Catholic Connection February 2013

Vol. 22, No. 7 February 2013

Celebrating Our Year of Faith 2013 Annual Diocesan

Stewardship Appeal

INSIDE: 2012 Annual Report The Eucharist: The Real Presence Holy Romance February 2013 1

bishop’s february calendar Publisher Bishop Michael G. Duca Editor Jessica Rinaudo Contributors Bishop Michael Duca

Rosalba Quiroz

Joseph Guinigundo

Katie Sciba

Fr. Matthew Long

Randy Tiller

Lucy Medvec

John Vining

Saundra Nalley

Mike Van Vranken

Fr. Rothell Price

John Mark Willcox

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

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

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

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

FEBRUARY 1 Men of Manresa Mass; Holy Trinity Church, Shreveport; 7:25 a.m.

FEBRUARY 2 Confirmation; Holy Trinity Church, Shreveport; 4:15 p.m. february 4-6 24th National Catholic Bioethics Center and Knights of Columbus Workshop for Bishops; Dallas FEBRUARY 7 Western Deanery Stewardship Appeal Donor Reception; Shreveport; 6:30 p.m.

FEBRUARY 9 Confirmation; St. Jude Church, Bossier City; 5:00 p.m.

FEBRUARY 10 Confirmation; Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Shreveport; 9:00 a.m.

Year of Faith Parish Visit; St. George Church, Coushatta; 6:30 p.m.

FEBRUARY 17 Rite of Election; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 2:30 p.m.

FEBRUARY 19 Year of Faith Parish Visit; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Shreveport; 6:30 p.m.

FEBRUARY 20 Calling Catholics Home; St. Michael the Archangel Chapel, Shreveport; 6:30 p.m.

FEBRUARY 11 Confirmation; Mary, Queen of Peace Church, Bossier City; 5:00 p.m.

FEBRUARY 21 Year of Faith Parish Visit; St. Patrick Church, Lake Providence; 5:00 p.m.

FEBRUARY 12 Krewe of Carpenter Mardi Gras Parade; St. Joseph School, Shreveport; 8:00 a.m.

FEBRUARY 22 Year of Faith Parish Visit; Holy Trinity Church, Shreveport; 12:05 p.m.

FEBRUARY 13 Ash Wednesday Mass; LSU-S Student Union Center, Shreveport; 11:00 a.m.

Stations of the Cross; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 5:30 p.m.

Ash Wednesday Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 5:30 p.m.

FEBRUARY 24 Year of Faith Parish Visit; ULM Catholic Campus Ministry/Christ the King, Monroe; 6:00 p.m.

FEBRUARY 14 Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops meeting; Baton Rouge

FEBRUARY 26 Year of Faith Parish Visit; St. Lucy Church, Hodge; 6:15 p.m.

FEBRUARY 15 Catholic Center Staff Retreat; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Shreveport

FEBRUARY 27 Year of Faith Parish Visit; Sacred Heart Church, Oak Grove; 6:00 p.m.

2013 Diocesan Directories Available for Order!

Directories are $7, including S&H. Please send checks made out to Diocese of Shreveport and this form to: Diocese of Shreveport Attn: Diocesan Directories 3500 Fairfield Avenue Shreveport, LA 71104

I would like to purchase _______ copies at $7 each.

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

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

2 Catholic Connection

Address: ________________________________________________ City, State and Zip: _______________________________________ Phone Number: __________________________________________

contents

february 2013

columns Filling Life with Year of Faith Parish Visits by Bishop Michael G. Duca......................... 4-5 Mike’s Meditations: Provisions for Success by Mike Van Vranken.........................6 Second Collections: Operation Rice Bowl by Fr. Rothell Price ............................6 Domestic Church: Inviting God Into Your Relationship by Katie Sciba..............................7

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Holy Romance: Keep the Holy Spirit’s Fire Burning by Katie Sciba .......................7 Documents of Vatican II: Christus Dominus by Dianne Rachal ...........................8 Decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops in the Church

Year of Faith Saint: St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, RSCJ by USCCB....................8 Navigating the Faith: Eucharist, The Real Presence by Fr. Matthew Long..........9

features 2013 Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal by John Mark Willcox.................... 10-11 How your contributions aid the ministries of the Diocese of Shreveport

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2012 Diocese of Shreveport Annual Report........................................................ 12-14 A review of our audit and finances

news Encounter Youth Rally by John Vining ....................................................................15 Rwandan Survivors to Speak at Cathedral: Immaculee & Fr. Ubald

by Lucy Medvec........................................................................................................15 Groups Form to Study Eucharist During Lent by Randy Tiller................................16 25 Years as a Priest: Fr. James Thekkemury by Saundra Nalley.............................16

15 on the cover

Catholic Schools Week: Following Christ’s Lead in Valuing Our Children

by Fr. Matthew Long..................................................................................................17 Hispanic Corner by Rosalba Quiroz.........................................................................18 Across the Globe by USCCB & Catholic News Service............................................19 Call to Prayer for Life, Marriage and Religious Liberty; Be Like Good Samaritan, Help Those in Need, Pope Says

Vatican News and Notes by Catholic News Service..............................................19 Around the Diocese ...............................................................................................20 School News ...........................................................................................................21 Upcoming Events....................................................................................................22 February Calendar ................................................................................................23 Picture of the Month by Joseph Guinigundo..........................................................24

Bishop Michael Duca elevates the host in this year’s 2013 Annual Stewardship Appeal art.

February 2013 3

LA REFLEXIÓN del obispo

por Obispo Michael G. Duca

Llenando la Vida con Visitas a las Parroquias por el Año de la Fe

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sta temporada del año, desde febrero hasta junio, es mi temporada más ocupada del año como Obispo. En este mes de febrero entraremos a la temporada de Cuaresma, un tiempo importante de renovación en la vida de la Iglesia y en nuestras vidas personales. Comenzaré celebrando las Confirmaciones en las parroquias las cuales continúan hasta junio.

Este mes también viajaré a la parroquia de San Jorge en Coushatta como mi primera visita parroquial por el Año de la Fe, que finalmente me llevará a cada parroquia de la diócesis.

Si le agregan a todo mi trabajo de administración (presupuestos, asignaciones de los sacerdotes, por ejemplo), este invierno y primavera tendré un itinerario muy ocupado, pero estoy emocionado de tener la oportunidad de visitar cada una de nuestras parroquias y orar con ustedes en el Año de la Fe. Con frecuencia me preguntan cómo puedo mantener este itinerario tan ocupado, pero tal vez podría preguntarles a ustedes lo mismo. ¿Cómo pueden manejar el trabajo, niños, familia, voluntariado en sus parroquias, los necesitados y organizaciones comunitarias?

Pienso que muchos de nosotros podemos decir que tenemos vidas muy ocupadas.

Mi respuesta es que mi vida no está muy ocupada – está completa. Ocupada puede insinuar una vida sin dirección con cosas sin importancia. Si no que al contrario, en mi vida, y me imagino, que en la de ustedes así es, la mayoría de nuestras responsabilidades están ahí por nuestros compromisos de amor, nuestra vocación o el deseo generoso de servir a otros que fluye de nuestra fe y deseo de compartir el amor de Dios con los demás. Cuando nos recordamos a nosotros mismos de esto vemos que nuestras vidas no están ocupadas, sino COMPLETAS de todas las bondades y bendiciones que fluyen de opciones intencionales y compromisos que hemos hecho. Sí, yo se que estas bendiciones con frecuencia requieren nuestro amor aun al punto del sacrificio, pero lo mejor de la vida se encuentra en estas exigencias de amor. Esto es lo que Jesús nos dice con Su misma vida. “porque el que quiera salvar su vida la perderá, pero quien pierda su vida por mi causa la encontrará.” Mt. 10:39 “No hay amor más grande que esto, dar su vida por sus amigos.”

Jn. 15:13

Visitas a las Parroquias por el

Año de la Fe por Obispo Michael Duca

FEBRERO 15 St. George Church, Coushatta; 6:30 p.m.

