December 2015 - Come, Lord Jesus!

NEWSLETTER
December 2015 VOL. XVII NO. 11
Spiritual Insights
Reports
Formation
Program Updates
December
Every Thursday
Memorial Mass
for the enrollees
in the CLJ!
Memorial Burse
December 6
Second Sunday of
Advent
December 8
Immaculate Conception
December 13
Third Sunday of
Advent
December 20
Fourth Sunday of
Advent
December 25
The Nativity of the
Lord
Christmas
December 27
Holy Family of Jesus,
Mary and Joseph
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon
his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
Advent: Preparing the Way
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you..”(Zechariah 9:9) During the holy season of
Advent, let us reflect on the magnificence of Jesus entering into humanity to show
us the way to the fullness of life. Let us be vigilant in preparing our hearts for the
coming of the Glorious King .This alertness and urgency is a frame of mind which
a mature Christian sustains. We anticipate the revelation of the Bright Morning Star
which will dispel all darkness and unite us in the warmth of his sacred presence.
With increasing joy, we are in awe of the vision which awaits us. Although we cannot fully comprehend the beauty of his dwelling place we embrace the eternal
kingdom as often as possible in our present lives paying homage to his divine
majesty in love and in service. Growth in spiritual maturity is our preparation for the
coming Christ. Our involvement is a personal decision, a choice that we make. He
allows us to go as high as we want to go. The more dedicated and surrendered we
are, the more God will bring us to full maturity. As we prepare the way for Christ
this Christmas, may we all pledge a deeper commitment to growth in his holiness.
May our deeper walk allow us to maintain our focus on the extraordinary gift of
Jesus Christ, our Lord and receive his love, peace and joy in fullness during this
holy season!
Marianne Hebert, Outreach Administrator
Miraculous Conception by the Holy Spirit
As we near the celebration of the actual birth of Jesus, the Gospel explains to us how he came to be.
“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.” Here, we are speaking of Jesus’ birth in time. As Son of God, he had no
beginning. He always was eternally begotten by the Father. He existed with the Father before the world began. St. John noted:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God” (Jn 1:11). But the Gospel is speaking of
Jesus’ conception and birth in time.
We should note too, that Christ is not Jesus’ family name when we say, “Jesus Christ”. He would more properly be called Jesus the
Christ, which is the Greek word for the Anointed One; in Hebrew, the Messiah.
Jesus, the Christ, was born in time by means of a human mother. He wanted to be like us in order to take upon himself our sins and
redeem us.
“When his mother Mary was betrothed ( or engaged) to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the
Holy Spirit.” Usually a couple was engaged for about one year before the couple began to live together. Engagement was a serious
contract that ended in marriage. Unfaithfulness was equivalent to adultery; breaking the contract was considered divorce.
When Mary returned from her visit with her cousin, Elizabeth, after some three months of visitation, her pregnancy must have
become noticeable. Mary seems to have remained silent about her miraculous conception: Who would believe her? What anguish
she and Joseph must have experienced! But saints must undergo great trial and suffering in order to be more perfectly purified.
The fact that Mary “was found with child through the Holy Spirit: means that Jesus has no human father. God alone is his Father
through the action of the Holy Spirit.
“Joseph, her husband, since he was a righteous man, decided to divorce her quietly.” Notice, that although they were simply
engaged, Joseph is already said to be Mary’s “husband”. The law (Deut 22:21-23) called for death by stoning for adultery even if the
couple had not yet begun to cohabit. And Joseph was a righteous man: he was obedient to the law. Yet no such sin could be proven
against Mary. St. Joseph would solve the problem by ending the engagement before two witnesses without stating the reason in
public.
“According to some of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, Joseph wanted to put ‘(Mary) away privately,’ not because he was
ignorant of the Virginal Conception and suspected her of adultery, but because he already knew she had conceived by the Holy
Spirit and felt unworthy to live in her presence. In his Commentary on St. Matthew’s gospel, St. Thomas (Aquinas) summarizes the
argument as follow: ‘Joseph had no suspicion of adultery, for he was well aware of Mary’s chastity. He had read in Scripture that a
virgin would conceive…(H)e also knew that Mary was descended from David. And so, regarding himself as unworthy to live under
the same roof with someone of such sanctity, he wanted to put her away privately, as Peter said, “Leave me, Lord, for I am a sinful
man’(Lk 5:8) (Cradle of Redeeming Love, by John Saward, p.205).
“(T)he angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ’Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into
your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.’” When Scripture attributes the conception
of Jesus to the Holy Spirit, it does so because that conception is an operation of God’s love; and the Holy Spirit is the Love of the
Father and the Son. The heavenly Father is the only Father of Jesus. He possesses the divine nature from eternity through his
generation by God the Father.
