February 2013 Bayou Catholic Issue

Bayou

Catholic

The magazine for the people of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Purgatory: Reality or Myth?

HOUMA, LA ~ FEBRUARY 2013 ~ COMPLIMENTARY

United in Faith and Mission

...they gathered the church together and reported all God had done for them and how he had opened the door of faith...

Acts 14:27

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By Being United in Faith and Mission, the Annual Bishop’s Appeal Can Provide the Pastoral, Spiritual and Educational Works Needed in Our Diocese.

Each of us has the Christian responsibility of sharing his or her blessings with others. Since the establishment of our diocese, this tradition of giving has been a hallmark and a strength of our spiritual family, enabling the church in South Louisiana to accomplish the Lord’s work.

Gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

After reviewing the important and indispensable works of education, charity, outreach, and formation through the Annual Bishop’s Appeal, please help by reviewing the giving guide below to prayerfully make your commitment.

All gifts will be acknowledged.

Total Commitment

Down Payment

7 Monthly payments

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2013

Commitments are payable over 8 months and commitment reminders will be mailed monthly.

Checks are made payable to Annual Bishop’s Appeal.

For online credit card gifts visit: www.htstewardship.org

Contents

On Our Cover Purgatory: Reality or Myth? That is the question Bishop Sam G. Jacobs tackles in this month’s Jesus is Lord column. He says purgatory is “an ‘antiroom’ or a contamination chamber’ of heaven.”

The column is perfectly illustrated both on the cover and throughout the column by Lawrence Chatagnier’s photographs.

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Church Life: Diocese honors Our Lady of Guadalupe

21 Church Alive:

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Heavenly Recipes:

Our Churches:

Ronnie’s Cheesy Biscuits

St. Anthony of Padua, Bayou Black

Junior High Faith Experience

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Our Schools:

Flip It!

E.D. White Catholic High School

The area’s most comprehensive carnival guide

• Pope Speaks

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• Reflections

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40 • Young Voices

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• Black Catholics

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How to reach us:

BY PHONE: (985) 850-3132

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

BY FAX: (985) 850-3232

BY E-MAIL: bayoucatholic@htdiocese.org

Bayou Catholic Vol. 32, No. 8

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

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

National and world-wide news service and photos by National Catholic News Service.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2013

• Youth Rally

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• Seeing Clairely

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Louis G. Aguirre

editor and general manager Lawrence Chatagnier

managing editor Glenn J. Landry, C.P.A.

business manager Peggy Adams

advertising manager Janet Marcel

staff writer Pat Keese

secretary and circulation Lisa Schobel Hebert

graphic designer Janet B. Eschete

accounts payable assistant Meridy Liner

accounts receivable assistant

Where to find us

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

Advertisers Index

ABA ......................................................2 Camp Stanislaus ................................28 Cannata’s .............................................3 Man of God Conference .....................31 Women of God Conference ...............29 Diocesan Outreach Line ......................5 Haydel Spine & Pain ..........................39 Maison Jardin Senior Living ..............44 Mpress ...............................................27 Operation Rice Bowl ..........................27 Pope John Paul II Exhibit ...................43 Rod’s Superstore ...............................45 New Orleans RV & Camping Show ...19 Seminarian Burses ...............................9 Spotlight .............................................47 St. Joseph Manor ...............................47

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i ard Gra 2013 Advertisers Index

Barker Honda .......................................4 Bueche’s Jewelry ...............................28 Case Terrebonne ................................22 Channel 10 .........................................27 Charles A. Page & Sons ......................9 Daigle Himel Daigle .............................5 Diocesan Website ..............................15 Dr. Neil Maki .........................................7 God’s Promises Books & Gifts ..........20 Gold ‘n Gifts Unlimited .......................10 Houma Area Convention & Visitors .....2 KEM Supply House, Inc. ....................13 Lafourche Ford Lincoln ......................23 Lirette Ford Lincoln ............................33 Marie’s Wrecker Service ....................26 SEECA ..................................................3 Southland Dodge Chrysler Jeep ........17 Spotlighting the Diocese ....................21 Synergy Bank .....................................29 Terminix ..............................................28 Terrebonne General Medical Center ..25 The Wishing Well, Inc. .........................6 Thibodaux Physical Therapy .............13 Vision Communications .....................19

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Diocesan Outreach Line

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

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

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Outreach Line Telephone number is (985) 873-0026 or Toll free 1-866-444-4241 or Call the Victim Assistance Coordinator at (985) 850-3129

Línea de Comunicación Diocesana

Con el fin de cumplir con las Políticas de la 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 (previamente la 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 HoumaThibodaux.

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 Llamada gratuita 1-866-444-4241 o Llame al Coordinador de Asistencia para las Víctimas al (985) 850-3129

Ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi Cöùu giuùp Giaùo phaän

Ñeå höôûng öùng Hieán chöông Baûo veä Treû em vaø Giôùi treû töø Hoäi ñoàng Giaùm muïc Hoa kyø, Giaùo phaän Houma-Thibodaux ñang chuaån bò ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi Cöùu giuùp (luùc tröôùc laø ñöôøng daây lieân laïc baûo veä treû em). Ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi Cöùu giuùp laø moät söï coá gaéng cuûa giaùo phaän nhaèm cam keát haøn gaén naâng ñôõ nhöõng ai ñaõ bò toån thöông hoaëc bò laïm duïng tính duïc hoaëc gaàn ñaây hoaëc trong quaù khöù bôûi giaùo só, tu só hoaëc caùc coâng nhaân vieân cuûa Giaùo phaän Houma-Thibodaux. Ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi Cöùu giuùp Giaùo phaän hoaït ñoäng töø 8:30 saùng ñeán 4:30 chieàu, thöù hai ñeán thöù saùu. Moät nhaân vieân chuyeân nghieäp veà söùc khoûe taâm thaàn traû lôøi treân ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi. Nhöõng caù nhaân seõ ñöôïc trôï giuùp naâng ñôõ theâm neáu caàn. Ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi Cöùu giuùp Giaùo phaän Soá ñieän thoaïi: (985) 873-0026 hoaëc Soá mieãn phí: 1-800-444-4241 hoaëc goïi Nhaân vieân Trôï giuùp Naïn nhaân soá (985) 850-3129 www.bayoucatholic.com

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Welcome

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Editor’s Corner Louis G. Aguirre Editor & General Manager

Why Give?

It seems to happen more in the evenings than at any other time of day. My wife and I are either reading, watching TV or just plain talking when the phone rings. We look at each other with knowing eyes: Someone is calling to try to sell us something or just plain asking for money.

And it’s not just the phone, pleads for money come in the mail, on television and just about anywhere we go.

While we try to be conscientious in supporting worthy causes, there are two we definitely support: our church parish and the Annual Bishop’s Appeal (ABA). We know the needs are great everywhere but when we give to our church parish and the Appeal we also know that our hard-earned money is going directly to services here at home.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2013

Over the next few weeks we will all hear about the ABA, but do we really pay close attention to all the good that it does and the many needed areas it supports?

The Appeal unites us to support seminarian education as the diocese currently has 13 seminarians; it supports our youth, where the diocesan Office of Youth Ministry is able to provide Christian opportunities to empower our young people; and it supports families through the Office of Family Ministries.

Other areas the ABA supports include our retired priests, where the diocese acknowledges the hard work and dedication of our priests and understands the obligation to assist the 12 retired priests currently in the diocese; it supports a prayerful life by funding Lumen Christi Retreat Center.

The Appeal unites us to support church parishes in need, many of the less fortunate parishes in the diocese have been able to apply for a grant where funds have been used to improve buildings, for maintenance of facilities, for office assistance and for catechetical instruction.

Lastly, the Appeal supports many other areas such as hospital chaplain, evangelization, vocations, Continuing Education of the Clergy, Safe Environment, Adult Faith Formation, Hispanic Ministries and diocesan Archives.

With the theme United in Faith and Mission, this year’s Appeal needs your support in order to carry out vital programs here in our own backyard.

Please give generously.

Church Life

Guadalupe honored The diocese honored Our Lady of Guadalupe at Masses in different churches around her feast day, Dec. 12, 2012. The colorful celebrations were attended by thousands at Annunziata in Houma, Sacred Heart in Cut Off, Sacred Heart in Morgan City, Christ the Redeemer in Thibodaux and St. Andrew in Amelia. Bishop Sam G. Jacobs (photo above left) was the main celebrant in Thibodaux along with Father Isaias Galvez (at right) and assisted by Deacon Charles Giroir. Other photos show special moments during the Mass in Amelia.

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Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier www.bayoucatholic.com

n Catholic Charities VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) free income tax preparation and e-filing for individuals and families making less than $50,000 begins Saturday, Feb. 2, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; continues every Tuesday and Saturday until April 13, at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library’s Long Distance Learning Room. n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, Feb. 5, Quality Hotel, Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Rev. Glenn LeCompte, speaker. n Man of God Gathering, Tuesday, Feb. 5, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall. Meal served at 6 p.m.; events begin at 6:30 p.m. Free event; all men over 18 years of age are invited. n Adult Faith Formation, Wednesday, Feb. 6 and 20,

MARCH

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n Liturgical Music Workshop, Saturday, March 2, St. Bridget Church, Schriever, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost is $10 per person.

Send registration to mhavis@ htdiocese.org. n Man of God Conference, March 8-9, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall. Doors open at 5 p.m. Friday, March 8; events begin at 7 p.m. Registration is $60 per person which includes meals. All men over 18 years of age are invited. Online registration, www.htconferences.org or by phone (985)850-3171. n aNew Experience, Wednesday, March 13, St. Hilary of Poitiers Church, Mathews, 7-9 p.m.

APRIL

n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, April 9, Quality Hotel, Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Rev. Michael Bergeron, speaker. n Adult Faith Formation, Wednesday, April 10 and 17, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m.

Topic, “Liturgy.” Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue, speaker. n Man of God Gathering, Thursday, April 11, diocesan

DIOCESAN

FEBRUARY

diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m.

Topic, “Trinity.” Speaker, Rev. Jules Brunet. n Adult Faith Formation, Tuesday, Feb. 7, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m. Topic, “The Commandments 1-3.” Speaker, Rev. Andre’ Melancon. n Rite of Election, Sunday, Feb. 17, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma, at 3 p.m. n aNew Experience, Wednesday, Feb. 20, E.D. White Catholic High School, Thibodaux, 7-9 p.m. n Women of God Conference, Feb. 22 and 23, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall. Doors open at 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22; events begin at 7 p.m. Registration

is $60 per person which includes meals. All women over 18 years of age are invited. Online registration, www.htconferences. org or by phone (985) 850-3171. n TEC 69, Feb. 22-24, Souby Retreat Building. Begins at 5 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 22. n Adult Faith Formation, Wednesday, Feb. 27, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m. Topic, “Liturgy.”

Speaker, Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue. n Adult Faith Formation, Thursday, Feb. 28, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m. Topic, “The Commandments 4-10.” Speaker, Rev. Andre’ Melancon.

n Women of God Gathering, Thursday, March 14, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall.

Meal served at 6 p.m.; events begin at 6:30 p.m. Free event; all women over 18 years of age are invited. n Marriage Prep, Saturday, March 16, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 8:30 a.m.3:30 p.m. Contact your church parish for more information. n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, March 5, Quality Hotel, Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue, speaker. n Adult Faith Formation-Faith Enrichment, Wednesdays, March 6, 13 and 20, diocesan Pastoral

Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m. Topic, “Liturgy.” Speaker, Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue. n Youth Rally Adult Night of Praise (21 or older), Friday, March 22, Nicholls State University Cotillion Ballroom, Thibodaux, 7-9 p.m. n Youth Rally 2013, “Proclaim His Name,” Saturday, March 23, Nicholls State University, Stopher Gymnasium, Thibodaux, 12:20 p.m. n Chrism Mass, Tuesday, March 26, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, 7 p.m. n Easter Vigil, Saturday, March 30, begins at 8 p.m. in all church parishes of the diocese.

Pastoral Center Conference Hall.

Meal served at 6 p.m.; events begin at 6:30 p.m. Free event; all men over 18 years of age are invited. n aNew Experience, Wednesday, April 17, St. Joseph Church, Chauvin, 7-9 p.m. n ADORE, Wednesday, April 24, Houma Municipal Auditorium, 7 p.m.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2013

EVENTS

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Seminarian Education Burses

What is a seminarian burse fund?

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

How does someone establish a seminarian burse fund?

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

When is a seminarian burse complete?

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

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

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

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

Completed Burses of $15,000 each

Note: those wtih a number stipulates the number of completed burses* - Anonymous

- Clay Sr. & Evelida Duplantis

- Mr. & Mrs. C. Thomas Bienvenu

- C. Remie Duplantis

- Harry Booker

- Marie Elise Duplantis

- Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux (3)*

- Warren J. Harang, Jr.

- Rev. Adrian J. Caillouet

- Msgr. Raphael C. Labit

- Rev. James Louis Caillouet

- Msgr. Francis J. Legendre

- Bishop L. Abel Caillouet

- Rev. Charles Menard

- Judge/Mrs L. P. Caillouet

- Donald Peltier, Sr. (2)*

- Msgr. Lucien J. Caillouet

- Harvey Peltier (30)*

- Abdon J. & Ada B. Callais

- Richard Peltier

- Harold & Gloria Callais Family

- The Peltier Foundation

- Paul A. Callais

- Orleans & Louella Pitre

- Peter W. Callais

- Msgr. Joseph Wester

- Vincent & Fannie Cannata

- Robert R. Wright, Jr.

