May 2021

The Catholic

Connection

Faith & Tradition

Vol. 30 No. 10 May 2021

MAY 2021 1

Connection The Catholic PUBLISHER

Bishop Francis I. Malone

EDITOR

Kierstin Richter

CONTRIBUTORS

Mike Van Vranken Kim Long Mary Arcement Alexander Patti Underwood Nadalie Thomas Rosalba Quiroz Erin Smith Polly Maciulski Catherine Fraser

EDITORIAL BOARD

Deacon Mike Whitehead John Mark Willcox Kim Long Kate Rhea Rosalba Quiroz Fr. Matthew Long Dr. Carynn Wiggins

SUBSCRIPTIONS & ADDRESS CHANGES Contact: Blanca Vice Email: bvice@dioshpt.org Write: The Catholic Connection 3500 Fairfield Ave. Shreveport, LA 71104 Call: 318-868-4441 Fax: 318-868-4609 www.thecatholiconnection.org SUBMISSIONS Contact: Kierstin Richter Email: krichter@dioshpt.org The Catholic Connection is a member of the Catholic Press Association.

The Diocese of Shreveport complies with Virtus’ 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 your local law enforcement agency and Mary Katherine Arcement, Diocesan Victim Assistance Minister, at 318-584-2411.

On the Cover: Cathedral of Saint John Berchmans

contents Features 10

The Roots of the Eucharist

18 Daughters of the Cross: Mission to Louisiana 22

Overanalysis & Faith Paralysis

26 The Greatest Gift: Eucharistic Adoration 27 Mother-in-Love 28

Praise Academy at Lakeside

Columns 5

From the Bishop

6 Pope: Praying in Communion with the Saints 9

Mary’s Mission: Faith & Tradition

15

Spiritual Direction: Where Do You See God in our World?

17

Catholic Charities: The Dynamic Board Duo of Mike & Mike

18

Mike’s Meditations: St. Michael the Archangel & My Tradition of Devotion

20 Faithful Food: Grandmother’s Birthday Cake

News 12

Saint Joseph Cemetery is in Need of Volunteers

30

Hispanic News

32

School News

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2 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

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never lose the pursuit

BY KIERSTIN RICHTER, EDITOR

Sometimes, we treat our faith like a stale marriage. Typically, after the wedding, you don’t just shrug and say, “Okay cool! So we’re together forever now... Awesome.” and then spend the rest of your life eating ramen noodles on a futon without speaking to each other. That would be kind of unhealthy and awkward right?

Marriage is a perpetual commitment to finding new ways to love each other. Maybe you have children. Maybe you decide to foster kids. Maybe you get a parrot or start a tree farm or something, I don’t know.

We become different people throughout our lives as we mature and grow. And as a couple, you learn to love these new versions of your spouse. You love them as a newlywed. You love them as they become a parent. You love them as they develop a mid-life obsession with fast cars and wanting to start a bee farm.

But my point is that it’s not over after the honeymoon. And I think that’s where we sometimes go wrong with our faith.

We go through all the sacraments, and say “Yay! We’re saved!” and then quit. We quit trying. We quit finding new ways to love God after the party’s over. And when we hang onto an immature view of Christianity, we project that on other people in an egotistical way.

“Well, we’re the saved ones.” And you negate the point of being a Catholic. It’s not a club you’re initiated into as a kid and never go to another meeting.

The pursuit doesn’t end after the honeymoon, and it works the same way with Christ. The pursuit doesn’t end with your eighth-grade Confirmation, lest you live the rest of your life with an eighth-grade understanding of God.

So this month, I challenge you to try something new. Haven’t been to confession lately? Try it out.

Don’t go to daily Mass? Go for it. Never prayed a novena before?

Take a shot.

The reason religious traditions exist is to ground us in our faith.

It’s easy to say “Yeah, I’m Catholic” and let that be it. But it’s a daily renewal and commitment to let that permeate every aspect of your life, every day. It’s a grounding renewal of our relationship with God, making the invisible, visible.

We grow in our faith when we don’t stop trying. We keep finding new ways to love and embody Christ. We read books. We pray.

We study. We listen to people we don’t agree with to tug and tear our convictions and build them up stronger than they were before. It’s not an easy ride, but we were never promised one. There’s a reason the door to Heaven is a small one.

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 faith community.

MAY 2021 3

from the bishop

Bishop Malone, Father Long, and Bishop Anthony Taylor of Little Rock before the Chrism Mass, Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at the Cathedral.

4 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Bishop Francis I. Malone

A

mong the twelve months of the year, at least in the Catholic Church, the month of May is one of the most spiritually enriching months. A list of events in the “month of Mary,” would be May Crownings, First Communions, Confirmations, Baccalaureate Masses and graduations from Catholic school, receiving invitations to approaching weddings, and for those places blessed enough – preparations for ordinations to the diaconate and priesthood.

Our diocese has all of these in various places, but I thought I would highlight

the last two, as we have an approaching ordination to the diaconate and one to the Priesthood. Nicholas Duncan will be ordained a deacon on June 3 at St. Mary of the Pines, and Deacon Raney Johnson will be ordained a priest on June 5 at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans.

I am especially looking forward to these ceremonies, as Nicholas Duncan’s ordination will only be my second ordination to the diaconate, and Deacon Raney Johnson will be my FIRST ordination as a bishop to the priesthood.

My heart is filled with joy and excitement as these two ceremonies approach as May gives way to June this year.

The permanent

Because of the size of our diocese, the number of our seminarians is low, thus our number of ordinations is also low – but that only highlights the joy as we witness two young men making a life-long decision to dedicate their lives to the Lord and His Church. It is also a sign that the Church recognizes their intentions and judges them to be worthy and ready to be ordained.

Like Baptism and Confirmation, the sacrament of Holy Orders places a permanent mark upon the one who receives it. As you know, once we are baptized, we are always baptized. In other words, we never “re-baptize,” or baptize a second time. The same is true of the sacrament of Confirmation –

“once confirmed – always confirmed.”

The permanent mark placed upon the baptized and the newly confirmed is given them by the Holy Spirit – setting them apart – consecrating them forever, and giving them gifts to help them live our faith with courage and dedication.

Imagine then what happens when a young man has ordained a deacon or a priest! Once I lay my hands upon their head and pray over them – they are changed forever – changed from the inside-out, and consecrated to do certain things reserved only for them. As a deacon, Nicholas will be able to proclaim the gospel at Mass, preach the homily, assist at the altar and distribute the Eucharist as an “ordinary” minister of the Eucharist. He will be able to baptize, officiate at weddings and funeral services.

He will promise a life of celibacy and prayer, and I am confident he will be an effective witness of the gospel.

Deacon Raney, once he is ordained a priest will be able to celebrate Mass, consecrating bread and wine into the Body, Blood, soul, and divinity of the Lord. In addition to all those ministries he exercised as a deacon, he will be able to administer the anointing of the sick, especially to the dying, and he will be able to hear confessions and absolve sinners.

So the month of May is especially important to these two men of our diocese – it is a full month of prayer for them that the Lord will prepare their hearts and their souls to assume, upon ordination, the calling He has been extending them for some time. Pray for them!!! And may the Lord continue to bless our diocese with new vocations, not only to the priesthood but to consecrated life! And may our prayers for them give us joy, knowing that we, by our prayers, helped them ascend to the Altar of the Lord!

mark placed upon the baptized and the newly confirmed is given them by the Holy Spirit – setting them apart – consecrating them forever, and giving them gifts to help them live our faith with courage and dedication.

MAY 2021 5

from pope francis

Praying

in

Communion

with

the

Saints

BY POPE FRANCIS; GENERAL AUDIENCE: LIBRARY OF THE APOSTOLIC PALACE, APRIL , 2021

Today, I would like to reflect on the connection between prayer and the communion of saints. In fact, when we pray, we never do so alone: even if we do not think about it, we are immersed in a majestic river of invocations that precedes us and proceeds after us.

Contained in the prayers we find in the Bible, that often resound in the liturgy, are the traces of ancient stories, of prodigious liberations, of deportations and sad exiles, of emotional returns, of praise ringing out before the wonders of creation...

And thus, these voices are passed on from generation to generation, in a continual intertwining between personal experience and that of the people and the humanity to which we belong. No one can separate themselves from their own history, the history of their own people. We 6 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

always carry this inheritance in our attitudes, and also in prayer. In the prayers of praise, especially those that blossom from the hearts of the little ones and the humble, echo parts of the Magnificat that Mary lifted up to God in front of her relative Elizabeth; or of the exclamation of the elderly Simeon who, taking Baby Jesus in his arms, said: “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word” (Lk 2:29).

Prayers — those that are good — are “expansive,” they propagate themselves continuously, with or without being posted on social media: from hospital wards, from moments of festive gatherings to those in which we suffer silently... The suffering of each is the suffering of all, and one’s happiness is transmitted to someone else’s soul.

Suffering and happiness are part of

a single history: they are stories that create history in one’s own life. This history is relived in one’s own words, but the experience is the same.

Prayer is always born again: each time we join our hands and open our hearts to God, we find ourselves in the company of anonymous saints and recognized saints who pray with us and who intercede for us as older brothers and sisters who have preceded us on this same human adventure. In the Church there is no grief that is borne in solitude, there are no tears shed in oblivion, because everyone breathes and participates in one common grace. It is no coincidence that in the ancient church people were buried in gardens surrounding a sacred building, as if to say that, in some way, the multitude who preceded us participate in every Eucharist. Our

parents and grandparents are there, our godfathers and godmothers are there, our catechists and other teachers are there... That faith that was passed on, transmitted, that we received.

Along with faith, the way of praying and prayer were also transmitted.