FEBRERO 27 Sacred Heart Church, Oak Grove; 6:00 p.m.

FEBRERO 19 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Shreveport; 6:30 p.m.

MARZO 6 St. Jude Church, Bossier City; 5:00 p.m.

FEBRERO 21 St. Patrick Church, Lake Providence; 5:00 p.m.

MARZO 8 Mary, Queen of Peace Church, Bossier City; 6:30 p.m.

FEBRERO 22 Holy Trinity Church, Shreveport; 12:05 p.m.

MARZO 19 St. Joseph Church, Shreveport; 7:00 p.m.

FEBRERO 24 ULM Campus Ministry/ Christ the King, Monroe; 6:00 p.m.

MARZO 20 St. Benedict Church, Grambling; 7:00 p.m.

FEBRERO 26 St. Lucy Church, Hodge; 6:15 p.m.

* Más tarde, las visitas serán publicados en los números siguientes de la Catholic Connection.

4 Catholic Connection

Si observan cuidadosamente, las partes de la vida que son el problema verdadero son las que atentan con alejarnos de las exigencias de amor y prometen una recompensa más centrada en sí mismas. Aquí es donde con frecuencia somos tentados al pecado. En estos momentos de tentación, por lo general buscamos o fantaseamos sobre alguna salida dañina a nuestras vidas aunque nos promete una vida de más libertad personal. Pero la vida por este camino por lo regular tiene menos significado, es una vida más egoísta que está ocupada con cosas sin importancia. Nuestra protección para no tomar este camino es el regalo de la Fe que nos lleva a un significado eterno de nuestras vidas completas, nos da la resolución y el consejo de alejarnos de la tentación y nos enseña que las exigencias del amor que nos hacen sentir que estamos muriendo son más bien el comienzo de una resurrección en nuestras vidas donde seremos más libres para amar como Jesús nos amó primero.

Esta Fe en Cristo que viene y se nos ha heredado desde los Apóstoles es algo por lo que daremos gracias en las tardes de oración por el Año de la Fe cuando visite su parroquia.

Nos reuniremos alrededor de la Palabra de Dios y voy a hablar de este regalo en nuestras vidas, de los desafíos de ser fiel hoy y de la libertad del pecado y muerte que nos trae a nuestras vidas. Opto por tener estas reuniones de oración que serán la Liturgia de la Palabra, en vez de Misa, para que puedan invitar a sus amigos no-Católicos y a sus vecinos al servicio en su Iglesia y ellos puedan también tomar parte en el servicio.

Estoy ansioso de verlos cuando visite su parroquia. Vamos a publicar las fechas de mis visitas en la Catholic Connection, para que si se pierden una pueda asistir a otra parroquia si así lo desean. Oro para que este Año de la Fe sea un tiempo de bendiciones en nuestras vidas donde libremente y con amor abarquemos toda la bondad de nuestras vidas COMPLETAS. Oro también a Dios para que nos mantenga fieles a las exigencias del amor que nos ofrezca el camino para crear un corazón libre y amar y abrazar la Esperanza de Jesús en nuestras vidas.

bishop’s reflection

by Bishop Michael G. Duca

Filling life with year of faith parish visits

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his time of the year, from February until June, is usually my busiest time of the year as a Bishop. In this month of February we will enter the season of Lent, an important time of renewal in the life of the Church and Bishop Duca in our personal lives. I will begin the celebration of Confirmations in the parishes, which will continue into June. This month I will also travel to St. George Church in Coushatta for the first of my Year of Faith Parish Visits, which will eventually bring me to every parish and church in the diocese.

If you add in all my ongoing work of administration (budgets and assignment of priests, for example) this winter and spring will mean a busy schedule, but I am excited to have the opportunity to visit each of our churches and pray with you in the Year of Faith.

I am often asked how I can keep such a busy schedule, but I could probably ask many of you the same question. How do you juggle work, children, family, volunteer responsibilities for the parish, the needy and community organizations?

I think many of us can say we have very busy lives.

My answer is that my life is not busy – it is full. Busy can imply an undirected life of unimportant tasks. Quite the contrary, in my life and, I suspect, in yours as well, most of our responsibilities are there because of our commitments to love, our vocation or the generous desire to serve others that flows from our faith and desire to share the love of God with others.

When we remind ourselves of this we see that our lives are not busy, but FULL of all kinds of blessings flowing from intentional choices and commitments we have made.

Yes, these blessings often require our love even to the point of sacrifice, but the best of life is found in these demands of love.

This is what Jesus tells us by His very life.

“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” MT. 10:39 “No greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Jn. 15:13 If you look carefully, the parts of life that are the real problem are the ones that tempt us away from the demands of love and promise a more self-centered reward. This is often where we are tempted to sin. In these moments of temptation we usually seek or fantasize about some unhealthy relief from our lives that promises a life of more personal freedom. But the life down this path is usually going to be a less meaningful, self-serving life that is busy with so many unimportant things. Our protection from going down this boring path is the gift of Faith that brings an eternal meaning to our full lives, gives us the resolve and counsel to avoid temptation and teaches us that the demands of love that make us feel like we are dying are actually the beginning of a resurrection in our lives where we will become freer to love as Jesus loved us first.

This Faith in Christ that has and is being handed down from the Apostles to us is what we will give thanks for in our Year of Faith Evening of Prayers when I visit your church. We will gather around the Word of God and I will speak of this gift in our lives, the challenges of being faithful today and the freedom from sin and death that it brings to our lives. I chose to have these gatherings of prayer to be a Liturgy of the Word, rather than a Mass, so you might invite your non-Catholic friends and neighbors to a service at your church and they can fully take part in the service.

I look forward to seeing you when I visit your church. We will publish the dates of my visits in the Catholic Connection, so if you miss one you might attend at another church if you wish. I pray this Year of Faith will be a time of blessing in our lives where we freely and lovingly embrace all the goodness of our FULL lives. I pray God will keep us faithful to the demands of love that offer us the way to create a heart free to love and embrace the Hope of Jesus in our lives.

Year of Faith

Parish Visits

by Bishop Michael Duca

FEBRUARY 15 St. George Church, Coushatta; 6:30 p.m.

FEBRUARY 27 Sacred Heart Church, Oak Grove; 6:00 p.m.

FEBRUARY 19 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Shreveport; 6:30 p.m.

MARCH 6 St. Jude Church, Bossier City; 5:00 p.m.

FEBRUARY 21 St. Patrick Church, Lake Providence; 5:00 p.m.

MARCH 8 Mary, Queen of Peace Church, Bossier City; 6:30 p.m.

FEBRUARY 22 Holy Trinity Church, Shreveport; 12:05 p.m.

MARCH 19 St. Joseph Church, Shreveport; 7:00 p.m.

FEBRUARY 24 ULM Campus Ministry/ Christ the King, Monroe; 6:00 p.m.

MARCH 20 St. Benedict Church, Grambling; 7:00 p.m.

FEBRUARY 26 St. Lucy Church, Hodge; 6:15 p.m.

* Later visits will be published in subsequent issues of the Catholic Connection.

February 2013 5

mike’s meditations

by Mike Van Vranken

provisions for success Make studying the Bible a life changing habit

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by Fr. Rothell Price

second collections

Operation Rice Bowl & Catholic Relief Services

CNS Photo illustration / Nancy Wiechec

hat will cause your successes in 2013? What will you study, think about and spend your time doing this year that will help you thrive in all areas of your life? Look at what God told Joshua to do: “Do not let this book of the law depart from your lips. Recite it by day and by night, that you may carefully observe all that is written in it; then you will attain your goal; then you will succeed.” (Joshua 1:8 NAB) Other meanings of the Hebrew word “law” are instruction, direction or teaching.

God was telling Joshua to never let the book of instruction (or teaching) depart from his mouth. He told him to recite it both day and night and to carefully, or by keeping watch, do whatever the book tells him to do. The result God promises Joshua (and us) is the attainment of his goals or successes!

