Bayou Catholic Magazine | June 2012 by Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Bayou

Catholic

The magazine for the people of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

JUBILANT Day

Four ordained to priesthood

HOUMA, LA ~ JUNE 2012 ~ COMPLIMENTARY

Celebrate 25

our Jubilarians

The School Sisters of Notre Dame Central Pacific Province celebrate with our Jubilarians, women of hope, and are grateful to God for their faithful lives.

25 YEARS Julie Brandt Mary Essner Judy Fleisner

50 YEARS

Marianne Almon Judy Bakula Mary Helen Bender Marie Vianney Bilgrien Ann Jerome Bisek M. Rosae Brown Mary Ann Carey Genevieve Cassani Ruth Chausse

50 YEARS

continued

Lucille (Rose Lucille) Coughlin Juliette Daigle Gloria Degele Deanna Donahue Kathleen Donovan Mary Lucy Egashira Carolyn Fasnacht Jeanette Feldott Terez Gonsoulin Gail Guelker Susan (Lorene Marie) Hetebrueg Mary Andrea Ikeda M. Jovann Irrgang Barbara (James Helene) Janda

50 YEARS

Leonette Juengst

Mary Petra Kato Kathleen Mary Kiemen Marian Kodama Vincella Lake Darlene Lenzmeier Martha (Joan Francis) Meyer Nadine Meyer Joy Marie Parolari Ann Christine Pendleton Mary Francine Perez Margaret Roozen M. Thomasin Sergot Janet Siebenman Loretta Marie Strobel Carolyn Sur Mary Germaine Tanahashi

continued

Karen Marie Thein Mary Carol Weber Janet Wermerskirchen Leona Wieck Floretta Williams Karl Mary Winkelmann Mary Ann (Ann Michelle) Wutkowski

60 YEARS

Mary Lucita Allen Cerella Baumgartner Cynthia Borman Alice Borries Marguerite Churilla Joan Fink Beverly Ann Fries Jeannette Glinske Muriel (Corda) Glodosky Elizabeth Marie Hoell Rosemary Hufker Elizabeth Marie Ishida Edith Juergensmeyer Kenneth Marie Kozal Mary Gerold Mobley Elizabeth Morgan Germaine Mulcahey Joseph Miriam Nemec Cathryn Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Donnell Irene Marie Schmitz Mary Myles Schwahn Mary Blaise Sorenson Irene (Raynald) Stanczyk Sharon Rose Terbrock Mary Jo Trombley

60 YEARS

continued

Mary Joseph Tsuzuki Rita von Holtum Bernita Wasinger Christyn Willems Florence Wesselmann M. Roselle Zollar

70 YEARS

Antonice Backes Marian (John Dominic) Blong Odilo Brinker M. Therese Fletchinger Mayette Hughes Mary Bede Hurst Cecile Marie Lubniewska M. Eva Manney Mary Jean Raymond McBride Mary Joel Robin Gabriel Rooding Mary Francele Sherburne Esther (Francis Joseph) Smith Veronica Wald

75 YEARS

Mary Anastasia Glanbin Elizabeth (Adamine) Gnabasik Mary John Lachowsky Pearl Mary (Romuald) Nedwecka Mary Louise Van Straten Regina Zolner

80 YEARS

Melvina Pausina Alix Le Clerc Winkelmann

Sculpture of Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger, our foundress, by Marie Henderson, RSM.

Visit our website to catch a glimpse of each jubilarian www.ssndcentralpacific.org â&#x20AC;˘ Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ssnd.centralpacific

Contents

On Our Cover

Why go to Mass? It is God’s call to us!

Fathers Stuart King, Eric Leyble, Mitchel Semar and Joey Tregre were ordained by Bishop Sam G. Jacobs at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma, Saturday, May 26.

30 Father Roch Naquin

Cover photo by Lawrence Chatagnier

Maria Immacolata School

The persistent priest

Fortnight for Religious Freedom June 21 through July 4

‘We live to serve; not to be served’

Our Churches

Saint Mary’s Nativity serving Raceland since 1850

• Pope Speaks

• Question Corner

Bayou Outdoor Guide Summer 2012

Fishing Rodeo Edition

• Reflections

• Heavenly Recipes

How to reach us: BY PHONE: (985) 850-3132 BY MAIL: P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395 BY FAX: (985) 850-3232 BY E-MAIL: bayoucatholic@htdiocese.org

Bayou Catholic Vol. 32, No. 15 June 2012

The Bayou Catholic is published monthly, for the people of the Roman Catholic Diocese of HoumaThibodaux by the H-T Publishing Co., P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395. Subscription rate is $35 per year. The Bayou Catholic is a member of the Catholic Press Association, the National Newspaper Association and an associate member of the Louisiana Press Association. National and world-wide news service and photos by National Catholic News Service.

• Young Voices

• Where Am I? Contest 23 Louis G. Aguirre editor and general manager Lawrence Chatagnier assistant editor Glenn J. Landry, C.P.A. business manager Peggy Adams advertising manager Janet Marcel staff writer Pat Keese secretary and circulation Lisa Schobel Hebert graphic designer Janet B. Eschete accounts payable assistant Meridy Liner accounts receivable assistant

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Where to find us Bayou Catholic magazine can be found at all Catholic churches in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and at the three Catholic high schools in Houma, Morgan City and Thibodaux. You may also visit the merchants listed in the Advertisers’ Index to pick up your copy. Those wishing to receive the magazine by mail can call Pat Keese at (985) 850-3132 or write to Bayou Catholic, P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395. Subscription price is $35 annually.

Index to Advertisers Advanced Eye Institute .............................. 19 Associated Pump & Supply Co, Inc. ......... 55 Bait House Seafood ................................... 73 Barker Honda ............................................. 61 Boudreaux’s Marina ................................... 72 Bridge Side Cabins & Marina .................... 71 Bueche’s Jewelry ....................................... 46 Buquet Distributors .................................... 51 Camp Renee/Camp Robert ....................... 78 Cannata’s ................................................... 88 Catholic Schools position .......................... 31 Channel 10 ................................................. 21 Charles A. Page & Sons ............................ 68 Coastal Mechanical Contractors ............... 85 Dagate’s Marine ......................................... 69 Daigle Himel Daigle ................................... 76 Data Management Services ....................... 75 Dr. Neil Maki ............................................... 62 Fast Eddie’s Prop Shop ............................. 86 G & F Sporting Center ............................... 56 God’s Promises ......................................... 23 H & H Marine .............................................. 75 Haydel Spine & Pain .................................. 33 Holy Land Franciscan Pilgrimages .............. 5 KEM Supply House, Inc. ............................ 67 Lafourche Ford Lincoln .............................. 77 LeBlanc & Associates ................................ 59 Lirette Ford ................................................. 87 M & L Engine .............................................. 63 Marie’s Wrecker Service ............................ 82 Moran’s Marina .......................................... 64 Morrison Terrebonne Lumber Center ........ 54 Pellegrin Marine ......................................... 79 Peter’s Pence Collection .............................. 9 Pirate’s Marine L.L.C. ................................. 80 Re-Bath ...................................................... 48 Roberts Repair Rental & Retail, Inc. .......... 65 Rod’s Superstore ....................................... 43 Sand Dollar Marina & Deli & Motel ............ 57 School Sisters of Notre Dame ..................... 2 Seminary Burse .......................................... 25 Southern Outdoors .................................... 83 Southland Dodge ....................................... 81 Southland Mall ............................................. 3 Spotlight ....................................................... 6 St. Joseph Manor ....................................... 39 Synergy Bank ............................................. 58 Terminix ...................................................... 46 Terrebonne Ford ........................................ 53 Terrebonne Marine ..................................... 84 TGMC ........................................................... 7 Thibodaux Physical Therapy ..................... 66

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

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June 2012

Welcome

Editor’s Corner Louis G. Aguirre Editor & General Manager

Freedom

In about one month we will be firing up the barbecue pits and the pots for boiled seafood; we will be cooking hot dogs, gumbo and jambalaya. We will be making all the necessary preparations so that family and friends can come together July 4 to celebrate our freedom. It is a great privilege for Catholic Americans – and one not shared by Catholics in many other parts of the world – to live in a country that places freedom of religion first in its Bill of Rights, and whose Founding Fathers stressed the importance of freedom of conscience. Privilege bears with it a responsibility, on behalf of all believers and on behalf of future generations, to protect and defend this religious liberty from being weakened or undermined. In recent months, the bishops of the United States, joined by members of other faiths, have expressed alarm about new threats to religious liberty at both the federal and the state level. The bishops are calling on Catholics to participate in a “Fortnight for Religious Freedom” to be observed from June 21 to July 4. The bishops, including our own Bishop Sam G. Jacobs, are asking us to focus “all the energies the Catholic community can muster” for religious liberty. It is imperative that we take action now to demand that our religious liberty not be weakened or violated. It is critically important that Catholics, who comprise one-quarter of this nation’s population, make their voices heard so that Catholic organizations, companies and individuals do not suffer further religious freedom restrictions. Please participate in the Fortnight for Religious Freedom. All that food, family, friends and fireworks July 4 will have very little meaning in the future if we are not able to celebrate the free exercise of religion as well as our freedom of conscience.

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Did you know?

St. Louis Church parish in Bayou Blue traces its name to the Missouri city. In the early 1900s, a sawmill company from St. Louis, MO, used a canal in the area to float cypress to the mill in Houma. The canal was named St. Louis and the chapel one mile away adopted the canal’s name. St. Louis IX, King of France, was selected as its patron saint.

Diocesan Programs This Week “Revival”

Host: Bishop Sam G. Jacobs Co-Host: Regina Thibodeaux Wednesday 8:30 p.m. Friday 9:30 a.m. and Sunday 9:30 a.m. HTV/VISION COMMUNICATIONS, CHARTER COMM. & COMCAST CHANNEL 10 ALLEN’S TV CABLE MORGAN CITY CHANNEL 71 (Digital Channel 30.1-UHF & Channel 7.1-VHF) Mondays - 9:30 a.m. Thursdays - 9:30 a.m. & 11:00 p.m. Saturdays - 9:30 p.m.

“Spotlight on the Diocese” Host: Louis Aguirre With Guests: Most Rev. Sam G. Jacobs

Bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Rev. Joshua Rodrigue

Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Bayou Black If you are not receiving these programs in your area, please contact your local cable provider.

June 2012

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Another Reason to Choose TGMC.

Pathway to Excellence Certified Nurses Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) has achieved Pathway to Excellence® designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and is one of only two facilities in the state of Louisiana to receive this nursing designation. TGMC successfully underwent a thorough review process that documented foundational quality initiatives and is recognized as a Medical Center that provides an outstanding nursing practice environment. As a Pathway to Excellence® designated organization, TGMC is committed to nurses, to what nurses identify as important to their practice and to valuing nurses’ contributions in the workplace. By providing this ideal practice environment at TGMC, nurses can focus their talents and skills on providing high quality, outstanding care to our patients.

tgmc.com Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

June 2012

ScriptureReadings Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

and a listing of Feast days and saints.

Friday

1 June

Saturday

Sunday

Weekday Jude 17, 20b-25 Mark 11:27-33

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Deuteronomy 4:3234, 39-40 Romans 8:14-17 Matthew 28:16-20

Weekday 2 Peter 1:2-7 Mark 12:1-12

Memorial of Boniface, bishop and martyr 2 Peter 3:12-15a, 17-18 Mark 12:13-17

Weekday 2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12 Mark 12:18-27

Weekday 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Mark 12:28-34

Weekday 2 Timothy 3:10-17 Mark 12:35-37

Weekday 2 Timothy 4:1-8 Mark 12:38-44

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Exodus 24:3-8 Hebrews 9:11-15 Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

Memorial of Barnabas, apostle Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3 Matthew 5:1-12

Weekday 1 Kings 17:7-16 Matthew 5:13-16

Memorial of Anthony of Padua, priest and doctor of the church 1 Kings 18:20-39 Matthew 5:17-19

Weekday 1 Kings 18:41-46 Matthew 5:20-26

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9 Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19 John 19:31-37

Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1 Kings 19:19-21 Luke 2:41-51

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Exodus 17:22-24 2 Corinthians 5:610 Mark 4:26-34

1 Kings 21:1-16 Matthew 5:38-42

Weekday 1 Kings 21:17-29 Matthew 5:43-48

Weekday 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Memorial of Aloysius Gonzaga, religious Sirach 48:1-14 Matthew 6:7-15

Weekday 2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20 Matthew 6:19-23

Weekday 2 Chronicles 24:1725 Matthew 6:24-34

Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist Isaiah 49:1-6 Acts 13:22-26 Luke 1:57-66, 80

1 July

Weekday 2 Kings 17:5-8, 13-15a, 18 Matthew 7:1-5

Weekday 2 Kings 19:9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36 Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Weekday 2 Kings 22:8-13; 23:1-3 Matthew 7:15-20

Memorial of Irenaeus, bishop and martyr 2 Kings 24:8-17 Matthew 7:21-29

Solemnity of Peter and Paul, apostles Acts 12:1-11 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18 Matthew 16:13-19

Weekday Lamentations 2:2, 10-14, 18-19 Matthew 8:5-17

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15 Mark 5:21-43

Weekday Amos 2:6-10, 13-16 Matthew 8:18-22

Feast of Thomas, apostle Ephesians 2:19-22 John 20:24-29

Weekday Amos 5:14-15, 21-24 Matthew 8:28-34

Weekday Amos 7:10-17 Matthew 9:1-8

Weekday Amos 8:4-6, 9-12 Matthew 9:9-13

The collection will be held June 23 and 24, 2012 Thank you for your generosity.

Bayou Catholic â&#x20AC;˘ Houma, LA

June 2012

Comment Jesus Is Lord Bishop Sam G. Jacobs

A 10

As we look at the trends in our own county, it seems that about 25-33 percent of Catholics attend Mass regularly on Sundays. There are many reasons given for non-attendance: from not getting anything out of Mass to being bored; from other things come up to Sunday is the only time I have to do things with the family; from once I missed a couple of Sundays, it was easy for me to miss to I no longer think that it is important or necessary. Some people feel that they can just as easily worship God in nature rather than in church. Others say that they stopped going because of the hypocrisy of church-goers. Anyone who wishes can justify their actions. The question is why should we go to Mass on Sunday? It is God’s call to us! The first, central reason is that God commanded us to worship him as a sign of our relationship with him. The Third Commandment states: “You shall keep holy the Sabbath.” In the understanding of the Old Testament people say they believed that God gave us time to work and time to rest, time for ourselves and time for God. So, on six days of the week they worked, but on the seventh day they rested from work and focused their attention on their relationship with God through worship and prayer. They were responding to God’s direction

and expectation. For the observant Jewish believer, such as Jesus, the Sabbath rest centered on the prayer service at the local synagogue in which psalms were sung, writings of the Law and Prophets were proclaimed and interpreted, and petitions were offered. The remainder of the day was a time of relaxation and reflection. Then on certain festivals they would go to Jerusalem to the Temple to worship and

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

offer sacrifices, according to the prescriptions of the Law. Jesus took this commandment and gave new meaning to it, when he celebrated the Last Supper with his disciples. In anticipation of his death on the cross and his resurrection by which we are saved, Jesus changed bread and wine into his Body and Blood and commanded the apostles to “do this in memory of” him. This was the new sacrifice which replaced

the sacrifices and offerings of the Old Covenant. This was the new sacrifice of worship, giving thanks to God for his many signs of love. It is the sacrifice of the Son of God to the Father in the Spirit on our behalf, which makes present in the here and now what Jesus did at the Last Supper and on Calvary. This is the sacrifice that Jesus referred to when he told the Samaritan woman: “The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such people to worship him” (John 4:23). The first Christians, following the lead of the Apostles, recognized that, because Jesus rose on Easter Sunday and the Spirit of God descended on them on Pentecost Sunday, the Sabbath rest had changed and had new meaning. They began to worship as Jesus commanded on the first day of the week instead of the Jewish Sabbath. They would gather together to praise God through psalms and other songs, listen to the Word of God from the Law and Prophets, listen to the teachings about the life and ministry of Jesus, say the words of Jesus over the bread and wine and share it with one another. All the time, they awaited the promised return of Jesus. This is reflected in Acts of the Apostles: “They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles (the Scriptures) and to the communal life (the assembly of believers), to the breaking of the bread (celebration of Eucharist) and to the prayers” (Acts 2:42). In time, the Third Commandment to worship God was specified as one of the commandments of the church. “You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor.” What the church does is identify that the day of rest for the Christian dispensation is Sunday, not Saturday. It also clarifies

I don’t get anything out of Mass, so why go? June 2012

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

the “Sabbath rest” according to the Christian tradition. Some people say they are bored during Mass or get nothing out of it, so they go irregularly or not at all. Why are we commanded to go to Mass? We are commanded by God not that God needs us to worship him but that we need for our sake to express our relationship with God through worship. If we are not worshipping the True God, we will worship some other god. The command to worship God follows the command to recognize that there is only one God and not to have any strange gods before him (First Commandment). It also follows the command to respect the holy name of God (Second Commandment). In other words the way we recognize, properly acknowledge and honor God is through authentic worship. When we go to church, it is to give God the worship, adoration, praise, thanksgiving, honor and blessing that is due to him as Creator from the creature. This is the primary purpose. Our focus is God, not ourselves, how we feel or what we receive. But herein is the paradox. If we have worshipped God freely and totally, focusing on him, in turn we will be open to whatever God desires us to experience. We are only secondary. And in fact, if we have given our best to God in worship, we will experience the love of God and the presence of God in ways that only can come from God. Our worship of God on earth is to anticipate our worship of God in eternity. There the focus of the angels and saints is God himself, not on themselves. Listen to the Word of God found in the Book of Revelation. “They sang a new hymn: ‘Worthy are you to receive the scroll and to break open its seals, for you were slain and with your blood you purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests for our God, and they will reign on earth.’ I looked again and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne and the living creatures and the elders. They were countless in number, and they cried out in a Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

loud voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing.’ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out: ‘To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever.’ The four living creatures answered, ‘Amen,’ and the elders fell down and worshipped” (Revelation 5:9-14). If we enter into worship of God for God’s sake we will be filled with an awareness of his presence. In this scenario, the priest celebrant/ homilist is not the focus. He is only an instrument. The environment and the music are not the reasons we go to church. They are only possible tools to bring us closer to God. We go to church for God and him alone. If we go to receive for ourselves, to feel good, then we risk coming up empty handed. In this scenario, we are looking for self-gratification. We are looking to have our ears tickle and our emotions affirmed. What did Paul say about this? “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Another central focus of the Mass is the Eucharist, “the source and summit of our faith.” True, the Mass is a sacrifice of thanksgiving, in which we participate in the offering of Christ to the Father in the Spirit. True, we continue to hear and to be nourished by the Word of God. But we are also called

to participate in the sacrificial banquet meal, in which we share in the Body and Blood of Jesus. It is our faith that bread and wine are changed into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ through the words of consecration, then offered to the Father in thanksgiving, then given to us to be eaten and drank, in accordance with the command of Jesus at the Last Supper. The importance of sharing in the Body and Blood of Jesus was stressed by Jesus himself. “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats 11 this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world … . Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever” (John 6:51-59). By participating in Mass, we give God the worship which is his due, according to his direction; we hear and are nourished by his Word; we offer the Sacrifice that Jesus told us to do in his memory; we share in the Body and Blood of Jesus, our food for the journey toward eternal life, as commanded by Jesus. This is the will of God for us. June 2012

Comentario

Si no se adquiere nada en misa, entonces, ¿para qué ir?

