Vol. 22, No. 3 October 2012
INSIDE: The Year of Faith: Celebrating Evangelization, Catechesis & 50 Years of Vatican II
October 2012 1
from the editor
Publisher Bishop Michael G. Duca Editor Jessica Rinaudo Writers Sarah Barlow Stephanie Boswell Chris Davis Bishop Michael Duca Kim Long Fr. Matthew Long Barbara McAlister Fr. Phil Michiels Theresa Mormino Clary Nash
Kevin Nolten Fr. Rothell Price Dianne Rachal Jessica Rinaudo Francis X. Rocca Rosalba Quiroz Katie Sciba Marcos Villalba Mike Van Vranken John Mark Willcox
Editorial Board Cathy Cobb Rev. Charles Glorioso Kim Long Kelly Phelan Powell Dianne Rachal Christine Rivers John Mark Willcox Mission Statement The Catholic Connection is a monthly publication funded by your Diocesan Service Appeal; mailed to every known Catholic household in the Diocese of Shreveport. Our Mission is to advance knowledge and understanding of our Catholic Faith among the faithful. We seek to foster the application of Christ’s teachings and our Church’s mission in our daily lives and to encourage our sense of Catholic identity within our family, parish, and diocesan faith community. Subscriptions & Address Changes Contact: Jessica Rinaudo, Editor Email: jrinaudo@dioshpt.org Write: Catholic Connection 3500 Fairfield Avenue Shreveport, LA 71104 Call: 318-868-4441 Fax: 318-868-4609 Website: www.thecatholicconnection.org
The Catholic Connection is a member of the Catholic Press Association.
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
by Jessica Rinaudo
I
n October we kick start the Year of Faith, which will run from October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013. This issue of the Catholic Connection explains what the Year of Faith is and reflects on how it will be carried out by the churches, the diocese and by the universal Church. As part of this Year of Faith, the Catholic Connection is launching several new and exciting columns. Our “Navigating the Faith” column will focus on teaching aspects of the Catholic faith and cover a variety of timely topics. This month, the column focuses on Faithful Citizenship and the importance of the Catholic vote. Additionally, each month during the Year of Faith, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of Vatican II, we will have articles on the 16 Vatican II documents. This month we look at Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has provided a list of American Saints, Blesseds and Venerables during the Year of Faith, one for each month. We will highlight these saints throughout this year. This month we take a look at St. Isaac Jogues. On a lighter note, we are also launching a cooking column by Kim Long, which will cover foods and recipes for different Liturgical seasons of the Church, as well as feast foods for saints. Our Domestic Church columnist, Katie Sciba, will also be providing ways to help children and families share Church teachings and activities at home. I hope you enjoy all these great new additions to our publication. We look forward to celebrating the Year of Faith with you!
bishop’s october calendar OCTOBER 1 Archdiocese of New Orleans Red Mass; St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans; 9:30 a.m. OCTOBER 6 Taste of Shreveport; Bossier City Civic Center; 4:00 p.m. OCTOBER 10 Miracles in Medicine Fundraiser for the benefit of Catholic Charities of Shreveport; Squire Creek Country Club, Choudrant; 6:30 p.m. OCTOBER 11 Opening of the Year of Faith Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 6:00 p.m. OCTOBER 16 St. Catherine Community Center Board of Directors meeting; 6:00 p.m. OCTOBER 18 Meeting of Notre Dame Seminary Board & St. Joseph Seminary Board; Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans, LA
ULM Scholars’ Mass; Christ the King Chapel on ULM Campus, Monroe; 1:00 p.m. OCTOBER 24 Diocesan Finance Council meeting; Catholic Center, Shreveport; 12:00 p.m. OCTOBER 27 Diocese of Shreveport Hispanic Ministry 25th Anniversary Celebration; Catholic Center, Shreveport; 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
OCTOBER 20 Run with the Nuns Motorcycle Rally; Red River District, downtown Shreveport; 9:00 a.m.
OCTOBER 28 Our Lady Queen of Palestine Mass (Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem); Holy Trinity Church, Shreveport; 10:30 a.m.
OCTOBER 21 Little Flower of Jesus Church Mass & Picnic; Little Flower of Jesus Church, Monroe; 10:00 a.m.
OCTOBER 31 Loyola College Prep Style Show; Shreveport Convention Center; 11:00 a.m.
contents
october 2012
columns
Bishop’s Reflection by Bishop Michael G. Duca......................................................4-5 Mike’s Meditations: It’s a Great Day When... by Mike Van Vranken. ..................6 Second Collections: World Mission Sunday by Fr. Rothell Price ...........................6 Vatican News & Notes by Catholic News Service. .................................................7 Catholic Travels: Where Mary Said “Yes” by Fr. Matthew Long............................7
9
Hispanic Corner por Marcos Villalba.......................................................................8 Domestic Church: A Month Long Celebration of the Holy Rosary by Katie Sciba..........9 Rosary Tips for Children .........................................................................................9 Appeal Ministries: Benefitting Catechesis by John Mark Willcox. ............................10 Moveable Feast: Ordinary Food for Ordinary Time by Kim Long..........................10 Navigating the Faith: Practicing Faithful Citizenship by Fr. Phil Michiels. ...............11
features Year of Faith by Dianne Rachal. ............................................................................. 12-13
12
Celebrating Evangelization, Catechesis & 50 Years of Vatican II
Documents of Vatican II: Sacrosanctum Concilium by Dianne Rachal............ 14 Constitutions on the Sacred Liturgy
news Meet Your 2012-13 Seminarians.............................................................................15 Catholic Charities: Money School Starts; Helping Immigrants by Theresa Mormino. ..16 St. Jude Breaks Ground by Stephanie Boswell .......................................................16 October is Respect Life Month by Chris Davis & Sarah Barlow..............................17
17 on the cover
Pope Appoints Synod Members by Catholic News Service . ................................17 Institution of Readers by Deacon Clary Nash. ........................................................18 The State of Giving by John Mark Willcox. ..............................................................18 Across the Globe by Francis X. Rocca, CNS............................................................19
Pope urges interfaith dialogues in Mideast, defends religious freedom
Celebrating 10 Years of Women’s Ministry by Barbara McAlister.........................20 9/11 First Responder Speaks to SJS Students by Kevin Nolten..............................20 School News ...........................................................................................................21 Upcoming Events....................................................................................................22 From the YouCat.....................................................................................................22 October Calendar . ...............................................................................................23 Picture of the Month...............................................................................................24
Christ the Pantocrator, Russia 1899. Christ’s entwined fingers symbolized divine and human nature, as he stretches his robe wide to encompass the viewer and invite one into “The Land of the Living,” to dwell in Him.
October 2012 3
LA REFLEXIÓN del obispo
por Obispo Michael G. Duca
Un Compromiso más Profundo con Cristo
(CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)
Y
a para el mes de octubre estamos bien adentrados en la rutina del otoño. La escuela ya está en camino y el recomienzo de organizaciones y responsabilidades está ya en nuestro pasado además de que el verano es ya un recuerdo distante. Cuando yo era el rector del seminario anticipaba la rutina del año escolar. La rutina nos da una estructura para ordenar una vida ocupada, asegura que nuestras responsabilidades vocacionales básicas son cumplidas y que nuestros valores de fe formen nuestra vida de cierta forma con cada tarea diaria. Aun nuestra vida de oración en la Iglesia esta ordenada con el tiempo Litúrgico y nuestra misa dominical reconfirma nuestra conexión con el Cuerpo de Cristo y nos da testimonio a la centralidad de nuestra fe en la vida diaria. Pero nuestra rutina diaria, y especialmente nuestra rutina espiritual, se puede hacer anquilosada o pesada por su dificultad o por nuestros deseos egoístas. De vez en cuando los santos nos recuerdan de romper la rutina, por medio de un retiro por ejemplo, para examinar la rutina y las opciones en nuestras vidas y para que podamos limpiar lo que es pecaminoso y comprometernos de nuevo a cumplir el mensaje del Evangelio de Jesus y las enseñanzas de Su Iglesia. Nuestro Santo Padre, el Papa Benedicto XVI ha proclamado el Año de la Fe comenzando el 11 de octubre del 2012 para marcar el 50 Aniversario del Concilio Vaticano II y el 20 Aniversario de la publicación del Nuevo Catecismo. Voy a 4 Catholic Connection
abrir el Año de la Fe para la Diócesis con una Misa el 11 de octubre del 2012 en la Catedral de San Juan Berchmans a las 6:00 p.m. Este es un año de retiro para la Iglesia. Durante este Año de Fe todos deberíamos considerar alguna acción u opción que rompa nuestra rutina diaria de una manera que nos rete a un compromiso más profundo con Cristo y a reflexionar nuestra fe como católicos en las opciones y acciones de nuestra vida diaria. Mi compromiso este año será visitar cada parroquia en la diócesis y tener una tarde de oración con cada comunidad eclesial. Nos reuniremos para la Liturgia de la Palabra. Será un tiempo de oración y reflexión sobre nuestra fe en Jesucristo y Su Iglesia. Los animo a invitar a sus amigos no-católicos a unirse con nosotros. Esta también será una oportunidad para que yo considere, en mi quinto año como su Obispo, como ser un mejor servidor y cómo podemos crecer juntos en la fe y la respuesta de fe, la Caridad. En esta carta Porta Fidei, traducida “puerta de fe,” (Hechos 14:27) el Santo Padre nos da una reflexión maravillosa, un tipo de letanía, de como la fe que tanto estimamos ha formado y continua formando la Iglesia y asegura la proclamación del Evangelio. “Por la fe María aceptó la palabra del Ángel y creyó el mensaje que iba a ser la madre de Dios por la obediencia y su devoción (cf. Lucas1:38).” Por la fe, los apóstoles dejaron todo para
seguir a su Maestro (cf. Marcos 10:28). Por la fe, los discípulos formaron la primera comunidad, reunidos con las enseñanzas de los apóstoles, en oración, en celebración de la Eucaristía, unían sus bienes en común y los repartían según las necesidades de cada uno. (cf. Hechos 2:42-47). Por la fe, los mártires dieron sus vidas, siendo testigos de la verdad del Evangelio que los había transformado e hizo capaces de obtener el regalo más grande de amor: el perdón de sus perseguidores. Por la fe, hombres y mujeres han consagrado sus vidas a Cristo, dejando todo atrás para vivir en obediencia, pobreza y castidad con la simplicidad del Evangelio, señales concretas de la esperanza que el Señor viene sin tardanza. Por la fe, innumerables Cristianos han promovido la acción por la justicia para poner en práctica la palabra del Señor, que vino a proclamar libertad a los oprimidos y un año favorable para todos (cf. Lucas 4:18-19). Por la fe, a través de los siglos, hombres y mujeres de todas las edades, y cuyos nombres están escritos en el Libro de la Vida (cf. Ap. 7:9, 13:8), han confesado las maravillas de seguir al Señor Jesus por doquier y fueron llamados a ser testigos del hecho de ser Cristianos: en la familia, en el lugar de trabajo, en vida pública, en el ejercicio de los carismas y ministerios a los que han sido llamados.” Porta Fidei #13 Benedicto XVI. Durante este Año de Fe pido a Dios que nuestros corazones se llenen de fuego y creamos más profundamente y gustosamente “confesemos la maravilla de seguir al Señor Jesus.” Rezo para que seamos testigos de esta fe en la familia, en el lugar de trabajo, en la vida pública y en la práctica de nuestros carismas y ministerios a los que hemos sido llamados. Hay un artículo en la página 12 de esta revista Catholic Connection por Dianne Rachal con más información sobre el Año de la Fe y algunas celebraciones en nuestra diócesis durante este Año.
