Catholic Connection February 2014

Vol. 23, No. 7 February 2014

Hope in the Lord

2014 Annual Diocesan

Stewardship Appeal February 2014 1

Publisher Bishop Michael G. Duca Editor Jessica Rinaudo Contributors Sam Alzheimer Julia P. Doolin Bishop Michael Duca Peter Gallagher Steven Griego Kim Long Theresa Mormino Kevin Nolten

Fr. Rothell Price Jessica Rinaudo Rosalba Quiroz Katie Sciba Vince Vella Mike Van Vranken Derek Warden John Mark Willcox

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

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

Calling Catholics Home

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uring the 2014 Lenten season, parishes throughout the diocese are taking the opportunity to welcome back those who were “once Catholic” through the program “Calling Catholics Home.” If you are a Catholic who has been away from the Church for a while, this invitation is for you. Our faith community misses you and is incomplete without you.

No matter how long you have been away, and for whatever reason, we invite you to consider renewing your relationship with the Catholic Church.

Please join us for informal sessions and an update of the Catholic faith. The sessions are conducted in a support-group format with speakers including local lay people, priests, deacons and Bishop Michael Duca.

Everyone is welcome.

Please keep this program in mind while visiting with friends and family who might be fallen away Catholics.

This six week program will take place at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Parish Hall, located at 939 Jordan Street in Shreveport, on Wednesdays, February 26 - April 2, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. For more information, contact Jane at St. Joseph Church in Shreveport at 318-865-3581, or go to www.callingcatholicshome.com

bishop’s february calendar FEB 6 Episcopal Ordination and Installation of Bishop-elect Joseph R. Kopacz as 11th Bishop of Jackson, Mississippi; 12:00 p.m.

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

FEB 7 The Many Faces of Need - A Moonlight Masquerade (fundraiser benefitting Catholic Charities of Shreveport); Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, Shreveport; 7:00 p.m.

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

FEB 11 Southern Deanery Stewardship Appeal Donor Reception; Zwolle; 6:30 p.m.

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.

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FEB 9 Catholic Scouting Mass, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 11:00 a.m.

FEB 12 Western Deanery Stewardship Appeal Donor Reception; Shreveport; 6:30 p.m.

FEB 15 Confirmation; Jesus the Good Shepherd Church, Monroe; 4:30 p.m.

FEB 16 Father Richard J. Lombard’s 60th Anniversary Mass; St. Joseph Church, Shreveport; 12:00 p.m.

FEB 17 Confirmation; Mary, Queen of Peace Church, Bossier City; 6:00 p.m.

FEB 18 Eastern Deanery Stewardship Appeal Donor Reception; Monroe; 6:30 p.m.

FEB 20 4th Annual Pro-Life Banquet; Bossier Civic Center, Bossier City; 6:00 p.m.

FEB 22 Confirmation; St. Jude Church, Bossier City; 5:00 p.m.

Feb 23 Organ Dedication; Holy Trinity Seminary, Dallas; 7:00 p.m.

contents

february 2014

columns Hope for the New Year: Living as the Body of Christ

by Bishop Michael G. Duca........................................................................................... 4-5

Moveable Feast: The Transforming Experience of Soup by Kim Long................6 Domestic Church: A Joyful Vocation in the Church by Katie Sciba..................... 7 Cultivating Vocations by Katie Sciba .....................................................................7

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Mike’s Meditations: Surely He's Not Talking to Us by Mike Van Vranken..............8 Second Collections: Catholic Relief Services' Rice Bowl

by Fr. Rothell Price .....................................................................................................8

Navigating the Faith: Papal Infallibility by Mike Van Vranken...............................9 Vocations Corner: Germanic Year of Discernment by Steven Griego................10 School News ...........................................................................................................11

features Hope in the Lord: 2014 Annual Stewardship Appeal

by John Mark Willcox................................................................................................ 12-13

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news The Fourth Annual Bishop's Pro-Life Banquet by Jessica Rinaudo.......................14 Keith Garvin Ordained to Transitional Diaconate by Sam Alzheimer..................15 Loyola Rosary Group Sponsors Book Publication by Julia Pettitte Doolin............15 New Altar Dedicated at St. Paul Church in Minden by Vince Vella...................16 Groundbreaking for St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Life Center

by Peter Gallagher.....................................................................................................16 Catholic Charities: New Staff Member Brings Wealth of Experience and Love to Local Program by Theresa Mormino..................................................17

15 on the cover

Pope Urges Respect, Honest Dialogue in Social Media Networks with Communications Day Message by USCCB...........................................................17 Into That Good Charity by Derek Warden..............................................................18 Operation Love by Kevin Nolten.............................................................................18 Hispanic Corner by Rosalba Quiroz.........................................................................19 Around the Diocese ...............................................................................................20 Across the Globe by Vatican Information Services..................................................21 The Pope Appoints Nineteen New Cardinals

Vatican News and Notes by Vatican Information Services ....................................21 Upcoming Events....................................................................................................22 February Calendar ................................................................................................23 Picture of the Month by Long Nguyen....................................................................24

On the cover is the art for the 2014 Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal.

February 2014 3

LA REFLEXIÓN del obispo

por Obispo Michael G. Duca

Esperanza para el Año Nuevo: Vivir Como el Cuerpo de Cristo

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l comienzo de cada Año Nuevo parece que tengo una razón para estar contento y con esperanza. Algunos años este gozo me viene de alguna resolución de Año Nuevo o una esperanza de que los problemas del año anterior se han pasado y es tiempo de nuevos comienzos. Este año, sin embargo, la fuente de mi gozo nuevo me viene de nuestras nuevas ordenaciones al sacerdocio y al diaconado.

El 11 de enero de este año tuve el gozo y la oportunidad de ordenar a Keith Garvin, un seminarista para la Diócesis de Shreveport, al diaconado. El 31 de mayo del 2014, ordenaré al ahora Diácono Keith Garvin al sacerdocio y al seminarista Jerry Daigle al diaconado.

Luego el 28 de junio, ordenaré 16 hombres al diaconado permanente que servirán en las parroquias, desde las más lejanas del este hasta las del oeste de la diócesis. Este es un cambio maravilloso para nuestra diócesis y que debe darnos esperanza, no solo porque tenemos nuevos sacerdotes y diáconos para servir en nuestras parroquias, sino porque estas nuevas ordenaciones y un número creciente de seminaristas son una señal de una Iglesia viva en Jesucristo. Este número de ordenaciones me da esperanza porque es una verdadera respuesta a los problemas serios que tenemos de un bajo número de clero diocesano.

Pienso que con frecuencia vemos la seria falta de sacerdotes en nuestra diócesis como un problema que la Iglesia puede resolver cambiando la regla del celibato u otros aspectos externos de las enseñanzas de la Iglesia o de la vida de los sacerdotes.

Yo pienso que este es un entendimiento incompleto del verdadero problema. Existen verdaderos problemas actuales que afectan las vocaciones. Por ejemplo, la mayoría de nuestras familias Católicas son pequeñas con solo uno o dos hijos. También, el mensaje seglar de que el éxito y el logro de independencia financiera son poderosos y 4 Catholic Connection

con frecuencia ahogan el valor y la atracción a una vida al servicio de la comunidad, de la iglesia y del mundo. Pero aun estos obstáculos verdaderos en la vida no son la respuesta completa al porque menos hombres y mujeres escogen una vida religiosa.

Creo que el problema de vocaciones esta enraizado en nuestra falta personal y como iglesia del entendimiento de nuestra propia vida como una vocación, o sea una vida vivida en respuesta al llamado de Dios. Con frecuencia he dicho que si nuestra fe no es el centro de las decisiones que tomamos, o la fuente de nuestra motivación, o la guía en una decisión moral difícil, ahí es donde necesitamos encontrar cual es nuestra creencia central, nuestra motivación principal en la vida y nuestra guía al tomar nuestras decisiones morales. Como discípulos somos llamados a poner a Cristo en el centro.

Cuando decidimos no ir a Misa en Domingo, ¿QUE ES LO MAS IMPORTANTE? Esta decisión es profundamente importante porque el valor que es más importante que ir a Misa está creando a la persona en la que nos vamos convirtiendo. Como cristianos debemos poner a Cristo en el centro para que seamos formados diariamente en alguien que se parece más a Cristo. Si no nos vamos convirtiendo más como Cristo, entonces ¿Cuáles son los valores más importantes que nos están formando? ¿Nos estamos convirtiendo en una persona que es más popular, más rica, más bonita, más segura, más en el centro de nuestra vida pero en

nuestros propios términos, y aparentemente más libres?

Entre más vivamos juntos como el Cuerpo de Cristo y vivamos nuestra vocación recibida en el Bautismo de llegar a ser cada día más como discípulos de Cristo, más enseñaremos a nuestros hijos que servir a Dios es una vocación valiosa y profunda.

Y ni siquiera tendremos que decírselos con palabras porque ellos lo verán en nuestras acciones. Verán lo que es más importante para nosotros. Viviremos como gente llamada por Dios al servicio.

