About ten years ago, two men came into my life and the life of our church. Some of you know them, Luigi and Sean. Since first meeting them, we have become very close. Luigi works for the church; he and Sean make their home in Chalmette with three great dogs. It is really these two that St. Anna’s, and I personally, must credit with our presence in the LGBTQ+ … [Read more...] about A Sermon by Luigi Mandile (by Fr. Bill)
Sharing the joy and sharing the struggle SOLIDARITY!
This past week I had the pleasure of going to the San Diego area for a gathering of Kellogg Fellows. This group is made up of about 80 selected individuals from all over the country. New Orleans, the only city cohort, has 11 Fellows and 2 mentors, and we each have an individual coach. The idea is to improve the leadership skills of identified community leaders, and to provide a … [Read more...] about Sharing the joy and sharing the struggle SOLIDARITY!
“FUCK PRIDE” continuing the conversation.
I saw Frank Perez the other day and said, “Frank, if you wanted to get people to take notice and read your piece “Fuck PRIDE” was the way to do it.” It certainly got my attention. I’ve read his well-written column a couple of times now. As always, his prose is precise, on point, and well-written. He makes a strong point which interestingly coalesces with the idea of “A … [Read more...] about “FUCK PRIDE” continuing the conversation.
Pride and the Church
As I mentioned the last time that we visited, I had the honor of doing a Benediction for a Pride event several years ago. It was very modest by today’s standards. By the time you read this in the air-conditioned place of your choice, I will likely have lost ten pounds of water weight marching in the New Orleans Pride Parade this year. I will be following a float and a truck, … [Read more...] about Pride and the Church
Community Engagement
Over the next several issues my hope is to point out several opportunities for community engagement. I also want to acknowledge the ways in which our community is engaged as a model for the greater community. One of the issues I have as both a priest and member of our larger community is that we seem to talk a lot and act less. That is the way it seems. It is no different … [Read more...] about Community Engagement
Power and Abuse
Employer, priest, pastor, director, manager and teacherall are positions of power. There are other powerful positions as well. Abuse of that power is what much of the conversation revolves around today. Here are just some of the less sensational charges: • Substitute teacher accused of bedding teen allegedly sent him nudes on Snapchat • High school girls’ softball coach … [Read more...] about Power and Abuse
Rip Naquin
I cannot say when I first met Rip. But, I do know that I was quite aware that he was important to our community. I believe that Rip was involved in one of our more prominent funerals, Marcy Marcell. I remember him clearly standing near the center aisle dressed in white and joyously singing our songs. I remember Rip as one who embraced and enjoyed life. Rip and I got to know … [Read more...] about Rip Naquin
ZERO SUM GAME
ZERO SUM GAME “If you are not with me you are against me” Zero Sum Game. “If you do not accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior you cannot have salvation” Zero Sum Game. “If you are for gun control you want to take away all guns and destroy the Second Amendment” Zero Sum Game. “If I am right you must be wrong” Zero Sum Game. Zero Sum Game leaves no room for middle ground and has … [Read more...] about ZERO SUM GAME
The Holiday Shopping Guide
Black Friday, Cyber Monday and a host of other buying opportunities abound at this time of the year. Then there are the charities. Tis the season for the big “ask” because tis the season AND its tax write off time. So, listen to those little bells in the malls and all of those free stamps and gifts that you get in the mail from us non-profits. Tis the Season! Then it is the … [Read more...] about The Holiday Shopping Guide
Christmastide
Beyond the cards, glitz, and glimmer; beyond the call for Christ in Christmas and beyond Currier and Ives there is a real story here. The story is more than a birth narrative. The birth account is found really in two of the Gospels and they serve as a sort of prologue to the rest of the story. But I believe that the birth of Jesus has a broader appeal and broader text. The … [Read more...] about Christmastide
