Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

DIOCESE OF LAKE CHARLES Established April 25, 1980

The Most Rev. Glen John Provost, D.D.

Bishop of Lake Charles PARISH STAFF

Rev. Father Rommel P. Tolentino Pastor Rev. Fr. Ruben Buller, In Residence Rev. Deacon Christopher Fontenot Pastoral Assistant Principal SLCHS Mr. Robert Marcantel Music Director Mrs. Charlotte Hine Organist Ms. Sue Burke Receptionist Ms. Lavonne “Cookie” White Secretary Mrs. Pam Menou Bookkeeper Mr. Philip Ardoin Maintenance Mrs. Christi Jarreau Principal ICCS Mr. David Hardey Youth Director Cathedral Website: immaculateconceptioncathedral.com

935 Bilbo Street † P. O. Box 1029 † Lake Charles, LA 70602 † (337) 436-7251 † Fax (337) 436-7240

MASSES Saturday Anticipated 4:00 p.m. Sunday 7:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m. (Extraordinary Form) 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday 12:05 p.m.

NOVENA Our Lady of Perpetual Help Before 12:05 Mass on Tuesday

SACRAMENT OF PENANCE Friday 11:00-Noon; Saturday 3:00 pm 30 minutes before all other Masses. Or call office for appointment. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM A Pre-Baptism class must be attended before the celebration of Baptism. These classes are held the 4th Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September and November. Arrangements for celebration of Baptism may be made by calling the parish office after

having attended the Baptism Class. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Arrangements should be made at least six (6) months before the wedding date by calling the parish office. An appointment must be made for a pre-marriage interview. RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS. An on-going process of formation and education is provided for

anyone who is interested in inquiring into the Roman Catholic faith. The RCIA process is available throughout the year to those who are seeking initiation into the church as well as for those non-Catholics seeking more information about the Roman Catholic church. Information concerning participation in the RCIA process may be obtained through the parish office.

March 05, 2017 Do the Nineveh Thing! (It’s not too late to join us in pre-

paring for the 100th Anniversary of Fatima. For details of the program, go to www.nineveh90.com)

Let go of repetitive sin you struggle with (e.g., masturba-tion, pornography, over-eating, alcohol, gossip, lying, etc.)

Give up the following: alcohol, smoking, desserts, sweets, soda, sweetened drinks, movies, social media, secular mu-sic, limit coffee or caffeine.

Exercise regularly and get enough sleep (7 hours is essen-tial)

GO TO CONFESSION!!! Fast on Fridays. (Fasting only kills sin.) In addition to abstaining from meat on the Friday of Lent,

give up meat on another day of the week (I suggest Wednesday since it is the day Judas went to the Sanhedrin to betray Our Lord for 40 pieces of silver).

Cancel the Good Friday crawfish boil and/or fishfry you were planning; Or, figure out how you’re going to con-vince your buddy to cancel his. Good Friday is a manda-tory day of fasting and abstinence! As such, it’s not a day of diversion. Why re-crucify Our Lord by partying on Good Friday!? Wasn’t once more than enough? Good Friday a day of prayer and self-denial.

If you love seafood, don’t eat seafood on Fridays of Lent. Why eat something you really love on a day of penance? Instead of seafood on Friday, try fasting on bread and wa-ter or eat vegetables and fruits only. Every Friday of the whole year is a day of penance. This is especially the case in Lent. Turning the only day of the week we’re supposed to actually do penance on into a seafood platter or tray of delectable mud bugs is seriously pharisaical! That ain’t no sacrifice! If that’s all we got for the Lord; if we’re not sor-rier for our sins than that, then we’re in worse shape than we realize.

- In his Lenten Message, Pope Francis reminds us that: Love hurts!!! He said that he’s suspicious of a charity that will not sacrifice.

- DO PENANCE ON A DAY OF PENANCE! - We should want to give up stuff we love for love of Christ. Isn’t that what He did for us? GO TO CONFESSION!!!

