VOL. 34 NO. 2 |
For the Care of Creation
Bishop Francis I. Malone
EDITOR
Kirsten Shrewsberry
Reverend Kevin Mues
Mike Van Vranken
Tristan Frisk
Karl Yabut
Karen Dill
Delia Barr
Emily Castille
Lucy Medvec
Diane Libro
Stephanie Johnson
Sr. Carol Shively, OSU
Jill Wier
Cassandra Key
Amy Fakhre
Jordan Harris
Clayton Cobb
Volume 34, Number 1
LEARNING THE FAITH
We pray that political leaders be at the service of their own people, working for integral human development and for the common good, especially caring for the poor and those who have lost their jobs.
SUBSCRIPTIONS & ADDRESS CHANGES
Blanca Vice bvice@dioshpt.org 318-868-4441
SUBMISSIONS
Kirsten Shrewsberry doseditor@dioshpt.org
The Catholic Connection is a member of the Catholic Media Association.
The Diocese of Shreveport complies with Virtus’ Protecting God’s Children program (www.virtus.org). Online sessions are available. To report child sexual abuse by a cleric or church worker in the Diocese of Shreveport, call your local law enforcement agency and Mary Arcement Alexander, Diocesan Victim Assistance Minister at 318588-2120. Thank you for helping to keep our children and vulnerable adults safe.
The Catholic Connection is funded in part by a grant from Catholic Home Missions and donations to the Catholic Service Appeal.
The Catholic Connection is a monthly publication funded by your Catholic 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 faith community.
August 10/11 – Office of Diocesan Multicultural Ministry Funds from this Collection support our efforts to engage our growing and vibrant Hispanic community, incorporating the faith and traditions of our Spanish-speaking believers into the fabric of who we are as a diocese. 100% of this Collection remains in our diocese.
Fr. Gabriel Cisneros Campos
MONDAY
THURSDAY TUESDAY FRIDAY
WEDNESDAY SATURDAY
Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Bishop Francis I. Malone
Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop; Saint Peter Julian Eymard, Priest
Msgr. Matthew T. Long Catholic Charities of North Louisiana Bingo on the Bayou at 6:00 PM at East Ridge Country Club
The Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major Fr. Kelby Tingle
The Transfiguration of the Lord Fr. Nicholas Duncan
Saint Sixtus II, Pope, and Companions, Martyrs; Saint Cajetan, Priest Fr. Raney Johnson Teachers’ Convocation Mass at 9:00am, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans
Fr. Fidel Mongragón
Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Religious Fr. Jerry Daigle
Saints Pontian, Pope, and Hippolytus, Priest, Martyrs Fr. John Paul Crispin
Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr Fr. Keith Garvin Mass at 5:00pm, Our Lady of Sorrows Convent
Saint Dominic, Priest Fr. Kevin Mues Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Virgin and Martry Fr. Duane Trombetta
Rothell Price
Fr. Peter Romanus Mallya
Saint John Eudes, Priest Fr. Jean Bosco Uwamungu
Fr. Joseph Martina, Fr. James Moran
Feasts & Solemnities Priest(s) in the Diocese of Shreveport to pray for daily
Bishop Malone's Calendar Special Events in the Diocese of Shreveport
Fr. James Dominic Thekkemury, Fr. LaVerne “Pike” Thomas
Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church Fr. Charles Ssennyondo
Saint Pius X, Pope Fr. Mark Franklin, Fr. Joseph Maddala
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Fr. Do Minh Vu Mass at 9:30am for Loyola College Prep, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans
Saint Stephen of Hungary Fr. Tobias Omondi Obado
Saint Lawrence, Deaon and Martyr Fr. Calistus Barasa Makokha
Fr. Michael Thang’wa
The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary Fr. James McLelland, Fr. Karl Daigle
Saint Rose of Lima, Virgin Fr. Mark Watson, Fr. Charles Glorioso
Saint Bartholomew, Apostle Fr. Timothy Hurd, Fr. Peter Mangum
Saint Monica Fr. Richard Norsworthy, Fr. Rigoberto Betancurt Cortes
Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Fr. Philip Chacko Theempalangattu, Fr. Joseph Ampatt St. Francis Medical Center Board Meeting at 11:30am, Monroe
SUGGESTED PRAYER FOR OUR PRIESTS:
Gracious and loving God, we thank you for the gift of our priests. Especially ___________________________________ (insert name(s) here) Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments.
The Passion of Saint John the Baptist Fr. Adrian Fischer, Fr. Patrick Madden
Fr. Philip Michiels, Msgr. Earl Provenza
Help our priests to be strong in their vocation. Set their souls on fire with love for your people.
Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom.
Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel.
All deceased priests of the Diocese of Shreveport
Allow them to experience joy in their ministry.
Help them to become instruments of your divine grace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest. Amen.
Get to know the two newest seminarians in the Diocese of Shreveport.
We reflect on Msgr. Earl Provenza's incredible 60 year journey since his ordination.
When I was confirmed, I believed I was a legal adult. That’s what confirmation prep class leaders kept saying, that once we were confirmed, we would be “card-carrying Catholics,” and I couldn’t wait. To go out and pay my taxes, vote in elections, buy a lottery ticket, and do whatever adults did, I was ready to go!
I also thought that, as an “adult,” my requirement to spend my Sundays after Mass in CCD would end, and my religious education would finally conclude. For many years, that was the case. I was confirmed with my classmates in a beautiful celebration, and then my faith formation stopped for many years.
I recently attended the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, and learned in those five quick days more about the faith than I had in years. From infants to octogenarians, we were a unified people drawing nearer to our Eucharistic Lord, and the beauty broke open my soul. Praise God for opportunities like the National Eucharistic Congress to draw near Him and learn more about our beautiful Catholic Faith!
18
The Renewal of the World is Underway
Hear more about the National Eucharistic Congress and the impact it had on members of our diocese.
I hope you’ve realized, as I eventually did, that your Catholic education doesn’t end with confirmation. I hope you’re using this back-to-school season to recommit to our own faith education. Whether through a parish seminar, a conference, or a new class on Formed, remember that your faith journey is ongoing. It’s not a one-time event, but a lifelong commitment. I hope you’re as engaged and committed to this journey as I have become.
Peace and blessings, my friends.
PS - Please enjoy the picture of me taking pictures during a food bank event at the National Eucharistic Congress!
MOST SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN, I ALWAYS WELCOMED THE ONSET OF SUMMER. Even classmates who loved school were delighted when vacation came along in June. Never long enough, summertime always seemed to pass ever-so quickly. All of a sudden — it was August, with a new school year on the horizon. My mother evidenced the telltale signs by shopping for clothes, new shoes, book bags, copybooks and our own share of pencils. As if this was not foreboding enough, when August quickly gave way to Labor Day and the new academic year’s beginning, mother sent me around the corner to “Charlie’s barber shop” for the newly shorn head, a requirement even if we did not at all like it.
We anxiously waited to hear who our new teacher would be, and our nervousness grew until the first day of school arrived. And it did, and so it began, again. It was almost ritualistic how we prepared ourselves in the same way, every year; then it passed as quickly as it began. In retrospect, I think of those days as being quite special, especially the elementary school years: a new year, new friends, new subjects to learn and a sense of something new in our lives.
Those of us attending Catholic Schools advanced in our knowledge of the faith, complimented by faithful Mass attendance, seasonal confessions and the expectation to grow in our faith lives by the way we lived our daily lives. Some friends, and there were many, did not attend Catholic Schools but were still obligated to attend “Catechetical” instruction; yet, when the time came to receive the Sacraments of Penance, First Eucharist and Confirmation, we were all in the same boat together.
My clearest memories from those elementary years are of learning our Catholic faith. It helped define who we were as Catholics and gave us direction for growing into our future lives. I remember conversations we had
about “what do you want to be when you grow up?” We each had our dreams, of course, and although many peers occasionally talked about becoming a priest, only a few headed in that direction. Others envisioned when they would marry and have children, and the majority of my classmates followed their parents’ example.
The constant in those years of formation was faith’s important role in whatever direction we headed. Even though we all swayed back and forth in our degree of faithfulness, it is clear to me that life would have been impossible without faith. “Learning” the faith could be exercised by knowing it, so memorizing the tenets of the Faith seemed very important. As we journeyed through elementary school and beyond, reality taught us that knowledge wasn’t enough — more was needed. It was the experience of faith, the living of that faith, that gave our lives stability and pointed us in a direction that was far more clear than when we did not live it. Thus, we come to the theme of this edition, “Learning the Faith,” which by knowledge AND living is what made the challenges of later life more bearable and the really difficult events of growing up survivable.
Regardless of the vocation we each eventually assumed, I found that there was really no substitute for life beyond that “knowledge and living” of the faith that sustained me. Even well into my adulthood, with all the challenges that came my way, and still appear in daily living, the place of faith in my life never changes. Sometimes, I still need to be reminded that if I am going to learn life’s lessons as God wants me to, then growth in faith, through keeping my heart and soul solidly fixed on the place God has in my life, is the path from this life to the next that keeps me grounded. What about you?
