Catholic Connection August 2015

Connection The Catholic

Vol. 25, No. 1 August 2015

Bishop's Reflection Stand Firm & Act with Loving Respect

What Makes a

New Look!

Magazine Celebrates Awards & Fresh Design

CatholicCatholic?

School

August 2015 1

Publisher Bishop Michael G. Duca Editor Jessica Rinaudo Contributors Tamara Alqassis Sam Alzheimer Brian Burgess Roxanne Chumley Sr. Carol Cimino Bishop Michael Duca Fidel González Harris Leblanc Kim Long

Bonnie Martinez Missy McKenzie Kevin Prevou Fr. Rothell Price Dianne Rachal Jessica Rinaudo Katie Sciba Mike Van Vranken John Mark Willcox

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

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

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

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

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

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

2 Catholic Connection

Magazine Celebrates Awards and Fresh Design!

by Jessica Rinaudo, Editor

C

atholic Press Awards are announced each year at the national Catholic Media Conference attended by journalists in Catholic Press from all over North America. I was unable to attend this Sciba Long year’s event, as I had just given birth to two beautiful babies, but that didn’t stop me from submitting some items from our magazines to be considered.

As I’ve discovered in my eight years as Editor, it’s really tough to win a CPA award, especially in the magazine division. We are up against many national publications with large staffs and a wealth of resources. So when our small mission magazine enters a category and takes home an award, it’s cause for great celebration!

This year we took home two awards: one for Katie Sciba’s Domestic Church column (pg. 9), and another for Kim Long’s Faithful Food column (pg. 8). We strive each month to bring you content that will nurture your Catholic faith in all areas of your life, and I think it’s quite fitting that as the U.S. prepares for Pope Francis to visit during the World Meeting of Families, these two columnists took home awards for topics that discuss faith as it applies to our families and homes. Congratulations Katie and Kim! And on another exciting note, beginning with this issue of the Catholic Connection, I hope you find that it is a little easier to read! We’ve enlarged our text, added some white space and given our articles and columns a little room to “breathe.” We’ve also added a new space for vocation news and for Catholic children. I hope you enjoy our new look as we continue to strive to make our publication better for all area Catholics.

bishop’s august calendar AUGUST 3 Theology on Tap; Nicky’s Mexican Restaurant, Downtown Shreveport; 7:00 p.m.

AUGUST 4 Priests Retirement Committee meeting; Catholic Center; 11:00 a.m.

AUGUST 5 St. Francis Medical Center Board of Directors’ Meeting; Monroe; 11:30 a.m.

AUGUST 8 2015 Catechetical Fair: Fostering Discipleship in the Domestic Church; Shreveport Convention Center, Shreveport AUGUST 12 Opening of School Mass: The Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Catholic School; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 8:15 a.m.

Opening of School Mass: Loyola College Prep; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 9:30 a.m.

AUGUST 21 Blue Mass; St. Mary of the Pines Parish, Shreveport; 9:30 a.m.

AUGUST 29 Encounter Jesus; Catholic Center, Shreveport AUGUST 31 New Orleans Provincial Council Meeting/ Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops Meeting; Immaculata Center, Lafayette

contents

august 2015

columns Stand Firm and Act with Loving Respect by Bishop Michael G. Duca.................. 4-5 Mike’s Meditations: Determining Your Goals by Mike Van Vranken....................6 In Review: Beloved: Finding Happiness in Marriage by Katie Sciba....................7 Faithful Food: Enjoy the Goodness We Have Wrought by Kim Long...................8 Domestic Church: Eyes on the Prize by Katie Sciba..............................................9 Knowledge is Spiritual Power by Katie Sciba .........................................................9 From the Pope: God Entrusted His Work to the Fruitfulness of "Our Earth"

by Vatican Information Services..................................................................................10 In the Words of Pope Francis by Vatican Information Services...............................10 Navigating the Faith: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

by Dianne Rachal.......................................................................................................11 Second Collections: Special and Second Collections in Our Diocese

by Fr. Rothell Price .....................................................................................................12 Vocations View: Boy Tested. Church Approved. by Sam Alzheimer ...................13 Kids' Connection .....................................................................................................25

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features What Makes a Catholic School Catholic?

by Sr. Carol Cimino ................................................................................................... 14 Catholic Schools Annual Report.......................................................................... 15-16

news Launch Into the Deep: Bishop Duca Has Started Pastoral Planning Process

by Kevin Prevou and Pastoral Planning Committee ....................................................17 Catholic Charities Welcomes Palestinian Intern by Tamara Alqassis ..................18 Mercy Ministries Group Enjoy Evening on Black Bayou by Missy McKenzie .......18

21 on the cover

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Grant Will Help Needy in Shreveport

by Brian Burgess.........................................................................................................19 Vacation Bible School: A Granparent's Perspective by Bonnie Martinez ...........20 Youth Spread the Gospel in Belize by Roxanne Chumley & Harris Leblanc ..........21 Encounter Jesus Youth Event by Kevin Prevou ......................................................22 Hispanic News by Fidel Mondragón González ........................................................23 School News: Dr. Webber Named Principal at St. Frederick .............................24 School News: School Leadership Program byJohn Mark Willcox ........................24 Across the Globe: Pope Publishes Encyclical 'Laudato Si'

by Vatican Information Services.................................................................................26-27 Across the Globe: Pope Francis' Visit to U.S. by Carol Gates...............................26 Around the Diocese ...............................................................................................28-29 Mark Your Calendar ...............................................................................................30 August Calendar ....................................................................................................31 Picture of the Month...............................................................................................32

Students from three Monroe Catholic schools.

(Photo by Missy McKenzie)

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la reflexión Del Obispo por Obispo Michael G. Duca

Permanecer Firmes Actuando con Amor y Respeto

Q

ueridos Hermanos y Hermanas en Cristo, Aunque no estoy sorprendido, sí estoy triste por la decisión que hizo el mes pasado la Suprema Corte de reconocer el matrimonio del mismo sexo como un derecho legal en los Estados Unidos. Estoy seguro que ustedes también sienten tristeza que la ley de nuestro país contradice nuestras profundas creencias sobre el matrimonio.

Tal vez tengan muchas preguntas sobre el impacto que esta decisión tendrá en la vida y dentro de nuestra iglesia.

Prácticamente, por ahora, la decisión no parece causar efectos inmediatos en la vida diaria de la iglesia. No nos van a forzar a ser testigos de bodas del mismo sexo y los derechos de predicar nuestras creencias no son retadas por esta regla. Cuando las situaciones se presenten y después de que haya yo tenido tiempo de consultar con los sacerdotes, voy a publicar guías específicas para asegurarme que actuamos de acuerdo con nuestro entendimiento del matrimonio y no promover de ninguna manera matrimonios del mismo sexo. Esto es lo que puedo decir por ahora.

Continuaremos enseñando y afirmando que Jesucristo, con gran amor, enseñó sin ambigüedad que desde el principio el matrimonio es la unión de toda una vida de un hombre y una mujer.

Esta única relación está inscrita en nuestros cuerpos como hombre y mujer y ordenada para la procreación y el cuidado de los niños, creando una familia de amor. La protección de esta definición y significado del matrimonio es una dimensión crítica de la “ecología integral” que el papa Francisco nos ha llamado a promover. En nuestra enseñanza debemos ser claros que no estamos predicando en oposición en contra de nadie, sino proclamando la verdad de la belleza del matrimonio, que nos ha sido entregada.

Estoy consciente que esta decisión de la Suprema Corte puede afectar a algunas familias Católicas en maneras personales profundas porque tengan hijos o familiares que son gay. En todo, ya sea con la familia, vecinos, en el trabajo o con amigos, debemos actuar con respeto amoroso para cada persona. Nuestra primera responsabilidad como católicos es ser testigos del amor de Cristo. Nuestro primer encuentro con otros, como el papa Francisco nos guía, es no juzgar, si no mostrar el amor de Cristo.

Este amor que mostramos no compromete nuestra enseñanza sobre el matrimonio o la práctica dentro de nuestra Iglesia. Nuestro testimonio más poderoso es siempre el gozo propio y la manera fiel de vivir todo lo que nos enseña la iglesia sobre el matrimonio y la sexualidad humana. ¡No tengan miedo! Aunque escuchen que hay muchas maneras que esto afectará a la iglesia en el futuro, por ahora son solo especulaciones.

Seríamos tontos si no tomáramos estas advertencias en serio, pero creo que los mejores testimonios de nuestra fe en Cristo, y en particular nuestro testimonio al entendimiento que tenemos sobre el matrimonio Católico, vendrá de nuestro gozo y profunda fe en la belleza del 4 Catholic Connection

matrimonio cristiano y no temer.

Hemos sido testigos de muchos cambios en nuestra cultura, las leyes de nuestro país, la inseguridad causada por los peligros radicales a través del mundo, la gran diferencia entre los que tienen y los que no tienen, los inmigrantes y ciudadanos. No podemos vencernos al miedo y la pérdida de la esperanza que sentimos algunas veces. Debemos revestirnos con la esperanza y el gozo que vienen de nuestra fe en Jesus, Camino, Verdad y Vida. Este gozo debe estar al centro de nuestra respuesta a todas estas dificultades y al centro de un compromiso decidido a vivir las enseñanzas de Cristo y Su Iglesia. El Papa Benedicto lo dijo tan bien que me gustaría terminar con sus palabras: “El Espíritu Santo nos da gozo. Y él es gozo. El gozo es un regalo al cual se le añaden todos los demás regalos. Es la expresión de felicidad, de estar en harmonía con Dios y con su creación. Le pertenece por naturaleza al gozo ser radiante; debe comunicarse a sí mismo. El espíritu misionero de la iglesia no es otro más que el impulso de comunicar el gozo que se le ha dado” (Papa Benedicto XVI, Dirigido a la Curia Romana en la Navidad del 2008). •

bishop’s REFLECTION

by Bishop Michael G. Duca

Stand Firm and Act With Loving Respect

D

ear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, While I am not surprised, I am saddened by the Supreme Court’s decision to recognize same sex marriage as a legal right in the United States. I am sure you feel a sadness that the law of our country stands in contradiction to our deeply held beliefs about marriage.

You may have many questions about the impact of this ruling on the life and practices within the Church. Practically, for now, this decision does not seem to cause any immediate effects on the Church’s daily life. We are not going to be forced to witness same sex weddings and our rights to preach our beliefs are not challenged by this ruling. As situations arise Bishop Duca and after I have time to consult with my pastors, I will issue specific guidelines to insure we act in accord with our understanding of marriage and in no way promote same sex marriage. This much I can say for now.

We will continue to teach and affirm that Jesus Christ, with great love, taught that from the beginning marriage is the lifelong union of one man and one woman. This unique relationship is inscribed in our bodies as male and female and ordered to the procreation and care of children creating a family of love. The protection of this definition and meaning of marriage is a critical dimension of the “integral ecology” that Pope Francis has called us to promote. In our teaching we should be clear that we are not preaching in opposition Our most powerful witness to something or is always our own joyful against anyone, but proclaiming the and faithful living of all the truth of the beauty of marriage, which has teachings of the Church on been handed on to us. marriage and human sexuality.

