The Catholic Connection January 2020

Vol. 29 No. 6 January 2020

January 2020

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The Catholic Connection

Table of January 2020

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Letter from Father Peter B. Mangum

Letter from Bishop Anthony B. Taylor

Letter from Bishop Michael G. Duca

Letter from Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond

A Note from Deacon Bill Roche

Shreveport Couple Shares Sacramental Ties to New Bishop

By Lucy Medvec

Symbols of Ordination

What Happens at an Ordination?

By Dianne Rachal

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Feature: Bishop-elect Malone Brings 42

Years of Experience, Joy and Enthusiasm for the Church to the Diocese of Shreveport

By Jessica Rinaudo

Rasgo: El Obispo-electo Malone Trae a la Diócesis de Shreveport 42 Años de Experiencia, alegría y entusiasmo por la Iglesia

Bishop Francis I. Malone’s Episcopal Motto

Bishop Francis I. Malone's Coat of Arms

By Dr. Scott W.F. Carle

A Photo Journey Through the Years

Who is This New Bishop?

By Mike Van Vranken

Catholic Connections: A Heart for Helping

By Erin Smith

Bishop-elect Francis I. Malone's Favorite Things

Ordination Information

January 2020

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Connection The Catholic

Publisher Father Peter B. Mangum Diocesan Administrator Editor Samantha Maiette Guest Editor Jessica Rinaudo Guest Designer Katie Adelia Wagner Contributors

Archbishop Gregory Aymond

Lucy Medvec

Erin Boelkens

Dianne Rachal

Dr. Scott W.F. Carle

Jessica Rinaudo

Bishop Michael Duca

Deacon Bill Roche

Aprille Hanson

Erin Smith

Kim Long

Bishop Anthony Taylor

Father Peter Mangum

Mike Van Vranken

Editorial Board Kim Long

Randy G. Tiller

Fr. Matthew Long

Dcn. Mike Whitehead

Kate Rhea

John Mark Willcox

Melina Sanchez

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: The 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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Our Papa, the Bishop-elect

By Erin Boelkens

Pope Names Arkansas ‘Treasure’ to be Shreveport Bishop

By Aprille Hanson , Arkansas Catholic

Timeline: The Next Bishop of Shreveport

Curriculum Vitae: Bishop Michael Gerard Duca

Curriculum Vitae: Bishop William Benedict Friend

Come in Soul and Welcome

By Kim Long

Recipe for Hospitality: Skillet Heaven

By Kim Long

Diocese of Shreveport by the Numbers

Upcoming Events

BELONG

Belong to a community where every student realizes the opportunity to excel in academics, athletics and the arts.

BELIEVE

Believe in a place where strong Christian values are reinforced in the classroom and integrated with curriculum.

BECOME Become a part of an educational family

that seeks to ensure every student achieves mentally, physically, and spiritually.

BEYOND

St. Frederick High School prepares every student for success in college and the world beyond.

in a world where you can be anything

318.323.9636 January 2020

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A fr. peter b. mangum Note from

ear People of the Diocese of Shreveport, To you, the lay faithful, religious and clergy, I am most grateful for your constant support of me as diocesan administrator for the last 17 months! When I joined the bishops from this region to meet with Pope Francis on December 3, we related to His Holiness how the last 18 months have been some of the most difficult in the life of the Church in the U.S. – very difficult for faithful priests to endure and even more so for faithful Catholics. So I mean it when I say: I cannot imagine my time in this position without your encouragement, appreciation and, yes, even you challenging me to make sure our diocese is in good order and completely prepared to receive our new bishop.

The April encounter I had with the Archbishop of Louisville proved prophetic when he told me, that given all the other matters the apostolic nuncio was managing, I needed “to hunker down” as administrator, for he did not foresee us getting a new bishop any time soon.

Imagine, I thought, we would have a bishop in place

by Easter 2019! I was off by nine months.

In the midst of the November USCCB meeting, I approached the pope’s ambassador to the U.S., the apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, to tell him of the progress related to the five priests of his native homeland (Brittany, France) who died in the Shreveport Yellow Fever epidemic of 1873, and our efforts to begin their cause for canonization. It was then that he told me I needed to be ready for the announcement of a new bishop for Shreveport, “very soon.” Within 24 hours, I received a text to meet him after an afternoon session of the conference, at which point he shared the great news of Msgr. Malone accepting the call of the Holy Father to be our next bishop!

Within the day, I had spoken with our bishop-elect on the nuncio’s cell phone and we arranged the date of his episcopal ordination and announcement press conference.

I was told not to tell anyone the news until it was officially announced by the Vatican, so I had to bottle up my joy for an entire week – which exploded on November 19 with the announcement to the diocese and the world!

I had prepared an article about my experience at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) November meeting in Baltimore. I scrapped that when we received the exciting news that Pope Francis had appointed a new shepherd for us: Bishopelect Francis I. Malone. In that unpublished article, I reflected on how, in November 2018, I would have “bet the farm” that a new bishop would be in place for this November’s meeting, and I would have lost… and how much I have learned participating in five national meetings with our country’s bishops; meetings of our five-state region (LA, MS, AL, TN, KY); and meeting regularly amongst the bishops of our state. (And I could now write a short book related to my opportunity to join the bishops on their ad limina visit to the pope and the heads of all the major offices at the Vatican).

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Bishop Anthony B. Taylor, Bishop-elect Francis I. Malone, & Father Peter B. Mangum

The Catholic Connection

Now, we all turn our attention to welcoming our new bishop. He comes to us with years of experience in priestly ministry, as a pastor and an official in a number of diocesan positions. How blessed we are to have a priest of his caliber coming to care for us! As we prepare for this time of transition to a new bishop, we must all

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

We now make the Church’s prayer our own, the collect of the Mass for a bishop:

O God, eternal shepherd of the faithful, who tend your Church in countless ways and rule over her in love, grant, we pray, that Francis, your servant, whom you have set over your people, may preside in the place of Christ over the flock whose shepherd he is, and be faithful as a teacher of doctrine, a Priest of sacred worship and as one who serves them by governing.

Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

The People of God from

St. Paschal Church West Monroe welcome Bishop Malone

We look forward to working with you to establish the kingdom of God in Northeast Louisiana.

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Welcome

Bishop Francis Malone from Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church and St.Terence Mission

The Daughters of the Cross Extend their Congratulations and Prayerful Support to

BishopFrancis Malone Vive Jesu!

We offer our heartfelt prayers and congratulations as you embark on this new ministry.

May God bless you!

Sister Lucy Scallan, D.C.

Welcome to Louisiana!

Bishop Francis I. Malone we offer prayerful best wishes as you begin your ministry as third Bishop of Shreveport.

The Catholic Faithful, Consecrated Religious, and the Clergy of the

Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana

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bishop anthony b. taylor

I

t is with a mixture of sadness and joy that I commend Bishop-elect Malone to the people of the Diocese of Shreveport. I’m sad because I will be saying goodbye to a good friend and valued collaborator – one of my most trusted advisors. But I am also filled with joy because I know he will be a wonderful blessing for the people of northern Louisiana. He is our gift to you! Moreover, the warmth of the reception we received in Shreveport, Louisiana, on Nov. 19 left me convinced that you will be a blessing in his life as well.

Your reception of him was so heartfelt, as was his joy in your presence. Indeed, he continued to bask in your warmth and kindness throughout our drive back to Arkansas.

In my introduction of Bishop-elect Malone to the people of the Diocese of Shreveport at the press conference that

morning, I said, “That in him you will have a bishop who brings with him the full range of experience in the life of the Church.” Indeed, it seems in retrospect that the Lord has used all of the events of his life leading up to this point to equip him well for this new chapter of his life as your bishop. Though originally from Philadelphia, he came to Arkansas as a teenager and graduated from McGehee High School in the Arkansas Delta – an area in Arkansas very similar to the eastern part of the Diocese of Shreveport. He has served in small rural places with distant missions and in urban parishes with large schools.

Through his efforts and those of others – and especially through his promotion of Eucharistic adoration – Christ the King Parish in Little Rock has become our most fertile environment for promoting vocations to the priesthood here in Arkansas. Six priests from that one parish were ordained in the last 10 years and four more parishioners will be ordained in the next three years. I pray that you will experience a similar flowering of vocations under his leadership in Shreveport.

But what about Bishop-elect Malone as a person? What is he like? The first word that comes to mind is “loyal.” He is a man of the Church, completely orthodox, fully committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which he preaches eloquently – in season and out of season, even in the face of opposition.

That is one reason he was chosen to be the theological consultant for our Arkansas Catholic newspaper. He is friendly and approachable, and like any good pastor, he is patient and compassionate when dealing with painful situations – and also firm when necessary. In addition to his evident leadership qualities at every level of diocesan life, Bishop-elect Malone takes a fatherly interest in the priests of our diocese, especially the vocations that have come forth from Christ the King Parish, plus our missionary priests, our senior priests, our infirm priests and the newly ordained. That is one of the reasons Christ the King Church has had so many – and such diverse – associate pastors during his tenure there. Bishop-elect Malone is an excellent mentor for young priests in their first ministerial assignment, missionary priests adapting to a new ministerial and cultural environment here in the U.S., and priests who are dealing with health problems of one sort or another. He is a man of charity and pastoral zeal.

On Jan. 28, 2020, I will feel like a father at his son’s wedding, proud but also a little sad at my loss. You, the Diocese of Shreveport, are his new bride and I am confident that he will be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. He will love you and honor you all the days of his life – even after retirement!

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ReveRend FRancis Malone The Diocese of Fort Worth, Bishop Michael F. Olson, and the clergy, religious, and laity of the diocese extend a heartfelt congratulations to you on your appointment as Bishop of Shreveport.

We rejoice in the Lord and pray for Bishopelect Francis Malone and the Diocese of Shreveport.

May God bring to fulfillment the good work He has begun in you.

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bishop michael g. duca

elcome from Bishop Michael G. Duca Bishop of Baton Rouge, former Bishop of Shreveport

On August 24, 2018, I formally left the Diocese of Shreveport to become the Bishop of Baton Rouge. In 2008, I made the move to the Diocese of Shreveport as the second bishop, following Bishop William B. Friend. Of the two moves, I think the move from Shreveport to Baton Rouge was harder because a bishop becomes connected to his people in a unique way. Even though Father Peter Mangum in his capacity as diocesan administrator has guided the Diocese of Shreveport well, I have continued to feel a concern for the diocese until Nov. 19, when a new bishop was named for Shreveport.

It was a wonderful surprise for me to know that my friend from seminary, Msgr. Frank Malone, would be the next Bishop of Shreveport.

It was a wonderful surprise for me to know that my friend from seminary, Msgr. Frank Malone, would be the next Bishop of Shreveport. I was the deacon for his priestly ordination Mass in Philadelphia, and recently saw him again when I was asked to speak at the men’s conference he holds in Little Rock.