Mi esperanza es que este año y los años venideros continuemos teniendo hombres jóvenes que busquen entrar al seminario y mujeres jóvenes que consideren el convento porque habrán aprendido el valor del servicio, la importancia de la fe y la sabiduría de vivir sus vidas como una vocación, un llamado de Jesucristo, de llevar Su amor al mundo. Mi esperanza es que tendremos más vocaciones actuales y tendremos ordenaciones cada año como resultado de un entendimiento renovado en cada uno de nosotros en toda la diócesis de lo que significa ser un discípulo. Que cada uno de nosotros en nuestra propia vida espiritual continuemos descubriendo nuevas maneras de ser discípulos de Jesucristo por nuestro involucramiento en los retiros de ACTS, de la Asociación Magnificat, de nuestro testimonio con Pro-vida, de las Escuelas católicas, del programa catequético renovado, de la Sociedad de San Vicente de Paul, de Caridades Católicas, del Ministerio de Jóvenes, del Ministerio Hispano y de muchas más organizaciones llenas de fe y ministerios de nuestra diócesis. Mi esperanza es que esta renovación de corazón vaya profundizando nuestra fe para construir nuestro discipulado más central a nuestras vidas para animar vocaciones nuevas a la Iglesia porque creemos que escoger una vida de servicio a la Iglesia es una vocación noble y alegre.

bishop’s reflection

by Bishop Michael G. Duca

Hope for the New Year: Living as the Body of CHrist

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t the beginning of every New Year I seem to find a reason to be more joyful and hopeful. Some years it comes from a New Year’s resolution or a hope that last year’s problems are over and it is time for a new beginning. This year though, the source of my new found joy comes from our new ordinations to the priesthood and the diaconate.

On January 11 of Bishop Duca this year I had the joyful opportunity to ordain Keith Garvin, a seminarian for the Diocese of Shreveport, to the diaconate. On May 31, 2014, I will ordain Deacon Keith Garvin to the priesthood and seminarian Jerry Daigle to the diaconate. Then, on June 28, I will ordain 16 men to the permanent diaconate who will serve in the most eastern parishes to the most western parishes of the diocese.

This is such a wonderful change for our diocese and it should give us hope, not only because we have new priests and deacons to serve our parishes, but because these new ordinations and our growing number of seminarians are a sign of a Church alive in Jesus Christ. This surge of ordinations gives me hope because it is a true answer to the serious problem of our shrinking number of diocesan clergy.

I think we often view the serious lack of priests in our diocese as a problem the Church can solve with the change of the celibacy rule or by changing some other external aspect of Church teaching or of the life of a priest. But I think this is an incomplete understanding of the real issue.

There are real current day issues that affect vocations. For example, the majority of our Catholic families are smaller with only one or two children. Also, the secular message to succeed and achieve financial independence is powerful and is often drowning out the value and appeal of a life lived in service to the community, the church or the world. But even these real life

obstacles are not the full answer to why less men and women seem to choose a religious vocation.

I believe our vocation problem is rooted in our lack of a personal and Church-wide understanding of our own life as a vocation, that is a life lived in response to the call of God. I have often said Bishop Duca congratulates Keith Garvin after being ordained a deacon. that if our faith is not the center of important to us. We will live as a people our decision making, or the source of our called by God to service. motivation, or guide in a difficult moral My hope this year and in years to come decision, then we need to find out what is is that we will continue to have young our central belief, our primary motivation men seek to enter the seminary and young in life and our guide in moral decisionwomen to consider the convent because making. As disciples we are called to put they will have learned the value of service, Christ in the center. When we decide not the importance of faith and the wisdom of to go to Mass this or that Sunday, WHAT living their lives as a vocation, a call from IS MORE IMPORTANT? This decision Jesus Christ, to bring His love to the world. is deeply important because the value that My hope is that we have more vocations is more important than going to Mass is today and will ordain each year because creating the person we are becoming. As of a renewed understanding in each of us Christians we are to put Christ in our center throughout the diocese of what it means to so that we are daily shaped into someone be a disciple. I hope each of us in our own more like Christ. If we are not becoming spiritual lives will continue to discover new more like Christ, then what are the more ways to be disciples of Jesus Christ because important values shaping us into? Are we of our renewed involvement in the ACTS becoming a person who is more popular, retreats, the Magnificat Association, our richer, more beautiful, safer, more in control pro-life witness, our Catholic Schools, a of our life on our terms, and seemingly renewed Catechetical program, the Society more free? of St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Charities, The more we live together as the Body Youth Ministries, Hispanic Ministries and of Christ and live our vocation received at so many other faith-filled organizations and Baptism to become each day more like a ministries of our diocese. My hope is that disciple of Christ, then the more we will as this renewal of heart deepens our faith teach our children that to serve God is a and makes our discipleship more central to noble and deeply worthwhile vocation. our lives so we will encourage new vocations And we will not even have to tell them this to the Church because we believe that to with our words because they will see it in choose a life in service of the Church is a our actions. They will see it in what is most noble and joyful vocation.

February 2014 5

moveable feast

by Kim Long

The Transforming Experience of Soup

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oup has been embedded in my memory for decades. How can I make such a statement? Come with me and I’ll take you to Oak Street and one of my favorite childhood memories of being with my great grandmother, “Nannie”, on cold afternoons.

We were greeted with the sing song voice some older women have, “come in the house!”

We were ushered in so the door could keep the cold wind at bay and in the next instant we realized the smell of something good with a single word; the smell was that of soup, more ingredients, have specifically “wagon train” had our own little soup – her euphemism for transformation. vegetable soup. Sometimes While it is true there was meat, but mostly we are in the big vegetables, always delicious, and served middle of carnival season and Mardi in thick white bowls with cornbread and, Gras parades, dinners, parties, cook outs of course, love. Another family mainstay and balls, we are also in a transition was potato soup and this was the domain within the Church year. Carnival isn’t an of my grandmother. It seemed magical official season in our liturgical calendar, that she could make it from potatoes, red although some think it should be. Not or white, as well as instant flakes and it growing up Catholic Mardi Gras and always tasted good and nourishing, not Carnival weren’t within my purview. A thin and gruel-like, but really rib-sticking. classmate with a cousin who had been to In our fast food world soup can seem “the Mardi Gras” brought beads to our like a bit of bother... we must shop, elementary class once. That was as close purchase, come home and make a space as I came to touching this amazing time. on the counter, Amazing because haul out the I do believe that chopping board We come away somehow carnival is an and big soup invitation to a changed by the revelry. We go pot and begin specific type of home and put the masks away the peeling, transformation. and ready ourselves for our chopping, and Gertrud Mueller slicing (perhaps Lenten journey.

Nelson says in even humming her book, To as you go), until Dance with God, there are no longer individual ingredients that Carnival is a time to explore our standing on their own. We have a shadow self. Not an easy task but it delicious pot of soup, sustenance to carry seems safer, less threatening when done us through the weekend or the week. It wearing the mask of Carnival. This is takes time and when we give ourselves certainly visible when everyone around permission to slow down and really get you at a Mardi Gras parade screams into the cooking of a pot of soup we with unbridled enthusiasm “Throw me are a little different too. Perhaps our something Mister,” along with arms tone is softer. We lovingly reach for the outstretched begging and cajoling for bowls and spoons, check the clock and the treats of the season. We come away see that stirring up a pan of cornbread full of beads, laughter and smiles. We won’t take any time at all. We, like the come away somehow changed by the 6 Catholic Connection

revelry. We go home and put the masks away and ready ourselves for our Lenten journey. We have been fortified, we have allowed our shadow to dwell with us and we carry a little more of that self knowledge with us into the desert.

I offer this unusual recipe for Mushroom Bisque because mushrooms grow in the dark and yet when they are harvested and brought into the light we can make wonderful dishes with them. So this year catch some beads, eat some king cake and embrace the side of you “under the mask!”

Mushroom Bisque Ingredients: • 6 tablespoons butter • 1 cup chopped onion • 2 cups chopped celery • 2 cups finely chopped spinach • 4 cups sliced mushrooms • 5 cups milk • 4 tablespoons unbleached white flour • 1 cup water • 1/2 teaspoons salt • dash of black pepper Directions: In a three quart soup pot melt two tablespoons of butter and saute the onions and celery over medium heat.

When the onions begin to brown (about 10 minutes), add spinach and mushrooms and saute until tender (approximately three to five minutes more). Add four cups of milk (don't skimp, use whole milk) and simmer on low flame, uncovered. Meanwhile, melt the remaining four tablespoons butter in a small pan. Add flour and stir until smooth. Add remaining one cup of milk, stirring with a whisk, then add to soup along with water. Add salt and pepper. Simmer 10 minutes and serve.

Horn of the Moon Cookbook by Ginny Callan published by Harper and Row

domestic church

by Katie Sciba

A Joyful Vocation in the Church Don't be afraid to allow children to explore religious or priestly life

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y freshmen year at Benedictine College, one of my closest friends delighted us all with news that he was headed for the seminary. A young man with strong devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Blessed Mother, Chris’s talents were in making people laugh and making people pray. His convictions were contagious and many of our friends grew as Catholics in his friendship; the fact that he discerned a vocation to the priesthood seemed perfect, and while we would miss him, we were excited.

His parents, however, were less than thrilled.

Chris is an only child, so with his entrance into the priesthood and its vow of celibacy, his parents would never have a daughter-inlaw, grandchildren or fulfilled fantasies of big family Christmases. The idea of their only son being a busy diocesan priest was, understandably, a hard pill to swallow.

The reaction is all too common.