- Minor Sr. & Lou Ella Cheramie

- Rev. Kermit Trahan

- Maude & Edith Daspit

- Diocesan K of C

- Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis family (3)*

- Endowment Fund - $119,136.90

December 2012 Burse Contributions The Peltier Foundation ................................. $15,000.00 Donald Peltier, Sr. #3 ...................................... $1,000.00 Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier ............................. $100.00 Mr. Eledier Broussard ........................................ $100.00 Mr. Warren J. Harang, Jr. #2 .............................. $100.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ..................................... $100.00 Mr. Claude Bergeron ........................................... $50.00 Rev. Gerard Hayes ............................................... $50.00

Open Burses with Balance as of 12/31/12 Donald Peltier, Sr. # 3 ........................... $13,100.00 Mr. Eledier Broussard ................. $12,300.00 Sidney J. & Lydie C. Duplantis ........... $10,800.00 Msgr. Raphael C. Labit #2 .................. $10,720.00 Harvey Peltier #31 .............................. $10,486.91 Clay Sr. & Evelida Duplantis #2 .......... $10,000.00 C. Remie Duplantis #2 ........................ $10,000.00 Marie Elise Duplantis #2 ..................... $10,000.00 Maude & Edith Daspit #2 .................... $10,000.00 Msgr. George A. Landry ...................... $10,000.00 St. Bernadette Men’s Club ................... $10,000.00 Rev. Victor Toth ..................................... $7,000.00 Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier ................. $6,900.00 Brides of the Most Blessed Trinity ......... $5,935.00 Rev. Peter Nies ..................................... $5,810.00 Elie & Dot Klingman .............................. $5,120.00 Mr. & Mrs. Love W. Pellegrin ................. $5,000.00 Anonymous #2 ...................................... $5,000.00 Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis Fmly.#4..... $5,000.00 Rev. William M. Fleming ........................ $5,000.00 Rev. Kasimir Chmielewski ..................... $4,839.00 Harry Booker #2 .................................... $4,138.00

Rev. Henry Naquin ................................ $4,000.00 Rev. Gerard Hayes ................................ $3,936.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ........................... $3,900.00 Kelly Curole Frazier ............................... $3,490.96 J. R. Occhipinti ...................................... $3,400.00 Catholic Daughters ................................ $3,330.00 Joseph “Jay” Fertitta .............................. $3,195.00 Mr. & Mrs. Galip Jacobs ........................ $3,060.00 St. Jude ................................................. $3,000.00 Diocesan K of C #2 ............................... $2,894.62 Rev. Peter H. Brewerton ........................ $2,600.00 Mrs. Ayres A. Champagne ..................... $2,000.00 Rev. H. C. Paul Daigle ........................... $1,900.00 Anawin Community ............................... $1,900.00 James J. Buquet, Jr. ............................... $1,650.00 Msgr. Francis J. Legendre #2 ................ $1,645.00 Msgr. Emile J. Fossier ........................... $1,545.00 Dr. William Barlette, Sr........................... $1,525.00 Msgr. Stanislaus Manikowski ................ $1,525.00 Rev. Robert J. Sevigny .......................... $1,500.00 Msgr. John L. Newfield .......................... $1,200.00 Rev. Guy Zeringue ................................ $1,150.00

Warren J. Harang, Jr. #2 ......................... $1,100.00 Rev. Clemens Schneider ....................... $1,000.00 St. Joseph Italian Society ...................... $1,000.00 Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux #4 ........... $1,000.00 Msgr. John G. Keller .............................. $1,000.00 Deacon Robert Dusse’ ............................. $950.00 Deacon Willie Orgeron ............................. $800.00 Rev. Anthony Rousso ............................... $800.00 Deacon Roland Dufrene ........................... $750.00 Mr. & Mrs. John Marmande ...................... $700.00 Deacon Edward J. Blanchard ................... $660.00 Deacon Raymond LeBouef ...................... $550.00 Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Cannata .................... $500.00 Deacon Harold Kurtz ................................ $300.00 Richard Peltier #2 ..................................... $300.00 Claude Bergeron ...................................... $250.00 Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Naquin .......................... $150.00 Rev. Hubert C. Broussard ........................ $ 50.00 Deacon Eldon Frazier .............................. $ 50.00 Deacon Nick Messina .............................. $ 50.00

Overall Seminarian Burse Totals: $1,367,592.39 www.bayoucatholic.com

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Comment Jesus Is Lord Bishop Sam G. Jacobs

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There are many misconceptions on what the church teaches on the question of purgatory. Let’s begin with what the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states: “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven” (CCC 1030).

So the first question is: “Are they saved?” The answer is “yes.” The next question is: “Are they achieving or earning their salvation in purgatory?” The answer is “no.” As the church teaches, purgatory is the final purification of those who are saved.

Those who die in Christ but not yet fully holy, that is, not in total love of God, will go through a purification process until only the love of God above all remains.

Recall after the Resurrection when Jesus interacts with Peter and asks the question: “Do you love me with agape love (total love)?” Peter was able to respond that he did love Jesus but his love was not yet perfected. It is the perfection of this love that, if not reached before death, needs to be brought to full perfection before full union with God in heaven.

Are there any Scriptural citations which would support this teaching of the church? There are.

One comes from the Second

Book of Maccabees 12:46: “Therefore (Judas Maccabees) made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.”

I am told that some Orthodox Jews today continue this practice. They offer a prayer known as the Mourner’s Kaddish for a period of 11 months after the death of someone.

Their expectation is that through this prayer their loved one may be purified for the resurrection of the dead.

The church itself has had a long tradition of praying for those who have died but who may not yet have entered into the full glory of God. Our prayers are love supports for those who are experiencing being perfected in love.

Another Scriptural passage comes from 1 Corinthians 3:10-15: “According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But each one must be careful how he builds upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or straw, the work of each will come to light, for the Day will disclose it. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire (itself) will test the quality of each one’s work … .

But if someone’s work is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire.”

During our life time, though we are baptized in Christ, we still sin.

God forgives us if we are repentant.

But sometimes there are some “remnants” of the effects of our sin still present. Our love for God is not perfect. When we die, though we are in the grace-life of God, we are not perfectly in love with God. These are the “gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or straw” that are still part of our lives. The purifying fire of love will complete the process, so that we can be truly ready to enter into the holy presence of God.

Purgatory: Reality or Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2013

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Myth?

When Paul talks about “the person will be saved “but only through fire,” this can’t mean “hell” because once in hell there is no further salvation. This can’t mean “heaven,” because once in heaven a person is fully saved. Paul was expressing in a germ fashion the beginnings of the church’s understanding of the existence of a final purification stage after death before experiencing the Beatific Vision. This is in line with the words of the Book of Revelation: “Nothing unclean shall enter it (heaven)” (Revelation 21:27).

The Old Testament’s illustration of the refiner’s fire is a good understanding of what purgatory is all about and how the revelation of the prophet Zechariah helps us to see the biblical roots of purgatory.

“I will bring the one third through the fire; I will refine them as one refines silver, and I will test them as one tests gold. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is my God’” (Zechariah 13:9).

While those in purgatory are being refined and purified, they know that they are saved. So they look to the Lord God and call upon him with their desire to grow in his love and be freed from everything that hinders that love from being complete. This is verified by the citation in Hebrews 12:14: “Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

Maybe two illustrations will help.

One is that you are invited to the Presidential Inauguration Ball in Washington, D.C. You have your best gown or tux on but it is pouring down raining outside. You have to go from your hotel to the White House in the rain. What would you do? You would put rain gear over your beautiful gown or tux. You would wear rain shoes. By the time you get to the White House, you are dripping wet. Would you go into the ballroom that way? No. You would stop in an anti-room where you would divest yourself of the rain gear that is soaked and with your dry, beautiful gown or tux you would enter the ballroom. In other words, you would strip off anything that is not proper for the event and leave it behind.

Now for the second illustration!

You have been involved in cleaning up after a nuclear disaster. Even though you took all the necessary precautions, there is a chance that you are carrying nuclear contaminants. So as a precaution you go through a decontamination chamber before being allowed back in circulation.

This is what purgatory is: an “anti-room” or a “decontamination chamber” of heaven.

Not everyone goes to purgatory, only those who are not fully in love with God and need to be purified of this residue. So, what we should be focusing on while we are able is to be repentant of our sins and to grow in a deeper love relationship with God. Agape love is the antidote to time in purgatory. If perfect love casts out all fear, then it is true to say that perfect love rightly prepares us for heaven.

Finally, the objection may be raised that the word “purgatory” is not found in the Scriptures. That is true. But in the same way neither are the words “Incarnation” or “Blessed Trinity.” The roots of these beliefs are evident even if the 11 exact word is not expressed. The same is true about purgatory. It is rooted in Scriptures and confirmed by the Spirit in the teaching of the church.

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This is what purgatory is: an “anti-room” or a “decontamination chamber” of heaven.

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www.bayoucatholic.com

Comentario

El Purgatorio: ¿Verdad o

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Hay muchos malentendidos sobre lo que la Iglesia enseña sobre el purgatorio. Comencemos con la declaración del Catequismo de la Iglesia Católica (CIC): «Los que mueren en la gracia y en la amistad de Dios, pero imperfectamente purificados, aunque están seguros de su eterna salvación, sufren después de su muerte una purificación, a fin de obtener la santidad necesaria para entrar en la alegría del cielo.» (CIC 1030) La primera pregunta es: « ¿Han sido salvados?» Y, la respuesta es «sí.» La siguiente pregunta es: « ¿Están obteniendo ellos su salvación en el purgatorio?» La respuesta es «no.» Lo que enseña la Iglesia es que el purgatorio es la etapa final de purificación para aquéllos que ya han sido salvados.

Aquéllos que mueren en Cristo pero que no son completamente santos, es decir, que carecen del amor absoluto de Dios, deberán pasar por un proceso de purificación hasta que solamente permanezca el amor de Dios.

Hay que recordar después de la Resurrección cuando Jesús hablaba con Pedro y le hacía esta pregunta: « ¿Me amas más que a nada en el mundo (amor total)?»

Pedro le respondió que sí lo amaba pero que su amor no era perfecto. Es la perfección de este amor que, si no se alcanza antes de la muerte, necesita ser llevado a una perfección completa antes de poder lograrse una unión plena con Dios en los cielos. ¿Hay citas en las Escrituras que apoyen esta enseñanza de la Iglesia? Sí las hay. Una proviene del Segundo Libro de Macabeos 12:46: «Mandó pues (Judas Macabeos) ofrecer ese sacrificio de expiación por los muertos para que quedaran libres de sus pecados.» Me han contado que en la actualidad algunos judíos ortodoxos continúan esta tradición. Ofrecen una oración que se llama Kadish de Duelo,

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2013

una plegaria en memoria de los muertos que dura 11 meses después que alguien muere. Lo que se espera es que por medio de esta oración los difuntos sean purificados para la resurrección de los muertos.

La Iglesia misma ha tenido una larga tradición de oración para aquéllos que han muerto pero que no han entrado todavía en la gloria plena de Dios. Nuestras oraciones son apoyo de amor para aquéllos que están viviendo el proceso de perfección en el amor de Dios.

Otro pasaje de las Escrituras proviene de 1 Corintios 3: 10-15: «Yo puse los cimientos como buen arquitecto, pues recibí ese talento de Dios, y otro construye encima.

Que cada uno, sin embargo, se pregunte cómo construye encima.

Pues nadie puede cambiar la base; ya está puesta, y es Cristo Jesús.

Sobre este cimiento se puede construir con oro, plata, piedras preciosas, madera, caña o paja.

Un día se verá el trabajo de cada uno. Se hará público en el día del juicio, cuando todo sea probado por el fuego. El fuego, pues, probará la obra de cada uno. Si lo que has construido resiste al fuego, serás premiado. Pero si la obra se convierte en cenizas, el obrero tendrá que pagar. Se salvará, pero como a través del fuego.»

A pesar de haber sido bautizados en Cristo, todavía pecaremos durante nuestras vidas. Si nos arrepentimos, Dios nos perdonará.

Pero a veces hay en la actualidad todavía algunos «restos» de los efectos de nuestros pecados.

Nuestro amor por Dios no es perfecto. Cuando muramos, a pesar de estar en la gracia y vida de Dios, no poseeremos un amor perfecto por Dios. Estos son el «oro, plata, piedras preciosas, madera, caña o paja» que forman parte de nuestras vidas. El fuego de amor purificante completará este proceso para que así podamos estar verdaderamente preparados para entrar en la presencia santa de Dios.

Cuando San Pablo nos dice que

Mito?

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

«la persona será salvada», «pero solamente por el fuego,» esto no se refiere al «infierno» porque ya estando en el infierno no hay más salvación. Esto no puede ser «el cielo» porque una persona en el cielo ya está completamente salvada.

San Pablo estaba explicando de manera primitiva el comienzo de la comprensión de la Iglesia sobre la existencia de una etapa de purificación final después de la muerte que tiene que suceder antes de vivir la Visión Beatífica.

Esto concuerda con las palabras en el Libro de Apocalipsis: «Nada manchado entrará en ella (el cielo).» (Apocalipsis 21:27) La ilustración del fuego del fundidor en el Antiguo Testamentoes una buena explicación de lo que consiste el purgatorio y cómo la revelación del profeta Zacarías nos ayuda a apreciar las raíces bíblicas del purgatorio.

«Echaré ese tercio al fuego; lo purificaré como se hace con la plata, lo pondré a prueba como se prueba el oro. Él invocará mi Nombre y yo lo escucharé. Entonces yo diré: ‘¡Este es mi pueblo!’, y él, a su vez, dirá: ‘¡YAVÉ es mi Dios!’»(Zacarías 13:9) Mientras que aquéllos en el purgatorio se refinan y se purifican, saben que están salvados. Por eso ven al Señor Dios y lo claman con el deseo de crecer en Su amor y ser libertados de todo lo que inhiba que ese amor llegue a ser completo. Esto se verifica con la cita en Hebreos 12:14: «Procuren estar en paz con todos y progresen en la santidad, pues sin ella nadie verá al Señor.»

Tal vez estas dos ilustraciones nos ayuden: La primera ilustración es que usted ha sido invitado a la fiesta de gala de la inauguración presidencial en Washington, D.C. Llevaría puesto su mejor vestido o frac pero llueve afuera. Tendría que ir de su hotel a la Casa Blanca bajo la lluvia. ¿Qué haría usted?

Se pondría un impermeable sobre su bello vestido o frac. Se pondría calzado para la lluvia. Cuando llega a la Casa Blanca, usted se entera que se encuentramojadísimo. ¿Iría vestido así a la fiesta de gala?

