God for eternal life is an awesomely serious moment for the person who will soon leave this earth. Our rote prayers are treasures.
Our rote prayers are also needed for the times when we are not free to contemplate. In our busy lives, the rote prayers – the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and very importantly, the Act of Contrition – are gifts from heaven. They contain in a few words, a crystallization of deep theological truths. The Our Father was given to us by Christ himself. The first stanza of the Hail Mary is completely from scripture. The Glory Be glorifies God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in one breath. And very importantly, the Act of Contrition is a prayer of sorrow which says everything that needs to be said. It is the perfect “travel companion” which one can take any where he goes, to be said for any act that has offended God, be it a small offense or a grave offense. It does not take the place of Confession but it is the perfect bridge until we get there.
So, knowing that we all love our children as we love ourselves, should we not make sure our children have what can accompany them through near and future acts which are not pleasing to God, walking them towards the forgiving arms of God as they consider the words of the Act of Contrition. Make sure your children know the prayer. Emphasize its importance. Connect the prayer, for them, with their conscience and how the prayer, will soothe their conscience as it soothes the heart of God who hears spoken, “ …But, most of all because I have offended thee my God who art all good and deserving of all of my love.”
The Act of Contrition deeply plays into the imagination of the child. Do not lose out on the power that the prayer has for the soul of your child and for his or her developing insights into a the time when they too will go forth. Arm your children with that prayer which must move the Heart of God.
April 24, 2020
A priest whom I went to seminary with called and told me of what he had recently experienced. The story was that he had been to see a dying man near 90 years of age who had been away from the Church since his twenties. Thankfully, the gentleman was able to speak and remember and wished to be reconciled through the Faith. The gratitude that my friend had to God for preserving this man’s life long enough to be reconciled was increased when he asked the gentleman to recite the Act of Contrition. Half-way believing that the man would not remember it, my friend was surprised when he heard, “ Act of Contrition. O my God I am heartily sorry…” and finished the entire prayer. How many times had this man said that prayer in all of the years he had lived apart from the Church? my friend wondered, for he did not hesitate in saying the entire prayer. Surely he would have forgotten it if he had not said it on occasion in the previous 60 something years. Had that prayer moved God to preserve his live until he could be reconciled?
My friend shared his realization of how important our memorized prayers are. We quickly recite them with little thought of their value. But how valuable they become to the person who is on the verge of crossing into a realm we know only through belief. Asking God for eternal life is an awesomely serious moment for the person who will soon leave this earth. Our rote prayers are treasures.
Our rote prayers are also needed for the times when we are not free to contemplate. In our busy lives, the rote prayers – the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and very importantly, the Act of Contrition – are gifts from heaven. They contain in a few words, a crystallization of deep theological truths. The Our Father was given to us by Christ himself. The first stanza of the Hail Mary is completely from scripture. The Glory Be glorifies God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in one breath. And very importantly, the Act of Contrition is a prayer of sorrow which says everything that needs to be said. It is the perfect “travel companion” which one can take any where he goes, to be said for any act that has offended God, be it a small offense or a grave offense. It does not take the place of Confession but it is the perfect bridge until we get there.
So, knowing that we all love our children as we love ourselves, should we not make sure our children have what can accompany them through near and future acts which are not pleasing to God, walking them towards the forgiving arms of God as they consider the words of the Act of Contrition. Make sure your children know the prayer. Emphasize its importance. Connect the prayer, for them, with their conscience and how the prayer, will soothe their conscience as it soothes the heart of God who hears spoken, “ …But, most of all because I have offended thee my God who art all good and deserving of all of my love.”
The Act of Contrition deeply plays into the imagination of the child. Do not lose out on the power that the prayer has for the soul of your child and for his or her developing insights into a the time when they too will go forth. Arm your children with that prayer which must move the Heart of God.
COVID-19 MASS & CONFESSION TIMES
(Masses can be heard over the outside loudspeakers)
Tuesday & Thursday
Confessions
5PM-5:25PM
Mass
5:30PM
Wednesday & Friday
Confessions
11:30AM-11:55AM
Mass
12PM
Saturday
Confessions
3:30-4:30PM
Mass
4:30PM
Sunday
Confessions
7-8AM, 9-10AM
Masses
8AM, 10 AM
5PM
(Please see the above directive for guidelines on masses & reception of communion.)
Holy Mass and Confession Schedule
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WEEKENDS
Saturday (anticipated) 4:30 PM Sunday 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM & 5:00PM DAILY MASS Tuesday & Thursday at 5:30 PM Wednesday & Friday at Noon HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION As Announced |
CONFESSION
30 minutes before weekday Masses 1 Hour before weekend Masses HOLY HOUR OF ADORATION Weekly between the Sunday 8AM & 10AM masses |
Parish Organizations
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