Bayou Catholic Magazine May 2016

INSIDE

Graduation

Bayou

Catholic

Grow, provide, support Vegetable garden meets needs of the poorest

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www.bayoucatholic.com

Contents FEATURES

42 Bayou Patrons

By Janet Marcel

44 St. Francis Vegetable Garden

By Janet Marcel

COLUMNS

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Comfort For My People

By Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

12 Pope Speaks Pope Francis I

13 Question Corner

By Father Kenneth Doyle

14 Readings Between The Lines

By Father Glenn LeCompte

34 Seeing Clairely

By Claire Joller

35 Reading with Raymond

By Raymond Saadi

52 Overtime

By Ed Daniels

IN EVERY ISSUE

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24 Bayou

Catholic

6 Editor’s Corner 16 Scripture Readings 22 Heavenly Recipes 28 Young Voices 29 Diocesan Events GUEST COLUMNS

18 Corporal Works of Mercy

By Father Michael Bergeron

20 Spiritual Works of Mercy

BayoByuFather Joseph Tregre

ANNOUNCEMENTS

30 Priesthood ordination Rev. Mr. Cody Chatagnier to be ordained May 28

42 Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

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2016 Graduation

32 Transitional deacons ordination Three to be ordained May 21

48 Food for the Journey Father Michael Bergeron speaks

48 Assistant director for

Catholic Charities

Jessica G. Davies named

On Our Cover

St. Francis Vegetable Gardens are appearing in many locations in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. The produce from the gardens provide much needed food for the local food banks; the garden provides teachers and parents a living outdoor classroom, and educates the community on the importance of fresh local food for our health and the region’s economy.

Thibodaux Elementary School students Olivia Roof, Lauryn White and Brooke Roof work in the raised bed school garden in Thibodaux.

Cover Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier

Bayou Catholic Vol. 36, No. 11 How to reach us:

BY PHONE: (985) 850-3132

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

BY FAX: (985) 850-3232

BY E-MAIL: bayoucatholic@htdiocese.org

Where to find your Bayou Catholic

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

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

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

Lawrence Chatagnier

acting editor and general manager

Index to Advertisers Administrative Assistant PositionNew Orleans............................................ 37 Advanced Eye Institute ............................... 43 AIM Palliative Home Health ......................... 23 Associate for Mission & Ministry PositionNew Orleans .......................................... 49 Bishop’s Appeal 2016 .................................. 2 Brickhouse Cardio Club .............................. 51 Bueche’s Jewelry ....................................... 75 Cannata’s ................................................... 76 Cardinal Place ............................................ 51 Catholic Communication Campaign .............. 7 Cenac Marine Services, LLC ....................... 61 Central Catholic High School ...................... 57 Channel 10 ................................................ 19 Charles A. Page & Sons ............................. 67 Chauvin Funeral Home ............................... 60 Coastal Commerce Bank ............................ 75 Courtesy Toyota ......................................... 64 Daigle Himel Daigle .................................... 62 Diocesan Outreach Line ............................. 39 Diocesan Website ...................................... 55 E.D. White Catholic High School ................. 63 Falgout Funeral Homes, LLC ....................... 72 Family Vision Clinic .................................... 67 Felger’s Footwear ....................................... 58

God’s Promises Books & Gifts ................... 36 God’s Promises Books & Gifts ................... 56 Gulf Coast Orthopedics .............................. 15 Haydel Spine Pain & Wellness .................... 33 Headache & Pain Center ............................. 52 Houma Digestive Health Specialists ............ 50 HTe News .................................................. 11 Landmark Home Furnishings ...................... 71 Landry’s Funeral Home .............................. 71 LeBlanc and Associates, LLC ..................... 71 Lewis & Company ...................................... 41 Ordoyne Funeral Home, LLC ....................... 64 Re-Bath ..................................................... 21 Rod’s Superstore ....................................... 27 Samart Funeral Home ................................ 65 Seminarian Education Burses ..................... 31 Spotlight on the Diocese ............................. 47 St. Joseph Manor ....................................... 51 Synergy Bank ............................................. 74 Terminix ..................................................... 50 Terrebonne General Medical Center ............. 38 Thibodaux Funeral Home ............................ 68 Thibodaux Physical Therapy ....................... 47 Vandebilt Catholic High School ................... 59 Vision Communications ................................ 3 W W & E Attorneys at Law ......................... 41

Louis G. Aguirre editorial consultant

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

Peggy Adams

advertising manager

Anna C. Givens

advertising accounts executive

Janet Marcel staff writer

Pat Keese

secretary and circulation

Lisa Schobel Hebert graphic designer

Meridy Liner

accounts receivable/payable assistant

Awards

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

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Welcome Editor’s Corner Lawrence Chatagnier Acting Editor & General Manager

May: A month of celebrations

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The month of May is here and what a busy month it is!

School students across the diocese are gearing up for final exams. High school and college seniors are preparing for graduation. In our church parishes those who work with the confirmation programs are making final preparations with their students who will be confirmed. Bishop Shelton J. Fabre will be visiting most of the church parishes this month administering the sacrament of confirmation to hundreds of youth in our diocese.

Also during this month three young men will be ordained to the transitional diaconate, and one young man will be ordained a priest. The month of May is certainly a time for preparations and celebrations.

Attending an ordination is a great opportunity to celebrate and support our young men who have chosen the priesthood as a vocation. The Rite of Ordination is a ceremony which is rich in tradition and symbolism. Attending an ordination is an amazing grace filled experience.

May is also the month in which we honor Mary, our Blessed Mother, and our own mothers with their special day: Mother’s Day. Mary, our spiritual mother, is the queen of heaven. She is the great intercessor. How does the intercession of Mother Mary help us? God the Father asked Mary whether she would bear his Son and she unhesitatingly said yes. Mother Mary continued to always do the will of God. We should take advantage of this truth and receive the graces of God the Father and Jesus the Son through the most powerful intercession of our Mother Mary. It is through our Blessed Mother’s intercession that sometimes things that are thought to be impossible become possible.

In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating Mother’s Day, which is held on the second Sunday in May, as a national holiday to honor mothers.

It is fitting that we honor Mary and our own mothers in the same month. It is our earthly mothers who gave us life. Our mothers nurture us as children, steer us in the right direction through Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

Mother’s Day is May 8 this year.

our adolescent years and continually love us and advise us as adults.

I can recall when I was in a play in my senior year of high school. I was cast as a judge in the play about a beauty pageant. In the closing scene of the play the obvious choice for queen wasn’t chosen; a riot among the contestants ensued, and I was to speed off the stage on a motorbike. We had a motorbike at my house and I asked my mom to bring it to school on the day of the play so that I could ride it on stage. My mom didn’t know how she would get the bike to school but would do what she could.

The morning of the play I was nervous, wondering if we could pull off the finale as it was written in the script. It would be amusing if I said my mother pulled into the school parking lot on a motorbike, but that’s not how it happened. About a half hour before the play began my mom pulled up in front of the school in her car with the motorbike in the back seat. Until this day I don’t know how she managed to put the bike in the car. At five feet tall and 100 pounds, she must have struggled to get it in the car. But, that’s how moms are; they never let you down.

This Mother’s Day, thank your mom for all that she has done for you in your life. Tell her how much you love her. Like Mary, they are also the ones who help make the impossible become possible.

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!

Communication Campaign SUPPORT THE

Catholic FAITH | WORSHIP | WITNESS Communication Campaign

FAITH | WORSHIP | WITNESS

Copyright © 2015, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved.

Photo credits: © iStock, Lightstock.

Copyright © 2015, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops,

Washington, DC. All rights reserved.

Photo credits: © iStock, Lightstock.

The special collection will be taken at all Masses May 7 and 8, 2016 Thank you for your generous support

Comment Comfort For My People

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Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

We arrive this month at the Solemnity of Pentecost. Pentecost is the principal celebration during the liturgical year that we recall and celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the world.

Each year on the 50th day after Easter, which is the Solemnity of Pentecost, we remember how the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, acts both with us and in us as we face the reality of being true to our faith each and every day of our lives.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God continues each day to renew, to recreate, to sustain and to support all people and all things that he has created.

On the day of Pentecost, this love of God, the Holy Spirit, acted again to bring into existence the church. Established by Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and founded on the faith of the apostles, the church is composed of all believers who profess and proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Messiah, as risen from the dead, as ascended to heaven, as the standard by which we judge our words and actions, and as the standard by whom we shall be judged on the day of his second coming.

The Holy Spirit of God unites with God those who profess their faith and form the church, and the Holy Spirit also unites those who form the church with one another. The Holy Spirit is our advocate and guide, the one who continually prompts and strengthens us to be faithful in our journey to the Father through Jesus Christ the son.

The Pentecost sequence, which is prayed on Pentecost Sunday

after the second reading and before the Gospel alleluia, is a prayerful request for the power of the Holy Spirit to act in the lives of the faithful.

The Holy Spirit of God is creative and reminds us of the power of love to overcome adversity, and to change entities, situations and people. In all of the eucharistic prayers that the priest prays at Mass, the powerful action of the Holy Spirit is requested in a twofold manner: first, to change the bread and wine offered into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ; and secondly to change the gathered assembly that is nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ more and more into a reflection of the Kingdom of God that is to come.

For example, let us use Eucharistic Prayer II to examine this request for the power of the Holy Spirit that is made in each eucharistic prayer. In Eucharistic Prayer II, the invocation of the Holy Spirit to change the gifts of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ is requested by the following words spoken by the priest: “Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall, so that they may become for us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Through the power of the Eucharist, the prayer to change the gathered assembly more and more into a reflection of what God calls

us to be is requested by the priest in the words: “Humbly we pray that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.” You will find in each one of the eucharistic prayers prayed by the priest at Mass this double request for the action of the Holy Spirit on the bread and wine offered at Mass and, through worthy reception of the Eucharist, on all who are a part of the church.

During this month, pray for the faithfulness of the Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith, for the comfort of the Holy Spirit to be given to those who mourn, for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to be given to those who govern, for the patience of the Holy Spirit to be given to those who seek God’s action in their lives, for the generosity of the Holy Spirit to be given to those who have an abundance, for the peace of the Holy Spirit to be given to our world and to our lives; for the self-control of the Holy Spirit to be given to those who are addicted to anything, for the gentleness of the Holy Spirit to be given to those who care for others, for the love of the Holy Spirit to be given to those who are married or planning to marry; and for the joy of the Holy Spirit to be given to all!

I wish blessings and peace for all mothers! On Mothers’ Day and throughout this month, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of God, may all mothers know God presence and peace!

Pentecost: The power of the Holy Spirit Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

Comentario

El Pentecostés: El poder del Espíritu Santo

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Este mes celebramos la Solemnidad de Pentecostés. El Pentecostés es la celebración mayor durante el año litúrgico en el que conmemoramos y celebramos la venida del Espíritu Santo al mundo. Cada año, en el día cincuenta después de la pascua, se celebra La Solemnidad de Pentecostés y sirve con nosotros y en nosotros para encarar la realidad de permanecer fiel a nuestra fe todos los días de nuestras vidas.

Por medio del poder del Espíritu Santo, Dios sigue renovando, rehaciendo, nutriendo y apoyando a la humanidad y todas las cosas que Él ha creado.

En el Día de Pentecostés, el amor de Dios expresado en el Espíritu Santo, resurge de nuevo para crear la Iglesia. La Iglesia, establecida por Jesucristo a través del poder del Espíritu Santo y fundado en la fe de los apóstoles, está compuesta por todos los creyentes que profesan y proclaman a Jesucristo, el Señor y el Mesías, que ha resucitado de entre los muertos y ha ascendido a los cielos y que Él es el estándar que usamos para juzgar nuestras palabras y actos y el estándar que será usado para juzgarnos en el día de su segunda venida.

El Espíritu Santo unifica con Dios a aquéllos que profesan su fe y componen su Iglesia y el Espíritu Santo unifica también a los miembros de la Iglesia unos con otros. El Espíritu Santo aboga por nosotros y es nuestro guía, nos alienta y nos fortalece para que sigamos con fe en el camino hacia el Padre a través de Jesucristo, el Hijo. La secuencia del Pentecostés, que se recita el Domingo de Pentecostés después de la segunda lectura y antes del Aleluya en el Evangelio, es una oración que invoca el poder del Espíritu Santo en las vidas de sus creyentes.

El Espíritu Santo de Dios es creativo y nos recuerda que el poder del amor sobrelleva las adversidades y transforma entidades, situaciones y personas.

En todas las invocaciones

eucarísticas que los sacerdotes recitan en las misas, el poder de la acción del Espíritu Santo se ve de dos maneras: primero, convierte el pan y el vino ofrecido en el Cuerpo y la Sangre de Jesucristo y segundo, transforma a los reunidos que son nutridos por el Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo y se acercan más al Reino de Dios que vendrá.

Por ejemplo, citamos la oración eucarística II para examinar la invocación que se hace al poder del Espíritu Santo en cada oración eucarística. En la oración eucarística II, el Espíritu Santo

pan y el vino que se ofrece en misa y la otra cuando los celebrantes de la Iglesia reciben la Eucaristía.

Durante este mes, hacemos oración para que el Espíritu Santo fortalezca nuestra fe, para que el Espíritu Santo conforte a aquéllos que están de luto, les dé sabiduría del Espíritu Santo a los gobernantes, colme de paciencia del Espíritu Santo a aquéllos que esperan la acción de Dios en sus vidas, llene de generosidad del Espíritu Santo a aquéllos que viven en la opulencia, llene de paz del Espíritu Santo a nuestro mundo

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es invocado para transformar los dones del pan y el vino en el Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo cuando el sacerdote pronuncia estas palabras: «Mira, Señor, esta eucaristía, que Tú mismo has dado a tu Iglesia, recíbela como aceptas la ofrenda de tu Hijo que nos restablece en tu Alianza. Cuando seamos alimentados con su Cuerpo y su Sangre, llénanos del Espíritu Santo para que seamos un solo cuerpo y un solo espíritu en Cristo, una ofrenda viva para alabanza de tu gloria.» Se enterarán que en cada una de estas oraciones eucarísticas dichas por el sacerdote durante la misa, hay una plegaria doble por la acción del Espíritu Santo, una en el

y a nuestras vidas; les dé autocontrol del Espíritu Santo a los que luchan contra alguna adicción, llene de cariño del Espíritu Santo a los que se encargan de cuidar a los enfermos, les dé el amor del Espíritu Santo a los esposos y los que están por casarse y ¡¡la felicidad del Espíritu Santo llegue a todos!! ¡Deseo muchas bendiciones y paz a todas las madres! En el Día de las Madres y durante este mes, por la intercesión de María, Madre de Dios, ¡que todas las madres conozcan la presencia y la paz de Dios!

Traducido por Julio Contreras, feligrés de la Iglesia católica Annunziata en Houma www.bayoucatholic.com

Binh luan bang loi

Lễ Ngũ Tuần: Quyền Năng của Chúa Thánh Thần

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Chúng ta bước vào tháng này vào dịp Lễ Ngũ Tuần (Chúa Thánh Thần hiện xuống). Lễ Ngũ Tuần là lễ kỷ niệm chính trong năm phụng vụ mà chúng ta nhớ lại và cử hành việc Chúa Thánh Thần ngự xuống trên thế giới.

Mỗi năm vào ngày thứ 50 sau Lễ Phục Sinh, là ngày Đại Lễ Ngũ Tuần, chúng ta nhớ đến Chúa Thánh Thần, Ngôi Ba Thiên Chúa, hoạt động với và trong chúng ta khi chúng ta phải đối mặt với thực tại sống thật với đức tin của chúng ta mỗi ngày và mọi ngày trong cuộc sống. Nhờ quyền năng của Chúa Thánh Thần, Thiên Chúa tiếp tục mỗi ngày để canh tân, tái tạo, duy trì, và hỗ trợ cho tất cả mọi người và tất cả mọi sự mà Người đã tạo dựng.

Vào ngày Lễ Ngũ Tuần, tình yêu này của Thiên Chúa, là Chúa Thánh Thần, đã tác động một lần nữa để đưa vào sự hiện hữu của Giáo hội. Đã được Chúa Giêsu Kitô thiết lập qua quyền năng của Chúa Thánh Thần và được xây dựng trên đức tin của các tông đồ, Giáo hội bao gồm tất cả các tín hữu tuyên xưng và rao giảng Chúa Giêsu Kitô, Ngài là Chúa và là Đấng Cứu Thế, đã sống lại từ cõi chết, đã lên trời, là Đấng chuẩn mực mà giúp chúng ta xét đoán lời nói và hành động của mình, và là Đấng chuẩn mực mà chúng ta sẽ bị xét xử vào ngày Ngài đến lần thứ hai.

