Acadiana Catholic February 2013 by Acadiana Catholic

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February 2013

Volume 29

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Train a boy in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not swerve from it.â&#x20AC;? Proverbs 22:6

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The Official Monthly Publication of the Diocese of Lafayette

Acadiana Catholic

January 2013

Volume 29

Council of Priests elects new officers for 2013 LAFAYETTE The Council of Priests has elected officers to serve for 2013. At the January meeting, Father Tom Voorhies was elected Chairman, Father Michael Delcambre was elected Vice-Chairman and Father Jared Suire was elected Secretary. These priests will serve as officers for a term of one year. The Council of Priests is a representative group elected by the priests that is advisory to the bishop in his governance of the Diocese, in order that the pastoral welfare of the people of God be promoted as effectively as possible in accordance with current Canon law. The presbyterate is divided into five age groups and the members of the Council represent the various age groups. In addition, there are at large members and appointed mem-

The Diocese of Lafayette’s Council of Priests recently elected officers to serve for the year 2013. Father Tom Voorhies (second from left) was elected Chairman, while Father Jared Suire (left) was elected Secretary and Father Michael Delcambre (right) was elected Vice-Chairman. Photo by Stephanie R. Martin

bers. Representatives of the age groups and at large members are elected by their brother priests for three-year terms. The bishop appoints four members to the

Council. The terms of elected and appointed members are staggered to allow for continuity on the Council. Elections were recently held

Congratulations to Msgr. W. Curtis Mallet & Msgr. Richard Greene

LAFAYETTE The Acadiana Catholic is pleased to join Bishop Michael Jarrell in extending a word of

congratulations to Monsignor W. Curtis Mallet and Monsignor Richard Greene, VE, upon whom the Holy Father, Pope Benedict

Following Bishop Michael Jarrell’s announcement that the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, had bestowed the title of Prelate of Honor to His Holiness to the Rev. W. Curtis Mallet, as well as to Msgr. Richard Greene, VE, a recognition ceremony was held in conjunction with the Seminarians’ Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in late December. Photo by P.C. Piazza

XVI, recently bestowed the title of Prelate of Honor to His Holiness. Bishop Jarrell released the announcement in late December, and a recognition ceremony was held in conjunction with the Seminarians’ Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on December 20. Bishop Jarrell’s statement reads as follows: “It is my pleasure to announce that the Holy Father has bestowed the title of Prelate of Honor to His Holiness upon a priests of the Diocese of Lafayette, the Rev. Curtis Mallet, who currently serves as Vicar General of the Diocese and Administrator of St. Joseph Catholic Church and its mission St. Louis in Parks. Father Mallet is now properly addressed as ‘Monsignor Mallet.’ continued on page 6

Number 01 for two at-large members. Elected as at-large members for threeyear terms beginning in January 2013 are Father Mark Derise and Father Tom Voorhies, who will be serving a second term. Father Jared Suire was appointed to the Council by Bishop Jarrell for a term of three years. The remaining members of the Council of Priests include: Father Harold Trahan (Age Group 1), Father Michael Arnaud (Age Group 2), Father Chester Arceneaux (Age Group 3); Father Michael Champagne (Age Group 4), Father Jason Vidrine (Age Group 5), Monsignor Richard Mouton (Retired/Senior Priests). The other appointed members are Father Lambert Lein, Father Michael Delcambre and Father. Donavan Labbe. Monsignor Russell Harrington, Monsignor H. A. Larroque, and Monsignor Curtis Mallet serve as ex-officio members.

Inside this issue

Tell the People in Feb. . . . . . .7 Operation Rice Bowl. . . . . . .11 Acadiana Catholic goes on temporary hiatus. . . . . . . . . . 15 Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Meditations on Stations of the Cross available online. . . . . .18 Special to this edition: Catholic Schools Section. . . . . . . . 25-37 Children’s Pages. . . . . . . 40-41 Bishop Jarrell reports on Vocations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Lenten activities scheduled throughout the diocese. . . . . 46

Page 4 February 2013

Registration for Cycle 3 of VLCFF opens Mar. 5

LAFAYETTE Registration for Cycle 3 of the Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF) will be open from March 5-April 3, with classes within the cycle to be conducted from April 7-May 11. The cost to participate is $40 per course. Successful completion of VLCFF courses may be applied toward a Certificate in Catechesis or continuing education hours as required by the Diocese of Lafayette’s Office of Catholic Schools. The VLCFF conducts a total of seven cycles throughout the year, with courses varying from cycle to cycle. Some of those to be offered during Cycle 3 include: • Catholic Beliefs

• History of Catholic Social Action • Praying with Children • Sacrament of Marriage: A Holy Calling • Introduction to Prayer • Evangelization and Discipleship • Mary in Scripture and Tradition • Faith and Human Development Full course descriptions are available online at http://vlc.udayton.edu. For further information on the partnership between the University of Dayton Institute for Pastoral Initiative and the Diocese of Lafayette, please contact the Office of Christian Formation at (337) 261-5550.

Acadiana Catholic

Annual pro-life oratory contest is Feb. 19

LAFAYETTE The Lafayette Diocese’s Office of the Pro-Life Apostolate will host its annual Pro-Life Oratory Contest on Tuesday, February 19. The contest, which is open to all high school juniors and seniors, will be held from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at St. Pius X Life Center in Lafayette. Those who wish to participate in the oratory contest must register with the Office of the ProLife Apostolate by February 12. Registration may be submitted online by visiting the Office of the Pro-Life Apostolate page at www.diolaf.org. The page also offers a “Resources” section which may be useful to participants in researching

their pro-life topic to prepare for the contest. Registration forms may also be requested from the office by calling (337) 261-5607.

Please note that this year’s Pro-Life Oratory Contest will be held at St. Pius X Life Center in Lafayette.

Acadiana Catholic

ACADIANA CATHOLIC (ISSN0888-0247) (USPS507-760) is published monthly for $12 per year by the Southwest Press, 1408 Carmel Drive., Lafayette, LA 70501-5298. Subscriptions are $20 per year. Periodical postage paid at Lafayette, LA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Acadiana Catholic, 1408 Carmel Drive, Lafayette, LA 70501-5298. Official Monthly Newspaper for the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana Copyright 2012

From July 3, 1985: This image depicts the front page of Volume 1, Number 1 of the Acadiana Catholic, successor of three Louisiana Catholic newspapers which specificaly served the Diocese of Lafayette. Page 3 of the publication also paid tribute to staff writer Kathleen Toups, who had recently been honored by the Catholic Press Association for 35 years of service to the Catholic Press. Ms. Toups continues to this day to contribute occasional freelance items to the Acadiana Catholic, which will undergo its first formatting changes in nearly 30 years beginning with the spring of 2013.

Publisher Most Rev. Michael Jarrell, D.D. Bishop of Lafayette

Managing Editor Stephanie R. Martin (337) 261-5512 smartin@diolaf.org Marketing Director Business Mgr / Advertising Director Patrick Breaux (337) 261-5518 (337) 280-2862 pbreaux@diolaf.org Contributing Writer Kathleen Toups Theological Consultants Msgr. H.A. Larroque, J.C.D. Msgr. Curtis Mallet, J.C.L. Vicars General The Diocese of Lafayette serves eight civil parishes with a population of 304,921 Catholics. Published monthly. Deadline for news and advertising copy is noon of the 15th day of the month preceding publication. For renewal subscriptions, the name of your church parish and your address label (if available) are requested. The publisher and editor reserve the right to reject, omit or edit any article or letter submitted for publication. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette and/or the Acadiana Catholic cannot be held liable, or in any way responsible for the content of any advertisement printed in this paper.

Diocese of Lafayette Web page: www.diolaf.org

Acadiana Catholic

The Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for February: General Intention: That migrant families, especially the mothers, may be supported and accompanied in their difficulties. Missionary Intention: That the peoples at war and in conflict may lead the way in building a peaceful future.

Monday

Sunday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

February 2013 Page 5

February Saturday

Friday Weekday

The Presentation of the Lord

Blessed Virgin Mary

For a list of Lenten activities planned throughout the Lafayette Diocese, please see the article on Page 46 of this edition of the Acadiana Catholic, and also refer to your local church parish bulletins for additional events which may not have been submitted in time for publication.

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Weekday

Holy Hour for Vocations 6:00-7:00 PM St. Patrick Church, Lafayette

Divine Mercy Night 6:30 PM St. Peter Church, New Iberia

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Eucharistic Adoration Monastery of Mary, Mother of Grace, Lafayette

Our Lady of Lourdes

Eucharistic Adoration Monastery of Mary, Mother of Grace, Lafayette

St. Agatha, Virgin & Martyr

Meeting of the King’s Men 7:00 PM Our Lady of Wisdom Church, Lafayette Food for the Journey 11:30 AM-12:45 PM Hotel Acadiana, Lafayette

Weekday

Eucharistic Adoration Monastery of Mary, Mother of Grace, Lafayette

St. Paul Miki & Companions, Martyrs

9th Annual Stewardship Leadership Day 8:30 AM Our Lady Queen of Angels Church, Opelousas (Parish Hall)

Rite of Election 2:30 PM Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Lafayette

Second Sunday of Lent

Eucharistic Adoration Monastery of Mary, Mother of Grace, Lafayette

Lenten Weekday

Meeting of the King’s Men 7:00 PM Our Lady of Wisdom Church, Lafayette

Ash Wednesday Day of Fast & Abstinence

Lenten Weekday

Meeting of the King’s Men 7:00 PM Our Lady of Wisdom Church, Lafayette

The Highest Mystery: The Mass in Sacred Scripture & Tradition (A Year of Faith Event) 6:00 - 7:00 PM Our Lady Queen of Angels Church, Opelousas

Men’s Work Day 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Our Lady of Sorrows Retreat Center, St. Martinville

Sts. Cyril, Monk, & Methodius, Bishop

Day of Recollection 9:00 AM St. Edmond Church, Lafayette

Friday After Ash Wednesday Day of Abstinence

Saturday After Ash Wednesday

St. Polycarp, Bishop & Martyr

Rediscover Your Knowledge of Your Catholic Faith, Part 16 St. Mary Magdalen Church, Abbeville, 6:30 PM Catechism of the Catholic Church 7:00 - 800 PM Our Lady of Sorrows Retreat Center, St. Martinville

Lenten Weekday

St. Peter Damian, Bishop & Doctor of the Church

Rediscover Your Knowledge of Your Catholic Faith, Part 17 St. Mary Magdalen Church, Abbeville, 6:30 PM

The Highest Mystery: The Mass in Sacred Scripture & Tradition (A Year of Faith Event) 6:00 - 7:00 PM Our Lady Queen of Angels Church, Opelousas Lenten Weekday

Rediscover Your Knowledge of Your Catholic Faith, Part 15 St. Mary Magdalen Church, Abbeville 6:30 PM

St. Jerome Emiliani; St. Josephine Bakhita, Virgin

Sisters’ Appreciation Supper 6:30 PM Petroleum Club, Lafayette

Meeting of the King’s Men Our Lady’s Rosary Makers 7:00 PM 9:00 AM - 12:00 NOON Our Lady of Wisdom Church, Lafayette Immaculata Center, Lafayette

First Sunday of Lent

Weekday

Catechism of the Catholic Church 7:00 - 800 PM Our Lady of Sorrows Retreat Center, St. Martinville

Lenten Weekday

Spring Regional Clergy Meeting for the South Civic Center, Coteau Holmes

The Chair of St. Peter the Apostle

Acadiana District Theresians Day of Renewal St. Pius Elementary School Theater, Lafayette Dying Well: Lenten Day of Recollection Our Lady of Sorrows Retreat Center, St. Martinville Day of Recollection for African American Men St. Anthony Church, Lafayette

Page 6 February 2013

Msgrs. Mallet & Greene

Morning Star newspaper, the Priests’ Council, and Episcopal Vicar to the South Region. Please remember Msgrs. Mallet and Greene in your prayers as they continue to serve the people of the Diocese of Lafayette.

continued from page 3

“I am also pleased to announce that Monsignor Richard Greene, VE, is also granted the title of Prelate of Honor to His Holiness. Monsignor Greene was granted the title of Chaplain to His Holiness in 2001. He continues to be addressed as ‘Monsignor Greene.’ “Both men have given exemplary service to the Diocese in their various assignments. In particular, they are among my trusted advisors and close collaborators in the administration of the Diocese. I am grateful to them and I extend a word of congratulations on this happy occasion.” Msgr. W. Curtis Mallet was ordained for the Diocese of Lafayette in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette on June 13, 1992. In addition to various parish assignments throughout the diocese, he has served in several other positions,

Photo by P.C. Piazza

including but not limited to Chaplain of KC Council #2504 (Church Point), Chaplain of the Serra Club (Lafayette), Tribunal Advocate, Tribunal--Defender of the Bond, the Priests’ Council, and Vicar General. Msgr. Richard Greene, VE, was ordained for the Diocese of Lafayette in St. Peter Basilica in Rome, Italy on December 18, 1965. His contributions to the diocese have included but are not limited to various pastoral assignments, Communications Directors, Editor of The

From left: Msgr. Richard Greene, VE, and Msgr. W. Curtis Mallet at the recognition ceremony, which was held at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette. Photo by P.C. Piazza

Photo by P.C. Piazza

Celebrate Life banquet

LAFAYETTE The DesOrmeaux Foundation will host the annual “Celebrate Life” banquet on Saturday, February 16. The event, which begins at 6:30 p.m., will be held at Hotel Acadiana in Lafayette. Tickets are $75 each, which includes dinner, and this year’s guest speaker will be Father Frank Pavone, Director of Priests for Life. Sponsorships for the evening are also available for the cost of $500, $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000; all sponsorships include tickets to the banquet. Donated items are being accepted for the auction which will take place in conjunction with the banquet. To purchase tickets or obtain further information, please visit online at www.desormeauxfoundation.com, or call (337) 2899366.

Acadiana Catholic

New art exhibit at Cathedral museum

LAFAYETTE The Museum & Gift Shop of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette invites everyone to view its new art exhibit. The exhibit, which the museum will host from January-March 2013, features religious icons by Ms. Christine Daunis. The Cathedral Museum is located in the Cathedral Center, next to the Cathedral. It is open from 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (closed from 12:00-1:00 p.m.) MondayThursday, and 8:30 a.m.-12:00 noon on Friday. In addition to the art exhibit, the museum features memorabilia from the early bishops of the Lafayette Diocese, as well as historical documents and liturgical vestments of the preVatican era. For further information, please visit the Cathedral’s website at www.saintjohncathedral.org.

Year of Faith lecture series

ST. MARTINVILLE Our Lady of Sorrows Retreat Center in St. Martinville will host a “Year of Faith” lecture series on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The lecture series is offered free of charge, and no registration is necessary. The sessions will be held from 7:00-8:30 p.m. on the following dates:

Feb. 14, 21, 28 Mar. 14, 21, 28 Apr. 11, 18, 25

For more information, please call (337) 394-6550.

Acadiana Catholic

Fr. Landry celebrates 50th anniversary

Fr. Ralph Landry recently celebrated his 50th anniversary in the priesthood with a solemn Mass at Our Lady of the Lake Church in Delcambre. Father Landry was ordained by Bishop Maurice Schexnayder on June 2, 1962. Con-celebrating the Mass with Fr. Landry was his classmate, Fr. Austin Leger. Members of Fr. Landry’s family, as well as parishioners from parishes in which he ministered, were also present. Photo submitted by Our Lady of the Lake Church

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

LAFAYETTE The religious community at the Monastery of Mary, Mother of Grace in Lafayette would like to extend an invitation to the public to join them for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on several upcoming dates. To encourage preparation for the Lenten Season, the monastery has set the following schedule for Eucharistic Adoration: Feb. 10 Mass 10:00 a.m. Closing 4:00 p.m. Feb. 11 Mass 6:45 a.m. Closing 4:00 p.m. Feb 12 Mass 6:45 a.m. Closing 4:00 p.m. Additionally, in response to the request of the bishops of the United States, the monastery will host Adora-

tion of the Blessed Sacrament on the following dates: Feb. 24 Mar. 10 Apr. 28 May 26 On each of these days, Adoration will begin immediately following the celebration of 10:00 a.m. Mass and continue until 5:00 p.m. The purpose is to encourage everyone to take part in asking God’s blessing upon the nation in regards to the sanctity of life, marriage, and the right of religious freedom. Lastly, the Carmelites would also like to invite everyone to join them for the celebration of 6:45 a.m. Mass on March 19, the Solemnity of St. Joseph. Prior to the celebration, they encourage everyone to pray the Novena to St. Joseph from March 11-19, as they intend to do privately.

Lenten day of recollection

ST. MARTINVILLE Our Lady of Sorrows Retreat Center in St. Martinville will host a Lenten Day of Recollection on Saturday, February 23. The theme of the event will be “Dying Well: the Death of Christ and Christian Death.” Participants will be guided in pondering the sacredness of death as they reflect on ways to help

prepare for their own deaths, as well as how to better minister to the sick and dying. There is no cost or registration necessary to take part, although individuals are asked to bring their own brown bag lunches for the day. Mass and confession will be offered. For more information, please contact Father Michael Champagne, CJC, at (337) 394-6550.

Certified Recognition Masters www.awardmaster.com

February 2013 Page 7

Tell the People in February

LAFAYETTE The Lafayette Diocese’s Office of Radio/TV Ministry would like to invite everyone to tune in for Tell the People every Sunday morning on KATC TV-3, immediately following the broadcast of Sunday Mass at 10:00 a.m. On the February 10 episode of Tell the People, a guest will be on hand to discuss the upcoming Day of Reflection for African American Men. In the segment “What it Means to be Catholic”, Father Michael Russo will focus on the topic of fasting, and Bishop Michael Jarrell will talk about the Rite of Election. On February 17, Thomas Awiapo will appear to talk about Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Father Russo will present “The Desert.” On February 24, Karol Meynard will be present to discuss the upcoming Rachel’s Vineyard post-abortion healing retreat, and Father Russo will base his segment on “The Transfiguration.” On March 3, Janeth Harrington and Marlene Foreman will talk

about “An Evening of Affirmation for Caregivers” and Father Hampton Davis will appear on the segment “What it Means to be Catholic”; his topic and Bishop’s Jarrell’s topic will be announced at a later date. Past episodes of Tell the People are always available for viewing online through the Radio/TV Ministry section of the diocesan website, www.diolaf.org.

Tell the People airs every Sunday morning on

KACT TV-3 following 10:00 a.m. Mass. Past episode may be viewed online at any time through the Radio/TV Ministry section of

www.diolaf.org

Page 8 February 2013

Acadiana District Theresians’ Day of Renewal

LAFAYETTE The Acadiana District Theresians will host a Day of Renewal on Saturday, February 23 at St. Pius X Elementary School Theater in Lafayette. The cost is $25 per person for those who register in advance (prior to February 6), or $30 at the door on the day of the event. Students may register at the cost of $15 per person, and all registration fees include a light breakfast and lunch for the day. Registration may be mailed to: Living Spirit of Acadiana District Theresians, P.O. Box 82581, Lafayette, LA 70508-2581. For additional registration details, please contact Noelle Judice at (337) 739-2518. Speakers for the event will be Deacon Juan Carlos Pagán, Margaret Rucks, and Georgie Blanchard. Deacon Pagán is the program coordinator for the Office of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Lafayette and serves Our Lady of Wisdom Parish as a deacon and graphic designer. He has had extensive experience as a campus minister, R.C.I.A. Coordinator, and leader of group foreign mission experiences. Juan shares his deep faith and love of the Catholic Church in all of his endeavors. Margaret Rucks is the Executive Director of the Rucks Family Foundation, a philanthropic organization which assists charitable organizations supplying services to the poor of Acadiana.She has served Hospice of Acadiana as a

RCIA workshop

LAFAYETTE The Lafayette Diocese’s Office of Christian Formation will sponsor an RCIA workshop entitled “Prayer in the Catechumenate” on March 2. The workshop will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Nativity of Our Lady Church in New Iberia. The workshop will provide an opportunity for representatives from the various church parishes of the diocese to meet and share their best RCIA practices as they receive training on a specific RCIA topic. There is no fee to attend, but participants are encouraged to register with Lynne Broussard at (337) 2615550.

volunteer in Pastoral Care, providing prayer and spiritual counseling to the dying and their families, and has been involved for many years with the Serra Club, serving as president. Her love for the priesthood and effective support of vocations led to Margaret’s selection as a member of the Diocesan Vocations’ Team, where she has served since 2002. Georgie Blanchard is a founding member of Joie de Vivre Community in Breaux Bridge, La. As a Theresian, she has served as district leader for the Acadiana District, on the Theresian National Board, and is presently serving on Theresian Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors. She is a retired educator from St. Martin Parish and is active in community and church activities.

