Clergy Corner

November 19, 2023
We are told in the Gospel of Luke, “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” This is a constant cry of the Church! We need laborers in the Priesthood, the Deaconate, and in Religious Life; but we also need laborers for the harvest HERE!

As we look around our community and our culture you know as well as I do the presence of the Risen Christ needs to be manifested! His presence is manifested by us, the members of his body.

St Paul tells us we are all members of his body each with a particular gift or talent; some teachers, some preachers, some servers, etc.…. We each have a particular talent.

The number one talent is that of prayer. We all pray, but there are those that PRAY! Those are the ones we need in the forefront, especially in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the Adoration Chapel!

After that we need teachers and preachers; those who are willing to stand in the front of the saints of God (You) and proclaim Jesus’ message through bible studies, classes and paraliturgical events where lay people can preach!

But the largest area are the servers; those who are usually behind the scenes providing much needed assistance. Helping comfort those who grieve, visiting the homebound and care facilities, providing warm meals to the homeless at the local shelter, and assisting with day-by-day maintenance of our parish churches.

Then there servers who are seen, the ministers of the Word, the ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers (not just for the young ones) ushers, greeters and sacristans (those who set up for Mass).

Here at St John’s and Our Lady we have plenty areas that your can serve individually or as a family. Please take the time to review the Stewardship of Ministry commitment card and commit to being the hands of Christ!

Your yes, like Mary’s yes, make all the difference in our world!

~Father Lamar

November 12, 2023
The weather is almost perfect, cool mornings and comfortable days! God is blessing us after a brutal summer. All of November we remember in a special way all the Souls that have passed from this life to eternal life. Not just remember them, but to give thanks for their lives and the blessings they were in our lives.

November is also a month that we recognize the blessings we have in our lives and give thanks. As Catholics we know that the Mass is our number one way to give thanks! Eucharist is from the Greek word, Eucharistia, which means to give thanks.

We not only give thanks in our worship but also in giving back. We have all seen or heard of stories of people paying it forward – paying for someone’s groceries, giving a generous tip to the server, giving to St Vincent de Paul to help the needy; but what is our story? How are we giving?

This month we are focusing on the Stewardship of Ministry, our way as a Catholic to give back with our time and talent; whether it be an hour a month or15 minutes a week. We have many ways here at St John the Baptist to serve, to help build God’s Kingdom. Please take some time to read the list of ministries on our website and prayerfully discern how God is calling you to serve. Next weekend we will have Stewardship Sunday where we will invite you to fill out a commitment card and then bring it to the Altar. Just remember we are all on team Jesus and there is a place on his team for everyone! ~Father Lamar



November 5, 2023
The undercurrent of the entire month of November is Thanksgiving. We start it off by giving thanks for the role of the Saints in our lives, thanks that they constantly intercede for us and walk with us.

It’s also a time of the year in the Liturgical calendar that we give thanks for the person of Jesus Christ. As we move into these final weeks of Ordinary Time we will focus more on who He is, what He has done and what He continues to do for us as we move toward the great feast of Christ the King of the Universe.

t’s also a month that we focus on giving thanks for all the blessings we have, especially the blessings of our faith, our family and ourselves.

Amid all the thanksgiving we are called to assess how we are responding to all these blessings. Remember that Thanksgiving is a verb, an action word! How are we living out our Thanksgiving, or rather, how are we serving?

Usually during this time of the year many Catholic parishes focus on the Stewardship of Ministry. It’s a call that challenges all the parishioners to reflect on how they can serve. Here at St John’s and Our Lady we have many women and men who generously say yes to serving in various ministries in the church, but there is always room for more.

is God calling you to do to live Thanksgiving here? Is it serving as a Catholic Daughter, or in the Altar Society, or as a Knight of Columbus or in the Men’s Club? Maybe it is helping in the Faith Formation office in working with the youth or adult formation. Outreach to the poor is always an area that help is needed; St Vincent de Paul could use more hands on deck. Then, there is the help that is always needed as liturgical ministers; Altar servers, Lectors, Ushers, Greeters, Communion Ministers.

