The Catholic Connection July 2018

Connection The Catholic

Ordination of Father Duane TROMBETTA to the Priesthood

Vol. 27, No. `10 July 2018

Connection The Catholic

Publisher Bishop Michael G. Duca

Priest Assignments

The following priest assignments are effective July 1, 2018.

Editor Jessica Rinaudo Contributors Jim Beadles Bishop Michael Duca Jamie Jett Raney Johnson Kim Long Fr. Matthew Long Lucy Medvec Fr. Rothell Price Sr. Martinette Rivers

Rosalba Quiroz Jessica Rinaudo Samuel Rottman Katie Sciba Sr. Heather Sikes Jane Snyder Stephanie Stanley Mike Van Vranken John Mark Willcox

Editorial Board Lisa Cooper Kim Long Fr. Matthew Long Dianne Rachal Melina Sanchez Randy Tiller Deacon Mike Whitehead John Mark Willcox Mission Statement The Catholic Connection is a monthly publication funded by your Diocesan Stewardship Appeal; mailed to every known Catholic household in the Diocese of Shreveport. Our Mission is to advance knowledge and understanding of our Catholic Faith among the faithful. We seek to foster the application of Christ’s teachings and our Church’s mission in our daily lives and to encourage our sense of Catholic identity within our family, parish, and diocesan faith community.

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

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

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

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

2 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Madden

Ampatt

Kamau

Kuriakose

Onyach

Posadas

Price

Thang'wa

Thirumangalam

Trombetta

Provenza

Rev. Joseph Ampatt

Parochial Vicar, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Shreveport

Rev. Francis Kamau, FMH

Pastor, St. John the Baptist Parish, Many and St. Terence Church, Toledo Bend

Rev. Biju, Kuriakose, CMI

Parochial Vicar, St. Joseph Parish, Shreveport

Rev. Patrick Madden

Retiring from active ministry

Rev. Nicholas Owino Onyach, FMH

Pastor, Mary, Queen of Peace Parish, Bossier City and St. George Church, Coushatta

Rev. José Antonio Posadas, OFM

Pastor, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Ruston

Very Rev. Rothell Price

Pastor, Holy Trinity Parish, Shreveport

Rev. Msgr. Earl V. Provenza

Retiring from active ministry

Rev. Michael Thang’wa, FMH

Pastor, St. Mary of the Pines Parish, Shreveport and Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Shreveport

Rev. George Thirumangalam, CMI

Pastor, St. Benedict Parish, Grambling and St. Lucy Parish, Hodge

Rev. Duane Trombetta

Parochial Vicar, St. Joseph Parish, Zwolle

CONTENTS

17

FEATURES 14 Ordination of Father Duane

Trombetta to the Priesthood

by Jessica Rinaudo

COLUMNS 5

BISHOP'S REFLECTION

6

MIKE'S MEDITATIONS

7

LIBRARY NOTES

16

Make Your Daily Routine Positive

by Bishop Michael G. Duca

Feast Days & Holidays

by Joan Marie Arbogast Review by Jessica Rinaudo

8

FAITHFUL FOOD

9

Our Touchstones

by Kim Long

DOMESTIC CHURCH

The Freedom to Discover God’s Truth

by Katie Sciba

10 FROM THE POPE

Live with the Strength of Life from Vatican Information Systems

11 NAVIGATING THE FAITH

Humanae Vitae’s Unheeded Warning

by Fr. Matthew Long

12 SECOND COLLECTIONS

Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa

by Fr. Rothell Price

13 VOCATIONS VIEW

Spanish Immersion

by Raney Johnson

26 KIDS' CONNECTION

14

Reaction vs. Response

by Mike Van Vranken

Saint Ignatius of Loyola

NEWS 16 Gabriel’s Closet Prepares Couple for

Parenthood

by Lucy Medvec

17 Sister Heather Sikes, OLS Makes

First Profession of Vows a Q&A with Sr. Heather Sikes, OLS

18 Bread or Stones: An Ecumenical

Campaign for Children in Louisiana

by Samuel Rottman

23 Roaming Catholic:

Mass & Vacation

by Stephanie Feducia Stanley

24 School News 27 Hispanic News 28 Around the Diocese 30 Mark Your Calendar

On the Cover

19 Ignatian Spirituality and Spiritual

Direction

by Sr. Martinette Rivers, OLS

20 The Society of St. Vincent de Paul

by Jim Beadles

20 Diocese of Shreveport Welcomes

New Chancellor

21 Semmes Memorial Burse

by John Mark Willcox

22 Christian Service: Feeding the Hungry

by Jane Snyder 22 World Youth Day and Mission Trip

by Jamie Jett

Bishop Michael Duca lays hands upon Duane Trombetta, ordaining him as a priest for the Diocese of Shreveport.

Photo: Jessica Rinaudo Location: Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport JULY 2018 3

LA REFLEXIÓN DEL OBISPO

Has que Sea Positiva Tu Rutina Diaria por Obispo Michael G. Duca

F

inalmente hemos llegado al TIEMPO ORDINARIO. Cada uno vivimos de maneras diferentes por ejemplo yo como obispo sigo mi vida de acuerdo al Año Litúrgico. Desde el 14 de Febrero de este año, “en lo que concierne a la Iglesia” hemos ya pasado las temporadas especiales de Cuaresma, Pascua, la Fiesta de la Ascensión del Señor, Pentecostés y hasta los domingos de la Celebración de Corpus Christi y la semana pasada, 4 de Junio, la Celebración de la Santísima Trinidad.

Este domingo, 10 de Junio del 2018, me doy cuenta, al escribir este artículo, que finalmente regresamos al Tiempo Ordinario.

El Tiempo Ordinario llama al uso de la vestimenta verde y será así hasta el primer Domingo de Adviento cuando cambiamos por la preparación a la Navidad. Supongo que para muchos esta temporada de Tiempo Ordinario es sorprendente ya que la cultura siempre trata de estar al día con lo nuevo y emocionante, además de tratar de quitar lo anticuado, ordinario, y aburrido a nuestras vidas.

Entre más avanza mi edad, más trato de preservar una cierta rutina en mi vida diaria, que como obispo sé que es diferente.

Necesito algunos momentos durante el día que son rutinarios pero que puedan darme el tiempo para orar, ofrecer la Eucaristía, hacer lecturas espirituales, y estudiar.

4 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Una rutina que se basa en programar lo ordinario pero formada intencionalmente alrededor de valores espirituales y eternos es vivificante y se refleja en nuestra vida y lo que es más importante, nos beneficia a nosotros mismos y a nuestras familias.

Mientras iba creciendo en Dallas, estas eran algunas de las rutinas de nuestra familia: la cena familiar todas las noches, asistir a Misa los domingos en familia; sin excepción, los quehaceres en la casa, y siempre almorzar pasta los domingos. Mi vida familiar fue formada en estas rutinas sólidas que marcaban de una manera positiva la vida de nuestra familia. Eran rutinas intencionadas que mantenían conectada a la familia con Dios y el amor familiar que dio estabilidad y buenos frutos a nuestras vidas. Las rutinas familiares enseñan a los niños las partes importantes de la vida familiar y ayudan a desarrollar hábitos buenos para su futura familia.

La rutina es importante para crear una vida de oración fructífera porque nosotros tomamos la decisión intencionada de tomar tiempo para estar en silencio y crear un espacio diario para tener a una conversación fiel con Dios. Tener la firme intención durante el día de decir, “Este es mi tiempo de orar,” es una manera de incorporar verdaderamente una buena rutina que transforma todo el día. Sin embargo, si las rutinas no se hacen intencionalmente, pueden ser una carga, o más aún una mala influencia en nuestras vidas.

Necesitamos meditar sobre que rutinas inconscientes hacemos en nuestras vidas.

Ver las cosas que hacemos diariamente sin pensar, pero que son como ese ruidito a nuestro rededor que obstruye en medio de la actividad diaria. Como la radio que escuchamos en la mañana, la televisión que se queda prendida mientras hacemos otras actividades, revisar el celular y las redes sociales constantemente son acciones que inconscientemente hacemos gran parte de nuestra rutina regular. Aunque no parezca obvio, hay rutinas como elegir cosas o actividades que parecen positivas pero que nos distraen de cosas que nos podrían beneficiar más. Quizás, sin pensar, prendemos la televisión al estar para no estar en silencio porque nos sentimos incómodos pero el silencio es bueno y aun necesario al igual que la oración.

El Tiempo Ordinario y las rutinas son buenas, pero de vez en cuando debemos examinarlas para estar seguros que forman una estructura santa y virtuosa para nuestras vidas. Dedica un día a conocer tus rutinas diarias y ve si encuentras algunas actividades que debas quitar de tu agenda para que puedas añadir en ese espacio nuevas actividades que ayuden a crear una rutina más fructífera en tu vida.

Aquí hay algunas sugerencias nuevas que quizás consideres añadir a tu vida y que te ayudarán a nutrir tu fe Católica: 1) Aprende y empieza cada día con una ofrenda en las mañanas.

Ponte una meta espiritual para el día.

2) Ofrece un tiempo para rezar el Rosario todos los días.

3) Dedica tiempo para ir a la Misa diaria o a visitar tu iglesia o capilla.

4) Busca un libro espiritual o tu propia Biblia y lee un poco todos los días.

5) Programa y haz el compromiso de orar por lo menos 15 minutos al día.

6) Aprende y ora el Ángelus a las 12:00 y 6:00p.m.

7) Has una breve examinación de conciencia antes de dormir, reconociendo faltas y agradeciendo la gracia recibida. Después, has una pequeña meta espiritual para el siguiente día y reafírmala en la mañana con tu ofrenda. •

BISHOP'S REFLECTION

Make Your Daily Routine Positive

by Bishop Michael G. Duca

W

e finally made it to ORDINARY TIME. We all track our lives in many ways, but for me as a bishop, I track my life by the liturgical seasons. From February 14th of this year, we have been “church-wise,” in special seasons beginning with Lent, the Easter season, the Feast of the Ascension, ending with Pentecost and then followed the past two Sundays with the Feast of Corpus Christi and last Bishop Duca week, June 4th, the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. This Sunday, as I write this article, June 10, 2018, we are finally back to Ordinary Time.

Ordinary Time is noted with green vestments and will mark our liturgical prayer life until the first Sunday of Advent in November. I suppose it is surprising to be looking forward to the “ordinary,” especially in a culture that is always trying to entice with the new and exciting, putting down the old-fashioned, ordinary and boring stuff of our lives.

As I get older, I work hard to preserve a certain routine because my everyday life as a bishop is so different. I need some parts of the day that are predictable and regular so I can make time for prayer, Mass and some spiritual reading and study. An intentional, ordinary daily routine or schedule, when built around spiritual and eternal values, is life-giving and helps us to reflect on our lives and what is most important to us and to our families.

Growing up in Dallas, some of our ordinary family routines were: family meals together every night, going to Sunday Mass as a family without exception, chores around the house and always pasta for lunch on Sundays. My family life growing up was built around these solid routines that supported our family life. They were intentional routines that keep us connected with God and supported us in meeting the demands of love to help build a life-giving stability in our lives. Family routines also teach children the important parts of family life and help them to develop good habits for their future family.

Routine is important to creating a fruitful prayer

life because we make the intentional decision to set aside a time to be quiet and create a space for a faithful conversation with God each day. This idea that during the day I can say, “This is my prayer time,” is a way to incorporate in a real way a good routine that can be transformative to the whole day.

But, routines if they are not intentional, can be a burden or even a bad influence in our lives.

