Catholic Connection January 12

VOL. 21, NO.6 JANUARY 2012

Diocesan Youth Experience

NCYC

January 2012

Contents

Publisher Bishop Michael G. Duca Editor Jessica Rinaudo Regular Contributors Bishop Michael Duca Christine Rivers Kim Long Katie Sciba Fr. Rothell Price Roxie Tabor Rosalba Quiroz Mike Van Vranken Dianne Rachal John Mark Willcox Featured Contributors Jim Addison Fr. David Richter Margo Baye Sr. Carol Shively Ruth Burdges Sr. Marilyn Vassallo Carol Glatz John Vining Theresa Mormino Linda Webster Nancy Frazier O’Brien Editorial Board Dianne Rachal Cathy Cobb Christine Rivers Rev. Charles Glorioso John Mark Willcox Kim Long Kelly Phelan Powell 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: C atholic Connection The Catholic Center 3500 Fairfield Avenue Shreveport, LA 71104 CALL: 318-868-4441

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

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Bishop Michael Duca’s January 2012 Schedule.................................................3 From the Chancellor............................................................................................3 Prayer for Bishop Michael Duca’s Ad Limina Visit..............................................3 Bishop’s Reflection by Most Reverend Michael G. Duca....................................4-5 Come to Me All You Who Are Weary by Mike Van Vranken.................................6 Catholic Charities Recipient Gives Back by Theresa Mormino...........................6 National Vocation Awareness Week Set for January 9 - 14

by Fr. David Richter.......................................................................................... 7 Meet the Department: Office of Church Vocations................................................ 7 Small Church Profile: St. George Church, Coushatta by Linda Webster............8 Second Collections for Diocese of Shreveport Catholic Schools

by Fr. Rothell Price.......................................................................................9 Catholic Schools Week: Faith. Academics. Service. by Sr. Carol Shively...........10 Loyola Students Give Back During Annual FAiTH Initiative by Margo Baye.......10 School News.......................................................................................................11 Diocesan Youth Experience NCYC by John Vining . ..........................................12-13 Pro-Life News by Roxie Tabor.............................................................................14 The Wonder of God’s Blessings by Ruth Burdges..............................................14 Greco Institute Spring Schedule ........................................................................15-16 Hispanic Corner by Rosalba Quiroz...................................................................... 17 Roman Missal Voted Top News Story of 2011; Pope Benedict Top Newsmaker by Nancy Frazier O’Brien...................................................18 Pope Says Late Cardinal Should Inspire Use of Media to Spread Gospel

by Carol Glatz.................................................................................................. 18 News Briefs by Catholic News Service.................................................................. 19 Around the Diocese..................................................................................................... 20

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

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

Priests Reach Out by Jim Addison............................................................................. 21 Celebration for Consecrated Religious Men and Women

by Sr. Marilyn Vassallo.......................................................................................... 21 Upcoming Events ...............................................................................................22 January 2012 Calendar.......................................................................................23 Our Lady of Guadalupe at Sacred Heart Oak Grove............................................. 24

Bishop Michael Duca’s January Schedule JANUARY 1 Mass; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Shreveport; 8:15 a.m.; 11:00 a.m. & 5:00 p.m.

JANUARY 7 Annual Mardi Gras Mass; St. Pius X Church, Shreveport; 9:00 a.m.

JANUARY 7 Vocations Discernment Retreat: Men for Christ; Fairview House, Shreveport JANUARY 8 - 12 Region V Bishops’ Retreat, Christian Life Center at St. Joseph Abbey, St. Benedict, Louisiana JANUARY 14 Diocesan Liturgical Conference; Catholic Center, Shreveport; 10:00 a.m.

JANUARY 14 Bishop’s Bowl; Messmer Stadium, Shreveport; 2:00 p.m.

JANUARY 15 Adult Faith Formation Program: Sunday Mornings for Adults; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 9:45 a.m.

JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 2 Ad Limina Visit; Rome

On the Cover: Thousands of youth gathered in Indianapolis for the National Catholic Youth Conference.

Nearly 200 in attendance were from the Diocese of Shreveport. (Photo

by Megan Funk).

Check out pages 12 and 13 of this issue to learn more about this awesome event.

From the Chancellor Calendar The birth of Martin Luther King, Jr. will be observed on Monday, January 16. The Catholic Center will be closed that day.

The Louisiana Life March will be January 21, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, beginning at Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge. For more information on this event, visit www.LALifeMarch.com.

Prayer for Bishop Michael Duca’s Ad Limina Visit

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rom January 20 until February 2, Bishop Michael Duca will be in Rome for his ad limina visit. There he will join other bishops from across the United States to meet with the Holy Father. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has prepared a prayer for these bishops.

BLESSED TRINITY—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—you are the source of all life, salvation, and holiness. Together with the bishops of our country, we pray to you as they make their pilgrimage “to the threshold” of the tombs of St. Peter and St. Paul in Rome. May this be a time of blessing for them, for our dioceses, and for our country.

Jesus, as the glorious Lord and Savior, you are the Head of your Body, the Church. As you appointed the Twelve Apostles to be the first shepherds of your Church, so now you have appointed the bishops of our country as our shepherds today. May their visits with the Holy Father, the chief shepherd on earth of your flock, and with the offices of the Holy See under his care, be a time of grace and blessing. Lord Jesus, renew the bond of love and strengthen the ties of unity between them and the Successor of St. Peter, so that your Church may be truly one, holy, catholic and apostolic. Together with the Holy Father may our bishops grow in love for the truth of your Gospel, and may they reaffirm their dedication to serve your Church in love.

Christ Jesus, during their visit to the See of St. Peter, confirm within them again the charge that you first gave them when they were ordained bishops—to preach and teach the truth of the Gospel in love and with conviction and courage, to shepherd their dioceses with wisdom and prudence, and to work diligently for the sanctity of all who are under their care. Drive far from them all fear, worry and sadness. Fill them instead with your Spirit of joy, peace, patience and endurance.

May they return to our dioceses refreshed to continue to guide your people with the strength and vitality of your Holy Spirit and so lead them to eternal life with you and all of the saints.

We pray especially for our bishop, Michael Duca. May God the Father’s love be upon him as he travels, and may Mary wrap her mantle of protection around him.

Father, through the Holy Spirit, we make this prayer in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you for ever and ever.

Amen.

La Reflexión del Obispo por Obispo Michael G. Duca

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eliz Año Nuevo! El 2012 ya está aquí y con la esperanza de que todavía estemos cumpliendo con nuestras resoluciones de Año Nuevo.

Cada enero me gusta reflexionar en el pasado y ver hacia el futuro de nuestra diócesis.

El 2012 traerá una oportunidad única para mí ya que hago mi primera visita Ad Limina al Vaticano para presentar nuestro Reporte Quinquenal al Santo Padre. Cada cinco años, (en este caso han sido 7 años) cada obispo debe hacer un reporte detallado para mandar al Vaticano sobre la situación y salud de la diócesis. Nuestro reporte se envió en noviembre y del 23 al 31 de enero, estaré en Roma con los obispos de la región V (que incluye todos los obispos de Luisiana) para visitar no solamente al Santo Padre, sino a otros Oficiales de la Curia del Vaticano.

También vamos a hacer un peregrinaje a las tumbas de San Pedro y San Pablo.

Viendo las estadísticas de nuestro Reporte Quinquenal, fue interesante notar algunos números. En el 2004 la diócesis tenía 33 parroquias y 14 misiones con 41 sacerdotes diocesanos y 15 sacerdotes religiosos sirviendo de otras diócesis. La proporción de sacerdotes a la gente era de un sacerdote por cada 750 feligreses. En el 2011 tenemos 27 parroquias y 13 misiones (parroquia sin sacerdote local) con 33 sacerdotes diocesanos y 17 sacerdotes religiosos. La proporción de sacerdotes a la gente es de 812 feligreses. El número de mujeres religiosas cambió de 58 trabajando en la diócesis en el 2004 a 38 en el 2010. El número de Bautismos, Primeras Comuniones y Confirmaciones bajó 5 por ciento del 2004 al 2010. Estos cambios muestran una necesidad continua de animar a nuestros hombres y mujeres jóvenes a considerar el sacerdocio y la vida religiosa. Estos números también reflejan algo del cambio demográfico de nuestra diócesis.

Nuestro último censo nacional confirma algunas de las estadísticas de la Iglesia. Nos muestra que el Norte

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de Luisiana no creció en población (excepto por unas pocas ciudades) y en algunos lugares la población disminuyó. Esto significa, por supuesto, que como diócesis nuestros números no están aumentando. Esta realidad no se siente tan drástica en nuestras parroquias más grandes, pero sí está afectando a nuestras parroquias mas pequeñas en maneras mas obvias.

