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Worship with Us
Saturday Anticipated Mass 4 pm
Sunday
8:30 am & 10:30 am
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
12:05 pm
Holy Days As announced
Saturday 3 to 3:45 pm
Weekdays (M-F) 11:30-11:50 am
Always on request
Contact Us
412 North Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802-5496
Monday-Thursday
7:30 am to 12 noon & 1 to 4:30 pm
Friday 8 am to 12 noon
225-387-5928
225-387-5929
Personnel and Staff
Most Rev. Michael G. Duca, J.C.L., D.D.
Very Rev. Paul D. Counce, J.C.L.
Ms. Lorie Watson Weeks
Deacon Gary C. Mooney
(vacant)
Mrs. Debbie Orsot
Mr. Christopher Redden
Mr. David Summers
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Let me urge you to do the most important thing first: mark your calendar for Sunday, October 20! It’s our annual GRAND Day, and so everybody who IS some-body’s grandchild is invited to come! We’ll begin with a bit more special 10:30 am Mass, and then continue with a family party inside and outside of the Parish Hall! So in-vite everybody: your extended family and friends will enjoy it! Whether you like hamburgers or hot dogs, soft drinks or ice cream, facepainting or balloons, caricatures
or the petting zoo, conversations with friends or watching children run around, or all of the above, it will be a wonderful day, I promise!
In the days leading up to my 40th anniversary of priestly ordination last month, someone suggested that I use one or two of my weekly columns to muse a bit on the past four decades. That got me to thinking a bit over how my life – and indeed the whole Church’s life, especially in this little corner of the Lord’s vineyard, our own Diocese of Baton Rouge – has changed over the years.
The most notable difference between when I was ordained in 1979 and nowadays is numerical. The Official Catholic Directory 40 years ago noted that we had 96 diocesan priests, only 7 of whom were retired; this year’s edition reports we have 72 total diocesan priests, but 21 are retired. What’s really striking is that “back in the day” there were also 68 priests from religious orders or other dioceses working here; now there are just 34, and only 9 in parishes. While the total population of the diocese has increased by more than 53,000 Catholics, we’ve gone from 153 active parish priests to just 60.
So when I was ordained 34 of our parishes had 1 or more parochial vic-ars, known back then as assistant pastors. Except in very small country parishes, priests generally shared their Mass schedules and parish pro-grams. Even in large urban and some suburban areas, nowadays most pastors “go it alone” in their ministry. Whereas “once upon a time” most parochial ministries could be coordinated by a priest, parishes now large-ly depend on the talents of lay ecclesial ministers. Thank goodness for them!
I mention this “institutional” change because I think it’s also had a pro-found change on the personal level. At least it has for me. I’ve seen a lot of fellow priests “burn out” because they didn’t know how to take care of their own overall health, including psychological health. We’ve all heard about priests becoming so “out of touch” with reality that they be-came immoral and even criminal. I wonder how much of that might have been due to the stress of increasing demands and lack of good support systems? All I know is that now I’m much more cautious before I say “yes” to additional work, especially outside of the parish. I’m much more de-voted to personal prayer, maintaining good friendships, and fighting my “workaholic” urges. I try to concentrate on what enhances my priestly life and advances the essential truth of religion; this ultimately is more valua-ble than being trendy and trying to be a “people pleaser” to everyone.
I also try to laugh at myself: much of my personal “journey” has probably always been true of priests as they get older! When I was first ordained, I pretty much thought that all of the “senior priests” were hopeless old geezers – now, I guess, I myself sometimes wear the “oldtimer” badge proudly!
Hopefully aging gracefully in the Lord,
Thursday, September 26, at 12 noon
St. Joseph Cathedral Parish Hall
Carolyn Morris
God Chooses
As parishioners of St. Joseph Cathedral, Carolyn Morris and her husband Buddy have served our parish with
enthusiasm and dedication for the past seven years. They recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. Her
subject for Women in Spirit is entitled, “God Chooses,” and it reflects many unexpected changes she has
experienced in her life.
Carolyn’s past employment and involvement in civic organizations has helped to expand her varied ministerial
efforts. Working for Goudchaux's/Macy's for more than 20 years in Baton Rouge and Florida, she sold fur coats in
Florida – a task that successfully indicates an enthusiastic, energetic personality! She currently serves as an Execu-
tive Assistant at the St. Elizabeth Foundation. While her primary duties do not include a professional position with
the residents, she readily listens and comforts young women who are contemplating adoption versus raising their
child. As the mother of five children and three grandchildren, she brings clear understanding and wisdom to those
young ladies who often need additional insight for making difficult decisions. Carolyn and Buddy also know the
anguish of losing a child: their adult daughter Angela Dockum succumbed to illness last year.
