Catholic Connection May 2015

Vol. 24, No. 10 May 2015

Saying

Goodbye to

Bishop William

Friend May 2015 1

Deacons & LEM's To Celebrate 10 Years!

Publisher Bishop Michael G. Duca Editor Jessica Rinaudo Assistant Editor Raney Johnson Contributors Rosalba Quiroz Fr. John Paul Crispin Susan Reeks Bishop Michael Duca Sr. Martinette Rivers Raney Johnson Katie Sciba Kim Long Courtney Smith Fr. Matthew Long Bonny Van Lucy Medvec Marcos Villalba Theresa Mormino Kelly Phelan Powell Mike Van Vranken Matt Yogus Fr. Rothell Price Editorial Board Kim Long Fr. Matthew Long Kelly Phelan Powell Dianne Rachal Christine Rivers Deacon Mike Whitehead John Mark Willcox Mission Statement The Catholic Connection is a monthly publication funded by your Diocesan Service Appeal; mailed to every known Catholic household in the Diocese of Shreveport.

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

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

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

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

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

2 Catholic Connection

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he 10th anniversary celebration for all Deacons and Lay Ecclesial Ministers (LEMs) from the Diocese of Shreveport who completed formation in 2005 will take place on Saturday, May 9th. The event will begin with a reunion luncheon for the Deacons and LEMs in St. Vincent's Hall. After the Luncheon, Mass will take place at 4 p.m. at St. John Berchmans' Cathedral. Bishop Duca will preside over the Mass with the deacons and LEMs serving at the Mass. All are welcome to attend the 4 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral, especially the parishioners from the parishes in which the 14 deacons and eight LEMs from the 2005 class serve.

bishop’s may calendar MAY 1 Red Mass; Holy Trinity Church, Shreveport; 9:00 a.m.

MAY 3 Confirmation; St. Lucy Church, Hodge; 9:00 a.m.

MAY 5 Catholic Charities of North Louisiana Celebration of Give for Good Happy Hour; Ristorante Giuseppe, Shreveport; 5:00 p.m.

MAY 6 St. Francis Medical Center Board of Directors’ Meeting; Monroe; 11:30 a.m.

MAY 7 & 8 Bishops of Region V Episcopal Support Days; Christian Life Center at St. Joseph Abbey, St. Benedict, LA MAY 8 St. Joseph Seminary College Baccalaureate Mass; St. Joseph Abbey, St. Benedict, Louisiana; 5:00 p.m.

St. Joseph Seminary College Commencement Ceremony, St. Joseph Abbey; St. Benedict, Louisiana; 8:00 p.m.

MAY 9 Mass in honor of the 10th Anniversary of Deacons & Lay Ecclesial Ministers – Class of 2005; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 4:00 p.m.

MAY 11 Presbyteral Council meeting; Catholic Center; 1:00 p.m.

MAY 15 Loyola College Prep Graduation; RiverView Hall and Theater, Shreveport; 6:30 p.m.

MAY 16 Priesthood Ordination of Jerry John Daigle; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 10:00 a.m.

MAY 17 Confirmation; Our Lady of Fatima Church, Monroe; 10:30 a.m.

MAY 18 St. Frederick High School Baccalaureate Mass; St. Frederick High School, Monroe; 5:00 p.m.

St. Frederick High School Graduation; St. Frederick High School, Monroe; 6:00 p.m.

MAY 20 Confirmation; Christ the King Church, Bossier City; 6:30 p.m.

MAY 24 Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 8:30 a.m.

Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 11:00 a.m.

Confirmation; St. Joseph Church, Shreveport; 3:00 p.m.

Catholic Charities of North Louisiana Annual Founders’ Reception; Catholic Center; 6:00 p.m.

MAY 30 Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Commencement Ceremony; Centenary College’s Gold Dome, Shreveport; 10:00 a.m.

MAY 14 Loyola College Prep Baccalaureate Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 6:30 p.m.

Confirmation; St. Paschal Church, West Monroe; 5:30 p.m.

contents

may 2015

columns Charity Begins at Home by Bishop Michael G. Duca............................................... 4-5 Mike’s Meditations: We Are a Consecrated People

by Mike Van Vranken.................................................................................................6

11

Second Collections: May Second Collections

by Fr. Rothell Price .....................................................................................................6

From the Pope: Pope Asks for Prayers for the Synod on the Family

by Vatican Information Services..................................................................................7 In the Words of Pope Francis by Vatican Information Services...............................7 Catholic Food: Grace in the Kitchen by Kim Long...............................................8 Domestic Church: "Be Yourself My Sanctity" by Katie Sciba................................9 Holy! Holy! Holy! by Katie Sciba ..............................................................................9 Navigating the Faith: Mary: The Honor of Our Race by Fr. Matthew Long ........10

11

features Saying Goodbye to Bishop William Friend

by John Mark Willcox ............................................................................................... 11-12 Bishop William B. Friend: A Timeline ......................................................................13 Jerry Daigle Prepares for Priestly Ordination

by Matt Yogus, Vianney Vocations .......................................................................... 14-15

news Students Travel to Grand Coteau by Lucy Medvec .............................................8 Celebrating Citizenship! by Theresa Mormino .......................................................14 Bishop's 5th Annual Pro-Life Banquet Most Successful Yet!

by Kelly Phelan Powell ..............................................................................................14 Profile: Twins Use Special Gift to Bring Others Closer to God by Bonny Van......17 Hispanic Corner by Rosalba Quiroz ........................................................................18 Around the Globe Bull of Indication for the Jubilee of Mercy; Pope Meets Detainees at Poggioreale Penitentiary

by Vatican Information Services.................................................................................19 School News ...........................................................................................................20 Around the Diocese ...............................................................................................21 Upcoming Events....................................................................................................22 May Calendar ........................................................................................................23 Picture of the Month by Marcos Villalba ................................................................24

14 on the cover

Bishop Emeritus William B. Friend served the Diocese of Shreveport from its inception in 1986 until his retirement in 2006.

May 2015 3

LA REFLEXIÓN del obispo

por Obispo Michael G. Duca

La Caridad Debe Comenzar En Casa

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l comienzo del año hablé de la necesidad que tiene la Diócesis de Shreveport de ver nuestras prioridades y necesidades para el futuro.

A la luz de la extraordinaria predicación y acciones de nuestro Santo Padre es tiempo que veamos como renovar nuestros esfuerzos de proclamar al mundo La Buena Nueva de Jesucristo. Espero tener pronto una estructura para el diálogo y las sesiones que se llevarán a cabo en nuestra diócesis. Este proceso es más lento de lo que imaginé pero seguimos adelante. El tema que continua presente en mis propuestas es la necesidad de re-evaluarnos para que el Reino de Dios comience a reinar en nuestros corazones y se muestre en nuestras acciones y decisiones.

Teniendo esto en cuenta quiero que consideren conmigo la importancia de tener un cambio de corazón que necesitará ser parte vital si queremos embarcarnos en un camino que va a requerir escucharnos mutuamente y trabajar juntos.

Varia gente me ha expresado recientemente sus sinceras preocupaciones.

En todos los casos alguien habló negativamente de alguien más de su parroquia, ya sea de otro fiel, de un sacerdote o inclusive del Papa, que le causó escándalo y un golpe doloroso a su espíritu.

Ya sé que no siempre podemos estar de acuerdo y que a veces nos molestamos unos con otros. Lo que me preocupa al escuchar estas preocupaciones es la dureza en el juzgar. En cada caso se asumía que el fiel, el sacerdote o el Papa habían de alguna manera actuado intencionalmente para destruir a la Iglesia y con intenciones sospechosas. No fue el desacuerdo con la otra persona lo que me molestó, sino la manera amarga en la que la gente acusa al otro de falta de fe, actuando sin amor por Cristo o por la Iglesia.

Hermanos y hermanas, si vamos a ser testigos del amor de Dios en el mundo, la Caridad debe comenzar en casa. Se dice que San Juan el Evangelista, el Apóstol que vivió más años, en sus últimos días predicaba solo una frase repetidamente: Niñitos, Ámense los unos a los otros. Si no podemos pensar 4 Catholic Connection

que nuestros propios hermanos y hermanas en Cristo están tratando de ser mejores discípulos, nunca seremos testigos genuinos del amor y misericordia de Dios en el mundo. Si vamos a seguir adelante como diócesis, debemos escuchar las palabras de San Pablo a los Efesios e inmediatamente comenzar a seguirlas en nuestras vidas. Si no lo hacemos, no importara cuantas sesiones o renovación escuchemos no valdrán de nada.

Escuchemos las palabras de San Pablo y tomémoslas a pecho: “Yo, Pablo prisionero de Cristo, les exhorto, pues, a que se muestren dignos de la vocación que han recibido. Sean humildes y amables, sean comprensivos y sopórtense unos a otros con amor.

Mantengan entre ustedes lazos de paz y permanezcan unidos en el mismo espíritu. Un solo cuerpo y un mismo espíritu, pues ustedes han sido llamados a una misma vocación y a una misma esperanza. Un solo Señor, una sola fe, un solo bautismo, un solo Dios y Padre de todos, que está por encima de todo, que actúa por todos y está en todos.

Les digo, pues, y con insistencia les advierto en el Señor que no imiten a los paganos, que se mueven por cosas inútiles. Su inteligencia está en tinieblas; la ignorancia en que se quedan, así como su conciencia ciega, los mantienen muy lejos de la vida de Dios. Después de perder el sentido moral se han dejado

llevar por el libertinaje y buscan con avidez toda clase de inmoralidad. Pero ustedes no aprendieron así a Cristo, si es que de verdad fueron enseñados y formados según él, sabiendo que la verdad está en Jesus.

