Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ: We are excited in New Orleans as we celebrate the Tricentennial of its founding. We have received a blessing from our Holy Father Pope Francis and a letter from his personal representative, the Apostolic Nuncio Christophe Pierre (see page 4). It is a blessing to know that in Rome we are being remembered and prayed for as we celebrate.

At 2,700 pounds, St. John Paul II has put on a little weight since his historic visit to New Orleans in 1987, but he returned with a Florentine flourish outside St. Louis Cathedral last Sunday, flashing his warm smile and tender gaze, silent but profound gifts to the City of New Orleans on the occasion of its 300th birthday.

What are you looking to accomplish with your life? For you, what is the bottom line of your existence? The Catholic perspective on this question is that the supreme purpose of every human being is to save his or her soul. We do this by accepting Jesus as Lord, and by helping others to save their souls.

SCREENING OF SELMA, St. Luke the Evangelist’s multicultural committee hosts special, free screening of the film by Ava DuVernay about the voting rights marches led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with an introduction by parish council president Bruce Weaver. Jan. 15, 6:30 p.m. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. King. St. Luke the Evangelist Family Life Center, 910 Cross Gates Blvd., Slidell.

Mike Krajcer, the head basketball coach at John Curtis School, raised the eyebrows of his District 9-5A coaching peers and beyond on Jan. 6 after his team lost a league game to Archbishop Rummel, 73-71.

Given its historic ties with the Catholic Church, the City of New Orleans opened its Tricentennial celebration Jan. 7 in the only way possible – with a Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of New Orleans at St. Louis Cathedral.

Can you talk about the archdiocese’s role in working with WYES, Tom and Gayle Benson, the Historic New Orleans Collection and the Meraux Foundation on a project to place 45 markers of historic sites around the city to celebrate the Tricentennial of the City of New Orleans?

¿Puede hablar sobre el papel de la arquidiócesis al trabajar con WYES, Tom y Gayle Benson, la Colección Histórica de Nueva Orleáns y la Fundación Meraux, en un proyecto para colocar 45 marcadores de sitios históricos alrededor de la ciudad para celebrar el Tricentenario de la Ciudad de Nueva Orleáns?

River of Faith Section | Pages 1 – 62 |

May GOD be with you through the NEW YEAR and fill your life with LOVE and CHEER. May this day and the days ahead Hold many BLESSINGS for you and yours