Bayou Catholic Magazine October 2018

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Bishop Shelton J. Fabre celebrates five years in Houma-Thibodaux OCTOBER 2018 ~ VOL. 39 NO. 4 ~ COMPLIMENTARY

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‘No one is excluded from the mercy of God ’

Answering God’s Call Rev. Stephen Lefort ordained to priesthood HOUMA, LA ~ JANUARY 2016 ~ COMPLIMENTARY

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Allons!

Let’s Go! Let’s Work Together!

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre’s Pastoral Letter on Strategic Planning

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A call to prayer

‘You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek’

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There is no joy like Easter joy!

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Grow, provide, support

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Farewell

Vegetable garden meets needs of the poorest

Louis G. Aguirre retires

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Life and Legacy Giving Thanks

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His Hands of Mercy

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Spring Marriage

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LENT Pope Francis: Never forget to smile, even when life is hard

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The Lord is Risen!

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Alleluia!

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Blue Mass honors first responders

Jubilation: three men ordained to the priesthood

St. Kateri

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Celebrating Life and Giving Thanks

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Bayou Catholic

Contents

Features 34 Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

celebrates anniversary

38

Laity in Action

42

Advertisers Spotlight

By Janet Marcel

By Janet Marcel

By Janet Marcel

Columns 8 Comfort For My People

By Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

12

Pope Speaks

13

Questions of Faith

14

Readings Between the Lines

30

Thoughts For Millennials

31

Reading With Raymond

Pope Francis I

By Father Wilmer Todd

By Father Glenn LeCompte

By Ryan Abboud

By Raymond Saadi

56 Overtime

By Ed Daniels

In Every Issue 6 From the Editor 16 Scripture Readings 26 Heavenly Recipes 28 Youth in Action 52 Diocesan Events Guest Columns 32 50th anniversary of Humanae Vitae

By Father Joseph Tregre

36

Good Leaders Good Shepherds

40

Priests Convocation

On Our Cover

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, fourth bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, celebrates his fifth anniversary as bishop here this month. A cover story can be found in this issue of Bayou Catholic on pages 34-35.

4 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • October 2018

By Father P.J. Madden

By Father John David Matherne

Announcements 45 World Mission Sunday Oct. 21 48 Director of communications named 49 Robert Gorman to retire June 2019 53 Eucharistic procession Oct. 6 54 St. Luke Fall Banquet Oct. 20

Bayou Catholic How to reach us:

BY PHONE: (985) 850-3132

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7

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

BY FAX: (985) 850-3232

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

Subscription rate is $35 per year.

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

Lawrence Chatagnier

editor and general manager

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

Janet Marcel

staff writer/administrative assistant

Cherie Glorioso

advertising accounts executive

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38

Brooks Lirette

advertising accounts executive

Lisa Schobel Hebert graphic designer

Bayou

Meridy Liner

accounts receivable/payable assistant

O U T D O O R

GUIDE

Like us on Facebook or Find us on the web www.bayoucatholic.org

Where to find your Bayou Catholic

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F A L L 2018

Bayou Catholic magazine can be found at all Catholic churches and Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

To pick up a copy, you may also visit the merchants who advertise in our issue. Those wishing to receive the magazine by mail can call Janet Marcel at (985) 850-3132 or write to Bayou Catholic, P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395.

Subscription price is $35 annually. For the online edition, go to www.bayoucatholic.com

October 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 5

From The Editor

We want your feedback

It is not uncommon for us from time to time to have some type of system in place to check out how we are doing in life. We do it annually in regard to our physical health through wellness screenings or checkups with our physician. We also take time to pause or reflect on where we are in life especially in our spiritual life by taking a good look inside ourselves by examining our conscience.

Employers measure their workers production with some form of employee evaluation periodically to discuss a worker’s strengths and weaknesses.

All of these evaluations involve feedback. The definition of feedback found in a dictionary is: Information about reactions to a product, a person’s performance of a task, etc., used as a basis for improvement.

This month we are asking our

readers for feedback. You will notice in this issue of Bayou Catholic a readership survey is included. The survey is tucked away between pages 54 and 55. This might seem to be an odd place to put a survey in a magazine. The survey falls between those pages because of what is called a signature. A signature is every 16 pages of the magazine. Due to binding issues (how the magazine is held together) this was the best location to place the survey without it appearing in the middle of a feature article.

The Bayou Catholic is in its seventh year as a magazine format.

Through those seven years we have tried to be consistent with the content, layout and style.

Moving forward, I have had discussions with Bishop Shelton J. Fabre concerning the relevance of where we are with the publication.

After much discernment it was suggested that we ask our readers to tell us what they like about the magazine, what columns are of interest, and how we can improve our publication.

I hope that everyone takes a couple of minutes and completes the readership survey. The survey can be completed at home and brought back to church during the month of October. Once completed the survey

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

which is printed on perforated paper can be torn out of the magazine and placed in a specifically marked box located in the back of the church for Bayou Catholic surveys, or can be mailed to the address on the bottom of the survey.

The boxes containing the surveys will remain in church for the month of October, after which they will be collected and analyzed.

Your input is very important and much needed. Your responses to the questions will give us direction as to what the people of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux want in their diocesan magazine. It is our hope that the results of the survey will help us to better serve, inform and inspire the Catholic faithful of our diocese.

Speaking on behalf of the entire Bayou Catholic staff, thank you for taking the time to fill out the survey.

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

Lawrence

Lawrence Chatagnier Editor & General Manager

Church Life

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary celebrates 70th anniversary Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church parish in Houma recently celebrated its 70th anniversary with a rededication and church blessing. Bishop Shelton J. Fabre was the main celebrant of the Mass, which was concelebrated by former priests who served at Holy Rosary Church.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

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

Comment

Our Pro-Life efforts must include the pursuit of the Common Good

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

The Disney classic The Lion King opens with the memorable scene of all the animals of the plains coming to celebrate the birth of Simba, the first cub of Mufasa and Sarabi. The ancient symbolism of the lion as the king of the jungle draws a new image.

These lions serve as the leaders of their land, and the birth of this new cub ensures the continued thriving of all the animals. Therefore, there is great rejoicing at the coming of this would-be lion king. Simba represents the hope that the animals have for the future. He represents the stability of the plains for the next generation.

Simba gives the other animals a reason to live freely and thrive. He gives them a glimpse into a world that is larger than themselves. In fact, this is really the moral of the whole film. We are connected to realities that are larger than ourselves. In the film, we watch Simba try to disentangle himself from the rest of the world, only to discover that what he really longs for is to be connected to something larger than himself.

October is Pro-Life month. The common narrative surrounding the ProLife Movement is that it is only about ending the horror of abortion. While ending abortion is indeed of paramount importance and a focus of the Pro-Life Movement, the Pro-Life Teaching of the Catholic Church addresses more than just the paramount and important issue of abortion. Equating the Pro-Life Movement only with ending abortion is just as short sighted as Simba’s focus

on only himself. Secular culture’s focus also tends to not be expansive enough.

Secular culture’s focus is usually shortsighted in the following ways: 1) It is concerned only with what is good for this current age; 2) It is concerned with exploiting the goods and resources that the world has to offer; 3) It is concerned only with the individual,

“

Our efforts in the Pro-Life Movement must also be directed toward ending capital punishment, euthanasia, hunger, inadequate housing, racism and inadequate health care, to name only a few of the other Pro-Life issues of the church.

“

Comfort For My People

and perhaps one’s family and friends; and 4) It is concerned only with what is going to increase individual pleasure.

If we truly want to strive to be ProLife, our focus cannot be shortsighted and limited like the focus of secular culture. We have to focus on what is good for all future ages, as well as what is prudent for now. We have to be concerned with the spiritual goods of

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

the life that is to come, as well as the goods of this world. We have to focus on what is good for all people, as much as for me and my family and friends.

We have to be concerned with pursuing the Common Good, and not solely on seeking pleasure and avoiding pain.

Likewise, the Pro-Life Movement cannot be just about ending abortion, but must also focus on establishing a just society that allows us to thrive as human persons. Our efforts in the ProLife Movement must also be directed toward ending capital punishment, euthanasia, hunger, inadequate housing, racism and inadequate health care, to name only a few of the other Pro-Life issues of the church.

The ongoing advancement of humanity is an important concern, and the protection of life from conception until natural death is a powerful place to start. The preservation of life makes a statement about what we believe about the value of human life and its dignity. It makes a statement about what we believe about ourselves. The recognition of my neighbor as a person of inestimable value changes the way I will relate to that person. Regardless of the circumstances of their lives, seeing others as human beings has the power to resolve and answer many of the concerns that seek to divide and separate us. In the face of another person, we see a reflection of our own humanity, and a reflection of Jesus Christ. As Scripture reminds us, if we cannot love the brother or sisters whom we can see, how can we love God whom we cannot see? (1 John 4:20).

Living the pro-life culture and healing our wounded secular culture has to start somewhere. Our actions and words have power. They have power to hurt or to heal, to build or to destroy, to give hope or to unleash despair. In all things, may we choose life, and recognize, like Simba, that we are a part of something larger than ourselves. BC

Comentario

Nuestros esfuerzos a favor de la vida deben incluir la búsqueda del Bien Común.

El clásico de Disney El rey León abre con la memorable escena de todos los animales de las llanuras que vienen a celebrar el nacimiento de Simba, el primer cachorro de Mufasa y Sarabi. El antiguo simbolismo del león como rey de la selva dibuja una nueva imagen. Estos leones sirven como líderes de su tierra, y el nacimiento de este nuevo cachorro asegura la prosperidad continua de todos los animales. Por lo tanto, hay gran regocijo por la venida de este posible rey león. Simba representa la esperanza que los animales tienen para el futuro. Representa la estabilidad de las llanuras para la próxima generación. Simba da a los otros animales una razón para vivir libremente y prosperar. Les da un vistazo a un mundo que es más grande que ellos mismos. De hecho, esta es la moraleja de toda la película. Estamos conectados a realidades que son más grandes que nosotros mismos. En la película, vemos a Simba tratando de separase del resto del mundo, sólo para descubrir que lo que realmente anhela, es estar conectado a algo más grande que él mismo.

Octubre es el mes Pro-Vida.

La narrativa común que rodea al Movimiento Pro-Vida es que sólo se trata de terminar con el horror del aborto. Si bien poner fin al aborto es de suma importancia y el enfoque del Movimiento Pro-Vida, la Enseñanza Pro-Vida de la Iglesia Católica aborda algo más que el tema primordial e importante del aborto. Equiparar el Movimiento Pro-Vida sólo con el fin del aborto es tan corto de miras como el enfoque de Simba en sí mismo. El enfoque de la cultura secular también tiende a no ser lo suficientemente expansivo; es usualmente miope de las siguientes maneras: 1) Sólo se ocupa de lo que es bueno para esta era

actual; 2) Se ocupa de la explotación de los bienes y recursos que el mundo tiene para ofrecer; 3) Se ocupa sólo del individuo, y tal vez de su familia y amigos; y 4) Se ocupa sólo de lo que va a aumentar el placer individual.

Si realmente queremos esforzarnos por ser Pro-Vida, nuestro enfoque no puede ser miope y limitado como el

enfoque de la cultura secular. Tenemos que centrarnos en lo que es bueno para todas las edades futuras, así como en lo que es prudente por ahora. Tenemos que preocuparnos por los bienes espirituales de la vida que está por venir, así como por los bienes de este mundo. Tenemos que centrarnos en lo que es bueno para todas las personas, tanto como para mí, mi familia y mis amigos. Tenemos que preocuparnos por perseguir el Bien Común, y no sólo por buscar el placer y evitar el dolor. De la misma manera, el Movimiento Pro-Vida no puede ser sólo para terminar con el aborto, sino que también debe enfocarse en establecer una sociedad justa que

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

nos permita prosperar como personas humanas. Nuestros esfuerzos en el Movimiento Pro-Vida también deben estar dirigidos a terminar con la pena capital, la eutanasia, el hambre, la vivienda inadecuada, el racismo y la atención médica inadecuada, por nombrar sólo algunos de los otros temas Pro-Vida de la Iglesia.

El avance continuo de la humanidad es una preocupación importante, y la protección de la vida desde la concepción hasta la muerte natural es un poderoso punto de partida.

La preservación de la vida hace una declaración sobre lo que creemos acerca del valor de la vida humana y su dignidad.

Hace una declaración sobre lo que creemos de nosotros mismos. El reconocimiento de mi prójimo como una persona de valor inestimable cambia la manera en que me relacionaré con esa persona.

Independientemente de las circunstancias de sus vidas, ver a los demás como seres humanos tiene el poder de resolver y responder a muchas de las preocupaciones que buscan dividirnos y separarnos. En el rostro de otra persona, vemos un reflejo de nuestra propia humanidad, y un reflejo de Jesucristo. Como nos recuerda la Escritura, si no podemos amar al hermano o a la hermana que podemos ver, ¿cómo podemos amar a Dios a quien no podemos ver? (1 Juan 4:20).

Vivir la cultura pro-vida y sanar nuestra cultura secular herida tiene que empezar en alguna parte.

Nuestras acciones y palabras tienen poder. Tienen poder para herir o sanar, para construir o destruir, para dar esperanza o para desatar la desesperación. De todas las cosas, elijamos la vida y reconozcamos, como Simba, que somos parte de algo más grande que nosotros mismos. BC

Binh luan bang loi

Những nỗ lực bảo vệ sự sống của chúng ta phải bao gồm việc theo đuổi lợi ích chung thế hệ hiện tại này; 2) Chỉ quan tâm đến việc khai thác lợi ích và tài nguyên mà thế giới phải cung cấp; 3) Chỉ quan tâm đến cá nhân, gia đình và bạn hữu; và 4) Chỉ quan tâm đến những gì sẽ làm tăng thêm niềm vui cá nhân.

Nếu chúng ta thực sự muốn phấn đấu để bảo vệ sự sống, sự tập trung của chúng ta không thể bị thiển cận và hạn chế như sự tập trung của nền văn hóa thế tục. Chúng ta phải tập trung vào những gì là tốt đẹp cho tất cả các lứa tuổi trong

“

Những nỗ lực của chúng ta trong Phong trào bảo vệ sự sống cũng phải được hướng tới việc chấm dứt hình phạt tử hình, trợ tử, đói khát, vô gia cư, phân biệt chủng tộc và thiếu chăm sóc sức khỏe, đều là một số vấn đề bảo vệ sự sống khác của Giáo hội.

“

Bộ phim hoạt hình của hãng Disney The Lion King bắt đầu với cảnh đáng nhớ của tất cả các loài động vật của vùng đồng bằng đến để chào đón sự ra đời của Simba, con báo đầu long của vợ chồng sư tử Mufasa và Sarabi. Các biểu tượng cổ xưa của sư tử là bá chủ sơn lâm vẽ ra một hình ảnh mới. Những con sư tử này phục vụ như những người lãnh đạo vùng đất của chúng, và sự chào đời của chú báo mới này bảo đảm sự phát triển liên tục của tất cả các loài động vật. Vì vậy, sự xuất hiện của vị vua sư tử tương lai này đem lại niềm vui lớn. Simba đại diện cho niềm hy vọng mà các loài thú có trong tương lai. Nó đại diện cho sự ổn định của đồng bằng cho thế hệ tiếp theo. Simba cho các loài thú khác một lý do để sống tự do và phát triển. Nó cho chúng một cái nhìn thoáng qua vào một thế giới lớn hơn bản thân chúng. Trong thực tế, đây thực sự là bài học đạo đức của toàn bộ bộ phim. Chúng ta được liên kết với những thực tại lớn hơn chính bản thân mình. Trong bộ phim, chúng ta xem Simba cố gắng tự giải thoát mình khỏi phần còn lại của thế giới, chỉ để khám phá ra rằng điều nó thực sự mong đợi là được liên kết với điều gì đó lớn hơn chính bản thân mình.

