To Clergy, Religious and Laity of the Archdiocese of New Orleans:Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

The bishops of the United States are calling all Catholics to observe a Fortnight for Freedom from June 21 to July 4.   This time of prayer begins on the vigil of the Feasts of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher, who were courageous in living their faith and suffered martyrdom under the reign of King Henry VIII, and concludes on July 4th, Independence Day, a day to give thanks to God for the many gifts we have been given here in the United States.

There are many images of the priest, the ordained minister who stands in the person of Christ to offer the sacraments, to forgive sins and to preach and teach the Word of God.

It’s just not in Jane Silva’s DNA to sit still.

Defying the illness that has made her a little less nimble in recent months, Silva sprang from her chair like a sideline-weary coach, striding across the gym floor to lead her 192 students in the singing of St. Michael Special School’s favorite clap-along song: “Trees of the Field.”

    Tragedy struck in the wee hours of the morning May 31 when fire ravaged a Kenner home, leaving in its wake a family without a mother and daughter.
    The Rumbo family – Eloy Rumbo, Elideth Lopez and their children Eloy, 14, Emanuel, 10, and Escarlett, 5 – had only lived in the New Orleans area for approximately three years, having moved here from Florida. They were originally from Mexico but have been in the United States about 14 years.