Thinking of one’s grown up child entering the religious life as a priest, sister or brother can be generally foreign or perhaps peculiar. Even my dad, wonderful as he was, raised an eyebrow when I mentioned discerning life as a cloistered nun. And I get it; it seems contrary to the classic American ambition of “making something of yourself,” of going out and making the world your oyster.

Young parents beam at their toddlers with wonder - will she be a doctor? Will he study law like his father? How many people look at their little ones with big, bright hopes of them taking a veil or collar?

I’d like to argue, though, that encouraging your children to think about what real life would be like as a monk, nun, or priest is the most hopeful thing

you can do for the Church. Even if they consider it and don’t feel called to the religious life, entertaining the idea requires a bit of investigating and a lot of prayer, both as an individual and family, which will only better their souls. In a diocese that is still comparatively new, in a region with a small handful of religious and a shortage of priests like many others in the U.S., it’s difficult to see the impact and happiness a person experiences when fully consecrated to God. And neither is it well known that each religious order has a charism - a specific work or mission performed by the community as a whole to further the Kingdom of God and draw everyone closer to Christ. For example, the ever joyful Dominican sisters are committed to excellence in education; Benedictines are dedicated to prayerful work for the Church and Franciscans work for the spiritual and physical provision of the poor.

Every vocation, whether married or religious, invites a person to love and sacrifice in a particular way; and as Bishop Duca observed at Deacon Keith Garvin’s recent ordination, “Sacrificial love often allows us to become the best version of ourselves.” Entrance into a religious order is not a loss of life, it’s an enhancement of it. It’s a heroic adventure of the soul to accept the challenges God offers, to trust, and to commit entirely to his service.

So ask your children, invite a priest or religious to dinner, go to an ordination Mass, and make daily prayer part of your family life. Above all, pray for your children’s joyful acceptance of God’s will and for the grace to encourage them.

Katie Sciba is the author of thecatholicwife.net. She lives in Shreveport with her husband, Andrew, and three sons, Liam,Thomas & Peter.

Cultivating Vocations The Catholics in veils and collars don’t have to seem strange to our families, especially our kids. Give these tips a try to cultivate welcome and comfort with discerning a religious vocation.

Cook with Clergy Invite a priest or two over for dinner and games. Priests are as “normal” and fun-loving as anyone else! They’ll love the company, conversation, and the food. What a perfect opportunity to gain some insight into their vocation.

Speak Highly of the Habit

Our kids adopt the same perspectives and attitudes that we express; be sure to speak well of the consecrated religious and pray for their numbers to increase in our diocese. Monastic and diocesan service is no short order, and the work brothers, sisters and priests do takes remarkable trust in God and total submission to His will.

Go to an Ordination!

Ordinations are the most powerful Masses you’ll ever attend! Witnessing all our priests gathered to welcome another into their vocation is breathtaking because at once you realize the heavenly heroism of their work.

February 2014 7

mike’s meditations

by Mike Van Vranken

second collection

Surely He's Not Talking to Us second collections Transform Our Lives to be More Christ-like

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fter healing a blind man, Jesus declared that he came into the world “... so those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.” He was referring to the spiritual component of the physical miracle he had just performed. The blind man could physically see, but there were those around him who could also physically see but not understand Jesus’ teachings. This compelled some Pharisees to ask: “Surely we are not also blind, are we?” (John 9:39-40) It sounds like they were asking, “Surely you are not talking to us, are you Jesus?”

In their own minds, there was no way he could be saying they were blind.

Do we ever find ourselves doing the same thing? When someone challenges us that we are not doing enough for the poor, do we respond with: “surely he is not talking to us”?

Or, do we mutter to ourselves: “I sure hope my friend, or my cousin, or my neighbor or my spouse is listening to this message?” How often do we shake our heads at the “poor Pharisees” because they just don’t get it, when we don’t even see how we imitate everything they do?

A more appropriate response when we hear Christ talking through scripture or through another person is to ask: “How can I use this message to be a better person myself?” Our society spends way too much effort trying to “fix” each other rather than changing our own lives. Before every plane flight, we receive emergency instructions to “put on our own oxygen mask first” before trying to help those seated next to us. This is good spiritual advice as well.

Throughout this month, let’s make a daily practice to examine every message we read or hear and determine how we can use that information to transform our lives to be more Christ-like. Let’s assume the Holy Spirit is trying to get our attention to change our own lives before we try to change another’s life. Once this becomes our everyday habit, we will finally realize that, yes, he really is talking to us.

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

8 Catholic Connection

Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl

Announcement Dates: February 23rd & March 2nd Beginning and Ending Dates: Ash Wednesday, March 5th – Easter Sunday, April 20th Collection Date: Easter Sunday

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ach Lent, the Church calls us into a season of spiritual renewal and reflection. The CRS Rice Bowl is an inspirational way to participate in the journey through the renewal of Lent to the joy of Easter. CRS Rice Bowl is the Lenten Program of Catholic Relief Services, the official international agency of the Catholic community in the United States.

Every year around Lent, my brothers, sisters and I were given our personal coin card or can for the purpose of putting money in it each day from the beginning of Lent up to Easter Sunday.

Receiving that card or can was always a happy occasion. It signaled two things: that Easter was rapidly approaching, and that we had this great opportunity to do something special for Jesus and people who were poorer than ourselves. Some years it was a dime card, other years it was a quarter card, other times it was a cardboard box or can. The cards contained special slots during holy week for the purpose of inserting a dollar instead of the usual coin. We used tape when we pressed our coin too zealously into the pocket and tore it.

Presenting our cards or cans in church on Easter Sunday added to the awesomeness of our celebration of our Savior’s resurrection. It seemed to make us and our Easter clothes shine even brighter when we performed this kindness for Jesus and the poor.

The theme of the CRS Rice Bowl campaign is, “FOR LENT, FOR LIFE: What you give up for Lent changes lives.” CRS asks us to: pray to deepen our relationship with God and reflect on what type of person He calls us to be; fast to remove the things that get between us and God and to live in solidarity with those in need; and, give alms to our brothers and sisters in need, honoring Jesus’ call to serve our neighbors. My parents did a beautiful job of teaching us that we had something beautiful to offer to our Risen Lord and the least of his people. It is my prayer that your prayer table, home altar, coffee table, dining room table, night stand or other special location is graced with your box, tin, jar, card holder, can or other container. Whether your CRS Rice Bowl is an individual, family or class effort, you are gathering up and laying aside throughout the holy season of Lent a great gift to the Lord and those in need. Please participate as fully as possible and enhance your Easter joy by presenting your CRS Rice Bowl to the Lord at the Easter Collection.

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

Navigating the Faith Papal Infallibility

by Mike Van Vranken

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hile most media reports are produced to provide information, they sometimes create more questions than answers.

Throughout my life as a Roman Catholic, I’ve experienced many of those stories where the lingering questions were sometimes difficult to answer. This has, for many years, supported my belief that adult education is critical for all Catholics to enhance their own relationship with Jesus, his Church and the entire Body of Christ.

But it seems this has been exponentially magnified over the last year following the election of Pope Francis last March. His informal style, his access to reporters and to people in general, as well as his candid comments on his concern for the poor and vulnerable have made him a favorite of individuals from every walk of life and corner of the globe. Now with Catholicism in a very frequent spotlight, are you and I adequately prepared to answer the questions that all this publicity generates?

Here is an example: As so many people have interpreted Pope Francis’ comments in a myriad of ways, how would you explain Papal Infallibility to someone asking about some of his comments? Certainly, there are those who have such a misunderstanding of Papal Infallibility they could confuse some of Francis’ comments as a change of Church dogma. Our ability to respond can play a key role in the effectiveness of our evangelization work.

Let’s begin with “when.” When did Papal Infallibility come into existence? The answer is that it was created along with the creation of the Church of Jesus Christ. Our understanding of this dogma grew over time, but it existed from the beginning. We could compare this to the existence of the Holy Trinity. We believe in faith that the Trinity has always been and always will be.

But, we did not understand that from the beginning. Our “theology” of the Trinity grew over time. We can use scripture and we can use writings of Church leaders since the first century, who may not have mentioned the words “Papal Infallibility,” yet emphatically emphasized the Church

cannot be in error when speaking of faith and morals. Yes, it was not until Vatican I in the 1860’s, and reaffirmed at Vatican II in the 1960’s, that Papal Infallibility was officially a dogmatic teaching of the Church. Yet, the understanding of the authority that Jesus left with Peter and the Church began in the first century.

So, just what is Papal Infallibility? The Encyclopedia of Catholicism calls it “a charism (or gift of the Spirit) that ensures immunity from error in the Church’s definitive teaching on matters of faith and morals.” It goes on to explain that only God is infallible so this is a divine attribute that has been gifted to the Church and to the Bishop of Rome in the very restricted sense of faith and morals. The teachings of Vatican I do not say the pope himself is infallible. Again, the Holy Spirit gifts the pope with a power that Christ gave to his Church and belongs to his Church.

Confused? Don’t be. Infallibility is limited to certain criteria. They include, first, the pope must be teaching in the official capacity as pastor of all Christians.

Again, it has to be a teaching on some doctrine of faith or morals. It would include a teaching that he wishes to be irrevocable and binding on the entire Church.