Tháng 10 là tháng bảo vệ sự sống. Câu chuyện chung xung quanh Phong trào bảo vệ sự sống chỉ là việc chấm dứt sự kinh hoàng của việc phá thai. Trong khi việc chấm dứt phá thai thực sự là tầm quan trọng hàng đầu và là trọng tâm của Phong trào bảo vệ sự sống, Giáo huấn bảo vệ sự sống của Giáo hội Công giáo không chỉ là vấn đề cấp bách và quan trọng của việc phá thai. Tương đương Phong trào bảo vệ sự sống duy nhất với việc chấm dứt phá thai thì cũng thiển cận như sự tập trung của Simba vào bản thân mình. Sự tập trung của nền văn hóa thế tục cũng có xu hướng thiển cận. Sự tập trung của nền văn hóa thế tục thường được thiển cận theo những cách sau: 1) Chỉ quan tâm đến những gì tốt đẹp cho

tương lai, cũng như những gì là khôn ngoan cho hiện tại. Chúng ta phải quan tâm đến lợi ích thiêng liêng của cuộc sống mai sau, cũng như lợi ích của thế giới này. Chúng ta phải tập trung vào những gì là tốt đẹp cho tất cả mọi người, cho tôi, cho gia đình và bạn bè của tôi.

Chúng ta phải quan tâm đến việc theo đuổi lợi ích chung, không chỉ tìm kiếm thú vui và tránh đau khổ. Tương tự như vậy, Phong trào bảo vệ sự sống không thể chỉ là việc chấm dứt phá thai, nhưng

cũng phải tập trung vào việc thiết lập một xã hội cho phép chúng ta phát triển mạnh như những con người. Những nỗ lực của chúng ta trong Phong trào bảo vệ sự sống cũng phải được hướng tới việc chấm dứt hình phạt tử hình, trợ tử, đói khát, vô gia cư, phân biệt chủng tộc và thiếu chăm sóc sức khỏe, đều là một số vấn đề bảo vệ sự sống khác của Giáo hội.

Sự tiến bộ không ngừng của nhân loại là một mối quan tâm quan trọng, và việc bảo vệ sự sống từ khi thụ thai cho đến cái chết tự nhiên là một điểm mạnh mẽ để bắt đầu. Việc bảo vệ sự sống tạo ra lời tuyên bố về những gì chúng ta tin vào giá trị của cuộc sống con người và phẩm giá của nó. Nó đưa ra lời tuyên bố về những gì chúng ta tin vào chính mình. Sự công nhận tha nhân là một con người có giá trị vô giá sẽ thay đổi cách tôi quan hệ với người đó. Bất kể hoàn cảnh cuộc sống của họ, nhìn những người khác như con người có sức mạnh để giải quyết và trả lời nhiều mối quan tâm mà tìm cách chia rẽ và tách rời chúng ta. Khi đối diện với một người khác, chúng ta thấy sự phản ánh nhân tính của chính chúng ta, và sự phản ánh của Chúa Giêsu Kitô. Như Kinh thánh nhắc nhở chúng ta, nếu chúng ta không thể yêu thương anh chị em mà chúng ta có thể thấy, làm sao chúng ta có thể yêu mến Thiên Chúa mà chúng ta không thể thấy được? (1 Ga 4:20).

Sống với nền văn hóa bảo vệ sự sống và chữa lành nền văn hóa thế tục bị tổn thương của chúng ta phải bắt đầu từ đâu đó. Hành động và lời nói của chúng ta có sức mạnh. Chúng có sức mạnh để làm tổn thương hoặc để chữa lành, để xây dựng hoặc để tiêu diệt, để đem lại niềm hy vọng hoặc sự tuyệt vọng. Trong mọi sự, chớ gì chúng ta chọn lựa sự sống, và nhận ra, giống như Simba, rằng chúng ta là một phần của điều gì đó lớn hơn chính bản thân mình.

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

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

Comment

Pope Francis: Discipleship takes sacrifice The Pope Speaks

Vatican City, (CNA/EWTN News).A fundamental rule of being a disciple of Christ is the necessity to make sacrifices and deny one’s self, Pope Francis said in his Angelus address recently.

“Jesus tells us that in order to follow him, to be his disciples, one must deny oneself – that is, the claims of one’s own selfish pride – and take up one’s very cross,” the pope said Sept. 16. “Then he gives everyone a fundamental rule.

And what is this rule? ‘Whoever wants to save his life will lose it.’”

To have faith, he said, must go further than mere words – it must lead to concrete actions and choices, “marked by love of God, by a great life, by a life with so much love for neighbor.”

The pope explained that for many reasons, people may end up on the wrong path, “looking for happiness only in things, or in the people we treat as things.”

“But we find happiness only when love, real [love], meets us, surprises us, changes us. Love changes everything!

And love can change us too, each of us. The testimonies of the saints demonstrate this,” he said.

Francis said that the Lord wants his disciples to have a personal relationship with him and to make him the center of their lives. Like Jesus asks to his disciples in the day’s Gospel: “Who do you say that I am?”

“Everyone is called to respond, in his own heart, letting himself be illuminated by the light that the Father

gives us to know his Son Jesus,” he said. And like Peter, one might confirm enthusiastically, that he is Christ.”

“But when Jesus tells us clearly what he said to the disciples, namely that his mission is accomplished not in the broad road of success, but in the arduous path of the suffering, humiliated, rejected and crucified Servant,” then it can be easy to want to protest and rebel, like Peter did, he said.

He said: In these moments, Christians deserve the same reproof Jesus gave Peter: “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

After the Angelus, in honor of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, celebrated by the Church, Pope Francis distributed small metal crucifixes to those present in St. Peter’s Square.

“The crucifix is the sign of God’s love, which in Jesus gave life for us. I invite you to welcome this gift and bring it into your homes, your children’s room, or your grandparents..., in any part,

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

but in the house,” he said.

Emphasizing that the crucifix is a religious sign for contemplation and prayer, not a merely ornamental object, he said “looking at Jesus crucified, we look at our salvation.”

He added that the cross “is a gift from the pope,” and is free, so to beware if anyone asks them to pay. The crucifixes were handed out by religious sisters, poor, homeless, and refugees.

“As always, faith comes from the little ones, from the humble ones,” Francis noted, thanking them.

According to the pope’s charity office, the silver-plated crucifixes, packaged in a transparent envelope, included a card with a quote from Pope Francis in Italian, English, and Spanish. From July 2013 during World Youth Day in Brazil, it says: “In the Cross of Christ there is all the love of God, there is his immense mercy.”

After handing out the 40,000 crosses, the around 300 volunteers and needy were given a sack lunch by Pope Francis. BC

Comment

Questions of Faith

T I X E

Father Wilmer Todd

Why do Catholics leave church early?

A non-Catholic friend of mine went to church with me, sat in the back, and noticed people receiving the Lord in Communion and leaving Mass early. No one in his church leaves early; they stay for the whole service. Why do only Catholics leave church early?

Unfortunately, in the days when many Catholics did not understand what went on at Mass because it was in Latin, those in authority emphasized the “obligation” to attend Mass, rather than the necessity of God’s family to worship the most high in spirit and in truth. Many Catholics today still have this obligation mentality.

When people go to church because they “have to,” they become minimalists. They seek to discover how little they must do, instead of much love they can return to God for the blessings they have received through the sacrifice of Christ and the daily blessing they receive in life.

Jesus once said, “The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him” (John 4:23). Jesus is telling us that God wants people to worship the Father from their hearts, not because they are obligated to do so.

I believe that there are two types of people who go to church on the weekends: I call them true worshipers and spectators. The spectators are the minimalists who do not enter into the

full celebration of the Eucharist but want to “get out” as soon as possible.

They observe what is going on but are not experiencing a meaningful celebration. They want the “shortest Mass” possible.

True worshipers come to church at least 10 minutes ahead of time and try to quiet themselves. They have been racing around trying to get themselves and maybe their children to church.

That 10 minutes is an opportunity to take a deep breath and put aside anything that might be a distraction to the most important hour of the week we can spend with God and our fellow Catholics. We should greet our fellow worshipers but never carry on extensive conversations with them.

Instead we should open our hearts to receive the message that God has for us that day.

We can do this by reading the Scriptures for that day so when the readers proclaim the Word of God, we are open to the message that the Almighty has for us. God has a message for every person in the church every Sunday. However, many people fail to have their “antennas” in a listening mode. They have missed God’s message and not become better persons.

When the Eucharist begins, we realize in the Gathering Hymn that Jesus is there with us because he said, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20). We are not welcoming the priest but welcoming Jesus and our fellow worshipers.

When the priest says, “Let us Pray,”

he is inviting us to pause and add our own prayer. We praise God in the “Gloria.” Then we listen attentively to God’s Word for us and apply it to our lives. We profess our common faith together and ask for our needs in the prayers of the faithful.

In the Liturgy of the Eucharist, we present our gifts to the priests who pray that the bread and wine offered by the congregation may become by the power of the Holy Spirit the Body and Blood of Jesus. After the prayers of consecration, we offer ourselves with Christ to the Father, as if we were under the cross with Mary and our redeemer. In Communion we receive our gifts back in a perfect form – we receive Jesus himself.

The people, who leave church regularly after receiving Jesus into their souls, are committing a sacrilege because they fail to acknowledge the present of Jesus within them. “They have a more important place to be.”

Where is that place? We should spend time after Communion thanking Jesus for coming into us. Then after Mass, we should get to know some of our fellow worshipers. BC

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

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

Reflections

Praising God in the psalms Readings Between the Lines

“I cried out to God.” “God heard me.”

God rescued me.”

Father Glenn LeCompte

Several years ago while on a pilgrimage to Rome our group was at dinner at the hotel. Over on the other side of the open dining room, was a group of German people having some kind of celebration. The party appeared to be focused on a particular man. Was it his birthday? Retirement party? I was not sure. But everyone was participating in a festive song. Singing at a celebration makes sense, because it enables us to express emotions we are bursting to share.

Within the Book of Psalms is a type of composition in which Israelites express themselves to God musically in the context of joyous circumstances. This group of psalms, called psalms of praise, constitutes one major category of the psalms; the other is psalms of lament, which we considered last month.

Psalms of praise may be subdivided into two categories: 1) psalms of descriptive praise, in which God is praised for who he is, that is, for his attributes, and 2) psalms of declarative praise, in which God is praised for a specific deed. In either case we should note that praise always has a motive.

Motives for declarative psalms of praise are multiple and differ depending upon whether they are the expressions of an individual or the nation. A common motive for declarative praise by the nation would be the experience of victory in battle or deliverance from a military aggressor. Psalm 18 exemplifies this type of psalm. “I love you, LORD, my strength, LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, My God, my rock of refuge, my shield, my saving horn, my stronghold” (Psalm 18:1-3).

Although the subject of the praise is an individual, he is most likely a king of Israel who successfully led his army to fend off an attacker. Remembering that psalms are musical texts, it is not difficult to conceive that singing would be a way of expressing both the joy and relief of such a victory.

Some declarative praise psalms may be classified as “epiphanies.” As in the case of the liturgical feast of this name which we celebrate every year, “epiphany” means a manifestation of the Lord. In the psalms the Lord is depicted as manifesting himself victoriously over an enemy of the nation. Here is an example from Psalm 124: “Had not the LORD been with us, when people rose against us, then they would have swallowed us alive, for their fury blazed against us” (verses 2-3). A classic example of an epiphany psalm would be the psalm which appears in Exodus 15, just after the Israelites fleeing Egypt are saved by God when he causes the sea to consume them: “The LORD is a warrior, LORD is his name!

Pharaoh’s chariots and army he hurled into the sea; the elite of his officers were drowned in the Red Sea” (verses 3-4).

In addition to national psalms of declarative praise there are psalms composed from an individual’s

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

perspective. These psalms often begin with an individual’s expression of desire to praise God. This expression may take the form of “I will exalt you” (Psalm 30:2) or “I will bless the Lord” (Psalm 34:1). To some people the concept that a human being can “bless” God seems odd; we usually think of God blessing us. To bless God here, however, is to praise God. An individual psalm of declarative praise has several typical elements following the initial expression of the psalmist’s desire to praise God. There is a general statement that God has helped the person, followed by a recollection that the person was once in a time of need. Then there is usually a tri-fold statement: “I cried out to God.” “God heard me.” “God rescued me.”

Next comes a renewal of an earlier vow to praise God, and finally there is an expression of descriptive (general) praise, such as we find in Psalm 30:4-5: “All the kings of earth will praise you, LORD, when they hear the words of your mouth. They will sing of the ways of the LORD: ‘How great is the glory of the LORD!’” It is possible that the psalm of declarative praise developed from the element of the psalm of lament, wherein the psalmist made a vow to praise the Lord after being rescued from peril.

The descriptive praise we saw

a

Reflections

in the last element of the individual psalm of declarative praise actually reflects the second general category of psalms of praise, that is, psalms of descriptive praise, which I mentioned earlier. In descriptive praise, God is not praised for a particular deed, but for his magnificent divine attributes (e.g.

Psalm 150) or something he customarily does for his people. Among the motives for praising God in descriptive praise are the following: 1) He is the creator (Psalms 8; 19; 29; 104; 139; 148), 2) he exhibits chesed (“steadfast covenant love”) toward Israel (Psalms 113; 107), 3) God’s (positive) intervention in the history of his people, expressed in the phrase, “God exalts and brings low,” (Psalm 147:6), 4) he masters the events of history in the service of his plans (Psalms 33; 78; 105).

A particular type of psalm of descriptive praise is called the “Enthronement Psalm,” in which God is praised as king (Psalms 47; 93; 96;

97; 98; 99). While the nation of Israel was governed by a human king, he was simply an agent of the true ruler of the people, God. The Enthronement Psalms depict, in an imaginary way, God ascending to a throne as ruler: “God has gone up with a shout; the LORD, amid trumpet blasts. Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. For God is king over all the earth; sing hymns of praise” (Psalm 47:6-8). Here the God of Israel is depicted as the universal sovereign.

God is declared king because of his mastery of history, as when he rescued his people from exile in Babylon.

A sub-group of Psalms of Descriptive Praise are called “Imperative Psalms of Descriptive Praise.” These psalms begin with a forceful exhortation to the hearer of the psalm to praise God. Consider Psalm 148:1-4, “Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights.

Praise him, all you his angels; give praise, all you his hosts. Praise him,

sun and moon; praise him, all shining stars. Praise him, highest heavens, you waters above the heavens.”

Having reviewed the two major categories of psalms (lament and praise) which appear in the Book of Psalms and other biblical books, in the next issue I will explore how these psalms are used in the liturgy. BC

Reflection Questions v What are some reasons you have been moved to offer praise to God? v When you offer praise to God, how do you do so? Is there any pattern to the way you offer praise to God? v How might the psalms of praise in the Bible help you in offering praise to God?

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

ScriptureReadings and a listing of Feast days and saints

Monday

1 October

2

8

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Weekday Galatians 1:6-12 Luke 10:25-37

9

Weekday Galatians 1:13-24 Luke 10:38-42

10

Weekday Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14 Luke 11:1-4

11

Weekday Galatians 3:1-5 Luke 11:5-13

Weekday Galatians 3:7-14 Luke 11:15-26

Weekday Galatians 3:22-29 Luke 11:27-28

15

16

Weekday Memorial of Saint Galatians 5:1-6 Teresa of Jesus, virgin and doctor of Luke 11:37-41 the church Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31—5:1 Luke 11:29-32

17

Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr Galatians 5:18-25 Luke 11:42-46

18

Feast of St. Luke, evangelist 2 Timothy 4:10-17b Luke 10:1-9

19

Memorial of Saints Jean de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests, and companions, martyrs Ephesians 1:11-14 Luke 12:1-7

20

21

Weekday Twenty-Ninth Ephesians 1:15-23 Sunday in Ordinary Luke 12:8-12 Time Isaiah 53:10-11 Hebrews 4:14-16 Mark 10:35-45

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

Weekday Ephesians 4:32— 5:8 Luke 13:10-17

Weekday Ephesians 2:12-22 Luke 12:35-38

30

Weekday Ephesians 5:21-33 Luke 13:18-21

Weekday Ephesians 3:2-12 Luke 12:39-48

Weekday Ephesians 3:14-21 Luke 12:49-53

31

1 November 2

Weekday Ephesians 6:1-9 Luke 13:22-30

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

Solemnity of All Saints Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14 1 John 3:1-3 Matthew 5:1-12a

Weekday Ephesians 4:1-6 Luke 12:54-59

The Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day) Wisdom 3:1-9 Romans 5:5-11 John 6:37-40

7

Sunday

4

12

6

Saturday

3

Weekday Ephesians 2:1-10 Luke 12:13-21

5

Friday

Weekday Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17 Luke 10:17-24

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Genesis 2:18-24 Hebrews 2:9-11 Mark 10:2-16

13

14

Weekday Ephesians 4:7-16 Luke 13:1-9

3

Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Wisdom 7:7-11 Hebrews 4:12-13 Mark 10:17-30

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jeremiah 31:7-9 Hebrews 5:1-6 Mark 10:46-52

4

October

Holy Father’s prayer intentions

Evangelization

The Mission of Religious. That consecreated religious men and women may bestir themselves, and be present among the poor, the marginalized, and those who have no voice.