A Day of Reflection for African American Men

LAFAYETTE St. Anthony Church in Lafayette will host “A Day of Reflection for African American Men” on Saturday, February 23. The event is sponsored by the African American Men’s Conference, and the focus will be “The African American Male in his role as Man of God, Husband, and Father.” For more information, or to register for the event, please contact the Lafayette Diocese’s Office of Black Catholic Ministries at (337) 261-5694 or obcm@ diolaf.org.

Man-to-Man Conference

LAFAYETTE The 2013 Man-to-Man Conference will be held on Saturday, March 16 at the Cajundome Convention Center in Lafayette. Guest speakers for this year’s conference will include: • Fr. Rick Wendell, former Irish gang member • Mr. John Pridmore • Mr. Gus Lloyd, Catholic Radio talk show host Registration for the conference is $35 per person. Additional information may be accessed online at www.mantomancc.com.

Acadiana Catholic

Evening of Affirmation for caregivers DELCAMBRE The West Region of the Lafayette Diocese will host an “Evening of Affirmation for Caregivers” on Thursday, March 14. The event will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Vandebilt Hall, 205 Church Street in Delcambre (directly across from Our Lady of the Lake Church). There is no cost or registration required to participate, and all are invited to attend. The evening will be led by Marlene Foreman, ACNS-BC, ACHPN, Clinical Nurse Specialist/Education Coordinator with Hospice of Acadiana. Ms. Foreman will offer ways to assist and affirm those who, for whatever reason, have become caregivers of elderly parents/rel-

atives, spouses, the chronically ill, disabled children/siblings, or any individual in need of care. Those who attend will be eligible to receive credit toward catechist certification (Level III or IV: Parish class or workshop, 3 credits). However, since the presentation will be a repeat of last year’s, individuals who attended and earned these credits last year may not repeat this year’s presentation for additional credits. To view a flyer for this event, please visit the Calendar section of www.diolaf.org. For additional information, please contact Janeth Harrington at (337) 258-0073 or jharrington@diolaf.org.

Day of Recollection scheduled for Feb. 14 LAFAYETTE The St. Edmond’s Altar Society will host a Day of Recollection on Thursday, February 14 at St. Edmond Church in Lafayette. The event is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. with coffee, juice, and donuts served during registration, followed by Club officers for the St. Edmond Altar Society--picthe recitation of the rosary tured from left to right are: Judy Nelson, president inside the church. Other and general chairman; Linda Smalley, secretary in of registration; RaNelle Simon, co-chairman activities of the day will charge and ticket sales; and Sally Bruno, vice-president in include the celebration of charge of hospitality and food arrangements. Photo Mass, the opportunity for submitted by RaNelle Simon Tickets for the Day of Recconfession, Benediction, ollection are $10 per person, and meditations on the Stations which includes lunch for the of the Cross. day. Tickets must be purchased The retreat master will be Faprior to February 8 by sending ther Chester Arceneaux, pastor a check to: St. Edmond’s Altar of the Cathedral of St. John the Society, 116 Delmar Lane, LaEvangelist in Lafayette. Father fayette, LA 70506. For addiArceaneaux is a native of Lational ticket information, please fayette and was ordained to the contact RaNelle Simon at (337) priesthood for the Diocese of La232-2849. fayette in 1992.

Acadiana Catholic

Pray for our priests Listed below are the priests for whom Catholics are asked to pray daily during the month of February. The calendar is sponsored by the Serra Club of Lafayette. 01 Pope Benedict XVI 02 Bishop Michael Jarrell 03 Fr. Michael Champagne, CJC 04 Fr. Gregory Chauvin 05 Fr. Blaine Clement 06 Fr. Nathan Comeaux 07 Fr. Gregory Cormier 08 Msgr. Douglas Courville, JCL 09 Fr. Robert Courville 10 Fr. Angelo Cremaldi 11 Fr. Barry Crochet 12 Fr. Hampton Davis 13 Msgr. Jefferson DeBlanc, VE 14 Fr. Robert DeCesare, LC 15 Fr. Edward Degeyter 16 Fr. Herbert de Launay 17 Fr. Michael Delcambre 18 Fr. Mark Derise 19 Msgr. Keith DeRouen 20 Fr. Kenneth Domingue 21 Fr. Gregory Downs 22 Fr. Wayne Duet 23 Fr. Willard Dugas 24 Fr. Edward Duhon 25 Fr. Gilbert Dutel 26 Fr. Luiz Dutra 27 Fr. Dan Edwards 28 Fr. Darren Eldridge Eternal Father, we lift up to You these and all the priests of the world. Sanctify them. Heal and guide them. Mold them into the likeness of your Son, Jesus, the Eternal High Priest. May their lives be pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

February 2013 Page 9

Deacon: Rev. King’s civil rights advocacy marked by faith, hope, love

by Steve Euvino Catholic News Service GARY, Ind. (CNS) The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. may have been a reluctant leader, “but he was willing to put himself out there,” said Deacon Melvin R. Tardy Jr. He was “the right person for the moment” in the civil rights movement, said the deacon, an academic adviser at the University of Notre Dame. What separated Rev. King from other contemporaries was faith, hope, and love, he added. Deacon Tardy made the comments at the Gary Diocese’s sixth annual King tribute Jan. 13 at Holy Angels Cathedral. Rev. King, the product of a long line of pastors, was a gifted orator, yet down to earth, and his audience “felt what he felt,” the deacon said. Using what then was the fairly new medium of television, Rev. King not only touched his audience with a sense of right and wrong, but he also walked the walk. Following the example of Gandhi, Rev. King used nonviolent direct action, Deacon Tardy said, to protest yet remain true to his beliefs. “He used civil disobedience to call people to crisis,” the deacon said. “He became a prophetic witness.” Rev. King believed the kingdom of God was “something we can have today,” Deacon Tardy said, and “he had that sense that innocent suffering can be redemptive,” turning enemies into friends. Rev. King also embraced agape -- to love one another “as Jesus loved” -- and he believed that “I will love this person because God loves this person,” the deacon

According to Deacon Melvin R. Tardy Jr., an academic adviser at the University of Notre Dame, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was “the right person for the moment” in the civil rights movement. Rev. King is pictured in an undated file photo. CNS file photo

noted. The civil rights leaders also loved the United States, and his dream was “deeply rooted in the American dream,” he continued. Faith, hope, and love, the deacon continued, made Rev. King a “game changer for this country.” His hope “impacted people of all backgrounds.” An academic adviser in Notre Dame’s “First Year of Studies,” Deacon Tardy is an author, artist, musician and teacher. He was ordained a permanent deacon in 2011 for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. Formerly assistant director of the university’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions, he also works with student athletes, diversity programs and disability services at Notre Dame. Recalling how the university’s recent quest for a national championship in football ended in de-

feat to Alabama, Deacon Tardy said that if the game were played in 1950, things would have been much different. Stadium seating, public transportation, lodging, water fountains, and medical care would all have been segregated. Alabama would not have had any African-American student athletes, as the first black student was admitted there in 1956. Notre Dame’s first African-American graduate came in 1947. After centuries of slavery and segregation, World War II helped to change race relations, as African-Americans were trained in combat and leadership positions and were accepted in Europe. Then, Deacon Tardy said, came Brown v. Board of Education, the 1954 Supreme Court decision that desegregated the schools. The case dealt with racial segregation in Kansas schools. continued on page 19

Page 10 February 2013

“Be Fire!” by Graham Smith

In my “Be Fire!” column last month, I spent some time thinking out loud about the horrible mass killing of young schoolchildren in Newtown, CT in December. I said in that column that I believe the only way to prevent more Newtowns is to change the culture by reaching out to one heart at a time with the Good News of Jesus Christ with the same inviting love that drew people to Him. We need to share the “joy of the Lord” that’s supposed to be our strength. One of the best comments I received on that column was “Give us some how-to’s!” Fair enough! If the light of Christ is shining out from us, sooner or later people who lack the peace we have will want to know why we have it. And when that question comes, we

have a great opportunity. We need to be ready for it. (1 Pt. 3:15-16) Casual conversations can be a real door opener. Back in 2006, there was a great stir about “The Da Vinci Code” movie, which was based on a novel by the same name. A good many Catholics (and others) were very upset by the serious factual flaws in the story and there were workshops on how to point those flaws out. However, a lot of folks didn’t recognize the chance to introduce Jesus when people who really didn’t know Him began to talk about the movie’s plot line as if it were true. A really good conversation steerer would be to ask why they are so ready to believe a movie based on a recent novel and not consider the 2,000 year old historical witness to Jesus in the Gospels, three of which were written by people who’d known Him personally. I’d be genuinely interested in the answer and where this person is in terms of relating to God (or not). That’s the starting point for an exchange that hopefully would lead to explaining why I believe in Jesus as He is in the Bible. Chances are that we all need to

brush up on sharing our faith journeys briefly and with respect. Here are a couple of excellent resources to help us do that. First, there’s Sherry Weddell’s book, “Forming Intentional Disciples”. Weddell, a convert, spends the first part of her book laying out very convincingly what hasn’t worked in the past and then has a very thoughtful discussion about how people come to conversion. She cites statistics showing that an alarming number of folks who call themselves Catholic don’t believe that there is a personal God with whom it’s possible to have a relationship. If we’re trying to lead people to a personal relationship with Jesus, that’s a very serious problem. She also contends that many Catholics seem to have a “code of silence” about talking about their faith. Weddell says we need to change that. She also says that when we’re listening to someone talk about the difficulties in their lives, we need to respond when the Holy Spirit nudges us to ask where God is for them in all of this. Be sensitive – asking directly about Jesus may be a bit too much at that stage. If we learn where

Acadiana Catholic they are, we can be more effective at encouraging them on their journey toward Him. Weddell says that we also need to be able to lay out how we came to faith if given a chance. And most of all, we need to be able to share the story of Jesus in the Gospels clearly and simply. In the culture we now have, we can’t assume that people know much about Jesus at all, and what they do know may be really off-the-wall. Another great book is Rebecca Manley Pippert’s “Out of the Salt Shaker & Into the World”, which is a very thorough guide on how everyday conversations can be very good evangelistic tools. Pippert includes some useful Gospel outlines that can help bring understanding, and there’s a study guide in back. In case we feel a little tongue-tied when we don’t have an outline to follow, she’s included a good bit of material on developing our conversational skills. Do yourself a favor. There is far too much great information in these books to set out here, so get them, read them, pass them around, and get ready to share the Greatest News there is!

Acadiana Catholic

February 2013 Page 11

CRS Rice Bowl brings faith to life during Lent

BALTIMORE, MD With a new name, a refreshed design, and numerous new resources created to enrich the experience of Lent, CRS (Catholic Relief Services) Rice Bowl offers meaningful ways for Catholics to embrace Lent this year. By highlighting the beauty of the Lenten trio—prayer, fasting, and giving—CRS Rice Bowl connects people more closely with the global mission of the Catholic Church. “The program’s new message, ‘For Lent, For Life: What you give up for Lent changes lives’ captures the essence of the sacred call to love thy neighbor,” said Joan Rosenhauer, CRS’ execu-

tive vice president of U.S. Operations. “In this Year of Faith, as declared by Pope Benedict XVI, CRS Rice Bowl is ready-made to help individuals and faith communities embark on a season of spiritual renewal.” During each of the weeks of Lent, CRS Rice Bowl features five different countries and one U.S. diocese, along with stories and profiles that demonstrate the impact CRS Rice Bowl contributions make in the fight to stop hunger and improve health for people around the world. “The sacrificial gifts from CRS Rice Bowl play a significant role in providing effective, quality services to people in need so

EnCourage meetings for 2013 LAFAYETTE EnCourage is a Catholic ministry dedicated to the spiritual needs of parents, siblings, children, and other relatives and friends of persons who have same-sex attractions. Standing by the true teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, EnCourage members support one another and their loved ones through discussion, prayer, and fellowship. The goals of EnCourage are to: • Help members themselves to grow spiritually through developing a vital relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ as authentically taught in our Roman Catholic Tradition. • Enable members to gain a deeper understanding of the needs, problems and issues experienced by men and women with same-sex attractions. • Help members establish and maintain a healthy and wholesome relationship with the loved one who experiences same-

sex attractions. • Assist other parents and families not to reject but to reach out with compassion and truth to their loved one with same-sex feelings and behaviors. • Witness to our loved one by our own lives that a happy, wholesome life is to be found in union with Jesus Christ and with His body, the Church. The schedule of 2013 meetings is as follows: Feb. 20 Mar. 20 Apr. 17 May 15 Jun. 19 Jul. 17 Aug. 21 Sept. 18 Oct. 16 Nov. 20 Dec. 18 Please call the Courage chaplain, Father Donovan Labbe, for details at (985) 395-3616, or contact him by email at dlabbe@ diolaf.org.

their lives and the lives of their children can be improved,” said Rosenhauer. “The faces of hunger may be different from one country to the next, but the needs are similar. That’s why we address the root causes of poverty and hunger in all of our programs.” Twenty-five percent of the monies collected through CRS Rice Bowl remain in the diocese where it is collected to address the needs of the local community. Often, dioceses offer small grants or fund food pantries, community gardens, and other hunger prevention efforts. CRS Rice Bowl participants use a weekly spiritual guide, videos, photo galleries or the program’s interactive website to learn more about the people from the featured countries and see how their lives are changed by the humanitarian aid provided by the Catholic Church overseas. A popular annual feature is the collection of recipes included in the CRS Rice Bowl materials, so participants can plan a weekly, meatless meal from each of the

Visit www.crsricebowl.org to access resources and materials to help promote a successful Rice Bowl campaign.

featured countries as another way to experience Lent. “We are also helping people to be more intentional about their sacrificial giving,” said Rosenhauer. “Families and individuals can write down what they will sacrifice and their giving commitment right on the Rice Bowl box, or on a slip of paper they can post somewhere in their home.” Ash Wednesday is on February 13. Program materials for schools, parishes, and individuals, along with featured stories, prayers, multimedia, and meatless recipes for CRS Rice Bowl 2013 can be found at www.crsricebowl. org. CRS Rice Bowl can also be followed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (for photos); use hashtag #CRSricebowl.

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Febrero 2013

p o r Obispo Michael Jarrell •Durante la temporada de Adviento, se condujo un programa especial en casi todas las parroquias de la Diócesis llamado La Luz está Encendida Para Ti. Los sacerdotes estuvieron disponibles para ofrecer el Sacramento de la Reconciliación por tres miércoles consecutivos. Recibí muchos elogios de parte de sacerdotes y personas después de esta muy exitosa iniciativa. Mucha gente se mostró agradecida de tener esta oportunidad adicional para la confesión. La luz en la iglesia estaba encendida y las personas respondieron. A pesar de las horas adicionales, los sacerdotes estuvieron felices de participar. Ya he anunciado que este programa se repetirá el próximo año para la temporada

de Adviento. Se habló de hacerlo para Cuaresma, pero me dejaron saber que varias parroquias ya han planeado misiones, servicios de penitencia y otras actividades. La Luz está Encendida Para Ti aparentemente funciona mejor cuando todas las parroquias participan. • He recibido una carta de agradecimiento de parte del Arzobispo Gregory Aymond de New Orleans, por una dadivosa contribución a Caridades Católicas de la Arquidiócesis para las víctimas del Huracán Isaac que produjo tanto sufrimiento en esa área del estado el pasado mes de agosto. A su vez, quisiera agradecer a las personas tan generosas de la Diócesis de Lafayette por el obsequio de $81,000 para nuestros hermanos del sureste. El Arzobispo Aymond dijo: “Su obsequio hará una gran diferencia en las vidas de todos aquellos que están volviendo a construir”. De la misma manera, agradezco a cada uno por las donaciones a las víctimas de la Súper Tormenta Sandy. Caridades Católicas USA está trabajando conjuntamente con agencias en varias diócesis en la costa este para ayudar en el proceso de

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restablecimiento. Continuemos orando por nuestros hermanos en este tiempo de pérdida. • El 22 de enero marcó el 40 aniversario de la decisión de Roe vs. Wade de la Corte Suprema de los Estados Unidos, una decisión que legalizó efectivamente el aborto a petición en los Estados Unidos. El aborto se puede ver solamente como un crimen horrible y una evidencia del tremendo irrespeto por la dignidad de la vida del ser humano. Hace unas semanasatrás, el Presidente Obama llevó a cabo una conferencia de prensa para anunciar iniciativas en respuesta a los asesinatos masivos. Habló elocuentemente sobre lo que pasó en Newtown en el cual niños de seis años y algunas maestras fueron asesinados por un desquiciado. El Presidente dijo algo a efecto de que nuestro primer deber como nación es el de proteger al más vulnerable entre nosotros. Se refirió a los niños que van a la escuela. Yo sostengo que los niños que van a la escuela no son los más vulnerables entre nosotros. La mayoría de ellos tienen padres que les dan mucho amor, los cuidan y los protegen;

Faithful urged to preach pro-life in and out of season like St. Paul

WASHINGTON (CNS) As thousands of Catholics prepared to brave freezing temperatures to participate in the 40th annual March for Life, Bishop Kevin J. Farrell of Dallas asked them to imitate the example of St. Paul, who preached “in season and out of season.” St. Paul “was not afraid to stand in the center of Athens and preach the word of God to politicians and intel-

lectuals,” Bishop Farrell said in his homily at a Jan. 25 Mass that closed the annual National Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. The apostle preached “whether it was convenient or it became uncomfortable for others to listen to him,” he added. The Mass was celebrated on the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, a rarity in

that the date of the March for Life is typically Jan. 22 -- the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1973 decision that legalized abortion virtually on demand nationwide -except when the anniversary date falls on a weekend. But with the public ceremonies for the presidential inaugural taking place Jan. 21, March for Life organizers chose Jan. 25 for the march to assure enough hotel rooms in

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tienen maestros y maestras y otros adultos responsables quienes velan por ellos; tienen la protección de la ley. Las víctimas del aborto no tienen nada de lo que acabo de mencionar. Son verdaderamente los más vulnerables entre nosotros. Las palabras del Presidente reflejan el hecho que la protección de los niños es instintivo en los adultos. Más y más americanos, especialmente los jóvenes, están reconociendo ese instinto humano básico en sus propios corazones. Más y más están dispuestos a reconocer la humanidad de los niños en el vientre de sus madres y defender los derechos de la vida. Hay esperanza. Sobre el mismo tema, uno de los artículos más inspiradores que he leído recientemente es una carta pastoral del Arzobispo Samuel Aquila de Denver. Sus experiencias personales como estudiante universitario y trabajador en un hospital son conmovedoras. Esta carta está anunciada en la página web de la Arquidiócesis de Denver (www. archden.org).

the Washington area for those coming to the march and related events. Bishop Farrell’s diocese is where lawyers for Norma McCorvey, the “Jane Roe” of Roe v. Wade, originally brought the case to court. As a pregnant 22year-old in 1969, McCorvey was referred by an adoption attorney to lawyers seeking a plaintiff for an abortion suit against the state of Texas.

