Ron Drez just knew he was in big trouble. A few days after the opening of fifth grade at St. Rose de Lima School in New Orleans, Drez wrote his essay on a topic familiar to every child who ever attended Catholic school: What I Did on My Summer Vacation.

Con ocasión de la celebración Mariana que caracteriza el 12 de diciembre, pienso y me refiero a la devoción Mariana en general, al modo como lo enseña la Iglesia Católica, o como ha de vivirse la presencia de la Virgen María en la vida Cristiana, que justamente por Cristiana será siempre Mariana y justamente por la Mariana será  siempre Cristiana.

Deacon Theodore (Ted) J. Roussel, a native of Destrehan, died on Nov. 14 at the age of 83. A funeral Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Gregory Aymond on Nov. 21 at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Destrehan.

Deacon John Howard,who served for many years at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Pearl River, died Oct. 26. He was 94 and had been ordained in 1985. 

SYMPHONY CHOIR NEW ORLEANS, with Chalmette Voices Chorale, presents Handel’s “Messiah,” Dec. 15, 7 p.m. Chalmette High Cultural Arts Center, 2600 Palmisano Blvd., Chalmette. Tickets: symphonychorus.org or at door.

When the head coach has won almost 600 games and 26 state championships, to say that any single win in program history might be one of the best ever is, well, a lot. But, the score and the domination was hard to ignore.

Nearly 300 University of Holy Cross alumni, supporters and friends gathered recently at the Metairie Country Club to hear Saints and Pelicans president Dennis Lauscha at the university’s Annual Prayer Breakfast. Lauscha shared his spiritual journey of working with the city’s two winning professional sports teams and the positive impact the teams have on the community.

Students Are Awarded Scholarships During St. Martin De Porres Awards Ceremony At St. Mary’s Dominican

Pictured at the assembly receiving their certificates kneeling are: Blake Ramsey, Noah Savoie, Jackson Gold, Charles Chitwood, John Paul Bourgeois, Andrew Norlin and Hyde Healy. Standing are: Cullen Irwin, David Needles, Michael Philippe, Michael Applebaum, Brennan Calato, Colin Cottrell, Waleed Sultan, Kevin Vicknair and Ian Varney.

More than 30 Academy of Our Lady  (AOL) students proved to be fearless at World Youth Day Nov. 4 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Students spent their day listening to keynote speakers, attending workshops and playing icebreakers based on this year’s theme, “Fearless.”

El Papa Francisco, ha pedido a los obispos de los Estados Unidos que, se reúnan como un grupo, para un retiro de una semana a partir del 2 de enero en el Seminario Mundelein, cerca de Chicago. ¿Qué piensa sobre eso?

Pope Francis has called for the bishops of the United States to meet as a group for a one-week retreat beginning Jan. 2 at Mundelein Seminary near Chicago. What are your thoughts about that?

Children are gifts from God whom we are to love unconditionally. Each child should grow up with as much love, respect and dignity as any other sibling receives. 

Normally, Santa Claus arrives by boat on Bayou St. John in front of Cabrini High School, but this year, the weather did not cooperate and Santa resorted to Rudolph Plan B. Students, faculty and staff, alumnae, parents and community members braved the rain Dec. 8 to greet Santa at Cabrini’s annual Christmas on the Bayou.

Jesus’ way of praying to his father throughout his life is a reminder for Christians that prayer is more than asking God for something but is a way of establishing an intimate relationship with him, Pope Francis said.

On Oct. 30, Our Lady of Lourdes in Slidell (above) captured the senior varsity title in the CSAL Girls’ Volleyball final against Our Lady of the Lake. In JV action, St. Catherine of Siena (below) had the thrill of winning the championship in its home gym, beating St. Rita, Harahan. (Photos by Beth Donze)

Every heart enslaved by false idols and evil desires needs a “transplant” with a heart filled with love, joy, goodness, hope and generosity, Pope Francis said.

In your own life, do you recall a specific moment that God sheltered you with love?  I am a believer, and I know wholeheartedly that God loves me.  His love for me is a constant in my life.  

Queridos hermanos:  El texto evangélico de este segundo Domingo de Adviento se abre con la presentación de Juan el Bautista en un contexto histórico preciso que nos ayuda a ubicar el momento en que el profeta, un hombre muy poco convencional y ubicado muy lejos de los centros del poder político y religioso, recibe el mensaje de Dios e invita a un bautismo de conversión.

The city’s longest running boys’ basketball tournament appears to be heading for a new renaissance. It was evident by the large crowd in the Jesuit gym on Dec. 1 that watched the Allstate Sugar Bowl CYO Basketball Classic’s championship game that there is renewed interest in the early-season games.