Bayou Catholic Magazine Easter 2026

A $100M+ Investment in Your Well-Being

Sports Complex – Built to NCAA standards; includes a multi-purpose field with 8-lane track, tennis courts, beach volleyball and outdoor basketball court.

Fitness Center – State-of-the-art facility equipped with the latest technology and programs, aquatics, gymnasium and more; Certified and a top-ranked facility in the nation by the Medical Fitness Association; More than 1M visits since opening.

Playground & Education Initiative – Addressing childhood obesity through nutrition education and new playground equipment for numerous area elementary schools.

Sports – Keeping athletes safe by providing athletic trainers in high schools as well as Nicholls State University; Helping athletes grow and excel in sports through formation of competitive youth volleyball and swim teams.

Wellness Education – Numerous and expanding programs for individuals and families on subjects like nutrition, weight management, diabetes, CPR and more.

WellFit – Integrating wellness into clinical care to address specific health conditions like cancer, orthopaedic conditions, chronic pain and diabetes. You Deserve the

EASTER 2026

VOLUME 47 NO. 3

BISHOP

Most Rev. Simon Peter Engurait

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

Bevi Fontenot

EDITOR

Joe O’Sullivan

DESIGNER

Alaina Maiorana

COVER DESIGNER

Connor Mabile

BUSINESS MANAGER

Bill Barbera

ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST

Rebecca Thibodeaux

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Dr. Mark Williams

Shaylynn Dufrene

Brennan Garriques

JJ Hussem

Michelle Leblanc

Dottee LeCompte

Fr. Rusty Bruce

PHOTOGRAPHER

Serdave Duncan

EMAIL US: communications@htdiocese.org

VISIT US ONLINE bayoucatholic.org

A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR

MESSAGE

St. Thérèse’s Little Way in Three Visuals

20 MORE THAN CHICKEN DINNERS AND FISH FRY Knights of Columbus 24 WHO ARE THE CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS? 26 BRINGING CHRIST TO CATHOLIC MILITARY FAMILIES 29 CONSECRATING THE UNITED STATES TO THE SACRED HEART

THE GREATEST REASON TO TRUST

BISHOP SIMON PETER’S EASTER MESSAGE

My dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!! For me, these days of Easter are the most joy-filled days of the year, when all we can do is offer our praise and thanksgiving to God for the victory He has won for us. We cry “Alleluia!!” because God has saved us from the powers of sin and death and given us the possibility of eternal life. Without the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we were destined for eternal separation from God. We could never undo the reality of that fist sin that Adam and Eve wrought on all of humanity. So our loving Father, seeing our helplessness, sent His Son to do for us what we could never do for ourselves. By offering His life for us as the perfect sacrifice, He entered into the realm of the dead and brought up with Him all those He had redeemed into the now-opened gates of heaven, and He offers us the promise of attaining that same joyous reality.

However, in the daily struggles of our life, in our experiences of pain and betrayal, failure and discouragement, grief and death, these are realities that we can easily lose sight of. To the heart that is deeply hurting, the Easter promise might merely feel like empty words. How can light come to scatter the darkness when the darkness feels so great? That is where the virtue and grace of trust enter in. When we cannot see God working, we trust that He is. When we do not know what God is doing, we trust that His plan is better than our own. When we feel consumed by darkness, we trust that light will come. When we feel the weight of Good Friday, we trust in the hope of Easter Sunday that will make the present suffering feel like a distant memory.

St. John Paul II famously said that we are an Easter people. The reality is that it takes trust to be an Easter people. The promise of eternal life will not always seem visible or tangible to us. The temptation to doubt the promises of God might seem too great for us. Yet just as we know the sun is shining though we cannot see it behind the clouds, we are invited to choose to trust in the action of God, no matter what our emotions or perceptions might seem to say.

Trust is perhaps one of the most difficult movements of the Christian life because it invites us to choose a reality that we cannot see. What enables us to make that choice is when our trust is rooted in a person. God’s unending, unbroken, and perfect faithfulness gives me a firmfoundation to choose trust in every moment. God has never let us down, never failed to keep His promise, and never turned His back on us. How could I doubt Him in the future when His past actions are utterly faithful? It is relationship that makes real trust possible. If you struggle to trust, my invitation is not to simply “try harder” to not doubt or be afraid. Instead, recommit more fully to your relationship with God. In Him and Him alone do we have the fullest reason to trust. This is the inspiration for my episcopal moto, “In Deo Tantum,” or in English, “In God Alone.” In Him Alone do we fid rest, peace, and fulfillment. When He is our rock, we shall not fear.

My dear brothers and sisters, as we celebrate these days of Easter, our God has given us the greatest reason to trust: not even death can stop Him from working, not even death can keep us from eternal life in heaven. May we never doubt the promises that God has made to us, and choose to live by those promises every day.

La mayor razón para confiar

Mis queridos hermanos y hermanas, ¡Feliz Pascua! Para mí, estos días de Pascua son los más llenos de alegría del año, en los que lo único que podemos hacer es ofrecer nuestra alabanza y acción de gracias a Dios por la victoria que ganó para nosotros. Gritamos «¡Aleluya!» porque Dios nos ha salvado del poder del pecado y de la muerte y nos ha dado la posibilidad de la vida eterna. Sin el sufrimiento, la muerte y la resurrección de Jesús, estábamos destinados a la separación eterna de Dios. Nunca podríamos deshacer la realidad de ese primer pecado que Adán y Eva cometieron contra toda la humanidad. Por eso, nuestro Padre amoroso, al ver nuestra impotencia, envió a Su Hijo para hacer por nosotros lo que nunca podríamos hacer por nosotros mismos. Al ofrecer su vida por nosotros como sacrificio perfecto, entró en el reino de los muertos y llevó consigo a todos aquellos a quienes había redimido a las puertas del cielo, ahora abiertas, y nos ofrece la promesa de alcanzar esa misma realidad gozosa.

Sin embargo, en las luchas diarias de nuestra vida, en nuestras experiencias de dolor y traición, fracaso y desánimo, pena y muerte, estas son realidades que fácilmente podemos perder de vista. Para el corazón que está profundamente herido, la promesa de la Pascua puede parecer simplemente palabras vacías. ¿Cómo puede la luz dispersar la oscuridad cuando la oscuridad se siente tan grande? Ahí es donde entran en juego la virtud y la gracia de la confianza. Cuando no podemos ver a Dios obrando, confiamos en que lo está haciendo. Cuando no sabemos lo que Dios está haciendo, confiamos en que su plan es mejor que el nuestro. Cuando nos sentimos consumidos por la oscuridad, confiamos en que la luz llegará. Cuando sentimos el peso del Viernes Santo, confiamos en la esperanza del Domingo de Pascua, que hará que el sufrimiento presente parezca un recuerdo lejano.

San Juan Pablo II dijo la famosa frase de que somos un pueblo pascual. La realidad es que se necesita confianza para ser un pueblo pascual. La promesa de la vida eterna no siempre nos parecerá visible o tangible. La tentación

de dudar de las promesas de Dios puede parecernos demasiado grande. Sin embargo, al igual que sabemos que el sol brilla aunque no podamos verlo detrás de las nubes, se nos invita a elegir confiar en la acción de Dios, independientemente de lo que nos digan nuestras emociones o percepciones.

La confianza es quizás uno de los movimientos más difíciles de la vida cristiana porque nos invita a elegir una realidad que no podemos ver. Lo que nos permite tomar esa decisión es cuando nuestra confianza está arraigada en una persona. La fidelidad infinta, inquebrantable y perfecta de Dios me da una base fire para elegir confiar en cada momento. Dios nunca nos ha defraudado, nunca ha incumplido Su promesa, nunca nos ha dado la espalda. ¿Cómo podría dudar de Él en el futuro cuando Sus acciones pasadas son totalmente fieles? Es la relación lo que hace posible la confianza verdadera. Si te cuesta confiar, mi invitación no es simplemente que «te esfuerces más» por no dudar ni tener miedo. En cambio, vuelve a comprometerte más plenamente con tu relación con Dios. En Él y solo en Él tenemos la razón más completa para confiar. Esta es la inspiración de mi lema episcopal, «In Deo Tantum», o en español, «Solo en Dios». Solo en Él encontramos descanso, paz y plenitud. Cuando Él es nuestra roca, no temeremos.

Mis queridos hermanos y hermanas, al celebrar estos días de Pascua, nuestro Dios nos ha dado la mayor razón para confiar: ni siquiera la muerte puede impedirle obrar, ni siquiera la muerte puede apartarnos de la vida eterna en el cielo. Que nunca dudemos de las promesas que Dios nos ha hecho y que elijamos vivir cada día según esas promesas.

Lý do lớn nhất để tin tưởng

Anh chị em thân mến, Chúc mừng lễ Phục sinh!! Đối với tôi, những ngày trong lễ Phục sinh này là những ngày vui vẻ nhất trong năm, khi tất cả những gì chúng ta có thể làm là dâng lời khen ngợi và tạ ơn Chúa vì sự chiến thắng mà Ngài đã giành được cho chúng ta. Chúng ta tung hô “Alleluial!” bởi vì Chúa đã cứu chúng ta từ quyền lực của tội lỗi và cái chết và ban cho chúng ta khả năng có được sự sống đời đời. Ngoài sự đau khổ, cái chết và sự phục sinh của Chúa Giêsu, chúng ta đã được tiền định cho sự tách biệt vĩnh cửu khỏi Thiên Chúa. Chúng ta không bao giờ có thể phá huỷ tội lỗi đầu tiên mà Adam và Eva đã gây ra cho toàn thể nhân loại. Vì vậy, người Cha yêu thương của chúng ta, nhìn thấy sự bất lực của chúng ta, đã sai Con của Ngài làm cho chúng ta điều mà chúng ta không bao giờ có thể làm cho chính mình. Bằng cách hiến dâng mạng sống của Ngài cho chúng ta như một của lễ hy sinh hoàn hảo, Ngài đã bước vào cõi chết và mang theo tất cả những ai mà Ngài đã cứu chuộc vào những cánh cổng thiên đàng hiện đang rộng mở, và Ngài hứa sẽ cho chúng ta đạt được cùng một niềm vui thực tại đó.

Tuy nhiên, trong những cuộc va chạm hàng ngày của cuộc sống, trong những trải nghiệm đau thương và phản bội, thất bại và chán nản, đau buồn và cái chết, đây là những thực tại mà chúng ta có thể dễ dàng đánh mất. Đối với trái tim đang bị tổn thương sâu sắc, lời hứa Phục sinh có thể chỉ cảm nhận như những lời nói trống rỗng. Làm thế nào ánh sáng có thể phân tán bóng tối khi bóng tối cảm thấy rất tuyệt vời? Đó là nơi nhân đức và ân sủng của sự tin tưởng tiến nhập vào. Khi chúng ta không thể nhìn thấy Chúa hoạt động, chúng ta lại tin rằng Ngài đang hoạt động. Khi chúng ta không biết Chúa đang làm gì, chúng ta tin rằng kế hoạch của Ngài tốt hơn kế hoạch của chúng ta. Khi chúng ta cảm thấy bị nuốt chửng bởi bóng tối, chúng ta tin rằng ánh sáng sẽ đến. Khi chúng ta cảm nhận được sự đè nặng của Thứ Sáu Tuần Thánh, chúng ta tin tưởng trong hy vọng Chúa nhật Phục sinh sẽ khiến nỗi đau hiện tại cảm thấy như một ký ức xa vời.

Thánh Gioan Phaolô II đã nói chí lý rằng chúng ta là một dân tộc Phục Sinh. Thực tế là cần có sự tin tưởng để trở thành một người Phục Sinh. Lời hứa về cuộc sống vĩnh

cửu sẽ không phải lúc nào cũng có vẻ hữu hình hoặc hiện diện đối với chúng ta. Sự cám dỗ để nghi ngờ những lời hứa của Chúa có vẻ quá lớn đối với chúng ta. Tuy nhiên, giống như chúng ta biết mặt trời đang chiếu sáng mặc dù chúng ta không thể nhìn thấy nó sau những đám mây, chúng ta được mời gọi chọn tin tưởng vào hành động của Chúa, bất kể cảm xúc hoặc nhận thức của chúng ta có vẻ như nói gì.

