Catholic Connection April 2014

Vol. 23, No. 9 April 2014

April 2014 1

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month

Publisher Bishop Michael G. Duca Editor Jessica Rinaudo Contributors Sandy Addison Brian Burgess Bishop Michael Duca Bill Fleming Kim Long Theresa Mormino Fr. Rothell Price Dianne Rachal

Christine Rivers Rosalba Quiroz Katie Sciba Dana Smelser Fr. Pike Thomas Randy Tiller Mike Van Vranken

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

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

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

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

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

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

2 Catholic Connection

D

id you ever wonder what all there is to our Safe Environment Program for the diocese? Here is a summary of what we do to keep children safe in the Diocese of Shreveport: 1. Adults volunteers who are around children and all employees are

a. Are background checked.

b. Are trained in Safe Environment using the Virtus™ program.

c. Have received the sex abuse policy.

d. Have received the Code of Pastoral Conduct.

e. Continue adult training by monthly bulletins and annual modules.

2. Children in schools and parishes are trained to understand what is appropriate touching and what to do if they feel something is wrong.

3. Pamphlets containing our commitment and what to do if there is an issue of sex abuse are located at all diocesan parishes and schools for anyone to take and read.

4. We have established local coordinators in our parishes and schools to help keep these locations in compliance.

5. Our program is audited annually by a national firm.

Since the inception of the Protecting God’s Children program in 2002 we have trained almost 5,000 adults in helping to prevent child abuse in our diocese. We have also trained over 4,000 children (K-12) each year on touching safety. More information is available on our diocesan website (www.dioshpt.org).

by Deacon Michael Straub, 318-868-4441, mstraub@dioshpt.org

bishop’s april calendar APRIL 1 Louisiana Interchurch Conference Annual Assembly; Lake Charles APRIL 5 Mass in Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Profession of Vows: Father Francis Ngumi Kamau, FMH & Father Nicholas Owino Onyach, FMH; Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, Shreveport; 10:00 a.m.

APRIL 13 Palm Sunday Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 11:00 a.m

Good Friday Service; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 3:00 p.m.

APRIL 19 Easter Vigil; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 8:00 p.m.

APRIL 26 Dedication of St. Jude Church, Benton; 10:00 a.m

APRIL 15 Clergy Day of Reflection; Loyola College Prep Cafeteria, Shreveport; 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Knights of St. Peter Claver & Ladies Auxiliary 70th Annual Louisiana State Conference Mass; Shreveport Convention Center, Shreveport; 4:00 p.m.

Chrism Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 6:00 p.m.

APRIL 27 Confirmation; St. Paul Church, Minden; 11:00 a.m

APRIL 17 Mass of the Lord’s Supper; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 5:30 p.m.

APRIL 18 Way of the Cross - Walk for Justice; First United Methodist Church; Shreveport; 9:00 a.m

Divine Mercy Devotion & Prayer (Canonization of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II); Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 2:00 p.m.

Confirmation; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 5:30 p.m.

contents

april 2014

columns Set Your "Home Button" to Heaven

by Bishop Michael G. Duca........................................................................................... 4-5

Mike’s Meditations: Why Do You Call Me, Lord? by Mike Van Vranken..............6 Pro-Life News: Annual Pro-Life Banquet by Christine Rivers..................................6 Domestic Church: Marriage and Finances by Katie Sciba.................................7

9

Ways to be Excellent Stewards by Katie Sciba ......................................................7 Good Friday Way of the Cross by Brian Burgess ....................................................8 Moveable Feast: Holy Week Fare by Kim Long.....................................................8 Navigating the Faith: Stations of the Cross by Fr. Pike Thomas............................9 Second Collections: Pontifical Good Friday Holy Land Collection, Diocese of Shreveport Church Vocations Collection, Catholic Home Missions Appeal

by Fr. Rothell Price .....................................................................................................10 School News ...........................................................................................................11

12

features Chrism Mass Explained

by Dianne Rachal..................................................................................................... 12-13

news Catholic Charities: Feeling Helpless and Hopeless by Theresa Mormino.............14 Revived Catholic Campus Ministry at Centenary by Randy Tiller.......................14 Annual Red Mass to Honor Legal Professionals by Bill Fleming............................15 Kairos Outside Helps Women with Incarcerated Loved Ones

by Jessica Rinaudo....................................................................................................15

14 on the cover

Catholic Women's League Serves the Community by Sandy Addison...............16 Fast-Tracks Work at Highland Medical Center by Dana Smelser.........................16 The Thoughtful Side of Revelry by Kim Long...........................................................17 Hispanic Corner by Rosalba Quiroz.........................................................................18 Around the Globe Bishop Pates Urges Prayer and Action During Lent for Peace in the Holy Land; Archbishop Wenski Urges Congressional Support for Second Chance Act

by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops .....................................................19 From the Vatican by Vatican Information Services .................................................19 Around the Diocese ...............................................................................................20-21 Upcoming Events....................................................................................................22 April Calendar ........................................................................................................23 Picture of the Month by Jessica Rinaudo................................................................24

Bishop Michael Duca blesses the oils of holy Chrism during Chrism Mass at the Cathedral.

April 2014 3

LA REFLEXIÓN del obispo

por Obispo Michael G. Duca

Programen su “Botón de Casa” hacia el Cielo

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no de los primeros regalos que recibí cuando llegué a Shreveport fue un GPS para mi carro que me regaló la gente generosa de la parroquia de San Juan Bautista en Many, LA. Aunque casi nunca usaba un mapa cuando vivía en Dallas, mi GPS fue un regalo de Dios necesario para que no me perdiera en mi nuevo hogar en Luisiana.

Ahora, después de estos años en que dependo de mi GPS, extraño usar un mapa de papel porque ahí se ve el destino diferente. Se puede ver donde estoy con respecto al país, al norte y sur y veo al instante todas las rutas posibles que me rodean.

Con frecuencia he usado la aplicación de navegar en mi GPS para llegar a algún lado y cuando llego digo, “ya estoy aquí pero no tengo idea de donde es aquí.” Con un mapa de papel me daba más cuenta de la dirección en la que iba, las vueltas que daba y tenía un sentido de la relación entre mi comienzo y mi destino y del camino entre los dos puntos. Entre más pienso en esto, más pienso en como nuestras vidas espirituales deberían ser vividas más como si usáramos el mapa de papel en vez de un GPS. La Iglesia nos ha hecho, un calendario, como un tipo de mapa espiritual (un sistema de viajes para miembros AAA), que nos lleva cada año por el misterio de nuestra fe. Tiene su comienzo en Adviento y Navidad, después en la temporada de Cuaresma durante el misterio que ahora viene, el del Santo Triduo Pascual, que culmina el Domingo de Pascua. Marcando el tiempo con el calendario espiritual, nos damos cuenta de cada temporada de algunos de los aspectos de nuestra fe. Espero que experimentemos estas temporadas litúrgicas no como momentos individuales desconectados, sino como un viaje continuo de fe que nos invita a entender nuestras vidas más profundamente uniéndolas a la vida, muerte y resurrección de nuestro Salvador, Jesucristo. La Semana Santa nos da un ejemplo poderoso de lo que estoy hablando.

Comenzamos la Semana Santa con 4 Catholic Connection

el Domingo de Ramos como parte de la muchedumbre que dio la bienvenida gozosamente a Jesús a Jerusalén. Recuerdan, que cantaban el Hosanna y unos días después gritaban que crucificaran a Jesús. La gente aplaudía el Domingo de Ramos por el Mesías que esperaba que fuera Jesús. Cuando fue crucificado y revelado demostró lo que debe ser un discípulo, muchos tenían miedo de ponerse de su lado. Tuvieron que escoger poner su fe en Jesús cuando se reveló como era en verdad y no como lo querían.

Nuestro camino de fe, mientras estemos buscando la verdad genuinamente, nos llevará a la misma opción de dejar al Dios que nosotros mismos creamos, y a aceptar las enseñanzas y verdades de Jesús y humildemente unirnos a él.

El Jueves Santo conmemoramos la Institución del Sacramento de la Sagrada Comunión en la Última Cena. En la Eucaristía se nos da el Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo para alimentar nuestras almas, fortalecer nuestra decisión y esperanza, y unirnos en comunión con Cristo.

También nos unimos a los apóstoles cuando escuchamos el mandamiento del Señor de buscar el servir y no el ser servidos.

El Viernes Santo continuamos nuestro camino y vemos que debemos morir al pecado uniéndonos a Jesús muriendo en la cruz como la manera de salvación. Tomemos el camino con Nuestro Señor y cuando el levante su cruz, pidámosle la fuerza para levantar nuestra cruz con gozo y fidelidad. Cuando Jesús se cae, el recuerda las veces que hemos caído buscando valor como Jesús para levantarnos y continuar el camino. Veneramos la cruz el Viernes Santo para recordarnos que en el camino de la vida tenemos que dejar ir muchas cosas para mantenernos fieles a nuestra Fe Católica, pero creemos que la muerte no es el final de la vida sino el camino a la vida. “Si morimos con el Señor, viviremos con el Señor.

