Homily for the 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Whom You Serve

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, C                                                                   September 18, 2022Fr. Alexander Albert                                                               St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette https://youtu.be/skWhxMdJTgY What just happened? If you were a little confused by that parable, you’re not alone. Most scripture scholars agree that this is the most confusing parable Jesus tells. Of course, that’s part of what parables are for: to confuse us a little and make us think. Still, what happened? The basic story of the parable is this: a man stole from his boss and when he got caught, he stole from him again, but did it in...Read More

Homily for the 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Love That Does Not Retire

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, C                                                                              July 31, 2022Fr. Alexander Albert                                                               St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette https://youtu.be/lOGd5Us241w What’s the plan? Get a decent job, make enough money to get a home, raise a family, save up, and retire? And then what? Relax, go on trips, enjoy nice things? Sounds pretty good doesn’t it? That’s kind of the standard American vision of a good life. But is it the Catholic one? Well, what does St. Paul say about it? “If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at...Read More

The Social Question II

[Note: This is not the weekly homily.] This is an article from the bulletin of November 14, 2021      We left off last week with Pope Pius XI reiterating Leo XIII’s teaching on private property, namely, that it is a natural right but not an absolute right. Men ought to be able to own property in providing for themselves, but this right does not justify hoarding or wastefulness and the obligation to be support those in need must always be considered. Today, we pick up with a teaching on labor and capital. “Capital,” in this context generally refers to property....Read More

Homilies for the 27th & 28th Sundays of Ordinary Time: What We Have In Common

27th Sunday of Ordinary Time, B                                                                  October 3, 2021Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette https://youtu.be/XevZjQ6nALs “It is not good for the man to be alone.” God knows this, he isn’t just figuring it out. Neither is he surprised that none of the animals prove “to be a suitable partner for the man.” He is not showing the animals to Adam as part of an experiment, he is doing it as a lesson for Adam, for all mankind. He is teaching us that we are not meant to be alone… that we are meant to be in communion with...Read More

Pastor Column: The Value of Money

From the bulletin of October 10, 2021      As I mentioned last week, this week is the annual financial report. Please see the handout for more details on numbers, accountability, and where it goes. In this space, I want to address the point of giving in the first place.      First, why does giving matter? Besides the obvious practical aspects, it is an important part of our spiritual lives. If what we believe about God is true - that he loves us, gave us his only Son, and calls us to eternal life with him - then it should affect...Read More