February 2016 Bayou Catholic Magazine

Bayou

Catholic

‘No one is excluded from the mercy of God ’ HOUMA, LA ~ FEBRUARY 2016 ~ COMPLIMENTARY

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

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Contents FEATURES 30 St. Joseph

By Janet Marcel

40 Recovering from Hurricane Isaac

By Janet Marcel

COLUMNS 8 Comfort For My People

By Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

14 Pope Speaks Pope Francis I

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15 Question Corner

By Father Kenneth Doyle

16 Readings Between The Lines

By Father Glenn LeCompte

20 Seeing Clairely

By Claire Joller

21 Reading with Raymond

By Raymond Saadi

58 Overtime

By Ed Daniels

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IN EVERY ISSUE 6 Editor’s Corner 18 Scripture Readings 26 Heavenly Recipes 28 Young Voices 42 Diocesan Events GUEST COLUMNS 22 Corporal Works of Mercy

By Rev. Michael Bergeron

24 Spiritual Works of Mercy

By Rev. Alex Gaudet

34 Lent: A season of mercy

By Rev. Joseph Pilola

38 St. Thomas Catholic Student Center

By Rev. Andre’ Melancon

46 Simeon and the Selfie

By Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue

ANNOUNCEMENTS 36 35th Annual Youth Rally March 19, St. Bernadette

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44 Permanent deacon appointments 44 Food for the Journey Father P.J. Madden speaks

On Our Cover Pope Francis said during his general audience that Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Christians are called to work together in order to be a visible sign that God’s mercy excludes no one. The Pope kisses a child while meeting the disabled during his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican.

Cover Photo by CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

Where to find your Bayou Catholic Bayou Catholic magazine can be found at all Catholic churches in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, at the three Catholic high schools in Houma, Morgan City and Thibodaux, as well as the 10 elementary schools throughout the diocese. You may also visit the merchants listed in the Advertisers’ Index to pick up your copy. Those wishing to receive the magazine by mail can call Pat Keese at (985) 850-3132 or write to Bayou Catholic, P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395. Subscription price is $35 annually. For the online edition, go to www.bayoucatholic.com

Bayou Catholic Vol. 36, No. 8 How to reach us:

BY PHONE: (985) 850-3132

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

BY FAX: (985) 850-3232

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

The Bayou Catholic is a member of the Catholic Press Association, the National Newspaper Association and an associate member of the Louisiana Press Association. National and world-wide news service and photos by National Catholic News Service.

Lawrence Chatagnier

Index to Advertisers

acting editor and general manager

Louis G. Aguirre editorial consultant

Glenn J. Landry, C.P.A.

Advanced Eye Institute ............................... 39

Haydel Spine Pain & Wellness ..................... 17

Bishop’s Appeal 2016 ................................. 60

Headache & Pain Center ............................. 31

Black & Indian Mission Collection ............... 23

Houma Digestive Health Specialists ............ 57

Brickhouse Cardio Club .............................. 58

Houma Orthopedic Clinic ........................... 37

Bueche’s Jewelry ....................................... 25

HTeNews ................................................... 49

Cannata’s .................................................. 43

Knights of Columbus Insurance .................... 3

Cardinal Place ............................................ 51

LeBlanc & Associates, LLC ........................ 32

secretary and circulation

Catholic Charities ....................................... 52

Re-Bath ..................................................... 41

Lisa Schobel Hebert

Channel 10 ................................................ 29

Rod’s Superstore ....................................... 35

CRS Rice Bowl .......................................... 57

Seminarian Education Burses ..................... 27

Diocesan Outreach Line ............................. 53

Spotlight .................................................... 25

Diocesan Website ...................................... 45

St. Joseph Manor ....................................... 25

Diocese of Baton Rouge-Ascension

Synergy Bank ............................................. 42

Catholic School ...................................... 51 Diocese of Baton Rouge-Most

Terminix ..................................................... 47 Thibodaux Physical Therapy ....................... 52

Blessed Sacrament Catholic School ........ 47

Vision Communications ................................ 2

God’s Promises Books & Gifts ................... 48

Watkins, Walker & Eroche-Attorneys at Law.58

business manager

Peggy Adams

advertising manager

Anna C. Givens

advertising accounts executive

Janet Marcel staff writer

Pat Keese

graphic designer

Meridy Liner

accounts receivable/payable assistant

Awards

CPA First Place General Excellence 2013 - 2014 LPA First Place General Excellence 2015 www.bayoucatholic.com

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Welcome

Louis G. Aguirre and the late Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux pose before a TV taping at the Callais Studio in Larose in 1984.

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

Au Revoir!

I remember my first day at the Clarion Herald newspaper of the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 1971, some 45 years ago. I was so nervous and unsure of myself.

LSU had prepared me to be a journalist, but there is a difference between theory and practice.

There I was at the Clarion on a chilly February morning, at the “Youth Editor” desk, getting ready to go on an assignment at one of the local elementary schools. As it turned out, I did well enough with my story and pictures. My five year stint there propelled me to be hired as associate editor of the Arlington Catholic Herald in Virginia.

I suppose I did well enough there because by 1977, when the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux was established, I was asked by Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux to be the editor of the then HoumaThibodaux edition of the Clarion Herald. Within three years the bishop decided it was time we Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

would have our own newspaper and that’s how the Bayou Catholic was born in July of 1980.

Having worked nearly 40 years in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux has been a privilege and a blessing. My now deceased wife and I settled as if we had lived here all of our lives. We raised our two sons and developed wonderful and longlasting friendships.

In the process, I managed to inherit numerous jobs, all of which have been energizing and fulfilling. From communications to grants, from formation to social services, from editor to Hispanic Ministry I’ve seen it all and enjoyed it all. In my many years working for the church I have served under six bishops, each in his own way a wonderful and faith-filled leader.

They were Archbishop Philip M. Hannan of New Orleans; Bishop Thomas Welsh of Arlington; Bishop Boudreaux, Bishop Michael Jarrell, Bishop Sam G. Jacobs and Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, all of Houma-Thibodaux.

Following my wife’s death, I have been pondering retirement. Most recently, at age 67, I took the plunge and met with Bishop Fabre. He is a most gracious man who accepted my retirement and has wished me well.

My retirement is not until June so there will be ample time to say goodbye. I am so grateful to all with whom I have worked all these years.

Even more, I am grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to serve him and his people.

Let’s not say goodbye, but just au revoir!

Church Life

Junior High Faith Experience 7 Junior High Faith Experience 2016 was held recently at E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux. More than 700 sixth through eighth graders throughout the diocese attended this year’s event. “This gathering gave those present an opportunity to find an event that accepts them as they are and celebrate what it means to be a Catholic teen in today’s world,” says Mike DiSalvo, diocesan director of the Office of Youth Ministry.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

www.bayoucatholic.com

Comment Comfort For My People Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

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Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful (Luke 6:36).

With these words of Jesus, Pope Francis launched an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.

Here in the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux I implore those of us who are blessed with a steady income, good health, enough food and secure housing to share with our neighbors in need every day, but especially during this Year of Mercy and during these challenging economic times for our area.

Many people are facing difficult financial realities that are the result of reduced work hours or job layoffs due to the struggling economy. As followers of Jesus Christ, to the best of our ability we must strive to respond to their needs because we are all one church, and all one family.

You probably do not have to look far to find people in financial need right now. They are people in your family, in your neighborhood, and in your church parish. In trusting faith, reach out in an effort to assist at least one person in some manner.

In the words of Pope Francis from Misericordiae Vultus, the Papal Proclamation announcing the Year of Mercy, “... bring people into contact with the compassionate Mercy that saves … to make Jesus’ words our own and, above all, imitate his heart.

Moments of suffering and conflict are for God occasions of mercy.

Today is a time of mercy!”

In addition to your efforts, our parishes, Catholic Charities and St. Vincent de Paul Societies also desire to do what can be done to assist those in need. I realize that our parishes, Catholic Charities and St. Vincent de Paul Societies do not have the resources to meet all of the financial, emotional or other needs faced by our people who struggle. While we cannot do everything, we can all do something. We can do it in faith, compassion and in the joy of the Gospel. We can assist in some manner with material needs, with food and clothing, and we can certainly give a listening ear and an open heart to those whose needs we are aware of, if they have shared it with us or not. Our faith calls and challenges us to do so.

Last month in this column I wrote about the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. I am personally asking that we read, contemplate and act on them during this Jubilee Year of Mercy.

In Misericordiae Vultus, Pope Francis states: “It is my burning desire that, during this Jubilee, the Christian people may reflect on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. It will be a way to reawaken our conscience, too often grown dull in the face of poverty. And let us enter more deeply into the heart of the Gospel where the poor have a special experience of God’s mercy. Jesus introduces us to these works of mercy in his preaching so that we can know whether or not we are living as his disciples.

Let us rediscover these corporal works of mercy: to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, heal the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead. And let us not forget the spiritual works of mercy:

to counsel the doubtful, instruct the ignorant, admonish sinners, comfort the afflicted, forgive offences, bear patiently those who do us ill, and pray for the living and the dead.”

For my part, echoing the words of Pope Francis in his closing to the Synod on the Family, I want to “... thank you for the path we have shared with our eyes fixed on Jesus and our brothers and sisters, in the search for the paths which the Gospel indicates for our times so that we can proclaim the mystery of family love. Let us follow the path that the Lord desires. Let us ask him to turn to us with his healing and saving gaze, which knows how to radiate light, as it recalls the splendor which illuminates it. Never allowing ourselves to be tarnished by pessimism or sin, let us seek and look upon the glory of God, which shines forth in men and women who are fully alive.”

During this month of February, we welcome the holy season of Lent, a time of self-denial and offering of assistance to others. I pray that the fasting we engage in will be offered for the spiritual growth and advancement of our country, and for the practical benefit of those who are in need.

These are difficult economic times.

Our brothers and sisters need a listening heart and assistance. Let us make this a wonderful New Year and a productive Lenten season to the best of our ability helping them now, so that we can rejoice together with them when the local economy improves, as we know that it will. In such a manner, we will undertake what is asked of us in faith not only during this Year of Mercy, but in all the months and years that are to come.

During struggling economy we must strive to respond to needs of others Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

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Comentario

Durante tiempos económicos duros, debemos atender a los necesitados

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Sed compasivos, como vuestro Padre es compasivo (Lucas 6:36).

El Papa Francisco cita estas palabras de Jesús para iniciar el Extraordinario Jubileo de la Misericordia. Aquí en la Diócesis de Houma-Thibodaux, les pido a todos ustedes que han sido bendecidos con un salario fijo, buena salud, suficiente alimento y vivienda que compartan con aquellos que viven en la pobreza día a día y especialmente en este Año de Misericordia y durante estos duros tiempos económicos para nuestra comunidad.

La realidad es que muchas personas están viviendo estragos financieros por que hay menos horas de trabajo o hasta desempleo debido a los malos momentos económicos. Siendo discípulos de Jesucristo debemos atender con nuestro mayor esfuerzo a aquellos que viven en la pobreza porque todos somos una Iglesia y todos somos una familia.

No hay que buscar muy lejos para encontrar a personas que viven estragos económicos en este momento. Se encuentran en sus familias, en sus vecindarios y en sus iglesias. Con amor, hagan el esfuerzo de atender al menos una persona de alguna manera. El Papa Francisco declara en la Proclamación Papal que proclama el Año de la Misericordia, Misericordiae Vultus: «… Acérquenlos al alcance de la Misericordia compasiva que salva… para convertir la Palabra de Jesús en la nuestra y, sobre todo, imitemos su corazón.

Los momentos de sufrimiento y conflicto son para Dios momentos de misericordia. ¡Ahora es el momento de la misericordia!

Nuestras parroquias, Caridad Católica y la Sociedad San Vicente de Paul también harán lo posible por añadir a las atenciones que ustedes hagan por los que viven en la pobreza. Estoy

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

enterado que nuestras parroquias, Caridad Católica y la Sociedad San Vicente de Paul no tienen suficientes recursos para abastecer todas las necesidades financieras, emocionales u otras que enfrentan los pobres en nuestra comunidad.

No lo podemos hacer todo, pero todos podemos contribuir.

Haciéndolo con fe, compasión y con la felicidad del Evangelio podemos abastecer parcialmente con recursos materiales, alimento y ropa y podemos seguramente escuchar y abrir nuestros corazones a quienes conocemos que tienen grandes necesidades, lo hayan pedido o no. Nuestra fe nos hace el llamado a actuar.

El mes pasado en esta publicación escribí sobre las obras de misericordia corporal y espiritual. Les pido que lo lean, reflexionen y actúen durante este Año de Jubileo de Misericordia.

En Misericordiae Vultus, el Papa Francisco declara: «Es mi vivo deseo que el pueblo cristiano reflexione durante el Jubileo sobre las obras de misericordia corporales y espirituales. Será un modo para despertar nuestra conciencia, muchas veces aletargada ante el drama de la pobreza, y para entrar todavía más en el corazón del Evangelio, donde los pobres son los privilegiados de la misericordia divina. La predicación de Jesús nos presenta estas obras de misericordia para que podamos darnos cuenta si vivimos o no como discípulos suyos. Redescubramos las obras de misericordia corporales: dar de comer al hambriento, dar de beber al sediento, vestir al desnudo, acoger al forastero, asistir los enfermos, visitar a los presos, enterrar a los muertos. Y no olvidemos las obras de misericordia espirituales: dar consejo al que lo necesita, enseñar al que no sabe, corregir al que yerra, consolar al triste, perdonar las ofensas, soportar con paciencia las personas molestas, rogar a Dios

por los vivos y por los difuntos.»

Por mi parte, siguiendo las palabras del Papa Francisco en su discurso al Sínodo sobre la Familia, quiero «…agradecerles por el camino que hemos compartido con sus miradas fijas en Jesús y en nuestros hermanos y hermanas, buscando los caminos que el Evangelio nos dirige en estos tiempos para que podamos proclamar el misterio del amor por la familia. Sigamos el camino que el Señor nos ha dado. Pidámosle que nos sane y nos cure con su mirada salvífica que irradia una luz que vuelve a llamar el esplendor que la ilumina. Busquemos y miremos hacia la gloria de Dios sin permitir que la mancha del pesimismo o el pecado nos manche, busquemos y miremos hacia la gloria de Dios que brilla sobre los hombres y las mujeres que viven en plenitud.»

Durante el mes de febrero, recibimos la Cuaresma, tiempo de abnegación propia y entrega al servicio del prójimo. Ruego que nuestro ayuno se ofrezca por el crecimiento espiritual, el desarrollo de nuestra nación y por el beneficio práctico de los pobres. Estos son tiempos de dificultad económica.

Nuestros hermanos y hermanas necesitan atención y quien los escuche. Hagamos el esfuerzo por tener un Año Nuevo maravilloso y una Cuaresma productiva en la que ayudemos a nuestro prójimo para que todos juntos podamos regocijar los mejores tiempos económicos que están por venir, pues sabemos que sucederá. Así podremos llevar a cabo lo que la fe nos pide durante este Año de Misericordia, y más allá en los meses y años que están por venir.