See www.apostleshipofprayer.org

October 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 17

Respect A perfect gift Soon after the birth of my son Charlie, who has Down syndrome, a visitor asked whether he was “mild, moderate or severe”—referring to his level of cognitive impairment. I knew the terminology, but the question shocked me. In my arms I held my beautiful baby boy, who defied easy categorization. Clinical labels may describe some aspects of an individual’s “functioning,” but they don’t tell the whole story. Labels could not describe how Charlie’s smile lit up a room or how the sweetness of his soul had captured our hearts so completely.

Relationship Changes Everything I have since come to understand that clinical categories also miss another important dimension of personhood: we are created to be in relationship with others. As Pope St. John Paul II said in his encyclical Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), “Within the family each member is accepted, respected and honored precisely because he or she is a person; and if any family member is in greater need, the care which he or she receives is all the more intense and attentive.”

Charlie does well because we love him and attend to him out of that love. We make accommodations to compensate for the challenges that arise, and his strengths become more apparent. He plays an integral role in our family’s happiness. For example, he is our most empathetic child—the first to notice and offer comfort when we are hurt.

People often say, “I could never handle a child with a disability.”

But the beauty of parenting is that you aren’t given a child with a disability. You are given your child with a disability. Your child enters the world in a relationship with you, and that changes everything. You are not called to “handle” a disability. You are called to love a particular person, and caring for him or her grows out of that love. The challenges that come with his diagnosis make up only a small part of life with our wonderful little boy.

Stained Glass I once read an article in which a woman discussed the reasons for aborting her child with Down syndrome. The deal-breaker was watching a boy with Down syndrome at a restaurant with his parents: they had to hand-feed him a slice of pizza and wipe his face with a napkin.

This hit home for me. We weaned Charlie off a feeding tube when he was seven, spoon-feeding him and often wiping his face afterwards. I wonder how many people saw us and decided a life like his isn’t worth living. Had anyone asked, I would have said, “It might look a little crazy from the outside, but he’s an amazing little boy, and it’s a good life.”

It’s like looking at a stained-glass window from the outside: the colors look dark, and you can’t quite make out the figures. From the inside, however, with the sun shining through it, the effect 18 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • October 2018

a

Life can be brilliant. From inside our family, love illuminates our life with Charlie.

What may seem dreary to others, perhaps even unbearable, is actually filled with beauty and color. We know, for instance, that Charlie worked hard to gain basic feeding skills that most people take for granted, and we are so proud of his valiant efforts.

Perfection Many parents want perfect children, and our culture is obsessed with superficial perfection. Photos are airbrushed, and social media depicts seemingly perfect lives. However, God calls us to seek perfection not in appearance or abilities, but in love.

Christians know what perfect love looks like—Jesus offering himself on the Cross. Love in a family where one member has a serious disability may look unappealing from the outside.

Indeed, love in any family is messy; there are faces to wipe and sacrifices to make. It’s natural to fear that such sacrifices will require too much, but this is where the deep mystery of sacrificial love becomes apparent.

In our family, we have found that our hearts, rather than being weighed down, have become larger. Caring for Charlie has given us more patience, more compassion, and more love for others—especially those on the outskirts of society, whom Pope Francis so often calls us to care for.

A Fundamental Truth Perhaps this is why so many families of children with disabilities, despite difficulties, often radiate joy. When I meet another parent of a child with Down syndrome, there is usually a moment of instant recognition and understanding. Our eyes meet, and we smile conspiratorially, as if we’re in on the same secret: the fundamental truth that every life is a good and perfect gift.

Many know this on an intellectual level, but those who love someone with a disability see it in their loved one’s face in a particular way. Our love for our

“Welcome to the Family!”

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children has nothing to do with their abilities. We love them simply because of who they are, and understanding this teaches us how to truly love everyone.

We also begin to understand our own worth, which depends not on our skills or appearance, but solely on the fact that we are created in the image and likeness of God and loved by him. Our lives—all our lives—are worth living.

(Reprinted (excerpted) from Respect Life Program, copyright © 2018, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.) BC

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St. Francis de Sales Cathedral

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

Respect Life

Another look at abortion Uniquely You From your first moments of existence, you had all the DNA that would determine your sex, facial features, physique, and the color of your skin, hair and eyes. At 24 days, your heart began beating. By eight weeks, all your organs were present, and your unique fingerprints were forming. Ultrasounds show that by 18 weeks, you could swim, somersault, suck your thumb, and even cover your ears if you heard loud music. If you’d been born just 23 weeks after conception, your chance of survival would be 50-80 percent; by 25 weeks, it’s over 90 percent, and that’s still months before full-term birth.

Now, if someone takes an innocent

person’s life after he or she is born, it’s against the law; just minutes before birth, it’s legal in most states and called abortion. The only real difference is a declaration by the United States Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade (1973).

Abortion is Permitted up to Full-Term Birth Many people don’t realize how unrestricted legal abortion is, misled

by Roe’s claim that states may ban abortions after viability “except when it is necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother.” (“Viability” is when the baby has a reasonable chance of survival outside the womb.)

But in Roe’s companion case, Doe v.

Bolton, the Court defined “health”

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

to include “all factors—physical, emotional, psychological, familial, and the woman’s age—relevant to the wellbeing” of the mother. That seems broad enough to permit virtually any abortion post-viability.

The Supreme Court, however, has yet to be confronted with a challenge to a post-viability ban that will test Doe’s breadth. Indeed, 20 states currently ban late-term abortions subject to a narrow exception for the mother’s life or physical health (not for emotional, psychological, familial or age-related reasons). Most of these laws have gone unchallenged, but they are hard to enforce even if they are constitutionally permissible.

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Effects of Abortion Abortion results in the death of a child. For many mothers, abortion causes severe and long-lasting emotional, psychological and spiritual trauma. Many women experience overwhelming guilt, shame and grief. Other effects have also been documented: depression, withdrawal from others, eating disorders, selfpunishing behaviors like “cutting,” sexual dysfunction and problems with intimacy, alcohol and drug dependency, problems bonding with other or subsequent children, abortion-related nightmares, and other sleep problems.

Family relationships may suffer as the aborted child’s father, grandparents, or other family members experience their own guilt, grief or loss. Even if the mother keeps her abortion secret, family members can be distressed by changes in the mother’s behavior, and mental or emotional health.

What the Church Teaches The church has consistently taught that every human life is precious and worthy of protection. Every intentional abortion is gravely wrong. In April 2018, Pope Francis wrote: “Our defense of the innocent unborn … needs to be clear, firm and passionate, for at stake is the dignity of a human life, which is always sacred and demands love for each person, regardless of his or her stage of development.”

The church does not approach difficult pregnancy decisions with a false “either/or” mentality, pitting mother against child. For example, a baby conceived in rape is not an aggressor deserving death by abortion.

She is innocent, like her mother. They both deserve compassionate care and support, not more violence. Abortion doesn’t bring healing or peace, but both can be found in the courageous decision to give birth to the baby.

Today, many babies diagnosed prenatally with a disability are aborted. Frightened parents, unsure of their ability to care for such a child, can trust that God gave them this child for a reason. Parents raising children with disabilities often write about the unexpected joys and transformative effect on their families.

Even when the disabilities are so severe that the baby is likely to die before or soon after birth, “many parents who carried their children to term say that protecting their baby and honoring his or her natural life, no matter how brief, was profoundly healing.”

Very rarely, continuing a pregnancy may put a mother’s life at risk—for example, because of a tubal pregnancy or aggressive uterine cancer. It is morally licit to remove the threat to the mother’s life by removing the cancerous uterus or the fallopian tube where

the child implanted, even though it is foreseeable that the child will die as an indirect and unintended result of such surgery. But abortion—a direct and intentional taking of a child’s life—is never morally permissible.

What Are We to Do? Love them both! Support women who need help during and after difficult pregnancies through the work of your diocesan Respect Life efforts and local pregnancy care centers.

Educate yourself and others about struggles some experience after abortion, and find out where to refer those seeking help at www. hopeafterabortion.org.

Stay informed about key federal legislation and the voting records of your elected representatives by visiting www.humanlifeaction.org and www. usccb.org/prolife. Stay updated on state issues by signing up to receive information from your state Catholic conference or diocesan pro-life efforts.

Most importantly, pray daily for the end to abortion, that all mothers and children experience the loving support of the church community, and that all who suffer after abortion find healing and peace.

(Reprinted (excerpted) from Respect Life Program, copyright © 2018, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.) BC

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October 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 21

Respect Life

Assisted suicide is in the news and on lawmakers’ agendas. Supporters call it “aid in dying” and claim it is just another option for ending intolerable pain as part of end-of-life care. But assisted suicide is radically different from end-of-life care and the practice of palliative care, the healing art of relieving pain and other distressing symptoms for patients who are seriously ill. In fact, these two agendas are at war with each other.

Different Drugs, Different Results When properly prescribed for the pain of serious illness, powerful pain medications like morphine and other opioids are safe and effective. Patients can have their pain well-controlled without risk to life, and generally stay alert as well.

Assisted suicide is very different.

Where it has been legalized, doctors can prescribe a lethal overdose of pills to patients whom they think will die within six months, so they can kill themselves. The patient then intentionally swallows a massive overdose of barbiturates to cause unconsciousness and death.

The Importance of Intent Besides having opposite results, these two approaches express different intentions.

While pain medication is generally safe under medical supervision, it may have side-effects. For example, barbiturates may be used in rare instances to sedate an agitated patient in the final stage of dying if other pain control methods are inadequate, though this poses some risk of shortening life.

In such cases, the doctor and patient must assess the good they intend and proceed only if this good outweighs the unintended adverse effects. As risk cannot always be eliminated, modern medicine would be impossible without this “principle of double effect.” The key is that no one involved intends the bad effects, especially the bad effect of killing the patient.

Assisted suicide, by contrast, directly intends the patient’s death, which is never morally permissible.

The doctor prescribes an intentionally lethal overdose, with instructions on

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how to use the pills to cause death.

(Interestingly, there is no record that any patient accidentally surviving the overdose has ever tried it again.)

Medical organizations like the American Medical Association and the American College of Physicians oppose doctor-assisted suicide, in part because it destroys this essential distinction between intended and unintended effects of treatment. Patients need to be able to trust their doctors to always care for their lives and never deliberately cause death.

Eliminate the Problem, Not the Patient Palliative care also addresses symptoms beyond physical pain, in ways that go beyond medication.

Patients facing serious illness may feel hopeless and depressed, as though their lives have lost meaning. Addressing psychological, emotional and spiritual problems is essential to palliative care.

Assisted suicide alleviates none of these problems, but gives in to them.

Consider that about half of patients who had requested assisted suicide under the Oregon law in its first three years changed their minds when the doctor provided palliative care.

Yet in Oregon, almost none of the patients receiving lethal drugs are evaluated to assess whether their wish for death arises from treatable depression—and over half say

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they requested the drugs partly because they feel they are becoming a “burden” on others. Offering assisted suicide can only confirm and strengthen that feeling. It ignores the underlying problems, instead abandoning and eliminating the patient who has the problems.

Assisted Suicide Undermines Palliative Care Assisted suicide is detrimental not only for individual patients, but also for patient care on a large scale. In countries like the Netherlands, where assisted suicide has been accepted for many years, progress in palliative care has stagnated. In Oregon, legalization was followed by an increase in severe untreated pain among terminally ill patients. During a period when 1,832 hospices opened in other states, only five opened in Oregon. In other states legalizing assisted suicide, use of hospice care has fallen below the national average. By contrast, when states pass new laws forbidding assisted suicide, while affirming that doctors may use drugs like morphine for effective pain control, use of these medications has increased—indicating progress in pain management practices.

The reason is obvious. Optimum palliative care requires years of training and experience, as well as a commitment to the patient as someone with inherent dignity who deserves

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excellent care. Assisted suicide avoids the need for this hard work and erodes this commitment. It provides a “quick and easy,” as well as cheap, answer to terminal illness. Once death is accepted as a solution, why bother to devote resources to more expensive medical progress?

Assisted suicide does not enhance medicine. As noted by a doctor specializing in palliative and hospice care in the Netherlands, killing “becomes a substitute for learning how to relieve the suffering of dying patients.”

True Love and Mercy Do we see people as the problem, such that our responsibility begins

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and ends with helping patients kill themselves? Or, do we see seriously ill patients as fellow human beings who deserve our love and solutions for their problems? Will we succumb to the “false mercy” of assisted suicide, or will we endorse what Pope St. John Paul II called “the way of love and true mercy”?

Will we dedicate ourselves to providing genuinely compassionate care, as a society and for our own loved ones?

Our answer today determines the care available now and for years to come.

(Reprinted (excerpted) from Respect Life Program, copyright © 2018, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.) BC

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October 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 23

Respect Life

Caring for loved ones at life’s end

An old Irish proverb says, “It is in the shelter of each other that the people live.” Indeed, we are created to depend upon one another and walk together in suffering. But when family members or friends approach life’s end, we may not know how best to “shelter” them.

Here are some concrete ways we can compassionately care for them.

Invite God In: Pope Francis has said that “praying in difficult situations is like opening the door to the Lord, in order that he might enter.” The dying process is a sacred time—a final season to seek closure in this life and prepare for the next in the hope of sharing in Christ’s Resurrection. As you enter into this season with your friend or family member, ask God to accompany both of you.

Inform Yourself: Be aware that wishes for refusing ordinary or proportionate treatment—or for pursuing assisted suicide—are usually rooted in fears of dependency, helplessness or pain. Make yourself available to discuss these or any concerns. Know that hospice care focuses on alleviating pain and other symptoms,

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meeting basic needs and providing comfort. Seek to understand the Catholic Church’s teaching on end-of-life care, which can help you provide authentically loving support that respects life.

Be Steadfast in Compassion: As Pope Francis reminds us, “Compassion means ‘suffer with.’” Your friend or family member will likely face ups and downs. Recognize these as part of a natural process. Surround him or her with love, support and companionship that are “anchored in unconditional respect for their human dignity, beginning with respect for the inherent value of their lives.” The patient’s suffering can be alleviated by your empathy, as well as by quality hospice care by medical personnel.

Help Them Achieve Closure: Help your family member or friend define the unfinished personal projects, financial concerns, unresolved relationships or other matters that occupy his or her mind. Due to changing circumstances, some goals may need to be reframed.

Creating and accomplishing this list of unfinished business can help the person discover a sense of purpose and feel more at peace.

Reminisce: Our appetites diminish as our bodies experience a decreased need for food and fluids when we near life’s end. Provide smaller amounts of your family member or friend’s favorite foods. Even if unable to eat them,

he or she may still enjoy the aromas and reminisce with you about special memories they evoke.

Provide a Peaceful Presence: There comes a time of natural withdrawal from surroundings when dying persons may lose interest in many activities that used to be enjoyable. Your own quiet, patient presence can provide important support as your loved one prepares emotionally and spiritually for his or her passing. Hearing can become very acute, so placing the phone in another room, playing favorite music, reading a favorite passage, praying together or simply sitting quietly with him or her can all be very soothing.

Bear Their Transition Patiently: Transition, the time immediately preceding death, may bring rapid physical changes, such as in breathing patterns, as well as changes in mental or emotional states. Try to be patient, and allow the “how” and “when” of death to be between God and your loved one. Ask God for the wisdom to know what final words to say—if any—and when. As you are able, give your loved one permission to make the transition.

For example, you might say, “I love you.

It’s okay to go home now.”

