November 2023 - Homesick for Heaven

CATHOLIC CONNECTION VOL. 33 NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2023

HOMESICK FOR HEAVEN NOVEMBER 2023 1

CATHOLIC CONNECTION PUBLISHER

Bishop Francis I. Malone

EDITOR

Kirsten Shrewsberry

EDITORIAL BOARD

November 2023 Volume 33, Number 4 HOMESICK FOR HEAVEN

CONTRIBUTORS

Very Rev. Msgr. Matthew T. Long, JD, VG Karen Dill Dr Cheryl H. White, Ph.D. Rev. Raney Johnson Kirsten Gladen Mike Van Vranken Laurie Nick Mary Arcement Alexander Lucy Medvec Bonnie Martinez Charlie Olivier Polly Maciulski Jordan Harris John Foret, II T.C. Veit Amy Fahkre Stephanie Haney Jill Wier Kylie Black

SUBSCRIPTIONS & ADDRESS CHANGES Very Rev. Msgr. Matthew T. Long

Rev. Kevin Mues

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

SUBMISSIONS

Contact: Kirsten Shrewsberry Email: doseditor@dioshpt.org

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

Dcn. Charles Thomas OFS

Rosalba Quiroz

The Diocese of Shreveport complies with Virtus’ Protecting God’s Children program. (www.virtus.org) Online sessions are available. To report child sexual abuse by a cleric or church worker in the Diocese of Shreveport, call your local law enforcement agency and Mary Arcement Alexander, Diocesan Victim Assistance Minister at 318-588-2120. Thank you for helping to keep our children and vulnerable adults safe.

MISSION STATEMENT

Karla Alvarez

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The Catholic Connection is a monthly publication funded by your Catholic Service Appeal, mailed to every known Catholic household in the Diocese of Shreveport. Our mission is to advance knowledge and understanding of our Catholic faith among the faithful. We seek to foster the application of Christ’s teachings and our church’s mission in our daily lives and to encourage our sense of Catholic identity within our family, parish, and faith community.

from the editor

DEATH, LIFE, LOSS, AND LOVE Kirsten Shrewsberry, Editor and Diocesan Director of Public Relations I’M PLANNING A TRIP. I’ve got my travel

documents, I’ve checked the size requirements for my medicines and toiletries, I’ve packed extra socks.

I know inevitably I’ll forget something – my favorite sweater, a phone charger, but overall, I feel prepared.

I know where I’m going, I know how I’m getting there, and I know what I’ll do once I get there.

How often do we find ourselves preparing for what is to come? Packing a lunch the night before school, reviewing before a test, booking a reser vation for the weekend – all these are things we do to be prepared for what is to come. There are many things in life that are inevitable and the most obvious being death.

What are we doing to prepare for death? What a morbid statement! I know death is a topic we so often shy away from, but sooner or later we’ll all end up there.

In this month’s Catholic Connection we’re talking about death, life, loss, and love. When you think about heaven do you long for it? I think C.S. Lewis said it best when he said, “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” What a beautiful way to look at this longing for heaven that God placed within each of us.

This month I encourage you – have the difficult conversations with friends and loved ones. Talk about your end of life wishes and ask your loved ones what theirs are. You may live to 100 years old or you may not live past next month, that’s not for us to know, but we can prepare for the trip.

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content FEATURES 5 6 9 14

From the Bishop The Most Beautiful Death By Very Rev. Msgr. Matthew T. Long, VG “...The Surest and Shortest Path to Heaven” Reflections on Fr. Le Vezouet By Dr. Cheryl White Gather - Deanery Youth Events By Laurie Nick

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COLUMNS 8 13 16

Karen Dill: The Walk Home Mike’s Meditations: Watch and Be Ready Mary’s Mission: Gone But Never Forgotten: Alexis

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NEWS 10 12 18 21 25 26 34

Introducing the Quo Vadis Retreat Catholic Charities CommunityWide Baby Shower New Faith Formation Program for Cathedral Teens Catholic Charities Appeal St. Joseph MDO Celebrates 20 Years School News Seminarian Burses

Cover photo by Kirsten Shrewsberry, Diocese of Shreveport Director of Public Relations and Editor 4

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from the bishop

THE PARISH CHURCH WHERE I WAS BAPTIZED WAS NOT ONLY THE CHURCH OF MY YOUTH, BUT ALSO WHERE I RECEIVED ALL OF MY SACRAMENTS, INCLUDING WHERE I WAS ORDAINED A PRIEST. Between

my baptism and ordination, it was also the place where I spent a good deal of time as an altar server. I was drawn there more times than I can count, but the memories of that parish Church placed an indelible mark on my life. One of the many times I went there was to serve at Mass, not only daily and Sunday Masses, but weddings, and funerals. Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was her name, and generations of my family called her our spiritual home. Looking back, I think the frequency of serving at funerals marked most of my visits there…you see, the population of the membership was close to ten thousand parishioners, and in addition to plenty of baptisms, there were plenty of funerals. To be honest, it was not just the beauty of the funeral Masses that drew me there, but the added blessing of getting out of school that made funerals so attractive. I still remember so much about the funeral Mass. It was in Latin, the priests wore black vestments, the Scriptures and the hymns were also in Latin. By the time I had reached eighth grade, I think I could have celebrated that Mass by memory.

Of course, with the liturgical reforms of Vatican II, all of that changed. Vestments were now white, the Latin was gone, and I remember how much I missed the solemnity of the service. There were those who welcomed the changes, saying that it was time the Church emphasize the resurrection over the reality of death, and while I love the way we celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial today, I think there were some who mistook the funeral Mass of former years as being too somber. In reality, if you were to go back and look at the Roman Missal that was used in former days (I have one of those by the way), the message was then, as it is today, an emphasis on Jesus, the Resurrection, and the Life.Years passed when I was able to understand (or translate) the meaning of the Latin words that were used so many years ago, and was surprised that so much of what was done in a language we did not

speak, was uplifting, like Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, and the Gospel story of the raising of Lazarus, preceded by the dialogue between Jesus and Martha, Lazarus’ sister.

I can still hear the deacon singing from that chapter of John, “Ego sum resurrectio et vita,” “I am the resurrection and the life.” When I celebrate a funeral now as a priest, I am always drawn to the presence of the Paschal Candle standing near the casket – in much the same way it did generations ago. That candle – that light – represents Jesus Himself, calling us out of darkness into the light of eternal life. The smell of the incense and the visible sign of its smoke rising to the rafters of the Church today – as then, represent our prayers rising up to the Lord for the one who has died, and symbolize what we pray about in the psalms, “Lord let my prayers rise up to You like incense.”

At my last parish assignment in Arkansas, there were five women who attended every funeral, whether they knew the deceased or not – telling me that they wanted to make sure there was always someone there to pray for the dead, a visible sign of the work of mercy.

And as we find ourselves praying through the month of November, a month liturgically and spiritually dedicated to lifting up our beloved dead, we should recall the words of St. Paul who reminds us that “we do not mourn like those who have no hope.” We have a wonderful tradition as Christians to visit cemeteries – not to continue an endless time of mourning, but to remember that like those who have gone before us, we too shall rise from the graves – and that cemeteries are sacred, beautiful places where so many of our saintly relatives and friends who have gone before us await the day of resurrection. Be mindful, dear brothers and sisters, that what we do as Catholics when one of our own pass from this life to the next, is a sign of our own hope that our prayers for them are the same ones we pray will be lifted up for us when that time, our time, has come. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen

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THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DEATH Very Reverend Monsignor Matthew T. Long, Diocese of Shreveport Vicar General

ONE OF THE GREAT PRIVILEGES OF BEING A PRIEST IS THAT YOU ARE INVITED INTO THE LIVES OF YOUR PARISHIONERS. They welcome

you not as a stranger, but as a member of the family. You participate in the most joyous moments of their lives: marriages; baptisms; Communion; and reconciliation. You are also honored to be a part of some of the saddest moments of their lives, and the most frightening. This time is a sacred time at the hour of their death.

