Bayou Catholic | April 2012

Bayou

Catholic

The magazine for the people of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Alleluia!

He is risen

HOUMA, LA ~ APRIL 2012 ~ COMPLIMENTARY

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April 2012

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Contents Heavenly Recipes

About our cover

The resurrected Christ in stained glass is featured on this month’s cover photo taken by Lawrence Chatagnier. This prominent image of the resurrection is at St. Genevieve Church in Thibodaux. The full image of the stained glass with images of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Nicholls State University, the diocesan coat of arms and the area’s resources can be seen on page 8.

Family Favorite: Mom’s Artichoke Casserole

10 Jesus is Lord Passivity may mean we must speak out

Rite of Election

Marriage

Diocese welcomes

We have 28

39 catechumens

page special

and 49 candidates

section

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54

Our Churches

Our Schools

St. Charles Borromeo

Holy Savior

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in St. Charles Community celebrates 100 years

• Easter Message

• Pope Speaks

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Bayou Catholic April 2012

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School in Lockport: Long history of success

• Reflections

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• Outstanding Students 20

How to reach us:

BY PHONE: (985) 850-3132

BY MAIL: P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395

BY FAX: (985) 850-3232

BY E-MAIL: bayoucatholic@htdiocese.org

Vol. 32, No. 13

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captivity: Together

The Bayou Catholic is published monthly, for the people of the Roman Catholic Diocese of HoumaThibodaux by the H-T Publishing Co., P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395. Subscription rate is $35 per year.

The Bayou Catholic is a member of the Catholic Press Association, the National Newspaper Association and an associate member of the Louisiana Press Association.

National and world-wide news service and photos by National Catholic News Service.

• Where Am I Contest 27 • Young Voices

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Louis G. Aguirre

editor and general manager Lawrence Chatagnier

assistant editor Glenn J. Landry, C.P.A.

business manager Peggy Adams

advertising manager Janet Marcel

staff writer Pat Keese

secretary and circulation Lisa Schobel Hebert

graphic designer Janet B. Eschete

accounts payable assistant Meridy Liner

accounts receivable assistant

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Where to find us Bayou Catholic magazine can be found at all Catholic churches in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and at the three Catholic high schools in Houma, Morgan City and Thibodaux. You may also visit the merchants listed in the Advertisers’ Index to pick up your copy. Those wishing to receive the magazine by mail can call Pat Keese at (985) 850-3132 or write to Bayou Catholic, P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395. Subscription price is $35 annually.

Index to Advertisers Acme Mausoleum-St. Joseph Cemetery ... 47 Advanced Eye Institute .............................. 17 Barker Honda ............................................. 71 Bishop’s Appeal ........................................... 2 Bueche’s Jewelry ....................................... 57 Burma Hall ................................................. 82 Cannata’s .................................................... 88 Capdeboscq .............................................. 85 Caro’s Cakes .............................................. 83 Catholic Home Missions Appeal ............... 13 Cenacle Retreats ........................................ 57 Channel 10 ................................................. 29 Collection for Education to Ministry ........... 23 Courtyard Marriott ...................................... 65 Diocesan Outreach Line .............................. 5 Diocesan Website ...................................... 77 Diocese of Baton Rouge ............................ 56 Family Ministries ........................................ 75 Galliano Religious Supply House .............. 79 Gina’s Catering .......................................... 73 God’s Precious Word & Gifts ..................... 83 God’s Promises Books & Gifts ................. 60 God’s Promises Books & Gifts .................. 76 Gold ‘n Gifts & Bridal Boutique .................. 80 Good Friday Collection .............................. 33 Haydel Spine & Pain .................................. 32 Holiday Inn ................................................. 69 Kelsi Marcel Mason Realtor ....................... 85 KEM Supply House, Inc. ............................ 81 Lewis & Company ...................................... 53 Mary Bird Perkins –TGMC ......................... 19 Norman’s Tuxedos ..................................... 87 Peltier’s Travel Agency ............................... 84 Re-Bath ...................................................... 28 Royal Villa ................................................... 63 SEECA ......................................................... 26 Seminary Burse .......................................... 31 Southland Mall ............................................. 3 Spotlight ....................................................... 6 St. Bernadette Day Camp .......................... 24 St. Joseph Manor ....................................... 51 Steubenville ................................................ 39 Synergy Bank ............................................. 27 Terminix ...................................................... 53 The Wishing Well ....................................... 73 Thibodaux Physical Therapy ..................... 43 Thibodaux Regional Medical Center ....44-45 Thibodaux Regional Medical Center ......... 59 Thirty One ................................................... 86 Vocation’s Office ........................................ 37 Wesley J. Landeche ................................... 78

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Diocesan Outreach Line

In response to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is offering an Outreach Line (formerly known as the Child Protection Contact Line). The Outreach Line is an effort to continue the diocesan commitment to support healing for people who have been hurt or sexually abused recently or in the past by clergy, religious or other employees of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Outreach Line operates from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. A trained mental health professional responds to the line. Individuals are offered additional assistance if requested.

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Outreach Line Telephone number is (985) 873-0026 or Toll free 1-866-444-4241 or Call the Victim Assistance Coordinator at (985) 850-3129

Línea de Comunicación Diocesana

Con el fin de cumplir con las Políticas de la Protección de Niños y Jóvenes de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Los Estados Unidos, la Diócesis de Houma-Thibodaux ofrece una Línea de Comunicación (previamente la Línea de Contacto para la Protección de los Niños). La Línea de Comunicación es parte del esfuerzo diocesano de comprometerse con el mejoramiento de aquéllos que han sido lastimados o abusados sexualmente recientemente o en el pasado por miembros del clero, religiosos u otros empleados de la Diócesis de HoumaThibodaux.

El horario de la Línea de Comunicación de la Diócesis de Houma-Thibodaux es de 8:30 a.m. a 4:30 p.m., de lunes a viernes. El encargado de esta línea es un profesional capacitado en salud mental.

Se ofrece asistencia adicional al ser solicitada.

Línea de Comunicación de la Diócesis de Houma-Thibodaux Número de teléfono (985) 873-0026 Llamada gratuita 1-866-444-4241 o Llame al Coordinador de Asistencia para las Víctimas al (985) 850-3129

Ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi Cöùu giuùp Giaùo phaän

Ñeå höôûng öùng Hieán chöông Baûo veä Treû em vaø Giôùi treû töø Hoäi ñoàng Giaùm muïc Hoa kyø, Giaùo phaän Houma-Thibodaux ñang chuaån bò ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi Cöùu giuùp (luùc tröôùc laø ñöôøng daây lieân laïc baûo veä treû em). Ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi Cöùu giuùp laø moät söï coá gaéng cuûa giaùo phaän nhaèm cam keát haøn gaén naâng ñôõ nhöõng ai ñaõ bò toån thöông hoaëc bò laïm duïng tính duïc hoaëc gaàn ñaây hoaëc trong quaù khöù bôûi giaùo só, tu só hoaëc caùc coâng nhaân vieân cuûa Giaùo phaän Houma-Thibodaux. Ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi Cöùu giuùp Giaùo phaän hoaït ñoäng töø 8:30 saùng ñeán 4:30 chieàu, thöù hai ñeán thöù saùu. Moät nhaân vieân chuyeân nghieäp veà söùc khoûe taâm thaàn traû lôøi treân ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi. Nhöõng caù nhaân seõ ñöôïc trôï giuùp naâng ñôõ theâm neáu caàn. Ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi Cöùu giuùp Giaùo phaän Soá ñieän thoaïi: (985) 873-0026 hoaëc Soá mieãn phí: 1-800-444-4241 hoaëc goïi Nhaân vieân Trôï giuùp Naïn nhaân soá (985) 850-3129 April 2012

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Welcome

Did you know?

Editor’s Corner Louis G. Aguirre Editor & General Manager

New Life

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You can’t miss it … it’s all around us: The majesty that is spring is evident everywhere. Gone is the melancholy of autumn, with the falling leaves that lead us to the mournful, dark and barren days of winter.

God’s nature has now transformed our surroundings into beauty and light.

It is no coincidence that all of these things are a yearly reminder of what the Catholic Church calls the Paschal Mystery. Today we can truly say: He is risen, Alleluia!

In the early years of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, I had the privilege of enriching my faith through daily conversations with then superintendent of Religious Education, Sister Paula Richard, O.P. She taught me that the suffering, death and resurrection of Our Lord shows us how to live our own lives. Especially now she demonstrates how this mystery will one day become a wondrous reality for all of us.

It is in that spirit of joy that we offer our readers the April issue of Bayou Catholic.

Throughout its pages you will experience the joys of the Easter Season.

This can be a time of new life for us. The time for reflection and fasting that was Lent should now lead us to spring into action so we may invite everyone to the Lord’s banquet. The opportunities are endless. As you peruse this issue you should find ways to express and live your faith, be it through prayer or participation in programs such as New Evangelization or Come, Lord Jesus!

And what better way to celebrate new life than by rejoicing in the sacrament of marriage? Included this month is our spring Marriage special section, brimming with stories and photos highlighting the lasting joy that can come from the union of a man and a woman who together consecrate their lives under Jesus Christ and his church.

The large wax candle blessed after the Easter Fire during the Service of Light which begins the Easter vigil is the paschal candle. It is usually adorned with a cross, alpha and omega, and numerals of the current year. The candle may be used during the Easter vigil and at the blessing of the baptismal font, and is customarily lighted at Mass as well as morning and evening prayers throughout the 50 days of the Easter season.

Following the last service on Pentecost Sunday, the candle is removed to the baptistery and from its light the candles of newly-baptized children are lighted throughout the year.

The paschal candle also stands at the head of the casket during funeral Masses.

Diocesan Programs This Week “Revival”

Host: Bishop Sam G. Jacobs Co-Host: Regina Thibodeaux Wednesday 8:30 p.m.

Friday 9:30 a.m. and Sunday 9:30 a.m.

HTV/VISION COMMUNICATIONS, CHARTER COMM. & COMCAST CHANNEL 10 ALLEN’S TV CABLE MORGAN CITY CHANNEL 71 (Digital Channel 30.1-UHF & Channel 7.1-VHF) Mondays - 9:30 a.m.

Thursdays - 9:30 a.m. & 11:00 p.m.

Saturdays - 9:30 p.m.

“Spotlight on the Diocese” Host: Louis Aguirre With Guest: Jeremy Becker Director: Stewardship and Development Office

If you are not receiving these programs in your area, please contact your local cable provider.

April 2012

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

n Free Income Tax Preparation and E-filing every Tuesday and Saturday for people with income under $49,000, through Tuesday, April 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. n 2012 Hike for Christ, (bilingual: English and Spanish), April 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., begins at Christ the Redeemer, Thibodaux. n First Friday Day of Prayer, April 6, Lumen Christi Retreat Center, 9:30 a.m., morning prayer followed by a conference, rosary, reconciliation, Holy Hour, Mass and lunch.

Father Glenn LeCompte will

direct the day. n Easter Vigil, April 7, 8 p.m., all church parishes in the diocese. n Man of God Gathering, April 16, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, meal served at 6 p.m.; events begin at 6:30 p.m. Free event, all men over 18 years of age invited. n aNew Experience, April 18, Sacred Heart Church, Cut Off. n Marriage Preparation Day for pre-registered couples, April 21, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the diocesan Pastoral Center

Conference Hall. Contact your church parish or call the Office of Family Ministries at (985) 850-3129 for registration details. Additional information is available online at www.htdiocese.org/fm. n Stanford testing in Catholic schools, April 23-27. n Evening of Prayer and Song, “Announcing Good News to the Ends of the Earth, A Reflection on the Proclamation of God’s Word,” April 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Lumen Christi Retreat Center. Father Glenn LeCompte will direct the evening.

ordination of Simon Peter Engurait, May 12, St. Bernadette Church, Houma, 10 a.m. n aNew Experience, May 16, Christ the Redeemer Church, Thibodaux, 7-9 p.m. n E.D. White Catholic High School graduation, May 18, Warren J. Harang Jr. Municipal Auditorium, Thibodaux, 9 a.m. n Vandebilt Catholic High School graduation, May 19, Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, Houma, 9 a.m. n Central Catholic High School graduation, May 19,

Holy Cross Church, Morgan City, 1:30 p.m. n Priesthood ordinations of Rev. Mr. Mitch Semar, Rev. Mr. Joseph Tregre, Rev. Mr. Eric Leyble and Rev. Mr. Stuart King, May 26, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma, 10 a.m. n Evening of Prayer and Song, “Eucharist,” May 29, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Lumen Christi Retreat Center. Father Glenn LeCompte will direct the evening.

June 7, Lumen Christi Retreat Center, 9:30 a.m., morning prayer followed by a conference, rosary, reconciliation, Holy Hour, Mass and lunch.

Father Glenn LeCompte will direct the day. n Steubenville on the Bayou, June 15-17, HoumaTerrebonne Civic Center, Houma. Visit www.SteubenvilleOnTheBayou.com for addi-

tional information. This event is sponsored by the diocesan Conference Office. n Man of God Gathering, June 27, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall.

Meal will be served at 6 p.m.; events begin at 6:30 p.m. Free event, all men over 18 years of age invited. Sponsored by the diocesan Conference Office.

MAY n First Friday Day of Prayer, May 4, Lumen Christi Retreat Center, 9:30 a.m., morning prayer followed by a conference, rosary, reconciliation, Holy Hour, Mass and lunch.

Father Glenn LeCompte will direct the day. n Woman of God Gathering, May 7, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall. Meal served at 6 p.m.; events begin at 6:30 p.m. Free event, all women over 18 years of age are invited. n Transitional diaconate

JUNE n Marriage Preparation Day for pre-registered couples, June 3, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall. Contact your church parish or call the Office of Family Ministries at (985) 850-3129 for registration details. Additional information is available online at www.htdiocese.org/fm. n First Friday Day of Prayer,

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

DIOCESAN

APRIL

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EVENTS

April 2012

Bishop’s Message

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What comes to mind when you think of Easter? Spring, new life, freshness, Easter eggs, Easter bunny, new outfit, end of Lent? What is the common element in each of these?

How about the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!

Easter is the day of new life. For Jesus it is new life in a glorified, risen, different human body. He is the same person but totally different in appearance and relationship to time and space. In his different appearances to his many disciples, he is not at first recognized, except through his words and actions. His appearances give them new joy and hope, a new purpose and mission. For us, it is the life of freedom from the bondage of sin, a sharing in the risen life of Jesus, and anticipating the resurrection of our own bodies at the end of time. Like the new blossoms of spring, Easter means that something has died in our life—namely sin—and something new is present—namely Jesus’ life.

May the Risen Christ give you this grace of new life in him!

Happy Easter.

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¿Qué recorre por nuestras mentes cuando pensamos en la Pascua? ¿La primavera, vida nueva, frescura, Huevos de Pascua, el Conejo de Pascua, un traje nuevo, el final de la Cuaresma? ¿Qué elemento en común tienentodos estos? ¡La resurrección de Jesucristo de entre los muertos! La Pascua es el día de vida nueva. Jesús es vida nueva en un cuerpo humano diferente que ha sido glorificado y resucitado.

Jesús es el mismo hombre que ha sido transformado totalmente en apariencia y en relación al tiempo y espacio.

Jesús no fue reconocido inicialmente en cada una de sus numerosas apariciones a sus discípulos. Jesús fue reconocido por sus palabras y sus acciones. Sus apariciones dieron a los discípulos una nueva felicidad y esperanza, un nuevo propósito y una nueva misión. Para nosotros significa una vida libre del yugo del pecado compartiendo la vida de Jesús resucitado y anticipando la resurrección de nuestros propios cuerpos al final de todos los tiempos. Como nuevos retoños en la primavera, la Pascua significa que algo ha muerto en nuestra vida –el pecado- y algo nuevo se nos ha presentado –la vida de Jesús. ¡Qué Cristo Resucitado le dé a usted esta gracia de vida nueva en Él! Felices Pascuas.

