Catholic Connection March 2019

Connection The Catholic

Vol. 28 No. 8 March 2019

Frontier Mission B eginnings Fr. Jean Pierre and the Bayou Pierre Community

CONTENTS

13

5

11

16

FEATURES 5

Stewardship: A Reflection

by Mike Van Vranken

14 Frontier Mission Beginnings:

Fr. Jean Pierre and the

Bayou Pierre Community

by Dr. Cheryl White

16 Escape Routes

by Kim Long

COLUMNS 6

MIKE’S MEDITATIONS

Desiring Our Own Transfiguration

by Mike Van Vranken

10 SECOND COLLECTIONS

Catholic Relief Services Collection

by Fr. Rothell Price

11 NAVIGATING THE FAITH

Ash Wednesday: A Quick Guide

by Jessica Rinaudo

12 FROM THE POPE

Father of Us All from the Vatican Press Office

19 GRAPHIC NOVEL SERIES

Shreveport 1873: No Greater Love

by Fr. Peter Mangum, W. Ryan Smith, & Dr. Cheryl White Illustration Deacon Andrew Thomas

8

FAITHFUL FOOD

22 KIDS’ CONNECTION

DOMESTIC CHURCH

How to Have a “Successful” Lent

by Katie Sciba

2 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

18 Come Away and Rest for a While

by Joe Bernal

20 LaCaze Lagniappe Gala in Photos 21 Be More: Northwest Louisiana

Catholic Schools Unite

by Jessica Rinaudo

World Youth Day

by Seminarian Raney Johnson

by Kate Rhea

9

by Meg Goorley

Family Far and Wide

by Kim Long

17 CCNLA Celebrates Staff Diversity

24 ACROSS THE NATION

LIBRARY NOTES

NEWS

13 VOCATIONS VIEW

7

14

What is Lent?

by Kelly Phelan Powell

23 HISPANIC NEWS

por Melina Sanchez

USCCB Pro-Life Chairman Calls All Catholics to Fight with Renewed Vigor for the Unborn; USCCB Issues Statement on McCarrick

from the USCCB

25 A Message from Our Diocesan Administrator

by Very Rev. Peter B. Mangum 26 School News 27 Around the Diocese 30 March Calendar 31 Lenten Missions and

Reconciliation Services

FROM THE EDITOR

Lenten Resources

Connection The Catholic

Publisher The Diocese of Shreveport Editor Jessica Rinaudo Contributors Joe Bernal Meg Goorley Raney Johnson Kim Long Fr. Peter Mangum Kelly Phelan Powell Fr. Rothell Price Kate Rhea

photo / Catholic News Agency

A

s we prepare for Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season, our Diocesan Administrator, Father Peter B. Mangum, has asked the churches in our diocese to share their Lenten and Holy Week schedules with the diocese. This is allowing us to compose a comprehensive listing that can be a go-to resource on where and when Lenten and Holy Week liturgies, parish missions, penance services, Stations of the Cross and other activities will be held. A complete list

can be found on the diocesan website at dioshpt.org. It is being updated daily, so keep checking back. You can also find a list of some of the Lenten Parish Missions and Penance Services on page 31 of this issue. We will also be sharing these events and resources on our diocesan Facebook page.

We hope you will take a moment to visit our website and look for opportunities to join with other Catholics in this important season of our Church. •

Diocesan Web Lenten Resources www.dioshpt.org/news/lent-and-holy-week-in-the-diocese-of-shreveport www.facebook.com/dioceseofshreveport

Connection The Catholic

Vol. 28 No. 8 March 2019

Frontier Mission B eginnings Fr. Jean Pierre and the Bayou Pierre Community

TWITTER @CathConnect

On the Cover: A photo of Holy Apostles Church in the early 1850’s from the diocesan archives.

Holy Apostles was built in the Bayou Pierre Community, current day Carmel, and is no longer standing. Also pictured is Fr. Jean Pierre, who helped establish the church. In the background is a Confederate defense map from the 1860’s, courtesy of LSU-S Archives.

FACEBOOK facebook.com/ dioceseofshreveport

INSTAGRAM @CatholicConnection

Jessica Rinaudo Melina Sanchez Katie Sciba Ryan Smith Andrew Thomas Ashley Timmons Mike Van Vranken Dr. Cheryl White

Editorial Board Lisa Cooper Kim Long Fr. Matthew Long Dianne Rachal Melina Sanchez Randy Tiller Deacon Mike Whitehead John Mark Willcox Mission Statement The Catholic Connection is a monthly publication funded by your Diocesan Stewardship 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.

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.

MARCH 2019 3

grow.

and

germinate

to

earth

the

on

present

good

of

seed

every

lead

will

love

His

sure:

is

Lord

the

of

victory

The

pain

The

perpetuated.

and

up

covered

being

their

of

possibility

the

prevent

to

also

but

happening,

from

situations

such

prevent

to

able

culture

a

create

to

spared

be

must

effort

no

future,

the

to

ahead

Looking

sufficient.

be

ever

will

done

harm

the

repair

to

seek

to

and

pardon

beg

to

effort

no

past,

the

to

back

Looking

alike.

nonbelievers

and

believers

of

community

larger

the

in

and

members

family

their

in

also

but

victims,

the

among

primarily

powerlessness,

and

pain

of

wounds

deep

inflict

that

Crimes

persons.

consecrated

and

clerics

of

number

significant

a

by

perpetrated

conscience

of

abuse

the

and

power

of

abuse

the

abuse,

sexual

to

due

minors

many

by

endured

suffering

the

more

once

acknowledge

I

as

heart

my

in

echo

forcefully

Paul

Saint

of

words

These

12:26).

Cor

(1

it”

with

together

suffer

all

suffers,

member

one

If

Una Reflexión sobre la Administración

D

por Mike Van Vranken

espués de vivir 93 años como fiel católica, Ashley pasó de esta vida al paraíso eterno.

Inmediatamente fue llevada al trono de Jesús donde se suponía que iba a entregar cuentas de sus acciones en la tierra y así recibir el juicio que inevitablemente todos tendremos.

Se quedó sorprendida al escuchar la primer pregunta: “Ashley, dime sobre las personas que te ayudaron durante tu vida” Curiosamente, ella explicó que pensaba que Él querría saber más bien sobre todo lo que ella había hecho. Él prometió: “después hablaremos de eso, por ahora, cuéntame sobre todas las personas que te ayudaron a ti.”

Bien, entonces comenzaré con todos los sacerdotes maravillosos,” dijo ella. “Estuvieron siempre conmigo; en tiempos de alegría, tristeza, dolor o felicidad y me vieron siempre con compasión. Ellos fueron verdaderamente tu presencia en mi vida. Desde la infancia hasta mi muerte, hicieron una gran diferencia espiritual y emocional en mi experiencia terrenal. No hay manera suficiente para agradecerte por ellos” “Y ¿Cómo se los agradeciste?” le preguntó Jesus. “Oh, diariamente oraba por ellos, les horneaba galletas, y de vez en cuando ofrecía Misas por ellos.” Jesús la vio cariñosamente y le preguntó, “Y cuando se hicieron ancianos y fueron jubilados, ¿Cómo cuidaste de ellos?” Bueno, replicó ella: “La iglesia se encargó después de ellos.” Con dulzura y amor Jesús tocó su hombro y le preguntó: “¿pero acaso tu no eras parte de la iglesia?” ella se quedó en silencio, un poco avergonzada. Tenía una veneración profunda y una conexión con esos sacerdotes jubilados, pero nunca pensó dar lo suficiente para hacerles mejor sus días de jubilación.

Sonriendo, Jesús ahora le preguntó: “¿Quién más te ayudó?” Radiante le contó de una familia pobre y vulnerable de amigos queridos de ella, los cuales necesitaban asistencia. Ella le explicó como en Caridades Católicas del Norte de Luisiana, no solamente les ayudaron 4 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

económicamente, sino que también les ayudaron a manejar sus finanzas. Le dijo también que ahí ayudan con las necesidades de bebes con el programa del Closet de Gabriel. Después le dijo: “Yo siempre quise apoyar a Caridades Católicas con donaciones pero necesitan mucho más dinero del que yo puedo dar.” Su conversación continuó mientras hablaba de la gente que se dedica al trabajo en el Ministerio Hispano, ayudando a la comunidad Católica Hispana que son gente de una fe activa y vibrante viviendo en el área y que está creciendo rápidamente; comunidad que incluye a la familia de su esposo. Siempre estuvimos agradecidos por los que ayudan a llevar el evangelio a los Latinos Católicos,” le dijo con sinceridad a Jesús.

Le dijo de los voluntarios en las escuelas católicas y de tantos trabajadores que no reciben paga y sin embargo ayudan inmensamente con los programas juveniles. Estos ministerios fueron importantísimos en su propio crecimiento como católica, al igual que la formación de fe que recibieron sus hijos, sus nietos y hasta sus bisnietos.

Describió los programas de educación para adultos, las hermosas celebraciones litúrgicas, ministerios Pro-vida, la ayuda a los jóvenes universitarios, y el trabajo de la Sociedad de San Vicente de Paul.

“Toda esta gente me ayudó en mi vida,” le dijo a Jesús, “ya sea directamente a mí y a mi familia o indirectamente a muchos amigos conocidos y amados míos. Estoy muy agradecida y aprecio cada uno de los trabajadores maravillosos y voluntarios que me dieron tanto durante mi vida.”

Jesús bajó de su trono, la tomó de la mano, caminaron a otro cuarto celestial y se sentaron juntos. Él con reverencia la miró a los ojos y le dijo: “me hubiera gustado que estuvieras más involucrada en todos estos ministerios que ayudan a miles de personas en el Norte de Luisiana.” Ella dijo: “pues también me hubiera gustado que me dijeras que eso era lo que querías – y que me lo

recordaras de vez en cuando. Además,” continuó ella: tú sabes que nunca tuve mucho dinero para donar a todos estos ministerios. Aunque fueran tan importantes para mí, ¿Cómo hubiera podido ser de ayuda, si no tenía más que lo suficiente?”

Con su amorosa y compasiva voz, Jesús suavemente le contestó que cada año le daba el recordatorio de como podría ayudar en el trabajo de la iglesia apoyando estos grupos y ministerios. Ella preguntó: “¿Cuándo me dijiste que alguien pobre como yo podía involucrarse en tu trabajo ayudando con estas obras de misericordia? La respuesta de Jesús le llegó aun con mas amor, ternura y misericordia de lo que ella podría imaginarse: “cuando te pedí, cada mes de Febrero, durante la Cooperación Anual diocesana, te estaba dando una gracia de permitirte que te involucraras en los esfuerzos de mi iglesia.

