St. David Catholic Church

Very Rev. Oswald P. Pierre-Jules Jr., S.S.J, V.F.
Dean of St. Bernard Deanery

March 29, 2020

Dear Beloved Church Families:

   How are doing and how are your families?  It is already the Fifth Sunday of Lent and unfortunately we again are unable to gather together as a family to celebrate the Eucharist which is the center of our lives as Catholics.  As Pope Francis reminded us last Friday, we are not alone in the boat and only together we will be able to cope with those difficult and challenging times of our lives.  However, we place our trust in God who has never left us for He remains the God of both the good and the bad times.  We just have to know that we are not alone because Jesus is walking with us in that difficult journey.  Indeed, we know very well that the Cross leads to victory, and we rely on Jesus whose yoke is easy and whose burden light.
   My friends and families, like I stated last week, because of the threat from this terrible Virus, we are unable to be with each other for second weekend.  I do not know about you but as for me, this challenging time has helped me to realize that at times we might take for granted the power and the significance of being with one another, professing our faith together, and fellowshipping as a family. We are a courageous and resilient community of faith and as a community of faith, we walk by faith not by sight. Indeed, as we continue to ask Jesus to order our every step during this challenging time, let us also ask Him to increase our faith that we might know that there is no defeat for those who put their trust and confidence in Him.  My prayer and my belief is that in the end, we will be able to repeat the words of St. Paul in his Second Letter to Timothy 4:7 stating:  “we have fought the good fight, we finished the race, and we have kept our faith”.  Hurricane Katrina shook up our faith but we were able to keep it and this terrible Virus might shake up our faith but in the end we will keep the faith.
   My beloved families, in today’s Gospel, Martha and Mary sent word to Jesus about the death of their brother Lazarus.  On His arrival to their home, falling at His feet, Martha professed her faith in Jesus when she declared: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died”.  Jesus responded to their appeal and granted the outcome that ONLY Jesus could grant.  My friends, in this difficult time, like Martha and Mary, let us recommit and renew our faith in Jesus that may bring an end to this terrible Virus.  Please join me to continue to pray for a quick recovery of all those infected by the Virus especially Archbishop Gregory Aymond, the Shepherd of this Archdiocese.  Let us also pray for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives as a result of this Virus.
   Finally, my Church families, yes, I miss being with you, I miss celebrating with you, I miss worshiping with you, and more importantly I miss fellowshipping with you.  Let us continue with our Lenten journey.  On the road to Calvary with Jesus, let us make the words of the song our own:  “All to Jesus, I surrender and All to Him, I freely give “.  Yes, we trust in his daily presence in our lives.  My friends, do you know something? This too will pass and in the name of Jesus, the victory will be ours. 

   With deep admiration and affection, your pastor wishes you good health, peace, joy, safety, and blessings.

Yours truly and always,

Very Rev. Oswald Pierre Pierre-Jules, Jr., S.S,J,, V.F.
Pastor

2020 Parish Theme:
 St. David: Faith, Family & Fellowship

                    From: Mary M. Aucoin
                    Realtor New Orleans:  The Advocate

                    I suggest all Catholics continue to make their                                      contributions to the Church as they would have at                              Mass.  If you participate in the envelope system, mail                        your check each week to your parish Church.  If you                          usually put cash in the collection, consider writing a                          check and sending it.  I would also like to suggest                              increasing your contribution.  After all, what do you                            have to spend it on?  Restaurants, bars, movie                                      theaters, etc. are closed.  Our parishes still have to                            pay bills.
                                                                                       

              Please remember to submit your 2020 Census                      information. Most households received their
              invitation to respond to the 2020 Census between                March 12-20.  Help shape your future, and your                      community's future by responding to the 2020                      Census.  If you need help completing your Census                questionaire, please call toll-free at 1-800-330-                    2020 or you can go online at www.my2020cen-
              sus.gov.  Also, please encourage your family and                  friends to fill our their questionaires. 

                           Because of the Coronavirus, all                                          Mass times have been cancelled.

    Saturday Vigil Mass:  4:00 PM

                                      Sunday:  10:00 AM
                                       
                                      Weekday Masses: Tuesday-Friday 7:30 AM
                                      in the Day Chapel                                       

                                           Saturday:  3:30 PM-3:55 PM
                                     
                                          Sunday:  9:30 AM-9:55 AM
                                                              or
                                                 By Appointment

                               First Friday of the Month:  11:00 AM 
                               Holy Hour for peace and end to violence                                                 followed byMass every other Friday 6:30 PM-
                                7:30 PM in the Day Chapel.

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

St. Alphonsus Liguori