Over the years, Carolyn has invested time, energy and knowledge to multiple civic groups, including the Board of
the Louisiana State Museum and the Capital Park Museum (where she served as President and Vice-President of
the Friends of the Capitol Park Museum), and a membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
She established her sense of community while a student at St. Joseph’s Academy and LSU, graduating from both
institutions of learning.
She cites that the most memorable moment of her Christian journey revolves around the death of Buddy's sister
in while in childbirth. The priest present at the funeral walked up to Carolyn and announced she would raise the
newborn child, not knowing that Carolyn was an aunt by marriage. She and Buddy raised that nephew for nearly
five years. Undoubtedly “God Chooses,” not us!
Women in Spirit is an interfaith gathering for women seeking spiritual growth and sharing new and affirming
perspectives on faith in everyday life. Offering a welcoming haven from the stresses of office or home, our monthly
programs include a complimentary lunch with time for networking with others who represent a spectrum of ethnic
origins and religious affiliations. Please let us know if you plan to come by emailing [email protected] or calling
the Cathedral’s Parish Office at 225-387-5928, so that we can be sure to have food for everyone.
Wednesday, September 25
KC Assembly Meeting – 6:15 pm
Choir Rehearsal – 6:25 pm
Thursday, September 26
Women In Spirit Luncheon – 12 noon
Holloway/Brown Wedding Rehearsal – 5:30 pm
Friday, September 27
Vogler/Lacobee Wedding Rehearsal – 3pm
Holloway/Brown Wedding – 6:30 pm
Saturday, September 28
Farmers’ Market – 8 am
Vogler/Lacobee Wedding – 1:30 pm
As Father Paul requested last
weekend, please return your com-
pleted Stewardship of Ministry
form! The easiest ways are to drop
it into the collection basket at
Mass on the weekend, or bring or
mail it in to the Parish Office. Even
better: with a computer or smartphone you can “sign
up” online at www.cathedralbr.org/ministries.php !
Every faithful Catholic needs to be as active as
possible within their community. With your help in
meeting the needs of our many and varied Parish
ministries, we can truly be Wholly Committed in
service to others!
Not only our own parishioners and friends but
Catholics from throughout the Diocese of Baton
Rouge are welcome to choose their Cathedral for
the celebration of the Sacraments. These impor-
tant spiritual events are always scheduled through
our Parish Office (you can simply call us at 225-
387-5928 or email us at [email protected]).
Parents must attend a required pre-baptismal par-
ents’ seminar as well as schedule the baptism.
Preparation for adult Sacramental Initiation (Bap-
tism, Confirmation and Eucharist) takes place as
part of the Parish’s RCIA process throughout the
year.
Second grade children, no matter where they at-
tend elementary school, are prepared for these
Sacraments each school-year within a special pro-
gram here.
Special, brief preparation programs are held here
each Spring, one for our parish’s teenagers who
are in the eleventh grade, and another for other
adults who wish to be confirmed.
Church regulations require at least six months of
preparation for any wedding. Our advice is to call
well in advance of that time to reserve a wedding
date and receive information: our facilities are of-
ten booked in advance 12 to 18 months ahead-of-
time! One’s own parish priest or deacon is ex-
pected to supervise the mandatory Catholic pre-
nuptial preparation and to officiate at the wedding
ceremony here, and our own wedding coordinator
will be in charge of the rehearsal and wedding too.
We cannot serve two masters. Which one
are you willing to follow? Could it be you
are being called to serve the Master as a
priest, deacon, sister or brother? If God is
calling you, contact Father Andrew Merrick,
our diocesan Director of Vocations re-
cruitment, by calling 225-336-8778 or by sending an
email to [email protected].
Generous God,
You show us the way that leads to everlasting life.
Through holy baptism you have called us to proclaim
the Good News.
Guide and give wisdom to those discerning a priestly
or religious vocation.
Bless and strengthen those who have made a lifetime
commitment of service in the Church.
Enrich our Church with dedicated married and single
people, as well as with priests, deacons, and
consecrated religious.
Filled with your Holy Spirit, we ask this blessing that
we, your holy people, may follow Jesus, our
Good Shepherd, now and always. Amen.
The regular offertory collection over the weekend of
September 14/15 totaled $6,093.00, with $5,176.00
given by 84 Identified Givers, and another $917.00
given anonymously. Our annual “Religious Edu-
cation Collection” for Catechetical Sunday, which
supports our Parish School of Religion and other ed-
ucational efforts, came to $579.00, given by 16
Identified Givers.
We strongly recommend you adopt the “Bill Pay”
feature offered by your bank: set up an automatic
payment from your checking account to us every
month. This costs you nothing and the Parish gets
every penny of your donation.
You can be creative in your giving: first and best,
include the Cathedral in your will or in a “living
trust” or foundation! This way you can be generous
with dedicated monies in a significant way.
