Clarion Herald

02/17/2025

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans celebrated a Silver Wedding Anniversary prayer service this afternoon at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in New Orleans for couples married for 25 years.

The annual event is coordinated by the archdiocesan Office of Marriage and Family Life. Archbishop Gregory Aymond praised the couples for their fidelity to their marital vows.

Thanks to Michael Chandler, who was the cantor for the service and who also took the photographs!

02/15/2025

When the world is spinning out of control to the point where it shakes a person's faith, that's the exact moment God can offer the hope that the world cannot give, Catholic evangelist Mary Bielski told 200 people gathered today for the Hope and Purpose Ministries' Annual Gathering at Divine Mercy Parish in Kenner.

Citing a passage from the Book of Haggai (2:6-9), Bielski said God shows his presence especially during tumultuous times.

"(God) said, 'I will shake what is shakable that only the shakable will remain," Bielski said. "Haggai speaks about the falling of the temple, but (also) that there will be a shaking of the nations. He will bring forth a new coming, and there will be a greater glory for us to hold onto today.

"In the last couple of years, we've seen some shaking, and we see a world of fear and anxiety. We see name-calling in politics. We see a whole culture not knowing where to go and who they are."

Bielski said the image that stays with her is a tree in the midst of a south Louisiana thunderstorm.

"I have an image of this tree that God is shaking; he's shaking the dead branches," Bielski said. "If you've ever been through a storm in your life, the water will come up and everything else comes to the surface. Right now the culture is seeing the shaking. I feel like the saints in heaven are jealous of us to live in this time where we get to proclaim the Gospel in the midst of suffering. But, we are sure, new life is coming."

Catholic singer Kitty Cleveland talked about her family being brought low by the conviction and imprisonment of her late father – Deacon Carl Cleveland – that later was unanimously reversed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

She said her father spent nearly three years in prison stripped of his reputation and any comfort, but he became even closer to God during those struggles by poring over the psalms. The song she wrote for her father ended: "I reached my greatest height, down on my knees."

"That's my exhortation," Cleveland told the gathering. "When life is too much and you're ready to throw in the towel, throw it in! Hallelujah! God gets to be God for you. How else are we going to know his goodness if we don't ever give him the opportunity to show it and to really trust him and hook our faith to his promises and pull them down into our reality."

She has written a book – "From Prison to Paradise: A Story of Radical Trust in God's Divine Mercy" – about her father's ordeal that includes the monthly letters he wrote from prison.

Catholic evangelist said the sacrificial death of Jesus changed the world.

"Did you know the worst thing that ever happened in the history of this planet was the brutal murder of Jesus Christ, the Lord?" Quinn asked. "Do you know the best thing that happened in the history of this planet? The sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus on the cross.

"So, God can make the very worst thing the best thing. He can do the same for you."

02/13/2025

A letter from Archbishop Gregory Aymond regarding Second Harvest Food Bank

To the Clergy, Religious, and Laity of the Archdiocese of New Orleans:

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The community conversation around the leadership transitions at Second Harvest Food Bank has continued and grown more contentious over the past week.

It is a Gospel call and tenet of our Catholic faith to feed the hungry. I want to assure the community that the mission of Second Harvest Food Bank is critical and that neither I, nor anyone associated with the archdiocese, would ever do anything to impede the organization from fulfilling its mission. We are not asking Second Harvest to do anything that would be contrary to that mission and will always honor the wishes of donors and all grants and contracts. As I have publicly stated, no demand for settlement funds has been made and no donor funds from Second Harvest have been used or will be used to fund the archdiocese’s bankruptcy proceedings.

The programs of Second Harvest in the greater New Orleans area and in all 23 parishes the organization serves have continued uninterrupted, ensuring that those facing food insecurity are receiving the assistance they have come to count on from Second Harvest. With continued donor and volunteer support, that will not change. The dedicated and experienced staff continues to provide these vital services and will continue to do so.

As I have said before, the former leadership of Second Harvest had asked to divest itself from the Archdiocese ofNew Orleans - meaning they are seeking to formally separate themselves. This is a second step of separation for in 2011, Second Harvest was separated from Catholic Charities. At that time, at the request of the Second Harvest Board of Directors, the divestiture allowed Second Harvest to move forward with all of the assets and with the Archbishop of New Orleans as sole member.

Conversations around the future of Second Harvest’s relationship to the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the terms of a formal separation are ongoing. A committee of the Board of Directors is being formed and will be tasked to explore all options and opportunities and will make recommendations about how best to move forward. I remain open to this conversation and look forward to hearing their recommendations.

An additional committee of the Second Harvest board is also actively considering candidates to lead Second Harvest into the future.

As we move forward, I think it is important to note that similar conversations about formal separations are being had with other agencies and entities of the archdiocese, particularly Christopher Homes. As many of you may recall, we recently sold Notre Dame Health System. All of this is in an effort to create a more sustainable and efficient archdiocese for the future that carries less liability and bureaucracy so that our focus may be on sharing the faith and bringing the Gospel to the community. It is my daily prayer that we will be successful in these endeavors and provide a feasible blueprint for the future of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

I ask you to join me in prayer for all involved and for all of those served by Second Harvest in our community and beyond.