(Reprinted (excerpted) from Respect Life Program, copyright © 2018, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.) BC

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

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October 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 25

Heavenly Recipes

Jackie Hebert

Jackie Cooks a:

HOLIDAY DISH Story and Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

This month’s heavenly recipe, sweet potato pecan pie soufflé, comes from Jackie Hebert, business manager of St. Genevieve Church parish in Thibodaux. Jackie has been working at St. Genevieve for the past five years. She is a native of Baton Rouge who lives in Napoleonville with her husband Scott. She is a mother of three children, Joshua, Brittany and Andrew. The Heberts have two grandchildren Jackson and James.

Jackie met Scott in high school. “We were high school sweethearts. Scott was a police officer for 18 and a half years before an injury made him unable to continue law enforcement.”

Jackie learned to cook from a host of people, her mother Janith “Pie,” and her grandmothers Mildred and Rosemary. It was Rosemary who would always cook for the entire family. “It was hard not to be in the kitchen when we would visit my grandmother Rosemary. She was always cooking. My grandmother Mildred was always canning vegetables and fruit.”

Jackie likes to carry on the tradition of cooking for Thanksgiving and Christmas like her grandmothers did. “For Thanksgiving I usually cook the same things my mom used to cook. I also carry on the tradition that she did with making miniature pies and giving them out for Christmas. I know the things my family likes. I enjoy preparing meals for them.”

Before working at St. Genevieve, Jackie worked for a legislator who was also an insurance broker. “I enjoy working at St. Genevieve. It is more peaceful and familyoriented here. I get to know the families. We see everyone on a regular basis. You get to know names, faces and families. I don’t have to take the work here home with me. It’s good to be able to go across the parking lot and sit quietly and pray in church.”

Jackie says that it was a hard decision to leave her past job.

It took a leap of faith. “We are a family here. We all work well together. I still get to help people. It’s a different kind of help now. It is gratitude.” BC 26 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • October 2018

Sweet Potato Pecan Pie Souffle’ INGREDIENTS: 6-8 lg. sweet potatoes (baked, skinned & smashed) 6 tbsp. softened unsalted butter 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1/2 tsp. almond extract or 1 tsp. cinnamon (optional) 3 eggs (separated) plus 1 egg white Pecan pie topping: 3/4 cup light brown sugar 1 egg, 1 egg yolk 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 2 tbsp. melted unsalted butter 1 to 1-1/2 cups chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS: Filling: Bake sweet potatoes for one hour at 375 degrees; remove skins and smash in large bowl. While potatoes are still warm, add butter and mix until melted, then add brown sugar, vanilla, egg yolks and mix.

Add whipping cream (start with 1/4- cup consistency, should be smooth but still thick – not soupy). In separate bowl beat egg whites until soft peaks form and fold into sweet potato mixture. Transfer to a buttered (or butter cooking sprayed) baking dish.

Topping: Combine brown sugar, vanilla and melted butter until mixed. Add egg plus yolk and mix, then add chopped pecans and top with sweet potatoes. Bake at 350 degrees (325 degrees in convection oven) for approximately 20 to 35 minutes until topping is set depending on your oven (it will resemble a baked pecan pie on top, hard to the touch). Enjoy!

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Special Event Features will include: Digital Mammography Education • Nutritional Tips • Healthy Cooking Demos • Door Prizes

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Youth

in action

Landon R. Zeringue School: Thibodaux High School Grade: 10th Church parish: Christ the Redeemer, Thibodaux Family: Kim (mother), Glenn (father), Layton (brother), Cherish, Casi and Chloe (sisters) Favorite Hobby: Football Favorite Movie: Passion of the Christ Favorite T.V. Show: The Good Doctor Favorite Genre of Music: Contemporary Christian

Connecting with others in my faith life defines who I am as a young Catholic Connecting with others plays a huge role in my faith life. This is because through connection, community is created. These communities are of great love and trust since common goals are shared between all members.

Everyone is looking out for each other with the love that’s inspired by the great love that Christ has for us. A personal example for me was the most

recent CLI that I attended. Young adults came together under the love of Christ. Most were complete strangers to me. I personally only knew two people there. However, a welcoming experience was instantly created and in the short time I was there, I grew to know just about everyone. It was an amazing outlet to express my faith and it’s something I strive for

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

in my everyday life. I go out and look for connections so that I can witness to others the way that Jesus loves me. My hope is by doing this, others will have a chance to talk about and express their own faith and grow closer to Jesus in their own personal lives. Connecting with others in my faith life defines who I am as a young Catholic today. BC

Seminarian Education Burses What is a seminarian burse/endowment fund?

A seminarian burse/endowment 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 HoumaThibodaux.

How does someone establish a seminarian burse/endowment fund?

Very simply, a burse/endowment fund may be established and

named for anyone you choose, be it family, friend, bishop, priest, deacon, religious, etc.

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

To contribute to or establish a burse/endowment fund, send funds to the Pastoral Center, Attn: Catholic Foundation, P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395 or contact the Catholic Foundation office at 985-850-3116 or aponson@htdiocese.org for more information.

Completed Burses and CFSL Named Endowment Funds Note: Numbers stipulate the amount 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 & Family Donald Peltier Sr. (3)* Harvey Peltier (30)* Richard Peltier The Peltier Foundation (5) Orleans & Louella Pitre Msgr. Joseph Wester Robert R. Wright Jr. Rev. Kermit Trahan St. Bernadette Men’s Club Diocesan Knights of Columbus Leighton Delahaye Mrs. Shirley Conrad Bishop Shelton J. Fabre Elizabeth Hebert Callais Family Fund Rev. Joseph Tu Tran

Society of St. Joseph Endowment Fund - $119,136.90 James J. Buquet Jr. Julius & Marie Pauline St. Amant Elie & Dot Klingman Bishop Sam Jacobs Endowment – $32,840.43 Giardina Family Foundation Sem. Endowment – $4,337.62 James J. Buquet, Jr. Family Sem. Endowment – $27,979.95 Diocesan Seminarian Endowment – $3,502,699.11 Mary and Al Danos Foundation Sem. Endowment – $38,621.30 Msgr. Amedee Sem. Endowment – $314,838.43 The Peltier Foundation - $14,482.97 Jane and John Dean

August 2018 Burse Contributions Warren J. Harang Jr. No. 2 ..................$100.00 Leo and Ethel Hebert ...................$14,137.17

Open Burses with Balance as of August 31, 2018 Sidney J. & Lydie C. Duplantis ...............$13,000.00 Donald Peltier Sr. No. 4 ...........................$13,000.00 Joseph Strada Memorial .........................$12,642.63 Msgr. Raphael C. Labit No. 2 ................$11,440.00 Claude & Lucy Mahler Family ................$10,500.00 Harvey Peltier No. 31 ...............................$10,486.91 Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier ..................$10,400.00 Joseph Waitz Sr. .........................................$10,100.00 Clay Sr. & Evelida Duplantis No. 2 .......$10,000.00 C. Remie Duplantis No. 2 ........................$10,000.00 Marie Elise Duplantis No. 2 ....................$10,000.00 Maude & Edith Daspit No. 2 ..................$10,000.00 Msgr. George A. Landry ...........................$10,000.00 Society of St. Joseph .................................. $7,500.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ............................... $7,400.00 Rev. Victor Toth ............................................ $7,000.00 Catholic Daughters ..................................... $6,800.00 Brides of the Most Blessed Trinity ......... $6,598.00 Rev. Peter Nies .............................................. $6,000.00 Rev. Gerard Hayes ....................................... $5,986.00 Rev. Guy Zeringue ....................................... $5,900.00 Msgr. Francis Amedee ................................ $5,350.00 Mr. & Mrs. Love W. Pellegrin ................... $5,000.00 Anonymous No. 2 ........................................ $5,000.00 Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis Family No. 4 ......$5,000.00 Rev. William M. Fleming ............................ $5,000.00 Mrs. Ayres A. Champagne ........................ $5,000.00 Rev. Kasimir Chmielewski .......................... $4,839.00 Joseph “Jay” Fertitta ................................... $4,450.00

Rev. Henry Naquin ...................................... $4,311.00 Harry Booker No. 2 ..................................... $4,138.00 Msgr. James Songy ..................................... $4,075.00 Anawin Community .................................... $3,700.00 Kelly Curole Frazier ..................................... $3,610.96 Mr. & Mrs. John Marmande ..................... $3,500.00 J. R. Occhipinti .............................................. $3,400.00 Mr. & Mrs. Galip Jacobs ............................ $3,060.00 St. Jude ............................................................ $3,000.00 Diocesan Knights of Columbus No. 2 ... $2,894.62 Rev. Peter H. Brewerton ............................. $2,600.00 Warren J. Harang Jr. No. 2 ........................ $2,600.00 Preston & Gladys Webre ........................... $2,350.00 Willie & Emelda St. Pierre ......................... $2,000.00 Rev. John Gallen ........................................... $1,950.00 Rev. H.C. Paul Daigle .................................. $1,900.00 Deacon Connely Duplantis ....................... $1,700.00 Alfrances P. Martin ...................................... $1,650.00 Msgr. Francis J. Legendre No. 2 .............. $1,645.00 Rev. Robert J. Sevigny ................................ $1,600.00 Rev. Hubert C. Broussard .......................... $1,550.00 Judge Louis & Shirley R. Watkins ........... $1,550.00 Msgr. Emile J. Fossier ................................. $1,545.00 Ronnie Haydel .............................................. $1,535.00 Dr. William Barletta Sr. ............................... $1,525.00 Msgr. Stanislaus Manikowski ................... $1,525.00 Deacon Robert Dusse’ ............................... $1,450.00 Jacob Marcello .............................................. $1,400.00 Rev. Anthony Rousso ................................. $1,250.00

Msgr. John L. Newfield .............................. $1,200.00 Rev. Joseph Tu Tran No. 2 ........................ $1,094.00 Msgr. John G. Keller .................................... $1,050.00 Rev. Clemens Schneider ............................ $1,000.00 Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux No. 4 ....... $1,000.00 Edna W. DiSalvo .............................................. $900.00 Bernice Harang ................................................ $800.00 Deacon Willie Orgeron ................................. $800.00 Ruby Pierce ....................................................... $800.00 Deacon Roland Dufrene ............................... $750.00 Juliette & Eugene Wallace ........................... $700.00 Deacon Edward J. Blanchard ....................... $700.00 Deacon Raymond LeBouef .......................... $550.00 Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Cannata ...................... $500.00 Robert Walsh .................................................... $500.00 Dean Joseph Chiasson .................................. $500.00 Paul & Laura Duet ......................................... $775.00 Anne Veron Aguirre ....................................... $380.00 Deacon Harold Kurtz ..................................... $300.00 Richard Peltier No. 2 ...................................... $300.00 Claude Bergeron ............................................. $250.00 Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Naquin ............................ $150.00 Rev. Michael Finnegan .................................. $150.00 Deacon Pedro Pujals ...................................... $100.00 Rev. Warren Chassaniol ................................ $100.00 Deacon Eldon Frazier ......................................$ 50.00 Deacon Nick Messina ......................................$ 50.00

Overall Seminarian Burses Total: $1,727,218.02 ~ CFSL Seminarian Endowments Total: $3,831,119.57 October 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 29

Commentary

Finding our identity through adolescence Thoughts For Millennials Ryan Abboud

As we progress along the path of our adolescence, we often hear that “these years” are the years when we should be “finding ourselves.” We’re told that we should be establishing our own individuality as we take on high school, college or any post-graduate employment. However, do we really understand what that means or entails?

While a large portion of our time as youth should be used to contemplate and determine some of our wants, dreams and desires of our adult lives; the focus during this time falls into

the secular world all too often. Most of the time, the stress and importance of “figuring out what you want to do with your life” relates only to our career paths, future studies and future relationships. We often neglect the opportunity to solidify our faith and relationship with the Father. We’re given a great opportunity to question our faith (in a healthy way) and yearn for/achieve a deeper understanding of what we believe and who we believe in. We’re given a great opportunity to learn not only who we are, but also whose we are.

Brothers and sisters, we must understand that there’s a progression to us “figuring out” our identity.

Initially, before we can look in a mirror searching for who (insert your name here) is, we must know and believe that we are called to holiness above all else. No matter what we desire, need or want out of life; no matter what we want to study in college; no matter

what we want to be when we grow up, we first have to know that we are called to holiness first and foremost.

At that point, after we’ve come to learn this truth, then we can establish our identity, but not our identity within society. We should then search to learn our identity in Christ. We must come to learn (with both intellect and heart alike) that we are children of the One, True King. We must come to understand that we attain our knowledge of identity by the giving up of one’s heart. After we surrender our heart to the will of Jesus, then (and only then) can we confidently say that our hearts belong to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ. In this truth, we are sealed and declared as forever his, and in that truth is where we find our freedom, our purpose and our identity.

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

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

Book Reviews

Reading With Raymond Raymond Saadi

Louisiana Trail Riders

By Jeremiah Ariaz University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press $49.95 “Join our procession” one of the “Trail Riders” indicated with a wave to author Ariaz who had pulled his motorcycle off the road to let this group of horsemen pass.

African American Trail Riding Clubs have their roots in the creole culture formed in South Louisiana in the 18th century and today offer opportunities for generations to celebrate and ride horseback.

This oversized 152-page collection of Ariaz’ striking black and white photos will delight riders and readers alike. BC

The Reckoning

By John Grisham Doubleday $29.95

I hope it’s not over, and good-by

When War Hero Pete Banning went into his church one morning and shot and killed his pastor, Rev. Dexter Bell, friends and neighbors assumed he was unbalanced from his years as prisoner of the Japanese in WWII, surviving even the brutal and inhuman Bataan Death March. He admitted the murder but steadfastly refused to say anything in his defense despite facing the death penalty at his trial for murder in the first degree. The fallout from his reticence would drastically affect his loved ones: his wife, confined to a mental institution and his two children in college, as well as his farm and the workers. Why won’t he speak? BC

Editor Ralph Adamo recollects the best of Everette Maddox’s published work and introduces newly published poems (many definitely not for children) that contain an abundance of humor and poignant insights to living in New Orleans. Maddox longed for celebrity like Scott and Zelda’s but found it unattainable. At one point he was so depressed a few friends suggested suicide but he responded, “That would miss the point.”

Thankfully, he left behind the more than 100 poems here. BC

Past Tense

Bayou Song

By Lee Child Delacorte Press $28.99

By Margaret Simon, Anna Cantrell, Henry Cancienne University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press $19.95

Jack Reacher is back on the road; thumb out, heading from Maine to California. On an early ride he finds himself near the place where he believes his father was born and decides to check it out. Not too far away, a young Canadian couple heading for New York City is stranded when their car breaks down near a lonely motel where they appear to be the only guests. Reacher fans will know immediately that he and the couple will meet up eventually, much to the distress of the strange motel operators. The adventure’s on sale November 5th and is very much worth waiting for. BC

Selected Poems of Everette Maddox Edited by Ralph Adamo UNO Press $16.95

More than a book of short, lovely poems, fascinating photos, illustrations and a sourcebook of our flora and fauna, this little hardcover, spiral bound volume is a workbook for readers with every entry backed by a lined blank page inviting readers to create their own poem or appreciation. It’s a wonderful gift for students as well as visitors anxious to learn about our bountiful and beautiful state. BC

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

Special

50th anniversary of Humanae Vitae: On the regulation of birth Guest Columnist Father Joseph Tregre

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Humanae Vitae, the landmark encyclical of Pope Paul VI (1963 – 1978), which, in response to the 60s “sexual revolution,” gave a renewed presentation of the Catholic faith in regard to marriage and family and the regulation of birth. In his encyclical, Pope Paul VI says, “The church, nevertheless, teaches that each and every marital act must of necessity retain its intrinsic relationship to the procreation of human life” (HV, 11). In Genesis 1:28, God says to Adam and Eve, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves upon the earth.” Life is a precious gift given by God, and man is a steward of this gift of life.

Many of us may have heard of the phrase a “demographic winter,” which tells the story of a future population decline as birth rates in America and Europe fall beneath replacement levels.

In America, a fertility rate of 2.1 children per woman of child-bearing age is needed to sustain the population; however, since 2015, America’s birthrate has been at sub-replacement levels, with an all-time low of 1.76 births per woman of childbearing age in 2017. In Europe, in 2017, for the first time since the conception of the European Union, the EU reported more deaths than births. The only reason why populations continue to grow in America and Europe is due to the immigration of mainly Hispanic and Middle Eastern populations. Without immigration, the “demographic winter”

Fertility Rate America would already be at our doorsteps, as birth rates continue to decline to ever record-breaking lows in the West.

