Catholic Connection August 2014 by Catholic Diocese of Shreveport

Vol. 24, No. 1 August 2014

Catholic Schools Stepping into a New School Year

August 2014 1

Magazine Nabs Two Awards Publisher Bishop Michael G. Duca Editor Jessica Rinaudo Contributors Bishop Michael Duca Kim Long Theresa Mormino Kelly Phelan Powell Fr. Rothell Price Rosalba Quiroz Dianne Rachal Jessica Rinaudo

Marie Rinaudo Katie Sciba Randy Tiller Sr. Carol Shively Mike Van Vranken Fr. Mark Watson Mike Whitehead

Editorial Board Kim Long Fr. Matthew Long Kelly Phelan Powell Dianne Rachal Christine Rivers Mike Whitehead John Mark Willcox Mission Statement The Catholic Connection is a monthly publication funded by your Diocesan Service Appeal; mailed to every known Catholic household in the Diocese of Shreveport. Our Mission is to advance knowledge and understanding of our Catholic Faith among the faithful. We seek to foster the application of Christ’s teachings and our Church’s mission in our daily lives and to encourage our sense of Catholic identity within our family, parish, and diocesan faith community. Subscriptions & Address Changes Contact: Jessica Rinaudo, Editor Email: jrinaudo@dioshpt.org Write: Catholic Connection 3500 Fairfield Avenue Shreveport, LA 71104 Call: 318-868-4441 Fax: 318-868-4609 Website: www.thecatholicconnection.org

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

The Diocese of Shreveport complies with Virtus’s Protecting God’s Children program. Classes are offered every second Wednesday of the month at the Catholic Center in Shreveport. To report child sexual abuse by a cleric or church worker in the Diocese of Shreveport, call Glennda Lawson. Hotline is 318-294-1031 and your local law enforcement agency.

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Food columnist and feature writer Kim Long, Editor Jessica Rinaudo, Family Life Columnist Katie Sciba and Spiritual Columnist Mike Van Vranken.

t is with great enthusiasm and pride that the Catholic Connection magazine celebrates its second consecutive year honored by Catholic Press Awards! The Catholic Press Awards are given out to national and diocesan magazines and newspapers across North America. Last year Katie Sciba took home a third place award for Best Regular Column: Family Life. This year, Katie took home an award in the same category, this time improving upon her work and placing second, beating out some national publications for the honor. When Katie found out about the awards, she said, “I was shocked and amazed at the same time – so excited that the column is worthy to be recognized on such a huge scale. It’s humbling and encouraging and I can only pray that God will continue to use me like this.” This year, the Catholic Connection added

another big award to its repertoire: Second Place in Overall General Excellence for Diocesan Magazines! Many people work hard each month to bring you quality Catholic information, education and news items through this publication. It’s quite fitting that the three issues we submitted for the general excellence award included feature stories by Kim Long, who also writes our spiritual food column, and family life columnist Katie Sciba. Thank you to everyone who provides quality information to our magazine each month, and thank you to our readers for providing us with feedback and, most importantly, reading the publication each month. Jessica Rinaudo, Editor

bishop’s august calendar AUG 1 Rev. Joseph A. Martina, Jr.’s 25th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood Mass; St. John the Baptist Parish, Many; 6:00 p.m. AUG 5 Priests Retirement Committee meeting; Catholic Center; 11:00 a.m. AUG 12 Our Lady of Fatima Pioneers Meeting; Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Monroe; 10:00 a.m. AUG 15 Opening of School Mass: The Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Catholic School & Loyola College Prep; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans; 9:30 a.m. AUG 22 Blue Mass; St. Mary of the

Pines Church, Shreveport; 9:30 a.m. Barksdale Air Force Base Catholic Youth Organization Annual Pool Party; Barksdale AFB; 7:00 p.m. AUG 23 MAGNIFICAT Brunch; Catholic Center, Shreveport; 11:00 a.m. AUG 24 Bishop Sam G. Jacobs’ 50th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood & 25th Anniversary of Ordination to the Episcopacy Mass; Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma; 2:00 p.m.

contents

august 2014

columns Be a Witness to God’s Mercy and Love by Bishop Michael G. Duca........................................................................................... 4-5 Mike’s Meditations: They Just Showed Up by Mike Van Vranken.........................6

Second Collections: Diocese of Shreveport Hispanic Ministries by Fr. Rothell Price .....................................................................................................6 Domestic Church: Set the Bar High by Katie Sciba..............................................7 How to Pray as a Parent by Katie Sciba .................................................................7 Navigating the Faith: Mass Obligations by Dianne Rachal..................................8 Moveable Feast: The Cup of Memory by Kim Long.............................................9 Book Review: Jesus: A Pilgrimage by Marie Rinaudo ...........................................10

features Catholic Schools: Stepping Into a New School Year by Sr. Carol Shively, OSU ........................................................................................... 11 Catholic Schools Annual Report ......................................................................... 12-13

news Catholic Charities of North Louisiana Expands East by Theresa Mormino...........14

16 on the cover

Encouraging a New Evangelization by Fr. Mark Watson.......................................14 St. Thomas Statue Dedicated in Honor of Bishop's Father by Randy Tiller........... 15 African-Infused Ordination for Crispin & Mutisya by Jessica Rinaudo.................15 Bishop Duca Ordains 16 Permanent Deacons by Deacon Mike Whitehead......16 New Clergy Assignments .......................................................................................17 Pope's Nuncio to Sudan Spoke at Cathedral by Kelly Phelan Powell .................18 Around the Globe Meeting of the Cardinals: “Free, Frank and Friendly”; Pope Calls for Intervention in the Crisis of Migrant Children by Vatican Information Services ................................................................................19 From the Vatican by Vatican Information Services .................................................19 Hispanic Corner by Rosalba Quiroz ........................................................................20 Around the Diocese ...............................................................................................21 Upcoming Events....................................................................................................22 August Calendar ....................................................................................................23 Picture of the Month by Jessica Rinaudo ...............................................................24

Back Row: Carrigan English (Loyola), Chas Duffield (Loyola); Middle Row: Audrey Dufrene (SJS), Emily Brodtman (St. Fred's), Lucas LeBlanc (SJS), Seth Brown (OLF), Tamara Brown (OLF), Sarah Rinaudo (SJB); Front Row: George McKenzie (JGS), Henry McKenzie (JGS), Nicholas Haynes (SJS), William Brodtman (JGS).

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LA REFLEXIÓN del obispo

por Obispo Michael G. Duca

Sea Testigo de la Misericordia y el Amor de Dios “Qué hermosa es esta realidad de fe para nuestra vida: la misericordia de Dios.” (Papa Francisco)

esde el principio de su Pontificado, el Papa Francisco ha enfatizado la centralidad de la misericordia y amor de Dios. Mientras que se sigue dirigiendo a temas dogmáticos y morales, el Papa Francisco enfáticamente nos recuerda que ser un buen católico es más que simplemente creer en las enseñanzas de la Iglesia. También debemos de ser testigos del amor y misericordia de Dios. La misericordia y el amor son distintos a la doctrina porque solo existen en las acciones y decisiones de un católico creyente. La Iglesia es misericordiosa y amorosa solo cuando nosotros somos misericordiosos y amorosos. La conversión y renovación de la Iglesia a la que nos está llamando el Santo Padre no se encontrará en los cambios superficiales en la Iglesia, pero solo cuando cada uno de nosotros tomemos los pensamientos y corazón de Cristo y ser testigos al mundo de la misericordia y amor de Dios. Cuando nuestros corazones estén llenos del amor de Dios, entonces todos los aspectos de la Iglesia serán renovadas porque nuestros corazones estarán cambiados. Para alimentar a un corazón misericordioso tenemos que llegar a ese momento cuando realmente sentimos la necesidad de tener la misericordia y el perdón de Dios en nuestras vidas. Algunos de nosotros llegamos a conocer la misericordia de Dios por medio de tocar fondo espiritualmente y otros tenemos que orar por la gracia para reconocerla. No importa como recibamos esta gracia, ya que la tenemos nos damos cuenta que somos pecadores y necesitamos el perdón. El obstáculo más grande de actuar con misericordia y amor es la autosuficiencia. ¿Cuándo fue la última vez que consideraste que tu alma estaba en peligro a causa de tus pecados, o te diste cuenta de un pecado tan grave que caíste a tus rodillas y le pediste a Dios su misericordia y perdón y buscaste confesarte? ¿Cuándo fue la última 4 Catholic Connection