The ability to thrive comes from a way of life that is established in God’s Word. If we study, think about and spend our time in Bible study and meditation, it will become part of our natural daily lives. It will guide our thoughts. It will inspire our actions.

It will dominate our very beings. Then God’s promise of success and prudent wisdom will be ours.

If you’ve ever owned a smartphone, using it for the first time was probably foreign to you. You needed help from an owner’s manual, a friend or you spent a lot of time digging deep and learning how to use it. After a while, using it became second nature. You trained yourself by studying and practicing – mastering your knowledge of that phone.

That’s exactly what will happen if the Bible is constantly on your lips – if you recite it both day and night and carefully observe what it says. It will eventually become such a consistent part of your life that victories over problems, anxiety and fear will be commonplace.

There is no promise that 2013 won’t come with it’s own problems and troubles. But, God’s pledge is victory and success in spite of those obstacles, as long as we literally live in His Word.

Hard to do? Maybe, but the process is heavenly and the outcome is divine!

Mike started a teaching ministry after graduating from the University of Dallas’ School of Ministry in 2006 (www. mikevanvrankenministries.org). He also serves as an adjunct professor for the Diocese of Shreveport’s Greco Institute.

6 Catholic Connection

second collection

Photo by Kim Pozniak/CRS

Announcement Dates February 3rd & 10th Beginning and Ending Dates: Ash Wednesday, February 13th – Easter Sunday, March 31st Collection Date: Easter Sunday

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he theme of this year’s Rice Bowl campaign is, “FOR LENT, FOR LIFE: What you give up for Lent changes lives.”

Christmas has quietly drawn to a close and our transition into these short four-and-a-half weeks of Ordinary Time are coming to a swift conclusion. The solemn, reflective and disciplined Season of Lent is close at hand. It somehow seems right, at least spiritually, that we celebrate Valentine’s Day the day after Ash Wednesday this year. After all, we are celebrating the sacrificial and life-giving love of Jesus Christ, our one true, eternal love in the season of conversion, preparation and renewal.

In this context the Catholic Relief Services’ Operation Rice Bowl begins. This spiritual endeavor of putting in a special container the spiritual fruit of our discipline, sacrifice and contemplation is a great participation in the self denial, saving sacrifice and contemplative trust of the Lord Jesus. Now, in noble simplicity, we adorn our living room coffee table, dining table, nightstand, desk or prayer table with a special container to hold a gift for him to be bestowed on the least of his brothers and sisters.

Whether your Operation Rice Bowl is an individual, family or class effort, you are gathering up and laying aside through the prayer, fasting and almsgiving of Lent, a treasure of Resurrection light, joy and hope for the most powerless and vulnerable of his brothers and sisters. Make a good start on Ash Wednesday, build on that good beginning each day of Lent and finish gloriously on Easter. It is a joy to receive those taped, string-tied, glued, ribbonwrapped, stapled, zip-locked, twist-tied, and otherwise-heldtogether containers at Easter for the glory of the Lord.

On February 24 we will anounce the second collection for March in support of Catholic Relief Services. The Catholic Relief Services Collection theme is “Jesus in Disguise: How will you Help?” The Catholic Relief Services Collection supports families in distress, whether across the street or half way around the globe.

This collection helps families, values their fundamental role in society, and strives to protect them. We will have more information about this second collection in our next issue.

Fr. Rothell Price, Vicar General, is the Director of Special Collections.

domestic church

by Katie Sciba

inviting god into your relationship How combining individual and joint prayer can transform love

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ow would you describe the romance in your life? Exciting?

New? How about holy?

When it comes to relationships, keeping the faith isn’t often connected with lighting the spark, but I submit that the two go hand-in-hand.

Since love is in the air this month of St. Valentine’s Day, there’s no better way to keep the fire burning than inviting God into your romance.

Holy romance involves pursuing and accepting the grace of God in your relationship and maintaining respect of the mutual dignity found in yourself and your beloved. But how do you do it? In a culture that focuses on the idea of just two people in a relationship, it’s hardly mainstream to acknowledge that God is the essential third party. Maintaining a relationship is fun and exciting, but there are challenges, short-comings, and the occasional frustration to make you recognize your imperfections; relying on God’s grace to keep things going is much better than taking it all on yourselves.

After all, “a three-ply cord is not easily broken,” (Eccl. 4:12) and a love that carries the presence of God within it, working to do what God desires, will stand against time and tempest.

Consider increasing how frequently you pray together - say a Chaplet of Divine Mercy or Rosary on a walk after dinner, meet for adoration before a date, go to confession and Mass together. Prayer allows you to experience the love of God and in doing so, you’ll better enable yourself to love others. It’s also crucial to talk about your relationship every now and then to make sure you’re on the same page, encourage the things you love, and change the things you don’t. Above all,

try to imitate God in how you love each other and a perfect way to do that is to follow 1 Corinthians 13, St. Paul’s renowned writing of love as being patient, kind and beyond. Like (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz) anything new, inviting God into your relationship if you haven’t before may feel unnatural or forced; but with determination and patience, you’ll see a new radiance in your connection with your sweetheart.

In my own experience, the quality of my relationship within my marriage tends to mirror the quality of my relationship with God. For example, if I’m not praying regularly as an individual, I find that I feel distant from my husband and I don’t communicate as well. I’m more self-centered instead of self-giving. If I’m attentive to God’s presence, on the other hand, and joyfully accepting of His will, I’m much more open, loving and cheerful in our married vocation. I’m more willing to give of myself and maintain a spirit of generosity in the things I do for my husband. We’re closer and better friends when we’re prayerful together and individually.

Any romantic relationship requires work and commitment and while your connection may be spot on, there are usually occasions of feeling “off” with your beloved. Inviting God into your romance breaks down any barriers, allowing you to be open and honest with yourselves. You’re more free to feel at ease and comfortable both with each other and with God and free to see each other in a holy, truly romantic light.

Katie Sciba is the author of thecatholicwife.net. She lives in Shreveport with her husband, Andrew, and two sons, Liam and Thomas.

Holy Romance Keep the Holy Spirit’s fire burning in your relationship with these tips for holy romance:

Pray Together

Get to know how your sweetheart relates to God. Keep Christ at the center by going to confession and Mass together. A successful love connection calls for 110% from all three of you – him, her, and God.

Check-In

Every now and then, discuss how your relationship is doing.

Are there unresolved issues or things you’d like to change?

What about what you love about each other? Keeping the lines of communication open is key to crushing resentment and fanning the flame.

Be Open & Forgiving

Hot under the collar? Don’t wait until you’re ready to burst to talk it out. If you’re hurt, address the issue once emotions have cooled.

Calmly explain your perspective and humbly listen to your loved one. Be open to correcting your behavior, forgiving the other person and moving on.

The Spice of Life

Try new things! A different coffee place, different music, different prayers. Even the saints practiced different devotions in their relationships with God. Change things up to keep it fresh.

February 2013 7

Vatican II Documents of

Christus Dominus

Decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops in the Church

B

by Dianne Rachal

“

ishops, in the exercise of their teaching office, are to proclaim to humanity the gospel of Christ. This is one of their principal duties.” CD 12 The preparatory commission on bishops prepared a draft entitled “Bishops and the Government of Dioceses” that was presented to the bishops of Vatican II for debate in November 1963. The bishops expressed their strong support for the principle of collegiality (the idea that the pope shares authority with his brother bishops). The draft document was completely rewritten with the new text adopting the principle of collegiality as its guiding theme. Christus Dominus was approved October 28, 1965, at the Council’s fourth session.

This is the outline for Christus Dominus: Introduction Chapter One: The Bishops in Relation to the Universal Church Chapter Two: Bishops in Relation to Their Own Churches or Dioceses Chapter Three: Concerning the Cooperation of Bishops for the Common Good of a Number of Churches Christus Dominus closely follows Lumen Gentium, the Constitution on the Church, concerning the traditional theology of the episcopate and apostolic succession: the pope and the other bishops take the place of the apostles, who were sent out by Christ

the Lord. Christus Dominus also notes the two “new” teachings of Lumen Gentium: the collegiality of bishops and the sacramentality of episcopal consecration.

