Bayou Catholic Magazine March 2017

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Bayou

Catholic

LENT -- 40 Days Of Renewal --

HOUMA, LA ~ MARCH 2017 ~ COMPLIMENTARY

1977 - 2017

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CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES COLLECTION

March 25-26, 2017

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IN DISGUISE Copyright © 2016, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Photo credit: © Sam Tarling/CRS.

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Contents FEATURES

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28 Students of the Year

By Janet Marcel

32 Bayou Patrons

By Janet Marcel

34 Priests’ convocation

By Janet Marcel

40 Jesus Christ Superstar

By Janet Marcel

COLUMNS

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24

GUMBO

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By Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

Pope Francis I

13 Questions of Faith

By Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue

14 Readings Between The Lines

By Father Glenn LeCompte

26 Thoughts for Millennials

Shrimp Okra

Cathy Cooks an:

EASY

Comfort For My People

12 Pope Speaks Cathy Smith

22 4

8

Gumbo

31 Reading with Raymond

4 tbsp. cooking oil 1 large onion, chopped 2 lbs. fresh okra, sliced 2 lbs. fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 gallon water 3 large cloves garlic, whole Salt and pepper to taste Hot sauce to taste

By Raymond Saadi

47 Overtime

INGREDIENTS:

By Ryan Abboud

By Ed Daniels

IN EVERY ISSUE

6 From the Editor 16 Scripture Readings 18 Young Voices DIRECTIONS: Cathy Smith, a native of Larose, works closely with ooil,lforiaddc45onions In a heavy gumbo pot, pour and fry for 22 Heavenly Recipes h t a C five minutes.

Add okra; smother minutes or until Very Rev. Mark Toups, chancellor, and the diocesan u o y Ba cooked.

Add salted shrimp, water and garlic. Bring to a 30 Diocesan Events strategic planning team. She is sharing a shrimp okra boil, then simmer for 40 minutes. (Okra seeds will look gumbo recipe from her friend Marian Hebert who was a life-long resident of Larose until about 10 years ago.

Cathy, a widow since 2010, has two daughters who live close to her home. “At least once a month we try to have a family dinner where everyone shows up. My daughters, their husbands and the grandkids come over and I cook a large meal for everyone. When I cook for a group it’s relaxing; I know ahead of time what I’m preparing. Sometimes I have a hard time deciding what to cook if it is just for me. We tend to gather more during crawfish season because we have a pond and there’s plenty of crawfish,” she says.

Cathy has been working for the diocese for the past 13 years. “I was in the corporate world for 40 years before I began working for the diocese. I worked in the Vocations Office in the beginning. I worked with the seminarians and walked with them in their discernment. I enjoyed being a ‘mother’ for them. I would cook for them often. I found joy in watching them grow in their Bayou faith.” Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017 Cathy says that she enjoys the work she is doing now with the strategic planning team. “I

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brown.) Before serving, mash whole cooked garlic pods that float on the top. Season to taste with salt, pepper and hot sauce. Serve over rice. For a variation, add one can whole tomatoes smothered with okra. Yield: 8-10 servings.

GUEST COLUMNS

20 Lent

By Father Wilfredo Decal

24 More than a March

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Mar r i age HOUMA, LA

~ MARCH

ANNOUNCEMENTS

38 Vandebilt Hall of Fame 42 Charismatic Conference

2017

RAPHY

E PHOTOG

CARRER

By Father Cody Chatagnier

March 31-April 2

44 Abbey Youth Fest, March 25 46 Food for the Journey, April 4

On Our

COVER The cross and crown of thorns are stark reminders that we are no longer in Ordinary Time liturgically. We have moved to the season of Lent, a time of renewal through sacrifice, prayer and almsgiving. The 40 days of the Lenten season is a time for us to prepare for the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier

Bayou Catholic Vol. 37, No. 9 How to reach us:

BY PHONE: (985) 850-3132

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

BY FAX: (985) 850-3232

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

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

Subscription rate is $35 per year.

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

Lawrence Chatagnier

Index to Advertisers

editor and general manager

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

Annual Bishop’s Appeal ................................. 2

Normans Tuxedos ....................................... 67

Cardinal Place ............................................. 46

Ochsner St. Anne Hospital ........................... 23

Catholic Relief Services Collection ................. 3

Office of Family Ministries ........................... 57

Diocesan Financial Report ......................48-52

Operation Rice Bowl .................................... 46

advertising accounts executive

Diocesan Outreach Line .............................. 47

Patrick Yancey Law Firm ............................. 42

Lisa Schobel Hebert

Diocesan Website ....................................... 27 God’s Promises .......................................... 17 God’s Promises .......................................... 55 Ground Pat’i ................................................ 41 Haydel Spine Pain & Wellness ..................... 15 Headache & Pain Center .............................. 47 Help Me Pray .............................................. 62

Peltier Travel Agency ................................... 59 Re-Bath ...................................................... 44 Rod’s Superstore ........................................ 21

Janet Marcel

staff writer/administrative assistant

Katie DeRoche

graphic designer

Meridy Liner

accounts receivable/payable assistant

Seminarian Education Burses ...................... 19 Southland Mall ............................................ 68 St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School ........ 17

Houma Digestive Health Specialists ............. 26

St. Joseph Manor ........................................ 41

Johnny’s Men’s Shop .................................. 54

Synergy Bank .............................................. 27

LeBlanc & Associates, LLC ......................... 40

Terminix ...................................................... 27

Lewis & Company ....................................... 59

Thibodaux Physical Therapy ........................ 41

Mary Bird Perkins TGMC Cancer Center ....... 43

Watkins, Walker, Eroche & Hoychick ............ 26

Awards

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

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Welcome

From the Editor

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The Lenten season which began on Ash Wednesday is upon us. It’s the 40 days of preparation for the Easter season when we are called to deepen our spiritual lives through the practice of fasting, prayer and almsgiving. The belief is that through our consistent participation in these practices, like exercise we do for our physical health, these practices will improve our spiritual well-being by stripping away all that is unnecessary and help us become more mindful of how God is working in our lives. Now is a great time to take stock of our spiritual life. Maybe we should go beyond the usual practice of giving up something.

I found these 25 ideas of how to make the most of the Lenten season.

If you do some of these suggestions during Lent I believe you will find Lent more meaningful and you will be ready to celebrate Easter fully.

1. Make a commitment to read the Sunday scriptures before you go to Mass. Familiarizing yourself with the readings ahead of time will help you experience them in a deeper way.

2. Find new ways to practice the disciplines of fasting, prayer and almsgiving.

3. Sign up for an hour of eucharistic adoration. Attend Mass at a parish that’s made up of people from a different racial/ethnic group.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

4. Think about what you usually spend your money on. Do you buy too many clothes? Spend too much on dinner out? Pick one type of expenditure that you’ll “fast” from during Lent, and then give the money you would usually spend to a local charity.

5. Take something on, 40 days of letter writing, 40 acts of kindness, 40 phone calls to the important people in your life.

6. When you sit down in front of your computer at work, or at the very end of your work day, try a 10-minute guided prayer based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius.

7. Go to weekday Mass one day during the week. Daily Masses are usually more intimate than Sunday Mass.

8. If you don’t have a cross in your apartment or house, buy a simple one and put it in your bedroom.

9. For daily creative doses of Lenten spirituality, post a photo each day and encounter the themes of Lent on a visual, personal level.

10. Read the entire Gospel of Mark in one sitting.

11. Attend the Stations of the Cross somewhere.

12. Get some friends together and attend a Friday fish fry or luncheon for a charity that is held at a local parish.

13. Unplug your iPhone or turn off your car radio on your commute.

14. Buy a book of daily reflections and keep it by your bed.

15. Think of a habit that has kept you from being who God is calling you to be. Consciously give up that habit for Lent.

16. Spend at least one weekend or evening volunteering during Lent.

Visit the elderly. Stock shelves at a food bank.

17. Make a commitment to fast from insensitive, cruel comments about others.

18. Participate in a spiritual book club or small community of faith.

19. As part of our Lenten almsgiving, make a point to learn more about a particular social issue (immigration, human trafficking, racism, the environment). Give money to an organization related to your chosen issue that supports the dignity of the human person.

20. Tap into your creative side and try using coloring as a way to pray and meditate during Lent. Buy a coloring book or download a Lent calendar coloring page.

21. Give to CRS Rice Bowl and devote prayers, fasting and almsgiving to changing the lives of the poor.

22. Pray for someone. As you’re walking, driving the highways, or sitting at work, pick out a person who appears to be in need and pray for that person.

23. Get to know your neighbors.

Bring food to an older person in your neighborhood.

24. Read the works of mercy as Jesus described them in Matthew 25:31-46. Then put this teaching into practice.

25. Celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation. Can’t remember how?

Tell the priest it’s been a while, and ask him to guide you through it.

There are plenty suggestions here.

I hope you can find some to practice and make this Lenten season one to help you truly grow in your faith.

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

Bicentennial celebration

Very Rev. Jay L. Baker, V.G., was the main celebrant of an inaugural Mass for St. Joseph Co-Cathedral’s 200th anniversary. Father Romeo Velasco was the concelebrant.

Deacon Ambrose Ayzinne assisted. More events are being planned for the parish’s bicentennial year.

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Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

www.bayoucatholic.com

Comment

The Disciple Maker Index: We need your participation Comfort For My People

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Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

In his Apostolic Exhortation “Joy of the Gospel,” Pope Francis reminds us of the dynamic and essential role that the parish plays in the lives of the Christian faithful. He stated, “The parish is the presence of the church in a given territory, an environment for hearing God’s word, for growth in the Christian life, for dialogue, proclamation, charitable outreach, worship and celebration” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium No. 28).

Here in the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux, we are blessed to have 39 wonderful parishes. As I’ve come to know the parish communities in our diocese, I have come to love and appreciate each community in their diversity and unique ‘personality.’ For this I am grateful. Yet, the one thing that every parish has in common is its purpose. The parish is meant to be the place that helps you grow as a disciple of Jesus and that equips you to go and make disciples of others.

The heart of our Strategic Plan is aimed at helping each of our parishes more intentionally focus their efforts on this very purpose.

I believe if we are to successfully help our parishes become places where such spiritual growth is possible, then, it is important that we invest time again to listen to you and, take an honest inventory of where you are in your spiritual life and how

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

well your parish is helping you grow in your spiritual life. This is why we are asking that everyone participate in the Disciple Maker Index. The Disciple Maker Index is a survey designed to help your pastor and parish identify how you are growing in your faith as individuals and the ways in which the parish community supports that growth. It is a tool to help us listen to you and respond to your spiritual needs.

Through participating in this survey, we hope to: n Allow parishioners to reflect on their spiritual growth and discipleship

n Identify the ways in which the parish effectively supports that growth n Look at opportunities to support that growth more in the future n Assist the parish as they individually tailor the Strategic Plan, setting priorities that help them achieve that growth The survey will be available from February 6 through March 20 and there are two ways you can participate in this survey: 1) You can take the on-line survey by visiting our diocesan website (www.htdiocese.org). Click on the button entitled “Disciple Maker Index.”

2) Complete a paper survey which can be found in your parish.

I want to stress the importance of your participation in this survey.

First, I hope that it will provide you with an opportunity to reflect upon your own journey of faith and the role the parish has had in your life. Second, I hope that you will see it as an opportunity to help your parish grow in its ability to help you in your spiritual life. We need your honest responses to the survey questions. It is my hope that we would have a 100 percent response rate to ensure that we hear all parishioner voices. The data collection, analysis and reporting will be handled by an independent third party, Measuring Success, a firm that has worked in the nonprofit world for 10 years to develop tools to assist non-profits to measure effectiveness. Measuring Success will conduct the survey itself and handle all of your survey responses confidentially. Your parish will receive an aggregate report of the results and will not have access to individual survey responses (unless you choose to self-identify).

The data that will be collected will further help me, your pastor and ministry leaders reflect on what efforts, programs and activities are contributing to helping you grow in your faith as Catholics.

It will offer valuable input for the implementation phase of our strategic planning process, helping us set priorities and allocate resources that will best help your parish grow disciples.

Thank you in advance for your participation in this important project and for the gift of your time as you complete this survey.

Please look to our diocesan website for updates and more detailed information on the strategic planning process and the Disciple Maker Index.

Comentario

La Encuesta de Estado Espiritual: Necesitamos su cooperación

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En su Exhortación Apostólica «La Alegría del Evangelio,» el papa Francisco nos explica la dinámica y el papel esencial que la parroquia desenvuelve en las vidas de los cristianos. El declaró que «La parroquia es la presencia de la Iglesia en un territorio dado, un ambiente hecho para escuchar la palabra de Dios con el fin de hacer crecer la vida cristiana, para crear diálogo, proclamar y proveer caridad, oración y celebración (Papa Francisco, Evangelii Gaudium N0.28).

En la Diócesis de HoumaThibodaux, hemos sido bendecidos por 39 parroquias maravillosas. En el proceso de llegar a conocer las comunidades parroquiales en nuestra diócesis, he llegado a apreciar y amar cada comunidad por su diversidad y «personalidad» única. Estoy agradecido por ello. Sin embargo, el factor común que cada parroquia tiene es su propósito.

La parroquia tiene el fin de ser el centro que le ayuda a convertirle en discípulo de Jesús y equiparle a salir para convertir más discípulos. La meta de nuestro Plan Estratégico es ayudar a cada una de nuestras parroquias para que enfoquen sus esfuerzos con este propósito.

Creo que si vamos a ayudarle a nuestras parroquias a ser lugares de crecimiento espiritual, entonces es vital que se dedique el tiempo para escucharles y para hacer un inventario honesto del nivel de su vida espiritual y la efectividad de su parroquia en ayudar a los feligreses a crecer en la vida espiritual. Es por esto que le pedimos a todos a participar en la Encuesta de Estado Espiritual (en inglés, Disciple Maker Index, siglas en inglés son DMI.) El DMI es una encuesta hecha con el fin de ayudarle a su sacerdote y parroquia a identificar su crecimiento en la

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

fe y las maneras que la parroquia apoya ese crecimiento. Es una herramienta que nos ayuda a escucharle mejor y responder sus necesidades espirituales. A través de su participación en esta encuesta espero que: n Permita a los feligreses a reflexionar sobre su crecimiento espiritual y camino a ser discípulos n Identificar las maneras que nuestra parroquia apoya con efectividad el crecimiento espiritual n Buscar oportunidades para apoyar ese crecimiento con mayor fuerza en el futuro

n Ayudarle a la parroquia durante el desarrollo del Plan Estratégico; definiendo las prioridades que les ayuda a lograr su crecimiento Esta encuesta estará disponible del 6 de febrero al 20 de marzo y hay dos formas en que ustedes podrán participar con esta encuesta: 1) podrán tomar la encuesta por medio de internet visitando nuestra página cibernética (www. htdiocese.org). Entre a «Disciple Maker Index.»

2) Llene el formulario de la encuesta que se puede encontrar en su parroquia: Quiero enfatizar la importancia de su participación en esta encuesta.

Primero, espero que le provea a usted una oportunidad de reflexión

en su propio camino de fe y en el papel que la parroquia desenvuelve en su vida. Segundo, espero que usted considere esto como una oportunidad para ayudarle a su parroquia crecer en la habilidad de ayudarle en su vida espiritual.

Necesitamos sus respuestas honestas para las preguntas de la encuesta. Espero obtener el cien por ciento de la participación de los feligreses en esta encuesta y asegurar haber escuchado todas las voces de la feligresía. La recolección de datos, análisis y reportaje final serán efectuados por un agente independiente llamado Measuring Success, una compañía que ha trabajado con organizaciones sin fines de lucro por diez años para desarrollar herramientas que ayudan a estas organizaciones asesorar información con efectividad. Su parroquia recibirá un reporte final de los resultados y no tendrá acceso a las respuestas de las encuestas individuales (a excepción que usted decida identificarse en la encuesta.)

Los datos que serán recolectados me ayudará a desenvolver mi trabajo mejor, su sacerdote y ministerio religioso reflexionarán en qué luchas, programas y actividades están contribuyendo al crecimiento de la fe de los católicos.

También ofrecerá información importante para la fase de implementación de nuestro proceso de planificación estratégica ayudándonos a definir las prioridades y asignar los recursos que ayudarán a su parroquia asistir mejor a sus feligreses.