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Anh chò em nghó gì khi lieân töôûng ñeán Phuïc Sinh? Muøa Xuaân, söùc soáng môùi, trong laønh, baùnh shoâcoâla Phuïc Sinh, boä ñoà môùi, chaám döùt Muøa Chay? Moãi ñieàu vöøa noùi nghe xem coù yeáu toá gì gioáng nhau? Coøn Chuùa Gieâsu soáng laïi thì sao? Phuïc Sinh laø ngaøy cuûa söï soáng môùi. Vì Chuùa Gieâsu coù ñôøi soáng môùi trong vinh quang, trong thaân xaùc phuïc sinh vaø thaân xaùc ñoù khaùc vôùi luùc tröôùc. Ngaøi vaãn laø moät ngöôøi nhö tröôùc nhöng xuaát hieän hoaøn toaøn khaùc bieät vaø khoâng coøn bò giôùi haïn bôûi khoâng gian vaø thôøi gian. Khi hieän ra vôùi thaân xaùc môùi, caùc ñoà ñeä khoâng nhaän ra Ngaøi ngay luùc ñaàu, nhöng khi Ngaøi leân tieáng vaø laøm daáu laï thì hoï nhaän ra Ngaøi ngay. Ngaøi hieän ra cho hoï nieàm tin vaø hy voïng môùi, muïc ñích môùi vaø söï maïng môùi. Vôùi chuùng ta, ñoù chính laø söï soáng trong töï do khoûi xieàng xích toäi loãi, ñöôïc chia seû vôùi Chuùa Gieâsu phuïc sinh, vaø ñoù chính laø soáng phuïc sinh maø chuùng ta mong ñôïi trong ngaøy sau heát. Nhö nhöõng ngaøy cuûa muøa xuaân, Phuïc sinh coù nghóa raèng caùi gì ñaõ cheát trong ñôøi ta – chính laø toäi – vaø caùi gì ñoù môùi laï xuaát hieän – chính laø söï soáng cuûa Chuùa Gieâsu. Xin Chuùa Phuïc Sinh ban cho anh chò em aân suûng trong söï soáng môùi! Möøng Chuùa Phuïc Sinh.

April 2012

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Easter • Pascuas • Phuc sinh Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Bayou Spirit

s n g Si of e f i L w Ne Spring is here and God’s nature has transformed the dormant to the living and new life. As we look around us there is evidence of new life everywhere from Christ’s resurrection to the beauty of nature.

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Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

April 2012

Comment Jesus Is Lord

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Bishop Sam G. Jacobs

What is the real issue facing our country today? It is the role of government in the life of individuals and in institutions. How intrusive can the government be before the basic, natural, God-given rights of individuals and institutions are violated with impunity?

The beauty of our democracy is that we have three independent branches of government: the executive, the legislative and the judicial. Each is to act as a check and balance of the others to safeguard and protect the inalienable rights of the citizens of this country.

Two basic rights that are being threatened in a number of ways are the right to religious freedom of worship and the right to follow an informed conscience. When one person insists that his or her right is violated and in turn the rights of others are violated to please the one person, there is something wrong with this picture.

Prayer has been part of the fiber of this nation from the beginning.

The recognition of God has been part of the foundation of this nation from the beginning. Public prayer has been said before the inauguration of our presidents, at the beginning of the legislators’ sessions in Washington and in the swearing in of our public officials. Now, why is it that the objection of a very small minority has determined that it

is unconstitutional to mention God in our public schools, to pray before the beginning of public meetings or events, to display religious symbols in public areas? What happened to the rights of the others?

The most recent intrusion of the government into the life of its citizens is the recent HHS mandate that would force people to pay for medical procedures and drugs that would violate their conscience and religious belief. Even though we, as Catholics, believe that abortion, contraception pills and devices and sterilization are immoral, we realize that others may not agree.

But the issue is greater than that.

If a woman makes the choice to use these means because she feels she has a right, why are we, who are opposed to them, forced to provide these for her, when to do so would violate our right of conscience and

religious freedom of belief?

Our fight is not with individuals or political parties that profess things other than what we believe.

Our fight is for the safeguarding of fundamental principles upon which this country was founded. But even beyond that, we are fighting for the fundamental principles that have been given to us by God and not by the state of society.

I remember a number of years ago reading an article stating that the leading voices in the mass media were going to change the moral views of this country in 10 years. They and others are succeeding. Together we must speak out and make the voice of the silent majority heard loud and clear. Otherwise, passivity may mean captivity. I write as a moral leader and as a citizen, exercising my right to free speech.

Passivity may mean captivity: Together we must speak out April 2012

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

El silencio es cautiverio: Debemos alzar nuestras voces

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¿Cuál es el verdadero problema en nuestro país? El papel que ejerce nuestro gobierno en la vida de los ciudadanos y las instituciones. ¿Cuán invasivo suele ser el gobierno al violar con impunidad los derechos humanos básicos y naturales dados por Dios a los hombres e instituciones? Lo bueno de nuestra democracia es que tenemos tres ramas independientes de gobierno: ejecutivo, legislativo y judicial.

Cada uno desempeña una función de control y equilibrio con las otras ramas para salvaguardar y proteger los derechos inalienables de los ciudadanos de esta nación.

Dos derechos básicos que han sido amenazados de varias formas son el derecho a ejercer la religión y el derecho a seguir la conciencia propia. Cuando un ciudadano insiste que su derecho ha sido violado y los derechos de los demás son transgredidos para proteger los derechos de ese ciudadano, entonces hay algo malo con el concepto.

La oración ha sido parte de la fibra de esta nación desde su comienzo. Dios ha sido parte de la creación de esta nación desde el inicio. Rezar en público ha sido parte de la inauguración de nuestros presidentes, ha sido practicado durante el inicio de las sesiones legislativas en Washington y en el juramento de nuestros jefes de gobierno. Ahora, ¿por qué es la objeción de un grupo pequeño determinante en el fallo que declara inconstitucional mencionar a Dios en nuestras escuelas públicas, rezar al inicio de asambleas y eventos públicos yexhibir símbolos religiosos en lugares públicos? ¿Qué ha sucedido con los derechos de los demás?

La intervención más reciente del gobierno en la vida de la ciudadanía es el reciente mandato HHS que obliga a la población a pagar los procedimientos médicos

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

y las medicinas que violarían sus conciencias y creencias religiosas.

Aunque como católicos creemos que el aborto, anticonceptivos y aparatos de esterilización son inmorales, nos damos cuenta que los demás no están de acuerdo con nosotros. Pero el problema es mucho mayor. Si una mujer elije usar estos métodos porque ella siente que tiene el derecho y si nosotros estamos opuestos a estos métodos, entonces, ¿por qué estamos obligados a proveerle estos métodos cuando al hacerlo violaría nuestro derecho de conciencia y nuestro derecho de ejercer nuestras creencias religiosas?

Nuestra lucha no es con personas o partidos políticos que profesan cosas diferentes a las que nosotros creemos. El objetivo

de nuestra lucha es salvaguardar los principios fundamentales en los que esta nación se fundó. Pero también estamos luchando por los principios fundamentales que Dios nos ha dado y no por el estado de la sociedad.

Recuerdo que hace muchos años leí un artículo que predecía que las voces más reconocidas en los medios de prensa iban a cambiar los puntos de vista morales de esta nación en diez años. Ellos y los demás lo estaban logrando. Juntos debemos alzar nuestras voces pues somos la mayoría silenciosa y debemos ser escuchados con fuerza y claridad. De otra manera, el silencio es cautiverio. Les escribo como líder moral y como ciudadano que ejerce su derecho de libre albedrío.

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LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

April 2012

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Thuï Ñoäng Coù nghóa Laø Tuø Ñaày Taát caû haõy leân tieáng

Vaán ñeà naøo chính maø chuùng ta ñang ñoái dieän ôû ñaát nöôùc chuùng ta?

Coù phaûi chính phuû coù boån phaän xen vaøo ñôøi soáng ngöôøi daân hay taäp ñoaøn? Laøm theá naøo chính phuû coù quyeàn xaâm laán ñeán quyeàn caên baûn maø Thieân Chuùa ban cho moïi ngöôøi vaø taäp ñoaøn roài baét hoï ñoùng tieàn phaït khi vi phaïm luaät maø luaät ñoù ñi ngöôïc laïi vôùi luaân lyù? Caùi ñeïp daân chuû cuûa quoác gia chuùng ta ñang soáng laø coù ba ngaønh haønh phaùp rieâng bieät: haønh phaùp, laäp phaùp vaø tö phaùp. Moãi nghaønh coù boån phaän theo doõi vaø thaêng baèng caùn caân quyeàn haønh cuûa ñoái phöông ñeå duy trì vaø ñaûm baûo quyeàn baát caû xaâm phaïm cuûa daân chuùng trong ñaát nöôùc.

Hai quyeàn caên baûn ñang bò nguy cô moät caùch naøo ñoù chính laø quyeàn thôø phöôïng vaø quyeàn soáng vôùi löông taâm. Khi moät coâng nhaân cho raèng quyeàn caên baûn cuûa mình bò toån thöông vaø cuõng vì theá quyeàn cuûa nhöõng ngöôøi khaùc cuõng bò xuùc phaïm vôùi muïc ñích laøm thoûa maõn moät caù nhaân xem ra böùc tranh naøy khoâng oån roài.

Caàu nguyeän laø moät teá baøo cuûa cô theå ñaõ toàn taïi ngay töø khi laäp quoác. Söï caûm nhaän coù Thieân Chuùa laø nguoàn goác cuûa quoác gia ngay töø ban ñaàu. Caàu nguyeän thöôøng xaûy ra tröôùc khi caùc toång thoáng nhaäm chöùc, tröôùc cöû toïa quoác hoäi trong nhöõng laàn hoïp toång theå vaø caùc vieân chöùc nhaäm chöùc khaùc nöõa. Taïi sao baây giôø vì moät thieåu soá phaûn ñoái roài ñöa ñeán keát luaän laø ñi ngöôïc laïi vôùi hieán phaùp chæ vì nhaéc ñeán Chuùa nôi tröôøng coâng, caàu nguyeän tröôùc khi coù nhöõng cuoäc hoïp coâng coäng hoaëc ôû caùc bieán coá khaùc, chöng baøy aûnh töôïng choã coâng chuùng?

Coøn quyeàn cuûa nhöõng ngöôøi khaùc thì sao?

Söï xaâm phaïm quyeàn caên baûn coâng nhaân gaàn ñaây nhaát laø qua boä y teá vaø baûo veä nhaân sinh chính phuû baét ngöôøi daân phaûi traû nhöõng dòch vuï y khoa vaø nhöõng loaïi thuoác vò phaïm ñeán löông taâm vaø nieàm tin toân giaùo. Maëc daàu laø nhöõng ngöôøi Coâng Giaùo chuùng ta tin raèng phaù thai, thuoác ngöøa thai vaø nhöõng duïng cuï ngöøa thai khaùc vaø choáng

April 2012

sinh saûn laø voâ luoân, chuùng ta nhaän ra raèng nhöõng ngöôøi khaùc khoâng cuøng nieàm tin. Nhöng vaán ñeà to lôùn hôn nhieàu. Neáu moät ngöôøi ñaøn löïa choïn duøng nhöõng phöông phaùp ngöøa thai vì baø cho raèng ñoù laø quyeàn caù nhaân, taïi sao chuùng ta khoâng, ai choáng laïi hoï, ai baét phaûi cung caáp nhöõng phöông tieän ñoù cho hoï, vì khi laøm theá seõ vi phaïm quyeàn löông taâm vaø quyeàn töï do toân giaùo?

Chuùng ta tranh ñaáu khoâng phaûi choáng laïi moät soá caù nhaân hay choáng laïi nhöõng ñaûng phaùi chính trò maø toân chæ cuûa hoï khaùc vôùi chuùng ta.

Söï tranh ñaáu cuûa chuùng ta laø ñeå

ñaûm baûo nhöõng quyeàn caên baûn maø Ôn Treân ban xuoáng chöù khoâng phaûi chính phuû ban cho.

Toâi nhôù laïi baøi baùo maø mình ñoïc ñöôïc caùch ñaây maáy naêm noùi raèng tieáng noùi haøng ñaàu cuûa ngoân luaän laø seõ thay ñoåi caùi nhìn löông taâm trong quoác gia naøy trong voøng 10 naêm tôùi.

Hoï ñang ñaït ñöôïc muïc ñích. Taát caû chuùng ta cuøng leân tieáng ñeå tieáng noùi laëng caâm cuûa ñaïi ña soá ñöôïc laéng nghe moät caùch thoûa ñaùng. Neáu khoâng, thuï ñoäng seõ laø xieàng xích. Ngoøi buùt naøy laø tieáng noùi löông taâm cuûa ngöôøi laõnh ñaïo vaø cuûa moät coâng nhaân, thöïc thi quyeàn töï do ngoân luaän.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Strengthening the Church at Home Strengthening the Church at Home

13

Catechesis | Aid to Parishes | Seminary Formation | Lay Ministry Training

Support the Catholic Home Missions Appeal The collection will be held April 28 and 29. Thank you for your generosity

Catholic Home Missions Appeal | Office of National Collections 202-541-3346 | www.usccb.org/nationalcollections Copyright Š 2012, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Artwork: Br. Mickey McGrath, OSFS.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

April 2012

Comment The Pope Speaks

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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI blessed and rang the official International Eucharistic Congress bell, which has been on tour across Ireland for nearly a year, in preparation for the world meeting in June.

An Irish delegation, led by the 2012 congress president Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, presented the pope with the small brass bell before the start of his weekly general audience March 14. Before the pope was driven into St. Peter’s Square, he met with the delegation and rang the bell.

Congress organizers said a quarter of a million Irish pilgrims have rung the bell since the start of its pilgrimage March 17, 2011.

The bell has been brought to parishes, schools, nursing homes and hospitals throughout Ireland to raise awareness about the eucharistic congress and to call people to attend the event.

According to tradition, St. Patrick left a bell in every church he consecrated as a way to call people to the Eucharist, congress organizers.

The delegation also presented the pope with a medal commemorating the congress, and a bowl of Irish shamrock to mark the March 17 feast of St. Patrick.

The 50th International Eucharistic Congress is in Dublin June 10-17 with the theme: “The Eucharist: Communion With Christ and With One Another.”

Pope Benedict will not be attending the congress.

During his general audience with

CNS PHOTO/L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO

Pope Benedict XVI rings the International Eucharistic Congress Bell before his general audience at the Vatican March 14. At left are Father Kevin Doran, secretary general of the International Eucharistic Congress, and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, president of the congress.

about 10,000 pilgrims from all over the world, the pope continued his cycle of talks on prayer and started a new chapter looking at prayer depicted in the Acts of the Apostles and the Letters of St. Paul.

He spoke about Mary and her “privileged place in the church, of which she is the ‘exemplar and outstanding model in faith and charity.’”

He said people can learn how to pray from Mary: listening patiently and humbly, and freely and fully accepting God’s will.

Often people turn to prayer when facing great difficulty, anxiety or fear, he said, because by turning to the Lord, people can find “light, comfort and help.”

Mary also invites people to experience another dimension of prayer and “to turn to God not just when in need and not only for oneself,” but to pray together as a Christian community, united in faith “with one heart and one soul,”

he said.

“Mary teaches us the necessity of prayer and shows us how, only with a constant and intimate bond of love with her son, can we leave ‘our home’ and step outside of ourselves with courage, in order to reach the ends of the earth and everywhere proclaim Lord Jesus, savior of the world.”

