Bayou Catholic Magazine October 2012 Issue

Bayou

Catholic

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

Year of Faith Oct. 11, 2012 to Nov. 24, 2013

HOUMA, LA ~ OCTOBER 2012 ~ COMPLIMENTARY

Creating Catholic Legacies

To begin your own legacy, contact:

The Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana P. O. Box 505 Schriever, LA 70395 985-850-3116 www.catholicfoundationsl.org

Contents

On Our Cover

Respect Life celebrated Sunday Oct. 7

Pope Benedict XVI has designated a Year of Faith from Oct. 11, 2012 to Nov. 24, 2013.

Bishop Sam G. Jacobs has a pastoral letter on the subject.

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40

Heavenly Recipe

22

16 Pope Speaks

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Middle Eastern Christians called to suffering, service

34

Catholic Daughters Court Cardinal Gibbons No. 177 celebrates 100th

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• Welcome

• Question Corner

Our Churches

Vocations

Sacred Heart, Montegut

Awareness Week is Oct. 21-27

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32 • Reflections

18

• Scripture Readings

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How to reach us:

BY PHONE: (985) 850-3132

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

BY FAX: (985) 850-3232

BY E-MAIL: bayoucatholic@htdiocese.org

Bayou Catholic Vol. 33, No. 4 Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2012

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.

• Young Voices

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• Overtime

44

Louis G. Aguirre

editor and general manager Lawrence Chatagnier

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

business manager Peggy Adams

advertising manager Janet Marcel

staff writer Pat Keese

secretary and circulation Lisa Schobel Hebert

graphic designer Janet B. Eschete

accounts payable assistant Meridy Liner

accounts receivable assistant

Where to find us

Mitchell

THERIOT

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

Index to Advertisers Advanced Eye Institute ......................35 Bayou Catholic ...................................25 Cannata’s .............................................3 Catholic Foundation ..............................2 Channel 10 .........................................21 Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center ...........................31 Diocesan Outreach Line ....................39 Family Vision Clinic ............................44 Haydel Spine & Pain ..........................23 Hurricane Collection ..........................45 Journey Hospice ................................19 Lewis & Co. ........................................36 Mitch Theriot for Judge ........................5 Mpress ...............................................43 Respect Life Sunday .........................8-9 Seminarian Burse ...............................29 Spotlight .............................................33 St. Joseph Manor ...............................42 Terminix ..............................................31 TGMC-Mary Bird Perkins ...................27 Thibodaux Physical Therapy .............43 Thibodaux Regional ...........................37 World Mission Sunday .......................33

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www.bayoucatholic.com

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Welcome

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

What is Life?

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What does “Respect Life” mean to you?

For some it’s a baby in the womb, for others it’s the elderly, the sick or the infirm. Yet others would say it’s all about respecting people of all races, cultures and origins.

The list is endless: defending the weak and the homeless, upholding everyone’s dignity and value to society; in short, respecting the sacredness of all life from conception to natural death.

When I think of “Respect Life,” I recall all of the aforementioned. I believe in what is called a Consistent Ethic of Life. What does that mean? Fundamentally each and every human being is unique and important. No person is defined by someone else’s choices.

No one exists as a means to someone else’s happiness; therefore all choices we make, as individuals and as a society, must be weighed in light of their impact on human life and dignity.

Yet if I had to isolate one image when I think of “Respect Life,” it would be that of Bishop Warren Louis Boudreaux, who founded our diocese in 1977. Bishop Boudreaux this year would have celebrated the 70th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood and the 50th anniversary of ordination to the episcopacy.

This Oct. 6, we also observe the 15th anniversary of his death.

I think of Bishop Boudreaux because he epitomized respect for all life. He championed that love and respect for others in every action he took. Some thought he was “too kind,” “too emotional,” or “too friendly” when it came to his treatment of others. He even extended that love and respect to all of God’s creatures. Yes, he would feed stray dogs and cats and once got out of his car on the BourgLarose Highway – stick in hand – to help a turtle go across unharmed.

Cardinal Joseph Bernardin (1928-1996), one of the finest bishops of the 20th Century, had this to say about life: “If one contends, as Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2012

Most Reverend WARREN LOUIS BOUDREAUX Born Jan. 25, 1918, in Berwick, LA; ordained to the priesthood May 30, 1942; ordained to the episcopacy and appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Lafayette July 25, 1962; installed Bishop of Beaumont Aug. 25, 1971; installed as the First Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux June 5, 1977; died Oct. 6, 1997.

we do, that the right of every fetus to be born should be protected by civil law and supported by civil consensus, then our moral, political and economic responsibilities do not stop at the moment of birth. Those who defend the right to life of the weakest among us must be equally visible in support of the quality of life of the powerless among us: the old and the young, the hungry and the homeless, the undocumented immigrant and the unemployed worker.

“Such a quality of life posture translates into specific political and economic positions on tax policy, employment generation, welfare policy, nutrition and feeding programs, and health care.”

Respect Life Story by Janet Marcel The U.S. Catholic Bishops, in their Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities, proclaimed that “human life is a precious gift from God; that each person who receives this gift has responsibilities toward God, self and others; and that society, through its laws and social institutions, must protect and nurture human life at every stage of its existence” (November 2001).

October is designated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as Respect Life Month.

This year’s theme is “Faith opens our eyes to human life in all its grandeur and beauty.”

Catholics all across the nation will observe Sunday, Oct. 7, as Respect Life Sunday, just one of the many events that will take place during the month to remind Catholics that all life is sacred, at every stage.

Kirby “K.B.” Fabre, president of the TerrebonneLafourche Right to Life Association, a chapter of the Louisiana Right to Life Federation (LARTL), says “Our main focus is to present the facts about abortion, in particular, and just let people come to their own conclusion. We reinforce the value of one; and we advocate to protect those who can’t protect themselves. Our goal is to change hearts, one at a time, and to restore the value of each life which is created in God’s image.”

According to its mission statement, the LARTL Federation, established in 1970, “works through education and legislation to restore the right to life in Louisiana by opposing abortion, euthanasia and other life destroying actions. … LARTL builds and

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Terrebonne-Lafourche Right To Life Association: “Our goal is to change hearts, one at a time, and to restore the value of each life which is created in God’s image.”

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serves local Right to Life Chapters throughout the state … and along with its chapters, strives to educate all people in the truth about abortion and other life issues, encourages the work of pregnancy care centers that offer real alternatives to abortion, promotes pro-life legislation at the state and federal level and informs Louisianans on how their representatives stand for life. LARTL is the official affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee and subscribes to its objectives and legislative strategies.”

HELEN TERREBONNE/BAYOU CATHOLIC

The LARTL Federation is a nonsectarian organization not affiliated with or restricted to any particular religious group.

The Terrebonne-Lafourche Right to Life Association has been in existence for 25 years and currently has approximately 100 members, says Fabre. A Right to Life chapter, a group of people in a local community who are committed to working to spread the message of life and keep the issue at the forefront of society, is an extension of the Louisiana and National RTL groups.

This local chapter meets the second Wednesday of every month to discuss pro-life issues and plan ways to educate the community about these issues. “We will go anywhere at any time to make a presentation,” says Fabre.

The Terrebonne-Lafourche Right to Life Association sponsors the annual “Race for Life” which is its biggest fundraiser. This year the event will take place Nov. 17 in Broadmoor Park. It also sponsors an Oratory Contest each April for juniors and seniors in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parish high schools, a Mother’s Day corsage sale and a physicians’ advertisement featuring area doctors and healthcare professionals which appears in The Courier and The Daily Comet on Mother’s Day weekend. The association makes presentations to CCD classes, youth groups, at the diocesan youth rally, some local high schools, as well as any organization which invites them to speak about pro-life issues. Members also participate in the annual Life Chain held on the first Sunday in October, provide informational materials to the Steubenville on the Bayou Catholic Youth Conference participants, work with local pregnancy resource centers, and participate in the annual Louisiana March for Life.

The group has an annual membership drive in which they send out membership packets explaining their mission, what they’ve done in the past year and what they are currently working on. There is a yearly $15 membership fee. For more information, call (985) 851-BABY or email rtl6041@yahoo.com. www.bayoucatholic.com

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Pastoral Letter from Bishop Sam G. Jacobs to the People of the Diocese

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LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER BAYOU CATHOLIC

Year of Faith Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2012

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From Oct. 11, 2012, to Nov. 24, 2013, Benedict XVI has declared a Year of Faith for the Universal Church.

Oct. 11, 2012, is the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. It also will be the opening in Rome of the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization entitled: The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith. That date also marks the 20th anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a text promulgated by Blessed John Paul II, “with a view to illustrating for all the faithful the power and beauty of the faith” (Benedict XVI).

This is not the first time that the church has celebrated a Year of Faith in recent memory. In 1967 Pope Paul VI called for such an observance in commemoration of the 19th century since the joint martyrdom of Sts. Peter and Paul in Rome. In the words of Benedict XVI on the present celebration: “This will be a good opportunity to usher the whole church into a time of particular reflection and rediscovery of the faith.” Further, he states: “The Year of Faith is a summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the one Savior of the world. In the mystery of his death and resurrection, God has revealed in its fullness the love that saves and calls us to conversion of life through the forgiveness of sins.”

Our faith is not a matter of verbal or mental assent to statements. Faith centers in the person of God. To say “I believe in One God” is to assent to a personal commitment to the One God who has revealed himself to the world. It is a commitment to accept who God is and to follow him with one’s total being. In the words of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Faith is first of all a personal adherence of man to God. At the same time, and inseparably, it is a free assent to the whole truth that God has revealed” (CCC 150).

As children, we were baptized into the faith as has been revealed by Jesus Christ to the Apostles and their successors. It was the faith of our parents— even if it was limited—that brought us to the saving waters of regeneration and new life. We became sons and daughters of God. We became temples of the Holy Spirit and members of the community of believers.

Over the years, our parents and others have taught us the fundamental aspects of our faith as we progressed on the journey of faith from baptism to first penance to first Eucharist to confirmation to marriage or holy orders.

For the most part the message was mere words that we heard and accepted but for some time may not have been fully appropriated in the core of our being. We were sacramentalized and catechized but not fully evangelized. We may have known the teachings but did we fully know and accept Jesus as the Lord and Savior of our lives? We may have recited the creedal statements in a memorized, rote manner while never living their full meaning in our daily lives. There may have been a disconnection between what we professed and how we lived.

Faith is a gift from God, but a gift that needs to be developed and acted upon. The muscles in my arms are physical gifts that enable me to lift and move things.

But if my arm is strapped to my body for 10

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years, those muscles unexercised will atrophy and become almost useless to me. Just to know something in my head and not live it in my heart and in my life will end in spiritual atrophy. Just as a child’s body in an adult frame is very limited and may be more susceptible to disease so a child-limited faith in an adult is very weak indeed and susceptible to many threats to one’s faith.

Our faith is not a private component of our lives. My faith is to be witnessed to and by others as something real and authentic, not just mere words. Because of their faith in Jesus Christ, thousands of Christians throughout the centuries have endured suffering and even death. Their faith and love, their commitment and trust in the One who gave his life for them motivated them to choose life with Jesus rather than life without Jesus. At the same time there are examples of people whose faith was weak and undeveloped and because of this gave in to the threats of their persecutors in order to save their human lives.

Today, the faith of many of us is what we learned as children. For many of us our faith has not been appropriated and personally owned, not a top priority in our lives. The threats we faced may not be physical death. Rather, it is to comprise or pick and choose what we believe or to believe what allows us to remain in our comfort zone. When questions or doubts come we are not able to give an answer for our faith. Sometimes the arguments of the other seem stronger than what I have put my faith in. I succumb not because what I have been taught to believe is not true but because my grasp and commitment is weak and limited.

We are therefore called during this Year of Faith to come to a deeper knowledge of our faith, a deeper understanding and commitment to our faith and the person of Jesus Christ, the “author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). We are also called to witness our faith to others at the appropriate times and places through evangelization.

How do we come to a deeper knowledge of our faith?

One of the ways the Holy Father suggests is through a study of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Documents of Vatican II. What if each one of us would commit ourselves to a half hour each day reading a portion of one or the other throughout the Year of Faith?

Would this not help us to grow in our knowledge and understanding? What if we did it with looking up the cited references in the Bible? In other words, without study, there is limited learning and growth.

What are some of the other things being planned during this Year of Faith to help us enter into it more fully?

On Oct. 11, 2012, I have asked each church parish to celebrate Mass for the intention of the Year of Faith and the opening of the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on Evangelization.