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February 2013 by Bishop Michael Jarrell

•During Advent, a special program called T h e Light Is On For You was conducted in almost all parishes in the Diocese. On three successive Wednesday evenings, priests were available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and people were invited to receive the Sacrament. I heard nothing but compliments from priests and people after this very successful initiative. Many people appreciated this extra opportunity for confession. The light in Church was on and people responded. Despite the extra hours, priests were happy to participate. I have already announced that the

program will be repeated next year in Advent. There was some discussion about Lent, but I was advised that many parishes have already planned missions, penance services and other activities. The Light Is On For You seems to work best when all parishes participate. • I have received a letter of thanks from Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans, for a generous donation to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese for the victims of Hurricane Isaac which brought so much suffering to that part of the State last August. In turn, I thank the generous people of the Diocese of Lafayette for the gift of $81,000 for our neighbors to the Southeast. Archbishop Aymond said, “Your gift will make a difference in the lives of those who are rebuilding.” Likewise, I thank everyone for donations to the victims of Superstorm Sandy. Catholic Charities USA is working closely with agencies in several dio-

ceses on the East Coast to assist in recovery. Let us continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in their time of loss. • January 22 marked the 40th Anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision of the United States Supreme Court, a decision which effectively legalized abortion on demand in the United States. Abortion can only be seen as a terrible crime and evidence of gross disrespect for the dignity of human life. A few weeks ago, President Obama held a press conference to announce initiatives in response to mass killings. He spoke eloquently about the Newtown event in which six-year old children and some teachers were killed by a deranged shooter. The President said something to the effect that our first duty as a nation is to protect the most vulnerable among us. He meant school children. I submit that school children are not the most vulnerable among us. Most

Multifaith prayer service starts Obama’s first workday of new term

WASHINGTON (CNS) President Barack Obama began the first work day of his second term Jan. 22 in prayer at a multi-faith service at the National Cathedral, where readings, prayers, songs and the sermon focused on the challenges of leadership and the need to face them with the bolstering of faith. More than 2,200 people filled the cathedral church of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, where religious services of

national importance traditionally are held. The Rev. Adam Hamilton, homilist, began by thanking Obama and Vice President Joe Biden “for giving yourselves, for sacrificing, for living in glass houses, for accepting the constant barrage of criticism with very little praise, for being willing to risk everything in order to serve this country.” His sermon followed a sequence of Scripture readings and prayers for those who govern, for those who

serve in various capacities, for the people and for all the nation. Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, who heads the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, set a minor bilingual theme for the service in welcoming participants first in Spanish, which was repeated in English by the Rev. Gary Hall, dean of the cathedral. The prayers and readings were interspersed with traditional hymns and contemporary selections by two different choirs and Chris-

February 2013 Page 13

of them have loving parents to care for them and protect them; they have teachers and other responsible adults who watch over them; they have the protection of law. Victims of abortion have none of the above. They are truly the most vulnerable among us. The President’s words reflect the fact that protection of children is instinctive in adults. More and more Americans, especially the young, are recognizing that basic human instinct in their own hearts. More and more are willing to recognize the humanity of children in the womb and to speak up for their right to life. There is hope. On the same subject, one of the most inspiring pieces I have read recently is a pastoral letter by Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver. His personal experiences as a college student and hospital worker are very moving. The letter is posted on the website of the Archdiocese of Denver (www.archden.org).

tian vocalist Wintley Phipps. The song “Determined to Go On,” performed by the Children of the Gospel Choir of the Washington Performing Arts Society, stirred Obama and his wife, Michelle, into rhythmic swaying in time with the music. Its lyrics include the lines: “The race is not given to the swift, nor to the strong; but to the one who endureth ‘til the very end. Might not be able to feel it, nor even see it; Walk by faith, not by sight.”

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Acadiana Catholic

February 2013 Page 15

Farewell to the old format: Acadiana Catholic will be on hiatus during March in order to launch magazine in April

by Stephanie R. Martin LAFAYETTE It is with some sadness but also a great deal of excitement that the Diocese of Lafayette must inform the readers of the Acadiana Catholic that this February 2013 edition will be the final one released under its current format. Please bear with us as the publication takes a brief hiatus in order to prepare for the launch of a full color, full gloss magazine, which is due to be released in conjunction with Holy Week and Easter near the end of March. Originally, administrators of the Diocese of Lafayette had planned to continue the production of the Acadiana Catholic without interruption as preparations for the transition also went forward. Unfortunately, that plan had to be changed due to the conflicting production schedules that would have occurred between the

March and April editions. Therefore, current subscribers of the Acadiana Catholic should note that they will not receive a copy of the publication at the beginning of March. Rather, they will receive the first edition of the new magazine more toward the end of March, and this will serve as the April edition. The pending adoption of a new format for the Acadiana Catholic was first announced to the public last month, on page 3 of the January edition. In addition to the physical changes which the publication will undergo, its content will also be shifting from that of a news-reporting agenda to a more educational, evangelical focus. A section in the magazine called “Things to Do” will still provide summarized details of upcoming Catholic activities throughout the diocese; however, other features in the magazine will be aimed at

Marriage Anniversary Masses

LAFAYETTE The Office of Marriage & Family Life Ministry is again sponsoring two separate Diocesan Marriage Anniversary Masses to honor couples who have reached certain milestone anniversaries with the 2013 calendar year. Although Bishop Michael Jarrell will preside over both Masses, the recognition is divided into two separate Masses in order to accommodate the large numbers of participants. A special reception will also follow each Mass, and registration for both is now open. To register online, please

visit www.diolaf.org/marriage. Please note the registration for each Mass as they are provided below. The first Marriage Anniversary Mass for those who are celebrating 50, 60, or more years of marriage will be held at 2:00 p.m. at St. Genevieve Church in Lafayette on March 17. Registration will close on March 5. The second Marriage Anniversary Mass for those who are celebrating 25 or 40 years of marriage will be held at 2:00 p.m. at St. Bernard Church in Breaux Bridge on April 14. The registration deadline is April 2.

highlighting various inspirational stories that illustrate just how so many of our local people go out and actively practice their faith, and how those actions impact their communities. Additional features will be aimed at educating and reminding

ing company owned by the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan. The company was founded in 2000 for the purpose of establishing a publication to serve the Diocese of Lansing, and has since been so successful in that endeavor that they have reached out to form

ATTENTION ALL READERS & SUBSCRIBERS OF THE ACADIANA CATHOLIC

In order to prepare for the spring launch of its new magazine format, publication of the Acadiana Catholic is on temporary hiatus. No March edition will be produced or distributed at the beginning of March. Instead, the April edition--which will reflect the full transition to a full color, full gloss magazine--is scheduled to be released in conjunction with Holy Week and Easter near the end of the month of March. Current subscribers will automatically continue to receive this new and improved version of the Acadiana Catholic at that time. us of God’s call that goes out to all Catholics to actively live our faith and share it with others, and will provide guidance and ideas to help us along in that mission. The Acadiana Catholic will be implementing these changes with the help of FAITH Publishing Service, a magazine publish-

partnerships with more than 30 other Catholic organizations to help them do the same. To learn more about FAITH Publishing, please visit www.faithcatholic. com. To view online issues of their flagship publication, FAITH Magazine, please visit www.dioceseoflansing.org/digital_issues.

Page 16 February 2013

Acadiana Catholic

Cathedral hosts annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mass

by Kathleen Toups LAFAYETTE “This is a celebration of men and women of faith,” said Father Michael Sucharski, SVD, homilist at the annual Mass honoring the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Mass was held in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Bishop Michael Jarrell of Lafayette, principal celebrant, was joined by some 25 area clergy as concelebrants. “As we gather to give praise to Almighty God, Jesus Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit, we remember Dr. Martin Luther King and the contributions he made to our country. the way he lived out his faith,” Bishop Jarrell said in his welcoming remarks. “We also recocognize those who in some way have contributed to peace and justice in their own

Fr. Michael Sucharski, SVD, served as homilist for this year’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mass. Photo by P.C. Piazza

community and town.” Father Suchariski later commended the honorees for their perseverance. “I’m sure there are times you wanted to give up, especially when dealing with crazy priests like me,” he joked. “But it is fitting that we gather in this house, the mother church of the diocese, to celebrate life, to cel-

Joyful participants filled the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette for the annual Mass in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Photo by P.C. Piazza

ebrate men and women of faith. “It is good to remind ourselves that all of us are called to the task of Jesus, to work for unity in every parish community. It is important for us as Catholics and Christians to stand for our faith and to live our faith to the best of our ability.” Father Sucharski noted, “This is the God that is calling us to work together for a good advantage at a time when there are people who are against us. And what does the scripture reading tell us? We are to keep them in prayer. “Our forefathers signed a document reflecting religious freedom which is so important. What about Martin Luther King? If he had stayed in church, he would never have gone to Memphis, he would never have reached out. But his faith told him to tell us we have to live our faith, not only in here, but outside the church and that’s where the real Christianity takes place.

In keeping with tradition, the Mass included the recognition of all those who were honored to receive the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award. Photo by P.C. Piazza

“I tell people our faith will help us to hold on where there are difficulties, when things are not going our way. Our faith tells us that we come to this house to praise the Lord for everything that comes our way, even if what comes our way is not always what we want. We gather to thank the Lord for these gifts of faith that our parents, our grandparents, our parains and our nannans entrusted to us, and it is not a cowardly faith, is it? It is a faith that has been tested by fire. It is tested every day when we go to work. “This feast honoring Dr. King is important because we remember his faith and how many times it was tested.” Father Sucharski continued. “We are told he took it to prayer, and we have the example of Jesus who always took it to prayer. Don’t forget, the devil is alive and well and tricking many good people into following the wrong way. “You who are recipients of the award, I give thanks to God for

your saying yes. for saying yes at times when you want to give up. For saying yes when you want to stay home, for those times when you say, ‘Lord I want to stay home no one else is doing it, why me?’ “When I look at your eyes and your faces tonight, I am truly humbled to be here.” In introducing the general intercessions, Bishop Jarrell said, “Today we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who like his master Jesus lived even unto death that justice was God’s plan for humankind. We come together to lift up in faith the deeds of our community and our world.” Deacon of the Mass was Deacon Roland Jeanlouis. Reading

Bishop Jarrell reminded those in attendence that, “Today we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who like his master Jesus lived even unto death that justice was God’s plan for humankind.” Photo by P.C. Piazza

the Gospel was Deacon Michael Morrison. The first reading was given by Christopher Jealouis, and the second reading by Blair Simon. Bringing up the gifts were Charletta and Larry Thomas, John Goodwin, and Janice Henry. For a complete list of honorees who received this year’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award, please see page 20.

The gifts were presented by Charletta and Larry Thomas (St. Catherine, Arnaudville), John Goodwin (Holy Family, Lawtell), and Janice Henry (Holy Ghost, Opelousas). Photo by P.C. Piazza

Acadiana Catholic

February 2013 Page 17

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Acadiana Catholic

Meditations on Stations of the Cross accessible online

by Stephanie R. Martin LAFAYETTE The Diocese of Lafayette’s Department of Communications encourages everyone to take advantages of the special resources available through SPIRITUAL GROWTH TAB located on the home page of the diocesan website, www.diolaf.org. In recognition of the Lenten season, these resources now include meditations on the Stations of the Cross, written by Father Michael Champagne, CJC, and illustrated with photos taken inside Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Broussard. These meditations were first published in the March 2012 edi-

tion of the Acadiana Catholic. It was originally intended to repeat the feature with a new set of meditations and photos in this year’s March edition, but due to the publication’s hiatus (see article on page 15 for details), it was decided to supplement the demand by making last year’s meditations accessible online. In addition to the meditations, visitors may access some helpful information regarding the sacrament of reconciliation. As stated in the article below, the U.S. bishops are encouraging Catholics to receive this sacrament as part of their Lenten preparations. “Sacrament of Reconciliation” is also

Bishops release penance statement, encourage sacrament’s use in parishes for Lent USCCB WASHINGTON The U.S. bishops have released a statement encouraging Catholics to make going to confession a significant part of their spiritual lives and to use this Lent as an opportunity to do so. God’s Gift of Forgiveness: The Pastoral Exhortation on the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation was approved by the full body of bishops during their annual Fall General Assembly in Baltimore, November 13. “Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Timothy Dolan have both stressed the importance of confession in strengthening our witness during the Year of Faith,” said Bishop David Ricken of

Green Bay, Wisconsin, chairman of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). “The bishops have made this document available for easy distribution at the parish level this Lent, and the USCCB has produced resources that will help engage Catholics and welcome them in their journey back to the sacrament.” Lent begins Wednesday, February 13. The full text of the statement and the links to resources for individual Catholics and diocesan and parish staff on the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation are available online at: www.usccb.org/confession.

Meditations on the Stations of the Cross, written by Fr. Michael Champagne, CJC, and illustrated with photos from Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Broussard, are now accessible online at www.diolaf.org. The meditations may be accessed by selecting “Stations of the Cross” from the menu found under the SPIRITUAL GROWTH tab on the home page. Photo by Stephanie R. Martin

accessible under the SPIRITUAL GROWTH tab and includes a PDF file link to an “Examination of Conscience” to help individuals prepare to receive the sacrament. Also included is a list of Freuently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the sacrament, such as: • Why do I have to confess my sins to a priest? • What do I need to do to

make a good confession? • How do I grow in contrition? • How often do I need to confess? • Can my sins be forgiven outside of the sacrament of penance? To learn the answers to these questions and more, please visit www.diolaf.org.

Family Missions Company: New Missionaries

Family Missions Company is excited to begin 2013 by sending out newly formed Catholic Lay Missionaries to Mexico and Ecuador. FMC Director Joseph Summers commissioned Theresa and Jonathan Kiehl and their family to serve in General Cepeda, Mexico, where they will be serving the poor and evangelizing alongside two single young ladies - Rachel Washam and Alex Vidos. Other FMC staff accompanied Luis Blanco, Ryan Lawless, and Matthew Holland to Misahualli, Ecuador, in the Amazon basin, where the missionaries will be evangelizing numerous remote villages. New missionaries Alex Vidos and Matthew Holland are both from the Diocese of Lafayette. Please pray for all Catholic missionaries working to spread the Good News of our Catholic faith. Photo submitted by Family Missions Company

Acadiana Catholic

Rev. King continued from page 9

“There was a new sense of hope,” Deacon Tardy said, as African-Americans found a “new ally in the Supreme Court.” Although some conditions have improved, Deacon Tardy and other speakers at the King tribute encouraged young people to continue to protest injustices. These include bullying at school, gangs, drugs, low graduate rates, challenges in the home, abortions, and the high rates locally of children born to unwed mothers and born into poverty. Noting how Rev. King turned to youths during his struggles, Deacon Tardy encouraged young people “to be about speaking truth. ... We can overcome.”

Annual Mother’s Day of Reflection

LAFAYETTE This year’s Mother’s Day of Reflection, sponsored by the Office of Marriage & Family Life, will be held on Wednesday, May 8 from 8:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Holy Cross parish hall in Lafayette. This year’s speaker will be Father Bryce Sibley, Pastor of Our Lady of Wisdom Church in Lafayette. Father Sibley will also celebrate a special Mother’s Day liturgy. The cost is $25 per person, which includes a catered lunch and supplies for the retreat. Pre-registration is required; due to limited space, registrations will not be accepted at the door on the morning of the retreat. Online registration is available at www.diolaf.org/marriage, and the deadline to register is Monday, April 22.

March Food for the Journey

LAFAYETTE The Central Regions of the Diocese of Lafayette will host its next meeting Fr. Alphonse Thainese of “Food for the Journey on Tuesday, March 5, at Hotel Acadiana in Lafayette. The presenter will be Father Alphonse Thainese, Associate Pastor of St. Genevieve Church in Lafayette. An optional buffet lunch is available beginning at 11:30 a.m., for the cost of $12 per person. Father Thainese’s presentation will begin at 12:00 noon. Preregistration is not required, and all are welcome. For more information, please call Mary Bergeron (654-8682) or visit www.centralregiononline.org.

Women’s Conference

SCOTT St. Martin de Porres Church in Scott will host its third Women’s Conference on March 9. The conference will be presented by Monica Pierre and Gloria Sonnier, under the theme, “The Blessing is in the Breaking: Strength for Every Woman.” All are invited, and a donation of $15 per person is requested; lunch will be provided. Registration may be mailed to: Women’s Conference, P.O. Box 1347, Scott, LA 70583. For additional details, please contact the church parish office at (337) 232-1968.

February 2013 Page 19

Social networks need more logic, love and less ranting, rage, pope says

by Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) Social media need to promote more logic, kindness and Christian witness than bluster, star-status and division, Pope Benedict XVI said. Given that the online world exposes people to a wider range of opinions and beliefs, people need to accept the existence of these other cultures, “be enriched by it” and offer others what “they possess that is good, true and beautiful,” the pope said. Christians are called to bring truth and values to the whole world -- online and off -- remembering that it’s ultimately the power of God’s word that touches hearts, not sheer human effort, he said in his message for World Communications Day. The theme of the 2013 celebration -- marked in most dioceses the Sunday before Pentecost, this year May 12 -- is “Social Networks: Portals of Truth and Faith; New Spaces for Evangelization.” The papal message was released on the feast of St. Francis de Sales, patron of journalists, Jan. 24. Social media “need the commitment of all who are conscious of the value of dialogue, reasoned

debate and logical argumentation,” the pope said. Social forums need to be used wisely and well, which means fostering balanced and respectful dialogue and debate, he said, and paying special attention to “privacy, responsibility and truthfulness.” Too often, popularity -- garnered either from fame or strategic powers of persuasion -- determines the “significance and effectiveness” of online communication, not “intrinsic importance or value,” he said. Catholics can “show their authenticity” by sharing their hope and joy, and its source in Jesus Christ. Catholics also should give witness by the way they live their lives and how their “choices, preferences and judgments” are fully consistent with the Gospel, he added. Msgr. Paul Tighe, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, told reporters during a briefing that the pope is asking everyone to take responsibility for creating a more humane culture online by being respectful, honest and contributing to the growth and wellbeing of individuals and society through social networks. continued on page 24

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Acadiana Catholic

2013 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award Recipients

St. Mary Magdalen Christian Service Center, Abbeville Linda Woodruff

St. Martin de Porres, Delcambre Henry Broussard Dylan Eric George Eliza Nezey Maybelline Trahan

St. Theresa, Abbeville Ada Johnson Lois Jordan

St. Benedict, Duson Cecile R. Hamilton Mary R. Rideaux

St. Catherine, Arnaudville Percy Baltazar

St. Peter, Four Corners Linda Lockett Eric & Cynthia J. Metz Velda Metz Elnora Sonnier

St. Francis of Assisi, Breaux Bridge Northly Broussard Verlie Davis Isaac Thomas

St. Jules, Frankin Elodia V. Navy

Sacred Heart, Broussard Mary Gordon Rita LeDoux

St. Charles Borromeo, Grand Coteau Frances Richard

St. Joseph, Broussard Lionel Ryes, Sr.