Chapter One treats the universal and missionary responsibilities of the bishop. A synod of bishops, selected from around the world, is one concrete way in which bishops can act together in caring for the universal Church. A reorganization of the Roman Curia was called for, with representation of the worldwide Church and consultation with lay people.

Chapter Two defines the diocese, or “particular church,” as the “one, holy, catholic and apostolic church where Christ is truly present and active.” This model of church as the diocese led by the bishop is drawn from early Christianity. The bishop, following the model of Christ as prophet, priest and king, proclaims the Word, sanctifies the people and shepherds his flock.

Chapter Three considers an intermediate level between the local diocese and the universal Church. After briefly mentioning regional synods and councils, episcopal conferences are proposed as a way for bishops of a nation or region to collaborate.

Episcopal conferences are affirmed and general guidelines for their establishment are offered.

Since Vatican II, national conferences of bishops have become an important way for bishops to exercise their teaching ministry.

The USCCB has issued successful documents on peace and on the economy. Since 1998 episcopal conferences can issue doctrinal statements only if a document is 1) approved unanimously by the bishops of the conference or 2) approved by a two-thirds majority and subsequently approved by Rome.

“Bishops, sharing in the solicitude for all the churches, exercise this episcopal office of theirs, which they have received through episcopal consecration, in communion with and under the authority of the supreme pontiff.” CD 3

U.S. bishops as they gather for their annual fall meeting in Baltimore. (CNS photo/Nancy Phelan Wiechec)

8 Catholic Connection

Year of Faith Saint: February 2013

S

t. Rose Philippine Duchesne was a passionate young woman with a heart for missionary work. She was educated at the Convent of the Visitation of Ste. Marie d’en Haut, then, drawn to the contemplative life, she became a novice there when she was 18 years old. She joined the Visitation nuns at the age of 19, but a few years later, convents were shut down during the French Revolution and Rose was forced to return to life as a lay woman for many years.

Ten years later she was finally able to rejoin a convent, this time as a member of the Society of the Sacred Heart.

In 1818, she was sent to the Louisiana Territory as a missionary, facing illness, hardship and hunger to bring Catholicism to the Native Americans. She opened the first free school for girls west of the Mississippi River, as well as the first Catholic school for Native Americans. She was known among the Pottowami Indians as the “Woman Who Prays Always.” from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops & vatican.va

Navigating the Faith EUCHARIST: The Real Presence

by Rev. Matthew T. Long

F

ollowing the resurrection of the Lord, Christ appeared to and taught the apostles numerous times over a 40-day period. When it was time for him to return to the right hand of the Father, he commissioned the apostles to go out into the world and teach all he had taught them and he ended his teachings with these words “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

(Matthew 28:20). This promise made

by Christ was a promise not only to those gathered around him, but to all the faithful who would heed his teachings.

As a result of this promise most people are aware of the many ways the Lord is present to us. We recognize his presence in the alien, the marginalized and the forgotten. We recognize his presence where two or more are gathered in his name.

We recognize his presence in creation. We recognize his presence in the priest, in the Word proclaimed and in the assembly gathered at Mass. He is present to us in the love of a husband and wife, a parent and child and within the Christian Community.

Christ is present to us in many other ways as well. The most important way he is present to us, however, is in the Eucharistic species, the bread and wine transformed into something extraordinary by the Word spoken and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Christ’s presence under this mode is unique. It is unique because, “the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained.” St. Thomas Aquinas, STH III, 73, 3c.

We usually refer to this presence as “Real.” This is not to in any way diminish the other ways Christ is made present to us. What this signifies is that under the Eucharistic species Christ is present in the fullest sense as both, God and man, he makes himself wholly and entirely present.

CCC 1374.

St. John Chrysostom gives an excellent explanation of how bread and wine are converted into the Body and Blood of the Lord.

“It is not man that causes the things

offered to become the Body and Blood of Christ, but he who was crucified for us, Christ himself. The priest, in the role of Christ, pronounces these words, but their power and grace are God’s. This is my body, he says. This word transforms the thing offered.”

As is evident it is through the Word that ordinary bread and wine become something extraordinary. This same Word spoke the universe into being from nothing. This same Word calmed the storm. This same Word redeemed and saved us by his saving work on Calvary. It is through the Word that Christ becomes really present to us under the Eucharistic species.

The Church has used the word ‘transubstantiation’ to define this changing of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of the Lord. The Council of Trent

... under the Eucharistic species Christ is present in the fullest sense that as both, God and man, He makes himself wholly and entirely present. summarized it best when it stated, “that by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood.” CCC 1736.

This means that although every one of our senses tells us it is bread and wine, it is truly the Body and Blood of the Lord.

St. Thomas Aquinas reminds us it “cannot be apprehended by the senses but only

by faith, which relies on divine authority.” This divine authority comes from Christ’s own words spoken at the Last Supper and preserved by the Sacred Tradition in Sacred Scripture, “This is my body.”

St. Cyril admonishes us, “Do not doubt whether it is true, but rather receive the words of the Savior in faith, for since he is truth, he cannot lie.”

Christ becomes present in the Eucharist at the moment of the consecration when the priest speaks the words that Christ spoke 2,000 years ago. This presence continues and is whole and entire under both species and in each part, in such a way that by breaking the bread or pouring the wine cannot divide Christ. CCC 1377.

We acknowledge the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist every time we enter a Church where the Eucharistic species is reserved in the tabernacle. We do this by genuflecting before we enter our pew or each time we pass before the tabernacle.

We also do it when we approach the altar of God to receive communion by making a simple bow. We do this as well when we kneel during the consecration, after the Agnes Dei, and after receiving communion.

These are acts we often do not think about, but by doing them we acknowledge the real presence of God. We are blessed in an amazing way as Catholics that the Lord we follow and serve makes himself truly and really present to us as we make this pilgrim journey upon earth. All of us can acknowledge our belief in the real presence and increase our faith in it by simply giving our time to the Lord. He is reserved in every one of our Churches signaled by the vigil lights burning throughout our diocese. The God of all creation is waiting patiently for us to come and spend a few moments with him. I urge all of you to make your way to church and spend a few minutes or hours praying before the tabernacle, acknowledging Christ’s real presence and at the same time bolstering your own faith as you draw ever nearer to the one who saves.

February 2013 9

Celebrating Our Year of Faith

2013 Annual Diocesan

Stewardship Appeal

by John Mark Willcox Director of Stewardship & Development

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t seems that God sometimes provides the most surprising results to our efforts amid a time of challenge and need. Such is the case with our 2012 Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal Campaign which finished with a record amount pledged ($1,322,220) and a record 98% collected on that pledge total ($1,295,665). “The generosity of the people of our diocese is simply amazing,” comments Bishop Michael G. Duca. “For them to respond to our Appeal in such a positive way is truly life-giving for the work of Christ in our area.

I can’t begin to promote this year’s Appeal effort without first thanking our giving donors who made our 2012 Appeal so successful.”

As we continue our stewardship journey in this historic Year of Faith, Appeal donors are encouraged to embrace this New Year with a re-commitment to the various Appeal programs and ministries that define who we are as Catholic Christians.

Despite the success of our most recent Appeal campaign, the jaw-dropping numbers listed above represent gifts from only 28 percent of the known Catholic families within our diocese.

Help your diocese improve our level of donor participation by encouraging others in your circle of influence to join you as a financial supporter of our Annual Appeal. “Making a gift is the key,” reminds Bishop Duca. “If we can get more of the faithful involved in becoming Appeal givers, then I know the Lord will grace us with an even greater capacity to provide for others.”

