In recent weeks there has been an increase in scam activity across the country and within our diocese. For example: a priest’s name being used to fraudulently solicit gifts or favors from members of our church parishes. The perpetrator will typically text or email the prospective victim identifying themselves as their parish priest asking: “Will you do me a favor?” The con artist then proceeds to ask if the would-be victim is willing to donate money or gift cards for some particular cause. It is important for all parishioners of St. Francis to know that Bishop Fabre, Fr. Jay, Fr. Billy, Fr. Jean-Marie, or Fr. Josh would NEVER email or text any parishioner for such a purpose. This “phishing” scam is very prevalent across the country right now and the perpetrators are easily able to obtain priests’ names at various churches through websites or church bulletins and then spoof the priest’s identity in their scam – never using the @htdiocese.org email address but some other domain. Please be vigilant in the weeks and months to come, because this was NOT just a holiday scam. Please contact the church office if you receive a text message or email with such a request so that we can alert the authorities.

CONFIRMATION – FIRST YEAR - There will be a mandatory meeting for ALL FIRST-YEAR Confirmation Candidates and Parents on Sunday, December 8, at 4 PM in the cathedral. We would like both parents and the candidates to attend this meeting. Confirmation volunteers are needed for youth formation. If you are interested in volunteering or if you have questions or concerns, please call Mrs. Jane Lirette at 985-856-5488. ********************************************* FIRST RECONCILIATION - FIRST COMMUNION - Sacramental Information Packets for Sacramental Prep have been mailed out to candidates. If you have not received a packet and you feel your child is eligible, please call Mrs. Jane Lirette 856-5488. Any parishioner that has a child in 2nd grade preparing for First Communion and First Reconciliation must return a completed registration form, copy of baptism certificate, and $30.00 fee, no later than Sunday, January 12, 2020. There will be a mandatory meeting Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in the Youth Center at 6:30 p.m. We expect one parent to attend, but sincerely hope that both will attend this meeting.

Two New Videos on Great Things Happening in Our Diocese https://htdiocese.org/a-reason-to-hope-video https://htdiocese.org/the-heart-of-our-planning-video

It’s time for us to update our cathedral photo directory. We will be photographing families/parishioners on Dec. 10-14 and 17-21 at the KC Hall. Our directory won’t be complete without you. Watch the bulletin for more info in the coming weeks. You can schedule your photography session by following this link: https://booknow-lifetouch.appointment-plus.com/b31nllz0/ [booknow-lifetouch.appointment-plus.com] or contact Cindy Matherne at 852-1334 or cmatherne2@comcast.net.

• Mr. Jeff and Mrs. Celeste Giglio Collins 25 years • Mr. J. Louis and Mrs. Rosemarie H. Hertwig Watkins, III 40 years • Mr. Huey and Mrs. Lisa Garrett LeBoeuf 40 years • Mr. Julio and Mrs. Judith “Candy” Skowronski Archila 50 years • Mr. Gary and Mrs. Sharon Schober Chatagnier 50 years • Mr. James and Mrs. Mary Anné Duplantis Goodwin 50 years • Mr. Essie and Mrs. Marceline Landry Cavalier 63 years • Mr. Ronald and Mrs. Margaret Broussard Freeman 63 years Father, you have made the bond of marriage a holy mystery, a symbol of Christ's love for his Church. Hear our prayers for these and all couples in our church family. May their lives always bear witness to your love. We ask you to bless them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Looking for rosaries, rosary making materials, books, and resources? Look no further: Access Real Life Rosary's website using the link below so that St. Francis can benefit (we get a percentage back) https://realliferosary.com/?ref=hktzizoislb

Although the renovations to the Cathedral have been postponed, individual parishioners have come forward and offered to fund the restoration of our Stations of the Cross. We have secured the services of Godfrey Studio of Ecclesiastical Art. The lead artist on this project (Belinda Godfrey) is, herself, a third-generation ecclesiastical restorationist. In order that the work can begin on Monday, the stations along with 4 statues have been removed from St. Francis. So don't be alarmed when you see empty pedestals or miss the stations ... rather, share our excitement!

2019 Annual Bishop’s Appeal – Update! The remaining to reach our goal is $17,325.20. (Click on the title to read more!)

We are up and running! Our parishioners can now give on line! (Click "On-Line Giving" to get started!)

Out of an abundance of caution – owing to our recessed economy locally as well as a lack of confidence among the lay faithful in Church governance surfacing nationally in the wake of the release of names of priests who had been accused of sexual abuse in the past – we have made the decision NOT to move forward with the renovations at this time. (Click on the title to read more!)