vez que te sentiste indigno tomando en cuenta las bendiciones que te ha brindado Dios? En muchas ocasiones somos más autosuficientes de lo que pensamos. Damos una explicación para nuestros pecados, diciendo, en mi caso, que no son pecados, que “la Iglesia tiene un pensamiento anticuado,” o simplemente dejamos de examinar nuestras vidas conforme a las enseñanzas de Jesucristo y Su Iglesia. No vemos las bendiciones de Dios porque creemos que lo que tenemos es resultado de nuestros propios esfuerzos y no regalos de Dios. Cuando tenemos la gracia de rezar desde el corazón para la misericordia de Dios, entonces somos humildes; no somos el centro de todo. Nos hacemos agradecidos, generosos, y más aceptantes. En este momento podemos entender lo que quería decir el Papa Francisco cuando dijo, “¿quién soy yo para juzgar?” Esta declaración no fue, como fue citado en la prensa, una aceptación del estilo de vida homosexual, simplemente fue una declaración que como testigos de Jesucristo debemos darles la bienvenida con palabras de amor y misericordia, no juzgarlos. El Papa Francisco quiere que seamos una Iglesia que da la bienvenida con amor porque cada uno de nosotros ha sentido el amor y la misericordia de Dios en nuestras propias vidas. ¿Cómo funciona esto? Considera una familia sentada atrás de ti en la iglesia con niños que no se están quietos. Los papas están batallando con ellos y te molestas. Piensas que deben saber cómo controlar a sus hijos, o que los hubieran dejado en casa o que esos jóvenes no valoran la Misa. Entonces los volteas a ver con una mirada – tu sabes cuál – la mirada que les deja saber

que no apruebas y que tú sabes lo que está bien. Todo este tiempo olvidándote que durante la Misa tu corazón ha estado lleno de criterios y desprecios. Te olvidas que Jesús dijo, “saca primero el tronco de tu propio ojo antes de sacar la astilla del ojo de tu hermano.” (Mateo 7:3-5). Tal vez el esfuerzo que hicieron los papas de vestir a sus hijos para que estén presentes en la Misa fue un esfuerzo monumental de santidad y compromiso de fe. Tal vez vieron esa mirada y los papas decidieron que no eran bienvenidos y dejaron la Iglesia porque ese día, con esa mirada, la Iglesia no los aceptó. Debemos otra vez darnos cuenta de nuestro sentido de autosuficiencia. Debemos, en vez de juzgar, ponernos de rodillas y pedir perdón por nuestro carácter juicioso, por nuestra falta de amor, por nuestra pequeña mentalidad que no nos permite ver a Jesucristo en estos padres, en estos niños. ¿En ese momento pueden ver que tanto necesitamos a la misericordia y perdón de Dios? Con un corazón renovado tal vez le daríamos una mirada de ánimo y apoyo a los padres. Tal vez nos introduciríamos a ellos después de la Misa y ver si la parroquia ofrece algo para ayudarles a criar a sus hijos. Que tan diferente es la Iglesia cuando está motivada por el amor y la misericordia y no la autosuficiencia. Este ejemplo se puede aplicar de muchas maneras en nuestras vidas. Cada vez que nos hacemos más conscientes de la necesidad de la misericordia de Dios en nuestras propias vidas, la Iglesia se hace aún más un testigo de la misericordia de Dios. Y al hacernos testigos de la misericordia, nos convertimos más en la Iglesia que el Papa Francisco nos pide ser.

bishop’s reflection

by Bishop Michael G. Duca

Be a Witness to God's Mercy and Love “What a beautiful truth of faith this is for our lives: the mercy of God!” (Pope Francis)

rom the beginning of his Pontificate, Pope Francis has stressed the centrality of God’s mercy and love. While he continues to address important dogmatic and moral issues, Pope Francis emphatically reminds us that being a good Catholic is more than just Bishop Duca believing the teachings of the Church. We must also be a witness to the love and mercy of God. Mercy and love are different from doctrine in that they only exist in the actions and choices of the believing Catholic. The Church is merciful and loving only when we are merciful and loving. The conversion and the renewal of the Church that the Holy Father is calling us to will not be found in superficial changes in the Church, but only by each of us taking on the mind and heart of Christ and witnessing to the world the mercy and love of God. When our hearts are possessed with God’s love, then all the aspects of the Church will be renewed because our hearts will be changed. To nurture a merciful heart we must come to the moment that we genuinely feel a need for the mercy and forgiveness of God in our life. Some of us come to know God’s mercy through hitting rock bottom spiritually and some of us must pray for the grace of this awareness. No matter how we receive this grace, once we have it we first of all become aware that we are sinners and in need of forgiveness. The greatest obstacle to acting with mercy and love is self-righteousness. When was the last time you considered that your soul was in danger because of your sins, or you were aware of a sin that was so harmful that you fell on your knees and asked for God’s mercy and forgiveness and

sought out the confessional? When was the last time you were overwhelmed by a sense of unworthiness in light of the blessings that God has given to you? We are often more self-righteous than we realize. We explain away our sinful actions by saying “in my case my actions are not sinful,” “the Church is out of touch,” or we just stopped examining our lives in light of the teachings of Christ and his Church. We do not see God’s blessings because we believe what we have is from our own efforts and not as gifts from God. When we have the grace to pray from our hearts for the mercy of God, then we are humbled; we are not the center of all things. We become thankful, generous and more accepting. In this moment we can understand what Pope Francis meant when he said, “who am I to judge?” This statement was not, as was quoted in the press, an acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle, it was simply the statement that when we meet anyone as witnesses of Christ, our first words should be of love and mercy and not judgment. Pope Francis wants us to become a Church that welcomes everyone with love because each one of us hass experienced God’s mercy and love in our own lives. How does this work? Consider a family sitting behind you in church with difficult children. The parents are struggling with them and you are disturbed. You think they should know how to control those kids, or they should have left them at home or that those young people don’t appreciate the Mass. Then you give them that look – you know the one - the look that says you disapprove and you know what is

right. All the time you are forgetting that in the middle of Mass your heart is filled with judgment and disdain. You are forgetting that Jesus said, “take the plank out of your own eye first before you take the splinter out of your brother’s.” (Matthew 7:3-5). Maybe the effort the parents made in getting their children ready for Mass and the fact that they made it was a monumental effort of holiness and commitment of faith. Maybe that look was seen and the parents decided they were not welcomed and left the Church because on that day, with that look, the Church did not accept them. We must become aware once again of our self-righteousness. We should, rather than judge, fall on our knees and ask for forgiveness for our judgmental nature, for our lack of love, for our small mindedness that does not allow us to see Christ in these parents, in these children. In that moment can you see how much more we are in need of God’s mercy and forgiveness? With a heart renewed maybe we would give a look of encouragement and support to the parents. Maybe we would introduce ourselves after Mass and see if there was any help the parish could give them in their raising of these their children. How different the Church is when it is motivated by love and mercy and not selfrighteousness. This example can be applied in so many ways in our lives. The more we become aware of our need of God’s mercy in our own lives, the more the Church becomes a witness of the mercy of God. And the more we become witnesses to mercy, the more we also become the Church that Pope Francis is calling us to become. August 2014 5

Meditations MM Mike's by Mike Van Vranken

Collections SC Second by Fr. Rothell Price

They Just Showed Up

Second Collections for the Month of August

Welcoming the defenseless and vulnerable children

y 16-year old grandmother and my 26-yearold grandfather, accompanied by his 16-year-old brother (my great uncle), boarded a ship in Beirut, Lebanon in 1908 and sailed for America. They had no invitation to come. There were no pre-set reservations at Ellis Island preparing anyone for their arrival. They just “showed up,” were processed by government officials and allowed to begin new lives in the United States. They settled in a small town in Eastern Arkansas, and yes, there was some bigoted hatred spewed out towards these Middle Eastern Catholics who put down roots without being invited. But through their faith, hard work and love of their new neighbors, they became American citizens, grew their family, started businesses, paid taxes and enjoyed successful and joy-filled lives here until their deaths many decades later. They were active in their church, their community and built strong relationships with many other citizens. All they needed was a chance. It was provided to them and they leveraged that opportunity to their benefit and the benefit of their new society. I hope and pray the children who are currently just “showing up” on our Southern border without invitation or reservations are offered the same opportunities my grandparents were. What pride it would give our loving God to see His own welcome the defenseless and vulnerable children who are currently coming to America. How much would He love to give us His grace as we welcome these children with our open arms? How much would He shower us with his favor if we declared them as citizens and found families who would love to adopt them and make them their own? And, how they would help America prosper as they, like my grandparents, grew into loving, working families, paying taxes, supporting their communities, churches and schools. Even from just a purely selfish standpoint, think of the pressure they would take off of government programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid by paying taxes into the system. Jesus said: “With man it is impossible. But, with God, all things are possible” (Mark 10:27). Let’s unite our faith with our prayers and our support and let us become a blessing to these children as we help them become a blessing to our land. All we need to do is give God, and them, a chance. Mike is a writer and teacher. You can contact him at: www. mikevanvrankenministries.org or write him at: Mike Van Vranken, 523 Loch Ridge Drive, Shreveport, LA 71106. 6 Catholic Connection