Please consider where the Lord is calling you to live your Thanksgiving!
~Father Lamar


October 29, 2023

Jesus tells us in the Gospel of Matthew, “‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’. He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” and in the funeral mass the Preface says, “Life has changed, not ended”! Our belief that through the power of Baptism we are reborn at that moment into eternal life, this is the hope we live in as followers of Christ Jesus .

When we pass through the Veil from this life into eternal life we will join the great Crowd of Witnesses that Hebrew 12:1 refers, a Crowd of Witnesses that surrounds us and helps us “persevere in running the race that lies before us”. That is what we celebrate over the next several days, All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

Both days that calls us to pause and remember those who have gone before us, those who have witnessed the Faith to us, es pecially those who personally passed the Faith to us. Not to just remember, but to also rekin dle our relationship with them, our friends and companions that help us run the race to eternal life, who lift us up in the Heavenly Kingdom.

Nothing makes me laugh more than to hear someone say we do not need the saints; that we just have to go to Jesus! I know I can go to Jesus, but I also know the Saints of God help me keep my focus on Jesus and they intercede for me. Just as we ask our earthy friends to pray for us, I also ask the Saints of God to pray as well.

Please check the bulletin for Mass times to come and honor the Saints that have walked with you throughout your life.

Over the next several weeks our readings will focus on the King dom of God, the Law of Love, and using our Gifts and Talents; all so we can focus on the use of our Gifts and Talents in Serving God, especially through the ministries of the Church.

Be Ready as the Gospels tell us to step up to grow God’s Kingdom and grow ourselves into a Kingdom Person!

~Father Lamar

October 22, 2023

Many refer to the rosary as a “bible on a string” because of how the Mysteries of the Rosary so eloquently share the Gospel.

So many shy away from the Rosary because it is so boring, others because it just too much time, still others because it is the prayer for old people. Yet, those beads are exciting when praying each mystery, reflecting on Jesus’ life; 20 minutes is not so long, considering we spend hours on our phones per day; and it’s a prayer for all ages not just the old.

Those beads teach us discipline, they teach us how to sit still, and they teach us how to focus. Mary’s beads teach us important life lessons! Most importantly how to be her son’s disciple.

Next weekend, join us for the Fall Fest @ SJB on Saturday, October 28 from 5:30-7:30pm. There will be food, games, face painting, trick-or-treating and especially a chance to meet members from various parish ministries, hopefully you all will find a way to live your faith in service via one of our organizations.

Sadly, we will have a going away reception for Sr. Ping. Join us for Sr. Ping’s farewell reception following 11 am mass @ SJB on Sunday, October 22 in the PAC. Let’s thank her for her years of service to SJB-OLA and wish her well as she undertakes a new mission with her sisters.

Though we are getting ready to slide into a busy time of year, please heed your Mother Mary’s voice and pray for peace in our world. Many people are hurting in the war-torn areas of the world, especially the poor. As we sit in our security, may we remember them in their vulnerability and offer Prayers, Fasting and Almsgiving to bring them comfort.

~Father Lamar

October 15, 2023

“Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.” - Elizabeth Lawrence

We are moving into the busy part of the year, but creation is reminding us that we still need to maintain the slow pace of summer. It’s easy to get wrapped up in all the activities of All Hollows Eve, All Saints day, Thanksgiving and then the Christmas, school plays, football and the list goes on. The schedule can fill up fast, but we need to remember to keep the balance of Mind, Body and Spirit.

Take the time to daily sit and do word/ number puzzle, daily to at least go for a walk, and daily to sit with the Lord of Creation and give thanks. When we keep ourselves balanced it is easier to stay focused and keep things in perspective, but it takes slowing down and taking the time to care for ourselves so we can care for each other.

That is one of the greatest aspects of SJB-OLA, you all strive to care for each other. I often hear of how you are helping each other, listening to each other, and being there for each other, especially encouraging one another to stay strong in the Lord! So, keep up the good work!

We are hanging on in the office and keeping the boat afloat. We are doing some cross training so that not just one person knows how to do a particular task. I am learning more and more about the inner working of the office and the many tasks and so is everyone else. The team here in the parish office is great, we are blessed!

