Six high school baseball teams swung their bats  in a special tournament last weekend with a purpose that meant a lot more than winning. Archbishop Hannan’s team hosted the second annual “Swinging for Autism” tournament, an endeavor close to the hearts and minds of Hannan Athletic Director Joe Hines and head baseball coach Gary “Boomer” Nunez.

A Totus Tuus Discernment Retreat Weekend for men who are interested in taking a closer look at diocesan priesthood will be held April 5-7 at the Cenacle Retreat House. The retreat, which is sponsored by the archdiocesan Vocation Office, is for men who are high school seniors, college age and over.

There was nothing hidden about God’s love on March 9 when hundreds upon hundreds of young Catholics gathered at Abbey Youth Fest to pray, sing, dance and reveal their love for Jesus and the Catholic Church.

ROME – In the wake of the recent events in Rome, I find myself truly a stranger in a strange land. By “strange land,” I do not mean a foreign country, as I have lived in Rome now for two years. Instead, the strange land is my beloved church currently without a shepherd.

The following parishes, schools and entities of the Archdiocese of New Orleans will host St. Joseph Altars this month: ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL (held at St. Mary’s Church/Old Ursuline Convent, 1116 Chartres St.): March 19, blessing by Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond at 8:30 a.m., with public viewing from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76 was elected the 266th pope and took the name Francis. The election March 13 came on the first full day of the conclave on the conclave's fifth ballot.

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A new pope has been elected! White smoke has begun wafting from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, and the bells of St. Peter's Basilica are tolling to mark the election of the new Holy Father. Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving today at 5:30 p.m. at St. Louis Cathedral.

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Father Bru’s Crab Cakes with Remoulade Sauce Crab Cakes ½   cup celery, finely chopped ½   cup onion, finely chopped ½   cup bell pepper, finely chopped 6   ounces Louisiana shrimp tails, peeled and deveined (scallops may be used instead of shrimp for those with allergies)                                      ¼   cup heavy cream 2   cloves fresh garlic, minced 1   heaping teaspoon Dijon mustard 1   heaping teaspoon Creole mustard 1½   teaspoons Louisiana hot sauce 1   teaspoon fresh lemon juice Creole seasoning, to taste 1   pound lump crabmeat 1½   cups panko bread crumbs, toasted in open skillet and seasoned with salt and finely crushed black pepper                              salt and finely crushed black pepper Directions Sauté celery, onion and bell pepper in 2 tablespoons of butter, until onions are clear.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) –   During their last meeting before entering the conclave to elect a new pope, the world’s cardinals heard a report on the Vatican bank and continuing efforts to comply with international standards to prevent money laundering and the funding of terrorism.

Artist Fred Villanueva’s Catholic faith has matured in tandem with his art as evidenced in the five sacred paintings included in the current “Portrait of Faith: John Paul II in Life and Art” exhibit at the New Orleans Museum of Art through June 16.

For John Thavis, the timing of a papal conclave coinciding with the release of his new book, “The Vatican Diaries” – based on his 30 years of covering the Vatican for Catholic News Service – is the nearest thing to winning the Catholic publishers’ lottery.

ST. SCHOLASTICA ACADEMY , 122 S. Massachusetts St., Covington (Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel) : March 10, 10 a.m. Mass following by blessing. Public viewing and serving of food from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the cafeteria.