I am aware that this decision of the Supreme Court may affect some Catholic families in deeply personal ways because of gay children or relatives. In all things, whether with family, neighbors, work colleagues or friends, we should act with a loving respect for each person.

Our first responsibility as Catholics is to witness the love of Christ. Our first encounter with others, as Pope Francis guides us, is not to judge, but to show Christ’s love. This love we show does not compromise our teaching on marriage or our practice within our Church. Our most powerful witness is always our own joyful and faithful living of all the teachings of the Church on marriage and human sexuality.

Do not be afraid! While you will hear of many possible ways this will affect the Church in the future, for now they are only conjecture. We would be foolish to not take these warnings to heart, but I believe the best

witness to our faith in Christ, and in particular our witness to our Catholic understanding of marriage, will come from our joyful and deeply held belief in the beauty of Christian marriage and not from fear.

We have witnessed many changes in our culture, the laws of our country, the insecurity caused by the dangers of radicals throughout the world, the growing gap between the have’s and have-not’s, the immigrants and the citizens.

We cannot give in to the unsettling fear and the loss of hope we feel at times. We must reassure ourselves with the hope and joy that comes from our faith in Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. This joy must be at the center of our response to all these difficulties and at the heart of a resolute commitment to live the teaching of Christ and His Church. Pope Benedict said it so well that I would like to end with his words: “The Holy Spirit gives us joy. And he is joy. Joy is the gift in which all other gifts are included. It is the expression of happiness, of being in harmony with God and with his creation. It belongs to the nature of joy to be radiant; it must communicate itself. The missionary spirit of the Church is none other than the impulse to communicate the joy which has been given.” (Pope Benedict XVI, Christmas Address to the Roman Curia, 2008) • August 2015 5

mike’s meditations

by Mike Van Vranken

Determining Your Goals

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ver the years, I have attended and facilitated countless “goal setting” meetings and sessions. In addition, I have purposely set personal goals to lose more weight, get more sleep, save more money and work fewer hours. All-in-all, identifying targets and focusing on reaching those objectives is a positive way to achieve desired results.

But at some point in my life, I realized there is only one goal that is important. Every other mark or target should only be considered if it gets us to that one destination. Paul put it in perspective for us: “I continue the pursuit towards the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus” Philippians Van Vranken 3:14 (NAB).

Paul is urging all of us to have only one target. To focus on it with laserlike discipline. To press toward it no matter what the obstacles. To pursue it with such a deep and passionate love that nothing can stop us.

And what is the goal he is describing? He calls it the “prize of God’s upward calling.” That calling is a personal invitation from God to embrace His eternal salvation. God summons us, welcomes us, persuades us, and even begs us to follow Jesus to such an extent that we imitate His every thought, word and action. When we do that, we are rewarded with the prize; that heavenly crown for Christian character that places us squarely in the presence of the Holy Trinity forever.

What about you? Were there former goals in your life that you thought were indispensable but are now totally unnecessary? Do you have things in your house you bought for happiness that you now fully ignore? Did something specific happen in your life that influenced you to reassess your priorities?

When determining our goals for work, pleasure or for personal or spiritual development, consider the following questions before making any decisions: • How does this objective sharpen my focus on eternity with God? • Does this target offer opportunities for me to evangelize, forgive, be compassionate or offer encouragement?

• Will pressing towards this goal offer enrichment in my own walk with God? • Will the activities I pursue to achieve this objective cause me to be more Christ-like or less?

Remember, the goal that matters most is a prize – a treasure. It is our response to God’s invitation in Christ Jesus, asking us to spend eternity praising, worshipping and giving Him glory as we find the joy that only His presence can bring. Press on! • Mike is a writer and teacher, and co-author of the book: Faith Positive in a Negative World. You can contact him at www. mikevanvrankenministries.org

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MONTHLY REFLECTIONS When determining our goals for work, pleasure or for personal or spiritual development, consider the following questions before making any decisions: How does this objective sharpen my focus on eternity with God? Does this target offer opportunities for me to evangelize, forgive, be compassionate or offer encouragement?

Will pressing towards this goal offer enrichment in my own walk with God? Will the activities I pursue to achieve this objective cause me to be more Christ-like or less?

in REVIEW

by Katie Sciba

Beloved: Finding Happiness in Marriage 6-DVD Set Produced by Augustine Institue

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here seems to be a bit of confusion as to what marriage is these days. Our “anything goes” society makes it tough for Catholics to go against the flow; but even setting aside cultural perceptions, there’s still a fight for marriage happening within our homes. Kids, work and outside obligations often leave our marriages the founding relationship of our families - barely maintained on a back burner.

Between society and our own kitchen tables, the divine origin and reality of Holy Matrimony goes widely unrecognized.

Which is why a series like Beloved is so refreshing. Beloved: Finding Happiness in Marriage was released this year by the Augustine Institute, just in time for the Synod on the Family this fall. This 12-part DVD/study series provides couples with solid, intelligent marriage preparation as well as marriage enrichment. I jumped at the chance to review Beloved and sweetly coerced my husband Andrew into going through the series with me. Much to our shared delight, we’re seeing an improvement between us: we’re finding that it’s bringing us back to a common understanding of what marriage is in the context of God’s plan for creation and salvation. Though it’s been just seven years since our wedding day, it’s been easy to lose sight of the sacramental significance of our relationship amid the day-to-day, and at last, we’re recognizing it as our ladder to heaven.

But I knew we couldn’t be the only couple in need of a program like this. I had a few minutes to chat with the series’ content director, renowned Catholic theologian Dr. Edward Sri. I asked Dr. Sri what prompted the creation of Beloved.

“Well first of all, we’re living in a postmarriage culture. There are fewer and fewer people who are getting married,” he said, and and we agreed that the cause is a widespread misunderstanding of the

nature of marriage. Beloved, in this case, will clear the air and clarify the Divine Origin of Holy Matrimony.

Secondly, Dr. Sri touched on the lack of continued guidance post-wedding: “I went through marriage prep 16 years ago but I need [continued] growth in all areas. Marriage isn’t like riding a bike. We all need regular, on-going formation… to get better, grow in love, to sacrifice for our spouse.” A fantastic point, I thought.

How many of us, years after the wedding, realize how little we actually knew before getting married? So much goes into wedding planning, and considerably less into marriage planning. It’s here that Beloved serves not only as enrichment, but also as realistic marriage prep. One of my favorite episodes filmed three Catholic couples of varying years of marriage, sitting at a table talking about the ruts and triumphs they experienced together. Their conversation was honest, offering the truth that every couple will be challenged, but every couple can overcome difficulty with the understanding that they’re living for something greater.

Beloved looks at how God created men and women to be made for marriage, made for a total, free, fruitful and exclusive love. The theology behind Holy Matrimony is explained clearly and the presentation itself - the production and cinematography - are modern and appealing. These combined with its brief 30 minute episodes make Beloved very easy to watch. And though we’re enjoying Beloved in our own home, just the two of us, the materials lend themselves perfectly to a group setting.

Speaking of which, I asked Andrew his opinion about it: “It’s great,” he said, “It brings to light that marriage is not a situation. It’s something we do together, and we can always have hope for improving because of God’s grace.” •

"What if woven into the very design of your humanity is a purposeful desire for you to be united with your beloved, to create something new together, something mysterious and holy?

What if your marriage is designed to be a vital part of God's work in the world? " Beloved: Finding Happiness in Marriage Introducation

Beloved: Finding Happiness in Marriage is available through Ignatius Press and Amazon. com, and will be available soon in the Slattery Library.

August 2015 7

faithful FOOD

by Kim Long

Enjoy the Goodness We Have Wrought Be the Beneficiary of this Season’s Bounty

I

t’s summer, the season of growing.

Vegetable gardens and fruit orchards are laden with produce, everything from tomatoes and corn to blueberries and peaches, each offering a special treat.

Working in a parish Long for many years I thought I had “seen it all,” or more delicately put, experienced parish life in all of its many facets. Not so.

In this time of growth and productivity, we also have the season of weddings.

Recently our parish had a wedding celebration, and it was a celebration like no other I have been a part of. This particular bride and groom were known to us, really known to us. We, as a parish family, had seen them notice one another, begin to “date,” and watched the man who would become groom and husband, go through the RCIA process and become a fully initiated member of the Catholic faith. That particular Easter Vigil, as his future father-in-law laid his hand on the man’s shoulder and walked with him into this new part of his life, we smiled away

a tear or two as well as a bit of a chuckle as we also witnessed the woman who would become bride and wife photograph the entire event.

One Wednesday evening as I was saying goodbye to students and their parents after religion classes, the couple approached me with shy bursting smiles and an outstretched hand to display “the ring.” Later still there was the purchase of a house and the work of making it ready, then a round of parties and showers, the selection of the scripture readings, the choosing of attendants, the dress, invitations, programs, pre Cana, and all the rest.

On the appointed evening and time as I walked to the ambo to give the second reading, I looked up and was so happy to see so many of our parish family present. As I read the “love chapter,” it took on an enlightened meaning for me.

As I read it, I mentally substituted their names and ours for the word love.

In the priest’s wedding homily he spoke of them in an intimate and

Chilled Blueberry Soup Ingredients: • 4 cups fresh blueberries • 1 cup orange juice • 1/2 cup sugar • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon • 1/8 teaspoon salt • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • 1 pint half and half • Mint leaves for garnish

2) Remove from heat, and slightly cool.

3) Process blueberry mixture and lemon juice in a blender or food processor until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides.

4) Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Directions: 5) Stir in half-and-half just before 1) Bring first five ingredients to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat, serving. Serve in stemmed glasses.

Garnish, if desired. stirring often.

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wonderful way, a way that assured the nervous and excited young couple that just as we had all been with them up to this point, they could be assured of our continued presence throughout their married life. And it is true. This couple belongs to us and, for better or worse, we belong to them, a family.

So in this season of growing and coming to fullness, we enjoy the goodness of all that we have wrought, whether it is planted in the earth or in the heart. And we can be confident “that He who has begun a good work in you will see it to completion on the day of Christ.”

I offer here a bit of a fancy and a unique recipe for cold blueberry soup. Have a little sip, serve it as a dessert on a warm summer evening and enjoy the fruits of your labor whether you have planted, harvested, or been the beneficiary of this season’s bounty. Offer a little prayer of thanksgiving as you bring this to your table for your loved ones. • Kim Long is the Director of Religious Education at St. Mary of the Pines Parish in Shreveport.

domestic CHURCH

by Katie Sciba

Eyes on the Prize Thoughts on the SCOTUS Ruling

T

he recent Supreme Court ruling was… eye-widening. I won’t dive into how the SCOTUS can’t legally do what they did, or mention that male and female bodies are totally and completely oriented toward “bonding and babies” so no other union participates in God’s plan for creation, Sciba or that Facebook has blown up in obnoxious, heated debate. I won’t flip out crying, “What are we going to do now??!!” Because I’m going to keep doing what I was doing before this whole thing started. Today I woke up and I’ve been living my sacrament. I fixed my kids’ breakfast, put together lunch for Andrew, planned the day and ate my toast. We prayed, played, read books and made brownies. The same as any other weekday.

