Catholic Connection March 2014

Vol. 23, No. 8 March 2014

Conversions

Jail House

LOCAL MISSIONARIES MINISTER IN JAILS AND BRING INMATES TO THE FAITH

March 2014 1

Lenten Reconciliation Services

Publisher Bishop Michael G. Duca Editor Jessica Rinaudo Contributors Sam Alzheimer Anita Crafts Bishop Michael Duca Kim Long Dr. Kelly O'Donnell Laura Ortega John Parker

Fr. Rothell Price Katie Sciba Marcos Villalba Mike Van Vranken Fr. Mark Watson John Mark Willcox Dr. Holly Wilson

Editorial Board Kim Long Fr. Matthew Long Kelly Phelan Powell Dianne Rachal Christine Rivers Mike Whitehead John Mark Willcox Mission Statement The Catholic Connection is a monthly publication funded by your Diocesan Service Appeal; mailed to every known Catholic household in the Diocese of Shreveport.

Our Mission is to advance knowledge and understanding of our Catholic Faith among the faithful. We seek to foster the application of Christ’s teachings and our Church’s mission in our daily lives and to encourage our sense of Catholic identity within our family, parish, and diocesan faith community.

Subscriptions & Address Changes Contact: Jessica Rinaudo, Editor Email: jrinaudo@dioshpt.org Write: Catholic Connection 3500 Fairfield Avenue Shreveport, LA 71104 Call: 318-868-4441 Fax: 318-868-4609 Website: www.thecatholicconnection.org

The Catholic Connection is a member of the Catholic Press Association.

The Diocese of Shreveport complies with Virtus’s Protecting God’s Children program. Classes are offered every second Wednesday of the month at the Catholic Center in Shreveport. To report child sexual abuse by a cleric or church worker in the Diocese of Shreveport, call Glennda Lawson.

Hotline is 318-294-1031 and your local law enforcement agency.

2 Catholic Connection

R

emember the Prodigal Son? The joy that young man experienced when his compassionate father, whom he had greatly wronged, embraced him in loving arms should be your own experience in this Sacrament of Reconciliation. Below are a list of reconciliation services being held in the Shreveport/Bossier area during Lent. What a gift from God for this blessed season!

Tuesday, March 11 6:00 p.m.

St. Mary of the Pines Parish

Wednesday, April 2 8:15 a.m.

St. John Berchmans School

Wednesday, March 12 6:00 p.m.

Mary, Queen of Peace Parish

Wednesday, April 2 9:30 a.m.

Loyola College Prep

Thursday, March 13 2:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m.

Christ the King Parish

Wednesday, April 2 6:30 p.m.

St. Pius X Parish

Tuesday, March 25 6:00 p.m.

Sacred Heart Church, Shreveport

Tuesday, April 8 6:30 p.m.

St. Jude Parish

Monday, March 31 5:00 p.m.

Holy Trinity Parish, Shreveport

Wednesday, April 9 6:30 p.m.

St. Joseph Parish, Shreveport

Tuesday, April 1 6:30 p.m.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish

Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27 3:15 p.m.

Cathedral of St. John Berchmans

bishop’s march calendar MARCH 1 Confirmation; Holy Trinity Parish, Shreveport; 4:15 p.m.

MARCH 4 K-4 Krewe of the Carpenter Annual Mardi Gras Parade, St. Joseph School, Shreveport; 8:00 a.m.

MARCH 5 Ash Wednesday Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 8:15 a.m.

Ash Wednesday Mass; LSU-S Noel Memorial Library, 3rd Floor, Shreveport; 11:00 a.m.

MARCH 6 Notre Dame Seminary & St. Joseph Seminary Board of Trustees meetings; St. Joseph Seminary, Covington; 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

MARCH 7 Catholic Center Staff Retreat; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Shreveport MARCH 9 Rite of Election; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 2:30 p.m.

MARCH 10 Presbyteral Council Meeting; Catholic Center, Shreveport; 1:00 p.m.

MARCH 11-12 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Administrative Committee meeting; Washington, D.C. MARCH 15 Mass; St. Patrick Parish, Lake Providence; 5:00 p.m.

MARCH 16 Mass; St. Patrick Parish, Lake Providence; 9:00 a.m.

Mass; Sacred Heart Parish, Oak Grove; 11:00 a.m.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration; St. Patrick Parish, Lake Providence; 12:30 p.m.

MARCH 24 Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops’ meeting; Baton Rouge; 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

I regret to inform you that John Bosco Nyirenda is no longer a seminarian of the Diocese of Shreveport. Please continue to pray for him as he continues his discernment.

Fr. Matthew Long, Director of Church Vocations

contents

march 2014

columns Undertaking a Spiritual Journey During Lent

by Bishop Michael G. Duca........................................................................................... 4-5 Mike’s Meditations: Your Invitation by Mike Van Vranken.....................................6 Vocations Corner: Priest, Sister and Seminarians Visit Catholic Schools

by Sam Alzheimer.......................................................................................................6

6

Domestic Church: Almsgiving: Teaching by Doing by Katie Sciba.....................7 Almsgiving with Kids by Katie Sciba ........................................................................7 Vocations Corner: Invitation to Abbey Youth Fest by John Parker......................6 Moveable Feast: Manna from Mamaw by Kim Long...........................................8 Navigating the Faith: Seeking a Decree of Nullity by Dr. Kelly O'Donnell...........9 Second Collections: Black & Indian Missions and Catholic Relief Services

by Fr. Rothell Price .....................................................................................................10 Students of the Year ...............................................................................................10 School News ...........................................................................................................11

12

features Jail House Conversions Local Missionaries Minister in Jails and Bring Inmates to the Faith

by Dr. Holly Wilson..................................................................................................... 12-13 Diocese of Shreveport Financial Statements for 2013....................................... 14-16

news

19 on the cover

Parishes Pray for Immigration Reform by Fr. Mark Watson....................................17 Catholic Charities Looks to Expand Services by Anita Crafts...............................17 Hispanic Corner by Marcos Villalba.........................................................................18 Pope's Message for Lent 2014: An Invitation to Evangelical Poverty in Our Time.................................................................................................19 Around the Diocese ...............................................................................................20-21 Goodbye to the Smiling Priest by John Mark Willcox.............................................21 Upcoming Events....................................................................................................22 March Calendar ....................................................................................................23 Picture of the Month by Laura E. Ortega................................................................24 Fr. Mark Watson confirms prisoner Jason at the East Carroll Detention Center in Epps, LA

March 2014 3

LA REFLEXIÓN del obispo

por Obispo Michael G. Duca

Un Proyecto del Camino Espiritual Durante la Cuaresma

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l Papa Francisco envió este año otra vez, un Mensaje de Cuaresma a todos los fieles del mundo. Este mensaje ha estado en mi mente al igual que las prácticas espirituales de LIMOSNA, ORACION Y AYUNO. Jesús habla de estas prácticas en el capítulo 6 del Evangelio de San Mateo y yo las veo como elementos y guías fundamentales para nuestro discipulado en el camino de Cuaresma.

Para dar un mejor enfoque a este mensaje pido su atención primero al Mensaje de Cuaresma del Papa Francisco a toda la Iglesia. Él nos recuerda que Jesús no, “se reveló en poder y riqueza sino en lo débil y en la pobreza… Cristo… puso a un lado su gloria y se vació para poder ser como nosotros en todo”. La razón de la pobreza de Jesús es clara, “la Caridad, el amor es compartir todo con la persona que amamos… (el amor) derrumba paredes y elimina las distancias.” En Su pobreza, Jesús pudo comunicarnos directamente el amor de Dios y en ello nos muestra la manera de comunicar ese amor unos con otros y con el mundo.

El Papa Francisco también nos dice que en medio de Su pobreza, Jesús era rico.

Su riqueza era el reconocer el amor de Su Padre. Sabemos que esto es verdad en nuestras vidas. Nuestro verdadero tesoro son las relaciones de amor, las cuales dan significado y gozo a nuestras vidas.

Esta es una idea para el comienzo de nuestro camino de Cuaresma. La Cuaresma debe ser un tiempo para que busquemos llegar a ser más como Jesús, estar dispuestos a ser generosos en lo simple de la vida que es lo que nos libera y a amar a los más 4 Catholic Connection

necesitados y a nuestros seres queridos: la verdadera riqueza en nuestras vidas.

El Papa Francisco hace una distinción importante sobre el entendimiento de nuestro camino espiritual. La indigencia no es lo mismo que la pobreza: indigencia es pobreza sin fe, sin apoyo, sin esperanza.

