Bayou Catholic | February 2015 Mardi Gras Issue

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Filipinos welcome Francis HOUMA, LA ~ FEBRUARY 2015 ~ COMPLIMENTARY

2 0 1 5 Together in the Work of the Lord

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Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux’s

comprehensive Catholic news website

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dozens of videos, photos and stories from around the world every week!

Contents

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22

FEATURES

24 Our Schools Holy Cross, Morgan City

30 Our Churches St. Joseph, Galliano

36 Auxiliary Bishop named to Archdiocese of New Orleans

COLUMNS

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30

Comfort For My People

By Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

12 Pope Speaks

By Pope Francis I

13 Question Corner

By Father Kenneth Doyle

24

14 Readings Between The Lines

By Father Glenn LeCompte

28 Seeing Clairely

By Claire Joller

53 Overtime

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By Ed Daniels

IN EVERY ISSUE

6

Editor’s Corner

16 Scripture Readings 18 Diocesan Events 22 Heavenly Recipes 29 Young Voices GUEST COLUMNS

20 Seven deadly sins: Part II

By Father Michael Bergeron

34 Operation Rice Bowl

By Margie Duplantis

ANNOUNCEMENTS

38 Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2015

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35 Sister Judith Coreil dies Houma-Thibodaux’s first superintendent

42 Food for the Journey Rev. Mitchel Semar speaks

On Our Covers Bayou Catholic Vol. 35, No. 8 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 CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

The pope greeted millions during his visit to the Philippines Jan. 18. People appear in religious-themed garb as Pope Francis celebrates Mass at Rizal Park in Manila.

A fleur de lis depicted in the colors of Mardi Gras is displayed on the cover of the special section. Mardi Gras is Feb. 17 this year. Flip this issue for the area’s most comprehensive carnival guide.

Advanced Eye Institute ......................27 Bishop’s Stewardship Appeal ..............2 Black & Indian Mission Collection .....23 Bueche’s Jewelry ...............................51 Cardinal Place ....................................33 Conference Office ..............................37 Diocesan Outreach Line ....................21 Diocesan Website ..............................11 God’s Promises Books & Gifts ..........43 Haydel Spine Pain & Wellness ..........15 Headache & Pain Center ...................53 HTeNews ..............................................3 Re-Bath ..............................................40 Rod’s Superstore ...............................41 Seminarian Education Burses ...........19 Spotlight .............................................35 St. Joseph Manor ...............................35

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ardi Gra 2015 Advertisers Index ss

Index to Advertisers

Barker Honda .......................................6 Cannata’s .............................................3 Channel 10 .........................................31 Charles A. Page & Sons ....................16 Courtesy Automotive .........................21 Daigle Himel Daigle .............................7 God’s Promises Books & Gifts ..........27 Haydel Memorial Hospice ...................9 Houma Area Convention & Visitors Bureau ............................2 KEM Supply House, Inc. ....................22 Lafourche Ford Lincoln ......................25 Landmark Home Furnishings ............23 LeBlanc & Associates, LLC ................22 Maison Jardin .....................................30 Marie’s Wrecker Service .......................8 Southland Dodge Chrysler Jeep .......15 Synergy Bank .....................................28 Terminix ..............................................30 TGMC - Broken Hearts ......................19 The Wishing Well, Inc. .......................26 U-Drop Packing & Shipping ...............12 Vision Communications .....................29

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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.

Louis G. Aguirre

editor and general manager

Lawrence Chatagnier managing editor

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

Peggy Adams

advertising manager

Anna C. Givens

advertising accounts executive

Janet Marcel staff writer

Pat Keese

secretary and circulation

Lisa Schobel Hebert graphic designer

Janet B. Eschete

accounts payable assistant

Meridy Liner

accounts receivable assistant

First Place Winner 2013-2014 General Excellence www.bayoucatholic.com

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Welcome

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

Maturity

This February is a month of contrasts: the first half is all about the merriment of carnival, the second is about reflection on the suffering of Jesus.

In a sense we transform ourselves every year around this time by emerging from an attitude of “let the good times roll” into a commitment to maturity in our faith.

Pope Francis, who continues to enrich us with the gift of unpacking our faith in a sensible and exciting way, says maturing in faith means not just asking for favors.

The journey of faith, he said during a Mass Jan. 22 in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae where he lives, always begins a little selfishly, seeking from God healing or help

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2015

with a problem. But, the pope emphasized, Christian maturity is allowing oneself to be purified and to arrive at the point of recognizing Jesus as savior.

“We can never follow God with a purity of intentions from the beginning,” the pope said.

“It’s always a little for ourselves and a little because of God. To journey is to purify these intentions.”

Pope Francis, according to Vatican Radio, told the small congregation that the crowds originally followed Jesus because they were “a bit bored” by the way the Jewish elders of their day were teaching the faith and they felt oppressed by “the many commandments and precepts that were laid on their shoulders, but never reached their hearts.”

But when they saw and heard Jesus, “they felt something move inside them,” he said. “It was the Holy Spirit who awakened this and they went out to find Jesus.”

“He is the savior and we are saved by him.

This is the most important thing,” the pope said. “This is the strength of our faith.”

As we mature from the frivolities of carnival into the reality of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection, let us remember that Jesus has been, is, and will always be with us.

Church Alive

h g i H r o i Jun Faith Experience Junior High Faith Experience 2015 was held recently at E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux. More than 750 sixth through eighth graders throughout the diocese attended this year’s event.

“The excitement of our young people in the diocese to enrich their faith continues to grow as is evidenced by the number of youth that attended this year’s event,” says Rachel LeBouef, assistant director of the Office of Youth Ministry.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

www.bayoucatholic.com

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Comment Comfort For My People Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

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The month of February is a month during which we usually get caught up in love! Without going into any details about the origins of the practice, we are all undoubtedly aware that Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, is a day that focuses on the dynamics that surround expressions of romantic love. During the days leading up to Valentine’s Day we will see displayed in many ways in the marketplace and in other institutions this focus on romantic love by way of figures of hearts, winged cupids and other decorations that are common for the celebration of Valentine’s Day. All of these things seek to remind us that on Valentine’s Day romantic love between people is expressed by way of cards, flowers, candy, candles, dinner, balloons or other gifts. Romantic love is a wonderful thing, and it is good in appropriate ways and in appropriate contexts to express feelings of romantic love.

We should never tire of telling or showing those whom we love that we love them, and Valentine’s Day and its many practices can be a good opportunity to do so.

However, although appropriate expressions of romantic love are good, the danger that is inherent in all that Valentine’s Day places before us is to fall into the incorrect belief that romantic love is the ONLY kind of love, or even the DEEPEST kind of love.

Valentine’s Day and expressions

of romantic love can engender in us the notion that love is only a ‘feelgood’ experience, or a ‘warm fuzzy’ expression that makes us happy.

Unfortunately many people fall into the trap of incorrectly believing that love is only this ‘feel good, warm fuzzy’ experience of romantic love. Equating all forms of love only with romantic love leads one to the conclusion that once the feel good experience of the romance is gone, so too is any love relationship that may have been present.

As followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, hopefully we are aware that

Prayer

we are called to a much deeper kind of love than simple romantic love, and this kind of love is not always as popular as romantic love. This deeper kind of love is sacrificial love, or a love that is rooted in denial of one’s self in some manner for the total benefit of another.

Relationships that are founded on the full expression of what love truly is in its fullest reality will not only have expressions of romantic love, but even more importantly these relationships will also have expressions of the deeper sacrificial love. After the expressions of romantic love on Feb. 14, the church will then quickly call us on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, to reflect upon and seek to undertake the deeper kind of love, sacrificial love, which calls us to self-denial and sacrifice for the one who is loved, Jesus Christ our Lord. One of the purposes of Lent is to root ourselves again in renewing our relationship with Jesus Christ, who expressed for us in his self-sacrifice a love of great depth and truth. As those who love and are loved by Jesus Christ, we seek to engage in this deeper kind of love as well. At the very heart of the penitential practices of Lent is a desire to transform ourselves through our increased acts of prayer, fasting and almsgiving into those who can more authentically love and be loved by God. As disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ and in response to his new commandment that we love one another as he loves us, we are willing to engage in this sacrificial love that costs us something and is for the benefit of others.

So do enjoy the many expressions of romantic love that may be involved in celebrating Valentine’s Day, but also be aware of the deeper form of love, sacrificial love, that we are also called to embrace. Sacrificial love attains for us not gifts of candy, or balloons, or any other such things, but a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and with those whom we truly love in the fullest expression of the term. I wish to all a Happy Valentine’s Day as well as a safe and Happy Mardi Gras, but even more importantly I pray that you have a blessed, holy and transformative season of Lent!

Sacrificial love attains for us a deeper relationship with Christ Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2015

Comentario

El amor de sacrificio nos enlaza en una relación más fuerte con Cristo

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¡El mes de febrero es un mes en el que generalmente surge el amor!

Sin dar detalles sobre los orígenes de esta tradición, estamos conscientes que el 14 de febrero, el Día de San Valentín, es un día que se concentra en la dinámica que tiene la expresión del amor. Días antes del Día de San Valentín, se verán manifestados en varias maneras en los mercados y otras instituciones este enfoque en el amor romántico con figuras de corazones, cupidos con alas y otras decoraciones que son comunes durante las celebraciones del Día de San Valentín. Todas estas cosas nos obligan a recordar que en el Día de San Valentín, el amor romántico entre parejas se expresa por medio de tarjetas, flores, dulces, candelas, cenas, globos u otros regalos. El amor romántico es una cosa bella y es bueno expresar los sentimientos del amor romántico de manera apropiada y bajo un contexto apropiado. Jamás debemos de cansarnos en expresar y demostrar nuestro amor a quien queremos y el Día de San Valentín nos da una buena oportunidad para hacerlo.

Sin embargo, a pesar de que expresar nuestro amor romántico es bueno, el peligro que existe en el Día de San Valentín es caer en la creencia equivocada que el amor romántico es la ÚNICA clase de amor o aun, el tipo de amor MÁS PROFUNDO. El Día de San Valentín y las expresiones románticas de amor pueden engendrar en nosotros la idea que el amor es solamente una experiencia «placentera» o una expresión «bonita» que nos hace sentir felices.

Desafortunadamente muchas personas caen en esta falsedad de creer incorrectamente que el amor es solamente este sentimiento «bonito» del amor romántico. Igualar todas las formas de amor solamente con el amor romántico puede llevar a la conclusión que cuando se acaba esta experiencia romántica también se acaba cualquier otra forma de

Ayuno Fasting

relación amorosa que haya existido.

Como discípulos de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, debemos estar conscientes que hemos sido llamados a vivir una experiencia más profunda de amor que sencillamente un amor romántico.

Esta clase de amor no es siempre tan popular como el amor romántico.

Este amor profundo es un amor de sacrificio o un amor que se basa en el negarse asimismo de alguna manera para lograr el beneficio total de otra persona. Las relaciones que se basan en la expresión total de lo que el amor es verdaderamente en su realidad plena tendrá no solamente expresiones de amor romántico, sino también con más importancia, estas relaciones tendrán también expresiones de un amor de sacrificio más profundos. Después de las expresiones de amor romántico del 14 de febrero, la Iglesia nos hará un llamado el Miércoles de Ceniza el 18 de febrero para reflexionar y buscar ese amor profundo, amor de sacrificio que nos obliga a cada uno de nosotros a negarse asimismo y sacrificarse por el ser que amamos, Jesucristo nuestro Señor. Uno de los propósitos de la Cuaresma es enraizarnos nuevamente en nuestra relación con Jesucristo que nos ha expresado a nosotros Su verdadero amor profundo por medio de Su auto-sacrificio. Como aquéllos que aman y son amados por Jesucristo,

buscamos entrar en Su amor profundo también. En nuestra práctica de la penitencia durante la Cuaresma existe el deseo de transformarnos a través de la oración, el ayuno y la limosna con aquéllos que pueden auténticamente amar y pueden recibir el amor de Dios.

Como discípulos de Jesucristo y en respuesta a su nuevo mandamiento que nos dice que nos amemos los unos a otros así cómo Él nos ama, debemos estar dispuestos a comprometernos a este amor de sacrificio que tiene un precio y que beneficia al prójimo.

Por eso, disfruten las diferentes expresiones del amor romántico que incluye la celebración del Día de San Valentín, pero también estén conscientes que existe un amor más profundo, un amor de sacrificio que también hemos sido llamados a practicar. El amor de sacrificio no nos otorga golosinas, globos, ni otra clase de obsequios materiales, sino nos otorga una relación profunda con Jesucristo y aquéllos que amamos de verdad con la expresión máxima de amor. Les deseo a todos ustedes un feliz Día de San Valentín como también un feliz y seguro Martes de Carnaval. Pero sobretodo ruego que tengan una ¡bendita, santa y transformativa Cuaresma!

