Fr. J. Wilson Matt Born on May 20, 1918 in Eunice Louisiana Ordained on March 17 (Feast of St. Patrick), 1945 in Lafayette's St. John the Evangelist Cathedral Retired after 51 years a Priest of Jesus Christ on February 20, 1996 Died at the age of 96 on the Lord's Day, Sunday, October 5, 2014 May his soul, and the souls of all the Faithful departed, rest in peace! One of my life's greatest joys was getting to know our beloved former pastor, Fr. J. Wilson Matt, known simply as Fr. Matt. His initial 'J' stood for 'Joseph' but since childhood he had been called 'Wilson.' Prior to my arrival at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in July of 2007 I had met Fr. Matt on only a few occasions. I was first introduced to him when I was a teenaged seminarian and he was pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Gueydan. I had gone there to attend the first Mass of the parish's new assistant pastor. Our paths crossed afterwards only rarely after that, just briefly each time, never really enough to get to know one another. The last time I saw him before I came to Sacred Heart was at St. Landry Parish in Opelousas where he was already well retired. But even by then we were no more than merely casual acquaintances. That changed when, soon after my arrival at Sacred Heart of Jesus on the Teche, I visited him at Consolata Nursing Home across the bayou. As a courtesy, I invited him whenever he wanted and felt up to it to join me in concelebrating the Eucharist on weekends and weekdays. Being Fr. Matt, he accepted on the spot! He was always a delight when he came, usually on weekends, never with a frown, always with a smile and a joke and a laugh. Also, it did not take him long once he began coming to ask, 'The prayers right after our bread and wine have become the Body and Blood of Jesus? from my chair could I pray them aloud with a microphone all the way up to the Great Amen?? I said, 'Of course!' And so he did. He frequently told me how much he appreciated my invitation and the opportunity to connect weekly with longtime parishioner-friends. As to other things, Fr. Matt was brilliant and wise, well versed in Scripture and Church teachings, very conversant on the day's issues in religion and politics, a lover of jokes and funny stories, and he especially loved being a priest. In my opinion, he was a great priest who loved us all, and we all loved him back. One of my life's greatest sadnesses was when Fr. Matt's health prevented him from joining us, first sporadically, and then no more. As his illnesses worsened and I visited him in his room at Consolata, he said to me toward the end: 'I'm ready to go. Beg the Lord to let me go.' I replied so as to make him smile: 'I'll ask St. Peter to open heaven's gates for you'(I paused)'as soon as St. Peter finds the keys!' Fr. Matt smiled, nodding approvingly, his eyes filling with tears. In his heart, he knew it was time to leave us. During the early morning hours of October 5, 2014, a Sunday 'the Lord's Day' commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus, St. Peter found the keys to heaven's gates, and opened themnjust as Fr. Matt arrived. + + + Plus A Joke Fr. Matt always loved a good joke, so here's one on the aging process. :-) From comedian Bob Hope on turning 80: 'That's the time of your life when even your birthday suit needs pressing!' :-) + + + Until next week: How y'all doin? today? Good! Me, too! Fr. J. Wilson Matt proclaimed from the pulpit for all to hear? ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!