A 12

Al observar la tendencia en nuestro propio país, parece que solamente el 25 al 33 porciento de católicos asisten a misa con consistencia los domingos. Los diversospretextosque se dan para no ir a misa suelen ser que no se adquiere nada en misa, que es aburrido, que otras cosas se interponen, que el domingo es el único día que se pueden hacer cosas con la familia, que ya se ha faltado varios domingos a misa y por eso es más fácil ya no ir y que ya no se piensa que sea importante o necesario. Algunas personas sienten que pueden simplemente adorar a Dios en la naturaleza en lugar de la iglesia. Otros dicen que han dejado de ir debido a la hipocresía de los feligreses. Todo el que lo desea puede justificar sus acciones. La cuestión es ¿por qué debemos ir a misa los domingos? ¡Porque Dios nos ha llamado! Primero, la razón central es que Dios nos ha ordenado a adorarlo porque es la señal de nuestra relación con Él. El Tercer Mandamiento dice: «Acuérdate del día del Sábado, para santificarlo.» En el Antiguo Testamento, la creencia era que Dios nos había dado tiempo para trabajar, descansar, para nosotros mismos y para Dios. Por eso, trabajaban seis días de la semana y en el día séptimo descansaban y se concentraban en su relación con Dios adorándolo y orando. Ellos obedecían las órdenes y expectativas de Dios. Para un judío creyente en esos días —como Jesús— el descanso del sábado consistía en asistir a la sinagoga, cantar los salmos, interpretar y proclamar las escrituras de la Ley y los profetas y ofrecer peticiones. El resto del día se usaba para descansar y reflexionar. En algunas festividades acostumbraban ir al Templo de Jerusalén para orar y ofrecer sacrificios, según las

June 2012

órdenes de la Ley. Jesús, al celebrar la Ultima Cena con sus Discípulos, tomó este mandamiento y le dio un nuevo significado. Anticipando su muerte en la cruz y su resurrección, Jesús convirtió el pan y el vino en su Cuerpo y Sangre y ordenó a los apóstoles a “hacerlo en conmemoración” suya. Esto fue un nuevo sacrificio que remplazó los demás sacrificios y ofrecimientos de la Antigua Alianza. Esto se

sobre ellos en el Domingo de Pentecostés. Comenzaron a adorar a Jesús como Él se los había ordenado en el primer día de la semana en lugar del sábado judío. Se reunían juntos a adorar a Dios con Salmos y otros cánticos, escuchaban la Palabra de Dios de las Leyes y los profetas, escuchaban las enseñanzas de la vida y el ministerio de Jesús, decían las palabras de Jesús cuando compartían el pan y el vino el uno

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

convirtió en el nuevo sacrificio de adoración que agradece a Dios por las numerosas señales de amor. Este es el sacrificio que el Hijo de Dios hizo por nosotros sacrificándose a Dios en Espíritu. Esto hace presente aquí y ahora a Jesús en la Ultima Cena y el Calvario. Esto es el sacrificio que Jesús mencionó cuando le dijo a la mujer samaritana: “Mas la hora viene, y ahora es, cuando los verdaderos adoradores adorarán al Padre en espíritu y en verdad; porque también el Padre tales adoradores busca que le adoren” (Juan 4:23). Los primeros cristianos, siguiendo los pasos de los apóstoles, reconocieron que el descanso del sábado judío cambió y obtuvo un nuevo significado porque Jesús se levantó de entre los muertos el Domingo de Resurrección y porque el Espíritu Santo fue derramado

al otro. Durante todo este tiempo esperaban el regreso prometido de Jesús. Esto es lo que se lee en Hechos de los Apóstoles: “Se mantenían firmes en la enseñanza de los apóstoles (las Escrituras), en la comunión (la asamblea de creyentes), en el partimiento del pan (la celebración de la Eucaristía) y en la oración” (Hechos 2:42). Con el tiempo, el Tercer Mandamiento de adorar a Dios se identificó como uno de los mandamientos de la Iglesia. «El domingo y las demás fiestas de precepto, los fieles tienen obligación de participar en la misa y se abstendrán de aquellos trabajos que impidan dar culto a Dios.»La Iglesia establece el domingo, y no el sábado, día de descanso para la dispensación cristiana. La Iglesia también aclara el “sábado de descanso” según la tradición cristiana. Algunos dirán que

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

se aburren durante la misa o que no adquieren nada de la misa y que por eso van de vez en cuando o no van para nada. ¿Por qué se nos ha ordenado a asistir a misa? Dios nos ha dado la orden —y no porque Él nos necesita para que lo adoremos— por nuestro bien y para que expresemos nuestra relación con Dios por medio de la oración. Si no adoramos a Dios Verdadero estaremos adorando a otro dios. El mandamiento de adorar a Dios viene después del mandamiento de reconocer que sólo hay un Dios y que no debemos tener dioses extraños delante de Él (Primer Mandamiento). También viene después de otro mandamiento que dice que debemos respetar el nombre santo del Señor (Segundo Mandamiento). En otras palabras, es solamente por medio de la adoración auténtica que podemos de manera apropiada reconocer y honrar a Dios. Vamos a la iglesia para adorar a Dios, alabarlo, darle gracias, honrarlo y bendecirlo por ser Criador de la criatura. Esto es el propósito principal. Nuestro enfoque es solamente Dios y no nosotros mismos, ni como nos sentimos, ni lo que recibimos. Y he aquí la paradoja. Si hemos adorado a Dios libre y totalmente, si nos hemos concentrado en Él, entonces estaremos dispuestos a aceptar lo que Dios quiere para nosotros. Somos secundarios y, de hecho, si hemos hecho lo máximo por adorar a Dios viviremos el amor de Dios y la presencia de Dios en maneras que solamente pueden venir de Dios. Nuestra adoración de Dios en la tierra es anticipar nuestra adoración de Dios en la eternidad. En el cielo, los ángeles y santos se concentran en Dios y no en ellos mismos. Escuchen la Palabra de Dios en Apocalipsis. “Y cantaban este cántico nuevo: ‘Eres digno de tomar el libro y de abrir sus sellos, porque fuiste degollado y con tu sangre compraste para Dios hombres de toda raza, lengua, pueblo y nación. Los hiciste reino y sacerdotes para nuestro Dios, y reinarán sobre la tierra.’ Yo seguía mirando, y oí el clamor de una multitud de ángeles que estaban alrededor del trono, de los Seres Vivientes y de los Ancianos. Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Eran millones, centenares de millones que gritaban a toda voz: ‘Digno es el Cordero degollado de recibir poder y riqueza, sabiduría y fuerza, honor, gloria y alabanza.’ Y les respondían todas las criaturas del cielo, de la tierra, del mar y del mundo de abajo. Oí que decían: ‘Al que está sentado en el trono y al Cordero, la alabanza, el honor, la gloria y el poder por los siglos de los siglos.’ Y los cuatro Seres Vivientes decían ‘Amén’, mientras los Ancianos se postraban y adoraban” (Apocalipsis 5:9-14).

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Si nos adentramos en la adoración de Dios enfocándonos solamente en Dios, nos llenaremos del conocimiento de su presencia. En este caso no estamos enfocándonos en el sacerdote que celebra la misa y que da la homilía. Él es solamente un instrumento. El entorno y la música no son las razones que tenemos para asistir a misa. Estos solamente son herramientas que posiblemente nos pueden acercar a Dios. Asistimos a misa por Dios y Él es la única razón. Si asistimos a misa solamente para sentirnos mejor y por nosotros mismos entonces tenemos el riesgo de terminar vacíos. En este caso buscamos la auto gratificación. Buscamos la manera de sentirnos felices y afirmar nuestras emociones. ¿Qué dijo Pablo sobre esto? “Pues llegará un tiempo en que los hombres ya no soportarán la sana doctrina, sino que se buscarán

maestros según sus inclinaciones, hábiles en captar su atención; cerrarán los oídos a la verdad y se volverán hacia puros cuentos” (2-Timoteo 4:3-4). Otro tema central de la misa es la Eucaristía, “raíz y cumbre de nuestra fe.” Es cierto que la misa es un sacrificio de acción de gracias en el cual participamos en el ofrecimiento de Cristo al Padre en Espíritu. Es cierto que continuamos a escuchar y a ser alimentados por la Palabra de Dios. Pero también hemos sido llamados a participar en el alimento del sacrificio en el que compartimos el Cuerpo y la Sangre de Jesús. Es nuestra fe que el pan y vino se convierten en Cuerpo y Sangre, Alma y Divinidad de Jesucristo a través de las palabras de consagración, para ser ofrecidas al Padre en acción de gracias y para después ser servido a nosotros para que lo comamos y tomemos según las órdenes de Jesús en la Ultima Cena. La importancia de compartir el Cuerpo y Sangre de Jesús fue subrayado por Jesús mismo: “Yo soy el pan vivo que ha bajado del cielo. El que coma de este pan vivirá para siempre. El pan que 13 yo daré es mi carne, y lo daré para la vida del mundo… En verdad les digo que si no comen la carne del Hijo del Hombre y no beben su sangre, no tienen vida en ustedes. El que come mi carne y bebe mi sangre vive de vida eterna, y yo lo resucitaré el último día. Mi carne es verdadera comida y mi sangre es verdadera bebida. El que come mi carne y bebe mi sangre permanece en mí y yo en él. Como el Padre, que es vida, me envió y yo vivo por el Padre, así quien me come vivirá por mí. Este es el pan que ha bajado del cielo. Pero no como el de vuestros antepasados, que comieron y después murieron. El que coma este pan vivirá para siempre” (Juan 6:51-58). Es participando en misa que le damos a Dios la adoración que le debemos dar, según sus órdenes; escuchamos su Palabra que nos alimenta; le ofrecemos el Sacrificio que Jesús nos ha ordenado hacer en su memoria; compartimos el Cuerpo y la Sangre de Jesús, nuestro alimento para el camino hacia la vida eterna, como Jesús lo ha ordenado. Esto el la voluntad de Dios para nosotros. June 2012

Binh luan bang loi

Toâi khoâng nhaän thaáy ñöôïc ích lôïi gì trong Thaùnh leã, vaäy taïi sao phaûi tham döï?

K 14

Khi chuùng ta nhìn vaøo khuynh höôùng trong ñaát nöôùc chuùng ta nhaän thaáy raèng chæ coù 25-33 phaàn traêm ngöôøi Coâng Giaùo tham döï Thaùnh leã thöôøng xuyeân. Coù nhieàu lyù do töø choái khoâng tham döï nhö: khoâng nhaän thaáy ích lôïi gì khi tham döï ñeán buoàn chaùn; töø choã ñaõ khoâng tham döï vaøi Thaùnh leã, noù trôû neân deã daøng cho toâi khoâng coøn nghó raèng tham döï Thaùnh leã laø quan troïng nöõa. Moät soá ngöôøi nghó raèng hoï coù theå thôø phöôïng Chuùa trong thieân nhieân thay vì phaûi tôùi nhaø thôø. Moät soá ngöôøi khoâng tham döï nöõa vì hoï thaáy söï giaû hình cuûa nhöõng ai tham döï. Baát cöù ai ñang mong bieän hoä cho haønh vi cuûa mìnhï. Haõy laéng nghe! Töï hoûi xem taïi sao chuùng ta phaûi tham döï Thaùnh leã? Ñoù chính lôøi môøi goïi cuûa Chuùa. Thöù nhaát, lyù do chính laø Chuùa truyeàn cho chuùng ta thôø phöôïng Ngaøi vì ñoù laø daáu chæ söï lieân heä cuûa chuùng ta ñoái vôùi Ngaøi. Ñieàu raên thöù ba noùi raèng: “Caùc con tuaân giöõ ngaøy thaùnh.” Söï hieåu bieát töø Cöïu Uôùc cho ngöôøi ta tin raèng Chuùa ban cho chuùng ta thôøi gian laøm vieäc vaø thôøi giôø nghæ ngôi, thôøi gian cho chính mình vaø cho Chuùa. Vì theá, hoï ñaõ laøm vieäc trong 6 ngaøy, nhöng ngaøy thöù baûy hoï ñaõ nghæ ngôi vaø chuù taâm vaøo söï lieân heä vôùi Chuùa qua söï thôø phöôïng vaø caàu nguyeän. Hoï ñaõ ñaùp laïi lôøi môøi goïi do Treân ban xuoáng. Nhöõng ngöôøi Do Thaùi nhieät thaønh nhö Chuùa Gieâsu, ngaøy thaùnh laø ñeå chuù taâm vaøo thôø phöôïng taïi hoäi ñöôøng, trong ñoù coù haùt thaùnh vònh, ñoïc vaø chuù giaûi Saùch Luaät vaø Tieân Tri, hieäp cuøng lôøi caàu xin. Nhöõng thôøi gian coøn laïi trong ngaøy thì nghæ ngôi vaø suy nieäm. Roài vaøo nhöõng ngaøy leã lôùn hoï ñaõ haønh trình ñeán ñeàn thôø ôû Gieârusalem ñeå thôø phöôïng vaø daân cuùng cuûa leã, nhö luaät ñaõ truyeàn daäy. Chuùa Gieâsu ñaõ tuaân leänh vaø ñaõ khai trieån theâm yù nghóa cuûa noù, khi Ngaøi duøng böõa Tieäc Ly vôùi caùc ñoà ñeä. Nhaän thaáy ñöôïc caùi cheát treân thaäp töï vaø söï phuïc sinh ñaõ gaàn ñeán

June 2012

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

ñeå cöùu roãi chuùng ta, Chuùa Gieâsu ñaõ bieán baùnh vaø röôïu trôû thaønh Mình vaø Maùu Ngaøi vaø truyeàn cho caùc moân ñeä haõy thöïc thi ñeå nhôù ñeán Ngaøi. Ñaây laø hy leã môùi thay cho caùc nghi leã vaø leã vaät trong Cöïu Uôùc. Ñaây laø hy leã môùi, duøng ñeå caûm taï Chuùa vì nhöõng daáu chæ tình yeâu Ngaøi. Ñoù laø hy leã cuûa Con Ñaáng Toái Cao daâng leân Chuùa Cha trong quyeàn naêng cuûa Thaùnh Thaàn vì lôïi ích cuûa chuùng ta cho baây giôø vaø hieän taïi cuõng nhö Ngaøi ñaõ thöïc hieän trong böõa Tieäc Ly vaø treân ñoài Can veâ. Ñaây chính laø hy leã maø Chuùa Gieâsu ñaõ aùm chæ khi Ngaøi noùi vôùi ngöôøi ñaøn baø Samaria: “Khi thôøi gian seõ ñöôïc quy ñònh, vaø vaøo thôøi ñieåm ñoù, nhöõng ngöôøi thôø phöôïng chaân chính seõ thôø phöôïng trong thaàn khí vaø söï thaät, vì Chuùa Cha muoán tìm kieám nhöõng ngöôøi thôø phöôïng Ngaøi nhö theá” (John 4:23). Nhöõng ngöôøi Kytoâ ñaàu tieân, theo chæ

daïy cuûa caùc Toâng Ñoà, ñaõ nhaän thaáy theá, vì Chuùa Gieâsu ñaõ phuïc sinh vaøo ngaøy Chuû nhaät vaø Thaùnh Thaàn cuõng hieän xuoáng vaøo ngaøy Chuû nhaät, ngaøy thaùnh ñaõ mang moät yù nghóa môùi. Hoï baét ñaàu thôø phöôïng nhö Chuùa Gieâsu ñaõ truyeàn daïy vaøo ngaøy thöù nhaát trong tuaàn thay vì ngaøy thöù baûy. Hoï thöôøng hoïp laïi toân vinh Chuùa baèng thaùnh vònh vaø nhöõng baøi haùt khaùc nöõa, laéng nghe lôøi Chuùa trong saùch Luaät vaø Tieân Tri, laéng nghe nhöõng lôøi daïy veà ñôøi soáng vaø rao giaûng cuûa Chuùa Gieâsu, laäp laïi lôøi truyeàn pheùp cuûa Chuùa treân baùnh vaø röôïu vaø cuøng chia seû vôùi nhau. Töøng giôø vaø moãi ngaøy hoï ñaõ soáng trong hy voïng mong ñôïi ngaøy trôû laïi cuûa Chuùa Gieâsu. Ñaây chính laø söï phaûn aûnh töø Saùch Toâng Ñoà Coâng Vuï: “Hoï chuyeân caàn hoïc hoûi töø caùc Toâng Ñoà vaø ñôøi soáng coäng ñoàng, vaø beû baùnh vaø caàu nguyeän” (TÑCV 2:42).

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Qua doøng thôøi gian, ñieàu raên thöù ba laø thôø phöôïng Chuùa ñaõ trôû thaønh luaät Hoäi Thaùnh. “Anh chò em phaûi tham döï Thaùnh Leã ngaøy Chuû nhaät vaø nhöõng ngaøy leã buoäc vaø nghæ ngôi trong nhöõng ngaøy ñoù. Ñieàu maø Giaùo hoäi vaïch ra laø ngaøy nghæ cuûa Kytoâ laø Chuû nhaät, khoâng phaûi Thöù baûy. Cuõng caàn hieåu roõ laø Chuû nhaät laø ngaøy nghæ truyeàn thoáng cuûa Kytoâ. Moät soá ngöôøi noùi raèng hoï thaáy buoàn chaùn trong Thaùnh leã hoaëc khoâng caûm thaáy ích lôïi gì neân hoï khoâng ñi thuôøng xuyeân hoaëc boû luoân. Taïi sao phaûi coù leänh ñi Leã? Chuùa truyeàn cho chuùng ta thöïc thi khoâng phaûi Ngaøi caàn ta thôø phöôïng Ngaøi nhöng cho söï ích lôïi cuûa chuùng ta ñeå baûy toû söï lieân heä vôùi Ngaøi qua söï thôø phöôïng. Neáu chuùng ta khoâng thôø phöôïng moät Chuùa chaân thaät chuùng ta seõ thôø phöôïng chuùa khaùc. Leänh truyeàn toân thôø Chuùa theo sau laø leânh truyeàn laø chæ coù moät Chuùa vaø khoâng coù chuùa naøo khaùc ngoaøi Ngaøi ra. Theo sau laø leänh truyeàn khoâng ñöôïc keâu teân Ngaøi voâ côù. Noùi caùch khaùc, caùch maø chuùng ta nhaän bieát, nghieâm chænh vaø toân thôø Ngaøi laø qua söï thôø phöôïng ñích thöïc. Khi chuùng ta ñi nhaø thôø, laø ñeå thôø phöôïng, suy toân, suøng baùi, caûm taï, toân vinh vaø chuùc tuïng nhöõng gì thöoäc veà Ngaøi laø Ñaáng Taïo Döïng. Ñaây chính laø ñieåm chính. Chuùng ta höôùng veà Chuùa, khoâng phaûi chuùng ta, caûm thaáy gì vaø nhaän ñöôïc gì. Nhöng ñieåm naøy coù veû maâu thuaãn. Neáu chuùng ta thôø phöôïng Chuùa trong töï do vaø hoaøn toaøn, chæ höôùng veà Ngaøi, chuùng ta seõ côûi môû taâm hoàn ñoái dieän vôùi baát cöù thöû thaùch gì Ngaøi muoán. Coøn chuùng ta laø thöù yeáu. Treân thöc teá, neáu chuùng ta daâng cho Chuùa nhöõng gì toát nhaát trong thôø phöôïng, chuùng ta seõ caûm nhaän ñöôïc tình yeâu cuûa Chuùa vaø söï hieän dieän cuûa Ngaøi vaø chæ qua Ngaøi chuùng ta môùi nhaän ñöôïc. Thôø phöôïng Chuùa treân theá gian laø daáu chæ laø thôø phöôïng Ngaøi muoân ñôøi. ÔÛ ñoù caùc thieân thaàn vaø caùc thaùnh ñeàu höôùng veà Ngaøi, khoâng phaûi veà hoï. Laéng nghe lôøi Chuùa trong Saùch Khaûi Huyeàn. “Hoï haùt baøi ca môùi: ‘Xöùng ñaùng thay cho Ngöôøi nhaän cuoán saùch trôøi vaø môû aán nieâm phong, vì ñaõ bò saùt haïi vaø ñoå maùu ra Ngöôøi ñaõ traû giaù cho Thieân Chuùa cho taát caû nhöõng ai ñeán töø caùc boä laïc vaø tieáng noùi, moïi ngöôøi vaø daân toäc. Ngöôøi ñaõ laøm cho hoï thaønh vöông quoác vaø tö teá cuûa Chuùa, vaø hoï seõ cai trò toaøn ñòa caàu.’ Vaø toâi nhìn laïi vaø ñaõ nghe ñöôïc nhöõng lôøi noùi cuûa Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

caùc thieân thaàn ñang vaây quanh ngai vaø caû loaøi thoï taïo vaø caùc boâ laõo. Hoï thaät nhieàu voâ soá, vaø lôùn tieáng keâu leân: ‘Xöùng ñaùng thay Con chieân vì ñaõ bò saùt haïi ñeå nhaän laõnh vöông quyeàn vaø giaøu sang, khoâng ngoan vaø söùc maïnh, danh döï vaø vinh quang vaø taùn döông.’ Vaø roài toâi laïi nghe moãi loaøi thoï taïo treân thieân ñaøng, treân ñòa caàu vaø döôùi aâm phuû, vaø trong ñaïi döông, vaø moïi loaøi trong trôøi ñaát tung hoâ: ‘Chuùc tuïng Ñaáng ngöï treân ngai vaø Con Chieân lôøi chuùc tuïng, vinh quanh, danh döï vaø toái cao, muoân muoân ñôøi vaø maõi maõi.’ Boán con vaät ñaùp laïi, ‘Amen,’ vaø