Our Lady of the Rosary, Jeanerette Jacqueline Francis

Assumption, Carencro Laura Broussard

Holy Rosary / St. Francis, Kaplan Tina Chargois

St. Joseph, Cecilia Richard Calais Jim Martin

Cathedral, St. John the Evangelist, Lafayette John Brady LeBlanc

St. Rose of Lima, Cecilia Geraldine Calais Dianne Frederick

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Lafayette Jules Edwards

Our Mother of Mercy, Church Point Wallace Citizen Ella M. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Janeâ&#x20AC;? Savoy

Our Lady Queen of Peace, Lafayette Novella Dugas Thomas Helaire Mabel Malveaux Warren Senegal

St. Theresa, Crowley Charlesa Bernard Our Lady of the Lake, Delcambre John David Frederick Courtney Marie Leblanc Dylan John LeBlanc Noah Gregory Touchet

St. Anthony, Lafayette Brenda Dejean Terry & Carolyn Dugas Brandy Jolivette Raimy Living St. Jules, Lafayette Rena Arceneaux Albertine Locklear

St. Paul, Lafayette John Pete Joseph Provost

St. Edward, New Iberia Anna Mae Mouton

Holy Family, Lawtell Anna Belle Guidry

Holy Ghost, Opelousas Farice Daigle Mary L. Daigle

Immaculate Conception, Lebeau Marquis Simon

St. Jules Mission, Prairie Laurent Joseph Thomas

St. Catherine, Leonville Elvina Ward

St. Mary, Port Barre Shirley Rene

St. Leo the Great, Leonville Fr. Kenneth Domingue

Notre Dame, St. Martinville Menda Batiste Winfield Ledet Victor Mallery Melba Malveaux

Our Lady of Victory, Loreauville Clara Anthony Jimmie George Martha Jones Andrea Willis

St. Martin de Porres, Scott Kierra Moneeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Cole

St. Nicholas, Lydia Bonnie Delahoussaye

Immaculate Conception, Verdunville Joseph Keller

St. Ann, Mallet Bertina Papillion

Holy Trinity, Washington Barbara R. Durand Patricia A. Trent

St. Joseph, Maurice Risley Mouton

St. Anne, Youngsville Mary Ellen Baggett Tina De Leon Barbara Journet

St. Joseph, Milton Grace Credeur Lou Theriot

Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, Little Theresa Court #11 Dora F. Broussard

Nativity of Our Lady, New Iberia Peter Williams

Office of Black Catholic Ministries Mabel Denise Taylor Dcn. Anthony & Mary Francis Ozene

OL of Perpetual Help, New Iberia Bruce Freese Sacred Heart of Jesus, New Iberia Richard Guidry

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Men of Faith silent retreats

ST. MARTINVILLE Father Michael Champagne, CJC, will present two â&#x20AC;&#x153;Men of Faithâ&#x20AC;? silent retreats on March 810 and May 31-June 2. Both retreats will be held on the grounds of Our Lady of Sorrows Retreat Center in St. Martinville. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Men of Faithâ&#x20AC;? retreats are designed to help men better understand and live out their Catholic faith, especially during the Year of Faith declared by Pope Benedict XVI. The agenda will include

talks from Father Champagne on topics such as conversion to faith, call to holiness, faith and prayer, sacraments of faith, and the call of men to hand on the faith in the New Evangelization. There is no cost to participate, but retreatants are asked to provide their own towels and toiletries during their stay at the retreat center. Space is limited, and those who wish to attend should register early by contacting Vic Guidry at (337) 824-3045.

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“Evangelizing the Domestic Church”

LAFAYETTE The Diocese of Lafayette’s Office of Christian Formation has announced that Dr. Patricia M. McCormack, IHM, will present “Evangelizing the Domestic Church” on Saturday, March 16. The event will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at St. Genevieve Middle School Gym in Lafayette. Dr. McCormack is the Director and Formation Consultant for IHM Formative Support for Parents and Teachers. Her professional background includes 30 years as a teacher of junior high and high school, an elementary school principal, and Director of Teacher Education at Immaculata University in Immaculata, PA. This event is sponsored by

Pflaum Publishing Group, and the cost to attend is $15 per person, which includes lunch. The deadline to register is Friday, March 1. Registration forms for this event may also be obtained and submitted as outlined above. Certification credit will be awarded for Level III, IV, or V: Specialized Methods, all areas (6 credits) or Level V or VI: Elective Substitute (6 credits), or continuing education for certified catechists. Continuing education hours will be awarded in the amount of five hours. For further details regarding any of these events, please contact the Office of Christian Formation at (337) 261-5550.

Opportunities for catechist certification credits/continuing ed. hours

GRAND COTEAU On Saturday, February 23, the Office of Christian Formation will host two events at the Schools of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau during which participants may earn approved credits in the Catechist Certification process or continuing education hours as required by the Office of Catholic Schools. Both events will be held at 1821 Academy Road in Grand Coteau. A “Catechist Retreat” facilitated by Mrs. Kaffy BabineauxBelvin will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, with signin beginning at 8:30 a.m. Catechist Certification credit will be awarded for Level II: Catechist Retreat, four credits. Those who attend for continuing education purposes will be credited for three hours. From 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., Mrs. Melanie Joubert will

facilitate “Spirituality of the DRE/Religion Administrator.” Sign-in will begin at 9:00 a.m., and those in attendance may earn Catechist Certification Level VI: three credits or three hours of continuing education. The cost of either workshop is $10 per person, and the deadline to register is Friday, February 8. Please register early for available seating, since no onsite registration will be accepted. Registration forms may be obtained online at www.diolaf.org by selecting “Christian Formation” from the OFFICES tab located along the top of the home page. The form, along with a check made payable to the Office of Christian Formation, may be returned to: Office of Christian Formation, ATTN: Lynne Broussard, 1408 Carmel Drive, Lafayette, LA 70501.

February 2013 Page 21

Memorial to the Unborn Innocence

Following the recent pro-life walk, the Mamou Knights of Columbus, Saint Ann Council #2675 presented St. Ann pastor Father Mark Melancon (right) with a special statue dedicated as a Memorial to the Unborn Innocence; the statue will be on display in St. Ann’s Adoration Chapel. Pictured with Father Melancon are Knight Erwin Guidry (left) and Grand Knight Terral Aymond. Photo submitted by Terral Aymond

Faith Sharing Retreat

ABBEVILLE Family Missions Company will host a two-day “Evangelization 101” retreat fromFebruary 22-23 at FMC’s retreat center in Abbeville. During the retreat, FMC missionaries will share their expertise about witnessing your Catholic faith. Everyone can benefit from new

ideas about becoming more effective in sharing our precious faith with others. St. Pius X Parish’s evangelization outreach will be attending the retreat, but it is open to all parish groups and individuals. The cost for this overnight retreat, including food and housing, is $95 per person. Space is limited, so sign up soon by calling the FMC office at (337)8936111.

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MRS program looks to empower immigrants to combat human trafficking

by Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) An uprising by Africans on a slave ship off the Cuba coast 174 years ago has given inspiration to a new program in the expanding campaign to end human trafficking. Called “The Amistad Movement,” the program within the U.S. bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services will train immigrant communities in the basics of modern day slavery in the hope that they will be the eyes and ears of their communities in identifying trafficked people. The program is grounded in the Catholic principle of accompaniment with the oppressed, explained Lauren Rymer, education and outreach specialist in the Anti-Trafficking Services Program of MRS within the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. It is being rolled out in January, which is observed as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. For the record, “amistad” means friendship in Spanish. La Amistad is the name of a Cuban schooner that 53 captured Africans commandeered in 1839

while they were being taken from Havana to a Caribbean plantation after being sold as slaves. In 1841, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the freedom rights of the Africans and most eventually returned to their homeland. The program is designed to educate, create awareness of the signs of trafficking and build coalitions, Rymer said. “We want to empower people in their own communities,” Rymer explained, tying the Amistad story to the freedom the program seeks to secure for trafficking victims. “That’s what we hope will be successful.” Rymer took the program’s premise to four parishes and a labor rights organization in south Florida in mid-January to test messaging and visuals. She met with Haitian, Mexican and Central American immigrants -those who are closest to trafficking victims. “We’ve seen with a lot of trafficking education, it’s a lot of American citizens talking about trafficking. There’s not a lot of education going on in communities where they are the most victimized,” she said. Father Christian Planchar, a Haitian native and parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Parish in Homestead, Fla., joined the meeting

Men’s work days

ST. MARTINVILLE A series of men’s work days have been scheduled at Our Lady of Sorrows Retreat Center in St. Martinville. Volunteers are asked to give of their time and skills from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on February 9, March 23, May 11, August 10, October 5, and December 14. Men who have experience in carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, painting, concrete work, and general cleaning are encouraged to lend a hand. Holy Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 noon, and lunch will also be provided for the volunteers. For more information, please contact Vic Guidry at (337) 824-3045 of the Center of Jesus Crucified at (337) 394-6550.

Rymer had with a small group of Haitians at the church. While the priest said he was unaware of anyone being trafficked, he has high hope for the program. “If I can do something, I will be very interested to do that,” he told Catholic News Service Jan. 23. At Christ the King Parish in Miami, Oblate Father William Mason came away impressed with the program’s concept after it was presented to a gathering of Haitian immigrants. Human trafficking, he said, “is underground and under-talked.” He said creating awareness in immigrant communities is important. “People don’t realize they are being trafficked. They may not be in physical cages, but there are psychological chains,” he said. The program is the latest outreach effort by MRS to foreignborn human trafficking victims. The idea emerged after the department’s five-year contract for trafficking victim services with the Department of Health and Human Services ended in October 2011. “We want to help those communities to recognize and better understand what trafficking is ... and how to help educate people on the gray areas and when the line is crossed (into trafficking) and then what to do: what are their rights and what should they expect and what are they entitled to as far as resources,” said Hilary Chester, associate director of the Anti-Trafficking Services Program. “We’re also wanting them to be better supportive communities for survivors that are coming into them and escaping trafficking situations,” Chester told CNS.

The program for now is focusing on rural communities and small towns, where people who are trafficked are more likely to found. Chester said her office noticed a shift in the location of trafficking victims the agency served from large metropolitan areas to those areas mid-way through the HHS contract. About 70 percent of foreignborn victims, she explained, are exploited for their labor especially in agriculture, landscaping, domestic services and hospitality. In earlier years, much of the exploitation was for sex. Plans call for taking “The Amistad Movement” to areas with high concentrations of immigrants. After south Florida, Chester and her staff want to take it to the Gulf Coast region and the southern Plains, particularly Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, where the prevalence of chicken processing plants is a draw for traffickers. The program mostly will work within parishes, the natural gathering place for many immigrants. “We love to be able to bring people together,” Chester said. “Once trained, they can share with each other.”

Learn More To read additional articles, statistics, and other available information about human trafficking, visit www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/humanlife-and-dignity/humantrafficking/index.cfm

Acadiana Catholic

February 2013 Page 23

Page 24 Februay 2013

Social media continued from page 19

Very often in new media “the more provocative I am, the more strident, the more extreme I am in my views, the more attention I get,” he said. But, he said, the pope “is calling for the importance of the quiet voice of reason; we need moderation, reason and logic otherwise our debates are going nowhere.” Archbishop Claudio Celli, the council’s president, said even Catholic sites and forums can be plagued by an aggressive and divisive atmosphere. “The problem isn’t so much displaying straightforward fidelity to particular dogmatic statements of the faith,” he said; the problem is how to best show God’s mercy and love, which is often more credibly and effectively done with actions and not just words. “I knew my mother and father loved me not because they showered me with solemn declarations, but because they let me experience first-hand what it means to be loved,” the arch-

bishop said. The same needs to happen in the realm of faith, because what humanity needs more than anything is to experience first-hand God’s love and mercy, he said. In his message, the pope said, “Dialogue and debate can also flourish and grow when we converse with and take seriously people whose ideas are different from our own.” Social networks are an important place for people of faith to reach out to others “by patiently and respectfully engaging their questions and their doubts as they advance in their search for the truth and the meaning of human existence,” the pope said. If evangelizing is to bear fruit, he said, people need to remember that “it is always because of the power of the word of God itself to touch hearts, prior to any of our own efforts.” The level of debate can be toned down and sensationalism avoided when people begin to put more trust in the power of God’s work “than any confidence we place in human means,” he said. “We need to trust in the fact

Acadiana Catholic

that the basic human desire to love and to be loved, and to find meaning and truth -- a desire which God himself has placed in the heart of every man and woman -- keeps our contemporaries ever open to ... the ‘kindly light’

of faith,” Pope Benedict said. He also reminded people to use online networks to invite others into a faith community, religious celebrations and pilgrimages: “elements which are always important in the journey of faith.”

Siblings celebrate Year of Faith in a special way

As part of their celebration of the Year of Faith, several members of the Daunis family recently traveled to the place of their baptism, St. Philip Church in Vacherie, to renew their baptismal promises. The ceremony was conducted by Father Chris Decker, pastor of the parish. Pictured above from left to right are Daniel Daunis (River Ridge, LA), Dr. Joan Hoffpauir (Metairie, LA), Eugenie Licalzi (Mandeville, LA), Christine Daunis (Lafayette, LA), an unidentified altar server, and Father Decker. Also presented but not pictured were family members Patricia Daunis and Mrs. Daniel (Miriam) Daunis (both of River Ridge, LA). Photo submitted by Christine Daunis

Acadiana Catholic

February 2013 Page 25

Congratulations Catholic School Students of the Year!

LAFAYETTE Please join the Diocese of Lafayette’s Office of Catholic Schools in congratulating all of the 2012-2013 “Students of the Year” as they have been selected by their individual school. Each school is given the opportunity to select a student from the fifth, eighth, and twelfth grade levels to not only receive this honor on the local level, but also to be nominated for consideration as “Student of the Year” on the diocesan level as well. The “Student of the Year” awards program is sponsored by the Louisiana State Superintendent through the State Department of Education and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Its purpose is to recognize outstanding students who have demonstrated excellent academic achieven-

From www.ncea.org: “The 2013 theme supports the recent launch of the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools, that ensure the effective operation and responsible governance Catholic schools across the country, thus promoting high academic standards and Catholic identity. The logo designed for the week illustrates a chart of steady growth culminating in the highest achievement of all, a cross representing the faith that underscores all Catholic education.” Catholic Schools Week was recently celebrated from January 27-February 2.

ment, leadership ability, and citizenship. In order to be considered for the award, candidates must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 on a 4-point scale. The Office of Catholic Schools will announce the diocese’s overall “Students of the Year” at a later date. The selected students will have an opportunity to meet with Bishop Michael Jarrell to receive his personal commendations for their achievements, and will also have their names submitted for consideration for the state level’s “Student of the Year” awards. At this time, however, congratulations are extend to all those who have been recognized by their participating schools. Please note that the list of twelfth grade “Students of the Year” is located on page 29.

2012-2013 5th Grade Students of the Year

2012-2013 8th Grade Students of the Year

SCHOOL

NAME OF STUDENT

SCHOOL

NAME OF STUDENT

Our Mother of Peace, Church Point

Lindsey Clare Lyons

Adam Michael LeJeune

Rayne Catholic, Rayne

Matthew Paul Ronkartz

Redemptorist Catholic, Crowley

Summar Paige LeLeux

St. Francis, Iota

Grace Catherine Leonards

Maddison Clair Allbritton

Evan Paul Miller

Lucas Michael Corona

Sophie Christine Peschier

Tylen Patrick Butler

Melanna Janae Sam

Sydney Clare Boudreaux

Emma Elizabeth Champagne

Lily Maria Guidry

Noah Patrick LaBruyere

Layne Elizabeth Miller

Bram Anthony Saracino

Sophia Elizabeth Finch

Alec Michael Latiolais

Our Mother of Peace, Church Point Rayne Catholic, Rayne St. Francis, Iota St. Michael, Crowley Sacred Heart, Ville Platte Catholic High, New Iberia Carencro Catholic, Carencro Cathedral-Carmel, Lafayette St. Cecilia, Broussard St. Genevieve, Lafayette Sts. Leo – Seton, Lafayette Opelousas Catholic, Opelousas St. Edmund, Eunice St. Ignatius, Grand Coteau St. Bernard, Breaux Bridge Trinity Catholic, St. Martinville Hanson Memorial, Franklin Maltrait Memorial, Kaplan

St. Michael, Crowley Sacred Heart, Ville Platte Catholic High, New Iberia Carencro Catholic, Carencro Cathedral-Carmel, Lafayette St. Cecilia, Broussard St. Genevieve, Lafayette Sts. Leo – Seton, Lafayette Sts. Peter and Paul, Scott Opelousas Catholic, Opelousas St. Edmund, Eunice St. Ignatius, Grand Coteau St. Bernard, Breaux Bridge Trinity Catholic, St. Martinville

Eric André Bedel Julia Claire McDaniel Phyllis Elliot Doré Joseph Ellis LaHaye Macy Lyn Romero Konnor Ashton Miller Julia Claire Evans Joshua Kane Ardoin Abigail Mayumi Ray Brooke Elizabeth Badeaux Elizabeth Ann Duplechain Kathryn Paige Leger Ashley Marie Daigle Gabrielle Marie Capdepon Kennedi J’nai Kately Jacqueline Taylor Switzer Gabriel Blake LeBeouf

Page 26 February 2013

Acadiana Catholic

Superintendent of Catholic Schools re-elected as chair of non-public council

LAFAYETTE Congratulations go out to Ms. Anna Larriviere, Superintendent of the Diocese of Lafayette’s Office of Catholic Schools, for her recent re-election to serve as chairperson of the Non-Public School Council. Ms. Larriviere is a graduate of Holy Cross College in New Orleans, where she obtained a BS in Education before going on to obtain a Master’s in Education from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Her first teaching assignment was as a middle school teacher at St. Alphonsus School in Ocean Springs, MS, a position which she held for one year before she returned to her home state of Louisiana to serve as Assistant Principal/Middle School teacher at St. Francis de Sales School in Houma from 1971-1979. She became principal of that school in 1979, and remained there in that capacity until 1996, when she accepted a position as As-

sistant Superintendent with the Diocese of Lafayette. In 1999, she was elevated to the position of Superintendent. Ms. Larriviere is a member of the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA), of Chief Administrators of Catholic Edcuation (CACE), of the Accountability Committee for the state of Louisiana, and of the Board of Directors of Prompt Succor Nursing Home in Opelousas. She has served on the Non-Public School Council since 1999, when she was appointed by Mr. Dale Bayard. She was recently re-appointed by Ms. Holly Boffy, District 7 member of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). In addition to being re-elected for a second term as chair of the council, Ms. Larriviere also serves as chair of the Catholic School Superintendents. The purpose of the Non-public School Council is to serve BESE and the Department of

Maureen Fontenot, Director of the Secretariat of Community Services (left) and Superintendent of Catholic Schools Anna Larriviere (right) review policies pertaining to the functions of the Office of Catholic Schools. Ms. Larriviere was recently re-elected as the chair of the Non-Public School Council. Photo by Stephanie R. Martin

Education by advising on matters that will impact the non-public schools of the state of Louisiana, particularly in the area of policy-making. The council meets four times throughout the year and consists of 11 members overall. “The Diocese of Lafayette is proud to have Ms. Larriv-

iere as part of its team and is appreciative of her continued commitment to Catholic school education,” offered Maureen Fontenot, Director of the Diocese of Lafayette’s Secretariat of Community Services, under which the Office of Catholic Schools is categorized for administrative purposes.

Our Lady of Fatima School Celebrating our Catholic Faith and 30 Years of our Pride and JoyThe Department of Exceptional Children! Prayers offered for Sandy Hook Elementary

Our Lady of Fatima School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, or disability (if with reasonable accomodations the individual can meet our program goals), in its educational programs, activities, or employment policies.