There’s truly no more holy time in a priest’s life than when he stands at the bedside of a member of the flock as they prepare to cross the river Jordan and enter into the Promised Land.You get to stand beside those courageous individuals who know that their Vindicator lives and they fear nothing as they face death. You also get to stand beside those racked with fear, whose faith is wavering as they prepare to enter uncharted waters. Whether you are standing with the fearful or the courageous, you offer them the same things that Holy Mother Church provides: the holy anointing that prepares the mind, body and soul for eternity; the opportunity to lay down their burdens in the sacrament of Reconciliation; one final time you remind them of the promises made at their baptism when they were claimed for Christ; you offer them the Apostolic Pardon for the full remission of all of their sins, and; then you are able to give them in those final moments food for the journey. Knowing full well that this will be the last time they gaze upon and receive the Eucharist and the next time they see Jesus, they will see Him face-to-face. There is no more sacred time in the life of a priest than to stand at the bedside of a member of the flock as they face death.

The most beautiful death I was ever privileged to witness, was the death of Sr. Pasquina, OLS. I was called on Memorial Day by Sr. Margaret and told that she was dying. I rushed from my parents’ house in Plain Dealing to the convent, praying all the way that I would reach her before the angel of death. When I arrived at the convent, I went down the hallway to her room to find that it was filled with all the sisters of the congregation.

We performed those ancient and mystical rights that the Church has freely given us, and then we began to pray commendation of the dying.

Normally, when you are at the bedside of someone dying, there are those nearest and dearest present, spouses and children and grandchildren. The group is relatively 6

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small and only some of them respond to the prayers.

For Sr. Pasquina, OLS, those nearest and dearest were her sisters, and they all responded. We prayed and called upon the Angels and Saints of Heaven to assist her. The sisters’ voices rang out “Pray for her, pray for her”, and as we reached the conclusion of this beautiful prayer Sr. Pasquina died. I remember thinking in that moment how beautiful this was. As her life of service and devotion to our Lord came to an end, what she heard in those last moments were the voices of her dear sisters, invoking prayers for her.

Death is not something to be feared, nor is it something that we should run towards. It is a reality given to us by our first parents. But our Lord and His mercy triumphs over death through the power of the Resurrection.

This truth gives each of us hope that no matter that this earthly life has come to its conclusion, because of His promises, the promises of Jesus Christ and our faith, eternity awaits us.

During this month of November, this month of remembrance, this month that begins with us, praising the Saints and praying for the dead, let us remember our beloved dead. Let us offer up a prayer for them so that they can slip finally from the last vestiges of sin that hold them in purgatory and enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

That glorious place that we all long to be, not because of gates of pearl or the streets of gold, or the walls of jasper or the crystal river flowing by the throne of God but because our God dwells there and He is surrounded by the greatest beauty of all, the angels and saints of heaven.

REVIVE “whoever drinks the

water I shall give will

never thirst” John 4:14

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THE WALK HOME Karen Dill, Spiritual Director

“SHE’S ASKING TO SEE YOU,” MY FRIEND’S HUSBAND SAID WHEN HE CALLED ME. “They’ve put her on in-home hospice. The doctor says she won’t last the week.”

My friend was losing a valiant battle with cancer. She began having disturbing symptoms nearly four years ago.

At first she wasn’t worried; she liked her doctor and her prognosis was hopeful. I took her food and visited her in the hospital. We laughed together as we shared memories of our many escapades over the past thir ty years: girl trips; birthdays; visits to a favorite spa. But when months passed and her condition deteriorated, I began to fear the next test result.

It took her a while to say the “C” word, but finally she admitted she was facing chemo. Sadly, this stage of her illness occurred about the time that COVID-19 came along to threaten all of us. When we visited on Facetime, I saw that she had lost a significant amount of weight and hair. Sometimes she was not up for a long chat. One day she said wistfully, “It’s times like this that I really miss my faith.”

I knew she had been raised Catholic but had quit attending Mass years ago when she married “outside the Church,” as she put it. “Your Church is still here for you,” I told her. I encouraged her to reach out to the priest in her neighborhood parish. Then the true healing began. When he visited her home a few days later, he explained the annulment process necessary for their marriage to be blessed. Her husband was enthusiastically supportive. Within a few weeks, the paperwork was finished and her sense of belonging was restored. Her body was weakening but her faith became stronger daily as she received the sacraments and dove deeper into her Catholic spirituality. By the time the pandemic was ending and we could meet in person again, I could see that her return to the Church was the spiritual medicine she needed the most.

When the phone call came, I made plans to visit the next day. I knew this would be our last conversation. As I drove to her house, I prayed that God would give me the words to say. I wasn’t prepared to see how much ground she had lost physically in the shor t time since I had last seen her.

She was barely able to find the breath to complete a sentence. We didn’t waste those last precious moments together. We told each other what our 8

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friendship had meant to each of us. We thanked each other for the gifts our relationship had given us both.

We prayed together. She assured me it was well with her soul. When she began to drift off to sleep, I couldn’t say good-bye. I just squeezed her hand and whispered I would see her later. By the end of the week, she was gone.

I thank God for the privilege of spending the last chapter of her life with my treasured friend. I think our time together was meaningful for her ; I know it was for me.

Always a classy lady, in those final months she showed me how to die with dignity and courage. Her peaceful acceptance of her mortality has helped me face my own as well. I have thought about her often in the months since then—when I encounter a mutual friend, when I run across a random photo of the two of us, when I visit a place that brings back memories. I look forward to seeing her again in a place where cancer doesn’t exist. I will always be grateful for the chance to walk her home.

“I am taking the surest and shortest path to heaven.”

Father Francois Le Vézouët to Bishop Auguste Martin, late September 1873

Dr. Cheryl H. White Ph.D., Professor of History, LSUS

THE END OF THIS LIFE,ALTHOUGH INEVITABLE FOR ALL, IS SOMETHING THAT HUMAN BEINGS DO NOT LIKE TO CONTEMPLATE. Much of the

current social and cultural messaging reinforces longevity, life span extension, and in a very real sense, would have people avoid conversation about physical death at all.

Yet, such is not the view of the Christian faith, which acknowledges that eternal life is the ultimate goal. Earthly existence is a mere fraction of an eternal trajectory, because for the faithful, life has changed, but not ended.

We were created by God and for God, and the human heart actually longs to return to its home: Heaven.

The five Servants of God, the Shreveport Martyrs, provide such a rich model of this understanding. Not only were they willing to offer their lives caring for others, but the record also clearly illustrates that beyond willingness, there was a desire to do so. As each succeeded the previous priest in a providential timeline of service to strangers in September and October of 1873 in Shreveport, there was a sense of the nearness of eternity and the opportunity it provided to transcend from the earthly to the heavenly. Although the readers of history might be struck by their youth, ranging in age from 26 years to 41 years, none of the five Shreveport Martyrs would have measured their lives by earthly years.

Although this attitude is evident in the actions of all, the written record provides significant words that support the veracity of the deeds. Following the deaths of Father Isidore Quemerais and Father Jean Pierre (September

15 and 16) and believing his own death to be imminent, Father Jean-Marie Biler sent urgent telegrams to two priests he knew would respond to Shreveport: Father Louis Gergaud in Monroe and Father Francois Le Vézouët in Natchitoches. “I am alone here. Other priests of the city have died. Please come to my aid.”

In Monroe, Father Louis Gergaud sent an immediate response by telegram: “Am leaving by stagecoach this evening.” Indeed, as he boarded that stagecoach, Father Gergaud turned to his assistant, Father Quelard, and said, “Write to the bishop and tell him I go to my death. It is my duty and I must go.”