No. Usted pasaría por la antesala donde se quitaría el impermeable empapado de agua y entraría a la fiesta con su elegante vestido o

frac. Es decir, se quitaría todo lo que no es apropiado para el evento y lo dejaría atrás. ¡Y ahora la segunda ilustración!

Usted ha sido incluido en la limpieza de un desastre nuclear.

Aunque haya tomado todas las precauciones necesarias hay probabilidad de que acarree contaminación nuclear. Usted es precavido y pasa a través de una cámara de descontaminación antes de poder volver a circular normalmente.

Esto es el purgatorio: una «antesala» o una « cámara de descontaminación» del cielo. No todos van al purgatorio, solamente aquéllos que no tienen un amor pleno por Dios y que necesitan ser purificados de este residuo.

Por tanto, lo que debemos enfocar mientras podemos es arrepentirnos de nuestros pecados y crecer en una relación y un amor más profundo con Dios. El amor espiritual es el antídoto al tiempo en el purgatorio.

Si el amor perfecto elimina todo el miedo, entonces es verdadero decir que el amor perfecto nos prepara verdaderamente para el cielo.

Finalmente, se podría objetar 13 que la palabra «purgatorio» no se encuentra en las Escrituras. Esto es cierto. Pero tampoco se encuentran las palabras «Encarnación» o «Santa Trinidad.» La raíz de estas creencias es evidente aunque no se exprese la palabra exacta. Lo mismo es cierto sobre el purgatorio.

Sus raíces están en las Escrituras y esto lo confirma el Espíritu en las enseñanzas de la Iglesia.

Traducido por Julio Contreras, feligrés de la Iglesia Católica Annunziata, Houma.

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Esto es el purgatorio: una «antesala» o una « cámara de descontaminación» del cielo.

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www.bayoucatholic.com

Binh luan bang loi

Luyeän Nguïc: Söï thaät hay Huyeàn

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Coù raát nhieàu caùi nhìn laàm laïc veà giaùo lyù cuûa Giaùo Hoäi daïy veà luyeän nguïc. Vaäy chuùng ta neân baét ñaàu xem giaùo lyù Coâng Giaùo noùi gì?

“Nhöõng ai cheát trong aân suûng vaø tình nghóa cuûa Chuùa, nhöng khoâng hoaøn toaøn trong saïch, thì seõ ñöôïc ñaûm baûo ñôøi soáng vónh cöûu nhöng sau khi cheát phaûi traûi qua söï thanh luyeän, ñeå ñaït ñöôïc söï thanh taåy caàn thieát tröôùc khi vaøo thieân ñaøng.”

Vì theá, caâu hoûi ñaàu tieân laø: Baïn ñöôïc cöùu roãi chöa? Caâu traû lôøi laø “coù.” Caâu hoûi tieáp laø: “Coù phaûi luyeän nguïc ñem ñeán söï cöùu roãi?”

Caâu traû lôøi laø “khoâng.” Giaùo Hoäi daïy raèng luyeän nguïc laø choã thanh luyeän cuoái cuøng cho nhöõng ai ñuôïc cöùu roãi.

Nhöõng ai cheát trong ôn nghóa Chuùa, nhöng khoâng hoaøn toaøn trong saïch, nghóa laø khoâng troïn veïn trong tình yeâu cuûa Ngaøi seõ traûi qua giai ñoaïn thanh taåy cho ñeán khi xoùa ñi moïi veát nhô vaø chæ coøn laïi tình yeâu Chuùa. Neân nhôù laïi caâu chuyeän xaûy ra giöõa Chuùa Gieâsu vaø Pheâroâ sau khi phuïc sinh. Chuùa hoûi Pheâroâ: “Con coù meán Thaày baèng tình yeâu troïn veïn khoâng?” Pheâroâ traû lôøi coù nhöng tình yeâu cuûa oâng khoâng hoaøn haûo. Nhöng neáu tình yeâu tuyeät ñoái naøy khoâng ñaït ñöôïc ôû ñôøi naøy, sau khi cheát caàn traûi qua söï thanh luyeän ñöa ñeán tình yeâu troïn veïn tröôùc khi ñöôïc keát hieäp vôùi Chuùa treân thieân ñaøng.

Kinh Thaùnh coù noùi veà luyeän nguïc ñeå boå sung veà giaùo lyù Hoäi Thaùnh khoâng? Caâu kinh thaùnh trích trong cuoán 2 cuûa Macabees ñoaïn 2 caâu 46 noùi nhö sau: “Vì theá (Giuda Macabees) caàu nguyeän cho nhöõng ngöôøi ñaõ ra ñi, ñeå toäi loãi cuûa hoï ñöôïc tha thöù.” Toâi ñöôïc bieát raèng nhöõng ngöôøi Do Thaùi truyeàn thoáng vaãn caàu nguyeän cho ngöôøi quaù coá.

Hoï daâng lôøi caàu nguyeän ñöôïc mang teân laø “Mourner’s Kaddish trong thôøi gian 11 thaùng sau khi qua ñôøi.

Hoï mong raèng qua lôøi caàu nguyeän treân nhöõng ngöôøi thaân cuûa hoï ñöôïc tinh luyeän ñeå chôø ngaøy soáng laïi.

Giaùo Hoäi ñaõ coù moät truyeàn thoáng laâu daøi haèng caàu nguyeän cho nhöõng ngöôøi quaù coá maø nhöõng ngöôøi ñoù chöa hoaøn toaøn ñöôïc keát hieäp vôùi

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2013

Chuùa. Lôøi caàu nguyeän cuûa chuùng ta laø söï trôï giuùp trong tình yeâu daønh cho nhöõng linh hoàn trong luyeän nguïc.

Moät caâu kinh thaùnh khaùc nöõa trích töø thö thöù nhaát cuûa Thaùnh Phaoloâ göûi Coâloâseâ ñoaïn 3 caâu 10 – 15. “Döïa theo ôn thaùnh maø toâi ñaõ nhaän ñöôïc, gioáng nhö moät thôï neà khoân ngoan baét ñaàu ñaët neàn moùng, roài xaây döïng caên nhaø treân ñoù. Nhöng moãi ngöôøi neân thaän troïng neân xaây nhaø nhö theá naøo, vì khoâng ai coù theå ñaët neàn moùng ngoaøi caùi gì ñaõ coù saün, nghóa laø Chuùa Gieâsu Kytoâ. Baát cöù ngöôøi naøo xaây döïng treân neàn taûng naøy vôùi vaøng, baïc, ñaù quyù, goã, coû hay rôm, moãi coâng vieäc cuûa hoï seõ ñöôïc theå hieän, ngaøy ñoù seõ ñöôïc phôi baøy. Nhöõng vieäc laøm seõ ñöôïc thöû baèng löûa, vaø löûa ñoù seõ thanh taåy moãi coâng vieäc hoï ñaõ laøm…. Nhöng neáu nhöõng vieäc cuûa hoï bò thieâu huûy, thì hoï seõ bò aùn phaït; ngöôøi ñoù ñöôïc cöùu roãi, nhöng phaûi qua löûa tinh luyeän.

Trong ñôøi soáng, maëc daàu ñaõ ñöôïc röûa trong Chuùa Gieâsu, chuùng ta vaãn vaáp ngaõ. Chuùa tha thöù khi ta thoáng hoái. Nhöng ñoâi khi haäu quaû cuûa toäi vaãn coøn ñoù. Tình yeâu chuùng ta daønh cho Chuùa khoâng troïn veïn. Khi ta qua ñôøi, maëc daàu trong tình yeâu Chuùa, khoâng hoaøn toaøn troïn veïn. Nhöõng thöù nhö vaøng, baïc, ñaù quyù, goã, coû hay rôm coøn vaûng vaûng trong trong ñôøi. Löûa tinh luyeän seõ hoaøn taát giai ñoaïn thanh luyeän, sau ñoù chuùng ta môùi coù theå saün saøng vaøo dieän kieán tröôùc thaùnh nhan Ngaøi.

Khi Thaùnh Phaloâ noùi raèng “hoï seõ ñöôïc cöùu roãi nhöng phaûi qua löûa thanh luyeän,” khoâng coù nghóa laø hoûa nguïc bôûi vì khi vaøo ñoù roài thì seõ ôû ñoù ñôøi ñôøi. Ñieàu ñoù cuõng khoâng theå laø thieân ñaøng ñöôïc bôûi vì nôi ñoù daønh cho nhöõng linh hoàn ñaõ hoaøn toaøn troïn veïn.

Thaùnh Phaoloâ ñang noùi veà söï hieåu bieát sô khai cuûa Giaùo hoäi noùi veà söï toàn taïi cuûa luyeän nguïc sau khi cheát tröôùc khi ñöôïc höôûng aùnh saùng ngaøn thu. Ñieàu naøy raát hôïp yù vôùi saùch Khaûi Huyeàn: “Khoâng coù gì baån thæu seõ ñöôïc vaøo (thieân ñaøng)” (Khaûi Huyeàn 21:27).

Söï chöùng minh cuûa Cöïu Öôùc noùi veà löûa luyeän toäi laøm saùng toû luyeän nguïc laø gì vaø maëc khaûi cuûa Tieân Tri Zechariah giuùp chuùng ta hieåu roõ veà

Thoaïi?

nguoàn goác cuûa luyeän nguïc. “Toâi seõ thanh luyeän 1/3 baèng löûa; toâi seõ tinh luyeän noù nhö luyeän baïc, vaø toâi seõ thöû noù nhö nhö ngöôøi thöû vaøng. Chuùng seõ keâu caàu danh Ta, vaø Ta seõ nghe lôøi caàu xin cuûa chuùng; Ta noùi, ‘Chuùng laø daân ta,’ vaø chuùng seõ tung hoâ, ‘Chuùa laø Thieân Chuùa cuûa con.’” (Zechariah 13:9).

Maëc daàu hoï ñang ñöôïc thanh luyeän trong luyeän toäi nhöng cuõng nhaän ra raèng hoï seõ ñöôïc cöùu roãi. Vì theá hoï luoân höôùng veà Chuùa vaø thaønh khaån xin Chuùa ñöôïc phaùt trieån trong tình yeâu cuûa Ngaøi vaø taåy xoùa taát caû nhöõng gì caûn trôû söï hieäp nhaát vôùi tình yeâu Chuùa. Ñieàu naøy ñaõ ñöôïc minh xaùc trong thö göûi coäng ñoàng Do Thaùi ñoaïn 12 caâu 14 “Haõy hoøa giaûi vôùi moïi ngöôøi, vaø neáu khoâng coù söï thaùnh thieän thì seõ khoâng ñöôïc dieän kieán thaùnh nhan Ngaøi.”

Hai ñieàu naøy coù theå chöùng minh ñöôïc. Ñieàu thöù nhaát laø caùc baïn ñöôïc môøi döï böõa tieäc Ñaêng Quang cuûa Toång Thoáng ôû thuû ñoâ Hoa Thònh Ñoán. Caùc baïn maëc treân ngöôøi boä ñoà raát sang troïng, nhöng ngoaøi trôøi ñang möa lôùn. Caùc baïn caàn phaûi ñi töø khaùch saïn ñeán Toøa Nhaø Traéng ngay trong trôøi möa. Caùc baïn seõ laøm gì? Caùc baïn seõ phaûi maëc aùo möa vaøo ñeå giöõ cho boä ñoà sang troïng khoûi öôùt. Caùc baïn phaûi ñi ñoâi giaày traùnh möa. Nhöng khi tôùi nôi thì caùc baïn seõ bò öôùt nhö chuoät. Caùc baïn coù theå vaøo phoøng aên nhö vaäy ñöôïc chaêng? Ñöông nhieân laø khoâng. Caùc baïn seõ phaûi tôùi moät caên phoøng khaùc ñeå côûi aùo möa vaø ñoâi giaày möa ra, söûa soaïn laïi cho töôm taát roài môùi vaøo phoøng döï tieäc. Noùi caùch khaùc, caùc baïn caàn phaûi côûi boû nhöõng gì khoâng caàn thieát cho böõa tieäc ñoù. Ñieàu chöùng minh thöù hai! Caùc baïn ñang trong giai ñoaïn taåy xoùa sau côn tai bieán nguyeân töû. Maëc daàu raát caån thaän, nhöng söï may ruûi bò nhieãm truøng raát coù theå xaûy ra. Chính vì theá vaø vì phoøng hôø caùc baïn caàn phaûi vaøo phoøng khöû truøng tröôùc khi trôû laïi vôùi cuoäc soáng bình thöôøng. Luyeän nguïc coù theå noùi laø phoøng khöû truøng tröôùc khi vaøo thieân ñaøng.

Khoâng phaûi ai cuõng traûi qua luyeän nguïc, maø chæ daønh cho nhöõng ai chöa troïn tình vôùi Chuùa môùi caàn taåy röûa nhöõng veát nhô. Vì theá, 15 ñieàu maø chuùng ta neân laøm laø caàn aên naên thoáng hoái vì toäi loãi vaø lôùn leân trong tình yeâu Chuùa. Tình yeâu chaân chính nhö laø lieàu thuoác phoøng beänh traùnh khoûi luyeän nguïc. Neáu tình yeâu tuyeät haûo xoùa ñi söï sôï haõi, thì cuõng coù theå noùi tình yeâu ñoù chuaån bò ta veà queâ trôøi.

Sau cuøng, coù theå ngöôøi ta choáng laïi “luyeän nguïc” vì chöõ ñoù khoâng coù trong Kinh Thaùnh. Ñuùng, nhöõng chöõ nhö “Hieän Thaân” hay “Chuùa Ba Ngoâi” cuõng khoâng coù trong Kinh Thaùnh. Nhöng tin vaøo nhöõng giaùo lyù vöøa noùi (Hieän Thaân vaø Chuùa Ba Ngoâi) coù nguoàn goác haún hoi maëc daàu nhöõng chöõ ñoù khoâng tìm thaáy trong Kinh Thaùnh. Luyeän nguïc thì cuõng theá thoâi. Noù coù nguoàn goác trong Kinh Thaùnh vaø minh xaùc bôûi Thaùnh Thaàn trong giaùo huaán cuûa Giaùo Hoäi.