Think about this from a logical Christian viewpoint. The following comes from an EWTN article written by Jeffrey Mirus, PhD. “When the Pope (1) intends to teach (2) by virtue of his supreme authority (3) on a matter of faith and morals (4) to the whole Church, he is preserved by the Holy Spirit from error. His teaching act is therefore called “infallible” and the teaching which he articulates is termed ‘irreformable’.” Again, from a Christian point of view, we know Jesus has promised to be with the Church until the end of time. Consequently, when all of the aforementioned criteria are met, we believe in faith the Holy Spirit would not allow any error to creep into such a teaching.

Tertullian even suggested that if the Church erred in some way in specifically teaching faith and morals, then the Holy Spirit did

not watch over it.

A few scriptures we can study are: Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 NAB) And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18 NAB) And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you. (John 14:16-17 NAB) Now it’s time for more of that adult education I mentioned earlier. Suggestions would include Sacred Scripture, reading more from the Catholic Encyclopedia, the documents of the First and Second Vatican Councils, namely Pastor aeternus of Vatican I and Lumen Gentium of Vatican II, as well as reputable Catholic websites.

The Catholic dogma of Papal Infallibility is one we should all cherish; which is difficult to do if we don’t try to understand it.

February 2014 9

vocations corner

Germanic Year of Discernment

Seminarian Steven Griego discerned call to priesthood by traveling around the world

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year and a half ago my family and I were soaring over the immense Atlantic Ocean towards Germany, the location of my dad’s new Air Force assignment. Throughout the 13 hours of grueling travel, I endured enough elbow rubbing, armrest stealing antics with my brothers to last me a lifetime. Stepping off the plane and escaping my metal prison into the refreshing 75 degree summer air was heavenly. However, I suddenly realized that a new chapter of my life had begun. I was enveloped by an entirely new language and culture. I realized that after spending four years in Shreveport, the longest period of time I have ever lived in one state, I had forgotten the anticipation, excitement, nerve-wracking emotions and anonymity that go along with moving.

One of the first German experiences I had was quite comical. We had to find our two Havanese dogs, who were somewhere nearby in the airport, and pick them up to head to the base. We had no idea where they were and none of us spoke a lick of German. We ended up finding the building they were in, which was about 10 minutes away at another site. My dad went in and awkwardly asked a German at a counter, “Sprechen Inglés?”

My dad asked the lady if she spoke English in half German, half Spanish. This was just a tiny glimpse of the beginning of a whole slew of embarrassments that occurred that year.

After a month’s stay in the army post hotel, we moved into our fourth story apartment on one of the four army posts, Kelley Barracks. I can honestly say that after a year, I am a stair climbing guru. There I often thought deeply on seminary formation and further discerned if I was truly called to return to the diocese the following year. My decision to return was ultimately molded by a myriad of eye-opening experiences.

10 Catholic Connection

In October of 2012 I was blessed with the opportunity to go on a pilgrimage with the base chapel and my family to Assisi and Rome. Assisi exposed me to the subtle, quiet beauty of our wonderful Catholic Church.

We walked through twisting cobblestone streets filled with fresh Italian breads, fruits, desserts and other delicacies. In Rome a French priest, a former Swiss Guard, led us around and arranged for an American Cardinal to say a private Mass for us in a chapel near St. Peter’s square. Later in the year I was able to travel throughout Germany, getting to know the culture, devouring the scrumptious apfel strudel, and witnessing breathtaking views. In the spring I visited Venice and Bari in Italy, Istanbul and Izmir in Turkey, Olympia in Greece and Dubrovnic in Croatia. Visiting these countries was an immersive teaching moment; it taught me about the history of different people and their beliefs. I was also exposed to many magnificent churches In the end, I was left with a longing for God and involvement in His Church. I wanted to bring God and peace to all the suffering impoverished people I saw along the way. Throughout the whole trip I had a burning desire that kept bringing the idea of seminary back into my mind as a way I could reach out to such people.

My two favorite moments of true enlightenment occurred during my trip to Lourdes, France and to Rome for a second time. In Lourdes there was a majestic aura of serenity that encased the entire city, an aura that felt like the gentle touch of a mother, cradling all within. During this time I prayed through our loving Lady of Lourdes, asking to better understand God’s will for my life. I returned to Rome this past summer.

During this time I was able to visit St. Mary Major and the Church of St. Ignatius, which contains the body of Saint John Berchmans.

I prayed for the courage to surrender, to be a humble servant and to be open to God’s will by putting aside any selfcentered desires I had.

I finally answered the never ending, overwhelming restlessness in my heart to return to the Diocese of Shreveport to answer the call I was hearing. After strenuous logistical planning, my grandmother, mother, sister and I finally arrived at St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict, LA. I felt internally at peace for the first time in five years, but also felt completely unsure of what the future would bring. For the first time in my life, I would have to wait five months in order to see my parents and siblings. After I said goodbye to my family, I sat down in my room, encompassed by unnerving, piercing silence.

After a few long minutes, I took a deep breath and exited my room, plunging into the uncharted, crisp and cleansing waters of seminary life.

I have grown happier as the days have gone by. I feel fulfilled in a place of serenity where ancient oaks provide protective, shielding shadows in which I can ignore the blaring ruckus of our noisy culture in order to hear and understand better the will of our most gracious God. There is also no greater environment than a place where fellow supportive brothers are earnestly seeking the same goal: Christ, as well as their identity in Christ, with all of their hearts. Although it is still difficult for me to wake up early in the morning for adoration, I find comfort in this minuscule sacrifice and everything else that is a part of our daily routine for the greater glory of God. It helps us grow in holiness, which will ultimately bring us the greatest happiness we can encounter in this world.

My time at St. Ben’s is a great blessing, an amazing time of spiritual maturation and intellectual growth balanced with goodhearted fun. My decision to enter seminary is definitely one of the best decisions I have ever made. I sincerely look forward to many more days to come. May you receive the grace to be unconditionally ready for the day the King of Endless Glory calls out for you to leave all you have known to come and follow Him, even if it means you must journey across an ocean and back.

Steven Griego is in first year college at St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, LA.

school NEWS < The St. Frederick High School students celebrated “A Day of Reflection” on Monday, January 6, with special guest speaker Roy Petitfils. Petitfils spoke to the students about their relationship with God and each other. Students also spent time working on service learning projects that they would complete as a class. Many students were excited that this started off the new semester and felt refreshed and focused as the New Year began. Pictured above: Chandler Chism, 7th grade; Mckenzie McDonald, 12th grade; Roy Petitfils; Kennedy Henderson, 7th grade; Kyrsten Boyles, 7th grade; and Mary Ann Lalehparvaran, 7th grade.

^ Jesus the Good Shepherd School is proud to announce Julia Barkley as the JGS Student of the Year! This is quite an accomplishment as she met or exceeded all the requirements for Student of the Year. Julia is the daughter of Olga and Bill Barkley and a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church. We wish her well as she represents our school during the District Competition this spring!

^ Mary and Joseph are pictured from the Our Lady of Fatima School Christmas program. Mary is MacKenzi Collins and Joseph is Taylor Howard. The program was the Christmas story told through narration and song. All K-6 students portrayed people or animals present for the event.

> The St. John Berchmans School Science Olympiad Team kicked off its 2014 season by competing at the Hopper Middle School Invitational in Houston. St. John’s competed against 38 other middle school teams from Texas and took home medals in three events: First Place in “Can’t Judge a Powder” (Sarah Siharath and Skylar Nipper); First Place in “Disease Detective” (Peter Vanchiere and Colton Krauss); and Fourth Place in “Helicopter” (Blaise Chagnard and Tanner Hines). The SJB Science Olympiad team will begin the quest of its sixth consecutive state title at the Regional Science Olympiad Tournament in March.

February 2014 11

Hope in

the

Lord

2014 Annual Diocesan

Stewardship Appeal

by John Mark Willcox, Director of Stewardship & Development

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any thanks to the 3,175 donors among our diocesan faithful who provided a pledge to our 2013 Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal. Your strong support of our Appeal programs and ministries enabled last year’s campaign to be the most successful in the history of our diocese with over $1.4 million dollars pledged and 98% of that pledge amount collected! “A truly fantastic response to the needs of our Church,” commented Bishop Michael G. Duca. “The generosity of our people is simply remarkable, and we want to build on this positive momentum in the These religious coming weeks with the educational ministries launch of our 2014 Appeal effort.” are also enhanced by While care for our retired priests has our Catholic Schools long been the largest Appeal allocation, and their worthy the coming year will see our diocesan mission of forming our seminarian and vocations ministry young people. following closely

12 Catholic Connection

behind in Appeal funding.

The reason for this change is quite simple, we have more seminarians to educate and ordain!

“The Holy Spirit has brought us a very good group of men seeking formation for the priesthood,” says Diocesan Vocations Director, Rev. Matthew Long. “This May will see our first priestly ordination since my own in 2009, and there will be more to follow in 2014. Thanks to our Appeal, we can address the future needs of maintaining a strong group of priests for our diocese.”

Men who choose to attend seminary within our diocese count on our Annual Appeal for their tuition, room and board while they undergo formation. With eight, possibly nine men in training in 2014, your Appeal will apply nearly a quarter of a million dollars is assistance to this critical ministry for the future of our diocese.

