Bayou Catholic Magazine July 2017

Bayou

Catholic

Jubilation: three men ordained to the priesthood

HOUMA, LA ~ JULY 2017 ~ COMPLIMENTARY

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CLEARLY

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If you would like to visit SEECA call 853-0900

Please donate new school supplies to help Terrebonne and Lafourche Parish students thrive and excel!

Drop off your donation to any Synergy Bank location. /BayouPackTheBus 3

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Contents

Terry Danos

FEATURES

22

36 Rev. Joshua Rodrigue to serve

Terry Prepares a:

QUICK and EASY SALAD

18 22

28 4

This month’s heavenly recipe, shrimp salad with remoulade dressing, comes from Terry Danos, a parishioner of Our Lady of the Rosary Church parish in Larose.

Terry loves to cook. “I enjoy cooking and feeding other people. I cook for fishing rodeos in the area, and have also cooked at St. Ben’s Seminary for large gatherings.

My favorite thing to cook is jambalaya, although I also like to cook gumbos.”

Terry is active in his church parish and is involved in ministry on the diocesan level. “I am involved with the youth rally, CLI and TEC retreats. I was a TEC 10 participant; now TEC 79 will be the next TEC retreat.

I also emcee for diocesan celebrations and have been a liturgist for Steubenville on the Bayou.”

He also studied for six years at St. Joseph Seminary.

Terry currently works for Bollinger Shipyards as a lead purchaser for the company.

A couple of years ago Terry was diagnosed with diabetes. “When I found out I had diabetes my doctor told me I had to make some drastic changes in my diet and how much I was eating. I have lost nearly 130 pounds in the past 13 to 14 months.

I went from a waist measurement of 56 to 38 inches. I attribute my success to healthy living.

I now use portion control and have cut out most of my carb intake. I am more active now. I walk three miles every morning before work.”

Terry says that his grandmother is responsible for his love for the church. “My grandmother brought me to Mass and religion classes when I was a young boy. The most important thing is to have faith in God. It is that faith that helps you get through the day. It’s also a priority to attend Mass on Sundays and refuel for the week ahead.”

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • July 2017

30

in Rome

By Janet Marcel

38 Bayou Patrons Shrimp Salad

By Janet Marcel with Remoulade Dressing

42 Retrouvaille: hope for struggling

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound of shrimp, boiled and peeled 1 head of iceberg lettuce 6 eggs, boiled and quartered

married couples

By Janet Marcel

Remoulade dressing

1/2 cup mayonnaise 2 tbsp. ketchup 2 tbsp. horseradish 3 tbsp. sour cream 1 tsp. corn syrup 1 tsp. Tony’s Seasoning 1 tsp. black pepper 1/2 tsp. crab boil liquidBy Bishop

COLUMNS

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Shelton J. Fabre

DIRECTIONS:

12 Pope Speaks

Mix the ingredients of the remoulade dressing in a bowl. Pull apart the washed lettuce and separate into serving dishes, Pope place quartered Francisboiled I eggs around the lettuce. Add a few boiled shrimp over the lettuce. Pour the desired amount of remoulade dressing over each dish of salad.

13 Questions of Faith

By Rev. Wilmer Todd

14 Readings Between The Lines

By Father Glenn LeCompte

35 Reading with Raymond

By Raymond Saadi

40 Thoughts for Millennials

By Ryan Abboud

50 Overtime

By Ed Daniels

GUEST COLUMN

32 St. Joseph Co-Cathedral

31

Comfort For My People

rich in symbolism

By Father Michael Bergeron

IN EVERY ISSUE

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From the Editor

16 Scripture Readings 20 Diocesan Events 22 Heavenly Recipes ANNOUNCEMENTS

47 Food for the Journey

42 Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • July 2017

Kristin Niedbala speaks

48 Catholic Foundation

director named

48 St. Gregory School

principal named

On Our Cover Three young men were recently ordained to the priesthood at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. Throngs of well-wishers gathered for the ordination of Father John David Matherne, Father Brice Higginbotham and Father Jean-Marie Nsambu.

Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier

Bayou Catholic Vol. 38, No. 1 How to reach us:

BY PHONE: (985) 850-3132

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

BY FAX: (985) 850-3232

BY E-MAIL: bayoucatholic@htdiocese.org The Bayou Catholic is published monthly, for the people of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux by the H-T Publishing Co., P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395.

Subscription rate is $35 per year.

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

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

Lawrence Chatagnier

editor and general manager

Glenn J. Landry, C.P.A. business manager

Janet Marcel

staff writer/administrative assistant

Index to Advertisers Advanced Eye Institute ......................................... 41 Bueche’s Jewelry ................................................. 42 Cardinal Place ...................................................... 17 Cross Catholic Outreach ....................................... 21 Diocesan Outreach Line ....................................... 34 Felger’s Foot Wear ................................................. 3 Gulf Coast Orthopedics ........................................ 37 Haydel Spine Pain & Wellness .............................. 15 Headache & Pain Center ....................................... 47 Houma Digestive Health Specialists ...................... 20 Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center ........................... 48 LeBlanc & Associates, LLC .................................. 41 Ochsner St. Anne Hospital .................................... 51 Patrick Yancey Law Firm ...................................... 50 Premier Offshore Catering, Inc. ............................. 17

Re-Bath ............................................................... 47 Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corp. .... 49 Riviere Insurance Agency, Inc. .............................. 40 Rod’s Superstore ................................................. 21

Brooks Lirette

advertising accounts executive

Lisa Schobel Hebert graphic designer

Meridy Liner

accounts receivable/payable assistant

Seeca .................................................................... 2 Seminarian Education Burses ............................... 23 Southland Mall ..................................................... 52 St. Joseph Manor ................................................. 41 Strategic Plan ..................................................24-27 Synergy Bank ......................................................... 3 Terminix ............................................................... 20 The Center for Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine .... 45 Thibodaux Physical Therapy ................................. 21

Awards

CPA First Place General Excellence 2013 - 2014 LPA First Place General Excellence 2015

Watkins, Walker, Eroche & Hoychick ..................... 42 www.bayoucatholic.com

5

Welcome

Summertime

From the Editor 6

When I look through this issue of the Bayou Catholic magazine, I can’t help but think that we certainly had a lot of celebrations going on in the past couple of months. It actually began with the ordination of transitional deacon Paul Birdsall in late May. In June, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the diocese on Pentecost Sunday. There was a Solemn Vespers Service where 77 lay men and women were recognized for their outstanding service to the church.

There was also the ordination of our newest priests of the diocese, Father Brice Higginbotham, Father John David Matherne and Father Jean-Marie Nsambu.

There was standing room only at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral for the ceremony. This was surely a testament of not only the popularity of these men but their integrity and character.

During the anniversary celebration, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre promulgated the diocesan strategic plan entitled “Plans of Hope,” which will serve as a guide in renewing our parishes, parishioners and diocese. In this issue of the Bayou Catholic there is a four page spread containing information about the strategic plan and the vision Bishop Fabre has for our diocese and the Catholic faithful who call it home.

As we enter the month of July, most of our thoughts are of summer vacation. It is a time when we typically try to slow down and spend time away from work and home and enjoy something out of the ordinary. It is good to get away and experience the beauty of unfamiliar places.

Some take vacations to far away destinations that they have hoped to visit for a long time.

A vacation to the beach or a campsite can offer relaxation while enjoying the beauty of nature and the serenity and peacefulness of life away from the daily grind.

Vacations are times when

we can connect with family members and enjoy each other’s company while seeking adventurous activities or simply spending time listening to the waves and watching the clouds roll by overhead. I am personally looking forward to a few days off to go camping. It’s a great way to get back to nature and connect with all the beauty and majesty God has to offer in the wilderness.

Be safe in whatever type of vacation you choose this summer.

Remember to wear that life vest while boating and protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Be sure to pack the insect repellent if you’re in the woods; and if you travel to distant lands be mindful and respectful of the customs and laws in places you might not be familiar with. Have a great summer 2017!

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!

Lawrence

Lawrence Chatagnier Editor & General Manager

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • July 2017

Church Life

Transitional diaconate ordination The Rev. Mr. Paul Birdsall was ordained a transitional deacon at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux.

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre was the ordaining prelate.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

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www.bayoucatholic.com

Comment

Comfort For My People Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

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The month of July reminds us of many things. July reminds us that we are now more than half way through the current calendar year of 2017. How quickly the months seem to fly by throughout the year! Much to the disappointment of students, the beginning of July is also the ‘midpoint’ of the summer long recess from school. As such, we begin to see during July ‘Back to School Sales’ and other things that turn our attention to the approach of the coming school year.

However, perhaps the most important thing about July is that it turns our minds and hearts at the beginning of the month to an appreciation of and prayer for our beloved country, the United States of America, as we celebrate our Independence Day on July 4th. July and our Independence Day holiday give us the opportunity to pause and thank God for the many graces and blessings that we enjoy here in the United States. We pray that God continue to bestow his grace, blessings and peace upon all in our country, and especially upon those who so valiantly serve in our armed forces.

As faithful citizens, July has also become an opportunity for us each year to reflect upon and thank God for the many freedoms that we enjoy here in the USA. There is one freedom that for many reasons has more recently become a primary focus of discussion and challenge, and this is the freedom of religion or religious liberty. In different ways in the past few years,

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • July 2017

Religious liberty: one of America’s most precious possessions religious liberty in our country has more and more been reduced and restricted to only the right to worship on Sunday in accordance with our conscience.

However, in his Sept. 25, 2015, address at Independence Hall in Philadelphia during his pastoral visit to the USA, Pope Francis stated, “Religious freedom certainly means the right to worship God, individually and in community, as our consciences dictate. But religious liberty, by its nature, transcends places of worship and the private sphere of individuals and families. Because religion itself, the religious dimension, is not a subculture; it is part of the culture of every people and every nation.”

Pope Francis makes it clear that religious liberty encompasses far more than just where we worship on Sunday, and is an important aspect of life together in society.

Religious liberty is also about the freedom in society to appropriately act in accord with our religious beliefs and our conscience. Pope Francis also references the role that religious freedom plays in giving rise to other rights when he went on to state, “Let us preserve freedom. Let us cherish freedom.

Freedom of conscience, religious freedom, the freedom of each person, each family, each people, which is what gives rise to rights.”

For these reasons and for so many other reasons, it is important that religious liberty be protected.

In more recent years, however, there also seems to be a growing number of people who believe that religious liberty is to be automatically equated with

intolerance and exclusion, with bigotry and hatred on the part of those who advocate for religious liberty. This is a terrible misunderstanding of the Roman Catholic Church’s approach to religious liberty. In direct contrast to this misunderstanding, in his address upon arriving at the White House on Sept. 23, 2015, Pope Francis stated the following about the Catholic Church’s understanding of how religious liberty and the rights of others exist alongside one another, “American Catholics are committed to building a society which is truly tolerant and inclusive, to safeguarding the rights of individuals and communities, and to rejecting every form of unjust discrimination.

With countless other people of good will, they are likewise concerned that efforts to build a just and wisely ordered society respect their deepest concerns and their right to religious liberty. That freedom remains one of America’s most precious possessions.”

In his address to Congress on Sept. 24, 2015, Pope Francis reminded us how we together can continue to build freedom for all by stating, “Building a future of freedom requires love of the common good and cooperation in a spirit of subsidiarity and solidarity.” The answer to our current challenges lies in our ongoing efforts to respect one another and to work together to advance the common good.

Let us continue to pray that religious freedom, our most cherished freedom, will continue to be protected and respected!

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LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

www.bayoucatholic.com

Comentario

La Libertad de Religión: Una de las posesiones más valiosas de Los Estados Unidos

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El mes de julio nos hace recordar muchas cosas; el mes de julio nos hace recordar que hemos transcurrido más de la mitad del año 2017. ¡Con qué rapidez han pasado los meses de este año! Tristemente para los estudiantes, el mes de julio marca la mitad de sus vacaciones de verano. Por eso es que comenzamos a ver las ofertas de útiles escolares y otros productos que nos indican que el nuevo año escolar ya va a comenzar.

Sin embargo, tal vez lo que tiene mayor importancia es que el mes de julio nos hace voltear nuestras mentes y corazones hacia el cuatro de julio, el Día de Independencia, para apreciar y orar por nuestro querido país, los Estados Unidos de América.

El mes de julio y nuestro Día de Independencia nos da la oportunidad de hacer pausa y darle las gracias a Dios por toda la gracia y bendiciones que gozamos en los Estados Unidos. Le pedimos a Dios que siga brindándonos la gracia, sus bendiciones y la paz a todos en nuestro país y en especial a los que sirven con tanta valentía en nuestras fuerzas armadas.