Dòch thuaät: Linh Muïc Pheâroâ Leâ Taøi, Chaùnh sôû nhaø thôø Our Lady of the Isle.

‘ LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

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Luyeän nguïc laø: phoøng choáng beänh hoaëc phoøng khöû truøng cuûa thieân ñaøng.

www.bayoucatholic.com

Comment

The Pope Speaks

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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The desire to see and know God is innate in everyone, even nonbelievers, Pope Benedict XVI said.

But it’s especially important people don’t just seek God when they need him, but make room for him throughout their busy lives, he said during his weekly general audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI hall Jan. 16.

At the end of the audience, the pope also greeted U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who was

raised Catholic.

The brief encounter came during the so-called “baciamano,” that is, the moment when the pope offers a select group of prelates and special guests a brief handshake one-byone rather than a private audience.

The pope spoke at length with the former CIA director, who was smiling and gently holding both of the pope’s hands, and gave him one of the medallions reserved for special guests.

Panetta, who was stepping down as Pentagon chief, was in Rome as part of a Europe-wide tour to meet with European defense ministers to discuss the conflicts in Afghanistan and Mali.

During his catechesis dedicated to the Year of Faith, the pope said, “The desire to really know God, that is, to see the face of God, exists in everyone, even atheists.”

It can even be an unconscious desire to simply know “who is he, what is he for us?” the pope said.

That yearning finds fulfillment

in Christ, he said; as Jesus told his disciples, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”

The pope said it was important to follow Christ “not just those moments when we need him,” but to “find room for him in our daily tasks” and throughout one’s life.

“The splendor of the divine countenance is the source of life, it’s what lets one see reality” and its light is a sure guide in life, he said.

At the end of his catechesis, the pope made an appeal for people to join the observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Jan. 1825. The theme for this year’s week is “What does God require of us?”

“I invite everyone to pray, ceaselessly asking God for the great gift of unity among the disciples of the Lord. May the inexhaustible power of the Holy Spirit encourage us in a sincere commitment to the search for unity, so that together we may all profess that Jesus is the Savoir of the world,” he said.

Everyone, even atheists, has human desire to know God Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2013

Question Corner Father Kenneth Doyle

Changing a child’s godparents; Mass for an aborted child

Q

I was wondering whether you’re allowed to change your child’s godparents and, if so, how to go about it and have it be acceptable to the church. The situation is this: When we chose our daughter’s godparents, seven years ago, they were Catholic and went to church. But over the years, they stopped going to church, and I’m not even sure that they still consider themselves Catholic.

My daughter will soon be receiving her first Communion, and she has begun to ask questions about her godparents.

I would like to be able to tell her that they are faithful religious people who are setting a good example for her, but I can’t honestly say that. It’s further complicated by the fact that my son’s godparents are very strong Catholics, and my daughter wants to know why her own godparents are not like his. Any advice as to what I might do?

(Gering, Neb.)

A

You are not allowed to change your daughter’s godparents.

They are the ones who served as official witnesses to her baptism and the ones who, at the time, along with the parents, asked to have the child baptized into the church. Their names are inscribed on your daughter’s baptismal certificate and in the parish’s baptismal registry, and history cannot be undone.

However, you understand correctly the proper role of godparents, which is to assure the religious and spiritual development of the child, particularly if anything should happen to the parents, and there are some options.

You could ask someone else to step into that role, perhaps a trusted friend or family member who might serve as an example of religious fidelity and help guide your daughter’s growth as a Catholic.

Also, in a few years, your daughter will receive the sacrament of confirmation, and although the church’s Code of Canon Law in No. 893.2 says that it is “desirable” to have the same sponsor as at baptism, it is not required.

So you could pick someone else as the confirmation sponsor. That new person would then become responsible for monitoring your daughter’s religious development and, in many parishes, would attend confirmation preparation classes with your daughter.

Q

Many years ago, when I was in my 20s, a girl I was dating became pregnant by me. She then had an abortion. Not only did I not try to stop her, but I helped to pay for the abortion. I have confessed this and have received forgiveness. Just recently, I have begun praying for the soul of that aborted child.

I was wondering whether I could schedule a Mass intention in my church for the child. (I could make up a generic name like “Jackie” since we didn’t know the child’s gender, and the Mass intention could be in that name.)

I still feel guilty and would like to do as much as I can for that child’s soul. (Columbia, S.C.)

A

What you describe is not uncommon: Parents of an aborted child years later feel regret and remorse. As to having a Mass for the child, I feel quite confident that the child is in heaven and needs no prayers.

The child, of course, bore no responsibility for his or her own death, and the Vatican announced in 2007 that there are reasonable grounds to believe that an infant who dies before being baptized will be brought by God to heaven.

What you might do instead is to have the Mass offered for “a special intention” and have that intention be for the mother, that she will have repented for the sin and, if a Catholic, have sought forgiveness through confession; and next, for our nation, that the scourge of abortion will be lifted from us. (With respect to the hundreds of tiny children who are aborted each day, I believe that historians a century from now will say -- as they now say of the rise of Hitler in Nazi Germany -- “How could a civilized nation 17 have let that happen?”)

2013 Catholic News Service

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

www.bayoucatholic.com

Reflections Readings Between The Lines Father Glenn LeCompte

Features of Luke’s Passion

L 18

Lent is coming quickly, although it seems that we are not that far removed from the Christmas season. Last month I discussed some of the themes that make Luke’s Gospel unique in comparison to the other Gospels. Within each of the Gospels is a Passion Narrative, the story of Jesus’ suffering and death. The uniqueness of the respective canonical Gospels in their entirety is likewise reflected in their individual Passion Narratives. In this article I will expound upon features that are particular to the Lucan Passion Narrative (22:1-23:56), which will be read at Palm Sunday Mass this year.

Prayer. All four of the Gospels depict Jesus at prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, but Luke recounts this episode (22:40-46) in a particular way. For example, there is no mention of Jesus saying that he is “sorrowful unto death” (cf. Mark:14:34; Matthew 26:38). Jesus’ agonized prayer in Mark is part of his portrayal of him as the righteous sufferer.

Luke, however, has depicted Jesus at prayer throughout the Gospel. In Luke’s Gospel prayer is the means by which Jesus maintains communion with the Father, and this is no less true in his Passion Narrative. Indeed, Jesus prays that, if possible, the cup pass from him, but accedes to the Father’s will, and that is the end of it. On the one hand, Jesus rises from his prayer

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2013

strengthened to face his passion.

The disciples, on the other hand, have not undertaken the necessary means of prayer to face their own trial.

Jesus, the Compassionate Savior.

Throughout his Gospel, Luke emphasizes the compassion of Jesus. In the episode in which Jesus raises the dead son of the widow of Nain (7:11-17), Luke asserts that Jesus is motivated by compassion to perform the resuscitation of her son. All four Passion Narratives recount the incident of a disciple of Jesus cutting off the ear of one of the high priest’s slaves in retaliation, but only Luke depicts Jesus healing the man (22:51).

In addition, only Luke has the crucified Jesus beseech the Father to forgive his enemies due to their ignorance of their deeds (23:34), and heeding the plea for pardon and salvation of the man crucified next to him (23:42-43).

Luke’s Passion Narrative and Jesus’ Journey to the Father.

While Luke has picked up the motif of a journey by Jesus to Jerusalem from Mark, the former evangelist expands the scope of that journey.

For Luke, Jesus’ journey, which begins at 9:51, is literally an exodus, a way out (9:31). In other words, Jesus’ journey proceeds through Jerusalem, his passion there, his death and resurrection and ultimately his ascension to the Father. Far from a chaotic demise of Jesus, his passion and death are aspects of his transit to the Father.

From Travel Companions to True Disciples. Jesus’ disciples are his companions on the journey, but they are challenged to do more than just walk to Jerusalem with him. As J. Fitzmyer (The Gospel according to Luke, p. 1365) puts it, “To be a disciple of Christ one has to follow him along the road that he walks to his destiny in Jerusalem,

his exodus, his transit to the Father.” They must accompany Jesus in his passion and they must come to an understanding of how to respond properly to what they witness.

The disciples must learn to anticipate that they will be beset with trials if they continue to follow Jesus (22:35-38). In imitation of Jesus, the disciples are challenged to grow into a deeper prayer life, one which places them in an intimate communion with the Father. Such communion becomes the source of strength in tumult, inasmuch as they are to learn to find confidence in Jesus’ continual prayer for them (22:31-32).

They have to develop the discipline to respond compassionately even when threatened, as Jesus does (see 22:47-53). A reproof by Jesus at the Last Supper is meant to teach them to seek humility rather than dominance (22:24-27).

Overall, Luke depicts the disciples more sensitively than does Mark, as is indicated, for example, in Luke’s omission of the disciples’ flight at his arrest (cf. Mark 14:50).

In Luke’s sequel, Acts, the disciples preach extensively about Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection.

Evidently, the lessons they learned as they witnessed these events give them the perspective necessary to preach the truth about it (e.g. Acts 10:39-40).

The categories mentioned above are but a few observations concerning the uniqueness of Luke’s presentation of Jesus’ passion and death. I invite you to embrace in greater depth the challenge of the Lucan Passion Narrative at a retreat I will offer at Lumen Christi Retreat Center, March 15-17. That journey shaped Jesus’ disciples into people of the Kingdom; why would it not do so for you?

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Joan of France 1464-1505 February 4 Also known as Joan of Valois, this French foundress was the daughter of King Louis XI and the wife of King Louis XII, her father’s cousin. She was mistreated by both men, and reportedly was physically handicapped from birth, though she may have been merely undersized and plain. Her husband sought to have their marriage annulled so he could marry Joan’s sister-in-law, who inherited Brittany; he succeeded in 1498. Thereafter Joan lived in Bourges, where she devoted herself to prayer and good works, and established, under Franciscan direction, the Order of the Annunciation with 11 local schoolgirls. A year before her death, she renounced all her possessions, including her title as Duchess of Berry. She was canonized in 1950.

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Saints © 2013 Catholic News Service

Cyril and Methodius ninth century February 14

Crosiers

These Greek brothers were distinguished even before they became “the apostles of the Slavs.” Cyril taught in Constantinople and Methodius was a provincial governor. About 863, after ordination, they went as missionaries to Moravia, where they had considerable success, partly because they knew the Slavonic language. But their mission was challenged by Germans seeking to dominate in the area. In 869, Cyril died in Rome and Methodius was consecrated bishop and returned to his mission. He was imprisoned by the Germans for two years until the pope won his release. He died in 885. The brothers are associated with Mass in the vernacular, the Cyrillic alphabet and Slavonic literature. They are the patrons of ecumenists, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Romania and Europe.

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Pontchartrain Center Blessed Fra Angelico c. 1400-1455 February 18

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Fra Giovanni da Fiesole, known as Blessed Fra Angelico, was an early Renaissance painter. After joining the Dominicans in 1420, he began illustrating manuscripts and choir books, beginning each new work with a prayer. His religious altarpieces, paintings and frescoes exploited color for spatial and emotional effect.

Fra Angelico, meaning “angelic brother,” decorated an entire Florentine monastery and two Roman chapels. Notable works include his “Annunciation” and “Descent from the Cross.” He declined an appointment as archbishop of Florence and was officially beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1982. Art students often leave written prayers near his tomb in the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Rome. He is patron of artists.

Saints © 2013 Catholic News Service

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Scripture Readings Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

and a listing of Feast days and saints.

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

1 February 2

8

Sunday

3

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Malachi 3:1-4 Hebrews 2:14-18 Luke 2:22-40

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19 1 Corinthians 12:31—13:13 Luke 4:21-30

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10

4

5

6

7

Weekday Hebrews 11:32-40 Mark 5:1-20

Memorial of Agatha, virgin and martyr Hebrews 12:1-4 Mark 5:21-43

Memorial of Paul Miki and companions, martyrs Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15 Mark 6:1-6

Weekday Weekday Hebrews 12:18-19, Hebrews 13:1-8 Mark 6:14-29 21-24 Mark 6:7-13

Weekday Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21 Mark 6:30-34

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8 1 Corinthians 15:111 Luke 5:1-11

11

12

13

14

15

16

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Weekday Genesis 1:1-19 Mark 6:53-56

Weekday Ash Wednesday Genesis 1:20—2:4a Joel 2:12-18 Mark 7:1-13 2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Thursday after Ash Wednesday Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Luke 9:22-25

Friday after Ash Wednesday Isaiah 58:1-9a Matthew 9:14-15

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

First Sunday of Lent Deuteronomy 26:410 Romans 10:8-13 Luke 4:1-13

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19

20

21

22

23

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

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

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

Lenten Weekday Ester C:12, 14-16, 23-25 Matthew 7:7-12

Feast of the Chair of Peter, apostle 1 Peter 5:1-4 Matthew 16:13-19

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

Second Sunday of Lent Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18 Philippians 3:17— 4:1 Luke 9:28b-36

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26

27

28

1 March 2

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

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

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

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

3

Church Alive

Junior High Faith Experience

21

Approximately 700 youth and adults from across the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux gathered for the Junior High Faith Experience held recently on the Nicholls State University Campus in Thibodaux. Mike DiSalvo, diocesan director of the Office of Youth Ministry and Rachel LeBouef, diocesan assistant director, are shown leading the participants in a singing competition. Father Mitchel Semar was the main celebrant of the closing Mass. Brad Farmer and Gene Monterastelli of Apex Ministry were the keynote presenters for the day.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

www.bayoucatholic.com

Heavenly Recipes

s t i u c s i B y s e e Ch R o n n ie 's

22

Story and Photo

by Lawrence Chatagnier This month’s heavenly recipe is one that most everyone can prepare. Ronnie’s cheesy biscuits are an excellent addition to any breakfast or they can be eaten alone as a tasty snack with a cup of coffee.

Ronnie Thomas, a retired U.S. Air Force master sergeant, has been preparing his cheesy biscuits for the weekday Mass group at St. Bridget Church parish in Schriever for the past five years.

“I enjoy making the biscuits. I do a little cooking at home. I don’t specialize in anything, however I enjoy cooking breakfast. It is much easier than a typical dinner meal,” says Thomas.