“And when God in his wisdom and love chooses by his own power to produce in the womb of Mary the effect that is naturally
produced by male seed, that effect is called the miracle of the Virginal Conception. In relation to the matter supplied by the Mother,
the conception of the Son is natural, for, like every other child, his body is fashioned out of her blood; but in relation to the active
principle, the conception is miraculous, for the maternal matter is fertilized, not by male seed, but by the Holy Spirit.”(Cradle of
Redeeming Love, p.200).
Father Conley Bertrand
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Recent Events
Baton Rouge Area Anniversary Mass
Msgr. Michael Colwell with group in Borger, TX
Presentation in Dalhart, TX
Church Parish Representive Luncheon
New Leader Workshop
Betty Bares at St. Pius Ministry Fair
Shawn Gautreaux with Fr. Fabre of St. Rita’s
Tiffany Comeaux at Missions Conference
—3 —
Merry Christmas!
From Father Bertrand and the staff at Come, Lord Jesus!
May we all extend the reign of His joy in this world!
Upcoming Events:
Advisory Board Meeting Dec. 2
Outreach Campaign St. Peter Jeanerette Dec 12-13
Introduction Night St. Peter Jeanerette Dec 16
Outreach Campaign Lyon’s Point /Morse Jan 2-3
Outreach Campaign St. Leo Leonville Jan 9
Outreach Campaign St. Joseph Rayne Jan 16-17
Outreach Campaign St. Joseph Milton Jan 30-31
Now Available!
Come, Lord Jesus! Tote Bags!
Only $13.00 ( tax included)
Contact us at [email protected] or
337-233-6277 to order.
October 2015
Gift Bags Received
Abbeville
Amelia
Arnaudville
Baker
Basile
Baton Rouge
Bell City
Borger TX
Breaux Bridge
Broussard
Carencro
Cecilia
Chackbay
Crowley
Dalhart TX
Delcambre
DeRidder
Duson
Elton
Erath
Esther
Estherwood
Eunice
Franklin
Grand Bois
Grand Prairie
Henderson
Houma
Kenner
Krotz Springs
Lacomb
Lafayette
Lake Charles
Leroy
Libertyville, IL
Lufkin TX
Maurice
Mermentau
Metairie
Morgan City
Morse
New Iberia
New Orleans
Oberlin
Opelousas
Parks
Pierre Part
Pine Prairie
Prairie Ronde
Rayne
Richard
River Ridge
Rynela
Schriever
Slidell
Sulphur
Ville Platte
Washington
Youngsville
__ 4 __
Adding to our Numbers
NEW MEMBERS:
Baton Rouge, LA: Maria Arias, Denise Heroman,
Lindsay Bratton, Kathi Calamari, Mary Carlin,
Donna Ennis, Mona Fontenot.
Breaux Bridge: Diana Degetaire
Duson, LA: Dawn Scott
Fritch, TX: Dawn Marie Jordon
Harvey LA: John Bertucci, Mary Bertucci
Lafayette, LA: Kim Sibille, Robin Toups,
Mary Pat Falterman, Amanda deLassus,
Joshua Chatelain, Joan Gremillion,
Lake Charles, LA: Joni Landry, Caren Dore,
Jackie Gabb
Lufkin, TX: Zack Allen
Mandeville, LA: John Ludwig,Yvonne Chatelain,
Saundra Renard
Maurice, LA: Janet Doucet, Gayle Aultman,
Metarie, LA: Christine Pachero, David Clarkson
New Iberia, LA: Danny Hensgens,Debbie Hensgens
Opelousas, LA: Lucius Doucet, Patricia Lafleur,
Ben Pitre, Suzanne Pitre
Pierre Part, LA: Lucille Theriot
Ragley, LA: Stephen Ogea, Hannah Domingue
Scott, LA: Tonia Cormier, Sheron Lantier
Sugartown, LA: Eva Darce
Ville Platte, LA: Janet Landreneau, Michelle Soileau
Youngsville, LA: Meghan Allen,
Dorothy Thibodeaux, Sonya Thibodeaux
NEW GROUPS:
Buda, TX: Leader: Norma A.Gonzalez
Ofelia Balderas, Carol Champagne,
Cynthia Colunga, Mary Anne Howard,
Rebecca C. Handy, Trish Perez-Lecca, Nickie
Moncada, Shelley Mosser, Emily Niña, Rebecca
Acosta-Ojeda, Brenda Segovia
Dalhart, TX: Leader: Sr. Mary Katherine Dorsey