Traducido por Julio Contreras, feligrés de la Iglesia Annunziata en Houma

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Binh luan bang loi

Trong suốt thời kỳ kinh tế khủng hoảng, chúng ta phải phấn đấu để đáp ứng nhu cầu của người khác

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Hãy thương xót, như Cha các ngươi có lòng thương xót (Lc 6:36). Với những lời này của Chúa Giêsu, Đức Giáo Hoàng Phanxicô đã công bố năm thánh ngoại thường của Lòng Thương Xót. Trong Giáo Phận HoumaThibodaux, tôi khẩn nguyện rằng những ai may mắn có lợi tức ổn định, có sức khỏe tốt, có đầy đủ lương thực và có nhà ở an toàn, hãy chia sẻ với những người láng giềng của chúng ta đang cần sự giúp đỡ mỗi ngày, nhưng đặc biệt là trong Năm Lòng Thương Xót này và trong suốt thời buổi kinh tế khó khăn cho vùng của chúng ta.

Nhiều người đang đương đầu với thực tại tài chánh khó khăn là hậu quả của việc giảm giờ làm việc hoặc bị sa thải do nền kinh tế khủng hoảng. Là những môn đệ của Chúa Giêsu Kitô, với hết khả năng của mình, chúng ta phải phấn đấu để đáp ứng nhu cầu của họ, vì tất cả chúng ta là một giáo hội và là một gia đình.

Có lẽ chúng ta không cần phải tìm đâu xa xôi để kiếm những người gặp khó khăn về tài chánh bây giờ. Họ là những người trong gia đình, trong làng xóm, và trong giáo xứ của chúng ta.

Trong niềm tin chân thật, chúng ta hãy dùng hết nỗ lực để giúp đỡ ít nhất một người bằng cách này hay cách khác.

Trong Thông Điệp Dung Mạo Lòng Chúa Thương Xót, Đức Thánh Cha công bố Năm Thánh Lòng Thương Xót qua những lời, “... đưa mọi người vào trong mối tương quan với lòng từ bi Thương Xót mà cứu vớt... để làm cho lời Chúa Giêsu thành lời nói riêng của chúng ta, và trên hết, bắt chước tâm hồn của Chúa. Khoảnh khắc của sự đau khổ và xung đột là cho Thiên Chúa những cơ hội của lòng thương xót. Hôm nay là thời điểm của lòng thương xót!”

Bên cạnh những nỗ lực của anh chị em, các giáo xứ, các cơ quan từ thiện Công Giáo và Hội Thánh Vincent de Paul cũng mong muốn có thể làm điều gì đó để giúp những người thiếu thốn.

Tôi nhận ra rằng các giáo xứ, các cơ

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

quan từ thiện Công Giáo và Hội Thánh Vincent de Paul không có đủ nguồn trợ cấp để đáp ứng tất cả về mặt tài chánh, cảm xúc hay những nhu cầu khác mà người dân của chúng ta đang phải đương đầu. Trong khi chúng ta không có thể thực hiện mọi thứ, tất cả chúng ta có thể làm được vài điều gì đó. Chúng ta có thể làm đều đó trong niềm tin, nhân ái và an bình của Tin Mừng. Chúng ta có thể giúp về những nhu cầu vật chất, thực phẩm và quần áo, và chúng ta chắc chắn có thể trao đôi tai biết lắng nghe và một trái tim rộng mở đến những người chúng ta biết họ đang thiếu thốn, cả khi nếu họ chia sẻ hoặc không chia sẻ sự thiếu thốn với chúng ta. Niềm tin của chúng ta mời gọi và thách thức chúng ta làm như vậy.

Tháng vừa qua, tôi đã viết về các mối phúc phần xác và phần hồn của lòng thương xót. Cá nhân tôi mời gọi chúng ta đọc, suy tư và thực hành các mối trong suốt Năm Thánh Lòng Thương Xót này.

Trong Thông Điệp Dung Mạo Lòng Chúa Thương Xót, Đức Giáo Hoàng Phanxicô nói: “Sự mong ước rạo rực của tôi là trong suốt Năm Thánh Lòng Thương Xót này, các Kitô hữu nên suy tư về các mối phúc của lòng thương xót.

Nó sẽ là một phương cách để thức tỉnh lương tâm của chúng ta, quá thường xuyên phát triển lu mờ trong khuôn mặt của sự nghèo đói. Và chúng ta hãy đi sâu hơn vào cốt lõi của Tin Mừng, nơi mà người nghèo có một kinh nghiệm đặc biệt của lòng thương xót của Chúa. Chúa Giêsu giới thiệu chúng ta đến những mối của lòng thương xót này trong bài giảng của Ngài để chúng ta có thể biết được mình đang sống như những môn đệ của Ngài hay không. Chúng ta hãy tái khám phá các mối phúc này: “Cho kẻ đói ăn, Cho kẻ khát uống, Cho kẻ rách rưới ăn mặc, Cho khách đỗ nhà, Viếng kẻ liệt cùng kẻ tù rạc, Chôn xác kẻ chết. Và chúng ta cũng đừng quên các mối phúc phần hồn của lòng thương xót: Lấy lời lành mà khuyên người, Mở dậy kẻ mê muội, Yên ủi kẻ âu lo, Răn bảo kẻ có tội, Tha kẻ dể ta, Nhịn kẻ mất lòng ta, Cầu cho kẻ sống và kẻ chết”.

Về phần tôi, vang vọng những lời của Đức Thánh Cha Phanxicô và trong lời kết thúc của Thượng Hội Đồng Giám mục về gia đình, tôi muốn “... cảm ơn anh chị em về phương hướng chúng ta đã chia sẻ, với mắt của chúng ta đã gắn liền vào Chúa Giêsu và anh chị em của chúng ta, trong việc tìm kiếm cho các phương hướng mà Tin Mừng nêu ra cho thời đại chúng ta, để chúng ta có thể loan báo mầu nhiệm của tình yêu gia đình. Chúng ta hãy đi theo phương hướng mà Chúa mong muốn. Chúng ta hãy cầu xin Chúa đến với chúng ta với ánh mắt cứu độ và chữa lành của Chúa, hầu biết làm thế nào để tỏa ánh sáng, như nhắc nhớ lại sự huy hoàng chiếu toả trên nó. Đừng bao giờ để cho mình bị mờ nhạt bởi những chủ nghĩa bi quan hay tội lỗi, chúng ta hãy tìm kiếm và nhìn ngắm vinh quang của Thiên Chúa, tỏa sáng trên mọi người có cuộc sống sung mãn.”

Trong suốt tháng hai này, chúng ta đón chào mùa Chay thánh, thời gian của sự hy sinh và dâng hiến sự giúp đỡ cho người khác. Tôi cầu nguyện rằng sự chay tịnh mà chúng ta thông công sẽ được dâng hiến cho sự phát triển tâm linh và sự tiến triển của đất nước chúng ta, và vì lợi ích thiết thực của những người đang thiếu thốn. Đây là những thời điểm kinh tế khó khan mà chúng ta đang đương đầu. Anh chị em của chúng ta cần một trái tim biết lắng nghe và sự giúp đỡ.

Chúng ta hãy làm cho năm này là một Năm Mới tuyệt vời và một Mùa Chay sinh ích cho sự cố gắng nhất của mình để giúp đỡ người nghèo ngay bây giờ, để chúng ta có thể cùng nhau vui mừng chung với họ khi kinh tế địa phương được cải thiện, như chúng ta biết rằng kinh tế sẽ phồn thịnh. Trong tâm tình đó, chúng ta sẽ thực hiện những gì đã được yêu cầu chúng ta thực hiện trong niềm tin, không những chỉ trong Năm Thánh Lòng Thương Xót, mà còn trong tất cả những tháng năm sắp đến.

Dịch thuật do Lm. Francis Bui, SDD và Thầy Paul Vu, SDD. Tu Đoàn Tông Đồ Giáo Sĩ Nhà Chú

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www.bayoucatholic.com

Comment The Pope Speaks

V 14

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Christians are called to work together in order to be a visible sign that God’s mercy excludes no one, Pope Francis said during his general audience Jan. 20.

The pope reflected on the theme of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which was taken from the first letter of St. Peter and was selected by an ecumenical group from Latvia.

The Lutheran cathedral of Riga, Latvia, he noted, contains a 12th-century baptismal font that serves as a sign of the common baptism that unites Catholics, Protestant and Orthodox Christians.

“St. Peter’s first letter is addressed to the first generation of Christians to make them aware of the gift received through Baptism and the requirements it entails,” the pope said. “We too, in this week of prayer, are invited to rediscover this and do this together, going beyond our divisions.”

The pope said that although divisions are often caused by selfishness, the common baptism shared by Christians is an experience of being “called from the merciless and alienating darkness” to an encounter with God who is “full of mercy.”

“To start once again from baptism means to rediscover the source of mercy, the source

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

Pope Francis greets a child while meeting the disabled during his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Jan. 20

of hope for all, so that no one is excluded from God’s mercy,” he said. “No one is excluded from the mercy of God.” The grace of God’s mercy, he added, is stronger than what divides Christians and in the measure one receives that grace, one becomes “capable of preaching to all his merciful deeds,” especially through a witness of Christian unity.

“We Christians can announce to all the power of the Gospel by committing ourselves to share the corporal and spiritual works of mercy,” he said. “This is a

concrete witness of unity among us Christians: Protestants, Orthodox and Catholics.”

Pope Francis emphasized that the week of prayer serves as a reminder that Christians share a common mission in passing on to others the mercy they have received, especially with “the poor and the abandoned.”

“During this week of prayer, let us pray so that all of us, disciples of Christ, may find a way to work together to bring the mercy of the father to every part of the earth,” the pope said.

Pope says, ‘No one is excluded from the mercy of God’ Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

Question Corner Father Kenneth Doyle

Support for miscarriage

Q

Q. Thank you for a recent answer in your column regarding a miscarried child. Until my own personal experience in losing a child, I had no realization as to how deeply a miscarried baby can touch one’s heart.

I had no idea where to turn for help, so, beyond my mother and my husband, I grieved in silence. A few years later, still grieving, I did contact a caring priest. He listened over the phone and said that he had seen a couple of prayers that might be appropriate. He then met with my husband and me and, through our discussion and prayer, I was helped to find closure.

But I am still puzzled that the Catholic Church does not have something more formal for grieving parents after a miscarriage occurs. Are there any resources, prayers or rituals available for the numerous parents who sit with empty arms? (Burlington, Iowa)

A

A. Your search for solace after a miscarriage is understandable and, sad to say, all too common.

The American Pregnancy Association states that 10 to 25 percent of all clinically recognized pregnancies end in miscarriage. It stands to reason, then, that the Catholic Church would provide resources for such grief-stricken parents, and in fact the church does offer a variety of options that can bring spiritual solace and hope.

The church’s official “Book

of Blessings” contains a ritual, commonly offered by a priest or deacon, called “Blessing of Parents after a Miscarriage.” In it, a series of scriptural readings is provided, each of which highlights the continued presence and support of the Lord through times of sadness.

One of the prayers reads: “Compassionate God, soothe the hearts of these parents, and grant that through the prayers of Mary, who grieved by the cross of her Son, you may enlighten their faith, give hope to their hearts and peace to their lives.”

Other prayers in that same ritual note the promise of eventual reunion with the miscarried child in heaven. “Comfort these parents with the hope that one day we will all live with you.”

Another option that the church offers to parents is a funeral Mass for the miscarried child. And since the church believes in the sanctity of life from the moment of conception, parents are always encouraged to give the miscarried child a name, acknowledging the child’s unique identity and presence now before the Lord as an intercessor on behalf of the family.

Many dioceses also offer individual counseling and/or support groups for parents after a miscarriage. Your parish would have that information.

Foster father or stepfather

Q

Q. With the church having just celebrated the feast of the Holy Family, I am prompted to ask a question that has been on my mind for some time. I regularly hear Joseph referred to as the “foster father” of Jesus.

But if Joseph was indeed married to Mary, would it not be more accurate to call him the “stepfather” of Christ? A foster father is sometimes compensated for his role and serves in that capacity for only a short time,

whereas a stepfather raises his stepchildren with love. I think that Joseph should be spotlighted as a wonderful example of what a stepfather should be. (Lilly, Pennsylvania)

A

A. A foster father is commonly understood to be a surrogate, a man who looks after and brings up a child in place of the natural or adoptive father.

A stepfather is generally taken to indicate the husband of one’s mother after the death or divorce of his or her birth father.

Which of these definitions comes closer to describing Joseph? In one sense, neither is precise. Both titles seem to 15 suggest that Joseph arrived on the scene later on, after the birth of the Christ child. But in fact, Joseph was there from the start, betrothed to Mary (engaged, but with legal responsibilities) at the time of the annunciation.

Between the two titles, I think foster father is more accurate, and that is what the church historically has called Joseph.

He filled the role of teacher, protector and loving guardian of Jesus, though he was not his biological parent.

Catholic News Service

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

Reflections Readings Between The Lines Father Glenn LeCompte

God’s Mercy: Alerting us to seek conversion

F 16

“For not incapable was your almighty hand, which even created the cosmos from formless matter, to send to them (the Egyptians) a multitude of bears or fierce lions, or newly-created, unknown beasts, full of wrath, or such as pant out fiery breath, or dispense smoke, or flash terrible sparks from their eyes, whose damage alone was not only capable of destroying them, but their appearance could terrify so as to slay them. Even without these, men could fall by means of a single breath by means of the justice which pursued and scattered them by means of your mighty breath. But all things you have set according to measure and number and weight. For you always are very strong, and who can resist the power of your arm?

For the whole cosmos is before you as a minute particle on the scales or as a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth.

But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things, and overlook the sins of human beings that they may repent” (Wisdom 11:17-23, translation by Father Glenn LeCompte).

The foregoing Scripture passage may not be the most familiar to you, but it is a terrific passage for reflection during the Year of Mercy. The complete passage actually runs from Wisdom 11:17—12:22; you may want to read it before reading

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

the rest of this article. Part of this passage, 11:23—12:2 will be read later this year, on the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Wisdom 11:17—12:22 has been called a “digression” or “extended reflection.” From 11:2 until the end of the book, the author engages in a comparative exposition on the plagues of the Exodus. The author observes in 11:15 that whereas the Egyptians foolishly worshiped small animals, such as serpents and insects, it was by means of infestations with such animals that God exacted justice against the Egyptians. Yet, the cause of the Egyptians’ torments benefitted the Israelites, whom they oppressed (11:13), and having come to this realization, the Egyptians acknowledged “the Lord” (the God of Israel).