Diocese of Shreveport Hispanic Ministry

Announcement Dates: August 10 & 11 Collection Dates: August 23 & 24

he purpose of the Diocese of Shreveport Hispanic Ministry Collection is to advance the work of our Office of Hispanic Ministry as they respond to the pastoral, spiritual, civic and sometimes material needs of our Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters. The Office of Hispanic Ministry, through your sacrificial giving, helps practicing Spanish-speaking Catholics hold firmly to their faith through retreats, liturgical ministry training, family and parenting workshops, and leadership training through the Southeast Pastoral Institute (SEPI). The Office of Hispanic Ministry helps our Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters in their civic assimilation through English language courses and other offerings that help them become independent members of our great American society. The great Apostle Paul teaches us to have a great concern for all the churches. This universal and local concern, firmly rooted in the Old and New Testaments, is the basis for the special collections we have each month. Jesus, our Lord, instructs the hearts of His disciples to take to heart the needs of those who are most vulnerable and in need. The Diocese of Shreveport Hispanic Ministry Collection gives us the opportunity to address the needs of our Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Shreveport, and particularly in our local parishes. Participation in this collection benefits us locally and those who live among us seeking to incorporate themselves more securely in their Catholic faith and our American way of life. Our financial and spiritual generosity makes the love of Jesus Christ and the care of His Church real to those who are most in need. The Lord promises blessings and rewards for those who act with kindness and justice toward the alien and sojourner among us. We have much to offer our Hispanic community; and they have much to offer us! They enrich and inspire us with their strong faith, heartfelt devotions, spirited worship and profound sense of family. We enrich them with our warm welcome, access to church participation and appreciation of their cultural uniqueness. This second collection for the Diocese of Shreveport Hispanic Ministry allows us to make real for our Spanish-speaking siblings and ourselves the fulfillment of final judgment of the 25th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel: “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, ill and in prison and you cared for me.” How wonderful that we get to help each other. Fr. Rothell Price, Vicar General, is the Director of Special Collections.

Church DC Domestic by Katie Sciba

Set the Bar High Embrace your faith and show your children its importance

he whole point of any vocation is to get you to heaven. From my still-fresh view on marriage and family, closeness with Christ is required if salvation is the goal. I don’t know about you, but I think that fits the bill pretty well for parenthood. Regardless of how young or old our kids are, God constantly asks us to imitate Him in our approach, which means we need to know who He is so we can exhibit His love to our children. I’m simultaneously overwhelmed and amazed by the fact that parents are primary educators for their children’s entire lives – a description inherent to the job (CCC 2223). Regardless of how much or how little we invest in them, we can’t escape their watchful gazes and absorbent minds. What begins as sweet amusement, seeing them imitate our mannerisms as toddlers, develops into an eye-opening truth the older they get: our kids will follow the example we set from our time as young parents through death. If we’re going to take on parenting for so long, then we need to realize that our children are souls entrusted to us by God, and that He selected us specifically to show His love to them. Educating our children isn’t just helping them learn ABCs or choose a college; much more importantly, it’s being conduits of God’s love and mercy so they will know Him through us. This alone calls for faithful practice of Catholicism – how can I possibly pass on the love of Christ when I’m not drawing from it myself? It’s in encountering God through the sacraments and frequent prayer that we have hope of educating our children this way. Going to confession allows me to receive mercy

and forgiveness, which I then more easily exhibit to my kids. Attending Mass every Sunday, as Catholics are obliged to do, enables me to receive the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ himself; when I receive these with a heart open to God’s grace, I can much better place my children above less significant priorities. Clinging to Christ will make us better primary educators to our children because of how closely they observe and follow our examples. Not only will frequenting the sacraments improve our souls, but it sets the bar high when they see us practicing Catholicism and experience the effects themselves. As a mom of three boys (and one little girl due in November!), the happiest times of my motherhood have been when I actively chose to imitate Christ and receive my children with joy and compassion as he does. The most miserable times I’ve had are when I neglect prayer, and consequently regard my kids as obstacles to happiness and peace. The latter is a farce because happiness and peace come from embracing that to which God calls me – and He has made me a parent. Parenthood is a lifelong vocation with heaven as its objective. God calls us to imitate Him in His own faithfulness, generosity and love by passing them on to our children. Left to my own devices, I’d never survive the trip unless I were hopefully clinging to Christ, receiving his graces from the sacraments and being a conduit of his mercy to my kids. Katie Sciba is the author of thecatholicwife.net. She lives in Shreveport with her husband, Andrew, and three sons, Liam,Thomas & Peter.

How to Pray as a Parent

Parenthood is as consuming as it is long! As your kids’ primary educators in life and faith, stay sharp and peaceful with frequent prayer.

You are WHO You Eat Get to Mass every Sunday and maybe an extra day each week or month. Receiving the physical presence of Christ and the abundant graces there in will make you a more receptive parent to your kids.

'Fess Up Receiving forgiveness and mercy in the confessional will make you more apt at giving them.

Ask the Church Triumphant Mary was the perfect parent who raised the perfect Son! Ask for her intercession as well as other saintly parents like St. Joseph, St. Monica (mother of St. Augustine), and Bl. Louis and Zélie Martin (parents of St. Therese)

Pray for Your Kids Part of setting a faith-filled example for your kids is covering them in prayer. Even a quick “God bless Jennifer” or “Mary protect Blake” will help both you and your kids rely on Christ. Talk to God about your children and ask Him to help you love them better.

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Navigating the Faith Mass Obligations by Dianne Rachal, Director of Worship

emember to keep holy the LORD’S Day.

This is how most of us memorized the third commandment of the Ten Commandments. The full text from Exodus reads: “Remember to keep holy the sabbath day. Six days you may labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord, your God.” No work may be done then either by you, your son or daughter, or your male or female slave, or your beast, or by the alien who lives with you. In six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord has blessed the sabbath day and made it holy. (Exodus 20:8-11) The teaching of the Catholic Church regarding Sunday Mass attendance has not changed. It is both a precept of the Church and Church law that Catholics must worship God on Sunday and holy days of obligation by participating in the Holy Mass. This follows from the fact that in the Mass it is Christ Himself who worships the Father, joining our worship to His. In no other way is it possible to adequately give thanks (eucharistia) to God for the blessings of creation, redemption and our sanctification than by uniting our offerings to that of Jesus Christ Himself.

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The precept of the Church specifies the law of the Lord more precisely: “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.” Canon 1247 “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 1248 With the restoration of the Jewish reckoning of time that measures a day from sundown to sundown, the Saturday anticipated Mass on the evening prior to Sunday satisfies the Sunday Mass obligation. The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason, for example, illness, or the care of infants, or if dispensed by their own pastor. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin. CCC 2181 Since a “grave cause” is needed to excuse one from this obligation it would be a serious or mortal sin to willfully skip Mass on Sunday or a holy day of obligation, as the Church has always taught. Reasons such as the necessity to work to support one’s family, child care, personal sickness or the care of the sick, necessary travel, etc. would excuse a person on a particular occasion. Those who have a continuing reason to be excused should consult their pastor. Every Sunday is a holy day of obligation. Sunday is the day on which the paschal mystery is celebrated in light of the apostolic tradition and is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal Church. In addition to Sundays, the Church in the United States celebrates six holy days of

obligation for Latin rite Catholics: Mary, Mother of God: January 1 The Ascension: Thursday of the 6th Week of Easter The Assumption of Mary: August 15 All Saints: November 1 Immaculate Conception: December 8 Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ: December 25 The solemnity of Epiphany is transferred to the first Sunday following January 1; the solemnity of Corpus Christi is observed on the second Sunday following Pentecost. In most of the ecclesiastical provinces in the United States, the solemnity of the Ascension is moved from Thursday to Sunday. Whenever January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, or August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption, or November 1, the solemnity of All Saints, falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the precept to attend Mass is abrogated. Sunday has always been, and continues to be a day of grace and rest from work. Just as God “rested on the seventh day from all his work which He had done,” human life has a rhythm of work and rest. The institution of the Lord’s Day helps everyone enjoy adequate rest and leisure to cultivate their familial, cultural, social and religious lives. On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of works of mercy and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body. Attendance at Sunday Mass is significantly more than just an obligation. At Mass we are privileged to join all the angels and saints in heaven to offer perfect worship to God, we hear the Word of God proclaimed and actualized in our midst, we enter the Paschal Mystery of our Savior Jesus Christ, we witness the miraculous transformation of bread and wine, we are fed with the food of eternal life—the Body and Blood of Christ, we are sanctified by the grace of the Holy Spirit and we are sent out to be Christ’s presence in the world.