Se les pidió despojarse del hombre viejo al que sus pasiones van destruyendo, pues así fue su conducta anterior, y renovarse por el espíritu desde dentro. Revístanse pues del hombre nuevo, el hombre según Dios que él crea en la verdadera justicia y santidad.

Por eso, no más mentiras; que todos digan la verdad a su prójimo, ya que todos somos parte del mismo cuerpo.

Enójense, pero sin pecar; que el enojo no les dure hasta la puesta del sol, pues de otra manera se daría lugar al demonio. … No salga de su boca ni una palabra mala, sino la palabra que hacía falta y que deja algo a los oyentes.

No entristezcan al Espíritu Santo de Dios; este es el sello con el que ustedes fueron marcados y por el que serán reconocidos en el día de la salvación.

Arranquen de raíz de entre ustedes disgustos, arrebatos, enojos, gritos, ofensas y toda clase de maldad. Más bien sean buenos y comprensivos unos con otros, perdónense mutuamente como Dios los perdonó en Cristo.”

(Efesios 4:1–6, 15–32)

bishop’s reflection

by Bishop Michael G. Duca

Charity Must Begin at Home

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t the beginning of the year, I spoke of a need for the Diocese of Shreveport to consider our needs and priorities for the future. In light of the extraordinary preaching and actions of our Holy Father, it is time to consider how to renew our efforts to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world.

I believe I will soon Bishop Duca have a framework for our discussions and for listening sessions throughout our diocese. It is going slower than I imagined, but we are moving forward. One theme that continues to frame all my considerations is the need for us to re-evangelize ourselves so that the Kingdom of God begins to reign in our hearts and shows in our actions and decisions.

With this in mind, I want you to consider with me one important change of heart that we will need to embrace if we are to embark on a journey that will require listening and working together.

Recently, several people have spoken to me of their sincere concerns. In every case it involved someone in their own parish speaking badly about another parishioner, a priest or the pope, and this caused them scandal and was a painful blow to their spirits. I know we do not all agree and we can become upset with one another at times. What concerned me as I listened to these worries was a deeply troubling casting of judgment. In each case, there was the assumption that the parishioner, the pastor or even the pope was somehow intentionally acting to destroy the Church, and their intentions were suspect. It was not the disagreement with the other person that disturbed me, but the bitter way people accused the other of lacking faith and not acting out of a love of Christ and the Church.

Brothers and sisters, if we are to be witnesses of God’s love to the world, then charity must begin at home. It is said that

St. John the Evangelist, the longest living of the Apostles, in his last days would preach only one line over and over again: Little children, love one another. If we cannot give our own brothers and sisters in Christ the benefit of the assumption that they are all trying to be better disciples, then we will never be a clear witness to the love and mercy of God to the world. If we are to move forward as a diocese, we must listen to the words of Paul to the Ephesians and immediately begin to follow them in our lives. If we do not, no amount of listening sessions or renewal will be worth anything.

Let us listen to the words of Paul and take them to heart: “I, Paul, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. … Let us profess the truth in Love and grow into the maturity of Christ the head.

Through whom the whole body grows and the proper functioning of the members (US)…builds itself up in love.

So I declare and testify in the Lord that you must no longer live as the pagans do, in the futility of their minds; darkened in understanding, alienated from the

life of God because of their ignorance, because of their hardness of heart, they have become callous and have handed themselves over to licentiousness for the practice of every kind of impurity to excess.

That is not how you learned Christ, assuming that you have heard of him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus, that you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth.

Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger, and do not leave room for the devil. … Never let evil talk pass your lips, say only the good things others need to hear, what will really help them.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed for the day of redemption.

All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. In place of these be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.” (Ephesians 4: 1–6, 15–32) • * Italics mark an older translation, clearer, at least for my purposes.

May 2015 5

Meditations MM Mike's

by Mike Van Vranken

Collections SC Second

by Fr. Rothell Price

WE Are A consecrated PEOPLE MAY Second Collections

I

was speaking with someone recently who questioned if combining our spiritual lives with our secular existence should even be a goal or a priority.

Why, they asked, shouldn’t we keep them separate?

The obvious responses of serving God at all times, praying unceasingly, evangelization and loving our neighbor as ourselves came to mind. I then recalled one of my favorite scriptures: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people God claims for his own, so that you may announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” 1 Peter 2:9.

We are a people that God claims for his own. We are a people that are set apart from the rest. Hebrews 10:10 tell us: “ . . . it is by this (God’s) will that we have been consecrated.” The word consecrated is mentioned again in verse 14 of that same chapter.

You and I have been consecrated. Just what does that mean?

Oswald Chambers said: “Consecration is the act of continually separating myself from everything except that which God has appointed me to do.”

We are separated from everything else to announce the praises of him (Jesus) who called us out of darkness and into his marvelous light. In other words, because we are separated from the rest, our priority, our core value must be to do whatever God has appointed us to do. Our role is to take God, whose very will is to consecrate us, into our secular world. The only separation, then, is to separate ourselves from anything and everything except what God wants us to do.

How do we know what God has appointed us to do?

• Read and study his word for direction daily • Pray for specific instructions each day • Do intentionally exactly what he tells you • Stay away from anything that is a barrier to God’s will in your life • Repent and remind yourself that you are consecrated; set apart; claimed by God as his own when you make a mistake We live in a secular world only to do God’s will there.

Discerning what that will is becomes our first priority. Once discerned, we are to separate ourselves from anything that gets in the way and then do it. We walk in the Spirit of God when we do this and there we find love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and more. God loves us so much he made sure we are consecrated.

Let’s make sure we live a consecrated life.

Mike is a writer and teacher, and co-author of the book: Faith Positive in a Negative World. You can contact him at www. mikevanvrankenministries.org 6 Catholic Connection

Retired priests Fr. Murray Clayton and Msgr. Franz Graef

CATHOLIC COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN Collection Dates: May 16th & 17th Announcement Dates: May 3rd & 10th he essential mission of the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC) is to contribute to the process of evangelization by fostering activities in relation to TV, radio, Internet and other media and through special projects of the Catholic press. An annual collection in the diocese serves to advance this mission of placing of the good news within people’s reach. Fifty percent of this collection remains in our diocese to fund our local and specialized evangelization needs. The remaining 50 percent goes to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to help with evangelization on a national level. From these funds, the USCCB Subcommittee on the Catholic Communications Campaign awards grants. Please participate generously in the CCC. Let others hear the voice of the Lord Jesus through your sacrifice. Join Pope Francis in being one of those “happy Christians” who joyfully make known the good news of life in Christ.

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DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT RETIRED PRIESTS FUND Collection Dates: May 30th & 31st Announcement Dates: May 17th & 24th ast summer Bishop Duca gave me the happy task of personally visiting each of our retired priests on his behalf. The Bishop plans to visit each of these men of God in person as soon as he can. He wants them to know that they are not forgotten.

Let your gift proclaim your remembrance and gratitude for the priestly ministry of Fr. Clayton, Fr. Ebarb, Fr. Graef, Fr. Kennedy, Fr. Lombard, Fr. McMullen, Fr. Puthuppally, Fr. Scully, and Fr. Williams. Your sacrifice enriches the sacrifice of those gallant and stalwart priests who still serve in active ministry well beyond their retirement years: Msgrs. LaCaze and Provenza, Fr. McGrath, OFM, Fr. O’Neill, OFM, and Fr. Pike Thomas. In gratitude to the Lord, give generously to the Diocese of Shreveport Retired Priests Collection for the sake of His senior laborers in the vineyard. This ministry of care assures the appropriate level of skilled care for our retirees. Please participate generously and with gratitude in your heart in the annual Diocese of Shreveport Retired Priests Collection.

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

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from the

from Vatican Information Services

Pope asks for prayers for the Synod on the family

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atican City, (VIS) – On the solemnity of the Annunciation, during this March 25�s general audience held in St. Peter�s Square, the Pope announced to the faithful that the day would be a special catechesis, a pause for prayer during his path of reflections on the family.

“On March 25, the Church solemnly celebrates Pope Francis the Annunciation, the beginning of the mystery of the Incarnation.

The Archangel Gabriel visits the humble girl from Nazareth and announces that she will conceive and give birth to the Son of God. By this announcement the Lord illuminates and strengthens Mary�s faith, as He will also do for her spouse Joseph, so that Jesus may be born in a human family. This is beautiful: it shows us how deeply the mystery of the Incarnation, as God wished it to be, includes not only conception in the womb of the mother, but also the fact of being welcomed into a true family.”

Francis commented that day in many countries was the Day for Life, and that 20 years ago on that date, St. John Paul II signed his encyclical “Evangelium Vitae”, in which the family “occupies a central role, inasmuch as it is the womb of human life.”

“The word of my venerated predecessor reminds us that the human couple has been blessed by God since the beginning to form a community of love and life, to whom the mission of procreation has been entrusted. Christian couples, by celebrating the sacrament of Marriage, indicate they are willing to honor this blessing, with the grace of Christ, for all their life. The Church, for her part, solemnly commits to caring for the family that is thus born, as a gift from God for her own life, in good times and bad: the bond between the Church and the family is sacred and inviolable. The Church, as a mother, never abandons her family, even when it is debased, hurt and humiliated in many ways. Not even when it gives in to sin or drifts away from the Church; she will always do everything to seek to cure and heal it, to invite it to convert and be reconciled with the Lord.”