To repeat last weekend’s encouragement, consider yourself truly BLESSED! Indeed, words cannot describe how favored—graced—we are to have VINCE AMBROSETTI, the world-renowned composer of liturgical music, make a return visit to our parish and conduct a parish mission entitled, “Future Full Of Hope.” Included is a Sunday evening concert of prayerful song. Vince will enrich our entire parish life, and again below is his and our Mission schedule so that you can put it in your calendar now and plan to attend with your entire family, friends, neighbors and co-workers—in fact, invite everyone you see and talk to! Saturday, April 20 from 9:00am to 12noon: Ministry Appreciation Day: “Unifying and Mobilizing the Parish Family” Focus of this Workshop: To provide those who serve the parish family with a renewed, deepened and invigorated sense of spirituality that is uniquely Catholic, bringing all those who come to a heightened level of commitment in service, to an uncompromised and fervent dedication to the mission of faith community, under the leadership of the pastor. For whom? The pastor, all parish staff, all ministers of the parish, in every area of parish life, all organization and committee members, parish council members, all religious educators, teachers and administrators of the parish school, those in youth ministry, youth members, altar servers, linen cleaners, money counters, liturgical ministers, social outreach ministers, those in evangelization, spirituality, social event organizers…ANYONE who does anything in the life of the parish! Invite a broad representation of age groups and parish interests for greatest impact. Invite anyone potentially involved in any ministry or organization of the parish! Saturday & Sunday, April 20-21 at all Eucharists: Vince will be present at all Masses, doing the music for the Gathering of the Gifts and Communion, generating enthusiasm and awareness …to personally invite parish families to attend the Mission on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, to participate and be fully present at all activities of the Mission… to allow our assembly to experience a sampling of the Mission through Vince’s reflection on the readings (in lieu of a homily) and the music he presents. Sunday, April 21 at 7:00pm: (following the 6:00pm Life Teen Mass.) “Future Full of Hope: Parish Family Concert” This concert is something everyone will enjoy! Vince is an incredibly talented musician and composer, so especially put this concert on your calendar!!! Monday, April 22 at 7:00pm: Mission Day One: “Recognizing and Experiencing the Vision of God for His People” Tuesday, April 23 at 7:00pm: Mission Day Two: “Embracing and Living the Vision of God through Healing and Forgiveness” Wednesday, April 24 at 7:00pm: Mission Day Three: “Becoming the Vision of God Born of the Banquet Table” I’ll see you there! …Plus A Final Hope Joke – A one-liner from the best ever comedian, Bob Hope… :-) On turning 100: I don't feel old. In fact, I don't feel anything until noon. Then it's time for my nap. Until next week: How y’all doin’ today? Good! Me, too! In making YOUR decision to attend Vince Ambrosetti’s Mission… ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!

Consider yourself truly BLESSED! VINCE AMBROSETTI, the world-renowned composer of liturgical music, is coming again to our parish to conduct a parish mission entitled, “Future Full Of Hope.” This is a tremendous opportunity and blessing for our entire parish, and below is his Mission schedule so that you can put it in your calendar now and plan to attend with your entire family, friends and co-workers—invite everyone! Saturday, April 20 from 9:00am to 12noon: Ministry Appreciation Day: “Unifying and Mobilizing the Parish Family” Focus of the Workshop: To provide those who serve the parish family with a renewed, deepened and invigorated sense of spirituality that is uniquely Catholic, bringing all those who come to a heightened level of commitment in service, to an uncompromised and fervent dedication to the mission of faith community, under the leadership of the pastor. For whom? The pastor, all parish staff, all ministers of the parish, in every area of parish life, all organization and committee members, parish council members, all religious educators, teachers and administrators of the parish school, those in youth ministry, youth members, altar servers, linen cleaners, money counters, liturgical ministers, social outreach ministers, those in evangelization, spirituality, social event organizers…ANYONE who does anything in the life of the parish! Invite a broad representation of age groups and parish interests for greatest impact. Invite anyone potentially involved in any ministry or organization of the parish! Saturday & Sunday, April 20-21 at all Eucharists: Vince will be present at all Masses, doing the music for the Gathering of the Gifts and Communion, generating enthusiasm and awareness …to personally invite parish families to attend the Mission on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, to participate and be fully present at all activities of the Mission… to allow our assembly to experience a sampling of the Mission through Vince’s reflection on the readings (in lieu of a homily) and the music he presents. Sunday, April 21 at 7:00pm: (following the 6:00pm Life Teen Mass.) “Future Full of Hope: Parish Family Concert” Monday, April 22 at 7:00pm: Mission Day One: “Recognizing and Experiencing the Vision of God for His People” Tuesday, April 23 at 7:00pm: Mission Day Two: “Embracing and Living the Vision of God through Healing and Forgiveness” Wednesday, April 24 at 7:00pm: Mission Day Three: “Becoming the Vision of God Born of the Banquet Table” I’ll see you there! …Plus A Couple of Jokes – One-liners from the best ever comedian, Bob Hope :-) On his six brothers: Waiting for the bathroom--that's how I learned to dance! On going to heaven: I’ve done benefits for all religions. After all, I’d hate to blow the hereafter on a technicality! Until next week: How y’all doin’ today? Good! Me, too! In making the decision to attend Vince Ambrosetti’s Mission… ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!