Saints are still here, not far away from us; and their representations in churches evoke that “cloud of witnesses” that always surrounds us (cf. Heb 12:1). At the beginning, we heard the Reading of the passage from the Letter to the Hebrews. They are witnesses that we do not adore — certainly, we do not adore these saints — but whom we venerate and who, in thousands of different ways, bring us to Jesus Christ, the only Lord and Mediator between God and humanity.

A “saint” who does not bring you to Jesus Christ is not a saint, not even a Christian. A saint makes you remember Jesus Christ because he or she journeyed along the path of life as a Christian. Saints remind us that holiness can blossom even in our lives, however weak and marked by sin. In the Gospels we read that the first saint to be “canonized” was a thief, and he was “canonized,” not by a Pope, but by Jesus himself. Holiness is a journey of life, of a long, short or instantaneous encounter with Jesus, but always a witness. A saint is a witness, a man or woman who encountered Jesus and followed Jesus. It is never too late to convert to the Lord who is good and great in love (cf. Ps 103:8).

The Catechism explains that the saints “contemplate God, praise him and constantly care for those whom they have left on earth.[…] Their intercession is their most exalted service to God’s plan. We can and should ask them to intercede for

us and for the whole world” (CCC, 2683). There is a mysterious solidarity in Christ between those who have already passed to the other life and we pilgrims in this one: our deceased loved ones continue to take care of us from Heaven. They pray for us, and we pray for them and we pray with them.

We already experience this connection in prayer here in this earthly life, this connection of prayer between ourselves and the saints, that is, between us and

The first way to pray for someone is to speak to God about him or her.

If we do this frequently, every day, our hearts are not closed but open to our brothers and sisters.

To pray for others is the first way to love them and it moves us toward concretely drawing near. those who have already reached the fullness of life, this bond of prayer: we pray for each other, we ask for and offer prayers... The first way to pray for someone is to speak to God about him or her. If we do this frequently, every day, our hearts are not closed but open to our brothers and sisters. To pray for others is the first way to love them and it moves us toward concretely drawing near. Even in moments of conflict, a way of dissolving the disagreement, of softening it, is to pray for the person with whom I am in conflict. And

something changes with prayer. The first thing that changes is my heart, my attitude. The Lord changes it to make an encounter possible, a new encounter, to prevent the conflict from becoming a never-ending war.

The first way to face a time of anguish is to ask our brothers and sisters, the saints above all, to pray for us. The name given to us at Baptism is not a label or a decoration! It is usually the name of the Virgin, or a Saint, who expects nothing other than to “give us a hand” in life, to give us a hand to obtain the grace we need from God. If the trials in our life have not reached breaking point, if we are still capable of persevering, if despite everything we proceed trustingly, perhaps, more than to our own merits, we owe all this to the intercession of many saints, some who are in Heaven, others who are pilgrims like us on earth, who have protected and accompanied us, because we all know there are holy people here on this earth, saintly men and women who live in holiness. They do not know it; nor do we know it.

But there are saints, everyday saints, hidden saints, or as I like to say, the “saints next door,” those who share their lives with us, who work with us and live a life of holiness.

Therefore, blessed be Jesus Christ, the only Saviour of the world, together with this immense flowering of saintly men and women who populate the earth and who have made their life a hymn to God. For — as Saint Basil said — “The Spirit is truly the dwelling of the saints since they offer themselves as a dwelling place for God and are called his temple” (Liber de Spiritu Sancto 26, 62: PG 32, 184A; cf. CCC, 2684) MAY 2021 7

8 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

mary’s mission

faith & tradition

BY MARY ARCEMENT ALEXANDER

best spaghetti on planet Earth! I do not know the exact details of how this family tradition began, but I believe it is safe to assume Bacala simply told her children that she aith is an integral part of the foundation would be cooking lunch every Sunday. I doubt she called of Christianity. Without faith, it would a meeting or sent a letter discussing the details, nor do I be difficult to believe. Think about this: believe she went house to house announcing it. To begin as Christians we do not actually see Jesus a tradition is simple: decide the tradition, tell someone nor were we there when He died on the about it and then let the rest handle itself. cross, yet despite it all, we still choose to believe He was alive on Earth, died, rose from the grave As Catholics, we have several Sacred Traditions that are and lives today. We choose to have faith because of Sacred beautiful, but for me, Ash Wednesday is my favorite. The Scripture. We choose to have faith because of what we feel ashes symbolize the dust from which God made us. As in our hearts and what we experience in our lives. When the priest marks a person’s forehead with the ashes, he a person is without faith, they see the world through a says, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall negative lens. They tend to be a “Doubting Thomas,” return.” I grew up in south Louisiana where no one ever which results in many questions. They question where, asked me about the “dirt” on my forehead, but once I how, what, and why. When it comes to God, faithless moved to north Louisiana (also known as the Bible belt), people will question where He comes from, how He made I suddenly found myself faced with questions I did not man out of nothing, and why He would give us free will. want to answer. I noticed people at work looking at me It seems almost impossible for a person without faith to funny. I found myself wanting to pull my bangs over believe in God, but thankfully, many faithless people are the ashes or wait until evening Mass so I could then go now some of the most faith-filled people. God can work straight home. Thankfully, that all changed when God called me to stay put in the Catholic Church after many miracles! years of searching for something else. It was His call that 2 Thessalonians 2:15: So then, brothers, stand firm allowed me to both fall in love with my Catholic faith as and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, well as wear my ashes without fear of questions. This one tradition displays my sinful nature in the form of ashes on either by our spoken word or by our letter. my forehead to remind me that although I am a sinner, According to many Protestants, Catholics are wrong to through repentance I am made worthy. My worth comes have sacred traditions, for they are not Biblical. However, from God’s love, mercy, forgiveness, and immense desire according to St. Paul, we are to stand firm and hold to for me to spend eternity with Him. I came from dust and the traditions taught to us. How exactly does a tradition to dust I shall return. begin? Once again, we look to St. Paul; a tradition begins through word of mouth. What family traditions Brothers and sisters, if you are struggling in your faith do you have? How did they begin? Who started them? because it is being tested, I encourage you to step out into My family does not have many current traditions, but your faith and trust He is with you, especially if you do when I was growing up one of my favorite traditions not feel Him near and you are hesitant. Pushing through was Sunday lunch at my great grandmother’s house. resistance is the best way to stop resistance. Peter had Each Sunday after church, my immediate family along faith as he walked on water towards Jesus, but then he let with my extended family would all gather in Bacala’s himself doubt and nearly drowned. Let us be like Peter as (my great grandmother’s) very small kitchen to enjoy the he took his first step (before doubt and fear came upon him), and walk towards Jesus.

Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

F

MAY 2021 9

the roots of the eucharist

BY KIERSTIN RICHTER, EDITOR

W

hat if you followed a Catholic teacher, one you had great respect for, and then one day, he said something that completely went against scripture?

What if what he said was so offensive to your ears, you could hear the groans of your Catholic ancestors rolling in their graves?

What would you do? Would you trust him on it? Or would you turn your back and say, “No. This isn’t tradition. He must be a heretic.”

Pope Benedict XVI says “if you separate the words of Jesus from the faith and hope of the Jewish people, you risk ‘completely misunderstanding’ him.” (Hahn, 9) To understand the significance of the Eucharist, or even understand Jesus at all, we have to understand his Jewish roots, and why his words “Eat my body, drink my blood,” were so jarring to the people who heard it. We tend to think they only thought it was some strange cannibalistic idea they couldn’t accept or that we needed doubters for the sake of a good story, but it goes much deeper than that. And to understand why these words were so unorthodox for a Jewish man to say, we have to understand the faith and scripture of the Jewish people.

Leviticus 17:11 says quite clearly, “You shall not drink the blood,” referring to the Passover lamb. Genesis 9:3-4 says, “Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you… only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.” Multiple times in scripture it is asserted not to drink the blood of an animal. So during the Passover every year, where the Jewish people would celebrate their exodus from Egypt, led by Moses, they would sacrifice a male lamb. You would not break the bones or make it suffer. It was an

10 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

honorable sacrifice. After the sacrifice, they would discuss the meaning of the flesh and the hope for a new exodus, one where they were promised a Messiah.

Fast-forward to Jesus’s thirty-third year, and we’ve come to that moment. But as the new sacrificial lamb, the bread was broken and he did suffer. And now he said to drink his blood. Talk about a contradiction!

Instead of talking about the meaning of the flesh of the Passover lamb, he “identified the bread and wine of the supper as his own body and blood, and commanded the disciples to eat and drink.” Instead of speaking about the past exodus, he spoke of a future exodus. At this moment, Jesus established a new Passover.

By this sacrifice, he initiated the new exodus.

It completely went against the scripture they had studied their entire lives. Who wouldn’t have freaked out? The words were probably extremely offensive to their ears.

Jewish scholar Geza Vermes points out, “The imagery of eating a man’s body and especially drinking his blood, even after allowance is made for metaphorical language, strikes a totally foreign note in a Palestinian Jewish cultural setting. With their profoundly rooted blood taboo, Jesus’ listeners would have been overcome with nausea at hearing such words.”

(Pitre, 17) So I wonder, if we were put in that same situation, how different would we be from the ones who gave up on him? He said things that undoubtedly went against the scriptures. If this were in Catholic eyes, we probably would have canceled him real quick, wouldn’t we?

To go along with this guy would risk being completely ostracized by your home church.

For thousands of years, the faithful offered sacrifices to the gods, and now God has

Bishop Malone celebrates the Liturgy of the Eucharist at the Chrism Mass, Tuesday, March 30, 2021, in the Cathedral of Saint John Berchmans

offered himself as a sacrifice - to become the sacrificial lamb. Way to turn the world upside-down, right? “The Eucharist, therefore, is not only a holy bread and a holy cup, it is a holy moment -- a saving action.” (Dues 151) So what does all of this mean to us now?