Nuestras parroquias rurales no están creciendo y muchos de sus jóvenes se están mudando a otras ciudades por las oportunidades de trabajo. Esto será un reto para nosotros al tratar de mantener estas iglesias vivas y estables. La fe que veo en la gente de nuestra diócesis es fuerte en cada parroquia que visito, lo cual me da esperanza para el futuro.

Es de interés que, mientras la población en general disminuyó en los pasados 10 años, el porcentaje de hispanos en la diócesis aumentó en casi todas las parroquias civiles, aun en porcentajes pequeños como del 1 o 2 por ciento. Esto era ya obvio para mí porque puedo ver el crecimiento de la población Católica Hispana en las bancas de nuestras parroquias. Este año añadiremos, con la ayuda económica de la fundación Catholic Extension Society, un nuevo miembro a nuestra Oficina del Ministerio Hispano para concentrar nuestro ministerio a los jóvenes adultos Hispanos. Caridades Católicas de Shreveport, con la ayuda de donaciones, también podrá ofrecer consejería de inmigración a nuestros hermanos y hermanas en Cristo en un futuro cercano.

El 12 de diciembre me uní a la celebración de Nuestra Señora de

Guadalupe en la parroquia de Cristo Rey y la iglesia estaba colmada con gente de fe celebrando esta festividad maravillosa. Fue un testimonio viviente de la presencia fuerte de nuestras hermanas y hermanos Hispanos. Esta continuará siendo un área de atención en nuestra diócesis.

Este año pasado tuvimos una maravillosa celebración de nuestro 25 aniversario como diócesis de la cual todavía se comenta que fue conmemorativa y de inspiración. Desde nuestra celebración del 25 aniversario he predicado la necesidad de reclamar nuestra misión como Iglesia de ser evangelizadores y proclamar la Buena Nueva de Jesús a todo el que la escuche. He pedido que apliquemos el llamado de evangelizar como una guía de medida del éxito en nuestras parroquias, esto es, preguntarnos como nuestra vida parroquial y programas parroquiales están ayudándonos a evangelizar mejor el mundo que nos rodea. Nuestro Santo Padre también nos está llamando a una nueva evangelización. Pienso que este Año Nuevo y bajo la dirección de nuestro Santo Padre, tendremos un entendimiento mas desarrollado de lo que la Nueva Evangelización significa para cada uno de nosotros y para nuestras parroquias.

Existen todavía muchos retos que enfrentar en este mundo cambiante, pero con una fe fuerte en Cristo no solamente encontraremos una manera de sobrevivir sino también de prosperar y crecer. Que Dios nos envíe su Santo Espíritu para guiarnos en el Nuevo Año.

Bishop’s Reflection by Bishop Michael G. Duca

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appy New Year! 2012 is here and hopefully we are still following through with our New Year’s resolutions. Every January I like to consider the past and look to the future of our diocese.

2012 will bring a unique opportunity for me as I make my first Ad Limina visit to the Vatican to present our Quinquennial Report to the Holy Father. Every five years, (in this case it has been seven years) every bishop must make a comprehensive report to send to the Vatican concerning the state and health of the diocese. Our report was sent to the Holy Father in November. From January 23 through 31, I will be in Rome with the Bishops of Region V (which includes all the bishops of Louisiana) to visit not only the Holy Father, but the other Curial Offices of the Vatican. We will also make a pilgrimage to the tombs of St. Peter and St. Paul.

As I looked over the statistics in our Quinquennial Report, it was interesting to note a few numbers.

In 2004 the diocese had 33 parishes and 14 missions with 41 diocesan priests and 15 religious priests serving from other dioceses. The priest to people ratio was one priest for every 750 parishioners.

In 2011 we now have 27 parishes and 13 missions (quasi parishes) with 33 diocesan priests and 17 religious priests. The priest to people ratio is one priest for every 812 parishioners.

The number of women religious changed from 58 working in the diocese in 2004 to 38 present here in 2010. The number of Baptisms, First Communions and Confirmations were down 5 percent from 2004 to 2010. These changes show a continual need to encourage our young men and women to consider the priesthood and religious life. These numbers also reflect some of the changing demographics of our diocese.

Our last national census confirms some of our Church statistics. It shows

Bishop Duca ministers to Hispanic farm workers in Delhi. The Hispanic population is one of the fastest growing in our area.

that Northern Louisiana did not grow in population (except for a few cities) and in some places declined in population. This means, of course, that as a diocese our numbers are not growing. This reality is not felt too keenly in our larger parishes, but this demographic change is affecting our smaller parishes in more obvious ways.

Our rural parishes are not growing and many of their youth are moving away to other cities for job opportunities. This will be a challenge for us as we work to keep these churches vital and stable. The faith I find in the people of our diocese is strong in every parish I visit which gives me hope

provide immigration counseling to our brothers and sisters in Christ in the near future.

On December 12 I joined in the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Christ the King Church and the church was overflowing with people of faith celebrating this wondrous feast. It was a living witness to the strong presence of our Hispanic brothers and sisters. This will continue to be a needed area of attention for our diocese.

This past year we had a wonderful celebration of our 25th anniversary as a diocese that many are still talking about as memorable and inspiring.

Since our 25th celebration I have preached the need to reclaim These changes show a continual our mission as a Church to be evangelizers, to proclaim need to encourage our young the Good News of Jesus to all men and women to consider the who will hear. I have asked us to apply the call to evangelize priesthood and religious life. as a guide to measure the success of our parishes, that is, to ask how our parish life for the future. and parish programs are helping us to Interestingly, while our overall population dropped over the last 10 years, better evangelize the world around us. the percentage of Hispanics in the diocese Our Holy Father is also calling us all to a new evangelization. I think this new increased in almost every civil parish, year we will have, under the direction even if by a small one or two percent of our Holy Father, an even more growth. This was already obvious to me developed understanding of what the new because I can see the growing Catholic evangelization means for each of us and Hispanic populations in the pews of our our parishes. parishes. This year we will add, with the There are still many challenges before us help of funding from the Catholic Church in this changing world, but with a strong Extension Society, a new member to our faith in Christ we will not only find a way Hispanic Ministry Office to concentrate on our ministry to Hispanic young adults. to survive but also to prosper and grow.

Catholic Charities of Shreveport, with the May God send us the Holy Spirit to guide help of funding grants, will also be able to us in this New Year.

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Come to Me All You Who Are Weary

by Mike Van Vranken, Greco Instructor

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n active life with complex activities and endless responsibilities can quickly spiral out of control until we find ourselves exhausted and fatigued.

In search of relief we exert even more energy chasing worldly solutions that often drain us of our remaining strength, our spirit and even our money. In the hectic pace of life in today’s world, where do we go for comfort and peace?

Jesus instructs us: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Taken in context, he is telling us that wisdom is revealed to us by turning to Jesus. And, finding peace in our everyday lives requires the very wisdom of Jesus himself.

So, just how do we “come to” Jesus to find this rest?

One avenue is through his Word. His message there is simple: Love God more than anything, and then love everyone else as much as we love ourselves. Now sometimes, that seems pretty difficult to do. But the paradox is, the exertion of energy to love God and everyone else actually brings us closer to Jesus himself.

This is the same Jesus who told us that his peace is a peace that the world cannot give. (John 14:27) Coming in contact with Jesus is coming in contact with that peace.

A second approach to Jesus is through prayer. The intimate conversation of prayer with Jesus actually connects us with wisdom itself. That wisdom can then help us find the obstacles we have placed in our lives that prohibit us from finding rest and peace. Once we identify those barriers, we can expunge them and replace them with other activities that help us “come to” Jesus even more often.

Of course, approaching the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist allows the healing vine to live within us.

That experience of Jesus dwelling in communion with our very beings is a bit of heaven on earth that can only bring the peace and rest we so long to acquire.

And finally, as we come to Jesus to find rest, do we see and experience him in everyone we meet? This is certainly more difficult than finding him in the Word or in prayer, but because our lives are so intertwined with other people, this strategy will offer us more opportunities to experience Jesus throughout the day than any other.

Finding the oasis of peace and rest in the 21st century is not so hard after all. All we have to do is “come to” Jesus.

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Catholic Charities Recipient Gives Back

by Theresa Mormino, Catholic Charities of Shreveport very week we meet people with special stories. They come to us asking for help, but sometimes they need to be heard almost as much as they need assistance with rent, utilities or other emergencies. It’s an important part of what we do as we strive to ease the burdens of the harsh realities so many of our neighbors face daily.

