Click on the event for further information.
From Monday, May 6, until Tuesday, May 21, I will be in Medjugorje, praying for you and your intentions. During the first week I will attend a retreat led by Marija Pavlovich and Marino Restrepo; and then on Tuesday, May 14, Fr. Paul Gros, pastor of St. Margaret in Albany, will arrive along with the “St. Helena Pilgrimage” group, 60 in number, for a week-long pilgrimage for which both Fr. Gros and I will act as chaplains. A number of parishioners from St. Helena will be part of that group, as well as parishioners from throughout the Diocese of Baton Rouge and friends of Our Lady of Hope in Chatawa. Please pray for us as we journey to spend “quality time” with the Queen of Peace and her Divine Son, Jesus Christ. While I am away, the priests of the Dominican community at Holy Ghost in Hammond will celebrate our weekend liturgies on May 11-12 and 18-19; I am grateful for their generous assistance. During the weekdays that I am away, there will be no morning Mass in our church; however the Rosary will be recited Monday-Friday at 7:15 am under the pavilion, before the image of Our Lady, Queen of Peace. The church itself will be closed on weekdays during the time that I am in Medjugorje so that our marble floor can be cleaned and refurbished. (Of course, the church will be re-opened on the weekends for the Saturday Vigil Mass at 4 pm and Sunday Mass at 9 am.) For those who wish to attend daily Mass during the two weeks of my absence, please join Fr. Reuben Dykes--our new pastor as of July 1--for weekday Mass: Tuesday, 6 pm at St. Dominic in Husser; and Wednesday-Friday at 8 am at Mater Dolorosa in Independence. I’m sure by now all of you have heard the news that the Bishop has named Fr. Reuben Dykes as pastor of St. Helena Church. (Fr. Reuben will also continue to serve as pastor of Mater Dolorosa.) The Bishop told me that when he prayed about whom to send to Amite, he could think of no one but Fr. Reuben. I truly believe this is a Spirit-led decision by our Bishop, and Fr. Reuben is ready and willing to serve. To assist him in his work at both parishes, the Bishop has also named Fr. Emilio Gomez, a bilingual priest who has served until now in the Hispanic Apostolate of our diocese. Fr. Emilio is very familiar with St. Helena, having often celebrated Mass here for the Spanish-speaking community. You’ll learn more about him in weeks to come, but he speaks perfect English as well as his native Spanish, having attended seminary in the United States. Like Fr. Mark, Fr. Emilio is a “second-career” vocation, having previously worked as an attorney. When I return I will have more to say about my own time serving at St. Helena and Our Lady of Peace in Chatawa--two wonderful years shared with all of you, Fr. Mark Beard, and Fr. Reuben Dykes--as well as my plans for the future. Meanwhile, pray for me, as I will for you! In Christ, Fr. Miles Walsh Join us on May 1st for Highschool Night And on May 8th for Jr. High Night!PSR Late Registration Fees begin on Friday!
While I'm Away...
Youth Nights Are Back!
Fr. Miles was Interviewed in Medugorje!
Our Parish Security