The Eucharist ties us to the past but breathes life into our future. The Eucharist itself is made from unleavened bread, the food which Jesus and his ancestors before him ate for every Passover meal. Like the breath from Jesus to Peter to pope, to bishop to priest, we trace our material and physical lineage back to Jesus himself, an unbroken line, a sustained covenant. “Those who share the bread and cup with each other become one with Christ and one with each other, because it is the one Christ whom they share.” (Dues 152).

As we can recognize the true presence of Christ in simple elements of bread and wine, we are one step closer to recognizing Christ in each other. If Christ can

permeate and become such simple things, imagine what he can do within us - within these human bodies truly created in his image. The Eucharist is the “source and summit” of our faith, the “perfection of the spiritual life and the end to which all the sacraments tend.” (Saint Thomas Aquinas, CCC 346) Here in simple bread and wine, He is truly and substantially present, with us now and forever. How lonely He must be when we fail to recognize his presence in our very bodies.

The Eucharist “signif[ies] the goodness of creation” (CCC 336) It “does not only ask us to remember Jesus and what he did” (CCC 338) This supper we share is not simply a flashback or a memory to a time gone and passed. It is a sacrifice of love that transcends space and time, giving his body up for us over and over and over again. A saving action, a unifying covenant, Jesus’ blood poured out for us signifies the unity of his Church, his people, our salvation, and the hope of a second coming.

The question is, will we know it when we see it?

Pitre, Brant. Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist, Image Catholic Books, 2011 Dues, Greg, Catholic Customs & Traditions, Twenty Third Publications, 2000 Catechism of the MAY Catholic Church 2021 11

Saint Joseph Cemetery is in need of volunteers

12 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

BY RANDY TILLER, EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP

We have all endured a tough past twelve months. While not out of the woods completely, there is some relief in vaccines being made available and the whole idea of “herd immunity.”

As you know we have a wonderful cemetery as well as a very historical cemetery. Several months ago the priests that succumbed to the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1873 were pronounced “Servants of God.” Excitement is already building in anticipation of the memorial celebration of the 150th anniversary of the epidemic.

With that in mind, the Diocese is already stepping up landscaping and beautification of St. Joseph Cemetery. The National Catholic Cemetery Conference, of which the diocese is a member, is planning to send someone experienced in Catholic cemeteries with expertise in landscaping, buildings, and cemetery management to meet

maintenance of both the grounds and the records. We are reaching out now to offer to train volunteers in the record keeping, fieldwork, and maintenance aspects of the cemetery. We have a third party contracted to maintain the grounds, a group that is trained and do a great job of cleaning and preserving the memorial stones and statuary, and persons very interested in the beautification of Kate Rhea is in charge of the record the cemetery. keeping, data base operations, and contact with people interested in If you are interested in becoming a the Cemetery, purchasing plots volunteer for the cemetery, perhaps (of which there are plenty), and even hosting some events or giving re-building the history of the tours as we further develop the history of the cemetery, please cemetery. contact Kate Rhea at krhea@ All this has been long in coming dioshpt.org or 318-219-7264 or and essential to maintaining the Randy Tiller at rtiller@dioshpt. grounds as well as the historical org. I hope your Easter Season and Spring Season are filled with God’s values of the cemetery. blessings. Thank you for your I know of several people that continued interest and support of through the years have taken an St. Joseph Cemetery. interest in the cemetery and the and advise as we move forward. A long awaited Diocesan Cemetery Board is being established to offer leadership and guidance not only to St. Joseph Cemetery, but also to parish cemeteries upon request.

Louisiana cemetery statutes and guidelines have changed. The board can be the conduit to assist all cemeteries within the diocese cope with the new changes.

MAY 2021 13

WHERE DO YOU SEE IN

GOD OUR

WORLD?

BY NADALIE THOMAS, SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

14 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

H

spiritual direction

ave you ever wondered where God is when things seem to continue to go wrong in your life or for those whom you care so much about? You might say to yourself, “I am trying to do my best to be a good person, but bad things continue to happen.”

On one of the directed retreats that I attended, the director asked me that same question during our session, “Where do you see God in this situation?” Since September 2020, I have been asking myself that question. It has been an unusual time for all of us, a time, in my mind, when our earth in coordination with Mother Nature has given us a reason to sit back and reflect on the events in our lives and around the world. An early hurricane season devastated islands and the southern and east coast of the United States, not once but several times, while wildfires burned homes, businesses and forests on the west coast.

People without shelter or food. War continues in Iraq, and many of our soldiers who return are never the same.

The campaign for the presidency was like no other: name-calling, disrespect for the people they represent, lies, violence, and racism. The unnecessary death of a black man by a police officer sparked demonstrations calling for justice resulted in violence. And then there is COVID-19, which has resulted in the total deaths of more people in the United States than the total number of people killed in World War I & II, the Vietnam War and 9-11. These numbers do not include the people who have died around the world. Let us not forget the winter storm that brought travel to a standstill in some states; caused damage from falling trees, busted pipes, and power outages that could not be fixed overnight.

Temperatures were as low as negative one degree in some parts of Louisiana and lower in other states. People died from lack of shelter or weather-related accidents.

people who volunteer every day to work with the poor to provide food and shelter, especially during extreme weather conditions even during this pandemic. They never stopped helping them, they just found safer ways to do it. I saw Him in truck drivers who brought in water for those without it. He was in the people who helped others in cars stuck in the snow. He was in the athletes that showed us how to call attention to injustice without violence. Scientists are still working to make the vaccine better for all of us - the National Guard and the Red Cross and so many others.

“Where do I see God in all of this?” I know in my heart that God loves all of us more than we can ever imagine, but sometimes things can become overwhelming when they begin to happen one after the other within a year.

But when I took the time and really looked for Him, I found Him. I found Him in our governor who asked for prayers in any difficult situation in our state. I found him in the utility workers who worked anywhere they were needed, and long hours after the hurricanes and the snowstorm. I found Him in the news media when they celebrated our Front-Line Heroes. I found Him in the

Where is our God during this uniquely difficult time for the world? He is with and in all His creation, listening to, working with, providing for, consoling us, laughing with and answering our prayers. He gives us everything that we need each day that animates us to be the best that we can be to each other in this world that he has given us.

He is always there for us so if something is troubling you do as I did sit down in a quiet place and ask God your question and then reflect on it. If you ask and listen in earnest, you will receive an answer. God answers prayer.

I got mine.

I watched my husband find a way to give our parishioners hope by letting them know he would be praying the “Divine Mercy Chaplet,” every day at 3 o’clock for an end to the pandemic or a safe vaccine and to join him on our Facebook page. He also includes those who have called and asked him to pray for a special intention. Our secretary, who emails a daily uplifting thought for the day. In the coworker of a friend of mine who found someone to vacuum the water out of one of her rooms that flooded after the ice melted and has done some carpentry work for her at no charge. He is in one of our church members who took time in the snowstorm to check on another church member whose pipe had busted in the house and took her to his house until it was fixed.

He was in the doctors and nurses that worked with a friend who had COVID-19 and helped her survive even though they feared the worst. Closest to me I see him in all my brothers and sisters who help us pray for my friends and family and for the whole world. Some have been with us every day, some a specific day of the week, some in our parish and others I may or may not know from other church families in Louisiana and across the United States.

MAY 2021 15

The Dynamic Board Duo of

Mike Mike &

BY ERIN SMITH, CCNLA DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

16 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

B

eing a board member or officer of Catholic Charities of North Louisiana’s Board of Directors comes with a hefty responsibility. The board is not only charged with maintaining the fiscal health of the nonprofit, but also with guiding the organization to fulfillment of its mission and vision.

CCNLA has been very fortunate in its mere 10-year existence to have had amazing community members serve on the Board year after year. “From top to bottom, this is the best group of individuals I have ever had the chance to work with on critical issues facing our community,” affirmed current board president Deacon Mike Whitehead (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton). “Every person on our board, and I do mean every person, is committed to the work. Every Board member takes his or her responsibility seriously. Every Board member is invested in the work of Catholic Charities of North Louisiana. We have put together a Board that is talented professionally, but also has the heart for all of our brothers and sisters, and the energy and drive to do

May 4

catholic charities what it takes to partner with the staff president has been a pleasure. “In the to make sure the organization attains last three years, Catholic Charities its goals.” of North Louisiana has exceeded its goals. We continue to serve (and I want Already familiar with the organization, to emphasize serve) more and more Whitehead began his Board service individuals. We continue to grow the after former president Martha staff, and we continue to impact the Fitzgerald asked him to join. “Like community positively through our many Board members, I initially work. In 10 years, in 50 years, in 100 was attracted to Catholic Charities years, I hope what we have done will of North Louisiana because of its make a difference in the community.

Immigration Services,” Whitehead I pray that each person we assist feels said. “Our organization is the only loved and respected. In the end, it’s nonprofit working on immigration about knowing that all of us are part issues in north Louisiana. I am so of something greater than ourselves.” proud of that fact.”

Carney hopes to continue to Similarly, attorney Mike Carney, communicate the value of the president-elect of the Board, was organization to the faithful of the approached by a friend of a friend diocese, helping them recognize that about applying for a Board position. Catholic Charities is the humanitarian “At the time I had just begun to think arm of the Church in North about how I could do something to Louisiana. “We cannot continue to give back to the community,” stated serve the needy in our region without Carney, “so I suppose this was the continued and increasing support. I Holy Spirit answering that question want more Catholics in our diocese for me.” to know what Catholic Charities of North Louisiana does to help those in In the coming summer months, need and to feel a sense of ownership the two will work hand-in-hand on of the mission of CCNLA.” transitioning Carney into the role of president. Whitehead said his time as

Give for Good Day

May 4 is Give for Good Day with the Community Foundation of North Louisiana, and CCNLA is participating! Search for us and donate at https://www.giveforgoodnla.org/catholiccharitiesnla.

