1900 Greenwood Dr. | www.aolparish.org
PARISH OFFICE ~ 799 Fairway Dr., LaPlace, LA 70068 | 985-652-2615
SCHOOL ~ 985-652-4532 | PreK2 through 7th Grade | www.aolcrusaders.org
Mass
Schedule
REV. WALTER AUSTIN
Pastor
985-630-2837
REV. MR. THOMAS ST. PIERRE
Deacon
REV. MR. DAVID FARINELLI, LPC,
LMFT
Deacon
Our Clergy
The Epiphany of the Lord
January 3, 2021
MASS TIMES
Saturday.……………………………… (Vigil) 4:00pm
Sunday................. 8:30am, 10:30am, 7:00pm
............................................. (Spanish) 3:00pm
DAILY MASS
Mo, Tu, Th, Fri……………………………….. 8:30am
Wednesday…………………………………….6:00pm
Daily Mass and the 10:30am Sunday Mass
are live-streamed and can be viewed on our
parish Facebook page or the Parish Website.
CONFESSIONS
One half hour before each Mass daily
and Sundays.
PERPETUAL ADORATION
CHAPEL - Open 24 hours daily.
2 | �
Parish Directory Parish Office: 799 Fairway Drive
LaPlace, LA 70068
985-652-2615 phone
985-652-7291 fax
www.aolparish.org
Office Hours: M-F 9:00am - 4:00pm
BUSINESS MANAGER
Linda Biven
SECRETARY/SACRAMENTAL RECORDS
Amarna Englert
ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY
Cindy Grosse
PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION
COORDINATOR
Andree Gurdian
YOUTH MINISTRY COORDINATOR
Emily Gurdian
ASCENSION OF OUR LORD SCHOOL
Toni Ruiz, Principal: 985-652-4532
PASTORAL COUNCIL PRESIDENT
Michael Abbate: 985-652-5041
SYNOD IMPLEMENTATION
COORDINATOR
Susie Lanza: 504-650-0496
Mass Intentions
Monday, January 4 • St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 8:30 am Clarence A. Marse
Tuesday, January 5 • St. John Neumann 8:30 am Greg Entremont
Wednesday, January 6 • St. André Bessette 6:00 pm Greg Entremont
Thursday, January 7 • St. Raymond of Penyafort 8:30 am Anthony J. Valure
Friday, January 8 8:30 am Peggy Farinelli
Saturday, January 9 4:00 pm Fisher & Melancon Families, Dolores Fajardo, Louis & Georgina Andry, Ronald G. Perilloux, Ronald N. Perilloux, Myrna Jacob Berteau, Norma & Irving Vial, Anthony J. Valure, Glen Keating, Helen Brayard, Dolores Brock, E.J. & Edna Guidry, Conrad & Betty Hymel, All Souls, Karen James, Healing of America, Special Intentions
Sunday, January 10 • The Baptism of the Lord 8:30 am Rock “Rocky” Schexnaydre, Frank & Merlene St. Pierre, John Snyder, Sr., Jonathan Lanza, Kim Cox, Gwen Booth, Rosalind M. Hutson, Norman & Verna Millet, Deborah Acosta, Jessica Fournet, Anthony D’Amico, Jr., Arnold Labat, Kimberly Savoie, All Souls, In thanksgiving, Special Intention 10:30 am Cynthia Naquin 3:00 pm (en espanol) Our Parishioners, Clotario Espinoza Concha 7:00 pm Peggy Farinelli
January 3, 2021
Please place food in the
pantry baskets in Church.
Schedule based on last name.