Les voy a agradecer su participación en este proyecto importante y por el tiempo que dedicarán para terminar esta encuesta. Busque en nuestra página de internet la información más reciente y más detallada sobre el proceso de planificación estratégica y el DMI. Traducido por Julio Contreras, feligrés de la Iglesia Annunziata en Houma

Binh luan bang loi

Mục lục Người Làm Môn Đệ: Chúng tôi cần sự cộng tác của Anh Chị Em

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Trong Tông Huấn “Niềm vui Tin Mừng”, Đức Giáo Hoàng Phanxicô nhắc nhở chúng ta về vai trò năng động và quan trọng mà giáo xứ thể hiện trong đời sống của các tín hữu. Ngài nói, “Giáo xứ là sự hiện diện của Giáo hội trong một lãnh thổ quy định, một môi trường để nghe lời Chúa, để phát triển đời sống Kitô hữu, để đối thoại, công bố, thiện nguyện, thờ phượng và cử hành Thánh lễ” (Đức Giáo Hoàng Francis, Evangelii Gaudium số 28). Ở đây, trong Giáo Phận HoumaThibodaux, chúng ta rất may mắn khi có 39 giáo xứ tuyệt vời. Như tôi được biết về các cộng đoàn giáo xứ trong giáo phận của chúng ta, tôi rất yêu mến và đánh giá cao mỗi cộng đồng đa dạng và độc đáo ‘cá tính.’ Tôi rất biết ơn về điều này.

Tuy nhiên, có một điều mà mỗi giáo xứ đều có điểm chung là mục đích của nó. Giáo xứ được hiểu là nơi giúp Anh Chị Em (ACE) phát triển như một người môn đệ của Chúa Giêsu và trang bị cho ACE ra đi và làm cho người khác trở thành các môn đệ. Trọng tâm Kế hoạch Định hướng (Strategic Plan) của chúng ta là nhằm giúp từng giáo xứ của chúng ta nỗ lực tập trung nhiều hơn vào mục đích này.

Tôi tin rằng nếu chúng ta muốn thành công trong việc giúp các giáo xứ của chúng ta trở thành nơi phát triển tâm linh như vậy là điều khả thi, thế nên điều quan trọng là chúng tôi sẽ dành thời gian hơn nữa để lắng nghe ACE, và làm một bảng tóm tắt chân thật rằng đời sống tâm linh của ACE đang ở mức độ nào, và giáo xứ đang giúp đỡ ACE phát triển trong đời sống tâm linh của ACE tốt đến mức nào. Đây là lý do tại sao chúng tôi muốn yêu cầu tất cả mọi người tham gia vào Mục lục Người Lam Môn Đệ.

Bảng lượng giá này là một cuộc khảo sát được đặt ra để giúp cha xứ và giáo xứ của ACE xác định ACE

đang phát triển trong đức tin với tư cách cá vị như thế nào và những cách thức mà cộng đồng giáo xứ hỗ trợ sự tăng trưởng đó. Nó là một công cụ để giúp chúng tôi lắng nghe ACE và đáp ứng những nhu cầu tâm linh của ACE.

Qua việc tham gia vào cuộc khảo sát này, chúng tôi hy vọng: n Để cho giáo dân suy tư về sự tăng trưởng tâm linh và tinh thần môn đệ của mình. n Xác định những cách thức mà giáo xứ hỗ trợ các sự tăng trưởng một cách hiệu quả. n Nhìn vào những cơ hội để hỗ trợ sự tăng trưởng đó hơn nữa trong tương lai. n Hỗ trợ giáo xứ khi họ điều chỉnh Kế hoạch Định hướng, dành những ưu tiên để giúp họ đạt được sự tăng trưởng đó.

Cuộc khảo sát sẽ bắt đầu từ ngày 6 tháng 2 đến tháng 20 tháng 3, và có hai cách ACE có thể tham gia vào cuộc khảo sát này: 1) ACE có thể thực hiện sự khảo sát trực tuyến bằng cách truy cập trang web của giáo phận của chúng tôi (www.htdiocese.org). Nhấn vào nút có tên “Disciple Maker Index.”

2) Thực hiện sự khảo sát trên giấy có in sẵn nơi giáo xứ của ACE. Tôi muốn nhấn mạnh tầm quan trọng của sự tham gia của ACE vào cuộc khảo sát này.

Trước hết, tôi hy vọng rằng nó sẽ cung cấp cho ACE một cơ hội để suy tư về cuộc hành trình đức tin của ACE và vai trò của giáo xứ trong cuộc sống của ACE. Thứ đến, tôi hy

vọng rằng ACE sẽ xem nó như một cơ hội để giúp đỡ giáo xứ của ACE phát triển khả năng của mình để giúp ACE trong đời sống tâm linh. Chúng tôi cần những câu trả lời thành thật của ACE cho các câu hỏi khảo sát này. Tôi hy vọng rằng chúng tôi sẽ có một tỷ lệ đáp ứng 100% để bảo đảm rằng chúng ta nghe tất cả những tiếng nói của giáo dân. Việc thu thập dữ liệu, phân tích và báo cáo sẽ được đúc kết bởi một ban độc lập thứ ba, Measuring Success, là một công ty đã hoạt động trong thế giới phi lợi nhuận trong 10 năm qua để phát triển các công cụ hỗ trợ phi lợi nhuận đo lường các hiệu quả. Công ty Measuring Success sẽ tiến hành các cuộc khảo sát riêng của mình và đúc kết tất cả các câu trả lời khảo sát của ACE một cách kín đáo. Giáo xứ của ACE sẽ nhận được một báo cáo 11 tổng hợp về kết quả và sẽ không có quyền truy cập vào các câu trả lời khảo sát cá nhân (trừ khi ACE chọn tự xác định).

Các dữ liệu được thu thập sẽ tiếp tục giúp đỡ tôi, cha chánh xứ và các vị lãnh đạo về mục vụ suy nghĩ về những nỗ lực, các chương trình và các hoạt động nào đang góp phần vào việc giúp ACE lớn lên trong đức tin Công Giáo. Nó sẽ là nguồn cung cấp có giá trị cho các giai đoạn thực hiện của quá trình Kế hoạch Định hướng của chúng tôi, giúp chúng tôi dành những ưu tiên và phân bổ nguồn lực tốt nhất sẽ giúp giáo xứ của ACE phát triển chương trình về người môn đệ.

Xin cám ơn trước về sự tham gia của ACE trong dự án quan trọng này và về thời gian quý báu của ACE khi hoàn thành bảng khảo sát này. Xin hãy vào trang web của giáo phận chúng ta để cập nhật và để biết thêm thông tin chi tiết về quá trình Kế hoạch Định hướng và Mục lục Người Làm Môn Đệ.

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 Pope Speaks

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Vatican City, (CNA/EWTN News) Pope Francis’ pastoral heart came out in his Lenten message this year, focusing in what could be a lengthy homily on the importance of recognizing others as a gift, with an in-depth reflection on the Word of God. “A right relationship with people consists in gratefully recognizing their value. Even the poor person at the door of the rich is not a nuisance, but summons to conversion and to change,” the Pope said in this year’s Lenten message.

“Each person is a gift, whether it be our neighbor or an anonymous pauper,” he said, adding that Lent “is a favorable season for opening the doors to all those in need and recognizing in them the face of Christ.”

Released Feb. 7, the Pope’s message is titled “The Word is a gift. Other persons are a gift,” and centers on the passage in the Gospel of Luke recounting the relation between the poor man Lazarus and the rich man who rejects him, a favorite episode to which he often returns.

In the message, Francis said Lent is a key time to vamp up our spiritual life through the Church’s traditional practices of fasting, prayer and almsgiving.

However, “at the basis of everything is the Word of God,” he said, and offered an in-depth reflection on the parable.

Francis noted how the parable begins by presenting the two main characters, with the poor man described in more detail

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

Money doesn’t make you rich -loving others does, Pope says than the rich man. Lazarus is depicted as lying in front of the rich man’s door eating the crumbs that fall from his table, and with dogs coming to lick the sores that cover his body.

“The picture is one of great misery; it portrays a man disgraced and pitiful,” the Pope said, noting the contrast between the image of the poor man provided and his name, Lazarus, which means “God helps,” indicating a promise.

Although Lazarus is invisible to the rich man, “we see and know him as someone familiar. He becomes a face, and as such, a gift, priceless treasure, a human being whom God loves and cares for, despite his concrete condition as an outcast,” Francis said.

Lazarus therefore teaches us that “other persons are a gift,” he said, adding that good relationships among people consist of recognizing each other’s value.

By setting the scene as it does, the parable first invites us to open our hearts to others and to recognize them as a gift, “whether it be our neighbor or an anonymous pauper,” he said, adding that each life we encounter “is a gift deserving acceptance, respect and love.”

The word of God helps us “to open our eyes to welcome and love life, especially when it is weak and vulnerable,” he said, but stressed that in order to do this, “we have

to take seriously what the Gospel tells us about the rich man.”

Francis then turned to the image of the rich man himself, who, unlike Lazarus, doesn’t have a name, and is described as wearing extravagant and expensive robes, flaunting his wealth in a “clearly ostentatious” way.

Reflecting on this passage is “a good preparation” for Easter, Pope Francis said, explaining that Ash Wednesday’s liturgy is similar to what is described in the passage, particularly with the administration of the ashes, which serves as a symbol of the end of our earthly lives.

Lent, he said, “is the favorable season for renewing our encounter with Christ, living in his word, in the sacraments and in our neighbor.”

“May the Holy Spirit lead us on a true journey of conversion, so that we can rediscover the gift of God’s word, be purified of the sin that blinds us, and serve Christ present in our brothers and sisters in need,” he said.

Pope Francis closed his message encouraging the faithful to pray for one another “so that, by sharing in the victory of Christ, we may open our doors to the weak and poor.

Then we will be able to experience and share to the full the joy of Easter.”

Questions of Faith Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue, S.T.L.

I have always had a fear of going to confession. I get so scared that I just say the first thing that comes to mind just to get it over with. Our pastor knows everyone and that’s part of the problem. I’ve tried to go to another parish, but that didn’t help. I don’t feel like I’ve ever really made a good confession in my entire life. Can Jesus forgive me for this?

I don’t think most people like going to confession in the first place. I don’t have people doing cartwheels coming into the confessional, and most people are normally a little anxious before going. Even as a priest, my heart starts to beat a little faster when preparing to make my regular confession.

That nervousness is a good indication that we are taking the sacrament seriously. And yet, all of us need to pray for an increase in the virtue of fortitude to enter the confessional. Fear, embarrassment, pride and other vices try to convince us to stay away from the peace and joy we receive from the Lord’s compassionate forgiveness.

A proper preparation with an examination of conscience can help us make a good confession. There are a number of them found on the internet or even apps that can be downloaded to a smartphone to help. I even recommend a daily examination of conscience so that a person can better recognize his or her “favorite sins,” or in other words, the sins that seem to occur regularly. Then when it is time to go to confession, a person is familiar with his or her sinfulness.

Take time also to examine your conscience and write them down if you are afraid to forget them. I have

heard some priests say that they hate the “grocery list” confession because they question the person’s true contrition; however, I see it differently. I see it as people taking the time to examine their conscience and wanting to make a thorough and sincere confession.

That paper can then be given to the priest afterward to destroy or you can do it yourself.

While people have spent time tallying up their sins before entering the confessional, when the time comes for them to celebrate the sacrament, suddenly there is the moment of “confession amnesia” as we priests hear, “Father, I had all these things I wanted to confess, but now I can’t remember them.”

Don’t panic. The priest can walk you through the commandments, the deadly sins, or ways in which you have failed to love God, your neighbor or yourself.

Fear is the greatest deterrent.

If you are afraid to go because you can’t remember an Act of Contrition, often there is one posted in the confessional, or the priest can help you. And if the fear is going to your pastor for confession, then know you are allowed to go anonymously behind a screen to him and do not have to go face to face. Even if you

go face to face, keep in mind that the priest hears many confessions, so don’t think that your sins are so special that he will remember 13 them.

Actually in the end, the difficult part of the sacrament is not so much going to confession but once we leave the confessional. Will I go back to my old ways or become the person God wants me to be?

Remember, the more regularly you practice going to confession, the more comfortable you will become.

Do not let fear keep you away; the peace afterward is worth being a little nervous before.

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

Matthew’s model for becoming a missionary disciple

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“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). This passage from Matthew’s Gospel, from which we are reading during this liturgical year, has been used as a theme for our diocesan strategic plan. If I understand it correctly, the primary goal of the plan is to help shape parishioners in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux into “missionary disciples.” Jesus directs his commands to “go” and “make disciples” to the “eleven disciples,” his inner circle of followers, otherwise called the apostles or the Twelve, who are now reduced to eleven due to the loss of Judas.

The disciples here are enjoined to evangelize the nations (or Gentiles), and to teach them to observe what Jesus commanded them, that is, to keep the Law as seen in light of the two commandments Jesus gives to love God with every ounce of one’s being and to love one’s neighbor as oneself (22:37-39).

At the point in Matthew’s story where Jesus sends his disciples on this mission, they have been through much struggle, including their striving to embrace Jesus’ challenging teaching and call

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

to conversion, as well as having witnessed his suffering and death.

Let us take a look at how the disciples come to a state of spiritual readiness to be commissioned to evangelize.

The story of Jesus’ disciples begins with the call of the first four: Peter, Andrew, James and John (4:18-21). Their initial response to Jesus here is a positive one in that they are willing to leave behind everything familiar to them to follow him. In 9:9-13, Matthew will follow Jesus with as much immediacy as the first four disciples, although he will leave behind a life of extortion to do so.

Jesus’ inner circle of disciples will be rounded out by the time Jesus is ready to send them on their first mission of preaching and healing (10:2-4). By calling these followers to himself he is beginning to form the new community to which he will later refer as his “Church” (16:18).

The disciples Jesus gathers are privy to his teaching, especially in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), wherein Jesus teaches about the Jewish Law, but claims that in his refashioning of it he seeks to fulfill, not to abolish it (5:17). In the course of the great sermon he will also reshape the standards of the pillars of Jewish piety (prayer, fasting and almsgiving, 6:1-18).

The disciples here are challenged

to see the standard institutions of their Jewish lives according to the plenary vision Jesus has for these institutions. In chapter 10, Jesus will send his disciples on a mission to heal (10:8) and preach (10:27).

Glaringly, teaching is omitted from this commission and Jesus will only permit them to do so in the last scene of the Gospel, when their faith is significantly more mature, because they will have come to see Jesus as Messiah through his suffering and death.

In chapter 13, Jesus teaches the nature of the Kingdom by means of parables, which is a form of speech the crowds do not understand because of their obstinacy (13:1315). In contrast Jesus’ disciples’ eyes and ears are blessed because they see and hear, that is to say, the disciples comprehend (13:16) and, additionally, they embrace Jesus’ teaching about the Kingdom.

Furthermore, the disciples witness Jesus doing mighty deeds (aka, “miracles”), by which he at once proclaims the good news and shatters the reign of evil as he makes God’s Kingdom present.

In Matthew’s Gospel, the disciples’ primary weakness is “littleness of faith.” This spiritual deficiency in the disciples manifests itself in the disciples’ lack of trust in God’s providential care (6:30), in their tendency to succumb to fear in frightful situations

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(8:26; 14:31), and in their inability to drive out a demon (17:20), suggesting that because of weak faith they do not have the strength to confront the power of evil. Also, the disciples’ misunderstanding of Jesus’ warning that they be aware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (16:6) is not due to lack of comprehension, but to inadequate faith. Overcoming littleness of faith will be the primary challenge to the disciples’ conversion.

In the last section (16:21-28:20) of Matthew’s story, the disciples’ littleness of faith results in a number of struggles in their striving to follow Jesus. They fail to accept Jesus’ announcement that he will suffer and die (16:2123). He teaches them that even as he suffers, they must take up their crosses with him (16:24), yet their faith will not be strong enough to enable them to stand with Jesus during his passion (26:31, 69-75).

What enables them to overcome weak faith and mature as disciples?

It is their faith in Jesus as risen Lord. This faith is manifest in that, trusting in the word of the women

who go to Jesus’ tomb on Easter Sunday morning, they heed Jesus’ command to meet him in Galilee at an appointed mountain. Certainly they would not undertake this journey unless they believe what Jesus tells them on the mountain, that the Father has bestowed universal authority upon him (28:18). Even so, Matthew indicates that there is still room for the disciples to grow in faith, for “some doubted” (28:17).