Chúa Thánh Thần kết hiệp với Thiên Chúa đến với những ai tuyên xưng đức tin của họ và lập thành Giáo Hội, và Chúa Thánh Thần cũng liên kết những ai lập thành Giáo Hội với nhau. Chúa Thánh Thần là Đấng bảo trợ và chỉ dẫn của chúng ta, Đấng liên tục nhắc nhở và củng cố chúng ta phải trung tín trong cuộc hành trình của chúng ta tới Chúa Cha qua Chúa Giêsu Kitô, Con của Người. Thánh Ca Lễ Ngũ Tuần, được hát vào Chúa Nhật Hiện Xuống sau bài đọc thứ hai và trước câu xướng Tin Mừng Alleluia, là lời cầu nguyện xin cho quyền năng của Chúa Thánh Thần luôn hoạt động trong đời sống của các tín hữu.

Chúa Thánh Thần là tác tạo và nhắc nhở chúng ta về sức mạnh của tình yêu để lướt thắng nghịch cảnh, và thay đổi các thực thể, các tình huống và con người. Trong tất cả Kinh nguyện Thánh Thể mà các Linh mục cầu nguyện trong Thánh Lễ, tác động quyền năng của Chúa Thánh Thần

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

được khẩn cầu trong hai phần: trước hết, để biến đổi bánh và rượu tiến dâng trở thành Mình và Máu Chúa Giêsu Kitô; kế đến là để biến đổi cộng đoàn đang quy tụ được nuôi dưỡng bằng Mình và Máu Chúa Kitô mỗi ngày một hơn vào sự phản ánh Vương quốc của Thiên Chúa đang đến.

Thí dụ như, chúng ta hãy đọc Kinh nguyện Thánh Thể II để xem lời khẩn cầu này xin cho quyền năng của Chúa Thánh Thần được thực hiện trong mỗi lời cầu nguyện Thánh Thể. Trong Kinh nguyện Thánh Thể II, các lời cầu khẩn của Chúa Thánh Thần để biến đổi những lễ vật bánh và rượu thành Mình và Máu Chúa Kitô được kêu cầu bởi những lời sau đây của Linh mục: “Vì vậy, lạy Chúa, chúng con nài xin Chúa dùng ơn Thánh Thần Chúa thánh hoá những của lễ này, để trở nên cho chúng con, Mình và Máu Đức Giêsu Kitô, Chúa chúng con.”

Qua quyền năng của Thánh Thể, lời cầu nguyện để biến đổi cộng đoàn đang quy tụ ngày càng đi vào sự phản ánh những gì Thiên Chúa mời gọi chúng ta trở thành, được Linh mục cầu khẩn qua những lời: “Chúng con tha thiết nài xin Chúa cho chúng con khi thông phần Mình và Máu Đức Kitô, được quy tụ nên một nhờ Chúa Thánh Thần.” Anh Chị Em sẽ tìm thấy trong mỗi lời cầu trong Kinh nguyện Thánh Thể được các linh mục cầu nguyện trong Thánh lễ là lời cầu nguyện song hiệu này, xin Chúa Thánh Thần tác động trên bánh và rượu được dâng tiến trong Thánh Lễ, và qua sự lãnh

nhận Bí Tích thánh Thể cách xứng đáng, tất cả mọi người trở nên thành phần của Giáo hội.

Trong tháng này, chúng ta hãy cầu xin ơn trung thành của Chúa Thánh Thần để củng cố đức tin của chúng ta, cầu xin ơn an ủi của Chúa Thánh Thần cho những ai đang phải than khóc phiền muộn, cầu xin ơn khôn ngoan của Chúa Thánh Thần cho những nhà cầm quyền, cầu xin ơn kiên nhẫn của Chúa Thánh Thần cho những người đang tìm kiếm hoạt động của Thiên Chúa trong cuộc sống của họ, cầu xin ơn quảng đại của Chúa Thánh Thần cho những người giàu có, cầu xin ơn bình an của Chúa Thánh Thần cho thế giới của chúng ta và cho cuộc sống chúng ta; cầu xin ơn tự chủ của Chúa Thánh Thần cho những người đang nghiện ngập một thứ gì đó, cầu xin ơn hiền lành của Chúa Thánh Thần cho những người đang chăm sóc cho người khác, cầu xin ơn tình yêu của Chúa Thánh Thần cho những ai đã lập gia đình hoặc sắp sửa kết hôn; và cầu xin ơn niềm vui của Chúa Thánh Thần cho tất cả mọi người!

Tôi cầu chúc cho tất cả các bà mẹ được nhiều phước lành và bình an! Vào ngày Lễ Hiền Mẫu (Mother’s Day) và trong suốt tháng này, nhờ lời cầu bầu của Mẹ Maria, Mẹ Thiên Chúa, xin cho tất cả các bà mẹ nhận biết sự hiện diện và bình an của Thiên Chúa!

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

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Comment The Pope Speaks

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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -The same mercy and patience that are essential for building a strong family must be shown to those whose families are in trouble or have broken up, Pope Francis said in his highly anticipated postsynodal apostolic exhortation.

The document, “’Amoris Laetitia’ (The Joy of Love), on Love in the Family,” released April 8, contains no new rules or norms. However, it encourages careful review of everything related to family ministry and, particularly, much greater attention to the language and attitude used when explaining church teaching and ministering to those who do not fully live that teaching.

“No family drops down from heaven perfectly formed; families need constantly to grow and mature in the ability to love,” Pope Francis wrote. People grow in holiness, and the church must be there to give them a helping hand rather than turn them away because they have not attained some degree of perfection.

The exhortation was Pope Francis’ reflection on the discussion, debate and suggestions raised during the 2014 and 2015 meetings of the Synod of Bishops on the family.

Like synod members did, the pope insisted that God’s plan for the family is that it be built on the lifelong union of one man and one woman open to having

children.

Synod members, including priests, religious and laypeople serving as experts and observers, talked about everything from varied cultural forms of courtship to marriage preparation and from the impact of migration on families to care for elderly parents.

Pope Francis’ document touches on all the issues raised at the synods and gives practical advice on raising children, urges a revision of sex-education programs and decries the many ways the “disposable culture” has infiltrated family life and sexuality to the point that many people feel free to use and then walk away from others.

“Everyone uses and throws away, takes and breaks, exploits and squeezes to the last drop. Then, goodbye,” he wrote.

Much of the document is tied to the theme of God’s mercy, including Pope Francis’ discussion of welcoming the vulnerable.

“Dedication and concern shown to migrants and to persons with special needs alike is a sign of the Spirit,” he wrote. Both are “a test of our commitment to show mercy in welcoming others and to help the vulnerable to be fully a part of our communities.”

The synod issues that garnered the most headlines revolved around the question of Communion for the divorced and civilly remarried, as well as Catholic attitudes toward homosexuality.

“In no way must the church desist from proposing the full ideal of marriage, God’s plan in all its grandeur,” Pope Francis said.

He repeated his and the synod’s insistence that the church cannot consider same-sex unions to be a marriage, but also insisted, “every person, regardless of sexual orientation, ought to be respected in his or her dignity.”

On the question of families experiencing difficulties, separation or even divorce and

remarriage, Pope Francis said responses to the questionnaires sent around the world before the synod “showed that most people in difficult or critical situations do not seek pastoral assistance, since they do not find it sympathetic, realistic or concerned for individual cases.”

The responses, he wrote, call on the church “to try to approach marriage crises with greater sensitivity to their burden of hurt and anxiety.”

Particularly in ministry to divorced and civilly remarried Catholics, Pope Francis said, pastors must help each couple look at their actions and circumstances, recognize their share of responsibility for the breakup of their marriage, acknowledge church teaching that marriage is indissoluble and prayerfully discern what God is calling them to.

Pope Francis said it would be a “grave danger” to give people the impression that “any priest can quickly grant ‘exceptions’ or that some people can obtain sacramental privileges in exchange for favors.”

At the same time, he insisted, “the way of the church is not to condemn anyone forever; it is to pour out the balm of God’s mercy on all those who ask for it with a sincere heart.”

Divorced and civilly remarried couples, especially those with children, must be welcomed in Catholic parishes and supported in efforts to raise their children in the faith.

Generally, without an annulment of their sacramental marriage, such a couple would not be able to receive Communion or absolution of their sins unless they promised to live as “brother and sister.” But every situation is different, the pope said, which is why the church does not need new rules, but a new commitment on the part of pastors to provide spiritual guidance and assistance with discernment.

Share truth of family with mercy, help those struggling, pope says

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

Destination weddings?

Question Corner

Q A

Q. What is the church’s position about “destination weddings,” which may or may not be performed by a priest? If two previously unmarried Catholics in good standing are married in such a non-church ceremony, will the church accept that marriage?

(Schenectady, New York)

Father Kenneth Doyle

Wearing a veil in church

Q

Q. Recently, I have been “convicted” to wear a veil in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament -- both when I am at Mass and during my adoration hours in our parish’s Chapel of Perpetual Adoration. Several other women in the parish have also felt led to do so.

However, I am told that some of these women have been “counseled” by our pastor that he does not want this and feels the wearing of a veil to be prideful.

As a child, of course, I wore a veil at my first Communion and even for some years afterward and never thought it to be prideful. I would like your opinion. (South Carolina)

A

A. The custom of women wearing a veil in church finds a basis in the earliest days of the church, as reflected in the 11th chapter of Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. That custom, though, may well have reflected the cultural bias of the times because the same chapter says: “For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; nor was man created for woman, but woman for man.”

The 1917 Code of Canon Law (in No. 1262) said that men in church should be bare-headed while women “shall have a covered head.” (That same canon also said, “It is desirable that, consistent with ancient discipline, women be separated from men in church.”)

But in 1976, an instruction issued by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith indicated that this 1917 directive was no longer in force. (The CDF said, “It must be noted that these ordinances, probably inspired by the customs of the period, concern scarcely more than disciplinary practices of minor importance, such as the obligation imposed upon women to wear a veil on their head. … Such requirements no longer have a normative value.”)

In the current Code of Canon Law currently in force, published in 1983, the canon about head veils was not reissued. Clearly, then, women today are not required to cover their heads in church.

Does that mean that they are not permitted to? Of course not. Within the bounds of modesty, people are free to wear whatever they want -and the only one who is in a position to judge motivation is the wearer.

If you are using a mantilla, or chapel veil, out of vanity -- to draw attention to yourself -- then that is wrong. But if you wear it as a sign of reverence, out of respect for the dignity of the Eucharist and our unworthiness before it, then that is a laudable choice. It’s your call, left to your prayerful discretion.

A. My take on “destination weddings” (Cabo San Lucas seems the current rage) is that they are fraught with complication -- both from the religious point of view as well as the civil.

To answer your question simply, two Catholics must be married by a Catholic priest or deacon. Sometimes an “exotic” wedding venue will assure a couple that the venue will find a member of the clergy to officiate, but whether that will turn out to be a Catholic priest or deacon in good standing is always 13 uncertain. (More often than not, it will not be a Catholic at all.)

Further, there is the matter of securing the proper license from a foreign municipal authority and assuring that the marriage will be recognized in the United States. On more than one occasion in the recent past, I have persuaded Catholic couples bent on a destination wedding to be married beforehand in a quiet ceremony in our parish church with me as the celebrant and with a marriage license from our own city hall.

Following that, they can leave and party in the tropics with their friends and family, confident that their marriage is recognized as official by the church and by the state.

Catholic News Service

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

Reflections Readings Between The Lines Father Glenn LeCompte

Mercy can bring healing to a divided world

O 14

On Dec. 20, 1943, American B-17 Bomber pilot, Charles Brown was engaged in a bombing mission on a Nazi aircraft production facility in Bremen.

Before he could drop his bombs, the nose of Brown’s aircraft was crippled by anti-aircraft artillery. With two engines already severely damaged, the B-17 sustained more enemy fire and was left with only about 40 percent of its rated power. A Nazi pilot refueling his plane on the ground saw Brown’s B-17 flailing about in the sky like a wounded duck, and once his plane was ready the Nazi pilot flew his plane into the sky and caught up to Brown’s plane.

Brown figured that the German Messerschmidt aircraft he saw from his cockpit was about to deliver his own plane a final blow. Instead, the Nazi pilot flew near Brown’s B-17 in a formation that would indicate to other Nazi pilots not to fire upon him. Unbelievably, the Nazi pilot escorted Brown and the remainder of his crew out of German airspace, and he was able to land safely in Norwich, England.

In 1986, after giving a presentation, the then-retired Colonel Brown decided he wanted to try to find the man who had spared his life. After several unsuccessful attempts, he wrote a letter to a combat

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

pilot association newsletter. Later, he received a letter authored by a man named Franz Stigler saying, “I was the one,” and he described the incident in details that Brown recognized to match his own recollection. The two men met, they became friends and remained so until their deaths in 2008, just a few months apart from each other.

Let’s consider the circumstances and people in this story. Here we have two cultural enemies, one who is in distress and the other who could either ignore, destroy or help the former. The Nazi uncannily chooses to escort the American to a place of safety. In his parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) Jesus presents a very similar set of characters and circumstances.

A Jew who was traveling down a road was left for dead by robbers and astonishingly is helped by a Samaritan, who belonged to a people usually despised in first-century Jewish circles. The Samaritan takes the beaten Jew to a place of safety, an inn, solicits the innkeepers’ care for the wounded man and pledges to reimburse any additional expenses upon his return.

Jesus utters the Good Samaritan parable in response to a dialog that Jesus has with a Jewish legal scholar, who seeks to “test” Jesus by asking what he must do to inherit eternal life (10:25). Jesus throws the question back at him and commends his answer that one must love God with every ounce of

one’s being and also one’s neighbor as oneself (10:26-27). In addition, however, he asks Jesus whom he is to consider his neighbor (10:29).

The legal scholar’s aim is really to limit the definition of one’s neighbor. Why would he do so?

The commandment to love one’s neighbor comes from Leviticus 19:18, and in the context it is clear there that the neighbor being spoken of is a fellow Israelite or an “alien” who has taken up residence in the Israelite community.

Jesus approaches the legal scholar’s question by means of a parable. With a parable, he can evoke from the questioner an unbiased opinion on the situation of helping another. And so, as Jesus spins the story he tells of a certain man beaten by robbers as he traveled on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. He is robbed, stripped, beaten and left for dead.

Two Jewish priests, probably to avoid ritual impurity, pass by the seemingly dead and possibly bleeding man. The unlikely hero of the story is a Samaritan, who belonged to a despised group of people living between Galilee and Judea who once were part of the chosen people but had long since intermarried with the Assyrians who conquered them.

Jesus asks the legal scholar who was a neighbor to the beaten man, and the scholar logically answers, “the one who showed him mercy” (10:37). Jesus has turned the issue of the legal scholar’s

a

question around.

The more important question from a faith perspective is not, “Who is my neighbor?” but “How can I be a good neighbor?” However, Jesus has gotten the legal scholar to answer his own question, “Who is my neighbor?” in a way he perhaps did not anticipate. One’s neighbor is anyone in need, and this is driven home by the scene depicted in the parable. The Samaritan ignores the cultural taboo that prohibited association between his people and Jews, and realizes that helping a person in desperate need supersedes those taboos.

Mercy, here, is a greater value than cultural purity. In fact, the primacy the Samaritan gives to the act of mercy can bring healing to a divided world and help to a person in dire need, when certain cultural mores would foolishly have prohibited that assistance.

Sometimes our problem is that we set boundaries as to who deserves our compassion and who does not.

At times these boundaries are cultural or social as in the case of the Samaritan and the beaten Jew in the Gospel parable, or they may

even be political. What is it that would prevent me from showing mercy to another person?

Jesus has given a wider definition to “Love of neighbor,” which if accepted and acted upon can change the world. If the Law already requires love of neighbor, Jesus now defines one’s neighbor as anyone in need. In the story of the Good Samaritan, in an instance there are no more cultural divisions, no Jews, no Samaritans.

There are in this situation only two people, one in need and one who

can supply the need. And when the Samaritan extends merciful compassion to the beaten man we have an example of love forming a solidarity between two people who would otherwise not be in solidarity. Perhaps if we learned to quit seeing society in terms of the common categorizations, which most often lead to struggles for dominance, and viewed society in terms of those in need and those who can help, we might even see the advent of a more peaceful and loving world.

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May

Saints

Holy Father’s prayer intentions

Hilary of Arles Image © Public Domain

circa 400 - 449 feast - May 5

This French aristocrat, a pagan holding high office in a local government, was converted to Catholicism by his relative, St. Honoratus, and became a monk at Lerins. An austere and strict monastic, Hilary succeeded Honoratus as bishop of Arles when he was just 29. As bishop, he preached notably, donated his earnings from manual labor to the poor, ransomed captives by selling sacred vessels, and built and visited monasteries in his diocese. But he got into trouble by claiming metropolitan jurisdiction over other bishops and tried to depose one who appealed to the pope. As pope, St. Leo the Great restricted Hilary’s authority, but later recalled him “of blessed memory,” perhaps signaling a reconciliation before Hilary’s death.