So it was especially meaningful to us to have a client who wanted to give back. She said she wanted to do something to help others and found baby items she was no longer using. A single mother with a young child to care for, she had recently lost her job and had fallen a month behind on some bills. She came to us asking for assistance until she could get back on her feet. This hard working conscientious woman was able to find other work and continue to strive for a better life for her family. Our goal every day is to lift up, to help move forward, to support those who want to change their situations. Our dream is that we live to see a world where our services are no longer needed, but the world we live in right now cries out for our help and we intend to be here for those in need. What a blessing to see the difference a little help can make in the lives of one family!

We are happy to report that another grant we applied for to expand our Immigration and Family Services department was awarded, good news for the many immigrant families we work with daily.

Our specialist, Guiel Hausen, has been instrumental in helping these families assimilate into our communities by working to find suitable housing, Catholic Charities Director Jean Dresley receives baby the first step in items from a Catholic Charities recipient. their journey to build a life in our country. Recently, Guiel was able to secure a place at a battered women’s shelter for a young woman and her infant. This young mother, a victim of abuse, was isolated and living in fear with no way to communicate. Guiel spoke for them and continues to work closely with her to secure a visa. She has plans to go to school, find work and make a life for herself and her children because of Guiel’s consistent and ongoing help and the support of Catholic Charities.

Our website is beginning to bring volunteers to our door and we couldn’t be happier. As we’ve grown our first year and now moving into our second year of operation, our client base, and consequently our needs, have grown exponentially. Trying to keep up with intake, case management and the work to establish all the new programs in planning our second year means more hands are needed. Our volunteer program includes training for those interested to help with client intake, financial education, pricing and logging in-kind donations, data entry and filing, to name a few of the areas where a volunteer can make a big difference in our daily productivity. We’ve also received some donations via our website. If you have not checked out our website yet, please go to www.ccshpt.org.

We are so grateful to all the generous souls who have made donations to us through the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. We can’t go forward with our work or continue to help families like these without you!

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National Vocations Awareness Week Set for January 9 - 14

by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops he Catholic Church in the Without this environment, United States will celebrate promoting vocations becomes simply National Vocation Awareness recruitment. We believe we have much Week (NVAW), January 9-14. The more to offer our young people.” celebration heralds a week dedicated People can visit the U.S. to promoting vocations to the Conference of Catholic Bishops’ priesthood, diaconate and consecrated Facebook page (http://www.facebook. life through prayer and education. com/usccb) during the week to see This distinctive week gives examples of clergy and religious.

Catholics an opportunity to renew They also can view reflections under prayers and support for those who are the Vocation Retreat tab where each considering one of these particular day a scripture passage, reflection vocations. and prayer will be posted. Resources “It is our responsibility to help for promoting National Vocations children and young people develop Awareness Week, such as prayer a prayerful relationship with Jesus cards, Holy Hour materials, prayers of Christ so they will know their the faithful and bulletin-ready quotes, vocation,” said Archbishop Robert are available on the USCCB vocations Carlson of St. Louis, chairman of webpage at http://www.usccb.org/ the bishops’ Committee on Clergy, beliefs-and-teachings/vocations.

Consecrated Life and Vocations.

National Vocation Awareness “Through a culture of vocation in Week began in 1976 when the U.S. families, parishes, schools and dioceses bishops designated the 28th Sunday Catholics can nurture an environment of the year for NVAW. In 1997, this of discipleship, commitment to celebration was moved to coincide daily prayer, spiritual conversion, with the Feast of the Baptism of the growth in virtue, participation in the Lord, which falls on January 9 in sacraments and service in community. 2012.

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the Diocese of shreveport Vocation office

Men for Christ

retreAt Y

ou’re invited to our one-day vocation discernment retreat on January 7. Hear inspiring presentations from priests, meet with seminarians, and reflect on your own vocation. It’s a time to slow down and listen to God. No pressure—just prayer.

Courage True

is answering when God calls.

January 7, 2012 Fairview House in Shreveport 8:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Contact the Vocations Office 318-219-7261

MEET THE DEPARTMENT: Office of Church Vocations During the 25th anniversary year of the Diocese of Shreveport we are profiling those who work in each department for the diocese. We hope this helps you get to know the people who work for you.

Fr. David Richter, Director of Church Vocations and Jeanne Brown, Administrative Assistant to the Office of Vocations.

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he Vocations Office works to invite individuals and parish communities to a more active Christian life in order to generate and support vocations to the priesthood and religious life. This office provides support and encouragement to our current seminarians.

Fr. David Richter: I am the Director of Church Vocations for our diocese. I come from a family of four boys who have all grown up in Shreveport. I was at the Catholic Center from 2002 until this past summer. I now serve as pastor of Jesus the Good Shepherd Church in Monroe. What I like most about my work is that I have the privilege of seeking men who will become the next generation of needed priests for north Louisiana. If you are interested in the priesthood or know of a young man who may have a vocation to diocesan priesthood, please contact me.

Jeanne Brown: In addition to serving in the Office of Hispanic Ministry and Immigration Services, I am also the Administrative Assistant to Fr. David Richter in the Office of Church Vocations. I am married to Shawn. We have one daughter, Adriana. We attend Christ the King Church in Bossier City. I have served at the Catholic Center since August of 2010. My favorite part of my Vocation Office service is contributing to efforts that promote religious vocations to the youth in our diocese. If you have questions about Church Vocations, please call me.

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SMALL CHURCH PROFILE: St. George Church, Coushatta

by Linda Webster, PhD During the 25th anniversary year of the Diocese of Shreveport we are profiling small churches around the diocese.

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t. George church in Coushatta started off as a small gathering in Mrs. Monte Thomas’ converted garage at 7:30 on Sunday mornings.

“She was an elderly lady who set up a chapel for the local Catholics and we had Mass whenever we could get a priest to come to town,” said Mary C. Moore, an original member of the parish. “Eventually, Joe Adcock, a member of the Milwaukee Braves baseball team, donated some land on Red St. George Church in Coushatta, Louisiana.

Oak Road where a cement block church was built.”

Records from St. Joseph in Mansfield indicate that children and driving them to Mass.” additional property was purchased from L.P. and Lena Maryann Procell has very fond memories of that small Martin in 1948. In 1951, Moore’s father helped construct that church on the bayou. first church which is still standing and used as a storage facility “Coushatta is my home and I was married in that little for a local farmer. Rev. Leonard Curtis, O.P., traveled from church in 1966, ” she said with a smile. the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Campti The new church, located on Highway 155 about four to celebrate Mass each Sunday morning at 7:30. Religious miles east of town, was dedicated in 1980 and built with instruction was provided by Sisters of the Marian Society a combination of private donations and funding from the of Catechists, who were based in Alexandria. Sisters Marie Catholic Extension Society.

Rev. Allen Chenevert was the Therese, Ann Mary, Bernadette, Josepha and Joan arrived pastor during the initial construction, which included the lovely in Campti on Saturday to teach those children, then after beamed ceiling, stained glass windows and rich wood paneling an overnight stay at one of the convents, would come up to at the front of the sanctuary.

A long passageway behind the Coushatta on Sunday morning to teach the children of St. altar area leads to huge storage rooms full of beautiful floral George. arrangements that are used year-round.

“They used to call it the ‘bee’ church,” chuckled Moore.

Through the 1990’s, those same children grew up and left, “There were bees everywhere in warm weather but they weren’t but the older adults living in the area remain active in the moving around much because it was so hot inside. One parish.

Sunday, I got there early to set up for Mass and I thought, ‘Oh, Weekly activities included a small turnout for Wednesday look at the new carpeting!’ but it was moving. The whole floor evening Mass with the community council meeting the third was covered, wall-to-wall, with bees. I backed out and went Wednesday of the month immediately afterward. On any home.” fifth Sunday of the month, the church puts together a full The air conditioning never worked well in the old church so brunch in Desadier Hall, built adjacent to the church in 1989. the congregation met temporarily in the funeral home.

There are unused classrooms and a full kitchen in the large “Oh, was I scared,” said Moore. “I did NOT want to go in the space.

Stations of the Cross attract a good crowd during Lent, back door of that funeral home by myself. My momma went especially when they all go out for fish dinners afterward. The with me the first week church also has an and there were three annual picnic at the coffins right inside Red Bayou Reservoir the door. She told me that is co-sponsored it was probably just

by Mary, Queen of a storage area but I Peace Church. didn’t like it.”

“I used to meet Sarah Scott with the kids for about remembers Rev. an hour after Mass,” Francis R. Crowe, said Moore.

“A few OP, driving out from years ago, I had a First Camden in the late Communion class of 1960s to pick up the about eight children, Giddings children. the largest class I ever “He had two little had. But we don’t benches in the back have any classes now of his pick-up truck and we don’t use the and he’d go around classrooms.”

Parishioners welcome one another at St. George Church. the area, picking up

8 9 Catholic Connection January 2012

The dwindling number of families with children is a concern for Bobby Scott.