Appeal Sunday will take place across the diocese on February 10th and efforts are under way to offer every Catholic family in the diocese the opportunity to give to this year’s Appeal campaign. Many familiar Appeal causes such as subsidies for our Retired and Infirm Priests, Charitable Outreach to the needy among us through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Catholic Charities, Appeal underwriting of the Catholic Connection and tuition assistance for Catholic Schools will remain in place, but some programs, such as our Seminarian Education/ Vocations and Hispanic Ministry will require additional

Charitable Outreach 10 Catholic Connection

Retired Prie

ests

Appeal support due to dramatic supported training and education increases relative to growth. through our Youth Office which With five current also offers opportunities for our seminarians in formation at Young Catholic Adults to gather for two different institutions, the beneficial fellowship through programs diocese is finally approaching such as “Theology on Tap.” another priestly ordination The newly formed Office of in May of 2014. “Things are Catechesis will draw on Appeal progressing nicely thanks to funding in the coming year as God,” comments Director of our diocese seeks to provide faith Vocations Rev. Matthew Long. formation to children, families, “We hope to add to these parents and adults. Beginning a fourth numbers in the coming year decade of existence, Greco Institute, and it gives me real comfort to now under the Office of Catechesis, Hispanic Ministries know that our Appeal will be will use Appeal funding to continue there for these men as it was providing quality adult formation for me during my time in seminary training. Appeal generosity throughout the diocese. This spring, Appeal funding will allow truly does make a big difference when it comes to recruiting and Greco Institute courses to be taught free of charge in Bossier City, educating the future priests of our diocese.” Ordination to the Monroe, West Monroe, Homer and Shreveport. priesthood won’t be the only highlight of 2014, as 16 men in In this Year of Faith, our Appeal-subsidized Office of Worship our current diaconate program will also seek ordination, in part is providing the leadership necessary for the people of our diocese because of Appeal support for our ongoing diaconate training to join Catholics around the globe in celebrating the 50th program. anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. This includes 2013’s Hispanic Ministry within our diocese celebrated 25 years Annual Liturgical Conference on March 16, 2013, which will of active service to our region in 2012, and a new emphasis on focus on the progression of the liturgy in the wake of Vatican II. Hispanic Youth has become a special concentration in this “Year Bishop Duca’s bi-annual Pro-Life Banquet was successfully of Faith,” as a full-time Hispanic Youth Coordinator has been celebrated on January 31st, due in part to Appeal support of added with help of Catholic Extension Society. Director of Pro-Life Ministries dedicated to serving the least among us.

Catholic Hispanic Ministry Rosalba Quiroz remains grateful for Add ongoing Appeal supported Continuing Clergy Education Appeal support. “Appeal donations help us answer the growing and a highly successful Safe Environment Program that has needs of our Hispanic community and we are excited about our depended on Appeal funding since 2002, and you have another efforts to reach out to all ages year of combined diocesan-wide among our Spanish speaking dependence on the generosity of our Catholics in North Louisiana. area Catholics.

I am also pleased to see more Becoming an Appeal donor is easy. members of our Hispanic Simply use the 2013 Appeal pledge Community becoming donors to card found on page 22 of this issue, our Annual Appeal.” or take advantage the opportunity Because of your Appeal to make your Appeal pledge at your donation, Catholic college place of worship. The 10-month students in six universities pledge plan makes supporting your throughout our diocese will Appeal simple and information benefit from campus ministry provided on your 2013 Appeal and outreach during a critical pledge card will ensure your monthly point in their maturation as pledge statements will arrive to your adults. Those who serve as youth address. You can also give Vocations and Seminarian Education preferred leaders are provided Appeal online at www.dioshpt.org.

Youth & Young Adults

Pro-Life Ministry

Catholic Schools February 2013 11

2012 ANNUAL REPORT

12 Catholic Connection

February 2013 13

2012 ANNUAL REPORT

14 Catholic Connection

NEWS

Encounter Youth rally

A retreat and celebration of faith for youth

Rwandan Survivors to speak at the cathedral

Immaculee Ilibagiza and Fr. Ubald to share experiences and message of faith

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hat’s “Encounter Faith?” Encounter is what we do as Catholics every time we take the Eucharist. Encounter is what happened when Christ met St. Paul on the Damascus road.

Encounters with Christ are what change people’s lives. As 11 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has passed away behold, the new has come.” (NAB) Encountering Christ changes people in a real metaphysical way. We don’t always see God touching the lives of others, but we know the effects immediately.

That is what Encounter is always about. And Encounter Faith is an annual day-long retreat and rally designed to uplift the young people of our diocese with spiritual impact.

It is the Year of Faith and in keeping with that theme, I want to invite you to Encounter Faith. Catholic musician and speaker Aaron Thompson will be with us to deepen our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Please join me for this exciting experience of connecting with Christ.

Where? The Catholic Center, 3500 Fairfield Ave., Shreveport When? Saturday March 2, 2013 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

How? Fill out the forms sent in your church’s registration packet to your Church or parish. Mail check, t-shirt orders and forms to Office of Youth and Young Adult Office, 3500 Fairfield Ave. Shreveport, LA 71104 by Feb. 18, 2013.

Discount? Yes! If you register your group before Feb. 18, the cost is only $15. T-Shirt order deadline is Feb. 18th as well.

What about? If preregistration is missed the cost is $20 per person. Additional students will be noted at the door and your parish will be invoiced.

What ages? Encounter Faith is for middle school and high school ages; specific tracts available for each age group.

Any food? Yes, continental breakfast provided from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. for free. Please bring at least $10 for lunch that will be provided by the Knights of Columbus.

Questions? Please contact the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at 318-868-4441. We can provide additional e-mail packets to anyone. Non-Catholics are always welcome, we just ask you to let us know which church is bringing them. Mass will be at 4:00 p.m.

This is a great opportunity to make an impact on our youth! You don’t want to miss this!

by John Vining, Director of Youth & Yong Adult Ministry

aith, hope and forgiveness, especially during the darkest times in life, will be the topics of an upcoming weekend of special events at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans from February 22-24, 2013.

Immaculėe Ilibagiza, survivor of the Rwanda genocide in 1994 and best-selling author of Left to Tell and Our Lady of Kibeho, and Fr. Ubald Rugirangoga, of the Cyangugu Diocese in Rwanda, will be the featured speakers as they tell their stories of how prayer and forgiveness helped them survive during one of the most brutal genocides in recent history.

Immaculėe, a member of the Tutsi tribe, hid in a small bathroom for 91 days with seven other women as members of the rival Hutus massacred one million people throughout Rwanda, including the majority of her family. During her time in hiding, she prayed the rosary, read the Bible and asked God to show her how to forgive the killers. Her amazing story of survival and forgiveness is an inspiration to all.

Fr. Ubald has been a Roman Catholic priest for 25 years in Rwanda. During the 1994 genocide, he lost over 80 members of his family and over 45,000 of his parishioners were exterminated.

He travels around the world preaching healing, forgiveness and reconciliation and is an advisor to the Government of Rwanda as the country continues to rebuild after the devastation of the genocide.

The weekend retreat will begin on Friday, February 22, at 6:00 p.m. with a special “Meet and Greet” reception with Immaculėe.

She will begin her presentation at 6:30 p.m. and continue on Saturday, February 23, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Fr. Ubald will lead a Healing Prayer Service on Saturday, beginning at 2:00 p.m., followed by reconciliation prior to the Saturday Vigil Mass.

On Sunday, February 24, at 9:45 a.m., Fr. Ubald will speak on his “11 Points of Forgiveness” and his Center for the Secret of Peace as part of St. John’s Adult Faith Formation series. A collection basket will be passed in support of Fr. Ubald’s Center for the Secret of Peace.

Tickets are $50 each for the Friday “Meet and Greet,” and $30 each for the Friday and Saturday retreat. Fr. Ubald’s talk on Sunday is free to the public. For more information, please call the Cathedral office at 221-5296 or visit the website at www. sjbcathedral.org.

by Lucy Medvec, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans February 2013 15

NEWS

Groups Form to Study Eucharist Parishes form small groups to participate in Living the Eucharist during Lenten season “

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would like each parish to do some selfexamination and consider how we will keep our parish churches vital, use our resources well and meet the challenges of the future…and before all else keep our mission to evangelize at the center…”

– Bishop Michael Duca, June 2011 In his apostolic letter Porta Fidei, Pope Benedict XVI announced October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013 as a special Year of Faith, “The door of faith is always open for us, ushering us into the life of communion with God and offering entry into his Church. The Year of Faith is a summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, Jesus Christ. The Church exists in order to evangelize.”