Hay tres tipos de indigencias: material, moral y espiritual. A la indigencia material se le llama normalmente pobreza, y afecta a los que viven en condiciones contrarias a la dignidad humana: a los que no tienen siquiera para las necesidades básicas como comida, agua, higiene, trabajo y la oportunidad de desarrollarse y crecer culturalmente. En respuesta a esta indigencia, la Iglesia ofrece su ayuda, su diaconía, satisfaciendo esas necesidades y cubriendo esas heridas que desfiguran la cara de la humanidad. En el pobre y marginado vemos la cara de Cristo; porque amando y ayudando a los pobres, amamos y servimos a Cristo.

No menos concerniente es la indigencia moral, la cual existe en la esclavitud del vicio y del pecado. ¿Cuánto dolor existe en las familias porque uno de los miembros se esclaviza con alcohol, drogas, apuestas o pornografía? ¿Cuánta gente ya no ve el significado en la vida o tiene esperanzas para el futuro, cuantos han perdido la esperanza?

La indigencia moral está definitivamente ligada a la indigencia espiritual que experimentamos cuando nos alejamos de Dios y rechazamos Su amor. Si pensamos que no necesitamos a Dios, quien nos busca a través de Cristo, porque creemos que podemos funcionar sin él, vamos directamente a una caída. Solo Dios puede

verdaderamente salvarnos y darnos libertad.

Regresamos al comienzo de mis pensamientos de LIMOSNA, ORACION Y AYUNO. Que estos nos sirvan de guía para alcanzar la conversión espiritual que el Papa Francisco nos invita a atesorar.

Dar limosna es nuestra respuesta a la indigencia física. Cuando el poder, los lujos y el dinero se convierten en ídolos, las necesidades de los demás no se ven. La limosna dirige nuestros corazones a escuchar el llanto de los pobres, y a compartir con ellos, lo que nos hace más pobres en tesoros terrenales para que podamos descubrir las verdaderas riquezas de nuestra vida.

El ayuno nos ayuda a enfrentar la indigencia moral. Con frecuencia a lo que más nos cuesta renunciar no es al dinero, sino a nuestro pecado favorito, a nuestros espejismos o a lo que el dinero nos puede comprar. Ayunando por medio de renunciar a lo que nos causa una indigencia moral comienza a liberarnos para poder amar otra vez como Jesús quiere que amemos. Esto no es fácil, pero si nos mantenemos fieles al ayuno encontraremos una nueva libertad de amar, para ser mejores personas, mejor mamá o papá y estar dispuestos a ayudar a los que nos necesitan y estar más libres de las tentaciones que nos esclavizan.

Finalmente, la oración es la respuesta a la indigencia espiritual. La oración es lo que rodea a todo lo demás. En la oración encontramos fuerza, revelación, consuelo, retos, convicción de nuestros pecados, conciencia de nuestros egoísmos, revelación de nuestros miedos y la respuesta al significado verdadero de nuestras vidas.

Nuestro Santo Padre termina su carta con estas palabras: “Que el Espíritu Santo, nos sostenga en nuestras decisiones y aumente nuestra preocupación y responsabilidad por la indigencia humana, para que podamos llegar a ser generosos y actuemos con misericordia. Al expresar esta esperanza, yo también oro para que cada uno de los fieles en toda comunidad eclesial tome un camino fructífero de Cuaresma. Les pido a todos que oren por mí. Que el Señor los bendiga y Nuestra Señora los mantenga salvos.”

bishop’s reflection

by Bishop Michael G. Duca

Undertaking a Spiritual Journey During Lent

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ope Francis has sent out a Lenten Message to all the faithful of the world again this year (see pg. 19). His message has been on my mind as well as the spiritual practices of ALMSGIVING, PRAYER AND FASTING. Jesus speaks of these practices in Matthew 6, and I believe these are non-negotiable elements of our discipleship and a Bishop Duca necessary guide for our Lenten journey.

To give a better focus to this I want to draw your attention first to Pope Francis’ Lenten Message to the Church.

He reminds us that Jesus did not, “reveal himself in worldly power and wealth, but rather in weakness and poverty… Christ… set aside his glory and emptied himself so that he could be like us in all things.” The reason for Jesus’ poverty is clear, “Charity, love is sharing with the one we love in all things… (Love) breaks down walls and eliminates distances.” In His poverty, Jesus was able to communicate to us directly the love of God and in doing so He shows us the way to communicate that love to each other and the world.

Pope Francis also points out that in His poverty, Jesus was also rich. His wealth came from His awareness of His Father’s love. We know that this is true in our lives. Our real treasure is found in our relationships of love, which give meaning and joy to our lives.

This is the beginning insight of our Lenten journey. Lent should be a time for us to become more like Christ and willing to seek the kind of simplicity in life that frees us to love those in need and those who are dearest to us: the real wealth in our lives.

Pope Francis makes an important distinction for our understanding of our spiritual journey. Destitution is not the same as poverty: destitution is

poverty without faith, without support, without hope. There are three types of destitution: material, moral and spiritual.

Material destitution is what is normally called poverty, and it affects those living in conditions opposed to human dignity: those who lack basic rights and needs such as food, water, hygiene, work and the opportunity to develop and grow culturally. In response to this destitution, the Church offers her help, her diakonia, in meeting those needs and binding those wounds which disfigure the face of humanity. In the poor and outcast we see Christ’s face; by loving and helping the poor, we love and serve Christ.

No less a concern is moral destitution, which exists in slavery to vice and sin.

How much pain is caused in families because one of their members is enslaved with alcohol, drugs, gambling or pornography? How many people no longer see meaning in life or prospects for the future, how many have lost hope? Moral destitution is invariably linked to the spiritual destitution which we experience when we turn away from God and reject His love. If we think we don’t need God who reaches out to us through Christ, because we believe we can make do on our own, we are headed for a fall. God alone can truly save and free us.

We come back to the beginning of my thoughts on ALMSGIVING, PRAYER AND FASTING. They offer a guide on how to achieve the spiritual conversion Pope Francis is calling us to embrace.

Almsgiving is our response to physical

destitution. When power, luxury and money become idols, they take priority over the needs of others.

Almsgiving orients our hearts to hear the cries of the poor, and in sharing with those in need we become poorer in earthly treasure so we can rediscover the true riches of our lives.

Fasting helps us confront the moral destitution.

Often the most difficult thing to give up is not money, but our favorite sin, our illusions or what our money buys for us. To fast from or to give up those things that cause in us a moral destitution begins to free us so we can love again as Jesus calls us to love. This is not easy, but if we stay faithful to our fasting we will find a new freedom to love, to be a better mother or father, to be more willing to help those in need and to be free of the temptations that enslave us.

Finally, prayer is the answer to spiritual destitution. Prayer is what wraps all this together. In prayer we find strength, insight, consolation, challenge, conviction of our sins, awareness of our selfishness, revelation of our fears and the answer to real meaning in our lives.

Our Holy Father ends his letter with these words: “May the Holy Spirit sustain us in our resolutions and increase our concern and responsibility for human destitution, so that we can become merciful and act with mercy. In expressing this hope, I likewise pray that each individual member of the faithful and every Church community will undertake a fruitful Lenten journey. I ask all of you to pray for me. May the Lord bless you and Our Lady keep you safe.”

March 2014 5

mike’s meditations

by Mike Van Vranken

Your Invitation

Commit your loyalty to Jesus

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any non-Catholic Christian churches have traditionally included an “Altar Call” or “Invitation” at the end of their Sunday services. These appeals are calls for conversion, rededication or an invitation to join the church.

Some churches no longer include this as part of their service, citing that evangelization is what we do outside of church rather than during our weekly gatherings.

But there is one invitation that is open to everyone and is unceasingly still in effect. It is the petition of Jesus himself to “follow me.” In fact, Jesus used that phrase, “follow me,” 17 times throughout the four gospels. It is his invitation to separate ourselves from the world and live a life dedicated to him. I have decided that Jesus is constantly whispering this invitation for us to develop a deep and intimate relationship with him.

So let’s picture this: you receive a text, email or engraved paper invitation from Jesus himself, telling you he is in town and wants to meet with you – just the two of you, to have some “quality” time together. After visiting for a while, he asks if you will volunteer for a specific job for him. Before even thinking about all of the possibilities, you quickly answer yes. And my guess is, once you have committed your loyalty to his request, you would execute your committed duties to the best of your abilities.

The good news, of course, is that Jesus is in town, living within each one of us and he is inviting each of us to a particular calling.

He has something for all of us to do. But unless we spend that “quality” time with him – unless we develop that intimate relationship with him, we never fully understand what our specific role is in his kingdom.

Throughout this month, separate yourself to Jesus and ask him to explain in detail what he wants you to do, then open your ears and heart to hear his peaceful voice. Write down what you hear Jesus saying. These notes will become precious to you throughout your life. Finally, be obedient and ready to “follow” him wherever he is leading you. Yes, there will be work involved, but the fruit of that work includes love, joy, peace, patience and more.

(Galatians 5:22-23) And, as Pope Francis reminds us, the “Lord will not disappoint anyone who takes this risk.”