Wishing you God’s blessings, I am

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond
Archbishop of New Orleans

02/12/2025

The Catholic bishops of Louisiana today released the following statement on the plan approved by Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry to resume ex*****ons for death-row prisoners. The governor announced that the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections had finalized an updated protocol to carry out ex*****ons using nitrogen hypoxia.

Statement of the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops
RE: Plan to Start Executions by Nitrogen Hypoxia in Louisiana

February 12, 2025

We are saddened by the recent notice to restart the process for the issuance of death warrants to execute human beings in Louisiana. This only contributes to the culture of death. We promote a culture of life, not death, in this great State we love. As bishops, we will continue to promote life from conception to natural death and work to end the ex*****on of another human being.

Archbishop Gregory Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans
Most Rev. Michael G. Duca, Diocese of Baton Rouge
Most Rev. J. Douglas Deshotels, Diocese of Lafayette
Most Rev. Francis I. Malone, Diocese of Shreveport
Most Rev. Robert W. Marshall, Diocese of Alexandria
Most Rev. Glen John Provost, Diocese of Lake Charles
Very Rev. Simon Peter Engurait, Diocesan Administrator Houma-Thibodaux

02/12/2025

It’s hard to believe that seven years have passed since a girls’ basketball team from an Archdiocese of New Orleans school has won a state basketball championship.

It’s hard to believe that seven years have passed since a girls’ basketball team from an Archdiocese of New Orleans school has won a state basketball championship.

02/11/2025

Two Brother Martin seniors, Michael Meguerditchian and Brady Gueydan, reflect on the recent March for Life in Washington, D.C.

Two Brother Martin seniors, Michael Meguerditchian and Brady Gueydan, reflect on the recent March for Life in Washington D.C.

02/11/2025

If there is anything the storm-tossed parishioners of St. Anthony Parish in Lafitte know all too well, it is the importance of persevering in faith while they await the joy of rebirth.

If there is anything the storm-tossed parishioners of St. Anthony Parish in Lafitte know all too well, it is the importance of persevering in faith while they await the joy of rebirth.

02/10/2025

The St. Augustine High School reporting team got the rare privilege of honing their craft in real life – as part of the 6,000 members of the credentialed media for Super Bowl LIX.

Along the way, students such as freshman Chantze Duckworth got to interview Apple CEO Tim Cook, Saints linebacker Demario Davis, former LSU great Patrick Peterson and Saints kicker Blake Grupe.

02/10/2025

The untimely death of 6-year-old Emma Bell Savoie on the campus of Our Lady of Lourdes School in Slidell in 2022 was a wake-up call for every school parent

The untimely death of 6-year old Emma Bell Savoie on the campus of Our Lady of Lourdes School in Slidell in 2022 was a wake-up call for every school parent

02/10/2025

Loyola University New Orleans’ Jesuit Social Research Institute (JSRI) has been awarded an additional $325,000 grant from the Ascendium Foundation to further support its prison education program at Rayburn Correctional Center.

This page no longer exists or has been removed

02/09/2025

NOLA Catholic Parenting blogger/columnist Jerussa Levy finds peace in the presence of Mary in her motherhood journey.

By Jerussa Levy These past weeks have been filled with trips to the airport, eagerly anticipating the reunion with my three sons who live out of state. As I hold on to each moment, each embrace, I…

02/09/2025

"Having lived in the north for half a decade, there was always something special about witnessing that first snowfall of the season. But there is something extraordinarily unique about the phenomena south Louisiana experienced late last month – receiving nearly one foot of snow in New Orleans!"

Having lived in the north for half a decade, there was always something special about witnessing that first snowfall of the season. But there is something extraordinarily unique about the phenomena south Louisiana experienced late last month – receiving nearly one foot of snow in New Orleans!

02/08/2025

More than 120 religious women and men gathered at Notre Dame Seminary Feb. 1 to celebrate Mass with Archbishop Gregory Aymond on the World Day for Consecrated Life.

More than 120 religious women and men gathered at Notre Dame Seminary Feb. 1 to celebrate Mass with Archbishop Gregory Aymond on the World Day for Consecrated Life.

02/07/2025

The Archdiocese of New Orleans and Second Harvest Food Bank have released a joint statement regarding the recent leadership transition.

The Archdiocese of New Orleans and Second Harvest Food Bank have released a joint statement regarding the transition of leadership.

02/07/2025

Jesus sent his chosen Apostles out with these words: “Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.”

Jesus sent his chosen Apostles out with these words: “Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” – Matthew 28: 16-20.

02/07/2025

At least five times a day, I remind my children to share or to take turns. We have officially entered the stage where all three children squabble over “their” things.

At least five times a day, I remind my children to share or to take turns. We have officially entered the stage where all three children squabble over “their” things.

02/07/2025

Alumni and administrators of Xavier University of Louisiana and New Orleans officials gathered Jan. 17 to kick off the college’s year-long centennial celebrations.

Alumni and administrators of Xavier University of Louisiana and New Orleans officials gathered Jan. 17 to kick off the college’s year-long centennial celebrations.