Como ciudadanos de fe, el mes de julio nos da la oportunidad de reflexionar y darle las gracias a Dios por todas las libertades que gozamos aquí en los E.E.U.U. Hay una libertad que por muchas

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • July 2017

razones se ha convertido en el tema principal de discusiones y desafíos: la libertad de religión. Durante los últimos años, la libertad de religión en nuestro país ha sido reducida y restringida hasta el punto de solamente tener el derecho a celebrar misa los domingos según nuestra conciencia.

El papa Francisco declaró en su discurso el 25 de septiembre del 2015 en el Salón de la Independencia en Filadelfia durante su visita papal en los E.E.U.U.: «La Libertad de religión significa tener el derecho de adorar a Dios como individuos o como comunidad, según nuestra conciencia. La libertad de religión por naturaleza abarca más allá de la oración y la esfera privada de los individuos y las familias.

La religión en sí y su dimensión religiosa no son una subcultura; la religión es parte de una cultura de los pueblos y todas las naciones.»

El papa Francisco aclaró que la libertad de religión incluye mucho más que la iglesia donde celebramos misa los domingos y es un aspecto importante de la vida junto con la sociedad. La libertad de religión es también la libertad social de actuar apropiadamente y según nuestras creencias religiosas y nuestra conciencia. El papa Francisco también cita el papel que la libertad de religión desempeña en crear otros derechos cuando dijo: «Preservemos la libertad.

Valoremos la libertad. La libertad

de conciencia, el libre albedrío, la libertad de cada individuo, de cada familia, de cada pueblo, que es lo que genera los derechos.» Por estas razones y por muchas otras es importante que la libertad de religión sea protegida.

Sin embargo en los últimos años, parece que existe un número mayor de individuos que creen que la libertad de religión es automáticamente igual a la intolerancia y la exclusión, lleno de odio e intolerancia por parte de los que abogan por la libertad de religión. Esto es un gran malentendido que se tiene del punto de vista de la Iglesia Católica Romana sobre la libertad de religión. En su discurso en la Casa Blanca el 23 de septiembre del 2015 el papa Francisco declaró lo siguiente sobre el punto de vista que tiene la Iglesia Católica sobre la libertad de religión y los derechos de los ciudadanos: «Los católicos estadounidenses están comprometidos a construir una sociedad que es verdaderamente tolerante e inclusiva, salvaguardando los derechos del individuo y las comunidades, rechazando cualquier clase de discriminación injusta. Con un sinnúmero de personas de buena fe ellos deben dedicarse en los esfuerzos de construir una sociedad justa y ordenada que respeta las preocupaciones más profundas y el derecho de libertad de religión. La libertad permanece uno de los grandes valores de Estados Unidos.»

En su discurso al Congreso el 25 de septiembre del 2015, el papa Francisco nos hizo recordar que juntos somos capaces de seguir construyendo la libertad para todos: «Para construir un futuro de libertad se requiere el amor por el bien común y la cooperación en un espíritu de subsidiariedad y solidaridad.» La respuesta a nuestros desafíos en la actualidad yace en nuestros esfuerzos continuos por respetarnos unos a otros y trabajando juntos para poder aumentar el bien común. ¡Sigamos orando para que la libertad de religión, nuestra más valorada libertad, permanezca protegida y respetada!

T

Tháng bảy nhắc nhở chúng ta về nhiều điều. Tháng bảy nhắc nhở rằng hiện giờ chúng ta đã sống được hơn nửa năm 2017 rồi.

Những ngày tháng dường như vụt bay trong suốt cả năm! Nhiều điều thất vọng của các sinh viên học sinh là vì đầu tháng bảy cũng là “điểm giữa” của mùa hè dài nghỉ học. Vì vậy, chúng ta bắt đầu nhìn thấy trong suốt tháng bảy các món “hàng giảm giá cho năm học mới” và những thứ khác làm chúng ta chú ý đến sự đến gần của năm học sắp tới.

Tuy nhiên, có lẽ điều quan trọng nhất trong tháng bảy đến với tâm trí chúng ta là vào đầu tháng chúng ta nhận thức và cầu nguyện cho Hoa Kỳ, đất nước thân yêu của chúng ta, khi chúng ta kỷ niệm Ngày Độc Lập vào ngày 4 tháng 7. Tháng 7 và ngày nghỉ lể Độc Lập cho chúng ta cơ hội hồi tâm và cảm tạ Chúa về những ân sủng và phúc lành mà chúng ta tận hưởng ở Hoa Kỳ. Chúng ta cầu nguyện xin Thiên Chúa tiếp tục ban phát ân sủng, các phúc lành và bình an của Ngài trên khắp đất nước chúng ta, nhất là trên những người phục vụ một cách anh dũng trong các binh chủng quân đội.

Là những công dân trung thành, tháng 7 cũng trở thành cơ hội cho chúng ta mỗi năm để suy tư và cảm tạ Thiên Chúa cho nhiều sự tự do mà chúng ta tận hưởng nơi đất nước Hoa Kỳ. Có một sự tự do gần đây vì nhiều lý do đã trở thành trọng tâm chính của cuộc thảo luận và thách đố, đây chính là sự tự do tôn giáo. Theo những đường lối khác nhau trong những năm vừa qua, tự do tôn giáo ở nước chúng ta ngày càng bị giảm sút và giới hạn, chỉ để thờ phượng Chúa vào ngày Chúa Nhật theo lương tâm của mình.

Tuy nhiên, trong buổi nói chuyện ngày 25 tháng 9 năm 2015, tại sảnh đường Độc Lập, Philadelphia, trong chuyến viếng thăm nước Mỹ, Đức Thánh Cha Phanxicô đã tuyên bố: “Tự do tôn giáo chắc chắn có nghĩa là quyền thờ phượng Thiên Chúa, riêng biệt và trong cộng đồng, theo tiếng nói lương tâm của chúng ta. Nhưng tự do tôn giáo,

Binh luan bang loi

Tự do tôn giáo: một trong những tài sản quý giá nhất của nước Mỹ theo bản chất của nó, vượt qua những nơi thờ tự và lãnh vực cá nhân của các cá nhân và gia đình. Vì tôn giáo tự bản chất không phải là một nền văn hoá phụ thuộc; nó là một phần văn hoá của mọi người và mọi quốc gia.” Đức Thánh Cha Phanxicô đã nói rõ ràng rằng tự do tôn giáo bao gồm nhiều thứ hơn là nơi mà chúng ta thờ phượng vào ngày Chúa Nhật, mà là một khía cạnh quan trọng của cuộc sống trong xã hội. Tự do tôn giáo cũng là về tự do trong xã hội để hành động phù hợp với niềm tin tôn giáo và lương tâm của chúng ta. Đức Thánh Cha Phanxicô cũng nhắc đến tự do tôn giáo đóng vai trò làm phát sinh các quyền khác khi ngài tuyên bố: “Chúng ta hãy bảo vệ tự do. Hãy yêu mến tự do. Tự do lương tâm, tự do tôn giáo, tự do của mỗi người, mỗi gia đình, mỗi dân tộc, là những gì làm phát sinh các quyền.”

Vì những lý do này và vì nhiều lý do khác, điều quan trọng là tự do tôn giáo phải được bảo vệ.

Tuy nhiên, trong những năm gần đây, dường như càng ngày càng có nhiều người tin rằng tự do tôn giáo sẽ tự động bị đánh đồng với sự không dung thứ và loại trừ, với sự tin tưởng mù quáng và hận thù của những người ủng hộ cho tự do tôn giáo. Đây là một sự hiểu lầm khủng khiếp về cách tiếp cận sự tự do tôn giáo của Giáo hội Công giáo. Trái ngược với sự hiểu lầm này, trong bài diễn văn của ngài khi đến Tòa Bạch Ốc vào ngày 23 tháng 9 năm 2015, Đức

Thánh Cha đã tuyên bố như sau về sự hiểu biết của Giáo hội Công giáo về quyền tự do tôn giáo và quyền của người khác tồn tại song song với nhau như thế nào, “Người Công giáo Mỹ cam kết xây dựng một xã hội thực sự khoan dung và toàn diện, để bảo vệ các quyền của cá nhân và cộng đồng, và từ chối mọi hình thức kỳ thị bất công. Với vô số những 11 người khác có thiện chí, họ cũng lo ngại rằng những nỗ lực xây dựng một xã hội công bằng và khôn ngoan phải tôn trọng mối quan tâm sâu xa nhất và quyền tự do tôn giáo của họ.

Tự do đó vẫn là một trong những tài sản quý giá nhất của nước Mỹ.”

Trong bài diễn văn của mình trước Quốc hội vào ngày 24 tháng 9 năm 2015, Đức Thánh Cha Phanxicô đã nhắc nhở chúng ta rằng chúng ta có thể cùng nhau tiếp tục xây dựng tự do cho tất cả mọi người qua việc tuyên bố: “Xây dựng một tương lai của tự do đòi hỏi tình yêu thương của công ích và sự hợp tác trong tinh thần phù trợ và đoàn kết.” Câu trả lời cho những thách thức hiện tại của chúng ta ở nơi những nỗ lực liên tục của chúng ta để tôn trọng lẫn nhau và cùng làm việc để thúc đẩy lợi ích chung.

Chúng ta hãy tiếp tục cầu nguyện cho sự tự do tôn giáo, sự tự do đáng yêu mến nhất của chúng ta, sẽ được tiếp tục bảo vệ và tôn trọng!

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

Comment

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are for everyone, Pope Francis says The Pope Speaks

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Vatican City, (CNA/EWTN News) Pope Francis said on the eve of Pentecost that the grace of the Holy Spirit is for everyone – something we must keep in mind as we continue to walk the path toward Christian unity through prayer and good works.

“Share with everyone in the Church Baptism in the Holy Spirit, praise the Lord without ceasing, walk together with Christians of different Churches and Christian communities in prayer and action for the most needy,” Pope Francis said.

The grace of the Holy Spirit “is for the whole Church, not just for some, and none of us is the ‘master’ and all the others the servants. No. We are all serving this current of grace.”

Pope Francis addressed around 50,000 members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement during an ecumenical prayer vigil inside Rome’s Circus Maximus on June 3. The vigil was part of five days of celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the movement.

The May 31-June 4 jubilee was organized by the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services and the Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant Communities and Fellowships.

The most precious gift we have all received, he explained, is our Baptism. “And now the Spirit leads us on the path of conversion that goes through the

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • July 2017

Marina Testino/CNA photo

Rose petals shower from the ceiling of the Pantheon, a Pentecost tradition in Rome symbolizing the descent of the Holy Spirit.

whole Christian world…”

Additionally, praising God should be accompanied by serving those in need.

“To serve the poorest and the sick, this is what the Church and the Pope are expecting from you, Catholic Charismatic Renewal, but from all of you, everyone, all of you who have entered this current of grace!”

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the movement is the perfect time, he said, to stop and reflect.

“And I would say to you: It is time to move forward with more force, leaving behind us the dust of time we have left to accumulate, giving thanks for what we have received and facing the new with faith in the action of the Holy Spirit!”

Today, he said, we are gathered in an open-air space, because we are not afraid and because our hearts are open to the promises of the Father. Together, we all profess that “Jesus is Lord.”

People may have come from many different parts of the world, but in the Holy Spirit, we are united, “to announce together the love of the Father for all his children!

To announce the Good News to all peoples! To show that peace is possible.”

Showing to the world that peace

is possible isn’t always so easy, the Pope continued, “but in the name of Jesus we can prove with our testimony that peace is possible!”

“Jubilee, cheerfulness, joy, fruit of the same action of the Holy Spirit! The Christian either experiences joy in his heart or there is something that does not work. The joy of announcing the Good News of the Gospel!”

Francis also commented on the unity found in the “ecumenism of blood,” a phrase he has used before, in speaking about the number of Christian martyrs there are today. When Christians are killed for their faith, he said, they aren’t asked, “Are you Orthodox? Are you a Catholic? Are you evangelical?

Are you Lutheran? Are you a Calvinist?”

“Today, it is more urgent than ever before, the unity of Christians, united by the Holy Spirit, in prayer and action for the weak. Walk together, work together. Love each other,” he said.

“And now we are here and we are many!” he continued. “We have come together to pray together to ask for the coming of the Holy Ghost over each of us to go out into the streets of the city and the world to proclaim the Lordship of Jesus Christ.”

Questions of Faith Father Wilmer Todd

Why did the Catholic Church begin the practice of receiving holy Communion in the hand?

When I was growing up, everyone received Communion on the tongue.

We thought that’s the way it always was. However, history tells us that it was not until the 9th Century that people started receiving Communion on the tongue. It seems like people lost the idea that they were taking part in a sacred meal. Before that time everyone received Communion in the hands.

A 4th Century instruction on how to receive the Eucharist states: “When you approach, do not go stretching out your open hands or having your fingers spread out, but make the left hand into a throne for the right that will receive the King, and then cup your open hand and take the Body of Christ, reciting the Amen. Then carefully sanctify your eyes by touching the Sacred Body, and receive it. However, be careful that no particles fall, for what you lose would be to you as if you had lost some of your members.