St. Genevieve Catholic School recently recited a rosary in memory of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims. The students recited the rosary by candle light, and continued to remember the victims throughout the day by wearing ribbons in the Sandy Hook colors of green and white on their uniforms. The victims and their families remain in our thoughts and prayers. Photo submitted by St. Genevieve Catholic School

Acadiana Catholic

February 2013 Page 27

Reunion classes gift “Cross of Life” to school’s new gym

by Msgr. J. Robert Romero, VE EUNICE On the afternoon of December 7, 2012, Mr. Ed Palubinskas completed a painting of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at St. Edmund Catholic School in Eunice, above the main entrance to the new gym. This was done in three-dimensional image. The model Mr. Palubinskas used was the crucifix in the old gym. First, a word about the crucifix in the old gym: this crucifix was in St. Anthony Church and placed on the wall in the room going up to the loft. Father Dutel had the crucifix refurbished with the intent of placing it in the new gym. However, the wall in the new gym was not built to be strong enough to support the crucifix. After some time searching for an appropriate location, it was discovered that the wall in the old gym was strong enough for the crucifix. Second, a word about the new

The refurbished crucifx from St. Anthony of Padua Church now hangs in the old gymnasium. Photo submitted by St. Edmund Catholic School

Students were able to watch Mr. Palubinskas work on the ‘Cross of Life.’ Photo submitted by St. Edmund Catholic School

crucifix painting: when Mr. Palubinskas was asked to paint a crucifix--as the wall in the new gym could support a painting-we asked him to use the old cross as a model. Using the model of the old cross and using artistic license, Mr. Palubinskas painted a three-dimensional crucifix presentation with a vivid portrait of the body of Christ and the use of red on the cloth and green for the crown of thrones. He tells me that he used red because red is a symbol of giving our blood in death. He used green as a symbol of life. On the model cross in the old gym, Mr. Palubinskas did not see in detail from the floor of the gym how the thorns were encircling Jesus’ head. So he interpreted the crown of thorns in the painting with a solid green color. The result is a very beautiful presentation of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ where Christ is the focus. The painting takes one into the very humanity of Christ and His death on the cross. At the same

time, the art-work also points to the reason for Christ’s death on the cross. This reason is to give us life--the life we had with God before the original sin of Adam and Eve. A person of faith, looking on the cross, sees death and life. The purpose of death is to restore life. For this reason, I like to call the crucifix in the new gym the “Cross of Life.” That is the reason Jesus came to us as a baby in the womb and birth in Bethlehem. His death on the cross on Calvary restores our life in God. There is an Advent Byzantine Chant called “Bethlehem, Make Ready” that explains this very well: Bethlehem, make ready, for Eden has been opened for all. Ephrathah, be alert, for the Tree of Life has blossomed forth from the Virgin in the cave. Her womb has become a spiritual paradise wherein the Divine Fruit was planted, and if we eat of it, we shall live and not die like Adam. Christ is coming forth to bring back to life the likeness that had been lost in the beginning. Bethlehem, make ready, for Eden has been opened for all! In a sermon by Saint Gregory Nazianzen (325 – 389), Bishop, we see a further expression of the life Christ gives us by his death on the cross: “Holiness had to be brought to man by the humanity assumed by one who was God, so that God might overcome the tyrant by force and so deliver us and lead us back to himself through the mediation of his Son. The son arranged this for the honor of the

Father, to whom the Son is clearly obedient in all things. The Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for the sheep, came in search of the straying sheep to the mountains and hills on which you used to offer sacrifice. When he found it, he took it on the shoulders that bore the wood of the cross, and led it back to the life of heaven. . .We need God to take our flesh and die, that we might live. We have died with him, that we may be purified. We have risen again with him, because we have died with him.. We have been glorified with him, because we have risen again with him.” In the prayer of the church, we see clearly how Jesus’ birth at Bethlehem leads to Calvary and life in our body with God in Heaven. I take this time to thank the alumni classes of 1962, 1982, and 2012 for their generous contribution of this beautiful expression of faith to our school campus and to the Eunice Community.

Photo submitted by St. Edmund Catholic School

Page 28 February 2013

Acadiana Catholic

Marches/rallies help Catholic school students show their love, support, and enthusiasm for the pro-life ministry

by Aline Norwood LAFAYETTE Students from several Catholic schools and churches within the Diocese of Lafayette joined Teurlings Catholic High School in a Walk for Life at 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, January 22, 2013. Each school carried a customized cross at the event which marked the actual date of the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision of the abortion case, Roe vs Wade. This is the 8th Biennial Walk for Life sponsored by Teurlings Catholic High School. Every other year, TCH students travel to Washington D.C. in participatory support of the Pro Life March held at our nation’s capital. In the first years of the Teurlings Catholic Walk for Life, there were as many as 1500 students from schools throughout the Diocese. Since then, many schools have initiated prayerful demonstrations and marches at their own localities.

Participating schools in Teurling Catholic’s 8th Biennial ‘Walk for Life’ Teurlings Catholic Catholic High Opelousas Catholic St. Thomas More Vermillion Catholic St. Bernard Sts. Leo-Seton Carencro Catholic St. Genevieve More than 1,000 students and teachers showed their love and support of the pro-life ministry at this year’s ‘Walk for Life’ sponsored by Teurlings Catholic High School in Lafayette. As noted by Teurlings principal, Mr. Michael Boyer, even more schools used to participate but now sponsor their own marches and rallies on their own campuses, just as Teurlings organizers originally hoped. Photo by Stephanie R. Martin

“It was always the intent from the Walk’s inception, that Diocesan schools take the concept back to their communities and we are proud to know we might have served as a catalyst in some small way,” said TCH Principal Michael Boyer. The one-mile Walk began at

St. Cecilia School

Celebrating 103 Years of Catholic Education Pre-Kindergarten (Age 4) - 8th Grade We Love God, Learning and One Another

302 West Main Street 337-837-6363 337-837-3688 Broussard, LA 70518 www.scsbluejays.org St. Cecilia School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex or national or ethnic origin in its admission policies or educational programs.

Teurlings Catholic High School and traveled to the Immaculata Center, joining Pro-Life Apostolate Karol Meynard and her staff for a community rally in support for the sanctity of human life and to pray for the lives of the unborn. Bishop Michael Jarrell blessed the crosses and presented his address to the crowd. Teurlings Catholic Music Ministry students lead songs and prayers. Others in the rally presented personal testimonials. Lauren continued on page 29

For a total of

1,150

students & teachers in attendance!

A tradition of the ‘Walk for Life’ is for each school to carry its own special cross during the procession from the Teurlings campus to the Immaculata Center. During the rally, Bishop Michael Jarrell offered a special blessing over the crosses. Photo by Stephanie R. Martin

Sts. Leo-Seton students spread Christmas cheer

Sts. Leo-Seton Catholic School Music Monday Choir told the story of the birth of Jesus through song to visitors, patients and staff during a recent visit to Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center. The performance in the hospital chapel was networked throughout the hospital and into patients rooms, filling all with the true meaning and spirit of Christmas. Choir members are shown enjoying OLOL lobby Christmas tree. Photo submitted by Sts. Leo-Seton Catholic School

Acadiana Catholic

t t t t t

Mardi Gras is coming to St. Ignatius School!

GRAND COTEAU The St. Ignatius PTC will be selling Rainbeau Dinners from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 24 on the grounds of St. Ignatius School in Grand Coteau. Donations are $6 for half a chicken or pork steak with all the trimmings. Tickets may be purchased from any St. Ignatius student or from the school office. In other news, Mardi Gras is coming to the St. Ignatius campus! As is traditional at the

school, the two Pre-K classes will be highlighted as this year’s Mardi Gras kings and queens, entitling them and their families to decorate a wagon in their own unique style. On the day of the parade, the kings and queens will ride in these special parade “floats” as they are pulled along by the seventh and eighth grade students. Beads will be thrown to the parade watchers, who will consist of family, friends, faculty, and the rest of the student body.

February 2013 Page 29

2012-2013 12th Grade Students of the Year SCHOOL

NAME OF STUDENT

Notre Dame, Crowley Sacred Heart, Ville Platte Catholic High, New Iberia St. Thomas More, Lafayette Teurlings Catholic Opelousas Catholic, Opelousas St. Edmund, Eunice Hanson, Franklin Vermilion Catholic, Abbeville

Joel Matthew Guinn

Abby Marie Fontenot

Anthony Andrew Berry

Christopher John Dedo

Drake Steven Boudreaux

Sydney Elizabeth Dean

Elizabeth Nicole Heinen

Emily Marie Chauvin

Katelyn “Katie” Michele Meaux

Catholic schools are pro-life! continued from page 28

Lauren Trosclair, a 2010 Teurlings graduate, attended the rally to share her family story; Lauren is one of three children adopted by Kellie and Philip Trosclair through the Diocese of Lafayette’s Office of Catholic Social Services. Photo by Stephanie R. Martin

Trosclair, TCH 2010, shared her story with the crowd. She is one of three children adopted by Kellie and Philip Trosclair through

Photo submitted by St. Ignatius School

Our Mother of Peace Catholic School

218 North Rogers Street Church Point, LA 70525

New Family Registration

www.ompwildcats.com

Tel: 337-684-5780 Fax: 337-684-6983

Begins February 4, 2013

Our Mother of Peace Elementary School accepts student applications for admission to any grade regardless of race or national origin. There is no discrimination in the administration of educational policies, or scholarship and loan programs, and of athletic and extra-curricular programs.

the Diocese of Lafayette. The Trosclair family is an extended one as all three children maintain close relationships with their birth mothers. So close, that Lauren’s brother Chris, even babysits for his birth mother’s younger children. Trosclair pulled students from the crowd to depict her expanded family, handing them beads to outline the relationships between the parents who chose her and her siblings along with their birth parents. As witness to their successful testimonial for Pro-Life, members of the Trosclair extended family were present at the rally.

Page 30 February 2013

Acadiana Catholic

C.S. Lewis’ exploration of Christian faith inspires new generation

by Jonathan Luxmoore Catholic News Service OXFORD, England (CNS) In a wooded suburb of this fabled university city, a battered typewriter sits on a desk beside a bay window that overlooks a tangled landscape of oaks and beeches. Nearby, ancient bookshelves guard a leather armchair surrounded by wall maps and pictures depicting a fantasy world. When Clive Staples Lewis bought The Kilns, a former brick factory, in 1930, he used its remote calm to produce a stream of Christian stories, the best known of which, “The Chronicles of Narnia,” has since sold 100 million copies in more than 45 languages. But Lewis also gained renown for his Christian apologetics. His “Mere Christianity,” published in 1952, was rated “best religious book of the 20th century” by the U.S. magazine Christianity Today. Until now, Lewis has been

Discovering

largely ignored at Oxford University, where he taught for three decades, until his death in 1963. He has gained greater recognition in the U.S., where the Episcopal Church celebrates a “Holy C.S. Lewis Day” each November. With interest growing, however, and three books of the Narnia series now blockbuster films, things are changing. “Lewis wasn’t a professional theologian, but his sense of the world Christianity portrays was just as profound as the best modern theologians’,” said Judith Wolfe, an expert on the author and a theology faculty member of Oxford’s St. John’s College. “He realized Christian literature wasn’t presenting good characters who were also interesting; the evil characters were always more compelling,” she said. “By portraying Christ as the lion Aslan in the Narnia stories, he hoped to reveal the real-life attractiveness of the holy.” A native of what is now Northern Ireland, Lewis won an Oxford

who

You

scholarship in 1916, graduating after fighting in the trenches of World War I. He became a fellow of Oxford’s Magdalen College in 1925. The city is full of landmarks connected to Lewis. There’s the Eagle and Child pub where his literary group, The Inklings, met; the walkways where he nurtured his fascination for Nordic, Celtic and Greek legends; and the Anglican Holy Trinity Church where he lies buried. As a new generation is introduced to the world of Narnia, Anglican Father Michael Ward, a university chaplain, said he thinks Lewis’ Christian vision is gaining a new relevance. Lewis’ work has appeared on reading lists in both English literature and systematic theology at Oxford. The C.S. Lewis Society hosts weekly seminars at the university’s Pusey House. “Like his close friend, J.R.R. Tolkien, Lewis expressed his Christian faith through narrative and imagination which seems to

are is part of everY

be chiming in with contemporary needs,” explained Father Ward, co-editor of the groundbreaking “The Cambridge Companion to C.S. Lewis.” “People are picking up intuitively again on the timeless religious element in his books, even if they’re not directly aware of their fundamentally Christian message,” the priest said. Lewis was raised in the Anglican Church of Ireland, but abandoned his faith in school, recalling in “Surprised by Joy: The Shape of my Early Life” how he had received Communion “in total disbelief, acting a part, eating and drinking my own condemnation.” When Lewis returned to the Anglican faith at Oxford in 1931 -- thanks to the devoutly Catholic Tolkien, author of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy -- he described himself as “the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England.” Although Lewis disappointed Tolkien by declining to become a continued on page 32

Life’s JourneY

SSH accepts qualified students of all races, religions, and ethnic origins.

A Journey where students.. find their Passion develop a love of Learning become effective and compassionate Leaders Begin your journey in Grand Coteau. Acadiana’s choice for single-gender education.

Wednesday Walkabouts February 6, 20 and 27, 9-11am 337.662.5275

www.sshcoteau.org

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February 2013 Page 31

Local Catholic school teacher shares his family’s pro-life experience with others at National March for Life

by Stephanie R. Martin LAFAYETTE “My greatest fear would be to have a child with a mental or physical handicap.” The year was 2005, and that answer was the one Mr. Chad Judice gave to one of his students during his final days as a teacher at Cathedral-Carmel School in Lafayette. Mr. Judice knew at the time that he was moving on to teach at St. Thomas More High School during the next school year, and in a farewell gesture he had allowed his students to ask him a few personal questions before they parted ways. Of course, when he answered the student’s question regarding his greatest fear, Chad had no idea how much his life would soon be impacted by the realization of that very fear. Three short years later, as he and his wife Ashley were expecting their second child, they were told during a 16-week ultrasound that their baby would be born with a birth defect called spina bifida. It was a trying time for the the Judices--Chad, Ashley, their firstborn son Ephraim--as well as for their extended family and all their friends and loved ones. As word of the diagnosis spread around the St. Thomas More High School campus, many of Chad’s fellow

The Judice family--Chad, older brother Ephraim, younger brother Eli, and Ashley--with Archbishop Harry J. Flynn during one of his visits to the Diocese of Lafayette. Photo submitted by Chad Judice

faculty members and also many of his students joined the family in praying for little baby Eli. Later, Chad chronicled his family’s story in the book Waiting for Eli: A Father’s Journey from Fear to Faith and has also since written a sequel in which he continues to share the inspirational pro-life message that has come from this one man trusting in God’s love and mercy as he faced down his own self-proclaimed greatest fear. His willingness to share the story of his son Eli and the ways

in which having a handicapped child has actually strengthened the loving bond amongst all the members of the Judice family has granted Chad the opportunity to spread his pro-life experience to

a very wide audience. In addition to receiving several invitations to speak at various local venues throughout the Diocese of Lafayette and the state of Louisiana, Chad has also spoken at the Critical Life Issues Conference in New Jersey and Aggies for Life at Texas A&M. Near the end of January, Chad and his family were also the special guests of Bishop Richard Malone of the Diocese of Buffalo, New York at a breakfast he hosted in Washington, DC, in conjunction with the National March for Life. Following the speaking engagment, the Judices joined other representatives of St. Thomas More High School as they participated with others who gathered from throughout the country to offer their prayers and support of the pro-life movement in protest of the 40th anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion in the United States.

St. Francis students enjoy outdoor classroom Chad Judice at a book signing at Felician College in New Jersey, where he had the opportunity to share his family’s pro-life story with those in attendance. Photo submitted by Chad Judice

St. Michael School offers students an excellent Catholic education, rich in faith, scholarship, leadership and service. An outstanding faculty, strong curriculum, and a state-of-the-art facility prepare our students for the future. Visit St. Michael School to see all that we have to offer you and your child. Family and tradition play a huge part at St. Francis School in Iota. Family members of past alumni Henry Foret, Jr. and Rodney LeJeune donated funding toward an outdoor classroom for use by present and future students. Both alumni and students were in attendence for the blessing by Father Jude Thierry. Photo submitted by St. Francis School

New StudeNt RegiStRatioN • thursday, Feb.14, 7:30a.M.-1P.M. 805 e. Northern ave. • Crowley, La • 783-1410 • www.stmike.net St. Michael School does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, sex, or national origin.

Page 32 February 2013

C.S. Lewis continued from page 30

Catholic, he was sympathetic to the Catholic doctrines of confession and prayers to the saints. His return to faith released new powers of imagination and launched him on a fresh career as an interpreter who popularized Christianity. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity,” based on wartime broadcasts for the BBC, tackled popular objections to Christianity, stripping it to its essentials with simple arguments and observations. Diarmaid MacCulloch, professor of church history at Oxford, said Lewis’ nondenominational approach to Christianity explains his popularity in the U.S. and is giving him renewed appeal today. “Lewis has become a standardbearer for conservative Christians when religion seems to be undergoing a great realignment between the forces of tradition and change,” MacCulloch told Catholic News Service. “This tension runs across the theological categories and can now unite a conservative Catholic with a

conservative Protestant, something which wouldn’t have happened half a century ago.” Other experts concur that Lewis succeeded in capturing the Christian imagination where the theological abstractions of churches often seemed too high brow. In “The Screwtape Letters,” a series of imagined exchanges between an older and younger devil, Lewis satirized human weakness and self-deception, showing how Christian communities could be corrupted with “uneasy intensity and defensive self-righteousness.” In “The Great Divorce,” he exposed the vulnerability of human self-awareness, while in “Reflections on the Psalms” he explained why the Old Testament’s contents, however “terrible and contemptible,” were needed to show humanity’s true colors. Walter Hooper, an American Catholic who was living with Lewis at the time of his death, remembers the author as affable and hard-drinking, but also as a man who sincerely attempted, against difficult odds, to live a

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Christian life. Now 81 and a trustee of Lewis’ estate, Hooper has edited Lewis’ letters and diaries, some of which were rescued from a bonfire two months after the writer’s death. He agreed that interest in Lewis also is growing among Catholics. During a 1988 Cambridge University lecture, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger praised Lewis’ rejection of “destructive relativism.” Hooper recalled how Blessed John Paul II also revealed a knowledge of Lewis’ works when the two met during a 1988 general audience in Rome and the late pope lauded his 1960 work, “The Four Loves,” as well as Lewis’ devotion to a practical apostolate. “Lewis owed it to his fans to avoid complexities and set Christianity’s core beliefs in place,” Hooper told CNS. “But he was adamant those core beliefs, the deposit of faith, must always remain, no matter how things change. If you get rid of Christianity’s sense and meaning, you’ll have nothing to come back to,” he said. Lewis has been criticized by atheists in Britain and the U.S., while many professional theologians still maintain a haughty disdain for him. But Hooper predicted Lewis’ contribution to popularizing Christianity will gain ever greater acknowledgment, especially

Author C.S. Lewis is pictured in a 1955 portrait by Walter Stoneman. Experts agree that Lewis succeeded in capturing the Christian imagination where the theological abstractions of churches often seemed too high brow. CNS/courtesy of the National Portra it Gallery, London

when the Christian faith appears in danger of being ignored. “Lewis believed he had a responsibility to spread the Gospel through his writings and showed how Christianity could be presented in almost any form, from science fiction to children’s fables,” Hooper said. “Because the academics wouldn’t touch him, it’s taken a long time for his creativity to be taken seriously. But Lewis couldn’t deal with anything without illuminating it; and I think many people are now appreciating the inspirational power which runs through his work,” he said.

TCH priests of the future!

Rev. Mr. Dustin Dought [ TCH 2005 ] and Seminarian David Rozas [ TCH 2007 ] recently visited the Teurlings Catholic High School campus and spoke to each Theology class on discerning a call to the religious life. Deacon Dought is attending Theological College in Washington, D.C. and will be ordained on June 8, 2013. David is completing his Senior year of studies at St. Joseph’s Seminary College in Covington, LA. Photo submitted by Teurlings Catholic High School

Acadiana Catholic

February 2013 Page 33

Catholic college influences choice to become nun, brother

USCCB WASHINGTON Catholic education in high school and especially in college stands out as a significant factor in men and women choosing to enter a religious order, according to an annual survey of Sisters and Brothers who recently professed perpetual vows. The survey also found an increase in Asians, particularly Vietnamese, choosing religious life in the U.S. The data are found in “New Sisters and Brothers Professing Perpetual Vows in Religious Life,” a report on a survey conducted by the Georgetown University-based Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA). The survey was commissioned by the U.S. bishops’ Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations. It can be found at www.usccb.org/consecratedlife.