MAY 2021 17

St. Michael the Archangel and My Tradition of Devotion MIKE VAN VRANKEN, SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

O

ne of my oldest traditions is my devotion to St. Michael the Archangel.

My namesake is no regular saint; you know, someone who was human and now one with God in ways we cannot understand. Oh no. My patron saint is an Archangel one of the big three. He’s even mentioned in the Bible.

With scapulars, medals and icons all proudly bearing his image, with chaplets, novenas and even a famous prayer brought into use by Pope Leo XIII, my St. Michael is pretty special. And, one other item: his feast day is only four days after my birthday. We are kindred spirits and eternally connected.

She took me out of class, into the hallway and sternly talked to me for what seemed like an hour. She explained that my parents deliberately and specifically named me Michael. She clarified the name Michael means to be “godlike.” She said my mother looked at me when I was born and saw God in my infant body, spirit and soul.

By the time she finished I was crying and on my knees apologizing to God, St. Michael and promised Sister Mary Joseph I would apologize to my parents when I got home.

I felt so bad, so guilty. I would have much preferred a few wraps on the wrist with a ruler than this heavy image of what I had done. Michael was godlike. I evidently had some work to do.

I have never lost my devotion to my heavenly patron. But as I and my faith matured, so did my image of my saintly angel. Jesus said to put down our swords. Why did my namesake still hold one? Jesus could have fought evil with evil; he could have killed Pilate before Pilate killed him.

But that’s not the way Jesus taught us to respond. He told us to love our enemies and claimed that those who live by the sword will die by it as well. St. Paul even wrote that the armor used in the Kingdom of God has no sword In the eighth grade, someone told my teacher, Sister Mary made of fiery steel with sharp edges and a deadly point.

Joseph, that I was telling dirty jokes every day at lunch. He wrote we are to be grounded in peace and defend I memorized the prayer to St. Michael early in the second grade because of its recitation after every Mass. And, for a grade schoolboy in the late ’50s, this powerful, swordwielding, dressed-like-a Roman-soldier angel, who defended the faithful in spiritual battles was a terrific role model. But then one day, a still memorable experience started to peck away at the image that an angel wears armor and carries an instrument of war used for killing.

Prayer Practice for May: Gaze on the accompanying icon of Michael the Archangel. See his eyes, his countenance, his outstretched and open arms. Feel his compassion, mercy and love. Hear his heart beating as God’s heart beating just for you.

Then, begin to pray with these scriptures, but only one passage for each prayer period: Mt 5:44; Mt 26:52;Eph 6:10-17; 1 Cor 13; 1 John 4:16; Rev 19:15-21.

Pay attention to any images, thoughts, feelings or movements within you. Talk to God, Jesus or even St. Michael about what you are experiencing. Ask any questions and articulate your heart’s desire.

18 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

ourselves using the word of God in place of a real sword, and we see the same use of the sword as “word of God” again in the book of Revelation.

mike’s meditations

As I began, over the years, to sit in silence considering Michael means godlike, the two scriptures the Spirit continued to put on my heart were: God is love, and love (God) is patient, kind, not jealous, not pompous, not inflated or rude, not selfish or quick-tempered, doesn’t brood over injury, but bears, believes hopes and endures all things, and, in particular, love never fails. If I was to be faithful to my devotion to my patron saint, I too had to be love. I too had to be patient, kind and all of these descriptions of love. I had to be godlike, or by definition, love-like. Not by carrying a weapon of war and destruction, but by being a heart of love.

The icon I now use to pray to St. Michael the Archangel is pictured on the right. Once gazed upon I enter into the angel’s open arms of love. His arms, like God’s, extend a loving offering of help and assistance. His arms are incarnate with God’s grace and mercy. Further gazing allows me to move even deeper into the image and likeness of God himself. Michael the Archangel for me is no longer a violent defender against demons, all dressed up in the same uniform as the soldiers who savagely killed Jesus. He is now the image of invitation to intimately enter and imitate the God whose deepest description is love itself. A love that casts out all evil, not by warfare, but by the very presence of God himself. My tradition of honoring and my devotion to St. Michael the Archangel is stronger than ever. But it has evolved into a practice that deepens my awareness of our perpetual oneness with the God of the universe and my unitive experience with all of his creation.

Today, in keeping with my “godlike” image of St. Michael, my current prayer after Mass sounds something like this: St. Michael the Archangel, help me to be godlike.

Be my inspiration to love as God loves.

May your example strengthen and guide me, with open arms, to love and welcome both friends and enemies, to feed, clothe, shelter, forgive and heal all people and creatures on earth, to be grounded in peace, and to magnify God’s presence in all of His creation, Amen.

St. Michael the Archangel, help me to be godlike.

Be my inspiration to love as God loves.

May your example strengthen and guide me, with open arms, to love and welcome both friends and enemies, to feed, clothe, shelter, forgive and heal all people and creatures on earth, to be grounded in peace, and to magnify God’s presence in all of His creation, Amen.

MAY 2021 19

faithful food

grandmother’s birthday cake

BY KIM LONG, ST MARY OF THE PINES DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

L

ooking back on what connected the women in my family, my mind ran through a lifetime of memories - memories which were in many ways like plastic tubs and lids stored in a cupboard crammed and bursting at the seams. As I examine them, they seem to jockey for rank and position. What I realized is that scripture, church, family, and literature seemed to be the linchpins of the women of my family. There was not one “best cook” since each of us have our specialties which were so firmly affixed to each one that no one else even tried to replicate them.

My grandmother’s cranberry salad, without which no Christmas would have dared show up, Aunt Carolyn’s chicken and yellow rice, her version of absolute comfort food, my mother’s shells and sauce (my all-time favorite), my sister’s lasagna and her pot-roasted chicken, my mamaw’s “sock it to me cake,” my nannie’s wagon train soup and her butter rolls.

A simple request was spoken (no one texted then, and the telephone was on the wall in the kitchen rather than in our purses or cars), and the dish with all its familial properties and healing abilities was offered.

As a girl I traveled vicariously through books; not only what the local library offered but also there was the monthly passport the National Geographic Society offered when the thick, compact, yellow bordered magazine showed up on the coffee table in our living room. Through the photographs and stories, we were transported to exotic places and dwellings - everything from a palace to a tent for dwellers of the Russian steppes. This was one way our mother made sure we knew the world extended beyond the borders of our small town. For my grandmother, it was scripture. I can see her now reading her bible and sipping a cup of tea laced with sugar and lemon. I sat with her and her retelling of those stories made Jesus seem like a cousin who moved away and had “made good,” those stories seemed more like letters to family than cumbersome accounts of people who were long gone and disconnected.

Fast forward to a sleepy April afternoon and a passing conversation with my mother who mentioned that

20 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

grandmother’s birthday was coming up soon. “You know,” she said “mother really likes that cake you make with the mandarin oranges. Why don’t you make one for her?” And so I did.

The recipe had come to me from a friend and I made it for some gathering. Later I realized that Grandmother, a woman who was not prone to excess of any kind, ate two slices, most unusual for her. The cake ceased having any other name than Grandmother’s birthday cake.

I don’t make it often these days - everyone I know (myself included) is attempting better health and less sugar. I will make it this year in her birthday month. I anticipate enjoying one moist slice with a cup of hot tea laced with lemon and sugar as I recall and remember all the mothers who have shaped and formed me.

May the lessons of all our mothers remain with us and bless us always. And may we share with others all the love, lessons, and blessings just as they have been shared with us. Amen.

Mandarain Orange Cake

(from Billie Jean) aka Grandmother’s Favorite To a box of Duncan Hines Butter cake mix, add the following: 4 eggs ½ c. butter ⅓ oil Juice from one can (15 oz) mandarin oranges.

Beat these together Pour into three prepared layer cake pans (by prepared spray w/Pam or butter and flour) Evenly distribute the mandarian orange slices on top of each pan.

Bake at 350 for 18 to 20 minutes FROST WHEN COMPLETELY COOL-THIS IS VITAL! Frosting: 15 ounce can crushed pineapple (including juice) 12 oz whipped topping (this recipe is the only time I use this as I am a believer in “real” whipped cream at every opportunity) 1 large box of instant vanilla pudding Combine and spread evenly on each layer, stack layers, store in icebox (yes this is how it is written in the book). Enjoy!

“I would lead you and bring you to my mother’s house, she who has taught me.”

Song of Solomon 8:2

MAY 2021 21

OVERANALYSIS & Faith Paralysis

BY KIERSTIN RICHTER, EDITOR

When I was a senior in college, I sat out by my usual spot at the lake to write, and I felt this deep emptiness and loneliness where my faith used to be. I had spent weeks and months researching science and theology and philosophy and anything at all I felt could help me understand what or who God is - to either prove or disprove Him. I needed a sort of closure to stand firm in my belief.

But I also remembered a time when I would wander into the adoration chapel at 6 am every morning, sit on the ground by the space heater with a cup of coffee, and have morning conversations with God without questioning, critiquing, or overanalyzing. I missed those mornings. I missed the comfort I found in sitting with a friend.

But I wanted to understand the mechanics of God for the sake of defense. I felt it was silly of me to put so much stake in a belief I couldn’t explain or share with others, but have you ever tried to explain why you love someone so much? It’s hard because it’s difficult to define a relationship.

People roll their eyes like you’re some lovestruck puppy out of touch with reality.

When you look too closely into something, looking at it from a sociological perspective, apart from love and grace, it’s easy to become cynical and disregard the importance 22 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

of faith. It’s like telling someone madly in love “Well you know it’s just chemical reactions in your brain, right?

Nothing special” Or “Well life is just a simulation you’re creating in your own brain.” What a buzzkill, right?

The concept of God isn’t something you can explain by saying what it is.