Jan 2/3 - D/E/F
Jan 9/10 - G/H/I
Jan 16/17 - J/K/L
Jan 23/24 - M/N/O
VIGIL LIGHT JANUARY�
In memory of Norman & Verna Millet, Rosalind M. Hutson, Deborah Acosta, Jessica Fournet CHAPEL CANDLES BURN FOR�
Birthday Blessings for Eula McMurry
LIVE THE LITURGYLIVE THE LITURGYLIVE THE LITURGYLIVE THE LITURGY - INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK Even the slightest flicker of a light helps to properly orient us when we find ourselves in total darkness. Being in darkness can be unsettling and even a bit unnerving. We lose our focus and struggle to find our bearings and achieve balance. On life’s journey we may think we are walking in the light but are really lingering in darkness. We do not see the full picture, either because we are distracted, disinterested, or even apprehensive. Sometimes, we even choose to close our eyes when the light is readily available to illuminate our path. Do we really desire to know the truth of who we are? In Jesus Christ, a light has been given to those who dwell in darkness. God’s revelation gives us the light to see where we come from, who we are and where we are going. It also tells us that this Good News is not meant for just a privileged few but is intended to go out to all the world. Is this something we want to see? ©LPi
3�
Ascension of Our Lord Statement of Faith
Ascension of Our Lord is a Catholic Church, in full union with the Church in Rome. We are dedicated to, and are under the
"Authority of our Holy Father, and therefore, accept and embrace all of the teachings of the Magisterium of the Church". We invite
all to worship with us in the confidence of knowing that our Church and doctrines were established by God through Jesus Christ,
empowered by the Holy Spirit and safeguarded by His Church, which is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. (Established July 1979)
Around Our church & Our Community
We Need Your Help to Celebrate
Father Walter’s 40th Anniversary Celebration!
The next planning meeting will be held on
January 19th at 6:30pm in Piovan Parish Hall.
�
YEAR OF �
THE EUCHARIST�
and honoring St. Joseph�
2021�
Beginning on the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord,
January 10, 2021, the local Catholic Church
has entered into the Year of the Eucharist,
a time of renewal, healing, and communion.
This year is dedicated to helping all of us,
clergy, religious, and laity,
grow in our relationship with Christ.
We begin this important year on this feast
because baptism marks the beginning
of our initiation into Jesus Christ, a lifelong journey
toward union with Christ and one another.
The Eucharist is communion with God.
Christ nourishes us with his very Body and Blood
so that we can be joined more closely
to him and to all humanity.
Throughout this year, we will join with Catholics
around the world to call upon
the prayers and patronage of St. Joseph
to help us more fully understand
the meaning of the parts of the Mass,
the theology of the Real Presence of
Christ in the Eucharist, and the obligation we have
as Catholics to participate in Mass on Sunday.
As the universal church observes a special
Year of St. Joseph as proclaimed by the Holy Father,
we in the Archdiocese of New Orleans
call upon St. Joseph’s powerful intercession
to bring us closer to Jesus in the Eucharist.
Archdiocesan Silver Wedding
Anniversary Celebration
will take place on
Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 3:00pm
at St. Joseph Church in New Orleans.
This event is for couples married in the year 1996
in celebration of their 25th Wedding Anniversary.
Please call the Parish Office
before January 15th.
Please note: This celebration will not be a Mass,
but a prayer service. Attendance of Mass for Sunday
obligation will still have to be met.
PSR CLASSES RESUME PSR CLASSES RESUME PSR CLASSES RESUME PSR CLASSES RESUME JANUARY 11th at 6:00pM.JANUARY 11th at 6:00pM.JANUARY 11th at 6:00pM.JANUARY 11th at 6:00pM.
The Young Adult Ministry would like to thank all the
Young Adults that came out to help put together the
Blessing Bags for the Veterans at the Southeastern
Veterans homes and a thank you to all of our
Parishioners and the AOL school children for their
generous donations. We were able to put together
98 Blessing Bags, one for each resident.
�������������� ���
����������������
��
�� �����
��������������� ��� ��
����������������������� ���
| 4�
The Epiphany of the Lord
Perpetual
Adoration
Chapel
Adorers Needed:Adorers Needed:Adorers Needed:Adorers Needed: Sundays: 10am, 1pmSundays: 10am, 1pmSundays: 10am, 1pmSundays: 10am, 1pm Mondays: 2amMondays: 2amMondays: 2amMondays: 2am
Fridays: 10am, 2pm, 3pmFridays: 10am, 2pm, 3pmFridays: 10am, 2pm, 3pmFridays: 10am, 2pm, 3pm Saturdays: 8amSaturdays: 8amSaturdays: 8amSaturdays: 8am
Come back and pray!Come back and pray!Come back and pray!Come back and pray!
“Be at peace; what God has started, He will finish.”
St. Faustina (Diary, 132)
Sacraments
BAPTISMSBAPTISMSBAPTISMSBAPTISMS: Baptismal seminars are held on the first Tuesday of each month in the Parish OHce at 7:00pm. Please call the Parish OHce to pre-register.
WEDDINGSWEDDINGSWEDDINGSWEDDINGS: Couples must contact the priest at least six months prior to the preferred date of the wedding.