Those programs and ministries providing direct outreach to the poor such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Catholic Charities will receive continued Appeal support while outreach via our efforts in Campus and Pro-Life ministries will also be able to count on Appeal funding.

“People continue to look to the Church for help,” reminds Bishop Duca. “Whether they are hungry, or in need of assistance with their families, seeking to promote and protect life or working to maintain their faith while pursuing higher education... the Church needs to be there for them and our Appeal helps make that possible.”

Appeal funding helped the Diocesan Office of Worship

successfully promote our “Year of Faith” in 2013, and provided the funding for a renewed focus on Catechesis throughout the diocese that will increase in the coming year. These religious educational ministries are also enhanced by our Catholic Schools and their worthy mission of forming our young people, and Appeal support of tuition assistance helps make that possible. These ministries are joined in their growth by our continually burgeoning Hispanic Ministry efforts that bear much fruit in numerous locations and in every deanery of our diocese.

Even our diocesan safe environment program benefits from Appeal support as many thousands of employees, volunteers, teachers and anyone else involved with young people in the name of the Church have been trained to foster safe environments for our youth through the “Protecting God’s Children” program that has been in force within our diocese since 2002.

And don’t forget the publication you are reading has received complete funding from our Annual Appeal since its inception 26 years ago. Because of Appeal support of the Catholic Connection, our diocese is able to offer it in print and electronically to the faithful of our region at no cost. Awardwinning, inspiring and informational, the Catholic Connection continues to provide our Appeal donors with real bang for their giving Thanks to our Appeal, dollar.

These Appeal programs we can address and many others help the future needs of define who we are as Catholics within our maintaining a strong diocese and the miracle remains that they are group of priests for our made possible by only 28% of our registered diocese.

Catholics in 16 civil parishes. Please consider encouraging others to join you in supporting our Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal. Our ten-month pledge program makes giving easy and electronic giving is just a click away at dioshpt.org. You can also use the pledge card found on page 22 of this issue.

“Participation is the key,” says Bishop Duca. “Our donors are so generous and every person who joins our Appeal donor family truly does make a big difference.”

Those programs and ministries providing direct outreach to the poor such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Catholic Charities will receive continued Appeal support

You can access 2014 Appeal materials from our website! Visit www.dioshpt.org to view the video, download a pledge card, our brochure, our poster or to give online!

February 2014 13

NEWS

The Fourth Annual Bishop's Pro-Life Banquet

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n February 20, Bishop’s Annual Pro-Life Banquet will be held at the Bossier City Civic Center.

This year’s event is being organized by Bernadette Boyd, a Catholic volunteer who is a parishioner at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans where she is also a catechism teacher for first graders and a lector. Bernadette is excited about the upcoming event, “It is an honor for me to be involved in Bishop Duca’s Pro-Life Banquet. I appreciate the volunteers, donors and parishes who have assisted in promoting the Pro-Life Banquet. Each of us can make a difference. My children’s pro-life t-shirts say it all in a simple, yet profound way: ‘Use your voice to save a voice.’”

The pro-life banquet has two main purposes, said Boyd. “First, awareness of the sanctity of life, is the most important. For this, we are asking for prayers, support and encouragement for everyone to be faithful in God’s love to respect human life, which is the creation of God.” In order to spread this awareness, resources are needed including volunteers, funds, services, prayers and support.

“Realistically, we need to raise money for practical purposes. We need funds to help those choosing life with the resources to sustain the life,” said Boyd.

Tickets for the event are $50 per person, or $400 for a table of eight. These funds are used in a variety of life affirming ways in the local community.

“It is important to have resources available to support others in their decision to respect life, whether it be a pregnant woman’s or a family needing help with an elderly family

member,” said Boyd.

Funds raised from this event in the past have been used to pay for the cost of the bus for people from our diocese to attend the Louisiana Life March in Baton Rouge. These funds also assisted with the cost of the pro-life billboard along Speakers Shak and Robin Hill with their children.

Kings Highway close to the Hope Medical Group for and death situation for herself and her child Women. Funds assisted the 40 Days for Life during her second pregnancy. program by purchasing the yard signs for “Their story is one that can only be told two years now. Two people were also able to by them to give it the true justice it deserves. attend training sessions in Dallas for pro-life I hope that many will come hear for ministry and one person attended a prothemselves their testimony and hopefully all life event in Dallas with this funding. The will be inspired,” said Boyd. banquet committee voted to give a donation There are many ways you can register to Catholic Charities’ Gabriel’s Closet as for the event. Pick up a registration form well, which provides much needed infant at your local parish or the Catholic Center, items for new mothers in need and their cut out and mail in the form printed here, babies. or download the form from the diocesan Funds are especially important this year, website (www.dioshpt.org). as Bishop Michael Duca has given the For those who cannot attend, we still diocesan pro-life community space at the encourage you to support the banquet.

Catholic Center to begin the initial plans for If you would like to sponsor a table and a Pregnancy Help Center (PHC). He has send others to attend, that is a great way asked members to develop a plan of action to support pro-life ministry. Also, there is over the next several months. a need to sponsor the student volunteers “The PHC will be a beacon of hope and who will help at the banquet for $50. Any life in our city and diocese,” said Boyd. monetary donation will be helpful, especially Each year the banquet brings in a speaker with the needs for the new Pregnancy Help who is active in pro-life ministry. This year, Center. In particular, your prayers, support Bossier natives Shak and Robin Hill will and encouragement are needed for the share their story and how living pro-life efforts of the pro-life ministry in our diocese. affected their life paths. Shak and Robin With your support, our goal is to have 500 have raised 46 foster children and have six attendees at the Banquet! children of their own. Robin faced a life

by Jessica Rinaudo, Editor

Name: ____________________________________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________________________ Phone number:______________________ Amount enclosed: $___________

Email:_________________________________

# of Reservations ___________

# of Tables__________

List names of persons at table if applicable: 1 .__________________

2. _____________________

3. ______________________

4. _______________________

5. ________________________

6 .______________________

7._______________________

8.________________________

Additional donation to underwrite the cost of the event $_________________________ Mail check and form to: Diocese of Shreveport, Pro Life Banquet, 939 Jordan Street, Shreveport, LA 71101 Reservations: 318-221-5296 14 Catholic Connection

Reservation Deadline: February 14, 2014

Keith Garvin Ordained to Transitional Diaconate

“

I

’m nervous; I feel like a groom,” said Keith Garvin. He was standing in the sanctuary of St. John Berchmans Cathedral during the rehearsal for his diaconate ordination. A few seminarians present kidded him, “Why be nervous? Isn’t this your third ordination?”

They were referring to the fact that Keith has made a circuitous journey toward the Catholic priesthood. Raised as a Methodist, Keith became a Baptist preacher, then an Episcopal priest, before joining the Catholic Church.

In his homily during the ordination, Bishop Duca referred to Keith’s long journey, then added, “But serving as a deacon, then as a priest, will be the last line on your curriculum vitae.”

The ordination liturgy, which many believe to be one of the most beautiful in the Church, has not been celebrated in the diocese for five years. “We're a little rusty,” laughed diocesan liturgist Dianne Rachel—though none in the congregation could tell.

An ordination to the transitional diaconate is for men who will go on to become priests. Essentially, the ordinand makes three promises: obedience to the bishop, daily prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours and lifelong celibacy.

Commenting on this last promise, Bishop Duca said, “Celibacy is a commitment to love—to love the people by sharing of yourself. And you must also allow the people to love you as well. We only discover who we really are through sacrificial love. I really believe that.”

A particularly resonant line during the ordination is when the bishop presents the ordinand with the book of the Gospels, enjoining him: “Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.”

The congregation included Keith’s family and friends, permanent deacons, a dozen priests and seven seminarians who participated as altar servers. Seminarian Jerry Daigle did a beautiful job as Master of Ceremonies.

When invited by the bishop to address those present at the end of Mass, Deacon Keith said, “I ask that you pray for me, that I can be faithful in this ministry. And if I’m not,” he paused, “Tell the bishop!” A few moments later, the newly-minted deacon recessed down the aisle, beaming with joy.

At a reception afterwards, Keith’s sister Cathy, an Episcopalian, said she was glad that her brother had found his life’s calling.

“He always said he wanted to work in the Church, ever since he was a teenager. I’m very happy for him.”

Also present was Msgr. Tim Hogan, Vicar for Clergy for the Archdiocese of Detroit, who met Keith in the Navy when he served as an Episcopalian chaplain. “I told him back then that his theology, his ecclesiology, was perfectly in line with Rome, so why not just jump the Tiber?” remembers Fr. Hogan. A few years later, after much soul searching, Keith became Catholic, received into the Church by his friend Msgr. Hogan.

Deacon Keith is assigned to Christ the King parish in Bossier City, where he will serve until his ordination to priesthood, scheduled for May 31, 2014.

by Sam Alzheimer, Vianney Vocations

Loyola Rosary Group Sponsors Book Publication

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he Loyola Rosary Group is sponsoring the publication and distribution of a book entitled The Way of the Cross – Meditations of a Cancer Survivor. The text of the book is based upon the inspirations of a cancer survivor from the Diocese of Shreveport.

The book presents the devotion of The Way of the Cross from the perspective of an individual undergoing treatment for cancer; however, the meditations are suitable for anyone to read as the reflections provide messages of hope and inspiration for all. Each station is accompanied by a photograph, provided

by Pat Harrington of Harrington House Photographic Studio and Gallery. These photos are different than those typically associated with the Stations. The images are symbolic in nature and provide the basis for the meditation.