You can only explain God through metaphors. God is like the wind beneath our wings. He is the light by which we see everything. Etc. etc.

Just like you can’t define exactly what love is. Love is the fire in our souls.

Love is willing the good of another.

Love is the thing by which all things are created. But it isn’t a concrete thing to be studied and prodded.

Even when we say, He is the Way, the Truth, and the Light, we aren’t exactly saying quantifiably what God is made of. What kind of substance? How does he work? How can I believe in something I can’t explain? I dare to say a God is worth believing in is beyond explanation. But sometimes even that doesn’t feel good enough for me.

We can make our guesses and hypotheses, we can theorize and create proofs of our mathematical and cultural equation for this theory of everything, but the beautiful thing about it all is that none of us can prove it. And it teaches us to be humble.

And the only way to approach mystery is through humility.

The danger comes when we allow our egos to dictate our lives and relationships with people of other beliefs in the certainty we know everything. When we decide we say it right, we do it right, and anyone who does differently is inherently wrong or bad. But the problem is that everyone thinks that way. So how do we know who’s right?

We don’t. And we grow in that uncertainty. In that uncertainty, we learn to level with each other. We learn to listen and understand and make spaces in our hearts and minds for other people. We grow this capacity for not quite tolerance and not quite acceptance, but rather compassion.

Aristotle once said, “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” Our hearts grow smaller when we block out ideas that may push our boundaries or stretch our preconceived notions of the world.

Loving God isn’t a process to be explained - it’s a gift to be accepted.

There are times when a little tug and pull is helpful in our faith life, but don’t be discouraged if you find yourself doubting or asking questions you feel you shouldn’t.

So stay curious. Asking questions can be dangerous, but it’s not as dangerous as asking none at all. Because you’ll find you always circle back to Christ, each time with a renewed understanding of who He is, and who we are in Him. But most of all, the best person to talk to about God is... God. Pray about your doubts. You don’t have to pray to understand, you just pray for the humility to be okay with not understanding. Faith is a paradox. But isn’t everything worth thinking about?

MAY 2021 23

The Daughters of the Cross left Le Havre on October 24, 1855, on the Argo, which operated under steam and sail. They arrived in New York 13 days later. (www.historic-shipping.co.uk/gsssco/Argo.html)

Daughters of the Cross: Mission to Louisiana

BY PATTI UNDERWOOD

The year is 1838. A young woman of 21 is leaving home for the first time. Feeling called to the religious life, she sets out on the eight-mile trip to the Ursuline Convent in Treguier, France. She is accompanied only by her father until, by chance, she encounters a friend on the road. Coincidentally, this friend is also on the way to enter the convent, but a different one.

The two girls visit as they go, sharing their dreams.

By the time they reach Treguier, Marie Madeleine le Conniat’s plans and her future have taken a detour to the Daughters of the Cross.

as a postulant. She is given the name Sister Marie Hyacinthe and advances quickly to the novitiate. She pronounces her final vows on July 23, 1840. A natural teacher, she easily wins the respect and admiration of retreatants and students alike. Many are drawn to enter the Convent, as well. In less than ten years, she is elected Superior.

On July 28, 1854, Mother Hyacinthe receives an unexpected visitor, a young man asking for free admission to the boarding school for his niece. Taken aback by his boldness, she politely explains why his At first, Madeleine is homesick and unhappy, but request cannot be granted. He replies that he, Jean her fervor returns and she applies for admission Pierre, is a seminarian, without funds, and will be 24 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

leaving soon with Bishop Auguste Marie Martin to serve in his newly created diocese in Louisiana. Thus, he begs this charity of the Sisters.

This revelation throws a whole new light on the matter.

The Daughters of the Cross, with an abundance of young Sisters, have discussed among themselves the possibility of missionary work, particularly in America. Not only does Mother Hyacinthe now welcome the niece of Monsieur Pierre, but she also secures his promise to ask the bishop if he would like teaching Sisters for his new diocese. The bishop’s answer, of course, is yes, and he asks about their plans.

Before sending a reply, she submits the matter to a vote, and the new mission is approved unanimously.

After more than a year of negotiations by mail, ten Sisters are chosen for the Louisiana foundation, and Mother Hyacinthe is appointed Superior. The journey to Louisiana is long and arduous; the Sisters arrive in Louisiana on November 21, 1855, the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Because they travel by steamship instead of on a sailing vessel, they arrive two months before they are expected. The modest house which has been procured by Bishop Martin to be their Convent and school has previously belonged to a butcher and is still in need of cleaning and repairs. On the very first morning, the Sisters set to work cleaning the small brick building, formerly used for butchering, which will be their chapel. On day two, Bishop Martin offers the first Mass there, and the next morning he departs for Natchitoches.

With help from Father Hyacinth Tumoine, pastor at Cocoville, the Sisters set to work cleaning, repairing, and painting their small frame house. In their spare time, they study English. An opening date of February 6, 1856, is announced for the first school, named Presentation Academy. With high aspirations, Mother Hyacinthe writes to her brother, “The young girls of whom we take such care will be future wives and mothers. They will be able to win their husbands for good and will rear their children well, and bring into their family the sweet balm of religion. To realize all of this we must begin with the family. Woman is the key to society…”

Sisters Aboard the Argo

LSUS Northwest Louisiana Archives, Noel Memorial Library

Mother Marie Hyacinthe Le Conniat, 39 Sr. St. John the Baptist Kleau, 41 Sr. Angel Guardian Daniel, 47 Sr. Theresa of Jesus Trebeden, 23 Sr. St. Yves Kneau, 22 Sr. Mary Alexis Gouriou, 25 Sr. Mary of Jesus Diodiou, 23 Sr. Philomena Ariant, 27 Sr. All Saints Toulelan, 37 Sr. Mary Martha Denier, 28 MAY 2021 25

The Greatest Gift: Eucharistic Adoration

BY CATHERINE FRASER, SAINT JOSEPH PARISH

I am a devout believer in Eucharistic adoration and have been since St. Joseph Church in Shreveport set up a perpetual adoration chapel in the 90s. I didn’t come to this belief on my own, however, Christ gave me a giant shove with the aid of a friend.

A recent divorcee, I wasn’t even attending church regularly, but one day this friend asked me to sub for her in the chapel on New Year’s Eve. I said yes even though I didn’t know anything about adoration.

For instance, I didn’t know that John Paul II believed the Eucharist is the Church’s greatest gift to its parishioners and spent hours in prayer before the Eucharist.

(For those unfamiliar, Catholics believe Christ is truly present in the Eucharist, and receiving Holy Communion during Mass is the highlight of the service. Time spent praying before the Eucharist had once been a large part of the faith, but the practice waned in the 70s and 80s. John Paul II changed that during his papacy.)

regular and spent several hours a week there. At first, I meditated, then began reading selected parts of the Bible.

I read the biographies of the Saints, amazed at how ordinary many of their lives had been. I began to keep a journal of how I found Christ in my everyday life. Suffice it to say, it changed my life.

I remember being uneasy as I entered the chapel, but that didn’t last. I took a seat and breathed in the scent of candle wax and flowers placed before the Eucharist. I don’t remember much else except that the time passed quickly and I felt completely at ease when someone came to relieve me. Soon I became a

Three years later, I left Shreveport and then moved again and again, but in every new city, I found an adoration chapel and established a time to be with the Lord.

I highly recommend it. I believe it will enhance your faith and give you time to reflect on God’s grace and mercy. Even in a pandemic, there’s beauty everywhere.

ideas on how to spend your holy hour This is by no means an all inclusive list - spend your holy hour with God as you see fit.

These are just some ideas to get you started.

1. Pray the Rosary or the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

2. Read a spiritual book and reflect on it afterward.

3. Tell God about your week, one day at a time.

4. Write in a journal.

5. Sit in silence and just focus on being, soaking in the presence of Christ.

26 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

shall be my people, and your God my God. Jews use those words as part of their conversion ceremony and many people I have known have chosen them as part

BY KIM LONG, ST MARY OF THE PINES DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION of their marriage ceremony. I have begun to consider them as a map, as a way to law to St. Joseph. It has been with her pave a path to where I want to be in these cannot believe May is upon prayerful intercession that I began to relationships. us; Mother’s Day, First Holy see them not just as “extensions” of the Communions, May Crowning, family but additions in their own right, Social media introduced me to the graduations, Confirmations, women in their own right, and sisters of phrase “mother-in-love.” Initially, I was and beautiful weather.

Christ to me as I am to them. put off thinking this is over the top.

In this month I think of the women Then I began to consider what it could The role of mean. I am choosing to look at this as who have gone mother-in-law is a mother in the midst of love, the love before me and it seldom shaped of my child for his bride. And when can tend toward healthily by we are in the midst of love it magnifies the bittersweet. popular culture, and grows. The flip side is true as well, My mother is no the punch lines when I choose to focus on the flaws and longer here for me being easy targets, deficiencies (which all of us have!) then to celebrate with. the bullseye the negativity grows and I am in the dark I write her name effortlessly hit and miserable. in the binder with by sarcasm and many others who insults. have gone ahead I also know that with the help of the to prepare for our Lord who made heaven and earth, I can I was reminded refocus and ask for divine assistance to eventual arrival. of this by a radio see Christ in every situation and every rebroadcast of person.

Looking at the an old Phyllis present rather than Diller comedy Being a mother-in-law has taught me the past, I see my routine entitled a few things, but the most helpful I daughters in law.

