Catholic Connection January 2013

Vol. 22, No. 6 January 2013

Medical Missionaries Local Catholic doctor & nurse couple minister with Franciscan sisters in Africa

INSIDE: How to Pray the Scriptures Seminarian Reflects on First Semester January 2013 1

bishop’s january calendar Publisher Bishop Michael G. Duca Editor Jessica Rinaudo Contributors Bishop Michael Duca Gary Guinigundo Kim Long Fr. Matthew Long Fr. Patrick Madden Theresa Mormino John Parker Kelly Phelan Powell Fr. Rothell Price

Dianne Rachal Jessica Rinaudo Sr. Martinette Rivers Rosalba Quiroz Katie Sciba Randy Tiller Sr. Marilyn Vassallo Mike Van Vranken John Mark Willcox

Editorial Board Cathy Cobb Rev. Charles Glorioso Kim Long Kelly Phelan Powell Dianne Rachal Christine Rivers John Mark Willcox Mission Statement The Catholic Connection is a monthly publication funded by your Diocesan Service Appeal; mailed to every known Catholic household in the Diocese of Shreveport.

Our Mission is to advance knowledge and understanding of our Catholic Faith among the faithful. We seek to foster the application of Christ’s teachings and our Church’s mission in our daily lives and to encourage our sense of Catholic identity within our family, parish, and diocesan faith community.

Subscriptions & Address Changes Contact: Jessica Rinaudo, Editor Email: jrinaudo@dioshpt.org Write: Catholic Connection 3500 Fairfield Avenue Shreveport, LA 71104 Call: 318-868-4441 Fax: 318-868-4609 Website: www.thecatholicconnection.org

The Catholic Connection is a member of the Catholic Press Association.

JANUARY 6-10 Region V Bishops’ Retreat, Christian Life Center at St. Joseph Abbey, St. Benedict, LA JANUARY 13 Mass in Celebration of the 125th Anniversary of the Canonization of St. John Berchmans; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 11:00 a.m.

JANUARY 14 Presbyteral Council Meeting; Catholic Center, Shreveport; 1:00 p.m.

JANUARY 20 Mass ; CHRISTUS Schumpert-St. Mary Place Chapel, 11:00 a.m.

Mass in Celebration of Jubilees for Religious of the Diocese; Cathedral of St. John Berchamans, Shreveport; 5:30 p.m.

JANUARY 21-25 Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Priests’ Retreat JANUARY 26 Confirmation; Jesus the Good Shepherd Church,

Monroe; 4:30 p.m.

JANUARY 28 Eastern Deanery Stewardship Appeal Donor Reception; Monroe; 6:30 p.m.

JANUARY 29 Eastern Deanery All Schools Mass; St. Frederick High School, Monroe; 9:00 a.m.

JANUARY 30 Diocesan Finance Council Meeting; Catholic Center, Shreveport; 12:00 p.m.

Southern Deanery Stewardship Appeal Donor Reception; Mansfield; 6:30 p.m.

JANUARY 31 Third Annual Bishop’s Pro-Life Banquet; East Ridge Country Club, Shreveport; 6:30 p.m.

2013 Diocesan Directories Available for Order!

Directories are $7, including S&H. Please send checks made out to Diocese of Shreveport and this form to: Diocese of Shreveport Attn: Diocesan Directories 3500 Fairfield Avenue Shreveport, LA 71104 There is a limited supply and they will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.

I would like to purchase _______ copies at $7 each.

Name: __________________________________________________

The Diocese of Shreveport complies with Virtus’s Protecting God’s Children program. Classes are offered every second Wednesday of the month at the Catholic Center in Shreveport. To report child sexual abuse by a cleric or church worker in the Diocese of Shreveport, call Glennda Lawson.

Hotline is 318-294-1031 and your local law enforcement agency.

2 Catholic Connection

Address: ________________________________________________ City, State and Zip: _______________________________________ Phone Number: __________________________________________

contents

january 2013

columns

Download Yourself and Christ’s Spirit Into the World by Bishop Michael G. Duca... 4-5 Aging Wisdom: Defining Your Life in 2013 by Sr. Martinette Rivers........................6 Second Collections: Diocese of Shreveport Catholic Schools

by Fr. Rothell Price .....................................................................................................6 Domestic Church: Epiphany: Departing Another Way by Katie Sciba..............................7 Christmas to Epiphany: Keeping the Celebration Alive by Katie Sciba ...............7

10

Documents of Vatican II: Lumen Gentium by Mike Van Vranken .......................8 Dogmatic Constitution on the Church

Year of Faith Saint: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton by USCCB.........................................8 Appeal Ministries: Appeal Supports Pro-Life by John Mark Willcox......................9 Moveable Feast: Farewell to Flesh by Kim Long......................................................9 Pro-Life News: Annual Pro-Life Banquet in January............................................9 Catholic Travels: Manila Archbishop Made Cardinal by Gary Guinigundo...........10 Navigating the Faith: How to Pray the Scriptures Lecito Divina

by Fr. Patrick Madden....................................................................................................11

12

features Medical Missionaries by Kelly Phelan Powell.......................................................... 12-13 Local Catholic doctor and nurse couple minister with Franciscan sisters in Africa

A Reflection on Seminary by John Parker.............................................................. 14 John Parker shares the fears and joys of his first semester in seminary

news Vocations Awareness Week: A Vocation Reflection by Fr. Matthew Long..........15 Catholic Charities: Celebrating Volunteers by Theresa Mormino.........................15 Restless Heart Movie Coming Soon by Randy Tiller...............................................16

15 on the cover

Christ the King Church Blessed Soccer Field by John Mark Willcox......................16 Greco Institute Spring 2013 Calendar .................................................................17-18 Across the Globe by Catholic News Service...........................................................19

Church agencies bring relief during year’s storms, drought, typhoon; Pope launches Twitter account, tweets to over 1 mllion

Vatican News and Notes by Catholic News Service..............................................19 Hispanic Corner by Rosalba Quiroz ........................................................................20 School News ...........................................................................................................21 Upcoming Events....................................................................................................22 From the YouCat.....................................................................................................22 January Calendar ..................................................................................................23 Picture of the Month...............................................................................................24

Dr. Jim Unger with a patient in Cameroon, Africa. (Photo from Jim and Rose Unger)

January 2013 3

LA REFLEXIÓN del obispo

por Obispo Michael G. Duca

Descarga ti mismo y el espíritu de Cristo en el mundo

H

oy recibí un mensaje personal de “tweed” del Santo padre, Benedicto XVI. Bueno, no exactamente personal; fue un mensaje personal a más de un millón de seguidores en 10 idiomas a todo el mundo. En solo pocos minutos nuestro Santo padre hizo contacto con más de un millón de seguidores con un mensaje de esperanza y una proclamación que Jesús es “la roca sólida en la que podemos construir nuestras vidas y su amor es siempre fiel.” Benedicto XVI tweed #1 12/12/12 Leer el mensaje del Papa me hizo darme cuenta de todo lo bueno que podemos hacer hoy con los avances de la tecnología.

Pero también me puso a pensar de cuanto ha cambiado mi vida la tecnología en solo unos cuantos años. Me conecté por primera vez a la internet en 1995 y en solo 16 años y a veces estoy acariciando mi celular como Gollum acarició su “precioso” en Tolkien en la película de Lord of the Rings. Este cambio no ha sucedido solamente rápido, sino que ha pasado sin una verdadera consideración de cuantos cambios han afectado mi vida espiritual.

Recuerdo cuando salieron las primeras contestadoras de teléfono y yo no compré una rápido. Así estuve por un tiempito hasta que mis feligreses se enojaron conmigo. Sucede que ellos ya se habían formado una expectativa que “podían encontrarme con la contestadora” cuando 4 Catholic Connection

me llamaran, así mismo, yo podía llamarles y dejar mensaje en su máquina. A fin de cuentas compré una contestadora y desde entonces estoy conectado en todos los cambios que ha tenido: primero máquina contestadora, luego el email, ahora el texto y bueno en lo que salga después. Ya me he metido en este tren rápido y no estoy seguro a donde lleva mi alma o, aun peor, a donde ha llevado ya mi alma. ¿Por qué es esto importante? Se han hecho estudios de gente que usa la tecnología regularmente unos 70 minutos al día en internet y/o 127 minutos en las aplicaciones del celular y/o 168 minutos viendo la televisión que puede ser un total de 2-6 horas de cada día. Un estudio dice que una persona con un teléfono inteligente voltea a ver su teléfono 150 veces al día. O, aun nos da más que pensar, que 40 millones de adultos visitan los sitios pornográficos de Internet, y 47% en un estudio de una votación de Cristianos dijeron que tenían pornografía de internet en su hogar.

Espiritualmente estas estadísticas nos muestran que la tecnología puede tener un efecto profundo en nuestra familia y en nuestra vida espiritual. Para mí el efecto que menos tomamos en cuenta es como la tecnología comienza a dirigir y dar forma a nuestras vidas lentamente, que el centro de nuestra motivación es más que los textos que recibimos, los emails que exigen

una respuesta y la necesidad constante de permanecer completamente conectados.

Este año haz un recuento de cuánto estas conectado. Haz esto como un ejercicio espiritual: por un día (si estás dispuesto) solo usa tu teléfono para hacer llamadas y mantenerte en contacto con tu familia y amigos. Si puedes ignorar tu email por un día o dos, hazlo. Si no puedes entonces ve tu email hasta después de las 11:00 a.m. o hasta que hayas planeado tu día o hecho otras cosas que escojas hacer. No busques en el internet o uses ninguna otra aplicación por el resto el día.