The Diocese of Shreveport and individual parishes and churches have planned events for the celebration of this Year of Faith in an effort to renew conversion to the Lord, renew the faith and to share the faith with others.

Living the Eucharist is a dynamic and exciting renewal of faith. In support of Our Holy Father’s wishes and the vision of our Bishop, this program offers Catholics an opportunity and means to renew their experience of the Sacrament of the Eucharist as a mystery to be believed, a mystery to be celebrated and a mystery to be lived.” (www.LivingtheEucharist.org) Many parishes, churches and our Catholic high schools in Shreveport and Monroe, are participating in the program.

This program is based on small faith groups coming together to renew and deepen the spirituality of the parishioners, as well as revitalize church life. Currently there are 130 small groups organized in the Diocese of Shreveport. This will help parishioners embrace the full meaning of the Eucharist, lead them to encounter Christ in new and transformative ways during Lent, foster more active participation in Sunday Mass and parish life and demonstrate new ways to live as Catholics and proclaim the Gospel in today’s secular culture.

Living the Eucharist is based on the scripture readings during Lent for three years, and is offered in practical, concrete activities and resource materials. There are 16 Catholic Connection

components of the program for adults, teens and families. Participant materials are on order and will be arriving soon. To foster the growth of this important program, Bishop Michael Duca is providing financial support for the initial program costs and has indicated that some diocesan directors will be available to organize, train and assist parishes who want to be involved with the program.

Training workshops are scheduled in various locations across the diocese where participating churches and parishes are located to help the Parish Coordinators, Small Group Coordinators and Small Group Leaders facilitate the program for their small faith groups.

The Year of Faith challenges Catholics to deepen their convictions and participate in the New Evangelization. Blessed Pope John Paul II said, “There remains a thirst for the absolute, a desire for goodness, a hunger for truth and the need for personal fulfillment.

To embrace the New Evangelization, new in its ardor, new in its methods, new in its expressions and calling for a renewal of the persons that have knowledge of the Gospel in a New Evangelization. In order to do this the New Evangelization must include, “stirring into flame the gift of God” in the hearts of many people…”

The consensus of the priests and diocesan directors who were part of a committee to investigate programs offered and developed outside the diocese to meet these challenges, along with the endorsement of Bishop Michael Duca, was to present this program as the process to “stir into flame the gift of God.” For more information on this program, contact Shelly Bole, Director of Catechesis, or Dianne Rachal, Director of Worship, at 318-868-4441. You can also contact your parish office to get involved with a small group at your parish.

by Randy Tiller, Mission Effectiveness

25 years as a priest: fr. james thekkemury

Fr. Thekkemury (photo by Joseph Guinigundo).

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ather James was seven years old during the homily at his first communion where he was inspired to become a priest. It was constantly on his mind, in his heart and in all of his prayers. He had an active imagination and when other children in his village were playing, running and laughing, Fr. James would pretend he was a priest and act as though he were saying Mass and giving communion. His dream did come true.

Today he is a priest of the Roman Catholic Syro Malabar Diocese of Knajirapally, Kerala, India.

Fr. James was ordained a priest on December 28, 1987. As a priest, he served as an Associate Pastor for one year and as Pastor for 12 years in various Catholic parishes in Kerala, India. He taught 12 years in the accredited Diocesan Theological Studies Institute for the Religious and went on to work as the Program Director of one of the social service wings of the diocese, Peermade Development Society. As the Director of Diocesan Women’s Association, he worked many years as the Zonal Director of Pro –Life Movement.

Fr. James’ principle ministry since 2001 has been hospital ministry, serving as Manager of the Pastoral Care Department at St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe.

A holy Mass of Thanksgiving in Syro Malabar Rite in honor of Fr. James Dominic Thekkemury’s 25th Anniversary of the priesthood was held on December 29 at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Monroe.

by Saundra Nalley

Catholic SChools Week

Following Christ’s lead in valuing our children

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uring Catholic Schools Week we celebrate one of the most important ministries of the Church. For centuries the Church has viewed the education of children as one of its primary missions. We find in scripture that this mission of the Church to educate children comes from the will of Christ.

“Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray.

The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ After he placed his hands on them, he went away.”

Over the past decades we have watched as Catholic Schools have closed one by one. As a result, God has been relegated to Sundays only in the lives of many children.

His presence has been removed from most publicly funded venues. This makes the importance of our Catholic schools shine more brightly in a world darkened by sin.

In the hallowed halls of these schools God is as present today as he was when their doors first opened. The important role this plays in our lives, in the lives of our communities, in the lives of our churches and in the lives of our alumni and current students cannot be underestimated. Having the presence of God in the classrooms, on the football field and in the cafeteria has changed all of those educated in our schools and made them better people.

A different type of young men and women tread these hallways and have always walked down these corridors.

Everyone who calls one of our Catholic schools their Alma Mater makes a positive impact upon the world. They are men and women of ethics, with a strong moral code, they have a sense of honor and respect, they show the world what Christian virtue is and they are people who are committed to their families, their country and their God. Jesus recognized that formation of good consciences, of moral codes and of ethics must begin at an early age and that is why he reprimanded the apostles for hindering children from coming to him. He wanted each succeeding generation of Christians to understand how important children were in his kingdom, how important they were to him. In his time this was a radical move,

it was completely counter cultural to place any value upon a child, but that is exactly what he did.

He also said children were to be the greatest in his kingdom. There is no way that we can escape this teaching of Christ. Children are important and no one must hinder them in coming to know Jesus Christ.

Today in the cities of Monroe and Shreveport, Jesus Christ is represented in six places that directly affect children: the Cathedral School, Jesus the Good Shepherd School, St. Joseph School, Our Lady of Fatima School, Loyola College Prep and St. Frederick Catholic High School. They are havens in a crazy world where values continue to be instilled and where God and knowledge of him are still welcomed.

One of these schools’ important functions is enabling our children to come to Christ; to come to know him in an intimate and special way. They allow Christ to be an important aspect of our children’s daily lives.

They also teach our children about

sacrifice. Catholic schools are a living testimony to the sacrifices made by countless generations of men and women who make it possible to keep the doors open and God present in our children’s lives. These sacrifices reveal Christ not only to our children, but to all those around us as well. Sacrifice is how Christ revealed himself to his people. Christ was revealed to us as the Messiah in the great sacrifice of Calvary.

He was revealed to us as love in that first Eucharistic assembly at the Last Supper.

He was revealed to countless generations of Catholic school children by their parents’ willingness to make sacrifices to send them to a Catholic School. I urge you to consider supporting your local Catholic school, helping to fulfill one of the most important missions of Jesus Christ and his Church in the Diocese of Shreveport.

by Fr. Matthew Long

February 2013 17

HISPANIC corner

por Rosalba Quiroz

Directora Ministerio Hispano 318-219-7288

retiro para Parejas

Calendario del Mes de Febrero Para más información y para inscribirse, favor de comunicarse con la coordinadora de su parroquia, con su párroco o con la Oficina del Ministerio Hispano Católico al 318-219-7257.

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provechando que el 13 de este mes comienza la Cuaresma y que el 14 es el día que dedicamos al amor y la amistad, la Diócesis ha programado un retiro para matrimonios el fin de semana del 16 y 17 de febrero.

Comenzamos en punto de las 9:00 a.m. del sábado y terminamos el domingo a las 4:00 p.m. con la Santa Misa en el centro de retiros de Scottsville, TX (a 30 minutos de Shreveport). El costo es de $190 (ciento noventa dólares) por pareja que cubre los alimentos y el hospedaje.

