August Catholic Connection

Connection The Catholic

Vol. 29 No. 1 Aug 2019

Catholic Schools Annual Report Also Inside Fr. Peter Relays Events of USCCB

Contents

25 FEATURES 6

USCCB Review

by Fr Peter Mangum

28 21 FROM THE POPE

28 Around the Diocese Parroquias con Ministerio Hispano en la Diócesis de Shreveport 29 School News por Rosalba Quiroz

Holistic Catholic Education

Through Mary’s Heart

by Lisa Cooper

12 FAITHFUL FOOD Please Consider...

by Kim Long

10

15 St. Joseph Cemetery Updates

by Kate Rhae

18 VOCATION VIEWS

by Raney Johnson

20

Second Collections for August

by Fr. Price

2 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

ON THE COVER

Virgin Mary

by Kim Long

17

Introducing a New Communications Director

New norms for the whole Church against those who abuse or cover up from Vatican News

14 Assumption of the Blessed

13 SECOND COLLECTIONS

19 Catholic Charities

31 September Calendar

NEWS

by Mike Van Vranken 5 LIBRARY NOTES

by Kate Rhea

30 August Calendar

27 Hopelessly Devoted

by Patti Underwood

4 MIKE’S MEDITATIONS

by John Mark Wilcox

23 Hispanic News

by Sr. Carol Shively, OSU

COLUMNS

25 Rite of Candidacy

from the Vatican Press Office

16 Catholic Schools’ Annual Report 24 Sister Maria Smith

16

You’ve Always Wanted to Help...

Now is the Time

by Mary Gully

ACROSS THE NATION

U.S. Bishops give $3.5 Million in Grants to Support the Church in Latin America from the USCCB

St. Joseph School students and Fr. Matthew Long pose for a photo with the

From the Diocese

The Catholic Connection Welcomes New Editor

by John Mark Willcox

T

he Diocese of Shreveport is pleased to welcome Samantha Maiette as the seventh editor of your Catholic Connection. Like so many people from this region, Samantha comes from a military background, as the daughter of Air Force parents she has traveled the world. However, for the past decade, she has resided in Bossier City with a four-year stint in Natchitoches as a student at Northwestern State University.

While at Northwestern, Samantha began her writing career as a reporter, and later managing editor, for the Current Sauce, before transitioning into writing and publishing for local news Photo by: Rachel Cochran outlets, such as the Natchitoches Parish Journal and the Red River Parish Journal.

In her free time, Samantha enjoys cooking, reading, traveling with her fiancé, interacting with her cat and researching new topics.

Samantha brings a lot of skill and clarity to our publication and we certainly welcome her at the helm of our award-winning monthly news magazine for the diocese. Any material you would like considered for an upcoming issue of The Catholic Connection can be forwarded to Samantha at smaiette@dioshpt.org.

Follow us on Social Media

Connection The Catholic

Publisher Fr. Peter Mangum

Editor Samantha Maiette Contributors Pope Francis Fr. Peter Mangum Lisa Cooper Mary Gully Raney Johnson Kim Long

Fr. Rothell Price Rosalba Quiroz Kate Rhea Sr. Carol Shively Patti Underwood Mike Van Vranken John Mark Willcox

Editorial Board Lisa Cooper Kim Long Fr. Matthew Long Dianne Rachal Melina Sanchez Randy Tiller Deacon Mike Whitehead John Mark Willcox Mission Statement The Catholic Connection is a monthly publication funded by your Diocesan Stewardship 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: Samantha Maiette, Editor Email: smaiette@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.

TWITTER @CathConnect

FACEBOOK facebook.com/ dioceseofshreveport

INSTAGRAM @CatholicConnection

www.dioshpt.org

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.

AUGUST 2019 3

MIKE’S MEDITATIONS

Holistic Catholic Education

By Mike Van Vranken

A

lmost forty years ago, I heard someone respond to the question “what do Catholics believe” with the confident answer: “We believe it all!”

Over the years, and often resulting in confused looks, I have repeated this response myself many times. But what does “believing it all” really mean? And, how do we “teach it all” to our children?

For me, “believing it all” means, yes, we believe in the Trinity, the Nicene and Apostle’s Creeds, the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, prayer, the sacraments, the importance of ritual liturgies, the living word of God in scripture, and the doctrines and traditions of the Church.

But there is more. We also believe that the experience of all of this in everyday life is crucial to being a follower of Jesus. Unless we put legs to the doctrine, to the statements in the creeds, to the ritual of liturgy and sacraments; unless we allow these experiences to change us, to transform us, to cause us to be reborn every day, then we only believe part of the Catholic reality – not all of it.

It is a beautiful and holy moment to experience the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. But, unless we then go out and experience Christ’s real presence in the people we live with, work with and meet on the street, and these experiences change who we are, we are failing to “believe it all.” If I can see Christ in the communion bread, but cannot receive new sight to see Christ in the unemployed person who needs my help, then I really don’t “believe it all”. If I can experience God’s mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but am not reborn into a new person and therefore I fail to forgive someone who has wronged me, I have missed the transformation God wanted in me. Or, as St. Paul put it: “if I have all faith as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing” 1 Cor. 13:2. For truly, to experience Christ in everyday life can only happen if we are living, changing and evolving into who we are called to be. We don’t just memorize and know Catholic Social Teaching. We 4 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Van Vranken

are personally called

by Jesus of Nazareth to live it.

Another aspect of “believing it all” is our personal, intimate conversations with God. Devotional prayers, such as rosaries, novenas, chaplets and more are part of our Catholic faith. They are good, holy and helpful to our life in Christ. Additionally, the spirituality of our Catholic identity also includes opening our deepest emotions, thoughts, memories, understanding, ideas and needs to the Father, Son and Spirit. Just as Jesus did, we go away and, not only talk to God, but listen quietly and patiently for his response.

God is not somewhere out in another galaxy. He is with us and in us always Mt. 28:19; John 14:23. To experience him is to fall in love with God so deeply, that we take time for personal, sensitive and intimate conversations with him, which sometimes means, sitting with him in the silence.

Unfortunately, many of us do not learn this experiential following of Jesus, this transformational aspect of our Catholic faith, until we are adults. But what would happen if, in our PSR classes, in our Catholic School curriculum, we taught our young people how to contemplatively sit with God and then share what we experience with him? Share our blessings, our gifts, our love and our very lives with those in the world around us?

What would happen is, we would change. That’s right. We are not called to

change others. We are called to receive God’s grace to change ourselves. Once we are transformed into the new person God has called us to be, our living as Jesus lived will inspire others to be transformed as well. Consequently, this entire world, all of God’s creation and everything in it would be transformed. And, if we read the gospel stories, this is exactly what you and I are called to do.

As this new school year begins, let us allow ourselves to be transformed right in front of our young people; right in front of our school students. Let’s explain that knowing about our faith is important. But Catholics living our experience with Christ is who we are called to be. Let’s model for them lives of deep, intimate and unitive experiences with God. Then, we can allow God to place the desire in their hearts to also be transformed. This could be the school year when we teach our children to truly be Catholics who “believe it all.”

Mike is a spiritual director, author, speaker and teacher. You can contact him at mikevanvranken@comcast.net

LIBRARY NOTES

“Invaluable Collection� Helps to Explain Church Fathers and their legacy.

Slattery Library News & Notes What's New?

Good News! Slattery Library is now open every week day from 9am to 1pm! The Catholic Center welcomes our new Administrative Assistant for the Library and Cemetery, Kate Rhea.

T

he Fathers of the Church series, featuring 127 volumes, represents the longest modern publication run of translated works by church fathers.

Hard-to-find, meticulously translated writings from Cyprian, Jerome, Basil, Ambrose, Peter Chrysologus and many more make up this invaluable collection. This is the definitive resource for anyone interested in learning about the Church Fathers and their legacy. Ideal for RCIA, catechists, clergy, as well as lay Catholics who want to learn more about the great teachers of early Christianity. However, the series is also beneficial for those studying theology, religion, late antiquity and the Middle Ages.

Spanning the first five centuries of Christianity, The Fathers of the Church books deliver essential patristic writings straight from the source.

Slattery Library & Resource Center houses this complete collection which has been praised for its unparalleled historical and theological significance.

Kate is available to help patrons research information, search and select reading material, and even host group meetings in the library. With themed displays each month and many newly cataloged materials ready to borrow, our library is revitalized and ready to serve our patrons.

To sign up for the newsletter featuring topical and seasonal collections, information on newly catalogued books, book and movie reviews, information on book clubs, and more, please e-mail Kate at krhea@dioshpt.org.

Visit the Slattery Library Visit the Slattery Library inside the Catholic Center!

The library is open Monday Friday from 9am to 1pm.

3500 Fairfield Avenue Shreveport, LA 71104 318-868-4441 AUGUST 2019 5

Dear People of the Diocese of Shreveport,

I

Fr. Peter

Addresses Thoughts on June Conference and the Future of the Diocese A Letter from our Diocesan Administrator as we Near One Year Without a Bishop

begin this article on Pentecost Sunday, preparing for the gathering of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in Baltimore. A year ago this past June, His Holiness Pope Francis announced the transfer of Bishop Michael Duca to the Diocese of Baton Rouge and two months later, I was elected to serve as Diocesan Administrator. I have had the opportunity to participate in a variety of gatherings of bishops, including meetings with the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, accessing issues affecting Catholics and institutions in our state, as well as with the Catholic Extension Society and the bishops of mission dioceses who face similar struggles.

In April, I participated in the ceremony of installation of Bishop David Talley, the former Bishop of Alexandria, as the new Bishop of Memphis. One of the archbishops told me then, face to face and in all seriousness, that, given all the other more important and pressing matters the Apostolic Nuncio is dealing with, I needed “to hunker down” as Diocesan Administrator as he did not foresee us getting a new bishop any time soon. In fact, dioceses that have been without a bishop less time than ours have already received new bishops. I cannot wait to approach the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, tomorrow!

I have participated in USCCB meetings before. The first of these meetings was in November 2018, slated to have the vote of the century related to the Sexual Abuse of Minors or Adults by Clergy and “Standards of Episcopal Conduct” and to set up a “Special Commission for Review of Complaints Against Bishops.” We can all recall what happened next, the Holy See insisted that the American bishops delay the vote until after the February 2019 Vatican summit of all the presidents of bishops’ conferences worldwide to discuss the abuse crisis. Our common anger and disappointment was indelibly stamped on my consciousness and the experience is still fresh. That watershed moment in the life of the Church would wait until after all the bishops of the country meet in January of 2019 in a weeklong retreat with the Pope’s retreat master and until after the Vatican Summit in February and Pope Francis’ subsequent document, issued in May, to govern the world-wide handling of all cases. The meeting is about to begin.