Una pequeña donación, o una ofrenda mensual con lo que pudieras y ese sacrificio te hubieran conectado con este trabajo de la misma manera que conecta a la gente que da millones. Nunca se trató de que la cantidad que pudieras haber dado tenía que ser grande. Yo sabía que tu corazón generoso anhelaba poder ayudar a estos ministerios. Yo no quería que te quedaras fuera de ser parte de este trabajo maravilloso de la iglesia. A través de esta cooperación anual, te di y continúo dando a todos, una oportunidad basada en sus posibilidades, pero esa es la manera de estar involucrado completamente con mi iglesia.

Por favor en oración habla con Dios, pídele que te responda quien desea Él que tú seas en su administración de esta Campaña Anual de Cooperación y después, en silencio espera Su respuesta. •

grow.

and

germinate

to

earth

the

on

present

good

of

seed

every

lead

will

love

His

sure:

is

Lord

the

of

victory

The

pain

The

perpetuated.

and

up

covered

being

their

of

possibility

the

prevent

to

also

but

happening,

from

situations

such

prevent

to

able

culture

a

create

to

spared

be

must

effort

no

future,

the

to

ahead

Looking

sufficient.

be

ever

will

done

harm

the

repair

to

seek

to

and

pardon

beg

to

effort

no

past,

the

to

back

Looking

alike.

nonbelievers

and

believers

of

community

larger

the

in

and

members

family

their

in

also

but

victims,

the

among

primarily

powerlessness,

and

pain

of

wounds

deep

inflict

that

Crimes

persons.

consecrated

and

clerics

of

number

significant

a

by

perpetrated

conscience

of

abuse

the

and

power

of

abuse

the

abuse,

sexual

to

due

minors

many

by

endured

suffering

the

more

once

acknowledge

I

as

heart

my

in

echo

forcefully

Paul

Saint

of

words

These

12:26).

Cor

(1

it”

with

together

suffer

all

suffers,

member

one

If

Stewardship: A Reflection

by Mike Van Vranken

A

fter living 93 years as a faithful Catholic, Ashley passed from this life to her heavenly reward. She was immediately whisked away to the throne of Jesus where she expected to explain her actions on earth and receive his positive, eternal judgment. She was somewhat surprised with his first question: “Ashley, tell me about the people who ministered to you during your life.” Curiously, she explained how she thought he’d want to know all about what she had done. He promised: “We’ll get to that. For now, tell me about all of those who helped and assisted you.”

“I have to begin with all of the wonderful priests,” she said.

“They lovingly and compassionately were always there for me; in times of joy, sadness, pain or happiness. They fed me spiritually, emotionally and were truly your presence in my life. From childhood to my death, they made such a spiritual difference in my earthly experience. I can’t thank you enough for them.” “So, how did you thank them?” Jesus asked. “Oh, I prayed for them daily, baked them cookies, and sometimes even had Masses said for them.” Jesus lovingly gazed at her, “How did you care for them when they were old and retired?” Curious, she said: “The Church took care of them when they retired.” With gentleness and love, he touched her arm and asked: “But weren’t you part of the Church?” She stood in silence, somewhat embarrassed.

She had a deep reverence for and connection with those retired priests, but never thought she could give enough to make a difference for them in their retirement days.

Smiling, he asked her: “Who else ministered to you?”

Beaming, she told him about a poor and vulnerable family who were dear friends of her’s, who needed assistance. She explained how Catholic Charities of North Louisiana not only provided financial help, but also furnished financial training. They even made available children’s necessities from Gabriel’s Closet. She said: “And I always wanted to support our Catholic Charities with donations, but their budget needs were more money than I could give.”

Their conversation continued. She spoke of the wonderful people who work in Hispanic Ministry that provides so much for the active and vibrant faith lives of the rapidly growing Catholic Hispanic community; a community that includes her husband’s family. “We were always so grateful for those who helped with special outreach to Latino Catholics,” she lovingly told Jesus.

She told him about volunteers in Catholic Schools and

the many unpaid workers who help with Youth programs.

These ministers were so important to her own Catholic upbringing, as well as the faith formation of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She described adult education programs, the beautiful worship celebrations, prolife ministries, college campus ministries, and the work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

“All of these people ministered to me in my life,” she told Jesus, “either directly to me and my family, or indirectly to friends I knew and loved. I am so grateful and appreciative of every one of these beautiful workers and volunteers who provided so much during my lifetime.”

Jesus stood up from his throne, took Ashley by the hand, and they walked into another heavenly room and sat down together. He reverently looked into her eyes and said: “I wish you had been more engaged in helping all of these ministries be available to the thousands of people in North Louisiana.”

She said: “Well, I wish you had told me you wanted that – and even wish you had given me reminders that it was your desire.

Besides,” she continued, “you know I never had a lot to donate to so many different ministries. As important as they all were to me, how would I have been able to help them all?”

In his loving, compassionate voice, he softly shared that he reminded her every year of ways she could be engaged in the work of the Church helping these ministry groups. She asked: “When did you remind me of a way that someone like me could be engaged in your work by helping with all of these wonderful works of mercy?” His response came with more love, tenderness and mercy than she could imagine: “When I gave you, each year, the Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal, I was giving you a grace to allow you to be engaged in many of the endeavors of my Church. One small donation, or a monthly gift of just a few dollars, would have connected you with the work of my people as much as someone else giving millions. It was never about the amount you could give. I knew you had such a generous heart that you longed to be able to support these ministries. I never wanted you to be left out.

Through this Annual Appeal, I gave to you, and I continue to give to everyone, based on his or her own abilities, an avenue to be fully involved in my Church.”

Please prayerfully visit with God, asking Him who He wants you to be as His steward of the Annual Stewardship Appeal.

Then, sit quietly, and wait for his response • MARCH 2019 5

MIKE'S MEDITATIONS

Desiring Our Own Transfiguration

by Mike Van Vranken

W

hen we read the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus, we sometimes talk about the awe of this miracle.

And, it is awesome. Jesus’ face and clothing turn white as snow while Elijah and Moses are talking with him.

It is a scene too difficult to really imagine. But how do we use this scene in our daily lives? Or, asked another way: “Am I living the Christian life with such oneness with the Spirit of the Risen Christ within me, that I am transfigured like Jesus?” When people look at me, do I look different Van Vranken than others around me? By living the gospel of Jesus, have I become so transfigured that others will see that I am set apart, and they therefore desire to have what I have? Here’s how Jesus put it: “This is how they will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” John 13:35. In other words, when we truly love one another, we will look different to others – transfigured!

It might be useful to determine how we are to love one another. St. Paul writes: “Love is patient . . .” 1 Cor 13:4. Have you ever prayed for patience?

According to Paul, patience is one of the characteristics of love. In his letter to the Galatians, he lists patience as a fruit of the Spirit that begins with love. How will I know if I love all of God’s children? I just ask myself: “Am I patient with all of God’s children?” If not, according to Paul, I don’t love them all. I need to take this to prayer and ask God to reveal to me all of the people in this world that I do not have patience with. Without patience, I’m not being loving and, consequently, I’m not transfigured. Oh, and one more thing, if I say I love God, I must have patience with Him too!

“Love is kind” 1 Cor 13:4. What does kind mean? Indulgent, considerate, helpful, humane, respectful, thoughtful, having a desire to help others, and charitable are just a few of the definitions of being kind. If I gossip, I’m not very kind. If I criticize or degrade or demean someone’s dignity, I’m not very 6 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

kind. In other words, I’m not loving. There is certainly no transfiguration for me if I’m not kind.

Paul goes on to say that love is not jealous, or pompous or inflated or rude. It doesn’t seek its own interests and is not quick tempered, nor does it brood over injury (doesn’t hold grudges) 1 Cor 13:4-7. If I want people to see I’m a disciple of Jesus, I cannot be any of these.

And this is the part I really like. Paul says: “if there is knowledge, it will be brought to nothing” 1 Cor 13:8. He is about to make his point that love will last eternally but knowledge will not. What does that mean to me? If I have all of knowledge but do not practice love, I am nothing 1 Cor 13:2.

Finally, “love never fails” 1 Cor 13:8. I really like those odds! But, how can something never fail? The answer comes from the First Letter of John: “God is love” (1 John 4:8,16). “God is love and whoever loves remains in God and God in him” (1 John 4:16).

Let’s summarize: The only way someone will see us transfigured – as disciples of Christ, is by our love for one another. Paul has given some examples of what this love looks like.

(For more of his explanation of love, consider studying all of 1 Cor 13). And how can we love like this? By allowing the God who lives in us to live through us.

As always, I suggest you take all of this to God and get His deeper perspective on how His love is showing in your life to the point that people can see and experience it in you. Then, when you hear the Transfiguration story proclaimed at Sunday Mass on March 17th, remember this is not just another miracle story. Instead, experience this gospel story as Jesus calling you to be his disciple; a disciple who will be transfigured and known as his disciple by your love for every human being on the face of the earth. Once we exhibit God’s love through us, we look different. That is the reality they will experience in us because they experience God’s love through us. How awesome is that miracle? • Mike is a spiritual director, author, speaker and teacher. You can contact him at mikevanvranken@comcast.net

LIBRARY NOTES

Explore the Slattery Library Looking for a good read?

Check out a book from the Slattery Library inside the Catholic Center in Shreveport! Our vast collection spans across many subjects of faith and includes material for all ages. Kate Rhea shares some of the library’s featured titles and new books that can be borrowed.

Story in the Stars: Discovering God’s Design and Plan for Our Universe

The Mindful Catholic: Finding God One Moment at a Time

Sitting Like a Saint: Catholic Mindfulness for Kids

People often only focus on the “how” and “when” of creation, but Story in the Stars explores the “why.”

Why did God create such a vast universe? Why did He choose the sun and moon to light our paths? Why did He design images with stars in the night sky?

Joe Amaral, author of Understanding Jesus and What Would Jesus Read? gives readers an in-depth look at the powerful story and symbolism behind God’s unique design of our universe.

The practice of mindfulness is not easy to master, but the need for mindfulness is easy to recognize; a mind racing while trying to fall asleep, or hearing someone speak while not truly listening – these are signs of not living in the moment, signs of lacking in mindfulness.

Prayer is a natural, meditative way to practice mindfulness.

In his first book, Dr. Gregory Bottaro, director of the CatholicPsych Institute and a former Franciscan friar, has developed a series of exercises to aid in practicing mindfulness alongside faithfulness.