Saints

Rita of Cascia 1381 - 1457 feast - May 22

Universal Respect for Women. That in every country of the world, women may be honored and respected and that their essential contribution to society may be highly esteemed.

This Italian saint is patron of impossible and desperate situations for good reason. Born near Spoleto, Rita was married against her will at the age of 12 to a cruel man. They had two sons during an 18-year marriage that ended when her husband was killed in a fight. After both sons also died, she tried to join the Augustinian convent in Cascia, but was rejected three times because she wasn’t a virgin. Finally, in 1413, her early hope of becoming a nun was realized when the Augustinians accepted her as a novice. Famous for mystical experiences, Rita had a permanent wound on her forehead after hearing a sermon on Christ’s crown of thorns. She was canonized in 1900.

Saints

Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary first century feast - May 31

Evangelization Holy Rosary. That families, communities, and groups may pray the holy rosary for evangelization and peace.

See www.apostleshipofprayer.org

This feast commemorates the three-month visit of Mary with her elderly cousin Elizabeth during Mary’s pregnancy with Jesus and Elizabeth’s with John the Baptist. The story appears in the first chapter of Luke’s Gospel. It recounts Elizabeth’s Spirit-filled greeting, acknowledging Mary as “the mother of my Lord,” and Mary’s beautiful response, the Magnificat, which begins, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.” Introduced by the Franciscans in 1263, the feast became universal in the 16th century. The cousins’ visit has been depicted by many artists over the centuries. An especially tender “Visitation,” painted by Mariotto Albertinelli and considered his masterpiece, is on display at the Uffizi in Florence, Italy.

Saints

CNS www.bayoucatholic.com

17

Corporal Works

2016 YEAR OF MERCY 2015

By Father Michael Bergeron The following is the fifth article in a seven-part series on the Corporal Works of Mercy.

5) Visit the sick All of us have had our share of illnesses and injuries. But fortunately, we have family and friends to help us. But there are people within every community who are isolated by illness, injury or old age. Mother Teresa once remarked that the greatest poverty was not hunger or homelessness. It was being “unwanted, unloved and uncared for.”

18 Visiting the homebound, elderly, chronically ill or terminally ill is not an easy task for some people. It can take them out of their comfort zones because it confronts us with real human lives and possibly our own destiny. There can be smells or cries of pain. There can be conversations that don’t seem to make sense. There are some people who get squeamish about the idea of visiting hospitals or nursing homes. But our presence as someone willing to be a friend, to give a listening ear, or to pray with someone can mean so much more than we can ever imagine. Soon we discover that they are really ministering us as much as we are there for them.

Holidays are especially hard for people who are sick, not only because of the isolation caused by their illness, but also their inability to get around means that they can’t participate in the ways that they used to. A touch of a hand, a hug and real eye contact, are great healers to the human spirit. The great gift that we receive is new compassion carved in our hearts as we listen to those who are frail or even dying.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

Visiting the sick

By visiting the sick, we can heal others. We may not be able to cure them, but we can heal them and that is the commission that Jesus gave to all of us – proclaim the Word and heal the sick. Healing in the New Testament has a vastly broader meaning than we have put upon the word today.

Memories can be healed, as well as dreams, disappointments, broken relationships, anger, resentment, the guilt of a lifetime, fear of pain, rejection and judgment, or our toxic shame. Many of these things even take place in the process we call death – so death and healing are not opposites. Sometimes, our bodies are healed. Sometimes it is our soul. And in visiting the sick, we can also heal ourselves.

To avoid this “sin of omission” we can do the following: We can visit the sick, the homebound and those in nursing homes whether they are

family, friends or even complete strangers. We can bring them a tasty dish or dessert, magazines or books, or a sacramental such as a rosary or prayer book. We can offer to drive them to treatment facilities, doctor appointments, or pick up their medicine at the pharmacy.

If we cannot visit, a card dropped in the mail on a periodic basis will bring a smile to the patient’s face.

If a schoolmate is ill at home or in the hospital, organize a class “get well soon” project or card. We can support Meals-on-Wheels or overseas missions that staff and provide healthcare facilities in developing nations.

In the June issue of Bayou Catholic, the sixth Corporal Work of Mercy, Visit the imprisoned, will be highlighted.

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

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19

Spiritual Works

2016 YEAR OF MERCY 2015

20

By Father Joseph Tregre The following is the fifth article in a seven-part series on the Spiritual Works of Mercy.

Fresh breeze is in the air, azaleas and peonies are in full bloom, and the crawfish are rolling in their tin pots. Spring is officially here and everyone is retreating from their winter hideaways. The weather is gorgeous and Mother Nature kindly welcomes us with her inviting joy to gather as family and loved ones to once again enter into the season of Easter egg hunts, family crawfish boils and countryside gatherings.

The church is fully alive, adorned in brilliant Easter lilies and white altar clothes, anticipating the life-giving sacraments of first Communions and young adult confirmations. Life is joy-filled, and we all have an extra skip in our step as spring rolls into our lives and our families join together to celebrate life as only Cajuns do.

Easter joy fills our hearts as we celebrate the resurrection of our lord and savior, Jesus Christ. It’s no coincidence that the season of spring and the season of the resurrection coincide. The season of re-birth of our planet and natural surroundings during the spring season is but a dim sign of the greater spiritual re-birth of all children of God in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ each Easter season. The resurrection of Jesus celebrates the joy of his rising from the dead – the victory of eternal life over eternal damnation.

Christ has conquered death and forever won the forgiveness of sins and the mercy of God the Father for all men. Without Lent, there is no Easter.

Matthew 25 shares the parable of the 10 virgins awaiting the return Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

Bearing wrongs patiently of the bridegroom. Five of the women had enough lamp oil to keep their candles lit and five did not.

The five who kept their lanterns lit were welcomed into the feast of the bridegroom, and the five who did not were left outside and told, “Truly, I do not know you.” In order

to receive the new life of Easter, we must all bear the crosses of our own suffering with Jesus.

As we celebrate the spring season and gather with families and loved ones, we are also often times reminded of divisions and separations that exist

a

within our relationships. Are you able to suffer the wrongs others have committed against you with the same patience that the five virgins offered in keeping the candles lit while awaiting the return of the bridegroom?

Many of us are violated in our relationships with family, loved ones, co-workers and friends. The unexpected crosses that can often arise from these relationships are perhaps the most difficult crosses we carry. While we often times experience other crosses in our lives, e.g., illnesses, finances, legal issues, etc., the hurt of separation in our most valued relationships is perhaps the most difficult crosses we carry. Often times these separations stem from being let down by a loved one or even worse by being directly hurt by them in word or deed. How do we reconcile our own hearts and how do we reconcile our relationships?

Whether it’s a disagreement with a loved one, a hurtful word or action, or what was not said or done, our heart is often crucified and punctured by the nails of sin and rejection. Often times our heart is nailed to the cross awaiting those merciful words of Jesus crucified, “Forgive them for they know not what they do,” or “I thirst,” or even, “It is consummated.” In ancient Jewish tradition, the heart is viewed as the center and very depth of one’s being. It is in this spiritual depth of our being that the woundedness of our hearts is reconciled.

There is no hurt or pain too great that the healing power of God’s redemptive love cannot restore and glorify. The Easter resurrection

SINCE FAST st Intere Free cing Finan

of Jesus’ body shines forth the radiance of his mercy through his hands and feet once crucified to the cross but now glorified in his radiant mercy and outpouring love.

Jesus, the paschal lamb, bound and mute, bore all of the wrongs of humanity, that ever were and that

‘

There is no hurt or pain too great that the healing power of God’s redemptive love cannot restore and glorify.

,

ever will be, upon the cross. Many of his closest disciples and followers abandoned him in his most dire moments and times of need. Peter, his chief apostle, who heard John say, “It is the Lord!” and jumped into the sea and went with haste to Jesus (John 21:6); also denies Jesus

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three times. In the courtyard, Peter responded to those who asked if he was a friend of Jesus the Nazarene – “Woman, I do not know him,” “My friend, I am not,” and “My friend, I do not know what you are talking about” (Luke 22).

Consider also Pontius Pilate who condemned Jesus, and said, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. Do with him as you will” (Matthew 27:24). Also, Judas Iscariot, to whom Jesus said “Friend, do what you have come for” as Judas handed him over to the Roman centurions in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:49).

Many of us can see ourselves in the passion of Jesus. Who is Peter in your life? Who has been your close ally but then denied you three times in your moment of need? Who is Pontius Pilate in your life? Who has defamed your character before others even though you were innocent and helpless? Who is Judas Iscariot in your life? Who has claimed to be at your side and pledged their loyalty but then flipped unexpectedly and unhesitatingly to betray you?

In his letter to the Colossians, St. 21 Paul writes, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church” (Colossians 1:24). Say what? We can make up for what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ! When we bear our wrongs patiently for the sake of the Gospel and the sorrowful heart of Jesus, we console his heart and make up for what is lacking in the suffering of Christ.

(Father Joseph Tregre is the pastor of St. Joseph Church parish in Galliano.)

Tub to Shower Conversions

STEVE DECELL

Aging-In-Place Consultant

One Install day ation

Walk-in Tubs www.bayoucatholic.com

Heavenly Recipes

Becky’s

e t a l o c o h C e k a C t u n Coco Story and Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier This month’s heavenly recipe, chocolate coconut cake, comes from Becky Dardar, the secretary/ bookkeeper at Sacred Heart Church parish in Montegut. It is a recipe that Becky got from a friend who knew two elderly women from Pointe-aux-Chens who used to sell baked goods from their home many 22 years ago.

Becky has worked at the parish for almost 16 years. A native of Pointe-aux-Chenes, she learned to cook from her mother.

“You know the saying mom’s food is always better. There are a few of her recipes that I can come close to as far as tasting the way my mom cooks, but hers is almost always better. I love to cook but I really enjoy baking and preparing desserts. I am usually the one who brings desserts to our family gatherings during the holidays,” she says.

Becky is married to Thomas Dardar and between the two they have seven children. Thomas had three kids before he was married to Becky and Becky had two kids from her first marriage to her husband Alexander Billiot, who died of lung cancer. The couple was married for 18 years.

“I was hired at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Pointe-auxChenes and Sacred Heart in Montegut in 2001 when Alexander was diagnosed with lung cancer.

The parishes were linked at that time. That was the hardest time in my life. He survived a little Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

over two years after his diagnosis.

One of our daughters graduated from high school five days after Alexander passed away. Both Father Robert Rogers and Father Shenan Boquet were very helpful to our family during that time of grief and despair. It was my faith in God that pulled me through that time, knowing there would be better days ahead.”

Becky’s husband Thomas was good friends with Alexander. “He and my husband were good friends.

They are alike in many ways. I know that Thomas is the right person for me. He was a very good friend during my time of grieving when Alexander passed away. Our friendship turned into love and we

have two wonderful children of our own.”

Becky doesn’t consider her work at Sacred Heart a job. She looks at it as a ministry. “I thoroughly enjoy working for the church. It’s not a job it’s my ministry. I meet many people working here in the parish. I know most families in both St. Charles and Sacred Heart parishes. It is important to be present when someone is hurting, especially when someone is here to plan a funeral. I have been through the pain of losing a loved one. I know what family members are going through at a darkest time of their lives. I tell people to trust in God. Your faith is what will get you the most difficult times.”

Chocolate Coconut Cake 1 box of cake mix of your choice (prepare according to package) 1-12 oz. can pet milk 11/2 cups of water 1-17oz. can Ancel cocnut 1-6oz bag of frozen coconut 1/2 cup of sugar 5 tsp. of Hershey’s unsweetened cocoa 1/2 stick of margarine 1 tsp. vanilla

In a medium saucepan add pet milk, water, Ancel coconut, frozen coconut, sugar and Hershey’s cocoa. Cook on medium heat, stirring frequently until liquid boils down to desired consistency. Once the liquid boils stir in the margarine and vanilla and remove from heat. Spread cooled filling onto cake layers.

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AIM Palliative Home Health

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Church Life

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre delivers the homily during the Chrism Mass.

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By popular demand ...

Bishop Fabre’s Chrism Mass homily I have learned that nothing threatens the sacred more than familiarity. Families know this; married couples know this; clergy knows this. When we become too familiar with someone, or something, we loose our awe, our wonder at being a part of their life.

When we become too familiar, we cease beholding the other as they are and we begin seeing them solely through our own experience, our own expectations and our own categories. Family members can become too familiar with one another. When they do, it is easy to hold on to the past rather than being present to each other in the current moment. Married couples can become too familiar with each other. When they do, it is easy to take each other for granted. Clergy can become too familiar with “the call.” When they do, it is easy to forget the fervor they once had at ordination and eventually they become too comfortable.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

Yes, nothing threatens the sacred more than familiarity.

Nazareth was a community familiar with Jesus. In today’s Gospel, St. Luke writes: “Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up” (4:16-21). The people of Nazareth are so familiar with the person of Jesus that they fail to see who he is and fail to fully understand what he says. As “this Scripture passage is fulfilled in (their) hearing,” they miss the truth of the messenger and miss the importance of the message.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus outlines his mission, and Nazareth is so familiar with the sacred they miss the message; they miss the revelation of Jesus’ mission. I pray we never get too familiar with the sacred that we make the same mistake. I pray that today, at this particular time in our

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

diocese’s history, we do not miss the revelation of our mission.

Jesus’ revelation of the mission, his mandate, is as relevant to us today as it was when he first announced it 2,000 years ago. We have a mission. I repeat … we … you and I … all of us together … we all have a mission. It is the mission of Jesus Christ. It is the mission of the Catholic Church. It is the mission for all the baptized. In his 2013 Apostolic Exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel, our Holy Father Pope Francis writes: “The bishop must always foster this missionary communion in his diocesan church … To do so, he will sometimes go before his people, pointing the way and keeping their hope vibrant.”

I am standing before you today in order to “point the way,” wanting to “keep our hope vibrant,” praying that we never get so familiar with the person of Jesus Christ that we miss his mandate; that we miss his revelation of the mission.

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Pope Francis continues: “Evangelization takes place in obedience to the missionary mandate of Jesus: ‘Go therefore and make disciples.’” To make disciples: this is the mission. It is the mission of Jesus; it is a mission from Jesus.

Yes, we have a mission. And, there’s a lot at stake with the mission.

If we’re not careful, the church can grow so familiar with the mission we can cling to structures, doing things because we’ve always done them. If we’re not careful, the clergy can grow so familiar with the mission that we get too comfortable with routine and settle for what is.

If we’re not careful, the baptized can grow so familiar with the mission that we forget that we even have one. Returning to Pope Francis’ Joy of the Gospel, he writes: “I am aware that nowadays documents do not arouse the same interest as in the past and that they are quickly forgotten. Nevertheless, I want to emphasize that what I am trying to express here has a programmatic significance and important consequences. I hope that all communities will devote the necessary effort to advancing along the path of a pastoral and missionary conversion which cannot leave things as they presently are.

‘Mere administration’ can no longer be enough. Throughout the world, let us be ‘permanently in a state of mission.’”

Before speaking specifically about our role in the mission, I would like to paint an image of the mission on the canvas of what it means to be a missionary. After all, if the mission is to make disciples, the disciples themselves need a vision of who they are called to be before they can be clear on what they’re called to do. What does it mean to be a disciple? Or, as Pope Francis writes, what does it mean to be a missionary disciple? As I prayerfully reflect upon the writing of the Holy Father, I see three things clearly articulated in his vision of missionary discipleship: one: encounter … two: conversion … and three: response. For us to understand what Pope Francis is calling us to we must embrace those three things: encounter, conversion and response.

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Blessing of the holy oils

What is the mission? What does it mean to be a disciple? What kind of missionaries do we need for the mission? Perhaps we can best imagine a disciple as one who has encountered the person of Jesus Christ; has allowed Christ to reorient their life; and wants to respond to Christ with the totality of their life.

Encounter. Again, in Joy of the Gospel Pope Francis writes: “I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ.” His predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI also referenced this as he wrote: “Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.” A missionary disciple is one who has had an encounter with the person of Jesus Christ.

That’s what Jesus did. He called.

He called people to follow him, to

get to know him. He called Peter to follow him, to get to know him, and before sending Peter on mission he asked him: “Do you love me?”

This encounter, the forming of a deeply personal relationship with Jesus Christ, is the heart of every missionary disciple and it is what propels the missionary on to share this love with others. This intimate relationship with Jesus Christ is what bears fruit in the missionary disciple’s life. The first step in becoming a disciple, in forming disciples, is encountering the person of Jesus Christ and developing a personal relationship with him.