In the coming days, we will discuss

and vote on a document related to the ministry of Permanent Deacons, a document on the Ordination of a Bishop, of Priests, and of Deacons, the Church’s engagement with the growing population of the religiously unaffiliated (the so-called “nones,”) among other items. But the world will focus on the centerpiece of the agenda: four action items dealing with the investigation of abuse claims against the bishops, accusations they have been negligent in handling or covering up cases of credibly accused priests and other church workers. (Remember: a Diocesan Administrator is equivalent in law to a bishop so I have the same vote as any active bishop present.)

As we anticipate this gathering of bishops, Pope Francis wrote his Apostolic Letter “Vos Estis Lux Mundi,” a new universal law to safeguard its members from abuse and hold its leaders accountable, a law which took force June 1st. It governs complaints against Church leaders worldwide regarding the sexual abuse of minors or vulnerable persons. We will debate and then vote on directives for implementing this Church law. As Pope Francis wrote: “The crimes of sexual abuse offends our Lord, causing physical, psychological and spiritual damage to the victims and harm the community of the faithful.” This upcoming business meeting is to approve several proposals to hold the bishops accountable. The Holy Father, in his letter, calls for a “public, stable and easily accessible” reporting system for allegations, clear standards for the pastoral support of victims and their families, timeliness and thoroughness of investigations, protection for “whistleblowers” making allegations and the use of “proven experts from among the laity.” This document strengthens the protections already in place and expands the definition of vulnerable adults to include seminarians and any person made to engage in sexual acts due to a power differential/ abuse of power and establishes a process for investigating various forms of misconduct by bishops.

The metropolitan archbishop in each province will have the oversight for investigations – the Archbishop of New Orleans has oversight of our state. I am particularly glad to read of the importance of lay experts being used, so bishops are not policing themselves and the need for accountability and transparency is met. In

November, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and President of the USCCB, expressed “hope… that the Church be purified and that our efforts bear fruit… moving forward in concert with the Church around the world will make the Church in the United States stronger, and will make the global Church stronger.” I am optimistic that the delay from November until now will prove beneficial and that we will have a most fruitful meeting. * * *

The June 2019 USCCB meeting has begun with Morning Prayer this Tuesday after Pentecost. Cardinal DiNardo offers the opening remarks, “We begin the sacred work, this week, of purging the evil of sexual abuse from our Church....Veni Sancte Spiritus.

(Come Holy Spirit.)” I see this as harkening back to Pope Francis’ letter to the assembled bishops on retreat this past January in Chicago when the Pope made it clear that the need to be prompted and filled with the Holy Spirit was essential before moving forward in the way God wants us to...the importance of prayer before action, and the huge decisions the bishops face could not be made by a group who were divided; we could not come up with a plan of action and just pray it worked.

As we had done in our diocese at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans with our Prayer Vigil for Reparation and Petition, so the bishops did in a beautiful Penitential Service led by one of the cardinals, themed “The Church on Her Knees,” highlighting the need to seek forgiveness personally and as a group. Every bishop of this country was so aware of the pain of everyone who has been let down by the Church. This has been a year of great suffering and pain for the Church in the United States and we all acknowledge this to be a critical moment in our history. * * *

I have come to learn that our Apostolic Nuncio is in ROME with Pope Francis and over a hundred other ambassadors to other countries. There goes my chance to ask him about where we are in the process of getting a new bishop. * * *

Today is the Feast of St Barnabas. This first day, which included discussion and debate amongst the successors of the apostles, concluded with Mass and hearing from the Acts of the Apostles.

Cardinal DiNardo said that the bishops’ credibility is to be like St. Barnabas, desiring “to do God’s will and to do it carefully and with discretion but also with what the Holy Father calls boldness — apostolic boldness…ours is hard work to do this week.” * * *

We are all aware that it has now been one year since the exposure of Cardinal Theodore McCarrick as a predator and the beginning of a crisis of confidence in the ability of Church leadership to handle sexual abuse cases. Last November’s attempt at more stringent accountability norms, postponed by the Vatican, has been refined and augmented and is now ready for the final debate and vote. We have dealt with all these matters via constant communication with the main USCCB Office, such that there is not anticipation of much more debate or discussion, though three and a half hours are set aside for such this morning.

* * *

We only needed 70 minutes. The Bishops voted on several proposals to hold bishops accountable for instances of sexual

abuse of children or vulnerable persons, sexual misconduct, or the intentional mishandling of such cases. We specifically committed to involving and utilizing lay professional experts. We also established a new, independent mechanism for the reporting of such cases, ensuring complaints are evaluated thoroughly, and that justice is achieved for victims and survivors. (cf: USCCB Q & A)

These voted-on-proposals are now all based on and consistent with new universal law for the reporting and handling of complaints against bishops, new procedural norms, applicable around the world. This is all the latest in a series of steps the Church has taken to respond to the sin and crime of sexual abuse. The Church first implemented a strict zero-tolerance policy in the United States in 2002. (Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, commonly referred to as the Dallas Charter, along with the Essential Norms.)

In the resolution, “Affirming our Episcopal Commitments,” the bishops clearly state that we are “committed, when we receive or when we are authorized to investigate such cases to include the counsel of lay men and women whose professional backgrounds are indispensable.” Indeed the new USCCB documents uplift the gifts and expertise of the laity.

The new law covers sexual harassment of adults if such harassment involved any sexual acts. Other forms of sexual harassment are covered by codes of conduct that already exist in dioceses and eparchies. “Vos Estis” does not interfere with these local codes of conduct.

Remember, any complaint against a bishop can be made immediately to local law enforcement, the chancery, the Apostolic Nuncio, or to the Holy See directly. Those avenues of reporting will continue to be available. The third-party system will simply provide another means of reporting that will make the process simpler in the future. This all brings unprecedented accountability of all bishops throughout the country.

With the voting completed, I wanted to slam my fist down on the table for joy! Though part of me knows that, amongst many people there is a ‘crisis fatigue,’ now the cry for action is heard. * * *

As I noted in November, being in the thick of things as Diocesan Administrator, the past ten months has affected the way I pray. I am grateful for the great support I have received from the priests of our diocese as well as many lay people. Since then we have also seen the publication of the list of names of priests who were convicted of or very credibly accused of sexual abuse from the territory now defined as the Diocese of Shreveport, all before 1986 and our creation as a diocese. I continue to face this crisis and the need for healing for and with everyone in our diocese. I minister, not in a Church I would prefer, but in the Church as I find it. Yet even in our broken human condition, we get glimpses of the Church perfected and made whole in Christ, just as He promised…he will never abandon His Church! Lest anyone think to the contrary, I have not lost the sense of outrage at the abuse crisis and cover-ups.

We must take seriously Christ’s call to holiness, starting with our bishops, priests and indeed everyone! Jesus Christ truly is the Word made flesh, the splendor of the Father, the One sent to save us and give us Himself in the Eucharist, and His transforming, purifying grace in and through the Church as He founded.

AUGUST 2019 7

Querida Gente de la Diócesis de Shreveport

El Padre Peter informa sobre la conferencia de Junio y el futuro de la Diócesis Carta de nuestro Administrador Diocesano al acercamos a un año sin Obispo

Comienzo este artículo en Domingo de Pentecostés mientras me preparo para la reunión de la Conferencia Episcopal de los Obispos Católicos de Los Estados Unidos, (USCCB) en Baltimore. Ya es un año que en junio Su Santidad el Papa Francisco anunció el cambio del Obispo Michael Duca a la Diócesis de Baton Rouge y dos meses después, fui elegido Administrador Diocesano. He tenido la oportunidad de participar en varias reuniones de obispos, incluyendo reuniones en Luisiana donde se han tratado problemas que afectan a las instituciones católicas en nuestro estado, así como con la organización Catholic Extension Society y con obispos de las diócesis misión que enfrentan luchas similares a las nuestras.

En abril, participé en la ceremonia de instalación del Obispo David Talley, quien era Obispo de Alexandria y ahora es el nuevo Obispo de Memphis. Ese día uno de los arzobispos me dijo de frente y con toda seriedad que, conociendo todos los asuntos graves que el Nuncio Apostólico necesita tratar que “yo necesito sentarme en la posición de administrador diocesano” por más tiempo ya que no parece que nos enviarán un obispo pronto.

De hecho, algunas diócesis que han estado sin obispo menos tiempo que la nuestra han recibido ya nuevos obispos. Me gustaría poder hablar directamente con el Nuncio Apostólico Christopher Pierre, ¡mañana de ser posible!

He participado en reuniones de USCCB. La primera fue en Noviembre del 2018, cuando se propuso tener el voto del siglo sobre los escándalos de Abuso Sexual por parte del clero hacia menores y adultos y sobre “Medidas de Conducta del Episcopado” y establecer una “Comisión Especial para la Revisión de los Reclamos contra los Obispos.”

Recordamos lo que sucedió después de esto, la Santa Sede insistió que los obispos de América deberían retrasar el voto hasta después de la Cumbre del Vaticano en febrero del 2019 donde los obispos presidentes de conferencias mundiales dialogarían sobre este tema.

Nuestra rabia y decepción se estampó en mi conciencia y siento esa experiencia aun fresca en mi mente. Ese punto de partida en la vida de la Iglesia tendría que esperar hasta después que los obispos de este país se reunieran en enero del 2019 en una semana de retiro con el encargado de retiros del Papa; también hasta después de la Cumbre Vaticana en febrero y después que el Papa francisco sacara su docu-

mento que salió en mayo sobre cómo manejar estos casos en todo el mundo. La reunión está por comenzar.

En los días siguientes, dialogaremos y votaremos sobre un documento relacionado con el ministerio de los Diáconos Permanentes, un documento sobre la Ordenación de un Obispo, de Sacerdotes y de Diáconos, sobre el involucramiento de la iglesia y con la creciente población de personas que no tienen filiación religiosa (los llamados nada- o sea que no tienen religión,”) entre otras cosas. Pero el mundo se enfocará en el punto principal de la agenda: cuatro puntos de acción sobre el manejo de la investigación de reclamos de abuso contra los obispos, acusaciones que no se han manejado o casos que se han encubierto sobre sacerdotes acusados y otros trabajadores eclesiales. (Recuerden: un Administrador Diocesano es equivalente en la ley canónica a un obispo, así que tengo el mismo voto que cualquier obispo activo ahí presente.)

Mientras esperamos esta reunión de obispos, el Papa Francisco escribió su Carta Apostólica “Vos Estis Lux Mundi” una nueva ley universal para cuidar a sus miembros del abuso y acusar a los líderes responsables, y una ley que fue implementada el 1º de junio.