While in 11:6-16 the author of Wisdom depicts God as one who exacts justice, he balances that image by portraying God as merciful in 11:17—12:22. God chastised the Egyptians with small animals, which had the effect of debilitating them only to the point of forcing them to release the Israelites. God could, however, have sent more fearsome and powerful beasts, such as bears, lions or (mythical) fire-breathing beasts, whose very appearance could have frightened the Egyptians to death (11:17b18). Such beasts would have had the power to destroy the Egyptians (11:19). Lest anyone think that sending small animal plagues upon the Egyptians was the best Israel’s God could do, the author reminds his readers that Israel’s God is

the almighty creator of the cosmos (11:17), and that even a “single breath” of the Lord could have obliterated the Egyptians (11:20).

Furthermore, the author argues that evidence of God’s omnipotence is accentuated by the fact that God has assigned the constituent properties (measure, number and weight) of all material things (11:20). And if that were not enough, he contends that as majestic and powerful as the creatures and workings of the universe may seem, they are to God like a particle of dust on scales (11:22).

In other words, such minuscule particles have practically no effect on the tipping of the balance. God, however, can make momentous things happen!

Not a sign of powerlessness, then, is God’s act of treating the Egyptians with mercy. On the contrary, it is a sign of God’s omnipotence. The Lord’s act of forbearance toward them is a conscious decision. Why might this be? God exacts light punishment, but does not destroy because he wants to give human beings a chance to repent (11:23).

Rather than outrightly wiping out sinners, God wants them to realize the fault of their sins that they may have the opportunity for conversion and thereby be saved.

Here, the author of Wisdom draws a general principle about God’s relationship to humanity from the example of God’s mercy shown to the Egyptians during the Exodus generation.

If affording human beings a chance to repent is the first reason which explains God’s display

a

of mercy toward them, the second is because God loves the creatures he has created (11:24-26). All that exists is God’s precious possession.

Literally, 11:26b says in Greek that God is a “lover of souls” (philopsychē). This word is carefully chosen to blend with the author’s statement in the following verse (12:1), wherein he reminds his readers that God’s “imperishable spirit” is in all things. In Greek thought, the psychē is, in contrast to the body, the immortal part of a human being, and it is freed from its “bodily prison” at death (see Plato, Republic, Book X). If God has placed an imperishable spirit (not yet the later doctrinal concept of the Holy Spirit, but an idea that anticipates it) in human beings, evidently he desires their survival. Would there be wisdom in destroying them? Yet because God must exact justice and desires to inspire repentance in humans, he chastises them short of destroying them.

In 12:3-7, the author points to an example of wickedness even greater than that of the Egyptians.

He depicts the native inhabitants of the Promised Land as practitioners of witchcraft, child sacrifice and cannibalism. Rather than wiping them out for such hideous offenses, the Lord sent wasps ahead of his invading army to weaken the enemy and thereby facilitate the former’s conquest of the land (see Exodus 23:28; Deuteronomy 7:20, Joshua 24:12). Again, the author points out that God could have been more severe: by enabling the native inhabitants to be devastated in battle, or sending fearsome beasts among them (Wisdom 12:9). God

even offered a people as wicked as this a chance at repentance (12:10a).

While today we might not say that God “sends” us chastisements to inspire our repentance, we would more accurately explain that the Lord “allows” us to face small hardships or painful or frightening situations which can serve to alert us to a need for conversion. God loves us enough to alert us to our periodic waywardness, and does not simply let us tumble helplessly down the road of perdition.

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February

Holy Father’s prayer intentions

Saints

Martyrs of China died 1648-1930 February 17

Monica Liu

Of the 120 Martyrs of China, 87 were Chinese nationals and 33 were foreign missionaries. They were executed during sporadic persecutions by warlords, local mandarins and provincial governors. The religiously motivated deaths occurred from the 17th to the 20th centuries. The martyrs were Catholic bishops, priests, nuns, brothers, seminarians, and lay women and men. They also represented several religious orders: Dominicans, Franciscans, Augustinians, Jesuits and Lazarists. When the martyrs were canonized in 2000, China’s Foreign Ministry condemned the action, saying some of the new saints had been accomplices of imperialists invading China and their canonization offended the Chinese people and government.

Saints

Nestor Image © Public Domain

Universal Care for Creation. That we may take good care of creation - a gift freely given - cultivating and protecting it for future generations.

died circa 251 feast – February 25

As bishop of Magydus, in the Roman province Pamphylia (now Turkey), Nestor was forced to deal with an edict from Emperor Decius, requiring all citizens to sacrifice to Roman gods and produce a certificate to that effect or suffer imprisonment and torture. Many Christians turned to pagan ways to save themselves, but Nestor would not, though he did send many of people into hiding. After his arrest, he was tortured by order of the governor, who hoped to curry the emperor’s favor. When Nestor told his torturers he would be ever with Christ, they crucified him.

According to tradition, pagans and Christians knelt together in prayer during his martyrdom.

Saints

Blessed Daniel Brottier 1876-1936 February 28

Evangelization Asia. That opportunities may increase for dialogue and encounter between the Christian faith and the peoples of Asia.

See www.apostleshipofprayer.org

Daniel was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Blois, France, in 1899, then taught school for three years. But the foreign missions beckoned. He joined the Congregation of the Holy Spirit and served eight years in West Africa. For health reasons he returned to France, where he raised money for a new cathedral in Dakar, Senegal.

During World War I he volunteered as a chaplain and spent 52 months at the front without being wounded. From 1923 until the end of his life, he helped restore and run an orphanage in a Paris suburb. He was beatified in 1984, and is the patron of orphans and abandoned children. Daniel ministered always under the protection of St. Therese of Lisieux.

Saints

CNS www.bayoucatholic.com

19

Entertainment

Seeing Clairely Claire Joller

I 20

It’s a cold mid-winter day as I write this. You know the kind I mean. No bright sunlight to force a slice of yellow glow onto the bedroom wall between curtains not completely closed. Drizzle, soft but not soothing. Sporadic wind gusts bending naked tree limbs and sparse shrub tops.

After moping through a morning of this, I turn to the poems of my friend Susan Varvaro Carlos for solace and for her words, which could describe the day much more melodically.

Susan’s poetry always awakens in me a sense of familiarity, because her work is often focused on her observations of nature as found locally, and on universal feelings evoked from relationships.

One such relationship is reflected in this one, called “The Seasoning” and subtitled (To My Grandmother).

In my grown-up kitchen/ she tells tales,/ and I listen,/ smiling at the same words/ I’ve heard before . . . / the continuity is so sweet/ that for a moment/ I am 10 again . . . / yet, now we are equals,/ woman to woman, old friends,/ chatting across the scent/ of fresh-cut parsley,/ which has seasoned/ all of our years together.

That one prompts memories of my own grandmother’s kitchen smelling of gumbo filée she herself made, and her soft French patois.

“Green Umbrella” always makes me smile as I imagine my own granddaughter in the scene: Two schoolgirls/ under a green umbrella/ flaunt all/ the awkward/ grace of youth/ as they step across the rain/ with colt-like legs. (Published in the

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

Luscious language

poetry journal Twigs, Spring 1977) We all have memories of some unique relative such as “Captain Edward.”

We wore paper masks and green gowns,/ sat on stiff hospital chairs/ around his bed./ He told of pea-soup fogs and storms,/ steamers like the Betsy Ann/ on dark bayous,/ sea winters in the First World War,/ the ferry at the end of Canal Street.

Home again, he worked in leather,/ wove doilies on a handloom,/ always ate his supper/ from the same cracked white plate/ with a red cherry border,/ the only one/ in the cupboard with that design,/ unique among the others,/ as he was, too.

It’s what Susan sees in nature, and her ability to express it so aptly, that most intrigues me. “Accidental Drowning” was published in The Villager of February 1979. For the purposes of this column, her own spacing, which makes it even more effective, had to be sacrificed.

Honeysuckle/ sharply sweet/ shine of cobwebs/ in new grass/ wasps/ and wind/ and dragonflies/ I just stepped out/ to breathe awhile/ not drown/ in luscious day.

As do many of her poems, “Epitaph” gives a particularly unique viewpoint: Where night/ has died/ on the lawn/ like the white lid/ of a smooth tomb/ frost lies.

“Chameleon” can be read on more than one level: Feigning green/ on silvery boughs/ of pale blossoms,/ you shifted hues/ so gracefully/ I missed the glint/ of chilly hide/ & two-sided eyes.

Susan’s “Windflaw” casts a poetic eye on a brief moment in time: Wraps its finger/ In a treetop,/ Curls thoughtfully; Plunges in/ With both hands,/ Mussing up the forest.

“To DDT” is her anthem to the resilience of Nature: Brown pelicans have returned/ To nest on strips of sandbars/ In the incubator Gulf,/ To dip and feed at dawn,/ And squat abandoned pilings/ That wavelets lap with spray,/ To sun-bask at Grande Terre,/ And brandish tapered beaks,/ Defiant swords at phantoms.

Those who know the structure of dogwood blossoms and of earlysprouting pine needle clusters will especially appreciate “Native to the Spring.”

The dogwood/ with its nailed blooms,/ pips of pines that cross themselves/ against the sky,/ and lilies whitely rising/ on their laddered stalks:/ the sacred proof/ is native to the spring.

(Susan has collected her poems in several volumes, and all her poetry is under copyright. She can be contacted at svcarlos@att.net.)

Book Reviews

Reading with Raymond Raymond Saadi

The Quotable Lewis Edited by Wayne Martindale and Jerry Root $24.99 Tyndale House Publishers

New Orleans at Night

By Keri McCaffety Pelican Publishing $29.95 I doubt there’s anyone who captures the magic and mystery of New Orleans in pictures better than McCaffety. She has previously authored a number of books about the Crescent City and beyond, St. Francisville, for example. In this collection, New Orleans comes alive at night much like Paris, the City of Light. From the Garden District to the French Quarter, to the Waterfront, her patience and creative eye, this book, beautifully bound, is perfect for all welldressed coffee tables.

Fans of C.S. Lewis as well as those wishing to acquaint themselves with his writings should, I expect, welcome these two works based on quotes taken from some of his most popular books.

In The Quotable Lewis there are more than 1,500 quotes of the writings and spoken words of one of this most respected Christian writer of the 20th century.

Lewis is best known for his book, Mere Christianity as well as his delightful Chronicles of Narnia. He was a respected scholar at Oxford and a convert to Christianity in 1931. In the introduction, we learn that “Lewis’ writings grow from two sources: first, from an honest commitment to truth, and second, from his Christian faith.” Readers will quickly locate quotes on any subject in the comprehensive index.

The Missing Kennedy

By Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff Bancroft Press $27.50 To look at the cover photograph of beautiful, smiling Rosemary Kennedy, it’s hard to appreciate how her father, Joseph Kennedy, 21 could have secretly had her lobotomized and confined to a Catholic home for the mentally ill where she spent the last 50 years of her life. Give him credit for believing this fairly new procedure would stop her tantrums and end her occasional nightly sojourns to bars and saloons which could hurt her, not to mention destroy her father’s ambitions for a Kennedy president. For 20 years, her mother and siblings were forbidden from visiting her. Rosemary was, in the term used at the time, “mentally retarded,” probably as the result of delaying, by force, her birth, until the doctor arrived. The lobotomy caused her left side to be partially paralyzed, her speech totally impaired and her ability to walk relearned. At her home at the convent she fortunately came under the care of Sister Paulus, the author’s aunt. “Rosie” died at 86, her life the catalyst for her sister Eunice’s inspiration for Senior Olympics. Wealth of photographs is included.

www.bayoucatholic.com

Corporal Works

2016 YEAR OF MERCY 2015

By REV. MICHAEL BERGERON The following is the second article in a seven-part series on the Corporal Works of Mercy.

2) Give drink to the thirsty There are countless references to water in the Bible. The New Testament has Jesus baptized in water, meeting the woman at the well, walking on water, and even concludes with Jesus saying, “I thirst.” In Matthew 10:42, Jesus says, “And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple – amen, I say to you, he 22 will surely not lose his reward.”

Without water, we die. Water is more important than food. So water is seen as a fitting symbol of the grace of God. It is everywhere.

But clean and drinkable water is even more precious. Nearly one billion people lack access to a supply of safe water. More than 3.4 million people die each year from water-related diseases – every 21 seconds a child in the world dies of such diseases. Nearly one-fifth of all childhood deaths are caused by diarrhea, which kills more young children than AIDS, TB and malaria combined. We live in a thirsty world where 20 percent of the population lacks access to safe drinking water.

When people are desperately thirsty, they are willing to take the risk of disease by consuming water that may not be healthy.

It is either risk infection or die of thirst. Unsafe drinking water carries malaria, trypanosomiasis, intestinal worm infections, dengue and schistosomiasis, as well as a host of bacteria that can cause many other problems. Parasite diseases feed on the young.

American companies will tell Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

Give drink to the thirsty

women in impoverished countries, “don’t feed your child with that low-tech breast milk. Instead, line your pockets with this snazzy new formula that you mix with contaminated water.” Okay, so your children die of diarrhea, cholera and dysentery, our American companies are only trying to help you.

American waste is obscene. We turn on the faucet and let it run while we brush our teeth. It’s one thing to water your plants. It’s another thing to soak your lawn.

We go to buffets, fill our plate, taste each item, push the plate aside and head back to the buffet. It takes an enormous amount of water to grow the crops and produce the meat that are discarded. Our American garbage contains enough wasted food to feed several undeveloped nations.

Avoiding this second “sin of omission” can be accomplished by giving to projects that help build wells and provide water to desperate areas. We can also use our role as voters and help through our lifestyle choices. Conserve water and never take this lifesustaining resource for granted.

Support domestic and international legislation aimed at protecting the environment. Adhere to domestic

recycling programs designed to reduce environmental waste.

Demand that the people you vote for pass laws, like in New York City, which allow restaurants and grocery stores to donate their leftovers to homeless shelters. Do not flush prescription drugs down the toilet which will eventually contaminate our drinking water.

Demand that companies quit poisoning our drinking water with their chemical wastes.

Social encyclicals from Leo XIII to John Paul II, re-iterate over and over, clean water will come to everyone on the planet when those of us who have surplus of any kind live fully moral lives, namely when we accept that it is not right to have surplus while others lack necessities.

No person or country may have surplus if others do not have the basic necessities (Rerum Novarum 19, Quadragesima Anno 5051, Mater et Magistra 119-121, Popularum Pregressio 230).

In the March issue of Bayou Catholic, the third Corporal Work of Mercy, Clothe the naked, will be highlighted.

(Father Michael Bergeron is the pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church parish in Thibodaux.)

www.bayoucatholic.com

Thank you for your generosity.

www.blackandindianmission.org/nationalcollection

BLACK AND INDIAN MISSION COLLECTION

BUILDING Our Mission to the Missions

The collection will be held February 13 and 14, 2016

• Muchas personas benefician de su apoyo a la CMAI: • Los estudiantes de la escuela misionaria pequeña en el Sur Profundo.