Una vez leí en un libro espiritual que necesitamos darnos cuenta si vivimos para reaccionar o para responder. Reaccionar es actuar basados en el problema de afuera, la necesidad o expectativa de los demás. Vivir reaccionando es encontrar siempre nuestra motivación en las opciones de fuera de nosotros. Responder, al contrario, es ser el autor de nuestras vidas desde dentro basados en nuestros valores y Fe. Si te alejas de la tecnología por un día y te sientes perdido y confundido entonces es posible que estas dejando que la tecnología te dirija. Estas reaccionando a todo el APORTE en tu vida en vez de crear un mundo a tu alrededor con el espíritu de Cristo desde dentro.

Deberíamos descargarnos en el espíritu de Cristo en el mundo y no permitir que el mundo y sus valores se descarguen en nuestras almas.

En los tiempos de hoy tenemos desafíos en todos los aspectos como católicos, como discípulos de Jesucristo. Debemos prepararnos para desarrollar una fuerza interna y dirección en nuestras vidas. La tecnología nos ayudará pero siempre nos va a traicionar a menos que estemos seguros de donde esta nuestra verdadera fuerza.

Necesitamos tener un claro entendimiento que, como el Santo Padre nos dijo en su mensaje de tweed, Jesús es “la roca sólida en la cual construimos nuestras vidas y su amor es siempre fiel.” Benedicto XVI tweed #1 12/12/12

bishop’s reflection

by Bishop Michael G. Duca

Download yourself and christ’s spirit into the world

T

oday I received a personal “tweet” onto this fast moving train and I am not from the Holy sure where it is taking my soul or, even Father, Benedict worse, where it has already taken my soul.

XVI. Well, maybe Why is this important? It is noted personal is not exactly in some studies that those who use accurate; it was a technology regularly average 70 minutes personal message a day on the web and/or 127 minutes to over 1 million on mobile apps and/or 168 minutes on followers throughout TV. That could add up to almost two the world in 10 to six hours of our day. One study says Bishop Duca languages. In just a person with a smart phone looks at a few minutes our Holy Father made their cell phone 150 times a day. Or, contact with over 1 million listeners with even more sobering, it is estimated that a message of hope and a proclamation 40 million adults regularly visit Internet that Jesus is “the solid rock upon which pornography websites, and 47% of we build our lives and his love is always Christians polled in a study said Internet faithful.” Benedict XVI tweet #1 12/12/12 pornography was a problem in their Reading the Pope’s tweet made me aware household. of all the good we can accomplish today Spiritually these statistics show our with technological advances. But I also technology can have a deep effect on considered how much has changed in my our family and on our spiritual lives. To life technologically in just a relatively few me the most unnoticed effect is how the years. I first connected to the Internet in technology begins to direct and shape 1995, and in just 16 years, I find myself our lives slowly so that the center of our caressing my cell phone at times like motivation is more in the texts we receive, Gollum caressed his “Precious” in Tolkien’s the emails that demand response and Lord of the Rings. This change has not the constant need to stay immediately only happened fast, but it has happened connected. without any real This year To me the most unnoticed effect is consideration take stock of of how these how connected how the technology begins to direct changes have you are. and shape our lives slowly so that the affected my Try this as center of our motivation is more in spiritual life. a spiritual I remember exercise: for the texts we receive, the emails that when answering one day (or demand response and the constant machines first more if you need to stay immediately connected. came out that I are willing) did not get one only use your right away. This worked okay for a while phone for making phone calls and staying until my parishioners became angry at in contact with family and friends. If you me. It turns out they had developed an can ignore your email for a day or two, expectation that they should be able to “get do so. If you cannot then do not look my machine” when they called, so I, in at your email until after 11:00 a.m., or turn, could call them and leave a message not until you have planned your day or on their machine. In the end I got a accomplished some task of your choosing. machine and have been hooked to it ever Do not surf the web or use any other app since in all its developmental stages: from for the day. machines, to email, to texting to, well, I once read in a spiritual book that we whatever comes next. I have been pulled need to be aware of whether we live by

reacting or responding. To react is to act based on the problem outside, the need or expectation of another. To live reactionary is to always find our motivation for our choices outside of ourselves. To respond, on the other hand, is to author our lives from within based on our values and faith.

If you step away from your technology for a day and find yourself lost and confused then it is possible you are letting your technology lead you. You are reacting to all the INPUT into your life rather than recreating the world around you with the spirit of Christ from within. We should be downloading ourselves and Christ’s spirit into the world and not be allowing the world and its values to be downloaded into our souls.

In today’s time we are being challenged in every way as Catholics, as disciples of Jesus Christ. We must prepare ourselves by developing a deep inner strength and direction in our lives. Technology will help us but it will always betray us unless we are sure of where our true strength is. We need to have a clear understanding that, as the Holy Father tweeted, Jesus is “the solid rock upon which we build our lives and his love is always faithful.” Benedict XVI tweet #1 12/12/12 January 2013 5

aging wisdom by Sr. Martinette Rivers

second collection

by Fr. Rothell Price

defining your life in 2013 second collections Making changes to live a happy life for Christ

Diocese of Shreveport Catholic Schools

Sr. Martinette Rivers and her cousin.

T

his is the Year of Faith and can be for us a year of love for Christ and others. Think about life’s defining moments and how they brought great meaning into our lives. Now, where are we today? What is the special and new defining moment for us?

Our happiness is found in the ordinary moments of our lives.

Of course nothing will ever be the same again, and it’s not meant to be. Why do we tend to fear change so much? We must choose to make those changes as we age because no one can do it for us.

I found a lovely definition of change. “Change is something better that lies ahead and one can feel it awakening inside of you.

You know you can’t go backward and you can’t stand still in this moment. You know peace will only come when you open your wings and fly on life’s changing winds.” Unknown Author Become like the bee, eat nectar and make honey. We can only make our honey after taking everything in from our experiences: the experience of new teeth, a blood transfusion, heart surgery, knee replacement and learning how to cope with each; the positive moments after a family member visits you, brings you flowers, a new red hat, takes you out to dinner.

One of the statements at the World Synod of Bishops after Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed 2013 the Year of Faith was: “We are called to stir the embers of faith and bring new enthusiasm, new zeal and new energy to living our lives of faith as disciples of Jesus Christ.” It’s one of my favorite statements and my resolution is to try to live in this way. In 2013 I shall celebrate my 60th anniversary of religious life. Perhaps you too are celebrating something important in your life. God’s grace has been with each of us.

If old age has invaded your life, refuse to let it touch your spirit.

Let us reflect with St. Ephrem who compared an aging person’s life to the fingers of our hands: both to emphasize that its length is no more than a span and to indicate that each phase of life, like the different fingers, has its particular character and represents the different seasons we live through. As we passed through the seasons of life, God gifted us according to our abilities and with the necessary skills to cope. God not only loved us, but placed His hand upon each of us.

I wish you all that is beautiful and great for 2013. Let our goal for the new year, the Year of Faith, be to grow closer to God, to be filled with new energy and zeal. Keep well, wise, happy and whole. Share your truth, beauty and goodness with everyone.

Sr. Martinette Rivers is a Sister of Our Lady of Sorrows and a spiritual gerontologist. She currently resides in Rimini, Italy.

6 Catholic Connection

I

am grateful for this opportunity to wish each and everyone one of our readers a happy and blessed New Year! Now that the hustle and bustle of pre-Christmas Day preparations are over, we can at last slow down and enjoy the actual Christmas season.

We are blessed to walk ever more closely with the Lord Jesus in this “Year of Faith.”

We begin this year supporting a pastoral endeavor that brings the wonder of God and His creation to our always interesting children, teenagers and young adults. Our first Second Collection of the year is for the support of Catholic Schools in our diocese.

We support our Catholic Schools whether our children have long moved on from them or are yet traversing that interesting world of Christian learning.

One of the wonders of this New Year is the inspiration and holy activity of Catholic schools. Our Catholic schools are there working wonders in our lives, in the Church and in the good of society. Conscious of them or not, Catholic Schools, like the Holy Spirit, are operating at the center of our spiritual activity in seen, unseen and transformative ways.

There are principals who minister to teachers, support staff, students, parents and supporters alike. They wonderfully oversee the life and mission of our schools and its inhabitants. There are teachers who minister to students, their families, one another, and the Catholic and civic communities in which their school resides. There are students who through the varying stages of human development imbue the school with vitality, curiosity, joy, determination and challenge. There are so many others who are part of this pastoral ministry called Catholic education.

Please contribute generously to this Second Collection for our diocesan Catholic Schools. Lend your heart and treasure to Our Lady of Fatima School, Jesus the Good Shepherd School and St. Frederick’s High School in Monroe. Extend the same generosity to St. Joseph School, St. John Berchmans Cathedral School and Loyola College Prep in Shreveport. Funds from this second collection also go to the Bishop’s Tuition Assistance Fund to help qualifying families send their children to Catholic school.

Amazingly, our diocese is a veritable beehive of this spiritual, ministerial, pastoral and educational activity to the children and youth of our region.

Fr. Rothell Price, Vicar General, is the Director of Special Collections.

domestic church

by Katie Sciba

Epiphany: Departing another way Responding to Christ as the Wise Men once did

E

piphany, the commemoration of the Wise Men finding the Christ Child, is January 6th!

In my short life I’ve not seen this event given much thought, let alone laud, among secular society. Outside of its Christian context, the word epiphany connotes a striking and significant revelation, especially one born of ordinary circumstances. It’s a lightning strike of deeper insight into a situation - the classic “AHA! moment” that comes out of the blue. Though often unexpected, an epiphany usually calls for a deeper understanding of an idea in order for the light to suddenly turn on in our minds. For any person or situation, the common epiphany is a life-changing event, compelling one to live or approach obstacles in a new way.