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

caùc boâ laõo quyø goái vaø thôø laäy” (Khai Huyeàn 5:9-14). Neáu chuùng ta thôø phöôïng Chuùa laø vì Chuùa, chuùng ta seõ nhaän ra söï hieän dieän cuûa Ngaøi. Trong tö caùch ñoù, linh muïc chuû teá/baøi giaûng khoâng coøn laø chính nöõa. Hoï chæ laø coâng cuï. Phong caûnh vaø nhaïc khoâng phaûi laø lyù do ñeå chuùng ta ñeán nhaø thôø. Nhöõng thöù ñoù chæ laø duïng cuï ñöa chuùng ta ñeán gaàn Chuùa. Chuùng ta ñeán nhaø thôø cho Chuùa vaø chæ cho Chuùa maø thoâi. Neáu chuùng ta ñi vì chæ cho chính mình, ñeå tìm caùi vui cho baûn thaân

thì chuùng ta lieàu lónh boû ñi heát ích lôïi. Trong caùi nhìn ñoù, ñi leã ñeå laøm thoaû maõn caù nhaân. Chuùng ta chæ ñi tìm laøm cho loã nhó ñöôïc khoaùi, vaø caûm giaùc rieâng tö ñöôïc caûm nhaän. Thaùnh Phaoloâ ñaõ noùi veà ñieåm naøy ra sao? “Khi thôøi gian ñoù tôùi hoï seõ khoâng chaáp nhaän nhöõng baøi hoïc höõu ích, nhöng vì loã tai chæ muoán nhaän khoaùi caûm rieâng tö hoï chæ muoán nhöõng gì hoï muoán nghe, vaø hoï seõ nghoaûnh maët ñi choã khaùc, khoâng muoán nghe söï thaät vaø chæ mieân man vôùi hoaøi baõo” (2Timothy 4:3-4). Troïng taâm khaùc cuûa Thaùnh leã laø Thaùnh Theå, “laø nguoàn vaø laø taâm ñieåm cuûa ñöùc tin.” Söï thaät, Thaùnh leã laø hy leã taï ôn, trong ñoù chuùng ta tham döï vaøo leã vaät cuûa Chuùa Gieâsu daâng leân Chuùa Cha trong quyeàn naêng Thaùnh Thaàn. Söï thaät, chuùng ta tieáp tuïc laéng nghe vaø nuoâi döôõng baèng lôøi Chuùa. Nhöng chuùng ta cuõng ñöôïc keâu goïi tham gia vaøo baøn tieäc thaùnh, trong ñoù chuùng ta laõnh nhaän Mình, Maùu, Linh Hoàn vaø Thieân Tính cuûa Chuùa Gieâsu qua lôøi truyeàn pheùp, vaø tieáp ñoù daâng leân Chuùa Cha trong taï ôn, roài ban laïi cho chuùng ta cuøng aên vaø uoáng, theo söï chæ daïy cuûa Chuùa Gieâsu trong böõa Tieäc Ly. Söï quan troïng chia seû Mình vaø Maùu 15 Chuùa do chính Ngaøi vaïch roõ. “Ta laø baùnh haèng soáng töø trôøi xuoáng; ai aên baùnh naøy thì seõ soáng ñôøi ñôøi; vaø baùnh maø Ta ban chính laø thòt Ta cho theá gian…. Amen, amen, Ta noùi cho caùc ngöôi hay, neáu caùc ngöôi khoâng aên Thòt Con Ngöôøi vaø uoáng Maùu Ngöôøi, caùc ngöôi seõ khoâng coù söï soáng trong caùc ngöôi. Ai aên thòt Ta vaø uoáng maùu Ta seõ coù söï soáng ñôøi ñôøi, vaø Ta seõ cho ngöôøi ñoù soáng laïi trong ngaøy sau heát. Vì thòt Ta thaät laø cuûa aên vaø maùu Ta thaät laø cuûa uoáng. Ai aên Thòt Ta vaø uoáng Maùu Ta seõ ôû trong Ta vaø Ta ôû trong ngöôøi aáy. Vì nhö Chuùa Cha ñaõ sai ta vaø Ta coù söï soáng vì Cha, vì theá ai aên Thòt Ta thì coù söï soáng bôûi vì Ta. Ñaây laø baùnh töø trôøi xuoáng. Khoâng nhö caùc toå phuï caùc ngöôi ñaõ aên vaø ñaõ cheát, ai aên baùnh naøy thì seõ soáng ñôøi ñôøi” (John 6:51-59). Tham döï Thaùnh leã laø chuùng ta daønh cho Chuùa söï toân thôø maø Ngaøi ñaùng laõnh nhaän, chieáu theo nhöõng gì Ngaøi truyeàn daïy; chuùng ta nghe vaø boài döôõng bôûi lôøi Chuùa; chuùng ta daâng leân Ngaøi hy leã maø Chuùa Gieâsu ñaõ daïy ñeå nhôù ñeán Ngaøi; chuùng ta chia seû Mình vaø Maùu Chuùa, laø löông thöïc ñöa ñeán söï soáng vónh cöûu nhö ngaøi ñaõ truyeàn daïy. Ñaây laø thaùnh yù Chuùa cho chuùng ta. June 2012

Comment The Pope Speaks

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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In five speeches over a period of six months, Pope Benedict XVI warned visiting U.S. bishops of the threats that an increasingly secularized society poses to the Catholic Church in America, especially in the areas of religious liberty, sexual morality and the definition of marriage. Yet the pope did not advise that American Catholics withdraw from a largely hostile environment in order to preserve their values and faith. Instead, as part of his call for a new evangelization within the church and beyond, he urged believers to engage even more closely with wider society for the benefit of all Americans. Pope Benedict addressed five of the 15 regional groups of U.S. bishops making their periodic “ad limina” visits to the Vatican, which began in late November and ended May 19. The speeches touched on themes applicable to dioceses across the country. One constant was the pope’s warning against the demoralizing effects of secular culture, which he said had led to a “quiet attrition” among the church’s members, who must therefore be the first targets of “re-evangelization.” Yet the pope argued that moral decay is also threatening the stability of secular society itself. He noted what he called an “increased sense of concern on the part of many men and women, whatever their religious

or political views” that a “troubling breakdown in the intellectual, cultural and moral foundations of social life” has imperiled the “future of our democratic societies.” Therefore, he said, “despite attempts to still the church’s voice in the public square,” Catholics should insist on providing “wisdom, insight and sound guidance” to “people of good will.” Using the non-religious “language” of natural law, he explained, the church should promote social justice by “proposing rational arguments in the public square.” This duty is incumbent not only on bishops, the pope said, but also on Catholic politicians, who have a “personal responsibility to offer public witness to their faith, especially with regard to the great moral issues of our time.” He identified the issues as “respect for God’s gift of life, the protection of human dignity and the promotion of authentic human rights.” In particular, Pope Benedict called Catholics to the front lines in defense of “that most cherished of American freedoms, the freedom of religion,” which he said was especially threatened by “concerted efforts” against the “right of conscientious objection ... to cooperation in intrinsically evil practices.” The pope’s presumed reference there was to an Obama administration plan, vociferously protested by U.S. bishops, which would require that the private health insurance plans of most Catholic institutions cover surgical sterilization procedures and birth control. American society also is served by the church’s promotion of sexual morality, Pope Benedict said, since a “weakened appreciation of the indissolubility of the marriage covenant, and the widespread rejection of a responsible, mature sexual ethic grounded in the practice of chastity, have led to grave societal problems bearing an immense human and economic cost.”

The pope characterized the bishops’ defense of traditional marriage against proponents of same-sex unions as a matter of “justice, since it entails safeguarding the good of the entire human community and the rights of parents and children alike.” Even in connection with the church’s most terrible scandal in living memory -- the widespread sexual abuse of minors by priests -- Pope Benedict noted benefits that the church can offer the nonCatholic world. “It is my hope that the church’s conscientious efforts to confront this reality will help the broader community to recognize the causes, true extent and devastating consequences of sexual abuse, and to respond effectively to this scourge which affects every level of society,” he said. Although designed to serve Catholics, the church’s educational institutions also enrich society at large, the pope said. Catholic schools’ “significant contribution ... to American society as a whole ought to be better appreciated and more generously supported,” he said. And Catholic universities, following in a tradition that professes the “essential unity of all knowledge,” can be a bulwark against a current trend toward academic overspecialization. Unity among Catholics can also promote harmony across American society, the pope said. Noting the “difficult and complex” legal, political, social and economic issues surrounding immigration in the U.S. today, the pope suggested that a closer “communion of cultures” among the ethnic groups that make up the church in America could reduce ethnic tensions outside the church. “The immense promise and the vibrant energies of a new generation of Catholics are waiting to be tapped,” the pope said, “for the renewal of the church’s life and the rebuilding of the fabric of American society.”

Secular society needs Catholicism, pope tells U.S. bishops

June 2012

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Question Corner Father Kenneth Doyle

Why not Communion for all?

I have always wondered about the Catholic practice of prohibiting non-Catholics from receiving holy Communion. If we believe that the Eucharist is Jesus, why wouldn’t we want to bring the Lord to everyone? With Christ present in non-Catholics through the Eucharist, wouldn’t that help their faith and, perhaps, lead eventually to their conversion? (Simpsonville, S.C.) Your sincere and faithfilled question is an appealing argument for intercommunion. It would carry the day if the Eucharist were intended only to foster Christian unity. The theology of the Catholic Church, though, has always seen the Eucharist as being not only a source of unity but also a sign of unity that already exists. So, ordinarily, nonCatholic Christians are not invited to receive holy Communion when attending a Catholic Mass. The question of intercommunion is a delicate one because the policy of the church is sometimes seen as a claim of religious or moral superiority for Catholics over other Christians. It is by no means meant as such, and each of us knows many non-Catholics who are far more Christ-like than some nominal Catholics. But today’s intercommunion simply says that all those receiving the Eucharist are already of one mind and one heart in their allegiance to the doctrines and practices of the Catholic faith --

while the reality is that there is still a lot of hard work to do before Christ’s Last Supper plea for unity is realized. There are, though, some exceptional circumstances under which other Christians may be permitted to receive holy Communion at a Catholic Mass. For example, the Canon 844.4 of the Code of Canon Law says it can happen with the permission of the diocesan bishop, when a non-Catholic Christian in a case of grave necessity and no opportunity to approach a minister of his or her own community, asks to receive, is properly disposed and manifests the same belief about the Eucharist as Catholics do.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Non-Catholics can also receive holy Communion with the approval of church authority, such as when members of Orthodox churches present themselves for Communion and are properly disposed. “These churches, although separated from us,” says the Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1399, “yet possess true sacraments, above all -- by apostolic succession -- the priesthood and the Eucharist, whereby they are still joined to us in closest intimacy.” Guidelines published by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops extend this same permission to members of the Polish National Catholic Church.

Reconciliation for hard of hearing

What should the elderly do, when they are beginning to lose their hearing, about the sacrament of [reconciliation]? I can’t always hear the priest from behind the screen, and sometimes I’m not sure what my penance is. Should I simply go face to face? (Sabin, Minn.) There are some parishes -- a minority, to be sure -- that have an assistive device for the hearing-impaired in the confessional. Another option, as you mention, is to walk around the screen and sit face to face with the confessor. If you can read lips or if you and the priest are trained in sign language, you will understand each other well. But that, of course, removes the option of anonymity, a choice that must be respected. There are other possibilities. A hearing-challenged penitent is allowed, for example, to write sins or 17 questions on paper, pass the paper around the screen to the priest, and the priest can hand back a note with his advice and a penance. (All of the written material, of course, should be returned to the penitent or properly disposed of.) Canon 990 of the church’s Code of Canon Law would even allow for a sign-language interpreter. The interpreter could stay behind the screen and sign to the penitent the words of the priest. The code specifies that the interpreter is strictly bound to secrecy by the inviolable seal of confession. 2012 Catholic News Service

Questions may be sent to Father Kenneth Doyle at askfatherdoyle@ gmail.com and 40 Hopewell St., Albany, N.Y. 12208 June 2012

Reflections Readings Between The Lines Father Glenn LeCompte

Authority of Jesus’ message

T 18

The dynamic of conflict and resolution, which makes any story interesting, is as integral to the Gospel stories as it is to any good novel. Our survey of Mark’s story of Jesus over the last few months has surfaced two major conflicts: 1) Jesus is in conflict with the religious leaders of his people and 2) Jesus’ disciples struggle to understand his teaching and the true nature of his Messiahship. The two conflicts just mentioned will reach the height of their intensity in Jerusalem. The third major division of Mark’s narrative begins at 11:1, where in a few verses Jesus enters Jerusalem. The fact that Jesus enters the city that represents the heart of the Jewish nation is as much an element of drama as the description of the entry itself. In 11:7-10, Jesus takes actions that can be understood as regal and Messianic. He rides a colt in fulfillment of Zech 9:9. The people’s spreading their garments over which Jesus passes recalls the people’s declaration of Jehu as king of Israel in 2 Kings 9:13. The crowd quotes Psalm 118:2526, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,” a text viewed by early Christians as a Messianic one. The regal and messianic claims by Jesus serve as part of the motive as to why he is put to death. Whereas the high priest will ask Jesus if he is the Messiah (14:61), Pilate will question whether or not he is King of the Jews (15:2), and will have him crucified under this title. But there is a charge

June 2012

more significant for which he will be crucified! Jesus is associated with David and his kingdom, a kingdom whose restoration the people of Israel hoped for with great enthusiasm. The conflict between Jesus and his enemies intensifies in the Temple (11:27-12:34), where he upsets the business dealings in the temple (11:15-19). The spatial setting of the Temple is significant because it is the place of God’s presence and the seat of the authorities’ power. As was the case in the first episode of Jesus’ public ministry (1:23-27), Jesus’ prophetic action and teaching are combined; after expelling the merchants from the Temple he teaches that the Temple is “a house of prayer” (Isaiah 56:7). The religious leaders are said to fear Jesus; they seek his death, but refrain because of the crowd’s astonishment at his teaching (11:18). When the crowd in 1:22 acknowledged that Jesus “taught them as one having authority and not as their scribes,” a challenge was set up in the narrative as to whether Jesus or the religious leaders would be shown to be the ones who wield true authority. A lengthy contest between the authority of Jesus and that of his opponents takes place in 11:27—12:27. That contest begins with the religious leaders questioning his authority to upset the business being conducted in the Temple. Jesus poses a counterquestion concerning the origin of the authority of John the Baptist. The religious leaders’ silence regarding the question shows them to be ignorant of the issue of divine authority. By means of the parable of The Wicked Tenant Farmers (12:1-11), Jesus establishes his authority.

Jesus’ parable is a “weapon of wisdom.” It presents a truth that is clear and incontestable. The vineyard owner’s son wields his father’s authority to demand his portion of the crop from the sharecroppers. Yet, the sharecroppers amazingly deny that authority and, unbelievably, murder him. The murder and subsequent ejection of the vineyard owner’s son anticipates the rejection and murder of Jesus and the rejection of his legitimate authority. The religious leaders resume their attack on Jesus’ authority by means of a couple of questions (paying taxes to Caesar [12:13-17], the resurrection [12:18-27]) intended to entrap Jesus in speech and thereby undermine his authority. In both cases Jesus diffuses the attack with a wise saying. The religious leaders’ case against him is weakened when one of their own, a scribe, asks Jesus which of the commandments is the first of all. When Jesus answers him by saying that the first is love for God with every ounce of one’s being and offers a second important commandment, “Love one’s neighbor as oneself,” the scribe commends Jesus (12:28-34). Jesus brings the controversies to an end by posing to his opponents an interpretive question about Psalm 110. How can the Messiah be at once King David’s son and yet his Lord? (12:35-37). The implication is that the Scriptures point to Jesus’ status as both son of David and Messiah. Mark, then, has suggested that the conflict as to whether Jesus or his opponents possess true authority in their interpretations of God’s word falls on the side of Jesus. The reader is challenged to consider the authority of Jesus’ message in all situations in life.

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Paula Frasinetti 1809-1882 June 11

CNS

Paula was born in the politically turbulent early 19th century in Genoa, Italy. With her priest- brother, she taught the poor children of the parish of Quinto. When other women joined them, Paula founded the Congregation of St. Dorothy. Despite many obstacles and few resources, the new teaching institute eventually prospered as Paula’s deep prayer life and wisdom became widely known. The congregation spread to other Italian cities, Portugal and Brazil. Pope John Paul II declared Paula a saint in 1984.

Saints

Alban third century June 20

Crosiers

Believed to be Britain’s first martyr, Alban was a pagan living at Verulamium, now St. Albans. During a Roman persecution, he sheltered a fleeing priest who baptized him, and was himself arrested and put to death. He is first mentioned in a fifth-century life of St. Germanus; the Venerable Bede expanded the earlier story, including a lively account of the execution by beheading and some supernatural signs that accompanied it. Successive churches, including a Benedictine abbey and an Anglican cathedral, have occupied the traditional hilltop site of the martyrdom.

Saints

apostles Peter & Paul c. first century June 29

Crosiers

These apostles share a feast as founders of the church in Rome. Peter, a Galilean fisherman chosen by Christ as one of the Twelve Apostles, became the undisputed leader of the fledgling church after Pentecost. Paul, a Pharisee and Roman citizen who had persecuted Christians, became after his dramatic conversion the church’s greatest missionary, its “apostle of the gentiles.” By tradition both were martyred in Rome. Their adventures are recounted in the Acts of the Apostles, and letters from them are included in the New Testament.