It’s your invitation from the Master himself. Don’t miss it.

Mike is a writer and teacher. You can contact him at: www. mikevanvrankenministries.org or write him at: Mike Van Vranken, 523 Loch Ridge Drive, Shreveport, LA 71106.

6 Catholic Connection

vocations corner

Priest, Sister & Seminarians Visit Catholic Schools

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ur greatest venue for helping young men and women to hear the call of God is our Catholic schools,” said Vocation Director Fr. Matthew Long.

In January, Fr. Matthew Long, Sr. AnnaMaria, and five collegeaged seminarians traveled to every school in our diocese to speak to students about priestly and religious vocations.

The five seminarians—John Parker, Kevin Mues, Martin AvilesVazquez, Steven Griego and Brandon Rice—were released from their seminary for a week to take part in the school visitations.

The group visited six schools, speaking in most, but not all classes.

As the group moved from class to class, led by Fr. Long, often the students would rise and say, “Good morning, Father!”

Over the course of a week, the seminarians took turns telling their vocations stories. “There’s a strong formational aspect to these visits,” said Fr. Long, “Not just for the students, but also for the seminarians.

I could see the seminarians were nervous the first day, but by the last day, you could see that they had become comfortable talking in front of people. They became more natural at communicating Jesus Christ to young people, and that really helps them in their discernment.”

Having a religious sister present also brought a new dimension to the school visits. Sister AnnaMaria is part of the Our Lady of Sorrows community here in our diocese, and wears a simple black habit.

“For many students, it was the first time they had ever seen a nun in person,” said Fr. Long.

Sister told of how, as a young girl, people would ask her, “Do you want to get married and have a large family?” She remembers thinking, “Yes, I do—but I want something more!”

After a brief talk on vocations by Fr. Long, the students would ask questions about priesthood and religious life. It was obvious that many had notions that priests only pray all day and celebrate Mass.

Many were surprised that seminarians play sports, have friends and go to the movies.

The highlight of the week, said Fr. Long, was playing dodge ball with the 6th grade class at St. John Berchmans school. “My team won; so that’s what really matters,” he laughed.

Having a “vocation team” visit schools is only in its second year, but Fr. Long hopes to make it a tradition. “I believe the future priests and sisters for our diocese will come from our own parishes and schools,” he said. “We need to plant these seeds early so their vocations can mature over time.”

by Sam Alzheimer, Vianney Vocations

domestic church

by Katie Sciba

Almsgiving: Teaching by Doing Let your kids tag along during Lent and learn the beauty of giving

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’ll be honest, I don’t have a strong history of faithful success with Lent.

Like a lit match, I flare with pious enthusiasm for fasting, penance and almsgiving, but my glow dims when I slip out of my practices. Before I know it, it’s Easter Sunday and I’m found feeling spiritually dry. Better luck next year, right?

The comforting and unfortunate fact is I’m not alone. It’s true that keeping up with Lenten commitments is tough when they’re not already habitual; but with our words and deeds always under the vigilant speculation of our children, it’s too important to let resolutions fall by the wayside. Because we parents are naturally the primary educators of our kids (CCC 2226), they’ll mimic our approaches to just about anything; and because the aspiration to imitate Christ is paramount, our children will learn to take it seriously from us.

Don’t worry though - God in his infinite patience allows us to learn as we go, which means we can better ourselves and set an example at the same time.

The best way to achieve a lasting spirituality in Lent with kids in tow is to understand that Catholicism is an active faith. It’s meant to be lived as a testament to Christ’s love as evidenced by the practice of almsgiving, especially during this season.

Almsgiving is the deliberate act of charity toward the poor – it expresses concern for the salvation of others and considers their unmet material needs.

There’s something so heavenly about almsgiving because through it, the giver has the chance to detach from material possessions – something we certainly won’t have in the next life – and he gives

of himself so another’s life might thrive.

What a great chance to teach our kids to value others over stuff!

To participate with children, have them tag along in your own efforts. Go through your home one room at a time to purge the excess and donate it to Catholic Charities or Providence House; invite your kids to evaluate which toys they really play with and which they don’t. You might be surprised at their natural generosity and eagerness to follow your lead. For the season of Lent, schedule a couple of visits to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul food pantries at local parishes, volunteer for HOPE Connections – an aid to provide permanent homes for the homeless, or help provide meals for Hope House with St. Joseph Parish in Shreveport, or Meals on Wheels with St. Jude Parish in Bossier. Make it a family event and put it on the calendar to seal the commitment.

If you’re unfamiliar with these services, find them online, or call your parish for details and suggestions. Almsgiving can easily go beyond the common practices of financial contributions; sometimes all it takes is an offering of time. One of my favorite verses on parenthood is from Proverbs, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). We need to be actively generous with our time and possessions not only for the good of others in need, but also to encourage the lasting behavior in our families. Investing our time for the poor will take us beyond ourselves and into the presence of God. Katie Sciba is the author of thecatholicwife.net. She lives in Shreveport with her husband, Andrew, and three sons, Liam,Thomas & Peter.

Almsgiving with Kids

Kids are ready to share when they witness generosity from their families. No matter what age, it’s simple to involve them in almsgiving during Lent to demonstrate how to go beyond themselves to invest in others.

Ages 2 - 4

A prime time for learning how to share, toddlers can be taught to give away toys and clothes to other boys and girls who don’t have any.

Doing this consistently helps them understand that people are more important than toys.

Ages 5 - 9

Keep encouraging your kids to give of their materials. Now is the perfect time to bring them along to help with charities, soup kitchens or donation sites for the things they give away.

Seeing the impact of their giving makes the experience more real.

Ages 10 - Teen

Kiddos this age can keep up with offering possessions and time, so add money to routine giving. The smallest amount makes an impact on both the giver and recipient; especially when the money is earned. In all instances of generosity, help them to pray for the recipients and that God continue to use them to help others.

March 2014 7

vocations corner

moveable feast

by Kim Long

Invitation to Manna from Mamaw y paternal grandmother wasn’t accustomed. Made her way she is present at Abbey Youth Fest a great cook, the table, with

G

reetings from St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, LA! My name is John Parker; I am a seminarian from our diocese and I wanted to share with you a bit about my formation to the priesthood and extend to you an invitation to Abbey Youth Fest, a youth rally coordinated by the seminary and scheduled for this spring!

I am currently in my Junior year of undergraduate formation at St. Joseph’s, or St. Ben’s as we lovingly know it, and the time I have spent here has been truly lifechanging. Since committing myself to this life two years ago, I really feel that I have grown in my discernment of the priesthood, and I am more excited than ever to serve the Diocese of Shreveport! I am in school with over 115 other seminarians studying for dioceses spreading from Texas to Georgia, and we get to enjoy the beautiful piney woods of Southeast Louisiana every day. The kindness and example of the Benedictine monks that run the seminary and the Abbey have contributed greatly to my experience, and on behalf of all the faculty, staff and the monastic community at St. Ben’s, I invite you, the youth of our diocese, to spend a day with us worshipping the Lord, discerning your vocation, all while having a lot of fun!

On March 22, St. Joseph Abbey will host its 14th Abbey Youth Fest, which is a full day of contemporary Catholic music, inspiring keynote speakers and beautiful liturgy. We’ll have Mass late in the afternoon, then as the sun sets, we will chant Vespers as the monks do, and the night will end with candlelit Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on the Abbey Youth Fest field. Throughout the festival, you will have the opportunity for personal prayer in an outdoor chapel, confession, a tour of St. Joseph Abbey and exposure to several religious orders and various ministries who set up information booths to share their message with the thousands of Catholic youths in attendance.

For more information and pictures from previous festivals, plus funny promotional videos, check out our website at www. abbeyyouthfest.com and find us on Facebook.

by John Parker, Seminarian 8 Catholic Connection

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she wasn’t a decorator or a “nester,” making her home a place of style or comfort.

She was a large and funny woman who loved to laugh and quilt and could envelope a person in an enormous embrace. She was also a very hard worker. At a very early age she was taken out of school and sent to work in the fields; from there she went to work in a “dry goods” store.

She worked there until her retirement.

Even though she wasn’t a great cook, there were three solid dishes in her repertoire and of those three, one is my all time favorite comfort food. There have been times when I would telephone my sister or brother and one or both of us would sing song, “Guess what I just made,” but we didn’t have to guess, we just knew...

Mamaw’s spaghetti. Let me clarify that there isn’t anything intrinsically “Italian” in this recipe other than the fact that it uses pasta. I am fairly certain that she never expected to end up being the inspiration for our Lenten Fridays. My siblings and I laugh and talk about her regularly and her name, Louise, which my granddaughter, niece and great niece carry, along with her spaghetti, is perhaps her most enduring legacy.