COMO LA MAYORÍA DE LOS NIÑOS EN EDAD ESCOLAR, SIEMPRE RECIBÍA CON ENTUSIASMO LA LLEGADA DEL VERANO. Incluso aquellos compañeros que amaban la escuela se alegraban cuando llegaban las vacaciones en junio. Nunca eran lo suficientemente largas, el verano siempre parecía pasar volando. De repente, era agosto, con un nuevo año escolar a la vista. Mi madre mostraba claramente lo que se avecinaba cuando empezaba a comprar ropa, zapatos nuevos, mochilas, libros y nuestro propio juego de lápices. Y como si eso no fuera suficiente, tan pronto como agosto llegaba a su fin y se acercaba el "Día del Trabajo" junto con el inicio del nuevo año escolar, ella me enviaba a la barbería de la esquina para un nuevo corte de cabello, un requisito que, aunque no nos gustara, había que cumplir.
Esperábamos con ansiedad saber quién sería nuestro nuevo profesor, y la expectativa crecía a medida que pasaba el tiempo, hasta que llegaba el primer día de ese año escolar. Y así era, y comenzaba todo de nuevo. Era casi ritual la forma en que nos preparábamos cada año, y rápidamente el año se terminaba tan pronto como había llegado. En retrospectiva, considero esos días muy especiales, especialmente los años de la escuela primaria; cada nuevo año traía nuevas amistades, nuevas materias por aprender y una sensación de novedad en nuestras vidas.
Aquellos de nosotros que asistíamos a las Escuelas Católicas avanzábamos en nuestro conocimiento de la fe, complementado por la asistencia fiel a Misa, confesiones estacionales y la expectativa de crecer en nuestra vida de fe por la forma en que vivíamos nuestra vida diaria. Algunos amigos, y eran muchos, los que no asistían a escuelas católicas, pero aún así estaban obligados a asistir a la instrucción "catequética"; sin embargo, cuando llegó el momento de recibir los sacramentos de la Penitencia, la Primera Eucaristía y la Confirmación, todos estábamos juntos en el mismo barco.
Mis recuerdos más claros de aquellos años de primaria son los del aprendizaje de nuestra fe católica. Nos ayudó a definir quiénes éramos como católicos y nos orientó para crecer en nuestras vidas futuras. Recuerdo las conversaciones que teníamos sobre "¿qué quieres ser de mayor?". Cada uno tenía sus sueños, por supuesto, y aunque muchos compañeros hablaban ocasionalmente
de hacerse sacerdotes, sólo unos pocos iban en esa dirección. Otros imaginaban cuándo se casarían y tendrían hijos, y la mayoría de mis compañeros seguían el ejemplo de sus padres.
La constante en aquellos años de formación fue el importante papel de la fe en cualquier dirección que tomáramos. Aunque todos oscilábamos de un lado a otro en nuestro grado de fidelidad, tengo claro que la vida habría sido imposible sin la fe. "Aprender" la fe podía ejercitarse conociéndola, por lo que memorizar los principios de la Fe parecía muy importante. A medida que avanzábamos por la escuela primaria y más allá, la realidad nos enseñó que el conocimiento no era suficiente: se necesitaba más. Era la experiencia de la fe, la vivencia de esa fe, lo que daba estabilidad a nuestras vidas y nos señalaba una dirección mucho más clara que cuando no la teníamos. Así llegamos al tema de esta edición: "Aprender la fe", mediante el conocimiento y la vivencia, es lo que hizo más tolerables los retos de la vida posterior y a sobrellevar los acontecimientos realmente difíciles del crecimiento.
Independientemente de la vocación que cada uno acabara asumiendo, descubrí que, en realidad, no había sustituto para la vida más allá de ese "conocer y vivir" la fe que me sostenía. Incluso bien entrada en la edad adulta, con todos los retos que se me presentaron, y que siguen apareciendo en la vida diaria, el lugar de la fe en mi vida nunca cambia. A veces, todavía necesito que me recuerden que si voy a aprender las lecciones de la vida como Dios quiere que lo haga, entonces el crecimiento en la fe, a través de mantener mi corazón y mi alma sólidamente fijos en el lugar que Dios tiene en mi vida, es el camino de esta vida a la siguiente que me mantiene con los pies en la tierra. ¿Y tú?
Para obtener más información sobre las oportunidades del Ministerio Multicultural en la Diócesis de Shreveport y para encontrar nuestros horarios y lugares de misa en español, por favor escanee el código aquí.
IN A WORLD OFTEN MARRED BY STRIFE AND CHALLENGES, THE ARRIVAL OF YOUNG, PASSIONATE INDIVIDUALS TO THE PRIESTHOOD BRINGS HOPE AND RENEWAL. Among them is Alan Landeros, a recent high school graduate whose journey towards priesthood at St. Joseph Seminary in Covington promises to be transformative for the diocese, his family, and himself.
The middle child of parents Juan and Maria Land-
eros, Alan comes from a close-knit family with his older brother Ryan, at Louisiana Tech, and his younger sister Anna, entering Parkway High School this fall. His family, a pillar of support and love, played a significant role in his journey. As he reflects on his upcoming transition from the halls of high school to the sacred halls of St. Joseph Seminary, Alan says, "I'm mainly excited to make new friends from all around and to continue discerning my call to the priesthood."
His journey began at the young age of 11 when he heard Father Fidel Mondragón share his discernment story and felt something stir in his heart. That movement returned a few years later when he attended a retreat, stirring again, but this time it was more pronounced. Finally, two years ago as a high school junior, he attended a Come and See retreat at St. Joseph Seminary and felt that movement growing in his heart. Alan knew there was no denying that a what began as small as a mustard seed was, in fact, a calling from God. He mused, "I decided at the Come and See retreat that I wanted to be a priest, but I didn't act on it then, waiting to make sure it wasn't a passing excitement from the weekend. But the feeling has remained with me since then." Now, Alan can finally live out the calling he's felt all these years.
Alan will join Nathan Lirette at St. Joseph Seminary in Covington this month, beginning his journey from seminarian to priest, God willing. As he steps into this new chapter, he humbly asks the parishioners of the Diocese of Shreveport to keep him and his family in their prayers. Alan shares, "I know my family is very supportive, but it will be a challenge for them not having me at home as much. Please keep them in your prayers." Your support is not just important but deeply appreciated. The prayers and support of the entire diocese are crucial, so all diocesan parishioners are encouraged to pray for Alan as he embarks on this transformative journey toward priesthood.
BRETT REGGIO, A SHREVEPORT NATIVE WHO RECENTLY RETURNED HOME AFTER OVER A DECADE AWAY, IS THE NEWEST SEMINARIAN TO JOIN THE DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT. After pursuing a successful professional career, Brett is taking the bold leap of faith to pursue his vocation to the priesthood.
It’s been 17 years since Brett was confirmed in the Catholic faith at St. Pius X Church in Shreveport. Since then, he earned a degree in history from Louisiana Tech University, eventually joined the United States Air Force, then Shortly after his discharge from the Air Force, then began his professional career as a civilian at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi. After moving to San Antonio for work, a renewal of his Catholic faith forever altered his path.
Brett and his two younger siblings come from a loving and faithful family; his parents shared a loving marriage of 38 years before his mother passed suddenly in 2022. When thinking back on his mom’s passing, Brett says,
"Losing my mom was probably the hardest time of my life, but if I were not a Christian, I would be in despair." When he received the call from his dad, he immediately sat down and prayed the rosary, asking our Blessed Mother for her intercession and comfort.
His faith has always been present in his life. While in basic training in the Air Force, Brett wore his St. Michael the Archangel medal so much that he actually developed a rash from the metal and sweat on his neck, forcing him to transfer the medal to his pocket, but it was still near his heart. His transformation from a young professional to a future seminarian has been a long journey, but it has taken off in the last three years.
Now, looking forward to his time at seminary, Brett says, "I'm very excited. It's a big change, but I'm really looking forward to beginning this journey, learning more about the Lord, and growing in a deeper relationship with Him." Brett enters St. Meinrad Seminary to learn alongside Shreveport seminarians Austin Young and Tristan Frisk, and he asks all members of the Diocese of Shreveport to pray for him as he starts this exciting next step toward discerning his vocation to the priesthood.
WHEN I WAS A STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE OVER A DECADE AGO, THURSDAY WAS A FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK. Parishioners and community members gave their time and talent to provide a home cooked meal for us poor college students. Now, I get the pleasure of assisting our parish community in providing the same treat on Wednesdays at Louisiana Tech University.
One of the greatest gifts of being a priest at St. Thomas Aquinas is the parish’s connection to the college community of Louisiana Tech. At the Association of Catholic Tech Students (ACTS, but not to be confused with the other ACTS known in the diocese), our thriving community of Catholic college students enliven and strengthen our parish life. We offer numerous types of activities for the students, including Bible studies, faith formation, social events … and food. Food all the time. Food that never seems to end. Food, food, food, food, food.
Our Dollar Lunch is the most popular of all our foodbased events. Throughout Tech’s three-quarters school year, we serve around one hundred students every week. We’ve served through power outages, winter freezes and everything in between. The Dollar Lunch enables our Catholic and non-Catholic students on campus to experience a taste of home from parishioners who are happy to see them and, especially important for students away from home for the first time, offers a sense of security and care. And it's cheap. You can’t go anywhere else in town and get a meal, drink, and dessert for a dollar. This almost-free meal is also our way to invite in the rest of the Tech campus and show them hospitality and care. For some, the prayer before meals and announcement of weekly events become their first step into the life of the Church.