As we move deeper into October may our love of the Rosary increase and may all the saints of God continue to intercede for us!

~Father Lamar

October 8th, 2023

On October 5th, the Church celebrated the Feast day of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos! I am hoping that many of you recognize the name.

He died October 4th, 1867 in New Orleans during the Yellow Fever Epidemic. He was only in New Orleans for a short period of time, but in that time, he touch many people through his preaching, his accessibility, and his cheerfulness.

The day of his funeral it is reported that over 10,000 people came to pay their respects even though the epidemic was raging, as well as a tropical storm; they all wanted to be in the presence of this holy man one last time.

I was always amazed when I would help at his Shrine in New Orleans how the local people speak of him as if he is still alive, the phrase I would so often hear was, “I came to talk to Fr. Seelos”, and so often amazing things happened through those conversations with Fr Seelos. We don’t have to go to Fr Seelos’ shrine to experience amazing things, we don’t have to go far at all.

This past weekend it was amazing the number of people that came out to help with the “Fill-the-Truck” for St Vincent de Paul. Many thanks for all the blessed hands that made light the work! Also, many thanks for all the blessed hands that made light the work of moving our pile of bricks this week; at a moment’s notice the Knights of Columbus showed up to help move the brick pile over to the Adoration Chapel’s courtyard. Just Amazing!

I give thanks to God daily for the many hands of this parish that are willing to serve so readily, you all make St John the Baptist – Our Lady of the Assumption a taste of heaven on earth! May our saints here always be united with the heavenly Saints!

~Father Lamar
 

October 1, 2023
Several years ago, Carrie Underwood sang, “Jesus, Take the Wheel”! A song about things being out of control and turning it all over to the capable one! That’s my theme song this week! With Melany, our beloved bookkeeper, being out with a broken shoulder; Ms. Nita, our Pastoral Administrator, limited with her hip injury; fighting with the insurance company, trying to get two projects off the ground (rehabbing the RE building in Clinton and the courtyard at the new adoration chapel); and just the normal day in and day out of the parish, it sure feels like things are spinning out of control! 

Yet, I know that our Lord, the capable one, is driving the bus, and all is well!

As we slide into October there is the hope of cooler temps and maybe some rain! There is also the hope that this Month of Mary, the month of the Rosary, will deepen our love and knowledge of the one who faithfully said yes to what God asked of her. My day in not complete, in fact it is empty, unless I take the time to sit back and pray the Rosary, meditating on the mysteries of the Capable One, then follow it up with the Rosary of Our Mother of Perpetual Help to cement in my mind that she, the Faithful One is with me and I am to call out to her for perpetual help in all things. I know she is with me by little miracles that manifest daily: the smell of flowers when none are present, someone out of the blue approaching me to say Yes to serve the Lord and relieving a burden from me, and her name just popping up in my head out of the blue reminding me all is well.

But also, in big ways! We have some prayerful people in the parish and this week alone two people have come up to me with what they have seen. One telling me that at Mass she looked up and saw the Red Chasuble I was wearing turn royal blue and another telling me that in her rosary the Blessed Mother told her to help finance the nun’s newer vehicle. Both comforting messages that give me the strength to move forward in confidence.

As a person grows stronger in their relationship with Mary and her son Jesus, the more prone they are to be a person who encourages others, serves others, and comforts others. May the fruits of the Rosary continue to manifest themselves in our parish churches, so that more people may see the Risen Christ, the Capable One, alive and manifesting His love in our little area of God’s Kingdom, our heaven on earth!       ~Father Lamar

September 24, 2023
Finally, some cool mornings to wake up to, perfect to sit outside with a cup coffee and do my morning prayer, just wish I could move the tabernacle out to the back porch!

Headway is being made on the Mold/Mildew in the Zachary church. Now the ball is in the hands of the insurance company, pray we resolve this issue soon!

The building saga in Clinton continues. After meeting with the diocese and following their directions, we have determined that it is worth fixing up the Religious Education building. I am just waiting to get one more quote for the HVAC system, then we will schedule the work. Hopefully in the next 3 weeks we can start the process.