Esta ley gobierna las quejas contra los líderes de la iglesia en todo el mundo en relación al abuso sexual de menores y de personas vulnerables. Debatiremos y después votaremos para implementar esta ley Eclesial. Como el Papa Francisco lo escribe; “crímenes de abuso sexual ofenden a nuestro Señor y causan daño físico, psicológico, y espiritual a las víctimas, y lastiman a toda la comunidad de fieles.” Esta reunión de negocios va a aprobar varias propuestas para que también los obispos tomen responsabilidad. El Santo Padre, en su carta, llama a que “el público, este firme y accesible” a implementar sistemas para reportar los reclamos, abrir estándares para dar apoyo pastoral a las víctimas y a sus familias, de manera eficiente y completa durante las investigaciones, para la protección de los “denunciantes” y que se pueda hacer uso de los “laicos expertos.”

Este documento da más fuerza a la protección ya implementada y expande la definición de adultos vulnerables que incluya a los seminaristas y a cualquier otra persona que se involucre en actos sexuales usando el poder y además establece un proceso de investigación de varias formas a la falta de conducta por parte de los obispos.

La reunión de USCCB de junio ha comenzado con Oración de la Mañana este Martes des pues de Pentecostés, con los comentarios del Cardenal DiNardo, “ comenzamos este trabajo sagrado, esta semana, purgando la maldad del abuso sexual de la Iglesia… Veni Cancte Spiritus. (Ven Santo Espiritu.)” veo esto como una exclamacion de la carta del Papa Francisco para la asamblea de obispos en el retrio del pasado Enero en Chicago cuando el papa aclaro que la necesidad de invocar y llenarnos del Espiritu Santo era esencial antes de caminar en la camino que Dios quiere que vayamos… la importancia de hacer oración antes la acción, y las grandes decisiones que los obispos enfrentan no pueden tomarse por un grupo que esta dividido; no podemos primero trazar un plan de acción y solo hacer oración para que funcione.

Como habíamos hecho en nuestra diócesis en a Catedral de San Jon Berchmans con nuestra Oración de Vigilia por la Reparación y Petición, así los obispos hicieron un Servicio Penitencia hermoso dirigido por uno de los cardenales, con el tema “La Iglesia esta de Rodillas,” enfatizando la necesidad de buscar el perdón personalmente y como grupo. Cada obispo de este país estaba totalmente enterado del dolor de todos los que han sido abandonados por la Iglesia. Este ha sido un año de gran sufrimiento y dolor para la iglesia de los Estados Unidos y todos reconocemos que este es un momento crítico en nuestra historia. * * *

Me he enterado que nuestro Nuncio Apostólico está en ROMA con el Papa Francisco y mas de cien embajadores de otros países. Así que se ha ido mi oportunidad de preguntarle sobre el proceso de recibir a un nuevo obispo en nuestra diócesis.

Hoy en la Fiesta de San Barnabás, nuestro primer día hubo dialogo y debate entre los sucesores de los apóstoles, y concluyó con la Misa y lectura de los Hechos de los Apóstoles. El Cardenal DiNardo les dijo a los obispos’ hay que ser como San Barnabás, que deseaba solo “hacer la voluntad de Dios y hacerla cuidadosamente y con discreción pero también lo que el Santo Padre llama audacia – audacia apostólica… nuestro trabajo esta semana es arduo y difícil.” * * *

Todos sabemos que ya hace un año que el Cardinal Theodore McCarrick fue expuesto como predador y esto abrió el comienzo de una crisis de confianza en la habilidad del liderazgo de la Iglesia para manejar los casos de abuso sexual. El esfuerzo del pasado noviembre para vigorizar las normas de responsabilidad, postergado por le vaticano, ha sido refinado y aumentado y está ahora listo para el debate y voto final. Hemos trabajado con todos estos asuntos comunicándonos constantemente con la oficina principal de USCCB, para que no anticipar mucho mas debate o discusión y se han reservado tres horas y media para dialogar sobre esto esta mañana.

Se necesitaron son 70 minutos. Los Obispos votaron en varias propuestas para asegurar el compromiso de los obispos en situaciones de abuso sexual a niños y personas vulnerables, la mala conducta sexual, o el mal manejo intencional de estos casos. Nos comprometimos específicamente a involucrar y utilizar a laicos expertos profesionales. También establecimos un mecanismo independiente y nuevo para reportar estos casos, asegurándonos que todos son evaluados cuidadosamente, y que se haga justicia a las víctimas y para los sobrevivientes.

(cf: USCCB Q & A – sesión de preguntas de la reunión episcopal del 12 de junio)

Estas propuestas por las que se votaron son ahora la base de, y consistentes con la nueva ley universal de cómo reportar y cómo manejar las quejas contra los obispos, las nuevas normas de procedimiento y son aplicables a todo el mundo. Esto es lo último en una serie de pasos que la Iglesia ha tomado para responder al pecado y crimen de abuso sexual. La Iglesia primero implementó una póliza de cero tolerancia en Estados Unidos en el 2002. Estatutos para la Protección a Niños y Gente Joven, comúnmente referido como los Estatutos de Dallas, junto con las Normas Esenciales.

En la resolución, “Afirmando nuestros Compromisos Episcopales,” los obispos claramente dicen que estamos “comprometidos, a investigar los casos que se presenten usando al consejo de hombres y mujeres laicos con experiencia profesional indispensable.” En efecto los nuevos documentos de USCCB elevan los dones y destrezas de los laicos.

La nueva ley cubre el acoso sexual de adultos, si este acoso involucra cualquier acto sexual. Otras formas de acoso sexual están cubiertas por códigos de conducta ya existentes en las diócesis y provincias eclesiales. “Vox Estis” no interfiere con estos códigos de conducta locales.

Recuerden que cualquier queja contra un obispo se puede hacer inmediatamente a la policía local, a la cancillería, al Nucnio Apostólico, o a la Santa Sede directamente. Todas estas maneras de reportar continuarán disponibles. Terceras personas que necesiten reportar – sistema de terceros, va a proveer otras maneras de reportar que harán que el proceso sea mas simple en el futuro.

Esto impone una responsabilidad sin precedencia hacia todos los obispos de todo el país.

Al concluir la votación, quería ¡golpear la mesa con mi puño! Aunque parte de mí sabe que entre toda esta gente hay una ‘crisis exhaustiva,’ pero ahora escuchamos el llamado a la acción. * * *

Como ya dije en noviembre, estando en medio de las cosas como Administrador Diocesano, los últimos diez meses han afectado mi manera de orar. Estoy agradecido por el gran apoyo que he recibido por parte de los sacerdotes de nuestra diócesis, así como también de mucha gente laica. Desde entonces también hemos tenido la publicación de la lista de sacerdotes convictos o de los acusados creíblemente de abuso sexual en el territorio que comprende la Diócesis de Shreveport, todos esos casos sucedieron antes de 1986 y que nuestra diócesis fuera creada. Todavía enfrento esta crisis y la necesidad de sanación para y con todos los afectados en nuestra diócesis. Soy ministro, no de una Iglesia como a mí me gustaría, sino en la Iglesia así como se encuentra. Aun así con nuestras condiciones humanas rotas, damos pequeñas miradas a la Iglesia preferida y que se ha completado en Cristo, así como Él nos lo prometió… ¡él nunca abandonará su Iglesia! Aunque alguien piense lo contrario, no he perdido la ira por la crisis de los abusos y los encubrimientos. Debemos de tomar el llamado de Cristo a la santidad seriamente, empezando con nuestros obispos, sacerdotes y de verdad entre todos! Jesucristo es verdaderamente la Palabra hecha hombre, el esplendor del Padre, el que fue enviado a salvarnos y entregarse Él mismo en la Eucaristía con su gracia transformadora y purificante en y a través de la Iglesia como Él la fundó.

AUGUST 2019 9

New norms for the whole Church against those who abuse or cover up From the Vatican News

V

os estis lux mundi.” “You are the light of the world… Our Lord Jesus Christ calls every believer to be a shining example of virtue, integrity and holiness.”

The Gospel of Matthew provides the title and first words of Pope Francis’ new Motu proprio dedicated to the fight against sexual abuse committed by clerics and religious, as well as the actions or omissions of Bishops and Religious Superiors who in any way interfere with, or fail, to investigate abuse. The Pope recalls that “the crimes of sexual abuse offend Our Lord, cause physical, psychological and spiritual damage to the victims and harm the community of the faithful.” The document represents another result of the Not only child abuse Meeting on the Protection of Minors held in February 2019. It The document covers not only violence and abuse against chilestablishes new procedural rules to combat sexual abuse and to dren and vulnerable adults, but also sexual abuse and violence reensure that Bishops and Religious Superiors are held accountable. sulting from an abuse of authority. This includes cases of violence against religious by clerics, as well as abuse committed against An “office” for reporting in every diocese adult seminarians or novices.

Among the new indications given is the obligation for every Diocese in the world to set up, by June 2020, “one or more Dealing with cover-ups public, stable and easily accessible systems for submission of One of the most important elements is the identification of reports” concerning sexual abuse committed by clerics and so-called cover-ups, defined as “actions or omissions intended to religious, the use of child pornography and cover-ups of the interfere with or avoid civil investigations or canonical same abuse. The legislation does not specify what these “systems” investigations, whether administrative or penal, against a cleric consist of, because it leaves operational choices to the Diocese. or a religious regarding the delicts” of sexual abuse. This section The idea is, anyone who has suffered abuse can have recourse to refers to those who hold positions of particular responsibility in the local Church, while being assured they will be well received, the Church, and who, instead of pursuing abuses, have hidden protected from retaliation and their reports will be treated with them, and have protected alleged offenders. the utmost seriousness.

The obligation to report Another new indication concerns the obligation for all clerics, and all men and women religious, to “report promptly” all accusations of abuse of which they become aware, as well as any omissions and cover-ups of cases of abuse to ecclesiastical authorities. Though this obligation was formerly left up to individual consciences, it now becomes a universally established legal precept. The obligation as such is sanctioned for clerics and religious, but any layperson can use the system to report violence and abuse.

10 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

The protection of vulnerable people Vos estis lux mundi stresses the importance of protecting minors (anyone under 18) and vulnerable people. The definition of a "vulnerable person" is broadened to include “any person in a state of infirmity, physical or mental deficiency, or deprivation of personal liberty which, in fact, even occasionally, limits their ability to understand or to want to otherwise resist the offense.”

Respecting the laws of states The obligation to report to the local Ordinary or Religious Superior does not interfere with, or change, any other reporting obligation that may exist in respective countries’ legislation. In fact, the norms “apply without prejudice to the rights and obligations established in each place by state laws, particularly those concerning any reporting obligations to the competent civil authorities.”