Tin tưởng có lẽ là một trong những động thái khó khăn nhất của đời sống Kitô hữu bởi vì nó mời gọi chúng ta chọn một thực tại mà chúng ta không thể nhìn thấy. Điều cho phép chúng ta đưa ra lựa chọn đó là khi niềm tin của chúng ta lại bắt nguồn từ một người. Lòng trung thành không ngừng, không bị phá vỡ và hoàn hảo của Chúa đã cho tôi một nền tảng vững chắc để chọn niềm tin trong mọi khoảnh khắc. Chúa chưa bao giờ làm chúng ta thất vọng, chưa bao giờ thất bại trong việc giữ lời hứa của Ngài, chưa bao giờ quay lưng lại với chúng ta. Làm sao tôi có thể nghi ngờ Ngài trong tương lai khi những hành động trong quá khứ của Ngài hoàn toàn trung thành? Đó là mối quan hệ tạo nên sự tin tưởng thực sự. Nếu anh chị em phấn đấu để tin tưởng, lời mời gọi của tôi không chỉ đơn giản là “cố gắng hơn nữa” để không nghi ngờ hoặc sợ hãi. Thay vào đó, hãy cam kết lại đầy đủ hơn với mối quan hệ của anh chị em với Chúa. Trong Ngài và chỉ có Ngài chúng ta có lý do đầy đủ nhất để tin tưởng. Đây là nguồn cảm hứng cho phương châm giám mục của tôi, “In Deo Tantum”, hoặc trong tiếng Anh, “In God Alone.” “Trong Chúa mà thôi”. Chỉ trong một mình Chúa chúng ta tìm thấy sự nghỉ ngơi, bình an và thỏa mãn. Khi Chúa là thành luỹ của chúng ta, chúng ta sẽ không sợ hãi chi. Anh chị em thân mến, khi chúng ta kỷ niệm những ngày lễ Phục sinh này, Thiên Chúa của chúng ta đã ban cho chúng ta lý do lớn nhất để tin tưởng: ngay cả cái chết cũng không thể ngăn cản Ngài làm việc, ngay cả cái chết cũng không thể giữ chúng ta khỏi sự sống đời đời trên thiên quốc. Mong rằng chúng ta không bao giờ nghi ngờ những lời hứa mà Chúa đã hứa với chúng ta, và chọn sống theo những lời hứa đó mỗi ngày.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR

TRUSTING LIKE ST. THÉRÈSE

He is risen; Alleluia! Easter proclaims the greatest truth of our faith: the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The stone has been rolled away. Death has been defeated. Now the invitation is ours.

To truly live the joy of Easter is to trust in the salvation Christ has accomplished for us. But what does it really mean to trust God?

To be an Easter people is to be a people of trust, with quiet confidence that through Christ’s Resurrection, we are promised eternal life. Yet, trust is not a certainty; trust is a relationship. It is the identity we share as beloved children of God, leaping into our Father’s arms with childlike confidence. As Bishop often reminds us, God is good all the time—and if He is good, we can trust Him.

As I reflected on this Easter issue, it became clear that St. Thérèse of Lisieux would be a perfect guide for us in this season. She trusted in God’s love with the simplicity of a child. Her “little way” was not small because she lacked confidence, but because she relied entirely on God. That trust allowed her faith to come alive in the ordinary moments of daily life.

St. Thérèse reminds us to live with confident hope that God will provide the grace we need for our salvation. Her “little way” teaches us that holiness is attainable for each of us, right where we are. Her famous line says it all: “I, too, would like to fid an elevator to lift me up to Jesus, for I am too little to climb the rough stairway of perfection.” Through humble trust, God lifts us up! She teaches us to expect—not in a demanding way, but in a confident way—that God will come through for us.

We are invited to live this same trust by placing our hope in Him. With St. Thérèse as our guide, may we entrust our lives to the Risen Lord—with the joyful confidence that He is leading us home.

BEVI FONTENOT Director of Communications & Public Relations

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM OUR SUPERINTENDENT

BY: DR. MARK WILLIAMS

Dr. Mark will continue serving as Superintendent through June of this year.

After four deeply meaningful years, I conclude my service as Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux with immense gratitude and profound joy. Serving this diocese has not only been a professional honor but also a personal blessing. The priests, presidents, principals, teachers, staff, families, and students of our Catholic schools have strengthened my faith, sharpened my leadership, and helped me grow in holiness. There is no doubt that my time here has been part of my own journey to heaven.

One of the most fulfilling accomplishments of our collective work has been achieving districtwide accreditation through both Cognia and Lumen Accreditation. In partnership with our outstanding school leaders, we demonstrated that Catholic education in our diocese is delivered with excellence, integrity, and fidelity to mission. Accreditation is more than a credential—it is a public affirtion that we educate the whole child: mind, body, and soul, in the rich tradition of the Catholic faith. This achievement reflects years of dedication, documentation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to continuous improvement.

Together with our principals and leadership teams, we have also strengthened student achievement across the board. Academically, we have focused relentlessly on growth, clarity of standards, and instructional excellence. Spiritually, we have deepened our commitment to forming missionary disciples grounded in truth and charity. We embraced the mindset that “we measure what we treasure.” By consistently reviewing our academic and faith-formation data, we identified areas of promise, addressed areas of challenge, and ensured that improvement was not episodic but continuous. Year after year, we have seen measurable gains because of the dedication of our faculty and staff, who work tirelessly for the success of every child entrusted to our care.

Another milestone of this administration was the development and completion of our strategic plan, the Bayou Paradigm. Launched in 2022 and brought to completion this year, this plan provided a clear roadmap for excellence in Catholic education across our diocese. It strengthened governance,

clarified mission alignment, enhanced academic systems, and positioned our schools for long-term vitality. The Bayou Paradigm was not simply a document—it was a shared vision. Its successful implementation has laid a firmfoundation for continued growth and innovation in the years ahead.

We have also witnessed steady growth in student enrollment throughout the diocese, a testament to the confidence families place in Catholic education. At the same time, we worked intentionally with the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana, to build endowments for each of our Catholic schools, helping secure their fiancial sustainability for future generations. These efforts ensure that our schools will remain accessible, mission-driven, and strong for decades to come.

Perhaps one of the greatest signs of hope for our future is the development of emerging leaders through our Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton cohort. These aspiring leaders are prepared to guide our schools into the next decade and beyond with courage, competence, and faith. Catholic education in our diocese is in capable hands.

Under the shepherding leadership of Bishop Simon Peter Engurait, the future of Catholic education in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is bright. I depart with

deep gratitude, confident that the mission to form saints and scholars will continue to flourish.

Thank you for the privilege of serving you. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life.

There is no doubt that my time here has been part of my own journey to heaven. “

ECUMENICAL PRAYER SERVICE

THE WAY OF TRUST AND LOVE

ST. THÉRÈSE’S LITTLE WAY IN THREE VISUALS

BY: JOE O'SULLIVAN

Trust is a word used so often, but it can be hard to defie. Our life experiences and memories can complicate trust, making it harder for us to know what it should look like in our lives. Yet, we know that trust is essential in our relationships and foundational for our faith. It’s worth considering, what does it really mean to trust?

There is a modern saint who can help. Not long after her death in the early 1900 s, Pope Pius X said she was “the greatest saint in modern times.” She is, of course, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face. “Her life and Gospel teaching in our century was quick, universal, and constant,” Pope St. John Paul II wrote. Her life, and Gospel teaching in our century was quick, universal, and constant.” Perhaps that is because the images she used to describe her “little way” of trust and love were eye-opening, healing, and encouraging to all.

While there are many writings one could explore when it comes to St. Thérèse, her autobiography, Story of a Soul, is a great place to start. Let’s take a look at some of her wellknown passages that describe trust. These quotes are a great way to introduce your mind and imagination to the heart of Thérèse and her relationship with Christ. We encourage you to take these words to prayer in the Easter season to grow in trust and love with our Heavenly Father.

THE ELEVATOR

“I wanted to find an elevator which would raise me to Jesus, for I am too small to climb the rough stairway of perfection. I searched, then, in the Scriptures for some sign of this elevator … and I read these words …: ‘Whoever is a LITTLE ONE, let him come to me.’ And so I succeeded. I felt I had found what I was looking for. But wanting to know, O my God, what You would do to the very little one who answered Your call, I continued my search and this is what I discovered: “As one whom a mother caresses, so will I comfort you; you shall be carried at the breasts, and upon the knees they shall caress you.” Ah! never did words more tender and more melodious come to give joy to my soul. The elevator which must raise me to heaven is Your arms, O Jesus! And for this I had no need to grow up, but rather I had to remain little and become this more and more.”

An elevator is a striking image of trust. It provides little effort: you only have to approach the doors, press the button for access, and step inside. Jesus then hoists you upward. You simply have to trust that it is so, and so it shall be. It’s also interesting to see how St. Thérèse is curious what Jesus would do for her as a result of her trusting. The answer is simple. Jesus would embrace her—and us—with tenderness.

ASLEEP IN THE FATHER’S ARMS

“Jesus deigned to show me the road that leads to the Divine Furnace, and this road is the surrender of the little child who sleeps without fear in its Father’s arms… Jesus does not demand great actions from us, but simply surrender and gratitude.”

“

It is trust that brings us to love and thus sets us free from fear.

We live in a world that is chaotic, fast-paced and stressful. It can be hard to fid a moment’s rest without being assailed by anxious concerns. What a beautiful image, then, of a child resting peacefully in its father’s arms. That’s how St. Thérèse encourages us to be with God the Father, no matter how old. It is safe to curl up and fall asleep in His arms, allowing grace to work gently in our souls.

Perhaps you feel you are not “doing enough” in your prayer, making God less pleased with you. But here, St. Thérèse comforts us: “I should be desolate for having slept (for seven years) during my hours of prayer and my thanksgivings after Holy Communion; well, I am not desolate. I remember that little children are as pleasing to their parents when they are asleep as well as when they are wide awake.”

This image reminds us that it’s okay to rest and be rejuvenated by God’s love. In a phrase, it’s safe to trust.

THE PRODIGAL CHILD

“[E]ven though I had on my conscience all the sins that can be committed, I would go, my heart broken with sorrow, and throw myself into Jesus’ arms, for I know how much He loves the prodigal child who returns to Him.”

Here again we encounter an image of embrace. But it can be tempting for us to resist God’s embrace, due to feelings of guilt or shame that make us hesitant to trust. You may wonder if Jesus would really embrace you. The use of the word “prodigal” was surely not an accident. St. Thérèse knew it would evoke the Prodigal Son passage from the Gospel of Luke. This prodigal son had squandered his entire inheritance on a life of dissipation before he returned home. No matter what you’ve done, or how far gone you think you might be, St. Thérèse reminds us that “Jesus loves the prodigal child who returns to Him.” It’s safe to throw ourselves into His arms.

Fascinatingly, St. Thérèse spoke like a woman on a world-wide mission as she approached her imminent death due to tuberculosis. “I feel that my mission is about to begin, my mission to make God loved as I love him, to teach souls my little way.” When asked about this “little way,” Thérèse explained, “It is the way of spiritual childhood, the way of trust and absolute surrender.”

As you pray this Easter season, keep these images in mind. Whether you’re at church, in the car, between meetings, or laying down for bed, recall them and allow yourself to trust, placing yourself in God’s arms. Let Thérèse’s unbridled confidence in God inspire your own confidence in His love.

Reflecting on St. Thérèse’s spirituality of trust, Pope Francis wrote: “It is trust that brings us to love and thus sets us free from fear. It is trust that helps us to stop looking to ourselves and enables us to put into God’s hands what He alone can accomplish. Doing so provides us with an immense source of love and energy for seeking the good of our brothers and sisters.”

MORE THAN CHICKEN DINNERS AND FISH FRY

THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

BY: JOE O’SULLIVAN

Most of us fist encounter the Knights of Columbus at a parish fundraiser like a chicken dinner, fih fry, or chili cookoff. But behind those events is an organization with a much deeper mission and a long history of faith, brotherhood, and service.

Across the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux—and throughout the United States and Canada—local councils organize fundraisers and parish events that support their church communities.

For many people, that’s the extent of what they know about the Knights. “They cook chicken,” joked Neil Boudreaux, current Grand Knight of Council 13397 at St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Thibodaux. His council is known for hosting a successful Chili-Cook Off Event for the past five years, but they are much more than that.

The Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882 by Blessed Father Michael McGivney, a parish priest who wanted to unite Catholic men in faith and provide support for families facing hardship. Built on the pillars of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism, the organization began as a way to care for widows and children of deceased members. More than a century later, the Knights of Columbus has grown into a worldwide brotherhood dedicated to strengthening faith, family, and service in local communities.

When asked to explain the Knights of Columbus to the average person, Neil fist mentioned brotherhood. “We’re a group of Catholic gentlemen that supports each other in brotherhood,” he said. Brandon Allemand, past Grand Knight of the same council, echoed the same sentiment. The Knights are “a Catholic organization for men where they can live and grow their faith alongside other Catholic men.”

While it’s true that the Knights of Columbus are known for events like food-based fundraisers, what makes them different is the spiritual aspect. As Brandon pointed out, “Cooking chicken and drinking beer is great, but if you have that without the faith component, it’s just a social club.”

Over at St. Hilary of Poitiers and St. Anthony in Raceland, the Deputy Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 8840 , Dain Detillier, explained how his council has a similar focus. In fact, Dain believes the focus of putting

We desire to love like Christ loved his Church. “

God fist is why his local council is expecting upwards of 400 % membership growth in this year alone, having already grown by 243%.