bishop’s reflection a deeper commitment to christ
During the Year of Faith, Bishop Michael Duca will visit each of the diocesan churches to share the Liturgy of the Word and an evening of prayer.
B
y the month of October we are deep the 20th Anniversary of the publication into the routine of fall. School is of the New Catechism. I will open the well underway and the restarting of Year of Faith for the Diocese of Shreveport organizations and responsibilities is now with a Mass on October 11, 2012, at the in our past and the summer Cathedral of St. John Berchmans is a distant memory. When I at 6:00 p.m. This is to be a year was the rector of a seminary of retreat for the Church. During I actually looked forward to this Year of Faith we should all the routine of the school year. consider some action or choice Routine gives us a structure to that breaks our daily routine in a order a busy life, ensures our way that challenges us to a deeper basic vocational responsibilities commitment to Christ and to reflect Bishop Duca are fulfilled and our values our faith as Catholics in the choices of faith shape our lives in a real way with and actions of our daily lives. every daily task. Even our prayer life in My commitment this year will be to the Church is ordered with the Liturgical visit every parish in the diocese and have seasons and our weekly Sunday Mass an evening of prayer with each Church reconfirms our connection with the Body community. We will gather for the Liturgy of Christ and gives witness to the centrality of the Word. It will be a time of prayer of our faith in our daily lives. and reflection on our faith in Jesus Christ But our daily routine, and especially and His Church. I encourage you to invite our spiritual routine, can become stale your non-Catholic friends to join us. or burdened by its difficulty or our own This will also be an opportunity for me to self-centered wants. From time to time consider, in my fifth year as your Bishop, the saints remind us to break our routine, how I might be a better servant and through a retreat for example, in order to consider how we might grow together in examine the routine and choices of our faith and faith’s response, charity. lives so we can clear out what is sinful and In his letter Porta Fidei, translated “door recommit ourselves to the Gospel message of faith,” (Acts 14:27) the Holy Father of Jesus and the teachings of His Church. gives a wonderful reflection, a kind of Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, litany, on how the faith we treasure has has proclaimed that the Year of Faith begin shaped and continues to shape the Church on October 11, 2012 to mark the 50th and ensure the proclamation of the Gospel. Anniversary of the Vatican II Council and “By faith, Mary accepted the Angel’s
by Bishop Michael G. Duca
word and believed the message that she was to become the Mother of God in the obedience of her devotion (cf. Lk 1:38).” By faith, the Apostles left everything to follow their Master (cf. Mk 10:28). By faith, the disciples formed the first community, gathered around the teaching of the Apostles, in prayer, in celebration of the Eucharist, holding their possessions in common so as to meet the needs of the brethren (cf. Acts 2:42-47). By faith, the martyrs gave their lives, bearing witness to the truth of the Gospel that had transformed them and made them capable of attaining to the greatest gift of love: the forgiveness of their persecutors. By faith, men and women have consecrated their lives to Christ, leaving all things behind so as to live obedience, poverty and chastity with Gospel simplicity, concrete signs of waiting for the Lord who comes without delay. By faith, countless Christians have promoted action for justice so as to put into practice the word of the Lord, who came to proclaim deliverance from oppression and a year of favor for all (cf. Lk 4:18-19). By faith, across the centuries, men and women of all ages, whose names are written in the Book of Life (cf. Rev 7:9, 13:8), have confessed the beauty of following the Lord Jesus wherever they were called to bear witness to the fact that they were Christian: in the family, in the workplace, in public life, in the exercise of the charisms and ministries to which they were called.” Porta Fidei #13, Benedict XVI During this Year of Faith I pray our hearts will be set on fire and we will more deeply believe and willingly “confess the beauty of following the Lord Jesus.” I pray we will bear witness to this faith in the family, in the workplace, in public life and in the exercise of the charisms and ministries to which we have been called. There is an article on page 12 of this Catholic Connection by Dianne Rachal with more information about this Year of Faith and some of the ongoing celebrations in our diocese during this year.
October 2012 5
mike’s meditations
by Mike Van Vranken
second collection
by Fr. Rothell Price
It’s a great day when... second collections Keep up a conversation with Jesus
I
crawled into the donor chair to give yet another pint of blood. In deep concentration as she prepared my arm, the nurse attempted to engage in small talk, asking: “how are you?” I smiled and answered: “It’s just a great day!” She immediately stopped what she was doing, looked into my eyes, and with a grin much wider than the sky itself, responded: “Every day is a great day when you know the Lord!” I gave her a big “Amen” and settled in for the next 15 minutes or so meditating on her declaration of faith. If her statement is true, and I believe it is, do I live every day with the total awareness that each and every day is a great day? If not, what am I missing? Could it be I don’t really know the Lord as much as I could or even should? Has anyone ever asked if you know a particular person and you respond with something like: “Oh I’ve met her, but I really don’t know her.”? Could that describe our relationship with Jesus? St. Jerome said: “Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ.” I like to say: “To know scripture is to know Jesus.” If we really want to know the Lord it will take more effort than the 15 or 20 minutes we spend in the Word each week on Sunday. And, because He is the infinite God, our ability to know him is infinite as well. In other words, every effort to know Him better will produce a closer relationship with Him. Action Plan: • Commit to at least 15 minutes per day of devoted scripture study • Commit to more intimate conversations with Jesus on a very frequent basis • Make the effort to see Jesus in every one you see each day. Do you want to eliminate bad days? Do you want to make every day filled with joy and abundance? Remember the profound words of my friend at the blood bank: “Every day is a great day when you know the Lord!” Mike started a teaching ministry after graduating from the University of Dallas’ School of Ministry in 2006 (www. mikevanvrankenministries.org). He also serves as an adjunct professor for the Diocese of Shreveport’s Greco Institute. 6 Catholic Connection
World Mission Sunday
Collection Dates: Oct. 20 & 21 Announcement Dates: Oct. 7 & 8 he door to the “Year of Faith” is ready to swing open, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Vatican II Council. This World Mission Sunday collection is a fitting start to this “Year of Faith.” In the final paragraph of Matthew’s Gospel, the Lord Jesus commissions and spiritually equips the disciples to go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News. This World Mission Sunday collection is one of the ways we ordinary Catholics fulfill this Gospel mandate. Each and every one of us is a missionary by our baptism into Christ and reinforced in the sacrament of Confirmation by the grace-filled words and holy anointing, “be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Jesus was baptized and immediately driven by the Spirit into action, so are we who are baptized into Christ. We may not personally go out on mission, yet our contribution to this special collection makes it possible for men and women to take the Good News of life in Jesus Christ, in our name and on our behalf, to those who have never heard it and to those whose faith needs to be reignited. World Mission Sunday, organized by the Propagation of the Faith, is a day set aside for Catholics worldwide to recommit themselves to the Church’s missionary activity through prayer and sacrifice. Every year the needs of the Missions grow. Do remember our diocese is a “mission” diocese. We receive a large grant from this collection. That is why the involvement and commitment of Catholics locally and nationally is so urgently needed. Please give generously in the spirit of this Year of Faith for the good of our mission diocese and for all the mission fields of the world. Allow me to offer a preview about the special collection for November. “If you want to feed a person for a day, then give her or him a fish. If you want to feed that person for life, then teach her or him to fish.” The mission, nature and purpose of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development is to develop the human person so that he or she can provide their own material necessities for life. Fr. Rothell Price is the Vicar General for the Diocese of Shreveport.