“Up until the last several years, the church would be full for Sunday Mass,” said Scott. “My family alone used to fill three pews with cousins and aunts and uncles. There were so many children here that Monsignor would line them up wall-to-wall and tell us that we needed a larger church. Now it’s just my wife and me although we like to think of the rest of the parish as our family. We celebrated our fiftieth wedding anniversary here a few years ago. We renewed our vows and when we went outside, a beautiful 1957 Ford convertible was sitting at the entrance.

I’d hoped it was a gift but at least we got to drive it for that one day!”

Second Collection for Diocese of Shreveport Catholic Schools | by Fr. Rothell Price, Vicar General

Sr. Carol Shively, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, with students at St. John Berchmans School in Shreveport.

Announcement Dates: Jan. 8 & 15 Catholic principals and Catholic school support staff are the wise, seasoned, Collection Dates: Jan. 21 & 22 experienced generation handing on appy New Year, one and all! Every and exciting our young with a body of knowledge and wisdom rooted in the one of us has his or her own way very life and awesome mystery of God. of beginning the new year. Some They are our Marys and Josephs giving of us do so quietly. Others do so quite exuberantly. Some will begin the year snug love, guidance, inspiration and purpose and warm under the mantle of meditation, to those entrusted to their care. Our schools, teachers, administrators and prayer and reflection; others throw off as much as possible and charge into the new support staff do far more than teach our Catholic and non-Catholic youth year as fully engaged as possible. Then facts and figures, dates and data, history there are those who begin the year with and science, arts and athletics. These mental hopes, dreams, goals and good awesome, dedicated and motivated intentions, while others have taken the women and men hand on our Catholic time to set their aspirations in writing.

Faith. They share, nurture and fan into Borrowing from the story of the tortoise flame our children’s love of the Lord and the hare, some will start out slowly, deliberately and methodically, while others Jesus, reverence for the House of God and service to the Church, our society and the will cover a mile per minute. My wish is world. Mary and Joseph fulfilled their that all of us begin the year as mindful of roles in preparing Jesus for his saving and close to our Lord, the Savior whose mission as savior and teacher. Catholic birth we celebrate, as He is to us.

I hope the new year is off to a kind and education and educators do the same for gentle start for you, as gentle as the Virgin those entrusted to their care.

Our schools and our children need so Mary holding the infinite God in the much; that’s why I ask you to be other form of a newborn child under the care and protection of the saintly man Joseph. Marys and Josephs alongside our Catholic school personnel. Please be exceptionally This image of the Holy Family also generous to our second collection for the serves to illustrate our understanding of Catholic education. Parents, teachers and Diocese of Shreveport Catholic Schools other caring adults, like Mary and Joseph, the weekend of January 21 and 22. Your enfold children, young adults and mature generous participation in this special collection will help bring to fruition the inquirers in the spiritual and academic embrace of learning. This embracing and hopes, dreams and aspirations of the new year. Thank you for ALL that you do handing on is the great work of Catholic throughout the year to financially support education and Catholic Schools. the apostolic work of the Church.

Catholic schools, Catholic teachers,

H Fr. Ampatt and altar boys prepare for Mass.

In spite of the primarily adult population of the church, weekly Mass is lively with altar servers and music provided by the Danos family with Laura Wilson at the organ and Frank Auer as the male vocalist.

“Fr. Ampatt hired me to play the organ at Mary, Queen of Peace, so I come down to Coushatta also,” Wilson explained while quickly downing a cup of coffee in preparation to get back on the road to Bossier City for the midmorning liturgy.

Mary Danos, cantor, is also working in several parishes including St. Mary of the Pines and Christus Schumpert.

She also provides the altar servers and additional vocalists as her sons move with her from liturgy to liturgy during the weekend.

“It’s like family,” said Danos. “There’s no other way to describe this church.”

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Catholic Schools Week: Faith. Academics.

Service. by Sr. Carol Shively, osu, Superintendent

Loyola Students Give Back During Annual FAiTH Initiative | by Margo Baye, Loyola Student

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atholic Schools Week celebrates what makes Catholic education distinctive and exceptional. During the week of January 29- February 5, 2012, we focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our Church, our communities and our nation.

We build community awareness of and involvement in Catholic schools throughout the country and we honor those who contribute to the success of our schools—students, families, faculty and staff, volunteers, community supporters and local and national leaders.

The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2012 is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service.” The theme expresses three priorities that make Catholic schools stand out from other educational institutions.

Children learn about faith—not just basic Christianity, but how to have a relationship with God. They concentrate on academics, which in Catholic schools are held to the highest standards, so they can reach their highest potential. They practice service by giving time, talent and effort to help others as an expression of both faith and good citizenship.

This combined focus on faith, academics and service prepares students for full and meaningful lives.

The theme for the annual observance of Catholic Schools Week complements the year-round theme of the National Marketing Campaign For Catholic Schools—“Catholic Schools: The Good News in Education.”

Our Catholic Schools in Shreveport will celebrate together at the All School Mass on Wednesday, February 1, in the newly renovated assembly hall (gym) at Loyola College Prep.

In Monroe, the Catholic Schools will join Bishop Duca at St. Frederick High School, at 9:00 am. on Friday, February 3, 2012.

Please join us in raising our voices to thank God that we are able to worship and pray together.

The Annual Religion Scholars Bowl will be held at St. John Berchmans Cathedral School, Thursday, February 2. This phenomenal event will match grade against grade in the ever popular match of sacred tradition and knowledge of our faith.

John Mark Willcox, diocesan Director of Development, will return as the ever popular emcee of the event. Please join us.

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Loyola College Prep students hosted their annual FAiTH (Flyers Aiding the Hungry) program and assisted those in need.

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oyola College Prep students involved in FAiTH (Flyers Aiding the Hungry) had another year of doing what they do best – giving back to the community.

“Thanks to all the hard work of the officers and members, we had our best year yet,” said FAiTH co-chairman Jennifer Stephens.

“Feeding over 600 families made this the most successful year ever,” Leah McDonald, a FAiTH co-chair, said. “It was such an amazing thing to be a part of.”

FAiTH started in 1990 and was held on December 5.

Planning for each year starts as soon as all four chairmen are selected. This year the four chairmen are Carter Boyd, Loren Lepore, Leah McDonald and Jennifer Stephens.

To help fund the whole operation and make everything possible, many fundraisers are held. This year local restaurants like Raisin’ Cane’s, Cheeburger Cheeburger and Bistro Byronz helped out and donated a part of all proceeds to FAiTH. All donations and funds go towards buying food and toys for underprivileged families during the Christmas season. As McDonald said, “FAiTH is just one day that helps so many.”

At the start of FAiTH only a few families were fed and now that number has grown to be more than 600 families and counting.

FAiTH is a great way to serve the community and watch the reactions of the numerous lives being touched.

“Some families have cried while others are excited to have food to put on the table.” McDonald said.

The part the majority of students enjoy most is watching the children’s lives being touched and changed in ways nobody could ever imagine.

“My favorite reaction is to see the happiness in the children’s eyes as they grab a toy from Santa’s Workshop and run over to get in line to get their candy cane from Santa. It is truly a heart-warming experience,” Boyd said.

In addition to feeding the needy, the students who participate in FAiTH also set an example for others that you are never too young to give back to your community.

“Being a completely student-run organization and involving well over 75 percent of the student body, FAiTH demonstrates that we as young people can make a difference,” Boyd said.

School News

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ST. FREDERICK HIGH sCHOOL students rallied to gather gifts to donate to The Wellspring for their battered women’s shelter. The Wellspring is one of the state’s leading nonprofit organizations. They provide services for those dealing with domestic violence, sexual assault, homelessness and child wellbeing. This is the fifth year students from St. Frederick High School participated in this toy drive and were able to collect over 100 items.

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5 basketball, soccer and tumbling, and has consistently been recognized on the A/B or Highest Honors honor roll. Jane Frances has also been recognized as a Fantastic Falcon.

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The Kindergarten class at Our Lady of Fatima School learned why we celebrate Thanksgiving and Native American life for Social Studies. They learned different Indian symbols and letters. To conclude their study each student created a traditional Native American costume with the assistance of their parents.

the SMART Board notebook. They were also taught how to organize their files by the week in order to have one daily SMART Board notebook. Mrs. Jodi’s class really enjoys doing their work and interacting with SMART Boards.

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St. John Berchmans School finished 2011 with a bang! Our Science Olympiad team competed against 23 other teams from three states at the prestigious Greenville Invitational in Dallas on December 3. They walked away with 11 medals out of 23 events and Eighth grader Harris LeBlanc and placed 3rd overall. The SJB team also won fifth grader Jane Frances Ponthie the Spirit Award for the fifth year in a row. were recently named Students of the Year Jodi Pipes, a kindergarten teacher at The school is also looking forward for St. Joseph School.