On the following weekend, I have asked each church parish to have a binder appropriately displayed in the church with the Creed in the front and places for the faithful to publicly sign the Creed anytime during the Year of Faith. This binder will then be brought to the Cathedral at the close of the Year—the Feast of Christ the King, Nov. 24, 2013—for me to bless and return to your church parish.

I have encouraged the priests to use whatever

opportunity they see appropriate to explain the various elements of the Creed we profess each Sunday.

Bayou Catholic will feature articles on the Documents of the Second Vatican Council. Food for the Journey which meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to1 p.m. will feature talks on some of the documents. The Men and Women of God Conferences will focus on the Year of Faith. The Prayer for the Year of Faith issued by the Vatican will be prayed at each Mass during the year. Besides these, each church parish has been asked to develop their own ways of observing this grace time.

I conclude with the closing paragraph of the Holy Father’s statement on the Year of Faith.

“May this Year of Faith make our relationship with Christ the Lord increasingly firm, since only in him is there the certitude for looking to the future and the guarantee of an authentic and lasting love. The words of Saint Peter shed one final ray of light on faith: ‘In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy. As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls’ (1 Peter 1:6-9). The life of Christians knows the experience of joy as well as the experience of suffering. How many of the saints have lived in solitude! How many believers, even in our own day, are tested by God’s silence when they would rather hear his consoling voice! The trials of 11 life, while helping us to understand the mystery of the Cross and to participate in the sufferings of Christ (cf.

Colossians 1:24), are a prelude to the joy and hope to which faith leads: ‘when I am weak, then I am strong’ (2 Corinthians 12:10). We believe with firm certitude that the Lord Jesus has conquered evil and death.

With this sure confidence we entrust ourselves to him: he, present in our midst, overcomes the power of the evil one (cf. Luke 11:20); and the church, the visible community of his mercy, abides in him as a sign of definitive reconciliation with the Father.”

www.bayoucatholic.com

Carta Pastoral del Obispo Sam G. Jacobs al Pueblo de la Diócesis

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LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER BAYOU CATHOLIC

El Año de la Fe Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2012

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El Papa Benedicto XVI ha declarado el Año de la Fe para la Iglesia Universal de octubre 11, 2012 a noviembre 24, 2013. El 11 de octubre del 2012 también marcaráotros eventos: el cincuentenario de la apertura del Segundo Concilio Vaticano como tambiénla Asamblea General del Sínodo de los obispos en Roma que tendrá como tema: La Nueva Evangelización para la Transmisión de la Fe Cristiana.También se marcará el 20° aniversario de la publicación del Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica, un libro promulgado por el beato Juan Pablo II, «con la intención de ilustrar a todos los fieles el poder y la belleza de la fe» (Benedicto XVI).

No es la primera vez que la Iglesia celebra el Año de la Fe en los últimos años. En 1967 también se celebró el Año de la Fe por la voluntad del Papa Pablo VI en conmemoración al décimo noveno centenariodel martirio de ambos San Pedro y San Pablo en Roma.

El Papa Benedicto XVI expresó lo siguiente sobre esta celebración: «Será una buena ocasión para introducir a todo el cuerpo eclesial en un tiempo de especial reflexión y redescubrimiento de la fe.» Dijo, también: «el Año de la Fe es una invitación a una auténtica y renovada conversión al Señor, único Salvador del mundo. Dios, en el misterio de su muerte y resurrección, ha revelado en plenitud el Amor que salva y llama a los hombres a la conversión de vida mediante la remisión de los pecados.»

Nuestra fe no consiste en el asentimientoverbal o mental de declaraciones. La fe se concentra en Dios.

Decir: «Creo en un sólo Dios» es asentir el compromiso personal con el Dios único que se ha revelado al mundo.

Es el compromiso de aceptar a Dios y a seguirlo con toda plenitud. El Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica dice: «La fe es ante todo una adhesión personal del hombre a Dios; es al mismo tiempo e inseparablemente el asentimiento libre a toda la verdad que Dios ha revelado» (CIC 150).

En la niñez, fuimos bautizados en la fe cómo Jesucristo lo había revelado a los apóstoles y a sus sucesores. Fue la fe de nuestros padres —aun siendo limitado— que nos condujo hacia las aguas salvíficas de regeneración y la vida nueva. Nos convertimos en hijos de Dios, en templos del Espíritu Santo y en miembros de la comunidad de creyentes. Con el tiempo, nuestros padres y otros nos han enseñado los aspectos fundamentales de nuestra fe en nuestro camino de fe del bautismo inicial, a la primera penitencia de la primera Eucaristía y a la confirmación del matrimonio o las santas órdenes.

En su mayoría, el mensaje fue sólo palabras que escuchábamos y aceptábamos pero que por algún tiempo no aceptábamos con plenitud en nuestro ser.

Recibimos el sacramento y el catecismo pero no fuimos evangelizados plenamente. Tal vez llegamos a conocer las enseñanzas, pero, ¿conocimos y aceptamos a Jesús con plenitud como el Señor y Salvador de nuestras vidas?

Tal vez pronunciamos el Credo de manera memorizada pero nunca vivimos suverdadero significado en nuestra vida cotidiana. Es posible que haya un quiebre entre lo que profesamos y cómo hemos vivido.

La fe es un don de Dios, pero un don que necesita desenvolverse y llevarse a cabo. Los músculos en mis brazos son dones físicos que me permiten levantar y mover cosas. Pero si mi brazo ha estado amarrado a mi cuerpo por diez años entonces esos músculos que no reciben ejercicio se atrofiarán y se harán

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casi inservibles. Sólo saber algo en mi mente y no vivirlo en mi corazón y en mi vida resultará en una atrofia espiritual. Así como el cuerpo de un niño en un ámbito adulto es limitado y es más susceptible a las enfermedades, también la fe limitada e inmadura de un adulto se hace débil y susceptible a las cosas que amenazan la fe.

Nuestra fe no es un componente privado en nuestras vidas. Mi fe será revelada hacia los demás y por los demás de manera verdadera y auténtica y no solamente con palabras. Debido a la fe en Jesucristo, miles de cristianos a través de los siglos han perdurado el sufrimiento y hasta la muerte. La fe, el amor, el compromiso y la confianza en Dios —que ha dado su vida por ellos— les ha motivado a elegir la vida con Jesús en lugar de vivir sin Él. Pero también se pueden ver ejemplos de personas que —por tener una fe débil y subdesarrollada— no han podido soportar la amenaza de sus perseguidores y no han podido salvar sus vidas humanas.

Hoy la fe que tienen muchos de nuestros semejantes es producto de lo que aprendieron en su infancia.

Muchos de nosotros todavía no nos hemos adueñado de nuestra fe personal y no ha sido una prioridad en nuestras vidas. La amenaza que hemos enfrentado no ha sido la muerte física sino tener que elegir entre la verdadera fe o creer en lo que nos permite permanecer dentro de nuestro margen de comodidad.

Cuando se presentan dudas o preguntas no tenemos la habilidad de aportar una respuesta a favor de nuestra fe. A veces los argumentos de los demás parecen ser más convincentes que mi fe. Tiendo a caer porque mi comprensión y compromiso es débil y limitado y no por lo que me han enseñado a creer en mi niñez.

Por tanto hemos sido convocados durante este Año de la Fe a buscar una comprensión más profunda de nuestra fe, una comprensión y un compromiso con nuestra fe y Jesucristo, el «que organiza esta carrera de la fe y la premia al final» (Hebreos 12:2). Hemos recibido el llamado a dar testimonio de nuestra fe a los demás en los momentos y lugares apropiados por medio de la evangelización. ¿Cómo llegamos a obtener una compresión más profunda de nuestra fe? Una de las maneras que el Santo Padre sugiere es escudriñando el Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica y los Documentos del Vaticano II. ¿Qué pasaría si cada uno de nosotros se comprometiera a leer diariamente por media hora una sección de uno de estos documentos durante el Año de la Fe? ¿Nos ayudaría esto a aumentar nuestro conocimiento y comprensión? Y, ¿qué si lo hiciéramos buscando las citas bíblicas? Es decir, sin el estudio, el aprendizaje y el crecimiento seránlimitados. ¿Qué otras cosas se están planificandodurante este Año de la Fe que nos van a ayudar a participar con más plenitud?

El 11 de octubre, 2012 le he pedido a cada parroquia que celebre misa con las intenciones del Año de la Fe y la apertura de la Asamblea General del Sínodo de los obispos sobre el tema de la Evangelización.

Le he pedido a todas las parroquias de nuestra diócesis que el próximo fin de semana exhiban —de manera apropiada— el Credo en frente de las iglesias y en lugares donde los fieles puedan firmarlo públicamente durante el Año de la Fe. Estas exhibiciones se recogerán y serán llevadas a la Catedral durante la clausura del Año —La Festividad de Cristo Rey el 24 de noviembre, 2013— donde recibirán mi bendición y luego serán

devueltas a cada parroquia.

He alentado a todos los sacerdotes que utilicen todas las oportunidades que tengan para explicar los elementos diversos del Credo que profesamos cada domingo.

BayouCatholic presentará artículos sobre los Documentos del Segundo Concilio Vaticano. Alimento para la Jornada que se reúne el primer martes de cada mes de 11:30a.m. a 1:00p.m. llevará a cabo charlas sobre algunos de estos documentos. Las Conferencias de Hombres y Mujeres de Diosharán su tema principal el Año de la Fe. La Oración de Fe del Año divulgado por el Vaticano se llevará a cabo en todas las misas durante este año. Además todas las parroquias tendrán que desarrollar su propia manera de observar este momento de gracia.

Concluiré con el párrafo final de la declaración del Santo Padre sobre el Año de la Fe: «Que este Año de la Fe haga cada vez más fuerte la relación con Cristo, el Señor, pues sólo en Él tenemos la certeza para mirar al futuro y la garantía de un amor auténtico y duradero.

Las palabras del apóstol Pedro proyectan un último rayo de luz sobre la fe: ‘Por ello os alegráis, aunque ahora sea preciso padecer un poco en pruebas diversas; así la autenticidad de vuestra fe, más preciosa que el oro, que, aunque es perecedero, se aquilata a fuego, merecerá premio, gloria y honor en la revelación de Jesucristo; sin haberlo visto lo amáis y, sin contemplarlo todavía, creéis en Él y así os alegráis con un gozo inefable y radiante, alcanzando así la meta de vuestra fe; la salvación de vuestras almas’ (1 Pedro 1: 6-9). La vida de los cristianos conoce la experiencia de la alegría y el sufrimiento. Cuántos santos han experimentado la soledad. Cuántos creyentes son probados también en 13 nuestros días por el silencio de Dios, mientras quisieran escuchar su voz consoladora. Las pruebas de la vida, a la vez que permiten comprender el misterio de la Cruz y participar en los sufrimientos de Cristo (cf. Colosenses 1: 24), son preludio de la alegría y la esperanza a la que conduce la fe: ‘Cuando soy débil, entonces soy fuerte’ (2 Corintios 12: 10). Nosotros creemos con firme certeza que el Señor Jesús ha vencido el mal y la muerte.

Con esta segura confianza nos encomendamos a Él: presente entre nosotros, vence el poder del maligno (cf. Lucas 11: 20), y la Iglesia, comunidad visible de su misericordia, permanece en Él como signo de la reconciliación definitiva con el Padre.»