However, the hard work of discipleship isn’t starting a relationship as much as it is staying committed to the relationship. We need conversion. We have to choose to choose. Married couples understand this. The hard part of being a spouse isn’t the wedding, it’s the marriage.

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Church Life

Chrism Mass

Clergy understand this. The hard part of being ordained isn’t giving your life to God but resisting the urge to take it back. A mature relationship with Christ requires that I learn to say “No” so that I can continue to say “Yes.” Disciples learn how to persevere through the refinement of conversion.

Disciples learn how to “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Disciples learn how to “no longer live (and think) as the Gentiles do,” shedding the standard of “the world” and thinking with the mind of Christ – and the church – so as to live in the light.

Encounter.

Conversion.

Response. Missionary disciples want God to guide their lives, they are open to being led. Disciples yield to the Holy Spirit. They do not go before Jesus and simply say “come bless this effort” but, they learn to 26 first listen to him, to recognize the path that he points out, and then they respond in generosity of heart.

Discernment – discerning the little things – becomes a new way of life such that the words of Jesus in some way become the words of the disciple: “I only do what I see the Father doing.” Of course, when I fall in love with God, I begin to see as God sees; I begin to want what God wants. Therefore, every mature disciple sheds the facades of individualism, relativism and consumerism and begins to see Christ in others … in those I live with … in those I’m estranged from … in the poor and marginalized.

Love for Christ propels me out of myself and the disciple cannot help but share the Good News with others. Thus, evangelization is no longer seen as a program or reserved for a few zealots. Rather evangelization is a response to a person and his church whom I love, and a person that I want the whole world to know.

There is a mission … a mission to form disciples … a mission to help all people encounter the person of Jesus Christ … persevere in the process of true conversion …

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

and respond to Christ however he calls. Each of us has a role in the mission, so now allow me to speak directly to three aspects of the mission.

First, I would like to speak with my brother priests. I again hearken back to the fact that nothing threatens the sacred more than familiarity. My brothers, there’s a lot at stake in the mission and I urge us – as your bishop I beg you – to recommit today to the mission.

In just a few moments I will ask you to recommit to promises made at your priesthood ordination. We do so because when we forget the importance of the questions, we struggle to live the reality of the answers. Therefore, let me remind us all of what we promised God, and

his people, at both our diaconate and priestly ordinations: n We were asked “Are you resolved … to live with humility?”

Humility is a posture; it’s a way of thinking. The enemy to humility is pride, control. And, so because the mission is so important, I ask both you and me: Who’s in charge of our lives? In reality, in our daily decisions, who’s in charge? n We were asked “Are you resolved … to proclaim this faith in word and action?” Pope Paul VI reminds us: “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are

witnesses.” Are our lives living testimony of our homilies? Do our parishioners see in us what they hear from us? n We were asked “Are you resolved … to maintain a spirit of prayer appropriate to your way of life?” The enemy of prayer is production. Do we pray … daily … not simply for the sake of preparing a homily, but the sake of a communion with Christ so personal that it animates and gives meaning to our celibacy? Are we still praying? n At our diaconate ordination we were asked “Are you resolved … to shape your way of life always according to the example of Christ?” At our priesthood ordination we were asked “Are you resolved … to unite yourself more closely every day to Christ the high priest?” The enemy of configuration is complacency. Do we see ourselves as in persona Christi capitis on our “day off” … when it’s “our” time … when we’re in private … is the totality of our life – every relationship, every motive, every decision – resolved to be in accordance with Christ and Christ alone? n We were asked “Are you resolved … to obedience?” The enemy of obedience is independence.

Are we resolved to doing whatever God asks of us? Do we struggle with any aspect of the church or her teaching? Is my first instinct to think “What do I think” rather than “What does Christ teach?”

Each of these questions begins with “Are you resolved?” My brother priests, today the church asks you are you resolved … to the mission? Are you resolved to your own personal encounter, your own on-going conversion and your own unbridled response?

My dear brother priests, I hope you know the great affection I have for you in my heart. I am deeply grateful for the ministry that you undertake in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and his church. I am truly grateful for your service in the name of the Lord to the church here in Houma-Thibodaux.

Next, I would like to address the faithful here present and in our parishes. Returning to Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis writes: “The parish is not an outdated institution; precisely because it possesses great flexibility, it can

a

assume quite different contours depending on the openness and missionary creativity.

While certainly not the only institution which evangelizes, if the parish proves capable of self-renewal and constant adaptivity, it continues to be ‘the church living in the midst of the homes of her sons and daughters.’” The mission of forming disciples happens in the parish. Our parishes are schools of evangelization. The Holy Father continues: “All the baptized, whatever their position in the church or their level of instruction in the faith, are agents of evangelization, and it would be insufficient to envisage a plan of evangelization to be carried out by professionals while the rest of the faithful would simply be passive recipients. The new evangelization calls for personal involvement on the part of each of the baptized.

Every Christian is challenged, here and now, to be actively engaged in evangelization ... . Every Christian is a missionary to the extent that he or she has encountered the love of God in Christ Jesus: we no longer

say that we are ‘disciples’ and ‘missionaries,’ but rather that we are always ‘missionary disciples.’”

Jesus Christ has given the church a mission and that requires all of us to be a part of the mission. Just as I implored the priests to recommit to their promises, I now ask all of us – all of our parishes – to commit to the mission of making disciples.

To our parishioners I ask: Are you resolved to the mission of assisting other parishioners with their personal encounter, committing to their on-going conversion and nurturing their free response?

Finally, I address our diocesan leadership. The Holy Father continues: “To make this missionary impulse ever more focused, generous and fruitful, I encourage each particular church to undertake a resolute process of discernment, purification and reform. … Pastoral ministry in a missionary key seeks to abandon the complacent attitude that says: ‘We have always done it this way.’

I invite everyone to be bold and creative in this task of rethinking the goals, structures, style and

methods of evangelization.” I would like to thank the hundreds of men and women who daily give themselves so generously to the work of the diocese. I cannot do this without you. As you receive my gratitude, let us recommit today to the mission, to the person of Jesus Christ … and whatever Jesus may ask of us. To our diocesan staff I ask: Are we ready for the “discernment, purification and reform” that our Holy Father asks? Are we resolved to a corporate encounter, an institutional conversion and a diocesan response?

Nothing threatens the sacred more than familiarity. Today’s most sacred Chrism Mass invites us to ask for a renewal in our posture before the sacred. May we never become too familiar with the awesome mission entrusted to us by God. May we be forever shaped by the mission. May we forever burn with the mission. May we forever labor in the mission. And, may the words from the Rite of Ordination guide all of us today: “May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to fulfillment.” Amen.

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27

Young Voices Reading the Bible is a very good way to build God’s kingdom in today’s world. Just open the Bible to a random verse every day and you’ll see what God is telling you. It’s surprising how relatable that verse is to your life! Praying and going to Mass can also enrich young people’s faith.

Once people realize how much God has done for them, they will want to build God’s kingdom by spreading his good news.

Holden Amedee, 14 years old St. Genevieve Church parish E.D. White Catholic High School

As a Catholic you should do things to build God’s kingdom.

We can build God’s kingdom by being a holy example to our friends and everyone we encounter. When you live righteously, you are building God’s kingdom. We should all live a life like Christ and encourage others to build God’s kingdom with us. I think that every young person should be a good example to others and take part in building God’s kingdom.

Noah Callais, 14 years old Sacred Heart Church parish, Cut Off Holy Rosary Catholic School

Jesus sent out the disciples to build the kingdom on earth.

What can young people do in today’s world to build God’s kingdom?

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Ashley Daigle, 14 years old Holy Cross Church parish Central Catholic High School In today’s world young people can build God’s kingdom by setting an example for others in everything that they do. We can set an example by being more active in our everyday faith lives. To be more active in our faith lives can be to broaden our faith outside of things like our religion classes.

This means to always keep God in mind in everything that we do. By doing this we are showing others our faith and encouraging them to do the same.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

Caitlyn Landry, 14 years old St. Hilary of Poitiers Church parish St. Mary’s Nativity School There are many ways we can build God’s kingdom. We have to be willing to serve wherever and whenever we can. We should volunteer for different things such as being in youth groups, giving to charity and visiting nursing homes. People are strengthened by participating in church activities. To serve in the kingdom of God we have to live righteously.

When we serve in God’s kingdom, we receive blessings from him.

May

June

n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, June 7, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311, Schriever, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Speaker, Rev. Michael Bergeron. n C.E.N.T.S. will be offering the

July

n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, July 5, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311, Schriever, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Speaker, Rev. Wilmer Todd. n Kateri Mass, Friday, July 8, Holy Family, Dulac, 6:30 p.m. A reception will follow at the gym. n Adult Faith Formation: God: The Trinity and Revelation, Monday, July 18, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 9 a.m.- Noon. n Adult Faith Formation: The Bible: Old Testament and Jesus in the Gospels, Tuesday, July 19, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 9 a.m.-Noon. n Adult Faith Formation: Authority (Tradition and

Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m.

Speaker, Rev. Jules Brunet. n Mass for the charismatic community, Sunday, May 15, 11 a.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma. Celebrant, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre. Praise and worship will begin at 10:30 a.m. A reception

will follow at the parish center. n Transitional Diaconate Ordination, Saturday, May 21, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma, 10 a.m. n Priesthood Ordination, Saturday, May 28, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma, 10 a.m.

Small Business Course beginning in June through Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

This free course is designed to help people who are interested in starting a small business.

It will be held one evening a

week for nine weeks. A different business topic will be discussed each week. Anyone who is interested in participating should call Brooks Lirette at (985) 8760490 to schedule an orientation appointment.

Magisterium), Freedom and Law, Wednesday, July 20, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 9 a.m.-Noon. n Adult Faith Formation: Human Person: The Beatitudes and the Call to Holiness, Thursday, July 21, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 9 a.m.-Noon. n Adult Faith Formation: Blessed Virgin Mary and the Church, Friday, July 22, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 9 a.m.-Noon. n Adult Faith Formation: The Commandments 1-3, Monday, July 25, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 9 a.m.-Noon. n Adult Faith Formation: The Commandments 4-10, Tuesday,

July 26, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 9 a.m.-Noon. n Adult Faith Formation: Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, Wednesday, July 27, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 9 a.m.-Noon. n Adult Faith Formation: Healing – Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick, Thursday, July 28, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 9 a.m.-Noon. n Adult Faith Formation: Service – Matrimony and Holy Orders, Here I am Lord, Please Help!, Friday, July 29, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 9 a.m.-Noon. Distribution of certificates and prayer service.

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DIOCESAN

n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, May 3, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311, Schriever, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Speaker, Rev. Alex Gaudet. n Adult Faith Formation: Trinity, Wednesdays, May 11, 18 and 25, diocesan Pastoral Center

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EVENTS

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Church Life

Rev. Mr. Cody Chatagnier to be ordained to priesthood May 28 held Communion services when there was no priest. He updated the parish network by installing new routers The Rev. Mr. Cody Chatagnier and running Ethernet cables to every will be ordained to the priesthood computer.

Saturday, May 28, at the Cathedral After his second year of theology, of St. Francis de Sales in Houma he spent a year at St. John the beginning at 10 a.m. Bishop Shelton J. Evangelist Church parish in Fabre will be the ordaining prelate.

Thibodaux serving Masses, helping The Rev. Mr. Cody Chatagnier is a the altar servers in the parish, 32-year-old native of Chauvin. He is compiling the parish directory, the son of Wade C. Chatagnier and visiting nursing homes, updating the Patty Luke Chatagnier (deceased), and parish’s network, and designing a has one sister, Kattie C. Brown, and portable multimedia system in the two nieces, Mallory and Natalie. church for the Capital Campaign.

He graduated from Terrebonne High For his diaconate internship, he School in Houma in 2002, and received was assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas a bachelor’s degree in history from Church parish. During that time, he Nicholls State University in Thibodaux helped with Vacation Bible School, Rev. Mr. Cody Chatagnier in 2007. He attended St. Joseph preached at least three times a week, Seminary College where he obtained a taught a church history class, was bachelor’s degree in philosophy & theological studies, a speaker at Food for the Journey, baptized one and he graduated from Notre Dame Seminary May 6 child and worked with the various campus ministry with a master’s of divinity degree. activities.

30 Before entering the seminary, the Rev. Mr. He says after being ordained a priest, he is just looking forward to serving the church parish that he Chatagnier volunteered at his home parish, St. will be assigned to.

Anthony of Padua Church in Bayou Black, for eight “Ever since I entered seminary I have always longed years where he was a member of their youth ministry to serve as a parish priest. I look forward to serving group, Kepha. While volunteering at St. Anthony he my pastor and helping him and the parish in any was part of their retreat team, gave talks, acted in way I can. I am really looking forward to teaching skits, lead small groups, played bass and acoustic and preaching the Word of God and finally being able guitar in the music ministry and was the sound man to unleash that pricey education that the people of at retreats and parish Masses. He was also a lector, Houma-Thibodaux have so graciously paid for. But CCD teacher and helped with fundraising activities. most of all, I am looking forward to being with the After graduating from Nicholls, he moved to people. While in the seminary, a man can forget why Golden Meadow and worked at Our Lady of Prompt he is studying to be a priest and forget the people Succor Church parish in various capacities. He also of God in the diocese. We learn lots of concepts and taught fifth grade CCD and confirmation, organized theology, but truthfully our learning is not just for our the confirmation retreat and led a group of teens to own benefit but also for the benefit of the diocese. As I Steubenville on the Bayou, and served at Masses begin priestly ministry, I know that I am considered a regularly. ‘baby priest.’ As a newly ordained priest, I realize that As part of his priestly formation he was assigned I do not have everything figured out and that I need to to Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church parish gain experience on how to be a good priest. I hope the in Houma and the diocesan Vocations Office at St. people of God in our diocese will be patient with me Thomas Aquinas Church parish on the campus of as I begin,” says the Rev. Mr. Chatagnier, who recalls Nicholls State University in the summer of 2009. At that the Very Rev. Mark Toups, diocesan chancellor, Holy Rosary he served at the Masses, gave reflections always says that the people of God come to the priest after daily Mass, visited parishioners in the hospital, seeking Jesus; what a shame, if all they find is the and helped update the baptismal register. At St. broken humanity of the priest.

Thomas, he helped organize the Safe Environment “I hope I can show Christ in my ministry,” adds the records and plan the Pere’ Menard Canoe Trip.

Rev. Mr. Chatagnier, “and I ask your prayers that He was assigned to Annunziata Church parish God will give me the grace to continue to stay close to in 2010-2011 and the summer of 2012, where he him as I begin my priestly ministry.” taught a CCD class for Hispanic children, worked Father Chatagnier will celebrate his first Mass at with the youth group, served as a lector, eucharistic St. Anthony of Padua Church parish in Bayou Black, minister, gave reflections during daily Masses, and Sunday, May 29 at 10:30 am.

Story by Janet Marcel

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Seminarian Education Burses

What is a seminarian burse fund?

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

How does someone establish a seminarian burse fund?

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

When is a seminarian burse complete?