El Sábado Santo vemos una parte del camino que con frecuencia no se ve. Hablamos de la Pasión de Jesús, Muerte y Resurrección, pero también podemos hablar del tiempo que Jesús pasó en la tumba. En nuestro camino de vida tratamos de encontrar nuestro camino como Católicos, pero por nuestro orgullo o miedo luego cambiamos nuestra dirección, escogemos el camino que se ve más rápido, aunque no lo es (por lo general el camino más lento pudo haber sido mejor). Tomamos una desviación o nos perdemos cuando decimos, “no necesito un mapa, yo encuentro el camino solo”. Después de cada distracción en nuestro camino tenemos que hacer un cambio de dirección, y en cada uno de estos momentos nos podemos identificar con Jesús sepultado en la tumba. Sabemos que estamos en el camino equivocado y necesitamos cambiar de dirección pero no sabemos la dirección de nuestro camino de fe. Es en estos momentos que necesitamos confiar y estar como Jesús en la tumba esperando la resurrección.

Estos días santos no representan puntos en un mapa, sino más bien son momentos del camino de nuestras vidas que vienen y van.

Algunas veces estamos celebrando y alabando a Dios como en el Domingo de Ramos, vamos a la Misa semanal a recibir el Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo como una fuente de alimento espiritual y gracia. Otras veces sentimos la realidad de la muerte en nuestras vidas como en el Viernes Santo, y algunas veces en el camino estamos como sepultados en la tumba, esperando que se presente una nueva dirección, estamos esperando la resurrección.

Y ante todo esto nos mantenemos con esperanza porque sabemos que nuestro camino, como el de la Semana Santa nos lleva a la Resurrección, la última señal que la muerte ha perdido y nada debe llenarnos nunca de tanto dolor que nos olvidemos del Gozo de Cristo Resucitado ha vencido la Muerte. Cada GPS tiene un botón llamado casa que podemos presionar para que nos lleva de regreso a casa. En nuestro GPS espiritual el botón de casa es el cielo. Esa es la dirección en la que vamos. Asegurémonos durante esta Semana Santa que reprogramamos nuestro viaje, o aún mejor, tomen un mapa de papel y den un mejor contexto a su opción.

Asegúrense que el botón de casa está puesto correctamente en sus vidas.

bishop’s reflection

by Bishop Michael G. Duca

Set your “Home Button” to Heaven

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ne of the first gifts I received when I arrived in the Diocese of Shreveport was a GPS for my car from the good people of St. John the Baptist Parish in Many, LA. While I seldom needed a map when I was in Dallas, in my new Louisiana home my GPS was a God-given necessity that kept me from getting lost.

Now, after all these years of being dependent on my GPS, I find that I miss using a Bishop Duca paper road map because

on it you can see your destination in context. I can see where I am in relation to the rest of the county, north and south, and I see in an instant all the possible routes around me. I have often used my GPS Navigation App to get me somewhere and when I arrive I remark, “I know I am here, but I have no idea where here is.” With a road map I was more aware of the direction I was going, the turns that I made, and I had a sense of the relationship of my beginning point, my destination and the journey between those two points. The more I think about it, the more I think our spiritual lives should be lived more like using a paper road map rather than a GPS. The Church has laid out for us a Church calendar, a kind of spiritual map (for Triple A members a Triptik), that leads us each year through the mystery of our faith. It has a beginning in Advent and Christmas, then through the season of Lent into the mystery that is before us now, the Sacred Triduum, culminating on Easter Sunday. As we mark time with this spiritual calendar, we are aware in each season of some aspect of our faith.

Hopefully we experience these liturgical seasons not as individual moments unconnected, but as an ongoing journey of faith that invites us to understand our lives more deeply by joining them to the life, death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Holy Week gives us a powerful example of what I am talking about.

We begin our Holy Week journey on Palm Sunday as part of the crowd that joyfully welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem. Remember, as we are crying out “Hosanna,” that a few days later the same crowd cried out for Jesus’ crucifixion. The people were partially cheering

on Palm Sunday for the Messiah they wanted Jesus to be.

When he was crucified and revealed what it meant to be a disciple, many were afraid to stand with him.

They would eventually have to choose to put their faith in Jesus as he revealed himself and not as they wanted him to be. Our faith journey, if we are genuinely searching for the truth, will lead us to the same choice of letting go of the God we create, accepting the true teaching of Jesus and humbly conforming ourselves to him.

On Holy Thursday we commemorate the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Communion at the Last Supper. In the Eucharist we are given the body and blood of Christ to nourish our souls, strengthen our resolve and hope, and unite us in communion with Christ. We also stand with the apostles as we hear the command of the Lord to seek to serve and not be served.

On Good Friday we continue our journey and see that we must join our dying to sin to Jesus on the cross as the way of salvation. We will take the journey with Our Lord and when he picks up his cross, we ask for the strength to pick up our cross with joy and faithfulness.

When Jesus falls we remember the times we have fallen seeking the same courage as Jesus to get up and continue our journey. We venerate the cross on Good Friday to remind us that on the journey of life we will have to let go of many things to stay faithful to our Catholic faith, but we believe that death is not the end but the pathway to life. “If we have died with the Lord, we shall live with the Lord.”

On Holy Saturday we find an often overlooked part of the journey. We speak of Jesus’ Passion, Death and Resurrection, but we might also talk of Jesus’ time in the tomb. In our journey of life we are trying to find our way as Catholics, but because of our pride or fear we are always correcting our direction,

choosing what looks like a faster way, but isn’t (the slow, ordinary road would have been better).

We take a tempting detour or we get lost when we put down the map because, “I don’t need a map, I’ll find my way on my own.” After each of these distractions in our journey we have to make a change in our direction, and in each of these moments we can identify with Jesus laying in the tomb. We know we are on the wrong path and need to change direction but we do not yet know the new direction of our faith journey. In these moments we need to trust and be like Jesus in the tomb awaiting resurrection.

These holy days do not represent points on a map, but rather moments on the journey of our lives that come and go. At times we are cheering and praising God like on Palm Sunday, we are attending weekly Mass to receive the Body and Blood of Christ as a source of spiritual nourishment and grace.

At other times we feel the reality of death in our lives like on Good Friday, and sometimes along the way we are just lying in the tomb, in the middle of waiting for the new direction to show itself, waiting for resurrection.

And through all this we remain hopeful because we know that our journey, like Holy Week, leads to the Resurrection, the ultimate sign that death has lost its sting and that nothing should ever fill us with so much sorrow that we forget the Joy of Christ Risen from the Dead. Every GPS has a button called “Home” that we can press to get us back to our home. On our spiritual GPS the home button is heaven. That is the direction in which we are going. Let’s be sure during this Holy Week that we reprogram our trip, or better yet, get a paper road map and give yourself a better context in which to make a choice. Make sure the home button is set correctly in your life.

April 2014 5

mike’s meditations

by Mike Van Vranken

pro-life news

by Christine Rivers

Why Do You Call Me, Lord? Annual Pro-Life Banquet Listen and be prepared to answer God

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any nonCatholic Christian churches have traditionally included an “Altar Call” or “Invitation” at the end of their Sunday services.

These appeals are calls for conversion, rededication or an invitation to join the church. Some churches no longer include this as part of their service, citing that evangelization is what we do outside of church rather than during our weekly gatherings.

But there is one invitation that is open to everyone and is unceasingly still in effect. It is the petition of Jesus himself to “follow me.” In fact, Jesus used that phrase, “follow me,” 17 times throughout the four gospels. It is his invitation to separate ourselves from the world and live a life dedicated to him. I have decided that Jesus is constantly whispering this invitation for us to develop a deep and intimate relationship with him.

So let’s picture this: you receive a text, email or engraved paper invitation from Jesus himself, telling you he is in town and wants to meet with you – just the two of you, to have some “quality” time together. After visiting for a while, he asks if you will volunteer for a specific job for him. Before even thinking about all of the possibilities, you quickly answer yes. And my guess is, once you have committed your loyalty to his request, you would execute your committed duties to the best of your abilities.

The good news, of course, is that Jesus is in town, living within each one of us and he is inviting each of us to a particular calling. He has something for all of us to do. But unless we spend that “quality” time with him – unless we develop that intimate relationship with him, we never fully understand what our specific role is in his kingdom.

Throughout this month, separate yourself to Jesus and ask him to explain in detail what he wants you to do, then open your ears and heart to hear his peaceful voice. Write down what you hear Jesus saying. These notes will become precious to you throughout your life. Finally, be obedient and ready to “follow” him wherever he is leading you. Yes, there will be work involved, but the fruit of that work includes love, joy, peace, patience and more. (Galatians 5:22-23) And, as Pope Francis reminds us, the “Lord will not disappoint anyone who takes this risk.”

It’s your invitation from the Master himself. Don’t miss it.

Mike is a writer and teacher. You can contact him at: www. mikevanvrankenministries.org or write him at: Mike Van Vranken, 523 Loch Ridge Drive, Shreveport, LA 71106.

6 Catholic Connection

O

ver 520 people filled tables at the Bossier Civic Center on February 20 for the Fourth Annual Bishop’s Pro-life Banquet. Attendance this year doubled the number present at last year’s event and highlights the awakening interest in northwest Louisiana about respect for life issues. The theme of this year’s banquet was “Living by Faith” with guest speaker Shak Hill, a pro-life advocate, foster parent to 46 children and father of six. Shak was raised in the Shreveport/Bossier City area and graduated from Loyola College Prep. He was accepted to the United States Air Force Academy and after pilot training he deployed to Desert Storm where he flew combat missions over the battle fields of Kuwait and Iraq. His last military assignment was as a pilot in the Presidential Wing, Andrews Air Force Base, MD. Shak and his wife Robin now live in Centreville, VA, with their six children. The Hill family received the 2013 Outstanding Volunteer Family of the Year Award presented by the Governor of Virginia. They are active members of St. Timothy Catholic Parish and pro-life champions participating in many activities to end all abortion and for the healing of those connected with the abortion industry.