What does the “demographic winter” have to do with Pope Paul VI and his encyclical Humana e Vitae – “Of Human Life” – promulgated on July 25, 1968?

What else was happening in the 60s?

For the first time in American history, on May 9, 1960, birth control, as an oral contraceptive, was legalized by the FDA. On Jan. 22, 1973, abortion would also be legalized, with the landmark decision of Roe v. Wade. International communities, fearful of the growing worldwide population boom, applied pressure for the development of and wide-access to artificial birth control and abortion to all women of child-

32 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • October 2018

bearing age. Among them, President Lyndon Johnson (1963-1969), promoted “family planning” by supporting the use of the controversial oral contraceptives in America and beyond. Even with a eugenics intention at times, oral contraceptives became widely available in America and, by 1965, six and half million women were on the “pill” (nwlc. org). Today, more than 99 percent of women aged 15-44 who have ever had sexual intercourse have used at least one contraceptive method (Guttmacher Institute). However, an international backlash in declining fertility and birth rates among modern and even rural nations now has nations questioning the wisdom of birth control and abortion and asking how can the tide of

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declining populations be reversed.

In Bulgaria, for example, a nation, which had almost nine million people in 1990, by 2050, will have lost approximately half of its entire population. With one of the world’s lowest birth rates, 1.43 children per child-bearing mother, the country has taken drastic measures to incentivize larger families, including: (1) extending pregnancy leave from the previous 135 days to 315 days, (2) requiring 90 percent of salary paid to the mother during pregnancy, (3) fully paid maternity leave for one year, (4) and a government subsidy of $102 per month for home childcare up to the first two years. Like many Eastern European nations, following World War II, Bulgaria legalized induced abortions with wide accessibility and little restriction. Abortion became the common method of birth control, with, according to recent statistics, even up to 40 percent of women having had an abortion, in comparison to 20-30 percent in most industrialized nations.

Bulgaria has long had more abortions than births and was previously estimated to lose as much as 40 percent of its population.

In Japan, the world’s third largest economy, where the value of work is often placed before the value of the family, a similar demographic crisis is looming. Following the population boom of soldiers returning home from World War II, Japan saw a subsequent decline in the birth rate, as fear grew of unsustainable population growth in the small islands of Japan. Japan now offers up to $9,000 to families for having a fourth child, plus the government spends

Fertility Rate Europe 0.36 percent GDP on child care services and also heavily discounts school tuition.

In France, 3.8 percent GDP is spent on child care services, family benefits, and tax breaks for families, especially those willing to have larger families, with Germany and Sweden offering similar incentives. In Denmark, national advertising programs have been developed to encourage larger families or even for families to have their first or second child.

How do nations respond to this “demographic crisis”? By promoting the gift of the family and the biblical values of marriage and family life.

“Marriage and conjugal love are by their nature ordained toward the procreation and education of children.

Children are really the supreme gift of marriage and contribute in the highest degree to their parent’s welfare” (HV, 9). “Contraception, sterilization and

abortion are certainly part of the reason why in some cases there is a sharp decline in the birthrate” (John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae, 16). The “unitive significance and the procreative significance” of the marital act are both “inherent to the marriage act” and cannot be separated (HV, 12). “Just as man does not have unlimited dominion over his body ... , he has not such dominion over his specifically sexual faculties” which are concerned with the gift of life, of which God is the source (HV, 13). God called Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply” and to “have dominion over ... the earth.” He called them to be co-creators with himself.

Children are a joyful gift from God and the fulfillment of marriage and family.

(Father Joseph Tregre is chaplain of Thibodaux Regional Medical Center in Thibodaux and medical ethicist for the diocese.) BC

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October 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 33

Cover Story

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre: Fifth anniversary in Houma-Thibodaux is this month Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier Five years ago on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre was installed as the Fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

Looking back over his first five years as bishop of this diocese, he says the welcoming feeling he experienced when he first arrived is a feeling that he continues to have.

“It’s such a joy for me to get out in the parishes to greet people, to celebrate the Eucharist with them and attend various events to which they so kindly invite me. In my experience people are always happy to see me and are very welcoming whenever I’m at their parish,” says the bishop. “It was a welcome that I felt five years ago in a very pointed way when I first arrived, but it’s a welcome that continues even today and something for which I’m very grateful.”

Bishop Fabre says the first and only time he had ever been here before his appointment was for the diocese’s 30th anniversary Mass at the cathedral, so he didn’t know exactly what to expect. “People who knew the diocese told me that it was a quiet, little diocese and the people were very faithful. One bishop told me I should be able to be very involved in the lives of the parishes, and that my role would not only be administrative, and that’s been true, for the most part.”

Shortly after Bishop Fabre arrived, economic conditions took a downturn, Mass attendance was declining and there were changes happening all across

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34 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • October 2018

Cover Story

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre greets Greg and Gwen Eaton, parishioners of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Houma, after Mass recently. Bishop Fabre says that it is a joy for him to get out in the parishes to greet people, to celebrate the Eucharist with them and attend the various events to which they so kindly invite him. the diocese. When discerning the path that the diocese as a whole needed to take in light of these developments, Bishop Fabre says his process involved first and foremost, much prayer and reflection … “quiet time talking with the Lord, seeking to accomplish his will and seeking his strength when you have so many concerns and so many fears, and just being honest about this is the challenge, these are my fears, and these are the gifts I see that are present … this is discernment.”

Secondly, he says something that has always been very important to him is consultation. “I am very grateful for the diocesan staff, the Pastoral Center staff and the priests of the diocese who are all important collaborators. Even though I have to make the decision, I need to listen to other people because the Lord speaks to them, as well. When we all pray and discuss our concerns and rely on the expertise that others bring, I truly believe we are able to get to where the spirit of God is leading us.”

With regard to Mass attendance and the dwindling number of Catholics, Bishop Fabre says you can’t just see the negative; you have to recognize the potential and hope in the future; that’s why the diocese began the strategic planning process.

“And, after much prayer, discernment and listening to others,” says the bishop, “we decided to go after nurturing people’s faith in the pews so they in turn can go out and nurture the faith of others.”

Bishop Fabre says that some of the highlights of his first five years were his installation as bishop, the ordinations of the priests and deacons, the celebration of the diocese’s 40th anniversary, and the whole process of strategic planning.

“Something that always shines very brightly for me is the faith of the people,” says Bishop Fabre. “Another thing that strikes me is that here, in this diocese, a lot of men practice

their faith. I’m not saying that in other dioceses men don’t practice their faith, but here, for some reason, men – young men, middle aged men, old men – all go to Mass. I have not seen that in other dioceses, but in this diocese men are noticeably present in the life of the church, which I greatly appreciate.”

The diocese has a number of seminarians in formation right now and with respect to so many men practicing their faith here, Bishop Fabre says, “I believe this bodes well for our future priests. Seeing men practicing their faith and going to Mass nurtures that vocation God has already planted within them, and it gives them permission not to be self-conscious about actively practicing their own Catholic faith.”

Since becoming bishop of the diocese, Bishop Fabre has also been appointed to various committees with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Although he says his first priority and responsibility is always to the faithful of the diocese, Bishop Fabre also serves the USCCB as chair for the Subcommittee on African American Affairs (his term ends in November 2018), chair of the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, and is a member of the Committee on ProLife Activities. In balancing these commitments along with all of his other responsibilities, he says the vicars general and chancellor are of great help to him.

With regard to the future, Bishop Fabre says, “The diocese will continue to implement the strategic plan and be about making missionary disciples, and getting people to understand the truths of the faith and that the church does have something to say to humanity’s deepest desires today.

The church does have answers to those questions that are at the very center of each and every person, such as: Who am I? What am I supposed to do with my life? What comes after this?

We need to help people find the answers to these questions and walk with them on their journey toward discovery.”

Bishop Fabre says that he is deeply grateful for the many ways that the faithful sacrifice their time and finances for the diocese and for all of the people who are part of the diocesan consultative bodies that assist him with their expertise and their suggestions. He is also very appreciative of the priests, deacons and seminarians for all they do for the diocese and for their great support of him, and their fraternity and camaraderie. BC

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October 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 35

Special

Do I See Christ: Reflections of the Good Leaders Good Shepherds program Guest Columnist Father P.J. Madden

After assuming his office as bishop of our diocese, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre prayed for guidance from the Holy Spirit to help him discern how best to serve and lead his people. Inspired, he established a series of listening sessions around the diocese, then called a meeting (over three days) of all priests in January 2016 to pray, reflect and offer recommendations as to how to prepare our diocese to celebrate its upcoming 50th anniversary. He issued an Advent Pastoral in 2016, entitled A Reason To Hope, based on Jeremiah 29:11-14 and, filled with that hope, we all went to work, asking ourselves, priests and people, “What does God want for our diocese in the 21st century?”

In the midst of this process, a retired local businessman met Bishop Fabre, clearly by divine design, and in conversation, it was agreed that our priests were not up to date in modern management and leadership techniques. He offered to sponsor a series of seminars for the priests to update our pastoral and leadership skills and renew our hope, too! This is how the Good Leaders, Good Shepherds program was born. We priests are eternally grateful for the opportunity we have had, and I will now elaborate on our experience.

First, on behalf of all of our priests, I want to thank our parishioners for their trust, support and non-stop prayers for us, as we undertook the demanding series of seminars over a full year. We also are indebted to our retired brother

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre addresses the priests gathered for the Good Leaders Good Shepherds program. priests who were on standby while we were absent from our parishes.

Led by an experienced team from The Catholic Leadership Institute, we were guided through an intense series of exercises, mostly in small active groups, in which we were tested, again and again, on all aspects of modern leadership, management and group moderation skills. It was hard but very rewarding work. And all was rooted in prayer and our pastoral leadership context. It is worthy of note that Bishop Shelton participated fully in every module!

To start, we were enabled to identify our own personality strengths and weaknesses, and our varied cultural approach to ministry and societal values. I came to realize, for example, that our diocese is very blessed to be a microcosm of the universal church, with priests from the U.S., Mexico, Ireland, Vietnam, India, Africa, Australia and the Philippines.

We learned to profile ourselves using the DiSC training and development tool: Identifying traits we demonstrate in every situation, which inform our response to others working with us.

From this we learned how, from time to

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

time, we need to move from our comfort zone to allow others to assist and even lead us to a better way to approach a situation, problem or venture in our parish. In a word, we learned to trust the gifts of others and allow them to surface and enrich our parishes by working collaboratively together.

Using the DiSC tool to identify the strengths of others and how best to deploy them in various situations was most enlightening and, while the exercise was a journey into industrial psychology, we had it overlaid with our diocesan journey of HOPE. Hence, our redefinition of the DiSC tool as “Do I See Christ” in every one of my parishioners, acknowledging that each has a unique perspective in life and faith which, if applied in the common interest, will enrich us all in Christ.

Through a series of small group exercises our skills were sharpened in all aspects of relating to others, in situations ranging from a one-toone exchange to participating in a full pastoral council meeting, all the while becoming more sensitive to the personality type and perspective of each and every other participant. From this we learned to value every

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input and recognize that, although one might see a situation or solution in a very different way from me, their point of view is also valid and should be honored when coming to a consensus. This is the heart of collaborative ministry and, while at times it may even frustrate, in the end the best decision is one in which all feel they have a sense of ownership.

Overall, there were three main benefits from our course, in which some 30 priests received certificates of achievement on Aug. 23. First, we deepened the bond of brotherhood and trust among ourselves; second, we realized how blessed we are to have such wonderful parishioners to serve; and third we now have a set of tools and supporting “job aids” to keep us abreast of best practice so we can approach every aspect of ministry with confidence that God is at work in us believers!

And finally, we owe a debt of thanks to a great team of experts who guided us through the whole course and are available to add their input at any time we may need them in the future.

So we proceed with great confidence, knowing, as Jeremiah told us: “I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe. When you call to me, I will give you a future Full of Hope.” Laus Deo semper.

(Father P.J. Madden is the pastor of St. Hilary of Poitiers Church parish in Mathews and the Community of St. Anthony in Gheens.) BC

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Priests of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux along with Bishop Shelton J. Fabre received certificates of completion recently during graduation for the Good Leaders Good Shepherds program. Led by an experienced team from The Catholic Leadership Institute, participants were guided through an intense series of exercises, mostly in small active groups, in which they were tested on all aspects of modern leadership, management and group moderation skills.

October 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 37

Laity in Action

Sacristan finds fulfillment and peace in her ministry Alicia Robichaux has been Holy Cross sacristan for 11 years Story by Janet Marcel Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier Alicia Robichaux, parishioner of Holy Cross Church in Morgan City for 52 years, has been serving as the church parish’s sacristan for the past 11 years.

Alicia says about 20 years ago she began going to the 5:30 p.m. Mass every day. Marian Jones was the sacristan at the time and Alicia remembers thinking that was something good to do for the church, so she started to watch her in that ministry. “As I watched her, I became even more interested in what she was doing. And when Marian got sick, I took over for her.” She recalls that Father Jay L. Baker was pastor of Holy Cross at that time.

Alicia was the cafeteria manager at Shannon Elementary School in Morgan City for 32 years and when she retired 11 years ago in 2007 she became much more active in the parish.

She opens the church every day and sets up for the weekday Masses, school Masses, weddings, funerals, and weekend Masses. Her responsibilities as sacristan include 38 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • October 2018

caring for and maintaining all of the sacred vessels, vestments, altar linens, candles, oils, holy water and other liturgical items. She keeps an inventory of the wine and candles; puts oil in the candles every Thursday as needed, sets up the books for the readings, puts out the newsletters every week and the Bayou Catholic magazines every month.

She washes the items that need to be washed, irons the vestments that need ironing, brings various items to the cleaners and picks them up when they’re done. And after Mass is over, she locks up the church.

She says she loves this ministry, but that if anyone is interested in volunteering, she is more than happy to train them and help them get involved.

In addition to serving as sacristan, Alicia helps decorate the church for special occasions and different liturgical seasons such as Christmas, Easter, Lent, etc., and picks up the decorations afterwards. She is a member of the Altar

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Society and a church cleaning team leader. There are four teams with six or seven people on each team. And she says twice a year, two weeks before Easter and two weeks before Christmas, the whole crew comes in to give the church a more thorough cleaning.

Alicia explains that when her son was 13 years old, he was diagnosed with diabetes and started having a lot of medical issues. “Twenty years ago he had to have a kidney/pancreas

transplant. At that time I just needed God in my life a lot more than I ever needed him before.”

She says her mother, who was very religious, was a big influence on her decision to become a sacristan. “Sometimes when I’m in the church doing things, especially for a long period of time, I think about my mother. And when my husband was sick last year, being in the church with God just helped me … to be at peace and brought me closer to him.”

At this time in her life, Alicia finds her ministry as sacristan very rewarding, especially because she gets to serve the Very Rev. Clyde Mahler, who is the pastor of Holy Cross parish. The Kraemer native says she has been knowing Father Mahler since the day he was born and was able to follow him on his journey to the priesthood.

Alicia is also a board member of the local chapter of AARP, which began 30 years ago and currently has about 1,500 members. She says she enjoys being involved with the organization because it gives older people something to do with their peers. “I dealt with children for 34 years and now I’m dealing with older people.”

She and her husband David have been married for 56 years. They have two children, Dana and David Jr., three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. “Between my family, God, Holy Cross, and AARP, things have been good,” says Alicia. “I’ve lead a good life and God has blessed me.” BC

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October 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 39

Special

Guest Columnist Father John David Matherne

At the end of August, all of the priests of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux gathered together with Bishop Shelton J. Fabre for our first convocation in a year and a half. During the course of the week, the presbyterate was able to spend some time with one another in prayer, enjoying each other’s company for meals and socials, and aligning our vision for our parishes with the bishop.

It truly was an anointed time where the priests were able to share our own experiences, insights, and hearts as we reflected on where we have been, where we are, and where we look to go.

With the turmoil in the recent months and the dark cloud that has seemed to descend upon the hierarchy of the church, it was providential that our priests were able to gather with the bishop to come together to pray, to share, and to dive into community with one another. While the recent scandals were on the minds of the priests and were able to be shared, the bulk of time that we spent together was rooted in prayer.

