Bayou Catholic Magazine January 2018

Bayou

Catholic

JANUARY 2018 ~ VOL. 38 NO. 7 ~ COMPLIMENTARY

FOCUSED

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My dear Friends in Christ, Greetings in the Lord!! Last year through your generosity, the Partners in Hope Bishop’s Appeal far surpassed its goal and was able to raise over $970,000 for retired priests, adult formation, as well as youth and family ministries. Thank you!!! I am deeply grateful for each of you who made this effort on the part of our Diocese so successful. In recognition of our responsibility to share how your gifts are bearing fruit here in the Diocese, I am pleased to share with you a report of how your gifts supported our different ministries.

Your unwavering devotion to our local church, your generosity and your openness to accepting God’s love remind me of a prayer shared by Pope Francis; “Holy Spirit, make my heart open to the word of God, make my heart open to goodness, make my heart open to the beauty of God every day.” The openness to God’s love within our Diocese humbles me and supports me in hope as together we continue to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thank you again for your continued financial and prayerful support of our local church. Please be assured of my prayers for you, even as I ask your prayers for me.

Sincerely in the Lord,

Most Reverend Shelton J. Fabre Bishop of Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Back to the parishes

Adult Formation

18%

10% 36%

18%

18%

ion

t Forma Youth

Family Min is

tries

Retired Priests

Contents

Features 18 Ministry in Action

By Janet Marcel

29

Advertisers Spotlight

30

Margie Duplantis retires

32

Annual Bishop’s Appeal

By Janet Marcel

By Janet Marcel

By Janet Marcel

Columns 8 Comfort For My People

By Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

12

Pope Speaks

13

Questions of Faith

14

Readings Between The Lines

27

Reading with Raymond

28

Thoughts for Millennials

Pope Francis I

By Father Joshua Rodrigue, S.T.L.

By Father Glenn LeCompte

By Raymond Saadi

By Ryan Abboud

44 Overtime

By Ed Daniels

In Every Issue 6 From the Editor 16 Scripture Readings 20 Youth In Action 22 Heavenly Recipes 26 Diocesan Events Guest Columns 24 St. Francis de Sales feast day

By Father Rajasekar Karumelnathan, M.S.F.S.

Announcements 34 Catholic Foundation update 36 Gulf Coast Faith Formation

Conference Jan. 11-13

On Our Cover

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre and Amy Ponson, executive director of the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana, display an ad depicting results from the 2017 Annual Bishop’s Appeal. The 2018 Appeal begins the weekend of Jan. 27-28. See story on page 32.

Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier 4 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

Bayou Catholic How to reach us:

BY PHONE: (985) 850-3132

18

7

Loney Grabert

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 Houma-Thibodaux 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.

Shrimp Jambalaya

Loney Cooks:

AN OLD TIME FAVORITE 22

Glenn J. Landry, C.P.A.

INGREDIENTS: 2 lbs. peeled shrimp 1 large onion, chopped 1/2 bell pepper, chopped 6 cloves of garlic, minced Salt Cayenne pepper Black pepper Two drops liquid crab boil 5 cups uncooked rice

business manager

Janet Marcel

staff writer/administrative assistant

Brooks Lirette

advertising accounts executive

29

DIRECTIONS: This month’s heavenly recipe, shrimp jambalaya, comes from Loney Grabert, a parishioner of St. Lawrence Church in Chacahoula. Loney, a native of Donner, loves hunting and fishing. He still deer hunts at age 73.

Loney says he learned how to cook when he was a young boy. “My mom had surgery on her wrist and couldn’t cook.

One day she said come to the stove and I’ll tell you what to do. You can cook the meals.” As time passed he cooked more often and developed his own way to cook. “My mother and grandmother never used recipes, they cooked to taste and that’s how I cook,” he says.

Loney and his wife Patricia have four children and a niece that they raised since she was 12 years old. All the children are grown now. Patricia passed away eight years ago.

Loney worked in the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court’s office for 13 years. He then tried the seafood business for a couple of years and after deciding it wasn’t what he wanted to do for a living, he returned to the Terrebonne Parish Government to work in the Accessor’s Office.

He retired there in 1981 as chief deputy.

Having lived in Donner all his life he remembers many pastors at St. Lawrence over the years. Loney has fond memories of the late Father Michael Finnegan who was pastor of St. Lawrence for many years.

“Father Finnegan was a very smart man. He would talk to you and move from topic to topic and knew something

30

Lawrence Chatagnier

editor and general manager

Lisa Schobel Hebert graphic designer

Meridy Liner

Brown a chopped onion in a heavy aluminum or cast accounts receivable/payable assistant iron pot. Add a little water as it browns until you get a good brown color. Saute’ the bell pepper, then add the garlic, and saute’ for about a minute. Add the shrimp and cook until the shrimp turn pink. Add two drops of liquid crab boil and season to taste. Add the rice and enough water to cover the rice about one inch. Cook until the water cooks out below the rice. Lower the fire Like us on Facebook and cover for 10 to 15 minutes. Then turn off the fire or and let the jambalaya set for another 10 to 15 minutes.

Find us on the web Serves 15 to 20. www.bayoucatholic.org

Where to find your Bayou Catholic

bereavement ministry whenever he is called upon to prepare Bayou Catholic magazine can be found a dish for families after a funeral. He usually prepares potato at all Catholic churches and Catholic schools salad. He also cooks for large gatherings at St. Lawrence. He throughout the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. belongs to the Man of God group at the church parish where To pick up a copy, you may also visit the participants study Scripture, view educational videos merchants who advertise in our issue. Those on the church teachings and have discussions. wishing to receive the magazine by mail can Loney says the close knit community helped call Janet Marcel at (985) 850-3132 or write him through the difficult time when his to Bayou Catholic, P.O. Box wife passed away. “My faith and the 505, Schriever, LA 70395. people here at St. Lawrence helped me Subscription price is $35 when my wife It’s a small Catholic Jan. 28 - Feb.died.

3 annually. For the online edition, community. People still to this day come go to www.bayoucatholic.com and ask how I’m doing and offer their help. The people of St. Lawrence are wonderful.”

January 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 5 Loney invites his children to come over on Sundays and cooks for the group. When

45

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

From The Editor

New Year, New Look It’s 2018, a new year and time for all things new, well sort of new.

Upon reading this issue of the Bayou Catholic magazine you will find subtle changes in the layout. In addition to some of the pages having a different look we have added and are in the process of adding new features to the publication.

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre is known for saying the parish is heart of the church. In an effort to highlight parish life in the diocese we have added a ministry in action feature that spotlights parish ministry and how the Catholic faithful of our diocese are striving to be missionary disciples of Christ. Another feature we have added is our advertisers spotlight. Featured will be some

of the magazine’s supporters who share how their Catholic faith has shaped who they are, and how they practice their faith in the business world on a daily basis.

We will also be spotlighting laity in the parishes with a feature entitled laity in action. Pastors in all the parishes have been contacted and they are recommending people in their parish that they feel are outstanding in the ministry they serve on at the parish level.

As for the new look, the Bayou Catholic became a magazine six years ago. During that time the magazine had the look of what was being published then. However now there seems to be a trend for a more judicious use of white space in publications. It is our hope that the new look is more appealing and looks less cluttered. The end result is a clean look and shortened stories to keep the reader interested.

The new look is something that the Bayou Catholic staff has been working on for months and we are happy to finally unveil the finished product for our readers. We hope

6 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

that you find the content interesting, informative and challenging. There will still be photos of diocesan events, and columns and guest columns from local priests and columnists whenever possible.

The Bayou Catholic is now on Facebook. This form of social media has really taken off for the magazine.

While we are still adapting to how to use it best, we are experiencing a growth in the number of followers and likes to the content.

The Bayou Catholic is the official publication of the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux and is the publication for the people of the diocese. Your comments, suggestions and input is greatly appreciated and encouraged.

Remember, after reading Bayou Catholic, pass it on to a friend or relative who might not be attending Mass. It’s one of the great ways to do your part in spreading the Good News! BC

Lawrence

Lawrence Chatagnier Editor & General Manager

Church Life

!

Viva Guadalupe!

A Mass honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe attracted a large gathering of Hispanics from across the Diocese of Houma Thibodaux recently at Christ the Redeemer Church in Thibodaux. Bishop Shelton J. Fabre was the main celebrant of the Mass. Father Duc Bui, diocesan director of Hispanic Ministry, was the homilist for the celebration. A procession with prayers and music preceded the Mass.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

January 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 7

Comment

Keeping holy the season of Christmas and the feast days in January Comfort For My People Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

At the beginning of each New Year, we are challenged to keep alive our joyful celebration of the season of Christmas and its feasts that fall in early January, namely the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God; the Solemnity of the Epiphany, and the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. After the celebration of Mary the Mother of God on Jan. 1, at this point in the Christmas season we welcome the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.

Epiphany is a Greek word meaning ‘revelation or manifestation.’ In the birth of Jesus Christ at Bethlehem, we are able to witness the manifestation and revelation of the depth of the love of God for us. It is a universal offer of salvation in Jesus Christ to all people

by God. St. Matthew makes the point of this universal offer of salvation in his Gospel through his use of the arrival of three foreigners who come seeking to pay homage to the newborn King. St. Matthew is the only Gospel that tells the story of the arrival of these three visitors, who have collectively gone by different names over the course of history. They have been referred to as kings, astrologers, and wise men (or Magi). It is also a part of tradition that they bear the individual names Balthazar, Caspar and Melchior.

Not only their arrival has theological significance, namely that God’s offer of salvation is universal, but the

unusual gifts that they bring are also symbolic. The gifts that they bring to the new born king symbolize who the child is and the kind of life and death he will endure. Similar to the quest of the Magi, we are called to seek to find Jesus Christ in one another. When we find the Lord in one another, we are to pay him homage in the manner in which we receive one another and deal with one another as gifts that belong to Jesus Christ.

The coming celebration of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which closes out the Christmas season, is a great example of the humility of Jesus Christ. Because Jesus was sinless, he did not have to undergo the water ritual that St. John was undertaking in the Jordan River. However, embracing all aspects of what it means to be human, except for sin, our Lord Jesus Christ humbly submits to baptism by John the Baptist. For us, the sacrament of baptism washes us clean of original sin and welcomes us into the family of God that is the church. Throughout our lives, our baptism invites us to embrace in various ways the same humility and acceptance of the Father’s will that marked the life of our Lord Jesus Christ.

January also brings our annual diocesan pilgrimage with our youth and adult chaperones to the March for Life in Washington, D.C. I am happy to report that the number of youth attending the March for Life from our diocese continues to grow each year!

This year we will again be sponsoring four buses of youth and chaperones that will make the pilgrimage to the March for Life. Notice I say ‘pilgrimage’ to the March for Life. Those who have made the March for Life know that

8 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

our mantra is that “We are pilgrims, not tourists!” It is a pilgrimage that while physically taxing on the students and adult chaperones, it is one where our young pilgrims each year grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and their understanding of how and why the church stands up and speaks out in favor of the value and sanctity of all human life from the moment of conception to the time of natural death.

It is my honor to travel to Washington with them on the buses, and to be a part of the catechesis and prayer that takes place throughout the trip, as well as to proudly march with them on the day of the March for Life. Let me also thank the parents of our pilgrims, our adult chaperones, the staff of our Office Family Ministries who organize the pilgrimage, and those who so kindly donate financially to cover some of our annual expenses for the March for Life.

As you may be aware, for almost two years I have been living in a cottage located behind Lumen Christi Retreat Center, which was a temporary arrangement. I want to share that, primarily utilizing funds from the sale of the former Bishop’s House in Thibodaux (Peltier House) and donor funds given for this purpose, the diocese has purchased a new residence for the bishop. The residence is located in the St. Charles Community near Thibodaux and will meet both the living and social needs of the bishop and the diocese. I am grateful to the staff of Lumen Christi Retreat Center who have for two years allowed me to reside on the property of the retreat center.

Again, Merry Christmas, and may God’s peace and blessings be with you in this New Year and always! BC

January 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 9

Comentario

La Santidad de la época navideña y las festividades en enero Con el comienzo del Año Nuevo,

encontramos al Señor en el prójimo,

jóvenes crecen cada año en Jesucristo

tenemos el reto de mantener viva la

debemos honrarlo de la misma manera

y su comprensión de cómo y por qué la

celebración alegre de la navidad y sus

que recibimos a nuestros semejantes y

Iglesia se alza y habla a favor de los

festividades en enero: la Solemnidad de

considerarnos los unos a los otros como

valores y santidad de toda vida humana

María, Madre de Dios; la Solemnidad

regalos que pertenecen a Jesucristo.

desde el momento de la concepción

de la Epifanía y la Festividad del

La venida de la celebración de la

hasta el momento de la muerte. Es

Bautismo del Señor. Después de la

Festividad del bautismo del Señor,

un honor viajar a Washington con

celebración de María Madre de Dios

que cierra las festividades navideñas,

ellos en los buses y formar parte de la

el primero de enero, esperamos con

es un gran ejemplo de la humildad de

catequesis y oraciones que se hacen a

regocijo la Solemnidad de la Epifanía

Jesucristo. Debido a que Jesús está

través del viaje y marchar con orgullo

del Señor. La Epifanía es una palabra

sin pecado, nuestro Señor Jesucristo

en el día de la Marcha por la Vida.

griega que significa «revelación o

se somete con humildad al bautismo

Quiero también agradecer a los padres

manifestación.» Con el nacimiento de

de Juan Bautista. Para nosotros, el

de familia de nuestros peregrinos,

Jesucristo en Belén, pudimos apreciar

sacramento del bautismo lava los

voluntarios y empleados de nuestra

la manifestación y la revelación de

pecados y nos recibe a la familia de Dios

oficina de la Oficina de Ministerio de la

la profundidad del amor de Dios. La

que es la Iglesia. A través de nuestras

Familia que organiza el peregrinaje, y

salvación en Jesucristo para toda la

vidas, nuestro bautismo nos invita a

dan donaciones financieras para cubrir

humanidad es la ofrenda universal de

aceptar de varias formas la misma

algunos de nuestros gastos para la

Dios. San Mateo enfatiza esta ofrenda

humildad y aceptación de la voluntad

Marcha por la Vida.

universal de salvación en su Evangelio

de Dios que marcó la vida de nuestro

a través del mensaje de los tres

Señor Jesucristo.

Como ustedes saben, por casi dos años he estado viviendo en una choza

el

que se encuentra detrás del Centro de

adorar al Rey recién nacido. San Mateo

peregrinaje diocesano cada año con

Retiro Lumen Christi en un arreglo

es el único Evangelio que nos cuenta

nuestros jóvenes y voluntarios mayores

temporario. Quiero compartir que,

la historia de la venida de los tres

de edad para la Marcha por la Vida

primeramente, la diócesis ha usado

extranjeros que han sido nombrados

en Washington D.C. Les comunico

fondos de la venta de la casa del último

de varias maneras en la historia. Ellos

felizmente que el número de jóvenes

obispo en Thibodaux (Peltier House)

han sido llamados reyes, astrólogos

que asisten la Marcha Por la Vida en

y fondos otorgados con este propósito

y Reyes Magos. Es también parte de

nuestra diócesis sigue creciendo cada

para comprar una nueva residencia

la tradición que se llamen Baltazar,

año. Este año proveeremos cuatro

para el obispo. La residencia está en el

Gaspar y Melchor. Su venida tiene valor

autobuses para jóvenes y voluntarios

área de St. Charles y encontrarán las

teológico, en especial que la salvación

que irán al peregrinaje de la Marcha

necesidades del obispo y la diócesis.

del Señor es universal, pero los regalos

por la Vida. Hay que notar que es un

Agradezco al personal del Centro de

que ellos traen son simbólicos. Los

peregrinaje a la Marcha de la Vida.

Retiro Lumen Christi que por dos años

regalos que ellos le traen al Niño Dios

Aquellos que han hecho la Marcha por

me ha permitido vivir en la propiedad

representan la identidad del niño y la

la Vida saben que nuestro lema es que

del centro de retiro.

clase de vida y muerte que El vivirá. Así

«Somos peregrinos ¡y no turistas!» Es un

Nuevamente, les deseo una Feliz

cómo la búsqueda de los Magos, somos

peregrinaje que, aunque sea exigente

Navidad y ¡que la paz y bendición de

llamados a encontrar a Jesucristo

físicamente para los estudiantes y los

Dios lo colme en este Año Nuevo y por

en

adultos, es uno en el que los peregrinos

siempre! BC

extranjeros que buscan la manera de

nuestros

semejantes.

