DIOCESE OF LAKE CHARLES Established April 25, 1980

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

Bishop of Lake Charles

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHEDRAL PARISH

Established December 8, 1869

PARISH STAFF Rev. Fr. Rommel P. Tolentino, Pastor Rev. Fr. Ruben Buller, In Residence Rev. Deacon Christopher Fontenot

Mr. Robert Marcantel

Music Director Mrs. Marlene Mullenix

Organist Ms. Sue Burke

Receptionist Mrs. Lavonne “Cookie” Dennison

Secretary Mrs. Pam Menou

Bookkeeper Mr. Philip Ardoin

Maintenance Mrs. Monica Broussard

Youth Director Mrs. Christi Jarreau

Principal ICCS

935 Bilbo Street Lake Charles, LA 70601

Website: immaculateconceptioncathedral.com e-mail: iccathedral@structurex.net (337)436-7251 Fax (337)436-7240

MASS SCHEDULE Saturday 4:00 PM (Anticipated) Sunday 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:15 AM 5:00 PM (Extraordinary Form) Monday—Friday 12:05 PM Extraordinary Form: Monday 5:30 PM First Saturday 8:00 AM Sunday 5:00 PM

SACRAMENT OF PENANCE Friday 11:00 AM—Noon Saturday 3:00 PM—3:55 PM 30 minutes before all other Masses HOLY HOUR, VESPERS & BENEDICTION Every Sunday 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP Before 12:05 Mass on Tuesday

CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

DECEMBER 29, 2019

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception December 29, 2019

.

On Thursday, December 12, the Cathedral of the Immacu-late Conception celebrated a Sesquicentennial Anniversary Mass. Bishop Glen John Provost presided, with several Priests and Deacons from the Diocese in attendance.

Father Tolentino and the Sesquicentennial Committee members worked tirelessly for over a year to plan events and make our 150th anniversary special. The Sesquicentennial Committee consisted of Father Rommel Tolentino, Roland Bodin, Monica Broussard, Sue Burke, Marty Derouen, Barbara Dubose, Bob Marcantel, Charles Marcantel, Amanda Martin, Richard Moreno, Kay Morgan, Andrea Prejean, Pamela Seal, Andrew Steiner, Janet Stoma, and Barbara Wyman. Thank you!! We have received a beautiful gift of a painting of the Madonna and Child from Maureen and C. A. Miller. This original oil painting, by Peruvian artist D’Mendoza, is displayed in the foyer of the Ave Maria Hall. The painting was purchased to honor Maureen’s parents, Colonel and Mrs. Adrian A. G. Talbot, “whose dedication towards edu-cating all six of their children at Immaculate Conception School and St. Charles Academy instilled moral values and a solid education.”

New Years Masses (a Holy Day of Obligation)

Tuesday, December 31...Vigil Mass...4:00 p.m.

(No noon Mass) Wednesday, January 1

8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Extraordinary Form Mass

The Cathedral office will close on Tuesday,

December 31 and reopen on Friday, January 3, 2020

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

We thank all the Seminarians, Altar Servers, Sacristans, Choir Members, Musicians, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Ushers, Décor Committee and Volunteers who helped to make our Christmas Masses beautiful and meaningful. You are so appreciated!

Welcomed into the Family of Christ through the Waters of Baptism

Kathryn Mae O’Quain

daughter of Ada and Justin O’Quain on December 15, 2019

Welcome to our Cathedral Family! Len and Joseph Pousson

Lauren & Adam Williams Family

The Sanctuary Lamp will burn

the month of January for

Dorothy “Dot” and Pat Gallaugher Daniel Ieyoub

Tuesday, December 31...Office closed; Vigil Mass, 4:00 p.m. (no noon Mass) Wednesday, January 1...Office closed; Masses—8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. (Extraordinary Form) (Holy Day of Obligation) Thursday, January 2...Office closed; Holy Hour of Reparation, 11:00 p.m.—midnight Friday, January 3...Encounter, 9:00 a.m., Ave Maria Hall; GNATS meet, 9:30 a.m., Library

Offertory Collections December 14-15…Offertory—$11,702. Online—$1,150. BSA collected in December—$6,015. Amount we owe towards Quota—$4, 905.84 We have met our Priests’ Retirement Fund Quota. Thank you for your generosity! There will be an offertory collection on January 1, the So-lemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. The second collection on January 5 will be for the Build-ing Fund.