It’s fascinating how the secular understanding of epiphany makes sense in light of its biblical origin: the Wise Men anticipated the birth of the King of the Jews and had studied prophecies indicating the rise of a star corresponding with “a scepter [rising] out of Israel” (Numbers 24:17). Their background knowledge provided fertile ground for receiving news of Jesus’ birth. So immersed were they in the predictions that when the fateful star finally appeared, they left without hesitation to find the Christ Child, undaunted by the long trip and upheld by their determination. Upon finding him, the Wise Men presented Christ with the finest gifts they could offer and humbly worshiped him. Because King Herod would have used the Wise Men to find and kill the infant Jesus, the Magi departed for home by a route that circumvented Herod, ultimately protecting Christ’s life. This original Epiphany cultivated the highest

meaning of approaching life in a different way.

The more I think about the Visit of the Wise Men from the Gospel of Matthew, the more clearly I see that the account provides insight into what should occur in our own souls when we encounter Christ.

Christ can be seen (CNS in every moment photo/ Nancy of our lives; most Wiechec) commonly in our vocations, but also our children, work places and strangers; in moments of quiet and chaos, in company or solitude. The way we should react should mimic the behavior of the Wise Men. How well do we study Christ so that when we do encounter him, we are ready to respond immediately and humbly? Do we give Christ the finest we can offer of ourselves – our time and devotion, our gratitude and especially the willingness to give up our sins? When obstacles come in the way of maintaining our relationship with Christ, do we avoid them as the Wise Men did King Herod on their return home?

The story of Epiphany is ideal for Christians to hold themselves accountable, but it should especially compel Catholics to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist. Uprooting sins, avoiding occasions of sin and amending our ways will protect the life of Christ within us. More importantly, we encounter Jesus in the Mass and Eucharist, which is the physical reception of Christ into our being. After beholding the Lamb of God, worshiping him, and receiving him, shouldn’t our souls imitate the Wise Men, by also departing another way?

Katie Sciba is the author of thecatholicwife. net. She lives in Shreveport with her husband, Andrew, and two sons, Liam and Thomas.

Christmas to Epiphany: By the beginning of January, Christmas is in full swing and the season lasts until Twelfth Night, January 5th, marking the evening preceding Epiphany celebrated on the 6th. Trying to find cause for more celebration? Look no further, as these days are reasons enough for Christian merriment. Here are a few ways to keep up holiday cheer until Ordinary Time resumes: • Read the accounts of Christ’s birth from the Gospels with your family to keep Christmas spirits up.

• Keep playing Christmas music.

• Christmas decor starts going on sale the day after Christmas. Go get a nativity scene for 80% off, an extra ornament for the tree, or an additional gift for loved ones.

• On January 5th, turn on some Christmas music and take down your decor as a family. Depressing?

Not at all! It anticipates the celebration of the Wise Men finally finding Christ.

• But keep the Nativity up through the end of Epiphany, especially if yours includes the Wise Men • Don’t forget the King Cake! Make or purchase one to share with family and friends.

January 2013 7

communitarian model.” In other words, the religious, the clergy and the laity are all the people of God and are all called to holiness. Using 1 Peter 2:9, the writers of the document acknowledge the distinction ocuments of between the priesthood of the faithful and the ministerial, or ordained, priesthood. Yet, they also stress the shared responsibilities umen entium of praying and evangelizing by clergy and laity alike. The document stresses that Dogmatic Constitution on the Church “ministers invested with a sacred power, are

by Mike Van Vranken at the service of their brothers and sisters” so the combined efforts of clergy and laity will pursue the common goal of salvation.

In addition to its focus that we all are the people of God, Lumen Gentium explains the Church as a sacrament of our salvation.

It describes the Church as a sign and an instrument that places us in communion with God – united with God and the entire human race. And, as the Church is united with his body (the body of Christ), the Church itself becomes a sacrament.

The fathers of the council also projected our understanding of the Church to be a mystery. In essence, as a mystery, the Church contains the hidden presence of God revealed to us throughout our lives. Karl Rahner explained mystery as something that cannot be contained by a single definition. Maureen Sullivan uses the example that the Bible sometimes describes God “... as an eagle, or hrist is the light of the nations...” a rock, or a mother who never forgets her begins the opening lines of what child.” In short, this real Church in our real has been called the centerpiece of world enables us to experience the spiritual all documents of the Catholic Church’s reality of God in our daily lives.

Second Vatican Council. The official title: The document also details the significance the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, of the local Church and its relationship hints at a formal expression of theological to the universal Church. In this effort, we explanations and mystical direction of what see explanations of several functions of the we know as the Catholic Church. However, clergy and the laity.

We find a focus on the Lumen Gentium (Light of Nations), as it importance of including the laity in the work is informally known, reveals an explicit of the Church picture of how in the modern the Church views In addition to its focus that we all world. It could the meaning and are the people of God, Lumen be explained that purpose of itself.

Additionally, it Gentium explains the Church as a the clergy are responsible for is written in very sacrament of our salvation. bringing Christ to easy to understand the laity. The laity terms that are all are responsible for bringing Christ into the supported by dozens of scripture references world. validating its remarkable insights. Finally, In this Dogmatic Constitution on the it fosters the much-needed “fresh air” of the Church, the fathers of Vatican II responded Holy Spirit as expressed by Pope John XXIII to the task of viewing and explaining the before the council began. life of the Church with all its structures, In her book The Road to Vatican II, with all its relationships and with all its Maureen Sullivan sees the overarching ministries that ultimately reveal the salvation theme of this document to be the Church’s act of Jesus Christ, who is the light to all the self-evaluation of the need for a major “... nations. transition from a hierarchical model to a

Vatican II D

L

Year of Faith Saint: January 2013

G

C

8 Catholic Connection

S

t. Elizabeth Ann Seton was the charming “belle of the ball” as a young woman in New York City, linked to all the first families.

At the age of 19, she fell in love and married the wealthy, handsome William Magee Seton. The two had a very happy marriage, raising five children. Ten years after they were married, William’s business and health both failed, and Elizabeth was left a poor widow with five children to raise alone. Her love for the Eucharist led her to convert to Catholicism. She founded the first order of religious women in America, the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph, a religious community based on the Rule of St. Vincent De Paul. She was able to still raise her children, as well as live the life of a sister and found several schools. She became the cofounder of the first free Catholic School in America. Her legacy now includes six religious communities with more than 5,000 members, hundreds of schools, social service centers and hospitals throughout America and around the world. from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops & setonheritage.org

appeal ministries

by John Mark Willcox

Appeal supports Pro-Life

moveable feast

by Kim Long

Farewell to Flesh

Cake: • ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon butter • 2/3 cup evaporated milk • ½ cup sugar • 2 teaspoons salt • 2 envelopes active dry yeast • ½ cup warm water • 4 eggs • 6 cups all purpose flour Filling: • ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar • ¾ cup sugar • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon Decoration: • ½ cup butter, melted and divided • 1 egg, beaten • ½ cup each yellow, purple & green colored sugar • 2 Plastic babies or 2 beans

Spreading the ministry of life throughout our area

W

ith the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade and the pro-life marches across the nation in January, it is good to be reminded that your Appeal donation helps provide effective billboard promotion of pro-life causes, and assists with the bi-annual Pro-Life Banquet scheduled to take place this year at East Ridge Country Club in Shreveport on Thursday, January 31, 2013.

Appeal dollars also provide our worship locations with pro-life materials and information while supporting the annual mission of the National Committee for Human Life and the Louisiana Catholic Conference Pro-Life Committee and their January “March for Life” in Baton Rouge. In addition, our diocese collaborates in the annual pro-life oratory contest hosted each year in Shreveport at the Catholic Center. This oratory contest has been a tradition in our diocese for many years, and is held for the high-schoolaged youth of our region.

John Mark Willcox is the Director of Stewardship & Development. To give to the annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal that supports ministries like these, visit www.dioshpt.org/ stewardship/stewardship.html.

The Best King Cake

A

fter January 5, the Christmas decorations are safely put away and we have morphed into the “unofficial” season of Carnival, which begins on Epiphany, or Twelfth Night, and continues until midnight on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday and our departure to the desert. Though not on the “official” liturgical calendar, it is a season many of us in Louisiana keep.

One year some friends and I enjoyed the Christmas season so much we were loathe to end our celebration. We were all living away from our hometowns and extended families, so we filled that role for one another. We decided to keep the Carnival season as a sure way to enter the desert of Lent in a proper frame of mind: a real sense of “farewell to the flesh.” We ate together every Sunday between Mardi Gras parades. It was a whirlwind as we cooked, laughed, traveled between houses and attended parades, grabbing beads and laughing. It was during this fun time that I first tried my hand at making a King Cake. As with lots of things we do that are successful, it has become a tradition everyone looks forward to.

If you have never thought much about Carnival as a season, I hope you will do a bit of research and consider celebrating this last hurrah, this farewell to the flesh before our Lenten journey begins. It is almost like a gastronomic retreat immediately followed by fasting and a bit of deprivation, making a marked departure from all the celebrating, feasting and revelry. Afterwards, Lent is a welcome respite.