Jesus The Good Shepherd to a fabulous start of the new year.

Harris is a member of the National School, recently presented to teachers Prospective parents are invited to an Junior Honor Society and the Carpenter from around the state of Louisiana at the Open House at the school on January Club volunteer service organization. He Louisiana Association of Computer Using 8 at noon showcasing our excellent plays basketball and football for St. Joseph educational program built on the School and serves as an altar server for St. Educators conference in New Orleans.

She taught on how to “K.I.S.S. Your foundation of Catholic values and service.

Joseph Church. Harris has been selected SMART Board” (Keep It Sensationally We invite everyone to An Evening as a Fantastic Falcon and Student of the of Revelry with the Krewe of Blade Quarter and is consistently recognized on Simple.) “K.I.S.S. Your Smartboard” is a list of top 10 ways to streamline your day benefiting St. John’s School. The 11th the Highest Honors honor roll. using your SMART Board. The attendants Annual Auction will be held on February Jane Frances is a representative of learned how to incorporate original text, 10, 2012, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Blade the student council and a cheerleader clip art, and upload videos directly onto Studios. for St. Joseph School. She is active in

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Diocesan Youth Experience

NCYC

by John Vining, Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry

Thousands of Catholic Youth gathered in Indianapolis for the National Catholic Youth Conference in November. Left: Bishops from across the U.S. took the stage.

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his past November I had the wonderful privilege his twenties. Mike could speak everybody’s language, but his of traveling to Indianapolis to attend the National favorite one was Cajun. Who knew we would travel 16 hours Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC). Teens came on a bus to the North and hear a speaker from Lafayette, scampering out like mice in a field for our grand pilgrimage Louisiana. What a precious man. He fired off a quote by St. to the North. I call it a pilgrimage because it just wasn’t a mere Catherine of Siena which really got my attention, “Be who trip. Thousands prayed and worked tirelessly to make sure God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” You our Catholic faith was promoted and encouraged. This wasn’t know what? He is right. If more of us started being who God a sight-seeing excursion; this was a call to communion with meant us to be we would start a blaze. We’d be better fathers, our Lord and Savior Jesus mothers, friends, etc. We all have Christ, and a big one at talents and we all are different. that.

We desperately need to quit NCYC is a place where everyone The energy was comparing ourselves to others. gets together to have a pep rally for phenomenal. Can you Mike reminded us that there are imagine 25,000 Catholics people we know who we can never God! - Spencer Hinton, St. Thomas under one roof with unity reach. People are like iPods, we Aquinas Church, Ruston of faith, hope and love? all have a different playlist…play Daily, we would gather to them! He captivated the audience learn of God’s love and with his warm smile and great call for us. Whether it was message. during a breakout session The summation of the or a general one, dynamic experience was felt in the closing speakers and music filled Mass on Saturday night- every the air. breakout session, every song, “Called to Glory” was every talk, culminated into this. our theme for the week The Mass consisted of eight and no one illustrated bishops, 250 priests, 30 deacons, this better than Mike 175 seminarians, 25,000 attendees, Patin. During one of our 23,700 of whom were teens. Oh to morning sessions, this behold the unity. It took my breath unassuming man took away. You could feel the presence the stage with a vibrancy of God in that stadium. It was so and energy of a man in well planned and executed that all

12 13 Catholic Connection January 2012

I had an absolutely amazing experience at NCYC. From the great speakers, to reconciliation, to Mass with 25,000 people, the entire trip was a moving experience for me. I was able to grow closer in my relationship with God and I gained a better understanding of our Catholic faith.

- Carter Boyd, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport

25,000 of us received communion in 25 minutes!

For me personally, I had many favorite moments; whether it was some kid wearing a crazy hat or getting clipped by clothespins. You should’ve seen our pole with a bishop hat on raised high to keep our group together. Which reminds me; those Mardi Gras bishop hats that we were carrying were in high demand. I had a priest from Minnesota eyeing one with great intent. It was so obvious. I pulled out an extra one and approached him. “Father, here is a gift to you from the Diocese of Shreveport.” With a gleam in his eye he snatched it and put it on his head. You would’ve thought I’d given him a Christmas present. It was worth it, though I didn’t know I’d be playing Santa on this trip.

I have many people to thank for making this pilgrimage possible.

Without Bishop Michael Duca and the Stewardship Appeal this would have never happened. Your bishop and donations were hard at work. The Diocese of Shreveport

supports the youth ministry in our diocese and throughout the parishes. This past NCYC, the Diocese of Shreveport seeded the conference by reducing the charges to each youth in attendance to the cumulative sum of approximately $32,000. I would also like to thank Fr. Pike and the use of St. Jude’s van.

I greatly appreciate his willingness to support this venture.

Our sponsors throughout the year deserve special mention as well, in particular, Msgr. Earl Provenza at Holy Trinity Church.

Next would be the Office of Mission Effectiveness, the NCYC committee, Deacon Clary Nash, Judge Wendell Manning, Fr. Tim Hurd, Fr. Matthew Long and Blake Royall. These men along with James Foshee, provided invaluable service at key points along the way. The ladies helped as well; Tracie Key, Michelle Higdon, Sandy Fried, etc. I don’t want to leave anyone out. All my adult chaperones were fantastic!

The teens themselves deserve a thank you as well. They were the best behaved kids I have ever had the pleasure of working with.

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Pro-Life News | by Roxie Tabor

The Wonder of God’s Blessings

Annual Diocesan Pro-Life Banquet

by Ruth Burdges, St. Pius X Church

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he second annual Bishop’s Pro-Life Banquet will be held Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at East Ridge Country Club (1000 Steward Drive, Shreveport, LA 71106). Proceeds from the banquet will support diocesan prolife activities for the coming year.

Fr. Shenan Boquet, President of Human Life International, the largest pro-life organization in the world, will be the guest speaker. Fr. Boquet, originally from Louisiana’s Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, has given hundreds of talks on issues ranging from the dignity of the human person, to the nature of marriage, social justice and moral theology.

Registration and payment must be received no later than Friday, January 27, 2012. Please contact Roxie Tabor at roxietabor@bellsouth.net or 318-773-1027 to obtain a registration form or for any questions.

Louisiana Life March: Building a Culture of Life

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he second annual Louisiana Life March will be held in Baton Rouge on Saturday, January 21st at 10:00 a.m.

The .8 mile walk will end at the steps of the Capital. The march is sponsored by the Louisiana Right to Life, Louisiana Family Forum, Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, Louisiana Baptist Convention, Concerned Women of America and the Knights of Columbus.

Information about the march, registration information, and directions are all available on www.LALifeMarch.com. This is an opportunity to join with thousands of Louisiana pro-life supporters in positive action and prayer for life.

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he beginning of the New Year usually has a lot of us reflecting on the past year and resolving to make changes in an attempt to “do better.” Some of us will decide to lose weight, or quit smoking, shop less, go to church more. We will approach January with our resolutions in hand, ready to conquer these vices we carry around like unwanted baggage. We will attempt to be victorious with a gusto and fervor that would make any momma proud. Then comes February and daily life has the fervor cut down to a whimper. The challenges of everyday life have us looking for a way to just cope. We pray for strength and assure ourselves that God understands if we slip every now and again.

Been there, done that.

I was recently fortunate to have a friend send me an eyeopening email. It told how a teacher asked her class to list what they thought the Seven Wonders of the World were. Of course, the whole class listed the well-known Taj Mahal, Grand Canyon and Egyptian Pyramids as well as the other wonders we all think fill the list. All but one girl, that is.

When the teacher asked the girl about her list, the girl was hesitant, as her list differed from everyone else’s. The girl explained that there were so many; it was hard to list only seven. As the teacher gathered the girl’s paper, she assured her that she would help in completing her list. The teacher then read the girl’s list and the silent reflection the list brought was a wonder in itself. On the list: to see, to hear, to touch, to feel, to love, to laugh, all the wonders that God has blessed us with that we take for granted.

I felt every wonder all at one time after reading the email. I saw how I, like a lot of people, take for granted the blessings we have every day of our lives. I heard God’s voice in my ear telling me to see more of the good things that are all around me, the color of the sky, and the smile on a child’s face; to hear and appreciate the beautiful sounds around me, the soothing melody of a song, the whisper or howl of the wind, or even a plea from someone in crisis, whether it be voiced or not. He tells me to feel, really feel, compassion for someone in need, to be non-judgmental; to touch someone in some way that leaves a lasting impression; to laugh and feel the release that laughter gives us; to love those who make it more difficult, for they are the ones who need love most; to realize that there is always someone somewhere who is blind and cannot see, deaf and cannot hear, desperate and confused because they no longer feel, or know how to feel, and therefore conclude themselves unloved. And so, it is therefore my resolution for the New Year to first of all thank God for giving me all His glorious wonders, to everyday appreciate and share each one of them in some way with those around me, and for putting people in my life who inspire me and make me see things from a different perspective.