In Natchitoches, Father Francois Le Vézouët received a similar urgent plea. From the letter of Bishop Auguste Martin that eulogized all five priests in late October 1873, Father Le Vézouët’s decision becomes richly illustrated. In the words of Bishop Martin: “The news of his imminent departure spread quickly and to those who said, ‘you are going to your death,’ he replied, ‘I believe it, but I know I am taking the surest and shortest path to heaven.”

The surest and shortest path to heaven. For our Servants of God, as it should be for everyone, the eternal home of heaven is that which all hope for, yearn for, and understand to be the home of every soul. Their heroic lives witness for us all an inspiring example of living eternal life now, in whatever earthly circumstances surround us.

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INTRODUCING THE QUO VADIS RETREAT Reverend Raney Johnson, Diocese of Shreveport Vocations Director The Diocese of Shrevepor t invites all young men in high school interested in the priesthood to attend the Quo Vadis Retreat at the Catholic Center from Saturday, December 9 to Sunday, December 10. The event will take place from 2 pm on Saturday until 4 pm on Sunday. The goal of the retreat seeks to help young men considering a vocation to the priesthood learn how to courageously discern the priesthood while in high school. The title of the retreat, “Quo Vadis,” means “Where are you going?” As he fled Rome during a persecution of Christians, Saint Peter asked

School Building Renamed in Honor of Father LeVezouet The old St. John the Baptist Catholic School building has been renamed in honor of its founding priest, Father François LeVézouët, one of the five Shrevepor t Mar tyrs of the Shrevepor t Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1873.

A dedication ceremony for the LeVezouet Center will be held in the near future. Please remember to pray to Father LeVézouët and the other four priests to interecede for your special needs.

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Jesus Christ this question during a mystical encounter with the Lord. Jesus’ answer to Peter’s question would lead Saint Peter back to Rome to become a mar tyr.

We all have to ask ourselves the same question that Saint Peter asked, “Where are you going?” or “Quo Vadis?” Please consider inviting a young man in high school to attend this retreat so that he can encounter Jesus like Saint Peter and discern where the Lord is asking him to serve in the Church.

DECEMBER 9TH AND 10TH, 2023 2PM SATURDAY TO 4PM SUNDAY CATHOLIC CENTER, FAIRFIELD AVE, SHREVEPORT, LA Open to all young men currently enrolled in high school in the Diocese of Shreveport.

Space for this retreat will be limited to 15 attendees.

For more information please contact Vocations Director,

Reverend Raney C. Johnson rjohnson@sjbcathedral.org or vocationsoffice@dioshpt.org To register please scan the QR Code here: NOVEMBER 2023 11

Catholic Charities and Healthy Blue Host CommunityWide Baby Shower Kirsten Gladen, Catholic Charities of North Louisiana Regional Manager

CATHOLIC CHARITIES’ MISSION IS,“TOGETHER WE INVEST IN PEOPLE TO ALLEVIATE POVERTY, DISTRESS, AND INJUSTICE.” At the center of that is not only helping individuals, but also uplifting the entire family. Since its inception, Catholic Charities is committed to helping mothers and their children. In fact, 76% of individuals served in the Monroe office are single mothers with underage children. So, it was identified early on that the concept of having a community resource that can assist mothers and children was in alignment with the mission. Catholic Charities’ answer is Gabriel’s Closet. This is a resource for mothers to access gently used items, such as clothes and shoes, along with much needed items like diapers, wipes, bottles, bibs, Pack N Plays, car seats, etc. Regional Manager Kirsten Gladen states, “We understand the strain that mothers, especially low-income mothers, may experience when it comes to preparing for an addition to the family. That is why Gabriel’s Closet is such a viable and much needed community resource in Northeast Louisiana.”

Healthy Blue understands that it is viable too, which is why they asked to partner with Catholic Charities to throw a community-wide baby shower for expectant 12

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mothers. Healthy Blue is a state-funded Medicaid plan that insures over 300,000 underserved Louisianians to include women and children. Healthy Blue Community Relations Representative RaShad Bristo says, “This was an opportunity to provide resources to a population that may be uninformed on what is available to them.”

To that point, the event also served as a resource fair and featured information on rent and utility assistance provided through Catholic Charities, along with financial literacy resources to plan for the arrival of the baby, behavioral health resources to address post-partum concerns, a lactation specialist to address common breastfeeding issues, food and nutritional information, and guidance on childcare assistance programs available in the area. Catholic Charities also partnered with Life Choices pregnancy resource center for the event to give some of the attendees a new car seat for their bundle of joy. State Troopers were also in attendance to provide tips on car seat safety. Kirsten attests, “Education is at the center of everything that we do. We are committed to teaching people how to help themselves. We believe it is more important than enabling people to remain uninformed and helpless.”

The event took place Saturday, October 28th, from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM at Emily P. Robinson Recreation Center in Monroe located at 3504 Jackson Street. We are grateful to Healthy Blue and Life Choices for partnering with CCNLA for this event.

WATCH AND BE READY Mike Van Vranken, Spiritual Director

I’ll begin with questions that arise for me when I read our final gospel narrative for November. “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world” (Mt 25:34).

Question 1: Who are those who are “blessed by my Father?”

Fortunately, the gospel explains “those who are blessed.”

It reads: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me” (Mt. 25:35).

Wow! That’s it? That’s how I’m going to be judged? Really?

When I fed, and welcomed, and clothed, and cared for Christ determines my eternal judgment? God, we need to talk!

NOVEMBER IS OUR MONTH TO REMEMBER OUR LOVED ONES WHO HAVE TRANSITIONED FROM THIS LIFE TO THE NEXT. It is also a time to

ponder Christ’s ultimate return. Gospel stories this month will help us focus on Christ’s coming. They mention the judgment of the righteous, the wise and foolish virgins, the fearful and lazy servant who buried the master’s treasure, and the final judgment using the analogy of separating the sheep and the goats.

Each story has a contemporary meaning. They are sobering reminders for us today that we must watch and be ready, for we do not know when all of this is going to happen. These scriptures have meaning for us in today’s life and for all eternity. The call is to stay awake in every moment. The outcome and consequences are eternal.

I invite us all to ask ourselves some questions this month to help us stay awake. These queries will offer us a way to examine our preparedness for Christ’s coming and how we will experience the rest of eternity. The following are sample questions you can discuss with God. And I encourage you to ask Him other questions he desires you to consider.

Question 2: How can I feed, welcome, clothe, and care for Christ? Isn’t He already in heaven?

Again, the gospel story answers my question: “And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me’” (Mt. 25: 40).

Oh! So, when I do these things for another person, even those I don’t like or deem unworthy. If I do these things for them, I am really doing them for Christ? And again, this is how my eternal judgment is determined?

PRAYER FOR NOVEMBER:

Lord, please give me the grace to stay awake and notice you in every person in every moment of my life, so I can feed, welcome, clothe, and care for you, and them, at all times.

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GATHER - DEANERY YOUTH EVENTS Laurie Nick, Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry

The Diocesan Office of Youth Ministry brought together 337 youth in the 6th through 12th grades from 18 parishes across the Diocese to attend Gather East, Gather West, and Gather South the last week of September! These three events, one in each of our three deaneries, were huge successes in bringing young people together to GATHER for food, fellowship, faith, and fun!

Advisory Council led various prayers, skits, icebreakers, and activities. Another highlight of the events was a Holy Hour where many young people encountered Jesus as He was before us in the monstrance. During this Holy Hour, over half the youth at each event received the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which could not have been possible without our priests’ dedication to our young people.