At the end of his talk, the pope met with Cardinal EmmanuelKarim Delly, Chaldean patriarch of Baghdad, and Chaldean Auxiliary Bishop Shlemon Warduni of Baghdad, who presented the pope with a wrapped gift.

The pope also met with Chaldean Bishop Sarhad Yawsip Jammo, head of the Catholic Diocese of St. Peter the Apostle, of San Diego.

The Iraqi-born bishop has under his care Chaldean Catholics in the western United States, and he was leading a pilgrimage of about 90 Chaldean Catholics to Rome.

Pope rings bell symbolizing call to turn out for Eucharistic Congress April 2012

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Question Corner Father Kenneth Doyle

Is getting a tattoo or smoking a sin?

seem to be Section 2290 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church where we read that “the virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco or medicine.”

Clearly, if only the abuse is to be avoided, then smoking by itself is not prohibited.

But the catechism was published in 1994, and since then evidence has grown about the harm from smoking -- to the smokers and to bystanders subjected to secondhand smoke.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that, in the U.S. alone, upward of 400,000 people die annually from smokingrelated causes; and a study by Emory University showed that pregnant women who smoked a

Q

Since we are only stewards of our bodies until we die, I was wondering whether such things as smoking, getting tattoos, excessive tanning and working out either too little or too much are sinful, according to the beliefs of the Catholic Church. (Columbus, Ohio) First, there is a solid scriptural basis for your claim that we are only stewards of our bodies.

St. Paul asks the early Christian believers, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? Therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Cor 6:19-20).

You have answered part of your question by the way you have defined the terms. Excessive tanning is clearly wrong, since it suggests that the consequence could be skin cancer, a nexus which is well-documented medically.

Similarly, “working out too little or too much” implies that one is ignoring the need for physical exercise (thus inviting cardiovascular problems and obesity) or that someone is risking harm by overtaxing the body.

So let’s focus here on the two remaining issues: smoking and tattoos.

The only reference to smoking in the church’s official teaching would

A

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

pack of cigarettes a day were 85 percent more likely to give birth to a child who is developmentally disabled.

I think that you can look for the Catholic Church, moving forward, to voice more and more concern over the morality of smoking.

There has been an indication of this in a 2004 article in the scholarly Jesuit review La Civilta Cattolica.

There, Father Giuseppe De Rosa mentions some of the medical consequences of smoking and, while stopping short of branding it a sin, says smokers cannot damage their own health and that of others “without moral responsibility.”

The particular significance of the

article is that La Civilta Cattolica is considered a semiofficial publication, since its articles are prescreened for doctrinal orthodoxy by the Vatican Secretariat of State.

As for tattoos, there is a line in Leviticus 19:28 where, through Moses, God admonishes the Israelites, “Do not lacerate your bodies for the dead, and do not tattoo yourselves. I am the Lord.”

The particular context, though, was this: God was cautioning the Jews not to adopt the mourning customs of their idolatrous Canaanite neighbors. One verse earlier the Jews were advised, “Do not clip your hair at the temples, nor trim the edges of your beard” -- and presumably, God does not today oppose getting a haircut or a trim.

So there is no specific church teaching against tattoos, and in some cultures, notably in some parts of Oceania, tattoos serve as a necessary rite of passage into adulthood.

Leaving aesthetics aside, the morality of tattoos depends on the attendant circumstances. Is it a health risk, because the particular tattoo parlor uses dirty needles which invite infection? What does the tattoo portray? (Some show religious symbols, while others are vulgar or even demonic).

Is it excessively expensive, when resources are needed for things more substantial? In the case of minors who are under the authority of their parents, is it an act of disobedience and defiance?

2012 Catholic News Service

Questions may be sent to Father Kenneth Doyle at askfatherdoyle@ gmail.com and 40 Hopewell St., Albany, N.Y. 12208 April 2012

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Reflections Readings Between The Lines Father Glenn LeCompte

A 16

Revealing Jesus’ identity

s the first act (1:15—3:6) of Part II (1:15—8:26) of Mark’s story came to a close Jesus’ ministry of preaching, teaching and healing met with conflict initiated by the Jewish religious leaders. Each time he is confronted, however, Jesus is able to defend his actions by means of either a mighty deed or wise saying.

The Jewish’ religious leaders’ negative reaction to Jesus’ ministry might have turned people away from him. Yet, as Act II (3:7—5:43) begins, Mark tells the reader that multitudes follow Jesus and his disciples as they withdraw from the town of Capernaum to the Sea of Galilee. His popularity is primarily due to his reputation as a healer (3:10). Yet, the injunction to silence Jesus imposes upon the unclean spirits he expels from people indicates that such a reputation is an inadequate expression of his identity. The fullness of his identity is not yet clear to the characters in the story.

With a great crowd now seeking his services, Jesus names 12 “apostles” (literally, “those who are sent”) to share in his ministry of preaching and healing. His choice of 12 indicates he is reestablishing the people of God. As we have seen, Jesus’ ministry is not met with favor by all, as some charge Jesus with lunacy or demonic activity (3:20—27). While Jesus answers these charges (3:2329), he begins to utter his teaching in parables (4:1-34) in order that those who lack the vision of faith will not understand. Alternatively, Jesus wants his disciples to understand and gives them private explanations of his parables (4:34).

April 2012

Yet such explanations are evidence of their struggle to understand.

Some may be surprised at the assertion that Jesus’ disciples in Mark are without understanding during his ministry. Yet a careful reading of the Gospel, without a pietistic slant, reveals just that!

In fact, the disciples’ difficulty with understanding who Jesus really is comes to the fore in the episode of Jesus calming a storm (4:35-41). Jesus’ walking on the sea conjures up Old Testament images of God dividing the waters to create (Genesis 1:1-2:4a), splitting the Sea of Reeds for the Exodus generation to pass through in safety (Exodus 14:21-22) or controlling stormy seas (Job 38:16; 41:17). Yet, the disciples still ask, “Who is this?” as if they might want to suggest that Jesus has manifested divine affinities but cannot understand how this can be.

Similar to the situation of the disciples in the storm-tossed boat, Jesus’ native townspeople dance around the question of his identity (Mark 6:1-6). Their familiarity with him, as the saying goes, “breeds contempt,” so they choose to identify him instead as a small town native who comes back and tries to assert his superiority over them due to the popularity he has enjoyed. Their ignorance regarding his identity advances a negativity that has been slowly emerging in the crowd since Mark 5:40, when some ridiculed Jesus over the issue of raising Jairus’ daughter.

Some among the crowd hail Jesus as Elijah himself (who was expected to return) or another prophet (6:15), and Herod thinks Jesus is John the Baptist raised from the dead (6:16). The irony could not be more stark here! John’s death, about which Mark reminisces in 6:17-29,

foreshadows Jesus’ approaching fate. Yet, the suggestion that John has been raised from the dead also anticipates Jesus’ resurrection, although Herod does not realize what he is talking about.

The Twelve experience two things that should clue them in to Jesus’ identity. First upon their return they imply that their mission in Jesus’ name has met with success (6:30). Secondly when great crowds gather about him again, Jesus imitates and surpasses a symbolic act of the prophet Elisha by feeding a multitude (6:34-43). Jesus’ act here is meant to symbolize God’s ultimate visitation, an event that is imaged as a great banquet in Isaiah (25:6). Jesus then approaches them walking on the sea, but they do not recognize him; terrified, they presume he is a ghost. Mark intimates that their ignorance here was due to lack of insight about the incident with the loaves, a lack of insight which will surface later (8:15-21) when Jesus questions them about the numbers of baskets of fragments they collected in the two incidents of feeding a multitude (6:34-43; 8:1-9).

After more incidents of healing and misunderstanding in chapter 7, Jesus attempts to heal a blind man at Bethsaida (8:22-26). His first attempt will result in only a partial recover of sight, then only after a second imposition of hands is his sight fully restored.

It is the only time in the Gospels that a healing miracle takes two steps. This is significant, because it foreshadows the progress of the revelation of Jesus’ identity. In the initial passage (8:27-33) of Part III (8:27—16:8) of Mark’s story, a partially-understood identification of Jesus will be made.

s

on n Questi o i t c e fl e R

s’ g of Jesu erstandin d n e u w ll h ight a fu en thoug n Why m for us ev lt u s? l c e p ffi s i Go be d ies of the r identity o st te le comp have the entity of e true id th e r u sc factors ob day? n What world to r u o n i to Jesus er know Jesus bett e k a m o to ound us? can we d world ar e n What th y b erstood and und Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Casilda 11th century April 9

CNS

Born in central Spain, Casilda was the daughter of the emir of Toledo. Though a Muslim, she had a reputation for being kind to Christian prisoners. After she became sick, she went on a pilgrimage to the shrine of San Vicenzo de Briviesca, which was famous for its healing waters. She was cured and became a Christian, embarking on a life of solitude and penance in a cell near the shrine. Her name eventually was added to the shrine’s name, and she reputedly lived to the age of 100. In 1750 her remains were transferred to a new shrine.

Saints

Benedict Joseph Labre 1748-1783 April 16

Crosiers

Born in France the eldest of 15 children of a prosperous shopkeeper, Benedict tried unsuccessfully to join a religious order. He was rejected as too young, too delicate and too eccentric. After a pilgrimage on foot to Rome around 1770, he spent several years wandering among Western Europe’s Catholic shrines, begging as he went. From 1774 on, he stayed in Rome, spending his days praying in churches and his nights in the ruins of the Colosseum.

The Roman people esteemed this mendicant pilgrim, whose health finally failed, as a “new St. Francis.”

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Saints

Zita c. 1218-1278 April 27

Crosiers

At age 12 Zita began working as a domestic in the household of a wealthy weaver in Lucca, Italy, and remained there her entire life.

Initially, the devout and punctilious Zita antagonized her fellow servants, and drew the ire of her employers for lavish gifts of food to the poor. But she gradually won over everyone by her goodness, and was put in charge of the house. Later in life, she spent much time visiting the sick and imprisoned. At her death, she already was acclaimed a saint in Lucca and her cult spread to England through Lucchese merchants in London.

Saints Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

April 2012

Heavenly Recipes

Family Favorite Story and Photos

by Lawrence Chatagnier 18

This month’s recipe and favorite dish was used for the St. Joseph Altar at Holy Savior Church parish in Lockport. It came to Lockport by way of Mandeville.

It’s called Mom’s Artichoke Casserole. Sue Braniff, a parishioner of Holy Savior got the recipe from her mother Anita Braniff who lives in Mandeville.

Sue Braniff lived in New Orleans until Hurricane Katrina and the 17th Street Canal flooded her Lakeview home. After 27 days of water as high as 10 feet in her home she decided it was time to move elsewhere.

Braniff was an educator in the St. Charles Parish school system. After Katrina she lived in Baton Rouge and commuted to Luling during the week. Eventually a friend told her about an apartment that was available in Lockport.

“The first time I set foot in Holy Savior Church I knew everything would be okay. The beauty and majesty of the church is remarkable,” says Braniff. A short time later a friend from the parish told her about a house that was available for purchase. It was located in Lockport and Braniff loved the idea of living there so she purchased the house where she lives today.

“The people of Lockport are like no others. They are so warm and friendly. Their kindness is so sincere and genuine. Since living here this is the happiest I’ve ever been,” she says.

“At Holy Savior we have a great priest in Father Robert Rogers. He is a wonderful spiritual director and a great teacher,” says Braniff.

This year the person who is usually in charge of the April 2012

St. Joseph Altar, Velma Dufrene, was unable to prepare the food and the construct the altar. With Dufrene’s guidance and the involvement of her children, the Altar Society and parishioners prepared food and constructed the altar.

“It was a wonderful opportunity for the parishioners to work together to prepare the altar and honor St. Joseph,” she says.

As far as the casserole, she says that her mother is a wonderful cook and the artichoke casserole is a family favorite.

“When I told my mom I needed something for the St. Joseph altar she said the artichoke casserole would be a good dish for St. Joseph. I also think that Father Rogers enjoyed the casserole himself,” says Braniff.

Mom’s Artichoke Casserole

1 1/2 large cans of bread crumbs (Progresso) 4 or 5 garlic cloves - chopped 1/2 cup chopped parsley 3 or 4 handfuls of grated Italian (Romano) cheese Juice of 2 lemons 3/4 pint of olive oil 3 cans of artichoke hearts - drained and cut into quarters Salt and pepper to taste Mix above ingredients with artichokes. Put in casserole pan (13x9x2). Make two layers … sprinkle each layer with cheese and crumbs. Dot with butter and cover with foil. Bake at 400 degrees for about 1/2 hour.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

April 2012

O

utstanding Gabrielle Espiritu Anna Chadwick

Abigail Grabert

20 Aishia Brady

Jennie Bouzigard

Alexandria Medine

Taylor Smith

April 2012

Daniel Donovan

Claire Melancon

Emma Thomas

Cade Duplantis

Kaylee Parfait

John Trapp

Amelia Viator

Shelby Ellis

Cody Pech

Andrew Guidry

Mary Sauce

Michael Wise II

Mary Zeringue

Students Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Story by Janet Marcel Outstanding fifth, eighth and 12th grade non-public school students from within the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux were recently chosen to represent their schools as 2012 Students of the Year.

The Students of the Year Awards program is sponsored by the Louisiana State Superintendent through the State Department of Education and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Every public and approved non-public school in the state is invited to participate.

“The program recognizes outstanding elementary, middle/ junior high and high school students who have demonstrated excellent academic achievement, leadership ability and citizenship in their school and community,” says Marian B. Fertitta, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and chairperson of the program for the non-public schools within the diocese.

All 13 Catholic schools in the diocese and Houma Christian School participated in this year’s awards program, which resulted in 20 students from the three grade levels competing at the district level. Three candidates from schools within the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux were selected to represent Region VI – Nonpublic Schools – in the regional competition.

Anna Chadwick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Chadwick, fifth grade, St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School, Thibodaux; Abigail Grabert, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Grabert, eighth grade, Holy Savior Elementary School, Lockport; and Gabrielle Espiritu, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfredo Espiritu, 12th grade, Vandebilt Catholic High School,

Houma, competed in a regional screening at the Catholic Life Center in Baton Rouge.

The regional interviewing committee is made up of individuals from across the state. Winners at the regional level will participate in the state competition in Baton Rouge on April 18.

In addition to the district winners, students selected to represent their school in diocesan competition are as follows.

Fifth graders: Daniel Donovan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Donovan, Maria Immacolata Elementary School, Houma; Cade Duplantis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniels Duplantis Jr., Holy Savior Elementary School, Lockport; Andrew Guidry, son of Mr. and Mrs. Barry Guidry, Holy Rosary Elementary School, Larose; Cody Pech, son of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Pech, St. Mary’s Nativity Elementary School, Raceland; Taylor Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Smith, St. Gregory Elementary School, Houma; John H. Trapp, son of Mr. and Mrs. Heinke Trapp, St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School, Houma; Amelia Viator, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Viator, St. Bernadette Elementary School, Houma; Michael Wise II, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wise, Holy Cross Elementary School, Morgan City; and Mary Zeringue, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Zeringue III, St. Genevieve Elementary School, Thibodaux.

Eighth graders: Aishia Brady, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Todd Brady, Holy Rosary Elementary School, Larose; Jennie Bouzigard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Bouzigard, Vandebilt Catholic High School, Houma; Shelby Ellis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Ellis, E.D White Catholic High School, Thibodaux;

of the Year Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Claire Melancon, daughter of Christine R. Melancon and John “Pat” Melancon (deceased), St. Mary’s Nativity Elementary School, Raceland; Kaylee Parfait, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronn Parfait, Houma Christian School, Houma; and Emma Thomas, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ruben Thomas, Central Catholic High School, Morgan City.

