The Diocese of Lafayette was established in 1918. For many years, what is now the Diocese of Lafayette was part of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The centennial of our Diocese will be celebrated in many ways as we approach the actual date in 1918. One way we have already begun observing our centennial has been the Diocese of Lafayette Centennial Campaign. We here at St. Elizabeth Seton participated for several months earlier this year.

The Centennial Campaign was a challenge and a great blessing. The Centennial Campaign is a diocesan effort to raise significant funds over the coming five years to endow the Diocese to support the education of our Seminarians, to support the retired Priests of our Diocese, to provide help to Our Lady of Wisdom Church at UL to build a new chapel and to support the many groups in the Diocese who provide food for the hungry and assistance to the poor and the needy. Part of the money raised in the Centennial Campaign will be returned to the individual parish. The goal for the 121 Parishes of the Diocese is $42,500,000. Our share of that amount here at St. Elizabeth Seton is $680,000. As of now you the truly faithful and devoted parishioners have pledged the amount of $804,640! That amount comes from 160 families and individuals. I am deeply grateful to all of you who have given to the Campaign. I am also so very thankful to the Committee who were so diligent in working with the Campaign in visiting, in meeting, in calling and in carrying out how the Campaign was conducted at St. Elizabeth Seton Church Parish.

Over the next two weekends, those who have not yet participated will have the opportunity to make your pledge to be a part of the Diocese of Lafayette Centennial Campaign. Pledge cards will be available at all the Masses as well as at the Masses the weekend of November 12-13. My initial expectation was that at least 250 families would be making a pledge to the Campaign to support our Bishop, Douglas Deshotel, and the Diocese. I ask each family and each individual to pray and let the Lord guide you in adding your support to the sacrifices of the other members of our Parish who have given to the Centennial Campaign. May the Lord truly bless all who have given and all of you who will give to the Diocese at this important time in our history as we generously celebrate 100 years of the Catholic Faith in the Diocese of Lafayette in 2018.

On Wednesday, November 9, we will have a Patriotic Rosary at 11:15AM in the Family Center. We will pray for our country and for all Veterans who have served so bravely and so honorably. We will acknowledge Veterans who have given so much of themselves in the service of our nation. Some Veterans will be present for us to show our gratitude and our personal appreciation for their years of heroism. As a nation, we have a truly great country with awesome freedoms, rights, duties and responsibilities. We are the nation we are because of the men and women veterans who are ‘the great generation.’ After the Patriotic Rosary, we will have pizza for everyone in the Family Center.

Friday, November 11, is Veterans Day, one of the most important of our patriotic holidays. On that day we honor all the men and women who have served our nation in its over 200 years of history. Those who have served are in the millions and we honor all of them. A phrase that applies to this patriotic day is: ‘All gave some; some gave all.’ We honor not only the Veterans; we recognize the bravery and the sacrifice of their families, their loved ones and their friends. May we as a nation be truly and profoundly grateful to the Veterans of our great nation. May we do our part to keep our country free and great by the way we live our lives with patriotism, duty, responsibility and devotion to all that is right and all this is just.

My prayers, best wishes, love and gratitude to you and to your loved ones, for who you are, for all you do for the Lord and for the good of St. Elizabeth Seton Church Parish. May we take to heart the beautiful words of St. Paul in our second reading: “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16).
SHALOM! Fr. Gary

Homework for Week November 6 – November 12
Philippians 4:8-9