PRAYER was one of Jesus’ “Three Precepts” for the Lenten Season announced to us in Ash Wednesday’s Gospel. Let’s focus our prayers on the sick among us and on those serving us in the military. + + + First, let’s pray for the sick. For example, there’s Kacie Francois, the 9-year old 4th-grade granddaughter of Darrell (Sacred Heart’s bookkeeper) and Deedy Francois, and daughter of Kevin and Sonya Francois of Lafayette who also have an 11-year old (6th grade) son, Jacob. Kacie is presently at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee receiving intensive treatments for leukemia, a cancer of the blood cells which starts in bone marrow when white blood cells begin increasing abnormally. Kacie was first treated a few years ago and had gone into remission, but the leukemia returned and her current treatments are most aggressive. That relapse affects the whole family: Kacie’s dad is a pharmacist who remains at home and sees to Jacob’s schooling, while Sonya stays in Memphis caring for Kacie (Sonya had been a stay-at-home mom and a heavily involved volunteer at the children’s school). The Francois family—and all our families in their various illnesses—will appreciate our Lenten prayers for God’s healing presence at such times when human powerlessness can overwhelm us. Also needing prayers is Audrie Delahoussaye who is now recovering from surgery. For some time Audrie cooked for me at Sacred Heart, preparing “heart-healthy” meals day after day based on my schedule in the parish and around the South Region from Coteau to Berwick and from Catahoula to Cypremort Point. + + + Secondly, let’s pray for those serving in our military, as is Captain Joseph W. Piontek, son of our own Sacred Heart parishioners George and Diane Piontek, and Tony’s big brother. (Impressively, Joe’s and his wife Eleny’s twin boys at 2½ years old could recite from memory the traditional Catholic blessing before meals, and one said he wants to be a priest!) Joe recently was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal (DSSM) which is a senior American military decoration of the Department of Defense awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who perform “superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility.” The citation accompanying the awarding of Joe’s medal reads as follows: “Captain Joseph W. Piontek, United States Navy, distinguished himself by exceptionally superior service as Senior Defense Official/Defense and Naval Attaché, United States Defense Attaché Office Lima, Peru, Latin America Division, Defense Counterintelligence and Human Intelligence Center, Defense Intelligence Agency, from August 2008 to August 2011. “During this period, Captain Piontek's keen leadership ensured the successful unification of the United States Defense Attaché Office and the Military Assistance and Advisory Group where he was responsible for the oversight of sixty-six personnel and a budget of more than thirty million dollars that included the largest Humanitarian Assistance Program in Latin America. In addition, Captain Piontek's initiatives directly led to the training of more than nine hundred Peruvian military members to address critical threats to Peru's national security. “During his tenure, Captain Piontek oversaw the planning and execution for numerous distinguished visitors to Peru, to include the President and First Lady of the United States. Through his distinctive accomplishments, Captain Piontek reflects great credit upon himself, the United States Navy, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the Department of Defense.” + + + …Plus a Joke – Bob Hope on his early failures as a stand-up comic, plus one more…. :-) “I would not have had anything to eat if it wasn't for the stuff the audience threw at me.” And on turning 90: “You know you're getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.” Until next week: How y’all doin’ today? Good! Me, too! For the sick, those serving our country, and for stand-up comics…ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!

Last weekend I listed here the “Five Precepts of the Church” which five appear on the prayer cards Bishop Michael Jarrell is having distributed throughout our Lafayette Diocese as a means of helping us focus on—and live—Pope Benedict XVI’s “Year of Faith.” That “Year of Faith” (remember the phrase!) began last October 11, the 50th anniversary of the start of the Second Vatican Council in 1962. The “Year of Faith” ends on November 24 of this year, the Solemnity of Christ the King. Again, those Five Precepts are: 1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and remain free from work or activity that could impede the sanctification of such days. a. In other words, keep holy the Lord’s Day every week! 2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year. a. In other words, repent of past sins! 3. You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season. a. In other words, take and eat and take and drink! 4. You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church. a. In other words, do penance for past sins! 5. You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church. a. In other words, be good stewards of time, talent and treasure! Now let’s look at the “Three Precepts of Jesus” we heard in the Gospel on Ash Wednesday, and ask ourselves how we can truly and best make them central to our daily Lenten lives: FAST – Yes, Jesus really expects us to…do without! PRAY – Yes, Jesus really expects us to...spend time with him! GIVE ALMS – Yes, Jesus really expects us to...help the poor! + + + …Plus a Joke – But you might have to think a bit to get the punch line.... :-) Seven-foot tall Reggie Harding was the very first high school basketball player ever drafted directly out of high school into the National Basketball Association (aka NBA). Even before being drafted, however, his arrests on some petty larcenies were signs of worse things to come. As an NBA rookie star, for example, Reggie was suspended on gun charges—because on one occasion he held some teammates and his general manager at gunpoint! Another story goes that he attempted to rob a local establishment. Wearing a mask and pointing a gun at the cashier, Reggie demanded threateningly that all the cash be handed over. The cashier—an NBA fan—calmly looked the seven-footer up and down, shrugged and said: “Awwww, I know that’s you, Reggie!” Caught off guard at being recognized, Reggie responded sheepishly, “Nah, it ain’t me, man!” + + + Until next week: How y’all doin’ today? Good! Me, too! To really get into Lenten fasting, prayer and almsgiving…ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!