If we are to become missionary disciples similar to Jesus’ disciples

in Matthew, then we have to experience the same journey and growth in faith as do they. We first have to be stronger in our resolve to follow Jesus, to listen attentively and embrace his message about the Kingdom, to burn with zeal to share that message with others, and open ourselves to the challenge to allow God to strengthen our faith so that we may not succumb to the deficiencies that would otherwise prevent us from carrying out the mission on which Jesus is sending us.

uestions Reflection Q

ow stronger? llow Jesus gr fo to e lv so re ur n How can yo itself in ith manifest fa of s es n le tt eed God to n How does li ays do you n w c ifi ec sp what your life? In ur faith? strengthen yo atthew 28:19 isciples in M d e th to on of missi tended to all n Jesus’ com ations” is ex n l al of f es el pl rs ci u to “make dis do you see yo l times. How al of es pl ci is Jesus’ d command? ng on Jesus’ ti ac y ll fu h fait 15

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ScriptureReadings and a listing of Feast days and saints

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

4

Saturday

1 March

2

Lenten Weekday Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18 Matthew 25:31-46

7

Lenten Weekday Isaiah 55:10-11 Matthew 6:7-15

8

Lenten Weekday Jonah 3:1-10 Luke 11:29-32

9

10

Lenten Weekday Lenten Weekday Esther C:12, 14-16, Ezekiel 18:21-28 Matthew 5:20-26 23-25 Matthew 7:7-12

Lenten Weekday Deuteronomy 26:16-19 Matthew 5:43-48

13

14

15

16

17

18

23

6

3

Friday

Saturday after Ash Wednesday Isaiah 58:9b-14 Luke 5:27-32

First Sunday of Lent Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7 Romans 5:12-19 Matthew 4:1-11

11

12

16

Lenten Weekday Daniel 9:4b-10 Luke 6:36-38

Lenten Weekday Isaiah 1:10, 16-20 Matthew 23:1-12

Lenten Weekday Lenten Weekday Jeremiah 18:18-20 Jeremiah 17:5-10 Matthew 20:17-28 Luke 16:19-31

Lenten Weekday Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46

Lenten Weekday Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

20

21

22

24

25

27

28

Solemnity of Saint Lenten Weekday Joseph, spouse of the Daniel 3:25, 34-43 Blessed Virgin Mary Matthew 18:21-35 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 1214a, 16 Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22 Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Lenten Weekday Isaiah 65:17-21 John 4:43-54

Lenten Weekday Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12 John 5:1-16

Lenten Weekday Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9 Matthew 5:17-19

Lenten Weekday Jeremiah 7:23-28 Luke 11:14-23

Lenten Weekday Hosea 14:2-10 Mark 12:28-34

Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10 Hebrews 10:4-10 Luke 1:26-38

29

30

31

1 April

Lenten Weekday Isaiah 49:8-15 John 5:17-30

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

Lenten Weekday Exodus 32:7-14 John 5:31-47

Lenten Weekday Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22 John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

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Sunday

Second Sunday of Lent Genesis 12:1-4a 2 Timothy 1:8b-10 Matthew 17:1-9

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Third Sunday of Lent Exodus 17:3-7 Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 John 4:5-42

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Fourth Sunday of Lent 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41

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March

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Young Voices I feel that it is very important for the youth to understand the meaning of the Lenten season. This period of fasting can be a way to live out the example Jesus made for us during his 40 days in the desert. Jesus was tempted, just as we will be tempted, but we must stay strong, surrender to God’s will, and become dependent on him to help us understand the meaning of Lent and deepen our relationship with Christ.

Katie Burgo, 16 years old St. Eloi Church parish Terrebonne High School

Being raised as Catholics, many of us in the young church remember Lent as the time when we gave up something that we enjoyed, ate plenty of seafood, and attended Mass frequently. But, as the future of the church, it is our responsibility to get more out of the Lenten season. Lent is the perfect chance to take time out of our busy routines and comprehend our greatest blessing, being able to live out our faith. By using Lent to focus on Jesus’ passion, we are given the opportunity to reflect on what our goal should be, to walk in Christ’s footsteps.

Faith Hebert, 16 years old St. Genevieve Church parish E.D. White Catholic High School

Why do you feel it is important for the young church to understand the meaning of the Lenten season?

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Jacob Duplantis, 15 years old St. Thomas Aquinas Church parish E.D. White Catholic High School I feel that to receive the graces and wisdom offered in the season of Lent, we must truly understand the meaning of the season. If we do not understand what Lent and its practices mean then what are we getting out of the season? If we simply go through the motions without truly connecting ourselves to the meaning of Lent, then we are only skimming the surface of what the season can bring to our lives and we are only giving a small amount of what we can give to God. Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

Shelby Whitney, 16 years old St. Eloi Church parish Terrebonne High School As a young teen, I feel like it is important for other teens my age to realize what the Lenten season is about. The young church should realize that Christ’s love for us is unconditional. He suffered and died for us. As Catholics, we usually give up something during Lent whether it be sodas, candy, technology, etc. After realizing all of the things Jesus Christ has sacrificed for us, I feel the least we could do is give up something that is important to us for 40 days. He died for us so we can live for him.

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Seminarian Education Burses

What is a seminarian burse fund?

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

How does someone establish a seminarian burse fund?

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

When is a seminarian burse complete?

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

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

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

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

Completed Burses of $15,000 each

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

- Msgr. Raphael C. Labit - Msgr. Francis J. Legendre - Rev. Charles Menard - Dr. & Mrs. M.V. Marmande & Fly - Donald Peltier, Sr. (3)* - Harvey Peltier (30)* - Richard Peltier - The Peltier Foundation (5) - Orleans & Louella Pitre - Msgr. Joseph Wester - Robert R. Wright, Jr. - Rev. Kermit Trahan - St. Bernadette Men’s Club - Diocesan K of C - Leighton Delahaye - Mrs. Shirley Conrad - Bishop Shelton Fabre - Elizabeth Hebert - Callais Family Fund - Rev. Joseph Tu Tran - Endowment Fund - $119,136.90

January 2017 Burse Contributions Edna W. DiSalvo ................................................. $50.00

Patrick Riviere 2nd year Theology, Notre Dame Seminary St. Thomas Aquinas, Thibodaux

Open Burses with Balance as of 1/31/17

Sidney J. & Lydie C. Duplantis ........... $13,000.00 Donald Peltier, Sr. #4 ............................ $13,000.00 Joseph Strada Memorial ...................... $12,642.63 Msgr. Raphael C. Labit #2 .................. $11,200.00 Harvey Peltier #31 .............................. $10,486.91 Joseph Waitz, Sr. ................................. $10,100.00 Clay Sr. & Evelida Duplantis #2 .......... $10,000.00 C. Remie Duplantis #2 ........................ $10,000.00 Marie Elise Duplantis #2 ..................... $10,000.00 Maude & Edith Daspit #2 .................... $10,000.00 Msgr. George A. Landry ...................... $10,000.00 Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier ................. $9,200.00 Elie & Dot Klingman .............................. $9,100.00 Rev. Victor Toth ..................................... $7,000.00 Brides of the Most Blessed Trinity ......... $6,598.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ........................... $6,200.00 Rev. Peter Nies ..................................... $6,000.00 Rev. Guy Zeringue ................................ $5,400.00 Catholic Daughters ................................ $5,225.00 Msgr. Francis Amedee ........................... $5,150.00 Mr. & Mrs. Love W. Pellegrin ................. $5,000.00 Anonymous #2 ...................................... $5,000.00 Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis Fmly.#4..... $5,000.00 Rev. William M. Fleming ........................ $5,000.00 Mrs. Ayres A. Champagne ..................... $5,000.00 Society of St. Joseph .............................. $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 #2 .................................... $4,138.00 Kelly Curole Frazier ............................... $3,610.96 Msgr. James Songy ............................... $3,575.00 J. R. Occhipinti ...................................... $3,400.00 Anawin Community ............................... $3,400.00 Mr. & Mrs. Galip Jacobs ........................ $3,060.00 St. Jude ................................................. $3,000.00 Diocesan K of C #2 ............................... $2,894.62 Rev. Peter H. Brewerton ........................ $2,600.00 Mr. & Mrs. John Marmande .................... $2,500.00 Warren J. Harang, Jr. #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 #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 Msgr. John L. Newfield .......................... $1,200.00

Jacob Marcello ....................................... $1,200.00 Rev. Anthony Rousso ............................. $1,150.00 Judge Louis & Shirley R. Watkins ........... $1,050.00 Ronnie Haydel ....................................... $1,035.00 Rev. Clemens Schneider ....................... $1,000.00 Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux #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 ....................................... $650.00 Rev. Jospeh Tu Tran #2 ............................. $551.00 Deacon Raymond LeBouef ...................... $550.00 Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Cannata .................... $500.00 Bernice Harang ......................................... $500.00 Anne Veron Aguirre ................................... $380.00 Dean Joseph Chiasson ............................. $350.00 Deacon Harold Kurtz ................................ $300.00 Richard Peltier #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 Burse Totals: $1,638,385.02 www.bayoucatholic.com

19

Guest Columnist Father Wilfredo Decal

A 20

As we enter the solemn season of Lent, the church invites us to practice prayer, almsgiving, fasting and abstinence. I would like to share some insights and suggestions toward a broader and more relevant understanding of the Lenten practices.

The church defines fasting as eating one full meal a day, and two smaller meals, which if added together would not exceed the main meal in quantity. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has declared that “the age of fasting is from the completion of the 18th year to the beginning of the 60th.” The USCCB also allows the substitution of some other form of penance for abstinence on each of the Fridays of the year, except for those Fridays in Lent.

Thus, the rules for fasting and abstinence in the United States are: n Every person 14 years of age or older must abstain from meat (and items made with meat) on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent. n Every person between the age of 18 and 59 (your 59th birthday begins your 60th year) must fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Cito Beltran, a Filipino newspaper columnist shares some helpful insights on fasting. He opines: “A fast is not a Christianized diet. When we diet, the ultimate goal is body transformation.

When we fast, the ultimate goal is soul transformation. When we diet, we are relying on our own personal discipline to change ourselves. When we fast, we are relying on the Spirit of God to change us. When we diet, success is measured quantitatively (in

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

Lent: ‘We have a love/hate relationship with fasting’ pounds or kilos). When we fast, success is measured qualitatively (in relationship).

“A fast is not a hunger strike. A hunger strike is all about defying an authority figure and getting him to comply with our demands. A fast is all about humbling ourselves before the ultimate authority and submitting to His will. In a hunger strike, the person fasting is the heroic actor who brings about change. In a fast, God is the heroic actor who brings about change. A fast is not a spiritual performance.

Fasting is not a demonstration of spiritual strength. Rather it’s a declaration of spiritual weakness.

Fasting is not about proving to God (or to ourselves) that we are committed disciples; it is about denying ourselves, picking up our crosses and following him.

Fasting is not about demonstrating devotion; it is about cultivating desire for God and his kingdom.”

“We have a love/hate relationship with fasting. We hate having an empty stomach, but we love how God changes us as we are emptied of self and filled with his Spirit.

Therefore, as we fast we should remember that fasting is not about losing weight or getting what we want or proving how spiritual we are. It’s about God working in us and creating within us an even deeper desire for him and his kingdom.”

The foregoing reflection helps us to broaden our understanding of fasting. It helps us with our pursuit of ‘kenosis,’ the ‘self-emptying’ of one’s own will and becoming entirely receptive to God’s divine will which will enable us to say, “yet I live, no longer I but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).

To fast is to do without food for a certain time. When we don’t eat, for even a little while, we get hungry.

When we get hungry, we develop a heightened sense of awareness of those who go hungry because of poverty. The experience of hunger can move us to do something in our little way to help feed the hungry.

In my parish assignments in the diocese, I have always promoted “Operation Rice Bowl,” especially with the children and young people.

All of us need to promote the

a

value of generosity and solidarity with the poor in children, beginning at an early age.

The question that people ask during Lent is: What will I give up for Lent? I believe that whatever we give up for Lent should involve sacrifice. I can easily say that for Lent this year, I will give up drinking, smoking, eating chocolate and gambling. However, giving up these activities is an empty boast for me because I have an allergy to alcohol; I hate cigarette smoke; my doctor has advised me to stay away from sugar; and I believe that I always end up the loser when I gamble. No spirit of sacrifice at all! Pope Francis posits a strong statement, “I distrust charity that costs nothing and does not hurt.” The Pope reminds us that our Lenten practices must truly enrich ourselves and others. St. John Chrysostom said: “No act of virtue can be great if it is not followed by advantage for others.

No matter how much time you spend fasting; no matter how

much you sleep on a hard floor; eat ashes; and sigh continually, if you do no good to others, you do nothing great.”

In his annual Lenten message, Pope Francis writes, “Indifference to our neighbor and to God also represents a real temptation for us Christians.

Each year during Lent we need to hear once more the voice of the prophets who cry out and trouble our conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do something good fades. We end up being incapable of feeling compassion at the outcry of the poor, weeping for other people’s pain, and feeling a need to help them, as though all this were someone else’s responsibility and not our own.”

(Father Wilfredo Decal is the pastor of Sacred Heart Church parish in Morgan City.)

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21

Cathy Smith

Cathy Cooks an:

EASY

GUMBO Story and Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

22

Cathy Smith, a native of Larose, works closely with Very Rev. Mark Toups, chancellor, and the diocesan strategic planning team. She is sharing a shrimp okra gumbo recipe from her friend Marian Hebert who was a life-long resident of Larose until about 10 years ago.

She finds this is a perfect recipe to share with her family during the Lenten season.

Cathy, a widow since 2010, has two daughters who live close to her home. “At least once a month we try to have a family dinner where everyone shows up. My daughters, their husbands and the grandkids come over and I cook a large meal for everyone. When I cook for a group it’s relaxing; I know ahead of time what I’m preparing. Sometimes I have a hard time deciding what to cook if it is just for me. We tend to gather more during crawfish season because we have a pond and there’s plenty of crawfish,” she says.

Cathy has been working for the diocese for the past 13 years. “I was in the corporate world for 40 years before I began working for the diocese. I worked in the Vocations Office in the beginning. I worked with the seminarians and walked with them in their discernment. I enjoyed being a ‘mother’ for them. I would cook for them often. I found joy in watching them grow in their faith.”

Cathy says that she enjoys the work she is doing now with the strategic planning team. “I don’t feel like what I am doing is work. There is much contentment with the work that I am doing now.”

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

Shrimp Okra Gumbo INGREDIENTS: 4 tbsp. cooking oil 1 large onion, chopped 2 lbs. fresh okra, sliced 2 lbs. fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 gallon water 3 large cloves garlic, whole Salt and pepper to taste Hot sauce to taste

DIRECTIONS: In a heavy gumbo pot, pour oil, add onions and fry for five minutes. Add okra; smother for 45 minutes or until cooked. Add salted shrimp, water and garlic. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 40 minutes. (Okra seeds will look brown.) Before serving, mash whole cooked garlic pods that float on the top. Season to taste with salt, pepper and hot sauce. Serve over rice. For a variation, add one can whole tomatoes smothered with okra. Yield: 8-10 servings.

Let’s Manage Your Health

TOGETHER JOIN US AT THE FREE MEN’S HEALTH EXPO Tuesday, March 14, 2017

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Special Event Features Include: Nutritional Tips, Healthy Cooking Demos, Door Prizes and Meet and Greets with Providers Women are welcome to attend.

For more information, call 985.537.8350.

Guest Columnist

24

E

Father Cody Chatagnier

Every January young adults from our diocese embark on a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., to participate in the March for Life. This pilgrimage’s main objective is to protest a Supreme Court decision (Roe vs. Wade) made back in 1973, which legalized abortion in our country. The March itself is the primary reason why we go on the pilgrimage; however, it is not the only thing we do while we are in the D.C. area. Every activity we do is chosen to help those on the pilgrimage understand the impact abortion has on our country.

Our first stop this year brought us to Arlington Cemetery, where we see the tombs of those who have died to protect the freedoms we enjoy in this country. While

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

More t han a

March

visiting Arlington, our pilgrimage had an unexpected grace this year.

We not only were able to see the cemetery, but also were able to see one of our heroes laid to rest.

Arlington is powerful because the many tombs help us to understand how important freedom is to our country. However, since the legalization of abortion Arlington could be filled many times over with the number of Americans killed due to this distorted freedom of choice. There are about 400,000 tombs in Arlington compared to the 59,000,000 killed due to legalized abortion since 1973.

Another activity the pilgrimage includes is a monument walk, where we tour the Washington, Lincoln, FDR, Korean, Vietnam and Jefferson monuments. What struck my heart this year was

the reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial made famous by the movie Forrest Gump. The wind was so strong while we were touring the monuments that the reflecting pool was extremely choppy. Reflecting on this image, I thought about our country. Even amidst the great history of the monuments and their dedication to great Americans who have helped to create our country t here is great turbulence and struggle in making the United States a beacon of freedom.

Although exploring our country’s emphasis on freedom is important, there are also important opportunities for education in the arguments for the pro-life position.

One of the main events that help to educate us is the Geaux Forth Rally, where all pilgrims from

a

Louisiana come together to worship and learn about the ways we can all promote life in our local area.

One of the most moving aspects of the Geaux Forth Rally was a video that showed the history of the fight to end abortion. Beginning with Roe vs. Wade in 1973, the video portrayed women who were born during the specific year a historic event happened in the battle to end abortion. The purpose of the video was to show the desire not only to end abortion but also to be the generation that ends abortion. This is important because although a few Supreme Court justices legalized abortion, it will take an entire generation, a pro-life generation to end abortion. This video also had a message of hope in showing that the pro-life movement has had the better of the fight in recent years.