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

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Binh luan bang loi

Tình Yêu Hy Sinh Đưa Chúng Ta Đến Sự Mật Thiết Với Chúa Giêsu

T 10

Tháng hai là thời điểm mà trong tháng đó chúng ta bị lôi cuốn trong tình yêu! Không cần phải đi vào chi tiết về nguồn gốc phát sinh của nó chúng ta biết rõ rằng ngày 14 tháng 2 là ngày Lễ Tình Yêu, một ngày mà trọng điểm nhìn từng khía cạnh đều xoay quanh tình yêu nam nữ. Từng ngày dẫn đến ngày Lễ Tình Yêu chúng ta nhận thấy nhiều cách trưng bày ở nơi buôn bán và những nơi khác nữa nhắm vào tình yêu nam nữ như hình dáng trái tim, cánh chim tình yêu và những trang trí khác mà tựu trung là nhắm vào ngày Lễ Tình Yêu. Tất cả những thứ đó gợi lại cho chúng ta biết rằng Ngày Lễ Tình Yêu dành cho nam nữ được diễn tả qua những tấm những thiệp, bó hoa, kẹo bánh, cây nến, bữa cơm tối, trái bong bóng và những món quà khác nữa.

Tình yêu nam nữ thì rất hay, và rất tốt trong cách diễn tả đúng chỗ và lành mạnh khi diễn tả nó đúng trong từng trường hợp. Chúng ta không nên mệt mỏi khi nhắc tới cũng như diễn tả tình yêu đó với những ai mà chúng ta yêu thương, và ngày Lễ Tình Yêu và nghi thức thực hành của nó là cơ hội tốt nhất để diễn tả tình yêu đó.

Tuy nhiên, mặc dầu diễn tả tình yêu nam nữ đúng chỗ thì rất hay, sự nguy hiểm của nó là nếu chúng ta chỉ chú trọng đến ngày Lễ Tình Yêu trước mắt rồi nghĩ rằng tình yêu nam nữ là độc nhất, hay là tình yêu sâu đậm nhất. Ngày Lễ Tình Yêu và sự diễn đạt tình yêu nam nữ có thể tạo nên một khái niệm là giá trị tình yêu chỉ làm cho chúng ta cảm thấy “thoải mái” hay “cảm giác ấm cúng” mà chỉ những thứ đó mang đến hạnh phúc. Tiếc thay nhiều người đã rơi vào cạm bẫy với niềm tin sai lầm rằng tình yêu nam nữ là làm chúng ta “thoải mái” và

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2015

“ có “cảm giác ấm cúng.” Khi đặt tất cả những tình yêu khác ngang hàng với tình yêu nam nữ sẽ đưa đến kết luận rằng khi cảm giác thoải mái tình yêu nam nữ không còn nữa thì tình yêu khác cũng thế.

Là những môn đệ của Chúa Kytô, hy vọng nhận ra rằng chúng ta được kêu gọi nhận ra tình yêu khác mà nó

Almsgiving Bố Thí

còn sâu đậm hơn tình yêu nam nữ, mà tình yêu này lại không được chú trọng bằng tình yêu nam nữ. Tình yêu đó là tình yêu hy sinh, hoặc là tình yêu phát nguồn bằng chính từ bỏ chính mình để mang lại lợi ích đến cho người khác. Nếu sự liên hệ với người khác được đặt trên nền tảng qua việc bảy tỏ hết mình tình yêu có nghĩa là gì không chỉ mang lại cho tình yêu nam nữ được trọn vẹn mà còn quan trọng hơn nữa sẽ mang đến cho sự liên hệ đó bằng chính tình yêu hy sinh. Sau ngày bày tỏ tình yêu nam nữ trong Ngày Lễ Tình Yêu, Giáo Hội mau chóng mời gọi chúng ta nhìn về ngày thứ tư Lễ Tro, ngày

18 tháng 2 để suy tư và quyết tâm tìm kiếm tình yêu sâu đậm hơn, một tình yêu hy sinh, mà nó mời gọi chúng ta từ bỏ chính mình và hy sinh cho người của tình yêu, chính là Chúa Giêsu Kytô. Một trong những tôn chỉ của Mùa Chay là kêu gọi chúng ta trở về nguồn để hâm lại sự liên hệ của chúng ta với Chúa Kytô, chính Người đã cho chúng ta tình yêu thật sâu đậm và sự thật. Là những người yêu và được yêu bởi Chúa Kytô, chúng ta cũng tìm kiếm một tình yêu sâu đậm hơn. Trọng điểm của những hành vi sám hối của Mùa Chay là ao ước được thay đổi qua những lần tăng thêm giờ cầu nguyện, ăn chay và làm phúc bố thí giành cho những ai có tình yêu thành thật và được Chúa mến yêu. Là những môn đệ của Chúa Kytô và để đáp lại lề luật mới là yêu thương nhau như Chúa đã yêu thương chúng ta, chúng ta quyết tâm yêu bằng chính tình yêu hy sinh qua sự mất mát bản thân và đem lại lợi ích cho người khác.

Vì thế, hãy thưởng thức nhiều cách mà tình yêu nam nữ bày tỏ bao gồm cử hành ngày Lễ Tình Yêu, nhưng cũng cần biết rằng còn có tình yêu sâu đậm hơn, tình yêu hy sinh mà chúng ta được mời gọi để ôm ấp.

Tình yêu hy sinh không phải mang đến cho chúng ta những món quà bằng kẹo hay bong bóng, hay bất kỳ món quà gì, nhưng sự liên hệ mật thiết với Chúa Giêsu và với những người mà chúng ta thật tình yêu mến trong đúng cái nghĩa của tình yêu.

Tôi hy vọng tất cả có được ngày Lễ Tình Yêu vui vẻ cũng như ngày Lễ Thứ Ba Béo, nhưng quan trọng hơn nữa tôi sẽ cầu nguyện cho anh chị em một Mùa Chay hồng ân, thánh thiện và đổi thay.

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

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Together in the

Work of the Lord For we are God's fellow workers.

You are God's field, God's building.

1 Corinthians 3:9

For more information, visit: www.htdiocese.org

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

w w w. h t d i o c e s e . o r g www.bayoucatholic.com

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Comment The Pope Speaks

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ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM MANILA, Philippines (CNS) -- Pope Francis said his September trip to the U.S. will take him to Philadelphia, New York and Washington -- where he intends to canonize Blessed Junipero Serra -- but probably no other stops.

Pope Francis made his remarks Jan. 19, in an hourlong news conference with reporters accompanying him back to Rome from a weeklong trip to Asia.

Four days after announcing he would canonize Blessed Junipero in the U.S. in September, the pope said he wished he could do so in California, the 18th-century Franciscan’s mission field, but would not have time to travel there.

The pope said he planned instead to perform the canonization ceremony at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, saying Washington would be a fitting location because a statue of Blessed Junipero stands in the U.S. Capitol.

The pope also confirmed he would visit the United Nations in New York. He had already announced his participation in the late-September World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.

Asked about widespread speculation that he would visit the U.S.-Mexico border on the same trip, Pope Francis said “entering the United States by crossing the border from Mexico

would be a beautiful thing, as a sign of brotherhood and of help to the immigrants.” But he said making such a visit would raise expectations that he would visit Mexico’s shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and he joked that “war could break out” if he failed to do so.

“There will be time to go to Mexico later on,” he said.

Catholic News Agency reported on a proposed schedule that U.S. and U.N. church leaders have submitted to the Vatican.

That schedule, which has not yet

CNS PHOTO/BOB MULLEN

A statue of Blessed Junipero Serra is seen in 2012 outside Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. Pope Francis has announced that the friar will be canonized this year.

been approved, would have the pope arriving in Washington the evening of Sept. 22; visiting the White House and celebrating Mass at the shrine Sept. 23; addressing a joint sessions of Congress Sept. 24 before traveling to New York City to address U.N. General Assembly Sept. 25.

As previously announced, he would spend Sept. 26 and 27 in

Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families.

However, sources familiar with the trip planning have noted that plans submitted to the Vatican are not always approved, and Pope Francis’ comments about the canonization of Blessed Junipero indicated not all plans are finalized.

His Jan. 15 announcement on the plane from Sri Lanka to the Philippines surprised even the people who have been promoting the sainthood cause of Blessed Junipero. The CNA interview with Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Vatican nuncio to the United Nations, said the Mass at the shrine “would be primarily for bishops, consecrated and religious men and women, seminarians and representatives from humanitarian and Catholic charitable organizations,” while Pope Francis said that is when he would canonize Blessed Junipero.

Pope Francis would be the first pope to address a joint session of Congress.

Helen Osman, secretary for communications at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said it was “exciting that the Holy Father has confirmed that he is visiting Washington, New York and Philadelphia. Plans are already underway to enable as many people as possible to participate, including through mass media. We are anticipating that the Vatican will be providing more details toward the end of February and are hoping that a final schedule can be announced soon afterward.”

Pope Francis said he hoped to visit three Latin American countries in 2015 -- Bolivia, Ecuador and Paraguay -- and three more -- Argentina, Chile and Uruguay -- the following year.

He said he planned to visit two African countries -- the Central African Republic and Uganda -in late 2015. He emphasized that all of those trips were still in the “hypothetical” planning stages.

Pope says he will canonize Blessed Junipero Serra in Washington Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2015

Question Corner Father Kenneth Doyle

Abusing prescription drugs

In fact, it can be fatal.”

Mortal sin, as defined by the catechism, in No. 1857, requires three conditions: grave matter, full knowledge and deliberate consent. So there is some degree of subjectivity and I cannot safely say, from this distance, whether all three are present in your case.

You need to see a priest-confessor and a drug counselor. Drug addiction is treatable -- either behaviorally or pharmacologically, or through a combination of both.

Since (admirably) you have been able to overcome your earlier

Q

Q. I have a question that has been troubling me for years. First of all, I am a practicing Catholic.

I attend Mass every Sunday and sometimes on weekdays. Once a week, I go to an adoration chapel and spend an hour before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

But I am a drug addict and have been for 30 years. Right now, I am abusing only my prescribed medications, but in the past I have used cocaine, methamphetamines, heroin, marijuana, LSD -- you name it, I’ve done it. My question is this: Is it a mortal sin for me to abuse my prescription medications? (I really need to know.) (Rice Lake, Wisconsin)

A

A. It could very well be that your abuse of prescription drugs constitutes a mortal sin, so the safest thing to do -- both medically and morally -- is to stop. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches in No. 2288: “Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us

by God. We must take reasonable care of them.”

The gravity of your sin depends very much on the degree of damage you are doing to yourself. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence says that “taking prescription drugs not prescribed for you by a doctor, or in a way that hasn’t been recommended by a doctor, can be more dangerous than you think.

addictions, there is no reason to believe that you cannot do it now -- especially since prayer is such a strong factor in your life.

Hail Mary during Mass

Q

Q. We have some really fine young priests being ordained in our archdiocese, and they are now in our parishes. Some of them have us praying the Hail Mary at the end of the (Sunday and daily) Mass intentions and the Prayer to St. Michael

the Archangel at the end of weekday Mass. I thought that this was not permitted under the current liturgical rubrics, or has something changed?

(Washington, D.C.)

A

A. In the liturgical documents of the church, you would look in vain for any absolute and specific prohibition of the two practices you mention. However, the spirit of the liturgy would seem to argue against their inclusion within the Mass.

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal says that after each of the petitions is announced in the prayer of the faithful, the congregation supports the petition by reciting together an “invocation.” “Lord, hear our prayer” strikes me as an “invocation” while the recitation of the complete Hail Mary does not.

Evidently in England, drawing on a medieval practice, some parishes were reciting the Hail Mary after the final petition.

In 2012, Bishop Kieran Conry of Arundel and Brighton wrote 13 to his clergy asking them to discontinue that practice. He said that some years before, the Vatican had written to the bishops of England and Wales advising that such devotional prayer during the petitions should be (in Bishop Conry’s words) “gradually and gently discouraged.”

The Prayer to St. Michael (“Defend us in battle ...”) was written by Pope Leo XIII in 1886.

Although it is no longer recited at the end of Mass, in 1994, St. John Paul II encouraged Catholics to use the prayer privately.

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

Pope Benedict XVI visiting Mary’s house in Ephesus.

Readings Between The Lines

14

Father Glenn LeCompte

Discrepancies in the Holy Scriptures

D

During a pilgrimage last March I visited ancient Ephesus.

Located in modern-day Turkey, that city was home to the Ephesians, to whom a New Testament letter is addressed.

One of the religious attractions there is the Virgin Mary’s home.

How did the belief that Mary resided in Ephesus until she was bodily assumed into heaven arise? According to a Nov. 29, 2006, Catholic News Service article, the primary basis for this tradition stems from the vision

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2015

of “a bedridden, almost illiterate German nun,” Blessed Catherine Emmerich. Her vision is associated with an ancient legend concerning John the apostle, according to which legend John traveled to Ephesus some time after encountering the risen Lord with the other apostles.