“Tell me, if anybody had given you gold dust, would you not hold fast to it with all care, and watch for fear that some of it falls and be lost to you? Must you not then be even more careful with that which is more precious than gold and diamonds, so that no particles are lost? Then after you have partaken of the Body of Christ, approach the chalice with the Blood without stretching out your hands. Bow, in a position of worship and reverence, and repeat the Amen and sanctify yourself by receiving the Blood of Christ. Should your lips still be moist, then touch them with your hands and sanctify your eyes and your forehead and the other senses.

Then remain in prayer and thank God who has made you worthy of such mysteries.”

In the Middle Ages people lost sight of the Mass as a Sacred Meal.

They forgot that the Lord Jesus instituted the Eucharist at a meal, the Last Supper. He used food and drink as signs of his presence with us. The sacramental bread broken stands for the body of Christ broken for us. The cup of wine stands for his blood poured out for us. Those who receive Christ in the Eucharist with faith and love receive the living Jesus Christ.

The people of the Middle Ages emphasized the eucharistic presence of Christ as an element to be adored. Often they would run from church to church to “catch” the elevations and would not always receive Communion. When they did, they received it on their tongues because they considered themselves unworthy. They also forgot they were part of the “royal priesthood” that St. Peter talked about in his letter.

Jesus told us to “take and eat,” “take and drink.” When we were babies, our parents fed us. As adults, we take, eat and drink. We do what Jesus asked us to do.

Vatican II has restored the original way the early Christians received Communion.

The instructions in the 4th Century are still valid for Catholics today. We make a throne for the King. We

never grab or take the host with our finger. We say “Amen” and then step aside to put the sacred host in our mouths. We never walk with the host in our hands. We 13 prayerfully thank Jesus for the gift of himself as food for our journey.

Our postures and our attitude when we receive the Lord into our souls show our reverence. We stand up straight. We appreciate the gifts we are to receive. Before receiving Communion we do not have to genuflect. Our attitude and posture will speak of our reverence.

Standing was the original way to receive our Lord in the Eucharist. It was only in the 13th Century that people start to kneel. The church has restored the ways the church first celebrated the Eucharist. May we always appreciate the Eucharist as the “source and summit of the Christian life.”

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

Reflections Readings Between The Lines Father Glenn LeCompte

Gallup Poll:

How many take the Bible literally?

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A

A recent Gallup Poll posed the following questions to U.S. adults: Which of the following statements comes closest to describing your views about the Bible: 1) the Bible is the actual word of God and is to be taken literally, word for word, 2) the Bible is the inspired word of God but not everything in it should be taken literally, or 3) the Bible is an ancient book of fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man? And what were the overall results? Twenty-four percent believe that the Bible is the actual word of God and is to be taken literally, a figure that is down from the 38 percent which believed in biblical literalism in 1976. Twenty-six percent in the 2017 poll believe that the Bible is an ancient book of fables, etc. However 47 percent of U.S. adults believe that the Bible is God’s inspired word, although not everything in it should be taken literally; this figure has remained fairly steady over the last 40 years.

So what is your reaction to these figures? Alarm? Surprise?

Not surprised? Skeptical about the poll? I do not think this news is necessarily all bad, but it depends upon how the parts of the question were understood

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • July 2017

by those polled. In addition, I think that this poll opens up a discussion which can help us to understand the Bible better.

The first option in the question presents a choice of accepting at once that the Bible is the “actual word of God” and is “to be taken literally.” The implication of this statement is that unless the Bible is taken literally it cannot be the “actual word of God.” What does “actual word of God” mean here?

Does it mean that the words of the Bible were dictated word-by-word, as if the Holy Spirit whispered into the ears of the sacred authors?

Close analysis of the Bible would not support that idea. There is no question that human authors were employed in the process of producing the biblical literature, and the biblical text reflects the humanness of its origins. It contains inaccuracies in history, grammar and geography. The multiple reports of God’s creative activity do not match the results of archeological and scientific study.

The grammatical inaccuracies are confirmed by the fact that later scribes tried to correct the errors in earlier manuscripts used as the basis for the copies they were making. A comparative analysis of manuscripts and fragments of the canonical Gospels reveals that scribes often tried to smooth out the apparent inconsistencies in the Gospels as they copied them.

Given the above evidence, what are we to conclude? Have we no choice but the third category, that the Bible is fable and legend?

As Saint Paul often says, “by no means!” Vatican II’s Constitution on Divine Revelation (No. 11,

hereafter CDR) addresses this issue when it says: “the books of both the Old and New Testaments in their entirety, with all their parts, are sacred and canonical because written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they have God as their author and have been handed on as such to the church herself. In composing the sacred books, God chose men and while employed by him they made use of their powers and abilities, so that with him acting in them and through them, they, as true authors, consigned to writing everything and only those things which he wanted.” In other words, God used human authors, with their gifts and liabilities.

Yet, even if the sacred authors had human limitations, “Scripture must be acknowledged as teaching solidly, faithfully and without error that truth which God wanted put into sacred writings for the sake of salvation” (Ibid.). The divine message is not obscured by the humanness of the authors.

So how can we regard the words of the Bible in a process where their production is largely dependent upon God and partly contingent upon human authors? I would say this: the Bible is God’s self-communication expressed in the words of human beings.

Human literary artists take the inspired message and commit it to writing in human modes of expression. So the Bible can be taken to be the authentic message or communication of God, but the means of expressing this communication is thoroughly human.

What should we say about taking the Bible “literally”? This is a

a

tricky term. Should we take literally the words of Jesus reported in John 15:12, “Love one another as I have loved you”? Unless people want to justify hatred of enemies, I doubt many would deny that this passage gives us wisdom for living. But how literal do we take Matthew 5:29: “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away”? I do not know of many people who have acted literally on this teaching of Jesus, in terms of physically discarding an organ whose function was used in such a way that they were led into sin.

So does Matthew 5:29 have any relevance to our spiritual lives if we say Jesus could not have meant what he says there literally? One can easily understand that this passage is metaphorical. Jesus is exhorting us to do away with anything in our lives that becomes an occasion of sin. Whatever it is, no matter how attached we are to it, it is better to let go of it than to endanger our hope of eternal life.

What we see here is that a literal understanding of the Bible in the case of Matthew 5:29 will not help

us to understand the message “God wanted put into the sacred writings for the sake of salvation” (CDR No.11). So how have we come to a clearer understanding of Matthew 5:29? By paying attention to its “literary form.” It is a metaphor and the message it is intended to communicate will become lucid when we understand it as such. So if fewer people tend to take the Bible strictly literally, maybe this means that they are learning how to come to a more authentic understanding of the Bible – not a bad thing!

In addition, even those who claim to “take the Bible literally” are confronted with questions of interpretation. We can understand the literal words and the syntax of a sentence, and we still may need more information to understand a passage. Next month, I will develop this assertion, analyze the motives behind the third answer to the poll and discuss ways of understanding biblical literature that can lead us to the message the sacred authors wanted us to glean from it.

Questions n ll o i t c e fl Gallup Po Re give to the

ld you swer wou n a h ic h nW y? e bove? Wh struggle th question a le do you ib B e th passages in n Which y? flect brace? Wh ll figures re o most to em P p u ll a k the G o you thin ty today? n What d le in socie ib B e th role of about the

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ScriptureReadings and a listing of Feast days and saints

Monday

3

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

6

Friday

7

Saturday

1 July

Weekday Genesis 18:1-15 Matthew 8:5-17

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a Romans 6:3-4, 8-11 Matthew 10:37-42

8

9

Feast of Saint Thomas, apostle Ephesians 2:19-22 John 20:24-29

4

Weekday Genesis 19:15-29 Matthew 8:23-27

5

Weekday Genesis 21:5, 8-20a Matthew 8:28-34

Weekday Genesis 22:1b-19 Matthew 9:1-8

Weekday Genesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67 Matthew 9:9-13

Weekday Genesis 27:1-5, 15-29 Matthew 9:14-17

10

11

Memorial of Saint Weekday Genesis 28:10-22a Benedict, abbot Genesis 32:23-33 Matthew 9:18-26 Matthew 9:32-38

12

Weekday Genesis 41:55-57, 42:5-7a, 17-24a Matthew 10:1-7

13

Weekday Genesis 44:18-21, 23b-29; 45:1-5 Matthew 10:7-15

14

Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin Genesis 46:1-7, 28-30 Matthew 10:16-23

15

Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, bishop and doctor of the church Genesis 49:29-32; 50:15-26a Matthew 10:24-33

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18

19

20

Weekday Weekday Exodus 3:1-6, 9-12 Exodus 3:13-20 Matthew 11:25-27 Matthew 12:28-30

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Weekday Exodus 11:10— 12:14 Matthew 12:1-8

22

Memorial of Saint Mary Magdalene Exodus 12:37-42 John 20:1-2, 11-18

26

27

28

29

16

Weekday Exodus 1:8-14, 22 Matthew 10:34— 11:1

24

Weekday Exodus 14:5-18 Matthew 12:38-42

Weekday Exodus 2:1-15a Matthew 11:20-24

25

Feast of Saint James, apostle 2 Corinthians 4:715 Matthew 20:20-28

Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15 Matthew 13:1-9

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • July 2017

Weekday Exodus 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20b Matthew 13:10-17

Weekday Exodus 20:1-17 Matthew 13:18-23

2

Sunday

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Zechariah 9:9-10 Romans 8:9. 11-13 Matthew 11:25-30

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Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 55:10-11 Romans 8:18-23 Matthew 13:1-23

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Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Wisdom 12:13, 16-19 Romans 8:26-27 Matthew 13:24-43

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July

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On the morning of my ordination, a thought which proved to be the voice of God speaking in my heart, said, “Just lean on me; lean back into my embrace.

I want you to remember always that it’s ‘not you’ when you exercise ‘your’ priesthood.” It is the gift – the grace – of God. Entering St. Joseph Co-Cathedral for Mass, I looked up to see St. Joseph dying his happy death in the arms of Jesus and Mary. I couldn’t help but smile as I “felt” in my soul the embrace of the Holy Family, knowing that St. Joseph was teaching me how to die to myself daily and how to be a true spiritual father.

Father Brice Higginbotham

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The greatest issue on my mind the morning of my ordination was the grace of having my mom and dad, some of my sisters, nieces and childhood friends there for that great occasion of ontological transformation. I did not know how it would feel having the bishop lay his hands on me. I thought I would pass out just from being overwhelmed. I thought I would break down looking at the congregation for the first time as a priest. But, I never at all doubted I was where I needed to be.

Father Jean-Marie Nsambu

Jubilation: three to the priesthood

Rev. Brice Higginbothan, Rev. John David Matherne and Rev. Jean-Marie Nsambu were ordained to the priesthood recently at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux.

Hundreds of well-wishers including priests, family and friends attended the celebration. Bishop Shelton J. Fabre was the ordaining prelate.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

The thought that kept going through my head on the morning of my ordination was the realization that seven years of anticipation had come down to a couple of hours, minutes and seconds. Even with all of the activity and overwhelming love, I was at peace. I was able to enter in during the celebration, and the peace was unshaken.

Father John David Matherne

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • July 2017

men ordained

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www.bayoucatholic.com

July

Diocesan Events

n Holy Hour of Adoration for Men, Sunday, July 2, 7-8 p.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma. n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, July 11, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311 in Schriever, 10:45 a.m.12:45 p.m. Speaker, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre. n Christian Leadership Institute 2017 (CLI) will be held from July 12-16 at Lumen Christi Retreat Center’s Souby Building, Schriever. CLI is open to upcoming 10th, 11th and 12th graders.

Cost is $225 which includes lodging, t-shirts, meals and activities.

Registration forms can be found at http://www.htdiocese.org/cli2017. n Kateri Mass, Friday, July 14, 6:30 p.m., Holy Family, Grand Caillou. n Quarterly meeting for Black Catholics, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, Schriever, Saturday, July 15, 10 a.m. until Noon. Contact Christine Streams at (985) 446-0487 for more information.

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August

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n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, August 1, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311 in Schriever, 10:45 a.m.12:45 p.m. Speaker, Kristin Niedbala. n RCIA Workshop, Saturday, August 5, diocesan pastoral Center Conference Hall, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Speaker, Jim Schellman.

Registration fee, $15. For more information, go to http://www. htdiocese.org/rcia. n Holy Hour of Adoration for Men, Sunday, August 6, 7-8 p.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma. n C.E.N.T.S. will be offering the Small Business Course beginning in August through Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

There is a $20 nonrefundable fee to attend this course. The course is designed to help people who are interested in starting a small business.