Shak described how he and Robin were faced with the most difficult of life decisions during the pregnancy with their second child and how they chose life against all odds—living by faith.

After sharing this moving and inspiring story, Shak surprised the audience by introducing his son, now a grown man working as an Emergency Medical Technician. After the banquet, Bishop Duca thanked the Hills, saying “it is not often that we hear such a faith-filled, lived example of what it means to be pro-life.”

Bishop Duca continued by saying that he knew the Hills’ witness had made a big difference in the lives of everyone who attended the banquet.

Other speakers included Chris Davis, co-director of 40 Days for Life and Grand Knight of the Cathedral Council of the Knights of Columbus; and L’Anne Sciba, chairperson of One Life, the pro-life group at the Cathedral, and volunteer diocesan pro-life communication coordinator. Chris gave an update on the growing number of pro-life activities in the community. He mentioned the success of the first Louisiana Life March held in Shreveport-Bossier in January and encouraged support of the pro-life oratory contest, the 40 Days for Life campaign to end continued on page 22.

domestic church

by Katie Sciba

Marriage and Finances Become better stewards of the gifts God has given you

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efore we tied the knot, Andrew and I were advised that though both spouses should be privy to their finances, one should be the designated money manager. Income, we were taught, is a gift from God for us to steward and manage wisely in His service, rather than something for us to hoard.

Andrew and I agreed that I would be in charge of “the books,” and thanks to Dave Ramsey and experience, I learned plenty about budgets and goals; but I confess that my diligence varies to this day. [Mistake #1] I rarely create a formal budget in the months when I see that our checking is a few dollars above Anxiety Level, but I scramble to throw one together in the “Oh No Months” to get a clear and comprehensive shot of where we stand. A neglected budget often reveals a modest income and big expenses staring me straight in the panic-stricken face.

Along with rarely budgeting, [Mistake #2] I avoided having money-related conversations with my husband. This caused blindness and spending in this ignorance led to more “Oh No Months.”

On one of several instances, it had been forever since we sat down to number crunch; when I shirk my duties as manager, what could there possibly be to review?

And because we didn’t communicate, [Mistake #3] I felt free to spend the cash I was sure we had – seemingly innocuous spending went from rare to frequent, all the while I wasn’t consulting my husband or checking account. And how was Andrew’s spending? I have no idea since we never talked about it and [Mistake #4] never held each other accountable.

Embarrassed, I approached Andrew asking that we have a marital money meeting. I was worried that if he saw our

accounts, then he’d see my bad habits and just how far below Anxiety Level we were; but it wasn’t good keeping ourselves in the dark, so we conferenced and ended up talking for hours. We were patient with each other and he wasn’t upset in the least. I’ve re-learned that money does exactly what we tell it to do; giving every nickel and dime a purpose ensures humble stewardship of God’s gifts and there’s no chance of wondering where the last paycheck went.

We discussed a budget and agreed to a short spending freeze.

And you know what? I felt a burden lifted, one I didn’t even know was there. This no-budget, non-conversational approach to money was a barrier between Andrew and me, and separating us from God. Now we have an exact understanding of our income and how we can best serve with it. The whole conversation was so dreaded beforehand, but it’s not like I married a tyrant; I was nervous to prompt the discussion out of humiliation of my own bad habits. Finally communicating restored our sense of teamwork in taking care of what the Lord has entrusted to us.

The rest of our weekend was a reflection of renewed financial freedom. We were happier simply because everything was out in the open and we couldn’t claim ignorance anymore. Our renewed knowledge to the reality of our situation set us free to be masters of our money, not mastered by it. Most importantly, in recognizing the necessary caution we need to have with our money, we’re striving to be better stewards of the gifts God has given us.

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

Ways to be Excellent Stewards

Money doesn't have to be taboo in marriage. Implement these simple lessons to be an excellent steward of the funds and relationship God bestowed on you.

PRAY

Ask God for wisdom as you handle finances. Pray for the grace to trust that He will provide. "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not worth much more than they?” (Mt. 6:26)

Make a Budget

So goes the saying, “If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.” Put together a budget each month with your spouse to make sure your outgo doesn't exceed your income.

Money Talk

If you’re not on the same page with finances, it can cause a rift in marriage. A 25-minute budget meeting will do wonders for your relationship and sense of teamwork.

Make sure you’re open about expenses as they come up.

Rein It In

Budgeting and communicating let you know how much cash you really have and how you can spend it.

Simply put, don’t spend money you don’t have.

April 2014 7

moveable feast

by Kim Long

Good Friday Way Holy Week Fare of the Cross s an adult I don’t just like Holy 16th Annual Walk for Justice

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alk with Christ in justice during a special presentation of the “Way of the Cross” on Good Friday, April 18, 2014. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, in conjunction with other area social justice agencies, invite everyone to remember the Passion of Christ while addressing the suffering of the world. The 16th Annual Walk for Justice will begin with an opening prayer led by Bishop Duca at 9:00 a.m. in Downtown Shreveport on the Douglas Street Parking lot side of First United Methodist Church at the head of Texas Avenue. A service of 14 prayers at 14 sites/stations along a 1.2 mile route to observe the Passion of Christ will be conducted. While the service is Catholic in tradition, it is ecumenical in spirit.

For more information or to help support the cost, please contact Brian at 318-780-7755 or baburgess@gmail.com Thank you for helping in the work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and supporting those who are suffering.

by Brian Burgess, President of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Stops include: 1. Society of St. Vincent de Paul 2. VITA Right to Life/Pro-Life 3. Fuller Center 4. Christian Service Program 5. Martin Luther King Health Center / NW LA Interfaith Pharmacy 6. Mercy Center 7. Hope House 8. Bread for Life / Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross 9. Providence House 10. Shreveport/ Bossier Rescue Mission 11. LCADP 12.

Catholic Charities 13. VOA - Lighthouse 14.

First United Methodist Church

8 Catholic Connection

A

Week and Easter, I NEED this time!

Without the holiness, the timelessness, the otherworldliness this time brings, I’d be sunk, lost the rest of the year! For me it’s a liturgical “anchor.” I like all the seasons of the liturgical year, but this one helps all the seasons make more sense, helps my life make more sense. Yes, I get worn out, yes the house is messier than I’d like, and it’s true most of my well intentioned “to do” list goes untouched; another reason to be truly thankful that we celebrate a season and not a day with Eastertide.We have plenty of time in the 50 days to wear a new dress, a new hat, try a new recipe, pray familiar prayers and cook food for family who are gathered to celebrate life.

There are recipes abounding for Easter treats, but I thought we’d talk about Holy Week and how even at such a busy time our faith finds its way into our kitchens.

There are several traditions specifically regarding the Good Friday meal: in Greece it is traditional to eat food in which vinegar has been added in memory of the vinegar that Jesus was offered on the cross, in Florence, Rosemary Buns marked with a cross are traditional, while in Britain hot cross buns are consumed.

Some traditions don’t eat any hot food since this is a day of no comfort for our crucified Lord, but what about the rest of the week? With the Triduum and its rigorous schedule, it’s always nice to gather the family on Monday or Wednesday to just have a “regular” sit down meal to catch our breath and recharge.

Here is a recipe from Jeff Smith’s book The Frugal Gourmet Keeps the Feast (published by Morrow). I have made it several times and have to say it’s a great dish for holy week because it honors the olive. In Israel, olive trees are everywhere and so it was with Jesus and his time.

Of course I can’t say whether Jesus ever

ate this dish or even a variation of it, but I don’t see why not. The only unusual ingredients are leeks but if you can’t find leeks, substitute green onions.

Holy Week is a study in prayer, there are prayers for betrayers, deniers, hope, fear, and, most of all love. Here is one more: The love of Christ has gathered us together. Let us rejoice in him and be glad and let us love one another from the depths of our hearts!

Chicken with Olives and Leeks Ingredients: • 3 pounds of chicken pieces (your favorite pieces) • Salt and pepper • 1 cup all purpose flour • 4 cups sliced leeks (white part only) • 3 tablespoons olive oil • 4 cloves garlic, crushed one six ounce jar pitted small olives (with or without pimento) drained • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley • 1 cup chicken stock Directions: Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste. Place chicken in a bowl and add the flour. Coat the chicken pieces with the flour and pat off the excess. Set the chicken aside. Cut off ends of leeks and discard. Slice the white part only of the leeks into three-inch long pieces. Discard green tops. Wash carefully and set aside. Heat a large frying pan and brown the chicken in two batches using 1 tablespoon of the oil each time. Remove to a 4 to 6 quart casserole. Heat the frying pan again and add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, garlic and leeks. Sauté for three minutes and add to the chicken. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer gently for thirty minutes, until chicken is cooked through. Adjust salt and pepper to your taste.

Serve with pita bread, a green salad and, if you are feeling adventurous, some hummus!