Cuando

Enero

10 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

también

nos

brinda

Binh luan bang loi

Tiếp tục sống thánh thiện mùa Giáng sinh và những ngày lễ trong tháng Giêng Vào những ngày đầu năm mới, chúng ta

nhau, chúng ta phải bày tỏ lòng tôn kính Ngài

trẻ tuổi của chúng ta mỗi năm lớn lên trong

được mời gọi tiếp tục sống thánh thiện những

theo phương cách mà chúng ta tiếp nhận lẫn

mối quan hệ với Chúa Giêsu Kitô và sự hiểu

kỷ niệm vui mừng của mùa Giáng sinh và

nhau và đối xử với nhau như những món quà

biết của họ về cách thức và lý do tại sao Giáo

những ngày Lễ rơi vào đầu tháng Giêng, cụ

thuộc về Chúa Giêsu Kitô.

hội đứng lên bênh vực lợi ích về giá trị và sự

thể là Lễ Đức Maria, Mẹ Thiên Chúa; Lễ

Lễ Chúa chịu phép rửa, kết thúc mùa

thánh thiêng của tất cả cuộc sống con người

Chúa Hiển Linh, và Lễ Chúa chịu phép rửa.

Giáng sinh, là một gương mẫu điển hình về

từ lúc thụ thai đến lúc chết tự nhiên. Tôi rất

Sau khi cử hành Lễ Đức Maria là Mẹ Thiên

sự khiêm hạ của Chúa Giêsu Kitô. Bởi vì

lấy làm vinh dự khi đi Washington cùng với

Chúa vào ngày 1 tháng 1, vào thời điểm này

Chúa Giêsu không có tội, nên Ngài không

họ trên xe buýt và tham gia vào việc dạy

trong mùa Giáng sinh, chúng ta lại long trọng

cần phải trải qua nghi thức sám hối trong

giáo lý và cầu nguyện sẽ diễn ra trong suốt

mừng Lễ Chúa Hiển Linh. Epiphany là một

nước mà thánh Gioan đang thực hiện tại sông

chuyến đi, cũng như tự hào diễn hành cùng

hạn từ Hy Lạp có nghĩa là “mặc khải hay

Giođan. Tuy nhiên, việc chấp nhận mọi khía

với họ vào ngày Diễn Hành cho Sự Sống. Tôi

biểu lộ.” Trong sự giáng sinh của Chúa Giêsu

cạnh của con người, ngoại trừ tội lỗi, Chúa

cũng xin cảm ơn phụ huynh của những người

Kitô tại Bêlem, chúng ta có thể chứng kiến​​

Giêsu Kitô khiêm tốn đón nhận phép rửa

hành hương, những người giám hộ, nhân viên

sự biểu lộ và mặc khải về chiều sâu tình yêu

của Gioan tẩy giả. Đối với chúng ta, bí tích

Văn phòng Mục Vụ Gia đình, những người

của Thiên Chúa đối với chúng ta. Đó là sự

rửa tội thanh tẩy chúng ta sạch tội nguyên

tổ chức cuộc hành hương, và những ân nhân

ban tặng phổ quát của Thiên Chúa về ơn cứu

tổ và chào đón chúng ta vào trong gia đình

dâng cúng tài chánh để trang trải cho một số

rỗi trong Chúa Giêsu Kitô cho mọi người.

của Thiên Chúa là Giáo hội. Trong suốt cuộc

chi phí hàng năm cho cuộc Diễn Hành cho

Thánh Mátthêu nói tới tặng ơn cứu độ phổ

đời mình, phép rửa tội mời gọi chúng ta đón

Sự Sống.

quát này trong Tin mừng của ngài qua việc

nhận những cách thức khác nhau với cùng sự

Như Anh Chị Em biết, trong gần hai năm

ứng dụng sự xuất hiện của ba người ngoại

khiêm tốn và chấp nhận ý Chúa Cha, đã biểu

qua, tôi đã sống trong một ngôi nhà nằm phía

quốc đến tìm cách tỏ lòng suy phục đối với

lộ nơi cuộc đời Chúa Giêsu Kitô.

sau Nhà Tĩnh Tâm Lumen Christi, là sự sắp

vị Vua mới sinh. Tin mừng Mátthêu là Tin

Tháng Giêng cũng là dịp hành hương hàng

xếp tạm thời. Tôi muốn chia sẻ điều đó, chủ

mừng duy nhất kể lại câu chuyện về sự xuất

năm của giáo phận của các thanh thiếu niên

yếu là để sử dụng ngân quỹ từ việc bán căn

hiện của ba vị khách đến thăm này, những

và những người giám hộ về cuộc Diễn Hành

nhà của Giám mục cũ ở Thibodaux (Peltier

người này đã cùng nhau ra đi với các tên khác

cho Sự Sống ở Washington, D.C. Tôi vui

House) và các quỹ tài trợ cho mục đích này,

nhau trong quá trình lịch sử. Họ đã được gọi

mừng thông báo số thanh thiếu niên tham

giáo phận đã mua được một nơi cư ngụ mới

là các vị vua, nhà chiêm tinh, và những người

dự cuộc Diễn Hành cho Sự Sống từ giáo

cho Giám mục. Khu nhà ở nằm trong khu

khôn ngoan. Đó cũng là một phần của truyền

phận của chúng ta tiếp tục gia tăng mỗi năm!

vực Cộng đồng St. Charles gần Thibodaux

thống mà họ có tên là Balthazar, Caspar và

Năm nay chúng tôi sẽ tiếp tục tài trợ cho bốn

và sẽ đáp ứng cả nhu cầu sinh hoạt và xã hội

Melchior. Không chỉ sự xuất hiện của họ có

xe buýt cho các thanh thiếu niên và những

của Giám mục và giáo phận. Tôi bày tỏ lòng

ý nghĩa thần học, tức là ơn cứu rỗi của Thiên

người giám hộ sẽ thực hiện cuộc hành hương

biết ơn với các nhân viên của Nhà Tĩnh Tâm

Chúa là phổ quát, mà còn là những món quà

Diễn Hành cho Sự Sống. Xin lưu ý, tôi nói

Lumen Christi đã cho phép tôi cư trú trên

khác thường mà họ mang lại cũng mang tính

‘dịp hành hương’ Diễn Hành cho Sự Sống.

phần đất của Trung tâm trong hai năm qua.

cách biểu tượng. Những món quà mà họ mang

Những người đã thực hiện cuộc Diễn Hành

Một lần nữa, xin Chúc Mừng Giáng Sinh,

đến cho vị Vua mới sinh này biểu lộ đứa trẻ

cho Sự Sống nhận châm ngôn của chúng tôi

và cầu xin bình an và muôn phúc lành của

này là ai và sự sống và cái chết như thế nào

là “Chúng tôi là những người hành hương,

Thiên Chúa xuống trên Anh Chị Em trong

mà đứa trẻ này sẽ chịu sau này. Tương tự như

chứ không phải là khách du lịch!” Đó là cuộc

Năm Mới này và mãi mãi!

sự truy tìm của ba vua, chúng ta được kêu gọi

hành hương có nhiều sự thử thách về mặt

tìm kiếm Chúa Giêsu Kitô trong mỗi người

tự nhiên nơi các sinh viên và những người

Thầy Paul Vu, SDD. Tu Đoàn Tông Đồ Giáo

chúng ta. Khi chúng ta tìm thấy Chúa trong

giám hộ, đó là nơi những khách hành hương

Sĩ Nhà Chúa BC

Dịch thuật do Lm. Francis Bui, SDD và

January 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 11

Comment

Pope Francis: Health care is part of the church’s mission The Pope Speaks

Vatican City, (CNA/EWTN News) Just as Jesus healed people during his earthly mission, care for the sick is a mission the entire Church is called to take part in, Pope Francis said in a message published for the World Day of the Sick.

“Jesus bestowed upon the Church his healing power…The Church’s mission is a response to Jesus’ gift, for she knows that she must bring to the sick the Lord’s own gaze, full of tenderness and compassion,” the Pope wrote in a message published Dec. 11.

“Health care ministry will always be a necessary and fundamental task, to be carried out with renewed enthusiasm by all, from parish communities to the largest healthcare institutions.”

“Doctors and nurses, priests, consecrated men and women, volunteers, families and all those who care for the sick, take part in this ecclesial mission.”

The World Day of the Sick will be celebrated Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018, with the theme: “Mater Ecclesiae: ‘Behold, your son... Behold, your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his home (John 19:26-27).”

Reflecting on the scripture passage from which the theme was taken, Francis explained how John, as a close disciple of Jesus, could testify to the fact that Christ healed many people suffering from both spiritual and physical illnesses.

Jesus, he said, “healed the sick as a sign of the abundant life of the

Kingdom, where every tear will be wiped away.”

The disciples know that Jesus’ heart is “open to all and excludes no one. The Gospel of the Kingdom must be proclaimed to all, and the charity of Christians must be directed to all, simply because they are persons, children of God.” Pointing to the Church’s long history of care for the sick, including innumerable initiatives, Francis said we cannot forget this “history of dedication,” which continues “to the present day throughout the world.”

In countries with adequate public health care systems, Catholic religious congregations and dioceses and their hospitals provide quality medical care that puts the human person at the center, also carrying out scientific research that fully respects life and Christian moral values, he said.

And in countries with inadequate, or even non-existent, health care systems, the Catholic Church works to improve health, eliminate infant

12 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

mortality and combat widespread disease.

“In some parts of the world, missionary and diocesan hospitals are the only institutions providing necessary care to the population,” he noted.

This is all a cause for rejoicing within the Christian community, but we also need to take that long legacy and use it to help us build a better future, he stressed. Especially in cases where Catholic hospitals fall prey to the business mentality that seeks to turn health care “into a profit-making enterprise, which ends up discarding the poor.”

“Wise organization and charity demand that the sick person be respected in his or her dignity, and constantly kept at the center of the therapeutic process,” he said.

“May our prayers to the Mother of God see us united in an incessant plea that every member of the Church may live with love the vocation to serve life and health.” BC

Comment

Questions of Faith Father Joshua Rodrigue, S.T.L.

Attending Mass on Sundays I am a young adult Catholic. I feel very connected to God. I pray daily and always try to do what is right. Why must I attend Mass on Sundays? Is this just a way for the church to get my money?

For a solid relationship with Christ and Christian way of life, we need both personal and public prayer. Having that personal prayer life and trying to live rightly are like having blockages in the flow of our spiritual life and missing an essential element, the communal worship of God and spiritual nourishment found in the Mass. Perhaps to answer your questions, let us look at the obligation to attend Sunday Mass from two points of view: legalistically and relationally.

Legalistically By virtue of the very fact that God, in his goodness and love for us, has brought us into existence and redeemed us from sin and its penalty of death, we are obliged to show gratitude to the Lord. From the earliest times in the Old Testament, human beings have attempted to show thanksgiving through worship of God. God commanded the people of Israel, “Remember the Sabbath day—keep it holy,” as part of commemorating how God had freed the community of Israel from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 20:8).

Likewise, Jesus freed all humanity from slavery to sin and death and commanded us to commemorate his Passover, saying, “Do this in memory of me” (Luke 20:19). The early Christian communities then gathered weekly to

listen to God’s word and give thanks (eucharistein in Greek) by partaking of his Body and Blood. Consequently, the church established the law or precept for Catholics to come together once a week and on holy days so that we do not forget what the Lord has done for our salvation (Code of Canon Law 1246 §1).

The goal of any law is to ensure that justice is preserved. The legalistic reason for fulfilling the church’s precept to attend Mass is that it is a matter of justice owed God for all the good ways he has provided for us individually and as a people. Not to do so goes against God’s command in the Old and New Testaments to offer right worship in remembrance of all he has done and is a serious offence or sin.

The legalistic reason while seemingly sufficient is lacking in fullness also.

Many will go to church because that is what we have to do and check it off their list of being a good Catholic, while they perhaps lack personal prayer or authentic Christian living. The mentality becomes, “I have to go to church so I don’t go to hell.” But, is that enough? St. Paul exhorts, “For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are ill and infirm, and a considerable number are dying” (I Corinthians 11:2930). He reminds us that when we just go through the motions at Mass, we neglect the true meaning of worship and are spiritually dying. More is needed.

Relationally In the beginning of the Scriptures in Genesis, God proclaims, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (2:18). We are therefore social by our very nature. Just as we need God in our lives to sustain us by his love and grace, we also require human contact and love to be healthy.

We often gather to experience various events as a group to highlight the importance of the event.

From the earliest days of the church, Christians have understood that being a Christian is not just a private matter.

While we can and should engage in the private worship of God throughout the week, our primary form of worship is public and communal, which is why Sunday Mass is so important. From the very beginning of the early church,

we read, “All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers” (Acts 1:14).

When we gather as a community to worship, we are guaranteed the Lord’s presence. He declares, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). Encountering God in the Mass, we strengthen our relationship with him, and likewise our loving bond as brothers and sisters.

How often have we heard the saying, “Monkey see; monkey do”? When we participate at Mass we recognize that we are not alone in the struggle to live out the Christian way of life. We gather as rich and poor, men and women, young and old, weak and powerful; all sinners sitting side by side seeking God. Being a part of the worshipping community encourages us in fulfilling our mission.

Because we must run the race that lies ahead, the church claims that the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. The Mass nourishes us in word and sacrament to be refueled in mind, body and soul, and allows us to continue faithfully to fulfill our mission throughout the week. Jesus promises, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you” (John 6:53). In receiving the Eucharist at Mass, Jesus does not become a part of us as regular food; instead; we become a part of him, his body, and have true life.

Attending Mass on Sunday is not to burden you but give you true life and freedom. And so, Mass is not a way for the church to get your money. Instead, it is a way for the church to give you the greatest treasure—our Lord in word and sacrament to strengthen and lead you and all present to salvation and eternal life. BC

Readers are encouraged to send their questions to our local Bayou Catholic columnists by email to bayoucatholic@htdiocese.org.

January 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 13

Reflections

2018, a year of peace?

Readings Between The Lines Father Glenn LeCompte

In 1967, Blessed Pope Paul VI initiated the observance of Jan. 1 each year as a “World Day of Peace.”

Since then the popes have issued messages exhorting all people of the world to work for the establishment of peace among nations, peoples and individuals. While the establishment of peace is multi-faceted, the Holy Fathers have consistently urged us to rid our world of war and violence. With a prayer that this new year will be one in which we see the “beating of swords into plowshares” (Isaiah 2:4), I offer my readers some reflections from Popes Benedict XV through Francis about the need to heed the words of Isaiah 2:4.

Blessed Pope Pius XII’s broadcast message, Aug. 24, 1939; AAS 31 (1939) 334 Today, despite our repeated exhortations and special interest in this situation, the fears of a bloody international conflict are becoming more pressing, today that the tension of spirits seems to have reached the point of making the unleashing of the terrible hurricane of war appear imminent, we address with a paternal heart a new and warmer appeal to the rulers and the people. The danger is imminent, but there is still time. Nothing is lost with peace. Everything can be with the war. Let men begin to understand each other again. Let them start negotiating again. In making these talks with good will and in the respect of mutual rights, they will realize that honorable success is never excluded from fair and active negotiations.

Pope Saint John XXIII: Pacem in Terris Nos. 114-116, 127

e c a e P

Here, then, we have an objective dictated first of all by reason. There is general agreement—or at least there should be—that relations between States, as between individuals, must be regulated not by armed force, but in accordance with the principles of right reason: the principles, that is, of truth, justice and vigorous and sincere co-operation. Secondly, it is an objective which we maintain is more earnestly to be desired. For who is there who does not feel the craving to be rid of the threat of war and to see peace preserved and made daily more secure? And finally it is an objective which is rich with possibilities for good.

Its advantages will be felt everywhere, by individuals, by families, by nations, by the whole human race ... . We acknowledge that this conviction owes its origin chiefly to the terrifying destructive force of modern weapons.

It arises from fear of the ghastly and catastrophic consequences of their use.

Thus, in this age which boasts of its atomic power, it no longer makes sense to maintain that war is a fit instrument with which to repair the violation of justice.

Blessed Pope Paul VI Speech to the United Nations, Oct. 4, 1965 Was not this the very end for which the United Nations came into existence: to be against war and for peace? Listen to the clear words of a great man who is no longer with us, John Kennedy, who proclaimed four years ago: “Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind.” There is no need for a long talk to proclaim the main purpose of your institution. It is enough to recall that the blood of millions, countless

14 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

unheard-of sufferings, useless massacres and frightening ruins have sanctioned the agreement that unites you with an oath that ought to change the future history of the world: never again war, never again war! It is peace, peace, that has to guide the destiny of the nations of all mankind!

Pope John Paul I: Angelus Message, Sunday, Sept. 10, 1978 At Camp David, in America, Presidents Carter and Sadat and Prime Minister Begin are working for peace in the Middle East. All men are hungry and thirsty for peace, especially the poor, who pay more and suffer more in troubled times and in wars; for this reason they look to the Camp David meeting with interest and great hope.

The Pope, too, has prayed, had prayers said, and is praying that the Lord may deign to help the efforts of these politicians.

Pope Saint John Paul II World Day of Peace Message 1979 The true spirit of peace must make itself felt in particular at the level of the statesmen and of the groups or centers that control, more or less directly, more or less secretly, the decisive steps either towards peace or towards the prolonging of wars or situations of violence. At the least, people must agree to place their trust in a few elementary but firm principles, such as the following. Human affairs must be dealt with humanely, not with violence. Tensions, rivalries and conflicts must be settled by reasonable negotiations and not by force. Opposing ideologies must confront each other in a climate of dialogue and free discussion.