This legend has been harmonized with John 19:25-27, which depicts the disciple whom Jesus loved standing at the foot of the cross with Jesus’ mother, who is entrusted by her dying Son into the disciple’s care. This combination of traditions has greatly influenced the popular image of the Virgin Mary’s destiny after her Son’s death, resurrection and ascension.

But there is a problem. This tradition conflicts with Acts 1:12-14, which depicts Mary as being among the remaining eleven apostles, some women and the brothers of Jesus returning to Jerusalem after the scene of Jesus’ ascension in Acts. This is the last mention of Mary in Luke’s literature, so from Luke’s perspective we can only assume that he knows Mary to have ended her days in Jerusalem.

Some will want to argue that since “John” was among those listed in that gathering in Acts that he took Mary with him to Ephesus later.

While that is possible, it is based on a forced harmonization of Acts with

John’s Gospel. Luke demonstrates no knowledge of the Johannine traditions, nor does John the Lucan traditions.

So here we have a discrepancy in New Testament accounts of Mary’s post-New Testament fate. How do we reconcile these two separate traditions? Why should one have weight over the other?

In addition to this, there is a problem with the reading of John 19:25-27 concerning the figure who takes Jesus’ mother into his “his own (home).” The “disciple whom Jesus loved” appears several times between chapters 13 and 21 of John’s Gospel, but nowhere does the author ever identify this disciple with John the apostle.

Moreover, in John 19:35, the writer distinguishes himself from the eyewitness, who he intimates is the source of the Johannine Gospel tradition.

Most likely, the Beloved Disciple was not an apostle, but an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry who provided the tradition behind the Fourth Gospel. So if John the apostle did indeed go to Ephesus later in life there is no indication that the disciple who accepts Jesus’ mother into his home in John 19:27 is John.

The conflict between John 19:2527 and Acts 1:12-14

a

is but one of many discrepancies that can be observed in the New Testament. Consider the traditions surrounding Jesus’ birth. Matthew 1:24-25 speaks of Joseph taking his betrothed, Mary, into his home and her bearing her first born Son there (not in a feeding place for animals, [Luke 2:7]). In addition, Matthew 2:11 states that the Magi entered, not a stable but “the house,” [of Joseph and Mary]. In 2:1, Matthew speaks of Jesus as having been born in Bethlehem of Judea. Apparently, for Matthew, Joseph and Mary reside in a home in Bethlehem. Matthew depicts the Holy Family moving to Nazareth in steps. First they flee to Egypt, then only when Herod has died do they move to Nazareth (2:13-23).

Luke (1:26-2:14), however, depicts Joseph and Mary as residing in Nazareth and journeying to Bethlehem because of a supposed empire-wide census ordered by Caesar Augustus. After the episodes of Joseph and Mary presenting Jesus in the Temple and his questioning the elders there, the Lucan Holy Family returns

to Nazareth, because it is Joseph and Mary’s hometown, not because Herod’s death alleviated their fear (2:22-52).

So what are we to make of these discrepancies in the Scriptures?

Many have tried to make the stories fit together to eliminate the discrepancies, but have done so by supplying details and motives the scriptural accounts cannot support.

An acknowledgment of the discrepancies points us to the fact

that the biblical narratives were not meant to be historical biographies of the people depicted therein.

Rather, the authors of the Gospels and Acts intend to communicate to us who they, respectively, believe Jesus is, and to convince their implied readers to adopt their perspectives. Briefly, for Matthew and Luke, Jesus is Son, both of God and of David, the Savior of the world and the one who fulfills Old Testament prophecy.

Mary estions nine depiction nofd the u Q n tio ohan are a o the J iple’s c tReflec d Disc us’ pos tions d

s ica Belove ong Je t impl ng am nto the i i faith? n n Wha i n r a e u k g ta for o er rem e h v a of h as bein n io ed by ively depict unicat respect m s e e m l o Lucan p c i sc are es of th ion di rrativ essages a m n ascens h e t v i fa ecti nctive ir resp t disti in the e k irth? u b L n Wha d John on an w and i e t h p e tt ed ,” in c a v n M o o who l c s ’ s Jesu Jesu be one m o of t o f y h l r e w o s st im ple how h “disci :1-8, s oes the 1 d 2 ; w o 8 ? nH 0:1 ded mman -27; 2 19:25 esus co J e v o he l lives t

15

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Scripture Readings Monday

Tuesday

2 February 3

Wednesday

4

Thursday

5

and a listing of Feast days and saints Friday

6

Saturday

Sunday

7

8

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

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Job 7:1-4, 6-7 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23 Mark 1:29-39

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

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

Memorial of Scholastica, virgin Genesis 1:20—2:4a Mark 7:1-13

Weekday Genesis 2:4b-9, 15-17 Mark 7:14-23

Weekday Genesis 2:18-25 Mark 7:24-30

Weekday Genesis 3:1-8 Mark 7:31-37

Memorial of Cyril, monk and Methodius, bishop Genesis 3:9-24 Mark 8:1-10

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46 1 Corinthians 10:31—11:1 Mark 1:40-45

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

Weekday Genesis 4:1-15, 25 Mark 8:11-13

Weekday Genesis 6:5-8, 7:15, 10 Mark 8:14-21

Ash Wednesday; Day of Fast and Abstinence Joel 2:12-18 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; Day of Abstinence Isaiah 58:1-9a Matthew 9:14-15

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

First Sunday of Lent Genesis 9:8-15 1 Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:12-15

23

24

25

26

27

28

1 March

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 Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25 Matthew 7:7-12

Lenten Weekday; Day of Abstinence Ezekiel 18:21-28 Matthew 5:20-26

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

Second Sunday of Lent Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18 Romans 8:31b-34 Mark 9:2-10

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Lenten Weekday Lenten Weekday Daniel 9:4b-10 Isaiah 1:10, 16-20 Luke 6:36-38 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; Day of Abstinence Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46

February

Saints

Holy Father’s prayer intentions

Apollonia died circa 249 feast - February 9

Google, public domain

A middle-aged deaconess in Alexandria, Apollonia was martyred there when mobs roamed the streets torturing and killing Christians.

Her death was described by St. Dionysius of Alexandria in a letter to the bishop of Antioch: “Next they seized the wonderful old lady Apollonia, battered her till they knocked out all her teeth, built a pyre ... and threatened to burn her alive unless she repeated after them their heathen incantations.” She refused and jumped into the fire on her own. St. Augustine later said she must have been directed in this by the Holy Spirit. The patron of dentists, Apollonia is also invoked for toothaches and gum disease. U.S. dental societies and journals have taken her name.

Saints

Seven Servite Founders 13th century feast - February 17

Google, public domain

Universal Prisoners That prisoners, especially the young, may be able to rebuild lives of dignity.

In 1233, seven Florentine laymen -- two married, two widowed, three single, all well-known merchants and members of a Marian confraternity -- abandoned homes, jobs and wealth for a life of poverty, prayer and penance at Monte Senario, where they built a chapel and hermitage. Within a few years, they had formed the Order of Friar Servants of Mary, or Servites, a mendicant order that received formal papal approval in 1304. The seven founders, jointly canonized in 1888, are: Bonfilius, Bonajuncta, Amadeus, Hugh, Manettus, Sostene and Alexis. Alexis, who out of modesty refused ordination, served the order in various ways as a lay brother; he outlived the other founders and reportedly died at age 110.

Saints

Oswald of Worcester died 992 feast - February 28

Google, public domain

Evangelization Separated spouses That married people who are separated may find welcome and support in the Christian community.

See www.apostleshipofprayer.net

Descended from a Danish military family, Oswald was educated by an uncle who was the archbishop of Canterbury, in England. He was a canon at Winchester Cathedral before becoming a priest and dean there. After continuing his studies and becoming a Benedictine in France, he returned to England and was named bishop of Worcester in 961. He founded monasteries, promoted scholarship, established a great musical tradition in Worcester, replaced secular canons with monks, and also administered the Diocese of York from 972 until his death. Devoted to the poor and revered for his sanctity, Oswald died after washing and kissing the feet of 12 poor men, his annual Lenten custom.

Saints

CNS www.bayoucatholic.com

17

FEBRUARY

MARCH

n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, March 3, Quality Hotel, Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Speaker, Father Mitchel Semar. n Young Adult Gathering, consisting of Mass, adoration and a social, Friday, March 6, St. Lucy Church in Houma, 6:30 p.m. n Adult Faith Formation: Catholic Social Teaching, Wednesdays, March 11 and 25, diocesan Pastoral Center

18

APRIL

n Chrism Mass, Thursday, April 2, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, 11 a.m. n Woman of God Gathering, Tuesday, April 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

Feb. 11, St. Hilary Multi-Purpose building, Mathews. Meal served at 6 p.m.; meeting begins at 6:45 p.m. Topic: Understanding Stewardship. Speaker, Cory Howat, Archdiocese of New Orleans. n Rite of Election, Sunday, Feb. 22, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, 3 p.m. n Adore, Wednesday, Feb.

25, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 7 p.m. n Woman of God/Man of God Conference, Friday, Feb. 27-28, Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.

Doors open at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27. Pre-registration is $65 per person. Open to men and women over 18 years of age.

Visit www.HTConferences.org for more information.

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

Speaker, Rob Gorman. n Adult Faith Formation: Freedom, Law and the Beatitudes, Thursday, March 12, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m. Speaker, Deacon Vic Bonnaffee. n Adore, Wednesday, March 18, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 7 p.m. n Adult Faith Formation: The

Commandments 1-3, Thursday, March 19, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m. Speaker, Deacon Vic Bonnaffee. n Adult Faith Formation: The Commandments 4-10, Thursday, March 26, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m. Speaker, Deacon Vic Bonnaffee.

invited. n Adult Faith Formation: Catholic Social Teaching, Wednesday, April 15, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m. Speaker, Rob Gorman. n Adore, Wednesday, April 22, diocesan Pastoral Center

Conference Hall, 7 p.m. n Man of God Gathering, Tuesday, April 28, 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.

DIOCESAN

n Catholic Charities will offer Free Income Tax Preparation and E-Filing on the second floor of the Terrebonne Parish Main Library every Tuesday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. beginning Feb. 2 and ending April 14. n Pastoral Council meeting for all pastoral council members of the church parishes in the South Lafourche deanery, Wednesday,

www.bayoucatholic@htdiocese.org

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2015

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, deacon, religious, etc.

When is a seminarian burse complete?

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

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

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

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

Completed Burses of $15,000 each

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

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

December 2014 Burse Contributions The Peltier Foundation ................................... $15,00.00 Mrs. Shirley Conrad ....................................... $3,000.00 Preston & Gladys Webre ................................ $1,000.00 Deacon Connely Duplantis ................................ $500.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ..................................... $100.00 Warren J. Harange #2 ....................................... $100.00 Bernice Harange ................................................ $100.00 Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier ............................. $100.00 Joseph “Jay” Fertitta .......................................... $100.00 Rev. Anthony Rousso .......................................... $50.00 Elie & Dot Klingman ........................................... $40.00

Open Burses with Balance as of 12/31/14 Mr. Eledier Broussard ................. $14,750.00 Sidney J. & Lydie C. Duplantis ........... $13,000.00 Donald Peltier, Sr. #4 ............................ $13,000.00 Msgr. Raphael C. Labit #2 .................. $10,960.00 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 Elie & Dot Klingman .............................. $8,440.00 Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier ................. $8,100.00 Rev. Victor Toth ..................................... $7,000.00 Mrs. Shirley Conrad ............................... $7,000.00 Brides of the Most Blessed Trinity ......... $6,165.00 Rev. Peter Nies ..................................... $5,810.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ........................... $5,100.00 Mr. & Mrs. Love W. Pellegrin ................. $5,000.00 Anonymous #2 ...................................... $5,000.00 Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis Fmly.#4..... $5,000.00 Rev. William M. Fleming ........................ $5,000.00 Mrs. Ayres A. Champagne ..................... $5,000.00 Rev. Kasimir Chmielewski ..................... $4,839.00 Rev. Gerard Hayes ................................ $4,786.00 Rev. Henry Naquin ................................. $4,251.00 Joseph “Jay” Fertitta .............................. $4,150.00 Harry Booker #2 .................................... $4,138.00