Because Pope St. John Paul II asserted: “As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the world in which we live,” compelling us all to the fact that the family is a God-given driving force; a powerful image of the Creator himself sent to go to work loving as Christ loves. And now, as much as ever before, that mission continues. It has not changed.

In feast or famine, we press on joyfully; striving to know and accept God’s will.

What happened by the hand of the Supreme Court was allowed by God, let’s remember, and He is absolutely worthy of our trust. He has a plan – The Plan.

“The world is a different place than when I was growing up,” I’ve heard so many say.

True, there are innumerable differences between then and now – technology, security, any given thing; but on a fundamental level, people haven’t changed.

The SCOTUS ruling indicates how things are just the same as they were. No, this probably wouldn’t have flown a decade or two ago, but there have always been people

seeking equality without any idea of what it is. Equality isn’t that we can do the same exact things; equality is the freedom St. JPII mentioned – the ability to do what we ought instead of what we want. And by this definition, the Court acted out of turn.

They are not the legislature. Similarly, the legal recognition of same-sex union does not equate it with marriage.

Right and left, journalists and commentators assert that marriage has been redefined. Ahem… Marriage has not been redefined. A divine institution will never be redefined because its Origin is without change. Marriage according to God’s design is an exchange of offering and receiving; our bodies to our perpetual call to sacrifice and love. Man and woman are not simply the traditional marriage, they’re the only marriage. Not everyone sees it that way. Don’t worry about them.

There is no better time to be a Catholic – isn’t this what we’re all called to do?

Cling to and reveal God’s love and design in our lives? But we have to be ready: the questions and skepticism of our faithful practices have come and so we must be educated, compassionate, as well as invested in our own families. In the face of something drastically different, we’re supposed to be in the world, not of the world. Turn your focus inward to the surroundings of your own home because the best thing you can do is to immerse yourself in being a good spouse, a good parent. Love and serve Jesus by offering your family your whole heart and trust in his perfect Plan. •

Knowledge is Spiritual Power

Catholics are in a vulnerable position. Fewer and fewer know and understand Church teaching on hotbutton topics like same-sex union.

Arm yourself with knowledge and charity in order to field questions and skepticism about our faith.

Check the Catechism The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a summation of our beliefs and practices. From the Creed to the sacraments to human sexuality, the Catechism explains the faith and its foundation in Christ one paragraph at a time.

Ask Your Priest Our priests are our shepherds - seek them out for spiritual advice and guidance. Bring your ideas and resources along with your questions.

It’s also especially important to cover our priests in prayer since they will undergo tests on our behalf.

Receive the Sacraments

Holy Communion and Confession will draw you supernaturally close to Christ, who imparts graces through these sacraments. Receive Jesus in the Eucharist to better make yourself a channel of his charity and compassion, and receive absolution in Confession to grow in humility.

These virtues will wash over your whole life.

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

August 2015 9

from the POPE from Vatican Information Services

God Entrusted His Work to the Fruitfulness of "Our Earth"

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atican City, June 14, 2015 (VIS) – The effectiveness of the Word of God and the needs of His Kingdom, which are the reasons for our hope and our efforts throughout history were the theme of the Pope’s reflection before July 14’s Pope Francis Sunday Angelus.

To the thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Francis explained the two brief parables from the Gospel: the seed that grows in the earth alone and the tiny mustard seed that becomes the largest plant.

“In the first parable, our attention is placed on the fact that the seed, thrown on the ground, takes root and develops by itself, whether the farmer sleeps or is awake. The farmer trusts in the inner strength of the seed itself and of the fertility of the ground. In the language of the Gospel, the seed is the symbol of the Word of God, Whose fruitfulness is recalled by this parable. Just as the humble seed that develops in the ground, so the Word operates with God’s power in the heart of those who listen. God entrusted His Word to our earth, that is, to each one of us with our concrete humanity.”

The second parable uses the image of the mustard seed that, despite being the smallest of the seeds, grows to become “the largest of plants”. “Thus is the Kingdom of God: a humanly small and apparently irrelevant reality. To become a part of it, one must be poor of heart; 10 Catholic Connection

not trusting in one’s own abilities, but rather in the power of God’s love; not acting so as to be important in the eyes of the world, but precious in the eyes of God, who prefers the simple and the humble. When we live like this, the strength of Christ erupts through us and transforms what is small and modest into a reality that leavens the entire mass of the world and of history.”

The teaching of these two parables, Francis underlined, is that the Kingdom of God requires our collaboration, but it is above all the initiative and gift of the Lord. “Our feeble work, seemingly small faced with the complexity of the problems of the world, if embedded into that of God, no longer fears difficulty.

The victory of the Lord is sure: His love will lead every seed of good present on the earth to germinate and grow. It

The victory of the Lord is sure: His love will lead every seed of good present on the earth to germinate and grow. opens us up to trust and hope, despite the tragedies, injustice and suffering we encounter. The seed of good and of peace germinates and develops because it is ripened by the merciful love of God”.

“May the Holy Virgin, who received as ‘fertile earth’ the seed of the divine Word, sustain us in this hope that never lets us down”.

In the of

Words

Pope Francis

“Service is the sign of true love. Those who love know how to serve others. We learn this especially in the family, where we become servants out of love for one another. In the heart of the family, no one is rejected; all have the same value.”

(Homily at the Shrine from Samanes Park, Equador 7/7/15) “In our world, especially in some countries, different forms of war and conflict are re-emerging, yet we Christians wish to remain steadfast in our intention to respect others, to heal wounds, to build bridges, to strengthen relationships and to bear one another’s burdens. The desire for unity involves the delightful and comforting joy of evangelizing, the conviction that we have an immense treasure to share, one which grows stronger from being shared, and becomes ever more sensitive to the needs of others.” (Homily at “lung of Quito,” Equador 7/8/15) “With Jesus, there can be no ‘taking’ which is not a ‘blessing’, and no blessing which is not also a ‘giving’.

Blessing is always mission, its purpose is to share what we ourselves have received. For it is only in giving, in sharing, that we find the source of our joy and come to experience salvation.”

(Mass in Plaza del Cristo Redentor in Santa Cruz de la Sierra 7/10/15) “Jesus came to show the love which God has for us. For you and for me. It is a love which is powerful and real. It is a love which takes seriously the plight of those he loves. It is a love which heals, forgives, raises up and shows concern. It is a love which draws near and restores dignity. We can lose this dignity in so many ways. But Jesus is stubborn: he gave his very life to restore the identity we had lost.” (During visit to Santa Cruz-Palmasola penitentiary 7/11/15)

navigating the Faith

by Dianne Rachal, Director of Worship

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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elebrated every year on August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary commemorates the death of Mary and her bodily assumption into heaven, before her body could begin to decay. This is a foretaste of our own bodily resurrection at the end of time. Because it signifies the Blessed Virgin’s passing into eternal life, it is the most important of all Marian feasts and is a holy day of obligation.

Pope Pius XII’s Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus defined Mary’s Assumption into heaven to be a dogma of the Church on November 1, 1950.

The Assumption is the oldest feast day of Our Lady. With Constantine’s restoration of Jerusalem as a sacred city (285-337), the sacred sites began to be restored and memories of the life of Our Lord began to be celebrated by the people of Jerusalem. One of the memories about his mother centered around the “Tomb of Mary,” close to Mount Zion, where the early Christian community had lived. On the hill itself was the “Place of Dormition,” the spot of Mary’s “falling asleep,” where she had died. The “Tomb of Mary” was where she was buried.

There is a quasi-precursor of this feast in the “Day of Mary Mother of God” which is attested for August 15 in the mid-fifth-century lectionary from Jerusalem. This ancient feast was rather general in its object and it soon became a commemoration of the Natale (birthday), i.e. death or dormation of Mary. The feast in this form was extended to the entire Byzantine Empire

by Emperor Maurice (582-602). Soon the name was changed to the “Assumption of Mary,” since there was more to the feast than her dying. It also proclaimed that she had been taken up, body and soul, into heaven.

The sixth-century Gallic liturgy had a feast of Mary on January 18; in the seventh century this was celebrated as the “Feast of Mary’s Assumption.” A feast called Natale Sanctae Mariae on August 15 is attested for the middle of the seventh century in Rome. Under Pope Sergius I (687-701), the feast was celebrated as a feast of her death, and included a procession from the church of St. Adrian to the church of St. Mary. In the Gregorian Sacramentary which Pope Adrian (772-795) sent to Emperor Charlemagne, the name of the feast is given as “Assumption of Mary.”

The belief in the Assumption of Mary is ancient, dating back to the time of the apostles. What was clear from the beginning was that there were no relics of Mary to be venerated, and that an empty tomb stood on the edge of Jerusalem near the site of her death. That location also soon became a place of pilgrimage. (Today, the Benedictine Abbey of the Dormition of Mary stands on the spot.)

At the Council of Chalcedon in 451, when bishops from throughout the Mediterranean world gathered at Constantinople, Emperor Marcian asked the Patriarch of Jerusalem to bring the relics of Mary to Constantinople to be enshrined in the capitol. The patriarch explained to the emperor that there were no relics of Mary in Jerusalem, that “Mary had died in the presence of the apostles; but her tomb, when opened later . . . was found empty and so the apostles concluded that the body was taken up into heaven.”

The gospel for the Assumption is the same as on the feast of the Visitation: Luke 1:39-56. The reason for this is evidently the presence of the Magnificat

Alonso López de Herrera (ca. 1585 - ca.1675)

which on August 15 becomes a hymn of praise sung by the new glorified Mother of God; as such it takes on a special tonality.

The Assumption completes God’s work in Mary since it was not fitting that the flesh that had given life to God himself should ever undergo corruption.

The Assumption is God’s crowning of His work as Mary ends her earthly life and enters eternity. • The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a holy day of obligation in the United States, and is always observed on August 15. This year August 15 falls on a Saturday, so the precept to attend Mass is abrogated.

Ritual Masses, including the nuptial Mass and funeral Masses, may not be celebrated on holy days (GIRM, no. 336). For couples who plan a wedding on August 15, the following norms are observed: A. If the Rite of Marriage is celebrated within Mass, the Mass of the day is used (presidential prayers, readings, and preface) with the Nuptial Blessing and, where appropriate, the special final blessing (OM, no.

11).

B.The Rite of Marriage Outside Mass may be celebrated with no restrictions.

Funeral Masses may not be celebrated on holy days (GIRM, no. 336). If a funeral is scheduled for August 15, use a Liturgy of the Word, closing with the rite of Farewell, as found in the Order of Christian Funerals, part 1, no. 4 (OCF, nos. 117-203).

