The Catholic Connection February 2020

Connection The Catholic

In this Issue...

Appeal Kickoff

Ordination Wrap-up

Vol. 29 No. 5 Dec 2019

Thank you Fr. Peter

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Supports all who seek a Catholic education

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Appeal Season Kicks Off with New Bishop

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By John Mark Willcox

or more than a generation, the ministries and programs that offer the healing, teaching and redeeming presence of Jesus Christ have been offered to our faithful through our Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal.

One of the first things Bishop Francis Malone did as our new shepherd is stress the importance of our Appeal. “Participating in the Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal provides each of us an opportunity to join our hands in the healing, teaching and redemptive work of the Diocese of Shreveport. As such, I am inviting you to join with me to sustain our community of faith with the love and hope that only Christ, through the works of your Church, can bring.”

Our combined community of faith has been dynamically blessed with established programs such as our charitable outreach initiatives, the ministry of our Catholic Schools, cultural outreach to Catholics new to our area and a devoted and active group of priests who enable us to encounter our Lord within the parishes and missions of our diocese.

Your Appeal supports all who seek a Catholic education regardless of their financial circumstances. It also supports dynamic adult and young adult formation programs promoting the presence of Christ in our regional colleges and universities through campus ministry programs ensuring young Catholic adults will live grounded in the values of the Gospel.

Our diocese is also blessed to have eight quality men studying for the ordained priesthood in service to the people of our diocese. Please remember that your Appeal donation helps provide travel costs, tuition, food and lodging to men in seminary training. With the cost of each seminarian’s vocational training and education sitting currently at $50,000 per man this remains one of the largest allocation of our Appeal funds.

With the average age of our active clergy continuing to rise, we expect an increasing number of retired clergy who deserve our special attention and care and this has always been provided through your Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal.

Currently, nine retired priests are looking to the Church for their care and our Appeal continues to meet the challenge.

Programs that address the needs of those who live at the margins of society within our region continue to be maintained by our Appeal as your local Church remains committed to serving those among us who are most in need. Appeal funding also celebrates the diversity of our brothers and sisters in faith through the Office of Hispanic Ministry while advocating for the protection of the unborn.

Each and every gift that is given in support of the Diocesan Stewardship Appeal is received with joy, humility and deep gratitude. We do understand that we are responsible for the careful allocation of each and every contribution given in support of this imporant campgain.

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Psalm 116: What shall I return to the Lord for all His benefits towards me? I shall lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.

the sixteen civil parishes of this Diocese, but also allows you, directly, to join in the healing, redemptive and teaching responsibility of your Church.”

These beautiful words from scripture are now part of the Episcopal motto for Bishop Malone who encourages us with these words as he begins his ministry among us:

Please give a careful review to the material you either receive by mail or provided for you at Mass during the Appeal Campaign. You can make your pledge using that material or give on-line by going to the diocesan web site at www.dioshpt.org. Either way you will be giving critical support to the real fabric of our diocese. With that in mind we read these final words from Bishop Malone.

“As we reflect upon all that has been given us, both individually and as a community of faith, we should recall the first chapter of Luke’s gospel, where our Lord, preaching in the synagogue in Nazareth, speaks to the essential mission of our Church: to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives, to let the oppressed go free and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Indeed, this mission, to promote the healing, teaching, and redemptive presence of our Lord, is not just the responsibility of the Church, but is also the responsibility of each one of its members. Our Lord asks that we walk with Him as missionary disciples, helping our brothers and sisters to discover, worship and follow Jesus Christ.

Your support of our Diocesan Stewardship Appeal not only ensures those ministries and programs, that rely upon this campaign for essential operating support, continues to serve those in need throughout

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“On behalf of all of those programs sustained by this campaign and those who benefit from their services, I thank you for your generous support and trust. While there is much to celebrate considering the phenomenal success of this campaign, there still remains much to be done. As the needs of those people served by the varied ministries and programs of the Diocese of Shreveport continue to grow, at an alarming rate, so too must those programs that meet the needs of those people seeking spiritual and physical solace.”

May our Lord bless you for your participation in this effort!

Appeal Dollars At Work

From Pro-life events to our future priests, your constant support of the Appeal benefits at all levels.

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The Episcopal Ordination and Installation of Francis I. Malone as the Third Bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport A Recap through Photos

Top Right: Bishop Francis Malone presents the apostolic letter to Archbishop Gregory Aymond, Bishop Michael Duca and Bishop Anthony Taylor Bottom Right: Bishop Taylor lays his hands upon Bishop Malone’s head.

Bishop Malone’s Ordination was a special moment for all involved. Pictured here are important moments from his Ordination and the week following.

After Bishop Malone’s Ordination he travelled around the Diocese with the intention of meeting his new flock.

“To my new family..You have welcomed me - and I feel welcomed here. I want you to know that for the years our Lord gives me to be your shepherd - I will live among you, and I will die for you. This gives me great joy - and I pray it does you as well.”

Thanking Fr. Peter B. Mangum

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By John Mark Willcox

tepping into the role of Diocesan Administrator upon the departure of a bishop is no easy task. The scope and overall size of pastoral responsibilities can be overwhelming, not to mention the schedule one must now keep as the priest in charge of a diocese.

