The Academy of the Sacred Heart (ASH) seniors spent Sept. 18-19 participating in their final class retreat. It’s a spiritual tradition at Sacred Heart during upper school years that provides an opportunity for students to reflect, bond and pray in a setting – away from school – free from outside distractions or school commitments.

After a three-year hiatus, the Saints are once again relevant. The spike in quality of play comes after the club’s best draft since 2006. In that draft, the headliner was running back Reggie Bush. But long after Bush departed, the Saints were getting outstanding play from guard Jahri Evans and a pair of seventh-round picks, wide receiver Marques Colston and offensive tackle Zach Strief.

By Ron Brocato, Sports The Battistellas give thanks to God every day for the return to health of the family patron, Greg. Battistella, who has spent 26 years as a baseball coach at Holy Cross, Pope John Paul II and now Lakeshore high school, suffered a stroke during a football jamboree game in late August.

By Beth Donze Reverence for human life – and the holy rosary – came together beautifully at St. Francis Xavier School on Oct. 6. That morning, students in grades 2-7 gathered at St. Francis Xavier’s lush Memorial Garden to the Unborn to pray a “Living Rosary” with special pro-life intentions.

Young adults are invited to take part in three remaining facilitated discussions with the staff of the CYO/Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office of the Archdiocese of New Orleans to determine what “is considered important for young adults, what they struggle with, and what and how they feel God call them in their lives.” The ultimate goal is to help the office help Catholic parishes better serve and meet the needs of Catholic young adults today.

Photos by Frank J. Methe, Clarion Herald A two-year exhibit – “The Church in the Crescent: Three Hundred Years of Catholicism in New Orleans” – is now open at the Old Ursuline Convent, 1100 Chartres St. in the French Quarter.

By Beth Donze A river of many colors winds its way through a bed of gray gravel in the prayer garden outside St. Pius X’s adoration chapel. The multi-hued stream – actually, a loose mosaic made up of 527 individually painted rocks – was the joint creation of every St. Pius student in grades pre-K3 through 7.

Official Appointments In order to provide pastoral care for the people of God in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Archbishop Aymond has made the following appointments: Permanent Deacons ( All appointments for deacons are for a six-year term, which may be renewed.)

Making a Difference You are not pro-life if you are not pro-peace. Killing another human being, even the enemy, even a murderer, flies in the face of the Author of life; it runs completely against the teachings of the Prince of Peace: “But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Deadline: Submissions due Thursday (10 days before each issue) calendar@clarionherald.org (504) area code unless noted Oct. 22-28 EVENTS ST. PHILIP NERI DRAMA CLUB , comedy mystery, “Be My Ghost,” by Tim Kelly.

By Ron Brocato, Sports If power rankings tell a true tale, whichever team wins the Oct. 27 game between St. Charles Catholic and De La Salle has an inside track to the LHSAA’s Division II football championship.

Christians are never pessimistic, resigned or weak, thinking life is an unstoppable train careening out of control, Pope Francis said. Throughout history, every day is seen as a gift from God and “every morning is a blank page that Christians start writing on” with their good works and charity, he said Oct. 11 during his weekly general audience.

Nate Proctor and Rebecca Garcia sat listening to the song, “At the Piano,” which they had co-written and recorded, as fellow classmates busily scribbled notes to offer critiques after they, too, heard it.

Individuals and groups have the opportunity to take a stand with others to promote life and end abortion by participating in the 2017 “40 Days for Life” effort through Nov. 5. Louisiana Right to Life Federation, which has participated in the international and non-denominational effort since its beginning in 2007, encourages individual and group participation through prayer and fasting and by providing a peaceful and compassionate presence.

“Embracing Bold Leadership,” the theme of the 51st annual Administrators’ Conference, was explored in keynote addresses and breakout sessions Oct. 11-13 in Biloxi. With Dr. RaeNell Houston, new superintendent of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, coordinating the conference for the first time, several changes were made.

The geopolitics of his childhood poverty were lost on Joseph Wresinski. Born in 1917 in Angers, France – in the final 18 months of the Great War – Joseph knew only one thing: there wasn’t a lot to eat.

Ha habido tanta mala voluntad, e incluso, hostilidad expresada en el discurso público últimamente. ¿Cuál es la fuente del problema, y cómo puede ser remediado? Ciertamente, no están de acuerdo con los valores de Jesús.

Th ere’s been so much ill will and even hostility expressed in public discourse lately. What’s the source of the problem and how can it be remedied? It’s certainly not according to the values of Jesus.

Archbishop Gregory Aymond consoles Kinley Louviere, 5, the daughter of Westwego police officer Michael Louviere who was killed in the line of duty in January while investigating what he thought was a traffic accident in Marrero.

By Christine Bordelon Marvel M. Robertson experienced the heartbreak of losing her daughter several years ago, and said it was the faith and inspiration of Blessed Sacrament-St. Joan of Arc Deacon Irvin Stewart that pulled her through.