A Message From Our Pastor

Put on a New Self

With new beginnings come new blessings! We are fortunate to see another year
hopefully of more blessings. God’s name be hallowed, acclaimed, and feared the
more! Having made it through the misfortunes of the pandemic that claimed some
of our loved friends and family, and the horrible hurricane that left our church,
school and some homes devastated, we have cause to rejoice. With hope again we
look to a better year 2022, trusting God to continue blessing us.

To receive God’s grace, we know it is incumbent for us to dispose ourselves
that receptivity. Now is another chance to change from our old ways, and conform
to God’s will. As St. Paul urges in Ephesians 4:24, “put on the new self, created in
God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.” Having a life in Jesus means to
live by his words. Though we do not know what the year has to offer, yet are we
without worry. For in his work of proclaiming the Gospel, Jesus promised to be
with us until the end of time (Matthew 28:20). Therein is our confidence.
Moreover, the apostle comforts us saying: “Have no anxiety at all, but in
everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to
God” (Philippians 4:6).

At this time our core wish is for our church and school to
be fully repaired, that we can return to using them before end of 2022.
It is Jesus himself who builds his Church. He said to Simon Peter, on him he
would build the Church, against which no evil can prevail. Certainly, by Church he
meant the community of the faithful, whose leader the Pope, is vicar of Christ. Our
particular community of faith, by the will of God, will persevere in forming God’s
people and restoring his Church at Holy Savior, in the different ways they can.
These are some of the ways this will be realized. Later in the month of
February, the 10:00am Mass on Sunday will be reinstated. A survey will be sent
out to assess whether to retain the 8am Mass on Sunday, or to moved back to 7am,
as it was before Hurricane Ida.

Also, on a date to be announced, we will be having Mass again for the
residents at the Broadway Nursing Home. Details of this weekly Mass are being
worked out and will be communicated when discussions are finalized between the
staff of Broadway, and the priests of the South Lafourche Deanery.

Look out for the launch of listening sessions on the synodality of the Church
(the system of Church governance). In October, Pope Francis opened the first
phase of the 2023 Synod of Bishops, focusing on “reorienting the Church in a
posture of accompaniment and journeying together.” Each diocese around the
world will invite and listen to their people to see what the Holy Spirit is guiding
them to suggest about different issues in the Church today.
At Holy Savior, announce when and where these sessions will be, so you
and others can share about how you feel the Church has accompanied you or other
people in different situations of life. Your contributions will be compiled and submitted to diocese by June 1, for onward forwarding to the US Bishops
Conference, and thereafter to Rome, to be discussed during the synod.

As you make personal and family resolutions, taking in mind the need to
continue being active as a disciple of Jesus, I pray that he showers graces upon you
all through the year. And with love of a pastor, I call down his blessings on you, in
the way he has ordered (Numbers 6:24-26):
“The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!”

May you always strive for newness of life. Happy New Year!

Fr. Jean-Marie M. Nsambu
Pastor
Holy Savior Catholic Church
612 Main Street
LOCKPORT, LA 70374
985-532-3533