At each event, national Catholic youth speaker Braden Johnson gave talks on entrusting our lives to God and living out our call to mission. While Braden was in our Diocese, he also spoke to students at all our Catholic schools, parents of middle school and high school students, and Catholic college students. Rachel Ridgeway led our Catholic praise and worship at each event.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone throughout the Diocese of Shreveport who made these Deanery Youth Events possible, especially the youth leaders, adult chaperones, and volunteers who experienced these events with our youth! I was very encouraged to see each deanery come together to make each event possible for our young people. I look forward to seeing everyone at our Diocesan Youth Summit on Saturday, March 2, 2024!

One highlight of the events was that the DiocesanYouth

“I had an encounter with Jesus throughout all the Gather events as I felt like He helped me help other people. Before we started each event, I prayed and asked Jesus to help all of us on the Diocesan Youth Advisory Council to inspire and help the people we were speaking with to get closer to Jesus. He helped me talk to everyone with confidence and comfort.

I enjoyed many things about the Gather events. The main thing I enjoyed was how many people our team impacted! I believe our team helped people get closer to one another and closer to Jesus! The Holy Hour during all three events was really where I could see the most impact. I saw the long line of young people wanting to confess their sins and this made me so happy not because they have sinned but because they wanted to grow closer to Jesus through experiencing His mercy.”

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-Jaqueline Espinoza, Diocesan Youth Advisory Council, Christ the King Catholic Church

• 337 youth attended the events from 18 parishes across the Diocese of Shreveport • 19 priests attended the events • Over half the attendees received the Sacrament of Reconciliation

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Gone But Never Forgotten: Alexis Mary Arcement Alexander, Licensed Professional Counselor & Diocesan Victim Assistance Minister

my in-laws. No parent should ever bury their child; it goes against the laws of nature. This is especially true for parents who have reached their 70s and assume that their children will be burying them, not the other way around. Alexis died from a pulmonary embolism, the silent killer. She was two months past her 50th bir thday.

SATURDAY JULY 29TH BEGAN FULL OF JOY. I was in New Orleans with my sister, her three

daughters and my mom. We were all there together to help my niece Katherine shop for her wedding dress. For tunately, Katherine did say “yes to the dress” and she looked gorgeous doing so. The weather was pleasant, I was with my family, and life was good. As I said, July 29th began as a joyful day. Sadly, it did not end that way.

As I drove back to my parents’ house I noticed a missed call from my husband. If you happen to know Ryan, you know he rarely calls. This call was especially odd in that he almost never calls me when I am with my family because he does not want to disturb me. I knew in that moment something was up. He calmly explained that he and his dad were on their way to El Dorado where his sister Alexis lived because she had been rushed to the hospital. He did not have many details other than she passed out and his mom called 911. Because he was calm I did not get too worried.

He said he would be in touch so I left it at that. This call took place at exactly 1:21 PM. Seventy minutes later I received a text stating, “Mom said she’s gone.” To say I was in utter shock is an understatement. The words “she’s gone,” hung in the air like a car toon bubble.

My hear t hur ts for my husband but even more so for 16

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Although her passing was too soon and her age too young, what she did in her shor t 50 years of life still amazes us all. It is too much to write here, but she left behind an incredible legacy in the little town of El Dorado, AR, her adoptive home. If you are curious, simply search her name, Alexis Alexander, along with El Dorado, AR, and you will see firsthand. Oddly enough, her death has me thinking more about my life and the legacy I want to leave behind. I don’t know if God called her home because she had accomplished all He planned for her or not. No one but God understands the whys, whens and hows of our death. I do know this, if Ryan or his parents could call her up in heaven, I believe she would say something like this, “Hey! I know, I miss you too, a lot. I know you want me to come back but, honestly, I don’t ever want to leave here! It is beyond anything I could ever describe and I’m with Jesus! Imagine what you think Heaven is like and then times it by a million. I know I died too soon and none of us were ready, but know that I am experiencing a kind of peace and joy that is literally not possible on Ear th. I love you very much and look forward to seeing you here too. When God calls you home and you begin to approach the pearly gates, I’ll be the one waving, with a giant smile, all the while wearing my favorite LSU t-shir t.”

SAVE THE DATE: NOVEMBER 28, 2023 Lucy Medvec, Diocesan Director of Development

#IGIVECATHOLIC ON GIVING TUESDAY IS:

•A nationwide celebration of generosity among and for the U.S. Catholic Community!

•A Catholic Giving Day for Catholic donors to unite and be a part of something BIG! Support the parishes, schools, and ministries of the Diocese of Shreveport by making a donation!

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS (as of October 10, 2023)

Catholic Charities of North Louisiana Catholic Service Appeal (Diocese of Shreveport Annual Appeal) Christ the King Catholic Church (Bossier City) Christ the King Catholic Campus Ministry (University of Louisiana Monroe) Mary’s House Pregnancy Care Center Sacred Heart of Jesus Church Society of St. Vincent de Paul St. Clement Catholic Church St. John Berchmans Catholic School St. Joseph Catholic School St. Jude Catholic Church St. Mary of the Pines Catholic Church St. Pius X Catholic Church

Veterans Memorial Project Underway at St. John the Baptist Cemetary VETERANS BURIED AT ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CEMETERY WILL SOON BE RECOGNIZED THERE IN A UNIQUE WAY. A memorial is presently

under construction consisting of the United States Flag and the flags of the branches of service in the military.

Bricks will also be laid to honor all the veterans in the cemetery.

Plans are to have this project completed and ready for its dedication by November 11, Veteran’s Day. NOVEMBER 2023 17

New Faith Formation Program for Cathedral Teens Bonnie Martinez, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Sacramental Preparation Assistant

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Members of the Teen Faith Formation ministry greeted and distributed event programs to par ticipants attending the Dedication of the Yellow Fever Mass Grave Memorial at the Oakland Cemetery on October 7th. The students witnessed a Corporal Work of Mercy, “Bury the Dead,” as the mass burial site of the nearly 800 poor souls and victims of the Yellow Fever Epidemic was finally memorialized in history. Blessings of Memorial for the Mass Grave were provided by representatives from Shrevepor t’s religious communities, an ecumenical experience for the teens.

THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN BERCHMANS IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A NEW YOUTH MINISTRY, TEEN FAITH FORMATION. The

mission of the Teen Faith Formation ministry is to continue to provide formal faith formation for students after receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, as well as to suppor t parents’ encouragement to their children to be “true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1285) The Teen Faith Formation ministry focuses on spirituality and service projects that address the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. Student par ticipation in the service projects helps our high school students mature in their Catholic faith as they are guided by the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, received during the Sacrament of Confirmation, to be “the hands and feet of Jesus.”

The 150th Commemoration of the Shrevepor t Yellow Fever Epidemic has afforded the Teen Faith Formation ministry unique historical oppor tunities. Dr. Cheryl White, LSUS History Professor, Oakland Preservation Board Vice President, and Cathedral Director of Religious Education provided an “Historic Haunts of Shrevepor t” exclusive tour of the Oakland Cemetery on September 21st. The tour ended at the construction site of the Yellow Fever Mound Memorial where Father Raney Johnson led the group in praying the Litany for the Dead, a Spiritual Work of Mercy. The Cathedral Confirmand and parents joined in this community of faith oppor tunity.

The monthly Sunday morning Teen Faith Formation meetings begin with scripture and prayer, followed by an overview of the nonprofit that will benefit from the upcoming service project.

The following nonprofits are excited about the 2023-2024 Teen Faith Formation service projects: Mary’s House “Embrace Grace,” Gingerbread House, Oakland Cemetery Preservation Society, Volunteers of America, Nor thwest Louisiana War Veterans Home, and Highland Center Ministries. As the teens plan and implement their service projects throughout the year, they explore God’s plan for them as they continue to grow in spirituality and live the Catholic faith through service to others in need.