Navigating the Faith Stations of the Cross

by Rev. Pike Thomas, Pastor, St. Jude Parish

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ne of the spiritual highlights of my life has been walking the “Via Crucis” (Way of the Cross) along the streets of Jerusalem in the year 2000, from the Praetorium to Calvary, and then again in 2013. The established procedure for a visiting group is to obtain a cross at the first stop and carry it through the bustling narrow streets of Old Jerusalem. As we walked the Way of Christ, each of us 30 or so pilgrims imagined ourselves in a continuum of time and space connected to Christians from the earliest Centuries, who venerated the very sites which are now obliterated by millennia of history. My turn in carrying the cross was an incredibly moving time of understanding how Jesus and I must be interconnected in suffering, and of my own inadequacies in putting aside earthly comforts to travel the “healing” road along with him.

The name “Stations” arose with a 15th century English pilgrim to the Holy Land, William Wey. The devotion itself appears to have its roots much earlier, perhaps even the 4th Century, in the growing pilgrim travels to Jerusalem and its various sacred sites, numbering over the Centuries from seven to 30. The widespread popularity of the devotion in the Western Church is credited to the Franciscan Order, who were after 1400 the “custodians” of the Holy Land shrines, and remain so today our Special Good Friday offering is always for this purpose (see pg. 10).

When the Muslims took over the Holy Land in the 1600’s in a definitive way, issuing an edict against the walk in the Holy City, the Franciscans requested and received permission to erect outside shrines in the precincts of their European churches, and much later received permission to bring these shrines inside their churches.

The universal presence of “stations”

in today’s Roman Catholic churches did not occur until the 1800’s. Even recently, Pope John Paul II began a revised set of “stations” more nearly corresponding to the Scriptures, most famously replacing Veronica’s Wiping the Face of Jesus, which derives from a later apocryphal text.

Simply meditating on the several scenes at home, outside on the patio, in bed, before a crucifix or at church alone in a pew can become a powerful spiritual aid and source of grace. The Church still offers a plenary indulgence for those who pray sincerely this devotion, meditating on Jesus’ saving journey.

My personal preference is for actually walking the road to Calvary – alone or with others. My Jerusalem experience simply increased my understanding of the power of movement. Traveling with Jesus brings the experience an added depth of meaning. I also especially commend the erecting of “outside” stations, which often enable the longer distance to provide a more meditational time between the stops and a fine day creates an even more powerful contrast between life and death.

Finally, in a liturgical celebration as we often pray it (usually Fridays in Lent), a chant or simple hymn punctuating the description of each station adds to the solemnity of the devotion.

In recent times, a “Fifteenth Station” has often been added to the walk: The Resurrection. I have mixed feelings about this addition, especially in personal piety, because it “trumps” the Passion itself, which is of course the experience of the devotion. Though we must always live in the joyful knowledge of Resurrection, both that of the Christ and of each one of us, we may obscure and weaken the power of a particular practice and meditation by mixing it with another.

Stations of the Cross* 1st Station: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane 2nd Station: Jesus, Betrayed by Judas, is Arrested 3rd Station: Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin 4th Station: Jesus is Denied by Peter 5th Station: Jesus is Judged by Pilate 6th Station: Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns 7th Station: Jesus Bears the Cross 8th Station: Jesus is Helped by Simon the Cyrenian to Carry the Cross 9th Station: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem 10th Station: Jesus is Crucified 11th Station: Promises His Kingdom to the Good Thief 12th Station: Jesus Speaks to His Mother and the Disciple 13th Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross 14th Station: Jesus is Placed in the Tomb * Revised Stations of the Cross, or Via Crucis, were introduced by John Paul II and based on scripturallyrecorded incidents.

April 2014 9

second collections by Fr. Rothell Price

Second Collections for the Month of April

Pontifical Good Friday Holy Land Collection • Diocese of Shreveport Church Vocations Collection • Catholic Home Missions Appeal Universal Church, and the whole world.

Catholic Home Missions Appeal Announcement Dates: April 13th & 20th Collection Date: April 26th & 27th

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Diocese of Shreveport seminarians are supported by the Diocese of Shreveport Church Vocations Collection.

Pontifical Holy Land Collection Announcement Dates: April 6th & 13th Collection Date: Good Friday, April 18

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or 800 years, the Holy Land Franciscans have served in the land made holy by the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. With your support, the Holy Land Franciscans will continue to nourish Christians in the Holy Land with presence, care and service. Each year the Holy Father invites Catholics to support fellow Christians and sacred shrines in the Holy Land. “Let us become bearers of hope!” – Pope Francis.

Last year’s Good Friday Collection supported 29 parishes, four homes for orphans and three academic institutions. It helped keep schools open for over 10,000 pre-K through grade 12 students, supported 120 men preparing to be priests or brothers, helped rehabilitate 80 homes for Christian families, provided senior care facilities in Bethlehem and Nazareth, created 1,500 jobs in the Holy Land, and preserved 54 shrines from the life of Jesus and the prophets.

Every Catholic becomes a witness to peace and a protector of the Holy Places when they contribute to the Pontifical Good Friday Collection. Thank you for supporting the Pontifical Good Friday Collection as encouraged by Pope Francis.

Diocese of Shreveport Church Vocations Announcement Dates: April 6th & 13th Collection Date: Easter, April 19th & 20th

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ll Catholics in the Diocese of Shreveport have a strong desire to support Bishop Duca and Father Matthew Long in their ministry of finding 10 Catholic Connection

and educating men for the priesthood of Jesus Christ. They search for other men to respond to God’s call in the ministry of deacons. They likewise seek out men and women to say yes to their call from God to evangelize and witness to Jesus Christ in the consecrated life of men and women religious. The Diocese of Shreveport Church Vocations Collection brings us that blessed opportunity to share in that spiritual work.

In our parishes there are constant prayers for vocations in the Church. Your prayers are being answered. We have eight men in formation to become priests, and Deacon Keith Garvin will be ordained a priest next month. Sixteen men from around our diocese will be ordained to the Permanent Diaconate in late June.

You have been praying and contributing; Bishop Duca and Fr. Long have been seeking and nurturing; and the Good Lord has listened and is responding to our humble petitions and sacrifices. Our Lord is just getting started in the out-pouring of His grace on our diocese. New men are preparing to be added to the ranks of our present seminarians. They will enter the seminary this coming fall and winter!

Continue to do what you do so well.

Pray; give witness to the love of God; and give generously to the second collection for Church Vocations at Easter. Participate so that more men in our diocese can answer the Master’s call to priesthood and the diaconate. Contribute with the confidence that the Master of the harvest will provide us with laborers for the harvest of souls.

Live in the joyful expectation that there will be a grand payout for our Diocese, the

oday I am writing this appeal for your generous participation in the Catholic Home Missions Appeal on the eve of the one year anniversary of the election Pope Francis. Through him, the Holy Spirit is breathing new life into the Church of Jesus Christ. Pope Francis has exhorted and challenged us to joyfully bring Christ to the world. In that spirit we participate in the Catholic Home Missions Appeal Collection this year.

Our mission diocese receives generous funding from this second collection. We get back more than we give. How wonderful is that?! The Apostle Paul reminds us that “we are ambassadors for Christ….” Our participation in this collection allows us to fulfill our Christian mandate to bring Christ to those who are most in need of the Good News, the Gospel. Through this collection, firmly rooted in your love of the Risen Christ and concern for the spread of the Kingdom, you reach out to those Catholics and un-churched souls in impoverished zones of our diocese, nation, and its territories.

Our “mission” diocese is one of the grantees that receive substantial grants from the Catholic Home Missions Appeal.

The Catholic Home Missions funds a wide range of pastoral services, including evangelization, religious education, the maintenance of mission parishes, the training of seminarians and lay ministers and ministry with ethnic groups. The Diocese of Shreveport benefits from your participation through funding for our Catholic Campus Ministry programs, Office of Church Vocations, Office of Hispanic Ministry and our Office of Catechesis. We are fortunate to receive funding for our spiritual and pastoral wellbeing. Please give generously and know that your generosity will be returned to us in a very tangible and sizeable manner. I thank you in advance for your participation to the Catholic Home Missions Appeal.

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

school NEWS < Matt Fradd, guest speaker from Australia, shared his story of conversion from Agnosticism to Catholicism on Wednesday, February 26 with students at St. Frederick High School. He has been seen and heard on the BBC, EWTN, The Irish Morning Show and Catholic Answers Life, where he has shared his personal story of sin, redemption and healing to people all over the world. Following the general assembly, Matt spoke to the high school boys regarding chastity and pornography while the girls met with Dr. Katherine Wilson, a Marriage and Family Therapist, on the same subjects. Photo: Matt Fradd is pictured with Junior High students at St. Frederick High School in Monroe.

^ Our Lady of Fatima School Kindergarteners hosted a Black History Month program called, “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” Pictured are Jada Ballard as Maya Angelou and Shakira Newton as Wilma Rudolph.

^ Jesus the Good Shepherd School is pleased to announce that Molly Sager is the winner of this year’s school spelling bee competition. Molly is the daughter of Angie and Bernard Sager. Her favorite word is “flabbergasted” and her winning word was “smithereens.” We wish Molly the best as she moves on to compete in the Regional Spelling Bee representing JGS later in March.

^ St. Joseph School 8th Grader Noah Crofton is training for the US Olympic Bobsledding Team. He participated in a training event in Utah where he took multiple runs on the track.

