Spiritual Insights Reports Formation Program Updates · that angels are endowed with astonishing...

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Spiritual Insights Reports Formation Program Updates September Every Thursday Memorial Mass for the enrollees in the CLJ! Memorial Burse September 6 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time September 13 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time September 20 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time September 27 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time NEWSLETTER September 2020 VOL. XLXI NO. 63 From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. When God “brings the first-born into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him!” (Heb 1:6). They protect Jesus in his infancy, serve him in the desert and strengthen him in his agony in the garden. It is the angels who “evangelize” by proclaiming the Good News of Christ’s Incarnation and Resurrec- tion. They will be present at Christ’s return, which they will announce, to serve at his judgment. We all benefit from the mysterious and powerful help of angels. “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.” (St. Basil) Al- ready here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels. Through their mystical presence we are reminded of God’s sovereign control of the universe and the divine activity unseen. As believers we know that what we see in this present world is passing away and what we don’t see is everlasting. 1 Cor 4:18 reminds us, “for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.” Angels remind us that we are not alone in the battles of life. Serving as our guardians, angels protect us. Psalm 91: 10-11 assures us, “No evil shall be- fall you, no affliction come near your tent. For he commands his angels with regard to you, to guard you wherever you go.” Angels are ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salva- tion. In Matthew 18:10 Jesus says, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels al- ways behold the face of my Father who is in heaven”. This verse is traditionally cited as biblical evidence for guardian angels. Several Church Fathers teach that God assigns everyone an angel to watch over him throughout life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains quite thoroughly the nature and ministry of angels. See CCC 328-336. Sometimes we hear of people who miracu- lously, narrowly escaped death. Might this not have been caused by an angel? May the Lord help us to become more aware to the presence of the angels in life, espe- cially our guardian angels. They have been assigned to help and protect us. They are our loving friends and companions. Let us befriend them and call upon them in our need. Father Conley Bertrand

Transcript of Spiritual Insights Reports Formation Program Updates · that angels are endowed with astonishing...

Page 1: Spiritual Insights Reports Formation Program Updates · that angels are endowed with astonishing powers. Peter was in prison under guard of four squads of four soldiers each. But

Spiritual InsightsReportsFormationProgram Updates

SeptemberEvery Thursday Memorial Mass for the enrollees

in the CLJ! Memorial Burse

September 623rd Sunday in

Ordinary Time

September 13 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 20 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 27 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

NEWSLETTERSeptember 2020 VOL. XLXI NO. 63

From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. When God “brings the first-born into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him!” (Heb 1:6). They protect Jesus in his infancy, serve him in the desert and strengthen him in his agony in the garden. It is the angels who “evangelize” by proclaiming the Good News of Christ’s Incarnation and Resurrec-tion. They will be present at Christ’s return, which they will announce, to serve at his judgment.

We all benefit from the mysterious and powerful help of angels. “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.” (St. Basil) Al-ready here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels. Through their mystical presence we are reminded of God’s sovereign control of the universe and the divine activity unseen. As believers we know that what we see in this present world is passing away and what we don’t see is everlasting. 1 Cor 4:18 reminds us, “for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Angels remind us that we are not alone in the battles of life. Serving as our guardians, angels protect us.

Psalm 91: 10-11 assures us, “No evil shall be-fall you, no affliction come near your tent. For he commands his angels with regard to you, to guard you wherever you go.” Angels are ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salva-tion.

In Matthew 18:10 Jesus says, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels al-ways behold the face of my Father who is in heaven”. This verse is traditionally cited as biblical evidence for guardian angels. Several Church Fathers teach that God assigns everyone an angel to watch over him throughout life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains quite thoroughly the nature and ministry of angels. See CCC 328-336.

Sometimes we hear of people who miracu-lously, narrowly escaped death. Might this not have been caused by an angel? May the Lord help us to become more aware to the presence of the angels in life, espe-cially our guardian angels. They have been assigned to help and protect us. They are our loving friends and companions. Let us befriend them and call upon them in our need.