During our pilgrimage, we enjoyed having daily Mass to sanctify our day and pray for those considering or dealing with the aftermath of an abortion. We were able to have Mass in two churches in the D.C. area. The first church we visited was the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. (I believe this is the eighth largest church in the world.) The basilica stands as a symbol of our purpose

as American Catholics to help guide and influence our country to enact laws that reflect God’s Divine Law, which always seeks to highlight the primary gift God has given us: life.

Between the days of Aug. 28 and Aug. 30, 1862, 25,000 Americans were killed or wounded in the Second Battle of Bull Run in Manassas, VA. On Jan. 26, I had the distinct pleasure to celebrate Mass at St. Mary of Sorrows; the church parish was used as a hospital after that battle to tend to the wounded.

Being in a church parish that holds so much history of healing, I could not help but reflect on the image of the church as a hospital whose purpose is to help heal those who are wounded. I found it very profound that during that battle in the Civil War, the church/hospital helped to heal soldiers who were not only injured but perhaps also helped to kill or injure others.

When one decides to have an abortion, what those performing the abortion don’t tell them is that they don’t just kill an innocent life, but they themselves are wounded.

This is so evident when listening to the many women who attest to the physical, emotional and spiritual scarring that happened when they had their abortions. Hospitals heal

through distribution of medication.

The church heals through an invitation to the sacraments and an encounter with Jesus Christ the divine physician.

Obviously, the main objective of our pilgrimage is to attend the March for Life. This year, the March had a very special guest, Vice President Mike Pence, who before becoming vice president was active in the March for Life. The vice president gave a moving speech reaffirming what our founding fathers desired when they wrote the Declaration of Independence, which is that life is an unalienable right.

25 We marched for that unalienable right. We marched for those that are denied that unalienable right.

We marched to show our country and our leaders that an unalienable right means that it cannot be changed. It is fundamental. We marched. Will you march with us next year? Will you join us? Will you help to send your children and your grandchildren? Will you help this nation to recapture one of the unalienable rights that makes it so great?

(Father Cody Chatagnier is an associate pastor at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales parish in Houma.)

Photos by Seminarian Matthew Prosperie

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Jesus, the desert and you Thoughts for Millennials

26

W

Ryan Abboud

We are all familiar with Jesus’ journey through the desert and the origins of the season of Lent.

However, have you ever considered your journey through the desert during Lent?

Throughout Scripture, we see the use of the words “the desert” or “the wilderness” quite often. Often times, the wilderness is referred to and used as a place of introspection. When the Israelites wander the desert, they’re in search of the Promised Land.

When Jesus wanders the desert, he is in search of solitude, nourishment and revelation from God. In both instances, the wilderness serves as a venue for transformation.

I invite you to think about your Lenten journey now. Ultimately, the 40-day journey can be a time of self-transformation or it can be “just another 40 days.” All it takes is for you to decide if you’re willing to enter the desert or not. The Israelites left Egypt in search of the “land of milk and honey.” Jesus left his ministry in the cities and towns to be isolated in the wilderness. Are you willing to leave the comfort of your current spirituality to be isolated in the desert?

I invite you to take that step this Lent. Step outside of that comfort zone in search of better for yourself and your spirituality. In the Bible, Jesus suffered barrenness, hunger and fatigue during his fast in the desert. Do not be afraid to get out there into the wilderness and humble yourself to become hungry and become fatigued. Unless you are hungry, the Lord cannot feed you. Unless you are fatigued,

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

the Lord cannot give your rest. Unless you enter the desert, the Lord cannot nourish you. I can promise you that the Lord will provide. He will nourish the deepest desires of your heart. The Lord will fill your cup until it overflows, but only if you empty it first while in the desert on that quest for him.

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

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htdiocese.org 27

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O

utstanding Katherine Motichek James Ardoin II

Grant Rebstock

Claire Aucoin

28

Ashton Bollom

Joel Bufkin

Blake Byrne

Carson Cheramie

Logan Clement

Bennett DiSalvo

Emma Domangue

Conner Duplantis

Luke Gervais

Lucy Gottschalk

Seth Guidry

Julien Larisey

Alexa Laubach

Lia Martin

Camille Richard

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

Students Anthony Saleme

Grace Stipelcovich

Sydney Thibodaux

Story by Janet Marcel Outstanding fifth, eighth and 12th grade non-public school students from within the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux were recently chosen to represent their schools as 2017 Students of the Year.

The Students of the Year Awards program recognizes outstanding elementary, middle/junior high and high school students who have demonstrated excellent academic achievement, leadership ability and citizenship in their school and community.

The program is sponsored by the Louisiana State Superintendent through the State Department of Education and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Every public and approved nonpublic school in the state with students enrolled in fifth, eighth and 12th grade is invited to submit nominees.

All 13 Catholic schools in the diocese and Houma Christian School participated in this year’s awards program, which resulted in 22 students from the three grade levels competing at the district level. Three candidates from schools within the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux were selected to represent Region VI – Nonpublic Schools – in the regional competition.

Fifth grader Katherine Motichek, daughter of Jeff Motichek and Jan Villemarette, DDS, St. Bernadette Catholic School, Houma; eighth grader Grant Rebstock, son of Jack and Sharell Rebstock, Holy Rosary Catholic School, Larose; and 12th grader James W. Ardoin II, son of David and Anne-Marie Ardoin, E.D. White Catholic High School, Thibodaux, competed recently in a regional screening in Baton Rouge. The regional interviewing committee is made up of individuals from across the state.

Winners at the regional level will participate in the state competition April 4-5.

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

Fifth graders: Claire Aucoin, daughter of Jed and Monique Aucoin, St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School, Thibodaux; Ashton Bollom, son of Derek and Kristy Bollom, Maria Immacolata Catholic School, Houma; Joel Bufkin, son of Benjamin and Estelle Bufkin, Houma Christian School, Houma; Carson Cheramie, son of Minor III and Jamie Cheramie, Holy Savior Catholic School, Lockport; Conner Duplantis, son of Darren and Jadi Duplantis, St. Mary’s Nativity School, Raceland; Lucy Gottschalk, daughter of Andreas and Genevieve Gottschalk, St.

Gregory Catholic School, Houma, Seth Guidry, son of David and Spring Guidry, Holy Rosary Catholic School; Alexa Laubach, daughter of David and Celine Laubach, Holy Cross Elementary School, Morgan City; Camille Richard, daughter of Jacob and Jessica Richard, St. Genevieve Catholic School, Thibodaux; Grace Stipelcovich, daughter of Stephen and Rachel Stipelcovich, St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School, Houma.

Eighth graders: Logan Clement, daughter of James and Letia Clement, Holy Savior Catholic School; Bennett DiSalvo, son of David and Jessica DiSalvo, Houma Christian School; Luke Gervais, son of Tory and Amy Gervais, St. Mary’s Nativity School; Lia Martin, daughter of Beau and Jennifer Martin, Vandebilt Catholic High School, Houma; Anthony Saleme, son of Anthony and Mary Saleme, Central Catholic High School, Morgan City; Sydney Thibodaux, daughter of Gerald II and Cheryl Thibodaux, E.D. White Catholic High School.

12th graders: Blake Byrne, son of Gerard and Gerrie Byrne, Central Catholic High School; Emma Domangue, daughter of Kyle and Julie Domangue, Vandebilt Catholic High School; Julien Larisey, daughter of Jeff (deceased) and Teri Larisey, Houma Christian School.

A selection committee reviewed each of the candidate’s application portfolios and spent two days interviewing each of them individually, before choosing the district winners. At a minimum, candidates must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 on a four point scale. Winners on the district level were evaluated on the basis of their application portfolio which includes a biographical sketch, academic achievement, leadership, activities, recognitions, service/citizenship and a writing sample, and on the manner in which they presented themselves during the interview.

Assisting with judging at the district level were Jill Naquin; retired teacher from Terrebonne Parish schools; Ed Richard, former superintendent of schools for Terrebonne Parish; and Marga Toloudis, retired teacher from Lafourche Parish schools.

The diocesan Office of Catholic Schools sponsors an annual breakfast to honor these outstanding students at the Lumen Christi Retreat Center in Schriever.

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, students and their parents, school principals, pastors and selection committee members attend the breakfast.

of the Year

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29

Diocesan Events

www.bayoucatholic.com

March

n Free income tax preparation and e-filing is available every Tuesday until April 11 from 9 a.m.–3 p.m., on the second floor of the Terrebonne Parish Main Library, for individuals/families making up to $55,000. n Rite of Election, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma, Sunday, March 5, 3 p.m. n Holy Hour of Adoration for Men, Sunday, March 5, 7-8 p.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma. n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, March 7, Ellendale Country

April

30

n C.E.N.T.S. will be offering the Small Business Course beginning in April through Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. This course is designed to help people who are interested in starting a small business or currently have one. It will be held one evening a week for nine weeks with a different business topic discussed each week. There is a $20 fee for the nine week session. Anyone who is interested in participating may call Brooks Lirette at (985) 876-0490 to schedule an orientation appointment. n Holy Hour of Adoration for Men, Sunday, April 2, 7-8 p.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma. n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, April 4, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311 in Schriever, 10:45 a.m.12:45 p.m. Speaker, Bishop Emeritus Sam G. Jacobs. n Adult Faith Formation: Pastoral Theology and Administration,

Wednesday, April 5, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall in Schriever, 6-8:15 p.m. Speaker, Kathy Lirette. n Youth Rally, Saturday, April 8, Vandebilt Catholic High School, Houma, beginning at Noon. Onsite registration is accepted. n In commemoration of the first celebration of the sacrament of matrimony in St. Joseph parish in Thibodaux, April 11, 1820, when Felicité Breau married Joseph Heber, anniversary couples celebrating 25, 40, 50, 60 and beyond years of marriage will be honored Tuesday, April 11 at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, 6:30 p.m. n Chrism Mass, Thursday, April 13, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma, 10:30 a.m. n Firemen’s Mass, Sunday April 30, St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, 9:30 a.m., preceded by the St. Valerie procession from the fire station on Tetreau Street to the Co-Cathedral at 8:30 a.m. Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, presider.

May

12:45 p.m. Speaker, Deacon James Brunet Jr.

n Mass for the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, Monday, May 1, 6:30 p.m., St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, May 2, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311 in Schriever, 10:45 a.m.-

you

Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311 in Schriever, 10:45 a.m.12:45 p.m. Speaker, Deacon Lloyd Duplantis. n Adult Faith Formation: Pastoral Theology and Administration, Wednesdays, March 15, 29, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall in Schriever, 6-8:15 p.m. Speaker, Kathy Lirette. n Celebration of the Feast of St. Joseph, Sunday, March 19 at 9:30 a.m., St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, presider.

c i l o h Cat

n Holy Hour of Adoration for Men, Sunday, May 7, 7-8 p.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma.

For great results advertise with us. Call 985-850-3136

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

Book Reviews

Reading with Raymond Raymond Saadi

The Invisibility Cloak The Apostle Killer

By Richard Beard Melville House $25.99

Busy Lives and Restless Souls

By Becky Eldredge Loyola Press If you’ve found the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius too daunting and time consuming, you’ll appreciate the five steps described in Becky Eldredge’s book.

As Father Mark E. Thibodeaux of Grand Coteau says in the foreword, St. Ignatius gives great latitude to those seeking to master the Spiritual Exercises permission to find alternate paths. Author Eldredge suggests several paths to complete the Examen, the heart of Ignatius’s exercises.

Here’s a detective story for the ages.

Author Beard combines historical facts and vivid imagination to craft a devilish fantasy. Imagine the Roman Government, alarmed at the growing number of followers of Jesus, assigns aging detective, Gallio, to prove Jesus did not die on the cross and is being hidden by his apostles. Armed with modern day resources, fingerprints, DNA, cell phones and fast cars, he must prove the resurrection never happened and so, must get at least one apostle to confess; incredibly, the apostles are martyred one by one before he can question them.

Suspend your disbelief and stretch your imagination, and you’ll find this novel entertaining and provocative.

Famous Last Words An Anthology Edited by Claire Cock-Starkey Bodleian Library $17.50 This compendium of last words by famous people may inspire. “My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One or other of us has got to go” (Oscar Wilde). “One last drink, please” (“Jack” Daniel).

By Ge Fei (Translated by Canaan Morse) New York Review Books $14 Set in Beijing, Cui, a master builder of luxury sound systems for wealthy patrons is also an unlucky loser. Not only does his beautiful wife leave him for another man but his sister insists on introducing him to, at least to her, suitable prospects. He’s soon thrown out of his house and has to seek shelter with a friend. When, at last, he’s offered the chance to build the ultimate system, he fears he won’t ever be paid. This is a slim, semi 31 funny novel sure to delight.

Time Travel

By James Gleick Pantheon $26.95 What time is it? Do you have time? It’s about time!

We talk a lot about time but what is it? Does time pass? Or is it we who pass through time? In this intriguing book Gleick traces time through history beginning with H.G. Wells’ fantastic story The Time Machine and continuing through novels, movies and scientific studies over the years.

You’ll even learn the why and when Daylight Savings time began (and by the way, where did that hour go?) www.bayoucatholic.com

St . Luke t he Evangelist

Bayou Patrons

Patron Saint of artists, butchers, doctors, physicians and surgeons Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

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Continuing our Bayou Patrons series, this month’s featured saint is Luke the Evangelist, the physician and companion of St. Paul whose Gospel preserved the most extensive biography of Jesus Christ.

Luke came from the large metropolitan city of Antioch, a part of modern-day Turkey. Historians do not know whether Luke came to Christianity from Judaism or paganism, although there are strong suggestions that he was a Gentile convert.

Luke, who was educated as a physician, was among the most cultured and cosmopolitan members of the early church. Scholars of archeology and ancient literature have ranked him among the top historians of his time period, in addition to noting the outstanding Greek prose style and technical accuracy of his accounts of Christ’s life and the apostles’ missionary journeys. He wrote a greater volume of the New Testament than any other single author, including the earliest history of the church.

Luke was the only evangelist to incorporate the personal testimony of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose role in Christ’s life emerges most clearly in his Gospel.

Ancient traditions also acknowledge Luke as the founder of Christian iconography and he is credited with painting several icons of Christ’s mother, including the Salvation of the Roman People, which survives to this day in the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

Some accounts have Luke becoming a direct disciple of Jesus before his ascension, while others hold that he became a believer only afterward. After Paul’s conversion, Luke accompanied him as his personal physician and as a kind of biographer, since the journeys of Paul on which Luke accompanied him occupy a large portion of the Acts of the Apostles.

Luke was also among the only companions of Paul who did not abandon him during his final imprisonment and death in Rome.

After the martyrdom of Paul, Luke is said to have preached elsewhere throughout the Mediterranean and possibly died as a martyr (www. catholicnewsagency.com).

Father Carl Diederichs, administrator of St. Luke the Evangelist Church parish in Thibodaux since October 2015, says he developed a deep appreciation for the Gospel according to Luke over the years.

“I find in his Gospel a special love for the poor and powerless, and for women. And as you know, that kind of approach can get you in trouble, even today.

The Acts of the Apostles gives us a glimpse of the early church as it dealt with issues of inclusivity, poverty, sharing and the tremendous power in our baptism. Luke seems to be concerned about the

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now and does not stress about the evils of the world, political structures or the world to come,” says Father Diederichs. “He is inclusive and his Jesus is able to change what is evil in the world into good. Luke’s Jesus is a new Moses who brings a new law, the Law of Love. Luke is also not anti-Semitic, which goes to the point of his inclusivity and that includes the Samaritans.

St. Luke has had and still has a tremendous impact on our church.”

There is no recorded history as to why the church parish is named after St. Luke the Evangelist; however some believe it is because of the evangelistic perspective of the Josephite Fathers that founded the parish, whose mission is to advance the teachings of the church in the African American 33 community.

Saint Luke is usually depicted in art with an ox or a calf because these are the symbols of sacrifice – the sacrifice Jesus made for the entire world. He is the patron saint of artists, bachelors, bookbinders, brewers, butchers, doctors, glass makers, goldsmiths, lace makers, notaries, painters, physicians, sculptors, stained glass workers and surgeons. His feast day is Oct. 18.

www.bayoucatholic.com

Diocesan priests strategic recent Focus is on renewal Story by Janet Marcel In March 2016, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre released a Pastoral Letter entitled “Allons! Let’s Do This Together!” which kicked off a strategic planning process in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux that is focused on the renewal of the church parishes.

Last month, the second priests’ convocation on the topic of the strategic planning process was held at the Lumen Christi Retreat Center in Schriever.

According to Very Rev. Mark Toups, diocesan chancellor and coordinator for strategic planning, the primary focus of the priests’ convocation was for the priests to receive the strategic plan in its entirety, under the lead of Bishop Fabre.

“It was a chance for the priests to understand the ‘heart’ of the plan, as well as its specific goals and objectives. After hearing about each component of the strategic plan, they had the chance to agree or not agree with the direction; in other words, to ratify the strategic plan,” says Father Toups. “I am happy to say that there was great unity amongst all of us. And, although we continue to answer questions and clarify some specifics, there was great consensus and the priests are on board with the plan.”