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Thö Muïc Vuï Cuûa Ñöùc Cha Sam G. Jacobs Göûi Ñeán Giaùo Daân Trong Ñòa Phaän

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Naêm Ñöùc Tin

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER BAYOU CATHOLIC

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2012

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Töø ngaøy 11 thaùng 10, naêm 2012 tôùi ngaøy 24 thaùng 11, naêm 2013, Ñöùc Bieån Ñöùc 16 tuyeân boá Naêm Ñöùc Tin cho toaøn Giaùo Hoäi. Ngaøy 11 thaùng 10 naêm 2012 ñaùnh daáu 50 naêm khôûi söï Coâng Ñoàng Chung Vatican II. Noù cuõng seõ laø ngaøy khôûi ñaàu Thöôïng Hoäi Ñoàng Giaùm Muïc höôùng veà Taân Phuùc AÂm Hoaù mang töïa ñeà: Taùi truyeàn giaûng Phuùc AÂm ñeå truyeàn Baù Ñöùc Tin. Ngaøy ñoù cuõng ñaùnh daáu 20 naêm ngaøy coâng boá cuoán giaùo lyù Coâng Giaùo, do Ñöùc Thaùnh Cha AÙ Thaùnh Gioan Phaoloâ II, “vôùi caùi nhìn chöùng minh cho toaøn giaùo daân söùc maïnh vaø veû ñeïp cuûa ñöùc tin” (Beânedictoâ 16). Ñaây khoâng phaûi laø laàn ñaàu tieân Giaùo Hoäi möøng naêm ñöùc tin trong thôøi ñaïi naøy. Naêm 1967 Ñöùc Phaoloâ VI ñaõ keâu goïi moïi ngöôøi möøng naêm ñöùc tin ñeå ñaùnh daáu 19 theá kyû sau khi 2 thaùnh Toâng Ñoà Pheâroâ vaø Phaoloâ töû ñaïo taïi Roâma. Ñöùc Bieån Ñöùc 16 noùi nhöõng lôøi sau ñaây: “Ñaây laø cô hoäi toát thuùc ñaåy toaøn theå Giaùo Hoäi vaøo thôøi ñieåm nhaát ñònh ñeå suy gaãm vaø khaùm phaù laïi ñöùc tin.” Ngaøi theâm raèng, “Naêm Ñöùc Tin laø söï keát tuï cuûa söï thoáng hoái vaø thaønh thaät ñoái vôùi Chuùa, moät Ñaáng Cöùu Tinh nhaân loaïi. Chính trong maàu nhieäm söï cheát vaø phuïc sinh cuûa Ngaøi, Thieân Chuùa ñaõ baøy toû tình yeâu troïn veïn ñeå cöùu ñoä vaø keâu goïi chuùng ta aên naên saùm hoái qua söï tha thöù toäi loãi. Ñöùc tin cuûa chuùng ta khoâng phaûi laø saûm phaåm cuûa lôøi noùi hay phaåm chaát cuûa taâm linh. Ñöùc tin ñaët troïng taâm vaøo nhöõng ngöôøi tin vaøo Chuùa. Noùi raèng “Toâi tin vaøo moät Chuùa duy nhaát” töùc laø nhaát taâm tuaân phuïc Chuùa, Ñaáng ñaõ maëc khaûi Mình cho nhaân loaïi. Saùch giaùo lyù Coâng Giaùo noùi raèng, “Ñöùc tin laø söï raøng buoäc ñaàu tieân cuûa mình vôùi Chuùa. Cuøng luùc ñoù, vaø khoâng theå thieáu ñöôïc laø nghieâm chænh chaáp nhaän moïi söï thaät maø Ngaøi ñaõ maëc khaûi” (Giaùo Lyù Coâng Giaùo 150).

Khi coøn laø treû con chuùng ta ñöôïc röûa toäi trong ñöùc tin vì ñöùc tin ñoù ñaõ ñöôïc baøy toû qua Chuùa Gieâsu cho caùc Toâng Ñoà vaø nhöõng ngöôøi keá vò caùc ngaøi. Vì ñöùc tin cuûa cha meïmaëc daàu giôùi haïn-ñaõ ñöa chuùng ta tôùi nöôùc haèng soáng vaø taùi sinh vaø tieáp nhaän cuoäc soáng môùi. Chuùng ta ñaõ trôû thaønh con caùi Thieân Chuùa. Chuùng ta bieán thaønh ñeàn thôø Thaùnh Thaàn vaø nhöõng phaàn töû cuûa coäng ñoàng ñöùc tin. Qua nhöõng naêm thaùng cha meï chuùng ta vaø nhöõng ngöôøi khaùc nöõa ñaõ chia seû cho chuùng ta caên baûn ñöùc tin treân con ñöôøng löõ haønh maø chuùng ta ñang ñi töø röûa toäi, röôùc leã laàn ñaàu ñeán theâm söùc roài hoân nhaân hay truyeàn chöùc thaùnh.

Raát nhieàu khi söï chuù taâm chæ laø nhöõng lôøi giaùo huaán vaø roài chaáp nhaän, nhöng laïi khoâng aùp duïng nhöõng gì mình thuï huaán ñöôïc trong ñôøi soáng. Chuùng ta laõnh nhaän bí tích, hoïc giaùo lyù, nhöng khoâng hoaøn toaøn soáng ñaïo. Coù theå chuùng ta bieát giaùo lyù nhöng khoâng hoaøn toaøn laõnh hoäi vaø chaáp nhaän Chuùa Gieâsu laø Chuùa vaø laø Ñaáng Cöùu Ñoä trong ñôøi soáng? Chuùng ta coù theå ñoïc Kinh Tin Kính thuoäc loøng theo thoùi quen nhöng cuøng luùc ñoù laïi khoâng soáng vôùi nhöõng gì mình tin. Coù theå ñaõ khoâng coù söï loái keát giöõa nhöõng gì mình tuyeân xöng vaø ñôøi soáng ñöùc tin. Ñöùc tin laø moùn quaø Chuùa ban, nhöng moùn quaø ñoù phaûi mang ra duøng vaø phaùt trieån. Caùc baép thòt treân caùnh tay laø nhöõng moùn quaø giuùp toâi naâng nhöõng moùn ñoà naëng vaø di chuyeån chuùng. Nhöng neáu caùnh tay cuûa toâi khoâng hoaït ñoäng caû 10 naêm nay, nhöõng baét thòt löôøi bieáng ñoùù seõ teo laïi vaø voâ duïng. Neáu chæ bieát ôû trong ñaàu vaø khoâng soáng

a

qua traùi tim thì ñôøi soáng cuûa toâi seõ hao moøn. Neáu moät thaân theå treû con hieän dieän trong hình daùng ngöôøi lôùn thì seõ bò giôùi haïn vaø coù theå deã bò beänh. Vì theá, ñöùc tin nhö moät ñöùa beù thaät söï raát yeáu vaø nguy hieåm ñeán ñöùc tin cuûa ngöôøi beân caïnh. Ñöùc tin khoâng phaûi laø caáu keát cuûa ñôøi soáng rieâng tö. Ñöùc tin laø chöùng minh cho ngöôøi khaùc thaáy vaø qua hoï noù coù giaù trò thöïc söï, khoâng chæ baèng moâi mieäng. Vì hoï tin vaøo Chuùa Gieâsu, haøng ngaøn ngöôøi Kytoâ qua bao nhieâu theá kyû ñaõ chòu ñau khoå vaø keå caû töû ñaïo nöõa. Ñöùc tin vaø tình yeâu, söï quyeát taâm vaø nieàm tin vaø Chuùa, Ñaáng ñaõ hy sinh maïng soáng mình cho hoï ñaõ thuùc ñaåy hoï choïn ñôøi soáng coù Chuùa thay vì khoâng coù Ngaøi. Cuøng luùc ñoù cuõng coù nhöõng ngöôøi vì ñöùc tin yeáu hoaëc khoâng ñaâm reã ñaõ boû ñaïo khi söï baùch haïi xaûy ñeán ñeå cöùu laáy maïng soáng cuûa rieâng mình.

Ngaøy nay, ñöùc tin cuûa nhieàu ngöôøi gioáng nhö luùc chuùng ta coøn beù. Trong chuùng ta coù nhieàu ngöôøi ñöùc tin ñaõ khoâng phaùt trieån vaø thaät söï caûm nhaän ñöôïc ñöùc tin cuûa mình, noù ñaõ khoâng laø troïng taâm chính cuûa ñôøi soáng. Söï thöû thaùch maø chuùng ta gaëp phaûi khoâng phaûi laø söï cheát veà theå xaùc.

Nhöng chính laø söï löïa choïn hay goàm nhöõng thöù maø chuùng ta choïn ñeå tin vaø tin nhöõng gì ñöa ñeán söï thoaûi maùi cho thaân xaùc thoâi. Khi caâu hoûi hoaëc thaéc maéc ñeán chuùng ta khoâng theå coù caâu traû lôøi cho ñöùc tin. Ñoâi khi söï tranh luaän cuûa ngöôøi khaùc maïnh hôn nhöõng gì chuùng ta ñaët ñöùc tin vaøo. Toâi boû nieàm tin khoâng phaûi vì nhöõng gì maø toâi ñöôïc thuï huaán khoâng phaûi laø sai nhöng bôûi vì söï naém vöõng nieàm tin yeáu vaø söï quyeát taâm noâng caïn.

Vì theá trong naêm Ñöùc Tin naøy chuùng ta ñöôïc keâu goïi nhaän thöùc saâu sa hôn ñöùc tin cuûa mình, hieåu noù nhieàu hôn vaø quyeát taâm soáng vôùi ñöùc tin ñoù vaø tín thaùc vaøo Chuùa Gieâsu, “Ngaøi laø taùc giaû cuûa ñöùc tin vaø laø Ngöôøi laøm cho ñöùc tin ta neân toaøn haûo” (Thö Do Thaùi 12:2). Chuùng ta ñöôïc keâu goïi ñeå laøm chöùng veà ñöùc tin cho ngöôøi khaùc trong hoaøn caûnh vaø thôøi gian thích hôïp qua söï quaûng baù tin möøng.

Laøm sao chuùng ta hieåu roõ hôn veà ñöùc tin cuûa mình? Moät trong nhöõng caùch thöùc maø Ñöùc Thaùnh Cha ñeà nghò laø hoïc hoûi giaùo lyù cuûa Giaùo Hoäi vaø taøi lieäu Coâng Ñoàng Vatican II. Neáu coù theå moãi ngöôøi trong chuùng ta ñeå ra nöûa tieáng ñoàng hoà moãi ngaøy ñoïc vaø tìm hieåu moät phaàn caùc taøi lieäu trong suoát caû naêm? Caùch naøy coù giuùp chuùng ta ñaøo saâu söï hieåu bieát khoâng? Neâuù coù theå chuùng ta tìm nhöõng caâu trích töø Thaùnh Kinh? Noùi caùch khaùc khoâng hoïc hoûi thì seõ giôùi haïn trong söï hieåu bieát vaø khoâng theå thaêng tieán ñöôïc. Coøn nhöõng gì chuùng ta ñaõ hoaëch ñònh trong naêm Ñöùc Tin seõ giuùp chuùng ta thaät söï soáng trong naêm ñoù?

Vaøo ngaøy 11 thaùng 10 naøy toâi yeâu caàu moãi giaùo xöù daâng Thaùnh leã vôùi yù chæ caàu nguyeän cuûa naêm Ñöùc Tin vaø ngaøy khai maïc Thöôïng Hoäi Ñoàng Giaùm Muïc veà Rao Giaûng.

Tuaàn sau ñoù, toâi yeâu caàu moãi xöù ñaïo coù moät cuoán soå ñeå ôû choã thích hôïp ñeå giaùo daân kyù Kinh Tin Kính baát cöù luùc naøo coù theå trong naêm Ñöùc Tin. Cuoán soå naøy sau ñoù seõ ñöa tôùi nhaø thôø chính toøa vaøo ngaøy keát thuùc Naêm Ñöùc Tin-ñoù chính laø Leã Chuùa Kytoâ Vua vaøo ngaøy 24 thaùng 11, 2013-ñeå toâi laøm pheùp vaø roài traû laïi cho caùc giaùo xöù.

Toâi cuõng khuyeán khích caùc linh muïc duøng baát cöù cô hoäi naøo ñoù giaûi thích moät vaøi yeáu toá trong Kinh Tin Kính maø chuùng ta ñoïc trong ngaøy Chuû Nhaät. Tôø baùo Bayou Catholic

seõ ñaêng nhöõng baøi baùo noùi veà caùc taøi lieäu cuûa Coâng Ñoàng.

Food for the Journey thöôøng ñöôïc toå chöùc vaøo moãi thöù ba ñaàu thaùng töø 11:30 saùng ñeán 1 giôø chieàu seõ noùi veà moät soá taøi lieäu cuûa Coâng Ñoàng. Nhöõng buoåi hoäi hoïp cuûa nam nöõ seõ nhaém vaøo chuû ñeà cuûa Naêm Ñöùc Tin. Kinh nguyeän cuûa naêm Ñöùc Tin maø Giaùo Hoäi ban haønh seõ ñoïc ôû moãi Thaùnh Leã trong caû naêm. Ngoaøi ra, moãi giaùo xöù caàn ñeà ra nhöõng phöông höôùng ñeå thöïc thi trong naêm naøy.