• La Comunidad Católica servida por un diácono nativo en Alaska.

• La parroquia nativo americana en la llanura.

Su apoyo ayuda a todas estas personas a conocer a Jesús.

• La CMAI ayuda a traer a buenos profesores a las escuelas que de lo contrario lucharían para quedar abiertas.

• El financiamiento de la CMAI ayuda a las diócesis a formar a ministros laicos y a catequistas para propagar el Evangelio en sus propias comunidades.

• Apoyar a la CMAI ayuda a alentar a jóvenes afroamericanos y nativo americanos a dar sus vidas al Señor como sacerdotes, hermanos o hermanas.

La Colecta para las Misiones Afro-Americanas e Indígenas (CMAI) existe para ayudar a los obispos y las diócesis a edificar la Iglesia en comunidades afro-americanas, nativo americanas y nativas de Alaska.

• Many people benefit from your support of the BIMC: • Students in the small mission school in the Deep South.

• The Catholic community served by a native deacon in Alaska.

• The Native American parish on the prairie.

Your support helps all of them come to know Jesus.

• The BIMC helps get good teachers in schools that would otherwise struggle to stay open.

• Funding from the BIMC helps dioceses form lay ministers and catechists to spread the Gospel in their own communities.

• Supporting the BIMC helps encourage young African Americans and Native Americans to give their lives to the Lord as priests, brothers, or sisters.

The Black and Indian Mission Collection (BIMC) exists to help bishops and dioceses to build the Church in African American, Native American, and Alaska Native communities.

23

Spiritual Works

2016 YEAR OF MERCY 2015

By Rev. Alex Gaudet The following is the second article in a seven-part series on the Spiritual Works of Mercy.

With the new Star Wars movie on our minds, I’m drawn to the plot of the maligned prequels. In them, we see the beginnings of a galactic, civil war. The Jedi learn that their ancient enemies have returned.

Separatist elements raise an army of robots; while, the republic finds itself in possession of a previously unknown army of clones.

But there is a catch: one man is orchestrating the whole conflict.

24 His turncoat apprentice leads the separatists and arranged the creation of the clone army. The story climaxes when the Jedi realize that the architect of the conflict is the leader of their republic. Confused?

Imagine the way the Jedi feel. The war was a charade to dethrone the Jedi and establish an empire. It worked because the Jedi needed to make decisions amidst confusion.

They played right into the plan that brought their downfall.

We find ourselves in similar circumstances when we have to make choices without full information or in confusion. In addition, we know from experience that we cannot trust everything we hear. We live in confusing times. Look at this question from a few years ago: Are eggs good for us? Study after study flip-flopped the answer to the point that the question became a joke, the poster child for media frenzy, and a lesson to all that we should listen to studies with reservation.

We are not immune to this kind of controversy in 2016. Are vaccines safe for children? How about processed and cured meats?

What is this week’s new superfood?

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

Counseling the doubtful

Want a peek into a world of panic and speculation? Log onto Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

We live in a world of confusion and are bombarded by facts with no interpretive tools beyond what facttellers want us to hear. However, we know that fact-tellers always share facts to promote a specific point. We are left wondering whom to trust.

Today, one of the most profound acts of mercy that we can perform is to counsel the doubtful. Counseling is the act of advising a person in order to provide them with clarity and context. Counseling suggests new ways of approaching problems or questions without making the choices for them. People often find themselves in two groups of doubt: moral doubt or spiritual doubt.

Moral doubt deals with concrete acts of good to perform or evil to avoid. Moral doubts can be generally handled by studying or seeking further counsel. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a good place to start. While the morally doubtful person may be able to find real and true answers to their questions, not all of these answers are easy to accept or implement.

Look at any controversial church moral teaching. These teachings

are the result of ages of collected wisdom but are often difficult and unpopular.

Spiritual doubt deals with God or elements of church teaching.

Spiritually doubtful people find themselves in a subjectively worse situation than the morally doubtful people. They may doubt God’s existence, and thus be convinced by the rationalistic, atheistic arguments popularized by the Internet. Having their core beliefs tested for the first time is traumatic and difficult. Rest assured: there are real, deep and meaningful answers to all of these challenges.

The biggest difficulty with spiritual doubt is that these people often lack a personal experience of God or the philosophical practice necessary to engage these questions.

There are answers, many ancient, but we must have the patience to research them. When counseling someone who doubts the existence of God or some element of the Catholic faith, really listen to their question and take it seriously. More harm is done by ignoring the questions than by admitting that we do not know the answer. Many people walk away from Catholicism and Christianity altogether because their

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questions are not taken seriously. This leads them to the impression that Catholicism does not have the answers they seek.

A second area of spiritual doubt is not focused on God’s existence but on his relationship with us. These people are unsure if God cares about them. This doubt about God’s personal love for us is connected with the experience of despair, a fear or conviction that all is hopeless. Despairing doubt is the most painful of all the forms of doubt. Moral and theological doubt deal with external realties; despairing doubt deals with my value as a person. Counseling despairing doubt is harder because the person needs to experience the real God. We cannot make the encounter between the creature and the Creator happen. We can stay with them, remind them that God loves them and pray for them.

Counseling the doubtful is such a sacred relationship of trust that it is a tremendous honor and utterly terrifying.

This person has come to me because of something they see in me that leads them to trust me. Rest assured most people are healthy enough to survive our worst attempts at counseling, but it remains a sacred relationship that we should respect.

First, recognize your limitations. Few people are trained in professional counseling and theology. Know your limitations but do not be afraid of them. This person did not choose to see an expert; they chose to talk to you. Listen to them. Take them seriously. After they have shared everything, identify what their doubts are.

If you can speak to a doubt by all means do so; if not, offer to show them where to find answers. Go with them or at least follow-up with them. Pray for the person in doubt. Let them know you will be available to talk when they want. If it helps, share your faith experience with them. Do not feel that you have to have all the answers, all of your doubts resolved, or your whole life together. Remember, they came to you because they saw something in you. For those of you personally wrestling with doubt, there are real, deep and meaningful answers to your questions. Go find them, and may the Lord be with you.

(Father Alex Gaudet is the associate pastor of the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma.)

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Heavenly Recipes

Father Todd’s

e s e n i h C

d a l a S e Cabbag Story and Photos

by Lawrence Chatagnier This month’s heavenly recipe, Chinese Cabbage Salad, comes from Father Wilmer Todd, pastor of St. Joseph Church parish in Chauvin. He enjoys cooking and likes to experiment with recipes.

“I find cooking therapeutic. I enjoy 26 putting the ingredients together and trying new recipes. My mother and grandparents were great cooks. I come from a large family.

My mother would make meals that she could stretch. She would cook beans and rice, and homemade macaroni and cheese. It was always a balanced meal with salads and a variety of foods. Not the same thing all the time. One of my fondest memories is fried chicken every Sunday at my Grandmother Todd’s house,” says the pastor.

Father Todd enjoys cooking wild game. “People bring me their deer, ducks and other game. I experiment with it and try different ways of cooking it. I like to use a slow cooker sometimes. I set it up the night before and the next day you have a meal,” he says.

Father Todd was retired for a few years and worked for a local hospice service. “After being retired for seven years I am back as a pastor in a church. I enjoy being a pastor.

I still do some public relations with a local hospice service now. I enjoyed the time off. It was good.

I am adjusting to balancing parish life with home life. I live about six miles from the church. With today’s Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

technology I can be reached easily.

It works out well. In fact St. Joseph was my first parish when I became a priest 50 years ago. I have enjoyed renewing relationships with some of the parishioners I knew 50 years ago.”

When he’s not busy with parish life, Father Todd enjoys working outside especially with his citrus trees. He also likes to experiment in the garden. “I have grown sugar cane and summer vegetables. I even experimented by growing cotton in a planter once. There were seeds in the cotton balls. It was interesting just to do it.”

Father Todd also enjoys woodworking. “I helped build the house I am living in now. I built the bookcases in my home and am somewhat of a handyman around the house. However my biggest hobby now is music. I have been in the Houma-Thibodaux Community Band for some time now. I also sing at the local nursing homes. I have played the guitar, recorder and tuba in the community band.

Father Todd feels as time has gone by people have lost a connection with God. “We have lost a sense of the sacred. It’s nice to be here in a country setting where people have a sense of God in their lives. We have a God who wants to live and walk with us. For true happiness

we can turn to God in our lives.

My priesthood has been fruitful and fulfilling. It is wonderful when you can see good results in people’s lives. As priests we use the gifts given to us to reach the people and hopefully impact their lives.”

Chinese Cabbage Salad 2 packages of classic coleslaw (green cabbage and carrots) 6 green onions chopped 1/2 stick butter 1 pkg. Ramen noodles, discard flavor packet (crush with palm of hand or heavy spoon) 1 pkg. slivered almonds, (2 oz. size or more) 1/2 cup oil 1/3 cup seasoned rice vinegar 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1/4 cup sugar Combine cabbage and onions.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Melt butter in skillet, sauté Ramen noodles and almonds until browned. Drain the butter from the noodles and almonds on paper towel and set aside until ready to serve. Combine ingredients for the dressing and mix well. Set aside until ready to serve. When ready to serve, combine all ingredients and toss well. Enjoy!

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Seminarian Education Burses

What is a seminarian burse fund?

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

How does someone establish a seminarian burse fund?

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

When is a seminarian burse complete?

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

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

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

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

Completed Burses of $15,000 each

Note: those wtih a number stipulates the number of completed burses* - Anonymous - Mr. & Mrs. C. Thomas Bienvenu - Harry Booker - Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux (3)* - Mr. Eledier Broussard - Rev. Adrian J. Caillouet - Rev. James Louis Caillouet - Bishop L. Abel Caillouet - Judge/Mrs L. P. Caillouet - Msgr. Lucien J. Caillouet - Abdon J. & Ada B. Callais - Harold & Gloria Callais Family - Paul A. Callais - Peter W. Callais - Vincent & Fannie Cannata - Minor Sr. & Lou Ella Cheramie - Maude & Edith Daspit - Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis family (3)* - Clay Sr. & Evelida Duplantis - C. Remie Duplantis

- Marie Elise Duplantis - Warren J. Harang, Jr. - Msgr. Raphael C. Labit - Msgr. Francis J. Legendre - Rev. Charles Menard - Dr. & Mrs. M.V. Marmande & Fly - Donald Peltier, Sr. (3)* - Harvey Peltier (30)* - Richard Peltier - The Peltier Foundation (4) - Orleans & Louella Pitre - Msgr. Joseph Wester - Robert R. Wright, Jr. - Rev. Kermit Trahan - St. Bernadette Men’s Club - Diocesan K of C - Leighton Delahaye - Mrs. Shirley Conrad - Bishop Shelton Fabre - Endowment Fund - $119,136.90

December 2015 Burse Contributions Bishop Shelton Fabre ................................... $15,000.00 Rev. Hubert C. Broussard .................................. $500.00 Rev. John Gallen ................................................ $500.00 Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier ............................. $100.00 Warren J. Harang, Jr. #2 ..................................... $100.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ..................................... $100.00 Judge Louis & Shirley R. Watkins ..................... $100.00 Anne Veron Aguirre ........................................... $100.00 Bernice Harang .................................................. $100.00 Edna W. DiSalvo ................................................. $50.00

Open Burses with Balance as of 12/31/15 Sidney J. & Lydie C. Duplantis ........... $13,000.00 Donald Peltier, Sr. #4 ............................ $13,000.00 Joseph Strada Memorial ...................... $12,642.63 Msgr. Raphael C. Labit #2 .................. $11,080.00 Harvey Peltier #31 .............................. $10,486.91 Clay Sr. & Evelida Duplantis #2 .......... $10,000.00 C. Remie Duplantis #2 ........................ $10,000.00 Marie Elise Duplantis #2 ..................... $10,000.00 Maude & Edith Daspit #2 .................... $10,000.00 Msgr. George A. Landry ...................... $10,000.00 Elie & Dot Klingman .............................. $8,920.00 Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier ................. $8,500.00 Rev. Victor Toth ..................................... $7,000.00 Brides of the Most Blessed Trinity ......... $6,165.00 Rev. Peter Nies ..................................... $5,900.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ........................... $5,500.00 Msgr. Francis Amedee ........................... $5,150.00 Mr. & Mrs. Love W. Pellegrin ................. $5,000.00 Anonymous #2 ...................................... $5,000.00 Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis Fmly.#4..... $5,000.00 Rev. William M. Fleming ........................ $5,000.00 Mrs. Ayres A. Champagne ..................... $5,000.00 Rev. Kasimir Chmielewski ..................... $4,839.00 Rev. Gerard Hayes ................................ $4,786.00 Catholic Daughters ................................ $4,705.00 Rev. Guy Zeringue ................................ $4,400.00 Joseph “Jay” Fertitta .............................. $4,350.00

Rev. Henry Naquin ................................. $4,281.00 Harry Booker #2 .................................... $4,138.00 Kelly Curole Frazier ............................... $3,610.96 J. R. Occhipinti ...................................... $3,400.00 Anawin Community ............................... $3,100.00 Msgr. James Songy ............................... $3,075.00 Mr. & Mrs. Galip Jacobs ........................ $3,060.00 St. Jude ................................................. $3,000.00 Diocesan K of C #2 ............................... $2,894.62 Rev. Peter H. Brewerton ........................ $2,600.00 Warren J. Harang, Jr. #2 ......................... $2,100.00 Willie & Emelda St. Pierre ...................... $2,000.00 St. Joseph Society ................................. $2,000.00 Rev. H. C. Paul Daigle ........................... $1,900.00 James J. Buquet, Jr. ............................... $1,650.00 Alfrances P. Martin ................................. $1,650.00 Msgr. Francis J. Legendre #2 ................ $1,645.00 Rev. Robert J. Sevigny .......................... $1,600.00 Rev. John Gallen .................................... $1,600.00 Rev. Hubert C. Broussard ...................... $1,550.00 Msgr. Emile J. Fossier ........................... $1,545.00 Dr. William Barlette, Sr........................... $1,525.00 Msgr. Stanislaus Manikowski ................ $1,525.00 Mr. & Mrs. John Marmande .................... $1,500.00 Preston & Gladys Webre ........................ $1,500.00 Deacon Robert Dusse’ ........................... $1,450.00 Msgr. John L. Newfield .......................... $1,200.00

Deacon Connely Duplantis ..................... $1,125.00 Rev. Anthony Rousso ............................. $1,100.00 Rev. Clemens Schneider ....................... $1,000.00 Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux #4 ........... $1,000.00 Msgr. John G. Keller .............................. $1,000.00 Jacob Marcello ....................................... $1,000.00 Deacon Willie Orgeron ............................. $800.00 Ruby Pierce .............................................. $800.00 Deacon Roland Dufrene ........................... $750.00 Juliette & Eugene Wallace ......................... $700.00 Judge Louis & Shirley R. Watkins .............. $700.00 Ronnie Haydel .......................................... $685.00 Deacon Edward J. Blanchard ................... $660.00 Deacon Raymond LeBouef ...................... $550.00 Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Cannata .................... $500.00 Anne Veron Aguirre ................................... $380.00 Deacon Harold Kurtz ................................ $300.00 Richard Peltier #2 ..................................... $300.00 Bernice Harang ......................................... $300.00 Claude Bergeron ...................................... $250.00 Edna W. DiSalvo ....................................... $250.00 Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Naquin .......................... $150.00 Deacon Pedro Pujals ................................ $100.00 Joseph Waitz, Sr. ...................................... $100.00 Deacon Eldon Frazier .............................. $ 50.00 Deacon Nick Messina .............................. $ 50.00 Rev. Warren Chassaniol ........................... $ 50.00

Overall Seminarian Burse Totals: $1,556,351.02 www.bayoucatholic.com

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Young Voices Mother Teresa said, “Spread the love of God through your life but only use words when necessary.” With this quote in mind, I would do my best to make my actions reflect my love of Christ. I can show my love for Christ by simply smiling at strangers or talking to someone who is all alone. Prayer is also a powerful thing and an amazing witness of faith. When people see me praying at school or in a public place, they will know I love Christ.