NOVEMBER 2023 19

50 Years of St. Mary of the Pines On Sunday, September 17, 2023 St. Mary of the Pines celebrated the 50th Anniversary of its founding. The festivities began with a parish Mass celebrated by Bishop Malone. Afterwards the parish shared a meal at which Hispanic, Filipino, African American, Cajun and German food was served. During the meal, parishioners enjoyed entertainment which represented the cultural diversity of the parish.

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CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF NORTH LOUISIANA Charlie Olivier, Catholic Charities of North Louisiana Board of Directors President In the Gospel of John, Jesus commands Peter (and the rest of us) to feed his Lambs and tend to his Sheep.

This is what the men and women who work at Catholic Charities do each and every day.

Please prayerfully consider helping Catholic Charities in their mission to help the needy of North Louisiana.

We have begun our annual appeal, and you can donate anytime on our website: https://ccnla.org/donate, or you can drop off or mail a check to CCNLA’s business office at 902 Olive Street, Shreveport, LA 71104.

THINK ABOUT WHAT YOUR LIFE COULD BE LIKE IF YOU WERE A SINGLE, AFRICAN AMERICAN MOTHER BETWEEN THE AGES OF 26 – 51 YEARS OLD, UNDEREMPLOYED AND LIVING IN POVERTY. Think about if something

happened in life to cause you to fall behind in paying your bills – it doesn’t take much (the loss of a job, layoff, illness, car accident). Imagine that you barely make enough money to scrape by to pay your bills, what will you do to catch up?

Over the years, Catholic Charities of North Louisiana has helped more than 27,000 individuals in Shreveport, Bossier, Monroe, Ruston, and the rest of the Diocese.

Most of the people that we help sound like the profile of the person described above.

Now think about if you are in need and how your life would be changed with the help of Catholic Charities through their emergency financial aid, disaster relief, Money $chool® classes, First Time Home Buyer’s classes, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, and Gabriel’s Closet Parenting Classes.

Imagine the blessings that each of us receive when we help the men and women of Catholic Charities achieve their mission.

Whether or not you are able to donate at this time, please keep Catholic Charities in your prayers. You are also invited to volunteer to help with the programs or volunteer to serve on the Board. I can be reached at charlie_olivier@hotmail.com.

NOVEMBER 2023 21

¡ÉXITO DEL PICNIC MULTICULTURAL! ¡Gracias a todos los que vinieron y participaron en el primer Picnic Familiar diocesano! Nos divertimos mucho planeándolo, pero nos divertimos mucho más viendo a todas las familias venir y disfrutar de una tarde en familia.

CRISTO REY: BOSSIER CITY Rev. Fidel Mondragon 318.221.0238 Oficina Domingo 1:00pm Lunes 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. Kevin Mues 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 12:30 am Coordinador: Sergio Seinos 318-393-2331 SAGRADO CORAZON: OAK GROVE 318.428.2983 Oficina, Domingo 1:00pm Rev. John Bosco 318-402-1585 SAN JOHN THE BAPTIST, MANY Rev. Tim Hurd Oficina: 318-256-5680 primer domingo 1:00pm SAN PABLO: MINDEN Rev. Rigoberto Betancurt 2do Domingo 4:00pm Coordinadora: Dora Rodriguez 870-904-9137 SAN JOSE: MANSFIELD Rev. Rigoberto Betancurt 305 Jefferson Street Mansfield, LA 71052 3er Domingo 3:00pm

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Por El Obispo

LA PARROQUIA DONDE FUI BAUTIZADO NO SOLO FUE LA IGLESIA DE MI JUVENTUD, PERO TAMBIÉN DONDE RECIBÍ TODOS MIS SACRAMENTOS, INCLUYENDO DONDE ME ORDENÉ COMO SACERDOTE. Entre mi bautismo y mi ordenación, fue también el lugar donde pasé mucho tiempo como monaguillo. Fui atraído allí más veces de las que puedo contar, pero los recuerdos de aquella Iglesia parroquial dejaron una huella inolvidable en mi vida.

Una de las muchas veces que fui ahí fue para servir en misa, no sólo las misas diarias y dominicales, sino también bodas y funerales. Natividad de la Santísima Virgen María era su nombre, y generaciones de mi familia la llamaban nuestro hogar espiritual. Mirando hacia atrás, creo que la frecuencia con la que servía en los funerales marcó la mayoría de mis visitas ahí... verán, la población de la feligresía se acercaba a los diez mil feligreses, y además de muchos bautizos, había muchos funerales. Para ser honesto, no era sólo la belleza de las misas fúnebres lo que me atraía ahí, sino la bendición adicional de salir de la escuela lo que hacía que los funerales fueran tan atractivos. Aún recuerdo muchas cosas de la misa funeral.

Era en latín, los sacerdotes llevaban vestiduras negras, las Escrituras y los himnos también estaban en latín. Cuando llegué a octavo curso, creo que podría haber celebrado aquella misa de memoria.

Por supuesto, con las reformas litúrgicas del Vaticano II, todo eso cambió. Los ornamentos pasaron a ser blancos, desapareció el latín y recuerdo cuánto echaba de menos la solemnidad del servicio. Hubo quienes acogieron con satisfacción los cambios, diciendo que ya era hora de que la Iglesia pusiera el acento en la resurrección por encima de la realidad de la muerte, y aunque me encanta la forma en que celebramos hoy la Misa de exequias, creo que hubo quienes confundieron la Misa de funeral de años anteriores con algo demasiado sombrío. En realidad, si se volviera atrás y se mirara el Misal Romano que se utilizaba antiguamente (por cierto, tengo uno de esos), el mensaje era entonces, como lo es hoy, un énfasis en Jesús, la Resurrección y la Vida”. Pasaron los años cuando pude entender (o traducir) el significado de las palabras latinas que se usaban hace tantos años, y me sorprendió que mucho de lo que se hacía en un idioma que no hablábamos, era edificante, como la carta de Pablo a los Tesalonicenses, y la historia evangélica de la resurrección de Lázaro, precedida por el diálogo entre Jesús y Marta, la hermana de Lázaro. Todavía oigo al diácono cantar ese capítulo de Juan: “Ego sum resurrectio et vita”, “Yo soy la resurrección y la vida”. Cuando celebro un funeral ahora como sacerdote, siempre me atrae la presencia del cirio pascual junto al ataúd, del mismo modo que hace generaciones. Ese cirio -esa luz- representa a Jesús mismo,

que nos llama de las tinieblas a la luz de la vida eterna.

El olor del incienso y el signo visible de su humo que se eleva hasta las vigas de la Iglesia hoy -como entoncesrepresentan nuestras oraciones que se elevan al Señor por el que ha muerto, y simbolizan lo que rezamos en los salmos: “Señor, que mis oraciones suban a Ti como el incienso”.

En mi última parroquia en Arkansas, había cinco mujeres que asistían a todos los funerales, conocieran o no al difunto. Me decían que querían asegurarse de que siempre hubiera alguien ahí para rezar por los difuntos, un signo visible de la obra de misericordia.

Y mientras nos encontramos rezando durante el mes de noviembre, un mes litúrgica y espiritualmente dedicado a levantar a nuestros queridos difuntos, deberíamos recordar las palabras de San Pablo, que nos recuerda que “no lloramos como los que no tienen esperanza”.

Tenemos una maravillosa tradición como cristianos de visitar los cementerios -no para continuar un interminable tiempo de luto, sino para recordar que, como aquellos que nos han precedido, también nosotros nos levantaremos de las tumbas- y que los cementerios son lugares sagrados y hermosos donde tantos de nuestros santos parientes y amigos que nos han precedido esperan el día de la resurrección. Tengan presente, queridos hermanos y hermanas, que lo que hacemos como católicos cuando uno de los nuestros pasa de esta vida a la otra, es un signo de nuestra propia esperanza de que nuestras oraciones por ellos son las mismas que rogamos sean elevadas por nosotros cuando ese tiempo, nuestro tiempo, haya llegado.