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16 17 Catholic Connection January 2012

Hispanic Corner

por Rosalba Quiroz

del Niño Dios que celebramos durante este mes y hasta el 2 de febrero, Día de la Los Sabios del Oriente Candelaria. (Festividad en que la familia Visitan al Niño Dios que descubrió en muñequito de plástico an Mateo es el único de los cuatro en la rosca de reyes, da una cena en evangelistas que nos comparte la representación de que aceptó la venida del historia del nacimiento del Mesías.

Niño Jesús a su casa).

Leer la historia completa en (San Mateo 2, No se cuenta mas sobre la vida de estos 1-12) sabios, lo que sí sabemos es que este Niño, Comúnmente conocemos esta nacido en un humilde pesebre fue visitado celebración como la Epifanía (la revelación además de los pastores que cuidaban de de que Jesús era el Divino Niño), el Día sus rebaños, también por estos sabios, de Los Reyes Magos; día en que el Niño astrólogos que fueron desde tierras lejanas Jesús recibe la visita de estos personajes, a rendirle homenaje. Aún más importante conocidos también como astrólogos, es que ese Niño se convirtió en el Jesús que sabios, magos o legajos del Oriente. vino a mostrarnos el Reino de Dios y que San Mateo no los llama reyes pero por Él es nuestro Redentor y Salvador. los regalos de oro, incienso y mirra que A su vez, con esta historia verdadera se le entregan al Niño se asume que solo en la vida del Niño Jesús se nos recuerda reyes podrían llevar tan lujosos presentes, que todos los niños deben ser aceptados además de darse el lujo de hacer un viaje desde su concepción tal como María y José tan largo siguiendo una estrella para ver el aceptaron ser los padres de Jesús. Los niños nacimiento de quien ellos creyeron era el deben ser no solo respetados y amados sino enviado. De homenajeados por esta visita ser los seres más de los sabios hermosos que del Oriente Dios ha mandado vienen a la tierra para también las alegrar la familia tradiciones y que necesitan de la Rosca ser guiados por de Reyes, los el buen camino regalos en ya que ellos los Zapatos son quienes de los continuarán la niños y las creación de Dios levantadas (CNS photo/Nancy Phelan Wiechec) en este mundo.

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Calendario para el mes de Enero del 2012 6 Epifanía: Celebración del Día de Los Reyes 8 - 14 Semana Nacional de la Migración – La conferencia Episcopal de Obispos de Los Estados Unidos nos pide que oremos de una manera especial esta semana por los refugiados, por las víctimas de tráfico humano, por la dignidad humana y por una reforma migratoria justa.

12 Reunión del Comité Ejecutivo, Centro Católico 14 Conferencia Litúrgica: La Oración Eucarística,(Inglés), Centro Católico de 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Itinerario 2012 de clases generales en el Centro Católico - Fe y Cultura 11 de Febrero

- Escuela de Padres 21 de Abril

- Marionología-(Devociones a María) 2 de Junio

- Estudio de Biblia Antiguo Testamento I 29 de Septiembre

- Espiritualidad 4 de Agosto - Biblia Antiguo Testamento II 1º de Diciembre

Misas

Bossier City: Christ the King Church 425 McCormick St. Bossier City Sábado 7:00 p.m.

Domingo 3:00 p.m.

Lunes 7:00 p.m.

Confesiones 45 minutos antes de Misa Marilú Rodriguez Tel: 318-286-1492 Farmerville: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church 600 E. Water Street Farmerville Sábado 7:00 p.m.

Rev. Al Jost Tel: 318-243-0115 Mansfield: St. Joseph Church 305 Jefferson Street Mansfield 2do Domingo 2:00 p.m. y 3er Martes 6:30 p.m.

Juanita Ibarra Tel: 318-872-5390 Minden: St. Paul Church 410 Fincher Road Minden 2do y 4to Viernes 7:00 p.m.

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

Feliciano y Rosa Alviso Martinez Tel: 318-428-2137 Ruston: St. Thomas Aquinas Church 810 Carey Ave. Ruston 2do y 4to Domingo 2:30 p.m.

Soledad Broyles Tel: 318-243-1958 Shreveport: St. Mary of the Pines Church 1050 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop Shreveport Domingo 1:00 p.m.

Carmen Bradford Tel: 318-455-2300 West Monroe: St. Paschal Church 711 N 7th Street West Monroe Domingo 2:30 p.m.

Lorena Chaparro Tel: 318-651-9136

Rosalba Quiroz, Directora del Ministerio Hispano 318-219-7265 Jeanne Brown 318-219-7257 17 16

Roman Missal Voted Top News Story of 2011; Pope Benedict Top Newsmaker

Pope Says Late Cardinal Should Inspire Use of Media to Spread Gospel

by Nancy Frazier O’Brien, Catholic News Service

by Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service

Pope Benedict was the top newsmaker, according to the annual poll conducted by Catholic News Service. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

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ASHINGTON (CNS) -- The introduction of the English translation of the Roman Missal topped the religious news stories of 2011, and Pope Benedict XVI was again the top newsmaker, according to the annual poll conducted by Catholic News Service.

The continued effect of the global economic downturn was second among the 30 news stories on the ballot, the democracy movement in the Middle East dubbed the Arab spring took third place.

Among the 24 newsmakers on the ballot, Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, was second and U.S. President Barack Obama was third.

The poll was the 50th annual survey conducted by CNS. This year’s ballots were distributed December 2 and the deadline for returns was December 8. When the editors’ poll was first conducted in 1962, the overwhelming choice for top story was the opening of the Second Vatican Council. Last year, editors chose the recovery and rebuilding effort that followed the devastating January earthquake in Haiti as the top religious story of the year and Pope Benedict as the top newsmaker.

Editors were asked to vote for the top 10 news stories from a list of 30, and the top five newsmakers from a list of 24.

Votes were weighted by the rankings editors gave -- 10 points for a first-place vote, nine points for second, etc., and five points for top newsmaker, four for second, etc.

With 29 editors and CNS staff members submitting ballots, the maximum points a story could have received was 290. The most a newsmaker could receive on the five-point scale was 145.

Pope Benedict, who has been the top religious newsmaker in the CNS poll every year since 2006, took first place this year for his travels to Croatia, Benin, Germany and Spain; his declaration of the upcoming Year of Faith; and his meetings with U.S. bishops, which were to continue into 2012.

Among newsmakers, Blessed John Paul II, who was beatified in May, and Fordham University theologian Sister Elizabeth Johnson, whose 2007 book “Quest for the Living God” was declared “seriously inadequate as a presentation of the Catholic understanding of God” by the bishops’ Committee on Doctrine, were fourth and fifth, respectively.

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U.S. Cardinal John P. Foley, a dean of the Catholic press in the United States, died Dec. 11. (CNS photo/Nancy Phelan Wiechec)

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ATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI said he hoped the legacy of the late Cardinal John P. Foley would inspire others to make the Gospel known through mass media.

In a telegram to Archbishop Chaput of Philadelphia Dec. 12, the pope expressed his sadness and condolences for the death of Cardinal Foley, who died Dec. 11 in Darby, PA, after a battle with leukemia.“I recall with gratitude the late cardinal’s years of priestly ministry in his beloved Archdiocese of Philadelphia, his distinguished service to the Holy See as president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications and most recently his labors on behalf of the Christian communities of the Holy Land” as grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, the pope wrote.

The pope prayed that the cardinal’s “lifelong commitment to the church’s presence in the media will inspire others to take up this apostolate so essential to the proclamation of the Gospel and the progress of the new evangelization.”

Archbishop Claudio Celli, who succeeded the U.S. cardinal as president of the communications council, said Cardinal Foley “stressed the positive potential of the media in informing, instructing and inspiring others, as a key component of the church’s mission and pastoral outreach in spreading the Gospel.”

Cardinal Foley promoted dialogue within the church about communication, culture and media, and called on professionals to seek the highest standards in their work, he said.

Msgr. Paul Tighe, secretary of the communications council, said, “His great sensitivity was finding a language, and a way of speaking, a way of helping them to understand the church and to maybe overcome the little misunderstandings that could often color their attitude toward the church.”

Marjorie Weeke met Cardinal Foley when he worked as a reporter covering the Second Vatican Council from 1963 to 1965.

Under the cardinal’s tutelage, the council, which dealt with television and photo journalists’ access to the Vatican, gradually chipped away at Vatican reticence to allowing audiovisual journalists anywhere near the pope for fear their presence would be a disturbance, said Weeke.