Directions In a small saucepan melt ½ cup butter with the milk, 1/3 cup sugar, and salt over low heat, stirring occasionally. Allow mixture to cool to lukewarm. In a large bowl combine 2 tablespoons sugar, the yeast and the warm water. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes or until foaming. Beat the eggs into the foaming yeast, add milk mixture. Stir in the flour, ½ cup at a time reserving 1 cup of flour for the kneading surface. Turn dough onto floured board and knead 5 to 10 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic. Grease a large mixing bowl with 1 tbsp of butter. Place dough in bowl and turn once to coat, cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 ½ hours (or until doubled in size).

While dough is rising, mix the filling.

In a small bowl mix the brown sugar, sugar and cinnamon, set aside. When dough is doubled, punch down, divide in half. On a floured surface roll one of the halves into a rectangle about 15 x 30 inches. Brush with half the melted butter and spread the brown sugar mixture over the dough. Cut into 3 lengthwise strips. Fold each strip lengthwise toward the center to make a roll, sealing the seam. Braid the rolls together and make a circle by joining the ends. Repeat this process with the other half of the dough. Place each cake on a baking sheet, cover with a damp cloth and let rise again for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Brush each cake with beaten egg and sprinkle the top with colored sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove cakes and insert the babies or beans from underneath the cakes. * Recipe originally from Bless This Food by Julia M. Pitkin, Karen B. Grant and George Grant; Published by Cumberland House Publishing Nashville, TN

January 2013 9

pro-life news

ANNUAL ProLife banquet in January

catholic travels

Manila Archbishop made cardinal Local Catholics attended relative Luis Tagle’s elevation to Cardinal

D O

n Thursday, January 31, 2013 the Diocese of Shreveport will hold its Annual Pro-Life Banquet at the East Ridge Country Club in Shreveport. The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. and Karen Garnett will be the guest speaker.

Karen is the Executive Director of the Catholic Pro-Life Committee of North Texas (CPLC), the Respect Life Ministry of the Diocese of Dallas.

Under Karen’s leadership, the Catholic Pro-Life Committee has been heralded as the largest and most effective diocesan pro-life organization in the world. Karen has been interviewed and featured on several international Catholic radio stations, periodicals, TV shows, and she has been awarded for her countless achievements in the prolife community.

The event aims to, “celebrate the work we’re doing and build a pro-life community,” said Sarah Barlow, event chairperson. Proceeds from the event benefit pro-life ministries within the Diocese of Shreveport, like Catholic Charities’ Gabriel’s Closet which provides for underprivleged new mothers and their infants.

Tickets are $50 per seat and $400 per table. Additional donations may be made and included with registration.

For questions, contact Sarah Barlow at sarahnbarlow@aol.com or 318868-8982. A registration form can be downloaded from the diocesan webpage (www.dioshpt.org).

10 Catholic Connection

photos & story by Gary Guinigundo

rs. Noli and Maria and their sons, Joseph and Gary Guinigundo, local parishioners of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Monroe, attended the elevation of their relative Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle to the College of Cardinals.

When the Guinigundos heard Archbishop Tagle was to be elevated, they were surprised. “He had only been an Archbishop since 2001 and it Local Catholics Drs. Noli and Maria Guinigundo with was unexpected that he was elevated newly elevated Cardinal Tagle at the Vatican. to Cardinal so quickly,” said Gary.

He added, “We were surprised was rather calm and ended with the Pope again when Cardinal Tagle’s immediate family called and invited us to his leaving down the aisle again as hoards of photographs were taken.” ordination in the Vatican. At the time, we Born in Manila on June 21, 1957 Tagle had no plans to travel anywhere much less to Rome. It took us a week to plan a trip which took his philosophy and theology at the Ateneo de Manila University’s San Jose would happen in two weeks’ time.

The three-day celebration in Rome started Major Seminary. In 1982, he was ordained a priest at the age of 25. with the consistory on Nov. 24 at St. Peter’s He took further studies at the Catholic Basilica and ended with the Papal Audience University of America in Washington, on the 26th. Cardinal Tagle was one of six D.C. where he earned his doctorate in new cardinals, and at 55, the world’s second sacred theology from 1985 to 1992. Since youngest cardinal. He is the Philippines’ seventh member of the College of Cardinals. 1997, Tagle has been a member of the International theological commission of the “The celebration was quite hectic,” said Vatican. In 1998, he was an expert at the Gary. “An Italian police officer came up to Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for us and said we could wait at the head of Asia that took place in Rome. Prior to being the line because of the disabled members in Archbishop he was ordained Bishop of Imus, our group. He escorted us to the front and Cavite. In 2005, Tagle was elected member we waited as they brought the wheelchairs of the post synodal Council and Assistant into the elevators. I was the last person to Cardinal Angelo Scola at the Synod of in the small group and as I was almost Bishops held in Rome. The installation was inside the Basilica, they opened the main well attended by both extended relatives and gates and there was a giant rush of people Filipinos all over the world. Cardinal Tagle running towards the entrance. I thought continues to be one of the largest Catholic we were going to get trampled. When social media presences, with regular YouTube the Pope processed to the front, everyone postings teaching the faith and Gospel to an was standing on their chairs to get a good audience of 20,000 people. photograph... The rest of the ceremony

Navigating the Faith How to Pray the scriptures Lecito Divina

by Rev. Patrick J. Madden, PhD

T

here are many different ways to read scripture. Most books of the Bible can be read from one end to the other, aloud, in two or three hours—more quickly if one reads them silently. One can also study a passage of scripture using various tools as an aid to understanding.

Such tools include: concordances, Bible dictionaries and Bible commentaries. The most common way we Catholics experience scripture is when we hear it publicly proclaimed at a liturgical service. Scripture can also be read as part of our practice of non-liturgical prayer. This article is devoted to one such prayerful experience of scripture, known as lectio divina.

Lectio divina, pronounced “LECK-seeoh dee-VEE-nah,” is a Latin phrase that literally means “divine reading.” Spiritual writers often use lectio divina to refer to a particular prayerful method of reading of scripture. This practice, which developed in Benedictine monasteries, is often a communal exercise, but it can also be done by an individual. Some married couples might enjoy praying together in this way.

When children are mature enough, this might be a form of family prayer. Lectio divina is a four-step process: 1) read, 2) meditate, 3) pray, 4) contemplate.

Since this is to be a prayerful exercise, before beginning one finds a quiet place where one is not likely to be disturbed for 15 minutes or half an hour. For parents of young children, this probably means after “bed time!” If the children are schoolage, this might be a time when they are in school. Some people have a special place in their home where a statue, a holy picture or a candle helps them to be in a prayerful mood.

The choice of scripture can be made in many ways. Perhaps one of the readings from last Sunday has been inviting one to prayer. Or perhaps one will pray over the Gospel for the coming Sunday as part of one’s preparation for Sunday Mass. The more we put into preparing for Mass, the more we “get out” of it. Those who attend daily Mass might wish to pray over one of the daily Mass readings.

The first step in the process is to read the

scripture. This is best done slowly, out loud. The passage may be read several times. If several people are praying together, they may read the passage aloud one after another.

Sometimes reading from different translations of the Bible can be helpful to prayer. When I pray over the Sunday readings, sometimes I read the following translations: New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised Standard Version.

These are my personal favorites, which I offer simply as a suggestion.

Others find using more than one translation to be a distraction, rather than a help to prayer. The main idea is to let the Word of God enter into one’s heart and soul by listening attentively and prayerfully.

The second step is to meditate on the passage. There are many different ways to meditate in our (CNS photo/Bob Roller) Catholic tradition. One way is to The third step in the process is to pray. imagine you have received a letter Prayer is simply “lifting our mind and heart from someone you love dearly. After you to God.” One might wish to thank God have read it through a couple of times, for any insights that have come during you put it down, and try to hear what the reading and meditation. Some people that person was saying to you “between prefer to pray to God in their own words; the lines.” This meditation can be a time others prefer to use a formal prayer such as of silent reflection. If a small group is the Lord’s Prayer, or a favorite prayer from praying together, mentioning words or a prayer book, or a favorite psalm from the phrases that struck one is appropriate. One Bible. meditating alone might wish to jot such The final step in the process is to words or phrases down in a prayer journal, contemplate.

If one can devote 30 minutes or underline them or highlight them in to lectio divina, perhaps the last 5 minutes one’s Bible. This is not a time to analyze will be contemplation.

If one has only 15 “why” a passage has touched one’s heart; minutes, perhaps the contemplation will be one simply notes the fact. If one is praying only a minute or two.

There is a line in The in a small group, it is not appropriate to Little Prince where he says that the reason comment, positively or negatively, on the his rose is so dear to him is because of all remarks of others; they are simply heard the time he has wasted with her. Think of with quiet respect. contemplation as “wasting time with God.” Another way to meditate is to imagine It is a time not for doing anything other oneself as a character in a Gospel story, than “being with” the One we love. or as an anonymous bystander witnessing Engaging in the practice of lectio divina the scene. During any type of meditation can be a way to deepen our faith during it is common for “distracting thoughts” this “Year of Faith.” Along with liturgical to arise. At times a gentle, slow re-reading prayer, study and apostolic activity, lectio of key phrases that we noticed earlier can divina can help us to be more faithful refocus our attempts to hear what God is followers of Jesus. saying to us.

January 2013 11

Dr. Jim Unger with a new mother at Padre Pio Hospital in Cameroon.

Below: Women wait in long lines in terrible heat to get into the hospital.

Medical Missionaries Local Catholic doctor & nurse couple minister with Franciscan sisters in Africa

by Kelly Phelan Powell • Photos by Jim & Rose Unger

I

t’s no revelation that we Americans often take our many blessings for granted. After all, in the U.S. clean water, for instance, is so readily available that we often forget it’s a luxury in other parts of the world. For most of us, it’s the same with healthcare. We worry about the effects of a universal healthcare system and grumble about our insurance premiums, but the fact is our standard of medical care is second to none. In our hospitals, the rooms are spotlessly clean, the doctors and nurses are all highly trained professionals, and the equipment is world-class. Most importantly, every hospital in America will perform life-saving procedures for any patient regardless of his or her ability to pay.