Toâi keát thuùc baøi vieát vôùi moät ñoaïn keát cuûa Ñöùc Thaùnh Cha veà naêm Ñöùc Tin. “Trong Naêm Ñöùc Tin naøy xin cho söï lieân heä cuûa chuùng ta vôùi Chuùa Kytoâ ñöôïc vöõng vaøng, vì chæ coù Ngaøi môùi coù söï xaùc tín ñeå nhìn veà töông lai vaø ñaûm baûo moät tình yeâu chaân thaät vaø vöõng beàn. Lôøi cuûa thaùnh Pheâroâ laø tia saùng cuoái cuøng cho ñöùc tin: ‘Trong tình huoáng naøy caùc con haõy vui möøng, maëc daàu baây giôø caùc con phaûi chòu nhieàu thöû thaùch, nhö theá ñöùc tin môùi troïn veïn, vì noù quyù hôn vaøng ñöôïc thöû löûa, seõ mang laïi söï ca ngôïi vaø vinh quang vaø danh döï trong söï theå hieän cuûa Chuùa Gieâsu Kytoâ.

Maëc daàu khoâng thaáy Ngaøi caùc con meán Ngaøi; maëc daàu khoâng thaáy Ngaøi caùc con tin Ngaøi vaø haõy vui möøng vôùi nieàm vui khoâng taû. Nhö thaønh quaû cuûa ñöùc tin caùc con seõ nhaän ñöôïc söï cöùu roãi cho caùc linh hoàn’ (1Peter 1:6-9). Ñôøi soáng cuûa nhöõng Kytoâ laø caûm nhaän nhöõng kinh nghieäm vui cuõng nhö ñau khoå. Coù bao nhieâu caùc thaùnh ñaõ soáng trong coâ ñôn vaø tónh mòch! Coù bao nhieâu nhöõng giaùo daân, keå caû trong thôøi ñaïi chuùng ta, ñöôïc thöû thaùch qua söï thinh laëng cuûa Chuùa, maø ngöôïc laïi hoï chæ muoán nghe söï an uûi cuûa Ngaøi! Söï thöû thaùch trong cuoäc soáng, trong khi giuùp chuùng ta hieåu ñöôïc söï maàu nhieäm cuûa thaäp töï vaø tham gia vaøo söï khoå naïn cuûa Chuùa (cf. Colossians 1:24), laø môû ñaàu cho 15 nieàm hoan laïc vaø hy voïng maø ñöùc tin daãn daét: ‘khi toâi yeáu chính laø luùc toâi maïnh’ (2 Corinthians 12:10). Chuùng ta tin vôùi söï xaùc tín raèng Chuùa Gieâsu ñaõ chieán thaéng söï döõ vaø söï cheát. Vôùi nieàm tin vöùng beàn naøy chuùng ta phoù thaùc cho Chuùa: Ngaøi hieän dieän giöõa chuùng ta, chieán thaéng söï döõ (cf.

Luke 11:20); vaø Giaùo Hoäi, moät coâng ñoàng hieän höõu cuûa loøng Chuùa khoan dung lieân heä vôùi Ngaøi nhö laø daáu chæ cuûa söï tha thöù troïn veïn vôùi Chuùa Cha.”

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Comment The Pope Speaks

power or glory but, if necessary, to self-abandonment, to losing one’s life for Christ and the Gospel in order to save it,” he said.

Yet Pope Benedict also cited another of the day’s Mass readings, the epistle of St. James, to emphasize the spiritual value of “concrete actions” and works, concluding that “service is a

B 16

BEIRUT (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI acknowledged the suffering of Christians in the Middle East, reassuring them and urging them to promote peace through religiously inspired service to their societies.

“Your sufferings are not in vain,” the pope told a crowd of at least 350,000 at a sweltering outdoor Mass at Beirut’s City Center Waterfront Sept. 16.

“Remain ever hopeful because of Christ.”

In his homily, Pope Benedict commented on the day’s reading from the Gospel of St. Mark, in which Jesus foretells his death and resurrection. Jesus is a “Messiah who suffers,” the pope said, “a Messiah who serves, and not some triumphant political savior.”

Speaking in a region riven by sectarian politics, where party loyalties are often determined by religious affiliation, the pope warned that people can invoke Jesus to “advance agendas which are not his, to raise false temporal hopes in his regard.”

Pope Benedict told his listeners, whose travails of war and economic insecurity he had acknowledged repeatedly throughout his visit, that Christianity is essentially a faith of redemptive suffering.

“Following Jesus means taking up one’s cross and following in his footsteps along a difficult path which leads not to earthly

CNS PHOTO/L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO VIA REUTERS

Fireworks explode in the sky as Pope Benedict XVI attends a meeting with youths in Bkerke, Lebanon, Sept. 15.

fundamental element” of Christian identity.

Addressing a region where Christian-run social services, including schools and health care facilities, are extensively used by the Muslim majority, the pope stressed the importance of “serving the poor, the outcast and the suffering,” and called on Christians

to be “servants of peace and reconciliation in the Middle East.”

“This is an essential testimony which Christians must render here, in cooperation with all people of good will,” Pope Benedict said.

During the homily, the only sound was the pope’s voice and its echo from the loudspeakers. Many people leaned over and bowed their heads with eyes closed, so they could concentrate more deeply.

Following the Mass, the pope formally presented patriarchs and bishops of the Middle East with a document of his reflections on the 2010 special Synod of Bishops, which was dedicated to the region’s Christians. In the 90page document, called an apostolic exhortation, the pope called for religious freedom and warned of the dangers of fundamentalism.

Sheltered from the sun only by white baseball caps and the occasional umbrella, people had already packed the city’s central district by 8 a.m., almost an hourand-a-half before the pope arrived in the popemobile, which took him to the foot of the altar. In temperatures that rose into the high 80s, the pope celebrated Mass under a canopy while bishops and patriarchs on either side wiped their brows and fanned themselves with programs.

Aside from the complimentary white pope caps, people in the crowd improvised versions of sun protection with torn pieces of corrugated boxes tied around heads and papal and Lebanese flags worn as bandanas.

George Srour, 38, estimated that 20,000 people came from Zahle in a convoy of chartered school buses, leaving at 5 a.m. for the 10 a.m.

Mass.

“We Christians must be united and participate” in the pope’s visit, Srour told Catholic News Service, “otherwise there will be no more Lebanon. It will become like Iraq, and now Syria, with all the Christians leaving.”

Pope calls Middle Eastern Christians to suffering, service

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2012

Question Corner Father Kenneth Doyle

The length of time it takes to join the church depends on the person

Q A

I would like to know the appropriate duration for receiving instructions in the RCIA program. Some have told me that it is three years, other say less. (Ibadan, Nigeria) The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a process of education, faith-sharing and rituals for welcoming new members into the Catholic Church. The answer to the question “How long does it take?” is “It depends.”

Adults interested in becoming practicing Catholics are at varying stages in their understanding of the Catholic faith and in their spiritual readiness and so, as much as possible, the program of preparation must be tailored to suit the individual.

The RCIA process embraces three major groups: first, those who have never been baptized, called “catechumens.” Next, those who have been baptized in another Christian church, referred to as “candidates,” and, finally, those who have been baptized as Catholics as infants

The RCIA process embraces three major groups: first, those who have never been baptized, called “catechumens.” Next, those who have been baptized in another Christian church, referred to as “candidates,” and, finally, those who have been baptized as Catholics as infants but who have never received any instruction in Catholicism (also called “candidates”). A catechumen signs the book of the elect during the rite of election at St. Joseph CoCathedral earlier this year.

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

but who have never received any instruction in Catholicism (also called “candidates”).

The RCIA process is normally offered in a group setting; this opportunity for faith-sharing develops bonds among the catechumens and candidates and often results in small Christian communities, which continue to meet long after reception into the church.

Though the RCIA is structured for the three distinct groups mentioned above, limitation in parish staffing and in the number of catechetical volunteers often results in a “one-size-fitsall” program of instruction and formation. Typically that program runs for about nine months, usually with weekly meetings. Some begin in September and end at Pentecost in the late spring.

The first few months focus on learning the Gospels and are considered as simply a period of inquiry; Catholic beliefs and practices are the subject of the next several months, with a view toward making a firm commitment to Christ and to the church. The next period coincides with Lent and is devoted to prayer, fasting and reflection, culminating in the Easter Vigil with the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and first Communion. Finally, over a sevenweek period, deeper reflection is given to the sacraments and the Catholic life.

Though the nine-month program

may be the “core program,” parishes can and do adapt its length to suit individual needs. A woman who is married to a Catholic, for example, and who has been attending Mass with her husband for many years may need only a few individual sessions with a priest or adult education director before being 17 ready to receive the sacraments.

On the other hand, a catechumen with practically no familiarity with Catholic faith and practice may require an extended inquiry phase of 2 or 3 years before feeling ready to commit to the sacraments.

People have different starting points and have their own journey to make, and parishes do well to be flexible in sponsoring and guiding that journey.

2012 Catholic News Service

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

Reflections Readings Between The Lines Father Glenn LeCompte

How did New Testament come into existence?

A 18

Acts 17:2 says that Paul journeyed to Thessalonika, entered the Jewish synagogue there and argued from the Scriptures for three weeks with the members of that community. Three weeks!

That sounds like a whole lot of fussing! The Paul depicted in his letters and Acts, however, was prone to such debate.

In Paul’s day citing an authority to underscore one’s point in a debate was essential, and Luke tells us that Paul based his arguments on “the Scriptures.” What were these “Scriptures?” Did they include what we know to be the New Testament? If you answered “no way” to the last question, you are correct. There was not even a concept of a New Testament in Paul’s day. At the time of writing of his earlier letters, such as 1 Thessalonians, Paul would not have perceived of a project of collecting “Christian” writings and then deeming them as “inspired,” meaning they contain doctrine for the universal regulation of the faith and morality of the church. I say this because a careful reading of 1 Thessalonians indicates Paul expects the Lord Jesus to return soon. There would be neither the need nor the time to compile such a collection of writings.

Evidence also suggests that the individual works that have come to be part of the New Testament were directed toward specific communities. This is readily apparent in Paul’s letters since he names his addressees.

Furthermore, in his letters

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2012

Paul deals with specific issues and concerns pertinent to each particular community to which he writes, however, the concerns of one community were not necessarily that of another.

If Paul wrote to specific communities, is the same true of the Evangelists? Luke 1:1-4 indicates that his purpose in writing his Gospel is to confirm the truth of the disparate bits of instruction in the Christian “Way” that “Theophilus” received by arranging those particles of tradition into a narrative order.

Most likely Luke, as well as the other Evangelists, is writing for a particular Christian community.

In other words, the Evangelists did not perceive that they were writing documents which would be regulatory for the entire church. If the prevailing theory that Matthew and Luke took Mark’s Gospel and expanded upon it is correct, why did they do so? And why did Matthew and Luke not expand upon Mark in exactly the same way? Most likely this happened because Matthew and

range of time in which the works we know as the New Testament were produced. Still, in 110 A.D. there was no New Testament.

So how did the New Testament that we know today come into existence, and when did this happen? Before answering this question we must ask several preliminary questions, the first of which is: “When and why did Christians start to produce written works?” We have no indication that Jesus wrote anything; all we have are writings by disciples of the first and second generations of Christians about Jesus. Between 30 and 50 A.D. we have no evidence of written works

by Christians because this was the time of oral apostolic preaching.

Also, during these years Christianity was most likely confined between Jerusalem and Galilee, but did not spread any farther than that.

The events depicted in Acts 15, whereby a big step is made toward the official Jerusalem Church’s authorization of the evangelization

d in stions e detecte w do u u o Q y e s hav tion nd ho he of Jesu ent works a Reflec upon t m images

Testa ction rent r refle t diffe fferent New u a o h y W d i n n d es expa ing of a read ffering imag g i hangin ur in those d pt to c ges that occ esus? a J d a of o n t d han perso rch ha with c rly chu o you deal a e e h ct nT ow d ble effe ur ons. H nity? favora o situati urch commu y d e t n c i e s h nexp vent e u e had a e v h l your c a t a t had ow h men i H n r . o t y i e t t d i u n ec or ia n Pers Christ ed negative ading of spre e which seem r you? if fo faith-l side-effect e v i t i s o p

Luke produced Gospels that met the catechetical needs of their specific communities.