Que las almas de los fieles difuntos, por la misericordia de Dios, descansen en paz. Amén.

NOVEMBER 2023 23

MULTICULTURAL PICNIC SUCCESS! Thank you to everyone that came out and participated in the first diocesan Family Picnic! As much fun as we had planning it, we had more fun seeing all the families come out and enjoy an afternoon with their families.

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St. Joseph Mothers’ Day Out Celebrates 20 Years

Polly Maciulski, St. Joseph Catholic School, Middle School Religion Teacher When St. Joseph Catholic Church opened its first Mothers’ Day Out program in 2003, the world was a different place. At the box office, “Lord of the Rings: the Return of the King” was released; Apple launched iTunes; and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the Super Bowl. Here in Shreveport, though, Father Peter Mangum was St. Joseph’s pastor, and he had the idea to start a program for our Catholic families to have a place to send their children a couple of days a week. He contacted Cheryl Raney, and the rest is history.

The St. Joseph Catholic Church Mothers’ Day Out program is celebrating its 20th birthday this year, and they have much to show for their young life. What started as a two-day program quickly grew to four days a week; the house in which MDO began was moved off the property and the program is now held on Atlantic Avenue, next door to the school and Family Life Center; and there is a waiting list for this thriving program that cares for one- and two-year-old children. The house on Atlantic is bursting at the seams now, so don’t be surprised if things change there, too! This ministry to our church provides Pre-K2 education that prepares students well for our Pre-K3 program at SJS. “I remember the excitement of planning and starting this program with (Cheryl) 20 years ago,” said Fr. Peter.

“Purchasing the new house, and so happy to see how much it has grown and still going strong.”

Cheryl recalls the details that went into the first MDO house on Patton: “Transforming the ‘Amelia Room’ building into a cute, safe classroom environment was an accomplishment that became impressive and difficult. I recall, when I had the first enrollment, I was pleasantly surprised at the overwhelming response of families wanting to enroll. St Joseph Church and School have always been a special place for me and my family, we have always been invested in Catholic education. My son Trevor and daughter Julianne both attended SJS as well as Loyola College Prep. Fast forward, full circle, Julianne is now a teacher at SJS! I am truly amazed and still in awe of the response and support that MDO still receives 20 years later!”

St. Joseph’s Mothers’ Day Out holds a very special place in the hearts of many St. Joseph parishioners - a lifetime of Catholic education that began in a little house on Patton Avenue. Now we pray for 20 more years of the same great Catholic care and thank everyone for their support of this beautiful ministry.

If you are interested in enrolling your child or grandchild at our Mothers’ Day Out program, contact Cheryl Raney at craney@stjosephchurch.net.

NOVEMBER 2023 25

Loyola College Prep Jordan Harris, Loyola College Prep Director of Communications

COLLEGE BOARD ANNOUNCED THAT LOYOLA COLLEGE PREP HAS BEEN NAMED TO THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT® PROGRAM (AP®) SCHOOL HONOR ROLL, EARNING A SILVER DISTINCTION. The AP® School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness.

“We are proud to offer our students 13 AP courses, and this distinction is a direct reflection of the hard work our teachers and students put in each and every day,” said John LeBlanc, Principal.

Loyola had 62% of seniors who took at least one AP exam during high school, 51% of seniors scoring a three or higher on at least one AP exam, and 16% of seniors who took five or more AP exams!

“AP represents an opportunity for students to stand out to colleges, earn college credit and placement, and potentially boost their grade point averages,” said Trevor 26

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Packer, head of the AP program. “The schools have shown that they can expand access to these college-level courses and still drive high performance – they represent the best of our AP program.”

College Board’s Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) enables students to pursue college-level studies— with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both—while still in high school.Through AP courses in 38 subjects, each culminating in a challenging exam, students learn to think critically, construct solid arguments, and see many sides of an issue—skills that prepare them for college and beyond.

St. Joseph Catholic School John Foret, II, St. Joseph Catholic School, Middle School Student

“FOR IT IS IN GIVING THAT WE RECEIVE.” This line in the prayer to Saint Francis of Assisi is something we are taught every day at St. Joseph Catholic School. The virtue of charity and the simplest way to express it is to speak, act, and think with love. Charity is the habit to love ourselves and our neighbors for the sake of God. As students at St. Joseph Catholic School, we have been given the opportunity to make this virtue a par t of our lives. I love being at a Catholic school for many reasons, but one of my favorite reasons is that we get to ask questions about God, and we get to learn about Him every day. Praying before every class at school is natural, and it is truly a gift of my Catholic education.

During our middle school years at St. Joseph, each grade is asked to fulfill a certain number of volunteer service hours. I have volunteered in many ways over the years to help others locally and abroad.These hours represent a living way to express charity to others. Sometimes, it has been by giving my time, by fundraising for good causes, or by donating items to help others. I enjoy the oppor tunity to volunteer with charitable groups as well as lead fundraisers when I see a need that I can help fill. I traveled to Africa in the summer of 2022 and saw the real need for clean water. When I returned I started an online fundraiser with my younger brother, Charles, to bring awareness to the lack of drinking water in Zimbabwe. Seeing my family and friends donate to our fundraiser and being able to build several water wells is something I am very proud of.

One of my most memorable experiences of service was when a group of St. Joseph students went to Holy Angels Residential Facility to spend the day with the residents. We did crafts, played spor ts, and had a dance par ty with the wonderful people there. I smile when I remember how much fun that day was for everyone.

I learned so much being with the residents on their amazing campus. We thought we were going there to share our love with them as an act of charity. We had no idea how much we would be blessed by their smiles and the genuine happiness they would show us while we were there. It was amazing.

I love doing service hours. It makes us better as we share God’s love with others in so many ways. The vir tue of charity is a par t of me. I am grateful to my school for giving me many oppor tunities to show service to our community. I love being a student at St. Joseph Catholic School.

“For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.”

Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi NOVEMBER 2023 27

Cathedral of St. John Berchmans School T.C. Veit, Principal, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Catholic School

The theme of this month’s Catholic Connection is “Homesick for Heaven.” At the Cathedral of Saint John Berchmans Catholic School, we asked our middle school students what they thought this phrase meant, and their answers revealed both a great depth of reflection and a humblingly simple approach to a topic as complicated and conflicting as yearning for heaven.

Many of the students referenced their first sleepover, laughing at younger versions of themselves who demanded to be returned to their home in the middle of the night. “I was homesick on my first sleepover. I was having a great time with my friend, we played games, we got pizza for dinner, and we watched movies. But right before we went to sleep I started to tear up and I realized how much I missed my parents. I made them take me home! I just wasn’t okay. I was homesick.” Another observed that being homesick, “feels like even if you are happy and safe you have nothing, and you just miss being around what you love and who loves you best.”

Homesick for Heaven means that God has put a sense inside of us that there is more to life than what we can see, and it keeps us moving forward. But how can we be homesick for a place we’ve never been? We can be homesick for a place we’ve never been by thinking of places which can fill us with a sense of warmth, even when we’ve never been to them before like in the case of fictional places. Sometimes I think about what heaven would be like, and all the people I would see. When I think about this type of stuff I feel happy and excited, and also sad at the same time because I start to think about all the people that I will leave behind in order 28

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to get there! But there are times especially in Mass where I feel like I can see a glimpse of heaven, like when the choir brings me to tears with its beauty. I have often wondered if that beauty parallels that of the angel choirs, or if it even comes close. I think that the small thoughts like that make me homesick for heaven. But if we want to be in heaven, does that mean that we want to die? I don’t think so, but in death we will have escaped worldly urges, drama, and sadness. When we pass on from this world into the next, we will know why it is so easy to be homesick for heaven.