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

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

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

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

Completed Burses of $15,000 each

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

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

March 2016 Burse Contributions Dean Joseph Chiasson ....................................... $300.00 Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier ............................. $200.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ..................................... $200.00 Bernice Harang .................................................. $100.00 Edna W. DiSalvo ................................................. $50.00 31

Open Burses with Balance as of 3/31/16 Sidney J. & Lydie C. Duplantis ........... $13,000.00 Donald Peltier, Sr. #4 ............................ $13,000.00 Joseph Strada Memorial ...................... $12,642.63 Msgr. Raphael C. Labit #2 .................. $11,080.00 Harvey Peltier #31 .............................. $10,486.91 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 Elie & Dot Klingman .............................. $8,960.00 Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier ................. $8,700.00 Rev. Victor Toth ..................................... $7,000.00 Brides of the Most Blessed Trinity ......... $6,165.00 Rev. Peter Nies ..................................... $5,900.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ........................... $5,700.00 Msgr. Francis Amedee ........................... $5,150.00 Mr. & Mrs. Love W. Pellegrin ................. $5,000.00 Anonymous #2 ...................................... $5,000.00 Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis Fmly.#4..... $5,000.00 Rev. William M. Fleming ........................ $5,000.00 Mrs. Ayres A. Champagne ..................... $5,000.00 Rev. Kasimir Chmielewski ..................... $4,839.00 Rev. Gerard Hayes ................................ $4,786.00 Catholic Daughters ................................ $4,705.00 Rev. Guy Zeringue ................................ $4,400.00 Joseph “Jay” Fertitta .............................. $4,350.00

Rev. Henry Naquin ................................. $4,331.00 Harry Booker #2 .................................... $4,138.00 Kelly Curole Frazier ............................... $3,610.96 J. R. Occhipinti ...................................... $3,400.00 Anawin Community ............................... $3,100.00 Msgr. James Songy ............................... $3,075.00 Mr. & Mrs. Galip Jacobs ........................ $3,060.00 St. Jude ................................................. $3,000.00 Diocesan K of C #2 ............................... $2,894.62 Rev. Peter H. Brewerton ........................ $2,600.00 Warren J. Harang, Jr. #2 ......................... $2,100.00 Willie & Emelda St. Pierre ...................... $2,000.00 St. Joseph Society ................................. $2,000.00 Rev. H. C. Paul Daigle ........................... $1,900.00 James J. Buquet, Jr. ............................... $1,650.00 Alfrances P. Martin ................................. $1,650.00 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 Mr. & Mrs. John Marmande .................... $1,500.00 Deacon Robert Dusse’ ........................... $1,450.00 Msgr. John L. Newfield .......................... $1,200.00 Deacon Connely Duplantis ..................... $1,175.00

Rev. Anthony Rousso ............................. $1,150.00 Jacob Marcello ....................................... $1,100.00 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 Judge Louis & Shirley R. Watkins .............. $950.00 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 Deacon Raymond LeBouef ...................... $550.00 Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Cannata .................... $500.00 Edna W. DiSalvo ....................................... $400.00 Bernice Harang ......................................... $400.00 Anne Veron Aguirre ................................... $380.00 Deacon Harold Kurtz ................................ $300.00 Richard Peltier #2 ..................................... $300.00 Dean Joseph Chiasson ............................. $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: $1,568,321.02 www.bayoucatholic.com

Church Life

Rev. Mr. Brice Higginbotham

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Rev. Mr. John David Matherne

Rev. Mr. Jean-Marie Muzeyi Nsambu

Three to be ordained transitional deacons at St. Francis on May 21 Story by Janet Marcel The Rev. Mr. Brice Higginbotham, the Rev. Mr. John David Matherne and the Rev. Mr. JeanMarie Muzeyi Nsambu will be ordained to the transitional diaconate Saturday, May 21, at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma.

The transitional diaconate is the final step leading to ordination to the priesthood.

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre will be the ordaining prelate.

The Rev. Mr. Brice Higginbotham is a 26 year old native of Church Point, LA. He is the son of Sammy and Amber Higginbotham. He graduated from Church Point High School and is currently attending Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.

As part of his priestly formation he was assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Church parish in Thibodaux in 2009 and 2010 where he served as a sacristan, the Pére Menard canoe trip coordinator and table leader for the Office of Youth Ministry’s Christian Leadership Institute.

In 2011, he was assigned to St. Anthony of Padua Church parish in Bayou Black where he visited the homebound, worked with vacation Bible school, served with the Missionaries of the Poor in Kingston, Jamaica; and worked with the diocesan prison ministry.

In 2012, he was assigned to the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales parish in Houma where he taught Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

courses on the spiritual life, lead a retreat for the school’s seventh grade, visited the homebound, spoke to various classes at Vandebilt Catholic High School and St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School.

In 2014, he was assigned to Our Lady of the Rosary Church parish in Larose where he led a lector workshop, a series of acolyte workshops, and participated in Bible studies classes and vacation Bible school.

The Rev. Mr. Higginbotham also assisted the priest at Masses in all of the parishes where he was assigned.

“I’ve been blessed to visit all of our 39 parishes and to work, in some fashion, in nearly every sort of ministry there is in Houma-Thibodaux. Of all of the differences I’ve seen, at least two things are consistent: 1) the people of our diocese are kind and generous women and men; and 2) they are hungry for God. Whatever tasks present themselves to me during my assignment, I most look forward to serving the people of this wonderful diocese. I want to work together with the priests and the people to build up the kingdom of God, bringing more and more people to experience the fullness of life and fullness of joy which I have found in my relationship with God and which he desires to give to each one of us (John 10:10; 15:11),” says the Rev. Mr. Higginbotham.

The Rev. John David Matherne is a 26 year old native of Raceland, LA. He is the son of Jody and Aline “Yogi” Matherne, and has one sister,

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Jackie M. Robichaux. He graduated from Central Lafourche High School in Raceland, and is currently attending Notre Dame Seminary.

As part of his priestly formation he spent the summer of 2011 serving at St. Anthony of Padua Church parish in Bayou Black. He also attended a Sacred Art and Architecture class presented by Very.

Rev. Joshua Rodrigue, S.T.L. In summer 2012 he was assigned to St. John the Evangelist Church parish in Thibodaux where he participated in the parish’s door to door ministry and worked with the parish census.

In summer 2013 he was assigned to Christ the Redeemer Church parish in Thibodaux where he ministered to young families.

“I am most excited about serving the people of my home diocese. I have always seen myself coming back home in whatever I decided to do with my life, but the fact that I get to do what I was created for – bringing people to Jesus – in the place where I have always called home is the thing I’m looking forward to most,” says the Rev. Mr. Matherne.

The Rev. Jean-Marie Nsambu is a 42 year old native of Kampala, the capital of Uganda in the eastern part of Africa. He is the son of Hillary and Justina Wannyana Nsambu and has four sisters and three brothers. He attended high school at a number of colleges in Uganda, including Kisubi Minor Seminary, and Makerere University in Kampala where he obtained a bachelor of laws degree and a master’s degree in international relations and diplomatic

studies. He is currently attending Notre Dame Seminary.

In summer 2013 he was assigned to St. Genevieve Church parish in Thibodaux where he worked in hospital ministry.

In summer 2014, he was assigned to Sacred Heart Church parish in Morgan City where he worked in hospital and nursing home ministry.

In summer 2015 he was assigned to the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales where he worked in clinical pastoral integration at Terrebonne General Medical Center in Houma, and liturgical ministry in the parish.

“Besides the excitement of living out a ministry of service to my bishop, and to whomsoever he may want me to serve, I am looking forward, but with great fear and trembling, to bring the person of Christ to God’s people, whom I will be privileged to encounter.

I desire to meet and virtually be with them in their moments of joys, but most of all, in their times of struggle. We are in a fast changing world; a world that draws us more away from the truth than it encourages to it. It is my prayer that during this time, with support of my people, I will learn to be a better witness for Christ,” says the Rev. Mr. Nsambu.

Their ordination to the priesthood is scheduled for June 3, 2017, as part of the 40th anniversary celebration for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and the 200th anniversary celebration of St. Joseph CoCathedral.

Michael S. Haydel, M.D. FIPP Michael P. Charlet, M.D., FAAN Karl G. Haydel, Jr., MD Daniel R. Clayton, PA-C Donovan J. Matherne, FNP-C Brandi B. Degruise, FNP-C Interventional Pain Practice

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Entertainment

Seeing Clairely Claire Joller

M 34

Mother. Mama. Mom. Mère.

One of these words conjures up, for most of us, both images and feelings that are intensified when we celebrate the day devoted to honoring her on May 8 this year.

I’ve been reminiscing about how being in the presence of my own mom, now deceased, made me feel just by being near. My mom was comfortable with herself, and unlike me, rarely questioned her own decisions and attitudes.

She was The Mother, and was confident in her mothering. I rarely heard her second-guess herself.

Mildred Duplantis Domangue was cheerful even in distressing times. She laughed easily and was fiercely loving. Her children always knew she was in their corner, no matter what. That unfailing support always made me feel on solid ground, especially when I was a young child.

But for all her other motherly ways, she wasn’t a hugger. This was especially counter-cultural, I realize now, in our very Cajun family, for whom the word demonstrative was practically invented. This non-hugging did not extend to babies, whom she happily cuddled and cradled in practiced arms.

But I don’t remember that extending to much older children.

I watch my own grandchildren with my daughter. Especially when she returns home from work, they wrap their arms around her torso with abandon, and she returns their full-armed embrace.

No matter how much she loved us, I don’t remember such enveloping hugs from Mama.

It must have been a learned behavior from her own mother.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

g u h s ’ m o M A

When we’d enter Grandma’s house, I remember Mama and her adult sisters give air kisses to Grandma’s extended cheek. Maybe in former generations Grandma’s family did the European double kiss, on both sides of relatives’ faces, but through the generations the practice had been abbreviated to that one gesture of greeting, respect, and familial love.

Maybe because I perceived this small lack from my own mom, I am the quintessential example of the near-stifling Mother Hug. I can’t hug my daughter and grandchildren often enough. Other members of my extended family cannot escape my clinches, either.

I’m not talking about the short, glancing touches that pose as hugs. I mean both arms wrapped around the other person, usually accompanied by pats on the back, with or without a kiss on the cheek.

This has not always been my practice. As a young woman, I was a shy hugger. But something opened the floodgates of contact when my grandchildren were born.

On the day I first gave our adult daughter a full-throttle bear hug, I realized I had not embraced her in quite the same way when she was growing up. She seemed to me to be a little hesitant about her response.

I mentally chastised myself for being so miserly with my motherhugs earlier in her life.

We have it down pat now, although I suspect I still hold on to her a little too long, perhaps in compensation for the years I failed to embrace her with no restraint.

It’s my hope that those I motherhug now receive a sure sense of my unbridled love and affection.

Regardless, it satisfies a physical need I have, this close contact of the sweetest kind.

Book Reviews

Reading with Raymond Raymond Saadi

When Breath Becomes Air

By Paul Kalanithi Random House $25 This slim memoir tells the enormously poignant and courageous story of a young man torn between a career as a writer or as a doctor like his father, brother and uncle. In a way, he chose both using his degrees in literature to help write about his years in med school as he advanced to become a neurosurgeon. Just as he reached the pinnacle of his life’s ambition, fate took a hand and at age 36, he was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. Now with a wife and young child, he faces his future, looks death in the eye and determines what path his life should take, deciding to continue practicing medicine to the extent his health and doctors will permit. This is a wonderful story, beautifully told

by Kalanithi with a heartwarming epilogue by his wife Lucy on his last days.

Psalms 1-50

By Ellen T. Charry Brazos Press $29.99 These wonderful and welcomed commentaries on the first 50Psalms of the Bible are excellent interpretations by the author to help readers fully comprehend their wisdom and beauty and how some relate to others. For example, psalm 23: “The lord is my shepherd, I shall not want… .”

It is, at only 55 words, as Editor Charry states, “the most beloved text of the Bible.” It may also be an answer to its’ immediate predecessor, psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me from my cries of anguish? The metaphor of shepherding is plentiful in the Bible appearing in fully half of the books of Christian Scripture.

St. Augustine assumed that the shepherd is Christ and what the shepherd does here, Christ does for his church. “He restores my soul.” While it is possible to read and enjoy this book alone it would be more useful to have a Bible at hand since the psalms are not included in full context.

Killing Reagan

By Bill O’Reilly & Martin Dugard Henry Holt $30 Despite the title, Reagan was not killed by the assassin’s bullet that came within an inch of his heart. Incredibly, he joked about it saying to wife Nancy, “Honey, I forgot to duck.” Moments before, he said to the Secret Service agent who had saved his life that he hoped the doctors were Republicans to which Dr. Giordano, a lifetime Democrat, tells Reagan, “Mr. President, today we are all Republicans.” He survived John Hinckley’s assassination attempt and served out his full two terms as president of the United States. Since they couldn’t talk about his death, the authors gathered an enormous amount of details about Reagan’s entire life, so much so, it required extensive footnotes to get it all in and with O’Reilly’s flare for compelling language, it makes for an enjoyable read.

www.bayoucatholic.com

35

Special

Vandy student named National Merit Finalist Story by Janet Marcel Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier

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Reed Arceneaux, senior at Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma, was recently named a National Merit Finalist by the National Merit® Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955.

Reed is the son of Brian and Krissy Arceneaux.

He has two younger sisters, a freshman who also attends Vandebilt and one who is in sixth grade at St. Bernadette Elementary School in Houma. They are parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Bayou Black.

“I was surprised, but really happy when I found out that I had been named a finalist,” says Reed.

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Chemistry teacher Sandi Prejean with Reed Arceneaux

Happy Mother’s Day

Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb?

Even should she forget, I will never forget you.

Isaiah 49:15

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“I felt like all of my hard work had paid off, especially on my essay. I worked really hard on that essay.”

The topic for the essay he had to write was overcoming a challenge. Reed and his family moved from New Orleans to Houma halfway through his seventh grade year, which he says was a big adjustment, so that’s what he decided to write about.

He attended St. Philip Neri School in Metairie and Christian Brothers School in New Orleans before moving to Houma.

Reed says he feels fortunate to be able to attend a Catholic high school. “The academics here are great.

Having a religion class kind of helps you to clear your mind, relax a little bit during the day and put things into perspective.”

Reed is a member of Vandebilt’s Quiz Bowl team, which won the Division 2 championship this year, the National Honor Society and the Frisbee club. In his free time, he enjoys fishing and hanging out with friends.

His favorite subjects are math and chemistry and his most challenging subject is English. Although he’s not 100 percent sure yet, he says he’ll probably pursue a degree in chemical engineering and has narrowed down his choice of college to either Louisiana Tech University in Ruston or LSU in Baton Rouge.

Reed says he is a little nervous about graduating from high school. “I am definitely going to miss my time here, but I’m looking forward to going to college, also.”

Wendy Matherne, Vandebilt’s senior high guidance

counselor, says she’s very proud of him. “Reed is very family-oriented. He’s a good person. He values education and he really appreciated everything his teachers here have done for him. I have no doubt that he is going to do great things.”

High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.5 million entrants from more than 22,000 high schools each year, and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements. Of the 1.5 million entrants, some 50,000 with the highest PSAT/ NMSQT® Selection Index scores (critical reading + mathematics + writing skills scores) qualify for recognition in the National Merit® Scholarship Program.

To become a finalist, the semifinalist and their high school must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.

Finalists are the highest-scoring entrants in each state and represent less than one percent of each state’s high school seniors.

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ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT POSITION AVAILABLE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS OFFICE OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

MISSION/VISION STATEMENT The Office of Religious Education serves the catechetical needs of all people in the Archdiocese of New Orleans by providing lifelong formation centered in the person of Jesus Christ that echoes Christ, his teachings, and his invitation to discipleship.

Who May Apply: • Anyone who meets the following qualifications: Qualifications: • 5+ years experience as an administrative assistant • Able to communicate effectively with priests, deacons and lay ministers • Proficient in MS Office Suite and Social Media, including ability to create posts for our website and social media • Able to multitask with extraordinary attention to detail and organization, possess secretarial skills, and be both a self-starter and problem solver Responsibilities include: • Maintain weekly calendar and monthly log, take minutes at weekly meetings, compose correspondence, and schedule appointments for the Director and Associate Directors.

• Organize communication, scheduling and priorities for the ORE • Use social media to inform parishes of events sponsored offered by ORE • Create and publish monthly newsletter • Work with regional diocesan Directors of Religious Education and Planning committee in order to produce a successful Gulf Coast Faith Formation Conference • Support the planning, coordination and execution of the goals for the ORE Salary: Based on qualifications and experience Closing Date: April 29, 2016 How to apply: Submit a cover letter, resume and two letters of recommendation Where to apply: Archdiocese of New Orleans, Office of Religious Education • 7887 Walmsley Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70125 Attention: Dianne Condiff-Higgins, Registrar/Office Manager www.bayoucatholic.com

Strategic Planning

Testimonial:

In Lewis Carroll’s story of Alice in Wonderland, Alice is lost and asks the Cheshire Cat for directions. The cat logically asks Alice where she Rev. Wilmer Todd is going. Alice says she doesn’t know, and the cat responds saying, “If you don’t know where you are going, anyplace will do.” That profound insight reveals where many church people are today.

If we don’t know where we are going it doesn’t matter how we get there. However, the diocese has given us a challenge and an opportunity to give direction to our lives through diocesan Strategic Planning. For many church people, 38 religion is doing “holy things” like

A challenge and an exciting opportunity

being baptized, going to church, saying prayers, volunteering, going to religion classes, being confirmed, etc. Our religion is not something we do, but who we are in relation to God. In fact, the whole purpose of religion is to build a relationship with God in Jesus Christ. That means we must spend time together, have open communication (a good prayer life), develop common interests, love what God loves, put our lives at the service of the Almighty.

When Jesus was about to leave this earth, he gave his church what we often call the Great Commission: “Therefore go 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 obey everything I have commanded you.” And Jesus reminds us, “And I am with you

always, until the end of the age” (Matthew 28: 18-20).

Jesus gave the Great Commission to a group, not to an individual. He gave it to the whole church. We are told to “make disciples.” When Jesus talks about being a disciple, he is not talking about learning facts about what happened 2,000 years ago. The Lord wants us to become followers in what we believe and in the way we live. He also wants us to invite others to become followers of Jesus. We do this by the way we live our lives – not in isolation but in reaching out to others and witnessing who God is in and for us.