While we do not see each other often, every time we get together the connection is just as real as it was in the seminary.

I am glad to have him here in Louisiana so at our bishop meetings we will be able to share common memories along with Bishop Deshotel of the Diocese of Lafayette – another of our seminary classmates.

Bishop-elect Malone is a true pastor and comes to you experienced in every aspect of diocesan life. I now have no concerns for the Diocese of Shreveport, as you have been sent a true pastor formed in light of the heart of Pope Francis.

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May God's Blessings be on Bishop Malone The prayers of Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond, Archbishop-emeritus Alfred C. Hughes, Bishop Fernand J. Cheri, and the priests, deacons, religious, and laity of the Archdiocese of New Orleans are with Bishop-elect Malone and the clergy, religious, and faithful of the Diocese of Shreveport.

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archbishop gregory m. aymond o Bishop Francis Malone, the clergy, religious, and laity of the Diocese of Shreveport: My sisters and brothers in Christ, It is my humble privilege to welcome Bishop Francis I. Malone to the Diocese of Shreveport. Please know Archbishop-emeritus Alfred Hughes, Bishop Fernand Cheri, the priests, deacons, religious and laity of the Archdiocese of New Orleans join me in prayerful support of Bishop Malone and all the faithful of Shreveport during this special time.

Like Peter, we as bishops are called to leave everything behind and follow Jesus...

Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond

Recently, I had the honor of celebrating Mass at the tomb of St. Peter in Rome during the ad limina visit of the Bishops of Region V. While there, I spoke of the life of St. Peter as an example for us as bishops. His life gives us encouragement and inspiration to live our episcopal ministry. Like Peter, we as bishops are called to leave everything behind and follow Jesus, and by our words and actions, proclaim that He is the Messiah. There is nothing we have done to deserve it, yet the Lord God calls us to be shepherds.

It is with this prayerful sentiment that I congratulate Bishop Malone as he prepares to begin his episcopal ministry. I look forward to being with you for the Episcopal Ordination Mass. Until then, please be assured of my prayers.

Wishing you God’s blessings, I am, Sincerely in Christ, Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond Archbishop of New Orleans

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Welcome Bishop Malone!

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The Catholic Connection

deacon bill roche ear Bishop Malone, The permanent deacons and their wives welcome you with great joy! We are thrilled to learn of your appointment and we look forward to getting to know you and for you to get to know us. We are eager to serve with you and for you.

There are 33 permanent deacons in service to the Diocese of Shreveport. We have been blessed to serve with two extraordinary bishops, Bishop William B. Friend and Bishop Michael G. Duca, the men who called almost every one of us to ordination.

Permanent deacons are assigned to 22 of the 28 parishes in the Diocese of Shreveport. Most men serve in their home parish in a voluntary capacity. In addition, deacons are serving in several of the mission churches, some of the prisons, one Catholic high school and in one of the universities. There are more needs than there are men to serve, but we are hoping to increase our coverage in the not so distant future.

The deacons and their wives and families are confident that

you will receive a warm welcome here in the Diocese of Shreveport. We pray that you will be invited into the hearts of the people, as you “take up the cup of salvation.” We ask God to give you strength and wisdom to be a great shepherd of this flock.

You may find that many people who call Shreveport home are not from here. Like you, I am a transplant from a distant place, which also happens to be situated on the banks of the Delaware River. I can attest that my family and I have been happy to call Shreveport, and this diocese, home for the past 35 years. Someone described Shreveport to me as the best kept secret in the South. I don’t know if that can be said any longer, but Shreveport allowed my wife and me to raise our family in a nurturing environment.

It is not enough to just say “welcome.” The permanent deacons pledge to make your welcome a reality as we hit the ground running together. We also say congratulations, thank you for saying “yes,” and God Bless you! We will continue to pray for you, our “next” Bishop of Shreveport, especially now that we have a name and a face to go with the title.

In service to Christ our Savior, Deacon Bill Roche, Director of the Permanent Diaconate

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We, the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Pines and Sacred Heart Parish, Shreveport, congratulate you, Bishop Francis Malone, as you become our Shepherd in the Diocese of Shreveport. We are grateful to God for answering our prayers: be assured of our continuous prayers and love. We look forward to grace-filled moments with you, our shepherd.

Deacon Clary Nash

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St. Mary of the Pines

The Catholic Connection

Fr. Michael Thang'wa, pastor

Sacred Heart Parish, Shreveport

Shreveport Couple Shares

O

sacramental ties to new bishop

n Nov. 19, Christmas came early for Catholics throughout the Diocese of Shreveport when Pope Francis appointed Msgr. Francis Malone as the next Bishop of Shreveport. For Shreveport residents Paul and Crystal Malloy, the announcement was a uniquely special gift.

“It was early in the morning and our phones went off almost simultaneously,” explained Crystal. “I received a text from a friend letting me know that we had a new bishop, and Paul had a similar text along with the official announcement.

When he started reading the official release, we were so happy when we realized that Msgr. Malone would be our new bishop!”

On Sept. 30, 1995, Crystal Sinkey and Paul Malloy were married at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock, AR. With them up on the altar was a young priest named Fr. Francis Malone, rector of the Cathedral. “Father Malone was our priest at St. Andrew throughout our college years,” said Crystal. “I remember him as being funny and he liked to talk about his family in his homilies.”

After their first daughter Caitlyn was born in Shreveport, Paul and Crystal knew they wanted to have her baptized at St. Andrew. It was Fr. Malone who suggested having the baptism during Mass on Easter Sunday, making it a special day for their family. The Malloys described it as a memorable day, especially when Fr. Malone fully immersed Caitlyn in the baptismal font. With a surprised and somewhat drenched

By Lucy Medvec

Caitlyn now crying during the ceremony, Fr. Malone asked the parents if he could hold her. Taking her up on the altar with him, he was able to soothe her and she eventually stopped crying.

The Malloys are the parents of four girls, Caitlyn, Mary Claire, Caroline and Emma; all of whom attended Catholic schools in Shreveport. Their youngest will make her confirmation this spring at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans with Bishop Malone presiding over the ceremony.

Paul and Crystal are looking forward to this special day, noting that Msgr. Malone will have given sacraments to their first and last daughters.

When asked how to describe the incoming bishop, both Paul and Crystal mention that he has a good sense of humor, is charismatic and gives insightful homilies. One special memory they have of Msgr. Malone comes not from their wedding, but rather from the day after.

“Paul’s brother and sister-in-law were baptizing their baby at the Cathedral of St. Andrew the morning after our wedding, so we decided to attend since we weren’t leaving for our honeymoon until Monday,” said Crystal. “We were sitting in the front row, and Fr. Malone commented on how Paul and I were attending Mass even though we had been married the night before. He made us stand up and be recognized in front of the congregation.” Paul laughed at the memory and added, “He didn’t realize that we were there as part of the baptism. He saw us as committed to attending Mass when we easily could have been asleep back at the hotel.”

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Symbols of

ordination miter

The investiture with the miter signifies the Bishop's resolve to pursue holiness.

cathedra

The Bishop's Chair

ring Symbolizes the Bishop's fidelity to the Bride of God, the Church.

Anointing with the Holy Chrism is a sign of the Bishop's distinctive share in the priesthood of Christ.

book of gospels

Illustrates that the preaching of the word of God is the pre-eminent obligation of the office of Bishop.

holy chrism

laying on of hands

The Laying on of Hands and the Prayer of Ordination consecrate the Bishopelect as Bishop.

pastoral staff

The newly ordained Bishop is presented to the pastoral staff to signify his duty of guiding and governing the Church entrusted to his care.

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crosier

Given to Bishops during the consecration liturgy.

congregation

Durandus, an early Church writer, explained the significance of the crosier: “The end is sharp to goad the slothful, the middle is straight to signify righteous rule, while the head is bent to draw in and attract souls to the way of God.”

The people of the congregation give their consent to the election of the Bishop by applause.

apostolic letter

The Papal Bull, the mandate from the Apostolic Nuncio.

kiss of peace

The newly ordained Bishop receives the fraternal kiss from the principal ordaining Bishop and all other Bishops.

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S

Bishop-Elect Francis Malone FROM ST.

LUCY

THE

CATHOLIC

CHURCH

•

FAITHFUL

HODGE,

OF

LOUISIANA

January 2020

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T

hrough sacred Ordination certain of the Christian faithful are appointed in the name of Christ and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit to shepherd the Church with the word and grace of God. The divinely established ecclesiastical ministry is exercised in different orders by those who – even from antiquity – have been called bishops, priests and deacons. The sacramental effects of Holy Orders are the power of the order and the grace of the Holy Spirit which are accepted and used as such by the Church.

bishops

Episcopal consecration (bishop) bestows the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, that fullness of power, namely, which in both the Church’s liturgical practice and the language of the Fathers is called precisely the High Priesthood, the summit of the sacred ministry. But episcopal consecration, together with the office of sanctifying, also confers the offices of teaching and governing, offices that of their very nature can be exercised only in hierarchic communion with the head of the college (the pope) and its members (other bishops). For from tradition, it is clear that the laying on of hands and the words of consecration bestow the grace of the Holy Spirit and impress a sacred character in such a way that bishops, in an eminent and visible way, carry on the role of Christ himself as Teacher, Shepherd and High Priest and act in His person.

The Church upholds the apostolic succession of bishops. The Order of Bishops succeeds the College of Apostles in teaching authority and

By Dianne Rachal pastoral rule. Therefore, as successors of the Apostles, bishops receive from the Lord the mission to teach all nations and to preach the Gospel so all people may attain salvation. The prayer of consecration for bishops is found in the Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus of Rome, written at the beginning of the third century.

The placing of the Book of the Gospels over the head of the bishop-elect during the Prayer of Ordination and the presenting of it to him illustrate the pre-eminent obligation of preaching the word of God. The anointing of the head is the sign of the Bishop’s distinctive share in the Priesthood of Christ. The presentation of the ring symbolizes the bishop’s fidelity to the Bride of God, the Church. The investiture with the miter signifies his resolve to pursue holiness. The presentation of the crosier signifies the duty of guiding and governing the Church entrusted to him. The fraternal kiss seals, so to speak, his admittance into the College of Bishops.

priests

Priests are the bishop’s co-workers.

Even though priests do not possess the fullness of the High Priesthood and in the exercise of their power are dependent on the bishops, they are nevertheless linked to the bishops in priestly dignity. By virtue of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, in the image of Christ the eternal High Priest, they are consecrated to preach the Gospel, to shepherd the faithful, and to celebrate divine worship as true Priests of the New Testament. By sacred ordination and the mission they receive from the bishops, priests are

promoted to the service of Christ the Teacher, Priest and King. They share in his ministry of unceasingly building up the Church on earth into the People of God, the Body of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Spirit.