Here are the important dates during the next six weeks as our year of Worship takes us through the Lenten Season to the Easter “Triduum” (which term I’ll explain in a moment): Lent begins this coming Wednesday, February 13, and will last until the afternoon of Holy Thursday, March 28. However, because Jews of biblical times started each new day at sunset (unlike us moderns who start each new day at midnight), sunset of our Thursday, March 28 actually began the last three days of Jesus’ one saving event, namely, his death, burial and resurrection on what Catholics call Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, which this year falls on March 31. Accordingly, in speaking of that one saving event which spanned three different days the Church uses the special expression “Easter Triduum.” The English word “triduum” was created by uniting the two Latin words for “three” and “one.” Thus, “triduum” literally means “three-in-one.” (I’ll explain more about the Easter Triduum in Palm Sunday’s bulletin on March 24.) This year’s Lenten Season and Easter Triduum occur during the Year of Faith proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI, a year which began last October 11 and will end this coming November 24. To promote this Year of Faith Bishop Michael Jarrell is sending parishioners occasional “prayer/reflection cards.” The current card, available in our church’s gathering area, lists “The Five Precepts of the Church.” Those precepts, defined as general commands or principles for conduct, provide the backdrop for key questions about whether our individual Lenten penitential practices are signs of genuine sorrow for our sins: You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and remain free from work or activity that could impede the sanctification of such days. Question #1a: So what about your attending Lenten weekday Eucharist(s) and the Easter Triduum’s special services (Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the Passion of the Lord, and the Easter Vigil of the Resurrection of the Lord)? Question #1b: So what about your prayerfully reading your Bible daily from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday? You shall confess your sins at least once a year. Question: “At least?” Why not before Good Friday, the day on which Jesus died to pay the debt for those sins? You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season. Question: “At least?” Read above, Question #1a. Also, Precepts #’s 2 & 3 are commonly called our “Easter duties.” You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church. Question: If what you are eating and drinking are “really GOOD,” then how can they be called with a straight face Lenten “penances” for sin? Footnote to #4: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast (limited to one full meal by those aged 18-59) and abstinence (no meat for those aged 14 and older). Also, the Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence (although other penitential practices may be substituted). You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church. Question: Does your level of contributing your time, talent and treasure to your Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish need to be “upgraded”? …Plus a Joke – Something to look forward to in growing older…. There’s the story of the old timer who shot his first turkey. He reported that the experience was truly “awesome”—even though it scared everyone in the frozen food section of the supermarket…. + + + Until next week: How y’all doin’ today? Good! Me, too! In keeping the Church’s “Five Precepts” meaningfully during Lent, ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!