We should reflect on the unconscious routines of our lives. These are all the things we do everyday without thinking, but are like the white noise of activity around us. The radio we turn on in the morning, the TV always running in the background, regularly checking our phone and surfing the internet, may all be unconscious actions that are part of our very regular but unconscious routine. While it may not be obvious, our routines in life can be choosing positive things, or we can choose activities that distract us from things we want to avoid, but would be good for us. We might, without thinking, routinely turn on a television when there is a quiet space because we are uncomfortable with quiet or with prayer.

Ordinary Time and routines are good for us, but we must from time to time examine our routines to be sure they are forming a holy and virtuous framework for our lives. Spend a day becoming aware of your own daily routine and see if you can find some activities to subtract from your schedule so you can add a new, good activity that will help you make your routine more life-giving.

Here are a few new routines you may wish to consider adding to your life to nurture your Catholic faith: 1) Learn and begin each day with the Morning Offering. Set a spiritual goal for the day.

2) Make time to pray the rosary each day.

3) Make time to go to daily Mass or make a visit to your church or adoration chapel.

4) Find a spiritual book or pick up your Bible and read a little every day.

5) Commit and schedule at least 15 minutes each day for a time of prayer.

6) Learn and pray the Angelus at 12:00 noon and 6:00 p.m. each day.

7) Make a brief examination of conscience each evening, acknowledging faults and being thankful for the graces received. Then, make a small spiritual goal for the next day to be reaffirmed with your morning offering. • JULY 2018 5

MIKE'S MEDITATIONS

Reaction vs Response

by Mike Van Vranken

H

ave you ever found yourself excited after a great Sunday homily? Or, maybe you’ve heard a religious leader say something that confused you or even made you mad. And of course, there is that way-too-common reaction when we hear some moral message and think to ourselves: “I sure hope ... (fill in the blank) heard that sermon. In other words, we can react in many diverse and varied ways. But we have this human tendency to think most good preaching is meant for someone else and not for us.

Van Vranken A recent sermon on love, watched and heard by over 48 million people in the U.S. and U.K. alone, provoked an array of reactions that can make one wonder if we all watched and listened to the same preacher. One person convincingly said it was a “message for the ages.”

Another sarcastically tweeted that the preacher selfishly made his comments all about himself. Many were excited to proclaim the message as “what the world needed to hear.” And, many more decried it as “too long.” One even confessed how bored he felt listening to the “lecture on love.”

In each of these examples, we are talking about reactions. These are the feelings that well up within us when we see or hear something that moves us in such a way that we become emotionally changed – at least for the moment. But the real question we sometimes fail to ask ourselves is: “How will I respond?”

This question inspires us to look within; to confront the person in the mirror; to search our very heart and ask: “What am I being called to do as a result of hearing this teaching?” And if we choose to do nothing, then nothing is our response.

St. Paul said it this way: “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect” Romans 12:2. I think he’s telling us to listen to God’s words through preaching or reading, and whatever our reactions are, (joy, boredom, relief, peace, impatience, confusion... ), take those feelings to God and find out how He wants us to be transformed; to change; to be different.

If we go back to our example of the sermon on love, we can feel all rosy

6 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

inside thinking about how the world would be if everyone loved everyone. Feeling rosy would be our reaction. But then the real work comes. To look within my own heart and ask: “How loving am I?" Paul doesn’t tell us to transform other people. He says to transform ourselves. I have to honestly and courageously take my own “love inventory” and see (Jesus loves healing the blind), where I am missing the mark. (By the way, did you know that the Greek word for sin in the New Testament means: “to miss the mark?”)

Let me make this suggestion: every time we read a scripture; every time we hear a sermon or homily; every time we read a spiritual document or attend a Christian teaching or presentation; besides listening intellectually, let’s then experience the message internally. We do this by identifying our reactions, our feelings, those sensations and emotions calmly moving or even raging within us, and take them to God; asking him to vividly and explicitly show us where these reactions are coming from and how he wants us to specifically and even radically change our lives. How does God want me to respond? Once we have discerned God’s will (Romans 12:2), then we can respond with: “Yes, Lord, I will be transformed according to your will.” Or, “No, Lord, I will not change, even for you.” Either way, that’s our response.

Does this seem difficult? At times, it will be. I think that’s what Jesus meant when he said: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” Matthew 16:24. And I also believe it’s what he meant when he told Paul that his grace was sufficient for Paul (2 Corinthians 12:9). We can and should pray constantly for God’s grace to sustain and even empower us. Your Spiritual Director can very reverently and gently help you with this practice as well.

Reactions are our way of emotionally receiving any stimuli. Responses are what we do about it.

If we always seek God’s will before we respond, we will realize transformation on a daily basis. • Mike is a spiritual director, author, speaker and teacher. You can contact him at mikevanvranken@comcast.net

LIBRARY NOTES

Feast Days & Holidays

by Joan Marie Arbogast Reviewed by Jessica Rinaudo

F

east Days and Holidays by Joan Marie Arbogast is a teaching tool for Catholic parents and teachers to not only share the significance of the Catholic faith and the life of the saints with children, but to also provide activities and prayers to help make those lessons memorable.

Published in a spiral bound format, Feast Days and Holidays is organized in sequential order for the year. For each feast day and holiday in the book, there are pages that can be reproduced for handouts, crafts, puzzles, recipes and activities.

There is also information about the particular feast day, liturgical season or holiday, explaining what it is, incorporating both scripture and the saints to explain why it’s important in the life of the Church.

To me, one of the best parts of this book is that it takes holidays that aren’t necessarily Church holidays, like Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day and Earth Day, and extrapolates

a message of love and social justice that ties in with the mission of the universal Catholic Church.

The activities in the book can easily be adapted for different age groups, and most can be done with items found around the house. Activities encourage children to be humble servants, as well as teach them about solemnities and liturgical colors.

I know that as a mother, I often find myself struggling for the best ways to teach the faith – and all that entails – to my children. I appreciate that Feast Days and Holidays provides some concrete tools to do that, as well as help me incorporate things separate from the Church into our faith lives.

I recommend this book to catechists, teachers and especially parents who find it challenging to teach the faith and help little ones remember the message.

I found that by going through the book with my children, I even learned a few things along the way. •

Other Books to Consider

Slattery Library News & Notes What's New?

Good News! Slattery Library is now open every week day from 9am to 1pm! The Catholic Center welcomes our new Administrative Assistant for the Library and Cemetery, Kate Rhea.

Kate is available to help patrons research information, search and select reading material, and even host group meetings in the library. With themed displays each month and many newly cataloged materials ready to borrow, our library is revitalized and ready to serve our patrons.

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

Visit the Slattery Library Visit the Slattery Library inside the Catholic Center!

The library is open Monday Friday from 9am to 1pm.

Feast Days and Holidays is published by Pauline Books & Media, the publishing house of the Daughters of St. Paul, and available to purchase at www.CatholicCompany.com and Amazon.com. It can also be borrowed from the Catholic Center's Slattery Library.

3500 Fairfield Avenue Shreveport, LA 71104 318-868-4441 JULY 2018 7

FAITHFUL FOOD

Our Touchstones

by Kim Long

W

hen my children were young and housework was sometimes overwhelming, if I could find one surface, counter top, end table or corner of a room, that was completely in order I was encouraged Long to go to the next spot and reclaim it in the name of orderliness. This exercise comforted and assured me that chaos was not the victor and kept me coping with a small home and four very busy little boys, a husband and many friends.

Years later I still “play this game,” finding the one space which is exactly as it should be, calmness ensues and then I can begin to clear away the clutter and chaos (inner and outer).

I called this space a touchstone.

Over the years I began to recognize other things as touchstones and they did not all have to do with cleaning my home.

I go to Mass when I travel. This has led me to some amazing experiences as well as some underwhelming ones. In both scenarios there are certain things which catch my attention and remind me that all really is well; the smell of a church anywhere in the world which is to me the fragrance of hope and faith, the priest intoning the phrase which settles us all in, “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,” the calm which settles over me once I recognize this age old rhythm, these serve to calm me, to center me.

Touchstones.

On family vacation there is not so much a thing to which I can point but an energy which is felt by all present regardless of our differences (and believe me, we have them). We are a family, we share connections through telling family stories, listening to a song which coaxes a memory to surface and light, 8 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Daddy’s Leisurely French Toast Ingredients: • 1 loaf Texas toast • 6 whole eggs • whipping cream (1 to 2 pints) • 1 tsp cinnamon • ½ tsp. cloves • 1 tsp. vanilla • butter (unsalted) Directions: 1) In a large bowl, whisk eggs until blended well.

2) Add whipping cream, cinnamon, cloves and vanilla extract.

3) Soak several pieces of the bread in the egg and cream mixture. Let bread soak in mixture one or two slices at a time. Bread will become saturated but don’t leave in so long it is falling apart.

4) Place slices on hot buttered griddle and brown to your taste on each side.

one of family togetherness, the feel of my oldest child’s arms around me, the way my grandson’s hand feels small in my own hand, even the shared pain of loss deepens our bond.

So it is with cooking. I admit there are times that I come home from work and am “starving,” but cast around in the pantry or fridge and nothing suits which really means I am hungry for something more, a touchstone waiting to reveal itself. This is when every single experience that surfaces brings an accompanying food. When I think of my grandmother, I remember the cake I made for her birthday, my mother and aunt brought their own dishes and my dad made delicious French toast.

A touchstone is defined as a foundation or quintessential part of a feature.

This passage from 1st Timothy 6: 1819, speaks to our subject, “Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share storing up for themselves the treasure of a good

6) Enjoy with your choice of toppings, syrup, preserves, powdered sugar or whipped cream!

Note: Use real butter on the griddle and monitor the temperature closely to prevent scorching of the butter. (If, however, butter is something you need to omit – substitute 1 tsp. of butter flavored extract in the batter itself and use non stick pan spray).

foundation, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.”

Touchstones surround and enfold us if we choose to see, hear and, yes, even taste them. They help us build a foundation in this world and the more connected to God we become the more we see the foundation was always there, beneath us, supporting us all our days.

Here is my dad ’s delicious French toast recipe, that he prepared “when he had the time.” Recalling him with a dishtowel over his shoulder, whistling, and “rustling up some breakfast” is another touchstone, a piece of that foundation and it fills me with delight.

May your summer find you enjoying all the delights and navigating the challenges each day holds and bring you to a deeper connection to the One who holds us all together. • Kim Long is the Director of Religious Education at St. Mary of the Pines Parish in Shreveport, LA.

DOMESTIC CHURCH

The Freedom to Discover God’s Truth

by Katie Sciba

“

E

very generation of Americans needs to know that freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.” Pope St. John Paul II’s wisdom was spoken directly to an American congregation during his October 1995 visit. In visiting the land of the free, he clearly articulated what Sciba true liberty is. In such a wealthy nation, most of us are able to do what we like. We have options in marriage, work and leisure; and while wonderful, this is not the makings of freedom. When that which the Lord compels us to do – what we ought to do – is unbarred by law, society, or even personal hesitation, then we know the bliss of freedom.

Discover what you “ought” Our vocations are our life’s work - the call of God to love through being what He made us to be. Some callings are universal (and pretty obvious) because the Lord spelled them out in the Commandments; but God’s will for our lives is also revealed through the gifts and charisms He has given us individually. For example, my husband is blessed with visual creativity that makes him a fantastic video producer; my desire to live simply keeps our home hospitable to its sweet occupants. Another indication of how the Lord calls us is examining what could be called “holy unrest” within us. The injustices that make us want to jump up and act are the ones Jesus nudges us toward so we can bring His love and mercy. Causes as wide as the pro-life movement or as local as classroom bullying need us to diffuse the wrong.

Cut back on what doesn’t mesh It’s a thrill to finally do what the Lord made us to do, and to be what He made us to be. Moving forward though, we can begin identifying what holds us back.

If work imposes on our marriages, we can rearrange our schedules or cut back an hour or two. For teens who need less

time online and more of a life lived to the fullest, switch them to a “dumb” phone, reduce social media and give more real life experiences. With the Lord’s help, we can give the boot to whatever stands between us and saying yes to God. Embrace the grace One of my favorite Gospel stories is The Rich Young Man. After accounting for his own faithfulness, a young man asks Jesus what he must do to gain eternal life. Jesus tells the man to sell his possessions, give the money to the poor, and follow him. For the rich young man, this feels impossible and he walks away feeling crushed. I wish so much that he would have stuck around and asked Jesus for help, for grace, to do what he felt he couldn’t. Whatever it is He desires for our lives – what we ought to do – Jesus is ready to shower grace upon grace for us to do it. The Lord doesn’t intend for us to proceed alone, and asking Jesus to be with us strengthens us to do what we otherwise couldn’t.

In all circumstances, what we ought to do is clear. As men and women made in the image and likeness of God, we ought to live fully, we ought to be channels of Jesus’ mercy by loving others and ourselves and we ought to follow the Lord’s call for our lives by asking for His grace. • Katie Sciba is married to Andrew. Together they have five children. She is the author of thecatholicwife.net.

Prayer for the Protection of

Religious Liberty from usccb.org

O God our Creator, from Your provident hand we have received our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. You have called us as Your people and given us the right and the duty to worship You, the only true God, and Your Son, Jesus Christ. Through the power and working of Your Holy Spirit, You call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world, bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel to every corner of society.

We ask You to bless us in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty. Give us the strength of mind and heart to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened; give us courage in making our voices heard on behalf of the rights of Your Church and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.

Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father, a clear and united voice to all Your sons and daughters gathered in Your Church in this decisive hour in the history of our nation, so that, with every trial withstood and every danger overcome— for the sake of our children, our grandchildren, and all who come after us—this great land will always be "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

JULY 2018 9

FROM THE POPE

General Audience: Live with Strength of Life from Vatican Information Services

D

ear brothers and sisters, good morning!

June 13 is the feast of Saint Anthony of Padua.

Who among you is called Anthony? An applause to all the “Anthonies.” Today we will begin a new itinerary of catechesis. It will be on the theme of the Commandments. The Commandments of the law of God. To introduce it, let us take as a starting point the passage we have just heard: the encounter between Jesus and a man, he is a young man, who, on his knees, Pope Francis asks Him how he can inherit eternal life (cf.

Mk 10: 17-21). And in that question there is the challenge of every existence: ours too: the desire for a full, infinite life. But how can we arrive at this? What path should we take? To live truly, to live a noble existence. How many young people seek to “live” and then destroy themselves in the pursuit of ephemeral things.

Some think that it is better to extinguish this impulse, the impulse to live, because it is dangerous. I would like to say, especially to the young: our worst enemy is not concrete problems, however serious and dramatic they may be: the greatest danger in life is a poor spirit of adaptation that is not meekness or humility, but rather mediocrity, pusillanimity.

Is a mediocre young person a young person with a future, or not? No! He stays there, he doesn’t grow, he will not be successful. Mediocrity or timidity. Those young people are afraid of everything: “No, I am this way…” These young people will not go ahead. Meekness, strength and no timidity, no mediocrity. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati – who was a young man – used to say that it is necessary to live, not to get by. The mediocre get by. Live with the strength of life. We must ask the heavenly Father, for the young people of today, the gift of a healthy restlessness. But at home, in your houses, in every family, when you see a young person who stays seated all day, at times the mother and father think, “But he is ill, he has something,” and they take him to the doctor. The life of the young person is about going ahead, being restless, healthy restlessness, the capacity not to settle for a life without beauty, without color. If young people are not hungry for authentic life, I wonder, where will humanity end up? Where will humanity end up with quiet young people who are not restless?

The question of that man in the Gospel passage we have heard is within each one of us: how do we find life, life in abundance, happiness? Jesus answers: “You know the Commandments,” and cites a part of the Decalogue. It is a pedagogical process, by which Jesus wishes to lead to a precise place: indeed it is already clear from his question that the man does not have a full life, he seeks more and he is restless. What 10 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

must he therefore understand? He says: “Teacher, all these I have kept since I was a boy” (v. 20).

How do we pass from youth to maturity? When we begin to accept our own limits. One becomes an adult when one becomes relative and aware of what is missing (cf. v. 21). This man is compelled to acknowledge that everything he can “do” does not go beyond a roof, it does not go beyond a margin.

How good it is to be men and women! How precious our existence is! And yet there is a truth in the history of recent centuries that man has often refused, with tragic consequences: the truth of his limits.

Jesus, in the Gospel, says something that can help us: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them” (Mt. 5: 17). The Lord Jesus gives fulfilment, He came for this. That man had to arrive at the threshold of taking a leap, where there opens up the possibility of stopping living for oneself, one’s own works, one’s own goods and, precisely because full life is lacking, leave all to follow the Lord.

Seemingly in Jesus’ final invitation – immense, wonderful – there is not the offer of poverty, but of wealth, of the true kind: “One thing you lack… Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (v. 21).

Who, given the choice between the original and a copy, would choose the copy? Here is the challenge: to find the original of life, not the copy. Jesus does not offer surrogates, but true life, true love, true wealth! How can the young follow us in faith if they do not see us choose the original, if they see us addicted to half measures? It is bad to find Christians of half measures, if I may permit myself the word, “dwarf ” Christians; they grow up to a certain point and no further; Christians with a shrunken, closed heart. It is bad to find this. There needs to be the example of someone who invites me “beyond” to “more,” to grow a little. Saint Ignatius called it the “magis,” “the fire, the fervor of action that rouses the dormant.”

The road of what is missing passes for what there is. Jesus did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfil.

We have to start from reality to make the jump to “what is missing.” We must scrutinize the ordinary to open ourselves to the extraordinary.

In these catecheses we will take the two tablets of Moses as Christians, hand in hand with Jesus, to pass from the illusions of youth to the treasure that is in heaven, walking behind Him. We will discover, in each of those laws, ancient and wise, the door opened by the Father Who is in heaven because the Lord Jesus, who has passed through it, leads us into real life. His life. The life of the children of God. •

NAVIGATING THE FAITH

Humanae Vitae’s Unheeded Warning

by Father Matthew Long

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s we approach the 50th anniversary of the promulgation of the encyclical letter, Humanae Vitae, on the regulation of human birth by Blessed Paul VI, we understand now, more than ever, the timeliness and timelessness of his teaching, and the truth and wisdom behind the essential propositions of the Church reaffirmed by his writing.

Far from just “prohibiting artificial contraception,” Paul VI foresaw the consequences that marriages and society would suffer if the use of contraception became widespread. As Karen Mahoney recently summarized in The Catholic Herald, the tribulations that would arise if Church teaching on the regulation of births were disregarded are first, “conjugal infidelity and the general lowering of morality,” second, the loss of respect for women by men to the point that men would consider women “as a mere instrument of selfish enjoyment and no longer as his respected and beloved companion,” third, governments would use contraception as “a dangerous weapon,” and, finally, that contraception would mislead human beings into thinking they had unlimited dominion over their own bodies, relentlessly turning the human person into the object of his or her own intrusive power.

At the time, opposing voices promised artificial contraception would bring positive advancements for both marriages and society. Sadly, it is clear for all who have eyes to see and ears to hear that the past 50 years has proven the dire predictions of Paul VI to be more than accurate.

In 2018, we must recommit ourselves to understanding and living what Pope Paul VI wrote in the opening line of Humanae Vitae : “The transmission of human life is a most serious role in which married people collaborate freely and responsibly with God the Creator. It has always been a source of great joy to them, even though it sometimes entails many difficulties and hardships.”

In short, the Holy Father reiterated that spouses, with the help of God’s grace, can realistically acquire the self-discipline necessary to practice the methods of family planning that require periodic abstinence. He wrote: “....the discipline which is proper to the purity of married couples, far from harming conjugal love, rather confers on it a higher human

value. It demands continual effort yet, thanks to its beneficent influence, husband and wife fully develop their personalities, being enriched with spiritual values.

Such discipline bestows upon family life fruits of serenity and peace; and facilitates the solution of other problems; it favors attention for one’s partner, helps both parties to drive out selfishness, the enemy of true love, and deepens their sense of responsibility.”

Bishop Strickland, Bishop of the Diocese of Tyler, has placed a renewed focus on teaching our Catholic faith, which includes special attention being given to the idea of Natural Family Planning contained in Humanae Vitae. In his pastoral letter to the people of East Texas on teaching, published in May 2017, he wrote the following: “It is providential that in 2018 the Church will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the encyclical letter Humanae Vitae. At its promulgation, much of the world rejected, and continues to reject, the unchanging truths contained in this teaching of Blessed Pope Paul VI. Fifty-years on, seeing the unrelenting attack on the moral teaching of the sanctity of human life, we understand that the teachings of Humanae Vitae are “crucial for humanity’s future,” and it is imperative that we embrace these truths of married love, responsible parenthood and human sexuality.”

This is what is required of all of us: the effort of conversion of ourselves. Chastity “tolerates neither a double life nor duplicity in speech” (CCC 2338). We must commit ourselves to overcoming any duplicity, which we have come to rely on concerning this challenging teaching of the Church. If we are to help married couples to live according to God’s law, then we have to submit ourselves to that same law and lead the way.

This conversion begins by gently and patiently teaching and re-teaching the faithful the truth and beauty of what the Church has always taught and what Paul VI so prophetically re-proposed a halfcentury ago. • Bishop Joseph E. Strickland will speak at St. Joseph Parish in Shreveport on July 25. He was consecrated the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Tyler in November of 2012. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Dallas in 1985 and joined the newly-created Diocese of Tyler in 1987. Before being selected as bishop by Pope Benedict XVI, he served as pastor of several parishes, rector of the Cathedral, judicial vicar and vicar general.

JULY 2018 11

SECOND COLLECTIONS

Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa

by Father Rothell Price

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Bulletin Dates: July 8th & 15th Collection Dates: July 21st & 22nd

his month our diocesan family takes up the Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa collection. “The Church in Africa is growing rapidly, but often there are not enough local resources to provide pastoral care for all the communities.

By supporting this collection, you will help others to grow in their faith across the African continent.” This encouraging appeal Price of Cardinal Joseph Tobin to pastors and parish administrators makes each one of us realize the great spiritual good accomplished by each person’s participation in this, and all second collections.

Blessed Pope Paul VI, soon to be St. Paul VI in October of this year, was instrumental in turning the eyes of the Church to the people and continent of Africa. St. Pope John Paul II, vibrantly championed the awareness of our need for solidarity with the Church in Africa. This need for solidarity with Africa continues in the visits of Pope Francis. Through the marvel of television and social media, we are blessed to see with our own eyes the good news that the Church in Africa is growing.

The people of Africa are joyous and faith-filled, but they face challenges due to poverty, food shortages, disease and migration. The Solidarity Fund is an opportunity for us to stand with the people of Africa.

The people of Africa are joyous and faith-filled, but they face challenges due to poverty, food shortages, disease and migration.

Please strengthen the faith of the people of Africa as they face these challenges. The Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa is a ministry of the bishops of our country. Your contribution to this collection makes it possible for our bishops to provide grants to finance pastoral projects that support the maintenance and growth of the Church in Africa. Funded projects include religious education, Catholic schools, clergy and religious education, youth ministry, communications, evangelization, leadership formation, justice and peace, construction and outreach programs.

Any amount you give strengthens the presence and witness 12 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

SUPPORT THE

Solidarity Fund for the

CHURCH IN

AFRICA www.usccb.org/africa

Copyright © 2017, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Photo: © Ernst Ulz.

of the Catholic Church on the huge African continent.

The size of the gift is of little importance. The love that inspires the giving of any amount is of utmost significance.

The Bible tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. Your donation will ensure pastoral care to individuals, families, communities and nations. Your sacrifice will open access to the Sacraments of the Church for a spiritually enthusiastic and hungry people. Your gift will make it possible for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and other liturgical worship to be offered and received. Please be generous in your support of the Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa.

Solidarity is not a hand-out, but rather a Gospel demand to stand with another out of love for God. I thank you in advance for whatever you are able to give to the Church of Jesus Christ for the care of His brothers and sisters on the amazing continent of Africa. • Father Rothell Prices, Vicar General, is the Director of Second Collections for the Diocese of Shreveport.

VOCATIONS VIEW

Spanish Immersion

by Raney Johnson, Seminarian

Seminarian Raney Johnson (second from right) stands with other seminarians before Mass in Mexico as part of his Spanish Immersion program.

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ince the beginning of June, I have had the great opportunity to spend this summer studying Spanish in Mexico through the International Institute for Culture. I have already experienced and learned so much in my short time here. At the beginning of the summer, I wondered what God might have planned for my vocation when I arrived in Mexico, and I must admit that I felt nervous before I left for the trip. I did not know much about the program that I was attending, and initially, I thought that I did not know anyone attending the program with me. However, as soon as I arrived, all of my nerves went away.

I met five amazing seminarians from around the country on the first day, and to my surprise, I already knew one of the seminarians from my previous summer assignment at the Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha, NE. There are also four priests learning Spanish with us who have been spiritual fathers to the seminarians throughout the program.

In my first week of the program, I reflected on why I thought we all came to take part in this Spanish Immersion program. My reflection on why eventually led me to consider the people who were our motivation for learning Spanish. Yes, it was our bishops and vocation directors who asked us to attend this program, but the true motivators for why we came to Mexico were the people of God. We came to Mexico so that we could minister to our Spanish speaking brothers and sisters in our dioceses, both native to the U.S. and from the many countries that speak the language.

Across the United States, the need for priests to learn Spanish continues to grow. In our own diocese, I know that the Hispanic community has grown over the past few years. From the time

I first attended the Spanish Mass at St. Mary of the Pines Parish in Shreveport, I have had the privilege of watching the Hispanic community grow there. Likewise, from my time in college to the present, I have seen the Hispanic community in Ruston at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish grow.

Watching these two communities grow continues to increase my desire to learn Spanish and hopefully minister to my Spanish speaking brothers and sisters. However, my time in Mexico has taught me that learning about a particular culture goes hand in hand with learning the language. This is the reason this program has both a Spanish class and a class about the history and culture of Mexico. Learning about the culture of Mexico has made me appreciate the Spanish language even more. As I continue to try and grow in my ability to speak and understand Spanish, I look ahead to the future, hoping that one day I will be able to not only celebrate the Mass in Spanish but also the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick.

My time in Mexico has helped me understand the cultural background of Catholics in the Diocese of Shreveport who either come from Mexico or have ancestors who came from this country. By the time this article is printed, I will only have a few weeks left in Mexico. I am thankful for all the time I have had in such a deeply Catholic country.

I hope to return to the U.S. with a better grasp of the Spanish language and an eager desire to serve the Hispanic community. • If you would like more information on the priesthood, contact Fr. Jerry Daigle: jdaigle@dioshpt.org, or call 318-868-4441.

JULY 2018 13

Ordination of Father Duane TROMBETTA to the Priesthood

by Jessica Rinaudo

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n ordination to the priesthood is the crowning moment of years of hard work, study and discernment by the seminarian. And on June 9, at the 10:00 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Bishop Michael Duca laid his hands on the head of Duane Trombetta, ordaining and welcoming him into the long awaited sacrament of the Catholic priesthood.

Born and raised in Shreveport, Fr. Trombetta attended the former Christ the King School in Bossier City, before graduating from Caddo Magnet High School and then LSU-Shreveport with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. He went on to a successful career in the insurance and surety industry, working and living in many cities across the United States. He always remained close to God and stayed involved in the Catholic Church.

In 2008 though, Trombetta began to pursue God’s call

14 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

to discernment of a religious vocation in his life that led him to be accepted into the Congregation of the Mission – the Vincentians – in 2011. During this time of living a religious life, he attended the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where he excelled in the spiritual, pastoral and academic, but still felt called to another vocation.

This eventually led Trombetta home to visit family in Shreveport.

There, with the help of Msgr.

Earl V. Provenza, he began to seriously discern a vocation to the diocesan priesthood. Trombetta began assisting Msgr. Provenza in his work at Holy Trinity Parish in downtown Shreveport.

In 2012, Trombetta began the application process to become a diocesan seminarian, and was soon accepted. He attended Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.

During his time in seminary, he had the opportunity to witness and engage in many types of

“It is because of your witness

and generosity that I seek more eagerly now to carry out the Great Commission set forth by Christ himself. ” ministry, all of which were instrumental in leading him to follow God’s will for his life.

In 2016, he served in a chaplain internship program at a hospital in Orlando, FL, and it was while he was stationed there that the deadly nightclub shooting happened. In a 2016 Catholic Connection story, Trombetta relayed, “Sadly, just after I arrived in Orlando, a terrible shooting was perpetrated at a nightclub located across town from my hospital assignment. It was the deadliest mass killing and worst

terror attack in the U.S. since 9/11. The unspeakable violence inflicted spiritual and emotional suffering upon not just those present, but upon all the people of Orlando. The victims of that shooting were taken to a trauma hospital downtown, but many ripple effects were felt at my hospital in the northern suburb of Altamonte Springs. That brought about some of the most difficult challenges I faced as a chaplain serving the sick and suffering of Orlando.”

He continued, “I encountered many diverse people with varied reasons for hospitalization. Some expressed gratitude, others grief, and still others just needed a sympathetic ear. I prayed with many. I experienced celebrations of the joys of new life and love, and I learned how to minister to families at moments of dying and death. One thing remained consistent: every time I entered a patient’s room, I received an opportunity to encounter Jesus

Christ in a fellow human being.

My work with patients proved to be a most fulfilling, rewarding and prayerful supplement to my seminary studies and formation.”

In June of 2017, Trombetta was ordained a transitional deacon and appointed to serve his diaconate internship at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans.

In a 2017 interview, Trombetta said, “I think, ironically, some of the most normal and average days [of my work at the Cathedral] give the best sense of what priesthood is going to be like. For example, just an average day is difficult to plan on a calendar because there are many contingencies that arrive, such as funerals and pop in visits from parishioners in need.”

He added, “Getting to know the people of the parishes is going to be a real blessing for me.

I look forward to participating with them in the high points of their lives – baptisms and marriages – and also working

with them in the most difficult times of their lives, such as funerals and other struggles,” said Trombetta.

In the final months, as Trombetta prepared to be ordained to the priesthood, he was able to visit the Holy Land with his fellow deacon seminarians.

“I give my assurance that I included you all in my prayers at the holy sites of Israel. It is because of your witness and generosity that I seek more eagerly now to carry out the Great Commission set forth by Christ himself. My journey has been challenging but joyful. And now as my final semester at Notre Dame Seminary draws to a close, I look forward with great anticipation to receipt of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, to priestly ordination in June, and to serving the faithful people of Christ in our diocese.”

And the people of the Diocese responded, in turn, by filling up the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans on June 9, for Deacon Duane Trombetta’s ordination to the priesthood.

“The sacrament of Holy Orders, like all sacraments, carries with it a wonderful blessing of God’s closeness to us. It draws us in to the very life of God,” said Bishop Michael Duca during the ordination Mass.

He continued, “You receive that sacrament today.

You become a priest today – a priest of Jesus Christ.

But it is a sacrament that you live now for the rest of your life, those graces of the sacrament pouring in to help you be faithful, and be that true witness of Christ in the world. … God is ordaining you, Duane, you as a unique individual in the Body of Christ, and those unique talents and gifts – God will use those.”

After Father Duane was ordained, Bishop Duca announced that Fr. Trombetta will serve as Parochial Vicar for St. Joseph Parish in Zwolle for two years. •

JULY 2018 15

Gabriel’s Closet Prepares Couple for Parenthood

by Lucy Medvec, Catholic Charities of North Louisiana

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e’ve all heard the saying, “when you make plans, God laughs.” Sometimes that laughter can turn into one of life’s biggest blessings. Such is the case with new mother Cherrish and the family she is building with Charles. Cherrish and Charles met four years ago when she had moved to Shreveport from Tucson, AZ. They fell in love and began preparing for their life together and planning for the future. Cherrish’s goal was to save up for college and eventually join the military, while Charles dreamed of owning his own landscape company. Everything was going according to plan, but as Cherrish describes it, they “hit a small speed bump” when she found out she was pregnant.

After experiencing all the emotions of impending motherhood (happy, scared, excited and nervous), Cherrish started receiving care through the Nurse-Family Partnership at LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. It was through this program that she and Charles were referred to Gabriel’s Closet, Catholic Charities of North Louisiana’s parenting program, and began to get the necessary education and resources to become the best parents possible for their new baby.

Gabriel’s Closet offers weekly classes to expectant parents and parents of children ages newborn to four years. These classes cover a variety of topics including newborn and toddler care, discipline, safety, speech and language development, dental care, communication, potty training and much more.

16 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

In addition to these classes, parents can earn merits that can be redeemed in Gabriel’s Closet to get essential items such as clothing, diapers, formula, strollers, car seats, pack ‘n play cribs, furniture and much more. Volunteers work with parents to make sure they are receiving all of the support they need to become the best possible parents to their children.

After their initial visit to Gabriel’s Closet in November 2017, Cherrish and Charles embraced the program with enthusiasm, attending parenting classes every week and working with volunteers to take advantage of the information and resources that would prepare them for parenthood.

Cherrish gave birth to their daughter, Eternity, on May 7 of this year. When asked what she likes best about being a parent, she describes the joy of seeing her own expressions on the face of her “little me.” Charles is an adoring father who often wants to hold his sleeping daughter while Cherrish laughingly encourages him to let “sleeping babies lie.”

Cherrish credits the classes at Gabriel’s Closet with teaching her how to balance parenting while preparing her to go back to school. The “baby bump” in the road may have deterred their plans, but Charles and Cherrish are back on track to fulfilling their dreams.

“We couldn’t be more grateful to Catholic Charities for teaching us how to take care of our new baby while making sure that she has everything she needs,” said Cherrish. “I always recommend Gabriel’s Closet and Catholic Charities to new parents. They have helped us to work towards providing a successful, stable home for us, our baby girl and our family.” •

Sr. Heather Sikes Makes First Profession a Q&A with Sister Heather

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ister Heather Sikes, OLS made her first profession of vows as a Sister of Our Lady of Sorrows on Saturday, June 9, at the 4:00 p.m. Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Shreveport.

On Saturday, June 9, you took your First Profession of vows to the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows. What is the significance of First Profession?

First Profession is a beautiful and significant transition from Novitiate to a time of contemplation in action, which points to our congregational motto: “Ardere et Lucere” meaning “to burn and to light.” It is a time when the sister’s consecration permeates all aspects of her life: apostolic ministry, prayer, study and community life. She lives the fruits of her consecration by seeing all people and circumstances through the eyes and heart of our crucified and risen Lord. In the daily life of a Sister of Our Lady of Sorrows, these spiritual elements are also nurtured and radiated: a love of the Holy Eucharist and a deep, genuine devotion to Our Blessed Mother at the foot of the Cross – Our Lady of Sorrows. During the time of First Profession, the sister also prepares herself for her final vows in the future.

After you take your First Profession, what will change?

After First Profession, one is assigned to a community and to an apostolic service. I have been assigned to St. Joseph’s Convent in Alexandria, LA, and I will teach at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic School. My transition from being a novice to a temporary vowed sister entails living out our charism, spirituality and apostolate through my consecration to God. Can you share your religious vocations story? What made you decide to join the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows?

I was a sophomore in college at the University of Louisiana Lafayette when I encountered the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows. Before meeting the sisters, the desire of religious life was kept safely in the back of my mind and heart, and I was not on the path of actively discerning. I was studying pre-pharmacy, and I was preparing myself to move to Monroe for pharmacy school when I met the sisters at Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic Church and Student Center on campus. My hidden desire of giving my life to God was brought from the back-burner to the altar, and I sensed God’s invitation once again.

Looking to the future, what will be some of the apostolates you pursue as a sister of OLS? The primary apostolate of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows is education. However, we also minister in the specific areas of social services and catechesis.

Will there be future vows?

After five years of temporary vows and preparation, there will be another public ceremony for a perpetual profession. During this solemn occasion, the sister professes her vows for the rest of her life and receives a golden ring with our Crucified Lord as a visible sign of His commitment, fidelity and love to her. Also, her free fiat in response is a sign of her commitment, fidelity and love to Him. What advice would you give to a woman who is interested in pursuing religious life?

For any young women who may be interested in pursuing religious life or who may have a desire and not know how to be disposed to it, I would say to pray for the grace to be open to our Lord and ask Him to speak to your heart!

Our foundress, Blessed Elisabetta Renzi, has many beautiful quotes, and one that helped me in my early discernment was: “Pray, and you will know the harbor that Divine Providence has chosen for the little ship of your soul.” I think it’s a very gentle, open approach that can easily dispose oneself to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

I would also encourage them to have courage and a trustful recollection in their relationship with Jesus. Fr. John Paul Crispin, FMH once said about religious life, “God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.” What a beautiful way to open wide the doors to religious life - the doors of one’s heart to God! And God can work through anything and choose anyone.

This is the power of His gentle, guiding love. • JULY 2018 17

Bread or Stones: An Ecumenical Campaign for Children in Louisiana

by Samuel Rottman, Bread or Stones Campaign Coordinator

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he faith community has always been an active force in the lives of children in Louisiana. Through our schools, children’s homes, food banks, charities and other social services we have been a moral voice for the life and dignity of all children in our state. Despite these efforts, Louisiana has consistently been ranked as one of the worst states in all measures of child well-being, scoring in the bottom 10% of every index according to the Annie E. Casey Kid’s Count. One such statistic is that 28% of children under the age of 18 live in poverty. The faith community can become a beacon of hope for the state and play a major role in changing this narrative.

Bread or Stones, which gets its name from Matthew 7:9, is an ecumenical initiative of the Louisiana Interchurch Conference that aspires to bring churches of all denominations together to improve outcomes for God’s children. We do this by empowering individual congregations to make practical and achievable steps towards caring for the children in their local area. While one congregation will not be able to solve all of Louisiana’s problems alone, we know that if each church made a difference in their own area our collective impact would be huge. Seventy-two churches from many different denominations and regions of the state have signed on to this mission by becoming Bread or Stones Covenant Congregations. Our goal is for all churches in Louisiana to sign up and through discernment to find ways that the Holy Spirit is guiding them to put children first.

At this point you might be wondering what Bread or Stones Covenant Congregations actually do. We can serve children through our prayer, teaching, feeding, mentoring, adopting,

18 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

advocating, etc. The sky is the limit, so take time with your congregation to see how God is calling you to serve.

One example can be found in Houma, LA, where a Catholic and an Episcopal church have joined together to adopt a local failing public school of mostly low-income students. This partnership was sparked at a community meeting organized by Bread or Stones in Houma. The two congregations started small by providing some coffee, donuts and a new coffee pot for teacher appreciation week. The relationship between the two churches and the public school has truly blossomed ever since. A year later there is now a tutoring program staffed by retired teachers from the two parishes and many other more involved efforts. This is just one of many initiatives that have reinvigorated all three entities. These are the kinds of results we are beginning to see throughout Louisiana as a result of the Bread or Stones Campaign. With continued blessings from God, it is our hope that the Church can continue to be the voice for change and that together we can make Louisiana a better home for children.

We encourage you and your congregation to join the Bread or Stones Campaign as a Covenant Congregation so that we can be a united voice for children. It’s easy, free of charge, and only commits you to exploring ways that you want to serve. For resources and more information visit www.breadorstones.com. •

Ignatian Spirituality and Spiritual Direction

by Sister Martinette Rivers, OLS, Spiritual Director

Spiritual Direction

Back row: Marie Rinaudo, Sr. Martinette Rivers, Dianne Rachal, Susan Rothwell, Mike Van Vranken. Front row: Fr. Jim Moran, Brenda Lites, Katherine Bernal, Joe Bernal

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s Spiritual Directors in the Diocese of Shreveport, how do we reveal the “Jesuit DNA” to our directees?

Would St. Ignatius approve of the way we approach the Spiritual Exercises? Like him we promote self-awareness, a joyful sense of freedom and a willingness to take risks. The chief guide and mover of souls is the Holy Spirit and our directees are led by Him. Are we attentive to the way He is moving their souls? You bet we are!

The role of the human director is very important, but is only instrumental. Our role as directors is to work along with the Holy Spirit. This frees the Divine Director to do the rest. Everyone, including us, needs a faithful other who can serve both as a prod and a source of light.

Those interested in spiritual direction should not be afraid to approach any of us.

We are here to help you grow closer to God. In preparing ourselves to help you, we have studied Ignatian Spirituality intensely with the Jesuits in Grand Coteau, New Orleans and other universities. We grew in the process in sanctity, holiness and experience as we learned.

St. Ignatius of Loyola was the founder of The Society of Jesus. He was one of 13 children born into a noble family in Spain.

He loved the “good life,” his knighthood and life as a soldier, until he was gravely wounded in a battle with the French.

His heart was set on fire as he spent his

recuperation period reading about the lives of Jesus and the saints, writing in a small notebook his thoughts, exercises and prayers which he found helpful as his injured leg healed. He experienced a real conversion during those months he suffered with his wounded leg and reflected upon his life. As time went on and the years passed, Ignatius became an expert in the art of Spiritual Direction. These notes make up the heart of what we now call “The Spiritual Exercises.”

The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius became one of the most influential books on spiritual life ever written. Thousands of people have been touched in some way by The Spiritual Exercises, and many more will come to see their value as time goes on. The most appealing thing about Ignatius to me is his insight that you could find God in all things. Also to do everything for the greater honor and glory of God, “Ad majorem Dei Gloriam.”

St. Ignatius of Loyola said, “Love consists in sharing what one has and what one is with those one loves. Love ought to show itself in deeds more than words.”

Moderation in all things was his sacred tool. The life of St. Ignatius is a fascinating one and gives me hope because he assures us that God can make anything out of anyone. May you be blessed as you walk the Ignation Way with us! God’s divine plan is a story, a love story, our story. May St. Ignatius ignite a new fire in our hearts! •

Spiritual Direction is help given to one person by a trained director to assist that person in becoming aware of God’s presence in their life, and then guiding that person in growing a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. It is not counseling, teaching or companionship. Instead, the person, with the aid of the director, discerns the presence and movement of God in their life and then learns to engage in prayerful conversations with God about those movements.

For more information, please contact one of these trained spiritual directors in our area:

Joe & Katherine Bernal

Monroe & West Monroe Area jkmca2000@aol.com

Brenda Lites

Shreveport & Bossier City Area badlites@gmail.com

Fr. Jim Moran, CO Mansfield Area jimmo24@gmail.com

Dianne Rachal

Shreveport & Bossier City Area drachal@dioshpt.org

Marie Rinaudo

Shreveport & Bossier City Area prinrin@comcast.net

Sr. Martinette Rivers, OLS

Shreveport & Bossier City Area queenfarfalla@gmail.com

Susan Rothwell

Shreveport & Bossier City Area susan_rt@hotmail.com

Mike Van Vranken

Shreveport & Bossier City Area mikevanvranken@comcast.net JULY 2018 19

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul

by Jim Beadles, President, Shreveport Diocesan Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul

“

I

prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting, and dirty because it has been out on the streets.” – Pope Francis Meeting our neighbors in need, on the streets and where they live, is not only the goal of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, but it is also what Jesus commands us to do.

This Commandment speaks directly to the heart of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Our efforts are directed to bringing both the corporal and spiritual acts of mercy to the streets in our own local communities.

Founded in 1833 by Blessed Frederic Ozanam, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul has grown to be an international Catholic lay-organization dedicated to not only serving the poor in our local

communities, but also providing many other acts of kindness. In fact, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul motto is “no work of charity is foreign to the Society.”

But let’s back up a minute and understand how the Society came into being. Historically, it was the time of the post French Revolution, of Victor Hugo and the setting for Les Miserables. While attending law school at the Sorbonne, the University of Paris, Frederic joined a student group that would meet to discuss religion and social issues of the day.

During one of these meetings, a friend named Jean Broet, confronted Frederic with a challenge. In a heated argument, he told Frederic that the Church was once a great Church, but asked, “What is your Church doing now? What is it doing for the poor?”

Frederic accepted the challenge. And with that, the Society was born. He reached out to others for guidance, and he adopted St. Vincent de Paul, known as the Father of the Poor, as its patron.

Frederic once said, “We are not blessed with two separate lives – one for seeking the truth, and the other for putting it into practice.”

Internationally, there are 700,000 Vincentians in 150 countries. Catholic

Digest listed it at number 1 of the Top Five Charities You Should Know About.

In the Diocese of Shreveport, there are 23 conferences and 300 Vincentians. Last year, we served over 21,000 neighbors in need, and made 3,100 home visits.

Without exception, every Vincentian will tell you that the blessings and growth we receive in our own spirituality from the people we serve is much greater than anything we can hope to do for them. • Next Month: Blessed Frederic Ozanam

Save the Date

St. Vincent de Paul “Our Faith in Action” Banquet Featuring The Centenary Choir Keynote Speaker: Mack McCarter

Community Renewal International

September 18, 2018 Bossier Civic Center

Diocese of Shreveport Welcomes New Chancellor

R

andy Tiller was Duties and responsibilities appointed the Director Tiller will take on as Chancellor include serving as an of Mission Effectiveness for the Diocese in Shreveport Ecclesiastical Notary for official documents and reports that in 2006. Effective April 1, 2018, Tiller was appointed are submitted to the Vatican Chancellor of the Diocese of each year. Tiller will also on Shreveport, by Bishop Michael the Diocesan Corporate Board Randy Tiller G. Duca. and the Diocesan Finance Council. He is a member of the Editorial Chancellor duties as liaison for Prison Ministry and Family Life Ministry are Board for The Catholic Connection. He now under the direction of Dianne will also fulfill numerous other tasks, Rachal, Director of Worship. John Mark duties and responsibilities involving diocesan archives, the Slattery Library Willcox, Director of Development, has taken over the work associated with and working with other directors and national grants. departments at the Catholic Center.

20 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Tiller continues in his capacity as Director of Mission Effectiveness including the property management aspects of that position, working with the priests and parishes directly and in conjunction with the various Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils. He will continue to be involved with special events at the Catholic Center and will continue to supervise the following departments: Facilities, the Office of Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministries and the Office of Hispanic Ministry, as well as oversight of the Slattery Library and responsibility for St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. •

Semmes Memorial Burse

SEMINARIAN BURSES

by John Mark Willcox

Peggy and Bob Semmes established a seminarian burse in their will to support the ministry of priests.

T

he late Bob and Peggy Semmes were a faithful Catholic couple who spent their worship lives both at St. Joseph Parish in Monroe and St. Paschal Parish in West Monroe. They were most generous to include plans in their will to establish a special burse to support vocations and seminarians. Their son, Our Lady of Fatima parishioner, John G. Semmes, read to me directly from their legal will stating that these funds would be used “to help any young men who are seeking the priesthood, but might not have the funds to do so.”

Now, as part of the Diocesan Seminarian Burse program we have added another burse to this overall effort, as the newly created Bob and Peggy Semmes Memorial Burse stands ready to complete the final wishes of this giving Catholic couple.

Supporting the ministry of providing for our future priests remains vitally important to Catholics across our diocese. How can you help? Thanks to the generous people of our diocese, there are now a group of burses created to assist in this critical ministry.

Contact the Diocesan Office of Church Vocations to learn more about our various burses and choose the ones you would like to contribute to. No gift is too small and every donation is tax deductible.

Help grow the dreams of people like Bob and Peggy Semmes, an active Catholic couple dedicated to serving the Church, both during and after their time here on earth. May our Lord bless them and all of our burse donors. •

Left to right, Seminarians Jeb Key, Nicholas Duncan, Fr. Jerry Daigle (Director of Church Vocations), Raney Johnson and Kelby Tingle.

THANKS TO OUR RECENT DONORS • (007) Friends of Dr. Christopher ($200) • (011) St. Paschal Parish ($935) • (011) Mark Martinez ($5,000) • (012) Mary Evans Caplis ($10,000) • (013) Mary Evans Caplis ($10,000) • (014) John G. Semmes ($4,950) • (014) Jeff Semmes ($250) COMPLETED BURSES

• (003) Sam R. Maranto Memorial Burse ($1,200) • (004) Kathryn Atherton Cook Memorial Burse ($350) • (005) Cathedral of St. John Berchmans ($250) • (006) Bishop’s Burse ($250) • (007) Dr. Carol Christopher Memorial Burse ($1,200) • (008) St. Jude Parish ($5,718) • (009) St. John Berchmans Knights of Columbus Council #10728 ($450)

• (001) Fr. Mike Bakowski Memorial Burse ($10,000)

• (011) Rev. David Richter Memorial Burse ($6,935)

• (010) Memory of Rita Scott from the John Scott Family ($10,000)

• (014) Bob & Peggy Semmes Memorial Burse ($5,200)

• (012) Jack E. Caplis, Jr., Memorial Burse ($10,000)

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

• (013) Mary Evans Caplis Burse ($10,000) INCOMPLETE BURSES • (002) Joseph & Antoinette Bakowski Memorial Burse ($2,100)

JULY 2018 21

Christian Service: Feeding the Hungry

by Jane Snyder

“

Y

ou pray for the hungry. Then you feed them. This is how prayer works.” – Pope Francis, 4-18.

Nine months ago, September 27, 2017, was an exciting day in the lives of Shreveport and Christian Service. On that day, the community gathered to cut the ribbon and open the doors to the new facility of one of the oldest and most faithfilled non-profits in the Shreveport-Bossier area.

The excitement was palpable as Christian Service became the food and clothing piece of the collaboration of non-profits on Levy Street at Hope Connections.

Since then, over 200 hungry men, women and children have come there each day to eat hot meals in an atmosphere of “Dignity, Love and Hope.”

Christian Service serves a hot breakfast from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and a hot lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., 364 days a year. They also serve over 500 clients a month in their free clothing facility.

Fr. Murray Clayton brought Sr. Margaret McCaffrey to Shreveport in 1970. She began serving hungry children breakfast and that was the beginning of the Christian Service ministry. Since then they have served over three million meals and have welcomed those who are struggling in our community.

There are many opportunities to share your “time, talent and treasure” at Christian Service. Volunteers are needed every day to help prepare and serve the meals. There are also opportunities on Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to help organize the clothing facility. Donations of food, clothing, and, of course money, are always needed.

If you are interested in helping, please go to the Christian Service website at www.christianservicela.org, or contact Al Moore, the executive director at al@christianservice.org.

And remember Matthew 25, where Jesus said, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me.” • 22 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

World Youth Day and Mission Trip

by Jamie Jett

I

would like to invite you to join a once in a lifetime mission trip sponsored by St. Jude Parish. The mission team will be going to Boquete, Panama to do mission work and Panama City to attend World Youth Day. The team will travel by air to Costa Rica, then by private bus to Boquete, Panama. This is where the team will stay for four days to do mission work.

Two days will be spent at a rural orphanage with children ages infant to 18-years-old, painting, playing with the children, cooking and praying. After that, the team will spend two days on the Comarca, where the indigenous Ngobe Indians live and are the poorest people in Panama. The Comarca is two hours away from Boquete, on a beautiful mountain that in contrast has thatched houses. Here the team will paint two small cinderblock buildings, hang shower curtains and provide linens for sleeping areas. These small buildings house 32 to 40 children for the week because they have to walk four hours one way to school, many months in very heavy rain.

During time in Boquete, the team will stay in comfortable accommodations and meals will be provided. Boquete is a beautiful, quaint, small town where many Americans retire.

It is a wonderful place to stay while doing mission work. It is quite a contrast to where the team will work. After the mission work is done in Boquete, the team will travel to Panama City for World Youth Day and stay in a hotel close to World Youth Day activities. During these three days, the team will go to the Youth Day Festival, Stations of the Cross, Walking Pilgrimage and Mass with the pope. On return to Costa Rica, the team will attend Mass at a historical Catholic Cathedral and visit the central market.

This mission trip is for high school students age 15 and older and adults. Team size is limited to 16, please make your $500 non-refundable deposit as soon as possible to reserve your spot. Cost for the trip is $2500. If you would like a flyer, please e-mail Brenda Lites at blites@suddenlinkmail.com, or Jamie Jett at jamiejett@pickitforward.com. •

Roaming Catholic: Mass and Vacation

by Stephanie Feducia Stanley

I

am a roaming Catholic. Most people think of “roaming Catholics” with a smirk, meaning someone who is Catholic and attends Mass regularly, but who does not belong to a parish. I am not one of those.

That being said, I do LOVE to travel. For pilgrimage, or for pleasure, memories made together on the road are dear to my heart. We often go to Orlando, FL and have frequented Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and other adventures that have made their way into the area.

We leave on the Friday before our week away and arrive in Kissimmee, FL, on Saturday afternoon.

After check in, we leave again. The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe is our destination.

Many people who are traveling do not always attend Mass. Their missed obligation is confessed or shrugged away, “We’re out of town, God doesn’t mind…” Or does He? On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass; they are also to abstain from those labors and business concerns which impede the worship to be rendered to God, the joy which is proper to the Lord's Day, or the proper relaxation of mind and body. 1. The precept of participating in the Mass is satisfied by assistance at a Mass which is celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the holy day or on the evening of the preceding day. (Canon 1247-1248) Anyone who knows my dad understands that missing Mass on a Sunday is out of the question. It simply isn’t done. He searched for a church in the yellow pages to fulfill our family’s obligation.

And what a church we found in the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe, It is simply breathtaking and its history is amazing, answering the needs of those who flock to Orlando for entertainment and needing their Sunday Obligation met. The place was built with donations from the faithful and is growing to this day. With gorgeous grounds, including a Rosary garden, the place is a destination for Catholics.

Each Mass begins with a greeting and the priest always asks where everyone is from. The Catholic Church is truly universal! We’ve seen worshippers from all walks of life attend Mass at this sacred place.

We’ve seen people come in dressed in their Sunday best and some in their theme park attire, complete with fanny packs and Mickey ears.

We attend the Saturday Vigil Mass, thanking God for a safe journey and with gratitude for the fun we are about to have.

Speaking of gratitude, there was one family trip that I will never forget. My cousin and I found a European cruise when she was beginning college and planned to save up for four years to go. We were to go to Barcelona, Capri, Naples, Rome, Florence, Monte Carlo, Nice and Avignon. Such a trip was highly anticipated and even though my husband and I had gotten married and had a delightful honeymoon, he happily joined the plans. Our godmother

Left: Feducia family at Mass on vacation in Orlando.

Above: National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe

came with us and, as a surprise for my cousin, upgraded their two tickets to first class.

Trouble struck the minute we arrived at the airport. Our arrival in Barcelona was to be a day before the ship set sail from its port, and we felt that this was a clever way for us to try and shake off the jet lag. What we didn’t know was that the plane that was to carry us to Atlanta’s International airport was late. If we were very lucky, we would get to Atlanta JUST in time to run through the airport and reach our flight to Barcelona.

The flight from Shreveport to Atlanta was excruciating.

We eagerly awaited our arrival with cold sweat on our palms.

Upon our arrival, we had to run to the OPPOSITE end of the airport. In the confusion two of our party were separated and went to the wrong terminal. Our frantic calls to their cell phones went unanswered. We actually boarded the plane without them.

Saying as many Hail Marys under our breath as one can in the allowed time, we were relieved to see their faces. It seemed that the plane couldn’t leave because there was some first class luggage that was to be loaded onto the plane. My aunt’s and cousin’s luggage as it turns out, and because they were first class, our luggage was loaded as well. Whew!

When we toured Barcelona the next morning, we visited the Cathedral. It was amazing, and there was a Vigil Mass that afternoon. Because the Church is truly universal, we could follow the order of the Mass. It was amazing to hear it in another language, and it was in Catalonian, not Spanish.

We could still worship as we knew all the times to respond.

We were eternally grateful for arriving safely and praised God for His help on our journey. • JULY 2018 23

SCHOOL NEWS

St. Frederick High School El Día de los Niños

by Emily Brodtman

O

n April 29, the St. Frederick High School Spanish Club and National Honor Society joined St. Paschal’s Youth Group, SPY, to celebrate “El Día de los Niños” at St. Paschal’s Parish. El Día de los Niños is a day dedicated to children in Mexico and many Latin American countries. In preparation, the St. Frederick students baked sweets for a cake walk, bought candy, filled a piñata and brought games. Club members attended Spanish Mass and then helped set up and work the games. Once the games were set up we split into pairs to take the children to all the activities.

While working we were also learning about the Spanish culture.

Our Vice President, Gabby Trejo, said, “It came as a surprise to see the look of confusion on some of the kids’ faces when we would speak to them in English, quickly realizing we needed to repeat ourselves in Spanish.”

This experience was great because we were able to immerse ourselves into the Spanish-speaking community and use our education to communicate with the children. Our Spanish Club enjoyed the opportunity to work with the SPY group. They had amazing decorations and many games which made the event possible. We are very grateful to be included with them to celebrate El Día de los Niños, and we hope to work with them again in the future.

OLF Teachers Testify Before Louisiana State Senate

T

wo teachers from Our Lady of Fatima School, Tacorey Johnson and Stephanie Haney, testified before the Louisiana State Senate Finance Committee. They were there to speak about the state scholarship program, required services and the child nutrition salary supplement.

24 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

JGS Partners with Cyber Innovation Center

J

esus the Good Shepherd School has partnered with the Cyber Innovation Center in Bossier City, using a curriculum from the NICERC (National Integrated Cyber Research Center), which is a creation of the Cyber Innovation Center. It is an application-based curriculum that allows the teacher to embed the curriculum across multiple disciplines.

Students used a seven-step Engineering Design Process to create rollercoasters using nothing more than card stock, tape and glue.

St. Joseph Catholic School Students Enjoy Year of Religious Retreats

Why I Love

Catholic School featuring

Ethan Timmons & Andrew Timmons St. John Berchmans Catholic School

St. Joseph School 4th graders during their Religion retreat.

A

s part of an effort to continually strengthen the school’s Catholic identity, St. Joseph School’s Religion Department held age-appropriate retreats throughout the 2017-18 school year. Retreats ranged in length from 30 minutes to five hours, and each focused on a particular aspect of the faith.

First graders focused on the Holy Trinity, creating a clover representing the Trinity and learning a Blessed Trinity song. Second graders made unleavened bread during their retreat to represent the hosts used at Holy Communion, and created a Last Supper project. Students in third grade created a poster representing one of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, giving each fruit a name and good qualities for a religious life. Fourth graders performed a skit that represented the Fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Middle School students enjoyed an off-campus retreat, held on All Saints Day 2017, that began with the school’s All Saints Mass, then continued to St. Joseph Cemetery, where they learned about Catholic cemeteries and some of the stories of those who are buried there. They sang hymns and prayed the Prayer for the Faithful Departed before continuing on to Greenwood Cemetery.

Here the students also enjoyed a cultural celebration they learned about in Spanish class: La Dia de los Muertos. Students and chaperones enjoyed homemade Mexican hot chocolate, rice, beans and tamales, then offered the Prayer for the Faithful Departed and went on a scavenger hunt to learn about the many historical figures of the City of Shreveport who have gone before us.

SJS is already planning retreats for next year, to help the students grow in their knowledge and love of the Catholic faith, and to teach them how to withdraw from their busy schedules occasionally, to take time to be with Jesus in prayer. •

“We can go to Mass weekly and we pray every day. We say the blessing before we eat lunch.”

Ethan Timmons 7th grade “We go to Mass and we get to pray every day. We can participate in the Living Stations during Lent. We also begin school with prayer in morning assembly and we pray again before we leave for the day.”

Andrew Timmons 5th grade

St. John Berchmans School 318-221-6005 sjbcathedralschool.org JULY 2018 25

Kids'

Connection

Saint

of the

Month

St. Ignatius of Loyola

St. Ignatius in Your Life

One of the rules Ignatius made for the Jesuits was to pray the Daily Examen twice a day. There are five steps to the practice.

Consider using these next time you pray!

(Source: www.ignatianspirituality.com)

1. Be aware of God's presence.

2. Think about your day with gratitude.

AD MA JOR EM DE I GLO RIA M

3. Pay attention to how you feel.

4. Think about something that happened to you today and pray about and for it.

5. Look forward to tomorrow.

Saintly Word Find St. Ignatius of Loyola Wordfind

BATTLE CANON BALL EXERCISES IGNATIUS INJURY JESUIT LOYOLA MEDITATION MISSIONARIES PILGRIMAGE SOLDIER SPIRITUAL VISIONS 26 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Feast Day July 31 About the Saint Saint Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish priest who founded the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, who served the pope as missionaries.

Ignatius is well known for his Spiritual Exercises, which help people learn about the will of God in their lives.

Ignatius was a soldier who joined the military at 17.

During one battle, a canon ball hit his legs. He had many surgeries and survived with one leg shorter than the other. While he recovered, he had a spiritual conversion that eventually led him to religious life.

HISPANIC NEWS

Vocaciones Sacerdotales por Rosalba Quiroz

E

l mes pasado celebramos con alegría el primer aniversario de la ordenación sacerdotal del Padre Fidel Mondragón, asignado a la parroquia de San José en Shreveport, además de administrar sacramentos a la comunidad hispana en Santa María de los Pinos. También se acaba de ordenar el mes pasado al nuevo sacerdote, Duane Trombetta.

Aunque nos sentimos felices por estas dos ordenaciones, nos entristece el hecho de que existe una gran necesidad de sacerdotes ya que varios están en edad de retiro. Tenemos alrededor de 40 parroquias católicas en la diócesis que abarca 16 condados (parroquias civiles) con solo 21 sacerdotes diocesanos y alrededor de 20 prestados por otras diócesis u por órdenes religiosas.

Necesitamos hacer mucha oración por más vocaciones sacerdotales, especialmente por más vocaciones en nuestra Diócesis, también por vocaciones a la vida religiosa y al compromiso laico, de manera que nuestra diócesis sea bendecida con gente llena de vigor y amor al servicio de Dios. Con la gracia de Dios y sus oraciones esperamos el Señor nos conceda más vocaciones en los años futuros.

La realidad es que en muchas Diócesis del país, en especial en la nuestra existe una gran necesidad de vocaciones al sacerdocio.

Traer nuevas vocaciones es un reto muy grande ya que no hay muchos programas que ofrezcan a jóvenes la ayuda de discernir la vocación al sacerdocio.

La esperanza no se pierde ya que la oficina de vocaciones dirigida por el Padre Jerry Daigle tiene mucha información sobre la vocación y se puede pedir una reunión con los padres de familia, sobre todo aquellos que tienen hijos que muestren interés por conocer más sobre la vocación al sacerdocio. Hacer una cita

no significa que ya se tomó la decisión sobre su vocación, si no que ésta les ayudará a aclarar dudas referentes a la vocación de vida del joven o de la joven.

La sociedad muestra muchos caminos para la vida pero confiando en Dios y pidiendo ayuda para discernir qué es lo que el Señor quiere de cada quien, son pasos muy importantes antes de tomar una decisión permanente sobre la vocación.

Cualquiera que sea la vocación escogida, hay que recordar las palabras de Jesús: “Yo soy el Camino, la Verdad y la Vida: nadie va al Padre si no es por mí”. Juan 14:6. Que bendición tenemos que por nuestra fe podemos caminar siempre de su mano amorosa. •

Calendario del Mes Julio 2018 11. Virtus (clase en Inglés de Protegiendo a los Ninos de Dios), Centro Católico 6p.m. (hay que pre-registrarse en línea en la página www.virtusonline.org 15. Reunión de jóvenes de Experiencia Cristo – Parroquia de Cristo Rey 9am-12pm.

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

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

Sagrado Corazon, Oak Grove

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

Santo Tomás Aquino, Ruston

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

San Pascual, W. Monroe

711 North 7th Street P. Luis Jost (318) 243-0115 Domingo-4:00 pm

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

San Juan Bautista, Many

1130 San Antonio Ave. P. Michael Thang’wa (318) 256-5680 1er Domingo de Mes-5pm

Sta Maria de los Pinos, Shreveport

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

Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro, Farmerville

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

San José, Mansfield

305 Jefferson Street P. Juan Garcia (318) 872-1158 Domingo-3:00 pm

JULY 2018 27

AROUND THE DIOCESE

1

St. Paschal Youth Assist Seminarians

S

t. Paschal Parish youth groups presented a check for $935 to Fr Jerry Daigle to be used for diocesan seminarians. The donation came from fundraisers the groups hosted throughout the year. Fr. Jerry also spoke to the youth groups about increasing their spirituality and answered their questions. It was very well received with lots of good questions being asked. (1)

2

3

Rayville & Delhi Celebrated Confirmation & Duca’s Ordination

S

acred Heart Parish in Rayville and St. Theresa Church in Delhi held a joint celebration in Rayville on April 22.

The celebration was twofold: to celebrate Bishop Duca’s 40th Anniversary of his priestly ordination and the 10th anniversary of his episcopal ordination, as well as Confirmation.

A Commendation from the State of Louisiana was presented to Bishop Duca by Representative Bubba Chaney. The Commendation outlined some of Bishop Duca’s accomplishments as a priest and bishop during the last 40 years. (2)

4

St. Martha Circle Celebrates Birthday

T

he St. Martha Circle members from St. Joseph Parish in Zwolle, hosted the April birthday party for resident Frank Lee at The Toledo R&R in Zwolle. (3)

Confirmation at Christ the King

O

n Sunday, April 29, Bishop Duca confirmed 31 at the 3:00 p.m.

Mass at Christ the King Parish.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit may they now go out and witness their faith. (4) 28 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

First Communion & Confirmation at Our Lady of Fatima

5

6

B

ishop Michael Duca celebrated Mass for First Holy Communion and Confirmation at Our Lady of Fatima Parish. Jason Pham, Jenna Pham and Jessica Pham received First Holy Communion and Ben Matherne and Phillip Pham received Confirmation. (5)

Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Honors Grads

O

ur Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish honored their graduates on May 27. The Knights of Peter Claver and the Ladies Auxilary gave scholarships, then the graduates announced what high school they graduated from and their future plans. (6)

7

Holy Land Pilgrimage

F

r. Michael Thang’wa led a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. During the 10-day trip, places visited included Nazareth, Getsemane and the Sea of Galilee. (7)

First Communion in Mansfield

S

t. Joseph Parish, in Mansfield and St. Ann Church in Stonewall celebrated First Holy Communion on May 6, 2018. (8)

8

9

Webster Wins Outstanding Advisor

C

ongratulations to Dr. Linda Webster, who serves as one of the faculty advisors to the LSU-S Catholic Student Union, and also serves as advisor to two other student organizations on campus.

She was selected for the Outstanding Student Organization Advisor of the Year award at the 2018 LSU-Shreveport Student Leadership & Professor of the Year Awards. (9)

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

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

JULY 2018 29

JULY CALENDAR July 15 - 18

Mission Possible Catholic Camp for Teen Boys (Rising Freshmen Through Graduating Seniors) King’s Camp in Mer Rough, LA Transportation from Shreveport available. Cost is $50.

Register at www.shvcamps.com

July 25

Catholic Camps for Teens • July 12 & 15

FEAST DAYS July 3

St. Thomas, apostle

July 5

St. Anthony Zaccaria, priest St. Elizabeth of Portugal

July 6

July 25

St. James, apostle

July 26

Sts. Joachim & Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

July 30

St. Maria Goretti, virgin & martyr

St. Peter Chrysologus, bishop & doctor of the Church

July 9

July 31

St. Augustine Zhao Rong, priest & companions, martyrs

July 11

St. Benedict, abbot

St. Ignatius of Loyola, priest

HOLIDAYS July 4

July 13

Independence Day Catholic Center Closed

July 14

DIOCESAN EVENTS

St. Henry St. Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Protecting God’s Children St. Paschal Parish, 9:00 a.m.

West Monroe

July 18

July 11

July 20

St. Apollinaris, bishop & martyr

July 21

St. Lawrence of Brindisi, priest & doctor of the Church

July 23

St. Bridget, religious 30 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

July 31

Parish Year-End Financials Due

July 7

July 16

St. Camillus de Lellis, priest

God, Sex & the Church: “The Truth is the Truth” with Bishop Joseph Strickland Please welcome Bishop Joseph Strickland from the Diocese of Tyler, Texas as he presents “The Truth is the Truth” in the God & Sex Speaker Series. Bishop Strickland recently released a new pastoral constitution designed to teach the Catholic faith to “Allow the Light of Christ to Shine Forth in it radiant brilliance.” He has recognized evil in our society and plans to bring this Light of Christ in new and creative ways. This event will be July 25, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Parish, Shreveport, 211 Atlantic Avenue, Shreveport.

Call 318-865-3581 for more information and to make nursery reservations. www.godsexandthechurch.org

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

July 12 - 15

BeLoved Catholic Camp for Teen Girls (Rising Freshmen Through Graduating Seniors) King’s Camp in Mer Rouge, LA Transportation from Shreveport available.

Cost is $50.

Register at www.shvcamps.com

God, Sex & the Church with Bishop Strickland • July 25

August 25

Magnificat Brunch with Bishop Michael Duca Men and women are invited to Magnificat’s Brunch, Saturday, August 25, from 10:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Catholic Center, 3500 Fairfield Ave, Shreveport. Bishop Michael G. Duca, a native of Dallas, TX, was ordained a priest on April 29, 1978, for the Diocese of Dallas. He was called to the Order of Bishop on April 1, 2008, for service in the Diocese of Shreveport. On May 19, 2008, he was ordained and installed as the second Bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport.

Come and be inspired by the bishop!

Tickets are $15 and checks should be mailed to Magnificat Nowela Chapter, care of Marjorie Ainsworth, 1575 Parks Road, Benton, LA 71006

by August 22. Include the name of attendees with your check. Contact Linda Balistrella at 318-564-2672 with any questions.

PARISH EVENTS July 9 - 12

Vacation Bible School at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

318-635-2121 4736 Lyba Street Shreveport

July 16 - 20

Vacation Bible School at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish “Shipwrecked - Rescued by Jesus” 8:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

318-798-1887 522 E. Flournoy Lucas Rd. Shreveport

July 16 - 20

Vacation Bible School at St. Joseph Parish, Zwolle “Shipwrecked - Rescued by Jesus” 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

318-645-6155 307 W. Hammond St., Zwolle

Diocesan Catechesis Conference • July 28 July 28

Diocesan Catechesis Conference Join the Diocese of Shreveport for “Connecting the Dots – Catechesis for Now!” We will hear from several speakers including a priest, catechists and Catholic mother about teaching the faith at church and home and how to bring all those elements together. The conference will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Catholic Center, located at 3500 Fairfield Ave. in Shreveport. Registration is $15.

To register, contact Dianne Rachal at drachal@dioshpt.org, or 318-868-4441.

August 8

Confirmation Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Famerville, 6:00 p.m.

August 22

Back to School Concert with John Finch at St. Jude Parish John Finch, Catholic contemporary musician and composer, will perform an acoustic “Back-to-School” concert at St. Jude Parish, 4700 Palmetto Road, Benton, LA, on Wednesday, August 22, at 6:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to all, so bring a friend! Donations will be accepted to help fund the remainder of the St. Jude Concert Season. John Finch is a Louisiana native from Pearl River.

To hear samples of his music go to www. johnfinchmusic.com.

October 11-13

Special Weekend on the Shroud of Turin at the Cathedral

Speaker, Russ Breault will talk on “CSI Jerusalem,” followed by a five speaker panel/dinner (Russ, Father Peter Mangum, Dr. Cheryl White, Rebecca Jackson and Dr. John Jackson). There will then be a talk

by Dr. Jackson, nuclear physicist and the second surviving member of the original 1978 Shroud Research Project team. All of this will be held on the 40th anniversary week of the 1978 Shroud of Turin study! For more information, visit sjbcathedral.org.

October 21

Mette Family Band at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish Michael James Mette will be sharing his music with the diocesan community. Michael is a Catholic performing artist who travels the country with his wife of 18 years, Michelle, and their seven young children. His music is a modern reflection of his faith blending alternative rock with faith-based lyrics. The concert will be 90 minutes and will include performances from the whole family, lights, video, music and testimonies

by Michael and Michelle. Please consider attending the concert and supporting this ministry.

The concert will be hosted by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish at 3:00 p.m. For more information, contact the parish at 318-798-1887.

Special Announcement

St. John Berchmans School is Celebrating 70 Years in Education!

Are you an alumni of St. John Berchmans Catholic School in Shreveport ? If so, they would like to hear from you. They are in the early stages of planning the school’s 70th anniversary and they want you to be a part of this celebration! Visit their website or stop by the school to be added to the mailing list to receive information on upcoming alumni events! www.sjbcathedralschool.org JULY 2018 31

Connection The Catholic

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

Fairfield

Congratulations

to

READ OUR AWARD WINNING ARTICLES ONLINE www.thecatholicconnection.org

Connection on winning The Catholic

3 Catholic Press Awards KIM LONG “Faithful Food”

KATIE SCIBA “Harm of Pornography & Hope Beyond Addiction”

BISHOP MICHAEL DUCA “Bishop's Reflection”

faithful FOOD

bishop’s REFLECTION

The Harm of Pornography and Hope Beyond Addiction: Addicts

Searching for Authenticity in Life and Food

Speak Out for Our Immigrant Brothers and Sisters

T

by Kim Long

T

oday there is a lot of talk about genealogy, DNA tests and finding out who “we” really are – a search for authenticity. I like the following definition for the word authentic: “conforming to an original so as to Long reproduce essential features.”

We certainly look for this in our liturgies, the evidence is plain when our churches swell to standing room only during Christmas, Easter and Ash Wednesday. Everyone seeks authenticity on many levels. During this time of the year we look in the stable, waiting for our hearts to be stirred by that age-old mystery of love. We long for a feeling to lead us back through memory to a place of security and belonging – a place where we feel utterly and completely loved. We seek God in a very particular way.

We do this in the kitchen as well and there is no time like the holidays to bring out the desire to get it right, to make it taste just like momma’s dressing, grandma’s sweet potato pie or whatever your family speciality is. When we are seated at the table with steaming dishes

by Bishop Michael G. Duca

Miss Tut's Charlotte Russe Ingredients: • ½ cup water • 2 envelopes Knox plain gelatin, softened in water • 3 egg yolks • 1 cup sugar • pinch of salt • 1 3/4 cup milk, scalded • 1 teaspoon vanilla • 1/4 cup sherry • 3 egg whites • 1 pint heavy whipping cream • lady fingers Directions: 1) Lightly butter springform pan and line with split lady fingers.

2) Beat egg yolks with sugar and salt.

3) Stir in scalded milk.

4) Cook in a double boiler over simmering water until mixture coats spoon. Pour over gelatin and stir well.

6) Beat egg whites with a pinch of salt.

7) Whip the heavy whipping cream.

8) Fold both into the custard and pour into prepared pan. Chill and let set several hours but overnight is best!

9) When ready to serve remove from the pan carefully and garnish with extra whipped cream or fruit (not necessary but festive). Enjoy!

32 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION 5) When it begins to set, blend in flavoring and sherry.

Aunt Carolyn. This was the first time I remember stepping out of my comfort

two or three quarts each Christmas.

Like our search for authenticity

L

ast month a former member of the White House staff, Steve Bannon, a Catholic, gave an interview to Charlie Rose on 60 Minutes in which he gave an assessment of the Catholic Church and their position on immigration issues in the United States.

When questioned about the opposition expressed by some U.S. bishops to President Trump’s decision to rescind immigration protection afforded under the “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” (DACA), he responded: “The bishops have been terrible about this. By the way, you know why? …they need illegal aliens to fill the churches. …they have an economic interest. … As much as I respect Cardinal Dolan and the bishops on doctrine, this is not doctrine… This is Bishop Duca about the sovereignty of a nation. And in that regard, they’re just another guy with an opinion.”

There are so many ways that this statement is disrespectful, inflammatory and simplistic in portraying the position of the Catholic Church. This response is politically motivated around the issue of immigration and the fact that the bishops continue to demand respect for immigrants living in our country and advocate for just and supportive ways to normalize their status. I believe two statements Mr. Bannon made are wrong and should be addressed so we are clear about our Church’s stand on the issues surrounding immigration.

In regards to the Church’s position on immigration, it is not based on economic interest, nor on filling the pews, but on the central command of Jesus to “Love one another as I have loved you.” Our understanding of this text is revealed in two of the great teachings of Jesus. In Matthew 25, Jesus describes the final judgment of all humanity and reminds us, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me…” (Matt 25:35).

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, told by Jesus in answer to the question, “Who is my neighbor?,” it is the foreigner who tends to the needs of the man who was robbed – and not just any foreigner. The Jews were filled with hostility and dislike for any Samaritan person. It was an animosity that

matter, not a doctrinal issue. Therefore, he believes the bishops’ teaching, the teaching of the Church, is just a political opinion like anyone else. That might be true if I told you to root for the Cowboys and not the Saints, or if I tried to give some stock advice, but in this case the Church is teaching. The teaching of the Church is not just any other opinion, but an exhortation on how to live as disciples of Christ in this world today. We believe that Jesus is not just one opinion to be considered among many, but that He IS The WAY, The TRUTH and The LIFE. We believe Jesus, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, speaks truth through the Magisterium of the Church, the bishops, and it is not only the “opinion of just another guy.” The bishops often state that there are many ways to find a political solution, but the Church insists that any comprehensive plan should be just, respectful, merciful and acknowledge the gifts and value that immigrants, our brothers and

Series written by Katie Sciba under guidance of Fr. Sean Kilcawley, STL

his is the second article in a four-piece series on pornography; the first can be found in the January 2017 edition of the Catholic Connection, or online at www. thecatholicconnection.org.

“Pornography consists in removing real or simulated sexual acts from the intimacy of the partners, in order to display them deliberately to third parties” (Catechism, 2354). Pornography is found in sexually descriptive literature, movies with explicit scenes, images and videos. Though it is more often used by men, women too can be lured into consumption.

As a multi-billion dollar giant, pornography promises fantasy, yet leaves users and loved ones in pain. Despite its distortion of humanity, there are arguments that pornography is harmless or healthy.

“It’s a problem because every human person is created in the image of God, who is a Communion of Persons; our imitation of that communion is expressed through the sexual union between a husband and wife,” says Fr. Sean Kilcawley, STL, theological advisor for IntegrityRestored. com. “Pornography is wrong because it exploits that which is sacred.”

And it’s an exploitation that attracts, confuses and harms. What can begin as curiosity or childhood exposure can develop into an addiction.

Dr. Kevin Skinner is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) and Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist (CSAT).

no different than that of a drug addict.

Pornography use, like cocaine, releases high levels of dopamine, a neurological chemical responsible for positive feelings and rewarddriven behavior. Pornography use also releases oxytocin and vasopressin, chemicals involved in memory and bonding.

These forces of nature make pornography addiction a challenge to combat, even when the addict is desperate for sobriety.

Withdrawal symptoms like persistent headaches, difficulty concentrating, irritability, depression, anxiety, jitters, low libido, insomnia and even suicidal thoughts can last from a week to several months depending on the level of addiction.

But pornography affects more than the brain. It wounds the hearts of consumers, often leading to depression, disinterest in marital intimacy, isolation, shame and loneliness – which can trigger acting out.

“Even basic connections with others become difficult,” said Matt Fradd, CEO

after he had been clean for two months. He was able to tap into a part of his fatherhood that he didn’t know he was missing.”

The harm is evident, but hope for healing is abundant. According to Fr. Kilcawley, the “three pillars of recovery” are seeing a CSAT, seeking spiritual direction, and participating in an accountability or 12-step group. A list of CSATs in your area can be found at IITAP.com and there are several sexual addiction therapists beyond state lines willing to Skype or phone-in with clients.

“There are people who pray every day and they still look at porn,” Matt Fradd said.

“There is a natural component to addictions and if you ignore it, you can’t make much headway.” Which is why a healthy spiritual life coupled with therapy is a more thorough approach than one or the other alone.

“It’s not helpful to tell someone who’s clinically depressed to cheer up, just like it’s not helpful to tell a porn addict to just stop,” said Fradd. “They need professional help and support.”

One of the most important ways to heal from pornography addiction is to understand why it exists, personal triggers and associated emotional trauma. Below are resources for those seeking recovery. Every pornography addict must be assured of the hope of real healing and the love Jesus Christ has for him or her personally. God will offer the grace to step forward in recovery; and beyond the pain and challenges awaits a life of clarity and peace. •

Resources – Books

• Treating Pornography Addiction

by Dr. Kevin Skinner • Out of the Shadows by Dr. Patrick Carnes