Mary Grace Hymel, 17 years old St. Joseph Church parish, Patterson Berwick High School

It is often said that actions speak louder than words. As Catholics we are called to service, not only to Jesus and the church, but to mankind. There are many times during the day that a situation arises for you to be Jesus to someone. If I was not able to talk about Jesus, I would show my love by being Jesus to others.

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Cullen Boudreaux, 16 years old St. Genevieve Church parish Thibodaux High School

A great way to experience the love of Christ without having to use your words is adoration.

Adoration is something that is close to my heart in a way that is unexplainable. It is one of the most intimate and emotional forms of prayer that I have ever experienced. Whether it is the immense and powerful escapade of Steubenville or the intimacy and closeness of CLI (Christian Leadership Institute), adoration continues to make a silent yet powerful impact on my life.

If you couldn’t talk about your Catholic faith for one week, describe how your actions would show others that you loved Jesus.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

Taylor Naquin, 16 years old St. Bernadette Church parish Vandebilt Catholic High School

As Saint Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the Gospel at all times … when necessary, use words.” My actions would be as kind and generous as I could be. It can be as simple as opening doors for people, telling people thank you and telling people good morning in the halls. It does not matter if I cannot talk about my faith, as long as I can spread my Christian love toward others.

Ryan Thibodaux, 16 years old Our Lady of the Rosary Church parish, Larose South Lafourche High School

e n Tu To...

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

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St . Joseph

Bayou Patrons

Patron saint of the universal church Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

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Continuing our Bayou Patrons series, this month’s featured saint is Joseph, the corporeal father of Jesus Christ. Joseph first appears in the Bible in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

30 The Gospel of Matthew tells us that Joseph was a carpenter, a working man (13:55); that he respected God and followed his commands; and that he was a caring, compassionate man. “When Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.

Joseph, since he was a righteous man, unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.

Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home, for it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.’” (Matthew 1:18-20).

The Gospel of Luke (2:22-40) tells us Joseph loved Jesus and that his one concern was for the safety of the child entrusted to him.

Many places and churches all over the world are named after St. Joseph, including three church parishes in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux: St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux, St. Joseph in Chauvin and St. Joseph in Galliano.

Very Rev. Jay L. Baker, pastor of St. Joseph CoCathedral, says because the church parish was established almost 200 years ago, there is no real record of how it came to be named. However, he says, a brief history of churches in the area back then makes the name easily understandable.

“Ascension of Our Lord Parish in Donaldsonville was erected on Aug. 15, 1772, the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady. It was officially named ‘The Church of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ of Lafourche of the Chetimaches,’ which refers to the Native American tribe discovered by early French Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

explorers at the junction of the Mississippi River and Bayou Lafourche.

“Due to the growing population of what is now Plattenville, the settlers desired their own church since travel (12 miles!) to the Ascension of the Lord was too distant and too difficult. So, in 1785, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish was erected. Then in 1813, Assumption Parish began a mission on an original Spanish land grant along Bayou Lafourche where St. Joseph Cemetery now sits. In 1817, St. Joseph parish was erected. So: Donaldsonville, Plattenville and Thibodaux – Jesus, Mary and Joseph!”

Father Baker adds that he has a special devotion to St. Joseph, because May 1, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, is his birthday.

In our liturgical prayers, explains Father Baker, we recognize that “by the work of his hands, Joseph provided food for the Holy Family and bread for the poor” a significance that should not be lost on us during this Jubilee of Mercy. The social encyclicals of our Popes have consistently upheld the dignity of human labor, teaching that by the work of our hands we participate with God in the ongoing work

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St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux

of creation. Together, we strive to achieve a quality of life which God wants for all people. “Prosper the work of our hands, Lord!” “Give success to the work of our hands, Lord!” (Psalm 90:17).

Father Wilmer Todd, pastor of St. Joseph Church parish in Chauvin, says there is no record of the naming of the parish, which was founded in 1864 by Father Jean Marie Joseph Denece.

“Maybe because he had Joseph in his name, he named it St. Joseph.

There was the big St. Joseph in Thibodaux so it is strange that they would name it St. Joseph since this was an original mission of the Thibodaux Church. The name of the Montegut church was John the Baptist, so maybe he named that church after his first name,” says Father Todd.

The parish in Chauvin, notes the pastor, has a special St. Joseph Altar honoring St. Joseph which is quite an enormous affair. He says many parishioners put several hours of work into making it happen; and afterward, the food is given to the poor.

31 “I believe St. Joseph was a strong family man. He worked hard at his trade as a carpenter and taught his son Jesus to use tools of the trade. He was a faithful, God-fearing man who wanted to do the best and most loving thing for everyone, even when he didn’t understand the whole plan of God. He is often pictured as a weak looking man with a flower. But he must have been a man who could get dirty with his trade and yet humble enough to seek God’s will,” adds Father Todd.

Father Joseph Tregre, pastor of St. Joseph Church parish in Galliano, explains that because he was made a pastor early in his priesthood and assigned to St. Joseph, he felt comforted that the bishop was listening to God’s voice in his assignment and that he would do well and flourish there.

“St. Joseph didn’t expect to be the foster father of Jesus, but embraced God’s plan in his life. So many times in priesthood we are met with fresh challenges and new expectations, St. Joseph always

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St . Joseph

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reminds me to humbly accept God’s plan in my life,” says Father Tregre, who begins every morning with special prayers to St. Joseph: 1) Ancient Prayer to St. Joseph; 2) Consecration to St. Joseph; 3) Memorare to St. Joseph.

Tuesday is also the traditional day to pray to St. Joseph to ask for special protection and supplication for our prayerful needs through his intercession, notes Father Tregre. St. Joseph has a special place in the priesthood and the life of our parishes.

St. Joseph Church parish in Galliano also has an Altar to honor St. Joseph on March 19 each year.

The circumstances of Joseph’s death are not known, but many historians believe Joseph probably died before Jesus’s ministry

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

St. Joseph Church, Chauvin

began, since he does not appear in Jesus’ public life, at his death or resurrection.

We celebrate two feast days for Joseph: March 19 for Joseph the Husband of Mary and May 1 for Joseph the Worker. March 19 has been the most commonly celebrated feast day for Joseph; it wasn’t until 1955 that Pope Pius XII established the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker to be celebrated on May 1.

Saint Joseph is the patron saint of the universal church, of a happy death, families, fathers, expectant mothers, unborn children, travelers, immigrants, house sellers and buyers, craftsmen and engineers.

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St. Joseph Church, Galliano www.bayoucatholic.com

Special

Guest Columnist Father Joseph Pilola

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Throughout the centuries, Lent is the time when the church unites herself with Jesus who endured 40 days in the desert in fasting and prayer.

According to the Gospels, this important time takes place immediately after his baptism and right before the beginning of his public ministry.

Satan took this opportunity to tempt and test Jesus.

The incident is recorded in the Gospel of Mark 1:12-13, but the details of the temptations are listed in the Gospels of Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:112.

The core of the three temptations may be found in the phrase, “If you are the Son of God . . . .” However, the real intent of the evil one is to tempt Jesus to deny God’s will for him which is to be the “Son of Man.” For human beings cannot/should not “change stone to bread, test the Lord our God, nor bow down to the devil.”

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

Lent: A season of mercy Jesus does not refuse to be human because of hunger, pride, nor the fear of suffering and death. Jesus

This includes the consequence of human sin which is suffering and death. Jesus successfully endured the pains of birth and the agony of death.

He lived and died as our covenant with God. In his life and in his death, Jesus remains united with the Father and united with us. Because of his love and compassion for us, God’s mercy saved our sinful humanity.

The Letter to the Hebrews points out, “For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sinning” (Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), 540).

Sympathy grows from compassion.

In other words, the willingness to suffer with others enables us to share their pain and address what causes it.

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC Why would anyone be willing chooses the Father’s will and to suffer with another? Jesus shows accepts the consequences of being the great ‘compassion’ of God is human. connected with his

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love and mercy. We are made in God’s image and likeness. The closer our humanity conforms to the divinity of Christ in holiness, the more our love should naturally reflect God’s compassion. Love establishes a bond, a connection with other people. So when they hurt, we hurt. No one forces us to suffer with them – we just do. This is what is behind the beatitude, “Blessed are the sorrowful.”

Why are they ‘blessed’? Because those who feel sorrow for others are the ones who really care. This ‘caring’ is a sign of God’s love shared between them! St. John tells us, “God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him” (1 John 4:16).

Mercy flows naturally out of love for another. ‘Feeling another’s pain’ is only the first step of loving someone who is hurting.

If compassion does not result in outward expression, it remains an empty emotion – of use to no one. Love calls for a response in all circumstances – in good times and in bad. “If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in

need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:18).

How can we better show the love of God in our lives? During this Year of Mercy, our Lenten season invites us to grow more intently in the compassion of God. As we grow in holiness, its perfection shows itself in acts of charity. Spiritual exercises through reading and studying Scripture, meditation and prayer will help us know the mind of God and his will for each of us. It will help us recognize what needs to be corrected in our lives and what we can put in its place.

Attending special penitential liturgies will help us grow with other members of the church as we repent of our sins and the sins of the whole world and collectively beg for his forgiveness and grace.

Pilgrimages through the Holy Doors of the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma and St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux remind us that the doors of God’s mercy are open to all, but we must

each decide to walk through them, confess our sins, intend to leave sinful ways behind, and once again join our hearts with Jesus in holy Communion.

Voluntary self-denial, especially through fasting and almsgiving, helps cleanse our souls of the greatest obstacle of compassion – selfishness in all its forms. Finally, special projects of fraternal sharing through charitable and fraternal works during the season of Lent are conscious efforts to begin what hopefully will become a life-style, second nature and a permanent part of our character (CCC, 1438).

In closing, the 40 days of Lent joins us with Christ in his preparation for his public ministry.

He overcame every temptation to deny the Father’s will and out of love compassionately remained one with us even to his death. During this Year of Mercy may we join our lives more closely to our Lord Jesus so we may become the very mercy we proclaim.

(Father Joseph Pilola is the pastor of Maria Immacolata Church parish in Houma.)

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Special Event

‘In Christ Alone’ 35th annual Youth Rally March 19, St. Bernadette Story by Janet Marcel Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier “In Christ Alone,” is the theme for this year’s 35th annual youth rally for eighth through 12th graders, which is sponsored by the Office of Youth Ministry in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. The rally will take place Saturday, March 19, at St. Bernadette Church parish in Houma, from Noon to 10 p.m.

The scripture chosen to bring this year’s theme to life is “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6). It is meant to serve as a message to the young church that only in Christ 36 is the life that we are to live. It is in reflecting and understanding more and more the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that we understand that only in him lies the grace, peace and love that we receive and give to others. The theme will aim to invite the young people into a closer relationship with Christ and encourage them to seek him daily and make him an integral part of their everyday lives, explains Mike DiSalvo, diocesan director of the Office of Youth Ministry.

“The movement to host the event in one of our Catholic parishes or schools is an effort to remind the young people of the roots of what our faith is and where it can be strengthened. In going back to the roots of what this event was established for, it places a larger emphasis on the Catholic church coming together to serve one another. Young people more than ever are in need of a place to be that can love them where they are and to teach them what it means to be holy. That place is the youth rally. That place is in our church parishes and schools. That place is the Catholic Church. If you have been to the youth rally already, come again to be that witness to Jesus’ love for us to others. If you are considering attending the youth rally for the first time say ‘yes’ and come open to receive whatever Christ has in store for you,” says DiSalvo.

Teens who attend will have the opportunity to be involved in fun faith activities, experience healing and peace within themselves through prayer experiences and reconciliation; and hear men and women of God speak and sing about how they live out their faith. This year’s rally will also include an outdoor Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

adoration experience and blessing of the palms with a procession into the gym as the Passion of the Lord liturgy begins.

Keynote presentations will include Paul George, Katie Prejean and Dave Moore Band.

Paul George is a passionate believer and communicator of the Gospel. He has traveled the world proclaiming God’s love and freedom as a parish youth minister, diocesan director, author and full-time evangelist. He holds a master’s degree in theological studies from the University of Dallas. George lives in Lafayette, where he directs the campus ministry program at University of Louisiana/Our Lady of Wisdom Parish and serves as a professor of theology at the Aquinas Institute on campus. Paul also cofounded and directs Adore Ministries, a nonprofit Catholic organization whose mission is to call all people to worship God with their entire lives. He and his wife have four children.

Katie Prejean, a Catholic youth minister and high school teacher, has a bachelor of arts degree in theology from the University of Dallas and is working on her master’s degree through the Augustine Institute. She is the youth director at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church and teaches freshman theology at St. Louis Catholic High School in Lake Charles, LA.

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Prejean has been traveling around the country sharing the faith since 2007. From gatherings of 20 at retreats to the large crowds at the National Catholic Youth Conference, Prejean has been blessed to engage peoples’ hearts, enrich their minds and extend challenges that will transform their lives. Her unique style of “theological comedy” blends together humor, story-telling, and hard-hitting theological truth that is dynamic and interactive.

Prejean incorporates the E3 Method, a unique ministry and speaking model that reaches audiences on three very distinct levels. Using stories and her signature dance moves, Prejean is able to set an audience at ease and make them comfortable.

Drawing on her years of studying theology, she is able to reach out to audiences and share with them the truth of the faith – truth that exists, can be known, and must be taught. She then extends a challenge to audiences, asking them to begin figuring out the best way to incorporate the truth into their daily lives, go beyond their comfort zone and live radically passionate lives for Christ.