FAITH OPENS OUR EYES TO HUMAN LIFE IN ALL ITS GRANDEUR AND BEAUTY That’s the headline of the Respect Life Liturgy Guide 2012-2013 published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (www.usccb.org/prolife). The Guide’s “CONTENTS” page lists: A DAY OF PRAYER AND PENANCE FOR LIFE—JANUARY 22, 2013 Fortieth Anniversary of the Supreme Court Abortion Decisions The American bishops’ document on page 6 explains the purpose of this Day of Prayer and Penance for Life which they have scheduled for this coming Tuesday, January 22: “In all the Dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion.”   On that same page under the title Preaching for Life are found these quotes (the brackets are mine): “Today we solemnly observe the fortieth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s tragic abortion decisions in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton that created an unlimited abortion license.  How could our nation—founded on Christian principles—have gone so far astray? “Perhaps it is true that every generation must face its own moral crisis. Perhaps every generation must be reminded of the truth that each human being, from the moment of conception, has a sublime dignity and worth….It is the duty of every person, and especially of every Catholic, to promote and safeguard the dignity of all human beings.   “As we see in…Isaiah, God calls each of us into existence out of love. Isaiah says, ‘The Lord called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name’ [49,1; see 44.2-24 and 49,1-15]. Hence, all humans have an invaluable worth and dignity due to their being a daughter or son of God from conception. “Today we reflect on the devastating consequences when a culture rejects the belief that every human life has infinite value. In today’s gospel reading Jesus reminds us that ‘it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost’ [Matthew 18,14; see 18,1-14]. Yet 53 million [that’s 53,000,000!] unborn children in our country have lost their lives, and nearly always for the sake of the convenience of their parents, families and communities. For accepting, condoning and participating in these deaths, countless people have been wounded by the part they’ve played. And society as a whole suffers from a general cheapening of life that we see played out in so many areas. We have been descending, progressively and imperceptibly, into a culture of death…. “Trusting in the salvation won for us by Christ on the cross and the great mercy of God, let us acknowledge our personal and national responsibility and seek forgiveness for ourselves and our country…. “The fortieth anniversary of legalized abortion in the United States falls within what Pope Benedict XVI has called the Year of Faith, a time of study, prayer and recommitment to the teachings of the faith. During the Year of Faith we are given a special opportunity to acknowledge the great tragedy of abortion and to make reparation for our part. We are invited to rededicate ourselves to transforming a culture of death into a culture of life, while always trusting in God’s mercy. Let us embrace our mission of promoting life in all of its stages during this Year of Faith by being radiant examples of Christ’s welcoming and forgiving love in our world.” + + + …Sorry, no space left for a joke but, after all, abortion is no joking matter…. + + + Until next week: How y’all doin’ today? Good! Me, too! For Catholics opposing abortion and promoting a culture of life, ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!

Let me tell you about one of my friends, and then I’ll share with you an email he sent me concerning a Catholic issue and the political scene. Born and raised in New Orleans, he graduated from Our Lady Star of the Sea Grammar School. A student finishing 10 years before him is perhaps that school’s most famous graduate—Tom Benson, owner of the world-champion New Orleans Saints football team and the New Orleans Hornets basketball team. My friend then attended New Orleans’ prestigious Jesuit High School, graduating with honors. Remaining in New Orleans, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Jesuit-run Loyola University’s College of Pharmacy. Having married a year before graduation, today he and his wife have six children, 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Finishing pharmacy and remaining in the Crescent City, my friend attended and graduated from the LSU School of Medicine, after which he completed a rotating internship at Touro Infirmary and a Family Practice Residency at Lafayette Charity Hospital. He then moved to the south Louisiana town where he still practices medicine. He is currently President of the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. Nominated to that Board by the Louisiana Academy of Family Practice, he is serving his 13th year on the Board, having been appointed to successive terms by three recent Governors: Mike Foster, Kathleen Blanco and Bobby Jindal. He has been a member of the American Academy of Family Practice and the Louisiana Academy of Family Practice for 48 years and was a Diplomat of the American Academy of Family Practice for 14 years. He is also a member of the American College of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, and past member of the Louisiana State Medical Society.  He served on the Board of Commissioners of his city’s hospital and was its Chief of Staff several times. He served as Secretary of the Louisiana Academy of Family Practice. He is currently certified as a Medical Review Officer by MRO Certification Council (read: drug-testing) and is a senior Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Medical Examiner certifying that pilots have met all health requirements. For 22 years he has been his civil parish’s Assistant Coroner. His medical clinic has been honored by his civil parish as Business of the Year. During all that time my friend attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, serving for two years as Clinical Medical Director of the Eighth Naval Support Activity and the Eighth Naval District, which comprised five states. He was honorably discharged as Commander. Also he was for 20 years a member of the Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, and he attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel Vice Commander for the State of Louisiana, Emergency Services Coordinator, Squadron Commander in his civil parish and Senior Pilot for Search and Rescue Operations. He recently emailed me this question accompanied by two side-by-side photographs: “How can a Nation survive with this kind of twisted thinking? Subject: Human Eggs vs. Eagle Eggs” the first photo was of three eagle eggs being shielded protectively by the mother eagle in a nest; the other photo was of an ultra-sound image of one human egg which had developed sufficiently after some weeks for the beginnings of a baby’s umbilical cord, head, blood vessels, eyes, ears, arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet and toes all to be clearly visible and distinguishable inside a mother’s womb. Below the photos of the eagle mother’s eggs in the nest and the human mother’s baby in the womb were these words: “Eagle Eggs: Destroying one is punishable by a $250,000 fine or 2 years in prison. Human Eggs: Not only is it legal to kill her but Obama is forcing taxpayers to pay for her execution.” + + + Until next week: How y’all doin’ today? Good! Me, too! For Dr. Melvin Bourgeois of Morgan City, St. Mary Civil Parish, ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!