Biblical scholars have been able to make educated guesses about the time of writing of the New Testament works partly because they mention certain people or events that help us to date them and also because when studied comparatively they show growth in theology. There is a big difference for example between the Marcan Jesus, who appears primarily as God’s righteous suffering servant, and John’s very exalted image of Jesus as the pre-existent Incarnate Word of God. Scholars have generally set a range of 51-110 A.D. for the

of the Gentiles can be roughly dated to around 49 A.D. From this point on, Christianity began to spread: to Samaria, Syria, Asia Minor and eventually into Europe. Persecution in Jerusalem was another factor leading to the diffusion of the Christian message. This geographical spread of Christianity meant that apostolic instruction often had to be given from a distance, and the letter would be the perfect tool to accomplish this task. Hence, it is no surprise that the earliest New Testament documents are Paul’s letters.

In the next issue I will consider some other factors that contributed to the spread of Christianity and the controversies that led to the formation of a New Testament.

Faustina Kowalska 1905-1938 October 5

CNS

The visionary called the apostle of divine mercy deferred a religious calling to help her poor Polish family with her earnings as a housekeeper. She entered the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in 1925, serving in Krakow, Plock and Vilnius as a cook, gardener and porter until her early death from tuberculosis. After reporting her visions of Jesus as the divine mercy, she was ordered to have a psychiatric evaluation and the church posthumously condemned her 700-page diary. Her fellow Pole, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, championed her cause and had the ban removed after a retranslation; later, as Pope John Paul II, he canonized her and designated the Second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday churchwide.

Deacon Brent Bourgeois, Sr. Chaplain

Glenn Blair

Executive Director

Journey

Saints

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Administrator/Director of Nursing

Chaplain

Hospice

Our Philosophy on Hospice Care Includes: • Allowing the patient to continue seeing their physicians.

Isaac Jogues 1607-1646 October 19

Crosiers

Born in Orleans, France, Isaac joined the Jesuits at a young age and was sent to his order’s North American mission in 1636. He and Rene Goupil were captured and tortured by a band of Iroquois in 1642. Rene was killed and Isaac was held as a slave until his rescue

by Dutch settlers. He returned to France, secured permission to continue saying Mass despite mutilated hands, and returned to Canada in 1644. He and John Lalande were tomahawked and beheaded by Huron Indians who invited them to a meal. These three and five others, the North American martyrs, are patron saints of Canada and North America. They share this feast and shrines in New York State and Ontario, Canada.

Saints

• Providing care for those who suffer from: Heart, Liver, and Kidney Disease, Dementia, Cancer, and other chronic illnesses.

• Providing Crisis Care for patients and their caregivers who experience symptoms that are related to the patient’s disease process.

• Providing hospice care for patients while at home, in assisted livings, nursing homes and hospitals.

• Our services are paid by Medicare, Medicaid, Private Insurance, or our indigent program.

• We continue medications and nutritional supplements while on our service.

Blessed John Paul II 1920-2005 October 22

• Our patients are allowed to be admitted to a hospital for symptom management.

CNS

When this popular pope died, crowds in St. Peter’s Square chanted “santo subito” (“sainthood now”). The Vatican heard, and the sainthood cause for the jet-setting pontiff who helped bring down European communism was put on the fast track; he was beatified in 2011. A Pole and former actor shaped by World War II and the Cold War, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla of Krakow was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. In his 26-year pontificate, he evangelized on trips to 129 countries, upheld traditional church doctrine against dissent, connected with the world’s youth, and named more than 450 new saints. He also modeled Christian values by forgiving his would-be assassin and living an increasingly frail old age in public.

Saints

• Providing the medications, supplies (diapers, nutritional supplements) and all medical equipment.

• We use RN’s and LPN’s for our nursing care, along with CNA’s, Social Workers, Chaplains, and Volunteers.

• We provide bereavement for no less than a year following a patient’s passing.

• Along with our Medical Director, we work with the patient’s physician to provide the best continutity of care for the patient.

To learn more about our services Call: 985-223-1865 598 Corporate Drive • Houma, LA 70360 24 Hours 7 Days a Week www.bayoucatholic.com

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Scripture Readings Monday

Tuesday

1 October 2

Wednesday

3

and a listing of Feast days and saints.

Thursday

4

Friday

5

Saturday

Sunday

6

7

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

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

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

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

Weekday Galatians 5:1-6 Luke 11:37-41

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

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

Memorial of Jean de Weekday Brebeuf and Isaac Ephesians 1:15-23 Luke 12:8-12 Jogues, priests, and companions, martyrs Ephesians 1:11-14 Luke 12:1-7

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 53:10-11 Hebrews 4:14-16 Mark 10:35-45

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29

30

31

1November 2

3

4

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

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

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

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

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

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Proclaim the Good News/The Rosary Closer Walk Spotlight/Revival

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Programs produced by the Diocesan Office of TV Communications. We reserve the right to make program changes. www.bayoucatholic.com

Heavenly Recipes

22

Story and Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier This month’s heavenly recipe is an award winning one pot meal known as “Mardi Gras Cheese Grits.”

The recipe comes from Philip Toups, a local graphic designer who loves to cook authentic Cajun and Southern cuisine. Philip, who is the brother of Father Mark Toups, credits his parents and his grandmother Ella Mae Porche for passing on their love of cooking to him.

Like many Cajun families the Toups’ loved to cook.

Holidays, celebrations and family gatherings revolved around food. “Our mom is a great cook. My dad is also an awesome cook. Everyone in our family can cook,” says Father Mark Toups. Philip moved to Washington, D.C., after graduating from L.S.U. Soon after moving he began missing the Cajun dishes he grew up with.

He would call his mom and ask about her recipes for gumbo, jambalaya and other Cajun meals. His mom would even explain to him how to cook a roux over the phone. Soon he began cooking and inviting friends over to eat the meals that he loved when growing up. His apartment was nicknamed “Gumbo House” and after 13 years of gumbo house gatherings in Washington, D.C., the tradition continues back at home.

Having friends come over and eat is always fun.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2012

However the gumbo house parties are more than good friends and good food. For years Philip would invite friends over, and ask everyone to bring a gift for a shelter for battered women and their families, and they would deliver the gifts at Christmas. “One year we collected over 300 gifts for the women and children of the shelter,” says Philip. He also teamed up with Father Mark and raised enough money to build two houses for the poor in Nicaragua while Father Mark was doing missionary work.

There are plans to have a gumbo house gathering in Houma around Christmas to benefit children affected

by Hurricane Isaac. Details will be announced Dec. 1. Information can be found at www.facebook.com/ GumboHouse. If you are a friend, be on the lookout for an invitation to “a party with a purpose.”

Mardi Gras

G e s r e i e t h s C 4 tablespoons butter, divided 1 cup diced andouille sausage 1/2 cup diced yellow onion 1/2 cup diced red onion 1/3 cup diced green bell pepper 1/3 cup diced yellow bell pepper 1/3 cup diced red bell pepper 1/4 cup diced celery 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 8 cups chicken broth 2 10 oz. cans diced tomatoes and green chilies 1 cup diced Tasso 1 cup chopped raw shrimp and/or 1 cup cooked chopped crawfish meat 2 cups frozen corn, thawed 2 tablespoons chopped parsley 1/2 cup chopped green onions 4 cups uncooked quick grits 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

23 Philip Toups serves a bowl of Mardi Gras Cheese Grits to his brother, Father Mark Toups, along with seminarians Brice Higginbotham and Christopher Dehart.

In a six quart non-stick pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add andouille and sauté 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add broth, tomatoes, Tasso, shrimp (and/or crawfish), and corn. Cover pot and bring to a light boil. Add parsley, green onions, grits, salt, cayenne pepper and black pepper. Reduce heat, cover pot and simmer about 10 minutes or until grits are done. Add cheese and blend well. Continue to cook 5 minutes. Serve hot. Makes 12 side dishes or 8 entrée servings.

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Entertainment

Seeing Clairely Claire Joller

T 24

The World Book of Happiness, written by Leo Bormans from the research of “the world’s leading experts on the psychology of happiness” presents 12 secrets of being happy. One of the “secrets” is to choose happiness.

The same week I read an article about the Bormans list, I heard on NPR an interview of a researcher at the University of Toronto, who studies the psychology of music.

Psychologist Glenn Schellenberg was going to conduct an experiment to have people rate how happy or sad particular music made them feel. He knew that tempo (fast or slow) and key (major or minor) have impact on which emotion the song evokes.

So he and his graduate assistant began to search for “happy sounding” fast songs in a major key and their opposite, “sad sounding” slow songs in a minor key.

They were both surprised to encounter problems in finding unquestionably happy songs in contemporary pop music. Almost all of the fast-tempo songs they found from recent decades were in a minor key, which Schellenberg said made them sound “emotionally complicated.”

A multitude of obvious happysounding songs existed from the classical period until the mid1960s, but not since that time.

So the study became, instead, an examination of the possible shift in the emotional content of music since the mid-1960s.

Every top 40 hit from 1965 to 2009 was studied in terms of tempo and key. Billboard’s top 40 songs of 1965, every one of them, was a “major-key song,” the researcher found. But in the subsequent decades, top 40 pop

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2012

Comfortable Sadness songs more and more were written in a minor key. By 2009, the psychologist found, only 18 of the top 40 listed songs were in a major key, regardless of tempo.

What does this say about the effect of pop music on people who listen to it? Schellenberg said that “People are responding positively to music that has these characteristics that are associated with negative emotions.” Why would we want to experience negative emotions, voluntarily?

This is the kicker: Schellenberg explains, “I think that people like to think that they’re smart … . I think

The 12 Secrets of being happy there’s a sense in which something that sounds purely happy, in particular, has a connotation of naivete.” So the upshot is that “unambiguous happiness is less socially acceptable than it used to be … . People have come to appreciate sadness and ambiguity more.”

Have we come to avoid or disdain straightforward happiness in other ways? In the name of what?

Sophistication?

One scenario the NPR interviewer related, when addressing Schellenberg’s

subject of acceptable ambiguous happiness, was that presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s campaign managers at first didn’t want to use too many photos of his sons and their families. They and their circumstances looked “too happy” for most people to identify with, I think she explained.

For those who opt to seek happiness instead of “sadness and ambiguity” I offer the following 12 secrets from the World Book of Happiness, as extracted by Linda Kelsey in the Daily Mail Online.

Accept what you have. Happy people strive for realistic goals.

Enjoy what you do. Happy people don’t work just for the money or glory.

Live for today. Happy people don’t dwell on the past or worry about what hasn’t happened yet.

Choose happiness. Actively choose to be happy.

Value relationships. Cherish people who are important to you.

Stay busy. Build a rich social life and take pleasure in the company of others.

Don’t compare. Focus on your goals and dreams instead of envying others.

Be yourself. Happy people are spontaneous, natural and real.

Stop worrying. Don’t take yourself too seriously.

Get organized. Happy people plan and organize, and have goals and a purpose.

Think positive. Happy people get troubling things off their chest, and work at developing optimistic thinking.

Value happiness. Happiness can be learned, but finding meaning and a purpose in life is what leads to it, not the other way around.

Of course a large part of finding meaning and a purpose in life is what I would add to the list (and even other secular research has shown to be important to one’s overall happiness and sense of wellbeing): Nurture your faith life.

And, I might add, don’t let the sad music get you down.

q

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Oct. 14, St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux. Prayer Service begins at 2 p.m.; reception to follow in St. Joseph Life Center. Couples celebrating 25, 40, 50, 60 years and beyond will be honored. n Catholic Charismatic Renewal monthly prayer meeting, Wednesday, Oct. 17, Lumen Christi Retreat Center, 6:30-8:30 p.m. n aNew Experience, Wednesday, Oct. 17, Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, Chackbay, 7-9 p.m. n Woman of God Gathering, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 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 invited. n Adult Faith Formation, Thursday, Oct. 18, diocesan

n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, Oct. 2, Quality Inn, Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Speaker, Bishop Sam G. Jacobs. n Red Mass, Thursday, Oct. 4, St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux, 10:30 a.m. n Adult Faith Formation, Thursday, Oct. 4, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m. Topic, “The Old Testament.” Speaker, Deacon John Pippenger. n Christmas Toy Drive applications will be accepted, Oct. 8-12, Terrebonne Parish only, St. Bernadette KC Hall, 5522 West Main Street, Houma, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. n White Mass, Sunday, Oct. 14, celebrated at each church parish. n Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Celebration, Sunday,

NOVEMBER

26

n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, Nov. 6, Quality Inn, Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Speaker, Rev. Joseph Pilola. n Marriage Preparation, Saturday, Nov. 10, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. n aNew Experience, Wednesday, Nov. 14, St. Hilary of Poitiers, Mathews, 7-9 p.m. n Adult Faith Formation-Faith Enrichment, Wednesdays, Nov. 14, 28, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m.