Lent is upon us and with that the challenge of meatless Fridays which may not necessarily challenge our will or our faith, but, let’s face it, can be a challenge in the kitchen. Not everyone likes fried fish or tuna casserole, shocking but true.

And how many pancakes can we prepare and still look the scales squarely in the eye, especially when we want to look our best in our Easter finery?

So one Lent I realized I could fix this and still maintain the no meat requirement. I will give you this recipe in two versions, her original and my slightly modified. Feel free to try either of them.

As you can see I have changed the recipe to reflect the availability of certain ingredients my Mamaw wasn’t always able to access. But I can tell you this, made her way it’s just as tasty, though perhaps very different than that to which many of us are

me at the stove, as I phone my sister or brother and brag about what I’m having for supper. She is reminding me that a few ingredients stirred with love and a bit of determination can nourish us throughout time.

Mamaw's Spaghetti Equipment Needed: • Black iron skillet • Colander Ingredients: • 1 box spaghetti noodles (no substitute, pasta needs to be the thick kind) • 1 can tomato paste • Black pepper • Bacon grease to just cover the bottom of the skillet Directions: Cook noodles and drain. Heat the bacon grease and add the noodles and tomato paste. The grease helps the paste coat the pasta. Add black pepper to taste. Serve piping hot with garlic bread.

Modified Recipe: Ingredients: • Olive oil • Chopped celery, garlic, onion and bell pepper (adjust amounts to your own family’s taste) • Favorite spaghetti sauce as long as there is NO MEAT (or as my friend Deb calls it “the gravy”) • Pasta Directions: Cook pasta (any kind you like, we use bow tie or angel hair). While pasta is cooking heat enough olive oil to cover bottom of pan, add chopped vegetables and let them cook until translucent. Add sauce and cook for about thirty minutes to an hour. Right before serving add pasta to sauce and let heat through. Serve with garlic toast and a salad.

Navigating the Faith Seeking a Decree of Nullity

by Dr. Kelly O'Donnell, Director of the Diocesan Tribunal

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veryone knows that marriage is “until death do us part”, right? Some of us who have once spoken those very words with the best of intentions are no longer with our spouse. We find ourselves, perhaps at some point in our lives, needing to petition the diocesan tribunal for what used to be commonly called “an annulment.” Just to be clear, this does not mean that your marriage to your former spouse never existed. The Catholic Church recognizes “all” marriages (i.e. between baptized or non-baptized persons) and believes that you intended to give valid consent to each other unless one of you decides to challenge its validity.

Here is what the Catechism of the Catholic Church defines and asks us to follow regarding matrimony or marriage: 1660 The marriage covenant, by which a man and a woman form with each other an intimate communion of life and love, has been founded and endowed with its own special laws by the Creator. By its very nature it is ordered to the good of the couple, as well as to the generation and education of children. Christ the Lord raised marriage between the baptized to the dignity of a sacrament (cf. CIC, can. 1055 # 1; cf. GS (48 # 1).

1661 The sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life (cf. Council of Trent: DS 1799).

1662 Marriage is based on the consent of the contracting parties, that is, on their will to give themselves, each to the other, mutually and definitively, in order to live a covenant of faithful and fruitful love.

1664 Unity, indissolubility, and openness to fertility are essential to marriage.

Polygamy is incompatible with the unity of

marriage; divorce separates what God has joined together; the refusal of fertility turns married life away from its “supreme gift,” the child (GS 50 # 1).

What if you wake up one morning and realize after you have been divorced, or are in a current marriage where children were never a part of the picture, or unfaithfulness in the marriage is acceptable by one of the spouses? This may sound like a very typical scenario in today’s marriages. Christ did not intend for those who wanted to follow his precepts to remain in a marriage where they are impeded to live their lives fully in his name.

This is where the tribunal can be of great assistance. If one or both spouses were not able to live in accordance within the teachings of marriage: children and faithfulness (there are many more fruits of matrimony as the Catechism of the Catholic Church states), you may decide to challenge the validity of the marriage.

Why would you petition for a decree of nullity? There are many reasons to do so. You may want to enter into religious life, become ordained, remarry or even lead a single life and serve in an ecclesiastical ministry where it may be required of you.

If we say we lead a life destined to be united with Christ, we need to be open to his word and live whatever vocation he is calling us to live out in our daily lives. Your vocation of marriage could change at the blink of eye, but we need to be trusting and look at what the Catholic Church offers us and invites us to become by always being prepared to respond to his call. If you were married before, it may be in your best interest to

challenge the validity of the marriage before the tribunal so that you don’t miss out living your true vocation!

Historically in the Catholic Church, “annulments,” or decrees of nullity, emanate from Sacred Scripture: The idea that two people can go through a wedding ceremony and still not be married is not a new one. In the Christian tradition, we can find the roots of the declaration of nullity in the New Testament. Christ says to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well: “You are right to say you have no husband; for you have had five husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband” (John 4:1718). Saint Paul condemns the Corinthians for allowing a man to enter into a union with his father’s wife (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:1-8). The practice of declaring certain unions invalid has continued ever since. (cf.

Preserving the Sanctity of Marriage, Rev. W. Soule, O.P., p. 6) In closing, the Catechism of the Catholic Church also states: 1665 The remarriage of persons divorced from a living, lawful spouse contravenes the plan and law of God as taught by Christ. They are not separated from the Church, but they cannot receive Eucharistic communion. They will lead Christian lives especially by educating their children in the faith.

Contact your parish priest or the tribunal in Shreveport so that we may assist you.

The process to apply for a decree of nullity requires prayerful reflection and seeking God’s grace and mercy.

Kelly was recently a guest speaker for the Marquette Reading Circle in light of their 100th Anniversary Year, Shreveport, Nonmatrimonial Canonical Issues, received acknowledgement for contributions/ideas, Thirteenth Edition, Business Law Text and Cases, Clarkson, Miller & Cross, and invited to co-present, Tribunal Management, Canon Law Society of America’s Convention, Pittsburgh.

March 2014 9

second collection

second collections Black & Indian Missions & Catholic Relief Services this spiritual work of mercy! Please give generously to the Black and Indian Missions Collection.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Announcement Dates: March 16th & 23rd Collection Date: March 29th & 30th

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“ Black and Indian Missions Announcement Dates: February 23rd & March 2nd Collection Date: March 8th & 9th

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iving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.” (CCC 2447). This 125-year-old National Collection for Black and Indian people was mandated by the III Plenary Council in 1884. The funds are distributed as grants to dioceses throughout the United States, supporting and strengthening evangelization programs which otherwise would cease.

Extremely impoverished neighborhoods and reservations among Black and Native Americans, economically, educationally and spiritually, are still a hampering reality across our nation. Your financial support of the Black and Indian Missions Office enables it to help form children in the faith, educate young people and build hope – a hope often so hard to find in the areas our missionaries serve. Instructing, advising, consoling and comforting are spiritual works of mercy (CCC 2447).

In our own mission diocese, the Diocese of Shreveport, we have a few small, but vibrant, black parishes: Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Shreveport, Little Flower of Jesus Parish in Monroe and St. Benedict the Black Parish in Grambling. There are Native American Indians at St. Joseph Parish in Zwolle and at St. Ann Church in Ebarb.

There are Black and Native Indian Catholics present in many of the other parishes of our diocese. We have the much needed Newman Center that serves the black and international Catholic students studying in the university town of Grambling. Our participation in this special collection allows our Catholic faith to penetrate deeper into the African American and Indian populations of north Louisiana, providing education and hope. Join in

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10 Catholic Connection

elp Jesus in Disguise.” Catholic Relief Services is the international humanitarian agency of the Catholic Community in the United States. Whether it’s the person or family across the street or in another part of the world, CRS supports six Catholic agencies that touch more than 100 million lives. You and I, through CRS, are doing a tremendous amount of good in witness to the Lord at home and abroad. The funds from this collection provide food to the hungry, support to displaced families and show Christ’s love and respect to all people.

Jesus identified himself with our poorest brothers and sisters. Catholic Relief Services, representing us, our U.S. Bishops, the Church and the Lord, serves Jesus in the victims of human trafficking, in those who suffer from unjust laws and in those who need pastoral care. Through your generosity families will be reunited, valuable life skills will be taught to those seeking a better life, and many will have vital humanitarian needs met.

Our Lord said that the poor you will have with you always. Our Lord was not speaking in a defeated, resigned tone about the presence of poverty; rather, he was giving us the Good News that we would always have the opportunity to love and serve Him in “the least of these.” Help Jesus in disguise.

Give generously this Lenten season to the Catholic Relief Services Collection.

Fr. Rothell Price, Vicar General, is the Director of Special Collections.

Congratulations to Our Diocesan Students of the Year!