In this beautifully illustrated companion book to The Mindful Catholic, Dr. and Mrs. Bottaro offer simple yet powerful exercises in mindfulness for children to practice. In their introductory letter to parents, they write, “these exercises are an effective way of teaching our children, through the bodies God gave us, how to accept our feelings without criticizing ourselves for having them, and at the same time, how to control our expression of them.

by Joe Amaral

by Dr. Gregory Bottaro

by Dr. Gregory & Barbra Bottaro

Blessed Stanley Francis Rother: The First American Martyr

by Most Rev. Anthony B. Taylor

A bilingual account of the first American to be beatified for being murdered “in hatred of the faith.” Stanley Rother was a priest from Oklahoma who set his heart and mind on aiding the people of Guatemala, serving in Santiago Atitlan from 1968 until his death in 1981.

Based on an extensive visual presentation of Fr. Rother’s life by Bishop Anthony B. Taylor, this book features photographs, maps and exclusive content to shine light on Father Rother’s remarkable story.

VISIT THE SLATTERY LIBRARY The Slattery Library is open every week day from 9am to 1pm! Kate Rhea is the Administrative Assistant for the Slattery Library and St. Joseph Cemetery, and is available to help patrons research information, search and select reading material, and even host group meetings in the library. With themed displays each month and many newly cataloged materials ready to borrow, our library is revitalized and ready to serve our patrons.

To sign up for the newsletter featuring topical and seasonal collections, information on newly catalogued books, book and movie reviews, information on book clubs, and more, please e-mail Kate at krhea@dioshpt.org.

MARCH 2019 7

FAITHFUL FOOD

Family Far and Wide “

T

each us to number our days, that we might gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

I enjoy my work as a DRE and many of us who share this title, along with its joys and challenges, will jokingly say those letters stand Long for “directly responsible for everything.” Like many people, we change hats multiple times a day.

Recently I was tasked with explaining baptism to a 10-year-old child who had not been “raised up in church,” as my grandmother would have stated it. I was amazed when, during the course of our lesson, the following statement “issued forth from my mouth:” So you have a family at home, and a family here in PSR classes, then once you are baptized you have the Church family at St. Mary’s and another really big family – all the Catholics in the whole world are part of your family. I realized later that it was one of those golden moments when I stepped aside and let God speak!

Lately that has been driven home in the form of a series of events occurring in rapid succession.

The tug to deepen my prayer life has become undeniable. I kept First Friday and Saturday devotions for many years and then, for no particular reason, stopped. I decided to give it another try. I promised myself I would begin in February. As life goes, I was visiting out of town family and realized it was a First Friday. I found a church nearby offering a First Friday Mass and at 5:19 p.m., with only moments to spare, I dashed into the pew, my hurried breathing slowing, falling into the rosary’s rhythm.

I felt at home.

Saturday found me in another town along the northeastern side of our state with a slightly smaller First Saturday crowd. Again, falling into the rosary prayers, I relaxed breathing into the moment.

8 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

by Kim Long

Irish Hash Ingredients: • 1 Sweet potato, peeled, grated • 1 bag broccoli and cauliflower slaw (found in the produce section, if not available substitute cauliflower and broccoli florets) • 1 onion peeled and diced • 1 teaspoon of minced garlic • ½ cup vegetable broth • Olive oil to cover bottom of skillet • Salt and pepper to taste Directions: 1) Sauté onion and garlic in the olive oil on low flame. You don’t want them to brown (no crispy bits please).

2) When soft and the fragrance has been released, add the vegetables all at once and stir, coating the vegetables in the oily onions and garlic.

3) Add some vegetable broth and cover,

After Mass I visited an elderly relative.

Stepping into her home it was as though we had visited yesterday even though it had been a while since I darkened her door. With old time gospel music playing, we reminisced, shared biscuits and tomato gravy, and I left more keenly aware of the passage of time.

Once home, I was asked to read at two funerals, one for a family I knew through church, the other extended family. Two sets of readings, each perfect for the families gathered. They were also perfect for me, connected by God, through time, space and place. A pattern was unfolding.

Currently, our parish awaits news of a neighbor’s health. Suffering a bad fall in the early morning, she phoned me and I rushed over, bathrobe flying and heart pounding. After EMS took her to the hospital a network of care was invoked.

Now we pray and wait, believing in God’s

simmering on a low flame, stirring often to combine and to make sure it doesn’t stick.

This dish is one I “made up” because I needed a vegetable/starch and didn’t have enough of either, so I combined them. We enjoy it served with pork chops or chicken, but during Lent it’s a faithful companion to Tuna Casserole! Enjoy!

best for her, and by extension for us.

Several of us gathered one night recently amid 50 pounds of flour and sugar and a case of eggs as we baked St. Joseph Altar cookies. Laughter, prayer, and work combined to fill us with God’s goodness. Sister Sledge’s 70’s anthem echoed in my head “We are family. I got all my sisters with me.”

We are enveloped in our big Catholic family wherever we are, whether we always like it or not. We keep the peace, hold the line, smile, cry, love. We are bossy and jockey for a favored spot; we reconcile and begin anew.

As I enter the Holy Season of Lent with my big Catholic family, I am liking this extended group, my family at home and in life, very much. • Kim Long is the Director of Religious Education at St. Mary of the Pines Parish in Shreveport, LA.

DOMESTIC CHURCH

How to Have a “Successful” Lent

by Katie Sciba

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he beginning of Lent feels like the New Year - it’s a clean slate paired with a handful of resolutions and a heart full of hope that this is THE year. I’m going to stick with my Lenten sacrifices so when Easter shines in 40+ days, I’ll be beaming with Christian radiance and joy in the Resurrection. Every Lent, I start strong and convicted.

And, as with my New Year’s resolutions, in time I fall short of my personal goals for spiritual wellness, justifying a lack of Sciba commitment or even forgetting what they are. Thinking back to past Lents and ahead to upcoming Ash Wednesday, I’m considering things more practically, and I’m placing hope in Jesus that he’ll fill the gaps and draw me nearer to him. Put these steps into action for your own heart and Lent so like Jesus you’ll rise Easter morning made new and rejuvenated.

1. CONSULT WITH GOD You’re too attached to something; we all are. Maybe it’s the idea of control in your life, maybe it’s your own time, location or possessions, maybe it’s the reasons you have for not growing closer to Jesus. God has called you to a particular mission - what’s getting in the way? Consider offering that to God during this time meant for letting go of what is temporal to gain focus on the spiritual. If you’re unsure, ask Him to reveal exactly what He desires of and for your heart during Lent.

What attachment needs to die so you can experience a renewed life during Easter? Ask, too, for the grace to see God’s answer.

2. POST YOUR SACRIFICES …not online for everyone to see, but in your own world for your own benefit. Put a sticky note on your bathroom mirror

or inside your coffee cabinet; on the dash in your car or as lock screen on your phone. If you’re reading the Bible or a book of saintly wisdom, keep it in more obvious places so you’ll see it often. Tell a trusted few about your Lenten penance because there is strength in camaraderie.

3. IT’S NOT ABOUT WHAT YOU GIVE UP Well, not entirely. Lent is a holy invitation to see God clearly by walking away from distractions; and though our part is necessary, it’s Jesus who plays the more active role. Jesus is the one who heals us, who stirs us and who walks with us. Offering things up and ridding ourselves of distraction allows him more space to move in us and through us.

4. YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY ONE IN THE DESERT The Lord does not compel His children or call us to do His will, then leave us to do it in our human frailty. Make no mistake, the devil will do his best to draw our attention to ourselves, but like Jesus, we’ll be accompanied by angels and by Christ himself. Jesus always offers grace to help us in what feels difficult or impossible, and because he desires our love and attention, he will uphold us. In the thick of temptation, call on Him for quick aid and grace.

In considering our own bad habits or self-indulgences, it’s common to make Lent about our failings and flaws; to make it about ourselves. Lent, however, is and always has been about the Lord. It’s about drawing strength from Him so we can continue his call for our souls, keeping our eyes focused on him and hearts near heaven. •

Katie Sciba is married to Andrew. Together they have five children. She is the author of thecatholicwife.net.

MARCH 2019 9

SECOND COLLECTIONS

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Collection

by Father Rothell Price

THE CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES (CRS) COLLECTION Announcement Dates: March 17th & 24th Collection Dates: March 30th & 31st

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upport the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Collection: HELP JESUS IN DISGUISE. The Catholic Relief Services Collection is a beautiful and inspiring way to encounter Jesus Christ during the holy season of Lent. I am convinced that you are like me. I have the great desire to do anything and all I can for the Lord Jesus; and so do you. Together, we love him and want to show Price our devotion and love to him for the love and devotion he has first shown to us. In our compassion for, plus our reaching out to, our brothers and sisters laboring under the various crosses of many kinds of crises, it is actually Jesus himself, we are helping. Our Savior said, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers (and sisters) of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40 a).

The theme of our Catholic Relief Services Collection continues to be Help Jesus in Disguise.

As our great nation supports the work and mission of the American Red Cross, so the Catholic faithful support the work and mission of Catholic Relief Services. We support CRS because of our love for Jesus Christ. Giving of ourselves rightly makes us feel good about the kindness we do for others. And, the good we do for the recovery, safety, and wellbeing of others not only makes us feel good, but when done for Jesus and in his name, it comes with a heavenly reward. “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25: 34b).

Through the Catholic Relief Services Collection, we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, care for the ill, and visit the imprisoned (Matthew 25: 35-36). How uplifting it is to Help Jesus in Disguise! In the spirit of this holy season of renewing our love for Jesus by encountering him through almsgiving, self-sacrifice, and fasting, give generously to the Catholic Relief Services Collection.

Whether Catholic Relief Services is “Helping 10 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

HELP

esus

IN DISGUISE SUPPORT THE CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES COLLECTION

www.usccb.org/catholic-relief Copyright © 2018, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Photo: © Philip Laubner/CRS.

Jesus in Disguise” through a crisis, man-made or natural, here in the United States of America or abroad, it is an inspiring and uplifting goodness. Victims of persecution, natural disasters, humanitarian crises, draught, famine and any other disasters that may come into your mind, will know comfort and relief that someone, somewhere cares about them and the hardships they are enduring. Jesus cares and you care. Parents are relieved when help comes to alleviate the suffering of their children. Children’s hearts soar when help is given to their parents. People are visibly grateful when you and I care for them – “Jesus in Disguise.” Please give generously to the Catholic Relief Services Collection.