ANOINTING OF THE SICKANOINTING OF THE SICKANOINTING OF THE SICKANOINTING OF THE SICK: Please call the Parish OHce or 985-630-2837 (evenings).
HOLY COMMUNION TO THE HOLY COMMUNION TO THE HOLY COMMUNION TO THE HOLY COMMUNION TO THE HOMEBOUND: HOMEBOUND: HOMEBOUND: HOMEBOUND: To be added to the list, please call the Parish OHce.
FUNERALSFUNERALSFUNERALSFUNERALS: Family must make arrangements with the priest prior to making final arrange-ments with the funeral home.
Parish Calendar
Monday, January 4 No school - Professional Development Day No PSR 6:00 pm Divine Mercy Chaplet - Adoration Chapel
Tuesday, January 5 Classes resume 7:00 pm Baptismal Seminar - Parish OHce
Wednesday, January 6 11:00 am Altar Society Meeting - PPH 6:00 pm KC Planning & Director’s Meeting - Old school library 6:00 pm #iGiveCatholic “Thank You” Mass - Church 6:00 pm RCIA - Parish OHce
Thursday, January 7 12:30 pm Hearty Meal - DBH 7:00 pm Spanish Bible Study - PPH
Friday, January 8
Saturday, January 9 • Team 2
Sunday, January 10 • Team 2 7:00 pm Youth Mass - Church
5�
�
January 3, 2021
The Epiphany of the Lord
They were overjoyed at seeing
the star, and on entering the house,
they saw the child with Mary his
mother. They prostrated themselves
and did him homage.
Mt 2:10-11
A few years ago I gazed up at the nightly heavens in the
high deserts of southwestern California. As I looked at all the
bright lights in the sky I asked someone next me about one
particularly bright object in the sky, “What star is that?” He
looked up and then said, “That’s the space station.” Then I
noticed a pattern of lights running from one end of the sky to
the other. “What stars are those?” He said, ”Those are planes
flying from Los Angeles to points east.”
Obviously I know very little about the stars in the sky.
For some people like sailors and aviators, the ability to
discern the various stars and constellations can mean the
difference between life and death. For them, knowing the
patterns for stars comes as more than a passing interest.
In ancient times men studied the stars. They studied the
movements and locations, they studied how certain events
seemed to occur when certain patterns of stars appeared or
other phenomena like comets would show up in the sky. The
ancient ziggurats of this ancient land were built to allow
astrologers a better view of the skies.
Today we read about a group of these men who see a
strange phenomenon in the sky. Apparently many others
could see the same strange star but these men read more
into this star. They make a journey into the unknown hoping
that they will find a great king.
They arrive in Jerusalem and tell Herod of their quest.
Herod asks his religious scholars about the meaning of this
star. They quote him the Scriptures. We find no evidence that
these Jewish scholars made any attempt to further investigate
this remarkable sign. Herod believes in the sign but will
respond by killing many innocent children.
The three groups: Magi, religious scholars and Herod all
see the same sign, this great light. One group responds by
following the star with hopes of finding a great king, another
group understands the Scriptures but does nothing in
response, then Herod seeing the star, understanding the
Scriptures responds with horrendous evil.
Epiphany means ‘manifestation’. The Messiah did not
come just for the Jews but for all the world. His sign appears
in the earthly sky for all to see. How does the world respond?
How do we respond today?
Fr. Walter Austin�
Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church
Readings for the Week
Sunday: Is 60:1-6/Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 [cf. 11]/Eph
3:2-3a, 5-6/Mt 2:1-12
Monday: 1 Jn 3:22—4:6/Ps 2:7bc-8, 10-12a [8ab]/Mt 4:12-
17, 23-25
Tuesday: 1 Jn 4:7-10/Ps 72:1-2, 3-4, 7-8 [cf. 11]/Mk 6:34-44
Wednesday: 1 Jn 4:11-18/Ps 72:1-2, 10, 12-13 [cf. 11]/Mk 6:45-
52
Thursday: 1 Jn 4:19—5:4/Ps 72:1-2, 14 and 15bc, 17 [cf. 11]/
Lk 4:14-22a
Friday: 1 Jn 5:5-13/Ps 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20 [12a]/Lk
5:12-16
Saturday: 1 Jn 5:14-21/Ps 149:1-2, 3-4, 5 and 6a and 9b [cf.