DECEMBER

n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, Dec. 4, Quality Inn, Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Speaker, Rev. Mark Toups. n Adult Faith Formation, Thursday, Dec. 6, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m. Topic, “Baptism and

DIOCESAN

OCTOBER

Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m. Topic, “Jesus in the Gospels.” Speaker, Deacon John Pippenger. n Day of Prayer and Song, “Blessed are the Poor in Spirit: Assuming the Spirituality of the Poor,” Oct. 19, 9:30 a.m.-Noon, Lumen Christi Retreat Center.

Father Glenn LeCompte will direct the day. n Man of God Gathering, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 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 invited. n Evening of Prayer and Song, “Whoever Lives and Believes in Me Shall Never Die: A Reflection on the Christian Meaning of Death,” Oct. 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Lumen Christi Retreat Center. Father Glenn LeCompte will direct the evening.

Topic, “Pastoral Theology and Administration.” Speaker, Kathy Lirette. n Steubenville on the Bayou group registration opens, Thursday, Nov. 15. n TEC 67 Retreat, begins Friday, Nov. 16 at 5 p.m. until Sunday, Nov. 18, at 4 p.m., Lumen Christi’s Souby Retreat Building. n ADORE, Wednesday, Nov. 28, Houma Municipal Auditorium, 7 p.m. n Catholic Charismatic Renewal monthly prayer meeting,

Wednesday, Nov. 28, Lumen Christi Retreat Center, 6:30-8:30 p.m. n ADORE, Wednesday, Nov. 28, Houma Municipal Auditorium, 7 p.m. n NCCYM, Orlando, FL, Nov. 28-Dec. 1. Contact the Office of Youth Ministry for more info. n Adult Faith Formation-Faith Enrichment, Thursday, Nov. 29, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m.

Topic, “The Trinity.” Speaker, Rev. Jules Brunet.

Confirmation.” Speaker, Rev. Robert Rogers. n Adult Faith formation, Wednesday, Dec. 12, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m. Topic, “Pastoral Theology and Administration.”

Speaker, Kathy Lirette.

n Adult Faith Formation, Thursday, Dec. 13, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m. Topic, “Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick.” Speaker, Rev. Robert Rogers

www.bayoucatholic.org

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2012

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Young Voices

Jesus says, “He who speaks out on my behalf, I will speak to my Father on their behalf.”

28

What are ways that you are speaking out for or living for Jesus in your everyday life?

One of the ways I live my life for Jesus is that I attend Mass every morning at school. I’m a member of Vandebilt’s campus ministry. We help younger students with their journey to grow in their faith life. I recently got asked to be part of a retreat team at St. Anthony of Padua Church parish in Bayou Black, to help plan retreats and make them fun and meaningful to other teenagers. By doing these things, I live my life for Christ!

Mallory Labit, 16 years old St. Anthony of Padua Church parish Vandebilt Catholic High School

I am speaking and living for Jesus everyday by respecting people and going to church and helping our church parish. On a small scale I am influencing people to go to retreats of different kinds. From the movie Evan Almighty, it is said, “Changing the world starts by one act of random kindness at a time.”

James Olin, 17 years old St. Bridget Church parish H.L. Bourgeois High School

I am leading by example by going to Mass regularly, being active in my church parish, and getting what I can from the retreats I attend and bringing it back to share with others in my community.

John Olin, 17 years old St. Bridget Church parish H.L. Bourgeois High School

I do my best to live my life with a Christian attitude. I’m always asking questions to grow deeper in my faith and closer to Jesus. Working retreats for school or participating in my youth group at my church parish are activities I enjoy because I become an instrument for God to help to bring others closer to him as well.

Korihn Pellegrin, 17 years old Annunziata Church parish Vandebilt Catholic High School

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2012

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Seminarian Education Burses

What is a seminarian burse fund?

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

How does someone establish a seminarian burse fund?

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

When is a seminarian burse complete?

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

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

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

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

Completed Burses of $15,000 each

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

- Clay Sr. & Evelida Duplantis

- Mr. & Mrs. C. Thomas Bienvenu

- C. Remie Duplantis

- Harry Booker

- Marie Elise Duplantis

- Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux (3)*

- Warren J. Harang, Jr.

- Rev. Adrian J. Caillouet

- Msgr. Raphael C. Labit

- Rev. James Louis Caillouet

- Msgr. Francis J. Legendre

- Bishop L. Abel Caillouet

- Rev. Charles Menard

- Judge/Mrs L. P. Caillouet

- Donald Peltier, Sr. (2)*

- Msgr. Lucien J. Caillouet

- Harvey Peltier (30)*

- Abdon J. & Ada B. Callais

- Richard Peltier

- Harold & Gloria Callais Family

- Orleans & Louella Pitre

- Paul A. Callais

- Msgr. Joseph Wester

- Peter W. Callais

- Robert R. Wright, Jr.

- Vincent & Fannie Cannata

- Rev. Kermit Trahan

- Minor Sr. & Lou Ella Cheramie

- Diocesan K of C

- Maude & Edith Daspit

- Endowment Fund - $119,136.90

June 2012 Burse Contributions Donald Peltier, Sr. #3 ...................................... $1,000.00 St. Bernadette Mens Club .................................. $750.00 Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier ............................. $100.00 Mr. Eledier Broussard ........................................ $100.00 Mr. Warren J. Harrang #2 .................................. $100.00 Rev. Msgr. William Koninkx ............................. $100.00 Rev. Robert J. Sevigny ...................................... $100.00 Deacon Eldon Frazier .......................................... $50.00 Deacon Nick Messina .......................................... $50.00

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

Open Burses with Balance as of 8/31/12 Mr. Eledier Broussard ................. $12,000.00 Sidney J. & Lydie C. Duplantis ........... $10,800.00 Msgr. Raphael C. Labit #2 .................. $10,720.00 Harvey Peltier #31 .............................. $10,486.91 Clay Sr. & Evelida Duplantis #2 .......... $10,000.00 C. Remie Duplantis #2 ........................ $10,000.00 Marie Elise Duplantis #2 ..................... $10,000.00 Maude & Edith Daspit #2 .................... $10,000.00 Msgr. George A. Landry ...................... $10,000.00 Donald Peltier, Sr. # 3 ............................ $9,100.00 St. Bernadette Men’s Club .................... $8,850.00 Rev. Victor Toth ..................................... $7,000.00 Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier ................. $6,800.00 Brides of the Most Blessed Trinity ......... $5,935.00 Rev. Peter Nies ..................................... $5,600.00 Elie & Dot Klingman .............................. $5,080.00 Mr. & Mrs. Love W. Pellegrin ................. $5,000.00 Anonymous #2 ...................................... $5,000.00 Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis Fmly.#4..... $5,000.00 Rev. William M. Fleming ........................ $5,000.00 Rev. Kasimir Chmielewski ..................... $4,839.00 Harry Booker #2 .................................... $4,138.00

Rev. Henry Naquin ................................ $3,905.00 Rev. Gerard Hayes ................................ $3,886.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ........................... $3,800.00 Kelly Curole Frazier ............................... $3,490.96 J. R. Occhipinti ...................................... $3,400.00 Catholic Daughters ................................ $3,230.00 Joseph “Jay” Fertitta .............................. $3,145.00 Mr. & Mrs. Galip Jacobs ........................ $3,060.00 St. Jude ................................................. $3,000.00 Diocesan K of C #2 ............................... $2,894.62 Rev. Peter H. Brewerton ........................ $2,600.00 Mrs. Ayres A. Champagne ..................... $2,000.00 Rev. H. C. Paul Daigle ........................... $1,900.00 Anawin Community ............................... $1,900.00 James J. Buquet, Jr. ............................... $1,650.00 Msgr. Francis J. Legendre #2 ................ $1,645.00 Msgr. Emile J. Fossier ........................... $1,545.00 Dr. William Barlette, Sr........................... $1,525.00 Msgr. Stanislaus Manikowski ................ $1,525.00 Rev. Robert J. Sevigny .......................... $1,500.00 Msgr. John L. Newfield .......................... $1,200.00 Rev. Guy Zeringue ................................ $1,150.00

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 Warren J. Harang, Jr. #2 ......................... $1,000.00 Deacon Willie Orgeron ............................. $800.00 Rev. Anthony Rousso ............................... $800.00 Deacon Roland Dufrene ........................... $750.00 Mr. & Mrs. John Marmande ...................... $700.00 Deacon Edward J. Blanchard ................... $660.00 Deacon Raymond LeBouef ...................... $550.00 Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Cannata .................... $500.00 Deacon Robert Dusse’ ............................. $450.00 Deacon Harold Kurtz ................................ $300.00 Richard Peltier #2 ..................................... $300.00 Claude Bergeron ...................................... $200.00 Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Naquin .......................... $150.00 Rev. Hubert C. Broussard ........................ $ 50.00 Deacon Eldon Frazier .............................. $ 50.00 Deacon Nick Messina .............................. $ 50.00

Overall Seminarian Burse Totals: $1,345,747.39 www.bayoucatholic.com

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Special

Guest Columnist Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue

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Over the past months, the church has been struggling with the federal government over the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services mandate, forcing all private health plans to provide coverage of sterilization and contraception. Many in the media have attempted to make this an issue solely about access to contraception, but at its root is an affront to religious liberty. This is not just a “Catholic Church” issue, but one that threatens the religious freedom of all people of all faiths.

This issue is not about the church desiring to control the moral life of all people; instead, it concerns the federal government demanding the church to act against her moral teachings. It is about the government interfering with the rights of its citizens to freely exercise their religious beliefs and personal consciences.

Separation of Church and State The First Amendment of our Constitution insists, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The words “separation of church and state” are often used to describe the relationship that exists but are nowhere to be found in this document; instead, they are from a response sent to the Danbury Baptist Association in Connecticut from President Thomas Jefferson in 1802.

The Danbury Baptists expressed concern over the lack in their state constitution of explicit protection of religious liberty, and against a government establishment of religion. As a religious minority in Connecticut, the Danbury Baptists were concerned that a religious

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2012

The Catholic struggle and religious freedom majority might establish a state religion at the cost of the liberties of religious minorities.

Thomas Jefferson’s response, dated Jan. 1, 1802, concurs with the Danbury Baptists’ views on religious liberty, and the accompanying separation of civil government from concerns of religious doctrine and practice. He writes: “Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only and not opinions … their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between church and state.”

This “wall of separation” was therefore to protect churches from government interference while allowing and encouraging faith to guide the actions of the people and provide good social order. Religion sees that wall having a door in order to protect people and their religious beliefs from government interference but also to allow religion to interact with and help guide society, to establish good morals and social order.

Jefferson desired to let religion take care of itself without government interference: “We have solved, by fair experiment, the great and interesting question whether freedom of religion is compatible with order in government and obedience to the laws. And we have experienced the quiet as well as the comfort which results from leaving everyone to profess freely and openly those principles of religion which are the inductions of his own reason and the serious convictions

of his own inquiries.”

In other words, because of the favorable experience of religious liberty, let religion take care of the people, and the people will live in just order, allowing government to function with ease.

During his presidency, Thomas Jefferson sheds light on the relationship between religious institutions and the government.

Religion is at all times a matter between God and individuals. No one is made to suffer in name, person or effects because of his or her religious beliefs. The legitimate powers of government extend no further than to protect the people from persons who act with harm toward others. Finally, the government has no right to interfere with religious doctrine or governance or one’s conscience in exercising his or her beliefs.

Aspect of Conscience The right to live out one’s beliefs according to the dictates of one’s conscience is also being threatened.

With the health care mandate, an individual’s conscience governing certain aspects of religious morality is being disregarded. Individual business owners’ consciences and their own religious liberty are being disregarded.

One of the most distinguished Catholic statesmen of the early 19th century was William Gaston, who after serving in both the state legislature and Congress for two terms was named to the Supreme Court of North Carolina. In a speech, Gaston said the following regarding law and religious freedom, especially relating to conscience: “But of all the attempts to arrogate unjust dominion, none is so pernicious as the efforts of tyrannical men to rule over the human conscience. Religion is exclusively an affair between

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man and his God. If there be any subject upon which the interference of human power is more forbidden, than on all others, it is on religion.”

Even God does not coerce or impede our freedom. We can choose to believe, doubt or reject according to the impression revealed truth makes upon the mind and heart of every individual.