Proceeds will be donated to The Shreveport-Bossier Cancer League Foundation, a charitable organization that assists with transportation and lodging needs for cancer patients.

A portion of the proceeds will also be directed to the Loyola General Scholarship Fund. The books provide an excellent meditational resource for the Lenten Season and are available in Shreveport at Jacob’s Well Catholic Book Store, St. Paul’s Gift Shop, Harrington House Studio and Gallery, St. Joseph Church Office and at the Anderson Building on the Loyola Campus. Books are $20. If you would like to make a donation to provide books to local cancer patients, please contact chairpersons Julia Pettiette Doolin or Carroll Watts Neal at lcprosary@loyolaprep.org.

by Julia Pettiette Doolin February 2014 15

NEWS

New Altar Dedicated at St. Paul Church in Minden

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n December 21, just in time for the Christmas celebration, Bishop Michael Duca officially dedicated the new altar at St. Paul Catholic Church in Minden. It was the culmination of Father Mark Franklin’s, Pastor of St. Paul, beautification program for the 31 year-old building.

Fr. Franklin has been pastor since 2007 and recognized the need to improve some areas within the structure. It started with expanding the entrance areas to permit funeral services to proceed more smoothly. He has since enhanced and beautified the chapel, installed new lighting, replaced Stations of the Cross, created a choir loft, bought a new organ and many more improvements.

But his major achievement has been the complete re-design and construction of the main sanctuary. This included the removal of a raised platform area where the old altar was located, the building of a Presider’s bench and an Altar of Repose which has a carving of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that was carved in 1785 in London, England. He also purchased an antique oak-carved matching pulpit and altar.

Fr. Mark discovered this unusual pulpit and altar set online.

DC Riggott, Inc. specializes in architectural and liturgical artifacts.

They provide antique stained glass windows, light fixtures, woodwork and paintings. that have been rescued from other churches but are in perfect condition to be used again elsewhere.

Fr. Mark Franklin’s history with St. Paul is unique. As a young Baptist lad of 12 growing up in Heflin, he was invited to attend a Midnight Mass celebration at the original church location on Broadway in downtown Minden. This experience captured his interest in the faith and he continued to learn more about Catholicism. His devotion grew over the years and he became a convert.

After graduation from Louisiana Tech in 1981 with B.S. in Business Administration, and after working with Swepco in Shreveport for 17 years, he decided to become a priest.

He has since received a Master of Divinity degree from Notre Dame in New Orleans. He has never missed a Midnight Mass at Christmas since the first one he attended at age 12.

More remarkable is the fact that he has been the pastor of the first Catholic church he visited for over seven years.

by Vince Vella 16 Catholic Connection

Groundbreaking for St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Life Center

The ceremonial ground breaking included (from left) Brian Smith, Mike Froelich, Charlie Bourgeois, Herman Manuel, John Denny, Dr. Gary Luffey, Angela Luffey, Joseph Luffey, Jan Luffey, Father Frank Folino, Ron Barron, Rodney Manning and Peter Gallagher.

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n December 6, 2013, a large crowd of Parishioners gathered during a noon-time ceremony under a tent across the street from St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ruston to participate in the ground breaking for the Joe & Roger Luffey Catholic Life Center. In spite of the rain and cold, many attended as our pastor, Fr. Frank Folino, presented a dedication prayer followed by a ceremonial golden shovel photo session and a delicious luncheon to celebrate the initiation of our new building construction. This fine facility is to be named in memory of the two deceased sons of Dr. Gary Luffey and his wife Jan. The new building is being erected on the site of the St. Francis Building, which originally served as an elementary school and later as Sunday school classrooms prior to its demolition in October 2012. This new facility will serve as a central focus for the St. Thomas community. It is to include administrative offices for the parish, a conference room, youth activity and meeting room, youth director’s office, a large multi-purpose room (basketball, meeting, special functions, etc.), a fully-functional commercial kitchen, restrooms with bride’s dressing room and a storage/copy room.

Although the planning and fundraising process has spanned nearly 10 years, we anticipate completion and dedication within the next 12 months. With this addition to our parish, the student center will be officially turned over to the use for which it was originally designed: the Catholic Students of Louisiana Tech University. That building had been serving as our parish office and activity center for years, since we had no alternative space for these functions. We envision having the new facility usher in a new era for the St. Thomas Catholic community, a place where all are welcome!

by Peter Gallagher

Catholic Charities

New staff member brings wealth of experience and love to local program

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ften we follow a winding path to reach the place where we feel we belong and can make the best contribution.

For Gilda Rada (pronounced Jill dah), Catholic Charities newest staff member, that was most certainly true.

As a child growing up in Caracas, Venezuela in one of the poorest ghettos, Gilda learned early about poverty and its effects on individuals and families. Her determined parents wanted to make a better life for their children, so they learned everything they could, worked as hard as possible and set goals for themselves and their children to overcome the poverty they lived every day. And they did! They also set an example for their little children of the value of hard work and that education was a key to a better life. But, they shared even more important life lessons.

When Gilda was only 11, she experienced something that would change her life forever. A local priest invited the entire family to a three day retreat, a “Mariapolis,” a movement of the Catholic Church with a goal of working for unity with God and with our fellow human beings. Gilda became a disciple that day, with a desire to do her part to, in her words, “change the world,” a lofty goal for a girl of 11.

As Gilda grew in her faith and desire to follow Christ, she understood that this unity would begin within, but, says Gilda, “The most important lesson I learned that day was to love Jesus in everyone.” So she practiced that, beginning with her teachers, her family members, friends and school mates. She invited class members home to help them with their studies. This was another way she believed she could embrace the message she learned at the Mariapolis and another avenue to love Jesus in everyone. When I asked her why she wanted to work for Catholic Charities, her eyes lit up as she told me this story and it was easy to see that her deep faith and her desire to be of service brought her to our door.

Gilda and her husband Manuel and their two children, arrived in the U.S. from their home country of Venezuela in 2012 when they made a decision to seek a better life for themselves and their children. With her background as an international affairs officer for 20 years and a journalist for five, she brings many skills that will add to those we enjoy from other staff members. As our Benefits Case Manager for the SNAP program (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program), Gilda will be working with families who face food insecurity to enroll them in the food stamp program. She is excited and ready to embrace the challenge of working for Catholic Charities and it is our good fortune to welcome her.

by Theresa Mormino, Catholic Charities of Shreveport

Pope Urges Respect, Honest Dialogue In Social Media Networks With Communications Day

Engage in new media, says Pope Sees social media a place for evangelization Calls it the new 'agora,' an 'open public square'

W

ASHINGTON—In his message for the 47th World Communications Day, Pope Benedict XVI continues a theme of offering encouragement for Catholics to engage in new media. Written to highlight the Catholic Church’s 2013 World Communications Day, which will be celebrated on May 12 in the United States, the message is titled “Social Networks: portals of truth and faith; new spaces for evangelization.”

Social networks are the “new ‘agora,’” the pope writes, “an open public square” where “new relationships and forms of community can come into being.” As such, they offer new ways for Christians to introduce the faith to others, as long as they are savvy to the medium.

“The digital environment is not a parallel or purely virtual world, but is part of the daily experience of many people, especially the young,” said Pope Benedict. “Social networks are the result of human interaction, but for their part they also reshape the dynamics of communication which builds relationships: a considered understanding of this environment is therefore the prerequisite for a significant presence there.”

He encourages members of social media networks to consider using more than words in their interaction on the networks.

“Effective communication, as in the parables of Jesus, must involve the imagination and the affectivity of those we wish to invite to an encounter with the mystery of God’s love,” he writes.

He also cautions Christians not to get caught up in the rapid and sometimes volatile exchanges that happen within social media networks. “We are called to attentive discernment,” he said, especially in digital networks, “where it is easy for heated and divisive voices to be raised and where sensationalism can at times prevail.”

The entire message is available on the Vatican website

by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops February 2014 17

NEWS

Into That Good Charity Catholic Students from Louisiana Tech Attend to the Needs of the Poor

T

he Angelic Doctor, Thomas Aquinas, once wrote “He who possesses more charity will see God more perfectly.” This charity can take many forms and be exercised in many ways, as God puts no restrictions on good works. In Ruston, LA, LaTech student-parishioners of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, known as members of ACTS (Association of Catholic Tech Students), chose the form of Operation Help to exercise charity.

Operation Help began in a social justice meeting with the ACTS group. Four members, Abbey Simoneaux, Derek Warden, Sam Tatro and David Chatelain, set out to develop ideas to reach out to the parish and local community. What was born in this meeting became Operation Help: a combination scavenger hunt, food drive and student social event. A list of needy families and needed foods and items was generated by a member of the parish council, Solidad Broyles, who then gave it to the chair of the Social Justice Committee at ACTS. A list of clues and activities was then created and teams of ACTS members searched the city to collect these items from stores and perform the specific tasks assigned by the coordinator (such as playing a flute or clucking like a chicken). The first team back to the E. Donn Piatt Catholic Center won a prize. Resident-parishioners donated any items they wished after the scavenger hunt. The items collected were separated, boxed and distributed to families in the Ruston area.

