September 17, 2018

Fr. Ronnie visited MD Anderson in Houston for a check up this past weekend.  The doctors reported that his cancer continues to be stable at this time.  He will return to Houston in three months for another check up.  Fr. Ronnie is appreciative of everyone's prayers and support.  He continues to enjoy serving as chaplain of St. Anthony's Garden on the northshore.  Below is a picture of some parishioners who visited Fr. Ronnie last week. 











June 25, 2018

Fr. Ronnie recently visited MD Anderson in Houston for a check up this weekend.  The doctors reported that his cancer is stable at this time.  Fr. Ronnie is appreciative of everyone's prayers and support.

March 12, 2018

After a two month break from chemotheraphy,  Fr. Ronnie traveled to MD Anderson this past weekend to meet with his doctor for a progress report.  The doctor reported that his cancer shrank some in the prostate, but was stable in the other areas. There was no new growth in the cancer.  The doctor said that Fr. Ronnie does not need to return to MD Anderson until June. Thank you for your prayers. Please keep Fr. Ronnie in your prayers! Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, pray for us!

January 10, 2018

Fr. Ronnie met with his oncologist at MD Anderson on Monday.  The doctor reported that his cancer was stable in some areas but also showed shrinkage in other areas. It did not show signs of growing.  The doctors said that the cancer is still very aggressive and serious.  Fr. Ronnie will take two months off from receiving chemotherapy and then return to Houston to meet with doctors for the next steps. Thank you for your prayers. Please keep Fr. Ronnie in your prayers! Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, pray for us!

December 28, 2017

After not being able to receive chemotherapy on the previous two visits in December, Fr. Ronnie was able to receive his sixth and final round of chemotherapy.  Fr. Ronnie will return to Houston after New Years to meet with doctors to see how his cancer has responded to the chemotherapy. Please keep Fr. Ronnie in your prayers!

December 18, 2017

Fr. Ronnie traveled to MD Anderson for  his sixth round of chemotherapy this week.  The doctors decided not to do the chemotherapy due to a low white blood cell count.  Fr. Ronnie will return to Houston after Christmas to receive his next treatment. Please keep Fr. Ronnie in your prayers!

December 5, 2017

Fr. Ronnie traveled to MD Anderson for  his sixth round of chemotherapy this week.  The doctors decided not to do the chemotherapy this week due to a bladder infection.  Fr. Ronnie will return to Houston in two weeks to receive his next treatment.  This will be his last treatment for several months. Please keep Fr. Ronnie in your prayers!

November 13, 2017

Fr. Ronnie received his fifth round of chemotherapy yesterday.  The treatment went well and Fr. Ronnie is home from Houston.  Please keep Fr. Ronnie in your prayers!


October 23, 2017

Archbishop Rodi drove Fr. Ronnie to visit with doctors at MD Anderson to get an update on how the cancer was responding to the chemotherapy.   The tumors in the lymph nodes shrank in response to the chemotherapy.  The doctor reported that the cancer in the bones is stable, but it will take more time to see if the chemotherapy is able to shrink the cancer.  

When Fr. Ronnie returns to MD Anderson in three weeks, he will undergo more testing to see how the cancer in the prostate is responding to the treatment.  Fr. Ronnie will continue receiving the chemotherapy through December and then take a break for a few months.  During the break, he will continue being tested every three months.  

Overall, the visit was encouraging.  While the doctor was encouraged by the test results, however, she also reiterated that the cancer is not curable except through divine intervention.   Please continue to pray for Fr. Ronnie!

October 3, 2017

Fr. Ronnie received his third round of chemotherapy at MD Anderson this week.  The treatment went well.  He is back home in Metairie.   He is appreciative of all of the prayers and support. 

September 11, 2017

Fr. Ronnie received his second round of chemotherapy at MD Anderson today.  He said that it went well and that he will be returning back to New Orleans on Tuesdsay.   He is appreciative of all of the prayers and support. 

The International Centennial Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima will visit St. Catherine of Siena. The statue will be coming on Monday, September 18, an evening when we pray the rosary for Fr. Ronnie’s healing. The statue of the blessed heart of Mary is one of six—one for each continent—that Pope Francis blessed. We will have a procession with the statue at a 6 pm Mass, followed by a rosary, adoration, and benediction. 

September 3, 2017

Fr. Ronnie responded well to his first round of chemotherapy with little side effects.  He is scheduled to return to MD Anderson in a week for his second round of chemotherapy.  

His doctor suggested that he avoid large crowds to avoid germs.  While it is hard as a priest to avoid large crowds, he will try to avoid hugging people after mass and just shake hands instead. 

August 23, 2017

Fr. Ronnie completed his first round of chemotherapy at MD Anderson this week.  He will return to Houston once a month for chemotherapy.  He will also undergo hormone treatment locally once a month.  Please continue to pray for Fr. Ronnie!

August 19, 2017

Fr. Ronnie is returning to MD Anderson on Monday, August 21, for his first chemotherapy treatment. He began hormonal treatment last week for his prostate cancer.  

Fr. Ronnie wrote in this week's bulletin: "I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support that I have received from all of you. I ask that you please keep me in your prayers. I want to thank Fr. Tim for his brotherly love and support and the support of the church and school staff during this time. I will do my best to keep you updated on my situation."
 
August 11, 2017

Fr. Ronnie visited MD Anderson from August 9 - 11.  The doctors at MD Anderson changed his diagnosis from small cell carcinoma to an aggressive form of prostate cancer which has spread to several parts of his body.   After consulting with the doctors, Fr. Ronnie decided to stay in Houston until Tuesday, August 15 in order to take advantage of some treatments at MD Anderson.  Fr. Ronnie is appreciative of all of your prayers and support.

August 7, 2017

A weekly rosary will be prayed for Fr. Ronnie's healing on Monday nights at 6 pm in Church.  Everyone is invited to attend.  On August 14, the rosary will be prayed AFTER the 6 pm Vigil Mass of the Assumption of Mary.

August 6, 2017

Fr. Ronnie has delayed the start of his chemotherapy in order to visit MD Anderson this week.  Please pray for him as he travels to Houston to consult with doctors at MD Anderson.

July 30, 2017

At all Masses this weekend, Fr. Ronnie Calkins, our pastor, announced that he was recently diagnosed with cancer.  Fr. Ronnie will be meeting with an oncologist this week to discuss different treatment options.   

As he begins this challenging journey, we invite all people of faith to join us in praying for him, for his doctors, nurses, and medical staff, for his family members and friends, and for all who have experienced God’s love and mercy through his priestly ministry during the last 40 years.   We are a people of faith who believe in the God who can do great things.   We entrust Fr. Ronnie to the intercession of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos!

The Knights of Columbus from St. Catherine of Siena will be praying a rosary for Fr. Ronnie in Church on Monday, July 31 at 7 pm. Everyone is invited to join us in praying for Fr. Ronnie as he begins his treatment.