He says that his pastor Father Domingo “Ding” Cruz would invite those attending the weekday Masses over to the rectory for a cup of coffee after Mass. Thomas says that he and his wife Betty thought it would be a good idea to have something to go with the

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2013

Ronnie’s Cheesy Biscuits

6 cups biscuit mix (Bisquick All-Purpose Baking Mix) 3 cups shredded cheese (Bakers and Chefs Natural Fancy Shred Colby Jack and Monterey Jack Cheese) 2 1/4 cups whole milk

Heat oven to 450 degrees. Mix biscuit mix and cheese until all cheese is covered. Add milk and stir until mixture is damp. Add a little more milk if necessary. Use a 1/4 cup ice cream scoop with a release handle. Scrape the scoop along side of the bowl to make the dough flat. Drop biscuits onto an ungreased cookie sheet one inch apart. Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes approximately 24 biscuits. coffee. After experimenting with a few biscuit recipes he found that adding cheese to the biscuits made them taste better and the biscuits would not fall apart.

There are typically 12 to 16 people who regularly attend the weekday Masses at St. Bridget.

“Father Ding is a people person. He likes to socialize with everyone. It is enjoyable for us to get together after Mass. We all sit around the table and enjoy each other’s

company,” says Thomas.

Thomas says that he and his wife also know each person’s birthday in the group and on these days they bake a cake and the group will celebrate that person’s birthday with cake. “The group has really grown close and everyone comments on the biscuits. It feels good when you do something for people and they appreciate what you are doing,” says the retired sergeant.

With a new name, a refreshed design, and numerous new resources created to enrich the experience of Lent, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Rice Bowl offers meaningful ways for Catholics to embrace Lent this year.

By highlighting the beauty of the Lenten trio - prayer, fasting and giving - CRS Rice Bowl connects people more closely with the global mission of the Catholic Church.

“The program’s new message, ‘For Lent, For Life: What you give up for Lent changes lives’ captures the essence of the sacred call to love thy neighbor. In this Year of Faith, as declared by Pope Benedict XVI, CRS Rice Bowl is ready-made to help individuals and faith communities embark on a season of spiritual renewal,” said Joan Rosenhauer, CRS’ executive vice president of U.S. Operations.

“The Rice Bowl is a great way for us to be in solidarity with people in other countries,” said Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux executive director Robert Gorman, “but it is an especially good way for us as parents and grandparents to show our children and grandchildren that as Catholics we care about people in need all over the world.

We encourage every Catholic school and church parish to support CRS Rice Bowl.”

During each of the weeks of Lent, CRS Rice Bowl features five different countries and one U.S. diocese along with stories and profiles that demonstrate the impact CRS Rice Bowl contributions make in the fight to stop hunger and improve health for people around the world.

“The sacrificial gifts from CRS Rice Bowl play a significant role in providing effective, quality services to people in need so their lives and the lives of their children can be improved,” said Rosenhauer. “The faces of hunger may be different from one country to the next, but the needs are similar. That’s why we address the root causes of poverty and hunger in all of our programs.”

Twenty-five percent of the monies

Bringing faith to life during Lent collected through CRS Rice Bowl remain in the dioceses where it is collected to address the needs of the local community. Often dioceses offer small grants or fund food pantries, community gardens and other hunger prevention efforts.

CRS Rice Bowl participants use a weekly spiritual guide, videos, photo galleries or the program’s interactive website to learn more about the people from the featured countries and see how their lives are changed by the humanitarian aid provided by the Catholic Church overseas. This year’s featured countries and humanitarian success stories are: Week 1: Improving Agriculture in Burkina Faso Week 2: Stopping Tuberculosis in East Timor Week 3: Early Childhood Education in Lesotho Week 4: Fostering Savings in Dominican Republic Week 5: Providing Clean Water in Pakistan Week 6: Feeding Families in

Oakland, CA A popular annual feature is the collection of recipes included in the CRS Rice Bowl materials so participants can plan a weekly, meatless meal from each of the featured countries as another way to experience Lent.

This year’s recipes are: Week 1: Bean Cakes from Burkina Faso Week 2: Batar Da’an from East Timor Week 3: Pap with Spicy Vegetables from Lesotho Week 4: Black Bean Soup from Dominican Republic Week 5: Mixed Vegetable Tihari from Pakistan “CRS Rice Bowl is a transformative experience for families because it unites parents and children around a single theme of preventing hunger and helping people who are in need. And for school and parish communities it is equally transformative because people can be so creative with the ways they use the videos, the meatless recipes, the activities, 23 reflections and prayers. This year we are encouraging people to share photographs and videos of how they do CRS Rice Bowl in their homes, schools and parishes,” said Rosenhauer.

Each year, a detailed, CRS Rice Bowl offers a step-by-step coordinator’s guide for parishes as well as an educator’s guide that includes lesson plans for grades one through 12.

“We are also helping people to be more intentional about their sacrificial giving,” said Rosenhauer.

“Families and individuals can write down what they will sacrifice and their giving commitment right on the Rice Bowl box or on a slip of paper they can post somewhere in their home. I plan on putting mine on my refrigerator.”

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency provides assistance to people in need in nearly 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. For more information, please visit www.crs.org or www. crsespanol.org. www.bayoucatholic.com

Young Voices

During this Year of Faith, how do you plan to share and strengthen your faith?

In this Year of Faith, I am looking forward to growing deeper in my faith as well as helping others grow stronger in their faith journey. I would like to help those who need the Lord in their lives so they can see the true goodness of God. I also plan to read Scripture and attend adoration weekly. By doing this, I will also become closer to God and this will help me develop as a stronger Catholic.

Bryson Barbier, 16 years old Holy Cross Church parish, Morgan City Central Catholic High School

Since Steubenville 2012, I have been texting out daily bible verses and quotes. It began with sending them only to family and friends, now I am currently texting 88 people. The number is constantly increasing, and I plan to continue to send them every day. It’s a great way to get my day started and hopefully theirs as well. If I can reach out to at least one person then my goal is complete. I have encouraged others to do the same, and hopefully this number will grow throughout the world. By meditating on these messages my faith will grow stronger and so will theirs.

24

Amber Maronge, 16 years old St. Ann Church parish, Bourg South Terrebonne High School

In the Year of Faith, I plan to strengthen and share my faith. I will strengthen my faith by praying my rosary, praying morning prayers at the chapel, and going to church events whenever available. I can share my faith by bringing friends to Mass, aNEW, ADORE, and inviting them for adoration at church. I can also pray for friends and family to help seek God in their daily lives.

Caleb Anderson, 16 years old St. Ann Church parish, Bourg South Terrebonne High School

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2013

With this new year of faith comes the challenge of putting that faith to a test. It also pushes me to expand my faith as much as possible. I plan to do this by deepening my relationship with the Blessed Mother and putting God above all else. I strive to place my full and complete trust in God and let his will be done in all aspects of my life.

Sarah A. Plaisance, 16 years old St. Hilary of Poitiers Church parish, Mathews Central Lafourche High School

Special

Diocese honors Black Catholics Black Catholics from across the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux gathered for Mass on the feast of St. Martin de Porres at St. Luke Church in Thibodaux recently.

Bishop Sam G. Jacobs was the main celebrant of the Mass which was concelebrated by Father Eric Leyble and Father Mitchel Semar. Father Glenn LeCompte was the master of ceremonies. Deacons Mel Marts and Martin Dickerson assisted.

25

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

www.bayoucatholic.com

Our Schools

26

E.D. White, Thibodaux Traces roots to 1855

E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux can says. trace its roots as far back as 1855 when Pere’ Charles The school, which has an enrollment of 754 Menard recognized the need for Catholic education students, currently operates under the presidentin Thibodaux. He brought the first Sisters of Mount principal model of administration, which it adopted Carmel to Thibodaux and Mount Carmel Academy beginning in the 2005-2006 school year. opened Oct. 1, 1855.

David Boudreaux says his two primary roles as In 1861, Pere Menard opened Thibodaux College president of the school are to ensure that the charism, for boys under Catholic auspices, and in 1891, or the philosophy, of the Brothers of the Sacred asked the Brothers of the Sacred Heart to manage Heart and the Sisters of Mount Carmel are alive and the school. Both schools operated separately until well at E.D. White which means making sure that the fall of 1965, when Mount Carmel Academy and all of its programs are rooted in the Catholic faith; Thibodaux College merged into a co-institutional and to keep the school functioning administratively school named Thibodaux Central Catholic High by handling all of the financial aspects of running School. In the spring of 1966, the school was renamed the school, maintaining the facilities, strategic Edward Douglas White Catholic High School by (the planning, relationships with the advisory council, late) Archbishop Philip Hannan, in memory of the and advancement. This way the principal is able to Honorable Edward Douglas White, a devout Catholic focus on academics, relationships with students and from Thibodaux, who served as Supreme Court Chief parents, and supervision of faculty and support staff.

Justice from 1910-1921.

Boudreaux’s biggest challenge as E.D. White’s Principal Michelle Chiasson says that the school’s president is, “To give the principal all of the tools, history plays such an important role in what it is facilities and resources she needs to meet the daily today. “We have been very fortunate to have the requirements of the students, and to make Catholic Brothers of the Sacred Heart and Sisters of Mount education available to as many families as possible Carmel both play such an active role in the school. while balancing that with paying our faculty a fair The Brothers’ way of wage so that we can attract teaching is what people the best and brightest to our Story by Janet Marcel today write books on and school.”

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier have workshops about,” she Fostering the academic

a

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2013

growth of its students begins with the classroom structure, says Chiasson. “I believe we have the perfect balance of discipline and socialization, which is conducive to education. Our eighth grade teachers do a great job of setting this tone. Another way we foster academic growth is that our teachers test on critical thinking skills; they don’t just have students memorize things. Technology plays a big part in that now. I think our students are well-prepared and it’s because of this structured environment and the high expectations they are held to.”

Ruth Thibodeaux, 10th and 11th grade English teacher, has been at E.D. White for 27 years. She says E.D. White is a great place to teach. “Spirits dwell here. The spirit of service manifests itself daily as selfless faculty members share their expertise and lesson plans with novice teachers. The spirit of compassion makes its appearance as a consoling hug, a heart-warming note, or a debt erased. Then there is just plain spirit spawned by enthusiasm, rapport and a sense of fun between and among students and faculty—the spirit that makes E.D. White such a dynamic school.”

This year the school offered a one-to-one iPad program for its students. “We had to meet the kids where they were. All of the research shows us that their brains are wired differently than ours. This is how they learn now and they think it is fun,” says Chiasson.

Darius Charles, 10th grade student, says “the balance between academic excellence and the

a

For the first time in the school’s history the administrative team are all alumni of E.D. White. From left are Gwen Duet, dean of students; Michelle Chiasson, principal; David Boudreaux, president; and Charlotte Smith, academic assistant principal.

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27

Senior Alyssa Cruse

Sophomore Darius Charles

enhancement of a Christian way of life is what I truly value the most at E.D. White. While at school I feel like I am in my own personal sanctuary and I can connect with God in my own way.”

Between 85 and 90 percent of students participate in some extracurricular activity at E.D. White.

“Participation in co-curricular activities enhances selfesteem and provides students with another chance to ‘shine.’ So we see them blossom; we see them start 28 over in high school. A lot of doors open for them,” says Chiasson. “These activities not only help students find their passion, they teach them about commitment and dedication, and the students get that adult mentor or adult connection that some really need.”

Eighth grade student Spencer Chiasson says “the thing I like best about E.D. White is that all the teachers and coaches believe that you can succeed.

This really motivates everyone to be the best person he can be.”

Parent involvement at the school is phenomenal, says Chiasson. “The parents keep the school organizations going. They recognize the power of their children being involved and they are always here when we need them.” The school also has a strong and uniquely supportive alumni base that is a part of the everyday life of the school.

Kris Guillot teaches ninth and 10th grade Honors Biology I, and 12th grade Biology II and Honors Biology II. She has been teaching at E.D. White for 22 years.

“The warm smiles, cooperative spirits, and generous hearts of the students of E.D. White Catholic High School make our school a great place to teach. Every day I am given the opportunity to share my love of science with my students. In return, my students bless me with many gifts—gifts of kindness, holiness and concern. Our students really make E.D. White a family,” says Guillot.

One of the greatest challenges of operating a Catholic high school, says Chiasson, is that “we are 100 percent ‘counter-cultural,’ so every day our message is in direct conflict with every other message Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2013

Eighth grader Spencer Chiasson

our students are getting.”

Another challenge the school is facing is preparing students for the new workforce where workers need to be skills-oriented as opposed to knowledge-oriented.

They are currently in the process of redesigning and redefining the curriculum … with the Common Core Standards which are skills-based.

Improving the faith formation of its students is one of Chiasson’s goals. The school now offers daily Mass, and adoration and reconciliation every Wednesday. She would also like to see at least one or two graduates every year consider the priesthood or religious life.

Senior Alyssa Cruse feels that she is able to learn about her faith as well as receive a very strong education at E.D. White. “I appreciate the opportunity to learn about my faith at such a pivotal time in my life and I believe that learning about God is a vital part to education. E.D. White also offers many opportunities to grow as an individual. I am able to grow as a student, friend, musician, and a Catholic,” she says.

Don Grabert, who teaches senior religion, says, “E.D. White is a very special place to teach because I am able to pray and speak about God in my classes every day. I am able to express the love of God to

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the different teams that I coach. Faculty and staff are like a close family with friendships and experiences that will last a lifetime. The best part about being at E.D. White is the great students that I have had the privilege to teach over the last 29 years.”

There are so many unlimited possibilities for the future of E.D. White Catholic High School, says Chiasson. She sees the school always maintaining the traditions of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and the Sisters of Mount Carmel, and opening its doors to more and more students from different areas.

Because of the school’s interesting relationship with the past, Boudreaux says they have sort of taken on the motto of “tradition welcomes innovation.”

He hopes that the school can remain rooted in the traditions of Catholic faith while at the same time being cognizant of offering the highest quality education possible.

“In the future I hope we will keep the best of our traditions but incorporate that with the latest teaching techniques and technology so that we can embrace what was best about the past while preparing students for the world in which they will live in the future,” says Boudreaux. “Ultimately the most important thing we do is spread the Gospel message through the ministry of education.”