It has been over three years since that first Social Justice Meeting with ACTS, and Operation Help continues. This year, studentparishioners and resident-parishioners of St. Thomas Aquinas Church collected food for 12 families. Student-parishioners are still leading the mission, Mrs. Broyles continues to generate the list and resident-parishioners continue to donate items and funds to the cause. And though three of the founding members have graduated from LaTech and left Ruston, they feel a great sense of joy that the program continues on even after they’re gone.

Operation Help is now a student-led tradition of the Campus Ministry Program at St. Thomas Aquinas Church.

The dozens of ACTS members and resident-parishioners that participate in the event every year can attest that Saint Thomas Aquinas was right: they do see God more perfectly. They see Him in their actions, in every box of food delivered, in each other and in themselves.

by Derek Warden 18 Catholic Connection

Operation Love

7th Grader Led Fellow Students to Cook for Homeless at Christmas

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o in peace, glorifying The Lord by your life.” We hear these words spoken to us at the end of every Mass. To most 12-year-olds, these words translate to, “Wahoo, this show’s almost over! Where are we eating?” However, Lucas LeBlanc, a 7th grader at St. Joseph School, is not your ordinary 12 year old.

He took this final commission, echoed by Pope Francis’ challenge to “Take the church to the streets,” and used it as the driving force behind “Operation: LOVE” - a project conceptualized by Lucas and executed by him and 18 of his middle school friends, their parents, teachers, and school administrators.

The idea behind Operation: LOVE began when Lucas and his mother, Colleen, like many of us, were wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping. Lucas pointed out that in a short amount of time they had spent more money than some people will spend for their entire Christmas. That led into a conversation about the true meaning of Christmas and concluded with Lucas offering to cook a real Christmas meal for the homeless. Lucas said, “Mom, this is what God would want us to do.”

Lucas accepted the challenge and formed a committee to handle the logistics of putting together a meal to feed the homeless. Lucas contacted Christian Services about working with their staff to aid in their Christmas meal. Though the empowering leadership of Alvin Moore, executive director of Christian Services, they launched a full-fledged project of providing, cooking for and serving a Christmas meal to the homeless and less fortunate in our community.

Lucas and his team solicited the help of the St. Joseph School student body and the students in the PSR program to help provide food items, toys and personal hygiene products for the love bags.

During the middle school Advent party students assembled and wrote personal Christmas notes for 200+ Love Bags, finished the placemats drawn by the elementary school students and prepared song books for the Christmas carols that were sung at the meal. Over 300 men, women and children were fed a bountiful meal, loved by our families, entertained by Christmas carols and blessed with a special visit from Santa Claus.

One’s happiest memory of the holidays encompasses not the materialistic items received, rather the love shared with family, friends and even perfect strangers. It is the sharing of love that embraces the “why” behind Christmas and Operation: LOVE.

by Kevin Nolten, St. Joseph School

HISPANIC corner

por Rosalba Quiroz

Directora Ministerio Hispano 318-219-7288

Amistad y Matrimonio

Calendario del Mes de Febrero

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on motivo de este mes que celebramos el amor y la amistad, reflexionemos sobre una de las amistades más importantes en el mundo que es la amistad que Dios designó en el matrimonio pues nos dicen bien claras las Sagradas Escrituras: “por eso el hombre dejará a su padre y a su madre para unirse a su esposa y los dos serán como una sola persona.” (Mt 19: 4-6) Que mejor amistad puede existir en el mundo, después de la unión de Jesús con la iglesia, que la unión establecida por Dios en toda su creación que la unión de los esposos.

Así mismo San Pablo en su carta a los Efesios nos da instrucciones claras de cómo debe ser esta unión indisoluble: “Esposas, estén sujetas a sus esposos porque el esposo es cabeza de la esposa como Cristo es la cabeza de la iglesia. Cristo es también el Salvador de la iglesia, la cual es su cuerpo; y así como la iglesia está sujeta a Cristo, así también las esposas deben estar en todo sujetas a sus esposos. Esposos, amen a sus esposas como Cristo amó a la iglesia y dio su vida por ella. Esto lo hizo para consagrarla, purificándola por medio de la palabra y del lavamiento del agua para Bossier City: Christ the King Church 425 McCormick St. Bossier City Sábado 7:00 p.m.

Domingo 3:00 p.m.

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

Rev. Al Jost Tel: 318-243-0115

8 Día de oración por sobrevivientes y víctimas de Tráfico Humano 9 Día Mundial del Matrimonio 14 Día del Amor y la Amistad 20 Banquete por el proyecto Pro-Vida (318-221-5296) para reservaciones

presentársela a sí mismo como una iglesia gloriosa, sin mancha ni arruga ni nada parecido, sino consagrada y perfecta. Así como el esposo ama a su propio cuerpo, así debe amar también a su esposa. El que ama a su esposa, se ama a sí mismo”.

(Efesios 5:22-28) Pues que este mes y siempre, reflexionemos sobre este mandato de Dios

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

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

para que en nuestro matrimonio haya comprensión, RESPETO y ayuda mutua.

Esto NO quiere decir que la esposa permita el maltrato, pues leamos bien que a los hombres les dice Dios: amen a sus esposas como Cristo ama a la iglesia… así que el esposo debe amar a su esposa y tratarla con RESPETO y reverencia y la esposa debe apoyar a su esposo y administrar bien su casa. Dios sabe que de esta manera habrá unión y armonía en la familia y en el mundo.

Para más enseñanzas sobre el compromiso y la bendición que es el matrimonio, vayan a la página de internet: www.portumatirmonio.org diseñada por parejas y consejeros en las oficinas de los Obispos de Estados Unidos.

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

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

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

Lorena Chaparro Tel: 318-651-9136

Oficina del Ministerio Católico Hispano: Rosalba Quiroz, Directora 318-219-7265 Marcos G. Villalba, Pastoral Juvenil 318-219-7288 • Jeanne Brown, Secretaria 318-219-7257 February 2014 19

around the DIOCESE

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Everyone enjoyed watching the children of St. Joseph Church in Zwolle present the Nativity play and sing their Christmas song “Happy Birthday Jesus.” The children were surprised by a special guest: Santa Claus!

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St. Jude Church had a Eucharistic procession from the site of their old church to their newly built church on Sunday, January 5, 2014. They had more than 200 cars in the procession, along with a police escort from the Bossier Sheriff’s Office.

It was a great day for the church!

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On Sunday, December 15, St. Patrick Church in Lake Providence enjoyed its annual Christmas party and potluck meal.

A party was held in honor of Keith Garvin being ordained to the Transitional Diaconate at the home of Clay and Allison Cook. The Batson and McCurdy families helped give the party. Pictured: Bishop Michael Duca, Keith Garvin and Vocations Director Fr. Matthew Long pose with the host families’ children.

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5 20 Catholic Connection

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On Sunday, January 12, Dean Mark Goodwin, and professor Jim McGill and Gene Giuliano from the University of Dallas presented the Dei Verbum award to Mary Morgan at the 11:00 Mass at Christ the King Church in Bossier City. The award is given each year by the School of Ministry of the University of Dallas to a graduate of the Catholic Biblical School who has offered exceptional service to the local church, the ministry of faith formation and to the larger community, especially the poor.

This award was scheduled to be given to Mary on December 7, 2013 at the university, but an ice storm forced the cancellation of the event.

Mary has been teaching RCIA and pre-Cana classes for over 25 years. She also visits the sick every week, brings communion to them, comforts them during their suffering and is there for them as they face the end of their life. She is involved with Christian Services and the Poor Man’s Supper fundraiser, as well as actively paricipates in the 40 Days for Life by praying at the abortion clinic. Mary is also actively involved in prison ministry. This began with visiting prisoners and it has unfolded into giving support to their families. She volunteers at the Martin Luther King medical clinic and is a nurse, a mother, a grandmother and a friend. Congratulations Mary!

across the

Vatican Information Services

by Vatican Information Services

THE POPE APPOINTS NINETEEN NEW CARDINALS

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atican City – Following January 12’s Angelus prayer, Pope Francis announced that on 22 February, feast of the Chair of St. Peter, a consistory will be held during which 19 new cardinals will be appointed. They will comprise 16 electors and 3 archbishops emeritus, from 12 different countries from all over the world, and “represent the deep ecclesial relationship between the Church of Rome and the other Churches throughout the world.” The day after the consistory, the Holy Father will preside at a solemn concelebration with the new Cardinals, while on February 20 and 21 he will hold a consistory with all the cardinals to reflect on the theme of the family.

The new cardinals will be: - Archbishop Pietro Parolin, secretary of State.

- Archbishop Lorenzo Baldisseri, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops - Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Muller, emeritus of Regensburg, Germany, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

– Archbishop Beniamino Stella, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy.

– Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster, Great Britain.

– Archbishop Leopoldo Jose Brenes Solorzano of Managua, Nicaragua.

– Archbishop Gerald Cyprien Lacroix of Quebec, Canada.

– Archbishop Jean-Pierre Kutwa of Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire.

– Archbishop Orani Joao Tempesta, O. Cist. of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

– Archbishop Gualtiero Bassetti of Perugia-Citta della Pieve, Italia.

– Archbishop Mario Aurelio Poli of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

– Archbishop Andrew Yeom Soo jung of Seoul, Korea.