Not understanding that the church is more than a parish but also encompasses its social institutions established to assist in promoting the Gospel message, the government today can hinder the free exercise of religion by defining who and what is Catholic. In 1887, when Cardinal James Gibbons took possession in Rome of his titular church of Santa Maria in Trastevere, he spoke of the church’s ability to share the mission of Christ. He says: “For myself, as a citizen of the United States, and without closing my eyes to our shortcomings as a nation, I say, with a deep sense of pride and gratitude, that I belong to a country where the civil government holds over us the aegis of its protection, without interfering with us in the legitimate exercise of our sublime mission as ministers of the Gospel of Christ.”

The church and other religions had the latitude both to preach the Gospel message and perform works of charity in social ministries without the interference of the government or its regulations. This is seemingly not the case today for the church or her individual members.

A Possible Future Charles J. Bonaparte, secretary of the Navy and attorney general under Theodore Roosevelt, wrote about the extent of government involvement in the lives of people and their practice of their faith and beliefs. Perhaps he gave a prophetic warning to us today of the road ahead if the government continues to encroach upon our religious freedom. In a speech given on July 11, 1889, Bonaparte compares American freedom to European freedom: “To the ephemeral republics which this century has seen rise and fall in Europe, this spirit has been utterly alien; they may have committed the state’s authority to many hands, but have made that authority ever more and more arbitrary and far reaching; in such a republic, ‘That worst of tyrants, a usurping crowd’ intrudes upon every phase of a man’s life, assumes to watch over his coming in and his going out, the management of his

property, the education of his children, the care of his health, to dictate even the words he shall use and the clothes he shall wear ... The state becomes itself a church, a church wanting, indeed, in almost all that makes a church a means of good, but with a potent influence for evil … and under such a government, the Catholic Church stands face to face with a rival.”

The church does not want to be a rival with our government. We want to work together in promoting the common good in liberty and law. From the founding of our nation, Thomas Jefferson has seen the benefits of religious liberty in promoting the American endeavor, but our government is gradually encroaching upon every phase of our lives. It is becoming more difficult to freely exercise the Gospel message to love God and neighbor. The church has been one of the most charitable organizations in the country, assisting people no matter their race, religion or nationality.

It does serve the government best to allow us the legitimate exercise of our mission as disciples of Christ.

Let us pray for our leaders, that they may tenaciously protect our religious liberty. Perhaps Cardinal Dolan expressed our sentiments in his prayer at the Democratic National Convention: “Renew in all our people a profound respect for religious liberty: the first, most cherished freedom bequeathed upon us at our Founding. May our liberty be in harmony with truth; freedom ordered in goodness and justice. Help us live our freedom in faith, hope and love.”

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Feature

Catholic Daughters celebrate 100th Court Cardinal Gibbons No. 177 established in 1912

By LOUIS G. AGUIRRE Court Cardinal Gibbons No. 177, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, this year celebrates the 100th anniversary of its founding. The organization has been serving the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma, and the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in general, since June 23, 1912.

Their works are best described by their Mission Statement: “The purposes of the organization are to participate in the religious, charitable and educational apostolates of the church. Catholic Daughters of the Americas engages in creative and spiritual programs which provide its members with the opportunity to develop their God-given talents in meaningful ways that positively influence the welfare of the church and all people throughout the world. Catholic Daughters of the Americas strives to embrace the principle of 32 faith through love in the promotion of justice, equality and the advancement of human rights and human dignity for all.”

In their first 100 years, Court Cardinal Gibbons No. 177 CDA has presented gifts to area churches, such as a stained glass window and an Italian marble shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes for the cathedral. They have also provided scholarships to Catholic high schools, financial aid to seminarians and contributions to charitable and humanitarian causes at the local, state and national levels.

The court’s Apostolic Committee devotes much time to the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

Members assist weekly with preparation for liturgy in area nursing homes, pray the Rosary with the residents, sponsor games and serve as lectors and eucharistic ministers there as well as in the parish.

They bring cheer to the homes at Christmas time.

The court observed their centenary this summer with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Sam G. Jacobs and at the banquet that followed.

Rose Marceaux, Court Cardinal Gibbons No. 177 regent, says: “Catholic Daughters participate in religious, charitable and educational apostolates of the church; “They work together for good and to make a difference in the world; “They are a group of ladies reaching out to help others; “They are a national organization of Catholic women dedicated to strengthen spiritual life through Christ and his church.”

Marceaux adds, “It is a special blessing to be a Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2012

Catholic Daughter and we wish to share this with you.”

Ida Robichaux, the court’s vice regent, says: “Court Cardinal Gibbons No. 177 has been able to stay active for over 100 years and has supported the church in some of its endeavors. Recently the court has sponsored a yearly morning of prayer for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux to pray for protection of our diocese from severe weather during the hurricane season and also donated non-perishable items to the local food bank.

“We have also contributed to the support of Catholic education at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School and Vandebilt Catholic High School. Our court has supported the national programs which establish awards for essay and art contests centering on current topics of interest to our Catholic faith.”

Evelyn Ruckstuhl, the court’s treasurer and district deputy puts it this way: “I became involved with Catholic Daughters through a very special lady – the late Tracy Duplantis. Once I met her, she took me under her wing and introduced me to many wonderful people. Tracy invited me to join the Catholic Daughters in 1985 and I am most thankful she did, because it has allowed me to serve the church in a new way.

“As a young girl, my mother instilled in me an attitude of service and that is what the Catholic Daughters strive to do – serve God, the church and others through charitable works.

“I really enjoy the Biennial State Conventions. It gives me the opportunity to meet with other CDA members from all over the state in a prayerful environment, and many friendships have formed over the years.

“It has been my privilege to serve as district deputy for the Louisiana State Court for many years. This gives me the chance to hear from other Catholic Daughters what their court is doing.

“I give thanks to our charter members who had the foresight to institute Court Cardinal Gibbons on June 23, 1912. It is my hope that we can continue to follow their good example of prayer and service for many more years.

“As Catholic Daughters the program is modeled on the points of the ‘Circle of Love.’ They include: spiritual, leadership, life, legislation, youth, education and special projects (local, state and national.)

“We invite all women 18 years of age to come and join our organization.”

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Bishop Sam G. Jacobs poses with Catholic Daughters of the Americas officers following the anniversary Mass. In the photo are, from left: Beverly Reynaud, recording secretary (Court Cardinal Gibbons No. 177); Fabian Whitney, district deputy for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux; Bernadette Mabile, district deputy for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux; Connie Dronette, LA state treasurer; Barbara Michael, state secretary; Bishop Sam G. Jacobs; Joyce Stein, state regent; Rose Marceaux, regent (Court Cardinal Gibbons No. 177); Ida Robichaux, vice regent (Court Cardinal Gibbons No. 177); Evelyn Ruckstuhl, district deputy and treasurer (Court Cardinal Gibbons No. 177) and Barbara Trahan, financial secretary (Court Cardinal Gibbons No. 177).

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Diocesan Programs This Month “Revival”

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

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

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

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

Saturdays - 9:30 p.m.

“Spotlight on the Diocese” Host: Louis Aguirre With Guests: Rev. Glenn LeCompte

Spiritual Director of Lumen Christi Retreat Center

Mike DiSalvo

Missionaries of Faith

Pray and Give Generously on

World Mission Sunday October 21, 2012

The Society for the Propagation of the Faith www.OneFamilyInMission.org

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

www.bayoucatholic.com

Vocations Awareness Week is Oct. 21-27

Story by Janet Marcel Vocations Awareness Week in the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux is October 21-27. During this week, the diocesan Vocations Office encourages parishes and schools to promote vocational awareness among the students of the diocese. New diocesan seminarian posters will be distributed to parishes and schools as a visual reminder to pray for seminarians and priests. Currently the diocese has 14 seminarians in formation.

“While I am the diocesan director of vocations,” says the Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue, STL, “each priest is encouraged to be a vocations director in his parish, where he can call forth men and women for the church.

Sometimes a young person needs the wisdom and insight of an adult who sees in them the qualities needed for a good priest, deacon or religious.

When the Lord’s voice is hard to 34 hear, sometimes he uses a human voice to penetrate the heart of the one he is calling.”

For Vocations Awareness Week, priests are encouraged to preach on vocations to the priesthood, religious life, and the diaconate at all Masses the weekend of Oct. 20-21. They are also encouraged to visit their CCD classes and schools, if the parish has one. Masses at the high schools and elementary schools will focus on vocations. The Vocations Office has provided lesson plans and supplemental resources for all grade levels at the Catholic schools and CCD classes.

As diocesan director of vocations, Father Rodrigue’s primary responsibility is assisting men and women in their discernment of a calling to the priesthood or religious life. “It is a position of guiding a person, through prayer, to be able to open their heart and listen to the Lord’s voice calling them to a specific vocation. This includes meeting as a group (through AMP or IGNITE) or individually with a person. When a young man is ready to take the next step and apply to be a seminarian for the diocese, I walk with him through the process and paperwork. When a young woman is interested in religious life, I walk with her in the process of discerning what charism she is called to and what particular religious orders might fulfill that charism.

“For a man who has discerned priesthood for our diocese, the process begins with an interview and initial information meeting. For those in our discernment programs, I already have some Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2012

interaction with them, so the initial interview is not as long. We perform a criminal background check and credit report on all candidates. The young man then completes an autobiography and responds to a number of questions that give us a better understanding of his idea of priesthood and ministry,” explains Father Rodrigue.

“Also included in the process are priests and lay people who comprise an interview committee in order to get other opinions on the candidate’s vocation, and letters of recommendation from his pastor, a family member and teacher. To help ensure that he is physically and mentally capable to serve the people of God, the candidate has a physical medical exam by his family doctor and a psychological exam by a local psychologist.”

When those components have been completed, the candidate meets with the bishop and a determination of whether he is accepted or not is made, and if accepted he applies to the seminary as a seminarian for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

The entire process should take a few months to complete.

For a person joining a religious community, says Father Rodrigue, once a particular community is chosen, the vocations director for that community begins the process with the candidate. Each community is different with various criteria, but the processes are similar.

The IGNITE and AMP ministries are each about mentoring, formation and discernment.

The gatherings are designed for those who want help in discerning their vocation. IGNITE is for young men in 11th and 12th grade, and AMP is for collegeage young adult men. Both groups meet weekly throughout the fall and spring semesters. Retreats and days of reflection are also offered throughout the year.

Roch Gernon, program director for the diocesan Vocations Office, who facilitates the AMP and IGNITE groups, explains the importance of helping young people discern what vocation they are being called to by God whether it be marriage, the priesthood or religious life.

In IGNITE and AMP they focus on three main elements of formation: prayer, identity and virtue (specifically charity and chastity). They focus on charity and chastity, says Gernon, because “the fundamental and innate vocation of every human being” is to love (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1604). Because the “light of discernment … is born

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in charity” (St. Catherine of Siena) and because “only the chaste man is capable of true love” (Pope John Paul II), they feel as though it is essential to include these elements of formation into a vocation formation program where discernment can flourish.

The programs are intended to help young men or women understand their vocation to love and mature in this vocation.

Good examples of specific vocations are also presented.

The purpose of these programs, says Gernon, is to help people discern with more freedom, clarity and understanding.

Other programs the Vocations Office offers are Come and See Retreats for both men and women who want to know more about the priesthood and religious life; Menard Days, a question and answer type gathering about the priesthood; and coming in spring 2013, a program called Vianney, which focuses specifically on discernment to the priesthood.

These programs will have a “home” of their own beginning this fall with the opening of the Vocations Office’s “House of Discernment.” (See next month’s issue of Bayou Catholic for more information.)

For those who may be considering the priesthood or religious life, Father Rodrigue has this to say, “First, like our Lord often said, ‘Be not afraid.’ The Lord has put us all here for a reason and has a way to help us to grow in holiness in this life so that we will one day be united with him in the life to come. He gives us all we need to live out our vocations. Also, every young man and woman should first discern if God is calling him or her to the priesthood or religious life, since marriage is our natural calling.

“It is possible that we would be called to the priesthood or religious life but may never give it a consideration. Finally, if a young man or woman feels called to the priesthood or religious life, take that next step of going to seminary or a monastery or convent for a ‘come and see’ discernment weekend to get a sense of the life there. I also encourage a young man or woman to enter the seminary or convent to help discern. It takes several years before one is ordained or makes final religious profession.

“The person isn’t ordained or professed the same year they enter. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time to grow in our relationship with Christ and the church, and to be formed into our identity as a priest or religious. We continue to be formed and grow even after our ordination or profession.”

For more information about vocations to the priesthood and religious life, call (985) 850-3149, or go to http://www.facebook.com/htvocations.

