Sunday, March 18, 2012 was a beautiful, sunshine-filled
day where over 1300+ people gathered at the Cypress Springs
Mercedarian Prayer Center to enjoy the Catholic tradition
of honoring St. Joseph. The Third Annual St. Joseph’s Altar
filled the Dolphin Room in the Ministry Center and included
items that were symbolic of St. Joseph and Jesus’ lives; such
as, mudica which represents the sawdust from St. Joseph’s
occupation as a carpenter, pignolattis which represents the
pine cones that Jesus may have played with as a child, breads
in the shape of sandals, a monstrance, a chalice and many
other symbols all representative of items we need to remember
as we reflect on the early Church and its’ people. Besides
all of these beautiful items which adorned the Altar, the
purpose of the St. Joseph’s Altar is to feed the hungry in the
community.
Many local restaurants and friends of Cypress Springs
Mercedarian Prayer Center shared their blessings by providing
meatless dishes to be shared with all who visited the Altar. The
generosity of those who donated were so abundant that we
were also able to share with the Bishop Ott Homeless Shelter
and several retirement centers here in Baton Rouge.
We would again, like to acknowledge and thank everyone
who made this Third Annual St. Joseph Altar such an
inspiration and spirit-filled event, from the local restaurants to
the hundreds of volunteers who worked relentlessly to make
this event a huge success. It brought Catholic tradition and
the community together as a whole. Even those who visited
the Altar from other Christian faiths shared that they had a
better understanding and respect for this great tradition.
On behalf of Sister Dulce Maria and the Mercedarian
Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, a heartfelt thank you and
blessing to the Friends of St. Joseph. If you would like to
volunteer to help with this event next year, please call the
Center at 225/752-8480.
A Multitude Gather for St. Joseph’s Altar
13.
Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross
–
Melanie Wall, a mother
whose daughter, Missy died last year, shared her sorrow and relief in
understanding that by her death, Missy was no longer suffering the
cross of her depression. As Melanie reflected on Our Mother Mary
holding her son in her arms as He was taken down from the cross, she
understood how Mary could feel both sadness and relief. The sadness
of losing her Son, especially the death He endured, was soon replaced
with relief - relief that His suffering was over. Melanie shared those
feelings with Mary. Missy, after many doctor’s visits could not find the
solace and relief she desired so she remained locked in her world. How
often, as her mother, did she want to take her down from her cross but
it wasn’t up to Melanie. On April 1, 2011, the Lord took Missy home.
Her sadness of Missy not being with her was also replaced after time
with relief. Relief that she no longer suffered. The Lord had seen fit to
take her home to His comforting and longing arms.
14.
Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb
–
Jeannine Lemoine who lost both of
her parents, reflected on the teaching that the tomb is not our final
resting place. We have the rewards of heaven to look forward to and
Jeannine learned this first and foremost through her parents. Not only
did they teach her this lesson, they lived it. Owning a grocery store in
a small, rural community, Jeannine’s parents saw everyone as equal –
from the poorest of the poor to the wealthiest. Everyone was treated
with dignity and respect. Her mother died when Jeannine was in her
20’
s but her father remained with her until last year, dying in his 80’s.
Everyone in the community could attest for her father’s generosity and
giving heart and it was in his living, that he taught Jeannine the most
about our life after death. Jeannine shared that she knew without a
doubt that the “tomb” was not the end – it was truly the beginning.
And, that after living our life on this earth, we should welcome the
invitation of our Lord, “Welcome, my good and faithful servant.”
A Passionate Walk with Jesus (Cont.)