The protection of victims and those reporting abuse The sections dedicated to protecting those who come forward to report abuse are significant. According to the Motu proprio, someone reporting abuse cannot be subjected to “prejudice, retaliation or discrimination.” The problem of victims who in the past have been told to keep silent is also addressed: these universal norms provide that “an obligation to keep silent may not be imposed on any person with regard to the contents of his or her report.” Obviously, the seal of confession remains absolute and inviolable and is in no way affected by this legislation. Vos estis lux mundi also states that victims and their families must be treated with dignity and respect and must receive appropriate spiritual, medical and psychological assistance.

The investigation of bishops Motu proprio regulates the investigation of Bishops, Cardinals, Religious Superiors, all those who lead a Diocese, or a particular Church, in various capacities. The rules apply not only in the case of these persons being investigated for having committed sexual abuse themselves, but also if they are accused of having “covered up,” or of failing to pursue abuses of which they were aware, and which it was their duty to address.

The role of the Metropolitan There are new indications regarding the role of the Metropolitan Archbishop in preliminary investigations: if the accused individual is a Bishop, the Metropolitan receives a mandate from the Holy See to investigate. This strengthens his traditional role in the Church and indicates a desire to make the most of local resources with regard to investigations into Bishops. Every thirty days, the person in charge of the investigation sends the Holy See “a status report on the state of the investigation,” which “is to be completed within the term of ninety days.” This establishes specific timeframes and requires the Vatican Dicasteries to act promptly.

Involvement of the laity The Motu proprio provides that the Metropolitan, in conducting the investigations, can avail himself of the help of “qualified persons,” according to “the needs of the individual case and, in particular, taking into account the cooperation that can be offered by the lay faithful.” The Pope has repeatedly stated that the specializations and professional skills of the laity represent an important resource for the Church. The norms now provide that Episcopal Conferences and Dioceses may prepare lists of qualified persons willing to collaborate, but the ultimate responsibility for investigations remains with the Metropolitan.

Presumption of innocence The principle of presumption of innocence is reaffirmed. The accused will be informed of the investigation when requested to do so by the competent Dicastery. The accusation must be notified only if formal proceedings are opened. If deemed appropriate, this notification may be omitted during the preliminary stage.

Conclusion of the investigation The Motu proprio does not modify the penalties for crimes committed, but it does establish procedures for reporting and carrying out the preliminary investigation. At the conclusion of the investigation, the Metropolitan forwards the results to the competent Vatican Dicastery. The competent Dicastery then proceeds “in accordance with the law provided for the specific case,” acting on the basis of already existing canonical norms.

Based on the results of the preliminary investigation, the Holy See can immediately impose preventive and restrictive measures on the person under investigation.

Concrete commitment With this new juridical instrument, the Catholic Church takes a further and incisive step in the prevention and fight against abuse. As the Pope writes: “In order that these phenomena, in all their forms, never happen again, a continuous and profound conversion of hearts is needed, attested by concrete and effective actions that involve everyone in the Church.”

AUGUST 2019 11

FAITHFUL FOOD

Please Consider...

By Kim Long

“God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

R

ecently I was treated to an extremely leisurely supper with a dear friend where she and I dressed up for the occasion. We walked into the restaurant around six pm and Long at nine thirty we were thanking our waiter who had taken wonderful care of us throughout the evening. The food was delicious, the company lovely and the birthday cake and coffee that rounded out our dinner was superb. But in truth what really made the evening for me was the pace...or should I say lack of one? We were in absolutely no hurry, our conversation even slowed down to a “civil” pace rather than the hurried sentences I often throw out before I forget what information I needed to convey. This was different, it was mindful, purposeful without the sense of immediacy. It was a treat.

This same friend has graciously invited me to dine with her in her home and she has such an ease in her manner that I drove home after several hours feeling rejuvenated. What, I thought, am I to learn from these interludes, from her?

After reflection, I must confess, gentle reader, that I no longer wish to rush the seasons so I cling tightly (complete with slightly sweaty palms) to the last traces of the summer. This registers as a surprise in my consciousness. For as long as I can recall I have begged autumn to hasten and settle on me and mine, gathering us in and giving us time and space to reconnect. I have concluded this new found comfort in being “where I am” is maturity, an ever-growing awareness that time is not something to be casually wiled away and stowed in the back pocket, rather it is meant to be treasured and I want to tease every bit of meaning from each moment. As Jimmy Buffet astutely reminds us “time is melting off the clocks”.

12 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

RECIPE FOR A LEISURELY EVENING Consider... the reason for the celebration...birthday, anniversary, just a time to

catch up

Consider... prayer. Pray for a spirit of calm, and of good humor and pray for safe travels for your guests.

Consider... the menu. Keep it simple, keep it seasonal.

Consider... the mood. Flowers can be anything from your garden or just some green boughs in vases, nothing looks as summery as oranges in a clear glass bowl.

Consider... some music. I enjoy setting the atmosphere when I cook; the right music for the meal as well as the preparation.

Consider... being present. Don’t jump up and down once everyone is seated. Lean into the conversation and really pay attention to your guests and how they react and respond to the gift you are presenting to them. After all, isn’t this what the Almighty does with us 24/7?

Consider... moving around. Coffee or tea in another room along with dessert, going for a walk after the meal.

Consider... unplugging. Unless someone is on call (doctor, priest, etc) no television or phones, give conversing a chance.

Now, I do know the value of a quickly thrown together meal or cooking on the fly. We all do it, we will always do it sometime, I am simply suggesting that we remember there are other options.

Summer commands several specific menus from me- birthday suppers, Father’s Day, as well as the first tomato, the first peach, pear and fig. Though all the aforementioned events are cyclical one can celebrate a holiday early or late; not so with the first fruits and vegetables of the season. There is nothing like that first, real, homegrown tomato. My absolute favorite variety is Cherokee and when that first bite hits my tastebuds it can only be described as “liquid sunshine.” It cannot wait, postponement is not an option. It must be savored in its own time. The same is true for the fig, the peach, and any other bounty the garden and orchard can offer us; the garden and the growing season also call the shots.

I believe, up to this point, one of my issues with summer and my subsequent “wishing it away” was that I saw it as a separate part of “my routine,” a transition to a different way of being

and I found myself at loose ends because I no longer understood the idea of leisure which I would often associate with idleness. A gross miscarriage of definition!

Ecclesiastes states there is a season for everything so perhaps in these gracious interludes with my friend, God was reminding me that each season offers gifts if “we have eyes to see and ears to hear” and are willing to explore them. I was being invited to recognize anew God’s hand in all things, to slow down and savor rather than consume, to see God’s love revealed in the seasonal delight of the first tomato, fig, and peach. There is nothing frugal about God and He did after all plant eternity in our hearts. Let it go, let it grow.

Kim Long is the director of Religious Education at St. Mary of the Pines Parish in Shreveport, LA.

SECOND COLLECTIONS

Second Collections for August

by Father Rothell Price

Collection Dates: August 17th & 18th Bulletin and Oral Announcement Dates: August 4th & 11th

T

he Diocese of Shreveport Hispanic Ministry Collection helps the priests and laity of our diocese strengthen the faith of our vibrant Spanish-speaking Catholics and keep them in the fold of the Holy Roman Catholic Price Church. This year, I am writing this article on the 4th of July, our nation’s Independence Day. I shared in my homily at Mass this morning how our vintage patriotic songs acknowledge God as the author and architect of our unique experience of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Just as our European immigrant fore bearers sacrificed home and kin for various reasons, so too, in our own time, our Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters are sacrificing home and kin for the same or similar reasons. Our patriotic hymns acknowledge God’s almighty and protecting hand. Your participation in the Diocese of Shreveport Hispanic Ministry Collection helps Hispanic Catholics, who have already sacrificed so much, to not have to sacrifice their Catholic faith as well.

Your heartfelt participation in the Diocese of Shreveport Hispanic Ministry Collection makes it possible for our Spanish-speaking Catholics to remain in the Catholic Church and continue growing in their faith. Their dynamic devotion to Jesus and His Saints, especially to the Holy Mother of God under her appearance and title, Our Lady of Guadalupe, is truly inspiring. Driving around our Diocese, you will notice a great number of non-Catholic churches reaching out to our Spanish-speaking Catholics,

offering them worship and material services in their native language. This outreach reminds me that we must be at the front of that line walking with those who are our own.

For as the old saying goes, “Charity begins at home.”

Please give generously to our Diocese of Shreveport Hispanic Ministry Collection. Lend your personal support to the pastoral ministry of Fathers Rigo Betancurt, Juan Garcia, Fidel Mondragon, Al Luis Jost, Mark Watson, Joseph Howard, Francis Kamau, John Paul Crispin, Joseph Kallookalam, Pat Madden, James Moran, Michael Thang’wa, John Bosco Uwamungu, and I. Help Rosalba Quiroz, Melina Sanchez, and the bi-lingual lay leaders in our parishes and missions with Hispanic communities.

Your participation in the Diocese of Shreveport Hispanic Ministry Collection helps us attend them with a shepherd’s care in Jesus’ name and yours.

Our Office of Hispanic Ministry’s leadership training, youth and young adult, married couples, whole family retreats, days of reflection, and liturgical ministry training for our devout Hispanic Catholics are the tangible fruits of your participation in this second Collection. Your loving sacrifice equips individuals, families, and communities to give themselves ever more joyfully in service to the Lord Jesus and His people through the services of our Office of Hispanic Ministry provides. The most beautiful expression of your donation is the devout and vibrant Mass participation of our Spanish-speaking Catholics and the Catholic communities they belong to.

The Diocese of Shreveport Hispanic Ministry Collection is our concrete way of helping our English and Spanish speaking Catholics alike.

Ensures the familial and ecclesiastical bonds of our Spanish-speaking Catholics. Give generously to the Diocese of Shreveport Hispanic Ministry Collection. Help us serve our Hispanic brothers and sisters in the name of Christ, His Church, and you. Please participate as generously as you are able.

I am yours in Christ, Very Rev. Rothell Price – Diocesan Director of Second Collections Father Rothell Price, Moderator of the Curia, is the Director of Second Collections for the Diocese of Shreveport.

AUGUST 2019 13

The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

O

n the 15th day of August, we celebrate the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Body and Soul into heaven. The feast, which has a long and storied history in the Church, is one of Mary’s oldest. Let’s take a look…

History

The late Fr. Andrew Greeley stated that the Celtic people celebrated a harvest festival in mid-August and in Christian times this became the festival of Mary in harvest time because Mary reflected the life-giving, life-nurturing love of God. From the days of the early church, this feast day was part of the fabric of believers. We glean this from the writings of some early Church fathers.

On November 1, 1950, Pope Pius II, issued Munificentissimus Deus, which officially defined the Dogma of the Assumption, meaning that the Church officially recognizes this belief as essential and vital to the life of Catholics. I read the document in preparation for this article. At 12 pages it was not a difficult read and is available online. According to many sources about this feast, it illustrates to us the way Jesus felt about his mother as well as the promise of eternal life. Pope Pius XII also wrote a beautiful prayer in honor of Mary and this feast.