Catholic Daughters ................................ $4,080.00 Kelly Curole Frazier ............................... $3,610.96 J. R. Occhipinti ...................................... $3,400.00 Rev. Guy Zeringue ................................ $3,200.00 Msgr. James Songy ............................... $3,075.00 Mr. & Mrs. Galip Jacobs ........................ $3,060.00 St. Jude ................................................. $3,000.00 Diocesan K of C #2 ............................... $2,894.62 Anawin Community ............................... $2,700.00 Rev. Peter H. Brewerton ........................ $2,600.00 Willie & Emelda St. Pierre ...................... $2,000.00 Rev. H. C. Paul Daigle ........................... $1,900.00 Warren J. Harang, Jr. #2 ......................... $1,900.00 James J. Buquet, Jr. ............................... $1,650.00 Msgr. Francis J. Legendre #2 ................ $1,645.00 Rev. Robert J. Sevigny .......................... $1,600.00 Msgr. Emile J. Fossier ........................... $1,545.00 Dr. William Barlette, Sr........................... $1,525.00 Msgr. Stanislaus Manikowski ................ $1,525.00 Mr. & Mrs. John Marmande .................... $1,500.00 Deacon Robert Dusse’ ........................... $1,450.00 Alfrances P. Martin ................................. $1,400.00 Msgr. John L. Newfield .......................... $1,200.00 Rev. John Gallen .................................... $1,100.00 Rev. Hubert C. Broussard ...................... $1,050.00 Rev. Anthony Rousso ............................. $1,050.00 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 Preston & Gladys Webre ........................ $1,000.00 Deacon Willie Orgeron ............................. $800.00 Jacob Marcello .......................................... $800.00 Ruby Pierce .............................................. $800.00 Deacon Roland Dufrene ........................... $750.00 Juliette & Eugene Wallace ......................... $700.00 Deacon Edward J. Blanchard ................... $660.00 Deacon Connely Duplantis ........................ $625.00 Judge Louis & Shirley R. Watkins .............. $600.00 Deacon Raymond LeBouef ...................... $550.00 Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Cannata .................... $500.00 Ronnie Haydel .......................................... $485.00 Deacon Harold Kurtz ................................ $300.00 Richard Peltier #2 ..................................... $300.00 Anne Veron Aguirre ................................... $280.00 Claude Bergeron ...................................... $250.00 Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Naquin .......................... $150.00 Deacon Pedro Pujals ................................ $100.00 Joseph Waitz, Sr. ...................................... $100.00 Bernice Harang ......................................... $100.00 Deacon Eldon Frazier .............................. $ 50.00 Deacon Nick Messina .............................. $ 50.00 Rev. Warren Chassaniol ........................... $ 50.00

Overall Seminarian Burse Totals: $1,475,813.39 www.bayoucatholic.com

19

Special

Seven deadly sins Guest Columnist

E 20

Father Michael Bergeron

Envy is an unhealthy longing for the possessions, abilities or status of other people. While envy is similar to jealousy, it is actually quite different. They both feel discontent toward another person’s traits, status, abilities or possessions. However, envy desires the object itself – covets it. The envious person wants to be the other person or possess the object. It is in direct conflict with the ninth and tenth commandments.

While other sins might give temporary satisfaction, envy never brings someone pleasure.

It is a precursor to anger or wrath. Envy is something that smolders in our soul, lighting fires of irritation, anger and rage.

Although they are different, if envy had a fraternal twin, it would be jealousy. Both rot out relationships and destroy our peace and serenity. Envy results in arguing, strife, fighting, divisions, self-seeking and confusion. It can even result in murder. In Matthew 27:18, when Pilate asked which one they wanted released, it states: “For he knew that it was out of envy that they had handed him over.”

Envy reveals dissatisfaction with the position and the possessions God has given us. It would be like giving someone a gift at Christmas and they respond by saying, “I don’t like this. I want what Johnny has instead.” Also,

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2015

Part Two:

Envy

people often spread gossip about someone they envy. Decreasing another’s reputation may seem like a means of increasing one’s own. Envy causes deceitfulness.

A person may pretend to grieve a coworker’s failure, when, in fact, he envies his coworker and is secretly rejoicing inside. “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones (Proverbs 14:30).

Envy is rooted in the conviction that other people are having a much better time than we are, but they aren’t. We think they are happier, more self-confident, serene, content and in a better relationship. But we are only seeing in others what they project. The truth is that every human being is a grab bag of a host of problems. There are people who are self-loathing, discontent, anxious and fearful, but hide it

very well. Their beautiful house is financed to its limit and the slightest jolt in their finances will bring them down. Those people we envy sometimes have challenges and pain that we cannot even fathom.

Envy wants us to believe that while our world is not perfect, someone else’s is. That is a lie.

As a former chaplain in a high school, I can attest that some of the most miserable students were the popular ones whose lives seemed perfect to the other students.

Howard Hughes had it all. He was handsome, filthy rich, famous, and dated some of the most beautiful women in the world. Yet he ended his life as a miserable, pathetic, bizarre human being holed up in a dark hotel room in Las Vegas.

The problem with envy is

a

that it makes us believe that God gives other people everything they need to live a full and productive life but has denied those things to us. Yet each of us is provided with what we need to grow and to become everything God calls us to be. Remember what Jesus said, “Much will be required to the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more” (Luke 12:48).

Anyone who has experienced envy knows how unhappy it makes you. Envy brings pain and destroys joy. It is like the thief in Matthew 13:24-30 who plants weed in the man’s wheat, except this foliage is poisonous and grows in our heart.

St. John Chrysostom said, “Would you like to see God glorified by you? Then rejoice in your brother’s progress and you will immediately give glory to God. Because his servant could conquer envy by rejoicing in the merits of others, God will be praised.”

Envy can be treated by developing admiration and brotherly love for others – to delight in the success of others. But humility will also go a long way. As our diocese’s patron saint, St. Francis de Sales, said, “(Humility allows us) to exalt God’s majesty all the more and to hold our neighbour (sic) in higher esteem than ourselves.” St. John Chrysostom suggests that the best remedy for envy is to practice charity – especially by praying for the person you envy.

‘

Envy brings pain and destroys joy

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.

For detailed reporting procedures see: www.htdiocese.org.

Click on the Safe Environment tab, then on S.E. Forms and Links.

Línea de Comunicación Diocesana

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

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

Línea de Comunicación de la Diócesis de Houma-Thibodaux Número de teléfono (985) 873-0026.

Vea el detallado procedimiento de informes en: www.htdiocese.org.

Haga clic en Safe Environment y luego S.E. Forms and Links.

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.

Caàn bieát theâm chi tieát veà caùch baùo caùo xin vaøo trang web cuûa ñòa phaän laø www.htdiocese.org.

Baám vaøo muïc Safe Environment, sau ñoù tôùi muïc S.E. Forms vaø Links.

www.bayoucatholic.com

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Heavenly Recipes

d n a p m i r Sh eat okra crabm O B M GU

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Story and Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier This month’s heavenly recipe, shrimp and crabmeat okra gumbo, comes from Linda Foret, housekeeper and cook at St. Mary’s Nativity Church parish in Raceland.

She has been working there for seven months. The Larose native moved to Raceland when she got married.

“My husband is from Raceland so when we got married we decided to live here. I can remember when I was first married I would call my mom and ask for advice when cooking. I learned to cook from her. After I caught on how to cook I began adding a personal touch to her recipes and made them my own,” she says.

The Forets have three children, two girls and a boy.

“My husband and I were going out during my last year at Nicholls. I have a degree in business education. I taught one year at South Lafourche High School in Galliano. When we started having children I quit teaching to stay home and raise my children. I didn’t want anyone else raising them. I had them so I was going to raise them,” says Linda.

Linda saw an article in the local paper which explained that St. Mary’s was seeking a housekeeper and cook. She talked to her children who are grown now about the prospect of working and they told her to go for it.

“I am very happy working here at St. Mary’s. Father Perkins is a wonderful person to work for. He is so friendly and easy to talk to. At the same time he conveys what he wants done very well.”

Linda is a big LSU fan. “When I was growing up my Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2015

father had season tickets for the LSU football games.

We would go to all the home games. As we grew up and were married the siblings would take turns going to the games with our dad. One year we even went to the Chick-Fil-A Bowl when the Tigers were playing,” says the cook.

Linda feels that there was a reason for her to be at St. Mary’s. “Years ago I lost a son-in-law in an auto accident and it affected my faith. I had stopped going to church altogether. I can’t tell you why but I just stopped. Since I have been working here I now attend Mass on Sundays and my faith is stronger. At this time in my life this is a good place for me.”

Shrimp and crabmeat okra gumbo 1 medium onion, chopped 1 bell pepper, chopped 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 quart smothered okra 4 cups of water 1 lb. peeled shrimp 1 lb. crabmeat 4 tablespoons file’ Salt and pepper to taste In a gumbo pot, put oil, onion and bell pepper. Saute on medium heat until brown. Add okra and water. Cover and cook for 30 minutes. Add shrimp and crabmeat.

Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Add salt, pepper and file’. Turn off heat; let set for 15 minutes, then serve.

Give y l s u o r e n e G

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Black and Indian Mission Collection Since 1884, the Black and Indian Mission Collection has supported evangelization in the African American and Native American Communities across the United States.

Please help our Bishops, Clergy, Religious and Lay Leadership by responding generously to these communities!

Please Give Generously The special collection will be taken at all Masses February 21 and 22, 2015 Visit us at www.blackandindianmission.org www.bayoucatholic.com

Our Schools

Holy Cross in Morgan City A bridge to faith, academics, community Holy Cross Elementary School in Morgan City, originally named Sacred Heart Academy, was established Sept. 4, 1893, by five Marianite Sisters of Holy Cross from New Orleans with the support of many area citizens. The original school, which offered grades one through 12, was the first Catholic school in Morgan City.

In 1964, the school was divided into separate elementary and high schools, and re-named Holy Cross Elementary and Central Catholic High School.

First year principal Amanda Talbot, says there are 316 students currently enrolled from threeyears-old to sixth grade. The theme for this school year is “HCES is a bridge to faith, academics and 24 community.” Holy Cross also brought back its mascot this year – a golden eagle named “Spirit.” The students came up with several names for the mascot and there was a school-wide vote to decide its name.

One unique feature of the school, notes Talbot, is that Holy Cross is the only Catholic elementary school in St. Mary Parish. “Our school focus is faith, morals and values. The students receive a well-rounded formation, where they are not only getting faith, but academics and service. Prayer is also an important aspect of each student’s formation, beginning first thing in the morning with announcements and continuing throughout the day in each class period.”

Kindergarten teacher Lynn Beaudean says she was influenced to teach at Holy Cross because of her own experiences as a Catholic school graduate. “The Marianite Sisters of Holy Cross as my teachers helped to foster a love of God, church and community in me.

They were able to strengthen my faith while showing me to be concerned for all of God’s creation. The teaching profession was a calling from God and Holy Cross was the place. I knew that I wanted to enrich the students that I taught with more than academics.

The spiritual part of teaching was most important to me. I wanted my students to understand that God loves them, and is always with them, no matter what.”

Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2015

Father Clyde Mahler, pastor of Holy Cross Church parish, and Amanda Talbot, principal of Holy Cross Elementary School

Beaudean has been teaching at Holy Cross for 44 years. She has been in the kindergarten classroom for the past 32 years and also taught second and third grade for 12 years.

“Holy Cross School has an active parent-teacher organization (PTO),” says Talbot. “Parents are always willing to help teachers in the classrooms, with fundraisers, and any other way they can. We are a very family-oriented school.”

New this school year, explains Talbot, is the clip chart positive behavior program, which encourages students to make good choices. Each day, students start out on “ready to learn” in the middle of the chart. Depending on their behavior, they move up or down; and even if they make a wrong decision, they know if they correct it, they can move back up the chart.

Jenny Chamberlain, Pre-K 4 teacher at Holy Cross for 15 years, says, “As I reflect on what influenced me to teach at Holy Cross Elementary, I truly feel that it was God’s calling for me to teach at a Catholic school.

Since I began my teaching career at Holy Cross, I have always felt that it is a home away from home.

Teaching at Holy Cross never felt like a job but a ministry. I began my teaching career influenced by a

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great leader who believed in me possibly more than I believed in myself. It was with Mrs. Mamie Bergeron’s spiritual guidance and leadership that I realized teaching at Holy Cross is a gift from God. I am blessed to teach at such a wonderful school surrounded by my outstanding administration, coworkers, students, and parents that make Holy Cross Elementary School the success it is today!”

Holy Cross School offers extracurricular activities such as a 4-H club, a dance for 4-6th graders, intramurals, and sports through Central Catholic that include football, basketball, volleyball, baseball and tennis.

One of the main challenges of operating a Catholic elementary school is ensuring there is always enough funding to do what needs to be done with respect to curriculum and maintaining the facilities, says Talbot.

“I am always learning something new every day as a first time principal with respect to the operation of the school.”

Holy Cross consistently applies for grants to help it keep up with the ever changing technological needs, says Talbot. “There are Promethean Boards in the 2nd through 6th grade classrooms and learn pads for students in PK-3 through 1st grade. We hope to get Promethean Boards in the lower grades, adding one every year. Students go to computer lab once a week and the 6th grade students just starting using iPads which we received through the 8g grant. We especially wanted the iPads for the 6th graders so that they already have an understanding of them when they get to Central Catholic.”

Another unique aspect of the school, notes Talbot, is that the teachers don’t just know the students they teach; they know all the children who attend the school. “Overall, the student body is happy and positive. They know they’re going to get a smile from their teacher. It’s such a nurturing environment … they like coming to school every day.”