We used the first couple of days to personally reflect on our current state of mind and heart, on our initial call to the priesthood, and on the hopes and dreams we have for our parishes. In the same way that an anniversary gives a married couple a chance to reflect on the beginning of their relationship, it was a wonderful chance to touch base with the way in which God originally called us to serve his church as priests.

It was great to hear priests from all walks of life and places in the world share their experience. It was a special moment to see the variety of cultures from which we have all been called come together to embrace the one priesthood of Jesus Christ in our diocese. I saw the

Priests Convocation unites brethern in prayer, community and witness universality of the church and the unity of the presbyterate alive and well.

As the week was wrapping up, we closed the convocation by sharing the graces of the week and our dreams for our laity to one another. For more than two hours, our priests shared their hearts with each other publicly. It was an anointed time to hear the hearts of the priests vulnerable and filled with gratitude for each other. We departed in haste to get to the Strategic Planning Implementation Team meeting. We all seemed to arrive at the meeting at the same time, and I had a couple of people mention that they could see something different in their pastors.

“He seems happy” or “He seems to be excited” were two comments that were shared with me. I could tell them

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

exactly what their pastor was feeling, because I was experiencing the same thing myself. That shared emotion was one of brotherhood.

Over the course of the week, we were able to enjoy each other’s company … yes. However, I think the fact that we were united in our prayer through the week was evident in the community that we shared and the witness that we showed. While we had gathered unified in our fatigue and disgust of the news of the scandals that had plagued the church in recent history, we departed unified in the one priesthood that we all are partakers in, the priesthood of Jesus Christ.

(Father John David Matherne is the bishop’s liaison for youth formation in the diocese.) BC

Special

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

October 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 41

Advertisers Spotlight

LeBlanc & Associates, LLC, locally owned and operated company, has international outreach Mervyn LeBlanc credits his Catholic faith for success

Dan and Mervyn LeBlanc

Story by Janet Marcel ~ Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier LeBlanc & Associates, LLC, based in Houma, is a locally owned and operated company engaged in the offshore, marine, commercial and residential markets consisting of air conditioning and refrigeration, sheet metal, and galley equipment divisions.

In 1986, LeBlanc Refrigeration began as a small family owned refrigeration service company operating in the commercial and marine industries. Over the last 30 years the company has experienced significant growth to what has become a very successful, multi-divisional operation.

In 1989, LeBlanc & Associates incorporated, with Mervyn LeBlanc assuming the position of president, and Laurie LeBlanc the position of secretary/treasurer. With their guidance and focus, the company has grown into a

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

multimillion dollar a year operation providing installation and services for local shipyards and fishing fleets.

The business’s main operation in Houma is housed in a 25,000 square foot facility, which includes 5,500 square feet of office space, 3,500 square feet of warehouse space, a 500 square foot training center, and 15,500 square feet of fabrication space. They are currently adding a 10,000 square foot facility to their Houma location. There is also a satellite location in Bayou La Batre, AL. Houma native Mervyn LeBlanc, owner and CEO, says he went through some extremely tough times in the 1980s when the oil industry was on the decline and his first business went bankrupt. “After a visit to church, some private prayer and discussions with my wife, we decided

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to go right back into business and start all over again … with some serious challenges. We started out by ourselves working out of our house. I was working anywhere from 18-24 hours a day for the first two to three years. The copy machine was on the living room floor. My wife was babysitting and together we were able to make ends meet.

We truly began to understand the importance of our faith.”

It was a one man operation for the first few years and then Mervyn hired another person and moved out of his house and into a small warehouse. In 1989, the business was incorporated and became LeBlanc & Associates, Inc. “We knew from past experience that in order to be successful we had to diversify,” says Mervyn.

Today the business employs anywhere between 80 and 100 employees. They are in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. Five years ago they merged with Heinen & Hopman Engineering B.V., and they are currently associated with companies in 22 countries. One of the reasons they’ve been in business for so long is that they design, manufacture and install their projects, says Mervyn; not many companies do that.

Mervyn says that his and his wife Laurie’s Catholic faith helped them to become better people and that’s the reason for their success. He says that he and his wife of 43 years lean on each other a lot. The couple raised three children, Dan, Lacey (Picou) and Tyler. They are parishioners of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Houma.

Serving the community and giving back is important to Mervyn, especially as a successful business owner. He is a proud new member of Legatus, an organization for Catholic business leaders committed to learning, living and spreading the Catholic faith.

Dan, who has worked for LeBlanc & Associates, LLC, for the past 18 years and is currently the COO, says his father lives by the Golden Rule and has always taught him and his siblings to treat others the way they would want to be treated. “Dad has always treated his customers with respect and honesty … and that goes a long way. They don’t want to hear a salesman. They want to know that you are going to be true to your word and that you are going to deliver.

That’s Dad’s biggest selling point.”

Mervyn always tries to be a good example for everyone at work and at home. “That seed was planted in me by my parents. Many times when we’re at a conference or expo, even in another country, and we’re all sitting around the table getting ready to eat, everyone looks at me because they know I’m going to want to say grace.” Dan says they nicknamed his father the “grace master.”

Mervyn says that listening to the Gospels has taught him a lot about forgiveness, sharing and giving back. “In 2012, the Come, Lord Jesus! ministry came to our church parish.

We meet every Wednesday and discuss the upcoming readings for Sunday. We do a lot of sharing in that group, and those little tidbits … certain words, sayings, examples … that we pick up from others are the building blocks that help me get through the week. That group has really helped all of us to strengthen our faith, and give us that extra little

bit of inspiration in addition to receiving the Eucharist every week.”

Mervyn, who has been in business for 44 years, recently announced that he will be retiring at the end of this year and his son Dan will take over as CEO of the business.

“I’ve been ready (for this),” says Dan. “I have traits from both my mom and my dad. He couldn’t have done it alone and she couldn’t have done it alone because they balance each other out. My mom’s personality is warm and loving, but very black and white and she thinks through her decisions. My dad is more of an emotional, heartfelt person.

So both of those things combined create a balance. I think my dad will always be involved in the business and I know he’s always just a phone call away.”

Mervyn says he loves to travel and plans to do a lot more traveling in his motor home once things start to settle down.

He and his wife also try to visit Europe a couple of times a year.

“Retiring is really hard for me,” says Mervyn, “but I pride myself with the employees I’ve surrounded myself with because they can do things I can’t do; and I’m confident that Dan can carry on … and the future of this company will continue, hopefully in the same direction that my wife and I started it out to be.” BC

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

Announcement

Good stewardship: Pro-active estate planning Catholic Foundation Update Danny Hoychick

When you think of the phrase being a good steward, do you brace yourself for the homily on giving or for the basket to be passed for Sunday collections? It’s ok; that’s a natural reaction. But because that is what we often immediately think, we can overlook a very important aspect of true stewardship - estate planning.

Estate planning is for anyone who desires to be a good steward of their possessions. And even if you already have an estate plan, it should be considered periodically to make sure the plan matches your desires/goals as you constantly grow and change.

The Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana (CFSL) can help you when your estate plan includes charitable

contributions to a parish, school or ministry within our diocese.

Your estate plan should be customized to suit your wants and needs. When considering an estate plan that meets your needs, the following may help: Will. Do you have one? If not, what are you waiting for? If so, review your will for any life changes that may affect you or those you love, such as: birth, death, marriage, divorce, disability or a move to a different state. Consider adding a charitable organization like your church parish or school through the CFSL. Trust. Do you need one? If so, which kind (there are many)? Some estate plans operate better with one, especially if a loved one has special needs or restraint is an issue, and plenty of estates operate just fine without one.

Beneficiary designations. Do you want these to match your will/trust?

Again, consider adding a charitable organization like your church parish or school through the CFSL. Durable power of attorney.

Are your durable power of attorney

documents for financial and/or health care current? These documents allow someone to act on your behalf while you are living.

Lifetime gifts. Do you want to give now? If so, consider the implications of such a donation with professionals.

Charitable contributions.

If you’ve included a gift to the CFSL, restricted for a parish, school or ministry, in your estate plan, review the details of your gift and consider letting us (and your loved ones) know of your intentions.

Remember, it’s never too late to plan for the future. Contact the CFSL for more information on how you can create an estate plan that provides for you and/or for your church parish.

Call Amy Ponson (985)850-3116 or email aponson@htdiocese.org for a confidential conversation today.

(Danny Hoychick is an attorney with Watkins, Walker, Eroche and Hoychick, and a CFSL advisory council member.)

The information in this publication is not intended as legal advice or solicitation.

For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. BC

#40

E L E C T I O N D AY I S

Ellen with her husband Chuck and their children, Anna and Charles.

Members of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church.

Ellen attended St. Francis School and Vandebilt Catholic High School, as did her parents and children.

PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT ELLEN DAIGLE DOSKEY.

44 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • October 2018

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH. Early Voting is available October 23rd-30th.

Contact Ellen at ellen@electellendoskey.com For more information please visit electellendaigledoskey.com P.O. Box 146 Houma, Louisiana 70361

Announcement

World Mission Sunday is Oct. 21

By FATHER Robert-Joel Cruz Peace! Some 80,000 Akha and Lahu people live in Thailand’s Northern Provinces on the mountain slopes bordering Myanmar. These indigenous hill tribes have fled civil wars in Myanmar and Laos. They live in remote villages in stilt houses made with natural materials. There are very few schools in this area, and those that are nearest to the villages require uniforms and school fees. Sister Jancy and the Fang Catholic Mission Center are working to make sure as many tribal children as possible can attend school by subsidizing the cost of uniforms, meals, school fees – even transportation.

Sister Jancy, who is also a registered nurse, has worked in that part of Thailand for seven years. “Our main aim is to empower vulnerable tribal communities and improve their quality of life through Catholic faith formation,

education and skills training,” she said.

Some of the most pressing social issues in this region are drug addiction and human trafficking. Many tribal families lack citizenship cards as well.

This hinders them from receiving access to government benefits, such as higher education, health care and civil protection.

According to the World Bank more than 11 billion people in the world are unable to prove their identity and therefore lack access to vital services including healthcare, social protection, education and finance.

The majority live in Africa and Asia and more than one third are children who are unregistered.

During the weekends at the Mission Center, staff teach religious education and sponsor prayer groups. “Children enjoy regular recreation, learn music and their own tribal languages so that

VOICES for MISSION

they can participate well in the liturgical celebrations in their village chapels with their families and village community,” said Sister Jancy. The Sisters also offer health and hygiene lessons.

Sister Jancy indicated that many young “graduates” from Fang Catholic Mission Center have gone on to become teachers, nurses and professionals.

Others, like catechist Pinnappa Chayue, have returned to the Center to serve on staff.

“Never think that you have nothing to offer or that nobody needs you. Many people need you. Think about it! Each of you, think in your heart: many people need me” (Pope Francis’ Meeting with Young People, Maipu Shrine, Jan. 17, 2018).

Asking the Lord to bless you for your generous missionary spirit, I am Father Robert-Joel Cruz, diocesan director, The Society for the Propagation of the Faith, Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, 1220 Aycock Street, Houma, LA 70360.

All for the Greater Glory of God! Ave Maria! BC

…all of us are called to be on mission

Society for the Propagation of the Faith

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY October 21, 2018

Name________________________ Address ________________________________ City, State________________________________ Phone _____________ Email _____________

WMS …an opportunity to raise your voice for the Mission

Mail to: Rev. Robert-Joel Cruz Society for the Propagation of the Faith 1220 Aycock Street – Houma, La. 70360 All for the Greater Glory of God

October 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 45

Catholic Schools

Educators Conference

The annual Educators Conference sponsored by the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools was held recently at E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux. Bishop Shelton J. Fabre was the keynote speaker for the event.

In addition to the morning Mass and keynote address, participants had the opportunity to attend workshops and breakout sessions.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

46 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • October 2018

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October 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 47

Announcement

Lonnie Thibodeaux named director of communications

Lonnie Thibodeaux

Lonnie Thibodeaux has been named the new director of the Office of Communications for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. He will serve as communications consultant for Bishop Shelton J. Fabre and as official media

spokesperson for the diocese. He will also oversee the diocesan website, all electronic communications, social media and Bayou Catholic magazine.

Thibodeaux worked as director of corporate communications at Edison Chouest Offshore for the past 18 years.

He was also news director at HTV for nine years. Thibodeaux obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science/ pre-law and an associate’s degree in legal assistant studies from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux in May 1983. Beginning with the second year of the Bayou Catholic newspaper’s publication, he was the weekly prep football columnist for several years.

Thibodeaux, and his wife Regina of 33 years, have three children, Kaitlyn, 25; Kyler, 22; and Landon, 19, who are all graduates of Vandebilt Catholic

High School in Houma. They are parishioners of the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma.

“The diocese remains grateful to Very Rev. Mark Toups, V.G., and all those who sustained our Communications Department since the retirement of Louis G. Aguirre in June 2016. Since that time, we held a desire to add leadership to our team to allow us to best serve the people of our diocese, someone familiar with today’s communications platforms. Lonnie provided just that with his vast experience in media and public relations over the past three decades. And, as a lifelong resident and a faithful parishioner in our diocese, Lonnie provides the Pastoral Center with valuable leadership and perspective,” says Bishop Fabre. BC

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Serving the Diocese since 1991

Announcement

Robert Gorman to retire June 2019

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

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Position Available The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is currently seeking a full-time

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Of CAThOLIC ChARITIES Starting Date: April 1, 2019 Applications Accepted Through: January 15, 2019, or until position is filled.

Location: Houma, Louisiana Organization Summary: The mission of Catholic Charities is to provide compassionate service and empower people in need through faithfulness to the Gospel. We provide social programs that enhance the dignity of each person, promote Catholic Social Teaching, advocate for those whose voice is not heard, organize people who feel powerless to improve their lives, and join with church parishes and all people of good will to establish a more just and charitable society.

Catholic Charities is governed by a board of directors appointed by the bishop who serves as president. A boardelected chair presides at board meetings. An agency of the diocese, though not housed at the Pastoral Center, Catholic Charities operates 15 programs throughout the diocese. In 2004 Catholic Charities was in the first class of 22 Louisiana agencies awarded the national Standards for Excellence Certification and has been recertified continuously ever since.

Robert Gorman

Robert Gorman, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, has announced that he is retiring June 30, 2019, after 37 years of service to the diocese.

Applications for the new executive director will be accepted through January 15, 2019, or until the position is filled. Interviews will begin in January 2019. Hire date for the position is April 1.

Catholic Charities is an agency that puts children and families first through 15 different programs serving 18,000 people a year with a combined budget of $2 million annually and a diverse staff of 24 diocesan employees and 450 volunteers. Catholic Charities is funded through the Catholic Charities Christmas Collection, donations, grants, contracts, fees for service and the earnings from a $2.5 million Catholic Charities Endowment.

The mission of Catholic Charities is providing compassionate service and empowering people in need through faithfulness to the Gospel. We provide social programs that enhance the dignity of each person, promote Catholic social teaching, advocate for those whose voice is not heard, organize people who feel powerless to improve their lives, and join with church parishes and all people of good will to establish a more just and charitable society.

For a detailed job description, responsibilities, qualifications and experience, go to www.htdiocese.org/ catholic-charities. BC

Essential Duties and Reporting: Provide leadership and management for the effectiveness of all Catholic Charities programs and, in cooperation with the board of directors, ensure the implementation of the mission and goals of the agency through strategic and program planning in response to community needs.

Communicate Catholic Social Teaching to the agency staff and ensure that these values are at the center of the operating philosophy of the agency.

Maintain an effective mix of social services, education, advocacy and community organizing with both agency run programs and parish social ministry outreach.

Foster good community relations to generate support for the agency both within the Catholic parish community and within the broader community.

Secure the necessary human and financial resources required for carrying out the agency’s work. Manage and monitor the annual agency budgets and oversee the general fiscal management of the agency. Oversee the maintenance and upkeep of all CCHT buildings and equipment.

Carry out other duties as assigned by the bishop, vicar general and board. The executive director reports to the vicar general for administration.