> St. John Berchmans School students took first and third place in the annual Knights of Columbus Essay Contest. This year’s winner was seventh grader Isabella Silvia. Eighth grader Guice Thompson came in third place. Both students wrote their essays on the meaning of patriotism. Isabella’s essay will be judged at the state level along with students’ winning essays from around Louisiana. This is the second year in a row for Guice Thompson to be recognized; he placed second in 2013.

April 2014 11

by Dianne Rachal Director of Worship

12 Catholic Connection

hrism Mass is held during Holy Week in every Catholic diocese. The celebration of Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans is the largest diocesan liturgy and highpoint of the diocesan liturgical year. Bishop Michael Duca presides, surrounded by his priests and deacons, and his flock who are all the faithful of the diocese. This is the preeminent manifestation of the local Church. Bishop Duca blesses the Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick, and the Sacred Chrism, and these holy oils are distributed to all the parishes and Catholic hospitals in the diocese.

In ancient Greece and Rome oil was used by athletes to limber up muscles. Oil was believed to bring strength and protection.

Oil was also used for its healing properties, as the Good Samaritan poured oil into the wounds of the injured man, Luke 10:34. Oil was poured on the head as a sign of belonging, for example, in the initiation of Roman soldiers. In the Old Testament oil was used to consecrate altars, sacred places and sacred vessels, as well as to anoint priests. Prophets were also considered anointed by God’s Spirit to speak powerfully and with authority in God’s name. Kings were anointed to rule God’s people. Anointing was also a sign of God’s strength, favor, and a sign of the joy of being God’s servant, as in Psalm 45:8: “God your God has anointed you with the oil of gladness…” Oil was an important ingredient in preparing the food that kept people alive. Oil was poured over the head of guests as a sign of welcome.

The biblical word for one who was anointed was “messiah.”

Translated into Greek, the language of the New Testament, messiah becomes Christos, or Christ. When we call Jesus our Messiah, we are saying that he was anointed by God to announce God’s word—the Good News of salvation—to God’s people. In Luke, Jesus says: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor…” Luke 4:18.

Baptism makes us Christians, that is, anointed ones who share in the life of the crucified and risen Jesus, God’s anointed one. Immediately before being baptized with water, we are anointed with the Oil of Catechumens, which strengthens and purifies us. After baptism with water, we are anointed with the Sacred Chrism which consecrates us as members of Christ’s body who share in Jesus’ anointing as priest, prophet and king. This anointing with Sacred Chrism gives us the Holy Spirit’s strength to live out our baptism.

Anointing with Sacred Chrism at Confirmation completes the grace of Baptism, and seals us with the fullness of the Holy Spirit’s gifts.

The Oil of Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick are blessed; Sacred Chrism is consecrated. Only the bishop may consecrate Sacred Chrism. When these oils are used to anoint people in the sacraments, they are symbolic of Bishop Duca’s presence, even though he cannot be present at every Baptism, or Confirmation or Anointing of the Sick.

The blessing of oils is an extremely ancient tradition in the Church, as attested to in the Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus around 250 AD. In the early church, bishops consecrated the chrism at the Easter Vigil when catechumens were baptized, blessing the other oils at the same time.

As the church grew, eventually blessing of the oils moved to the Holy Thursday evening celebration to allow time to distribute the oils from the cathedral to the parishes. For over a millennium bishops

blessed oils at this Holy Thursday liturgy. In 1955, with Pope Pius XII’s reform of Holy Week, a separate Mass of Chrism was added to Holy Thursday earlier in the day. “If, however, it is difficult for the clergy and people to assemble at this time, the blessing may be transferred to an earlier day, but as close to Easter as possible.” This is done in our diocese: Chrism Mass is celebrated in the evening on Tuesday of Holy Week. At the end of Chrism Mass, the Holy Oils are brought back to the parishes of the diocese for use in the coming year.

All of the oils are olive oil. The Oil of Catechumens is used at Baptism to strengthen and purify catechumens before baptizing in water. The Oil of the Sick is used in Anointing of the Sick to bring the strengthening and healing power of Christ. Sacred Chrism is a mixture of olive oil and fragrant balsam. Balsam is an oily, resinous and fragrant substance from plants. It symbolizes an innocent life and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Since Sacred Chrism consecrates and enables us to live out the call to follow Jesus the Christ (the anointed one), it is used: • In Baptism to anoint the newly baptized on the crown of the head.

• At Confirmation when the bishop anoints the forehead of the confirmand.

• In Holy Orders when the bishop anoints the hands of the candidate to the priesthood; the bishop anoints the head of a priest being consecrated a bishop.

• To consecrate the altar and anoint the walls in the dedication ceremony of a church.

The bishop mixes the balsam into the oil for Sacred Chrism and breathes over the open vessel in the sign of the cross. This is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, who blew over the face of the waters before creation (Gen 1:2b), and of the risen Jesus, who appeared to his disciples and breathed on them saying “Receive the Holy Spirit…”

(John 20:22-23). It is the Holy Spirit who consecrates this oil through the bishop’s invocation.

The large urns for the holy oils and the small bottles that transport the oils back to the parishes bear the initials of their Latin names: OS Oleum Sanctum OI Oleum Infirmorum SC Sanctum Chrisma

Oil of Catechumens Oil of the Sick Sacred Chrism

The holy oils are presented to and received by the local

parish community with the rite Reception of the Holy Oils.

The reception of the holy oils may take place before the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday or on another day after the celebration of Chrism Mass. The holy oils, in suitable vessels, are carried in procession by members of the assembly. The oils are received by the priest and are then placed on a suitably prepared table in the sanctuary or in the repository where they will be reserved. The holy oils are kept in a special glass cabinet called an ambry, usually located close to the baptismal font. It reminds all who see it of the anointing which unites and strengthens us to live as one body in Christ, and comes to us through the ministry of his Church.

Pope Paul VI added acknowledgment of the ministry of priests to Chrism Mass, highlighting Chrism Mass as a manifestation of the priests’ communion with the bishop.

Standing before the bishop, priests renew their commitment to priestly service, promising fidelity in fulfilling their office in the Church.

Chrism Mass is a celebration of the entire Christian community: • a community that gathers around Bishop Duca as one body made up of many parts, with Christ as its head, • a community whose oneness comes from its union with the crucified and risen Jesus—God’s anointed one—through Baptism, • a community that shares in the riches and consolation of Christ’s gift of the Holy Spirit through the sacramental ministry of its Bishop and priests.

Enter more fully into Holy Week and the liturgical life of the diocese by participating in the celebration of Chrism Mass on: Tuesday, April 15 at 6:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans. A reception follows Chrism Mass in the Multi Room of the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans.

Holy oils are kept in a special glass cabinet called the ambry.

April 2014 13

NEWS

Catholic Charities: Feeling Revived Catholic Campus Hopeless IN POVERTY Ministry at Centenary

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his morning I grabbed the paper and settled inside to enjoy a cup of coffee with breakfast. I often grab lunch at a local restaurant with a friend during my work day and after work head home to my comfortable surroundings for a safe, relaxing evening with family. Now, let’s follow Chantel for a day. Chantel awakens at 5:00 a.m. so she will have time to get her three children ready for school, ride the bus and drop them off at a friend’s house, praying that the friend will safely deliver her children to school because Chantel’s first job for the day begins at 7:00 a.m. She struggles to get the children to the friend’s house in time to catch another bus and make it to the fast food shop to begin cleaning and performing all she must before leaving for her second job.

Chantel doesn’t have time to take a lunch break before arriving at the home of the elderly woman she sits for in the afternoon. Her next bus trip takes her to the downtown building where she will clean offices until late in the evening. When she leaves her third job, she may stop at the fast food store near her stop to pick up dinner for herself and her kids. She must depend on her sister to gather her children from school in the afternoon and bring them home just before Chantel arrives around 8:00 p.m.

It’s a long, hard day and there is little if any relief for Chantel who, even with three jobs, still is unable to provide everything her children need. There’s the problem of not enough food to last through the month, the extra costs for school projects and supplies, not to mention clothing and shoes for her growing brood and the thing that causes sleepless nights for her, not enough money to keep up with all the bills.

Exhausted, afraid and with nowhere else to turn, Chantel came to Catholic Charities. We were able to help with past-due rent, with completing an application for SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) and got her into our financial education class to show her a better way.

The reality is this. Being poor means feeling hopeless and helpless.

It means only being able to focus on the immediate issues. It is time consuming to be poor. It’s stressful and frightening constantly worrying about the rent, the utilities and how to have enough food.

Survival is difficult. There is constant unrelenting struggle with no let up. Poverty is dehumanizing.

You can see that your donation to Catholic Charities makes a life-changing difference for those who, like Chantel, come to our door in such desperation. You change a life every time you give your time, your talents, your treasure. It matters to each of them and it matters to you for your life will be changed as well.

by Theresa Mormino, Catholic Charities of Shreveport 14 Catholic Connection

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n the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ pontificiate on March 13, Fr. Matthew Long, Director of Church Vocations, offered Mass at Centenary College commemorating Pope Francis’ anniversary. Although the numbers were small it was a great “new” beginning for Catholic Campus Ministry at Centenary College in Shreveport.

The last line of the Gospel for March 13 from Matthew 7:12, “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you...” is often referred to as the Golden Rule. What we want to do with Campus Ministry at Centenary is bring the students to the Gospel and bring the Gospel to the students. We want, as Pope Francis said, to reach out, evangelize and share our talents and our time with the students.