Father Conley Bertrand

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September’s liturgical calendar celebrates the feast of three archangels. Michael described as “who is like God, “is the angel entrusted by God with the task of watch-ing over the people of Israel. He leads the an-gelic armies in their fight and victory over the devil and his angels. Later he appears also as the protector of the Church, the new people of God, whose departed members Michael leads to paradise. Gabriel is described as “God is Strong”. He was entrusted with the announcement of Zachariah of the birth of John the Baptizer, and to Mary of the birth of Jesus. In apocalyptic literature he is one of the seven archangels who stands before the Lord. Raphael means “God Heals”. He is one of the seven angels who stands ever ready to enter the presence of the glory of the Lord. He was sent to Tobit to cure him of his blindness and to take care of his son during his journey to Media to recover his father’s money.

Angels have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation announcing this salvation from afar or near and serving the accomplishment of the divine plan. In John 1:51, Jesus tells Nathanael,” you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man”. This pas-sage refers to Genesis 28:11-15 concerning Jacob’s dream of a ladder spanning heaven and earth that enables the angels to pass in and out of the world. Jesus puts himself in the center of this vi-sion, claiming that he is the place where heaven touches down to earth; he is the house of God, and the mediator through whom the angels exer-cise their ministry.

In Daniel 7:10, we see that thousands upon thou-sands were ministering to God and myriads upon myriads stood before him [ten thousand times ten thousand]. There were a multitude of angels who stood in attendance ever ready to execute God’s orders.

Because Peter has a mission yet to be accom-plished as leader of the apostles, he was spared from imprisonment and death by an angel. His deliverance is marvelous to behold! Here we see that angels are endowed with astonishing powers. Peter was in prison under guard of four squads of four soldiers each. But prayer by the Church was fervently being made to God on his behalf. “On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter, secured by double chains, was sleep-ing between two soldiers, while outside the door guards kept watch on the prison. Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him and a light shown in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and awak-ened him saying, ‘Get up quickly.’ The chains fell from his wrists. The angel said to him, ‘Put on your belt and your sandals.’ He did so. Then he said to him, ‘Put on your cloak and follow me.’ So, he followed him out, not realizing that what was happening through the angel was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first guard, then the second, and came to the iron gate leading out to the city, which opened for them by itself. They emerged and made their way down an alley, and suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter recovered his senses and said, ‘Now I know for certain that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people had been expecting’” (Acts 12:6-11). By faith, we also know for certain that the Lord sends his angels to rescue us. Father Conley Bertrand—2 —

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St. Bernard - Breaux Bridge

Beginning in March of 2020 our lives and the way we do things changed drastically due to the

COVID19 Pandemic. Our everyday earthly routines were disrupted! Our spiritual life was disrupted in ways we have never

experienced! How has your participation in CLJ! given you courage to endure through this stressful time? How has the valuable spiritual

knowledge you have gained from your study of scripture helped you overcome these disruptions?

Sacred Heart - Broussard

Audrey Thibodeaux Area Coordinator

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“The Anointed” - Houma - Thibodaux DioceseTop - Celeste Loyd, Carolyn Domangue, Carla Ledet, Bottom- Elaine Guidry, Betty & Don Chauvin

Come, Lord Jesus! for Parent Intercessors was recently introduced to church leaders at St. Agnes in Jefferson, Louisiana by Luci and Steve Morgan. Parent Intercessors is a prayerful gathering of concerned parents on behalf of their children and their schools to implore God’s protection, guidance and blessings. This inspiring program provides an opportunity to intercede for children during this critical time of academic, emotional, and spiritual development. For more information on bringing this program into your church parish or Catholic school, contact our office. ( 337-233-6277 )

Coming Soon! Come, Lord Jesus! Podcasts!!!Pictured is Father Bertrand during the recordingof “The Heart of Jesus” available soon on our website.

Featured Group

September 26 Divine Mercy/ Kenner 10:00 amOctober 3 St. Francis de Sales Cathedral/ Houma 10:00 amOctober 17 Our Lady of Fatima/Lafayette10:00 amOctober 20 St. Pius/ Ragley 10:00 amNovember 7 St. Ann/ Mamou10:00 am

Calendar of Events

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Baton Rouge, LA: Marie Walsh, Jackie HoffmanBreaux Bridge, LA: Mary Harrison, Kara HebertCow Island / Forked Island, LA: Douglas FrederickJefferson, LA: Janis Lampard, Jeanette Salone Lafayette, LA: Joy Baudoin Leonville LA: Marie PickneySt. Amant, LA: Jaime MillerVille Platte, LA: Elizabeth Lafleur

July 2020 Gift Bags Received

AbbevilleAvery IslandBaton RougeBayou VistaBell City Breaux Bridge BroussardCanktonCarencroCoteauCow IslandDelcambreDeRidderDusonEganErathEstherwoodEvangelineFranklinGrand Isle

Grand Prairie GretnaHarveyJeaneretteJeffersonKaplan LafayetteLake ArthurLake CharlesLongville MauriceMetairieMireMorgan CityMorseNew IberiaOpelousasPine PrairiePrairie RondeRagley

Metairie,LA: Dianne Thames - LeaderLeslie M. Morgan, Jules Cochiara, Viginia diBenedettoYvette Fouchi, Herman LeBoeuf, Kay Nunemacher,Judy Slaton, Dawn SnyderPierre Part,LA: Joni Landry - LeaderAnnette Tipton, Lori Arreola, Rani James, Brandi KlibertCindi Frederic, Diana Lusk, Sue Tramonte, Linda Aucoin, Erica Looney

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Condolences September 2020 To member Jackie Como of Patterson, LA on the death of her husband, Bernard Como (also the father of member Brady Como

ofof Broussard, LA ). B

To leader Loretta Kurta of Mowata, LA on the death of her nephew, Frank A. Zaunbrecher.

To member Lynn Tate of Ville Platte, LA on the death of her mother, Beatrice Tate.

To the members of “Tribes of the Lord” groups in Maurice, LA on the death of their member, Nelson Landry.

To member Sylvia “Tibby” Davis of Metairie, LA on the death of her sister, Margaret Meyer.

To the family and friends of Henrietta “Sally” Gilmore who was a former group leader in Metairie, LA for over 25 years.

To members Priscilla Cormier and Melba Gaspard of Cow Island/ Forked Island, LA on the death of their brother-in-law,

Wendell Suire, and their great-nephew, Presley Gaspard.

To member Linda Landry of Morgan City, LA on the death of her husband, Donnie Louis Landry, Sr.

To member Joan Mayeux of Kenner, LA on the death of her husband, A.J. Mayeux.

RichardRiver RidgeSchrieverSlidellSt. AmantSt. MartinvilleSugartownSulphurVerdunvilleVille PlatteWashington

A special thank you to all who have sent in personal Gift Bag Donations in spite of the fact that manyare not able to meet as a group because of COVID-19.The CLJ! program relies on monthly Gift Bag donationsto meet the office expenses of the program (utilites, newsletter, insurance, maintenance, salaries, etc.) God bless you for your generosity!

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Harry Joseph AccardoEmerite Dugas BadeauxLauri BodinMinnie Mae ChapmanCarrol James ClavelleBernard ComoHenry Joseph DomingueDavid DoskeyLloyd FunchessPresley GaspardMichelle GauthierKaterina and Vasily GermanidesHenrietta “Sally” GilmoreAnna Belle Hebert

Come, Lord Jesus!1804 W. University Ave.Lafayette, LA 70506

Non-Profit Org.US Postage

PAIDLafayette, LA

Permit No. 729Matthew HopkinsDonnie Louis Landry, Sr.John “Ken” LegleuGerald “Tiger” LittleA.J. MayeuxMargaret MeyerLeanne MoutonKennison RayJames Dudley RogersWendell SuireNoel ToupsLeslie Van OsdaleJeannine Chachere WallaceFrank A. Zaunbrecher

JULY 27 - AUGUST 18, 2020 Memorial Burse Donations