12th graders: Alexandria Medine, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Medine, Central Catholic High School, Morgan City; and Mary Sauce, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Sauce, E.D. White Catholic High School, Thibodaux.

A five member selection committee reviewed each of the candidate’s portfolios and spent one day interviewing each of them individually, before choosing the district winners. Winners on the district level were chosen on the basis of their portfolio, grade point average, leadership, service/citizenship, involvement in extracurricular activities, writing ability and the manner in which they presented themselves during the interview.

Members of the district selection committee were Norris Cantrelle, diocesan School Advisory Council vice-president; Luke Ford Jr., retired Lafourche Parish School Board supervisor; Cathy Klingman, director of the diocesan Office of Family Ministries; Deacon Jim Swiler, diocesan chancellor; and Cathy Telford, retired principal.

The diocesan Office of Catholic Schools sponsors a breakfast each year to honor these outstanding students at the Lumen Christi Retreat Center in Schriever. Bishop Sam G. Jacobs, students and their parents, school principals, pastors and selection committee members attend the breakfast.

April 2012

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Entertainment

Seeing Clairely

The things we sow

Claire Joller

V 22

Vestiges of what we call winter are still in evidence as I write this.

Any drive down a truly rural road gives proof that even springlike temperatures in February and early March do not deceive for long the things that grow in our soil.

Woods hugging state highways are, in other seasons, dense to the ground with jungles of undergrowth and towering trees. But yesterday as we drove along one road, we were treated to a parade of palmettos’ fanned spears, seeming to move kaleidoscopically as the car whizzed past—miles and miles of them, the only visible greenery along the forest floor.

Soon, when other aggressive vines and bushes hit their spring stride, the palmettos will have to compete with these late-comers for sunlight.

Native plants such as these can be taken for granted sometime, but not so those that at some point required loving care to flourish. These carefully selected, thoughtfully placed specimens are also in evidence as we drive along lonely roads.

One dilapidated house with a handicapped-accessible ramp climbing to the front door was succumbing to tall weeds. The house sat a little way back from the highway, seedlings sprouting from its gutters and grimy windows barred from the inside with plywood screens.

This abandoned home could have been a sad sight but for the flowering azaleas along a property line and all along the house’s façade. The azaleas were pink and fuchsia, and all shades of rose between. Their blooms

April 2012

did not only punctuate the bushes; they ran rosy riot over every shoot.

I can only surmise that the woman who lived there—and if that ramp is any clue, left for good—chose these azaleas’ particular colors and long ago stood in the yard directing their planting, perhaps by her husband.

She and he would have checked their growth year to year, and seasonally anticipated that time

in early March when the shrubs adorn the landscape. These azaleas yesterday seemed to be outdoing themselves … maybe showing off for the home owners who can no longer see them.

A little farther down the road, a wooded area has survived the development nearby. Since the woods themselves are just about bare and not remarkable now, a line of cedar trees was even more prominent.

For a short distance, their deep green, almost conical shapes lined the straight roadside on the edge of the groves behind. The cedars are

sporadically spaced, but enough of them are evenly divided to make me assume someone took the trouble long ago to plant these stalwarts.

I could not see an abandoned structure through the thickets, but I am inclined to think that some farmer liked cedars enough to give them this pride of place near roadside. Considering the size of those trees, they have been there awhile, longer than the planter’s lifetime.

But the farmer’s preferred evergreens can be enjoyed by every passer-by.

I’ve seen September spider lilies sprouting up their leafless blossoms at the feet of huge oak trees that once led up to an entrance of a vanished homestead. They continue to flirt with their dainty red blossoms’ stamen eyelashes for whoever will notice.

I’ve seen walls of white bridal wreaths, tangled with wild shrubs, stubbornly continuing to mark some family’s ancient property line.

Despite their challenges, these survivors and hangers-on are still beautiful. What we plant remains long after we are gone.

(For comments or inquiries about this column, Claire Joller can be contacted by email at clairely1@ comcast.net).

) ) What we plant remains

long after we are gone.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

23

Many are Called

Few Are Chosen

This Easter Season Please Remember A Special Diocesan Collection For Education To Ministry The collection will be held the weekend of April 7 and 8.

Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

April 2012

Special Events

Transitional diaconate ordination is May 12

Rev. Mr. Simon Peter Engurait

The Rev. Mr. Simon Peter Engurait will be ordained to the transitional diaconate Saturday, May 12, at St. Bernadette Church in Houma at 10 a.m. Bishop Sam G. Jacobs will be the ordaining prelate.

The transitional diaconate is the final step leading to ordination to the priesthood.

The Rev. Mr. Engurait was born and raised in Ngora, a small town in Uganda, East Africa. He is the 40 year old son of Clement W. Aeko and Crencentia Akareut Aeko and is one of 14 children. His parents had four boys and 10 girls; three of which are deceased. Simon Peter is the seventh born and he has an older brother who is a priest and an older sister who is a nun.

He graduated high school from St. Peters College Tororo in Uganda.

He has been attending Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans since the fall of 2007 and plans to graduate

in the summer of 2013.

As part of his priestly formation, he served at St Bernadette Church parish in Houma in 2007, where he ministered to parishioners in their homes, visited nursing homes, worked with youth ministry, the parish census, and assisted the priest during Mass.

In 2009, he served at St Lucy Church parish in Houma, where he ministered to parishioners in their homes, and assisted the priest during Mass.

He worked with Prison Ministry in 2010 sharing his faith, praying with and counseling inmates.

After ordination he is looking forward to serving as a deacon at eucharistic celebrations, “because that is the source and summit of our faith,” he says.

The Rev. Mr. Engurait will be graduating in May 2013 and will be ordained to the priesthood soon after.

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Registration in Gym (youth room) Ages 5 to 13 or 4 & starting Preschool 1st registration - March 31st 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.

2nd registration - April 21st 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.

St. Bernadett Day Camp 20 e 12

(if any openings)

Camp Dates:

May 28th - July 20th Monday - Friday Non-Refundable Fees:

$50 registration fee & 1st week of camp due @ registration (Includes 2 camp shirts) Additional shirts $10 each

Parishioner rates as follows: $95 per week for one child $180 per week for 2 children

Non-parishioner rates as follows: $115 per week for one child $220 per week for 2 children

April 2012

Camp Hours:

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Before care - 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. - $2 per child After care - 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - $3 per child

T-shirt & packet pick-up May 12th 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Late registration - $10 additional charge (if any openings)

Part time Minimum 3 days per week

Must commit to 7 of 8 weeks Parishioner $70 Non-parishioner $90 Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Scripture Readings Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

and a listing of Feast days and saints.

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

7

April

Sunday

8

Holy Saturday Genesis 1:1—2:2 Genesis 22:1-18 Exodus 14:15— 15:1 Mark 16:1-7

Solemnity of Easter Sunday: Resurrection of the Lord Acts 10:34a, 37-43 Colossians 3:1-4 John 20:1-9

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

Solemnity of Easter Monday Acts 2:14, 22-33 Matthew 28:8-15

Solemnity of Easter Tuesday Acts 2:36-41 John 20:11-18

Solemnity of Easter Wednesday Acts 3:1-10 Luke 24:13-35

Solemnity of Easter Thursday Acts 3:11-26 Luke 24:35-48

Solemnity of Easter Friday Acts 4:1-12 John 21:1-14

Solemnity of Easter Saturday Acts 4:13-21 Mark 16:9-15

Solemnity of the Second Sunday of Easter Divine Mercy Sunday Acts 4:32-35 1 John 5:1-6 John 20:19-31

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

Easter Weekday Acts 4:23-31 John 3:1-8

Easter Weekday Acts 4:32-37 John 3:7b-15

Easter Weekday Acts 5:17-26 John 3:16-21

Easter Weekday Acts 5:27-33 John 3:31-36

Easter Weekday Acts 5:34-42 John 6:1-15

Easter Weekday Acts 6:1-7 John 6:16-21

Third Sunday of Easter Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 1 John 2:1-5a Luke 24:35-48

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

Easter Weekday Acts 6:8-15 John 6:22-29

Easter Weekday Acts 7:51—8:1a John 6:30-35

Feast of Mark, evangelist 1 Peter 5:5b-14 Mark 16:15-20

Easter Weekday Acts 8:26-40 John 6:44-51

Easter Weekday Acts 9:1-20 John 6:52-59

Easter Weekday Acts 9:31-42 John 6:60-69

Fourth Sunday of Easter Acts 4:8-12 1 John 3:1-2 John 10:11-18

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1 May 2

3

4

5

6

Easter Weekday Acts 11:1-18 John 10:1-10

Easter Weekday Acts 11:19-26 John 10:22-30

Feast of Philip and James, apostles 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 John 14:6-14

Easter Weekday Acts 13:26-33 John 14:1-6

Memorial of Athanasius, bishop and doctor of the church Acts 12:24—13:5a John 12:44-50

Special Events

Chaplain, associate pastor named Two pastoral appointments, effective immediately, have been announced by Bishop Sam G. Jacobs.

Rev. John J. Theckevalliara, who recently obtained a master’s degree in pastoral studies from AdMU (Ateneo de Manila University) in the Philippines, has been appointed full-time chaplain at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center in Thibodaux, for a period of two years.

Rev. Mario A. Veloso, who has been serving as assisting resident priest of Our Lady of the Light Catholic Church parish in Loon, Bohol, Philippines, has been appointed associate pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Church parish in Larose and Sacred Heart Church parish in Cut Off, for a period of two years.

Father Theckevalliara, a native of Kerala, India, graduated from St. Albert’s College in Ranchi,

Rev. John J. Theckevalliara

Bihar, India, and was ordained on April 3, 1982. He has been working on his master’s degree since 2008.

Father Veloso, a native of Maribojoc, Bohol, Philippines, graduated from Divine Word

Rev. Mario A. Veloso

Seminary in Tagaytay City, Philippines, and was ordained April 28, 1990. He has been serving as assisting resident priest of Our Lady of the Light Catholic Church parish, since 2009.

26

April 2012

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

W

Contest

here Am I? in a w d n a r e t En ® Card A S I V 0 $5

This image of a fish is located somewhere in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Do you know where it can be found? If so you can win a VISA® Card in the amount of $50 from Synergy Bank Main Office.

Send your guess entitled “Where Am I?” by email to: bayoucatholic@htdiocese.org, by fax to: (985) 8503232, or to Bayou Catholic, P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395. Deadline to enter is April 30. In the event of a tie, the winner will be randomly selected from all of the correct entries. Winner will be announced in the June issue of Bayou Catholic. Diocesan employees of the Pastoral Center and its satellite offices are not eligible to participate.

LIC

HO AYOU CAT

NIER/B E CHATAG LAWRENC

27

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

April 2012

Special Events

St. Genevieve sponsoring Holy Spirit presentation

Nominations sought for teacher of year 28

The Council of Catholic School Cooperative Clubs (CCSCC) is seeking to honor the most inspirational Catholic school teacher of the year for 2012.

Guidelines and nomination forms will be available on the Catholic Schools Office webpage at www. htdiocese.org under the Formation Ministries tab, on individual schools’ websites, and on schools’ Edline websites. Hard copies of the forms will also be available in the diocesan Catholic Schools Office and in every school office.

Nominations will be accepted from April 15 through May 15. Please remember those teachers who have been an inspiration by nominating them for this honor.

SINCE FAST

l

St. Genevieve Church parish in Thibodaux will host a presentation on the Holy Spirit Thursday, April 19, at 7 p.m., with guest speakers Al and Patti Mansfield.

Al Mansfield has served the Catholic Church for 40 years in teaching, pastoral ministry and administration. He holds an undergraduate degree in history and a master’s degree in theology from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. Mansfield has been a pioneer in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal since 1968, serving as coordinator of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of New Orleans office. His presentation

Divine Mercy Sunday, April 15 Divine Mercy Sunday will be observed at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma, Sunday, April 15, from 1:30 to 4 p.m.

The devotion will include exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, recitation of the rosary and the chaplet of divine mercy.

There will be time for private prayers in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and priests will be available for confession. It will

RE BATH

AFFORDABLE

l

st Call 1-800-BATHTUB (228-4882) Intere or 225-753-6810 for Free g a free in-home consultation. cin Finan

Tub to Shower Conversions April 2012

will be entitled “What the Holy Spirit Can do for you.”

Patti Gallagher Mansfield was a participant in the February 1967 “Duquesne Weekend” which marked the beginning of the Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church. From the earliest days of the renewal she has served as a leader through teaching, writing and pastoral ministry.

Her testimony has been widely published and she has been a speaker at conferences and retreats for laity and priests in the United States and around the world. Her presentation will be entitled “Come Holy Spirit.”

conclude with a Benediction and veneration of a first class relic of St. Faustina.

Everyone is invited to come and pray for the Catholic Church and all Catholics during this Year of the New Evangelization. Let us ask the Lord to renew, replenish, reinvigorate our local church with his divine mercy so we can evangelize to all.

For further information, call Donna Lapeyre, at (985) 872-6987.

1979

GUARANTEED FOR LIFE

One Instal day lation

Ask about our 1000 discount.

Mention code: “Bayou Catholic” and receive an additional $100 discount.

STEVE DECELL

Aging-In-Place Consultant

$

Walk-in Tubs Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Tune In To...

Quality Family Programming for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

~ Channel 10* on Comcast of Houma and CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS of Terrebonne Parish. ~ Channel 10* on CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS in Thibodaux. ~ Channel 10* on VISION COMMUNICATIONS of South and Central Lafourche *Channel 10 is provided by and in cooperation with HTV of Houma. ~ Channel 71, ALLEN’S TV CABLE of Morgan City

SUNDAY

6:30 A.M. 9:00 A.M. 9:30 P.M.

Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary Closer Walk Spotlight/Revival

6:30 A.M. 9:00 A.M. 9:30 A.M.

Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary The Choices We Face Spotlight/Revival

6:30 A.M. 9:00 A.M. 9:30 A.M.

Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary Divine Intervention Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary

MONDAY

TUESDAY

29

WEDNESDAY Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary

6:30 A.M. 9:00 A.M. 9:30 A.M.

6:30 A.M. 9:00 A.M. 9:30 A.M. 11:00 P.M.

6:30 A.M. 9:00 A.M. 9:30 A.M.

6:30 A.M. 9:00 A.M. 9:30 A.M.

Closer Walk Live With Passion

THURSDAY Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary Living Scripture Spotlight/Revival Spotlight/Revival

FRIDAY

Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary Live With Passion Spotlight/Revival

SATURDAY Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary Real Food Spotlight/Revival

Programs produced by the Diocesan Office of TV Communications. We reserve the right to make program changes.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

April 2012

Special Events

Msgr. Frederic J. Brunet

Food for the Journey May 1

30

The diocesan Office of Religious Education sponsors a monthly lunchtime speaker series on the first Tuesday of the month at the Quality Hotel on Hollywood Road in Houma across from Vandebilt Catholic High School.

The speaker for May 1 is Thibodaux native Msgr. Frederic J. Brunet.

Msgr. Brunet, who has been serving as pastor of St. Joseph Church parish in Chauvin since August 1972, attended Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans and was ordained to the priesthood June 4, 1960. He is the diocesan finance officer, and a member of the Bishop’s Cabinet and the Apostolic Administrator’s Cabinet.

He received the title of prelate of honor (monsignor) in January 1983.

Those who plan to attend the May 1st event should RSVP with their name, phone number and church parish by Thursday, April 26. To RSVP, email FoodForTheJourney@ htdiocese.org or call (985) 8503178.