Saints Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

June 2012

Heavenly Recipes

d n a e g Cabba d e r o v a l f r e t Oys y r F r i t S e c u Sa • e c i r d e i Fr

This month’s heavenly recipe comes from Father Mike Tran, pastor of St. Mary’s Nativity Church parish in Raceland. He is sharing two recipes, his fried rice and cabbage and oyster flavored sauce stir fry. Father Tran is a native of Long Khanh, Vietnam, whose father left the country in 1975 with the fall of Saigon. “My mother would pray to the Virgin Mary hoping that someday we would find our father. My mother and my siblings left Vietnam in 1981 when I was seven years old with only one change of clothes and a statue of Our Lady of Fatima. I recall my mother clutching the statue against her body as we walked 20 through the airport to meet my dad in Richmond, VA. She credits the power of prayer in the reuniting of our family,” says the pastor. Father Tran says that he learned to cook from his mother. “When I was young my mother would invite family friends over for meals. I would help in the kitchen. It was my job to prepare the food before cooking. I would chop, shred and dice the vegetables,” says the pastor. Father Tran says that he cooks for himself most of the time. “I typically cook Asian food. I love to stir fry food.” He is known for his homemade egg rolls which he makes with a much guarded secret recipe. Once a week the parish staff gets together for a meeting followed by a luncheon in which staff members take turns preparing the meal. Everyone agrees that when it is the pastor’s turn to cook they are in for a treat.

Cabbage and Oyster Flavored Sauce Stir Fry 1/2 white onion 1 cabbage Olive or vegetable oil Oyster flavored sauce Cut whole or half cabbage into slices. Add two tablespoons of Panda Brand Oyster flavored sauce (sauce can be bought at Oriental store). Add olive or vegetable oil to diced onion and cook until brown. Add sliced cabbage into pan with four tablespoons of Oyster Flavored Sauce (if half cabbage, add two tablespoons of oyster sauce.) Stir fry for five to seven minutes and serve. June 2012

Story and Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier Fried Rice (Single serving) 1 cup rice uncooked 1 egg 1/2 cup peeled shrimp or diced pork meat or chicken (or all three), stir fried 1/2 onion 1/4 cup diced carrots 1/2 cup shredded cabbage 1/4 cup bean sprouts Olive oil Soy sauce Salt and pepper to taste Cook a cup of rice (white or brown). Beat an egg; add a little salt and black pepper. Fry and cut into cubes. Stir fry 1/2 cup peeled shrimp or diced pork meat or chicken (or all three), and set aside. Add two tablespoons of olive oil and put half of a thin sliced onion into the pan until onion is brown. Add the cooked rice to the pan and put in two tablespoons of soy sauce; add cut cubed eggs, shrimp, diced pork or chicken. Stir until everything is well mixed and serve. (Green onions, diced carrots, shredded cabbage or bean sprouts can be added for color.) Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Tune In To... Quality Family Programming for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

~ Channel 10* on Comcast of Houma and CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS of Terrebonne Parish. ~ Channel 10* on CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS in Thibodaux. ~ Channel 10* on VISION COMMUNICATIONS of South and Central Lafourche *Channel 10 is provided by and in cooperation with HTV of Houma. ~ Channel 71, ALLEN’S TV CABLE of Morgan City

SUNDAY

6:30 A.M. 9:00 A.M. 9:30 P.M.

Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary Closer Walk Spotlight/Revival

6:30 A.M. 9:00 A.M. 9:30 A.M.

Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary The Choices We Face Spotlight/Revival

6:30 A.M. 9:00 A.M. 9:30 A.M.

Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary Divine Intervention Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary

6:30 A.M. 9:00 A.M. 9:30 A.M.

6:30 A.M. 9:00 A.M. 9:30 A.M. 11:00 P.M.

6:30 A.M. 9:00 A.M. 9:30 A.M.

Closer Walk Live With Passion

THURSDAY Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary Living Scripture Spotlight/Revival Spotlight/Revival

FRIDAY

Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary Live With Passion Spotlight/Revival

SATURDAY Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary Real Food Spotlight/Revival

Programs produced by the Diocesan Office of TV Communications. We reserve the right to make program changes.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

June 2012

Young Voices

What distracts you from Jesus? Getting distracted from Jesus is never a good feeling. Schoolwork is a distraction for me. Schoolwork takes up most of my time, and I am always worried that I didn’t complete an assignment which stays on my mind and takes me away from Jesus. Stress is also a contribution to distracting me from Jesus. Being stressed out causes me to miss little signs and blessings from Jesus. A wandering mind is a major distraction from Jesus; my mind will start thinking of everything in the middle of my prayer causing me drift away from what I was trying to do. These are some of the

things that distract me from Jesus. When I get distracted from Jesus, I immediately want to fix it. I first come to the realization of what is going on and take a deep breath to help reflect on it. I start praying and give all the distractions to my savior. I listen to worship music because it brings me closer to Jesus. I also turn to my Bible for advice. I set aside more time to be spent with Jesus and God. This is how I return back to Jesus. Hailey Orgeron, 17 years old Sacred Heart Church parish, Cut Off South Lafourche High School

The world distracts me from Jesus. There are so many devices and technologies that should help me develop a closer relationship but just end up distracting me from Jesus. I find my way back to Jesus by sitting in silence with my eyes closed and nothing around me, or by looking into nature and just praying my way back to Jesus.

Brandy Malbrough, 17 years old St. Ann Church parish South Terrebonne High School

The main distraction that I encounter on a daily basis is my hectic schedule. Like many people my age, my schedule is filled with balancing a vast number of tasks. It’s quite easy to slip into a schedule that lacks time for an extended amount of prayer. When I find myself falling victim to my schedule, I make time, no matter what’s happening, to stop and sit in a quiet place. I remove all distractions and experience the enveloping arms of the Lord that allow me to rest. This is an extremely intimate period of time where Christ can bring me back to him and show me that it is his rest and peace that will satisfy, not the frenzy that the world offers me. Tyler Neil, 18 years old St. Ann Church parish South Terrebonne High School

June 2012

As a teenager there are many things in life that distract me from Jesus. The constant pressure from peer pressure and growing technology makes it very hard to resist the temptations to stray away from Jesus. When these distractions are going on around me I just pray. I pray for them to pass and to keep me focused on Jesus. I think about what Jesus did for me. He died on a criminal’s cross as an innocent man so that my sins would be forgiven. Praying is the best way to stay focused on Jesus, in my opinion.

Andrew Badeaux, 16 years old St. Hilary of Poitiers Church parish Central Lafourche High School

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Contest

here Am I?

in a w d n a r e t En tificate r e C t f i G $50

This steeple is located somewhere in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Do you know where it can be found? If so you can win a gift certificate in the amount of $50 to redeem at God’s Precious Words and Gifts, God’s Promises Books and Gifts or Galliano Religious Supply House. Send your guess entitled “Where Am I?” by email to: bayoucatholic@htdiocese.org, by fax to: (985) 850-3232, or to Bayou Catholic, P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395. Deadline to enter is June 30. In the event of a tie, the winner will be randomly selected from all of the correct entries. Winner will be announced in the August issue of Bayou Catholic. Diocesan employees of the Pastoral Center and its satellite offices are not eligible to participate.

ATHOLIC

R/BAYOU C

HATAGNIE

EC LAWRENC

Happy Father’s Day to all of our wonderful fathers Gifts for Baptism and other Sacramental and Special Occasions We Carry a Large Selection of: Books • Bibles • Crucifixes • Rosaries Jewelry • Indoor Statues • Prayer Cards Also Available for Churches: Candles • Altar Breads • Vestments Stoles • Vessels & Other Church Supplies Gift Certificates Available Free Gift Wrapping with any In-Store Purchase God’s Promises Books & Gifts

Galliano Religious Supply House

God’s Precious Word & Gifts

648 B Corporate Drive

18210 West Main Suite 13 (985) 632-3040 Galliano

601 St. Mary Street

(Behind Target)

(985) 876-1283 Houma

(Next to Politz)

(985) 449-0618 Thibodaux

Donald & Tammy Plaisance, owners ~ Hours: Mon. - Sat. 9-6

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Serving the Diocese since 1991

June 2012

Entertainment

Seeing Clairely Claire Joller

W 24

When my sister was planning her wedding in early fall of 1961, there was considerable attention to detail. It was not going to be the grandest of weddings, but she had the niceties firmly in hand. After all, doesn’t every young girl begin to think early on about what she wants her wedding to be? They surely did in the 1950s and pre-social revolutionary early 60s. For Miriam, that meant a bustled gown of embossed taffeta and lilies-of-the-valley circlet headpiece. It meant a trellis backdrop built by Daddy for the cake table, and a cake that was the gift of our neighbor whose mother was a master baker. It meant bridesmaids in champagne beige taffeta tea length dresses caught by cummerbunds around our waists. She planned flowers, food, and clothing all summer. Was she forgetting anyone who should get a corsage? Was there any necessary detail she was not thinking about? Even as a young woman Miriam was always organized and a quick study about etiquette. There were social rules then, and she knew them. If she couldn’t comply with them completely, she arranged for the closest possible facsimiles. The day she married her handsome Ernest was a happy one full of anticipation about their future together. During the next decades they saw two daughters and a son grow to adulthood. Miriam’s long-ago bridegroom suffered a long, arduous illness and passed away after 46 years of marriage. But now, she is anticipating another wedding. After a long time of refusal even to go out

June 2012

The second time around

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

to dinner with anyone else, one persistent gentleman broke through her denials. Miriam knew who Ulysse was, this widower who had been married even longer than she had. Although they lived five minutes away from each other, the two of them had never really known each other. The family has watched them as they began to have dinners together, all the while declaring these were not dates—only two new friends having meals together. The meals continued, and they became more comfortable with each other and with admitting to dating; they had been hesitant to use the term because of its seeming inappropriateness for people of their maturity. Over the span of months, a casual friendship has become something much more. Nobody was surprised when they announced their engagement and a wedding planned for the summer. Their happiness is almost enviable.

Miriam’s focus this time is in direct contrast to her young-woman nuptials planning. Whereas details about The Day itself were so important to my sister (and almost every young bride I have known), she is currently nearly casual about their upcoming celebration. The wedding is next month, and she had not even thought about her attire as late as May. She has no strong preferences about food, music, or other reception particulars. Her thoughts this time are about the life they will have, and not so much about the wedding. Lyricist Sammy Cahn wrote in a song made popular by Frank Sinatra: Love is lovelier The second time around Just as wonderful With both feet on the ground. I couldn’t begin to conjecture about the “lovelier” part, but I know their relationship to be feet-on-theground, and “wonderful,” too. (For comments or inquiries about this column, Claire Joller can be contacted by email at clairely1@ comcast.net).

) ) Love is lovelier The second time around Just as wonderful With both feet on the ground.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Seminarian Education Burses

What is a seminarian burse fund? A seminarian burse fund is an invested sum of money where the interest is used in perpetuity to help fund the education of men to the priesthood in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

How does someone establish a seminarian burse fund? Very simply, a burse may be established and named for anyone you choose, be it family, friend, bishop, priest, religious, etc.

When is a seminarian burse complete? A seminarian burse fund is complete once it reaches $15,000. If you choose to continue to contribute, a new burse will be created for you.

Who do I contact to contribute to or establish a burse fund? To contribute or establish a burse, send funds to Pastoral Center, Attn: Seminarian Burse, P. O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395 or call Jeremy Becker, Director of Stewardship and Development, at 985-850-3155 for more information.

Completed Burses of $15,000 each

Note: those wtih a number stipulates the number of completed burses* - Anonymous

- Clay Sr. & Evelida Duplantis

- Mr. & Mrs. C. Thomas Bienvenu

- C. Remie Duplantis

- Harry Booker

- Marie Elise Duplantis

- Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux (3)*

- Warren J. Harang, Jr.

- Rev. Adrian J. Caillouet

- Msgr. Raphael C. Labit

- Rev. James Louis Caillouet

- Msgr. Francis J. Legendre

- Bishop L. Abel Caillouet

- Rev. Charles Menard

- Judge/Mrs L. P. Caillouet

- Donald Peltier, Sr. (2)*

- Msgr. Lucien J. Caillouet

- Harvey Peltier (30)*

- Abdon J. & Ada B. Callais

- Richard Peltier

- Harold & Gloria Callais Family

- Orleans & Louella Pitre

- Paul A. Callais

- Msgr. Joseph Wester

- Peter W. Callais

- Robert R. Wright, Jr.

- Vincent & Fannie Cannata

- Rev. Kermit Trahan

- Minor Sr. & Lou Ella Cheramie

- Diocesan K of C

- Maude & Edith Daspit

- Endowment Fund - $119,136.90

April 2012 Burse Contributions Elie & Dot Klingman ......................................$2,615.00 Donald Peltier, Sr. #3 ......................................$1,000.00 Deacon Roland Dufrene ....................................$200.00 Mr. Eledier Broussard.........................................$100.00 25

- Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis family (3)*

Mr. Eledier Broussard

Open Burses with Balance as of 4/30/12

................. $11,600.00

Rev. Gerard Hayes ................................ $3,886.00

Rev. Clemens Schneider ....................... $1,000.00

Sidney J. & Lydie C. Duplantis ........... $10,800.00

Rev. Henry Naquin ................................ $3,810.00

St. Joseph Italian Society ...................... $1,000.00

Msgr. Raphael C. Labit #2 .................. $10,720.00

Msgr. William Koninkx ........................... $3,700.00

Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux #4 ........... $1,000.00

Harvey Peltier #31 .............................. $10,486.91

Kelly Curole Frazier ............................... $3,490.96

Msgr. John G. Keller .............................. $1,000.00

Clay Sr. & Evelida Duplantis #2 .......... $10,000.00

J. R. Occhipinti ...................................... $3,400.00

Warren J. Harang, Jr. #2 .......................... $900.00

C. Remie Duplantis #2 ........................ $10,000.00

Mr. & Mrs. Galip Jacobs ........................ $3,060.00

Deacon Willie Orgeron ............................. $800.00

Marie Elise Duplantis #2 ..................... $10,000.00

Joseph “Jay” Fertitta .............................. $3,045.00

Rev. Anthony Rousso ............................... $800.00

Maude & Edith Daspit #2 .................... $10,000.00

St. Jude ................................................. $3,000.00

Deacon Roland Dufrene ........................... $750.00

Msgr. George A. Landry ...................... $10,000.00

Catholic Daughters ................................ $2,930.00

Mr. & Mrs. John Marmande ...................... $700.00

St. Bernadette Men’s Club .................... $8,100.00

Diocesan K of C #2 ............................... $2,894.62

Deacon Edward J. Blanchard ................... $660.00

Rev. Victor Toth ..................................... $7,000.00

Elie & Dot Klingman .............................. $2,615.00

James J. Buquet, Jr. ................................. $650.00

Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier ................. $6,700.00

Rev. Peter H. Brewerton ........................ $2,600.00

Deacon Raymond LeBouef ...................... $550.00

Brides of the Most Blessed Trinity ......... $5,935.00

Mrs. Ayres A. Champagne ..................... $2,000.00

Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Cannata .................... $500.00

Rev. Peter Nies ..................................... $5,540.00

Rev. H. C. Paul Daigle ........................... $1,900.00

Deacon Robert Dusse’ ............................. $450.00

Donald Peltier, Sr. # 3............................. $5,100.00

Msgr. Francis J. Legendre #2 ................ $1,645.00

Deacon Harold Hurtz ................................ $300.00

Mr. & Mrs. Love W. Pellegrin ................. $5,000.00

Msgr. Emile J. Fossier ........................... $1,545.00

Richard Peltier #2 ..................................... $300.00

Anonymous #2 ...................................... $5,000.00

Dr. William Barlette, Sr........................... $1,525.00

Claude Bergeron ...................................... $200.00

Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis Fmly.#4..... $5,000.00

Msgr. Stanislaus Manikowski ................ $1,525.00

Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Naquin .......................... $150.00

Rev. William M. Fleming ........................ $5,000.00

Anawin Community ............................... $1,500.00

Rev. Guy Zeringue ................................... $150.00

Rev. Kasimir Chmielewski ..................... $4,839.00

Rev. Robert J. Sevigny .......................... $1,400.00

Rev. Hubert C. Broussard ........................ $ 50.00

Harry Booker #2 .................................... $4,138.00

Msgr. John L. Newfield .......................... $1,200.00

Overall Seminarian Burse Totals: $1,334,677.39 Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

June 2012

Special Events

The Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma was filled to capacity Saturday, May 26, for the ordination of four new priests for the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux. Fathers Stuart King, Eric Leyble, Mitchel Semar and Joey Tregre were ordained by Bishop Sam G. Jacobs. Priests of the diocese and visiting priests were concelebrants during the Mass.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

June 2012

Bayou Catholic â&#x20AC;˘ Houma, LA

BILANT

Day 27

Four ordained to priesthood Bayou Catholic â&#x20AC;˘ Houma, LA

June 2012

Special Events

Appointments announced

The appointments of the four newly ordained priests were announced during the ordination to the presbyterate. Father Stuart King will serve as associate pastor of Maria Immacolata Church parish in Houma; Father Eric Leyble will serve as associate pastor of St. Joseph CoCathedral parish in Thibodaux; Father Mitchel Semar will serve as associate pastor of St. Lucy Church parish in Houma and St. Luke Church parish in Thibodaux and as diocesan coordinator for Young Adult Ministry; and Father Joey Tregre will serve as associate pastor of Annunziata Church parish in Houma.

