We at Mater Dolorosa, St. Helena and St. Dominic are committed to educating, directing, and sustaining all who visit, in particular those who draw near, to the teachings and traditions of Holy Mother Church; this Mission will be achieved by employing Cardinal virtues of Justice, Prudence, Temperance and Fortitude. We foster an encounter with Jesus that leads to a deep friendship with Him so we may witness to others.
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CORE SAFETY & SECURITY COMMITTEE
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Focus on Fasting
OCTOBER INTENTIONS
- To call upon our Guardian Angels for light and guidance in our daily lives. When Jesus is present with His Body in us, the angels surround us as a holy guard. Holy Communion is something so great and elevated-a mystery of Gods love, which we cannot even to begin to fathom with our understanding. Thank you Lord for the gift of our angels.
- For an increase in Priestly vocations and religious life.
- For the Hastening of the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
- For the Grace of the New Pentecost to flow out within us.
Focus on Fasting
From the days of the early Christians, fasting was a part of their life. Over the centuries, Christians have gotten away from this practice. Our Lady of Medjugorje has emphasized fasting as a vital spiritual practice. She has repeatedly urged the faithful to fast on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year, specifically on bread and water, describing it as the “best fast”. This message underscores fasting’s role in fulfilling a divine purpose.
“So we fasted and seeking this from our God, and it was granted.” Ezra 8:23
“I turned to the Lord, to seek help, in prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.” Daniel 9:3
We are asking all parishioners of Mater Dolorosa and St. Helena to heed Mary’s request. We will begin fasting on Wednesdays. Food is the primary means of fasting. This will consist of bread and water. If unable to fast from food, there are other ways-not watching TV, staying off social media, etc.
Fasting isn’t simply about skipping meals; it’s intricately linked with prayer. When we fast, we are creating space for focused communication with God. When we engage in fasting, we enter into the realm of spiritual warfare. It is important to remember that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces. Fasting provides us with the strength and clarity needed to confront these challenges.
“...His disciples asked Him in private, ‘Why could we not drive it (the demon) out?’ He said to them, ‘This kind can only come out through prayer and fasting’.” Mark 9:28-29
We are reminded in the Bible that fasting can also be a communal or corporate act. When we fast together, we lift one another up in prayer, offering support and encouragement. Group fasting allows us to unite our hearts and dedicate our community’s needs before the Lord. We see that God’s power among group fasting cultivates a spirit of unity and strengthens the body of Christ.
It is recommended that you buddy up with one or two other people to encourage each other and pray for each other.
Fasting also needs a purpose. There will be monthly intentions posted in the bulletin for everyone to focus on as well as your own personal intentions. Periodically a recipe for fasting bread will be in the back of church that you can copy so that you can make your own fasting bread.
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Whoever wishes to come after Me must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.’” Matthew 16:24
Questions: Cindy Alston 985-320-7522, Robbie Orsi 985-974-0914
FORMED
How do new parishioners register for an account?
Registering for Formed is easier than ever:
1. Go to formed.org/signup (where you are automatically redirected to the AI sign in page)
2. Enter your email and click "Next"
3. Enter your name, agree to the Terms of Use, and click "Sign Up"
4. Select your parish by entering the parish zip code (70443), then click "Sign Up"
5. You will then be taken to the main Formed site and should be automatically signed in and be able to access all the content
SACRAMENTS & LITURGY
At the heart of every parish lies the celebration of the liturgy and the sacraments. This parish takes pride in the manner in which the liturgy is celebrated in accord with the Second Vatican Council’s directives; accordingly, we foster the full, active, and conscious participation of the people at each Mass.
Baptism
Confirmation
Communion
Penance
Marriage
Anointing of the Sick
Liturgical Ministries
FAITH FORMATION
The Parishes of St. Helena and Mater Dolorosa offers many opportunities to deepen faith and grow in knowledge in order to develop a personal and active faith in God.
We invite you to learn more about our education programs for all ages here.
Youth Programs
Sacramental Preparation
Adults
SCHOOL
Mater Dolorosa Catholic School is Catholic in our culture and community spirit. Academic attitudes and instructional programs are built on this strong foundation of Christian principles. Our primary goal for our students is the development of the total person through programs that nurture spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social, and physical growth. As future leaders, students must first learn their faith by serving as Jesus did.
St. Helena Catholic Church
122 South First Street
Amite, LA 70422-0685
Mater Dolorosa Church
620 Third Street / P.O. Box 349
Independence, LA 70443
St. Dominic Catholic Church
55720 LA 445
Husser, LA 70442
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8am-3pm | Friday, 8am-12pm
Office Phone: (985) 748-9057 Fax: (985) 748-9094 emergency after hours: (985) 606-3738
E-mail: laura@sthelenachurch.net