Faith

Woman

of God Conference

2013

Ruth Thibodeaux, 10th and 11th grade English teacher

29

Kris Guillot, biology teacher

speakers Jackie Francois Bishop Sam Jacobs Fr. Mark Toups Elaine Beyer Wendy Couvillon music by

More Than Sunday

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Pastoral Center 2779 Hwy. 311, Schriever, LA 70395

February 22 & 23 For more info visit us @

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www.bayoucatholic.com

Year of Faith

Guest Columnist

D 30

Father Glenn LeCompte

“Don’t read the Bible; it will only confuse you!” Why was this admonition, which senior Catholics will remember well, but younger Catholics may find puzzling, given by church leadership prior to Vatican II? Although the church has always venerated the sacred Scriptures, prior to Vatican II there was more emphasis on church teaching overseen by the Magisterium or teaching office of the church. This emphasis was probably the result of continued response to the Reformation in the 16th century. During the Reformation discrepancies between church teaching and Scripture led to heated debates and divisions between the reformers and the church’s leadership. In the centuries following the Reformation, the church leadership emphasized its role as official interpreter of the Scriptures so as to protect the faithful from erroneous readings of it. Unfortunately, this led to the discouragement of laity reading Scripture on their own.

Although some council fathers, such as Bishop Caminada of Ferentino, Italy, voiced the traditional concern about putting the Scriptures into the people’s hands, the majority thought differently.

Consequently, Chapter VI of the Constitution on Divine Revelation (hereafter, CDR) positively encouraged the

ordinary Catholic to read Scripture for spiritual nourishment.

The prominent role of sacred Scripture in the church is implied by the Latin title of the document, Dei Verbum (“Concerning God’s Word”). Yet, paragraph 1 states that the larger purpose of the document is “to set forth authentic doctrine on divine revelation and how it is handed on.” Through the process of revelation the invisible God has made himself known to human beings so that he might invite them and take them into fellowship with him (No. 2). God has revealed himself progressively through creation, the chosen people and finally through his Son. The document specifies that God is the source of revelation, and sacred Scripture and sacred tradition are equivalent modes by which divine revelation is communicated. In fact sacred Scripture and sacred tradition “... flowing from the same divine wellspring, in a certain way merge into a unity and tend toward the same end” (CDR No. 9).

Perhaps less readily understood

by the ordinary Catholic than “sacred Scripture,” the term “sacred tradition” has to do initially with the official teaching of the church first handed on by the apostles. The apostolic tradition “progresses” over time with the Holy Spirit’s help as understanding of apostolic teaching increases in the church (CDR No. 8). Nevertheless, this progression of revelation adds nothing to what Christ revealed, since in Christ revelation is complete (CDR No. 7).

CDR No. 9 explains the relationship between Scripture and tradition as follows: “ ... it is not from sacred Scripture alone that the church draws her certainty about everything which has been revealed. Therefore both sacred tradition and sacred Scripture are to be accepted and venerated with the same sense of loyalty and reverence.” In addition, CDR states that “Tradition [is] expressed not only in the church’s teaching authority but in the whole being of the church–in its worship and experience of spiritual realities”

The Constitution on Divine Revelation Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2013

(J.W. O’Malley, What Happened at Vatican II, p. 228).

Chapters III-VI give specific treatment to sacred Scripture, since an emphasis on it had long been dormant in the church. The inspired quality and interpretation of sacred Scripture are discussed in Chapter III. Concerning the issue of inspiration, CDR No. 11 makes the following points. God chose the biblical authors and made use of their powers and abilities. With God acting “in and through them,” they penned only that which God desired that they communicate.

Through the process of inspiration, what the writers assert is asserted by the Holy Spirit, therefore, the Scriptures teach “solidly, faithfully and without error that truth which God wanted put into sacred writings for the sake of salvation.”

The wording here avoids any implication that the Scriptures were “dictated” by God to the sacred authors, rather, God made use of the literary talents he had given them to communicate what God wanted communicated. In addition, while the Scriptures may not always be scientifically and historically accurate, the “truth ... for the sake of salvation” that God desired to be communicated is articulated by the sacred authors faithfully and without error.

The discussion of the interpretation of Scripture in paragraph 12 is monumentally important. Drawing its teaching from Inspired by the Divine Spirit, a 1943 encyclical letter

by Pope Pius XII, CDR stresses that a proper understanding of sacred Scripture involves giving attention to “ ... among other things ... literary forms.” In other

Faith

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of God Conference

words, we must understand how the sacred authors in the context of their own times and circumstances intended to express themselves.

Taking this first essential step to understanding the Scriptures precludes an imposition of our own worldview upon the Scriptures in reading them. Most average Bible readers are interested in what the Bible means for their faith-lives, and certainly this is important.

But we can only understand what the Bible means for us after having first comprehended what it meant for the original authors and readers. There is no need, however, for the average Bible reader to fear this task.

Bibles with footnotes and reading guides, as well as commentaries written in popular language are available helps in arriving at a true appreciation of the message of sacred Scripture. Although the Magisterium is entrusted with interpreting Scripture it is “not above the word of God, but serves it” (CDR No. 10), which means the Magisterium must interpret the Scriptures according to what the sacred authors originally intended to say.

Chapter IV deals with the Old Testament. Although they are the Scriptures of our Jewish ancestors in the faith the Old Testament works contain the true word of God, and are considered inspired and permanently valuable to the church. The New Testament is “hidden in the Old.” Certain texts in the Old Testament point to Christ, even if the original authors could not have directly intended such a meaning given their time and human limitations. Also, the Old Testament represents a

2013

speakers Bishop Sam Jacobs Fr. Mark Toups Deacon Larry Oney Kerry Bueche music by

More Than Sunday

progressive revelation of God’s plan of salvation leading up to Christ.

In Chapter V, the council fathers describe the New Testament writings dynamically. They set forth in a most excellent way the word of God, which has saving power for all who believe in it.

CDR No. 19 describes the process of Gospel formation.

Having been instructed through their observation of the events of Christ’s life, the Apostles (orally) explained these events with a fuller understanding given them by the Holy Spirit. The written Gospels developed from the oral tradition, although their presentations differ from one another. These differences can be accounted for by the thesis that the evangelists each selected certain elements from the oral tradition, “reduced some to a synthesis,” and explained “some things in view of the situation of their churches.

Finally, Chapter VI of CDR articulates the role of sacred Scripture in the life of the church. The sacred Scriptures are venerated by the church even as the Eucharist is, for both are the 31 bread of life. The preaching of the church must be regulated by sacred Scripture. The Scriptures are to be translated into the vernacular so that all the faithful should have easy access to them. Catholic biblical interpreters and students of theology should work together to provide an authentic interpretation of the Scriptures so that ministers of the word can preach it effectively.

In sum, CDR reminds us of the marvelous gift of God’s selfrevelation to us, especially in the form of sacred Scripture, which is truly food for our souls.

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Pastoral Center 2779 Hwy. 311, Schriever, LA 70395

March 8 & 9 For more info visit us @

www.htconferences.org or call @ 985.850.3171

www.bayoucatholic.com

Special

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Youth Rally is March 23

Story by Janet Marcel “Proclaim His Name,” (Isaiah 12:4-5) is the theme for this year’s 32nd annual youth rally, which is sponsored by the Office of Youth Ministry in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, for eighth through 12th graders. The rally will take place Saturday, March 23, on the Nicholls State University campus in Thibodaux, from 1 to 10 p.m.

According to Michael DiSalvo, diocesan director of the Office of Youth Ministry, this year’s theme was chosen as a way of reminding and encouraging the “young church” to live out loud their faith in Christ Jesus.

“In this ‘Year of Faith,’ declared by Pope Benedict Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2013

XVI, the diocese wanted to make sure that the youth rally was an opportunity to boldly speak of our Catholic faith and empower the ‘young church’ to do the same. The youth rally is intentionally placed at this special time of the liturgical year so that the power of God’s love and salvation can be revealed to them. By being a witness to this day young people can understand the responsibility they too have to bring others into the love of Jesus. To ‘Proclaim His Name’ means speaking out about the blessings in our lives; it means offering thanksgiving for being ‘called’ to serve each other, and it means we strive to be the risen Christ to others not only in word but also in deed,” says DiSalvo.

The youth rally offers presentations and workshops, as well as the youth village which will feature a rock wall, mechanical bull, merchandise booths,

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interactive group and community/communication building activities. New this year is a “Prayer Path” which will be in Shaver Gym. The “Prayer Path” is being sponsored by the church parishes in the Terrebonne Deanery and will offer opportunities for adoration and reconciliation.

A pre-rally concert will begin at 12:20 p.m. and gathering music at 6:45 p.m., both featuring Abundant Praise.

The keynote speaker will be Steve Angrisano, a veteran musician, composer and youth minister who has served as emcee for three National Catholic Youth Conferences and the last six Pro-Life March youth rallies. He has also been featured at seven World Youth Days as well as numerous diocesan youth conventions/conferences.

Angrisano has been called one of the most effective and versatile ministry leaders in the church today.

The passionate message of faith, hope and love which is woven throughout his music and storytelling is embraced by all. Always rooted in a spirit of humility and faithfulness, he has a keen intuition regarding the needs of any audience and engages them with his unique blend of humor, song, story and interaction.

This makes him both a natural and popular choice for diverse parish, diocesan, national and world-wide events.

Angrisano’s easy, honest style of ministry is born from who he is: a committed witness to the life and love of Jesus Christ. No matter if the song is deep and moving like Welcome Home or a driving anthem calling us to discipleship like Go Make A Difference; whether the event is in an arena with tens of thousands of people, a parish mission where hundreds participate, or a weekend youth retreat with only dozens gathered, there is a consistent awareness that he is not just a performer. His genuine and sincere desire to bring everyone to a closer relationship with the Lord is what gives each event its own distinctive spiritual energy (www.steveangrisano.com).

Other workshops include: n Man and his mission – revealing Jesus in how we present ourselves, n Then God made woman and she was very good, n In the midst of relationship is he present? n Taking the faith to the streets, n His mercy, grace and love revealed – reconciliation/healing, n Strings attached – it’s a matter of faith and hope, n Rise above the influence, n All truth revealed to us in sacred Scripture, n Terrebonne/Lafourche Right to Life, n Building his kingdom with our hands, n Unsolved mysteries of our faith, n Make a joyful noise for the Lord, n Communication – the key to opening the doors of your parish.

There will also be a special workshop for adults entitled “Gathered in and poured out – our faith in Jesus” from 3 until 4:30 p.m.

The closing Mass, which will be celebrated by Bishop Sam G. Jacobs and concelebrated by priests of the diocese, will begin at 7:45 p.m. in Stopher Gym. Cost to attend the youth rally is $40 per person

Steve Angrisano Youth Rally Schedule Youth Rally Concert – Abundant Praise 12:20 p.m.

Opening Drama and Prayer 1 p.m.

Keynote Presentation: Steve Angrisano 1:15 p.m.

Break (Youth Village opens) 2:30–3 p.m.

Workshops – Round No. 1 3–4 p.m.

Youth Village/Dinner 4–5:30 p.m.

Workshops – Round No. 2 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Youth Village closes Gathering Music – Abundant Praise 6:45 p.m.

Keynote Presentation – Steve Angrisano 7 p.m.

Concert/Prep for Liturgy Celebration of the Liturgy 7:45 p.m.

Closing Challenge and Prayer 9:45 p.m. which includes all rally materials, event T-shirt, meal choice, and transportation to and from the event.

Youth can register online with their parish groups by linking to the sign-up page at www.htdiocese.org/ym.

Early registration is strongly encouraged.

After March 3, all registrations will take place at the door of Stopher Gym beginning at 11 a.m. the day of the rally. Cost will be $50 per person; participants will not receive a T-shirt and only hamburgers will be available for dinner.

An Adult Night of Praise will take place Friday, March 22, in the Cotillion Ballroom on the Nicholls State University campus from 7 to 9 p.m., for those adults who work with youth including parish youth ministry coordinators, campus ministers, high school religion teachers, DREs, confirmation coordinators, etc. Registration cost is $15 per person. The evening begins with opening prayer followed by a buffet style dinner at 7:15 p.m., a keynote presentation by Steve Angrisano at 8 p.m., and closing prayer at 9 p.m.

For more information about either of these events, call (985) 850-3151. www.bayoucatholic.com

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Special

Increase in vocations prompts restoration of Vianney Hall at St. Ben’s 34

Guest Columnist

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Father Gregory Fratt

St. Joseph Abbey in Covington, LA, was founded in 1889 by Benedictine Monks from the Archabbey of St. Meinrad in Indiana. At the invitation of then Archbishop Francis Janssons of New Orleans, they settled near Covington and opened a seminary to train local vocations for the priesthood. Today the seminary college is affectionately known as “St. Ben’s” and has become an undergraduate college offering bachelor’s degrees in liberal arts to men seeking to become Roman Catholic priests.

Art, music and beautiful liturgies have always been the hallmarks that the Benedictines are known for and St. Joseph

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2013

Abbey is no exception. If you have ever visited the abbey you cannot help but be awestruck by the beautiful murals by Dom Gregory De Wit which were painted during the term of Abbot Columban in the 1940s. Dom Gregory De Wit’s murals trace the mysteries of salvation history on the walls of the abbey church and the monk’s refectory and as Father Aelred, O.S.B., reminds us, “he (De Wit) transformed the stark white walls into a monumental Christological hymn.”

The beautiful Romanesque Abbey Church is also home to a Dobson Pipe Organ that provides music for the monastic liturgies and attending Mass, as the abbey truly gives you an experience that is heavenly and ethereal. All those things cannot help but influence the seminarians who attend St. Ben’s and we are so blessed to have all these wonderful influences on those being formed as future priests.

The seminary buildings were built in the early 1960s and when the number of vocations began to fall off, St. John Vianney Hall, which was one of the dormitories,

became a place for storage. Abbot Justin Brown (originally from Galliano, LA) now has the task of returning St. John Vianney Hall back to its intended use, because as of 2013 St. Ben’s has more students than it has had in over 25 years.