Sixth grader Ross Thomas says, “Knowing that my faith is welcomed in the classroom makes me feel calm and prepares me for my busy day. I am so thankful for the wonderful teachers and staff at Holy Cross. Their smiles every morning are just like small prayers, and they are kind and positive all the time. I am grateful and blessed to have Holy Cross in my life. Holy Cross rocks!”

One of Talbot’s goals for the future of the school is to keep enriching the faith formation of students so that they know Jesus is an important part of their everyday lives and he is always with them.

“It amazes me that when students even as young as three years old visit me, I can see how their faith is a part of their everyday lives,” says Talbot. “They know their prayers and they even acknowledge that when they do something wrong they know Jesus wouldn’t like what they did.”

Third grader Alexa Laubach says, “My favorite things about attending Holy Cross Elementary School are the students and teachers. The students follow Jesus. The teachers help us learn how to look up quotes in the Bible. We learn about the religious life of Jesus. The students and teachers are an important part of school.”

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Ross Thomas, sixth grade student, above; Alexa Laubach, third 25 grade student, below.

www.bayoucatholic.com

Our Schools

Jenny Chamberlain, Pre-K4 teacher

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Erica A. Clements, sixth grade teacher

Kierah Paul, at left, chats with a friend.

Talbot’s other goals for the school are to continue enhancing technology and to upgrade some of the school’s computers which are quickly becoming outdated. She also wants the teachers to become a school team where they are receiving job-embedded professional development and learning how to become instructional leaders on their own so that they can identify each student’s strengths and weaknesses to provide more individualized instruction.

“I enjoy going to Holy Cross because the teachers are kind and sweet,” says fifth grade student Kierah Paul. “The teachers also help us in all subjects. The teachers make sure that we are listening. They also listen to what we have to say. The teachers do not give up on us.”

First year teacher Erica A. Clements, who is teaching 6th grade religion, science, social studies and math, says, “Being a stay-at-home mother for the past few years, I have witnessed the beauty of Holy Cross Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2015

when I would walk my son to class each morning.

I was amazed by the close knit environment, and I knew instantly that I had to become a part of this school. I could not have asked for a more rewarding first year than what Holy Cross has given me as far as the students, teachers, and staff who inspire, motivate and teach me daily. I am truly blessed to be a part of a wonderful school with so much love for God, education and its students.”

Talbot, who is following in the footsteps of an administrator who served the school for 40 years, says, “From the time the first announcement was made that I was going to be the new principal, the outpouring of support from the faculty and parents was amazing to me. The faculty has been very receptive and Mrs. Mamie was there for me from the beginning; I know I can call on her at any time if I have questions. It’s not like you’re coming to work every day; it’s like you’re part of a family.”

Holy Cross Elementary School’s theme for this school year is “HCES is a bridge to faith, academics and community.”

Lynn Beaudean, kindergarten teacher

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Entertainment

Seeing Clairely

Substitutes for Wisdom

Claire Joller

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A milestone birthday looms for me on February’s horizon. This upcoming personal landmark has had me examining my life to date, but most especially I have been focusing on what I have learned that is lasting and true that can be passed on to others.

In a kinder, gentler world of only a generation or two ago, younger people counted on their elders to possess a wisdom that would eventually be theirs. I’ve lived enough years to be such an elder, but I have to admit that I do not feel wise.

I was going to write a list of the truths I’ve come to realize, but my potential entries do not hold a candle, for instance, to Maya Angelou’s “The quality of strength lived with tenderness is an unbeatable combination.”

Nor are my opinions as droll as humorist Dave Barry’s “The whole reason why we fought the Cold War was so we wouldn’t have to learn the metric system.”

But I have learned a few things that I consider important enough to share: Tell people you admire them. You may feel a little selfconscious at first, telling an acquaintance what quality you particularly esteem in them, because there are so few tailormade opportunities to broach the subject. Broach it anyway, and affirm someone’s good instincts or virtues. Everyone needs to know what he is doing right, to counterbalance the negatives he has had thrown at him, or which he sees in himself. It’s a good feeling for both of you.

There is no such thing as receiving too much affection, especially for a child. I cringe when I hear anyone say that

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2015

a child will be “spoiled” if she is shown too much love. We all need to absorb pure affection whenever it is offered.

Never stop learning. My granddaughter told me recently that she can’t understand why I like to watch the quiz show Jeopardy. When I told her that I like to learn from it, she asked, “Well Janou, didn’t you go to college? Don’t you know all that?”

Yes, I did go to college. And no, I don’t know all that. Learning new things (or old forgotten things) keeps me mentally engaged and curious to know more.

A cardinal was sitting on the ledge of our birdfeeder the other day. It politely pecked at the seed from its perch for a while, then stood smack dab in the center of the feeder and really went at it wholeheartedly. I’ve seen many other birds do the same thing, and I think they can teach us the lesson that whatever we do that won’t hurt us or anybody else, we should do with gusto. We need to get down and involved in what we like to do.

It’s never too late to say you’re sorry. Decades ago as a young teacher, I belittled a sophomore student. For almost 30 years it bothered me that I had been so unkind. Finally I looked in the phone book for his number, and told him how remorseful I was. He didn’t even remember the episode, or me! But he said it made him feel good, anyway; I know it made me feel better.

Recognize the changes for the better in those around you, no matter how long it has taken. Recognize the ways you’ve changed, too. People can change, and do change. Maybe the difference is not dramatic, but be on the lookout for small incremental, maybe at-first imperceivable steps that may have been particularly hard-fought. Acknowledge the changes for the better in yourself and others.

I would be remiss in not saying one of the most important things I have learned in my life. I know who I am in Christ Jesus.

That supersedes everything else, whether I am worldly wise or not.

Young Voices World PEACE. I would pray that all babies born would be brought up Christian. If Christian values of love and peace were instilled from birth, children would grow up with Jesus in their hearts. They would be filled with positive thoughts knowing they trust and believe in Jesus. There would be no thoughts of revenge or hurting another person. If more people would attend church, this world would be a better place filled with peace.

Karley Creppel, 17 years old Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church parish South Terrebonne High School

If Jesus would ask me one thing that I would pray for to make the world a better place, I would pray for the acceptance of others. In today’s society, people are so quick to judge one another based on appearance, possessions, money, etc., and not enough on traits that actually matter, such as personality. I think people really need to stop and think before judging one another and consider the fact that Jesus doesn’t judge anyone no matter if they have certain possessions or not. He doesn’t judge when we sin; he helps heal. He loves us all unconditionally.

He didn’t die only for those who were rich. He died so that ALL may live. I think that a person who shows full acceptance of others for who they are is a person who is truly living for the Lord.

Meghan Doucet, 18 years old St. Joseph Church parish, Galliano South Lafourche High School

If Jesus asked you to pray for one thing that would make the world a better place, what would you pray for?

Jacob Posey, 17 years old Holy Savior Church parish Central Lafourche High School If Jesus were to ask me to pray for one thing to make the world a better place, I would most likely tell him that I would pray for all the world to know the love and kindness that he can give to them. Through knowing the passion Jesus has for us, we can then, in turn, show the same compassion toward our fellow man.

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Elizabeth Theriot, 18 years old St. Louis Church parish University of Louisiana at Lafayette If I could pray for one thing in order to make the world better, it would be for all disputes among people to be settled through verbal communication and forming agreements. America, along with many other countries, is constantly worrying about the threat of terrorism. It has become so easy now for countries to use violent outbursts and physical force to get what they want, and war is only a macroscopic example. Other examples are rioting, racial crimes, or even fights out in the school yard. I pray that the world learns how to use words in the place of action. www.bayoucatholic.com

Our Churches

Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

St. Joseph, Galliano Evangelizing community dates back to 1889

St. Joseph Church parish, located along Bayou Lafourche on Highway 1 in Galliano, was established June 28, 1958, with Father Tjebbe Bekema, a native of Holland, as its first pastor.

According to the parish’s history, the first Catholic chapel in Galliano, which was then called “Cote Cheramie” probably after the Cheramie families who first settled the area, was built in 1889 as a mission chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary Church parish in Larose.

Even though it began as a mission to serve the people of Galliano, Cut Off, Golden Meadow and Leeville, St. Joseph Church parish was the last of the four current church parishes in the South Lafourche area to be established.

The present church was blessed and dedicated by Archbishop Joseph F. Rummel of New Orleans in June 1949, nine years before the parish was established, as a mission church of Sacred Heart in Cut Off. The building is adorned with many religious objects including a life-sized stone statue of St. Joseph, an art-glass window framed in cast stone with a dove signifying the Holy Spirit in its center, the symbols of the four evangelists, and a eucharistic representation of a pelican feeding its young.

There are also two patriotic windows, one of the Statue of Liberty and one honoring President John F. Kennedy, the first Catholic president of the United States; as well as stained glass windows depicting the history of salvation, and the Stations of the Cross in glass mosaic. A unique architectural feature of the church is a gradual rise of six inches from the first pew to the rear door which allows an unobstructed view of the altar from anywhere in the congregation. Other cultural representations of the South Lafourche area which pay tribute to the land and sea depicted by sugar cane and a shrimp boat, the means by which many of the residents make their living, also adorn the church.

Father Joseph Tregre, administrator of the parish since June 2014, says there are currently 550 families in the parish, with a mixture of older couples and younger families with children.

The parish has an active youth ministry, Ladies Altar Society, Holy Name Society and RCIA. It also hosts the South Lafourche Chapters of Fraternus (for boys), and Fidelis (for girls). The mission of these groups is to mentor boys and girls into virtuous Catholic men and women.

Father Tregre regularly visits patients at Our Lady of the Sea Hospital and anoints the sick whenever he is called upon.

“The youth group focuses on being family oriented, supporting the Christian values of the family and loving one another,” says Father Tregre. “The Ladies Altar Society faithfully assists with all the needs of the sanctuary and our liturgy. And the Holy Name Society, which is our men’s service group, is one of the strongest groups in the parish, especially with regard to helping maintain the facilities.”

One unique aspect of the parish is a recreation center located behind the church. The South Lafourche Cajun Festival was organized in 1971 as a means to raise funds for a multipurpose

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Our Churches

32

St. Joseph

building to be used for a recreation and catechetical center. According to Father Tregre, the center contains CCD classrooms, a theatrical stage, a full basketball court, volleyball court and a full service kitchen. There is also a large green space behind the center which is ideal for family fun days and fundraisers, as well as other church sponsored events.

The Catholic Community Center of Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, which is a main service center for the poor and needy of the area, is located in Galliano. St. Joseph parish is one of its main supporters and many of the parishioners volunteer there.

“We envision ourselves as an evangelizing parish, especially to rekindle the faith along the bayou,” says Father Tregre. “We want to be witnesses and evangelists of the love of God and all be filled with the Christian faith and love of neighbor. But most especially we want to help bring fallen away Catholics back to the church through youth formation and adult faith formation in our parish.”

Father Tregre says the people there are very generous, warm, welcoming, hospitable and friendly.

Whenever there is a need, the people of the parish and community come forward in full force to help out.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2015

“We recently had a young child in the parish from a large family with some special medical needs. We held a candlelit prayer service … that was the most people I had ever seen in the church. We also had a dinner, bingo, selling of crafts and a silent auction. In support for this family, we raised a substantial sum of money to help with their medical bills and expenses. And we also fasted for a day for the family.”

Last year the parish had a very successful Jesse Tree program which was organized by parishioner Jackie Bourgeois, says Father Tregre. Over 65 children and 30 families were assisted not only with toys for Christmas, but also food donations; and each child also received a coat, underwear, clothes, shoes, socks and general hygiene kits. Parishioners made tremendous donations and the business community helped out, too. The local hospital also did a pillow and blanket drive which was very successful.

“The people of the parish have bent over backwards to support me and have been warm and welcoming.

I appreciate that and I have enjoyed getting to know the people,” says Father Tregre. “I look forward to continuing to implement the goals and visions for the parish, and reeducating ourselves in the faith so that we can continue to be an evangelizing community.”

Staff

33 St. Joseph Church parish staff are from left Kathy Sanders, secretary; Lorey Autin, CRE; Father Joseph Tregre, administrator; Rosa Q. Callais, confirmation coordinator; and Debbie Gisclair, housekeeper.

www.bayoucatholic.com

Guest Columnist Margie Duplantis

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Forty years ago, Catholics in the United States wanted to respond to famine in Africa. Could we feed the hungry through Lenten prayers, fasting and almsgiving?

The answer is yes – and it came in the form of a small cardboard box. CRS Rice Bowl is Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten faithin-action program for families and faith communities to talk about Lenten spirituality – and provides resources to help you in your Lenten devotions. Through CRS Rice Bowl, we hear stories from our brothers and sisters in need worldwide, and devote our Lenten prayers to deepen our relationship with God and help us to reflect on our lives. Through fasting we remove obstacles between us and God and in giving we change the lives of the poor and help us to serve those in need and live Jesus’ message of love.

CRS Rice Bowl makes it easy for educators to integrate Lenten spirituality and encourage their students to explore tenets of their Catholic faith in a global context with CRS Rice Bowl Educator’s Guide which includes complete lesson plans for grades one to eight. And new this year, animate your high school classes and youth ministry groups with the Youth in Solidarity resource.