Father Toups goes on to say that the convocation was a chance not only for the priests to move forward with a unified vision for all parishes of the diocese, but there was also great fraternity amongst them as brother priests. They had fun together, prayed together, and covered a lot of ground as they discussed all the aspects of the strategic plan, including how they were going to move the diocese forward with the common purpose to form missionary disciples.

“I believe what God has gifted us with at this time in the diocese is quite extraordinary. I have great hope that God is leading us in this process and therefore great hope for the future of our diocese,” says Father Toups.

The next step of the strategic plan is for each parish to participate in the Disciple Maker Index, which is a survey designed to help the pastor and parish identify how parishioners are currently growing in their faith and the

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receive plan during convocation of church parishes Photos by Tyler Neil ways in which the parish community is supporting that growth in order to help identify what parishes need to help parishioners grow in their faith.

Going forward, there will be a strategic planning liaison working with each parish to help them with the implementation of the strategic plan.

Following is an overview of what the final strategic plan will look like: Chapter One: Vision n Bishop Fabre’s vision for the renewal of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux n The church’s vision of parish life: “To make disciples” n Pope Francis’ vision for discipleship: “What is a missionary disciple?”

Chapter Two: Forming Disciples / Renewing Parishes Initiatives, strategies and resources to help adults grow as missionary disciples, to help improve the quality of preaching, to help youth grow as missionary disciples, to help Catholic Schools form missionary disciples, to help lay missionary disciples respond through parish social ministry, and resources specific for cultural diversity within parishes Chapter Three: Leadership for Renewal Initiatives, strategies and resources to help priests, deacons, vocations, parish leadership and volunteers

It was an impressive and amazing experience to be with the priests of Jesus Christ gathered around our bishop to receive, hear and discern the strategic plan of the diocese for the next five years. Reflecting the ancient image of the church community as “where the bishop is, there is the church; where the church is, there is Christ,” becoming missionary disciples begins with this gathering of priests and bishop, followed by priests and church parishioners, and eventually church members and all people.

Very Rev. Vicente DeLa Cruz, J.V. Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua, Bayou Black Ordained 27 years

The convocation is a time that all brother priests come together, with the bishop, from different experiences and cultures to share them with each other so as to build up more unity and hope within our diocese. It can happen successfully only with this vertical love toward God and horizontal love toward our brothers and sisters; and it has happened! Proud of my brothers in the priesthood!

Father Duc Bui Diocesan director of Hispanic Ministry Ordained 13 years

The convocation gave me great hope for our diocese. The strategic plan, with it’s intention of forming mature missionary disciples among the faithful of our diocese is so very exciting.

All the hard work that has been done by the planning team, especially in collaboration with the laity, will prepare us for a bountiful harvest in the future. Our unity as a presbyterate and as a diocese has never been more evident as it was at our convocation!

Father Gregory Fratt Pastor of Sacred Heart Church parish, Cut Off Ordained 19 years The convocation has made me realize how grateful I am to truly be back in the diocese and be part of the new direction our diocese is heading on her 40th year. The gathering has provided us with an environment of fraternity and teamwork, of truth in charity, truly making us priests collaborators with the bishop in moving forward. It was an event that filled me with excitement and hope.

Father Eric Leyble Administrator of St. Genevieve Church parish, Thibodaux Ordained five years

Chapter Four: Resources for Renewal Initiatives, strategies and resources to help strengthen stewardship and the Pastoral Center The strategic plan is currently being reviewed and revised. The final version of the plan will be finalized and promulgated by Pentecost Sunday and the 40th Anniversary of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux which will both be celebrated the weekend of June 3-4, 2017.

The unity and fraternity of the priests was incredible! After convocation, I already feel like part of the brotherhood and can’t wait to get to work shoulder-to-shoulder with these good men as a brother priest.

Rev. Mr. Brice Higginbotham Fourth year theology Notre Dame Seminary

www.bayoucatholic.com

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St. Joseph Altars

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Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

The feast of St. Joseph is being celebrated Monday, March 20 this year. Many church parishes in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux observe this feast day by creating St. Joseph Altars that are available for viewing by the general public.

Following is a list of the St. Joseph Altars that will be on display throughout the diocese this year.

Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma The St. Joseph Altar will be on display Sunday, March 19 from 8 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. and Monday, March 20 from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.

The Society of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary, will be handing out goodie bags. An Italian peddler’s cart filled with tins of cookies and other items will be on sale to benefit the seminarian fund and other charities of the parish.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

Ready for viewing March 19 St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux A St. Joseph Altar will be on display in the church beginning Saturday, March 18 following the blessing after the 6:30 a.m. Mass and will be available for viewing until 4 p.m. On Sunday, March 19, the altar will be open from 7:30 a.m. until the final blessing after the 6 p.m. Mass. All visitors to the altar are invited to bring a canned good which will be donated to the Good Samaritan Food Bank of Thibodaux.

Annunziata, Houma A St. Joseph Altar will be blessed after the 4 p.m. Mass on Saturday, March 18 and will be available for viewing until Monday, March 20 after the CCD classes.

Christ the Redeemer, Thibodaux A St. Joseph Altar will be on display inside the vestibule of the church, beginning with a blessing immediately after the 7:30 a.m.

Mass on Monday, March 20. It will be open until 5 p.m.

Holy Cross, Morgan City A St. Joseph Altar will be available for public viewing Saturday, March 18 in the Life Center beginning after the 10 a.m. Mass. A meatless spaghetti dinner will be served. On Friday, March 17, Holy Cross Elementary and Central Catholic High School students will view the altar.

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Sacred Heart, Cut Off The viewing of the St. Joseph Altar will be held Sunday, March 19 beginning at 10:30 a.m. The blessing of the altar will take place in the Spiritual Life Center after the 7 and 9 a.m. Masses. Lunch will be served beginning at 11 a.m. and viewing will close at 4 p.m.

Sacred Heart, Morgan City A St. Joseph Altar will be available for viewing Sunday, March 19 in the church. Blessing of the altar will take place at the 8 a.m. Mass with viewing available until 6 p.m.

Holy Savior, Lockport A St. Joseph Altar will be available for viewing Sunday, March 19 in the Youth Center at 306 School Street from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. School children will visit the altar Monday, March 20 from 9 to 11 a.m.

Maria Immacolata, Houma A St. Joseph Altar will be blessed Saturday, March 18 after the 4:30 p.m. Mass and will remain open until 7 p.m. at the Maria Immacolata Community Center.

The altar will be on display Sunday, March 19 from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. A traditional meal will be served.

Our Lady of the Isle, Grand Isle A St. Joseph Altar will be blessed at the 5 p.m. vigil Mass on Saturday, March 18, and at the 9 and 11 a.m.

Masses on Sunday. The altar will be available for viewing after each Mass.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Chackbay The blessing of the St. Joseph Altar will be held immediately following the 7 a.m. Mass, Sunday, March 19, in the church hall.

Seafood gumbo will be served for lunch at 11 a.m. and the altar will be on display until 3 p.m.

Our Lady of the Rosary, Larose The annual St. Joseph Altar will be held Sunday, March 19, in the cafeteria of Holy Rosary School.

Mass will be celebrated at 8 a.m., in the cafeteria. Blessing of the altar will follow Mass. A meal will be served beginning at 11 a.m., with breaking of the altar at 4 p.m.

St. Bridget, Schriever A St. Joseph Altar will be blessed at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, March 19 with viewing until 6 p.m. A beignet breakfast will be served.

St. Eloi, Theriot A St. Joseph Altar will be available for viewing Saturday, March 18 from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. in the Community Center. Breaking of the altar will take place after the 10 a.m. Mass Sunday, March 19, followed by lunch.

St. Genevieve, Thibodaux A St. Joseph Altar will be on display beginning Friday, March 17, with Mass and blessing of the altar at 9:15 a.m. The altar will remain on display until 6 p.m.

Sunday, March 19.

St. Hilary, Mathews St. Hilary’s St. Joseph Altar will be available for viewing Sunday, March 19, in the multipurpose building from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

St. Joseph, Chauvin A St. Joseph Altar will be on display Sunday, March 19, beginning with the blessing of the altar at 8 a.m. Mass will be at 9 a.m. in church. A meal will be served at 11 a.m. and the altar will close at 4 p.m.

in Kraemer’s Life Center Sunday, March 19 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

St. Mary’s Nativity Church, Raceland A St. Joseph Altar will be on display at St. Mary’s Community Center Sunday, March 19 beginning with blessing at 7:30 a.m. Viewing will be until 3 p.m., and again from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Monday, March 20.

Cannata’s Supermarket, West Houma A St. Joseph Altar will be displayed in the foyer of Cannata’s Supermarket, 6307 West Park Ave. in Houma, from Wednesday, March 15 through Sunday, March 19.

Cannata’s Supermarket, East Houma A St. Joseph Altar will be on display in the foyer of Cannata’s Supermarket, 1977 Prospect Blvd., Houma, from Wednesday, March 15 through Sunday, March 19.

Cannata’s Supermarket, Morgan City A St. Joseph Altar will be displayed in the foyer of Cannata’s Supermarket, 610 Hwy. 90 East in Morgan City, from Wednesday, 37 March 15 through Sunday, March 19.

Clement Home, Thibodaux The Battaglia family will host a St. Joseph Altar Sunday, March 19, at the home of Randy and Margo Battaglia Clement, 812 Jackson Street in Thibodaux, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. This year’s altar will be outdoors. The public is invited to join in honoring St. Joseph on this special day.

St. Joseph, Galliano A St. Joseph Altar will be on display Sunday, March 19, in the recreation center behind St. Joseph Church, 17980 West Main Street in Galliano. The altar will be blessed and open for public viewing at 10 a.m. and will close at 2 p.m. A public meal will begin at 11 a.m.

St. Lawrence, Kraemer A St. Joseph Altar will be available for viewing at St. Lawrence Church www.bayoucatholic.com

Pictured in photo at left are Jeremy Gueldner, Vandebilt Catholic High School principal, Hall of Fame inductee Pat Boquet, and David Boudreaux, Vandebilt president. In photo at right, Peter Savoie accepts the Hall of Fame induction plaque on behalf of his late wife Dianne Savoie. Pictured with Savoie are Gueldner, Dianne’s sons Donald “Duke” Boyne II, Christopher Boyne, and Boudreaux.

Vandebilt Catholic High inducts two into Hall of Fame 38

Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma recently inducted two new members into its Hall of Fame. Pat Bourg Boquet and the late Dianne Mader Savoie were inducted in a ceremony that took place in the VCHS resource rooms, where the two inductees were most influential.

Those chosen to the Hall of Fame must be deserving longtime supporters, faculty, staff, alumni, parents or others who have served Vandebilt faithfully and well. Up to four individuals may be chosen each year. Decisions are rendered by a committee of administrators, faculty and alumni.

Pat Bourg Boquet has always been passionate about helping students who learn differently. She attended training sessions at the DePaul School and helped there for no pay until teachers were found. She traveled to Kentucky to seek training at the DePaul School there. She dedicated herself to helping her son, Ryan, but soon found that other students could benefit from her expertise.

Parents paid her directly to help their children find success for many years. In 1991, Brother John Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

Abate, S.C., approached Boquet to come to Vandebilt Catholic to set up something to assist students with learning differences. She brought what she had learned in her training and what she had learned by assisting her own son to VCHS and began working with students. Two years later, Brother John hired Savoie to refine and coordinate the program. They worked together for years to build a nationally recognized program for students with dyslexia and similar learning differences.

Boquet continued at Vandebilt until 2012.

She has been married to Carroll Boquet Jr. for 46 years and they have two children, Patti Barrett and Ryan Boquet. They also have three grandchildren, Simon, Olivia and Lilly Barrett.

Dianne Mader Savoie, a community activist, was extremely instrumental in raising awareness about dyslexia. From 1990-97, she was coordinator of the Vandebilt Catholic High School Dyslexia and ADD Program, which gained national recognition and served as a model for other schools to emulate.

She helped promote legislation for the education of dyslexic students

and took great pride in supporting the establishment of the Louisiana Center for the Study of Dyslexia and Related Disorders at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. For 15 years, she was the coordinator of the Giardina Family Foundation, collaborating with other nonprofit organizations, schools, etc., on endeavors to provide current research-based information for professionals, parents and the community to foster a greater understanding of individuals with reading disorders and ADHD. Savoie’s dream of creating a tuition-free public school for this unique population of individuals became a reality when The Maxine Giardina Charter School in Thibodaux was chartered in 2007. Savoie served on The MAX Board of Directors as secretary since its inception. She is survived by her husband Peter Savoie, and two sons, Donald “Duke” Boyne II and Christopher Boyne.

During the program, the Vandebilt Catholic resource program was dedicated and renamed S.O.A.R. (Savoie Original Academic Resource) in memory of Savoie, and a resource classroom was dedicated to Boquet.

Citing pro-life momentum, thousands demonstrate to defund Planned Parenthood

By KEVIN JONES Washington D.C., (CNA/EWTN News) More than 10,000 pro-life advocates gathered at some 227 protest locations in 43 states and the District of Columbia last month to call for the defunding of Planned Parenthood.

“This weekend was huge, but it was not the end,” said Mark Harrington of the pro-life group Created Equal. “We have momentum on our side. Now is the time to press forward.”

“The time has come to defund America’s abortion giant,” Harrington told CNA. “Planned Parenthood is the nation’s largest abortion chain, killing over 300,000 babies each year, and nearly half of their billion-dollar budget comes from our tax dollars.”

The protests, organized under hashtags like #ProtestPP, were headed by the leaders of Citizens for a Pro-Life Society, Created Equal and the Pro-Life Action League.

Organizers reported a crowd of about 200 supporters in Pittsburgh, 300 in Orange, Calif., 400 in Cincinnati, and 450 in St. Paul, Minn., to name a few.

“Abortion, to me, is the greatest evil of our time,” Delia Tyagi, a 36-year-old demonstrator from Arlington, Va. told Reuters.

“Planned Parenthood has wronged women in a lot of ways. I feel like we have the momentum to finally defund them.”

Harrington characterized Planned Parenthood as “an independently wealthy entity.”

“Planned Parenthood’s business model is centered on abortion,” he said. “Women have other options for seeking primary care, contraception, STI testing, and cancer screening.”

Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider in the U.S. While direct federal taxpayer funding for abortion is generally barred under

PHOTO BY SEMINARIAN MATTHEW PROSPERIE

Thousands of people gathered in Washington, D.C., for the annual March for Life in 39 January this year.

law, it receives federal funding in Medicaid reimbursements and Title X programs for family planning and preventive health services.

The politically powerful organization took a heavy hit in 2015 with the release of investigative videos appearing to show it engaged in the illegal sale of fetal tissue and unborn baby parts for research. Despite a well-funded publicity campaign to counter the allegations, the issue has not gone away.

In January 2017, a report from the House Select Investigative Panel said that abuses and possible criminal violations are taking place in the fetal tissue trade between abortion clinics and tissue harvesters.

David Daleiden, founder of the Center for Medical Progress, had organized the undercover investigation. He addressed the Orange, Calif. rally.

“I’m confident that together, if we keep the faith, take the next right step, at the end of the day we will

soon see a day when there will no longer be a price tag put on human life,” he said, according to Reuters.

For their part, hundreds of thousands of pro-life advocates had attended the March for Life in Washington on Jan. 27, which included an unprecedented address from Vice President Mike Pence.

Advocates of defunding Planned Parenthood said legislators had better funding options.

Harrington cited a Chiaroscuro Foundation report saying that over 1,000 federally qualified health centers in the U.S. offer similar services for women without providing abortion. He suggested these should be funded instead.

“Defunding Planned Parenthood is the right thing to do,” Harrington said. “Now it’s down to Congress and President Trump to fulfill their promise to defund Planned Parenthood, and do it now.”

He said the protests shouldn’t be seen as “a one-time effort” but “a daily commitment to defeat Planned Parenthood once and for all.” www.bayoucatholic.com

Local performances scheduled for late March, early April Story by Janet Marcel Jesus Christ Superstar, a timeless production set against the backdrop of an extraordinary, universallyknown series of events but seen, unusually, through the eyes of Judas Iscariot, is a global phenomenon that has wowed audiences for over 40 years.

The first musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics) to be produced for the professional stage, it debuted on Broadway in October 1971 in New York City. Less than 12 months after it opened on Broadway, the rock spectacle went to London, exploding onto the West End in a 40 hugely successful production. By 1980, after 3,358 performances, Jesus Christ Superstar had become the longest running musical in West End history at the time and grossed $12.3 million. In all, Jesus Christ Superstar has grossed over $205 million and has been professionally produced in 42 countries around the world (www.jesuschristsuperstar.com).

Lorna Gianelloni, of Lorna N Company, who has been producing small dinner theatre performances in the Houma area for about 30 years, says that ever since she saw Jesus Christ Superstar, she has wanted to produce it.