Qualifications and Experience: • Practicing Catholic in good standing • Well-versed in, and strongly committed to, Catholic Social Teaching and Catholic identity • Passion for social justice and services to poor and vulnerable people through agency programs and parish social ministry outreach • Intercultural competence and dedication to inclusiveness and diversity • Ability to recruit, train and retain professional, committed and diverse staff • Teaching/public speaking experience • Executive management and leadership experience including budget planning and oversight • Demonstrated ability to increase charitable program giving, write grants and grow the Catholic Charities Endowment • Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in a relevant discipline preferred Other Skills Required: • Excellent written and verbal communication skills • Ability to organize and work independently • Ability to write professionally • Proficient in social media platforms • Successfully complete Safe Environment training and background check Working Conditions: Ability to drive throughout the diocese/state for day and night meetings and presentations, able to work a flexible schedule as needed. The current retiring executive director will provide three months of fulltime mentoring. The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees by reason of race, color, religion*, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. (*The diocese, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to require “practicing Catholic” to be a qualification for a position.)

Salary and Schedule: This is a full-time, exempt level position of 35 hours per week; Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Schedule will fluctuate with evening and weekend programs. Excellent benefits and generous paid time off included. Salary commensurate with experience and education.

Apply: For consideration, please submit a cover letter, including salary requirements, and a resume to hr@htdiocese.org. Applications are now being accepted until the position is filled. See the Catholic Charities website for a more in-depth job announcement.

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

Bayou Community

TGMC Well and Wise Program designed for those 60 or older

Guest Columnist Lucy Watkins

According to the National Council on Aging, millions of older adults struggle every day with health challenges, such as mental health issues or chronic disease. These conditions can negatively impact one’s quality of life. Good health helps ensure independence, security, productivity and overall happiness, which is why TGMC Healthy Lifestyles Center created the Well and Wise program.

Well and Wise, presented by The Foundation for TGMC and the Terrebonne Council on Aging, is an educational and inspirational six-month wellness program designed for anyone 60 years or older offered at no cost. Attendees will receive the tools and resources they need to stay healthy and active which in

turn can add years to their life.

10:30 a.m. in the TGMC Community The program meets on the last Sports Institute and covers a variety Wednesday of every month from 9 – of topics designed to entertain, educate and empower.

Classes include: n Fitness, such as line dancing and low-impact exercise n Nutrition/cooking demonstrations n Educational talks led by TGMC experts covering topics such as heart disease and fall prevention n Weight loss challenges There will also be complimentary breakfast and snacks, and a graduation ceremony at the end of the course.

Registration is now open for the January 2019 session. Space is limited and a reservation is required. To enroll in the free program or for any questions, please call (985) 850-6204.

(Lucy Watkins is TGMC’s marketing and planning coordinator). BC

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

Diocesan Events

www.bayoucatholic.com

October

n Holy Hour of Adoration for Men, Sunday, October 7, 7-8 p.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma. n On October 7, Respect Life Sunday, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre will celebrate Mass at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux, at 11:30 a.m. n The annual diocesan Red Mass, will be celebrated Tuesday, Oct. 9, at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux, at 11:30 a.m., by Bishop Shelton J. Fabre. n Annual Bishop’s Appeal Orientation, Oct. 11, 9-10 a.m. and 3-4 p.m., Pastoral Center, Schriever. n White Mass, Oct. 13-14 or Oct. 20-21, celebrated in individual diocesan church parishes. n Mass will be celebrated on the feast day of St. Luke the Evangelist, Thursday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m., at St. Luke Church in

November

n Holy Hour of Adoration for Men, Sunday, November 4, 7-8 p.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma. n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, November 6, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311, Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. n St. Martin de Porres Mass for African-American Catholics,

December

n Holy Hour of Adoration for Men, Sunday, December 2, 7-8 p.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma. n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, December 4, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311, Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Thibodaux. n St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church in Thibodaux will host its Annual Fall Banquet, Saturday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. in the church community center. Silent Auction begins at 6:30 p.m. n St. Luke the Evangelist Family Day, Sunday, Oct. 21, after the 10:30 a.m. Mass, in Thibodaux. n Diocesan wedding anniversary prayer service and celebration, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2 p.m., St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux, for couples celebrating 25, 40, 50, 60 and beyond years of marriage this year. A reception will follow in the St. Joseph Life Center. n World Mission Sunday, Oct. 21, joins all Catholics of the world into one community of faith providing an opportunity to support the life-giving presence of the church among the poor and marginalized in more than 1,111 mission dioceses. Please be generous.

Thursday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m., St. Luke the Evangelist Church, Thibodaux, celebrated by Bishop Shelton J. Fabre. n American Indian Mass of Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m., St. Charles Borromeo Church, Pointe-aux-Chenes, celebrated

by Bishop Emeritus Sam G. Jacobs.

n American Indian Ministry sponsored retreat, “Cast into the Deep,” begins Friday, Dec. 14, at 5 p.m., and ends Sunday, Dec. 16 with lunch at Noon. Presenter, Sister Judy Gomila, M.S.C.

Advertise in the Bayou Catholic and help spread the Good News. Call (985)850-3132 for more info.

52 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • October 2018

Announcements

Eucharistic procession is Oct. 6 Dasha Castillo

Anna Chadwick

Adriana Landry

Three area students are named National Merit semifinalists Dasha Castillo and Adriana Landry, seniors at Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma, and Anna Chadwick, senior at E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux, have been officially recognized as National Merit semifinalists and are ranked among the top one percent of PSAT scorers in the nation. Over 1.6 million juniors in about 22,000 high schools entered the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2017 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). Dasha is the daughter of Mr. Jorge Castillo and Mrs. Tania Huaman. Anna is the daughter of David and Jami Chadwick. Adriana is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Landry.

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux’s 2018 Bayou Lafourche Eucharistic Procession will take place Saturday, Oct. 6, beginning at 8 a.m. with Mass at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church in Golden Meadow. Boat procession departs from OLPS at 9 a.m., arriving at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Larose at 11 a.m. for one hour of prayer in the church. The procession will depart Larose by fire truck at Noon, arrive at St. Joseph Cemetery in Thibodaux at 1:30 p.m., and then continue on foot to St. Joseph CoCathedral, for vespers and benediction at 2 p.m.

Everyone is invited to take part in this procession. BC

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

Announcements

St. Luke Fall Banquet Oct. 20

Dr. Joyce F. Gillie

St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church in Thibodaux will host its Annual Fall Banquet, Saturday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. in the church community center. Silent Auction begins at 6:30 p.m. The guest speaker is Dr. Joyce F. Gillie.

Dr. Gillie has a doctor of ministry degree with a concentration in spirituality and a master of divinity degree from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, IL; a master’s degree in pastoral studies with a concentration in youth ministry from Loyola University in Chicago, IL; and a bachelor’s degree in special education from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL. Since 2017, she has been presenting workshops on evangelization, building church and spirituality. BC

Son Rise Music Fest Oct. 27 The Son Rise Christian Music Fest will be held Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Lafourche Central Market Pavilion in Mathews beginning at 8:30 a.m. There will be a 50/50 raffle, live music, food, a marketplace, live and silent auctions, fair rides, a seafood cook-off and a Mario Kart Tournament for children ages 4-12. The day will end with a collaborative praise and worship session with More Than Sunday.

This free ecumenical music fest has moved under the umbrella of Lift 3:16, Inc., which also hosts the Steubenville on the Bayou Conference in Houma. BC

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.

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

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Sports

The transformation of the LSU kicking game also includes true freshman kickoff specialist Avery Atkins.

Overtime Atkins kicked off 18 times in three games. Fifteen of those kicks resulted in touchbacks.

Ed Daniels So, a team that starts four seniors, and lost a starting guard to suspension, and the club’s best pass rusher to a season ending knee injury, is one of the biggest early season stories in college football.

The win over Auburn has quelled, for now, the speculation that Orgeron is on Site Name the hot seat.

Site Address On the Friday before the Auburn Contact game, a local New Orleans newspaper If any coach in college football Phone / Email website ran a headline. understands the value of talent It blared the following.

“Would a win procurement, it is LSU’s Ed Orgeron.

Saturday over Auburn get Ed Orgeron On a Saturday in Auburn, AL, off the hot seat?”

Orgeron’s career record climbed above Twenty-four hours later, Orgeron, .500 (34-33) with a 22-21 win over the still perceived as the interim head coach, nation’s then seventh ranked team. outcoached the Auburn coach, he with That nugget went overlooked as LSU the seven year, $49 million extension. ended Auburn’s 13 home game winning In that game, Orgeron’s Tigers streak and defeated a top 10 ranked checked all the boxes. team for the second time in three weeks.

The defense intercepted future first For more information, Those who mimic Orgeron for his please twice. contact: round pick Jarrett Stidham, And, gravelly voice, and for his thick Cajun more information, For four more information, held Auburn to For only third down accent, must also acknowledge his please contact: please contact: conversions in 12 attempts. shrewd moves in the offseason that Site Name The offense didn’t turn the ball over, have paid major dividends.

Houma Digestive Health Site Address and made big plays when needed.

On the game winning field goal drive Specialists SiteSite Name Name LSU possessed the football 35 Contact Houma Digestive Health against Auburn, transfer quarterback Houma Digestive Health 1023 Wood Street Site Address Site Address Specialists Phone /minutes.

Email Joe Burrow threw a perfect pass to Specialists Houma, LA 70360 Contact Contact And, the Tigers won theStreet kicking 1023 Wood Street wide receiver Dee Anderson to convert 1023 Wood Brittany Dupre Phone / Email Phone / Email game.

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Two of those losses were to Alabama, TV analyst Gary Danielson, a former and one each to Florida, Notre Dame, quarterback, tossed Burrow some Mississippi State and Troy. deserved praise.

Troy, by the way, won at Nebraska “I am tipping my hat to Joe Burrow,” 24-19. said Danielson.

Site Name In the coming weeks, a daunting 2018 With the help of two (legitimate) pass Site up, Address schedule will ratchet even more. interference calls, the LSU drive set up Site Name Contact But, there’s more than a purple and Cole Tracy’s game winning 42 yard field gold glimmer ofSite hope. Address goal.

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Bayou

O U T D O O R

GUIDE

F A L L 2018

Bayou Outdoor Guide Contents

On Our

COVER When it comes to duck hunting there are a lot of variables that determine what the annual fall flight is going to be. There are certain species of ducks that migrate seemingly overnight once the days get shorter – like blue winged teal. Light geese (Snows, Blues and Ross) all remain abundant.

Fall redfish and trout outlook

60

Cover photo by John Flores

2018-2019 Deer hunting preview

2018-2019 Waterfowl preview

66

62 2018-2019 Small game preview

68 58 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • October 2018

All hunters are reminded to treat every gun as though it is loaded. This is especially important when carrying a shotgun from a pirogue to a duck blind and carrying rifles while climbing a deer stand. Boaters are to be especially careful during the winter months when north winds and falling tides can leave you stranded in the marsh. Beware!

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Bayou Outdoor Guide

Fall 2018

redfish and trout outlook

By John Flores One Saturday morning last October, I anchored my bay-boat on the corner of an L-shaped canal above Burns Point landing in East Cote Blanche Bay. There’s a break on the canal spoil bank that has progressively widened over the years, causing the natural flow of a skinny-water bayou back in the marsh, to divert to the canal.

The thing about fishing East Cote Blanche Bay is it has its quirks. Much of the spring and summer is influenced by freshwater from the Atchafalaya River, Calumet Spillway, and the Franklin Jaws, where its flow comes from the Intracoastal Canal.

It’s also relatively shallow, where a hard west or southwest wind can stir up the bay causing it to become a muddy mess. To catch a fish under these conditions you’d have to hit it in the head with your bait to have a chance. But, that all changes when the Atchafalaya River falls during the summer months.

By late September and early October, the Atchafalaya River flood stage in Morgan City is typically around three feet. As a result, southerly winds push saltwater up into the bays and with it increased opportunities to catch redfish and speckled trout.

I sat on my honey hole waiting for the tide to start falling. And sure enough, when it turned, I started to catch fish.

There’s just nothing like fall fishing.

It seems to me it’s more predictable, more comfortable, and altogether more enjoyable.

JOHN FLORES PHOTO

It’s also my preferred time to fish this particular region for redfish. When the wind cooperates, there’s usually plenty of clear water, and the fish seem to be more aggressive gorging themselves in the months prior to winter.

The thing about fall fishing, it’s pretty much the same all across coastal Louisiana where redfish and speckled trout are concerned. Each region, be it Lake Calcasieu in southwest Louisiana, the central coast bays above Marsh Island, the lakes and bayous east of the Atchafalaya River in Terrebonne Parish,

60 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • October 2018

or those amazing hot spots southeast of New Orleans near Chalmette, all have their similar patterns at this time of year.

So, what can trout and redfish anglers expect this coming fall? Sal Fontana, owner/operator of Gotcha Hooked Guide Service says redfish are one thing and speckled trout this year are another.

Fontana fishes Shell Beach, the Biloxi Marsh, and Delacroix out of Hopedale. And, when it comes to redfish Fontana said, “They’re stupid right now.

Sometimes it amazes me and some

a

Bayou Outdoor Guide

of the other guides, where we all wonder how the heck they have any redfish left. I mean, we just wear them out. We did great all summer, where we were catching our limits by 9 a.m. and were heading into the dock.”

By contrast Fontana says this past summer speckled trout fishing had been hit or miss. The Hopedale guide feels what might have influenced trout fishing during the summer was too much freshwater.

According to Fontana, the opening of the Bonnet Carre’ Spillway and all of the high water in the Mississippi River, plus excess rain in the region appeared to have been the cause of sporadic catches.

Fontana said, “We’d catch trout one day and then you couldn’t find them for a week or two. Oh, we caught some, but nothing like we usually do. Now it’s like the whole season has been pushed back six months.”

During the first week of September, Tropical Storm Gordon made landfall along the Mississippi coast and with it, pushed water into the bays and estuaries at the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Fontana says that could bode well as they get into the fall fishing season, combined with a drop in the Mississippi River.

“With the river finally dropping and the salinity levels finally rising with the saltwater pushing in, the trout should start banging off. The redfish are already here, where fishing for them is only going to get better. And, I think the trout fishing this fall is going to last a long time,” Fontana said.

Over in Terrebonne Parish, Bill Lake, owner/operator of Bayou Guide Service, had a similar summer when it came to

speckled trout. Accustomed to catching 10,000 or more trout a summer, Lake and the guides he works with by September had registered 2,500, most of which were caught in May, he says.

Lake speculates that the precipitous drop in trout numbers this past summer could have been caused by an influx of freshwater that came west from the river. He also sighted a fish kill from freezing temperatures last winter that

The thing about fall fishing, it’s pretty much the same all across coastal Louisiana where redfish and speckled trout are concerned. could possibly have had some residual effect on numbers entering the spring and summer months.

Lake said, “We’re coming off of one of our worst speckle trout seasons that I can remember. I’ve been in business 28 years guiding full time and with the exception of 1989, when we had the big freeze, this season was bad. Now down in Cocodrie

they had a fair summer, although they had to run all the way over to Fourchon and Little Pass to catch their fish – they had a much better season than we did.

But, there’s no way to sugar coat it, for us it was bad.”

Lake says he and his crews would run out to the Pickets and the Mardi Gras rig and catch few if any trout at all. To compensate, they would go to what he referred to as plan B and fish redfish inshore.

With over 3,000 redfish tallied through the summer season, Lake says it’s the first time they’ve caught more redfish than speckled trout, which his clientele didn’t seem to mind. There’s nothing quite like coming in with a box full of redfish limits.

“For the fall we have a wait and see attitude right now,” Lake said. “I’m sure if we have a lot of fronts show up we’ll start seeing birds diving by the end of September and early October. And when we do, we’ll start investigating and hopefully we’ll have a good trout run in October. Last year, it was Sept. 25 when we started catching them and we caught a lot of trout before the extreme cold hit us.”

For more information on how to book a trip with Captain Sal Fontana of Gotcha Hooked Guide Service, he can be reached by calling (504) 812-7773 or you can go to his website at www.gotchahooked. com. For information on how to book a trip with Captain Bill Lake owner/ operator of Bayou Guide Service, he can be reached by calling (985) 637-3712 or (985) 851-6015. Lake’s website is www. captlake.com. BC

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Bayou Outdoor Guide

2018 - 2019 Waterfowl preview

By John Flores Twenty-three years ago, in 1995, NASA’s Galileo spacecraft after six years of travel made it to the planet Jupiter. This same year, Steve Fossett became the first person to make a solo flight across the Pacific Ocean in a hot air balloon. And, for some crazy reason a band named “Smashing Pumpkins,” was pretty popular.