The legitimate interests of particular groups must also take

a

Reflections

into account the legitimate interests of the other groups involved and of the demands of the higher common good.

Recourse to arms cannot be considered the right means for settling conflicts.

The inalienable human rights must be safeguarded in every circumstance.

It is not permissible to kill in order to impose a solution.

Pope Saint John Paul II Message to Military Chaplains, March 25, 2003 By now, it should be clear to all that the use of war as a means of resolving disputes between States was rejected, even before the UN Charter, by the consciences of the majority of humanity, except in the case of legitimate defense against an aggressor. The vast contemporary movement in favor of peace - which, according to the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, is more than “the simple absence of war” (Gaudium et spes, n. 78) - demonstrates this conviction of people of every continent and culture.

Pope Benedict XVI World Day of Peace Message 2006 The very name Benedict, which I chose on the day of my election to the Chair of Peter, is a sign of my personal commitment to peace. In taking this name, I wanted to evoke both the Patron Saint of Europe, who inspired a civilization of peace on the whole continent, and Pope Benedict XV, who condemned the First World War as a ‘’useless slaughter’’ and worked for a universal acknowledgment of the lofty demands of peace.

Pope Francis: World Day of Peace Message 2014 I appeal forcefully to all those who sow violence and death by force of arms: in the person you today see simply as an enemy to be beaten, discover rather your brother or sister, and hold back your hand! Give up the way of arms and go out to meet the other in dialogue, pardon and reconciliation, in order to rebuild justice, trust, and hope

around you! “From this standpoint, it is clear that, for the world’s peoples, armed conflicts are always a deliberate negation of international harmony, and create profound divisions and deep wounds which require many years to heal. Wars are a concrete refusal to pursue the great economic and social goals that the international community has set itself.” BC

Reflection Questions v Which of the papal statements above is the most inspiring for you?

Which is the most challenging? Why? v What can you do to establish peace in your relationships? v How can you contribute to peace in the world?

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January 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 15

16 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

January

Holy Father’s prayer intentions

Evangelization

Religious Minorities in Asia. That Christians, and other religious minorities in Asian countries, may be able to practice their faith in full freedom.

See www.apostleshipofprayer.org

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Ministry in Action

Community Meals ministry feeds the homebound St. Charles Borromeo ministry going strong over 25 years Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me … ” (Matthew 25:35) is the scriptural basis for the Community Meals ministry that began in St. Charles Borromeo Church parish in the St. Charles Community just over 25 years ago.

Currently there are about 65 names on the list to receive the meals which are delivered quarterly to the church parish’s homebound residents (and their sitters) in March, June, September and December – usually on the first Saturday of each month.

Jenelle Foret, parishioner and chairperson of the Community Meals ministry, took over the ministry about eight years ago. She says at first she used to do it out of her house but over the years it’s gotten too big for that.

Foret says she has about 30 parish volunteers who help with this ministry. Volunteers prepare and cook the food, make desserts, box the meals, deliver them and clean up afterwards.

a

Jenelle Foret, chairperson of the Community Meals ministry, checks the hamburger steaks before they are boxed and delivered to the homebound residents of the St. Charles Community.

18 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

Ministry in Action

The volunteers begin preparing the food and making the desserts on the Friday night before the meals are delivered, usually in their own homes. On the following Saturday morning, they all meet at the Mauret Family Life Center to finish cooking and get everything ready for delivery.

Foret says there are seven drivers who deliver the meals every quarter and with over 13 volunteer drivers, she is able to alternate them so that the same drivers aren’t used each time.

Community Meals ministry volunteers Katina Navarre, Carolyn Nezzio and Joye Oldag prepare mashed potatoes.

Foret organizes the volunteers and keeps the list of homebound parishioners who receive the meals up-todate. “As soon as one meal is delivered, we decide what the next meal is going to consist of so I can start shopping. That way I’m able to look for sales on the items we will need so that we can keep the costs for the parish down,” says Foret.

The meals, which are completely free to the parishioners, usually consist of meat, vegetable, salad, bread, and a dessert. Some of the items that have been served in the past are soup, BBQ, chicken and sausage gumbo, hamburger steaks, chicken stew, fried fish Community Meals ministry volunteer Irene Zeringue delivers cups of gumbo to Helen Zeringue whose mother Myra Blanchard is one of the homebound residents of the St. Charles Community.

and white beans, cole slaw, mashed potatoes and mustard greens, just to name a few. BC

January 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 19

Youth

in action

Wrenn Patterson

School: Central Catholic High School Grade: 12th Church parish: Holy Cross, Morgan City Describe your family unit: My mom is Kellye; my dad is David.

I have two older sisters, one older brother and one younger sister.

Favorite Hobby: Acting Favorite Movie: Room Favorite T.V. Show: Teen Wolf Favorite Genre of Music: Pop/ Alternative

Discipleship: hearing God’s message and living it When I think of the word disciple, what comes to mind is someone who hears God’s message, and lives it out by spreading it with others.

Someone that I feel is a disciple of Christ is a girl who graduated from my high school a few years ago. I’ll keep her nameless, but she has always been a huge inspiration of Christ in my life. I’ve known her since I was little and she truly loves the Lord and loves teaching of his greatness.

For me it is easiest to follow Christ’s example when I’m surrounded by people who are doing the same, like at retreats where everyone has the same thing in mind: Jesus.

The same can be said for when it is hardest for me to follow Christ’s example: when I’m around people who don’t have my best interest in mind or don’t care about the relationship they have with God. A huge way I keep my faith energized and alive is by staying involved with youth activities that

20 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

go on in the diocese, like attending and working with different retreats, like CLI, TEC, youth rally and Steubenville. I am also a part of my school’s retreat team and my parish’s youth group. I think showing others how great God is to them helps me remember how great he is to me as well. BC

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 to or establish a burse, send funds to the Pastoral Center, Attn: Seminarian Burse, P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395 or call Darby Robichaux at the Office of the Bishop at (985) 850-3124 for more information.

Completed Burses of $15,000 each 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

Nov. 2017 Burse Contributions

Note: Numbers stipulate the amount of completed burses.*

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 & Family Donald Peltier Sr. (3)* Harvey Peltier (30)* Richard Peltier The Peltier Foundation (5) Orleans & Louella Pitre Msgr. Joseph Wester

Robert R. Wright Jr. Rev. Kermit Trahan St. Bernadette Men’s Club Diocesan Knights of Columbus Leighton Delahaye Mrs. Shirley Conrad Bishop Shelton J. Fabre Elizabeth Hebert Callais Family Fund Rev. Joseph Tu Tran Society of St. Joseph Endowment Fund - $119,136.90 James J. Buquet Jr. Jules & Marie Pauline St. Amant

Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier....... $200.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ............... $200.00 Rev. Gerard Hayes ........................ $100.00 Claude & Lucy Mahler Family ... $100.00 Edna W. DiSalvo ................................$50.00

Open Burses with Balance as of November 30, 2017 Sidney J. & Lydie C. Duplantis ..............................$13,000.00 Donald Peltier Sr. No. 4 ............................................$13,000.00 Joseph Strada Memorial .........................................$12,642.63 Msgr. Raphael C. Labit No. 2 ...............................$11,320.00 Harvey Peltier No. 31 .................................................$10,486.91 Claude & Lucy Mahler Family ..............................$10,100.00 Joseph Waitz Sr. ...........................................................$10,100.00 Clay Sr. & Evelida Duplantis No. 2 .....................$10,000.00 C. Remie Duplantis No. 2 ........................................$10,000.00 Marie Elise Duplantis No. 2 ....................................$10,000.00 Maude & Edith Daspit No. 2 ................................$10,000.00 Msgr. George A. Landry ...........................................$10,000.00 Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier .................................$10,000.00 Elie & Dot Klingman ....................................................$9,140.00 Rev. Victor Toth ..............................................................$7,000.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ................................................$7,000.00 Brides of the Most Blessed Trinity ....................... $6,598.00 Rev. Peter Nies ................................................................$6,000.00 Catholic Daughters .......................................................$5,995.00 Rev. Guy Zeringue .........................................................$5,600.00 Rev. Gerard Hayes .........................................................$5,186.00 Msgr. Francis Amedee ................................................$5,150.00 Mr. & Mrs. Love W. Pellegrin .................................. $5,000.00 Anonymous No. 2 .........................................................$5,000.00 Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis Family No. 4 .... $5,000.00 Rev. William M. Fleming ............................................$5,000.00 Mrs. Ayres A. Champagne .......................................$5,000.00 Rev. Kasimir Chmielewski .........................................$4,839.00 Joseph “Jay” Fertitta .....................................................$4,450.00

Rev. Henry Naquin ........................................................$4,311.00 Harry Booker No. 2 .......................................................$4,138.00 Msgr. James Songy ......................................................$4,075.00 Anawin Community .....................................................$3,700.00 Kelly Curole Frazier .......................................................$3,610.96 J. R. Occhipinti ..................................................................$3,400.00 Mr. & Mrs. Galip Jacobs ............................................$3,060.00 St. Jude .................................................................................$3,000.00 Diocesan Knights of Columbus No. 2 ............... $2,894.62 Rev. Peter H. Brewerton .............................................$2,600.00 Mr. & Mrs. John Marmande ...................................$2,500.00 Warren J. Harang Jr. No. 2 ........................................$2,400.00 Willie & Emelda St. Pierre .........................................$2,000.00 Rev. H.C. Paul Daigle ....................................................$1,900.00 Deacon Connely Duplantis ......................................$1,675.00 Alfrances P. Martin ........................................................$1,650.00 Preston & Gladys Webre ..........................................$1,650.00 Msgr. Francis J. Legendre No. 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 Deacon Robert Dusse’ ................................................$1,450.00 Jacob Marcello ................................................................$1,400.00 Msgr. John L. Newfield ...............................................$1,200.00 Rev. Anthony Rousso ..................................................$1,200.00 Rev. Joseph Tu Tran No. 2 ........................................$1,094.00

Judge Louis & Shirley R. Watkins ........................ $1,050.00 Ronnie Haydel .................................................................$1,035.00 Rev. Clemens Schneider ............................................$1,000.00 Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux No. 4 .................... $1,000.00 Msgr. John G. Keller .....................................................$1,000.00 Edna W. DiSalvo .................................................................$900.00 Leo Hebert .............................................................................$862.83 Deacon Willie Orgeron ..................................................$800.00 Ruby Pierce ............................................................................$800.00 Deacon Roland Dufrene ...............................................$750.00 Juliette & Eugene Wallace ...........................................$700.00 Deacon Edward J. Blanchard ......................................$700.00 Bernice Harang ...................................................................$600.00 Deacon Raymond LeBouef .........................................$550.00 Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Cannata .....................................$500.00 Robert Walsh .......................................................................$500.00 Dean Joseph Chiasson ...................................................$500.00 Anne Veron Aguirre .........................................................$380.00 Deacon Harold Kurtz .......................................................$300.00 Richard Peltier No. 2 .........................................................$300.00 Claude Bergeron ................................................................$250.00 Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Naquin ............................................$150.00 Deacon Pedro Pujals .......................................................$100.00 Rev. Michael Finnegan ...................................................$100.00 Deacon Eldon Frazier ........................................................$ 50.00 Deacon Nick Messina .......................................................$ 50.00 Rev. Warren Chassaniol ...................................................$ 50.00

Overall Seminarian Burses Total: $1,692,620.85 January 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 21

Heavenly Recipes

Loney Grabert

Loney Cooks:

AN OLD TIME FAVORITE Story and Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

This month’s heavenly recipe, shrimp jambalaya, comes from Loney Grabert, a parishioner of St. Lawrence Church in Chacahoula. Loney, a native of Donner, loves hunting and fishing. He still deer hunts at age 73.

Loney says he learned how to cook when he was a young boy. “My mom had surgery on her wrist and couldn’t cook.

One day she said come to the stove and I’ll tell you what to do. You can cook the meals.” As time passed he cooked more often and developed his own way to cook. “My mother and grandmother never used recipes, they cooked to taste and that’s how I cook,” he says.

Loney and his wife Patricia have four children and a niece that they raised since she was 12 years old. All the children are grown now. Patricia passed away eight years ago.

Loney worked in the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court’s office for 13 years. He then tried the seafood business for a couple of years and after deciding it wasn’t what he wanted to do for a living, he returned to the Terrebonne Parish Government to work in the Accessor’s Office. He retired there in 1981 as chief deputy.

Having lived in Donner all his life he remembers many pastors at St. Lawrence over the years. Loney has fond memories of the late Father Michael Finnegan who was pastor of St. Lawrence for many years.

“Father Finnegan was a very smart man.

He would talk to you and move from topic to topic and knew something about every one of those topics. He was also quick witted.”

Nowadays Loney cooks for the bereavement ministry whenever he is called upon to prepare a dish for families after a funeral. He usually prepares potato salad. He also cooks for large gatherings at St. 22 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

Shrimp Jambalaya INGREDIENTS: 2 lbs. peeled shrimp 1 large onion, chopped 1/2 bell pepper, chopped 6 cloves of garlic, minced Salt Cayenne pepper Black pepper Two drops liquid crab boil 5 cups uncooked rice

DIRECTIONS: Brown a chopped onion in a heavy aluminum or cast iron pot. Add a little water as it browns until you get a good brown color. Saute’ the bell pepper, then add the garlic, and saute’ for about a minute. Add the shrimp and cook until the shrimp turn pink. Add two drops of liquid crab boil and season to taste. Add the rice and enough water to cover the rice about one inch. Cook until the water cooks out below the rice. Lower the fire and cover for 10 to 15 minutes. Then turn off the fire and let the jambalaya set for another 10 to 15 minutes.

Serves 15 to 20.

Lawrence. He belongs to the Man of God group at the church parish where participants study Scripture, view educational videos on the church teachings and have discussions.

Loney says the close knit community helped him through the difficult time when his wife passed away. “My faith and the people here at St. Lawrence helped me when my wife died. It’s a small Catholic community.

People still to this day come and ask how I’m doing and offer their help. The people of St. Lawrence are wonderful.”

Loney invites his children to come over on Sundays and cooks for the group. When he’s not hunting or fishing he volunteers weekly at the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center of Terrebonne General Medical Center in Houma. BC

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Guest Column

St. Francis de Sales feast day Jan. 24 Patron saint of our cathedral parish Guest Columnist Father Rajasekar Karumelnathan, M.S.F.S.

“Prayer, united with the divine sacrifice of the holy Mass, has an indescribable force; therefore by this means celestial favors united to the beloved abound in the soul” (St. Francis de Sales).

Every year on Jan. 24, we celebrate the feast day of St. Francis de Sales, who is also the patron of our Cathedral Church of the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux. This holy saint was born Aug. 21, 1567, to Francis de Boisy and Francoise de Sionnaz. This year we have another reason to celebrate this joyful occasion as the church is celebrating his 450th birth anniversary from Aug. 21, 2017, until Aug. 21, 2018.

Holding him in my heart as my religious order patron, I write this article to encourage us all to renew our spiritual lives in Christ Jesus through the life of St. Francis de Sales. This saint is said to have converted 72,000 people in his Chablais mission, which was a province of the Duchy of Savoy.

These 72,000 left the Catholic Church adhering to the teachings of John Calvin who emphasized “predestination.”

With staunch faith, I exhort you that the reading of this saint’s writings can also renew our faith and reinforce our living in Christ.

How might he have converted them into renewed Catholics? The saint’s answer could be, “A spoonful of honey can attract more bees than many barrels of vinegar.” I assure you that his life and writings can make a great spiritual impact in

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24 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

Guest Column

the hearts of many because he is the one who brought spiritual reformation within the Catholic Church. Until that time holiness was reserved only for the clergy of the church. His classic Introduction to Devout Life tells us that everyone should practice holiness according to their state of life (Read Chapter III, Part I).

Francis de Sales was born into a wealthy family. His father dreamt of him being a great lawyer and a senate member. Who designs your life? It is not man of authority, but of faith. His father took his power to dedicate him to be a great man of society but the saint’s faith in Jesus carved him to be a servant of God. He says, “Faith is like a bright ray of sun light; it enables us to see God in all things as well as all things in God.” While riding a horse, the fall of his sword and scabbard taught the salvific grace of the sign of the cross to his disturbed mind on predestination, and thereafter his signature became, “priest.” “I am a priest … I want to be a priest” were the breathing words of the saint. He became a priest and was elected provost of the diocese of Geneva in 1593. Bishop Claude de Granier of Geneva died in 1602 and Francis de Sales succeeded the seat of holiness with the spirit of charity and humility.

He founded, along with St. Jane Frances de Chantal, the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary, a congregation for women, in Annecy on June 6, 1610.

As he became older and older, he suffered the pains of the crucifix patiently. He always focused on Christ’s suffering rather than his comforts.

Every action he did on earth was to reduce the pain of the crucified Christ for our sins. He died Dec. 28, 1622; he was beatified on Jan. 8, 1661, and canonized on April 19, 1665, by Pope Alexander VII. He is now the patron of Catholic writers, Catholic press, the deaf, journalists and adult education.