“It’s such a beautiful story … it takes place two weeks before Jesus’ crucifixion so there’s all of the confusion and chaos and concern, especially among the apostles. And the music is just phenomenal.

But it’s also a major undertaking. I saw the play in New Iberia last year and thought to myself if their community theatre could do it, maybe I could, too.

I had to apply to Rodgers & Hammerstein, who represent Webber and Rice, to get permission to produce the play. You have to have a lot of good credentials to be able to do it and it was just truly miraculous that I was awarded the rights to do this.

I had to pay $1,000 per show up front, but I had a lot of faith that it would all work out. And, God has come through on so many levels, it’s just been amazing.”

Gianelloni will have priests of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux do an introduction and blessing before each of the performances.

The director of the play is Perry Martin and Tansy Waguespack is the musical director. Principle cast members are Billy Walker as Jesus, Michael Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

Caffery as Judas, Rick Rowen as Pontius Pilate, Dillon Hughes as Herod, Larry Hyatt as Peter, John Desantis as Caiaphas, Ellie Rameriz as Mary Magdalene, and Jacob McManus as Annas. The three lead characters, Jesus, Judas and Pilate, are all from New Iberia’s community theatre.

The show is being sponsored by Synergy Bank, Stephanie Hebert Insurance, and John Morgan of Raymond James at the Galleria.

Performances will be held at the Houma Courtyard Marriott, 142 Library Drive, Thursday, March 30, Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April 1, with dinner at 7 p.m., followed by the show at 8 p.m.; Sunday, April 2, lunch at 1 p.m., followed by the show at 2 p.m.

Meal and show $75.

For ticket information, call (985) 860-2940.

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www.bayoucatholic.com

Lenten mission April 9-11 at Sacred Heart in Morgan City

Rev. Ronald Hoye, C.M.

Vincentian priest Father Ronald Hoye will lead Sacred Heart in 42 Morgan City’s parish Lenten mission on April 9, 10 and 11 at 7 p.m. each day.

Father Hoye is a member of the Congregation of the Mission, also known as the Vincentians. The California native’s vocation began in high school when he met a

Vincentian priest at his local parish and began discerning a call to serve God as a priest. He was ordained in 1991 and currently serves as director of Catholic TeamWorks, a global program of leadership and evangelization outreach. He has been leading parish missions for more than 15 years throughout the United States and Canada. His missions blend humor, story and spiritual reflection in a 50 minute presentation that appeals to all ages. He recently published a book of spiritual reflections entitled Awake.

“The mission experience is one of Scripture, laughter, reflection and prayer. It is designed to draw people into a deeper relationship with Jesus; an excellent opportunity for anyone struggling in or questioning their faith,” says Father Hoye.

Everyone is invited to attend.

Golden Jubilee Charismatic Renewal Conference March 31 - April 2 “Current of Grace” is the theme for the 50th Anniversary “Golden Jubilee” Conference of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, March 31-April 2 at the Landmark Hotel in Metairie.

Sister Briege McKenna, O.S.C., and Father Kevin Scallon, C.M., who are internationally known for their ministry of healing and evangelization, will be on the program daily. Patti Mansfield, Deacon Larry and Andi Oney will also minister.

Pope Francis has called upon the Charismatic Renewal to “share the grace of the baptism in the Spirit with the whole church.” This conference is designed to do just that with inspiring music, prayer for healing, late night worship for youth and young at heart and charismatic ministry.

There will be a special session for youth and families Saturday afternoon.

Pre-register at www.ccrno.org.

Single sessions register at the door.

For more information about the schedule, call CCRNO at (504) 8281368 or visit www.ccrno.org.

Injured? Need help?

LAW FIRM P E R S O N A L I N J U R Y AT T O R N E Y Patrick H. Yancey · Houma, LA

985.853.0904 • PATRICKYANCEY.COM Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

Abbot Patrick Regan, O.S.B., retired abbot of Saint Joseph Abbey, died peacefully at the abbey in Saint Benedict, LA, on Feb. 8.

He was 79 years old.

He was received into the novitiate of Saint Joseph Abbey in 1958, and made his profession as a Benedictine monk in 1959, when he was given the name Patrick. He continued studies at Notre Dame Seminary and Loyola University in New Orleans and later at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, MN. After ordination to the priesthood in 1965, he began studies at the Institut Catholique and the Institut Supérieur de Liturgie in Paris, where he earned a doctorate in theology in 1971.

Returning to his home monastery, he began a teaching career at Saint Joseph Seminary College that would last until 2001. During this period, he also served as chair of the Religion Department and as director of Spiritual Formation in

Retired Abbot Patrick Regan, O.S.B., dies at age 79

Abbot Patrick Regan, O.S.B.

the Seminary College until he was elected the fourth abbot of Saint Joseph Abbey in 1982.

The accomplishment for which he is most well known locally is the renovation of the Abbey Church, which began in 1996 and culminated in the Church’s dedication in 1998.

Upon his resignation as abbot of his monastery in 2001, he accepted a faculty appointment, which lasted until 2013, in the Pontifical Institute of Liturgy at the Pontificio Ateneo Sant’ Anselmo, the Benedictine university in Rome.

He also held several positions in the monastic community at the Collegio Sant’ Anselmo.

Late in 2013, Abbot Patrick was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, and his struggle with the disease dominated the remainder of his life. He spent his last days in the abbey infirmary, cared for by his monastic brothers.

43

HOPE AND STRENGTH IN TOGETHERNESS

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Abbey Youth Fest

March 25 at St. Joseph Abbey Following last year’s severe weather-related cancellation, Abbey Youth Fest, the largest youth event within the Archdiocese of New Orleans, returns to the beautiful grounds of Saint Joseph Abbey next month. Abbey Youth Fest (AYF) takes place Saturday, March 25 with the theme “Be It Done Unto Me” in honor of that day’s feast, the Feast of the Annunciation. AYF is open to teens and young adults ages 13 or older. Saint Joseph Abbey is located at 75376 River Road in Covington, LA. AYF provides young people with an opportunity to experience a day of prayer and faith formation with an exposure to the Benedictine tradition. Its focus is evangeliza44 tion and vocational discernment by means of liturgy, prayer, worship, music and education.

For the first time in its 16-year history, last spring’s AYF, scheduled a day after the March 11 flood, was cancelled. Even as crews were still assessing the damage, many of the 5,000-plus registered attendees asked how they could lend a hand.

“Amidst the flood that wreaked so much havoc across the state, I can’t help but smile when I think about how everyone stepped up and made a commitment to ensur-

SINCE FAST st Intere Free cing Finan

ing AYF returned this year. It’s a testament to how important it is for Catholic youths to have the opportunity to strengthen their faith and be surrounded by others who share their passion for the Gospel,” said Father Gregory Boquet, O.S.B., president-rector of Saint Joseph Seminary College.

Thankfully, nobody was hurt during the flood, but Saint Joseph Abbey and Seminary College was inundated with floodwaters on March 11, the day before AYF was scheduled to have taken place.

Thirty-one buildings were damaged, including the Abbey Church and the monastery. Total losses will exceed $35 million.

New this year at the 2017 festival will be a special pro-life component, as AYF welcomes Catholic, pro-life advocate and speaker, Stephanie Grey, who will address issues concerned with the sanctity of life.

Louisiana Right to Life’s PULSE youth leaders will play a special part in the day alongside Teen C.R.O.S.S. leaders from across the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Additional 2017 presenters and musicians include: national Life Teen speaker David Calavitta; award-winning Christian rock group the Josh Blakesley Band;

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Louisiana Catholic speaker Katie Prejean McGrady; Christian singer-songwriter Dave Moore; homilist and pastor from Baton Rouge, Father Joshua Johnson; and emcee and “media nun” Sister Tracey Matthia Dugas of the Daughters of St. Paul who preach the Gospel through all forms of media, especially social media.

Saint Joseph Abbey and Seminary College has been hosting AYF each spring since 2001. Nearly 5,000 young men and women from seven states and at least 16 dioceses have come to the beautiful grounds of the Abbey year after year for a day of prayer, talks, music, fellowship and exposure to vocational discernment.

In addition to teens and young adults, priests, deacons and seminarians are invited to AYF free of charge. Registration for youth and adult laity is $40 per person. Online, pre-event registration is open now through March 10. On-site check-in and registration begins at 8 a.m. on March 25. The AYF field will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Visit www.abbeyyouthfest.com for more information, including online registration.

Tub to Shower Conversions Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

STEVE DECELL

Aging-In-Place Consultant

One Install day ation

Walk-in Tubs

Catholic Student Exchange program continues under new name The January 2017 issue of the Bayou Catholic magazine featured a guest column about the Catholic Student Exchange (CSE) program that the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux have been participating in the program since 2002.

Shortly after the January 2017 issue of the magazine was published, the CSE program was discontinued. However, due to an overwhelming response of the people in the United States and Guatemala, one of the founders of CSE, Deann Ponciano, decided to initiate a new host program for youth called Fidelis Youth Journey, which is one of many programs of Unified Journeys.

Fidelis Youth Journey will match host families in Louisiana (and Wisconsin) with 12-17 year old Guatemalan students for eight weeks in October-December, continuing a tradition of excellence that began in 1998.

Deann Ponciano, founder and director of Unified Journeys, says students attend private schools with host brothers/sisters and share everyday experiences with host families. There is an emphasis on strong values and a commitment to making this world a little smaller and more connected.

For more information about this program, visit www. unifiedjourneys.org.

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

www.bayoucatholic.com

45

Food for the Journey is April 4

Bishop Emeritus Sam G. Jacobs

how will your family

The VIGIL Project, a community of artists, musicians and filmmakers that produce multimedia resource for deep prayer and authentic encounter with God, will perform at Holy Cross Church parish in Morgan City for its Lenten mission, Thursday, March 23 at 7 p.m.

Utilizing worship, keynote talks and fellowship, this will be an evening centered around the Lenten season and how we can better enter into the season of Lent and also best prepare for the Easter season, knowing that God is, indeed, preparing us for something new!

Everyone is invited.

Life’s too short,

Get busy living.

live

their faith

this Lent?

1 - 2 bedroom apartments ~ balconies ~ patios covered parking ~ community room

Photo by Julie Fletcher for CRS

46

The diocesan Office of Religious Education 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 April 4 is Bishop Emeritus Sam G. Jacobs.

Bishop Emeritus Jacobs served

as third bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux from October 2003 until September 2013. The Greenwood, MS, native was ordained to the priesthood in 1964 and appointed as the 10th bishop of Alexandria in 1989. He was ordained to the episcopacy Aug. 24, 1989.

Those who plan to attend the April 4th event should RSVP with their name, phone number and church parish by Thursday, March 30. To RSVP, email FoodForTheJourney@ htdiocese.org or call (985) 8503178.

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

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

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

Holy Cross Lenten mission March 23

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Download the CRS Rice Bowl app!

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Local Diocesan Contact Margie Duplantis • mduplantis@htdiocese.org • (985) 876-0490

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

Independent Living Community

1209 cardinal drive ~ thibodaux, la 70301 (985) 446-9050 ~ www.cardinalplace.org

For More Information Contact: Natalie Barbera natalie@cardinalplace.org

Sports

Overtime

E

Ed Daniels

Each night he walks on the court, basketball reality smacks him in the face.

Pelicans forward Anthony Davis, who turns 24 next month, scores more than 27 points a game, grabs 12 rebounds, blocks more than two shots per game, shoots 80 percent from the free throw line, and 50 percent from the field, yet his team won 21 of its first 55 games.

Of those 21 victories, six were against teams with winning records.

The Pelicans had only two victories over Western Conference teams with winning records.

The skills of a hall of fame talent are being wasted on a bad team.

After a Sunday night loss at Sacramento, the Pelicans had lost 85 of their last 136 games.

Too bad the Pelicans aren’t the Jazz.

Utah has built its team the way

Pelicans Anthony Davis’ skills wasted on a bad team small market teams should.

After seasons with 25, 38 and 40 wins, the Jazz are on pace to win more than 50.

It has taken time and patience.

In the 2010 draft, the Jazz selected guard Gordon Hayward with the ninth pick.

Three years later, they added post player Rudy Gobert in a draft night trade with Denver.

Gobert was the 27th pick in the draft.

Last summer, Utah added guard George Hill in a three team trade that included Atlanta and Indiana.

Hill was averaging nearly 18 points a game, up six points a game from a year ago.

Patience is a trait Pelicans general manager Dell Demps never seems to display.

He matched a $58 million offer sheet for a player who clearly did not want to play here (Eric Gordon), sent two first round picks to Philadelphia for (then injured) guard Jrue Holiday, traded a first round to Houston for center Omer Asik (and then signed him to a lucrative contract extension).

Asik and fellow center Alexix Ajinca languished on the bench

while earning more than $14 million.

With each loss and each bad decision, it is not hard to envision Anthony Davis playing elsewhere.

Eight days before the All Star game, forward Kevin Durant made his return to Oklahoma City.

Durant departed last July in free agency for Golden State.

His departure wasn’t stunning.

He wanted to win a championship.

So, he tuned out the boos, and the thousands of fans wearing K-oward t-shirts, and scored 34 points.

Durant’s 30 foot three-pointer late in the fourth quarter clinched a victory.

The Thunder’s Russell Westbrook was superb in defeat, scoring 47 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and handing out eight assists.

47 But, as good as Westbrook was, his team lost at home by 16 points.

It was a sobering dose of hardwood reality.

If anyone understands how Russell Westbook feels, it is Anthony Davis.

And, you cannot blame Anthony Davis for arriving at the conclusion Kevin Durant did last summer.

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Financial Report

Glenn J. Landry Jr. CPA, CDFM, CGMA

It is with pleasure I join Bishop Shelton J. Fabre and the entire diocesan staff in presenting the financial highlights of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. The mission statement of the Office of Finance and Accounting states, “to be of service to the parishes, schools and agencies of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux through proper planning, monitoring and safeguarding of the gifts of treasure entrusted to us by the people of the diocese.”

This article tries to capture, in summary form, financial highlights of operations this past year. It is 48 my prayer that this summary is of value to you, the parishioners of Houma-Thibodaux and illustrates our commitment to the mission statement of our ministry and service to the church. Through ministry, each and every one of the diocesan offices and programs exists to provide support and service to our parishes, schools and institutions. I encourage each reader to review the Catholic Directory that is published each year. This directory is a comprehensive guide to diocesan operations and illustrates the offices and programs providing pastoral and administrative services to each parish, school and institution of the diocese.

I also would like to take this opportunity to emphasize that our diocese has adopted a centralized approach to many pastoral and administrative programs. This approach allows the diocese to efficiently utilize all resources for the benefit of each and every diocesan entity. Diocesan staff uses a very strong system of internal procedures to properly record the activity of this diverse organization while maintaining separation between all locations.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

Diocese feels decline The Audit and the Auditor’s Opinion

The financial statements were audited by an independent certified public accounting firm. Diocesan management chooses to hire these auditors to help fulfill its role as good and responsible stewards of the generous funds contributed by its parishioners. The auditors expressed an “unmodified” opinion on the diocese’s financial statements.

An “unmodified” opinion means the financial statements are fairly presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The complete audited report is available to all on the diocesan website, www.htdiocese.org. Click as follows: Offices and Ministries, Finance, then scroll down.

Financial Highlights ASSETS

Cash and investments (excluding loans to parishes but including deposits from parishes, schools and institutions) of the diocese for the year ended June 30, 2016, totaled $52.2 million – an increase of $4.7 million. One should not be misled by these large figures which includes the deposits and endowments owned by parishes, schools

and institutions. These funds are managed by investment managers on behalf of our Central Finance system in order to provide for the highest possible rate of return without undue risk.

Central Finance is the operation of an internal banking system for the benefit of church parishes, schools and institutions whereby funds not immediately needed for current operations are deposited with central finance. Each location is eligible to participate in savings, endowments and loans through the program. The endowments held in Central Finance for diocesan locations increased approximately $57,500 from 2015. Seminary Burse funds increased by approximately $42,300 and the Catholic Charities Endowment increased by approximately $4,125. Please see Chart One for a listing of total diocesan assets.

LIABILITIES

Liabilities at June 30, 2016, totaled $78.3 million with $58.3 million belonging to parishes, cemeteries, schools and third parties for deposits and endowments in the diocesan Central Finance program as described above. In 2007, the diocese issued $6.8 million variable rate demand bonds to fund

a

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

of local economy priest pension liabilities. At June 30, 2016, approximately $4.4 million of bond debt was still outstanding. Please see Chart Two for a listing of total diocesan liabilities.

Due to the low rate of investment return and other depressed economic factors, it was determined that the cost of the 2007 variable rate demand bonds exceeded the expected future benefits; therefore, the bonds were completely redeemed on Jan. 5, 2017.