At the last OLA building committee meeting we agreed that we need to complete a 5 – 10 year plan for the church. Other parishes in the diocese have completed such plans prior to building new structures to adequately plan appropriately. This will set us back on fund raising and starting a new building project, but I think it will give us a better idea of what we need so we can move forward.

I was able to clear another thing off the desk this week. As many of you know the sisters in Clinton are driving a rather old vehicle which has left them stranded. We had a parishioner who spearheaded raising funds and finding them a new vehicle. We were able to purchase a Chevy Trac this week. It’s a three-year-old vehicle, but only has 17,000 miles. Hopefully, it will serve them well as they drive the back roads of our parish.

The Eucharistic Revival has kicked off. Thanks to the families who have signed up for the Traveling Eucharistic Revival Chalice and are dedicating time to pray for our parish during this time of Grace.

~Father Lamar
 

September 17, 2023

The Eucharistic Revival Kick Off went well. A special thanks to the core group that has worked so hard in such a short time!

One of the main comments I have received is: “What is Benediction?”. Benediction is a prayer of blessings, like the priestly blessing found in the Book of Numbers, “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face to shine upon you And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up his countenance upon you And give you peace.”

In the Catholic Church, Benediction is a Ritual, a Rite, where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the monstrance on the Altar. The faithful then have a period of Silence, Prayer, Reading from Scripture, and Song after which the faithful are then blessed with the Blessed Sacrament and it is then returned to the Tabernacle, at which time the divine praises are recited. It is a beautiful Rite that focuses our attention on our Eucharistic Lord. I hope that the Eucharistic Adoration Parish Web page is helpful.

I am hoping that our A/C issues are resolved. The Gym, PAC, and Church units are holding up. The Parish Hall unit was replaced, and the new unit is working as it should. We have some A/C issues in the classrooms, but hopefully it will be only a minor adjustment.

Our new “crisis” is the mildew in the new Church! We have contacted the Insurance Company; they will be sending out engineers to assess the situation and recommend repairs. Thankfully with the help of the Finance Council, the Ministry Council and the Building committee up and running it makes decision making much easier. Please keep us in your prayers!

~Fr. Lamar
 

September 10, 2023

Flannery O’Connor, an American writer, once at a dinner party heard someone say that the Eucharist was a mere symbol, her reply was classic, ‘Well, if it’s a symbol, to hell with it.’ Oh, if we all had that faith and that courage. Unfortunately, not all do!

The shocking result of the PEW study on Catholic’s belief on the Eucharist left the leaders of the Church stunned, ONLY 30% OF CATHOLICS BELIEVE THAT THE EUCHARIST IS THE BODY, BLOOD, SOUL, AND DIVINITY OF THE RISEN CHRIST! A later study clarified this. For those who attend Mass on a regular basis 70% believe it is the Body and Blood of Christ, while only 30% believe it’s merely a symbol.

From the time of the breaking of the bread at Emmaus the Apostles believed what Jesus said and commanded them to do regarding the Breaking of the Bread – that it is his body, that it is his blood and he commanded us to do “this” in memory of him. Every Church founded by an Apostle has this central belief, only churches founded later have deviated from this belief.

In June of 2022 the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops rolled out the Eucharistic Revival. The first year challenged the church leaders to grow in their relationship with the Eucharistic Lord, and now this year all the people of God are being challenged to grow in their relationship with the Eucharistic Lord.

We here at SJB-OLA will be rolling out a program to call our attention to our Lord’s Eucharistic presence. We will offer mornings of reflection, scripture study, encourage Adoration, displaying different Eucharistic Miracles in the church, together praying after Communion a prayer to remind us of what we have received and lastly reinstate a long-standing tradition in the Church – Benediction after the close of Mass one weekend a month.

September 3, 2023
C.S. Lewis wrote, “Christ wants a child's heart, but a grown-up's head." He wants us to be simple, single-minded, affectionate, and teachable, as good children are; but He also wants every bit of intelligence we have to be alert at its job, and in first-class fighting trim.” For us to achieve such a noble idea, we must constantly Spiritually Workout!

