St. Benedict Catholic Church

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Moses was chosen by God to lead Israel out of slavery to freedom. Yet, at times he doubted himself and even questioned God by asking “Why me? Who am I to do this?” (Ex. 3:11). But Moses trusted in God, and he began to experience personally the power of God working through him. Moses was able to demonstrate God’s miracles to Pharaoh, which resulted in Pharaoh freeing God’s people from slavery in Egypt. Moses was then called to lead them to the Promised Land, though he could only lead them in a circuitous route as they wandered aimlessly through the desert for 40 years. During this time, Moses realized that his limitations did not matter, because the Lord would not abandon him; all he, Moses, had to do was to be a good instrument. 

The book of Exodus (in chapter 17) tells us that the very powerful Amalek went after the people of Israel and waged war against them. Moses entrusted his assistant, Joshua, with choosing men to go out and engage Amalek in battle: “Choose some men for us, and tomorrow go out and engage Amalek in battle. I will be standing on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand” (Ex. 17: 9). The Bible records that as long as Moses “kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest, Amalek had the better of the fight. Moses’s hands, however, grew tired; so Aaron and Hur took a rock and put it under him and he sat on it. Meanwhile, Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other, so that his hands remained steady until sunset” (Ex. 17:11-12). Joshua and the people of Israel then defeated Amalek and his army.  

What a powerful image! God’s chosen one was unable to keep up the fight alone. He had to lean on Aaron—his brother and High Priest—and his friend, Hur, to support his arms when he got tired so that Israel would defeat the invaders.

Our healthcare workers—our modern-day heroes—have been called and chosen by God, like Moses, to lead us in battle against the Coronavirus. And like Moses, God assures us of his favor and shows his closeness: I shall be with you. This promise is repeated throughout history to all who have received a difficult mission for the sake of humankind. This promise, I shall be with you, is especially given to our health care workers being called to fight for us and protect us during this pandemic. 

Meanwhile the rest of us, we—their brothers and sisters, their friends and relatives, their priests and fellow parishioners—are called to support them. We know that many healthcare workers are getting tired; many are scared; many are having difficulty balancing their family life work-life; many question if they can handle this coronavirus pandemic. It is our job to be their Aaron and Hur. It is our job to find the places for them to sit and rest, but more importantly, it is our job to hold them up to defeat this invading virus.

I am borrowing an idea from the Diocese of Lafayette, and proposing that we start a “White Ribbon Campaign”.  Prayer connects us to God and, through God, to each other. The flow of grace is real! We must pray for those who keep us safe, those who care for the sick and the suffering. Let us show these Health Care Heroes that we are praying for them. Please share this image on social media and display a white ribbon on your mailbox or house so they see it on their drive to and from the front lines. Whether it is an actual ribbon, a printout of a white ribbon, or a social media post, the show of support will be a powerful reminder to pray for them. 

I am compiling a list of parishioners, in addition to family and friends of parishioners who are working on the frontlines in health care. You can download the list HERE. Please pray for them! May I suggest that you download the Litany of Supplication Pope Francis prayed on March 27th and that you pray this litany every day for our Health Care Heroes and those who have contracted COVID-19. (You can download the Litany of Supplication HERE). (If you have any name to add to the list, please email them to me. We will regularly post an updated list on our website and Facebook page.)

As a parish, we will pray not only for those on our list but for all Medical Professionals working in hospitals and clinics. We also will display white ribbons outside the church and around some of our trees, and we will have white ribbons with the parish logo pin available in the back of the church for you to wear.

Our Blanket Ministry continues to make medical gowns and masks for Notre Dame Health System. If you missed the article about them in the Clarion Herald, you can read it HERE . If you are a seamstress or tailor and would like to assist in making medical gowns or masks, please email Jackie Edrington HERE and she will arrange to supply you with patterns and materials.

Please continue daily to follow our website and Facebook page, and be assured of my prayers. As I have communicated before, should anyone want to go to confession, make an appointment to talk, or in need of a sacramental anointing in an emergency, please email me or call the office at 985-892-5202 and if the voicemail answers, please press “2” to be routed to the emergency line.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us!


Sincerely yours in Christ,

           Father Charles O.S.B  V.F.

Lord Jesus, 
you came into the world to heal our infirmities 
and to endure our sufferings. 
You went about healing all 
and bringing comfort to those in pain and need. 
We come before you now in this time of pandemic
asking that you sustain health care workers 
and medical professionals
that they may have strength in body, 
courage in spirit,
steadfastness in moments of exhaustion or pain,
and hope in the midst desolation.
Uphold them, we pray, 
and restore those already afflicted with the Coronavirus 
by the grace of your healing and deliverance,
so that united more closely to your family, the Church, 
we all may give praise and honor to your name.
Amen.