100TH PASTORAL LETTER TO ST. GABRIEL PARISHIONERS ON PILGRIMAGE AND RELOCATED

NOVEMBER 9, 2007

 

The grace, peace and love of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you!

 

THE BLESSING OF HOLY FAMILY PARISH FROM MIDDLETON, MARYLAND

 

Volunteers from Holy Family Parish in Middleton, Md. have been here this week putting up sheetrock in one parishioner’s home. This is the third visit for some of the members from Holy Family parish to St. Gabriel. It was a parishioner from Holy Family who took the photo of little Dominic Hornsby at his Baptism in January of 2006. That photo was the model for the beautiful painting of Father Doug and little Dominic that hangs in our church as a symbol of resurrection and rebirth! Three of the teens from Holy Family have been assisting in many ways with clean-up at the parish plant, especially of Father Doug’s “almost finished” rectory! We are deeply grateful to the parishioners of Holy Family for their commitment to us and for the generous gift of their time and financial resources in helping us down the road to recovery! They will celebrate the Eucharist with us this Sunday.

 

ANGELS FROM VIRGINIA

 

Three “angels” from Virginia have been here since November 1 and will be with us until Thanksgiving week. They have been doing primarily carpentry work in homes of parishioners but also some floor tile. We hope to introduce them soon at one of our Sunday liturgies.

 

HOSPITALITY MINISTRY FOR VOLUNTEERS

 

Thanks to all of you who offered to cook and serve a meal to our volunteer groups. If any other parishioners would like to assist in this ministry in the future please sign up on one of the tables at the entrances to church. We do not have another volunteer group scheduled until January 2, 2008.

 

PARISH MEMBERSHIP FORMS

 

It is time to update our membership info on all of our parishioners. There have been a number of you who have moved recently, either back into your rebuilt homes or to a new place. Telephone numbers and e-mail addresses have changed also. We also would like a progress report on all of you who are still in the “moving back” process. If you were not at Mass last weekend and have not filled out the form yet please fill it out this weekend and leave it on the entrance tables in church. If you are filling it out on-line please e-mail it to us as soon as possible or send it by snail mail. Thanks so much for your usual wonderful cooperation!

WEEKLY REPORTS

 

Mass attendance 4:00 pm vigil, Saturday, Nov. 3                                  49

                               10:30 am, Sunday, November 4                                 285

                                                            Total                                                   334

 

Total collection, November 3 & 4                                                              $ 9,743.45

                                                           

Weekly Budget:                                                                                            $7,200.00

 

IMPORTANT CHANGE OF TIME FOR PONTILLY MEETING

 

Because of a funeral the monthly Pontilly meeting will be this Saturday, November 10, at 11:30 am, instead of 11:00 am, until 1:00 pm in church. Election of officers will be held. We encourage all residents of Gentilly Woods and Ponchartrain Park to attend.

 

CHRISTMAS FAIR TRADE BOUTIQUE

 

Here is your chance to do a little Christmas shopping while helping 3rd World Craftpersons! The Maryknoll Affiliates are having a Fair Trade Christmas Boutique next week, Tuesday – Wednesday, November 13-14, from 4 :00 -7:30 pm, in the Maryknoll Mission Office: 7730 Walmsley Ave., driveway entrance: (across from Dominican High School). Items will be available from small producers from Asia, Africa and Latin America. 

 

OZANAM INN DINNER GALA

 

The Ozanam Inn Homeless Shelter, a special work of the St. Vincent DePaul Society, has announced the date of their Century Club Gala November 29, to be held at the Loew’s Hotel on Poydras St. MC and music by big band vocalist, Mr. Leif Pedersen. Patron Party and Silent Auction. Reservations required. Call 710-6141 or 523-1184.

 

PEOPLE PROGRAM SPRING 2008

 

Many of you participated in the People Program at our Sisters of St. Joseph Convent on MIrabeau Ave. before Katrina. The People Program is alive and well and operating at 3 different locations, the West Bank site at Holy Spirit church, Mid-City  site, and Metairie site. Flyers with more information will be available this weekend in church.

 

 

 

 

 

PRAYERS FOR DECEASED PARISHIONERS

 

Please pray for Anastasia Staes, mother of Gilda Dix, who died Tuesday and will be buried at a funeral mass at St.Gabriel on Saturday, November 10, at

10:00 am.  Also pray for Marion Williams, wife of Jack Williams, whose funeral will be celebrated Tuesday, November 13, at 10:30 am. Please also pray for their families and friends that they may be consoled in their loss and comforted in knowing that their loved ones are at peace.

 

 

LET US PRAY:

 

                        O God,

                        you call us to embrace

                        both you and the children of this world

                        with unconditional love.

                        Give us grace to discern

                        what your love demands of us,

                        that being faithful in things great and small,

                        we may serve you with undivided hearts. Amen.

 

 

 

In the peace of Christ,

 

 

 

Father Doug                                                                         Sister Kathleen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St Gabriel the Archangel Church

Date_____________________

 

Amount__________________

 

Name__________________________________

 

Current Address_________________________________________________

Please make out your check to St. Gabriel Church and address envelope to St. Gabriel Church, 4700 Pineda St. New Orleans, La. 70126.

 

PARISH MEMBERSHIP FORM

ST. GABRIEL THE ARCHANGEL PARISH

4700 PINEDA ST., NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

NOVEMBER 3-4, 2007

 

PLEASE PRINT

 

HEAD(S) OF HOUSEHOLD_________________________________________

                                                            First Name(s)            Last Name

 

OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS (NAMES AND AGES)_______________________

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ADDRESS____________________________________________________

                                                Street                                      City                 State   zip

 

TELEPHONE NUMBERS  __________________(H)  ___________________cell

                                                            (Include area codes)

 

E-MAIL ADDRESS_______________________________________________

 

ADDRESS BEFORE KATRINA_____________________________________________

 

Living in my rebuilt home______             Living in FEMA trailer____

On my property___

                                                                                                In Trailer park____

 

Planning to rebuild or rebuilding my home by __________________________

                                                                                    (approximate date)

 

Permanently relocated but still member of St. Gabriel______

 

Permanently relocated and have membership in a new parish. Please keep me on the e-mail list for pastoral letters_____

 

Applied for Road Home ______    Received Road Home funds______

                                                            Still in process________

 

What are your needs now relative to your future residence_______________________

 

 

 

Other Needs, Concerns_____________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date this form completed_________________________