I hope you and yours had a Happy New Year’s Day to start A.D. 2013! By the way, Catholics should be aware that the two capitalized initials “A.D.” in front of a year such as 2013 represent the initial letters in the two Latin words Anno Domini. Both Latin words are translated literally into English as “in the year of the Lord.” There the term “Lord” refers specifically to Jesus and his birth, not to God in general nor to the Father alone nor to the Holy Spirit alone. Christian ways in English to speak aloud an expression such as “A.D. 2013” is to say “in the year of the Lord 2013” or—to give the fuller sense of the abbreviation—“we are in the 2,013th year since the birth of our Lord Jesus.” Because this system of designating years since Jesus’ birth was an invention of the Catholic Church centuries ago, Catholics should be most proud that in our day moderns—even those not Catholic—in using “A.D.” are referring to a specific year after the birth of our Savior. In effect, we are not just in the year 2013; instead and very importantly, we are “in the year of the Lord Jesus 2013”! ++ + January 18-25 each year has been set aside as The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. January 25 was chosen as the week’s final day because it is the feast of the martyred Apostle St. Paul, the Church’s great convert and missionary “to the nations” during her first generation, as well as because of his writings on the necessity of unity among all of Jesus’ disciples. Interestingly, it was a convert to Catholicism in the last century’s early decades that started The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Now a century later during these special eight days Christians of other denominations join Catholics in praying for Church unity. To inspire and guide your own participation in this week of prayer, see in John 17,1-26 Jesus’ prayer for unity among all who believe in him. Note also how John gives this prayer for unity a certain prominence by having Jesus’ prayer conclude the Last Supper scene: the very next verses report that Jesus immediately left the upper room with his disciples for the Garden of Gethsemane where he was arrested (18,1-12). For St. Paul’s emphasis on the Church community as “the one body of Christ,” see 1 Corinthians 12,12-31 which is summarized in 12,27: “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.” Check out also Ephesians 4,1-16 with its famous “seven unities,” or sources and signs of Christian unity, in verses 4-6. Noted in this context is that, beginning last October 11, we are in what Pope Benedict XVI (16th) has declared a “Year of Faith.” The pope chose that date because on it the Church celebrated the 50th anniversary of the start of the Second Vatican Council on October 11, 1962. That Council—short handedly referred to as Vatican II—ever since has had a tremendous impact on the lives of Catholics, non-Catholics and even non-Christians. Interestingly, it was on January 25, 1959 during a Eucharist concluding the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls (of Rome, where the Apostle is buried) that Pope John XXIII (23rd) announced his intention to convene the Second Vatican Council! …Plus a Joke – But you have to speak it aloud with a Southern accent! :-) A man born and raised in North Carolina had a flat tire, pulled off on the side of the road, and proceeded to put a bouquet of flowers in front of his car and another one behind it. Then he got back in the car to wait. A passerby studied the scene as he drove by, and was so curious he turned around and went back. He asked the fellow what the problem was. The North Carolina native replied, "I got a flat tahr." The passerby asked, "But what's with the flowers?" The man responded, "When you break down they tell you to put flares in the front and flares in the back. I never did understand it neither." + + + Until next week: How y’all doin’ today? Good! Me, too! On every day in A.D. 2013 and when praying for Christian unity, ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!