His famous writings include Introduction to Devout Life, Treatise on Love of God, Controversies, Spiritual Conferences, and Spiritual Letters.

Francis de Sales was an intelligent person. He used his knowledge for God because he says, “knowledge is the eighth sacrament” of Christian life. He was short-tempered in nature, but overcame his temptation to anger and became a gentleman saint. How? He says, “There was never an angry man who thought his anger unjust,” therefore “Be patient with the whole world, above all with yourself. I want to tell you not to lose your serenity because of your imperfections, and to always have the zest to raise yourself up. It gives me joy to see you begin again each day. There is no better way to finish life well than to always return to the starting point and not ever think that we have done enough,” and another saying, “Nothing is so strong as gentleness; nothing is so gentle as real strength.”

He had strong will power to proceed toward his goal of becoming priest by vowing the virtue of chastity even before he was ordained. He says, “Chastity is the lily of virtues and makes men almost equal to angels; nothing is beautiful unless pure and in man purity is chastity.”

He advises individuals: “Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly,” and “Bloom where you are planted.”

He advises married couples: “God who, with his invisible hand, has fashioned the sacred bond of marriage and given you to each other; so that your mutual love should be altogether holy, sacred and divine. The first effect of this love is the indissoluble union of your hearts. The second effect of this love should be an inviolable mutual fidelity. The fruit of marriage is the procreation and proper education of children.”

He advises friends: “We must love our friends in spite of their imperfections, but we must not love or receive their imperfections. Friendship requires that we share the good but not the evil.” He advises everyone: “What we need is a cup of understanding, a barrel of love, and an ocean of patience.”

I conclude by invoking the blessing of God upon the readers. May God bless you to grow in his love with the same spirit of St. Francis de Sales, who says: “Within the practices of religion, the Blessed Sacrament is what the sun is to the stars; it is truly the soul of the Christian religion. It is the ineffable mystery that comprehends divine charity, by which God, truly uniting to us, communicates to us his magnificence, graces and favors.”

(Father Rajasekar Karumelnathan, M.S.F.S, is the associate pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Church parish in Pointe-aux-Chenes.) BC

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Diocesan Events

www.bayoucatholic.com

January

n Holy Hour of Adoration for Men, Sunday, Jan. 7, 7-8 p.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma. n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, Jan. 9, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311 in Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Speaker, TBA. n Jr. High Faith Experience Adult Night of Praise, Friday, Jan. 12, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., E.D. White Catholic High School, Thibodaux. n Jr. High Faith Experience, Saturday, Jan. 13, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., E.D. White Catholic High School, Thibodaux. n Catholic Schools Week, Sunday, Jan. 28 through Saturday, Feb. 3. n Catholic Schools Week, Holy Rosary Catholic School, Larose: Open House, Sunday, Jan. 28, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. n Catholic Schools Week, Holy Savior Catholic School, Lockport: Catholic Schools Week Mass, Sunday, Jan. 28, 10 a.m. in church. n Catholic Schools Week, St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School, Houma: Third Grade sponsored Catholic Schools Week Mass, Sunday, Jan. 28, 11 a.m. in the Cathedral. n Catholic Schools Week, Central Catholic High School, Morgan City: Pep Rally, Monday, Jan. 29, 9 a.m.

February

n Catholic Schools Week, St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School, Houma: 5A sponsored Mass, Thursday, Feb. 1, 8:30 a.m., in the Cathedral. n Catholic Schools Week, St. Bernadette Catholic School, Houma: Open House, Thursday, Feb. 1, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. n Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana, Lunch and Learn – Key Charitable Giving Techniques, Friday, Feb. 2, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Speaker, Carole Neff. n Catholic Schools Week, Holy Rosary Catholic School, Larose: Living Rosary, Friday, Feb. 2, 2:30 p.m. n Catholic Schools Week, E.D. White Catholic High School, Thibodaux: Alumni-sponsored Mass, Friday, Feb. 2, 9:30 a.m. in the main gym. n Catholic Schools Week, St. Gregory Catholic School, Houma: Grandparents Mass, Friday, Feb. 2, 8:30 a.m.

March

n Holy Hour of Adoration for Men, Sunday, March 4, 7-8 p.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma. n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, March 6, Ellendale Country

n Catholic Schools Week, E.D. White Catholic High School, Thibodaux: Grandparents Day Celebration, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 10:15 a.m. in the main gym. n Catholic Schools Week, St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School, Houma: 1B sponsored Mass, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 8:30 a.m., in the Cathedral. n Catholic Schools Week, Maria Immacolata Catholic School, Houma: Open House, Tuesday, Jan. 30, tours from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. n Catholic Schools Week, E.D. White Catholic High School, Thibodaux: Grandparents Day Celebration, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 10:15 a.m. in the main gym. n Catholic Schools Week, Holy Savior Catholic School, Lockport: Grandparents Day Mass, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 8:45 a.m. in church. n Catholic Schools Week, St. Gregory Catholic School, Houma: Outdoor Living Rosary, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 9 a.m. n Catholic Schools Week, Central Catholic High School, Morgan City: School Mass, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 8:15 a.m., Holy Cross Church. n Catholic Schools Week, St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School, Houma: Open House, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 9–11 a.m.

n Catholic Schools Week, Central Catholic High School, Morgan City: Family Day, Friday, Feb. 2. n Catholic Schools Week, St. Genevieve Catholic School, Thibodaux: Faculty Rededication Mass, Friday, Feb. 2, 8:30 a.m. n Holy Hour of Adoration for Men, Sunday, Feb. 4, 7-8 p.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma. n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, Feb. 6, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311 in Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Speaker, TBA. n Free income tax preparation and e-filing is available every Tuesday (Feb. 6 – April 10) from 9 a.m.–3 p.m., on the second floor of the Terrebonne Parish Main Library, for individuals/families making up to $60,000.

Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311 in Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Speaker, TBA.

Advertise in the Bayou Catholic and help spread the Good News. Call (985)850-3136 for more info.

26 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

Book Reviews

Reading with Raymond Raymond Saadi

Robicheaux

By James Lee Burke Simon and Schuster $27.99 New Iberia Detective Dave Robicheaux is back after four long years, haunted by the death of his beloved wife, Molly, killed in a head on auto crash, which he cannot accept as an accident. When the driver of the other car is brutally murdered, Dave is the suspected killer. He is supported by his friend, Clete Purcell and his daughter, Alafair, but disturbed by a new and grisly killer. Burke once again populates his book with colorful characters and flowing prose. BC

The Ghost Army of World War II

The Rooster Bar

By Rick Beyer & Elizabeth Sayles Princeton Architectural Press $40 How fake tanks, trucks, jeeps, recorded sounds and 1,100 men pretending to be 30,000, totally fooled the Germans into thinking Patton’s Sixth Armored Division was planning an attack far from the actual target. Termed the “Cecil B. DeMille” Diversion, it performed for nine months fooling even some American troops.

The World War II Museum in New Orleans has several exhibit photos of the ghost army as well as additional techniques used to deceive the German forces making it another good reason to visit. BC

Penguins of America

By James & Jack Patterson With Florence Yue & Illustrations

by James Madsen Little, Brown $20

By John Grisham Doubleday $28.95 When three students realize they’ve been scammed by the owner of their diploma mill law school they drop out and practice law without a degree. This makes for some interesting situations when the FBI gets involved. BC

Inspired by James’ son, Jack when he was only five, the duo imagines Marylyn in “Gentlemen Prefer Penguins”, “Kinky Flippers”, “Einstein” and “Bogart” Penguins. BC

Looking Backward

By Michael Lesy W.W. Norton & Company Inc. $49.95 These two hundred plus brilliant black and white images show us a past that foreshadows our future. Vividly nostalgic for a time we never knew and can’t remember. BC

The Last Ballad

By Wiley Cash William Morrow $26.99 Cash follows up his best seller, A Land More Kind Than Home, with this heartbreaking story of Ella May Wiggins, inspired by the actual 1929 Loray Mill worker strike for equal wages in Gastonia, Carolina. BC January 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 27

Commentary

New year, new me?

Thoughts for Millennials Ryan Abboud

With the passing of each year, we look eagerly into the start of a new calendar year. We look forward to it with anticipation and excitement as we get a new start on life. Many individuals use this time of year to plan out all of the goals they wish to achieve, and all of the bad habits they want to kick for the new year. The month of January, symbolizing the start of something new, is a time for introspection as we assess and evaluate the last year and how we wish to change it in the weeks, months and years to come. For many young people (and adults alike), we categorize our lives and we go through a “checklist” of evaluation.

For example, we think of our friends and judge which ones we should probably leave in 2017 and which ones are good for us. Maybe we look at our dietary and exercise habits and critique which habits we should lay to rest with the past year. Additionally, we may even look into aspects of our faith lives and analyze which actions, habits, and

SINCE FAST st Intere Free cing Finan

tendencies are leading us astray and which are “feeding” us spiritually. As we digest the past year and analyze all of these factors, it’s very easy to get discouraged as we dream big for ourselves.

We all know that the gyms will be packed in the early weeks of 2018 … and we all also know that there will be an excessive amount of treadmills open when King Cake season comes around.

We know that it’ll feel great to eat salad for every meal … until crawfish season finds its way into our weekend plans.

And lastly, it may be tempting for us to think that we know the pews will be packed on Sundays in January, but will soon diminish back to the “regulars” by the time Ash Wednesday hits.

Brothers and sisters, I’m here to tell you that I cannot promise that you’ll hit your New Year’s resolution of losing 15 pounds … and keeping it off, and I also cannot promise that you’ll stop hanging around that one friend that maybe gossips a little too much. However, I can tell you for certain that no matter what day, week or month of 2018, the Lord is calling you to him, to spend time, to celebrate the sacraments, and to love him deeper. I urge you not to allow your spiritual health goals to fall flat during this new year. Aim high and achieve.

Now, I understand that setting spiritual goals is a bit more difficult than it may seem. As Catholics, and

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especially as Catholics who maybe haven’t been in a while, it’s easy to feel unwelcomed or uncomfortable being back in those pews on Sundays.

We may feel like we’re unworthy since we haven’t been in a while or because of some events or choices that we’ve made. You see, our humanity accentuates how broken we are, and how incredible God is. This is what causes us to see ourselves as “unfit” to be in his presence. Unfortunately, this can lead to a vicious cycle of never going to church because we feel too unholy to enter, and we continue to settle into our sin since we refuse to go. We think that God will not love us if we’re not squeaky clean and free of sin.

Again, brothers and sisters, I’m here to tell you that is so far from the truth.

He just wants you there, in the pews, at the altar, in the confessional. The Father is so loving and compassionate; he wants us just as we are – marred by sin and shortcoming. When the new year comes, he isn’t going to leave all of his sinning children in 2017. Allow 2018 to be the year that you come home to the Father’s arms in a new way. After all, the church is not a trophy case for saints, it’s a hospital for sinners and we’re all just beggars looking for our fill.

(Ryan Abboud is a 2015 graduate of Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma and a junior at LSU in Baton Rouge.) BC

Tub to Shower Conversions

STEVE DECELL

Aging-In-Place Consultant

28 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

One Install day ation

Walk-in Tubs

Advertisers Spotlight

Lester Bimah doing what he loves Story by Janet Marcel ~ Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier Trinidad and Tobago native Lester Bimah was 17 years old when he came to the United States. The main goal for most of the people in the country at that time, he says, was to leave there to better their lives because there was no work and no colleges.

Today, he says he is living a dream. Bimah is a managing partner at Barker Honda in Houma, and has been with the dealership since it opened 18 years ago.

Growing up, his mother was a devout Catholic and his father was a Presbyterian. He attended Catholic schools that were run by nuns. When he was about 10 years old, he became an altar server and because his family lived about a block away from the church, he says he practically grew up there. He recalls that the Irish priests were always at his house because they loved his mother’s cooking.

Bimah says he had never even heard of Louisiana until the early 1970s when the oilfield got really big in Trinidad and oilfield workers from Louisiana started moving into his neighborhood.

“My father worked in the oilfield as a mechanic and the workers would come to my house to eat my mother’s cooking. They kept telling us we should move to Louisiana. Before that we always said we were going to New York; that was America to us.”

Bimah earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux.

His first job was teaching religion, P.E. and English at St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School in Thibodaux. He was also the men’s soccer coach at Nicholls State University for seven years before he switched careers.

Bimah says in his position at Barker Honda dealing with employees and customers he tries to lead by example and asks himself “what would God do?” in every situation.

“You have to do that to be successful. My job here is to make sure everyone is happy and makes a decent living, and also to bring in new customers,” says Bimah. “In these difficult economic times, business is off and my people are struggling, but we have a great product; the name Honda sells itself pretty much. We just have to have faith that the economy is going to come back soon.”

Bimah’s family goes back a long way with the Catholic Church. His mother Polly started working as the housekeeper for Father Michael W. Finnegan at St. Lawrence Church parish in Chacahoula, and went on to work for Bishop Michael Jarrell, Bishop Sam G. Jacobs, and Bishop Shelton J. Fabre for a short time after his arrival before she retired in 2013. He has three brothers and two sisters. Bimah and wife Laverne have been married for 10 years and are parishioners of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral parish in Thibodaux.

He has three children, ages 26, 25 and 23.

On his desk, Bimah proudly displays an Apostolic Blessing signed by Saint Pope John Paul II and given to him

by Bishop Emeritus Sam G. Jacobs. The two became good friends through his mother Polly and are still close today.

He says Bishop Jacobs taught him how he must always put God before all else and how to give greater respect to those he comes in contact with on a daily basis.

“God has been good to me. I’m so blessed to be in this great county … I love what I do. I feel like I won the lottery,” says Bimah. BC January 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 29

Feature

Margie Duplantis, long-time teacher and champion for social justice retires

Story by Janet Marcel Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier Margie Duplantis, who had been serving as associate director for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Relief Services, Matthew 25 Ministry and Parish Social Ministry for the past three years, retired at the end of 2017.

The Grand Caillou native began teaching religious education at St Gregory Church parish in Houma in 1965, where Msgr. William Koninkx challenged her to become the parish’s first woman lector, eucharistic minister and start the parish’s first youth program. She says as a woman it was tough to break through those

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30 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

Feature

barriers; even her father was strictly against it because he was old church and didn’t believe women should be allowed to participate in liturgical ministry. He did eventually come around, she adds. Msgr. Koninkx also encouraged her to attend the Loyola Institute for Ministry program in New Orleans where she earned a certificate in youth ministry.

Margie and her husband James adopted their daughter Pam through Catholic Charities in 1967.

“That’s one of the reasons Catholic Charities is so special to me; I feel like I have come full circle – working here now.”

In 1986, she was hired as the DRE and youth minister at St. Eloi Church parish in Theriot where she met Father Roch Naquin, whom she says influenced her greatly. She also taught religious education, served as DRE and youth minister at St Bernadette Church parish in Houma for five years.

In 1990, Margie began teaching senior religion at Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma where she would remain for the next 22 years. While there she also served as campus minister and religion department head. “The greatest thrill of my life was teaching,” says Margie.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Vandebilt received an influx of evacuees from New Orleans and the surrounding areas. Margie was teaching religion to all of the 8th–12th grade evacuees and needed a common subject to teach them, so she wrote a program based on the Catholic social teachings of the church.

Just two weeks after those students arrived, her own home flooded in Hurricane Rita and she lost everything.

“Little did I know that they were coming in to teach me,” she says. “Teaching the Katrina evacuee students allowed me to grow as a person and respect the human dignity of those I was teaching. I only missed two days of school after the Hurricane Rita flood. Coming back to school was a humbling experience; I went back wearing borrowed clothes.

When I walked into the classroom that first time, the students gave me a standing ovation and big hugs all around. I could finally truly connect with them, I knew their pain.”

That’s one of the reasons Margie says she’s so compassionate about Matthew 25; because of her own experience she can connect with the people who suffer disaster in their own community.

She retired from Vandebilt in 2013, and was home for six months when she was called back to finish the school year at Vandebilt as an eighth grade religion teacher. She retired from teaching for the second time in June 2014.

Margie says that what she enjoyed most about teaching

was being able to witness her faith in action and bring religion to life for her students. She has been fortunate to be able to travel the world doing mission work.

She began working for Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in August 2014. She says she enjoyed going back into the classrooms in the Catholic schools and to the church parishes to talk about the social teachings of the church, helping parishes who have experienced disaster and teaching them about Matthew 25 so that they could build their own programs to help take care of the needs of the people. She has also enjoyed challenging and encouraging people through A Catholic Voice for Justice so they could speak out, contact their representatives and try to make a difference about the injustices in the world.

“Until I came here, I didn’t know all of what Catholic Charities entailed, but when I came here and saw what the diocese has to offer the community,” she says, “we’re the best kept secret in the world. Evangelization is Catholic Charities reaching out to their brothers and sisters and making a difference in their lives. We were born in the likeness of God. He gave us his hands and his feet to do his ministry. I’m passionate about what I do because I believe we were put here on this earth to make a difference, whether it be mission work or teaching or whatever it is that God is calling us to do; he’s calling us to make a difference and that’s what Catholic Charities is all about.”

