The process of Inquiry – Discernment for the next permanent diaconate formation group is beginning. The following sessions will be held at the ANO Administration Office Lunch Room at 6:30 PM on the following dates: Tuesday, April 23 Wednesday, May 1 Tuesday, May 7 Wednesday, May 15 An RSVP is required. Send to pdiaconate@arch-no.org or call 504-861-6329 for more information.

The centuries-old jubilean tradition continues with you making a pilgrimage to Rome during the Holy Year 2025. Discover why Italy is a bastion of Catholicism as you visit Rome’s Seven Pilgrim Churches and the Catacombs. Attend the weekly Papal audience and receive the blessing given by the Pope. Spend time at the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, the beloved saint’s hometown. Discover Michelangelo’s Last Judgment mural and explore St. Peter’s Basilica. See the world’s most inspirational sites and relics in Rome and Assisi amid the Roman Catholic Church’s Year of Jubilee. February 5 - 13, 2025

Many thanks to Archbishop Gregory Aymond, Fr. Gary, the St. Joseph Women’s Club officers and members, Emily Gegenheimer, Knights of Columbus Archbishop Blenk Council #1905, Russell Kospelich, Mouse Dieterich, Eric Korndorffer, Russell Kospelich, Jr., the Holy Family Singers, and the many volunteers who devoted their time and talents to make our St. Joseph Altar the huge success it has become each and every year.

Pope John Paul II blessed the Cross and the Pilgrimage in 2004. His Successor Pope Benedict XVI blessed the Cross in 2006. This Cross has travelled to 11 countries and several US States. It is at Archbishop Shaw High School from March 8th to March 30th but it will come to us at St Joseph for Friday March 15th for the day and remain here until Monday March 18th evening. Please come out and venerate this cross. About the Cross: The Cross of Gratitude is on a pilgrimage to visit every capital city in the world. In 2033 we will celebrate the 2,000th Jubilee Anniversary of Christ's own Crucifixion and also his Resurrection and Ascension. To mark this anniversary, The Cross of Gratitude is on pilgrimage around the world. This mission was placed in the heart of Vitaliy Sobolovsky, an Ukranian man years ago. On Easter Sunday 2003 he heard the words spoken to him, "Take my Cross and carry it to all the capital cities of the world as a sign of gratitude for the salvation we receive through Jesus Christ.

Congratulations to Braylen Jiminez and Garyn Sercovich who were honored as our Altar Servers Of The Year.

Congratulations to Glenn Esteve who was chosen to be St Joseph School Distinguished Alumnus of the Year.

Congratulations to Troy Roche' who was chosen as our Distinguished Alumnus of the Year for St Anthony School.

Archbishop Aymond will present the Order of St. Louis medallion to 245 members of the laity in a prayer service and ceremony Sunday, March 3, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 105 Bonnabel Blvd., Metairie. The ceremony will also be live-streamed. Our St Joseph recipients are Mr. and Mrs Wayne Rau and Mr and Mrs Peter DeBroeck Our St Anthony recipients are Mr and Mrs George Relle.

A Bible Study and so much more! Journey with us during the holy season of Lent to study and meditate upon the Sunday Gospels leading to the glorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Meet weekly in a prayerful relaxed gathering for a deeper understanding of Jesus' sacrificial life and death and victory that He claimed for each one of us. This six week program will offer you an opportunity to renew your faith as you grow in knowledge and understanding of the Holy Scriptures. Two sessions will be offered each Wednesday for the remaining six weeks of Lent. Simply choose the session that is more comfortable for you. When: Wednesdays 10am or 6pm Where: St Joseph Church & Shrine Rectory Beginning: Wednesday February 21, 2024 For more information contact: Ginny Dufrene 504-451-1265 ginnydufrene@bellsouth.net

Frank and Hazel Maness, both 96, will celebrate their 75th Anniversary on February 20th. They were married in St. Joseph Church in 1949. They have been lifelong members of the parish and have always lived in Gretna. Along with raising a family, and working their jobs, Both Hazel and Frank have been dedicated volunteers to St. Joseph Parish. Their four children attended St. Joseph School, and their three daughters were married at St. Joseph’s. A few, but not all, of their volunteer services include: school help, cafeteria duty, calling Bingo, working St. Joseph Fair, accounting work, counting and depositing Sunday collections, Chaperoning CYO dances, lecturing at Mass, serving as usher, preparing food for St. Joseph’s Altar, assisting their Pastors, and serving on Parish Council. We wish them the best and appreciate their lifelong contributions and dedication to St. Joseph School and Church.

The 17 Active Members and 9 Associate Members of our St Joseph/St Anthony St Vincent de Paul Society visited 128 people in need and was able to provide a total of $35,487 worth of assistance to provide for their immediate needs. On behalf of our St Vincent de Paul Society, we would like to thank your for your generous donations to the Poor Box, through your monthly envelopes, and by supporting the SVdP Fish Fry, all of which funds the SVdP charitable giving. If would like to join our St Vincent de Paul Society, please call number on back of bulletin or come to their First Wednesday of the month meeting at 2:40pm in the St Joseph Auditorium.