“The Mother learned from a friend who is a daughter, Being a motherin Law.” I must daughter-in-law, mother, and motherin-law is not easy. admit, I laughed in-law. She told me when she is pointing I can be seen a little at first, the finger at someone else, the other four as opinionated, but the laughter are pointing back at her. BINGO! whereas I quickly changed see myself as to discomfort, So to Jess and Mae Mae (Megan), I passionate, I can be and before too say to hang with me and I am sure we seen as unmovable, many minutes will get there, taking turns guiding one whereas I see in, I changed the another on the way as we cry, laugh, heal myself as constant, station. It just any hurts, swap recipes and remedies I can be seen as critical, whereas I see wasn’t that funny it was dangerous, and revel in all the rest. To my future myself as-gasp-instructive and “helpful” detrimental. However, I must thank daughters in law wherever they are, I am and it is only later, upon reflection, that Phyllis for helping me see that there is praying for you right now!

I realize no instructions were needed. a vocational and ministerial aspect of being a mother-in-law. For me, this role Saints preserve us! AMEN The “girls” and I have had our moments, has taken lots of prayer and even more Saint Anne pray for us! AMEN mostly easy, and if I am honest some self-reflection and course correction. were tense. I pray for them daily, not Ruth and Naomi hear our prayer! AMEN only because they love my sons, but Jesus, please help us loosen our grasp on Scripture gives us a very different model all that is not you and live in your light. because I love them. Oddly enough I for this relationship dynamic in the AMEN have never thought of asking the Blessed book of Ruth. I still find poetic beauty Mother for heavenly help in this one in the old words whether thou goest I go, Happy Mother’s Day to all and to all a area. Instead, it is St. Anne I speak whether thou lodgest I lodge, your people good May! with. She was after all the mother-in-

Mother-in-Love

I

Being a mother-in-law is not easy. I can be seen as opinionated, whereas I see myself as passionate, I can be seen as unmovable, whereas I see myself as constant, I can be seen as critical, whereas I see myself as-gasp-instructive and “helpful” and it is only later, upon reflection, that I realize no instructions were needed.

MAY 2021 27

For more information, visit www.praiselakeside.org.

To donate, visit, https://www.giveforgoodnla.org/praiseacademy 28 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Praise Academy at lakeside

BY KIERSTIN RICHTER, EDITOR

“If God is sending you to our neighborhood, he’s sending you to the right place.” This is what one neighbor told a group of Christians praying and searching for a place to share the Good News in 2002. They were moved by the “beauty and openness of the people” of the Lakeside community., so they bought six houses and joined neighbors for Bible Studies and barbeques, and by 2015, they felt called to start a school.

Praise Academy was founded by Paul DeCelles, P.h.D, a deacon, nuclear physicist, and co-founder of the Trinity School system, a multiple Blue Ribbon Award winner for excellence in education. The school serves pre-k through eighth-grade students, registered as a non-public school by the State of Louisiana. Their mission is to provide “an elementary school education that fosters each child’s natural ability to become a productive, employable and active member of family and community through a Christ-centered foundational approach.”

The education is both challenging and individualized, so students can learn in an environment where they can move onto new material as soon as they are ready. “Our first graders are so far ahead in their learning, that they started more advanced learning in February,” Julie Bruber says. “We’re teaching kids not only to learn but to love to learn with a very rigorous curriculum.” The very first graduate of Praise Academy went on to attend Loyola College Prep as an honors student.

Parishioners of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish have adopted the school, volunteering as “reading buddies” and tutors, as well as praying for the students at Mass.

Praise Academy is continually growing and has recently purchased even more property to expand classroom space.

Learning in a tight-knit community not only brings neighbors together, but it puts the well-being and education of the child first, which is what a great education is all about.

where no child gets left behind

Are you interested in volunteering your talents or resources? Here are some things they are looking for: Academic Reading buddies - Students need reading buddies for our reading workshop each day from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Arts Musicians who can help introduce and teach the students about music and teach them to play a musical instrument.

Teaching & Training Skilled people who can teach shop and run workshops Coaching People who can teach the students the fundamentals of basketball, baseball, football and soccer.

Networking People who can connect our team with resources and with other people who would like to help the school.

Professional Services Graphic design, photography, videography. **information from the Praise Academy website MAY 2021 29

hispanic news La Tradición de la Iglesia

BY ROSALBA QUIROZ, DIRECTORA

La Tradición de la Iglesia, desde el punto de vista teológico, es una combinación de elementos que se suman para crear un todo inseparable; esto es la esencia misma de la Iglesia fundada por Cristo. Estos elementos se pueden considerar en dos grupos: los inmutables que nunca cambian y siempre permanecen idénticos, y aquellos que si pueden cambiar o son modificables. Es importantísimo entender esta diferencia pues si no se entiende bien se puede caer en gravísimos errores: aquellos que quieren cambiar lo que no se puede cambiar de la Tradición caen en el gravísimo error del modernismo o progresismo, un error condenado por el magisterio en el Syllabus y en tantos otros documentos oficiales.

Aquellos que no entienden que la Tradición igualmente se compone de elementos que pueden cambiar siguen una noción, errónea, limitada e incompleta de la Tradición. Decir o creer que la Tradición se compone solo y únicamente de dogma y moral es un gran error y una visión limitada de esta.

-Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica (78): “Esta transmisión viva, llevada a cabo en el Espíritu Santo es llamada la Tradición en cuanto distinta de la Sagrada Escritura, aunque estrechamente ligada a ella. Por ella, “la Iglesia con su enseñanza, su vida, su culto, conserva y transmite a todas las edades lo que es y lo que cree” (DV 8). “Las palabras de los Santos 30 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Padres atestiguan la presencia viva de esta Tradición, cuyas riquezas van pasando a la práctica y a la vida de la Iglesia que cree y ora” (DV 8).

-Papa Benedicto XVI (3 mayo 2006): Queridos hermanos y hermanas: En esta catequesis queremos comprender un poco lo que es la Iglesia. La última vez meditamos sobre el tema de la Tradición apostólica. Vimos que no es una colección de cosas, de palabras, como una caja de cosas muertas. La Tradición es el río de la vida nueva, que viene desde los orígenes, desde Cristo, hasta nosotros, y nos inserta en la historia de Dios con la humanidad…

La Iglesia transmite todo lo que es y lo que cree; lo transmite con el culto, con la vida y con la enseñanza. Así pues, la Tradición es el Evangelio vivo, anunciado por los Apóstoles en su integridad, según la plenitud de su experiencia única e irrepetible: por obra de ellos la fe se comunica a los demás, hasta nosotros, hasta el fin del mundo… …En efecto, el mandato que dio Jesús a los Apóstoles fue transmitido por ellos a sus sucesores. ..Así, aunque de manera diversa a la de los Apóstoles, también nosotros tenemos una verdadera experiencia personal de la presencia del Señor resucitado.

A través del ministerio apostólico Cristo mismo llega así a quienes son llamados a la fe. La distancia de los siglos se supera y el Resucitado se presenta vivo y operante para nosotros, en el hoy de la Iglesia y del

mundo. Esta es nuestra gran alegría.

En el río vivo de la Tradición Cristo no está distante dos mil años, sino que está realmente presente entre nosotros y nos da la Verdad, nos da la luz que nos permite vivir y encontrar el camino hacia el futuro.

Este artículo es una publicación de Catholic.net para este y más artículos visite su página: www.es.catholic. net y para leer el artículo completo ir a: https://es.catholic.net/op/ articulos/16812/cat/10/la-tradicinen-la-iglesia.html#modal

Calendario de Mayo, 2021 15

Reunión en preparación para retiro Búsqueda # 11

23 Domingo de Pentecostés

Misas en Espanol CRISTO REY: BOSSIER CITY Rev. Fidel Mondragon 318.221.0238 Oficina Domingo 1:00pm Lunes & Jueves 7:00pm Sabado 6:00pm Coordinador Oscar Gomez 972.567.2710

SAN PASCUAL: W. MONROE Rev. Luis Jost, OFM Domingo: 4:00pm Coordinadora: Lorena Chaparro 318.267.4018

SANTO TOMAS AQUINO: RUSTON Rev. Tony Posadas, OFM 318.225.2870 Oficina Domingo 1:30pm Coordinadora: Luz Martinez 318.224.0980

NUESTRA SEÑORA DEL PEPETUO SOCORRO: FARMERVILLE

Rev. Luis Jost, OFM Sabados 7:00 pm Coordinadora: Paola Gonalez 817.801.3499

STA MARIA DE LOS PINOS: SHREVEPORT Rev. Mark Watson 318.687.5121 Oficina Domingo 11:30am Coordinadora: Alma Mendoza 318.678.9306

SAGRADO CORAZON: OAK GROVE

Rev. Joseph Kallookalam, CMI 318.428.2683 Oficina • Cada dos semanas, Domingo 5:00pm SAN JOHN THE BAPTIST, MANY Rev. Francis Kamau, FMH 318-256-5680 Oficina • primer domingo del mes Domingo 5:00pm

CONTACTO DIOCESANO: Rosalba Quiroz, Directora 318.219.7265 rquiroz@dioshpt.org

Maria Ivelis Sanchez, Secretaria 318.219.7257 isanchez@dioshpt.org

por el obispo POR EL OBISPO FRANCIS I. MALONE

Entre los doce meses del año, al menos en la Iglesia católica, el mes de mayo es uno de los más enriquecedores espiritualmente. Una lista de eventos en el “mes de María” sería Coronaciones de mayo, Primeras Comuniones, Confirmaciones, Misas de Bachillerato y graduaciones de la escuela católica, recibir invitaciones para bodas próximas y para aquellos lugares suficientemente bendecidos: preparativos para las ordenaciones al diaconado y sacerdocio.

Nuestra diócesis tiene todos estos en varios lugares, pero pensé que destacaría los dos últimos ya que nos acercamos a una ordenación al diaconado Y otra al sacerdocio. Nicholas Duncan será ordenado diácono el 3 de Junio en Santa María de los Pinos, y el Diácono Raney Johnson será ordenado Sacerdote el 5 de Junio en la Catedral de San Juan Berchmans. Espero especialmente estas ceremonias, ya que la ordenación de Nicholas Duncan será solo mi segunda ordenación al diaconado, y el Diácono Raney Johnson será mi PRIMERA ordenación como obispo al sacerdocio.