This past weekend the Diocese of Baton Rouge’s Religious Education Convocation featured Dr. Brant Pitre, a Louisiana native and professor of Sacred Scripture. He gave an insightful talk on “Jesus, the Model of Prayer”. He highlighted the importance of Meditation on Scripture, the Catholic belief in the Real Presence of Jesus, Contemplative Prayer, Eucharistic Adoration and keeping Christ as our Model in living our lives. Now that we have a New Adoration Chapel, I hope and pray that each of us will find the time to use this space to grow in these areas more! It’s time to spiritually workout!

Next month the parish will kick off our Eucharistic Revival, to join with parishes throughout the U.S in strengthening our belief in the Lord’s true presence in the Eucharist. Please pray for the Parish Eucharistic Revival’s steering committee as they plan a fruitful year!

I was very happy to see all the students back at Religious Education this past weekend. Katie, Melissa, Heidi and Wanda have once again done wonders in organizing the new school year here at St John’s and Our Lady! Please pray for our students that their minds and hearts may be open to instruction and grow in their relationship with God!

Just as the recent rains have brought us much relief and watered our thirsty land, may God’s grace do the same for our thirsty souls!

Fr. Lamar


August 6, 2023
Greetings SJB-OLA
It is said that the Lord will not give you more than you can handle.  All I got to say is enough already!  It seems like the landslide is gaining momentum! I know why SJB & OLA has Temporary Classroom Buildings for CCD, I just don’t know why after 40 years these temporary buildings are still in use; they were supposed to be TEMPORARY!
Over the last 5 years the Temp buildings have had damage to them by falling trees and limbs during storms. The roof damage in Zachary was repaired, but in Clinton the roof damage was not; now both buildings have Mold which will have to be remediated before they can be used again. The T-Building in Zachary is in bad need of leveling; the rear door (an Emergency Exit) will not open at all, the main entrance opens with difficulty; and one of the four HVAC units is completely down. We are currently reaching out for bids to see if it is feasible to make the necessary repairs. The T-Building in Clinton, though older, is in great structural shape, we are currently entertaining bids from two contractors to make the necessary repairs.
The decay of the earthly things are a given, yet even in the midst of decay the spiritual well-being of the parish is phenomenal! I am constantly awed by the number of people attending Mass, even daily Masses, I am constantly awed by the number of people who stay to pray the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help on Thursdays and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy on Fridays. Because of your witness, we already have people calling to enquire about entering the Church! I find the Faith strong in Clinton and Zachary! Because of your faith, your prayers and support, I know I will be able to handle what the Lord places on me! Keep up the good work, good and faithful servants of the Lord!     ~Father Lamar
 

July 2, 2023

Greetings SJB and OLA! It is wonderful to be here with you! 

I have always enjoyed visiting over the last 11 years when Fr Jeff was called away, so I know I will enjoy being able to stay with you now.

As many of you know I was raised in Baton Rouge, then my family moved to Walker, so I am familiar with South Louisiana and all the beauty it holds, mainly the beauty of its people; which I have come to appreciate more deeply after being away since I joined the Redemptorist.  I have been a Redemptorist for going on 27 years; 15 years as a Redemptorist Brother and 12 years as a Redemptorist Priest.

Throughout those years I have been assigned to Crowley, LA; Baton Rouge, LA; Grand Rapids, MI; Liguori, MO; San Antonio, TX and Tucson, AZ. Many years ministering as a Jr High Religion Teacher, Psych Nurse, Associate Pastor, Vocation Director and lastly a Pastor.

I came home to Louisiana a year ago to be with my family when my father was placed on Hospice. We lost him in February so at that time I decided to stay in this area to stay close to my family. So I come with some experience, but there is always more and more to learn and I am looking forward to learning along with you. 

The parish has grown and its faith has only deepened over the years. One of the defining virtues of SJB-OLA is the love that is evident and the hospitality that overflows; it’s a sign that the Spirit of the Living God is alive in this place. I am blessed to experience both and I am looking forward to experiencing more, and sharing the power of the Holy Spirit with you.

May our faith be as hot as a Louisiana Summer and powerful as Hurricane! Together let us build God’s Kingdom here and now!

Fr Lamar