Este retiro tiene como finalidad alimentar la relación conyugal, explicar el Sacramento del matrimonio y otros temas como: - Retos en la vida de pareja - El poder del perdón - La Comunicación - ¿Cómo alimentar el amor? - Como vivir una espiritualidad en pareja y otros.

Nota: Recuerde que el 13 comienza la Cuaresma con el Miércoles de Ceniza y que todos los viernes de la Cuaresma obligan a la abstinencia y el ayuno. Para más detalles sobre esta y otras prácticas de la Iglesia Católica, se puede comunicar a la oficina del Ministerio Hispano al 318-219-7257

Farmerville: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church 600 E. Water Street, Farmerville Sábado 7:00 p.m.

Rev. Al Jost Tel: 318-243-0115

13 Miércoles de Ceniza 16-17 Retiro de Matrimonios, Scottsville, TX (comienza sábado 9:00 a.m. y termina domingo 4 p.m.)

23 Reunión de coordinadores del Ministerio Hispano, Centro Católico en Shreveport El 2 de Marzo Invitamos a todos los adolescentes a participar en un Encuentro de Fe. Para mas detalles, favor de llamar a la Oficina de la Pastoral Juvenil al 318-219-7288. “¡Al Que Madruga Dios lo Ayuda!” Es su programa de radio del Ministerio Hispano Católico.

Todos los Domingos a las 9:00 am y 9:00 pm por la Invasora 92.1 FM

¡Regálense este encuentro con su pareja en un fin de semana inolvidable!

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

2 Estudio Bíblico – Antiguo Testamento

MISAS 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 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 Indl Loop, Shreveport Domingo 11:30 a.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

Oficina del Ministerio Católico Hispano: Rosalba Quiroz, Directora 318-219-7265 Marcos G. Villalba, Pastoral Juvenil 318-219-7288 • Jeanne Brown, Secretaria 318-219-7257 18 Catholic Connection

across the Call to prayer for life, marriage and religious liberty by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

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n this Year of Faith, the Catholic Bishops of the United States have called for a nationwide effort to advance a movement for Life, Marriage and Religious Liberty through prayer, penance and sacrifice. Catholics across the nation are being encouraged to pray for rebuilding a culture favorable to life and marriage and for increased protections of religious liberty.

This call to prayer is prompted by unprecedented challenges to the Church and the nation, particularly the HHS Mandate and current trends in government and culture toward redefining marriage.

The goal of this call to prayer is twofold: (1) to increase awareness of these challenges and (2) to build spiritual stamina and fortitude among the faithful so that we can be effective and joyful witnesses of faith, hope and charity and agents of the New Evangelization.

Beginning on the Sunday after Christmas, the Feast of the Holy Family, the Call to Prayer for Life, Marriage and Religious Liberty has five components: • Monthly Eucharistic Holy Hours in cathedrals and parishes • Daily Rosary by families and individuals • Special Prayers of the Faithful at all Masses • Fasting and abstinence from meat on Fridays • A Fortnight for Freedom in June/July 2013 Join the movement!

Pray for our nation. Pray for life, marriage and religious liberty. www.usccb.org/life-marriage-liberty

Be like good Samaritan, help those in need, pope says

by Catholic News Service

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ATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In a message for the 2013 World Day of the Sick, Pope Benedict XVI called on everyone to be a good Samaritan and concretely help those in need. Thanking those who care for the sick and elderly, the pope underlined the church’s fundamental role in “lovingly and generously accepting every human being, especially those who are weak and sick.” The World Day of the Sick is celebrated annually Feb. 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Pope Benedict expressed his affection for all those “undergoing a time of trial due to illness and suffering,” and he prayed that they remember they are not alone, marginalized, forgotten or useless. “You have been called by Christ and are his living and transparent image,” he said, quoting from a message delivered by the fathers of the Second Vatican Council in 1965 “To the Poor, the

(CNS photo/Paul Jeffrey)

Sick and the Suffering.” The Gospel parable of the Good Samaritan is just one of many accounts that show how Jesus expected his disciples to behave toward others, especially those in need, the pope said. Through prayer, people can draw strength from God’s infinite love in order to “live day by day with concrete concern, like that of the Good Samaritan, for those suffering in body and spirit who ask for our help, whether or not we know them and however poor they may be,” Pope Benedict wrote.

Catholic News Service

VAtICAN news & notes • The Vatican announced that after more than seven years in office, Pope Benedict XVI had hosted the formal visits of bishops from every country in the world and would begin the cycle all over again by meeting the heads of Italy’s 227 dioceses in 2013.

• The mothers of priests and seminarians deserve the thanks of the whole church for raising their sons in the faith and supporting them in their vocations, said Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy. Writing on the Jan. 1 feast of Mary, Mother of God, the cardinal said having a priest-son requires a new form of motherhood, one that involves a “discreet, but very effective and invaluably precious accompaniment in prayer.”

• Deploring war, civil conflict and poverty around the world, Pope Benedict XVI told foreign ambassadors assembled at the Vatican that peace-building requires charity, religious liberty, a proper understanding of human rights and openness to divine love. Pope Benedict made his remarks Jan. 7 in his annual address to members of the Vatican’s diplomatic corps.

• More than 2.3 million pilgrims and visitors joined Pope Benedict XVI for an audience, liturgy or prayer at the Vatican or Castel Gandolfo in 2012, the Vatican said. The Prefecture of the Papal Household, the Vatican office that coordinates the audiences and distributes the free tickets to papal audiences and liturgies, said its figures were calculations based on the number of tickets requested and estimates of crowd size.

February 2013 19

around the DIOCESE

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The Women’s Guild of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Ruston recently raised almost $1,500 for Life Choices, Ruston’s local crisis pregnancy center. The Women’s Guild members passed out baby bottle banks for parishioners to donate their spare change.

Pictured are representatives of the St. Thomas Women’s Guild and staff members of Life Choices. Project Chairman was Sandi Adams.

3 4 5 6 20 Catholic Connection

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The members of sacred heart of jesus church in shreveport wanted to show their appreciation and love for their priests, Fr. Francis Kamau, Fr. Thomas John and Fr. Michael Thang’wa by buying them two sets of Chasubles, a total of eight vestments. Pictured: Fr. Michael stands with church members as he shows off his new vestments.

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Fr. Tim Hurd and Fr. Kenneth Williams received Christmas donations of appreciation from the Council of Catholic Women at St. Joseph Church in Zwolle during the Appreciation Dinner held Dec. 4, 2012. Pictured with Fr. Tim is council presidentMelinda Malmay.

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The Confirmation class at Christ the King Church in Bossier City provided for the underprivileged of the local area.

Their catechists, Joanna Huckabee and her sister Janette Buckley, inspired their class to assist in collecting canned goods as a Christmas project. Also, names of local needy children were collected and placed on an Angel Tree in the foyer of the church. Parishioners chose a name and provided Christmas gifts for them. The Confirmation class made up food baskets and arranged the children’s toys. Delivery, with the help of adults, was accomplished prior to Christmas. As a result 105 children found toys at their homes on Christmas and 45 families received food baskets.

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Confirmation was held at the 10:30 a.m. Mass at sacred heart church in Oak Grove. Pictured left to right: Allison Ward, Michelle Couriville, Bishop Duca, Ben McNeil, Fr. Mark Watson.

The youth group at MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE CHURCH dedicated the first week of Christmas break to serving lunch to the homeless at the Shreveport Rescue Mission. This was a very eye opening experience for all involved. They ended Advent by bringing gifts and playing Bingo with the people at the Bossier Council on Aging.

school NEWS < St. Joseph School K-4 students participated in “Nifty 50’s” day where they learned about what it was like back in the fifty’s: the dress, cars, music and much more. The students “boogy-woogied” though the lessons. > St. Frederick High School athletes talked to Jesus the Good Shepherd students about the Catholic relationship between the two schools. These SFHS students are excited to be Warriors and look forward to JGS students becoming fellow students.

^ We would like to congratulate Gabe Haney on being named Our Lady of Fatima School’s Student of the Year.