Jesus tells us to baptize, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”; this is the first time all three members of the Trinity are explicitly listed side by side. When we are baptized, we are publicly identified as a

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Thank you for supporting the fight against cancer in our community!

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FRANK P. CLEMENTS, SR.

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Samanie

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Strategic Planning child of God. We become a member of God’s family.

Then Jesus tells us to “teach them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Baptism is a one-time event. Teaching takes a lifetime. In fact, it takes a lifetime to learn and to understand the things we are supposed to pass on to others. So we are talking about a lifelong commitment to work with the Lord and to teach others to do his work. We also have Jesus’ assurance that he will be with us to help us carry out his work. The Strategic Planning is our call to work in the vineyard of the Lord.

Our diocesan Strategic Planning can make Jesus’ Great Commission come alive. It’s much more than maintaining the status quo. We realize as Catholic Christians that we have a mission from the Lord. We look at our strengths and weaknesses to see how we can work as a church to make disciples, bring people to the baptismal font to be part of God’s family, and involve them in a lifelong dedication to the teaching and lifestyle of Jesus.

Through the Strategic Planning we are challenged to become excited about the opportunity each of us has to be a part of moving our diocese into the future. To achieve this we have to be focused, to have goals, to set priorities, to know what direction we want to take our diocese. We must decide where we are going, decide what are the most important things that need to happen to get there, share our vision, and then focus ourselves on getting the job done.

Unlike Alice, we need to know where we are going. We need to be a part of the church that leads the diocese in a new and life-giving direction. This is a tremendous challenge and an exciting time and we can do it.

Diocesan Outreach Line

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

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

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

Línea de Comunicación Diocesana

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

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

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

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

39

Special Event

Catholic Community Center Blessed, rededicated after major renovation

By Susan Terrebonne The Catholic Community Center (CCC), a program of Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux that provides food and clothing to the needy in the South Lafourche area, was recently blessed and rededicated

by Bishop Shelton J. Fabre after it underwent a major renovation project to provide a more spacious, well-lit and pleasant shopping experience for customers and to improve the working conditions for our volunteers.

The project was made possible through generous donations from Bayou Community Foundation (The Harold and Gloria Callais Family), and through the Community Foundation of Acadia, Mike and Blanche Callais, Welch Electric, Chevron Humankind volunteer matches for Larry Louviere, Butch Renois & Glen Terrebonne, St. Joseph Church’s Holy Name Society, St Joseph Church, Knights of Columbus Council 9000 in Golden Meadow, James Rome, and Fraternus’ members Anthony Picciola and Dillan Sassoni, Chine’s Net Shop, and Wow Wee, LLC, and by discounted services received from Teche Electric, Gaudet Electric and Delta Doors of Houma.

A new air conditioning/heating unit was installed 40 and the warehouse one storage room (a 2,500 square foot room with 11 and a half foot ceilings was converted into the new retail space. The work was done mostly on days that the Center was closed (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays) by volunteers.

Warehouse one was emptied one side at a time and cleaned from the ceiling to the floor. The floors were thoroughly scrubbed with floor cleaner using deck brushes, then painted with textured floor paint. The walls were cleaned and then painted; over 60 gallons of paint was used for this project. Three new LED light fixtures were installed along the upper left and right walls to provide much needed additional light. Above each light fixture an emergency light was installed.

The existing racks were repaired and many new racks built. Thousands of pieces of clothing had to be moved during this process. Several ponderosa pine boards (which used to sit on top of the racks to hold excess hangers) were recycled into wall partitions.

The wall partitions were intentionally designed to make full use of the available materials. Over 40, four foot long metal shelves were scrubbed, sanded where needed and spray painted.

An American flag was proudly hung on the right wall. New, custom built, three sided checkout desks were made and installed. Behind the desk area hangs a Papal Flag, along with a picture of Sister Stanislaus Langlinais, O.P., long-time administrator of the Center, and our Mission Statement.

The rollup door on the front wall was left in place to provide security; however, a new front wall was installed directly in front of the roll up door. To meet code, we had to change the plans from one front door Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre blesses the rededicated Catholic Community Center located in Galliano.

to two.

At CCC, it takes a community to raise and support all the members of that community with mercy and compassion. It is the humbled way of life here, in which the citizens partake of every day. How truly blessed are all of us to be a part of that generous, caring and supportive group of “Love thy Neighbor.” During the entire length of the project, we were led down a faithful path and provided for every step of the way. It was truly an awe inspiring journey. We are very thankful and feel deeply blessed.

The center experienced so many generous and anonymous donations of clothing, pictures and miscellaneous items by residents of the area. The mirrors and stained glass that was installed were left to us as donations and were great inspirations. Also, the anonymous donor of the Papal flag and the Louisiana flag was an honor to us.

a

Catholic Community Center volunteers, supporters and diocesan leaders attended the rededication recently in Galliano.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

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Many CCC volunteers along with volunteers Joycelyn and Butch Renois, and Glen Terrebonne came on countless days to help with everything. Many other volunteers also came on their days off to work on this project.

All these mentioned and more are in collaboration to ensure that the basic needs of the people in our communities are met.

Together, we are truly a community of “People, Helping People.� The Center collaborates with Our Lady of the Rosary Church parish in Larose and Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church parish in Golden Meadow to provide other needed services.

We have so many dedicated volunteers whose service makes it possible for us to continue our operation.

Our volunteers worked 8,447 41 hours in 2015 and 8,000 hours in 2014. Many of them have volunteered at CCC for decades. We truly value the time of those who continually volunteer, including the CCC Advisory Board Members, for their time and guidance to this organization.

(Susan Terrebonne is the diocesan manager of the Catholic Community Center.)

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Bayou Patrons

St.Eloi

Patron saint of jewelers, mechanics, veterinarians and more

C 42

Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

Continuing our Bayou Patrons series, this month’s featured Saint is Eloi, which is French for Eligius.

Eloi was born around 590 A.D. near Limoges in France. As a young man, Eloi was apprenticed to the master of the mint at Limoges. He became an extremely skillful metalsmith and was appointed master of the mint under King Clotaire II of Paris.

Eloi developed a close friendship with the king and his reputation as an outstanding metalsmith became widespread. With his fame came fortune; Eloi was very generous to the poor, ransomed many slaves, and built several churches and a monastery at Solignac. He also erected a major convent in Paris with property he received from Clotaire’s son, King Dagobert I. In 629, Eligius was appointed Dagobert’s first counselor. Eloi later fulfilled his desire to serve God as a priest, after being ordained in 640. He was appointed bishop of Noyon-Tournai three years after the king’s death in 642 and worked for 20 years to convert the pagan population of Flanders to Christianity (www.catholic.org/saints).

According to its history, the church parish of St. Eloi and the community of Theriot is the living legacy of its founding family. The land for the church was donated by Michel Eloi Theriot’s widow Marie Seraphine Theriot in memory of her late husband and in thanksgiving for the safe return of all of her sons from the Civil War. The church was dedicated under the invocation of St. Eloi in April 1875.

Michel Eloi Theriot and his wife, Marie Seraphine Thibodeaux, the devoted pioneer Couple of Bayou Dularge, placed their great faith in God as they struggled to settle a new land and bring the Catholic faith to their descendants. They left their mark for all time and all generations to come, through this living, spiritual gift and legacy to be shared in St. Eloi Church parish. Michel Eloi Theriot was an esteemed citizen and due to his great energy, perseverance and faith in God’s promise to assist all who asked for aid, he induced many to settle along Bayou Dularge (Xplorin’ Acadiana; The founding family of St. Eloi in Theriot; by Sherwin Guidry).

Rev. Florentino Santiago, pastor of St. Eloi since June 2009, says he believes that Michel Eloi Theriot, like the saint he is named for, used his talents and wealth to better the welfare of the people in his community.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

The use of one’s talents and wealth for the welfare of humanity is a very true reflection of the image of God. In the case of St. Eloi he was so well liked that he attracted many to Christ. His example should encourage us to be generous in spirit and kind and happy in demeanor (Catholicexchange.com).

St. Eloi, whose Feast Day is Dec. 1, is the patron saint of goldsmiths, jewelers, other metalworkers and coin collectors, taxi drivers and mechanics. He is also the patron saint of veterinarians, the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), a corps of the British Army, but he is best known for being the patron saint of horses and those who work with them. He is generally represented in Christian art in the garb of a bishop, a crosier in his right hand, on the open palm of his left a miniature church of chased gold.

There are two categories of saints: martyrs and confessors. A Christian martyr is regarded as one who is put to death for his Christian faith or convictions.

Confessors are people who died natural deaths. St. Eloi died of natural causes in 659 A.D.

Exterior and interior of St. Eloi Church in Theriot

43

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Cover Story

Grow, provide, support Vegetable garden meets needs of the poorest Story by Janet Marcel

“When food is shared in a fair way, with solidarity, when no one is deprived, every community can meet the needs of the poorest” (Pope Francis). That quote embodies all the Saint Francis Vegetable Garden, a nonprofit organization that was established in the spring of 2013 by a group of Thibodaux citizens, aims to accomplish.

In 2013, Chris Ledet, Kimber Ratcliff and Nancy Bernard reached out to Rob Gorman, executive director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux (CCHT), and Germaine Jackson, director of Social Services for 44 CCHT at the time, to discuss ways they could give back to the community. Gorman told them about a need that the food banks had for fresh produce. All three of them had a common interest in farming/ gardening and knew of teachers who wanted a way to teach children about where healthy and local food comes from.

Those needs were combined into the mission statement for a nonprofit organization with Ledet as president, Ratcliff as vice president, and Bernard as secretary/ treasurer. The mission of the Saint Francis Vegetable Garden is threefold and allows the organization to serve all members of the community: 1) Grow community vegetable gardens and donate the harvest to local food banks; 2) Provide teachers and parents a living outdoor classroom; and 3) Support local growers by educating the community on the importance of fresh local food for our health and the region’s economy Just three years later, the Saint Francis Vegetable Garden received the 2016 National Association of Social Workers, Louisiana (NASW-LA) Company/ Organization of the Year award. Germaine Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

Jackson, Chris Knobloch, principal of St. Genevieve Elementary School in Thibodaux, Tammy Medlen, social worker at H.L. Bourgeois, Katherine Elias and Trisha Clement, volunteers, all wrote letters on behalf of the garden in support of its nomination.

Ratcliff explains that the City of Thibodaux donated use of the land and provides the water for irrigation of crops meter free. The garden, which is the size of a football field including the end zones, is tilled and rowed by local farmers who donate their time and expertise. Corporate groups, individual volunteers, civic and religious organizations, and master gardeners plant and maintain the gardens that are planted each fall and spring.

Over three tons of fresh produce has been donated to the food banks since the organization’s inception.

In the fall, cabbage, radishes, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, lettuce, turnips, mustard greens and collard greens are among the items planted. In the spring, tomatoes, bell peppers, green beans, watermelon, cucumbers, eggplant, sunflowers, pumpkins, squash, zucchini and cantaloupe are among the items planted. Future plans are being discussed to plant a fruit orchard on the property, also.

Over 1,000 students have visited the garden on field trips, which are offered free of charge, says Ratcliff.

“This garden is changing the way children in our community view healthy eating. The most important lessons learned at the garden are ones that children don’t realize they are learning which are self-sufficiency and the importance of giving back to your community.”

The organization doesn’t sell anything that is grown in their garden and no one is paid, stresses Bernard.

However, she explains, last spring the Rienzi Market was created as the fulfillment of the third part of the organization’s mission. The market features local farmers selling their own fruit, vegetables, seafood, flowers, plants, honey, eggs, meat, artesian bread, etc.

a

The Rienzi Market is the only farmer’s market in the state that does not charge farmers a fee for selling there. It takes place every Thursday from 3:30 to 6 p.m. behind the garden on Rienzi Drive in Thibodaux.

“The most exciting part of our organization is the support that we provide for those who want to replicate a garden in their own community or school. This spring we designed, obtained funding for and installed three additional gardens,” says Ratcliff.

There is now a garden on the grounds of the Southdown Plantation Museum which mirrors the garden in Thibodaux.

Produce grown there will be donated to the food banks in Terrebonne Parish and provide an opportunity for field trips.

A raised bed school garden at Thibodaux Elementary will be used to teach health lessons as well as provide sensory therapy for the autistic students at the school. At H.L. Bourgeois High School in Gray, a local architect donated inkind services and designed a handicapped accessible garden that will be used by students parish-wide. The food grown in the garden will be used in life skills classes for students with special needs.

The organization’s goal is to have a St Francis Vegetable Garden in every school or town that could benefit from it and the organization has established templates for community and school gardens. St. Genevieve Catholic School in Thibodaux has committed to having a garden at the school.

Open harvest takes place three days a week from the end of May until the end of June. The organization is asking for families, individuals or groups to help harvest and deliver food to the food bank during this time; however they are always looking for more volunteers.

For more information, visit the organization’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/St-Francis-Vegetable-Garden; website: stfrancisvegetablegarden.org; call (512) 924-0800 or email stfrancisvegetablegarden@gmail.com.

45

The St. Francis Vegetable Garden organization received the 2016 National Association of Social Workers, Louisiana Company/Organization of the Year award recently. In the photo above, Tammy Medlen, social worker at H.L. Bourgeois High School in Gray, (far left) was one of the supporters of the nomination. Members of the organization receiving the award are Chris Ledet, president of the board; Nancy Bernard, secretary/treasurer; and Kimber Ratcliff, vice-president. www.bayoucatholic.com

Special

46

n e p O w o N

Independent living residential community in Thibodaux

Cardinal Place, a new 55+ independent living residential community in Thibodaux, is now open; it was announced by the St. Joseph Manor’s Board of Directors recently.

The Board’s vision was to have a place where people in the Thibodaux-Houma area, who wanted to live independently, could do so in modern apartment homes.

Cardinal Place, which is located at 1209 Cardinal Dr. next to St. Joseph Manor, offers maintenancefree living in a convenient, safe location. There is nothing like Cardinal Place in this region.

“Cardinal Place is a reality because of Msgr. Francis Amedee’s vision over 20 years ago. We see Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

Cardinal Place as part of Msgr.

Amedee’s grand plan,” according to Ann Thibodaux, administrator.

Cardinal Place includes one and two-bedroom apartments, all with patios or balconies in a three-story building with an elevator and covered parking. The apartments are designed with nine foot ceilings, crown molding, granite counter tops and stainless steel kitchen appliances. Also, residents can enjoy access to a community room that includes a fitness center, gathering area with a large screen TV, and indoor and outdoor spaces to entertain.

The development will be built in two phases. This first phase consists of 24 apartments with

one apartment designed as the community room. Phase 1 opened at the end of February 2016. The current floor plans range from 785 to 1,121 square feet. There are only five apartments available; one onebedroom and four two-bedroom apartments.

“Cardinal Place is designed for residents who want to enjoy and share an active-living lifestyle with their friends. Already, it is a very active and vibrant community,” says Natalie Barbera, marketing director.

The official Grand Opening was held Thursday, April 28. For more information, contact Ann Thibodaux or Natalie Barbera at (985) 446-9050.

Cardinal Place includes one and two-bedroom apartments, all with patios and balconies in a three-story building with elevator and covered parking.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier 47

Diocesan Programs This Month “Spotlight on the Diocese” Host: Louis Aguirre With Guests: Father Andre’ Melancon Pastor, St. Thomas Aquinas

Father Simon Peter Engurait Moderator of the curia

HTV/VISION COMMUNICATIONS, CHARTER COMM. & COMCAST CHANNEL 10 ALLEN’S TV CABLE MORGAN CITY CHANNEL 71 (Digital Channel 30.1-UHF & Channel 7.1-VHF) Mondays - 9:30 a.m.

Thursdays - 9:30 a.m. & 11:00 p.m.

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104 East Bayou Rd. (Hwy 308) Thibodaux, LA 70301 ~ (985) 446-3736 www.thibodauxpt.com www.bayoucatholic.com

Special Events

Food for the Journey is June 7 The diocesan Office of Religious Education sponsors a monthly lunchtime speaker series on the first Tuesday of the month. The event is now being held at the Ellendale Country Club Restaurant located at 3319 Highway 311 in Schriever.

The speaker for June 7 is Houma native Rev. Michael Bergeron.

Father Bergeron, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church parish in Thibodaux, was ordained to the priesthood June 8, 1996. He has served as associate pastor at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux and St. Bernadette Church parish in Houma; and as pastor of St. Bridget Church parish in Schriever, St. Lawrence Church parish in Chacahoula, St. Anthony

Rev. Michael Bergeron

of Padua Church parish in Bayou Black, Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church parish in Golden Meadow and Annunziata Church parish in Houma. He also served as Dean of

the Upper Lafourche Deanery and is currently the chaplain for the Marian Servants of the Word in Thibodaux.