One thing that made Cardinal Foley so special, she said, was that despite his career climb, “he was always a priest” – a vocation he loved very much. Even though he didn’t have time to do the kind of pastoral work he was used to doing back in the United States, he still did confirmations, celebrated Mass, blessed marriages or heard confessions as often as he could.

News Briefs

by Catholic News Service

John Olson holds a Liturgy of the Hours book he found in the remains of the rectory in Joplin, MO. The church, rectory, school and parish hall were destroyed by a massive category EF5 tornado May 22. (CNS photo/Dave Crenshaw, Eastern Oklahoma Catholic)

Natural Disasters in 2011 Prompt Outpouring of Charity

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ASHINGTON (CNS) -- Natural disasters around the world and across the U.S. this year prompted prayers, charitable giving and outreach amid unthinkable destruction. The devastation across the globe included an earthquake and tsunami in Japan, flooding in Australia and a drought in Africa. The U.S. was particularly hard hit with a string of natural disasters: unprecedented summer heat and drought, deadly tornadoes, a massive blizzard in the Northeast, major river floods, an earthquake on the East Coast followed by a hurricane that caused massive flooding. There also were a record number of wildfires and strong windstorms in Southern California to end the year. In January, a flood in Queensland, Australia, killed 13 people and devastated much of Australia’s coal, beef and agricultural industries. The Queensland chapter of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul set up a flood relief committee in response to the plight of more than 200,000 people affected in at least two dozen towns. In early March, a tsunami and magnitude 9 earthquake struck Japan, devastating parts of its coast and leaving nearly 20,000 people dead and hundreds of thousands homeless. It also triggered a meltdown at a nuclear power plant, releasing radiation and forcing tens of thousands of Japanese to evacuate their homes. Maryknoll Fr. Jim Mylet, who lives in Japan, noted that in the midst of the devastation, Catholics and others there were buoyed by the support they had received. “The prayers and support from around the world,” he said, “are a great source of strength and reinforce the image of us all sharing a common humanity under God our Father.”

Pope Celebrates Guadalupe Feast, Confirms He’ll Travel to Mexico, Cuba

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ATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and confirming he will travel to Mexico and Cuba in the spring, Pope Benedict XVI called on the people of Latin America to hold firm to their faith. During his homily at the Mass Dec. 12 in St. Peter’s Basilica, the pope prayed God would guide the decisions of Latin American people. Pope Benedict added that he intends “to make an apostolic trip to Mexico and Cuba before Easter to proclaim the word of Christ and to strengthen the conviction that this is a precious time to evangelize with a steady faith, a lively hope and an ardent charity.” Various Spanish language news outlets have reported the trip will take place between March 23 and March 29. In addition to marking the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the pope’s Mass marked the bicentennials of many Latin American countries, which gained their independence from Spain between 1810 and 1825. The bicentennial celebrations should not only recall historical, social and political events, he said, they also should include recognition of the Christian faith of the vast majority of the region’s people and how that faith contributed to the development of society.

New Missal Translation Introduced in 2011 Also an Evangelization Tool

(CNS photo/Nancy Phelan Wiechec)

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ASHINGTON (CNS) -- Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl doesn’t have a problem with the fact that there will be some missteps and some wrong words spoken during the first weeks of using the new English translation of the Roman Missal at Mass. “We are going to have to live with the fact that not every celebration is going to be perfect,” the archbishop of Washington said during a December 6 teleconference. “But that can be inviting to some people who are afraid they are going to do the wrong thing. They might say, ‘That’s the same struggle I’m having.’”

Cardinal Wuerl, who co-wrote The Mass: The Glory, the Mystery, the Tradition with Mike Aquilina, joined in a panel discussion about the impact of the new translation, which went into use in the United States on the first Sunday of Advent, November 27.

As 2011 drew to a close, American Catholics were greeting the new missal translation with a mostly positive response and finding some unexpected spiritual benefits in the need to pay closer attention to the words spoken at Mass – at least for a while. Father Dan Barron, an Oblate of the Virgin Mary who is director of spiritual formation at John Paul the Great Catholic University in San Diego and editor of Magnifikid!, a weekly worship aid for children, said he has been “amazed to see that 18-, 19-year-old students are talking about the liturgy. What brilliant youth minister could have been able to get young people talking about the missal?” he asked. “I give thanks to God for this great moment that I can be a part of.” Fr. Barron said children, who are “the least resistant to change,” will pick up the new wording quickly.

19 18

Around the Diocese

^

Mass was held for scouts and troop leaders at the Garland Boy Scout Camp on Sunday November 19. This has been an annual event since 1993. It has consistently been well attended by the boy scouts. Fr. Dariusz Pawlowski celebrated Mass. Musicians were Sr. Margaret Mitchell, cello; Sr. Christina Angelini, guitar; Kim Green, bass guitar; Suzan Atkins, guitar, cantor; Richard Murdaugh, cantor and event coordinator.

^

St. Benedict the Black Church parishioners Youlia Rabon and Mildred Gallot congratulated graduates Louise Monlouis (Master’s degree in Engineering from Louisiana Tech) and Miloni Perera (Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Grambling) at a dinner honoring students who graduated from Louisiana Tech University and Grambling State University.

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The Bell Choir of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church performed at the Boardwalk for the seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opening on November 16, 2011.

The choir members pictured from left to right are: Director Sheliqua Woodard, Kyla Brossett, Shelby Bryant, Robert Esters, Jacoby Bailey, Edward Lee, Tia Lowe, Wisdom Watts, and Alexis Watts.

From left to right on the front row are: Adrian Green, Gabrielle Meaux, McKenzie Thompson and Qylan Miles.

^

St. Benedict the Black Church said farewell to Brother Moses Mabele, an intern, in August with a luncheon.

20 21 Catholic Connection January 2012

^

The girls from St. Thomas Aquinas Church Catholic Youth Organization had a great time together as they enjoyed some delicious hamburgers and hotdogs from the Knights of Columbus at the CYO Annual Pool Party held at Barksdale Air Force Base.

Priests Reach Out | by Jim Addison

Celebration for Consecrated Religious Men and Women | by Sr. Marilyn Vassallo, csj, Coordinator of Religious

Bro. Roch Pfeifer, OFM

Sr. Concetta Scipione, OLS

Fr. Philip Pazhayakari, CMI

Bro. Giovanni Reid, OFM

Sr. Edith Schnell, OP

Sr. Mary Coleman, OLS 25 Years

60 Years

60 Years

50 Years

Fr. Richard Norsworthy prepares gumbo for students at ULM.

P

eople think of priests as men who prepare and deliver Masses, hear confessions, preside over weddings and funerals, but they are regular people just like you and me!

Recently two priests in the Monroe area took a step out of their everyday routine to touch the lives of college students. Fr. Job Edathinatt was seen on the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) campus passing out candy canes to students. He was wishing them a Merry Christmas and good luck on their upcoming finals as he was decked out in his Santa hat and carrying a big red sack.

Fr. Richard Norsworthy, the pastor at St. Joseph Church in Bastrop, was at the ULM Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM) preparing lunch for the students. Each Thursday the CCM provides students lunch for $1.00.

Fr. Norsworthy was once a pastor at Our Lady of Fatima Church and would always help out with the Thursday lunches. So on the last Thursday lunch of this year for the students, Fr. Norsworthy volunteered to come and make his famous gumbo. He started preparing all the ingredients at 8:00 a.m. to have it ready for the 11:30 a.m. start time. The meal was a hit and was served with salad, rice and bread along with drinks and dessert.

Priests are normal people just like us, but have undertaken the big task of following the Lord and conveying His messages to us all.

I wish our priests, clergy and all of you a very Happy New Year!

O

50 Years

50 Years

n Sunday, January 22, 2012, we will gather to celebrate the presence of religious men and women in the Diocese of Shreveport at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans at the 5:30 pm Liturgy. This diocesan celebration coincides with the celebration conducted in Rome by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. This is an excellent opportunity to encourage vocation awareness, as well as celebrate the jubilees of religious serving in our diocese.

Six men and women will be celebrating special milestones in their lives as members of religious communities in the Catholic Church.

Our Jubilarians this year are: • Bro. Roch Pfeifer, OFM (60 years) • Sr. Concetta Scipione, OLS (60 years) • Fr. Philip Pazhayakari, CMI (50 years) • Bro. Giovanni Reid, OFM (50 years) • Sr. Edith Schnell, OP (50 years) • Sr. Mary Coleman, OLS (25 years)

In addition to our Jubilarians, the Bishop would like to take the opportunity to recognize the following men and women for their service to the Church.

• Fr. Blane O’Neill, OFM (69 years) • Sr. Lucy Scallan, DC (66 years) • Sr. Maria Smith, DC (55 years) • Sr. Nancy Brossette, SFCC (54 years) • Sr. Carol Shively, OSU (34 years) All priests, deacons, religious and parishioners in the diocese are encouraged to attend this celebration.