June 2012

Bayou Catholic â&#x20AC;˘ Houma, LA

Transitional deacon is ordained Rev. Mr. Simon Peter Engurait was ordained as a transitional deacon during a ceremony at St. Bernadette Church parish in Houma recently. Bishop Sam G. Jacobs was the ordaining prelate. Priests of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux as well as visiting priests concelebrated the Mass. The newly ordained deacon and his family from Uganda are shown with the bishop at the end of the celebration. Music was provided by the St. Lucy Gospel Choir under the direction of Willie Glaze.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier 29

Bayou Catholic â&#x20AC;˘ Houma, LA

June 2012

Personalities

Father Roch Naquin

On June 2, 1962, Father Roch R. Naquin, a native of the island community of Isle de Jean Charles in southern Terrebonne Parish, had the distinction of being the first Native American in the State of Louisiana to be ordained to the priesthood. He recently celebrated his Fiftieth Anniversary Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Pointe-aux-Chenes. Father Naquin grew up in a family of six children, 30 three boys and three girls, and has one brother still living. When asked what influenced him to become a priest, Father Naquin says simply, “It came from above. It was God’s calling.” One Sunday afternoon when he was a young altar server in sixth grade, he was at home suffering with a toothache and says suddenly this crazy thought came to his mind about wanting to be a priest. When he went outside to tell his mother, she was delighted. Much later in life, after he had been ordained, he found out that when his mother was 12 years old she went to Mass for the first time and she was so impressed with the celebration she prayed to God that if she ever got married and had a son she wanted him to be a priest. His road to the priesthood was not easy, partly because of his Native American heritage. When they told the pastor of their parish about his desire to be a priest, the pastor did nothing to encourage him or even tell him what he needed to do. When he was growing up, he says the schooling system for the “Indians” in the area was very bad. To get into the seminary, he knew he had to complete the eighth grade, but was told repeatedly that the school couldn’t get the proper textbooks for eighth graders. So after repeating the seventh grade he quit school and went to work with his cousin on an oyster boat. When a new priest was assigned to the parish he inquired as to young Roch’s whereabouts and told his mother to have him come to see him. The pastor asked him if he still wanted to be a priest. Young Roch told him “yes,” then explained what had taken place with his schooling. His new pastor took the responsibility of checking with the school board and was told they June 2012

Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier wouldn’t take a chance on him because he was an “Indian.” This new pastor was very persistent and decided to inquire at Thibodaux College, a school run by the Brother’s of the Sacred Heart. They were told that there was no more room in the boarding house, but if he could find a place to live nearby, they would be happy to have him there. In 1949, he enrolled at the school and moved in with the Leger family, relatives of his pastor’s housekeeper, in the St. Charles Community. “Mrs. Clinton Leger was a retired school teacher and her son was a teacher at Thibodaux High School. It wasn’t easy, but with their help and by the grace of God, I finished the eighth grade and began making preparations to go to St. Joseph Minor Seminary in St. Benedict,” says Father Naquin. While attending the minor seminary, which then consisted of high school and two years of college, his grades began to drop and the rector made arrangements for special study classes. During his first year of college, the rector told him that after reviewing his records they didn’t think he could make it through the major seminary and they recommended that he leave and begin preparing to do something else.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

The persistent priest However, since they knew he was trying and his conduct was good, he was told to go home and think about whether or not he wanted to return. He went home and his mother told him that he should go back and try again. Mrs. Leger gave him a little statue of the Blessed Mother and told him, “Keep this with you in your pocket always and she will help you through.” He finished the minor seminary in 1956 and he went on to St. John Home Mission Seminary in Little Rock, AR, where after six years of intense study, a network of prayers and the help of a few good classmates he was recommended for ordination. Father Naquin remembers being nervous on the day he was ordained. “The whole ceremony was special, but the most memorable things were being called by name, being asked to prostrate in front of the altar for the beautiful prayer of the litany, and placing my hand in the bishop’s hand and promising to be obedient,” he says. His whole family was there, along with the Leger family and many of those who had supported him during his long, difficult journey. Shortly after he was ordained to the priesthood, he visited his pastor in Montegut who told him, “Roch, you are fortunate to be an Indian.” Father Naquin says he replied, “How can you dare say something like that to me when you know all of the difficulties I have had because of it?” But it was those words, Father Naquin says, after much prayer and struggle that eventually freed him and helped him accept and embrace his Native American heritage. One of the things Father Naquin has enjoyed most about being a priest is celebrating the Eucharist. “It is an ongoing special moment,” he says. He feels the most challenging aspect of being a priest was the learning process. Father Naquin says if he hadn’t become a priest he probably would have been a fisherman or he might have joined the Army and made it a career. During the seminary he cut his classmates’ hair and also thought if things didn’t work out in the seminary he could be a barber. He feels his greatest accomplishment has been his ability to persevere through the hard and challenging times of his life. He also says that being a people person and having the privilege to work with and reach out to people gives him peace at night. “Visiting people in their homes has been rewarding and enjoyable,” says the priest. Before the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux was established, he served as associate pastor at St. Genevieve Church parish in Thibodaux from 19661973. In 1982, he came to the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux to serve as pastor at St. Eloi Church parish in Theriot for six years and then Holy Family Church parish in Grand Caillou for nine years, until his retirement. He says he returned to Terrebonne Parish with some reservations, wondering how the people would receive an “Indian” priest, when they hadn’t welcomed him into the schools there. He was pleased that his experiences were positive, and he was happy Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

there. Father Naquin has served as the diocesan spiritual advisor of Cursillo since 1983. He was introduced to this movement within the Catholic Church that focuses on helping participants fulfill their baptismal responsibility to go forth as apostles and proclaim the Gospel in 1965 and has been involved with it ever since. He has been involved with the Knights of Columbus since 1959 and currently serves as chaplain for the Father Patrick V. Curran, Chauvin, Fourth Degree Assembly. The priest also has been working with BISCO (Bayou Interfaith Shared Community Organizing) since it came to this diocese. Father Naquin retired Oct. 31, 1997, to devote more time to his work with Native Americans and the Cursillo Movement. He says retirement has been great. He is living in his family home now and appreciates the tranquility of being near the water. When he retired he said he wanted to catch up on his hunting and fishing, two of the things he’s done the least of since that time. He does enjoy walking, and gardening when time permits. “The priesthood has been a beautiful gift from the Lord and now I find myself celebrating 50 years of gratitude to almighty God and to everyone who helped me to get to this day,” says Father Naquin. 31

The Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is currently seeking applicants for the position of Assistant Superintendent of Catholic schools Minimum Qualifications: ● Master’s degree in school administration ● Five (5) years teaching experience ● Three (3) years experience in school administration, preferably Catholic school administration ● Practicing Catholic in full communion with the church and thorough knowledge of church tradition and teachings, especially in areas of education and social justice ● Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook Salary:

Commensurate with experience and qualifications

How to apply:

Submit a letter of intent along with a completed application packet which can be found at www.htdiocese.org/cso to: Office of Catholic Schools Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux P.O. Box 505 Schriever, LA 70395

Application deadline: Until position is filled

June 2012

Guest Columnist Monique Vicknair, L.P.C.

o boost interest and financial support in the face of looming state budget cuts, Assisi Bridge House staff and its advisory board hosted their first campaign luncheon at the Diocesan Pastoral Center March 22. Over 80 participants, members of the local community and surrounding areas, braved thunderstorms to attend the luncheon. They heard testimonials of residents and their family members, staff, board members, as well as viewed a video presentation. They were able to meet with residents and others and visit the facility. Many who attended made financial contributions or pledges 32 based on what they learned that day. The turnout and interest exceeded our expectations. Still, our staff and board realize this is just the beginning of continued efforts to keep our 37-year-old program alive in these changing times. Assisi Bridge House, a service of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, is located in Schriever. The long-term drug and alcohol rehabilitation program for men relies on state funding for slightly less than half the budget. The majority of the funding for the Assisi Bridge House comes from the United Way for South Louisiana, fees for services, donations and foundation grants. The program offers a structured environment led by master’s level counselors who provide individual and group therapy. We are the only long-term drug and alcohol rehabilitation program of our kind in the state, to our knowledge. What sets us apart is we focus on a structured long term schedule revolving around a set of 12 recovery domains that we developed over the years. Men are June 2012

Assisi Bridge House needs your help! Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier asked to defer employment during the beginning phase of treatment so they can focus on recovery to become better fathers, employees, husbands and citizens in the long run. According to Brother John Olsen, C.F.X., Ph.D. associate director of Assisi Bridge House, “This requires time – like a minimum of 90 days – if the change is to be secure and permanent.” We treat addiction as a disease of the mind, body and spirit, which is treatable through therapy and the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous

Rob Gorman, executive director for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, gave a testimonial promoting the Assisi Bridge House during its first campaign luncheon recently. Gorman talked about his experiences over the years with the clients as well as the impact of the Bridge House on the community. In the photo below, each person was given a pledge card to consider giving a one time contribution or a contribution over several years in support of the Bridge House.

and Narcotics Anonymous. The disease often causes ordinary people to turn to a life a crime in order to keep their habit alive which means our communities are not safe and taxpayers end up spending more to keep men in jail. “It costs between $39 to $76 a day to keep a man in jail. It costs $1,000 for every emergency room visit,” points out Robert Gorman, L.C.S.W., A.C.S.W., executive director of Catholic Charities. “At the Assisi Bridge House, our state funding is $30 per day which is clearly cheaper and a

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

healthier alternative than jail or the hospital for alcoholics and drug addicts.” Our 15-bed facility offers a community of support for men in their efforts to change. Many have referred to it as a “brotherhood.” Marc Tingle, a client of Assisi Bridge House reports finding true friendships there. “When you are using, friendships are based on lies and manipulation. This is different. It is a positive, family atmosphere. We support and understand one another.” Tingle describes the Assisi Bridge House property as “peaceful and humbling. I call it a sanctuary, a safe and relaxing place … God’s land.” Not every man who walks through the doors of Assisi Bridge House is ready for change, but it is important to know that many are and do make necessary changes. It is so rewarding to get visits or phone calls from men who are living drug and alcohol –free lives, successful in work and family life, perhaps with educational degrees achieved, and still going strong years down the road. Year after year, men happily report their successes. Brother John mentions Chuck Roth, who came through Assisi Bridge House 20 years ago and has been in recovery from his addiction since that time. He is now a member of the Assisi Bridge House Advisory Board and was the master of ceremonies for the campaign luncheon. Roth is the executive director of the Boy and Girls Hope of Greater New Orleans.

Michael S. Haydel, M.D., FIPP Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice Board Board Certified CertifiedininAnesthesiology Interventional Pain Management and Anesthesiology

Clarence McGuire, counselor for Terrebonne Parish drug court, at left, and David Mouton, program director for the Bayouland YMCA, discuss their support of the Assisi Bridge House at the campaign luncheon.

“There are men in our community (Houma) with double digit years of recovery who have come through Assisi Bridge House,” says Joey Sanger, another client at the facility. “We see them at meetings all the time. They are proof that recovery is possible.” This is why we keep doing what we do and with the support of persons from our diocese and our

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community, Assisi Bridge House can offer its services for many, many years to come. If you are interested in visiting our facility or helping to support our program in any way, please call me at (985) 872-5529 or email me at assisibridgehouse@hotmail.com. (Vicknair has been serving as a counselor for Assisi Bridge House since 2003.)

Michael P. Charlet, M.D., FAAN Board Certified in Neurology Fellowship in Neuromuscular Diseases

985-223-3132

315 Liberty Street, Houma, LA 70360 AdId: D Catholic 304805311• -Houma, 01 Bayou LA CustId: 9276309856 Dir/Iss: HUCLA Y1 02/2011

YPH: 103939 June 2012 Physicians & Surgeons Doctors YPSH:

Our Schools

Maria Immacolata

“We live to serve; not to be served,” this year’s theme at Maria Immacolata Elementary School, can be heard echoing through the halls each morning as students and teachers begin their day. The AdvancED SACS/CASI accredited school, which opened in 1965 in a quiet residential neighborhood at the end of Estate Drive in Houma, currently has 186 students enrolled in pre-kindergarten through seventh grade. After working in the public school system for many years, Yvonne Weimer, second year principal, felt that she was being called to a ministry in Catholic education. When she arrived she wanted to create some energy inside the school so she decided to implement a theme. This year the students and faculty not only chant it at the beginning of each school day after prayer and announcements, but they also live it. “Every month a group picks a different charity to spearhead and all of the students take part. The families at this school have a diversity of income levels but every child knows that they have so much and this helps them to realize how important it is to serve others who don’t have as much. It’s been very rewarding,” 34 says Weimer. Madeline Haydel, seventh grade student, says “What I love most about Maria Immacolata School and the Catholic education I am receiving is the fact that I can carry it and improve my education for my whole life. I can perfect and practice the ways of life that I have been taught since kindergarten. My religion is very important to me and they respect that here.” Teachers at the school combine activities, current events and the latest technology to keep students interested and actively involved in the learning process. Third grader Remi Blanchard says, “There are a few things I like about Maria Immacolata. The first thing is the teachers. They don’t just teach us lessons; they teach us how to be good citizens. Another thing I like is the principal. She will do anything to get us to learn. This is why our school is the best.” Maria Immacolata School has a true family Christian atmosphere, says Weimer. Parent involvement is “amazing!” The principal has come to understand that all she has to do is ask and they will help … physically, financially, spiritually. One area where there is never a shortage of parents to help is serving lunch, she says. The school does not have its own cafeteria so the

First year teacher Matt Hise, who teaches fourth through seventh grade English, is from Cleveland, OH.

Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier lunches are brought there from St. Bernadette and parents come to school every day to serve lunch to the students. “Basically, anything we ask of them, they are here to help,” Weimer says. The most difficult challenge the principal faces with regard to operating the small elementary school is financial. “Families have been very generous with their Annual Fund donations, but with an enrollment of 186 students, tuition absolutely does not cover the cost of operating the school. When I took this job, I truly

‘We live to serve; not to be served’ June 2012

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

had no idea of the enormity of it. It was very different for me coming from the public school system where when the roof leaks, you call maintenance and they come and fix it. When the air conditioner breaks, you call maintenance and they come and take care of it. Here, I have to make those arrangements and we have to pay for it in-house. Many times we are only able to do things because of the generosity of the parents. But, we are committed to providing students with a quality education with the monies that we have.” One of the goals she has for the future of the school is to grow enrollment. To that end, the school has submitted an application for the governor’s Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence program. Starting next school year, the program will allow students from low and middle-income families across the state to receive scholarships for private school tuition if they attend public schools graded “C,” “D” or “F” by Louisiana’s accountability system. Coming from the public school system she feels that she is more enlightened about what the program can do for the Catholic schools. “These students will not change our spiritual climate or our academic expectations; they will change because they will be part of a Catholic environment and high academic expectations. This program is the face of education in the State of Louisiana and we need to embrace it for the future of Catholic school education,” says Weimer. Hollie Ledet, fourth through seventh grade math teacher at Maria Immacolata School for 11 years, says “I chose to teach here because I attended Maria Immacolata as a child and I feel that I have a strong connection to this school. Going to school here had such a strong influence on my education and my spiritual development that I felt a calling to come back. Being a teacher here is such a rewarding experience because I learn so much from the students and there is a great deal of teamwork at this school. I feel so blessed because I am able to have an influence on their academic education as well as their Catholic education.” One of Weimer’s academic goals is to utilize the most up-to-date technology in the curriculum. “We’ve done a complete 180 in the area of technology. We have new computers with wireless Internet access in the computer lab. The parent co-op organization just purchased 20 Apple iPads for the lab. Our goal is to use educational technology as much as we possibly can because this is how children today learn. Because of the new iPad programs at the high schools we want our students to be familiar with them and know how they work. The teachers will be issued iPads from the lab over the summer so that they will be able to learn how to incorporate them in their lesson plans,” says Weimer, who visits the classrooms every day to ensure that teachers are using the technology that is being made available to them. First year teacher Matt Hise, who teaches fourth through seventh grade English, says that since transplanting from Cleveland, OH, this past July he has encountered the question, “So, Mr. Hise … what brings you to Houma?” quite a bit. It’s a fair question, he adds, as the distance between his original hometown and his adopted home is quite vast. “Some might speculate a thirst for adventure;

Maria Immacolata principal Yvonne Weimer says that Father Clyde Mahler, pastor, is very supportive of Catholic education and plays an active role in helping to develop the 35 spirituality of the school family. In the middle photo, Denise Alfred is a pre-K and kindergarten teacher. In bottom photo, Hollie Ledet is a fourth through seventh grade math teacher.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

June 2012

Our Schools

Maria Immacolata

others may suggest a desire to escape from freezing temperatures and snow drifts. Truthfully, I came to the Gulf to make a difference … to challenge the young minds of tomorrow, and to influence with positive leadership. Deceptively small in size, this school maintains educational technology that rivals some higher education institutions. Furthermore, the student body, chock-full of happy and eager learners, is a teacher’s dream come true. Opportunity is what brought me here, but the overwhelmingly positive experience at Maria Immacolata is why I’ve stayed,” says the young teacher. Denise Alfred, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten teacher, who joined the faculty five years ago, says God chose her to teach at Maria Immacolata. “I had just left Nicholls State University and was substituting in the public school system. After meeting Marian Fertitta she asked me if I was interested in teaching in a Catholic school. She sent me to Maria Immacolata and I loved the feeling when I walked in the building. There was a closeness and a feeling of belonging. I liked the fact that it is a small school. Everyone was caring and friendly; the students were so happy. I knew that I wanted to be a part of this great environment.” Fifth grader Corianna Matherne sums up her feelings this way: “Maria Immacolata is the best school in the world. We have the best principal you could ever have, plus we have great teachers. But Mrs. Weimer and the teachers are only some of the reasons I love being here. Maria Immacolata is a fun school. I love it! If you know someone who is looking for a school you should suggest Maria Immacolata.”

Fifth grader Corianna Matherne, at left, chats with friends during recess. Third grader Remi Blanchard sits at her desk listening attentively to her teacher. Seventh grade student Madeline Haydel practices on an iPad in the computer lab.

Register now for Steubenville on the Bayou Steubenville on the Bayou is part of a nationwide conference series co-sponsored by Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH, and the diocesan Conference Office. The seventh annual Steubenville on the Bayou Catholic Youth Conference will be held June 15-17, at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center in Houma. Approximately 3,000 people will travel from all over the south to attend the conference this year. This weekend event will feature praise and worship music, dynamic speakers including Bishop Sam G. Jacobs, Father Jose SanchezRobles, Paul George, Jason Evert, June 2012

Dr. Dee Burbank and Gretchen George. Tammy Evevard will be the hostess for the weekend. More Than Sunday, a Christian band from Houma, will provide a concert on Saturday afternoon. This year young adults ages 1826 are invited to attend special sessions geared specifically for them. The young adults must register with a group and be in compliance with the USCCB policy for the Protection of Children and Young People. Adults 21 and older are needed to volunteer to work in many areas, including ushers, prayer ministers, security, food service, first aid, stage crew and

many more. The Closing Mass Sunday is open to the public. Guests should not arrive prior to 9:30 a.m. and will be seated at 9:45am. More information about the youth conference, young adult sessions and volunteering can be found at www.SteubenvilleOnTheBayou. com. Everyone is invited to watch the conference via live feed by going to the website or on Facebook (www. facebook.com/SteubieBayou). This is a great way to experience the conference and to see what the youth of the church are receiving from this powerful event. Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Nuncio says

Pope wants U.S. Catholics to lead worlwide church revitalization By TIM PUET COLUMBUS, Ohio (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI wants the Catholic Church in America to be in the forefront of reviving Catholicism worldwide, the apostolic nuncio to the United States said in Columbus. “The church in the United States should lead the entire church in the world” in a revitalization effort, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano said. “This is a great task, but you have the determination and the grace to do it. This I know is the vision of the Holy Father regarding the church in the United States.” The archbishop was speaking to an audience of seminarians and benefactors of the Pontifical College Josephinum at its annual rector’s dinner April 23. He called on the American church to go beyond its mission of evangelizing the United States and “to be missionaries not only to the Third World, but especially to the countries of Europe. “Christianity (in Europe) in some way has lost its strength and needs an example,” he said, noting “very positive signs of growth” in vocations to the priesthood and the religious life in the United States. Archbishop Vigano said he especially wanted to direct his message to young people, particularly those studying for the priesthood at the Josephinum. The institution has experienced substantial growth in recent years and currently has an enrollment of more than 180 men, its highest in 25 years. They represent 29 dioceses from all over the United States, including six that sent seminarians to the institution for the first time this year, and their ethnic and cultural backgrounds echo the diversity of the American church as a whole. The nuncio, who serves as the Vatican’s ambassador to the United States and is based in Washington, also serves as chancellor of the Josephinum. Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

‘

This is a moment in which we can form young people with a great enthusiasm to be witnesses to the Gospel ... to give witness of the fact our Lord has died, is risen and is alive.