Researchers surveyed religious who professed perpetual vows in 2012, reaching a total of 108 sisters and 24 brothers, a response rate of 85 percent of the 156 potential members of the Profession Class of 2012 identified to CARA by their religious superior. Major findings include the following: • The average age of religious of the Profession Class of 2012 is 39.Half are 37 or younger. The youngest responding sister is 23; the oldest 66. Eight women professed perpetual vows at age 60 or older. Among brothers, the youngest is 25 and the oldest, 62; two professed perpetual vows at 60 or older. • Over two-thirds (69 percent) of the class identify as white, nearly one in six (15 percent)

identifies as Asian, and almost one in ten (8 percent) identifies as Hispanic. In general the Class of 2012 has a larger percentage of Asians and much lower percentage of Hispanics than the percentage of Asians and Hispanics found in the U.S. Catholic population at large.About two percent of U.S. Catholics are Asian and at least a third are Hispanic. • Most (71 percent) were U.S.born. Of those born outside the U.S., the most common country of origin is Vietnam (8 percent). Respondents identified 18 different countries of origin. • About four in ten religious (43 percent) attended a Catholic elementary school, about the same as that for all U.S. Catholic adults (42 percent). These respondents, however, are more

likely than other U.S. Catholics to have attended a Catholic high school (36 percent of the religious, compared to 22 percent of U.S. adult Catholics overall) and much more likely to have attended a Catholic college (33 percent of the religious, compared to just 7 percent of U.S. adult Catholics overall). • The religious are highly educated. Twenty-two percent earned a graduate degree before entering their order (including 37 percent of brothers and 19 percent of sisters/nuns).Six in ten (60 percent) entered their order with at least a bachelor’s degree or more (58 percent for women and 70 percent for men). • Most religious did not report that educational debt delayed continued on page 39

St. Bernard students start the year off right

Carencro Catholic students write play

To start the new year off right, cheerleaders at St. Bernard School, with the help of

Acadiana Catholic Ad 2012:Acadiana Catholic 2004.qxd 11:56 AM of Page Microtel in Breaux Bridge, donated items toAdthe Women’s1/14/2013 and Children’s shelter St. 1

Carencro Catholic School fourth grade students wrote and presented a play about a water molecule going through the various stages of the water cycle. Students are pictured here with their illustrations depicting the specific phase they were responsible for. Photo submitted by Carencro Catholic School

Martinville. Amongst the items donated were coats, blankets, diapers, feminine hygiene items, underwear and panties, band aids, and care packages containing brushes, deodorant, hand sanitizer, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and Kleenex. Photo submitted by St. Bernard School

WHERE BLUE JAYS PLAY & THE SPIRIT LIVES ON ST. EDMUND CATHOLIC SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL · JUNIOR HIGH · ELEMENTARY 230 North Third Street, Eunice, LA 70535-3350 337-457-3777

St. Edmund Catholic School accepts student applications for admission to any grade regardless of race, creed, or national origin.

w w w. s t e d m u n d . c o m

Page 34 February 2013

Seniors commissioned to serve school as Extraordinary Lay Ministers of Communion

Acadiana Catholic

STATEMENT OF

ADMISSION POLICY SCHOOLS OF THE DIOCESE OF LAFAYETTE

The Diocese of Lafayette, the Diocesan Schools Advisory Council, and the Diocesan Office of Catholic Schools reiterate their policy of nondiscrimination in admission to the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Lafayette. There is to be no discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in accepting applications for student admissions, as well as in the administration of educational policies, of scholarship and loan programs, and of atheletic and extracurricular programs. This policy applies to all schools under diocesan auspices.

ACADIA PARISH

ST. LANDRY PARISH

EVANGELINE PARISH

ST. MARTIN PARISH

IBERIA PARISH

ST. MARY PARISH

LAFAYETTE PARISH

VERMILION PARISH

9-12 Notre Dame Pre-K-8 Our Mother of Peace Pre-K-8 Rayne Catholic Pre-K-8 Redemptorist Pre-K-8 St. Francis Pre-K-8 St. Michael At Notre Dame High School in Crowley, Father Matthew Higginbotham (Chancellor) recently commissioned 25 Seniors as Extraordinary Lay Ministers of Communion for the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weekly Liturgies. These young men and women completed training sessions with Father Higginbotham prior to their commissioning. Photo submitted by Notre Dame High School

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvv New Beta Club members at Redemptorist

K-12 Sacred Heart

4-12 Catholic High Pre-K-3 St. Edward

Pre-K-8 Carencro Catholic Pre-K-8 Cathedral-Carmel Pre-K-8 Holy Family Pre-K-8 Immaculate Heart of Mary Pre-K-8 + Special Ed Our Lady of Fatima Pre-K-8 St. Pius Pre-K-8 St. Cecelia Pre-K-8 St. Genevieve Pre-K-8 Sts. Leo-Seton 9-12 St. Thomas More 9-12 Teurlings Catholic Pre-K-7 Sts. Peter & Paul Nursery-Pre-K Holy Cross Little Shepherds Early Learning Center Nursery-Pre-K St. Mary Early Learning Center

Pre-K-12 Schools of the Sacred Heart Pre-K-12 Opelousas Catholic Pre-K-12 St. Edmund Pre-K-8 St. Ignatius

Pre-K-8 St. Bernard Pre-K-8 Trinity Catholic

6-12 Hanson Memorial Pre-K-5 St. John

Pre-K-8 Maltrait Memorial K-8 Mt. Carmel K-8 St. Peter 9-12 Vermilion Catholic

Most Rev. Michael Jarrell Bishop, Diocese of Lafayette

Redemptorist Beta Club inducted ten new Beta members for the 2012-2013 school year. Front row: Liliana Swilley, Summar LeLeux, Jocelyn Marceaux, Nathan Sistrunk, Julia Raspberry, and Aleigha Leger. Back row: Fr. Matthew Higginbotham, Ashtyn Duplechain, Lanie Conner, Alex Foreman, Brennan Credeur, and Sponsor, Pam Domingues. Photo submitted by Redemptorist Catholic School

Greg Landry President, Diocesan Schools Advisory Council Anna Larriviere Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools

Mount Carmel Elementary 405 Park Avenue Phone: 337-898-0859 Fax: 337-893-5968 Abbeville, LA E-Mail: carmel@mceschool.com Web Site: http://www.mceschool.org

Providing excellence in education and encouraging a zealous commitment to prayer and service

Mt. Carmel does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, creed, or national origin.

Acadiana Catholic

ASH alumnaeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lenten Day of Recollection

GRAND COTEAU The Alumnae Association of the Academy of the Sacred Heart will host a Day of Recollection on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ending with Mass in the Academy Chapel. Rev. Msgr. Keith DeRouen, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in Opelousas,will serve as retreat director. The Day of Recollection is open to individuals of all religious backgrounds and faiths. This is an excellent opportunity for a day of quiet inner focus for business people, parents, and others unable to find time for a longer spiritual retreat. There is no fee to participate. Donations are appreciated. The Alumnae Association of the Academy will provide beverages and participants should bring a bag lunch. For further information, contact Linzee LaGrange at (337) 662-5275 or llagrange@ sshcoteau.org.

February 2013 Page 35

Opelousas Catholic Educational Extravaganza â&#x20AC;&#x153;Louisiana: The Promised Landâ&#x20AC;?

OPELOUSAS Opelousas Catholic School is holding their Educational Extravaganza during the week of March 4-8, 2013 in the school gymnasium on East Prudhomme Street. The theme this year is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Louisiana: The Promised Landâ&#x20AC;? and will focus on the many aspects of Louisiana, such as our food, culture, environment and more. Some of the guest speakers during the weeklong event will include Johnette Downing, multi-award winning author and childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s musician; as well as family members of the late Charlene Richard and Father Verbis Lafleur. Grade levels from grades one through six will set up exhibits for viewing in the gym dealing with the different regions of Louisiana. To kick off the extravaganza, there will be a special evening of fun with the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cajun Comedy Tourâ&#x20AC;? on Saturday, March 2nd,

The Opelousas Catholic varsity cheerleaders were honored as the Acadiana Postgameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cheerleader Squad of the Yearâ&#x20AC;? and were presented with a check for $250 as part of their award as shown. Photo submitted by Opelousas Catholic School

in the Opelousas Catholic gymnasium. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. when guests will be able to see special cooking demonstrations and enjoy food provided by Tony Chachereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. The show featuring comics Murray Conques

and Kent Gonsoulin (O.C. alumnus) will get underway about 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the event are $15 per person. Contact Jill at 7397133 or Ann at 277-4514 for tickets or more information.

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450 E. Farrel Road Lafayette, La 70508 (337) 988-3700 stmcougars.net 6W 7KRPDV 0RUH &DWKROLF +LJK 6FKRRO GRHV QRW GLVFULPLQDWH RQ WKH EDVLV RI UDFH FRORU VH[ QDWLRQDO RU HWKQLF RULJLQ

Page 36 February 2013

Acadiana Catholic

Is ‘game over’ the proper Catholic response to violent video games?

by Adam Shaw Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) Even as people across the nation continue to mourn the children and teachers who were killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the question of what drove killer Adam Lanza to commit such a horrific crime is already being debated. Violent video games were cited as an aggravating factor by some even before it was discovered that Lanza was an avid fan of the “Call of Duty” franchise -- a brand of enormously popular first-person war shooters. This should come as no surprise; in the wake of many earlier atrocities, video games have shared in the blame. In the case of the 1999 Columbine High School shooting, for example, perpetrators Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were found to have been obsessed with Id Software’s classic shooters “Doom” and “Wolfenstein 3D.” This led to a host of accusations that those titles played a role in encouraging mass murder. Yet research on the subject appears inconclusive.

Some maintain that video games exert a deeper psychological effect than a passive medium like film or television because the gamer takes an active role in the violence at hand. Those who disagree point out that, despite study after study, no tangible link has ever been established between bloody video games and real-life violence. In fact, it’s been argued that just the opposite is true -- that “play” violence actually provides an outlet for destructive urges that might otherwise be acted on in reality. Certainly video games by themselves do not a killer make, given that millions who play them don’t end up slaughtering children -- or harming anyone, for that matter. Still, it seems quite likely that Harris and Klebold’s constant playing of “Doom” or Lanza’s hours put into “Call of Duty” may have brought previously latent tendencies to the fore. How should gamers of faith view this issue? The teaching of the church has always emphasized the personal nature of sin. While collective factors or social trends may contribute to shaping misguided

values, each offense against God is first and foremost the chosen act of an individual. To say that violent video games can have negative effects on the personality of the player is not to say that all gamers will go on to be rampaging sociopaths. Still, interactive entertainment can affect real world behavior to a greater or lesser extent, depending on the individual’s personality. To look at what may be an analogous situation, a connection between pornography and rape has been shown to exist. Not everyone who engages with pornographic images becomes a rapist, of course. But, given the consequences of original sin -- the burden of concupiscence that all human beings bear -- the harmful effects of obscene material may take their toll on otherwise well-balanced people in far

subtler ways. Such repercussions may range from an addiction that causes responsibilities to be cast aside to an inability to form relationships or a disposition to flout marital vows. The damage wrought by mayhemfilled games may be equally insidious. There is, obviously, a qualitative difference between the two activities; unlike the use of pornography, playing video games is not inherently sinful. But morally minded gamers should evaluate the kind of influence to which they may be subject from the games they choose to play. Will some offering enflame negative emotions or have a desensitizing effect, inuring the player to actual violence? Perhaps another useful comparison can be made with the art of cincontinued on page 37

Children feeding children at Our Lady of Fatima

Vermilion Catholic High School 425 Park Avenue Abbeville 893-6636 www.vermilioncatholic.com

THERE’S A PLACE FOR EVERYONE AT VERMILION CATHOLIC

Join our Family VCHS does not discriminate on the basis of physical disability, race, sex, national or ethnic origin in its educational programs, activities or employment policies.

Our Lady of Fatima School and Parish came together as a faith community to raise money for the children of Rwanda. Fatima’s Children Feeding Children project collected over $27,000 to help feed the poor and hungry. Father Leszek, a priest from Kibeho, Rwanda, attended an all school Mass. Father Russo and a few students presented him with the gift. Photo submitted by Our Lady of Fatima School

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St. Thomas More help desk

‘game over’ response continued from page 36

ema. There is all the difference in the world, after all, between movies nicknamed “torture porn” and films which necessarily include violence as part of the story they have to tell; Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan,” for example. A similar gulf separates games that invite players to relish opportunities for bloodletting -- the recently released “Hit-

February 2013 Page 37 man: Absolution” would be a case in point -- and those in which violence is merely incidental. The Newtown tragedy should prompt more than just a discussion about how violent games may affect the mentally disturbed. Rather, it should inspire healthy players to take a step back and ask what the games they play are doing to their minds and, by extension, to their hearts and souls.

Did You Know? Safe Environment Tips St. Thomas More raises the standards with a student run help desk. All students are Fujitsu certified and some are A+ certified which is the industry standard for entry level computer technicians. With over 1300 tablets on campus, the students are involved in diagnosing, imaging and repairing. Photo submitted by St. Thomas More Catholic High School

qrqrqrqrqrqr Inspiring little minds at St. Michael School

Keeping Your Child’s Personal Information Personal If your children give out personal information over the Internet, not only is it easy to track, it’s tough to completely remove. Emphasize to them how important it is that they keep personal information private. Make sure that they have a strong (ideally, alphanumeric) username and password that doesn’t reveal anything personal. Encourage them not to give out their e-mail address, if they have one. If your children tell you that they have given personal information online, contact your Internet service provider or the site where the information is posted to see what you can do to have it removed. For more information, visit www.netsmartz.org. What Do Molesters Look Like? Child molestors belong to every profession, gender, and ethnic group, and they live in rural, urban, and suburban areas. There is no “look” about them that indicates that they are a danger to the physical and emotional health of our children. It is imperative that we look beyond demographic characteristics and focus on the behaviors of adults when they are around children. We must regularly refresh the basic knowledge and actions required to keep children safe. For tips on recognizing and reporting inappropriate behavior, please visit www.virtus.org.

Since 1900, St. Michael School in Crowley has been inspiring little minds to do great things through faith, scholarship, leadership and service. Our teachers model their faith through example, and our students strive for academic excellence. St. Michael School helps to prepare our students for high school, college and the world. Photo submitted by St. Michael School

To report the abuse of children and young people, please contact Sister Kathleen Farrelly, O.Carm, LCSW Victim Assistance Coordinator for the Diocese of Lafayette 1001 West Pinhook Road, Suite 205 Lafayette, LA (337) 298-2987

Cathedral-Carmel School

Congratulations to our 2012 2012ǦǦ2013 Honorees Teacher of the Year Ǧ Nicole Helo Achiever/Supporter of the Year Ǧ Sandra Cambre Support Person of the Year Ǧ Donna Boullion LEF Finalist Ǧ Trudie Lasseigne CCS does not discriminate against race, sex, creed or naƟonal origin.

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Thousands pray for end to abortion at national prayer vigil

USCCB WASHINGTON Over 10,000 pilgrims, many of them youth from schools around the nation, gathered in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to pray for an end to abortion at the Opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life, Thursday, January 24, at 6:30 p.m., the eve of the annual March for Life. The vigil coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision on January 22, 1973, which legalized abortion nationwide. Since the decision was handed down, an estimated 55 million abortions have been legally performed in the United States. “Marking the anniversary of the Roe decision each year could be disheartening in light of the lives lost and the lives shattered by abortion,” said Susan Wills, assistant director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, “but this Mass and events this week are also a time to pray

with faith and hope in God’s mercy.” “The commitment and energy of hundreds of thousands of young people who are here to pray and to march on behalf of unborn children and grieving post-abortive mothers is proof that the pro-life movement is alive and growing and stronger than ever,” she added. Cardinal Seán O’Malley of Boston, chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, was the principal celebrant and homilist at the Vigil Mass, concelebrated by fellow cardinals and many of the nation’s bishops and priests. Following the Opening Mass, the Vigil continued in the Crypt Church of the Basilica with confessions, a National Rosary for Life, Night Prayer according to the Byzantine Rite, and holy hours led by seminarians from across the country from midnight until 6:00 a.m. That same evening, The Catholic University of America hosted more than 1,200 pilgrims

Pope Benedict XVI sent a message on his @Pontifex Twitter account Jan. 25 in support of the the March for Life in Washington the same day. “I join all those marching for life from afar, and pray that political leaders will protect the unborn and promote a culture of life” the pope said. CNS photo/Vatican

overnight. On Friday, January 25, the Basilica hosted Morning Prayer at 6:30 a.m. in the Crypt Church and the Closing Mass at 7:30 a.m. in the Great Upper Church. Bishop Kevin J. Farrell of Dallas, was be the principal celebrant and homilist.

The National Prayer Vigil for Life is co-sponsored by the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and The Catholic University of America.

Ex-ambassadors, USCCB officials urge lawmakers to act on gun violence WASHINGTON (CNS) Two former U.S. ambassadors to the Vatican and two retired officials of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops were among more than 60 Catholic leaders urging members of Congress who consider themselves pro-life to “show greater moral leadership and political courage” in acting to cut gun violence in the United States. “We join our bishops, the Catholic Health Association and Catholic Charities USA in calling for commonsense reforms to address the epidemic of gun violence in our nation,” said the statement, made public by Faith in Public Life, a Washingtonbased advocacy group, on Jan. 23, two days before the annual March for Life in Washington. “Pro-life citizens and elected officials have a responsibility to show greater moral lead-

ership and political courage when it comes to confronting threats to the sanctity of life posed by easy access to military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines,” the statement said. “Members of Congress who take pride in their pro-life stance and appeal to family values have no excuse for inaction, and neither do any of us who share a firm commitment to these values.” The former ambassadors who signed the statement were Miguel Diaz, who served under President Barack Obama, and Thomas Melady, who served under President George H.W. Bush. The former USCCB officials who signed were Francis X. Doyle, a former associate general secretary, and Timothy Collins, former director of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

Acadiana Catholic

Catholic colleges continued from page 33

their application for entrance to their institute.For those who did, they averaged two years of delay while they paid down an average of $19,500 in educational debt. • Over eight in ten religious (82 percent) had work experience prior to entering their religious institute. Women are more likely than men to have been employed in education or health care. Men are more likely to have been employed in business or church ministry. • Many religious were active in parishes before entering their institute.Almost half (45 percent) participated in youth ministry or a youth group. One quarter (25 percent) participated in a young adult ministry or group, Catholic campus ministry/Newman Center, and/or World Youth Day. • Almost nine in ten (88 percent) had ministry experience before entering their religious institute, most commonly in faith formation (46 percent). Women

were more likely to participate in faith formation or liturgical ministries (except altar servers), while men more commonly reported hospital or prison ministries, altar server, or teaching in a Catholic school. • On average, responding religious report that they were 20 years old when they first considered a vocation, but half were 18 or younger when they first did so. • Eight in ten (82 percent) say they were encouraged to consider religious life by someone. Responding religious ranked parish priests highest for their support (44 percent of women and 58 percent of men), with encouragement from religious sisters and brothers coming second (43 percent for women 38 percent for men). • The women who responded to the survey represent 64 religious congregations, provinces or monasteries. The brothers come from 19 different congregations, provinces, or monasteries.

February 2013 Page 39

KC Council #1208 offers gifts to visiting “Father Thomas has a priest from Africa

NEW IBERIA In early December 2012, the Knights of Columbus Council #1208 at St. Peter Church in New Iberia presented a very valuable resource to a visiting priest from Africa. Father Thomas Bamutaze of Jinja, Uganda, was given 17 pyx to help him in his ministry. These gifts will help him to provide communion to the sick, and to those who do not have a nearby parish in his region of the continent.

huge parish, both population and territory-wise,” reasoned John Manes, Grand Knight of KC Council #1208. “It is only himself and one other priest. These pyx will allow ministers to bring the Eucharist to parishioners more often.” In addition, Fr. Thomas joined Council 1208 and plans to remain in regular contact with both the council and St. Peter Church in New Iberia as his ministry continues to grow in Uganda.