Ways to celebrate

I read an article long ago posed the idea of making a shift in our thinking from holy days of “obligation” to holy days to celebration. I have always been of the mind that it is a “both/and” rather than an “either/or”. One of the definitions of obliging is to bind. I like the idea of being bound to God in many ways; after all, we are not bound to those whom we love by only one way so why not expand our way of viewing these holy days of obligation. When we celebrate this feast we are also celebrating God’s love for us, Jesus’ promise that we will not die but have eternal life with Him, and who doesn’t love it when a mother is treated well, in this case, a literal queen as the responsorial psalm for this liturgy reminds us- “the queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.” Personally, I like a little imagery that takes me out of an ordinary day and reminds me of God’s immensity. This day accomplishes that very well.

We are bound, obliged to attend Mass and celebrate with our community but there are additional (both/and) ways we can revel in God’s glorious love.

14 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Food

In one of my favorite and well worn

books “A Continual Feast” by Evelyn Birge Vitz in which she guides us through the liturgical year with food and family she recommends a fresh fruit salad but only AFTER we fast from fruit from August 1 breaking it finally after Mass on the 15th giving us an idea of waiting for first fruits of the season.

Processions

This is a great Catholic tradition. In our parish, we are blessed to have a priest who embraces this part of our tradition and we are seen several times a year processing around the church property. I am unsure of what passers-by think but we know we are walking with a purpose! At home, if you have a statue or even a picture of Mary take it out, dust it off and gather your family and go for a walk with the Blessed Mother. Begin with a prayer, reverently walk with the image or statue and return, placing it in a place of honor.

Mary Garden

In preparing for this article I found that Bishop Juvenal of Jerusalem (now St. Juvenal) told the Council of Chaldea that St. Thomas found lilies and roses in Our Lady’s tomb. That is inspiration enough for many to plant at least one flower in honor of our Blessed Mother. There is an Assumption Lily, part of the daylily family dedicated to this event Other plants include: violets, roses, Lady slippers, bleeding hearts, snowdrops and lily of the valley. There are also several herb plants dedicated to Mary especially rosemary, however, any sweet smelling and fragrant herb can represent her joys and any bitter herb her sorrows. St. Fiacre’ is said to have maintained a garden in honor of Mary all his adult life. Even if it is too late this year looking forward to spring these selections could give your garden a “lift.” In addition to the idea of special plants in Mary’s honor, there is also the tradition of blessing of the gardens, orchards, and produce on this day; a way to honor firstfruits. The Roman Ritual from 1964 has a beautiful prayer and blessing for this.

Ask your priest for more information, or sprinkle some holy water on your garden, thanking God for his bounty.

These are a few ways to add an element of celebration to one of the most special days of our liturgical year! Happy Holy Day of Celebration!

St. Joseph Cemetery Updates

By Kate Rhea

C

atholic cemeteries reflect an affirmation of many beliefs held sacred by the catholic faithful. Among those beliefs are the sanctity of all human life, respect for the bodies of the deceased, and dignity of the faithful departed interred within the sacred ground of a Catholic cemetery.

For all of their functionality and importance, cemeteries tend to be forgotten about over the generations for a variety of reasons. Fortunately, within that trend of neglect, there are always those who wish to keep older, historically important cemeteries alive and thriving.

In the early years of the 20th century, just a short time after St. Joseph Cemetery was established, cemeteries were shifting from being purposefully constructed away from cities and out of the everyday life of citizens, to being mindfully curated spaces where people could congregate to pay their respects in many different ways. Cemetery picnics were popular in the early 20th century, allowing for fellowship for families with deceased loved ones. Catholic cemeteries in particular began to be established with the intent of providing ministry of consolation to mourners, rather than simply a place to bury the dead.

With the rise of genealogy as a hobby over the last decade, hearts and minds are beginning to return to discovering the past.

Family members hoping to delve into their personal lineage, historians studying pioneers of the past, and hobbyists interested in the social and cultural chronicles of their city all find themselves looking to cemeteries for answers.

Looking to the future of St. Joseph Cemetery, teeming with the remnants of rich personal histories of local families, many of which serve as a testament to the growth of our city, it is easy to understand how preservation and documentation are paramount to understanding not only the past, but the future as well.

Thanks to the generosity of faithful Catholics in our diocese, renovations to the martyred yellow fever priests’ memorial are going well. The steps are completed, the crypts are being restructured, and we will be ordering the granite replacement tops soon.

For more information on how you can donate to this project and future projects, please contact the Catholic Center.

August, 2019 Shreveport, Louisiana

DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT NON-DISCRIMINATORY SCHOOL POLICY

The Diocese of Shreveport School system re-affirms its non-discriminatory policy on the basis of race, sex, color, national, and ethnic origin in its educational programs, activities, and employment policies in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, and Sections 4.03 (a) and 4.03 (c) Revenue Procedure 75-50.

All students, faculty members and staff, without exception, are admitted to all rights, privileges, and activities generally accorded or made available at the schools which do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national, and ethnic origin in the administration of its employment policies, admission policies, scholarship, and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administrated programs.

St. John Berchmans, Shreveport St. Joseph School, Shreveport Loyola College Preparatory, Shreveport Jesus the Good Shepherd, Monroe Our Lady of Fatima, Monroe St. Frederick High, Monroe

Sr. Carol Shively, O.S.U. Superintendent AUGUST 2019 15

Catholic Schools Are Always the Best Choice?

H

ave you ever visited one of our Catholic schools during the day when students were present?

Have you ever thought about what goes on in a Catholic school? As the Superintendent of Catholic Schools, I have talked to many people over the years that thought about sending their children to a Catholic school but never did because of one reason or another.

Just in north Louisiana, there are many choices in selecting a school for your children. It is one of the central choices you can make for your children’s future. The mission of Catholic school education “is the development of a deep and abiding sense of faith, the realization of the value of moral character and the inspiration of a life-long journey of learning.” Daniel Cardinal DiNardo

In choosing a Catholic school, you are providing your child with the spiritual and developmental skills they will need to build an optimistic academic future. The students are leaders, developing in safe and nurturing environments conducive to academic excellence.

When you are prayerfully considering a Catholic school make your choice for these basic reasons: • Partner with you in providing a total faith formation of children • Set high expectations with a challenging curriculum that is balanced with STREAM (science, technology, religion, engineering, arts and music) • Hold a recognized record of academic excellence with near 100% graduation rates • Through daily formation promote self-discipline with moral values development to serve others • Have gentle and effective teachers in a safe and disciplined environment • A cornerstone of our formation is to teach respect of self and others • Prepare students to be good stewards of resources.

To understand the true value of a Catholic school education, visit one of our schools in Shreveport- Monroe to see for yourself just how much a Catholic school has to offer.

16 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Our Faculty and Staff: 110 3 10 17 21

Full-Time Certified Classroom Teachers Music Teachers P. E. Teachers Pre-School Teachers Instructional Assistants

Enrollment by Grades, 2018-2019: Pre-K K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th

197 116 108 115 114 125 115 115

7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th

96 105 161 157 150 152

TOTAL:

1826

ACT SCORES National: 21 State: 19.5 St. Frederick: 25 Loyola College Prep:

26

You’ve Always Wanted to Help...Now is the Time

By Mary Gully

I

n our great state of Louisiana, we have another avenue to help families send their children to Catholic schools.

The Tuition Donation Credit is for all Louisiana Income Tax payers and is a real way to help children. This blessing is made possible through Arete Scholars and ACE Scholarship.

If a person wants to support a child from a low-income family move from a public school to any private school, that individual can make a donation to one of the (nonprofit) organizations that administer the program.

The two nonprofits – ACE Scholarships Louisiana and Arete Scholars Louisiana accept the applications and administer the programs. In 2018-2019, the TDC program paid for 53 students to attend Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the diocese. Presently, we have 54 children attending our Catholic schools.

Funding for the program comes through private and corporate donations.

For example, if a person has a $5,000 tax liability with the state of Louisiana, they could allocate their payment to the Arete Scholars or ACE Scholarship program $5,000 and not pay any state taxes. State taxes are washed out and the taxpayer receives a federal tax write-off because it is going to 501(c)(3)s (nonprofits) and serves as a deferral of (federal) income tax.

This is a wonderful way to give a child the opportunity to attend their school of choice and better their education. There are several informational visits being planned with certified public accountants in the area to make them aware of the state law in the hopes they will inform their clients of the option to help a low-income family receive a better education for their children.

What a wonderful way to help families invest in their most precious gift, their children.

Faculty & Staff Awards: 5 years

10 years

15 years

20 years

25 year

Melancon, Molly

Murray, Tina

Goodman, Julie

Harris, Robert

Anthony, Aimee

Salinas, Ana

Allmon, Mary

DiGiulian, Lori

Hewitt, Kathy

Vitacca, Amy

Hay, Stephanie

Lewis, Barbara

Wolcott, Melissa

Shepard, Melissa

Brown, Michelle

Keel, Bill

Holcombe, Mary

Stevens, Regina

Irion, Christina Moore, Elizabeth Vaughan, Christopher Goyeneche, Natalie

Davis, Rhonda

Riggs, Thomas

Cookston, Lynda Taylor, Amy Terracina, Kathy Woods, Mary Augustine, Brandon

VOCATIONS VIEW

Discerning a Vocation in Elementary and Middle School

I

by Seminarian Raney Johnson

t might seem too early to begin discerning a vocation in elementary and middle school. Yet, whenever I give a talk about vocations to young Catholics, I remind them that it is never too early to start thinking about a vocation. St. Therese of Lisieux first desired to become a Carmelite nun around the age of 9, and St. Don Bosco was a little boy whenever he first told his Mama that he wanted to be a priest. I started discerning my own vocation to the priesthood when I was in elementary school, and I discerned my vocation with greater intensity while I was in the 7th grade.

Discerning a vocation in elementary and middle school can be difficult because it seems so far in the future. However, we can imagine ourselves as doctors, lawyers, basketball players and so many other occupations in future while in elementary and middle school, why not imagine being a priest or a religious.

I hope to offer some advice to young Catholics in elementary and middle school who are thinking about a vocation to the priesthood, and I hope my advice will also help their parents. My first word of advice is mainly for young Catholics who have already received First Communion.

The best way to start discerning a vocation to the priesthood at a young age is to frequent the sacraments of Holy Communion. Most young Catholics attend Mass every Sunday with their families, and those who go to Catholic School get the opportunity to go to Mass twice a week, on Sunday and once during the week. Jesus speaks to us through the Mass, and it is through the Mass that we grow closer to Jesus when we receive his Body and Blood during Communion. It is often at Mass while watching the priest that many boys feel drawn to the priesthood. My second word of advice is to develop a prayer life. It is always best to start off simple. At first it can be as simple as praying the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be every morning and every night. Developing the practice of a morning offering by thanking God for a new day and asking for God’s protection is another way to develop the spiritual life at a young age. Once it becomes routine to talk to God through prayer, then it might help to ask God about a vocation to the priesthood by praying, “God are you calling me to be a priest, if so, please guide me” or “God I want to be a priest, please help me to discern.” Even more beneficial is praying together with family members.