Margie says that what she will miss most about working for the diocese is the sense of community and family that she has experienced here.

Even though she is retired, she still plans to do volunteer work at Catholic Charities, keep traveling and become involved in hospice work. Margie loves to cook, read, work in her garden and spend time with her two grandchildren, 20 year old Taylor and 12 year old Jude. She also runs between three and four miles a day.

She and her husband of 52 years are parishioners of Holy Family Church parish in Grand Caillou. Margie is the president of the parish pastoral council, a member of the parish strategic plan implementation team and the parish’s confirmation coordinator.

“Looking back on my life, there is nothing I would change.

It’s been a good ride. I’ve been very fortunate to have had good health and the support of my husband and my family, which has enabled me to work in ministry and do what I love to do. I will always be passionate about the social teachings of the church. Wherever God wants me to go now, I will go,” says Margie. BC

January 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 31

Cover Story

Partners in Hope, Serving One Mission Together Annual Bishop’s Appeal underway Story by Janet Marcel Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier “Partners in Hope, Serving One Mission Together,” is the theme of the 2018 Annual Bishop’s Appeal, which will be introduced in church parishes on the weekend of January 27-28.

“We are called to serve the Lord’s mission and provide hope for one another. The word hope continues to resonate in all that we do within the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux,” says Bishop Shelton J. Fabre. “Through your support we are providing hope for our community as we continue to build missionary disciples and support our clergy. The Annual Bishop’s Appeal offers our community the opportunity to join together as one diocese in support of one another. I invite you to renew your support of our diocese this year and prayerfully consider a gift to our Annual Bishop’s Appeal; every gift makes a difference. I thank you for your loving support and pray that God will bless you through his rich bounty.”

The funds received from the 2018 Annual Bishop’s Appeal will be used primarily in the five areas of adult formation, family ministries, youth formation, retired priests, and parish sharing – which allows parishes to receive a percentage of funds paid over their goal back to the parish as long as the diocese reaches its goal in funds paid. The 2018 diocesan goal is $1 million.

Through the diocesan strategic plan, the Office of Adult Formation focuses on renewing parish life and forming missionary disciples through tools and resources for adults to gain a better understanding of their faith. The Office of Adult Formation offers trainings for key liaisons within each church parish as well as great online resources for the community.

The diocesan Office of Family Ministries strives to strengthen marriage and family life, personal development and to heal the brokenhearted, while providing mutual support for those who minister with families in the diocese.

Over the years, Family Ministries has provided much needed services from licensed counselors to assist with various needs in our diocese such as grief counseling to families and marriage counseling and preparation.

The Office of Youth Formation focuses on training youth ministers in an effort to form missionary disciples 32 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre and Amy Ponson, executive director of the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana, look over an ad depicting results from the 2017 Annual Bishop’s Appeal. who will lead children in forming relationships with Christ, in addition to focusing on reinvigorating the diocesan CCD program. The Youth Formation office continues to be a resource for each church parish and school while hosting many events for youth each year.

The Annual Bishop’s Appeal supports Retired Priests of the diocese who have devoted their lives to serve the Lord and have been instrumental in identifying the gifts of the faithful and forming missionary disciples, by assisting in their health and long-term care needs through cancer and intensive care policies, as well as supplementing their retirement income.

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is grateful to all of its generous donors – at every level – who support the work of the diocese. The Bishop’s Society is a special association of Catholic men and women who take a leadership role in the work of the church. The generosity of the members of this Society set an example of good stewardship by reaching out to the people and ministries in need of assistance.

The Society recognizes those who have made a special commitment of $250 or above to the Annual Bishop’s Appeal.

Bishop’s Partners in Hope Those donors who give at the $250 to $499 level are invited to an annual Mass and reception with Bishop Fabre; and are included in the Prayer Intention Book of Society Members.

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Bishop’s Circle Those donors who give at the $500 to $2,499 level are invited to an annual Mass and reception with Bishop Fabre.

Mitre Society Those donors who give at the $2,500 to $4,999 level are included in a Prayer Intention Book of Crozier Society Members; invited to an annual Mass and reception with Bishop Fabre; and recognized in an annual publication of society members.

Crozier’s Society Bishop’s Guild Those donors who give at the $5,000 to $9,999 level will receive all of the above Partners in Mission benefits; will be invited to a special dinner with Bishop Fabre; and will have the Bayou Catholic mailed to their home on a monthly basis.

Society of the Good Shepherd Those donors who give at the $10,000 and above level will receive all of the above Crozier Society benefits; and will be invited to select roundtable gatherings with Bishop Fabre.

Those who wish to contribute to the 2018 ABA can choose to make a one-time gift or use the pledge system in which they can make eight monthly contributions. Donations can also be made on-line by visiting www.htdiocese.org/ bishopsappeal. A video which includes the bishop’s message and how the funds will be used is available to view on the diocesan website.

Bishop Fabre is asking all pastors to name an appeal coordinator to assist them with the 2018 Appeal. Amy Ponson, executive director of the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana, will hold a special training this month for all coordinators.

As of the end of November, the 2017 Annual Bishop’s Appeal has received $ 977,210 in commitments, with 3,715 pledges, on the $900,000 goal.

For more information about the Annual Bishop’s Appeal, contact Ponson at (985) 850-3116. BC

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Announcement

The Catholic Foundation makes charitable giving simple and impactful

Catholic Foundation Update James J. Buquet III

Happy New Year!

As we enter the New Year, the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana stands ready to serve the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux as a resource where individuals, families and businesses can express their Catholic identity and support organizations that have touched their hearts and their lives. I am excited to serve on the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana’s board as their vice chair and provide you with a brief update about our Foundation this month.

The mission of the Catholic Foundation is to financially sustain and enhance the charitable, educational and

spiritual ministries of the diocese. It is our hope that we can be a resource to you by offering a variety of ways to help you plan your charitable giving. Whether your intent is to establish funds that will benefit the various ministries in perpetuity or you wish to make the most impact for your charitable contributions, the Catholic Foundation has many ways to help make charitable giving simple and impactful within our diocese.

The Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana was established several years ago when the diocese began a Capital Campaign. This Capital Campaign bore great fruit through the generosity of over 2,100 donors, to support the seminarian education endowment and Catholic Charities endowment. We want to say a special thank you to all those who gave of their prayers and their gifts to support seminarians and Catholic Charities.

The Catholic Foundation now manages

approximately $5.5 million dollars through 19 general and named endowed funds for seminarian education, Catholic Charities, Vandebilt Catholic High School and Our Lady of Prompt Succor in Chackbay. As our Foundation continues to grow, we hope to establish new endowments that will support the health of our diocese for many generations to come.

The Catholic Foundation serves as a means for you, our Catholic community, to strategically give to the causes that are most important to you and your family. We offer a variety of vehicles to assist you in your charitable giving and we would be honored to work with you in customizing a plan that meets your specific wishes. Please feel free to call our staff at (985)850-3116 or email at cfsl@ htdiocese.org if you want to learn more about the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana. BC

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Announcement

on #GivingTuesday

raises over iGiveCatholic.org $165,000 in diocese

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux recently participated in #iGiveCatholic, a 24-hour online giving challenge that celebrates the work of Catholic schools, ministries, parishes and other charitable organizations affiliated with the participating dioceses. All Catholic schools, parishes, ministries and organizations affiliated with the

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux were invited to participate as recipients of donations.

Amy Ponson, executive director of the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana, reports that the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux raised $166,800 for 35 different parishes, schools, organizations and ministries.

“The Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana was excited to host #iGiveCatholic this year for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux with a goal of $100,000. In 2016, our diocese raised a little over $73,000, so we really wanted to surpass that and encourage more participation. We were thrilled to have 35 different entities participate.

During that 24-hour time period, the diocese received over 850 individual gifts, far surpassing its $100,000 goal,” says Ponson. “I am incredibly proud of

the participating entities for sharing in their mission and humbled by the generosity of our community within the diocese. This truly proves that if the people of the diocese come together, gifts of any size can make a huge impact on the ministries that serve us on a daily basis.”

Throughout the giving day, Catholics were invited to go to the #iGiveCatholic. org home page and click on a specific ministry listed there to make a donation with their credit card. #iGiveCatholic is held each year in conjunction with #GivingTuesday, which is celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday; #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. BC

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Announcement

Gulf Coast Faith Formation Conference scheduled Jan. 11-13 in Kenner

By Christine Bordelon Clarion Herald

In today’s topsy-turvy, chaotic world, everyone can use a few words of hope.

And, that’s exactly what the 36th annual Gulf Coast Faith Formation Conference, Jan. 11-13, plans to deliver.

Themed “Go! Build a Future of Hope” the conference is scheduled at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner and open to all those who want to deepen their faith and share an uplifting experience.

“We all need that hope, a hope founded on Christ, since he is our anchor of hope,” said organizer Aline Harbison of the archdiocesan Office of Religious Education.

Top speakers from around the country have been secured for the conference.

On Friday, Dr. Tim Hogan will speak on “The Gift of Cultural Hurricanes: Embracing the Transforming Forces of Post-Modern Culture,” who will “leave you with an enthusiasm and hope we all need,” Harbison said. On Saturday, Brian Butler, executive director/cofounder of Dumb Ox Ministries and author of “Theology of the Body for Teens” and “The Bible Thumper,” will speak on “Signs of Hope: Evangelization and Transformation,” showing attendees “how you can build hope in your life,” Harbison said.

Because Harbison heard from past year’s attendees that keynote speakers have made such an impact that attendees needed to digest what was heard, Harbison built in 15 minutes of reflection time between the speakers for 2018.

Clergy day more inclusive The conference’s Thursday used to be called Clergy Day, designed for priests and religious. Harbison said the conference spread its net more inclusively and renamed the day “Leadership Thursday” to also welcome

directors of religious education, directors of parish catechetical ministries, principals, teachers, lay ministers and anyone who considers themselves or wants to be a leader.

The 2018 Thursday theme is “Proclaiming Hope: Effective Catechetical Leadership for the 21st Century” and features speakers Dr. Veronica Rayas, director of the Office of Religious Education in the Diocese of El Paso, Texas; and Dr. Joe Paprocki, a catechetical leader and religious educator from Chicago.

Harbison said the archdiocesan synod implementation plan encourages parishes and schools to bring leadership teams and use the conference as professional, personal and faith development. (Money is available from the Office of Religious Education to help schools defray the cost of hiring substitute teachers.)

Harbison said the conference’s structure offers multiple networking opportunities. On Jan. 11, the exhibit hall will be the grand opening and welcoming reception site with music and refreshments. Lunch also has been expanded to two hours, again at the request of participants who wanted more time to access resources and fellowship. Special events are planned during lunch.

Archbishop Gregory Aymond will celebrate the opening Mass Friday at 9 a.m. and give opening remarks.

Recently installed Biloxi Bishop Louis F. Kihneman III will celebrate Saturday’s Mass.

Inspiring breakouts Harbison was intentional when breakout session speakers were selected to embrace hope on different aspects of life. To mention just a few sessions: “Hope in Suffering,” Father Brent Maher; “Hope for the World,” Dr. Joseph White; “Families of Hope,”

36 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

Katie Almon; “Making Hope Real,” Becky Eldredge; “Becoming a Prophet of Hope,” Jason Romero; “Forming Young People for Holiness and Hope,” Dr. Leonardo DeLorenzo.

Opportunities for all The conference, originally called the Hofinger Conference, was inspired

by Jesuit Father Johannes Hofinger, a renowned missionary, evangelizer, teacher and catechetical leader. Even after attending for almost 20 years and being a long-time planning committee member, Harbison said seeing attendees’ enthusiasm hearing the topnotch speakers and worshiping at Mass together still impacts her.

“It’s like a family reunion, witnessing people making the connections with others they have known in ministry,” she said. “The speakers are at a level you don’t see every day (at a regional conference) and, to have them come and share with us, you can’t help but be inspired. Our volunteers show such Southern hospitality. Just seeing all these people coming together and seeing a crescendo happening from the opening liturgy to the fire of the Holy Spirit igniting us to go forth. That is why it is now called the ‘Go!’ conference.

It’s about enjoying the time here and being inspired and then going out and sharing the Gospel with everyone we meet.”

(Christine Bordelon can be reached at cbordelon@clarionherald.org.)

GO! BUILD A FUTURE OF HOPE WHAT: Gulf Coast Faith Formation Conference WHEN: Jan. 11-13, 2018 WHERE: The Pontchartrain Center, 4545 Williams Blvd., Kenner COST: 3-day pass $130; Thursday only $40; Friday or Saturday $95 a day, through Dec. 1. Add $10 after that.

INFO: www.go4th.faith, 861-6255, harbison@archdiocese-no.org BC

The collection will be held January 27 and 28.

Thank you for your generosity.

Announcement

Kate Theriot appointed associate director of The Sisters of the Congregation of St. Joseph First lay person to serve the congregation in this capacity The Sisters of the Congregation of St. Joseph are pleased to announce the appointment of Kathleen (Kate) Theriot to the position of associate director.

Theriot, a native of Houma, is first lay person to serve the Congregation in this capacity.

Theriot worked for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux for 32 years primarily in Human Resources, first as associate director and later as director.

She left in 2010 to concentrate on her professional consulting and executive coaching business, Coaching for

Change, LLC. She holds a bachelor of liberal studies and a masters of pastoral studies from Loyola University in New Orleans, and is a board certified life coach and spiritual director.

Theriot became an associate in 2014. An Associate is a man or woman who wishes to intentionally live the mission of unity and spirituality of the Congregation, partner with the Congregation in serving the ‘dear neighbor,’ participate in faith sharing and community with the Sisters and other associates, deepen their

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Announcement

personal relationship with God, neighbor, and all creation, and offer life experiences and gifts to enrich the community and the world.

“I had contact with the Sisters of St. Joseph for many years when I served the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux,” said Theriot. “In 2012, I began the journey to become an associate and had the privilege of seeing first hand the wonderful work of the Congregation. The Sisters’ charism of unity and mission to ‘love and serve the dear neighbor’ is one I have aspired to most of my life and is what attracted me to this position.”

The Congregation has associates all over the United States, with concentrations in areas where we live and work. This includes Baton Rouge, Houma and New Orleans; Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio; Detroit and Kalamazoo, Michigan; Chicago and LaGrange Park, Illinois; Crookston and the Twin Cities, Minnesota; Wheeling, West Virginia; and Wichita, Kansas. Theriot will work with local associate coordinators and associates in these areas and others to build on and expand the program.

“The Congregation is a faith-filled community accepting of all without distinction, and I want to be a part of

that and bring others in as well. This position empowers me to be a vehicle to gather people and to continue serving the church that I love.”

The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph is a religious community of over 500 vowed Catholic women and 500 non-vowed associates who live and minister in the U.S. and around the world. We sponsor over 30 ministries including three Catholic high schools; tutoring and literacy programs; spirituality centers; social service programs; spiritual direction; and pastoral assistance.

We also support justice and peace initiatives including non-violence, the abolishment of the death penalty, fair and just immigration policies, ending human trafficking, anti-racism efforts, and care of Earth. Our mission is to bring all into unity with God, with one another, and with all creation. We do this through prayer, direct service and ministry, partnering with others to serve the dear neighbor, standing with and for the poor and vulnerable, and by advocating for systemic change. To learn more about becoming an associate of the Congregation of St. Joseph, visit us online at www.csjoseph.org/as-anassociate. BC

Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux

Bishop Boudreaux’s centennial birthday The late Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux, founding bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, would have been 100 years old Jan. 25. Bishop Boudreaux, a native of Berwick, served as bishop of the diocese from 1977 until his retirement in 1992. Bishop Boudreaux died Oct. 6, 1997, at the age 79. Please remember Bishop Boudreaux in your prayers on what would have been his 100th birthday.

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National News

Ending human trafficking requires everyone’s efforts, archbishop says

By PERRY WEST New York City, N.Y., (CNA/EWTN News) At a United Nations gathering in New York City, a Holy See official stressed the need for a multi-pronged approach in fighting human trafficking and aiding victims.

“The issue of trafficking in persons can only be fully addressed by promoting effective juridical instruments and concrete collaboration at multiple levels by all stakeholders,” Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher told global leaders at a United Nations event.

Archbishop Gallagher is the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States. He spoke at a High Level Leaders Event hosted by U.K. Prime

Minister Theresa May, entitled, “A Call to Action to End Forced Labor, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.”

The archbishop emphasized the importance of “multi-pronged strategies” to prevent more of these crimes and aid the affected victims, and he noted the special role of women and religious personnel in offering an avenue of trust.

“Experience has shown that many victims are wary of trusting law enforcement authorities, but that they confide their stories more easily to religious personnel, especially religious sisters, who can build their trust in the legal process and provide them safe haven and other forms of assistance.”

Ending this “modern slavery” has

40 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

been a major priority for Pope Francis, said Archbishop Gallagher, and the Catholic Church is collaborating “with both the public and private sectors, including with government authorities.”

Grace Williams, executive director of Children of the Immaculate Heart in San Diego, agreed that women in the Church have an important role in working with trafficking victims.

William’s organization serves women who have been victims of human trafficking. Focusing on rehabilitation, Children of the Immaculate Heart offers opportunities for education, counseling, recreational therapy, and housing.

She explained that their

a

program enables a greater level of trust for victims because the staff members are nearly all women.

“It provides them with a safe environment,” Williams told CNA. “It’s easier for them, in the beginning, to trust” and to open up about their experience.

Due to traumatic past experiences, one of the clients at the organization is unable to ride alone with a man in the car, said Williams, noting that the woman cannot use ridesharing services like Uber for this reason.

Having primarily women on staff is particularly important when it comes to professionals, such as case managers, therapists, and doctors, she said.

Sharing office space with Saint Anne Catholic Church in San Diego, Children of the Immaculate Heart also works closely with parish priests to provide spiritual counseling and advice.

In his address, Archbishop Gallagher said that the Church has played a major role in helping victims heal, but stressed that collaboration is needed on all fronts to “halt these heinous crimes,” he said.

“The global nature of the crimes of forced labor, modern slavery and human trafficking require from all of us a commensurate response of collaboration, fraternity and solidarity.”

Pope Francis has spoken out against human trafficking repeatedly during his papacy. Just a few months after becoming Pope, he called for a group of experts to meet at the Vatican in order to discuss ways to fight human trafficking.

In speeches and homilies, the Pope has referred to human trafficking as “a disgrace” and a “shameful wound... a wound unworthy in a civil society.”

“It is not possible to remain indifferent before the knowledge that human beings are bought and sold like goods,” he said in a 2014 message.

“I think of the adoption of children for the extraction of their organs, of women deceived and forced to prostitute themselves, of workers exploited and denied their rights or a voice, and so on. This is human trafficking!” BC January 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 41

Vatican News

Analysis: What is the context of Pope Francis’ words on the

Lord’s Prayer?

By ANDREA GAGLIARDUCCI Vatican City, (CNA) Pope Francis’ remarks on the “wrong” translation of the Lord’s Prayer in a TV show hosted by the Italian Bishops’ Conference’s TV2000 network are part of a wider debate that has taken place in Italy for over two decades.

The Pope said that the words “non ci indurre in tentazione” – “Do not lead us into temptation,” in the English version – are not correct, because, he said, God does not actively lead us into temptation.

The Pope also praised a new translation operated by the French Bishops’ conference.

The new French translation is “et ne nous laisse pas entrer in tentationI” – “let us not enter into temptation.”

It replaces the previous translation “ne nous soumets pas à la tentation” – “do not submit us to temptation.”

It is worth noting that St. Thomas Aquinas considered the question of whether God leads men “into temptation” in a commentary he wrote on the Our Father. The saint, and Doctor of the Church, concluded that “God is said to lead a person into evil by permitting him to the extent that, because of his many sins, He withdraws His grace from man, and as a result of this withdrawal man does fall into sin.”

The Pope’s intent seems to be to emphasize that God’s active will does not “tempt” men, that, instead, the permissive will of God allows people to be tempted because of their sinfulness.

This is the emphasis of the French translation. The theological context is complex, but certainly the Pope has not

intended to deny the theological and scriptural sense in which God allows, or permits, temptation.

However, the Pope was talking in Italian, on an Italian television show, and his remarks dealt with the Italian translation of the Lord’s Prayer. It would be a mistake to assign his remarks significance beyond the Italian context, in which they would be well understood.

And, in fact, a new Italian translation of that very sentence of the Lord’s Prayer has already been done.

The new translation of the Bible issued by the Italian Bishops Conference says “do not abandon us to the temptation,” and the rephrasing of that sentence was the fruit of a long process, aimed at being more faithful to the Latin text of the prayer – the so-called editio typica – and at the same time more fit to the current language.

Cardinal Giuseppe Betori, Archbishop of Florence and a wellknown scripture scholar, who has also served as undersecretary and secretary of the Italian Bishops Conference, recounted to the Italian newspaper Avvenire how the process for a new translation took place.

“The work,” he said, “dates back to 1988, when the decision was made to review the old 1971 translation of the Bible.”

At that time, a working group of 15 scripture scholars was established, coordinated by a bishop – the first was Bishop Giuseppe Costanzo, then Bishop Wilhelm Egger, and finally Bishop Franco Festorazzi.

This working group collected the

42 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

opinions of 60 more experts on scripture. The group was overseen by the Bishops Commission for the Liturgy, and the Italian Bishops’ Conference Permanent Council, a group composed of the presidents of regional bishops conference, and the presidents of the commissions established within the Bishops’ Conference itself.

Cardinal Betori said that “within the Permanent Council, a restricted committee for the translation was established,” was composed of Cardinals Giacomo Biffi and Carlo Maria Martini, and of Archbishops Benigno Luigi Papa, Giovanni Saldarini and Andrea Magrassi.

“This committee,” Cardinal Betori said, “also received and considered the proposal for the new translation of the Our Father.”

The formula “do not abandon us to temptation” was adopted because it met the approval of both Cardinal Martini and Biffi, who “were not, as is known, from the same schools of thought,” Cardinal Betori explained.

Cardinal Betori said that the formula was chosen because it had a wider meaning, as “do not abandon us to temptation” can both mean “do not abandon us, so that we will not fall into temptation” and “do not abandon... when we are already facing temptation,” Cardinal Betori explained.

The new translation was approved by the Italian bishops in 2000. In 2001, the Congregation for Divine Worship issued Liturgiam Authenticam, a set of new provisions for the translation of liturgical texts.

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Vatican News

After Liturgiam Authenticam, the whole work of translation was reviewed by a group of experts, led by bishops Adriano Caprioli, Luciano Monari and Mansueto Bianchi.

Cardinal Betori was part of this group.

The revision, which suggested many amendments, was forwarded to the bishops. However, these amendments “did not change the proposal for the new translation of the Lord’s Prayer.”

The new translation of the Bible was finally approved during the 2002 General Assembly of the Italian Bishops Conference, with 202 out of 203 bishops voting favorably. The text of the Lord’s Prayer was approved separately, to be certain there were no doubts from bishops. The Holy See gave its recognitio in 2007, and the Italian Bishops Conference Bible was finally published in 2008 with the new translation.

The new translation of the Lord’s Prayer was ‘transferred’ to the Missal.

However, the new translation, in order to be part of liturgical use, must be approved by the Holy See, and the text has not been approved, because there are other issues of concern in the Missal’s translation.

This is the reason why, the formula for the Lord’s Prayer in Italian is still “non ci indurre in tentazione.”

Ultimately, speaking about the translation of the Lord’s Prayer, Pope Francis did not say anything really new. Italian theologians and scripture scholars have already provided their solution for the translation.

However, there is another story to be told. There is a question regarding what will happen to translations that once needed a “recognitio” from the Holy See, which is now simply called to “confirm” the new translation.

Will this lead to a general change in translations in languages other than Italian? BC

The Lord’s Prayer Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come Thy will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses As we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.

January 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 43

Sports

Overtime Ed Daniels

Coach Orgeron recruiting for power first The early signing period in college football kicks off in a few days.

And, in the class of 2018, LSU’s Ed Orgeron has gone, big.

And, I like it.

Since the 2000 season, LSU football has won at least eight games, every year.

And, that consistency happened with power offensive football and great defense.

At the end of the Miles era, it wasn’t the philosophy, but the players executing it, that caused the program to slip.

Orgeron said it best when speaking about a losing streak to Alabama that has now reached seven games.

“We need first round picks to block their first round picks.”

So, in the first 20 commitments from the class of 2018, LSU has five players who weigh more than 300 pounds.

That class includes a pair of behemoths, offensive tackle Badora Traore (6-8, 315), and guard Damien Lewis (6-3, 320).

Both are rated as two of the top junior college prospects in the country.

Nine of the first 20 commits were lineman.

At the end of the 2017 season, as the Tigers won six of their last seven, there were few complaints about the style of the LSU offense.

And, Danny Etling threw sparingly.

In seven games, Etling threw 17 passes or fewer.

In one game all season, did Etling reach the 30 attempt mark. And, that was a season ending 45-21 defeat of Texas A&M. Even in the comeback win over Auburn, Etling threw only 24 passes.

While throwing it sparingly, Etling was effective.

His yards per attempt rose from 7.89 to 9.23.

His touchdown passes total rose from 11 to 14.

And, his interception total was cut from five to two.

It is the style of football that Ed Orgeron prefers.

And, the numbers say running the football, even in the spread offense era, is championship football.

Of the four teams in the College Football Playoff, only one, Oklahoma, was ranked in the top 50 in passing offense (third).

But, in rushing offense, all four were in the top 33.

Alabama was 10th, Georgia 11th, Oklahoma 27th and Clemson 33rd.

The inability to control the line of scrimmage is the reason why LSU’s last win over Alabama was in November of 2011.

The ability to control the line of scrimmage is the reason why LSU has whipped Texas A&M six straight times since the Aggies joined the SEC in 2012.

After the win over the Aggies, Orgeron raised some eyebrows when he said he would consider current tight ends coach Steve Ensminger to coordinate the LSU offense if Matt Canada departed.

Orgeron promoted Ensminger to offensive coordinator after he fired Cam Cameron.

But, whether it is Canada, Ensminger, or someone else, Ed Orgeron, in his recruiting class of 2018 has made it clear.

His Tigers will always be power, first. BC

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Catholic Schools Week

Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.

From the Superintendent Suzanne D. Troxclair

On May 14, 2014, in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis stated the following in front of an audience of more than 300,000 students, parents and teachers in a celebration of Catholic education: “A path that leads to the three languages that a mature person needs to know: the language of the mind, the language of the heart, and the language of the hands. All in harmony. In other words, think of what you feel and do; listen to what you think and what you do; and do well what you think and do. The three languages, in harmony and together.” Describing school as a place of encounter, Pope Francis stressed the importance of the collaborative effort necessary to serve our children, noting that school and family must work hand-in-hand as our children are formed into missionary disciples of Christ.

On Jan. 28 – Feb. 3, we celebrate in a special way with Catholics throughout the United States the uniqueness of the ministry of Catholic education and its rich value to our youth during National Catholic Schools Week. The theme of Catholic Schools Week, sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.”

This theme has given us the opportunity to rejoice in the many blessings our Catholic schools are able to share with our church, our communities, our nation and our world. What better way to celebrate our children and the collaborative effort of the church, our schools and our parish families than with a diocesan celebration of the deep commitment to Catholic education that

exists in our diocese? As this week-long celebration approaches, there are many opportunities for the larger community to come together and express our commitment and devotion to the ministry of Catholic education in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Please explore with me a few opportunities we have during National Catholic Schools Week to celebrate the uniqueness of our dedication to forming missionary disciples of Christ.

Sunday, Jan. 28: Celebrating Your Parish Our schools reap the benefits all year long from the religious guidance, support and prayers provided by our church parishes, as these are essential to the ministry of Catholic education in our diocese. n Celebrate the beginning of Catholic Schools Week by participating in one of the many Masses throughout the diocese to pray for the ongoing success of the ministry. n Pray a novena to honor the patron saint of one of our schools. n After Mass, ask Catholic school students to share how they have come to know God better through their experiences in Catholic education.

Monday, Jan. 29: Celebrating Your Community The experience of service to others is an integral part of Catholic education.

In Catholic schools, students demonstrate the values and faith they learn as they participate in service projects and activities. Our service to the community is as an example of the importance of the ongoing help we give others throughout our lives as we work to serve Jesus Christ. n Visit someone who is homebound and pray the rosary. n Visit residents of an assisted living home. n Explore opportunities to extend your service to a Catholic school in your community.

Tuesday, Jan. 30: Celebrating Your Students Throughout National Catholic

48 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

Schools Week, schools in the diocese celebrate by planning meaningful and enjoyable activities to highlight the importance of the ministry. All are encouraged to prayerfully reflect on the benefits of Catholic education and how they can learn, serve, and lead throughout their lives. n Find out a school’s list of activities marking Catholic Schools Week and plan to attend any events open to the public if possible, especially the school’s special Mass. n Write a letter to a Catholic school’s faculty thanking them for all that they do to impart the Catholic faith on the students in their schools. n Write a letter to a class to share the profound impact Catholic education (in a school or in religious education) has had on you.

Wednesday, Jan. 31: Celebrating the Nation On this National Appreciation Day for Catholic Schools, educators, students, families and other Catholic school supporters share the value of Catholic education with government leaders. They pray in a special way on this day for the nation and recognize all who serve it. n Share your appreciation for Catholic schools on social media platforms using #CSW18. n Share Catholic Schools Week events and celebrations on social media. n Explore the NCEA’s website to see how schools are celebrating at www.

NCEA.org/CSW. Thursday, Feb. 1: Celebrating Vocations Catholic schools prepare students to succeed by using their talents to the fullest as they learn, serve and lead throughout their lives. National Catholic Schools Week offers students an opportunity to explore the many paths available that allow them to use their talents to serve others. n Pray a novena to honor the patron saint of one of our schools. n Write thank-you letters to priests,

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Catholic Schools Week

deacons, sisters and brothers who serve our Catholic school communities. n Pray for vocations.

Friday, Feb. 2: Celebrating Faculty, Staff and Volunteers Teachers are the ever-present role models for our children in our Catholic schools. This day honors teachers, administrators, and staff, as well as parents, grandparents, alumni, Advisory Council members and parishioners who volunteer in our schools. n Write thank-you notes to school workers and volunteers. n Ask to decorate the teachers’ lounge or workspace in a school. n Recognize teacher-ministers, administrator-ministers, staff and volunteers on social media for their dedication to Catholic education.

Saturday, Feb. 3: Celebrating Families Parents are vital to the ministry

of Catholic education. As the first educators of their children, they instill in them values and expectations for

academic excellence in their homes.

We celebrate their contributions to the success of our schools on this last day

of National Catholic Schools Week and all year long! n Share a prayer for families. n Learn more about the lives of saints who are important to families: Saint Gianna, Saint Pope John Paul II, Saint Joseph, St. Francis of Assisi and Saint Raphael. n Attend Mass as a family.

As 2018 begins, I humbly ask God for the ongoing strengthening of Catholic education in our diocese and throughout the world. May we use the many gifts God has given us as we work together to form missionary disciples of Christ.

Thank you for all you do for Catholic education in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. May our Lord, Jesus Christ bless your family in this new year! BC

January 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 49

LEARN • Over 20 seniors earned the Sacred Heart Scholars Award during the 16-17 school year for scoring a 30 or higher on their ACT. • Two commended students were awarded as part of the 2017 National Merit Scholarship program. They join 41 others, along with 2 Presidential Scholars who represent Vandebilt Catholic.

For over fifty years, Vandebilt Catholic High School has been committed to spiritual formation and academic excellence in an environment rooted in Catholic values and in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Our school’s rich history began in 1870 when the Marianite Sisters of Holy Cross opened Sacred Heart Academy for girls. Boys were admitted for the first time in 1890 and the name was changed to St. Francis de Sales Academy. With the arrival of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in the early 1950s, the school divided into St. Francis de Sales Boys’ and St. Francis de Sales Girls’ High Schools. The two schools merged in 1965 under the name Houma Central Catholic High School. In 1966 the school was dedicated as Vandebilt Catholic High School, named in the memory of Fr. August Vandebilt who was a longtime pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish. Vandebilt Catholic offers a college preparatory curriculum and stresses a personal approach to the education of the whole student through diverse spiritual, academic, athletic, and co-curricular programs.

The mission of Vandebilt Catholic High School is to provide students with a holistic education that is rooted in religious values, structured through friendly discipline, nurtured by personal attention, and committed to academic excellence.

50 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

• Mrs. Ann Robichaux, VCHS Physical Science teacher, was honored as a Louisiana state-level finalist for this year’s Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) Program.

“Vandebilt Catholic has helped me learn how to be disciplined in my faith and studies. Now I am teaching my students what I have learned and demonstrating to them that all things are possible through Christ Our Lord Jesus.”

- Jeremey Ezell, Class of 2006, current faculty member

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• Vandebilt Catholic was recently voted Bayou’s Best of the Best for Best Private School in the Bayou Region.

• The graduating class of 2017 was offered a reported $7.8 million in scholarships from colleges, universities, and the TOPS program.

• Students contributed some twenty thousand service hours to the school, the Church, and the community during the 16-17 school year.

• The HOPE (Higher Options for People with Exceptionalities) Program was the first in the area to open its doors to students with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

• 99% of the 2017senior class attended a 4-year college or university.

• The annual Christmas Project raised over $13,000, which was dedicated to the students of Terrebonne Parish Head Start Program.

• EPIC (Encountering People In Christ) assemblies were introduced this year as an outlet for students to gather and grow in faith together.

• Campus Ministry hosted a 4-day mission trip with 8 partnering Brother of the Sacred Heart schools to work with the Houmas Indians over the summer.

“I have known and been influenced by the Marianites of Holy Cross all my life, and encountered the Brothers of the Sacred Heart when I arrived at Vandebilt.

The spirit of joyful service I witnessed through the sisters, brothers, and teachers who embraced Vandebilt’s mission encouraged me to spend my life in service too. The idea of witnessing the great Joy of the Gospel and of God’s love for us all through service to others was nurtured in my youth, and I pray that the value of joyful service continues to inspire young people today.”

• In 2017, the VCHS composite ACT score was almost 5 points higher than the state average. Composite ACT scores invariably rank well about the local, state, and national averages.

“Our parents sacrificed to give us a Catholic education. Allison and I have committed to providing our daughters, Gabrielle and Caroline, with the same great Catholic school experiences that have served us so well in life.”

- Dr. John “Jay” Clune, Class of 1982, 2009 Alum of the Year, President of Nicholls State University

– Sr. Renee Daigle, MCS, Class of 1981, 2017 Alum of the Year “Vandebilt Catholic has taught me to lead out of love, to give to everyone, just as Jesus did, helping anyone with anything they need and hopefully being God’s instrument in bringing them closer to Him.” - Ethan Henry, Class of 2018

REGISTRATION February 2-23, 2018

If you would like a private tour, please contact Mrs. Kayla Vicknair, Dean of Admissions at 985-876-2551.

For more information, please visit www.vandebiltcatholic.org.

Vandebilt does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, or ethnicity.

January 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 51

Catholic Schools: E. D. White Catholic High School Edward Douglas White Catholic High School’s legacy can be traced back to 1855 when Father Charles Menard, assisted by the Sisters of Mount Carmel, opened Mount Carmel Academy for girls. In 1861, St. Joseph Parish acquired the all-boys Thibodaux College and later contacted the Brothers of the Sacred Heart to run the school. The two schools merged 51 years ago. For 162 years, E. D. White Catholic and its predecessor schools have been building communities of faith, knowledge, and service by offering a holistic education, rooted in Christian values, structured through friendly discipline, nurtured by personal attention and dedicated to academic excellence.

“From the very first time that I walked into E. D. White as an 8th grader, I knew it was more than just a high school. E. D. White begins preparing us to meet the challenges of our future by developing our minds. Our school also gives students many opportunities to get involved. Becoming a member of Key Club has taught me the value of serving others--as it is in giving that we truly receive. I have also learned to lead through service and volunteerism. E. D. White gives students all the tools needed to succeed spiritually, academically, and morally.” - Elizabeth Scorsone ’22

How We Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed: • • • • • • • • • •

Daily Mass offered in the school’s chapel Active campus ministry program Weekly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament ACT scores consistently above the state and national averages Renowned music program Outstanding athletic program with 44 state championships Over 20 clubs and organizations Students contribute over 14,000 hours of community service annually 85% of graduates qualify for the TOPS program An academic enhancement program for students with dyslexia and other learning differences

2018-2019 Registration:

E. D. White Catholic High School is open to all students 52 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018and does not discriminate on the basis of race or national origin.

Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.

“E. D. White Catholic High is truly a one-of-a-kind place. It is a school that gives generously back to its community by remaining dedicated to its mission for each student — to impart the Catholic faith, promote academic excellence and enhance self esteem. As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week, I am especially grateful to have the opportunity to come to a school that gives us a high quality education and submerges its students in God’s never-ending love every minute of every day in every part of its campus. It provides the tools needed for a young person to do more than just learn about God— it allows its students to blossom into active Christians.

I feel truly prepared to be an engaged and responsible member of society and to be Christ-like to those I come into contact with. As someone who travels 40 minutes to get to school each day, I personally feel that every minute of travel is worth it. The moment you walk into the doors of the E. D. White community, you see vibrant men and women tirelessly committed to service, learning, and their passion for the love of Christ, which has the power to change the world.”

- Connor Cheramie ’18

“E. D. White is family. E. D. White has this sense of family because Christ can be found everywhere on our campus. Christ can be found physically during daily Mass and weekly adoration. He is most evident in the teachers’ and students’ willingness to serve. Many view serving as a burden.

E. D. White views it as the gift that keeps on giving. Because of this, students have the ability to grow deeper in their faith. Any school can prepare a student academically. E. D. White is unique because it is one of the few, best schools to prepare a student spiritually.” - Nicholas Robichaux ’18

“Each day at E. D. White is a new opportunity for me as a student, a friend and person. Through morning Mass, adoration, and confession offered on campus, I am given tools to build my relationship with Christ. Through what I learn in our classrooms, I am given the opportunity to succeed in my future career. I have wonderful teachers who are truly willing to put in their time to make sure I leave their class with not only an understanding of the subject, but also a deeper love of my faith. On top of it all, I am constantly at school after hours participating in clubs and performing groups that allow me to explore my interests and use my gifts in service to others. The extent of the blessing that E. D. White has been in my life over the past four years is almost too great to put into words! ” - Mary Laura Zeringue ’19

March 5 - March 16, 2018 and does not discriminate on the basis of race or national origin.

January 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 53

Catholic Schools Week

Central Catholic High School

True missionary disciples in the community and beyond Central Catholic High School, established in 1964, represents a long tradition of Catholic education in the Morgan City area. It is a coeducational institution for students in grades 7-12 which provides quality, Catholic education. The educational environment not only focuses on imparting age-appropriate content to students but also on forming students in strong moral values through faithfilled instruction. The goal of Central Catholic is to educate students to engage in lifelong learning as productive, caring members of society.

Central Catholic, in keeping with characteristics of Catholic schools, provides an academic environment that adheres to National standards and benchmarks for Catholic education. A Christ-centered atmosphere is evident in the many activities providing students an opportunity to encounter Christ. The entire student body engages in daily morning prayer. Prayer is also a part of each class period and includes both learned and spontaneous prayers.

Furthermore, students attend Mass weekly, participate in annual class retreats, and are afforded weekly opportunities to pray the rosary and engage in Adoration in the chapel.

With Christ as our focus, the curriculum is steeped in excellence and committed to educating the whole child.

Central Catholic adopts programs that prepare students for success as contributing leaders of society through the use of academic programs that integrate technology into every aspect of learning. The 1 to 1 iPad program

employed provides opportunities for students to conduct research, create products and work collaboratively. The use of print material along with the integrative use of technology provides a platform for students to think critically, analyze a variety of sources, and use information in student-centered activities. These programs prepare students to be leaders in this diverse, global society.

In forming the whole child, Central Catholic also supports physical, social and moral development through a variety of extra and co-curricular activities. Students may choose from a plethora of sports organizations, which not only impact physical development, but also focus on social interactions and sound, moral decision making within a group. Organizations offered range from football and volleyball to fishing and swim along with a host of other team and individual sports. Students enhance their abilities and share their talents by participating in such activities as choir, music ministry and BETA club. A new club for the 201718 school year, initiated by the ethical and moral ideas of students is SWAT, Stop Wasting Academic Talent. This organization is founded on the premise that students should be recognized and encouraged for making good decisions in academic, athletic, social and moral choices. In contrast to social media in society today, this organization, led by

54 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

students, is reinforcing Jesus’ message in the Gospel that recognizes the gifts and positive contributions of all individuals.

Students develop skills that allow them to make sound moral decisions that enrich the school community and beyond through service to others.

Students engage in activities that provide service through a multitude of school-sponsored programs along with individual service requirements outside of school. School-wide programs that provide service to local families in need as well as to those in need internationally include Toys for Tots, Coats for Kids, Pennies for Patients, and Operation Christ Child, to name a few. Students provide service to the neighboring Catholic elementary school by assisting teachers during scheduled class activities and by working activities at weekend school events.

Seniors provide outreach assistance to a local retirement home and food bank during specified class periods.

Catholic education is not simply about reading, writing and arithmetic; it is about helping to form individuals who will grow to be lifelong learners seeking to enrich society by being witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Central Catholic, through a rigorous curriculum infused with message of Jesus, is forming students as true missionary disciples in the community and beyond. BC

Central Catholic High School 2100 Cedar Street, Unit 1 Morgan City, LA 70380 985-385-5372

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January 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 55

Catholic Schools Week

Holy Savior Catholic School

Rich in Catholic tradition Since 1879, Holy Savior Catholic School has been providing a Catholic education to generations of families in the Central Lafourche area. Nursery one through eighth grade students from Lockport and the surrounding communities are provided a nurturing and faith-filled environment where all students are encouraged to develop their talents, skills and abilities. The school’s mission teaches students how to live out the principles of Catholic tradition which is deeply-rooted in the Gospel of Jesus. This allows students to learn how to serve God and others, to strive for academic excellence, and to become lifelong learners.

Holy Savior’s faith formation and Catholic identity are lived out daily by the students in a way that helps to prepare them to live a dedicated spiritual life. Our students attend daily religion lessons, weekly Masses, and grade level retreats.

Our school community takes part in numerous religious ceremonies throughout the year, such as the Living Rosary, Annual Christmas Pageant, Living Way of the Cross, and May Crowning.

While our faculty and staff are committed to offering opportunities for students to succeed academically, we also work together to ensure that each child’s spiritual, social and physical needs are met. Teachers use various teaching strategies and integrate technology using interactive Promethean Boards and Chrome Books to help develop critical thinking skills. Besides the major subjects, Holy Savior offers music, choir, computer, library and physical education classes. Our students are offered a variety of clubs, such as 4-H, student council, art, performing arts and BETA. Students who enjoy sports can join the school’s cross country, soccer, and basketball teams or the cheerleading squad.

Teaching our students the importance of service, charity and good works are a significant part of Holy Savior. Our students are encouraged to live out the Gospel values Jesus taught and to make a positive impact to those in our community. Through our various service learning opportunities, our students grow to understand the importance of serving others.

56 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

Holy Savior strives to create students who excel academically, are prepared to enter high school, and are eager to make a lasting difference in the world around them. Holy Savior students learn, serve, lead and succeed in making the world a better place. BC

HOLY SAVIOR CATHOLIC SCHOOL 201 Church Street ~ Lockport, Louisiana 70374 Phone: (985) 532-2536 ~ Fax: (985)532-2269 http://plusportals.com/holysavior

Established in 1879

State Approved Curriculum ~ Grades K-8 State Certified Teachers ~ Grades K-8 Full and Part-Time Structured State Approved Nursery and Pre-K Program for one, two, three and four year olds Strong Family Orientation Daily Religious Instruction & Weekly School Masses Children’s Choir Band/Music Program K-8 Bi-weekly P.E. & Computer Classes Weekly Library Class Instruction with Certified Librarian Academic Enhancement, Tutoring Program Before & After School Care Program Reasonable Tuition Rates Gym Facilities, Basketball, Soccer, Cheerleading, Cross Country Caritas, 4-H, Beta & Student Council Clubs Parent/Teacher Activities Committee For more information or to request a tour of our facility, please contact Tricia Thibodaux, Principal ~ tthibodaux@htdiocese.org Terri Vedros, Bookkeeper ~ tvedros@htdiocese.org Holy Savior does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national or ethnic origin

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11/30/17 5:17•PM January 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic 57

Catholic Schools Week

Holy Rosary Catholic School

In teaching the Gospel message of Christ, Holy Rosary Catholic School in Larose recognizes students’ talents and abilities and strives to develop their highest potential. HRCS offers quality academics in a safe, nurturing, Christ-centered environment to students three years old through the eighth grade.

Holy Rosary School continues to carry out the mission of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception who began offering a Catholic education to the South Lafourche community in 1963. The current administration and staff are dedicated to providing a quality education that combines Catholic faith and teachings along with academic excellence. The school sets high standards for student achievement and helps them succeed by providing updated textbooks and curriculum materials.

Selective enrichment programs help to provide a balanced foundation which integrates faith, social, and physical development along with service opportunities which focus on the seven Catholic Social Challenges and Directions presented by the U.S. Catholic Bishops. The goal of these programs is to help students grow in faith and wisdom while preparing them to be productive citizens and leaders.

Programs include: DARE, social studies fair, geography bee, Math-A-Thon, award-winning 4-H and Jr. Beta Club, Big Buddy program, Altar Servers’ club, Living Apostles, school choir, Book It!, Reading Counts, Spring Fiesta, Passion Play, Nativity Play, cross country, volleyball, and basketball teams, cheerleading squad, Literary Rally, numerous art and essay contests, along with an edible school garden.

Holy Rosary recognizes Christ as the heart of its mission.

Traditions of an active and exemplary religious program are professed through weekly liturgies, monthly adoration, and daily instruction in the Catholic faith, service clubs and service projects for families, faculty and students. Through its mission work, HRCS is recognized as an instrumental supporter of Veterans, the Holy Childhood Association, Knights of Columbus and St Vincent DePaul Society, to name a few. The school expands its faith experiences in the school chapel, Jesus Prayer Garden and pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. The combination of a caring staff working with the support of parents in the faith and academic formation of their children has proven to be a formula for success. Through the collaborative efforts of staff, parents and all stakeholders, HRCS joins Catholic schools across our nation as we continue to assist our students to learn, serve, lead and succeed. BC 58 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

Holy Rosary Catholic School

Learn. Serve.

Lead. Succeed.

OFFERING TRADITIONS OF CHRIST-CENTERED, CHALLENGING ACADEMICS SINCE 1963

COME GROW WITH US www.holyrosary.org 985-693-3342 12925 E Main St • Larose, LA 70373

HRCS adheres to the non-discriminatory policy set by the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Catholic Schools Week

Holy Cross Elementary School

A place for spiritual formation and academic excellence Holy Cross Elementary in Morgan City is a school community that fosters Catholic values and academic excellence. We provide students, faculty and parents with opportunities to learn, serve, lead and succeed.

Students at Holy Cross Elementary shine and share their faith with the community by leading a Living Rosary held annually. In thanksgiving for their service, Holy Cross Elementary students share their light by creating cards for our community leaders – police, fire and medical personnel – as well as our veterans.

HCES students, faculty and staff serve others by generously donating food items for Thanksgiving baskets for the needy; providing nursing home residents with clothing and personal items; filling stockings with funds to purchase toys and clothes for disadvantaged children at Christmas; and praying with elderly or ill community members in the school neighborhood.

Holy Cross students succeed in many areas. We have Million Word Readers, geography bee winners, Hometown Spirit art winners, Literary Rally winners, and regional and state social studies fair winners. At Holy Cross, we see each child as a unique gift from God, and all missions are possible with God. We consider all of our students successful because it is their unique qualities that make Holy Cross Elementary the amazing school that it is.

At Holy Cross, students are engaged in learning through hands-on activities and projects using technology. Holy Cross Elementary students learned about the recent solar eclipse in different ways. In the lower grades, students watched the eclipse on Promethean Boards while 4th, 5th, and 6th graders viewed it live with protective glasses. Our Pre-K3 students slept through the event during much-needed naptime!

Holy Cross Elementary students LEARN, SERVE, LEAD and SUCCEED! If you want your child to receive spiritual formation and academic excellence, consider Holy Cross.

Holy Cross Elementary is right for you. Your children and your family will be enriched by the experience of a Holy Cross education! BC

January 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 59

Catholic Schools Week

Maria Immacolata Catholic School

Come, Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit has truly been with Maria Immacolata Catholic School in Houma this year. Our theme song, by Francesca Battistelli, describes our goal as a Catholic school: “Holy Spirit, you are welcome here; come flood this place and fill the atmosphere …” At MICS, each day begins and ends with prayer. A fruit of the Holy Spirit is concentrated on each month, and includes a saint and Bible verse that corresponds with that fruit. Our students of the month are selected each month, from each class, to represent that fruit. Every Friday morning, students, faculty, family members and community gather to celebrate the Eucharist together. Classes are responsible for hosting a school Mass each week. In honor of Our Lady, our small statue of the Blessed Mother goes home with a family each week after Mass for them to pray for our school, community and nation.

Learn. We want our students to not only learn about our faith, but to also be successful academic learners now and later in society. With the recent purchase of a new math curriculum, My Math, and a new reading series, HMH Journeys, we can provide the needed resources and skills for our students to reach their full potential. Extracurricular programs also available include ALEKS math software for grades 3–7, and Lexia/Core 5 reading for grades PK–6. Both of these programs allow students to work on skills at their level.

Serve. The Holy Spirit abounds as we strive to serve others.

Our faculty, students, parents, grandparents and friends of MICS are all a big part of our monthly service projects: Bucket of Books donated to area doctor/dentist office waiting areas, Change for Change (Hurricane Harvey schools), Lafourche and Terrebonne Animal Shelters, food bank drive, Coats for Kids, Toys for Tots, Wounded War Heroes, The Haven, area nursing homes, our seminarians, St. Jude, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Many of these projects are sponsored by our 4-H and Beta clubs.

Lead. MICS is proud to have a faculty of leaders. Our teachers work together to provide the best education possible for our students. Whether it’s incorporating Kagan engagement strategies or providing enriched and innovative activities in the classrooms, our mission is to continuously strive for “academic excellence within a Christian setting.” We are reminded daily of the importance of our Catholic identity while we strive for excellence in all of our students. Succeed. In order to be successful members of society, it is our responsibility to ensure that our students receive the very best academic and faithfilled education possible. Holy Spirit, guide us. Help us. Teach us. We want our students to understand that the Holy Spirit is with us in everything we do. We strive to create a community of successful, lifelong learners who value the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit to ensure strong disciples of Jesus Christ. BC 60 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

Maria Immacolata Catholic School 324 Estate Drive, Houma • 985.876.1631 www.micsbluejays.org

Come Join Our MICS Family!