For me, the Dollar Lunch is a chance to serve our students — I found I’m happier cooking for a hundred than I am for one, regardless of the hurdles. After one severe rainstorm, the Lunch’s main volunteer coordinator, Christi Faulkner, and I were the only ones able to come in to cook. We managed to serve the crowd and keep the food coming, and it was a lot of stressfilled fun. Another time, we had served our last plate, but there were still seventeen students in line. Going back to the kitchen, I threw together
INGREDIENTS:
• Whatever you have on hand
• Noodles
DIRECTIONS:
1. Hurriedly place a pot of water on the stove, add salt and olive oil, then bring to a boil.
2. Look frantically through the freezer and cabinets for other ingredients.
3. In a large pan, add whatever protein you found, along with that jar of sauce you forgot you had and maybe that can of tomatoes or some of those bouillon cubes. Root around in those cabinets again if necessary.
4. When the water boils, add the spaghetti/rotini/ macaroni to the water and set a timer so you don’t over boil it.
5. Cook everything you threw in that sauce pan a little too quickly because those students are hungry and you’ve run out of food.
6. Realize that the sauce you made doesn’t taste like a sauce people would eat. Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, maybe ketchup. Taste and change it four more times until the words, “It’s good enough!” erupt unbidden from your mouth.
7. Remove pasta from the stove, slightly burning either a finger or your forearm.
8. Mix cooked pasta with sauce and noodles. Stir vigorously.
9. Serve with a confidence that is neither warranted nor deserved.
a batch of emergency spaghetti, prompting some of the kids to come back for seconds.
If you’d like to support to the campus ministry at Louisiana Tech with physical, financial or spiritual help, please do so!
If you have a desire to be formed in the ministry of spiritual direction, please join us on Zoom and learn the process, prerequisites, and structure of the two-year Internship offered by the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center.
Donate to Louisiana Tech Campus Ministry HERE!
THROUGH THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S GRACES, I WAS BLESSED TO ATTEND TWO CATHOLIC UNIVERSITIES OVER THE LAST TWENTY YEARS.
The experiences offered countless opportunities for my own faith formation and bestowed gifts that continue to fashion and deepen my relationship with God and others. Theological studies at the University of Dallas (UD) coupled with my spirituality curriculum at Creighton University brought new meaning to my Catholic faith formation. Both programs emphasized that “Learning the Faith” and “Living the Faith” are two sides of the same coin, like inhaling and exhaling. We cannot be who we say we are without doing both.
Both graduate programs also encouraged us to always consider: “What is this Asking of Me?” When studying the theological essence of our Sunday recitation of the Nicene Creed, the final question was, “What is this communal statement of faith asking of me today?” When we examined the spiritual life by using examples from the four Gospels, the question became “What is Jesus’ teaching asking of me right now?”
For example, Jesus said, “The meek shall inherit the earth.” This sounds pious and holy, and it has a theological meaning, but what is “the meek shall inherit the earth” asking of me today? I know it is asking us to live a meek rather than proud life, to never be aggressive or boastful. But, is it asking me to live more simply and not accumulate so much? Or to respond to wars and oppression with only a meek and gentle response? Or to live a life of service focused only on making sure that all people have the same opportunities and freedoms as the proud and aggressive? What is this teaching of Jesus asking of me today? Do I dare sift through all it could be calling me to … and talk to God about it? Or do I just memorize the verse and quote it on Facebook?
As my social theology teacher at UD led a discussion
on Matthew 7:1 and Luke 6:37, and interpreted Christ's statement as, “Stop judging,” she asked what this passage asked of us today. Some classmates were moved to stop judging their spouse and children and others to cease judging people who don’t look or think like they do. One student noted that our entire judicial system is based on judging and punishing, prompting the teacher to gently ask again what this was asking of the student. When he replied that, in this instance, it seems our society is not following Jesus’ teaching, she asked a third time what this was asking of him. Before the semester ended, he joined a prison ministry, which had never before been on his radar.
Notice that the student needed to know the teaching, which was to stop judging. The teaching, theology, and doctrine are very relevant in this case, but by themselves, they are not enough. Once equipped with knowledge, we have to then ask what this is asking of us; as St. James taught, faith is dead faith if we do not do something about it (James 2:17).
I cherish the time spent studying and learning at these two Catholic universities and am forever grateful for the opportunities they provided. Because of experiences there, my faith formation has developed to the point that, whatever I know about doctrine or theology, I still have to ask myself, “What is this asking me?” When I inhale our faith’s knowledge, I’m called to exhale it into the world by my actions — two sides of the same coin, working together for the good of the whole.
Mike Van Vranken is a spiritual director for the Diocese of Shreveport and a teacher of new spiritual directors for the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
FROM THE BENEDICTINE MONASTERY OF OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS IN CUERNAVACA, MEXICO, WHERE I HAVE BEEN LEARNING SPANISH. My time here has been a tremendous cultural shift, and I am learning a lot of Spanish in my everyday classes. Cuernavaca is a beautiful city surrounded by mountain trees. It is nicknamed "The City of Eternal Spring" because of its lavish and steady tropical savanna climate.
I live inside the monastery with the Benedictine monks. Every day, I wake up and attend Mass at 7 AM with the monks. Their liturgy is quite simple yet contains beautiful Spanish and Latin chants. Afterward, I get breakfast and head to my Spanish classes at 9 AM. The classes that I have are four hours long, with ten-minute breaks in between each class. The classes focus on the subject of Spanish in different ways. We spend the first two hours of class learning Spanish grammar, spelling, pronunciation, and articulation. We spend the second two hours of class learning Spanish through the context of Mexican history, vocabulary, liturgy, culture, and much more. I have one-onone teaching with my teacher(s) since I am the only person in the Spanish program this summer. I have three different teachers who teach one week and then trade off during this two-month program.
After classes end around 12:50 PM, I return to my room and do homework before lunch at 2 PM. After that, I have free time until dinner to work out, read, pray, make phone calls, rest, or (try) to talk to the monks in Spanish. Once dinner is over, I usually pray and watch a movie in Spanish but sometimes in English. The weekdays consist of this schedule and stay the same. Most weekends, I go on various excursions like exploring Cuernavaca, Mexico City, Teotihuacan, and many other places I have yet to go to that are being kept as surprises for me. I have also met with other seminarians from Saint Meinrad at another Spanish Immersion Program in Cuernavaca, laughing and conversing about our experiences.
This Immersion program has opened my eyes to a whole other world that sometimes resembles the United States but with a bit more spiciness. Thank you for all your prayers and support. I hope to finish strong with more Spanish under my belt than before I came. ¡Hasta Pronto!
HOLA DESDE EL MONASTERIO BENEDICTINO DE NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LOS ÁNGELES EN CUERNAVACA, MÉXICO, DONDE HE ESTADO APRENDIENDO ESPAÑOL Mi tiempo aquí ha sido un tremendo cambio cultural, y estoy aprendiendo mucho español en mis clases diarias. Cuernavaca es una ciudad preciosa rodeada de árboles de montaña. La apodan "La ciudad de la eterna primavera" por su clima tropical de sabana, pródigo y constante.
Vivo dentro del monasterio con los monjes benedictinos. Todos los días me levanto y voy a misa a las 7 de la mañana con los monjes. Su liturgia es bastante sencilla, pero contiene hermosos cantos en español y latín. Después desayuno y me dirijo a mis clases de español a las 9 de la mañana. Las clases duran cuatro horas, con descansos de diez minutos entre clase y clase. Las clases se centran en la asignatura de español de diferentes maneras. Las dos primeras horas las dedicamos a aprender gramática, ortografía, pronunciación y articulación. Las segundas dos horas las pasamos aprendiendo español en el contexto de la historia de México, vocabulario, liturgia, cultura y mucho más. Tengo clases individuales con mi(s) profesor(es) ya que soy la única persona en el programa de español este verano. Tengo tres profesores diferentes que enseñan una semana y luego se intercambian durante este programa de dos meses.
Cuando acaban las clases, sobre las 12:50 PM, vuelvo a mi habitación y hago los deberes antes de comer a las 2 PM. Después tengo tiempo libre hasta la cena para hacer ejercicio, leer, rezar, llamar por teléfono o (intentar) hablar con los monjes en español. Después, tengo tiempo libre hasta la cena para hacer ejercicio, leer, rezar, llamar por teléfono, descansar o (intentar) hablar con los monjes en español. Una vez terminada la cena, suelo rezar y ver una película en español, aunque a veces también en inglés. Los días entre semana consisten en este horario y siguen igual. La mayoría de los fines de semana hago varias excursiones, como explorar Cuernavaca, Ciudad de México, Teotihuacán y muchos otros lugares a los que aún no he ido y que se guardan como sorpresas para mí. También me he reunido con otros seminaristas de Saint Meinrad en otro Programa de Inmersión en español en Cuernavaca, riendo y conversando sobre nuestras experiencias.
Este programa de inmersión me ha abierto los ojos a otro mundo que a veces se parece a los Estados Unidos pero con un poco más de picante. Gracias por todas sus oraciones y apoyo. Espero terminar fuerte con más español que antes de venir. ¡Hasta pronto!
Tristan Frisk is a seminarian for the Diocese of Shreveport. He currently attends St. Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, Indiana.
Earl Vincent Provenza was born November 29, 1937, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Joseph and Rose Provenza. The 10th of 11 children, he moved to Pineville, LA, to attend Maryhill Seminary for 9th through 12th grades. Relocating again, Provenza attended St. Procopius Seminary in Lisle, Illinois,
and was ordained on May 30th, 1964, in Alexandria, Louisiana, by Bishop Charles P. Greco at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. As a young priest, during the summer months he was the camp director for the Knights of Columbus Camp Maryhill in Pineville, LA. In his time, 44,000 children attended the camp.
