This week you announced the closing of Cathedral Academy in the French Quarter. Initially, the thought was that more schools might be subject to consolidation. Can you explain the decision? The strategic plan that was developed in consultation with Dr. Leonard DeFiore and Dr. John Convey of Catholic University recommended that we consider either merging or closing about six schools.

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, In his Prayer for Generosity, St. Ignatius of Loyola asks for guidance in living selflessly. “Teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost… to labor and not to ask for reward, save that of knowing that I do your will.” This prayer comes to mind as I reflect on the faithful service of our nation’s elder religious.

The following lists programs for 3-year-olds in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, as reported to the Clarion Herald. Programs for even younger children are also listed, where applicable. In addition to the listed open house dates, schools offer pre-scheduled tours and/or tours by appointment.

“And so you remember me.” Those were the last words Father Tony Ricard heard from Bishop Harold Robert Perry, a Lake Charles native who served as auxiliary bishop of New Orleans from 1966 until his death in 1991.

The new NOLA Catholic Experience blog probably won’t initially garner the 54 million visits that the Huffington Post blog receives monthly, but the 10 voices on the blog are a welcomed one in a town that is historically Catholic.

Parishes that offer bereavement groups or support ministries after death: ➤ Mary Queen of Peace, Mandeville, coordinator of Bereavement Ministry is Teresian Sister Marina Aranzabal, (985) 626-6977, srmarina@maryqueenofpeace.org.

The Cenacle Retreat House in Metairie, which for 54 years has coordinated thousands of retreats and other adult faith formation programs for area Catholics, will close in 2013 and be sold due to the dwindling number of Cenacle Sisters to carry on the ministry, the congregation’s North American Province announced Oct. 18.

The following news release was issued Thursday, Oct. 18, the Cenacle Sisters: The Cenacle Retreat House in Metairie announced today that it will be closing its doors and selling the property.

In advance of the Nov. 6 elections, Archbishop Gregory Aymond is urging  Catholics in the Archdiocese of New Orleans to download and read the full text of “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” available at www.faithful citizenship.org.

The Clarion Herald, located in the archdiocesan building at 1000 Howard Ave., New Orleans, along with all other ministries in the building (Catholic Charities, Christopher Homes, etc.) had to close this afternoon Sept. 27) and will be closed on Friday, Sept. 28 due to an issue with city utilities resulting in no water to the building.

St. David Parish in New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward is the latest site to host the outreach program “Isaiah 43,” an archdiocesan endeavor that aims to strengthen families by providing caring adult mentors for young people and spiritually based parenting classes for those in need of skills and support as they raise their children and grandchildren.

ABITA SPRINGS ST. JANE DE CHANTAL 72040 Maple St., (985) 892-1439 Vigil: 6 p.m. Sunday: 9, 11 a.m.; 2 (Spanish), 6 p.m. – Holyday Vigil: 7 p.m. Feast: 8 a.m.; 7 p.m. – Weekdays: (M-Sa) 8 a.m. – Confessions: (F) after 8 a.m. Mass; (Sa) 7-7:30 p.m.; (S) 8:30-8:50 a.m.; 5:30-5:50 p.m. – Eucharistic Adoration: (lst F) 8:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. AMA ST. MARK 10771 River Road., 431-8505 Vigil: 5:30 p.m. Sunday: 9:30 a.m. – Holyday Vigil: 6:30 p.m. Feast: 9:30 a.m. –  Weekdays: (T, F) 8 a.m.; (M, W, Th) 8 a.m. Communion Service –   Confessions: By appointment – Eucharistic Adoration: 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

ALL SAINTS 1441 Teche St. (Algiers), 361-8835 Vigil: 5 p.m. Sunday: 8, 10 a.m. – Holyday Vigil: 6:30 p.m. Feast: 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Weekdays: (M-F) 6:30 a.m. – Confessions: (Sa) 4-4:45 p.m., by appointment – Eucharistic Adoration: (Th) 6-7 p.m.

Dr. Jan Lancaster, superintendent of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, announced on Dec. 4 the closure of Cathedral Academy in the French Quarter. The closure will be effective at the end of the academic year in May 2013.

For more than five decades, Alison Altazan Guerra was unaware of the blessed reality right in front of her: Every time she looked in a mirror, she was gazing into the face of the birth mother she had never known.

Deadline: Submissions due Thursday (10 days before each issue) calendar@clarionherald.org (504) area code unless noted Jan. 15-Feb. 17 OPEN HOUSES ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON SCHOOL, open house for parents of prospective students, Jan. 19, tours beginning at 6:30 p.m. from the church at 4119 St. Elizabeth Drive, Kenner.

Sister of St. Joseph Ursula Harelson, who taught at schools in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, died Dec. 13, 2016, at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas. She was 88 and had served for 71 years in religious life.

Religious of the Sacred Heart Sister Anne Sturges, a former chaplain and spiritual director in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, died Dec. 30, 2016, in Albany, New York. She was 84 and had served for 62 years in religious life.

Sister of Mount Carmel Ann Carmel Segura, a teacher and artist, died Dec. 27, 2016, at Evangeline Oaks Guest House in Carencro, Louisiana. She was 103 and in the 83rd year of her religious profession.