The Student of the Year Awards Program is designed to recognize outstanding elementary, middle/ junior, and high school students. This program, patterned after the Teacher of the Year Awards Program, is an excellent opportunity to recognize, from each school system, those students who have demonstrated excellent academic achievement, leadership ability and citizenship. The Student of the Year Awards Program is sponsored by the Louisiana State Superintendents through the State Department of Education and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Congratulations to the following district winners: 5th Grade: Catherine Doyal Hunt, Cedar Creek School 8th Grade: Carlie Ann Toliver, Cedar Creek School 12th Grade: Patrick Whipple, St. Frederick High School These students will continue to the regional screening process on March 7, 2014 in Baton Rouge, LA.

Diocesan Students of the Year

5th Grade: Julia Barkley Jesus the Good Shepherd School

8th Grade: Jack Smith St. Joseph School

12th Grade: Patrick Whipple St. Frederick High School

school NEWS < Jesus the Good Shepherd School found a fun way to provide some much needed money for the Wounded Warrior Project. The students were asked to bring a dollar for admission to the JGS basketball shoot-out. JGS students dressed in camo and enjoyed watching a basketball shootout between Fr. Abraham from Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish and his teammate, Fr. Job from Christ the King/ULM Catholic Center, compete against Fr. Lijo from St. Joseph Parish in Bastrop, and his teammate, Fr. Mark Watson from St. Patrick Parish in Lake Providence. JGS school was able to donate over $600 to the Wounded Warrior Project. In the end, Fr. Job and Fr. Abraham, playing for the PK-3 – 2nd graders, were the winners, but all of the students enjoyed watching the hilarious antics on the court!

^ St. Joseph School Kindergarteners were presented their coveted pencil pouch during the “K-5 Pouching Ceremony.” This ceremony marked their journey to 1st Grade!

^ Twelve Loyola College Prep SGA members attended the Louisiana Association of Student Councils convention at Grace King High School in Metairie during the Martin Luther King weekend. Pictured: Kendall Nelson’s entry in the Mardi Gras mask contest won 2nd place and is currently on display in the front office.

^ Congratulations to St. Frederick High School senior Patrick Whipple and eighth grader Callie Ezell for placing first and third in this year’s Student of the Year District Competition. The Student of the Year Program recognizes students who have demonstrated excellent academic achievement, leadership ability and citizenship.

> St. John Berchmans School hosted its 5th annual Religion Scholars Bowl during Catholic Schools Week in January. Students in grades 3rd through 8th competed in grade level teams by answering oral questions, taking a written exam and performing a skit. The schools that participated were St. John Berchmans School, St. Joseph School, St. Mary School in Natchitoches and the Monroe schools including: Our Lady of Fatima, Jesus the Good Shepherd, and St. Frederick High School. The seventh grade team came in first place, with sixth grade placing second and eighth grade taking third place. Similar to local quiz bowls and scholars contests, the Religion Scholars Bowl allows Catholic students to share their knowledge of the Catholic faith and work with other students in the diocese.

March 2014 11

Conversions

Jail House

LOCAL MISSIONARIES MINISTER IN JAILS AND BRING INMATES TO THE FAITH

by Dr. Holly L. Wilson

ver heard of “jail house conversions” or “fox-hole genuine jail house conversions. conversions”? Ever wondered what that meant? It is sort The men speak of how their lives have been changed by their of like what happens when something bad and traumatic arrest and how grateful they are that they were arrested because happens to a person, like the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, they wouldn’t be alive otherwise. They speak of how finding or some other event, and the person turns to God and from the Christ in prison has changed them from being dependent upon world. substances to being dependent upon Christ. They even speak of In fox-holes in World War I, a soldier would feel death at his being “happy” in prison. They know that prison was what caused heels and would begin to pray to God because he knew that his them to turn from a life of crime, self-abuse and abuse of others gun or bayonet was not enough to save him. Some people view to a wholesome life, a Spirit filled life, a life dependent upon the this type of conversion as inauthentic because afterwards, if he cross of Jesus. survives, he tells God, “Thanks God, I’ll take it from here.” The Many of these men I teach are in a Sheriff’s prison, River Bend same thing is thought about prisoners who convert to Christianity Detention Center, in Lake Providence, LA, where they have in prison. They are confronted little access to education and with very traumatic events: vocational training other than arrest, sentencing and religious education. It is the one imprisonment for many years. thing they can grab hold of to 1 in 86 adults in Louisiana is doing Suddenly, they feel the need keep their sanity. In Louisiana time which is double the national for God. They believed they 52% of all prisoners are in average. It is thus important for us to were perfectly capable of locally run Sheriff’s prisons. reach out to prisoners and bring the running their lives on their I go out to the prison twice a own before they were arrested, week and teach them the Bible good news to them. but afterwards they realized and Christ’s love for them. that they didn’t have the power They learn what it means to be to handle their freedom. So a Christian and even what it some prisoners turn to God. One of the differences between the means to be a Catholic. I hope it is enough for them to embrace a fox-hole conversion and the jail-house conversion is that the latter true conversion. goes on for years and prisoners have the time to study the Bible, Fr. Mark Watson, pastor at St. Patrick and Sacred Heart take classes and really turn their lives over to Christ. parishes, has been visiting prisons in East and West Carroll Parish Some people are skeptical of these conversions because it Detention Center for the last two and half years. At West Carroll seems like prisoners convert in order to prove to the parole board he confirmed a man and would lead a communion service once that they are worthy of parole. This may well be true of some a week. In his preaching he explains aspects of the Catholic faith. men, there are always human beings who know how to work the He confirmed another prisoner at East Carroll Detention Center system. But having taught at David Wade Correctional Center in Lake Providence and baptized him. At River Bend Detention for the past 10 years with the Greco Institute of the Diocese of Center in Lake Providence he is in the process giving a prisoner Shreveport, I have come to be convinced that there are real and inquiry and Catechumenate materials. Fr. Mark finds the Catholic

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faith fills an important need, not only in the lives of these men, but in the lives of many of the inmates.

I drive 154 miles round trip to go to River Bend twice a week because the prison is divided up into two phases. The men there are so eager to learn and speak about the Bible.

They not only want to learn, they want to talk about their own conversion experiences and the understanding they have developed as they have done their own reading. I try to help them understand Catholic teaching. We have to sit in a cold room on cold steel benches for our classes, and the men wear only thin orange jumpsuits, but they have no chapel in this small Sheriff’s prison and so we do the best we can.

At State run prisons like David Wade, the men have more access to vocational training and even have a Chapel where Mass and religious services are held. I see those men once a week and many of those I have taught were once Protestants and are now interested in Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), so I am holding an RCIA class in prison for 10 men who are considering becoming Catholic.

Fr. Mark Franklin celebrates Mass with the prisoners once a month at David Wade Correction Center in Homer. Many men from different denominations, in addition to Catholics, attend and they are hungry for the Mass. Now they are learning from me what it means to attend Mass and what it means to be a Catholic as I teach an RCIA class in addition to my Bible study. I drive 165 miles round trip every week to be at David Wade every Wednesday night. Most of the men have attended multiple classes with me and some of the men have been coming to every class and Bible study I have held since 2004 when I first started coming there. They tell me about their conversion experiences since going to prison and how Jesus has changed their lives. They never stop expressing their appreciation for the Greco Institute.

Fr. Francis Kamau, along with Fr. Michael Thang’wa, visit the men housed in the Caddo Correctional Center in Shreveport to offer them Confession, Anointing of the Sick and Holy Communion. Fr. Francis is also an auxiliary deputy chaplain and serves not only inmates, but also sheriff’s deputies. Another local Catholic, Fred Douciere, goes to Richland Parish Detention Center to give a Bible Study to the women prisoners there twice a month.

Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate in the United States and, in fact, on the planet. It has seven times the incarceration rate of China and 20 times the incarceration rate of Germany. In the past two decades, prison population in Louisiana has doubled.

Fr. Mark Watson, pastor at St. Patrick Parish in Lake Providence and Sacred Heart Parish in Oak Grove, ministers at local prisons, and even conducts RCIA sessions with some inmates.

One in 86 adults in Louisiana is doing time, which is double the national average. It is thus important for us to reach out to prisoners and bring the Good News to them. In my experience the prisoners never stop thanking me for coming out week after week to teach them scripture.

The Greco Institute, parish priests and some lay people are trying to make a difference in these prisoners’ lives – helping them find Christ and live a Christian life so that when they do get out they will genuinely be transformed men and we can witness a true jail house conversion. So far I have noticed that none of the men who have attended my classes and have been released have ever come back to prison. And all of this is possible because of the generous support the Diocese of Shreveport receives from people just like you to the Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal.

Want to help with prison ministry?

Greco classes, like the one Holly teaches at local prisons, are funded through the Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal.

Visit www.dioshpt.org to donate.