Thirty parishes in the Houma-Thibodaux diocese are participating in Rice Bowl this Lent. Some parishes get very creative with rice bowl like using the simple meatless meals from the featured countries for religious education classes.

Several more parishes pray the CRS Rice Bowl Stations of the Cross – inspired by Catholic social teaching – each Friday during Lent. As a family, place

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2015

What is CRS Rice Bowl?

your family’s CRS Rice Bowl on the center of your table and fill it with your Lenten sacrifices! Read Stories of Hope from around the world to see how you can live out your Gospel call, and reflect on the Lives of the Saints to see how others have lived that same call.

Lent is a journey. Where will it take you this year? What you give up for Lent changes lives.

CRS Rice Bowl is your passport to global solidarity.

Download your free CRS Rice Bowl material at crsricebowl.org or contact Margie Duplantis at mduplantis@htdiocese.org.

(Margie Duplantis is the associate director for Parish Social Ministry for Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.)

Sister Judith Coreil dies at age 78

Sister Judith Coreil, M.S.C.

Served as first superintendent of schools

Sister Judith Dayle Coreil, M.S.C., who was the first superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux, died at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home in Opelousas on Jan. 4. She was 78 years old.

Sister Judith entered the Congregation of the Marianites of Holy Cross in 1953, and pronounced her perpetual vows on August 14, 1958. She was educated at Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her first years of ministry were spent in primary education as teacher and principal and she was founding principal of Christ the King School in Terrytown, LA. She served as assistant superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and then as superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

She was the director of Curriculum Development for the National Catholic Education Association in Washington, D.C. In 1989, she was elected as

congregational assistant for the Marianites of Holy Cross.

During her 12 years in leadership she had a profound influence on the International Session in Holy Cross Spirituality held each summer in Le Mans, France, the foundation of the Congregation of the priests, brothers, and sisters of Holy Cross.

Following her time in community leadership, she served for over five years as director of public relations at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home and then as the director of religious for the Diocese of Lafayette.

Throughout her life, Sister Judith’s heart overflowed with an abundance of love – her love for her family, the religious family of Holy Cross, the spiritual family which grew and developed around her through her many and varied interests in education and religious life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to: Marianites of Holy Cross, Congregational Center, 1011 Gallier St., New Orleans, LA 70117-6111.

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State

Auxiliary

Power

Bishop-designate Fernand Cheri ordination March 23

By Peter Finney Clarion Herald

Saying he never truly left his hometown, Franciscan Father Fernand “Ferd” Cheri, director of campus ministry at Quincy University in Illinois, said Jan. 12 he was surprised but thrilled that Pope Francis had appointed him as auxiliary bishop of New Orleans, where most of his family still lives.

“I’d like to say first of all thank you to Pope Francis for appointing me to this position,” said Bishopdesignate Cheri, whose appointment was announced in Washington by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, apostolic nuncio to the United States. He will serve 36 with New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond.

“It was a total surprise, but it was a wonderful moment to just be told that I was appointed auxiliary bishop,” added Bishop-designate Cheri, who will turn 63 Jan. 28. “I also want to thank Greg for accepting me in this position as well. I look forward to just working with the people of New Orleans again. I never left New Orleans. It’s always a part of me. Wherever I go, I bring New Orleans. It’s going to be great to be back in the city.”

Bishop-designate Cheri, who will be ordained bishop at a Mass March 23 at 2 p.m. at St. Louis Cathedral, has a background that includes extensive roles in black Catholic liturgy, music and spirituality, in addition to having served on the Franciscans’ provincial council and as their director of friar life.

He originally was ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of New Orleans May 20, 1978. He studied at Notre Dame Seminary and at the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana, both in New Orleans.

“He is very gifted in music and preaching and liturgy,” Archbishop Aymond said. “This is also a very significant moment, I think, for us as New Orleans (Catholics) – another hometown boy joining us again. But also a great gift from the African-American community to the church and to the archdiocese.”

After serving as a priest at four parishes in New Orleans and Marrero, Louisiana, in 1992 he entered the novitiate for the Order of Friars Minor, in the Sacred Heart Province, based in St. Louis. Bishop-designate Cheri made his solemn profession as a Franciscan in 1994.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2015

Bishop-designate Fernand Cheri

FRANK J. METHE/CLARION HERALD

“I was a diocesan priest, and I was very involved in ministry in the black community,” Bishop-designate Cheri said, explaining his three-year discernment in becoming a Franciscan. “A lot of my support at that time was from the religious communities that were primarily staffing parishes in the black community of New Orleans.

“I got used to that. I said, ‘Well, if I’m getting support from them, I might as well be a religious.’ Being a diocesan priest for me was very lonely. I grew up with a family and bouncing things off of other people. I needed that support. I received a lot of that from the religious communities of New Orleans.”

Bishop-designate Cheri said even while he was

a

living away from New Orleans, he remained connected to New Orleans and the challenges it has endured rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

“I had 30 family households – 30 family groups that lost their homes in New Orleans,” he said. “And when you have that many people, you can’t help anybody because you don’t have that kind of money to assist anyone. It was real, real difficult for me to handle it from afar. I concentrated most of my energy on my mother and my siblings, and then I watched as things happened in the city, seeing what was lost and how many people lost their lives and their homes. It was real traumatic. As someone who loves the city, it was very difficult.”

Bishop-designate Cheri said he organized teams of students from Quincy University to provide annual cleanup and repairs in New Orleans. Last year, 50 students made the mission trip.

Since becoming a Franciscan, he has served as a chaplain at Hales Franciscan High School in Chicago and as pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Nashville, Tennessee. He served as a choir director and guidance counselor at Althoff Catholic High in Belleville, Illinois, while part of a contingent that launched St. Benedict the Black Friary in East St. Louis, an outreach to the poor, African-American community.

Prior to beginning his position at Quincy University in 2011, he was director of campus ministry at Xavier University in New Orleans. In addition to his post at Quincy, he is vicar of Holy Cross Friary, located on the campus.

Bishop-designate Cheri also is a board member of the National Black Catholic Congress and has been involved in activities including the NBCC gatherings, the U.S. bishops’ subcommittee on Black Catholic worship and the National Joint Conference of Black Religious Planning Committee.

According to his biography on the NBCC web site, he created youth gospel choirs in several places, began the Black Saints Celebrations for the Archdiocese of New Orleans and is convener and facilitator of Go Down Moses Retreats for African American Catholic Young Men. The New Orleans Archdiocese has had no auxiliary bishops since Bishop Shelton J. Fabre was named in 2013 to become bishop of Houma-Thibodaux. Auxiliary Bishop Dominic Carmon retired in 2006.

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre I congratulate Bishopelect Cheri on his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans!! I know that he and his gifts will enhance the church in the archdiocese. I pray God’s blessings upon him as he begins his ministry as a bishop, and I look forward to working with him.

Bishop Sam G. Jacobs Congratulations!

Welcome to the fraternity of bishops! I don’t know you personally, but have heard great things about you. May God gift you with all that you will need as you embrace this new responsibility as a successor of the Apostles.

www.bayoucatholic.com

37

Special

38 Mardi Gras costume making is a family affair for Jackie Cenac and her three granddaughters, Aimee Johnson, Andrea Walker and Carrie Walker. The process begins in the summer and the ladies usually finish the costumes just in time for the tableaus.

A day in the life of a

C

A

VAL I N R

costume designer and maker

In the deep south, young girls dream of that once in turned the task over to three of my granddaughters, a lifetime moment when the lights are dimmed and the Aimee Johnson, Andrea Walker and Carrie Walker, spotlight shines on this year’s newest debutantes in a who have been working with me for the past 10 years,” one of a kind sparkling costume. As they are greeted by says Jackie. the Mardi Gras krewe members, none are prouder to The process begins in the summer by getting ideas see them than those who design and make the beautiful of what the costumes will look like. After a theme is costumes the girls are wearing. decided, the maids are measured and work begins on Jackie Cenac of Houma, who was queen of Houmas the costumes. “Andrea comes up with a design, and in 1952, has been making costumes for over 60 years.

Carrie and I begin searching for costumes that have been used in the past or a costume to rent. We don’t “Aunt Olamp taught me how to make the costumes when necessarily make new costumes each year. You can I was the Houmas queen that year. I did it for about reuse or embellish a costume,” says Aimee.

50 years before turning it over to my daughters. I still The granddaughters help with the costumes for make costumes for the the Krewe of Hyacinthians.

Story and Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier Krewe of Houmas My daughters have since Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2015

a

with advice from their grandmother.

“We always work together when we have the time to work on the costumes. A good time to work on them is when our husbands are at the hunting camp because we will be on the floor in our living room with our glue guns and boxes of materials. The costumes we make are also the ones the maids wear for the tableaus. We use seamstress Dianne Naquin for sewing the costumes. Once the costume comes back to us from the seamstress we apply rhinestones and appliques to make them shine. It’s all about the shine when they are in the spotlight. We also make the headdresses which match the costumes,” says Carrie.

Jackie is a life-long parishioner of St. Gregory Church parish in Houma.

Her three granddaughters all attended St. Gregory Elementary School as children.

“We enjoy getting together and working on the costumes.

This has made us closer. We are a very close family. We eat supper together. We do a lot of things together outside of making costumes. The finished product makes it worth the effort that goes into making the costumes. We don’t want to break the tradition of the family made costumes. It is interesting to learn the different techniques that our grandmother teaches us. Those techniques are applied in today’s costumes as they were many years ago. Maintaining tradition is important both in the way we make the costumes and how they look. We still use the extra details that some costume makers don’t use today. We are really trying to uphold our grandmother’s traditions,” says Aimee.

The family is in its third generation of costume making.

Aimee has two daughters and Carrie has one. There are no guarantees but costume making could be a family affair for generations to come.

It all begins with a sketch. Andrea Walker sketches a design for a maid’s costume. Some appliques are applied with a hot glue gun. In the bottom photo, Aimee Johnson looks through a box of rhinestones.

39

www.bayoucatholic.com

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K-12 scholarships now available Beginning in the 2015-2016 school year, tuition scholarships will be available for students who would like to attend Catholic schools in the Diocese of Houma– Thibodaux. These scholarships are available to students in grades K-12 who are currently enrolled in any public school in the diocese.

Through the Louisiana Tuition Donation Rebate Program (TDR), Arete Scholars is making school choice a reality for lower income families. Arete is a stateapproved nonprofit that delivers new educational opportunities to children in need. Since 2010, Arete Scholars has awarded more than 3,600 K-12 scholarships worth over $16.4 million to children in Louisiana and Georgia.

The organization offers K-12 scholarships that help children in need gain access to the state’s best nonpublic schools. Individual

and corporate donors receive a 95 percent cash rebate for all eligible scholarship gifts.

“I am excited about partnering with the Arete Scholars program.

It is a wonderful opportunity for qualifying students to become a part of our Catholic schools families. We look very forward to welcoming new students to our schools next year,” says Marian Fertitta, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

Arete Scholarships are based on income, awarded on a first-come, first-served basis (with priority given to students who received a scholarship the previous school year), and may be used at any participating nonpublic school in Louisiana. Scholarships are currently capped at about $4,100 for elementary-middle school and $4,600 for high school.

To be eligible for the 201516 school year, students must have family income less than 250 percent above the federal poverty level (free/reduced lunch extends to 185 percent) and meet one of the following requirements: n Entering kindergarten n Enrolled in Louisiana public school for 2014-15 n Received Louisiana Scholarship Program award for 2014-15 n Received TDR award for 201415 The online application period for 2015-16 will open on February 23. For more information about the scholarship, to apply online or learn how to participate as a rebate partner, visit AreteScholars. org, email Mary Helen Wirwa at maryhw@aretescholars.org. or call 1(225)245-3610.

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41

Bridge House associate named

Rev. Mitchel Semar

Food for the Journey is March 3 The diocesan Office of Religious Education sponsors a monthly lunchtime speaker series on the first Tuesday of the month at the 42 Quality Hotel on Hollywood Road in Houma across from Vandebilt Catholic High School.

The speaker for March 3 is Vinton, LA, native Father Mitchel P. Semar.

Father Semar currently serves as pastor of St. Lucy Church parish in Houma and St. Luke the Evangelist Church parish in Thibodaux. He also serves as diocesan director of Young Adult Ministry (YAM) and as diocesan manager of Social Media for the Office of Communications.

Father Semar was ordained to the priesthood May 26, 2012.

Those who plan to attend the March 3rd event should RSVP with their name, phone number and church parish by Thursday, Feb. 26.

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 $17 and includes meal, drink and tip. Only cash or checks will be accepted.

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

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2015

Monique V. Albarado, LPC, has been named associate director of the Assisi Bridge House. She replaces the late Brother John Olsen, C.F.X., Ph.D., who retired at the end of June 2014.