The jump the students made from knowing what earthly homesickness feels like to heavenly homesickness is a beautiful reflection of their maturity in understanding concepts from Catholicism. One wrote, “A lot of people wonder how does homesickness help people understand heaven. I think homesickness helps us understand heaven by helping us recognize that our stay on Earth is temporary, but our eternal home is heaven. It also helps us understand that no matter what we do, heaven is always waiting for us like home is from camp. It also means that God is in heaven and waiting for us to call, ready to take us home.” As another writer observed, “Or it could be that we believe in something greater than what we are experiencing now.”

As adults, we often find ourselves in the role of the parent in the sleepover: we know that we are safe and happy “here,” but understand that there is a better place for us in a heaven full of comfort and joy. We can understand being homesick for heaven, through our children’s simpler experience of being homesick!

Jesus The Good Shepherd School

Amy Fakhre, Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic School Development Office

SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT

Spiritual Nourishment for our students is something that JGS School takes very seriously. We believe that knowledge of our Lord and Savior is necessary for fulfillment and lifelong happiness. Our students are nourished each week with the Word during school Mass and daily through religion class and prayer. Fr. Peter uses school Mass as an opportunity to not only teach about the Mass itself, but to also expand our students’ knowledge of other fundamental Catholic traditions and history. Father Peter recently explained the importance of doing our best to imitate the Saints by living out the scriptures in our own lives daily.

Our religion teachers are diligent in providing students the opportunity for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Tuesdays as often as possible. Adoration is something our students have learned to love, appreciate, and look forward to attending.

It is our hope that the knowledge our students gather in the classroom and at Mass will carry them throughout their lives with a reverence and awe of Jesus and His teachings.

NOVEMBER 2023 29

Our Lady of Fatima School Stephanie Haney, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School, Principal

OUR LADY OF FATIMA CATHOLIC SCHOOL CELEBRATED THE FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI WITH THE BLESSING OF THE STUFFED ANIMALS. Students

brought stuffed animals and/or pictures of his/her pet to be part of the blessing. This has been a tradition for several years to have the blessing of the stuffed animals. The students enjoy this since they are not allowed to bring their pets from home.

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OUR LADY OF FATIMA CATHOLIC SCHOOL HELD OUR INAUGURAL FALL FAMILY FUN NIGHT. We started out with a presentation of the PBIS

program so that the school and the parents can be on the same page. Families then rotated throughout the facilities to various game stations to collect punches in their participation cards in order for students to receive a free dress day. Prizes donated by local businesses were handed out at each gaming station. A special thank you to Texas Roadhouse, Raising Cane’s, Regions Bank, and Wendy’s. We are planning at least 3-4 more family fun nights throughout the year. We are looking at a literacy night, math night, and STEM night. We are looking forward to building the bonds between home and school.

NOVEMBER 2023 31

St. Frederick High School

Jill Wier, St. Frederick High School, Director of Development

FOUNDED IN 1965, ST. FREDERICK HAS REMAINED ONE OF THE TOP PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN NORTHEAST LOUISIANA. Anchored by the four pillars: Academic Excellence, Faith and Service, Student Involvement, and Cultural Awareness, graduating students can distinguish themselves from their peers and can call upon their Catholic education as they move forward in their life pursuits.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE St. Frederick’s rigorous college preparatory curriculum caters to a wide range of learners. From honors and Advanced Placement to regular and essentiallevel courses, SF meets students where they are and accelerates their academic achievement. In addition, SF’s extensive dual enrollment program enables students to earn college credit from the convenience of the SF campus. Approximately 99% of SF students attend college after graduation.

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT Students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities and organizations. SF emphasizes belonging, and the organizations are student-led and feature opportunities for student engagement, leadership 32

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opportunities, mentorship, and camaraderie on campus.

The students give back to our community, grow closer to their peers, and have fun! From athletics and spirit groups to clubs and discipleship team, our students are well rounded and seek any chance to be more involved at school and in our community.

FAITH AND SERVICE As the Northeast region’s only Catholic private junior high and high school, SF pulls faith and our Catholic identity into all we do. We have weekly Mass and religion courses for each grade and teach our students to give back to our community through service hours.

CULTURAL AWARENESS SF students explore cultural diversity, global interconnectedness, and human commonality. SF teaches students that each person’s uniqueness is a gift and inspires us to strengthen our culture of belonging to the community. We are committed to enhancing young minds for a brighter future by promoting high levels of academic achievement, servant leadership, and cultural awareness.

Schedule your private tour today to experience the St. Frederick Difference for yourself! www.stfrederickhigh.org/tour

St. Jude Child Development Center

Kylie Black, St. Jude CDC and MDO

SO MANY CREATIVE AND AWESOME LEARNING EXPERIENCES HAVE BEEN HAPPENING AT ST. JUDE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER (CDC) SINCE SCHOOL BEGAN IN AUGUST.

First, the preschoolers worked hard on learning classroom rules and routines until they were comfortable. They all definitely knew when it was time for snacks and lunch. However, at St Jude CDC many other skills are taught using lots of fun activities. Colors were assigned for each week of school and used in all the cognitive activities that each level worked on during that week. The week culminated with everyone wearing the color assigned for that week.

Every week also has a theme. Some of the preschoolers’ favorites were Johnny Appleseed Week and Family Week. Johnny Appleseed Week took off with many classes making applesauce in the classroom, using cut apples as paint stamps, and making pot hats out of foil and card stock.

The parade of preschoolers dressed as Johnny Appleseed that Friday was amazing. However, the biggest and best turnout was Breakfast with Grandparents during family week.

At St. Jude CDC, physical activity and improving the students motor skills are also very important.

Their teachers not only use dance and movement in their planned classroom activities, but many of the preschoolers participate in Soccer Shots each week.

It is wonderful to watch each preschooler come through the front doors with a smile on their faces and ready to learn and having fun while learning.

NOVEMBER 2023 33

SEMINARIAN BURSES Seminarians Tristan Frisk and Austin Young are enjoying the fall weather at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana. Austin Young shared these pictures of the seminary and a beautiful sunset over the cornfields nearby. Thank you for your generosity in supporting their vocation.

Thanks To Our Recent Donors: (035)2 Mrs. Rosemary C. Ward $500 (023) Jim & Barbara Bailey $100 (023) Joseph L Cassiere $350 (023) Van or Patricia McGraw $100 (008) Charles & Beverly Bennett $100 (032) D.M. & J.P. Barnard $100

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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) Rev. David Richter Memorial Burse #1 ($10000) (012) Jack E. Caplis, Jr., Memorial Burse ($10000) (013) Mary Evans Caplis Burse ($10000) (014) Bob & Peggy Semmes Memorial Burse ($10000) (019) Margaret Glenn Memorial Burse ($10000) (020) Dr. James V. Ward Memorial Burse ($10000) (026) Sheryl Seal Sweeney Memorial Burse ($10000) (027) Rev. Richard Lombard Memorial Burse ($10000) (027) Rev. Richard Lombard Memorial Burse #2 ($10000) (031) Pearl Heck & Leona Boudreaux Memorial Burse ($10000) (033) Beryl K. & Joseph D. Ozenne Memorial Burse ($10000) (035) Dr. James V. & Rosemary C. Ward Burse ($10000)

(043)

(040) (041) (042)

(044)

Msgr. Earl Vincent Provenza Burse ($10000) Servant of God Fr. Isidore Armand Quémerais Burse ($10000) Servant of God Fr. Jean Pierre Burse ($10000) Servant of God Fr. Jean-Marie Biler Burse ($10000) Servant of God Fr. Louis-Marie Gergaud Burse ($10000) Servant of God Fr. François Le Vézouët Burse ($10000)