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www.bayoucatholic.com

Special Events

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

A dedication and blessing of new buildings which were part of a $10.3 million project for Holy Cross Church parish, Holy Cross Elementary School and Central Catholic High School in Morgan City was held recently. Bishop Sam G. Jacobs, along with major donors, and diocesan, school and church parish officials are shown during the dedication. Members of the community including Catholic and non-Catholic parents, grandparents, parishioners, local businessmen and women, and friends of Holy Cross Church parish and elementary school and Central Catholic High School made the project possible through monetary pledges.

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Sister Isabel serving Hispanic Ministry

Sister Isabel Escamilla

Sister Isabel Escamilla, M.G.Sp.S, a native of Toluca, Mexico, has been named as a coordinator of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux in Lafourche Parish.

She took first vows in 1967, and has done pastoral work in the areas of evangelization and catechesis in Mexico. Since coming to the United States in 1980 she has been ministering to Hispanics in the dioceses of Rochester, NY;

WINNER! A winner has been chosen for Bayou Catholic’s “Where Am I” contest for the month of August. The church steeple with a clock is located at Sacred Heart Church in Morgan City. Many correct entries were received and a winner was drawn at random. Chris Castalano of Lockport is the winner of a gift card in the amount of $50 from God’s Precious Word and Gifts.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2012

Fall River, MA; West Palm Beach, FL; the Archdiocese of Miami, FL; and Los Angeles, CA. Sister Isabel earned a bachelor’s degree in theology from the Universidad La Salle in Mexico, is a master catechist and has a certificate in Hispanic Theological and Pastoral Studies from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley.

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In order to detect breast cancer early: Women in their 20’s and 30’s should have a clinical breast exam as part of a regular exam by a health expert at least every 3 years. Women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and for as long as they are in good health.

Special Events

St. Luke banquet set for Oct. 20 St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Thibodaux will celebrate 27 years of the re-establishment of the church with its annual banquet Saturday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m., at the St. Luke Community Center in Thibodaux. The church was closed in the 60s with the implementation of integration. This year’s theme is “Everyday Christianity, Not Just on Sunday.”

Guest speaker is Deacon Allen Stevens. Deacon Stevens was ordained a deacon in 1989 to serve in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Eight years later he and his family relocated to New Orleans to work in full time ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church as pastoral administrator. Deacon Stevens received a certificate in leadership at Xavier University, Institute for 38 Black Catholic Studies. He is also a nationally trained facilitator for the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministry (NACFLM); facilitator for the Center for the Improvement of Child Care, CICC’s Effective Black Parenting Program; Court Appointed Divorce Mediation New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) certified in the state of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and recipient of the President Obama Award for Community Service in December 2011. Deacon Stevens currently serves in full time ministry at St. Peter Claver Roman Catholic Church in New Orleans as pastoral associate directing the Social Service Ministry and Evangelization. Deacon Stevens’ Scripture motto is “Choose today whom you will serve, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

Tickets for the banquet are $15 and can be purchased by calling St. Luke Church at (985)446-0487.

There will be a silent auction during the banquet. The proceeds from the banquet will go toward financial assisting people in the community.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2012

Patriotic essay winner Supreme Knight Donald Naquin of Houma presents Jessica Galey of Thibodaux an award as winner of the fourth degree Knights of Columbus Patriotic Essay Contest. After winning the Thibodaux Assembly 0316 contest, she then competed in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux where she also won first place.

Day of Prayer is Oct. 27 at Lumen Christi, Schriever

“New Testament Women as Role Models of Faith for All” is the theme for a Day of Prayer directed

by Father Glenn LeCompte at Lumen Christi Retreat Center in Schriever, Saturday, Oct. 27. The day will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude with Mass at 3:45 p.m.

The purpose of this day is to help participants identify with the positive change female characters in the New Testament experience in their encounter with Jesus or the Christian way. From there, participants are challenged to consider how they too can be raised up by Jesus from whatever spiritual and emotional deficits they are experiencing in their own lives.

The New Testament breaks new cultural and religious ground by presenting women as significant characters in its developing story of the spread of the Good News.

Women in the New Testament encounter Jesus and are “raised up.” They are raised to significant roles traditionally assumed by men in the ancient world and lifted out of debilitating situations. They are presented as possessing the strong

faith necessary for participating in the kingdom.

The suggested offering for the day which includes lunch is $15.

For more information or to register, call (985)868-1523.

‘Come and See’ The Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate are providing an inside view of life in a convent setting during its “Come and See” weekend, Oct. 19-21, at their motherhouse, 300 Yucca Street, San Antonio, TX. The weekend will give women between the ages of 18-45 an opportunity to prayerfully reflect on religious life and vocation discernment, and to decide if God is calling them to be of service to the church.

The Sisters of the Holy Spirit minister in the United States, Mexico and Africa. To register for the “Come and See” weekend, go to www.shsp.org or contact Sister Gabriel Hession, S.H.Sp., vocation director, at (210) 533-5149, cell (817) 360-9316 or by email at sghession@hotmail.com.

Food for the Journey is Nov. 6

Diocesan Outreach Line

Rev. Joey Pilola

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

The speaker for Nov. 6 is Father Joey Pilola.

Father Pilola, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church parish in Thibodaux since June 2007, attended St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict, Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. He was ordained to the priesthood May 30, 1987.

He has served as associate pastor of the following church parishes: St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux; Our Lady of the Rosary, Larose; Sacred Heart, Cutoff; Holy Savior, Lockport; Holy Family, Grand Caillou, and St. Eloi, Theriot. He has also served as pastor of St. Andrew, Amelia; St. Genevieve, Thibodaux, and St. Eloi, Theriot, and as diocesan director of the Office of Vocations from June 2007 until June 2010.

Those who plan to attend the Nov. 6th event should RSVP with their name, phone number and church parish by Thursday, Nov. 1. To RSVP, email FoodForTheJourney@ htdiocese.org or call (985) 8503178.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Línea de Comunicación Diocesana

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

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

Se ofrece asistencia adicional al ser solicitada.

Línea de Comunicación de la Diócesis de Houma-Thibodaux Número de teléfono (985) 873-0026 Llamada gratuita 1-866-444-4241 o Llame al Coordinador de Asistencia para las Víctimas al (985) 850-3129

Ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi Cöùu giuùp Giaùo phaän

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

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Our Churches

Sacred He

Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

eart, Montegut Serving South Terrebonne since 1864

Sacred Heart Church parish in Montegut, which is located on Bayou Terrebonne, served as the only place of worship for Catholics in southernmost Terrebonne Parish for many years.

The first church parish in the area was established in Montegut in 1864 at the request of the area residents who had previously been served by Pere’ Charles Menard of Thibodaux and Father Tasset of Houma. According to its history, Father Jean Marie Joseph Denece came from France aboard the Sainte Genevieve and established the church parish, which originally consisted of Bayou Grand Caillou, Bayou Petit Caillou, Bourg, Isle de Jean Charles, Pointe-auxChenes and Montegut, on Nov. 9, 1864.

A little church was built in 1870 in lower Montegut at the site of the cross at Dugas Cemetery and dedicated to St. John the Baptist.

The original charter forming the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was signed on Aug. 7, 1894, and a new church, built further up the bayou in the main settlement, was dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Lightning struck this church and it was destroyed by fire in 1954.

The current church, built in the Romanesque style of architecture, was dedicated April 5, 1956, by Archbishop Francis Joseph Rummel of New Orleans.

The interior features arches and vaults, which are typical of this classical architectural design. The stained glass windows represent the saints and handcarved Stations of the Cross adorn the church. This church building has been redecorated, embellished and renovated many times over the years, but the basic structure has remained the same.

Father Thankachan “John” Nambusseril, who has served as pastor of Sacred Heart Church parish in Montegut since June 2011and as the parish’s administrator from January to June 2011, says there are currently about 200 active parishioners made up of mainly older and middle aged couples and families, adding that there is a need to conduct an up-to-date census in the area.

The parish has an active ladies altar society, an usher’s group, an education committee, and an evangelization committee, which is an area where it is planning to expand its efforts. “One way we are expanding our efforts in the area of evangelization is by planning a street Mass. We want to go to the people … bring the church to them,” says Father Nambusseril.

“We are also in the process of organizing a youth group right now,” says Father Nambusseril, who feels strongly about the need to have something for the youth of the parish. “For a parish this size, to have 21 youth attend the 2012 Steubenville on the Bayou

a

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Sacred Heart, Montegut Catholic youth conference is pretty impressive, so we want to build on that and keep the youth involved in the church and off the streets,” adds the pastor.

Louise Price, president of the pastoral council, says they want the youth of the parish to feel comfortable there because they are the future of the church. Right now the parish has the most altar servers it has ever had, which she feels is an accomplishment.

“We have never had this many altar servers in the parish at one time. The children are really looking up to the pastor and that’s important. We have a young pastor with a big heart who cares about the parish; this community really needed that,” says Price. “But, we need parents to bring their children to church.

Many of them grew up without parents who took them to church, so they don’t see it as that important.

We pray that through our evangelization efforts we can reach these people and bring them back to the church.”

Father Nambusseril says, “The people in this community love their church. Even though many families have moved further up the bayou because of the hurricanes, they still remember their church; they still come back to see their church. They have an attachment to it.”

When Father Nambusseril arrived in the parish, he says it was $246,000 in debt. But after six months, the debt was completely paid off. “The people all came together and we paid off all of the debt. Presently the parish secretary is the only paid employee, and everything else is taken care of by volunteers. They (the volunteers) hold the church together,” he says.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2012

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(985) 446-9050 Fax: 449-0047 www.stjosephmanor.org

Sacred Heart Church parish staff and council leaders are from left, Louise Price, pastoral council president; Rebecca Dardar, secretary; Father Thankachan “John� Nambusseril, pastor; and Charles Pitre, finance council president. Not pictured is Carla Montgomery, CCD coordinator.

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www.bayoucatholic.com

43

Sports

Overtime Ed Daniels

T 44

The best news of the month for LSU football came on Friday in mid-September.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that LSU and TCU had scrapped their home and home football series in favor of playing one game at Cowboys Stadium to open the 2013 season.

Frankly, I needed to look forward; because, the first month of the 2012 LSU season has been a yawner.

Days after Hurricane Isaac LSU trudged through an opening win over North Texas. The play that generated the most buzz was a free blitzer coming in clean to temporarily knock quarterback Zach Mettenberger out of the game.

One week later, Washington was non-competitive.

The Huskies longest gain from scrimmage was 22 yards.

LSU’s rabid fans again got an early jump on the ride home.

A year ago, I frankly thought that LSU was a tad ambitious by taking on Oregon as an opening game opponent at Cowboys Stadium. Now, I long for that type of September excitement.

The look on the faces of the Oregon faithful as they were handled by LSU was priceless.

That night, the biggest smile was on the face of LSU senior associate athletic director Verge Ausberry. He had pushed mightily for the Tigers to play the game. A convincing win over Oregon launched LSU to one of the greatest regular seasons in the history of college football.

I will never forget LSU’s big and fast defensive front chasing down Oregon tailback LaMichael James. In his career at Oregon, James averaged a gaudy 6.6

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • October 2012

Just how good is LSU? yards per rush. Against LSU, he averaged three yards per carry.

James carried 18 times for 54 yards. And, 13 of those yards came on one rush.

After that Saturday night in Texas, there was no doubt about the quality of LSU’s defense.

LSU went on to win at West Virginia, and then won the regular season game of the year in college football at Alabama.

There was something special about the feel of the 2011 season.

But, one year later, it is much harder to get a barometer on just how good this LSU team can be.

Zach Mettenberger has shown flashes of outstanding play. But, when you are winning easily, your quarterback tends to turn into more of a game manager.

We know LSU has an outstanding defense, and, a slew of terrific running backs.

But, just how good is LSU? Maybe back to back games in October at Florida and against South Carolina in Baton Rouge will be a true indicator.

But, in the meantime, it’s like the entire Tiger nation is just waiting for Saturday night, Nov. 3 when some guy named Saban brings his team back to Baton Rouge.

This season, LSU football has wins, but lacks excitement and drama.

126 Corporate Drive Houma, LA

985.851.2211

Mon. - Fri. 8:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Saturday by appointment www.fvchouma.com

Bishop Sam G. Jacobs has announced a special collection will be taken up at all Masses on the Weekend of October 6 and 7 in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux for the victims of Hurricane Isaac.

All parishioners throughout the diocese are asked to keep in their prayers the families affected by the disaster. www.bayoucatholic.com

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