Mi corazón está lleno de alegría y emoción a medida que estas dos ceremonias se acercan a medida que mayo se convierte en Junio de este año.

Debido al tamaño de nuestra diócesis, el número de nuestros seminaristas es bajo, por lo tanto, nuestro número de ordenaciones también es bajo, pero eso solo resalta la alegría cuando somos testigos de dos jóvenes que toman la decisión de dedicar sus vidas al Señor y a su Iglesia. También es una señal de que la Iglesia reconoce sus intenciones y las juzga dignas y listas para ser ordenadas.

Como el bautismo y la confirmación, el sacramento del orden sagrado coloca una marca permanente sobre quien lo recibe. Como saben, una vez que nos bautizamos, siempre estaremos bautizados. En otras palabras, nunca “re-bautizamos” o bautizamos por segunda vez. Lo mismo ocurre con el

sacramento de la Confirmación: “una vez confirmado, siempre confirmado”.

La marca permanente que se coloca sobre los bautizados y los recién confirmados es dada por el Espíritu Santo, apartándolos, consagrándolos para siempre y dándoles dones para ayudarlos a vivir nuestra fe con valentía y dedicación. ¡Imagínense entonces lo que sucede cuando un joven es ordenado diácono o sacerdote! Una vez que pongo mis manos sobre sus cabezas y oro por ellos, son cambiados PARA SIEMPRE, cambiados de adentro hacia afuera y consagrados para hacer ciertas cosas reservadas solo para ellos. Como diácono, Nicolás podrá proclamar el evangelio en la Misa, predicar la homilía, asistir al altar y distribuir la Eucaristía como un ministro “ordinario” de la Eucaristía. Podrá bautizar, oficiar bodas y servicios funerarios. Prometerá una vida de celibato y oración, y estoy seguro de que será un testigo eficaz del Evangelio.

Diácono Raney, una vez que sea ordenado sacerdote podrá celebrar la Misa, consagrando el pan y el vino en el Cuerpo, la Sangre, el alma y la divinidad del Señor. Además de todos aquellos ministerios que ejerció como diácono, podrá administrar la unción de los enfermos, especialmente a los moribundos, y podrá escuchar confesiones y absolver a los pecadores.

Así que el mes de Mayo es especialmente importante para estos dos hombres de nuestra diócesis: es un mes completo de oración para que el Señor prepare sus corazones y sus almas para asumir, tras la ordenación, el llamado que les ha estado extendiendo. ¡¡¡REZA POR ELLOS!!! ¡Y que el Señor siga bendiciendo nuestra diócesis con nuevas vocaciones, no solo al sacerdocio sino a la vida consagrada! ¡Y que nuestras oraciones por ellos nos den gozo, sabiendo que con nuestras oraciones les ayudamos a ascender al Altar del Señor!

MAY 2021 31

School News St. Frederick Junior High and High School students participated in a longstanding Good Friday tradition in Monroe. Passion in the Park was started in Forsythe Park by Betty and Jim Malson 15 years ago.

This beautiful ministry invites all denominations of faith on the journey through the stations of the cross.

Passion in the Park is totally dependent on faithful volunteers. This year Betty and Jim passed the torch on to the local Knights of Columbus who will carry the tradition forward blessing generations to come.

32 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

SJS offers first-ever Living Stations

Year of St. Joseph art contest, Living Museum, First Communion and National Assistant Principals’ Day keep SJS busy in April

BY POLLY MACIULSKI, ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL 5TH-8TH GRADE RELIGION

St. Joseph Catholic School offered its firstever Living Stations of the Cross this year, with our eighth-grade class as the cast and crew. The living prayer was something Mr. Cobb brought with him when he came to SJS, and our class of 2021 was eager to take it on. They offered the Living Stations twice on “Spy Wednesday” of Holy Week: once for K-3 through fourth grades, and again for grades 5th-8th, as well as Fr. Long, Fr. Kevin, and our seminarian, Nicholas Duncan. Many teachers (and clergy) admitted to being moved to tears almost instantly at each performance, so it looks as though we just began a new tradition for Holy Week, and hope to offer them at least once for parishioners next year, as well.

When the pope announces a Year of Saint Joseph and St. Joseph is your school’s patron saint, you have to “go big or go home” and

one of the ways that SJS chose to go big with our celebration was to hold an art contest among students: winning images will be used on official SJS stationery, among other places, and in every classroom in the school. Our top three winners were Julianna Meiki, Cohen Golden, and first place winner Makensley Sugar-Bruce! The student body gathered for a special Mass celebrated by Bishop Malone, honoring our patron on Monday, March 22nd, (we were on Spring Break for the real Solemnity), then followed Bishop Malone to the gym to bless the St. Joseph Altar. It’s been a great Year of St. Joseph already, and we are only a third of the way through!

The 4th-grade class presented the annual Living Museum on Wednesday, April 7. The students worked hard becoming experts on their historical person, place or thing. Sofia Sermons did a great job presenting Annie Oakley. She talked about how as a child Annie would hunt and kill game for the family dinner. Then Sofia gave out beef jerky!

The second graders at SJS received their First Holy Communion on Saturday, April 10, at a private Mass at 6 p.m. Families loved the fact that they got to come forward to receive the Eucharist with their children, and loved

hearing the kids sing “O Sacrament Most Holy” after their big moment.

As we all know, if you look on Facebook or Instagram enough, there is a “National Day” for just about everything you can imagine.

SJS Principal Clayton Cobb realized in the first week of Easter that it was “National Assistant Principals’ Week” and he quickly put a plan together to surprise our amazing Assistant Principal, Mrs. Katherine Suckle, with a decorated office, a Spiritual Bouquet from the faculty, staff and students, a catered lunch, and an off period to actually EAT that lunch! She does not like to be the center of attention, but we could not help showering her with our love and praises!

Our plans in these last weeks of our school year include the Sacrament of Confirmation for our eighth-grade students, a celebration of the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, a Marian procession and May crowning, a fabulous Field Day, and our eighth graders’ last Mass at SJS, followed by their graduation.

As we make preparations for the end of this school year, we can only be thankful for the blessings God has granted us, that have seen us through the uncertainty and the obstacles we faced as we began in August.

Fr. Long, Mrs. Suckle and the K-4 students from celebrating Assistant Principal day at Saint Joseph Church, Shreveport.

MAY 2021 33

CHOOSING A CATHOLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION

SJB 2nd graders made their First Reconciliation on Monday, March 29. Please pray for them as they prepare to receive their First Holy Communion on May 2.

BY ASHLEY TIMMONS,DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS ST. JOHN BERCHMANS CATHOLIC SCHOOL We believe in one holy catholic apostolic Church... words we pray every Sunday from the Nicene Creed. Apostolic - from the apostles. Jesus’ apostles! The men who walked with Him, prayed with Him, broke bread with Him in His final hours and have carried on His teachings for 2000 years. The word “apostolic” means it comes from the apostles.

This is what we believe. We believe in sacred tradition and scripture and there are so many beautiful traditions in our faith, one being the sacraments. These sacraments free us, allow us to belong, and fill us with the holy spirit. From the Church’s seven sacraments, we have the unique opportunity to offer three of those sacraments in our Catholic school. As second graders, students prepare throughout the year for First Holy Communion and Reconciliation. Our 8th graders spend the year preparing to receive the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of Confirmation.

There’s a remarkable opportunity in a Catholic school setting. Each school day our students in our preschool K3 through 8th grade are filled with prayer, our Catholic faith, tradition and teaching on virtues. From beginning our day with a morning assembly gathered in prayer, attending Mass each Wednesday and Holy Days, opportunities to go to confession, prayer throughout the school day and rosaries on Friday, our school is filled with these beautiful Catholic traditions. It’s ingrained in our curriculum and every aspect of our school. “In a Catholic school, our faith and culture are infused into each area of the curriculum and into the other activities 34 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

sponsored by the school. In this way the students can make the correlation between the Gospel and its values, the Church and her teachings, and their lives,” says pastor Father Peter Mangum. For our secondgrade students preparing for their First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, each day is a learning experience intended to deepen faith and understanding of our Catholic beliefs as we prepare to receive our Lord. Second-grade teacher, Mrs. Claudia Park states “We firmly and sincerely believe in our motto “Kindness is practiced here.”

We believe we are guiding and teaching our students to be the hands of Christ on Earth.

We teach kindness by being kind. We teach compassion and faith by being compassionate and faithful to our Church’s teachings. We help our students understand the power in the grace they receive in the sacraments.”

Once students have reached the 8th grade and have been preparing throughout their time here at SJB, they are ready to receive the Holy Spirit. Middle school religion teacher, Mr. Jim Yatcko states, “It is beautiful to watch our 8th graders grow in faith from the time they enter our school at 3 years old to the point of receiving the sacrament of Confirmation in the 8th grade.”

According to a recent parent magazine, parents choose a Catholic school education for daily exposure to the Catholic faith. It is important to develop a strong religious foundation. Preparing for the sacraments and learning about our Faith is not just one day per week on Sunday - it’s every single

day. “People think in Catholic schools they are studying religion. They’re not studying a religion, they’re being taught how to live a faith,” says SJB parent, Camilla Craig. Every day our children are exposed to Catholic teachings. Every day we pray and learn more about our Savior. Monday through Friday, year-round, our children receive the benefit of not only a rigorous education, but also one filled with the Church’s teachings, traditions and sacraments. Our principal, Dr. Jennifer Deason, says, “St. John Berchmans truly becomes a village, with the home and school working together to form men and women who love and serve our Lord.” After all, isn’t our primary purpose as parents to prepare our children not only for college but also for eternal life in heaven?