By sacred ordination a sacrament is conferred on priests through which, by the anointing of the Holy Spirit, they are signed with a special character and are so configured to Christ the Priest that they have the power to act in the person of Christ the Head.

The central part of the Ordination of Priests is the laying on of hands and the consecratory prayer.

deacons

From Apostolic times, the Catholic Church has held the Holy Order of the Diaconate in high honor. Deacons are ordained for the bishop’s ministry.

At a lower grade of the hierarchy they receive the laying on of hands not for the priesthood, but for the ministry.

Strengthened by sacramental grace, they serve the People of God, in the diakonia of liturgy, word and charity, in communion with the Bishop and his presbyterate.

The Ordination of Deacons is a distinct and permanent grade of the hierarchy in the Church. As with the other Orders, in the Ordination of Deacons the matter is the laying of the bishop’s hands on the individual candidates, and the form consists in the words of the consecratory prayer.

The Ordination of Deacons includes the “Rite of Commitment to Holy Celibacy,” therefore candidates for the Diaconate are consecrated in a new way to Christ.

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With Thanksgiving to God

The Church of the Diocese of Shreveport Joyfully invites you to the

Episcopal Ordination & Installation of

The Most Reverend Francis Ignatius Malone, D.D., J.C.L. as the Third Bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport Principal Consecrator

The Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond Archbishop of New Orleans Co-consecrators

The Most Reverend Anthony B. Taylor Bishop of Little Rock

The Most Reverend Michael G. Duca Bishop of Baton Rouge

In the presence of

The Most Reverend Christophe Pierre Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at two o’clock in the afternoon

Shreveport Convention Center Exhibit Hall Level One 400 Caddo Street, Shreveport Reception Immediately Following

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CONGRATULATIONS BISHOP-ELECT FRANCIS I. MALONE May God Be With You as

Congratulations Bishop-Elect Francis Malone

You Shepherd Your Flock

FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, MANAGEMENT AND STAFF OF LOUISIANA CATHOLIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

FROM BISHOP DANIEL GARCIA AND THE PEOPLE OF THE DIOCESE OF MONTEREY

814 Jordan St. • Shreveport, LA 71101 • 318-212-0391

Congratulations

Bishop Francis Malone on your appointment as

Bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport

from

Our Lady of Fatima Parish & School Monroe, Louisiana

January 2020

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bishop-elect

malone

Brings 42 Years of Experience, Joy and Enthusiasm for the Church to the

diocese of shreveport

By Jessica Rinaudo

receiving the call The day Bishop-elect Malone got “the call” from the nuncio’s office in Washington D.C. inviting him to be the next bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport – he didn’t answer it. He was in a spiritual direction meeting and thought the D.C. number was a robo call, especially when there was no voicemail waiting for him. He went on to say noon Mass, and afterwards noticed another missed call from the same number, but this time there was a voicemail.

“I shut the door and listened to the message. It was the apostolic nuncio asking me to return his call. He had something to discuss with me,” said Bishop-elect Francis Malone.

He had an inkling then of what the phone call might be about.

“You don’t think he’s calling to ask to come over to your house for Thanksgiving,” said the bishop-elect, “but it was still a surprise, nonetheless.”

He continued, “He told me the Holy Father had appointed me Bishop of Shreveport. And asked how I felt about that… After that he asked me if I accepted the appointment, [and] promised me his prayers. I told him I just finished Mass and was going to go back into church and spend some time in front of the blessed sacrament, which I did. And then he told me to call my bishop.”

At the time Bishop-elect Malone received the call, all of the U.S. bishops were in Baltimore for their annual meeting, which meant it was easy for Msgr. Malone to speak with Archbishop Aymond of New Orleans, Bishop Duca of Baton Rouge, Bishop Taylor of Little Rock and Father Peter Mangum, the diocesan administrator for the Diocese of Shreveport, all at one time. They were able to collectively discuss and schedule the ordination date and press conference announcement.

first impressions When Bishop-elect Malone made the drive to Shreveport for the announcement of his appointment on Nov. 19, the chancery offices were abuzz. Once the announcement was

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made, he was greeted with great enthusiasm by chancery staff and diocesan priests.

“The welcome was everything you could possibly imagine in terms of the kindness of people, The joy that people had,” said Bishop-elect Malone. “They don’t know me, but they were certainly joyful that a new bishop had been named after all these months of waiting.”

growing up “I was born and raised in Philadelphia. I’m one of nine children, though I did just lose a sister,” said Bishop-elect Malone. “My parents were exceptional people. I lost my mother when I was a young child of 12. She died after childbirth, and my father raised the nine children into adulthood.”

Bishop-elect Malone felt a call to the priesthood from a very young age. He attributes that to the church and family he grew up with in Philadelphia, as well as all the wonderful priests he came to know and served within his parish.

Malone recalls one moment in particular during his fourth grade year that he says, in retrospect, was a mystical experience.

“When I was in fourth grade I was serving Mass at our church in Philadelphia… and they’re cavernous churches. They could never afford to air condition them. So I was serving and the priest was consecrating the Body of Christ and as he did, this cross breeze just went through the sanctuary and took my breath away. And at that moment I felt I was hearing, ‘I want you to be a priest,’” said Bishop-elect Malone.

Additionally, his father’s brother was a priest. “My uncle certainly played a major part in my life, especially because he invited me to come to Arkansas to live with him and see what a priest does from day to day, and then I signed up [for seminary] for Little Rock instead of Philadelphia,” he said.

He attended Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving, TX, where he met and befriended Michael Duca.

“We had seven years together in the seminary… and there are a lot of classes that we shared together. He was a deacon at my ordination, he was a deacon at my first Mass. We got along very well. … And that just carried on into his priesthood. We stayed in touch over the years.... I was not surprised when he was named a bishop. He seems to be happy that I’m following him,” said Bishop-elect Malone about Bishop Duca.

In his first parish assignment following ordination, Bishop-elect Malone again experienced an echo of his initial vocational calling at Mass.

“In my first assignment as a priest, we had two mission parishes, we had maybe 30 people at Mass. They opened up the windows in the church,” said Bishop-elect Malone. “When I was consecrating the host and I held it, this breeze went through the sanctuary and it took me back to that experience when I was in fourth grade. I remember thinking ‘My goodness, the prayers that I prayed as a fourth grader back in Philadelphia were answered. And God was calling me in the fourth grade. He really did call me. And here I am doing what I watched that young priest do so many years before.�”

Top: All Souls Day Mass at Calvary Cemetery (11/2/17) Middle: Msgr. Malone lays hands on Fr. Jon Miskin at his priestly ordination (5/26/19) Bottom: Ordination to the priesthood of Fathers Tuyen Do, Patrick Friend, Jeff Hebert and Keith Higginbotham Christ the King Church, Little Rock (5/26/18) All photos courtesy Arkansas Catholic

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ministries Since he was ordained, Bishop-elect Malone has had the opportunity to serve in a wide array of ministries. In addition to being a pastor or assistant pastor at three parishes, he has had multiple assignments in the chancery offices including chancellor, vicar general and judicial vicar. He’s taught at a girls’ high school, ministered in hospitals, served as vice rector of a seminary and even did a stint as editor of the Arkansas Catholic newspaper.

He currently serves as pastor of Christ the King Church, a parish that serves more than 6,000 parishioners with a school enrollment of more than 600 children. His role as pastor in that parish has brought about many wonderful things, including a huge boom in priestly vocations. Bishop-elect Malone attributes their parish’s astounding number of men entering seminary to one thing: perpetual adoration.

“Within six months of starting perpetual adoration, we had our first vocation, and he went on to get ordained” said Bishopelect Malone. “We’ve kept perpetual adoration since 2003 – that’s 16 years – and at one time we had 11 seminarians from our parish in the seminary. We have about six or seven ordained to the priesthood and we’ll have one ordained this coming May. And we have four or five young men who are in the seminary currently. I’ve been able to demonstrate to the parish that as long as we have perpetual adoration, we’ll have vocations. That’s turned out to be true.”

Msgr. Francis Malone is pictured with eighth graders from the parish school. (4/18/15) photo courtesy Arkansas Catholic

T

he Most Reverend Roger J. Foys, D.D., the priests, deacons, religious and lay faithful of

the Dioceseof Covington, Kentucky, send our congratulations, best wishes, and prayers to the Most Reverend Francis I. Malone as he is installed the Bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport.

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bringing his experience to shreveport Bishop-elect Malone brings the experience of nearly 42 years as a diocesan priest to his role as the shepherd of the Diocese of Shreveport.

“I’m a pastor. I’ve been a priest for 42 years, and so I think that which will come easiest to me will be fulfilling the role of being a pastor, but in a different way as a bishop. But your role is to be the father of the diocese, the spiritual head of the diocese,” said Bishop-elect Malone.

“It’s a great joy to be asked to undertake this responsibility,” he continued. “But it’s a lot of sadness in leaving a place where you’ve been a pastor for almost 19 years and a diocese where you’ve been a priest for almost 42. But I think people will understand that because so many people have moved… The transition is easier and far more joyful when you just get in there and start doing what you do best.”

looking to the future Some of the things Bishop-elect Malone is most excited about related to his new role may come as a surprise. Despite being raised a Philadelphia city boy, he talks about his love of the Delta and small churches.

“I love the mission churches, and while I know that I will be very comfortable in Shreveport and Bossier City and Monroe, I’ll be extremely comfortable in walking into the small places, the mission churches that sometimes don’t get the attention...

The life of the church is visible in these small mission parishes,” he said.

He continued, “I’m really looking forward to the opportunity of driving around. Driving doesn’t bother me. Bishop Duca assured me that there will be a lot of driving. And that brings me happiness to be able to do that.”

Bishop-elect Malone also said how much he loves being around people and families, and as a child with eight siblings, he especially loves being around large families.

His initial experiences with the Catholic Church in north Louisiana has been an incredible experience. “The welcome I’ve received so far has been extraordinary. I’m not worried about if I’ll receive a good welcome, I know I’ll receive a good welcome. And I know how much Bishop Duca loved Shreveport he’s told me that time and time again,” said Bishop-elect Malone.

Congratulations Bishop Francis Malone!

Our prayers are with you as you become the Bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport with love from the Faithful of

Welcome Bishop Francis Malone

Sacred Heart Church, Rayville St. Theresa Church, Delhi

FROM THE

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Council 1108 January 2020

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el obispo-elect o

malone diócesis de shreveport trae a la

42 años de experiencia,

alegría y entusiasmo por la Iglesia

Por Jessica Rinaudo

recibiendo la llamada El día que el Obispo electo recibió “la llamada” de la oficina del Nuncio en Washington D.C. invitándolo a ser el próximo obispo de la Diócesis de Shreveport - no contestó porque estaba en una reunión de dirección espiritual y pensó que el número de D.C. era una llamada de mercado, especialmente cuando no había un correo de voz esperándolo. Continuó con misa de mediodía, pero después notó otra llamada perdida del mismo número, y esta vez sí había un correo de voz.