OUR WEEK AT A GLANCE

First Friday, January 3— Adoration and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament—12:30-5:30 P.M. First Saturday, January 4— Adoration and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament—7:00 A.M. Extraordinary Form Mass—8:00 A.M.

In Loving Memory...

Edmund Joseph Cappel, brother of Dick and Fred Cappel, died on December 1, 2019. Mary Ann Monk, mother of Bill Monk, died on December 12, 2019. Beverly Wise, mother of Greg Wise, died on December 13, 2019. We pray that they will find peace and joy in the presence of Our Lord. We extend our sincere sympathy to their families and all who mourn their deaths.

Not All Gifts Are Equal… But, they’re all important. Give what you can!

You may make your donations to the Cathedral online at immaculateconceptioncathedral.com The Cathedral’s website donation link now has a comment section. You may let us know if your do-nation should be applied to a collection other than the offertory.

Thank you!

READINGS FOR THE WEEK December 30, 2019—January 5, 2020

Monday: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-10; Lk 2:36-40 Tuesday: 1 Jn 2:18-21; Ps 96:1-2, 11-13; Jn 1:1-18 Wednesday: Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 Thursday: 1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 1:19-28 Friday: 1 Jn 2:29 — 3:6; Ps 98:1, 3cd-6; Jn 1:29-34 Saturday: 1 Jn 3:7-10; Ps 98:1, 7-9; Jn 1:35- 42 Sunday: Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12

THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY  It seems appropriate that we celebrate the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph during the Christmas season, just after families have gathered for Christmas, frequently with stress over gift-giving, travel drama, and the intrica-cies of meal preparation for people with their various die-tary needs and preferences. Today’s readings ask us to put family and life in their sacred and holy perspective. When we take care of aging parents we care for Christ, who is with all and in all. When we approach one another with compassion, kindness, gentleness, and patience, we communicate Christ’s love. Even when the Lord leads in ways we cannot quite appreciate or understand, we must follow God’s will, knowing that in doing so, we cooperate with God’s grace in our midst. Every family is called to be a holy family. YOUR HOLY FAMILY Families come in all shapes and sizes. When asked to describe your family, you might begin by telling people about a parent, sibling, or extended family members. You might even describe what you have learned from a ge-nealogical study. You are unlikely, however, no matter how wonderful your family may be, to describe your family as “holy.” And yet, this is our primary call. Each of us as people of God, and each of our families, is called to be holy. We are called to live as God’s people in the world, to communicate God’s love and presence through the way that we live together and in relationship with others. Every family, no matter what their circumstances, is called to be a holy family. Even Mary, Joseph, and Je-sus faced challenges and trials. And yet they rose to the

occasion, listened to and followed God’s will, and were assured of the love of the Lord through it all. LISTEN TO YOUR ANGEL Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads? One direc-tion may be momentarily advantageous or easy, another more challenging but right or good. It is not always easy to know which direction to choose. Discerning our path of life necessarily involves prayer, the guidance of others whom we trust, and the promptings of the Holy Spirit within us. The example of the Holy Family is that they fol-lowed the will of God, trusting in God’s abiding presence even when they knew that doing so involved risk and un-certainty. Mary trusted the voice of the angel, although the message was beyond comprehension; Joseph lis-tened to the voice of the Lord in dreams and proceeded, assured of God’s guiding spirit in the midst of troubling circumstances. This is what our families must do as well. Being Christian people in today’s world is not always easy, even when we know it is right. This is the meaning of holiness. This is what it means to be a holy family. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM A Pre-Baptism class must be attended before the celebra-tion 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 ongoing process of formation and education is pro-vided 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 seek-ing more information about the Roman Catholic church. Information concerning participation in the RCIA process may be obtained through the parish of-fice.