Fernanda Azouz, Student Coordinator; Staiche Joseph, Student; Curvelle Woodman, Student; Deacon Terry Walsworth

Campus Ministry Spotlight: Grambling University

BY KIERSTIN RICHTER, EDITOR

activities to have fun and cultivate a vibrant Catholic community. “They are excellent leaders,” Walsworth says. The students held a successful retreat last March but were met with the challenges of the pandemic soon after. They couldn’t gather anymore and the students were dispersed due The Catholic Student Center at to safety concerns.

Grambling State University serves As the pandemic begins to wane, the students from all over the world, notably from Dominica. Fernanda Grambling Catholic Student Center Azouz and Deacon Terry Walsworth is looking to the future on how to work tirelessly to help provide an grow their ministry. Walsworth says engaging, faithful environment for with more funding, he could provide the students to gather and practice more facilities management to keep their faith. The students hold the student center open 24/7 for the crawfish boils, game nights, and other students to come to study and hang Grambling State University opened its doors over a century ago as the Colored Industrial and Agricultural School, founded by a group of African American farmers who wanted to provide quality education for African Americans in this area of the state.

out. He would like to have computers and other resources available for them as well. Most of all, Walsworth says his mission is to provide even more activities for the students - retreats, conferences - anything to build a solid foundation to evangelize even further into Grambling’s student population.

College ministry is such an important way to inspire and equip university students to cultivate a Christ-centered life and build lifelong friendships, and Grambling State University students are doing just that - building strong Catholic communities one student at a time.

MAY 2021 35

WHAT’S GOING ON IN MONROE?

Knights of Columbus - Monroe Council were “all hands on deck” in support of ULM Catholic Campus Ministry’s (CCM’s) 2021 Lenten Fish Fry Fundraiser on March 19th and 26th.

Brother Knights, volunteers, and ULM CCM students joined together to sell over 500 tickets per event, and to prepare and distribute great Lenten meals on both dates. The fundraiser was a great success and is highly anticipated by the Monroe community each Lenten season.

Jonathan Gonzalez a student in our St. Paschal Youth group, submitted his Essay on "What The American Flag Means to Me." He won the contest at our Local Fourth Degree West Monroe Knights of Columbus Chapter and was presented with a check for $100.00. Jonathan also found out his essay won at the Diocesan level and is waiting to hear from State. Congratulations Jonathan!

Pictured right are Wallace Olind, Faithful Navigator, Wayne Trichel, Jonathan Gonzalez, Ed Cochoran, and Mike McKey.

Jesus the Good Shepherd School students participated in the Stations of the Cross at JGS Church with Fr. Mike officiating. JGS School is grateful to be able to help our students live out their Lenten responsibilities of prayer, fasting and almsgiving during the Easter season and throughout the year.

In honor of Good Friday the Knights of Columbus sponsored a Living Stations of the Cross. Two of our ULM Catholic Campus Ministry members participated in it!

On April 3, 2021 at the Easter Vigil Mass, 10 candidates were confirmed by Father Mike Thang’wa at Jesus the Good Shepherd Church in Monroe, LA. Of the 10, three were baptized. Congratulations to Kacie Hobson, Matt Hughes, Dustin Jenkins, Brett McGuffee, Tu Nguyen, Diane Paschall, Samantha Ragland, Allyson Roessler, Sara Schneller, and Ella Wimberly! We welcome you to the Catholic faith!

Pictured left are the Top Readers for Our Lady of Fatima's “Read the Day Away” event on Friday, March 5. This school-wide affair is held every year to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday and our love of reading. The students read books and test throughout the day receiving candy and goodies for each 100 they make on an Accelerated Reader test. Our 214 readers took and passed 938 tests that day! Good job Fatima Falcons!

36 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Top Readers are: Taylor Sanders-4th, Jaylen Hall-5th, Sir Mitchell-3rd, Naomi Richard3rd.

around the diocese

Our Lady of Fatima had a special Mass on Sunday, March 14th, at 3:30 pm to celebrate the 500 year anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines. A number of parishioners and friends from our Filipino Community were present for the Mass celebrated by Fr. Paul Thunduparampil, CMI.

The Saint John the Baptist Youth Group traveled to Cloutierville, Louisiana to pray the outdoor Stations of the Cross.

March 21 was a special day for Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.

Fr. Mark and Bishop Malone were very pleased with Sunday’s Mass. Bishop Malone commented several times on our church, from the Rectory, SVDP, church grounds, out beautiful church but mostly about our children, the singing, and the great attendance. Thank you to the many that came together to make this possible. Without you this church would not be a reflection of Christ. It is a living church expressing its love and compassion for all. Together we are a family that can make good things happen.

MAY 2021 37

Father Pat’s Bible Study Thursday Mornings: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Sign up for the live zoom link: email pmadden@dioshpt.org Watch online: https://www.dioshpt.org/father-pats-bible-study (Left) Holy Thursday this year was a special family event for the Glorioso family. Fr. Charles Glorioso was honored to washed the feet of his brother, Joe and sister-in-law Nina Glorioso at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.

Joe was honored to have his foot washed by his big brother.

The Run Baby Run 5K Run/Walk is back! Saturday, May 22nd at Mary's House. Proceeds benefit Mary’s House Pregnancy Care Center serving any pregnant woman.

Be a Race Sponsor! Call Mary's House at 318-220-8009 to sponsor this PRO-LIFE Mission. And sign up for the race at SportspectrumUSA.com

(right) Kelby Tingle’s institution,

by Archbishop Jorge Carlos Patron Wong, as an acolyte at the Pontifical North American College in Rome

Job Opportunity: CATHOLIC RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COORDINATOR Barksdale Air Force Base – Bossier City, LA For more information, contact Michael Aldeguer at info@sawyerglobal.com

The Knights of Columbus at the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of Saint John Berchmans

38 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal What shall I return to the Lord? ( ) $15,000 ( ) $10,000 ( ) $7,500 ( ) $5,000 ( ) Other $

( ) $3,500 ( ) $2,000 ( ) $1,500 ( ) $1,000

( ) $800 ( ) $750 ( ) $650 ( ) $500

( ) $400 ( ) $350 ( ) $300 ( ) $250

( ) $200 ( ) $150 ( ) $100

Please list below any special intentions or requests for which you would like prayer assistance:

Enclosed is a pledge payment of: $ for year 2021.

Please make checks payable to Diocese of Shreveport Name Address City/State/Zip Church

Diocese of Shreveport 3500 Fairifeld Ave Shreveport, LA 71104 Or donate online at www.dioshpt.org

Seminarian Burses Thanks to our Recent Donors: (001)

Dr. George & Sandra Bakowski Foundation ($100) (002) Dr. George & Sandra Bakowski Foundation ($100) Completed Burses: (001)

Fr. Mike Bakowski Memorial Burse #1 ($10000) (006) Msgr. J. Carson LaCaze Memorial Burse #1 ($10000) (010) Memory of Rita Scott from the John Scott Family Burse ($10000)

(011) (012) (013) (014) (026) (027) (027)

Rev. David Richter Memorial Burse #1 ($10000) Jack E. Caplis, Jr., Memorial Burse ($10000) Mary Evans Caplis Burse ($10000) Bob & Peggy Semmes Memorial Burse ($10000) Sheryl Seal Sweeney Memorial Burse ($10000) Rev. Richard Lombard Memorial Burse ($10000) Rev. Richard Lombard Memorial Burse #2 ($10000)

Incomplete Burses:

(008)

(001)

(009)

(002) (003) (004) (005) (006) (007)

Fr. Mike Bakowski Memorial Burse #2 ($1150) Joseph & Antoinette Bakowski Memorial Burse ($2950) Sam R. Maranto Memorial Burse ($1650) Kathryn Atherton Cook Memorial Burse ($350) Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Burse ($950) Msgr. J. Carson LaCaze Memorial Burse #2 ($3832.12) Dr. Carol Christopher Memorial Burse ($1200)

(011) (015) (016) (017)

(018)

St. Jude Parish Burse ($6018) St. John Berchmans Knights of Columbus Council 10728 Burse ($1550) Rev. David Richter Memorial Burse #2 ($3404) Bishop’s Seminarian Burse ($2760) Elaine Malloy Frantz Memorial Burse ($1000) Msgr. George Martinez Knights of Columbus Council 1337 Burse ($7521.57) Knights of St. Peter Claver Council 144 Burse ($880)

(019) (020) (021) (022) (023) (024) (025)

Margaret Glenn Memorial Burse ($5605) Dr. James V. Ward Memorial Burse ($4915) Rev. Edmund “Larry” Niehoff Memorial Burse ($2000) Rev. Blane O’Neil, OFM Memorial Burse ($250) Msgr. Edmund J. Moore Memorial Burse ($1020) Rev. Joseph Puthupally Memorial Burse ($1100) Kathleen Hightower Memorial Burse ($400)

The Diocesan Seminary Burse program provides the faithful of North Louisiana the opportunity to invest in the education and formation of our seminarians into holy and effective priests to serve the Diocese of Shreveport.

Interested in contributing to or establishing a burse?

You can establish and name a burse with a donation of at least $250 or you can contribute any amount to a burse simply by designating its name when the contribution is made. Contributions may be mailed to the Office of Church Vocations, Diocese of Shreveport, 3500 Fairfield Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71104. Be sure to note the name of the burse in the memo line. Burses are completed at $10,000.

MAY 2021 39

Connection The Catholic

DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave.

•

Shreveport, LA 71104

40 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Catholic Connection USPS 024-824 is published monthly except for July by the Diocese of Shreveport, 3500 Fairfield Ave., Shreveport, LA 71104. Periodicals Postage PAID at Shreveport, LA 71102. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Catholic Connection, 3500 Fairfield Ave, Shreveport, LA 71104.