Dave Moore is a Christian singer, songwriter whose passion and heart for God can be seen throughout his life and music. Moore, who was the founder and lead singer of the band The Glory Estate, has written many songs that have been played on Independent Christian Radio stations. He has traveled the states singing contemporary and traditional songs of praise for all generations and is currently a parishioner of St. Thomas More Catholic Church parish in Corpus

Christi, TX. Aside from Sundays in his home parish, Moore plays events for all different denominations and purposes. A lot of things changed for Moore when he made the switch from being a band to a solo artist.

He says it was hard slowing down with the band but it helped him take a step back and discern even harder where God was leading him. He started focusing more on his spiritual life rather than the next place the band was going to play and fell into a deeper love for ministry. He says this helped him to better understand his role as a servant. Moore’s first record Fading Into the Light focused on a spiritual journey, but his next record seems to touch more on biblical stories and the heart of those who are constantly returning to God’s shelter and love.

The closing Mass, which will be celebrated by Bishop Shelton J. Fabre and concelebrated by priests of the diocese, will begin at 7:45 p.m. in the gym.

Cost to attend the youth rally is $50 per person which includes all rally materials, event T-shirt, meals and transportation to and from the event.

Youth can register online with their parish groups by linking to the sign-up page at www.htdiocese.org/ym.

Early registration is strongly encouraged.

After February 22, all registrations will take place at the door beginning at Noon the day of the rally. Cost will be $60 per person; T-shirts are not guaranteed and only hamburgers will be available for dinner.

For more information about youth rally, call (985) 850-3151.

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38

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Student Center at NSU ranked 10th of top Newman Centers Guest Columnist

O

Father Andre’ Melancon

On Jan. 12, a ranking came out by the website “Best College Reviews” ranking the top 50 Newman Centers in the United States. St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Student Center at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux ranked 10th in the site’s list of top Newman Centers.

The site defined their

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

understanding of a Newman Center as a “place for young Catholics to further religious ideals and goals through prayer, study, religious services, community service and relationship building activities.”

They listed their qualifications for ranking the top 50 Newman Centers as: n The Newman Center offers regular Mass times during the week. n The Newman Center regularly offers eucharistic adoration, confession and other opportunities for spiritual growth. n The Newman Center offers regular community-building events. n The college must have a Catholic population of greater than 100 students. n Percentage of Catholic students,

relationship with the local parish, and specific site amenities was also taken into account.

I was made aware of the list on the morning of Jan. 12 when someone tagged it on Facebook and the list very quickly spread.

It seemed as though everyone was talking about it. I was completely shocked and humbled when I first saw our rankings. We had never been contacted before the list came out so it came as quite a surprise.

I immediately saw that there were some really good campus ministry programs that were not on the list, programs that I look to as programs to emulate. So I was not sure how we made it, but they didn’t. Regardless, I was grateful that St. Thomas made the list and I will take any opportunity to share that God is doing amazing

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things on our campus.

I agree that St. Thomas is a very special place. We are blessed in our area to have our own university.

My whole family attended Nicholls State and it is a part of our family’s story as it is of so many families in the bayou area. And St. Thomas is a special part of that history.

Campus Ministry has been an integral part of Nicholls since the very beginning of the institution’s history in 1948. Yearbooks show that the Nicholls Newman club was by far the biggest organization on campus. To this day, it is still one of the top organizations on campus.

The current church and student center was dedicated in 1965.

Since its dedication, it has been a place where students come to gather, pray, learn and experience home away from home while they are “away” at college. Even our students from Thibodaux still see St. Thomas as their primary family while at college. We have much to be proud of in our campus parish.

St. Thomas has a culture of holiness that has spread throughout our students who gather here.

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Our students are intentional about striving to grow in faith. Many of them faithfully attend daily Mass, go to confession regularly, spend time adoring the Blessed Sacrament regularly, participate in formation groups and Bible studies, do mission outreach and many other faith initiatives.

We have been blessed by a

God is doing amazing things on our campus. tremendous team of lay people who have helped us in our mission. The missionaries of Mary Mother Church and now FOCUS missionaries have done an incredible job of reaching our students on their level and helping them to grow as missionary disciples. We are very proud to have FOCUS missionaries on campus. We are one of only three

universities in Louisiana to have FOCUS and they are doing great work all over the country striving to win students for Christ.

Cissy Atzenhoffer, Mathew Quizon and Roch Gernon assist on our team and do tremendous work ministering to our students. We are also very blessed to have many families in the Thibodaux area who have made their home at St. Thomas. They share in the parish’s unique mission of ministering to the university and its students. Many of our families have relationships with our students and they aid in so many ways to help create a welcoming and alive parish for our students.

It was a big honor to be included in the top 50 Newman Centers but the greater blessing is seeing how the church’s mission has made real impacts in the lives of our students.

Seeing students leave Nicholls with a relationship with God that was cultivated or strengthened here at St. Thomas is incredible!

(Father Andre’ Melancon is the pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church parish.)

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Special

Catholic Charities USA helps local family with grant from Hurricane Isaac relief

Peg Case, director of the Terrebonne Readiness and Assistance Coalition, told those present at the Songe’s home blessing how Mike Songe donated his time and expertise to help many others who had damage to their homes.

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Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) recently awarded a long-term disaster recovery grant to Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux (CCHT) totaling $13,180 to assist one local family in recovering from Hurricane Isaac.

This grant represents monies collected over the past several months/years from Catholics throughout the United States in disaster-related collections sponsored

by CCUSA and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

“Last year,” explains Rob Gorman, executive director of Catholic Charities Diocese of HoumaThibodaux, “CCUSA contacted all the Catholic Charities agencies across the country to let them know that they had about $40,000 in funds left over from Hurricane Isaac and if anyone wanted to apply for it they could. So I went to Peg Case, director of the Terrebonne Readiness and Assistance Coalition (TRAC), and asked her if she knew of anyone who still needed assistance; that’s when she told me about the situation involving Mike Songe, an electrical contractor, who has been working with CCHT and TRAC since 2005 following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to help families recover after storms.”

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

He believes in helping our communities build back better after a storm and always does exceptional electrical work for the most reasonable costs, says Gorman.

“On at least 10-15 projects where there weren’t enough funds to complete the work Songe stepped in and donated his time and expertise to make these projects happen. He understands that CCHT and TRAC work with some of the most vulnerable lowincome families in our coastal communities and he always treats each family with the utmost respect and dignity.”

Gorman explains that Hurricane Isaac, a slow moving disaster that flooded low lying parts of Louisiana over multiple weeks in August and September 2012, and whose winds caused damage to 127 homes in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, damaged the roof of Songe’s home. He made an insurance claim and tried to patch the roof himself with those funds. It held for a little while then started leaking again in multiple rooms causing additional damage throughout the ceilings and walls of the home. This leaking also caused mold to settle and grow on the inside wall covering which caused his wife Lora to become sick. He then removed the interior walls to try to get the mold out of their home.

Songe had been struggling with bladder cancer and was in his second remission at the time of the storm. When his cancer came back, he had to undergo

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radiation and chemo treatments again and was unable to work regularly. Songe never asked TRAC for help for himself; the agency discovered his situation while calling him for a client.

He then told TRAC about his damaged home and his family’s health problems, but never asked for help.

So Gorman applied for the funds from CCUSA to help the Songes with their home repairs and mold remediation so that they could once again have a safe home.

“My family and I are so grateful for the assistance we received.

TRAC along with Catholic Charities Diocese of HoumaThibodaux went out of their way to help us fix our roof and did not give up on finding the means to make this blessing come true,” says Michael Songe. “If it wasn’t for their assistance, today we would probably still have buckets catching the water that had been problematic for many years. Our roof no doubt would have gotten far worse than what it was.

So now that our roof has been fixed and I don’t have to worry about the next rainfall, I can concentrate on other important matters and continue to take care of my customers’ electrical needs.

We just want to thank everyone involved in making this dream a reality.”

Peg Case, director of TRAC, says, “It is a beautiful thing to witness when we can ‘pay it forward’ to someone who has helped so many.”

Without the TRAC/CCHT partnership this recovery story could not have happened, says Gorman. Since this area,

SINCE FAST st Intere Free cing Finan

Father Mike Tran, pastor of Annunziata Church in Houma, prays during a home blessing for Mike and Lora Songe of Houma. A grant from Catholic Charities USA funded repairs to the Songe home which incurred damages from Hurricane Issac.

Attending the home blessing are from left, Rob Gorman, executive director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux; Peg Case, director of Terrebonne Readiness and Assistance Coalition; Michelle Liner; case management supervisor; and Mike and Lora Songe.

fortunately, hasn’t had a major hurricane in many years, people tend to forget about TRAC and disaster preparedness, along with other response agencies in general.

“What we’re worried about right now is that when we get back into the hurricane pattern, if we don’t have a group like TRAC here, we will have to ‘re-invent the wheel’ and we will have lost all of the contacts that we made through TRAC, which is the longest continuously operating nonprofit disaster preparedness recovery agency in the country. TRAC is in the middle of a fundraising campaign right now to keep its doors open.”

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Gorman is encouraging those who are able to consider sending donations so that TRAC will still be here when the next hurricane enters the Gulf of Mexico. “We all know that it’s just a matter of time; but TRAC needs our support now - as do the families TRAC is still working with every day to recover from past storm damage.”

In addition to TRAC, the Matthew 25 Disaster Preparedness and Response Ministry of CCHT is currently reestablishing their parish groups, whose focus right now is on ‘preparedness.’ A training was held in summer 2015 for members of this ministry.

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DIOCESAN EVENTS

FEBRUARY

n Catholic Charities will offer free income tax preparation of federal and state income tax returns every Tuesday beginning Feb. 2, until April 12 at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library, Houma, second floor, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., for families making $55,000 or less. n Rite of Election, Sunday, Feb. 14, St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux, 3 p.m. n Women of God Conference, FridaySaturday, Feb. 19-20, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, beginning at 5 p.m.

Friday and ending at 6 p.m. Saturday. n Teens Encounter Christ 76 retreat, Friday through Sunday, Feb. 19-21, Lumen Christi Retreat Center’s Souby Building, beginning at 5 p.m. Friday.

n Annulment Workshop, Thursday, Feb. 25, St. Genevieve parish family center, Thibodaux, 7 p.m. Speaker, Veronica K. Songe. For more information, contact the parish at (985) 4465571 or the Tribunal Office at (985) 850-3126.

MARCH

n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, March 1, Quality Inn Hotel, Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Speaker, Rev. P.J. Madden. n Man of God Conference, Friday-Saturday, March 4-5, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, beginning at 5 p.m. Friday and ending at 6 p.m. Saturday. n Chrism Mass, Thursday, March 24, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma, 11 a.m.

APRIL

n Adore, Wednesday, April 6, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 7 p.m. n Annual Fishermen’s Mass, Saturday, April 16, Holy Family, Grand Caillou, 4:30 p.m. An evening of music and a social at the gymnasium will follow after the Mass. n Boat blessing and parade, Sunday, April 17, Bayou Grand Caillou, 2 p.m.

www.bayoucatholic@htdiocese.org

42

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

Announcements

Bishop Fabre announces permanent deacon appointments In order to provide pastoral care for the people of God in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre has made the following permanent deacon appointments: Deacon Brent Bourgeois Jr., who has been serving as deacon at St. Mary’s Nativity Church parish in Raceland, has been appointed deacon at St. Charles Borromeo Church parish in the St. Charles Community.

Deacon Martin Dickerson, who has been serving as deacon at St. Luke the Evangelist Church parish 44 in Thibodaux, has been appointed deacon at St. Lucy Church parish in Houma in addition to his current assignment.

Deacon William Dunckelman, who has been serving as deacon at St. Thomas Aquinas Church parish on the NSU campus in Thibodaux, has been appointed deacon at Maria Immacolata Church parish in Houma.

Deacon Lloyd Duplantis, who has been serving as deacon at St. Bridget Church parish in Schriever, has been appointed deacon at St. Mary’s Nativity Church parish in Raceland.

Deacon Jesse LeCompte, who has been serving as deacon at St. Anthony of Padua Church parish in Bayou Black, has been appointed deacon at Holy Family Church parish in Grand Caillou.

Deacon Joey Lirette, who has been serving as deacon at St. Ann Church parish in Bourg and with the diocesan Prison Apostolate, has been appointed diocesan liaison for the Ecumenical Program in addition to his current assignments.

All appointments for permanent deacons are for a three year term.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

Deacon Brent Bourgeois Jr.

Deacon Martin Dickerson

Deacon William Dunckelman

Deacon Lloyd Duplantis

Deacon Jesse LeCompte

Deacon Joey Lirette

Food for the Journey has new location

The diocesan Office of Religious Education sponsors a monthly lunchtime speaker series on the first Tuesday of the month. The event is now being held at the Ellendale Country Club Restaurant located at 3319 Highway 311 in Schriever.

The speaker for March 1 is Father P.J. Madden.

Father Madden, pastor of St. Hilary of Poitiers Church parish in Mathews since August 2015, is a native of Ballinasloe, Ireland. He attended Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans and was ordained to the priesthood May 14, 2004.

He has served as associate pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Church parish in Larose, St. Bernadette Church parish in Houma, and as pastor of St. Genevieve Church parish in Thibodaux.

Those who plan to attend the March 1st event should RSVP with their name, phone number and church parish by Thursday, Feb. 25. To

Father P.J. Madden

RSVP, email FoodForTheJourney@ htdiocese.org or call (985) 850-3178.

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

Cost is $15 and includes meal, drink and tip. Only cash or checks will be accepted.

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

htdiocese.org

NOW AVAILABLE

Simeon and the selfie 46

Guest Columnist Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue

I

I recently returned from a pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee Year of Mercy with a number of seminarians from St. Joseph Seminary College along with a few priests. One of the high points was to attend the Epiphany Mass celebrated by Pope Francis. Having instructed the seminarians to sit as close to the main aisle as possible to get a good view of Pope Francis as he processed, I suggested the seats near the rear of St. Peter’s since those seats were closest to the aisle. Being only about four seats away from the aisle, I thought we would have an excellent view of the Holy Father when he passed in the procession.

I was wrong.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

The Viewing War In years past, one of the difficulties of seeing the Holy Father when he went by was usually because a pack of sweet little nuns gently (and sometimes not so gently with the use of an umbrella) elbowed their way between me and the railing, which had been right next to me just a moment before. Because they coordinated with military precision, which could rival even the maneuvers of the Navy SEALs, an immediate position takeover, suddenly that coveted spot near the railing was now somehow six chair spaces away.

Nevertheless because of their short stature, I was still able to see the Holy Father above the sea of veiled heads, except when some of the overly-enthusiastic sisters decided in a Zacchaeus moment to use their chairs, since no sycamore tree was near, to rise above the others to get a better view. Leaving St. Peter’s on those days, I had the wonderful memories to take with me of seeing in person St. Pope John Paul II and later Pope Benedict XIV, and also the bruised ribs helped to remind me of those joyful Masses and audiences.