This could be done by using any type of prayer, especially the rosary. My third word of advice is to become an altar server. Helping to serve at the altar during the Mass is a great way to explore a desire for the priesthood.

Some parishes allow for young Catholics to become altar servers right after First Communion, but the age requirement to be an altar server might be around fourth or fifth grade at other parishes. I definitely encourage speaking with the parish priest and asking him about becoming an altar server.

My final word of advice is for the parents of young Catholics discerning the priesthood in elementary and middle school. Please share this article with your son if he is discerning a vocation to the priesthood, and encourage him to pray and listen to God’s will. To any young Catholics discerning a vocation to the priesthood, I encourage you with the words that St. John Paul II often quoted from Scripture, “Be not afraid.” God will guide you throughout your discernment.

18 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Seminarian Burses

For more information on donating to seminarian burses or the support of educating men in formation for the priesthood for our diocese, contact Fr. Jerry Daigle at 318-868-4441, or jdaigle@dioshpt.org.

Thanks to Our Recent Donors

(001) Dr. George & Sandra Bakowski Foundation ($100) (002) Dr. George & Sandra Bakowski Foundation ($100) (014) John G. Semmes ($100) (018) Carolyn A. McIntyre ($50) (018) Charles & Nadalie Thomas ($100) (018) Mrs. & Mrs. Calvin J. Long ($100) (018) John & Janis Haynes ($125)

Completed Burses

(001) Fr. Mike Bakowski Memorial Burse #1 ($10,000) (006) Msgr. J. Carson LaCaze Memorial Burse #1 ($10,000) (010) Memory of Rita Scott from the John Scott Family ($10,000) (011) Rev. David Richter Memorial Burse #1 ($10,000) (012) Jack E. Caplis, Jr., Memorial Burse ($10,000) (013) Mary Evans Caplis Burse ($10,000)

Incomplete Burses

(001) Fr. Mike Bakowski Memorial Burse #2 ($1,100) (002) Joseph & Antoinette Bakowski Memorial Burse ($2,500) (003) Sam R. Maranto Memorial Burse ($1,400) (004) Kathryn Atherton Cook Memorial Burse ($350) (005) Cathedral of St. John Berchmans ($450) (006) Msgr. J. Carson LaCaze Memorial Burse #2 ($3,082.12) (007) Dr. Carol Christopher Memorial Burse ($1,300) (008) St. Jude Parish ($5,718) (009) St. John Berchmans Knights of Columbus Council 10728 ($550) (011) Rev. David Richter Memorial Burse #2 ($1,604) (014) Bob & Peggy Semmes Memorial Burse ($6,500) (015) Bishop’s Seminarian Burse ($260) (016) Elaine Malloy Frantz Memorial Burse ($1,000) (017) Msgr. George Martinez Knights of Columbus Council 1337 ($7,521) (018) Knights of St. Peter Claver Council 144 ($830) (019) Margaret Glenn Memorial Burse ($1,250)

CATHOLIC CHARITIES

Catholic Charities Announces New Director of Development

C

atholic Charities of North Louisiana (CCNLA) is pleased to announce the hire of Katherine Stringer-Davis as the Director of Development and Communications.

As Director, Katherine is responsible for developing and implementing new strategies for CCNLA to achieve the agency’s fundraising goals while engaging sponsors in ongoing service activities.

Her expertise in community outreach, public awareness, fundraising, public relations and marketing makes her an asset as she coordinates special events and fundraisers such as Bingo on the Bayou, Lights of Broadway and volunteer work projects.

Originally from Shreveport, she graduated from Loyola College Prep before moving to Baton Rouge to attend Southern University & A&M College. Katherine later graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. One highlight of her career is when she received the Award of Excellence from the Southern Public Relations Federation. In her spare time, Katherine enjoys traveling, entertaining friends and spending time with her husband and family. She is also a five-year active member of the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

When asked why she wanted to join the CCNLA, Katherine reflects on the values the center has.

“CCNLA provides life changing opportunities to families and individuals and I am grateful to be a part of this organization and while making lasting impressions,” she said.

For more information about CCNLA, visit www.ccnla.org or contact the office 318-865-0200.

Bingo on the Bayou is Back

C

ome join the Catholic Charities of North Louisiana on August 17as we enjoy a night filled with bingo, silent auctions and so much more. All proceeds benefit the programs of the CCNLA such as financial education, emergency assistance, parenting programs and assistance for low-income mothers.

Winners of each bingo game will walk away with prizes from local restaurants. Tickets are $50 and are on sale. Included in the price of a ticket is two bingo cards and a meal.

Visit www.ccla.org for more information. Table sponsorships are available.

AUGUST 2019 19

ACROSS THE NATION from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

U.S. Bishops give $3.5 Million in Grants to Support the Church in Latin America

T

he U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Subcommittee on the Church in Latin America awarded in excess of $3.5 million in funding in the form of 215 grants to support the pastoral work of the Church in Latin America and the Caribbean. The grants were presented at the Subcommittee's meeting on June 11 in Baltimore, Maryland, and approved by teleconference on June 21, 2019.

Projects that received funding for pastoral activities include the following:

Support and education programs for rural lay communities in their defense of the environment in the Diocese of El Alto, Bolivia.

Expansion of child and youth protection training programs to prevent sexual abuse and build safe environments in the Diocese of Petropolis, Brazil. Led by the Brazilian Apostolate Association, the program will train approximately 1,000 seminarians, teachers, and school staff throughout the diocese.

Education and formation of youth leaders in Garifuna communities throughout rural Honduras.

Support to the Paraguayan Conference of Bishops’ Indigenous Ministry, as it celebrates its 50th Anniversary. The grant will fund efforts to promote the Indigenous Ministry and educate new seminarians, priests, and bishops about the reality of the indigenous peoples in Paraguay so that they can better serve these marginalized communities.

Education programs led by the Loyola Center in Ayacucho, Peru, to engage young people, adults, and the general population around the upcoming Amazon Synod’s goals and their importance to the local population.

Youth outreach in the Diocese of Paramaribo in Suriname. This project will assist the formational and spiritual development of young people, culminating in a diocesan youth festival.

“The Collection for the Church in Latin America is one tangible expression of the reality that we are one Church with one mission. Through the generosity of Catholics in the United 20 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

States, communities throughout Latin America will be able to grow closer to Christ,” said Bishop Octavio Cisneros, auxiliary bishop of Brooklyn and chairman of the Subcommittee on the Church in Latin America.

Other areas of funding include lay leadership training, catechesis, seminarian and religious formation, prison ministry, and youth and family ministries. Grants are funded by the annual Collection for the Church in Latin America, taken in many dioceses across the U.S. on the fourth Sunday in January.

Other Projects not Specified in Article • $800,000 will be poured into recovery and reconstruction projects following natrual disaster • Catechesis projects and evangelization in Uruguay and El Salvador • Ministry to indigenous peoples in Brazil and Venezuela.

• 170 projects will be funded

FROM THE POPE

Three Words to Balance our “Common Home” from the Vatican Press Office

I

address a cordial greeting to the organizers and

Promoted by the Church of Rieti and the Slow participants in the second Forum of the Laudato si’ Food movement, the Laudato si’ Communities are engaged Communities, which is being held in a not only in disseminating the teaching proposed in territory devastated by the earthquake that struck the Encyclical of the same name, but in favoring new Italy in August 2016, and which more than any styles of life. From this pragmatic perspective, I wish other area has paid a very high price in terms of to offer you three words. the number of victims.

It is a sign of hope, the fact that you The first word is doxology are indeed in Amatrice, the memory of which Faced with the good of creation and, above all, the is always present in my heart, to focus on the good of man who is the peak of creation, but also its Pope Francis imbalances that devastate our “common home”. custodian, it is necessary to assume the attitude of Not only is it a sign of closeness to the many praise. Faced with such beauty, with renewed wonbrothers and sisters who still live between the memory of der, with the eyes of a child, we must be able to appreciate a terrible tragedy and the reconstruction that is slow to get the beauty that surrounds us and of which man too is also started, but it also expresses the desire to make resonate, formed. Praise is the fruit of contemplation, contemplation loud and clear, that it is the poor who pay the highest price and praise lead to respect, and respect becomes almost venof environmental devastation. The wounds inflicted on the eration before the goods of creation and its Creator. environment are inexorably wounds inflicted on humanity at its most defenseless. I wrote in the Encyclical Laudato si’: The second word is Eucharist “There can be no renewal of our relationship with nature The Eucharistic attitude faced with the world and its without a renewal of humanity itself. There can be no inhabitants knows how to grasp the status of gift that every ecology without an adequate anthropology” (118). living being carries within itself. Everything is consigned

After facing, last year, the theme of the plastic that to us freely, not to be plundered and swallowed up, but to is suffocating our planet, today you reflect on the grave and become in turn a gift to share, a gift to give so that joy may no longer sustainable situation of Amazonia and the peoples be for all and that it may therefore be greater. who live there. You are thus inspired by the theme of the Synod of Bishops which will be held this coming October The third word is asceticism for the Pan-Amazon region, and whose Instrumentum Every form of respect arises from an ascetic attitude, that is, laboris was recently presented. from the capacity to know how to renounce something for

The situation of Amazonia is a sad paradigm of a greater good, for the good of others. Asceticism helps us what is happening in various parts of the planet: a blind to convert the predatory attitude, which is always lurking, and destructive mentality that favors profit over justice; to take the form of sharing, and of an ecological, respectful it makes evident the predatory attitude with which man and polite relationship. relates to nature. Please, do not forget that social justice and ecology are profoundly interconnected! What is happening

I hope that the Laudato si’ Communities may be in Amazonia will have repercussions at a global level, but it the germ of a renewed way of living in the world, to give it has already prostrated thousands of men and women, a future, to preserve its beauty and integrity for the good of robbing them of their territory, making them strangers in every living being, ad maiorem Dei gloriam. their own land, impoverishing them of their own culture

and their own traditions, and breaking the millennia-long I thank you and I bless you from my heart. Pray for me. equilibrium that united those peoples with their land.

Man cannot remain an indifferent spectator in the face of this destruction; nor can the Church remain silent: the cry of the poor must resonate in her mouth too, as already highlighted by Saint Paul VI in his Encyclical Populorum progressio.