We’d like to connect with you!! Get important updates from our church in a timely and convenient way. Flocknote lets you choose what info you’d like to receive—via text message or email—from the various ministries and groups in our church. You can unsubscribe any time. There are 2 easy ways to connect (pick one): 1. Text the letters iccathedral to the SHORT 5digit phone

number 84576. 2. Visit our church at: www.flocknote.com/iccathedral

Can We Bring Jesus to You or Your Loved One? If anyone would like to receive the Holy Eucharist at home, or if you know someone who is homebound and would like to receive Holy Communion, please call the church office at 436-7251 and we will contact you.

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception offers Vespers and Benediction each Sunday from 4 to 5 PM in the Cathedral, as well as a Holy Hour of Repa-ration each Thursday from 11 PM until midnight, also in the Cathedral.

“By His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5)

The LifeShare Blood Center bus will be parked in the Ca-thedral’s north parking lot on Sunday, January 5, from 8:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m.

WHY GIVE BLOOD?

Every two seconds, someone somewhere needs blood. One of every seven people who enter the hospital will need blood. That person may be you, your loved one, friend or co-worker. With all the wonderful advances in modern medicine, there still is NO substitute for hu-man blood. The blood that helps patients comes only from caring people who volunteer to help others by donat-ing their life-saving blood.

In the short time it took to read the above paragraph, 11 people needed blood. Will you help?

Join our Pastor, Fr. Rommel Tolentino as he leads an 11-Day Pilgrimage to Germany, Switzerland, and Aus-tria on June 15-25, 2020.

Visit medieval Heidelberg, cruise the scenic Rhine River, enjoy the stunning scenery of Lake Lucerne, travel to pic-turesque Innsbruck in the heart of the Austrian Alps, tour Mozart’s and the “Sound of Music” city of Salzburg, pray in the shrines of the Black Madonna in Einsiedeln and Altotting, see the fairy tale like Neuschwanstein castle, visit the Bavarian capital of Munich, and experience the once-in-a-decade Oberammergau Passion Play**. Cost is $4,199 per person with round trip air from Hous-ton. The trip includes First class hotels, double occu-pancy, two meals a day - breakfast and dinner, daily sightseeing, daily Mass, airport taxes, fuel surcharges, Passion Play Package and Trip Protection Plan. Tickets are limited. For more information or to request a brochure, please call the Cathedral office at (337) 436-7251. **It is believed that the Passion Play has been held every 10 years since 1634. A play of life and death, prom-ised in a moment of mortal threat, began the history of the Oberammergau Passion Play in 1633. During that time, the Black Plague was sweeping through Europe. The vil-lagers of Oberammergau vowed that if their town was spared, they would perform the Passion of Christ every 10 years. The town was spared, and it is amazing that they have been honoring this pledge from generation to generation. The Passion Play performance follows Christ from His triumphant entry into Jerusalem through His Trial, Cruci-fixion, Resurrection, and Ascension.

Stay in Touch With Us! Or on the Web! immaculateconceptioncathedral.com

Knights of Columbus, Cathed-dral Council 1207 will host coffee and donuts after the 7:30 and 9:30 Masses next Sunday. Please join them in the Ave Maria Hall. And if you donate blood you’ll need that donut!

TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT’S

HAPPENING AROUND THE DIOCESE OF LAKE CHARLES!

www.lcdiocese.org

Catholic Mission Trip The Abrazando Cristo Mission Trip for 2020 will be July 10-19 to Puerto Rico. Cost of the trip is $2200. and covers all air and ground transportation, meals, lodging, tips, taxes, retreat and mission shirts. For an information packet/registration form, please contact Felicia Borel at 337-477-1236 or e-mail felicia.borel@lcdiocese.org. A $300. non-refundable deposit with the registration form is due by January 12 to secure a seat. Only 25 seats are available...first come, first served.

There will be no Bishop’s Breakfast with Men or Luncheon with Ladies in December and January. The next Men’s Breakfast will be February 7 and the next Women’s Luncheon will be February 12.

Upcoming Saint Charles Center Events

Spring events at Saint Charles Center will begin on Tues-day, January 14, with Sr. Diane Depwe presenting “Honey Communications Skills 101” from 6 to 9 p.m. in Tabor Retreat House. Two other January events are scheduled with Deacon Brian Soileau speaking on Catholics and the Bible on Tuesday, January 21, from 6 to 9 p.m. and Father Whit-ney Miller on Tuesday, January 28, from 6 to 9 p.m. pre-senting “Lead, Kindly Light: Meditations, Poems & Prayers of St. John Henry Newman.” To register for events at the Center call (337) 855-1232 or go to stcharlescenter.com. The suggested donation is $20.00 per person for each January event. Deadlines to register are Friday, January 10, for Sr. Diane Depwe's presentation; Friday, January 17, for Deacon Soileau’s evening; and Friday, January 24, for Father Miller’s pres-entation. Sr. Diane will explore the differences in how males and females communicate and process information. The Evening of Reflection with Deacon Soileau is in-tended to provide those attending with a deeper knowl-edge of the role of the Catholic Church in establishing the Canon of Scripture as well as dispelling the myths and untruths concerning the Church and the Bible. Father Miller will speak on the Anglican clergyman and leader of the Oxford Movement who eventually undertook the spiritual journey of religious conversion to the Roman Catholic Church. Newman was a preeminent master of the English language and his writings have inspired countless souls throughout the years toward a deeper walk of faith and commitment to Christ. February will be a busy month at Saint Charles Cen-ter so stay tuned for more information in upcoming bulletins!

The Diocese of Lake Charles has published a funeral brochure that includes important informa-tion regarding Cremation and Words of Remem-brance, two issues that often surface when plan-ning funerals. The brochures are in the Cathedral office if you should need one.

The Media Review Office of Catholic News Service is responsible for assessing motion pictures, television programs, home entertainment, video games and comic books. With regard to films, video games and some comic books, the office also assigns a classifi-cation indicating the work’s appropriate audience -- or flagging it as unsuitable for all. Additionally, the office provides the public with information about the role of the entertainment media in influencing societal and personal values. The office maintains, and continues to expand, the database of capsule reviews -- now several thousand -- that was first compiled by the United States Confer-ence of Catholic Bishops’ Office for Film and Broad-casting to offer families and individuals an assessment of the moral and entertainment value of theatrical fea-tures made available for home viewing since the ad-vent of VHS. For more information visit: https://www.catholicnews.com/about-cns-movie-reviews.cfm