Why so much growth?

“Because the men of our Knights of Columbus Council 8840 have turned to God and we are striving to put him fist in our lives and in our Council. This is what men want and desire. We desire to love like Christ loved his Church.”

It’s clear that, fist and foremost, the Knights of Columbus are a group of men grounded in faith, with service flowing naturally from that foundation. Their shared devotion to God strengthens their brotherhood and leads them to become deeply involved in parish and family life. From serving as ministers at Mass to offering scholarships, the Knights bring a true spirit of service and love to their communities.

With opportunities for faith formation, in addition to more fiancially-minded opportunities like Life Insurance, Charitable Giving, or Retirement Annuities, the Knights seem to have a way for just about any man— single or married—to get involved.

In a society where many men are searching for purpose, encouragement, and a place to belong, the Knights of Columbus offers a meaningful path forward. The organization provides opportunities for men of all backgrounds to grow in faith. For Neil, the current Grand Knight of Council 13397 in St. Genevieve, that was a relief: “It was easier to get into the faith surrounded by other groups of guys who were willing to share their faith in their journey—and admit that hey, we don’t know everything about the Bible, but we’ll learn it together.”

But it doesn’t stop there. It’s also about becoming a better man. “It about learning to lead our families in prayer and putting our marriages fist,” Neil pointed out.

Whether you’re looking for a way to go deeper in your faith, get more involved in your parish, or give of your talents, the Knights of Columbus is a great opportunity. Another nice part is, because of the backing from the Knights of Columbus at the National Level, it’s easy for councils to stay active with many activities to choose from. “You can basically plug and play,” Brandon notes.

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux has more than 30 local KC councils. To learn more or get involved, contact your church parish, reach out to a council member, or visit kofc.org.

GET TO KNOW THE ADVISORS OF MEYER FINANCIAL GROUP

Lloyd Kern, APMA®, CMFC™, CRPC™

Financial Advisor | Investment Manager

QWhat do you enjoy most about working with clients?

We get to work with so many clients who are in different career paths. Our clients work in education, healthcare, the service industry, professional fields, oil and gas, and include business owners and more. I value sitting down one-onone with clients to put together a comprehensive financial analysis that highlights the strengths and weaknesses of their financial situation, along with the tools we can use to help them achieve their goals. It’s an honor when clients place their trust in me and our team to help them make decisions that can greatly impact their financial future.

QWhat is one thing families should prioritize financially?

What is your favorite local restaurant or weekend activity?

I believe clients need to prioritize and clearly communicate their values. Clients need clarity on what matters most to them. Often, that means addressing concerns about what could happen if an adverse situation occurs in their lives. This can be managed by maintaining an adequate cash reserve and appropriate insurance coverage to help protect against premature death or disability.

QIn what ways has your faith shaped your approach to both life and your work at Meyer Financial Group?

In my personal life, faith keeps me grounded in being grateful, having humility, and perspective. It reminds me that success isn’t measured only by achievements, but by how well we lead and lift up the people around us. In my professional life, it shapes the way I make decisions, the patience I try to bring to difficult situations, and the commitment I have to doing what is right, not simply what is easy.

How do you help clients feel confident about their future?

One of my favorite quotes is, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” That mindset is why I believe so strongly in financial planning. We give clients confidence by helping them understand their financial picture in simple, practical terms — what they have, what they need, and the steps that will move them forward. When people know they have a guide they can trust, that’s when real confidence grows.

My favorite local restaurants have to be Big Mike’s BBQ and Boudreau & Thibodeau’s Cajun Restaurant. Both offer exceptional food at a great price in a casual setting.

Outside of the office, where are you most likely to be found?

Outside of work, I can most often be found at the ballpark watching our son, Tanner, play baseball or spending time on our property in Mississippi.

What do you love about the Bayou community?

People in South Louisiana may not be related, but they are certainly treated like family. This was especially evident after Hurricanes Gustav and Ida. It’s that deep-rooted sense of family and support that makes the Bayou community truly one of a kind.

WHO ARE THE CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS?

BY: BEVI FONTENOT

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA) is one of the oldest and largest organizations of Catholic women in the Americas. Rooted in faith and guided by the Church, the organization exists to participate in the religious, charitable, and educational apostolates of the Church.

Through creative and spiritual programs, CDA offers women the opportunity to develop their God-given talents in meaningful ways that positively influence the welfare of the Church and society. The organization embraces the principle of faith working through love, promoting justice, equality, human rights, and the dignity of every person.

WHO CAN JOIN?

Catholic women 18 years or older may join any Catholic Daughter court. You do not have to belong to the hosting parish to belong to a court within that given parish. If you are looking for an opportunity to serve your community,

deepen your spirituality and meet Catholic women who share your faith, then CDA is right for you!

WHERE ARE THE COURTS?

Our diocese is blessed with several vibrant courts, each serving our parishes and communities in unique ways:

• Court Massabielle No. 1134 – Morgan City

• Court Cardinal Gibbons No. 177 – Houma

• Court Our Lady of Perpetual Help No. 1848 – Houma

• Court Pope Pius X No. 1883 – Cut Off

• Court St. Bridget of Sweden No. 2461 – Schriever

• Court Genevieve of Paris No. 2496 – Thibodaux

COURT HIGHLIGHTS

Founded in 2001 , at St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana, Catholic Daughters Court Genevieve of Paris #2496 continues to grow and thrive in our community, with many ministry and spiritual opportunities for its members. Their ministries include

the following:

• Rosary Ministry

• Prayer Shawl Ministry

• CDA for Life/1st Saturday Events

• Court Scholarship

• Circle of Love Contest Teams

• Special Event Teams

• Fundraising/Item Drives

• Priest Appreciation

Their spiritual events include the following:

• Rosary/Marian Events

• Annual Women’s Retreat

• Prayer Groups

• Small Group Studies

• Eucharistic Procession/Adoration

• Prayer Intentions Link

The prayer shawl ministry is particularly special to the group. For the past six years, the women have crocheted and given away prayer chawls with a blessed medal, praying for the recipient as they make them. In 2025, they gifted 403 shawls, and over the past six years, they've donated 1,916 overall. These shawls are given to people in need of prayer throughout the diocese, and many of our diocesan priests have received a special prayer shawl as well. They also donate them to people in need at nine locations including nursing homes, cancer and rehab centers, the Haven, Crossroads, and many more.

“It's been so cool to see how this ministry has touched people's lives, and we have received some beautiful letters from recipients about the impact of the shawls,” said member Shelby Ellis.

“We even crocheted during COVID,” said Connie Folse, who leads this ministry. “We are always working on more shawls.” She recalled a special memory of gifting a shawl to a friend with cancer: “She is a strong and faithful Catholic, and it meant a lot to her. You could feel the love and appreciation. It’s so wonderful to see the benefits rom this.” Her friend is now in remission.

Another court, Cardinal Gibbons Court 177 in Houma, was started in 1912, so it is 113 years old! “I joined in 1981,” said Mary Breerwood. “Our activities have changed since then, but we still do several charity projects a year. Our motto is charity and unity.”

WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

The CDA courts offer a tremendous opportunity for Catholic women to make an impact in our community. We encourage you to contact a court near you if you would like to get involved. You may also contact the court if you’d like to request a shawl or get involved specifically in the shawl ministry. Learn more about their court at genevieveofparis2496.org.

BRINGING CHRIST TO CATHOLIC MILITARY FAMILIES

FR. DANIEL DUPLANTIS

is the Senior Catholic Chaplain at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. He is from Houma, LA and was ordained June 6, 2020. He commissioned as an Air Force officer in 2016.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read the sign in the dining facility. They’re actually bringing a priest out here!” This is how one person responded on my recent trip to Shemya Island in the western Aleutians, Alaska. The statement captures both how scarce sacraments can be and their impact on our uniformed service members, their dependents, as well as our civilian contractors serving the Department of War.

I have been serving as an active duty Catholic chaplain in the Air Force for nearly three years now at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. In this capacity, I have had the great honor and privilege to bring sacramental ministry to our men and women in uniform and their families under some of the most peculiar circumstances and in the most unbelievable places you can imagine.

Shemya and its sister facility at Wake Island are what we called “Geographically Separated Units.” This means they are separated, usually by great distances, from their primary governing and support functions. These support functions often include chapel services. For these brave souls, sacraments are almost nonexistent. After some digging, I came to the conclusion that I was the fist Catholic priest in at least seven years to bring sacraments to either island’s air stations. It may come as no surprise how emotional I was during the consecration at Mass knowing for the fist time in so many years, I had the privilege of bringing our Eucharistic Lord back to these islands.

TRUST IN THE MILITARY

I can’t think of an environment where trust is so precious as in a military community. Because of the nature of what we do in defense of our nation, trust must be built quickly. A prime example of this is the 11th Airborne Division, the “Arctic Angels” as they’re called. As a traditional airborne unit, a lot of trust goes into their job: Trust that the person packing parachutes is doing their best and not cutting corners, trust that the pilot of the aircraft is going to get you to the drop zone, trust that your parachute will successfully deploy. However, the cornerstone of trust for these paratroopers is often trust in God. I always know when the division is about to jump because there is always an influx of confessions! Thankfully, my non-Catholic chapel colleagues are amazing at making sure our Catholic troops are taken care of, especially when they help to schedule me for confessions during staging before the jump. If I were jumping out of a perfectly good airplane, I’d want to make a good confession too! Nonetheless, I can’t state enough how thankful our troops are to receive sacraments when they’re heading into harm’s way.

Besides those who wear the uniform, another special group of people in need of pastoral ministry are the families who support them. While chaplains take care of our warfighters on deployments, we also take care of the loved ones they leave behind. The military

is not an easy environment for a marriage or for families. For this reason, the chaplain corps spends a lot of our efforts on marriage and family ministries. Deployments often equal missed birthdays, missed holidays, and many other missed milestones because of the separation. I myself have missed many of these, including the recent death of my grandfather. While I was able to fly home to celebrate his funeral mass, I had not seen him in person in two years. Technology can be a great help in this regard as I was able to FaceTime him several times in the weeks before his passing. However, nothing replaces that last hug.

HOMEFRONT SUPPORT

Almost, if not all, of the Catholic parishes in our diocese have military families, whether they have a member currently serving or veterans who have

completed their time in service. Both of these groups need our support. For those who are serving, care packages and cards go a long way. I can’t tell you how excited I get to receive a package from my family containing Hubig pies all the way in Alaska! For those in our communities who have completed their service, a listening ear is one of the best things we can offer. Many of our veterans do not return to us the same as they were when they departed for boot camp. The ugliness of armed conflct alters them in ways that are often unimaginable. Above all, prayer is never a wrong choice in supporting military families. Pray for their safety. Pray for their sanctity. Pray for more men to answer the call to priesthood and uniformed service as a chaplain. These families are most deserving of our support. Saint Michael the Archangel and Saint Martin of Tours, pray for us!

CONSECRATING THE UNITED STATES TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

In June 2026, as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. bishops will consecrate the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Parishes around the country are encouraged to join the bishops in consecrating our nation to the Sacred Heart in June.

On the Occasion of the U.S. Bishops Consecrating the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: You know the longings of our hearts, and you desire that we enjoy friendship with you.

From your pierced side, you have poured out the wellspring of life, for which we thirst.

Your heart burns with a love for all people to return to a right relationship with you.

We celebrate the abundant gifts you have given this nation, founded on the self-evident truths that our Creator has endowed all people with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

We make reparation for the offenses against you and against human dignity that have taken place in this nation.

May our hearts be united to yours, so that our families and communities enjoy peace and happiness; may broken relationships be reconciled, injustices repaired, and the wounds of our land be healed.

May your holy Catholic Church serve as a sign, pointing all people to your infinte love.

O Desire of Nations and Center of History, we ask you to bless these United States of America.

Who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us! Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR STUDENTS OF THE YEAR

Student of the Year Awards honor outstanding 5th-, 8th-, and 12 th-grade students for academic excellence, leadership, service, and strong citizenship. Honorees must maintain a 3.2 + GPA and make a difference in their school and community. The Diocese of HoumaThibodaux is proud to recognize our three winners for this year:

AIDEN BOQUET

5 TH GRADE STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Son of Terry Boquet, Jr. and Victoria Boquet, Aiden Boquet attends St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School in Houma. He and his family are parishioners of St. Ann Catholic Church in Bourg, where he serves faithfully as an altar server.

At school, Aiden is actively involved in numerous organizations. He currently serves as BETA Club Chaplain, leading prayer at meetings, and previously held the role of Treasurer. He participates in 4-H and is a member of the shooting sports team, practicing archery and rifle. Last summer, he attended 4-H Camp Walker. In addition, he is involved in choir, band, and chess club. Outside of school, Aiden practices Taekwondo and is currently a red belt working toward his black tip, with the ultimate goal of earning his black belt.