Not so in Cameroon, a country in west Central Africa. That’s where Dr. Jim Unger, an OB/GYN and Chief of Gynecological Surgery at LSU Health Shreveport, and his wife, Rose, a registered nurse, spent four months of the past two years helping to provide medical care to Cameroonians who would be turned away from other hospitals because they can’t pay for medical procedures up front in their entirety, as is the custom there.

The Ungers, parishioners of St. Joseph Parish in Shreveport and members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, went to Cameroon as part of Mission Doctors Association (missiondoctors.org), a ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. It’s the only organization in the U.S. that exclusively trains, sends and supports Catholic doctors and their families to serve at hospitals and clinics worldwide. Short-term volunteers like the Ungers work for one to three months, usually to cover for the regular, long-term doctor while he or she takes leave.

Occasionally, a short-term volunteer is called in to assist a regular physician who’s in need of an extra set of medical hands or someone in a particular field of expertise.

Although there are other medical missionary organizations with which doctors can serve, Mission Doctors has one aspect that’s very unique – and appealing to couples like Jim and Rose. “They actually look for couples and families to do this, so they don’t separate you and you don’t have to be gone from your wife and children,” Jim said.

12 Catholic Connection

“There are some people who take five or six kids with them on these missions.”

Rose, a registered nurse, has medical training of course, but hadn’t practiced for over 30 years. On their first mission, she said, she didn’t work in the hospital because she was uncomfortable doing so after such a long hiatus. On their most recent one though, she had little choice. “He needed it, because the doctor was gone and they need staff,” she said. “When I got there on the first day, it was like all the memories came back.”

Rose came to the U.S. from Korea 37 years ago as a surgical nurse, but she stopped working after she and Jim married and she was expecting their first child. The couple have three adult daughters: one is in LSU Medical School (she actually joined her parents for a while in Cameroon), one lives in San Francisco and one is in school in New Hampshire.

In 2011, Mission Doctors sent the Ungers to Nginikom in Northwest Cameroon to work for a month at St. Martin de Porres Hospital. Most of the population of Cameroon speaks French, but the area where the Ungers worked is mainly English speaking.

This year, the Ungers went back to St. Martin de Porres for two months, but they also spent an additional month at Padre Pio Hospital in the chaotic, crime-ridden city of Douala (pop. 3 million), the largest city in Cameroon, where the maternal mortality rate is the worst in all of Africa. There, about 1,000 out of every 100,000 pregnancies end in death for the mother. To put that statistic in perspective, about 25 U.S. women die for every 100,000 pregnancies, and in Europe, the rate is even lower – about 5 women out of every 100,000.

Padre Pio Hospital is actually an apartment building that the Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis converted into a medical facility. It’s essentially a maternity hospital and has one full-time obstetrician, a couple of family-practice doctors and a few nuns who are trained as midwives. Jim delivered over 310 babies in a single month. In the

mornings, laboring women waiting to be seen would stand in lines that snaked around the building.

But its standard of care isn’t the only thing that makes Padre Pio Hospital so popular. “Cameroon is unique in that people have to pay for all the healthcare and they have to pay for in advance. It’s all cash money on the barrelhead,” Jim said. “There are a couple of hospitals that are run by the government, and they charge much, much more than what the Catholic sisters’ hospital, the mission hospital, charges.

There are also private hospitals that charge even more. The sisters charge maybe a quarter of what the so-called public hospitals charge.

So they have a lot of patients who come there.”

While Jim and Rose were in Douala, they lived and worked at Padre Pio, so they were literally on 24-hour call for an entire month.

“Emergencies come in all day and all night, of course,” said Jim. “But the sisters do 90 percent of the work. They never get a break. They’re there all the time, every day, 365 days a year…you go there and you work hard, but compared to what they do, it’s almost nothing.” He and Rose spoke of 70-year-old Sister Christa, a European nun who’s been there since the hospital opened. She works almost 24 hours a day attending deliveries, taking care of patients, doing the laundry and administering the hospital.

Despite all the hard work of the sisters, doctors and nurses, Padre Pio bears little resemblance to the average American hospital. “What’s available and what you can do for patients is very different,” Jim said.

Not only do Cameroonian hospitals lack much of the sophisticated, costly Western technology, the “cash-only” system is obviously particularly detrimental to the poor. “If you try to go to a public hospital to have your baby, and you’re in labor, and you don’t have the money to pay the bill in advance, you don’t get into that hospital,” he said flatly. “You will die by the roadside before they let you into that hospital.”

He went on, “The sisters’ hospital, the mission hospital, they try to collect money, don’t get me wrong, because that’s the only source of income they have, but they never turn anyone away. They treat you first, and then they do their best to collect their money, but they’re not going to send you out to the parking lot to die like they do in some of the public hospitals…so the care is much cheaper, and if it’s a lifethreatening circumstance, they’re not going to turn you away.”

In fact, paying the hospital bills of some indigent patients is how the Ungers used part of the money that was raised for their trip by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) chapter at St. Joseph Church.

“Some of these patients may wait weeks or a month at the hospital [after delivering a baby or having surgery], waiting for their bill to be paid,” Jim explained. Another expense that the Ungers covered for some patients is one that is all but unheard of here in the U.S.: blood.

“There are only two blood banks in Douala,” he said, “and if you need blood, your family has to go to one of these blood banks and buy it.

Cash money. So many women die of hemorrhage.” There is also no ambulance system. The Ungers told stories of laboring women traveling hours or even days on foot or on the backs of motorbikes to reach Padre Pio. Sometimes they made it in time; many times, they didn’t, often with disastrous results.

The Ungers’ fellow Vincentians at St. Joseph were eager to help.

Rose Unger (third from left) worked with the Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis and attended daily Mass with them.

Former chapter president Shy Gardner recalled, “They shared with us at a meeting one evening. They had been to Cameroon for a month the summer before. We were all thrilled and touched by the work they were committed to. Then they announced they were planning to go for three months the next summer. And we wanted to be a part of their work.”

So the SVDP chapter held a reception at St. Joseph and invited the entire congregation, plus all the Catholic physicians at LSU Health Shreveport. All the Vincentians at St. Joseph made homemade desserts, and Jim and Rose showed photos and shared their expectations for their upcoming trip. The money donated allowed them to purchase supplies they knew they were going to be missing. “We were inspired, and we wanted to be a part of their work. Many of us said we wish we had the strength and the courage to go and do something like this, but this was the second-best thing we could do,” Gardner said.

In all, the Gardners collected nearly $11,000, which bought medicine, paid some patients’ hospital bills and, perhaps most exciting, helped break ground on a tuberculosis ward at St. Martin de Porres Hospital in Nginikom. It is scheduled to open on the hospital’s 50th anniversary.

Needless to say, all of the hardships at Padre Pio make for a tough day at the office, especially for American medical professionals accustomed to providing a much higher standard of care. The Ungers said the harsh environment made them rely more heavily than ever on their Catholic faith. “We went to Mass every day with the sisters,” Jim said. The formality and the solidarity of the religious structure within which they worked, both at the hospital and with Mission Doctors, helped them cope with the unpleasant realities of the situation at the mission hospital in Douala. “I don’t know if we could do it out on our own, by ourselves, with no faith backup,” he said.

Rose said their missionary experience helped strengthen not only the couple’s faith, but their marriage as well.

They lived and worked continued on page 14

Far right: 70-year-old Sister Christa has been at Padre Pio Hospital since it opened. Right: Dr. Unger (center) performs surgery at Padre Pio hospital in Cameroon.

January 2013 13

A REFLECTION ON SEMINARY

John Parker shares the fears and joys of his first semester at seminary

I

first arrived at Saint Joseph Abbey and Seminary College on a dreary, rainy day in mid-August. It was the beginning of hurricane season in the Gulf. Showers had pelted my little Nissan Maxima from Opelousas all the way to Covington, obscuring the road and obstructing my vision. My destination was every bit as obscure as that long and slippery road. I had neither seen nor heard much of anything about Saint Ben’s, aside from the cursory knowledge that it was a seminary and my future home for the next three years—God willing. I had little to no idea of what exactly I was getting into. I had only an inkling that I was doing the right thing by choosing to explore this call, a feeling that the tug at my heart that had begun this journey so many months ago was from God and not my own imagining. In short, I felt many conflicting things that day, but I think the word terror sums up the gist of my emotions. When I first pulled up to the abbey, I was terrified.

That day, I moved my frugal number of possessions into my then barren room in Pius X dormitory, and, in a whirl, said goodbye to my parents and my granny.

Before I knew it, I was alone in this strange and foreign place, face-to-face with the reality of my decision: This was going to be my home. I took a deep breath, resolved to make the best of it, and plunged into my new life as a seminarian. Since then, it seems the days have fallen away faster than the autumn leaves. Each day passes by in a cycle of prayer, class, Mass, meals, class and more prayer. There are over a hundred seminarians here, along with Benedictine monks, lay teachers, priests and other staff 14 Catholic Connection

that make this place run smoothly. My brother seminarians come from all across the south, from Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and even Mexico. Diversity abounds, as do differing personalities. Alabama boys like to hunt armadillos and possums on Thursday nights (I witnessed for the first time the brutal murdering of one of these hapless creatures).