And, don’t forget to continue to draw closer to Jesus in Disguise through the devotion of your Rice Bowl which you will present, in joy, to our risen and victorious Lord at Mass on Easter Sunday. • Father Rothell Price, Moderator of the Curia, is the Director of Second Collections for the Diocese of Shreveport.

NAVIGATING THE FAITH

Ash Wednesday A Quick Guide

by Jessica Rinaudo

Ash Wednesday officially kicks off the Lenten season in the Church, a season dedicated to prayer, fasting and penance. It takes place 46 days before Easter. This year, that day is Wednesday, March 6th.

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HISTORY

SYMBOLISM

FASTING

Ash Wednesday became a practice of the Catholic Church when it was accepted at the Council of Nicea in 325 AD. This is also when the 40-day period of fasting for Lent was established. In 601, Pope Gregory moved the beginning of Lent to Ash Wednesday, 46 days before Easter, and also began the tradition of marking foreheads with ashes in the shape of the cross.

The ashes used on Ash Wednesday are a combination of the remnants of the palms from Palm Sunday from the previous year and holy water. When the priest say, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,� before marking the heads of the faithful with ash, he reminds us of our own mortality and calls us to repent.

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.

For members of the Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. (from the USCCB)

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WHO CAN RECEIVE ASHES? Receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday is not a Sacrament, but a sacramental, which means all believers, not just Catholics, are welcome to receive ashes. They are intended to bring the faithful closer to God.

For more info: http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/index.cfm MARCH 2019 11

FROM THE POPE

Father of Us All

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from the Vatican Press Office

et us continue our journey to learn to pray increasingly well, as Jesus taught us. We must pray like he taught us to do.

He said: when you pray, enter into the silence of your room, withdraw from the world, and address God, calling him “Father!” Jesus wants his disciples not to be like the hypocrites who pray standing in the squares to be admired by the people (cf. Mt 6: 5). Jesus does not want hypocrisy. True prayer is that which is carried out in the secrecy of the conscience, of the heart: Pope Francis inscrutable, visible only to God. God and I. It shuns falsehood: with God it is impossible to pretend. It is impossible, before God there is no trick that has power, God knows us in this way, naked in the conscience, and we cannot pretend. At the root of dialogue with God there is a silent dialogue, like the exchange of glances between two people who love each other: man and God exchange glances, and this is prayer.

Looking at God and letting oneself be looked at by God: this is prayer. “But, Father, I do not say any words…”. Look at God and let yourself be looked at by Him: it is a prayer, a beautiful prayer.

And yet, although the prayer of the disciple is entirely confidential, it never falls into intimism. In the secrecy of the conscience, the Christian does not leave the world outside the door of his room, but brings into his heart people, situations, problems, many things; I bring all these into prayer.

There is a surprising absence in the text of the Lord’s Prayer.

If I were to ask you what the surprising absence is in the text of the Lord’s Prayer? It will not be easy to answer. A word is missing.

All of you, think: what is missing from the Lord’s Prayer? Think, what is missing? one word. A work that in our times – but perhaps always – we all hold in great consideration. What is the word that is missing from the Lord’s Prayer, which we pray every day? To save time I will tell you: the word “I” is missing. We never say “I.” Jesus teaches us to pray with the word “you” on our lips, first and foremost, because Christian prayer is dialogue: “hallowed be your name,” “your Kingdom come, your will be done.” Not my name, my kingdom, my will. I no, it doesn’t go. And then it passes to “we.” All the second part of the Lord’s Prayer is in the first person plural: “give us this day our daily bread,” forgive us our trespasses,” “lead us not into temptation,” “deliver us from evil.” Even man’s most elementary requests – such as having food to dispel hunger – are all in the plural. In Christian prayer, no one asks for bread for himself: give me my daily bread, no, give us, we implore for all, for all the poor of the world. We must not forget this, the word “I” is missing. One prays with “you” and with “we.” It is a good teaching of Christ’s, do not forget.

Why? Because there is no space for individualism in dialogue with God. There is no ostentation of one’s own problems as if we were the only ones to suffer in the world. There is no prayer raised to God that is not the prayer of a community of brothers and 12 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

sisters, the we: we are in a community, we are brothers and sisters, we are a people who prays, “we.” Once the chaplain of a prison asked me a question: “Tell me, Father, what is the opposite of ‘I’?

And naively I answered, “you.” “This is the beginning of war. The word that is the opposite of ‘I’ is ‘we,’ where there is peace, all together.” It is a good teaching, that I received from that priest.

In prayer, a Christian bears all the difficulties of the people who live next to him: when evening falls, he tells God of the sufferings he has encountered in that day; he places before Him many faces, friends and also the hostile; he does not drive them away like dangerous distractions. If one does not realize that there are so many people around him that are suffering, if he does not pity the tears of the poor, if he is addicted to everything, then it means that his heart ... how is it? Is it wilted?

No, worse: it is made of stone. In this case it is good to beg the Lord to touch us with His Spirit and to soften our heart: “Touch my heart, O Lord.” It is a beautiful prayer: “Lord, soften my heart, so that I can understand and take charge of all the problems, all the pains of others.” Christ did not pass unharmed by the miseries of the world: whenever he perceived a loneliness, a pain of the body or the spirit, he felt a strong sense of compassion, like a mother’s womb. This “feeling compassion” – let us not forget this very Christian word: feeling compassion – is one of the key verbs of the Gospel: it is what drives the good Samaritan to approach the wounded man on the roadside, unlike others who have a hardened heart.

We can ask ourselves: when I pray, do I open myself up to the cry of so many people, near and far? Or do I think of prayer as a form of anaesthesia, so as to be calmer? I am just throwing the question out there, each person can answer to himself. In this case I would be the victim of a terrible error. Certainly, mine would no longer be a Christian prayer. Because that “we,” that Jesus taught us, prevents me from being in peace by myself, and it makes me feel responsible for my brothers and sisters.

There are men who apparently do not seek God, but Jesus makes us pray for them too, because God seeks these people most of all. Jesus did not come for the healthy, but for the sick, for the sinners (cf. Lk 5. 31) – that is, for everyone, because he who believes he is healthy, in reality is not. If we work for justice, let us not feel we are better than others: the Father makes His sun over the good and the evil (cf. Mt 5: 45). The Father loves all! Let us learn from God Who is always good with everyone, unlike we who manage to be good only with some, with those we like.

Brothers and sisters, saints and sinners, we are all beloved brothers of the same Father. And, in the eventide of our life, we will be judged on love, on how we have loved. Not a love that is merely sentimental, but also compassionate and concrete, following the Gospel rule – do not forget it! – “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25: 40). Thus says the Lord. Thank you. •

VOCATIONS VIEW

World Youth Day

by Raney Johnson, Seminarian

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had the opportunity to attend my second World Youth Day (WYD) this past January in Panama. During this trip, I was able to encounter fellow young Catholics from around the world.

The theme of World Youth Day was: “He aquí la sierva del Señor, Hágase en mí según tu palabra.” These words translated into English mean: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to Your Word.”

The Blessed Virgin Mary says these words in St. Luke’s gospel. This passage of scripture was specifically chosen for the theme of WYD to emphasize the “Fiat” or “Yes” of Mary to God’s calling.

Throughout my time in Panama, the speakers continually emphasized Mary’s discernment in listening to God’s call and following that call.

One of my favorite parts of my second WYD was encountering the people in my group who were trying to listen to God’s voice in the same way as the Blessed Mother. The group I attended World Youth Day with was a sort of microcosm of the different vocations in the Church. There were religious sisters, a priest and two married men in my group. The group also contained young

single Catholics discerning what God was asking them to do with their lives, as well as young men discerning vocations to the priesthood and a young woman discerning a vocation to the religious life.

After talking with them about their different discernments, I began to reflect on my own discernment to the priesthood during my week in Panama.

I started to think about how three years earlier I had attended my first World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland after my first year of seminary. Then my mind went from the past into the future.

I began to reflect on the next World Youth Day in 2022, and the fact that I might be a priest when it arrives. I began to reflect on my entire discernment of the diocesan priesthood, past, present and future, through the lens of World Youth Day. I imagined attending the

next World Youth Day with a group of young Catholics discerning different vocations and celebrating the holy sacrifice of the Mass for them. This is an important part of WYD; it gives young Catholics from around the world the opportunity to reflect on what vocation God might be calling them to in the Church.

The Holy Father emphasized discernment by the youth in the Church when he celebrated Mass for us on the final day of our pilgrimage to Panama. Pope Francis encouraged us not to put off the discernment of our vocations, but to begin thinking about our vocations in the present.

If I could sum up my experience at World Youth Day, I would say that the Church is alive with young Catholics from around the world who seriously want to serve God and spread the Gospel message. So many young people are answering God’s call in the same way Mary did during the Annunciation.

After attending World Youth Day twice, I hope that other young Catholics in the Diocese of Shreveport will have the same opportunity to experience this deeply spiritual event. The next World Youth Day will be in 2022 in Portugal, and I hope it will continue to help young Catholics discern their vocations. • If you would like more information about the priesthood, contact Father Jerry Daigle, jdaigle@dioshpt.org, or call 318.868.4441.

MARCH 2019 13

A photo of Holy Apostles Church (Diocesan Archives).

Frontier Mission B eginnings Fr. Jean Pierre and the Bayou Pierre Community

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by Dr. Cheryl White

he small community of Carmel, Louisiana is home to a rich cultural inheritance that resonates even today as an important and easily identifiable chapter of our Catholic history. Many will recognize its name as the home of a true historical jewel of the Diocese of Shreveport, the Rock Chapel, which is all that remains of a late nineteenth century Carmelite monastic community. Yet, the significance of Carmel pre-dates even that impressive marker of the past, and reaches back to the earliest days of the newly created Diocese of Natchitoches in 1853. In its beginnings are found the story of a remarkable priest, destined to become the first pastor of Holy Trinity in Shreveport, and destined to become one of the five “martyrs of their charity,” who gave their lives in the Shreveport Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1873.

Natchitoches, as the oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase (established 1713) and its surrounding region, grew so much in population that Pope Pius IX created the Diocese of Natchitoches in 1853. The first bishop of the new frontier diocese was Auguste Marie Martin from the seaside village of St. Malo in the Brittany region of France, who was tasked with finding priests to serve in a remote area that still had many characteristics of the western American frontier. From a recruiting trip through the villages and seminaries of his native Brittany in 1854, Bishop Martin returned to the Diocese of Natchitoches with Fr. Louis Gergaud, already ordained in the

14 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Fr. Jean Pierre

Diocese of Nantes, and two young seminarians from St. Brieuc, Francois Le Vezouet and Jean Pierre. Bishop Martin sent Fr. Gergaud to Monroe, where he became the pastor of St. Matthew’s. Following their ordinations in Natchitoches, Fr. Le Vezouet and Fr. Pierre also received their first assignments: Fr. Le Vezouet to the settlement of Many, Louisiana, and Fr. Pierre to the tiny community of Bayou

Pierre (today known as Carmel).