I have many fond memories of Msgr. “Great” Uncle Earl, as my children call him. I remember him taking me to Mary Hill Camp to be a camper in the summer, and later, in high school, I was a counselor for him. He said my parents’ funerals with reverence and love. Like many of us, Msgr. Earl married my husband, Carter, and I. He baptized our children and watched them grow to serve at the altar with him at Holy Trinity. We even visited him in Berkley during his studies. When the children were older, we did a road trip with Msgr. Earl in California. I could go on, and yet, one of the most memorable times was attending his subdiaconate ordination on April 25, 1963, at St. Procopius in Chicago with my mother, Lucille, Aunt Mary, and my sister, Rosie. We rode the train to go up there, and just the other day, I found a letter that Seminarian Earl sent us about the trip’s details - what a piece of history! His organizational skills were terrific, and he used just a typewriter. His attention to detail about our travel was remarkable. I remember attending church that day of his subdiaconate and seeing our seminarian Earl, but we called him Uncle Earl. My mom and aunt were so happy to be there. He took us on a tour of Chicago, and I remember it was chilly, and we were racing across a draw bridge one evening. I know he appreciated that we could go up to be with him during this memorable time in his vocation to the priesthood. Thank you, Msgr. “Great” Uncle Earl, for what you have done for our family and others.
Bernadette Boyd
Msgr. Provenza had personal audiences with Pope Paul VI, Pope John XXIII, and Pope St. John Paul II and has shaken hands with five Popes: Pius XII, John XXIII, Benedict XVI, Saint John Paul II, and Francis. A highlight of his life was when he offered a private Mass with Pope Saint John Paul II in the Pope’s private chapel.
We all have countless individual stories, but for brevity’s sake, I am simply in awe of his gift of making you feel exceptional in a personalized way. Like a doctor, he makes countless hospital rounds; unlike a doctor, he makes house calls. Despite his advancing age and retirement, he continues with (albeit a slower step now) the same hectic schedule and joyous enthusiasm he has had since his priestly ordination 60 years ago — always done for the love of all people. We have been truly blessed to have the good fortune of such a dedicated Christ-like man in our lives for these many decades. With God’s blessings, hopefully, we’ll have many more years to enjoy his ministry.
Mark & Rhonda Provenza
While assigned to Mary, Queen of Peace, in South Bossier, Msgr. Provenza oversaw construction of a new church. Under his leadership the parish grew from 143 families to approximately 343 families. In the 160 years of Holy Trinity Parish history, Msgr. Provenza is the first parishioner to become an ordained priest and then later serve as Pastor.
On May 26th, 2024, at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Msgr. Earl Provenza celebrated Mass for his 60th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, joined by Bishop Malone, many brother priests, and a cathedral full of friends, family, and loved ones.
Msgr. Earl V. Provenza is my uncle, but he is more like a brother to me. After his parents died, he stayed with us when he was on “holiday and summer breaks” from the seminary. He and my mother, Josephine Provenza DeFatta, were siblings, and they were always very close. My entire family has always loved Msgr. Earl, and he has been an essential part of our lives. He has celebrated all the holidays at my dining room table for about 50 years. He has been there for all the happy and sad occasions. He has supported and comforted us during the deaths of my parents, my infant son, my four brothers, and my husband. He has celebrated with us all the sacraments of Baptism, Penance, First Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, Matrimony, and the Last Rites for the 60 years he has been a priest. Not only has he always been there for my family, but he has also been there for anyone who has needed his assistance – no matter the time of day or night. He is truly “a priest for the people,” and he has been a most devout and faithful priest for sixty years.
Angelina DeFatta Rice
With thanksgiving to the Lord and joy for the future, Msgr. Provenza invites you to join him in 2034 for his 70th anniversary, God willing.
It is an honor and a privilege to have Msgr. Earl in the Provenza family. I’m always proud to call him my uncle when introducing him to friends. As a young teen, I was present when he was ordained and celebrated his first Mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in May 1964. Since then, he has been an integral part of my life, spiritually and physically: in marrying me, in baptizing my child and grandchildren, in visiting members of my family when they were sick in the hospital, in making house visits to my husband, Bob, to administer Holy Communion, with his frequent phone calls to see how I was doing and in giving me spiritual guidance all these years. Msgr. Earl has not only been there for me during the 60 years of his priesthood, he has been there for every person who calls on him. He never waits one second or one minute to stop and help others when in need. We refer to him as the “Energizer Battery” because he keeps going and going and going! God bless him, and may he continue to serve others for many more years.
Bernie Kalinsky
article by Kirsten Shrewsberry, Director of PR and Editor for the Diocese of Shreveport
AFTER UNLOADING MY BEAT-UP 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 IN THE FALL OF 2015, I RECEIVED THE KEYS TO MY FIRST DORM ROOM IN MADISON HALL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE (ULM). I remember both the excitement and nerves on my first move-in weekend and syllabus week. Even though I was only 30 minutes from my hometown of Bastrop, I was nervous. During summer orientation, I signed up for the Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM) group, but the Lord knows it was only because of the girl running the booth. She texted me on the first Monday of the semester about a board game night on Wednesday evening. Scared, I left the message unread until an hour before the actual event then dragged along my new friend Joseph, who I barely knew, and the rest is history.
After that evening, it wasn’t unusual to find me at our Catholic Student Center until closing time. There, I found people who happily dragged me out of bed for the 7 a.m. daily Mass at St. Matthew, helped me start a Bible study and brought me to Tuesday adoration at Jesus the Good Shepherd. I had campus ministers who poured their time into spiritual direction, led me to the sacraments, and allowed me to altar-serve at Christ the King Chapel on Sunday evenings. I was a dedicated ULM CCM member by the time I finished my master’s in 2021. But most importantly, I found a community of people who strove for sainthood that became family, and a building at 911 University Avenue had become a home away from home.
child or grandchild, my biggest advice to them is this: accept the invitation to be a part of Campus Ministry and go. “Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure” - St. John Paul II.
That Joseph guy I mentioned at the beginning of this article who I barely knew became my best friend, and I owe it to ULM CCM. This past January, I was the best man for Joseph's wedding. I have attended or been a groomsman, godfather, reader, altar server, or usher for many of my CCM friends’ weddings and celebrations. I mention all this to share that through Campus Ministry I found lifelong friendships.
Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure.
There are many exciting events in this upcoming year for undergraduate students here in Shreveport, like our second North Louisiana Awakening retreat, John15 Freshman Bible Study, men’s and women’s small groups, study nights, trip to Salt Lake City, Utah for SEEK25, and a 10 mile journey down the Buffalo River during our Frassati Hiking Trip.
Thank you for continuous support and prayers for campus ministry across the diocese!
Please pray for the campus ministers, student leaders, and FOCUS missionaries in our diocese to have a fruitful year.
Learning the faith in college, for me and many others, happened through the community who shared the Gospel and Church teachings in the way they lived and invited others to live with the Lord. You may know of someone headed to college locally or out of state; whether it’s you, a family member, friend, or your own
Karl Yabut is the Director of Campus Ministry for the Diocese of Shreveport.
I NOTICED A YOUNG COUPLE HEADED FOR THE OCIA (ORDER OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS) CLASSROOM AT ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON
ONE FEBRUARY SUNDAY. The pleasant-looking man pushed the diminutive woman in a wheelchair as we passed in the hallway, their beaming smiles greeting me.
“Hmmm…” I wondered, my natural curiosity kicking in. “I’ve never seen them here before.”
Fortunately, three days later, the same young man wheeled the same young woman into our ladies’ Bible study and introduced themselves as Blaine and Jennifer.
Instantly endearing herself with the group, Jennifer shared that she and Blaine were engaged and planned to marry once they became Catholic. She dove into our study each week, asking questions and offering thoughtful
observations. They both attended the St. Joseph Altar a few weeks later, he brought her to a Saturday Lenten retreat, and they attended the visitation for her sponsor’s mother. So often were they at church, it became hard for parishioners to remember when they weren’t part of our parish family.
On a Wednesday in May, Jennifer shared her personal testimony with a roomful of ladies who had grown to love her. She’d lived with serious health problems since birth, beginning with nutrition issues, then including a dislocated hip in childhood, broken femur in adolescence and bone cancer, then leg amputation as an adult. Amid these, she dealt with a broken marriage and the deaths of her mother and grandmother, and she turned her back on God.
Several years ago, however, she and Blaine met at a bookstore and instantly clicked. He also did not have a close relationship with Jesus or a church affiliation. Together, they began seeking answers to spiritual questions. And God met them in a powerful way!
When Jennifer lay comatose with a very poor prognosis, Blaine sat in her hospital room with his head in his hands, and he prayed to a God he didn’t know very
well. An older lady walked in, introduced herself as “Sunshine,” an employee, and asked to pray with him. They did, then she left — Jennifer woke the next morning, miraculously recovered! Blaine left the room to find Sunshine, but hospital staff said there was no employee named “Sunshine” nor fitting her description. Returning to Jennifer’s room, he announced, “I’m a Christian now!”