If this is her task, the Pontiff observed, then it appears clear how much prayer the Church needs in order to be able to carry out this mission. “A prayer full of love for the family and for life. A prayer that knows how to rejoice with those who rejoice, and to suffer with those who suffer.” The Holy Father explained that he and his collaborators had decided to propose a renewal of the prayer for the Synod of Bishops on the family, and asked all present to continue to recite it until October, when the Synod assembly dedicated to the family is due to take place.

“I would like this prayer, like the entire Synod path, to be inspired by the Good Shepherd�s compassion for his flock, especially for those people and families who for various reasons are ‘harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.� In this way, supported and inspired by the grace of God, the Church will be able to be even more committed, and even more united, in her witness of the truth of God�s love and His mercy for the world�s families, without exception, both inside and outside the fold.”

“I ask you, please, to ensure that your prayer is not lacking. All of us – the Pope, cardinals, bishops, priests, men and women religious – we must all pray for the Synod. We need this, not chatter! I encourage even those who feel distant to pray too, and those who are not used to doing so. This prayer for the Synod on the family is for the good of all of us... Now, let us pray together: Jesus, Mary and Joseph, In you we contemplate The splendour of true love, We turn to you with confidence. Holy Family of Nazareth, Make our families, also, Places of communion and cenacles of prayer, Authentic schools of the Gospel, And little domestic Churches.

Holy Family of Nazareth May our families never more experience Violence, isolation, and division: May anyone who was wounded or scandalised Rapidly experience consolation and healing.

Holy Family of Nazareth, May the upcoming Synod of Bishops Re-awaken in all an awareness Of the sacred character and inviolability of the family, Its beauty in the project of God. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Hear and answer our prayer.

Amen.”

Words

In the of

Pope Francis

“At the heart of this celebration, which seems so festive, are the words we heard in the hymn of the Letter to the Philippians: 'He humbled himself'. Jesus' humiliation. These words show us God’s way and, consequently, that which must be the way of Christians: it is humility.

A way which constantly amazes and disturbs us: we will never get used to a humble God!” (St. Peter’s Square Palm Sunday Celebration 3/30/15) “I consider it a providential grace that this anniversary coincides with the year dedicated to consecrated life, in which the Saint of Avila shines as a sure guide and attractive model of total commitment to God. …

How much we continue to benefit from the witness of her consecration, born directly of her encounter with Christ, her experience of prayer, as a continual dialogue with God, and her community life, rooted in the maternity of the Church!” (From a letter commemorating the fifth centenary of the birth of St. Teresa of Jesus 3/28/15) “It is not easy to approach a patient.

The most beautiful and most miserable things in life are reserved, they conceal themselves. One tries to hide the greatest love, out of modesty; and for modesty we also hide those things that demonstrate our human misery. When there are lifelong illnesses, when we find ourselves faced with maladies that affect an entire life, we prefer to hide them, because going to visit a patient means going and finding our own sickness. It means having the courage to say to oneself: I too have a malady of the heart, of the soul, of the spirit; I too am spiritually afflicted.” (While addressing patients at the Basilica of Gesu Nuovo 3/22/15) May 2015 7

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Catholic Food

Students Travel to Grand Coteau

by Kim Long

Grace in the Kitchen

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t is Eastertide! For the next several weeks we hold life and it holds us in thrall.

Flowers are blooming, gardens are tilled and planted, we affirm life – the beat goes on!

And while we rejoice and are glad, all of this celebration can be exhausting to the body if not the spirit. While the fatigue is winding me down, I hunger for something nourishing and simple.

One of my hands-down favorite stories of Jesus is found in John 2: The disciples are out fishing when they spot Jesus on the bank.

He inquires about their success with the day’s catch, and they give a less than stellar report. Jesus suggests they redirect their nets to the “right” side of the boat. After taking his advice, they can barely haul in the bounty.

Then in typical Jesus fashion, he says what they don’t expect: “Come and have some breakfast.”

It’s difficult for me to eat early in the morning, especially if the temperatures are warm! In this passage, however, Jesus is cooking fish, broiling it, and the disciples tuck in and eat up.

In the Holy Land there is a main fish recipe that is offered in most places: St. Peter’s Fish, known to us as tilapia. In Israel, when I ordered this fish, I was not quite prepared when an entire fish appeared before me in quick order. But, like the disciples, our group

“tucked in” and ate. It was delicious.

The thought of preparing an entire fish intimidates me! Fillets, on the other hand, are manageable. The scripture also tells us Jesus cooked bread, so I pulled out the recipe for matzah, the simplest of bread recipes. That, cooked along with my step daughter’s recipe for tilapia pockets, fortifies myself and those around me.

I want to arrive at the ancient and powerful celebration of Pentecost with more than a “thank heavens we are back to ordinary time” attitude. I want to arrive there intact physically and spiritually ready to greet, embrace and join our heritage; I want to arrive affirming life! In my mind’s eye, I see Jesus bent over a flame surrounded by large rocks he found on the shores of that lake, the breeze blowing his hair and robe, the smell of bread wafting along with his voice, gentle, loving, strong, calling his friends to another eucharistic moment. For once, breakfast seems more than happy, it is grace. I realize as I bring this simple meal to my family I am indeed filled with grace, with life.

Matzah Ingredients: • 2 ¼ cups plain flour • 1 cup water • 1 tablespoon oil • ½ teaspoon salt Directions: 1) Place flour, oil and salt in a food processor. Pulse to combine.

2) Slowly add water until a ball forms (you may not use the entire cup).

3) When ball is formed, turn onto a floured board and knead until the dough is no longer sticky.

4) Divide into eight balls. Roll as thin as possible. A pasta roller works great!

5) Cut into small pieces and prick with a fork. Bake in a 500 degree oven for about 90 seconds, until crackers begin to brown and blisters form, then flip and cook another 15 to 30 seconds. One batch of dough will yield many crackers.

Tilapia Pockets Ingredients: • Cube 1 medium potato (per serving) • Diced ½ red onion (per serving) • ½ stick butter • 1 bay leaf (per serving) * 1 fillet of Tilapia (per serving) • Lemon pepper, and/ or salt & pepper to taste

8 Catholic Connection

Directions: 1) Rinse tilapia pieces in cold water. Bake on foil for 5 to 8 minutes at 500 degrees, until fish flakes and edges are beginning to brown.

2) Add veg and spices and close foil packets.

3) Continue to cook at 400 degrees for another three minutes.

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he seventh grade class at St. John Berchmans School made a pilgrimage on March 13 to the Academy of Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau, LA, to visit the Shrine of St. John Berchmans.

In 1866, Blessed John Berchmans appeared to Mary Wilson, a novice of the Society of the Sacred Heart, and through his intercession she was miraculously cured of a disease. The infirmary where the miracle occurred was converted into a chapel and is the only place in the United States where the exact spot of a miraculous occurrence has been preserved as a shrine. Fr. Peter Mangum of the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans served as tour guide for the students and said Mass for them in the chapel.

The students then heard from Sr. Barbara Moreau who gave a brief history about the shrine. They toured the museum and visited the grave site of Mary Wilson.

On the way back to Shreveport, the students visited St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Alexandria.

When asked about her favorite part of the pilgrimage, seventh grader Hallie Krauss answered, “Visiting the infirmary which has now been converted into the chapel.” She also said that throughout their visit to the shrine, the students felt a connection to St. John Berchmans. This field trip is the beginning of an annual tradition to prepare the seventh graders for their confirmation and to give an important history lesson about our school’s patron saint.

by Lucy Medvec, St. John Berchmans School

Church DC Domestic

by Katie Sciba

“Be Yourself My Sanctity” Learning discipline from the saints

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“

ut I don’t wanna do Quiet Time,” my three-year-old moaned. 1:30 p.m. had already passed and I’m quite possessive of our designated silence-all each afternoon. I need the calm.

“I know you don’t,” I said, in a feeble effort to validate him, “but everyone needs quiet time.”

“But I don’t WANT TO!” In our back-and-forth, his whiny protests raged fast; a key indicator that he needed rest.

Doing my best to rein in frustration, I ushered him to bed, promising happy play time and delicious snacks if he would please just put his head down.

“But I don’t want to...” I closed the door and tiptoed to the living room, silently positioning myself on the couch, and finally exhaling.

Then footsteps and a door opening.

“Mom? Is it time to get up now?” Sigh.

After 10 rounds of putting him back, he finally wore himself out protesting the injustice of naps, and by the end of it, I was reeling from the injustice myself.

My kids didn’t come with discipline.

They don’t have the inner promptings to analyze and prioritize, so we the parents must possess the ability for them. From birth, we’ve shown them how to eat and when to nap; as they mature, we teach how to deny instant gratification and how to base decisions on pleasing God. It takes extreme work of will from Andrew and me; while our precious children learn, they look to our example and the boundaries we set. To be a parent is to be discipline itself until our kids develop the ability to do for themselves what we’ve demonstrated. Discipline has to be enforced in the beginning, then taught, and then finally, when a child matures, he desires

it and takes it on himself.

Sainthood is strangely similar. Seemingly too lofty, it can seem as incomprehensible as discipline to a newborn. It’s a joy and closeness to Christ I desire to have, but with a whole map full of avenues I hardly know where to start. Read the Bible? Daily Mass?

Confession? All roads at once?

Without a clear approach, it’s easy to lose hope that holiness, let alone sainthood, is possible. Sainthood is what happens to people who have huge, miraculous conversions and blasts of intense, soulful reflection.

I’ll be lucky to slip clandestinely into Purgatory, and even then I’ll be settled for a while.