Luckily for the Diocese of Shreveport, we had just the priest for the job in the form of Fr. Peter B. Mangum. Fr. Peter no sooner stepped into his new role for the Church before beginning a comprehensive program seeking forgiveness among the faithful for the resurgence of the clergy sex abuse scandal including a reconciliation worship service for God’s people. Fr. Peter confidently led our worship community through this chapter of the scandal at the beginning of 2018 and helped guide our diocese as negative news about the Church dominated public thought and opinion.

In 2018, Fr. Peter actively promoted our Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal, encouraging area Catholics to be generous and serve others through their giving while overseeing the diocesan budget. This allowed our local Churches to concentrate on achieving our mission of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in our region.

Unfortunately, our faith community mourned the loss of three of our Senior Priests during Fr. Peter’s tenure in the death of Fr. Richard Lombard, Msgr. Carson LaCaze, and Fr. Joseph Puthuppally. Fr. Peter mourned their loss right along side the faithful of our diocese, providing pastoral care, strong funeral Mass homilies and was a guiding comfort to us all as we struggled to say goodbye to three priests that meant so much to our combined faith community.

Last month, Fr. Peter journeyed to Rome for the traditional “ad limina” visit to present our quinquennial report on the status of the Diocese of Shreveport to the Holy Father. While with Pope Francis, Fr. Peter was able to share the challenges and successes we experience as a mission diocese.

As the end of last year approached, it was a joyful Fr. Peter who informed us that the Holy Father had chosen

the Diocese of Shreveport’s third bishop, Msgr. Francis I. Malone of the Diocese of Little Rock. With a big smile on his face, Fr. Peter shared this wonderful news with the faithful of our diocese and announced Bishopelect Malone’s ordination date of January 28, 2020.

In the last month of his role as Diocesan Administrator, Father Peter continued to lead the diocese with his normal vigor as he began to see light at the end of the tunnel as he began to count down the days. It was not unusual to hear him say, “17 more days;” 10 more days;” and on and on.

As we concluded the first month of the year with a Mass of Ordination, Fr. Peter was able to present our new bishop with a sound, healthy diocese ready to be shepherded by our third bishop. Thank you, Fr. Peter, for a job well done. Enjoy the month long vacation Bishop Malone has granted you for your good work!

Job well done!!!!

2019-2020 Diocesan Students of the Year 5th Grade Student of the Year: Traylor Thomas Nagem The Diocesan 5th grade Student of the Year award goes to Traylor Thomas Nagem, son of Sammy and Therese Nagem, and a student at Jesus Good Shepherd School. At JGS he excels as a straight A Honor Roll student, Accelerated Reader Millionaire Awards, spelling bee participant and many other academic programs. When not at school, Traylor plays the classical piano for competition and for personal growth.

He has volunteered 100’s of hours as a St. Vincent de Paul volunteer, where he has participated in the Blessings of the Graves, A Rosary in Every backpack and the local soup kitchen. Traylor is a genuine and compassionate young man and we are blessed that he is a part of our JGS community.

8th Grade Student of the Year: Garrett Kincaid Taylor Garrett Kincaid Taylor, is the 8th grader Diocesan Student of the Year. Garrett is the son of Randy and Amy Taylor of Monroe, LA. He is a valuable student at St. Frederick High School. As a wellrounded young man, Garrett participates in the full life of the school and serves his community.

His academic honors include DUKE TIP award for ACT score, a straight A student on the highest Honor Roll, Spelling Bee Champion, Science Fair first place and Religion Scholars Bowl (2 years) delegate. Presently, he serves as Spanish Club Officer, National Junior Honor Society Officer, and Student Ambassador for St. Frederick. He is also a part of multiple athletic teams such as Iron Man Record Breaker and team Captain of the Junior High football and soccer teams. Garrett contributes so much to the St. Frederick community and we are grateful to his family for sharing him with us.

12th Grade Student of the Year: Chloe Elizabeth Dean The Diocesan 12th grader Student of the Year is Chloe Elizabeth Dean. She is the daughter of Robert Dean and Darlene Dean, of Shreveport, LA. At, Loyola College Prep, Chloe is an active leader as President of the Key Club, Secretary of the National Honor Society, Officer of F.A.i,T,H, President of the Spanish Club and Student Ambassador. She is also Captain of Loyola’s Women Varsity soccer, where she showcases the skills she has learned. Chloe is also a four year Board member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Chloe enjoys giving back to the community by tutoring children in neighborhood schools and at Cedar Grove Shreve Memorial library. Chloe is a gift to us and we are happy to see her grow into such an outstanding Flyer at Loyola.

Connection The Catholic

Publisher Bishop Francis I. Malone Editor Samantha Maiette Contributor John Mark Willcox

Editorial Board Kim Long Fr. Matthew Long Kate Rhea Randy G. Tiller Deacon Mike Whitehead John Mark Willcox Mission Statement The Catholic Connection is a monthly publication funded by your Diocesan Stewardship Appeal; mailed to every known Catholic household in the Diocese of Shreveport. Our Mission is to advance knowledge and understanding of our Catholic Faith among the faithful. We seek to foster the application of Christ’s teachings and our Church’s mission in our daily lives and to encourage our sense of Catholic identity within our family, parish, and diocesan faith community.

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

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

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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Connection The Catholic

DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave.

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