Doors open at 10:45 a.m. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. The program begins at Noon with the speaker’s presentation from 12:10-12:45 p.m.

Cost is $13 and includes meal, drink and tip. Only cash or checks will be accepted.

All are invited to come “eat and be fed.”

April 2012

A Pro-Life Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma with Father Glenn LeCompte as the main celebrant. Houma Knights of Columbus Council No. 1317 sponsored the Mass and the fourth degree honor guard participated. The Pro-Life Family for the celebration was Trevis and Maryn Olivier and their baby Easton.

Prayer for New Evangelization

God, you will all to be saved and come to the fullness of your life.

Pour out on us your Holy Spirit in a fresh new way during this Year of the New Evangelization. By baptism and confirmation we have been called and commissioned to be witnesses of the Good News of your love. Stir in each of our hearts the response you desire to this call. Empower us anew with a zeal for the Gospel. As we grow in faith, enable our light to shine for others to see. Enable us to be attentive to the grace of your Holy Spirit and not be ashamed to acknowledge you before others nor ashamed to share the message of salvation with others. Through the intercession of Our Lady may we come to a deeper faith experience, to a greater commitment to witness and a renewed sense of praying for the evangelization of those who are inactive and un-churched. May you be glorified during this Year of the New Evangelization.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Seminarian Education Burses

What is a seminarian burse fund?

A seminarian burse fund is an invested sum of money where the interest is used in perpetuity to help fund the education of men to the priesthood in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

How does someone establish a seminarian burse fund?

Very simply, a burse may be established and named for anyone you choose, be it family, friend, bishop, priest, religious, etc.

When is a seminarian burse complete?

A seminarian burse fund is complete once it reaches $15,000.

If you choose to continue to contribute, a new burse will be created for you.

Who do I contact to contribute to or establish a burse fund?

To contribute or establish a burse, send funds to Pastoral Center, Attn: Seminarian Burse, P. O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395 or call Jeremy Becker, Director of Stewardship and Development, at 985-850-3155 for more information.

Completed Burses of $15,000 each

Note: those wtih a number stipulates the number of completed burses* - Anonymous

- Clay Sr. & Evelida Duplantis

- Mr. & Mrs. C. Thomas Bienvenu

- C. Remie Duplantis

- Harry Booker

- Marie Elise Duplantis

- Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux (3)*

- Warren J. Harang, Jr.

- Rev. Adrian J. Caillouet

- Msgr. Raphael C. Labit

- Rev. James Louis Caillouet

- Msgr. Francis J. Legendre

- Bishop L. Abel Caillouet

- Rev. Charles Menard

- Judge/Mrs L. P. Caillouet

- Donald Peltier, Sr. (2)*

- Msgr. Lucien J. Caillouet

- Harvey Peltier (30)*

- Abdon J. & Ada B. Callais

- Richard Peltier

- Harold & Gloria Callais Family

- Orleans & Louella Pitre

- Paul A. Callais

- Msgr. Joseph Wester

- Peter W. Callais

- Robert R. Wright, Jr.

- Vincent & Fannie Cannata

- Rev. Kermit Trahan

- Minor Sr. & Lou Ella Cheramie

- Diocesan K of C

- Maude & Edith Daspit

- Endowment Fund - $119,136.90

February 2012 Burse Contributions Donald Peltier, Sr. #3 .....................................$1,000.00 Mr. Eledier Broussard........................................$100.00 Rev. Robert J. Sevigny ..................................... $100.00 Rev. Guy Zeringue ............................................. $50.00 31

- Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis family (3)*

Open Burses with Balance as of 2/29/12 Mr. Eledier Broussard

................. $11,400.00

Rev. Gerard Hayes ................................ $3,886.00

Msgr. Stanislaus Manikowski ................ $1,025.00

Sidney J. & Lydie C. Duplantis ........... $10,800.00

Rev. Henry Naquin ................................ $3,810.00

Rev. Clemens Schneider ....................... $1,000.00

Msgr. Raphael C. Labit #2 .................. $10,600.00

Msgr. William Koninkx .......................... $3,700.00

St. Joseph Italian Society ...................... $1,000.00

Harvey Peltier #31 .............................. $10,486.91

Kelly Curole Frazier ............................. $3,490.96

Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux #4 ........... $1,000.00

Clay Sr. & Evelida Duplantis #2 .......... $10,000.00

J. R. Occhipinti ..................................... $3,400.00

Msgr. John G. Keller .............................. $1,000.00

C. Remie Duplantis #2 ........................ $10,000.00

Donald Peltier, Sr. # 3............................ $3,100.00

Warren J. Harang, Jr. #2 .......................... $900.00

Marie Elise Duplantis #2 ..................... $10,000.00

Mr. & Mrs. Galip Jacobs ....................... $3,060.00

Deacon Willie Orgeron ............................. $800.00

Maude & Edith Daspit #2 .................... $10,000.00

St. Jude ................................................. $3,000.00

Rev. Anthony Rousso ............................... $750.00

Msgr. George A. Landry ...................... $10,000.00

Catholic Daughters ............................... $2,930.00

Mr. & Mrs. John Marmande ...................... $700.00

St. Bernadette Men’s Club .................... $8,000.00

Diocesan K of C #2 .............................. $2,894.62

Deacon Edward J. Blanchard ................... $660.00

Rev. Victor Toth ..................................... $7,000.00

Joseph “Jay” Fertitta ............................. $2,845.00

James J. Buquet, Jr. ................................. $650.00

Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier ................. $6,700.00

Rev. Peter H. Brewerton ....................... $2,600.00

Deacon Roland Dufrene ........................... $550.00

Brides of the Most Blessed Trinity ......... $5,935.00

Mrs. Ayres A. Champagne .................... $2,000.00

Deacon Raymond LeBouef ...................... $550.00

Rev. Peter Nies ..................................... $5,450.00

Rev. H. C. Paul Daigle .......................... $1,900.00

Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Cannata .................... $500.00

Mr. & Mrs. Love W. Pellegrin ................. $5,000.00

Msgr. Francis J. Legendre #2 ................ $1,645.00

Deacon Robert Dusse’ ............................. $450.00

Anonymous #2 ...................................... $5,000.00

Msgr. Emile J. Fossier ........................... $1,545.00

Deacon Harold Hurtz ................................ $300.00

Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis Fmly.#4..... $5,000.00

Dr. William Barlette, Sr........................... $1,525.00

Richard Peltier #2 ..................................... $300.00

Rev. William M. Fleming ........................ $5,000.00

Anawin Community ............................... $1,500.00

Claude Bergeron ...................................... $200.00

Rev. Kasimir Chmielewski ..................... $4,839.00

Rev. Robert J. Sevigny .......................... $1,400.00

Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Naquin .......................... $150.00

Harry Booker #2 .................................... $4,138.00

Msgr. John L. Newfield .......................... $1,200.00

Rev. Guy Zeringue ................................... $100.00

Overall Seminarian Burse Totals: $1,328,792.39 Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

April 2012

Special Events

Novena begins Good Friday

A Divine Mercy Novena will begin Good Friday, April 6, at Noon, in the Meditation Garden at St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Thibodaux.

A special devotion in observance of Divine Mercy Sunday will be held Sunday, April 15. There will be eucharistic adoration and confession from 2 to 3 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy sung by Jon Callais of Larose at 3 p.m., Mass at 3:20 p.m. celebrated by Father Dean Danos, followed by reflections with Lilla Marie Lottinger.

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER PHOTOS/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Lay witness training 32

WINNER!

A lay witness training was held recently at the Pastoral Center in Schriever. Scott Samford, a Catholic missionary who has done home visits in Gibson and Chacahoula, instructed those in attendance how to be a lay witness for home visitations.

In the photo at right, Marvin Compton and Samford perform an exercise in role playing of a home visit by a lay witness.

Michael S. Haydel, M.D., FIPP Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice Board Board Certified CertifiedininAnesthesiology Interventional Pain Management and Anesthesiology

A winner has been chosen for Bayou Catholic’s “Where Am I” contest for the month of February. This stained glass image of Christ can be found in the chapel of the Lumen Christi Retreat Center in Schriever. Several correct entries were received and a winner was drawn at random. Amy Richterberg, a parishioner of St. Bridget Church parish in Schriever, is the winner of a $50 gift certificate from God’s Precious Word and Gifts.

The Region’s 1st & Most Comprehensive Spine & Pain Center

www.painspecialty.net

*NO REFERRAL NEEDED*

Michael P. Charlet, M.D., FAAN Board Certified in Neurology Fellowship in Neuromuscular Diseases

985-223-3132

315 Liberty Street, Houma, LA 70360 AdId: 2012 D 304805311 - 01 April CustId: 9276309856 Dir/Iss: HUCLA Y1 02/2011 UDAC: TQH - PCW

YPH: 103939 Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA Physicians & Surgeons Doctors YPSH:

Good Friday Your Support Provides •

Pastoral care for 29 parishes

•

Housing and health care for the poor

•

Schools, often at no charge to students

•

Care for the shrines and chapels

•

Welcome for pilgrims

33

Please Be Generous

April 6, 2012

Christians in the Holy Land need your help now!

For more information about the Good Friday collection or the work of the Holy Land Franciscans, visit: www.myfranciscan.org

For more information about the Good Friday collection or the work of the Holy Land Franciscans, visit: www.myfranciscan.org

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

April 2012

Young Voices

What Saint do you

34

Kelly Bruce, 15 years old

Tyler Dean, 16 years old

St. Hilary of Poitiers Church parish, Mathews Central Lafourche High School

St. Bridget Church parish, Schriever H.L. Bourgeois High School

The saint I most relate to is St. Vitus. He is the patron saint of dancers and those who get really nervous. I’ve been dancing for my whole life and I get extremely nervous. I just learned about St. Vitus and how he struggled with being nervous, especially when he told his father about his religious beliefs. After he told his father, he was relieved and just danced. Now every time that I’m nervous I pray to him before any big thing I have going on and I know if he can do it so can I. I can very much relate to him and I know praying to him always calms my nerves.

The saint that I can relate to the most would be St. Michael the Archangel. I chose him because he is the one who fights against the devil and disbelievers of Jesus and his faith. I also stand up for my faith. If I hear someone talking about how God doesn’t exist I’ll sit down and talk with that person and give him or her some advice to go to church and try to pray. Also I’ll tell that person to talk to a priest. He’s a strong and powerful saint and I would like to stand up for my faith like he does.

Brittany Clement, 17 years old St. Lawrence the Martyr Church parish, Kraemer Thibodaux High School Although there are many saints who are all amazing and help people in as many ways as possible,

Brittany Clement April 2012

Kelly Bruce there is one in particular that is my favorite. That saint would have to be the Apostle St. Jude Thaddeus.

He is also known as “the Miraculous Saint,” and I think that fits him very well. The thing I like most about St. Jude is that when you lose all hope and think something will never happen, he proves that anything is possible. Although a lot of his work happens at the last second, he still gives so many people hope and helps them not to give up. I have experienced this with things that have happened in my life. Toward what I thought was the end of my life because of my life threatening illness, I suddenly felt the strength to fight back. Although not totally, I’m finally, slowly getting better.

I truly believe St. Jude had a lot to do with this and helping me through it all. I also think he has so much to do with the recovery of so many horrible things. St. Jude does so many miraculous things and at times I think we should stop and thank him because even though we may not realize it, he is always there to give a helping hand and to give us all hope to go on.

Tyler Dean

Reflections Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

relate to the most?

Annie Knight, 15 years old St. Bridget Church parish, Schriever E.D. White Catholic High School

Annie Knight

St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina is the perfect model to which one, even someone of a young age, should look to in dark times in his or her life. The way he endured so much suffering, through the stigmata, all for our Lord with no cries of pain involved, absolutely touches my heart. As teens, we often act as though our lives are at end when we encounter the most minuscule turn of events. If we would only offer up our crosses and prayers to Jesus Christ through St. Pio, we could experience the strength that so often escapes our grasp.

James Rodrigue II

Leroy Scott Jr., 16 years old

James Rodrigue II, 15 years old

St. Ann Church parish, Bourg South Terrebonne High School

St. Louis Church parish, Bayou Blue Evergreen Junior High School

I’ve been looking for the saint that I mostly relate to for years now as there are so many saints, and I’ve finally found the right one.

The saint that I am talking about is St. John Berchmans. I relate to this saint the most because our characters are exactly alike. We are both naturally kind, gentle and affectionate toward people, a favorite with friends, brave and open, attractive in manner, and have a bright, joyful disposition.

Yet we also, by natural disposition, are impetuous and fickle. That is why I can relate to this saint the most.

The saint that I relate the most to is St. George, patron saint of Scouting, because he slayed a dragon. While I haven’t killed an actual dragon, I have, as has everyone else, metaphorically killed a dragon. The dragon he had to kill was making the villagers’ lives unbearable, but the ‘dragon’ that I usually have to kill is only affecting my friends or me, like a group project or making plans for an event. We all have to kill that dragon at some point in our lives, and to do that, we have to turn to God for help.

Leroy Scott Jr.

from young people of the diocese Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

April 2012

35

Steubenville on the Bayou gathering is June 15-17

36

In 2006, the Catholic youth conference “Steubenville on the Bayou” was born in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Co-sponsored

by Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, it became one of 18 youth conferences held across the United States each summer. Many people ask, “What is Steubenville?” This seemingly simple, yet complex question spawns a multitude of responses that vary just as vastly as the large dichotomy of the conferences’ participants.

A Steubenville youth conference is hosted by a local organizer (in this case, the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux) and Franciscan University’s Youth Outreach Office.

Franciscan University will assign a speaking team, create the theme, talk outlines and schedule for the weekend. The local organizer will ensure that all logistics such as venue, sound system, visual aids, catering, lodging and registration of groups is taken care of. The 2012 Bayou conference is anticipating over 90 groups for a combined total of 3,200 participants and volunteers.

From the spiritual angle, the Steubenville youth conferences are an experience of a lifetime.

Participants have the chance to share their faith with their peers, engage in real worship before the Lord and have many of their questions about the Catholic faith answered. With the opportunities to partake in both the sacrament of reconciliation and the Eucharist, this truly Catholic conference is an opportunity for all wishing to journey further into their faith.

The talks and music are Christcentered and geared toward the audience of youth and young adults.

Though it is a “youth conference” no one should make the mistake of thinking that the adults leave the conference weekend without an experience of their own. They April 2012

return home with the realization that Christ is real within the youth of our church and they are the church of today, not just tomorrow. This allows everyone the heartwarming feeling of knowing that Christ is alive in us all!

Steubenville on the Bayou in this diocese will be held June 15-17 at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. Hundreds of volunteers will begin arriving on Thursday for training and to assist with setup.

Friday afternoon begins with an optional Travelers’ Mass and the 90-plus groups will check in, take time to visit the bookstore, meet with other participants and be given the opportunity to participate in the sacrament of reconciliation.

As the conference kicks off, they’ll enjoy lots of praise and worship time with the band, meet this year’s hostess, Tammy Evevard, and hear an incredible keynote address by Dr. Deregal Burbank.

The evening will end with time before the Blessed Sacrament. The conference continues Saturday with Mass celebrated by Father Jose’ Robles-Sanchez in the main arena, various breakout sessions and a period of entertainment by local band More Than Sunday.

Saturday night will conclude with a keynote by Paul George and eucharistic adoration. The

conference concludes Sunday with 10 a.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop Sam G. Jacobs. This Mass is open to the public but guests should not arrive before 9:30 a.m.

A new addition to this year’s conference is the young adult conference sessions. Many young adults have, and will, be a part of “Mercy Crew”; the young adult group that comes together on the Tuesday prior to the conference for a six-day retreat that leads into the conference. Though Mercy Crew is an incredible opportunity for many, Bishop Jacobs recognized the need for something more flexible for the young adults to be a part of. So this year young adults are invited to register as a participant with their church parish and they will be able to attend their own sessions on Saturday.