After some church shopping, they settled on St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Although neither had a prior connection to Catholicism, they were eager to learn more. New to the liturgy’s basic movements, they initially felt a bit awkward at Mass, but they finished their instruction by Pentecost Sunday and joined the Church, receiving three sacraments in one service! Many in the pews reached for tissues as the Holy Spirit descended upon them! And now that they are card-carrying Catholics, they are planning a summer wedding.
When I hear discouraging statistics about waning Mass attendance or the large percentage of Catholics who don’t fully believe in our Faith’s tenets, I recall this newlyconverted, enthusiastic couple, so on fire to live the Faith they studied in OCIA. For some of us, catechism began and ended in childhood. These two remind me that conversion is a life-long process.
Karen Dill is a spiritual director for the Diocese of Shreveport and a parishioner at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
THIS EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE. From being photobombed by our Eucharistic Lord while filming an interview (best interruption ever, by the way), to listening to the speakers, I have had so many impactful encounters here. When reflecting on returning home to the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Catholic School, I know that we need more adoration time for our students. Through time with the Blessed Sacrament, our students will have more opportunities to get to know our Lord and discern His call for them, including callings to vocations.
-TC Veit
EL SEÑOR TENÍA TANTAS COSAS PREPARADAS PARA MÍ EN ESTE CONGRESO, PERO UNA DE LAS COSAS QUE QUIERE QUE RECUERDE ES QUE ÉL ESTÁ EN LA EUCARISTÍA. Cuerpo, sangre, alma y divinidad. Quiere que lo busque con frecuencia en la Eucaristía. De la forma más sencilla y en silencio. Me invita a buscarlo aunque esté alegre, triste, enfadada, dudosa, llena de ansiedad o cansada. Nada en nosotros le abruma. Él quiere amarme y quiere amarte estés donde estés. Te invito a que lo visites y dejes que Él te ame tal como eres, sin nada que perder y todo por ganar.
-Karla Alvarez
-Archbishop
OVER 60,000 CATHOLICS, One Eucharistic
-Archbishop Timothy Broglio
ADORATION AT THE CONGRESS HAS BEEN AMAZING. Adoration is always a great opportunity to spend time with our Lord, but being here in a stadium with almost 60,000 fellow Catholics has just been another level. I’ve also really enjoyed the session track I’ve been on; I feel like it’s helping me in my ministry at my parish, and I can’t wait to bring all of the things I’ve learned here back to my parish.
-Cassie Key
MY REVIVAL WITH THE NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS BEGAN BEFORE I EVEN ARRIVED IN INDIANAPOLIS!
My flight was filled with so many brother priests, religious sisters, and lay faithful that the revival experience began on the plane.
As a natural extrovert, I’m so happy to be surrounded by such huge crowds of faithful, and I’m so happy to see how many young Catholics are here. Celebrating the Mass with my brother priests, many of whom were my classmates from seminary, for over 60,000 people has been so impactful for me.
-Fr. Kelby Tingle
article by Kirsten Shrewsberry, Director of PR and Editor for the Diocese of Shreveport
THIS SUMMER, I HAD A FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE WHEN I WAS INVITED TO ATTEND THE INSTITUTE ON THE CATECHISM CONVOCATION 2024, PRESENTED BY THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS AT MUNDELEIN SEMINARY. Fifty dioceses were represented, and 12 bishops and another dozen priests attended it. I kept thinking of Mary visiting Elizabeth, and I felt I was not worthy to be there. First, it was a beautiful setting, a sacred place. It was a time of prayer and liturgy, with daily prayer at 7:30 am, noon Mass, and Vespers each evening at 7:30 pm. Working together and sharing ideas was effortless because we first prayed together. Casually walking to prayer or Mass with different bishops was a daily occurrence. One day I was a little late for morning prayer, and I was hurrying as fast as my little legs could get me there when I came upon one of the bishops who called out, "No need to rush. I'm leading prayer this morning; they can't start without me!" What a relief!
The meeting centered on Evangelizing Catechesis and a new document, Handbook on the Catechetical Accompaniment Process, which inspired conversations about how accompaniment is critical to sharing the Gospel's Good News with others. Bishop Caggiano emphasized that teaching the faith requires witnessing our encounters with Christ, and that it is not solely an academic exercise. He shared that we no longer live in a Christian culture and faith has become private, causing a crisis in the community, which is essential; it is an incubator of faith.
Most significantly, the understanding that the Directory of Catechesis and the Catechism indicates that the primary teaching of faith should be directed to adults. The discussion revealed that many parishes focus more on the formation of children in our Catholic Schools and Parish Faith Formation programs than adults. Over and over again, in large and small group formats, we returned to when, how, and where we, in an evangelizing way, catechize adults.
At the heart of the church’s mission to all people, an evangelizing catechesis seeks to deepen a personal encounter with Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit: It proclaims the core message of the Gospel, the kerygma; it accompanies people to a response of faith and conversion to Christ; it provides a systematic exposition of God’s revelation within the communion of the Catholic Church; and it sends out missionary disciples as witnesses to the good news of salvation who promote a new vision of life, of humanity, of justice, and of human fraternity.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee of Evangelization and Catechesis April 27, 2021
In the final analysis, catechesis with adults reaches its goal when it makes the adults themselves capable of taking their own experience of faith in hand and desirous of continuing to journey onward and to grow.
Directory of Catechesis 260
Our diocese has many parish communities with vibrant Adult Faith Formation programs. Even here at the Catholic Center, we have a Women's Bible Study and have used the "Walking with Purpose" series. As staff, we participated in The Rescue Project's nine-part series from the Acts XXIX Apostolate with Fr. John Riccardo. Provoking fruitful discussions, the comment most shared was, "I need my adult children to watch this!"
Our diocesan website has a page for Adult Faith Formation with links to Bible studies and formation programs for adults. There are also specific programs for men and women.
At the conference, one breakout session that spoke to me discussed the Family Formation model for catechizing adults and children. The speaker shared how we welcome young couples to prepare them for the Sacrament of Marriage, and the next time we see them is for their infant's baptism; our subsequent encounter is when they bring that young child to kindergarten in our Catholic School or Parish Faith Formation program. From the Sacrament of Marriage to Baptism to school age, that young family made many relationships outside their parish community - work friends, dinner and social connections, playdates, soccer, T-ball, dance, gymnastics, and neighborhood connections. All these are beautiful and fruitful relationships, but what if we could offer those relationships within our parish family? How can we accompany each other in our journey of faith? This discussion always leads me to a new model of catechesis that would bring our families together, adults and children sharing the faith journey in an inter-generational catechesis, leaning in on our "grandparents" to guide and accompany our families to a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.
Delia Barr is the Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Shreveport.
WHEN I STARTED COLLEGE, I KNEW ABOUT THE CCM BUT WAS TOO SHY TO GO BY MYSELF TO MASS. Instead, I went to a church off campus with one of my friends. In my sophomore year, one of my roommates wanted to attend Palm Sunday Mass at Christ the King Chapel. That was the day I found my home, where I was welcomed with open arms. After about a year, I was nominated to be an officer. I was sacristan for the college ministry for my junior year and was involved with the ULM CCM band. I did not know anything about being sacristan, but with the help of Father John Paul Crispin, our campus minister, I learned everything I needed to know to set up for Mass. Being involved brought me closer to God and friends. Fast forward to now: I am the ULM CCM president, and I get to call this organization my home away from home.
I did not expect anything like what I have experienced. I was nervous that I wouldn't fit in. Instead of making me more fearful, this organization has brought me peace, friendship, and love for the Catholic faith. I recently got to experience SEEK24 with the CCM. Seeing that so many people wanted to grow in their faith was incredible. I also think this has had an unforgettable impact on my life.
For the upcoming year, I am excited to announce that we are having our 3rd annual CCM Golf Tournament on August 31 at the Chennault Park Golf Course. Fellow officers plan this tournament to help raise money for more outreach opportunities and to potentially give funding to people who also want to experience the love of God shown at SEEK25. We also plan to have Bible study groups for men and women that will meet weekly. As a campus ministry, we aim to reach out to all the students who need to feel like they have a home. We want to be that home for them. We want to show them that they are not alone in this journey. The saying goes, "Walk by faith and not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). I want everyone who walks through the CCM doors to know that all they need is faith. They might not see where they are heading, but they have us to help guide them every step of the way.
Emily Castille is a nursing student at University of Louisiana Monroe and the president of ULM Catholic Campus Ministry.
SUMMER HAS FLOWN BY, AND OUR SEMINARIANS ARE HEADING BACK TO SCHOOL. Our diocese welcomed two new seminarians in May, and we now have five (!) young men studying to be future priests in the Diocese of Shreveport.
With this wonderful news comes great responsibility from all of us. We must pray daily for each of these young men (Alan, Austin, Brett, Nathan, and Tristan), but most importantly, we need to give them our support through donations to the Catholic Service Appeal.
Funds from the Catholic Service Appeal are the primary source of tuition, room and board, and other expenses of our seminarians. Estimated costs per year for each seminarian are $50,000. That’s for each seminarian, every year of their formation (usually seven or eight years), until they are ordained a priest. Your donation to the Appeal gives immediate support to our seminarians throughout the year.
This year, we will have three seminarians attending St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana, and two seminarians attending St. Joseph Seminary College in south Louisiana. They will attend class every day like any other college student, but their education is important to all of us. They are learning the faith as they work to become priests - our future priests. That is why it is important that we pray and support these young men along their journey.