Enter St. Therese. It’s amazing to know that such a well-known, beloved saint thought Heaven was impossibly out of reach: “I desire, in a word, to be a saint, but I feel my helplessness and I beg You, Oh My God, to Be Yourself My Sanctity.” In writing the question so many souls have, she also wrote the answer: Be my holiness for me.

And just like that, my eyes were opened.

Just as parents are discipline itself for their children, so God is holiness itself for us. Like discipline, God follows by teaching us his paths and then leading us in sanctity (Psalm 25). There have been too many times when I’ve thrown fits to match my three-year-old, but the more I ask God to help, the more deeply I desire to follow him. I know God wants me in Heaven with him, and to be in Heaven is to be a saint. Be my holiness God, because in You I can begin.

Katie Sciba is the author of thecatholicwife. net. She lives in Shreveport with her husband, Andrew, and four children, Liam,Thomas, Peter and Jane.

Holy! Holy!

Holy!

When working toward holiness, keep your approach simple and focused on Christ. Read about him, receive him, and walk with him.

REad St. Jerome said, “Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ.” Grow closer to God through praying the daily Mass readings, one chapter of the Gospels at a time, or practicing lectio divina with your favorite verses.

The Bible is the message of God’s desire for man to be united with him in Heaven.

Behold the Lamb!

Go to Mass and receive Christ in the Eucharist. Ask your pastor when adoration is available at your parish and go often. If you want to become holy, there’s no better way than to receive and be in the Presence of Holiness Himself.

Walk the Walk In reading about Christ and being with him in Mass and adoration, you’ll learn to better imitate him. Ask him to lead you in his ways, grace you with courage to learn his will and follow it, and guide you on his path to salvation.

May 2015 9

Navigating the Faith

Mary: The HOnor of Our Race

by Fr. Matthew Long, Vocations Director and Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Mansfield & St. Ann Church, Stonewall “

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hat’s in a name? That always trusting. She is one of the which we call a rose by greatest examples of what it means any other name would to have faith, because Mary was smell as sweet.” This line from called upon not to follow this or that William Shakespeare’s Romeo and teaching, but to trust God so much Juliet could easily be said of the that she gave her entire life into His Blessed Mother, the Mother of God, service. She is the “Honor of Our the Blessed Virgin Mary. Wherever Race” because she honors all humanity the Church stands and Our Lord with her faithfulness.

Jesus Christ is worshipped, His With hope she trusted in an Holy Mother is venerated, and each amazing way. After she conceived, she culture has found ways of expressing did not stay next to Joseph to reassure the role she has played in their him, she set off to visit her cousin, lives, the lives of their nations and placing all hope in her future into in the salvation and redemption of the hands of God. God lived up to the world through the lofty titles His reassurances at the Annunciation. they bestow upon her, the Mystic Joseph not only married her but Rose. In places like Guadalupe, willingly protected her and the Fatima, Lourdes, Einsiendeln and Child. With hope she would also Knock, her title is based upon the assist our blessed Lord in manifesting fact that she appeared there to share His divinity at the Wedding Feast at some message with the people her Cana. She is the “Honor of Our Race” Son calls His own. There are also because she honors all humanity with titles such as Our Lady of Sorrows, her hopefulness.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Our With charity she demonstrated the Lady of All Help, Our Lady of love of God. She assisted Elizabeth Abundance, Our Lady of Good in her last months of pregnancy. She Ceramic altarpiece of Our Lady of Fatima in the church Tidings, Comfort of Christians, cared for, loved and raised our Blessed of Remedios, Ceuta.

Consoler of the Afflicted, Advocate Lord. She also did not hinder Him of Sinners, and many others that as he set off to do the work of our not for her, but for us. reveal her role in our lives and the redemption. She always supported It is beautiful for us because it reveals to life of the world that Her Son came to Him and loved Him even when she did each and every one of us what is possible save. Then there are the titles such as not fully understand. Ultimately it would Mediatrix of all Grace; Queen of Heaven, if we are willing to cooperate with God’s be her resolve, standing at the base of the grace. The Blessed Mother always said Angels, Martyrs and Saints; Ark of the cross, that would give Him the courage to yes to God, from the moment she was New Covenant; Flower of Jesse’s Root; pour Himself out completely so that we conceived in the womb of St. Anne until Gate of Heaven and others that reveal could be redeemed and saved. There are she was assumed into heaven, body and her important position in the Kingdom very few mothers on this earth who would soul. And although she was full of grace of her Son. There are many titles, far too willingly sacrifice their only child in order many to list in this article, and all of them that does not mean that she did not still to save others. She is the “Honor of Our have free will. She not only had free will, reveal to us the full breadth of what she Race” because she honors all humanity but she exercised it at every moment that means in the life of the Church and the with her charity.

God placed a choice before her. However, life of the world.

She is the Morning Star, the Star of the My favorite title is “The Honor of Our the real reason she is the “Honor of Our Sea, Tabernacle of God, Tower of David, Race” is because of what she did with her Race.” From the first moment I heard Seat of Wisdom, Rose Ever Blooming, life. it, it has stuck in my head. It is a noble Queen Unconquered and Refuge of She was a woman who lived out the title, a grand title, but of course it does Sinners, but most importantly, she is the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. With not bear many of the more outstanding Honor of Our Race. The greatest honor faith, she responded to God willingly characteristics by which she is known. that she gives us, however, is allowing us For me “Honor of Our Race” is beautiful, again and again, never questioning but to call her our Blessed Mother.

10 Catholic Connection

Saying

Goodbye to

Bishop William

Friend

by John Mark WIllcox

he first thing you noticed about William Benedict Friend was his height. Put an elongated miter on an already tall Bishop and you have an arresting sight. “He just looks like a bishop,” my father used to say, and despite his size, Bishop Friend had the softest hands you ever took into your own. “It is the result of years of confirmations,” he used to say. “That oil is good for the skin and I have the softest thumbs in town.” With his gentle, yet strong leadership, Bishop William B. Friend oversaw the birth of our diocesan faith community, our struggle to succeed in our early days of ministry and outreach, and he was with us to celebrate our marvelous anniversary of 25 years of existence as the Diocese of Shreveport. While his soul reclines at table with the Lord, his mortal remains returned to the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans on April 14, where we celebrated his Mass of Christian Burial and laid him to rest in the Cathedral’s Memorial Garden where we will honor him into the future.

Growing up in Miami was the perfect heat training for a bishop to be sent to a climate as warm as the Diocese of Shreveport. One may have noticed during his many years among us that Bishop Friend never popped a sweat despite being draped in the many layers of Church vestments that he wore during our liturgical celebrations.

Cool, calm and straightforward was the way he celebrated our worship together, and that is also the way he ran his Chancery.

A true coffee lover, Bishop Friend even drank it with his meals where he enjoyed visiting with his table guests and especially, laughing with them. William B. Friend always insisted that God has a sense of humor, and his laugh was very distinct, and you knew it was him somewhere in the building when you heard that laugh.

Staff parties that featured skits and video parodies were a favorite pastime, even if he was the butt of half the jokes. He would release that patented belly laugh and the celebration began. Also known for his quips, Bishop Friend had a cadre of sayings that we among his Curia all came to know well, “The things we do for Jesus,” or his favorite wise crack as the work day was just minutes from finishing, “Just take the rest of the day off.”

Like the true German decedent he was, Bishop Friend had amazing abilities when it came to creating structure. When he erected our diocese at the urging of St. John Paul II, he had a plan May 2015 11

for what he wanted and he set about executing it in those formative years of the mid 1980’s. With the help of his late Vicar General, Msgr. Walter Walsh, and a dedicated group of faithful donors, he secured the first Catholic Center on Shreveport’s Line Avenue.

He established offices for the chancery, schools, finances, development and public relations, canonical services, Greco Institute, catechetics and social outreach. Bishop Friend had specific people in mind for those offices and he sought them out and inspired them to join his team.

With an intellect honed by years of education and ministerial experience, Bishop Friend’s presence on governing boards and as a presenter was sought after by a host of organizations and his brother bishops in America and abroad. His list of published works, selected papers and speeches presented for the good of the Church, is beyond impressive. Bishop Friend spent ample time away from our diocese sharing his keen knowledge with others for the sake of the gospel. Educational institutions, seminaries, research laboratories, social outreach programs and many other entities both in America and across the globe owe a debt of gratitude for his unique input and guidance.

Before his retirement, Bishop Friend served as Secretary to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) during the apex of the clergy sex abuse scandal in 2001 and 2002. His efforts during that difficult time for Catholics helped create our Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which has become the cornerstone of the Church’s successful Safe Environment Program. We shared many conversations during that dark hour for the Catholic Church in America, and we tried to keep each other’s spirits up as we dealt with those dreadful circumstances. Bishop Friend was proud of the quick work done on that Charter by the USCCB, often saying “You give a group of Catholic bishops a tough job on a short timeline, and they will get things done!”

Ecumenism was another of Bishop Friend’s many talents.

He mixed quite easily with people and ministers of other faith traditions, and I was fortunate to accompany him on many of his visits to other churches where he was constantly invited to speak. I can truthfully attest that he never left without charming those who heard him. Many times, Bishop Friend had clergy of other traditions in his home for meals and spirited conversation.

He even garnered the respect of local street gangs who sought him out for advice and mediation with their rivals.

Bishop Friend was always touting the latest book resting on his nightstand, or musing over modern scientific discoveries and projections. He loved to look forward and plan for what he believed he could envision coming down the road. His work 12 Catholic Connection

on the Human Genome Project and Bioethics at the request of Rome during the late 1990s was groundbreaking.