Photo submitted by Jerry Reynolds

NEW! Catholic’s Divorce Healing Program LAFAYETTE The Office of Marriage and Family Life is pleased to announce the beginning of an exciting new ministry to men and women who have suffered from divorce, The Catholic’s Divorce Survival Guide. Michelle Hernandez, Licensed Professional Counselor, will be facilitating the workshop. Michelle, a parishioner at Our Lady of Wisdom, trained at Loyola University in New Orleans and returned to her hometown of Lafayette with

her three children after divorce. She has done work in the areas of relationships, marriage and family life and will combine her professional and personal experience to help other Catholics on the journey after divorce. The group will meet on April 13, 2013 and April 20, 2013, St. Edmond Church Hall. The cost for the program is $50.00 per person, which covers your materials. For more information or to register, please visit our website, www.diolaf.org/marriage.

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Acadiana Catholic

February 2013 Page 41

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Acadiana Catholic

Bishop Jarrell: Divine guidance vital for those administering justice

by Kathleen Toups LAFAYETTE The importance of seeking Divine Guidance in the administering of justice was emphasized by Bishop Michael Jarrell in his homily at the annual Red Mass, where he served as principal celebrant and homilist. The Mass was held at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette, and other diocesan officials onhand included Msgrs. W. Curtis Mallet, Vicar General; Robie Robicheaux, Judicial Vicar; and regional vicars Msgrs. Jeff DeBlanc (Church Point) and Richard Greene (New Iberia). Father Kevin Bordelon was Master of Ceremonies. Deacon Timothy Maragos, a member of the Lafayette Bar Association, read the Gospel. The first reading was given by John H. Musser IV, president of the Louisiana State Bar Association. The general intercessions were led by Blake David, president of the Lafayette Bar Association. Bringing up the gifts were Judy Mahtook, president of the Lafay-

ette Bar Association Auxiliary, and Robbie Mahtook. In his opening remarks, Bishop Jarrell welcomed those in attendance. “It is encouraging to see so many of you here today as we come together and pause before God to ask His blessing on the important work of justice in this community. “A lawyer is more than a lawyer, a judge is more than a judge,” Bishop Jarrell pointed out. “Peo-

ple are more than their profession. Christians realize that the call to faith in Jesus is a call to recognize oneself as a creature of God and we have a purpose in life, but also an eternal justice. It is a call that comes to us at Baptism. This call is clear in the life of Jesus, Who for our sakes became like us in all things but sin. “As Jesus prepared for public ministry, He sought the Baptism of John and in receiving that Bap-

Bishop Jarrell greeted participants as they entered the Cathedral of St. the Evangelist for this year’s Red Mass. Photo by P.C. Piazza

tism, the heavens opened and the Spirit, like a dove descended on Him. A voice declared, ‘You are my beloved Son.’ The same Spirit that descended on Jesus is the Spirit that comes to us, making us beloved sons and daughters of the one Father with an eternal purpose and an eternal destiny,” the bishop stated. “That being said, it is also true that within our professions we are called to give witness to our faith in Jesus.” Bishop Jarrell recalled that at the Second Vatican Council, 50 years ago, the council fathers “spoke eloquently of two aspects of traditional Catholic teaching— namely, the universal call to holiness and the role of the laity in the mission of the Church.” “The distinctive role of the

laity is to bring Christ to the world, that is to bring the Christian faith and Christian values to their homes, offices, businesses, classrooms and courtrooms.” the bishop emphasized. “Holiness has never been understood in the Church as the exclusive province of the clergy and those in the consecrated life,” Bishop Jarrell said. “The history of the Church is replete with examples of lay persons who lived exemplary lives and have been declared saints of the church. I think of King St. Louis IX of France, St. Elizabeth of Hungary and St. Thomas More.” Bishop Jarrell pointed out that in his public ministry, Christ often endured ridicule and hostility, but never wavered, even as hostility mounted. “He was strengthened by the Holy Spirit,” Bishop Jarrell pointed out. “Today we gather to seek the blessing of Almighty God on those designated to administer justice in our community. This is a serious obligation, one that is never taken lightly. It is a duty which calls for special powers of intellect and will which need the assistance of a higher power. “It calls for all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, gifts of reason and understanding, fortitude and knowledge, counsel, piety and fear of the Lord. We gather in solemn prayer that all of you may exercise the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit as you fulfill your duties in pursuit of the blessed ideals of justice,” the bishop noted. “I pray that at the beginning of each day, you humbly kneel before God, ask His guidance in prayer and and also I pray that at the end of each day, you come before Him with a clear conscience and fresh resolve to humbly live in a manner worth of your calling,” Bishop Jarrell concluded.

Congratulations

Congratulations to the following church parishes/missions for having reached their fundraising goals for the 2012-2013 Bishop’s Services Appeal Campaign

Parish St. Joseph, Broussard/ St. Anthony, Cade

Pastor Fr. Arockiam Arockiam

% of Goal Met 114.6%

St. Joseph, Centerville

Fr. Salvion “Ruben” Primor

114.3%

St. Thomas, Savoy

Fr. Wayne Duet

113.3%

Acadiana Catholic

Bishop Jarrell reports on vocations

by Kathleen Toups LAFAYETTE In his homily for the Mass celebrating National Vocation Awareness Week Bishop Michael Jarrell of Lafayette commented on vocations in the Diocese of Lafayette, particularly in regard to vocations to the priesthood and permanent diaconate. “Centering on the priesthood, this is a year of challenge,” Bishop Jarrell admitted. “Because of illness and a few other circumstances, it is very thin in some places. You who attend Mass at the Cathedral don’t notice the shortage, but they do occur throughout the diocese and some of our priests are doing extra duties because of this shortage. “However, I can say there are very positive signs for the future. Within the next two years, God will-

ing, we expect to ordain 14 priests for service in the Diocese of Lafayette. This is a great blessing from God, something we have not seen for a long time.” Vocation Awareness Week is concerned with encouraging vocations to the priesthood, permanent diaconate, and the consecrated life, which includes religious brothers and sisters. “In regard to the consecrated life, I’m not sure how to judge the numbers,” Bishop Jarrell admitted. “If we look at the 1950’s and 60’s, we certainly have a shortage now. That would be my opinion, so we need to encourage vocations to the consecrated life. “You know, the Catholic faith has been present in Louisiana for over 200 years,” Bishop Jarrell recalled. “In all that time we have never re-

IMH makes special donation

The Immaculate Heart of Mary Faith Formation Program lived out their Corporal Works of Mercy by giving personal hygiene and cleaning supplies, as well as a monetary donation, to the Children’s Shelters of Acadiana Youth, Inc. In doing so, parents, teachers, and teachers used the Christmas season as a time for giving rather than receiving. Special thanks to Very Rev. Thomas James, SVD, VE, (pastor) for his love and support. Photo submitted by Mary Auzenne

February 2013 Page 43

ally provided for ourselves, especially when it comes to priests. . . .In this day and age, I think it is important we talk about this and attend to the fact that if we are going to have sufficient clergy or brothers and sisters in our diocese , it will be first of all because of God’s callling and the Holy Spirit, but God also works through people and we very much need the encouragement, especially within the famly. It should be a concern for all of us in the Church,” Bishop Jarrell emphasized. “Now in speaking about religious vocations, I also want to make the point that the Church does respect the vocation of marrage. It is a vocation that faces redefining in today’s world, the union of one man and one

woman open to bringing children into the world. It needs defending, it is an institution, a sacrament which needs promoting, as we learn more and more people, our fellow Americans, do not feel that marriage is important in their lives. So I want to make the point about the importance of the marriage vocation but also that the Church has no disrespect for those who remain single and choose to serve God in their own way. “In our gathering today, we ask God’s blessing on those who have entered religious life and those who may be interested in it. We pledge ourselves to pray for them and to encourage those whom God may be callling to one of these special vocations,” Bishop Jarrell concluded.

Days of Recollection

ebration of Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and testimonies from men and women who have responded in faith to a religious vocation. Participants are asked to bring a brown bag lunch for the day. For more information, please contact Father Michael Champagne, CJC, at (337) 394-6550.

ST. MARTINVILLE Our Lady of Sorrows Retreat Center in St. Martinville will host “A Day of Recollection for Men & Women Considering a Vocation to the Priesthood or Consecrated Life” on August 17 and December 21. The event will include the cel-

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Acadiana Catholic

Father Bordelon: be aware of beauty of faith

by Kathleen Toups LAFAYETTE “Are we sufficiently aware of the beauty of our faith?” was a question asked by Father Kevin Bordelon in his talk to those attending the January 8 Food for the Journey program. Father Bordelon is Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Lafayette, and Associate Pastor of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. He brought with him several of the seminarians who are studying for the priesthood for the diocese. They introduced themselves at the end of his talk. Father Bordelon recalled going to Montreal, Canada last fall where he visited the Basilica of Notre Dame, a popular tourist attraction. He sat, taking in the beauty of the church and the numerous visitors, and wondered if they understood the truth behind the beauty. Here at home, he pointed out that we also have a beautiful Cathedral which also attracts many tourists, and again he wondered, “Do they get the meaning of the beauty?”

“Art is meant to express or display some truth,” Father Bordelon said. “In our churches, the truth or goodness being displayed is greater than the art. God is beautiful. That beauty cannot be ignored in evangelization. “Jesus came to show us a new way to live and it is beautiful. It is important in our efforts to evangelize that we show the beauty of God by the way we live. A saint is someone in whose life beauty and truth have converged. By the way they lived, the saints help teach us about God,” Father Bordelon said. “Pope Benedict XVI has told us that presenting the beauty of the faith is important pastoral work. The purpose of the Year of Faith is to reintroduce people to the truth and beauty of God. Beautiful souls produce beautiful things, which motivate the faith, but how do we do this? “We are at the end of the Christmas season,” Father Bordelon noted. “Unlike the world, the Church takes time to get to Beth-

From L/R: Deacon Dustin Dought (St. Genevieve, Lafayette); Taj Glodd (St. Theresa of Avila, Crowley); Rev. Kevin Bordelon; David Rozas (St. Peter, Carencro); Deacon Garrett Savoie (Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mire); Ben Pitre (St. Landry, Opelousas); Alex Albert (Our Lady of Wisdom, Lafayette); Brent Smith (Our Lady of Wisdom, Lafayette); Blake Dubroc (Our Lady of Wisdom, Lafayette); Deacon Andre Metrejean (Our Lady of Wisdom, Lafayette); Travis Abadie (St. Elizabeth Seton, Lafayette); John Miller (St. Landry, Opelousas); Joe Nelson (Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New Iberia). Also present but not pictured was Michael Richard (St. Bernard, Breaux Bridge). Photo submitted by Mary Bergeron

lehem. The world is also quick to run away from Bethlehem, but it is in Bethlehem Christ tells us who He is. He came as a baby and with Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the Magi we celebrate the birth of our Savior.” In conclusion, Father Bordelon called on the seminarians present to introduce themselves and offer a comment on their vocation. They gave an interesting variety of reasons for their vocations. Several credited the example and encouragement of their parents or their pastors. Several noted the example of the laity in their

parish. Some had studied away from Louisiana and interned in parishes of that area. Returning to south Louisiana they were pleased and inspired to find the hometown people more religious than those away from Louisiana. Several had been altar servers and found the closeness to the altar and the example of the priest very encouraging. All enjoyed the fellowship of the seminary and the prayerful atmosphere which was encouraging to their vocation.

News from St. Basil Knight of Columbus 10721

Over 50 children selected from the Judice community participated in the annual Christmas Program sponsored by the St. Basil Knights of Columbus Council 10721. Along with members of the Council and volunteer chaperons, the children were treated to a shopping spree at a local Wal Mart on December 8. The council also distributed over 80 food baskets to families for the holidays. The program is funded by the council and donations received from the St. Basil Catholic Church community. In related news, the council also recently donated $600 each to Duson Elementary, Ridge Elementary, Judice Middle, and Charles Burke Elementary Schools. The funds are specified to be used to purchase books for the school libraries. Photo submitted by Rick Latiolais

Acadiana Catholic

Couples’ date night with Dr. Popcak

LAFAYETTE The Lafayette Diocese’s Office of Marriage & Family Life Ministry would like to invite all couples to a special “Date Night” on February 23 at the Petroleum Club in Lafayette. The event, featuring Dr. Gregory Popcak, is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. and costs $40 per couple, which includes dinner for the evening. To access online registration, please visit www.diolaf.org and select “Marriage & Family Life” from the OFFICES tab. Dr. Gregory Popcak is the Executive Director of the Pastoral Solutions Institute, an organization dedicated to helping Catholics find faith-filled solutions to tough marriage, family, and personal problems. He is also the author of over a dozen popular books which integrate solid Catholic theology and counseling psychology, including For Better. . . FOREVER!, Holy Sex!, Parenting with Grace, and Beyond the Birds and the Bees. Since 2001, he and his wife (and co-author) Lisa have hosted several nationally syndicated call-in radio programs such as Heart, Mind, and Strength (Ave Maria Radio), Fully Alive! (Sirius/XM-The Catholic Channel), and most recently More2Life (Ave Maria Radio). The Popcaks have also hosted For Better. . .FOREVER! and God Help Me! for EWTN. Dr. Popcak’s articles also appear regularly in Catholic periodicals such as Catholic Digest and Family Foundations. He and wife are sought-after public speakers and trainers, and have been honored to address audiences across North America, Australia, and Hong Kong.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends

Strengthen your relationship by making a WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND! The Weekend is a powerful experience for couples who believe that their Sacrament of Matrimony is a sign of love in a world that hungers for stability and commitment. For more information, you may visit their website, wwme.org. Spaces are limited.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 14 Married couples’ retreats

ST. MARTINVILLE Father Michael Champagne, CJC, will direct two married couples’ retreats scheduled for April 19-21 and September 27-29. Both retreats will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Retreat Center in St. Martinville. These preached retreats for couples will consist of talks and meditations pertinent to living out the sacrament of matrimony. Participants are asked to bring their bibles, pen and paper, toiletries, and towels for the weekend. To register, please contact Cheryl Moss at (337) 453-2385.

February 2013 Page 45

Marriage 101: Keeping marriage alive

by Kelley Chapman Relasmall favors or tasks for the tionships other. By simply telling your whether husband “thank you for taking they are out the trash, it is greatly apprewith your ciated”, it encourages positive spouse, child, or God need behavior and aids to bonding to be treated like a garden. A you together as a team. garden needs to be weeded, No matter how busy you befertilized, watered etc. for it to come in the hustle and bustle thrive and flourish. Your marof everyday life, always make riage needs to be treated the time for the ones you love. same way. The attention and Life is a gift and we are never care for the unity as husband guaranteed tomorrow. Keep and wife does not end after the the bond of your relationship, wedding day. It continues onwhichever kind it may be, alive ward for the remainder of your by tuning into the other’s feeltime here on earth. As humans, ings. Do small tasks for each other, talk, give praise, give we stick to our daily routines. Adding marriage maintenance, thanks, and give encouragejust as you would time at the ment to one another. And most gym, can be easy to fit into the importantly remember what daily life of even the busiest of and why you were bonded topeople. gether in the first place, a love for one another. Start simple. After a long day you just want to get to bed, For a few ideas on ways to but postpone your need to hit spend quality time with your the sack early and spend some spouse, please refer to the retime with your spouse talking, lated announcements to the praying together, etc. Talk at left. the dinner table or even over For more information, making dinner together. Don’t please visit www.foryourmarblow off the other just because riage.org. Any questions or it was a long, hard day. Talk comments please email Kelley it out together. Other simple Chapman, kchapman@diolaf. steps are praise and/or doing org.

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Acadiana Catholic

Lenten activities in the diocese

LAFAYETTE With the Lenten season approaching, please consider taking part in one of the many parish missions, penance services, and other special Lenten activities which will occur throughout the diocese. From February 18-20, Holy Ghost Church in Opelousas will host its parish mission with Deacon Larry Oney. The program will begin at 6:00 p.m. nightly, with a healing service on the last evening. From February 18-21, St. Edward Church in Richard will hold its parish mission with Father Mitchell Guidry. For additional information, please visit www. stedward-richard.org. From February 23-27, St. Therese of the Child Jesus Church in Abbeville will host its parish mission with Deacon Randy Hyde. For more details, please call (337) 893-5631. From February 24-27, St. Edmond Church in Lafayette will host its parish mission with Father Blaise Czaja. The program

will being at 6:30 p.m. nightly. From February 25-26, Our Mother of Mercy Church in Church Point will host its parish mission with Father Mitchell Guidry. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. each evening. For further information, please call (337) 684-2319. In Mire, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church will hold its parish mission with Father William Schambough from February 25-27. Each night, the opportunity for confession will be offered at 6:00 p.m., and the mission will begin at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact the parish office at (337) 8736574. Also during the week of February 25, St. Anne Church in Cow Island will host its parish mission with Father Clint Trahan. For more information, please call (337) 643-7714. From February 26-28, St. Joseph Church in Rayne will host its parish mission with Father Kendall Faulk. For details, contact the parish office at (337)

334-2193. On February 27, Our Mother of Mercy Church in Church Point will offer an opportunity for confession. Mass will be celebrated at 5:00 p.m., and confessions will be heard beginning at 6:00 p.m. From March 4-6, St. Anthony of Padua Church in Eunice will host its parish mission with Father Mark Ropel. The program will begin at 6:00 p.m. each evening. St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Leonville will hold its parish mission on March 11 and 12, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. nightly. The presenter will be Deacon Jim Davis. An opportunity for confession will also be offered at 7:00 p.m. on March 11, and Mass will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m. on March 12, followed by the opportunity for confession. From March 11-13, St. Mary Magdalen Church in Abbeville will hold its parish mission with the Sisters of Reparation to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The topic will be the graces received through the sacraments of mercy, the Holy Eucharist, and reconciliation. Following the presentation, which will begin at 6:00 p.m. each evening, there will be veneration of a first class relic of St. Faustina. For more information, please call (337) 893-0244. Also from March 11-13, St. Alphonsus Church in Maurice will

host its parish mission with Father Howard Blessing. The presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m . each evening; please contact the parish office at (337) 893-4099 for further details. From March 18-21, St. Joseph Church in Plaisance will hold a parish mission with Deacon Cody Miller. The program will begin at 6:15 p.m. each evening, and an opportunity for confession will be offered at 7:15 p.m. on March 20. Holy Ghost Church in Opelousas will host a penance service on March 21, beginning at 6:00 p.m. St. Anthony of Padua Church in Eunice will host a penance service on March 25, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Kaplan will also have a parish Lenten mission with Father Jim Brady; dates and times will be announced later. For more information, please call (337) 643-6472. The events listed above do not necessarily represent all Lenten missions and penance services as they have been scheduled throughout the Diocese of Lafayette. Everyone is encouraged to refer to their local church parish bulletins for details regarding other special Lenten activities which may be scheduled in the area.

ST. MARTINVILLE Members of the Community of Jesus Crucified will offer two “Women of the Eucharist” retreats on May 24-26 and October 25-27 at Our Lady of Sorrows Retreat Center in St. Martinville. These silent retreats for women will focus on helping participants make their Masses more meaningful and grow in their appreciation of the sacraments.

To register for one of these upcoming retreats, please contact Cheryl Moss at (337) 453-2385. Please make sure to bring a bible, pen and paper, toiletries, towels, and wash cloths for the weekend. To view a flyer with additional information, please the calendar section of www.diolaf.org and look for the “Women of the Eucharist” entries under the corresponding dates.