We want to make students “disciples of Christ.” We want to “teach them all that we have been commanded to do.” There are over 100 students at Centenary College who listed Catholic as a religious preference; we want an opportunity to minister to these students as well as other students at Centenary who are interested in learning more about the Catholic Church. What better way to do this than to offer the students food for the soul and the body and fellowship?

Canterbury House generously and ecumenically offered us the opportunity to come together to celebrate Mass in their location across from Centenary’s campus. Dr. Peter Huff, faculty advisor, joined us as we enjoyed a dinner.

The students who attended were excited about the Catholic presence on their campus and looked forward to inviting their friends to the next scheduled event. Centenary Catholic Campus Ministry wants to build a strong base and eventually have regularly scheduled Mass, dinners, events with speakers and retreats and be present at registration and other campus events. We want to build fellowship and a sense of belonging by having events on campus that give each student an opportunity to profess their faith, gather for food and fun and share fellowship.

Reverend Peter Mangum, Rector of the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, is the Catholic Chaplain of Centenary Campus Ministry.

So come one, come all! Get in touch with Megan Funk at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, (mfunk@sjbcathedral.org or phone 318-221-5296) and give her your contact information so we can keep you informed as plans are made for future events.

by Randy G. Tiller, Acting Director Diocesan Department of Youth, Campus Ministry and Young Adults

Annual Red Mass Kairos Outside Helps Women with to Honor LEgal INcarcerated Loved ones rison ministry continues to be an them realize that they are worthy. So many of Professionals

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he Red Mass Society is honored to have Bishop Michael G. Duca as the principal celebrant and deliver the homily at this year's Red Mass.

The Red Mass will be celebrated at Holy Trinity Church in Shreveport on May 2 at 9:00 a.m. A votive mass offered to invoke the Holy Spirit as the source of wisdom, understanding, counsel and fortitude, the Red Mass is sponsored annually by the Diocese of Shreveport and the Red Mass Society under the auspices of the Shreveport Bar Association.

The Red Mass is celebrated throughout the world. It is generally held at the beginning of the judicial year, but in Shreveport it is often celebrated during Law Week. Judges, lawyers, law enforcement officers and public officials of all faiths, and the public at large, participate in the Red Mass. Its primary purpose is to ask for God’s blessing and guidance in the administration of justice. The tradition of the Red Mass dates back to the 13th Century in Europe. It is called “Red Mass” for the color of the vestments worn by the celebrants of the Mass which symbolize tongues of fire representing the Holy Spirit.

This year the Red Mass will honor Cara Center and Gingerbread House in recognition of their service to abused children in our community since 1988.

All lawyers and non-lawyers are most welcome and encouraged to attend the Red Mass.

Music provided by the Zion Baptist Church Choir and St. Cecelia Choral Society begins at 8:30 a.m.

by Bill Fleming

ongoing need in North Louisiana, a call that a few priests and lay people are answering. But, just as important, is ministering to the needs of people who have loved ones who are incarcerated. Often overlooked, this group of people often feel singled out, alone, shamed, depressed and confused about their loved one who is locked away.

Fortunately the Kairos Outside program exists to help those women who are struggling with having a loved one incarcerated, or, who were once incarcerated themselves.

Barbara Guillory and Gail Crayton, a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, are active members of the Kairos Outside program. The main ministry of Kairos Outiside are weekend retreats that are held twice a year – once in the spring and once in the fall, open to women who are 20 and older who have a loved one incarcerated.

They like to keep the details of the weekend retreats a secret for the women who attend, but the overarching goal of the retreats is to provide a safe place for these women to feel accepted, loved and to rediscover God’s grace.

“It’s a whole weekend that lets them relax from having to take care of everybody,” said Gail. During the retreats the women are pampered with food and love, and hear talks about issues they face as women who have been affected by incarceration. The program is Christian based and non-denominational.

Everything discussed is confidential.

“It’s a life transforming thing because you push down that pain because we’re women and we’re strong and we pick up ourselves and put on a smile and say we’re fine. And you don’t know how to let some of that out. So this retreat is a place where you can let that out in a safe place and you’re not judged,” said Gail.

“The goal of all our programs is to provide a safe environment and show the love of Christ to people who may not feel love and some of the unlovable people,” added Barbara. It really changes their life. It makes

them have never felt the love of God in their lives. And that’s what it’s all about to show them that someone loves them, someone cares about them.”

Both Gail and Barbara got involved with Kairos Outside because they have loved ones who have been incarcerated.

In fact, both Barbara and Gail learned about the program through their loved ones who participated in the Kairos Inside program.

After the prisoners complete their Kairos Inside program, they often encourage their loved ones to attend a Kairos Outside retreat.

“Men in prison can’t give their loved ones anything because they don’t have anything to give, but this weekend is a gift that they can give that far out gives anything physical they can give,” said Barbara.

The Kairos program is always looking for many different avenues of support. You do not have to have been through the program to participate in a retreat, but if you have not been through a retreat weekend, you will likely be paired with a mentor. They are always in need of musicians, as music is a big part of the program, and they also need women to sit in the background and serve as spiritual directors when needed.

The Kairos programs are non-profit and provided free to anyone who wants to attend.

The actual cost of a Kairos retreat weekend is around $10,000 and is funded by donations from retreat leaders, their churches, area businesses and organizations.

To participate in a Kairos Outside weekend retreat, call Gail (318-268-1508) or Barbara (318-272-207), pick up a pamphlet at your church or visit mykairos.org.

“It’s a life changing experience whether you know someone incarcerated or not. To be able to give these women hope and show them love that Jesus wants us to show as humans on this earth is an experience that you’ll never forget and it grows you. You can’t out give God, and the more you try to help his children, the more He blesses you,” said Barbara.

by Jessica Rinaudo, Editor April 2014 15

NEWS

Catholic Women's League Serves the Community

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he Catholic Women’s League is a ministry that aims to coordinate and participate in the work of all Catholic women’s organizations in an effort to meet the changing needs of all people. They also aim to serve as a medium through which all Catholic women of the League may speak and act on matters of public interest; establish friendly relations with civic and social societies in the communities in an effort to aid the solutions of religious and social problems; and initiate new and special programs and projects at the request of the bishop. Any Catholic woman may join the League.

The League remains active and there are many exciting opportunities for you to take part in. We have social time for the ladies of each parish to get together and gather information on the many activities and events going on at each parish. We meet every quarter (March, June, September, December) and a different church hosts each quarter. We have a business meeting and then the host church presents a speaker or entertainment followed by a delicious lunch and many fun door prizes. The cost to attend is only $6.00! We meet the second Tuesday of each quarter. Registration is at 9:30 a.m. The meeting starts promptly at 10:30 a.m.

There are 14 churches that represent the CWL: Barksdale AFB Chapel, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Christ the King, Holy Trinity, Mary Queen of Peace, Our Lady of Blessed Sacrament, Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. Ann of Stonewall, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Joseph of Manfield, St. Joseph of Shreveport, St. Jude, St. Mary of the Pines and St. Pius X. Our ministries are wide and varied. Each quarter the Madonna is passed around – the money collected is distributed to Gabriel’s Closet and the Crisis Pregnancy Center.

We continue to collect canceled stamps that are mailed to St. Francis Village in Crowley, TX. We also continue to collect Campbell’s soup labels (and a few other brands) and these go to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children in Boulder City, NV. We donate each quarter to the Rescue Mission with canned goods and clothing brought by the ladies.

We look forward to seeing you at our next quarterly meeting in June! For any questions or information on joining, please call Sandy Addison, Catholic Women’s League, 318-929-3766.

By Sandy Addison 16 Catholic Connection

FAST-TRACKS WORK AT HIGHLAND MEDICAL CENTER

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HRISTUS Health ShreveportBossier announced that the $55 million investment in CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center will continue with certain elements of the construction moving more quickly than originally planned.

“We’re pleased to announce that we are able to fast-track some of our construction at Highland,” according to William Lunn, M.D., COO of CHRISTUS Health Shreveport-Bossier. “In addition to moving and consolidating the NICU and Birth Place services on the Highland campus earlier than planned, we’ve also opened a new primary care practice in southeast Shreveport and will open a satellite clinic in Bossier for our Cancer Treatment Center in April.”

Groundbreaking for Phase 3 of the Highland construction, the West Wing of CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center, was held on Tuesday, March 18th at 10 a.m. The West Wing will include two new floors for the hospital, which will house the Birth Place, NICU and rehabilitation services. It will also include a new hospital lobby and a first floor devoted to the Cancer Treatment Center, which will relocate to Highland in Summer 2015.

In addition, the new plan will include a new adult ICU and additional day surgery space in the project once the West Wing construction is complete.

The new strategic direction announced by CHRISTUS in 2013 included providing more access points for primary care and outpatient services, as well as expansion into Bossier. A new Family Medicine physician, Donna Wyatt, M.D., has joined CHRISTUS Primary Care Associates at the Highland campus and Dr. Asha Kilaru opened her new Internal Medicine practice in southeast Shreveport. The satellite clinic for the Cancer Treatment Center in Bossier will be located in the CHRISTUS Bossier Healthplex facility located at 2539 Viking Drive.

According to Lunn, most of the adult services at the CHRISTUS Schumpert campus have been transitioned to the Highland campus, and 15 additional acres adjacent to that campus have been acquired. “The momentum is growing, and we look forward to announcing the completion of more milestones of this investment in the future.”

by Dana Smelser

The Thoughtful Side of Revelry

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or several years now our Parish School of Religion has celebrated Mardi Gras in a rather grand fashion; we elect a royal court and have a presentation, we run a spiritual Mardi Gras with the children collecting the spiritual symbols of Mardi Gras, we sing the “Alleluia,” and after a discussion on what it means, we bury it in a black bag (symbolically) and raise it after Easter Sunday. Last year our students were

expecting a huge treat—Mardi Gras royalty were coming to visit us and help with the presentation of our own court.

The kids were really excited, asking questions that ranged from, “Will they drive to church on a float?” to “Will the queen wear her crown?” to “Will they bring us beads?” Truth be told the teacher and I were just as excited.

But first, something happened and, as it often goes, God had other plans; cliché perhaps, but there was really no other way to describe the chain of events that happened.

I received a phone call, the King of this particular krewe had been rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. Next I made several calls but the first one was to the person in charge of our prayer quilt ministry; more bad news there were no full-sized quilts available although there could be one ready as early as the next day she assured me. No, I said we needed it that night and I gave her a quick rundown of what happened. She said they did have some prayer squares. She told me to just go on over to the room and find one I liked. My next call was to my coordinator

to give her the news. As mothers we are use to making adjustments, but we both wondered what the students would think.

Would they be really disappointed?

We needn’t have been too worried.

When the situation was explained to our “royalty” why the King and Queen couldn’t be present with us they immediately asked another range of questions, but this time the focus was on the person who was sick: “What happens when a king gets sick?”

“My grandma had to have an operation, was there blood?”

“Will he have to go to heaven or will Jesus fix him here?”

When we asked if they’d like to tie a knot and then we could all say a prayer, several hands shot up to ask it they could lead the prayer.

Fr. Francis blessed the square and it was delivered that night to the hospital.

This year the same King and Queen asked if they could come and visit. Of course we were excited, but nothing prepared me for what followed.

“King” Johnny pulled a drawstring bag from the chair we put aside for him and, better than a magician with a hat, pulled the prayer square from the bag. He told me that nothing had touched him in such a way. Someone standing nearby wasn’t familiar with the story, so here is what the “King” told him: “I was sick last year and had to have surgery, but was supposed to be here with these kids. When they found out I wasn’t coming instead of being upset they were worried about ME!” His wife added that the doctor told him he had made a faster recovery than “normal” and she told me they KNEW it was due to prayer.”

These days we are all trying to instill values in our children and a sense of caring for one another in a world that supports the opposite. Even amidst revelry there is faith!

by Kim Long, DRE, St. Mary of the Pines Parish

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HISPANIC corner MENSAJE DEL SANTO PADRE FRANCISCO PARA LA CUARESMA 2014

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ueridos hermanos y hermanas: Conocéis la gracia de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, el cual, siendo rico, se hizo pobre por vosotros para enriqueceros con su pobreza. (2 Cor. 8, 9). ¿Qué nos dicen, a los cristianos de hoy, estas palabras de san Pablo? ¿Qué nos dice hoy, a nosotros, la invitación a la pobreza, a una vida pobre en sentido evangélico?

Ante todo, nos dicen cuál es el estilo de Dios. Dios no se revela mediante el poder y la riqueza del mundo, sino mediante la debilidad y la pobreza. Cristo, el Hijo eterno de Dios, igual al Padre en poder y gloria, se hizo pobre; descendió en medio de nosotros, se acercó a cada uno de nosotros; se desnudó, se “vació”, para ser en todo semejante a nosotros, excepto en el pecado.

Podríamos pensar que este “camino”

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por Rosalba Quiroz 318-868-4441

de la pobreza fue el de Jesús, mientras que nosotros, que venimos después de Él, podemos salvar el mundo con los medios humanos adecuados. No es así. En toda época y en todo lugar, Dios sigue salvando a los hombres y salvando el mundo mediante la pobreza de Cristo, el cual se hace pobre en los Sacramentos, en la Palabra y en su Iglesia, que es un pueblo de pobres. La riqueza de Dios no puede pasar a través de nuestra riqueza, sino siempre y solamente a través de nuestra pobreza, personal y comunitaria, animada por el Espíritu de Cristo.

Queridos hermanos y hermanas, que este tiempo de Cuaresma encuentre a toda la Iglesia dispuesta y solícita a la hora de testimoniar a cuantos viven en la miseria material, moral y espiritual el mensaje evangélico, que se resume en el anuncio del amor del Padre misericordioso, listo para abrazar en Cristo a cada persona.

Podremos hacerlo en la medida en que nos conformemos a Cristo, que se hizo pobre y nos enriqueció con su pobreza. Nos hará bien preguntarnos ¿De qué podemos privarnos a fin de ayudar y enriquecer a otros con nuestra pobreza? La verdadera

Calendario del Mes de Abril 1 Cuarta Semana del Tiempo de Cuaresma 8-9 Retiro para directores y coordinadores en Luisiana 13 Domingo de Ramos 17-19 Triduo Pascual 20 Resurrección del Señor 26 Día Familiar, Centro Católico, 10 am – 4 pm (comida gratis y diversión para toda la familia) pobreza duele: no sería válido un despojo sin esta dimensión penitencial. Desconfío de la limosna que no cuesta y no duele. SS Francisco.

Para el artículo completo ir a: http://www. vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/messages/ lent/documents/papa-francesco_20131226_ messaggio-quaresima2014_sp.html

across the

by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Bishop Pates Urges Prayer and Action During Lent for Peace in the Holy Land

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ASHINGTON—Catholics can make praying for peace in the Holy Land part of their Lenten journey by using resources from the Justice, Peace and Human Development department of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The bishop who chairs the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace also urges U.S. Catholics to act and speak out for peace.

In a January 24 letter, Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, IA, urged U.S. Catholics to “focus prayer and attention on peace in the Holy Land this year.” Bishop Pates cited efforts by the United States to move Israel and Palestine toward adopting a framework for peace as a serious matter in need of much prayer.

“In the coming weeks, I invite you to

pray regularly for Israeli-Palestinian peace,” he wrote. He also encouraged Catholics to write letters to the editors of their local newspapers and let their neighbors and public officials know of their support for the issue.

Resources provided by USCCB in English and Spanish include a Way of the Cross and suggested Prayers of the Faithful.

They are posted online: www.usccb.org/ issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/ global-issues/middle-east/israel-palestine/ index.cfm Bishop Pates’ letter is also available online: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/ human-life-and-dignity/global-issues/ middle-east/israel-palestine/letter-to-uscatholic-community-from-bishop-pates-onholy-land-2014-02-24.cfm

Archbishop Wenski Urges Congressional Support for Second Chance Act

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ASHINGTON—Congress should take an important step to address issues faced by the more than 650,000 men, women and juveniles who reenter society each year from prisons, jails and detention centers. This was the message of the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development and the president of Catholic Charities USA in a March 4 letter supporting the Second Chance Act (S. 1690/H.R. 3465).

“Those who return to our communities from incarceration face significant challenges. These include finding housing and stable employment, high rates of substance abuse, physical and mental health challenges and social isolation,” wrote Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami and Father Larry Snyder in a March 4 letter to the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees.

Archbishop Wenski and Father Snyder wrote that, without necessary support

services, these individuals have an increased chance of re-offending.

“The Second Chance Act supports much needed programs in government agencies and nonprofit organizations that provide employment assistance, substance abuse treatment, housing, family programming, mentoring, victim support and other services to individuals returning to the community from prison or jail,” they wrote.

Archbishop Wenski and Father Snyder noted the bill supports “common sense solutions” proven to reduce recidivism rates.

These include grants for mentoring programs and family-based treatment centers, development of resources and best practices around reentry and a taskforce to promote cooperation between agencies.

The full text of the letter is available online: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/ human-life-and-dignity/criminal-justicerestorative-justice/upload/letter-to-senateand-house-judiciary-from-usccb-ccusa-onsecond-chance-act-2014-03-04.pdf

Vatican Information Services

VAtICAN news & notes • Following the Angelus prayer on March 3, Pope Francis launched an appeal for harmony in the Ukraine, asking the faithful to pray for the delicate situation the country is currently experiencing.

• Following a decision by Pope Francis, the gardens of the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo are now open to the public. It is now possible to visit the Barberini Garden, with its beautiful natural landscapes and archaeological remains: the Paths of Roses, aromatic Herbs, and Lilies, the Square of holly oaks, and the Belvedere Garden, from where there is a panoramic view over Latium, out to the coastline. In the area of Villa Barberini there is the Villa of the Emperor Domitian, which faces Lake Albano, and the visitor may explore the remains of the imperial theatre and the crypto-portico or covered passageway of the imperial villa.

• On March 10 the Holy See Press Office issued a press release to communicate that the Holy Father Francis will travel to the Republic of Korea from August 14-18, on the occasion of the Sixth Asian Youth Day, which will take place in the Diocese of Daejeon.

• Pope Francis has written a letter to families asking them to pray for the next Synod of Bishops, which will be celebrated in the Vatican in October, and the theme of which will be “The pastoral challenges of the family in the context of evangelization.”

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around the DIOCESE

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On February 9, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church blessed the marriages of those who have been married a multiple of five years, and those celebrating more than 60 years. L to R: Willie and Victoria Lewis (61 years), Ronald and Mary Johnson (30 years), Fr. Andre McGrath, Bennie and Lana Dixon (45 years), Mark and Kim Johnson (15 years), John and Janis Haynes (30 years) and not pictured: John and Elsie Sarpy (60 years).

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The Shreveport-Bossier 40 Days for Life campaign is off to a great start. The Kickoff Rally was a great event! Thanks to Melody Olson and Steve Karlen for their very uplifting stories, to Gregg Gober and his band, to Tamra Gober and Cypress Baptist for being great hosts, to Bishop Duca for leading the prayer, and to all of those in attendance physically and spiritually! On day one of the 40 day international campaign, our local Kickoff Rally was featured in the national daily devotional. To sign up for the daily devotionals, go to the national website (40daysforlife.com). To see more pictures join the 40 Days 20 Catholic Connection

for Life Shreveport-Bossier group on Facebook. The campaign continues through April 13 at the Bossier City Medical Suite (1505 Doctors Drive near Shed Road and Airline Drive). Please join us on the sidewalk for for peaceful prayer. Our CLOSING CANDLELIGHT VIGIL is on the sidewalk at the abortion facility on April 13 at dusk.

For more details, go to our website at 40daysforlifeSB.com or call Chris Davis 318-349-3279.

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St. Joseph Church in Bastrop held a Black History Month celebratory Mass in February. The celebration began with speaker Alfred Twymon reviewing several songs recorded

by African Americans (“Go Down Moses,” “We are Americans, Too!,” “People Get Ready,” “A Change is Gonna Come”) and second speaker Dr. Daniel Trejo spoke on the history of the song “Amazing Grace,” written by John Newton, a slave trader.

Music has always been and still is a vital part of black history.

This program highlighted music, by showing how various songs were used at various times in black history based on events in people’s lives.

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Three area high schools competed in the Louisiana VEX Robotics state competition recently at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Carroll High School, Madison High School and St. Frederick High School were three of the 17 teams from throughout the state that qualified in regional competitions. Students on the high school teams built robots that performed on their own and they manned robots that competed against other team robots by scoring points for different tasks.

“We are proud of the accomplishment of the St. Frederick Robotics team who made it to the finals to earn the Louisiana state runner-up position. Mr. Trombatore has done an excellent job as the faculty sponsor of the robotics team,” stated Guy Farber, St. Frederick Principal. Trombatore teaches chemistry, physics and pre-engineering at St. Frederick High School.

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The Loyola College Prep mock trial team placed 2nd in the regional competition held in Monroe on March 1. They will advance to the state competition to be held Saturday, March 29 at the federal courthouse in Shreveport.

Team members are Coco Edwards, Emily Hussey, Roni Roberts,

Laura Walsh, Connor Sampson and Chris Bolton.

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Ashley Hughes received the Knights of Columbus scholarship at the 10:30 Mass at St. Jude Church with the support of her family and friends.

Louisiana State University -Shreveport Campus Ministry held their annual Ash Wednesday Mass on the third floor of Noel Memorial Library on March 5. Bishop Michael Duca was there to celebrate the Mass for students, teachers, staff and members of the community. The Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows were also there to provide music for the Mass with their choir and guitars.

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At St. Jude Church, Children’s Liturgy welcomes children up through second grade, as long as they have not yet received First Communion. We welcome all children to attend during Sunday Masses at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The children and catechists receive blessings before leaving the Family Life Center for their special Liturgy during Mass.

April 2014 21

upcoming EVENTS April 5: Renzi Center's Annual Jazz & Blues Brunch Don’t miss the Renzi Education and Art Center’s 2nd Annual Jazz & Blues Brunch Fundraiser! Held on Saturday, April 5th, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at The Shop, located at Olive Street & Fairfield Avenue, the Jazz & Blues Brunch will feature legendary guitarist Buddy Flett, an array of incredibly talented local musicians and delicious brunch fare! All proceeds from the Jazz & Blues Brunch will go directly to the Renzi Center’s free art and academic After School Program for at-risk children in the Shreveport-Bossier area. For tickets, please call the Renzi Center at 318222-1414 or visit our website www.renzicenter. org.

March 1 - April 13: 40 Days for Life Shreveport/ Bossier The 40 Days for Life peaceful Closing Candlelight Vigil is April 13 at the abortion clinic on King's Highway at dusk. For more details about 40 Days for Life, visit 40daysforlifeSB.com or contact codirectors Chris Davis (chris@40daysforlifeSB. com / 318-349-3279) or Tom Guanella (ecoair@bellsouth.net).

April 14: St. Joseph Cemetery Spring Cleaning The Diocese of Shreveport will host a spring cemetery cleaning day on April 12th, at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery on the corner of Texas and Levy Streets in Shreveport. This will give you an opportunity to gather family and friends to the cemetery to talk about family history, clean tombstones, visit your ancestors buried in the cemetery and to see the efforts being made by the diocese to make the

cemetery a prayerful, relaxing and consoling place. Water and snacks will be provided.

If you want to bring a sack lunch and a blanket, please do. Also consider bringing hand tools and tracing paper to trace and lift inscriptions off of older, weathered, illegible markers. Facility staff will open gates at 8:00 a.m. and close them at 5:00 p.m. In the event of rain we will reschedule the cemetery work day. Regulations prevent the planting of flowers, shrubs or trees and the bordering of graves or plots. For more info contact Ed Hydro at the Catholic Center 318-868-4441.

May 3: Magnificat Prayer Brunch Please join us for our May 3 brunch to be held at the new St. Jude Church, located at 4700 Palmetto Rd., Benton, from 10:30-1:30pm.

Our speaker will be Juanita Gooding from Monroe. Juanita works as a paralegal and also owns a Vintage Rental and Event Styling business. She stocks beautiful religious gifts in her Market. A convert to the Catholic faith, Juanita has a special relationship with the Blessed Mother. She will share her journey to peace, understanding, and forgiveness through Mary's intercessions.

June 16 - July 25: Camps at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans The Cathedral of St. John Berchmans is hosting a number of camps this summer for children ages 8-14, including Fitness Camp, Soccer Camp, Baseball Camp, Softball Camp and Basketball camp. Each camp is a week long and costs $100 each.

For more information, contact Megan Funk at 318-221-5296 or mfunk@sjbcathedral.org.

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abortion and Camp Joshua, a prolife retreat for high school students held in various locations throughout Louisiana. L’Anne shared the vision of opening a Catholic pregnancy help center in Shreveport to be named Mary’s House. Mary’s House would be a welcoming place, like a warm, caring home, where individuals experiencing a crisis pregnancy would be offered hope and support. L’Anne asked that each of us consider what we can do to change lives and save lives in Shreveport and Bossier City through prayer, volunteering and donating.

Our appreciation goes to everyone who worked on this event—the pro-life committee members and their assistants, the staff of the Cathedral and Loyola Flyers for Life. Bernadette Boyd, banquet chairperson, is due a special word of thanks. She accepted Bishop Duca’s challenge to double the attendance and worked tirelessly to make this banquet the most successful one yet.

In honor of this event, each person attending received a medal of Pope Francis/St. Francis, blessed by our Holy Father.

by Christine Rivers, Chancellor

2 0 1 4 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

april 2014

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

SATURDAY

30 31 1 2 3 4 5 4th Sunday of Lent

St. Isidore, bishop & doctor of the Church

25th Anniversary Mass of Fr. Francis Kamau, FMH & Fr. Nicholas Onyach, FMH, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, 10am

Palm Sunday / April 13

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 5th Sunday of Lent

Deadline for the May Catholic Connection

St. John Baptist de la Salle, priest

Come and See Discernment Weekend Retreat, St. Joseph Seminary College (thru April 13) St. Stanislaus, bishop & martyr

Chrism Mass / April 15

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD

Chrism Mass, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, 6pm

Holy Thursday

Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord

Holy Saturday Easter Vigil

Way of the Cross 2nd Collection: Diocese of Walk for Justice, Shreveport First United Church Methodist Church, Vocations Shreveport, 9am

Parish Budgets Due

Easter / April 20

2nd Collection: Holy Land

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 EASTER SUNDAY of the Resurrection of the Lord

Dedication of the new St. Jude Church, Benton, 10am

2nd Collection: Diocese of Shreveport Church Vocations

2nd Collection: Home Missions Collection

St. Jude Dedication / April 26

27 28 29 30 1 2 3 Canonizations of St. Peter Chanel, Blessed John Paul priest & martyr; II & John XXIII St. Louis Grignion de Montfort, Confirmation, priest St. Paul Church, 11am Confirmation, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, 5:30pm

St. Catherine of Siena, virgin & doctor of the Church

Confirmation, St. Joseph Church, Zwolle, 6pm St. Pius V, pope

St. Joseph the Worker

Red Mass, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 9am

Sts. Philip and James, apostles

St. Athanasius, bishop & doctor of the Church

Canonizations / April 27 April 2014 23

DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave.

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Shreveport, LA 71104

Fairfield

Photo of the month by Jessica Rinaudo

Rite of Election, an annual event for catechumens and candidates to stand with their sponsors and affirm with the bishop that it is their intention to join the Catholic Church, took place on March 9. There were over 160 people there who intend to come into the Church during Easter Vigil Mass this year.

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