Having been made aware of this situation, I, along with my dear friend Charlotte Bollinger, decided that “this is something we need to celebrate.”

Charlotte has been a long time friend of the abbey, Abbot Brown, and the monks, and through the years has held several events for the benefit of the abbey. Some of these events have been held at her home in Lockport and have been memorable to all who were fortunate enough to attend. As she was planning another such event which she calls “Bach in the Barn” in which she would once again include Father Sean Duggan, O.S.B., playing the piano, I decided that this type of event could be done in Morgan City as well. It would be a wonderful way to bring awareness to our area about the Abbey, the Seminary and vocations and a great way to continue celebrating the Year of Faith.

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All of this came about through Charlotte’s inspiration and it just reminds me of how inspiring each one of us can be for others.

It reminds me again that there is so much we can do to create awareness and celebrate the things worth celebrating and not sit on the sidelines and watch the world go by! God does speak to us through the words and actions of other people. And isn’t that what the Year of Faith is all about? It is for us as Catholics to celebrate our faith with joy-filled hearts and inspire others. Isn’t that how we evangelize?

On Jan. 12, Abbot Brown was the guest homilist during a Mass for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord where he emphasized vocations. Father Duggan flew in from New York and was the guest organist. Father Duggan, a monk of St. Joseph Abbey, obtained his music degrees from Loyola University in New Orleans and Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, and received a master’s degree in theology from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. From 1988-2001, he taught music, Latin and religion at St. Ben’s and was there when I was in the monastery before I joined the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

He was also director of music and organist at the Abbey. He won the International Bach Competition in 1983 and 1991. I will always be grateful to the wonderful exposure and formation I had while in the monastery.

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Father Sean Duggan, O.S.B., plays the organ during Mass recently at Sacred Heart Church in Morgan City.

After the Vigil Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Morgan City, 160 people gathered at the Petroleum Club for a dinner concert. Father Duggan began the concert with Bach’s Italian Concerto and finished the concert with Mussorgsky’s The Great Gate of Kiev.

Through this event, many people became aware of the Abbey, the Seminary, vocations and the call to inspire others in this year of faith.

From the generous contributions of this community the dinner concert was completely underwritten so that all the proceeds could go to the Abbey to help restore St. John Vianney Hall.

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

I believe that the need to restore Vianney Hall because of the increase in vocations is a direct result, in part, of the good work of the faithful in fostering and praying for vocations. If the new evangelization during this Year of Faith is at its very center the “communication of joy” and “this joy is bigger than man himself because it comes from God” then what a celebration of faith and joy we experienced through this wonderful event. I think that is what we need to do to evangelize during this Year of Faith … experience a joy that is “bigger than ourselves because it comes from God.” www.bayoucatholic.com

Special

Annual Bishop’s Appeal unites Story by Louis Aguirre The 2013 Annual Bishop’s Appeal with its theme “United in Faith and Mission,” is currently underway.

“When we talk about the goal for the Annual Bishop’s Appeal, it is usually for how much funds are raised. But the true goal of the appeal is for it to assist the many ministries of the diocese. By being able to fund the ministries, it makes for stronger church parishes, stronger communities and in total, a stronger diocese,” says Jeremy Becker, diocesan director of the Office of Stewardship and Development.

Bishop Sam G. Jacobs says that he is grateful for the appeal and all that it does for the diocese. “I feel that the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux is a strong and vibrant diocese and that is because of the people and the support that 36 they give. When someone makes a financial commitment to the Annual Bishop’s Appeal, the gift unites their church by assisting with seminarian education, the gift unites their community by assisting with opportunities for youth ministry and their gift unites them by knowing that they have made a difference in the lives of many,” says the bishop.

More ministries will benefit from the Bishop’s Appeal this year.

“Just as in past years, instead of focusing on a few ministries the Appeal will partially fund and in some cases totally fund a broad range of ministries throughout the diocese,” says Becker.

To further illustrate how the theme of the Annual Bishop’s Appeal unites, one of the most important keys to having a strong church parish is the pastor, which is why the diocese invests a tremendous amount of time and funding in finding and training men for the priesthood. Currently, the diocese has 13 seminarians where on average it costs the diocese approximately $37,000 per year to educate a seminarian.

In addition to seminary Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2013

United in Faith and Mission

...they gathered the church together and reported all God had done for them and how he had opened the door of faith...

Acts 14:27

By Being United in Faith and Mission, the Annual Bishop’s Appeal Can Provide the Pastoral, Spiritual and Educational Works Needed in Our Diocese.

Each of us has the Christian responsibility of sharing his or her blessings with others. Since the establishment of our diocese, this tradition of giving has been a hallmark and a strength of our spiritual family, enabling the church in South Louisiana to accomplish the Lord’s work.

Gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

After reviewing the important and indispensable works of education, charity, outreach, and formation through the Annual Bishop’s Appeal, please help by reviewing the giving guide below to prayerfully make your commitment.

All gifts will be acknowledged.

Total Commitment

Down Payment

7 Monthly payments

Commitments are payable over 8 months and commitment reminders will be mailed monthly.

Checks are made payable to Annual Bishop’s Appeal.

For online credit card gifts visit: www.htstewardship.org

education, the Appeal unites parishes by providing all parishes’ staff with training opportunities including areas of technical and spiritual support. Furthermore, Appeal funding aids with areas like the Permanent Diaconate program and archiving all records for every parishioner including baptismal, confirmation and marriage records.

For a stronger community, funds from the Annual Bishop’s Appeal must be used outside of the church walls and supporting the diocesan Office of Youth Ministry is just one way. Funds provide the opportunity for our youth to enjoy the annual youth rally, which is conducted every year on the Saturday before Easter weekend.

Furthermore, the Appeal assists with funding for other areas such as hospital chaplain, evangelization, Safe Environment, Adult Faith Formation, diocesan Archives, Hispanic Ministries, vocations and Continuing Education of the Clergy.

Choosing to support the Annual Bishop’s Appeal and knowing that funds from the appeal stay within the diocese to support the many different ministries gives a donor a feeling of unity in ministry because they are using God’s gifts wisely. It will also give the donor that peace

of mind knowing that their gift, and all gifts to the Appeal, will have the potential to positively affect the lives of thousands of people where they work and live.

“We are grateful to those who have been so generous in the past. It is our hope that you will continue to unite your church, your community and your diocese.

If you supported us in the past, please support us again; and to the level of what you have done in the past. If you are able to increase your donation we will be extremely grateful,” says Becker.

“May you be blessed abundantly for your generous response to this year’s Annual Bishop’s Appeal. As you remember all the blessings you receive in your life, celebrate those blessings and share them so that together we can celebrate our blessings with so many throughout our diocese. Be sure of my faithful prayers and deep appreciation as I remain faithfully yours in Christ,” says Bishop Jacobs.

Those who wish to contribute to the 2013 ABA can choose to make a one-time gift or use the pledge system in which they can make eight monthly contributions.

Donations can also be made on-line by visiting www.htstewardship. org. A video which includes the bishop’s message and how the funds will be used is available to view on the diocesan website.

For more information about the Annual Bishop’s Appeal, call Jeremy Becker in the Office of Stewardship and Development at (985) 850-3155.

Visit the website www.htstewardship.org

Entertainment

Seeing Clairely

H

Claire Joller

“Here in the South, we don’t hide away our crazy relatives.

No, we bring them out into our living rooms and parade them around proudly. We know that everyone has some eccentricity, some little thing that sets them apart, and only a small margin exists between ourselves and these people the rest of the world calls crazy. So no, we’re not ashamed of them, these family ‘crazies.’ We bring them out into the light of day, we love them and tolerate them and cater to them, because there is often only a fine line that divides us from them, and we know that here.”

This is a broad paraphrasing of what I remember of one of many speeches from the character Julia in the television series Designing Women. Someone had maligned her older friend teetering on the fringes of senile dementia, and Julia’s soapbox-prone character went into high gear in response to the insult of her friend.

Many of this character’s monologues were applauded by the studio audience (or the sound track audience supplied after filming), and as I remember it, this particular rant received one of the longest ovations I can recall from the series.

I think this is because so many of us know that, in every family, there are characters whom the world may regard as strange or weird or different. We know who they are, and we understand why others regard them askance.

But that doesn’t mean that we want to hide them away and pretend that they don’t exist.

That doesn’t mean, either, that we’re totally comfortable around them. But it does mean that we acknowledge these people, and often we might even secretly applaud their, uh, individuality.

In our own family we had

Where have all the

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an obvious instance of such differentness, one of my mother’s brothers whom I’ve written about before. Dick was what was then called retarded (brain-damaged at birth in a difficult labor on a boat during a raging hurricane).

He always carried American flags, and walked up and down the roadsides of the bayou community where his family lived, waving broadly to friend and stranger as cars drove by. Only recently did anyone I know have the frankness to say that he used to call him “Crazy Dick.”

Did we know he was different?

Sure. Did we wish he could speak more clearly, reason with more than a child’s reasoning, perform simple grooming tasks on his own?

Absolutely. But were we ashamed of him? Nope.

That was partly because we understood the cause and the character of his disability. But it was also because all around us, we saw evidence of differences in many people from even the most prominent of families in that small community and “in town.”

Members of one of the oldest of the town’s families were virtual recluses in their own home. This was a bit strange, but nobody threw stones, literal or figurative.

People did comment about it in our smallish town, but the hermits

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gone

were left to live as they pleased, in peace.

We knew about the packrats among us, the savers of bottle caps 37 and paper bags and scraps of metal or string or whatever they set their stockpiling sights upon. We might not have understood their reasoning, and certainly never saw evidence of use of any of their “treasures.” But we just shook our heads and watched the stuff pile up in whatever houses they lived in.

Nobody called the “authorities” to haul them away.

So what if one set of long ago sisters emerged from their home only after sundown? Their lilywhite faces did not provoke anyone to call them witches or vampires.

A long segment of a recent Garrison Keillor monologue on National Public Radio was about Norwegian bachelors who live in remote areas of the Upper Midwest.

His humorous description of their, uh, individuality, made me lonesome for the eccentrics who were once quite public in our own midst.

I know they’re still around, but we just don’t seem to parade them proudly in our living rooms anymore.

(For comments or inquiries about this column, Claire Joller can be contacted by email at clairely1@ comcast.net). www.bayoucatholic.com

Special Events

Man of God Conference is March 8-9 The ninth annual Man of God Conference sponsored by the diocesan Conference Office will be held March 8-9 at the diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall in Schriever.

This spirit-filled weekend will feature praise and worship music by More Than Sunday, a local Christian music band featuring Lonnie Lapeyrouse, Matt Bourgeois, Doug Hamilton and Mark Duplantis. Dynamic speakers include: Bishop Sam G. Jacobs, Father Mark Toups, diocesan director of Seminarian Formation and member of the faculty of the Institute for Priestly Formation; Deacon Larry Oney, respected and gifted teacher, author, and deacon; and Kerry Bueche, Catholic lay evangelist and founder of Voice of the Lord Ministries. These men will journey with participants throughout the conference as they delve into the true meaning of the 38

Catholic faith.

All men, ages 18 and over, are invited to attend what promises to be an amazing experience.

Doors open at 5 p.m. and the conference will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Friday, March 8. Music, talks, and sacraments will continue through the day Saturday, March 9. The conference will conclude with the celebration of Mass at 5:15 p.m. by Bishop Jacobs.

Pre-registration cost for the conference is $60 before March 7.

Late registration is $80 and will be accepted at the door on Friday.

Registration includes lunch on Saturday and refreshments throughout the weekend. There is also an optional meal on Friday for an additional $8.50 (must be preregistered/ordered by March 7).

For more information, visit www. htconferences.org, call (985) 8503171, or email conferenceinfo@ htdiocese.org.

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Retreat at Lumen Christi March 15-17 A retreat entitled “Journeying with Christ to the Father through Luke’s Passion Narrative” directed

by Father Glenn LeCompte, will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 15-17 at Lumen Christi Retreat Center in Schriever.

This retreat is intended to help retreatants enter into the story world of Luke’s Passion (Luke 22:1—23:56) and to face the challenges it presents to become more authentic travel companions of Jesus on life’s journey.

Retreatants will move toward those goals by reflecting on Luke’s unique presentation of Jesus’ Passion. The retreat will also help the retreatant prepare to experience Luke’s Passion Narrative in this year’s Palm Sunday liturgy.

The conferences will be: n “The Journey of Luke’s Jesus and Our Life’s Journey: Where are we going?” n “The Power of Prayer vs. the Forces of Darkness” n “From Travel Companions to True Disciples” Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2013

Rev. Glenn LeCompte

n “A Musical Journey through the Passion of Christ” n “The Triumph of the Compassionate Savior” (accompanied by the celebration of the sacrament of penance and reconciliation), and n “The Emmaus Journey: What do we see?”

Father Glenn LeCompte holds a master of divinity degree from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, and a licentiate in sacred theology with a focus in sacred Scripture from the Catholic University of

America in Washington, D.C. He is a former professor of sacred Scripture and director of music at Notre Dame Seminary. Father LeCompte currently serves as spiritual director of Lumen Christi Retreat Center and diocesan director of the Offices of Worship, Priests’ Continuing Education and Ecumenism. Father LeCompte is a published composer of original liturgical music and has provided guitar accompaniment on Honoring Mary, Our Mother, a recording of Marian hymns by New Orleans mezzo-soprano, Megan Dearie.

In his retreats, Father LeCompte combines his rich background in sacred Scripture with prayerful music.

Arrival and room assignments will begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 15 and the retreat ends with a closing Mass Sunday, March 17 at 10:30 a.m. Suggested offering is $130, which covers two nights, four meals and all linens.

To register or for more information call (985) 868-1523.

Food for the Journey March 5

Rev. John Joseph Arogyasami

Associate pastor named

One pastoral appointment, effective immediately, has been announced by Bishop Sam G. Jacobs.

Rev. John Joseph Arogyasami, who has been serving as pastor of St. Margaret Queen of Scotland Church parish in Albany, LA, since 2008, has been appointed associate pastor of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral parish in Thibodaux, for a period of three years. Father Arogyasami, a native of Koneripatti, Tamil Nadu, India, graduated from St. Paul’s Seminary in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India, and was ordained to the priesthood March 30, 1989.