Fr. Pierre went immediately to work to construct the community’s first Catholic church, dedicated to the Holy Apostles of St. Peter and St. Paul, as well as an adjoining rectory. In his letters and memoirs, Bishop Martin provided an appreciative account of the success of Fr. Pierre’s labor in the Bayou Pierre community, noting the growing Catholic population there, as well as Fr. Pierre’s regular visits northward to Shreveport. In the following year of 1856, Fr. Pierre was assigned exclusively with the task of a new church in Shreveport, a project which culminated in the construction of the first Holy Trinity

Church. From 1856 until his death in 1873 from Yellow Fever, Fr. Pierre worked tirelessly and selflessly as Holy Trinity’s first pastor, a period that is also well-documented in the available historical record.

Visiting Carmel today, one can see the vestiges of that community’s Catholic past – Immaculate Conception Church, its adjacent cemetery, and of course, the Rock Chapel. What is not evident to the visitor is the location of Fr. Pierre’s first church – Holy Apostles, which is long gone. However, its location can be approximated based on important known historical indicators. First, the location of the cemetery, with graves that pre-date the current church structure, provides an important clue as to the location of the original church.

Also, a Confederate defense map from 1862 clearly shows the location of a church on the Smithport Road (as it was known even in 1862), and this structure so noted by the Confederate surveyors must have been Holy Apostles. The land transaction between the Laffitte family and Fr. Jean Pierre, acting on behalf of Bishop Martin, is also historically documented. Finally, of course, there is always the rich and enduring oral tradition of any given community, which although not considered history in its strictest interpretation, is yet another important component of piecing together the location of a structure no longer in existence.

Because of the historical significance of Fr. Jean Pierre and the other four priests of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1873, there is a plan to place a Louisiana state historical marker at the site of Holy Apostles Church. This will honor both the first mission of this martyr-priest as well as the importance of the Bayou Pierre Community (Carmel) in the overall history of the region. The cultural and historical contributions of this community go far beyond its interesting outgrowth from the Natchitoches settlement, and touch upon the single most transformative event in Shreveport history. It was the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1873 that determined the fate of a fledgling river-port, and yet the city survived, stronger than ever. The epidemic and its legacy will forever bear the memory of those who sacrificed all. Among them is Fr. Jean Pierre, and it is therefore more than fitting to permanently mark his first church for future generations of visitors and pilgrims. •

Seminarian Burses

For more information on donating to seminarian burses for the support of educating men in formation for the priesthood for our diocese, contact Fr. Jerry Daigle at 318-868-4441, or jdaigle@dioshpt.org.

Thanks to Our Recent Donors

• (006) S.G. & Erin Cassiere ($1,840)

Completed Burses

• (001) Fr. Mike Bakowski Memorial Burse ($10,000) • (006) Cathedral of St. John Berchmans ($10,000)

• (010) Memory of Rita Scott, John Scott Family ($10,000) • (012) Jack E. Caplis, Jr., Memorial Burse ($10,000) • (013) Mary Evans Caplis Burse ($10,000)

Incomplete Burses

• (001) Fr. Mike Bakowski Memorial Burse #2 ($800)

• (002) Joseph & Antoinette Bakowski Memorial Burse ($2,300) • (003) Sam R. Maranto Memorial Burse ($1,200)

• (004) Kathryn Atherton Cook Memorial Burse ($350) • (005) Cathedral of St. John Berchmans ($350)

• (006) Msgr. J. Carson LaCaze Memorial Burse ($2,282.12) • (007) Dr. Carol Christopher Memorial Burse ($1,300) • (008) St. Jude Parish ($5,718)

• (009) St. John Berchmans Knights of Columbus

#10728 ($550)

• (011) Rev. David Richter Memorial Burse ($9,604)

• (014) Bob & Peggy Semmes Memorial Burse ($6,200) • (015) Bishop’s Seminarian Burse ($260)

• (016) Elaine Malloy Frantz Memorial Burse ($1,000) A Confederate defense map from 1862 (LSU-S Archives).

• (017) Msgr. George Martinez Knights of Columbus

#1337 ($7,521)

MARCH 2019 15

Escape Routes

by Kim Long

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Sometimes I run. It’s true. Sometimes I run from God.

n 2002 when the Boston clergy scandal erupted I had a vague notion of what was going on. Several priests, whom I knew personally, were uncertain of going out in public in their collars, fearful of being grouped with the abusers. It was during this time period that I found myself waiting with an altar server after a holy day Mass. Everyone had gone and we waited together until his brother picked him up. A simple thing.

The next day my pastor and I spoke about the boy waiting alone . He told me he was afraid to offer the boy a ride home with the sexual abuse crisis going on in the Church. I offered prayers for the victims of what seemed a faraway crisis.

When the Pennsylvania abuse scandal broke several months ago, I paid close attention. My previous ignorance seemed to ignite a hunger in me to know the truth, even if it turned out to be painful – and it did.

A coworker, knowing my love of movies, recommended a film called Spotlight. When she told me it was about the 2002 clergy abuse crisis, I knew I had to see it. One of my sons walked in about the time the movie began. Afterward, as the credits rolled, I asked him if this movie shook his faith in the Church. He said, “Mom I grew up knowing about this and nothing can take away the Eucharist, especially the way you explain it.”

Sworn testimony, a condemning document from a nuncio, two heartfelt and very different homilies from two different priests, and one newscaster after another, brought this topic home in a way no movie, even an award winning movie, ever could. The sadness, the brokenness was part of me now.

Following the release of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury report, I was in a diocesan meeting where the subject was discussed at great length. One of the results of that meeting was the decision to hold a prayer vigil for reparation and healing. I knew I needed to go to the service, but there was a deep resistance within me – a bit of a hard wiring issue really – that when I have no choice, I tend to resist. Knowing I should go lessened my desire to attend.

This character flaw and I are well acquainted.

The prayer vigil fell on a Friday night, the same night as a local festival. My big plan was to pray, drive to the festival, have a meat pie and hear a favorite band from my high school days sing their one great hit, and then I would drive home and hit the hay.

16 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Sometimes I run. It’s true. Sometimes I run from God. Entering the church I made my way into a back pew, chosen for its closeness to the exit. Kneeling, the pressure of my weight on the padded kneeler reminding me of the pain we were all facing, I prayed hard and felt an internal shift. A feeling of belonging seemed to surge within me.

Through scripture, song, litanies and moments of private prayer, I began to connect. All week I had felt at loose ends, not quite grounded in my faith, feeling the winds of change swirl and tug angrily at me. In previous weeks I assured so many people that all was not lost, and that night I was there with other members of the faithful, feeling our way in the dark.

It occurred to me that I found myself knee deep in covenant: an agreement I had made with God at my emergence from the waters of baptism. For even at the tender age of seven years, I knew I would never be alone again. Yet that feeling, one I had banked on all my life, was so far away from me, more intangible than I ever dreamed possible. Covenant had worked for me as I trusted in God’s presence, seeing it everywhere: in nature, people, the Cathedral building itself, the faces of my children. And at that moment it was revealed differently, not just serving to shore me up, but to also encourage my fidelity which had begun to look for an escape route weeks ago. I was filled with hope, faith and yes, love.

Just this past February, anonymity was stripped away as the names of the guilty were revealed. I was in shock as a former pastor from “back home” was listed among the names.

I thought I would feel angry, disgusted, but instead I am just very very sad: sad for the victims, for the perpetrators, for God and for the Church.

In John Shea’s piece, “A Down and Out Disciple Meets His Match,” Jesus shows up just as a man is thinking of “divorcing him quietly.” Jesus reminds him, as Shea’s story has reminded me over the past 31 years, that “there will be no walking out of the covenant.”

The disciple in Shea’s story remained, and like that disciple I am going nowhere. At the end of the day, covenant is my foundation.

Sometimes I run. It’s true. Sometimes I run toward God.

CCNLA Celebrates Staff Diversity

by Meg Goorley, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of North Louisiana

Shreveport-Bossier

Pro-Life

Oratory Contest

CCNLA staff: Carl Piehl, Suhad Salamah and Allison Kulbeth.

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atholic Charities of North Louisiana (CCNLA) embraces the word “Catholic,” meaning universal, in every sense of the word by employing people of all faiths.

Carl Piehl, who is Jewish, has been with the organization for six years. Piehl is well known in the community for developing the Money School, a financial education course that aims to empower the poor to take control of their future. Piehl came to know the good work being done

by CCNLA through the immigration program because he taught English as a Second Language. He loved the interaction between the staff and clients.

“The greatest part of my job is inspiring others to realize the strengths within themselves,” said Piehl. “Though not all of us are Catholic, we embody Catholic social teaching every day through our work.”

Catholic social teaching calls for the respect for human life, importance of family and community, dignity and responsibility for the worker and care for the poor, vulnerable and all of God’s creations.

Two other non-Catholic staff members came to CCNLA by way of a temporary employment agency. Suhad Salamah, who is Muslim, has been with CCNLA since September 2016. She is the State Benefits Manager and oversees Gabriel’s Closet – the parenting program that helps low-

income parents with baby essentials.

“I am grateful that I have a chance to serve others,” said Salamah. “The clients are just so appreciative.”

Occasionally, she gets mistaken for a nun because of her hijab, and Salamah finds it humorous when someone calls her “Sister Sue.” Intake Coordinator Allison Kulbeth, another temporary work referral, was surprised when she first came to the office on East 71st Street. Kulbeth, who is Baptist, didn’t know much about Catholicism before working at CCNLA, but she knew that clients did not have to be Catholic in order to receive help.

“What I like about Catholic Charities is that the people who work here aren’t judgmental. Everyone who walks through our doors is welcomed” said Kulbeth.

“Now that I’m the one everyone sees when they first walk in, I try to make everyone feel special.”

Executive Director Meg Goorley is extremely proud of her diverse staff. She said, “The similarities of all of our faiths are greater than the differences between them.”

She added, “We are comfortable with our own faiths, yet learn that each person brings depth and value to the world. My colleagues are a living illustration of the vision of Catholic Charities: Together we invest in people to alleviate poverty, distress and injustice.” •

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he National Right to Life is sponsoring its annual ProLife Oratory Contest. The competition is open to all high school juniors and seniors, who will address the issues of abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, or embryonic stem cell research in five to seven minute oral presentations.