The Diocese of Lake Charles seminarians have their own brand of Christmas carols (inserting “Lake Charles” and “awesome” into each and every carol one could think of ). As expected, the Texas seminarians all seem to possess an over-inflated pride in their state’s enormity (apparently, even the Church is bigger in Texas). This diversity adds a great deal of flavor to each day, which can sometimes be overwhelming for the likes of me, but in the end it makes for a fun time had by most (if not all).

As a community, we have been through quite a bit this past semester. One could say we have been baptized by both fire and water, having endured Hurricane Isaac and a dormitory fire that displaced us for a few weeks. In each trial, we persevered and came together as a community, strengthened and fortified by these difficulties. I believe it was providential for us to have undergone these troubles if we are to be future leaders in the Church. A priest’s life should not be an easy one, filled with comfort and fine amenities, but ought to be one of labor and tribulation for the Kingdom. Hopefully, my brother seminarians and I have learned from these small inconveniences what it means to cope with adversity and persevere in patience when under duress. As this semester has proved, it is the cross of our Lord that is our

truest guide. As Christ’s example shows, this is not an easy life, nor should it be. There is much work that this often broken and hurting world demands of us. We cannot be cowards in times like these, nor can we choose to wilt before trials and suffering, not when the salvation of souls is at stake.

All in all, I would say this semester has been a great growing experience for me. While there have been plenty of fun times spent growing in fellowship with my brother seminarians, there have also been times of great silence and personal reflection. The beautiful grounds of the abbey, with its stately pines and majestic live oaks that drip with Spanish moss, are most conducive to contemplation. There is no finer place in all of Louisiana than here to discern the will of God, which everyone is called to discern. The discernment process is long, as God works in his own time and at his own pace, speaking in the slightest whispers in the silence of our hearts. In this Year of Faith, it is my fervent prayer that those who are called may be granted the courage to say yes. It only takes a moment of courage, a slight resolve of the will, and the grace of God to propel you into this great journey. Mine began on a rainy day in mid-August. Perhaps yours may begin on a sunnier one.

by John Parker, Seminarian continued from page 13 together in extremely close and difficult quarters. “We took care of each other,” she said. Jim agreed. “In a way, it’s so enjoyable.

Every day, we’re working together.” It also inspired in each of them a renewed respect for the other’s professional abilities. “Rose did everything,” he said, from administering anesthesia during surgeries to scrubbing the operating room floor on her hands and knees to make it ready for the next patient.

The Ungers came back from Cameroon this year more determined than ever before to support the Mission Doctors Association.

They plan to go back to Cameroon as soon as Jim’s employer, LSU Health Shreveport, which was very supportive of their first two trips, will grant him another leave of absence.

Mission Doctors can use not only funds, Jim said, but more doctors. In particular, they are in need of dentists. They will also gladly accept donations earmarked for a specific hospital, such as Padre Pio or St. Martin de Porres. To donate or find out more about how you can support Mission Doctors, visit missiondoctors.org.

NEWS

Vocations Awareness week Catholic Charities Fr. Matthew Long reflects on how his vocation was nurtured by his parents

Celebrating Volunteers

Bishop Duca greets Fr. Matthew Long’s parents at his ordination.

O

ften times when we think of vocations, we consider them something a man or woman must figure out on their own between them and God. The reality is that all of us have a role to play in assisting men and women in finding God’s will in their lives. The people who play the most important role are parents.

When I reflect on my journey from lawyer to priest there are two figures that loom larger than anybody else: my mom and dad.

This is remarkable in many ways not the least being that they are not Catholic, but Southern Baptist. Their role in preparing me to accept the will of God in my life did not begin when I heard the call as a young adult, but many years before. They taught me by word and example what it meant to be a person of sacrifice and commitment by the sacrifices they made for one another and for their children. The most important thing they taught me was that at times my own personal wants, needs and desires must be subjugated for something greater, i.e. their marriage and family. These were the subtle ways they helped me to answer the call.

When I finally revealed to them that I wanted to go to seminary and become a Catholic priest, you can only imagine their response.

This was not how they had envisioned my life being lived out. They did some remarkable things though, even though this was not what they wanted for me. They worked non-stop to get me packed, and then took me to St. Meinrad Seminary, hundreds of miles away.

They assisted me in every way imaginable throughout my seminary formation. They paid for my cell phone, gave me a car to use and covered my automobile insurance, just to name a few.

The most remarkable thing though, was that as I journeyed toward priesthood they journeyed towards being the parents of a priest. Somewhere between my last day in my law office and my Ordination in the Cathedral, they realized God’s plans for my life were far greater than any they had for me. This was truly one of the greatest blessings for me. Priesthood or religious life is a family affair.

Parents play the most pivotal role sometimes by assisting, and other times by getting out of the way. I was blessed my parents did both so well.

During the week of January 13-19 the Church in the United States celebrates Vocation Awareness week. I urge all parents to take time during this week to discuss vocations with your children, pray together as a family and, most importantly, assist your children or get out of the way of God when necessary so the plans He has in store for their future will not be hindered.

by Fr. Matthew Long, Director of Church Vocations

Theresa Mormino gives out an award during the volunteer luncheon.

W

hat blessings Catholic Charities of Shreveport received during December! We were surprised and thrilled every week at the generosity and loving gifts from so many who understand the importance of our work and support our programs, from Emergency Assistance and Immigration Integration to Gabriel’s Closet and the Money School.

We are as grateful for the many hours of service given to us through our volunteers, whose selfless work includes listening to the stories of those who come to us in need, preparing Christmas baskets filled with enough for a wonderful Christmas dinner, sorting, counting and logging in the enormous amount of in-kind gifts we receive, and staffing and running Gabriel’s Closet for infants and new mothers. We even observed one special volunteer praying on the phone with a client who was suffering.

To honor these essential members of the Catholic Charities team, we had a Volunteer Appreciation luncheon for them at the Catholic Center on December 7. It was a time to enjoy each other’s company and hand out much deserved awards and “angel wings,” which they have certainly earned! We could never do our work without these dedicated people.

We are especially grateful to the ongoing support of St. Joseph Church in Shreveport. We recently received canned and dry goods from their December food drive that filled our almost bare pantry to overflowing. The middle school’s Edge Group created St. Therese of Lisieux bracelets for us and received $270 in donations for them. The popular and in demand bracelets are a way to be mindful each day of our own acts of love and sacrifice as we work the beads along toward the cross with each loving act. A small card accompanies each and tells the touching story of Therese’s life of holiness and her desire to reach perfection through Christ.

That’s something we all hope to teach our children who will one day be the backbone of support for organizations like Catholic Charities and other worthy causes in our diocese.

As we move into this new year, we are working hard to strengthen and grow our programs to better serve the poor and vulnerable in the diocese. We believe with God’s help the classes we now offer in financial planning and through Gabriel’s Closet for new moms, are key to making the permanent and long-lasting changes that will ultimately change the world around us.

by Theresa Mormino, Catholic Charities January 2013 15

NEWS

Restless heart movie COMING Soon Catholic Center to show movie on the life of Saint Augustine to benefit St. Catherine Community Center

S

ince creation, men and women have made tremendous contributions to the growth of human spiritually.

Oftentimes their lives started out tumultuous before they underwent an extreme transformation. They might have gone from being wealthy to founding an order of poor religious men and women, such as St. Clare or St. Francis of Assisi, or been peasants chosen by the Blessed Mother to carry her message to bring about conversions. Perhaps a young Polish boy who grew up in a world torn apart by war, poverty and genocide achieved greatness in answering a call from God to serve the Church and his neighbors who eventually became the ultimate servant, Blessed Pope John Paul II. Or he could have been a

young man full of the “ways of the world,” the indulgences of sin derived from drink, promiscuity and narcissism.

A common thread that ran through the lives of all these people was a “restless heart.” Their lives were not complete and engaged in the service of God until there was a conversion of faith; something that filled their spirits and consumed their thoughts.

And then there was a man whose sinful life was converted by the philosophy of a bishop and the prayers of his mother and became one of the most beloved and well16 Catholic Connection

known of the saints: Saint Augustine of Hippo. After his conversion to Catholicism, he went on to become a priest, bishop, founder of a religious order of priests, doctor of the Church and a prolific writer.

The story of his conversion has helped many people turn to faith by following his great example.

Under the banner of the Year of Faith, the people of the Diocese of Shreveport will have an opportunity to see the story of St. Augustine. The confessions of St. Augustine are presented against a historic backdrop as the Roman world collapses around 400 A.D. Ignatius Press through the Maximus Group is distributing the full length movie that is captivating audiences across the country, entitled, Restless Heart: The Confessions of Augustine.

Showings of the movie will be January 13 at 2:30 p.m., January 14 at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. There will also be a special showing for high school students January 15.

All shows are for high school audiences and older at the Catholic Center Auditorium.

The cost of admission is free, though tickets will have to be secured ahead of time on a first come, space available basis. Participants will have an opportunity to make contributions to the St. Catherine Community Center, which is an outreach ministry of the Diocese of Shreveport to serve the people of the Cedar Grove neighborhood of Shreveport, especially through children’s summer enrichment programs, parenting and training classes and educational programs.

To view a trailer for the movie that shows the professional adaptation and portrayal of this material, visit www.restlessheartfilm. com.

“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you,” said St. Augustine of Hippo.

by Randy Tiller, Director of Mission Effectiveness

Christ the King Church Blesses Soccer field

Fr. Price blessed the new soccer field.

I

t is not too often that a Catholic priest gets to lead his parish family in doing something that absolutely everyone, and I mean every single person in the parish, loves with a passion. But that was the role Fr. Rigoberto Betancurt Cortez was able to fill on Sunday, October 28th when Christ the King Church joyously celebrated the grand opening of its new soccer field adjacent to the old school in Bossier City.