A veteran of these viewing battles, I had instructed the seminarians on

this recent occasion of the possible tactics used to uproot seminarians from prime viewing spots and so encouraged them to hold firm and do not give in to the pleading eyes of the faithful to exchange spots. The potential usurper’s maneuvering was similar to the abilities of a mouse. If the mouse can get its head through the crack, the rest of its body will follow. Likewise, if one person from a group can move in, the rest of the group will flood through. Now was not a time for heroic acts of charity on our part.

However, I was not prepared for modern viewing warfare.

Before and during the procession, we were faced with a new and unexpected foe—the cell phone.

Instead of a sea of black and white veils with the Holy Father clearly on the horizon, a wall of arms with various flesh tones shot up and became more impregnable than the high protective walls surrounding the Vatican. A view of Pope Francis was nearly impossible. And at the end of the arms, clutched in their hands like an eagle’s talons locked around its helpless prey, were cell phones. All of their owners’ heads were tilted up with eyes locked onto Pope Francis’s image on their screen when the actual Holy

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Father was not even 10 feet in front of them, in the flesh. A sadness filled my heart at that moment.

Artificial Eyes Have we as a society lost the joy and importance of experiencing the present moment with our own eyes? We no longer seem to rely on our memory to bring us back to relive important moments in our lives. We rely on video from our cell phones. When we recall them, our memories consist of seeing the event through a screen. While the moment is recorded to see again and again, we failed to be present and see it with our own eyes so that it may impact our heart and soul.

If as the saying goes the eyes are the windows to the soul, many of the most important events in our lives today are failing to be embedded into our very being.

These moments are perhaps failing to move our hearts and souls and impact our lives as they normally would because we experience them like watching a movie or television show. We can be tempted to treat it as an experience removed from us rather than the reality of us actually participating and being a part of something greater than

ourselves.

In the past, people paused for a moment in the midst of celebrations and events to capture a memory with a photo. The picture from a moment at a wedding, baptism, birthday party or family gathering was used later to recall the event in which we participated and to make present again in our hearts those feelings we had that day with those in attendance. As time would pass and we would gather again and peruse those pictures, those words, “Remember when … ,” would immediately unite all to share the moment as we experienced it and stir up our emotions from that day once more. In a way, it modeled the celebration of the Eucharist.

Me, Myself & I Even the pictures taken on cell phones allow people more opportunities to experience these occasions as a solitary experience.

Selfies begin to focus more on the me rather than the us. A selfie stick, a metal rod on which a camera or smartphone may be mounted to position it beyond the normal range of the human arm and thus give a wider angle, even requires no one else to be there, just ourselves. I

witnessed one young man taking a picture of himself in front of St. Peter’s Basilica with a cell phone on a selfie stick. No friends or others seemed to be with him. Sadly he appeared to be all alone.

Today, events appear to be less of a corporate experience to be shared but instead are something that happens outside of me and may not even affect me at all. I am no longer a participant in the occasion but become an observer. Has this slow removal from encountering moments with others affected us in a more serious way? Has it hindered our ability to be one with others or perhaps even affected our ability to show compassion toward others, to suffer with others?

A Proponent for the Moment Each year on Feb. 2, the church celebrates the joyful feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. Mary and Joseph bring the newborn Jesus with them into the Temple to fulfill the Law of Moses, which says that a woman who gives birth to a first-born boy is unable for 40 days to touch anything sacred or to enter the temple area by reason of her legal impurity. At the end of this period she is required to

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The Diocese of Baton Rouge has thirty schools in eight civil parishes, with strong Catholic identity the focus in all schools. The district is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and standardized test scores are above state and national averages.

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge Evangelize Hearts, Educate Minds, Encourage Talent and Embrace the Future Most Blessed Sacrament School was founded in 1979 and currently serves 509 students in Grades K – 8. With 25 professional staff members, the school’s mission is to minister to the educational needs of parish families by providing a teaching atmosphere which promotes Gospel values and academic excellence for all students. The Diocese of Baton Rouge Program for Exceptional Students operates a dyslexia lab on campus. The school received national recognition as a Blue Ribbon School in 2013 and has recently completed the self-study process for re-accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (AdvancED).

Applicants must meet the following criteria: 1. Practicing Catholic Required 2. Minimum of 5 years of Experience in Catholic Schools Preferred 3. Demonstrated Leadership Ability, Preferably in Catholic Education 4. Must meet LA State Dept. of Education Requirements as Non-Public Administrator 5. Must be Available on or before July 1, 2016 Mail resume, copies of all college transcript(s) showing degrees, and three letters of recommendation to Most Blessed Sacrament Principal Search Catholic Schools Office P.O. Box 2028, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-2028 Deadline for application: February 29, 2016 The schools of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, admit students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at its schools. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.

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Simeon and the selfie

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offer a year-old lamb as a burnt offering and a turtledove or young pigeon as an expiation for sin. The woman who could not afford a lamb offered instead two turtledoves or two young pigeons, as Mary does here.

Upon their visit to the Temple, the holy family encounters Simeon, who has been promised to behold the Messiah before he dies. An elderly Simeon has waited all his life to see the salvation of God’s people, and finally he beholds a child that would grow to bring God’s love to Israel. He witnesses the fulfillment of his hope with his own eyes.

He sings out, “Lord, now you let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people: a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32).

Would that encounter in the

Temple be different if it had happened in 2016? Would Simeon had been able even to see the child in the arms of his mother because of the arms of others taking their own videos and blocking his view?

Would Simeon perhaps be posting on his Facebook page or Twitter account his selfie with the Holy Family?

Of course not. As the moment of his death approached, Simeon would have no selfie but instead his most cherished memory of that day in the Temple to comfort his heart when

the darkness of death would veil his eyes to the world. Simeon could leave this world in peace knowing that the child his own eyes beheld would be the Lord of Life who would gently cradle his soul in his loving arms just as he lovingly held the Christ child close to his heart. May our own eyes, not our cell phones, behold our beautiful life experiences and the salvation prepared for us in the sight of every people.

(Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue is pastor of the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma.)

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In Memoriam

Former Archbishop Francis B. Schulte dies at 89 served the Archdiocese of New Orleans from 1988-2002

By Peter Finney Jr. Clarion Herald

Former Archbishop Francis Bible Schulte, who served as the 12th archbishop of New Orleans from 1988 to 2002, died Jan. 17 after several weeks in hospice care at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby, Pennsylvania, a Philadelphia suburb.

Archbishop Schulte, 89, passed away peacefully about 9 p.m., said Archbishop Gregory Aymond.

Funeral arrangements are pending, but the funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Louis Cathedral in New 50 Orleans. Archbishop Schulte will be buried in a crypt near the main altar of the cathedral.

“I think he brought a real fidelity to church teaching,” Archbishop Aymond said of Archbishop Schulte, who was leading the New Orleans archdiocese when Pope John Paul II named then-Msgr. Aymond as auxiliary bishop of New Orleans in 1996.

“He also brought a sense of pastoral care,” Archbishop Aymond added. “He was very committed to Catholic education since he had been a superintendent in Philadelphia and knew a lot about it. He also helped to stabilize the finances in our archdiocese. He redid the structure of our administrative offices. That was something that was needed, and I thought he did it very well.”

Archbishop Schulte was born Dec. 23, 1926, in Philadelphia. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 10, 1952, and served from 1960-70 as assistant superintendent of Catholic schools in Philadelphia and then as superintendent from 1970-80.

He was ordained auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia in 1981 and was appointed bishop of WheelingCharleston, West Virginia, in 1985. He was named to succeed New Orleans Archbishop Philip M. Hannan as the 12th archbishop of New Orleans on Dec. 13, 1988, and was installed on Feb. 14, 1989.

A year after Archbishop Alfred Hughes was appointed coadjutor archbishop of New Orleans in 2001, Archbishop Schulte officially retired on Jan. 3, 2002.

“I don’t think there was a time in my life before ordination that I was not thinking of the priesthood,” Archbishop Schulte said in a 2002 interview with the Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

Clarion Herald upon his 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood and retirement as archbishop. “From a young age, it was always there.”

Archbishop Schulte grew up in Philadelphia as an only child. His father, who ran the family pharmacy, died when Frank was only 11. His mother, Katharine Bible Schulte (named for Philadelphia heiress St. Katharine Drexel, who founded Xavier University of Louisiana), imbued in him a love for the church.

His great uncle and uncle, both named Augustine, were diocesan priests in Philadelphia.

“They used to call them Old Gus and Young Gus,” Archbishop Schulte said. “My great uncle was rector of the North American College in Rome for two years and then came back to teach at St. Charles Seminary, my alma mater, for 53 years.

“My Uncle, Young Gus, was a great parish priest and an avid hunter. In the 1920s when the KKK was strong in that area, they burned a cross on church property.

As the story goes, he took out his gun and shot it out the window of the rectory. That was the end of the cross burning.”

Archbishop Schulte often used a construction analogy of “the four pillars” to describe the influence of the New Orleans Catholic Church on the wider community.

The pillars he cited were Catholic schools, Catholic Charities, the Social Apostolate and Christopher Homes, the archdiocesan affordable housing program.

“I wanted to make all of us aware of the great contribution the church has made through these four pillars of social infrastructure,” Archbishop Schulte said. “The greatest contribution of the archdiocese is to the religious and moral fiber of our community. These efforts of the church go all the way back to 1727 (when the Ursuline Sisters arrived from France to open the first Catholic school in the United States), and each one has developed over the years.”

Archbishop Schulte said one of the highlights of his tenure was proclaiming to Pope John Paul II the virtues of Redemptorist Father Francis Xavier Seelos, a Civil War-era preacher and confessor who was

a

beatified in St. Peter’s Square in 2000. Blessed Seelos died of yellow fever in New Orleans in 1867 while ministering to the German Catholic immigrants.

Archbishop Hughes said Archbishop Schulte’s biggest contribution to the Archdiocese of New Orleans was “to bring an organizational structure to the archdiocese. He was very consultative, and he introduced consultative bodies as genuine consultative bodies. He developed the cabinet structure. That basic structure I inherited and did very little tweaking of it.

“Archbishop Schulte also was truly committed to Catholic education, especially Catholic school education. That was a significant investment of his priestly life and ministry when he was in Philadelphia, and he brought an appreciation for that to New Orleans and did everything that he could to strengthen the schools.”

In his retirement, Archbishop Schulte remained in New Orleans until Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005. He had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and doctors encouraged him to return to Philadelphia for successful radiation treatment.

However, in 2006, Archbishop Schulte grew increasingly frail and had three falls within a short time frame. Doctors insisted that he be sent to an assisted living facility, Villa St. Joseph, which was home to retired priests.

His last visit to New Orleans was for the 2009 installation of Archbishop Aymond, at which time a historic photo was taken of the four living archbishops of New Orleans: Archbishops Hannan, Schulte, Hughes and Aymond. Church historians could not recall another archdiocese in the U.S. having four living archbishops.

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Archbishop Francis B. Schulte lays hands on Bishop Michael Jarrell, second bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, during his ordination and installation in 1993.

51

Diocese of Baton Rouge •Catholic Schools Office

Principal Opening

2016-17 School Year Ascension Catholic School Donaldsonville, LA

The Diocese of Baton Rouge has thirty schools in eight civil parishes, with strong Catholic identity the focus in all schools. The district is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and standardized test scores are above state and national averages.

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge

Evangelize Hearts, Educate Minds, Encourage Talent and Embrace the Future

Ascension Catholic was founded in 1842 and currently serves 516 students in Grades PK – 12.

With 40 professional staff members, the school has a mission of teaching the Catholic faith and being responsive to the needs of the day. The school recently completed the self-study process for re-accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (AdvancED).

Applicants must meet the following criteria: 1. Practicing Catholic Required 2. Minimum of 5 years of Experience in Catholic Schools Preferred 3. Demonstrated Leadership Ability, Preferably in Catholic Education 4. Must meet LA State Dept. of Education Requirements as Non-Public Administrator 5. Must be Available on or before July 1, 2016 Mail resume, copies of all college transcript(s) showing degrees, and three letters of recommendation to Ascension Catholic Principal Search Catholic Schools Office P.O. Box 2028 Baton Rouge, LA 70821-2028 Deadline for application: February 29, 2016 The schools of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, admit students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at its schools. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.

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Announcements

Man of God, Woman of God conferences scheduled

In conformity with Pope Francis’ theme of “Mercy” for this year, the diocesan Conference Office is excited to announce that the Woman of God and Man of God Conferences will assist in extending the Pope’s invitation of mercy to the women and men of the diocese. This will be accomplished through teachings on what it truly means to experience God’s mercy, the sacrament of reconciliation, time before the Blessed Sacrament in adoration and the celebration of Mass.

The Woman of God Conference will be held Friday and Saturday, February 19-20 and will feature presenters Meg Hunter-Kilmer, Bishop Emeritus Sam G. Jacobs and worship-filled music led by

More Than Sunday. The women’s conference will be held at the diocesan Pastoral Center conference hall in Schriever beginning at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.) Friday evening. The event will conclude at approximately 6 p.m. Saturday.

All women over the age of 18 are invited to attend.

The Man of God Conference is set for Friday and Saturday, March 4-5, at the diocesan Pastoral Center conference hall in Schriever. This weekend is geared for the men of our diocese over the age of 18 and will host dynamic speakers which include: Brian Greenfield, Very Rev. Mark Toups and Bishop Emeritus Sam G. Jacobs. Praise and worship will feature More

Than Sunday. The conference will begin at 6:30 p.m. (doors open 5 p.m.) Friday with the final blessing at 6:15 p.m. Saturday.

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre will be in attendance at various times throughout both conferences.

Pre-registration will continue through 1 p.m. on the Thursdays prior to each conference and is only $60 (on-site registration is $80). Registration includes lunch on Saturday and refreshments throughout the weekend. There is also an optional meal on Friday for an additional $8.50 (must be preregistered). For more information, visit www.htconferences.org, call (985) 850-3171, or email conferenceinfo@htdiocese.org.

52

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux 1220 Aycock St. ~ Houma, LA 70360

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Position Available The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux has an opening for the position of ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR CATHOLIC CHARITIES The Assistant Director leads and manages Catholic Charities social service programs; staffs committees of the Board of Directors; coordinates grants, contracts, and accreditations; oversees the website and social media; and assists the Board and Executive Director in the implementation of the mission and goals of Catholic Charities.

Hours: • 35 hours per week (8:30 am - 4:30 pm) Monday – Friday • Position begins March 16, 2016 Applicant Qualifications: • Practicing Catholic familiar with Catholic Social Teaching and Catholic Charities.

• Capable of inspiring others through strong leadership and interpreting a clear vision of Catholic Charities for the future.

• Strong management, communications, and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to lead collaboratively.

• Able to work in a demanding and fast paced environment with diverse programs and staff.

• Experience with budget, grants and contract writing, monitoring, compliance and reporting.

• A Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in social service administration, health care administration or business administration. Masters degree or equivalent in a related field is preferred.

• Salary commensurate with education and experience.

Benefits package, including health care, is included.

Email resume to rgorman@htdiocese.org or mail to 1220 Aycock Street Houma, LA 70360.

References required.

A full job description is available upon request.

Deadline to apply: Until Filled

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Lenten day of reflection Feb. 13

The Office of Black Catholic Ministries of the Archdiocese of New Orleans with the Dioceses of Baton Rouge, Houma-Thibodaux and Lafayette, are sponsoring a Lenten Day of Reflection, entitled “Sankofa,” Saturday, Feb. 13 at the Diocesan Life Center, 1800 South Acadian Thruway in Baton Rouge from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Black Catholic participants will reflect on “where we have been, where we are and where we are headed.” Featured speakers are Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of HoumaThibodaux, Bishop Fernand Cheri of New Orleans, Bishop Robert Muench of Baton Rouge, Casandra Will of Baton Rouge, A.J. Carter of Houma-Thibodaux. Music will be by the Baton Rouge Diocesan Gospel Choir.

Cost is $20 per person; preregistration is encouraged. To register or for more information contact Christine Streams at St. Luke the Evangelist Church parish in Thibodaux, (985) 446-0487, ext.

202, or by email at cstreams@ htdiocese.org.

Rev. Duc Bui, L.C., named associate pastor of Co-Cathedral

Diocesan Outreach Line

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

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

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Outreach Line Telephone number is (985) 873-0026 or (985) 850-3172

Línea de Comunicación Diocesana

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

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

Línea de Comunicación de la Diócesis de Houma-Thibodaux Número de teléfono (985) 873-0026 o (985) 850-3172

Rev. Duc Bui, L.C.

In order to provide pastoral care for the people of God in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre has made the following pastoral appointment: The Rev. Duc Bui, L.C., who has been serving as youth superior in Manila, Philippines, has been appointed associate pastor of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux.

Father Bui is a native of Tan Phuoc, Vietnam. He was ordained Nov. 24, 2004.

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

Ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi Cöùu giuùp Giaùo phaän Soá ñieän thoaïi: (985) 873-0026; (985) 850-3172

www.bayoucatholic.com

53

Announcements Lenten mission Feb. 22-24 at St. Joseph, Chauvin

A Lenten mission entitled “Merciful Like the Father” will be presented Monday through Wednesday, February 22-24, at St. Joseph Sister Judy Church parish in Chauvin.

Gomila, M.S.C. Sister Judy Gomila, M.S.C., will be the presenter of the mission. There will be an examination of conscience and reconciliation service Tuesday night. Sister Judy will also be speaking at all weekend Masses Feb. 20-21.

Sister Judy holds a master’s degree in theology and religious studies from St. Paul’s University, in Ottawa, Canada. She is presently the national consultant for the Black and Indian Mission Office in Washington, D.C., a public relations director for the Marianites of Holy Cross, an active member of the Speakers Bureau and the director of the Marianites Associate Program for women and men who want to learn more about Holy Cross spirituality.

In her own on-going conversion, Sister Judy reminds us of the importance of receiving and giving mercy, 54 forgiveness and love all year long. “Jesus is the face of the Father’s mercy. By his words, his actions, and his entire person, Jesus Christ reveals the mercy of God. Mercy is the heartbeat of the Gospel and the very foundation of the church’s life. We the baptized are called to practice the corporal and spiritual works of mercy because we know the love, mercy and forgiveness of God. Our St. Joseph Lenten mission through Scripture will lead us as individuals and as a parish family to a visible and tangible understanding of mercy in motion,” says Sister Judy.

Year of Mercy mission Feb. 22-24 at St. Genevieve, Thibodaux A Lenten mission entitled “Year of Mercy” will be presented Monday, Feb. 22 through Wednesday, February 24 beginning at Very Rev. Mark Toups 7 p.m., each evening at St. Genevieve Church, 815 Barbier Ave. in Thibodaux. Very Rev. Mark Toups, diocesan chancellor, will be the presenter of the mission. He was ordained to the priesthood May 26, 2001.

All are welcome to attend.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

Louis G. Aguirre

Lawrence Chatagnier

Bayou Catholic editor retiring at the end of June 2016 Louis G. Aguirre, who has been serving the diocese in numerous capacities since its establishment in 1977, will be retiring at the end of June; it has been announced today by Bishop Shelton J. Fabre.

“I want to thank Louis for nearly 40 years of service to our diocese,” says Bishop Fabre. “He has been a tireless and dedicated worker. Although he will be greatly missed, I congratulate him on his retirement and wish him many blessings.”

Effective immediately, Lawrence Chatagnier, who has been serving as managing editor of Bayou Catholic, will be acting editor and general manager. Chatagnier has been serving the diocese in various capacities for the past 29 years.

Among his many positions, Aguirre has served as diocesan director of Communications, diocesan director of Hispanic Ministries, diocesan director of Grants and as diocesan coordinator to both the Department of Formation Ministries and the Department of Social Services. He will remain as a member of the Bishop’s Cabinet and as editorial consultant to Bayou Catholic until he retires at the end of June.

Annulment workshop Feb. 25 at St. Genevieve, Thibodaux An Annulment Workshop will be held Thursday, Feb. 25 at the St. Genevieve parish family center, 815 Barbier Ave., in Thibodaux, beginning at 7 p.m. Speaker will be Veronica K. Songe, assistant director of the diocesan Tribunal Office.

Songe has been with the Tribunal Office for 35 years.

Everyone is invited to attend, regardless of church parish.

For additional information, please contact the parish at (985) 446-5571 or the Tribunal Office at (985) 8503126.

Veronica K. Songe

Death row jubilee:

Sister Prejean joins event for pilgrimage workers

By CINDY WOODEN

Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -Professional pilgrimage planners and those who regularly receive or accompany pilgrims set off on their own Year of Mercy pilgrimage in late January.

Most had experience working with pilgrims to Lourdes, Fatima, the Vatican and World Youth Days.

But one had a unique experience: St. Joseph Sister Helen Prejean says she is a constant pilgrim to the “holy land” of the human dignity and pain of society’s most despised members.

The author of “Dead Man Walking” and a campaigner against the death penalty had a special experience Jan. 21 during the Vatican’s Year of Mercy “Jubilee for Those Engaged in Pilgrimage Work.” She was invited to Pope Francis’ early morning Mass and had a chance to speak to him briefly afterward.

“Yesterday?” the pope asked Sister Prejean. She had to tell him that Jan. 20 Texas carried out the execution of Richard Masterson, convicted of murder. “I pray, I pray,” the pope responded, she said.

Sister Prejean was not in Rome to meet the pope; that happened thanks to the intervention of a priest friend who knew she was taking part in the jubilee. And while she does not consider herself a pilgrimage worker, as she attended the three days of conferences, catechesis and prayer services, the connections and relevance to her own ministry became clear.

For example, Msgr.

John Armitage, rector of England’s Basilica of Our Lady of Walsingham, spoke about the crucial importance of giving each and every pilgrim and visitor to a shrine a proper welcome.

“You’ve driven four hours to come here and you deserve at least a smile and ‘I’m glad you’re here,’ not ‘I’ve no time’ or ‘The shrine closes

in 10 minutes,’” Msgr. Armitage said. Pope Francis’ focused on the same obligation of welcome when he addressed the group Jan. 21.

Speaking to Catholic News Service, Sister Prejean said, “Smile -- it’s such a cliche,” but it is simply, shockingly important.

On death row, she said, just having a visitor is a signal that says “you are a human being because they get a thousand signals a day that they are nothing but disposable human waste.”

“Here’s what I realized about pilgrimage: First of all, you leave your little comfortable zone to go out on the road toward a place of holiness. That has been to death row. It is pilgrimage. It is setting out. And it has brought me into this land, this very holy place of the dignity and the goodness of people who are so despised and condemned.”

Sister Prejean is not naive. Many of the people she has ministered

to and accompanied to the electric chair or the chamber where they are given a lethal injection “have done unspeakable crimes and are guilty,” she said. But they are human beings created by God. “People often say their big ambition is to go to the Holy Land, but I feel like I have been and I keep going to the holy land where people are suffering,” she said.

Msgr. Armitage, in his formal presentation to the Englishspeaking participants Jan. 20, said another thing that resonated with Sister Prejean and many of the others, especially those who accompany pilgrims and volunteers to the baths at Lourdes, France.

“A pilgrimage is not just about where you pray, but it’s about what you do,” he said. “That’s what makes the journey so powerful. When 55 you wake young people up at 5:30 in the morning to bathe and toilet patients, that’s powerful.”

A pilgrimage, like the entire Year of Mercy celebration Pope Francis has called for, is about “prayer, penance and doing something,” he said.

Sister Prejean said that although visiting prisoners is one of the traditional corporal works of mercy, it’s something most Christians are afraid to do.

“It’s about fear and being told we must hate someone,” she said. “Where there is no physical contact, where you can’t look in someone’s eyes, where you never see them and all you hear is, ‘These are the worst of the worst. Look at the crime they did,’ it becomes this shield, this barrier to being able to see, to hear their cry and to have compassion.”

Mercy does not mean wiping your heart of “legitimate outrage over the death of innocent people,” Sister Prejean said. “But then we have to go from that outrage to how should we respond in the manner of Christ? That’s a harder journey to make.” www.bayoucatholic.com

World

Pope says foot-washing ritual can include ‘all members of the people of God’

By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -Following a request by Pope Francis, the Vatican issued a decree specifying that the Holy Thursday foot-washing ritual can include “all members of the people of God,” including women -- a practice already observed by the pope and many priests around the world.

In a letter dated December 2014 and addressed to Cardinal Robert Sarah, the head of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, the pope said the rubric of the Roman Missal, which mentions only men as participants in the foot-washing rite, should be 56 changed so that priests can choose from all members of the church.

The pope said the change would help express the full meaning of Jesus’ gesture at the Last Supper, his “giving himself ‘to the end’ for the salvation of the world” and his endless charity. However, the pope insisted those chosen be given “an adequate explanation of the meaning of the rite itself.”

The pope’s letter and the congregation’s decree were released by the Vatican Jan. 21.

The decree, issued by Cardinal Sarah and dated Jan. 6, states that pastors can choose “a small group of the faithful to represent the variety and the unity of each part of the people of God. Such small groups can be made up of men and women, and it is appropriate that they consist of people young and old, healthy and sick, clerics, consecrated men and women and laity.”

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, told journalists that although traditionally 12 men were selected to represent the 12 apostles, the meaning of the rite signifies Jesus’ unconditional love.

With the pope’s decree, he said, Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2016

CNS photo/Victor Aleman, Vida Nuev

Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez kisses the foot of a woman during Holy Thursday Mass in 2014 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles.

Following a request by Pope Francis, the Vatican issued a decree specifying that the Holy Thursday foot-washing ritual can include women.

the pope wished “this dimension of the gesture of Christ’s love for all” be the focus rather than just a portrayal of the biblical scene during the Last Supper.

Archbishop Arthur Roche, secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, explained the history of the foot-washing rite in an article published in the Vatican newspaper Jan. 21.

He said the rite has endured various changes and modifications throughout the church’s history.

For example, the “mandatum” from 1600 said the custom was for bishops to wash, dry and kiss “the feet of ‘thirteen’ poor people after having dressed them, fed them and given them a charitable donation.”

Changes made by Pope Pius XII were reformed again in 1970, further simplifying the rite and omitting the requirement that the number participating be 12.

The significance of the current modifications, the archbishop added, “does not now relate so much to the exterior imitation of what Jesus did, but rather the

meaning of what he accomplished, which has a universal importance.”

“The washing of feet is not obligatory” during the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Archbishop Roche said.

“It is for pastors to evaluate its desirability, according to the pastoral considerations and circumstances which exist, in such a way that it does not become something automatic or artificial, deprived of meaning and reduced to a staged event.”

In 1987, the then-Committee on the Liturgy of the U.S. bishops’ conference explained, “The element of humble service has accentuated the celebration of the foot washing rite in the United States over the last decade or more. In this regard, it has become customary in many places to invite both men and women to be participants in this rite in recognition of the service that should be given by all the faithful to the church and to the world. Thus, in the United States, a variation in the rite developed in which not only charity is signified but also humble service.”

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LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre was the main celebrant of the Mass in conjunction with the inauguration of newly elected officials of Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government last month at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma.

Friends and family members of the newly elected officials and parish government employees were in attendance.

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57

Sports

SAINTS 2015 rookie draft class sparks optimism for next season

Overtime

T 58

Ed Daniels

The record was the same, but the Saints head to the offseason feeling much better about 2015’s 7-9 record than the previous year.

A big part of that optimism comes from a rookie draft class that is already one of the best of the Mickey Loomis/Sean Payton era.

The Saints picked up two starters in the first round with offensive lineman Andrus Peat and middle linebacker Stephone Anthony, who led the team in total tackles.

Outside linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha, defensive tackle Tyeler Davison, cornerback Damian Swann, and kick returner Marcus Murphy also made significant contributions.

And, the Saints are hoping to get contributions in 2016 from two picks that went to injured reserve, cornerback PJ Williams and outside linebacker Davis Tull.

“It is too early to evaluate a draft,” said Loomis.

“But this class has done a lot of good things.”

And, as 2016 began, the Saints were able to retain the second most important person in the

organization outside of quarterback Drew Brees.

Loomis told reporters that he never had discussions with another NFL team about trading head coach Sean Payton.

Loomis said that Payton walked into his office the Monday after the season ended and made his wishes clear.

“He said he wanted to be here.”

With or without a contract extension Brees returns for his 11th season in New Orleans.

“Drew is our quarterback.”

Loomis said the Saints will probably not be as big a player in unrestricted free agency has they have in the last few seasons.

“Our (salary) cap situation is not great, but it is not dire,” said Loomis.

The Saints have had limited returns from a pair of high priced free agents, running back CJ Spiller and safety Jarius Byrd.

Byrd will be 29 when the 2016 season begins.

Tight end Ben Watson will be 35.

Guard Jahri Evans will be 33, as

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will wide receiver Marques Colston.

Cornerback Keenan Lewis will be 30.

Another quality draft, one that should again focus on defense, is a must.

The Saints allowed 31 points or more in seven games, and 41 points or more in three games.

Loomis said there will be no change in the structure of the Saints front office.

He said decisions are made by he and head coach Sean Payton.

“We come to a mutual conclusion,” said Loomis.

There is one decision that Loomis clearly would like to have back.

In September of 2014, the Saints signed outside linebacker Junior Galette to a four year, $41.5 million extension. One year later, the Saints cut Galette in a messy divorce.

A reporter asked Loomis.

“Did you think long and hard before you did that deal?”

“Not hard enough,” said Loomis.

Ouch.

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From Our Archives

59

Bishop Boudreaux at ‘89 Youth Rally The late Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux addresses those attending the 1989 Youth Rally. In the background at far left is young seminarian Vicente De La Cruz. This year the youth rally is celebrating its 35th anniversary.

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