March 2014 13

2014 Annual Diocesan Financial Report

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March 2014 15

2014 Annual Diocesan Financial Report

16 Catholic Connection

NEWS

Parishes Pray for Immigration Reform

Catholic Charities Looks to Expand Services

Courtesy Catholic Charities USA, Alexandria, VA

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hroughout our short history, Catholic Charities of Shreveport has seen dynamic growth and developed four major programs: Emergency Assistance, Financial Education, Immigration ince April of 2013 the American Bishops have led an Integration and Gabriel’s Closet. These programs were created to effort to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform. The address some of the greatest needs throughout the 16 civil parishes hard work of Catholics throughout our country bore that comprise the Diocese of Shreveport, and each program includes fruit in June of 2013 when the United States Senate passed a important educational components that are intended to provide our comprehensive bill that provides a path to citizenship and helps clients with the tools and information they need to begin making to reunite families. long-term improvements. Until recently, however, we were only able In order to pray that the House of Representatives pass a to offer Emergency Assistance to some of those 16 parishes. similar bill prayer services were held at St. Patrick Parish in When people come to us for assistance, we understand their need Lake Providence on Sunday, November 24, 2013 and at Sacred is usually a symptom or outgrowth of a larger issue. We want to help Heart Parish in Oak Grove on Wednesday, December 4, 2013. with their immediate need, but the educational components are really The prayer services were entitled, “I Was A Stranger and You the most valuable for creating long-term improvements. Gabriel’s Welcomed Me.” Included in the prayer services were Scriptural Closet provides low-income new parents with necessary infant items, Readings (Galatians 3:23-39, Psalm 18 and Luke 10:25-37); a but it also includes classes such as well baby care and parenting skills. homily, Intercessions, a witness by a Mexican American Family The Immigration Integration program includes legal assistance to and a reflection by Bishop Michael Duca. Those who attended help people obtain necessary legal documentation, but it also includes both learned the teaching of the Catholic Church concerning English as Second Language and Citizenship classes. Emergency immigration reform and were encouraged to contact their Assistance for rent or utilities is paired with Financial Education, and member of the House of Representatives. also includes our new Healthy Eating on a Budget Initiative which The USCCB is asking that the House pass a bill which incorporates economical nutrition and cooking classes. includes the following: 1) economic and social development As we grow, we hope to make these programs available throughout in Mexico and Latin America in order to address the root the diocese. With the opening of the Lake Providence office, we can causes of migration, 2) an earned path to citizenship for the now offer Emergency Assistance and Financial Education to the undocumented in this country, 3) an expanded legal means to farthest eastern areas of the diocese. reunite documented and undocumented family members, 4) We are in the process of researching our next satellite office. We a temporary worker program which protects both foreign and are assessing the greatest needs in potential areas, which programs domestic workers and 5) due process reforms for those detained volunteers can support in those locations, and what other resources for lack of documentation as well as reforms which protect would be available to sustain an office. The final decision will be based undocumented immigrants from being returned to countries on a balance of needs, logistics and local support in terms of both with oppressive regimes. volunteers and funding.

The Republican members of the House of Representatives Because we want to offer our programs and services for many years are now considering various principles which could be included to come, our growth must be done in a manageable and sustainable in an immigration reform bill. Please pray that the House of way. It is a time for prayerful discernment, so we may be wise stewards Representatives pass immigration reform which includes the points listed above, especially provisions which include a path to in this time of growth. However, it is also an exciting time for the citizenship and the reuniting of families. In order to be a part of agency as we explore options for helping even more people. Catholic Charities of Shreveport wants input from people in all areas of the this effort, call your representative, Vance McAllister 202-225diocese. If you would like to be a part of this growth, we would 8490 or John Fleming 202-225-2777.

by Fr. Mark Watson, Pastor of St. Patrick Church in Lake appreciate hearing your ideas for your area. Call us at 318-865-0200.

by Anita Crafts, Catholic Charities of Shreveport Providence and Sacred Heart Church in Oak Grove

The Alvizo Family spoke about their experience in the United States during the St. Patrick Parish prayer service.

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March 2014 17

HISPANIC corner

por Marcos Villalba 318-868-4441

¡JESUS NOS OFRECE ALGO MAS GRANDE QUE LA COPA DEL MUNDO! – Papa Francisco

Calendario del Mes de Marzo 5 Miércoles de Ceniza 7 Retiro anual para trabajadores del Centro Católico. Centro Católico cerrado.

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omenzamos la Cuaresma este año el 5 de Marzo con el Miércoles de Ceniza.

Los invito a reflexionar sobre los sueños y propósitos que podemos realizar durante estos cuarenta días y en nuestras vidas, con oración y preguntando a nuestro Dios: ¿Qué quieres de mi vida Señor?

Esa pregunta y muchas más se me quedaron grabadas el verano pasado cuando escuché por el internet el mensaje que el Papa Francisco dio a todos los jóvenes en la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud en Río de Janeiro, Brasil, 2013.

En su discurso, el Papa también nos recordó que ¡Jesús nos ofrece algo más grande que la Copa del Mundo.

Personalmente, como aficionado del futbol, estas palabras llenaron mi corazón de alegría y esperanza. Desde que recuerdo espero con mucha anticipación y gozo este suceso de la Copa Mundial.

Recuerdo la entrevista que le hicieron Bossier City: Christ the King Church 425 McCormick St. Bossier City Sábado 7:00 p.m.

Domingo 3:00 p.m.

Lunes 7:00 p.m. antes de Misa Marilú Rodriguez Tel: 318-286-1492 Farmerville: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church 600 E. Water Street, Farmerville Sábado 7:00 p.m.

Rev. Al Jost Tel: 318-243-0115

8 1ª. Reunión en preparación para el Retiro Búsqueda, Centro Católico, 11ª.m. – 4 p.m.

a un aficionado en Europa hace más de 15 años cuando salía de un partido y le pidieron que describiera su experiencia de la Copa Mundial y me llamó mucho la atención porque lleno de entusiasmo dijo que “¡la Copa Mundial era lo máximo en su vida!” ¡WOW! Quizás no me había dado cuenta pero por muchos años el futbol y la Copa Mundial eran mis ídolos. Sin embargo, cuando escuché esta conexión que hizo el Papa me puse a pensar en lo superficial que son nuestros sueños. La Copa Mundial es lo máximo en la vida de muchos aficionados del futbol como yo pero nosotros como católicos cristianos

MISAS Mansfield: St. Joseph Church 305 Jefferson Street, Mansfield 2do y 4to. Domingo 3:00pm Juanita Ibarra Tel: 318-872-5390 Oak Grove: Sacred Heart Church 201 Purvis St., Oak Grove Domingo 5:00 p.m.

Feliciano y Rosa Alviso Martinez Tel: 318-428-2137

tenemos algo MUCHO MAS GRANDE que eso; tenemos lo que Jesús nos ofrece a ti, a mí y a todo el mundo entero y que es una vida en abundancia, llena de esperanza, de amor, de paz, de compasión y de alegría. ¡Lo mejor de todo es que Jesús nos ofrece esta vida abundante no por un mes o cada cuatro años como la Copa Mundial, oh no! Él nos ofrece esta vida por toda la ETERNIDAD. Te invito a que, como yo esta Cuaresma en oración le respondas a Dios: Señor, “Tu amor vale más que la vida, te alabarán mis labios; te bendeciré mientras viva, levantaré mis manos en tu Nombre.”

Salmo 63:4-5. Para reflexionar: ¿Qué es para tí lo máximo? Y ¿Qué quiere de tu vida el Señor?

Ruston: St. Thomas Aquinas Church 810 Carey Ave., Ruston 2do y 4to Domingo 2:30 p.m.

Soledad Broyles Tel: 318-243-1958 Shreveport: St. Mary of the Pines Church 1050 Bert Kouns Indl Loop, Shreveport Domingo 11:30 a.m.

Carmen Bradford Tel: 318-455-2300 West Monroe: St. Paschal Church 711 N 7th Street, West Monroe Domingo 2:30 p.m.

Lorena Chaparro Tel: 318-651-9136

Oficina del Ministerio Católico Hispano: Rosalba Quiroz, Directora 318-219-7265 Marcos G. Villalba, Pastoral Juvenil 318-219-7288 • Jeanne Brown, Secretaria 318-219-7257 18 Catholic Connection

POPE'S MESSAGE FOR LENT 2014: AN INVITATION TO EVANGELICAL POVERTY IN OUR TIME

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ear Brothers and Sisters, As Lent draws near, I would like to offer some helpful thoughts on our path of conversion as individuals and as a community. These insights are inspired by the words of Saint Paul: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.” The Apostle was writing to the Christians of Corinth to encourage them to be generous in helping the faithful in Jerusalem who were in need. What do these words of Saint Paul mean for us Christians today? What does this invitation to poverty, a life of evangelical poverty, mean to us today?