“Cerré la puerta y escuché el mensaje. Era el Nuncio Apostólico que me pedía regresarle la llamada. Tenía algo que hablar conmigo”, dijo el obispo-electo Francis Malone.

Tenía una sospecha de lo que podría ser la llamada. “No piensas en que te esté llamando para que lo invites a la cena de Acción de Gracias”, dijo el obispo-electo, “pero aun así fue una sorpresa”.

El continuó: “Me dijo que el Santo Padre me había nombrado obispo de Shreveport y me preguntó cómo me sentía al respecto... Después de unos momentos de silencio me preguntó si aceptaba este trabajo, y me prometió sus oraciones. Le dije que acababa de terminar la misa y que iba a volver a la Iglesia y pasar algún tiempo frente al Santísimo, lo cual hice. Y luego me dijo que llamara a mi obispo”.

En el momento en que el obispo-electo Malone recibió la llamada, todos los obispos de Estados Unidos estaban en una reunión anual en Baltimore, lo que significa que fue fácil para Mons. Malone hablar con el arzobispo Aymond de Nuevo Orleans, el obispo Duca de Baton Rouge, el obispo Taylor de Little Rock y El Padre Peter Mangum, Administrador Diocesano de la Diócesis de Shreveport, todos juntos a la vez.

Pudieron dialogar y programar colectivamente la fecha de la ordenación y el anuncio para la conferencia de prensa.

primera impresiones Cuando el obispo-electo Malone hizo el viaje a Shreveport para el anuncio de su nombramiento el 19 de noviembre, las

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oficinas de la cancillería estaban en espera. Una vez hecho el anuncio, fue recibido con gran entusiasmo por el personal de la cancillería y los sacerdotes diocesanos.

“La bienvenida fue todo lo que se podía imaginar en términos de bondad en la gente, la alegría que la gente tenía”, dijo el obispo-electo Malone. “No me conocían, pero ciertamente estaban contentos de que un nuevo obispo hubiera sido nombrado después de todos estos meses de espera”.

creciendo “Nací y crecí en Filadelfia. Soy uno de nueve hijos, aunque acabo de perder una hermana”, dijo el obispo-electo Malone.

“Mis padres eran personas excepcionales. Perdí a mi madre cuando era un niño de 12 años. Murió después de un parto, y mi padre crio a los nueve hijos hasta la adultez”.

El obispo-electo sintió un llamado al sacerdocio desde una edad muy temprana. Atribuye esto a la iglesia y familia que creció con él en Filadelfia, así como a todos los maravillosos sacerdotes que llegó a conocer y a los cuales sirvió en su parroquia.

Malone recuerda un momento en particular durante el cuarto grado de primaria que dice, en retrospectiva, fue una experiencia mística.

“Cuando estaba en cuarto grado, sirviendo en misa de nuestra iglesia en Filadelfia... y son iglesias cavernosas. Nunca podían permitirse el lujo de acondicionarlas. Así que estaba sirviendo y en el momento que el sacerdote consagraba el Cuerpo de Cristo y como él mismo lo hizo, una brisa intensa atravesó el santuario y me quitó el aliento. Y en ese momento sentí que estaba escuchando: ‘Quiero que seas sacerdote’, dijo el obispo electo Malone.

Además, el hermano de su padre era sacerdote. “Mi tío ciertamente jugó un papel importante en mi vida, especialmente porque me invitó a venir a Arkansas a vivir con él y ver lo que hace un sacerdote día a día, y luego me inscribí al seminario de Little Rock en lugar de Filadelfia “, dijo el obispo electo Malone.

Asistió al Seminario de la Santísima Trinidad en Irving, TX, donde conoció y se hizo amigo de Michael Duca.

“Tuvimos siete años juntos en el seminario... y hay muchas clases que compartimos juntos. Fue un diácono en mi ordenación y en mi primera misa. Nos llevamos muy bien. ... Y eso continúo durante nuestro sacerdocio. Nos mantuvimos en contacto a lo largo de los años. No me sorprendió cuando fue nombrado obispo. Parece feliz de que lo esté siguiendo”, dijo el obispo-electo Malone sobre el obispo Duca.

En su primera asignación parroquial después de la ordenación, el obispo-electo Malone experimentó de nuevo un eco de su llamamiento vocacional en la misa.

“En mi primera asignación como sacerdote, teníamos dos parroquias de misión, teníamos tal vez 30 personas en misa.

Abrieron las ventanas de la iglesia”, dijo el obispo electo Malone. “Cuando estaba consagrando y lo sostuve, esta brisa intensa atravesó el santuario y me llevó de vuelta a esa experiencia cuando estaba en cuarto grado. Recuerdo que pensé: Dios mío, las oraciones que oré cuando era estudiante de cuarto grado en Filadelfia fueron respondidas. Y pensé, Dios

All photos courtesy Arkansas Catholic.

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me llamo en cuarto grado. Realmente me llamó. Y aquí estoy haciendo lo que vi a ese joven sacerdote hacer tantos años atrás”.

ministerios Desde que fue ordenado, el obispo-electo Malone ha tenido la oportunidad de servir en una amplia gama de ministerios, además de ser párroco o asistente de párroco en tres parroquias, ha tenido múltiples asignaciones en los oficios de la cancillería, incluyendo como canciller, vicario general y judicial. Ha enseñado en una escuela secundaria para niñas, ministrado en hospitales, se desempeñó como vice-rector de un seminario e incluso tuvo un breve período como editor del periódico católico de Arkansas.

Actualmente se desempeña como párroco de la Iglesia de Cristo Rey, una parroquia que sirve a más de 6,000 feligreses con una inscripción escolar de más de 600 niños. Su papel como párroco en esa parroquia ha estimulado muchas cosas maravillosas, incluyendo un enorme brote en vocaciones sacerdotales. El obispo-electo Malone atribuye el asombroso número de hombres que entran al seminario a una cosa: la adoración perpetua.

“A los seis meses de comenzar la adoración perpetua, tuvimos nuestra primera vocación, y ese seminarista es sacerdote”, dijo el obispo-electo Malone. “Hemos mantenido la adoración perpetua desde el 2003 – 16 años- y en un momento tuvimos 11 seminaristas de nuestra parroquia en el seminario. Tenemos seis o siete ya sacerdotes y tendremos una ordenación en mayo y cuatro o cinco jóvenes que están en el seminario. He podido demostrar a la parroquia que mientras tengamos adoración perpetua, tendremos vocaciones. Eso resultó ser cierto”.

traer su experiencia a shreveport El obispo-electo Malone trae la experiencia de casi 42 años como sacerdote diocesano a su nueva misión como pastor de la diócesis de Shreveport.

Congratulations My Friend!

Bishop Brendan Cahill and the faithful of the Diocese of Victoria in Texas

“Soy pastor. He sido sacerdote durante 42 años, por lo que creo que me será más fácil cumplir con el papel de ser pastor, pero de una manera diferente como obispo.

Mi papel es ser el padre de la diócesis, el guía espiritual de la diócesis”, dijo el obispo-electo Malone.

“Es una gran alegría recibir el llamado y asumir esta responsabilidad”, continuó. “Pero da mucha tristeza dejar un lugar donde he sido pastor durante casi 19 años y a una diócesis donde he sido sacerdote durante casi 42 años. Pero creo que la gente comprenderá porque mucha gente, como yo, ha tenido que mudarse... La transición es más fácil y mucho más alegre una vez que entras ahí y empiezas a hacer lo que mejor sabes hacer”.

“In fact, the measure of your love for God depends on how deeply aware you are of God’s love for you.”

Msgr. Charles Elmer

(A quote from Diadochus of Photice that Msgr. Charlie Elmer often shared with his spiritual directees)

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ver al futuro

Algunas de las cosas que el obispo-electo Malone está más emocionado en relación con su nuevo papel como obispo pueden aun ser sorprendentes. A pesar de haber crecido en la ciudad de Filadelfia, habla con cariño de los pequeños pueblos y pequeñas iglesias.

“Me encantan las iglesias misioneras, y aunque sé que estaré muy cómodo en Shreveport, Bossier City, y Monroe, me sentiré feliz caminando en los lugares pequeños, las iglesias misioneras que a veces no reciben atención... La vida de la iglesia es visible en estas pequeñas parroquias misioneras”, dijo también.

Continuó diciendo: “Deseo tener la oportunidad de conducir ya que el conducir no me molesta. El obispo Duca me aseguró que recorreré muchas millas. Y hacer esto me traerá felicidad”.

El obispo-electo Malone también dijo lo mucho que le encanta estar cerca de personas y familias, y especialmente con ocho hermanos, le encanta estar cerca de familias numerosas.

Sus primeras experiencias con la Iglesia Católica en el Norte de Luisiana han sido increíbles. “La bienvenida que he recibido hasta ahora ha sido extraordinaria. No me preocupa saber si recibiré una buena bienvenida, pues yo sé que la recibiré. Y sé cuánto ama el obispo Duca a Shreveport ya que me lo ha dicho una y otra vez”, dijo el obispo-electo Malone.

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All photos courtesy Arkansas Catholic.

Welcome Bishop-Elect Francis I. Malone

Pictured: St. John Berchmans School Kindergarten Class The Catholic Connection

Bishop Francis Malone’s Episcopal Motto

Calicem salutaris accipiam

B

“The cup of salvation, I will take up”

ishop-elect Francis Malone was once taught American Church History by a priest who was ordained in the 1940s. “He lamented that when the Mass was changed into the vernacular by the Vatican Council, that some of the prayers that were contained in the Roman Missal, the book on the altar, were taken out. …,” said the bishop-elect. “There are a number of prayers, still today, they’re quiet prayers, they’re prayers that the congregation cannot hear.

The priest says them to himself. He mentioned one prayer, and I looked it up. It came from Psalm 116.

It’s called in Latin, the “Quid retribuam?””

He continued, “The whole prayer in English from

Psalm 116 is, 'How can I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me? The cup of salvation I will take up and I will call upon the name of the Lord.' Well the prayer, I always prayed in Latin, and especially the beginning of the second phrase, which starts “Calicem salutaris accipiam” which means the cup of salvation, I will take up. I’ve said that prayer all my priesthood, quietly at communion time just as it was done prior to my ordination.”

“When asked about a motto, I said right away that’s the prayer I’ll use as my motto – the prayer I pray everyday at Mass. And then it’s also on my coat of arms,” he added.

Congratulations!

From Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop Emeritus Eusebius J. Beltran, Clergy, Religious and the Faithful of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City

January 2020

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coat of arms for bishop francis malone

Dr. Scott W.F. Carle

Diocese of Shreveport

T

he episcopal heraldic achievement, or bishop’s coat of arms, is composed of a shield, with its charges (symbols), a motto scroll and the external ornaments. The shield, which is the central and most important feature of any heraldic device, is described (blazoned) in 12th century terms that are archaic to our modern language and this description is done as if being given by the bearer with the shield being worn on the arm.

Thus, it must be remembered, where it applies, that the terms dexter (right) and sinister (left) are reversed as the device is viewed from the front.

By heraldic tradition, the arms of the bishop of a diocese called the “Ordinary” are joined to the arms of the jurisdiction, seen in the dexter impalement of the shield. In this case, these are the arms of the Diocese of Shreveport.

The arms of Shreveport are composed of a red field on which is displayed a silver (white) wavy shakefork which is charged with a gold (yellow) sunburst. The sunburst with the monogram of the Holy Name (HIS) is a classic charge in design for the members of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, and it is employed here to honor St. John Berchmans, titular of the cathedral church in Shreveport who was a Jesuit and an associate of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. Issuant from the sunburst are three wavy bars to signify the three rivers, the Red, the Mississippi and the Ouachita, that run through the Diocese of Shreveport.

For his personal arms (on the sinister side of the shield), His Excellency, Bishop Malone has adopted a design to reflect his life and ministry as a priest.

His Excellency’s personal arms are partitioned into four quarters with his Chalice in the center.

The first quarter is the coat-of-arms for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. This is the city of Bishop Malone’s birth. This charge contains symbols of both the secular and the religious history of this local Church. The white background and the black horizontal stripe bearing three white circles (Argent, on a fess able three plates) were the arms of William Penn, the founder of the City of Philadelphia, and the first Proprietor of the Commonwealth that bears his name. To signify the

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Christian faith, the three white circles are marked with the Cross of Christ in red (gules). Behind the stripe appears a blue pennant-shaped section (a pile azure) marked with a white star.

This is a symbol of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is invoked under the title of her Immaculate Conception as the patroness of the archdiocese.

The second quarter (or charge) is the Diocese of Little Rock where Bishop Malone has served as a priest for more than 42 years. The arms of the diocese are rendered in the traditional Marian colors of silver (white) and blue. Tradition tells us that St. Peter, the rock upon which the Church is built, felt himself unworthy to die in the same way as the Lord Jesus, and so was martyred by the Romans by being crucified upside-down. On the representation of the city is placed a silver saltire which, when rendered in silver on blue, is known as “A Cross of St. Andrew.” It is used to honor the titular of the CathedralChurch in Little Rock and to honor the Most Reverend Andrew Byrne, the first bishop of the diocese. On this saltire is placed a blue six-pointed star which comes from the arms of His Holiness, Pope Gregory XVI, who established the Diocese of Little Rock on Nov. 28, 1843.

The third quarter is the fleur-de-lis. It is the symbol of the Archdiocese of New Orleans where the See of Shreveport is also located. It is a stylized lily, reminiscent of the Iris which is common in Louisiana, composed of three petals bound together near their bases. It is especially known from the former royal arms of France, in which it appears in gold on a blue field and recalls the French heritage of Louisiana.

Spiritually it represents the Holy Trinity. Traditionally, it has been used to represent French royalty, and in that sense it is said to signify perfection, light and life. Legend has it that an angel presented Clovis, the Merovingian King of the Franks, with a golden lily (or iris) as a symbol of his purification upon his conversion to Christianity. In its religious foundation, the “fleur di lis” or the “flower of three,” represents the Most Blessed Trinity, into which each Christian is baptized, thus in a unique way unites all of the other charges into one side of the Coat of Arms as Bishop Malone brings into focus his historical, personal and spiritual foundation as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

The fourth quarter is represented by the symbol for Christ the King Parish, Little Rock, where Bishop Malone served as pastor for 19 years. The Cross and Crown has served as the icon for the parish for more than 40 years. The image has its

theological origin in the crown of victory overshadowing the cross of salvation. Its place among the three other charges represents the years of his service at Christ the King, with the central message of human history, that those who bear the Cross of Jesus will inherit the crown of everlasting life.

In the center of the sinister side of the shield is his Excellency’s Chalice. In 1959, Monsignor John L. Nugent became the pastor of Bishop Malone’s home parish, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary; he remained pastor there until 1978.

As a young child Bishop Malone was an altar server, and frequently served Mass for Msgr. Nugent. In preparation for his ordination to the priesthood in 1977, Bishop Malone was surprised by Msgr. Nugent’s gift of his chalice to the newly ordained Father Malone. The chalice was given to Msgr.

Nugent by his parents in 1929; their inscription is on the bottom of the chalice, as is the inscription of the gift of the chalice from Msgr. Nugent to Father Malone. The chalice is adorned with a gold cross with an emerald in its center. The emerald belonged to Msgr. Nugent’s father. On the reverse side (not seen) is Msgr. Nugent mother’s diamond. In preparation for his ordination to the priesthood, Father Malone’s father placed his wedding ring on the chalice; it can be seen on the right side. That ring was given to Bishop Malone’s father on his wedding day, Jan. 5, 1946, by Bishop Malone’s mother, Pauline. From the time of her untimely death at the age of 37 in 1963, the bishop’s father became both mother and father to the nine children left behind. In 1996, Bishop Malone and his eight siblings gave a two-band gold wedding ring to their father, symbolizing his dual role as mother and father. Upon the

death of Mr. Malone in 2001, the two-banded ring was placed on the bishop’s chalice, along with a gold cross bearing nine diamonds, one for each child.

Bishop Malone has chosen as his episcopal motto the Latin words, “Calicem Salutaris Accipiam.” These words hold a special place in his life, especially during the celebration of the Eucharist. Prior to the renewal of the Sacred Liturgy, when the Mass was universally celebrated in Latin, the celebrant would pray a series of “quiet” prayers throughout the Mass. One prayer, in particular, was the “Quid retribuam” prayer he would utter quietly as he consumed both the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The Latin text, which comes from Psalm 116 reads: Quid retribuam Domino pro omnibus, quae retribuit mihi?

Calicem salutaris accipiam et nomen Domini invocabo.” Its English translation reads: “How can I give thanks to the Lord for all that He has given to me? The Cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.” Bishop Malone has prayed these words at each Mass during his 42 plus years as a priest. They have formed the personal intent of his daily reception of the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

The device is completed with the external ornaments which are a gold episcopal processional cross (with a Celtic cross at its center) which is placed in back of the shield and which extends above and below the shield. Also at the top, is a pontificate hat, called a “gallero” with its six tassels, in three rows, on either side of the shield, all in green. These are the heraldic insignia of a prelate of the rank of bishop by instruction of the Holy See of March 31, 1969.

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Bishop-elect Francis I. Malone

This blessing for northern Louisiana is a loss for the Diocese of Little Rock. We give thanks for your 42 years of ministry in Arkansas.

Goodbye, loyal friend and collaborator; go with our prayers for many years of faithful service in the Diocese of Shreveport.

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor and the Catholics of Arkansas

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A Photo Journey Through the Years

All Photos Courtesy of Arkansas Catholic.

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Welcome Bishop Malone

His Excellency The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, D.D., M.A. Bishop of Lake Charles, with the clergy, religious and laity of the Diocese of Lake Charles, congratulate Bishop-Elect Francis I. Malone on his upcoming ordination and installation as Bishop of Shreveport

May God be with you in your new ministry.

Little Flower of Jesus Church Monroe, Louisiana

Mary,,,, Queen of Peace and St. George Congratulates

The Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows welcome Bishop Francis Malone to the Diocese of Shreveport.

Bishop Francis Malone on his appointment as

Bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport

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St. George

Mary, Queen of Peace

Who is This New

W

e love to “size people up.” Who is this bishop-elect? Where did he come from? What is he made of ? And, so it goes across our diocese concerning our new bishop. With more questions than answers, we look for clues.

in the beginning

As a young associate pastor, he had already made many friends in the parish. One family in particular quickly developed a warm and loving relationship with him. In the middle of the night in the spring of 1980, a call came to the pastor at St. Michael Church in West Memphis, AR. The teenage daughter of this family was killed in a traffic accident. With deep sadness, he quickly woke up 28-yearold Father Malone with the tragic news,

bishop?

By Mike Van Vranken explaining they were going to meet his dear friends at the accident site on the nearby interstate highway. Seemingly shocked and paralyzed, Father Malone did not move. The elder pastor gently touched his shoulder, lovingly looked at him and said, “Come on, let’s go; this is what we do.”

Over the next days and months, Father Malone let go and left behind his inexperience as he ministered to his dear friends and grieved with them the loss of their daughter. During this agony, he experienced more in a few weeks than he had learned in his years of seminary. He experienced how to be with the suffering, even when suffering within himself. His constant giving of himself to the parents and their remaining six children allowed God’s grace to slowly and surely begin healing and growth to his beloved friends. And while living with the loss of their energetic and charming

daughter, God’s graces flowing through Father Malone to each of them and helped them move forward with life.

The positive emotional, spiritual and physical effects on the family manifested in many ways, and especially in the eventual ordination to the priesthood of two of this young girl’s brothers. And he never forgot the words of his patient pastor, “Come on, let’s go. This is what we do.” And he’s been doing it ever since that fateful night ministering to untold numbers who have been blessed by his priesthood.

he called them “He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him” Mt. 4:22. Like those first followers of Jesus, Bishop-elect Malone left everything to live the Gospel among God’s people. In your prayer time this month, re-read Mt. 4:22, and pay attention to movements inside you.

Ask God to help you know what He is calling you to leave or let go of to allow you to minister to those in need. Pray for the grace to realize that leaving

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upbringing, he grew in an encounter with Christ which enabled him to see and share life with God in all peoples of all nations. Bishop-elect Malone has experienced a multi-cultural awakening as he allowed God to broaden his understanding and love of all of God’s creatures. His desire and ability to shepherd the Latino community of the Diocese of Shreveport is a great blessing and grace to all of us.

his homilies A friend of ours in Arkansas recently said: “What I’m going to miss is his preaching.” Referring to her pastor now becoming our bishop, she shared how God has touched her over the years through his homilies.

what is holding us back and being with those who are suffering is our calling, too. It’s what we do!

cultural awakening In the midst of pastoring what was both the largest Catholic parish and grade school in the state, Father Malone was asked by his bishop to leave his post for six weeks and live in Cuernavaca, Mexico to learn conversational Spanish.