PreK3 - 7th grade Open House: January 30 New Student Registration: March 5 Academic Excellence Within a Christian Setting

Maria Immacolata Catholic School is open to all students and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, nationality or ethnicity.

Catholic Schools Week

St. Bernadette Catholic School

A place to learn, serve, lead and succeed On Jan. 28-Feb. 3, St. Bernadette Catholic School in Houma will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week. The theme this year is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” The last four words of the theme seem to sum up the complete journey of a St. Bernadette School student. It was the dream the Dominican nuns had for their students years ago and the vision the faculty and staff today hold dear to their hearts - to learn, serve, lead then succeed.

Learn. Learning at St. Bernadette Catholic School entails many aspects. Although we became a National Beta School of Distinction this year and are very active in the Duke Tip Program, we also focus on attaining spiritual growth. We want our students to know God and have a relationship with him. Collaborative learning promotes engagement, which we have embraced schoolwide. As seventh graders leave our halls, we always hope that they advance into the world as lifelong learners.

Serve. Many service opportunities are available to all students and our upper grade students are required to complete community service hours each nine weeks.

Community service provides students with the opportunity to make a difference in society. It not only allows the students to help those in need, it allows them to support the very community that often supports them with school and sports activities. We want them to learn that they can make a difference in changing the world.

Lead. We instill in our students a belief that we should always lead by example. We encourage them to behave in a manner reflective of our Christian values. St. Francis of Assisi once stated, “The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today.”

Succeed. Our profile of a St. Bernadette Catholic School graduate is one filled with success. Periodically as a faculty, we look upon the qualities of our students as they leave us and commence their journey into high school. The character of our students as they depart is one that resonates a personal relationship with God and one who pursues academic excellence. Our students prove to be spiritually, intellectually, physically and socially well- rounded among their generation. We pray that all of our students continue to experience joy in their lives, trusting in God’s plan for their futures. BC

FOSTERING SPIRITUAL GROWTH & ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE! Open House for New Families

Thursday, February 1, 2018 Anytime between 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Registration for New Families begins Monday, March 5, 2018

St. Bernadette CatholiC SChool

985-872-3854 309 Funderburk Avenue • Houma, LA 70364 www.saintbernadettepandas.org St. Bernadette School does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex or religion January 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 61

Catholic Schools Week

St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School

Communicating spiritual values to live a life in Christ Established by the Marianite sisters of Holy Cross in 1870, St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School in Houma is a family oriented school that prepares students to be productive citizens and future leaders while offering an education that combines Catholic faith with academic excellence. St. Francis School provides a strong academic curriculum with an emphasis on not only Catholic faith but instilling in students the value of service. Students are stimulated to relate their studies to real life situations that will prepare them for the world outside the classroom while they experience a Christian community at worship, work and play.

In striving for academic excellence our teachers enthusiastically work together to create a productive and positive classroom atmosphere in which students can learn and grow. Technology is used in the classroom to enhance this educational process. Hands-on, quality learning experiences are provided which encourage inquiry based learning. St. Francis teachers are continuously attending professional development opportunities to learn the latest innovative practices to help raise the standards and keep the curriculum up to date. In conjunction with this focus on rigorous academics, St. Francis School provides students the opportunity to practice and live out their faith each day.

Students participate with their school community in daily prayers and the classes sponsor weekly mass. Our student body held a living rosary in October and students have the opportunity to pray the rosary weekly during recess. St. Francis offers many others ways to keep students immersed in our Catholic faith and traditions including singing troupe, choir, Christian Leadership Club, Sisters in Christ, Student Council, and 4H. While developing the whole child within the framework of Catholic values and strong academics, St. Francis School is able to teach students personnel responsibility through service to others. When children see service to others as important, it creates a lifelong notion that they can make a difference in this world. In September our school family participated in a week long “Team Up To Help Others” service project to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Harvey at Sacred Heart School in Rockport, TX. During this week student council also sponsored a cool pop sale to raise additional funds. In all, our school raised $5,317. In October student council sponsored a Geaux Pink day to raise money 62 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

and awareness for the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.

In one day our school family raised $2,171.23 for this great cause. Our student council also meets the needs of our community by sponsoring a canned food drive in November.

Our Christian Leadership club led our school in a service project to provide care packages for our seminarians. A snack sale held at recess raised $591.67 that was used to provide care packages for our seminarians. They also lead a coat and blanket drive during December.

In addition to the opportunities St. Francis students have to be leaders through service projects, daily jobs at school provide students with the chance to take on leadership roles.

Our 7th grade students give of their time to be teacher aides, morning greeters, and office aides each day. Through these leadership roles younger students are able to witness in action the teachings of their Catholic faith.

A basic aim of St. Francis is to communicate spiritual values that enable each individual to live a life in Christ. In keeping with this philosophy, students at St. Francis School flourish in an environment that allows them to live the theme of Catholic Schools Week, “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve.

Lead. Succeed.” BC

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES CATHEDRAL SCHOOL A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE

OPEN HOUSE FOR PARENTS OF NEW STUDENTS FOR 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018 9:00 A.M. PRE-SCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN AGE STUDENTS (TOUR WILL BE INCLUDED)

10:30 A.M. ST TH 1 - 7 GRADE STUDENTS (TOUR WILL BE INCLUDED)

Open House will provide an opportunity for parents to tour the school and learn about the academic and extracurricular programs offered.

300 VERRET STREET  HOUMA, LA 70360 PHONE 868-6646  FAX 851-5896

www.stfrancishouma.org

St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School is open to all students and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national, or ethnic origin.

Catholic Schools Week

St. Genevieve Catholic School

Christ is the center of our school

This year’s theme for Catholic Schools Week, “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed,” is a perfect description of St. Genevieve Catholic School in Thibodaux. Our students, faculty and families are united in the effort to create an atmosphere that promotes a community of faith, knowledge and service. Through this unity, we achieve success.

Our primary mission is the teaching of the Catholic faith.

We offer a quality Catholic education for families in our area.

We seek to know Christ in our daily school experiences and honor him in each individual. Our students are nurtured in all developmental areas – spiritually, intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally.

Christ is the center of our school as evidenced by the deep spirituality that is developed here. The traditions that promote our faith and nurture our children are easily recognized when you walk through our doors. Our students know they are loved and share that love as they greet visitors in a warm and caring way.

The traditions that we continue to honor keep us rooted in our faith and help to maintain the essence of our school.

We are dedicated to providing a quality education for our children while developing in our students an obligation of service to those in need and to the community.

We believe in ourselves and in our community. We want to be all that we can be. We are thankful for and grateful to all those who will help us on our journey, most especially, our Lord. BC

“Lord, it is good that we are here.”

“Lord, it is good that we are here.”

2018-2019 Registration March 5—March 9 9:00 AM—2:00 PM “My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there.”

-Charles F. Kettering Ponder a moment this quote from an elementary student’s point of view. How seriously we must take our role in their future! We are here to touch that future, dramatically. We hope that you see our school as an investment in the future.

807 Barbier Avenue • Thibodaux, Louisiana 70301 985-447-9291 stgenevieveschool.us St. Genevieve Catholic School does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, national, or ethnic origin and is open to students who share our values and traditions.

January 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 63

Catholic Schools Week

St. Mary’s Nativity School

‘Believe, achieve, succeed with Christ!’

St. Mary’s Nativity School in Raceland has long been an educational leader in Lafourche Parish. The faculty, staff and administration base their philosophy of learning, serving, and discipline on their faith and reliance on Catholic virtues.

St. Mary’s teachers not only teach—they continue to learn, instituting latest practices, updating certifications and furthering degrees. Our students show the positive results of this learning, demonstrated by the awards they’ve won, their success on ACT Aspire and placement tests, and their outstanding success in high schools and colleges.

Service is a byword of St. Mary’s. So many school organizations and classes help those whom the Pope calls “on the peripheries”: the elderly, veterans, the ill and the poor.

Chez Hope of Franklin and Raceland Manor Nursing Home have for years received the benefits of St. Mary’s helping hands and voices. The Missionaries of Charity Homeless Shelter’s Soup Kitchen in Baton Rouge, the seminarians, TARC, St. Jude, Mary Byrd Perkins and The Blue Shed for Covington’s underprivileged children have all benefited from donations, volunteers, visits, spiritual gifts and cards. Our students have collected coats, donations for disaster relief of flood victims, and food for the poor. They have created thankyou gifts for community workers. The school’s generosity of spirit is boundless.

Students not only learn and serve, they embrace opportunities to lead. They lead morning prayer and prayer circles, read and sing at Friday Masses, and are officers in 4-H and Beta Club. Leaders are developed through the sports of basketball, cross-country and cheering. Older students help younger ones at Mass, adult prayer circles, and rainy recesses. They altar serve for Masses and funerals. They pray and journal at home in Moments for Mary and lead in individual family prayer. Caritas members take home the traveling crucifix to pray for vocations. Our students emulate teachers and serve in choirs and as Junior Firemen.

We see how study, service and leadership lead to success.

Alumni repeatedly return to our school and say the basis of their success is our curriculum and our caring. Students’ success in high school and college has demonstrated their faith in St. Mary’s Nativity School’s motto: “Believe, Achieve, Succeed with Christ!” BC 64 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

St. Mary’s Nativity School 3492 Niles Street • Raceland, Louisiana 70394 (985)537-7544 • https:www.plusportals.com/StMarysNativity

2018-2019 Registration Current Students February 19-23, 2018 New Students March 5-9, 2018 Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.

Pre-K 3 through 8th grade

St. Mary’s Nativity School is open to all students and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion or ethnic origin.

Catholic Schools Week

St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School

A safe, Catholic, Christ-centered environment As St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School in Thibodaux celebrates the theme of Catholic Schools Week, “Learn.

Serve. Lead. Succeed,’ we reflect on how we have lived out our mission. This year’s school theme is “Jesus is My Superhero.”

As a school family, we profess our faith openly and invite others in our community to join us in worship, respect and prayer. Each morning a student led prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance echoes the halls of our buildings and can be heard by all passing near our school. A decade of the rosary is prayed on Mondays over the intercom led by students in third through seventh grades. Faculty members gather outside in the meditation garden for morning prayer and reflection, for wherever two or more are gathered in prayer, our Lord is in our midst. On Friday mornings, we gather under one roof to sing and worship at our weekly liturgy to thank God for all of his blessings. We are reminded that our school is a part of a larger faith community as we celebrate school sponsored liturgies at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral. The recitation of the rosary in conjunction with Right to Life Sunday is yet another means for neighboring parishes to sing and pray together along the streets of Thibodaux reminding others of the importance of life from conception to natural death. Each child who attends SJCES becomes a member of the school family as well as a church parish member and community member.

Students experience a retreat at each grade level focused on forming a personal relationship with Jesus, and developing positive character traits and relationships with classmates.

SJCES exists to educate the total child spiritually, morally, academically and socially.

Faculty members embrace the latest instructional strategies and integration of technology to ensure students are prepared young adults acclimated to the demands and rigor set for them globally. Students learn to work together in small groups and communicate by expressing themselves verbally and in writing. Opinions, views and ideas are molded to help each child make sound decisions based on fact and truth. Academic excellence is a strength we continue to nurture. Community members as well as parents are invited to share their knowledge and wisdom with students as an outreach program.

Pro-social behavior and positive outcome interactions are being recognized and promoted at a school level through

our Paws-i-tive Prints recognition program. Random acts of kindness, positive character traits, and service to others are acknowledged. Recipients are pictured along the hallway on a paw print to recognize our jaguars for their kindness and compassion. Many school clubs such as 4-H, builders club and student council are offered to promote service and giving of ourselves to others whether it be 4-H caring crosses or the student council Thanksgiving food and toiletry drives. The builders club members volunteer at community functions such as Bayou Country Children’s Museum’s Night at the Boo-seum, art classes make cards for patients at TRMC, religion classes participate in the Giving Tree project at the co-cathedral, as well as monetary collections for the missions in third world countries. Local public, private and diocesan schools exercise good sportsmanship and healthy competition as our soccer, cross country, basketball, volleyball, and swim teams demonstrate team building while physically engaging in competitive sports activities with other students their age. This is another example of how our school lives out our mission. We promote social interaction in a safe, Catholic, Christ-centered environment.

St. Joseph Catholic Elementary family members continue to strive to live our lives as Jesus would, embracing each other and extending ourselves to those in need spiritually and physically. BC

OPEN HOUSE FOR NEW FAMILIES FEBRUARY 8th - 6:00 P.M.

Class visitation Thursday, February 22th - 9:00 - 10:00 A.M.

Catholic Education Rooted in Faith

Continuing the Tradition of Providing a Quality Catholic Education since 1855

A Values-Oriented Curriculum Fostering Individual Growth Spiritually, Morally, Academically & Socially • Nationally Accredited by AdvancED • Committed to Academic Rigor and Technology Integration • Dedicated, caring, certified Faculty & Staff • State of the Art Library, Computer Lab & Promethean Classrooms • A.C.T./Aspire Assessment Program • Full-Day Pre-K for Four-Year-Olds • Daily Prayer & Weekly School Liturgies • Student Clubs, Sports Teams, Music/Band/Art & Performing Arts Programs • Attention to Special Academic Needs • Optional Before & After School Care

St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School 501 Cardinal Drive • Thibodaux, LA 70301 (985) 446-1346 • FAX (985) 449-0760 www.stjosephcesthibodaux.org

St. Joseph C.E.S. does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, national, or ethnic origin and is open to students who share our values and traditions.

January 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 65

Catholic Schools Week

St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic School

Building God’s kingdom, one child at a time At St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic School in Houma, we love first and then teach. We see Jesus in all children, accepting children and families with unique needs and realizing that children are precious gifts from God. As a Catholic school, St. Gregory promotes the development of joyful, loving and responsible children who realize how God fits into everyday life and who have a personal commitment to becoming disciples of Jesus Christ. Students grow spiritually through unique classroom experiences, participation in liturgical planning, daily participation in prayer and worship, school wide service projects, and weekly the entire school celebrates Mass as a school family - one very special privilege at our little school.

Our students express their desire to serve others through their involvement in service projects such as feeding the hungry of our community; this and many others projects are examples of how our students are involved in giving of themselves just as Jesus taught us to do.

Offering a Catholic education to children age three through seventh grade, St. Gregory provides a learning environment in which research-based methodologies are implemented to meet the varied learning styles of students and to challenge them to reach their individual potential; the students are challenged to succeed in a safe, interactive learning environment. In keeping with the idea that parents are the first educators of their children, we encourage parents to have an active role in the education of their children, so we partner with parents and assist them in understanding the curriculum. Our technology program provides students with differentiated learning opportunities across the curriculum. St. Gregory cultivates a faculty and staff of people who are dedicated, caring and effective. Teachers are continually encouraged to participate in professional development and set goals for reaching higher standards of teaching.

In addition to meeting the academic and spiritual needs of our students, we believe children should have the opportunity to develop and foster additional interests. The following enrichment opportunities are provided: band, art, library and computer classes. Several computer-based academic intervention programs are also offered to our students, namely Moby Max, Accelerated Reader, Lexia, Reflex Math and Aleks.

Extracurricular activities offered at St. Gregory included 4-H, 4-H Cloverbuds, Junior BETA, science club, yearbook club, swim team, and Royal Ministers of Christ - a campus ministry.

After receiving the sacrament of first Eucharist, children are encouraged to serve our church as altar servers. Students may also participate in our school choir - a nice addition to our weekly school Mass. As the back of our spirit shirts state, we at St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic School are “Building God’s Kingdom, One Child at a Time.” BC 66 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • January 2018

Building God’s Kingdom. One Child At A Time!

ST. GREGORY BARBARIGO CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Open House for new families will be February 6th at 5:30 - 6:30p.m.

New Student Registration begins March 5th

Educating students age 3 through 7th grade Principal: Dr. Cindy Martin, NBCT

Small Class Sizes Morning and Midday Prayer Time Family-Oriented Environment SmartBoard Technology iPads and Kindles Computer Lab & Library

Weekly School Mass Monday School Assembly Music Ministry STEM Program/Robotics Yearbook Club Art Classes

Royal Ministers of Christ Parent Teacher Organization Award Winning Junior BETA Club Award Winning 4-H Club Buddy Programs Before/After School Care Program

441 Sixth Street ~ Houma, LA 70364 ~ (985) 876-2038 www.stgregoryschool.org

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BAYOU CATHOLIC • HOUMA, LA

BAYOU CATHOLIC • HOUMA, LA

JANUARY 2018

JANUARY 2018

JANUARY 2018

JANUARY 2018

BAYOU CATHOLIC • HOUMA, LA

JANUARY 2018

BAYOU CATHOLIC • HOUMA, LA

BAYOU CATHOLIC • HOUMA, LA