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.

February 26, 2017 At the beginning, however, she still thought some early

abortion would be acceptable. She was open to truth,

however, and truth did not let her go. It drew her further,

and she quickly became convinced that abortion is wrong

at any stage, no matter what the reason. She even wears

a tee-shirt at pro-life gatherings that says "100% Pro-life,

Without Exception, Without Compromise, Without Apol-

ogy."

The truth has continued to draw Norma further. In

my contacts with her over recent years, I noticed her in-

terest in Catholicism. Shortly after her baptism, she asked

me to bless her home. (Not being used to the custom of

Holy Water, she and her friend inadvertently drank the

entire spare supply I left with them.) She attended with

interest a Mass I celebrated in Dallas, and the following

summer came with me to EWTN to tape a television inter-

view. In the course of that interview, she asked me to

bless the cross she wears, a cross which was made out

of what used to be a pro-choice bracelet.

Some months ago, Norma asked me to teach her

to say the Rosary. As we continued to talk about her faith,

I realized she felt very strongly the call to fully embrace

Catholicism. I simply answered her questions, which she

raised in her own time and her own way. Then one day

she sent me an email in which she told me that "The Big

Boss" told her she was to join the Church.

I look forward to welcoming Norma here to Rome

to complete her initiation. The warm embrace which the

Church extends to her is a sign of hope to everyone, but I

especially see it as a sign of hope to our brothers and

sisters who are still enmeshed in the abortion industry.

We vigorously oppose what they do, but we do not hate

them. We embrace them, too. The door of the Church is

open. Truth continues to lead her children forward.”

Source: priestsforlife.org

SANCTUARY LAMP will burn the Month of March for: Engert Family and Canal Family

SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEKEND, March 4th & 5th

Offertory Collection last weekend, February 18th & 19th……$10,837.00

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Norma McCorvey, the “Jane Roe” in

the US Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe vs.

Wade decision legalizing abortion in

all 50 states, died on Saturday, February 18th. In 1995

she became a pro-life Christian, and in 1998 was initiated

into the Catholic Church. She had a pro-life ministry

known as “Crossing Over Ministry.”

Father Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests

for Life, issued the following statement:

“Norma has been a friend of mine, and of Priests

for Life, for more than 20 years,” Father Pavone said.

“She was victimized and exploited by abortion ideologues

when she was a young woman but she came to be genu-

inely sorry that a decision named for her has led to the

deaths of more than 58 million children. Norma’s conver-

sion to Christianity, then to Catholicism, was sincere and I

was honored to be part of that journey. I’m sorry she

won’t be here to celebrate with me when we finally abol-

ish legal abortion in this country, but I know she will be

watching.”

"Norma never had an abortion, and yet at the

same time, the weight of 58 million lives taken as a result

of Roe vs. Wade was a daily burden for her. She went

through Rachel's Vineyard retreat under my guidance to

continue to find deeper healing, and devoted herself en-

tirely to working to end abortion."

Norma called Father Pavone "the catalyst that

brought me into the Catholic Church." He confirmed

Norma in 1998. Father Pavone wrote the following reflec-

tions regarding Norma’s conversion:

“Truth and sin have very little in common, but

there is one characteristic they both seem to share: start

flirting with either one of them, and they draw you all the

way in.

Norma McCorvey’s life and conversion, so power-

fully summarized in her recent book Won by

Love, illustrate this truth dramatically. The deceit of the

abortion industry drew her in and brought her to the

depths of anguish, misery, and confusion. Then she be-

gan flirting with the truth, a little here and a little there.

She listened to my good friend, Rev. Flip Benham, admit

in all humility that he too needs God’s forgiveness, and

thus she allowed her stereotype of pro-life people as "self-

righteous" to crumble. She listened to a little girl invite her

to come to Church, and finally (after many invitations)

thought it would do no harm to check it out. Little by little,

truth drew her in and proved itself more attractive than the

abortion industry.

She finally accepted Christ in faith, was baptized,

and became a believer.

╬Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time╬

Distribution of Ashes and Mass Schedule: 8:30 A.M.—Children’s School Mass (in the ICCS Gym) 12:05 P.M.; 5:30 P.M., Extraordinary Form ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ 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. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ CATHEDRAL CLEAN-UP DAY—- Please prayerfully think about coming for “Cathedral Clean-up Day”. Details will follow in next weekend’s bulletin. DATE: Saturday, March 18th. TIME: 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■

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. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ Knightly News—-Cathedral Council 1207, Knights of Columbus, will provide coffee, donuts, juice and milk in the Ava Maria Hall following the 7:30 and 9:30 A.M. Masses next Sunday, March 5th. Please drop by for refreshments and visit with fellow parishioners.

THIS WEEK February 26….Youth Group meets-6:00-8:00 PM, Ave Maria Hall February 28….Come Lord Jesus (men)—6:00 A.M.—Ave Maria Hall March 01….Come Lord Jesus (women), 10:00 A.M.- Cathedral Library March 01...Choir practice—6:00 P.M. March 02...Faith Formation #4, 6:00 P.M., A.M. Hall March 01…RCIA Inquiry—6 :00 P.M.—Day Chapel March 02…RCIA Catechumenate—6:00 P.M.— Day Chapel March 03…G.N.A.T.S. meets, 9:30 A.M.—Library March 03…Men’s Prayer Breakfast, 6:30 A.M. March 03...Stations of the Cross, 11:30 A.M. March 03...Adoration and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament...12:30—5:30 P.M. March 03...Stations of the Cross, 5:30 P.M. March 04...Adoration and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament...7:00 A.M. Extraordinary Form Mass...8:00 A.M. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■

Eloisa Jimenez, daughter of Fernanda and David Jimenez; Sebastian Luca Nauts, son of Ilea and Matias Nauts were welcomed into the Family of Christ

through the Waters of Baptism on Saturday, February 18, 2017 ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ Our Cathedral Faith Community remembers in prayer Anthony “Tony” Pecorino who died on Friday, February 17, 2017 We pray that he will find peace and joy in the presence of Our Lord. We extend our sincere sympathy to his family and to all who mourn his death. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ “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. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■

PLEASE NOTE: Cathedral Office will be closed Monday and Tuesday, February 27th and 28th. 12:05 and 5:30 PM (Extraordinary Form) Masses will be celebrated on Monday, February 27th and 12:05 PM Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 28th.

SATURDAY, February 25…(4:00)—Lauren Prejean; Mary Ann Bride Little; Gladys and Delma Devillier; Silvia Breaux; Joseph Abraham; Melvin Dugas.

SUNDAY, February 26…(7:30)—”Pro Populo” (For the People) (9:30)—Albert “Rabbit” Manuel, Edna, Sidney and J.H. Broussard; Leonard Richard; Suzy Solari and Family (living); Tommy White; Joseph & Anna Rita Scalisi; Keri Burke & Family (living) (11:15)—Dena Nodier (5:00 P.M., Extraordinary Form)—Vanessa Caraway (living) MONDAY, February 27…(12:05)—Harold “Sonny” Watkins, Jr. (5:30 P.M., Extraordinary Form)—Dillion Caraway. (living) TUESDAY, February 28…(12:05)—Mr. & Mrs. John Gaspard and Family (living). WEDNESDAY, March 01…(12:05)—Conrad A. Langley, Jr. THURSDAY, March 02... (12:05)—Dr. Chick White. FRIDAY, March 03…(12:05)— Yvonne Pharr. 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 ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ Glad Tidings, Sunday, March 5th—Father Ruben Buller reads Bishop Glen John Provost’s 2017 Lenten Pastoral Letter. The news segment brings you stories from the dio-cese, the region, the state and the world. In the second half hour, on Exploring Theology, Father Buller talks with lay ministers from St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church about the Sacrament of Anointing the Sick. Remember, you can also see the program by clicking the Glad Tidings link under the Resources tab at www.lcdiocese.org). ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■

Bishop Glen John Provost invites the ladies of the Diocese of Lake Charles to the Women’s Prayer Luncheon, Wednesday, March 8th, at 11:30 A.M., Ave Maria Hall. This year’s topic is the

Letter to the Romans. For those planning to attend, please prepare by reading Chapters 11-12. Cost: $15 per person. Checks should be made payable to the Diocese of Lake Charles and mailed to: Susan Borgman, Diocese of Lake Charles, 411 Iris Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601. Please enclose a self-addressed and stamped envelope to be used to send a ticket to you. Deadline for receipt of your paid reservation is Friday, March 3rd. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■

READINGS FOR THE WEEK February 27—March 05 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 ************************************************ Ash Wednesday Evening of Reflection, with Father Whitney Miller, March 1st, 6:00—8:30 P.M. — Saint Charles Center. Program will consist of Holy Mass and Distribution of Ashes, a simple supper and a presentation of Lenten spirituality. To register call 855-1232 or go to stcharlescenter.com.

Monday: Sir 17:20-24; Ps 32:1-2, 5-7; Mk 10:17-27 Tuesday: Sir 35:1-12; Ps 50:5-8, 14, 23; Mk 10:28-31 Wednesday: Jl 2:12-18; Ps 51:3-6ab, 12-14, 17; 2 Cor 5:20 — 6:2; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Thursday: Dt 30:15-20; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 9:22-25 Friday: Is 58:1-9a; Ps 51:3-6ab, 18-19; Mt 9:14-15 Saturday: Is 58:9b-14; Ps 86:1-6; Lk 5:27-32 Sunday: Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7; Ps 51:3-6, 12-13, 17; Rom 5:12-19 [12, 17-19]; Mt 4:1-11

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.