Energetically and lovingly, he trusted

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the parish and school to God while he holistically engaged in this new assignment. While in Mexico, Father Malone experienced God’s call on his life to walk with Latinos back in his home diocese. Encountering Christ in this community and in the Central American culture, Father Malone came home transformed. His desire to, not just be able to understand Spanish, but to walk with and minister to the Hispanic community in Arkansas became part of who he is. He was no longer enslaved and limited to his own personal cultural

“I formed you and set you . . . to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon those who live in darkness” Is 42:6,7. What we will continue to hear in Bishop-elect Malone’s preaching is the Gospel of Jesus. We will be reminded of the importance of Eucharistic adoration and celebration, and the equal importance of loving our neighbor as ourselves. We will hear with our ears the call to be Christlike. He will remind us to “take up the cup of salvation” from Psalm 116, which he has chosen as his Episcopal motto. It is a psalm of discipleship (take up the cup), and, at the same time, one of thanksgiving (eucharist). It has been his constant message as a priest of God, and it will continue to be his “good news” as our Shepherd.

peace the world cannot give My wife and I watched Father Malone anoint our teenaged daughter, as she lay comatose on a stainless-steel table with multiple injuries from an auto accident.

In this case, because the doctors felt death was very probable, the graces prayed for included the preparation for

her expected passing over to eternal life (1532 CCC). But, as we stood physically numb to the tragedy, I was calm, the moment was holy, the peace I was experiencing was the peace the world cannot give.

As I watched his loving and holy gestures, as I listened to his heartfelt and compassionate prayers, as I saw the gentle touching with blessed oil and water, I knew beyond words, this holy priest was incarnation – Christ in the flesh. There was something about his movements, his voice, his total focus on our 15-year old little girl lying before him; this was indeed Christ administering the sacrament and so our encounter was literally with Jesus.

“They opened their treasures and offered him gifts . . .” Mt 2:11. Father Malone opened God’s treasures that day and shared his gifts; the gift of God’s real presence.

let us pray “I stand before you this morning, as you will soon discover, a very imperfect man, with shortcomings and weaknesses . . .” from Bishopelect Malone’s opening remarks to our diocese. In addition to the few stories I have shared, I’m still reminded that all ordained ministers are flawed and sinful humans like all the rest of us, including our new bishop.

As we begin our journey with this third shepherd of our diocese, I ask you to join me in prayer this month, praying for God’s grace on each of us to jointly support, encourage and prayerfully follow our new bishop. “I urge you, brothers and sisters, that there be no

divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose” 1 Cor 1:10.

Page 39 | Left: Msgr. Malone says Mass for the Van Vranken Family.

Right: Bishop-elect Malone and Mike Van Vranken following his announcement press conference Page 40 | Msgr. Francis I. Malone and Jan Brass, a retired diocesan employee, look at the headstone of Msgr. Bernard Malone, Msgr. Malone's uncle, who died in 2017. photo courtesy Arkansas Catholic

Maple Mount, Kentucky

Bishop Francis I. Malone, DD 105 Upperline Lafayette, LA 70501

Sisters of the Eucharistic Covenant Warmly Welcome

Bishop Francis Malone to the Diocese of Shreveport Sr. Ann Middlebrooks, SEC

God bless you in your new work with the People of the Diocese of Shreveport Ursuline Sisters of Mount St. Joseph Sr. Carol Shively, OSU January 2020

41

We, the Church of Baton Rouge, express our heartfelt congratulations to

Bishop-Elect Francis I. Malone and the Diocese of Shreveport on your Episcopal Ordination.

We pray that God will bless and guide you in this venerable office.

Bishop Michael G. Duca Diocese of Baton Rouge 42

The Catholic Connection

The Most Reverend David J. Malloy, and the clergy, religious and laity of the Diocese of Rockford offer our prayers and heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of the ordination and installation of BishopElect Francis I. Malone as the third Bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport.

Cathedral of St. Peter 1243 Church Street Rockford, IL 61103 www.rockforddiocese.org

The 136,894 Catholics in the

Bishop Francis I. Malone

Roman Catholic Diocese of Lubbock, Texas, their priests, deacons, women religious, and

Most Rev. RobeRt CoeRveR Bishop of Lubbock pray God’s richest blessings upon

bishop FRanCis Malone and the

Diocese of Shreveport on his ordination and installation as Third Bishop of Shreveport.

May God continue toJanuary bless you!

2020

43

Catholic Connections

a heart for helping

T

By Erin Smith

he announcement of the bishop-elect was an answered prayer for so many across our diocese. “But truly God has listened; he has given heed to the words of my prayer.” Psalm 66:19.

According to Patrick Gallaher, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Arkansas, Msgr. Malone leads by example.

Malone’s spiritual and corporal works of mercy have focused on One Church within the diocese. One Church: Unite Arkansas in Faith and Mission is the initiative of Catholic Charities of Arkansas to help churches connect with and grow rural parishes throughout the diocese. Malone led the charge for his parish by raising money, gathering supplies and traveling multiple times to Warren, AR, to build a new church for parishioners at the remote location.

Mission work was also an integral part of Malone’s focus while at Christ the King. Betty Jo King, mission director for Christ the King Catholic Church in Little Rock – Malone’s previous pastoral assignment – describes Malone as having the “most incredible compassion.” For nearly 22 years, the church sent missionaries to El Trujillo to build clinics and schools and to minister to the impoverished nation.

“He is a wonderful teacher and administrator,” said King.

Photography by Betty Jo King, of Christ the King Catholic Church, Little Rock Top: Bishop-elect Malone in Honduras Bottom: Bishop-elect Malone at new church in Warren Right: Bishop-elect Malone and Father Eddie

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The Catholic Connection

Bishop-elect Francis Malone’s

Favorite Things Favorite book?

The Wounded Healer by Father Henri Nouwen “His writings have almost always had an impact on where I was in my life, either preparing to become a priest, or in the priesthood. The first book I remember reading by him, I was in the seminary, was called The Wounded Healer. It’s about a priest who is called to heal people, but he himself is wounded. It gave me great insight before I was ordained that you don’t go into the priesthood as a perfect individual and you take your own wounds and your own scars and you take those into the ministry.”

Favorite food?

His mother’s pound cake “My mother liked to make pound cake and it came out in the form of a loaf.

She’d make one for the children and one for my father, and no one could make a pound cake like my mother. In a couple of parishes I’ve mentioned my mom’s pound cake and that no one has ever duplicated what she did, and then I got eight or nine pound cakes the next week! So I hesitate to say that.”

Crawfish?

Yes

Favorite movie?

“I’m a snob when it comes to crawfish because I love the taste of crawfish, but I don’t like to peel crawfish.”

The Gathering “This is a cheesy Hallmark movie.

It’s a Christmas movie, I watched it again last night, probably the fifteenth time. If you’ve never watched it, that’s what you should watch tonight. It’s a wonderful movie. It has a lot in it about reconciliation.” Other favorites include: The Quiet Man, It’s a Wonderful Life, Shawshank Redemption, The Bucket List.

One of his favorite things?

Dogs - especially German Shepherds “I have a love for dogs. Over the years I’ve had German Shepherds.

The last one was a rescue, and he died suddenly about three years ago. I decided I was going to hold off because that was too hard and it was not expected. I have a friend who’s in the rescue business she works with these pounds and places that get dogs. … I had her looking for a German Shepherd for me. She found one about two months ago. And he needs to gain some weight. Once he gains about 20 pounds, he’ll come live with me. But he already loves me and he’s partial to being gentle. I love dogs and I love animals.”

Favorite hobby?

Cooking

“My mother told us as children that her mother was an exceptional cook and would make the children help her in the kitchen, and that’s how they learned to cook. And that’s what my mother did with us. She was an excellent cook, but she was a better baker. So we grew up in a household that really appreciated food. And of course there are nine children, the oldest is 16, the youngest is three weeks old and she dies.

She had given us all the domestic tools that we needed to carry on.”

Favorite place to vacation?

Lake Ouachita

“I have a lake house on Lake Ouachita. My uncle, when he was living, we built this house with the idea that on Sundays after Mass, we’d go over there, watch the football game, I’d cook a big dinner and spend the night and if the weather was good, go out on the lake the next day then go back to the parish. I generally spend my free time over at the lake.”

January 2020

45

ARCHBISHOP THOMAS J. RODI AND THE

PEOPLE OF THE

ARCHDIOCESE OF MOBILE OFFER PRAYERS AND BEST WISHES TO

BISHOP FRANCIS I. MALONE AS HE BEGINS HIS SERVICE AS

3RD BISHOP OF THE

DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT WE PRAY GOD WILL SHOWER

ABUNDANT BLESSINGS UPON HIM.

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The Catholic Connection

Our Papa, the

W

bishop-elect

e tend to remember where we were and what we were doing when we receive news that we know will alter the course of history – or at the very least mean major changes for our own lives.

Such an event occurred for the Catholic community of Christ the King in Little Rock on Tuesday, Nov. 19, when it was announced that our beloved papa, Msgr.

Malone, was appointed to be the next Bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport.

To say that Bishop-elect Malone has had a profound impact on our lives would be an enormous understatement. My husband and I were blessed to receive marriage preparation from Msgr.

Malone. We believe the strength of our marriage is due, in large part, to the guidance we received from him. Bishop-

elect Malone also presided over our wedding, as well as the baptisms, first reconciliations and first communions of our children. He brings an inexplicable peacefulness to the celebration of the sacraments: from calming the bride and groom-to-be’s jitters, to soothing fussy babies.

Bishop-elect Malone is the kind of person you go all in for. He inspires us to be better, to give more and to reach further with his gentle words of encouragement. Like any good papa, he can be firm when he needs to be, but he also has a phenomenal way of building people up and filling the cups of so many. He can speak right to your heart, which he does so often through his homilies. He showers his people with love when they need it most.

He leads with an endless amount of sacrificial love and generosity, doing God’s will first and putting the needs of

By Erin Boelkens

his parish family before his own.

Every Thanksgiving I can remember at Christ the King, at the 9:00 a.m. Mass, Msgr. Malone has led the congregation in singing: “Love that is freely given wants to freely be received, all the love you’ve poured on us can hardly be believed, and all we have to offer you is thanks.”

Those words are fitting as Bishop-elect Malone starts this new chapter of his life.

While we are so proud of him and believe that the Magisterium could not have appointed a more perfect leader for the Diocese of Shreveport, our hearts ache knowing he will no longer be the papa of the parish he has worked so hard to build and made immeasurable contributions to. We take comfort in knowing that the Diocese of Shreveport will love, support and treasure him as the truly priceless person he is.

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor and Msgr. Francis Malone, pastor of Christ the King Church in Little Rock, lead dignitaries in groundbreaking ceremonies June 29. The first shovelfuls officially signaled the start of capital improvements at the city's largest Catholic parish, made possible by the church's successful capital campaign. photos courtesy of arkansas catholic.