The Shreveport-Bossier contest, now in its 31st year, is sponsored locally by the Catholic Diocese of Shreveport and will be held on Thursday, April 25, at 6:00 p.m. at the Catholic Center, 3500 Fairfield Ave., Shreveport. The contest is open to the public at no charge. The local first place prize is $500. The winner will represent Shreveport at the state contest.

The state contest will be held in Baton Rouge this year, on May 4 at the Louisiana Knights of Columbus Convention. The state winner will receive $500 cash, plus expenses paid (up to $1,000) to go to Nationals.

All high school juniors and seniors are eligible, there may be more than one student entered from each school.

For additional information and entry blanks, please contact Anthony Fabio, 1908 Carol Street, Bossier City, LA 71112, awfabio2@hotmail. com, or 318-402-6663.

Or visit: www.facebook.com/ SBProLifeOratoryCommittee/ MARCH 2019 17

Come Away and Rest for a While

by Joe Bernal, Spiritual Director

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esus said to his disciples, “Come away to some secluded place all by yourselves and rest for a while”. (Mark 6:31).

How often do we say to ourselves, “I wish I had some time to go to a secluded place and get away for a while?” Just like Jesus invited his disciples to “come away,” he also invites us to come and rest for a while.

Just a short three-hour drive away, Our Lady of the Oaks Jesuit Retreat house is a well kept secret. Head south on I-49 towards Lafayette and take exit 11 to find the 80-year old Spanish style house situated on the grounds of the Jesuit communities in the small town of Grand Coteau.

Our Lady of the Oaks was dedicated to the Greater Glory of God and the honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The facility features a library, reading room, chapel, private visit chapel, enclosed courtyard, dining room, gazebos, beautiful landscaping and 51 rooms for occupancy. The grounds surrounding the retreat house are spacious and magnificent, with many grand old oaks, azalea-lined walkways and quiet places for reflection.

Since 1938, the Retreat House has offered thousands of men, women, and married couples a place to relax, time to reflect and time to pray. Anyone seeking peace and a closer relationship with God is welcome to attend.

A retreat at the Oaks offers: “Time to relax … The refreshing thing about a retreat is our release from the daily grind. We get away from business problems and family worries. The quiet and peaceful atmosphere of the Retreat house will slow our pace and gradually draw our thoughts from daily demands. Doing this allows us to reflect on our life and the direction it is taking.

Time to reflect … We will be free to think without interruptions in the silence of the weekend. Free to get a fresh start on our lives and on our relationships with family, friends and God. Time to pray … In the quiet of the chapel, in the peacefulness of the courtyard with the water flowing in the fountain, or in the beauty of the tree-lined paths, we will find 18 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

the atmosphere for praying to God … to thank Him, to praise Him, to ask for His guidance.”1 The Preached Weekend Retreat is an adaptation of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. The retreat is a process of prayer, reflection and discernment that helps bring a person to freedom in order to hear God’s call and to respond in faith.

The Preached Weekend Retreat also offers the mature disciple, a person with a strong desire to mature in Christ, a time of silence and quiet, some instruction, daily Mass and opportunities for reconciliation and communion. Also available are traditional forms of piety including recitation of the rosary and the Stations of the Cross. During the retreat, Jesuit priests are available for confession and counseling.

For more information and to schedule a retreat at Our Lady of the Oaks in Grand Coteau, LA, visit their website at www.ourladyoftheoaks.com, or contact the office by telephone (337) 662-5410 or e-mail: oloaks@centurytel.net. • Joe Bernal is a parishioner at St. Paschal Parish in West Monroe, a spiritual director for the Diocese of Shreveport and a retreat director at Our Lady of the Oaks.

1

Used with permission from Our Lady of the Oaks Retreat House.

Graphic Novel Series on Shreveport 1873 Yellow Fever Epidemic Martyrs RIGHT: The Catholic Connection is running a graphic novel series each month, featuring the story of five priests who gave their lives in service to others in the Shreveport Yellow Fever epidemic of 1873. The fourth page of this series depicts two of the priests as the Yellow Fever epidemic rips through Shreveport. This graphic novel is provided courtesy of the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans and is illustrated

by Deacon Andrew Thomas.

MARCH 2019 19

Saturday, February 16, 2019 A special thank you to all the volunteers and committee members who worked many long hours to make this event possible.

A sincere thank you to everyone who promoted and supported this event with sponsorships, in kind donations and by purchasing a ticket to share in the legacy of Monsignor J. Carson LaCaze.

Thank you on behalf of all the currently retired priests and all future retirees who will benefit from your generosity.

20 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Be More: Northwest Catholic Schools Unite

by Jessica Rinaudo

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he three Catholic schools in the Shreveport-Bossier thing, because we are blessed as administrators, as faculty area, Loyola College Prep, St. John Berchmans Catholic members and as students that we have the ability to know…

School and St. Joseph Catholic School, are joining every one of our students, every one of our peers, every one forces. Together school principals, school council members, of our faculty members. … This means we can be more like a communications professionals, priests and superintendent family than an organization,” said Fr. Long.

Sr. Carol Shively, OSU, have begun meeting to discuss He continued, “But you see, from that small seed of working together to share resources and create a unified St. John’s and St. Joseph’s and Loyola is the future of northwest Catholic school system in northwest Louisiana.

Louisiana. It’s the future of our community. It’s the future of As part of this effort, several initiatives have launched. The our state. It’s the future of our nation. You are the ones who first was to assemble committees, each with a different focus are being cultivated. You are the ones who are being taken from finances to marketing. The marketing social media team care of. You are the ones who are being loved. You are the ones has already begun their work by launching a Shreveport / who are being given so much so that when you go forth, you Bossier Catholic Schools joint Facebook page, where news will be able to be leaders. … Because you have received all the from all three schools, and in a particular way, news of the tools you need from these Catholic schools.” schools working together, can be shared with all of those who “To all of you who are students, I think you should go support Catholic education in the Shreveport / Bossier area. home and tell your parents, ‘Thank you for making the The Facebook page launched officially in conjunction with sacrifice, thank you for loving me so much that you are willing Catholic Schools Week 2019, and each day of that week to give me the best that you can.’” highlighted what the three schools do for their school families, Fr. Long also asked the Loyola students to stand up who the community and one another. Together the three schools attended St. John Berchmans School and St. Joseph School are showing how their students can “Be More,” by attending and pointed them out to all the elementary schools in Catholic schools. attendance and encouraged them to “be one of the coolest kids Catholic Schools Week closed with an All Schools Mass at in the City of Shreveport and to follow in their footsteps.”

Loyola College Prep – the first to be Additionally, as part of this joint held in many years – where the three schools’ effort, Sr. Carol Shively, OSU, schools celebrated Mass together. recently brought in a Catholic schools The new Facebook page was used expert, Sr. Carol Cimino, SSJ, Ed.D, as a platform to live stream Father to speak to the collective group about Matthew Long’s homily at the Mass, different scenarios for both improving in which he fittingly spoke about how our Catholic schools and ways to help together, our schools build the future. them create a bright future.

“We are the smallest school system There are many exciting things in Northwest Louisiana… A lot of happening for Catholic schools people would look at that and say in the Shreveport / Bossier area. that’s a bad thing… But if we listen To follow along, visit and like the to the words of our Savior, Jesus Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ Christ, we know that it’s a good www.facebook.com/SBCatholicSchools SBCatholicSchools. • MARCH 2019 21

Kids'

Connection

by Kelly Phelan Powell

What is Lent?

Lent is a season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving that prepares us to celebrate Easter. Lent is a really important time that helps us grow closer to God and gets our hearts ready for the miracle of Easter, when Jesus rose from the dead and saved us all from sin and death.

Prayer, Fasting & What?

PRAYER is simply talking with God. We pray together often during Mass. You probably know some Catholic prayers like the “Our Father” and “Hail Mary.”

FASTING means eating less than you normally would, or not eating special treats as a way to honor Jesus’s suffering. On Fridays during Lent, Catholics don’t eat meat as a form of fasting.

ALMSGIVING means giving food or money to people in need and performing acts of service for others. This could mean: • Donating food to the pantry at your church parish. • Making cards for people who are sick or hurting.

• Giving part of your allowance to a charity like Operation Rice Bowl.

PFA for the Day! Let’s put it all together with PFA for the Day cards! PFA stands for prayer, fasting and almsgiving, the three things we should do during Lent.

What you need: • Index cards (3x5) • Crayons, markers or colored pencils • Hole punch (optional) • Ribbon or string cut into short pieces (4-6 inches long - optional) Directions: 1. Divide your cards into three equal groups. Label each group “Prayer,” “Fasting” or “Almsgiving.”

2. Write an idea for each category on the cards (see sidebar for more ideas!).

3. Punch a hole in the top of each card, and thread a piece of ribbon or string through the hole. Tie the ribbon or string in a loop.

4. Choose one card from each category each morning and hang them somewhere you’ll see them a lot. Make the activities on those cards your PFA for the Day. 22 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Ideas for Lent Prayer Ideas: Pray for a family member Pray for your parish priest Pray for someone you don’t like Pray a decade of the rosary Pray for babies who haven’t been born yet Listen to only Christian music for the day Pray the Guardian Angel Prayer Pray the St. Michael Prayer Pray for your teachers Pray for vocations

Fasting Ideas: Fast from complaining Fast from saying anything negative about anyone Fast from gossiping Fast from texting Fast from TV or movies Fast from video games Fast from juice Fast from your bedtime blanky Fast from eating out Fast from soda

Almsgiving Ideas: Let someone go ahead of you in line Volunteer to help at a charity Donate a toy to charity Take a meal or snacks to a mom who just had a baby Call a relative Write a thank-you note to someone who’s not expecting it Do a chore without being asked Offer to help someone who may be struggling Do something nice without letting them know you did it

HISPANIC NEWS

Cuaresma Por Melina Sánchez

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a Cuaresma es para nosotros los católicos un tiempo de preparación espiritual y también de purificación. Por medio de la oración, el sacrificio y la ofrenda, esta temporada nos lleva al arrepentimiento de nuestras fallas y pecados y a un fortalecimiento de nuestra fe; haciéndonos mejores personas y acercándonos más a Cristo nuestro Señor.

Hay muchas maneras de purificación que se pueden practicar durante la cuaresma: unas de las más comunes son el dejar de comer ciertas comidas, no ingresar a las redes sociales, dejar de ver la novela o programa de televisión favoritos y éstas prácticas pueden ayudarnos a meditar sobre lo que es ser mejores cristianos católicos.