On a smaller scale, sponsor the floral arrange-
ments for weekend and special event Masses, or
underwrite our sanctuary lamp. Or help with
costs of things like bread and wine, altar linens,
missals and other liturgical books, vestments,
incense, furniture, statuary and icons, sheet music,
choir robes, etc., as well as office supplies. Our Par-
ish Hall closet is always in need of paper towels,
napkins, condiments, plasticware and plastic table-
cloths, and of course coffee, sugar and creamer!
The Nursery needs lots of juice and wipes.
Bathroom tissue and paper towels actually do grow
on trees, but we still need to purchases cases of
them each month! As you can see, Catholic worship
and ministry uses a lot of “stuff,” and your assis-
tance defraying these costs is a big help!
Our Parish community offers our
congratulations to Hess Whitney
Debetaz, infant son of Courtney and
Chavanne Debetaz, who was baptized
last Sunday, September 15, by Father
Paul Counce here at the Cathedral.
We have confidence that he may continue “to grow in
wisdom, age and grace” before God and all His holy
Church. And we promise to keep him and his parents
in our prayers!
Our Parish Calendar, weekly issues of
The Carpenter and more are available on
our website: www.cathedralbr.org
We hope you are enjoying having our won-
derful Cathedral Choir back, under the direc-
tion of Mr. David Summers, our Director of Mu-
sic and Organist. We are going to continue to
highlight some of the special music from the rich
musical heritage of the Church which will be part of
our worship, as we are able. This weekend (Septem-
ber 21/22), we will enjoy:
4 pm & 8:30 am Organ Prelude: Louis Vierne –
Berçeuse (from 24 Pièces en Style Libre)
10:30 am
Organ Prelude: JS Bach – Toccata in F Major (BWV
540) *Guest organist: Irvin Boudreaux
Introit Chant: Salus pópuli ego sum (“I am the
salvation of the people, says the Lord”)
Offertory Anthem: Ralph Vaughn Williams – O
How Amiable
Congregational Antiphon: Worship #46 – The Cry
of the Poor
Organ Postlude: William Mathias – Processional
2731 North Street Baton Rouge
225-343-3022 225-383-0451
www.marinoandson.com
A young parishioner of the Cathedral Parish, Cub Scout
Patrick Dunagan, recently received the “Light of Christ”
religious emblem from Bishop Duca during an awards
ceremony on August 25 at Our Lady of Mercy. Over 100
scouts received awards and Patrick was so excited to be
among them! Congratulations to Patrick and all of the
Scouts!
Have a good marriage? Want to have a
great, exciting and romantic one? Why
settle for merely good when you can
have the exciting and romantic relation-
ship you have both dreamed about? Now
is the time to reach out for more and at-
tend a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend.
The next weekend in Louisiana is scheduled on Octo-
ber 18-20 at the Bishop Tracy Center here in Baton
Rouge. Easy online registration is available for you at
www.LAMS-wwme.org or by calling Matt & Gail Quinn
at 800-586-5469.
TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Saturday/Sunday, September 28-29, 2019
4 pm Saturday Fr. Paul Counce
8:30 am Sunday Fr. Paul Counce
10:30 am Sunday Fr. Paul Counce
Ministers of Holy Communion
Tino Dalmau Bill Koren Jane Skerkoske
Brad Madden Jessica Sharon Lorie Weeks
Mary Acosta Charlotte Anthony Michèle Deshotels Mary Furlow Robert René Billy Rimes
Readers Vinetta Frie (1) Jan Smith (2)
Karen Boyd (1) Kelly Wilkinson (2)
Tom Acosta (1) Tommy Darensbourg (2)
Servers Denis Frie Brennan Kluka Clare Lee
Jacob Burke Dickie Howze Sean Molony Connor Thompson
Sacristans Denis Frie Erick Swenson Dickie Howze
Coffee & Donuts Michael & Celeste Moss
As we near the latter part of “hurricane season” – the months of
October and November – please continue to pray for our safety,
using your own words or this traditional prayer, composed by
one of our State’s legendary bishops, asking God to continue
watching over us:
O God, Master of this passing world, hear the humble voices of your children.
The Sea of Galilee obeyed Your order and returned to its former quietude.
You are still the Master of land and sea.
We live in the shadow of a danger over which we have no control: the Gulf, like a provoked and angry
giant, can awake from its seeming lethargy, overstep its conventional boundaries, invade our land, and
spread chaos and disaster.
During this hurricane season we turn to You, O loving Father.
Spare us from past tragedies whose memories are still so vivid and whose wounds seem to refuse to heal
with passing of time.
O Virgin, Star of the Sea, Our beloved Mother, we ask you to plead with your Son on our behalf, so that
spared from the calamities common to this area and animated with a true spirit of gratitude, we will walk
in the footsteps of your Divine Son, to reach the heavenly Jerusalem, where a storm-less eternity awaits us.
Amen.
[Composed by the Most Rev. Maurice Schexnayder (1895-1981), Second Bishop of Lafayette (1956-1973), following Hurricane Audrey in 1957]