People of all ages are invited to be a part of the Steubenville on the Bayou Catholic Youth Conference.

Participants include youth, young adults or adults chaperoning the group. Mercy Crew is for those who have already graduated high school to 26 years of age. Adults can register as a volunteer for the conference. Additional information can be obtained at www.

SteubenvilleOnTheBayou.com or by calling the diocesan Conference Office at (985) 850-3171.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

WHAT

A discernment weekend retreat for women wanting to know more about religious life.

WHO

High School Junior & Senior Women College-Age Young Adult Women

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Come & See

for Women

WHEN WHERE COST INFO

Saturday, June 2, 830am - Sunday, June 3, 6pm St Francis de Sales Cathedral Convent, Houma, LA The retreat is free. Contact the Vocations Office to sign up.

(985) 850-3149 | vocations@htdiocese.org For more info, go to facebook.com/htvocations

FR JOSHUA RODRIGUE, DIRECTOR OF VOCATIONS

(985) 850-3149 | VOCATIONS@HTDIOCESE.ORG FACEBOOK.COM/HTVOCATIONS

WHAT

A discernment weekend retreat for men wanting to know more about ordained priesthood and seminarian life.

WHO

High School Junior & Senior Men College-Age Young Adult Men

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Come & See for Men

YOUTUBE.COM/HTVOCATIONS

WHEN WHERE COST INFO

Saturday, June 23, 830am - Sunday, June 24, 6pm St Francis de Sales Cathedral Convent, Houma, LA The retreat is free. Contact the Vocations Office to sign up.

(985) 850-3149 | vocations@htdiocese.org For more info, go to facebook.com/htvocations

Special

Serenity Square

Vandebilt memorial for students blessed

38

Serenity Square, a memorial honoring the four Vandebilt students, T.J. Cantrelle, Gabrielle Hebert, Ian Haydel and Megan Hitt, who were killed in an auto accident in September 2010 was dedicated and blessed at Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma recently. Vandebilt president David Keife thanked the contributors and those present for the dedication. Father Jerry Daniels, school chaplain, is shown pouring water from the River Jordan into the memorial fountain. Rachel Hebert, mother of Gabrielle Hebert who spearheaded the memorial project, spoke about the construction process and everyone who was involved.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier April 2012

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

39

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

April 2012

Our Churches

Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

St.

Charles Borromeo in St. Charles

1o0

Community celebrating

years of service

St. Charles Borromeo Church parish situated along the banks of Bayou Lafourche in the St. Charles Community was established March 19, 1912, with Father Albert S. Mauret as its first pastor in residence.

Father Michael Manase, O.C.D., pastor of the parish since June 2008, says the parishioners as a whole are very united. “There are many volunteers and the people are very generous and cooperative.

The previous nine pastors did a very great job in this parish building community; I am trying to build on the foundation that has already been built by helping the parish grow and expand for the next generations.

The blessings we have received need to be passed on to people. We want to show everyone, active, non-active, churched and unchurched, that we are a welcoming community.”

The pastor feels that there should be no barriers for people who want to come to see him. He says he is always available for the people. No matter what a person’s life situation might be, he wants them to know he is there to listen to them and welcome them back to the church.

Father Manase enjoys being pastor at St. Charles Borromeo parish where he has a good staff, pastoral council and finance council, and about 800 active families which are a mixture of young, old and middle aged. In the small rural community, the parishioners are a close knit group, he says.

Dr. Judy Theriot, parish centennial chairperson, adds that there is a noticeable bond between the parishioners of the community. “For example if someone regularly attends a certain Mass and one week they’re not there, others who regularly attend that Mass will try to find out if that person is sick

a

Our Churches

42

The staff of St. Charles Borromeo Church parish are from left, Lisa Whitman, religious education coordinator; Pat Zeringue; office assistant; Kyle Schexnaydre, church/cemetery maintenance; Father Michael Manase, O.C.D., pastor; Patti Knoblock, bookkeeper; and Carolyn Bourgeois, secretary. Not pictured is Deacon Alduce Landry (retired), and Mary Chauvin, housekeeper.

or whatever. People care for one another; there’s a warmth about that.”

Because of the family like atmosphere in the parish, the main goal for the anniversary celebration was to involve as many parishioners as possible, say Dr. Theriot. The centennial committee held a brainstorming session with many parishioners attending to participate in deciding what types of activities they would have during the year to commemorate the anniversary. They placed sign-up sheets in the church pews for people who wanted to volunteer. Dr. Theriot reports that 150 people not only returned the sheets but they remained active throughout the year. “All of our activities have been fun activities and we also had religious activities that have helped us increase our faith,” she says.

The theme for the anniversary was “100 Years of Blessings.” Among the activities that took place throughout the year were the centennial celebration kick-off Mass Saturday, March 19, 2011, with a children’s balloon release after Mass and the April 2012

unveiling of an anniversary sign which was displayed in front of the church throughout the year; a church directory and memory book, promotional bumper stickers, t-shirts and commemorative plates/cups.

The daylong closing celebration began with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Sam G. Jacobs and concelebrated by priests of the diocese. After Mass the celebration continued under the oaks where nine-year-old Zhoey Albert was selected at random to release a dove to represent the peaceful community of St. Charles. All of the other children present were given balloons to release. Two centenarians of the parish, Emiliene Bourgeois and Vivian Adams, unveiled a historical marker, presented by the Lafourche Heritage Society, at the entrance to the old church.

Parishioners participated in centennial activities, listened to live music and enjoyed fellowship with good food such as jambalaya, white beans, gumbo and a roasted pig.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

43

Bishop Sam G. Jacobs celebrated Mass to begin the 100th anniversary daylong closing festivities. Concelebrants of the Mass were Father Warren Chassaniol and Father Roch Naquin, retired priests of the diocese; Father Dean Danos, pastor of St. Genevieve Church parish, and Father Michael Manase, O.C.D., pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Church parish. Assisting were Deacon Lloyd Duplantis, and transitional deacons Eric Leyble and Joey Tregre. Two centenarians of the parish, Emiliene Bourgeois, at left, and Vivian Adams, at right, unveil a historical marker at the entrance to the old church. This statue of the Pieta can be found in the church.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

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April 2012

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If you would like to receive a FREE copy of Doctionary 2012 - a booklet of our physicians complete with addresses and phone numbers - please call 985.493.4326.

Row 1 Clel Acosta, MD Anesthesiology Steven Alevizon, MD Gynecology Anne-Marie Ardoin, MD Pediatrics Satish Arora, MD Ophthalmology Blain Arthurs, MD Radiology Amy Ashton, MD Obstetrics/Gynecology Deepak Awasthi, MD Neurosurgery David Baughman, MD, DDS Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

44

Matthew Beyer, MD Ear, Nose & Throat — Otolaryngology William Bisland Jr., MD General/Laparoscopic/ Bariatric Surgery

Dave Daigle Jr., MD Emergency Medicine Richard DeMoss, MD Pathology Bart G. Denys, MD Cardiology Catherine Diebold, MD Obstetrics/Gynecology Gregory Dobard, MD Radiology Sarat Donepudi, MD General Surgery Thomas Donner, MD Neurosurgery William Dunn, MD Radiation Oncology Stephen Duplechain, MD Gastroenterology David Elias, MD Orthopaedic Surgery Patrick Ellender, MD Orthopaedic Surgery

Judith Blaise, MD Obstetrics/Gynecology

Jimmy Ellis, MD Medical Oncology

John Bloss, MD Obstetrics/Gynecology

Luis Espinoza, MD Rheumatology

Anne Boudreaux, MD Pediatrics

Jay Fakier, MD Radiology

Chester Boudreaux, MD Internal Medicine

Quentin Falgoust, MD Ophthalmology

Maria Braud, MD Psychiatry

Alan Fortier, MD Family Practice

Jorge Bravo II, MD Anesthesiology

Row 3

J. Vance Broussard, MD Ear, Nose & Throat — Otolaryngology

Tommy Fudge, MD Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery

David Jansen, MD Plastic Surgery

Ryan Matherne, MD Dermatology

Sandeep Patel, MD Cardiology

Edward Haight, MD Neurology

John Jones Jr., MD Dermatology Row 4

Venkat Merla, MD Internal Medicine

Row 5

Douglas Harris, MD Family Practice

Barry Landry, MD General Surgery Keith Landry, MD Family Practice

Patrick Hagen, MD Ear, Nose & Throat — Otolaryngology

Laura Campbell, MD Medical Oncology/Hematology

Paul Gaudet, MD Ear, Nose & Throat — Otolaryngology

Thomas Gregory Chaisson, MD Internal Medicine

Carlos Gimenez, MD Radiology

Stephen Harris, MD Family Practice

Stephen Charbonnet, MD Urology

Lee Grafton, MD Dermatology

Arzu Hatipoglu, MD Nephrology

Row 2

Robert Greer, MD Cardiology

Mark Hebert, MD General Surgery

Kyle Guidry, MD Family Practice

Jason Higgins, MD Orthopaedic Surgery

Claudio Guillermo Jr., MD Family Practice

John Hildenbrand IV, MD Orthopaedic Surgery Nephrology/Internal Billy Hillman Jr., MD Medicine Family Practice Neil Maki, MD

Todd Cowen, MD Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation/Pain Management Kenneth Cruse, MD Pediatrics Maria Cruse, MD Psychiatry Adolfo Cuadra, MD Pain Management

David Hagen, MD Ear, Nose & Throat — Otolaryngology

Andrew Hoffmann III, MD Pathology

James Leonard, MD Urology Peter Liechty, MD Neurosurgery

John Milek, MD Obstetrics/Gynecology

Henry Peltier, MD Pediatrics

J. Kevin Modisette, MD Nephrology

Johnny Perez, MD, Ph.D General/Thoracic/Bariatric Surgery

Charles Monier Jr., MD Gastroenterology

Wayne Pharo, MD Cardiology

Paul Monier, MD Infectious Diseases

Sheila Pitre, MD Pediatrics

Natchez Morice III, MD J. Wesley Magee III, MD Obstetrics/ Gynecology Richard Morvant Jr., MD Family Practice Gregory Maidoh, MD Orthopaedic Surgery

Jody Plaisance, MD Family Practice Jimmy Ponder, MD Pain Management

Philip Neal, MD Gynecology

Nicole Prosperie, MD Obstetrics/Gynecology

Orthopaedic Surgery

Tung Nguyen, MD Anesthesiology

Mohammed Rais, MD Cardiology

Brian Marino, MD General Surgery

M. Dirk Ory, MD Family Practice

Rozalynde Randolph, MD Pediatrics

45

Row 6 Allen Vander, MD Larry Smith, MD Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Nephrology Radha Vanukuri, MD James Soignet, MD Internal Medicine Internal Medicine 985.493.4326

thibodaux.com

Pasam Rao, MD Gastroenterology

Christopher Saal, MD, DDS Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

P. Truett Ray Jr., MD Urology

R. Mark Sayes, MD Family Practice

Francis Robichaux, MD Family Practice

James Schweitzer, MD Medical Oncology

Mike Robichaux, MD Ear, Nose & Throat — Otolaryngology

Kerry Shaver, MD Internal Medicine

William H. Robichaux, MD Pathology

Chad Simon, MD Ear, Nose & Throat - Otolaryngology Walter Simoneaux Jr., MD Urology

Roger Steuben, MD Pulmonology

James Viglianco, MD General/Bariatric Surgery

Aluizio Stopa, MD Pediatric Cardiology

Roland Waguespack Jr., MD Family Practice

Herminio Suazo-Vasquez, MD Benjamin Walton, MD Pulmonology Nephrology Chester Weimer, MD Gayathri Talluri, MD Urology Internal Medicine Raja Talluri, MD Internal Medicine

Kenneth Wong, MD Cardiology

Jenny Templet, MD Family Practice

Guy Zeringue Jr., MD Ear, Nose & Throat - Otolaryngology

Justin Tenney, MD Ear, Nose & Throat Otolaryngology

Guy Zeringue III, MD Ear, Nose & Throat Otolaryngology/Plastic Surgery

Alvin Timothy, MD Cardiology

Church Life

46

Approximately 120 men from across the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux recently attended the eighth annual Man of God Conference sponsored by the diocesan Conference Office. Guest speakers included Tim Bogan, diocesan coordinator of the Office of New Evangelization; Jimmie Danos, diocesan director of the Office of Building and Construction; and Paul George, co-founder of ADORE Ministries and diocesan director of the Office of Young Adult Ministry. Deacon Alex Jones, retired evangelization coordinator for the Archdiocese of Detroit, was the main speaker for the event. Participants heard personal testimonies, attended Mass and had the opportunity for adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

April 2012

CONFERENCE Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

St. Joseph Cemetery Thibodaux, Louisiana St. Joseph Cemeter y

P.O. Box Thibodaux, Louisiana 70302-0966

Dear Friends

Beauty and Permanence

The mausoleum will be an enduring structure, combining the beauty of nature with the protection of steel-reinforced concrete and select granite. Each crypt in the facility will be a dry, sealed concrete chamber faced with a beautifully polished granite shutter. Names and dates can be inscribed into the granite shutter when time of need arrives.

Peace of mind Your decision to make a selection today in the beautiful garden mausoleum will bring a priceless sense of security to you and your family. Your selection will spare loved ones the hardship of making burial arrangements during a period of emotional stress, while eliminating the natural tendency to overspend in such circumstances.

A Religious Act

As Catholics, we believe in the power of prayers said for our departed loved ones. We know that each time a burial occurs in a Catholic cemetery or mausoleum prayers are said for the souls of all the faithful laid to rest there. Therefore, selection of burial space in a Catholic facility is our assurance that we will never be forgotten.

Act Now! A Practical Decision

Your initial investment in the mausoleum is your guard against inflation. But you must act now, since all burial spaces are reserved on a first come basis. For more information call (985) 446-0280.

Many years ago the administration of St. Josep h Cemetery decided to provide a modern mausoleum facility for those desir ing above ground burial. Now that our most recent addition is nearing full subsc ription, we have decided once again to contract with Acme Mausoleum LLC to develop additional facilities.

A survey will be conducted in the Thibodau x area to determine the size of the structure. After the survey is completed the Acme firm will build the mausoleum. Having constructed our origi nal mausoleums, the Acme company is well aware of the needs of our community . The program has the full approval of His Excellency, Most Reverend Sam G. Jacobs, Bishop of HoumaThibodaux.

This magnificent memorial will be construct ed so that it will be standing for centuries to come. The structure will be built with the finest materials, steel reinforced concrete and select granite.

It will create an atmosphere truly reflecting the love and care of our families for their deceased.

Regular and continued care will be assured through the establishment of an endowed trust fund. This fund, derived from a portion of each purchase in the structure, will be used solely for the main tenance of the building. The interest and earnings of the special trust fund will be more than ample to maintain this lasting memorial.

Representatives will conduct a survey in this area for the next several weeks to answer questions about the mausoleum and determine who is interested in making provisions for their families. The size of the mausoleum will be determined by the number of crypts selec ted before construction begins.

Therefore, anyone seeking information shou ld speak with one of the representatives now conducting the survey.

If you are interested you should reser ve space now.

Reverend Jay L. Baker St. Joseph Co-Cathedral

Reverend John Gallen Christ the Redeemer

Reverend Dean Danos St. Genevieve

Most Reverend Sam G. Jacobs St. Luke

• Low pre-construction prices are now in effect.

• Easy time payments can be arranged to fit your budget.

• There is a convenient selection of a variety of crypt spaces.

Call today!