It will be held one evening a week for six weeks. Different business topics will be discussed each week. Anyone who is interested in participating may call Paula Ringo at (985) 876-0490 to schedule an orientation appointment.

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Terry Danos

Terry Prepares a:

QUICK and EASY SALAD Story and Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

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This month’s heavenly recipe, shrimp salad with remoulade dressing, comes from Terry Danos, a parishioner of Our Lady of the Rosary Church parish in Larose.

Terry loves to cook. “I enjoy cooking and feeding other people. I cook for fishing rodeos in the area, and have also cooked at St. Ben’s Seminary for large gatherings.

My favorite thing to cook is jambalaya, although I also like to cook gumbos.”

Terry is active in his church parish and is involved in ministry on the diocesan level. “I am involved with the youth rally, CLI and TEC retreats. I was a TEC 10 participant; now TEC 79 will be the next TEC retreat.

I also emcee for diocesan celebrations and have been a liturgist for Steubenville on the Bayou.”

He also studied for six years at St. Joseph Seminary.

Terry currently works for Bollinger Shipyards as a lead purchaser for the company.

A couple of years ago Terry was diagnosed with diabetes. “When I found out I had diabetes my doctor told me I had to make some drastic changes in my diet and how much I was eating. I have lost nearly 130 pounds in the past 13 to 14 months.

I went from a waist measurement of 56 to 38 inches. I attribute my success to healthy living.

I now use portion control and have cut out most of my carb intake. I am more active now. I walk three miles every morning before work.”

Terry says that his grandmother is responsible for his love for the church. “My grandmother brought me to Mass and religion classes when I was a young boy. The most important thing is to have faith in God. It is that faith that helps you get through the day. It’s also a priority to attend Mass on Sundays and refuel for the week ahead.”

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • July 2017

Shrimp Salad

with Remoulade Dressing INGREDIENTS: 1 pound of shrimp, boiled and peeled 1 head of iceberg lettuce 6 eggs, boiled and quartered

Remoulade dressing 1/2 cup mayonnaise 2 tbsp. ketchup 2 tbsp. horseradish 3 tbsp. sour cream 1 tsp. corn syrup 1 tsp. Tony’s Seasoning 1 tsp. black pepper 1/2 tsp. liquid crab boil

DIRECTIONS: Mix the ingredients of the remoulade dressing in a bowl. Pull apart the washed lettuce and separate into serving dishes, place quartered boiled eggs around the lettuce. Add a few boiled shrimp over the lettuce. Pour the desired amount of remoulade dressing over each dish of salad.

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) 8503124 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

May 2017 Burse Contributions

Note: Numbers stipulate the amount of completed burses.*

Minor Sr. & Lou Ella Cheramie Maude & Edith Daspit Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis family (3)* Clay Sr. & Evelida Duplantis C. Remie Duplantis Marie Elise Duplantis Warren J. Harang Jr. Msgr. Raphael C. Labit Msgr. Francis J. Legendre Rev. Charles Menard Dr. & Mrs. M.V. Marmande & 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

Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier .................... $200.00 Msgr. Raphael C. Labit No. 2 ................... $120.00 Anawin Community..................................... $300.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ............................... $200.00 Rev. Joseph Tu Tran No. 2 ........................ $330.00

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Open Burses with Balance as of May 31, 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 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 ............................ $9,600.00 Elie & Dot Klingman ............................................ $9,140.00 Rev. Victor Toth ..................................................... $7,000.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ........................................ $6,600.00 Brides of the Most Blessed Trinity ................ $6,598.00 Rev. Peter Nies ....................................................... $6,000.00 Rev. Guy Zeringue ................................................ $5,600.00 Catholic Daughters .............................................. $5,545.00 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 Rev. Gerard Hayes ................................................ $4,786.00 Joseph “Jay” Fertitta ............................................. $4,450.00

Rev. Henry Naquin ............................................... $4,331.00 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 ................................ $2,300.00 Willie & Emelda St. Pierre ................................. $2,000.00 Rev. H.C. Paul Daigle ........................................... $1,900.00 Deacon Connely Duplantis .............................. $1,675.00 James J. Buquet Jr. ................................................ $1,650.00 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 Rousse .......................................... $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 Deacon Willie Orgeron ..........................................$800.00 Ruby Pierce ..................................................................$800.00 Deacon Roland Dufrene ........................................$750.00 Juliette & Eugene Wallace ....................................$700.00 Deacon Edward J. Blanchard ...............................$660.00 Edna W. DiSalvo ........................................................$700.00

Deacon Raymond LeBouef ..................................$550.00 Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Cannata ..............................$500.00 Bernice Harang ..........................................................$600.00 Anne Veron Aguirre .................................................$380.00 Dean Joseph Chiasson ...........................................$350.00 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 Deacon Eldon Frazier ............................................... $ 50.00 Deacon Nick Messina .............................................. $ 50.00 Rev. Warren Chassaniol .......................................... $ 50.00

Overall Seminarian Burses Total: $1,652,108.02 www.bayoucatholic.com

FORMING DISCIPLES. RENEWING PARISHES.

‘We’re in this TOGETHER.’

WE LISTENED TO GRANDPARENTS

I’VE LISTENED TO YOU AND I’VE HEARD YOU. 24

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often hear people refer to the “diocese” as if “it” were something and not someone.

The reality is that we are the “diocese.” The “diocese” is you and me. We are 90,000 Catholics together. We are 39 unique parishes in harmony with your bishop who loves you. We initiated our strategic planning process in June of 2015.

Now, June of 2017, we celebrate our 40th anniversary, and I believe our diocese is on the verge of something great. The process has opened my ears to the thoughts, concerns and dreams of our people. It has opened my mind to the possibilities for our future. It has given me an appreciation for our people and history. It has given us a cherished opportunity to listen to you.

It is my privilege to introduce to you our strategic plan entitled “Plans of Hope.” I believe it is a plan that will forge a new future with the formation of missionary disciples. It is a plan that came from us working together. It is a plan that will require us to continue working together. It is a plan that will remind us all we’re in this together!

who told us they worry that their children and grandchildren don’t go to Mass on Sunday

WE LISTENED TO PARENTS

who shared that they often don’t have answers to theological questions their children ask them

WE LISTENED TO ADULTS

who told us they wanted to learn more about their Catholic faith and grow in relationship with God

WE LISTENED TO TEENAGERS

who told us about their experience of formation in parish CCD or in our Catholic schools

WE LISTENED TO CATHOLICS

who do not know how to “defend the faith” or answer questions about Catholicism

WE LISTENED TO PARISHIONERS

who shared that they are hungry for relevant preaching and more vibrant Sundays

WE LISTENED TO PARISHES

who described a need for renewed leadership, more volunteers, and more physical resources

WE LISTENED TO OUR CLERGY

who told us they long for a stronger sense of fraternity, as well as resources to minister

WE LISTENED TO GOD

asking Him to reveal the way forward for the renewal of our parishes

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • July 2017

IN RESPONSE TO WHAT WE HAVE HEARD BISHOP SHELTON J. FABRE INTRODUCES

A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE DIOCESE OF HOUMA-THIBODAUX

MAKE IT SIMPLE: WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THE PLAN? The renewal of our parishes. There is no renewal of the diocese unless we renew parishes. Yet, parishes are made of parishioners. Renew parishioners and you renew parishes. Renew parishes and you renew the diocese.

HOW CAN WE RENEW PARISHES? 1.

Start with Sunday. The strategic plan is initially focused on the people that are already in the pew. We want to improve the quality of preaching, enhance liturgical music, and improve the overall Sunday experience. If we start there we will make an immediate impact in the lives of parishioners.

2. Make it easy for adults to “take the next step.” Many adults are ready to go deeper; however, many either don't know how or can't fit their schedule into parish programming. If adults are going to grow in their spiritual life: • They have to know what steps to take • They have to know why those steps are important • Parishes have to make it easy for adults to take those steps • We need higher quality resources relevant to today's questions and easy to use in a variety of settings 3.

Youth. On one hand our teens, pre-teens, and elementary students are hungrier than ever. On the other hand, things continue to change at a faster pace. If we are going to reach our youth: • Parishes need healthy, well formed adults equipped to mentor youth • We need higher quality resources relevant to today's younger generation • CCD must connect theological content to the lived experience of the student • We must be willing to adapt how we teach without losing the truth of what we teach

4. Help our pastors. Research from the Catholic Leadership Institute reveals the number one reason a parishioner attends a parish, or recommends their parish, is the pastor or priest(s).

• We will provide quality resources to help pastors feel more confident in preaching • We will provide leadership formation to help priests feel more confident as pastors • We will build a team of lay leaders so the pastor is surrounded with what he needs to succeed

www.bayoucatholic.com

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EVANGELIZATION TAKES PLACE IN OBEDIENCE TO THE MISSIONARY MANDATE OF JESUS: “GO THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES” – JOY OF THE GOSPEL

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“MAKE DISCIPLES” l WHAT IS A DISCIPLE AND HOW DO YOU MAKE ONE? WHAT DOES A MATURE, FULLY FORMED DISCIPLE LOOK LIKE?

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RELATIONSHIP. They have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ CONVERSION. They are more able to say “no” to the things that pull them away from God GROUNDED. They are grounded in the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Bible, and the Catholic faith DISCERNING. They listen to God; they make decisions with Christ rather than ask God to bless their ideas HOLINESS. They are committed to a life of virtue and holiness WORSHIP. They are grounded in the Sacraments, especially Eucharist and Reconciliation COMMUNITY. They have people in their life who want their holiness more than they do OTHERS. They desire to see people the way Jesus sees people, living “other-centered” rather than “me-centered” EVANGELIZATION. They feel confident and compelled to share with others what God has done for them

HOW DO WE MAKE DISCIPLES? AND, HOW DO WE MAKE THEM IN PARISHES? 1. CONNECT. Parishioners are most likely to persevere in formation if they are doing so with others with them 2. ENCOUNTER. Intentionally crafted programs or experiences that help facilitate a life-changing encounter with the person of Jesus Christ. Encounter is perhaps the most influential part of the process. It is the energy that animates an on-going personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

3. CONVERSION. Intentionally crafted programs or experiences that help facilitate lifestyle change. Conversion is the second most influential aspect of formation and often the most difficult to facilitate in parishes. Without receiving the grace of saying “no” most people are not able to sustain the “yes” they experienced in their encounter.

4. GROW. Intentionally crafted programs or experiences that teach the art of living in the reality of my conversion. The affective dimension of spiritual experience must be grounded in the truths of the Bible, the teachings of the Catholic Church, and wisdom from the generations before us. Parishioners grow in virtue and establish spiritual discipline.

5. MISSION. Intentionally crafted programs or experiences that help equip the laity for the mission of evangelization. While service at the parish is a way of participating in the mission, the true aim is to equip the laity to walk others through the five-step process.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • July 2017

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THE STRATEGIC PLAN l ENCOUNTER: WE HAVE PLANS FOR ENCOUNTERING JESUS & HIS CHURCH PREACHING AND MUSIC • We have new homily resources for priests and deacons, as well as new initiatives for on-going homily formation • Coming Lent 2018: a new diocesan-wide, parish-based catechesis about the Mass and why we do what we do on Sunday • We will have new initiatives for liturgical musicians PRIESTS AND DEACONS • We have new initiatives for priestly fraternity, as well as programs for preaching, the newly ordained, new pastors, and international priests • We have new initiatives for diaconal fraternity, plus programs for preaching and on-going formation THE STRATEGIC PLAN l GROW: WE HAVE PLANS FOR GROWING WITH JESUS & HIS CHURCH FORMATION OF ADULTS • We will have new parish-based catechesis in the Fall of 2017 focused on Reconciliation and the Eucharist • We will introduce parish-based adult formation beginning in 2018 to help parishioners grow in their identity as disciples YOUTH • We will have new 7-9th grade CCD in 2018; New 10-11th grade CCD in 2019; New K-6th grade CCD in 2020 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS • We will have a renewed emphasis on Catholic identity, as well as new initiatives for on-going formation of teachers and staff THE STRATEGIC PLAN l MISSION: WE HAVE PLANS FOR JOINING THE MISSION OF MAKING DISCIPLES EQUIPPING PARISHIONERS • We will have new parish-based formation equipping adults for the mission of evangelization PARISH SOCIAL MINISTRIES • We will have easier opportunities for parishioners to serve; Septembers now focuses on the mission of Catholic Charities VOCATIONS • We will have more native sons in formation for the priesthood-seminarians from our diocese, for our diocese CATHOLIC FOUNDATION • We will have a re-created Catholic Foundation that will rebuild trust, relationships, fund-raising, and stewardship THE PASTORAL CENTER • We will have a renewed vision at the Pastoral Center: the success of our parishes is our #1 priority THE STRATEGIC PLAN l TIMELINE FOR ADULT FORMATION RESOURCES FALL 2017 8-week resource focusing on the most commonly asked questions about the Catholic faith ADVENT 2017 4-week resource and Bishop Fabre's Pastoral Letter focusing on the Sacrament of Reconciliation LENT 2018 6-week resource focusing on the Jewish roots of the Mass. You'll never look at Mass in the same way!