Under a bright but cool sky, the mood was festive with lawn chairs a plenty, dozens of children scampering about and plenty to eat via the food stalls set up next to the sidelines. Bishop Michael Duca arrived to bless the field and Fr. Rothell Price assisted with the Holy Water, traveling the length of the field providing enough sprinkles to replicate a pre-game watering of the pitch. And once Bishop Duca put his leg into the opening kick, a briskly played tournament swung into action featuring a host of teams of varying ages as the non-stop futbol action lasted until dark.

And who was at the scorer’s table, providing scintillating play by play of the action in high spirited Spanish? You guessed it, an animated Fr. Rigo, beaming with pride over this new sports facility bringing together so many people of the Church for fun and fellowship. Fr. Rigo also donned his familiar referee’s outfit to serve as the official for the final match of the day as his young protégées took over the public address system to scream Goalazo! for each score.

by John Mark Willcox, Director of Development

January 2013 17

18 Catholic Connection

across the Church agencies bring relief during year’s storms, drought, typhoon

W

ASHINGTON (CNS) -- Amid this year’s hotter-than-average temperatures and extreme weather-related events including floods, droughts, storms, wildfires and a recent typhoon, church agencies in the U.S. and around the world mobilized to provide short and long-term relief. The year ended with a typhoon hitting southern Philippines in December, lashing the island with 120-mph winds and torrential rains killing more than 370 people. The Philippines had already experienced flooding in August when days of torrential rains caused more than a quarter million people to evacuate their homes in Manila. The previous month, massive flooding in India left 126 people dead, and affected nearly 3 million people. Teams of Catholic Relief Services workers in both areas immediately assessed damages and provided medical aid, food and water, while churches provided temporary shelter. The U.S. also was particularly hard hit with weather disasters this year prompting aid from Catholic Charities USA, local Catholic Charities agencies and parishes. Hurricane Sandy, which quickly became a super storm, wreaked havoc on the eastern U.S. in late October,

(CNS photo/Paul Jeffrey)

killing 125 people after causing more than 70 deaths in the Caribbean. According to a report from The Associated Press, the storm caused about $62 billion in damage and other losses in the U.S. making it the secondcostliest storm in U.S. history after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 which caused $128 billion in damage. The United States also experienced the worst drought in decades in the southcentral U.S. this past summer. Drought or near-drought conditions had repercussions for more than just farmers as crop shortages caused food prices to increase. In June, there were severe wildfires in Colorado, prompting evacuations and in March tornadoes ripped through parts of Indiana.

Pope launches Twitter account, tweets to OVER 1 million

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI launched his Twitter account, sending a short inaugural message to his more than 1 million followers.

“Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart,” it said. His tweet went viral as the number of followers of @Pontifex and its seven other extensions grew by more than 5,000 new people an hour, a Vatican official said. Tens of thousands of followers retweeted the messages in the short minutes after they were posted. After the pope gave his catechesis and blessing to those gathered for the general audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI hall, an announcement came over the speakers saying the pope was about to make his first tweet.

Officials placed a small wooden desk in front of the pope, and staff from the Pontifical Council for Social Communications placed a small tablet computer on top. The pope put on his glasses as Thaddeus Jones, a U.S. official at the council, showed him the screen that already had the message prepared and loaded. The pope, with a tap, sent the greeting. Archbishop Celli, the council president, then showed the pope his @Pontifex accounts, which had amassed 1 million followers in the 10 days before the first tweet. About 45 minutes later, after the pope left the audience hall, the first pair of tweets in a Q&A format was sent by Vatican officials. While the pope sees and approves each tweet, all tweets after his inaugural message are sent by Vatican staff.

Catholic News Service

VAtICAN news & notes • Pope Benedict XVI issued new rules to strengthen the religious identity of Catholic charities and ensure that their activities conform to church teaching.

The pope’s apostolic letter on the “service of charity,” issued “motu proprio” (on his own initiative), directs bishops in overseeing charitable works in their dioceses.

• The Vatican praised a United Nations vote making Palestine a non-member observer state but called for full recognition of Palestinian sovereignty as necessary for peace in the region. One hundred thirty-eight member states voted Nov. 29 to boost Palestine’s status from “entity” to “non-member state” -the same status held by the Holy See -- in an implicit recognition of Palestinian sovereignty.

• Pope Benedict XVI has named 58-year-old English Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher the new nuncio to Australia. The archbishop, a longtime member of the Vatican diplomatic corps and former Vatican Secretariat of State expert on Southeast Asia, has been nuncio to Guatemala since 2009.

• The Vatican is offering a new app that provides live streaming of papal events and video feeds from the Vatican’s six webcams.

“The Pope App” also will send out alerts and links to top stories coming out of the Vatican’s news outlets, said Gustavo Entrala, founder and CEO of the Spanish firm 101.es, which developed the free app.

January 2013 19

HISPANIC corner

por Rosalba Quiroz

Directora Ministerio Hispano 318-219-7288

Educación Católica

Calendario del Mes de Enero

L

a educación en la fe Católica comienza en el hogar y se sella con el Sacramento del Bautismo. Este Sacramento es Trinitario, “en el nombre del Padre y del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo” (Mateo 28:19) La Iglesia Católica, que Jesús mismo fundó, tiene una riqueza inmensa que ofrecernos y esta a nuestro alcance. Es nuestra responsabilidad desarrollar y fomentar esa educación que nuestros padres nos brindaron en la niñez y el estudio del catecismo. Aunque muchas veces como adultos seguimos viviendo con una fe inmadura. Es muy importante continuar nuestra educación y formación en la fe para nuestro propio desarrollo y para la educación de nuestros hijos y para ser testigos de la palabra de Jesús y sus obras.

Te invitamos a que este año, el Año de la Fe, busques oportunidades de crecer en tu fe, de conocer las raíces, el pasado y la esperanza para el futuro de nuestra Fe Católica.

En su misión de transmitir la fe, y esfuerzo de evangelizar a toda persona, la diócesis de Shreveport ha considerado importantes las siguientes cinco prioridades: 1. Evangelización (Llevar la Buena Nueva a toda creatura, Mateo 28,19-20) 2. Liturgia y Vida Espiritual (Medios de vivir su Fe Cristiana) 3. Ministerio de las Enseñanzas de la Iglesia (comunicar a todos lo que la Santa Iglesia nos enseña)

MISAS Bossier City: Christ the King Church 425 McCormick St. Bossier City Sábado 7:00 p.m.

Domingo 3:00 p.m.

Lunes 7:00 p.m.

Confesiones 45 minutos antes de Misa Marilú Rodriguez Tel: 318-286-1492 Farmerville: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church 600 E. Water Street, Farmerville Sábado 7:00 p.m.

Rev. Al Jost Tel: 318-243-0115

1

Solemnidad de María Madre de Dios, Centro Católico cerrado

6

Día de Reyes (Epifanía)

12 Entrenamiento para jóvenes de Pastoral Juvenil, New Orleans

4. Aportes de los fieles y Recursos de la Iglesia (ayudarnos a compartir nuestros dones, talento, tesoro y tiempo con los más necesitados para que juntos creemos lazos de ayuda y amor) 5. Ministerios Pastorales y de Servicio (Asegurar que las Obras de Misericordia Corporales y Espirituales son practicadas por todos los Católicos Cristianos, ayudando a los más necesitados – enfermos, pobres y afligidos) Ya sea que hayas venido a esta diócesis temporal o permanentemente, haz que tu estancia aquí sea un tiempo de aprender de tu Fe y de cómo practicarla y ponerla al servicio de Dios. Si tienes ponla en práctica y compártela pues dice el Señor: la fe por sí sola, si no está acompañada de buenas obras es una fe muerta. (Santiago 2, 17). Si por el contrario necesitas ayuda, recuerda que tu Santa Madre, la Iglesia Católica te acompaña en tus tristezas y alegrías.

Que este año sea un año de Fe, como lo declaró el Papa Benedicto XVI y que esa fe crezca en tu corazón este 2013. ¡Felíz Año Nuevo!

Mansfield: St. Joseph Church 305 Jefferson Street, Mansfield 2do Domingo 2:00 p.m. y 3er Martes 6:30 p.m.

Juanita Ibarra Tel: 318-872-5390 Minden: St. Paul Church 410 Fincher Road, Minden 2do y 4to Viernes 7:00 p.m.

Margarita Bratton Tel: 318-377-9684 Oak Grove: Sacred Heart Church 201 Purvis St., Oak Grove Domingo 5:00 p.m.

Feliciano y Rosa Alviso Martinez Tel: 318-428-2137

13-15 Película de la historia de San Agustín (Inglés), Centro Católico 19 Entrenamiento para líderes de Pequeñas Comunidades de Base, Shreveport y Monroe 22 Reunión del Comité Diocesano de Asesores Hispanos, Centro Católico

Fechas de la Continuación del Curso de Estudio Bíblico 2 de Febrero – Antiguo Testamento 13 de Abril – Nuevo Testamento I 1 de Junio – Nuevo Testamento II (entrega de certificados a los que asistieron al curso completo) “¡Al Que Madruga Dios lo Ayuda!” Es su programa de radio del Ministerio Hispano Católico.

Todos los Domingos a las 9:00 am y 9:00 pm por la Invasora 92.1 FM

Ruston: St. Thomas Aquinas Church 810 Carey Ave., Ruston 2do y 4to Domingo 2:30 p.m.

Soledad Broyles Tel: 318-243-1958 Shreveport: St. Mary of the Pines Church 1050 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop Shreveport Domingo 1:00 p.m.