Science absolutely fascinated the man, and he never had a problem attributing the wonders of the scientific world to the glory of our creator, always insisting that “Science and religion go hand in hand.”

William Friend was especially sensitive to the needs of the migrant, the minority and those people on the fringes of society. The genesis of these feelings was his early assignment as a parish priest in the inner city of Birmingham, AL at St. Stanislaus Church. He once told me that out of concern, he followed a young African American boy home from Church one afternoon and discovered that the child was living in a chicken coop on the edge of town. The sadness reflected in his caring, watery blue eyes while sharing that story has never left me. Bishop Friend’s 1990 pastoral document on racism entitled “That All May Be One” came at a very tense time in Louisiana’s political history and remains a true gift that he leaves behind for the people of God. He also was very aggressive in lobbying the local poultry industry to treat fairly their predominately Hispanic workforce, and he created one of the first diocesan Hispanic Ministry offices in the region.

There are those among Church leadership that are also gifted with the insight to accurately predict Catholic events and changes in leadership and direction. Bishop Friend was certainly one of those individuals. He knew so many people who worked for the Church in a vast array of ministries and education. He had a keen ability to sense a shift within the Church, and those individuals who would be the lead agents in these changes. This ultimately resulted in Bishop Friend serving for five years as Board Chair for the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) in Washington, DC. His leadership helped establish CARA as one of the most respected Catholic Research organizations in the United States.

That laugh now echoes off the portals of heaven as after 83 years, Bishop William B. Friend has heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” He can spend his time visiting with souls who are smarter than he (there were so few here on this mortal earth) and laugh at will while consuming the best coffee and enjoying unlimited “time off” in paradise, all without breaking a sweat. Ah, the things we do for Jesus! •

Bishop William B. Friend: A Timeline 1949 - 1952: Attended the University of Miami, Florida for Business Administration and Finance.

Born October 22, 1931 in Miami, FL

1955: Started school at St. Mary’s College in Kentucky for Philosophy and Languages.

1962-79: Retreat Master for retreats for priest, religious, college students, seminarians, youth groups and laity in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Maryland.

1959-65: Counselor at Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Pensacola, FL.

1971-79: Parish Priest at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Mobile, AL.

1965-66: Parish Priest for North Alabama Missions.

1965: Attended The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. for Educational Administration and Psychology.

1973-77: Chairman of the Apostolic Research Committee for the Senate of Priests in the Diocese of Mobile, AL.

1971-76: Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Mobile & Vicar of Education for the Diocese of Mobile.

1975: Named Honorary Papal Chaplain to Pope Paul VI with the title Monsignor.

1983: Installed as Bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria-Shreveport on January 11.

1986: Appointed as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport, Louisiana on June 16.

1983: Awarded the Order of Knight of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, with rank of Knight Commander with Star.

1986: Installed as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport on July 30.

1999: Awarded the “1999 Universal Human Rights Service Award” by the Greater Shreveport Human Relations Commission.

1999: Awarded the Order of the Fleur de Lis with the rank of Knight Commander by the Knights of Columbus in Louisiana.

1966-67: Parish Priest at Little Flower Church, Mobile, AL.

2000: State Chaplain for the Louisiana Council of the Knights of Columbus and the Louisiana Council of the Kaycee Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus.

2001: Elected as Secretary of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in November.

1959: Attended Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Maryland for Theology and Sacred Scripture.

1959-65: Parish Priest at St. Michael’s Church, Pensacola, FL.

1959: Ordained a Priest for the Diocese of Mobile-Birmingham, AL on May 7.

1959-65: Teacher and Counselor at Pensacola Catholic High School in Pensacola, FL.

1967-68: Parish Priest at St. Jude Church, Montgomery, AL.

1966-68: Administrative Assistant at John Carroll High School in Birmingham, AL.

1978: Won National Catholic Educational Association Presidential Award for Outstanding Service to Catholic Education.

1976-79: Chancellor for Administration for the Diocese of Mobile, AL.

1968-71: Research Associate for the Office for Educational Research at the University of Notre Dame.

1982: Won the O’Neil D’Amour Award for Outstanding Contributions to Catholic Boards of Education by the National Association of Boards of Education.

1979 - 82: Vicar General of the Diocese of Alexandria-Shreveport.

1982: Appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria-Shreveport on November 17.

1988: Became Chairman of the Region 5 National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

2003-05: Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Alexandria.

1967-68: Asst. Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of MobileBirmingham, AL.

1979: Ordained Titular Bishop of Pomaria and appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria-Shreveport, LA on October 30.

1987: Awarded the Brotherhood and Humanitarian Award by the Shreveport/Bossier City Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

2004: Awarded the Harry Blake Award for African American Empowerment.

1968-71: Attended the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana for Education.

1992: Testified before the U.S. Senate in preparation for the World Summit on the Environment in May as a member of the Joint Appeal of Religion and Science for the Environment.

1993: Elected to membership in the Catholic Academy of Sciences in the United States of America.

2006: Retired as Bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport on December 20.

2006: Awarded with the Bronze Pelican by Catholic Scouting in the Diocese of Shreveport.

1994: Elected to membership in the New York Academy of Sciences.

2010: Awarded the Cardinal Cushing Medal for the Advancement of Church Research by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA).

2015: Died on April 2.

May 2015 13

Jerry Daigle Prepares for Priestly

Ordination

W

hen Jerry Daigle was in his 30s, life was pretty good.

He had a good education, a nice house and a wellpaying job.

Now 46 years old, life is even better.

Daigle has spent the last six years at Notre Dame Seminary on the path to the priesthood. The vocation has been on his mind since he was a young boy, “playing Mass” with barbecue chips and red Kool-Aid. On May 16, the day of his priestly ordination, he looks forward to celebrating Mass and living out a moment more beautiful than anything he’s ever experienced.

“On May 16, when I stand up after my ordination, I’m going to stand next to the Bishop and I will concelebrate, I will offer with him the Sacrifice of our Lord for the salvation of every soul. I mean, wow, what an incredible moment,” he said.

Daigle said he and his fellow seminarians have grown in mercy throughout the formation process, something that will be necessary when it comes to administering the Sacraments of Healing. The whole experience has left Daigle overflowing with humility — something he’s experienced incrementally throughout his life.

He remembers being humbled by the beauty surrounding him where he grew up in the Dust Bowl of North Texas. He was humbled to find out how much he needed God when he left the Church briefly after high school. He is most humbled now, because after he becomes a priest, he will bring an encounter with Christ to his parishioners through the Sacraments — ministering to them in persona Christi.

14 Catholic Connection

by Matt Yogus Vianney Vocations

“In a couple of months, the Lord’s going to be forgiving sins through our ministry. Quite frankly, we’re all pretty much floored by it,” Daigle said. “We have the formula for absolution memorized, but as often as I say it, I still have trouble thinking of someone actually coming to Jesus through me for that Sacrament.

What a profound thing, and what an immense responsibility.”

The first major milestone on the path to that responsibility happened last year, when Daigle was ordained a transitional deacon on May 31, 2014.

“You always think about that moment. In seminary, you almost kind of live for that moment, it seems. Then the moment comes,” Daigle said. “When it was time for me to get up after I was ordained, Bishop Michael Duca sort of leaned over in case I needed help. As our heads got close to each other, our eyes met, and he whispered to me, ‘Rise a deacon.’ That was really cool, and it kind of completed the moment."

“I need to tell him before I’m ordained a priest, ‘Please do that again,�” Daigle laughed.

Over the last year, since becoming a deacon, Daigle has performed baptisms and assisted at Mass and with marriages. He has ministered to the sick through hospital ministry, and he has preached God’s Word. Recently, he presided as Deacon at his own grandfather’s funeral.

“That was beautiful, and it was challenging in ways I didn’t expect,” he said. “It was very different for me. With your family, you’re not always ‘the adult.’ You’re ‘little Johnny,’ and not necessarily ‘Deacon Jerry.’ All of a sudden, I realized they’re not

looking at me like I’m a family member. They were looking at me do with all the stuff I’ve accumulated?” like I’m a minister of God. It was a profound moment, and it was Ultimately, none of those things mattered. Daigle was called really a formational moment. to the priesthood. It simply took a lot of time in the secular “I’ve come to realize more and more — we seminarians always world before he was ready. His career, one that ranged from knew it intellectually but now we’ve customer service, to sales, to experienced it and it has entered into management, put him into contact our hearts — that we’re being sought with every imaginable personality out by people. During so many of and circumstance. It taught him life’s moments, the priest is there.” about humanity.

Daigle has traveled the world “If you have a problem with with his fellow seminarians and has your bill, I was the guy you went affirmed, each day, that he is where to,” he said. “It put me in front he is supposed to be. of hundreds of people each week.

“In the beginning, I thought, ‘I’m Then I went into sales and retail. It never going to make it six years in exposed me to every type of person seminary.’ I look back now and it and scenario you could think of. It seems like it’s gone by in a blink — opened my horizons.” even though I’ve lived and felt every His life has taken him in and single second of it,” he said. out and back into the Church and Daigle’s priestly formation began ultimately into a role of ministry, well before he entered seminary. something that could never have In 1986, he graduated from high happened in 1986. school. He went on to get an “I used to think I was running undergraduate degree and a Masters, away from the priesthood, that then started a career with a cellphone I was hiding,” he said. “But I’ve company. He remained careerthought about it and prayed about oriented, and started climbing the it over the years, and I’ve come to corporate ladder. realize that’s not true. I wouldn’t “I stepped away from the be the minister God wanted me “In the beginning, I thought, Church, like many young people, to be if I didn’t. I needed to have ‘I’m never going to make and tried to do my own thing,” experiences in the secular world he said. “The thing is, the tug was before I entered the religious world. it six years in seminary.’ always there, and I always kept I needed to gain maturity.”

I look back now and it being drawn back to the Church.

As the days of living in a dorm Doing my own thing never really with 100 seminarians — with seems like it’s gone by in felt right.” all the joys and challenges — are a blink — even though I’ve As the years went by, Daigle’s winding down, Daigle jokes about on-and-off faith became more it: “We can finally see the light at lived and felt every single and more important. He became the end of the tunnel, and we know second of it.” involved with ministering to at-risk there’s not a freight train coming at teenagers and needy families, which us. We’ve figured that out, there’s brought him deeper into his faith actually light.” and elevated his formation.

But he also feels a combination of humble joy and fear about Inspired by the Rule of Saint Benedict, Daigle began to becoming a priest, emotions that come together nicely for practice his spiritual life throughout the day, praying the Liturgy Daigle as he lives out his final days as Deacon Jerry. of the Hours at home and at his office in Monroe. Though his “Maybe that’s a weird juxtaposition, but it’s the best way prayer life was private, he saw it lead to positive changes around I can describe the feeling,” he said. “It’s such an awesome his workplace, and his employees began talking to him about responsibility, and boy, it can be a little overwhelming to think their experiences with God, causing him to open his heart and about it.” mind to the concerns of others.

In his final weeks before becoming a priest, Daigle can reflect “That just started opening doors in my own spiritual life, back on the last six years. helped me listen,” Daigle said. “That’s key I think, to any call — “There is nothing in the world like seminary,” he said. “It’s to hear God and what he wants.” crazy, and I’ve been through college and grad school. There’s Thoughts of the priesthood continued lingering in the back always a tension in seminary that defines our time here.” of his mind, but there was always something keeping him away There is the academic side — Daigle went through two years from seminary. of philosophy and two years of Latin, which “can be challenging “I have a career,” he thought. “I have a mortgage. I’m not for a 40-year-old” — and the spiritual side, “which is hard, real going to be able to sell my house. How am I going to be five hard,” he said. “We’re not just changing our lives intellectually. hours away in New Orleans with no income? What if I quit my This is changing who we are. That’s a radically different prospect. career? I’m 40 years old. Nobody’s going to hire me. What will I But that’s what Jesus calls each of us to do.” • May 2015 15

NEWS

Celebrating Citizenship!

Bishop's 5th Annual Pro-Life Banquet Most Successful Yet Bernadette, Banquet Chair, with her daughter Lucia, Fr. Mike Joly and Dr. Carter Boyd all helped make the Pro-Life Banquet a success.

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here are many programs and ways we give much needed assistance at Catholic Charities of North Louisiana, and they all are gratifying for those who work at the agency.

However, there is hardly anything we do in which we rejoice more than when we help our immigrant neighbors obtain United States citizenship!

Since we began our Immigration Integration program in 2012, we have helped 26 people become American citizens.

It is not an easy road to citizenship. There are many stringent requirements, such as a three to five year residency, good moral character and speaking English. However, none of those requirements deterred Kimiko, who began life in this country as a janitor, working hard to make her American Dream a reality.

She worked her way up, and now Kimiko is the proud owner of her own business, a very successful local restaurant.

No obstacle could stop Claudia from her dream either.

Claudia loved this country from the beginning and showed that through her early work as a Peace Corp volunteer, going on many mission trips and learning what it means to give back.

Claudia is now working for the United States government in a nearby parish and is thankful every day for her success.

As we see it, our job is to help those who have no voice become integrated into our community as successful, contributing members who find hope and joy in life. We recently added How to be Successful in the U.S. to our many classes (like English as Second Language) to support them in their journey. As new citizens, now they can vote, be eligible for federal jobs, travel as any of us might with a U.S. passport and bring other family members to this country. It is restorative to the community and to the family when these new citizens enjoy the life they dreamed of when they came here. They are proud to show their patriotism and all that goes with their new status, and we are proud to have been a part of their success. We think you can see all of that and more in their faces, and just ask any one of them about American history! You may be surprised at their knowledge of their adopted home.

We hope you will join us in offering prayers of gratitude for these who have successfully joined us as fellow citizens and that you will pray for this program and all our programs that give dignity and hope to those who most need it.

by Theresa Mormino, Catholic Charities of North Louisiana 16 Catholic Connection

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he Bishop’s fifth annual Pro-Life Banquet on March 11 was an unprecedented success. Nearly 1,100 people, the largest number in the history of the banquet, were in attendance to celebrate the gift of life. As keynote speaker Fr. Jonathan Morris said, “I bet there’s a party going on in heaven tonight.” Event chairwoman Bernadette Boyd added, “I am humbled by the outpouring of love and kindness that our community is demonstrating to respect the sanctity of life.”

Serving as a powerful tool of awareness of the abortion crisis in the Diocese of Shreveport, the Bishop’s Pro-Life Banquet raised significant funds for pro-life activities throughout the diocese, including a new one, Mary’s House. Mary’s House will be a pregnancy crisis center for women who are dealing with unwanted pregnancies but who want to choose life. It will be a safe haven where volunteers will support women throughout their entire pregnancies and help them explore life-affirming options. They also want to help women beyond their pregnancies by ministering to them, helping them find work and resources in the community and counseling them to make positive life changes in the future.

Everyone in attendance at the banquet was encouraged to make a donation or pledge to Mary’s House, and many did, including several non-Catholics. “We were humbled and grateful that many of our friends from other faiths attended the banquet and also donated to Mary’s House,” said Boyd.

Guests at the banquet enjoyed Fr. Matthew Long as emcee, music by members of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra and a rousing vocal performance by Fr. Mike Joly, a dedicated priest and accomplished singer, songwriter and pianist who is blind. But the highlight of the evening was Fr. Morris, most commonly known as a news coordinator for the Fox News Channel. He spoke not only to the banquet attendees but also to two local Catholic schools about what exactly it means to choose, celebrate and witness to life in our day-to-day lives.

The winner of the Pro-Life Oratory contest, Moregan Gatti, read her compelling essay about the long-term physical and psychological effects of abortion.

As wonderful as this year’s event was, the committee began working toward next year’s Bishop’s Pro-Life Banquet before this year’s even took place. “Many have told me they did not attend but heard what a wonderful event it was. They regretted missing it but stated they are looking forward to attending next year,” said Boyd. If this year’s event is any indication, then the 2016 banquet is not to be missed.

by Kelly Phelan Powell

PROFIILE

Twins Use Special Gift to Bring Others Closer to God

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n a Saturday afternoon Parish School system, knew on the campus of the something was not right.

University of Louisiana “My son Mark, who was at Monroe, the area around Fanttwo years older than the girls, Ewing Coliseum is buzzing with would ask me, ‘When are they energy. Students under a huge going to talk to me?’ So we’d tent are selling plates of food, and use a holiday as a deadline. But basketball fans wearing maroon Toni and Jeannie would only and white are making their way talk to each other, in their ‘twin’ inside the arena. It is almost time language.�” Other types of for the basketball team to take the behavior began to show as the court. girls got older. “They were hyper Inside, the air is electric with and they had fears. We tried to the sounds of high energy music take them to the park. We took Twins Toni and Jeannie Adams use their gift of singing to bring the love coming from the loud speakers them to the mall and that didn’t of God to all those around them. and the players warming up. Fans go well,” said Judy. After visits are talking and visiting, players are high-fiving, the band is setting to doctors both in Monroe and New Orleans, the family learned up to play and both sides of the court are lined with students and that the girls had a delay in their language development, but they staff sitting at tables behind computers and audio equipment. began to see something else unexpected developing: a response to Just off courtside are twins Toni and Jeannie Adams, huddled music. together and soaking it all in. They are petite, standing 5 feet Judy vividly recalls the analysis of one doctor early in the tall, and they are dressed in similar outfits. It is almost time and process. According to her, he said, “If I could’ve sung it, they you can see the excitement on their faces. Soon, the heavy-based could’ve done it.” She says another doctor also knew the girls music fades and the arena goes silent. A deep voice resonates were very special. “He said, ‘They are gifted. If someone can find over the loudspeaker, announcing the basketball game and asking the key to unlock the box, these girls will be successful.’” the audience to stand for the national anthem, sung by Toni and That “box” the doctor was referring to ended up containing Jeannie Adams of Monroe. beautiful, perfectly pitched singing voices. Toni and Jeannie’s The young ladies take equal steps forward to the microphone, father, Gary, sums it up this way: “God scrambled their language their shoulders almost touching. With one deep breath, taken in so they would sing for His glory.” unison, they begin to sing “The Star Spangled Banner” a capella.

Early on, before their language began to fully develop, Toni As their voices start in unison, you immediately know that and Jeannie were singing songs they heard on the kids’ TV shows. what you are hearing is something special, something different They also frequently hummed tunes. Their mother had the twins and something you simply can’t describe. Then they begin to in voice lessons when they were still very young. “They learned harmonize on parts of the song that you didn’t think could be patriotic songs first,” says Judy. “And, in first grade, they were harmonized, and as the song leads to its crescendo, the dual voices singing “The Prayer” by Josh Groban and Celine Dion, including of Toni and Jeannie rise to the occasion. the last line, which is in Italian.”

Just days earlier, Toni and Jeannie celebrated their 23rd “I’m grateful to be able to witness Toni and Jeannie’s journey. I birthday. “We went to our family’s restaurant,” says Jeannie. can’t tell you how much they have taught me about life, love and “Yes, our family’s restaurant,” echoes Toni. On March 3, Jeannie God’s amazing grace. There’s no denying God’s mission for these and Toni were surrounded by loved ones at Genusa’s, Monroe’s two angels and I’m excited to see the rest of their journey,” said iconic Italian restaurant, which also happens to be owned by their Brittney Adams, sister-in-law. uncle and aunt, Frances and Cherry Genusa. That celebration not Toni and Jeannie continued their education through home only marked another year in the twins’ lives, but it also celebrated schooling with Judy’s sister, Jo Ann Busby, and Learning Tech their lives and their journey to growing up into successful, Quest School in Monroe. Jo Ann, a retired special education remarkable young ladies who touch everyone they meet through teacher, says the girls have so many gifts besides their vocal talent. their music, their strong faith in God and their genuine love for “They have the gift of mercy,” she says. “You would think they others. “I think God always intended for them to have a music don’t know what’s going on in the world, but they understand ministry,” says Theresa Brandle, a family friend. “They sing from everything and at nighttime, that is part of their prayers. They the heart and it speaks to the soul.” ask plenty of questions. They are extremely gifted and their gifts Toni Catherine Adams and Jeannie Frances Adams are identical are from God.” twins, born 23 years ago to parents Judy and Gary Adams. But, “When the lady at Brookshire’s asked me what kind of flowers according to their mother, Judy, something happened in utero. to put on their birthday cake, it was either roses or some other “The eggs split in half and the wires processing language got kind of flower I can’t remember, I said roses. Definitely roses. crossed. Doctors called it the ‘twinning affect.’” As they grew These girls are roses,” their mother Judy Adams said proudly. older, Judy, who teaches the hearing impaired for the Ouachita

by Bonny Van May 2015 17

HISPANIC corner

por Rosalba Quiroz 318-868-4441

Mayo; Mes dedicado a María, Madre de Dios y Madre Nuestra

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lugar en el albergue” (Lc. 2, 7), hasta el Calvario aría es madre y toda madre se preocupa (Jn. 19, 25). sobre todo por la salud de sus hijos, Una buena mamá acompaña a los niños sabe cuidar con amor grande y tierno. en el crecimiento, en sus desafíos y a tomar La Virgen custodia nuestra salud. ¿Qué quiere decisiones definitivas con libertad. Esto no es decir esto? Pienso sobre todo en tres aspectos: nos fácil. Pero una madre sabe hacerlo. ¿Qué significa ayuda a crecer, a afrontar la vida, a ser libres. libertad? Libertad no es hacer todo lo que uno Una mamá ayuda a los hijos a crecer, por ello quiere, dejarse dominar por las pasiones, vivir sin los educa a no ceder a la pereza, a no conformarse discernimiento, seguir las modas del momento. con una vida cómoda que se contenta sólo con La libertad se nos dona ¡para que sepamos tener cosas. Los cuida para que crezcan fuertes, escoger las cosas buenas en la vida! María como capaces de asumir responsabilidades, de asumir buena madre nos educa a ser, como Ella, capaces compromisos en la vida, de tender hacia grandes de tomar decisiones definitivas, con la libertad ideales. El Evangelio de san Lucas dice que, en plena con la que respondió “sí” al plan de Dios. la familia de Nazaret, Jesús” iba creciendo y se (Lc 1, 38). fortalecía, lleno de sabiduría, y la gracia de Dios ¡Qué difícil es, en nuestro tiempo, tomar estaba con él” (Lc 2, 40).

Sandro Botticelli - The Virgin and Child, December 31, 1479 decisiones definitivas! Somos víctimas de una Una mamá piensa en la salud de sus hijos, tendencia que nos empuja a lo efímero… ¡como educándolos a afrontar las dificultades de si deseáramos permanecer adolescentes toda la vida! ¡No tengamos la vida. No evitando los problemas, como si la vida fuera una miedo de compromisos definitivos! ¡De esta manera, nuestra vida autopista sin obstáculos sino mirando con realismo los problemas será fecunda! ¡Esto es libertad! Tener el coraje de tomar decisiones de la vida sin perderse en ellos. Afrontando con valentía, no siendo con grandeza. Es lo que te pedimos, Oh María. débiles, y sabiendo superar, en un sano equilibrio entre las áreas de Alocución Mariana del Papa Francisco ante la Salus Populi seguridad y las zonas de riesgo. Una vida sin retos no existe y un Romani, Basílica de Santa María la Mayor de Roma, Mayo 4 del chico o una chica que no sepa afrontarlos poniéndose en juego ¡no tiene columna vertebral! María vivió muchos momentos difíciles en 2013 Traducción: Cecilia de Malak. Artículo adaptado de Aciprensa. org.. RV. su vida, desde el nacimiento de Jesús, cuando para ellos “no había

Calendario del Mes de Mayo del 2015 2-3 Taller para escoger Título de Libro de la Pascua – SEPI, Baton Rouge, LA

16 Encuentro Provincial en preparación al Día Mundial de las Familias. New Orleans. 9 am – 5 pm

9 Segunda reunión en preparación de retiro Búsqueda, Centro Católico, 11 am – 4 pm.

22-24 Entrenamiento para traer retiro Emaús para mujeres, Miami, FL.

16 Ordenación de diácono Jerry Daigle al sacerdocio, Catedral, 10:00 a.m.

22-24 Entrenamiento para traer retiro Emaús para hombres, Miami, FL. 6 de Junio - Escuela de Fe, Parroquia de Santo Tomás de Aquino, Ruston, LA 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

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across the

Vatican Information Services

by Vatican Information Services

Bull of Indiction for the Jubilee of Mercy

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atican City (VIS) – Following the first announcement of the next extraordinary Holy Year by Pope Francis on March 13, the Holy Father proceeded with the official indiction of the Jubilee of Mercy with the publication of the Bull of Indiction on Saturday April 11, at 5.30 pm in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The rite of publication involved the reading of various passages of the Bull before the Holy Door of the Vatican Basilica.

Pope Francis subsequently presided at the celebration of First Vespers of Divine Mercy Sunday, thus underlining in a particular way the fundamental theme of the extraordinary Holy Year: God’s Mercy.

The term bull (from the Latin bulla = bubble or, more generally, a rounded object) originally indicated the metal capsule used to protect the wax seal attached with a cord to a document of particular importance, to attest to its authenticity and, as a consequence, its authority. Over time, the term began

to be used first to indicate the seal, then the document itself, so that nowadays it is used for all papal documents of special importance that bear, or at least traditionally would have borne, the Pontiff’s seal.

The bull for the indiction of a jubilee, for instance in the case of an extraordinary Holy Year, aside from indicating its time, with the opening and closing dates and the main ways in which it will be implemented, constitutes the fundamental document for recognizing the spirit in which it is announced, and the intentions and the outcomes hoped for by the Pontiff, who invokes it for the Church.

In the case of the last two extraordinary Holy Years, 1933 and 1983, the Bull of Indiction was published on the occasion of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. For the next extraordinary Holy Year, the choice of the occasion on which the publication of the Bull will take place clearly demonstrates the Holy Father’s particular attention to the theme of Mercy.

Pope meets detainees at Poggioreale penitentiary

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atican City (VIS) – On March 22, the Pope visited the Giuseppe Salvia Penitentiary in Poggioreale.

Upon arrival he was welcomed by the director of the centre and the chaplain, and he greeted the detainees from the forecourt of the institution. The Holy Father handed them a brief written discourse, several paragraphs of which are reproduced below: “At times we feel disillusioned, discouraged, abandoned by everyone, but God does not forget his children – He never abandons them. He is always at our side, especially in times of difficulty; the Father is ‘rich in mercy�. ... This is a certainty that gives comfort and hope, especially in difficult and sad times.

Although we have erred in life, the Lord never tires of showing us the way back to the path and encounter with Him. … It is a fundamental certainty for us: nothing can separate us from the love of God! Not even the bars of a prison.”

“Dear brothers, I know your painful

situations: I receive many letters – some truly moving – from prisons around the world. Inmates often live in conditions unworthy of human beings, and subsequently are unable to reintegrate into society. But, thanks be to God, there are also leaders, chaplains, educators, pastoral workers who know how to stay close to you in the right way. There are some good and meaningful experiences of reintegration. We must work on this, to develop these positive experiences, so they help nurture a different attitude in the civil community and also in the community of the Church. At the basis of this commitment is the conviction that love can always transform the human person.”

“I invite you to live every day, every moment in the presence of God, to Whom the future of the world and of man belong. This is Christian hope: the future is in God�s hands. History makes sense because it is inhabited by God�s goodness.”

VAtICAN news & notes • Pope Francis remembered the 10th anniversary of the death of St. John Paul II. “We remember him as a great witness to Christ in His suffering, death and resurrection, and invoke his intercession for us, for the family, for the Church, so that the light of resurrection may shine over all the shadows of our life and fill us with joy and peace.”

•Pope Francis has written a letter to Fr. Saverio Cannistra, prepositor general of the Order of Descalced Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, to commemorate the fifth centenary of the birth of St. Teresa of Jesus and and to participate in the giving of thanks for the charism of this “remarkable woman.”

• On March 27, shortly after 5:00pm, Pope Francis went to the Sistine Chapel to greet the 150 homeless persons who had been invited to visit the Vatican Museums through an initiative of the Office of Papal Charities. After shaking hands with those he met, he addressed the group saying: “Welcome. This is the house of all; this is your house. The doors are always open to all.”

• This coming June 6, Pope Francis will visit Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The slogan of the visit will be "Peace Be With You" and the logo is a dove with an olive branch. At the presentation, Cardinal Vinko Puljic, Archbishop of Sarajevo, explained that the slogan and logo were inspired by the Pope's words "when he announced that the purpose of his visit would promote the peace process in Bosnia."

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school NEWS < St. John Berchmans School 5th-8th grade Science Olympiad team won its eighth consecutive Regional title on March 21st, on the campus of Bossier Parish Community College.

The team of 15 members competed in 23 events, winning 14 first place and six second place medals. St. John Berchmans School competed at the State Science Olympiad Tournament on Saturday, April 18 in Hammond, LA, where they won their seventh consecutive state championship title!

^ The Loyola College Prep Science Bowl Team won second place in the multistate Department of Energy Southern Regional Competition March 7 at the University of New Orleans. The Flyers defeated the Baton Rouge Magnet B team and advanced to the final round against the Baton Rouge Magnet A team. The team finished second after losing to the 2014 fourth place National Science Bowl team. > On March 19th, St. Joseph School celebrated the feast of their patron, St. Joseph, with a “Fathers' Day” Mass. As they gathered to give thanks and praise to God for his son Jesus and for His earthly father, St. Joseph, they also honored all of their earthly fathers and father figures. At the end of Mass, Fr. Michael Thang'wa asked all fathers/father figures present to come forward for a special blessing. Students also got to participate in honoring St. Joseph by donating requested items for the altar, such as pasta, pineapples, oranges and sauce, and visiting the altar once it was ready.

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^ Fifth and sixth graders of Jesus the Good Shepherd School did a wonderful job depicting the Stations of the Cross during Holy Week. It was a wonderful reminder of what Christ went through to save us. Everyone really enjoyed this beautiful and moving performance.

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Saturday March 14th, a group of youth and their families from St. Jude Parish enjoyed fellowship while serving as good stewards of creation and enriching the community through work at the Red River National Wildlife Refuge in Bossier City. They worked together preparing to Create a Nature Discovery Play Area by constructing a walkway, building benches and doing landscaping.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Church Ladies Guild, hosted the quarterly Catholic Women’s League Luncheon on Tuesday, March 10th, beginning at 9:30 am. The theme was St. Patrick. Over 100 people attended the delicious meal of baked chicken, sweet potatoes, Irish Jell-o, and pound cake. Deacon Clary Nash was guest speaker and gave a history of St. Patrick, who was not Irish, but through his deep faith, converted a barbarian nation to a Christian nation, helping to save civilization in the 5th Century.

Fr. Tim Hurd helped kick off this year's first Theology on Tap for Young Adults at Tacomania in Shreveport on March 16. He spoke to those in attendance about forgiveness.

On March 25th, the Parish School of Religion Kindergarten class at St. Joseph Parish in Zwolle presented The Last Supper Play.

St. Ann Church in Ebarb held an Appreciation Supper for Fr. Jéan Bosco on March 19 in the church hall. Fr. Bosco has been assigned to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Shreveport. Parishioners from St. Ann and St. Joseph gathered for a covered dish meal to bid farewell to Father Bosco and wish him well on his new assignment. Several of the folks stayed to take a group picture with Fr. Bosco.

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upcoming EVENTS May 1: Red Mass On Friday, May 1, Holy Trinity Parish will host the annual Western Deanery Red Mass. The Mass, which traditionally honors judges, lawyers and court officials, will begin at 9:00 a.m.

May 3-7: Mission at the Cathedral with Fr. Wade Menezes, CPM Fr. Wade will begin the Mission May 3 after the 5:30 p.m. Mass and will speak on “Be Faithful to Daily Duty.” It will last Monday through Thursday.

The mission will begin with confession at 5:00 p.m., the Mission at 6:30, followed by confession each evening. Fr. Menezes, CPM is a member of the Fathers of Mercy, a missionary preaching Religious Congregation based in Auburn, KY. He has presented spiritual conferences on Catholic Christian doctrine and has been a contributing writer for National Catholic Register and Our Sunday Visitor. He was a guest on EWTN’s “Mother Angelica Live” and “Life on the Rock” and hosted several EWTN series. For more information, contact the Cathedral office at 318-221-5296.

May 16: Priesthood Ordination of Jerry Daigle, Jr. On Saturday, May 16 at 10:00 a.m., at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Deacon Jerry Daigle, Jr. will be ordained to the priesthood. Please join us for this awesome event in the life of the Diocese of Shreveport. For more information, contact Dianne Rachal at the Catholic Center at 318-868-4441 or drachal@dioshpt.org .

May 16: Texas Boys Choir's Spring Concert at the Cathedral The 50 + member youth choir (5th-12th grade) will be in concert at St. John Berchmans Cathedral on Saturday, May 16, following the evening Mass. This concert, which is a mix of secular (Americana, patriotic, pop and folk) and religious music (a portion of the concert is titled “Mass Through the Ages”), promises to be outstanding and unforgettable. The concert will last an hour and 15 minutes, followed by a reception. All are invited!

Tickets are available online: $5 for students; $15 adults; $30 for families. For more information, contact the Cathedral office at 318-221-5296.

May 22-24: Spiritual Director's Annual Conference Dr. Gray Matthews will present "Awakening to Wisdom: Thomas Merton and the Long Art of Contemplation" at the Wesley Center in Woodsworth, LA. For more information, to register and/or become a member, go to louisianaspiritualdirectors. org. This event is open to all Spiritual Directors.

June 6: Retreat for Liturgical Ministers This retreat will take place on Saturday, June 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Catholic Center. This retreat is for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Readers, Music Ministers, Sacristans and Ushers. Registration is $10, and everyone is welcome to register with Brandy Boudreau at bboudreau@dioshpt.org or 318-868-4441.

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heology on Tap is an event for young adults to gather together and learn more about their Catholic faith.

The May event will feature Fr. Matthew Long, whose topic will be, “We Say It Every Week... What Does the Creed Actually Mean?”

Join us at Tacomania in Shreveport (641 E Kings Hwy) on May 18, at 7:00 p.m.

For a chance to win a free dinner, like our Facebook page “Theology on Tap - Shreveport” and join the May TOT event.

These events will be monthly and we look forward to sharing in many future events.

For more information, contact Kevin with the Office of Campus, Youth and Young Adult Ministry at 318-868-4441 or kprevou@ dioshpt.org.

We hope to see you there!

2 0 1 5 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

At this time I / we are enclosing:

$200 $150 $100 $_______

$_____________

Print Name________________________________________________________________________________

Diocese of Shreveport The Catholic Center 3500 Fairfield Avenue Shreveport, LA 71104 www.dioshpt.org

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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)

calendar

may 2015

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

SATURDAY

26 27 28 29 30 1 2 Shreveport Catholic Schools Budget Meeting, Catholic Center, 9am

Confirmation, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport, 11am 2nd Collection: Catholic Home Missions Appeal

St. Peter Chanel, priest & martyr; St. Louis Grignion de Montfort, priest

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Confirmation, St. Joseph Parish, Zwolle, 6pm St. Catherine of Siena, virgin & doctor of the Church

Monroe Catholic Schools Budget Meeting, Catholic Center, 9:30am St. Pius V, pope

Red Mass, Holy Trinity Parish, Shreveport, 9am St. Joseph the Worker

St. Athanasius, bishop & doctor of the Church

Red Mass / May 1

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Protecting God's Children, Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Monroe, 6pm

Give for Good Campaign for Catholic Charities and Catholic Schools

Confirmation, St. Lucy Parish, Hodge, 9am

Deadline for the June Catholic Connection

Deacon & LEM 10th Anniversary Mass, Cathedral, 4pm

Deacon & LEM 10th Anniversary Mass/ May 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Mother's Day

Presbyteral Council Meeting, Catholic Center, 1pm

Sts. Nereus & Achilleus, martyrs; St. Pancras, martyr

Protecting God's Children, Catholic Center, 6pm Our Lady of Fatima

Loyola College Prep Baccalaureate Mass, Cathedral, 6:30pm The Ascension of the Lord

Loyola College Jerry Daigle, Jr's Prep Graduation; Ordination to RiverView Hall the Priesthood, and Theater, Cathedral of St. 6:30pm John Berchmans, 10am St. Isidore 2nd Collection: Catholic Communications Campaign

Daigle Ordination / May 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 2nd Collection: Catholic Communications Campaign

Confirmation, Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Minden, 10:30am

St. Frederick High School Baccalaureate Mass & Graduation, St. Frederick High School, 5pm

Confirmation, Christ the King Parish, Bossier City, 6:30pm

St. Bernardine of Siena, priest, & companions, martyrs

St. John I, pope & martyr

St. Christopher Magallanes, priest, & companions, martyrs

St. Rita of Cascia, religious

PEntecost /May 24

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Pentecost Sunday

Confirmation, St. Joseph Parish, Shreveport 3pm

Memorial Day

St. Bede the Venerable, priest & doctor of the Church; St. Gregory VII, pope; St. Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi, virgin

St. Philip Neri, priest

St. Augustine of Canterbury, bishop

2nd Collection: Diocesan Retired Priests Fund

2nd Collection: Diocesan Retired Priests Fund

Confirmation, St. Paschal Parish, Minden, 4:15pm

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DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave.

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Shreveport, LA 71104

Fairfield

Photo of the month by

Marcos Villalba

Over 160 youth from the Diocese of Shreveport attended Abbey Youth Fest the weekend of March 21 at St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict, LA for an exciting and spirit-filled weekend and to support our three seminarians in school there: Steven Griego, Kevin Mues and Martin Aviles!

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