Those who plan to attend the June 7 event should RSVP with their name, phone number and church parish by Thursday, June 2. 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.”

Charities assistant director named

Jessica G. Davies, LCSW, is the new assistant director for 48 Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux (CCHT).

Davies, who is a native of Slidell, obtained a bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond in which she majored in social work and minored in English. She earned a master’s degree in social work from LSU and holds a post-master’s certificate in adoption competency.

Davies has been a licensed clinical social worker for 18 years and has worked in a variety of social service settings, including: adoption, counseling and family services; family preservation and crisis intervention; substance abuse; medical; parent education and teen pregnancy prevention; school; community psychiatric supportive treatment and psycho-social rehabilitation. She also previously served as associate director of the diocesan Grants Office which included seeking grants to provide funding for programs of CCHT. Davies and her husband Todd have been married for 18 years.

They are parishioners of Maria Immacolata in Houma.

“I am pleased that Jessica is the Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

new assistant director for Catholic Charities.

Jessica previously worked for CCHT before moving to Texas. She has been back in Houma for a couple of years and I’m happy to welcome her back to Catholic Charities,” says Rob Gorman, executive director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

Davies is replacing Germaine Jackson, director of Social Services for Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

Jessica Davies

May Crowning is May 7 There will be a May Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma, Saturday, May 7 beginning at 8 a.m. with praying of the rosary in the church. Mass will be celebrated at 8:30 a.m., with Crowning of the Blessed Mother in the Our Lady of Lourdes prayer garden at 9 a.m. Lite refreshments will be served in the Youth Center.

After refreshments are served, the Little Poor Friars and Poor Nuns, V.V., of Jesus and Mary (http://nuke.poorfriars.net/) will

lead a sidewalk rosary procession on foot from the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales across the bridge over the Intracoastal Canal to Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church where there will be adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with a short reflection.

This 30-45 minute procession is scheduled to take place after each first Saturday 8:30 a.m. Mass throughout the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Vehicle transportation back to the Cathedral is being planned.

Foster grandparents honored

Foster grandparents from the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux were honored at a luncheon recently at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Schriever. In the bottom photo, foster grandparents who were honored for 10,000 or more hours of volunteer service pictured with Van Johnson, Foster Grandparent Program director, and Robert Gorman, executive director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, are Audrey Williams, Shirley Adams, Effie Bennett, Luvenia Fletcher, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, Frances Thomas, Patsy O’Gwin, Iola Harris, Rosa Butler, Harriet Matthews, Rachel Perez, from Senator David Vitter’s Office; and Barbara Claudet, Foster Grandparent Program advisory board president. Not pictured are Verna Bernard, Edrine Castle and Ella Knightshead.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier 49

ASSOCIATE FOR MISSION AND MINISTRY POSITION AVAILABLE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS OFFICE OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

MISSION/VISION STATEMENT The Office of Religious Education serves the catechetical needs of all people in the Archdiocese of New Orleans by providing lifelong formation centered in the person of Jesus Christ that echoes Christ, his teachings, and his invitation to discipleship.

Who May Apply: • Practicing Catholic who meets the following qualifications: Qualifications: • Masters degree or higher in theology or related field • 5+ years’ experience in parish as a DRE • Able to communicate effectively with priests, deacons and lay ministers • Proficient with MS Office Suite and Social Media • Possess knowledge of resources for effective faith formation for youth and adults in parish ministry • Able to be a resource to parishes in establishing adult faith formation committees and programs • Bilingual in Spanish a plus Responsibilities: • Coordinate the goals and mission of the Office of Religious Education and Archdiocese of New Orleans with the priorities and goals of the Synod that specifically relate to the ORE. Craft procedures to implement these goals in parishes. Sync goals with GCFFC goals and help plan the conference.

• Work in collaboration with other diocesan offices.

• Supervise parish catechetical programs.

• Promote innovative techniques to revive Parish School of Religion programs.

• Use social media to inform the parishes of resources events, classes, etc. offered by ORE. • Teach classes for ACCP courses.

• Provide resources and classes for the Hispanic and Vietnamese communities.

• Maintain weekly calendar and monthly.

Salary: Based on qualifications and experience Closing Date: April 29th, 2016 How to apply: Submit a cover letter, resume and two letters of recommendation Where to apply: Archdiocese of New Orleans, Office of Religious Education • 7887 Walmsley Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70125 Attention: Dianne Condiff-Higgins, Registrar/Office Manager www.bayoucatholic.com

Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel installed in Lafayette

JM WALKER PHOTOGRAPHY

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Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel was installed as the Seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette Friday, April 15, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette. Bishop Deshotel succeeds Bishop Emeritus Michael Jarrell.

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www.stjosephmanor.org 51

Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to Mexico since 2007, has been appointed the new apostolic nuncio to the United States. He succeeds Achbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, 75, who is retiring. More information on the new nuncio will be published in the next issue of Bayou Catholic.

n e p O w o N

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Sports

Overtime

I 52

Ed Daniels

In a city shocked by the alleged murder of former Saints defensive end Will Smith, no one was more shocked than a man who played football with Smith and his alleged shooter.

Marlon Favorite, who prepped at West Jeff, and later played at LSU, said when he came to the Saints, he had the locker right next to Smith’s. And, later he practiced against Smith’s accused killer, former Voodoo offensive lineman Cardell Hayes.

“I never saw him get into any confrontation,” said Favorite of Hayes.

“He never struck me as a guy who was a trouble maker. I know he’s a big guy with dreadlocks, but he’s a Teddy bear.”

Smith’s tragic death will intensify the call for stricter gun control laws.

Favorite says there’s much more to a complex problem.

“We need families,” said Favorite.

“Kids need to have their Moms and their Dads in their lives.”

In the meantime, the Saints and guns have collided before.

In the late 80s, I once did an interview with a Saints player who complained the way he was being treated by the organization.

He was traded days later.

And, not because he spoke against the organization.

But, because he had a gun in the locker room.

Guns in the NFL are nothing new.

Former Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez played in the Super Bowl in February of 2012.

Three years later he was convicted of murder in the death of former semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd.

Hernandez, who was sentenced

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

Will New “Call us Orleans First” now pause in its reaction to gun violence? • Low Back Pain Mimi Wilson, OT, PA-C Jimmy N. Ponder, Jr., MD Adolfo Cuadra, MD

Your Spine & Pain Relief Specialists

to life in prison without parole, stands indicted for the murder of two others.

In 2007, NFL defensive backs Sean Taylor and Darrent WIlliams were both murdered.

Gun violence, said Favorite, is an accepted way of life in New Orleans.

“This is New Orleans, we see it every day and we have become numb to it.”

Favorite said he hopes the tragic death of Will Smith will make a city stop and pause in its reaction to gun violence.

“It is a big issue,” said Favorite.

“It is sad it had to come to this. But, I hope that this happening to Will, the fact that it is on this platform, his life isn’t taken in vain.”

“That we take what happened to him and make the better out of it.”

Favorite said he isn’t sure that Smith or Hayes knew each other before the tragic events of Saturday night, April 9.

But, he is sure of two things.

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2016 Graduation

Contents Central Catholic

Vandebilt Catholic

E.D. White Catholic

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Nicholls State

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Grand Isle

South Lafourche

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Graduation 2016

Ellender High 54

69 Thibodaux High

South Terrebonne

Morgan City

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H.L. Bourgeois

Central Lafourche

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

Terrebonne High

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htdiocese.org

NOW AVAILABLE

Graduation

Central Catholic graduation is May 16

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LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Central Catholic High School in Morgan City will hold its commencement exercises Monday, May 16, at 6 p.m., at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Morgan City.

The members of the 2016 graduating class chose the rose as its flower, gold and navy as its colors and “Our lives are before us, the past is behind us, but our memories are forever with us” as its motto. The class song is “On Top of the World.”

Class officers are: Tanner Wiggins, president; Alli Comeaux, vice-president;

Samantha Willoughby, secretary; and Quinlan Duffy, treasurer.

The 23 potential graduates are: Joshua Abney, Cole Baker, Patrick Barron, Noah Belle, David Burton, Lindsee Case, Alli Comeaux, Quinlan Duffy, Nick Governale, Samuel Guarisco, Stefano Guarisco, William Hunter, Lauren Mabile, Brittani Marcell, Katelyn Mire, Jordan Morvant, Travis Ruffin, Miles Scarbrough, Charlie Solar, Emma Thomas, Tanner Wiggins, Sarah Williams and Samantha Willoughby.

Congratulations to all 2016 Graduates For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you... plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 We have gifts for the following occasions:

Graduation • Anniversaries • Baptism • Confirmation • First Communion • Dance Recitals Mother’s Day • Father’s Day • Weddings • Plus Other Seasonal Items

We carry a large selection of:

Bibles • Crucifixes • Rosaries • Medals • Prayer Cards Holy Water Fonts • Indoor Statues • Books • Music Gift Certificates Available Free Gift Wrapping with any In-Store Purchase

God’s Promises Books & Gifts

Galliano Religious Supply House

God’s Precious Word & Gifts

648 B Corporate Drive

18210 West Main Suite 13 (985) 632-3040 Galliano

601 St. Mary Street

(Behind Target)

Serving the Diocese since 1991

(985) 876-1283 Houma

(Next to Politz)

(985) 449-0618 Thibodaux

Donald & Tammy Plaisance, owners ~ Hours: Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm • Saturday 9am - 4pm Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

CONGRATULATIONS

Central Catholic High School Class of 2016

CCHS proudly salutes our Class of 2016.

You carry on a tradition of over 123 years of Catholic education in the Morgan City area, and we wish you continued success for a lifetime of accomplishments and contributions.

Central Catholic High School 2100 Cedar Street Unit 1 Morgan City, LA 70380 985-385-5372 ~ Fax: 985-385-3444 www.cchseagles.com www.bayoucatholic.com

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Graduation

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Vandebilt commencement is May 21 Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma will hold its commencement exercise Saturday, May 21, at 9 a.m., at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. The class of 2016 selected the sunflower as its class flower, lilac and ivory as its class colors, and “The Time of My Life” as its song. The class quote is “Yesterday you said tomorrow, just do it. Don’t let your dreams be dreams.”

Class officers are: Julia Hebert, president; and William Grace, vice-president/secretary.

The 184 graduates are: Delilah Abou-Issa, Morgan Adams, Kirsten Almeida, William Almeida, Reed Arceneaux, Datin Badeaux, Blake Barker, Alexis Barlow, Joshua Belanger, Allison Belle, Rachel Bergeron, Spencer Bernard, Brooke Bethancourt, Katelyn Blanchard, Madeline Bolduc, Jacob Boudreaux,

Joshua Boudreaux, Brooke Bourgeois, Remanjon Bourque, Jennie Bouzigard, Katie Bouzigard, Brock Bowie, Alexa Breaux, Ashley Breaux, Rebekah Breaux, Zachary Breaux, Michael Bruno, Elizabeth Brunet Burch, Candace Callais, Ellen Callais, John Callais, Courtney Cangelosi, Jake Cantrelle, Ethan Cazayoux, Jenna Cheramie, Jordan Chiasson, Samantha Clark, Ashley Clement, Sara Clement, Casey Cole, Alli Collins, Haley Collins, Stephen Collins, Ann Crain, Jacob Crochet, Nicholas Currault, Savannah Cutting, David Daigle II, Julia Daigle, Tyler Daigre, Taylor Danos, Abigail Davies, Christopher DeFelice, Logan Deroche, Keely Diebold, Britany Diefenderfer, Ninna Domangue, Morgan Donaldson, Marissa Duet, Alexandra Duplantis, Britain Duplantis,

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Congratulations, graduates!

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Vandebilt Catholic High School Class of 2016

As you received Jesus Christ the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Colossians 2: 6-7

www.bayoucatholic.com

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Elise Duplantis, Morgan Duplantis, Anna Dupre, Devin Dupre’, Jace Dupre, Miguel Espiritu, Katie Fairchild, Kalie Fick, Hayden Files, Ryan Fitch Jr., Jacob Fournier, Morgan Friloux, Carmonie Fuselier, Gabrielle Gauthreaux, Jason Gautreaux, Mitch Gautreaux, Spencer George, William Grace V, James Gregory, Cami Guidry, Emma Guidry, Cassie Hagen, James Handly, Abby-Gayle Harson, Jeanne Harson, Caroline Haydel, Gabrielle Hays, Bali Hebert, Hunter Hebert, Jonah Hebert, Julia Hebert, Grant Hemstreet, O’Shawn Henderson, Palmer Hill, Whitney Hotard, Chase Hutchinson, Sebastien Jongbloets, Alyssa Kaigler, Marie-Frances LaSalle, Evan Lawrence, Andrew LeBlanc Jr., Simone LeBlanc, Christian LeBoeuf, Breana LeBouef, Celeste LeCompte, Jacob LeCompte III, Alexander Ledet, Grant Ledet, Ross LeRay, Jillian Liner, Peyton Liner, Brennan Lirette, Cecilia Lirette, Maria Lirette, John Lyle, Dominic Maiorana, Alexis Mason, Maximilian Masters, Kye

Matherne, Donald McDowell Jr., Madelyn Melancon, Mason Melancon, Payton Miller, Allie Mitchell, Samuel Nunnally, Victoria Palmisano, Mallory Patterson, Sarah Pellegrin, Mitchell Peoples, Jessica Pickett, Catherine Picou, Isabel Picou, Rachel Picou, Jonah Pitre, Abbigail Poiencot, Malorie Pugh, Ross Reaves, Paul Reding, Harrison Reeves, Jordan Remont, Shelby Richaud, Blake Roberson, Dana Rodrigue, Hailey Rodrigue, Brent Roger, Charlotte Rome, Jeremy Rome, Madison Rousse, Mackenzie Rousseau, Spencer Russ, Christina Samanie, Amber Savoie, Mary Schwab, Cade Sharpe, Ryan Shaw, Madeline Simmons, Christopher Smith, Nicholas Smith, Victoria Smith, Brooke Sobert, Madeleine Soileau, Gabriel Sonnier, Jordan Soudelier, Adele St. Martin, Grant Stevens, Emily Teuton, Luke Thibodeaux, Maggie Thibodeaux, Mitchell Thomas, Claude Thompson Jr., Shane Thompson, Owen Trosclair, Katelyn Vanderkamp, Katherine Watkins, Abby Wayne, Brennon Wheeler, Brianna Whitney, Kali Wicklund, Emma Willis, Emma Wood, David Yancey, Zachary Zeringue and Trent Zorn.

Congratulations & Best Wishes to the 2016 Graduates!

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Enjoy the celebration and keep it a joyous one ... Be Responsible.

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Proverbs 16:3 742 Highway 182 • Houma, LA 70364 (985) 872-2413 www.cenac.com

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E.D. White commencement is May 20

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Edward Douglas White Catholic High School in Thibodaux will hold its commencement exercises Friday, May 20, at 6:45 p.m., at the Warren J. Harang Jr. Municipal Auditorium.

The 2016 class flower is the sunflower, while the class colors are seafoam green and midnight blue. The class song is “Whenever you Remember.” This year’s class has chosen as its motto, “Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.”

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

Class officers are: Whitney Sternfels, president; Caroline Babin, vice-president; and Jeanne Badeaux, Emma Bourgeois, Alaina Caballero, Kaylee Clement, Catherine Daigle, Gabrielle Durocher, Samantha Folse, Haley Fremin, Triston Gros, Mimi Guidry, Adelyne Labat, Jacie Oubre, Claire Robichaux, Katherine Scorsone, Taylor St. Pierre, Courtney Sylvest, ShlebyJane Theriot, Megan Waguespack and Sophie Waguespack, senior homeroom officers.

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2015 - 2016 Living Our Mission Imparting the Catholic Faith

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Promoting Academic Excellence

Enhancing Self-Esteem

www.bayoucatholic.com

Graduation The 138 graduates are: Andrew Adams, Gabriele Adams, Abbie Alexander, Colby Andras, Riley Andrews, John-Michael Ayers, Caroline Babin, Marlee Babin, Jeanne Badeaux, Dalton Beetz, Bradley Benoit, Devin Benoit, Tyler Benoit, Trey Besson, Mallory Bodin, Collin Borne, Dylan Boudreaux, Emily Boudreaux, Gage Boudreaux, Stephen Boudreaux, Abbey Bourgeois, Dru Bourgeois, Emma Bourgeois, Tierney Boyd, Collin Brazan, Kairon Brooks, Alaina Caballero, Grace Carmouche, Alec Champagne, Jacob Chighizola, Kaylee Clement, Thomas Clement, Ian Coats, Brennen Cooley, Holden Cortez, Max Cowen, Caroline Cruse, Catherine Daigle, Jay Danos, Riley Dill, Gabrielle Dubois, Patrick Dupre, Gabrielle Durocher, Shelby Ellis, Julia Enloe, Jill Erny, Jack Eroche, Brodie Falgoust, Dylan Falgoust, Ashlynn Folse, Samantha Folse, Scott Ford, Taylor Foret, Whitney France, Haley Fremin, Taylor Gravois, Cole Grazier, Cameron Gregory, Nicholas Gros, Triston Gros, Mimi Guidry, Seth Guillot, Kacey Gutierrez, Bradley Hamilton, Alex Hawkins, Michael Hawkins, Andrew Hebert, Grant Hebert, Jake Hebert, Lane Hebert, Tyler Hoffmann, Derek Hohensee, Blaize Hotard, Jason Hubbell, 64

Congratulations to all Graduates!