Sr. Theresa Mendez, Denise Clayton, Bobby Clayton,
Frances Gaskil, Barbara Kaul
DeRidder, LA: Leader: Angela Lannen
Linda Cryer, Chris Dixit, Phyllis Lampo, Rick
Marshall, Sammie May, Rosana Richard
NEW GROUPS (CONTINUED)
Lafayette, LA: Leader: Martha Martinez
Aurelio Campos, Ricky Castañeda,
Blanca A. Delgado, Brenda Flores,
Rocio Flores, Elizabeth Garcia, Maria
Gonzales, Pedro Hernandez, Yadira Soria,
Gloria Tellez, Andres Vazquez, Samuel Yeso
Lake Charles, LA: Leader: Susan Couch
Cheri Babineaux, Becky Clements, Lana
Ellis, Cindy Hanks, Becky Kron, Lisa Perry,
Sharon Saltzman, Malinda Schram, Missy
Shaddock, Lisa Todd, Amy Tyler
New Iberia, LA: Leader: Kay Landry
Ethel Ducote, Joyce Firmin, Karen Gesser,
Yvette Louviere, Girdie Moncla, Tami
Touchet, Lorraine Romero, Kylie Provost
New Iberia, LA: Leader: Bobbie Pavy
Jean Pritchard, Lorraine Romero, Geri
Sandoz
New Iberia, LA: Leader: Shane Hebert
Raymond Bourgeois, Jerry Conrad, Teddy
Gaspard, Don Pavy
New Iberia, LA: Leader: Chris Dauterive
Toya Broussard, Denise M. Helscher, Vicki
Holleman, Loretta Gilreath, Bonnie Guillory
Plaisance, LA: Leader: Beverlyn LeDay
Patricia Lazard, Albertha Malveaux, Juanita
Noel, Annette Randell, Anna Lou Henry
Robertson, Emiline Robertson, Evelyn
Thibodeaux, Anita Thomas, Gloria Sam
Slidell, LA: Leader: Liz Glover
Sandra Blanchard, Robin Day,
Carol Faciane, Regina Pirolozzi, Vicky
Pirolozzi, Lesa Raia, Lynda Roth, Kendra St.
Pierre,Patti Timmons
Slidell, LA: Leader: Marie Henken
Michelle Chappuis, Brian Claret, Carol
Claret, James Kelley, Jr., Joan Loman,
Rocky McLellan, Rachel McLellan,
Adrienne Stallings
Slidell, LA: Leader: Anne Shields
Monique Chianelli, Jennifer Gilley, Patricia
Kelley, Allison Meguess, Helene Nunez,
Carolyn Russo, Patt Skinner
St. Martinville, LA: Leader: Saundra
Wiltz Margaret Alexander, Hazel Aubry,
Gaynell Bastiste, Carmen Brown, Sylvia
James, Rosemary Pierre, Ivana Thibodeaux
DeRidder, LA: Leader: Chuck Potts
Donna Fuselier, Tammie Potts, Jake Potts,
Daniel Schrader, Kellie Schrader, Kyle Sylvest
—5 —
OCTOBER 11- NOVEMBER 16,2015
Memorial Burse Donations
Mary Angelle
Rachel Babin
Betty Jane Babineaux
Harold Ignatius Bahlinger, Jr.
Clayton Biggerstaff
Cynthia Bradley
Alfred Buteaux, Sr.
Carlos Daigle
Helen Faye N.Dugas
Michael J. Edwards
Bob Fischer
Henrietta H. Gossen
Necia W. Waggenspack
Danielle Dellucci Wyatt
Condolences December2015
o leader Thomas Guidry and member Kathleen Guidry
T
of Evangeline, LA on the death of their grandson,
Leland Arnaud.
Doreen Fischer of Sulpher, LA on the death
Toofmember
her husband, Bob Fischer.
member Connie McDaniel of Lake Charles, LA on the
Todeath
of her husband, S.L. McDaniel.
member Rose Schilling of Williamsport, PA on the
Todeath
of her husband, Yates Schilling.
the members of “Vigilant and Faithful Servants” of
ToEunice,
LA on the death of member, Patricia Manuel.
o the members of “Growing in Grace” of Baton Rouge,
T
LA on the death of members Rachel Babin and Becky
Carusso.
member Laura Lanaux of Breaux Bridge, LA on the
Todeath
of her sister, Priscilla Gonsuron.
member Carolyn Dupuis of Breaux Bridge, LA on the
Todeath
of her sister, Betty Reinhardt.
member Pat Arnold of Slidell, LA on the death of her
Tohusband,
Clifford Arnold.
Lafayette, LA 70506-2544
1804 West University
Come, Lord Jesus!
Lafayette, LA
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