Albarado received a bachelor’s degree in print journalism from LSU in Baton Rouge in 1990 and began working for the Bayou Catholic that same year. In 2003, she earned a master’s degree in psychological counseling from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux and began working at the Assisi Bridge House as a counselor in training.

After becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor for the state of Louisiana in 2007, she began working as a counselor at the Assisi Bridge House.

“Her knowledge as a licensed

Monique Albarado

professional counselor and experience both for Bayou Catholic and the Assisi Bridge House makes her uniquely qualified for this position,” says Rob Gorman, executive director for Catholic Charities Diocese of HoumaThibodaux.

Lenten retreat March 20-22

A Lenten retreat entitled “Conversion: Becoming a More Mature Lover of the Lord and Others” is being offered at the Lumen Christi Retreat Center in Schriever, Friday through Sunday, March 20-22. Father Glenn LeCompte will be the retreat director.

Retreat talks will include: n Jesus’ Command to Love and Our Conversion n First Awakening in Love for Jesus the Messiah n Responding to the Challenges We Meet in the Initial Stage of Love n Facing the Crisis that Can Move Us into Ultimate Maturity in Love n The Converted Disciple as One

Rev. Glenn LeCompte

Who is Conformed to Love For more information or to register, call Aimee Hebert at (985) 868-1523 or email lumenchristi@ htdiocese.org.

Montegut Lenten mission set

A Lenten mission entitled “The Voice of Truth” will be presented Sunday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m., at Sacred Heart Church, 1111 Hwy. 55 in Montegut. Father Mitchel Semar, pastor of St. Lucy Church parish in Houma and St. Luke the Evangelist Church parish in Thibodaux, will be the presenter of the mission.

Father Semar serves as director of Young Adult Youth Ministry and

manager of Social Media for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. He was ordained to the priesthood May 26, 2012.

The Lenten mission will begin with a black light show by the Sacred Heart youth. There will be an opportunity for participants to receive the sacrament of reconciliation following the mission.

All are welcome to attend.

John Michael Talbot in Chackbay Feb. 23-25 Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church parish in Chackbay will present three special evenings of ministry Feb. 23-25 beginning at 7 p.m.

Each evening will include a unique, inspiring message and sacred music with Christian music legend and best-selling author John Michael Talbot, who is one of the pioneering artists of what has become known as Contemporary Christian Music.

He is recognized as Catholic music’s most popular artist with platinum sales and compositions published in hymnals throughout the world.

Talbot also hosts The Church Channel’s popular T.V. series, All Things Are Possible.

Contact the church parish office at (985) 633-2903 for more information.

Tickets are not required but a love offering to support the ministries of John Michael Talbot and the Brothers and Sisters of Charity will be accepted. Suggested donation is $15 per person/per night.

John Michael Talbot

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43

World

Pope names 15 new cardinal electors

By Francis X. Rocca

Counting Cardinals

How the College of Cardinals will look after the Feb. 14 consistory

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Electors by region

Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Underscoring the geographical diversity of his selections, Pope Francis named 15 cardinal electors “from 14 nations of every continent, showing the inseparable link between the church of Rome and the particular churches present in the world.”

In addition to 15 new electors, Pope Francis named five new cardinals who are over the age of 80 and, therefore, ineligible to vote in a conclave. Popes have used such nominations to honor churchmen 44 for their scholarship or other contributions.

The pope announced the names Jan. 4, after praying the Angelus with a crowd in St. Peter’s Square, and said he would formally induct the men into the College of Cardinals Feb. 14.

With the list, the pope continues a movement he started with his first batch of appointments a year ago, giving gradually more representation at the highest levels of the church to poorer countries in the global South. According to the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the new cardinals will include the first in history from Cape Verde, Tonga and Myanmar.

The Feb. 14 consistory will bring the total number of cardinals under the age of 80 to 125. Until they reach their 80th birthdays, cardinals are eligible to vote in a conclave to elect a new pope. Blessed Paul VI limited the number of electors to 120, but later popes have occasionally exceeded that limit.

Three of the new cardinal electors hail from Asia, three from Latin America, two from Africa and two from Oceania.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2015

� cardinal elector

EUROPE

58

15 US/CANADA

AFRICA

20

ASIA

1

14

15

OCEANIA

3

LATIN AMERICA

Countries with the most electors ITALY......................27

INDIA........................5

SPAIN.......................5

GERMANY...............4

US ..........................11

FRANCE...................5

BRAZIL ....................4

POLAND ..................4 © 2015 Catholic News Service

Of the five Europeans on the list, three lead dioceses in Italy and Spain that have not traditionally had cardinals as bishops -- another sign of Pope Francis’ willingness to break precedent. While giving red hats to the archbishops of AnconaOsimo and Agrigento, Italy, the pope will once again pass over the leaders of Venice and Turin, both historically more prestigious dioceses.

None of the new cardinals hails from the U.S. or Canada. Father Lombardi noted that the numbers of cardinals from those countries have remained stable since February 2014, when Pope Francis elevated the archbishop of Quebec.

The U.S. currently has 11 cardinal electors and Canada 3.

The continuing geographic shift is incremental in nature. With the

new appointments, cardinals from Europe and North America will make up 56.8 percent of those eligible to elect the next pope, down from 60 percent on Jan. 4.

The shift reflects the pope’s emphasis on Africa and Asia, where the church is growing fastest, and on his native region of Latin America, home to about 40 percent of the world’s Catholics.

A number of the selections also reflect Pope Francis’ emphasis on social justice. The new Mexican cardinal leads a diocese that has been hard hit by the current wave of drug-related violence in his country.

And one of the Italian cardinalsdesignate, the archbishop of Agrigento in Sicily, leads the Italian bishops’ commission on migration, an issue on which

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Pope Francis has placed particular importance. In July 2013, the pope visited the southern Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, a major entry point for undocumented immigrants to Europe, and mourned the many who had died attempting to cross the sea.

Only one of the new cardinals, the head of the Vatican’s highest court, is a member of the church’s central administration, the Roman Curia, which currently accounts for about a quarter of all cardinal electors.

Announcing the appointments, Pope Francis noted that the ceremony to induct the new cardinals will follow a two-day meeting of the entire college, Feb. 12 and 13, “to reflect on guidelines and proposals for reform of the Roman Curia.”

The pope’s nine-member Council of Cardinals is currently working on a major reform of the Vatican bureaucracy, including a new apostolic constitution for the curia.

Pope Francis said he had chosen to honor five retired bishops “distinguished for their pastoral charity in service to the Holy See and

the church,” representing “so many bishops who, with the same pastoral solicitude, have given testimony of love for Christ and the people of God, whether in particular churches, the Roman Curia or the diplomatic service of the Holy See.” The five new honorary cardinals hail from Argentina, Colombia, Germany, Italy and Mozambique.

Here is the list of the new cardinals: -- French Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, prefect of the Apostolic Signature, 62.

-- Portuguese Patriarch Manuel Jose Macario do Nascimento Clemente of Lisbon, 66.

-- Ethiopian Archbishop Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel of Addis Ababa, 66.

-- New Zealand Archbishop John Dew of Wellington, 66.

-- Italian Archbishop Edoardo Menichelli of Ancona-Osimo, 75.

-- Vietnamese Archbishop Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon of Hanoi, 76.

-- Mexican Archbishop Alberto Suarez Inda of Morelia, who turns 76 Jan. 30.

-- Myanmar Archbishop Charles

Bo of Yangon, 66.

-- Thai Archbishop Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij of Bangkok, 65.

-- Italian Archbishop Francesco Montenegro of Agrigento, 68.

-- Uruguayan Archbishop Daniel Fernando Sturla Berhouet of Montevideo, 55.

-- Spanish Archbishop Ricardo Blazquez Perez of Valladolid, 72.

-- Spanish-born Panamanian Bishop Jose Luis Lacunza Maestrojuan of David, 70.

-- Cape Verdean Bishop Arlindo Gomes Furtado of Santiago de Cabo Verde, 65.

-- Tongan Bishop Soane Mafi, 53.

-- Colombian Archbishop Jose de Jesus Pimiento Rodriguez, retired, of Manizales, who turns 96 Feb. 18.

-- Italian Archbishop Luigi De Magistris, 88, retired pro-major penitentiary at the Vatican.

-- German Archbishop Karl-Joseph Rauber, 80, a former nuncio.

-- Argentine Archbishop Luis Hector Villalba, retired, of Tucuman, 80.

-- Mozambican Bishop Julio Duarte Langa, retired, of Xai-Xai, 87.

Pope: Know God by loving, serving

By Carol Glatz

Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Only people who love, and love in concrete ways -- not just with words -can know God because God is love, Pope Francis said.

“Whoever loves, knows God; whoever does not love has not known God because God is love, but not soap opera love. No, no. Solid, strong love, eternal love, a lovemade manifest,” he said Jan. 8 at his morning Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae.

The pope celebrated the Mass for the victims of a deadly terrorist attack by masked gunmen on the offices of a satirical weekly newspaper in Paris. At least 12 people were killed and another 11 wounded in the Jan. 7 attack. Before delivering his homily, the pope said the attack made one see how much cruelty the human being is capable of, and he asked for prayers for the victims and for the perpetrators so

that the Lord would “change their hearts,” the pope said, according to Vatican Radio.

The pope’s homily focused on the day’s reading from the First Book of John (4:19-5:4), which speaks of God loving humanity first and the necessity of loving others in order to love God. How are people able to come to know God? the pope asked. Reason and intellect are not enough, he said; it takes love, accompanied by reason, but by loving most of all.

“God is love. And it is only on the path of love that you can know God,” he said.

The path is gradual and begins with loving others concretely, demonstrating love with “works of love and not words. It takes your whole life to know God, a journey of love, of familiarity, of love for the other, of love for those who hate us, of love for everyone,” he said.

God’s love for his children always comes before their love for him,

somewhat like the almond tree flower, he said, which is the first to bloom before the coming spring.

“We will always have this surprise,” he said, that of finding out that God’s love has come first and that he has been waiting for and loving humanity all along.

“When we get close to God through acts of charity, prayer, in Communion, in the Word of God,” he said, “we find that he is there, ahead of us, waiting for us -- that is how he loves us.”

God is there ready to teach and guide all people who have lost their way, Pope Francis said. “He is our father who loves us so much, who is always ready to forgive us. Always. Not once but 70 times seven.

Always.”

“To know this God, who is love, we have to go up these steps of love for the other, of works of charity and of works of mercy that the Lord has taught us,” the pope said. www.bayoucatholic.com

45

World

Panel recognizes Romero as martyr

By Carol Glatz

Catholic News Service

46

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A panel of theologians advising the Vatican’s Congregation for Saints’ Causes voted unanimously to recognize the late Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero as a martyr, according to the newspaper of the Italian bishops’ conference.

The panel declared Jan. 8 that the archbishop had been killed “in hatred for the faith,” Avvenire reported Jan. 9.

The decision is a key step in the archbishop’s cause, following an extended debate over whether he was killed for political reasons or for his faith.

The next step in the process lies with the cardinals and bishops who sit on the Congregation for Saints’ Causes, who will vote on whether to advise the pope to issue a decree of beatification. A miracle is not needed for beatification of a mar-

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2015

tyr, though a miracle is ordinarily needed for his or her canonization as saint.

Archbishop Romero, an outspoken advocate for the poor, was shot and killed March 24, 1980, as he

‘ , Romero is a man of God

celebrated Mass in a hospital in San Salvador during his country’s civil war. His sainthood cause was opened at the Vatican in 1993.

Pope Benedict XVI told reporters in 2007 that the archbishop was

“certainly a great witness of the faith” who “merits beatification, I do not doubt.” But he said some groups had complicated the sainthood cause by trying to co-opt the archbishop as a political figure.

In March 2013, Pope Francis reportedly told El Salvador’s ambassador to the Holy See: “’I hope that under this pontificate we can beatify (Archbishop Romero).”

Pope Francis told reporters in August 2014 that “For me, Romero is a man of God.” “But the process must go ahead, and God must give his sign. If he wants to do so, he will,” Pope Francis said.

During his general audience Jan. 7, Pope Francis quoted words that Archbishop Romero had spoken at the funeral Mass of a priest assassinated by Salvadoran death squads: “We must all be willing to die for our faith even if the Lord does not grant us this honor.”

Peace

Nonviolence is ultimate path to

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By Father John Catoir Catholic News Service

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a great American hero. He practiced the noble art of nonviolent opposition to injustice in the same way that Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela practiced. He led peaceful demonstrations against those in authority to defeat practices such as segregation, racial discrimination and unequal treatment under the law. All three of these leaders followed peaceful teachings to attain victory over the evils of their day.

King was a peacemaker. He confronted fierce hatred in an environment in which opposition came from both sides, white and black. I was with King in Selma, Alabama, for nearly a week. A Protestant minister had been shot and killed there the week before, and American bishops had sent priests to Selma to express our solidarity with the protesters.

I think of him when I see stores that have been burned down in places like Ferguson, Missouri,

as a sign of outrage. I believe this is counterproductive. There is no need for violent demonstrations.