NET ASSETS

Temporarily restricted net assets are restricted by donors for support of a particular operating activity or donor restricted use. Permanently restricted net assets are restricted indefinitely for diocesan ownership and/or support of a particular operating activity. The diocese maintains several operations that are funded by sources other than general diocesan revenue. The revenues and expenses incurred by these programs are internally segregated, and the programs having revenues in excess of expenditures are reflected as designated net assets to be used in the future by the specific program. These programs are typically referred to as funded operations. Please see Chart Four for a breakdown of net assets.

REVENUES AND EXPENSES

The diocese has various sources of revenue which include cathedraticum, investment return, donations, grants and program service fees. Cathedraticum is essentially an assessment levied on ordinary income and certain extraordinary income of parishes within the diocese. Investment return includes earnings from Central Finance investments. Donations include Annual Bishop’s Appeal, special collections and other gifts. Grants and program service fees are generated by diocesan programs or offices for a specific purpose. Please see Schedule A for a summary presentation of all diocesan revenues and expenses.

Formation ministries include the following programs/offices: Formation, Family Ministries, Worship, Catholic Schools, Religious Education, Pastoral Staffing, Conferences, Evangelization, Youth Ministries, Communications and Bayou Catholic, as well as grants to parishes. Social Ministries include the following programs/offices: hospital chaplains, Assisi Bridge House, Independent Living, St. Lucy Child Development Center, Disaster Services, Catholic Housing, Micro Enterprise, Foster Grandparent,

and Catholic Charities. Clergy and Religious include Seminarian Formation and Education, Vocations, Permanent Diaconate, Continuing Education, Bishop’s residence, Bishop Emeritus, and retired and other priests’ benefits. Administration Ministries includes the following programs/offices: Computer and Technology Support, Construction, Archives, Tribunal, Safe Environment, Cemeteries Trust, Cemeteries, St. Joseph Cemetery, Casualty Insurance, Central Finance, Lumen Christi Retreat Center, and Human Resources and Employee Benefits. General Administration includes the offices of the Bishop, Chancellor, Vicar General, and Finance and Accounting.

There are certain expenses that are included in General Administration and Administration Ministries that have not been allocated to other offices and/or programs.

As mentioned last year, the church is still feeling the decline in the local economy. During our budget planning process we estimated another significant decrease in revenue for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, and made the decision to 49 completely remove oil and gas royalty revenue from our operating budget. Approximately $500,000 of adjustments was implemented through salary adjustments, position eliminations, additional duty assignments, and program eliminations and/or reductions. The process was a difficult but necessary part of our responsibility of good stewardship of the funds entrusted to us by the good parishioners of this diocese.

The prayers, support and unity of each location and all parishioners of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is a very important component of success. All are gratefully acknowledged and appreciated in helping us fulfill the mission as set forth for us in the Gospels as part of our mission statement of the diocese.

Glenn J. Landry Jr., CPA, CDFM, CGMA Coordinator of Administration and Diocesan Finance Director/ Business Manager www.bayoucatholic.com

Financial Report Chart One

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Assets Parish loans, $2,137,739

Property, plant & equipment, net, $10,435,819

Other assets, $2,609,484

Other current assets, $1,472,689

Cash and investments, $52,207,892 Some notes regarding the Diocese’s assets: The Diocese’s assets are comprised primarily of investments and property, plant and equipment. The source of the invested funds stems mainly from the Diocesan Central Finance program. Deposits and endowments in the Central Finance program account exceed the total balance of cash and investments.

Property, plant and equipment includes property received from the Archdiocese of New Orleans upon the formation of our Diocese in 1977. Also, it includes the cost of fixed asset additions made since the formation of the Diocese (exclusive of replacements), net of depreciation.

Chart Two

50

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Liabilities Central finance deposits, $40,182,842 Priests' postretirement benefits liability, $13,000,608

Insurance program reserves, $569,415

Series 2007 bonds payable, $4,415,000

Endowments held for others, $18,154,670

Accounts payable and other current liabilities, $2,026,405

Some notes regarding the Diocese’s liabilities and accruals: Seventy-four percent (74%) of the liabilities of the Diocese result from the inclusion of deposits in the Diocese’s Central Finance program and endowments Some notes regarding the Diocese's liabilities and accruals: in the liability category. The liability for priests’ postretirement benefits other than pensions (mainly health insurance and long-term care) have historically been paid and will be paid in the future through the Diocese’s normal annual budgetary process.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

Chart Three

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Central Finance Deposits Parishes $7,993,648

Cemeteries $4,783,741

Schools and others $27,405,453

Some notes regarding Central Finance Deposits: Deposits from schools are comparatively larger at June 30 than they are at most other times during the year. This is due to the prepaid tuition program in which most schools in the Diocese participate. Approximately 94% of the deposited funds for schools will be drawn by the schools during the year to pay for their operations.

Chart Four

51

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Net Assets

$15,000,000 $10,000,000 $5,000,000 $$(5,000,000) $(10,000,000) $(15,000,000) $(20,000,000) $(25,000,000) $(30,000,000)

$10,120,980 $4,755,932

$1,396,234

Permanently Temporarily restricted net assets restricted net assets

Unrestricted, designated net assets

Unrestricted, undesignated net assets

$(25,758,463)

Some notes regarding the net assets of the Diocese: Net assets represent the difference between the Diocese’s assets and liabilities. Net assets are also commonly referred to as “net worth.” The net assets of the Diocese are segregated into net assets that are restricted as to use by donors and those that are not. For those net assets that are not restricted, the Diocese has designated net assets to fund Diocesan programs and projects. The remaining net assets not designated are classified as “unrestricted, undesignated.” “Unrestricted, undesignated” does not mean that the Diocese has this amount in reserves. Rather, this figure represents total assets minus total liabilities and net assets that are restricted and/or designated. www.bayoucatholic.com

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

Net assets released from restrictions

-

Group insurance

37,333

$

37,065

2,601,679 (1,160,596)

Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenses

-

Bond interest and amortization

Total expenses

-

Telephone

(136,810)

1,824,296

-

22,542

202,652

-

-

Central finance interest expense

44,639

-

-

275

55,475

80,808

34,725

98,984

50,609

267,565

3,069

79,592

-

Emergency assistance and disaster relief

Depreciation

Contributions and grants

Papal quota and Catholic Conference

133,280 161,219

Other operating expenses

36,164

-

1,645

38,228

Copying and printing

Occupancy expenses

Insurance

Maintenance and repair

Supplies

777,406

Conference and travel

32,835

33,817

47,481 75,455

-

-

160,318

33,765

623,855

1,687,486

-

339,050

-

28,322

184,560

Pension and benefits

Program expenses

1,320,114

44,367

Business allowance/reimbursement

Group insurance - retired priests

$

59,414

147,685

Payroll taxes

819,148

Salaries - religious

1,441,083

Salaries - lay personnel

Expenses:

Total revenues

900,741

-

Program service and other income

-

540,342

-

Ministries

Ministries

Oil and gas royalties

$

$

Social

Formation

Investment income

Donations and grants

Cathedraticum

Revenues:

52

$

$

-

(1,711,733)

2,095,480

-

2,201

-

-

12,535

-

-

-

15,420

9,926

-

12,981

24,128

651,185

18,288

27,279

24,887

1,155,381

18,834

4,611

55,757

62,067

383,747

-

21,568

-

30,289

331,890

Religious

Clergy and

Program expenses

$

$

2,331,349

10,604,913

-

-

-

774,658

6,671

-

-

-

155,133

79,449

211

121,565

49,589

8,236,100

3,951

32,390

44,939

-

181,076

54,352

16,125

848,704

12,936,262

-

11,956,263

-

973,799

6,200

-

Ministries

Administration

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Unrestricted Revenues and Expenses Year Ended June 30, 2016

$

$

Total

(677,790)

17,126,368

-

24,743

202,652

774,658

66,914

79,592

-

161,494

359,308

206,347

34,936

235,175

162,554

9,932,256

96,637

167,959

151,124

1,155,381

544,788

162,744

253,332

2,353,774

16,448,578

-

13,217,622

-

1,032,410

2,198,546

-

Program

General and

$

$

1,684,974

1,838,830

377,817

13,020

-

-

303,615

9,095

69,684

31,976

458,549

52,278

-

77,285

23,345

28,501

6,633

19,608

13,454

-

64,951

15,709

27,435

245,875

3,523,804

-

191,014

492,998

-

213,229

2,626,563

Adminsitrative

$

$

643,281

305,912

-

-

-

-

119

-

-

3,430

1,651

-

-

-

-

166,388

2,299

7,695

4,871

-

11,819

7,577

-

100,063

949,193

-

-

-

-

949,193

-

Stewardship

$

$

1,650,465

19,271,110

377,817

37,763

202,652

774,658

370,648

88,687

69,684

196,900

819,508

258,625

34,936

312,460

185,899

10,127,145

105,569

195,262

169,449

1,155,381

621,558

186,030

280,767

2,699,712

20,921,575

-

13,408,636

492,998

1,032,410

3,360,968

2,626,563

Total

Schedule A

Schedule A

Financial Report Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Unrestricted Revenues and Expenses Year ended June 30, 2016

Bayou

Catholic

Mar riage HOUMA, LA ~ MARCH 2017

CARRERE PHOTOGRAPHY

Contents Marriage

Advice

How do I love thee? ...

Do you have marriage insurance?

60 Meet our couples

Sacrament

56

58

Marriage as a sacrament

64

Advice Agression more likely in cohabitating couples

For more articles on strengthening your marriage, visit

54

www.foryourmarriage.org

65 Partnership Three little words

66

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Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.

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Marriage

Couples featured in our Marriage Special

LAURIE NAQUIN PHOTOGRAPHY

We always knew that when the time came for us to be married we wanted to be married in the Catholic Church. Being able to find your soulmate and partner in life and stand together before God in holy matrimony is the most intimate blessing there is. Knowing God blessed our marriage makes us feel like we can accomplish anything and our love will never perish.

Jacob and Shelly Schouest Holy Savior Church, Lockport Wedding Date: April 15, 2016

56

PEONY PHOTOGRAPHY

Being wed in the Catholic Church has taught us so much about each other. With the help of our pastor, Father Mitch Semar and the volunteers who assisted in our marriage preparation, we feel like our marriage is strong, holy and pure. During preparation, we were able to connect with the Lord, and we have relied on his support during our first few months of marriage.

Marriage is a way that God shows us that we are ever evolving and learning about each other. We are very comfortable with our faith and know that our Lord will be with us in good times and bad. We rely on him daily, and turn to him for his strong support and unconditional love.

Marriage has changed our lives in ways we have always prayed for and imagined. We are truly in debt to the Lord for bringing us together, and we are happy to be a part of the Catholic faith.

Blake and Lindsey Naquin Christ the Redeemer Church, Thibodaux Wedding Date: August 5, 2016 Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

CARRERE PHOTOGRAPHY

The sacrament of marriage is important to us because we want God’s love to be present in our marriage. We have both been blessed with God’s love throughout our lives by receiving the sacraments of baptism, Eucharist, reconciliation and confirmation. We feel as a couple that we want to continue to live through Christ and also guide our own children through the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Torrin and Brooke Domangue St. Bernadette Church, Houma Wedding Date: January 16, 2016

Marriage

Guest Columnist

I 58

Nancy Diedrich LPC, LMFT

How Do I Love Thee?

Let me count the ways

In her famous poem, How Do I Love Thee?, English poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning devotedly assures the one she loves of the depth of her affection for him. Clearly this poet possesses the ability to verbalize her emotions, but in revealing her feelings in such a passionate way, she also uses her words to strengthen her relationship. She uses communication to convince, confirm and declare her love.

Communicating feelings of love through words and actions is the glue that holds relationships together. Even though most people cannot express their feelings of love and devotion as eloquently as Elizabeth Barrett Browning, they can express their emotions with their own love languages. Yes, I said love languages. We all have a love language that we speak and understand. For example, some people say “I love you” by actually speaking the words “I love you.” For some other people it may be more comfortable to express “I love you” by giving a loved one a gift, by doing a special favor or by simply reaching out holding hands. The methods are different just as people are different.

But whether a person uses words of affection, favors, gifts or tender touch, feelings of love must be expressed for romance to grow deeper in a relationship.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning chose to convey her love for her husband Robert Browning by counting the ways that she loved him. I’m sure there were times when she could have written a poetic litany of his faults, but instead, their love stayed strong through positive words of affection. Positivity begets more positivity, more appreciation, more affection, more communication, more engagement, more fun!

Couples often get advice on how to keep a relationship passionate and resilient. The advice usually consists of plenty of “don’ts.” Don’t blame.

Don’t nag. Don’t control. Don’t leave the toilet seat up. Don’t squeeze the toothpaste from the middle, and definitely don’t talk during the game. Well, don’t listen to so many “don’ts”! Research shows that the happiest couples concentrate on do’s, not don’ts. They focus on the positive traits of their spouses, rather than on their shortcomings. They find ways to inject humor and lightheartedness into situations that may be difficult.

Couples who seek to increase the “positive” in their relationships, concentrate on sharing fun

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

PEONY PHOTOGRAPHY

and meaningful experiences together. They seek out ways to grow together as a couple toward sustained happiness and satisfaction in their relationship. They “count the ways” their marriage is good and strong.

They appreciate the positive attributes in their spouse and in their marriage.

Here are a few ways that might help you to concentrate on the positives in your marriage: Be grateful.

Gratitude gives a daily dose of spackle to your marriage that keeps you gorilla glued together for the long haul. It reminds us of the best qualities in our spouse, and promotes genuine appreciation for them.

a

Joke with each other.

Playfulness is one of the first casualties of a busy life. When your life consists of nothing but working, paying bills, cleaning and sleeping, play can disappear from a marriage. Lighten up; have some fun.

Celebrate the good news.

Spouses are expected to be there for each other when times are tough, but it is very important to respond enthusiastically to successes and good news.

A couple’s ability to celebrate and cheer each other on is just as important as being there for them in hard times. Seize the moment; make the most of it; break out the good china! Celebrating each other accents the positive in your marriage … in your life.

Date your spouse forever.

Your marriage should be an extended courtship!

Wow, remember the effort that went into that courtship? Well, take your vitamins, get your exercise and keep up your stamina, because you’ll need it to give your marriage the love and effort that it deserves.

The reward will be “positively” worth it!

Forgive Always be the first to forgive. You won’t regret it.

You free yourself from any negative feelings toward your spouse and your spouse realizes your strength of character, your compassion and your capacity to love.

You appreciate each other in yet another way. It’s a win-win.

Focus Always focus on the positive qualities of your spouse and your marriage. When you concentrate on a person’s good attributes, you feel positive and grateful to have them in your life and to be a part of your relationship with them.

Put it in writing.

There is just something awesome about taking the time to write down our feelings. Writing has a way of stirring up emotions, especially if you are writing your feelings for the person that you love. Then, consider the romantic emotions stirred! When you write, you communicate in a very considerate and intentional way. You take more time; you choose your words more wisely, and you commit it to paper, making it more long-lasting. That is why written messages are more meaningful. They are enduring …

Everyone appreciates knowing that they are loved and how much they are loved. You don’t have to be

PEONY PHOTOGRAPHY

a famous English poet to get that message across to your spouse. And in your own love language, I’ll bet you can tell your spouse “how you love them” and you “can count the ways”!

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach ...” (Elizabeth Barrett Browning) (Nancy Diedrich, LPC, LMFT, a national board certified counselor, is a marriage and family counselor for the diocesan Office of Family Ministries.)

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59

Marriage Preparation in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux In the past 18 years, 5,238 engaged couples have participated in the diocesan Marriage Preparation program, reports Cathy Klingman, L.C.W.S., diocesan director of the Office of Family Ministries.

Marriage Preparation Day

60

Some engaged couples may view the Marriage Preparation Day as something they “have to do,” but there are many benefits for an engaged couple if they really invest themselves in and fully participate in the process, says Cathy Klingman, L.C.W.S., diocesan director of the Office of Family Ministries.

Some of these benefits are: v A witness from other married couples – a connection with other married couples who hold the same beliefs and values as they do; v Faith based preparation about the sacrament of marriage; v Get a better understanding of marriage as a “sacrament,” Why do you want to get married in the church? There is more to it than just pretty pictures; v Helps them to understand that there is a whole other family unit that wants to help them be successful in their marriage; v Build a strong faith based foundation for their marriage; v A connection back to the church – why it is important to be a part of the church and register in a parish.

FOCCUS Couples Married couples may be invited to participate actively in the marriage preparation of engaged couples in their church parish as FOCCUS couples. FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study) is a premarital instrument designed to help assess a couple’s readiness for marriage; it is a “snapshot”

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

Marriage as a

Sacrament

Marriage as a Sacrament Marriage as a sacrament is a serious and sacred commitment that calls a couple to each other in the most profound and permanent way. Their mutual love is a reminder of the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. By the grace of their sacrament, they become able to love one another as Christ has loved them. As a married couple, they become a visible sign and reminder of Christ’s sacrificial love for all people.