January 2020

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POPE NAMES

ARKANSAS ‘TREASURE’ TO

BE SHREVEPORT

BISHOP msgr. malone, pastor at christ the king church, introduced at press conference

M

By Aprille Hanson Arkansas Catholic

sgr. Francis I. Malone, who has served as pastor of Christ the King Church in Little Rock for 18 years, was appointed by Pope Francis on Nov. 19 to become the third bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport. He will be ordained and installed as bishop at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 28 at the Convention Center in downtown Shreveport.

In addition to being a pastor, Bishop-elect Malone is also the chancellor for ecclesial affairs and adjutant judicial vicar of the tribunal for the Diocese of Little Rock. He is succeeding Bishop Michael G. Duca, who was installed to the Diocese of Baton Rouge in 2018.

At a Nov. 19 press conference at the offices of the Diocese of Shreveport, Msgr. Malone said his history with Bishop Duca goes back 50 years, as they were students together.

Bishop Duca served as a deacon during his priestly ordination.

Bishop-elect Malone answered questions about his experience promoting vocations, Hispanic ministry, Catholic schools and to explain how big of a deal it is to be named bishop and, directly, “How big a deal are you?”

“I’m a big shot,” he smiled, joking with reporters and

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The Catholic Connection

diocesan staff before explaining what it truly means to be a bishop.

“It’s a tremendously humbling experience to be asked to be a bishop. No one should aspire to this office. It is a very, very difficult responsibility. I’ve been so blessed to work with three bishops,” Msgr. Malone said, pointing to his work with the late Bishop Andrew J. McDonald, retired Archbishop J. Peter Sartain and Bishop Anthony B. Taylor.

“What I learned is how quickly they became, assumed the role of being a spiritual father for the community entrusted to their care. So that’s been uppermost in my mind.”

We will do this without impatient haste or careless abandon, but steady and prayerful, keeping our eyes and our hearts fixed on Jesus.

A native of Philadelphia, one of nine children, he was ordained a priest by Bishop McDonald May 21, 1977. He has pastored and taught at a variety of schools, including Immaculate Conception School in North Little Rock and Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock and served as vice rector at Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving, TX, mentoring seminarians. He served as rector of the Cathedral of St. Andrew for seven years, helping to develop and cultivate the RCIA program and adult faith formation.

Then-Msgr. Malone became pastor of Christ the King Church in Little Rock in 2001, following in the footsteps of Msgr. J. Gaston Hebert, who had been there 20 years.

the bad news?’ What’s the bad news? He’d tell us and we’d say, ‘What’s the good news?’ ‘Jesus loves you.’ It was always the good news,” Tribby said.

“My first goal is how can I best be a spiritual father to you?

And how can we work together to bring about the kingdom in the lives of people who need it the most?” Bishop-elect Malone said.

At the press conference, diocesan administrator Father Peter Mangum said he has “bottled up this joy for an entire week” ahead of the official announcement. “I know Thanksgiving Day is next week, but it feels like Thanksgiving Day has come early in Shreveport,” he said.

Patty Barnett, pastoral secretary and administrative assistant to Bishop-elect Malone, has worked with him for almost 17 years.

“I was surprised, kind of shocked really and happy at the same time for him,” she told Arkansas Catholic. “Sad because we’re going to miss him here; he’s a wonderful leader, but happy he’s entrusted with the care of another diocese. They obviously find he’s skilled enough to do this and that makes me proud of him.”

The support and trust she received from him as a boss is a unique quality that she will miss. Teri Tribby, parish life and outreach director at Christ the King, said the Shreveport diocese couldn’t have asked for a “better all-around mentor” and the growth that the church and school have experienced are related to his work, including being a tithing parish.

“He would always tell us, ‘Do you want the good news or

Bishop Taylor traveled to Louisiana to introduce Bishopelect Malone, saying he has been “one of my closest advisers,” since he became bishop of the Diocese of Little Rock in 2008.

“It’s a great joy that I come here to introduce you to Msgr. Malone but also sadness at our loss, but we’re all one Church ... All the details of his life point to coming to Shreveport eventually to be your bishop,” he said, pointing to Bishop-elect Malone’s experience pastoring rural and mission parishes as well as a large parish like Christ the King. He spoke of his constant dedication to Catholic schools, ministering to senior priests, faithfulness to Church teaching and his “excellent” abilities to preach the word of God through his homilies.

“You’re just getting a real great treasure. He is going to be very hard for me to replace in Little Rock, which is a good

CONGRATULATIONS

BISHOP-ELECT FRANCIS MALONE CONGRATULATIONS & WELCOME

F r o m t h e C a t h o l i c F a i t hful of

BISHOP MALONE

St. Joseph Church

FROM CHRIST THE KING PARISH • BOSSIER CITY •

M a n s f i e l d , L o u i s i ana

January 2020

49

sign for you because you’re getting a bishop with a full range of experience in the life of the Church and the life of the diocese,” Bishop Taylor said.

My first goal is how can I best be a spiritual father to you?

And how can we work together to bring about the kingdom in the lives of people who need it the most?

Bishop-elect Malone began the press conference asking for prayers — not for this new role, but for his family as they grieve the loss of his oldest sister Maureen G. Malone, who died Nov. 15. His devotion to his family and family in faith was made clear throughout the press conference. He wore a pectoral cross, found in the belongings of his late uncle Msgr.

Bernard Malone, that had been worn by his great-aunt Sister Margaret Mary, of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Initials on the cross stand for “one heart, one soul and a heart of Jesus.”

“It also carries with it the history, my family history of people who were dedicated to the Lord and dedicated to the Church,” Bishop-elect Malone said.

While his experience points to his ability to become a bishop, he admitted to his “shortcomings and weaknesses that have

always brought me closer to the embrace of the Lord’s grace and mercy.”

He encouraged the faithful that after his ordination as bishop in January “we hit the ground running,” but never losing sight of the Lord’s guidance.

“We will do this without impatient haste or careless abandon, but steady and prayerful, keeping our eyes and our hearts fixed on Jesus,” Bishop-elect Malone said, who turned 69 Sept. 1.

He explained the direct correlation of perpetual adoration, which he started at Christ the King, to fostering religious vocations. Within six months of starting perpetual adoration, now-Father Andrew Hart joined the seminary and at one point, there were 11 seminarians from Christ the King, Bishop-elect Malone said.

“They’re my sons,” he said, emphasizing that he was blessed to have his uncle Msgr. Malone, who died July 19, 2017, to be a powerful witness of what a loving priesthood should be.

Sister Carol Shively, OSU, superintendent of Catholic schools in the Shreveport diocese, pointed to the six schools the diocese oversees. Bishop-elect Malone emphasized his dedication and love for schools, saying that pastors should be involved in all aspects of school life, Mass should be celebrated for the children and to always be in contact with the principal, administration and teachers. In 2015, he

Wel Bis Mal

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Welcome Bishop Malone!

received the National Catholic Educational Association Distinguished Pastor Award.

Christ the King School principal Kathy House, who has known Msgr. Malone for 39 years and worked with him the past 18 years, said he called her at 5 a.m. to let her know he was named bishop and would be moving. She and assistant principal Paige Coppola “made a pact” to not cry, she said, as she’s encountered many parents in tears dropping off their children on Tuesday.

“I think he’ll be amazing,” calling him a “double blessing” for their diocese and school system.

Deacon Matthew Glover, who serves at Christ the King Church and as the diocesan chancellor for canonical affairs, said in an e-mail to Arkansas Catholic that Msgr. Malone is “more than just a pastor to me.”

“He has been a mentor, a spiritual father, a good friend,” he wrote. “His priesthood has brought me closer to Jesus Christ and His Church, and his leadership and listening ear have been indispensable for me in my work for the diocese.

“On a personal level, he is the only pastor that my kids have ever known. When we told them this morning, they cried — and I know they aren’t the only ones. But our sadness is an indication of the depth of our love for him, and of his love for all those whom he shepherds. Our loss is most certainly the Diocese of Shreveport’s great gain.”

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CONGRATULATIONS

ect l E p o Bish ne o l a M Francis FROM THE CATHOLIC FAITHFUL OF ST. JOSEPH CHURCH BASTROP, LOUISIANA

January 2020

51

bishop-elect francis i. malone Born: Sept. 1, 1950, Philadelphia Education: Northeast Catholic High School, Philadelphia; McGehee High School, McGehee, AR, (transferred his senior year to live with his uncle, the late Msgr. Bernard Malone, in McGehee); Savior of the World Seminary, Bonner Springs, KS., 1968; University of Dallas, bachelor’s degree in history, 1973; University of Dallas, master’s degrees in divinity and education, 1977; The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., licentiate in canon law, 1989.

Family: Son of the late Joseph V. and Pauline Malone; four brothers and four sisters. His sister Maureen died Nov. 15. His uncle, the late Msgr. Bernard Malone, was a longtime priest in the Diocese of Little Rock.

Ordained a Priest: May 21, 1977, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Philadelphia, by Bishop Andrew J. McDonald for the Diocese of Little Rock

PARISH ASSIGNMENTS

1977

Associate pastor, St. Michael Church, West Memphis

1980

Associate pastor, Our Lady of the Holy Souls, Little Rock; pastor, Holy Cross, Sheridan; Mount St. Mary Academy faculty

1981

Associate pastor, St. Patrick Church, North Little Rock; MSM faculty

1983

Chaplain, Rogers Memorial Hospital, Rogers; associate pastor, St. Vincent de Paul Church, Rogers; priest in charge, St. John Church, Huntsville

1984

Associate pastor, Immaculate Conception Church, North Little Rock

1985

Pastor, St. Mary of the Mount, Horseshoe Bend; pastor, St. Michael Church, Cherokee Village

1986

Vice rector, Holy Trinity Seminary, Irving, TX

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The Catholic Connection

1989 Rector, Cathedral of St. Andrew, Little Rock Pastor, Immaculate Conception Church, North Little Rock, St. Anne Church, North Little Rock and 1996

Holy Trinity Church, England

2001

Pastor, Christ the King Church, Little Rock

PASTORAL APPOINTMENTS

1990

Chancellor and judicial vicar for Diocese of Little Rock

1995

Managing editor, Arkansas Catholic, and diocesan director of communications

1996 Chancellor for canonical affairs 1998 Designated a monsignor 2002 Vicar general 2008 Chancellor for ecclesial affairs 2010

Elevated to Protonotary Apostolic Supernumerary by Pope Benedict XVI

2013 Adjutant judicial vicar 2015 Distinguished Pastor Award from the National Catholic Education Association January 2020

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Curriculum Vitae:

michael gerard duca

M

ichael Gerard Duca, a native of Dallas, TX, was ordained a priest on April 29, 1978, for the Diocese of Dallas. On December 20, 2004, he was conferred the Title of Reverend Monsignor. He was called to the order of bishop on April 1, 2008, for service in North Louisiana. On May 19, 2008, he was ordained and installed as the second Bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport. On June 26, 2018, he was appointed as Bishop-designate for the Diocese of Baton Rouge; his installation was held on Aug. 24, 2018.