All teachers and students in our Religious Education Programs and Catholic Schools are encouraged to take this opportunity during January to raise an awareness of the importance of religious vocations in our Church.

This is an excellent opportunity for those of us in the Diocese of Shreveport to show appreciation for the dedication and service provided by these men and women. For more information, please email the Office for Religious agoelden@dioshpt.org.

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Upcoming Events JANUARY 7: VOCATIONS DISCERNMENT RETREAT If you are a single man age 17-40, you’re invited to a one-day vocation discernment retreat on January 7. Ever wonder what seminary would be like? Interested in learning more about the priesthood? Come spend time praying about your vocation with men from around our diocese. Take the time to let God reveal His plan for you!

Hear inspiring presentations from priests, meet with seminarians, and reflect on your own vocation. It’s a time to slow down and listen to God. No pressure – just prayer.

For more information, or to register, contact the Vocations Office at 318219-7261, or e-mail Fr. David Richter at drichter@dioshpt.org.

JANUARY 12: VOCATIONS DISCERNMENT GROUP A Vocations Discernment Group will meet Thursday, January 12 at 6:15 p.m. at Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish Office in Monroe. If you have any questions call Fr. David Richter, Vocation Director, at 318-325-7549.

JANUARY 12 - MARCH 1, 2012: LIFE HAPPENS ALONG THE JOURNEY GRIEF GROUP St. Jude Church’s “Life Happens Along the Journey” is a free, non-denominational, community grief support group for adults and mature teens on Thursday evenings from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. The group meets at St. Jude Church in Kilpatrick Hall. Day care available. To register, call Laurie at 318-549-1082, or email lauriebelle55@ bellsouth.net.

JANUARY 13-14: 30TH ANNUAL JOHANNES HOFINGER CATECHETICAL CONFERENCE The 30th annual Johannes Hofinger Catechetical Conference scheduled for January 13-14, 2012, has been relocated to the Pontchartrain Center at 4545 Williams Blvd., Kenner, LA 70065. The conference is sponsored in partnership with the following (Arch) dioceses: Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Biloxi, Birmingham, Houma-Thibodaux, Jackson, Lafayette, Lake Charles, New Orleans, Mobile and Shreveport.

The conference theme is, “Do This In Memory of Me” with goals of “Believe,

22 23 Catholic Connection January 2012

Belong, Become.”

There will be three major addresses and over 50 breakout sessions. The conference features an exhibit hall and will host several publisher showcases during the lunch breaks on Friday and Saturday.

Fees for the 2012 Johannes Hofinger Conference: Friday and Saturday $95; Single day - $55 ($105/$60 after 12/9/2011) Discount rates are available for group registrations of five or more: $90/$50 and are available until 12/9/2011.

Conference details and links to hotel reservation information is available on the website. www.HofingerConference.org JANUARY 14: 2012 DIOCESAN LITURGICAL CONFERENCE The annual Diocesan Liturgical Conference will focus on “The Eucharistic Prayer.”

The conference will be led by Msgr.

Michael Clay. The event will be Saturday, January 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Catholic Center. $20 registration includes lunch. To register or for more information, contact Dianne Rachal, 318868-4441, or drachal@dioshpt.org.

FEBRUARY 1-2: ROY PETITFILS TO SPEAK DURING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK AT ST. JOSEPH CHURCH St. Joseph Catholic Church, Loyola College Prep, St. Joseph Catholic School and St. John Berchmans Catholic School will host Roy Petitfils for two amazing nights!

Parent Night– Wed., Feb. 1, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Roy Petitfils PARENTS you don’t want to miss this talk! “What Your Kids Want You to Know: (But Don't Tell You...and Why).”

We believe in this talk so much that we will provide nursery for up to 5th grade, limited space. PLEASE RSVP St. Joseph Church @ 318-865-3581.

Youth Night-Thurs., Feb. 2, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. OPEN TO ALL MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH public, private or home schooled. Don’t be the only one who hasn’t heard him! Totally different from the Thursday/Friday morning talks at Loyola/SJS/SJB. Be there Thursday night!

Both events at St. Joseph Catholic Church: 204 Patton Ave, Shreveport

Parents’ Night in the Church and Youth Night in the Activity Center.

The entire Diocese is invited for this wonderful opportunity.

FEBRUARY 4: PRO-LIFE BANQUET The Diocese of Shreveport’s Annual Pro-Life Banquet will be on Saturday, February 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Eastridge Country Club. Proceeds from the banquet will support the diocese’s pro-life activities in 2012.

Fr. Shenan Boquet, President of Human Life International, the largest pro-life organization in the world, will be the keynote speaker. Fr. Boquet, originally from Louisiana’s Diocese of HoumaThibodeaux, has given hundreds of talks at conferences on issues ranging from the dignity of the human person and the nature of marriage, to social justice and moral theology. Please email Roxie Tabor at roxietabor@bellsouth.net or call 318773-1027 to reserve your tickets for this important diocesan event. Tickets are $50 a person or $400 for a table of 8.

FEBRUARY 12: APPEAL SUNDAY Bishop Duca has chosen the Masses of February 11-12, 2012 to launch our 2012 Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal Campaign. Please mark your calendars and begin to plan now how you can gift your time, talent and treasure to the good of our combined ministry to the people of this region.

Appeal highlights for the coming year will be featured in the February issue of your Catholic Connection and don’t forget, additional Appeal donations received at the Catholic Center on or before December 31st can be attributed to your charitable contributions on your federal income tax form for 2011.

FEBRUARY 17-18: PATRICK MADRID TO SPEAK AT CATHEDRAL The Cathedral of St. John Berchmans will host a two-day speaking engagement / seminar with renowned Catholic author, apologist, speaker and EWTN radio personality Patrick Madrid. The event will take place Friday and Saturday, February 17 and 18. Patrick Madrid has presented over 1,500 seminars on Catholic themes across the United States and around the world. Mark your calendars! Contact the Cathedral Office for more information, 318-221-5296.

JANUARY 2012 SUNDAY

1

NEW YEAR’S DAY The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord; Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God World Day for Peace

MONDAY

TUESDAY

2

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

3

Catholic Center Closed

Men dressed as the Three Wise Men ride their horses as they take part in the Three Kings Cavalcade in celebration of the Epiphany in Warsaw, Poland. (CNS photo/Adam Kozak, Agencja Gazeta via Reuters)

4

The Most Holy Name St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious of Jesus

FRIDAY

5 St. John Neumann, bishop

6 St. Andre Bessette, religious

Sts. Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen, bishops & doctors of the Church

8

Epiphany of the Lord

9

10

11

12

13

14

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19

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St. Hilary, bishop & Diocesan Liturgical doctor of the Church Conference, Catholic Center, 9am

National Vocations Deadline for the Awareness Week February Catholic Begins Connection

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16

29

Appeal Announcement Sunday

17

Martin Luther King, Greco Spring Courses Begin Jr. Day Catholic Schools St. Anthony, abbot Closed Catholic Center Closed

23

Religious Jubilee Celebration, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, 5:30pm 2nd Collection: Diocesan Catholic Schools

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31 St. John Bosco, priest

Bishop Departs for 2nd Collection: Ad Limina Visit in Diocesan Catholic Rome Schools St. Fabian, pope & Louisiana March martyr; St. Sebastian, for Life, Baton martyr Rouge St. Agnes, virgin & martyr

25

St. Francis de Sales, Finance Council bishop & doctor of Meeting, Catholic the Church Center, 12pm The Conversion of St. Paul the apostle

Catholic Schools Week Begins

7 Men’s Discernment Retreat, Fairview House

St. Raymond of Penyafory, priest

The Baptism of the Lord

15

SATURDAY

1

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Sts. Timothy & Titus, St. Angela Merici, virgin bishops

2

All Schools Mass, Annual Religion & Loyola College Scholars Bowl, St. Prep Gym, 9am John Berchmans School World Day for Consecrated Life The Presentation of the Lord

3

28 St. Thomas Aquinas, priest & doctor of the Church

4

All Schools Mass, Pro-Life Banquet, St. Frederick High Eastridge Country School, 9am Club, Shreveport, St. Blaise, bishop & 6:30pm martyr; St. Ansgar, bishop

23 22

DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave.

â&#x20AC;˘

Shreveport, LA 71104

Fairfield

Our Lady of Guadalupe at Sacred Heart in Oak Grove

M

any parishes across the Diocese of Shreveport celebrated the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12. Sacred Heart Church in Oak Grove was one of those parishes. Fr. Mark Watson led the 7:00 p.m. Spanish Mass.

The feast day has been celebrated in the parish by Fr. Watson for the past eight years, even before he was pastor there.

24 Catholic Connection January 2012