Aiden enjoys a wide range of activities, especially building LEGO sets. Among his favorites are the Star Wars Razor Crest, which took him four days to complete, and the Star Wars AT-AT, which he proudly purchased with his own savings.

Aiden hopes to join the military after high school to serve and protect his country and honor those who have served before him. Following his military service, he plans to pursue a career in

law enforcement like his father. He also aspires to become a deacon in the Catholic Church so he can continue serving God and others.

Family, faith, and service are central to Aiden’s life. He has volunteered to improve the school grounds through a BETA Club project and has helped his parish by unloading pumpkins for the St. Ann Pumpkin Patch. Since making his First Communion in March 2023 , he has faithfully served at Mass at both his parish and school. One moment he cherishes deeply was serving as an altar server at his Paw Paw’s funeral—a meaningful way to honor both his family and his faith.

Through his bright personality and kind heart, Aiden strives each day to live out the values he has developed in his young life.

MADISON NAQUIN

8 TH GRADE STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Madison Naquin began her Catholic education at St. Bernadette School and now continues her studies at Vandebilt Catholic High School. She values the sense of family found in Catholic schools and is grateful for the supportive teachers and meaningful friendships she has formed. Her faith is at the heart of all she does, and she seeks to live out Christian values such as empathy, forgiveness, service, and love of neighbor.

Family plays a central role in Madison’s life, and she resides with her parents and younger brother, Caysen. With the constant support and guidance of her parents and grandparents, she has developed strong morals and character rooted in respect, kindness, and integrity. Their encouragement inspires her to strive for excellence at school, in her community, and in her personal life.

Since fourth grade, Madison has been actively involved in numerous clubs and organizations, serving both as a member and as an officer. Through 4-H, Student Government Association, Hope Buddies, Campus Ministry, Student Ambassadors, Green Team, and Beta Club, she has developed strong leadership, teamwork, and public speaking skills. These experiences have allowed her to grow in confidence while serving others and representing her school community.

Academically, Madison has demonstrated consistent excellence. She maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her time at St. Bernadette, where she was named Top Scholar of her class, and she continues to earn a 4.0 GPA and placement on the A-Honor Roll at Vandebilt. Among her proudest achievements is being selected as a State Leadership Ambassador through Beta

Club, representing Louisiana. She also earned fist place at both the regional and state levels in the Social Studies Fair for two consecutive years. Athletics are another important part of Madison’s life. She has participated in volleyball, cross country, and soccer, where she has learned valuable lessons in teamwork, responsibility, leadership, and perseverance. Soccer, in particular, has inspired her to compete at higher levels, and she hopes to one day play at the collegiate level.

Looking ahead, Madison aspires to pursue a career in dentistry or another healthcare field, with the goal of improving the lives of others through compassionate care. She understands the dedication required to achieve this dream, one of the reasons she remains committed to her academics.

Madison strives to give her best effort in everything she does and to represent herself and her school in a positive, Christ-centered way. Guided by faith and encouraged by her family’s wisdom—especially her grandfather’s reminder to “leave nothing on the field”—she hopes to be remembered not only for her achievements, but for being a respectful, caring, and kind person who lives out her faith each day.

SHAYLYNN DUFRENE

12 TH GRADE STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Shaylynn Dufrene was lovingly adopted into the Dufrene family in 2008 and she attends Vandebilt Catholic High School. Her life is rooted in faith, perseverance, and the power of intentional love. She credits her family, especially her grandmothers, for shaping the spiritual, intellectual, and personal foundation that guides her leadership and ambition today.

The largest foundation of Shaylynn’s life is her faith. Through the witness of her family, she has developed a deep and unwavering belief in God’s providence. During high school, her faith grew stronger as she stepped boldly into leadership. She now serves as a Summit Team leader for Campus Ministry, where she coordinates Mass lectors, organizes schoolwide rosaries, and offers personal testimonies to her peers. Inspired by her religion studies, she is also launching a student apologetics initiative designed to thoughtfully explain and defend the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Shaylynn is highly involved in school leadership and service. She has served for four years on the Student Government Association executive board and currently serves as President of the National Honor Society. She is also a student ambassador, Pro-Life Club member, Big Sister mentor, and mission trip participant. Beyond campus, she volunteers at Hope Restored Pregnancy Center, where she organizes donations and supports mothers and families in need. Her commitment to service reflects both gratitude for her own story and a deep respect for the dignity of every human life.

Academically driven and passionate to help others, Shaylynn aspires to pursue a career in neuroscience, with the hope of contributing to research for Alzheimer’s disease. Witnessing her grandmother’s battle with the illness inspired her desire to help preserve the gift of memory for others. She approaches her goals with determination, guided by her father’s motto, “We’re Dufrenes—we figure it out,” and a commitment to being both “healthy and happy.”

Grounded in faith and strengthened by her family, Shaylynn hopes to be remembered not only for her achievements, but for her courage, compassion, and Christ-centered leadership.

HEAR FROM SHAYLYNN IN HER ARTICLE ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE.

OUR 12 TH GRADE STUDENT OF THE YEAR, SHAYLYNN DUFRENE, SHARES INSIGHTS INTO HER LIFE, MOTIVATIONS, AND INSPIRATIONS.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

As you look toward the finish of your high school career and the beginning of a new chapter at Tulane, what will you miss most—and what are you most excited about?

What I will miss the most and what I am most anticipating is rather paradoxical. I will miss the familiarity of life now. Every day I wake up in the same room I grew up in and go to the high school I know like the back of my hand. I travel the same roads, see the same people, and wear the same uniform. It is a routine I know and love well. Leaving it behind for the unknown can be daunting, yet an equal part of me is excited to see who I will be apart from all I know. Tulane and New Orleans will be radically different from what I am used to. I will be tested spiritually, mentally, and academically; however, I know that the test of fie purifies silver and gold. I am eager to see what version of myself emerges.

How has your Catholic school education shaped not just what you know, but who you are as a person?

My growth in knowledge and self go hand-in-hand. In eighth grade, I learned the facts of the sacraments, and my heart was touched by God’s desire to bring us closer to Him. In freshman year, I became more knowledgeable about the ancient kings and prophets, and my faith was then strengthened by the examples of God’s trustworthiness despite man’s disobedience. As a sophomore, my life was changed. I learned about the intricacies of the Gospels and about the other faiths in the world. By the end of the year, I had grown significantly in my boldness and leadership, and by the year after that, I was on the Bridge Team and co-leading a committee. In junior year, I learned of church history and saw how the Holy Spirit protected our predecessors against all odds. Now as a senior, I have learned how to take what I have learned and defend it. The beauty of Catholic schools is that the classes target the mind and the heart, thus maturing both the intellect and the self. Even in classes where the curriculum is not centered around Christ, it was always taught that He is in everything we learn. Now I can see that everything has traces of God.

Who is someone who has made a big impact on your life, and what did you learn from him/her?

My mom has made the biggest impact on my life. It was through her fervor in prayer and endurance in faith that led to my adoption. She has taught me how to work hard, chase after my greatest ambitions, and persevere through hardship. I would not be who I am without her guidance and support. There is a very special bond between a mother and her child, no matter if they are related by blood or not. Out of all her life lessons, her greatest and most reiterated is that she will always be there for me, she will always love me. Before I had a mind developed enough to comprehend the existence of my Lord’s love for me, she demonstrated it through her own.

What motivates you to give your best in your studies, activities, and clubs? Where does that desire to strive for excellence come from?

I have three great motivators. The fist is that when I wake up, I recognize that every moment I breathe is a gift from the Lord. My motivation to strive for the best in my academic endeavors and extracurriculars stems from the great respect for life that the miraculous circumstances of my adoption and journey to the United States instilled in me. In Colossians 3:17, we are instructed to “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by Him.” I try to keep this verse in mind as I study and lead. I also draw inspiration from all the hard work my parents have done in order for me to have the education and opportunities offered to me. While my dad’s lesson that I only need to be “happy and healthy” is repeated often, I respect all that they have done for me by trying to do my best academically while maintaining my health and joy in the Lord. Thirdly, I acknowledge the eyes of others on my life. I am not motivated by their acclamation or praise but rather by the knowledge that the Lord has shown to them his providence through my life. I can excel in my academics, activities, and organizations because God has given me the gifts to do so. I credit nothing to myself; instead, I boast in the Lord. My motivation begins and ends with Him who made me.

What do you enjoy doing when you're not studying or serving?

My three favorite things are being with my friends, reading, and writing. As a child, I always prayed to the Lord for a community of fellow believers whom I can lean on, and we know that the Father always provides

for his children. The brothers and sisters in Christ that I have in my life now are the answers to my innumerable childhood prayers. Whether we go to Mass, grab food, drive around, or do something fun around town, I enjoy every moment. I love them more than they know, and I’m sure they already know that I care for them a great deal. I have grown in my love for reading poetry recently in my English class. We are discussing something called eternizing. It is a way poets would immortalize their loved ones through their verses. Everything of the world will pass away, but I pray that until then, their presence in these words endures. The power of words has always struck me. When I was a young girl, my father would say, “If you can read and comprehend, you can do anything you want.” I grew to love exploring every genre and even aspiring to write. Whether I create rosary reflections or simply write in my journal, I delight in the beauty of words.

WORDS FROM ROME

QUOTES FROM POPE LEO XIV

This is the peace of the risen Christ—a peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering. It comes from God who loves us all unconditionally.

-Message of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for the World Day of Peace | January 1, 2026

What do you seek? … Perhaps your hearts are…restless, searching for meaning and fulfillment, and for direction in your lives. The answer is found in a person. The Lord Jesus alone brings us true peace and joy, and fulfills every one of our deepest desires.

-Video Message of Pope Leo XIV on the Occasion of SEEK26 | January 1-5, 2026

We live immersed in a culture of speed, immediacy and haste—a culture of “discard” and indifference that prevents us from pausing along the way and drawing near to acknowledge the needs and suffering that surround us… Jesus does not merely teach us who our neighbor is, but rather how to become a neighbor; in other words, how we can draw close to others.

-Message of Pope Leo XIV for the 34th World Day of the Sick 2026 | February 11, 2026

At a time when the dream of building peace together is often dismissed as an “outdated utopia,” we must proclaim with conviction that human fraternity is a lived reality, stronger than all conflicts, differences and tensions. It is a potential that must be realized through a daily, concrete commitment to respect, sharing and compassion.

-Message of Pope Leo XIV on the Occasion of the International Day of Human Fraternity and the Awarding of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2026 | February 4, 2026

The Gospel calls us to dare to trust, for God is at work at all times. Every moment is “God’s time,” even when we do not feel ready or when the situation seems unfavorable. #GospelOfTheDay (Mt 4:12-23)

-X post | January 25, 2026

Praying with Scripture opens the door for an intimate relationship with God who through these sacred writings invites us into conversation with Him. I encourage you to read and contemplate the inspired word of God daily. May the Word of God nourish our hearts and minds and lead us to the fullness of life.

-X post | February 11, 2026

Composed of men and women, the Church is divine. Even in our littleness and limitations, we can always serve as instruments in God’s hands to build up His Church.

-X post | March 4, 2026

TED LASSO IN NEED OF BAPTISM

BRENNAN GARRIQUES serves as the Director of Campus Ministry at Christ the King Parish on the campus of LSU in Baton Rouge, LA.

Ted Lasso is an amazing series, and it is one that has forced me to have both a discerning mind and an open heart.

I say “discerning mind” because I am under no illusion regarding the secular worldview through which it was written and produced. There are numerous behaviors, ideals, and misrepresentations that do not align with a Christian vision.

At the same time, the show does not seem like mere “woke propaganda.” It seems rather like the people

behind this story simply believe they have found a good and honest way to wrestle with the human experience. I say “open heart,” then, because, in their effort to grapple with the human condition and make sense of things, they have stumbled upon realities that transcend our world and invite us toward a higher one. For this reason, I believe their characters still have lessons to offer a Christian audience. Indeed, millions throughout the world can testify to the power of this award-winning series. We have seen the Lord in this story!

How much more, then, if this story flowed from minds and hearts given over to Christ? Meaning, what if people’s creativity and passion burst forth from an intimate relationship with their Creator? What if it was the fruit of their prayer and a deliberate participation

PHOTO CREDIT: CNN

in the Great Story? Is this too much to ask? I don’t think so. At Easter Masses around the world, this is precisely the petition.

Of those asking for baptism, the Church, every year at the Easter Vigil Mass, asks that they renounce sin and profess the faith. To the following they say “I do.”

Do you reject sin so as to live in the freedom of God’s children? Do you reject the glamour of evil and refuse to be mastered by sin? Do you reject Satan, father of sin and prince of darkness? Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth?

