In a lengthy and wide-ranging interview with one of his Jesuit confreres, Pope Francis spoke with characteristic frankness about the perils of overemphasizing Catholic teaching on sexual and medical ethics; the reasons for his deliberate and consultative governing style; and his highest priority for the church today.

Rocco Palmo jokes, quickly, that he has enough vowels in his name to feel comfortable discussing the interior dealings of the Roman Curia. The man who established “Whispers in the Loggia,” the premier Catholic insiders’ blogsite, in the basement of his parents’ Philadelphia home in 2004 has an auctioneer’s cadence that is so quick and Northeast it makes Bobby Jindal sound as though he were on Ambien.

Pope Francis continued to make international news last week with his 12,000-word interview given to the Italian-language Jesuit publication La Civiltà Cattolica in which talked about many issues, including Catholic teaching on sexual and medical ethics and his style of governance.

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NEW ORLEANS – Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley, one of eight cardinals appointed by Pope Francis to advise him on possible reforms of the Roman Curia, said Sept. 18 he has received extensive feedback from cardinals and archbishops in the U.S. and Canada in preparation for an Oct. 1-3 meeting with the pope.

Catholic Counseling Service, which opened its doors in September 2011, now has three locations to serve those in need of counseling. In addition to the Metairie location at 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Catholic Counseling Service offers appointments five days a week out of an office at the Northshore Pastoral Center, 69090 Hwy.

The Clarion Herald offers a pictorial overview of both the seminarians studying for the Archdiocese of New Orleans as well as the men and women from the archdiocese who are in formation with a religious community.

Usted anunció esta semana comenzar los preparativos para un sínodo arquidiocesano. En primer lugar, ¿Podría explicar qué es un sínodo? En su forma más simple, un sínodo diocesano es una reunión de sacerdotes, religiosos y laicos que tiene el objetivo de conseguir comentarios e ideas, y luego asesorar al obispo sobre las prioridades para el ministerio, y las políticas diocesanas y el cuidado pastoral.

Deadline: Submissions due Thursday (10 days before each issue) calendar@clarionherald.org (504) area code unless noted Sept. 22-29 SCHOOLS ACADEMY OF OUR LADY, Car and Bike Show, Sept. 21, noon-5 p.m.; Sergeant Saint will be there with his Saints-themed vehicle.

The 75th anniversary of the 1938 8th National Eucharistic Congress held in the Archdiocese of New Orleans will be featured  in two “Steppin’ Out” shows on WYES Sept. 27 and Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m. The 8th National Eucharistic Congress brought together Catholics from across the country to honor the Eucharist, and the culminating event was a procession to City Park Stadium led by Archbishop Joseph Rummel.

Wonderfully affirming New Orleans Congrats on the excellent special issue for our Louisiana Priests’  Convention. Reading the articles by my brother priests lifted my spirits. I was especially touched by the positive and hope-filled tone of the articles.

My title may sound a little strange. However, I am certain all of us have used that phrase from time to time. You probably are asking, where is he going with this? Well, I will try to explain, hopefully even make some sense.

de Actividades en Español en la Arquidiocesis de New Orleans (9/21/13 Clarion Herald) ➤ Sept. 23, 8 a.m. Eucaristía, “Reliquias del Padre Pio,” Iglesia Blessed Francis Seelos, 3053 Dauphine St., New Orleans.

Reflexión sobre el Evangelio Lc.16:1-13 Domingo 25 “El Administrador Astuto” El domingo pasado escuchamos la parábola mas bella del Evangelio, la mas predicada y la mas amada por  todos, que es la Parábola del Hijo Prodigo.

➤  THEOLOGY ON TAP: Meets this fall at Irish House, 1432 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans on Tuesdays with a social at 6:30 p.m., talk at 7 p.m., Oct. 8, 15, 22, 29 ➤  CHRIST IN THE CITY: First Tuesdays of each month, 7 p.m. reconciliation, adoration and music, Notre Dame Seminary, 2901 South Carrollton Ave., New Orleans; 8 p.m. social at Ye Olde College Inn across street.

Autumn is a time of change and often a time of reflection. And, just like change and reflection, autumn always returns. It is cyclical in nature and comes again and again. In Louisiana, it’s often difficult to gauge the seasons without the leaves changing color or the brisk coolness in the air.

It could be said that I got what I expected from my HOBY experience – one of the most life-changing and memorable experiences in my life. HOBY (Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership) was conceived to aid the development of the world’s future leaders from high schools around each state during the summer of their sophomore year.

On Sept. 6,  the senior class at St. Mary’s Dominican High School celebrated Ring Day and received our senior rings at a special Mass in front of family and friends. Then, following in the footsteps of generations of women who came before us, we ran through the halls to greet our fellow underclassmen.

Blue Jays vs. Tigers. What comes to mind? Of course, you said Jesuit vs. Holy Cross. And no one can blame you for responding to the state’s oldest high school football rivalry. But the Blue Jays of Jesuit will meet another team of Tigers when it renews its former rivalry with Pensacola High on Sept. 27.

That was some ugly football the Saints played last Sunday afternoon in Tampa. But, as Garrett Hartley’s game-winning field goal sailed through the uprights, I had one thought: No way the Saints win a game like this last year.