August 2015 11

second COLLECTIONS

by Fr. Rothell Price

Special and Second Collections in Our Diocese Dame Seminary, where all of the Diocese of Shreveport seminarians attend. Please consider giving generously to this worthy fund. For more information, see page 30 of this issue, or visit our website at www.dioshpt.org

Special Collection for September:

The Catholic University of America Collection Dates: September 5th & 6th Bulletin and Oral Announcement Dates: August 23rd & 30th

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y dear brothers and sisters in Christ: I hope your summer has been as nice as mine. This month we do not have a second collection, and God willing, I pray that we will not have a need for a special collection. Second collections are annually recurring collections established by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Holy See. Special collections are calls from Pope Francis or his brother bishop(s) in response to an unforeseen emergency such as an earthquake, hurricane, tornado, tsunami, famine or some devastating social upheaval.

Our hierarchy is constantly called upon by local and Price international leaders to provide financial help to alleviate or eradicate some crisis devastating a nation, region, group or community of people.

From the days of Jesus’ public ministry to today, the Church and its leaders have been viewed as a beacon of hope and relief in times of turmoil. The second and special collections continue this aspect of the ministry of Christ to those who cry out to the Lord and His Church in their time of suffering.

I quote this poem of Saint Teresa of Avila, 1515-1582: “Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours; yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world, yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good; yours are the hands with which he is to bless men now.” And quoting our Lord in the final judgment of Matthew’s Gospel, “what you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Please participate willingly and generously to the second and special collections of the Church throughout the year, never forgetting the lesson and example of the widow who gave from her need, not her surplus. Thank you for responding positively to the Lord when he is devastated.

On a special note, the Archdiocese of New Orleans will complete their “I Will Give You Shepherds” campaign this month. This important fund aims to support our two Louisiana seminaries: St. Joseph Seminary College and Notre 12 Catholic Connection

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his second collection provides funding for academic scholarships at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. in response to the commitment made by the bishops of the U.S. when The Catholic University of America was established in 1887.

It is the only U.S. university with Pontifical faculties. Students are enrolled from all 50 states and almost 100 countries in 12 schools.

While The Catholic University of America is not the only Catholic institution of higher learning in the U.S., it is the only one specifically established by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops with the express purpose of educating Catholic and non-Catholic students in undergraduate and graduate level studies based on a pontifically approved curriculum and faculty. As with Catholic elementary and high schools across our nation, so also with The Catholic University of America, the need for broad-based Catholic support for the life of the school is vital. I thank you in advance for your generous giving to the second collection for The Catholic University of America on Labor Day weekend.

Gratefully yours, Very Rev. Rothell Price, Diocesan Director of Second Collections Fr. Rothell Price, Vicar General, is the Director of Special Collections.

vocations View

Boy Tested. Church Approved.

by Sam Alzheimer, Vianney Vocations Two teams paddle their hearts out in the final stretch of the canoe races. A team of boys from East Monroe had the fastest time of 9:53.

^ Brian Garcia “takes the plunge” during the trust fall on the low-ropes portion of the adventure course. “

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he guys had a blast,” said Fr. Matthew Long, “It was definitely our best Mission Possible yet.”

Thirty teen boys spent four days at King’s Camp in Mer Rouge, a beautiful property situated between a wide bayou and a picturesque pond dotted with cypress trees. The camp was run by the seminarians of the diocese.

One of the most popular activities (aside from the zip line –a perennial favorite) was an Olympic-styled event that pitted four dorms of boys against each other. Teams of six to eight boys competed in soccer, canoeing, disk golf, basketball, and Catholic trivia. It was a photo finish, with one dorm, St. Michael’s, edging out the other dorms because of their encyclopedic knowledge of scripture, Church teaching and the history of the diocese.

The camp is structured to offer a balance between highintensity outdoor fun and meaningful spiritual formation.

“Obviously the Masses were the best part of the weekend, because that’s what means most to us as Catholics,” said 17-year old camper Al Sloane.

The boys prayed the Rosary and the Divine Office, as well as nighttime Holy Hours before the Blessed Sacrament. One talk was titled, “Five Things Every Catholic Teen Boy Should Know.” “Mission Possible is one of the best things we do in the diocese,” said Fr. Long. “It’s an awesome opportunity for teens to encounter Jesus, make friends and just be healthy Catholic guys. Plus they have the example of our seminarians.”

As he was leaving the camp, Juan Monjares, a 16-year old from St. Thomas in Ruston, said, “I’m definitely coming back next year – and I’m going to bring my little brother, too!” • Are you feeling called to a vocation in the Church?

Contact Fr. Matthew Long, Director of Church Vocations at 318-868-4441, or mlong@dioshpt.org

^ Fr. Long led the Stations of the Cross on Friday. As much as possible, the camp introduced the traditions of our faith in a vibrant, meaningful manner.

^ Seminarian Martin Valazquez leads a group of boys in a discussion about priesthood and discerning vocations.

August 2015 13

What Makes a

Catholic School Catholic?

by Sr. Carol Cimino, SSJ, Ed.D

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nyone old enough to remember the Baltimore Catechism probably can recall the question and answer format. “Who made me?” was question number one; “God made me,” was the answer. Question number two was, “Why did God make me?” And the answer was: “God made me to know, love and serve God in this world, and be happy with God in the next.”

When the bishops of the United States wrote their document (“To Teach As Jesus Did,” 1972) describing the characteristics of the Catholic school, they went back to the Baltimore Catechism. The purpose of the Catholic school is to help children to know God, to create a community of faith so that the students can love God and each other, and to put all this into action through service. When these elements are present in the Catholic school, then the Catholic school is truly Catholic.

In order to help students to know God, Catholic schools provide a regular course of study of the Gospels, the beliefs of the Church, and the Church’s teachings on everyday challenges faced by young people. Catholic schools invite students to think critically, pitting what they learn in social studies, math, science and the other “secular” subjects against morality, ethics and right living. The curriculum of the Catholic schools meets and exceeds state curricula and is pervaded by students’ knowledge of God. Thus, the Catholic school does not leave the youngsters adrift in a sea of uncertainty and amoral conclusions. By providing a solid program of study steeped in a pervasive formation of conscience, Catholic schools produce successful students who have a foundation in morality.

Since relationships are so important to young people, Catholic schools invite a community of believers to respect each other as children of God, and to love God through their regular prayer, Mass, observance of religious holy days and reception of 14 Catholic Connection

the sacraments.

It has been observed that “it takes a village to raise a child.” If that is so, then Catholic schools do that exceedingly well. Recent studies around the success of Catholic schools suggest that their success is due to what is called “social capital;” that is, that the Catholic schools share and enforce the values of parents who send their children to these schools. In that way, parents and families play as much a part in children’s lives as teachers and other school personnel. It is this shared set of values that helps young people to avoid the daily conflict between what they are taught in Catholic school and what they are taught at home. It is also why families can find comfort in the loving community of the Catholic school.

Catholic schools are known for their hospitality, for their welcoming atmosphere and for making children of all faiths feel wanted and loved.

Finally, the New Testament letter of James (2:17) reminds us that “faith without good works is dead.” In Catholic schools, service is not an option; it is a requirement, and without this requirement of service by students, the school is not Catholic.

Students in Catholic schools study the social justice teachings of the Church, with the understanding that they are called on to serve their fellow human beings. The vast network of service programs among Catholic schools offers up the true value of a Catholic education: that that education is obtained for the service of others.

It is hoped by Catholic school leaders that their graduates will go on to volunteer in their churches and their communities, to be civic-minded with a conscience, and to stand with the marginalized in their society. In short, Catholic schools produce valuable members of church and home.

People often get caught up in the paucity of nuns and priests in Catholic schools, but the lay men and women who labor in them, without receiving the material compensation that they would in other schools, are continuing this great work of the Catholic church. They strive every day to help their students to know, love and serve by providing outstanding examples themselves. They know they are tasked with creating the next generation of holy people by teaching in these schools and by continually striving to make them as Catholic as possible.

What makes a Catholic school Catholic? Do the “scratch and sniff” test: does the school teach children to know, love, serve?

That’s as Catholic as it gets. •

Diocese of Shreveport

Catholic Schools

Jesus the Good Shepherd School 900 Good Shepherd Lane Monroe, LA 71201 318-325-8569

Our Lady of Fatima School 3202 Franklin St. Monroe, LA 71201 318-387-1851

St. John Berchmans School 947 Jordan St. Shreveport, LA 71101 318-221-6005

Loyola College Prep 921 Jordan St. Shreveport, LA 71101 318-221-2675

St. Frederick High School 3300 Westminster Ave. Monroe, LA 71201 318-323-9636

St. Joseph School 1210 Anniston Ave. Shreveport, LA 71105 318-865-3585

ANNUAL REPORT Terra Nova Achievement Test

*National statistics will not be available until Fall 2015.

ACRE tests were newly normed Spring, 2015.

Reading Language Math Social Studies Science National

50*

50

50

50

50

Kindergarten 64

N/A

79

N/A

N/A

Grade 1

77

N/A

77

72

80

Grade 2

75

N/A

78

75

78

Grade 3

76

78

73

77

85

Grade 4

80

84

59

71

77

Grade 5

75

76

68

67

77

Grade 6

85

83

71

73

82

Grade 7

70

78

72

74

71

Grade 8

84

85

76

75

73

ACT SCORES NATIONAL: 21.1 STATE: 20.3 ST. FREDERICK: 22.9 LOYOLA COLLEGE PREP: 26.0

ACRE TEST SCORES Profession of Faith

Liturgy & Sacraments

Grade 5: 78% Grade 8: 88% Grade 11: 72%

Grade 5: 71% Grade 8: 84% Grade 11: 73%

Life in Christ

Christian Prayer

Grade 5: 75% Grade 8: 93% Grade 11: 76%

Grade 5: 72% Grade 8: 88% Grade 11: 75% August 2015 15

our Faculty and staff 115 Full-Time Certified Classroom Teachers 3 Music Teachers 11 P. E. Teachers 20 Pre-School Teachers 25 Instructional Assistants 6 Certified Principals

Enrollment by Grades

Faculty and Staff service awards 5 Years Laura Nugent Kathryn Beaird Malissa Carroll Penny Everage Lisa Morrison Amy Vitacca Matt Burt 10 Years Sarah Bishop Carrie Rocconi Traci Wade Jamie Humphrey Susan Hymel

Jo Cazes Shawn Bernard Bridget Nolen

PreK K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th

237 160 140 123 114 109 113 120

7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th

117 144 166 167 135 159

TOTAL: 2004

15 Years Lisa Patrick Sue Blackford Lori Digiulian Judy Edwards Susan Brady 20 Years Pat Maxey Tina McCaa Polly Maciulski

Diocese of Shreveport NonDiscriminatory School Policy The Diocese of Shreveport School system re-affirms its non-discriminatory policy on the basis of race, sex, color, national, and ethnic origin in its educational programs, activities, and employment policies in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, and Sections 4.03 (a) and 4.03 (c) Revenue Procedure 75-50.

All students, faculty members and staff, without exception, are admitted to all rights, privileges, and activities generally accorded or made available at the schools which do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national, and ethnic origin in the administration of its employment policies, admission policies, scholarship, and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administrated programs.