For we duck hunters who are old enough to remember that far back, it was the first year of what’s now a 23 year run of six duck daily bag limits and 60 day seasons in the Mississippi Flyway. Put another way, Louisiana waterfowl hunters will be able to experience yet another liberal season.

All of this sounds nice and rosy, but by the time the 2017-2018 season ended this past January, there were a lot of miffed waterfowl hunters who think some of the data used to set seasons is skewed. What’s more, it’s just one big conspiracy where Ducks Unlimited is planting vast acreages of corn in some of the mid-continent states, thus shortstopping the ducks

JOHN FLORES PHOTO

from flying south for the winter. None of which is true of course.

The fact is, when it comes to duck hunting there are a lot of variables that determine what the annual fall flight is going to be. Oh sure, there are

certain species of ducks that migrate seemingly overnight once the days get shorter – like blue winged teal. Other species that arrive early on the gulf coast are green winged teal, northern shovelers, pintails and gadwalls.

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Bayou Outdoor Guide

2018 - 2019

Waterfowl preview Last year’s November aerial survey showed, of the 1.42 million estimated dabbling ducks in the state, 97 percent of them were these five species. Mallards, wigeon and Louisiana’s mottled ducks, all hunter favorites, made up the other three percent estimated. What’s more, the overall estimate of 1.54 million ducks that included diving ducks were half of the previous year’s November estimate and 23 percent below the recent five year long-term average of 2 million.

Where were the mallards and widgeons? Why aren’t hunters seeing more mottled ducks in their bag limits?

Last year, good friend Hunter Andras, who is owner/ operator of DukNutz Decoy Anchors, went to Oklahoma to get his greenheads. Andras, who resides in Chackbay scored bigtime the first week of December in this mid-continent state of the great plains. What’s more, he and his buddies did it on public land with little to no competition.

By the time of his December hunt in Oklahoma the Louisiana December aerial survey estimated 94,000 mallards and 12,000 widgeon in the state – a paltry five percent of the total dabbling ducks counted.

Aerial surveys are essentially snap shots of each month of the season and don’t necessarily reveal conditions on the ground. Weather is an important factor as to whether you’ll have ducks or not. Hunting pressure impacts ducks.

Agricultural practices often cause ducks to migrate seeking other food sources.

An example of agriculture practice is, 20 years ago rice crops were common from Kaplan to Iowa and Bell City in southwest Louisiana. Today, sugarcane is encroaching on Gueydan, a town known as the Duck Capitol of America.

And, let’s face it, sugarcane has zero redeeming qualities where wildlife is concerned.

In late August, when the 2018 Waterfowl Population Status Report was released by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the survey placed the breeding duck population at 41.19 million, which was a decrease of 13 percent of the 47.27 million the previous year. In fact, every species save one, the lowly ringed-necked duck, declined in numbers.

Gadwalls had a precipitous decline. Commonly called “gray duck,” the gadwall breeding population during the 2017 USF&WS survey stood at 4.18 million. This year the species numbers were estimated to be 2.89 million. Pintails declined by 18 percent from the previous year’s count and are 40 percent below the long-term average, causing concern among biologists.

Additionally, the report revealed May pond counts declined 14 percent from the previous year.

In spite of the overall decline in total duck numbers, biologists like Dr. Frank Rohwer, who is president and chief scientist of Delta Waterfowl point to the fact that overall duck numbers remain near or above the long-term average set by the USF&WS. 64 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • October 2018

In a Delta Waterfowl Press Release, Rohwer said, “Ducks declined due to dry conditions in large portions of the breeding grounds. Fortunately, we continue to benefit from ‘carryover birds’ hatched during highly productive springs over the past several years.”

Coastal erosion, agricultural practices, hunting pressure and weather all impact hunter success. Quite often it boils down to the haves and the have nots when it comes to smothering down a mess of ducks in a black iron pot.

A prime example of this was last season when I put my grandson in for one of the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Youth Hunts. We were a mere five miles north of Little Chenier along Highway 27 on some pristine marsh habitat on opening day.

We sat in our blind staring at blue skies with nary a duck passing. Meanwhile, the Little Chenier marsh sounded like there was a war going on down there. Why? It was simply a case of the haves and have nots. There are just places the birds prefer more than others.

Essentially, the 2018-2019 waterfowl season will be much like last season. Whether you agree with the duck numbers and the science that goes with it, that’s a topic for another discussion. Here’s hoping you’re one of the haves this year.

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Bayou Outdoor Guide

2018 - 2019 Deer hunting preview

By John Flores Each year, during the month of March, if you were to attend the Louisiana Sportsman Show and Festival in Gonzales, one thing you’d come to know is that deer hunting is alive and well in the Bayou State. The show annually holds a big buck contest and literally hundreds of deer are scored by qualified judges.

At first blush, it’s hard to fathom there are that many big deer roaming the woods, swamps and marshes in our state. But, once you get over your brief moments of envy you realize all it takes is patience on your part and perhaps a little assistance from wildlife managers.

According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, one of the goals of the Deer Management Assistance Program is to offer interested hunters, landowners and managers, in-depth and professional level technical assistance in managing deer populations and their habitats.

What’s more, it seems to be working for those who have signed up for various tiers of the DMAP program.

In the 2017-2018 Louisiana Deer Report released Aug. 23, DMAP cooperators continued to harvest a high percentage (72 percent) of 3.5 year old and older age bucks. Moreover, that number was third best in the nation in the most recent 2018 QDMA Report.

The report also says the last two seasons DMAP harvest sex ratio has been almost identical, where 40 percent bucks and 60 percent does were taken.

DMAP harvest during the 2017-2018 season on enrolled property was 13,147 deer.

One of the concerns biologists had two seasons ago, was lactation

JOHN FLORES PHOTO

rates when they dropped below 50 percent statewide. Lactation rates provide professionals data that helps determine recruitment (younger deer) in subsequent years.

It appears lactation rates have mostly recovered in 2018. LDWF Deer Study Leader Johnathan Bordelon predicts the 2018-2019 season will be good.

Bordelon said, “At this time, we have no reason to believe next season won’t be a good one. Lactation rates have improved slightly over the past two seasons, which points to improved recruitment. In addition, growing conditions have been fair to good for most of the state this year. While there

66 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • October 2018

are some dry spots, most of the state has received adequate rainfall this year to promote good growing conditions.”

Louisiana hunters harvested 135,100 deer during the 2017-2018 deer season.

And, Union, Claiborne, Webster and Bossier parishes that border Arkansas, were four of the top 20 deer harvest parishes in the state. Union lead all parishes in the state with a harvest of 4,177 whitetails.

The Louisiana Deer Report points out the LDWF manages over 1.5 million acres of Wildlife Management Area property holding modern and primitive firearm seasons, as well as archery for the purpose of keeping deer numbers in check. Harvest varies season

a

Bayou Outdoor Guide

to season with ups and downs the report says, mainly due to habitat type, forest conditions, accessibility issues, and other management objectives. But, in general, WMA herds are managed to ensure long-term forest regeneration, diversity, sustainability and a healthy deer herd.

For the general public, WMAs offer some fair to good harvest opportunities if hunters are willing to put in the time and do their homework. Some of the better WMAs to hunt in terms of “efforts per deer” in 2017 were Loggy Bayou (2.9), Camp Beauregard (4.4), Dewey Wills (4.5), Russell Sage (4.8), and Bodcau (4.9).

Hog populations and lactation rates continue to be areas of concern for biologists, but the biggest issue is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).

Currently, there are no known cases of CWD reported in the state of Louisiana. However, the surrounding states of Texas, Arkansas and

Mississippi have all recorded cases.

On March 1, 2017, the Wildlife and Fisheries passed laws concerning Cervid (white-tail deer, mule deer, elk, moose, caribou, fallow deer, axis deer, sika deer, red deer and reindeer) Carcass Importation.

No person shall import, transport or possess any cervid carcass or part of a cervid carcass originating outside of Louisiana, except for: meat that is cut and wrapped; meat that has been boned out; quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached, antlers, clean skull plates with antlers, cleaned skulls without tissue attached, capes, tanned hides, finished taxidermy mounts and cleaned cervid teeth. Any and all bones shall be disposed of in a manner where its final destination is at an approved landfill or equivalent.

On March 6, 2018, a ban on supplemental deer feeding in East Carroll, Madison and Tensas parishes

went into effect in an effort to potentially curb the spread of CWD, when it was discovered in Issaquennaa County, MS, just five miles from the Louisiana border.

On June 7, 2018, a department press release reported no detection of CWD in those parishes and the feeding ban was rescinded.

On Aug. 3, 2018, the LDWF cautioned deer hunters in yet another press release about the use of deer lures because of the potential these products could contain CWD. The 2018-2019 Louisiana deer season looks to be another good one with a deer harvest that will be somewhere just under 150,000 whitetails. And, no doubt next year’s Louisiana Sportsman’s Show and Festival will have plenty of trophy mounts from hunters looking for bragging rights.

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Bayou Outdoor Guide

2018 - 2019 Small game hunting preview

By John Flores Hey out there! Can you hear me?

Does anyone hunt squirrels and rabbits anymore? For the life of me, why are these critters now taking a back seat to all other hunting?

There was a time when a kid’s first introduction to hunting was sitting with his paw paw underneath an oak or wild pecan tree just before sunrise waiting for squirrels to arrive. Sadly, today kids that hunt pretty much go from being potty-trained to sitting in a shooting house overlooking deer feeders.

Nonetheless, from a forecast standpoint there may not be a more under-utilized hunting resource than small game in the form of rabbits and squirrels.

The most recent population status survey I could find on the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website was compiled from the 20122013 season. According to the survey 22,100 rabbit hunters harvested 180,100 rabbits. That same report indicated 50,700 squirrel hunters harvested 872,100 squirrels.

By contrast, the most recent data compiled concerning the waterfowl program on the LDWF website was from 2001. At that time some 1.8 million hunters took to the field and marshes to hunt ducks and geese according to the report. This number was derived from hunters 16 years of age and older.

If my math is correct, there were 81 times more waterfowl hunters than rabbit hunters and 35 times more than

JOHN FLORES PHOTO

squirrel hunters.

Oddly enough, unlike waterfowl and deer hunting, there is tremendous opportunity to hunt small game on public land. Nearly every state wildlife management area allows rabbit and squirrel hunting.

All one has to do, is go to the LDWF website, scroll over to public areas and facilities, and click on wildlife management areas. There is an interactive map where you can highlight the particular WMA you’re interested in. All you have to do next is locate it on the alphabetized list to find everything you wanted to know about the area – including if rabbit and squirrel hunting is allowed.

Additionally, there are 23 National Wildlife Refuges scattered across the state north, south, east and west, many which allow small game hunting. By doing a web search you can go to www. fws.gov/refuges/refugelocatormaps/ louisiana.html where you’ll find a refuge locator map. Once you’ve located the refuge you’re interested in, you can do an additional web search to review its particular hunting regulations.

68 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • October 2018

Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge in St. Mary Parish is a 9,028 acre refuge located in the coastal towns of Franklin, Garden City and Centerville.

This particular NWR allows both rabbit and squirrel hunting.

Perhaps there is no greater opportunity to hunt small game than in Kisatchie National Forest. Kisatchie is massive, spanning some 604,000 acres in five ranger units (Evangeline, Vernon, Caney Lake, Middle Fork Unit and Corney Lake).

I floated the Dugdemona River through the Kisatchie forest a number of years ago hunting both squirrel and wood ducks. The pine trees along the river looked like they touched the sky.

And, the squirrels were abundant.

I did this trip just prior to Christmas, when the leaves were pretty much off the trees. Around each bend, squirrels were foraging along the banks of the Dugdemona. The challenge was getting off a shot from a sitting position while the canoe drifted with the current.

There was also the challenge of how fast these critters could get up the side of the trees. My shots were

a

Bayou Outdoor Guide

quite often 30 to 40 yards up, by the time I squeezed the trigger. I quickly learned, Kisatchie is a place where you’ll want to use high brass number six shot when trying to shoot a mess of squirrels.

The thing about hunting squirrels north of I-10 in the upland piney woods, bottomland hardwood swamps along the tributaries of Mississippi and agricultural woodlots is the abundance of mast crop. Even some of the worst years produce more acorns and wild pecans than necessary to sustain Louisiana’s thriving population of treerats.

It’s the same with the coastal parishes where there are abundant populations of gray squirrels in the marsh. Squirrels are omnivorous.

Besides mast, they eat berries, buds and even bird eggs. Barring any tropical events, coastal squirrels do quite well.

What’s more, there’s nothing quite like paddling a pirogue along a canal

Oddly enough, unlike waterfowl and deer hunting, there is tremendous opportunity to hunt small game on public land. Nearly every state wildlife management area allows rabbit and squirrel hunting.

bank in the marsh on a cool October morning, while quietly sneaking up on squirrels feeding in the hackberry and myrtle trees.

Rabbit hunting in the coastal marsh most years is nothing short of legendary. Following the waterfowl season is when things usually get cranked up on the Atchafalaya Delta WMA. Many waterfowl hunters who have moored camps on the refuge take full advantage of the sheer abundance of swamp rabbits and extend their winter stay well into late February. What’s more, it’s one of those best kept secrets they tell few about – other than close friends and family.

2018 has been quiet, where tropical storms are concerned. Moreover, there has been plenty of sunshine and rainfall to promote an adequate supply of food resources for small game. The question is will you take the time to go out and chase a few rabbits and squirrels this fall? BC

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www.Gulfcoastorthopedics.com • www.GCOphysicaltherapy.com October 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 69

Bayou Outdoor Guide

2018-2019 Season Dates Small Game Season

Species

Season Dates

Daily Bag Limit

Possession Limit

Rabbit

Oct. 7 - Feb. 28, 2019

8

24

Squirrel

Oct. 7 - Feb. 28, 2019

8

24

Deer Season

Area Archery Season Primitive Weapon

7 Either Sex:

Sept. 15 - Jan. 15, 2019

Still Hunting Only No Dogs Allowed

With or Without Dogs

Either Sex: Oct. 20 - Nov. 2 Nov. 10-25

Either Sex: Nov. 26 - Dec. 30

Bucks Only: Nov. 19-22 Nov. 26 - Dec. 7

Bucks Only: Dec. 10-21 Dec. 24 - Jan. 20, 2019

Either Sex: Nov. 17-18 Nov. 23-25

Either Sex: Dec. 8-9 Dec. 22-23

Either Sex: Oct. 13-19 Nov. 3-9

9 Bucks Only: Bucks Only:

Oct. 1-15 Jan. 21-31, 2019

Either Sex: Either Sex:

Oct. 16 - Feb. 15, 2019 Nov. 10-16

Waterfowl Season

Season

Coastal Zone

Ducks, Coots and Nov. 10 - Dec. 2

Mergansers Dec. 15 - Jan. 20, 2019

Daily Bag Limit

Possession Limit

Ducks 6 Coots 15 Mergansers 5

Three Times The Daily Bag Limit Possession Limit

Season

South Zone

Daily Bag Limit

Youth Waterfowl

Nov. 3-4

Same as Regular Season

Light Geese (Snow, Blue, Ross)

Nov. 3 - Dec. 2 Dec. 15 - Feb. 10, 2019

20

No Possession Limit

White-Fronted Geese

(Specklebelly)

Nov. 3 - Dec. 2 Dec. 15 - Feb. 10, 2019

2

6 Possession Limit

Conservation Order for Light Geese (Snow, Blue, Ross)

Dec. 3 - Dec. 14 Feb. 11 - March 10, 2019

No Bag Limit

No Possesion Limit

Nov. 3 - Dec. 2 Dec. 15 - Jan. 31, 2019

1 Per Day

3 Possession Limit

Canada Goose

The daily bag limit on ducks is 6 and may include no more than 4 mallards (no more than two of which may be female), 2 pintails, 2 canvasback, 1 mottled duck, 1 black duck, 3 wood ducks, 3 scaup, and 2 red heads.

70 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • October 2018

“Entrust your Works to The Lord, 742 your Highwayplans 182 • Houma, LA 70364 and will succeed.”

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