Hace un año escuché a un sacerdote predicar sobre lo difícil que debe ser la cuaresma para los católicos. Me pregunté porque un sacerdote creía que la cuaresma era difícil cuando yo no lo veía así. Sería quizás porque no me había puesto a discernir la importancia de la cuaresma, el significado que tiene, y el bien que hace al alma ésta práctica de la iglesia. Ahora les digo, que ese sacerdote tenía razón porque como seres humanos y como católicos, nos es muy difícil reconocer nuestras fallas del pasado e inclusive las del día con día.

Primero, debemos reconocer nuestros errores – siendo este quizás el paso más difícil hacia una mejor vida cristiana.

Nuestra fe es puesta a prueba diariamente, aun en las cosas pequeñas como el tomar el celular desde el momento de despertarse, en vez de darle gracias a Dios por el hecho de estar vivos. Igualmente puede pasar que al acostarnos lo último que sostiene nuestra mano es el celular y no la Biblia o el rosario. ¿Qué tan cerca estamos de Cristo? Reflexionemos sobre como acercarnos más a él, que es quien nos enseña el camino al Padre y a la vida eterna.

La Iglesia nos invita a reflexionar nuestras acciones, arrepentirnos de ellas, y a retomar una vida de espiritualidad que nos haga cada día más fuertes en nuestra fe, sobre todo durante. Demos importancia a la cuaresma en nuestras vidas y descubramos el bien que puede traernos orar, sacrificar, y dar ofrenda. En su última Exhortación Apostólica, el Papa Francisco nos invita al llamado a la santidad en el mundo actual.

Pueden ayudarse con recursos espirituales en su parroquia y en sitios como las páginas de internet como: www.vatican/va; www. catholic.net; y www.aciprensa.com www. es.catholic.net. •

MINISTERIO HISPANO CATOLICO - DIOCESIS Rosalba Quiroz, Directora (318) 219-7265; rquiroz@dioshpt.org Melina Sanchez, Secretaria (318) 219-7257; msanchez@dioshpt.org Cristo Rey: Bossier City

425 McCormick Street P. Rigo Betancurt P. Mark Watson (318) 221-0238 Domingo-1:00pm Lunes y Martes-7pm Sabado-6pm

Santo Tomás Aquino: Ruston

810 Carey Avenue P. Tony Posadas (318) 243-0115 Domingo-1:30pm

Sta Maria de los Pinos: Shreveport

1050 Bert Kouns Ind. Loop P. Fidel Mondragon (318) 455-2300 Domingo-11:30am

Calendario Diocesano del Mes Marzo, 2019 23. Escuela de liderazgo pastoral.

Tema: Exhortaciones Apostólicas. Parroquia de Cristo Rey – de 9am5pm 29. - 31. “El Viñedo de Raquel” en español. Este es un retiro exclusivo y confidencial para personas que viven con la culpa y vergüenza de un aborto provocado.

Para registrarse, favor de llamar al teléfono confidencial: 318-588-1064.

1º de Abril es la fecha límite para aplicar para servir en el equipo de Búsqueda # 10.

Ya vienen los retiros Emaús: Hombres 26-28 de abril. Mujeres 3-5 de mayo.

Vicario General para la Diocesis de Shreveport Padre Rothell Price, V.G. (318)219-7259; rprice@dioshpt.org Coordinador de la Vicaria del Este Padre Luis Jost, OFM (318) 243-0115; pluisofm@yahoo.com

San Pascual: W. Monroe

711 North 7th Street P. Luis Jost (318) 243-0115 Domingo-4:00pm Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro: Farmerville

600 East Water Street P. Luis Jost (318) 243-0115 Sábado-7:00pm

San Juan Bautista: Many

1130 San Antonio Ave. P. Francis Kamau (318) 256-5680 1er Domingo de Mes-5pm

Sagrado Corazon: Oak Grove

201 Purvis St. P. Joseph Kallookalam (318) 559-2876 Domingo-5:00pm

MARCH 2019 23

ACROSS THE NATION from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

USCCB Pro-Life Chairman Calls All Catholics to Fight with Renewed Vigor for the Unborn

USCCB President Issues Statement on McCarrick in Response to Judgement by Holy See

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ASHINGTON—Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, KS and Chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities has issued the following statement in response to several states moving forward with legislation that would permit a baby to be aborted at nine months.

Archbishop Naumann’s full statement follows: “Abortion has always been built on a lie.

Today, the lie is switching from ‘abortion is a choice’ to ‘abortion is healthcare.’ A law recently passed in New York not only legalizes abortion essentially for any reason through all nine months of pregnancy but removes any protection for children born alive after abortion. A similar bill was proposed in Virginia along with several other states, all in the name of women’s health.

This legislation is evil, pure and simple.

And it shocks the conscience to see such evil legislation greeted with raucous cheers and standing ovations. Most grieving to our Lord of Life is that those who advocate for abortion put their eternal souls in jeopardy.

It is sickeningly dishonest to claim that women’s lives or health depend on intentionally killing their children. This is especially true for late-term abortion, which always involves the purposeful destruction of a child which could have been born alive,

24 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

with much less risk to the mother, had they both received real healthcare.

Now is the time for all Catholics— bishops, priests, and laity—to fight for the unborn with renewed vigor. We must educate family, friends, legislators, and fellow citizens about how it is never necessary to intentionally kill unborn children in order to save their mothers.

Local action is especially important.

Though ending Roe v. Wade is a central goal of the pro-life movement, if the decision were overturned, only 11 states would immediately ban abortion; the other 39 states would still allow it.

I urge Catholics, and thoughtful Americans of all religions or none at all to advocate for local change. Sign up for your State Catholic Conference or diocesan pro-life advocacy network, which can help you communicate to elected officials. Or seek out state and local pro-life groups, including parish respect life groups, that are making a difference at the state level.

Though we live in very dark days, we know that the Lord has already triumphed over death. But we must use this time on earth to be His hands and feet. This means each of us rededicating ourselves to prayer, and fighting for the most vulnerable among us, especially unborn children and their mothers.” •

ASHINGTON— Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has issued the following statement upon the decision of the Holy See announced today regarding Theodore McCarrick.

Cardinal DiNardo’s Full Statement Follows: “The Holy See’s announcement regarding Theodore McCarrick is a clear signal that abuse will not be tolerated. No bishop, no matter how influential, is above the law of the Church. For all those McCarrick abused, I pray this judgement will be one small step, among many, toward healing.

For us bishops, it strengthens our resolve to hold ourselves accountable to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful to Pope Francis for the determined way he has led the Church’s response.

If you have suffered sexual abuse at the hands of someone within the Catholic Church, I urge you to contact local law enforcement and your local diocese or eparchy. Victims Assistance Coordinators are available to help. We are committed to healing and reconciliation.” •

A Message from Our Diocesan Administrator

by Very Rev. Peter B. Mangum

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ppeal Sunday occurred last month on February 17, and thanks to the generous support of our faithful, we are off to a good start on this year’s campaign. If you have already provided your pledge to this year’s Appeal, you have my sincere appreciation. Thank you and God bless you for your support.

Please know that we still have a long way to go before we reach our pledge goal of $1,500,000. The month of March is a critical time each year for our Appeal, as follow-up efforts are taking place in each worship location to secure additional pledges to this combined effort to serve the needs of the people of our diocese.

Please take some time now to consider your 10-month pledge to support our array of Appeal ministries. A pledge card can be found below. You may use this to facilitate your annual gift to our Appeal. You can also visit our website at www.dioshpt.org, and click on the “Donate Now” button on our home page. Those making pledges this month will receive their first Appeal statement in the month of April.

Diocese of Shreveport Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal 3500 Fairfield Avenue Shreveport, Louisiana 71104 www.dioshpt.org

Donate to Our Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal by visiting our website, dioshpt.org and clicking on "Donate Now." OR, you can cut out the pledge card below and mail it to the address listed.

2 0 1 9 D I O C E S A N S T E WA R D S H I P A P P E A L

I / We would like to contribute to the Diocesan Stewardship Appeal with a total yearly pledge of: $10,000 $7,500 $5,000 $3,500

$2,500 $2,000 $1,500 $1,000

Please send monthly reminders to:

$800 $750 $650 $500

$400 $350 $300 $250

$200 $150 $100 $_______

At this time I / we are enclosing: $_____________

Print Name________________________________________________________________________________ Address___________________________________________________________________________________ City_____________________________________________________ State________ Zip Code____________ My / Our Church Parish______________________________________________________________________ Signature__________________________________________________________________________________ You may make a credit card payment online at: www.dioshpt.org (Click on Stewardship)

MARCH 2019 25

SCHOOL NEWS

St. Frederick School Establishes Jr. Spanish Honor Society

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Loyola College Prep Teacher Shares with St. Joseph Students

t. Frederick started its first Chapter of the Sociedad Hispanica de Amistad, Junior Spanish National Honor Society for 8th-9th grade students. The purpose of this Society is to promote cross-cultural acceptance and understanding in Spanish and Portuguese language students and to encourage service to school and community. GPA requirements are the same as for high school, and members must also be enrolled in a Spanish class. Twenty-three members were inducted on February 7. This charter chapter will be called, Los Guerreros de Cristo, or The Warriors of Christ. •

n Thursday, January 31, as part of Catholic Schools Week, St. Joseph middle school students enjoyed a presentation from Loyola College Prep’s Religion I teacher, Marcos Villalba. It began with an obstacle course that included soccer, skis, diving under “wire,” and looking for keys in a bowl of shaving cream: all of which related to the life of Saint John Paul II. Villalba challenged the students to see their faith journey as an adventure, one that will take many twists and turns, but all with God’s hand to guide them. •

Avallone, Gooszen 2019 HOBY Representatives

JGS Students Attended Religion Scholars Bowl

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oyola College Prep faculty has chosen sophomores Anna Avallone and John Michael Gooszen as Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership (HOBY) representatives.

HOBY’s mission is to seek out, recognize and develop leadership potential in young people. At the seminars, sophomores enjoy an interactive process where they participate with community leaders from various sectors such as business, technology, education, government, arts and science. HOBY participants get a realistic look at their nation, its people and their role in the world while meeting people their age from all over the state. • 26 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

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esus Good Shepherd School (JGS) had 12 students participate in the Catholic Schools Week Religion Scholars’ Bowl at St. John Berchmans School in Shreveport on January 31. Participants were Emerson Estis, Camille Crigler, Charlie Hayes, Max Avery Seshagiri, Anna Mapp, Elise Davis, Adyson Crick, Julianna Tan, Brinkley Bennett, Maggie Rocconi, Ella Bonner and Lauren Jenkins.

JGS is very proud of the students for representing the school so well in this diocesan-wide Catholic schools event! •

St. John Berchmans School Recognizes Students of the Year

by Ashley Timmons

Our Lady of Fatima Scholars Bowl Winners

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E

ach year St. John Berchmans School (SJB) recognizes a student from the 5th and 8th grades who has shown exemplary performance in academics, service in the community and leadership. These students represented their school in the district competition for the Department of Education in January.

Charlotte Fulco was selected as student of the year for 5th grade.

Charlotte is a cheerleader for SJB and has been on the squad since the 3rd grade. She is also on the Robotics Team and is the team captain. She is in drama club and performs in SJB’s school drama productions. Charlotte enjoys STEM club and also takes dance outside of school. She has been on the Principal’s A Honor Roll since first grade. “I hope I’m a good example for my peers and people younger and older than me. My goal in school is to keep up my grades and make sure that I show that ‘kindness is practiced here,’” which is the motto for SJB.

ur Lady of Fatima School sent a team of students to participate in the Religion Scholars Bowl at St. John Berchmans school. Together the schools collaborate and compete by grade. This year the third graders won!

Pictured are OLF third grade representatives Madison Browhow and Caleb Perkins with Father Duane Trombetta. • Kade O’Neal was selected as student of the year for the 8th grade. Kade is an altar server and most recently became a bishop server for the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans. He plays basketball for SJB and is on the SJB golf team. He’s played football for the Jets and baseball outside of school.

Kade has been on the school’s Science Olympiad team for three years and has competed on the national level.

Kade is a member of the National Jr. Honor Society, competes on the math team, and has received a 4.0 grade point average since the first grade. Kade believes service in the community is important and volunteers for the Highland Blessing Meal on Thursdays. “One of the most important things to me is treating others with kindness, dignity and respect because I want to follow the example Christ shows us.”

SJB would like to congratulate our students of the year for a job well done. Keep up the good work, Cardinals! •

Student of the Year Winners D iocesan S tudent of the Y ear winners : 5th Grade: Julianna Tan

Jesus the Good Shepherd School

8th Grade: Lauren Breen St. Frederick High School

12th Grade: Julian James St. Frederick High School

D istrict N on -P ublic S tudent of the Y ear winners : 5th Grade: Elizabeth May First Baptist Church School

8th Grade: Anna Claire Smith St. Mark’s Cathedral School

12th Grade: Julian James St. Frederick High School

MARCH 2019 27

AROUND THE DIOCESE

1

St. Vincent de Paul Volunteers Honored in Many

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elores Weber and Brenda Sepulvado of St. John the Baptist Parish in Many were recently honored for their dedicated service to the local conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Pictured are Deacon Mike Sullivan and Fr. Francis Kamau, FMH with Delores Weber and Brenda Sepulvado. (1)

2

3

World Marriage Day Celebrated in Many

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oining churches throughout the world, St. John the Baptist Parish and St. Terence Church honored married couples on World Marriage Day on February 10. Each couple with a significant anniversary in 2019 was presented with a certificate of recognition by Fr. Francis Kamau, FMH, pastor. Shown are Patrick and Syble Wright Gandy who are celebrating 58 years of marriage. (2)

Fr. Hoye Mission at St. Mary of the Pines

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or three nights, February 10 - 12, Fr. Ron Hoye presented a parish mission at St. Mary of the Pines Parish in Shreveport to help attendees prepare for Lent. Pictured are Fr. John Paul Crispin, Fr. Ron Hoye and Fr. Michael Thang’wa. (3)

VFW Gives Valentines to PSR Students

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eligion children of St. Joseph Parish in Zwolle and St. Ann Church in Ebarb were gifted with valentine treat bags from the ZwolleEbarb Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5187. (4)

28 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Seminarian Gives Students Church History Lesson

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hen Seminarian Jeb Key decided to spend his pastoral year at St. Joseph Parish, he probably thought he would be the only one learning and growing in faith. The 8th grade class of St. Joseph School, however, has learned from him. When Jeb heard that 8th grade students were approaching the date of the ACRE test (Assessment of Child/Youth Religious Education), which includes Church history, he volunteered to share what he has learned in seminary with them. He presented information about such topics as the Eastern and Western Churches, the Battle of Milvian Bridge, and the Crusades, and created a Google slide presentation, which the students then used to create study sets for themselves. (5)

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7

Monroe March for Life

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t. Thomas Aquinas parishioners Mary Carol Vidrine and Mary Ghongkedze participated in Monroe’s Northeast Louisiana Life March on January 27. (6)

Sarpy Speaker at Magnificat Brunch

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he NOWELA Chapter of Magnificat hosts regular brunches with guest speakers. On February 9, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish member, Maxine Sarpy was the group’s speaker and filled the group of women gathered for the event with joy and inspiration. (7)

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8

CCNLA Hosted Volunteer Lunch

o thank the many volunteers who share their time, talent and treasure with Catholic Charities of North Louisiana, CCNLA hosted a special Volunteer Appreciation Brunch in their honor on February 15th. (8)

Send submissions to "Around the Diocese" to jrinaudo@dioshpt.org.

Please include a photo that has not been resized and a brief description.

MARCH 2019 29

MARCH CALENDAR FEAST DAYS March 6

Ash Wednesday

March 7

Sts. Perpetua & Felicity

March 8

St. John of God

March 9

St. Frances of Rome, religious

March 10

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

March 17

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT St. Patick’s Day

March 18

St. Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop & doctor of the Church

March 19

St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

March 23

St. Turibius of Mogrovejo, bishop

March 24

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

March 25

The Annunciation of the Lord

March 31

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

DIOCESAN & MINISTRY EVENTS March 2 Protecting God’s Children St. Paschal Parish, 9:00 a.m., 711 North 7th Street, West Monroe.

For more information, email Deacon Mike Straub at mstraub@dioshpt.org.

March 10 Rite of Election Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport, 2:30 p.m.

30 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

March 13 Protecting God’s Children Catholic Center, 6:00 p.m.

For more information, email Deacon Mike Straub at mstraub@dioshpt.org.

March 31 Protecting God’s Children St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, 813 Carey Avenue, Ruston. 1:00 p.m.

For more information, email Deacon Mike Straub at mstraub@dioshpt.org.

PARISH EVENTS March 21-24

ACTS Retreat: If you are looking for a weekend away to deepen your relationship with God, consider attending an ACTS retreat. The upcoming St. Joseph ACTS retreats are scheduled for March 21-24 (women) and April 4-7 (men).

Contact Melissa Olivier at 318402-2464 for details and print an application from the St. Joseph website (stjosephchurch.net). Full and partial scholarships are available if financial assistance is needed.

Lenten Missions

March 10 - 12

St. Joseph Parish, Shreveport

204 Patton Ave., Shreveport Topic: “Preach My Psalter” Speaker: Fr. Mariano D. Veliz, O.P. Schedule: March 10: 7:30 p.m.

March 11: 9:15 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.

March 12: 9:15 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.

March 11 - 13

St. Joseph Parish, Mansfield 305 Jefferson St., Mansfield Topic: “Lenten Leadership Retreat” Schedule: March 15: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

March 16: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., followed by Mass

March 18

Christ the King Parish, Bossier City

425 McCormick St., Bossier City Topic: “What is Lent Really All About?”

Speaker: Fr. Louie Arceneaux, C.M. Schedule: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

March 11 - 14

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Shreveport

March 15 - 16

St. John the Baptist Parish, & St. Terence Church, Many

Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport

939 Jordan St., Shreveport Topic: “Meditations on the Shroud of Turin” Speaker: Father Andrew Dalton, LC Schedule: March 31: 6:30 p.m.

April 1: 6:00 p.m.; April 2: 6:00 p.m.

APRIL 2 - 4

Little Flower of Jesus Parish, Monroe

1130 San Antonio Ave., Many Topic: “Forgiving Hearts and Souls: Do We Model Jesus Christ?”

Leader: Fr. Mikel Polson Schedule: 6:30 p.m.

600 S. 16th St. Monroe Topic: “Lenten Revival” Speaker: Fr. Arthur Anderson, OFM Schedule: 7:00 p.m. each evening

March 24-26

APRIL 8 - 10

St. Jude Parish, Benton

522 E. Flournoy Lucas Rd., Shreveport Topic: “The Questions of Jesus in John’s Gospel” Speaker: Fr. Simeon Gallagher Schedule: 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. daily

March 31 - April 2

4700 Palmetto Rd., Benton, LA Leaders: Deacon Larry Mills, Deacon Steve Lehr and the Broken Chains Band Schedule: 6:30 p.m. each evening

Mary, Queen of Peace Parish, Bossier City

7738 Barksdale Blvd., Bossier City Topic: “Intentional Disciples: Mary, the Apostles and Us” Speaker: Julie Carrick Schedule: 7:00 p.m. each evening

Reconciliation Services

CHURCH DATE TIME Christ the King Parish, Bossier City Saturday, March 16 10:00 a.m.

St. Pius X Parish, Shreveport Wednesday, March 20 6:30 p.m.

St. John the Baptist Parish, Many Thursday, March 21 6:00 p.m.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Shreveport Monday, March 25 6:30 p.m.

St. Joseph Parish, Mansfield Friday, March 29 4:30 p.m.

St. Paschal Parish, West Monroe Tuesday, April 2 6:00 p.m.

St. Jude Parish, Benton Tuesday, April 2 6:30 p.m.

St. Mary of the Pines Parish, Shreveport Tuesday, April 9 6:30 p.m.

Little Flower of Jesus Parish, Monroe Wednesday, April 10 6:00 p.m.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Shreveport Thursday, April 11 6:30 p.m.

Mary, Queen of Peace Parish, Bossier City Monday, April 15 6:00 p.m.

Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport Sunday, April 28 2:30 p.m.

St. Mary of the Pines Parish, Shreveport Sunday, April 28 2:30 p.m.

MARCH 2019 31

Connection The Catholic

DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave. • Shreveport, LA 71104

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Father Nick Onyach, FMH and his brother priests had a great time at the Mary, Queen of Peace Parish Boots N' Beads fundraiser. Top: Fr. Rothell Price & Fr. Nick Onyach, FMH. Bottom: Fr. John Paul Crispin, FMH, Fr. Michael Thang'wa, FMH, & Fr. Francis Kamau, FMH

32 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Fairfield