People often ask me, “Why should I give to the Appeal? What are my dollars doing for the Appeal?” In addition
to the many ministries supported by the Catholic Service Appeal (Retired and Infirmed Priests, Catholic Education, Campus Ministry, Multicultural Ministry, Youth Ministry, etc.), the most visible and important ministry funded by the Appeal is our Vocations Ministry. Every week at Mass, we all see a living, breathing example of our gift when we witness a priest consecrating the Eucharist. The priest in your parish is a former seminarian who was formed, educated, and ordained through the support of your Appeal donation.
Please pray for our seminarians. Write them letters throughout the year. Please support our seminarians. They have a long road ahead to the day of their ordination – and what a wonderful day that will be! Your gift to the Catholic Service Appeal benefits not only our seminarians, but every one of us who will benefit for many years to come from their sacrifice and commitment to a holy life.
Give today to the Catholic Service Appeal. You can send your gift to Catholic Service Appeal, Diocese of Shreveport, 3500 Fairfield Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71104, or give online at www.dioshpt.org/stewardship
Your donation will greatly benefit our young men who have answered the call.
Lucy Medvec is the Director of Development for the Diocese of Shreveport.
ARRIVING TO WORK AT 7:45 A.M. ONE STEAMY JUNE TUESDAY, I SAW THE PEOPLE LINED UP OUTSIDE CATHOLIC CHARITIES. They’ve arrived at least 45 minutes before our posted hours, counting on our promise to help with an electric bill or the rent due next week.
Some had true emergencies, an unexpected medical expense or two-week gap between jobs, and some face this same challenge every month.
While happy to assist everyone we can, Catholic Charities knows that just writing a check will only get people through this month's emergency. Getting through next month requires education and honesty. Therefore, nearly all who receive our tangible assistance are expected to participate in an education class.
On Tuesday mornings, Carl Piehl teaches “Money $chool,” part sermon, part finance, and part things your grandmother told you that you ignored. He begins by reminding everyone that they are a child of God, and God wants good things for them. It is, however, up to them to take advantage of the opportunities presented.
In this case, the opportunity is a basic class on budgeting. They’re asked to consider their monthly expenses, from the needs (e.g., rent, utilities, and groceries) to the important (e.g., car payment and Internet) to the nice to have (e.g., new school shoes, birthday gifts and entertainment). Piehl even addresses vices like alcohol and cigarettes — not to condemn but to help them realize the expense.
Students then compare expenses with their income to see the difference. As heads nodded around the room, one gentleman once summed it up perfectly: “When your wants supersede your needs, you’re in trouble.” Amen.
Attendees initially see Money $chool as a means to an end but, by its completion, almost all realize they learned from it. A woman who took the class in Monroe returned the
next day to share that she really enjoyed it and decided to pick up hamburger meat from the store that could become several meals instead of picking up burgers at McDonalds.
A little education goes a long way.
Further financial education is available on credit counseling, to help put people in a position to acquire a good loan, and in First-Time Homebuyers classes, to walk clients through the process of qualifying for special homebuying programs through the government. Both are offered by HUD Certified Housing counselors, which speaks to our staff’s need for education as well.
A recent graduate just bought a brand-new starter home in North Bossier with a well below average interest rate. She and her husband were thrilled to walk us through their home, which still smelled of fresh paint, and to show off the backyard.
Beyond finances, Gabriel’s Closet has everything needed for children ages 0-4, and parents receiving its aid are to attend Parenting Education classes. Thanks to amazing volunteer pediatricians, new parents receive valuable insights on raising happy, healthy kids.
The education requirements are not meant to be onerous but to support those in our community who only learned about money and parenting through their own experience. We know that paying a water bill and providing diapers probably won’t change someone’s life.
But, education delivered with a spirit of dignity and charity will.
Diane Libro is the Executive Director of Catholic Charities of North Louisiana.
LEARNED A LOT — AND THIS ONE LESSON IS ALWAYS TRUE: TEACHERS LOVE TRAVELING TO A CONFERENCE! Our jobs don’t often allow us to travel during the school year — after all, who will teach the students? But when there’s a conference, it’s a win/win! Teachers get away for a few days to a big city, learn from their peers, then bring new tools back to their school.
Thus, I jumped at the opportunity when Sr. Carol invited me to attend the largest gathering of Catholic educators in the world! The National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) hosts their annual convention the week after Easter. This year it was in Pittsburgh, but it’s been held in New Orleans, St. Louis, and Dallas; next year it’s in Orlando.
Unlike other educational conferences, it centers around our Catholic identity. Sessions opened each day with Mass, we could attend adoration or pray the Rosary with a group between breakout sessions, and the lobby area promoted an ongoing service project to pack a “Box of Joy” for Cross Catholic Outreach. Our opening keynote session, “Keeping the Faith while Teaching the Faith,” gave an effective motivational reminder that what we do truly makes a difference in our students and families’ faith and lives.
Our team from the Diocese of Shreveport included three faculty from Loyola — Andy Cline (Director of Admissions), Kimberly Woods-Hopwood (Religion teacher and Department Chair) and me — TC Veit (Principal of St. John Berchmans), and Sister Carol Shively (Diocesan Superintendent) and Sister Ann Middlebrooks (Assistant Superintendent). We divided and conquered the daily Professional Development sessions, which centered on five pillars: Connecting
Characterized by Excellence, Serving All Students, and Committing to a Successful Tomorrow. These sessions, led by Catholic educators and administrators just like us, were especially energizing and refreshing because they gave us practical ideas that we could take back to our school. Over dinner each night, we were so excited to share what we learned… Practical things like a digital service hour tracker and a high school that uses its junior/ senior Religion classes for organized service work in the community, along with how to streamline the enrollment process and how to involve parents in the spiritual life of the school. There was also an administrator who focuses on instructional coaching and biweekly check-ins with faculty to mentor teachers and focus on instructional strategies.
Our four days in Pittsburgh passed so quickly! Along with what we learned, we bonded as a work team. Experiencing side excursions together, we found the famous Primanti Brothers sandwiches, drove up Canton Avenue (the steepest public road in the United States) and ate great pizza at a dive. It was so nice to escape the daily grind for a few days and spend some social time with colleagues. I know we returned to Shreveport refreshed and full of ideas — ready to conquer the world’s problems.
Next year’s NCEA is in Orlando, and I can’t wait to be inspired, rejuvenated, and encouraged again to better serve our families!
Stephanie Johnson is the Assistant Principal of Academics at Loyola College Prep.
25 YEARS
Aimee Anthony – JGS
20 YEARS
Julie Goodman – LCP
15 YEARS
Mary Allmon – SFHS
Jane Gunter – JGS
Stephanie Hay – SFHS
Amy Knight – SJB
10 YEARS
Mary Holcombe – LCP
Thomas Riggs – SFHS
Katherine Walker – SJS
Mary Woods – JGS
5 YEARS
Amy Basinger – LCP
Carol Busby – JGS
Clayton Cobb – SJS
Mary Dade – JGS
Jacquetta Edwards – JGS
Ronda Herlevic – JGS
Timothy Judd – OLF
Julie Kaiser – SJS
Melissa Marshall – JGS
Jennifer Roberts – LCP
Carrie Rocconi – JGS
James Rushworth – SFHS
Lana Russell – JGS
Andrew Scurria – OLF
Anthony Turner – OLF
Jessica Weiss – LCP
DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT NON-DISCRIMINATORY SCHOOL POLICY
July 2024
Shreveport, Louisiana
The Diocese of Shreveport School system re-affirms its nondiscriminatory policy on the basis of race, sex, color, national, and ethnic origin in its educational programs, activities, and employment policies in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, and Sections 4.03 (a) and 4.03 (c) Revenue Procedure 75-50.
All students, faculty members and staff, without exception, are admitted to all rights, privileges, and activities generally accorded or made available at the schools which do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national, and ethnic origin in the administration of its employment policies, admission policies, scholarship, and loan programs, and athletic and other schooladministrated programs.
St. John Berchmans, Shreveport
St. Joseph School, Shreveport
Loyola College Preparatory, Shreveport
Jesus the Good Shepherd, Monroe
Our Lady of Fatima, Monroe
St. Frederick High, Monroe
Sr. Carol Shively, OSU, Superintendent
This chart illustrates the demographic of learners attending a Catholic school in our diocese in correlation with their registered parishes. The parishes highlighted showcase an unbroken increase in enrollment throughout the previous three sequential academic years. The data presented functions as a prompt for parishes to persist in the diligent execution of their mission — the incorporation of families into our Catholic schools. A prevalent misconception is the assumption that, due to financial constraints, the average family is incapable of affording a Catholic school education. However, several financial aid options exist. For example, there are two separate Tuition Donation Credit (TDC) programs, ACE & ARETE, which are allocated based on the income threshold met by the household. Moreover, the diocese provides financial support to families that meet the eligibility criteria.