Gabe has attended Our Lady of Fatima School since Pre-K and is very involved in our school. He plays on the basketball team, is a member of 4-H and is a model student. Congratulations Gabe!

^ Loyola College Prep’s chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes had another successful Coat Drive with more than 350 coats being donated and delivered to a local school. Parents and students dropped off coats at the entrance to Loyola every morning during the week before Christmas.

This year’s drive exceeded the total collected from a year ago.

^ Jesus the Good Shepherd School is so proud of our Student of the Year Ethan Lancaster, son of Terri and Hunter Lancaster, and we wish him well as he represents our school during the District Competition this spring! This is quite an accomplishment as he met or exceeded the long list of requirements for Student of the Year.

> The St. John Berchmans School Science Olympiad team recently traveled to Dallas for the Greenhill Invitational where they competed against 25 other middle school teams from Oklahoma and Texas.

The SJB Cardinals took second place overall winning a total of 13 medals, including four 1st place medals. They also won the Spirit Award for the sixth year in a row.

Science Olympiad team members for 2012-13 are: Andrew Benner, Anthony Benner, Blaise Chagnard, Maggie Chreene, Brady Deason, Mark Dupaquier, Nick Henderson, Kelsey Hightower, Catherine Marcalus, Marie Marcalus, Cameron Mitchell, Alex Siharath, Sarah Siharath, Isabella Silvia, Sophia Silvia, Arianne Soriano, Benjamin Tuttle, William Tuttle and Matthew Vitacca.

February 2013 21

upcoming EVENTS February 6 - March 13: Calling Catholics Home During the 2013 Lenten season, parishes throughout the diocese are taking the opportunity to welcome back those who were “once Catholic” through the program “Calling Catholics Home.”

Please join us for informal sessions and an update of the Catholic faith. The sessions are conducted in a support-group format. Everyone is welcome.

Please keep this program in mind while visiting with friends and family who might be fallen away Catholics.

This six week program will take place at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans on Wednesdays, February 6 - March 13, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. For more information, contact Kathy Snelling at 318-746-4369, or go to www.callingcatholicshome.com.

February 9: Magnificat Prayer Brunch, Nowela Chapter is sponsoring a prayer brunch from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in the Activities Center at St. Jude Church in Bossier City. The guest speaker is Anne Frances Hodge Smith. Anne’s first child was born with a heart defect. Needing major medical insurance, she entered the workforce in the financial markets.

Anne became one of the first women in the south to openly solicit business as a

stockbroker. Today, Anne is very active in her church and community. Come hear Anne’s testimony as to how God has worked in her life. Admittance is $12 and reservations should be made by calling Barbara McAlister at 318-747-7029.

February 22: Black History Month Celebration at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church In honor of Sr. Thea Bowman, FSPA, Sacred Heart Church welcomes guest speaker Fr. Maurice J. Nutt, C.Ss.R., Come see Father speak at 6:30 p.m. For more info, contact the Church Office at 318-635-2121.

February 24-26: Lenten Mission at St. Mary of the Pines Church Fr. John Pardue will lead this 3-night mission on “Healing” at the church. Child care will be provided.

For more info call the church office at 318-687-5121.

March 16: 2013 Diocesan Liturgical Conference at the Catholic Center This is the second event in our Year of Faith speaker series. Msgr. Richard Hilgartner will speak on “A Flame Divided but Undimmed.” The progression of the liturgy will be traced over these past 50 years using Council documents, especially Sacrosanctum Concilium.

Lenten Reconciliation Services Tues., February 19, Christ the King Church, 6:30 p.m.

Wed., February 20, St. John Berchmans School 3-8th Grade, 8:15 a.m.; Loyola College Prep, 9:30 a.m.

Wed. February 27, St. Mary of the Pines Church, 6:00 p.m.

Mon., March 11, Holy Trinity Church, 5:00 p.m.

Tues., March 12, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 6:30 p.m.

Wed., March 13, St. Pius X Church, 6:30 p.m.

Thurs., March 14, St. Jude Church, 6:30 p.m.

Tues., March 19, Sacred Heart Church, 6:00 p.m.

Wed., March 20, Mary, Queen of Peace Church, 6:00 p.m.

Thurs., March 21, St. Joseph Church, Shreveport, 6:30 p.m.

2 0 1 3 D i o c e s a n s t e wa r d s h i p A p p e a l

I / We would like to contribute to the Diocesan Stewardship Appeal with a total yearly pledge of: $10,000 $7,500 $5,000 $3,500

$2,500 $2,000 $1,500 $1,000

Please send monthly reminders to:

$800 $750 $650 $500

$400 $350 $300 $250

At this time I / we are enclosing:

$200 $150 $100 $_______

$_____________

Print Name________________________________________________________________________________ Address___________________________________________________________________________________

Diocese of Shreveport The Catholic Center 3500 Fairfield Avenue Shreveport, LA 71104 www.dioshpt.org 22 Catholic Connection

City______________________________________________________State_________Zip Code____________ My / Our Church Parish______________________________________________________________________ Signature__________________________________________________________________________________ You may make a credit card payment online at: www.dioshpt.org (Click on Stewardship)

calendar

february 2013

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

SATURDAY

27 28 29 30 31 1 2 Confirmation, Holy Trinity Church, 4:15pm

St. John Bosco, priest

Catholic Schools Week St. Thomas Aquinas, priest & doctor of the Church

The Presentation of the Lord World Day of Consecrated Life

Catholic Schools Week JAN. 28 - FEB 1

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Appeal Announcement Sunday

St. Agatha, virgin & martyr

Calling Catholics Home Begins

St. Jerome Emiliani; St. Josephine Bakhita, virgin

St. Paul Miki & companions, martyrs

Confirmation, St. Jude Church, 5pm

OPERATION RICE Bowl / JAN. 6

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Appeal Sunday

Confirmation, Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 9am

Confirmation, Mary, Queen of Peace Church, 5pm

ASH WEDNESDAY

Our Lady of Lourdes

Operation Rice Bowl Collection Begins

Lent Begins

Valentine’s Day

Year of Faith Visit by Bishop Louisiana Duca: St. Conference of George Church, Catholic Bishops 6:30pm Meeting, Baton Rouge Sts. Cyril, Monk & Methodius, bishop

ASH WEDNESDAY / FEB. 13

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 First Sunday of Lent

Rite of Election, Cathedral, 2:30pm 1st Appeal Follow-up Sunday

President’s Day

Catholic Schools Closed

Year of Faith Diocesan Lenten Visit by Bishop Liturgical Reconciliation Duca: St. Patrick Meeting, Service at St. Church, 5pm Catholic Center, John Berchmans 1pm School, St. Peter 8:15am & Year of Faith Loyola College Damian, bishop & doctor of the Visit by Bishop Prep,9:30am Church Duca: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 6:30pm

Year of Faith Visit by Bishop Duca: Holy Trinity Church, 12:05pm

Center for Ministry Development, Catholic Center

Immaculee & Fr. Ubald, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, 6pm

St. Polycarp, bishop & martyr of the Church

RITE OF ELECTION / FEB. 17

24 25 26 27 28 1 2 Second Sunday of Lent Year of Faith Visit by Bishop Duca: ULM Catholic Campus Ministry, Christ the King Chapel, 6pm

Year of Faith Visit by Bishop Duca: St. Lucy Church, 6:15 pm

Lenten Reconciliation Service at St. Mary of the Pines, 6pm Year of Faith Visit by Bishop Duca: Sacred Heart Church, Oak Grove, 6pm

World Day of Prayer

Women’s Retreat, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Shreveport, 9am

Encounter Youth Rally, Catholic Center, 8am

CATHOLIC WOMEN’S Retreat / MAR. 2 February 2013 23

DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave.

•

Shreveport, LA 71104

Fairfield

Photo of the month by Joseph Guinigundo

Brother priests and Bishop Duca gathered for Fr. James Thekkemury’s (left of Bishop Duca) 25th priestly anniversary at St. Matthew Church in Monroe.

24 Catholic Connection