Michael S. Haydel, M.D., FIPP Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice Board Board Certified CertifiedininAnesthesiology Interventional Pain Management and Anesthesiology

The diocesan Office of Religious Education sponsors a monthly lunchtime speaker series on the first Tuesday of the month at the Quality Hotel on Hollywood Road in Houma across from Vandebilt Catholic High School.

The speaker for March 5 is St. Charles Community native Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue.

Father Rodrigue, rector of the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales parish in Houma, attended St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict and the Pontifical North American College in Vatican City State. He was ordained to the priesthood Aug. 10, 2002. Father Rodrigue did post graduate studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University and Pontifical Athaneum of St. Anselmo in Rome, Italy.

He served as pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Church parish in Bayou Black from July 2006 until June 2012. He is the diocesan director of the Vocations Office, diocesan assistant master of ceremonies, chaplain of the diocesan Committee on Scouting, a member of the Priests’ Council, the Permanent Diaconate Committee, the diocesan Communications Committee, and the diocesan Building Commission.

He is also a senior professor of theology and an adjunct spiritual

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director at St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict.

Those who plan to attend the March 5th event should RSVP with their name, phone number and church parish by Thursday, Feb. 28.

To RSVP, email FoodForTheJourney@htdiocese.org or call (985) 850-3178.

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

Cost is $13 and includes meal, drink and tip. Only cash or checks will be accepted.

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

39

Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue

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Our Churches

St. Anthony of Padua Jewel of Bayou Black

Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier St. Anthony of Padua Church parish in Bayou Black was founded as a mission of St. Patrick Church parish in Gibson in 1876. The first church, built of native cypress wood in 1896, was destroyed by a fire in 1940. The following year St. Patrick Church was also completely destroyed by a fire and all records of St. Anthony Church parish until that time were lost.

The present church was floated on a barge from Donner down Bayou Black to its current location.

Built in the Colonial style of architecture, some of the renovations to the church building over the years have included a new confessional, cry room, an altar made and donated by parishioners, a tile floor, new windows, a brick exterior, and most recently in 2011 a new bell tower was added to the structure to replace the former steeple which was destroyed by Hurricane Gustav.

During its 137-year history, the church parish has had only four pastors. Priests from St. Francis de Sales Church parish in Houma and St. Eloi Church parish in Theriot served the parish for nearly 100 years before Father Gerard Hayes was appointed as its first pastor in June 1972. Father Hayes, who was much beloved by the members of the community, would go on to serve the parish for the next 33 years until his retirement in June 2005.

The Very Rev. Vicente DeLa Cruz, J.V., pastor since June 2012 who also serves the diocese as judicial vicar, says even though he didn’t come to the parish directly after Father Hayes, it is a blessing to have someone like him to follow.

“You definitely benefit from those remnants (of his work). And what’s interesting is that when I say or do certain things, people have told me that ‘Father Hayes used to say that’ or ‘Father Hayes used to do that.’ So they can see that there is a continuum or a common thread and even though that thread may be applied differently, it is familiar and that’s very consoling for the people. I always say I belong to the last group of priests who were trained in the old ways. Today we don’t have many of those old priests … we are the old priests,” says Father DeLa Cruz.

The church parish has approximately 925 families, made up of a good cross-section of older couples and families who have been in the community for a long time, as well as many younger families. Father DeLa Cruz says that as a new pastor coming to the parish, he was told that during the last 10 years there was a large influx of young families with children to the Bayou Black area. However, there are still many people in the area of Acadian descent, and many still speak French.

Some of the organizations/ministries in the parish are a Ladies Altar Society, Knights of Columbus, a very active youth ministry, two choirs – the “New Creation” and the “Singing Knights,” an allmale group; a well-organized homebound ministry coordinated by Sister Miriam Mire, C.S.J., the parish’s home health nurse; a popular family fun day held in October each year, an outreach mission that involves 15-20 people who travel annually to

a

St. Anthony Kingston, Jamaica, to work with the Missionaries of the Poor (M.O.P.), and a vocations prayer group that according to Father DeLa Cruz was started 25 years ago by Father Hayes.

“The promotion of vocations is very strong in the parish. In addition to the group meeting every Thursday to pray for vocations, we also pray for vocations after each Mass. It is a wonderful tradition that is still going strong after all these years,” he says.

Father Joseph Tregre, who was ordained to the priesthood in May 2012, is a lifelong parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Church parish who was also an altar server there. The vocations prayer group (partially) attributes his priesthood vocation to their efforts.

One event that Father DeLa Cruz is trying to revive is the parish community dinners, which he is told were quite popular in the past. Currently the parish has started off with potluck suppers. Another one of the pastor’s goals is to have a storytelling night during one of the parish potluck suppers where they hope to record some of the lost history of the parish “fresh from the memories of those older parishioners who were there.”

Something Father DeLa Cruz finds noteworthy regarding the church parish and the Bayou Black community itself is how they are intertwined.

“The people are very proud to be members of the community and they are very, very attached to the church,” says the pastor. “The whole community was essentially built around the church; the church is very strong and important here. St. Anthony is the only church parish in the diocese which has a cemetery next to the church that is not owned by the church; it is owned by the community.”

St. Anthony of Padua is an active parish that according to its pastor “is one of the best parishes in the diocese.”

42

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2013

St. Anthony of Padua Church parish staff are front row from left, Roxanne Bergeron, DRE; Lorna Blanchard, secretary; Brenda LeBoeuf, religious education, family and youth ministry; Virdie and Ernest “Bubba�

Breaux, maintenance; second row, Sister Miriam Mire, C.S.J., parish home nurse; Very Rev. Vicente DeLa Cruz, J.V., pastor; Deacon Jesse LeCompte, Kerry Bueche, lay evangelist; and Linda Dusse, secretary. Not pictured are Deacon Brent Bergeron and Teresa Milton, housekeeper.

Staff 43

www.bayoucatholic.com

Woman of God Conference Feb. 22-23 The seventh annual Woman of God Conference sponsored by the diocesan Conference Office will be held Feb. 22-23 at the diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall in Schriever.

This spirit-filled weekend will feature praise and worship music by More Than Sunday, a local Christian music band featuring Lonnie Lapeyrouse, Matt Bourgeois, Doug Hamilton and Mark Duplantis. Dynamic speakers include Bishop Sam G. Jacobs, Jackie Francois, a renowned Catholic speaker, musician and songwriter; Father Mark Toups, diocesan director of Seminarian Formation and a member of the faculty of the Institute for Priestly Formation; Wendy Couvillon, a local high school religion teacher and mother of six daughters; and Elaine Beyer, confirmation coordinator, youth minister, teacher and mother of six

daughters.

All women, ages 18 and over, are invited to attend what promises to be an amazing experience. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the conference will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22. Music, talks and sacraments will continue through the day Saturday, Feb. 23. The conference will conclude with the celebration of Mass at 5:15 p.m. by Bishop Jacobs.

Pre-registration cost for the conference is $60 before Feb. 21.

Late registration is $80 and will be accepted at the door on Friday.

Registration includes Saturday lunch and refreshments throughout the weekend. An optional meal for Friday night is being offered for an additional $8.50, must be pre-registered/ordered by Feb. 21.

For more information, visit www. htconferences.org, call (985) 8503171, or email conferenceinfo@ htdiocese.org.

44

Music workshops set March 2 and April 27 “Good to Sing the Lord’s Praises,” a workshop for all music ministers, music directors, choir members, organists, guitarists, other instrumentalists and cantors, will be held Saturday, March 2 at the St. Bridget Church parish’s Community Life Annex in Schriever from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday, April 27 at Sacred Heart Church parish’s Spiritual Life Center in Cut Off from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The overall goal of the workshop is to help liturgical musicians in the diocese grow in their ability to plan and minister liturgical music. More specifically the purposes of this workshop are as follows: n to familiarize liturgical musicians in the diocese with the principles of the latest USCCB document on liturgical music, Sing to the Lord, n to gain greater insight on how to plan liturgical music, and n to consider the roles of the psalmist, cantor, instrumentalist (organist or guitarist), director of music ministries, and the choir and how to facilitate full, conscious, active participation as liturgical musicians.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2013

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Lenten mission Feb. 18-19 at St. John, Thibodaux

Kate Theriot

A Lenten mission entitled “Caring for the Dwelling Place” is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 18— 19, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. each evening at St. John the Evangelist Church in Thibodaux. Kate Theriot, the mission speaker, will answer these questions “What is the dwelling place? Where is the dwelling place, and How do I get there?” and give insights into how taking care of self is a path to God and the dwelling place within.

Theriot is the owner of Coaching for Change, LLC, has a master’s degree in pastoral studies, is a certified spiritual director and a board certified coach. Coaching for Change, LLC, offers three services: worksite wellness consulting, life coaching and spiritual direction.

Theriot has brought her work in these areas to corporations and dioceses in Louisiana and other parts of the U.S. for over 30 years.

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

WINNER

A winner has been chosen for Bayou Catholic’s “Where Am I” contest for the month of December.

This statue of the risen Christ is located outside of Christ the Redeemer Church in Thibodaux.

Many correct entries were received and a winner was drawn at random. Della Clement is the winner of a Visa® gift card in the amount of $50.

45

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Sports

Overtime

I 46

Ed Daniels

Is the sky falling on Les Miles and LSU football?

The answer is, of course not.

But, the doomsayers are out in big numbers. Especially after 10 underclassmen on the 2012 team declared for the NFL draft.

Those declarations and a second half collapse and subsequent 2524 loss to Clemson in the ChickFil-A Bowl have set off a mild purple and gold panic.

“We’re going to fall behind Ole Miss in the west,” said an LSU fan to a reporter.

If that happens, it will be because Ole Miss is very good, not because LSU will be very bad.

Here’s what LSU has, returning.

Statistically, the top three wide receivers, Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry and Kadron Boone all return. The three caught 11 of the 12 touchdown receptions by Tigers in 2012.

On the offensive line, guard Trai Turner and tackle Vadal Alexander, both freshman, return. So does guard La’el Collins.

While Michael Ford and Spencer Ware (who combined for 759 rushing yards) depart, Jeremy Hill, Alfred Blue and Kenny Hilliard all return.

Quarterback Zach Mettenberger returns for another season. National recruits Hayden Rettig and Anthony Jennings are part of the February signing class.

Defensively, the biggest rebuilding job will be on the line. Ends Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo, and tackle Benny Logan depart. Jermauria Rasco, Anthony Johnson and Ego Ferguson return.

And, in mid-January LSU had seven defensive linemen

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2013

Is the sky falling on Les Miles and LSU? committed in the class of 2013.

True freshman linebackers Kwon Alexander and Lamar Louis started a total of seven games.

And, linebacker Lamin Barrow, who started all 13 games and registered double digit tackles in his last three, returns for his senior season.

True freshman Kendall Beckwith of East Feliciana, one of the top recruits in the nation, could make an immediate impact at linebacker.

The secondary features cornerbacks Jalen Mills and Jalen Collins, and safety Ronald Martin.

Punter Brad Wing also departed for the NFL draft. But, Wing had a disappointing season, averaging only 44.8 yards per punt.

His replacement Jamie Keehn averaged 43.7 yards per punt.

On the horizon is the Louisiana high school football class of 2014.

It is one of the best ever, led by St. Aug running back Leonard Fournette, Karr defensive end Gerald Willis, and Karr quarterback Speedy Noil.

In the 2007 NFL draft, LSU

had four of the first 30 selections.

They were quarterback Jamarcus Russell, safety LaRon Landry, and wide receivers Dwayne Bowe and Buster Davis.

The season that followed ended with a BCS championship win over Ohio State in the Louisiana Superdome.

Les Miles and his staff will have to quickly nurture a very young football team.

And, yet to be seen is whether Miles will have some sort of offensive epiphany after a nine first down performance by his offense against Clemson.

But, LSU still has plenty of talented athletes. And, the quarterback position is potentially one of great strength.

The 2013 schedule is difficult.

LSU opens the season in Arlington, Texas, against TCU, and plays at Alabama and Georgia.

Florida and Texas A&M both come to Tiger Stadium.

But, for those who think that LSU is on its way to pigskin mediocrity, the evidence says otherwise.

For great results advertise in the

Bayou

Catholic Magazine

Call us today!

985-850-3132 or email padams@htdiocese.org

Contest

W

here Am I?

Enter and win

C

U CATHOLI

NIER/BAYO

E CHATAG LAWRENC

This decorative spire atop a bell tower is located somewhere in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Do you know where it can be found? If so you can win a rosary from God’s Precious Word and Gifts. Send your guess entitled “Where Am I?” by email to: bayoucatholic@htdiocese.org, by fax to: (985) 850-3232, or to Bayou Catholic, P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395. Please be sure to include name, phone number, church parish and address. Deadline to enter is Feb. 28. The winner will be randomly selected from all of the correct entries. Winner will be announced in the April issue of Bayou Catholic. Diocesan employees of the Pastoral Center and its satellite offices are not eligible to participate.

47

Diocesan Programs This Month

St. Joseph Manor

“Revival”

Host: Bishop Sam G. Jacobs Co-Host: Regina Thibodeaux Wednesday 8:30 p.m.

Friday 9:30 a.m. and Sunday 9:30 a.m.

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

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

Saturdays - 9:30 p.m.

“Spotlight on the Diocese” Host: Louis Aguirre With Guests: David Boudreaux

President, E.D. White Catholic High School

Retirement Living At Its Best 1201 Cardinal Drive ~ Thibodaux SAFETY SECURITY COMPANIONSHIP AND MANY AMENITIES

St. Joseph Manor Currently Accepting Applications

For More Information Or To Schedule A Tour, Contact: Natalie Barbera

Marketing/Social Director, St. Joseph Manor

1201 Cardinal Drive, Thibodaux, LA 70301

Joan LeBouef

(985) 446-9050 Fax: 449-0047

If you are not receiving these programs in your area, please contact your local cable provider.

www.stjosephmanor.org

Principal, Saint Bernadette Catholic School

www.bayoucatholic.com