T
catholic travels
by Fr. Matthew Long
WHERE MARY SAID “YES” Catholic News Service
VAtICAN news & notes • Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Lebanon Sept. 14, saying that he came “as a pilgrim of peace, as a friend of God and as a friend of men.” • Germans are known for being punctual, so perhaps it should be no surprise that Pope Benedict XVI was the first person signed up for World Youth Day 2013. Registration officially opened Aug. 28 and will be held in Rio de Janeiro July 23-28, 2013. Registration should be done online on the official WYD Rio 2013 website, www.rio2013.com. • Pope Benedict XVI named Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, the former nuncio to Australia, to be the new nuncio to Israel and Cyprus, and apostolic delegate in Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories. The Holy Land appointments of the 70-yearold career Vatican diplomat were announced Aug. 18; the Vatican announced Aug. 30 that he would serve simultaneously as nuncio to Cyprus, as his predecessor had done. • In an effort to comply more fully with international standards against financial criminal activity, the Vatican has hired an outside expert in combating money laundering and financing terrorism. Rene Brulhart, a 40-yearold Swiss international lawyer, started working as a consultant to the Vatican in September on “all matters related to anti-money laundering and financing of terrorism,” Vatican Radio reported Sept. 11.
A pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth
I
was privileged to lead a pilgrimage to the Holy Land this past spring. As the date of departure approached I was filled with excitement that soon I would be journeying in the land where our Savior carried out His ministry and ultimately redeemed and saved us. It was a beautiful place but as the days passed I was disappointed because I didn’t feel anything. I saw the sights of Caesarea Philippi. I went to Cana and Tiberius, but not once did I feel that burning within my heart. Then we made the journey to Nazareth. The bus ride from the Mount of Beatitudes to Nazareth was one of great expectation for me. I recalled the words of Pope Paul VI from his homily at Nazareth that “all of us need to return to Nazareth, to contemplate ever anew the silence and love of the Holy Family.” It was with these words in my mind that I approached the city where our Blessed Lord grew into a man. When we reached this ancient city we went at once to the Basilica of the Annunciation. There was nothing on its exterior that could prepare me for what I would encounter upon entering this holy place. From the moment my foot crossed the threshold of this Church I was overwhelmed by the sense of the sacred that permeates her very stones. I knew at once that it was in this place that one of the most important moments in human history occurred. I was overcome by emotion and my heart burned within me because of the love that existed there. As I approached the grotto where our Blessed Mother said “yes” to the request of an Angel my eyes filled with tears. I had a desire to never leave this place. Inside the Basilica of the Annunciation. (CNS photo/Gil Cohen Magen, Reuters)
Fr. Matthew Long in front of the Basilica of the Annunciation
I prayed the Hail Mary as I gazed at the little room where the words of this prayer were first spoken. As I mounted the stairs to ascend to the upper Church the Salve Regina flowed from my lips. I was overwhelmed by my senses, both natural and supernatural; because it was here that the first fiat of our salvation and redemption was spoken. It was here that a young Jewish girl would answer the call of God and in so doing would forever banish the “no” Eve spoke in the Garden. I could feel it in every fiber of my being that I was standing on Holy Ground. As we prepared to depart I prayed the Angelus and when I genuflected as I prayed “And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us.” I could not keep praying. Emotion had overwhelmed me and I finally had that moment I sought. With sadness I departed from this Holy place knowing that I was filled with grace because of the “yes” Mary spoke in this place so many years ago. “O Mary conceived without sin. Pray for us who have recourse to thee.” Fr. Matthew Long is the Vocations Director for the Diocese of Shreveport. October 2012 7
HISPANIC corner
por Marcos Villalba
Coordinador de la Pastoral Juvenil 318-219-7288
Calendario del Mes de Octubre 20 Ensayo de coros para la celebración del 25 Aniversario del Ministerio Hispano. Centro Católico de 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 27 Celebración del 25 Aniversario del Ministerio Católico Hispano en la Diócesis, Centro Católico de 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
“¡Al Que Madruga Dios lo Ayuda!” Es su programa de radio del Ministerio Hispano Católico. Todos los Domingos a las 9:00 am y 9:00 pm por la Invasora 92.1 FM
Oficina del Ministerio Católico Hispano Rosalba Quiroz, Directora 318-219-7265 Marcos G. Villalba, Pastoral Juvenil 318-219-7288 Jeanne Brown, Secretaria 318-219-7257
MISAS Bossier City: Christ the King Church 425 McCormick St. Bossier City Sábado 7:00 p.m. Domingo 3:00 p.m. Lunes 7:00 p.m. Confesiones 45 minutos antes de Misa Marilú Rodriguez Tel: 318-286-1492 Farmerville: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church 600 E. Water Street, Farmerville Sábado 7:00 p.m. Rev. Al Jost Tel: 318-243-0115 8 Catholic Connection
Mansfield: St. Joseph Church 305 Jefferson Street, Mansfield 2do Domingo 2:00 p.m. y 3er Martes 6:30 p.m. Juanita Ibarra Tel: 318-872-5390 Minden: St. Paul Church 410 Fincher Road, Minden 2do y 4to Viernes 7:00 p.m. Margarita Bratton Tel: 318-377-9684 Oak Grove: Sacred Heart Church 201 Purvis St., Oak Grove Domingo 5:00 p.m. Feliciano y Rosa Alviso Martinez Tel: 318-428-2137
Ruston: St. Thomas Aquinas Church 810 Carey Ave., Ruston 2do y 4to Domingo 2:30 p.m. Soledad Broyles Tel: 318-243-1958 Shreveport: St. Mary of the Pines Church 1050 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop Shreveport Domingo 1:00 p.m. Carmen Bradford Tel: 318-455-2300 West Monroe: St. Paschal Church 711 N 7th Street, West Monroe Domingo 2:30 p.m. Lorena Chaparro Tel: 318-651-9136
domestic church
by Katie Sciba
A month long celebration of the holy rosary Meditating & reflecting on Christ and his mother, Mary
O
ctober I’ve known many brings an people, myself exciting included, who set the month-long Rosary aside because celebration of the it feels too long, but it Holy Rosary among doesn’t have to. When the Catholic Church. I’m not faithfully October 7th is the praying the Rosary, Feast of Our Lady my mind drudges of the Rosary and I and groans about the can’t think of a better time it takes to “get way to honor her through it”; 20-30 than through sincere minutes of devoted recitation of the very prayer time is a small prayer she gave the portion of my day world. and yet it seems like The Blessed Mother an eternity when I’m gave the Rosary to St. dragging my spiritual October is dedicated to the rosary and Oct. Dominic as a weapon feet. There have been 7 is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. against heretics in periods of my life, the late 1100s and since then has made however, when I recited the Rosary eagerly promises of God’s grace to those who recite and daily; and, because I was practiced, I it. Indeed, praying the Rosary as a family was more able to focus on the mysteries. carries with it a plenary indulgence. The time flew and the sense of burden The Rosary is both a Marian and dissolved. My sister-in-law, Erin, has noted Christo-centric prayer: the Our Father is a several times that on the days when she prayer from Christ Himself and the Hail prays the Rosary, she feels spirited and Mary reiterates the words the Archangel ready for whatever comes her way because Gabriel spoke to Mary at the Annunciation of the support that Jesus Christ and the as well as St. Elizabeth’s words at the Blessed Virgin offer. This simple witness Visitation. On a more basic level, while gives testimony to even the smallest of repeating Hail Marys over 50 times, you’re graces Christ offers through what He calls also reflecting on highlights from the life “My Mother’s Rosary.” of Christ within each mystery. It’s through Each day offers several opportunities this way that a person is drawn more closely for prayer – a lunch break, a work out, a to Christ and His Mother. Additionally, the baby’s naptime, or after dinner and before Rosary is structurally ideal for humans to the kids’ bedtime. Take the opportunity pray; we are body and soul – physical and to pause and pray by yourself or with spiritual. The two methods of prayer within your family. The Rosary is an awesome the Rosary are vocal and mental and they prayer, bottomless in meaning. If you have go hand in hand with our nature perfectly. questions about how to pray or meditate on During vocal prayer, the devout meditate it, ask your priest. Considering the graces, on the designated mystery, reflecting on how it draws a person to a more intimate the virtues within each one and on the relationship with Christ and His Mother, particular story from the New Testament. and its holy origin, the Holy Rosary is the That’s where the mental aspect comes in. A ideal devotion for every Catholic. friend of mine described the steady rhythm Katie Sciba is the author of www. of the Hail Marys as “beautiful background thecatholicwife.net. She lives in Shreveport music” to meditation. They help keep a with her husband, Andrew, and two sons, person physically present in prayer. Liam and Thomas.
Rosary Tips for Children 0-2 Years Old
Use a big, clunky wooden rosary. Show your child images of Jesus and Mary. If your little ones are talking, teach them to say the names of the Holy Family, God, prayer and practice the Sign of the Cross. Say the Rosary with them in the room so they grow accustomed to hearing quiet prayer and witnessing their parents praying together.
3-7 Years Old
Encourage children to kneel and pray with you. Since each mystery of the Rosary is a story from Sacred Scripture, read the passages before praying the mystery, or even outside of your Rosary prayer time. Have younger children recite one decade and encourage older children to lead a decade or two.
8-12 Years Old
Encourage leading decades during recitation. Encourage your children to pray the Rosary on their own and to study the Scriptures to each mystery. If your children have questions about the Rosary or the faith and you’re unsure of the answers, resolve to do research with or for them so you can learn together.
October 2012 9
appeal ministries
moveable feast | by Kim Long
by John Mark Willcox
Ordinary Food for Ordinary Time
Benefitting Catechesis
Supporting all forms of Catholic education
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or over 20 years, your Annual Appeal has helped sponsor Catechetical ministry for the people of our diocese. Catholics working in parishbased religious education have received consultation and education in this critical Church ministry, and this Appeal outreach which has taken on a new significance as our diocese joins with Catholics universally in initiating the Year of Faith for our region, celebrating the mission and call of the Second Vatican Council. Another continuing Appeal benefit is the furnishing of audio-visual and written aids to assist parish and school religious educators. Not all of our Catholic children receive the benefits of a Catholic School education, making the ministry and efforts of those serving within our various Parish Schools of Religion critical to the passing on of our faith tradition to new generations. Your Appeal donations also help sponsor catechetical conferences featuring expert presenters on current topics. These conferences also provide our catechists the opportunity to network and share in best practices, while they strive to enrich our youth with the beauty of our faith. The opportunity for our Catechetical workers to come together for fellowship and learning opportunities is invaluable, and your Appeal donation helps make that possible. Raising our young Catholic believers with confident knowledge of the precepts of our faith remains a steadfast goal of our unified faith community, and Appeal donors can rest with confidence in the knowledge that their generosity helps make this goal possible throughout the diocese. John Mark Willcox is the diocesan Director of Stewardship and Development. To give to the annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal that supports ministries like these, visit www.dioshpt.org/stewardship/ stewardship.html. 10 Catholic Connection
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have made a conscious effort in the past few years to refrain from using the phrase “I love” for things that I simply enjoy. I don’t really “love” cable television, my cell phone or spider solitaire. In that exercise of intentionality I find that what I really love is surfacing. God gives us all things, or as our parish priest reminds us, God is good, all the time. I see cooking as more than fuel for our bodies, although I do regard that part of it as holy, sacramental and something I love! My mother was a good cook, not gourmet, but what I call kitchen alchemy. On a budget of modest means she was able to transform ordinary and seemingly unrelated bits and pieces into lovely pots of delicious supper that not only nourished our bodies, but also served to remind us that while our fare may not have been fancy all was very well. I am sure at times my mother prayed as she approached the cupboard and wondered what we would eat; I think this was my first lesson in thanking God for whatever we had, believing it would be enough. It is this time of the year when the heat begins to wane, that I haul out my stew pot. I forage through the fridge to see what I have on hand. Assembling onions, bell peppers, garlic and a hodgepodge of seemingly unconnected vegetables I begin my favorite part of the ritual, the chopping. This is Monday night, family night at our house, the one night a week we are all here, including my sons’ girlfriends, to sit down and put away the cares of the day, and be really present to one another. Sometimes when we are eating
and no one is saying anything, I hear my father’s voice in my head telling me not to worry, that’s how you know your cooking is good! So it is into this afternoon in Ordinary Time that I am preparing an ordinary dish, pot roast chicken. It’s one of those “recipes” that is really a technique in that it works for any type of meat and with any combination of vegetables. I brown the chicken pieces and then throw the vegetables with a bit of broth into my pot. I place the lid on and move to other things as I prepare for the rest of the meal. My mind turns with gratitude for this exercise in intentional use of language, this gift of letting the things I truly love surface. There is a sound outside and I realize everyone is home; our kitchen is full in so many ways.
Pot Roast Chicken • 3 chicken breasts, cubed • ½ each green & red bellpeppers, chopped • 1 onion chopped • Garlic chopped (adjust to your taste) • 2 sweet potatoes and 3 Irish potatoes, peeled and cubed • Fresh mushrooms chopped • Carrots, scraped and sliced • Olive oil • Strong broth (use any stock you prefer) Seasonings of your choice (I used Cavenders Greek Seasoning but use whatever your family likes) Place enough oil to cover the bottom on your pot (dutch oven) and warm it, add chicken pieces which have been seasoned and let these begin to cook. Once the chicken is no longer pink, dump in all your chopped veggies, stir frequently to make sure there is no sticking. Add broth or stock and stir well. Cover with lid and turn down fire and let the stew simmer stirring occasionally. The gravy this makes is the best part! I like to serve this stew with cooked grits but that could just be the southern girl in me. You can just as easily serve with biscuits, rolls or, as my grandmother called it, “light” bread.
Navigating the Faith
Practicing Faithful Citizenship by Fr. Phil Michiels
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s President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan has accepted to offer prayer at both the Republican and Democratic conventions. By so doing, the Cardinal is showing us that as Catholics, we are to rise above partisanship and actively engage in the American political process. As usual, there is much drama on the contemporary political scene, and the American bishops continue to urge Catholics to exercise “faithful citizenship.” In so doing, the bishops are not telling Catholics how to vote. Rather they are urging each of us to enter the voting booth with a conscience actively steeped in a spirit of charity and in the knowledge of Scripture and Church teaching. The official document presented by our bishops is called: “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.” (usccb.org). It is a re-issue of the 2007 document of the same name, with a new introduction. In this new introduction, the bishops mention several important issues, some of which involve opposition to intrinsic
Prayer Before an Election
Lwe seek to better understand the
ord God, as the election approaches,
issues and concerns that confront our city/ state/country, and how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community. We ask for eyes that are free from blindness so that we might see each other as brothers and sisters,one and equal in dignity, especially those who are victims of abuse and violence, deceit and poverty. We ask for ears that will hear the cries of children unborn and those abandoned, men and women oppressed because of race or creed, religion or gender. We ask for minds and hearts that are open to hearing the voice of leaders who will bring us closer to your Kingdom. We pray for discernment so that we may choose leaders who hear your Word, live your love, and keep in the ways of your truth as they follow in the steps of Jesus and his Apostles and guide us to your Kingdom of justice and peace. We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
CNS photo/Jessica Rinaldi, Reuters)
evils and others raising serious moral questions: 1) continuing destruction of human life and “other threats to the lives and dignity of others who are vulnerable, sick or unwanted; 2) renewed efforts to force Catholic ministries –in health care, education, and social services--to violate their consciences or stop serving those in need; 3) intensifying efforts to redefine marriage; 4) an economic crisis, increasing unemployment, poverty, and hunger; 5) the failure to repair a broken immigration system; 6) serious moral questions raised by war, terror and violence, especially in the Middle East.” Within “Faithful Citizenship” are principles that have underlined Catholic social teaching from the beginning. The first is the principle of “subsidiarity,” which locates responsibility at the lowest feasible level of society, such as the right of the individual family to provide for the needs of its own members. Thus every human has a right to life, religious freedom, food, shelter, education, employment, health care and housing. The bishops go on to say “Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.” The second principle is that of “solidarity,” which compels us to be concerned with the “common good” wherein groups within society or government at the appropriate local, state or national levels provide for needs of people that they themselves alone cannot responsibly provide, such as school boards and states providing educational systems for citizens. The bishops point out that some acts are intrinsically evil, which must be rejected
and not supported. They point out that, “As Catholics we are not single-issue voters… Yet a candidate’s position on a single issue that involves an intrinsic evil, such as support for legal abortion or the promotion of racism, may legitimately lead a voter to disqualify a candidate from receiving support.” The bishops go on to say, “Opposition to intrinsically evil acts also prompts us to recognize our positive duty to contribute to the common good and act in solidarity with those in need. Both opposing evil and doing good are essential…Difficult political decisions require the exercise of a well formed conscience aided by prudence…When morally flawed laws already exist, prudential judgment is needed to determine how to do what is possible to restore justice—even if partially or gradually—without ever abandoning a moral commitment to full protection for all human life…Prudential judgment is also needed to determine the best way to promote the common good in areas such as housing, health care, and immigration… While the common good embraces all, those who are in greatest need deserve preferential concern—the unborn, those dealing with disabilities to terminal illness, the poor and marginalized.” In the end, our involvement in the political process is one way of building the Kingdom of God. As our bishops indicate, it calls us to focus more on moral principles than the latest polls, more on the needs of the weak than the influence of the strong, more on the common good than the temptations of the self interest. Indeed, we can make a difference if we answer the call to Faithful Citizenship. October 2012 11
The Year of Faith
Celebrating Evangelization, Catechesis & 50 Years of Vatican II by Dianne Rachal
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n October 17, 2011 Pope Benedict XVI issued an apostolic letter, Porta Fidei, announcing a Year of Faith for the Church. “Ever since the start of my ministry as Successor of Peter, I have spoken of the need to rediscover the journey of faith so as to shed ever clearer light on the joy and renewed enthusiasm of the encounter with Christ.” Porta Fidei n. 2. The Year of Faith will begin on October 11, 2012— the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, and the twentieth anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Thus the catechetical focus for the Year of Faith will be the study of the documents of Vatican II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Year of Faith will conclude on November 24, 2013—the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King. The last Year of Faith was 1967—the nineteenth century anniversary of the martyrdom of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
The New Evangelization
The Church exists in order to evangelize. Pope John Paul II recognized the “need for a great relaunching of evangelization in the present life of the Church, to proclaim Christ to all peoples.” While the message remains the same: salvation offered to all through Jesus Christ, the New Evangelization calls for new ardor, new methods and new 12 Catholic Connection
expression of that message adapted to the people of our day. Evangelization is not just the responsibility of missionaries; all Christians, all dioceses, parishes, Church institutions and associations are charged with living out our belief in and our relationship with Jesus Christ. The context for the New Evangelization is the context of our Christian lives: in our family, our parish, our workplace, our social life, our charitable works and in the world. The New Evangelization is not about bringing the good news to countries and continents that have never heard of Jesus Christ. Today there is a profound crisis of faith within large swathes of cultures evangelized centuries ago. People who have already received the Gospel message of Jesus are the object of the New Evangelization. In his address at the 25th Anniversary of the diocese, Bishop Michael Duca emphasized that evangelization begins with each person— “We must first evangelize ourselves and have the courage and willingness to go out and proclaim the good news. Then we evangelize our community, our parish and diocese . . . and the world today.” Pope Benedict XVI echoes this sentiment: “We want this Year to arouse in every believer the aspiration to profess the faith in fullness and with renewed conviction, with confidence and hope.” Porta Fidei.