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(985) 446-0280

Church Life

Bishop Sam G. Jacobs addresses the catechumens and candidates during the Rite of Election ceremony at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux.

48

Rite of Election

Diocese welcomes 39 catechumens and 49 candidates Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier Bishop Sam G. Jacobs greeted 39 catechumens and 49 candidates of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux at the Rite of Election ceremony on the first Sunday of Lent at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux.

At the Rite of Election of Catechumens and the Rite of the Call to Continuing Conversion of Candidates, the catechumens and candidates gather with others from throughout the diocese and have a sense of being part of the larger church community.

The catechumens, those who have not been baptized, are called forth by name. Their godparents are questioned with regard to their readiness. The catechumens are then invited to sign their name in the Book of the Elect. Next they are greeted by the celebrant and officially declared to be members of the “elect” or chosen by God to be initiated at the Easter Vigil. n Catechumens from the church parishes of the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux are: April 2012

Michael Thomas, Marion Larke, Jenna Stenger, Turner Miller, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma; Kevin Haine, Taylor ToupsSmith, Maria Immacolata, Houma; Ryne Malcolm, Melissa Nutter, St. Ann, Bourg; Virginia Ambrose, Geoffrey Siddon, St. Bernadette, Houma; Chere Boudreaux, Amber LeFevre, Russell Naquin Jr., St. Joseph, Chauvin; Russell Kelley III, Caleb Terrebonne, Michael Valverde, Our Lady of the Rosary, Larose; Michael Miller, St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland; Jeremy Atwell, Pauline Johnston, Christ the Redeemer, Thibodaux; Desiree Alleman, Lynsee Belle, Noah Belle, Shantell Cavalier, Jean Karpan, Courtney Goodwin, Dakota Lux, Shayla Autrey, Holy Cross, Morgan City; William Ridgway, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Chackbay; Darrin Peraza, Abby Trimble, Sacred Heart, Morgan City; Renee Blanchard, Madelyn Odom, St. John the Evangelist, Thibodaux; Arnold Domin, James Hopkins, St.

Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux; Dillon Dickerson, Jessica Dickerson, Larissa Frank, CamRan Franklin, St. Luke, Thibodaux; Kirah Freeze, St. Thomas Aquinas, Thibodaux.

The candidates have already been baptized in other Christian denominations or in the Catholic Church. They are preparing for confirmation and/or Eucharist or reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church. Their names are called and they are presented to the celebrant and the community. Their sponsors are questioned regarding their readiness for the sacrament of initiation. The celebrant then recognizes their desire to be fully initiated at the Easter Vigil and welcomes them individually. n Candidates from the church parishes of the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux are: Jessica LeBouef, Brandy Malbrough, Sulma Reyes, Joshua Voisin, Annunziata, Houma;

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

49 In the photo at left, Bishop Sam G. Jacobs greets candidate Julie Champagne of Maria Immacolata Church parish in Houma during the Rite of Election ceremony. Deacon Martin Dickerson assists catechumen Larissa Frank of St. Luke Church parish in Thibodaux while she signs the Book of the Elect.

Laurie Allemand, Julie Champagne, Justin Urbina, Courtney Dietrich, Maria Immacolata, Houma; Chantell Chauvin, Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Houma; Megan Bellanger, Courtney Tabor, Halee Tabor, Sacred Heart, Montegut; Matthew Callahan, Keri Dupre, St. Anthony of Padua, Bayou Black; Dylan Billiot, Rhiana Corso, James Leger III, Tori Marcel, Jordan Mayon, Jayna Mayon, Donald Meyers, Katelyn Sanders, Cade Sanders, Alyssa Seals, Taylor Tanner, St. Bernadette, Houma; Katie LeBoeuf, Edward Welch, St. Charles Borromeo, Pointeaux-Chenes; Somer Authement, St. Joseph, Chauvin; James Boudreaux, Amber Breaux, Patricia Breaux, Mersadies Viteaux, Paige Viteaux, St. Louis, Bayou Blue; Jarred Guilbeau, Cory O’Quin, Bo Theriot, Our Lady of the Rosary, Larose; Ashley Griffin, Sarah Robichaux, St. Hilary of Poitiers, Mathews; Kyra Foret, St. Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

Mary’s Nativity, Raceland; Richard Dobson, Brittany Johnston, Christ the Redeemer, Thibodaux; Adam Lacy, Jarrod Wiggins, Holy Cross, Morgan City; Jenna Rome, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Chackbay; Tyler Daigle, Roy Fryou, Sacred Heart, Morgan City; Louis Raiford, St. Genevieve, Thibodaux; Trevonne Frank, Kianna Lewis, St. Luke, Thibodaux.

Those who participated in the ceremony were Father Joshua Rodrigue, master of ceremonies; Very Rev. Carl Collins, V.F., and Deacon Stephen Brunet, assisting master of ceremonies; Deacon

Dennis Dupre, deacon of the Gospel; Deacons Ambrose Ayzinne and Martin Dickerson, bishop’s deacons; Jeff Pitre, thurifer; Raymond Solito, cross bearer; Richard Guidry, miter; Joey Lirette, crozier; Daniel Blake, book bearer; Joseph Bourgeois, Alfred Carter, candle bearers; Jenny Authement, book of the elect; Carolyn Dupre, Margaret Orgeron, readers; Amy Adams, psalmist; Lillie Brunet, narrator; Judy Levron, ribbon coordinator for catechumens/ candidates; Lou Conner, name tags for presenters of names; Mark Atzenhoffer, Nancy Benoit, Kathy Haddad, Mike Maiocchi, Christine Rodrigue, Christine Streams, intercessions; Dru Bailey, Mona Dupre, Janelle Henry, Margaret Labit, Polly Michel, Sis Roger, hospitality ministers/reception; Father Glenn Lecompte, Father Joseph Pilola, Amy Adams, Ellen Heidenreich, Leslie VanOsdale, music ministry.

April 2012

Our Organizations

Come, Lord Jesus!

Formation program gaining renewed popularity

A 50

Story by Janet Marcel

A spiritual formation program which was founded almost 40 years ago is gaining renewed popularity in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux during this Year of the New Evangelization.

Members of the Come, Lord Jesus! program meet weekly in groups of eight to10 people for about one and a half hours. They follow an established meeting outline for spiritual formation centered around four basic elements: prayer, Scripture, Eucharist and Christian community/fellowship – elements inspired by the Holy Spirit and practiced in the early church (Acts 2:42).

In the prayer portion of the meeting, members learn to pray from the heart and listen to God. The Scripture study portion of the meeting uses the Scriptures to be read at the upcoming Sunday Mass, which enhances the understanding and appreciation of the word of God, therefore preparing members for a more rewarding Liturgy of the Word. This preparation in turn nurtures a deeper communion with the eucharistic Lord, along with a better understanding of his presence and a greater desire to receive him. Members gain strength from the love and support of their small faith community enabling them to better deal with the challenges they encounter in their daily lives.

The facilitator follows the same basic 12 step process each meeting so as to assure successful implementation by the laity, says Katherine Distefano, Come, Lord Jesus! coordinator for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux: 1) Song, 2) Prayer, 3) Scriptural reading and discussion, 4) Spiritual/ Doctrinal reading and discussion, 5) Scriptural passage on the Apostolate, 6) Reports on faith witness/love/glory to God, 7) New members and groups, 8) Business and gift bag, 9) Study of member handbook, 10) Scriptural passage on Second Coming/ personal reform/God comes with love, 11) Our Father, 12) Concluding acclamation.

“The Holy Spirit is the leader of the Come, Lord Jesus! meetings. Those who open their homes are facilitators of the Word, not teachers. As facilitator, our role is to help the group become familiar with the upcoming Sunday Gospel,” adds Distefano.

Come, Lord Jesus! was founded in 1974 by Father Conley Bertrand of the Diocese of Lafayette. Under his direction it has experienced steady growth since its inception and has received enthusiastic recommendations and endorsements from numerous priests and bishops, and a special blessing from Pope Benedict XVI.

April 2012

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Father Gregory Fratt, pastor of Sacred Heart Church parish in Morgan City, and Katherine Distefano, diocesan coordinator for the Come, Lord Jesus! program look over a map of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and the church parishes which have implemented the program.

Father Bertrand says, “We are all deeply concerned about the vast numbers of Catholics being drawn to non-denominational churches. It is our belief that Come, Lord Jesus! offers what many of these individuals find missing in their spiritual life which causes them to be enticed by other churches. Many of our devout Catholics are strengthened in their faith through Come, Lord Jesus! Thousands of individuals (youth and adult) have experienced the blessings and benefits of Come, Lord Jesus! Testimonies reveal that members experience an increase in faith, a new appreciation and understanding of the Scriptures and the Catholic Church, and a more fervent prayer life.”

Following are some of the testimonies that members of Come, Lord Jesus! groups have shared with their group leaders.

“I am getting so much more from my participation at Mass … the Mass has really come alive!”

“The love, support and prayers of my Come, Lord Jesus! group have helped me get through many trials and stressful situations in my life. We have become a family.”

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

‘

,

The program is a perfected model for the New Evangelization proposed by Pope Benedict XVI.

“I have become much more involved in my parish.

Come, Lord Jesus! has given me the confidence to become a lector and CCD teacher.”

“I am more confident and better prepared to share my faith with others.”

Marianne L. Hebert, outreach coordinator and new group start-up, who works out of the Diocese of Lafayette’s central Come, Lord Jesus! office, says “The program is a perfected model for the New Evangelization proposed by Pope Benedict XVI. The program has proven to be a reliable and valid instrument in faith formation, a significant component of the proposed New Evangelization. As a built-in facet of the program, members are encouraged to witness their faith and provide testimony of their actions weekly, which inspires others members of their group,” says Hebert.

“Come, Lord Jesus! is evangelization,” says Distefano. “We never titled it that but we’re all about expanding and inviting others to participate. We’re also about mission … if we’re not about mission, then this is empty. It’s also about witness and action … I call it holy fireworks!”

Father Greg Gratt, pastor of Sacred Heart Church parish in Morgan City, says “What impressed me most about Come, Lord Jesus! was that people were so dedicated to meeting with their respective groups every week. Once I learned more about the program myself, I realized that this would be a great benefit to

Come, Lord Jesus! members pictured during a meeting are from left, Katherine Distefano, Marvin Compton, Mary Parubsky, Marianne Hebert, Gracie Guilliotte and Donna Rae Conner.

me, personally, and I decided to reintroduce it to the parishioners. The response was terrific. The whole experience made me realize how ‘hungry’ people were for the Word of God and how much the Catholic Church needs to embrace these kinds of small faithbased communities.”

There are currently 18 active groups throughout in the diocese. For more information about the program, contact Katherine Distefano at (985) 518-2122, the Come, Lord Jesus! central office at (337) 233-6277, or visit www.comelordjesus.com.

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Marketing/Social Director, St. Joseph Manor Members of the Morgan City Come, Lord Jesus! youth group collected blue jeans for Covenant House. From left are, Bennett Duffy, Paige Thomas, Courtni Breaux, Paige Arcemont, Hailee Thomas.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

1201 Cardinal Drive, Thibodaux, LA 70301

(985) 446-9050 Fax: 449-0047 www.stjosephmanor.org

April 2012

51

Personalities

Sister Paula Richard A pioneer of the modern church

Story by Louis G. Aguirre Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

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Of the many wonderful things one can say about Sister Paula Richard, O.P., one seems to stand out: A pioneer of the modern church.

As a woman religious who embraced Vatican Council II from the onset, she has accepted the call to serve the church in many ways, some of them pioneering.

Many priests in Louisiana and beyond remember her as their teacher during their study days at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. Grateful Catholics remember her as the energetic superintendent of Religious Education in those early, budding years of the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux. Parishioners at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Krotz Springs, LA, still remember her as their first – and only – woman administrator. Today, members of Annunziata Catholic Church parish in Houma, rejoice in her long and productive ministry there.

True, Sister Paula’s health is failing. But her love for the people of Annunziata is relentless. Even now, from her home, she finds the time to write a weekly column on the Sunday readings for the parish bulletin. More importantly her thoughts and prayers are always with the people of the parish.

“Sister Paula has been a blessing to Annunziata for the past 20 years,” says Father Michael Bergeron, pastor. “Her vast knowledge of theology and Scripture has drawn hundreds through the years to her Scripture study classes, RCIA and special seminars and trainings.

Father Bergeron says she captured the hearts of the entire parish “with her compassion and thoughtfulness. On a person level, her encouragement and support have been valuable assets to me in the success of paying off our parish April 2012

Sister Paula Richard at her Annunziata office.

debt and increasing the attendance in our church parish. She is deeply loved by our community.

We realize her illness keeps her from physically being with us.

She is greatly missed, but never forgotten.”

As a Eucharistic Missionary of St. Dominic (a Louisiana community of religious women which now forms part of the national Dominican Sisters of Peace), Sister Paula

has seen the fulfillment of her innermost desire to serve in the missions.

“When I went out to mission to the people,” she says, “I knew that’s what I wanted to do.” Sister Paula loved wearing her habit and says she didn’t want to take it off, but did so because of changes that were taking place in the church.

She says that one good thing that happened as a result of the

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

sisters removing their habits was that the people began to see that they were “normal.” “The vow of celibacy that a religious takes confuses some people. Some believe that women become sisters because they don’t want to get married, when in fact the vow of celibacy and the marriage vows are related,” she says. “Religious sisters make a total life commitment in service to God just as in marriage a woman also makes a total commitment to God.” Her good friend, Msgr. Allen Roy, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans who once served as

In 2002 Bishop Michael Jarrell presented Sister Paula with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal “For Church and Pontiff.”

pastor of St. Joseph Church parish in Chauvin and as Dean of the Terrebonne Deanery, says he has been enriched by his association with Sister Paula for over 50 years. “Sister Paula has been such a ‘ministry source’ for me and the churches where I was assigned,” he says, adding: “She has given rise in me and in so many people in so many areas, a desire to keep up with current thought in theology, liturgy and Scripture. Because of all of this I have also done much more reading than I normally would have done.”

Msgr. Roy says Sister Paula inspired him to grow in better ways of getting the Word to the people he served: “I was moved to return to the classroom, not only to learn but also to teach, both in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.”

“Sister Paula was always in the forefront of thought and ideas having to do with church, and is a true disciple of St. Paul who was such a ‘foundation’ for the faith and its growth in the beginning of the Christian era, leading to today.”

Concludes the monsignor: “I wish to honor her and her energies for zeal, such a benefit for the dioceses where she was assigned, and in the many parishes where she has worked.”

In looking at her many years of service to the church, Sister Paula says her direct work with the people of God has been most rewarding. She counts herself blessed for “being able to minister with a solid training and with the wonderful opportunities which have presented themselves” to her.

She says she never dreamed she would be fortunate enough to have

The Eucharist is at the center of Sister Paula’s life and ministry.

learned so much – in person – from some of the great theologians and Scripture scholars, such as Rev. Raymond Brown and Rev. William Dych. Although she never met him in person, she has studied and actualized so many of the writings of Rev. Edward Shillebeeckx that she considers him “a personal friend and mentor.”

The Bayou Catholic joins many in thanking Sister Paula for her wonderful presence, ministry and service for over 62 years.

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53

Our Schools

Holy Savior School Long history of success Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier 54

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Father Robert Rogers, pastor of Holy Savior Church parish in Lockport, and Blaine Degruise, principal of Holy Savior Elementary School, chat with students during P.E. class at the school.

Catholic education in the Lockport area has a long history of success which can be attributed to excellence in academics combined with a God loving environment, good teachers, good students, and involved parents. Blaine Degruise, principal of Holy Savior Elementary School, says the school is unique in that it recruits from the tight geographic region of Lockport and Mathews, a community that is very close knit, much like a family.