FALL 2018 Part 1 of our adult discipleship formation process! 8-week resource focusing on anthropology SPRING 2019 Part 2 of our adult discipleship formation process; 8-week resource focusing on Christology FALL 2019 Part 3 of our adult discipleship formation process; 10-week resource focusing on prayer and conversion SPRING 2020 Part 4 of our adult discipleship formation process; 8-week resource focusing on the mission of Christ and my role in the mission.

WANT TO LEARN MORE? htdiocese.org/plan www.bayoucatholic.com

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Solemn Vespers attended by hundreds at Co-Cathedral

The Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana sponsors the event

By VERY REV. Mark Toups, V.G. On the eve of Pentecost Sunday and the 40th anniversary of the diocese, hundreds from across the diocese packed St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux for an evening of prayer and recognition. The Vespers Prayer Service was filled with a “state of the union” address from Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, the introduction of new lay leadership, as well as the bestowal of Diocesan Service Awards.

Participants were formally and joyfully welcomed

by Charlotte Bollinger. Bollinger, the newly appointed chair of the revitalized Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana, opened the evening with introductory remarks and a warm welcome. “I was inspired by the bishop’s Advent Pastoral Letter, for I too am a person of great hope” said Bollinger. “With Bishop Fabre, I have great hope for our future. As the bishop said in his Advent Pastoral Letter, the people of the diocese have given me a reason to hope. Bishop Fabre’s creative leadership in strategic planning has given me a reason to hope. In fact, it is because of my reason for hope that I have committed to lead a revitalized Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana.”

The strategic planning stewardship commission, comprised of over 50 lay leaders from across the diocese under the visionary leadership of Jerald Block, embraced an opportunity for historic revitalization of the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana. Bollinger said, “The Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana exists to help make all that we hope for a reality. The Foundation exists to help our parishes, schools and Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • July 2017

diocesan ministries. We exist for you – the people of our diocese. As Bishop Fabre will share with us tonight, we are in this together. The Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana is in this with you, standing with our bishop, helping our future be a future filled with hope. Allons!

Let’s do this together!”

As the official sponsor of the Vespers Prayer Service, the Foundation has experienced a resurgence in vision and board membership. New leadership has stepped forward. In addition to Bollinger’s serving as foundation chair, J.J. Buquet has been appointed vice-chair and Bill New has been appointed secretary-treasurer.

Other Board members include Bonnie Babin, Bill Barbera, Jerald Block, Gloria Callais, Father Gregory Fratt and Pat Ptire.

The Foundation also welcomes Amy Ponson as its new executive director. Ponson joins the Foundation in service to the people of Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux July 5, 2017. Her role as executive director will be to work with Bollinger and the other board members so that the renewed vision of the Foundation becomes a vibrant reality.

Bollinger concluded her remarks by introducing Dr. Glenn Manceaux, newly appointed chair of the newly created Diocesan Pastoral Council. Dr. Manceaux greeted participants and their families. He shared, “It is a privilege to stand with you tonight as Bishop Fabre celebrates the heroic service of leaders from across the diocese.” He added, “Throughout the strategic planning process Bishop Fabre has reminded us that we are the diocese. The diocese isn’t a building or

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a ‘thing,’ it is people. It’s you and me. It says much about our bishop, and vision for our future that the way in which we chose to celebrate our 40th anniversary is by honoring the laity.”

The strategic planning diocesan commission, comprised of over 70 lay leaders from across the diocese under the competent leadership of Dr. Manceaux, recommended to Bishop Fabre that he further nurture a culture of transparency, consultation and collaboration that has so characterized his leadership.

The result of said recommendation was the establishment of a Diocesan Pastoral Council.

Dr. Manceaux explained the role of the Diocesan Pastoral Council as he shared, “Bishop Fabre reminds us that we are his view from the pew. We exist to support the bishop by being the voice of the laity to the bishop and the voice of the bishop to the laity.”

In addition to Dr. Manceaux’s serving as Diocesan Pastoral Council chair, Mike Barker has been appointed vice-chair and Jennifer Armand has been appointed secretary. Other Council members include Dr. Matt Beyer, Bonnie Babin, Tina Callais, Justin Corte, Nick Larocca, Mary Riviere, Glenn Vice, Faithia Williams and Dr. Guy Zeringue.

Following the introduction and the praying of the Liturgy of the Hours, Bishop Fabre addressed the diocese. He began, “I often hear people refer to the ‘diocese’ as if the ‘diocese’ were something and not someone. Some people refer to the ‘diocese’ as administrative leaders with rules and regulations who tell us what we can or cannot do.

Some people refer to the ‘diocese’ as a building on Highway 311.

Still more think of the ‘diocese’ as something abstract. Yet the reality is that we are the ‘diocese’ The ‘diocese’ is you and me. We are 90,000 Catholics together. We are 39 uniquely beautiful parishes in harmony with your bishop who loves and serves you. The ‘diocese’ is people and not a category. The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is a particular people with a rich history and a unique personality.”

He added, “I have hope, and this is my gift to you for our 40th anniversary. I have hope for three reasons. I have hope because of people like you, both our clergy and laity. We have great people in this diocese. You never

Charlotte Bollinger, chair of the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana, welcomed everyone to the Solemn Vespers Service at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral on the eve of Pentecost. Dr. Glenn Manceaux, chair of the newly created Diocesan Pastoral Council, greeted participants and their families. The St. Joseph Choir provided music for the service.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

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www.bayoucatholic.com

Solemn Vespers

cease to surprise me with your support, creativity and generosity.

You inspire me with your desire for God. You – the people of our diocese – make me joy-filled to be a part of this family.”

Bishop Fabre continued by addressing those to receive awards.

He said, “Many here tonight will be receiving our inaugural Diocesan Service Award. My dear friends in Christ being honored with this award, you are here because you

embody the virtues of two very significant people: St. Joseph and St. Francis de Sales. St. Joseph served the Lord in secret and in silence. There is little we know about the life of the Holy Family while in Nazareth, but we know that St. Joseph served Jesus in those hidden years of his life. St. Francis de Sales is perhaps best known for his book An Introduction to the Devout Life which remains perhaps one of the best works

of the spirituality of the laity.

Together, our two patron saints served the Lord with hiddenness and holiness. These two virtues are celebrated in the Diocesan Service Award. Tonight, we acknowledge two people from each parish who have served the Lord in hiddenness and have done so with holiness. To you who are receiving the awards tonight – you give me hope. It is people like you that make me proud to be the one who serves you as bishop. In fact, it is you who challenge me to imitate you with regard to your service and holiness of life.”

Diocesan Service Awards presented to 77 lay men and women Story by Janet Marcel ~ Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier As part of the 40th anniversary celebration of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Bishop Shelton J. 30 Fabre, along with the pastors, presented the Diocesan Service Awards to lay men and women in each of the church parishes in appreciation of their many unselfish contributions of time and talent to the life of the parish. Each pastor was asked to nominate two recipients for this award.

The recipients of the Diocesan Service Awards are as follows: Mrs. Anita Kelpsch, Mr. Fad Donadieu, Annunziata, Houma; Mr. Alvin J. Ordoyne, Ms. Barbara Ficaro, Christ the Redeemer, Thibodaux; Ms. Elaine Gussman, Mr. Oswald Verret, Holy Cross, Morgan City; Mrs. Trang Thi Hoang, Mrs. Vong Thi Hoang, Holy Family (Thanh Gia), Amelia; Mr. John Silver, Mrs. Stella LeBoeuf, Holy Family, Grand Caillou; Mrs. Gay Orgeron, Mr. Gerard Leonard, Holy Savior, Lockport; Mrs. Barbara Whitfield, Mr. James Lagarde, Maria Immacolata, Houma; Mr. Gary Bourgeois, Mrs. Jean Bourgeois, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Chackbay; Mr. Charles Michael Callais, Mrs. Sally Cheramie, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Golden Meadow; Mr. Leonard Ray, Mrs. Peggy Dinsmore, Our Lady of the Isle, Grand Isle; Mr. Henry Rodrigue, Mrs. Sarah Eschete, Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Houma; Mr. John Guidry, Mr. Tommy Robichaux, Our Lady of the Rosary, Larose; Mr. Gregory Eymard, Mrs. Linda Eymard, Sacred Heart, Cut Off; Mr. Charles Pitre, Mrs. Gloria Pellegrin, Sacred Heart, Montegut; Mrs. Carol Ackerman, Mr. T.R. Naquin, Sacred Heart, Morgan City; Mrs. Celeste Pennison, Mr. Ferdinand Cortez, St. Andrew, Amelia; Mrs. Betty Leonard, Mr. Richard Bascle, St. Ann, Bourg; Mr. Robert Charpentier, Mrs. Roxanne Bergeron St. Anthony, Bayou Black; Mr. Donald Bascle, Mrs. Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • July 2017

Juanita Rhodes, St. Bernadette, Houma; Mrs. Katherine Miller, Mr. Robert Oncale, St. Bridget, Schriever; Mr. Davis Joseph Dardar, Mrs. Mary Jane Dupre, St. Charles, Pointe-aux-Chenes; Mrs. Helen Morvant, Mr. Julius Barrios, St. Charles, St. Charles Community; Mr. Louis Liner, Mrs. Yvonne Hebert, St. Eloi, Theriot; Mrs. Lorraine Folse, Mr. Richard Guidry, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma; Mr. Henry Nguyen, Mrs. Jessica Harvey, St. Genevieve, Thibodaux; Mr. Glen Breerwood, Mrs. Rochelle Walker, St. Gregory, Houma; Mr. Harold Matherne, Mrs. Ruby Plaisance, St. Hilary of Poitiers, Mathews; Mr. Eves Bourgeois, St. James Mission; Mr. Camille DeGravelles, Mr. Tom Wilczewski, St. John the Evangelist, Thibodaux; Mrs. Heloise Gilbert, Mr. Hernan Roger, St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux; Mr. Leland Neil, Mrs. Robin Chauvin, St. Joseph, Chauvin; Mr. Anthony Charpentier, Ms. Phyllis Cheramie, St. Joseph, Galliano; Mrs. Linda Landry, Mrs. Victoria Clement, St. Lawrence the Martyr, Kraemer; Mrs. Gayle Thibodaux, Mr. Rodney Hebert, St. Lawrence, Chacahoula; Mrs. Patricia Naquin, Mr. Ricky Boudreaux, St. Louis, Bayou Blue; Mrs. Geraldine Theriot, Mr. Leonard Bergeron, St. Lucy, Houma; Mr. Mitchell Jackson, Mrs. Rose Marie Clement, St. Luke the Evangelist, Thibodaux; Mrs. Barbara Solar, Mr. Pete Martinez, St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland; Dr. Scott Beslin, Ms. Emily Waguespack, St. Thomas Aquinas, Thibodaux.

Diocese celebrates 40 years A special Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales for the 40th anniversary of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux on Pentecost Sunday. In photo above, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre promulgates the strategic plan for the diocese.

All three of the living bishops of the diocese were in attendance. In bottom photo, Bishop Emeritus Sam G. Jacbos, third bishop of the diocese; Bishop Fabre, current bishop; and Bishop Emeritus Michael Jarrell, second bishop of the diocese, pose for a photo before the celebration.

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Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

www.bayoucatholic.com

Part 2 of 2

St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux is rich with symbolism Christian symbol of the victory of Christ over death.

Another depiction is that of “Prayer and Work” (ora et labora).

Symbols include fleur-de-lis and a T-square. Besides representing St. Louis, King of France, the fleur-delis in religious art represents the Holy Trinity with the band on the bottom symbolizing Mary. Ancient church tradition says that without Mary you cannot understand the Trinity since it was she who bore the Son. Additionally it represents

Guest Columnist Father Michael Bergeron

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In the ceiling in the middle of the church is the coat of arms of Archbishop John William Shaw (1863-1934) who was archbishop of New Orleans when the church was built.

Throughout the church are numer-ous symbols appearing repeatedly. Baskets of wheat and grapevines representing the Eucharist, lambs representing Christ, doves of peace, and the fleur-de-lis representing St. Louis, crusader and King of France, who brought the crown of thorns to Paris and built a chapel to enshrine it. Statues of St. Louis of France and Joan of Arc, patron saint of France, flank the altar on each side.

The most visible of symbols which repeat throughout the church is a cross, anchor, heart and ship above the columns.

The cross represents faith, the anchor represents hope, and Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • July 2017

the heart represents love and charity. The ship, however, has left people confused and has been identified as “the ship of life.” In fact, the ship is called “St. Peter’s Ship” or “St. Peter’s Bark.” Since so many of the first apostles were fishermen, it should be no surprise that the church is often symbolized as a ship. A ship is in the hands of God, especially in a storm.