Christ’s grace First of all, it shows us how God works. He does not reveal himself cloaked in worldly power and wealth but rather in weakness and poverty: “though He was rich, yet for your sake he became poor... .” Christ, the eternal Son of God, one with the Father in power and glory, chose to be poor; he came amongst us and drew near to each of us; he set aside his glory and emptied himself so that he could be like us in all things. God’s becoming man is a great mystery!

But the reason for all this is his love, a love which is grace, generosity, a desire to draw near, a love which does not hesitate to offer itself in sacrifice for the beloved. Charity, love, is sharing with the one we love in all things. Love makes us similar, it creates equality, it breaks down walls and eliminates distances.

God did this with us. Indeed, Jesus “worked with human hands, thought with a human mind, acted by human choice and loved with a human heart. Born of the Virgin Mary, he truly became one of us, like us in all things except sin.”

By making himself poor, Jesus did not seek poverty for its own sake but, as Saint Paul says “that by his poverty you might become rich.” This is no mere play on words or a catch phrase. Rather, it sums up God’s logic, the logic of love, the logic of the incarnation and the cross. God did not let our salvation drop down from heaven, like someone who gives alms from their abundance out of a sense of altruism and piety. Christ’s love is different! When Jesus stepped into the waters of the Jordan and was baptised by John the Baptist, he did so not because he was in need of repentance, or conversion; he did it to be among people who need forgiveness, among us sinners, and to take upon himself the burden of our sins. In this way he chose to comfort us, to save us, to free us from our misery. It is striking that the Apostle states that we were set free, not by Christ’s riches but by his poverty. Yet Saint Paul is well aware of the “the unsearchable riches of Christ,” that he is “heir of all things.”

So what is this poverty by which Christ frees us and enriches us? It is his way of loving us, his way of being our neighbour, just as the Good Samaritan was neighbour to the man left half dead by the side of the road. What gives us true freedom, true salvation and true happiness is the compassion, tenderness and solidarity of his love. Christ’s poverty which enriches us is his taking flesh and bearing our weaknesses and sins as an expression of God’s infinite mercy to us. Christ’s poverty is the greatest treasure of all: Jesus wealth is that of his boundless confidence in God the Father, his constant trust, his desire always and only to do the Father’s will and give glory to him. Jesus is rich in the same way as a child who feels loved and who loves its parents, without doubting their love and tenderness for an instant. Jesus’ wealth lies in his being the Son; his unique relationship with the Father is the sovereign prerogative of this Messiah who is poor. When Jesus asks us to take up his “yoke which is easy,” he asks us to be enriched by his “poverty which is rich” and his “richness which is poor,” to share his filial and fraternal Spirit, to become sons and daughters in the Son, brothers and sisters in the first-born brother.

It has been said that the only real regret lies in not being a saint (L. Bloy); we could also say that there is only one real kind of poverty: not living as children of God and brothers and sisters of Christ.

Our witness We might think that this “way” of poverty was Jesus’ way, whereas we who come after him can save the world with the right kind of human resources.

This is not the case. In every time and place God continues to save mankind

and the world through the poverty of Christ, who makes himself poor in the sacraments, in his word and in his Church, which is a people of the poor. God’s wealth passes not through our wealth, but invariably and exclusively through our personal and communal poverty, enlivened by the Spirit of Christ.

In imitation of our Master, we Christians are called to confront the poverty of our brothers and sisters, to touch it, to make it our own and to take practical steps to alleviate it. Destitution is not the same as poverty: destitution is poverty without faith, without support, without hope. There are three types of destitution: material, moral and spiritual. Material destitution is what is normally called poverty, and affects those living in conditions opposed to human dignity: those who lack basic rights and needs such as food, water, hygiene, work and the opportunity to develop and grow culturally. In response to this destitution, the Church offers her help, her diakonia, in meeting these needs and binding these wounds which disfigure the face of humanity. In the poor and outcast we see Christ’s face; by loving and helping the poor, we love and serve Christ. Our efforts are also directed to ending violations of human dignity, discrimination and abuse in the world, for these are so often the cause of destitution. When power, luxury and money become idols, they take priority over the need for a fair distribution of wealth. Our consciences thus need to be converted to justice, equality, simplicity and sharing.

No less a concern is moral destitution, which consists in slavery to vice and sin. How much pain is caused in families because one of their members – often a young person – is in thrall to alcohol, drugs, gambling or pornography!

How many people no longer see meaning in life or prospects for the future, how many have lost hope! And how many are plunged into this destitution by unjust social conditions, by unemployment, which takes away their dignity as breadwinners, and by lack of equal access to education and health care. In such cases, moral destitution can be considered impending suicide. This type of destitution, which also causes financial ruin, is invariably linked to the spiritual destitution which we experience when we turn away from God and reject his love. If we think we don’t need God who reaches out to us though Christ, because we believe we can make do on our own, we are headed for a fall. God alone can truly save and free us.

The Gospel is the real antidote to spiritual destitution: wherever we go, we are called as Christians to proclaim the liberating news that forgiveness for sins committed is possible, that God is greater than our sinfulness, that he freely loves us at all times and that we were made for communion and eternal life.

The Lord asks us to be joyous heralds of this message of mercy and hope! It is thrilling to experience the joy of spreading this good news, sharing the treasure entrusted to us, consoling broken hearts and offering hope to our brothers and sisters experiencing darkness. It means following and imitating Jesus, who sought out the poor and sinners as a shepherd lovingly seeks his lost sheep. In union with Jesus, we can courageously open up new paths of evangelization and human promotion.

Dear brothers and sisters, may this Lenten season find the whole Church ready to bear witness to all those who live in material, moral and spiritual destitution the Gospel message of the merciful love of God our Father, who is ready to embrace everyone in Christ. We can do this to the extent that we imitate Christ who became poor and enriched us by his poverty. Lent is a fitting time for self-denial; we would do well to ask ourselves what we can give up in order to help and enrich others by our own poverty. Let us not forget that real poverty hurts: no self-denial is real without this dimension of penance. I distrust a charity that costs nothing and does not hurt.

May the Holy Spirit, through whom we are “as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything,” sustain us in our resolutions and increase our concern and responsibility for human destitution, so that we can become merciful and act with mercy. In expressing this hope, I likewise pray that each individual member of the faithful and every Church community will undertake a fruitful Lenten journey. I ask all of you to pray for me. May the Lord bless you and Our Lady keep you safe.”

March 2014 19

around the DIOCESE

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Jesus Good Shepherd Church sponsored a Holy Land Pilgrimage from January 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 14, 2014. The pilgrimage covered many holy sites in Israel from the Mediterranean shores to the Galilee area, the Jordan River, to Jericho, the Judean wilderness, Dead Sea and Jerusalem. Pictured is the group outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

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Little Flower of Jesus Church in Monroe celebrated Confirmation with Bishop Michael Duca at the church on Sunday, January 26.

Father Lijo Thomas hosted his first clergy luncheon since becoming the Pastor of St. Joseph Church in Bastrop on January 25. Priests from the Eastern Deanery joined together for the meal and all enjoyed the luncheon and festivities.

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A Winter Tea was held at the home of Allison Cook on January 20 to honor the Diocese of Shreveport seminarians and provide an opportunity for Catholics in the area to meet the men who will be our future priests.

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Rev. Dr. Curtis Carroll, Bishop Michael Duca, Fr. Mark Watson, deacon candidate David Nagem (at pulpit), John Bosco Nyirenda, Cathy Wise and Ulpiana Lat participated in a prayer service for immigration reform at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oak Grove.

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Father Pike celebrated Scouting Sunday on February 2nd with the assistance of Deacon Freeman Ligon and altar server Arthur Sloan at St. Jude Church.

6 20 Catholic Connection

Goodbye to the Smiling Priest Beloved Father Edmund A. "Larry" Niehoff Passed Away

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The children from the Youth Department at St. Joseph Church in Bastrop made a Valentine and presented it to Father Lijo Thomas.

Married couples around the world were honored in special ways Sunday February 9, World Marriage Sunday. Bishop Duca personally congratulated couples at the reception following Mass at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans.

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A Cantor Workshop, presented by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians Shreveport Chapter, was held at St. Joseph Church in Shreveport. The workshop was an informational session on guidelines for a Cantors, followed by a Master Class session. Presenters were Loralee Culbert and Carole Moon.

hen Fr. Edmund A. “Larry” Niehoff left this world to be in certain paradise, I received a phone call from a worried local Catholic who happened to see his obituary in the newspaper. He informed me that Fr. Larry looked almost “too happy” in the picture accompanying the obituary. “Fr. Niehoff couldn’t have looked that jovial,” ventured my caller. I was quick to point out that Fr. Larry not only looked just that happy, but he appeared that way all the time, never leaving you without that gracious smile and a loving hug for good measure.

Our diocese inherited Fr. Larry in 1989, after he had served a variety of locations including the Archdioceses of New Orleans and Chicago, and our mother Diocese of Alexandria/Shreveport.