4a]/Jn 3:22-30
Next Sunday: Is 42:1-4, 6-7/Ps 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 [11b]/Acts
10:34-38/Mk 1:7-11 or Is 55:1-11/Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5
-6 [3)]/1 Jn 5:1-9/Mk 1:7-11
©Liturgical Publications Inc
Wise Men See God in the Simple Things
If you’re on social media, you have probably seen a meme
going around that features this quote: “God has a plan for your
life. The enemy has a plan for your life. Be ready for both. Just
be wise enough to know which one to battle and which one to
embrace.”
There were certainly two competing plans for the Magi: God’s
and Herod’s. And, wise as they supposedly were, it wasn’t
entirely easy for the Magi to discern which was which.
After all, Herod posed as a friend. He offered the Magi
hospitality and kindness. Though the Gospel doesn’t say so, he
probably flattered them and appealed to every moral weakness
he could observe in them. In his palace, they must have felt
great physical comfort — rest and tables of plenty on what was
an otherwise long and treacherous journey.
But if the Magi were honest with themselves, I’ll bet they would
have admitted that, regardless of Herod’s charm, they felt a
gnawing sense of doubt while in his presence. When they
looked upon the Christ Child, born in a stable without any of
the comforts of the world or protections of wealth, they
probably felt the opposite. They probably felt safe.
The Magi were lucky enough to have the right plan spelled out
for them in a dream, but for the
rest of us, it’s enough to remember
this: God’s plan is often the one
that leads us to places of great
simplicity, great humility and great
love. Let’s have the wisdom to view
power with suspicion, and
innocence with admiration.
-Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS
Wise Men Still Seek Him!
2-C-4-2 For ad info. call 1-800-477-4574 • www.4lpi.com 14-1596
Today’s plan with tomorrow’s visionNOLAN H. SCHEXNAYDER
985-652-2877 • www.schexwealth.com
SCHEXNAYDER WEALTH ADVISORS
RY
DR. ROBERT D. ORY, SRDR. ROBERT D. ORY, JRDR. BENJAMIN M. ORY
430 WEST FIFTH STREET • LAPLACE
985.652.9616WWW.ORYDENTISTS.COM
FAMILY DENTISTRY
St. John Memorial GardensPerpetual Care Cemetery
985-652-6160Mausoleum Crypts and Cremation Niches
Call Ann to preplan now for your peace of mind.
BILL GOMILA, R. Ph932 Carrollwood Ave.985-652-1245
Family HomeCare 27 Years of Our FAMILY Taking Care of Yours!Providing Quality Home Health Services
Throughout the River Parishes985-359-1170
Alette Lyons, RN - LaPlace Team Coordinator
RIVER PARISHESCHIROPRACTIC
Drs. Dale, Laird, Boyce, Burch
LaPlace: 985-652-7904Lutcher: 225-869-7904
www.nmaclinic.com
Fred DeFrancesch, M.D.LaPlace • Hammond
Gonzales • Kenner
Support Knights of Columbus Council #9623
985-652-5041Proceeds Benefit
The Church Parish
DON’SSEAFOOD Since 1934Restaurant & Oyster Bar
4801 Veterans Blvd.504-889-1550Open 7 Days A Week
FISHER’S
504 Hemlock Street652-1497
NO JOB TOO
BIG NO JOB TOO SMALL
Commercial, Industrial, Residential,Service Work, Parking and Street Lights504-466-3303 • 24 Hr. Service Calls
Since 1983
Laplace, LA(985) 212-6012
lancoconstruction.com
377 BELLE TERRE BLVD. LAPLACE, LA 70068
985.651.0781 | www.fnbusa.com
MINI STORAGE
Climate Control Available24 Hour Access
Locally Owned and Operated
Three convenient locations to serve you!!La Place Self Storage
2217 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace • 985-652-7606
St. John Mini Storage684 E. Airline Hwy, LaPlace • 985-653-8294
Cambridge Mini Storage952 Cambridge Dr, LaPlace • 985-652-8091
Lowest Prices in Town!!www.laplaceministorages.com
MAYEUX’SA/C & HEATING, LLC
GENERATOR SYSTEMS
985-764-2426
Contact Kim Broyard to place an ad today! [email protected] or (800) 477-4574 x6322
kim juneau hearing, llc
Dr. Kim Juneau, AuD, doctor of [email protected] • 504.733.3745504.733.3745
brookhollow esp • ste b, harahan, labrookhollow esp • ste b, harahan, la
for ascension of our lord parishioners
20%o f f