Very Rev. Peter Mangum, Pastor
Tommy Hayes, President
Albert Paxton, Vice President
Michael Inzina, Treasurer
Stuart Scalia, Secretary
Eddie Clark, Member
Susan Hopper, Member
Dino Taylor, Member
Darryl Gregory, Member
Lisa Patrick, Principal, Ex-Officio Member
Haley Pulliam, Church Business Manager, Ex-Officio Member
Susie Lefebvre, Parents’ Club CoPresident, Ex-Officio Member
Ashton Mintz, Parents’ Club CoPresident, Ex-Officio Member
Gary Harrison, Dads’ Club CoPresident, Ex-Officio Member
John Pruitt, Dads’ Club CoPresident, Ex-Officio Member
Bishop Francis Malone
Leland Horton, President
Troy Raburn, Past President
Arthur Carmody IV, Vice President
John LeBlanc, Principal, Secretary, Ex-Officio Member
Tom Simms, Treasurer
Mary Susan Britt, Member
Rev. Raney Johnson, Chaplain
Kristin Bernard, Member
Dr. Angela Cush-John, Member
Graham Walker, Member
Jennifer Walls, Member
Dr. John Carmody, Member
Concetta King Chevallier, Member
LeAnn Waldroup, Member
Greg Doyal, Member
Spencer Lamb, Member
Ken Ward, Member
Dr. Cooper Heard, Member
Sr. Carol Shively, OSU, Superintendent, Ex-Officio Member
Jolene Heard, Ex-Officio Member
Clarissa Manno, Ex-Officio Member
Stephanie Johnson, Assistant Principal, Recording Secretary
Rev. John Paul Crispin, FMH, Pastor
Donna Eichhorn, President
Donna Glaze, Vice President
Andrew Scurria, Secretary
Kayla Heckard, Member
Stephanie Haney, Principal, ExOfficio Member
Bishop Francis Malone
Amy Price, President
Marty Herlevic, Vice President
Violet Houser, Treasurer
Amy Taylor, Secretary
Michael Creighton, Member
Brad Bourgeois, Member
Scott Ashbrook, Member
James Francois, Member
Eddie Neitz, Member
Josh Hays, Member
Rebecca Leaumont, Member
Michelle Moore, Member
Chad Beasinger, Member
Rhonda Neal, Member
Dr. Lane Eddleman, Member
Judge Tammy Sheridan, Member
Dr. Carynn Wiggins, Principal, ExOfficio Member
Sr. Carol Shively, OSU, Superintendent, Ex-Officio Member
Deacon Scott Brandle, Chaplain, Ex-Officio Member
Lisa Ware, Finance Officer, ExOfficio Member
Rev. Raney Johnson, President, Pastor
Carol Gates, Secretary
Paul Malloy, Member
Mary Beth Fox, Member
JoEllen Holbron, Member
Jason Feldt, Member
Deacon John Basco, Member
Lisa Marcalus, Member
Leigh Lewis, Member
John Lowery, Member
T.C. Veit, Principal, Ex-Officio Member
Missy Carroll, Ex-Officio Member
Rev. Jerry Daigle, Pastor
Rev. Gabriel Cisneros Campos, Associate Pastor
Luisa Lemoine, Business Manager
Ted Daigle, President
Courtney Marston, Vice President
Becky Lawson, Property/Grounds Chair
Derrie Lindley, Alumni Chair
Andrew Pringle, Finance Committee Chair
Daniel Flowers, Catholic Identity Chair
Clayton Cobb, Principal, Ex-Officio Member
Katherine Suckle, Assistant Principal, Ex-Officio Member
Thank you for your service to our schools!
WHILE I’VE WRITTEN MANY ARTICLES ABOUT HOW A CATHOLIC EDUCATION CAN CHANGE GENERATIONS OF LIVES IN FAMILIES, I’VE BEEN MUM ON HOW IT CHANGED LIVES IN MY FAMILY. My parents divorced when I was seven years old, in second grade. Although I attended public schools with Catholic names, I was taught and formed by the Mount St. Joseph Ursuline Sisters in Marion County’s Lebanon, Kentucky. This is the center of the region known as the “Holy Land of Kentucky” for its rich Catholic heritage and numerous religious communities. While the Motherhouse of the Ursuline Sisters was located at Maple Mount, three hours west of Lebanon, the surrounding religious communities were the Motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters, Motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Loretto Sisters and the Gethsemane home of the Trappist Monks. Ursulines taught at my elementary, junior high and senior high schools, creating a unique and deeply religious environment for my education.
My father cared for my sister and I after the divorce. Because he had a full-time job, the sisters allowed me to assist them after school with tasks like putting up bulletin boards, organizing the classroom and cleaning. We conversed a lot about various aspects of life, and a favorite activity of mine was listening to the sisters
narrate their religious experiences. It particularly thrilled me to assist with arranging flowers in the church and replacing the missalettes. At the time, I didn't realize these experiences were giving me a peek into a different life than what I had at home. The sisters became my role models, guiding me not only academically but also spiritually.
When I was the tender age of nine, my father remarried. Our stepmother tried in her own way to fill the maternal void, but the sisters were already my guiding lights. Inspired by their unwavering dedication to their faith, I yearned to emulate them. Amid the whirlwind of changes in my personal life, the school and sisters remained a constant, a beacon of stability and continuity that I held dear.
All sisters that were teachers impacted our educational institutions. Even though they're no longer present, they've left a mark and a rich legacy for the “new religious” generation in our schools. This term, “new religious,” refers to the students and teachers who continue to uphold the sisters’ values and teachings and who are expected to follow in their footsteps by living the mission of Jesus Christ.
The mission of Catholic schools, which resides deeply in my heart, is to provide a holistic education that nurtures each student’s mind, body, and spirit. Every time I visit a school, I recall the depths of love and discipline intertwined in the fabric of our schools. I recall the shoulders our schools rest upon, the teachings of Jesus Christ and the sisters’ dedication. And it is now our mission to instill in the next generation of followers those same values of faith, service, and love we learned.
Sr. Carol Shively, OSU is the Superintendent of Catholic Schools
WE ARE THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THAT ON AUGUST 8, ST. FREDERICK WILL WELCOME ONE OF THE LARGEST INCOMING 7TH-GRADE CLASSES IN THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR. We are deeply grateful to the many families who have chosen St. Frederick for their children's junior high and high school education. Your trust in us is a testament to our commitment to providing a nurturing and enriching environment. We look forward to watching these students grow in their faith and academics over the next six years.
To kick off the new school year, St. Frederick has organized several events for future Warriors, current Warriors, and the community:
Open House - Tuesday, August 13
Current families are invited to our Open House to meet the new faculty and staff and review their students' schedules. Discover all the exciting developments happening at St. Frederick. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Marsh Gymnasium.
Principal Reception - Wednesday, August 21
Join us for the Principal Reception at Bayou Desiard Country Club. Enjoy great food and fellowship as Principal Dr. Carynn Wiggins discusses the new school
year and Head Football Coach Chip Bilderback shares the football forecast. President of the Board of Directors, Josh Hays, and Brad Smith will provide the latest update on the Capital Campaign, and Steven Ingram, Lauren Davis, and Emily Nunnelee will share updates on supporting organizations.
Fall Open House - October 28 - November 1
Prospective students and their parents are invited for private tours of the St. Frederick campus with Dr. Carynn Wiggins during our Fall Open House from October 28 to November 1. We are excited to welcome all future Warriors and their parents, guiding them through a typical school day at St. Frederick High School. This is a great opportunity for guests to interact with current students and teachers, fostering a sense of community and belonging at St. Frederick High School.
Jill Wier is the Director of Development for St. Frederick High School.
AT THE HEART OF OUR CATHOLIC FAITH IS THE LIVING PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST, WHO DESIRES TO ENCOUNTER EVERY HUMAN BEING PERSONALLY TO TRANSFER HIS LIFE AND BRING US HIS ETERNAL HAPPINESS IN HEAVEN. At St. John Berchmans Catholic School, we strive to be an image of Jesus Christ by learning, practicing, and witnessing our Catholic faith. It is not something we do; it is who we are. It is an integral part of the daily life and rhythm of every student, teacher, staff, and school member. It is not separated or differentiated. It is simply part of our school's day. Our devotion to our patron saint, St. John Berchmans, exemplifies how ordinary deeds done extraordinarily well lead to great holiness.
St. John Berchmans teaches us that living and imitating Christ leads to love of God, neighbor, and holiness. That carries over each day in our morning assembly, where our principal, T. C. Veit, talks about the saint of the day, the virtue of the week, or how we live our faith through Jesus Christ. Before the assembly ends, the students, teachers, and all who attend pray as one. At 10:00 each morning, we devote ourselves to praying the Angelus in devotion to Jesus' mother and our mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mass is celebrated weekly on Wednesday at 8:15 am, and all are welcome to attend. We have many youth choirs where our students learn that to sing is to pray twice. We also live out our mission statement of nurturing children according to Catholic values and promoting excellence in education and in a life of service to Jesus Christ through our service opportunities and engagement with the community and friends in need.
Another meaningful way we learn and witness our Catholic faith is by having Father Raney Johnson, our parochial administrator, available to our students, teachers, and staff through regularly scheduled confession times, visiting classrooms, eating lunch with students, and playing during recess.
Father Raney's presence on the campus and involvement in the day-to-day activities of the school promotes religious vocations. His servant's heart shows our students, teachers, and staff how to witness and practice our Catholic faith through the image of Jesus Christ. The Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows also help us to live and witness our faith. Sister Pori, a religion teacher, was an inspiration in living her faith, imitating Jesus Christ and through her vocation. She is dearly missed on campus. Sister Lisa was assigned to SJBCS and has also proven to be an outstanding witness to her Catholic faith and the image of Jesus Christ.
Our school demonstrates that the graces received are bountiful by living our Catholic faith and imitating Jesus Christ.
Cassandra Key is the Director of Communications and Development for the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Parish and School.
JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD SCHOOL IS LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL
OPEN HOUSE! The Open House will be held on Thursday, August 8, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the JGS gymnasium and an exciting start to school begins on Monday, August 12, at 8:00 a.m. Students will begin a full-day schedule on the first day of school. We are thrilled to report a steady, strong enrollment for the 2024-25 school year, a continued commitment from teachers and staff to provide the best education possible for our students, and the addition of two new teachers, Mrs. Janie Smith, and Mrs. Ainsley Wiggins. Mrs. Smith will take over the JGS music department from long-time music teacher Mrs. Lori DiGiulian, who retired at the end of the 23-24 school year. Mrs. Wiggins will teach 3rd grade this year alongside tenured teacher Mrs. Sara Jones. Mrs. Wiggins has been a substitute teacher at JGS for several years, and we are excited to welcome her and Mrs. Smith to our JGS faculty.
JGS Summer Camp was bursting at the seams with over 90 campers of all ages and a full Daycare Program. Campers enjoyed many activities over the summer, such as painting, camps, loads of outside play time, cake decorating, field trips, and more popsicles and snow cones than we can count! We are thankful to every parent who entrusts their child's summertime safety and entertainment to our care, and we are blessed to provide a safe and secure camp environ -
ment for our students.
Thanks to the generous support of our Annual Fund and Cash Raffle fundraisers during the 2023-24 school year, we can add several beautiful upgrades to our campus. These funds help support our operating budget and maintain a manageable tuition gap, and they also fund much-needed campus improvements.
Campus upgrades include:
• Replacement of the school cafeteria handwashing station
• New stage curtain in our school gymnasium Both upgrades replace items initially installed in our school in 1968 and have served our students and families well for many years!
We are thankful for the loyal support from our JGS School family and community. We will continue our efforts to ensure that their generous support is used prudently to ensure the longevity of our school and students.
Amy Fakhre is the Director of Development for Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic School
AS SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER'S ONLY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, LOYOLA COLLEGE PREP INTEGRATES ITS CATHOLIC IDENTITY INTO EVERYTHING THEY DO. With weekly Mass, religion courses for each grade, and opportunities to give back to the community through service hours, Loyola is committed to the mission "To create men and women of conscience, character, and compassion, continuing the Jesuit Catholic tradition of discipline, academic excellence, student involvement and faith in action for 'The Greater Glory of God.'"
Not only does Loyola prepare students to be men and women for others, but the theology department's primary focus is helping students better understand the Catholic faith.
Each week, our students come together as a united body to attend Mass. This practice is not only vital to our school's identity but also a powerful opportunity for every Loyola student to actively participate in Mass through serving in different roles, which fosters a strong sense of community.
Going to Mass and having almost everything at Loyola be based on faith truly helped me grow in my faith, and I grew up ready to go into the real world. I would say I have become a much stronger Catholic through Loyola's faith-based activities at its core.
Students take a religion class each year that helps develop and build their faith. The class focuses on a specific topic, theme, or objective each year. Students learn more about the history of the Catholic Church and the Bible and how to put their faith into practice.
-Millicent Mascagni, Class of 2024
Other opportunities for Flyers to show their faith in action include rosary groups on campus, regular confession, and Mass on Holy Days of Obligation. It is vital that our students live the faith and not just learn about it in the classroom.
Students can participate in faithbased organizations such as Faith on Fire, Flyers for Life, and F.Ai.T.H.
For more information on Loyola, visit www.loyolaprep.org
Jordan Harris is the Loyola College Prep Director of Marketing and Communications
"I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE MY KIDS GET TO HEAVEN." I cannot tell you how often I have heard this statement on campus. Whether a parent used the words directly to me or if the words were overheard in passing. The words are beautiful and authentic, and I believe that this, above any other reason, is why we should choose Catholic education. In September, St. Joseph will celebrate 73 years of Catholic education in the Shreveport-Bossier area. Opening the doors to over 300 students once again, we accept the responsibility of being an academic institution that forms the minds and hearts of young people to put them on such a path.
Why do we do this? Yes, families can achieve this by sending their children to public school or homeschooling. However, it is our unique responsibility as a Catholic school to do so. This mission was critical to the founding of St. Joseph Catholic Church. It was part of the vision of Bishop Charles Greco and Fr. Joseph Gremillion to ensure that the children of the parish had a school to attend when the church's cornerstone was set back in 1949. Just as it is the responsibility of each mother and father to be the primary educators of their children, it is our mission to ensure that families have the support they need to make the journey to heaven a reality, not just a beautiful sentiment.
A school must provide a child with the best education possible. This means that teachers give of themselves daily to see each child become the saint they were called to be. This cannot be done by taking one's role lightly. No, from bell to bell, class period to class period,
it requires a commitment to the child. With the best education possible, from teachers who invest in each child to a partnership between parent and faculty, we desire the experience of grace to come easy for the students of our school, and that it is understood so that wisdom and courage are readily on display in one’s family, one’s Church, and one’s local community.
Another statement I have heard from parents is that, “It is because of my child being enrolled at a Catholic school that I have come to know and appreciate my faith more.” This may be an unintended consequence but it is one that is true and pleasing to God. It is a testament to the unique role of Catholic schools in nurturing faith. This is only possible when a school stays true to the mission for which it was founded. Catholic schools are beautiful wellsprings of faith and knowledge for all students, but it is a blessing that goes deeper when our students are able to then witness to those who desire for them to encounter Christ. Thank you for choosing Catholic education. Thank you for choosing St. Joseph Catholic School. Your choice is a testament to your commitment to your child's spiritual and academic growth, and we are grateful for it.
Clayton Cobb is the Principal at St. Joseph Catholic School.
THANKS TO OUR RECENT DONORS: (036)3 Catholic Daughters Court Castille 197
(036)3 Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Looney (036)3 Lisa B Johnson (036)3 Sons of Italy Heritage Club (036)3 Mr. & Mrs. John Kelly LeJeune (036)4 Mr. & Mrs. John Kelly LeJeune (005) The Congregation of St. Johns Roman Catholic Church (030) Mr. & Mrs. Joseph W. Littlejohn (005) D.M. & J.P. Barnard (036)4 D.M. & J.P. Barnard
(036)4 Frank & Rose McClernon (027)3 The Estate of Fr. Richard Lombard (027)4 The Estate of Fr. Richard Lombard (050) Jennifer Henley Hernández (036)4 Patricia Lewis (036)4 Carl & Rose Lyn Roussell (008) Charles & Beverly Bennett (035)3 Mrs. Rosemary C. Ward (011)2 Dorothy Jarzabek (036)4 Mr. & Mrs. Donald J. Nici (035)3 Law Office of Richard W Ward (036)4 William & Susan Flanagan (036)4 Bob & Mary Morgan (036)4 Anonymous (036)4 Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence W. Pettiette (036)4 Ashley Madden (047) Aaron & Alicia Lirette (029) Mary Ligon (036)4 Rebecca Whitten (036)4 Mr. Paul C. Davis (036)4 Mr. Joseph D. Santone (005) Mr. & Mrs. Richard Romanski (045) The Congregation of St. Johns Roman Catholic Church
"Msgr. Earl Provenza has devoted his life to selflessly serving others and glorifying the Lord. Through 60 years of unwavering compassion, he has touched countless lives and met numerous needs. When asked to contribute to the Seminarians' Burse, many respond with gratitude and share beautiful stories of how Msgr. Provenza has blessed their families, reflecting his deep faith and dedication. The Seminarians' Burse serves as a testament to his humility and service. God has truly blessed us with a remarkable servant in Msgr. Earl Provenza."
- Andrea Provenza Madden , Msgr. Earl Provenza's niece who has enthusiastically spearheaded the burse campaigns to honor her beloved uncle
The Diocese of Shreveport’s Seminarian Burse Program was established in 2017 to provide financial support for our seminarians' livelihood and education until they become ordained as priests, a path that can take up to eight years to complete. It currently costs an average of $50,000 per year to educate and support one seminarian.
Burses were originally created to honor the memory of a special priest or family member, but now, donors can establish a burse to honor living priests and their service to the Catholic church. There are several retired priests in the Diocese of Shreveport who have burses in their name, including Msgr. Earl Provenza who has three completed burses ($10,000) and one open burse.
All donations to the Seminary Burse Program remain untouched principal. Only interest and dividends from the endowed fund are used to pay for the annual cost of seminarian formation which makes it a gift that keeps on giving. For more information on how to establish or contribute to a burse, please contact the Development Office at (318) 219-7260 or scan the QR code.
To see an up-to-date list of incomplete and complete burses, please scan here
To donate to an established seminarian burse, please scan here
Another great year of Camp Little Flower is in the books! Campers enjoyed a week of traditional camp experiences with the added bonus of deepening their Catholic faith!
The guys had a great week at Mission Possible Camp, where they participated in a variety of faith activities and sporting events.
Ronnie Dupuis, District Deputy of the Knights of Columbus State Council presenting a check to Mary's House Nurse Sonographer, Trisha Johnson, and Director L'Anne Sciba for a new ultrasound table for Mary's House patients.
and how to serve with reverence.
DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT
3500 Fairfield Ave. • Shreveport, LA 71104
Catholic Connection USPS 024-824 is published monthly except for July by the Diocese of Shreveport, 3500 Fairfield Ave., Shreveport, LA 71104. Periodicals Postage PAID at Shreveport, LA 71102. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Catholic Connection, 3500 Fairfield Ave, Shreveport, LA 71104.