“Women of the Eucharist” retreats

Acadiana Catholic

Seminarians advance ordinations scheduled

by Kathleen Toups LAFAYETTE Three seminarians have been advanced to candidacy and transitional diaconate ordinations, which have been scheduled in May for a group of seven seminarians, according to an announcement from Father Kevin Bordelon, director of Vocations and Seminarians. In recent ceremonies at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, with Bishop Michael Jarrell officiating, Travis Abadie, Taj Travis Abadie Glodd and Michael DeBlanc were advanced to candidacy. This ceremony means they have completed requirements for ordination. Abadie is sponsored by St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Lafayette; Glodd is sponsored by St. Theresa ParTaj Glodd

ish in Crowley, and DeBlanc is sponsored by St. Joseph Parish in Parks. Tr a n s i t i o n a l diaconate ordinations are schedMichael DeBlanc uled for 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 25 at the Cathedral. This is the last major step before ordination to the priesthood. Deacons usually spend a year in studies and parish internships before ordination to the priesthood. In addition to those already mentioned, Matthew Barzare of St. Anthony Parish in Eunice, Samuel Fontana of St. Pius X Parish in Lafayette, Brother Nicholas Dupre, CJC of Our Lady of Wisdom Parish in Lafayette, and Brother Brian Webre of the Community of Jesus Crucified are also scheduled to be ordained to the transitional diaconate on that day. Priesthood Ordinations have also been scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, at the Cathedral. Bishop Michael Jar-

rell will officiate as the following transitional deacons are ordained to the priesthood: Rev. Mr. Dustin Dought of St. Genevieve Parish in Lafayette; Rev. Mr. Brian Harrington of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Lafayette; Rev. Mr. Andre Metrejean of Our Lady of Wisdom Parish in Lafayette; Rev. Mr.

February 2013 Page 47

Mark Miley of Sacred Heart Parish in New Iberia; Rev. Mr. Neil Petit of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Church Point; and Rev. Mr. Garrett Savoie of Our Lady of the Assumption in Mire. Please remember all of these men, as well others who are currently studying or may be discerning a call to the priesthood,

Seated from L/R are Rev. Mr. Brian Harrington, Rev. Mr. Dustin Dought, Rev. Mr. Neil Petit. Standing from L/R are Rev. Mr. Mark Miley, Rev. Mr. Garrett Savoie, and Rev. Mr. Andre Metrejean. These six men will be ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Lafayette on Saturday, June 8, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette. Photo (and individual photos) by Paul Kieu)

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church rededicated

 

Bishop Michael Jarrell recently visited Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Lafayette as the church was rededicated following the completion of an extension renovation process. The church building was severely damaged as the result of a fire in 2010, but the community has since rallied to rebuild and expand its spiritual home. Photo provided by the Office of Radio/TV Ministry.

 

         

   

Page 48 February 2013

Acadiana Catholic

Massgoers say two new saints have long been guiding influence for them States -- St. Kateri.

by Lynnea Pruzinsky Mumola Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) For Herman Ray, a Native American from Arizona, and Franciscan Sister Margaret Christi Karwowski, currently living in the Washington Archdiocese, the canonization of two Americans last Oct. 21 -Sts. Kateri Tekakwitha and Marianne Cope -- confirmed something they already knew: the holiness of two remarkable women. “She has been my guide in many ways,” Sister Margaret Christi said about St. Marianne, a Sister of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities in Syracuse, N.Y., who ministered both in education and caring for the sick. While Ray explained his belief that St. Kateri “has made a big influence on my life -- thanks to her I believe I can be a Native American and still be Catholic.” About a thousand faithful joined Ray and Sister Margaret Christi, 11 bishops from across the United States and two from Canada, and

more than 30 priests and deacons the afternoon of Jan. 26 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for a Mass of thanksgiving for the canonization of the two women. Among those at the Mass were people of Mohawk, Tuscarora, Tohono O’odham and Pima Indian heritage. Washington Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl was the principal celebrant, while Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput delivered the homily. “I love both of the saints and I’m honored to speak about both today,” said Archbishop Chaput, who is both a Franciscan -- he is a Capuchin -- and a Native American. He is a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribe. He noted the many examples of holy women throughout Christian history from Mary, to those women who helped Jesus and his disciples, to the strong and faithful saints including the Catholic Church’s first indigenous saint from the United

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“The unique genius of women has always been their way to embody Christian love -- real love, the kind that takes courage, endures suffering and is consistent,” Archbishop Chaput said. The archbishop said although both saints lived centuries apart, both understood the cost of being an outcast and the sacrifices of being disciples. Born in 1656 to a Christian Algonquin mother and a Mohawk chief father in what is today upstate New York, St. Kateri lost both parents and her brother to smallpox and was raised by relatives. Scarred by the disease, eventually Kateri, the “Lily of the Mohawks,” was baptized in 1676. The young woman joined a Christian community of Native Americans where she was determined to live as a Christian and remain a virgin despite harassment from her people. “The zeal of her young faith had a profound impact on the Jesuit missionaries” explained Archbishop Chaput. Those Jesuit priests soon began reporting miracles attributed to Kateri and witnessed after her death April 17, 1680, at age 24. St. Marianne was born in Germany and immigrated to New York where in 1862 she entered what is now called the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities. According to Archbishop Chaput, Marianne “excelled in hospital work and in the intense commitment to serving the sick.” In 1877, she was elected superior general of the order. Six years later, she took six volunteers to the Hawaiian islands to care for those suffering from Hansen’s disease, also known as leprosy. Only intending to help the volunteers set up their ministry, St. Marianne served for 35 years among the outcasts on the islands including working with St. Damian de Veuster until his death in 1889 and continuing his ministry. St. Marianne died Aug. 9, 1918, after “a lifetime of service to the most outcast and feared,” said Archbishop Chaput. Calling participants at the Mass

to reflect on the Scripture readings referencing marriage and the symbol of the love in marriage, he described the two saints as faithful spouses of God. “God never tires of pursuing us, the saints, or those who allow themselves to be pursued by God,” Archbishop Chaput said. “Through the canonization of these two women, the church gives us two wise virgins to lead us in our own processions to the wedding feast of the lamb,” he said. After the Mass many participants prayed before two reliquaries placed near the altar, containing relics of the saints. Some paused to look at two large banners depicting the saints that previously hung in St. Peter’s Square last October. For Ray, St. Kateri serves as a “bridge to both peoples, so they can understand each other.” He told the Catholic Standard, newspaper of the Washington Archdiocese, that he speaks about how St. Kateri changed his life to fellow parishioners at St. Theresa’s Parish in Phoenix. “She’s not only for Native Americans.” Ray said combining his Native American spirituality with the Catholic faith “is just wonderful -it makes you stronger.” While Sister Margaret Christi, most recently a teacher at Trinity Washington University, said she uses St. Marianne’s example when working with students who have challenges. The Franciscan said she sees “hope in the faces of students’ whose challenges are unfathomable just as the saint saw hope in the face of victims of Hansen’s disease.” She said she was thrilled St. Marianne was included in what she described as an “uplifting” national celebration. The liturgy -- scheduled to be broadcast on the Eternal Word Television Network -- would help get the saints’ message out, said Sister Margaret Christi. “We continue to need to spread the faith, to reach out to the poor, the suffering, the outcasts,” she said. “Catholics especially have that mission -- that Gospel mandate to teach, to welcome and to heal.”

Acadiana Catholic

A Vacation with the Lord

Our Lady of the Oaks Retreat House, Grand Coteau, La. (337) 662-5410 www.ourladyoftheoaks.com

February 2013 Page 49

St. Joseph’s Altar at Fatima Church

LAFAYETTE Parishioners of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Lafayette are preparing for a St. Joseph’s Altar. A Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 19th at 8:30 a.m. The Eucharistic Prayer will be prayed in Italian. Festivities will follow the Mass until 2:00 p.m. including the Tupa Tupa ritual, a re-enactment of the journey to Bethlehem. The traditional meatless spaghetti dinner will be open to the general public and served beginning at 10:30

a.m.; festivities conclude at 2:00 p.m. For more information, contact Our Lady of Fatima office at (337) 232-8945.

The Feast of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is celebrated on March 19.

The Many Faces of the Cross Jerome H. Neyrey, S.J.

Father Neyrey is an internationally respected scriptural scholar who has authored books and was a professor at Notre Dame University. He is in residence at Our Lady of the Oaks, where he directs retreats.

When Christians ornamented their churches, they had only one image of the cross to display, the victorious cross of the emperor. Constantine dreamed of a cross of gold & jewels and heard a voice, “In this sign you will prevail.” After his victory, Constantine’s cross became the standard representation of the Christians’ premier icon. The victorious earthly emperor honored Christ, the triumphant heavenly emperor, with a similar cross symbolizing Christ’s victory. Because crucifixions ceased, artists had neither model nor memory to work from. Since the corpus of Jesus did not hang on the cross for centuries, artists chose biblical symbols of saving sacrifice and victory to adorned it, i.e. a lamb “. . .who takes away the sin of the world” and a serpent (see John 3:13-14). Again, encouraging news. The Church finally mandated that a corpus of Jesus appear on the cross. What would this cross say? One style portrays Jesus on the cross crowned with a golden band and wearing a purple stole. Thus Jesus was proclaimed “A priest according to the order of Melchizedek,” who was king (gold band & imperial purple) and priest (stole). As Melchizedek, Jesus, the King of Peace, reigns over heaven and earth and Jesus the Priest carries his own blood to God’s altar to intercedes for us. Crucifixion tableaux portray the cross flanked by Mary and John and by the soldiers. Occasionally some one else is there. Often a snake is coiled around the cross’s bottom. Artists were contrasting Adam, the Tree of Life and Death with Jesus, the 2nd Adam, the Treecross, and the crushing of Sin-Death, thus telling good news once more. The serpent who caused Adam’s sin and death is crushed under the feet of the 2nd Adam – victory, I think. Legends claim that Adam and Eve where buried at Golgatha, which may mean either “place of the skull”or “place of the head.” Adam is buried at the place of the head, because he is the head of the human race who is beneath the feet of the new Head. Moreover, Mercy conquers Sin as the blood and water pouring from Jesus’ side run into Adam’s mouth as redemptive sacraments– water/Baptism and blood/Eucharist. The 1st Adam is redeemed by the 2nd Adam. The first icon portraying Jesus dead and hanging on a cross occurs in the eleventh century. The tradition of an agonized Jesus hanging dead on a cross only gradually develops. When the plague decimated Europe and people died in agony, they sought solace by linking their sufferings to Jesus’s who hangs in torment. This encouraged sympathy and perseverance, but Victory is no longer in sight. One might ask of any cross what good news is expressed?

Photo submitted by Our Lady of Fatima Church

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Acadiana Catholic

Seminarian Burses What is a seminarian burse?

Incomplete Burses

A seminary burse is a “named” portion of the seminary endowment trust fund, which was started for the Diocese of Lafayette in the year 1919. Burses are commonly “named” either by the person or persons who established them, or in memory of a deceased loved one.

Samuel Fontana

How do seminarian burses contribute to the diocese’s ongoing seminary formation?

Money donated to the seminary trust fund remains as untouched principal, while interest from the trust is used to pay for the diocese’s annual cost of seminary formation. Currently, the interest from the trust pays 20% of this expense, while the remainder is supplemented by funds raised during the Bishop’s Services Appeal Campaign..

When is a seminarian burse complete?

Ben Frederick

Typically, a burse is completed when its balance reaches $15,000. This amount represented the total cost of educating a single seminarian back when the practice was first established, although today that cost has risen to approximately $200,000. Once a burse has reached $15,000, a new burse may be opened if those who established the original wish to continue their donations. At this time, a total of 98 burses have been completed for the Diocese of Lafayette.

Taj Glodd

Complete Burses 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 220 222 223 224 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 235 237 238 241 243 245 246 251 252 253 255 256 258 259 261 262 263 265 267 269 270 273 277 279 282 285 287 289

Bishop Jeanmard Memorial Burse Bishop Jeanmard Assumption Burse Bishop Jeanmard-Sacred Heart Burse Msgr. Amable S. Doutre Burse Msgr. Joseph Peeters Burse Msgr. Louis Massebiau Burse Msgr. George Mollo Burse Rev. Louis P. Castel Burse Rev. Julian Van Exem Burse #1 Bishop Duburg Assembly Burse Henry Lastraps Burse Genevieve Lastrapes Burse Church Point Burse St. John Marie Vianney Burse Rev. Auguste M. Viel Burse St. Andre Fournet Burse Julie Landry Burse A.C. Maraist Burse Msgr. Paul Fuselier Burse #1 Rev. Moise Hebert Burse Jeff Bienvenu Burse Immaculate Conception Burse #1 Gaspard Petitjean Family Burse Msgr. John A. Vigliero Burse Lay Honorees Burse#1 J.M. Lapeyre Family Burse St. Stephen Burse M/M P.J. Reiners Burse John Joseph Borel Burse Msgr. L.C. Habetz Burse Rev. J. Otto Jud Burse #1 Rev. J. Otto Jud Burse #2 Msgr. Hubert A. Lerchen Burse St. Theresa Burse #1 Serra Club Burse CDA Burse #1 Msgr. Paul Fuselier Burse #2 Heck & Langlois Guillot Burse M/M Fournet Burse #1 Rev. OJ. Chauvin Burse Msgr. Paul Fuselier Burse #3 Denise & Erin Canan Burse O’Neil Hebert Burse Msgr. Paul Fuselier Burse #4 Lay Honorees Burse #2 Military Chaplains Burse Bishop Schexnayder Memorial Burse #1 Bishop Schexnayder Memorial Burse #2 Msgr. Paul Fuselier Burse #5 Caliste A. Duplantis, Jr Burse Rev. Verbis Lafleur Burse #1 Msgr,. John Disch Burse Msgr. Lawrence Fournet Burse

296 298 299 302 305 306 307 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 320 321 324 325 328 329 333 334 335 336 338 339 341

A Priest Burse #1 Msgr. Paul Fuselier Burse #6 James J. Frey, Sr Burse Ben & Louisa Larriviere Burse Laperouse Family Burse Marcel/alfred Gaudet Burse #1 CDA Burse #2 Msgr. George Bodin Burse Rev. Verbis Lafleur Burse #2 M/M Milton Esteves Burse Sacred Heart Parish, Ni Burse Luke/Rita Bernard Burse Marcel/Alfred Gaudet Burse #2 Marcel/Alfred Gaudet Burse #3 Marcel/Alfred Gaudet Burse #4 Lay Honorees Burse #3 Fr. Jean Paradis Burse #1 Msgr. Albert Bacque Burse #1 Fr. Raphael Gauthier Burse #1 Anonymous #1 Sonnier Burse Lay Honorees Burse #4 Anonymous #2 Msgr Edward D. Fruge Pro-life Priest Burse M/M Milton Esteves Burse #2 M/M Milton Esteves Burse #3 Luke & Rita Bernard Memorial Burse #2 342 Coignard/Gremillion Burse 343 St. Theresa Of Lisieux Burse 344 Eula Mae Bernard Burse 345 Leonas & Alice Freyou Fam Memorial Burse 349 Bishop’s Helper Burse #1 350 Bishop’s Helper Burse #2 353 Nativity Of Our Lady Burse 355 Gabriel Lucas Mem (Morse) 357 Therese Esteves Burse #4 360 Lay Honorees Burse #5 361 Anonymous #4 362 St. Jude Burse 365 Msgr. Guy Lemoine Burse 369 Anonymous #5 371 Mildred Arceneaux Burse 374 Anonymous #6 382 Anonymous #7

Rev. Mr. Brian Harrington

Matthew Hebert

219 Msgr. Wm. J. Teurlings (13,417.00) 236 John E. Lee, Jr. (9,324.60) 239 St. Joseph (9,076.48) 242 Lee C. Lavergne (7,079.73) 244 Rev. Julian Van Exem #2 (12,524.06) 248 Msgr. Alphonse Martel (11,000.00) 254 Rusty Randol (1,742.76) 260 St. Theresa #2 (5,697.46) 266 Paul & Mary Karre (2,105.00) 268 M/M Fournet #2 (570.65) 271 Rev. J.A.M. Van Brero (710.00) 272 Msgr P. Alexandre Borel (1,625.00) 274 Msgr Emery Labbe Burse (6,310.00) 278 Msgr Daniel Bernard (3,674.64) 281 Harry Van Tiel Family (3,969.00) 283 Noemie L. Petitjean (2,000.00) 284 Msgr. Daniel Habetz (6,590.00) 286 P.J. Reiners #2 (9,500.00) 288 Rev Oscar Drapeau (2,000.00) 290 Rev. P.G.J. Kemps (1,000.00) 291 Lucille M. Griffin Mem. (5,000.00) 292 Anonymous (10,470.00) 293 Msgr. Fernand Gouaux (4,770.00) 294 Robert A. Frey Memorial (7,360.00) 297 A Priest Burse #2 (12,400.00) 308 Harold/Ruby Moreau Family Memorial (5,000.00) 309 Libby Holcombre Memorial Burse (2,000.00) 318 Msgr. Marcel Murie Burse (5,260.00) 319 Marcel/alfred Gaudet #5 (1,942.80) 322 Fr Jean Paradis Burse #2 (5,000.00) 323 Charlene Richard Burse (3,030.00) 326 Fr. Raphael Gauthier Burse #2 (3,757.17) 327 Msgr. Albert Bacque Burse #2 (325.00) 330 Rev Verbis Lafleur #3 (8,250.00) 332 Ben/Louisa Larriviere Burse #2 (3,750.00) 337 Col. Chap Kenneth Bienvenu Bur (13,814.99) 340 Rev. James Doiron Burse (2,272.17) 346 Msgr. Alexander O. Sigur Mem. (2,250.00) 348 Rev. J. Wilson Matt & Mire Fam (500.00) 351 Sonnier Burse #2 (11,300.00) 352 St. Edmond Church Parish (9,000.00) 354 CDA #3 (10,750.63) 356 Mrs. Louise White (10,110.00) 358 Therese Esteves #5 (7,516.49) 359 St Peter Par-New Iberia (10,422.35) 363 Ramona Crosby Bennerfield (2,180.52) 364 St. Jude Burse #2 (8,030.00) 366 A. Otis & Etta Hebert Memorial (5,000.00) 367 Bishop O’Donnell Burse (3,545.00) 368 Reverend Jules Speyrer (10,000.00) 370 Msgr. Burton Mouton Burse (10,700.00) 375 Rev Charles Marin Burse (500.00) 376 Bishop Jeanmard Burse (6,214.00) 377 Marie Franques Kenneth Lacaze (3,000.00) 378 Bishop Gerard Frey Burse (12,562.00) 379 Rev. Moise Hebert #2 (3,403.61) 380 Lay Honorees #6 (3,974.50) 381 Mrs Dorphi Marie Duhon Mem. (2,181.50) 382 Anonymous Retired Priest #7 (15,000.00) 383 James K Bourque Mem Burse Fund (4,330.00) 384 Bishop Schexnayder Burse #3 (940.19) 385 Fr. Mike Bakowski Mem Burse (3,600.00) 386 Coignard/Gremillion Burse #2 (3,000.00) 387 In Memory Of Mr & Mrs Scranton Mouton (12,000.00) 388 Blessed John Paul II (21,030.00) 389 Rev. Donald Leger Mem Burse (960.00) 390 Claire & Allen Anding (15,000.00) 394 Seminarian Kyle White (100.00) November Donors 253 Serra Club 1,000.00 376 Halina Kozeill 500.00 389 Richard & Nadine Cain 25.00 391 Francis Mauboules Trust 15,000.00

Photos by Paul Kieu

Who can establish and contribute to a seminarian burse?

Anyone is capable of establishing a burse and naming it as desired, and anyone can contribute simply by specifying the designated burse name when the contribution is made. Contributions may be mailed to the Lafayette Diocese’s Office of Vocations, 1408 Carmel Drive, Lafayette, LA 70501.

How is a seminarian burse established?

Anyone who is interested in establishing a new seminarian burse may also contact the Office of Vocations at (337) 261-5690.

Correction

On the Seminarian Burses page of the October edition of the Acadiana Catholic, the incorrect sponsoring parishes were given for seminarians Andrew Schumacher and Brent Smith. The correct sponsoring parish for both is Our Lady of Wisdom Parish, Lafayette.

Acadiana Catholic

February 2013 Page 51

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