Bishop Duca attended Holy Trinity Seminary in Dallas from 1970 to 1978 and also studied in Rome from 1994 to 1996 at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas-Angelicum University where he received his License in Canon Law. During his active ministry as priest and prior to his appointment as diocesan bishop, Bishop Duca served in many different parishes in the Dallas area, including: All Saints Catholic Church, St. Patrick Catholic Church and St. Luke Catholic Church. He also previously served on a diocesan level in the Diocese of Dallas as Vocations Director, member of the Personnel Board, Campus Minister at Southern Methodist University, member of the Presbyteral Council, member of Board of Consultors and Director of Ongoing Formation of Priests. From 1996 to 2008, he served as Rector at Holy Trinity Seminary in Dallas.

!

Bishop Duca presently serves as a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Louisiana Interchurch Conference.

He also currently serves as a trustee to Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans and St. Joseph Seminary, Covington, LA, as well as a Trustee on the University of Dallas Board of Trustees. In addition, he is also a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, the Knights of Columbus-Fourth Degree, and the Knights of Peter Claver Third and Fourth Degree. He previously served as President of the Louisiana Interchurch Conference; a member of St. Francis Medical Center Board of Directors, Monroe, LA; and as a member of the Southeast Pastoral Institute (SEPI) Board of Directors, Miami, FL. In 2008, Bishop Duca received the Bishop Lynch High School Alumnus of the Year Award; in 2013 he received the University of Dallas’ Distinguished Alumni Award and in 2018 he received the Bishop Lynch High School Legacy Award.

January 2020

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Bishop W. Shawn McKnight along with Bishop Emeritus John R. Gaydos and all the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Jefferson City offer congratulations and blessings to

The Most Reverend

Francis I. Malone

on his installation and ordination as the third Bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands of the presbyterate. —1 Timothy 4:14

Bishop Francis Malone Congratulations t l ti and d prayerful f lb bestt wishes i h on your iinstallation. t ll May the Diocese of Shreveport grow in faith and love with your spiritual guidance.

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Curriculum Vitae:

william benedict friend

W

illiam Benedict Friend, a native of Miami, Florida, was ordained a priest in 1959 for the Diocese of Mobile-Birmingham. He was called to the order of bishop in 1979 for service in north Louisiana. On Dec. 20, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI accepted Bishop Friend’s letter of retirement and granted him the title of Bishop Emeritus of Shreveport.

During his active ministry as priest and diocesan bishop, Bishop Friend served in many different roles in parish work, education, scientific research and administration. He was a trustee of four institutions of higher education, four different Catholic health care systems, two major research institutions, and a variety of non-governmental organizations. He served as a member of the Pontifical Council for Culture and the Pontifical Council for Dialogue with Non-Believers. He made presentations to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the South African Bishops Conference and a variety of other entities.

Bishop Friend served as a professional member of the World Future Society, a member of the New York Academy of Sciences, and was an academician emeritus in the Catholic Academy of Sciences, U.S.A. In retirement, he assisted in a parish church near his residence in Coral Springs, Florida.

Author of some 50 publications in professional journals, books and periodicals. Bishop Friend’s most recent publications are: “Toward a New Dialogue Between the World of Science and the Church” in CULTURE, INCROYANCE ET FOI, Edited by Bernard Ardura, O.Praem., and Jean-Dominique Durand, and published by Edizione Studium, Rome, Italy, 2004, and “Cultural Challenges from Information Technology in the New Evangelization: Status and Perspectives” in LA PASTORAL DE LA CULTURA EN AMERICA, UNA NUEVA MIRADA AL ALBA DEL TERCER MILENIO, published in 2006 by CELAM and the Pontifical Council for Culture.

Bishop Friend served as a senior member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, having served on many different committees and for a term as Secretary.

Following his retirement, Bishop Friend resided in Coral Springs – Broward County – Florida, where he enjoyed the outdoors, family and the opportunity for more prayer and reflection.

Bishop Friend died on April 2, 2015, in Coral Springs. He is buried in the Prayer Garden at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport, Louisiana.

January 2020

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Come in Soul and

welcome

By Kim Long

“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.”

- 1 Peter 4:9

the Rosary in the Irish language as well as a few key phrases, among them Cead Mile Failte. Bing Crosby’s voice lilted in my head “one hundred thousand welcomes, no less” – the phrase’s literal translation. I began to consider what it is to welcome someone.

rowing up in a small town we seldom experienced the action of “welcoming the stranger,” for everyone was known to us through blood, marriage or service. In retrospect, I had a very narrow concept of who the stranger could be. Over time that would change.

As is often the case, I came at it from the other way round: a list of don’ts.

G

As a young and earnest Baptist, I cut my theological teeth on both testaments where hospitality was considered a very serious and holy act. It remains one of the three things I don’t take lightly. It’s sacred. As a woman of Irish descent, I knew of the ancient Brehon laws which governed every aspect of hospitality, and I grew up believing they contained wisdom. I did not trifle with them. If everyone is made in God’s image and likeness (and we are), then we always have the opportunity to acknowledge and welcome God into our midst, in our homes, kitchens, our dining room tables, ordinary Mondays, and into the inner room of our hearts.

We also knew “who we belonged to,” and not just by blood, but by culture and custom. My mother was extremely proud, vocal and rebellious about our Irish “culture of origin.” Like most children, I rebelled against her enthusiasm wanting only to be “American.” Ireland was far away, our people had been here for a long time, and I longed for normalcy, a way to “fit in.” Knowing the words to every Irish republican song did not do much to move me along the road of small-town high school survival.

Years later, when I moved to Shreveport, I was welcomed by a small but lively knot of people who quickly became friends. Our common denominator? Irish songs. Now I could preen – I knew all the lyrics. Thanks mom (and the Clancy Brothers).

Time passes.

A few years ago, a group in my church began to explore and celebrate our shared Irish roots. Several of us learned

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Don’t begrudge hospitality, don’t frown, don’t be too busy or in too much of a hurry, don’t be dismissive, don’t condescend, don’t forget to stop and embrace the moment God is offering to each of us as a blessing. Consider who the stranger is in addition to those whom we have never laid eyes on. Is it you, me, a dear friend, a co-worker, an employee, a loved one, a child, a spouse or even God? Sadly no one is immune from this type of occasional estrangement, and even those whom we know well can feel like a stranger if we don’t stay connected.

Times passes.

We have been without a bishop for some months now.

Imagine my delight when the announcement was made and I realized that he and I share an Irish connection. I look forward with great anticipation to welcoming him, learning from him, laughing with him, asking him “what’s the craic” (another Irish word meaning what is happening/going on) and praying together as a people united in our faith. So let us welcome Bishop Malone with all we have, a hundred thousand welcomes, no less.

Recipe for Hospitality

skillet heaven

As a child, spending time with my grandmother was second nature. Going home with her after church was a special treat. We shared this meal and while it is humble in origin, her hospitality was always extravagant. It remains a favorite. Though this dish is like most of us, known by several names, the one named here is a sentimental favorite.

Ingredients

Directions

Ham slices (leftovers, almost certainly)

Melt the butter in a large skillet (that has a lid – you’ll need that later). Plunge the cabbage wedges into boiling water and boil for no more than five minutes. Drain and set on a plate. Add other ingredients to the skillet, placing the cabbage on top. Add some water, salt and black pepper. Place the lid on and turn on the lowest flame possible. When the potatoes are done, turn off the fire and let sit a couple of minutes while setting the table.

Dish up a slice of heaven and enjoy!

Cabbage cored and cut into wedges 1 large onion sliced 3 to 4 Irish potatoes peeled and cubed 2 tbsp. butter Salt and pepper to taste

Bishop Joseph Kopacz and the Diocese of Jackson extend

congratulations & best wishes to

Bishop-ElEct

Francis i. MalonE as you BEgin your Ministry in

catholic DiocEsE oF shrEvEport January 2020

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Congrats!

BISHOP-ELECT MALONE .

M

ar

i

n

St

es

Welcome to North Louisiana!

y o f t he

P

SERVING NORTHWEST LA FOR OVER 17 YEARS

Auto—Residential—Commercial

Shreveport | Bossier City | Mansfield

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The Catholic Connection

www.glassservices.org

diocese of shreveport bishop francis i. malone

Diocese of Shreveport was established on June 16, 1986 by

pope st. john paul //

will be the third Bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport

covers 16 civil parishes

1 0 square miles

Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Lincoln, Morehouse, West Carroll, East Carroll, Richland, Ouachita, Lincoln, Jackson, Bienville, Red River, De Soto, Sabine

spanning

11,134

elementary schools, diocesan and parochial missions

41,615

catholic population

28 18 34 diocesan priests diocesan priests permanent 10

active in diocese

priests retired,

deacons

bishop william b. friend

Installed as first Bishop of Shreveport on July 30, 1986, to December 31, 2006

2018 bishop michael g. duca

Former Bishop of Shreveport from May 19, 2008 to August 27, 2018

23 2 religious sisters religious

3

religious priests active in diocese

brothers

high schools, diocesan and parochial

15

8 diocesan

seminarians

2006

extern priests in diocese parishes health care and medical centers January 2020

61

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The Catholic Connection

upcoming events Monday, January 27 Vespers

Cathedral of St. John Berchmans 939 Jordan Street Shreveport, LA 71101 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, January 28 Episcopal Ordination of Bishop-elect Francis I. Malone Shreveport Convention Center 400 Caddo Street Shreveport, LA 71101 2:00 p.m.

FREE and open to the public Parking garage open with free parking Reception at the Convention Center following the ordination

Thursday, January 30 First Eastern Deanery Mass Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish 2510 Emerson Street Monroe, LA 71201 5:30 p.m.

Reception to follow in Moore Hall

Saturday, February 1 First Southern Deanery Mass St. Joseph Parish 307 Hammond Street, Zwolle LA 4:00 p.m.

Reception to follow

Sunday, February 2 First Western Deanery Mass Cathedral of St. John Berchmans 939 Jordan Street Shreveport, LA 71101 11:00 a.m.

Reception to follow

Top: Convention Center; Middle Left: Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; Middle right: St. Joseph Parish, Zwolle; Bottom: Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Monroe

January 2020

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Connection The Catholic

SH 18144-Welcome Bishop Ad (Catholic Connection).qxp_7.65 x 10 12/16/19 10:29 AM Page 1

DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave.

•

Shreveport, LA 71104

Welcome May you receive abundant blessings from God as we, together, extend the healing ministy of Jesus Christ.

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The Catholic Connection

Fairfield