- Archbishop Vigano “I’ve been taken by surprise since I arrived here ... because everywhere that I’ve been, everything has been much beyond

all of the imaginations and the expectations I had,” he said. The archbishop spoke in general terms about the state of American Catholicism, but did not specifically mention in his 10-minute remarks the current tension between bishops and the federal government in connection with a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services mandate that most health plans cover the cost of contraception, sterilization and some drugs that can induce abortion. “This particular moment for the church in the United States is certainly a situation of great challenge,” he said. “Where there are challenges, there also is a moment of grace. The challenge is that we are put in a situation where we have to overcome the 37 difficulties, and we know that the grace is always overwhelming and amazing for us.” Archbishop Vigano noted that the church throughout its history has experienced moments of great success and other times when people have thought it was going to disappear. He said this was nothing new, noting that St. Ambrose in the fourth century had compared the church to the moon in the way it seems to become full, then almost slips from sight only to grow again. “We are not to lose hope in a difficult moment, and at the same time, we have to be conscious that always we are challenged by the devil ... who wants to destroy the church,” he said. He referred to the passage read at the previous Sunday’s Masses from the Gospel of Luke, in which Jesus appears to his disciples just before his ascension and reminds them of all they have witnessed. “This is a moment in which we can form young people with a great enthusiasm to be witnesses to the Gospel ... to give witness of the fact our Lord has died, is risen and is alive,” he said. June 2012

Special

Gene and Judy Trahan’s family home was recently blessed and dedicated in Montegut. This marked the completion of the Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Matthew 25 Disaster Response program for Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike.

Catholic Charities

completes Disaster Response program for Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike The blessing and dedication of Gene and Judy Trahan’s family home marked the completion of the Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux (CCHT) Matthew 25 Disaster Response program for Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. The Trahan home was destroyed in Hurricane Rita. Since that time the couple has been living in a FEMA travel trailer with their teenage daughter. They were one of the last families in Terrebonne Parish still living in such a FEMA trailer. Gene Trahan, a lifelong resident of Terrebonne Parish, had designed a new house on land purchased further up the bayou. He and his family built as much as they could, but they ran out of money before it was completed.

A partnership of the Terrebonne Readiness and Assistance Coalition (TRAC), CCHT, the Mennonites RV Disaster Re-Construction Team and FEMA provided the money, the volunteer labor and the advice to complete the Trahan’s home and help them move in. “I was made award of this case through the Trahan’s FEMA case worker, Stuart Smith,” says Angele Kimble Rogers. “In my role as voluntary agency liaison for FEMA, I was able to reach out to non-profit organizations to assist the Trahans. The case had already been referred to TRAC and I immediately contacted Mennonite Disaster Services. The organization stated they would be more than happy to assist with

Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

June 2012

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Msgr. Frederic Brunet, pastor of St. Joseph Church parish in Chauvin, prays a special prayer over Gene and Judy Trahan of Montegut during the home blessing and dedication.

the repairs and sent a team to Montegut to evaluate the home. I was fortunate enough to be able to get furniture from the Committee for Plaquemines Recovery in Plaquemines Parish. Lutheran Disaster Services assisted with funding for propane and a new water heater. This collaboration all came together to make this project a success.” Since August 2005, Catholic Charities has spent $5,859,220 directly assisting 7,476 families recover from Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. An additional $1,379,491 was donated through Catholic Charities USA from Catholic churches across the United States, foundation grants, and corporate and individual donations. “This has been an unprecedented humanitarian relief effort on the part of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux,” says Robert Gorman, executive director for Catholic Charities. “We have helped our families recover from four hurricanes, local floods and an oil spill that all happened within just five years. People locally and from around the country have been unbelievably generous and the people of our diocese are incredibly determined, hopeful and resilient.” Direct assistance provided by CCHT includes 42 home elevations, 124 1ifts/elevators, eight ramps, five TRAC LALift Home sponsorships, 40 flood insurance premium grants, medicine, gas cards, school uniforms, food, utility payments, rent and mortgage payments,

furniture, roof repairs and home repairs. This does not include the 1,373 families helped by the Good Samaritan Food Banks after the hurricanes, the 400 families assisted by CCHT staff with disaster emergency food stamp applications after Katrina or spending by individual Catholic Church parishes, Operation Starfish, St. Vincent de Paul Society and Knights of Columbus Councils. While funds for hurricane relief have now run out, CCHT, through a grant from the Coastal Communities Fund at the Greater New Orleans Foundation, continues to help families suffering losses from the British Petroleum Oil Spill who need money to prevent foreclosure, eviction or car repossession. The Matthew 25 Special Fund also helps with oil spill related medical bills and medications in addition to expenses like TWIC cards, uniforms and certificates for people who have had to change jobs due to the spill. Catholic Charities continues to work in partnership with TRAC in this effort. “I am so proud to be a part of the evolution of sustainable housing in the rural communities of both Terrebonne & Lafourche parishes,” says Peg Case, TRAC director. “While we are closing an eight year long chapter of long-term natural disaster recovery for our organization, TRAC’s mitigation work and proactive disaster preparedness programs will continue.” Additional disaster spending expenses and stories are reported in the CCHT Annual Reports available online at www.htdiocese.org/ccht or call Catholic Charities at (985) 876-0490. 39

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

June 2012

Special

Bertha Brock

Marion Collins

Toy Harris

Maureen Keife

247 combined years of service Eight educators/staff members in Catholic schools retiring Story by Janet Marcel Eight educators/staff members in the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux are retiring this year with 247 combined years of service. “Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said, ‘To keep a lamp burning we have to keep putting oil in it.’ That’s what these Catholic school teachers have done 40 throughout their careers. The lamp, of course, is the countless numbers of students who sat before them with eager faces, ready to learn. The oil is the faith, knowledge and love that they gave to fill the minds and hearts of their students, enabling them to light the path to their futures. Know that you have touched the lives of many people, not only the students you have taught but the educators who were privileged to work with you. It is with deep gratitude and sincere thanks for your many years of devoted service to our Catholic schools of the diocese that we wish you a very happy, healthy and blessed retirement,” says Marian B. Fertitta, diocesan superintendent of Catholic Schools. Bertha Brock, who has been serving as religion coordinator at St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School in Thibodaux, is retiring after 32 years of service to the school.

Diane LeBlanc June 2012

Amanda LeBoeuf

Marion Collins, who has been teaching fourth and fifth grade at Holy Cross Elementary School in Morgan City for, is retiring after 43 years of service to the school. During her tenure at Holy Cross School, she also served as the librarian for five years. Toy Harris, who has been teaching second grade at St. Genevieve Elementary School in Thibodaux, is retiring after 20 years of service to the school. Maureen Keife, who has been serving Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma as secretary, is retiring after 21 years of service to the school. Diane LeBlanc, who has been teaching the language arts assisted program at St. Bernadette Elementary School in Houma, is retiring after 24 years of service to the school. Amanda LeBouef, who has been teaching kindergarten at St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School in Thibodaux, is retiring after 37 years of service to the school. Linda Streva, who taught third grade for 34 years at Holy Cross Elementary School in Morgan City and served as guidance counselor for six years, is retiring after 40 years of service to the school. Vickie Toups, who has been teaching second grade at St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School in Thibodaux, is retiring after 30 years of service to the school.

Linda Streva

Vickie Toups Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Poll finds most value

Religious freedom even when it conflicts with law

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (CNS) -Nearly three-quarters of Americans in a Knights of Columbus-Marist poll said freedom of religion should be protected in this country, even if it conflicts with other laws. The survey of 1,606 U.S. adults was conducted by telephone May 10-14, shortly before 43 dioceses and Catholic organizations filed suit in 12 federal courts against the Obama administration’s mandate that contraceptives, some abortioninducing drugs and sterilizations must be provided free of charge in most health plans, even by employers that have religious objections. Results of the survey were released May 22, a day after the lawsuits were filed. In the poll, respondents were asked to choose which of two statements “comes closer to your view”: “Freedom of religion should be protected even if it goes against government laws” or “Government laws should be observed without exception even if it restricts freedom of religion.” Overall, 74 percent of the respondents agreed with the first statement and only 26 percent agreed with the second. Support for the first statement was highest among Republicans (86 percent) and those who described themselves as conservative or very conservative (84 percent), but even 60 percent of those who said they were liberal or very liberal said freedom of religion should be protected. Strong majorities also said health

Father of priest dies at age 79

David J. LeCompte, father of Rev. Glenn LeCompte, died Sunday, May 20, at the age of 79, after a brief illness. Please keep Father LeCompte and his family in your prayers. Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

professionals and organizations should be permitted to opt out of participating in procedures they oppose for religious reasons. By a margin of 58 percent to 38 percent, poll respondents said these individuals and groups should be able to opt out of providing abortions; a smaller majority (51 percent to 46 percent) said they should be allowed to opt out of prescribing or dispensing birth control. But 88 percent of the survey respondents -- and 77 percent of the self-described practicing Catholics who took part in the survey -said it was morally acceptable to use contraceptives to prevent pregnancy. More than half of the respondents also said individual health care

which violate their faith -- is the right thing to do,” he added. “It is also key to protecting the First Amendment rights of all Americans and enjoys strong public support as well.” The survey also asked whether respondents think U.S. laws in the past few years have “made it easier or harder for people to live according to their religious beliefs.” More than half (52 percent) said it had become harder, 31 percent said it was easier and 17 percent were unsure. A large majority (72 percent) said it was morally wrong to require medical professionals to perform legal abortions against their religious beliefs. Only 27 percent said it was morally acceptable, and 1 percent said it was not a moral

A MAJORITY OF AMERICANS give religious freedom greater weight than government laws when asked which should be afforded greater protection. Freedom of religion should be protected even if it goes against government laws ALL ADULTS ALL CATHOLICS PRACTICING CATHOLICS

Government laws should be observed without exception even if they restrict freedom of religion 74% 72% 77%

26% 28% 23%

From a survey of 1,606 U.S. adults taken May 10-14. Results are statistically significant within plus or minus 2.5 percentage points. The error margin increases for cross-tabulations. Source: Knights of Columbus-Marist Poll

providers and organizations should be able to opt out of providing: abortion-inducing drugs (51 percent), in vitro fertilization treatments that could result in the death of an embryo (52 percent) and medication to speed the death of a terminally ill patient (55 percent). “This survey reveals that the American people are fundamentally dedicated to protecting the First Amendment conscience rights of everyone,” said Carl A. Anderson, supreme knight of the New Havenbased Knights of Columbus. “Allowing people to opt out of these procedures or services --

issue. Asked about the abortion issue in general, 58 percent said it was morally wrong, 40 percent said it was morally acceptable and 2 percent said it was not a moral issue. Opinion was more closely split on the issue of same-sex marriage, which 52 percent said was morally wrong, 45 percent said was morally acceptable and 2 percent said was not a moral issue. The margin of error for the survey was plus or minus 2.5 percentage points, but it was larger for subgroups. June 2012

Fortnight for Religious Freedom June 21 to July 4

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

By LOUIS G. AGUIRRE United States bishops have called for “A Fortnight for Freedom,” a two-week period from June 21 to July 4, to focus “all the energies the Catholic community can muster” for religious liberty. They have also asked that, later in the year, the feast of Christ the King be “a day specifically employed by bishops and priests to preach about religious liberty, both in the United States and abroad. Parishes throughout the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux will be participating in the fortnight which appropriately begins on the feasts of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher and concludes with Independence Day. The fortnight follows in the call the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued in April, calling out to the faithful to “galvanize as one voice to defend

the right to religious liberty.” The statement begins: “The U.S. bishops have issued a call to action to defend religious liberty and urge laity to work to protect the First Freedom of the Bill of Rights.” They outlined their position in “Our First, Most Cherished Liberty.” Further they stated: “What we ask is nothing more than our God-given right to religious liberty be respected. We ask nothing less than that the Constitution and laws of the United States, which recognize that right, be respected.” The bishops specifically addressed several groups: the laity, those in public office, heads of Catholic charitable agencies, priests, experts in communication, and urged each to employ the gifts and talents of its members for religious liberty.

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

PROTECTING CONSCIENCES USCCB Nationwide Bulletin Insert

June 2012

WHY CONSCIENCE IS IMPORTANT During the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, Americans shone the light of the Gospel on a dark history of slavery, segregation, and racial bigotry. The civil rights movement was an essentially religious movement, a call to awaken consciences. In his famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail” in 1963, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. boldly said, “The goal of America is freedom.” As a Christian pastor, he argued that to call America to the full measure of that freedom was the specific contribution Christians are obliged to make. He rooted his legal and constitutional arguments about justice in the long Christian tradition: “I would agree with Saint Augustine that ‘An unjust law is no law at all.’… A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law.”

Catholics and many other Americans have strongly criticized the recent Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate requiring almost all private health plans to cover contraception, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs. For the first time in our history, the federal government will force religious institutions to fund and facilitate coverage of a drug or procedure contrary to their moral teaching, and purport to define which religious institutions are “religious enough” to merit an exemption. This is a matter of whether religious people and institutions may be forced by the government to provide such coverage even when it violates our consciences.

Some unjust laws impose such injustices on individuals and organizations that disobeying the laws may be justified. Every effort must be made to repeal them. When fundamental human goods, such as the right of conscience, are at stake, we may need to witness to the truth by resisting the law and incurring its penalties.

What we ask is nothing more than the right to follow our consciences as we live out our teaching. This right is not only about our ability to go to Mass on Sunday or pray the Rosary at home. It is about whether we can make our contribution to the common good of all Americans. Can we do the good works our faith calls us to do, without having to compromise that very same faith? Without religious liberty properly understood, all Americans suffer, deprived of the essential contribution in education, health care, feeding the hungry, civil rights, and social services that religious Americans make every day.

The church does not ask for special treatment, simply the rights of religious freedom for all citizens. Rev. King also explained that the church is neither the master nor the servant of the state, but its conscience, guide, and critic.

What is at stake is whether America will continue to have a free, creative, and robust civil society—or whether the state alone will determine who gets to contribute to the common good, and how they get to do it.

What can you do to ensure the protection of conscience rights? •

The U.S. Bishops have called us to get informed, pray and advocate. To send your message to HHS and Congress telling them to uphold religious liberty and conscience rights, go to www.usccb.org/conscience today! Thank you for joining the effort to end this unprecedented government coercion.

•

The Bishops have called for a Fortnight for Freedom - June 21-July 4. Please go to www.fortnight4freedom.org for more information on this important time of prayer and action!

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

June 2012

Our Churches

Saint

Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

Mary’s Nativity Serving Raceland since 1850

St. Mary’s Nativity Church parish in Raceland, the fourth church parish to be established within the area that would eventually become the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux, is located along historic Bayou Lafourche. A corporation named the “Congregation of the Roman Catholic Church of Sainte Marie Pamela” was formed in 1840 to maintain the land which was being used as a cemetery since 1797. The corporation’s trustees, inspired by Pere Charles Menard, met in 1845 to discuss the building of a chapel. The church was blessed by Pere Menard on Aug. 3, 1850, and Father Amede Beccard became the parish’s first resident pastor. In 1960, Father Sebastian Arjonilla initiated a campaign to raise funds to construct a school and convent. The school opened in 1961 with kindergarten, first and second grades. In 1966, the parish name officially changed from “St. Mary Pamela” to “St. Mary’s Nativity” and the new, modern church, which

still stands today, was completed. Over the years, St. Mary’s Nativity Church parish has gained recognition for its cemetery where the first American soldier killed in action during World War II, Freddie J. Falgout, is buried. Currently, there are 1,000 families in the parish, with the majority being older couples. However, Father Mike Tran, pastor of the parish since July 2011, says that since he arrived he has seen an increase in the number of younger families coming back to the church. The parish has many active ministries and organizations including a Ladies Altar Society, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, an evangelization team and a fundraising committee. Shortly after his arrival, Father Tran established a youth committee for ages four to 12, and a teen youth committee for ages 1318, with different socials and functions being planned for each age group.

Parishioners and students of St. Mary’s Nativity Elementary School in Raceland prayed a living rosary, organized by lifelong parishioner Virgy Estay, in front of the church during the month of May which is dedicated to the Blessed Mother. In photo above St. Mary’s church parish personnel seated from left are Julie Foret, housekeeper; Barbara Solar, DRE; Betty Foret, administrative assistant; and Carol Falgoust, secretary. Standing from left are Marissa Bagala, school principal; and Father Mike Tran, pastor.

Saint Mary’s Nativity

Father Tran says the 7 p.m. Sunday Mass has become very popular not only with parishioners but also with people from the surrounding communities. There are two teen bands that alternate every other week and the young people look forward to coming to that Mass. Father Tran says that he has noticed more unity in the parish. “People are responding more, spiritually and financially, where in the past they haven’t … there’s a big difference. Involvement has increased, also. There is a greater awareness and response from the people. That’s what makes the parish more vibrant and keeps people active and responsive.” One unique aspect of the church parish, says Father Tran, is that the people tend to wait and see what unfolds before they will react. “Because of all the recent changes in the parish people were numb. But the people here are very good. It’s all about how you get parishioners to respond to the needs of a parish and be a part of it. That’s always the challenge. I have so many people responding now; it’s a whole different outlook. They are taking ownership in their parish and there is a real sense of community.” Father Tran says one of the things he enjoys most

about being the pastor at St. Mary’s Nativity Church parish is his involvement with the school. “When I’m with the children, all my problems go away. Being with them reminds me of my own childhood and the carefree innocence of those times. The children are the highlight of the parish. They are adorable. I get my sanity back when I’m at the school. When I play with them at recess, they love it. It helps them to see that I’m just like everybody else. There are a lot of teaching moments … and a lot of learning moments for me, too,” he says. One of the biggest challenges Father Tran is dealing with is the parish’s debt. “It really limits what you want to do ministry-wise and staff-wise,” explains the pastor. Every parish has its challenges, some more than others. But ‘God always provides.’ It’s all about earning people’s trust. We are often times given enough; we’re just not ready to share yet. The potential is definitely here. The people are already giving more and that’s great. It’s just a matter of time for God to open people’s hearts to see the true needs of the parish … and they will respond.”

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n aNew Experience, Wednesday, June 13, St. Mary’s Nativity Church, Raceland, 7-9 p.m. n Steubenville on the Bayou, June 15-17, Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, Houma. Visit www. steubenvilleonthebayou.com for additional information. This event

JULY

n Blessed Kateri Mass, Friday, July 13, Holy Family Church, Dulac, 6:30 p.m. n Women of God Retreat, Saturday, July 14, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Online registration: www.htconferences.org or by phone (985) 850-3171. Speaker will be Father Francis Valerio. Registration is $24 per person and

AUGUST

n Man of God Retreat, Saturday, Aug. 4, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Registration is $24 per person and includes meals. Visit www.htconferences.org or by phone at (985)850-3171 to register. Speaker will be Father Francis

DIOCESAN

JUNE

is sponsored by the diocesan Conference Office. n Cursillo Weekend for men, Thursday, June 21 through Sunday, June 24, at the Lumen Christi Retreat Center’s Souby Building. For more information, call Father Roch Naquin at (985) 594-5144

or Leeney Bourg (985) 594-3194. n Man of God Gathering, Wednesday, June 27, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall. Meal will be served at 6 p.m.; events begin at 6:30 p.m. Free event, all men over 18 years of age are invited.

includes meals. Open to women over 18 years of age. This event is sponsored by the diocesan Conference Office. n Christian Leadership Institute, July 18-22, Lumen Christi Retreat Center’s Souby Building. n aNew Experience, Thursday, July 19, St. Bernadette Church, Houma, 7-9 p.m. n Marriage Preparation Day for

pre-registered couples, Saturday, July 21, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall. Contact your church parish or call the Office of Family Ministries at (985) 850-3129 for registration details. Additional information is available online at www.htdiocese.org/fm.

Valerio. Open to all men over 18 years of age. n Woman of God Gathering, Tuesday, Aug. 14, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6 p.m. Meal will be served at 6 p.m.; events begin at 6:30 p.m. Free event, all women over 18

years of age are invited. n aNew Experience, Thursday, Aug. 16, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Thibodaux, 7 p.m. n Family of God Mini-Conference, Saturday, Aug. 25, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

WINNER!