Challenges in the World Today
The Church is facing social and cultural changes that profoundly affect a person’s perception of self and the world, and ultimately a person’s way of believing in God. Several challenges are identified in the working document, Instrumentum Laboris, for the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization. These challenges include a weakening of faith of individual believers, a decline in the ability to bear witness to the Gospel, and a detachment, disorientation and distrust of things passed down. People today consider faith a private matter and so they separate their faith from life and culture. Many no longer feel the need to continue to grow in the faith, thus rejecting the principle that faith is a process of life-long conversion. In reality we are a pilgrim people—we are always on the journey of faith.
Year of Faith
The Year of Faith is a summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the one Savior of the world. We have an opportunity to know our Catholic faith better through study of the Catechism and the documents of Vatican II. Knowledge of the faith enables us to articulate our faith experience to others—to be evangelizers. Following Jesus through a personal relationship with him draws us into the fullness of God, the Trinity, and calls us to live for the
Year of Faith in the Church • Mass with Vatican II theologians at St. Peters on October 11, 2012 • Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization October 7-28, 2012 • Mass for the New Evangelization approved • “I believe, Lord, increase our faith”— official hymn for the Year of Faith • Vatican website: www.annusfidei.va. • June 2: Hour of adoration in every Church • June 22: Huge concert in St. Peter’s Square
• Speaker Series: Sept. 29, Nick Wagner; March 16, 2013, Msgr. Hilgartner; Nov. 9, 2013, Dr. Gaillardetz • Diocesan Mass: October 11, 6:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans • Articles in the Catholic Connection • Pastoral letter by Bishop Duca • Parish celebrations with Bishop Duca • Program to promote faith sharing groups • Women’s Retreat Day
Year of Faith in the Parish
Year of Faith in the U.S. • USCCB launching online version of the catechism and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults • Facebook posts about the lives of the saints • 2012 document on welcoming returning Catholics entitled: “Disciples Called to Witness: The New Evangelization” • September 2013 conference on the new evangelization for new theologians in Washington
Kingdom by becoming disciples for the New Evangelization. In an effort to help the people of the Diocese of Shreveport better understand their Catholic faith, we will be running a series of articles over the next 11 months, including monthly columns on Vatican II documents, monthly Year of Faith saints and “Navigating the Faith,” which will focus on teaching matters of faith to adults of all ages. The Diocese of Shreveport has several events planned for the celebration of the Year of Faith. An inaugural Mass for the Year of Faith is scheduled for October 11 at 6:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans in Shreveport. Throughout the year nationally recognized speakers will give presentations in our diocese: September 29—Mr. Nick Wagner, March 16, 2013—Msgr. Richard Hilgartner, and November 9, 2013— Dr. Richard Gaillardetz.
Year of Faith in the Diocese
• Everyone read Porta Fidei • Intensify the celebration of the Eucharist • Homilies on the faith (Vatican II and the Catechism) • Catechists study and teach the Catechsim • Distribute the Catechism to families • Promote missions to rediscover the faith • Everyone called to 1) renew the faith and 2) share the faith with others
Year of Faith Saint: October 2012 St. Isaac Jogues was born in 1607 and ordained a Jesuit priest in 1636. During the year following his ordination, Isaac saw the fulfillment of his dearest wish: to be a missionary to the Indians in New France. His first several years of missionary work among the Indians were quiet enough, but in 1641, he and a group of fellow missionaries traveled to Iroquois country. There, the missionaries were whipped, bitten, and tormented in the most barbarous ways imaginable. St. Isaac Jogues became a living martyr, watching
his friends die around him and being constantly threatened by death himself. After a year of this torment, in which Isaac was able to evangelize and baptize a few of the Iroquois, a chance for escape presented itself. He boarded a Dutch ship and went back to France. This only lasted a few months, however, as his heart still longed to bring the Word of God to the Iroquois.This return mission was to be his last. Isaac foresaw this when he wrote to a fellow Jesuit, saying “My heart tells me that, if I am the one to be sent on this mission, I shall go but I shall not return. But I would be happy if our Lord wished to complete the sacrifice where he began it.” He was killed with a tomahawk in 1646, and canonized a saint in 1930 by Pope Pius XI. He is the patron saint of the Americas and Canada. by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
October 2012 13
Vatican II Documents of
Sacrosanctum Concilium
Constitutions on the Sacred Liturgy by Dianne Rachal
Introduction to Vatican II On January 25, 1959, only three months after his election as pope, John XXIII announced his plans for an ecumenical council, the 21st general council in the history of the Catholic Church. The Second Vatican Council formally began on October 11, 1962 and during the next four years over 2,500 bishops and theologians gathered at St. Peter’s Basilica to debate the future of Catholicism. Vatican II was a time of spiritual renewal, a “new Pentecost” that invigorated the Church for its mission in the world. According to John XXIII, the church needed aggiornamento— “updating”—not because the Church felt threatened, as was the case with previous councils, but because the Church desired to share Christ with all people. The second movement of the Council was ressourcement, “return to the sources,” which included the study by historical theologians in the areas of Scripture, liturgy and theologians of the past. The work of the bishops at Vatican II revolved around drafting, debating, amending and approving documents. Before Vatican II convened, preparatory commissions drafted more than 70 papers that were presented to the bishops at the beginning of Vatican II, but these papers were defensive, textbook-like, and aimed at maintaining the status quo. The first order of business for the bishops was approval of a proposal to delay the electing of candidates to the various council committees so that bishops could draw up their own list of candidates instead of rubber-stamping the list given to them. Since there was nothing else on the agenda, the first meeting of the Second Vatican Council was adjourned after only 15 minutes! With broader representation 14 Catholic Connection
on the Council commissions, almost all of the prepared drafts were either rejected, completely rewritten or revised. In the end, 16 documents were produced that reflected a new vision for the Church in the modern world. The 16 documents of Vatican II are divided into four constitutions, nine decrees and three declarations. The constitutions treat doctrinal issues that pertain to the very nature of the Church: liturgy, revelation and the Church in the modern world. Decrees and declarations take up more practical questions or specific areas of pastoral concern. Every document passed with overwhelming majorities—more than half passed with fewer than 10 dissenting votes.
The presidents of the Second Vatican Council are pictured during a council meeting inside St. Peter’s Basilica. (CNS file photo)
Sacrosanctum Concilium Liturgy was the first topic debated at Vatican II, and the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy was the first document to be ratified. Of all the draft documents prepared in advance of the Council, the one on the liturgy was in the best shape. This draft was the result of decades of liturgical historical study and renewal. Fr. Annibale Bugnini, architect of the document, was secretary for the Preparatory Liturgical Commission and a strong proponent of the liturgical movement. During the 15 days of debate on the liturgy the topics that generated the most intense debate were: 1. The use of the vernacular in the liturgy. 2. Whether priests should be allowed to concelebrate Mass. 3. If the laity should be allowed to receive consecrated wine along with the bread. 4. What the role of bishops’ conferences should be in allowing for local adaption. Discussion on these topics revealed a split among the bishops between a majority open to reform and a minority opposed to change. While the minority
was very vocal during the debate, it was not clear just how large the minority opposition was until Cardinal Alfredo Ottaviani’s speech ran over the allotted time and his microphone was turned off. Most of the bishops responded with resounding applause giving a clear sign that they did not agree with the minority position. The first vote on the draft of the liturgy document indicated 2,169 in favor and only 46 opposed. The Constitution the Sacred Liturgy was promulgated on December 4, 1963 by an overwhelming majority of 2,147 to 4. The first line of the constitution states the four goals of the “sacred council”: 1) to energize Catholics, 2) to update church institutions, 3) to encourage the unity of all Christians and 4) to reach out to the whole world. In order to achieve these goals the liturgy had to be reformed and promoted. The guiding concern was to promote the active participation of all the faithful. The reform of the liturgy resulted in the most impactful changes of Vatican II: 1. Vernacular language; 2. Communion under both species; 3. Standing for the reception of Communion and receiving in the hand; 4. Concelebration by multiple priests; 5. Altar moved to the center of the sanctuary allowing the priest to face the people; 6. Expanded three-year Sunday Lectionary and two-year weekday Lectionary; 7. Prayer of the Faithful; 8. Sign of Peace; 9. Restored emphasis on the homily; 10. Lay readers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy also addressed restoration of the catechumenate for adults, revision of the rite of confirmation, renaming “Extreme Unction” as “Anointing of the Sick”, encouragement of the laity to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, reform of the liturgical year and emphasis on music and art in support of the active participation of the faithful. “The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the church is directed, it is also the source from which all its power flows.” (SC, 10) The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy stands at the head of all the work of the Second Vatican Council—not only chronologically, but also as sign and symbol of the values and priorities of that council. The text for the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy is available online at: www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ ii_vatican_council/index.htm.
Meet Your 2012-13 Seminarians Keith Garvin
Pastoral Year at the Cathedral Birthday: June 28 Age: 52 Church: Immaculate Conception, Denton, TX Previously an Episcopal priest “The Magisterium and the solid foundation of the Church in its unwaveringness really drew me. I was seeking the truth.”
John Bosco Nyirenda Notre Dame Seminary Birthday: May 4 Age: 34 Originally from Songea, Tanzania “ I started feeling called to the priesthood a long time ago. I started working for the Church in Africa since I was a very little boy and I started experiencing that call when I was very young, maybe 11 years old.”
Jerry Daigle, Jr. Notre Dame Seminary
Birthday: December 21 Age: 43 Church: St. Matthew, Monroe Previously AT&T Manager “The Lord’s call never left. It just became louder as the years rolled by. And so I finally answered and it was the best thing I have ever done and the most meaningful thing that has ever happened in my life.”
Duane Trombetta Notre Dame Seminary
Birthday: September 24 Age: 42 Church: Holy Trinity, Shreveport Previously Bond Broker in the Surety Industry “I desired to seek a more rich and fulfilling life. A life in which I could extend the Gospel message, bring Christ to more people and to preach and to teach.”
John Parker
St. Joseph Seminary College Birthday: September 23 Age: 21 Church: St. Joseph, Shreveport Loyola College Prep graduate “I’ve experienced personal redemption and mercy of God and I want to bring that to other people.”
Keep In Touch! Our seminarians are studying to serve you, the people of the Diocese of Shreveport. Send them birthday cards and letters of encouragement. Keith Garvin 939 Jordan St. Shreveport, LA 71101 John Parker 75376 River Rd. P.O. Box 464 St. Benedict, LA 70457
John Bosco Nyirenda Jerry Daigle, Jr. Duane Trombetta 2901 South Carrollton Ave. New Orleans, LA 70118
October 2012 15
NEWS
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
ST. JUDE BREAKS GROUND
Guiel Hausen educates young HIspanics on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative.
Bishop Michael Duca blessed the site of the new St. Jude altar during the groundbreaking ceremony Aug. 25.
Money School Starts; Helping Young Immigrants Community celebrated progress on church
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he Money School is a new, exciting and much needed financial literacy program being offered by Catholic Charities of Shreveport. Building on the tremendous success of this program, first developed by Catholic Charities of Fort Worth, the Money School is now available in Shreveport-Bossier. Since the recession, incomes have not been keeping pace with the ever increasing cost of living. More and more people find they are working hard and still barely making it, or are falling behind in rent, mortgage payments, auto loans and credit card payments. Now more than ever we need financial literacy. Every day more people are joining the ranks of “the working poor.” The Money School curriculum is designed to educate and empower people to make fundamentally sound financial decisions. Decisions that are congruent with their own dreams, goals and values. Upon completing the six week program, attendees will have the option of being assigned a personal financial coach. They will meet with the coach monthly to work towards their financial goals. As an additional incentive to promote savings, Catholic Charities is offering up to $125 in matched savings for those who take advantage of the coaching program. If you are interested in becoming a financial coach, please call Carl Piehl at 318-865-0200. One of the most exciting opportunities for our young immigrant population is the new Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative designed to assist undocumented young immigrants who may be qualified for relief from deportation and to gain work authorization. Many young people who were brought to U.S. by their immigrant parents as small children will now have an opportunity to take part in the American Dream of working and going to school to provide a better life for themselves and their families. Catholic Charities is working in concert with local agencies to help them reach this goal. Our Immigration Advocates, Guiel Hausen and Briana Bianca, are working one-on-one with individuals to help them complete the necessary application requirements. Those who will benefit from the DACA policy are undocumented immigrants younger than 30 who were brought to the U.S. before the age of 16 and have lived in the U.S. for at least five years. They must also have no criminal record. Those who meet the requirements, will be granted a two year deferral from deportation proceedings. An employment authorization will also be issued to allow them to work legally. by Theresa Mormino, Catholic Charities of Shreveport 16 Catholic Connection
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he groundbreaking ceremony for the new St. Jude Catholic Church, Pre-K school and Family Life Center took place August 25 at the site of the multi-million dollar project. More than 200 parishioners attended the ceremony as Bishop Michael Duca, assisted by St. Jude Pastor Fr. Pike Thomas, blessed the property. Bishop Duca and Fr. Thomas joined the project designer, Mark Prevot, the contractor, Hank Boggs, and key members of St. Jude’s pastoral and finance teams as they grabbed gold shovels and officially kicked off the 18 month project. Bishop Duca stated, “I want to offer my appreciation and support to Fr. Pike Thomas and the generous people of St. Jude Parish for the labors they have put forth to make this groundbreaking for a new St. Jude Church a reality. This challenging project is supported by a strong, faith-filled vision of a parish that is growing to meet the needs of the Church well into the future. I am sure this vision of hope built on a strong faith will bring this project to a successful completion. May God bless this good work with success.” The mood of the crowd was pure joy as they sang, prayed and listened to speeches from key members of the project team. Architect Mark Prevot gave a heart-felt talk about how thankful he is to have the opportunity to design his first church. The planning and fundraising for the new church has been underway for several years and at the outset was met with mixed reaction by some. “As much as I loved St. Jude the old, I’m looking forward to the majesty of St. Jude the new,” said 20 year St. Jude member Toni Shirley. The location of the new church and school is 4700 Palmetto Road, three miles south of the Bossier Court House. The 20 acres of land was donated by Dr. Jake and Rose Miciotto and is located near a neighborhood, rather than the increasingly industrial Viking Drive site of the present church. “I view this project as having multiple benefits for our own congregation, for the Catholic presence in Northwest Louisiana, and for spiritual life in general in Bossier Parish,”said Fr. Thomas. “We intend, with a presence on the major thoroughfare of our area, to be able to be much more present and involved in our surrounding community, and partner with our surrounding churches to bring a stronger Christian flavor for our community.” Bishop Duca agreed, “We need to have a presence here to meet the growing demand for the people moving into this area.” The theme for the project is “New Church-New Site-New Life” and the goal to move in to the 650-seat church is Christmas of 2013. by Stephanie Boswell
October is respect life month Join in pro-life events around the Diocese of Shreveport
Pope appoints synod members
36 new members appointed to explore new evangelization 40 Days for Life in Shreveport Bossier
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ince September 26 (and through November 4), our community has been united in a tremendous campaign for prayer to end abortion. The 40 Days for Life Shreveport-Bossier Team would like to thank all who have participated. We would like to assure you that your prayers are being answered: • Internationally, there are a record 314 campaigns in cities across North America, South America, Europe and more! • Nationally, the number of crisis pregnancy centers in America is increasing, while the number of abortion centers is decreasing! • Locally, our recent sidewalk counseling initiative has confirmed the saving of many babies. The campaign is made up of three key components: • Prayer and fasting: inviting people of faith throughout Shreveport-Bossier and across the world to join together for 40 days of prayer and fasting to end abortion. • Peaceful Vigil: standing for life through a 40-day peaceful public witness outside the local abortion center at 210 Kings Hwy. • Community Outreach: taking a positive pro-life message to every corner of our community through church and school outreach, the media, and public visibility. Mobilize your church members to attend the Halfway Rally on October 13 at 10:00 a.m. at the abortion center at 210 Kings Hwy, and the Victory Celebration candlelight vigil on November 4 at dusk at the abortion center. Please join us! Contact Chris Davis chris@40daysforlifesb. com, or visit the local campaign website at www.40DaysForLifeSB.com. by Chris Davis,Campaign Director
One Life Pro-Life Ministry Events
The Cathedral of St. John Berchmans One Life Ministry will host several events for Respect Life Month. • Free Movie Night featuring October Baby on Saturday, October 6 at 5:15 p.m. in the multi-room of the St. John Berchmans School.
• Rosary for Life on Respect Life Sunday, October 7 in the Cathedral at 10:15 a.m. to pray for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. • Bake Sale after the 11:00 Mass on Sunday, October 7. Proceeds will go to the new billboard campaign coming soon on Kings Highway in Shreveport. • Diaper Drive for Catholic Charities of Shreveport’s Gabriel’s Closet, a ministry for new mothers and infants in need. Diapers can be dropped off at the Cathedral October 1 - 14.
Plan to Attend Bishop Duca’s 3rd Annual Pro-Life Banquet
During the Respect Life month of October, we would like to begin getting the word out for Bishop Duca’s 3rd Annual Pro-life Banquet which will be held on January 31, 2013 at Eastridge Country Club in Shreveport. The guest speaker is going to be Karen Garnett, the Executive Director of Respect Life Ministries of the Diocese of Dallas. Tickets will be $50 per seat/ $400 per table. Proceeds will benefit pro-life work in the Diocese of Shreveport. Karen Garnett and her team built a solid, grassroots-based organization that has brought the pro-life message to the churches and schools of the Diocese of Dallas. Under Karen’s leadership, with nine distinct ministries, 38 full- and part-time staff members and hundreds of volunteers, the Catholic Pro-Life Committee has been heralded as the largest and most effective diocesan pro-life organization in the world, and a model for the nation. by Sarah Barlow
Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles and 35 other cardinals, bishops and priests to serve as full members of the Synod of Bishop (CNS photo/Paul Haring).
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ATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles and 35 other cardinals, bishops and priests to serve as full members of the Synod of Bishops. The papal appointees, whose names were announced Sept. 18, will join more than 200 other synod members who were elected by their national bishops’ conference, serve as the head of a Vatican office or were elected by the Union of Superiors General, the organization for the heads of men’s religious orders. The synod is scheduled for Oct. 7-28 at the Vatican to explore the theme, “New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith.” Twelve cardinals, including Australian Cardinal George Pell of Sydney, and diocesan bishops from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe also were named synod members by the pope. The prelate of Opus Dei, Bishop Javier Echevarria Rodriguez, and the president of the Communion and Liberation movement, Father Julian Carron, were among the papal appointees, as were the superiors general of three religious orders of men: the Camillians, the Schonstatt Fathers and the Carmelites. According to Vatican rules, only priests, bishops and cardinals can serve as full voting members of the synod, but the popes always have appointed laymen and laywomen to be among the synod’s experts and auditors. by Catholic News Service October 2012 17
NEWS
Institution of readers THE STATE OF GIVING Deacon class takes next step to ordination
Southern states rank among the top for charitable giving
6.6% 6.3% 5.1%
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n Sunday, August 26, Bishop Michael Duca installed 16 deacon candidates to the Institution of Lector at Jesus the Good Shepherd Church in Monroe. During this Rite Bishop Duca instructed the candidates, “As readers and bearers of God’s word, you will assist in the mission of preaching the Gospel to the whole world and so take on a special office within the Christian community. You will be given a responsibility in the service of the faith, which is rooted in the word of God. You will proclaim that word in the liturgical assembly, instruct children and adults in the faith and prepare them to receive the sacraments worthily. You will bring the message of salvation to those who have not yet received it.” Each candidate then went before Bishop Duca who gave them a Bible and said, “Take this book of holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of His people.” The four-year formation is a commitment of time, energy and personal finances by these candidates. They must attend three weekend classes per month from September through April, and must complete approximately 1,000 hours of education and training by the end of training. Formation consists of five dimensions: Human, Spiritual, Intellectual, Pastoral and Diaconal. All five dimensions are integrated together to create the diaconal ministry of service. Successful completion of this formation will result in ordination of men to the Order of Permanent Deacon. In the dogmatic constitution, Lumen Gentium, the Second Vatican Council called for the revival of the Order of Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church. A deacon is a man who is called to a ministry of service, to live a Christian life and to increase the active service of the laity. He is an ordained person living as one among the people. The role of a deacon is to be a helper of bishops and priests in service to the People of God, proclaiming by his very life the Church’s call to serve the needs of others. The Diaconate Formation was established by the Church to encourage, support and train Catholic men who feel a call from God to offer their lives to the Lord in service. Deacons serve the community in many ministries. Deacons are official clergy in the Church, although they lead a lay lifestyle. Most are married, have families, and have secular jobs while serving the church and society. by Deacon Clary Nash, Director of the Permanent Diaconate 18 Catholic Connection
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5.3%
7.2% 7.1%
*percentage of income given to charity
he Chronicle of Philanthropy’s much heralded “How America Gives” project highlighting charitable donations on a stateby-state basis has been completed, and their exclusive study shows that every state within our region appears in the top 25% of charitable giving among our nation’s 50 separate states. Which state is number one for support of charitable causes? Why, our super tithing Mormon sisters and brothers in Utah lead the way with a whopping 10.6% of household discretionary income directed toward charitable giving. The state which stands at number two may surprise you... our eastern neighbor Mississippi which despite a 3.4% drop from giving titan Utah, still provides 7.2% of household income to charity. Two hops over to the east and Alabama lands in third place by this study data, with residents there providing 7.1% of their valuable income to nonprofit organizations. Just to the north, Tennessee residents see fit to provide 6.6% of their discretionary income to charitable causes, good for number four in the study. Just above us, Arkansas tallies a seventh place finish with charitable giving claiming 6.3% of a family’s total annual directed income. Where is Louisiana? We finished a very respectable 12th in The Chronicle’s study, with people in our state donating 5.3% of discretionary income to charitable needs. Oh, and by the way, Texas was right behind us at lucky number thirteen with a 5.1% rate of charitable support from the family budget. As many of our Catholic Connection readers may know, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops divides our nation into regions for administrative and sectional purposes. Louisiana is a resident of Region V of the USCCB Conference and below are the states that join us in Region V and their ranking in The Chronicle’s study: Mississippi, #2; Alabama, #3; Tennessee, #4; Louisiana, #12; Kentucky #15 The results of the study obviously say very good things about the level of social capital and charitable giving in the Deep South. Donative intent and the empathetic capacity to give still dominate the psyche of the people of the Sun Belt, regardless of their chosen faith tradition. With the exception of Idaho and Utah, there is not a single state above the Mason-Dixon Line that is above number 20 in the Chronicle’s study and those facts just ain’t whistln’ Dixie! by John Mark Willcox, Director of Development
across the
by Francis X. Rocca, CNS
Pope urges interfaith dialogue in mideast, defends religious freedom
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region today, where they frequently experience negative legal and social discrimination, the pope called for Arab societies to “move beyond tolerance to religious freedom.” The “pinnacle of all other freedoms,” religious Pope Benedict XVI signs the apostolic exhortation on the freedom is a “sacred and church’s concerns in the Middle East during his visit to the inalienable right,” which Melkite Catholic Basilica of St. Paul in Harissa, Lebanon, Sept. 14. Standing next to the pope is Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, includes the “freedom to general secretary of the Synod of Bishops. (CNS photo/ choose the religion which L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters) one judges to be true and to manifest one’s beliefs in forms of discrimination” against women in public,” the pope wrote. the region. It is a civil crime in some Muslim While the pope signed the document countries for Muslims to convert to in an atmosphere of interreligious another faith and, in Saudi Arabia, harmony, with Orthodox, Muslim and Catholic priests have been arrested for Druze leaders in the attendance at celebrating Mass, even in private. the basilica, the same day brought an The papal document, called an apostolic outburst of religiously inspired violence exhortation, denounced “religious to Lebanon. fundamentalism” as the opposite extreme During a protest against the of the secularization that Pope Benedict American-made anti-Muslim film that has often criticized in the context of prompted demonstrations in Libya, contemporary Western society. Egypt and Yemen earlier in the week, a Fundamentalism, which “afflicts group attempted to storm a Lebanese all religious communities,” thrives on government building in the northern “economic and political instability, city of Tripoli. The resulting clashes left a readiness on the part of some to one person dead and 25 wounded, local manipulate others, and a defective media reported. According to Voice of understanding of religion,” the pope Lebanon radio, Lebanese army troops wrote. “It wants to gain power, at were deployed to Tripoli to prevent times violently, over individual further violence. consciences, and over religion itself, Mohammad Samak, the Muslim for political reasons.” secretary-general of Lebanon’s ChristianMany Christians in the Middle Muslim Committee for Dialogue, told East have expressed growing alarm Catholic News Service that the violence at the rise of Islamist extremism, had nothing to do with the pope’s visit. especially since the so-called Arab “All Muslim leaders and Muslim Spring democracy movement organizations -- political and religious has toppled or threatened secular -- they are all welcoming the Holy Father regimes that guaranteed religious and welcoming his visit,” Samak said. “I minorities the freedom to practice hope his visit will give more credibility Pope Benedict XVI their faith. to what we have affirmed as the message walks to the altar The apostolic exhortation of Lebanon -- a country of conviviality for the start of Mass criticized another aspect of social on the waterfront in between Christians and Muslims who are Beirut Sept. 16. (CNS reality in the Middle East by living peacefully and in harmony together photo/Paul Haring) denouncing the “wide variety of for hundreds of years now.”
EIRUT (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI signed a major document calling on Catholics in the Middle East to engage in dialogue with Orthodox, Jewish and Muslim neighbors, but also to affirm and defend their right to live freely in the region where Christianity was born. In a ceremony at the Melkite Catholic Basilica of St. Paul in Harissa Sept. 14, Pope Benedict signed the 90-page document of his reflections on the 2010 special Synod of Bishops, which was dedicated to Christians in the Middle East. He formally presented the document Sept. 16 at an outdoor Mass in Beirut. A section dedicated to interreligious dialogue encouraged Christians to “esteem” the region’s dominant religion, Islam, lamenting that “both sides have used doctrinal differences as a pretext for justifying, in the name of religion, acts of intolerance, discrimination, marginalization and even of persecution.” Yet in a reflection of the precarious position of Christians in most of the
October 2012 19
NEWS
celebrating 10 years of women’s ministry The Northwest Louisiana’s Magnificat celebrates a decade of prayer & learning
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he NOWELA Chapter of Magnificat is proud to announce the celebration of its 10th Anniversary. The visitation scene from the Gospel of Luke is the inspiration for this women’s ministry, which adopts the name of Mary’s hymn of praise and the spirit of this biblical encounter. This ministry has proven to be a point of unity for Catholic women. Magnificat began as an evening prayer group for women in New Orleans. It fulfilled a means through which Catholic women could pray, love, serve and share the good news of salvation and thus impart the Holy Spirit to each other. This small group sponsored their first Magnificat Meal in 1981. From that point Magnificat grew with chapters all over the United States and internationally. In June 2001, June Finnorn said “yes to the Lord.” With spiritual support of our Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Spirit, combined with the support of the Magnificat Central Service Team, the long process of becoming a Magnificat Chapter began for northwest Louisiana. Since that time, we have held 34 Prayer Brunches and hundreds of women have heard testimonies of how God has touched the lives of our guest speakers. Under the direction of Coordinator Sandy Chapman, her service team and current members, we have continued to grow and thrive. We humbly thank all that have participated, attended and supported our ministry as you have been a big part of our founding roots. The Magnificat Meal is a venue for faith-sharing in a relaxed social setting. It supports the Magnificat objectives of encouraging spiritual growth in holiness through prayer, love of God the Father, commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord, study of scripture, love of and loyalty to the Catholic Church, serving the needs of the Church and world, love and devotion to Mary, appreciation of the vocation of Christian women, reverence for the sanctity of life, fostering the works of intercessory prayer, frequent participation in the sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation and promoting unity among Catholic women. We cordially invite you to attend the celebration of our 10th Anniversary as a Chapter as we host a Magnificat Prayer Brunch on November 10 at St. Jude Church in Bossier City. Our guest speaker will be Fr. Partain from Mansura, LA. To make reservations, please contact Barbara McAlister at 318-747-7029 or Helen Langley at 318-746-6223. by Barbara McAlister 20 Catholic Connection
9/11 first responder speaks to sjs students
New York firefighter spoke to local students about his experience on Sept. 11, 2001
Shreveport firefighter and St. Joseph Parishioner, Paul Ray Stephenson, visits with FDNY firefighter Michael Torres.
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eptember 11, 2001, a day that many of us remember like yesterday. A day that we recall precisely where we stood, what we were doing, who we were with, and what we said those very moments as the events of that terrible day unfolded. September 11 will be etched into our minds for the rest of our lives. But how do we move forward? How do we look at our children, many of whom were not yet born, and explain to them the magnitude, significance and impact this event had on our history? St. Joseph School in Shreveport was honored to have Michael Torres, a retired New York City firefighter and 9/11 First Responder, speak at our annual September 11 Commemoration Ceremony. Torres was humble enough to share his experiences of that tragic day; a story he had never publicly spoke of until 11 years later. Torres’ message was simple – education. “When I was talking to the children it was great because I could see their eyes light up,” Torres Said. “I could see I had their attention. I could see they were thinking... ‘wait a second, this is for real, this happened.’” Our children have learned about this event in the classroom, in books and through the media, but this opportunity humanized the event. It added the emotional touch to an event that they did not live through or did not remember. It added perspective that the country these students live in is not the same country as 11 years ago. The students of St. Joseph will never view this day in the same light. The tears shed by Michael Torres were and will be forever shared by each student, teacher and parent attending that day. Tears of sorrow for those who did not make it home to their families, tears of gratitude for those who went in as others retreated, tears of joy because our flag still stands for freedom, and no one can take that away. “This should never be forgotten,” Torres said. “Our children should always be taught what happened on September 11, 2001 so that it never happens again.” Torres concluded his presentation by saying, “September 11th, there were no heroes. It was a country that came and rose together and we still are a country that is together and bound.” by Kevin Nolten, St. Joseph School
school NEWS < Loyola College Prep opened its doors to a record enrollment as the school’s 111th year began in August. But that’s not the only big news going on at LCP. In addition to having an enrollment of 455, the new school year is bringing out more exciting changes to the Jordan Street campus. After the renovation of the gym and the construction of the cafeteria/ community center in 2011-12, Loyola will open a new library/technology center along with three renovated classrooms on the ground floor of the main building during the 2012-13 school year. Pictured: Senior William Windham checks in a freshman on Orientation Day.
^ St. Joseph School At the beginning of each new school year, Fr. Karl visits classrooms to offer a blessing to the children, teachers and classroom as well as spend some time visiting with the students. He visited and blessed every classroom on the St. Joseph Campus. Pictured: Fr. Karl visits the Amy Kubat and Jenny McGuirk’s class, the K3B Wise Owls.
^ St. John Berchmans School has chosen two outstanding students as the 2012-13 Cardinal Students of the Year. Fifth grader Peter Vanchiere and eighth grader Marie Marcalus were selected based on their years of academic excellence, leadership, extracurricular involvement and community service. Marie and Peter will compete later this year against other area students for regional and state Student of the Year.
^ St. Frederick High School is off to a great start with a record number of enrolled students, some new faculty members and a dynamic new principal, Guy Farber, taking the reins! To help kick off the school year, Bishop Duca celebrated Mass with the students, faculty, staff and families of St. Fred’s. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed having Bishop Duca visit SFHS!
>Jesus the Good Shepherd School Pre-K4 students in Miss Christine Stokes and Mrs. Breanne Ingram’s class are really enjoying their first Religion unit. They started off the unit by making a class prayer cloth. The students painted their hand prints all over the cloth. The cloth helps remind them that even though everyone is different, everyone can still be friends. During prayer time, the students hold on to the prayer cloth and thank Jesus for all their blessings.
October 2012 21
upcoming EVENTS October 5: Blue Mass at St. Joseph Church in Bastrop, LA This Mass will honor all law enforcement, firefighters and emergency personnel. Mass begins at 12pm. Fr. Richard Norsworthy will be the homilist. Lunch will follow Mass. For more information, call the church office at 318-281-4327. October 5: Father Seelos Day in Louisiana In 2008, Gov. Bobby Jindal proclaimed October 5 Father Seelos Day in Louisiana, attesting, “Father Seelos worked tirelessly to comfort those afflicted by the New Orleans yellow fever epidemic of 1867, until he himself was struck down by the disease and died on October 4, 1867 and that the sacred remains of this revered Redemptorist missionary rest in the national shrine of St. Mary’s Assumption Church.” October 8 - October 31: Pumpkin Patch at Mary, Queen of Peace Church Throughout October, you can visit this Pumpkin Patch in South Bossier, take photos and pick out the perfect pumpkin for your home. The pumpkin patch will be open on Sundays from 12pm - 7pm, Saturdays 9am - 7pm and Monday - Friday from 11am - 7pm. Mary, Queen of Peace Church is located at 7738 Barksdale Blvd. in Bossier City. For more information, call 318752-5971. October 20: Run with the Nuns Annual motorcycle rally at the Red River District in downtown Shreveport at 9am. Proceeds support Sutton Children’s Hospital, Cara Center for victims of child abuse and neglect and Gingerbread House. October 24: 86th Annual Booster BBQ for Loyola College Prep Tickets are $30 each and steaks will be served from 6 to 8pm at Riverview Hall on Clyde Fant Parkway in Shreveport. 22 Catholic Connection
October 27: Celebrating 25 Years of Hispanic Ministries in the Diocese of Shreveport The Office of Hispanic Catholic Ministry will have a celebration commemorating 25 years of their presence in the Diocese of Shreveport. Established in 1987, just a year after the establishment of the diocese, the Hispanic Ministry has maintained and enhanced services to all Hispanics in the 16 civil parishes the diocese covers. There will be a Spanish Mass by Bishop Michael Duca and activities for the family from 1-7 pm on the Catholic Center grounds. October 27: Halloween Carnival at Mary, Queen of Peace Church Wear a costume and join in the fun beginning at 5pm at the church. For more information, call 318-752-5971. Ongoing to October 25: Life Happens Grief Group will begin meeting at 6 pm on Thursdays at the St. Jude Church library. Contact Laurie for more information lauriebelle55@bellsouth.net.
Blessing of GRAVES Saturday, October 27 St. Joseph Cemetery, Shreveport, 2pm, Rev. Msgr. Earl V. Provenza Centuries Memorial Cemetery, Shreveport, 2pm, Rev. Francis Kamau, FMH Forest Park Cemetery East, Shreveport, 2pm, Deacon John Basco Forest Park Cemetery West, Shreveport, 2pm, Rev. Matthew Long Lincoln Park Cemetery, Shreveport 2pm, Deacon Burt Ainsworth Rose-Neath Cemetery, Bossier City 2pm, Deacon Freeman Ligon Round Grove Cemetery, Shreveport, 2pm, Rev. Andre McGrath, OFM
Sunday, October 28 Hillcrest Cemetery, Haughton 2pm, Deacon Mike Straub Carver Cemetery, Shreveport 3pm, Rev. Michael Thang’wa, FMH
From the YouCat
The Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church No one can believe alone and by himself, just as no one can live alone and by himself. We receive the faith from the Church and live it out in fellowship with the people with whom we share our faith. [166-169,181]
YC
Faith is the most personal thing a person has, yet it is not a private matter. Anyone who wants to believe must be able to say both “I” and “we”, because a faith you cannot share and communicate would be irrational. The individual believer gives his free assent to the “we believe” of the Church. From her he received the faith. She was the one who handed it down through the centuries and then to him, preserved it from falsifications, and caused it to shine forth again and again. Believing is therefore participation in a common conviction. The faith of others supports me, just as the fervor of my faith enkindles and strengthens others. The Church emphasizes the “I” and the “we” of faith by using two professions of faith in her liturgies: the Apostles’ Creed, the CREED that begins with “I believe” (Credo), and the Great Creed of Nicaea-Constantinople, which in its original form starts with the words “We believe” (Credimus).
calendar SUNDAY
MONDAY
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Society of St. Vincent de Paul Day
1
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, virgin & doctor of the Church
TUESDAY
The Holy Guardian Angels
october 2012
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
2
3
4
St. Francis of Assisi
FRIDAY
5
Blue Mass, St. Joseph Church, Bastrop, 12pm Fr. Seelos Day in Louisiana
SATURDAY
6
St. Bruno, priest; Blessed Marie Rose Durocher, virgin
Respect Life Sunday / Oct. 7
7
Respect Life Sunday
8
Columbus Day
9
St. Denis, bishop, and companions, martyrs; St. John Leonardi, priest
10
Deadline for the November Catholic Connection
11
YEAR OF FAITH BEGINS Opening of the Year of Faith Mass, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, 6pm
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13
YEAR OF FAITH BEGINS / OCT 11
14 Vocation Awareness Sunday
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World Mission Sunday ULM Scholarsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Mass, Christ the King Chapel on ULM Campus, Monroe, 1pm
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Blessing of the Graves
15
St. Teresa of Jesus, virgin & doctor of the Church
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29
16
Diocesan Liturgical Meeting, Catholic Center, 1pm St. Hedwig, religious; St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, virgin
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St. John of Capistrano, priest
30
17
St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop & martyr
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Diocesan Finance Council Meeting, Catholic Center, 12pm St. Anthony Mary Claret, bishop
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Halloween
18 St. Luke, evangelist
19 Sts. John de Brebeuf & Isaac Jogues, priests, & companions, martyrs
25
1 All Saints Day
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2
All Souls Day
20 Run with the Nuns Motorcycle Rally, Downtown Shreveport, 9am St. Paul of the Cross, priest
Run with the nuns / Oct 20
27
Hispanic Ministry 25th Anniversary Celebration, Catholic Center, 1pm Blessing of the Graves
St. Martin de Porres, religious
hispanic ministry 25th anniversary OCT 27 at 1pm
3
All souls day / nov 2 October 2012 23
DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave.
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Shreveport, LA 71104
Fairfield
Photo of the month by Harold “HBO” Olnhausen On August 19 Bishop Michael Duca dedicated a Ten Commandments Monument donated by the Knights of Columbus, Council 1108 of St. Pius X Catholic Church. The monument is two-sided with the Beatitudes on the reverse side. Pastor Fr. Joseph Kallookalam and Deacon Jeff Chapman assisted in the ceremony.
Want to submit a Photo of the Month? Email the Editor at jrinaudo@dioshpt.org. 24 Catholic Connection