Best Wishes for a Successful Future.

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985-448-0753

www.ordoynefunerals.com ~ ordoynefuneralhome@gmail.com Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

Allie Iver, Winston Jones, Luke Konur, Adelyne Labat, Luke Labat, Noah Laiche, Katherine Landry, Laura LeBlanc, Emily Ledet, Damian Lefort, Breion Lewis, Pearce Martin, Ross Martin, Richard Martin II, Drew Matherne, Delaney McCall, Rebecca Menge, Jeffery Mike, Brianna Millet, Alec Naquin, Luke Oncale, Jake Orgeron, Jacie Oubre, Hayden Piper, Hugh Plaisance, Farhana Rais, Mohammed Rais, Nicolas Rathle, Evan Richard, Morgan Richard, Claire Robichaux, Elliot Rodrigue, Leah Rodrigue, Emily Rodriguez, Grace Rosado, Brendan Roth, Jeremy Rounds, Max Sampey, Nicolas Santiny, Joseph Schonacher, Katherine Scorsone, Rhae Sevin, Seth Shaw, Lila Shelby, Kayla Sherman, Andrew Soignet, Benjamin Sposito, Taylor St. Pierre, Trey St. Pierre, Whitney Sternfels, Joshua Sundaram, Courney Sylvest, Connor Talbot, Michael Thalheim, Haden Theriot, Samantha Theriot, Shelby-Jane Theriot, Brianne Thibodeaux, Emily Thibodeaux, Morgan Usey, Taylor Wagner, Megan Waguespack, Sophie Waguespack, Connor Ward, Kristen Williams, Ana Wilson, Jordan Wintter.

Four-step plan to changing careers and becoming a teacher

(BPT) - What’s your goal for 2016?

Do you want to lose weight, learn a new skill or quit smoking? Perhaps you’ve decided to set goals around your career instead. Earning more money or getting promoted are common pursuits, but what if your goal is bigger than just moving up in your current career? What if your goal is to change tracks entirely? What if 2016 were the year you decided to follow your ambition and become a teacher? It’s possible, and now’s the perfect time to pursue the role you’ve always wanted. If you’re sick of heading to work feeling uninspired and you’re ready to embrace the challenges and rewards of teaching, these four steps can help you make a successful career transition into teaching today.

Change your priorities Many people want to change jobs, but that desire is often overshadowed by concerns about how much money they’ll earn, how they’ll be seen by family and friends or their fears of trying something new. To change your career, you need to change your priorities. Make pursuing your

passion your number one objective and everything else will fall into place.

Seek expert knowledge If you’re going to make a career change, you want to do it right, and that means learning from the best in the business. For example, if you want to teach, the National Council on Teacher Quality ranked Western Governors University’s (WGU) secondary teacher prep program as the top program in the nation in terms of quality from a list of 2,400 programs. The school is the top producer of STEM teachers in the nation, making it an ideal destination for STEM professionals interested in inspiring the next generation in these important fields. To be your best you need to learn from the best so focus on what you want to do and start researching who does it better than anyone else.

Smart networking Knowledge is essential and the right connections will make sure it doesn’t go to waste. Connect with existing friends in your desired field or reach out and make new contacts through social media or

conferences and join clubs that cater to what you want to do. For aspiring teachers that can include networking with principals and current teachers. Often these connections open up doors for student teaching opportunities which can lead to full-time employment following graduation.

Above all, make sure you listen to those you meet instead of pushing your own agenda. Take in more business cards than you give out and you’ll build contacts that will help you grow in your new 65 profession.

Have faith in yourself Changing careers can be nervewracking, but it’s also exciting.

This is your chance to do what you’ve always wanted to do so don’t listen to those who tell you that you can’t do it. Have faith in yourself, your research, your education and your decision and you won’t regret your decision for a single moment once you’re finally in the career you’ve always wanted.

To learn more about the programs available through WGU, visit WGU.edu.

Samart Funeral Home & Crematorium of Houma Congratulations to our Graduates Best Wishes for a Bright Future 635 Bayou Blue Road • Houma, Louisiana 70364

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Guest Columnist

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Father Joey Pilola

Faith. Friends. Family. When you get to college your view on all of these will change. You will begin to question many things and hopefully will discover that what you learned about God, goodness, and healthy relationships when you were younger remains true. Still, as young adults, you must continue to grow in your understanding if you are truly going to make the faith your own. After you receive the sacrament of confirmation, you accept the responsibility for your own growth in faith. It is no longer the responsibility of your parents. It is yours.

What is faith? It is more than a set of truths that even second graders can memorize. Our faith involves our living relationship with God. All of our human relationships are founded on truths, but if they are to live and grow we have to act on them. If our relationships are founded on lies, they are false and will not survive. Eventually, all false relationships die. If we grow beyond the faith of children, we voluntary begin to apply what we believe is true to what we think, say and do. When this happens naturally, we can say that we have faith. When we take full responsibility for our faith, we practice our faith to maintain it and do what we can to help it grow. Brother Gabriel, O.C.S.C., a hermit of 14 years, once shared with me, “Brother, we must always be careful to practice what we believe. Otherwise, we will end up not believing what we never practice.”

How do we practice our faith on our own? As a high school student, even as a senior, I was a regular altar server, a member of the Junior Legion of Mary, and an officer of our church youth

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

Got Faith? group. When I was a freshman at Louisiana State University, I first made sure I went to Mass every weekend. This is the minimum. I began to pray every night before the Blessed Sacrament. At first it was only for a 10 minute prayer break to examine my day before the Lord. Then my prayer time turned into a half hour, then even longer.

By God’s grace that I received in my regular prayer, my faith went beyond myself and helped me reach out to my fellow students.

I gave witness to our faith not by preaching about it in the hallways or the street corners, but by being considerate of others around me by watching out for those that others picked on, reached out to those who were alone or hurting, or simply offered a helping hand to whoever needed help. I was doing these things without really being conscious of giving witness to my Catholic faith. I was just doing what I thought was right. It became clear what I was doing when one of my fellow students actually asked me, “Are you a Christian?” “Yes,” I replied, “Why do you ask?” He said, “Because you’re always so nice to me.”

Later, as an active member of the Christian Awakening Community with Campus Ministry, I really

began to grow in my faith. I was asked to give talks on prayer and family as well as work retreats for those who wanted to grow in their faith. On weekends, some of us began to regularly visit the nursing home. I began to go to daily Mass. However, this meant I had to choose between going to daily Mass or skipping lunch or supper because of my class schedule. I went to Mass. Members of the Awakening Community reawakened my childhood calling to the priesthood. Apparently, after witnessing the practice of my faith in many different ways my community was asking me to become one of its leaders.

So “How can you integrate your faith into your college life?” First of all, take responsibility for your faith. Living your faith is living your relationship with God. Like any human relationship, keep up with the ones you love. Talk to them regularly. Hang out with them. Work with them. Love who they love. Do what they do. Act on your own. If you love them, take the initiative. Don’t wait for someone else to tell you what to do. You now have earned a certain amount of personal freedom. What are you doing with it? Children only do what they want to do.

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Can you use your freedom to make yourself into what God is calling you to be? Remember that old saying, “Who you are is God’s gift to you. What you make of yourself is your gift to God.” Secondly, if you have already made your faith your own responsibility, are you willing to do more than the minimum requirements? Here it is not a matter of time, but a matter of priority and love. We always make the time for what we love and for what is most important to us. Do you really care about growing in, much less maintaining your relationship with God? If you do, like any of our human relationships, you have to put in the time. The Scriptures tell us to “pray always!” How can you pray always if you are not committed to praying “sometimes,” if not “regularly”?

Finally, ask God for the grace to arrange your daily college life so you can put your faith into practice. If faith is about your living relationship with God, do you love God enough to place him first when planning your day? For example, can you take the time to go to daily Mass beyond your Sunday obligation? If you cannot attend daily Mass, are you willing just to stop by the church and visit our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament?

As St. Benedict once said, “Prefer nothing to Christ, for he prefers nothing to you.”

In conclusion, realistically it is not a matter of integrating your faith into your college life, but rather, integrating your college life into your faith. God bless you. Amen.

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

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Nicholls spring commencement May 14

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Nicholls State University will hold its spring 2016 commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 14, in Stopher Gymnasium on the Nicholls campus.

Ceremonies for the College of Education and College of Nursing and Allied Health graduates will begin at 9 a.m.

Ceremonies for the College of Business Administration graduates will begin at Noon; and ceremonies for the College of Arts and Sciences graduates will start at 3 p.m.

U.S. Congressman Garret Graves will deliver the keynote address for all three ceremonies. A Baton Rouge native, Graves has represented Louisiana’s Sixth Congressional District since January 2015 and sits on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure as well as the House Committee on Natural Resources. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs and small business owners, he attributes his passion for public service to growing up in an environment that highly valued individual responsibility, innovation and a strong work ethic. Graves began his career working for former U.S. Senator John Breaux and U.S. Representative Billy Tauzin. He later served as a legislative aide for U.S. House and Senate committees focused on civil works, infrastructure and maritime policies. Prior to his election to the U.S. House of Representatives, Graves was the chairman of Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) as well as the state’s senior policy advisor on energy, environment, fisheries and disasters. Shortly after his election to Congress, Graves opened a Thibodaux district office on the Nicholls campus.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

Congratulations Graduates and Best Wishes for a Bright Future!

104 St. Patrick Hwy. Thibodaux, LA 70302 (985) 446-8826 www.thibodauxfuneralhome.com

Grand Isle graduation May 29 Grand Isle School will hold its commencement exercises at the Grand Isle School Gymnasium, Sunday, May 29 at 1 p.m.

The class colors are purple and light gray and the class flower is the tulip. Class song is “Millennia.” The class motto is “What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are small matters compared to what lies within us.”

Class officers are: Austin Adam, president; Kaleb Bradberry, vice-president; Toni Gerhauser, secretary; and Tanna Danos, treasurer.

South Lafourche graduation May 26

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

South Lafourche High School in Galliano will hold its commencement exercises Thursday, May 26, at 7 p.m., at the South Lafourche High School Auditorium. The class song is “We’re All in This Together,” and the class 69 colors are royal blue and silver. The class flower is the white rose. The motto the class chose is “Today is the tomorrow that we dreamed about yesterday.”

The class officers are: Kelsey Zeringue, president; Brooke Plaisance, vice-president; Carly Guidry, vicepresident; Zachary Breaux, secretary; Madeline Guidry, treasurer; and Desi Lagarde, reporter.

Representatives at large are: Briana Galiano, Dylan Callais, Rilan Percle and Kirsten Angelette.

Ellender High graduation May 18 Allen J. Ellender Memorial High School will hold its commencement exercises Wednesday, May 18, at 7 p.m., at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. The class song is “Time of Your Life.” The class colors are red, white and blue, and the class flower is the red rose. The class chose as its motto, “Learn as if you were to live forever, live as if you were to die tomorrow.”

The class officers are: Rochele Ward, president; Bryanna Gray, vice-president; Skyla Verdin, secretary; and Anikita Bolden, treasurer.

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Thibodaux High graduation May 24 Thibodaux High School will hold its commencement exercises Tuesday, May 24, at 6 p.m., at the Warren J. Harang Jr. Municipal Auditorium. The class of 2016 chose “Good Riddance,” as its class song. Class colors are purple and gold and the motto is “Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.”

The class officers are: Klint Landry, president; Caroline Neal, vice-president; Courtney Kern, secretary; and Taylor Mabile, reporter. Executive board members are: Grace Arceneaux, Janasia Ausama, Trinity Cole, Elise Degruise, Quentin Franck, Abigail Gautreaux, Chance Hebert, Madison Scioneaux, Zoe Talbot, Megan Thibodaux, McKenzie Torres and Kayla Webre.

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

South Terrebonne graduation May 23 South Terrebonne High School will hold its commencement exercises Monday, May 23, at 7 p.m., at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.

The class motto is “What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.” Class colors are green and black; the flower is the rose. “Forever Young” is the class song.

The class officers are: Paige Billiot, president; Kiley Lirette, vice-president; Yicel Barajas, secretary; and Kaci Credeur, treasurer.

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Morgan City High graduation May 20 Morgan City High School will hold its commencement exercises Friday, May 20, at 6 p.m., at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium.

The class song is “Little Wonders.” The class colors are pearl and gold, and the flower is the gladiolas. The class motto is “Don’t tell me the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon.”

The class officers are: IIeane Ledezma, president; Harleigh Price, vice-president; Krystina Pitre, secretary; Harleigh Price, executive president; and Krystina Pitre, executive vice-president.

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

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Catholic Schools Snaps: A quick take on issues and statistics 72

Class of 2016 and Best Wishes for a successful future.

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H.L. Bourgeois graduation May 19 H. L. Bourgeois High School in Gray will hold its commencement exercises Thursday, May 19, at 7 p.m., at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. The class of 2016 chose the gardenia as its flower; and blue and grey as its colors. The class motto is “You never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”

The class song chosen is “Smile.”

Class officers are: Sasha Patterson, president; Taylor Sauce, vice-president; Cassie Becnel, secretary; and Kristen Gil, treasurer.

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Central Lafourche graduation May 25 Central Lafourche High School in Raceland will hold its commencement exercises Wednesday, May 25, at 7 p.m., at the Warren J. Harang Jr. Municipal 73 Auditorium. The class colors are green and gold, and the flower is the talisman rose. The class chose “Truth Will Prevail” as its motto.

The senior class officers are: Claire Blanchard, president; Kiley Breaux, vice-president; Gabrielle Marcel, secretary; Taylor Ordoyne, treasurer; Abigail Grabert, parliamentarian; and Claire Melancon, reporter.

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Terrebonne High graduation May 24 Terrebonne High School will hold its graduation for 2016 Tuesday, May 24, at 7 p.m., at the HoumaTerrebonne Civic Center. The 2016 class flower is the tiger lily, while the class colors are crimson and gold.

The class song is “I Lived,” and the class moto is “Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.”

Class officers are: Jennifer Nguyen, president; Shelby Johnson, vice-president; Alyssa Dobson, secretary; and Katie Babin, treasurer.

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Catholic Schools Snaps: A quick take on issues and statistics 74

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2016

Living a life that’s better than a dream

By ERICK ROMMEL

Catholic News Service

The moment you transition from being a student to being a graduate is one of the greatest changes that takes place in your life.

For many, this takes place upon the completion of high school and again after four years of college.

Others then seek advanced degrees, while some make the quest for another diploma a lifelong affair.

Regardless of the number of times that you’ve graduated or plan to graduate, each moment is a milestone. No longer are you seeking knowledge to gain the approval of a teacher; you quickly trade one grading system for another. You must begin to please yourself -- and the grading curve is much steeper.

We all set goals based upon what we’ll do after our formal education ends. We plan to buy a car or go on a vacation in the same way we plan for an upcoming test.

We imagine a successful career, a family and a perfect life much the way we look at year-end finals.

Then we peer into the distant future and imagine a retirement, surrounded by loved ones, and enjoying a routine without school or work, just as we longed for a graduation still years into the future.

These short- and long-term goals drive us forward and compel us to succeed, but what happens when life doesn’t proceed the way we imagine? Finding any job, let alone the perfect job, is always tough, especially nowadays. Seniors who start looking for a job in their career field today may still be looking a year from now.

The important thing to remember is to remain calm.

Don’t panic. The life you live will be far different from the one you imagine, but different can still be great. In fact, different is often greater than you can dream.

No matter where you imagine yourself in 10, 20 or 50 years, chances are that, when you arrive at that special moment in time, the life you will be living will be far different from the life you expected to be living.

I hope it is true that the life you are capable of living is far better than the life of your dreams. So embrace it.

It won’t be what you imagined; it will be better! It will be the life you are living.

Congratulations,

Graduates!

Expect more from your bank.

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ns o i t a l u t a r g n o C ! s e t a u d a r G 2016 Bueche’s Jewelry

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