Incomplete Burses: (001) Fr. Mike Bakowski Memorial Burse #2 ($1350) (002) Joseph & Antoinette Bakowski Memorial Burse ($3150) (003) Sam R. Maranto Memorial Burse ($1650) (004) Kathryn Atherton Cook Memorial Burse ($350) (005) Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Burse ($1500) (006) Msgr. J. Carson LaCaze Memorial Burse #2 ($3832.12) (007) Dr. Carol Christopher Memorial Burse ($1200) (008) St. Jude Parish Burse ($6718) (009) St. John Berchmans Knights of Columbus Council 10728 Burse ($1550) (011) Rev. David Richter Memorial Burse #2 ($5000) (015) Bishop’s Seminarian Burse ($4410) (016) Elaine Malloy Frantz Memorial Burse ($1000)

(017)

Msgr. George Martinez Knights of Columbus Council 1337 Burse ($8021.57) (018) Knights of St. Peter Claver Council 144 Burse ($1180) (021) Rev. Edmund “Larry” Niehoff Memorial Burse ($2000) (022) Rev. Blane O’Neil, OFM Memorial Burse ($1475) (023) Msgr. Edmund J. Moore Memorial Burse ($4350) (024) Rev. Joseph Puthupally Memorial Burse ($1650) (025) Kathleen Hightower Memorial Burse ($600) (028) Friends-n-Faith Burse ($600) (029) Rev. Kenneth Williams Memorial Burse ($200) (030) Ottis and Anne Krupa Littlejohn Memorial Burse ($6000) (032) Madeline and Joe Tiller Memorial Burse ($5100) (034) Joseph B. and Lucille Provenza Cordaro Burse ($6100) (035) Dr. James V. & Rosemary C. Ward Burse #2 ($6750) (036) Msgr. Earl Vincent Provenza Burse #2 ($4375) (037) Manuel & Catherine Licciardi, and John & Beverly Miller Burse ($5000) (038) The Malone Family Burse ($250) (039) St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Knights of Columbus Council 9260 Burse ($250) (045) Sister Martinette Rivers Memorial Burse ($200) (046) Domestic Church Burse ($5000) (047) Troops of St. George Burse ($5000)

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 or by scanning the QR Code here.

Be sure to note the name of the burse in the memo line. Burses are completed at $10,000.

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GUEST SPEAKER:

MARY TREVINO

NOWELA Chapter Brunch Saturday, November 11, 2023 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Catholic Center

Mary lives in Denton, TX with her husband of 49 years, Manuel.

She has 4 children and 18 grandchildren. She has served the Catholic Church as Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Sacristan, Catechist, Prayer Group Leader, Confirmation Coordinator, and Parish Council. She has served on teams with Cursillo, ACTS, Marriage Encounter and as Recording and Financial Secretary for Catholic Daughters of the Americas.

3500 Fairfield Avenue Shreveport, LA 71104 Cost $20 per person After 11/07/2023, call Sandy Chapman at (318) 222-0007 to check availability Our Lady of Glory Service Team

Mary has served in various positions with Magnificat, A Ministry to Catholic Women since 1999. Currently, she is the Coordinator for “Our Lady of The Most Blessed Sacrament” Grapevine, TX Chapter and serves in the office of Leadership for the Region 3 Service Team.

Linda Balistrella, Coordinator Michele Duet, Assistant Coordinator Belle French, Secretary Kim DeLouche, Treasurer Majorie Ainsworth, Historian

Join us on November 11th to hear Mary's testimony.

Please Print Legibly

Your Name

Mail Registration Form

Guest Name Additional Guest names may be written on back of this form.

Address City___________________ State____ Zip Phone (_____)______________Parish E-Mail Address

    

Int’l Ministry based on “The Visitation” Luke1:39 Diocesan Approval by Bishop Francis I. Malone Spiritual Director: Rev. Jean Bosco Uwamungu All Clergy & Religious are Complimentary – Call (318) 222-0007 to confirm your attendance.

Donation to help someone attend

$__________

Enclosed is $____________for_______reservations.

Mail Reservation Form and check to:

Magnificat NOWELA P.O. Box 4293 Shreveport, LA 71134

NOVEMBER 2023 35

Around the Diocese...

Informational Meeting for the Internship in Spiritual Direction Virtual Presentation Presenter: Mike Van Vranken Wednesday November 8, 2023 10:00 am or 6:00pm Trained spiritual director and Internship Instructor, Mike Van Vranken, a graduate of the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center’s Internship in Spiritual Direction, will hold an "Informational Meeting" announcing our next Training Program in Spiritual Direction.

Register on the web: https/nolacatholic.org/registration Email archspirctr@arch-no.org or telephone (504) 861-3254.

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THUR

NOV

9

2024

NOVEMBER 2023 37

FEASTS & SOLEMNITIES NOVEMBER 1 All Saints

NOVEMBER 13 Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin

NOVEMBER 22 Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr

NOVEMBER 2 The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day)

NOVEMBER 15 Saint Albert the Great, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

NOVEMBER 23 Saint Clement I, Pope and Martyr; Saint Columban, Abbot; Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, Priest and Martyr

NOVEMBER 3 Saint Martin de Porres, Religious

NOVEMBER 16 Saint Margaret of Scotland; Saint Gertrude, Virgin

NOVEMBER 4 Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop NOVEMBER 9 The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica NOVEMBER 10 Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church NOVEMBER 11 Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop

NOVEMBER 17 Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious NOVEMBER 18 The Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles; Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, Virgin; BVM NOVEMBER 21 The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

NOVEMBER 24 Saint Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs NOVEMBER 25 Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr; BVM NOVEMBER 26 Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe NOVEMBER 30 Saint Andrew, Apostle

upcoming events

NOVEMBER 3-4 Mission Marketplace @ Broadmoor United Methodist Church NOVEMBER 4, 6-8 PM Multicultural Praise & Worship Night @ Catholic Center, 3500 Fairfield Ave NOVEMBER 9, 11 AM Loyola College Prep Style Show & Luncheon Tickets are $50 in advance or $55 at the door. Call 318-2266290 for more information

NOVEMBER 9-12 Women’s ACTS Retreat To register or for more information visit stjosephchurch.net

NOVEMBER 11 Magnificat NOWELA Chapter Brunch @ Catholic Center, 3500 Fairfield Ave To register or for more information see flyer on page 35

NOVEMBER 11 Red Beans and Rice Rundraiser @ St. John the Baptist Church See any member of the St. John the Baptist Church Knights of Columbus for more details.

NOVEMBER 16-19 Men’s ACTS Retreat To register or for more information visit stjosephchurch. net

NOVEMBER 18-19, After all Masses Mary’s Workers Bake Sale for Seminarians @ St. Joseph Church, Shreveport All proceeds go directly to the seminarians of our diocese.

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WHERE IS BISHOP MALONE THIS MONTH? WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST

All Saints’ Day Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 12:10 PM

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND

All Souls’ Day Mass; St. Joseph Cemetery, Shreveport; 11:00 PM; followed by Blessing of the Graves

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD

Diocesan Finance Council meeting; Catholic Center, Shreveport; 12:00 PM

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH

Multicultural Praise and Worship Night 2023; Catholic Center, Shreveport; 6:00 PM

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH

Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 8:00 AM

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH

Loyola College Prep Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 9:00 AM Loyola College Prep Board of Directors’ Reception; Shreveport; 5:30 PM

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH

Catholic Charities of North Louisiana Joint Luncheon Meeting: Board of Directors & Members Board; Catholic Center, Shreveport; 12:00 PM

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH

Dalton Endowment Committee Meeting; St. Frederick High School, Monroe; 12:00 PM

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH – 16TH

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Meeting; Baltimore, MD

NOVEMBER 2023 39

CATHOLIC CONNECTION DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave.

•

Shreveport, LA 71104

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.

SAVE THE DATE The US Catholic Church’s Giving Day

NOVEMBER 28, 2023

Support the parishes, schools, and ministries of the Diocese of Shreveport!

Advanced Giving opens November 13.

Use the QR Code to make your gift.

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