St. John Berchmans Cathedral School, Shreveport • St. Joseph School, Shreveport Loyola College Preparatory, Shreveport • Jesus the Good Shepherd School, Monroe Our Lady of Fatima School, Monroe • St. Frederick High School, Monroe 16 Catholic Connection

local NEWS

Launch Into the Deep: Bishop Duca Has Started Pastoral Planning Process

by Kevin Prevou & Pastoral Planning Council

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ishop Duca has launched the Diocesan Pastoral Planning Process, an initiative that will culminate in a Diocesan Pastoral Plan for the Diocese of Shreveport.

Twenty-three parishes and missions sent a total of approximately 100 representatives to the launch’s first gathering event, which was held at the Catholic Center on Saturday, June 20.

Many organizations develop mission statements to help keep them on track. Our Church already has a profound mission statement: to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the world. The role of the Church is to carry on Jesus’ mission, or to “embrace the mission” to promulgate or spread the reality of divine love, and to manifest its active and ongoing presence in the world.

As we embrace the mission of Jesus in the world today, we look for guidance from the Holy Spirit about how best to spread the divine love in northern Louisiana. Over the next few months, “Embracing the Mission” gatherings will take place in parishes and parish clusters (several parishes/missions together) that will also include youth groups, schools and campus ministries. These gatherings will give Bishop Duca and the faithful an opportunity to listen to the Holy Spirit through the voices of our faith communities.

Bishop Duca, after listening to the voices of our diocesan Church, and through prayerful consideration, will then write a vision statement that will give direction to the entire diocese for the next two to three years. Parishes, missions and schools will then be invited to reflect on this vision statement and develop a parish faith response that will name specific actions each parish will take over the coming two years to live out the vision for our diocese. Diocesan offices will reflect on the vision statement and the individual parish faith responses to then develop a faith response that can best support the entire diocese over the coming two years.

What can you do? Everyone has a role to play in making sure that this process leads to a vision that can inspire the Church of Northern Louisiana in the coming years. The most important thing each one of us can do is pray for openness, courage and guidance by the Holy Spirit. Additionally, please plan to fully participate in this discernment process by attending one of the Embracing the Mission gatherings this fall.

Talk with your pastor about when your parish gathering is scheduled. Volunteer to help your pastor with any aspect of hosting a gathering.

Want to know more about something that has been mentioned in this article? Please contact any one of us on the Diocesan Pastoral Planning Process Core Team: Fr. Rothell Price rprice@dioshpt.org • Randy Tiller rtiller@dioshpt.org Christine Rivers criverss@dioshpt.org • Dianne Rachal drachal@dioshpt.org Kevin Prevou kprevou@dioshpt.org

Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering Dates 9/1: St. Jude, Benton 6:30 - 8:30pm 9/2: St. Benedict, Grambling 5:00 - 7:00pm 9/8: Our Lady of Fatima, Monroe • 6:00 - 8:00pm 9/9: Sacred Heart, Shreveport 6:00 - 8:00pm 9/11: Sacred Heart, Rayville 5:00 - 7:00pm 9/12: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Farmerville 10:00am - noon 9/19: St. Pius X, Shreveport 9:00 - 11:00am 10/13: St. Lucy, Hodge 6:00 - 8:00pm 10/19: St. John the Baptist, Many • 5:00 - 7:00pm 10/20: St. Paul, Minden 6:00 - 8:00pm 10/21: Mary, Queen of Peace, Bossier City • 6:00 - 8:00pm 10/23: St. George, Coushatta 6:00 - 8:00pm 10/24: Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Shreveport 10:00am - noon 10/25: Thomas Jason Lingo Community Center, Oak Grove 6:00 - 8:00pm 10/26: Cathedral of St John Berchmans, Shreveport 6:00 - 8:00pm 10/27: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Shreveport • 6:00 - 8:00pm 11/ 3: St. Paschal, West Monroe • 6:00 - 8:00pm 11/ 4: Little Flower of Jesus Monroe • 6:00 - 8:00pm 11/ 9: St. Matthew, Monroe 6:00 - 8:00pm 11/22: St. Mary of the Pines, Shreveport • 6:00 - 8:00pm August 2015 17

Catholic Charities Welcomes Palestinian Intern

by Tamara Alqassis

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ello! Or as we say in Arabic, Marhaba! My name is Tamara Alqassis, and I am currently a senior at Bethlehem University studying English Language and Literature as a major and Translation as a minor. I am spending six weeks in Shreveport as part of an internship program between Catholic Charities USA and Bethlehem University. I live in Beit Jala, Palestine which is about 1.24 miles away from the Church of the Nativity. I come from a big family, five sisters and one brother, and I have 16 nephews and nieces. My hobbies are running, dancing Dabkeh which is Palestinian Folk Dance, and drama.

I am interested in traveling and learning more about communication skills.

Since my sophomore year I have been a member in Bethlehem University Students Ambassadors Program where we welcome foreigners and help them understand the truth about Palestine and promote the university. Being part of this program, I have gained confidence in my language skills through my experience in my daily talks and interactions. It also gives me an opportunity to learn about other cultures and their perspectives about Palestine and its people. I am honored to be an ambassador for my country and university, and to be interning at Catholic Charities of North Louisiana. Our internships were chosen for us, and I believe God has sent me to Louisiana for a definite purpose. My internship at Catholic Charities of North Louisiana (CCNLA) includes developing an e-newsletter and helping in the development office.

The first day I arrived in Louisiana, I had my first Chinese food and my first fortune cookie (it said, “A pleasant surprise is in store for you 18 Catholic Connection

soon”). I have been exposed to a really different culture with unique food. I also tried some seafood for the first time including frog legs. They look disgusting, but they are delicious!

I believe I will become addicted to seafood. As I am exposed to different food and culture, my host family is exposed to some Palestinian food too.

They now enjoy Zeit (olive oil) and Za’tar (roasted thyme) with bread, a traditional breakfast in Palestine.

The first week and a half, I was continued on page 19

Mercy Ministries Group Enjoy Evening at Black Bayou

by Missy McKenzie

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esidents at the Monroe Mercy Ministries home recently enjoyed a “Night of the Bayou” adventure with members of JGS Mercy Ministries Team at the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge just north of Monroe.

The annual outing included a brown bag dinner and an educational tour of the bayou led by a refuge ranger. Mercy residents learned about plants and animals native to the area. The Black Bayou – located in Ouachita Parish – features a spectacular 1,600-acre scenic lake and a 4,500-acre refuge that supports a variety of waterfowl, migratory songbirds and other wildlife.

Even though some residents were a bit anxious, they loved experiencing nature up close. “When I first found out that we were going to Black Bayou, I was a little uncomfortable because I am not a huge fan of the outdoors!” said Mercy resident, Rachel. “But once we arrived, I got a glimpse of God’s glory and magnificence.

Through nature, God revealed His love and majesty to me, reminding me of how much He loves me. All in all, I had an absolute blast!”

Encountering some bayou creatures

helped Mercy resident Emily overcome her fears. “The trip to Black Bayou was a blast,” she said. “Walking on the trail and learning about the native plants and animals was a neat experience. I also got to face my fears and pet a snake and alligator! I’m so thankful to the kind people of Jesus the Good Shepherd Church for hosting this event for us! I will certainly never forget it!”

Members of the JGS Mercy Ministries team are J. Randy Smith, Lori Hughes, Amy Sawyer, Lori Spence, Gina Greenwood, Jennifer Petzet and Allison Sherman. If you would like to find out more or become a part of the JGS Mercy Ministries Team, please contact the church office at 318-325-7549. •

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Grant Will Help Needy in Shreveport

by Brian Burgess

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through the program esidents in the Shreveport area around the country. Grant will receive emergency housing applications are evaluated and utility assistance thanks and awarded quarterly to a $5,000 grant from the National on a regional basis by Council of the Society of St. Vincent a Vincentian review de Paul (SVdP). The money is part committee. Funding is of SVdP’s Friends of the Poor® Grant provided by the general Program and will be disbursed by public and the Society’s the Society’s St. Catherine of Siena 150,000 members in Conference, one of two conferences at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans in This grant was Shreveport.

“Often we are asked to help a family or a single elderly person around with a ‘sizeable’ utility payment. We also the country. receive many requests for rent and mortgage assistance,” said Carol Jeronica Sanders, Manager, Vintage Realty the United States and is Brill of the St. Catherine of Siena Company- Southern Oaks Apartments, receiving targeted to specific needs Conference. “Our assistance will have check from Carol Brill, Vincentian member of in each community. a profound impact on approximately St. Catherine Conference, for rent payment of “We are pleased to 20 clients and their families by conference client. be able to assist local maintaining stable housing and Conferences as they work ‘creature comforts’ that others take SVdP programs include: home to help those in need,” said for granted. Those individuals will visits, housing assistance, disaster Dave Barringer, CEO of the Society. receive counseling about budgeting, relief, job training and placement, “Our local Conferences are a great educational choices, local support food pantries, dining halls, clothing, example of how a dedicated group resources, saving money, cutting transportation and utility costs, care of people can make a difference in utility costs and avoiding impulse for the sick, the incarcerated and the alleviating suffering.” buying.” elderly, and prescription medicine.

One of the largest charitable This grant was one of 10 distributed SVdP provides over $794 million in organizations in the world, the tangible and in-kind services, serves Society of St. Vincent de Paul (www. more than 11 million people each year svdpusa.org) is an international, Charities continued from page 18 and conducts more than 1.7 million nonprofit, Catholic lay organization personal visits (home, hospitals, involved with CCNLA to help victims of more than 800,000 men and prisons and more.) Every year, SVdP of the Red River flood. Just standing women who voluntarily join performs more than 11 million hours next to them, listening to their stories together to grow spiritually by of volunteer service to aid those in and helping them with the resources offering person-to-person service need. • available, makes their hurts a little to the needy and suffering in 150 easier to bear for people who have lost countries on five continents. With much. This experience has affected me the U.S. headquarters in St. Louis, Brian Burgess is the President the most, and I believe it has been the MO, membership in the United of the local Society of St. most memorable experience I have had States totals more than 150,000 in Vincent de Paul Chapter. here. • 4,400 communities.

one of 10 distributed through the program

August 2015 19

Vacation Bible School: A Grandparent's Perspective

by Bonnie Martinez

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often find myself “grandparenting” a term I have coined for times I have second-guessed my success as a parent.

As I observe my adult children, as well as other young parents, making decisions about educating their children about their faith, I often reflect upon my parenting role and ask myself, “How well did I do that?” or “Now, why didn’t I think of that?” Obviously, I cannot correct my parenting oversights now. Instead, we pray for spiritual guidance, particularly in the process of teaching our Catholic faith. My role as a grandparent affords me the occasional helpful suggestion to my children as to approaches that are in the best interests of my grandchildren.

My most recent “grandparenting” moments happened while serving as a volunteer for the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans’ Vacation Bible School. I felt compelled to volunteer as a way of “giving back” for these spiritual opportunities.

Overall, I came away feeling spiritually lifted by this volunteering experience. My children attended Vacation Bible School each summer, where I often volunteered.

However, there were no VBS opportunities once they reached middle school. So, their participation naturally stopped at that point. I fulfilled that parenting responsibility, right?

As soon as I arrived for the first morning of St. John’s Vacation Bible School, I 20 Catholic Connection

experienced my first “grandparenting” question, “Now, why didn’t I think of that?” There were 19 teenage volunteers awaiting the arrival of the children and their parents. Why did I not encourage my children to serve as volunteers when they were in middle school and high school? The positive impact of these young volunteers as they interacted with the children was remarkable.

This prompted me to contact other Catholic churches in the area to inquire about their youth volunteer participation for VBS. Cathy Cobb of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish shared, “Our Vacation Bible School has the largest involvement of youth (as volunteers). They can earn many service hours in a short period of time alongside their friends.”

Christine Sloan of St. Jude Parish shared the same sentiment, “Some of the youth serve as peer mentors while leading the children through the various activities and others serve as assistants to the adult volunteers. In fact, one of my five-year-old great-nephews shared that his favorite part of attending St. Joseph’s Vacation Bible School was ‘playing with the older kids who were helpers.’”

Sr. Anna Maria Iannetti, OLS, provided Bible lessons for the children attending the Cathedral’s Vacation Bible School. As I observed Sr. Anna Maria involving the first and second grade children in role-

playing throughout the Bible stories, it dawned on me that perhaps several of the students had little to no experience interacting with a nun. One of the precious little kindergarten students shared with her great aunt that there was a lady at VBS wearing priest’s clothing, except that she wore a skirt instead of pants. What a priceless example of “out of the mouth of babes.” This same little girl also shared what she had learned about the Holy Trinity and demonstrated the reverence one should exercise when making the Sign of the Cross.

Another “grandparenting” moment I experienced was hearing at least three of the children within the group that I worked with at St. John’s also attended St. Joseph’s VBS. Why didn’t I think of enrolling my young children (and volunteering) in more than one Catholic Vacation Bible School? I hear many young parents talk about their search for interesting and educational summer camps for their children. I encourage parents to maximize their young children’s participation in the Diocese of Shreveport Vacation Bible School opportunities. The diocesan parishes coordinate the dates of their VBS programs so as to not overlap.

This is one avenue of support afforded parents in the awesome responsibility of teaching children about their Catholic faith. As recent as this past May, Pope Francis focused on the role of parents in the education of their children during his General Audience.

He referred to parents’ role as “an essential characteristic” of the family, and also acknowledged that parents face many difficulties in this endeavor.

During my contact with the various coordinators of VBS, I became aware of the Diocese of Shreveport’s support manual for parents, “The Go-To-Guide for Catholic Parents & Guardians,” which can be accessed from the Diocese of Shreveport’s website, www.dioshpt.org. (Click on “Ministries” tab, choose “Catechesis” from the pull-down menu, click on “Catechetical Goals” ). •

Youth Spread the Gospel in Belize

by Roxanne Chumley & Harris Leblanc

Harris Leblanc, Drew Whaley, Fr. Price on the bus ride heading to the work site.

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ission trips: they pull us away from our beloved electronics, our family and friends, and even our A/C, but most importantly they plug us into a life that is simple, a life free of distractions and full of focus where the voice of God is loud and clear.

It is in this environment that I realized, at age 15, that life is about this simple truth: Discovering God’s love and then giving that love to others. It is a truth that

A

required being in a simple place to learn.

From that age on I continued to seek God’s love and do my best to give it away, which has brought joy to my life. This is why our youth group goes on a mission trip every summer. It is my hope that these teens will step foot onto foreign land where their minds will be made clear and they will encounter God’s abundant grace and mercy. • - Roxanne Chumley

Extend the Invitation That Points to Christ

re you a real American? If so you “ will be able to answer these six questions: Who are the first six presidents, in order…” These were the first words spoken to me by the man I would come to know as Vernon.

One hot afternoon during our mission trip to Belize, while taking a lunch break from our construction work, a group of friends and I wandered to escape to some shade. While sitting down we were approached by the 46-year-old man who introduced himself as Vernon. After telling us who the first six presidents were when none in our group could, Vernon sat down and began to talk with our small group of American high school missionaries. We discovered Vernon was an impressively intelligent man as he began inquiring about our studies and exhibiting his own wealth of knowledge by reciting some of his favorite poetry and the periodic table from memory, as well as displaying the magnifying glass he carries with him

in order to closer observe the plants of Belize and identify them. Vernon’s love for knowledge was clear as he told us he could not finish school and therefore educated himself; however, Vernon confessed that all his knowledge was for nothing as he was a struggling alcoholic.

Vernon removed a beer bottle from his back pocket he had just bought. As he reached back for it though, he just barely nicked the bottle on the wall when it shattered into two pieces and alcohol spilled everywhere. Sulking in this puddle of alcohol, Vernon admitted that this was a sign from God that he needed to stop drinking. At this mention of God we began to ask Vernon about his faith life with the desire to be missionaries of the Lord. Vernon said that while he used to attend church quite often, he had not in many years as he believed God would not hear his prayers as a result of his alcoholic sin. At this misunderstanding, we explained to Vernon we are not perfect,

but we are able to have a relationship with the Lord because we have accepted the grace that came from His son dying on the cross. Vernon began to ponder the thought and thanked us for this realization he desired to more fully understand. We prayed over Vernon and invited him to Mass, which he later attended with us, as well as adoration.

Afterwards, with tears in his eyes, Vernon thanked us again for the hope we had shown him.

In Matthew 13, Jesus explains how the Kingdom of Heaven is like a tiny mustard seed that when sown becomes one of the largest of trees. That week in Belize the Lord provided countless opportunities to allow Him to work in me. My interaction with Vernon was a divinely inspired opportunity to sow a mustard seed-sized amount of faith into Vernon that I believe shall grow into a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. The opportunity to attend this mission has shown me “Vernon” is everywhere. This world is full of people who are suffering, whether they are in Belize or walking the halls of your high school, everyone needs someone to lend a listening ear and then extend an invitation that points them to Christ. • - Harris Leblanc Elizabeth Bryan and Ben Robichaux shoveling gravel for the fence project around Trinidad Catholic Church

August 2015 21

Encounter Jesus Youth Event

Experience Rich Day Planned for Diocesan Youth

by Kevin Prevou

appropriate to their particular developmental levels. We will of course share opening prayer and Mass with Bishop Duca together, but the presentations and encounter experiences will be done in separate tracks.

Preparing for Encounter Jesus

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astoral ministry with young people is a series of encounters with the person of Jesus that forms hearts and minds for discipleship and creates a deeper bond with the Church.

Put another way, everything we do with young people is focused on offering them encounters with Jesus. On Saturday August 29, we want to bring the young church of the Diocese of Shreveport together for a day to Encounter Jesus!

Pope Francis says that an encounter is the means chosen by Jesus to change lives. A good example of this is Paul of Tarsus, the anti-Christian prosecutor who, by the time he reached Damascus, had already become an Apostle.

Pope Francis said, “Jesus never forgets the day we encountered Him for the first time; we should ask God for the ‘grace of memory’ so that we can always remember it…our faith is an encounter with Jesus.”

My own conscious encounter with Jesus began when I was a freshman in high school back at Holy Name parish in San Antonio. We were participating in a day retreat led by a neighboring parish’s group of young adults. These 22 Catholic Connection

Every parish leader will receive a preparation packet for Encounter Jesus that will offer a session or two to help your group prepare for the day on August 29. You will also receive a post-packet following Encounter Jesus as a way for your group to continue encountering Jesus.

For more information, contact Kevin in the Office of Youth at 318-8684441, or kprevou@dioshpt.org • young adults were faith-filled, prepared, fun-loving and full of joy. My memory of specific activities during the retreat are hazy except for a guided meditation led by one of the young adults. During the meditation, I had an experience of Jesus being present with me. It was so powerful that it has stuck with me all of these years and is one of the reasons that I continue to serve in ministry.

Encounter Jesus Will Be “Experience Rich”

The young people and adult leaders will be invited into an “experience rich” environment. The presentations by nationally known presenters Mike Patin, Katie Prejean and Project YM (Tony Vasinda and Scott Dougherty) will also include a reflection and response time.

Encounter experiences will include scripture, prayer, sacraments, works of mercy, family, relationships, creation/ nature, digital world, a personal journal for the day and more!

Encounter Jesus Tracks for High School and Middle School Youth

There will be separate tracks for high school and middle school youth

JOIN US! WHO: High School & Middle School Youth and Their Adult Leaders DATE: Saturday, August 29 TIME: 8:30AM - 5:30PM WHAT: Meet young people from across the diocese; have Mass with Bishop Duca; see Nationally recognized speakers & enjoy Encounter experiences WHERE: The Catholic Center 3500 Fairfield Ave. Shreveport, LA 71104 REGISTER: Through your church!

#EncounterJesusDYC

hispanic NEWS por Fidel Mondragón González

Fidel Mondragón González, Seminarista Calendario del Mes de Agosto de la Diócesis de Shreveport

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i nombre es Fidel Mondragón González, originario de Luvianos, Estado de México. Soy el número seis de una familia de ocho. Mi mamá Amelia y algunos hermanos aún viven en mi pueblo natal y mi papá, Santiago falleció hace 9 años.

Mi vocación comenzó cuando al terminar secundaria participé en un retiro vocacional en la Diócesis de Ciudad Altamirano, aunque no logré entrar entonces porque me aconsejaron terminar la preparatoria González y si al terminarla seguía con la inquietud, me aceptarían. Al terminar participé nuevamente en una semana de retiro vocacional y mi decisión era entrar al Seminario. Sin embargo, al finalizar la semana y regresar a casa, sentí miedo de regresar y decidí no hacerlo.

Un hermano que vivía en Dallas me invitó a venir a trabajar a Estados Unidos por un año. Conseguir el permiso de salir de casa aunque fue un poco difícil con mi mamá pues ella sabía que yo quería seguir estudiando y entrar al seminario, además de que estaba ayudando a mi papá en el campo. Mi papá accedió fácilmente y me vine a Dallas pero ese año se pasó y en total me quedé 9 años trabajando.

Mientras vivía en Dallas, participaba en la Pastoral Juvenil y a veces nos tocaba salir a trabajar a otros lugares. En una ocasión las hermanas religiosas me invitaron a una reunión de la Red Pastoral en Chicago, donde conocí a un Sacerdote Escolapio; le expuse mi situación y él me invitó a un retiro vocacional a Miami. Estuve 4 días en el retiro y me dijeron que si quería entrar con ellos al seminario no me tenía que preocupar de mi estatus migratorio ni de que no hablaba mucho inglés.

Dejé mi trabajo, la casa de mi hermano donde vivía e ingresé al seminario con los escolapios. Estudié en Miami un año, otro en Celaya, Gto., dos más en Puerto Rico y cinco en la ciudad de México.

Terminé en mayo de este año e ingresé a Estados Unidos patrocinado por la Diócesis de Shreveport, y si Monseñor Obispo Michael Duca, Dios y la Inmaculada Virgen María así lo desean, me convertiré en sacerdote para esta diócesis en un futuro cercano.

Que Nuestro Señor y la Inmaculada Virgen los bendigan.

Todo lo que hagamos sea para la mayor Gloria de Dios.

Su hermano en Cristo: Fidel Mondragón González.

del 2015

8 Reunión de preparación para retiro Búsqueda, Centro Católico 11 a.m.

– 6 p.m.

8 Conferencia de Catequesis (Inglés) Shreveport Centro de Convenciones, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

15 Asunción de la Virgen María a los cielos.

22-24 Retiro Búsqueda, Scottsville, TX de viernes a las 6 p.m. a domingo a las 4 p.m.

29 Encuentro Juvenil de Middle y High School (Inglés) Centro Católico, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

August 2015 23

school NEWS

Dr. Robert Webber Named Principal at St. Frederick

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t. Frederick Catholic High School has announced that Dr. Robert Webber will succeed St. Frederick Principal Guy Farber who has accepted a position at a school in Florida.

Dr. Webber previously served as Superintendent of the Ouachita Parish School System. He retired from the parish school system at the end of the school year after serving as the superintendent for the last 14 years.

“I want to thank the search committee and Judge Wendell Manning, President of the St. Frederick School Board, for a job well done. We are excited about having someone with Dr. Webber’s credentials joining the St. Frederick family. His experience and leadership success will help us continue the growth and advancement of St. Frederick Catholic High School,” said Sr. Carol Shively, Diocesan Superintendent of Schools.

Prior to being named Superintendent,

Webber served as Principal of Ouachita Junior High School and as Assistant Principal of Ouachita Parish High School. He also served as a teacher and coach of Ouachita Junior High and Ouachita High Schools.

Webber is a graduate of Northeast Louisiana University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Social Studies (1977), a Master’s Degree in Administration and Supervision (1983), and a Specialist Degree in Administration and Supervision (1992).

He earned his Doctorate from Louisiana Tech in 1998.

Webber is actively involved in service to the community. He served as Chairman

of the United Way of Northeast Louisiana, Fall Roundup Chairman of Boys Scouts of America, Louisiana Purchase Council, Board of Directors of the Chennault Aviation Museum, Board of Directors of the Glenwood Regional Medical Center, Board of Directors of the Big Brothers-Big Sisters and the Board of Directors of the West Monroe Community Center as well as many other organizations.

Dr. Webber is married to Janis Townsend. Janis is a Registered Nurse.

They have a daughter, Tara, and son, Seth, both of Monroe.

St. Frederick remains the only Catholic, coeducational, college preparatory high school in Northeast Louisiana serving over 300 students enrolled in grades 7-12.

St. Frederick High School is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and approved by the Louisiana Department of Education. •

School Leadership Program

by John Mark Willcox

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eveloping leadership skills within our Catholic School system can be a daunting challenge, but that goal has become much more achievable through a recent grant to our diocese from Catholic Extension Society.

Through Extension’s new strategic initiative on Catholic School Leadership Development, three members from among our combined school administration are sponsored to be enrolled in a comprehensive online training program through Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA. This includes a visit to the campus for a special orientation in early August of 2015.

Stephanie Johnson of Loyola College Prep in Shreveport, Stephanie Haney of Our Lady of Fatima School in Monroe and Dianne Porter-Lord of 24 Catholic Connection

Monroe’s St. Frederick High School will each receive a graduate level Certificate of Catholic School Administration and will bring back their Johnson newfound knowledge to promote solid leadership within the schools of our diocese.

Because of Extension’s generosity to our diocese, these three woman will benefit from a program of unique and successful educational professional development that is designed to address three major themes in Catholic school administration including mission effectiveness, operational management and instructional leadership.

“This is a proven and effective means to enhance our efforts in Catholic Leadership,” comments Diocesan Superintendent of Schools, Sr. Carol

Haney

Porter-Lord

Shively. “We are indeed blessed to have Extension sponsor our participation in the program. I am confident in the abilities of the women we have selected for the program and I know this will bear good fruit for our schools.”

“The school system of the Diocese of Shreveport was a perfect fit for what we are trying to achieve in mission dioceses throughout the South,” comments Extension’s Director of Mission Services, Rob Anderson. We were impressed at Extension with the quality of the applicants and we are pleased with their enthusiasm for the program.” •

Kids' Connection!

What Can We Do This Month?

This month we celebrate the

Feast Day of Saint Dominic on August 8!

Use this month to learn about him in a variety of fun ways:

1)

Saint Dominic is the founder of the Dominican religious order.

In his young years, he sold off his clothes, furniture and even priceless manuscripts to feed the hungry. Collect cans, food items and toiletries and donate them to your local St. Vincent de Paul food pantry!

2)

He spent much of his life preaching to the heretics and doing conversion work. Take time to learn a Scripture verse. The more we learn about our faith, the better teachers and witnesses we are to those around us.

The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. - Psalm 19:7

3)

The spread of the Rosary is attributed to the preaching of St. Dominic. Take time each day to say the Rosary, especially on St. Dominic’s Feast Day.

"Arm yourself with prayer rather than a sword; wear humility rather than fine clothes."

- St. Dominic Word Find

Astronomy August Conversion

Dominic Humility Prayer Religious

Rosary Saint Scripture

4)

Saint Dominic is the patron saint of astronomers. The universe is an AWESOME part of God’s creation. Step outside and see how many constellations you can find!

August 2015 25

across the GLOBE by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

by Carol Gates

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Nature cannot be regarded as something separate

from

ourselves or as a mere setting in which we live. We

are part of nature, included in it and thus in constant interaction with it. photo: presidencia.gov.ar

Pope Publishes Encyclical "Laudato Si" Overview of the Encyclical

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AUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my Lord.”

These are the words that open Pope Francis’ encyclical on ecology and care for God’s creation. These words, quoting St. Francis of Assisi’s beautiful canticle, remind us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.

Pope Francis addresses Laudato Si’ to “every person on the planet,” for we all share a common home –the earth.

He focuses on a number of important themes.

• A Moral and Spiritual Challenge.

The ecological crisis, Pope Francis writes, is a summons to profound interior conversion—to renew our relationships with God, one another, and the created world.

• Care for God’s Creation. God created the world and entrusted it to us as a gift. Now we have the responsibility to care for and protect it and all people, who are part of creation. Protecting human dignity is strongly linked to care for creation.

• We are All Connected. We are connected to the rest of the human family, to the created world and to

“

26 Catholic Connection

Pope Francis' Visit to the U.S.

those who will come after us in future generations.

• Impact on the Poor. People in poverty have contributed least to climate change, yet they are disproportionately impacted by it.

As a result of excessive use of natural resource by wealthy nations, those who are poor experience pollution, lack of access to clean water, hunger and more.

• Called to Solidarity. We are one human family and have a shared responsibility for others and for creation.

Wealthy countries have a responsibility to reduce consumption of non-renewal resources and should help poorer nations develop in sustainable ways.

• Technological and economic development must serve human beings and enhance human dignity, instead of creating an economy of exclusion, so that all people have access to what is needed for authentic human development.

• Supporting Life, Protecting Creation. Concern for nature is incompatible with failure to protect vulnerable human beings, such as unborn children, people with disabilities, or victims of human continued on page 27

xcitement is building in Washington, D.C., New York City and Philadelphia as plans are being made for public and private events with Pope Francis in September! In addition to meetings with our U.S. president and bishops upon his arrival on September 23, Pope Francis will preside at the Mass of Canonization of Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. On Thursday, Pope Francis will address the Joint Session of the U.S. Congress before going to New York City to address the United Nations General Assembly, offering a Prayer Service at the World Trade Center, visiting a Harlem school and offering Mass at Madison Square Garden on Friday. While in Philadelphia, Pope Francis will meet with the bishops and visit a correctional facility.

Thousands of adults and youth will be gathering in Philadelphia September 22-25, for the World Meeting of Families Congress. More than 100 presenters, including keynote speakers Bishop-elect Robert Barron and Cardinal Robert Sarah, will speak on the theme “Love is Our Mission: the Family Fully Alive.”

Representatives from our diocese will be in attendance for the Congress meetings, as well as present for the weekend activities, Festival of Families on Saturday and Mass concluding the World Meeting on Sunday.

Diocesan events and daily blogs will be offered during the week of September 22, in order for all Catholics to share in this momentous visit by our Pope. Look for more information in the next Catholic Connection. If you would like more information on these events, visit worldmeeting2015. org and usccb.org.

continued from page 26

trafficking.

• A Time to Act. Pope Francis calls for a change in lifestyle and consumption.

We can make important changes as individuals, families and communities, and as civil and political leaders.

• Hope and Joy. “Injustice is not invincible” (no. 74) and we act knowing that we seek to live out God’s vision of renewed relationships with God, ourselves, one another and creation.

How You Can Respond Each of us are called to take concrete steps – from reducing consumption to working for political change – to better care for creation. Here are some ideas.

1. Become more aware of our connectedness. Care for one another and creation includes understanding that “everything is connected” (no.

91) and that the economy, politics, community involvement and technology all affect the future of the planet and humankind. How can we become more aware of our connectedness?

2. Changes to lifestyle and

consumption habits can make a big difference. For example, get a re-usable water bottle, take shorter showers, walk, bike or take public transportation instead of driving, recycle, compost food waste and buy energy efficient appliances.

3. Make changes institutionally at your parish, school or workplace.

For example, start recycling and composting, use washable dinnerware in cafeterias, share electronically instead of printing, do an energy audit, and install solar panels.

4. Support local efforts to solve environmental problems. Community groups around the country are working to make city, county and state-wide changes that can make a big difference.

Find out what is going on locally and get involved.

5. Contact your members of Congress to share Pope Francis’ message and urge action to address climate change.

Sign up for action alerts with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops at http://cqrcengage.com/catholicbishops/ jphd. •

Prayer Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love, teach us to contemplate you in the beauty of the universe, for all things speak of you.

Awaken our praise and thankfulness for every being that you have made.

Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined to everything that is.

God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth, for not one of them is forgotten in your sight.

Enlighten those who possess power and money that they may avoid the sin of indifference, that they may love the common good, advance the weak, and care for this world in which we live.

The poor and the earth are crying out.

O Lord, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your Kingdom of justice, peace, love and beauty.

Praise be to you!

Amen.

Excerpted from “A Christian prayer in union with creation,” in Laudato Si’, no. 246

Vatican Information Services

VAtICAN news & notes • The Pope's first visit in Paraguay after his meeting with the president, Horacio Manuel Cartes Jara, was to the patients of the Ninos de Acosta Nu paediatric hospital. The Pope arrived at 8.30 a.m. (local time) and spent around an hour with the inpatients, including those who were in the emergency room and the oncology ward.