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucifid, died and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father? Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting?

There is sin and evil and darkness in this world. We must reject it. But because God so loved the world, He sent His only Son to dwell among creation and redeem it! There are signs of life everywhere, and we need to ask for the grace of baptism to recognize those signs and to be partakers in what they promise.

For the Christian viewer of Ted Lasso, the invitation is similar. Through the following scenes from Season 3 , I seek to affir the instances where goodness is present because it is exactly these scenes which, if baptized, draw us toward our destiny and our end.

In Episode 5 (“Signs”), the iconic “Believe” sign taped above the door to Ted’s office falls off just as the team is on the precipice of despair. Disturbing timing, of course. But, instead of feeding a superstition vested in the power of a sheet of paper, Ted reminds the team that “belief doesn't just happen because you hang something on a wall.” In an incredibly raw and heartfelt speech, he simultaneously captures the essence of our human frailty and our profound dignity. Here it is:

a wall.

“Belief doesn’t just happen because you hang something on

“Belief… comes from in here [he points to his heart], and up here [his head] and down here [his gut]. The only problem is, we’ve all got so much junk flotin’ through us, a lot of times we end up gettin’ in our own way. Crap like envy, or fear — shame. I don’t wanna mess around with that s*** anymore. You know what I wanna mess around with? The belief that I matter, you know, regardless of what I do or don’t achieve. Or the belief that we all deserve to be loved, whether we’ve been hurt or maybe we’ve hurt somebody else. Or what about the belief of hope? Yeah, that’s what I want to mess with. Believing that things can get better — that I can get better. That we will get better. Oh man. To believe in yourself, to believe in one another — man that’s, that’s fundamental to being alive. And look, yo, hey, if you can do that — if each of you can truly do that — can’t nobody rip that apart.”

Ted, as usual, displays an impressive ability to get right to the heart of things. These words especially draw near to the kingdom of heaven. However, Ted still needs baptism.

Tell me if this cycle sounds familiar: you resolve (very firly!) to leave behind the junk floating through you that gets in your way. You begin again, believe that you matter and that you can get better, that you’re good, and that you deserve to be loved. But then, at some point, potentially rather quickly, you fall right back into envy, fear, shame, etc.

Thus, the pattern is, no matter how hard we try, we can’t shake the junk. There are so many moments where we simply cannot make it happen on our own, even with the best of intentions and the best of friends. We need a savior!

“Or are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life” (Rom 6:3-4 ). The only possibility for Ted or any one of us to obtain and maintain the newness of life we seek is to be joined to our savior in baptism.

In the episode following Ted’s speech, “Sunflowers,” we see just how promptly hope can once again vanish for those who have not yet been raised to this newness of

life. After a jarring AFC Richmond loss, Ted expresses his lament to Coach Beard.

“I don't know what’s going on with me coach. It’s like I’m feeling stuck or something you know. Like I need to do something to help me get me out of my head… You know, I just wanna try something new. Help me get inspired.”

Beard immediately suggests drugs as the remedy. Ted uses them (a dud batch as it turns out), settling for far too little in his desperation for consolation, inspiration, and restoration. It is encouraging, however, that he has the humility to admit something is not working, for the Lord draws near to those in need. Likely, if Ted had sat with this ache for just a few minutes longer, he would have heard the still, small voice of the Divine Physician asking permission to bring him new life. That is, after all, why He has come.

We can be certain then, that for those who have ears to hear, Christ will speak. To those with the eyes of faith, He will reveal His presence. He invites each one of us to join Him through baptism so that we might join Him also in His resurrection. This invitation to new life is for Ted and all the other fictional characters in the series, but it is most especially for you and for me. May this Easter season be filled with festivity and joy as we celebrate this life and anticipate the next.

PHOTO CREDIT: TOWN AND COUNTRY MAGAZINE

TRUST AS CHOICE

LEARNING TO REST IN THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD

JJ HUSSEM

originally hails from a small town in the southern region of the Netherlands. He moved to Louisiana from London in 2024 to join the Office of Parish Support as a liaison. He is passionate about seeing Christ move in others, the new evangelization, and tennis. He resides in Thibodaux and attends Our Lady of Prompt Succor in Chackbay.

“He who promised is faithful” (Heb 10:23 ). Is the Lord trustworthy? We know the textbook answer: of course He is. Yet my heart can still doubt. My life experiences can make me question. Theology can feel dense and confusing. Slowly, I can settle for rituals— “doing what may be expected of me”—and going through the motions becomes a familiar pattern.

Scripture purifies my understanding of God. I know that I am made in the image and likeness of God, the imago Dei (cf. Gen 1:26–27 ). At times, it helps to return to what I do know rather than what I don’t and to take intentional steps from there. Trust, after all, is a choice. The Oxford Dictionary defies trust as a “firmbelief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.” We know who that Someone is: Jesus—fully man and fully God. He knows our doubts, our challenges, and our struggles to trust Him. Still, fear rises: Will He come through for me? Does He really care?

“Jesus exhorts us to childlike trust” (CCC 2785). He models this in Luke 23:46 when He says, “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit”—total self-surrender in the face of abandonment. Psychologically, this terrifies us. It feels extreme, all or nothing, an enormous risk. Yet when we invite Him into our fears, doubts, and uncertainties, we give Him permission to speak in a way only He can.

We see this lived out in the Blessed Mother. Wholly surrendered at the foot of the Cross, she was not feeling “hallelujah, amen.” The words spoken by the Archangel Gabriel at

the Annunciation no longer seemed to make sense. Jesus was dead, and everyone else had fled. And yet she did not waver. Hers was an act of the will—choosing to believe that “filial trust is tested in suffering” (CCC 2734 ) and that “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Is 26:3). There may not have been psychological peace, but she remained rooted in divine peace (cf. Phil 4:7).

Karl Marx’s famous quote—“religion is the opium of the people” (Introduction to A Contribution to the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right)—suggests that belief is mere wishful thinking meant to dull reality. But trust is more than a feeling. My belief that Christ is King, that He is real, and that “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16 ) is supernatural before it is psychological. We are broken people. We struggle with faith, hope, and love. Yet this does not push God away. If anything, He uses our weakness to draw us deeper into relationship with Him. The question, then, is: What is my response?

St. Faustina Kowalska, canonized in 2000 and known as the Apostle of Divine Mercy, witnesses to a firmbelief in the reliability, truth, ability, and strength of the Lord. “Jesus, I trust in You” was the signature beneath the vision she received in 1931 —a message for the Church, and a message for you and me today: trust in His love and mercy. In French, it is Jésus, j’ai confince en Toi. Trust as confidence. The Sisters of Life echo this in the Litany of Trust: “That You will teach me to trust You—Jesus,

I trust in You.” He wants to meet me in my doubts. St. Faustina reminds us that “trust is the vessel with which souls draw graces” (Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul, 1578).

A Doctor of the Church, co-patron of the missions and of France, and recognized by UNESCO as one of the most significant figures for contemporary humanity, St. Thérèse of Lisieux teaches that “it is trust and nothing but trust that must lead us to love” (Letter 197). Story of a Soul helps me grow in trust because of her honesty and relatability. Rather than being intimidated by great saints or settling for less because of her own inadequacy, she spoke candidly with the Lord and simply told Him how she felt:

“The good God would not inspire unattainable desires; I can, then, in spite of my littleness, aspire to sanctity… The elevator which must raise me to the heavens is Your arms, O Jesus! For that I do not need to grow; on the contrary, I must necessarily remain small, become smaller” (Manuscript C).

Do not let the tone or wording deceive you—there is practical, logical wisdom here. While acknowledging my weakness and vulnerability, I do not despair or give up. Instead, I choose to surrender and to exercise filial trust, allowing my self-consciousness to pivot toward God-consciousness. Trust replaces self-reliance. I stop obstructing grace with perfectionism or fear, admit that on my own I cannot, and declare that He is God by taking Him at His word.

We are often our own greatest enemies. St. Augustine is often credited with saying: “Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love, and the future to God’s providence.” It is in His presence that peace is found. My spiritual director once told me to “allow the Father to speak and give Him the space to do so.”

One evening, I went to the Adoration chapel on Nicholls’ campus. It was late, and I found myself alone—just Jesus and me. I noticed two large wooden angel statues beside the monstrance, each wearing a sash with writing carved into it. From where I knelt, I couldn’t make out the words. As I approached to place the veil before the monstrance and repose the Lord, I came close enough to read them. They were not in Latin, as I had assumed, but in Dutch— my native language. On the left angel: Marias kind (Mary’s child) and on the right angel: Jezus lieveling (Jesus’ beloved).

Jesus, I trust in You.

“He wants to meet me in my doubts.

WELCOMING OUR NEW MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH

BY: BEVI FONTENOT

On Holy Saturday night, we will welcome more than 140 fully-initiated members into the Catholic Church. Across our diocese, parish communities will gather in darkness as a new fie is lit in one of the richest and most beautiful liturgies of the year— the Easter Vigil.

At the Easter Vigil, these men, women, and children will enter fully into the life of the Church through the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmtion, and Holy Communion.

Some of these members are new to the Faith, while others are undergoing continuing conversion. The Church makes distinctions for our brothers and sisters who are on different journeys, referring to them as Catechumens or Candidates.

Catechumens are those who have never been baptized and will receive all three Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.

Candidates, on the other hand, include those who are already baptized. Some were baptized in

the Catholic Church and now seek to complete their Sacraments of Initiation (Confirmtion and/ or Holy Communion). Others were baptized in another Christian denomination and now seek full communion with the Catholic Church; at the Easter Vigil, they will receive the Sacraments of Confirmtion and Holy Communion.

Together, they remind us that faith is always a journey — and the Church is always growing.

We invite you to pray in a special way for the following catechumens and candidates who will be fully welcomed into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil this year:

OUR 2026 ELECT AND CANDIDATES

CHRIST THE REDEEMER

Catechumens

Vayah Kern

Andrew Castillo

Candidates Jackson Duplantis

HOLY CROSS MORGAN CITY

Catechumens

Marquee Russo

Lainey Blanco

Kaden Winters

Giselle Ramos

HOLY SAVIOR

Catechumens

Charles Frederick

Gabriel Bertram

Angela Labat

Candidates

Elizabeth A. Little

Jacqueline Lipari

Pedro Delgado

Grayce Haines

Cairrell Wiley

Candidates

Olivia Plaisance

OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR CHACKBAY

Catechumens

Trey Dempster

Rylee Dempster

Candidates

Zac Dempster

Gabby Dempster

Kimberly Ruth

Holly Ruth

Libby Ruth

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY LAROSE

Catechumens

Keidy Tolentino

Jayke Chouest

Violet Thibodeaux

Coraline Thibodeaux

Larry Zamora

SACRED HEART MORGAN CITY

Catechumens

Elijah McCullough

Cora Grant

Nathen Trent

Jolene Melancon

Jonah Melancon

ST. ANN

Catechumens

Julia Chaisson

Donald Dardar

Pearl Anderson

Candidates

Sara Murrell

Devin Saucedo

Edison Tolentino

Jaci Brady

Joey Brady

Khloe Brady

Candidates

Kerstin Bonicard

Jose Plata

Magen McCullough

Sarah Ghirardi

Dale Wilson Jr.

Candidates

Camryn Dupre

Joshua Trahan

Kagen Pellegrin

Grayden Price

ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA GHEENS

Catechumens

Olivia Nelton

ST. BERNADETTE

Catechumens

Noah Babin

Rodney Parfait, III

Rhylee Parfait

Laylah Amacosta

Jackson Goss

Corey Alesich

Olivia Allemand

Candidates

Jac Culver

Tagan McNair

Candidates

Blaze Verdin

Angel Gibson

Dylan Trahan

Rachel Adcock

Leonora HernandezMendez

David Hernandez-Mendez

ST. CHARLES BORROMEO

Candidates

Kristen LaFleur

ST. ELOI

Candidates

• Jimmy Verret

• Morgan Evans

• Randy Paul Liner Jr.

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES CATHEDRAL

Catechumens

Britni Lombas

Lindsay Folse

Kassidee Parr

ST. GENEVIEVE Candidates

Sarah Abadie

Candidates

Jeffrey Authement

Angela Musser

ST. GREGORY BARBARIGO

Catechumens

Andrew Armstrong

Anthony Toups

Zachary Strawser

Candidates

Clint Rogers

Brie Robichaux

Madison Strawser

Bailely LeBlanc

Emily LeBlanc

Karly LeBlanc

Noah Areceneaux

ST. HILARY

Catechumens

Autumn Matherne

Joshua Billiot

Candidates

Peyton Chiasson

Jarod Martin

Amanda Matherne Guidry

Crystal Billiot

Alaina Matherne

Luke Whitney

Lanie Whitney

ST. JOSEPH CHAUVIN

Catechumens

Lyric Soileau

Colton Robichaux

Clay Robichaux Jr.

ST. JOSEPH CO-CATHEDRAL

Catechumens

Shalyn Chiasson

Jayce Dawson

Thiago Saldana

Angel Adams

Payton Boudreaux

Kecia Davis

Michael Harris

Zachary Henderson

ST. LAWRENCE CHACAHOULA

Catechumens

Randi LeBlanc

Blake Vincent

ST. LUCY

Candidates

Amber Nicole Smith

Latonya Bergeron

ST. MARY’S NATIVITY

Catechumens

Hailey Truxillo

Candidates

Michael Civay

Rahkeem Davis

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS

Catechumens

Denny Woods II

Shirley Lee

Monique Toups

Rhett Tanner

Kobe Rundolph

Kendall Cheramie

Seth Montgomery

Ceysia Antolin

Linlee Sturm

James DeMoss

Adam Gautreaux

Megan Lusco

Kami Voisin

Candidates

Beau Webb

Skye Deroche

Skylar Dardar

Madalyn Martin

Chloe Thompson

Mark Lee II

Candidates

Mallory Breaux

Misty Bollinger

Sara Weaver

Sandra Lemus

Elizabeth Bibian

If you have the honor of attending the Easter Vigil, keep in mind that you are not only a witness to these Sacraments, but you are also a witness to grace, courage and the Holy Spirit at work.

Please keep these brothers and sisters in your prayers as they take this sacred step. May their “yes” renew all of us in our own baptismal promises.

GROWING TOGETHER IN FAITH THE BILLIOTS COME HOME

BY: BEVI FONTENOT

This Easter Vigil, Josh and Crystal Billiot will become fully initiated members of the Catholic Church at St. Hilary of Poitiers Church in Raceland. After participating in the parish’s Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), they are preparing to take this next step together— not just individually, but as a couple.

Josh is a Catechumen, preparing for Baptism, Confirmtion and Holy Communion, and Crystal is a Candidate, having already received the Sacrament of Baptism. They have been together for 18 years and married for 10 . They have two young daughters, ages four and two. Both say their journey to the Church unfolded gradually, shaped by family, life changes, and a deepening desire to grow in faith.

In recent months, Josh and Crystal attended Confirmtion services for their nieces. Josh began to think, “I’m getting older, I have a growing family, and life is changing.” He shared, “My grandfather was actually a very devout Catholic, and I remember him praying in his home. I considered that we needed to fid a home, too.”

Josh’s brother is Catholic and Crystal said they had attended some Masses with them. “We really liked the tradition of the Church and learning about it.” Josh reached out to begin OCIA at that point. “I went with him not really expecting to enjoy it as much as I did because I grew up Baptist,” said Crystal.

Both Josh and Crystal have a desire to learn, and their hearts are open. “I am learning to understand and ask questions, and there are many instructors with different perspectives,” said Josh. Even in his new job, Josh has been able to not only share his faith but to experience it with others. “I didn’t know where this journey would take me, but everything in my life is aligning now,” he explained.

Crystal said that she too has gotten a lot of knowledge from the classes. “I love everything we are getting to learn and the people we’ve met. A few of the instructors are teachers, so they have a unique way of teaching that is helpful.” The classes have also helped clear up many of the misconceptions Crystal once had about the Catholic Church. “I’m learning the

truth about what Catholics actually believe. From the outside, especially coming from the Baptist church, I just didn’t know.” She especially appreciates that the Church provides scripted prayers to fall back on when you don’t have the words to pray.

Crystal recalls always having a strong faith in God, even when she and Josh faced infertility for seven years. It was a challenge for them, but they stayed strong together. “She always tells me to have faith,” said Josh.

And now, they get to grow their faith together. “We are understanding to learn and grow as individuals and what that means to us,” Josh said, “but we are also both developing and learning to pray together.”

Their new commitment to their faith is already passing on to their children. Their four-year-old daughter, Sophie, has even been asking for them all to pray together at night. “She wanted to pray to Jesus,” shared Josh, and it’s pulling us all closer together.”

When asked what they are most looking forward to, Josh said his baptism, which will be on his birthday. How fittig for his rebirth in the Church! “Events just seem to align in my life lately, and I’m excited about it,” he said. Crystal is looking forward to attending her fist Easter Vigil. “I’m really excited to see and get to participate.” Crystal chose the confirmtion name Marie after her grandmother, and Josh chose St. Joseph as the model of fatherhood.

They have both fallen in love with the universality of the church. “It is really cool that no matter where you go, it’s the same,” said Josh. “I like the Catechism of the Catholic Church too because it is a consensus of understanding.”

Crystal particularly enjoyed having a tour of St. Hilary and learning what everything in the Church meant and symbolized, down to the colors used and the terminology. It opened their eyes to the beauty and richness of the Church. “It’s beautiful,” she said. “It was really a mindblowing experience.”

Josh and Crystal’s openness to learn and grow, not only as individuals, but as a couple is inspiring. May we all approach this Easter season with renewed hearts.

It is really cool that no matter where you go, it’s the same. “

APRIL DAILY PRAYER FOR

PRIESTS, DEACONS, RELIGIOUS, AND SEMINARIANS

Apr 1: Bishop Simon Peter Engurait

Apr 2: Very Rev. Vicente N. DeLa Cruz, MCL, JCL, V.F.

Apr 3: Seminarian Ethan Henry

Apr 4: Rev. Wilfredo Decal, retired

Apr 5: Rev. Scott Dugas, retired

Apr 6: Sister Diane Poynot, C.S.J.

Apr 7: Rev. Daniel Duplantis

Apr 8: Rev. Msgr. Cletus Egbi

Apr 9: Deacon Lloyd Duplantis, retired

Apr 10: Rev. Gregory Fratt, retired

Apr 11: Rev. Antonio Farrugia

Apr 12: Rev. Nathaniel Maria Gadalia

Apr 13: Sister Juana Eleazer Ramirez, M.C.S.H.

Apr 14: Rev. Duc Bui

Apr 15: Rev. Alex Gaudet

Apr 16: Rev. Rholando (Rholly) Grecia

Apr 17: Seminarian Will Stueben

Apr 18: Rev. Varghese (Joe) Josekutty

Apr 19: Deacon Dennis Dupre, retired

Apr 20: Rev. Brice Higginbotham

Apr 21: Deacon Scott Beslin

Apr 22: Rev. Stuart King

Apr 23: Seminarian James Silk

Apr 24: Deacon Randall Jennings

Apr 25: Rev. Thomas Kuriakose

Apr 26: Rev. Baby (Phillip) Kuruvilla

Apr 27: Rev. Brett Lapeyrouse

Apr 28: Deacon James LaJaunie, Jr.

Apr 29: Rev. Joseph Lapeyrouse

Apr 30: Bishop Emeritus Sam Jacobs

MAY DAILY PRAYER FOR PRIESTS, DEACONS, RELIGIOUS, AND SEMINARIANS

May 1: Bishop Simon Peter Engurait

May 2: Deacon Gary Lapeyrouse

May 3: Rev. Noas Kerketta

May 4: Rev. Alexis (Alex) Lazarra

May 5: Rev. Peter Tai Le

May 6: Rev. Glenn LeCompte

May 7: Deacon Scott Beslin

May 8: Very Rev. Eric P. Leyble JCL

May 9: Rev. Joey Lirette

May 10: Very Rev. P.J. Madden, retired

May 11: Deacon Harold Fanguy, retired

May 12: Rev. Clyde Mahler, retired

May 13: Rev. Fernando Anaya Maida

May 14: Rev. John David Matherne

May 15: Sister Catherine Siracusa, O.S.B.

May 16: Very Rev. Andre’ Melancon, V.G.

May 17: Very Rev. Thankachan (John) Nambusseril, V.F.

May 18: Rev. Roch Naquin, retired

May 19: Seminarian Caleb Sylvest

May 20: Deacon James LeFevre

May 21: Rev. Ty Nguyen, retired

May 22: Rev. Jean-Marie Nsambu

May 23: Rev. Alex Okiror

May 24: Rev. Charles Perkins, retired

May 25: Rev. Joseph Pilola

May 26: Rev. Matthew Prosperie

May 27: Deacon Jesse LeCompte, retired

May 28: Rev. Patrick Riviere

May 29: Rev. Sabino (Benie) Rebosura II

May 30: Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue

May 31: Bishop Emeritus Sam Jacobs

JUNE DAILY PRAYER

FOR PRIESTS, DEACONS, RELIGIOUS, AND SEMINARIANS

June 1: Bishop Simon Peter Engurait

June 2: Rev. James Rome

June 3: Rev. Robert Rogers

June 4: Rev. Mitchel Semar

June 5: Deacon Glenn Porche, retired

June 6: Rev. Carlos Talavera

June 7: Sister Olvido Montemayor Ibarra

June 8: Rev. Caesar Silva, retired

June 9: Seminarian Michael Robichaux

June 10: Rev. Mark Toups

June 11: Rev. Mike Tran V.F.

June 12: Sister Rosa Maria Rodriguez, M.C.S.H.

June 13: Rev. Joseph Tregre

June 14: Seminarian Chad Cheramie

June 15: Rev. Khoa Dang, CRM

June 16: Rev. Augustine Ky Truong CRM

June 17: Deacon Chris Prestenback

June 18: Rev. Romeo (Billy) Velasco

June 19: Sister Mary Assumpta Thien Oanh Tran, F.M.S.R.

June 20: Deacon Jeff Pitre

June 21: Rev. Osman Escorcia

June 22: Rev. Ronilo (Ron) Villamor

June 23: Deacon John Mattingly

June 24: Rev. Jose Juarez Sandoval

June 25: Rev. Davis Ahimbisibwe

June 26: Very Rev. Jay L. Baker, MCL, JCL

June 27: Rev. Michael Bergeron, retired

June 28: Rev. Paul Birdsall

June 29: Sister Mary John of the Cross Trang Thi Luu, F.M.S.R.

June 30: Bishop Emeritus Sam Jacobs

JULY DAILY PRAYER FOR PRIESTS, DEACONS, RELIGIOUS, AND SEMINARIANS

July 1: Bishop Simon Peter Engurait

July 2: Rev. Shenan Boquet

July 3: Seminarian Cain Lambert

July 4: Rev. Thomas R. Bouterie, retired

July 5: Deacon Timothy Vedros

July 6: Rev. Rusty Bruce

July 7: Deacon Raymond Bourg, Jr., retired

July 8: Msgr. Frederic J. Brunet, retired

July 9: Rev. Stephen Castille

July 10: Sister Maria Eugenia Leo Mendoza

July 11: Rev. Joseph Chacko, I.M.S.

July 12: Deacon James Brunet, Jr.

July 13: Rev. Cody Chatagnier

July 14: Rev. Dean Danos, retired

July 15: Rev. Evelio (Toto) Buenaflor, Jr., retired

July 16: Rev. Carl Collins

July 17: Rev. Van Constant

July 18: Sister Miriam Therese Mire, C.S.J.

July 19: Rev. Domingo (Ding) Cruz, retired

July 20: Rev. Robert-Joel Cruz

July 21: Very Rev. Vicente N. DeLa Cruz, MCL, JCL, V.F.

July 22: Seminarian Ethan Henry

July 23: Deacon Stephen Brunet

July 24: Rev. Wilfredo Decal, retired

July 25: Rev. Scott Dugus, retired

July 26: Jennifer Ely, Consecrated Virgin

July 27: Rev. Daniel Duplantis

July 28: Rev. Noas Kerketta

July 29: Rev. Msgr. Cletus Egbi

July 30: Deacon Sam Burregi, retired

July 31: Bishop Emeritus Sam Jacobs

Apr 5: Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord

Apr 12: Sunday of Divine Mercy

Apr 19: Third Sunday of Easter

Apr 25: Feast of St. Mark, Evangelist

Apr 26: Fourth Sunday of Easter

Apr 29: Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena

May 2: Memorial of St. Athanasius

May 3: Fifth Sunday of Easter

May 10: Sixth Sunday of Easter

May 14: Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle

May 17: Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

May 24: Solemnity of Pentecost

May 25: Memorial of The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

May 26: Memorial of St. Philip Neri

May 31: Solemnity of The Most Holy Trinity

June 1: Memorial of St. Justin

LITURGICAL CALENDAR

June 3: Memorial of St. Charles Lwanga and Companions

June 5: Memorial of St. Boniface

June 7: Solemnity of Corpus Christi

June 11: Memorial of St. Barnabas

June 12: Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

June 14: Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

June 21: Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

June 24: Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

June 28: Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

June 29: Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul

July 3: Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle

July 5: Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 11: Memorial of St. Benedict

July 12: Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 14: Memorial of St. Kateri Tekakwitha

July 15: Memorial of St. Bonaventure

July 19: Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 22: Feast of St. Mary Magdalene

July 25: Feast of St. James, Apostle

July 26: Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 29: Memorial of Sts. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

July 31: Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola

HE IS RISEN! ALLELUIA!

tear + color!

voie bien droite, bien courte, une petite voie toute nouvelle. “

mais je veux chercher le moyen d’aller au ciel par une petite

Histoire d’une âme (édition de 1912), Chapitre IX —

« L’Ascenseur

divin…

»

Au lieu de me décourager, je me suis dit « Le bon Dieu ne saurait inspirer des désirs irréalisables ; je puis donc, malgré ma petitesse, aspirer à la sainteté. Me grandir, c’est impossible ! Je dois me supporter telle que je suis, avec mes imperfections sans nombre ; mais je veux chercher le moyen d’aller au ciel par une petite voie bien droite, bien courte, une petite voie toute nouvelle. Nous sommes dans un siècle d’inventions : maintenant ce n’est plus la peine de gravir les marches d’un escalier ; chez les riches, un ascenseur le remplace avantageusement. Moi, je voudrais aussi trouver un ascenseur pour m’élever jusqu’à Jésus ; car je suis trop petite pour gravir le rude escalier de la perfection. »

Story of a Soul (1912 edition), Chapter IX —

“The Divine Elevator…” -translated by JJ Hussem

Instead of being discouraged, I concluded that God would not inspire desires which could not be realized, and that I may aspire to sanctity in spite of my littleness. For me to become great is impossible. I must bear with myself and my many imperfections; but I will seek out a means of getting to Heaven by a little way—very short and very straight, a little way that is wholly new. We live in an age of inventions; nowadays the rich need not trouble to climb the stairs, they have lifts instead. Well, I mean to try and fid a lift by which I may be raised unto God, for I am too tiny to climb the steep stairway of perfection.

VANDEBILT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

SERVED BY THE MARIANITES OF THE HOLY CROSS AND THE BROTHERS OF THE SACRED HEART

MICHELLE LEBLANC

is the Archivist of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. The Archives and Records Center contains the diocese’s historical records and maintains school and church records for the diocese.

INTRODUCTION

Vandebilt Catholic High School has a long and rich history. But like any good story, it starts at the beginning. It couldn’t have started without the love and faith of the religious brothers and sisters who taught and served the Houma community—the Marianites of the Holy Cross and the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. They, along with local priests like Father August Vandebilt, faithfully served the people of Houma and the lower Bayous while pushing through hardship, strife, and personal suffering. Let’s explore further how things all got started with their holy initiative.

THE MARIANITES OF THE HOLY CROSS COME TO HOUMA

The Marianite Sisters of the Holy Cross arrived in Schriever after being invited by the Most Reverend Napoleon-Joseph Perche’, the third Archbishop of New Orleans. He dedicated himself to expanding Catholic education, claiming to dislike public schools for being too secular. The resolute and adventurous Sisters—Sister M. of St. Claire, Sister M. of St. Stanislaus, Sister M. of St. Sebastian, Sister M. of St. Catherine, and Mother Mary of St. Eutychius—took a hackney coach from the Terrebonne (train) Station to meet their temporary hosts Mrs. Berger and Mrs. Charles Daspit.

When the Marianites arrived in Schriever after taking the train from New Orleans, they took over The Houma College, a former boarding and day school that had been closed. The Sisters changed the former school’s name to the Academy of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, which opened on October 11, 1870, with an enrollment of 25 girls. The Houma College, previously a Methodist school, required renovations before school started. It had broken blinds, a destroyed interior, a leaky roof, and defaced walls. The building, having suffered no outside damage through local disasters of tornadoes and hurricanes, made it the ideal place for a new school. The sisters, along with help from the local people, cleaned the school and prepared it for class. The school had no fencing and was often full of cattle or people cutting through the front yard of the school on their horses. The sisters even made gardens on the property to help sustain themselves.

GROWING AND RENAMING THE SCHOOL

In 1879, the Sisters changed the name of the school to St. Francis de Sales Academy, or St. Francis Academy, because the Sisters already had another Marian school named Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. That same year, the school had their fist graduation featuring one student named Rosa Cune.

The environment posed many challenges to the Sisters in the early years, causing them to struggle greatly. The Sisters faced tropical storm damage to the school, trees, and vegetation, an inundation of mosquitoes carrying Yellow Fever, and confrontation with roaches, spiders, and snakes that invaded the school and the Sisters’ living quarters. Two snowstorms and heavy rain in 1881 and 1882 caused leaks in the roof which left plaster falling in the dormitories, the chapel, and in classrooms. More snakes—some poisonous—were found in the chapel, gallery, and even next to the kitchen.

BOYS BEGIN ATTENDING ST. FRANCIS ACADEMY

While St. Francis Academy was originally founded with the intention of providing a formal Catholic education for girls, by 1890 the Marianites began offering an education to Catholic boys, as well. Father Jean Arthur Poyet, the sixth pastor of St. Francis and his predecessors, like Father August Vandebilt, greatly helped support the Sisters and their students. Father August Vandebilt was a great supporter of Catholic education, a founder of many clubs and organizations like the Altar Society, Usher society, the Holy Name society, the Junior Holy Name society, and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. His biggest achievement was the construction

of the present-day St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church; he died two months after the cornerstone for St. Francis was laid and blessed by Archbishop Rummel.

THE ARRIVAL OF THE BROTHERS OF THE SACRED HEART IN HOUMA

Monsignor Maurice Schexnayder, the twelfth pastor of St. Francis de Sales Church, decided to invite the Brothers of the Sacred Heart to help with St. Francis Boys’ School. Shortly thereafter, Monsignor Schexnayder became the Bishop of Lafayette, Louisiana, so the next pastor, Fr. Joseph Weston, was able to negotiate with the Brothers to bring them to Houma.

In 1952 , the overflow of students outgrew the current girls’ school location and the Marianites decided to open a new school on Verret St., next to the church, with this site teaching both boys and girls in elementary grades and girls in grades 8th-12 th. St. Francis Boys’ School for Grades 8-12 moved into the original school building on Point and Barrow Street. High school boys visited the new school for lunch and for science laboratory use.

The Sacred Heart Brothers suffered as well with no air conditioning or central heat in the school buildings; the windows were not insulated, and the floors had large holes because they were old and decayed. The boys joked they could catch crawfih through the large cracks in the wooden floor. The Brothers also had no furnishings except for beds when they arrived. With no tables or chairs, the Brothers were forced to sit on the floor until they could obtain furnishings.

CHANGING NAMES FROM HCCH TO VCHS

When the high school in Houma was dedicated in 1965, it became the fist desegregated secondary school in

Terrebonne Parish and was named Houma Central Catholic High School before the name was changed to Vandebilt Catholic High School less than a year later. The new high school had enrolled in it. Brother Brice Hendrick was named the principal of the boys’ division while Sister Mary John Evangelist, MSC, became the principal of the girls’ division.

Prior to the hadn’t been completed yet when Hurricane Betsy hit south Louisiana. The new high school from Hurricane Betsy, resulting in some school windows broken and damage to the school’s gym roof that was still in the process of being built. The four Brothers who stayed in the school during the storm were able to provide some protective measures. The Brothers lead the clean-up e with the school being reopened four days after Hurricane Betsy.

The new school was re-named and re-dedicated on Sunday, March school was named after the former pastor of St. Francis’, August Vandebilt, who was dedicated to Catholic education in Houma and the building of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. Father Vandebilt was credited by Archbishop Hughes with being the reason that boys in Terrebonne were the opportunity to attend a Catholic High School” with Father Vandebilt pushing for the all-girl St. Francis de Sales high School to admit boys, citing the “young men of the parish were not able to obtain a Catholic education beyond eighth grade within the confies of Terrebonne (parish)” (Dedication program).

Shortly after the re-naming the new co-ed school, it was decided to limit leadership to one principal, Brother Brice Hendrick, leaving Sister Edward Paul, SSND to become the vice principal and dean of women, and Mr. Steve Kinnet, the assistant principal and dean of men.

THE LAST OF THE MARIANITE SISTERS

By 1965, the number of Marianite Sisters on s down to six. Throughout their tenure, they lead the girls and boys with dignity and grace. They inspired many women to a call to religious life. The Sisters continued to serve until only one was left in 1981. The 1982-1983 school year was tinged with sadness, because it was the fist without a Marianite Sister on staff at Vandebilt; the Sisters had left the school after serving in Houma for 112 years. It was the end of an era, but one for which the school and surrounding community was incredibly grateful.

SACRED HEART BROTHERS LEAVE HOUMA

The Brothers of the Sacred Heart continued to lead Vandebilt until 1992 when Brother John Abate (

He was known for building notable sports programs in Houma, developing curriculum and teaching skills for local teachers, raising enough money to get air conditioning in 1978, and lastly leading the accreditation process for Vandebilt to become a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The Brothers continued to teach and serve the students and families of Houma and Thibodaux until 2022 and 2023 , respectively, when the Brothers of the Sacred Heart reluctantly left the Houma and Thibodaux area due to a shortage of vocations.

CONCLUSION

While Vandebilt Catholic High School has been previously called many names throughout its long and

storied history, it has been nurtured and cared for by the people of Houma and the surrounding bayous. The school also honors those religious who have served the students and families of this area tirelessly with memorials including room names and dedicated buildings, such as the Brother Alfred Kolb building. This spirit of faith is visible in the school’s chapel and the halls itself, which remains prescient for today’s students, faculty, and local families. Vandebilt’s current motto is a more concentrated version of the important values this Catholic school has always held dear: “Faith. Family. Excellence.”

VANDEBILT HIGH SCHOOL TRIVIA

Vandebilt High Schools is celebrating 60 Years as Vandebilt Catholic High School and 156 years as a local Houma Catholic high school. E.D. White is also making 60 years being named E.D. White Catholic High School.

In 1966, the staff at the school was truly a mixture of religious and lay people. They had four Sacred Heart Brothers, two School Sisters of Notre Dame, two sisters of St. Benedict, and 20 lay teachers, bringing the total to 34 staff members in 1966.

Over 18 students eventually became Sisters, Brothers, and priests because of the wonderful examples of Father Vandebilt, the Marianite Sisters of the Holy Cross, and the Sacred Heart Brothers. They inspired many students to religious life. Most notably: Father Adrian Caillouet, Father Phillip (Flip) Whitney, Brother Ambrose LeBlanc, and Brother Daniel Duplantis as well as many others.

Brother Eldon Crifasi began two important traditions at Vandebilt that continued well into the years ahead. He inspired to help the poor during the school’s Christmas project in 1983 and recognized the parents of who had five or more children who graduated from Vandebilt and St. Francis. In 1987, more than 85 couples were honored at Vandebilt’s graduation. The Christmas project to help the poor continues to this day and now focuses on local Head Start students aged 3-4 . The graduation tradition ended about five years ago.

SOURCES

BAUDIER, R. (1939). THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN LOUISIANA (2ND ED.). NEW ORLEANS: LOUISIANA LIBRARY.

BROTHER XAVIER WERNETH, S. (1996). PLUS FIFTY: ANOTHER HALFCENTURY OF SERVICE 1947-1997. NEW ORLEANS: BROTHERS OF THE SACRED HEART .

MARIANITES OF THE HOLY CROSS . (1948). ST. FRANCIS DE SALES ACADEMY SOUVENIR: MARIANITES OF HOLY CROSS SERVICE OF GOD AND HUMANITY IN LOUISIANA 100 YEARS.

IN GOD ALONE, WE GROW IN LOVE

A

VISION

FOR OUR YOUTH

Across the parishes and schools of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, a consistent message has emerged during our Bishop’s pastoral visits: our people long for stronger youth formation and vibrant diocesan-wide youth ministry. Parents, pastors, teachers, and young people themselves have expressed a heartfelt desire for opportunities to gather beyond parish boundaries—for retreats, conferences, service experiences, and moments of encounter with Jesus Christ.

Moved by these conversations and guided by prayer, Bishop Simon Peter has articulated a clear and hopeful vision for the future. At the heart of that vision is a renewed investment in our young people. This year, 50 % of the Bishop’s Appeal is dedicated directly to youth—25 % to the Office of Catholic Schools and 25 % to youth ministry. This significant commitment reflects a profound truth: the future of our Church is present in our youth today.

The theme of this year’s appeal, “In God Alone, We Grow in Love,” flows from the Bishop’s episcopal motto, In Deo Tantum—“In God Alone.” These words remind us that authentic growth—whether in faith, hope, or love—begins not with programs or strategies, but with Christ Himself. If our young people are to flourish, they must be rooted in Him. As our Bishop often reflects, when hearts are anchored in God alone, love becomes fruitful, communities become vibrant, and discipleship becomes joyful.

Throughout his travels across the diocese, the Bishop has listened attentively. He has heard of the challenges facing families and parishes. He has also witnessed the extraordinary generosity and faith of our people. What he envisions now is a diocesan youth ministry that strengthens parish efforts by offering larger gatherings, retreats, leadership formation, and mission opportunities— experiences where young people can encounter Christ personally and discover that they are part of something greater than themselves: one Catholic family united in faith.

This vision is not simply about organizing events; it is about stewardship. Sacred Scripture reminds us, “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Pet 4:10 ). Our young people are not only recipients of our ministry, they are gifts entrusted to us. As one diocesan community, we share responsibility for nurturing their faith, forming their consciences, and accompanying them as they discern their vocations.

By dedicating half of this year’s appeal to youth formation, we are saying clearly: our young people matter. Strengthening our Catholic schools ensures that students receive a solid foundation in faith and academic excellence. Expanding youth ministry efforts will provide meaningful opportunities for prayer, service, catechesis, and fellowship. Together, these efforts will foster unity across parishes and cultivate a new generation of disciples who love God and serve others.

The Bishop’s vision also includes investing in those who accompany our youth—training catechists, mentors, and leaders who will walk with them patiently and faithfully. A vibrant youth ministry requires not only resources but also committed adults who reflect Christ’s love. When parishes collaborate and share resources, the entire diocese becomes stronger.

To all who have supported the Bishop’s Appeal through your prayers and generous gifts: thank you. Your stewardship makes these ministries possible. Your sacrifice is planting seeds that will bear fruit for years to come. You are helping create spaces where young hearts can encounter Christ, where friendships are formed in faith, and where vocations may be discovered.

“In God Alone, We Grow in Love.” This is more than a theme—it is a promise. Rooted in Christ and united as one Church, we move forward with confidence. With gratitude for your continued support and trust in God’s providence, we build the future of our diocese—one young heart at a time.

If our young people are to flourish, they must be rooted in Him. “

LOCALLY OWNED SINCE

WHEN LEGACY BECOMES AN ACT OF LOVE

DOTTEE LECOMPTE

is a devoted Catholic and beloved parishioner of Christ the Redeemer Church in Thibodaux.

My name is Dottee LeCompte, and Christ the Redeemer Parish in Thibodaux has truly become my home.

When my husband Jerry and I moved to Thibodaux in 2016 , we were entering a new season of life. Jerry had atrial fibrilation, a serious heart condition, and we moved into Cardinal Place for independent living as we prepared for our later years. When we chose Christ the Redeemer, the reason was practical at fist. The church was accessible. We could park easily, walk straight into the pew, and there were no obstacles or steps that made worship difficult for Jerry.

But very quickly, that practical decision became something much deeper. The Church has always been a home for me and Christ the Redeemer became a place where faith, care, and love surrounded us in ways I will never forget.

The night Jerry’s heart failed is forever etched in my heart. He went into crisis, and we called 911. We also called our parish priest. Father came immediately. He prayed. He anointed Jerry. And in that moment, the Church was not an institution, it was family.

After Jerry passed, the parish continued to walk with us. Volunteers guided me and my children through funeral planning. Later, the parish offered a grief seminar that lasted several weeks. That space was filled with grace. It allowed me to process my loss, to mourn, and to move forward into my new life as a widow with faith and hope. Even after that, the Church continued to mark life’s moments. When I bought a new car, Father blessed it. There was care at every step.

That’s when I realized something very clearly: the Church truly has something for everyone at every pivotal moment of life.

When I talk about giving to the Church and to the ministries of the diocese, I want to be very intentional with my words. I have used the word “responsibility and duty,” and I mean it, but not in a cold or burdensome way. I mean responsibility that flows from love. The same way we our responsble to care for and nurture our children. The Church is a family. When someone in your family is in need, you respond. You don’t question it. You don’t hesitate. You simply act. Supporting the Church is the same. It is a response of love to needs that must be met. Jerry and I began thinking seriously about thoughtful

giving when we returned to the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux after his retirement. We responded to a capital campaign under Bishop Jacobs with the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana and eventually established a fund to support seminarians. For us, that was essential. Without priests, we cannot have the sacraments. And without the sacraments, we lose the grace that leads us to heaven.

Later, through our tax advisor, we learned about Qualified Charitable Distributions from required minimum distributions. It made sense, practically and economically, but more importantly, it aligned with what was already in our hearts. The money in those accounts had been set aside for our future. Jerry didn’t live long enough to use it. Vacations were canceled. Plans changed. In that way, the gift became sacrificial, and that made it even more meaningful.

What gave me peace was knowing the funds could be directed to meet real needs: feeding the hungry, helping families keep their lights on, supporting Catholic Charities, religious life, and seminarians. I respond deeply to hunger–not only physical hunger, but the hunger for the Eucharist. When I give to feed others, I pray for both.

My faith has always been personal. As a young woman, after my confirmtion, I faced a moment of temptation and struggle. When I made the right choice and stepped

outside, I felt a soft breeze that reminded me of the Holy Spirit. That moment formed a relationship that has stayed with me all my life.

Even now, I live intentionally in God’s presence. I have a clock that chimes every fifeen minutes, and when it does, I greet the Trinity, give thanks, and ask for blessing over the next moments. Faith, for me, is awareness. A willingness to lift the heart and listen.

Working with the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana has been simple, respectful, and empowering. They are knowledgeable, but they never take control away from you. They listen. They explain options. And then they let you decide. That open communication allows me to understand the vision of our bishop and to align my priorities with the needs of the diocese, thoughtfully and prayerfully.

I encourage others to work with the Catholic Foundation when they begin thinking about their legacy. Supporting the Church is a responsibility rooted in love. A loving obedience to the righteous acts that please the Will of God. That obedience is the pathway to holiness, and holiness leads us home.

God has given us life. The greatest gift. Giving back is simply one way I say thank you and help my brothers and sisters along the journey, so that one day, we may all be together in our eternal home.

A SEASON OF LITURGICAL RENEWAL

THE “HOW” FOR OUR DIOCESE

FR. RUSTY BRUCE is the Director of the Office of Worship and the Pastor of St. Hilary in Mathews and St. Anthony in Gheens.

BUILDING A FOUNDATION AND MOVING OUTWARD

In the last issue of the Bayou Catholic, I spoke about the “why” behind the Liturgical Renewal in our diocese, emphasizing the importance of unity and renewed faith as we move forward together in this new season. Unity and renewal are not abstract ideals. They require both a strong foundation and a clear sense of mission. A strong foundation allows us to build what will last, while a clear mission helps us understand where we are called to go.

Sacred Scripture offers a helpful image for this work. In Genesis 2:15 , God places Adam in the Garden of Eden “to till it and keep it”—to cultivate and guard it. Adam is entrusted with stewardship over creation and given responsibilities within the Garden. Yet some theologians suggest that Adam’s vocation was not meant to remain confied there. Rather, Eden served as a place of formation and communion with God from which Adam was meant to extend order, beauty, and holiness outward into the world—what some describe as the mission to “Edenize” creation.

This image speaks powerfully to our present moment. Just as Adam began in the Garden before moving outward, the Church’s renewal begins with the sacred liturgy. In the liturgy we are formed, shaped, and united with God so that we may carry that grace into the world. If Eden was Adam’s starting point, the liturgy is ours. At the end of every Mass we hear the words, “Go forth…,” reminding us that what we receive at the altar is meant to transform the world beyond the church doors.

MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER

As we begin this work of liturgical renewal—a renewal that seeks to deepen how we understand and celebrate the sacred mysteries through formation and a renewed sense of mission—we must also ask how we will move forward together as a diocese.

Bishop Simon Peter Engurait has appointed me to lead this diocesan effort. Assisting in this work will be five newly established liturgical commissions, each dedicated to a particular pastoral area identified as a need within our diocesan community. These commissions will serve as places of study, formation, and pastoral reflection, helping us strengthen the foundations of our liturgical life so that renewal can take root in our parishes.

A liturgical commission is a body of clergy and lay faithful experienced in liturgy and pastoral practice who seek to be formed in the mind of the Church. Listening carefully to the lived experience of our parishes, they will study current practices in light of the Church’s liturgical norms and offer thoughtful recommendations along with concrete plans for pastoral implementation. Working under the leadership of a priest with a lay co-chair, each commission assists the bishop in fostering faithful, reverent, and unified liturgical practice throughout the diocese.

What we receive at the altar is meant to transform the world beyond the church doors. “

THE FIVE LITURGICAL COMMISSIONS

To guide and support this work, five commissions have been established:

• Commission on Liturgical Space – focusing on the design, arrangement, and environment of worship spaces.

• Commission on Liturgical Ministers –supporting the formation of those who serve in various liturgical roles.

• Commission on Liturgical Formation –forming those who prepare others to receive the sacraments.

• Commission on Liturgical Music – promoting music that enriches the liturgy in fidelity to the Church’s tradition.

• Commission on Liturgical Living – helping the faithful carry the grace of the liturgy into their daily lives.

Each commission will study the needs of the diocese within its respective area, offer guidance rooted in the Church’s teachings, provide formation for clergy and lay ministers, and propose practical initiatives that foster unity and reverence in worship.

In this way, we begin by strengthening the “Garden” entrusted to us—our diocesan liturgical life. From a place of beauty, reverence, and unity at the altar, renewal can move outward into our parishes, our homes, and our communities. True renewal always begins with the liturgy, but it does not end there. From the liturgy, we are sent forth to bring the order, beauty, and holiness of God into the world—to “Edenize” it.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

RECAPPING EVENTS FROM AROUND THE DIOCESE

RISE UP MEN’S GATHERING

On February 28 , Christ the Redeemer held their annual RISE UP! Gathering for Men in Thibodaux. Bishop Simon Peter, Fr. Paul Birdsall, and Fr. Mark Toups were among the presenters, and the day was themed around the book “Silent Compassion” by Fr. Richard Rohr. Special guests included Fr. Michael Delcambre of the Diocese of Lafayette and Major General Hunt Downer, Jr. of Houma. Recordings will be placed on ctr-htdiocese.org/riseup. Save the date for next year: February 20, 2027.

THEOLOGY ON TAP

The fist Theology on Tap event of the year was held on February 12 with guest speaker Dr. Mark Williams. This ministry for young adults is funded by the Annual Bishop’s Appeal. Stay tuned to our social media pages for the next event!

REGIONAL BISHOP RECEPTIONS

Bishop Simon Peter Engurait hosted six regional Bishop receptions throughout the month of March to be one with his flock. Bishop shared his vision for the future of our churches and our ministries, as he spent time with parishioners getting to know them and praying with them. Thank you to all who joined us at these receptions.

HAPPY 88TH BIRTHDAY BISHOP EMERITUS SAM JACOBS

On March 4, Bishop Emeritus Sam Jacobs celebrated his 88th birthday! We thank God for the gift of Bishop

Jacobs in our diocese and the many years he shepherded our people with a pastor's heart. His "yes" to our Lord has blessed countless lives and built up our local Church

ST. JOSEPH ALTARS

Many of our churches and schools, as well as the Pastoral Center, had beautiful displays of St. Joseph’s Altars for the Feast Day of St. Joseph on March 19. Thank you to all who were a part of this lovely tradition.

YOUTH RALLY

Bishop Simon Peter Engurait addressed our youth, grades 5th through 12 th, at a Youth Rally held on Saturday, March 28 . There will be more to come for the youth formation in our diocese!

ST. ELOI REOPENING

On March 28 , St. Eloi Catholic Church in Theriot officially re-opened its doors to parishioners after more than four years post-Ida. Bishop Simon Peter Engurait consecrated the altar and re-dedicated the Church at an incredibly joyful event. Find more on our social media pages.

AROUND THE DIOCESE

SOLEMNITY OF THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD

Weekend of Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17, 2026 | Normal Mass times

DIOCESAN ANNIVERSARY MASS

49th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Diocese

Friday, June 5, 2026

Mass at 5:30 p.m.

Cathedral of Saint Francis de Sales, Houma

Stay tuned to our social media pages for more anniversary news.

PRESBYTERAL ORDINATION

Rev. Fr. Scott Beslin

Saturday, June 6, 2026

Mass at 10:30 a.m. | Reception to Follow Cathedral of Saint Francis de Sales, Houma

MEMORIAL MASS OF ST. KATERI TEKAKWITHA

American Indian Cultural Mass

Friday, July 10, 2026

Devotions & Cultural Celebrations at 6 p.m. | Mass at 6:30 p.m. | Reception at 7:30 p.m.

Holy Family Catholic Church, Houma

FEAST OF SAINT LAWRENCE

Celebrating the Gift of the Diaconate

Monday, August 10, 2026

Mass at 6 p.m.

St. Bridget Catholic Church, Schriever

SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Acadian Cultural Mass in French Friday, August 14, 2026

Vigil Mass at 6 p.m. | Cultural Celebrations at 7 p.m.

St. Hilary of Poitiers Catholic Church, Raceland

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The elevator which must raise me to heaven is Your arms, O Jesus