The Engaged Couple A couple desiring to be married is encouraged to contact their priest/ deacon at least six (6) months (or more) prior to the proposed date of their wedding. This interval allows time to prepare well for such a sacred commitment.

The engaged couple must take an active part in all the steps of these guidelines which apply to them. With the assistance of their priest/deacon, they are to: v Identify and cultivate their strengths, v Deal with the areas of difficulty in their relationship, v Participate in assessment and preparation, v Recognize that marriage is essentially characterized by unity, fidelity, permanence and an openness to children, v Attend a formal marriage preparation program, v Participate in premarital evaluation and counseling when recommended.

A tentative wedding date may be set at the time of this initial contact with the priest/deacon. When the couple has completed phase two of the marriage preparation process, the tentative wedding date will be confirmed or changed.

Responsibilities 1. Priest/Deacon The church has the pastoral obligation to assist those desiring to marry to make a prayerful and mature judgment concerning their marriage.

In particular, the priest/deacon, who plans to witness a marriage, is personally responsible for the complete marriage preparation process. He has the serious moral and ministerial responsibility to assist the engaged couple in understanding the meaning of Christian marriage in its human, spiritual, canonical and sacramental aspects, and to provide a liturgical experience that truly celebrates and manifests the momentous step that the couple is taking.

2. Community The faithful in each parish share in the pastoral responsibility to help engaged couples prepare for their life together. Married couples have a particular responsibility to witness the holiness of their sacramental life of intimacy, unity, self-sacrificing love and commitment. They may therefore be invited to participate actively in the marriage preparation of engaged couples in their parish.

3. Parents The church recognizes the unique and vital role of parents in the psychological, social, moral and spiritual development of their children.

Renewal in the church has included attempts to make sacramental preparation more family centered. Parents are therefore encouraged to respond to the invitation of the priest/deacon to participate actively in the assessment and preparation of their children for marriage in the church whenever possible.

a

of where the couple is in their relationship at that moment.

The diocese uses this instrument to help couples identify issues that need to be discussed, etc.

FOCCUS couples are trained

by Office of Family Ministries personnel and their number varies from parish to parish and priest to priest.

Attendance at Marriage Preparation Day A maximum of 35 couples per date are able to attend Marriage Preparation Day which is offered eight times throughout the year in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

Marriage Preparation on the Internet

CARRERE PHOTOGRAPHY

The Marriage Preparation Process All engaged couples are required to receive sacramental preparation and must meet with their priest/deacon at least six months (or more) prior to the desired wedding date. This marriage preparation process consists of four phases.

1. Phase One: Initial contact with priest/deacon will: v Establish rapport with you in order to support and counsel you at this most important time in your life. v Examine your motives for marriage. v Explore any special circumstances that may affect marriage, e.g., age, cultural background, pregnancy, military service, physical or emotional problems, levels of faith and religious issues. v Explain the marriage preparation process. v Obtain personal information, explain what other documentation is needed, and determine whether any dispensations or permissions will be necessary.

2. Phase Two: Assessment process with priest/deacon will: v Administer a Premarital Instrument* to assist in beginning the assessment of your readiness to marry. v Discuss the results of the FOCCUS instrument. v Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your communication process. v Examine the sacramental aspects of your human covenant. v Assess your readiness for marriage and complete the prenuptial questionnaire. v Begin the liturgical wedding plans and present to you the parish guidelines. Inform you of the cost and suggested offering. *A premarital instrument is a tool designed to help you assess your readiness for marriage. It is not a pass/fail indicator. Instead it is meant to help you discover more about yourselves and each other in a non-threatening and objective way. Our diocese utilizes the FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication Understanding and Study) instrument to help you identify issues that need to be discussed, reflected on, understood, studied for problem-solving, skill-building and decision-making. Your priest/ deacon will give you more information at your initial meeting.

a

Catholicmarriageprep.com is an online program based in the Diocese of Colorado Springs, CO, that is featured on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website as a valid marriage preparation course.

This program is approved by the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux for couples with extenuating circumstances.

Updating the program The diocese is constantly looking to update the Marriage Preparation Program and revise its marriage policies in response to changing circumstances in our society, in our economy and in the universal church. The sacrament part doesn’t change, but other factors are constantly changing.

Pre-Cana

Pre-Cana, the name the diocese used for its marriage preparation program for many years, is still the name many parishes and dioceses give to their marriage preparation program. The term is derived from John 2:1-12, the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee, where Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine.

Continued on pg. 63

www.bayoucatholic.com

61

1977 - 2017

Marriage as a Sacrament During phase two, the priest/deacon will make the decision to proceed or delay the marriage. If he proceeds, the wedding date will be confirmed and the process continues. If his decision is to delay the marriage, he will follow the procedure found in Delay of Marriage.

3. Phase Three: Formal marriage preparation This instructional phase, formal marriage preparation, presents the essential human and Christian aspects of marriage so that the couple becomes aware of the total dimensions of the marriage covenant. Formal marriage preparation includes reflection on the nature and sacramentality of marriage, married love and family life, couple prayer, marital responsibilities, communication within marriage, personal expectations, natural family planning and other practical considerations.

There are two approved options in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. If you are unable to attend such a formal marriage preparation program, you must discuss this with your priest/deacon immediately.

These are the approved options: v Diocesan Marriage Preparation program v Engaged Encounter Weekend Retreat in the surrounding dioceses Schedule of the Day for Marriage Preparation in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux v Location: 2779 Hwy 311 - Schriever, LA 70395 - Pastoral Center Conference Hall v Arrival Time: 8:45 a.m. (The day begins promptly at 9 a.m.) v Dismissal Time: 3:15 p.m. v Registration Fee: $120 (check or money order) If you are engaged and would like to begin your marriage preparation, you will need to meet with your parish priest or deacon at least six months before your desired wedding date. The priest/deacon will give you a marriage preparation booklet which will include all of this marriage prep information and a registration form to attend the diocese’s marriage prep, “Day for the Engaged.” Complete the registration form, detach it and mail the form with your registration fee at least three months before the date you would like to attend. Your fee can be paid with a check or money order made payable to the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Do not send cash! Come dressed comfortably.

Sunday, March 19 Saturday, April 29 Saturday, June 10 Sunday, July 23 Saturday, Aug. 19 Sunday, Oct. 8 Sunday, Nov. 5 4. Phase Four: Completion of marriage prep process with priest/deacon will: v Discuss with you what you have learned and experienced at your formal marriage preparation program. v Discuss with you your understanding of sacrament in light of your formal marriage preparation. v Discuss with you your responsibilities as members of God’s people, as spouses and future parents. v Complete all documentary requirements. As appropriate, grant permission for mixed marriage and/or apply for appropriate permissions or dispensations. v Discuss the reception of penance and holy Eucharist as a fitting preparation for the sacrament of matrimony. v Finalize the wedding liturgy and discuss the wedding rehearsal.

Catholic Engaged Encounter This weekend retreat for engaged couples is an in-depth, private, personal, marriage preparation experience within the context of Catholic faith and values. During the weekend retreat there is plenty of alone time for couples to dialogue honestly and intensively about their prospective lives together – their strengths and weaknesses, desires, ambitions, goals, their attitudes about money, sex, children, family, their role in the church and society – in a face to face way.

Want to get involved?

“The married couples who work with marriage prep really enjoy it. It brings them enrichment in their own marriage, reconnects them to their own spouse. Helps them to see where they are now compared to where they started,” says Klingman. Please contact the Office of Family Ministries if you are interested in working with the diocesan Marriage Preparation program.

Gratitude Prayer for

Married Couples Dear Lord, Thank you for marriage.

I pray right now that I would always have a heart of thankfulness.

I realize that thankfulness and gratitude fuel joy in my heart!

Help me to be appreciative of my spouse.

I pray that there would be encouraging words on my tongue to share with my spouse.

I am thankful for my spouse’s love, hard work and encouragement.

Holy Spirit, fill my heart with gratitude.

May you help me to be thankful every day in Jesus’ name.

AMEN!

www.bayoucatholic.com

63

Marriage

Do you have marriage insurance?

LAURIE NAQUIN PHOTOGRAPHY

By Kathleen Billings We have all been pursued at one time or another in our adult life by an insurance company via snail mail, e-mail, phone call or personal visit. (We had one of those recently and he brought us a chocolate cake – that was pretty cool!) Each company rallies for our business and we as the consumer have to choose the right policy to fit our specific needs, circumstances and budget. Why 64 do we need insurance? In many cases it is required of us, but even when it is not specifically required, we often choose to invest in policies to protect us from devastating circumstances that could literally wipe us out financially. Insurance gives us peace of mind. Today, I am an insurance agent, pursuing you to consider taking out a policy to protect your marital bond. There is no better time than the present to invest in your marriage. The best part about this policy is that it doesn’t cost a dime, but it does require an investment of yourself.

I will provide you with a list of specific data points your policy must contain in order for your insurance to be effective in protecting you and your spouse from devastating marital circumstances, and then you can build your policy around this list according to your terms and what works best for your unique situation. n Respect – in all circumstances, respect your spouse. n Put Christ first, your spouse second, family third and work fourth – keep your priorities in Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

order and remember that work is at the service of your family. n God has a plan for your marriage – discover what it is, what God desires for you and your spouse, and then follow his blueprint. n Pray together as a couple. n Kiss each other good morning and goodnight. n “Never let the sun set on your anger … ” (Ephesians 4:26). Agree to disagree if you need to, but do not go to bed angry. n Go on a date once a week, even if this means a stay-at-home date. n Go to Mass together every Sunday. n Do not use artificial birth control – learn a method of Natural Family Planning to be more educated about your bodies and the gift of fertility. n Keep your souls clean by going to confession together once a month; this is great to do as a family. n Say “I love you” every day. n Have a meeting once a week to discuss items of family business; it is vital to stay on the same page regarding your mutual affairs and to ensure each spouse is not overburdened with “to do” tasks. n Listen to one another – truly listen with your ears and your heart. n Say “I am sorry” when a situation calls for it; pride is at the top of the list for your policy to be considered “risky.” n Never forget the vows you made on your wedding day: in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, till death do you part.

Just like a life insurance policy, your marriage policy lasts for a lifetime – till death do you part. If you follow this marital policy, I can ensure you that not only will your marriage be virtually divorce-proof, you will also experience great joy and fulfillment in your marriage. Feel free to add to the list above things that you as a couple believe would further ensure your marriage to be divorce-proof. Perhaps there are “trigger words” that you know deeply hurt your spouse – commit to not saying them. Maybe there is something special that you can do for your spouse on a regular basis that you know will make him or her feel loved – add this to the list and commit to doing it. I gave you the essentials, but you can purchase additional coverage for your specific situation.

Having a teenage boy driver in the house, I recognize how much more expensive his car policy is compared to mine and my husband’s policy. Why? Because he is considered a risk. The older you are, the better grades you have, and the fewer accidents, are all factors that contribute to a lower cost for your auto policy because they lower the risk of the payout for the insurance company providing you coverage.

It is the same in marriage; the less you invest, the riskier your policy becomes and it could end up costing you a lot, perhaps everything that has meaning to you in life.

Take out a marriage policy today!

Three

Words

little

By Mary Jo Weiss “Like golden apples in silver settings are words spoken at the proper time” (Proverbs 25:11).

Words have a power to help us connect at a deeper level as married couples.

There are a few simple phrases, ones that if honestly spoken and acted upon will help to move your marriage a step further, from simply loving the other, to nurturing the soul of the one you love. And since I am the wife in our marriage of 35 years, I speak from the perspective of a woman.

So heads up to the men out there!

These phrases do wonders for a woman to hear from the man who is her life’s partner: “How are you?”

No, I don’t mean the “how ya doin?” that we use so informally to begin conversations with acquaintances. I mean for Dennis to sit near to me, take me by the shoulders, look deeply into my eyes and to say, “Really … How are you?”

The pressures of raising a family in this chaotic world can sometimes keep meaningful conversations to a minimum, as you begin to depend on the other to “do their part” to keep the household running. As a wife and mother, it has been easy at times for me to throw myself into taking care of my children and fulfilling the responsibilities of my job outside the home. And if there are additional life issues that you are both dealing with, there can be a tendency to simply become absorbed in day to day functions in order to cope.

But there is something within me, as a woman, that wants to be known to Dennis – that needs to be known. All the time spent on responsibilities can leave me feeling frazzled and alone. At those times, our marriage is only surviving and

not really thriving.

The wise husband will see this and understand the “relational” aspect of his wife’s soul and speak these three simple words to her, assuring her of his steady concern for how she is really doing.

“You look beautiful.”

During the dating relationship, I spent a lot of time trying to look nice for Dennis. Even though we were poor college students, we would celebrate one another’s birthday with a special meal at a nice restaurant. I am sure at those times Dennis told me that I looked

‘

The heart of a woman wants to know ... am I beautiful to you?

,

beautiful, but it does not hold as special a place as another memory.

Nine months pregnant with our first daughter, I was having trouble sleeping comfortably, only able to turn from one side or another in order to get comfortable.

We visited my mother in Rochester to celebrate our fourth wedding anniversary, and slept on the rockhard sofa-bed in her spare room.

The next day, my mother took a picture of us that I will always treasure, because at that moment … just weeks before our first little girl was born, I felt more beautiful

than I have ever felt.

Oh, it wasn’t a magazine picture to be sure! To me, I look like I have not slept well (I hadn’t), am wearing BIG glasses (it’s 1985 for heaven’s sake!), and have a big round tummy under my maternity sweater.

But next to me is my wonderful husband. He has his arms around me, and the look on his face is so proud that whether he said the words or not, I knew that I was beautiful to him right at that moment.

“Beautiful” is a package deal. The heart of a woman wants to know … am I beautiful to you? Don’t wait another moment … tell her.

“This will pass.”

65 Life can take a lot of twists and turns. The longer you live, the more likely there will come some form of suffering. Deaths of parents or loved ones, estranged friendships or relatives, illness, choices of adult children … these difficulties can threaten to steal the joy that is meant to be ours in our marriage and Christian life. How we deal with suffering can make or break a holy marriage.

To hear “this will pass” reminds me that although life can be unpredictable, our faith and our love for each other will see us through any crisis. It does not take away or diminish the pain, perhaps, but it reminds me that I journey with the one I love and to lift my eyes to the future.

These are just a few examples of three simple words that can make a big impact. It is not meant to be an exhaustive list, for there are other three word phrases that I love to hear. Some of my favorites include, “Let’s eat out” and “Yes, my queen.” Oh, and probably the best one – “Love you forever!” www.bayoucatholic.com

Marriage

Study finds aggression more likely in cohabitating couples

By Caty Long A recent article published by the Institute for Family Studies synthesized two prior studies that examined the link between physical aggression and cohabitation. The first study surveyed adults aged 22-29, while the second study surveyed adults aged 18-34. Both concluded that cohabitating couples were more likely to experience aggression (defined as behavior such as pushing, shoving, hitting, etc.) than those who are married 66 or dating and not living together.

The cohabitating couples were more likely to report aggression in the previous year, and despite this, those couples were five times more likely to remain together over the next two years.

It is not uncommon for couples to cohabitate before there is a mutual commitment to marriage. These people are, unfortunately, more likely to live in riskier situations and exhibit unhealthy relationship behaviors than those in other living arrangements.

One study revised by the Institute for Family Studies focused on two “commitment dynamics” influential within relationships: dedication and constraint. Dedication can be taken synonymously with commitment: “dedication reflects the desire to be with a person in the future, to form an identity as a couple, to sacrifice for and prioritize the relationship.”

In contrast, constraint is more complicated: they “raise the cost of leaving and reinforce staying,” where for example a person may feel an obligation to remain in Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • March 2017

a relationship because of prior investments, whether financial, emotional, etc.

In both studies, dedication and constraint were analyzed in the greater context of the relationships studied. People reporting more aggression in their relationship experience lower dedication and higher constraint, and this is something more common in couples who cohabitate than those who are married or dating and not living together. And yet even taking into account constraint, dedication, and the overall quality of the relationship, it remains likely that cohabitating relationships that experienced aggression once would continue to experience aggression.

Another aspect more common to those who cohabitate than to married or dating couples is the increased likelihood of an “asymmetrical commitment,” a relationship where one partner is more invested in the well-being of the relationship than the other is. Among married people,

this sort of asymmetrical commitment is more likely to exist when the couple cohabitated prior to marriage.

Couples with asymmetrical commitment are, in general, more likely to experience aggression and overall low relationship quality.

On the whole, the study found that cohabitation increases the constraints in a relationship.

Regardless of whether aggression occurs between cohabitating couples or not, it is important for all members of the church, especially those in ministry, to be aware of the reality of domestic violence and its prevalence in cohabiting relationships, and be informed of resources available to help.

(Caty Long is a first year master of theological studies student at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute and currently an office assistant for the Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth at the USCCB.)

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