Can it bring real reform? I believe violence only brings more heat than light to explosive situations.

I don’t believe in a violent strategy in search for equality. No monuments are built to honor those who favor violence.

The words of Jesus apply to leaders and peacemakers such as King: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Upon deeper refection, King’s life brings us back to the idealism of Jesus, who despised the arrogance of the Pharisees. These Jewish leaders laid heavy burdens upon the people, and we hear in Matthew 23:4, “They tie up heavy burdens (hard to carry) and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them.”

The Lord fearlessly rebuked them. It follows therefore that when Jesus asked us to be meek and humble of heart, he wasn’t encouraging timidity in the face of

evil. He was suggesting defiance, but a kind of nonviolent opposition, which has as its goal ultimate victory over the forces of evil and injustice.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke of the importance of being “poor in spirit.” This is part of the Beatitudes, which the pope has urged to us memorize because “blessed” are the meek, the merciful, the clean of heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted.

“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven,” we’re told.

These words of Jesus heeded by King continue to give encouragement to others like him who can remain steadfast in the fight against injustice. King approached this cause with a child-like spirit.

He understood the phrase, “turn the other cheek,” and knew that nonviolence was not a sign of weakness, but a winning tactic for attaining ultimate victory. And he was right. www.bayoucatholic.com

Cover Story

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CNS PHOTO/PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS

An aerial view shows pilgrims gathering to hear a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis at Rizal Park in Manila, Philippines, Jan. 18. The view shows only a portion of the Mass site, which a local church official said was more than a mile long.

Largest crowd ever?

Millions greet Francis in the Philippines

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service

MANILA, Philippines (CNS) -- Pope Francis told a crowd of an estimated 6 million gathered in a Manila park to protect the family “against insidious attacks and programs contrary to all that we hold true and sacred, all that is most beautiful and noble in our culture.”

The pope’s homily at the Jan. 18 Mass also reprised several other themes he had sounded during the four-day visit, including environmental problems, poverty and corruption.

Despite continuous rain, the congregation in Rizal Park began to assemble the night before the afternoon celebration. Cardinal Luis Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2015

Antonio Tagle of Manila canceled other Masses throughout the archdiocese to enhance turnout. The crowd was so dense in spots that people passed hosts to fellow wor-

‘ , Protect the family

shippers unable to reach priests distributing Communion.

The government estimated total crowd size at 6 million-7 million people. According to the Vatican

spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, that would be the largest number of people ever to gather to see a pope. A Mass with St. John Paul II in the same place 20 years earlier is believed to have drawn 4 million-5 million people, often described as the largest live crowd in history.

The Mass was celebrated on Santo Nino Day, or the feast of the Holy Child Jesus, one of the most popular feast days in the Philippines. Many of those who walked great distances down closed roads to get to Rizal Park held statues of Santo Nino.

For his final scheduled public talk in the country, Pope Francis stuck to his prepared English

a

49

CNS PHOTO/L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO VIA REUTERS

Pope Francis and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, Philippines, say “I love you” in sign language during a meeting with families in the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Jan. 16.

Millions text and did not improvise in Spanish, as he had done at several emotional points during the visit. Yet his voice rose with emphasis during the passage about protecting the family.

Those words echoed his warning, during a Jan. 16 meeting with Filipino families, against “ideological colonization that tries to destroy the family” through such practices as same-sex marriage and contraception.

In his homily, Pope Francis said Christians “need to see each child

as a gift to be welcomed, cherished and protected. And we need to care for our young people, not allowing them to be robbed of hope and condemned to life on the streets.”

The pope praised the Philippines, whose population is more than 80 percent Catholic, as the “foremost Catholic country in Asia,” and said its people, millions of whom work abroad, are “called to be outstanding missionaries of the faith in Asia.”

Yet he warned the developing nation, one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies, against temptations of materialism, saying the devil “hides his snares behind the appearance of sophistication, the allure of being modern, like everyone

else. He distracts us with the promise of ephemeral pleasures, superficial pastimes. And so we squander our God-given gifts by tinkering with gadgets; we squander our money on gambling and drink.”

Pope Francis, who had urged a group of young people earlier in the day to address the challenge of climate change through dedication to the environment, told Mass-goers human sinfulness had “disfigured (the) natural beauty” of creation.

Other consequences of sin, the pope said, were “social structures which perpetuate poverty, ignorance and corruption,” problems he had emphasized in his Jan. 16 speech at Manila’s presidential palace. www.bayoucatholic.com

Cover Story

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CNS PHOTO/TYLER ORSBURN

A large crowd gathers along Roxas Boulevard in Manila, Philippines, prior to the closing Mass in Rizal Park, Jan. 18.

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

A young woman holds her statue of Santo Nino, the Holy Child Jesus, as she waits to see Pope Francis along the parade route after the pope’s Mass in Rizal Park in Manila, Philippines, Jan. 18.

Philippines trip highlights pope’s

Tenacity, attention to details

By Cindy Wooden

Catholic News Service

MANILA, Philippines (CNS) -New situations are opportunities to learn new things, even about the 78-year-old Pope Francis.

After two days of watching the pope tenaciously keep his appointments in the Philippines despite pouring rain Jan. 17-18, one lesson is that the papal wardrobe needs to be expanded to include rain gear.

A white umbrella -- the usual Vatican response to a drizzle -- is not adequate. And cancelling or moving an event indoors -- the usuBayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2015

al Vatican response to a heavy rain -- is not acceptable to Pope Francis if his appointment is with thousands or even millions of predominantly poor people.

Then again, the clear yellow plastic poncho he donned over his chasuble for Mass Jan. 17 in Tacloban and again Jan. 18 for his ride in a converted jeepney popemobile Jan. 18 in Manila made him “one of the people,” which they liked. On social media, he was dubbed “ponchifex,” a play on the formal Twitter title, “pontifex.”

Pope Francis, the grandson of

Italian immigrants, takes a typically Italian approach to weather: it requires protection. On sunny days in St. Peter’s Square, he urges -- sometimes with an almost scolding look -- parents to put hats on their children. On cold days, he wears a long white overcoat and asks parents of the underdressed where their children’s coats are.

When a guard passes a baby to him on a cold day, he often adjusts the child’s coat or scarf to ensure proper bundling.

Much more importantly, Bishop Mylo Vergara of Pasig, head of

a

Details

Spanish. Msgr. Miles translates the pope’s words into English.

A smaller detail that the pope attended to is connected to his respect for popular piety, a respect born and the media committee for Pope Francis’ visit, said the nurtured in his native Argentina. He shares the comwet and stormy weather -- which included the approach mon people’s tangible Marian devotion, which leads of a category-two tropical storm in Tacloban -- taught him to tenderly touch or kiss images of her, but also repeople how seriously Pope Francis takes his promises flects a sense that Mary is “mama,” as he said at Santo to the poor and suffering.

Tomas, and one can grab on to her skirt when the going Because the pilots flying him to Tacloban, the area gets rough. devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, insisted he He blessed the statues of the Holy Child Jesus people leave the area before 1 p.m., instead of the originalcarried with them to Mass in Manila Jan. 18, the Holy ly scheduled 5 p.m., he left Manila an hour early to Child feast day in the Philippines. The pope was given get there, “he abbreviated eva copy of the statue, which ended erything, but he did all the up being his backseat driver as events,” the bishop said. he toured the crowds in the pope“The pope is a pope of surmobile after Mass. prises, but God also surprised But he took care with an even him,” the bishop said. The rain smaller detail. After Communion, did not dampen the spirits of large tapers and tiny tea lights the people, and the pope did -- whatever people brought with not let them down. them -- were lit as Pope Francis The Philippines trip also told the crowd: “Keep the flame of showed the energy the pope faith alive in your hearts. Walk draws from crowds at mega always as children of the light. events, while simultaneously This is the mission of every Chrisbeing able to zoom in on micro tian: ‘lumina pandere,’ to spread details and bring the crowd the light and to tell the world of with him.

God’s love.”

Some 30,000 exuberant After a song, altar servers took youths congregated in the rain the pope’s taper from him, and Jan. 18 at the University of he was handed his crozier for the 51 Santo Tomas. The pope gathfinal blessing. But the pope saw ered them and drew them into all the people still holding their prayers for the 27-year-old candles, so he asked his master Catholic Relief Services workof ceremonies to give back his er, Kristel Padasas, who died candle. the day before after an acci“With his crozier in one hand, dent at the Tacloban Mass site. he used the candle (in the other Two other elements at the hand) to bless the community, youth gathering did not escape symbolizing the fire, the light of CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING the pope’s eye for detail: first, Pope Francis greets the crowd as he arrives to God,” Cardinal Tagle said. “The the fact that of the four youths celebrate Mass at Rizal Park in Manila, Philippines, Holy Father is attentive to little chosen to address him, only Jan. 18. details. He notices a child, he noone was female -- a situation tices something like this; he sees he said should be rectified the next time a pope visits. the significance of a candle having been lit and he inAnd, second: tears. People get emotional when a pope corporates it into the whole ritual, which is a gift.” is around. Many are overcome with tears after even the most fleeting moment with the pope. But the tears shed by 12-year-old Glyzelle Palomar were different.

The pope honored the tears of the girl rescued from the streets and then helped the 30,000 youths present reflect on the role of tears in response to her suffering and the suffering of so many innocents.

“Certain realities in life can only be seen through eyes cleansed by tears,” the pope told them. And the only worthy response to questions about why God allows suffering is tears of compassion, he said.

Another thing people learned about Pope Francis -something Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila said tipped him off -- was that if the pope insists on having Bueche’s Jewelry nearby Msgr. Mark Miles, a native of Gibraltar who 730 Grand Caillou Rd., Houma • 985.868.9611 works in the Secretariat of State, that means he will Mon. - Fri. 9-5 • Sat. 9-1 set aside his prepared text and speak from the heart, in

s e s o R d l 24k Gofor ay D s ’ e n i t Valenny Occasion. or a

www.bayoucatholic.com

From Our Archives

52

LOUIS G. AGUIRRE/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Local art for Lumen Christi

The year is 1985 and the brand-new Lumen Christi Retreat Center in Schriever was about to open its doors. How to decorate the walls? The late Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux had an idea: ask local artists to donate a work of art for the facility. Visitors to the Menard Building can admire these paintings year-round. Lumen Christi celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2015

Sports

Overtime Ed Daniels

I

If you are trying to figure out the New Orleans Pelicans, the line is out the door and around the corner.

Two days after losing by 15 to lowly Philadelphia, the Pelicans erased an 11 point Toronto lead to win on a driving layup by Tyreke Evans with one second to play.

The win on a Sunday afternoon in Canada brought the Pels back even at 20 wins, 20 losses.

Considering their bloated, top heavy payroll (four players earn at least $11 million per season) a .500 record is not where New Orleans was supposed to be.

And, if you are concerned about the future, you should be.

After this season, Anthony Davis has two years remaining on his rookie contract.

His pay will then skyrocket.

And, the Pelicans future options will be limited.

That is if Davis stays.

Davis is more than a once in a generational player for a small market NBA franchise.

He is an exceptional talent that doesn’t need shots to affect the game. And, he is a model citizen … wise far beyond his years.

The Pelicans have until the summer of 2016 to convince Davis that they can compete with the upper echelon of the league.

Hovering near .500 won’t cut it.

Speculation about the future of general manager Dell Demps and head coach Monty Williams has intensified. If the Pelicans don’t make the playoffs, this will be the fourth consecutive year they failed to qualify.

Rumors abound that former Pistons general manager, and former McNeese State star Joe Dumars will join the front office

Can Pelicans “Call us break out of First” mediocrity? in some capacity.

When Williams, and then Demps arrived in the summer of 2010, they talked of building a model franchise much like the one in San Antonio.

But, the Spurs are masters at getting good production for the right dollar, an idea that seems foreign to the Pelicans.

If Demps and Williams want a crash course in how it is done the Spurs way, all they need to do is look East to Atlanta.

Longtime Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer has managed the top of his roster, well. That has allowed a deep bench to shine.

Five Hawks come off the bench to average at least 13.7 minutes per game.

Center Al Horford is the Hawks highest paid player at $12 million per season.

Horford was averaging 15.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.

Point guard Jeff Teague is an NBA bargain at $8 million per season. Teague, who earns less than three Pelican guards, was averaging 17.4 points and 7.7 assists per game.

Forward DeMarre Carroll, on his fifth NBA team, is averaging 11.7 points and 5.6 rebounds.

In the NBA, he is a bargain indeed, earning a paltry $2.5 million this season.

Can the Pelicans break out of mediocrity and make a sustained run to the playoffs?

Or, is this a team that has reached its ceiling?

If Davis asks for a trade, the start over in New Orleans would be far more daunting than the one that occurred after the trade of Chris Paul.

Mimi Wilson, OT, PA-C Jimmy N. Ponder, Jr., MD Adolfo Cuadra, MD

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