After serving our region as a hospital chaplain, he moved into the pastor’s role at St. Mary of the Pines, then later at St. Joseph Parish in Mansfield and St. Ann Church in Stonewall.

We were indeed lucky to have him finish both his priesthood and his life as an incardinated member of the Diocese of Shreveport.

People who received Fr. Larry’s care in the hospital, or those lucky enough to be his parishioners, all tell the same story: that Fr. Niehoff was a joy, an inspiration and a blessing in their life. This was a priest who embraced his vocation and strived to serve Christ’s people in a variety of remarkable ways. His style was always low key, yet firm, as he brought those around him closer to Christ.

As the eldest member of our presbyterate, Fr. Larry had a special role in the ordination of Michael G. Duca as our second bishop. It is only fitting that one so dedicated to the work of Christ in our diocese would play such a special part in the liturgical welcoming of our new bishop to the diocese.

The final years of Fr. Larry’s life were marked by health challenges resulting in great physical pain for this smiling man of God. Despite these hardships, one never heard Fr. Larry complain about his condition, as he worked hard for the Church to the very end, faithfully serving his two parishes and the people who loved him.

Retirement was not part of Fr. Larry’s vocabulary and he many times stated his intention of working as a priest to the very end.

Thank you Fr. Larry for gracing us with your ministry as a priest.

Thank you Fr. Larry for your smiles, your hugs and your always positive attitude. Thank you Fr. Larry for showing us what a priest can be, can do and can inspire in all of us.

by John Mark Willcox March 2014 21

upcoming EVENTS March 3: Our Lady of Czestochowa Icon Coming to Shreveport The traveling icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, the "Black Madonna - Ocean to Ocean Pilgrimage in Defense of Life" will be making a stop at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans on Monday evening, March 3 from 5pm - 8pm.

There will be a 5:00 p.m. Procession from St. Michael's Chapel around the block to return to the Cathedral; 5:30 p.m. prayer, reflection from Fr. West, rosary led by Fr. West and adoration; 8:00 p.m. final prayer. The icon has traveled over 40,000 miles and traversed 24 countries. Invite your family and friends to this amazing event which has inspired hundreds of thousands to seek Christ as they deepen their faith, hope and love. For more information, call the Cathedral office at 318221-5296.

March 10-12: Lenten Mission at St. Joseph Parish in Shreveport Speaker: Mike Van Vranken Morning Session: 9:00am at the St. Joseph Family Life Center (211 Atlantic Ave) Evening Session: 6:30pm in the Church (204 Patton Ave). Nursery is available only during the evening sessions for ages 4 months to 4 years. RSVP for nursery required to Susan Prest at 318-841-8213 Lenten Mini-Mission for students grades K5 thru 5th during the evening sessions. RSVP required to Jennie Murphy at 318-841-8215.

Topics: March 10 - How Scripture relates to our everyday lives. March 11 - Analysis & Meditation on two of your favorite scripture readings. March 12 - What next? What is our purpose?

For more information please contact the

St. Joseph Church Office at 318-865-3581.

March 10-12: Lenten Mission at St. Patrick Parish This mission entitled "Awakening Our Faith in Challenging Times" will be presented

by Fr. Dennis Koopman, OFM. Morning Masses with hospitality will be held the 10th - 12th at 10:30 a.m. Evening sessions with hospitality will begin at 6:30 p.m. The Tuesday service will include a reconciliation service.

The Wednesday session will end with Mass.

For more information, contact the church office at 318-559-5296.

March 14: Going Out into the Whole World: Joseph Summers Life of a Young Missionary For youth of the diocese: 5:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross in the Cathedral, followed by 6:15 pm dinner and 6:45 pm icebreaker and talk by Joseph Summers on how to share the word in their everyday lives. For more information, call the Cathedral office at 318221-8076.

March 20: Theology on Tap Theology on Tap is a monthly Catholic speaker series for young adults ages 21-39 to learn and discuss their faith! This month’s event takes place on March 20 beginning at 6:00 p.m. The event will take place at Trejo's Mexican Restaurant on Youree Drive in Shreveport. Admission is free. Fr. Matthew Long is the guest speaker this month and will be talking about Saint Joseph. Please make plans to join us!

For more information, contact Brandy Boudreau at bboudreau@dioshpt.org.

March 20: Parish Mission at Jesus the Good

Shepherd Parish Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish in Monroe will have Fr. Bryan Mullady, O.P., as its parish mission leader beginning Saturday, March 15 and continuing each night through Thursday, March 20. He is a well-known mission preacher, spiritual writer and seminary professor. For more information, please call the church office at 318-325-7549.

April 5: Renzi Center's Annual Jazz & Blues Brunch Don’t miss the Renzi Education and Art Center’s 2nd Annual Jazz & Blues Brunch Fundraiser! Held on Saturday, April 5th, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at The Shop, located at Olive Street & Fairfield Avenue, the Jazz & Blues Brunch will feature legendary guitarist Buddy Flett, an array of incredibly talented local musicians and delicious brunch fare! All proceeds from the Jazz & Blues Brunch will go directly to the Renzi Center’s free art and academic After School Program for at-risk children in the Shreveport-Bossier area. For tickets, please call the Renzi Center at 318-2221414 or visit our website www.renzicenter.org.

March 1 - April 13: 40 Days for Life Shreveport/ Bossier The 40 Days for Life Kickoff Rally is March 1 at Cypress Baptist Church at 10am with outstanding speakers.

The Midway Rally is planned for March 22.

Meet at the Boyd Family Practice Clinic at 1518 Doctor's Drive in Bossier. The Closing Candlelight Vigil is April 13. For more details about 40 Days for Life, visit 40daysforlifeSB. com or contact co-directors Chris Davis (chris@40daysforlifeSB.com / 318-349-3279) or Tom Guanella (ecoair@bellsouth.net).

2 0 1 4 D i o c e s a n s t e wa r d s h i p A p p e a l

I / We would like to contribute to the Diocesan Stewardship Appeal with a total yearly pledge of: $10,000 $7,500 $5,000 $3,500

$2,500 $2,000 $1,500 $1,000

Please send monthly reminders to:

$800 $750 $650 $500

$400 $350 $300 $250

At this time I / we are enclosing:

$200 $150 $100 $_______

$_____________

Print Name________________________________________________________________________________ Address___________________________________________________________________________________

Diocese of Shreveport The Catholic Center 3500 Fairfield Avenue Shreveport, LA 71104 www.dioshpt.org 22 Catholic Connection

City______________________________________________________State_________Zip Code____________ My / Our Church Parish______________________________________________________________________ Signature__________________________________________________________________________________ You may make a credit card payment online at: www.dioshpt.org (Click on Stewardship)

calendar

march 2014

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

SATURDAY

23 24 25 26 27 28 1 Appeal Sunday

Theology on Tap, Trejos Mexican Restaurant, Youree Dr., Shreveport, 6pm

Confirmation, Holy Trinity Parish, Shreveport, 4:15pm 40 Days for Life Kickoff Rally at Cypress Baptist Church, 10am

ASH Wednesday / March 5

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Appeal Followup Sunday

Our Lady of Czestochowa Icon, Cathedral, 5pm

St. Casimir

World Day of Prayer

Ash Wednesday Operation Rice Bowl Begins

Catholic Center Staff Retreat, Catholic Center Closed

St. Katharine Drexel, virgin

Second Collection: Black & Indian Missions St. John of God, apostle

Rite of Election / March 9

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1st Sunday of Lent Daylight Savings Time Begins Rite of Election, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, 2:30pm Black & Indian Missions Collection

Deadline for the April Catholic Connection

Presbyteral Council Meeting, Catholic Center, 1pm

Campus Ministry Mass at Centenary College, 4pm

USCCB Administrative Committee Meeting, Washington D.C. (thru March 12)

Theology on Tap / March 20

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Second Sunday of Lent

St. Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop & doctor of the Church

St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Theology on Tap, Trejos Mexican Restaurant, Youree Dr., Shreveport, 6pm

40 Days for LIfe Midway Rally, Boyd Family Practice Clinic, Bossier City, 10am

40 Days for LIfe / March 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Third Sunday of Lent

Spring Break for Catholic Schools Begins

30 31 Second Collection: Catholic Relief Services

The Annunciation of the Lord

Second Collection: Catholic Relief Services

Annunciation / MARCH 25 March 2014 23

DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave.

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Shreveport, LA 71104

Fairfield

Photo of the month by Laura E. Ortega

The Hispanic Young Adult Group from Christ the King Parish accepted the invitation by Catholic Extension to have an “Extension Day” and “Make Noise,” as Pope Francis said in Rio, Brazil during World Youth Day. They collected toys and gifts and brought them to the children at Shriner's Hospital. They day was focused on PRAYER – SERVICE – PHILANTHROPY. 24 Catholic Connection