Catholic Connection October 2015

Connection The Catholic

Vol. 25, No. 3 October 2015

Mary's House

Shreveport's Future Home to Help Pregnant Women

Holy Angels Celebrates 50 Years

of Helping the Developmentally Disabled in Our Area

The Beauty and Hope of

Natural Procreative Technology October 2015 1

bishop’s october calendar Publisher Bishop Michael G. Duca Editor Jessica Rinaudo Contributors Bishop Michael Duca Donna Grimaldi Michael Kenney Kim Long Fr. Matthew Long Kay Nadar Janin Pou Fr. Rothell Price

Rosalba Quiroz Susan Reeks Jessica Rinaudo Katie Sciba Bonny Van Mike Van Vranken Bro. Mike Ward

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.

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OCTOBER 1 Holy Angels Residential Facility 50th Anniversary Celebration; Shreveport; 5:30 p.m.

the Baptist Parish, Many; 5:00 p.m.

OCTOBER 3 Reclaiming the Gift of Rest: Study & Dialogue for Men & Women Religious; St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Ruston; 8:30 a.m.

Diocese of Dallas 125th Anniversary Mass; Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Dallas; 4:00 p.m.

OCTOBER 20 Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering (St. Paul Parish, Blessed Sacrament Church, & St. Margaret Church); St. Paul Parish, Minden; 6:00 p.m.

OCTOBER 4 Feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Mass & Celebration; St. Theresa Church, Delhi; 11:00 a.m.

OCTOBER 21 Investment Committee Meeting; Catholic Center, Shreveport; 10:00 a.m.

Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering; Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Monroe; 2:00 p.m.

Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering; Mary, Queen of Peace Parish, Bossier City; 6:00 p.m.

OCTOBER 5-9 Diocese of Shreveport Priests’ Retreat; St. Charles Retreat Center, Lake Charles

OCTOBER 23 Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering; St. George Church, Coushatta; 6:00 p.m.

OCTOBER 8 Meeting of Notre Dame Seminary Board & St. Joseph Seminary Board; Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans, LA

OCTOBER 24 Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering; (Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish & Holy Trinity Parish); Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, Shreveport; 10:00 a.m.

OCTOBER 10 Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering; Christ the King Parish, Bossier City; 9:00 a.m.

Mass; St. Joseph Parish, Zwolle; 4:00 p.m.

Mass; St. Ann Church, Ebarb; 6:30 p.m.

OCTOBER 11 Mass; St. Joseph Parish, Zwolle; 8:30 a.m.

Mass; St. Joseph Parish, Zwolle; 11:00 a.m.

Multicultural Rosary; St. Joseph Parish, Shreveport; 2:00 p.m.

OCTOBER 12 Visit Religion Classes; Loyola College Prep, Shreveport; 7:30 a.m.

Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering; St. Joseph Parish, Shreveport; 6:00 p.m.

OCTOBER 13 Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering; St. Lucy Parish, Hodge; 6:00 p.m.

OCTOBER 14 Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering; St. Joseph Parish, Bastrop; 6:00 p.m.

OCTOBER 19 Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering (St. John the Baptist Parish & St. Terence Church); St. John

Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering; St. Mary of the Pines Parish, Shreveport; 6:00 p.m.

OCTOBER 25 Harvest Day Mass; Sacred Heart Parish, Oak Grove; 11:00 a.m.

Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering (Sacred Heart Parish & St. Patrick Parish); Thomas Jason Lingo Community Center, Oak Grove; 7:00 p.m.

OCTOBER 26 Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering (Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Parish & Loyola College Prep); Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 6:00 p.m.

OCTOBER 27 Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish & LSU-S Catholic Campus Ministry); St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Shreveport; 6:00 p.m.

OCTOBER 28 Diocesan Finance Council meeting; Catholic Center, Shreveport; 12:00 p.m.

An Evening in Rome with Bishop Duca (Catholic Charities of North Louisiana Fundraiser); ULM Conference Center, Monroe; 6:00 p.m.

contents

october 2015

columns Year of Mercy: A Time for Reconciliation by Bishop Michael G. Duca................. 4-5 Mike’s Meditations: In Union with God by Mike Van Vranken..............................6 In Review: The Mass and The Jewish Cardinal by Jessica Rinaudo ....................7 Faithful Food: The Apple of God's Eye by Kim Long.............................................8 Domestic Church: Naturally Pro-Life: Learning from Our Children

by Katie Sciba............................................................................................................9 From the Pope: The Family: The Conduit of Faith

by Vatican Information Services..................................................................................10 Navigating the Faith: Synod of Bishops on the Family by the USCCB.................11 Second Collections: World Mission Sunday by Fr. Rothell Price ...........................12 Vocations View: The Lasting Legacy of God and His People

by Fr. Matthew Long .................................................................................................13 Kids' Connection: Respect Life Month ..................................................................25

features

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14

The Beauty and Hope of Natural Procreative Technology

by Katie Sciba........................................................................................................... 14-15

news Michael Mette to Perform Year of Mercy Concerts in Ruston and Shreveport by Jessica Rinaudo .......................................................................16 A Path for Angels: Holy Angels Celebrates 50 Years by Susan Reeks .................17 Progress on Mary's House by Bonny Van ..............................................................18 Catholic Charities: Christ's Message of Love by Janin Pou .................................19 LA Tech Students Serve "Valley of the Angels" in Guatemala

by Bro. Mike Ward......................................................................................................20 Catholic Pumpkin Patch by Donna Grimaldi .........................................................20 Reflection: We are a Sacrificial People by Michael Kenney ................................21 Collecting Antique Rosaries by Susan Reeks .........................................................22 Multicultural Rosary at St. Joseph by Kay Nadar .................................................22 Hispanic News by Rosalba Quiroz ..........................................................................23 School News ...........................................................................................................24 Across the Globe: Archbishop Kurtz Calls for Welcoming of Refugees Fleeing Syria; USCCB Releases 'USA Catholic Church' Mobile App

by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops......................................................26-27 Across the Diocese ................................................................................................28-29 Mark Your Calendar ...............................................................................................30 October Calendar .................................................................................................31 Picture of the Month...............................................................................................32

17 on the cover

Katie Aranda with two of her children, sons James and Luke.

(Photo by Jessica Rinaudo) October 2015 3

la reflexión Del Obispo por Obispo Michael G. Duca

Año de Misericordia: Tiempo de Reconciliación

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l Papa ha proclamado un Año de Misericordia comenzando el 8 de diciembre del 2015 y terminando en la Festividad de Cristo Rey el 20 de noviembre del 2016. En los últimos años el Papa Benedicto XVI y ahora el Papa Francisco, han escogido temas espirituales para guiar nuestras oraciones y hacer consciencia sobre verdades espirituales. Tal vez recuerden que hace unos años el Papa Benedicto proclamó el 2013 como el Año de la Fe, tiempo durante el cual les hablé a todos los sacerdotes de la diócesis. Ahora comenzando en diciembre, nuestro Santo Padre pide que no solamente reflexionemos sobre la misericordia de Dios, sino que experimentemos esa misericordia de una manera nueva y diferente en nuestras propias vidas siendo testigos de la Iglesia. La revista Catholic Connection de noviembre tendrá información sobre el Año de la Misericordia pero hablo de esto ahora porque el Papa Francisco ya está anunciando algunas iniciativas que podrían escuchar ustedes en los medios de publicidad, en la televisión y esperemos también en su parroquia o por alguna fuente respetable católica.

El mes pasado, como una manera de dar más impacto a la misericordia de Dios para el siguiente año, el Papa dio a todos los sacerdotes del mundo permiso de perdonar en el confesionario el pecado del aborto sin tener que pedir permiso a su obispo. El Papa escribió con un corazón preocupado: “… La tragedia del aborto es experimentada por algunos con una conciencia superficial, como si no se dieran cuenta del daño tan severo que este acto causa. Muchos otros, aunque si ven este momento como una derrota, creen que no tienen otra opción. Yo pienso en particular en todas las mujeres que han recurrido al aborto. Sé bien la presión que las ha llevado a tomar esta decisión. Sé también que es un calvario moral. He conocido muchas mujeres que llevan en su corazón la cicatriz de esta decisión agonizante y dolorosa… Por esta razón también, he decidido, a pesar todo, conceder a todos los sacerdotes durante el Año del Jubileo la discreción de absolver el pecado de aborto a aquellos que lo pidan y que, con un corazón contrito, busquen el perdón por su pecado. Espero que los sacerdotes cumplan con este gran encargo, expresando palabras genuinas de bienvenida combinadas con una reflexión que explique la gravedad del pecado cometido, al mismo tiempo que indiquen un camino de auténtica conversión por medio del cual obtengan un perdón verdadero y generoso del Padre que renueva todas las cosas con su presencia.”

Si leyeron esto en los periódicos, seguro escucharon también muchos intentos del mundo seglar de explicar esta noticia. Tal vez pensaron que la iglesia ha sido difícil e imperdonable hasta ahora. Sin embargo, este permiso y práctica ya se había dado a los sacerdotes de los Estados Unidos y ha sido parte de mi ministerio la mayor parte de mi sacerdocio.

He tenido la experiencia, igual que muchos sacerdotes, de vivir momentos poderosos de sanación cuando alguien que ha tenido ese pecado guardado en la obscuridad de su corazón y lo saca a la luz para recibir la misericordia y el perdón de Dios. Felicito al Santo Padre por este acto de misericordia, que está 4 Catholic Connection

completamente dentro su autoridad como nuestro Santo Padre, y que espero continúe mucho después del Año de la Misericordia.

He leído, sorpresivamente, que algunos sienten que le está disminuyendo la gravedad a este pecado y que hace que otros piensen que es fácil confesar tan gran pecado.

En respuesta a esta preocupación les quiero afirmar que yo quisiera que toda la gente que carga con el peso del pecado en su corazón, se diera cuenta de cuanto deseo tiene el Señor de que busquen su perdón y que tan fácil y amorosamente regala esta oportunidad de perdón en el Sacramento de la Reconciliación. Lo que hace esto tan difícil es un sinfín de razones que encontramos todos. El pecado que cargamos en nuestro corazón siempre quiere quedarse en la obscuridad y tenemos miedo de confesarlo porque nos da vergüenza. La única gracia en nuestro interior que puede romper esa vergüenza y temor es la esperanza gratuita de la misericordia y perdón que nos ofrece Dios.

Como sacerdote parroquial tuve el honor y privilegio de trabajar en un retiro que se llama El Viñedo de Raquel, que es un retiro de sanación para mujeres que han cometido abortos. No puedo decir las veces que escuché como estas mujeres, y algunas veces hombres, se sentían indignos del amor de Dios.

Durante el sacramento de la confesión escuchaban a un sacerdote decirles que Dios las perdonaba y las ayudaba a confiar en el amor de Dios nuevamente.

Esta gracia se ofrece a todos y es ciertamente mi esperanza al igual que la del Santo Padre que en este Año de la Misericordia aprovechemos esta fuente de amor de la misericordia de Dios en el Sacramento de la Reconciliación. ¡No tengan miedo! Confíen en la Misericordia de Dios.

Este privilegio de la confesión que el Papa Francisco ha iniciado es una de las primeras iniciativas para el Año de la Misericordia. Esperen más información sobre este importante año de gracia en la Catholic Connection, pero también en la página de internet del Vaticano para más noticias www.news.va o bajen la aplicación del Papa en su teléfono. •

bishop’s REFLECTION

by Bishop Michael G. Duca

Year of Mercy: A Time for Reconciliation

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eginning December 8, 2015 Pope Francis has declared the start of the Year of Mercy which will last until the Feast of Christ the King, November 20, 2016. The past few years Pope Benedict XVI, and now Pope Francis, have proclaimed a spiritual theme to guide our prayer and to raise awareness of some spiritual truth. You may remember a few years ago Pope Benedict proclaimed 2013 as the Year of Faith, during which I spoke at all the parishes of the diocese. Now, beginning in December, our Holy Father asks that we not only reflect on the mercy of God, but experience that mercy in a new way in our lives and in the witness of the Church. The November Catholic Connection will have more information on the Year of Mercy, but I bring it Bishop Duca up now because Pope Francis is already announcing some initiatives that you are hearing about in the press, on TV and hopefully from your parish or some other reputable Catholic source.

Last month, as a way of highlighting the mercy of God over the coming year, the pope gave to every priest in the world permission to forgive the sin of abortion in the confessional without recourse to the bishop. The pope with heartfelt concern wrote: “...The tragedy of abortion is experienced by some with a superficial awareness, as if not realizing the extreme harm that such an act entails. Many others, on the other hand, although experiencing this moment as a defeat, believe that they have no other option. I think in particular of all the women who have resorted to abortion. I am well aware of the pressure that has led them to this decision. I know that it is an existential and moral ordeal. I have met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision.... For this reason too, I have decided, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to concede to all priests for the Jubilee Year the discretion to absolve of the sin of abortion to those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it. May priests fulfill this great task by expressing words of genuine welcome combined with a reflection that explains the gravity of the sin committed, besides indicating a path of authentic conversion by which to obtain the true and generous forgiveness of the Father who renews all with his presence.”

If you heard about this from the newspapers, you read many secular attempts to explain this news. You may have even been given the impression of how hard and unforgiving the Church was up until now. However, this permission and practice has already been given to the priests of the United States and has been part of my ministry for most of my priesthood.

I have experienced, as many priests, powerful moments of healing when someone was able to bring this sin that was kept in the darkness of their hearts into the light of God’s mercy and forgiveness. I applaud the Holy Father for this act of mercy, which is fully within his authority as our Holy Father, and hope it will continue long after the Year of Mercy.

I have read, surprisingly, that some feel he may be lessening the seriousness of the sin and in doing so leading others to think it is easy to confess such a big sin. In answer to this concern I want to affirm that I wish all people

by Benhur Arcayan (Malacañang Photo Bureau)

who carry the weight of sin in their heart would become aware of how much the Lord desires that they seek his forgiveness and how easily and lovingly He provides an opportunity for forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

What makes this hard is a host of reasons that are all within us. The sin we carry in our hearts always wants to remain in the dark and we are afraid to confess it because of our shame. In the end the only hopeful inner grace that can break through the shame and fear is the hope of the generous and freely offered mercy and forgiveness of God. As a parish priest I had the honor and privilege to work on a retreat called Rachel’s Vineyard, which was a healing retreat for women who have had abortions. I cannot tell you how often I heard how these women, and sometimes men, felt so unworthy of God’s love. It was often in the sacrament of confession that they heard a priest tell them that God forgave them and helped them to once again trust in God’s love. This grace is offered to all of us and it is certainly my hope and the Holy Father’s as well, that in this Year of Mercy we all take advantage of this loving source of God’s mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Do not be afraid! Trust in the Mercy of God. This privilege of confession that Pope Francis has initiated is one of the first initiatives for the Year of Mercy. Look for more information on this important year of grace in the Catholic Connection, but also on the Vatican website for news, news.va or get the pope app for your phone. • October 2015 5

mike’s meditations

by Mike Van Vranken

In Union with God

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t has been said that the culminating point or goal of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola is to help bring someone into a union with God, or an intensive union with God, and even a lofty union with God. On the surface, this sounds very good; even holy.

But, what does being “in union with God” mean?

To be in union means to unite, to incorporate or to bring into a single whole. It is the joining of two or more into one. In other words, union with God means to be one with God. Jesus said: “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them (Jn. 14:23 NRS).”

Van Vranken We ask ourselves: “What does it mean to love Jesus?”

He said we are to love God with our whole heart, soul and mind. In other words, our love of God must include our total being. What am I doing right now? What am I thinking right now? What am I feeling right now?

Is it all giving Him glory? Am I putting God first in every decision I make?

Am I communicating with Him constantly? Am I encouraging others? Are my thoughts, words and deeds bringing those around me to Jesus?

Next we ask ourselves: “Do I know and understand the words of Jesus to such an extent that I can follow them?” St. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, put it this way: “If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind (Phil. 2:1-2 NRS).”

We can only have the mind of Christ if we know the mind of Christ.

Of course, Paul is also saying that we, together as Christians, all must have the same mind – the mind of Christ. One could conclude that we owe it to ourselves, and we to our fellow Christians to be in union with God. For we cannot build Christian community unless we are all united with each other in God. Consider implementing these ideas throughout each day: • Pray for the grace to be in union with God today.

• Be very aware of His holy activity within us.

• Read, study and deeply meditate on scripture every day.

• Spend a few minutes imagining yourself in complete union with God. • If there is some habitual sin or problem in your life, He’s ready when you are to discuss it and forgive you.

God created us because He loves us and He wants to spend eternity with us in heaven. But because He can’t wait, He wants to be in union with us even now. Be Godlike. Don’t wait another minute. Unite with Him now. • 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 Pray for the grace to be in union with God today. Being in union with Him is a gift. We don’t do it on our own. It takes our desire, our hard work and His holy activity within us. Recall your baptism and how it made you a member of the Body of Christ.

Be very aware of His holy activity within us.

Ask God today what He is up to in your life. Then sit still and listen to His answer. The Holy Spirit you received in the sacrament of Confirmation lives and works right there within your temple.

Read, study and deeply meditate on scripture every day. Don’t worry about how many verses you complete. God might be leading you to only one verse; one word. Remember, you are endeavoring to be one with Him. He has the answers. He wants to give them to you.

Consume and digest His real presence in His word each day. And, as often as possible, consume and digest His real presence in the sacrament of Holy Communion as well. The very word “communion” means to be in union with Him. Spend a few minutes imagining yourself in complete union with God. Try to picture having the mind of Christ. What would that feel like? What would it mean? Experience His peace, patience and joy. Take in His wisdom and understanding. Imagine showing the compassion of Jesus to everyone you meet.

If there is some habitual sin or problem in your life, He’s ready when you are to discuss it and forgive you. He is the God of healing and reconciliation. Experience the Sacrament of Reconciliation and experience your oneness with the God who loves you more than you can imagine.

in REVIEW

by Kim Long

The Mass & The Jewish Cardinal

Book by Cardinal Jean Marie Lustiger & Movie produced by Film Movement

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he late Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger was born the son of Polish Jews. With war and troubled times looming large, the Lustigers sent their son and daughter to stay with a non-Jewish family in the French city of Orleans. When Lustiger stepped inside the Cathedral at Orleans, some say he had an epiphany which led him to convert to Catholicism. His conversion was difficult for his father and many in both the Christian and Jewish communities.

He never renounced or revoked his selfunderstanding of his Jewishness, and never stopped thinking of himself as a Jew. He built interfaith bridges in his priesthood and accompanied the late St. Pope John Paul II on trips around the world.

I first became acquainted with the late Cardinal Lustiger’s work in 1988 when I purchased a slim volume entitled The Mass. I was a “brand new Catholic” and couldn’t get enough of all things related to Catholicism. The book is based on a series of 13 weekly talks on Radio Notre Dame for the purpose of helping Christians enter the Mass more profoundly. I remember the first time I read it and how it moved me.

Still in the rapture of the “convert zeal,” I soaked up Lustiger’s prose. Re-reading this at regular intervals over the past 27 years, I have never been disappointed, rather it seemed something deeper was revealed in each reading. The table of contents breaks down into 13 chapters packed with quality rather than quantity: The First Benediction, The Confession of Our Sins, The Symphony of the Word of God, A Sacrifice of Thanksgiving, to name only a few.

As a lector for almost 25 years, the passages written about the scriptures are still so beautiful and offer deep insight on the readings. In the chapter “The Confession of Our Sins,” this quote had a profound effect on me: “It is the love of God that judges us because sin is the refusal of God’s love and thus, the rejection of

God, who is the source of our love for our brothers and sisters.” As Lustiger takes us through the entire Mass, we are meditating on the mystery and the mystical way in which God shows us how much we are loved. I cannot tell you that this book is the latest or most modern book on the Mass, nor is it the most ancient, but it is a wonderful book that resonated with me as a convert. I take this book to adoration and continue to meditate on the mysteries which Lustiger did not explain “away,” rather he extended an invitation from one convert to another to become immersed into the Mass.

Imagine my delight when I saw an ad for a movie entitled The Jewish Cardinal.

I watched it three times in a row! And while it is subtitled – the movie is filmed in French – it is wonderful. We see the eccentric side of Lustiger’s personality: he always has his head buried in his studies, chain smoked and rode a moped.

It also gives us insight to how he earned his nickname “the bulldozer,” for when Lustiger was convinced God wanted him to do something, there were no other options.

The relationship between the late St. John Paul II and Lustiger opens up for us and we see that in their friendship they were pope and priest, as well as brothers.

The movie culminates with the Carmelite nuns who wanted to have a convent in Auschwitz, which stirred emotions on all sides. The nuances were pretty amazing. I recall that historical controversy and remember discussing it with my mother who was somewhat of a WWII aficionado; it was one of the few issues where we came to total agreement.

If you have never heard of Cardinal Lustiger, don’t be put off because you think this may be a “churchy” movie. Yes, he was a priest, but he was not stuffy and this movie makes that clear. It is a beautiful story of faith and faithfulness. •

"The people stand when the Gospel is read, not only out of respect, but, more significantly, in order to announce the coming of the resurrected Jesus into the gathering of his brothers and sisters, whom he will one day resurrect. " The Mass by Cardinal Jean Marie Lustiger

The Mass is available through Amazon.com. and the Slattery Library in the Catholic Center. The Jewish Cardinal is available on Netflix, Amazon.com and the St. Mary of the Pines Parish Library.

October 2015 7

faithful FOOD

by Kim Long

The Apple of God's Eye Think of the Weight Your Words Carry

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or weeks now we have been shifting our gears, turning our thoughts and actions toward “back to school and PSR classes,” hoping we would be favored with cooler days and all the things fall brings to mind. In all that time Long these scriptures have been running through my mind, “keep me as the apple of your eye” Psalm 17:8, and Psalm 119:103 “How sweet are your words to my mouth, they are sweeter than honey.”

Perhaps I have been influenced by the fall magazines along with their promises of apple pie, apple desserts and pumpkinflavored everything. Have you ever considered that scripture can be a “diet” unto itself? Even though we are told that we don’t live by bread alone, but on every word that issues from the mouth of God, we don’t usually see those “words to live by” as literal sustenance.

Those scripture passages have a special meaning to me and this story is part of that reason: 15 years ago I decided to have my great nephew, two of my godchildren, and a little cousin over for a “play date Fancy Chocolate Covered Fruit Ingredients: • Fruit! (I chose apples, pears and cherries but you use the fruits you like).

• 1 bag milk chocolate candy coating • 1 bag white chocolate candy coating • Sprinkles or dried fruit for additional pizazz Directions: 1) Wash and dry all fruit, set aside.

2) Melt the chocolate in small batches either in a microwave or using a double boiler.

8 Catholic Connection

and sleepover.” Well it was an experience. I witnessed the mentality of “two against one” many times throughout that 24 hour period. At one point one of the boys made another cry. I took the crying child aside and asked him if he realized how important he was in our family and did he realize that he was the “apple of our eye?” He stopped crying, looked at me and said “Really, Aunt Kim?” “Absolutely,” I said, “And not only that, but God sent you to our family to remind us how much He loves us.” Tears dried, all went off without a hitch the rest of the visit.

Why was this special or different?

That young cousin has a form of autism and was very sensitive to words which others, including myself, can let roll off their back. To him, the words seemed to become part of him. In some ways it was as though he was the only one of us who heard, who listened, and in this he taught me words are important. Words, like actions, can have consequences. Seeing

him so hurt and feeling helpless I fell back on scripture.

Too often we are bogged down in news which is serious and overwhelming; too often we don’t share good news, saving our communication efforts for more serious matters. Too often I begin a call with, “I have something to tell you,” and the person on the other end of the phone draws in breath, for I don’t call often enough with wonderful news.

As we go forward with our classes, our groups, our clubs, and organizations which have reconvened now that our school year is in full swing, let us keep our words sweet. Employing the acronym THINK is helpful and keeps me on track. Is what I am saying True, Honest, does it Improve the silence, is it Necessary, and is it Kind? We 3) Insert a wooden skewer (or won’t like everyone, that’s just human chopstick or even a butter knife ) into the nature, but we can treat people with top of the apple or pear. kindness if we remember we are all 4) Swirl the fruit in the bowl of melted the apple of God’s eye in which He chocolate. Set aside and let set (this only delights. takes a few minutes). Once the initial I want to offer you a very easy coating of chocolate has hardened, recipe for “adult” sweets for this fall use a spoon to drizzle the alternate season: Fancy Chocolate Covered chocolate over the coated fruit.

Fruit. • These are easy, look great, and taste delightful!

Kim Long is the Director of Religious Education at St. Mary of the Pines Parish in Shreveport.

domestic CHURCH

by Katie Sciba

Seeing life through the eyes of a child will only open your own.

We should take our cues from kids when striving to be more open to life and follow these lessons:

Naturally Pro-Life Learning from our children

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rushed home from the store at 6:30 a.m. and dropping a mess of grocery bags on the floor, I flashed a quick smile at Andrew, and went straight for the bathroom pregnancy test in-hand.

Approximately three minutes later, I emerged with a big grin and a tiny + . Blessing #5 was Sciba on the way.

I spent the day so happy about this unexpected surprise. That evening, Andrew happily blurted, “Let’s tell the kids!” We videoed their reaction when we told them their prayers had been answered. Our oldest two were ecstatic! They ran around, and gave me hugs, asking if it was a boy or girl. Our two-year-old kept pointing at me asking, “New baby?” I was already excited, but their joy was contagious. This baby was already a gift to them.

To make an emotional story short, we learned the next day that we weren’t expecting at all. My OB confirmed I wasn’t pregnant. My test gave a false positive. I was devastated and confused - how do you mourn someone who never existed? My bliss plummeted and I was heartbroken; but more than anything, Andrew and I were concerned about how the kids would take it. They were thrilled about another sibling and I had overheard their waking chatter that morning, “I can’t wait until we meet our new baby!” I was crushed for them.

Andrew did the talking. He stated simply that the test that told us we were having a baby was wrong, “There isn’t a baby in Mama’s tummy this time.” He spoke casually and the boys were fine; more than that, they were encouraging and kind. Our five-year-old took my hand, “Don’t worry, Mama. I’m sure God will bless us with a new baby soon.” Our three-year-old sat with me on the couch, put a blanket over me, and spent a half hour rubbing my shoulder

Life Through the Eyes of Children

Ask God for Your Heart's Desire

and giving me kisses on my forehead. I was awestruck by their attention and sweetness.

Now I step back to take in the big truths my little children demonstrated; truths that go beyond our situation into a crisis pregnancy or a real loss through abortion.

1) Babies are blessings. When our youngest was three months, our oldest started praying we’d have another. He was hopeful and continues to ask if God has “said yes yet.” While parents can be intimidated by a new addition, kids see only joy and a new playmate. They know the whole of a person is greater - it just comes naturally.

2) Comfort those who mourn. Though we didn’t experience a loss through death, our three-year-old comforted me as though someone had passed away. His presence was calming and self-giving.

These simple reactions embody the kind of mercy we need to extend to mothers in crisis; whether she is afraid in an unexpected pregnancy or trembling in the painful wake of abortion, a mother needs to be received in love and assured of God’s blessings for her specifically. We have to be the hands and feet of Christ, allowing him to work through us to offer others His love. Even if we’re not immediately aware of women in crisis, we have to realize that so many bear their pain silently. It’s through our everyday kindness that we can invite them to open up and receive mercy. •

Our oldest has been praying that we’d be blessed with another child because he genuinely wants another sibling. His confidence and certainty that God will answer is awesome, and also a little nerve-wracking.

Babies are Blessings

YouTube features COUNTLESS videos involving parents revealing pregnancies to their children. Some little ones jump up and down, but the most moving ones show older kids crying out of sheer joy, some of them even thanking their parents for the new sibling on the way. Why? Because kids know babies are a gift.

Comfort Those Who Mourn

Kids are quick to pick up on and respond to their parents’ moods.

They know to steer clear when we’re tense and frustrated, and they’re moved to pity when we’re sad. When struggling with a tough emotion, invite the comfort your child is willing to give. Ask for a hug or a kiss and they’ll gladly give it.

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

October 2015 9

from the POPE from Vatican Information Services

of

The Family: The Conduit of Faith

V

atican City, (VIS) – The family as the conduit of faith was the theme of Pope Francis’ catechesis during September’s first general audience.

Francis remarked first that Jesus, both in His words and His signs, frequently presented Pope Francis family bonds as an example of our relationship with God. These bonds “within the experience of faith and God’s love, are transformed and acquire a higher meaning, and are able to go beyond themselves, to create a broader paternity and maternity, and to welcome as brothers and sisters those who are at the margins.” To this purpose, the Bishop of Rome cited the Gospel passage in which Jesus responded to those who said that His mother and brothers were seeking him outside: “Here are my mother and my brothers!

For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother”.

“The wisdom of affections that cannot be bought or sold is the finest quality of the family. It is precisely in the family that we learn to grow in that atmosphere of emotional wisdom. … When family affections are allowed to be converted by the witness of the Gospel, they become capable of unimaginable things, the actions that God works in history, like those that Jesus achieves for the men, women and children he encounters.

A smile miraculously snatched from the despair of an abandoned child, who starts to live again, explains to us God’s work in the world better than a thousand theological treatises. One man and one woman, capable of risking and making sacrifices for the child of others and not only their own, tell us things about love that scientists are not able to 10 Catholic Connection

In the

understand”.

“The family that responds to Jesus’ call restores the rule of the world to the alliance of man and woman with God,” Francis emphasised. “Let us imagine that the helm of history (of society, the economy, politics) is finally passed to the alliance between man and woman, so that they might govern with a view to the generation to come. The themes of the earth and the home, the economy and work, would play a very different tune!”

“Effectively, the alliance between the family and God is called upon to oppose to the community desertification of the modern city. But our cities have been desertified through a lack of love, a lack of smiles. There is so much

It is precisely in the family that we learn to grow in that

atmosphere of emotional wisdom.

entertainment, so many things to pass the time, to make us laugh, but there is a lack of love. The smile of a family is able to conquer this desertification of our cities. And this is the victory of family love.”

“No form of economic or political engineering is able to substitute the contribution families make,” he concluded. “The project of Babel builds lifeless skyscrapers. The Spirit of God, instead, makes deserts bloom. We must leave the towers and strongholds of the elites, in order to frequent once more the homes and open spaces of the multitudes, open to the love of the family.” •

Words

Pope Francis

“I would like to give thanks for the witness of consecrated women.

You always have the wish to go to the front line, as you are mothers, you have the maternity of the Church, that brings you close to people. … You are the icons of the Church’s tenderness and love, of the maternity of the Church and of Our Lady.” (To participants in the World Meeting of Young Consecrated Men & Women 9/17/15) “The symbolic language of the Bible tells us that before casting them out of the Garden of Eden, God gave them animal skin tunics and dressed them. This gesture of tenderness means that, even in the painful consequences of our sin, God does not want us to remain naked and abandoned to our destiny as sinners.” (General Audience 9/16/15) “By announcing that He must suffer and be put to death to then rise again, Jesus wishes to show to those who follow Him that He is a humble servant. And the Servant obeys His Father’s Word and will, unto the complete sacrifice of His own life.” (Angelus 9/13/15) “The great events of world powers are written in history books, and stay there. But the history of human affections is inscribed directly on God’s heart, and it is the history that remains for eternity. It is the place of life and faith. The family is the locus of our initiation – irreplaceable, indelible – into this history of full life that culminates in the contemplation of God for all eternity in heaven, but begins in the family.” (General Audience 9/9/15)

navigating the Faith by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Synod of Bishops on the Family

O

ctober is an exciting month as bishops from around the world prepare to gather at the Vatican for a Synod on the family. This event is a continuation of the Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Family that took place October 5-19, 2014.

But what is a Synod, and why is it important in the context of the Church, our faith and the world? The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops provides some great information and answers to some of the most common questions about the event.

What is the Synod of Bishops?

The Synod of Bishops is a permanent institution of the Catholic Church. It was established by Pope Paul VI in 1965, shortly after the close of the Second Vatican Council, to continue the spirit of collegiality and communion that was present at the Council. The Synod is an assembly of bishops from around the world who assist the Holy Father by providing counsel on important questions facing the Church in a manner that preserves the Church’s teaching and strengthens her internal discipline.

When does the Synod of Bishops meet?

The Synod of Bishops meets at the request of the Holy Father, when he considers it necessary or opportune to consult with the world’s bishops.

What are the meetings of the Synod of Bishops called?

The Synod of Bishops can meet in a General Assembly (or Session) on topics that pertain to the entire Church; these kinds of sessions can be either Ordinary or Extraordinary. The Synod of Bishops can also meet in a Special Assembly (or Session) on topics that pertain to a limited geographical area.

For example, Special Assemblies have been held in recent years on topics concerning the Middle East and Africa.

What is an Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops?

A General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops is called “Ordinary” if its topic is “for the good of the universal Church” and seems to require the “learning, prudence and counsel” of all the world’s bishops.

A General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops is called “Extraordinary” when it is convened to deal with matters “which require a speedy solution” (Code of Canon Law. canon 346 §2) and which demand “immediate attention for the good of the entire Church.”

What was the purpose of the III Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops?

The Preparatory Document described the purpose of the III Extraordinary General Assembly as “to define the ‘status quaestionis’ [current situation] and to collect the bishops’ experiences and proposals in proclaiming and living the Gospel of the Family in a credible manner.” The Instrumentum Laboris said that the III Extraordinary General Assembly “will thoroughly examine and analyze the information, testimonies and recommendations received from the particular Churches in order to respond to the new challenges of the family.”

What are the dates and the theme of the XIV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops?

October 4-25, 2015. This Synod will mark the 50th anniversary of the

Synod of Bishops. The theme is, “The vocation and mission of the family in the Church and in the contemporary world.”

What is the purpose of the XIV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops?

The XIV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will continue the work of the III Extraordinary General Assembly by “reflect[ing] further on the points discussed so as to formulate appropriate pastoral guidelines.”

What is the relationship between the III Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops and the XIV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops?

The Instrumentum Laboris for the III Extraordinary General Assembly notes that the work of the Synod of Bishops “is to take place in two stages, forming a single organic unity.”

The Extraordinary General Assembly could be understood in a certain sense as a preparatory step for the Ordinary General Assembly. At the Extraordinary General Assembly, the bishops will define the current state of the family and challenges that face it; at the Ordinary General Assembly, the bishops will formulate pastoral guidelines to respond to those challenges.

Will there be a document issued after the two Synods of Bishops?

After an Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, it is common for the Holy Father to issue a substantive document, called a post-synodal apostolic exhortation, which takes up the themes of the Synod and deepens them further. • October 2015 11

second COLLECTIONS

by Fr. Rothell Price

October Second Collection: World Mission Sunday

Collection Dates: October 17th & 18th Bulletin and Oral Announcement Dates: October 4th & 11th

T

hroughout the Church, the month of October is celebrated as Universal Mission Month, culminating in the celebration of World Mission Sunday. A World Mission Collection is taken up on that Sunday to support the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies. In 2015, World Mission Sunday is celebrated October 18.

This day is set aside for Catholics worldwide to recommit themselves to the Church’s missionary activity through prayer and sacrifice.

This year’s World Mission Sunday theme is One Eucharistic Celebration for the Entire World! Your Price ongoing support of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith is vital to the missionaries serving in 1,150 dioceses throughout Asia, Africa, parts of Latin America and Europe, and on the Islands of the Pacific.

Your generosity makes it possible for local priests, religious and catechists to reach out to communities, families and children in desperate need, bringing the light of Christ to the darkest of circumstances.

Each year the needs of the Catholic Church in the Missions grow – as new dioceses are formed, as new seminaries are opened because of the growing number of young men hearing Christ’s call to follow him as priests, as areas devastated by war or natural disaster are rebuilt, and other areas, long suppressed, are opening up to hear the message of Christ and His Church.

That is why the involvement and commitment of Catholics from around the 12 Catholic Connection

world is so urgently needed. Offerings from Catholics in the United States, on World Mission Sunday and throughout the year, are combined with offerings to the Propagation of the Faith.

An additional way to prayerfully involve and commit yourself to the Church’s worldwide mission is The World Mission Rosary.

In February of 1951, Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen inaugurated that World Mission Rosary. He saw the need for us to pray not just for ourselves, but for the whole world, and especially for those who are poor and vulnerable at home and around the world. The theme for the World Mission Rosary is Give the World One Great Big Hug. Each decade of that World Mission Rosary calls to mind an area where the Church continues her evangelizing mission: green for the forests and grasslands of Africa; blue for the ocean surrounding the islands of the Pacific; white symbolizing Europe, the seat of the Holy Father, shepherd of the world; red calling to mind the fire of faith that brought missionaries to the Americas and yellow, the morning light of the East, for Asia. “When the Rosary is completed, one has…embraced all continents, all people in prayer,” the Venerable Archbishop added.

“Won’t you please make a tour of the world on your World Mission Rosary?” The World Mission Rosary is available through the Pontifical Mission Societies. Visit their website and follow the appropriate links. www.onefamilyinmission.org • (This article was crafted entirely from statements of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, The Pontifical Mission Societies, and the Society for the Propagation of the Faith) Fr. Rothell Price, Vicar General, is the Director of Second & Special Collections.

vocations View

by Fr. Matthew Long, Vocations Director

The Lasting Legacy of God and His People

“

F

or the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.”

(Romans 11:29) There are many things that change over time. As we grow older, our perceptions and beliefs will often times change as we become wiser and have a greater experience of the world and humanity. There is only one unchanging thing in an ever changing world and that is God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Our understanding of God will change if we stay faithful to Him, but that is only because as we come to know Him and ourselves better we change, but God does not. Therefore the gifts He endows us with and the call He gives us does not change either.

This is important to remember as we discern our vocation in life. From the moment He knit us together in our mother’s womb and endowed us with an immortal soul, He had a plan for our life. The responsibility that each of us has is to discover what that plan is and with God’s grace live it out to the best of our ability.

If you think about any of the prophets you know that none of them saw themselves as a prophet of God. In the course of their lives, however, and by remaining in relationship with God, they heard His call. Some reluctantly, and others with great fervor, tried to fulfill the call God gave them. Most of them by the world’s standards were not successful but in the work of God all of them were very successful. If we stop for a moment and reflect on the fact that we know the names of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Baruch, Obadiah and Malachi, we realize that they were successful because they carried out the call of God. Thousands of years after they heard and answered their call over a billion people continue to draw reassurance and guidance from their work.

In the same light the Apostles were not always successful in their work by the world’s standards. All of them died as a result of their work, with the exception of John, but none of them lived to see the message they preached and the Church they worked to build up engage every culture, speak every language and journey across oceans and around the world. Each of them had a moment of decision and they chose to say “yes” to the call of God and their work endures to this day.

Legacy is a word we all recognize and each of us desires to have one when we depart from this life and by God’s grace, return to the House of our Father in Heaven. Most people recognize the best way to leave a legacy is through acquiring vast wealth or leaving numerous descendants, but those legacies often fade over time and do not endure except to the third or fourth generations.

When we dedicate the work we carry out in this life to the work of God, our legacy does not last for one or two generations but for ages to come. The name Bishop Greco still reverberates across

Clockwise from top left: Bishop C.P. Greco, Bishop WIlliam B. Friend and Bishop Micael G. Duca.

north Louisiana amongst Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Bishop Friend’s work continues to be carried out by all of us who are associated with the Diocese of Shreveport and the work of Bishop Duca will have a lasting effect on the lives of countless generations to come.

Whether our vocation is priesthood or religious life, the diaconate, marriage or single life, God calls us to serve Him and carry out the great legacy bequeathed to us by the Prophets and Patriarchs, the Apostles and Martyrs, and the Holy Men and Women. Let us seek God with all our hearts, discern His call in our life, and live out the vocation He has given us so that the work of God continues not only in the world but especially in the Diocese of Shreveport. • 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

October 2015 13

The Beauty and Hope of

Natural Procreative Technology

by Katie Sciba

om and Katie Aranda have an adventurous love story. After meeting overseas, they enjoyed a friendship and began dating while stationed hundreds of miles apart with the Air Force. A wedding and months of long-distance marriage finally saw them together in Shreveport. Like many newlyweds, the Arandas had hopes of having a family together, and they looked forward to expecting many children; but, with the exception of Katie’s pregnancy with their daughter Genevieve, they endured miscarriage after miscarriage, all of which were explained as “bad luck.”

Matt and Mikki Sciba fell in love in college and married soon after graduating.

They moved to the area in pursuit of small business and establishing roots with local family. Like the Arandas, the Scibas were eager to welcome children, but in nine years of trying, children never came. After taking extensive efforts with doctors, the Scibas were told their infertility was unexplained and unless they used in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or artificial insemination, they had little to no chance of conceiving.

By God’s grace, both couples were able to add to their families - each being twice blessed by adoption. Still, they knew something wasn’t right physiologically, and both hoped to achieve healthy pregnancies.

“Nobody ever thinks they’ll have issues having children,” Katie Aranda told me. “[The miscarriages] were all hard, but the fourth one really brought us down.” Prior to this, Tom and Katie had taken as thorough an approach as possible to their struggles, being tested for chromosome problems and immune deficiencies - any and all factors not conducive to carrying to term. The results came back normal.

It was the same with the Scibas; Matt and Mikki went through testing as well - the results of which pointed to no conclusion at all. “You should be fertile,” they were told. “We don’t know why you’re not.”

This is the story of hopes fulfilled and prayers answered, and God working through a science called Natural Procreative Technology (NaPro), which the Arandas and the Scibas both sought amid feelings of helplessness.

Because of its versatile nature, there are variety of understandings as to what NaPro is and does, but the simplest definition states that NaPro Technology is a reproductive health science that works cooperatively with the procreative and gynecological systems. Those who have felt defeated by infertility, repeated miscarriages and other abnormalities can lift their heads in hope.

Danielle Van Haute is the Respect Life Coordinator for the Diocese of Baton Rouge and was first introduced to NaPro in the late 90s as a student at Franciscan University. After years of study, she became a practitioner in 2011. “NaPro is good medicine. Its patients are optimistic because they have full knowledge of their own personal health,” Van Haute said, a less than common trait among women struggling with reproductive illness.

To find a FertilityCare Specialist, go to http://fertilitycare.org for a listing of NaPro Technology Center locations. See also http://creightonmodel.org and http://naprotechnology.com.

14 Catholic Connection

Infertility and repeated miscarriages, among other issues, are too the indicators already in place. The purpose is to correct disorder often regarded as diagnoses and treated with birth control, or and restore health. Few women know that they already possess the couple is advised to use IVF. When it seems all avenues have within themselves the information needed to heal. been taken, a woman or couple may be given the conclusion that “My favorite part of meeting with our practitioner had to their problems are “unexplained” and therefore not treatable. be covering what she called the S.P.I.C.E. of our marriage,” What NaPro considers is that these health problems are not Mikki laughed. “She asked us how we were doing Spiritually, diagnoses, but symptoms pointing to underlying issues.

Physically, Intellectually, Communicatively and Emotionally “What we do with NaPro,” Van Haute began, “is try to figure with each other. It was great because we knew they were looking out the root cause of whatever the problem is - miscarriage, at the whole picture of our relationship, not just the physical infertility, PMS, ovarian cysts. There’s a physiological reason objective of making a baby.” These meetings involve both for everything.” These problems husband and wife rather than the are tragedies wrapped in wife alone, underscoring the union mystery for many women, of the couple’s sacrament. who may feel hopeless facing And Catholics struggling with them over and over again. Van reproductive abnormalities can set Haute continued, “In order to their minds at ease knowing that do justice to the woman, she there is nothing within NaPro deserves a thorough workup, Technology that goes against complete hormone profile, and Church teaching, particularly diagnosis because when we treat teaching on the marital act. the problem, our hope is that Intercourse itself is designed to with the proper physiology, be simultaneously procreative she will have fertility. That’s and unitive; unlike artificial birth what our reproductive systems control which short circuits the In general, NaPro is nearly are supposed to have, it’s what procreative aspect, or IVF which three times more effective they’re ordered to. Our primary does not physically unite husband than IVF; and men and goal is restoring natural, healthy and wife and involves the discard physiology.” of less healthy human embryos. women are able to get thorough So what does a “workup” The Creighton Method and NaPro diagnoses and treatment to be look like? Through charting maintain full regard for every able to conceive. the biomarkers of her cycle, person in a family. Even in cases a woman will be able to when a husband is infertile, NaPro ascertain hormonal behaviors uses sexually moral methods of and with the help of a NaPro practitioner, interpret them collecting data for analysis and treatment that, according to Van to understand her own physiology. This is all done through Haute, have proven to be very thorough and effective. In this practicing the Creighton Model FertilityCare System, also area of medicine, the procreative and unitive aspects of marital known as the Creighton Method of Natural Family Planning. union are preserved and encouraged for both husband and wife, The characteristics and timing of these biomarkers speak loud regardless of who exhibits signs of infertility. and clear; charting them, Van Haute confirmed, reveals exactly It was NaPro’s moral accessibility that was enticing for what the body is trying to say. “It’s just another form of body the Scibas. “Why did you want to pursue conception this language.” After just a short time of charting and getting a way?” I asked Mikki. Gracefully and without hesitation she hormone profile, it’s likely that a FertilityCare practitioner or replied, “Because it doesn’t go against Catholic teaching, yet NaPro doctor will have strong insight into what ground-level simultaneously provides a means to conception.” Because this health problem exists, how to test for it, and how to treat it. science acts naturally and within Catholic bioethics, conception Receiving treatment might mean taking bioidentical hormones for the infertile is possible without compromise. (over synthetic ones) and undergoing surgery with a specialized The process might seem dizzying at first - charting, seeking NaPro surgeon to restore the natural order of a woman’s the aid of NaPro practitioners, keeping Catholic sexual ethics, reproductive health. treatments, surgery and daring to hope for a baby, what are the The inherently natural approach in NaPro Technology is odds that conception will happen for a couple declared infertile? integral both to its appeal and success. It is 100% pro-woman, “A baby is always a hope and desire,” Van Haute told me. “For pro-marriage and pro-baby. By practicing and charting with couples previously declared infertile, [meaning they’ve gone the Creighton Method, a woman is empowered with in-depth 8-12 months without conceiving], between 20 and 40 percent knowledge of her own body and physiological behaviors. Where will achieve pregnancy with the Creighton Method. Once we birth control would mask and alter the biomarkers needed to talk about adding NaPro Technology [to attend to any health understand base problems, Creighton and NaPro together use continued on page 27 October 2015 15

local NEWS

Michael Mette to Perform Year of Mercy Concerts in Ruston & Shreveport

by Jessica Rinaudo

N

orth Louisiana will be treated to a unique experience when Michael James Mette stops in Ruston and Shreveport November 4, 6 and 7.

It’s hard to miss him as he drives his home, a bus in which he, his wife, Michelle, and six children live, across the United States on tour year round. Together, the Mette family embraces their vocation to spread the love of Christ through music and testimony of their faith.

After obtaining a degree in Theology, Michael and Michelle moved around at first, starting a youth group in their small hometown, moving to California for youth work there, and then ministering through music in an inner city parish in St. Louis, MO. “My music is passionate like “When we went from youth ministry specifically to music ministry, a Friday night and reverent I realized that’s how God wanted like a Sunday morning.” to use my gifts. My music is not liturgical specifically, it’s not organ and choir, which is what most musicians in the Catholic Church are.”

Michael felt strongly that his vocational call was to spread faith through music, but needed to find a way to financially provide for his family. After talking with Michelle, they decided they needed to give music ministry a chance. His work, while successful, initially took him on the road for long weeks away from his wife and children. After some discussion the Mettes decided to try traveling together. They began in an airstream travel trailer, which became their home for two years. They recently upgraded to a bus this past March with all the amenities of home.

And while the transition to living life on the road was difficult at first, after a couple years, everyone, including the Mette children, see the joys and opportunities of living a mobile life. Michelle homeschools them, and at one point during their travels, the children were trying to figure out a way to cook food related to the Alamo – a bit of a nightmare on a bus. After reviewing their schedule, Michael realized they would be in San Antonio within a couple of weeks, providing the perfect onsite “field trip” for their studies.

Their first two years on the road, Michael performed 130 dates a year. This year, he says, is lining up to be even busier. “What we’re doing now is a much more excellent form of what we did two years ago,” he said. “What the latest incarnation of it is are these 90 minute [performances]. I tell people they are somewhere between a rock concert and a parish mission. We have lights and video, even though it’s just me on stage, there are backing tracks so it sounds really full. And there’s a big video wall behind me and 16 Catholic Connection

lights that all sync up to it. There’s moments when my kids come up and they join me for a song, and my wife shares some of her testimony...

And the songs and the stories and the testimonies and the catechesis all kind of build for a specific moment. We use the songs as building blocks to teach a larger catechetical message.”

Pope Francis’ recently announced Year of Mercy has provided a springboard for Mette’s most recent shows, and it will be the focus of his music and performances while he visits north Louisiana.

“We use my own songs and some covers, but the way that we introduce the songs is designed towards breaking open, “What does mercy look like?” and “How can we be more a people of mercy?” said Mette.

You have three opportunities to see Mette and his family perform. On Wednesday, November 4, they will have a concert for the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish family and Louisiana Tech students in Ruston.

On Friday, November 6, the Mettes will be in Shreveport for a family concert at the Catholic Center.

All ages are invited and encouraged to attend this free event from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. A love offering will be collected.

On Saturday, November 7, Michael will be a presenter at “Strength for the Advent Journey,” a young adult retreat day at the Catholic Center from 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

All of these events are great opportunities to celebrate our Catholic faith with uplifting music.

“There really is something for everyone,” said Mette. “My kids come up and there are lights and music and it’s often times that our [audience] age range is 7 to 97 at our concerts.”

For more information on the November 4 event, call St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Ruston at 318255-2870. For more information on the Shreveport events, call Kevin Prevou at 318-868-4441. •

A Path for Angels Holy Angels Celebrates 50 Years of Service to Developmentally Disabled

by Susan Reeks

Fr. Rothell Price confirms a Holy Angels resident.

I

n October 2015, Holy Angels will gather under the pines to celebrate 50 years of person-centered care and guidance for developmentally disabled citizens in our community. “Bishop Greco had a dream,” said Laurie Boswell, Chief Executive Director at Holy Angels. “God called him to find a place that would provide cradleto-grave care for people who couldn’t care for themselves.”

Holy Angels was practicing person-centered care long before that term even existed, from the time Sr. Concetta and 35 children from St. Mary Residential School in Boyce, LA arrived at Holy Angels in 1965 to the addition of the nursery to house 15 “little angels” in 1968. Through the years, Holy Angels has remained focused on fulfilling Bishop Greco’s mission, even when it transitioned to an independent 501(c) (3) facility in 2006. Holy Angels has always evolved to best meet the ever-growing needs associated with intellectually and developmentally delayed individuals.

Boswell said spiritual development for clients and staff is still a key component at Holy Angels. Its Spiritual Care Committee includes area clergy who are concerned with building Christ-centered leadership and sustaining Holy Angels’ Catholic legacy.

The group hopes to provide spiritual and emotional support for residents, families and staff. “We are also focused on building (the number of) confirmands in all faiths,” Boswell said, “and we are providing confirmation classes for the Catholic faith.”

Chris Horne, Director of Finance at Holy Angels organized the 2014 confirmation classes. “We open the classes to anyone who shows an interest,” she said. “In 2014, one resident of Holy Angels was baptized and nine others received the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. We ordered special adaptive kits and participants attended weekly confirmation classes.”

“This year we are moving the confirmation classes to January,” said Horne, “in the hopes that area churches will have time to help us spread the word in their bulletins.”

Clients at Holy Angels receive customized healthcare, education and job and life training from extensively trained staff members with the goal of providing total care quality of life and achieving the maximum level of independence. “In order to meet the demands for the future, we have to have caregivers that have the heart for the mission and that have the skill,” Boswell said.

Angel Works Day Program provides participants training and jobs in culinary arts, business services, horticulture and creative arts. The staff and board have built

collaborative partnerships with local businesses and designers where quality products, such as custom pillows, jewelry, cookies from the culinary arts program, and their own coffee brand “Holy Rhino,” are designed and produced.

Holy Angels also finds the best residential care fit for each individual.

“We do have residents here on campus, but we have group homes integrated into the community,” Boswell said.

In addition to serving clients with Down Syndrome, Holy Angels has helped many on the autism spectrum.

“We have people who have been here 30 years who definitely had autism when they first came,” Boswell said. “Their families saw that they needed that around-the-clock nursing care. We are not turning people away because they have medical complexities. We have made significant strides at learning and gaining a wonderful specialty in taking someone through dementia and end of life care.”

“We are obviously seeing a greater incidence of individuals with autism and I think meeting that community need is a tremendous mission to which we are committed,” added Boswell.

“We are the first institution in the state that has registered behavior technicians licensed with national certification by the BACB (Behavior Analyst Certification Board). Our board has a vision of being the premier facility in the nation for job training, for care, for support of individuals with developmental disabilities by 2020. We are serious about accomplishing that goal.”

Boswell said 86 cents out of every dollar received by Holy Angels goes directly to the organization’s person-centered care, but it currently faces an operating short fall of approximately $200,000 per month. Community individuals and foundations help sustain the mission, along with events such as the Angel Run and Taste of Shreveport. “We are committed to being great stewards of this funding that we receive.” • For more information, visit www. holyangelsresidentialfacility.org.

October 2015 17

Progress on Mary's House Work for Future Home to Help Pregnant Women in Need Well Underway

by Bonny Van

Bishop Michael Duca and L'Anne Sciba sign incorporation papers on Mary's House.

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hen L’Anne Sciba needs an answer, she turns to one source: God. That is how she came up with Mary’s House of Louisiana, an answer to stopping abortions in the Shreveport-Bossier area. “There are abortion centers in Shreveport, Baton Rouge and New Orleans,” she says. “Shreveport has the highest number of abortions in the state. We get all of those women from the top half of the state, from Alexandria up, plus a part of Texas and Arkansas.”

According to the Louisiana Right to Life Federation website, last year Caddo Parish reported 3,401 abortions and Bossier Parish reported 552. The numbers don’t stop there. Of the total number of abortions in Louisiana in 2014, the Department of Health and Hospitals reveals nearly 85% of those women were not married. “These girls are scared,” says Sciba. “We want them to be able to talk to someone who has a heart, is not judgmental and who can say, ‘We will work this out. Abortion is not your only option.’”

Sciba, who works full-time in the oil and gas industry, says she wanted to become active in the pro-life movement three years ago but she was too busy caring for her elderly mother. After her mother’s passing, she began searching for ways to get involved. I prayed about it,” says Sciba, who gives all credit to God for the answer she came up with. “We have lots of pro-life people and activities but no focus. There was no place for women to go to seek an alternative to abortion.”

So, after taking the problem to God, Sciba took it to the bishop. “I told him that there is not one place for girls to go to get help,” she recalls.

“Mary’s House is a blessing to our diocese,” said Bishop Duca. “It will be a great ministry and resource for women who find themselves facing an unplanned pregnancy. It will give them the support they need – both physically and emotionally – to carry their babies to term and encourage them not to seek abortions. I am so proud that we have a group of dedicated Catholics in our area who are working hard to make this service come to fruition.”

After getting approval from the bishop, Sciba moved forward, sending out an email to people who attended the Bishop’s Annual Pro-life Banquet. “I only expected one or two people to come to the meeting but 17 people came. We brainstormed and came up with the idea of a house that is warm and loving and a safe place for these girls who are thinking about abortion,” she says.

The house, located at 906 Margaret Place across from Christus Schumpert Hospital, 18 Catholic Connection

once housed several nuns who worked at the hospital. They moved out three years ago and Bishop Duca offered it to Sciba for her project.

Volunteers Derrie Linley and Diane Camp took over the project to get the house ready for business. “We called area businesses for donations and said, ‘We’re opening a pro-life house’ and everybody wanted to help,” says Camp.

From painting to flooring to kitchen appliances and furniture, everything was donated. “We even had volunteers come in and help scrape paint off some of the wooden floors with a razor,” says Sciba.

One day, while in Adoration, Sciba says she was praying about where to go next. “My sister and cousin were weeding in the front flowerbed when a man driving by stopped to ask what the house would be used for.

After they explained it, he said he had an extra ultrasound machine in his office and he wanted to donate it to us.” After just two and a half months, the house was completely refurbished and furnished, with its own ultrasound machine.

“After I toured the house in August,” says Christine Rivers, Chancellor of the Diocese, “I was amazed and felt so proud of all the work that had been done by so many volunteers. I truly see God’s hand in the work that’s being done at Mary’s House.”

Initially, funding for Mary’s House will come from the Bishop’s Pro-Life Banquet and staffing will be based on volunteers.

“We’ve had 10 people go through peer counselor training but we need more peer counselors and more volunteers,” says Sciba. “We need people who can file, write thank-you notes, help with fundraisers, build our website and a receptionist who can greet the girls and make them feel welcome. We also need nurses and sonographers who are trained to use our ultrasound machine.”

“There are a ton of resources for pregnant teens and women. Mary’s House is going to guide those people to those resources,” says Sciba. “If everyone does a little bit, we can end abortion in the Shreveport-Bossier area.” And that would be an answer to so many prayers! • For information on volunteering, email maryshouse.sport@gmail.com.

Catholic Charities: Christ's Message of Love

by Janin Pou

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elebrating its fifth year, Catholic • English as a Charities of North Louisiana Second Language persistently presses on towards Program its mission, “to bring Christ’s message • Immigration of love to the poor and vulnerable Programs by providing quality social services All of these to families and individuals without combine to discrimination and in accordance with make a collateral difference in the lives Catholic social teaching and professional standards.” In short, “Our volunteers last year this incredible organization seeks out the poor and vulnerable across combined enough hours of the I-20 corridor of the northern service that equaled a dollar part of our state and looks for ways value of close to $112,000 of that it can help. donated time. ” There are many other nonprofits in our area that seek to serve those in need, but what distinguishes Catholic Charities is that of many North Louisiana residents. it provides an education component In four short years, this organization associated with each service it offers. has grown its expense budget from These special classes are designed to help approximately $120,000 its first year to clients look beyond their immediate almost $900,000 this current year. Our needs and hopefully, to recognize volunteers last year combined enough and learn to avoid the behaviors that hours of service that equaled a dollar contribute to their current circumstance. value of close to $112,000 of donated In other words, Catholic Charities offers time. a “hand-up,” not just a “hand-out.”

While proud of the progress Catholic How effective is Catholic Charities?

Charities has made, it doesn’t make a This fiscal year, Catholic Charities served dent in the enormity of need in our area. over 4,000 unduplicated individuals and Aggressive plans include continuing the families in this area, through its: satellite office in Lake Providence where • Emergency Assistance Program 41% of all residents live at or below • Financial Education Program national poverty standards, and opening • Gabriel’s Closet for low-income an office in Monroe to assist the needy mothers of young children there. And, if we consider the rural • Healthy Eating on a Budget Program landscape that spreads between our Texas

and Mississippi borders, there are still plenty of opportunities to reach the poor and vulnerable.

At this point, you may be asking how you can help. Begin with prayer. Every one of the people Catholic Charities serves is one of our neighbors, and all are our brothers and sisters in Christ. We ask for your partnership by donating your fervent and heartfelt prayers.

Next, volunteer opportunities are everywhere. Your time and talents will touch the lives of these precious individuals.

Finally, all of this takes money. Your taxdeductible donations breathe life into Catholic Charities’ many programs. Your financial partnership ensures that there will always be someone there to answer the door when the doorbell rings at Catholic Charities. As Bishop Duca reminds us, “Every time that that doorbell rings is a moment of grace!”

Included within this issue of the Catholic Connection is a giving envelope for your convenience.

For more information about Catholic Charities, please call our office in Shreveport at 318-865-0200, or go to our website at www.ccnla.org. • “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?

When did we see you a stranger and welcome you or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison and visit you?” And the king will say to them in reply, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

– Matthew 25: 37-40

331 East 71st Street • Shreveport 318-865-0200 • www.ccnla.org October 2015 19

LA Tech Students Serve "Valley of the Angels" in Guatemala

by Amy Ecuyer

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he time I was able to spend in Guatemala at Valley of the Angels has impacted me greatly. Each person I had the opportunity to interact with has the most beautiful heart and spirit.

For 16 days I got to live with 170 young girls who spend their days learning and growing at Valley. I, along with six other female peers, lived in the girls’ dorm. We shared a room filled with bunk beds, just like the girls who live there year round.

When I had time to reflect, or even when passing the girls in the hallway, I couldn’t help but think of how similar their school life is to summer camp. When they have the opportunity to go there, they are away from their families. They all wake up together to the sound of a bell early in the morning and head off to eat breakfast.

They take turns brushing their teeth and taking showers and then braid each other’s hair for the day. More importantly, they build beautiful friendships with girls they otherwise never would have known if not for their time at Valley.

While I lived in the same hall as the girls, I found myself spending the majority of my free time chasing the boys.

I probably chased every single boy at one time or another because unlike the 170 girls ranging from first grade to seniors in high school, there are only 30 boys. At Valley, the boys are outnumbered because after they have completed their equivalent of the sixth grade, they can no longer return. There is good reasoning for this rule, but it seems unfair.

During our many excursions, I often found myself looking at young men near my age and wondering if they were the future of these Valley boys. Most were police officers, some were construction workers, and some worked on the streets selling various items to make their living from day to day. I have no idea what the norm is in Guatemala, nor do I know what public school is like there, although I have heard it is not very good.

So I find myself wondering what will happen to a 14-year-old boy with 20 Catholic Connection

a sixth grade education and a small English background. Does he have the opportunity to get a job? Does he continue school somewhere else? Will his parents be able to carry the burden of him returning home after having lived at Valley, a free school, for such an extended period of time?

I worry much less about the girls because they have some really outstanding opportunities provided for them. They get to complete their high school degree and learn an impressive amount of English. While we were visiting, two girls returned from studying abroad for three weeks in London. They had a remarkable experience and furthered their learning of English. It was also great for them to leave Guatemala and experience a completely different culture, the way we did visiting them.

I could not have hoped for a greater

experience. It by far exceeded any and all expectations I had for my first mission trip, and I know it is a journey I will never forget. The 12 of us may have traveled over 1,500 miles to show love to 200 students, but in truth those 200 students showed the 12 of us a love that can stretch far more than 1,500 miles. •

Catholic Pumpkin Patch!

by Donna Grimaldi

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ctober brings a stunning spray of orange that covers the lawn of Mary, Queen of Peace in south Bossier. The parishoners of Mary, Queen of Peace, under the leadership of Deacon Michael Straub, are hosting their fifth annual Pumpkin Patch in an effort to support the church’s åvarious youth programs. Fellowship abounds as community members pile in and peruse the patch for that perfect, picturesque pumpkin. Please consider visiting our patch if you are pondering.

We are located five miles south of the Jimmie Davis Highway in Bossier City. We will be open for the duration of October, even through Halloween evening. Visit us beginning October 5 during the hours of 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; Saturdays 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.; Sundays, noon - 7:00 p.m.

Don’t forget our Pumpkin Patch Carnival on Sunday, Oct. 25 from 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. For only $5 admission, children can enjoy all the trunk or treating and games they can stand! We will also have burgers, hot dogs, cotton candy and other delicious treats. Adults will enjoy our expanded craft booth with various arts and crafts, edible goodies, canned jellies and jams and plants. This will be a great opportunity to do some Christmas shopping while enjoying the fall atmosphere of the pumpkin patch.

Come join us for the annual fun, and don’t forget to wear your costumes! •

Reflection: We are a Sacrificial People

by Michael Kenney

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ometimes it is beneficial to examine And Jesus does the same with the cup of once again our most important wine. He says: “This is the chalice of my liturgical action: participating in the blood,” and again he adds, “It will be holy sacrifice of the Mass. poured out for you and for many for the When we compare the Mass with a forgiveness of sins.” So this consecrated communion service, the most obvious bread and wine, this Body and Blood of difference is that the Eucharistic Prayer is the Lord, is made present so that it can be omitted in a communion service, which offered to the Father on behalf of us. Our is not considered a sacrifice. And so the Mass is a remembrance of Holy Thursday, notion of sacrifice, and of Christ’s sacrifice in particular, must be found “At each Mass we have the in the Eucharistic Prayer. But how? opportunity to make or How is Christ’s sacrifice expressed in the Eucharistic Prayer? renew that commitment to One important way is to consider offer ourselves as Jesus did. ” the idea of offering. A “sacrifice” or “oblation” is an “offering” – something offered as a gift to God. We are all familiar with the offerings we whose meaning is Good Friday. It is a make in our own lives: offering ourselves remembrance of a meal, whose meaning is in the Morning Offering prayer, offering sacrificial. things up during Lent, the sacrifices we And that’s what Jesus did the following make for our children, offering gifts to day on Calvary. What makes Christ’s people, etc. actions so important? It wasn’t just the At every Mass, at the time of the terrible circumstances of his sufferings, or Consecration, we remember the story of the way he died. It was his intention: it the Last Supper. We tell that story over was 1) His offering of himself as a gift and over again, as Jesus asked us to do. to his heavenly Father 2) for the entire Jesus takes bread, breaks it, and says: world.

“This is my Body.” But he doesn’t stop And that is what we do at each and there, he adds, “which will be given up every Mass: we offer Christ to his heavenly for you.” Jesus doesn’t just make his Body Father for the entire world. This is present; this Body is to be sacrificial, expressed when the presider says: “We offered, “given up” for us, on our behalf. offer you, Lord, the Bread of Life and

the Chalice of salvation.” In every Eucharistic Prayer you will always find some form of “we offer you” in the section after the Consecration. It is the Mystical Body of Christ offering Himself to the Father.

And we, as members of Christ’s Mystical Body, participate in that giving, that offering.

This is the connection between Liturgy and Life. We have the supreme opportunity to link all the times and ways we offer ourselves to Christ’s offering of Himself. The General Instruction to the Roman Missal puts it this way: “The Church – and in particular the Church here and now gathered – offers in the Holy Spirit the spotless Victim to the Father.” And then the document makes an additional and very important point: “The Church’s intention, however, is that the faithful not only offer this spotless Victim but also learn to offer themselves, and so day by day to be consummated, through Christ the Mediator, into unity with God and with each other, so that at last God may be all in all.”

When we are offered as part of the Mystical Body of Christ, if this is to have any meaning, we have to be ready to do what Jesus did: to break open and pour out our lives on behalf of others. This is love in action. If a particular Mass is really a meal whose meaning is sacrificial, then part of that meaning is that each of us also has to be ready to be a gift, an offering, to others. At each Mass we have the opportunity to make or renew that commitment to offer ourselves as Jesus did.

It has been my privilege to serve on the Diocesan Liturgical Commission for more than 35 years. My wife, Sherry, and I will treasure the many friendships we have made.

In particular I wish to acknowledge Bishop Friend and thank Bishop Duca, for their support and encouragement as we move to be closer to our children and grandchildren. God bless you all.

Offer the gift of yourselves to God and to others. • October 2015 21

Collecting Antique Rosaries

by Susan Reeks

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he Rosary refers to a set of prayers said during meditation on events in the lives of Jesus and Mary, but the term is also applied to the strings of beads used to count the prayers.

Antique rosaries are captivating religious artifacts that are growing in popularity in the collectors market.

What began as simple pebbles in leather pouches has evolved to the traditional rosary of 59 beads used today.

Nineteenth century rosary makers known as Patermosterers made rosaries using seeds, wood, bone, Irish horn, coral, amber, mother of pearl and precious metal filigrees. Beautifully faceted crystal beads were often used, as well as art glass beads that were made to mimic precious gemstones. Prosser glass beads of many colors were used from the mid 19th century through the 1930s, using a technique invented in 1840 that used pressure to mold cold glass and ceramic paste.

Vintage crucifixes were often made from sterling silver or 800 silver (a European standard) or gold-fill or vermeil, which is a wash of gold over a base metal. The Stanhope cross, which was invented close to the time of the first photographs, contains a tiny peep hole in which images of holy places or saints can be seen. End-capped crucifixes were made of wood, Bakelite or mother of pearl, while Bavarian crucifixes combined a smaller Credo Cross with a larger one made of silver or gold filigree. Pillow crucifixes were made of ebony or leather set between the back and the corpus (the body of Christ).

Aluminum was sometimes used, but it was expensive and popular when it was first introduced in the late 19th century.

German or French examples with the skull and crossbones symbol attached at the bottom symbolize Christ’s victory over death, but the skull symbol was discontinued during the 19th century when it became associated with piracy.

Popular 19th century center medals include scrolled monograms of the letter “M” for Mary and hollow heart-shaped 22 Catholic Connection

Multicultural Rosary at St. Joseph

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medals from Germany and France.

Lighter weight stamped medals were also commonly used before 1900. One of the most widely-used images on medals is the vision of Mary appearing at the grotto in Lourdes, France. Some medals and crucifixes contain relics or vials of water from holy sites.

When determining the age of a rosary, check the crucifix to determine if it appears to match the center medal. Crucifixes were easily broken and sometimes replaced but the center medals are usually original to the rosary.

Metal marks found on the bail, crucifix or center medal can be helpful, but some older rosaries contain no mark at all. Many collectors just accept the fact that sometimes it is impossible to know for sure the exact date of a piece or the exact type of material or origin, but that only seems appropriate given the Mysteries that the rosary represents. • Susan Reeks is an area writer and artist who collects and sells antique rosaries.

For more information you can contact her at susanreeks@gmail.com.

by Kay Nadar

n Sunday, October 11, St. Joseph Catholic Church will host a diocesan wide Multicultural Rosary at 2:00 pm. The Rosary will be held in the Church located at 204 Patton Avenue in Shreveport. One decade of the Rosary will be prayed in each of the following languages: Italian (Sr. Cristina Angelini), Spanish (Adriana Gonzalez-Toledo), Filipino (Loretta Leavitt), Latin (Mike Kenney) and Malayalam (Sr. Ranjana Ambatt). The first half of each prayer will be said in the foreign languages and all responses to those prayers will be in English. Catholic Charities of North Louisiana will sell knotted rosaries, St. Therese bracelets and keychains before and after the Rosary. All proceeds from the sale of those items will benefit Catholic Charities of North Louisiana.

Committee Chairperson Kay Nader stated that the idea for the Rosary originated from the thought of having countries around the world to pray in union with Mary for solutions to problems that plague our world in today’s time.

The committee members who were gracious enough to donate their time for this event are as follows: Blessed Sacrament Church: Mike Kenny; Christus Schumpert: Sr Ranjana Ambatt; Knights of Columbus, Color Corps: Kenny Birch; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish: Adriana GonzalesToledo; St. Joseph Parish: Kay Nader & Aaron Wilson; St. Jude Parish: Paddy Dement, Adam Holifield and Gerry Castellani; St. Mary of the Pines Parish: Loretta Leavitt; Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows: Sr. Cristina Angelini Choirs from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, St. Joseph Parish and St. Pius X Parish will participate in the Rosary. We invite all our brothers and sisters of other Christian denominations to participate. Please come join us for this glorious event. •

hispanic NEWS por Rosalba Quiroz

Octubre, Mes Dedicado a La Vida

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a revista Catholic Connection dedica el mes de octubre a la vida. En las páginas en inglés encontrarás diferentes artículos sobre el respeto a la vida, desde la concepción hasta la muerte natural. En esta nuestra sección en español, también aprovecho para compartir mi opinión al respecto.

Yo creo que cuidar la vida que Dios nos ofrece quiere decir aceptar Su voluntad y cuidar de ella desde que Él decide prestárnosla en la concepción hasta que, como todo en la naturaleza se desgaste naturalmente y deje este mundo para entrar a la vida eterna. Sin embargo, en nuestro afán de tener más cosas materiales, más diversión, más poder rechazamos algunas veces aun lo más preciado que tenemos – la vida, y no le damos el valor que Dios le ha designado.

Dar el valor a la vida consiste primero en aceptar el don de ser papá o mamá cuando Dios nos lo concede, segundo, respetar a toda persona por ser hijo(a) de Dios y no por lo que posee y tercero, valorar los regalos que Dios nos ofrece cada día. Si no nos valoramos a nosotros mismos como personas, si no valoramos a nuestros hijos ni valoramos a todos los hijos de Dios, no esperemos que alrededor nuestro haya paz, tranquilidad y amor.

Para vivir en paz tenemos primero que limpiar nuestro interior, desechando resentimientos y falta de perdón y segundo aceptar y servir al prójimo. Seguro tendremos momentos de tristeza, enfermedad y fracaso que nos debilitan por lo que caemos en pecado, al punto inclusive de rechazar lo más preciado que tenemos que es la vida. Es precisamente en estos momentos más difíciles que debemos levantarnos, pedir perdón, aceptar con libertad la voluntad de Dios, respetar nuestras vidas y todo lo que Dios nos da. Como hijos de Dios, tenemos que valorar la dignidad (valor del ser humano) que es un regalo grandioso de Dios y para Dios.

Marca tu calendario para la “Escuela de Fe”. Sexta y última sesión del 2015 con el tema: “Da lo Mejor de Ti”. El 7 de Noviembre de 9am-4pm en Centro Católico. Con Doctorado en Teología y Maestría en Pastoral y Espiritualidad, Carlos Larrazabal ofrecerá un día de discernimiento personal y comunitario. ¡Aprovecha esta oportunidad! •

Calendario del Mes de Octubre del 2015 3-4 Taller de 14 diócesis con 130 jóvenes del Sureste, incluyendo 6 de nuestra diócesis en el campamento Kings Camp en Mer Rouge, LA para escribir el Libro de la Pascua 2016.

10 Visita del Obispo Duca a la parroquia de Cristo Rey de 9-11 a.m.

10 Reunión de Coordinadores, 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. Parroquia de Cristo Rey, Bossier City.

11 Rosario Multilingüe en la parroquia de San Jose, Shreveport, 2:00 p.m.

24 Visita del Obispo Duca a la parroquia de Sta. María de los Pinos, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

31 3ª. Reunión en preparación para retiro Experiencia Cristo, Centro Católico de 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

October 2015 23

school NEWS

Bishop Duca Visits Our Lady of Fatima School

St. Joseph School Mourns Loss of Friend

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he St. Joseph School family suffered a great loss on August 29, with the sudden death of second grade student Frederick Carmody.

Frederick is the son of Anthony and Katherine Carmody, and the brother of Lilly Grace, Georgia and Anthony Carmody, all students of SJS. The student body gathered on Monday, August 31, to pray for Frederick’s soul, and for his family, and to release balloons that held notes and prayers from the students. Pastor Fr. Mark Franklin led the school in prayer, then the balloons were released to flood the skies with thoughts and prayers for the family. The middle schoolers prayed

the rosary, as well. There was no school Tuesday so family and friends could attend the funeral service at St. Joseph Church, at which music teacher Miss Amanda Hock led the choir of SJS students.

In remembrance of Frederick and his love for football, the Jets organization added stickers to all helmets, grades 1-8, that said “FC 12”: Frederick Carmody, #12. The faculty, staff, and students of SJS extend their prayers and condolences to the Carmody family at this difficult time.

Heaven has one more precious angel to watch over us all.

- Polly Maciulski

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ishop Duca visits with Mrs. Kathy Pitard’s second grade class after saying Mass at Our Lady of Fatima School.

- Jamie Humphrey

St. Frederick Students Kick Off School Year

SJB School Develops Science Lab

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t. John Berchmans School has developed an interactive elementary science lab for the 2015-16 school year. The science lab is for students in grades first through fifth and consists of handson stations for the students to use.

During science lab, students will design investigations, engage in scientific reasoning, manipulate equipment, record data, analyze results and discuss their findings. The elementary science lab is a continuation of St. John Berchmans School’s commitment to instituting STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) into their everyday curriculum. The St. John’s middle school is a NICERC 24 Catholic Connection

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(National Integrated Cyber Education Research Center) partner in implementing STEM EDA curriculum throughout the school year and its Science Olympiad team is the current Louisiana state champion, holding that title since 2009.

- Lucy Medvec

t. Frederick Catholic High School kicked off the school year Friday, August 14 with a Lock-In for the seventh grade students sponsored by the SFHS Student Council. The seventh graders were able to work together to get to know each other in team building exercises and fellowship. These exercises allow students to build the foundations of relationships with their classmates in a Christian atmosphere.

- Jennifer Chunn

Kids' Connection!

What Can We Do This Month?

This month we celebrate

Respect Life Month How can we celebrate all life this month?

1)

DONATE Baby Items TO GABRIEL’S CLOSET: Gabriel’s Closet is a ministry of Catholic Charities of North Louisiana that provides items to mothers in need. Some donations they need include: diapers, formula, bottles, pacifiers, wipes, lotion, baby wash, car seats, high chairs and monetary donations.

2)

Visit a Nursing home and bring goodies: Celebrate the lives of those who are in their final years.

Often overlooked, seniors love visitors, especially young visitors.

Stop in to say hello and bring baked goodies or art that you made!

3)

Be Intentional in Your love: Pro-life means respecting life at all ages and all stages. You can be pro-life at home by being kind to your parents and siblings and offering them help when they least expect it!

Prayer for Life Heavenly Father, thank you for the precious gift of life.

ADOPTION BABIES DIGNITY LIFE

Word Find PREGNANCY PROTECT RESPECT SENIORS

SUPPORT UNBORN VULNERABLE WORTHY

Help us to cherish and protect this gift, even in the midst of fear, pain and suffering.

Give us love for all people, especially the most vulnerable, and help us bear witness to the truth that every life is worth living.

Grant us the humility to accept help when we are in need, and teach us to be merciful to all.

Through our words and actions, may others encounter the outstretched hands of Your mercy.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops October 2015 25

across the GLOBE

Vatican Information Services

by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Regardless of their religious

VAtICAN news & notes

affiliation or national origin,

these refugees are all human persons – made in the image of God, bearing inherent dignity, and

deserving our respect and care and protection by law from persecution.

Archbishop Kurtz Calls for Welcoming of Refugees Fleeing Syria

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ASHINGTON—Catholics in the United States, as well as all people of good will, should express openness and welcome to refugees fleeing Syria and elsewhere in order to survive, said the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in a statement, September 10. Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, KY, issued the call on the heels of Pope Francis’ appeal, September 6, that every Catholic parish in Europe house a refugee family: In recent days, we have seen reports about and pictures of thousands of refugees from the Middle East, primarily Syrians fleeing the conflict in their nation, fleeing into Europe in search of protection. These images have captured the world’s attention and sympathy. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has asked Catholics in Europe to respond to the needs of the refugees streaming into Europe and, throughout his papacy, has consistently called upon the world to protect refugees and other persons on the move.

As president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I urge all Catholics in the United States and others of good will to express openness and welcome to these refugees, who are escaping desperate 26 Catholic Connection

situations in order to survive. Regardless of their religious affiliation or national origin, these refugees are all human persons –made in the image of God, bearing inherent dignity, and deserving our respect and care and protection by law from persecution.

I express my solidarity with the Holy Father, the bishops of Syria, the Middle East, and Europe, and all people who have responded to this humanitarian crisis with charity and compassion. I also encourage the U.S. government to assist more robustly the nations of Europe and the Middle East in protecting and supporting these refugees and in helping to end this horrific conflict, so refugees may return home in safety. The Catholic Church in the United States – with nearly 100 Catholic Charities agencies and hundreds of parishes assisting refugees to this country each year, and with Catholic Relief Services providing humanitarian aid to refugees in the Middle East and Europe – stands ready to help in this effort.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus, Mary and Joseph flee the terror of Herod. They are the archetype of every refugee family.

Let us pray that the Holy Family watches over the thousands of refugee families in Europe and beyond at this time. •

• Accepting the invitation issued by the respective Heads of State and the bishops, Pope Francis will make an apostolic trip to Kenya from November 25 to 27, 2015, Uganda from November 27 to 29, and the Central African Republic from November 29 to 30.

• On September 13, the Pope declared that Samuel Benedict Daswa, the Catholic Church's first martyr in South Africa, is proclaimed blessed.

• The Holy Father has sent a letter to Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, regarding the extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, in which he reaffirms his hope that the jubilee indulgence will lead every person to a “genuine experience of God's mercy” and explains that it can also be obtained by incarcerated persons. In addition, he grants to all priests, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the faculty to absolve from sin those who have resorted to abortion, repenting and asking forgiveness with a sincere heart, and establishes that those who during the Holy Year of Mercy approach the priests of the Fraternity of St Pius X to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation shall validly and licitly receive the absolution of their sins.

USCCB Releases ‘USA Catholic Church’ Mobile App

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ASHINGTON—Leadership of the Catholic Church in the United States has introduced its first mobile app: USA Catholic Church. . . . Designed to draw Catholics closer to their faith by providing access to Church information on all screens and devices, this is the only app that brings together information from all Catholic sources: parishes, dioceses, the U.S. bishops and even the Vatican.

The app includes religious news, daily Scripture readings and local parish content.

“This is the most comprehensive virtual connection to the Catholic faith available,” said Bishop Christopher Coyne, chair-elect of the Committee on Communications of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which created the app. “We understand many people are looking for more ways to connect with the Church and incorporate Catholic living into their busy lives—that’s exactly what this app is designed to do.”

App content is available in both English and Spanish and lets users: • Follow Pope Francis with the latest news and communications, including videos and photos.

• Access unique mobile features: view daily readings, make mobile donations, receive news alerts, get Vatican and Catholic News Service updates, and have the ability to share via social media.

In October, new parish and diocese functionality will be released, allowing users to stay in contact with local dioceses and parishes through individual pages with Mass and confession times, homilies, events, blog posts, videos and bulletins, and locate local parishes at home or when traveling with a “Church Finder” tool that works by location, city, state or ZIP code.

The USA Catholic Church app is free to download at Google Play and Apple iTunes in English and Spanish. To download, visit www.USACatholic.church. . . from your smartphone or tablet device. •

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problems they have], up to 80 percent will conceive.” She added that the large range of success exists because conception will vary greatly depending on the underlying causes of infertility. In general, NaPro is nearly three times more effective than IVF; and men and women are able to get thorough diagnoses and treatment to be able to conceive.

In the cases of both these families, treatment involved exploratory surgeries for Katie and Mikki, during which surgeons fixed varying issues to enable healthy, term pregnancies. Katie’s expression relaxed recalling her post-op meeting with her NaPro OB, Dr. Kathryn Karges of Caritas Complete Women’s Care. “We told her all our miscarriages had been unexplained and she just said to me, ‘We explain the unexplained. That’s our mission.’” It was the first time the Arandas had solid hope.

Both the Arandas and Scibas had every reason in the world to hope. Now healthy through charting and treatments, both conceived and delivered tiny miracles to their families.

Considering the tumult their families endured waiting for things to go right, I asked them, “At what point did you say to yourself, ‘Oh my goodness, it worked!’?” Again Mikki was quick to respond, “When I held him!” smiling down at her newborn son, Samuel. “After nine years of infertility, it was hard to hope, even during pregnancy. So it really sank in when we finally saw him and got to hold him.”

Katie was calm and confident from the early stages of her pregnancy with their new blessing, Luke. “I was so much more hopeful from the beginning. I just felt like they were taking care of me, watching my [hormone] levels. I felt safe. I was finally able to enjoy being pregnant without any fear.” The care she spoke of was yet another blessing of NaPro - specialists and FertilityCare practitioners are there every step of the way to ensure the optimal environment while the baby is in-utero.

NaPro practitioners strive to prevent pre-term delivery and keep the baby safe and healthy through birth.

In north Louisiana, there isn’t a NaPro OB/GYN or FamilyCare practitioner within a three-hour road trip, but that's no problem. Because the need is more widespread than the actual facilities, many NaPro patients have Skype consultations with their practitioners to cover questions about charting and how to proceed with treatment. The prevalence of these remote meetings is high, which renders treatment and hope all the more accessible. It’s important to note, too, that NaPro Technology handles more than infertility and miscarriage - any and all women’s health issues are addressed within its science, giving healing and peace to unmarried women as well as married who have painful cycles, hormonal problems, cysts and other illnesses.

A highly successful health science that’s pro-woman, marriage and baby, with a mission to explain the unexplainable is here; an approach that looks at a full range of reproductive abnormalities not as problems on their own, but as indicators of underlying issues. “This isn’t just Catholic medicine,” Danielle Van Haute told me. “It’s just good medicine.” • October 2015 27

around the DIOCESE

St. Vincent de Paul Banquet Great Success

T

he Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Western District) held their first annual fundraiser on Thursday, September 10, and it was a resounding success. The event held at Loyola College Prep was sold-out with over 310 people in attendance. After covering expenses, all contributions received through the banquet will go to assist the poor and those in need right here in the Shreveport/Bossier City area.

Ralph Middlecamp, keynote speaker,

gave a thought-provoking presentation highlighting the connection between Les Miserables by Victor Hugo and the work of Blessed Frederic Ozanam, the founder of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Fr. Peter Mangum served as the event’s Master of Ceremonies. Bishop Duca wrapped up the evening with a strong call to those in attendance, and Catholics throughout the diocese, to consider joining the Society.

- Brian Burgess

Medical Students' Hands Blessed

L

ed by Msgr. Earl Provenza from Holy Trinity Parish, the LSU Health Shreveport Catholic Medical Student Association (CMSA) held its annual anointing of the hands August 24. According to CMSA faculty advisor Dr. Diana Bienvenu, “the ceremony reminds us that Christ uses our hands to minister to His people 28 Catholic Connection

here on earth. In many cultures and over many centuries, oil has been used to symbolize strength; to be anointed with oil has come to symbolize that we are strengthened to do the work we are called to do. To be anointed with oil is to be reminded of our dignity, the dignity of those we serve, and the dignity of the work we do.”

- Meg Willet

St. Jude Presents Service Awards

M

arcie Harold and Tom Koch received this year’s St Jude’s Servus Servorum Award.

Also pictured are past recipients, Patsy Remedies, Tom and Patty Guanella and Mary Ellen Brien.

- Theresa Billau

Cascio Honored for RCIA Service

R

osina Cascio was honored by St. Joseph Parish for her 30+ years of dedication to the RCIA Team, the RCIA candidates/catechumens and the church staff. Presented to Ms. Rosina was a beautiful statue of St. Joseph and the Christ child which was blessed by Fr. Mark Franklin, pastor of St. Joseph Parish.

- Jennie Murphy

Knights of Columbus Honor Veterans

A

t a Saturday luncheon held at the Louisiana Downs Sky Room overlooking the racetrack the area Knights of Columbus honored some special war veterans of the United States of America. The Northwest Louisiana War Veterans Home has some of the finest people who gave so much so that we can have the great opportunities the United States offers today.

This was just a way of saying THANK YOU to these special people.

Olan Wise is one of the eldest of the facility at age 97 and he told me that he was pushing another year. All of these veterans are very active, but they enjoy playing and most of the time winning in the game of “Bean Bag Baseball.” In fact, despite being legally blind, Mr. Wise hit a home run against the Knights a week ago.

Students Serve at Monroe Red Mass

S

tudents of varying ages from all of the Catholic Schools in the Eastern Deanery assisted in the 22nd Annual Red Mass at St. Matthew Parish on September 11.

Students assisting were: Jared Faulkimage, Brad Bourgeois, John Ellender, Will Ellender, Matthew Lokey, Rosemary Manning, Paul Pham, Grace Tannehill, Gunter Tannehill, Jack Wier and Stephen Bourgeois.

- Wendell Manning

These five residents of the Northwest Louisiana War Veterans Home represent 454 years of life.

The Knights also brought along one of their own special veterans who was active during World War II, Brother Lenard Micinski, 91, who served this Nation as a member of the U.S. Army.

He also joined the oldest Council of the Knights in Shreveport known as the #1108 now serving St. Pius X Church.

Approximately 150 Knights and Ladies came to honor them and shared excellent food and fellowship. They enjoyed the horse races, old friendships and one very special afternoon. A very special thanks to Louisiana Downs for their great efforts to make this event something very noteworthy to all attending.

Pictured standing are (left to right) Ms. Frankie Canty, Activity Director of the Northwest Louisiana War Veterans Home, Ben Davidson, past State Deputy, Louisiana Knights of Columbus, Ms. Ann Kilgore, Air Force Korean War Veteran, and seated are four World War II Veterans, Mr. Ethan Gillispie – US Army, Mr. Jackson Thrash – U.S. Air Force, Mr. Bludie J. Langley – U.S. Navy, and Olan Wise – U.S. Air Force.

– David Bodden

St. Paschal Family Catechesis

P

arents and students at St. Paschal Parish in West Monroe attended a special catechetical event ‘Following in the Footsteps of Jesus.’ The event, designed to grow the family faith experience, was well attended and enjoyed very much. Developed for parents and students pre-school though eighth grade, the event is the first of a series of three.

- Cathy Nolan October 2015 29

mark your CALENDAR 10/6

Series of Talks for Catholic Couples: So Goes the World: Focusing on Family to Change Society This three-month series will take place on first Tuesdays: October 6 (Prayer and Marriage); November 3 (Communicating Well Regarding Finances) and December 1 (Parenting - Being Receptive to Children and Giving Them the Gift of Time).

Talks will be from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Cathedral and are free! All are invited and encouraged to attend. To register for this free series, call the Cathedral office at 318221-5296.

10/13

Informational Meeting for Training Program in Spiritual Direction The New Orleans Archdiocesan Spirituality Center will hold an informational meeting on their next Training Program in Spiritual Direction. They will discuss their program, its purpose, prerequisites and structure. The informational meeting will be held October 13, 10:30 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. at the Catholic Center-Patio Room, 3500 Fairfield Ave., Shreveport. For information or to register for a meeting call Sr. Dorothy Trosclair, O.P.: 504-861-3254 or register online http://asc.arch-no.org.

10/19

Holy Land Pilgrimage Information Session A local group will travel to the Holy Land from May 16 to May 26, 2016. The Spiritual Director in the Holy Land will be Fr. Peter Vasko, OFM. Holy Sites will include Caesarea, Nazareth, Cana in Galilee, the Mount of Beatitudes, the Mount of the Transfiguration, Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Jericho. The information session will take place in the conference room of the rectory of St. John Berchmans on Monday, October 19 at 6:00 pm. Please call Fr. Mark Watson at 318-366-7003 for more information.

10/23

All Keyed Up! An Organ and Piano Explosion St. Joseph Church in Shreveport will host "All Keyed Up!" featuring Aaron D. Wilson and Dr. Dan Gibbs as part of their church concert series. The concert will feature works by J.S. Bach, Beethoven, McKechnie and more! Free admission. The event will take place at the church, 204 Patton Ave. in Shreveport. For more information, contact the church office at 318-865-3581.

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10/24

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

Food, 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. 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at St. Paschal Church located at 711 N. 7th St., West Monroe. For more info, contact Pat Regan at 318-801-9138, or patregan1@ bellsouth.net.

10/30

Married Couples Weekend Husbands and wives spend immense amounts of time on their jobs, careers, children and leisure. How much time do you spend for just the two of you as a couple? Learn how to make the most of your time and relationship: attend a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend.

The next Louisiana WWME weekend is at the Tracy Center in Baton Rouge, October 30 to November 1. For more information or to register go to LAMS-WWME.org or call Jack and Angel LaBate, 470-297-8560 or email jackandangel@bellsouth.net

11/1

Christian Service Annual Poor Man's Supper This event benefits the Christian Service Hospitality House, the clothing store and helps with utility bills for the hungry and homeless in our area. This event will take place at First United Methodist Church in downtown Shreveport in the Hunter Activities Building from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by calling 318-221-4857.

11/7

Advent Retreat for Young Adults "Strength for the Advent Journey" The Office of Young Adult Ministry invites you to participate in a unique retreat experience designed to help explore and discover your personal strengths using Gallup’s StrengthsFinder 2.0 assessment tool. Past attendees have enjoyed bringing the experience back to their family, friends and careers. Special guest Michael Mette will provide music and presentations. This retreat will be at the Catholic Center from 10:30am - 5:00pm. Cost is $25. To register, visit www.dioshpt.org. For more info, call or email Kevin Prevou at 318-868-4441, or kprevou@dioshpt.org.

Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering Dates 10/4: Jesus the Good Shepherd, Monroe • 2:00 - 4:00pm 10/10: Christ the King, Bossier City 9:00 - 11:00am 10/12: St. Joseph, Shreveport 6:00 - 8:00pm 10/13: St. Lucy, Hodge 6:00 - 8:00pm 10/14: St. Joseph, Bastrop 6:00 - 8:00pm 10/19: St. John the Baptist, Many* St. Terence, Many • 5:00 - 7:00pm 10/20: St. Paul, Minden* Blessed Sacrament, Ringgold St. Margaret, Homer 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* Holy Trinity Parish 10:00am - noon 10/24: St. Mary of the Pines, Shreveport • 6:00 - 8:00pm 10/25: Sacred Heart, Oak Grove St. Patrick, Lake Providence Thomas Jason Lingo Community Center, Oak Grove * 6:00 - 8:00pm 10/26: Cathedral of St John Berchmans, Shreveport * Loyola College Prep 6:00 - 8:00pm 10/27: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Shreveport* LSUS Campus Ministry 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/ 10: St. Joseph, Mansfield 6:00 - 8:00pm 11/ 11: St. Ann, Stonewall 6:00 - 8:00pm 11/30: St. Joseph, Zwolle* St. Ann, Ebarb • 6:00 - 8:00pm

OCTOBER

2015

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

SATURDAY

27 28 29 30 1 2 3 St. Wenceslaus, martyr, St. Lawrence Ruiz & companions, martyrs

Sts. Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, archangels

Poor Man’s Supper; Jesus the Good Shepherd School Gym, 6pm St. Jerome, priest & doctor of the Church

Holy Angels 50th Anniversary Celebration, 5:30pm

The Holy Guardian Angels

St. Therese of the Child Jesus, virgin & doctor of the Church

Men and Women Religious Retreat, St. Thomas Aquinas, Ruston, 8:30am

Holy Angels 50th ANniversary / OCT. 1

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Embracing the Diocese of Mission Parish Shreveport Priests Gathering, Retreat, Lake Jesus the Good Charles (thru Shepherd Parish, Oct. 9) Monroe, 2pm Respect LIfe Sunday St. Francis, priest

Monroe Principals Meeting, St. Frederick Alumni Center, 9:30am

Our Lady of the Rosary

Shreveport Principals' Meeting, Catholic Center, 9:30am

St. Bruno, priest; Blessed MarieRose Durocher, virgin

Deadline for the November Catholic Connection

St. Denis, bishop & companions, martyrs; St. John Leonardi, priest

Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering, Christ the King Parish, Bossier City, 9am

Respect Life Sunday / Oct. 4

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Multicultural Rosary, St. Joseph Parish, Shreveport, 2pm

Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering, St. Joseph Parish, Shreveport, 6pm

Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering, St. Lucy Parish, Hodge, 6pm

Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering, St. Joseph Parish, Bastrop, 6pm

St. Teresa of Jesus, virgin & doctor of the Church

St. Hedwig, religious; St. Marguerite d'Youville

Second Collection: World Mission Sunday Run with the Nuns, Downtown Shreveport

Protecting God's Children, Catholic Center, 6pm

St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop

St. Callistus I, pope & martyr

Multicultural Rosary / OCT 11

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Second Collection: World Mission Sunday World Mission Sunday

Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering, St. John the Baptist Parish, Many, 6pm Sts. John de Brebeuf & Isaac Jogues, priests, & companions, martyrs

Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering, St. Paul Parish, Minden, 6pm St. Paul of the Cross, priest

Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering, Mary, Queen of Peace Parish, Bossier City, 6pm

St. John Paul II

Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering, St. George Church, Coushatta, 6pm St. John of Capistrano, priest

Embracing the Mission Parish Gatherings: Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, 10am; St. Mary of the Pines Parish, Shreveport, 6pm

World Mission Sunday / OCT 18

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Embracing the Embracing the Mission Parish Mission Parish Gathering, Gathering, Cathedral of St. Thomas Jason Lingo Community John Berchmans, Shreveport, 6pm Center, Oak Grove 6pm

Embracing the Mission Parish Gathering, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Shreveport, 6pm

Diocesan Finance Council Meeting, Catholic Center, 12pm

Halloween

Sts. Simon & Jude, apostles

Halloween / OCT 31 October 2015 31

Connection The Catholic

DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave.

•

Shreveport, LA 71104

Photo of the Month

Bishop Michael Duca takes a selfie with Youth Director Kevin Prevou and youth from across our diocese at the Encounter Jesus Event!

32 Catholic Connection

Fairfield