Holy Days of

Obligation In addition to Sundays, the Catholic Church celebrates six holy days of obligation:

Mary, Mother of God January 1 The Ascension Thursday, the 6th Week of Easter The Assumption of Mary August 15 All Saints November 1 Immaculate Conception December 8 Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ December 25

Catholic Food by Kim Long

The CUp of Memory

t was a hot and sunny morning in June and I was in Keithville picking blackberries. They were the sort I only saw in catalogs: huge, thornless, ripe, sweet and I couldn’t fill my buckets quickly enough; but as I was doing just that, my mind drifted to another time. Picture, if you will, three small boys in tennis shoes, shorts and t-shirts presenting themselves to their mother with a solemn request: “Will you make a cobbler for us, a berry cobbler?” The mother replied in a similar solemn manner, “Of course I will, but you must pick one cup of berries. Here, take this bowl and when you have berries up to this part you have enough.” Handing over the bowl she opened the back door and away they went, grail quest underway. That is exactly how I remember it. As I picked my way down rows of blackberries that morning, a phrase surfaced in my mind “the cup of memory.” I was indeed drinking from it that morning. Later in my office preparing to type this, I thought I should research that phrase which I knew comes from the Passover Seder meal. We drink four cups of wine at the Seder because God promised four ways to deliver His people from slavery: take, rescue, redeem, bring. This is referenced in Exodus 6:6-8. Then I looked up “memory,” which is a four step process and those steps are encode, store, retain and recall. The similarities struck me pretty hard. In the cup of memory our ancestors were redeemed by God from slavery; all of us are now redeemed in spirit and example. Each of us, each generation, is a beneficiary of God’s

power of salvation. (The Passover Celebration, Rabbi Leon Klencki, 1980) The 20-year-old memory of those three little boys, the feel of the day, the picking of the berries, the baking of this cobbler along with gathering them on Monday night for our weekly family meal is, for me, a big drink from the cup of memory. Memories are not just living in the past! They can serve as a bridge connecting us to all the good things, the ordinary things, the recipes, the cooks, the food that has sustained us in our past. When we bring that forward to the present moment we are truly passing on something living. This is the recipe for cobbler I was given as a very young bride. It’s the easiest way to make a cobbler and it has many names. I offer it you under the name “Lazy Man’s Cobbler.”

Lazy Man's Cobbler Ingredients: • 1 cup self-rising flour • 1 cup sugar • 1 stick butter, unsalted • 1 cup milk • 1 cup fruit of your choice • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions: 1) In a bowl mix flour, sugar, milk and vanilla into a batter, stirring until well mixed, set aside. 2) Melt butter in an ovenproof dish (I use a black iron skillet). 3) Mix fruit with batter only enough to incorporate so fruit keeps its shape. Pour over butter. 4) Bake at 325 degrees until tester comes out clean. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

August 2014 9

Books Review

by Marie Rinaudo

Jesus: A Pilgrimage by Fr. James Martin, S.J.

the Christ of faith. Martin’s Jesus is fully human and divine. As Jesus progresses in his ministry, he learns and matures. When the Syrophoenician woman asks Jesus to heal her child, he abruptly explains that he cannot “take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” Undeterred, the woman responds with brave words that seem to change Jesus; she reminds him that, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Martin suggests that Jesus, worker of miracles, is also a teacher, open to learning and developing. As he follows Jesus, the itinerant preacher, Fr. Martin takes the reader on an authentic journey through the Holy Land. In the chapter on Bethlehem, Martin imagines the confusion and bewilderment that Mary and Joseph experienced as they entered the village to fulfill the demands of the Roman authority. As I read the description, I recalled my own feelings as a pilgrim in modern- day Bethlehem, a city walled and under heavy guard. Sitting on the bus with my fellow travelers waiting to be cleared by the authorities, I felt similar confusion and not a little sense of uneasiness. I cannot recommend a better introduction to Christology, biblical scholarship, and Ignatian meditation than Jesus: A Pilgrimage. It is a retreat with Jesus of Nazareth, a friend you will know all the more as you recall the gospels and travel the Holy Land. This book is available at the Slattery Library in the Catholic Center and at Barnes and Noble.

y first encounter with Fr. James Martin, S. J., the author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage, was about 12 years ago, shortly after the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. Fr. Martin spent long hours ministering to the firefighters and police officers in the days immediately following the attack. He reflected on the events in a small volume entitled, Searching for God at Ground Zero. I recall reading a short excerpt to my religion classes at Loyola College Prep, where I was teaching at the time. It was clear that the author had captured the attention of the students, who like the rest of the country, were still in a numbed state of disbelief. Since then I have tried to read everything Fr. Martin writes. His latest work Jesus: A Pilgrimage is ambitious; in 500 pages he presents an in-depth account of the life of Jesus. The result is a combination of scripture study, meditations, prayers and a travel journal. When Fr. Martin had an opportunity to study in the Holy Land with a colleague, he determined to record his experiences. In the introduction he clarified to his readers his primary goal: “I would like to introduce you to the Jesus I love, and I know, the person at the center of my life.” And so he does. The work is personal – sometimes with such depth of emotion that I felt at times like an intruder into his private world. The sincerity of his love for Jesus is captured in meditations grounded Diocese of Shreveport in friendship and familiarity. His treasure trove of stories and imaginings in the Ignatian spirit convey NonDiscriminatory School Policy that Christ is indeed the center of his everyday life. The Diocese of Shreveport School system re-affirms its nonIn a fluent, accessible style, he takes the reader discriminatory policy on the basis of race, sex, color, national, and on a journey that begins in Bethlehem and ends ethnic origin in its educational programs, activities, and employment in Tiberias at the Mount of Olives, where Christ policies in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title leaves the church in the hands of his disciples. IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, and Sections 4.03 (a) and The book is structured neatly with each chapter 4.03 (c) Revenue Procedure 75-50. All students, faculty members and staff, without exception, are presenting a single gospel passage. Skillfully admitted to all rights, privileges, and activities generally accorded recalling the gospel events, he manages several or made available at the schools which do not discriminate on different strands: commentaries by noted the basis of race, sex, color, national, and ethnic origin in the biblical scholars, personal meditations and travel administration of its employment policies, admission policies, narrations. Each chapter concludes with the scholarship, and loan programs, and relevant scriptural passage. athletic and other schoolThe commentaries are rich with references to administrated programs. major scholars. Careful research is evident in the St. John Berchmans numerous end notes and lengthy bibliography, Cathedral School, Shreveport yet the portrayal of Jesus is not academic. The St. Joseph School, scholarship, serving to illuminate rather than Shreveport Loyola College intimidate, becomes a seamless part of the Preparatory, Shreveport conversation rather than an esoteric interpretation. Jesus the Good On one point, Martin is adamant: he presents Shepherd School, Monroe Jesus as fully human and fully divine. In this Our Lady of Fatima approach, he follows Pope Benedict, who in Jesus School, Monroe of Nazareth, recognizes the contribution made to St. Frederick High the study of the Jesus of history, but contends that School, Monroe this portrayal should never be at the expense of 10 Catholic Connection

Catholic Schools Stepping into a New School Year BY SISTER CAROL SHIVELY, OSU SUPERINTENDENT

s we step into a new school year, I would like to introduce the profile of a Catholic school teacher/minister. Many times we forget that these ministers are walking a journey with our students, gently leading students towards goals and expectations and showing them the movements of the Holy Spirit in their lives. It is the goal of each teacher to serve as a “John the Baptist” each day in pointing out the Lord. A Catholic school teacher is a man or woman of faith. This gift of faith, though unseen, motivates the teacher to take our students into a world where peace and justice reign. The teacher must “walk the talk.” Every day the student is grading the teacher and evaluating to see if the actions match the words. For us who are teachers, our students can serve as a mirror for our daily examination of conscience. A Catholic school teacher is a man or woman of integrity. Integrity is a purity of mind and heart that knows no deception, no excuses, no rationalization, nor any coloring of the facts. It is an absolute honesty with one’s self, with God and with our fellow man. Even if God blinked or looked the other way for a moment, it would be choosing the right—not merely because God desires it, but because our character demands it. A Catholic School teacher is a man or woman of forgiveness. Forgiveness is about releasing ones apprehension, trepidation and

consternation. This may be done by letting loose the past so it no longer has control over the individual, their views or sentiments. One way of releasing this tension is to gain reconciliation through forgiveness, especially with students; it is essential that the teacher be aware there is a need to engage the student, particularly if there is likelihood that the student may find it difficult to render forgiveness. The teacher will also discover that reconciliation happens naturally once they have set themselves free through forgiveness. A Catholic school teacher is a man or woman of laughter. In the words of Carolyn Birmingham, “A smile starts on the lips, a grin spreads to the eyes, a chuckle comes from the belly; but a good laugh bursts forth from the soul, overflows, and bubbles all around.” To our students, yesterday is just a memory, today is the adventure. The Catholic school teacher believes in the present and that the adventure is in the future where God shapes and molds young lives into being for others. A Catholic school teacher is a man or woman who is commissioned to go into the workplace and reveal God’s saving spirit through the quality of their lives. May our teachers labor for justice, lobby for peace and be content with the wage of commitment. Sr. Carol Shively, OSU, Superintendent August 2014 11

Diocese of Shreveport

SHREVEPORT Loyola College Prep 921 Jordan Street Shreveport, LA 71101 318-221-2675 www.loyolaprep.org

Catholic Schools Annual Report

St. John Berchmans School 947 Jordan Street Shreveport, LA 71101 318-221-6005 www.sjbcathedralschool.org St. Joseph School

1210 Anniston Avenue Shreveport, LA 71105 318-865-3585 www.sjsfalcons.org

MONROE Jesus the Good Shepherd School 900 Good Shepherd Lane Monroe, LA 71201 318-325-8569 www.jesusgoodshepherd.org Our Lady of Fatima School 3202 Franklin Street Monroe, LA 71201 318-387-1851 www.fatimaschool.org St. Frederick High School 3300 Westminster Avenue Monroe, LA 71201 318-323-9636 www.stfrederickhigh.org

Terra Nova Achievement Test Reading Language

National

Math Social Studies

Science

Spelling

Kindergarten 70

N/A

Grade 1

N/A

Grade 2

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 6

Grade 7

Grade 8

A Catholic

school teacher is a man or

woman who is commissioned to go into the workplace and reveal

Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s saving spirit through the quality of their lives.

12 Catholic Connection

Enrollment 2013-14

Faculty & Staff 115 4 11 20 20 6

Full-Time Certified Classroom Teachers Music Teachers Physical Education Teachers Pre-School Teachers Instructional Teachers Certified Principals

Pre-K K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th

Faculty & Staff Awards 5 YEARS Bill Keel Christi Oden Mary Allmon Tina Murray Michelle Talley Amy Simon Regina Stevens Jane Shockley Elizabeth Williams

246 155 125 119 104 110 121 104

7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th TOTAL:

144 130 167 136 165 147 1973

10 YEARS Kathy Pitard Paul Nugent Crystal Williams Lori DiGiulian Barbara Lewis 15 YEARS Jacqueline Vaughn Geneva Tombrello

ACT SCORES

20 YEARS Gloria White Barbara Funk Aimee Anthony Kathy Hewitt

National: 20.9 State: 20.3 St. Frederick High: 22.9 Loyola Prep: 25.0

ACRE Test Scores 2013-2014 Profession of Faith

Liturgy & Sacraments

Life in Christ

Christian Prayer

90 85 80

Grade 5 Grade 8 Grade 11

Diocese of Shreveport Average

Grade 5 Grade 8 Grade 11

Nat'l 68%

DOS 75%

Nat'l 79%

DOS 92%

Nat'l 70%

DOS Avg. 83%

Nat'l 65%

DOS 72%

Nat'l 68%

DOS 89%

Nat'l 68%

DOS Avg. 85%

Nat'l 69%

DOS 75%

Nat'l 69%

DOS 87%

Nat'l 69%

DOS Avg. 83%

Nat'l 76%

DOS 81%

Nat'l 69%

DOS 85%

National Avg. 78%

DOS Avg. 88%

Grade 5 Grade 8 Grade 11

National Average

August 2014 13

NEWS

Catholic Charities of North Encouring a New Louisiana Expands East Evangelization

ave you noticed a change? Perhaps you’ve seen Catholic Charities ads and thought, “That seems different!” It’s official! Catholic Charities of Shreveport is now Catholic Charities of North Louisiana, a more fitting name for our agency today. Our membership board and board of directors, along with Executive Director Jean Dresley, made the decision for the new name in view of our changing landscape. After four years of operation, this new name gives everyone a clearer picture of the scope of Catholic Charities’ current and planned presence in the area. This past year we opened our first satellite office in Lake Providence where the poverty level is one of the highest in our state with 41% of all residents at or below national poverty standards. The need was so great and the response as well, that it quickly became apparent that opening the Lake Providence office was a good decision. The office is 100-percent volunteer staffed and run. With the considerable expertise and help of Sr. Bernie Barrett, people are receiving the loving assistance that many have gone without for too long. Open two mornings a week, we have served 288 individuals through July of this year, offered two programs: Emergency Assistance and Financial Education, as well as supplied diapers for the youngest of our clients. We have also developed a partnership with the Lake Providence local health unit in an effort to give parents in the area more help to safely raise their children. When the health unit administers a vaccination to our client, they are also given a voucher for diapers from Catholic Charities. With only five volunteers, the Catholic Charities Lake Providence office logged more than 752 hours of dedicated service. Our next endeavor will be in the Monroe area, including the small surrounding communities. We are currently investigating a site for this second satellite office and forming the nucleus of the staff as well. Local supporter Randy Smith has been a great source of help in moving our plans in Monroe forward. As a resident of the area, Randy has hands-on knowledge of the area’s needs as well as a long list of possibilities for staffing and supporting a Monroe office. It will take many volunteers and a lot of dedication on the part of everyone to see this latest extension of our agency become a vital part of the Monroe community. We ask for your prayers for Catholic Charities of North Louisiana as we move forward to make a difference in the fight against poverty. If you are interested in volunteering, please call our Shreveport office at 318 -865-0200, or go to our web site, www.ccnla.org for more details. by Theresa Mormino, Catholic Charities of North Louisiana 14 Catholic Connection

n February 11-13, Fr. Mark Watson and Marcos Villalba, Hispanic Youth Coordinator, traveled to the Mexican American Catholic College (MACC) in San Antonio, TX, for a Workshop on the New Evangelization. The focus on evangelization in the Catholic Church began with the Second Vatican Council. The “Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People” (Apostolicam Actuositatem) states that Christ calls every baptized believer to work toward the mission of the church which is striving for the salvation of all people and the renewal of the world. Through living out their faith, the laity acts as leaven which transforms society into the family of God. (AA, 2). In Pope Paul VI’s 1975 Apostolic Exhortation, “On Evangelization in the Modern World” (Evangelii Nuntiandi), he says evangelization is the central mission of the Church and includes witness of life and liberation to the poor. All people are meant to be beneficiaries of evangelization. Pope John Paul II coined the term “New Evangelization”and challenged Catholics to share their faith in a friendly manner with those who needed the truth of Jesus Christ. In Pope Francis’ recent Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelli Gaudium, he encourages the Church to begin a new chapter of evangelization marked with joy. The source of this joy is the infinite love of God. All Christians are to see themselves as missionary disciples who are sent forth to bring the Good News of Christ to others, especially the poor and despised. The New Evangelization consists of pastoral care for those in need of Christ’s love and forgiveness, for the baptized whose lives do not reflect the demands of baptism and for those who do not know or who have rejected Jesus Christ (EG, 14). The three-day interactive workshop included presentations in both Spanish and English. In her presentation, “Lay People in the New Evangelization,” Gloria Coronado of Guadalupe Radio Network said, “Look for occasions to find Christ. We must look for opportunities, and knock at doors, not wait for others to look for us. Go out with joy, go out with happiness.” Andrés Arango reiterated the importance of Evangelization, “It is a gift and a great blessing to be here. It does not matter which is your ministry, we all can and should evangelize. The pope does not give any program, he gives tips on how we can be good evangelizers. Evangelization is not a program, it is to live life.” If you are interested in implementing the New Evangelization “Door to Door Method” titled Culturally Sensitive Home Visiting, please email Fr. Mark Watson at stpatrick.sacredheart@gmail.com or Marcos Villalba at mvillalba@dioshpt.org . by Fr. Mark Watson

St. Thomas Statue Dedicated AFrican-Infused Ordination in Honor of Bishop's Father for Crispin & Mutisya

t. Thomas Aquinas was declared patron of Catholic educational establishments in 1880, thus many Catholic schools honor St. Thomas as their patron. Lewis and Aline Duca, parents of Bishop Michael G. Duca, helped found such a Catholic parish and school in the Dallas area in the early 1950’s that is still growing and educating generations of children. Imparting the philosophy, ethics and Catholic teachings based on the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas is still very much their mission. When Bishop Duca’s father passed away in October 2013, many wanted a way to honor Mr. Duca and offer condolences to the bishop, his mother and family. Diocesan staff and clergy offered donations to procure a statue of St.Thomas Aquinas and a pedestal for the lower school building. Bishop Duca, his brother and sisters all attended St. Thomas school. The pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas parish in Dallas, Fr. John Libone, was contacted and permission was eagerly given for the erection and dedication of the statue. Once all the elements were in place, a small group from the Catholic Center accompanied Bishop Duca to join his family for the dedication of the statue. June 2, 2014 was the last school Mass for the lower education grades at St. Thomas Aquinas school. Bishop Duca presided at the school Mass and the blessing and dedication of the statue. Many members of Bishop’s family were there, including mother Aline Duca, brother James and his wife Cindy, sister Rosanne and her husband Bill, and sister Irene and her husband Mark, along with his father’s nieces, nephews and great grandchild. Bishop Duca presided at Mass with Fr. Libone concelebrating in the chapel of the lower school. He reminisced in his homily of his days at St. Thomas and, of course, extolled the virtues of a good Catholic education, recognized some of the students for their achievements in math and proceeded to the dedication of the statue. Fr. John Libone especially asked that I convey his thanks, the gratitude of the school administration and appreciation on behalf of the students for the wonderful donation of the statue of their patron saint, Thomas Aquinas. It has been placed on a pedestal in the foyer to watch over everyone entering the school. by Randy Tiller, Director of Mission Effectiveness

rdinations to the diaconate and priesthood are always joyful events, especially in the mission Diocese of Shreveport where our clergy numbers are small but growing. When you take that joyful occasion and add to it a Catholic Kenyan choir who suffused the church sanctuary with beautiful music and celebratory dancing, it’s no wonder that all in attendance couldn’t help but smile and dance along. On June 21, two Francsican Missionaries of Hope brothers rejoiced as they celebrated their ordinations: Brother Paul Mutisya was ordained to the transitional diaconate, and Deacon John Paul Crispin was ordained to the priesthood at St. Mary of the Pines Catholic Church in Shreveport. The event was infused with the culture of both brothers who hail from Kenya and India respectively. Those who could travel from their homelands to the event did so, and those who could not were able to tune in via live webcast to watch as the two men took gigantic steps on their vocational journeys. Bishop Michael Duca celebrated the ordination Mass and spoke to both men about their journeys to the priesthood. “It is my prayer that you will take these gifts of diaconate and priesthood and use them to joyfully serve the people of God. Sometimes you get a lot more days of demand before you get days of fulfillment, but it does come… In the bridge between demand and sacrifice and fulfillment, what holds us over is our faith and our trust in the Lord; hope in the Lord. Be true missionaries of hope, not just to the people you meet, but also to your own self. Trust that the Lord will not leave you alone.” Both men were ordained with celebration and joy from across the globe. John Paul Crispin was even blessed to have his brother, Fr. Amal Raj Crispin, who is a diocesan priest for the Archdiocese of Bangalore in India, there and participating in his ordination. Following their ordinations, both men had a chance to speak. Both Deacon Mutisya and Father Crispin thanked their families for their constant support, as well as their community and the faithful who have supported them on their way. Fr. Michael Thang’wa announced that in the next year Deacon Mutisya will serve as an intern in New York. Bishop Duca followed his announcement by saying that after talking with the Franciscan Missionaries of Hope, he was happy to announce that Fr. John Paul Crispin will serve as Parochial Vicar at St. Mary of the Pines Church alongside Fr. Francis Kamau. Both men are members of the Lyke Community, a Franciscan order that began in Kenya in 1993 and was officially established in 1999. by Jessica Rinaudo, Editor August 2014 15

NEWS

Bishop Duca Ordains 16 Permanent Deacons

hen Bishop Michael Duca ordained 16 Permanent Deacons on June 28, he gave them a profound mission for their life of service –– Believe what you read; teach what you believe; practice what

you teach. This ordination was the exclamation point for the Diocese of Shreveport this year. Within an extraordinary 30-day period beginning at the end of May, Bishop Duca ordained two priests, two transitional deacons and 16 Permanent Deacons. This was the third group of Permanent Deacons ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport since 1986. The new deacons and their assignments include Deacon Orlando Batongbakal, St. Clement Parish, Vivian; Deacon Scott Brandle, St. Matthew Parish, Monroe; Deacon Tom Deal, Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Monroe; Deacon Chris Domingue, Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Monroe; Deacon Bill Goss, II, St. Lawrence Church, Swartz; Deacon Bill Kleinpeter, St. Joseph Parish, Mansfield; Deacon Steve Lehr, St. Jude Parish, Benton; Deacon Danny LeMoine, Christ the King Parish, Bossier City; Deacon Jack Lynch, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Shreveport; Deacon David Nagem, Sacred Heart Parish, Oak Grove; Deacon Robert Ransom, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Ruston; Deacon Ricardo Rivera, Christ the King Parish, Bossier City; Deacon Charles Thomas, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, Shreveport; Deacon Marc Vereen, St. Joseph Parish, Bastrop; Deacon Mike Whitehead, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Shreveport; and Deacon Michael Wise, St. Jude Parish, Benton. Every aspect of the ordination, held at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, had deep meaning for the new deacons: from the laying on of hands by Bishop Duca, to presenting the Book of the Gospels, to humbly lying prostrate. The new deacons will help the bishop and his priests in the ministry of the word and charity, showing themselves to be the servants of all. They will preside over public prayer, administer baptism, assist at and bless marriages, bring Viaticum to the dying and conduct funeral rites. In his homily, Bishop Duca gave the new deacons one sustaining virtue as they go forward to serve God and God’s people: “Do not be proud of being a deacon. I say that particularly because pride could easily go wrong. Pride can become arrogance. And very quickly you can seek to be someone who seeks to be served, not to serve. Rather, I ask you to be thankful for being called to diaconate service. Thankfulness is an attitude that has room for mercy, room for the call to service for others. When thankfulness is in our heart, then we are open to God’s graces, His mercy and His love. As a result, you will become better ministers of Jesus Christ.” Deacon Clary Nash, the Director of the Permanent Diaconate for the diocese, was celebrating the 28th anniversary of his ordination that same day. “Our church is alive and well as demonstrated at the ordination. The Cathedral was standing room only with another 250-plus in the simulcast area to allow for all who came to witness this great day for our church. After more than five years of prayerful reflection and training, the culmination of watching 16 men dedicate their lives to service and the people of God was one of my greatest and most emotional days of my life. I will never forget the expressions on their faces as Bishop Duca laid hands on them as he prayed for the Holy Spirit to descend upon them.” In addition to celebrating the 16 new deacons, two women, Jane Himel and Nadalie Thomas, took all four years of the deacon courses alongside the men and received an Adult Faith Formation Certificate from Jim McGill of the University of Dallas. by Deacon Mike Whitehead 16 Catholic Connection

The joy of being a CatholicChristian was overwhelming. The emotion of joy grew at every part of the ordination rite, from kneeling before Bishop Duca, to the humble act of prostration to our Lord and my wife's kind smile as she vested me with the deacon’s stole. - Deacon Scott Lehr

As the procession began, what could only have been the Holy Spirit seemed to take over. With a deep breath, a big smile and a little moisture in my eyes, I focused on every word, every movement, every sight and sound. - Deacon Tom Deal

Tears of joy were filling my eyes and so much emotion was hitting me all at once. I finally took a deep breath and said to myself, “Let’s do this together, Lord,” and I was able to regain my composure. This was a day for tears of joy. - Deacon Robert Ransom

After we stood up from prostrating before the Bishop and the altar, I looked down and saw stains of dampness on the floor. It was a symbol of my ordination vows –– caring for others to the point of tears and working for others and the Church until I am sweating and fatigued. - Deacon Bill Goss

New Clergy Assignments: Priests

Chiramukhathu

Crispin

Daigle

Elavunkal

Franklin

Martina

Price

Garvin

Kallarackal

1) Fr. Abraham Chiramukhathu, CMI, relieved of his position at Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Monroe. 2) Fr. John Paul Crispin, FMH, appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Mary of the Pines Parish, Shreveport. 3) Fr. Karl Daigle appointed Pastor, Christ the King Parish, Bossier City.

4) Fr. Thomas Elavunkal, CMI appointed Pastor, St. John the Baptist Parish, Many, and St. Terence Church, Toledo Bend. 5) Fr. Mark Franklin appointed Pastor at St. Joseph Parish, Shreveport. 6) Fr. Keith Garvin appointed Parochial Vicar, Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Monroe and Chaplain at St. Frederick High School, Monroe. 7) Fr. Sebastian Kallarackal, CMI appointed Pastor, St. Paul Parish, Minden, and St. Margaret Church, Homer; Blessed Sacrament Church, Ringgold and Sacred Heart Church,

Thang'wa

Uwamungu

Springhill (Chapel of Ease). 8) Fr. Joseph A. Martina, Jr. appointed Pastor, Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Monroe, and St. Lawrence Church, Swartz, and Christ the King Parish/ULM Campus Ministry, Monroe. 9) Fr. Rothell Price, VG, relieved as Pastor, Christ the King Parish, Bossier City. 10) Fr. Michael Thang'wa, FMH appointed Parochial Vicar, St. Joseph Parish, Shreveport. 11) Fr. JĂŠan Bosco Uwamungu appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Joseph Parish, Zwolle.

New Clergy Assignments: Deacons

Batongbakal

Brandle

Cotita

Deal

Domingue

Goss

Kleinpeter

Lehr

Lemoine

Lynch

Nagem

Ransom

Rivera

Thomas

Vereen

Whitehead

Wise

1) Orlando Batongbakal appointed to St. Clement Parish, Vivian. 2) Scott Brandle appointed to St. Matthew Parish, Monroe. 3) Tim Cotita appointed to St. Paschal Parish, West Monroe. 4) Tom Deal appointed to Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Monroe. 5) Christopher Domingue appointed to Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Monroe.

12) Robert Ransom appointed to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Ruston.

6) Bill Goss appointed to St. Lawrence Church, Swartz.

13) Ricardo Rivera appointed to Christ the King Parish, Bossier City.

7) Bill Kleinpeter appointed to St. Joseph Parish, Mansfield.

14) Charles Thomas appointed to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, Shreveport.

8) Scott Lehr appointed to St. Jude Parish, Benton. 9) Danny Lemoine appointed to Christ the King Parish, Bossier City. 10) Jack Lynch appointed to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Shreveport. 11) David Nagem appointed to Sacred Heart Parish, Oak Grove.

15) Marc Vereen appointed to St. Joseph Parish, Bastrop. 16) Mike Whitehead appointed to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Shreveport. 17) Mike Wise appointed to St. Jude Parish, Benton. August 2014 17

NEWS

Pope’s Nuncio to Sudan Spoke at Cathedral

Archbishop Bert Van Mergen, Apostolic Nuncio to the Sudan, visited the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans.

n June 18, the Diocese of Shreveport enjoyed a rare they have few means to pressure a government. But, the opportunity – Archbishop Bert Van Megen, Apostolic Archbishop pointed out, “when the majority of the population Nuncio to the Sudan, the largest country in Africa, is Catholic [e.g., Brazil], that in itself creates political pressure.” shared his experiences at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans. Like other diplomats, Apostolic Nuncios have the privilege of Close to 100 people turned out to learn about the functions legal immunity, but their professional positions are often much of the papal nunciature, what’s happening with the Church more delicate – any misstep, and the Catholics in that country in Africa and Archbishop Van Megen’s experiences in this may suffer the repercussions. “We are responsible for human fascinating and vital position that’s all but unknown to many lives,” said Archbishop Van Megen. American Catholics. The Archbishop, in particular, knows full well how precarious “Nuncio” means messenger, and that’s an apt description of an Apostolic Nuncio’s situation can be. Although the citizens what an Apostolic Nuncio, also called a Papal Nuncio, does. of the Sudan ostensibly enjoy religious freedom, the truth is Essentially, an Apostolic Nuncio is an ambassador or diplomat that the country is 95 percent Muslim and Khartoum, the for the Catholic Church. “The Holy See has a central power capital, operates under Shari’a law. Converting to Christianity, from which it governs the entire Church,” the Archbishop for instance, is punishable by death. Archbishop Van Megen explained, “which is why it has and sends out diplomats.” The pointed out that since he has diplomatic immunity, it is easier Papal Nunciature is comprised of for him to discuss political matters 100 ambassadors to countries around with the government than it is for the Archbishop Van Megen pointed the world, 12 ambassadors to various local bishops, who are citizens of the out that since he has diplomatic international organizations, such as the country. The Apostolic Nunciature is United Nations and the African Union concerned with all matters of peace, immunity, it is easier for him to and 142 junior diplomatic staff. justice, truth and human rights in discuss political matters with That sounds like a lot of people addition to matters specific to the the government than it is for the working on behalf of the Church – Roman Catholic Church. local Bishops, who are citizens of and it is – but it’s far more than there Shortly, the Archbishop will return once was. At the beginning of St. Pope to the Sudan, a frontier between the the country. John Paul II’s pontificate, there were Middle Eastern and African worlds, 78 Apostolic Nuncios stationed throughout the world. By the and he will face the many problems currently plaguing the end, there were 174. Among his myriad accomplishments, he country, namely the tension between Northern Sudan, which is reestablished diplomatic relations with the U.S. in 1984 (they almost entirely Muslim, and the South, which seceded in 2011 were severed sometime after the 19th Century) and forged a and declared itself a Christian nation – one of the few countries relationship with Israel in 1993. in the world that has. Not surprisingly, this move created and To those outside the Church, it may seem odd that the inflamed a number of volatile situations, all of which must be Holy See has diplomats at all, but it’s only logical when closely monitored by the Archbishop. considering that one out of six people on Earth is Catholic. Archbishop Van Megen encouraged those in attendance on With a population that astronomical, “the Church has a very June 18 to pray for the heroic Christian men and women who significant political weight,” Archbishop Van Megen said. suffer under the Sudan’s Muslim government. Let us also pray Unlike governmental institutions, the Holy See has no economic for the Archbishop himself, that he can continue to support interests and is not a military power. This gives the Apostolic the Christian community in the Sudan through a Gospel of Nunciature more freedom to act and garners more trust from reconciliation, forgiveness and mercy. the countries with which they negotiate, but correspondingly, by Kelly Phelan Powell 18 Catholic Connection

across the

Vatican Information Services

by Vatican Information Services

Meeting of the Cardinals: “Free, Frank and Friendly”

atican City (VIS) – On July 4, the Council of Cardinals, gathered at the Domus Sanctae Marthae. With regard to the themes considered, as well as those indicated in recent days (the Governorate, the Secretariat of State and the Institute for the Works of Religion), the Council resumed its reflections on the dicasteries of the Curia. The laity and family were studied in particular depth, especially in terms of the contributions and roles that should be assumed by laypeople, married couples and women. Decisions were not made, but more detailed proposals were offered that will subsequently be inserted into the overall framework of the new configuration of the Curia. Other themes on which there has been an exchange of opinions during the meetings include the nunciatures

and their work, and the procedures for the appointment of bishops. Aside from the contribution of the Commission of Cardinals for the Supervision of the IOR, heard on Tuesday and Wednesday, there was no further participation from entities external to the Council. With regard to the working atmosphere and approach, the participants have expressed great satisfaction. The overall tone has been described as “free, frank and friendly” (the “3Fs”). The Pope participated naturally in the dialogue, promoting a climate of free expression. There are still no texts that may be considered as drafts of the new Constitution, since the work proceeds in the form of partial contributions, generally presented by individual Cardinals charged with the task of studying specific matters.

POPE CALLS FOR INTERVENTION IN THE CRISIS OF MIGRANT CHILDREN

tican City (VIS) – On July 15 Pope Francis sent a message to the participants in the “Mexico/ Holy See Colloquium on Migration and Development.” In the text, the Pontiff urges the international community to promote the adoption of new forms of legal and safe migration and called for protection and a suitable reception for the many children who migrate across the border with the United States unaccompanied. He also highlights the need for policies to inform potential migrants of the dangers of such a journey and above all, for initiatives to promote development in their countries of origin. “Many people forced to immigrate suffer, and often, die tragically; many of their rights are violated, they are obliged to separate from their families and, unfortunately, continue to be the subject of racist and xenophobic attitudes. “Faced with this situation, I repeat what I have affirmed in this year’s Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees: ‘A change of attitude towards migrants and refugees is needed on the part of everyone, moving away from attitudes of defensiveness

and fear, indifference and marginalization – all typical of a throwaway culture – towards attitudes based on a culture of encounter, the only culture capable of building a better, more just and fraternal world.’ “I would also like to draw attention to the tens of thousands of children who migrate alone, unaccompanied, to escape poverty and violence: This is a category of migrants from Central America and Mexico itself who cross the border with the United States under extreme conditions and in pursuit of a hope that in most cases turns out to be vain. They are increasing day by day. This humanitarian emergency requires, as a first urgent measure, these children be welcomed and protected. These measures, however, will not be sufficient, unless they are accompanied by policies that inform people about the dangers of such a journey and, above all, that promote development in their countries of origin. Finally, this challenge demands the attention of the entire international community so that new forms of legal and secure migration may be adopted.

VAtICAN news & notes •On July 13 the Pope launched a fresh appeal for fervent prayer for peace in the Holy Land. He said, “I still recall the meeting of June 8 with Patriarch Bartholomaios, President Peres and President Abbas, with whom we invoked the gift of peace and heard the call to break the cycle of hatred and violence. Some might think that such a meeting took place in vain. But no, because prayer helps us not to allow ourselves to be overcome by evil, nor resign ourselves to violence and hatred taking over dialogue and reconciliation." •On July 7, Pope Francis met with various victims of sexual abuse by members of the clergy. The invitees were six adults, three men and three women, from Germany, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The invitation to meet the Pope had been made by Cardinal O’Malley in several countries where there exists a Church structure regarding the victims of sexual abuse. • On July 5, Pope Francis visited the penitentiary centre of Isernia to visit the detainees. The meeting took place on the prison forecourt and, in his address to the inmates, the Holy Father insisted on the need for rehabilitation, “a path we must all undertake, because we all make mistakes in this life, and must all ask forgiveness for our errors”. • On September 28, Pope Francis will meet elderly people and grandparents in St. Peter’s Square during the first international day dedicated to old age, organized by the Pontifical Council for the Family. The encounter, which will take the theme “The blessing of long life,” coincides with the Day of Prayer for the Synod on the family and is inspired by the Pontiff's many references to the situation experienced by the elderly and his frequent comments on the tragedy of the throwaway culture typical of a “population that does not care for its elderly” with attitudes “behind which there is a hidden euthanasia.” August 2014 19

HISPANIC corner

por Rosalba Quiroz 318-868-4441

Calendario Diocesano del Mes de Agosto 12 Reunión Comité Ejecutivo para el Ministerio Hispano, Centro Católico 17 3ª Reunión en preparación para retiro Búsqueda diáconos. Centro Católico 22-24 Retiro Anual para adolescentes “Búsqueda” Scottsville, TX (Ver anuncio) 26-29 Conferencia Nacional para Directores de Ministerio Hispano, Chicago, IL.

La Nueva Evangelización

l enfoque de la Nueva Evangelización en la Iglesia Católica comenzó desde el Consejo Vaticano Segundo con el decreto (Apostolicam Actuositatem) “Apostolado de Gente Laica”, el cual llama a todos los bautizados a trabajar en la misión de la iglesia para la salvación de TODA la gente y la renovación del mundo entero. Así mismo, la Exhortación

20 Catholic Connection

Apostólica del Papa Francisco, Evangelli Gaudium anima a la iglesia a comenzar un nuevo capítulo de evangelización con gozo. La funte de está gozo basada

en el amor infinito de Dios. Todos los cristianos deberán verse como discípulos enviados a llevar la Buena Nueva a los demás, especialmente a los pobres y marginados. Se debe dar cuidado pastoral a los necesitados del amor de Cristo. Debe ofrecer el perdón además del cuidado a todos los bautizados incluyendo a los que en sus vidas no reflejan los mandatos del bautismo. Esta exhortación del Papa Francisco hace responsables de ofrecer amor, inclusive a aquellos que no conocen o aun a los que han rechazado a Cristo. (EG, 14).

around the DIOCESE

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Little Flower of Jesus Parish celebrated their longest continuous parishioner, Mrs. Martha Caston. She has been a member for 74 years. Christ the King Parish in Bossier City celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation with Bishop Michael Duca on May 20, 2014.

Fr. Patrick Madden celebrated his 40th anniversary to the priesthood at an event sponsored by St. Benedict Parish in Grambling and St. Lucy Parish in Hodge. Pictured are Fr. Pat and his mother.

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Congratulations to Msgr. Earl V. Provenza on celebrating his 50th anniversary to the priesthood at a special Mass at Holy Trinity Parish in downtown Shreveport.

St. Paschal Parish is excited about the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Living the Eucharistâ&#x20AC;? program. Over 200 participants in 26 small groups and 14 families participated at home. The parish based spiritual renewal is designed to foster a more profound experience of the Mass. Parish volunteers were trained to facilitate the unique sessions which included presenting materials for adults, teens and families.

The Annual Migrant Workers Mass was held in Delhi on June 21. Bishop Michael Duca and Fr. Mark Watson, Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Oak Grove and St. Patrick Parish in Lake Providence, concelebrated the Mass. In addition to the Mass, needed toiletry items were supplied to the workers, as well as Walmart gift cards, a donation from the Catholic Center staff and the Office of Hispanic Ministries.

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upcoming EVENTS August 22: 13th Annual Blue Mass honoring all law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency personnel. Mass begins at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary of the Pines Catholic Parish located at 1050 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop in Shreveport. For more info call 318-687-5121. August 23: Magnificat Prayer Brunch Please join us for The NOWELA chapter of Magnificat Brunch on August 23 at the Catholic Center, 3500 Fairfield Avenue in Shreveport, from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Our speaker will be Fr. Matthew Long, Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Shreveport. Worship and praise will be led by the band Broken Chains. This brunch is open to men and women. Contact Susan Tousignant, 318-366-1392 . August 23: The Voices of St. Augustine The Voices of St. Augustine, a Catholic Gospel Choir from Memphis, TN, will give a concert on Saturday, August 23, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Paschal Parish in West Monroe. They will also provide the music for the 5:30 p.m. Mass on

August 23 at St. Paschal Parish and at the 9:00 a.m. Mass on August 24 at Little Flower Parish in Monroe. For more information, contact St. Paschal Parish at 318-323-1631. September 22: 2014 Diocesan Liturgical Conference Western Deanery “Dying and Rising: Paschal Mystery as Expressed in the Rites of the Catholic Church” presented by Rev. Paul Turner, noted Sacramental Theologian, author and presenter. From 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Catholic Center, 3500 Fairfield Avenue, Shreveport. Registration is $20. Contact Dianne Rachal at 318868-4441, or drachal@dioshpt.org to register. September 23: 2014 Diocesan Liturgical Conference Eastern Deanery “Dying and Rising: Paschal Mystery as Expressed in the Rites of the Catholic Church” presented by Rev. Paul Turner, noted Sacramental Theologian, author, and presenter. From 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, 2510 Emerson Street, Monroe. Registration is $20.

Contact Dianne Rachal at 318-8684441, or drachal@dioshpt.org to register. September 24 - November 2: 40 Days for Life Since 40 Days for Life began less than seven years ago, God has used this effort to achieve amazing victories: • 625,000 participants • 17,000 churches • 3,038 local campaigns • 539 cities across 24 nations • 8,973 lives saved from abortion • 101 abortion workers quit • 50 abortion centers closed. Come join us! Already dozens of babies have been saved in ShreveportBossier! We are making a real impact and so can you! For more information, call or e-mail campaign director Chris Davis at 318-349-3279, or christopherpatrickdavis@gmail. com. October 5: Multicultural Rosary Sunday, October 5 from 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Parish, 204 Patton Avenue in Shreveport. This is a diocese-wide event. All are invited. For more information call Kay Nader 318-286-1590.

2 0 1 4 D i o c e s a n s t e wa r d s h i p A p p e a l

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

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

Please send monthly reminders to:

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calendar

august 2014

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

St. Martha

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St. Peter Chrysologus, bishop & doctor of the Church

St. Ignatius of Loyola, priest

Fr. Joseph Martina's 25th Anniversary of Ordination Mass, St. John the Baptist Parish, 6pm St. Alphonsus Liguori, bishop & doctor of the Church

SATURDAY

Catechetical Fair, Catholic Center, 9:30am St. Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop; St. Peter Julian Eymard, priest

Fr. Martina's Anniversary Mass / AUG 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 St. John Vianney, priest

Priests Retirement Committee Meeting, Catholic Center, 11am

The Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major

Principal Meeting St. Sixtus II, pope, & companions, & Retreat, martyrs; St. Catholic Center, Cajetan, priest 1pm The Transfiguration of the Lord

First Day of School for St. John Berchmans School and Our Lady of Fatima School

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, virgin & martyr

St. Dominic, priest

Principal Meeting & Retreat / Aug 6

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 First Day of School for Loyola College Prep, St. Joseph School, Jesus the Good Shepherd School and St. Frederick High School St. Clare, virgin

St. Jane Frances de Chantal, religious

Sts. Pontian, pope, & Hippolytus, priest, martyrs

St. Maximillian Kolbe, priest & martyr

Opening of School Mass for Cathedral and Loyola, Cathedral, 9:30am

St. Stephen of Hungary

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Holy Day of Obligation)

Schools Mass/ AUG 15

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Diocesan Liturgical Committee Meeting, St. Jude Parish, 1:15pm

St. Bernard, abbot & doctor of the Church

St. Pius X, pope

Blue Mass, St. Mary of the Pines, 9:30am Retiro Juvenil BĂşsqueda, Scottsville Camp, Marshall, TX (thru 8/24)

St. John Eudes, priest

Catechetical Fair, Trinity Methodist Church, Ruston 9am St. Rose of Lima, virgin

The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Blue Mass / Aug 22

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 St. Louis; St. Joseph Calasanz, priest

St. Monica

St. Augustine, bishop & doctor of the Church

The Passion of Saint John the Baptist

Catechetical Fairs/ Aug 2 & 23 August 2014 23

DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave.

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Shreveport, LA 71104

Fairfield

Photo of the month by Jessica Rinaudo The 16 men who were ordained Permanent Deacons for the Diocese of Shreveport stand with Deacon Clary Nash, Bishop Michael Duca and Deacon Oscar Hannibal after their ordination on June 28.

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