A winner has been chosen for Bayou Catholic’s “Where Am I” contest for the month of April. The image of a fish can be found on a bench near the bell tower at St. Hilary Church in Mathews. Several correct entries were received and a winner was drawn at random. Gerry Fanguy of Houma is the winner of a Visa Card in the amount of $50 from Synergy Bank Main Office.

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

EVENTS

June 2012

Sports

Overtime Ed Daniels

s the NBA draft approaches, the common wisdom is that the New Orleans Hornets can get healthy in a hurry by scoring on a pair of picks in the lottery. But, reality says that the success in the NBA draft is the exception, not the rule. Here’s a fact. In the last two years, the Hornets have had four first round picks from the 2010 draft on their roster. Al_Farouq Aminu (pick 8), Xavier Henry (12), Quincy Pondexter (26), and Greivis Vasquez (28), have another thing in common besides being first rounders. None play for the team that drafted them. The Oklahoma City Thunder, a team that will likely be a contender for the rest of this decade, is built on the draft mistakes of others. In 2009, Memphis drafted Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet with the second pick. One pick later, the Thunder took shooting guard James Harden from Arizona State. This season, Harden averaged 16.8 points a game, shooting 85 percent from the free throw line, and 39 percent from the three point line. In 2008, forward Michael Beasley

SINCE FAST

Can Hornets get it right twice? was the second pick, O.J. Mayo the third. The Thunder drafted UCLA guard Russell Westbrook with the fourth pick. This season, Westbrook averaged 23.6 points and 5.5 assists per game. In 2007, Portland selected center Greg Oden first. With the second pick, the Seattle Sonics (who moved to Oklahoma City the following year) drafted Kevin Durant. This season Durant averaged 28 points a game, shooting 49.6 percent from the field. In 2006, the best pick in the draft turned out to be No. 21. Kentucky guard Rajon Rondo was allegedly a point guard who couldn’t shoot. Two seasons later, Rondo was the catalyst as the Boston Celtics won the NBA title. The Hornets picks in that draft were Hilton Armstrong at number 12, and Cedric Simmons (yes, him) at pick 15. In 2005, three teams passed on Chris Paul. Milwaukee selected center Andrew Bogut; Atlanta drafted forward Marvin Williams; Utah traded up to nab guard Deron Williams; and the Hornets (disappointed on the night of the NBA lottery by falling to pick four)

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scooped up Paul. In 2003, Xavier forward David West, who finished second in the voting for college player of the year, fell to the Hornets at pick 18. In his rookie season, West started one game and averaged 3.8 points a game. Four years later, West averaged 20.6 points a game as the Hornets rolled to 56 wins and the Southwest Division title. West had the label as a guy who was good around the basket, but his game maybe didn’t translate to the NBA. David West became one of the best mid_range jump shooters in the NBA, and a two time All Star. The three picks in front of him were Reece Gaines, Troy Bell, and Zarko Cabarkapa. Right now, as I peck away at my laptop, I must confess, I am giggling. Let’s hope on the night of the June 28, 2012, the Hornets get it right, twice. But, if they don’t, we shouldn’t be surprised. Success in the NBA draft, even for the best organizations, is elusive.

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Bayou Bayou Outdoor Guide Summer 2012

Catholic Fishing Rodeos Edition

Great Features and Forecasts

Tips for Saltwater Fishing

Tide Charts for June thru September

Contents

On Our Cover

Bayou Outdoor Guide Summer 2012 Chris Lake of Houma shows off a nice stringer of speckled trout caught at Last Island recently. Speckled trout fishing is heating up along the coast and in the bays of South Louisiana this summer. Cover photo by Lawrence Chatagnier

s p T y t r i h T for Saltwater Fishing

52 Saltwater Fishing Rodeos

Numbers are up for summertime specks

Offshore action heats up in the summer

Louisiana top ten speckled trout

78 80 Give me those summertime blues June 2012

Tide Charts June thru September Bayou Catholic â&#x20AC;˘ Houma, LA

Outdoor Guide

2012 Louisiana Saltwater Fishing Rodeos Fishin’ For a Mission Fishing Rodeo

Place: Chauvin Date: June 1-30 Headquarters: Bait House Seafood, Chauvin Contact: Symantha Sevin (985) 594-5493

Swollfest Fishing Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: June 7-9 Headquarters: Sand Dollar Marina (985) 787-2500

Cut Off Club Public Fishing Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: June 7-9 Headquarters: Bridge Side Marina Contact: Bridge Side Marina (985) 787-2419

Krewe of Terreanians Fishing Rodeo Place: Houma Date: June 8-10 Headquarters: Houma Municipal Auditorium Contact: Donnie Braud (985) 868-9685

Creole Classic Place: Grand Isle Date: June 21-23 Headquarters: Bridge Side Marina Contact: Bridge Side Marina (985) 787-2419 June 2012

THOL U CA O Y A R/B

E RENC

LAW

AGN CHAT

Catholic High School Fishing Rodeo Place: Port Fourchon Date: June 21-23 Headquarters: Moran’s Marina Contact: Moran’s Marina (985) 396-2728

Red Stick Fly Fishers Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: June 22-24 Headquarters: Blue Dolphin Inn Contact: Randy Leonpacker (225) 405-0259

Krewe of Houmas Invitational Saltwater Fishing Rodeo Place: Cocodrie Date: June 22-23 Headquarters: CoCo Marina

Annual E.D. White Open Family Fishing Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: June 30 Headquarters: Bridge Side Marina Contact: Bridge Side Marina (985) 787-2419

Golden Meadow – Fourchon International Tarpon Rodeo Place: Golden Meadow (Port Fourchon) Date: July 5-7 Headquarters: Moran’s Marina Contact: Chris Moran (985) 396-2728

Fourchon Oilman’s Fishing Rodeo Place: Port Fourchon Date: July 12-14 Headquarters: Port Fourchon Marina Contact: Port Fourchon Marina (985) 396-2792

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Bayou Catholic â&#x20AC;˘ Houma, LA

June 2012

Outdoor Guide SLHS Hooks and Leaders Fishing Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: July 21 Headquarters: Bridge Side Marina Contact: Bridge Side Marina (985) 787-2419

International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: July 26-28 Headquarters: Rodeo Pavilion near the Sand Dollar Motel and Marina East end of Island Contact: Angela Pacaccio (504) 615-0099

Terrebonne Sportsman’s 62nd Annual International Fishing Rodeo (Freshwater, offshore, shoreline, saltwater flyfishing, scuba)

Place: Houma Date: Aug. 3-6 Headquarters: East Park Recreation Center Contact: Larry Jordan (985) 601-4110 Kevin Whitney (985) 851-4537

Hook On and Hook Up With Cleopatra Annual Fishing Rodeo Place: Cocodrie Date: Aug. 4-5 Headquarters: CoCo Marina Contact: Liz Trosclair (985) 876-5394 Karla Yelverton (985) 637-1550

Mike Bourgeois (Big Daddy) Memorial Fishing Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: Aug. 4 Headquarters: Bridge Side Marina Contact: Bridge Side Marina (985) 787-2419

D. Jeansonne Invitational Boondoggle Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: Aug. 9-11 Headquarters: Bridge Side Marina Contact: Bridge Side Marina (985) 787-2419

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June 2012

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Third Annual “Ride the Bull” Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament Place: Grand Isle Date: Aug. 18 Headquarters: Bridge Side Marina Contact: Bridge Side Marina (985) 787-2419

The Annual Caminada Redfish Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: Sept. 28-30 Headquarters: Sand Dollar Marina Contact: Sand Dollar Marina (985) 787-2500

The Annual Hercules Fishing Rodeo Place: Cocodrie Date: Aug. 10-12 Headquarters: Houma Air Base Arena Contact: Danny Picou (985) 637-0156

The Annual Original Grand Isle Redfish Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: Aug. 31, Sept. 1-2 Headquarters: Bridge Side Marina Contact: Bridge Side Marina (985) 787-2419

Golden Meadow Family Fishing Rodeo

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Place: Golden Meadow Date: Sept. 15-16 Headquarters: Oakridge Park Contact: Christina Duffourc (985) 665-4507

Grand Isle Ladies Fishing Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: Oct. 5-6 Headquarters: Bridge Side Marina Contact: Bridge Side Marina (985) 787-2419

Bayou Dularge Annual KC Fishing Rodeo (Freshwater, saltwater, offshore and children’s divisions)

Place: Theriot-Houma area Date: Oct. 12-14 Headquarters: St. Eloi KC Home 1331 Dr. Beatrous Rd. Theriot, LA Contact: Louis Liner (985) 709-4194

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June 2012

Outdoor Guide

s p T y t r i h T for

Saltwater Fishing Barbing live baits

There are a multitude of positions that hooks can be placed into live baits. Probably one of the more traditional tactics is hooking the live bait through both nostrils. This is a popular tactic while live bait trolling, simply because the baitfish swims more naturally. However, by hooking the live bait just in front of its dorsal fin, the live bait will tend to swim deep. This can be very effective while slow trolling or simply when drifting with live baits over a deep, offshore structure. 56

Tough knot

The Bimini Twist (also known as the twenty-timesaround knot) is the only knot that maintains 100 percent strength under all conditions. Use it to double the line for a strong leader connection.

Lures that look new and bright

Fish bite best on lures that look new and bright. Buy only lures you know you will need, and buy just enough to last a few trips. Rinse used lures and dry them before returning them to the tackle box.

BILL LAKE PHOTO/BAYOU GUIDE SERVICE

G N I T R O P S F G& R E T N E C

Cut back that front part

Change monofilament often. Once it begins to look dull or feel rough, it is no longer strong. At the very least, cut back that front part of the line to remove the weaker section, then retie the leader.

Soak it in a bucket

Before storing a reel for any length of time, soak it in a bucket of fresh water for several hours to get all of the saltwater out of the line and the interior corners of the reel.

Big fish with rough lips

Big fish with rough lips require extra-heavy monofilament. It takes 80 to 100-pound test to land 100-pound tarpon, or 50 to 80 to land a really big snook. But casting a long length of that stuff is difficult, so divide the leader into two stages. Keep the heavy stuff short – 12 to 20 inches, for example – and use lighter (e.g., 30 to 40-pound test) for the secondary section that is essential when fishing around heavy cover or structure. June 2012

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Set the hook

Many anglers set the hook before the fish has the bait or lure well inside its mouth. Better to wait an extra second or two if you cannot see the fish, or wait until you actually see the bait or lure disappear inside the fish’s mouth. A good way to time this is to wait until you feel a lot of pressure on the line from the fish.

Understanding tidal currents

Understanding tidal currents and how they affect the areas you fish is critical, because the movement of water does not always precisely follow high and low tides. In many spots, especially inlets and channel entrances, the tidal current may lag the actual tide by an hour or more. In areas like this, fish often respond more to the direction and speed of water movement than to the actual height of the tide. But in open water the height of the tide can be most important.

Marine charts

You’ll find fish in places where food is readily available. The mouth of a creek, channel, inlet or estuary during falling tide is a prime example. Structure of almost any type is another. Marine charts and maps are indispensable for locating such potential hotspots.

Noisy lures

When fishing turbid water, try noisy topwater lures. Lures with a rattle or pop worked slowly are easy for the fish to locate. Smaller is sometimes best on calm days, but bigger is better in choppy water.

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June 2012

Outdoor Guide Quick sinking

Gel braid lines are more sensitive than monofilament. They also have a smaller diameter that offers less resistance in current, which makes them an excellent choice for fishing lures that sink quickly, especially jigs. They have become very popular with heavy jigs in extremely deep water. Some anglers fish them in depths in excess of 300 feet.

Lubricate a new reel

Lubricate a new reel to make sure no critical areas were overlooked at the factory. Lube it again at the end of the fishing season or every six months if you fish throughout the year. Baitcasting reels may need a touch on the levelwind gears more often. Always use light oil in those areas where grease is not required.

Use what you know

Use only brands of fishing line that you are familiar and comfortable with. Unknown bargain lines will often let you down at the worst moment.

Don’t use a wire leader

Don’t use a wire leader if you can get by with monofilament. You will get more strikes this way. Wire also kinks easily, which may cause it to break. Even toothy fish like Spanish mackerel and bluefish can be caught on mono leaders if the material is heavy enough (at least 50 or 60-pound test), and if you cut back the mono whenever it begins to look gnawed.

CAPT. TOMMY PELLEGRIN PHOTO/CUSTOM CHARTERS

June 2012

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Skip the swivel

If you must use a wire leader, skip the swivel if possible. Make a loop in the wire with a Haywire Twist, and tie the doubled mono to the wire loop with an Albright knot.

Larger diameter line

The Connector knot is the best way to attach a larger diameter line to a smaller one because it slips through guides easily.

Circle hooks

Hook sizes and shapes are critical with all types of bait. Circle hooks, for instance, are popular because they very rarely hook fish in the throat, and their hookup rate is as good as or better than the conventional J-hook. Treble hooks are a poor choice for baitfishing since they are easily swallowed and do far more damage than when attached to a lure. Any fish that escapes with a treble hook in the throat is a dead fish.

Live bait stays in top condition

Live bait stays in top condition longer if kept in a well with good circulation. Incoming water is always best, but if thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not possible, use an aerator. Warm water cannot hold as much oxygen as cool, so temperature is critical. In an aerated, noncirculating system, the water must be changed every few hours to remove waste material that replaces oxygen in the water. BILL LAKE PHOTO/BAYOU GUIDE SERVICE

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Outdoor Guide Lures work better

Most lures work better if attached to the line or leader with a loop knot. This allows a more natural action for bait as well.

Feel it move

A fish that appears tired and lethargic needs some help. If you simply toss it back in the water, it will likely sink and die. Moving it back and forth in still water or facing it upstream in current will get its respiratory system back in operation a lot faster. Wait until you can feel the fish beginning to move on its own before letting it go.

Shrimp, crabs and crustaceans

Shrimp, crabs and other crustaceans can be kept alive and healthy for many hours in an ice chest if they are packed in wet newspaper or damp vegetation so they do not make direct contact with the ice or ice water.

Three ingredients for chumming

Chumming requires three ingredients: fresh or freshfrozen material, a current to carry it, and judicious use. The idea is to create a line of food that draws fish from far away. Toss in too much food over a short period of time, and the fish may hang too far back and simply enjoy a free lunch. Too little chum may not move them at all. Start slowly and gradually increase the chum until you get results.

How to release

Use wet hands, a wet soft towel, or a wet cotton glove to release fish. Use long-nose pliers or some other device designed for hook removal wherever possible. If the hook is in a location where removal would require too much time or cause injury to the fish, cut the leader as short as possible and put the fish in the water as quickly as you can.

The best striking motion

The best striking motion is sideways, not up. Sweep the rod smartly to the side until you feel the line come tight, and then hold firm pressure until the fish begins to take line.

Rinse your rod and reel

Thoroughly rinse your rod and reel with fresh water immediately after fishing the salt. A gentle wash will do the job better than a hard spray. Make sure you pay close attention to the metallic frames of the rod guides; they are thin and can be easily damaged by corrosion if not properly cleaned.

Flashing game fish

The truth is some saltwater fishermen have found ways to attract more game fish into striking their transom baits. Vicious strikes to these anglers become an everyday occurrence. But more importantly, the size of the fish that attack these transom baits are often the biggest catch of the day. If you have an outboard powered boat, we often call these baits, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Prop Washâ&#x20AC;? baits. The baits are literally fished only a few feet in back of the prop wash. The outboard motor is actually trimmed up until it begins to cavitate. Now you have a combination of flashing blades on the surface with the propeller June 2012

CAPT. TOMMY PELLEGRIN PHOTO/CUSTOM CHARTERS

creating turbulence on the surface as well. Skilled fishermen who have learned how to flash fish with their propellers, have also found that bigger baits and lures result in more success while using this deadly trolling tactic.

Drop back for hookups

Many saltwater game fish, such as bill fish, will actually come up to a bait and kill it with its bill. By killing the bait with its bill, the game fish can capture its meal with ease. Fast striking game fish, like Kingfish, Wahoo and Bluefish, will often cut their forage fish in half then return to dine on the remainder of the fish. In all of these situations, a smashing strike may result in a missed fish. Many anglers will bring in their damaged trolling lure right away and begin to rig another bait. However, the skilled saltwater angler will simply take advantage of this opportunity by putting the trolling reel in free spool and free lining the bait back to the waiting game fish. By free lining, the bait actually appears to be injured. It is also presented to the game fish, right in front of its nose. Bayou Catholic â&#x20AC;˘ Houma, LA

Live bait chumming

Here is one of the more traditional chumming tactics for capturing live baits in a cast net. Live bait is normally chummed up by mixing up a couple of slices of whole wheat bread and a can of “Cozy Kitten” cat food in a five-gallon bucket, then adding a gallon of sea water to the mixture. While keeping your boat upcurrent of the baitfish, slowly toss the chum into the water. Once the baitfish are chummed up, toss your cast net. After your live well is filled with enough bait to both fish and chum, you are now ready for some very exciting live bait chumming action. Live bait chumming is highly effective when anchored up-current of your targeted game fish. Simply begin to toss your live baits out into the water a few at a time. Often the live baits will begin to school right behind your anchored fishing boat.

BILL LAKE PHOTO/BAYOU GUIDE SERVICE

Channels of redfish

Just like schools of freshwater bass, redfish will often use these deepwater exits to reside during passing fronts. Or they may use these to simply migrate from backwater to estuaries into the sounds and finally, the ocean when they become adults. Some of these better redfish flats will have a hard sand, or shell bottom. Or there could be numerous shell beds, feeder creek mouths, points, jetties or even grass flats. And just like largemouth bass, redfish will often relate to an ambush point when feeding on these fishy flats.

Fish scents work

Another study proved that some fishermen give off offensive enzymes from their hands. So when touching baits and lures, they are more than likely scaring off the game fish they are trying to catch. Saltwater fishermen are guilty of adding to this dilemma when they apply suntan oils to their hands and body. Naturally the suntan oil is needed to protect the skin from the harmful rays of the sun. However, when the same fishermen handle baits and lures, they are also decreasing their chances of catching quality game fish. For this one reason, we will normally designate one or more fishermen in the boat to handle baits and lures. The suntan lotion is applied by someone else, and their hands are not allowed to touch baits or lures.

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

June 2012

Outdoor Guide

Krewe of Terreanians 13th Annual Fishing Tournament set June 8-10

The 13th Annual Krewe of Terreanians Fishing Tournament is scheduled for June 8-10. Headquarters for the event is the Houma Municipal Auditorium, 800 Verret Street. The tournament features saltwater, freshwater, offshore and a children’s division. Over $10,000 in cash and prizes will be given away. Awards will be given in the saltwater division for redfish 27 inches and over, redfish under 27 inches, speckled trout, drum, flounder, five redfish stringer under 27 inches and five speckled trout

stringer. Offshore division: red snapper, lemon fish, king mackerel and amberjack. Miscellaneous: largest fish, $300 first place. Freshwater division, bass, sac-alait, perch and five bass stringer. Children’s division (age 4-12 years fish free): redfish under 27 inches, trout, drum, bass, sac-a-lait and perch. Tickets are $30. Scales open Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. For more info call Donnie Braud at (985) 868-9685 or John Poiencot at (985) 665-2628.

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

27th Annual Creole Classic at Bridge Side Marina June 21-23

The 27th Annual Creole Classic Fishing Tournament will be held on June 21-23 at Bridge Side Marina in Grand Isle. There will be adult’s and children’s categories. Rodeo tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children under 12. There will also be a “BBY Calcutta” ticket for $50. With the purchase of each ticket, individuals receive a hat. There will be a kick-off party with food Thursday evening at Bridge Side Marina; and live music on Saturday night, June 23, by Good Feelings. All events including the weighin will be held at the Bridge Side Marina in Grand Isle. The categories this year will be: adult – speckled trout, white trout, bull red (over 27 inches, rat red (under 27 inches), drum, sheepshead, flounder, lemon fish, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel and snapper; children – catfish, rat red (under 27 inches), flounder and speckled trout. For more information call the Bridge Side Marina at (985) 7872419.