•The Pope visited the Santa CruzPalmasola penitentiary on July 11 where he met with various groups of inmates – men, women and young people imprisoned for both petty and serious offences.

The men's Pavilion PS4, where the meeting with the Pope took place, is open for daily visits and hosts around 2,800 detainees, whose family members (around 1,500 per day) are able to live with them in a sort of village protected and managed by the inmates themselves through a “General Regency” led by State security staff.

• The director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., made the following statement July 14 regarding the nuclear agreement with Iran: “The agreement on the Iranian nuclear program is viewed in a positive light by the Holy See. It constitutes an important outcome of the negotiations carried out so far, although continued efforts and commitment on the part of all involved will be necessary in order for it to bear fruit. It is hoped that those fruits will not be limited to the field of nuclear program, but may indeed extend further.”

August 2015 27

around the DIOCESE

Hodge PSR Celebrates

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arish School of Religion students celebrated their end of the year party at St. Lucy in Hodge, Sunday, June 7, 2015.

Sister Marilyn Vassallo Celebrated Golden Jubilee in Albany, New York

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few of Sr. Marilyn Vassallo’s closest friends traveled to Albany, New York for her 50th Golden Jubilee Celebration as a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet on May 31. Sr. Marilyn served the Diocese of Shreveport for many years as the Director of Canonical Services.

Randy Tiller attended the celebration

on behalf of the diocese and had the opportunity to visit with Srs. Marilyn and Patricia Cairns, who also worked in our diocese. The celebration was held at the Provincial House of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in Latham outside of Albany. Congratulations Sr. Marilyn!

- Randy Tiller

Mission Choir Sponsored Music Camp

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t. John the Baptist and St. Terence Mission Choir sponsored a music camp entitled “The Music in Me” July 13-16. Participants engaged in a variety of musical experiences and performed in a mini-concert on the last evening of the camp.

Parents of the Year

Carmelite Priests Visit Toledo Bend

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riests from the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate in India recently visited the Diocese of Shreveport.

Shown are visitors Fr. Thomas Choolaparampil and Fr. Jacob Akkathara enjoying Toledo Bend Lake with Fr. 28 Catholic Connection

Thomas Elavunkal, pastor of Saint John the Baptist Parish in Many. Tiffany and Michael Craig of Saint Joseph Parish in Zwolle graciously took the priests on a cruise of Toledo Bend Lake.

- Shirley Rivers

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t. Helen Captain and Secretary, Mary Remedies and Rose Procell honored Lance Rivers and Delphia Remedies as “Father & Mother of the Year,”chosen for their dedication to their faith and family by their peers. Pictured: Lance Rivers, wife Lindsey and family.

Sacred Heart SVdP Honored by Food Bank of Northwest LA

surrounding areas. Sacred Heart of Jesus has been providing food to the hungry every Wednesday for 14 years.

As soon as you walk in the door of Sacred Heart, you experience the hustle and bustle of a busy operation helping those families in need, where everyone always has a smile on their face. Bea Cernigliaro and her team of gracious volunteers serve 80 households and distribute 4,165 pounds of food each month.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Food Pantry has always been in good standing with the Food Bank from whom it received a certificate of excellence. Both organizations appreciate their partnership and recognize the hard work and dedication of the Sacred Heart Society of St. Vincent de Paul to serving families in our community.

Pictured: Richard Guzman, Fay Cunningham, Anna Skyles, Katy Randle (recipient of Sacred Heart of Jesus SVdP help and speaker at banquet), Bea Cernigliaro (President of SVdP Sacred Heart and Secretary of SVdP Shreveport Chapter), Pete Cernigliaro and Fr. John Paul Crispin.

- Libby Campbell

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acred Heart of Jesus’ St. Vincent de Paul’s Food Pantry was honored at a Banquet on June 4 by the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana as the 2014-15 Outstanding Agency.

Sacred Heart of Jesus SVdP has been open since 2001. They give food and clothing to low income families in the 71109 zip code and

Four Generations in Ebarb

Youth Join Crossroads Pro-Life

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hree students made their first communion at St. Ann Church in Ebarb in May, and all three are fourth generation St. Ann parishioners, which is especially exciting as the parish celebrates its 80-year anniversary.

First communicant Rowan Drake Ebarb celebrated with his father, Cody Ebarb, Grandmother Monica Ebarb and Great Grandmother, Maudie Woodruff. First Communicant Madelyn celebrated with her mother, Candice Wilson, grandfather, Victor Sepulvado and great grandmother, Maudie Woodruff (pictured). First communicant Claylee celebrated with her mother, Ashley Rutan, grandmother, Sherry Henry and great grandmother, Pearl Sepulvado.

S

t. Jude Youth Group joined Crossroads Pro-Life Movement July 9 to walk a few miles through Bossier on the groups’ pilgrimage across America.

These young people hope to impact others by witnessing to the dignity and sanctity of all human life, from the moment of conception to natural death.

- Brenda Lites August 2015 29

mark your CALENDAR 8/3

Theology on Tap Featuring Bishop Michael G. Duca This event for young adults will feature a presentation by Bishop Duca on "Will Pope Francis' Climate Encyclical Change the World?" The papal letter, "Laudato Si" On Care for Our Common Home, paints a bleak picture of Earth as sick and poisoned at almost every level. Bishop Duca will break open Pope Francis' letter on the Earth and invite a conversation about what we can do locally to cultivate and care for the planet. Join us at Nicky's Mexican Restaurant in Downtown Shreveport beginning at 7pm. For more information, contact Kevin, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at 318-868-4441, or kprevou@dioshpt.org.

8/8

Diocese of Shreveport 2015 Catechetical Fair The Diocese of Shreveport 2015 Catechetical Fair will feature "Fostering Discipleship in the Domestic Church" and will be hosted at the Shreveport Convention Center. Keynote speaker will be Jo Ann Paradise. There will be Mass with Bishop Duca, music and breakout groups. To register, visit tinyurl. com/catfair2015

8/15

Magnificat NOWELA Chapter Ladies Brunch

Ladies are invited to a brunch sponsored by the NOWELA Chapter of Magnificat. Guest speaker will be Aggie Neck, a renowned speaker from local and international conferences and days of renewal. Saturday, August 15, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Catholic Center, 3500 Fairfield Avenue, Shreveport, LA. For reservations, send $15 checks made out to NOWELA Magnificat, to Margerie Ainsworth, 1575 Parks Rd. Benton, LA, 71006, before August 11. For questions call, Sandy Chapman, 318-222-0007.

a.m. til 3:00 p.m. Our workshop clinician will be Joanne Werner, a nationally known and NPM-certified instructor and clinician. The cost is $30, which includes lunch and a music packet. The workshop will include a master class as well as sessions on the ministerial role of the cantor. Please register in advance by calling or e-mailing Suzan Atkins at 318-617-4933 or npmshv@gmail.com.

Participants do need to be active members of NPM or affiliated with a member church. We can assist you with this if you are not currently a member.

8/21

10/24

14th Annual Blue Mass at St. Mary of the Pines The 14th Annual Blue Mass honoring all law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency personnel will take place on Friday, August 21 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary of the Pines Parish, located at 1050 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop in Shreveport. All are invited to attend this community event.

8/29

Cantor Intensive Workshop at St. Elizabeth

Ann Seton A Cantor Intensive Workshop is being offered through the local chapter of National Pastoral Musicians (NPM) on Saturday, August 29th at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Shreveport, from 9:00

W

St. Paschal Catholic Church Herbal Harvest Arts & Crafts Festival Enjoy live music at this FREE event which will host more than 60 vendors selling herb plants, original arts and crafts and home prepared foods.

Delicious herbed chicken salad, taco soup, grilled sausage, freshly baked breads, cakes, cookies and sweets, almond tea and cold drinks will be available for purchase. Bring the entire family for a fun time. This is the 24th year for this event. 9:00am - 3:30pm at St. Paschal Catholic Church located at 711 N. 7th St., West Monroe, LA. For more information, contact Pat Regan at 318-801-9138, or patregan1@ bellsouth.net.

e invite you to join us in support of our seminarians and future priests. The “I Will Give You Shepherds” campaign is an opportunity to focus on the future of Notre Dame Seminary and St. Joseph Seminary College and to help build a culture of vocations throughout Louisiana.

For both St. Joseph Seminary College and Notre Dame Seminary, the buildings are aging and there are serious needs we must address. It is not enough to have quality education and formation when the living accommodations are not adequate. Realizing this need, we have embarked upon a historic capital campaign titled “I Will Give You Shepherds: The Campaign for Priestly Formation.” Its purpose is to update both seminaries enabling us to continue to provide the very best in priestly formation.

Currently ALL of our diocesan seminarians attend these two houses of education. Learn more by visiting our website, www.dioshpt.org.

Please visit www.arch-no.org to donate online, or contact Peter Quirk for other giving opportunities (504-596-3063 ot pquirk@arch-no.org).

30 Catholic Connection

AUGUST

2015

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

SATURDAY

26 27 28 29 30 31 1 St. Martha

St. Peter Chrysologus, bishop & doctor of the Church

St. Ignatius of Loyola, priest

St. Alphonsus Liguori, bishop & doctor of the Church

thEOLOGY on Tap / AUG 3

2

3

Theology on Tap, Nicky's Mexican Resturant, Downtown Shreveport, 7pm

4

5

Priests Retirement The Dedication of the Basilica of Committee St. Mary Major Meeting, Catholic Center, 11am

6

The Transfiguration of the Lord

7

St. John Berchmans School First Day

St, Sixtus II, pope & companions, martyrs; St. Cajetan, priest

St. John Vianney, priest

8

Diocesan Catechetical Fair, Shreveport Convention Center, 9am St. Dominic, priest

Back to School!

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Loyola and St. Joseph School First Day

Protecting God's Children, Catholic Center, 6pm

Our Lady of Fatima School First Day

Deadline for September Catholic Connection

Opening of Schools Mass for SJB School, 8:15am & Loyola, 9:30am, Cathedral

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

St. Lawrence, deacon & martyr

St. Jane Frances de Chantal

St. Clare, virgin

St. Maximilian Kolbe, priest & martyr

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Assumption of the BVM/ AUG 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 St. John Eudes, priest

Jesus the Good Shepherd School and St. Frederick High School First Day

St. Bernard, abbot & doctor of the Church

14th Annual Blue Mass, St. Mary of the Pines, 9:30am Busqueda 6, Scottsville Camp and Conference Cetner (thru Aug. 23)

The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Blue Mass/ AUG 21

St. Pius X, pope

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 St. Bartholomew, apostle

30 31

St. Louis' St. Joseph Calasanz, priest

St. Monica

St. Augustine, bishop & doctor of the Church

Encounter Jesus Youth Event, Catholic Center, 8:30am The Passion of St. John the Baptist

Encounter Youth Event / AUG 29 August 2015 31

Connection The Catholic

DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave.

•

Shreveport, LA 71104

Photo of the Month

32 Catholic Connection

Fairfield

Bishop Michael Duca ordains Jerry Daigle, Jr. to the priesthood at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans