Catholic Connection

VOL. 19, NO.3

November 2009

African Synod Pushes Peace and Justice, pg. 16 Community Garden Unites Church and Local Area, pg. 10

Thanksgiving and a Grateful Heart, pg. 9

Good Leaders, Good Shepherds: Leadership in Pastoral Service,

pg. 12

Stay Connected!

Publisher Bishop Michael G. Duca Editor Jessica Rinaudo Regular Contributors Bishop Michael Duca Fr. David Richter Kim Long Jessica Rinaudo Missy McKenzie Christine Rivers Lucy Medvec Sr. Martinette Rivers Rosalba Quiroz Katie Sciba Dianne Rachal John Mark Willcox Featured Writers Fr. Andre McGrath Fr. Pike Thomas Mary Morgan Fr. Mark Watson Kevin Nolten Cathy Wooden

Editorial Board Dianne Rachal Cathy Cobb Christine Rivers Felicia Gilliam Christie Weeks Rev. Charles Glorioso John Mark Willcox Kim Long 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.

For a free subscription, address changes or article submissions: EMAIL: jrinaudo@dioshpt.org WRITE: Catholic Connection The Catholic Center 3500 Fairfield Avenue Shreveport, LA 71104 CALL: 318-868-4441

OR 800-256-1542 FAX: 318-868-4609 WEBSITE: www.dioshpt.org The Catholic Connection is a member of the Catholic Press Association.

Our Diocese is recognized by the Board of Immigration Appeals as a Non-Profit Organization capable of giving Immigration Legal Advice. We offer Immigration Professional Services to Low-Income Families.

To find out if you or someone you know qualifies for an Immigration benefit, please contact Mrs. Rosalba Quiroz at 1-800-2561542, ext. 265 or 318-219-7265 or email rquiroz@dioshpt.org

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n addition to our Twitter site (http://twitter.com/cathconnection), the Diocese of Shreveport is now on Facebook! Become a fan and have access to photos of events going on in the diocese, as well as information on upcoming events. Just log into Facebook and search for “Diocese of Shreveport,” or click on the Facebook link located on our home page (www.dioshpt.org).

From the Chancellor

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olemnity of the Immaculate Conception (December 8, 2009) December 8, the Immaculate Conception, falls on a Tuesday this year. In accord with the USCCB decision of November 1991, confirmed by the Holy See in July 1992, the precept to attend Mass on this Solemnity is maintained, therefore, Tuesday, December 8, 2009 is a holy day of obligation for the faithful in the United States.

Calendar Dates November 1, 2009 November 26 & 27, 2009

November 29, 2009

Daylight Savings Time Ends.

Catholic Center will be closed – Thanksgiving Holiday.

First Sunday of Advent

Word of Life: Message from United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities e matter. That’s why Christ came into your life, cleaned your soul [at baptism], and lit the lamp of faith in your heart. If ever the lamp goes out, he is always there to light it again. And while it shines, it should inspire us to roll back the dark lies of the culture of death and spread the light of Christ’s love to everyone we can, because they matter too.

To the world around us, what matters is what we possess, but to the Lord, we matter because we are his beloved children, created in his image, for whom he died, and with whom he wants to live forever in heaven.

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Rev. John Bartunek, LC, STL, “Why You Matter: A Reflection on Human Dignity,” Respect Life Program 2009-2010 –Christine Rivers, Chancellor On the Cover: Priests in the Diocese of Shreveport celebrate the Eucharist with Bishop Duca at St. Matthew Church in Monroe. (Photo by Jessica Rinaudo.)

November 2009

Contents

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Stay Connected! . ...................................................................... 2 From the Chancellor by Christine Rivers.................................. 2 Bishop Michael Duca’s November 2009 Schedule................. 3 Bishop’s Reflection by Most Reverend Michael G. Duca....... 4-5 Liturgy Lines: Come, Let Us Worship

by Dianne Rachal................................................................. 6 Refocus on Protecting Children by the USCCB...................... 6 Second Collections by Fr. David Richter.................................. 7 Historical Perspective: Marquette Reading Circle

by Christine Rivers...................................................................7 Priest Spotlight: Father André McGrath................................. 8 Thanksgiving and a Grateful Heart

by Sr. Martinette Rivers..................................................... 9-10 Community Garden Unites St. Catherine of Siena Church with Local Area by Jessica Rinaudo................................... 10 School News............................................................................... 11

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Good Leaders, Good Shepherds: Leadership in Pastoral Services by Fr. Pike Thomas............................12-13 Bishop Duca Celebrates Mass at LSUS by Kevin Nolten.........14 Pope Canonizes Father Damien, Four Others as Models of Christian Love by Catholic News Service.......... 14 Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha by Kim Long.................................. 15 Synod Opens with Call on Africans to be Forces for Justice, Peace by Cathy Wooden...................................... 16 News Briefs by Catholic News Service..................................... 17 Hispanic Corner / Nuestra Página por Mary Morgan........... 18 Who is my Neighbor? by Fr. Mark Watson.............................. 19 Good Shepherds' Outreach by Mary Morgan......................... 19 Around the Diocese............................................................... 20-21 Upcoming Events . .................................................................... 22 November Calendar.................................................................. 23 Cathedral School Celebrates 60 Years by Katie Sciba............. 24

Bishop Michael Duca’s November 2009 Schedule

Joseph School, Shreveport, 9:00 a.m.

Nov. 1

Mass, St. Patrick Church, Lake Providence, 8:30 a.m.

Nov. 1

Mass, Sacred Heart Church, Oak Grove, 10:30 a.m.; followed by Harvest Day Meal.

Nov. 1

Mass, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 14-19 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

General Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland

Nov. 2

Catholic Medical Students Association Luncheon, LSU Health Sciences Center, 12:00 p.m.

Nov. 19-22 National Catholic Youth Conference,

Kansas City, Missouri

Nov. 3-6 Good Leaders, Good Shepherds Program,

Cypress Bend Resort, Many Nov. 7

Bioethics Conference, LSU Health Sciences Center, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 7

White Mass, St. John Berchmans, 4:00 p.m.

Nov. 8

Mass, Our Lady of Fatima Church, Monroe; followed by Taste of Fatima, 10:30 a.m.

Nov. 8

Poor Man’s Supper, First United Methodist Church, Shreveport, 6:00 p.m.

Nov. 9

Grandparents’ Day/Veterans’ Day Program, St.

Nov. 10-12 LA Association of Catholic Campus Ministers

Retreat, Cenacle Retreat House, Metairie.

Nov. 23 Knights of Columbus Memorial Mass & 50th

Anniversary of Bossier Council No. 4873, Council

Home, Bossier City, 6:30 p.m Nov. 24 Annual Clergy Meeting,

Catholic Center, 9:00 a.m.

Nov. 29

Mass in Celebration of End of Yearlong Celebration of Blessed Elisabetta Renzi, Foundress, Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, 11:00 a.m.

La Reflexión del Obispo

Mi Artículo este mes es una versión de la carta que mandé a todas las parroquias el pasado fin de semana. ueridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo, Pasó ya casi un año y medio de mi ordenación e instalación como Obispo de la Diócesis de Shreveport, su Obispo. Durante este mes he estado mas que nada escuchando y tratando de decidir que dirección tomará la diócesis bajo mi cuidado. El 19 de Junio del 2009 el Santo Padre, El Papa Benedicto XVI, me dió una dirección bien clara en mis esfuerzos al proclamar este como el “Año para los Sacerdotes” y pidió que todos los sacerdotes durante este año profundizaran en su compromiso a sus promesas sacerdotales. Tomando la dirección del Santo Padre, he decidido en este Año del Sacerdote ayudar a nuestros sacerdotes a re-imaginar su ministerio en este mundo cambiante, dándoles una avanzada y verdadera formación en el liderazgo pastoral.

Los sacerdotes de nuestra diócesis están muy dentro de mi corazón y son una parte esencial de nuestra Iglesia. Nuestros sacerdotes nos traen la Eucaristía y nos reúnen como el Cuerpo de Cristo alrededor del altar.

En el sacramento de la Reconciliación experimentamos el perdón y amor de Cristo y en el Sacramento de la Unción de los Enfermos el sacerdote nos trae la paz de la unción de Cristo. Tenemos buenos sacerdotes en esta diócesis pero algunas veces, con tan pocos sacerdotes, sienten las obligaciones del sacerdocio muy difícil.

He invitado a todos los sacerdotes de la diócesis a participar en un programa nacional de renovación llamado, BUENOS LIDERES, BUENOS PASTORES. Este programa esta muy bien planeado en base al liderazgo pastoral que les dará a nuestros sacerdotes un aprendizaje avanzado en el desarrollo de las habilidades

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necesarias para pastorear una parroquia. La mayoría de los sacerdotes les dirán que todo lo que aprendieron en el seminario los preparó como para la mitad de lo que han experimentado en la parroquia. Es tiempo que demos a nuestros sacerdotes generosos un verdadero aprendizaje; habilidades adultas, avanzadas que les ayudarán a ser mejores pastores.

Este programa reunirá a nuestros sacerdotes cada mes por dos años, permitiendo que nos beneficiemos de la oración juntos y reforzando la unidad del presbiterado.

Además del compromiso de nuestros sacerdotes, necesito su ayuda para que este programa sea exitoso.

Primero, necesito su entendimiento y paciencia. Como ya mencioné los sacerdotes se unirán cada mes por lo regular un día, pero algunas reuniones serán de tres días completos. Durante estas reuniones, la mayoría de los sacerdotes estarán fuera de la parroquia, lo que quiere decir que habrá cambio en horario de Misas y hasta cancelación de algunas Misas. Le estoy dando a su pastor la autoridad para toma la decisión. No me llevo a su sacerdote fuera de la parroquia a la ligera, sino que creo el programa es muy valioso y vale la pena hacer el sacrificio.

En segundo lugar, quiero pedir sus oraciones y palabras de aliento para los sacerdotes. Sus oraciones y apoyo serán esenciales y son una de las contribuciones verdaderas que pueden hacer el éxito de este programa en este el Año del Sacerdote.

Por último les pido su apoyo financiero para nuestros sacerdotes. Este es un programa de mucha calidad y es caro. El costo por sacerdote es de $7,500 por el programa completo de dos años, mas el costo de nuestras reuniones. Cada sacerdote se ha comprometido a pagar $1,000 de su dinero personal para este programa.

Personalmente les estoy pidiendo que cada uno de ustedes considere una donación, grande o pequeña a esta buena causa. Creo que la donación de muchos feligreses será otro apoyo a nuestros sacerdotes y un verdadero regalo para ellos por sus años de servicio.

Pueden hacer esta donación directamente a su sacerdote o usando el sobre que se les da en este articulo de la Conexión Católica.

No puedo pensar en una mejor manera de responder a la invitación del Santo Padre de renovar el sacerdocio en este Año del Sacerdote. Creo firmemente que este será no solo un beneficio para nuestros sacerdotes sino también para toda la diócesis. Les agradezco por su comprensión y paciencia, sus oraciones y su apoyo.

– Obispo Michael G. Duca (Vean otros artículos aquí en este mes de la Conexión para mas información)

Bishop’s Reflection

My article this month is a version of the letter I sent to all the parishes this past weekend.

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ear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, It has been almost one and a half years now since my ordination and installation as Bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport, your Bishop. During this time I have been mostly listening and trying to decide what direction my shepherding of the diocese would take. On June 19, 2009, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, provided one clear direction for my efforts when he proclaimed this to be “A Year for Priests” and asked all priests during this year to deepen their commitment to their priestly commitments. Taking the Holy Father’s direction, I have decided in this Year of the Priest to help our priests re-imagine their ministry in this changing world by providing an advanced and real formation in pastoral leadership.

The priests of our diocese are dear to my heart and an essential part of our Church. Our priests bring us the Eucharist and gather us as the Body of Christ around the altar. In the sacrament of Reconciliation we experience the forgiveness and love of Christ, and in the Sacrament of the Sick priests bring the comfort of Christ’s anointing.

We have good priests in this diocese but at times, with fewer priests, they can find the demands of priestly life difficult.

I have invited all the priests of the diocese to participate in a national program of renewal called, GOOD LEADERS, GOOD SHEPHERDS. This program is a well thought out course in pastoral leadership that will give our priests advanced learning in developing the skills needed to pastor a parish. Most priests will tell you

everything they learned in seminary prepared them for about half of what they have experienced in the parish.

It is time for us to give our generous priests some real learning; adult, advanced skills that will help them be better pastors.

This program will gather our priests together every month for two years, allowing us to benefit from praying together and strengthening the unity of the presbyterate.

In addition to the commitment of our priests, I need your support to make this program a success.

First, I need your understanding and patience. As I mentioned the priests will gather each month usually for one day, but some meetings will be for three full days.

During these three-day meetings most of the priests will be away from the parish, which will mean a change in the Mass schedule or even the canceling of Mass for that time. I am giving your pastor the authority to make these decisions. I do not take your priests away from the parish lightly but I believe the value of this program for our priests is important enough to make these serious sacrifices.

Secondly, I want to ask for your prayers and personal words of encouragement for your priests. Your prayers and encouragement will be essential and are one of the real contributions you can make to the success of this program in this Year of the Priest.

“It is time for us to give our generous priests some real learning; adult, advanced skills that will help them be better pastors.”

Lastly I am asking for your financial support for your priests. This is a quality program and an expensive one.

The cost per priest is $7,500 for the whole two year program, plus the cost of our gatherings. Each priest has committed $1,000 of his personal money for this program.

I am personally asking that each of you consider some donation, large or small to this good cause. I believe donations from many parishioners will be another encouragement to our priests and a real gift to them for their years of service. You can make donations directly to your pastor or by using the envelope provided in this Catholic Connection.

I cannot think of a better way to answer the Holy Father’s invitation to priestly renewal in this Year of the Priest. I firmly believe this will not only benefit our priests, but the whole diocese as well. I thank you now for your understanding and patience, your prayers and support.

– Bishop Michael G. Duca (To learn more about this program, see page 12).

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Liturgy Lines: Come, Let Us Worship

Introductory Articles on the New Translation of the Roman Missal

Father, receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

New Text

Glory to God in the highest, and On earth peace to people of good will.

We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glor y. Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.

3. Changes to the Gloria

Current Text

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; You take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

‘People of good will’ is a more accurate translation of the Latin. ‘Only Begotten Son’ echoes the text of the Nicene Creed, and presents a richer theology of the Incarnation of Jesus.

– Dianne Rachal, Director, Office of Worship

Protecting God's Children

can feel proud.

Consider these facts: Message from the Secretariat • $7,907,123 has been spent on ired of the Charter and its therapy for victim/survivors and their Requirements? It is Time to families.

Refocus! As another audit year • The US Church has trained more begins, ‘issue fatigue’ surfaces. than 1.7 million clergy, educators, Since the Charter for the Protection employees and volunteers in how to of Children and Young People was adopted in June 2002, bishops, dioceses create safe environments and prevent child sexual abuse. and parishes have labored to meet • The Church has equipped 5.7 its requirements. Their efforts have million children with the skills to help found success, yet people seem tired protect themselves from abuse. of hearing about clergy sexual abuse.

• The Church has conducted more Meanwhile, media reports suggest than 1,500,000 background checks on abuse is on-going and the Church has volunteers and employees, 163,705 on done nothing to stop it. In this climate, educators, 51,000 on clerics and 4,955 hopelessness and helplessness can candidates for ordination. creep in; people may want to give up.

The Charter has changed the It is time to refocus and to remember culture of the Church forever. Making why we do what we do. The primary sure children are safe has become goal is to protect children, to keep them an integral part of everyday church safe in churches, schools and homes. life. The English-speaking Catholic Another goal is to heal the victims/ Episcopal Conferences meet each year survivors of clergy abuse. to review how each Conference handles The accomplishments in just a few clergy sexual abuse. The Church in the years are ones for which the Church

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United States stands as a leader among that group. The impact of the U.S. church goes well beyond its borders.

There is much for which to be proud. Knowing that and focusing on the why of this work can revitalize efforts to continue to work to provide safe environments for children and to welcome the victims/survivors to the healing they deserve.

Second Collections Catholic Campaign for Human Development

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Announcement Dates: Nov. 1 & 8 Collection Dates: Nov. 14 & 18

he Catholic Campaign for Human Development is dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty by funding community programs that encourage independence. For the 37 million Americans under the Poverty Line, the difference is slight between eviction and having a place to stay, between hunger and health, between unemployment and work, between anxiety and stability.

In the Liberty City neighborhood of Miami, Florida, the Miami Worker’s Center, an organizing and advocacy group for low-wage workers, went to court and won an injunction to block the demolition of 1,000 low-income housing units. During the next few years, the center reached an agreement with the local housing authority to increase the number of new units to 450 and to give priority for the new housing to Liberty City residents, who otherwise would have been displaced.

If you have any questions regarding past CCHD funding, go to http://www.usccb.org/cchd/morin_ acorn_report.shtml.

– Fr. David Richter, Vicar General

Historical Perspective

Marquette Reading Circle

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he Marquette Reading Circle, a Catholic women’s group, was established in 1913 for the purpose of Bible study and beginning a circulating library at St. John Church (now the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans.) This library began in June 1919 as the “St. John Parish Library.” The group’s founder was Mrs. John P. Hird, who named the organization after the Jesuit missionary, James Marquette, who lived from 1637 to 1675. His grave is located in St. Ignace, Michigan.

The first record of officers for Marquette Reading Circle in the 1914-1915 year were President, Mrs. J.P. Hird; 1st Vice President, Mrs. M.A. Jacobs; 2nd Vice President, Mrs. W.R. Hollingsworth; Secretary, Mrs. Thomas Fitzpatrick; Treasurer, Mrs. W.A. Wilkinson. There were 19 members who met on the first and third Mondays, October through May.

After 96 years the Marquette Reading Circle has almost the same format for meetings today, even maintaining the Monday meeting day. Some of the current members are second and third generation daughters, granddaughters, nieces, grandnieces and sisters to charter, early and current members. These include: Rosemary Davis, The Marquette Reading Circle is named in honor Helen Fitzgerald, Susan of Jesuit missionary, Father Marquette. His grave is Flanagan, Shy Gardner, pictured here.

Grace Ellen Johnson, Rose Audrey Patton and Ludy Center now stands.

Doll Sullivan. Many meetings took Marquette Reading Circle will place at Mrs. Doll’s home on Fairfield celebrate its 100th anniversary in Avenue in Shreveport with Ludy Doll 2013.

Sullivan serving cookies baked using – Christine Rivers, Chancellor butter and milk from the family cow.

The farm animals were pastured Information provided by on the acreage where the Catholic Marquette member Betty Martin.

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Priest Spotlight:

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Fr. André McGrath, OFM

eing able to consecrate, being able to give Holy Communion to a few faithful souls each day must be a great satisfaction indeed. Words cannot tell you how happy we are for you . . .

We are sure God must be pleased with you. Although He does not bestow an easy life on His good friends, He does make life’s burdens easier with His constant loving protection.

God bless you dear son. Lovingly, Mother” Letter of Helen McGrath, Feb. 13, 1967 Twelve years before I was ordained a priest—June 2, 1967—I began my journey to the Franciscan priesthood. In August 1955 I became a “missionary” when I left the home of my mother and father, my grandfather, my three little brothers and one sister, taking the Santa Fe Railroad El Capitan train from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Cincinnati, Ohio—to go to Saint Francis Seminary. In my 15-year-old mind I wanted to see the world just like Saint Francis of Assisi saw it, and to serve the Catholic Church wherever God would send me. I believed that God was calling me.

“Rebuild my Church”—He said to Saint Francis of Assisi from the crucifix in the San Damiano Church outside of Assisi in 1205—and now 750 years later—He was calling me to do the same.

I was certainly well-prepared: Charles Olma, my grandfather—a painter, carpenter and all around builder by trade and life-long experience—taught me how to saw and nail a piece of wood, how to build and paint—since I could hold a saw and hammer and brush. My mother and father had taught me how to pray without ceasing, and the sisters and priests in our parish church showed me how to set the altar and light the candles and to serve.

With my sister and brothers, I knew how to keep the house, prepare a meal, set the table—even to “gather the fragments lest anything be lost!” I was prepared indeed.

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All that remained was my high school years, year of novitiate, four years of college and four years of theology before reaching that goal: to be sent forth to do the work of God in the Spirit of Saint Francis: To Rebuild the Church.

The years that followed were filled with the studies of languages and sciences, history and philosophy, the study of Sacred Scripture, church history and tradition, church teaching, preaching and practice.We grew up in all the arts and practices of pastoral care—prepared to do the work of God. But especially through the years of counseling and spiritual direction, and above all in daily constant prayer of the Church most of all in the Eucharist received and offered, and in the quiet of daily contemplation—we learned to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking in our hearts: “He must increase but I must decrease!” [cf. John 3: 30]: These are the Words of Jesus to His priests and missionaries: “If you allow Me: I will let you see how much I love the children I have brought into the world, and how much I long that they return to Me— that they may live with Me forever!

If you give Me your eyes: I will open them to see—not judging but forgiving: those whom I see!

If you give Me your ears: I will let you hear not lies but truth: the cry of the poor and the oppressed and the lost: those whom I hear!

If you give me your hands: I will teach them never to take but always to give: to heal and to bless and to feed and to clothe, to build and to plant—as I give and bless with My own Body and Blood for the Life of the World!

If you give Me your feet: I will lead you to seek and to find the lost sheep even to the very ends of the world. That’s where I am, there My servant shall also be!”

In the 50 years since I made my profession as a Franciscan [1959] and the 42 years since I was ordained a priest in the Franciscan Order [1967]—I have been led to many places and tasks to serve— teaching religion in a high school, doctoral studies in theology, teaching and formation in seminaries, missionary work in Kenya in East Africa, adult education, retreat work, counseling and recovery work among the addicted, and now in the last years serving as a pastor in Shreveport—I am more convinced: it is God’s work not mine. “So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth!” [1 Corinthians 3: 7].

The work of God continues and it is mine as Franciscan missionary and priest to lend eye and ear, heart and mouth, hands and feet to the Lord Himself—that He may dwell in the midst of His people, to seek and to save, to bless and to heal, to strengthen and empower and send forth and lead safely home. We, His people, must be built together to be His House and His Home.

But my vocation is not about ME—but who I can be and what I can do—for YOU. But it is not about YOU—but who and

what together we can BE FOR CHRIST. Jesus Himself will teach us, it is not about HIM—but what He can do and be in US by the Holy Spirit that He intercedes from the Father to pour out for us daily united with the prayers and intercessions of His and Our Holy Mother Mary and the company of all the angels and the Saints, that Our Heavenly Father be glorified and honored—from Whom all good things come, in Whom is every one good.

Thanksgiving and a Grateful Heart Sharing in a common bond across cultures

Pope Benedict XVI holds hands with religious leaders, including Rabbi David Rosen (left of the pope) and Sheik Muafek Tarif (right of the pope), the Druze spiritual leader in Israel, during an interfaith meeting at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, Israel, May 14. A song of peace was sung as the leaders held hands. (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano via Catholic Press Photo)

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o be grateful is to recognize the Heart of God in everything He has given us and He has given us everything.” Thomas Merton.

We remember each year George Washington’s 1789 Proclamation to give God a day of thanks, Thanksgiving Day. This year let’s call it, “Gathering the Harvest of our Lives.” What do we have to harvest this year and do we have the necessary tools to do it?

Thanksgiving happens on our Mondays, Tuesdays, rainy or sunny days with glorious and not so glorious events.

Living in a universe filled with so much can take away from our sacred center.

How can one remember our debts of gratitude in the midst of so much?

A grateful person knows God is good not by hearsay, but through experience and that’s what makes the difference in the world.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life if we allow it to. It’s a woven tapestry made up of the common threads that connect our lives with others. You will find this true in most religions.

The common threads are all woven so neatly in the teachings of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Each religious belief has personally helped me to open my mind to new theological perspectives, to new understanding, and to the different ways we each weave our threads of gratitude in a universal way. This should wake up our spirits and feed our souls. We are

one, big, beautiful, grateful tapestry.

An appreciative heart attracts more of what it appreciates. All the sacred writings, prayers and teachings of Judaism, Christianity and Islam help us see how giving thanks is a good way to express our relationship to the divine.

Each experience of gratitude depends on me, because I create a sense of connection and community with others who might feel isolated or alienated because of religious beliefs. Gratitude only becomes thanksgiving when I accept people as they are, and not the way I want them to be. We must always be aware of the respect we owe to others.

Gratitude is a major component of ancient and modern day beliefs. It permeates everything we do. Walking across the bridge of gratitude with someone else will make our world a better place to live.

In Judaism, thankfulness for everything is appropriate, beginning with the Shema, their early morning prayer. The prayer concludes with ‘Alenu, thanks to God for their destiny as Jews. These prayers are a vital part of their daily worship and involve every aspect of their daily lives. Jews believe everything comes from God and they not only praise God for good news, but for bad news as well.

In Christianity, gratitude is central among all Christian virtues, because God is the giver of all gifts.

The Holy Koran for Islam repeatedly encouraged the Muslims in each Sura (chapter) of the necessity for gratitude and thankfulness. In Sura 14, it is written: “If you are grateful, I shall give you more.” The essence of their daily Islamic Prayers is not to petition God, but to show everlasting praise and adoration to God for life and mercy. They do this five times a day.

In Sufism, the mystical tradition of Islam, every single chapter is devoted to developing gratitude. Sufis see the blessings of God veiled in everything that happens in their lives. They even have gratitude for the God-given capacity to feel grateful, and feel that no amount of worship or words are ever enough to express gratitude to God. The question arises in my heart: Is there any way to theologically recapture this dimension of God’s action called gratitude? I can see the actions of God’s blessings upon all of His creation in the early Pilgrims as they gave humble and sincere thanks to God with the Native Americans at the end of their harvest season.

How different the Native Americans were from the pilgrims, yet they were all a greater part of God’s circle of love.

There was a common thread of bonding and weaving happening as the leaves turned gold, the turkey was eaten and everyone was filled with a spirit of gratitude.

Continued on page 10.

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Continued from page 9.

As we celebrate this year, let us be as diligent as other beliefs about being a grateful and thankful people. All of us can find common grounds in this aspect of what we hold dear to our hearts and satisfy our spiritual hungers. Let us complete the weaving of our tapestry and have a “gratitude attitude” together.

Let God be your instrument of harvest.

We owe God 220 years of gratitude.

Thank you, George Washington, for your proclamation in 1789!

What’s worth carrying to the ends of our earthy existence if not our undying gratitude to God? A grateful heart is certainly more than our stocks and bonds. They are blessings, and there is no better way to express your gratitude for your blessings than to share them with others.

Roget’s Thesaurus has the best tenets of worship in its meaning for Thanksgiving; praise, benediction, and grace. The Readers Digest Encyclopedic Dictionary says Thanksgiving is an expression of our gratitude, especially to God. Let’s prepare for Thanksgiving this year with small doses of gratitude for all our blessings. God is grateful for each of us and continually blesses us on a daily basis. We have a great deal to be thankful for and everyday will become a thanksgiving day for us. Don’t wait for November to come around, be thankful always.

By learning about other religious beliefs and looking at their different ways of being thankful to God, we can make our grateful hearts stronger.

We affirm each other with the value of mutual respect for our religious convictions and practices. In doing so, we become a wonderful blessing for each other.

Thinking of others this Thanksgiving will enhance your self-respect and draw a harvest of gratitude. Imagine what Thanksgiving Day will be like for the homeless and share something with them. Not only will you be confronted with the misery of others, but you will learn the true meaning of gratitude, feeling humbled and grateful for what you have.

A blessed and happy Thanksgiving to you!

– Sr. Martinette Rivers

11 Catholic Connection November 2009 10

Community Garden Unites St. Catherine of Siena Church with Local Area Day on Cross Lake 2008.

Parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena Church and members of the local community join together to work in the community garden. (Photo by Jessica Rinaudo).

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he parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena Church have joined forces with the Red River Coalition of Community Gardeners and the LSU Ag Center to build a community garden for the people in the Cedar Grove area of Shreveport.

This community garden not only provides food for those in the local area, but aims to bring the neighbors together and teach them how to garden.

“We invite people to come together in a church setting and grow things together,” said Dr. Joe Bianca, Garden Coordinator for St. Catherine of Siena Church.

“We have a dozen regular gardeners, including the people of St. Catherine Church and people from five families in the area.”

Children are also invited to the garden, and encouraged to learn how to care for plants, as well as how to respect the plots of others around them.

Located directly behind St. Catherine of Siena Church, the big patch of land is bursting full of okra, greens, radishes, zucchini and gugutza squash. There is even an herb garden complete with basil and rosemary.

The community garden is completely organic. Those participating must practice

“sustainable gardening,” keeping chemicals out and natural feed in.

On Saturday, October 3, local area gardeners were hard at work, pulling weeds, raking plots, digging holes and picking ripe vegetables from the garden. Smiles were on all faces as they assessed the overflowing bags filled with the morning’s harvest.

Every participant knew about each plant in detail, and enthusiastically shared information with each other about the progress and care of each plant.

Dr. Joe Bianca put down his shovel just long enough to speak warmly about his fellow gardeners and encourage others to participate. He emphasized ways youth could help in the garden, “In addition to general gardening tasks, like weeding and hoeing, the garden needs people to make phone calls, ask for donations, invite neighbors to join, share recipes, bring compost materials, help new gardeners and teach children.”

The Red River Coalition supports community gardens throughout the Shreveport Bossier area. For more information on helping with the St. Catherine garden, or another community garden in the Shreveport/ Bossier area, contact Dr. Joe Bianca at 318-861-4895.

–Jessica Rinaudo, Editor

SCHOOL NEWS Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Academy Pets Celebration Day

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his month Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Academy held a Pets Day Celebration on Oct. 2 in honor of St. Francis. Students brought their favorite stuffed animals from home so Fr. André McGrath could bless their “pets.” The children had fun singing a traditional African song that Fr. André

taught them and everyone, teachers included, had a great time. Members of the Humane Society of Northwest Louisiana also stopped by to teach the little ones how to care and provide for their pets. At Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Academy we truly are building blocks for a better tomorrow!

– Nicole Goad

St. Joseph School Students Attend Leadership Program

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andon Knecht and Isabela Palmieri, eighth graders at St. Joseph School, recently attended the People to People World Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C. The students joined a select group of students to study leadership and explore some of the United States’ most prominent monuments and institutions.

One of the highlights of the forum was guest speaker retired General Colin Powell, the Former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The People to People Leadership Program was founded to fulfill the vision President Dwight D. Eisenhower had for fostering world citizenship.

– Lucy Medvec

Jesus the Good Shepherd School Honors Teacher's Birthday

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esus the Good Shepherd students and teachers recently honored Ms. Linda Zagone with a birthday banner. Ms. Zagone is the Jesus the Good Shepherd School Teacher of the Year and started her teaching career at the school in 1970. Pictured with Ms. Zagone are first grade teacher Ms. Ann Shockley and her students.

– Missy McKenzie

St. Frederick High School Students Participate in Habitat for Humanity

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t. Frederick Juniors recently volunteered for Habitat for Humanity of Ouachita Parish. The students, along with their sponsor Ms. Brenda Carso, showed up early on a rainy Saturday morning ready to help and learn as much about construction as they could. Painting the walls

and cabinets, constructing wall frames and doing general construction tasks were fun for the students but, according to Ms. Carso, the best part of the day was working side-by-side with the wonderful family that will soon move in and make the house their home.

– Missy McKenzie 11 10

What You Can Do 1. Pray for each of us.

2. Support the special collection for this purpose.

3. Encourage your priest with a phone call or note with your support of his commitment.

Cover Story

4. Be part of the “at-home” pastoral team who will make sure pastoral ser vices continue despite absences.

Good Leaders, Good Shepherds Leadership in Pastoral Service

by Father Pike Thomas even though a required fifth year of study has been added to the training in the last two decades. This added material is in canon law, moral theology, scripture and revelation, rather than in leadership skills. Unless one has been in a management position of some kind prior to leading a parish, the day the Seminary Education: To be a priest of the Lord is a sublime but awesome duty, new priest becomes pastor often has him enthusiastic but properly insecure in the sense of the responsibility and as to the exercise of compassionate, role undertaken and expected. No one wise leadership. comes forth from the seminary unless he is a man of prayer, spiritual gifts and Protective Layers: In former years, a leader. Indeed, no one comes forth there were many protective layers for from the seminary without a broad the new, inexperienced priest: they were knowledge of spirituality and faith, usually placed in larger parishes with scripture and sacrament. However, it several fellow-priests, an experienced is sometimes painfully obvious, that pastor to guide and lead him in skills. It despite all this “head-knowledge,” we was nearly two decades after ordination may be woefully lacking in the learned before most priests became any kind of art of persuasion and the skills of pastor! Now one can expect within two leadership. years of ordination to be tapped for a Seminaries seldom have courses or lead pastoral assignment. even seminars in Pastoral Leadership, s we near the mid-way point in “The Year of the Priest,” the priests of the Shreveport Diocese, accompanied by our bishop, will embark on a two-year program to move ourselves individually and corporately to a new plane of pastoral wisdom.

13 Catholic Connection November 2009 12

The Challenge for Today: Today, many laity are often as educated as the priest, sometimes even in the things of faith, but certainly in medicine, science, technology, etc – you name the field. The priest, after all, is a generalist, with a broad liberal arts education and then heavy theological and liturgical skills, but most of us priests are less equipped to be a financial manager or manage personnel, for example.

Not to say that today’s priests are any less gifted than in prior years, but the world has become more complicated. We priests cannot continue to assume responsibility for everything about managing a parish; rather, we must become skilled in the art of pastoring people to become one family in Christ. We must become the center point of the parish rather than its apex!

Good Leaders, Good Shepherds: A Worthy Investment. And this is what the two-year formation and development process called Good Leaders, Good Shepherd (GLGS) attempts for dioceses all over this nation. Sponsored by the 17-year-old Catholic Leadership Institute of Pittsburgh, GLGS has been conducted in over 20 dioceses, to great praise from bishops, priests and participants. The actual cost to provide this two-year program is $7,500 per priest. The diocese becomes often the foundational sponsor, aided by a priest’s parish, and the priests themselves are also expected to pay part of the cost.

The process gathers the priests of a diocese together for 16 different occasions during the two years, sometimes one-day workshops, but six of the gatherings are multi-day “residencies.” In today’s climate, this means the priest’s parishioners must be prepared to support their priests through prayer, and expect some changes in the parish schedule while their priests are away.

The content and trajectory of the process is fairly straightforward. Within six modules one concentrates on the following: 1. Self-preparation for Leadership 2. Leadership in the Self Context 3. Leadership in the One-to-One Context 4. Leadership in the Team Context 5. Leadership in the Organization Context 6. Leading Strategic Relationships Three faculty members guide us throughout the process, usually PhD’s from top-notch institutions such as Duquesne and CarnegieMellon Universities.

Imagine the gifts which can be brought back to our parishes with a priest trained in these processes! We priests are so excited about this opportunity for ourselves and the people of this diocese that 32 of the 39 active priests have committed to participate, an astonishing 82%. May this process of discernment and study bear fruit in spreading the Good News of Our Lord Jesus Christ through each of our priests, our parishes and our diocese. As Bishop Duca’s motto states, “Hope in the Lord.”

– Reverend Pike Thomas

Upcoming Good Leaders, Good Shepherds Dates Nov. 3-6, 2009: SelfPreparation for Leadership Jan. 5-7, 2010: Leadership in the Self Context Feb. 5, 2010: Day Session Mar. 12, 2010: Day Session Apr. 23, 2010: Day Session

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Bishop Duca Celebrates Mass at LSU-Shreveport

with the day’s event, “Having the Bishop say Mass at LSUS gave the students an opportunity to see change of venue was required a great leader and a to accommodate the number great shepherd of the of students, professors and Diocese of Shreveport community members who attended in their environment – Bishop Duca’s first Mass at Louisiana a college campus. For State University, Shreveport. the Bishop to come into As people entered the door to that environment, it the Webster Room in the University touched the spirituality Center, Bishop Duca introduced of the students in many himself and spoke to everyone Bishop Duca serves communion to students at LSUS during personally, relaying stories of his time ways.”

Common Hour Mass at the University.

Father Pike Thomas in college. was also present.

During his homily, Bishop Duca attending LSUS this semester, please Students were enthusiastic about spoke of his experience with campus encourage them to attend Masses ministry and high school students. He seeing him, giving him hugs and offered in the University Center. The sharing smiles after Mass. also reflected on the day’s scriptures, next Mass will be on November 11, at Both Bishop Duca and Father Pike speaking to those gathered about 11:00 am. For more information about stayed for lunch following Mass, using the LSUS Catholic Student Union, hypocrisy, making the right choices the time to get to know the students and forgiveness of sins. contact Cathy Cobb at catcobb@ Kevin Nolten, President of the LSUS and faculty. bellsouth.net.

If you or someone you know is Catholic Student union was pleased –Kevin Nolten & Jessica Rinaudo

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Pope Canonizes Father Damien, Four Others as Models of Christian Love

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ATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Calling them “shining examples” of Christian love, Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed five new saints, including Father Damien de Veuster, the 19th-century Belgian missionary who ministered to people with leprosy in Hawaii before dying of the disease. At a Mass Oct. 11 overflowing with pilgrims from around the world, the pope also canonized Sister Jeanne Jugan, a French nun whose Little Sisters of the Poor continue to assist the elderly in the United States and more than 30 other countries. After brief biographies of the five were read aloud, the pope pronounced a solemn decree of canonization and proclaimed them models of holiness for the whole church. Relics of the new saints were placed on the altar as St. Peter’s Basilica was filled with

15 Catholic Connection November 2009 14

Hawaiian dancers perform at a special Mass for pilgrims from Hawaii at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome Oct. 12. Hundreds of pilgrims from Hawaii concluded their pilgrimage to attend St. Damien's canonization with a Mass. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

a sung “Alleluia.” In his homily, the pope said the newly canonized had typified the Christian vocation of radical conversion and self-sacrifice made “with no thought of human calculation and advantage.” He said, “Their perfection, in the logic of

the faith that is sometimes humanly incomprehensible, consists in no longer placing themselves at the center, but in choosing to go against the current by living according to the Gospel.”

– Catholic News Service

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha

Bishop Edward J. Slattery of Tulsa, Okla., dedicates a new outdoor shrine to Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha at Immaculate Conception Church in Pawhuska, Okla., Aug. 10.

Native American Catholics hope and pray that Blessed Kateri will one day be named a saint. The 17th-century Mohawk maiden was the first indigenous North American to be beatified. (CNS photo/Dave Crenshaw, Eastern Oklahoma Catholic)

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ateri was born to a Christian Algonquin mother, Kahenta, who was converted by Jesuit missionaries known as “Black Robes.”

Her father was a non-Christian Mohawk chief, of the Turtle Clan.

This marriage enabled her to escape torture and death. They lived along the south bank of the Mohawk River in a village called Ossernenon.

Their union blossomed and the following year a child was born, a girl named Tekakwitha. A baby brother soon followed. When she was four, smallpox swept through her village taking the lives of her parents and brother, leaving her an orphan.

Survival came at a price for the four-year-old, she was weak, facially scarred, and partially blind. She was adopted by two aunts and her uncle, also a Mohawk chief.

When Tekakwitha was about 10, the Iroquis were vanquished by the French. The “Black Robes” had access to the Mohawk villages.

They were often not well received, but Tekakwitha met with the priests despite opposition from her people.

In 1674, Fr. James de Laberville,

took charge of the little mission near Tekakwitha’s home. One day, as he was visiting with her, she poured out her heart to him, she desired baptism more than anything. He agreed to give her religious instruction and baptism.

At age 20 she was baptized on Easter Sunday 1676. She was given the name Kateri or Katherine. Kateri’s strong beliefs didn’t make her very popular at home. She refused to work on Sundays, instead reserving it for the Lord. She refused to marry and made it clear that she wished to be a Bride of Christ. For all this she was taunted, tortured and held in contempt by everyone! This was more than she could bear so in 1677 she fled.

After two months of traveling she arrived at the Mission of St. Francis Xavier Sault in Sault, St. Louis near Montreal. Because of her determination and loyalty to the faith she received her first Holy Communion Christmas day in 1677.

Kateri could neither read nor write but oh how she could pray! She filled her days with prayer, penitential practices and taking care of the sick and elderly. Life was never easy for

Kateri, but being a Christian and being loyal to Christ were its own rewards.

In March of 1679 Kateri did become a Bride of Christ—she pronounced her vow of perpetual virginity.

As a result of the hard life she had lived she was struck with a terrible illness. She suffered great pain but never released her hold of the faith in Jesus Christ. On April 17, 1680 on Wednesday of Holy Week, she died.

She was 24-years-old, and like the flower she was named for, her life was short and beautiful. Moments after dying, her scarred and disfigured face were miraculously cleared and made beautiful. This miracle was witnessed by two Jesuit priests and all others in the room.

She was declared venerable by Pope Pius XII, on January 3, 1943, the first Native American to be declared Blessed. She is Patroness of environment and ecology. Her feast day is July 14.

Her name Tekakwitha means “one who puts things in place.” She certainly did that with her faith, her heart, and her life!

Kateri Tekakwitha was Beatified

by Pope John Paul II June of 1980.

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha is not yet canonized, but work is underway for the process to be completed.

There is a litany, a chaplet, and a novena calling on her intercession.

Below is the prayer for the canonization of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, Lily of the Mohawks, Flower of the Algonquin.

O God who among the many marvels of Your Grace in the New World, did cause to blossom on the banks of the Mohawk and of the St. Lawrence, the pure and tender Lily, Kateri Tekakwitha, grant we beseech You, the favor we beg through her intercession; that this Young Lover of Jesus and of His Cross may soon be counted among her Saints by Holy Mother Church and that our hearts may be enkindled with a stronger desire to imitate her innocence and faith. Through the same Christ our Lord. AMEN. – Kim Long, DRE 15 14

Synod Opens with Call on Africans to be Forces for Justice, Peace

the cardinal said ethnic tensions and government corruption continue, and that the African people face new challenges because of the import of foreign cultural values and practices, including economic policies focused only on profit rather than the common good, and the acceptance of homosexuality and homosexual unions and of divorce and abortion.

Cardinal Turkson also spoke to the synod about drug trafficking and drug use increasing in Africa; arms trafficking escalating the violence of local conflicts; and pollution and climate change having a devastating impact on a continent where extreme weather already leads to drought, famine and desertification.

Before the cardinal spoke to the synod assembly, Pope Benedict XVI opened the meeting with a spiritual Cardinal Peter Turkson of Cape Coast, Ghana, right, and another African cardinal and bishop arrive for the opening session of the Synod of Bishops for Africa at the Vatican Oct. reflection, calling the synod members 5. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) to listen to the Holy Spirit and to recognize that every blessing and every predominantly pessimistic world view ATICAN CITY (CNS) -challenge is a result of human beings’ Reconciled with one another and of Africa,” he said. relationship with God. committed to justice, African While some problems continue, “If this is not correct, we cannot Catholics must become active forces for the cardinal said, the church in Africa arrive at the truth, and this is the justice and peace on the continent, said has grown numerically; the number of source of all the vices that destroy Cardinal Peter Turkson of Cape Coast, armed conflicts on the continent has social relationships and peace in the Ghana. decreased; more Africans are being world,” he said. “Things are going “On a continent, parts of which live elected or appointed to leadership wrong in the world because our under the shadow of conflict and death, positions in international religious relationship with God is not in order.” the church must sow seeds of life,” said orders; and the number of Catholic Social, political and economic the cardinal as he opened the work of universities has grown along with the analyses of African realities are the second special Synod of Bishops for number of Catholics professionally necessary, but they are insufficient “if Africa Oct. 5. prepared for work in the church, in we do not discover that behind all the As recording secretary of the politics and business. injustices of corruption and everything synod, Cardinal Turkson presented a Still, he said, the Catholic Church else there lies an unjust heart, a closure theological reflection on the assembly’s barely exists in much of North Africa; to God and, therefore, a falsification theme and its scriptural motto: “The some priests and religious have of the fundamental relationship upon Church in Africa at the Service of difficulty remaining faithful to their which all other relationships are Reconciliation, Justice and Peace. ‘You vows; sects continue to attract large based,” Pope Benedict said. are the salt of the earth. ... You are the numbers of Catholics; and young While material well-being comes only light of the world.’” people who travel to Europe or North at a great cost, God offers his love and The cardinal also outlined the America for study come home nonforgiveness to all for free, the pope said. realities of Africa and of the church Catholic “because they felt less at home “We become Christians only if our that the assembly should keep in in the Catholic churches there.” mind during its discussions, looking Asked afterward about the challenge faith is transformed into charity,” he said. particularly at religious, social, political of celibacy for African priests and Pope Benedict asked the synod and economic realities. religious, Cardinal Turkson said, “It members to work to ensure that the The church, he said, “must preserve is not anything to hide or be ashamed love of God, which is offered to all men the continent and its people from the of” because celibacy is a challenge for and women, is able to cross boundaries putrefying effects of hatred, violence, modern men and women all over the of ethnicity, tribe and social class in injustice and ethnocentrism.” world, but church leaders must find Africa.

The first synod for Africa, held new ways to respond to the challenge.

– Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service 15 years ago, took place amid “a In his presentation to the synod,

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17 Catholic Connection November 2009 16

News Briefs

by Catholic News Service

Pope Benedict XVI receives the credentials of the new U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, Miguel Diaz, at the the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Oct. 2. (CNS photo/ L'Osservatore Romano via Catholic Press Photo)

Pope announces synod on Middle East for 2010

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ATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI announced that he was convening a Synod of Bishops for the Middle East to be held in October of 2010, to address the trials and tribulations of the Christian population in the region. The pope said the synod would look at the various problems faced by the minority Christian communities in Middle Eastern countries, from migration to interreligious dialogue. He announced the initiative at a meeting Sept. 19 with patriarchs and other church leaders from the region. After the encounter at the papal residence outside Rome, the pope hosted the prelates at a working lunch. The synod will be held Oct. 10-24, 2010, on the theme “The Catholic Church in the Middle East: Communion and Witness: ‘The community of believers was of one heart and mind.’”

The quotation is a description of the unity of the early church from the Acts of the Apostles. “During this brotherly meeting, from your speeches will surely emerge the issues that beset you and the orientations toward their proper resolution,” the pope said. He told the church leaders that he was praying for them and their communities daily. A Vatican statement said the informal discussion between the pontiff and the Eastern church representatives focused in particular on problems related to migration, ecumenical relations and interreligious dialogue, and highlighted the church’s efforts to promote peace in the region. As he often does during synods, the pope gave an impromptu talk at the end of the encounter to summarize the various points that were made.

Pope Welcomes new US ambassador, speaks on right to life issues

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ATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Welcoming the new U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI outlined wide areas of potential cooperation with the administration of President Barack Obama, but drew a sharp line on the issues of abortion and the rights of conscience. The pope called for “a clear discernment with regard to issues touching the protection of human dignity and respect for the inalienable right to life from the moment of conception to natural death, as well as the protection of the right to conscientious objection on the part of health care workers, and indeed all citizens.” He made the remarks at a ceremony Oct. 2 to accept the credentials of Miguel Diaz, named in May by Obama as the ninth U.S. ambassador to the Holy See. After the encounter at the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo south of Rome, Diaz held talks at the Vatican with the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. The pope’s comments on the right to life touched on a current debate in the United States over provisions of health care reform and how they would affect abortion policies.

Promoting Right to Life Requires Fighting World Hunger, Pope Says

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ATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Defending the right to life requires promoting and establishing food security, Pope Benedict XVI said. The current economic crisis has hit agriculture particularly hard, and governments and the world community must “make determined and effective choices” in investing in agriculture in the developing world, he said. His comments came in a written message Oct. 16, World Food Day. The text was addressed to Jacques Diouf, director-general of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. According to the FAO, more than 1 billion people are undernourished and one child dies every six seconds because of malnutrition. Those numbers have been on the rise because of soaring food prices, the global economic meltdown and a decline in aid and investment in agriculture, the U.N. agency said in a written report Oct. 14. The pope said combating hunger by guaranteeing that everyone has access to a sufficient and healthy food supply would be “a tangible manifestation of the right to life, which, even though it is solemnly proclaimed, remains too often far from its full realization.”

Children have lunch at the Bungwe Health Center in remote northern Rwanda in this 2007 photo. (CNS photo/ Rick D'Elia)

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Hispanic Corner

Nuestra Página Agradecimiento al Obispo y Sacerdotes

sacerdotes respondieron ¡Sí! Sin embargo, la historia no termina ahí. lgunas veces no vemos el Los Pastores son ellos tesoro que tenemos aunque mismos de diferentes esté frente a nosotros. naciones. Vienen de Durante los pasados meses del verano empecé a reconocer el gran India, Polonia, África y hasta un Afro-Americano, regalo de nuestro Obispo y un grupo de siete sacerdotes que están dos originales de viviendo los mandamientos de Jesús Luisiana y el Obispo de “Ir a todo el mundo y predicar el junto con mi Pastor Evangelio a toda creatura” (Marcos son de descendencia italiana. Creo que es 15:15) y “Apacentar mis ovejas” verdad, “A fin de cuentas, es un (Juan 21:27). mundo pequeño”. Durante la Misa, Creo que Jesús estaba hablando los sacerdotes leen en español y de trabajo misionero, y lo que yo preparan sus homilías que dan se de trabajo misionero puede ser el aprender un nuevo idioma, tener en español o piden a ayuda con la traducción. Estos sacerdotes han que adaptarse a nueva cultura, sido pacientes con tardanzas y se y hasta salir a tierras lejanas. Se entregan por completo en cada oye como trabajo difícil y no todos Misa. Algunas veces la tardanza son podemos hacerlo todo, pero aquí por confesiones, otras por bautizos, en el Norte de Luisiana un Obispo y sus Sacerdotes han respondido al aun el obispo ha tenido su turno.

Para mí, una mujer, ha sido un llamado en esta misión. año maravilloso ver las señales Comenzó hace casi dos años de los Buenos Pastores entre cuando los Pastores respondieron nosotros y ser testigo de cómo al llamado de ayudar a las ovejas estos hombres contestan a su Hispanas. Esta comunidad está formada por muchas naciones, entre llamado al sacerdocio. Jesús debe estar feliz y complacido con ellos. ellas: México, Cuba, Colombia, Yo le doy gracias a Dios por las Honduras, Guatemala, Panamá, bendiciones que veo. Creo que la Puerto Rico, Perú, Ecuador, El comunidad Hispana también esta Salvador, España y posiblemente muy agradecida. otras de las que no estoy enterada.

– Mary Morgan, Feligrés de Cristo Rey. Dios envió el llamado y nuestros

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Misas Bossier City: Christ the King 425 McCormick St. Bossier City Domingo 3:00 p.m.

Representante: Marilú Rodriguez Tel: 318-286-1492 Farmerville: Our Lady of Perpetual Help 600 E. Water Street, Farmerville Sábado 7:00 p.m.

Representante: Maria Lopez Tel: 318-285-9145 Mansfield: St. Joseph 305 Jefferson Street, Mansfield 2do

Domingo 2:00 p.m. y 3er Martes 6:30 p.m.

Representante: Teresa Pérez Tel: 318-871-8037 Minden: St. Paul 410 Fincher Road, Minden Viernes 7:00 p.m.

Representante: Margarita Bratton Tel: 318-377-9684 Oak Grove: Sacred Heart 201 Purvis St, Oak Grove Domingo 5:00 p.m.

Representantes: Feliciano y Rosa Alviso Martinez Tel: 318-428-2137

Calendario Diocesano del mes de Noviembre 1

Día de todos los Santos

2 Día de todos los Difuntos 3

San Martín de Porres

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Ntra. Sra. De los 33, Patrona de Uruguay

11 Reunión de Directores del Ministerio Hispano, Houma Thibodeaux 13-15 Retiro “Búsqueda” en Little Rock, AR 19 Ntra. Sra. De la Providencia, patrona de Puerto Rico 26 Celebración de Día de Gracias (Centro Católico cerrado del 26-29) 27-28

Retiro Juvenil en Scottsville, TX

Ruston: St. Thomas Aquinas 810 Carey Ave, Ruston 2do y 4to Domingo 2:30 p.m.

Representante: Soledad Broyles Tel: 318-243-1958 Shreveport: St. Mary of the Pines 1050 Bert Kouns Ind Lp., Shreveport Domingos 1:00 p.m.

Representante: Carmen Bradford Tel: 318-671-9111 West Monroe: St. Paschal 711 N 7th Street, W. Monroe Domingo 2:30 p.m.

Representante: Lorena Chaparro Tel: 318-651-9136

Rosalba Quiroz, Directora Interina del Ministerio Hispano 318-219-7265 • Blanca Belaire, Secretaria 318-219-7257 Rev. Al Jost, Coordinador de La Vicaría del Este • 318-243-0115

19 Catholic Connection November 2009 18

Who Is My Neighbor?

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ne of the most challenging parables in the Gospels is the parable of the Good Samaritan. In order to answer a lawyer’s question about who is his neighbor Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan.

This story about compassion and active service is meant to lead us to ask ourselves, “Who is my neighbor?”

While journeying to Jerusalem a lawyer approaches Jesus and asks him what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus leads the lawyer to see that eternal life results from loving God

with our whole self and loving our neighbor. The lawyer who wishes to justify himself asks Jesus, “But who is my neighbor (Luke 10:29)?” This question allows Jesus to tell a story which challenged the lawyer to expand his view of whom he is called to love.

In the story a Jew is journeying on the dangerous road from Jerusalem to Jericho. The traveler is beaten, robbed and left half dead. Three men come upon the man lying on the road.

The first two, a priest and a Levite, both see the man who has been brutally beaten and, in order to not risk their own safety, they “pass by on the other side.” Even though the priest

Good Shepherds’ Outreach and the Levite were both Jewish and they did not care for one of their own countrymen. The third man, a Samaritan, sees the man and is moved with pity. In a dangerous area he stops and cares for the man and makes himself vulnerable by picking him up, putting him on his own beast and carrying him to an inn.

It is significant that the Samaritan placed himself at risk by caring for a Jew as Jews and Samaritans were enemies. Jews and Samaritans hated one another as a result of religious and ethnic differences. The point of the parable is that we are to treat everyone who we encounter with compassion.

Jesus commands us to “go and do the same.”

Do we see all as neighbors? The Gospel challenges Anglos and Hispanics to see people of all races as brothers and sisters.

For Hispanics, differences in language and prejudice toward them can make it difficult to live this Gospel. Jesus calls each of us to move beyond only loving those in our family and ethnic group and to see all people as part of our human family. I am inspired by the way that this Gospel is lived out by so many in the Hispanic community within our diocese. I think especially of Rosa and Feliciano Alvizo who, despite differences in language, participate in both the English and Spanish speaking communities in Oak Grove. May Christ strengthen us to see and to respond to our neighbor as Christ himself sees and loves them.

– Fr. Mark Watson, Church of Jesus the Good Shepherd

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ometimes we don’t see a treasure, even when it is right in front of us. Our bishop and a group of seven priests are a great gift to us, for they are living out the commands of Jesus to “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature,” (Mark 15:15) and “Feed my sheep,” (John 21:17).

I believe Jesus was talking about missionary work, and I believe mission work means learning a new language, adapting to a new culture, and even going to a foreign land. It's hard work and not everyone is able to do all these things, but here in North Louisiana a bishop and his priests have been on a mission call.

It started almost two years ago when these shepherds answered the call to help the Hispanic sheep. This community is made up of many nations: Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, Puerto Rico, Peru, Ecuador, El Salvador, Spain and probably places I don’t even know. God sent the call and our priests answered yes!

These shepherds are a diverse group themselves. They come from India, Poland, Africa, one is African-American, two are from Louisiana and the bishop and my pastor are of Italian descent. I guess it’s true, “It’s a small world after all.”

At Mass the priests read in Spanish and prepare homilies that they give in Spanish or have someone translate for them. These priests remain patient with delays and give whole heartedly at each Mass. Sometimes a delay is for confession, other times for baptisms. Even the bishop has had his turn.

For me, one woman, it has been a marvelous year to see the signs of the Good Shepherds among us, and to witness how these men answer their call to the priesthood. Jesus must be very happy and pleased with them. I thank God for the blessing I’ve encountered. I believe the Hispanic community is very thankful too.

– Mary Morgan, Christ the King 19 18

Around the Diocese...

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church Makes Contribution to the Fuller Center for Housing n a rainy morning in September, Deacon Homer Tucker and his wife met Lee Jeter, Director of the Fuller Center, and all those working to build housing in the Allendale area, to present them with a check from the people of St. Elizabeth’s. One hundred percent of the money raised by the Fuller Center goes to help those who could not get housing on their own. The Fuller Center is currently building their 40th home in the Shreveport area.

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Diocesan Schools Meet with Danny Loar of the Citizens for Educational Choice rea Catholic school and private school administrators met on October 1 with Danny Loar, Executive Director of the Citizens for Educational Choice. Mr. Loar spoke on topics such as public school transportation for private school students in the Caddo Public School District; Required Services, a state mandated reimbursement to private schools for providing certain data to the state; and Voters Voice and School Choice Day in Baton Rouge. Catholic school administrators were present from Loyola, St. John, St. Joseph and Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Academy. Private schools represented were St. Mark, First Baptist and Evangel Christian Academy.

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Poor Man’s Supper Funds SVDP Pharmacy n September 22, parishioners in the Monroe community joined together with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to participate in the Poor Man’s Supper. Proceeds from the event support the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy in Monroe.

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Fr. Rigoberto Betancurt Blesses Shelter Animals in Honor of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi riday, October 2, Father Rigo visited Caddo Parish Animal Shelter to bless those animals looking for a home. Fr. Rigo read a blessing, then went cage to cage, blessing puppies and kittens, cats and dogs.

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28th Annual Taste of Shreveport Benefited Holy Angels Residential Facility rea Knights of Columbus helped coordinate the 28th annual Taste of Shreveport Event at Fox Creek Farms in Shreveport. The event allowed ticket holders to taste a wide array of food and wine and enjoy live entertainment.

All proceeds from the event go to support Holy Angels Residential Facility, a mission of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows that serves intellectually and developmentally disabled people.

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Catholic School Faculty Gather on Columbus Day aculty and staff of Catholic schools in Shreveport and Monroe gathered together on Oct.12 for a time of spiritual enrichment, learning and celebration.

Teachers and staff received recognition for years of service and “Best Educators of the Year.” Fr. Tony Ricard of New Orleans was the keynote speaker. Afternoon sessions were held at Loyola College Prep.

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Blessing of the Pets at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church arishioners huddled under shelter outside of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church with their pets held close while the rain came down on October 4.

Father Phil Michiels blessed the pets of parishioners in honor of the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.

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St. Joseph School Carpenter Club Serves Community in God's Name tudents from the newly formed St. Joseph School Carpenter Club volunteered at the Sutton Children’s Mini-Medical Center during the Red River Revel Festival. The students worked with children to educate them on nutrition, exercise, germ prevention and other healthrelated topics. The Revel was the first volunteer opportunity for St. Joseph’s Carpenter Club, a volunteer service group for seventh and eighth graders. Other fall opportunities include working at the Autumn Breeze 5K race, the Northwest Louisiana Food Bank and Christian Services. The Carpenter Club was developed to help middle school students become trained volunteers in their community and prepare them for a lifetime of volunteer service.

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Upcoming Events November 1: Eucharistic Holy Hour for Vocations The next in our rotating

schedule of Holy Hours for Vocations is set for Sunday, November 1, at 10:45 a.m. at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, 1558 Buena Vista in Shreveport.

Fr. David Richter, Director of Church Vocations, and Fr. Andre McGrath, OFM, Pastor, will lead the prayers. Our purpose is to offer a Eucharistic prayer service, lasting one hour, in the various parish churches of the western deanery of the Diocese of Shreveport. Our hope is that the parishioners of these parishes support and continue regular Eucharistic prayer services for vocations. God calls, but we must do our part by more prayer for priesthood and consecrated life vocations, very much needed in our Diocese of Shreveport and among those religious orders serving here.

November 4: Health Fair Sponsored by Christ the King Church and Christus Schumpert Christ the King Catholic

Church and Christus Schumpert Health System will sponsor a Health Fair on Wednesday, November 4, 2009, from 8:00 a.m. to noon at the corner of McCormick and Ogilvie Street in Bossier City, LA. Several representatives from other agencies will be present as well.

Flu shots and pneumonia shots, subject to availability of vaccines from the Red Cross, will be given. For those with Medicare Part B there will be no charge. Blood glucose and cholesterol tests (fast from midnight for accurate reading) are available, as well as blood pressure and other vital signs, vision and hearing exams.

Hispanic and Vietnamese translators will be on the premises. Refreshments will be served in the cafeteria from 8:00 a.m. until noon.

La Parroquia de Cristo Rey y el hospital Christus Schumpert patrocinarán una Feria de la Salud el miércoles 4 de noviembre del 2009 de las 8 a.m. a las 12 p.m. en el centro parroquial ubicado en la esquina de las calles McCormick y Ogilvie en

23 Catholic Connection November 2009 22

Bossier City, LA. También tendremos representantes de otras agencias. Se aplicarán las vacunas de resfriado (Flu) y de neumonía. (Esperando que la Cruz Roja tenga estas vacunas disponibles).

A los que tengan Medicare Parte B no se les cobrarán las vacunas. Tendremos también exámenes de la diabetes y del colesterol (tienen que ayunar desde la medianoche para que los resultados sean correctos). También se tomará la presión y otros signos vitales, la vista el oído. Tendremos traductores para el idioma Hispano y Vietnamés.

Habrá aperitivos de las 8:00 a la 12 en la cafetería.

November 7: White Mass for all health

care workers at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans at 4:00 p.m.

There will be a special blessing by Bishop Michael Duca.

November 7: Lessons from Cinderella: Everyday Servant Leadership from

9:00 a.m. to noon, Burleigh Center at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.

Presenter: Dr. Linda Webster, Professor and Chair of the Department of Communications at LSUS. We encounter leaders every day -- from our boss at work to the President in the news – but few of us have encountered servants except in the pages of literature. To be a good servant leader requires understanding the culture and history of service as a vocation; understanding the meaning of the servant-leader dynamic in both historical and scriptural senses. And Cinderella is a great place to start the discussion.

Dr. Webster is an adjunct faculty member of the Diocese of Shreveport’s Greco Institute and assists with Campus Ministry at LSUS. She has served on the faculty of the St. Gregory University/ Diocese of Little Rock Cooperative Theology Program since 2001. In 2002 she served on the editorial committee for the National Directory of Catechesis.

She has developed numerous resources for the Little Rock Scripture Study series.

Upcoming Missions November 15-17: St. Joseph Church, Shreveport Fall Mission

Father Keith Pellerin, Diocese of Lake Charles to present mission at St. Joseph Church, Shreveport.

In Celebration of the Year of the Priest, St. Joseph Church in Shreveport presents, “Jesus Christ, The Eternal High Priest.” What does this have to do with me? Everything!

Come and See. Presented by: Fr. Keith Pellerin from the Diocese of Lake Charles.

Sunday, November 15, 7:30 p.m.; Monday, November 16, 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, November 17, 6:30 p.m.

Contact Connie Simms for more information, 318-518-0696.

November 29-December 1: St. Mary of the Pines 2009 Parish Advent Mission At 6:30 p.m. nightly,

Fr. Rothell Price will be speaking on the meaning of Advent and the Advent season using some of our most recognizable symbols. We will explore the meaning, sights, sounds, symbols, tastes and sensations of the season of preparation called Advent.

This season is very much like the memorial acclamation of the Mass in which we say, “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.”

This will be a mission of word and action. We will employ words to convey the meaning of this season. We will also use our hands to literally construct some of the signs and symbols of this spiritual preparation for the Past, Present and Future event/encounter with Christ our Lord. Everyone is welcome!

November 2009

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday

Friday

Saturday

All events are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice.

All Saints Day Holy Hour for Vocations, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, 10:45 am.

Daylight Savings Time Ends

Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) Catholic Medical Students Assoc.

Lunch, LSUHSC, noon

Priest Retirement Meeting, Catholic Center, 9:30am

Bioethics Conference, LSUHSC, 10:00am

Good Leaders, Good Shepherds Program, Many

White Mass, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, 4:00pm

Martin de Porres, religious

Charles Borromeo, bishop

Catholic Connection Deadline for December Issue

Veteran's Day

Editorial Board Meeting, Catholic Center, 10am Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

2nd Collection: National Campaign for Human Development

Our Lord Jesus Christ the King

Leo the Great, pope & doctor

Protecting God's Children, Catholic Center, 6:00pm Martin of Tours, bishop

USCCB General Meeting, Baltimore

Greco Fall Semester Ends

Elizabeth of Hungary, religious

Last Week in Ordinary Time

Annual Clergy Meeting, Catholic Center, 9:00am

Catholic Schools Close for Thanksgiving

Presbyteral Council Meeting, Catholic Center, 2:00pm Andrew Dung-Lac. priest & martyr and his companies, martyrs

2nd Collection: National Campaign for Human Development USCCB Meets in Baltimore

Josaphat, bishop & martyr

Francis Xavier Cabrini, virgin

National Catholic Youth Conference, Kansas City

Margaret of Scotland; Gertrude, virgin

Clement I, pope & martyr; Columban, abbot; Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro, priest & martyr

Principals Meeting, Catholic Center, 10:00am

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Dedication of the Basilicas of Peter & Paul, apostles; Rose Philippine Duchesne, virgin

Thanksgiving Day Catholic Center Closed

Catholic Center Closed

Catherine of Alexandria, virgin & martyr

First Sunday of Advent Mass for Year Long Celebration of Blessed Elizabetta Renzi, Cathedral, 11:00am Andrew, apostle

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DIOCESE

OF

3500 Fairfield Ave.

SHREVEPORT •

Shreveport, LA 71104

Fairfield

Cathedral School Celebrates 60 Years

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Fr. Pe te r ae l Duc a and h ic M p o h f t he is B s s in H o nor o a M te a r b le M a n g um c e o nd jubile e . s ch o o l's diam

Knights of Columbus Prepare for Red Ch icke n Mass at Holy Trinity.

di nners so ld af te r Photo Jessica Rinaudo.

M as s by be ne fit te d St. John Be rchm ans scho ol .

24 Catholic Connection November 2009

he Cathedral of St. John Berchmans was overflowing on September 27 as students and alumni of St. John Berchmans Cathedral School joined with parishioners in celebrating the school’s 60-year anniversary.

Bishop Michael Duca and Father Peter Mangum celebrated Mass in honor of the event.

The parish’s fall festival followed the Mass, and everyone enjoyed good food, music and tours of the school. Money raised from

to ude n t r uns e t s s n h o J .

St t th ac t iv it ie s a jo in in t h e af te r M as s . t Fa ll Funfe s

the events and food at the festival benefitted the St. John Berchmans School scholarship fund.

The Diamond Jubilee was coupled with the celebration of Grandparents’ Day. Students performed songs from 1949–present and had special performances by cheerleaders and teachers. Following the program, everyone was invited to tour classrooms and eat lunch.

The school is excited about its anniversary, and looks forward to another 60 years!

Th e Cath edra l of St . John Be rchm ans was de corate d in ce le brat io n.