Jesus appointed Peter to be the helmsman of the ship. So, the ship represents the church.

On the ceiling over the main aisle are three depictions. One depiction is “The Fountain of Life” (Fons Vitae). It contains a fountain and two doves, all symbols of baptism.

We are brought to life in Christ through baptism. In the center of the fountain is a symbol called the “Chi-Rho.” They are the first two letters in the Greek word for Christ and have become the most familiar

faith, wisdom and chivalry which is held together by the band of one Divine Substance of the three persons of the Trinity. The T-square represents work and is often used with St. Joseph in his trade as a carpenter.

The most magnificent of all depictions is in the center of the main aisle. It is called “The Apotheosis of St. Joseph.” The word “apotheosis” means “the highest point in the development of something; the culmination or climax. The elevation of someone to divine status; deification.” When people glance at the ceiling, they assume it is a depiction of Jesus on the cross. But on closer inspection, you can see St. Joseph accepting God’s invitation to everlasting life.

On his right side is his son, Jesus, and on his left is his wife, Mary.

What better death could one hope for that to be flanked by Jesus and Mary. And above, the angels await his arrival into heaven. Because of his happy death, there is a popular novena prayer to

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St. Joseph known as the “Novena for a Happy Death.” Besides being the patron saint of the church, St. Joseph is also the patron of the dying.

Taking a quick tour of the stained glass windows in the church which were imported from France, we begin counter clockwise from the large window on the left of the altar. It depicts the Nativity of Jesus. On each side are additional windows depicting St. Luke and St. John, two of our four evangelists.

Continuing our journey, the windows depict: Mary with her parents St. Joachim and St. Anne, the Annunciation, The Visitation of Mary by her cousin Elizabeth, the flight to Egypt by the Holy Family, Jesus in the Temple (shouldn’t that be a scroll and not a book?), Jesus healing the sick, Jesus blessing the children, the Marriage at Cana, the death of St. Joseph, Jesus blessing the apostles, and finally the large window on the right of the altar depicting the Resurrection of Jesus with windows on each side depicting the other two evangelists, St. Matthew and St. Mark. The Way of the Cross which is between the windows were sculpted by European Statuary Company.

The stained glass windows along the top of the church depict the seven sacraments. But since there were eight windows, the final one depicts all seven in one window.

They are in counter clockwise order: baptism, confirmation, holy Eucharist, penance or reconciliation, extreme unction or sacrament of the sick, holy orders, marriage, and the composite window. An unnoticed detail can be found on the same level in the

two wings of the church. You can find four window locations which do not have stained glass. Perhaps this was something planned for the future which was never realized.

But there are other notably interesting windows. On the rectory side of the side doors is a window depicting the first St. Joseph Church which burned down. It was situated behind the Menard monument in the cemetery. A mausoleum now occupies that space. On the opposite side door along the street side is the Memorial of Father Charles Menard who was pastor of St. Joseph from 1845-1896. It was located in front of the old church on Highway 1. Today, it is surrounded by the tombs of priests.

In the reconciliation room, there are two windows. One must remember, at one time the reconciliation room was the baptistry for the church where all baptisms were celebrated. After

Vatican II, baptisms were moved into the church and baptistries were no longer necessary. One of the few remaining baptistries left in the diocese is located at Sacred Heart Church in Morgan City. The two windows in the reconciliation room represent baptism. One is the baptism of King Clovis (446-511), the first Christian King of France.

Symbols of baptism – the fountain and the shell – are also in the window. The other window depicts a baptism by Msgr. Alexander Barbier, pastor of St. Joseph (1911-1935) when the church was built. Oddly, the clothing of Msgr.

Barbier is correct for the period.

But the clothing of the woman and child is more biblical in nature and hints at Mary and Jesus.

There are two additional stained glass windows. They are located in the choir loft. Besides the rose window which depicts a crown of thorns with golden rays, there is also a window depicting Pope Gregory I (540-604) who introduced Gregorian chant into liturgical music. The other window depicts St. Cecilia, a martyr, who is the patron saint of music. The organ dates back to 1932 when it was donated by a family who bought it from a silent movie theater in New York at a cost of $2,000 when sound movies became the vogue. The pipes and mechanisms were redone in 2011 for a cost of $200,000.

In the main aisle in front of 33 the altar there is a pattern in the floor. It looks like a Eucharist and because of that, people are reluctant to step on it. In that instance, however, there is no symbolism whatsoever. When the floor was being installed in the 1997, the question arose. There was no symbolism intended and it does not depict the Eucharist. It is simply a coincidence.

St. Joseph has many beautiful statues throughout the church, but most fascinating is a statue of Mary mislabeled as Mary Queen of Heaven. Actually, this statue depicts Our Lady of Victory, the precursor of Our Lady of the Rosary. The history behind this devotion is fascinating.

In 1566, the Ottoman Empire was planning to invade Europe.

Pope Pius V called for a crusade against the Turks. Only a handful responded: a group from Austria, the Spaniards, the Venetians, and the small Papal fleet. They were no match for the Turkish fleet, which outnumbered them three to one. Pius V was a Dominican and Dominicans had a great devotion to the rosary. So he called for a

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St. Joseph Co-Cathedral

rosary crusade in Europe to help the Christian forces. All of Europe fell to their knees in prayer. On Oct. 7, 1571, the Christian forces met the Turks off the coast of Greece in the Gulf of Lepanto and miraculously defeated them. The commandeer confessed the victory was won, not by fighting arms, but by praying arms.

In Thanksgiving, Pius V instituted the first Sunday of October as the feast of our Lady of Victory. In 1573, Pope Gregory XIII, changed it to the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary. Also, to honor the Dominican pope, all succeeding Popes wear the white cassock of the Dominicans.

In 1997, Thibodaux artist Billy Ledet wanted to paint a mural at E.D. White of Our Lady of Victory. I 34 was the associate pastor at the time and he asked me about it. He was surprised to learn that the statute was there before him. He painted the mural in the cafeteria with all the different sports disciplines surrounding her in prayer.

As you leave the church, the three doors show the stained glass windows with the coat of arms of Msgr. Alexander Barbier (19111935), Pope Pius XI (1922-1939), and Archbishop John William Shaw (1863-1934).

In 1977, when the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux was formed, St. Joseph Church in Thibodaux became a “Co-Cathedral.” It’s been 200 years since the establishment of the mission of St. Joseph in 1817. Rich in history, St. Joseph Co-Cathedral is certainly one of the most beautiful churches in South Louisiana. Through the years, the church has been maintained with incredible love and respect leaving a legacy for generations to come.

(Father Michael Bergeron is the administrator of St. Charles Borromeo Church parish in the St. Charles Community.)

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • July 2017

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

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

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

Línea de Comunicación Diocesana

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

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

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

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

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

Book Reviews

The Heart of Pope Francis Reading with Raymond Raymond Saadi

Hemingway Didn’t Say That

By Garson O’Toole Little A Books $24.95 Who said, “Nobody goes there anymore; it’s too crowded.” Yogi Berra?

Not originally, although after a decade denying it, he decided to claim it. What about, “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.”

Abe Lincoln? St. Francis de Sales beat him to it in the 17th century.

And, what was it Hemingway didn’t say? Supposedly, he bet friends he could write a short story in just six words and purportedly wrote: “For Sale. Baby Shoes. Never worn.”

Author O’Toole’s extensive research proves that heartbreaking story, in various forms, existed long before Hemingway. Lovers of quotes will undoubtedly want to keep this book close at hand.

Common Sense

By Thomas Paine William Morrow $13.95

“Without the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain” (John Adams). This gorgeous new edition of the classic work is the perfect gift for recent grads, history buffs, book collectors, fans of the hit musical Hamilton, and the politically active.

By Diego Fares, S.J. The Crossroad Publishing Co. $14.95 Even before becoming Pope, newly installed Auxiliary Bishop Bergoglio cautioned that one needs more than a mere charitable gesture: “If I simply toss him some coins ... if I have not actually touched him, I have not encountered him.” As Pope Francis, he calls now for a new culture of encounter to change the church and the world. In this small volume, he says, “We must create a culture of friendship, a culture in which we find brothers and sisters.”

Camino Island

By John Grisham Doubleday $28.95 A clever gang of thieves steals five handwritten manuscripts of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novels, owned by Princeton University and secured in its burglarproof vault. Insured for $25 million, the insurance company wants them found and suspects a popular bookseller on Camino Island has them. The company entices a young, struggling former schoolteacher and author to infiltrate the bookstore in a risky attempt to catch the thieves. What happens next is a typical Grisham surprise.

Dragon Teeth

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By Michael Crichton Harper $28.99 Crichton’s incredible imagination is on display again in this story recently discovered by his widow, Sherri. Young Yale student, William Johnson, who foolishly, to win a bet, joins famed paleontologist, Othniel Charles Marsh, on a search for ancient bones in the Wild West. Marsh falsely suspects William is a spy for his nemesis, Edward Drinker Cope, and deserts him in Cheyenne, a haven of crime and vice.

Cope, ironically, does eventually rescue William who stumbles upon an historic treasure. It is historical fiction at its best.

Gwendy’s Button Box

By Stephen King & Richard Chizmar Cemetery Dance Publications $25 King is back in Castle Rock, ME, and with Chizmar has crafted a thriller about a plump 12-year old girl, Gwendy Peterson, who meets a strange man dressed all in black who gives her a magic mahogany box with many colorful buttons. The man carefully showed her what happens when certain buttons are pressed; one dispenses uncirculated silver dollars; another, wonderful chocolates that will even help her lose weight. But, there’s one button she must never, ever press or horrendous things will happen. Gwendy’s thrilled until one day, she’s forced to press the forbidden button. www.bayoucatholic.com

Father Joshua Rodrigue, S.T.L. to serve as director of Pastoral Formation in Rome Story by Janet Marcel Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier Rev. Joshua Rodrigue, S.T.L., who has been serving the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux as pastor of the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma since July 2012, and in the Vocations Office since 2010, has been granted permission to serve as the director of Pastoral Formation at the Pontifical North American College in Rome for a period of at least three years.

Father Rodrigue holds a bachelor’s degree in sacred theology, philosophy and liberal arts, and a licentiate 36 in sacred theology. He has been serving as an adjunct professor at St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, LA, since 2006. He was ordained Aug. 10, 2002.

As director of Pastoral Formation, Father Rodrigue explains that he will be helping seminarians apply their theological studies and teaching them how to become more effective pastors.

“I won’t actually be in a classroom,” says Father Rodrigue. “The Pontifical North American College is a house of formation for English speaking seminarians.

The seminarians live there but they go to different universities in the area for their studies. I’ll be in charge of organizing the workshops and presenters for first through fourth year theology students. Thursday night is their formation night so I will be teaching them about various topics relating to pastoral formation and also organizing other priests to talk to them.”

Father Rodrigue will also be a formation advisor for about 20 to 30 seminarians that he’ll meet with once a month to discuss how they’re doing in their classes, with seminary formation, and to discuss different topics on-on-one. And, he will serve as the moderator for fifth year students – those men who have gone home and been ordained priests and have come back to finish their licentiate program. His says his relationship with them will be akin to that of a pastor and his associate.

Recalling how it all came about, Father Rodrigue says he got a phone call from Bishop Shelton J. Fabre Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • July 2017

Father Joshua Rodrigue, S.T.L.

who wanted to meet with him at the Pastoral Center one Saturday morning … which is unusual … to show him something.

“When I got there, Bishop told me, ‘They’re asking for you again.’ Then he handed me the letter he had received from the rector of the college … and I’m reading it without really being able to process it. After I handed it back to him, he asked for my input about the decision. I asked him if I could pray about it and think about it for a little while because I knew it was not going to be an easy decision.”

Because of the needs of the diocese at the first time he was asked to go to the College for ironically this same position, he wasn’t able to accept.

Father Rodrigue says he thought about it for the rest of the day knowing there were pros and cons for each choice, so he asked God to give him some sort of sign to help him know the right thing to do.

That night after he celebrated a wedding in New Orleans, three different people approached him at the reception and just started talking about the wonderful experiences they had had living and working in Rome.

He couldn’t help but think this was God telling him what he needed to do. So the next morning he offered up the second Mass he celebrated to have some

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clarity in the decision and the third Mass for peace in the decision. By the end of the third Mass, he says he knew what he was going to do.

That afternoon, he told his father about it and his father said, “You’re going to go, right? … They asked for you once; they’re asking a second time; they probably won’t ask a third time.”

Echoing the sentiments of his father, he says his whole family has been very supportive of the move.

Father Rodrigue says what he will miss most about not being in a parish will be the sacramental life, hearing confessions, celebrating Mass daily as the celebrant. He will still concelebrate every day, which he says is nice because it gives you a little break so that you’re able to pray the Mass well. He says he will also miss teaching at the seminary. “I love teaching and providing spiritual direction – I always found that very fulfilling as a priest – walking with your spiritual children and it’s the same thing in a parish with your spiritual flock.”

He says what he is most looking forward to is just being able to be a priest again. “You get so caught up with all the meetings and the administrative aspects of running a parish; you are constantly on the go and trying to juggle that with the spiritual life. It will be nice to just take a step back and breathe. I’m looking forward to a renewal of sorts with set prayer times and times to write and reflect on my last 15 years as a priest.”

Father Rodrigue really enjoys working with seminarians. “The priesthood has so much to offer the church and the people of God. A priest can make or break someone’s faith sometimes, so just being able to give these young men the tools and experience they need to be excellent pastors is very fulfilling. If we have strong priests that can help shepherd the people, then we will have a strong church and a strong faith.

I enjoy sharing the love I have for the priesthood, helping these guys to know that God saw something in them, he didn’t make a mistake when he called them and that the priesthood is a wonderful life.”

Having lived in Italy before, Father Rodrigue says he is looking forward to just being able to walk around the city, visit those holy places, walk the streets where the saints have walked and go to the churches where the remains of the saints are.

“The parishioners here can take pride in me going there because they’re going to have an impact on the future seminarians in the United States. What I’ve learned from them and what they’ve taught me about being a priest is going to influence hundreds of seminarians. The ways that I’ve been shaped in my assignments as an associate in Thibodaux and Morgan City, and then as a pastor at St. Anthony’s in Bayou Black and at the Cathedral, all of those stories and moments that I’ve had with them are going to be shared with these seminarians to help them learn how to share the love of God and be effective priests for the people,” says Father Rodrigue.

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St . Hilary

Bayou Patrons

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Continuing our Bayou Patrons series, this month’s featured saint is Hilary of Poitiers, a bishop and a doctor of the church who is sometimes referred to as the “Hammer of the Arians.”

Hilary was born into a prominent pagan family of Poitiers in France and was educated in philosophy and rhetoric. Although he was not raised as a Christian he had felt a wonder at the gift of life and a desire to find out the meaning of that gift, so he went looking for the gift giver.

At one point, Hilary tells us, he “chanced upon” the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. When he read the verse where God tells Moses “I am who I am” (Exodus 3:14), Hilary said, “I was frankly amazed at such a clear definition of God, which expressed the incomprehensible knowledge of the divine nature in words most suited to human intelligence.”

He knew who the gift giver was now, but what was he, the recipient of the gift? Was he just created for the moment to disappear at death?

Then he found the Gospels and read John’s words. From John he learned of the Son of God and how Jesus had been sent to bring eternal life to those who believed. Finally his soul was at rest. He had found who he was in discovering God and God’s Son Jesus Christ.

Three years after his conversion to Christianity, he was elected bishop of his hometown of Poitiers by the laity and clergy there, even though he was married with one daughter named Apra. He adamantly refused his selection out of humility, but that just made the people want him more.

Hilary fearlessly sought and defended truth an important quality during his age, which was marked by the Arian heresy, a strain of thought that distorted the nature of Jesus. The Arians did not believe in the divinity of Christ and they had a lot of power, including the support of the emperor Constantius, which resulted in many persecutions. When Hilary refused to support their condemnation of Saint Athanasius, he was exiled from Poitiers to the East. During his exile, he began to learn everything he could about what the Arians said and what the orthodox Christians answered and then he began to write. Some of his writings that

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • July 2017

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Patron of children with disabilities, mothers and the sick Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

still exist today include On the Trinity, a commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, and a commentary on the Psalms.

After three years of exile the emperor kicked him back to Poitiers, because, as told by Sulpicius Severus, the emperor was tired of having to deal with the troublemaker, “a sower of discord and a disturber of the Orient.” Hilary did not go straight back to his home but took a leisurely route through Greece and Italy, preaching against the Arians as he went.

In the East he heard hymns used by Arians and orthodox Christians as propaganda. These hymns were not based on Scripture as the Western hymns were, but were full of beliefs about God. Back at home, Hilary started writing hymns himself to spread

the faith. His hymns are the first in the West with a known writer.

Some may wonder at all the trouble over what may seem like only words to us now, but Hilary’s battle was for the eternal life of the souls who might hear the Arians and stop believing in the Son of God, their 39 hope of salvation. The death of Constantius in 361 ended the persecution of the orthodox Christians.

Hilary died in 368 and was proclaimed a doctor of the church in 1851 (www.Catholic.org/saints).

According to the history of St. Hilary of Poitiers Church parish in Mathews, Rev. H.C. Paul Daigle, founding pastor, chose the name St. Hilary for the parish because he was impressed by what he learned about the saint while on a trip to France.

Father P.J. Madden, pastor of St. Hilary of Poitiers Church parish in Mathews, since August 2015, says, “St Hilary reminds us that we are all exiles from heaven, and need to support one another on our journey through life with all its ups and downs! He is particularly relevant in our age, when so many refugees are fleeing their homes and countries, to protect their families and lives! As Christians we should be open to receive ‘foreigners’ as sisters and brothers in Christ. St Hilary will help open our hearts to all, regardless of race, creed or nationality.

Our parish adopted the following prayer to him for our 50th anniversary in 2015. I offer it to all as a powerful prayer in any situation where you feel alone or persecuted: St Hilary of Poitiers, instead of being discouraged by your exile, you used your time to study and write. Help us to bring good out of suffering and isolation in our own lives, and see adversity as an opportunity to learn about or share our faith. Amen.”

St. Hilary’s feast day is Jan. 13 and he is the patron saint of children with disabilities (for unknown reasons), mothers, sick people and snake bites. He is often depicted in art wearing episcopal vestments with a mitre, crozier, and a long, white beard. www.bayoucatholic.com

Thoughts for Millennials

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Ryan Abboud

Femininity and the “crown of creation”

In the beginning, after creating the universe, God looked down upon all that he had made. He saw the creatures of the sea, birds of the sky, and all the animals of the land. In the midst of his creations, he saw Adam, and realized that there was a crucial link missing from this universe he had created. It was then that the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” He then molded Eve, a creation unlike the rest: bone of Adam’s bone, and flesh of Adam’s flesh.

At this point, God was able to look down upon all of creation and proclaim that it is “very good.”

Woman was the last creation to be crafted which inherently makes them the crowning jewel of all of creation. Because of this reality, Pope John Paul II often referred to women as the “crown of creation.”

Wow! How amazing to be known as the summit of life itself. Women, that’s you!

I understand that sometimes, as women, it doesn’t always feel like you’re the crown of creation. You may be reading this and wondering, “Well if I’m really the crown of creation, then why does society shame me every time I turn on the television? Why is my boyfriend (or any boy for that matter) only concerned for what my body can offer? Why do girls I go to school with talk about me behind my back?” These questions represent the three primary opponents that women face when searching for how valuable they truly are.

Ultimately, all three opponents attack the fundamental problem that most women lack the knowledge of how valuable femininity and the female gender truly is. You see, society tells women what size they need to wear, how they should look in a bikini, and how many likes they should be getting on social media. If you (a female) don’t know where your

worth comes from, then it’s very easy to get caught up in using those things as a method to measure yourself.

However, if you know that your worth comes from the relationship that God desires to have with you, then you will not suffer from the unreachable, materialistic standards of this world. In the book of Genesis, we hear about the creation of man and woman in the “image and likeness of God,” which is more affirmation than anything you’ll see in a mirror or any social media post could deliver.

Another facet that may cause women to doubt their worth is the interaction between females and males.

Ladies, if you do not require the men in your life to treat you with dignity and respect, then odds are, they will not. Men are not born with the basic knowledge that females are the crown of creation, but by requiring him to treat you that way, he’ll learn. It was once said that “the history of the world could be told simply through the character of women.” This exemplifies the pure power that femininity has over masculinity. That being said, I invite you to require more out of him. Require him to strive to be the best man that he can be. Require him to open the door for you and to be loyal to you. However, it is critical that these “methods of requirement” originate from the way you carry yourself, rather than a verbal command that scolds him into treating you with great dignity.

Lastly, the final opponent that can lead women to second-guessing their value is often their contact with other women. Truthfully, this can be the biggest and most common threat to the crown of creation. All too often, there are females treating other females so poorly. It’s seen in high school and can even be seen in some work and professional environments. Ultimately, the root of these interactions often stem from

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one individual using hateful words to tear another down in order to help make themselves feel more affirmed in their identity. However, if the initial individual would’ve known that they can find affirmation through the cross, then there would be no need to treat another female so badly.

All in all, when looking at these three main opponents that women face when searching for how valuable they truly are, there is a consistent and constant theme that occurs in each situation. Each instance of opposition stems from a female doubting their value and searching for affirmation in their identity. To this problem, there is a simple solution. If only there was someone that could be there for you at all hours of the day to affirm you and tell you how loved you are when you need to hear it. If only there was someone that would never disappoint or fail you. If only there was someone who is perfect and could serve as the solution to all of your problems and doubts. If only there was someone who suffered crucifixion to make sure that you knew how valuable and loved you are.

At this point, I’m sure that you’ve realized that there is in fact someone who satisfies all of those roles.

Therefore, I invite you to surrender your beautiful, feminine heart to Jesus. I assure you that he will satisfy the thirst for affirmation that we all yearn for.

Lastly, I invite you to always remember that femininity is beautiful, that you are beloved, and that you are the crown of creation. Always carry yourself like you are.

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

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Bill and Missie Curth at home

Retrouvaille: HOPE for struggling married couples 42

Story by Janet Marcel Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier Retrouvaille is a ministry of help for couples seeking to heal and renew their marriages that offers the tools needed to rediscover a loving marital relationship. The three-phase program consists of a weekend experience, a series of six post-weekend sessions over 12 weeks, followed by monthly small-group support meetings.

Retrouvaille is Catholic in origin, but couples of all faith/non-faith traditions are welcomed and encouraged to attend. There are Retrouvaille communities in North America and 24 other countries around the world. The main emphasis of the program is on communication in marriage between husband and wife and will give couples the opportunity to rediscover each other,

examine their lives together in a new and positive way and rebuild their marriage. This ministry can also be utilized by religious sisters and priests.

Retrouvaille is a peer ministry of couples who have been through the program. Presenters are not trained counselors, but couples who share personal stories of their own marital struggles and the tools they utilized to rediscover their love for one another.

During the weekend phase, a team of three couples and a priest, or three couples and a Christian minister and spouse, give a series of presentations. Couples are encouraged to put the past behind them and start rediscovering each other. The team presents a technique of communication that enables couples to take a good look at most areas of their relationship and they also provide practical tools for improving

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the marriage. Team members will share how they were able to benefit from these techniques themselves. After each presentation, couples will have a chance to reflect on what was said and then discuss it in complete privacy with their spouse.

The post-weekend sessions have been designed to continue the marriage renewal begun on the weekend. The postweekend phase is just as crucial, maybe even more so, to the healing of the marriage problems. During the post-weekend sessions, the techniques learned on the weekend are further developed and used to explore additional areas of the marriage relationship.

The final phase is the monthly meetings called CORE (Continuing Our Retrouvaille Experience) that allow for casual and supportive interaction with other couples who have attended Retrouvaille.

Bill and Missie Curth, parishioners of the Cathedral of St Francis de Sales parish, who have been married 33 years and have two adult children, say, “Retrouvaille healed our marriage; without it we would not be married today.”

Missie says that in September 2015, they were searching online for help for their troubled marriage and came across the website helpourmarriage.com which links to Retrouvaille.

They decided to give it a try, but since there was nothing scheduled for this area at the time they looked in to it, they went to Austin, TX, for their weekend experience. Then they had to go to Baton Rouge for their post-weekend sessions, and to Baton Rouge and New Orleans for the CORE meetings.

Even though it was worth it, says the couple, it was difficult to make the meetings sometimes.

Because of the tremendous impact this ministry had on their marriage, they wanted to help others who were in the same situation that they found themselves in a couple of years ago. Bill and Missie continue to attend CORE meetings two or three times a month to obtain more experience and have begun the process of making this ministry available in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

“I am delighted that the Retrouvaille ministry for troubled marriages has begun to be organized and offered here in our diocese,” says Bishop Shelton J. Fabre. “I am grateful to Bill and Missie Curth and all others who are assisting in establishing this important ministry to help couples in marriages that struggle. From my experiences as a priest, I am aware of the help and healing that the ministry of Retrouvaille brings to troubled marriages, and I strongly recommend this program. I know that this ministry will save and enhance marriages in our diocese.”

CORE meetings have already started in Houma-Thibodaux with Bill and Missie serving as facilitators. A Retrouvaille weekend experience will be held July 21-23 at the Lumen Christi Retreat Center in Schriever. The Archdiocese of New Orleans is sponsoring the weekend, but Bill and Missie will be one of the presenting couples. Registrations will be accepted until July 20. Each couple is asked to make a donation to help cover the cost of the program. This one donation covers all the expenses of the weekend and the post-weekend sessions including weekend lodging, meals and materials. Costs vary from location to location. However, no couple is ever denied the opportunity to attend because of lack of funds.

Beginning in 2018, the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux will be sponsoring the Retrouvaille ministry entirely in this area. For confidential and anonymous information, call Missie at (985) 232-5963, Bill at (985) 232-5956 or 1(800) 470-2230.

“Retrouvaille gave us the essential tools not only to save our marriage but allow it to grow.

This program is designed to help couples navigate through life’s ups and downs while providing the foundations of a healthy marriage.”

“Retrouvaille was THE lifeline that saved our marriage.”

“I wish we would have learned about the program sooner. This weekend has been the best experience and program in helping save our marriage over all the other help we sought like hours and hours of counseling sessions.”

“I am so glad I was listening to Catholic radio while driving my daughter to school, and I heard an interview with a Retrouvaille team couple just two weeks before the retreat and we were able to get in. We are very grateful for the program and our positive experience.”

“I am happy that we came to Retrouvaille. I had suggested other marital retreats and got shot down. One of my husband’s friends recommended this program and my husband jumped all over it. Sometimes it has to be the right messenger.”

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Father Ty Van Nguyen retires after 32 years of service to the diocese

Story by Janet Marcel ~ Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier Father Ty Van Nguyen, a native of Mah Son in North Vietnam, retired last month after serving the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux for the past 32 years. He came to the United States in 1975 and was the first 44 Vietnamese priest to be ordained for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

During a special Mass honoring Father Ty, the homily was delivered by Father Joshua Rodrigue, S.T.L. Bishop Shelton J. Fabre thanked Father Ty for his many years of dedicated service to the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Over 30 priests and deacons from the diocese and across the state took part in the celebration.

Father Ty served the diocese as associate pastor of Holy Savior in Lockport and St. Charles Borromeo in the St. Charles Community, and as pastor of St.

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • July 2017

Father Ty Van Nguyen

Charles Borromeo in the St. Charles Community and St. Ann in Bourg. He also served as director for the Society of the Propagation of the Faith from 1991 until 2004.

In an article that appeared in Bayou Catholic in May 2010 on the occasion of his 25th anniversary to the priesthood, he said his motto has always been “I come to serve, not to be served.” Throughout his ministry, he has always focused on the Eucharist and one of his inspirations is St. John Vianney, whose life story he believes resembles his own in many ways. Father Ty says that he has always let God be in charge of his ministry to the priesthood. “I am his instrument … I thank God for using me. I can never thank God enough. Everything I have comes from God.”

Father Joshua Rodrigue, S.T.L.

Chapel is dedicated at Wellness Center of Thibodaux Regional 45

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER PHOTOS/BAYOU CATHOLIC

The chapel at the Thibodaux Regional Wellness Center was dedicated recently. Greg Stock, chief executive officer for Thibodaux Regional Medical Center, welcomed those in attendance and spoke of the importance of spiritual and physical wellbeing. Very Rev. Jay L. Baker, rector of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, spoke on behalf of Bishop Shelton J. Fabre.

Pastor Norman Edmonds Sr., of Beulah Baptist Church, provided the opening prayer for the event. The newly opened Wellness Center is a place where families can come together and make real improvements to individual and family health and wellness.

www.bayoucatholic.com

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F a t h e r J o e y ’ s G i ft

By Prissy Davis Father Joey Pilola, pastor of Maria Immacolata Church parish in Houma, celebrated his 30th anniversary as a priest this year.

The faculty and students at MICS wanted to do something special for him so we decided to surprise him by doing a “backyard makeover.”

During the last few days of school, when Father Joey would leave to go to the church, we would get in his back yard and work! Mr. Wayne (our maintenance man) worked on repairing the gazebo, adding railings and putting up a ceiling fan, while the Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers and paras did the painting. Mr. Lloyd (Mrs. Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • July 2017

Davis’ retired husband) pressure washed the house and patio bricks.

Everyone had a part in the project – students and their teachers: sixth graders put in new sand, and brushed it in place on the brick patio. Fifth graders decorated flower pots and planted flowers. First and fourth graders painted rocks for the path border.

Third graders painted the stepping stones for the path. First and second graders pulled weeds in the flower beds. Faculty members donated a patio table and chairs, an umbrella, chair cushions and pillows, and even a Blessed Mother statue.

Father Joey and I have a joke that if we needed another classroom, we

could always build a treehouse in the back of school, so … we decided to give Father Joey his very own “treehouse.”

Since Bishop Fabre was not available to bless the yard, he asked the Very Rev. Carl Collins, V.F., to do it. After our last school Mass, we kept Father Joey inside while the rest of the school went quietly in his backyard. I blindfolded him, escorted him to the backyard, and then we all shouted “Surprise!”

Father Carl blessed the “backyard makeover” and then he and Father Joey enjoyed iced tea in the treehouse!

(Prissy Davis is the principal of Maria Immacolata Catholic School.)

Food for the Journey is August 1

Kristin Niedbala

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux sponsors a monthly lunchtime speaker series on the first Tuesday of the month at the Ellendale Country Club Restaurant located at 3319 Highway 311 in Schriever.

The speaker for August 1 is

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Kristin Niedbala.

Niedbala is a native of Beaver Falls, PA. She graduated from Elizabethtown College with a degree in occupational therapy and practiced therapy full time at Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg, VA, for 10 years.

In 2004, she began to serve the church more intentionally as a Catholic missionary in the spirit of the New Evangelization. This led her to ministry around the globe and across the United States, primarily in the work of adult/ young adult formation, training ministers, evangelization and assisting in establishing multiple missionary formation programs.

She has worked for Life Teen International, ADORE Ministries, Dumb Ox Ministries, the Diocese

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of Phoenix, AZ, and the Diocese of Westminster in England. Niedbala moved to Thibodaux in 2014 and is currently assisting with parish implementation of the diocesan strategic plan.

Those who plan to attend the August 1st event should RSVP with their name, phone number and church parish by Thursday, July 27. To RSVP, email FoodForTheJourney@htdiocese.org or call (985) 850-3178.

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

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

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New principal of St. Gregory Catholic School announced

Dr. Cindy Martin

The appointment of Dr. Cindy Martin as principal of St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic School in 48 Houma for the 2017-18 school year was announced recently.

Dr. Martin is a native of Chauvin.

She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in general business and a master’s degree in educational administration plus 30 hours with a minor in curriculum and instruction from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux,

and a doctor of philosophy degree in educational leadership from the University of New Orleans.

She is a national board certified teacher in middle childhood education, gifted education, kindergarten and elementary grades 1-5. She has taught kindergarten through 6th grade, has been a master teacher in three different elementary schools, an assistant principal for two schools and a school administrator for the last 10 years with the Terrebonne Parish School District. Dr. Martin also worked as an adjunct instructor at Nicholls State University.

She has been married to Russell for 25 years and they have two daughters, Adeline, 17; and Mackenzie, 16. She is an active parishioner of St. Joseph Church parish in Chauvin.

“We are blessed to welcome Dr. Cindy Martin to our Catholic school family. Her deep devotion to her faith, family and profession serves as a fine example of all that we are in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Catholic schools. We look forward to working collaboratively with Dr. Martin as she leads the St. Gregory school community in forming faithfilled learners who strive to be missionary disciples of our Lord, Jesus Christ,” says Suzanne D. Troxclair, diocesan superintendent of Catholic Schools.

Catholic Foundation director named

Amy Ponson

Amy Ponson has been named the new executive director of the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana. Ponson has been working as the development director for the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Houma for the last seven years.

Her areas of expertise include board management, relationshipcentered project management, and major gift cultivation. She is a native of Belle Chasse, LA, and graduated from Ursuline Academy in New Orleans. Ponson obtained a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in communications from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge in 2009.

She has been married to David Ponson for five years and they have two children, Michael, three; and Abby, nine months. They are parishioners of St. Hilary of Poitiers Church parish in Mathews.

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ACADEMY PLACE E.D. White contract signing The Maxine and Jacob Giardina Academic Enhancement Center on the E.D. White Catholic High School campus in Thibodaux opened in 2004 to help 80 students in the academic enhancement program who have various learning differences such as dyslexia and attention deficit disorder develop skills that are necessary to succeed in the E.D. White curriculum.

Because of the success of the program, the center now serves 160 students and the school is planning to repurpose the current Media Center which will allow the Academic Enhancement Center to gain an additional 3,000 square feet of space. The new Maxine and Jacob Giardina Academic Enhancement Center will double in size and have a state-of-the-art floor plan with lighting and furniture designed to be more conducive to learning for students with learning differences. A contract signing was held recently at the school for the expansion of the Academic Enhancement Center. Standing left to right at the contract signing are Jimmie Danos, diocesan director of Building and Construction; Tyler Quinn, Nycom, Inc.; Tim Robichaux, E.D. White president; Michelle Chiasson, E.D. White principal; Greg Young, Foret Contracting Group, LLC. Seated left to right are Kevin Gros, project architect, Weimer, Gros, Flores, LLC.; Suzanne Troxclair, diocesan superintendent of Catholic Schools; Very Rev. Simon Peter Engurait, V.G.; Benton Foret, member/manager, Foret Contracting Group, LLC.

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Kateri Mass July 14 at Holy Family, Grand Caillou The 23rd annual Native American liturgical celebration for the feast of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the “Lily of the Mohawks,” will be celebrated Friday, July 14, at 6:30 p.m., at Holy Family Church in Grand Caillou. The Kateri Chaplet and excerpts of Kateri’s life will begin at 6 p.m.

Kateri is the first Native American in the United States to be canonized.

Fellowship will follow at the Grand Caillou Recreation Center, 106 Badou Drive. The recreation center is approximately one quarter mile south of Holy Family Church, the first street on the left after Grand Caillou Middle School, across from the Grand Caillou water tower. Doors to the recreation center open at 8 p.m. The reception will include Native American drumming, dancing, festive dress and food.

LEASE TODAY! ACADEMYPLACEHOUMA.COM OFFICE: 985.879.1794 311 Academy St. Houma, LA 70360

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Sports

Colonels Tim Rebowe: ‘We have a good shot to be pretty good’ Overtime Ed Daniels

T 50

Twelve seasons have passed since Nicholls State University football last shared a Southland Conference championship with Texas State.

But, only three years have passed since the Colonels finished the season winless in 12 games. Included in that inglorious campaign were a 77-3 loss to North Texas, a 45-3 loss to McNeese, and 62-3 loss to Southeastern to end the season.

Fast forward to this month when head coach Tim Rebowe expresses a little more than cautious optimism.

“We have a shot to be pretty good,” says Rebowe.

The leader of the Colonels is sophomore quarterback Chase Fourcade, who prepped at Archbishop Rummel.

“It is notable that his first college pass against Georgia was an interception,” said Rebowe.

“It didn’t faze him.”

Fourcade rallied to throw a

pair of touchdown passes as the Colonels fell last September 26-24 in Athens.

Chase Fourcade started 10 games, throwing 18 touchdown passes, and rushing for nine touchdowns.

Rebowe said a year of college football and a year in the weight room will help Fourcade make a huge leap forward.

“You can just see his chest get bigger.”

Fourcade will be throwing to a host of talented receivers.

True freshman Dontaze Costly of St. James and Dai’Jean Dixon of Edna Karr are expected to be big contributors.

They’ll be joined by former Carver star Raheem Falkins.

Falkins signed with the University of Alabama.

He attempted to transfer to Louisville last spring, but was blocked by Alabama.

The offensive line is the strength of the team.

Center Ryan Hanley and first team All Southland Conference selection tackle Charles Arceneaux lead the unit.

Defensively the Colonels will be stout up front.

They will be led by first team All Southland Conference defensive tackle Sully Laiche of Lutcher, and TCU transfer Tevin Lawson of Denham Springs, who sat out last season.

Lawson played in 31 games for the Horned Frogs in three seasons.

The Colonels are also improving facilities.

A new turf playing surface was installed at Guidry stadium this spring.

The stadium will also have a new video board.

And, upgrades have been made to the Colonels locker room.

As an assistant at LouisianaLafayette, Tim Rebowe said he learned much from head coach Mark Hudspeth, as he engineered a football turnaround for the Cajuns.

“He taught us how to compete,” said Rebowe, “about how to pay attention to the little things.”

Nicholls State will get a quick litmus test in their opener August 31st against McNeese State.

But, after a five win campaign and a near upset of the Georgia Bulldogs, the Colonels will surprise no one.

“We aren’t sneaking up on anybody,” said Rebowe.

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