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POPE FRANCIS says: “BE COURAGEOUS, GO TO CONFESSION”

"Everyone [should ask] himself: ‘When was the last time I went to confession?’ And if it has been a long time, don’t lose another day! Go, the Priest will be good. And Jesus, (will be) there, and Jesus is better than the Priests - Jesus receives you. He will receive you with so much love! Be courageous, and go to confession,”

Offertory Collection last weekend, February 25th & 26th……$14,253.00 BSA……………………….$ 1,239.00

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

SUGGESTIONS FOR A

FRUITFUL LENT

GO TO CONFESSION!!! Come to Holy Mass each day of Lent (If this is too diffi-

cult, start coming to Holy Mass at least one more time each week and increasing it as you are able).

Pray the 5-decade Rosary each day (If you’re already pray-ing 5 decades, increase it to 10 or 15 decades).

Make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament twice a week. Make a Holy Hour each day (or at least 20 minutes, and it

doesn’t need to be before the Blessed Sacrament). Participate in our Eucharistic Adoration in honor of the

Sacred Heart of Jesus every Friday of Lent from 12:35-5:30 PM (Sign-up sheet is located in the main vestibule).

GO TO CONFESSION!!! Participate in praying the Stations of the Cross every Fri-

day at the Cathedral, 11:30 AM or 5:30 PM. Commit to the following daily prayers - Morning Offering;

Angelus at 6 am, 12 noon, and 6 pm; daily Rosary; mental prayer/meditation; examination of conscience & night prayer.

Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3 PM each day (or at any hour of the day if 3 PM is impossible).

Consecrate yourself to Our Lady or renew your consecra-tion using St. Louis Marie de Montfort’s 33-day prepara-tion for Total Consecration or the “33 Days to Morning Glory” by Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC. Wear the Brown Scapular as a sign of your consecration.

Participate in our First Saturday Devotion to the Immacu-late Heart of Mary (7:00 AM - Holy Hour of Reparation, 8:00 AM - Mass in Extraordinary Form).

GO TO CONFESSION!!! Visit the sick in a hospital or nursing home. Visit that relative/friend you haven’t seen in forever. Practice almsgiving: - Make a generous donation to our Outreach Program. - Donate time, goods or money to Catholic Charities. - Participate in our Fruitful Sunday (bring canned fruits). Join us every Thursday at 6-7:30 PM in the Ave Maria Hall

for Divine Mercy in the Second Greatest Story Ever Told. GO TO CONFESSION!!! Turn off the “Satanic tabernacle” (words of Saint Teresa of

Calcutta referring to the TV). Avoid the Internet for one or more days each week (or

limit the use of the Internet to 30 minutes each day). Read the Bible each day. (Try Gospel of Mark.) Read a good spiritual book: -Imitation of Christ (Thomas a’ Kempis); - Introduction to the Devout Life (St. Francis de Sales); - 7 Secrets of Confession (a gift from the Cathedral parish, courtesy of the Knights of Columbus) GO TO CONFESSION!!!

╬ First Sunday of Lent╬

“Someone [may] say, ‘I confess my sins only to God.’ Yes, you can say to God, ‘forgive me,’ and say your sins [to God]. But our sins are also against our brothers, against the Church. This is why it is necessary to ask forgiveness of the Church and of our brothers, in the person of the priest. . . forgiveness is not something we can give ourselves.” Pope Francis went on to recognize that many people feel ashamed at the idea of confessing their sins to a Priest and might say, “but Father, I am embarrassed!” “Even embarrassment is good. It’s healthy to have a bit of shame . . . it does us good, because it makes us more humble . . .Don’t be afraid of confession . . . . When someone is in line for confession he feels all these things - even shame - but then, when he finishes confess-ing [all his sins], he leaves (feeling) free, great, beautiful, forgiven, clean, happy.”

BE COURAGEOUS; GO TO CONFESSION . . . BE-FORE, DURING, AFTER LENT

■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ BLOOD DRIVE COMING UP—-March 12, 2017—-9:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M.—Ave Maria Hall. If you are able, please consider donating this “gift of life”. Potential do-nors should eat a good meal, be well hydrated and bring identification. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■

Immaculate Conception Cathedral School has limited enrollment open-ings for the 2017-2018 academic school year in the following grades: 1st,

3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grades. For more details or to schedule a school tour, contact Kay Morgan Development Director, at 433-3497 or email kmorgan@iccschool.org. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ ALTAR SOCIETY SPRING TRIP TO ST. FRANCISVILLE…….Wednesday, April 19th. Mass will be celebrated at 6:30 A.M. prior to leaving. The bus will leave the Ave Maria Hall at 7:00 A.M.. There will be a self-tour at the Historical Grace Episcopal Church and Graveyard, a visit to C.C. Lockwood Museum and lunch at the Magnolia Café. Next a tour of Rosedown Planta-tion and Afton Villa Gardens is planned. The bus will re-turn everyone to the Ave Maria Hall by 8:00 P.M. Cost: $125. You may hold your spot with a $50.00 non-refundable deposit. Please make your check payable to ICC Altar Society and mail to Karen Fills, 1513 Anita Street, Sulphur, LA 70663. If you have any questions please call Karen Fills at 337- 304-8424. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■

THIS WEEK March 06….Youth Group meets-6:00-8:00 PM, Ave Maria Hall March 07….Come Lord Jesus (men)—6:00 A.M.—Ave Maria Hall March 08….Come Lord Jesus (women), 10:00 A.M.- Cathedral Library March 08...Choir practice—6:00 P.M. March 08…RCIA Inquiry—6 :00 P.M.—Day Chapel March 09...Faith Formation #5, 6:00 P.M., A.M. Hall March 09…RCIA Catechumenate—6:00 P.M.— Day Chapel March 10…G.N.A.T.S. meets, 9:30 A.M.—Library March 10...Stations of the Cross, 11:30 A.M. March 10...Adoration and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament...12:30—5:30 P.M. March 10...Stations of the Cross, 5:30 P.M. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■

CATHEDRAL CLEAN-UP DAY—- Please prayerfully think about coming for “Cathedral Clean-up Day”. Details will follow in next weekend’s bulle-tin. DATE: Saturday, March 18th.

TIME: 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ Lucy Rose Hodges, daughter of Katie and Kyle Hodges was welcomed into the Family of Christ through the Waters of Baptism on Sunday, February 26, 2017. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■

Knightly News—-Cathedral Council 1207, Knights of Columbus, is providing coffee, donuts, juice and milk in the Ava Maria Hall following the 7:30 and 9:30 A.M. Masses today, Sunday, March 5th. Please drop by

for refreshments and visit with fellow parishioners. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ “The Catholic’s Divorce Survival Guide”, Helping you find Peace, Power & Passion after your divorce. Our Lady Queen of Heaven Family Life Center Activity Room, 3939 Kingston Street. When: Tuesdays, 6:00-8:00 P.M., March 21st through June 6th. Registration: $40.00 fee covers all materials. Register and pay at www.olqh.org. Deadline to register is March 10th. Facilitated by Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse and Sean Corcoran. Questions? Call Felicia at OLQH-477-1236. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ Three Lenten “Punches” for Improvement, a Lenten Mission Series, St. Margaret Catholic Church, 2500 En-terprise Boulevard—-Monday, March 6th, Tuesday, March 7th and Wednesday, March 8th—-6:30 P.M. in the church. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■

SATURDAY, March 04…(4:00)—-Hidalgo & Fazzio Families; Most Abandoned Souls in Purgatory; Tarry Franck; E.J. Gaspard; Tony Pecorino.

SUNDAY, March 05…(7:30)—-”Pro Populo” (For the People) (9:30)—-Concetta and Curtis Cardone, Sr. and Curtis Cardone, Jr.; Dr. Al O’Bryne; Leon & Jean Theriot; Blair Tadlock & Family (living); Robert Van Gossen, Sr.; H.P., Elverta and Wanda McCombs; Lasti Ogea Family; Phillip Camel; Conner Chaisson. (11:15)—-Marjorie Conner. (5:00 P.M., Extraordinary Form)—-Jesse Robert “Bob” Navarro MONDAY, March 06…(12:05)—Lauren Prejean. (5:30 P.M., Extraordinary Form)—Dr. Ted Shope. TUESDAY, March 07…(12:05)—Mary Louise Niel. WEDNESDAY, March 08…(12:05)—William Wadsack. THURSDAY, March 09... (12:05)—Paul Burke, Jr. FRIDAY, March 10…(12:05)— Paula Abel. SATURDAY, March 11…(4:00)—-Gladys & Delma Devillier; Steven Ardoin; Vincent Niel SUNDAY, March 12…(7:30)—-”Pro Populo” (For the People) (9:30)—-Monsignor Wayne Richard; Kathy Coleman; Leonard Richard; Dawnita Tapia & Family (living); Joseph & Anna Rita Scalisi; Xavier Perez; Tony Pecorino; Michael Bryan Duhon (11:15)—-Catherine Navarra (5:00 P.M., Extraordinary Form)—-Billie Mary Chavanne. ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ Glad Tidings, Sunday, March 12th— Bishop Glen John Pro-vost reads the Gospel of the day (Matthew 17:1-9) and speaks on the importance of the scripture to the faithful. The news segment brings you stories from the diocese, the region, the state and the world. In the second half hour, on Lead Kindly Light , Bernadette Ponton talks with novice Brother Laureano Abila, Jr., a pos-tulant of the Olivetan Benedictine Monks about his monas-tic life at Mother of the Redeemer Monastery in Opelousas. Remember, you can also see the program by clicking the Glad Tidings link under the Resources tab at www.lcdiocese.org). ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ “Pruning and the Paschal Mystery”: Women’s Day of Reflection will be held March 11th—8:30 AM—2:00 PM at St. Louis Catholic High School. Presenters: Fr. Keith Pellerin and Dr. Judy Savoie. Registration: $30; lunch and light breakfast are included. Call Paula Hanks at 337-794-0527. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ “Momnipotent: A Book Club for Moms”—-OLQH Fam-ily Life Center, Fireplace Room, Monday afternoons 12:30—2:30 PM—March 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th. Fee: $30, covers journal and book. Call Felicia at OLQH—477-1236.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK March 06—12, 2017

2017 Our Lady Queen of Heaven Lenten Mission—-

”Divine Mercy and the Blessed Virgin Mary”. Featured Speaker: Fr. Thaddaeus Lancton, MIC of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception in Stock-bridge, Massachusetts. When: Monday, March 13th through Wednesday, March 15th—6:30 P.M. each night. Call Felicia at OLQH if you have any questions: 477-1236 ************************************************

Monday: Lv 19:1-2, 11-18; Ps 19:8-10, 15; Mt 25:31-46 Tuesday: Is 55:10-11; Ps 34:4-7, 16-19; Mt 6:7-15 Wednesday: Jon 3:1-10; Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19; Lk 11:29-32 Thursday: Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Ps 138:1-3, 7c-8; Mt 7:7-12 Friday: Ez 18:21-28; Ps 130:1-8; Mt 5:20-26 Saturday: Dt 26:16-19; Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8; Mt 5:43-48 Sunday: Gn 12:1-4a; Ps 33:4-5, 18-20, 22; 2 Tm 1:8b-10; Mt 17:1-9

Remember to pray for our brave men and women who are serving in the armed forces, and for the veterans who have served our country. Pray for their families as well.

PRAY FOR OUR FRIENDS WHO ARE ILL Sam Ange, Jr. Amanda Martin Steven Scott Ardoin Julie Moon Gloria Bennett Fred Nodier Don Blocker Alexa Owen Emily Carleton Larry Parker Claudia Dyle Sue Parker Dee Elter Rory Partin Rita Hudgins Ben Perry Jessica Hulin Mari Rieth Mary Jeffers Lena Roush Cammie Shaddock Mark Schram Charlie Vicellio If you would like to add or remove a name please call the church office at 436-7251. Please let us know if a person has recovered or is deceased.