THE LENTEN SEASON A distinction is to be made between Lent and the Easter Triduum. Strictly speaking, Lent ends with the beginning of the Triduum on Holy Thursday. The Ordo notes: “Lent runs from Ash Wednesday until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper exclusive on Holy Thursday.” FASTING AND ABSTINENCE Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. Those who are bound to fast may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted, if necessary, to maintain strength according to each one’s needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted. Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics 14 years or older on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and on all Fridays of Lent. The determination of certain days as obligatory days of penance should not be understood as limiting the occasions for Christian penance.

Anyone interested in starting/attending a RedBird Ministry for Grieving Parents at St Joseph, please contact either Fr. Gary 504-485-3164 or Jewel Bayhi 504-330-5975. Red Bird Ministries is a Catholic, pro-life/pro-family grief support ministry that focuses on bereaved families who have experienced child loss of any age and circumstance, including pregnancy loss through miscarriage and stillbirth, and after birth as an infant, child, adolescent, or adult. While we operate as Catholics our ministry serves anyone who has experienced the loss of a child. (https://www.redbird.love/weserve)

It is for students in grades 7-12. See attached flyer for details. Lilo and Stitch FREE ENTRY | BRING MONEY FOR SNACKS | ALL PROCEEDS ARE FOR ST. VINCENT DE PAUL THRIFT STORE | WEAR YOUR PJS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2023 FROM 7-9 PM ACADEMY OF OUR LADY CAFETERIA 5501 WESTBANK EXPRESSWAY, MARRERO, LOUISIANA 7th-12th GRADE | QUESTIONS: westbankcatholicyouthunited@gmail.com

The Archbishop Hannan Community Appeal (AHCA) is an annual, volunteer-driven fundraising campaign which supports the work of Catholic Charities. Gifts to the AHCA raise crucial undesignated funds that allow Catholic Charities to respond swiftly, effectively and compassionately in times of crisis or disaster. Your donation will mean supporting a local charity that best understands local needs. The Archbishop Hannan Community Appeal (AHCA), formerly the Archbishop’s Community Appeal (ACA), is an annual, volunteer-driven fundraising campaign which supports the work of Catholic Charities. This year, the AHCA is led by Archbishop Gregory Aymond and 2023 chairs Anne and Jack Dardis. A special message from Anne: Though you may be foregoing support of other fundraisers, “please do not neglect this one, as it funds so many amazing outreaches to the thousands of poor, even destitute people in our Archdiocese. By supporting this mission, we become the hands and heart of Jesus, and help His special people.”

Congratulations to Beyonce Malica Lafontant, Hebert Gerard Pierre, Josemyr Land-line Laguerre, Shanesha Tamara Pierre, Shetland Fedjy Mirtil, and Zelline Mondye Belizaire who received the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Joseph on Sunday September 24, 2023 by Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond.

The CYO Office is gearing up for our annual pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. for the March for Life – which will take place Tuesday, January 16th through Sunday, January 21st. This pilgrimage provides: - a unique opportunity to interact with our Archbishop, Priests, and Seminarians - an opportunity to see the sites of our nation’s capital - fellowship with young people from across our Archdiocese - inspiring special ministry events with The Vigil Project - participation in the LA Right to Life Geaux Forth Rally with young people from the Louisiana Province Each day/night is packed with historical, educational, and spiritual opportunities for our youth to experience an authentic encounter with Jesus Christ through the richness of our Catholic faith. The deadline for registration/nonrefundable deposits is Monday, October 9, 2023. Space is limited to 500 people, and we do expect the trip to fill up quickly, so we encourage school/parish leaders, and young people and their parents, to please make decisions as soon as possible. Complete details/information, including a detailed itinerary, required liability and medical release forms, a packing list, etc. will be provided to each participant after initial registration. All required paperwork will be submitted by a parent/guardian online. Each school/parish group will host individual mandatory trip meetings for their group which will take place prior to the trip. Please feel free to reach out to our office with any questions at cyo@arch-no.org or (504) 836-0551.

Be a part of history by adding your personal, parish/ministry or business name to the credits as a supporter of WLAE-TV’s upcoming film: Formed: Notre Dame Seminary and the Path to Priesthood. Visit wlae.com/seminary to see the brochure and to donate online. For more info, email helen@wlae.com. WLAE is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization. Donations must be received by August 31 for inclusion at the red carpet premiere on September 15. After the local and statewide public television premieres, the film will be available on YouTube @WLAETV.

Do you know someone who has left the faith or walks through life aimless and without purpose? Most of those who leave the faith do so by the age of 24, and yet these are often our most forgotten brothers and sisters. Hi, I'm Daniel Augustin, a missionary with FOCUS (The Fellowship of Catholic University Students). Through personal prayer I believe that Christ has called me to live mission in a radical way on the college campus and minister to the future generation. I have often believed mission could only be lived in the poorest and most remote of countries, but this isn't true. The mission that God gives us is first and foremost to our families and communities, the people of our own country. FOCUS seeks to bring the faith to students or even deepen the faith they already have through authentic friendships, bible studies, prayer, and mission trips. With over 850 missionaries on over 150 campuses, FOCUS has seen great success with this model, and I personally have had my own life enriched by my missionaries on LSU's campus. To participate in the mission I need the support of generous people like you, and I ask all of you to prayerfully consider supporting the mission. If you are interested and would like to know more, please feel free to fill out a contact card to set up a meeting with me. I will also be at the back of Church after Masses at St Joseph on Saturday July 29th and Sunday July 30th. Thank you and God Bless. Daniel can also be reached by email: daniel.augustin24@gmail.com or by phone 985-788-9828