CAPT. TOMMY PELLEGRIN PHOTO/ CUSTOM CHARTERS

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June 2012

Outdoor Guide

Golden Meadow-Fourchon International Tarpon Rodeo at Moran’s July 5-7 Chris Moran, president of the Golden Meadow-Fourchon International Tarpon Rodeo, would like to announce that the 64th annual rodeo will take place July 5-7, at the Moran’s Marina at Fourchon, LA. This year’s admiral is John Melancon Jr. Everyone is invited to attend this year’s festivities which include an adult’s and children’s division in both fresh and saltwater, and a scuba division. Adult divisions tickets are $25 and children’s division (12 and under) tickets are $10. Music is scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. There will also be food booths. All funds raised at the rodeo go to benefit South Lafourche High School students with academic scholarships. Tickets can be purchased at many local establishments and at Moran’s Marina at Fourchon. For more information check the Golden MeadowFourchon International Tarpon Rodeo website at (www.gmfourchontarponrodeo. com) or call (985) 860-3287.

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Annual International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo is set July 26-28 The Annual International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo, set for July 2628, will be held under the Pavilion at the end of Hwy. 1 in Grand Isle. Activities include the Wednesday afternoon harbor tour on the Coast Guard Cutter followed by the presentation of the rodeo queen and her maids. The Pavilion opens to the public on Thursday. There will be fish displays, and charitable, educational and food booths open. The children’s crab races will begin at 3 p.m. under the Pavilion. The scales will close at 8 p.m. There will be entertainment by the Wiseguys on Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m.; Black Sheep will perform on Friday from 7 to 11 p.m.; and Rockin’ Dopsie, and the Molly Ringwalds are scheduled to perform on

beginning at approximately 8 p.m. Weigh station hours are Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. The Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo has over 3,000 participants competing for over 100 trophies in first, second and third place prize fish. All categories of fish, including tag and release programs, are clearly listed in the program, which comes with the purchase of a ticket. This year’s rodeo president is Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Vernon Bourgeois and the Admiral of the Fleet is J.P. Assessor Thomas Capella. Adult and children divisions are included. Children’s crab races remain the same along with the children’s fishing division. For information, visit www. tarponrodeo.org.

BILL LAKE PHOTO/BAYOU GUIDE SERVICE

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

June 2012

Outdoor Guide

Numbers are

up for

Summertime

By CHRIS BERZAS The fish had finally shown up in numbers. My brother, Myron, and I were working points along the Ship Channel, and the gulls were readily observed already working the lake over. Sure there were plenty throw-backs at first. Small fish right under 12 inches were easily hooked, and I changed jig head weights to assist in getting the baits faster to the depths. We finally found the larger specks under the schooling fish as usual, and we worked them with avocado/red and LSU Bayou Chub artificials. When it was over we ended up with 20 quality trout and a couple of keeper reds – not counting the many throw-back trout. For lagniappe, we also scored on three flounders to add to the cooler and eventual camp cuisine. What was interesting was that the tides had been only moving at night, so fishing had been difficult in the weeks before. But environmental conditions were 66 getting better as well as the fishing. From June through August, Louisiana’s saltwater anglers will be kept busy working reefs, shorelines, inland lakes and under birds for speckled trout and redfish all along our coast. As for fishing specks in the Bayou Catholic readership area, Captain Bill Lake of Houma has been capitalizing on plenty to be taken at this time of the year out of Dularge. “This year (2012) is starting off as one of the best summer trout seasons I can remember,” said the angler. “I know last summer was great, but this year is even better than that!” According to Lake, he has been catching bigger fish thus far, and the numbers are up! “Since April 7, we have taken over 2,500 trout already - and many in tandem. On a 12-day spurt, we caught some 1,600!” claimed Lake. “We have been catching many in Lake Mechant and every calm day on locations offshore. “Near the Raccoon Island area alone, we caught 100 trout on April 7!” said the angler. Lake attributes the great numbers of good trout due chiefly to the mild winter Louisiana experienced. As coastal anglers will tell you, a mild winter before a summer means longer foraging and growing months for speckled trout. “The only concern I have is that we are not seeing many small fish this year compared to past seasons,” observed Lake. “I don’t know if it’s recruitment problems or not, but it does seem that the smaller fish are missing in the numbers we usually see.” While not bemoaning the larger-than-usual

June 2012

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specks

trout, Lake admits that fishing has been on fire for this species in many locations to also include Ship Shoals Platform and the rock jetties. “The best fishing appeared to be during the most recent full moon,” observed the angler. As for redfish, this has been the first summer in quite a while that Lake reports numbers are down. “We haven’t been doing that well with redfish,” said Lake. “They’re just not there in the numbers we are accustomed to seeing. With the mild winter and early start of the summer, we are seeing a grass explosion in the ponds that started as early as March. There are already mattes of grass in many of the ponds.” The guide also claimed that flounder fishing in the area looks to be good this summer as well. “Bayou Raccourci offers some good fishing for flounder, and just about any area that drains with a current near sandbars and points,” reported Lake. But as for the trout, Lake urges anglers to take to the following areas: Ship Shoals 26 (Picket area); Ship

KEM

Shoals 28 (Mardi Gras Rig); and all the areas mentioned above where he has been catching trout since April. As for baits, about everyone who knows Lake will attest to his use of Egret Baits’ Bayou Chubs – in LSU colors as well as the popular Cajun pepper; glow/ chartreuse and chicken-on-a-chain colors. He will use them as single offerings, but switch quickly to throwing them in tandem when the trout are showing up in numbers. As the summer progresses however, anglers may find more redfish in and near the rock jetties on Raccoon Island. The bull reds will start showing up in late July, and you’ll find them in all of the Passes, especially Whiskey Pass and Wine Island Pass. For more fishing information and guide service, Captain Bill Lake can be reached at (985) 851-6015. He can be reached by e-mail at b.lakejr@comcast.net. As for Louisiana regulations, anglers are reminded that they may take and keep 25 fish per person at 12 inches minimum total length – EXCEPT the 15 fish daily take and possession limit, with no more than two spotted seatrout exceeding 25 inches total length, regardless of where taken in a defined area of Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes in southwestern Louisiana. For redfish, there is the five fish daily limit with a 16 inch length limit restriction with no more than one over 27 inches maximum length. Please consult the 2012 Louisiana Saltwater Fish Regulations pamphlet before heading out on the coast this summer.

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June 2012

Outdoor Guide

Terrebonne Sportsman’s League 62nd International Fishing Rodeo is Aug. 3-6

The Terrebonne Sportsman’s League will be hosting its 62nd Annual International Fishing Rodeo and auction Aug. 3-6. The headquarters for this event will be the East Park Recreation Center in Houma. This international rodeo has categories for all anglers – freshwater, offshore, shoreline, saltwater flyfishing, tag and release, catch and release, and scuba – with over 120 places to be awarded. Tickets are $20, while members fish on their member cards. Merchandise such as rods and reels, and ice chests will be awarded to all winners. A fishing hat and shirt is included with each entry ticket. The main weigh station is at the East Park Recreation Center.

Weigh station hours are Saturday, Noon to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. for scuba, and 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. for all others. Following the weigh-in on Sunday there will be a live auction with items for everyone. After the auction will be the awards ceremony. The Terrebonne Sportsman’s League, Inc. is the oldest and one of the largest leagues in the state. While hosting the second largest fishing rodeo in the state, the Terrebonne Sportsman’s League is dedicated to the conservation and protection of Louisiana’s coastal environment and natural marine resources. For more details, contact Larry Jordan at (985) 601-4110 or Kevin Whitney at (985) 851-4537.

CAPT. TOMMY PELLEGRIN PHOTO/ CUSTOM CHARTERS

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Original Grand Isle Redfish Rodeo Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 The 51st Annual Original Grand Isle Redfish Rodeo will be held on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1-2, Labor Day Weekend, at the Bridge Side Marina in Grand Isle. Entrance prizes in excess of $10,000 can be won at the Labor Day weekend rodeo. Fishing will commence on Friday, Aug. 31, at 6 p.m. Awards and door prize presentations will start at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Rodeo festivities include dinner and a dance on Saturday evening and lunch at Noon on Sunday. For more information call the Bridge Side Marina at (985) 7872419.

BILL LAKE PHOTO/BAYOU GUIDE SERVICE

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June 2012

Outdoor Guide

CAPT. TOMMY PELLEGRIN PHOTO/CUSTOM CHARTERS

heatsup in the summer Offshore action

By CHRIS BERZAS The anticipation of getting there first is almost as exciting as the fishing. And if you’re a rig angler, you know what I mean. For most of the weekends of the summer, it’s a race to get to the rigs of choice early. And if you hit it right at the start, bounties of cobia (ling), snappers (red and mangrove), mackerel, tuna and speckled trout can be quite the reward filling all the ice coolers aboard your boat. For the many anglers who race to the rigs – among the first highly prized species to encounter are cobia (ling). Throwing out non-weighted cut bait one morning, we quickly caught three of these delightful, June 2012

hefty sleek fish. If they’re in the vicinity, you can easily see them cruising the top waters near any riff-raff or structures aside a rig or other object. They’re a prized specimen to most all anglers, and cubed fried cuts of their delicious flesh also make a delightful start to any exquisite seafood platter at the lodge, camp, cabin or the menu right at home. After the ling action is over, then it’s time to throw baited offerings of cut bait somewhat deeper. Red and mangrove snapper in season are much fun to catch especially when using medium tackle. Snapper do make for hefty trysts with bassin’ equipment – the choice tackle of my forays in the deep for these beautiful and tasty fish.

And I do endear the rapid runs the Spanish (mackerel) make on a vast array of artificials to include the local, favorite swimming versions of Egret Baits’ Bayou Chubs. After reeling in a few when their run is over – then it’s a numbers game for another very favorite species. On numerous occasions, we will find grand numbers of speckled trout near the upper depths of the platforms. Catching them in tandem on LSU and Cajun Pepper Bayou Chubs make for a combination of great action and wonderful cuisine. But it’s the numbers of trout combined with the couple-of-fish-on-everycast experience that gets anglers addicted when fishing for specks offshore.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

And in the Bayou Catholic readership area, you don’t have too far to go to get into the action that blue waters and the rigs can offer south of Houma, Thibodaux and Morgan City. Captain Tommy Pellegrin of Houma has fished Terrebonne Parish all of his life. As a licensed captain for over a decade, Pellegrin has the experience and wisdom to offer his predictions of just what anglers will find offshore this summer. In June, he’ll be targeting red snapper as the 2012 recreational fishing season for this species opens June 1 and closes July 10. “Fishing for red snappers will be better than ever this year,” predicted Pellegrin. “They’ll be Located Right big, plentiful and hungry, and I tell anglers that the experience will be Near The Bridge, like catching hardheads under a Just As You Get fish cleaning table.” On Island! TheThe captain said that snappers this year should average 15 to 18 pounds taken out of Cocodrie, and like last year he expects 75 percent of his larger snappers to be taken on the surface.

“There will be mangrove and red snappers, and anglers will be able to find them 10 to 15 miles offshore,” claimed Pellegrin. “We have caught them as shallow as 30 feet in some locations, but they can range anywhere to 50 to 60 as the best depths. Of course, they will also be found much deeper on many occasions. The captain of course mentioned that anglers will also be able to find big cobia around the satellite rigs and shrimp boats, as well as the many trout taken by the rigs closer to the beach. “We seem to have a lot of trout out there this year, and they’re getting bigger,” said Pellegrin. “I think this has to do with the fact that we had a pretty mild winter this year, and this weather did not limit their feeding.” Other anglers will also target yellow fin and black fin tuna wherever they can be found. “The yellow fins will be found near the canyons, and the black fins running near the shrimp boats all the way to the canyons. I am expecting the catch will be pretty decent and

consistent this summer,” predicted Pellegrin. In July, saltwater action heats up for mangrove snapper, almaco jacks, dolphin (fish), yellow fin tuna, and of course the billfish – marlin and swordfish. “Fishing for mangrove snapper will be wide open in July and August,” said Pellegrin. “We use four to six inch croakers for bait for the mangroves.” On Aug. 1, amberjack season opens up, and of course this species offers big game action with fish expected to average 40 to 50 pounds this summer. For more information and/or guide service, contact Captain Tommy Pellegrin at (985) 851-3304 or you can e-mail him at highlife@ customchartersllc.com. Before heading out, anglers are urged to be extremely familiar with all state and federal saltwater regulations for your species of choice regarding length limits, creel limits and possession limits. Have a great summer at the rigs – and hook ‘em!

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

June 2012

Outdoor Guide

The Annual Krewe of Hercules Fishing Rodeo is scheduled for Aug. 10-12. The rodeo headquarters and weigh station will be at the Houma Air Base Arena. This year’s rodeo boasts over $10,725 in cash prizes available to anglers in various fresh water and saltwater categories. Tickets will be $25 and include an official rodeo T-shirt, entertainment and food. There will also be a $500 cash prize drawing along with many other door prizes. Live entertainment will be provided Friday by “Rockin Oldies.” “Soul Survivor” and “Flatline” will perform on Saturday. A live auction is also scheduled for Saturday night. A Jambalaya cook off will start Saturday at 11 a.m. For more information call Danny Picou at (985) 637-0156.

Krewe of Hercules Fishing Rodeo is Aug. 10-12 in Houma

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Golden Meadow Family Rodeo is Sept. 15-16 The annual Golden Meadow Family Fishing Rodeo will be held Sept. 15-16, at the Oakridge Community Park in Golden Meadow. The categories are open in all Louisiana waters. Saltwater includes: Redfish, bull red (over 27 inches), speckled trout, white trout, drum, bull drum (12 pounds and over), sheepshead and flounder. Freshwater includes largemouth bass and perch. There is also a largest non-category species. Children 12 and under include: Largemouth bass, catfish, perch, redfish and speckled trout. Scales are open at the park from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Gift certificates will be awarded in these categories for the top three places. Adult and children’s fisherman and fisherette awards, a memorial award for the largest fish in the adult and children’s divisions will also be given. Other events include a car show, motorbike show, and a 4x4 truck show. Rodeo tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children under 12, which includes a chance to win a door prize. For more information call (985) 665-4507. BILL LAKE PHOTO/BAYOU GUIDE SERVICE

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June 2012

e s o h t e m GiveSummertime

Outdoor Guide

By CHRIS BERZAS “I’ve got a big one here,” said Molly, looking for me to run over to meet her with the net. I walked quickly in her direction and observed the blue/brown/white claws on the hanging chicken neck. “Yep, that’s another one for the washtub,” I said while netting the blue crab. “We should have more than three dozen now. Maybe it’s time to think about driving back to the camp to start the purging and boiling.” Of course, the kids wanted to stay longer. As Molly and 74 the children caught crabs that morning, I had taken one keeper speckled trout. Not even a rat red took a bite on the cracked crab set on the other rod`n’reel. But I knew this trip was for the family. That was some years ago, and now the children are all grown. No more crabbing trips, but now the grandchildren are begging their parent s to go. But that’s what July 4 reminds me of mostly, and crabbing is what many families of the Bayou Catholic readership do on this holiday weekend. Recreational crabbing in Louisiana reaches its peak of popularity in July. All along Louisiana’s coast, children, teenagers and adults can often be observed pulling up nets or gently lifting a line with blue crabs hanging tightly to chicken necks or a variety of other meaty baits. There are numerous places to get into recreational crabbing, and these include just about anywhere you can get access to the water. If you’re in a boat, then you have just about the entire eastern coastline, June 2012

BILL LAKE PHOTO/BAYOU GUIDE SERVICE

and numerous, inland shallow lakes. For those families without boats, there is Pointe-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area (WMA) located in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, southeast of Houma. There is some construction going on here throughout the summer, so a phone call there (504) 284-5267 can give you updates on accessibility as well as locations for recreational crabbing. Of course, there are other public options that may take landowner permission before you venture. Grand Isle is an extremely popular area beckoning recreational crabbers as well as saltwater anglers to its beaches. Grand Isle State Park is a good option to drop a net or a line, as

well as the old bridge. Families usually fish for speckled trout in the surf early in the morning, and then turn their activities to crabbing. As for license needs, Louisiana regulations indicate “Any person using crab nets or crab lines for the purpose of taking crabs for recreational purposes shall not be required to purchase or possess a basic recreational fishing license or be required to purchase a gear license. However, persons using crab nets or crab lines on Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) or refuges must possess a basic and saltwater recreational fishing license or a Wild Louisiana Stamp.” It is important to note

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that state WMAs and National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) also have differing rules with regard to prohibition of certain types of recreational gear as well as varying daily limits. Therefore it is better to check with the headquarters and regulations of the area you visit for recreational crabbing prior to heading out. Some WMAs and NWRs in Louisiana also mandate a daily permit. Other Louisiana regulations indicate that there is no minimum recreational size limit for blue crabs. The daily and possession limit is 12 dozen per person. Some state WMAs, refuges and NWRs mandate a 12 dozen per vehicle or boat limit. Also, rules maintain that no person shall possess adult female crabs in the berry stage (i.e., carrying the eggs or young attached to the abdomen). All crabs in the berry stage taken by any means shall be returned immediately to the waters. Have a great summer and get into the blues (crabbing)!

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June 2012

Outdoor Guide

KC Council 8779 rodeo is Oct. 12-14

The Knights of Columbus Council 8779 will host its 27th Annual Fishing Rodeo on Oct. 12-14. The headquarters for this year’s rodeo will be at the KC Home located at 1331 Dr. Beatrous Rd. (across the street from the Dularge Recreation Center) in Theriot. The rodeo has categories for all anglers. Children age 10 years or under can enter fish in the children’s division free if one of their parents has a rodeo ticket. The motto of the rodeo as always is “Take Your Children Fishing,” and the goal is to promote a community activity where the whole family can come together to enjoy friendly competition with other families. It is also an opportunity to teach children to appreciate their environment and learn good sportsmanship. To help promote family participation, there will be a country fair at the rodeo headquarters,

featuring Cajun food, rides, games, music, dancing, a public auction at 5 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, and all kinds of entertainment for adults, teenagers and children. With the purchase of a rodeo ticket you are eligible to win one of many door prizes, including a first place cash prize. You don’t have to be present to win the door prizes. Cash and merchandise awards will be presented to rodeo competition winners at the headquarters Sunday evening after the scales close. Scale hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are available at most area sporting goods and marine supply stores, and from any member of the St. Eloi Knights of Columbus Council No. 8779. For more information, contact Deacon Daniel Bascle at (985) 873CAPT. TOMMY PELLEGRIN PHOTO/CUSTOM CHARTERS 7277.

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Date

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Leon Mattes Kenneth Kreeger Jason Trouillier Timothy Mahoney II Kevin Galley Randolph Green Barry Terrell John Kaparis Dudley Vandenborre Ed Sexton

Lake Hermitage Lake Pontchartrain Rigolets (Lk. Borgne) Calcasieu Lake Calcasieu Lake Sandy Point Calcasieu Lake Unknown Lake Pontchartrain Venice – GOM

May 1950 January1999 September 1999 May 2002 May 1997 August 1970 May 2004 May 1979 April 2002 April 2000

12.38 11.99 11.24 11.16 10.81 10.75 10.70 10.63 10.50 10.50

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