Carmen Bradford Tel: 318-455-2300 West Monroe: St. Paschal Church 711 N 7th Street, West Monroe Domingo 2:30 p.m.

Lorena Chaparro Tel: 318-651-9136

Oficina del Ministerio Católico Hispano: Rosalba Quiroz, Directora 318-219-7265 Marcos G. Villalba, Pastoral Juvenil 318-219-7288 • Jeanne Brown, Secretaria 318-219-7257 20 Catholic Connection

school NEWS < St. John Berchmans School recently inducted 16 students into its Jr. Beta Club, an academic honors program with a strong emphasis on community service. The Jr. Beta Club at St. John’s is for students in grades 6-8 and conducts service projects throughout the year for a variety of organizations including St. Vincent de Paul, Barksdale Air Force Base, Highland Community Center and Neighborhood Association and local shelters.

The new inductees are: (front row, left to right – Tammy Nguyen, Mary Elizabeth Denison, McKala Meziere, Sophia Romanski, Isabelle Prince, and Isabella Silvia; back row, left to right – Adam Landry, Jessica Bowers, Jake Kingery, Sarah Siharath, Maggie Chreene, Benjamin Tuttle, Tanner Hines, Mary VanHoy, Sarah Stringfellow and Shannon Anderson).

^ “It’s an especially exciting time to be a St. Frederick High School Warrior fan. Our football team ranking qualified us for a home playoff game in the first round after an impressive 7 and 3 regular season. I’m just so fortunate to be a part of such a great community here at St. Frederick Catholic School,” said Principal Guy Farber.

^ Jesus the Good Shepherd School was fortunate to have world-renowned chef John Besh come to Monroe and participate in a dinner fundraiser for the school. The proceeds from the event will go to purchase a Smart Board which will be used in the computer lab to provide a technology training area for students and teachers.

Pictured: Chef John Besh, Therese and Sammy Nagem and Lisa Patrick.

^ St. Joseph School held its annual Spelling Bee last week. Students competed to be named top speller at St. Joseph School. The winners were (left to right) Austin Scott (3rd Place), Mark Warren (2nd Place), and Jesse Hargett (1st Place).

Congratulations to these great spellers!

> Loyola College Prep held its annual FAiTH Day on December 3 as 600 families were provided a Christmas meal and toys. The student-run organization (Flyers Aiding The Hungry) is in its 22nd year. Canned food collection has been ongoing throughout the school year as well as various fundraisers to have enough to supply each family with a complete meal.

The FAiTH officers converted the Loyola gym into Santa’s Food Giveaway and beginning at 3 p.m. baskets were given out to the needy (the list is supplied by the Society of St. Vincent DePaul) Also, Snoopy’s Toy Shack was constructed for the children to receive gifts to have for Christmas.

Seniors Maddie Russo, Martha Williams, Ben Cunningham and Rachel Craig were this year’s FAiTH chairmen.

January 2013 21

upcoming EVENTS January 12 & 13: Voices of St. Augustine Gospel Choir to sing at St. Paschal and Little Flower Churches in Monroe The Voices of St. Augustine Gospel Choir from Memphis, TN will sing in concert at St. Paschal Church in West Monroe on Saturday, January 12, at 3:00 p.m. They will also provide the music for the 5:30 p.m.

Mass that day. Finally, they will sing at the 9:00 a.m. Mass at Little Flower Church on Sunday, January 13.

January 13 & 14: Restless Heart Movie at the Catholic Center Restless Heart uses a historic backdrop to tell the true story of St. Augustine of Hippo – one of the Catholic Church’s most beloved and well-known saints. It also chronicles the collapse of the Roman world and how Augustine laid the intellectual foundations of what became Europe. This event, hosted by the Diocese of Shreveport and Bishop Michael Duca, will benefit St. Catherine Community Center programs. Show times will be January 13 at 2:30 p.m. and January 14 at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact Randy Tiller at 318-868-4441, or rtiller@dioshpt.org.

January 26-27: Center for Ministry Development Course at the Catholic Center Hosted by the diocesan Office

From the YouCat The Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church Q. 388 – How important is health?

Health is an important value, but not an absolute one. We should treat our God-given body gratefully and carefully, but not be obsessed with it. [2288-2291]

YC Appropriate care for the health of its citizens is one of the fundamental obligations of the State, which must create living conditions in which sufficient food, sanitary housing and basic medical care are available to all.

22 Catholic Connection

of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, adults can earn certificates in youth ministry by taking these courses. This course, taught

by Tom East, will focus on Evangelization and Catechesis. To sign up for the course, contact John Vining at 318-868-4441.

February 6 - March 13: Calling Catholics Home During the 2013 Lenten season, parishes throughout the diocese are taking the opportunity to welcome back those who were “once Catholic” through the program “Calling Catholics Home.”

Please join us for informal sessions and an update of the Catholic faith. The sessions are conducted in a support-group format.

Everyone is welcome.

Please keep this program in mind while visiting with friends and family who might be fallen away Catholics.

This six week program will take place at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans on Wednesdays, February 6 - March 13, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. For more information, contact Kathy Snelling at 318-746-4369, or go to www.callingcatholicshome.com.

February 22-23: Immaculee Tells Her Story - Weekend Event with Fr. Ubald at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans During the “1994 Rwandan genocide, she and seven other women spent 91 days huddled silently together in the cramped bathroom of a local pastor’s house …”

Come hear Immaculee tell her story, and experience the opportunity to meet and greet her at an exclusive event. Friday, Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. “Story of Faith, Hope & Forgiveness;” 8:00 - 8:30 p.m. - Book sales and signing at the Cathedral.

Feb. 22 from 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Meet and greet Immaculee in the Cathedral parish hall. Tickets are $50 and benefit Rwandan Catholic ministries.

Saturday, Feb. 23 at 10:30 a.m. “Our Lady of Kibeho;” 12:00 p.m. Lunch/book sales and signing; 1:00 p.m. Healing Prayer Service, Fr. Ubald; 2:00 p.m. Rosary, Immaculee; 3:00 p.m. Confession. 4:00 p.m. - Mass. $30 includes lunch. All events take place at the Cathedral.

February 23-24: Center for Ministry Development Course at the Catholic Center This course, taught by Joan Webber, will focus on Justice and Service.

To sign up for the course, contact John Vining at 318-868-4441.

Celebrating consecrated Life

Local religious to celebrate jubilarians and religious vows

O

n Sunday, January 20, 2013, we will gather to celebrate the presence of religious men and women in the Diocese of Shreveport at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans at the 5:30 p.m. Mass. This diocesan celebration coincides with the celebration conducted in Rome by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. This is an excellent opportunity to encourage vocation awareness, as well as celebrate the jubilees of religious serving in our diocese.

Two men will be celebrating special milestones in their lives as members of religious communities in the Catholic Church. Our jubilarians this year are: Fr. Joseph Kallookalam, CMI (50 years) and Brother Gordon Hayes, OFM (50 years).

All priests, deacons, religious and parishioners in the diocese are encouraged to attend this celebration.

All teachers and students in our Religious Education Programs and Catholic Schools are encouraged to take this opportunity during January to raise an awareness of the importance of religious vocations in our Church.

This is an excellent opportunity for those of us in the Diocese of Shreveport to show appreciation for the dedication and service provided by these men and women. For more information, please email Sister Marilyn Vassallo, CSJ, Coordinator for Religious at agoelden@ dioshpt.org.

by Sr. Marilyn Vassallo, Coordinator for Religious

calendar

january 2013

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

30 31 1 2 3 4 5 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Saint Sylvester I, pope

New Years Day World Day of Prayer for Peace Catholic Center Closed

Sts. Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen, bishops & doctors

St. Elizabeth Ann Shreveport Seton, religious Catholic Schools Resume

St. John Neumann, bishop

The Nativity of the Lord Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

NEW YEARS DAY JAN. 1

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 The Epiphany of the Lord

Vocations Awareness Week Begins

Principals Meeting, Shreveport, 8am

Principals Meeting, Monroe, 8am

Monroe Catholic Schools Resume

VOCATIONS AWARENESS WEEK JAN. 7-13

St. Raymond of Penyafort, priest

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Restless Heart at the Catholic Center, 2:30pm The Baptism of the Lord

St. Anthony, abbot

Greco Spring Semester Begins Restless Heart at the Catholic Center, 2:30pm & 6:30pm Presbyteral Council Meeting, Catholic Center, 1pm

Baptism of the Lord / JAN. 13

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Mass in Celebration of Religious, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, 5:30pm

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Catholic Center Closed

Catechesis Advisory Council Meeting, 10am

St. Agnes, virgin and martyr

St. Vincent, deacon and martyr

St. Francis de Sales, bishop

Conversion of St. 2nd Collection: Paul, apostle Diocesan Catholic Schools Confirmation, JGS Church 4:30pm

Ecumenical Sunday

St. Timothy and St. Titus, bishops

Catholic Schools Week Jan. 28- FEB. 3

27 28 29 30 31 1 2 2nd Collection: Diocesan Catholic Schools

Catholic Schools Week Begins

St. Thomas Aquinas, priest & doctor of the Church

Diocesan Eastern Deanery Finance Council All Schools Meeting, Mass, St. Frederick High Catholic Center, 12pm School, 9am

Annual Pro-Life Banquet, East Ridge Country Club, 6:30pm St. John Bosco, priest

Pro-Life Banquet Jan. 31 January 2013 23

DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave.

•

Shreveport, LA 71104

Fairfield

Photo of the month by Gary Guinigundo 5:00 p.m. in St. Peter’s Square.

24 Catholic Connection