Welcome to Our Community of Faith
In Mary's Arms, We Find the Heart of Jesus.
A Note from Rev. Ed Chiffriller, ssj., our pastor
FEAST OF ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL
FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 6, 2025
ON THIS JULY 4TH WE CELEBRATE THE 249 BIRTHDAY OF OUR NATION. WE
GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS GOD HAS BESTOWED UPON OUR
COUNTRY OVER THE YEARS. WE ALSO PRAY FOR OUR COUNTRY, WHICH IS
DEEPLY DIVIDED. ON JULY 4, THE PRESIDENT SIGNED A LAW THAT GIVES
PERMANENT TAX BREAKS TO THE RICHEST PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTRY. THE LAW
MAKES UNCONSCIONABLE CUTS TO HEALTHCARE AND FOOD ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS WHICH HELP THE POOREST PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTRY. IT ALSO HAS
IMMIGRATION PROVISIONS THAT HARM FAMILIES AND CHILDREN AS WELL AS
CUTS TO PROGRAMS THAT PROTECT GOD’S CREATION. AS CHRISTIANS OF
CONSCIENCE WE MUST STAND UP FOR THE MOST VUNERABLE IN OUR SOCIETY,
MINDFUL OF THE MANDATE OF JESUS THAT WHATEVER WE DO FOR THE LEAST
OF HIS BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WE DO IT FOR HIM. BY GOD’S GRACE WE MUST
WORK UNTIRINGLY TO MAKE OUR COUNTRY A MORE PERFECT UNION.
ST. LUKE’S ACCOUNT OF THE LORD APPOINTING SEVENTY-TWO DISCIPLES
TO GO OUT AND ANNOUNCE THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND, TO
HEAL THE SICK, TO DRIVE OUT DEMONS, REMINDS US THAT BY OUR VERY
NATURE WE ARE A MISSIONARY CHURCH, SENT BY CHRIST TO DO IN OUR DAY,
WHAT JESUS DID IN HIS DAY. WE ARE SENT AND EMPOWERED BY GOD’S GRACE
TO BUILD UP GOD’S KINGDOM ON EARTH.
FR. CHIDI DOMINIC, IS ONE OF OUR NEWLY ORDAINED JOSEPHITE
PRIESTS. HE WILL FILL IN FOR ME ON JULY 16 WHEN I TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON,
DC FOR HIP REPLACEMNT SURGERY. FR. CHIDI ACCEPTED THE CALL OF CHRIST
TO BE A JOSEPHITE MISSIONARY IN SERVICE TO THE AFRICIAN AMERICAN
COMMUNITY. HE LEFT HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN NIGERIA TO COME TO THE
UNITED STATES TO STUDY TO BECOME A JOSEPHITE PRIEST. HE LEFT WHAT
WAS FAMILIAR TO HIM TO COME TO A DIFFERENT COUNTRY, WITH A
DIFFERENT CULTURE, WITH DIFFERENT CUSTOMS TO SERVE GOD’S PEOPLE. HE
HEARD THE SAME CALL THAT THE SEVENTY-TWO DISCIPLES HEARD IN TODAY’S
GOSPEL, THE SAME CALL THAT WAS GIVEN TO US AT OUR BAPTISM AND
CONFIRMATION, AND THAT WE HEAR EACH DAY IN PRAYER, TO FOLLOW
CHRIST, TO BE A WITNESS FOR HIM IN OUR WORLD WHEREVER WE GO. YOU
DON’T HAVE TO GO TO A FOREIGN COUNTY. YOU DON’T HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR
FAMILY AND FRIENDS. YOU JUST HAVE TO BE WILLING TO DO GOD’S WILL EACH
DAY AND BUILD UP GOD’S KINGDOM AS THE HOLY SPIRIT INSPIRES YOU TO DO.
IF WE REMAIN FAITHFUL TO THIS CALL, WE WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD, WHEN
WE SEE OUR NAMES WRITTEN IN HEAVEN.
ON THE WEEKEND OF JULY 26 & 27 WE WILL WELCOME TWO HOSPITALER
SISTERS OF MERCY AS PART OF THE MISSIONAERY COOPERATION PLAN
2025. THE SISTERS WILL BE SEEKING OUR PRAYERS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT
FOR THEIR VARIOUS WORKS OF MERCY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. THEY ARE
DEDICATED TO CARE FOR THE SICK AND THOSE MOST IN NEED. IN BATON
ROUGE THEY OPERATE METANOIA MANOR WHICH CARES FOR JUVENILE
VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING. OUR SECOND COLLECTION THAT WEEKEND
WILL ASSIST THE SISTERS’ MISSION. PLEASE BE GENEROUS.
AT THE END OF EVERY MASS, WE ARE REMINDED OF OUR MISSION, WE
ARE TOLD, “LET US GO IN PEACE TO LOVE AND SERVE THE LORD AND EACH
OTHER, AND WE ALWAYS RESPONED, ‘THANKS BE TO GOD.” MAY GOD’S HOLY
SPIRIT STRENGTHEN AND SUSTAIN US EACH DAY TO BE FAITHFUL TO THAT CALL.
AMEN.
- Father Ed
Shrine of Our Mother of Mercy
About our Parish
The Shrine of Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church is located at 600 W. Jefferson Davis Avenue in Rayne, Louisiana, has been a cornerstone of faith and community since its establishment in 1924. Founded as a mission of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Crowley, it became an independent parish under the guidance of the Josephite Fathers and Brothers, who have faithfully served the congregation since its inception.
The church's mission is deeply rooted in providing spiritual nourishment, education, and support to its members. In its early years, the parish addressed the educational needs of the community by opening a school in 1924, utilizing materials from the original St. Joseph's Hall. This initiative, supported by Mother Katharine Drexel (now Saint) aimed to uplift the African American community in the area.
Today, the Shrine of Our Mother of Mercy continues to be a beacon of hope and mercy, fostering a welcoming environment for all. Under the leadership of Pastor, Rev. Edward Chiffriller, SSJ, the church offers regular Masses, sacraments, and various ministries that cater to the spiritual and communal needs of its diverse congregation.
The parish remains committed to its founding principles of faith, education, and community service, striving to embody the mercy and love exemplified by the Blessed Virgin Mary.
INTERCESSORY PRAYER - OUR MOTHER OF MERCY
O Mary, Mother of Mercy,
You are the refuge of sinners, the comfort of the afflicted,
and the hope of the weary.
With a mother's love, you embrace all who turn to you in faith.
Intercede for us, O Blessed Mother,
that we may receive the grace of your son, Jesus Christ.
Help us to trust His divine mercy,
to walk in His light,
and to live in the peace of His love.
Under your mantle of protection, we find rest.
In your Immaculate Heart, we find refuge.
Mother of Mercy, pray for us,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
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