Mass Intentions for the Week SATURDAY, December 28…(4:00)—Joy Gaspard; E. J. Gaspard; Sherri Loane; Kenny Loane; Tarry Franck; Ragan Gaspard & Family (living); Keri Burke & Family (living); Patricia Ann “Cookie” Fournerat; In Thanksgiving. SUNDAY, December 29…(7:30)—”Pro Populo” (For the People) (9:30)—Alma & John Brigance; Ryan Charles Skrnich; Dora Tyrone Williams (living); Dr. Al O’Byrne. (11:15)—Mabel & Lee Trahan. (5:00 P.M. Extraordinary Form)—Randall Caraway (living). MONDAY, December 30… (12:05)—Monica Veillon (living). (5:30 p.m., Extraordinary Form)—Waldean Broussard. TUESDAY, December 31…(4:00)—Dr. Charles D. “Chick” White; Dr. Tommy & Dona White; Jane Price Den- nison; Landri Kate Richard (living). WEDNESDAY, January 1…(8:30 a.m.)—Olive & Clifford Broussard. (10:30 a.m. Extraordinary Form) - Anthony Navarro (living). THURSDAY, January 2…..(12:05)—Stephanie & Timothy Gordon & Family (living). FRIDAY, January 3…..(12:05)—Anna Rita & Joseph Scalisi. SATURDAY, January 4…(8:00 a.m. Extraordinary Form) - Beverly Beard & Family (living). (4:00 p.m.) - Gladys & Delma Devillier; Patricia Ann “Cookie” Fournerat; Hidalgo & Fazzio Families (living & deceased); Joan Peluso; Lisa Landry (living); Marie Lupo. SUNDAY, January 5…(7:30)—”Pro Populo” (For the People) (9:30)—Bennie Louis Buller; Evelyn & Roy Broussard; Dr. Francis X. Bride, Jr.; H. R. Stoma Family; Loraine Zimmermann Suarez; Fred Nodier; Maria & Mike McCall; Scott D. Castete (living); Edmund Cappel; Fr. Patrick Carr (living); Concetta & Curtis Cardone, Sr; Curtis Cardone, Jr. (11:15)—Marjorie & Claude Conner. 5:00 P.M. Extraordinary Form)—Joy Gaspard & Family.

Pray for Our Friends Who Are Ill Sondra Abraham; Rosa Adams; Sam Ange, Jr.; Owen Arceneaux; Renee Arceneaux; Jenna, Aden, Grace, David Babcock; James M. Bailey; Henry Barnatt; Gloria Bennett; Charles Benoit; June Benoit; Donald Blanchard; Leneta Boudreaux; Robert Boudreaux; Melanie Bowles; Chandra Broussard; Dean Broussard; Kylan Broussard; Stephen Broussard; Jerry Cain; Emily Carleton; Teresa Chapoy; Denise Collette; Betty Daigle; Wade Davis; Vickie Deni-son; Claudia Dyle; Charles Elter; Dee Elter; Bill Ferguson; Judy Ann Fontenot; Carolyn Gauthreaux; Ty Griffen; Diane Hagerty; Gabriel Hardy; Michelle Hart; Mary Hebert; Stephanie Hinton; Brenda Hoback; Emery Hooper; Anne Hoyer; Jessica Hulin; Georgia Ieyoub; Mary Jeffers; Gary Johnson; Brice Jones; Darrel Jones; Hattie Kad-lubar; Janet LaBiche; Cheryl Lecompte; Helen Lecompte; Sarah LeCompte; James Leger; Michael Lee; Della Lemaire; Melanie Lupo; Elizabeth Louviere; Jules Maust; Brett McCaughey; Barbara McCombs; Ray Miles; Betty Mueller; Kenneth Newman; Ruth Ottenweller; Larry Parker; Rory Partin; Ben Perry; Clifford Raleigh; Oliver “Rick” Richard; William P. Richard; Mari Rieth; Kathy Rock; Taylor Rock; Reggie Rogers II; Marian Rome; Lathan Russell; Rene Russell; Michael & Marie Scimemi; Cammie Shaddock; Jaxson Spikes; Chris Stemmann; Rob Stephens; Darrell Sullivan; Theresa Theriot; Warren Thomas; Betty Trahan; Charles Viccellio; Aly and Riley Wil-kins; Gay Young; Martha Young.

If you would like to add or remove a name, please call the church office at 436-7251.

Prayer Intentions for the month of December: Pope Francis: That every country take the measures necessary to prioritize the future of the very young, especially those who are suffering. Bishop Provost: As the Cathedral parish celebrates its 150th anniversary as a parish, may all the parishes of the Diocese experience a conversion that deepens the faith of all parishioners.