AUGUST 2019 21

I

an te th St in ex C w U m sa cl bi U w to da

Your Appeal Helps Provide Support of Catholic Schools

Y

our generosity to our Annual Appeal provides funding for the Office of Superintendent of Schools which provides the necessary oversight and management of the two high schools and four elementary schools which exist within our diocese. Again this year, your Appeal is providing thirty thousand dollars to our schools for tuition assistance for those families seeking Catholic education for their children. This supplements the Bishop’s Tuition Assistance Fund, The Theresian Endowment for

Catholic Education and an Educational Endowment from the Daughters of the Cross.

May God bless all of our school benefactors for what they have done to support this critical ministry.

Know that support of your Appeal helps our Catholic schools to thrive and succeed as we continually seek to support this learning outreach to our most important asset……our children.

2 0 1 9 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:

Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal 3500 Fairfield Ave Shreveport, Louisiana 71104 www.dioshpt.org

$10,000 $7,500 $5,000 $3,500 Please send monthly reminders to:

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

$800 $750 $650 $500

At this time I / we are enclosing: $_____________

Print Name________________________________________________________________________________ Address___________________________________________________________________________________ City______________________________________________________ State________ Zip Code____________ My / Our Church Parish______________________________________________________________________

You may make a credit card payment online at: www.dioshpt.org (Click on Stewardship)

22 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

HISPANIC NEWS

Parroquias con Ministerio Hispano en la Diócesis de Shreveport por Rosalba Quiroz

Este artículo es el primero en una serie que nos dará a conocer las parroquias que ofrecen Misas y servicios en español.

La parroquia de San Pascual, West Monroe tuvo la primer Misa en español en 1972, en honor a la Virgen de Guadalupe, celebrada por el padre Gasper Mauss. Sin embargo no fue sino hasta 1994 que se comenzó a tener Misa mensual con el Padre Rigoberto Betancourt en la Iglesia de la Virgen de Fátima, después en San Jose, capilla de Cristo Rey en la Universidad, y a partir del 2002 se establecieron en San Pascual; desde 2007, el padre Luis Jost, OSF, celebra la Misa semanal y el padre Frank Coens, OSF es el párroco.

Estos feligreses que peregrinaron para encontrar una parroquia, reconocen 1994 como la fecha en que comenzó su comunidad. El pasado mes de mayo celebraron su 25 aniversario, unido a la Fiesta del Santo Patrono, San Pascual.

Coincidió que en 2007 junto con la llegada del P. Luis, Lorena Chaparro

comenzó a servir como coordinadora de esta comunidad – 12 años ya de fiel servicio para ambos. Algunos de los coordinadores pasados fueron la Sra. Haydee Sandlin, la Sra. Lili Mann con ayuda de la Sra. María Cueto, y El Sr. Cristóbal Ramos.

Cuando se le pregunta a Lorena que piensa sobre la comunidad, ella responde: “somos una comunidad muy unida y muy bendecida, que con el paso de los años hemos logrado integrarnos mucho a la parroquia gracias al apoyo constante de Padre Luis, siempre estamos dando la bienvenida a nuevas familias y les invitamos a integrarse”.

Extiende una invitación a seguir juntos creciendo en la fe y ruega que perdure su ministerio muchos años más. Comparte que ahora cuentan con alrededor de 50 servidores en los diferentes ministerios y asisten por lo menos 150 personas cada domingo.

Agradecemos a Lorena y a la comunidad por mantener y trabajar en acrecentar su fe Católica.

MINISTERIO HISPANO CATOLICO - DIOCESIS Rosalba Quiroz, Directora (318) 219-7265; rquiroz@dioshpt.org Melina Sanchez, Secretaria (318) 219-7257; msanchez@dioshpt.org Cristo Rey: Bossier City

425 McCormick Street P. Rigo Betancurt P. Mark Watson (318) 221-0238 Domingo-1:00pm Lunes y Martes-7pm Sabado-6pm

Santo Tomás Aquino: Ruston

810 Carey Avenue P. Tony Posadas (318) 243-0115 Domingo-1:30pm

Sta Maria de los Pinos: Shreveport

1050 Bert Kouns Ind. Loop P. Fidel Mondragon (318) 455-2300 Domingo-11:30am

Calendario Diocesano de Agosto, 2019 15

Fiesta de la Asunción de la Virgen María a los cielos. Día que obliga Misa.

17

Reunión en preparación para retiro Búsqueda #10. Centro Católico de 11am-4pm.

17

Fecha límite para registrarse al retiro Búsqueda.

318-219-7265

25

Reunión en preparación para Experiencia Cristo#9. Parroquia Cristo Rey, 9-12p.m.

30 de Agosto -1º de Sept.

Retiro Búsqueda para adolescente de 14-17 años. Scottsville, TX.

Vicario General para la Diocesis de Shreveport Padre Rothell Price, V.G. (318)219-7259; rprice@dioshpt.org Coordinador de la Vicaria del Este Padre Luis Jost, OFM (318) 243-0115; pluisofm@yahoo.com

San Pascual: W. Monroe

711 North 7th Street P. Luis Jost (318) 243-0115 Domingo-4:00pm Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro: Farmerville

600 East Water Street P. Luis Jost (318) 243-0115 Sábado-7:00pm

San Juan Bautista: Many

1130 San Antonio Ave. P. Francis Kamau (318) 256-5680 1er Domingo de Mes-5pm

Sagrado Corazon: Oak Grove

201 Purvis St. P. Joseph Kallookalam (318) 559-2876 Domingo-5:00pm

AUGUST 2019 23

The Life of Sister Maria Smith, D.C.

by Patti Underwood

O

n Holy Thursday, we in the Diocese of Shreveport and beyond lost a rare treasure, Sister Maria Smith, D. C. Sister Maria was Mother Superior of the Daughters of the Cross, serving in that position since 2003, last of the line extending from 1641. Wise and compassionate, firm yet gentle, and steely strong, Sister Maria was in her 66th year of religious life.

As the only child of Earl and Myrtle Rambin Smith of Gloster, Earline Smith grew up on their dairy farm, milking cows, riding horses and listening to St. Louis Cardinals games with her father. At age five she knew she wanted to be a nun after seeing a Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word while visiting her mother at the hospital. The family prayed the rosary daily, and her Protestant father dropped his girls off at St. Ann’s for Sunday Mass, he would become her first convert.

After Mass, they would catch a ride home with the priest, who usually stayed for dinner. In the tenth grade she entered St. Vincents as a boarding student and upon graduating she entered the convent on September 8, 1953. From 1957 to 1997, she taught at Presentation Academy (Marksville), St. John Berchmans, Jesus the Good Shepherd, St. Patrick’s (Lake Providence), and St. Catherine’s (Shreveport), serving as principal at St. Catherine’s for five years and at Jesus the Good Shepherd for 17 years.

While sitting with Sister Maria, you were bound to hear stories from her teaching career, such as the time she financed uniforms for the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams at Presentation by selling construction paper shamrocks downtown for a quarter and the time the Sisters picked up and sold enough pecans in Lake Providence to buy a car.

At St. Catherine’s, she was struck by lightning, she was unharmed, but the plastic buttons on her coat were melted.

Sister Maria impacted generations at Jesus the Good Shepherd, her tenure spanning from 1960 to 1997.

Former teacher Minette Gilbert, mentions “[she had a] jovial heart and a can-do spirit, loved everyone who came through her door, but could get her message across.” Her memory is revered there, attested by the framed photo in the library, the Sister Maria Smith, D. C. Scholarship and the handmade cards she has received from current students, born long after her departure.

24 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

In retirement, Sister Maria continued to minister to family and friends, residents and staff through her friendship, cards, letters, prayers and discreet aid with personal problems.

Everyone who came into her circle became one of her children. She had a knack for seeing and bringing out the best in everyone, and she brought many into the Church. A few days before her death, she commented, “I don’t know what they’re worried about. I’m not worried,” as she gazed out the window and strummed her Breviary.

If you are lucky enough to possess one of her notes, hold onto it. You have a relic!

Rite of Candidacy

One Step Closer to the Priesthood

By John Mark Wilcox

O

n Sunday, June 2, 2019, four of our seminarians took an important step in their journey to ordination as priests for the Diocese of Shreveport.

Nicholas Duncan, Raney Johnson, Jeb Key and Kelby Tingle took part in the Rite of Candidacy Mass at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans where Fr. Peter Mangum declared them candidates for the priesthood.

The path to priesthood has led these four men to become an Aspirant, Lector and Acolyte during their time as seminarians. Rite of Candidacy is the fourth step before a seminarian is ordained as a transitional deacon, prior to receiving Holy Orders. The next step for these young men is to complete their theology degree from their respective seminary school and await their We congratulate these four special members of our faith community and look forward to working with them to promote the Gospel in the coming years!

they get their phil degree they agree to work together and then complete their promises

For more information about the priesthood, contact Father Jerry Daigle, jdaigle@dioshpt.org, or call 318.868.4441.

AUGUST 2019 25

The Diocesan Administrator, Very Reverend Peter B. Mangum has issued the following appointments:

•

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Fr. Hurd

Fr. Watson

Fr. Daigle

Fr. Kuriakose

Fr. Mondragon

Fr. Job

Fr. Ampatt

Fr. Madden

Fr. Betancurt

Fr. Thirumangalam

Rev. Timothy C. Hurd resignation as Pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Shreveport effective June 30, 2019. He is appointed member of the Priest Personnel Board effective June 17, 2019 Rev. Mark Watson letter of resignation from CTK accepted and is assigned as Pastoral Administrator of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Shreveport effective July 10, 2019 Rev. Fidel Mondragon assigned as Pastoral Administrator of Christ the King Parish, Bossier City, effective July 10, 2019. He remains Chaplain for Busqueda and the Experiencia Cristo. He leaves St. Joseph, Shreveport as Parochial Vicar and ceases assistance to the Pastor of St. Mary of the Pines, Shreveport.

Rev. Joseph Ampatt, assigned as Parochial Vicar of St. Joseph Parish, Zwolle and its mission St. Ann, Church, Ebarb beginning July 11, 2019 from Parochial Vicar of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Shreveport.

Rev. Rigoberto Betancurt assigned to assist the Pastor of St. Mary of the Pines Parish, Shreveport in ministry to the Hispanic Community as well as assist with Hispanic Ministry in DeSoto ad Sabine Civil Parishes beginning June 1, 2019. He remains Parochial Vicar of Christ the King Parish in Bossier City.

Rev. Jerry Daigle assigned as Parochial Vicar of Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Monroe; Chaplain/Campus Minster at the University of Louisiana at Monroe Catholic Campus Ministry, Monroe, beginning June 1, 2019 while retaining his current position as Director of Church Vocations from Chaplain of St. Frederick High School, Monroe.

Rev. Biju Kuriakose, C.M.I. assigned as Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Monroe and St. Lawrence Church, Swartz as well as Sacramental Minister at St. Frederick High School, Monroe beginning June 1, 2019 from Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph Parish, Shreveport.