– Archbishop Ricardo Ezzati Andrello, S.D.B. of Santiago del Chile, Chile.

– Archbishop Philippe Nakellentuba Ouedraogo of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

– Archbishop Orlando B. Quevedo, O.M.I. of Cotabato, Philippines.

– Archbishop Chibly Langlois of Les Cayes, Haiti.

The three archbishops emeritus are: – Archbishop Loris Francesco Capovilla, ex prelate of the Shrine of Loreto and ex personal secretary of Blessed John XXIII. – Archbishop Fernando Sebastian Aguilar, C.M.F. emeritus of Pamplona, Spain.

– Archbishop Kelvin Edward Felix, emeritus of Castries, Saint Lucia.

Pope Francis composed the following letter which he sent to the new cardinals: “Dear brother, “On the day that your designation as part of the College of Cardinals is made public, I wish to send you a cordial greeting along with the guarantee of my closeness and prayer. It is my hope that, joined with the Church of Rome and “clothed in the virtues and sentiments of the Lord Jesus”, you may help me with fraternal efficacy in my service to the Universal Church.

“The cardinalship does not imply promotion; it is neither an honour nor a decoration; it is simply a service that requires you to broaden your gaze and open your hearts. And, although this may appear paradoxical, the ability to look further and to love more universally with greater intensity may be acquired only by following the same path of the Lord: the path of selfeffacement and humility, taking on the role of a servant. Therefore I ask you, please, to receive this designation with a simple and humble heart. And, while you must do so with pleasure and joy, ensure that this sentiment is far from any expression of worldliness or from any form of celebration contrary to the evangelical spirit of austerity, sobriety and poverty.

“Until we meet, then, on February 20, when our two days of reflection on the family commence. I remain at your disposal and ask you, please, to pray for me and to ask for prayers on my behalf.

May Jesus bless you and the Holy Virgin protect you.”

VAtICAN news & notes • Two thousand envelopes were distributed to the needy, in the locations where aid is offered by the Sisters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, by volunteers who provide evening assistance or by Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, Almoner of His Holiness. It was the Pope's Christmas gift to the poorest and most marginalized of the capital. The envelopes, which were delivered by Archbishop Krajewski, are franked with Vatican stamps, so that it could be used, simply by adding an address, and contained the Pope's signed Christmas greetings card, telephone cards and day tickets for the Metro, the city’s underground rail service.

• On December 14, Pope Francis visited the Santa Marta Dispensary, which has for 90 years provided medical assistance and other forms of help to children and families in need, of all beliefs and nationalities.

The Holy Father was to celebrate his 77th birthday three days later and so another group of children at Santa Marta, each dressed in a white shirt with a large letter printed on it in yellow, lined up to form the phrase “Auguri Papa Francesco” (“Best wishes, Pope Francis”), and sang “Happy Birthday” to him while a cake, baked in the Dispensary and complete with candles, was brought into the hall. The Pope, surprised, rose onto his feet, blew out the candles, and received the gift of a pullover.

•The Prefecture of the Papal Household published a communique in which it reported that during 2013, since his election on March 13, more than 6,600,000 faithful participated in the various encounters with Pope Francis: general audiences (1,548,500), private audiences (87,400), liturgical celebrations in the Vatican Basilica and in St. Peter's Square (2,282,000), Angelus and Regina Coeli (2,706,000). These data refer exclusively to activities which took place within the Vatican, and do not include other events.

February 2014 21

upcoming EVENTS February 8: Magnificat Prayer Brunch The Magnificat, Nowela Chapter is sponsoring a prayer brunch on Saturday, February 8, 2014, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. We will meet at St. Pius the X Catholic Church, 4300 North Market in Shreveport.

Our Speaker will be Mary Chauvin of Shreveport, LA. Mary has been the DRE at Sacred Heart Church for 14 years. During her life and journey she has experienced several healings and spiritual events that continue to guide and inspire her to proclaim the goodness of the Lord.

Admittance is $12 and reservations should be made prior to the brunch by calling Sandy Chapman 318-222-0007.

February 13 & 20: Facilitator Formation of Adults to Support Parish Offerings in Adult Catechesis This course is designed to ensure the success of parish offerings.

Small group leaders for Living the Eucharist during Lent are encouraged to attend.

A good facilitator possesses the following skills: confidence, understands hospitality, appreciates group dynamics, small group skills, comfortable with a variety of prayer styles and able to facilitate programs with video. Both sessions will be taught

by Shelly Bole, diocesan Director of Catechesis, at Jesus the Good Shepherd Church from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. For more information, contact the Office of Catechesis at 318-868-4441.

February 20: Diocese of Shreveport ProLife Banquet Each year the Diocese of

Shreveport hosts a pro-life banquet to bring awareness to life issues and raise money to support life ministries within the diocese. The next banquet will take place on Thursday, February 20 at the Bossier Civic Center at 6:00 p.m.

This year the speaker will be Shak Hill, a pro-life advocate with a personal story of how he and his family live by faith. Shak is a Bossier City native and a 1983 Loyola College Prep Graduate. He currently lives with his family in Virginia, his wife Robin and six children. He and his wife have been foster parents to 46 children and received the 2013 Volunteer of the Year Award for the State of Virginia.

Always a popular event in the diocese, many like to have advanced notice of when the event will be. Tickets are $50 a person, or $400 for a table of eight.

Please consider sponsoring a student to attend the event for $50. For more information, contact Bernadette Boyd at 318-458-5252.

February 27: Theology on Tap Theology on Tap is a monthly Catholic speaker series for young adults ages 21-39 to learn and discuss their faith!

This monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event takes place on February 27 beginning at 6:00 p.m. The event will take place at Trejo's Mexican Restaurant on Youree Drive in Shreveport.

Admission is free.

Fr. Peter Mangum is the guest speaker this month and will be talking about the History, Purpose and Practices of Lent.

Please make plans to join us!

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

March 10-12: Lenten Mission at St. Patrick Church This mission entitled "Awakening Our Faith in Challenging Times" will be presented by Fr. Dennis Koopman, OFM. Morning Masses with hospitality will be held the 10th - 12th at 10:30 a.m. Evening sessions with hospitality will begin at 6:30 p.m. The Tuesday service will include a reconciliation service. The Wednesday session will end with Mass. For more information, contact the church office at 318-559-1276.

March 20: Parish Mission at Jesus the Good Shepherd Church Jesus the Good Shepherd Church in Monroe will have Fr. Bryan Mullady, O.P., as its parish mission leader beginning Saturday, March 15 and continuing each night through Thursday, March 20. He is a well-known mission preacher, spiritual writer, and seminary professor. For more information, please call the church office at 318-3257549.

June 21: St. Jude Arts & Crafts Market The market will be located inside at the new church location at 4700 Palmetto Road in Benton. The market is from 9am-4pm. Right now they are looking for vendors! Interested applicants should contact Lynn Mills at 318-746-2508 x115 or millsforhim@suddenlink.net

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

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

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

Please send monthly reminders to:

$800 $750 $650 $500

$400 $350 $300 $250

At this time I / we are enclosing:

$200 $150 $100 $_______

$_____________

Print Name________________________________________________________________________________ Address___________________________________________________________________________________

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

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

calendar

february 2013

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

SATURDAY

26 27 28 29 30 31 1 Confirmation, Little Flower of Jesus Church, 9am 2nd Collection: Diocese of Shreveport Catholic Schools

Catholic Schools Week Begins

LCCB Meeting, Baton Rouge

Eastern Deanery All Schools Mass, St. Frederick High School, 9am

St. Thomas Aquinas, priest & doctor of the Church

Western Deanery All Schools Mass, Loyola College Prep, 11:30am

St. John Bosco, priest

St. Angela Merici, virgin & religious founder

Catholic Schools Week Jan 27

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 St. Agatha, virgin & martyr

The Presentation of the Lord World Day for Consecrated Life

St. Paul Miki & companions, martyrs

St. Jerome Emiliani; St. Josephine Bakhita, virgin

Appeal Sunday / Feb 9

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Appeal Announcement Sunday

Deadline for March Catholic Connection

Catholic Scouting Mass, Cathedral, 11am

St. Scholastica, virgin

World Day of the Sick

Sts. Cyril, monk & Methodius, bishop

Confirmation, Jesus the Good Shepherd Church, Monroe, 4:30pm

World Marriage Sunday

Scouting Mass / Feb 9

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Appeal Education Sunday

Fr. Richard Lombard's 60th Anniversary Mass, St. Joseph Church, Shreveport, 12pm

Confirmation, Mary, Queen of Peace Church, Bossier City, 6pm President's Day

Diocesan Liturgical Meeting, Catholic Center, 1:15pm

4th Annual Bishop's Pro-Life Banquet, Bossier Civic Center, 6pm

Confirmation, St. Peter Damian, bishop St. Jude Church, Bossier City, & doctor of the 5pm Church The Chair of St. Peter the Apostle

Pro-Life Banquet / FEB 20

23 24 25 26 27 28 1 Appeal Sunday

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

Theology on Tap / FEB 27 February 2014 23

DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave.

â&#x20AC;˘

Shreveport, LA 71104

Fairfield

Photo of the month by Long Nguyen Fr. Tim Hurd at Mass at St. Joseph Church in Zwolle.

24 Catholic Connection