Bishop Michael Jarrell has announced that our pastor, Monsignor Richard Greene, VE, is granted the title of Prelate of Honor to His Holiness. Monsignor Greene was granted the title of Chaplain to His Holiness in 2001. He continues to be addressed as “Monsignor Greene.” In the Church, there are three grades of papal honors that bear the title “Monsignor.” The highest rank is Protonotary Apostolic, followed by Prelate of Honor to His Holiness, then Chaplain to His Holiness. A Prelate of Honor to His Holiness is the second of the three grades of papal honors that bear the title, “Monsignor.” In the sacred liturgy, a Prelate of Honor to His Holiness wears a fuchsia cassock with red buttons, piping and cuffs, and a fuchsia sash. Outside of the liturgy, Prelates of Honor to His Holiness may also wear a black cassock, but with red buttons, red piping and a fuchsia sash. According to Bishop Jarrell, Fr. Greene has been given exemplary service to the Diocese in his various assignments. In particular, he is among his trusted advisors and close collaborators in the administration of the Diocese. He is grateful to him and extends a word of congratulations on this happy occasion. Congratulations Monsignor Greene from all of us here at Sacred Heart Church!

Sacred Heart’s Advent Mission is this coming Monday and Tuesday, December 17 and 18, with each presentation in church starting at 6:30pm and lasting about one hour, followed by a brief reception in the gathering area. Fr. Jude Halphen, Ph.D., is our Mission speaker. He is the Associate Pastor at St. Peter’s Parish in downtown New Iberia, a counseling psychologist for the Lafayette Diocese, and Director of the Diocesan Office of Marriage and Family Life. Our hope and prayer is that ALL OF YOU will come, as in “Y’ALL COME!” This could be your excellent spiritual stepping stone to a more Blessed Christmas! + + + Here again are some details Fr. Jude has provided about his December 17-18 presentations: First, the theme for this year’s Advent Mission will be “Catholic Discipleship and the New Evangelization.” Secondly, Fr. Jude’s topics for each evening are as follows: Monday Evening: “Becoming the Disciple God NEEDS You to Be” In this talk Fr. Jude will speak about the genius within Catholicism, but if the Church is to avoid falling into obscurity individual Catholics will need to pick-up the banner of true Discipleship and demonstrate the relevance of the faith through a dedication to becoming the best version of themselves. He will give practical guidance on the ways we can change our habits, change our lives, and awaken the sleeping giant that is the Church. (Sleeping? Echoes of Peter, James and John in the garden!?!) Tuesday Evening: “Confession: The History, the Power, and the Art” In this talk Fr. Jude will present the historical and biblical origins of the Sacrament of Penance. He will provide an important guide for New Catholics, a source of renewal for “old hands,” and a challenge for all of us to deepen our relationship with Jesus in this time of the New Evangelization through regular use of the Sacrament of Penance. Please mark your calendars now, bring your Bibles, and make plans to attend what will undoubtedly be a very moving and uplifting Advent Mission!!! Also, last chance for Bishop Jarrell’s “The Light Is On For YOU” this Advent: On Wednesday, December 19—the last of three consecutive Advent Wednesdays—from 6:30pm to 8:00pm all priests of the Lafayette Diocese’s 121 parishes are to be in their church’s Reconciliation/Penance Room (confessional) to provide additional opportunities for Catholics to receive the reconciling and healing graces of this Sacrament, particularly for Catholics who have not received it for a long time (years?). In the title “The Light Is On For YOU,” the words “light” and “on” refer to the lit candle or electric bulb outside Reconciliation/Penance Rooms indicating a priest is inside available to hear your confession, and the word “YOU” refers to…you-know-who! + + + …Plus Four One-Liner Jokes –From…Famous Golfers :-) Pro Golfer Jack Nicklaus: “Professional golf is the only sport where, if you lose 80% of the time and win just 20% of the time, people say you're the best!” Amateur Golfer Rev. Billy Graham: “I never pray on a golf course. In fact, the Lord answers my prayers everywhere except on the course!” Pro Football Quarterback Dan Marino: “Swing hard—just in case you accidentally hit the ball!” Comedian Jack Lemon: If you find it hard to meet new people, try picking up the wrong golf ball!” + + + Until next week: How y’all doin’ today? Good! Me, too! But no one attends Advent Missions or plays golf unless for him/her ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!