Rev. Job Edathinatt Scaria, C.M.I, effective May 31, 2019 relieved of assignment as Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima and responsibilities at St. Lawrence Church, Swartz, and CCM/ULM Monroe. Fr. Job has been given a new assignment by his Provincial in India.

Rev. Patrick J. Madden is appointed Sacramental Minister of St. Benedict Parish, Grambling effective June 1, 2019.

Rev. George Thirumangalam, C.M.I effective June 1, 2019 is relieved as Pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Grambling and continues his assignment as Pastor of St. Lucy Parish, Hodge, LA. Deacon Scott Randle appointed Chaplain at St. Frederick High School, Monroe in addition to his assignment at St. Matthew Parish, Monroe, May 13, 2019.

Deacon William Goss, II herby renews his assignment as Permanent Deacon at St. Lawrence Church, Swartz, LA effective June 1, 2019.

Deacon Terry Walsworth relieved of assignment as Administrator at St. Lucy Parish, Hodge, LA and appointed Administrator and Campus Minister of St. Benedict Parish, Grambling, LA effective June 1, 2019.

From the Office of the Chancellor, Randy G. Tiller 26 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Hopelessly Devoted

Through Mary’s Heart

Understanding more about a Marian Consecration

By Lisa Cooper

P

art of the beauty of Catholicism is that no two of us live our faith in exactly the same way. Rich with varying devotions, our faith offers our souls nourishment in ways that seem uniquely suited to us. One particular devotion that, although centuries old, is gaining new momentum is the Consecration to Mary. When I was first approached to participate in a Consecration to Mary, I was reluctant. While I had developed a very deep devotion to our Blessed Mother and a reliance upon her intercession, I did not understand the concept of a consecration. What I thought I knew about it left me confused and a little afraid. My misunderstanding led me to believe that in consecrating myself to Mary, I was taking something sacred that belonged to God alone and giving it to someone else. As much as I love our Mother, I was concerned that my devotion to her through a consecration would place her in a position of competition with God.

I was wrong.

What is Marian Consecration?

The act of consecration involves the separation of every aspect of our lives for the sake of something sacred. In the case of a Marian Consecration, we entrust all that we are—our hopes, plans, possessions, and merits—to the care and intercession of Mary. We commend our lives to her Motherly care for us, knowing of her perfect devotion to her Son and her desire only for God’s best for us. When we give our lives to her, we trust that she

takes all that we are, wraps it in her prayers and offers it to Jesus. In return, she offers us grace and guidance. Thus, what we are actually doing is consecrating ourselves to Jesus through her Immaculate Heart.

Why do a Marian Consecration?

As Christians, our ultimate goal is cultivating the heart of God in us.

We want to grow in holiness. We want our life’s aim to mirror God’s plan for us. We want to receive all the graces we can in order to love others more purely and deeply. There is no better way to that end than through Mary’s powerful intercession. When we contemplate Jesus as an infant, trusting in Mary’s care for him, we can more easily relinquish our fear of entrusting ourselves to her care as well. Marian consecration is separating ourselves for God with Mary’s help. Her entire life was a yes to God’s plan.

Through her intercession, she leads us in that same abandonment to God’s will for us.

How do I do a Marian Consecration?

There are several methods of the consecration, but all involve days of prayer and a rosary with a final prayer on the day of consecration, which is traditionally a Marian feast day. To learn more about Marian Consecration and to find the best one for you, check out St. Louis de Montford’s “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary,” Fr. Anselm Romb’s Total Consecration to Mary (based on St. Maximillian Kolbe’s consecration) and the most recent book on consecration: Fr. Michael Gaitley’s 33Days to Morning Glory.

AUGUST 2019 27

AROUND THE DIOCESE Clothing Donated to Taylor House Women’s Shelter

M

embers of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zwolle donated 15 bags of clothes to the Taylor House Women’s Shelter as part of the 40 days-40 items challenge during Lent.

Annual Mass at Rock Chapel Held

S

t. Joseph's Mansfield annual Mass at Rock Chapel on June 6th.

Each year a joint mass is held with St. Joseph Mansfield and St. Ann's Stonewall with a dinner following the mass.

Diocesian Teen Reaches New Rank

C

handler Smith of Monroe was selected for the rank of Eagle Scout in May. Chandler Smith, a student at River Oaks School and a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church (Monroe, LA), has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Boy Scouts. This accomplishment represents almost 5 years of adventure, fun, work and dedication to the Boy Scout Troop program for Chandler, a member of Monroe Troop 76.

During the process of satisfying the requirements for the Eagle rank, Chandler performed community service, provided service and leadership for his troop and is currently serving as Patrol Leader. In addition to the traditional outdoor skills learning in Boy Scouts, Chandler has earned 25 merit badges including those from Emergency Preparedness and First Aid. His Eagle project entitled “Chandler’s Challenge” was to build 4 commercial grade picnic benches for the Desiard Street Shelter. With the overwhelming support of the community and through additional donations, Chandler was able to complete a total of six tables.

First Communion Held at St. Joseph and St. John the Baptist

C

T

his is First Communion at St. Joseph with Fr. Jim Moran, DRE- Ramel Fields, Catechists- Juanita Ibarra & Cathy Stevens, and the CommunicantsGregorio Tlatenchi, Jack Chamberlin, & Tony Carter.

28 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

ongradtulations to the young men and women of the Confirmation Class of 2019. Father Francis Kamau, pastor, is shown with members of the class at St. John the Baptist.

SCHOOL NEWS OFL Students enjoy their Summer Break

O

ur Lady of Fatima School students are enjoying their summer break by keeping busy with technology, reading, math, gardening and yoga. Children are able to participate through the many summer programs OLF has to offer.

St. Ann Recognizes high school seniors

H

igh school seniors Crista Chance and Jax Cartinez were recognized for their church ministries at St. Ann's on May 5, 2019; they have been very involved for the past 10 years. Good Luck and God Bless them.

St. Joseph’s enjoys a busy end to a successful year

A

t the 8th graders' last school Mass on Friday, May 17th, St. Joseph School celebrated the 10th anniversary of our pastor, Father Matthew Long, and also said farewell to seminarian Jeb Key, who spent a pastoral year at St. Joseph Parish and School. The student body and Religion department gifted Fr. Long with a spiritual bouquet: each grade prayed a decade of the rosary in honor of and thanksgiving for his 10 years of priesthood. Jeb Key received a journal signed by 2nd-8th grade students and faculty who had spent the year getting to know him, whether as a substitute teacher, serving at the altar or just seeing him around campus.

Send submissions to "Around the Diocese" or “School News” to smaiette@dioshpt.org.

Please include a photo that has not been resized and a brief description.

AUGUST 2019 29

AUGUST & SEPTEMBER CALENDAR

DIOCESAN EVENTS August 14

Protecting God’s Children 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Catholic Center 3500 Fairfield Ave Shreveport, LA

August 27

FEAST DAYS August 1

August 15

Protecting God’s Children 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Catholic Center 3500 Fairfield Ave Shreveport, LA

St. Alphonsus Liguori, bishop & doctor of the Church

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Day of Obligation Catholic Center Closed

PARISH & MINISTRY EVENTS

August 2

August 16

August 9

St. Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop; St. Peter Julian Eynard, priest

St. Stephen of Hungary

August 6

The Transfiguration of the Lord

St. Bernard, abbot and doctor of the Church

August 7

August 21

August 20

St. Sixtus II, pope, & companions, martyrs; St. Cajetan, priest

St. Pius X, pope

August 8

St. Dominic, priest

The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

August 9

August 23

August 22

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, virgin & martyr

St. Rose of Lima, virgin

August 10

St. Bartholomew, apostle

St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr

August 13

Sts. Pontian, pope, & Hippolytus, priest, martyrs

August 14

St. Maximilian Kolbe, priest & martyr

30 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

August 24 August 27 St. Monica

August 28

St. Augustine, bishop & doctor of the Church

August 29

The Passion of St. John the Baptist

Catholic Schools Begin

August 17

Bingo on the Bayou East Ridge Country Club 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

The popular annual fundriaser with clergy bingo callers benefits the programs of Catholic Charities of North Louisiana.

Tickets are $50 with table sponsorships available. For more information and tickets, visit www.ccnla.org, or call 318-8650200, ext 101 East Ridge Country Club Catholic Charities of Northwest Louisiana

August 23

Blue Mass St. John Berchmans 9:30 a.m.

The 17th annual Blue Mass will be held at St. John Berchmans to honor all law enforcement, firefighters and emergency personal

FEAST DAYS

September 26

St. Gregory the Great, pope & doctor of the Church

St. Vincent de Paul, priest

September 3 September 5

St. Teresa of Calcutta, religious

September 12

The Most Holy Name of Mary

September 13

St,. John Chrysostom, bishop & doctor of the Church

September 14

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

September 17

St. Robert Bellarmine, bishop & doctor of the Church

September 19

St. Januarius, bishop & martyr

September 20

Sts. Andrew Kim Tae-gon, priest & Paul Chong Ha-sang, & companions, martyrs

September 21

Sts. Cosmas & Damian, martyrs

September 27

PARISH & MINISTRY EVENTS

September 28

September 10

HOLIDAYS

Want to know more about spiritual direction, or how to find a spiritual director? Come to the Spiritual Direction Informational Meetings on September 10 at the Catholic Center.

St. Wenceslaus, martyr; St. Lawrence Ruiz & companions, martyrs

September 2 Labor Day

DIOCESAN EVENTS September 7

Protecting God’s Children Our Lady of Fatima Church 3205 Concordia St. Monroe, LA

Spiritual Direction Informational Meeting 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Catholic Center 3500 Fairfield Ave Shreveport, LA

September 24

Shreveport Principals’ Meeting 9:30 a.m.

Catholic Center

September 26

Monroe Principals Meeting 9:30 a.m.

September 11

Protecting God’s Children 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Catholic Center 3500 Fairfield Ave Shreveport, LA

St. Matthew, apostle & evangelist

Thursday Morning Class Greco Class: Scripture and Church History

Starting September 12, this class meets Thursdays, 9:3011:00 a.m. at the Catholic Center, beginning on September 12. During the first hour Father Pat will lecture on the Book of Tobit. Tobit is one of the books in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles that is not found in the sacred scriptures of our Protestant and Jewish friends.

One of the main characters is the Archangel Raphael, one of only three name angels in the Bible. During the second hour we will continue our overview of Church History.

We will focus on the time from St. Thomas Aquinas to the Protestant Reformation. The final class of the Fall Semester will be on December 5.

AUGUST 2019 31

Connection The Catholic

DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave.

•

Shreveport, LA 71104

Photo of the month

People from the Hispanic Ministry receive their diplomas after completing a leadership course