One hundred thirty-three years ago, Father Peter Letilly invited the Sisters of the Congregation of the Immaculate Conception to open a Catholic school in Lockport. In 1940, St. Sauveur School became Holy Savior High School. When the Archdiocese of New Orleans decided that the Central and South Lafourche area needed a diocesan school, Holy Savior Central High School opened in 1964.

Decreasing enrollment and rising costs made it necessary to close the high school in 1972. The elementary school remained open with grades one through six.

Currently, Holy Savior Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 250 students and includes a Louisiana-licensed, full or part-time nursery school, state certified teachers, daily religious instruction and pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

Degruise is extremely impressed with the number of parent volunteers and parent support of the school. He says the PTC is also very involved and supportive, from an economic standpoint as well as

April 2012

just getting things done for students and teachers.

Jamie Cheramie, who is in her first year at Holy Savior, teaches sixth, seventh and eighth grade reading, language and spelling. She says one of the reasons she chose Holy Savior was because of the positive community feedback. “Parents are very involved and often seen volunteering at school.

The teachers work closely with their students.

Administration and teachers treat each other with respect. The overall positive environment makes me happy to be employed by Holy Savior.”

Fifth grader Cade Duplantis says what he likes best about Holy Savior is, “the students are all really close friends. When you’re down, you always know that someone is going to help you to get right back up.

I also like all of the different clubs that you get to be in.”

Operating a small elementary school can be challenging in many ways, the biggest challenge being the budget, says Degruise. “Given the current economic situation, the cost of groceries, the cost of fuel, the cost of living is affecting us greatly and when parents start looking at whether or not they continue to have the discretionary funds to pay for Catholic education, they are having to make some tough choices for themselves and for their children. That’s our greatest challenge … can we continue to maintain or grow our enrollment given the current economic situation and how to we go about raising the funds needed so that we don’t have to increase tuition?”

Degruise says that the annual fund drive

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

has been a tremendous help. For the most part the school is doing well overall and he continues to be impressed by the generosity of the parents and benefactors.

One of the principal’s major goals is to increase technology in the school. He is proud to report that next year all of the classrooms will have Promethean boards thanks to the Gheens Foundation and many private donors. Another area he is working on is trying to build an Academic Enhancement Program at the school for struggling students, students who need a little bit of extra help to maintain their success or get them over that hump in learning new material.

Degruise hopes this program would prevent the school from losing these students to the public schools which have the federal funds that they don’t have for these types of programs.

Recently, Bishop Sam G. Jacobs and Father Robert Rogers, pastor of Holy Savior Church parish, made it possible for Father Wilfredo Comellas to come in and teach religion to sixth, seventh and eighth graders.

“I feel so fortunate to have a priest on this campus every day interacting with our students … teaching them religion, especially in this day and age. I am very grateful to the bishop and Father Rogers for supporting this and making it happen for us,” says Degruise.

Cullen Cheramie, third grade student, says one of the things he likes best about attending Holy Savior is that he can pray whenever he wants. “I couldn’t do that at public schools. Our whole school gathers together for Mass and worships God. Everybody in the school helps us receive a Catholic education. Our teachers help us to have fun and keep God in our thoughts.”

Fourth grade teacher Tricia Thibodaux, who has been teaching at Holy Savior for 18 years, says “I chose to begin my teaching career at Holy Savior because Catholic schools have a reputation for academic excellence with a foundation based on Catholic beliefs and values. Being in a Christcentered environment was important to me because I wanted to help my students grow in their relationship with God and others.”

Abigail Grabert, eighth grade student, says that what she values most about the Catholic education she is receiving at Holy Savior is, “everyday I get to learn and know a little more about my Lord and my God, growing closer and closer to him along the way.

I think our Catholic education provides us the means and basics to grow and develop into a more devout Catholic.”

Renee Naquin, third grade teacher who has been teaching at Holy Savior for seven years, says she knew she wanted to be a teacher since childhood.

“I went to a Catholic school until middle school and have very fond memories. After teaching in public school for two years I realized something was missing and thought about leaving education until I walked into the halls of Holy Savior Catholic School. I could literally feel a peace come over me and I noticed how everyone here is like one big family – exactly how it was in my school as a child. After interviewing for a pre-kindergarten position I knew God had put me in that moment for a very special reason. Being a

In photo above, third grade teacher Renee Naquin answers a question for her student Cullen Cheramie. Below, fourth grade teacher Tricia Thibodaux teaches class.

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

April 2012

55

Our Schools

In photos clockwise from upper left, Abigail Grabert, eighth grade; Cade Duplantis, fifth grade; and Jamie Cheramie, 6, 7, and 8 grade teacher.

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Diocese of Baton Rouge Catholic Schools Office

School Principal

School Year: 2012-13

Our Lady of Mercy School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Catholic school teacher is part of my life’s vocation. I love having God at the center of all of the activities in our day.”

Even though this is only his first year as principal of Holy Savior School, Degruise is already making plans for the school’s future. He would like to be able to offer Algebra I to eligible eighth grade students and introduce STEM, a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, curriculum at the school which would help to spur the students’ interactive and cross-curricular thought process. He would also like to continue to grow enrollment, which he knows will hinge on what type of programs the school is able offer, whether or not they are able to keep a stable faculty, and what the economy is going to do.

April 2012

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School has a 59-year tradition of spiritual formation, academic excellence, and service to the community for the children of Our Lady of Mercy Parish and the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

The school seeks a strong leader who articulates and communicates the vision of excellence in all areas of the school program for which the school is known. The principal must be a devout, practicing Catholic with strong faith formation enthusiastically interested in the “New Evangelization.” The principal must demonstrate understanding of the principles of child development, emerging curriculum, and instructional models to prepare Catholic young people, beyond the basics, for success in the future as competent, confident, and responsible individuals. The principal must foster the understanding of the collaborative nature and the roles of all parties in the Catholic education of young people. The principal must work with stakeholders to insure the effectiveness of that collaboration to accomplish the mission of the school “…a Catholic foundation for a life of prayer, knowledge, and service.”

Applicants must meet the following criteria: • Practicing Catholic • Masters degree, preference of degree in education • Minimum of 5 years experience in education, preference of Catholic education • Credentials meeting non-public school certification for State of La. • Demonstrated leadership ability in education • Availability on or before July 1, 2012 Interested applicants must submit letter of interest, résumé with references, and copies of transcripts to: Catholic Schools Office, P.O. Box 2028, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-2028 • www.csobr.org Deadline for Application: April 20, 2012 The schools of the Diocese of Baton Rouge does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

National News

‘Unified, focused’ bishops pledge to continue religious liberty defense

By NANCY FRAZIER O’BRIEN Catholic News Service

Declaring themselves “strongly unified and intensely focused,” the nation’s top Catholic bishops vowed to continue their multipronged defense of religious liberty in the courts, Congress and the White House.

The five-page statement titled “United for Religious Freedom” was approved March 14 by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Administrative Committee, made up of the USCCB officers and committee chairmen and an elected bishop representative from each of the geographic regions of the USCCB. The bishops opened their statement with thanks for “all who have stood firmly with us in our vigorous opposition to this unjust and illegal mandate,” referring to the Department of Health and Human Services’ requirement that nearly all employers must provide free coverage of contraceptives and sterilization to their employees through health insurance plans.

“This is not about the church wanting to force anybody to do anything; it is instead about the federal government forcing the church -- consisting of its faithful and all but a few of its institutions -- to act against church teachings,” they said. “This is not a fight we want or asked for, but one forced upon us by government on its own timing.”

The debate over the contraceptive mandate is “not a Republican or Democratic, a conservative or liberal issue; it is an American issue,” the bishops added.

Nor is the issue about access to contraception or about “the bishops somehow ‘banning contraception,’ when the U.S. Supreme Court took that issue off the table two generations ago,” they said.

What especially concerns the bishops about the contraceptive mandate and the narrow religious exemption to it is the “new definition of who we are as people of faith and what constitutes our ministry,” the statement said.

“Government has no place defining religion and religious ministry,” the bishops said. “HHS thus creates and enforces a new distinction -- alien both to our Catholic tradition and to federal law -- between our houses of worship and our great ministries of service to our neighbors, namely the poor, the homeless, the sick,

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the students in our schools and university, and others in need, of any faith community or none.”

Such a definition creates “a second class of citizenship within our religious community” that could “spread throughout federal law, weakening its healthy tradition of generous respect for religious freedom and diversity,” they added.

The bishops said their Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty plans to publish a statement on religious liberty that will “address the broader range of religious liberty issues.”

The upcoming document “reflects on the history of religious liberty in our great nation, surveys the current range of threats to this foundational principle, and states clearly the resolve of the bishops to act strongly, in concert with our fellow citizens, in its defense.”

The bishops closed their statement by calling on Catholics and other people of faith “to join us in prayer and penance for our leaders and for the complete protection of our first freedom -- religious liberty -which is not only protected in the laws and customs of our great nation, but rooted in the teachings of our great tradition.”

“Prayer is the ultimate source of our strength -- for without God, we can do nothing; but with God, all things are possible,” they added.

Retreats At The Cenacle April 19

April, May, June 2012

Couples Evening at the Cenacle Presenter: Rev. Matt Linn, SJ

June 8-10

April 20-22

The Practice of Reconciliation Presenter: Rev. Simeon Gallagher, OFMCap

April 21

Young Adult Ministry – Morning of Reflection Contact: Vince Liberto (504) 250-9697

April 27-29

The Way of Peace: Daring to Stretch Beyond the Comfort Zone Presenter: Rev. Philip Chircop, SJ

The Beatitudes: Key to Peace & Healing in the Worst of Times Presenter: Rev. Matt Linn, SJ Young Adult Ministry – Morning of Reflection Contact: Vince Liberto (504) 250-9697 The Practice of Reconciliation Presenter: Rev. Simeon Gallagher, OFMCap

May 4-6

The Practice of Reconciliation Presenter: Rev. Simeon Gallagher, OFMCap

May 18-20

The Practice of Reconciliation Presenter: Rev. Simeon Gallagher, OFMCap May 19 Young Adult Ministry – Morning of Reflection Contact: Vince Liberto (504) 250-9697

June 9

June 20-23

June 29-July 1

Like Us In All Things Presenter: Rev. Jerome H. Neyrey, SJ Ongoing Programs Cenacle Prayer Enrollment Office Hours: 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Phone: (504) 887-1810 Fax: (504) 887-6624 E-mail: cenacleprayer@aol.com Hospitality Groups Welcome

June 1-3

The Practice of Reconciliation Presenter: Rev. Simeon Gallagherw, OFMCap

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April 2012

57

St. Matthew’s Episcopal rising from the ashes

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St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, built in 1896, was perhaps best known for its Gothic Revival architecture and magnificent stained-glass windows. The cypress building was a Houma landmark which had the distinction of being placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. Tragically, on the morning of Nov. 11, 2010, the church was destroyed by a fire which left little more than the historic building’s front steps and part of its steeple. The church hall, part of the school building adjacent to the church that housed administrative offices, kindergarten and first grade classrooms and the science lab were also destroyed by the fire.

Father Craig Dalferes, pastor of St. Matthew’s since 2004, says there has been a wonderful show of support from the community through its prayers and financial gifts. Father Vicente De La Cruz, rector of the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma, visited him on the day of the fire, and Bishop Sam G. Jacobs spoke to him on the phone to offer the assistance of the diocese.

Father Dalferes says that to his knowledge the people of the cathedral parish continue to pray for their needs. The pastor also recalls that at least one church parish of the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux passed a special second collection for the needs of St. Matthews Church and the principals/presidents of the Catholic schools in the diocese also made a donation to the school. The people of Grace Lutheran Church have generously allowed the congregation at St. Matthews to worship there since the fire.

“From the beginning I said that we had inherited a jewel in April 2012

Above is the architect’s rendering of the proposed St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church.

Below is the church before and after the devastating fire.

Story by Janet Marcel that historic church, one that our forebears over 100 years ago had sacrificed to make possible,” says Father Dalferes. “Now it is our turn to do the same thing. We will build another church and school.

We will build it to the Glory of God; and we will pass it on as a treasure for those who come after us for the next 100 years.”

Shortly after the fire, a capital campaign entitled “Partners in Faith” was launched, in which anyone interested in the rebuilding of the church and school can make cash donations or pledges over the next three years. Many individuals, groups

and businesses have contributed toward the $7 million goal. Thus far, approximately $5.5 million has been collected, including insurance and donations. A sign with a rendering of the new building is being made to place at the site of the new church. On the sign will be a thermometer to show the progress of the capital campaign and to remind passersby of their tremendous support and generosity.

The groundbreaking of the new church and school will take place in late summer or early fall of this year with completion targeted in 18–24 months.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA

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April 2012

Sports

Overtime Ed Daniels

A

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s we digest another losing season in the SEC for LSU men’s basketball, a fast fact.

Did you know that the Tigers haven’t suited up a Louisiana Mr. Basketball since Denham Springs’ Tasmin Mitchell, who won the honor in 2005?

The list of the state’s top hoops players since is illustrious. In 2006 was guard Tweety Carter of Reserve Christian school. In 2010, Carter was a starter on Baylor’s Elite Eight team.

In 2007 and 2008, Mr. Basketball in Louisiana was Helen Cox high school’s Greg Monroe. Monroe was the Big East Rookie of the Year at Georgetown and was drafted seventh by the Detroit Pistons in the 2010 NBA draft.

In early March, Monroe was averaging almost 17 points and 10 rebounds a game for the Pistons.

The 2009 Mr. Basketball was Joevoskie Mitchell of Zwolle, who signed with a junior college.

In 2010, that honor belonged to Markel Brown of Peabody. Brown was averaging 10 points and five rebounds for Oklahoma State.

In 2011, Riverside Academy’s Ricardo Gathers won the honor as a junior. Gathers led his team to its second consecutive class 2A championship.

Trent Johnson must keep good ones A prominent college basketball coach told me that post Katrina Louisiana has fewer outstanding high school basketball players.

That may or may not be true, but the state’s flagship university must get the great ones, in-state.

LSU’s 2006 Final Four team included three who won Louisiana Mr. Basketball honors.

They were guards Darrel

‘

LSU can’t get every good player in the state, but head coach Trent Johnson also cannot continue to miss on the great ones in Louisiana.

,

Mitchell (2002), and forwards Glen “Big Baby” Davis (2004) and Tasmin Mitchell (2005). Those three accounted for 46.8 points per game for a team that averaged 73.1 points per contest.

It was troubling when LSU missed on a pair of difference makers in the class of 2012.

Gathers committed to Baylor and

St. Aug point guard Javan Felix has already signed with the University of Texas.

And, LSU’s current hoops woes are all about recruiting. In the rivals.com top 150 players in America from 2009 thru 2011, LSU signed five.

Only forward Johnny O’Bryant (No. 48 in 2011), and guards Andre Stringer (No. 107 in 2010) and Ralston Turner (No. 142 in 2010) are on the current roster.

All three appear to be solid SEC players, and O’Bryant has the ability to blossom into a star.

LSU also missed on an outstanding player in its own backyard. St. Joe’s sophomore guard Langston Galloway, who prepped at Christian Life, is fourth in NCAA Division I in three point shooting percentage, making over 47 percent of his attempts.

LSU can’t get every good player in the state, but head coach Trent Johnson also cannot continue to miss on the great ones in Louisiana.

Episcopal Baton Rouge forward Brian Bridgewater is one of the best in Louisiana in 2013, and St. Aug sophomore center Craig Victor is tops in Louisiana in 2014.

If LSU can keep these two “home,” Trent Johnson will suddenly become a good coach, again.

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2 CORINTHIANS 5:15

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA