Catholic Connection November 2013

Vol. 23, No. 4 November 2013

Christ the King

The Light at the End of the Liturgical Year November 2013 1

Annual Blessing of the Cemeteries Publisher Bishop Michael G. Duca Editor Jessica Rinaudo Contributors Brian Burgess Bishop Michael Duca Keith Garvin Kim Long Janet Marcel Theresa Mormino Saundra Nalley Fr. Rothell Price

Rosalba Quiroz Sr. Martinette Rivers Rosalba Quiroz Donna Seal Katie Sciba Randy Tiller Mike Van Vranken John Mark Willcox

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

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

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

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

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

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

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he Church seeks to help the faithful departed by earnest prayer to God, and in particular, by remembrance of them on All Souls Day and throughout the month of November. In the communion of the saints, the communion of Christ’s members with one another, the Church obtains spiritual help for those who have preceded us in faith. This spiritual communion brings the consolation of hope to us who remember with gratitude, love and devotion those who have gone before us in faith. It is in this spirit that we commemorate our faithfully departed on All Souls Day and bless their graves. We entrust them once again to the purifying and life giving love of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our priests and deacons will offer prayers at our local cemeteries on the weekends closest to All Souls Day, our annual commemoration of the faithfully departed on the following dates: Saturday, November 2, 2013 St. Joseph Cemetery, Shreveport, 1pm with Rev. Charles Glorioso

Sunday, November 3, 2013 Hillcrest Cemetery, Haughton, 2pm with Deacon Michael Straub

Centuries Memorial Cemetery, Shreveport, 1pm, with Rev. Francis Kamau, FMH

Carver Cemetery, Shreveport, 2pm with Rev. Michael Thang’wa, FMH

bishop’s november calendar NOV 1 All Saints Day Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 12:05 p.m.

NOV 2 All Souls Day Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 8:30 a.m.

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

NOV 3 Mass; St. Patrick Church, Lake Providence; 9:00 a.m.

Harvest Day Mass; Sacred Heart Church, Oak Grove; 11:00 a.m.

NOV 4 Marquette Reading Club 100th Anniversary Mass; Catholic Center Chapel, Shreveport; 12:05 p.m.

NOV 5 Priests Retirement Committee Meeting; Catholic Center, Shreveport; 11:00 a.m.

NOV 6 Year of Faith Parish Visit; St. Ann Church, Stonewall; 6:30 p.m.

NOV 8 Loyola College Prep Football Team Mass; St. Michael the Archangel Chapel; 2:15 p.m.

NOV 9 Year of Faith Speaker Series: “The Church in the Making: Keeping Alive the Vision of Vatican II”; Catholic Center; 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

NOV 11-16 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ meeting; Baltimore, MD

NOV 16 Taste of Shreveport-Bossier (Holy Angels Residential Facility Fundraiser); Bossier Civic Center, Bossier City; 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

NOV 18 Catholic Charities of Shreveport Membership Board meeting; Catholic Center; 12:00 p.m.

NOV 20 Dalton Trust Board meeting; St. Frederick High School, Monroe; 12:00 p.m.

Year of Faith Parish Visit; St. Joseph Church, Bastrop; 5:30 p.m.

NOV 21 Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops meeting; Baton Rouge NOV 24 Feast of Christ the King & Year of Faith Closing Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 11:00 a.m.

NOV 26 Annual Business/Clergy meeting; Catholic Center, Shreveport Presbyteral Council meeting; Catholic Center, Shreveport NOV 28 Thanksgiving Day Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 9:00 a.m.

NOV 30 Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 4:00 p.m.

contents

november 2013

columns Pope Francis Brings the Gospels to the Church's Heart

by Bishop Michael G. Duca........................................................................................... 4-5 Mike’s Meditations: Give Thanks Always by Mike Van Vranken...........................6 Second Collections: Catholic Campaign for Human Development and Archdiocese for Military Services by Fr. Rothell Price ....................................6 Domestic Church: Every Soul Has a Weakness by Katie Sciba.............................. 7 Life Lessons from Children by Katie Sciba ..............................................................7

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Documents of Vatican II: Nostra Aetate by Mike Van Vranken............................8 The Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions

Year of Faith Venerable: Venerable Peter "Fulton" Sheen by USCCB.................8 Navigating the Faith: The O Antiphons by Fr. Rothell Price...................................9 Pro-Life News: Pro-Life Banquet to Feature Bossier Native ................................10 Moveable Feast: Special Feast for Christ the King by Kim Long..........................10 School News ...........................................................................................................11 Vocations Corner: Seminarian Spent Summer at St. Jude Church

by Keith Garvin ..........................................................................................................14

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features Christ the King: The Light at the End of the Liturgical Year

by Kim Long ............................................................................................................. 12-13

news Catholic Charities Opens Office in Lake Providence by Theresa Mormino........14 Annual St. Vincent de Paul Friends of the Poor Walk by Brian Burgess ...............15 2013 Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal Achieves Overall Pledge Goal

by John Mark Willcox .................................................................................................15 100 Years of Healing at St. Francis Medical Center by Saundra Nalley ..............16

14 on the cover

Every Day is Thanksgiving by Sr. Martinette Rivers, OLS .........................................16 Hispanic Corner by Rosalba Quiroz ........................................................................17 Mary of Nazareth Movie Coming to Diocese by Randy Tiller..............................18 New Bishop for Houma-Thibodaux Diocese by Janet Marcel.............................18 Across the Globe by Vatican Information Services and the USCCB........................19

Francis Convenes Extraordinary Synod on the Family for October 2014; More Than a Third of U.S. Parishes Multicultural, Notes CARA Study

Vatican News and Notes by Vatican Information Services ....................................19 Around the Diocese ...............................................................................................20-21 Upcoming Events....................................................................................................22 Mission Market Place Supports Fair Trade by Donna Seal....................................22 November Calendar .............................................................................................23 Picture of the Month by Saundra Nalley.................................................................24

Jesus Christ the King stained glass window.

November 2013 3

LA REFLEXIÓN del obispo

por Obispo Michael G. Duca

El Papa Francisco Lleva el Evangelio al Corazón de la Iglesia

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esde que nuestro Santo Padre salió al balcón de la Basílica de San Pedro ha sido casi imposible estar al día con sus discursos, sermones, retos, acciones y entrevistas. Su testimonio me llena de esperanza y entusiasmo pero algunas veces, para muchos de nosotros, esto puede resultar confuso. Aquí tengo dos reflexiones que nos ayudarán a mantener la perspectiva.

Primero, debemos siempre recordar que el Papa Francisco es nuestro Santo Padre.

Como el Catecismo lo dice, “Es el Papa, el Obispo de Roma y sucesor de Pedro, ‘es la fuente y la base perpetua y visible de la unidad de los obispos y de toda la compañía de fieles.’”Yo diría que esta es una verdad obvia, pero algunos están confundidos o en desacuerdo con el Santo Padre, hasta he escuchado gente usar una afirmación común, y a la vez chistosa para reclamar nuestras palabras verdaderas, ¡Este Papa es Católico!”y en pregunta “¿Es Católico el Papa?”Aunque todo lo que dice el Papa no es verdad infalible, habla con la misma gracia única del Espíritu Santo que se le dio a San Pedro. Estamos llamados a considerar seriamente sus palabras y las de la oficina que el representa. Si sus palabras son algunas veces inquietantes, no deberían sorprendernos. Si consideramos seriamente todas las enseñanzas de Jesús en el Nuevo Testamento deberíamos sentirnos inquietos y retados espiritualmente por el Evangelio.

Se ha dicho que las palabras de Jesús “confortaban al afligido, y daban conflicto al confortado.”

Yo pienso que el Papa Francisco está llevando de muchas maneras una vez más el poder de los Evangelios al corazón de la Iglesia. A mí me han retado personalmente sus palabras y me han hecho reflexionar sobre como vivo mi fe, este reto abre mi corazón a Cristo de una nueva manera entregada. Un hermano obispo dijo hace poco, “si tenemos problemas con lo 4 Catholic Connection

que el Papa Francisco está enseñando, no necesitamos pedir a Dios un Papa nuevo que esté de acuerdo con nosotros, sino mas bien, necesitamos pedir a Dios una nueva actitud.” De la única manera que vamos a tomar este consejo seriamente es si aceptamos al Papa como el Vicario de Cristo y a través de sus palabras y acciones buscamos escuchar la voz de Jesús a quien el Papa representa aquí en la tierra.

Segundo, no hay que depender de los medios de comunicación seglar que dan las noticias de lo que el Papa Francisco dice o del significado de lo que dice.

Desafortunadamente, aun en esta era que tenemos toda la información al alcance de la mano, dependemos de la prensa seglar para que nos de la información sobre nuestra fe Católica. Casi siempre ellos toman equivocado lo que el Papa dice o solamente reportan una parte y no tienen idea de las enseñanzas de nuestra fe Católica. Como resultado, las enseñanzas del Papa Francisco han sido tomadas por la prensa para decir que el está cambiando las enseñanzas de la Iglesia en cuanto a temas morales y temas de la iglesia. Tengan por seguro que el Papa Francisco no ha cambiado y no cambiará ninguna enseñanza esencial de la Iglesia.

Eso no quiere decir que sus enseñanzas no

vienen sin consecuencias para la Iglesia y para nuestras vidas de Católicos. Todos tenemos aspectos en nuestra vida donde nos sentimos cómodos que forman parte de lo que significa para nosotros ser Católicos.

Por ejemplo que nos gusta esta clase de Misa, estas oraciones, esta vestimenta del sacerdote y esta clase de sacerdote. No hay nada de malo en esos gustos a menos que sean tan importantes que hasta se conviertan en nuestros ídolos. Hasta se podría decir que estos aspectos superficiales son tan importantes que hacen que sea solo Católico ortodoxo si se tienen presentes.

Creo que uno de los temas centrales del Santo Padre es pedirnos que pensemos dejar todo lo que nos detenga de vivir el Evangelio más profundamente. El quiere que la Iglesia deje de hacer las cosas que son más como negocio que pastoral, más seglar que religiosas, más superficiales que esenciales y más egocéntricas que desinteresadas. Oremos por nuestro Papa, Francisco. También oremos para que tengamos corazones abiertos que nuestro entusiasmo inicial nos guie a una conversión más profunda de corazón para que Cristo viva mas verdaderamente en nuestras vidas y en nuestras parroquias.

Para escuchar las palabras directamente del Papa Francisco, les doy algunas páginas de internet que muestran su información.

Páginas: • www.news.va Estas son las noticias oficiales del Vaticano. Aquí pueden encontrar información extensiva y confiable.

• www.whispersintheloggia. blogspot.com Esta página puede tener como un poco de chisme algunas veces, pero el autor muchas veces pone el texto completo de lo que dice el Papa y así puede leerse.

• www.zenit.org Esta es otra página de información confiable con traducciones originales de las pláticas del Papa.

bishop’s reflection

by Bishop Michael G. Duca

Pope Francis Brings the Gospels to the Church's Heart

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ver since our new Holy Father stepped out on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica it has been almost impossible to keep up with his statements, sermons, challenges, actions and interviews. I find his witness fills me with hope and enthusiasm but at times, for many of us, it can also be confusing. Here are two reflections to help us keep things in perspective.

Bishop Duca First, we must always remember that Pope Francis is our Holy Father. As the Catechism tells us, “The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter�s successor, ‘is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful.’” I would think this would be an obvious truth, but because some are confused or disagree with the Holy Father, I have heard people use a common, rather humorous affirmation to claim the truth of our words, “Is the Pope Catholic!” into a question, “Is the Pope Catholic?” While not all of what the pope says is infallible teaching, he is speaking with the unique grace of the Holy Spirit given to the successor of St. Peter.

We are called to seriously consider his words and the office which he holds. If his words are unsettling at times, we should not be surprised. If we seriously consider all of Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament we should feel equally unsettled and spiritually challenged by the Gospel.

It has been said that Jesus’ words “comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable.”

In many ways I think Pope Francis is bringing the full power of the Gospels into the heart of the Church once again.

Personally, while his words have challenged me to reconsider how I live my faith, this challenge opens my heart up to Christ in a life-giving new way. A brother bishop recently said, “If we are having trouble with what Pope Francis is teaching, we

don’t need to pray for a new pope who agrees with us, we need to pray for a new attitude.” The only way we will take this advice seriously is if we approach our new pope as the vicar of Christ and through his words and actions seek to hear the voice of Jesus who he represents here on earth.

Second, don’t depend on the secular press to get your news on what Pope Francis says or what he means to say.

Unfortunately, even in this age when we have seemingly unlimited sources of information, we depend on the secular press to provide us with information about our Catholic faith. They almost always get the quote wrong or they only report a part of the statement and they are clueless to the true teachings of our Catholic faith. As a result, Pope Francis’ statements have been picked up in the secular press to claim that he is changing the Church’s teaching on a host of moral and Church issues. Be assured Pope Francis is not and has not changed any essential Church teachings. That is not to say that his teaching is not without consequence for the Church and our lives as Catholics.

We all have those aspects of our faith that we find comforting and which form part of what it means for us to be Catholic. We like this kind of Mass, these prayers, this teaching, this kind of vestment and this kind of priest as a

pastor. There is nothing wrong with these choices unless they become so important that they become like an idol for us. We might even feel that these superficial aspects are so important that you are only an orthodox Catholic if you have this or do that.

I believe one of the central themes of the Holy Father is to ask us to consider letting go of anything that keeps us from living the Gospel more deeply. He wants the Church to cast off ways of doing things that are more business-like than pastoral, more secular than religious, more superficial than essential and more self-centered than selfless. Let us pray for our new pope, Francis. Let us also pray for open hearts that our initial enthusiasm will lead us to a deeper conversion of heart so Christ will live more truly within our lives and in our parishes.

To really hear Pope Francis� words, I am listing a few websites you can look to for solid information.

• news.va This is the official news web site for the Vatican. Here you can find a wealth of reliable information.

• whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com This one may be a little gossipy at times, but the author of this blog often puts the full text of the pope�s address online where it can be easily read.

• zenit.org Another site for reliable original translations of the pope’s talks.

November 2013 5

mike’s meditations

by Mike Van Vranken

Give Thanks Always Thankfulness brings us closer to His will

second collection

by Fr. Rothell Price

second collections

Catholic Campaign for Human Development & Archdiocese for Military Services

Catholic Campaign for Human Development Announcement Dates: October 27th & November 3rd Collection Dates: November 9th & 10th

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he word thanks, or thanksgiving, and other forms of this word are used 142 times in the New American version of the Bible. In this month of Thanksgiving, let’s determine to understand why the Spirit of God would speak the same message so many times in his Sacred Word.

St. Paul wrote: “Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:15 NAB) God receives glory when we give Him thanks. We extol, honor, laud, praise and acclaim God when we proclaim our heartfelt gratitude to Him. It is an expression of our recognition that all good things come from Him because of His infinite love for His creation.

Paul also insists in his letters to the Ephesians and Thessalonians to “give thanks always” or “in all circumstances give thanks.” Thanking God requires our focus to be placed squarely on Him. It captivates our minds and hearts to deliberately concentrate on our heavenly Father. Anything that draws our attention from the distractions of the world and directs it back to God will also usher us into closer communion with Him and His will.

True and deliberate thanksgiving causes us to deeply meditate on the myriad of ways and circumstances that God blesses our lives. I�m sure he is not looking for casual lip service when it comes to receiving our praise of thanksgiving. No, I can only imagine how our gentle whispers acknowledging the specific gifts and favors he has granted us gives Him extraordinary delight and glory.

Each evening during November, this month of Thanksgiving, let’s spend 30 minutes trying to recall as many blessings as we can that God has generously bestowed on us that day. Then, with hands lifted and hearts outspoken, let�s give thanks to our all-powerful, all-merciful and all-loving God. For, it is our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere, to give him thanks and praise.

Mike has a teaching ministry (www.mikevanvrankenministries. org) and serves as an adjunct professor for the Diocese of Shreveport’s Greco Institute.

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Archdiocese for Military Services Announcement Dates: November 3rd & 10th Collection Dates: November 16th & 17th

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he Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) affords us an opportunity to do what Jesus did. Our Lord went about proclaiming the nearness of the Kingdom (second mystery of the Luminous Mysteries, Mark 1: 14-15); he fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, welcomed strangers, clothed the naked, visited the sick and set free those imprisoned (Matthew 25). This is the work of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. The CCHD has funded organizations that work to end poverty and defend human dignity in neighborhoods throughout the United States.

Our prayer, study of the Bible and teachings of the Lord and his Church, renewed participation in the Sacraments and publicly witnessing to our faith in Jesus Christ have led us to this great work of shepherding people into Christ’s fold. The nearness of God and His Kingdom is made manifest in our Christ-like attitude of inclusion and welcome, our joyful witness and gracious charity to the least of the Lord’s brothers and sisters. I ask your generous participation in this pastoral ministry of the bishops of the United States to our fellow Americans.

Along the way, Jesus addressed, ministered to and exhorted soldiers (Luke 3: 14). This is the work of The Archdiocese for Military Services, USA (AMS). In this collection also, we do as Jesus did. We open doors and windows for others so that they can “repent and believe in the Gospel (Mark 1:15).” The second collection for The Archdiocese for Military Services, USA is a new pastoral work placed on the shoulders of the bishops of the United States to tend to the pastoral, spiritual and sacramental needs of our U.S. military personnel and their families. In September, we received an urgent appeal from the USCCB to take up this collection on the weekend closest to Veterans Day. The collection for the Archdiocese for Military Services, USA, gives each of us the opportunity to serve those who serve. With the funds from this national collection, the AMS will be able to ensure that all Catholic men, women and families have access to the sacraments, authentic Catholic education and the spiritual guidance of a Catholic chaplain, wherever they go.

With no military or government financial assistance, the AMS must rely wholly on the generosity of the American Catholic community to operate its many programs and services.

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

domestic church

by Katie Sciba

Every Soul Has a Weakness How children inspire and teach us in our lives and in our faith

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very soul has a weakness, right? I’m not thinking chocolate or daytime TV, but a legitimate, nagging obstacle that seems to constantly resurface: a workaholic with his to-do list, the immoderate caretaker who’s just a touch too nosy, or me – the pushover. It doesn’t define my entire existence, but in many cases I tend to bend to circumstance; I think it’s because I get scared that if there are too many cards stacked against me, there’s no use pushing through. It’s just too hard.

With each of my shortcomings, however, God has placed people in my life to counter them. In school, I didn’t have much of a will for excelling until I roomed with my best friend. She had academic discipline and because of her example, my study habits improved drastically. Just married, I was a pretty uptight bride to my altogether laid back groom. I had no idea how controlling I was until we tied the knot, but after five years of life with Andrew, I’m learning to let go.

In the back of my mind, I think I’ve been aware of the pushover part of me, but my cognizance has grown keener. Recently, I recognized another soul sent to draw me closer to Christ and help me develop some backbone in the process.

A few months ago my 2.5-year-old and I went to Mass separately from my husband and 16-month-old. When I stood for the Creed I immediately blacked out, faint with intense contractions from my pregnancy. I sat down and quickly improved, though with some manageable dizziness. Just when I was recovering, I looked at my little companion and saw him, umm…taking care of business. Potty training was new at our house and he had never “done” anything outside our home

bathroom. After 20 minutes in the restroom trying to encourage him (in vain) while continuing to fight against the dizziness, I threw in the towel. “We’re going home,” I announced, and took my son by the hand out of the bathroom and through the vestibule.

I wanted to stay and I prayed God would make it possible, but truly, I also wanted to give up. Walking out the front door, I held it open behind me for my son to follow. “WAIT,” I heard. I turned around and looked down at him, “Hey Mama, we needa finish church. I needa stay here pweez.” Eyes wide and mouth open with surprise, I nodded and followed my little boy back into Mass.

I sat taking very slow breaths for the rest of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. I received Holy Communion and we were present for the final blessing. I don’t know what my son’s motives were, but we stayed. I can’t get over how determined he was to remain through the end of Mass, or his confidence in telling me that it was what we needed to do. Typically a pushover, I was readily obedient to such certitude from someone whose little demands were so relevant to the on-goings of my soul.

And because this story is chock full of ‘em, please draw one of the following lessons: A) God speaks to us through our children and they are among those who help us most with our shortcomings.

B) God really, really doesn’t want us to leave Mass early.

C) Lock your kid in the house until he’s totally potty trained – then you can take him out in public.

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

Life Lessons from Children God offers infinite lessons through our kids. Take a time-out to see more clearly what He's trying to teach you!

Simplicity Give a kid a big, exciting toy and what does he play with instead? The box. Further proof that less is more.

Love is Beautiful Children couldn’t care less about appearances. Smile at them, spend time with them, show interest in them and you become the most beautiful person in their world.

Ask Questions

With kids, do the questions ever stop?

Some days it seems they don’t; and when it comes to learning about Catholicism, the questions shouldn’t stop with us grown-ups either. Dive in and ask why a million times to learn and love our Catholic faith more.

Be Not Afraid

It’s natural to be scared of things like loud thunder or sharks, but when it comes to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and praying to God, kids are ready and willing to proceed because they trust. Let’s take a cue from them and abandon fear and trust in God’s mercy.

November 2013 7

with related to our need to respect these non-Christian religions, and especially their members, without compromising our own beliefs. In other words, how do we love our fellow man who believes in the divine in such ocuments of different ways than we do?

First, the bishops and cardinals declared our posture that the Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions. They ostra etate explained our reverence for those ways of The Declaration on the Relation of the conduct and teachings that reflect some glimpse of our own understanding of Truth Church to Non-Christian Religions in relation to our proclamation that Christ

by Mike Van Vranken is “the way, the truth and the life.” (John hile it is more than a call for 14:6) At this point, the document calls for dialogue, this Vatican II document our loving dialogue and collaboration with sees Catholic discussion, followers of other religions, while at the same communication and exchange with nontime we witness our own Christian faith and Christian religions as minimum behavior life. With Moslems, we are reminded that regarding our relations with all God�s children we adore one God, we both link our faith in this world. Our higher calling is to through Abraham, and we recognize how they promote unity and love among all people as honor the Virgin Mary and acknowledge Jesus our one-fellowship is united by our common as a prophet, but not God. creator – God himself.

Second, and extremely important, the The document with fathers of the Council one of the longest spent adequate time names was actually discussing the “bond the shortest issued by that spiritually ties the Council. It opens the people of the New with the recognition Covenant to Abraham’s that mankind is being stock.” That is, of drawn closer together course, our relationship in our time. (Hence with our Jewish the Latin title: Nostra brothers and sisters.

Aetate, which means The message is summed “in our time.”) The up by rejecting any Sr. Martinette Rivers, OLS, a Catholic nun strives persecution of any man bishops and cardinals organized the text of this to find common ground with members of other and specifically decries faith traditions on World Religion Day. declaration by calling to any “displays of antimind the oneness we share as a community Semitism directed against Jews at any time of all people in our origin, and in our final and by any one.” The final paragraph restates goal of salvation in the presence of God. We the Church’s reproof of any discrimination are reminded, following the fall, humans against man because of race, color, condition have engaged in a never-ending search for of life or religion, as we are all “sons of the answers to deeply moral questions regarding Father who is in heaven.” the meaning of life, sin and morality, There is a moral and spiritual lesson that is suffering, death, judgment, happiness and adequately and lovingly expressed in Nostra eternity. From ancient times, many groups Aetate. We are to deliberately love all humans have recognized a Supreme Being. Such and therefore, we must intentionally respect confessions have penetrated their senses with the beliefs of others as we live out our call profound religious beliefs. From our Catholic to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all viewpoint, how do we relate to those many people. It is not a lesson on being nice. It doctrines? represents our mandate to make disciples This formal statement from the Council throughout the world using loving dialogue mentions several religions by name, including and collaboration as our model. How will we Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam, and how respond? these religions have used myths, philosophy, For more information, visit: http://www. self-attainment of liberation and supreme vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_ illumination to develop their own theology. council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651028_ The question the fathers had to grapple nostra-aetate_en.html

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Year of Faith Venerable: November 2013

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college education, a TV show and a passionate devotion to the call of the priesthood all combined in one very witty man - proof that sainthood is not only challenging and holy, but fun. Peter “Fulton” John Sheen was born in El Paso, IL in 1895.

As a young man, he turned down a sizeable scholarship to pursue his true desire: the holy priesthood of the Catholic Church. At his ordination, he made a promise that he would spend one hour a day in Eucharist Adoration - a promise he kept faithfully for the rest of his life. In 1951, the newly-appointed Bishop Sheen began a TV series entitled “Life is Worth Living.”

In 1952, he won an Emmy award for “Most Outstanding Television Personality.” He was named an Archbishop in 1969, and 10 years later, on October 3, 1979, just months before his death, Archbishop Sheen was embraced by Pope John Paul II and told, “You have written and spoken well of the Lord Jesus.

You are a loyal son of the Church!” from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Navigating the Faith The "O Antiphons"

by Very Reverend Rothell Price

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ost of us are familiar with novenas. The first and most important novena in the life of the Church was the nine (novena) days of prayer between our Lord’s ascension into heaven and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. “When they entered the city they went to the upper room where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” Acts 1: 13-14. There has developed a similar type novena in the Church on the latter days of Advent in preparation for the celebration of Our Lord’s incarnation at Christmas. This devotion is called the “O Antiphons.”

Antiphons are songs, prayers or psalms.

They are typically short in nature, two or three lines. They are sung or recited in preparation for some liturgical action, or before and after a liturgical action. The “O Antiphons” are short verses, based on the Sacred Scriptures naming a central attribute of God, acknowledging His divine activity in our Salvation History, and petitioning for Him to fulfillment of a hope or longing of His people. For us Catholics, these desires are culminated in the person and ministry of Jesus, called the Christ, the Son of God, and Son of Mary.

Advent is that four week period immediately preceding the start of the Christmas Season. The most common visible liturgical manifestations of Advent are the dark purple vestments, the Advent wreath with four candles, one to mark each week, and special hymns. The first two weeks of Advent prepare us for Christ’s return at the end of time. The first and second purple candles are lighted, respectively. The last two weeks of Advent prepare us for the arrival/ Incarnation of Christ in Bethlehem. The rose and final purple candles are lighted respectively.

We celebrate multiple comings of Christ in a special way during Advent, but throughout the liturgical year as well.

Especially in Advent we celebrate:

• Our Lord’s triumphant return in glory at the end of time; • Our Lord’s coming to us in His Incarnation some 2000 years ago in Bethlehem; • Our Lord’s coming to us in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass; and, • Our Lord coming to us in the Sacred Scriptures and apostolic ministry.

You best know these antiphons from one of the more popular hymns of the Advent Season, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” In the Divine Office, these antiphons are recited before the Gospel Canticle, the “Magnificat,” Evening Prayer on the proper date. These antiphons have become the Alleluia verses for some of the Masses of Advent.

The “O Antiphons” are: December 17th: O Sapientia / O Wisdom of our God December 18th: O Adonai / O Lord of Power and Might / Leader of Ancient Israel December 19th: O Radix Jesse / O Root / Flower of Jesse’s Stem December 20th: O Clavis David / O Key of David December 21st: O Oriens / O Radiant Dawn December 22nd: O Rex Genitum / O King of All Nations December 23rd: O Emmanuel / O Emmanuel (God with Us) These antiphons expressed the hope and longing of Ancient Israel for the Messiah.

They express the hope and longing of the Church, the people of God, for the full coming of God and His Kingdom in Jesus Christ. The antiphons include three elements: • an address to God,

• an indication of what the Lord does, and, • a petition to come forth and deliver His people in a specific manner.

The address is quite powerful and evident: O come thou Wisdom from on high. This invocation expresses that our Messiah will come from God with the wisdom of God. The acknowledgment of what the Lord does follows: and order (arrange, set right, restore, redeem) all things far and nigh (in some translations), and order all things mightily (in other translations).

Acknowledging that only God and His grace can heal, transform and make new what was damaged in the fall from grace.

The petition is specific to our desire for union with God. To us the path of knowledge show, and cause us in her way to go (in some translations) and teach us in her way to go (other translations). This petition expresses our desire to know Jesus, whom the Father sent, and for him to show us the way to the Father and His Kingdom (I am the way, the truth and the life...).

This formula is repeated for each of the antiphons. There is a beautiful treatment of the antiphons in the book, The Essential Advent and Christmas Handbook: A Daily Companion with a Glossary of Key Terms, A Redemptorist Pastoral Publication, pages 28 -34.

The antiphons express the Old Testament longing for the coming of the Messiah. They present his divine titles, extol his divine attributes and petition him to restore Israel to its greatness before God and the nations. Our Christian incorporation of these antiphons expresses our desire for Jesus the Christ, the Anointed One of God, our long awaited Messiah and Redeemer.

It is my great hope that you and those whom you love will pay special attention to the presence of the Lord in those nine days leading up to Christmas. I hope that the song “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” becomes the song that gets stuck in your head and won’t go away. May it bring you tranquility, acceptance, and a spirit of graciousness in the hectic days leading up to the Christmas Season. May the Wisdom, Might, Flower, Key, Dawn, Reign, and Abiding-Presence of Jesus be with you now and always.

November 2013 9

pro-life news

moveable feast

by Kim Long

Pro-Life Banquet to Special Feast for feature Bossier native Christ the King

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fter graduating from the United States Air Force Academy, Shak Hill finished pilot training and flew missions around the globe. His tours of duty led him to classified Top Secret missions, including combat in Desert Storm. Shak finished his military career as a flight commander in the presidential wing at Andrews AF Base, MD, providing congressional and VIP support.

After leaving the Air Force, Shak utilized his Master’s Degree in Finance, entering the financial services industry. Today Shak owns The Lantern Group LLC, which is affiliated with Allstate Insurance, providing exclusive professional financial services and comprehensive planning.

Shak takes pleasure in imparting knowledge, particularly in the sometimes confusing area of finances. Having authored two books, Shak is a frequent lecturer and enjoys raising the bar of financial understanding.

Since 1997, Shak and his wife, Robin, have welcomed 46 foster children into their home.

Partnering with the Fairfax County Department of Family Services, Shak and Robin have cared for children of all backgrounds, ethnicities and needs. Most of the time the Hills care for one child at a time, but recently have foster parented two separate sibling groups of three.

Together with their own six children, there have been as many as nine children in the home at one time! Shak believes his role as a foster parent is to give the parents a “time-out” allowing them to work on effective parenting, coping and behavioral skills while their children remain in a safe and secure environment. As a foster parent, Shak believes that he can help one family at a time break the cycle of dependency and violence.

Shak and Robin live in Centreville, VA. The Annual Pro-Life Banquet will be Thursday, February 20 at the Bossier Civic Center, 620 Benton Road, Bossier City. Tickets are $50 per person, or a table of eight for $400.

Proceeds from this annual event benefit prolife ministries in the Diocese of Shreveport. To register or for more info, contact Bernadette Boyd at 318-458-5252.

10 Catholic Connection

would also be suitable; I don’t, so I use a favorite holy card. Light the candle, set the table and enjoy a simple but delicious meal.The golden color and delicate flavor are a welcome change from the heavy sage dressing and pumpkin pie.

For a blessing today consider using the Psalm from the Mass .“I rejoiced because they said to me, ‘We will go up to the house of the LORD.� And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem.”

I pray you can enjoy a respite before the next batch of cooking demands our attention.

Ginger Squash Soup

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y kitchen is like Grand Central Station in the months of October, November and December. Recipes are retrieved, ingredients purchased stretching the budget to its breaking point and the air is full of smells that transport us to a wonderful place, the memory of great times with family and friends. I need to pace myself at this time of the year, I have to take it easy, or I will never make it to Twelfth Night.

After Thanksgiving comes the Feast of Christ the King. Sadly it can become almost a culinary afterthought. We are inundated with leftovers, hardly a meal fit for a King.

Save the turkey hash, soup and tettrazini for Monday, and on Sunday surprise everyone with a bowl of ginger and butternut squash soup. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and we are to treat them accordingly. This soup will help us do just that. Between the great meals of Thanksgiving and Christmas give your body a rest with a simple dish. With only a few ingredients, it also gives our budgets a rest.

While we are preparing the soup, let’s thank Jesus for reigning over our homes and pray that we remain in Him. While the soup is simmering, arrange a centerpiece for this day. A candle, a wreath of simple green leaves, a holy card and perhaps a small bowl or basket and ask everyone to write down something for which they are thankful. If you have a statue depicting Christ as King that

Ingredients: • 4 pounds (1 large) butternut squash • 2 medium onions • 3 cloves of garlic (optional) • 3 tablespoons butter (or oil) • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (easily available look for it in the produce section) • 1 teaspoon ground ginger • ½ teaspoon sea salt • 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth • sour cream for garnish (optional) Directions: Halve, seed, peel and cube the squash. Set aside.

Halve, peel and chop onion, set aside. Mince garlic if you are using it.

Heat a large pot over medium -high heat. Add butter or oil and and onion. Sprinkle with salt and cook stirring occasionally, until onion is soft, about three minutes.

Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about a minute. Add fresh and powdered ginger and cook a minute more. Add squash and broth. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to a simmer and cook until squash is very tender, about 20 minutes. Transfer small batches to a blender (or food processor) and whirl until completely smooth, two to three minutes per batch. Empty each processed batch into a bowl.

When all soup has been processed return to pot and season to taste with salt. Serve topped with sour cream if desired.

school NEWS < St. Frederick High School Chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America installed new officers on September 12, 2013. Pictured above are the newly installed officers: (Back row from left to right) President, Jefferson Manning; Treasurer, Cullen Clark; Parliamentarian, Daniel Ellender; Chaplain, J.T. Brown; and Reporter, William Barham. (Front row from left to right) Vice President, Mattie Kincannon; Secretary, Arianna Worthy; and Historian, Sachin Prem.

^ Superintendent John White made a stop at St. Joseph School to visit with administration, faculty and students to stress the mission of Catholic Schools in the formation and education of children.

He was very proud of the quality of education within St. Joseph School.

^ Our Lady of Fatima School celebrated their annual Patriot Day on September 11 to honor their local first responders and to remember those who were lost on September 11, 2001. Pictured: Pre K-4 student Aaliyah Hayes, her mother, Jualeaďż˝ Hayes, and grandfather Tommy Manning.

^ Jesus the Good Shepherd School is excited about their new Speech and Debate Team. Coached by Katherine High, 5th and 6th graders will participate in three middle school tournaments this year. Students will compete in Public Forum Debate, Oratorical Interpretation and Oratorical Declamation.

> Eighth graders from St. John Berchmans School recently attended a three-day retreat at The Pines Camp located in Big Sandy, TX. The 26 students participated in a ropes course, spiritual exercises, team building sessions and other activities as part of the annual retreat for the eighth grade class. Also in attendance were SJB principal, Jo Cazes, and middle school teachers Jeremy Jinks and Meaghan Long. St. John Berchmans eighth graders have attended The Pines Camp retreat each year for over 15 years.

The retreat provides spiritual and leadership skills for the students as they prepare for life in high school and beyond.

November 2013 11

Christ the King The Light at the End of the Liturgical Year

by Kim Long

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n the movie Saving Grace, the pope, played by a young Tom beautiful feast is more than a resting place before Conti, greets the crowd of faithful pilgrims on a bright Advent and the inevitable bustle of Christmas. It is Easter morning with the words, “I want to tell you a story, a chance to see where we have come from, how we because it’s a good story.” And so it is with each of us and our have learned and where we need to continue. It is own stories. maturation and renewal, rest and refreshment at the I came to Catholicism in part through the novels of the feet of love abounding. It is remembering that Christ is late priest and author Andrew M. Greeley, which to me served King; King of our hearts, King of our lives, King of the universe. as a fictional vehicle for theological truth. In his early novels It is remembering that “the greatest of these is love.” a particular family, the Ryans, served as a prototype for the So I did some research.

Church. Through these stories I was introduced to the people The feast of Jesus Christ the King of the Universe, which falls and their parishes, which were also characters. One in particular on the last Sunday of the liturgical year, is a relatively new feast grabbed me – “Christ the King.” in our tradition. It comes to us from Pope Pius XI who served In this fictional parish, the ebb and flow of life was lived out. the faithful between the two great wars of the 20th century. I As a convert I had not really thought of Christ as a king, even know very little about the men who became our popes. I knew though as Baptists we had belted out many hymns which spoke nothing about Pope Pius XI but as I read about his life and the of Jesus in just this way. document Quas Primas, I "Since this Holy Year therefore has provided Years later I had the got to glimpse through a opportunity to attend a window into our history. more than one opportunity to enhance the Kol Nidre service at a local Imagine, if you glory of the kingdom of Christ, we deem it in Jewish synagouge. A Jewish will, a year in which keeping with our Apostolic office to accede to friend knew of my love for earthquakes and tornados God, history and all things the desire of many of the Cardinals, Bishops, and leave thousands dead and religious and told me the injured, world leaders set faithful, made known to Us both individually music was beautiful, the themselves up as dictators and collectively, by closing this Holy Year with prayers powerful and she rather than guiding those thought I would enjoy it. the insertion into the Sacred Liturgy of a special citizens in their care, and Before attending I asked her feast of the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ." a book is written and the meaning of the service. published by an author Quas Primas 6 She said, “All year long God who will forever change is our friend, our partner. the world. And then Tonight he is our King.” there is one Achile Ratti, known by the faithful as Pope Pius That night God and I began to travel down a path of serious XI. With definite ideas of his own – he earned three doctorates, and lengthy meditation on our liturgical year. Over the course philosophy, theology, and canon law – there was more to him of many years I have thought of that night and my friend’s than a glance can reveal. An athlete who climbed mountains, statement and our own Catholic year. As dear Fr. Greeley might he reached the summits of the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa to have put it, God hit me over the head with a cosmic baseball name just two. This was not a leader who lived in his head and bat. I began to see what others before me had seen; that this retreated from the rest of the word. Reportedly when Hitler 12 Catholic Connection

came to Italy to visit Mussolini, Pius XI left earlier than normal for his summer home intending this as a snub towards men whose policies he felt were directly against Christ’s teachings. Not exactly a lightweight. So in December 1925 when he wrote Quas Primas he had things to say.

As writings of the Holy Fathers go it’s an easy read, only about 10 or 11 pages in length. I was amazed that it wasn’t written in our current time, it’s that relevant and timeless. It was written to speak to secularism, a way of life that leaves God out of our thinking and living and organizes humanity’s lives as if God doesn’t exist. Pius XI wanted to help the faithful regain the sense of respect for Christ.

Just as the feast of Corpus Christi was instituted when devotion to the Eucharist had waned, so it was with this feast. Respect and love for

Christ needed to be paramount in the minds of the Church again: “That the faithful would gain strength and courage from the celebration of the feast, as we are reminded that Christ must reign in our hearts, our minds, our wills, and our bodies.” Quas Primas 32 Pope Paul VI stated in Mysterii Paschalis, “the whole mystery of Christ unfolds within the cycle of a year.” Again from Paul VI, “The Paschal Mystery and its celebration constitutes the essence of Christian worship in its daily, weekly and yearly unfolding. The Second Vatican Council clearly teaches this.”

In its current position as the last Sunday of the Church year, the Feast of Christ the King is poised to bring us into a fuller understanding of what we have journeyed toward as we began the previous Advent. We began during Advent, being pregnant with the love of God, birthing that love during Christmas, growing with it, dying and rising with it through the year. Now we bring our experiences, the Masses we have been part of, every offering, every hurt, joy, sadness, guilt, every birth we have celebrated, every loss we have mourned, every hour of our awareness, we bring to this Feast of Christ our King. It is the culmination, maturation of another year of growth, relationship with our God, our Church and ourselves, realizing that God and

His love for us permeates all.

Does that mean we always “get it right,” that we never forget that Christ is King? Probably not. For me this feast is a powerful reminder of Christ’s kingship. The colors of gold and white, the readings, the music and the prayers call me to cast aside the user friendly God that I have probably made in my own image and open myself up to the immensity, the beauty, the love of God who created all and cares for all, truly a King.

So as our liturgical year winds down and the department stores court us with Christmas carols in October, be strong and resist being swept away prematurely.

Be in the moment, be present, and celebrate this feast given to us by God, which Pope Pius XI so gently reminded us of in the turmoil of 1925, and remember that in the midst of the messiness of life Christ is King.

This year the readings for the Feast of Christ the King are from Cycle C. The psalm response serves as an invitation of the sweetest kind, “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.” May we each arrive rejoicing at the celebration of this feast.

Quas Primas by Pope Pius XI Pope Pius XI wrote the document Quas Primas in1925. In it the Feast of Christ the King was established to help regain a sense of respect for Christ. The encyclical includes many reasons to establish the Feast of Christ the King, including: Christ is said to reign in the hearts and will of men in intellect, truth, grace and inspiration. QP 7

We read throughout the scriptures that Christ is King, both in the Old and New Testaments. QP 8 - 10

magistrate, who asked him publicly whether he were a king or not; after his resurrection, when giving to his Apostles the mission of teaching and baptizing all nations, he took the opportunity to call himself king, confirming the title publicly, and solemnly proclaimed that all power was given him in heaven and on earth.

- QP 11

Christ speaks on his own kingly authority in his reply to the Roman

"...the Catholic Church, which is the kingdom of Christ on earth,

He is King of hearts, too, by reason of his "charity which exceedeth all knowledge." QP 7

destined to be spread among all men and all nations, should with every token of veneration salute her Author and Founder in her annual liturgy as King and Lord, and as King of Kings." - QP 12 November 2013 13

vocations corner

NEWS

Seminarian Spent summer Catholic Charities Opens at st. Jude Church Office in Lake Providence Priest in training learned both practical and fun parts of running a parish over summer

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had the wonderful opportunity to spend my summer assignment at St. Jude Parish in Bossier City under the supervision of Fr. Pike Thomas and Peggy Moran. Let me just say that St Jude is a very busy parish – never a dull moment! While at St. Jude I was exposed to the vast ministry opportunities that were constantly going on – even in the summer! Fr. Pike made sure to include me in the various meetings in the parish, such as those involving the building of the new church. This was very helpful to me in understanding the time involved and the decisions that have to be made when embarking on such a task. Peggy Moran showed me the ropes in what it takes to keep things running for the various Masses and celebrations that are involved in the life of a parish. Peggy also taught me all about church records and the difficulty that can happen when looking up information and how to overcome those obstacles that can arise in that process.

While there was a lot of work, there were also times of great fun! I had the wonderful experience being St. Paul at Vacation Bible School this summer – the closest I will come to sainthood. Another time of fun and learning was “Lunch with the Seminarian” for Altar Server training – it is amazing how serious and attentive the young people can be when learning their responsibilities of serving at the altar.

There were many other ministries I took part in at St. Jude Chuch, such as grief support, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, feeding the poor, daily Mass, nursing home services, helping with Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and being available for unexpected events and needs.These times in the life of a parish are so important to the formation of future priest – it allows us to stay connected with those we will hopefully be serving one day, and gives us practical experience in the parish.

Thank you Fr. Pike and St. Jude Parish for teaching me and allowing me to experience the fullness of parish life from diverse experiences!

Keith Garvin is in 4th Year Theology at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, LA. 14 Catholic Connection

ost people know there is a high rate of poverty in Louisiana but perhaps you didn’t know that right here in our state, we have a parish with the second highest per capita poverty rate in our nation! In the last available census from 2011, *East Carroll Parish had a 44% poverty rate and, even more astounding, for children the rate is 54%!

Poverty rates are much more than statistics. Just ask Sr. Bernadette “Bernie” Barrett who works one-on-one each day, along with a dedicated team of volunteers, to help those who come to the new satellite office of Catholic Charities, which opened in Lake Providence this past July.

Housed in a former health unit, the team works to help individuals and families who have little other resources for assistance. The job picture is bleak in that area and the poverty rate affects everything – education, income levels, medical care, elder facilities and care, and the list goes on.

Jean Dresley, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Shreveport, working closely with Sr. Bernie and Fr. Mark Watson, quickly realized the enormous need in Lake Providence and in all of East Carroll Parish for programs of assistance and education. In the first week of operation, volunteers received more than 75 calls for assistance for everything from rent and utility help to food and diapers. Poverty is no respecter of people, especially the children who suffer. When your stomach is empty, it’s hard to concentrate on homework, pay attention in school and succeed in life.

Following Jean’s lead and modeling the Shreveport agency’s program, our financial education course, The Money School, was established in Lake Providence. Classes were filled from the beginning and continue to be today. As in the Shreveport and Bossier communities, the people of East Carroll Parish who are at or below the poverty level lacked the knowledge and skills to change life-long habits that contributed to their struggle to pay their bills and meet their most urgent needs. It’s hard to think about a budget when you are worried about having enough food to feed your family or the possibility that you will all be out on the street because you’ve been evicted from your modest home.

We all sail in the same ship and it’s our calling and our job to see to it that others who travel with us are safe, fed, housed, clothed and heard. Sr. Bernie and Fr. Watson will be glad to have you join them in this much needed and worthwhile Christian calling. They need volunteers and funding, two things we can all do to be sure that more of God’s needy have the opportunity to change their lives and have hope for the future.

For more information, call our office at 318 865-0200, ext. 101.

*Definitions: Estimated number and percentage of the total population with incomes less than the federal poverty threshold.

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division, Small Area Estimates Branch, Washington D.C.

NEWS

Annual St. Vincent de Paul Friends of the Poor Walk

2013 Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal Achieves overall Pledge Goal

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he Arthur Teague Parkway in Bossier City served as one of the locations of the 6th annual Friends of the Poor® Walk/ Run on September 28. The Walk, conducted by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP), is a nationwide event intended to raise awareness of the challenges faced by the nation’s poor and to raise funds for use in direct service to the poor. Approximately 100 people joined in the Walk in Bossier City representing nine different SVdP Conferences from churches across Shreveport, Bossier City and Monroe. Just over $7,000 was raised, reflecting an increase of over 35% from last year’s total, providing much needed funds for each conference. All funds raised locally will be used locally within each St. Vincent de Paul conference.

One of the oldest and most successful charitable organizations in the world, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a Catholic lay organization of more than 700,000 men and women throughout the world who voluntarily join together to grow spiritually and offer person-to-person service to the needy and suffering in 149 countries on six continents. With the U.S. headquarters in St. Louis, MO, membership in the United States totals more than 146,000 in 4,600 communities.

by Brian Burgess

Rediscovering Catholicism Moving from being a part-time Christian to a full-time Catholic

This is a four week experience of understanding our Catholic identity. Using Matthew Kelly�s Rediscover Catholicism and Fr. Robert Barron�s Catholicism, participants will journey from where we are today to where we want to be and how we are going to get there.

Nov. 7, Nov. 14, & Nov. 21 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Jesus the Good Shepherd Church 2510 Emerson Street Monroe, LA Instructor: Mike Van Vranken

n September 18th, your Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal saw its overall pledge goal of $1,350,000 exceeded as the programs and ministries supported through Appeal funding are now enjoying the highest level of financial support in the history of our diocese.

In addition, more than $1.2 million dollars (92%) of our pledge amount has been honored by the faithful supporters of our Appeal in every corner of our diocese. Listed below are the parishes, churches and chapels that have made this achievement possible by facilitating successful Appeal campaigns during 2013. A big thank you goes out to these places of worship that so diligently supported our Appeal this year.

Western Deanery St. Joseph Parish, Shreveport St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Shreveport Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport Holy Trinity Parish, Shreveport St. Mary of the Pines Parish, Shreveport Christ the King Parish, Bossier City St. Pius X Parish, Shreveport Mary, Queen of Peace Parish, Bossier City St. Clement Parish, Vivian

St. George Church, Coushatta St. Margaret Church, Homer Eastern Deanery St. Patrick Parish, Lake Providence Sacred Heart Parish, Oak Grove St. Theresa Church, Delhi Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Farmerville Southern Deanery St. Joseph Parish, Mansfield St. Joseph Parish, Zwolle St. Ann Church, Stonewall

Western Deanery: 11 Eastern Deanery: 4 Southern Deanery: 3 Number of Parishes at Goal: 18/37 (47%) PARISHES AT 80-95% OF GOAL: All Deaneries St. Jude Parish, Bossier City Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Monroe St. Paschal Parish, West Monroe Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Monroe St. John the Baptist Parish, Many St. Paul Parish, Minden St. Ann Church, Ebarb St. Lucy Phurch, Hodge Sacred Heart Parish, Rayville St. Joseph Parish, Bastrop November 2013 15

100 Years of Healing

St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe

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hree special events at St. Francis Medical Center helped to commemorate 100 years of providing compassion and care.

In conjunction with the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi on Friday, October 4, the unveiling and blessing of the centennial art piece, Healing Hands, was held at 11:30 am. The stained glass, designed by Fr. Mark Bleakley, an Anglican priest from Vicksburg, MS, features five scenes representing our core values: service, reverence and love for all of life, joyfulness of spirit, humility and justice. The art is located in the main lobby of the downtown campus in Monroe (See back cover of this issue).

A special Mass of Thanksgiving for a Century of Healing was held at 2:00 p.m. in Anna Gray Noe Park to honor and celebrate the sisters, physicians, team members and volunteers who have helped to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to those most in need at St. Francis over the past 100 years.

Part of the offertory procession in the Mass were three glass vases filled with recommitment cards signed by St. Francis team members, a symbol of our continued commitment to perpetuate the mission that began a century ago.

The Most Reverend Michael G. Duca, Bishop, Diocese of Shreveport, presided over both the blessing of the art piece and the Holy Mass. Tours were available following the Mass of key points of interest at the downtown campus including historical exhibits, St. Francis Chapel, Giving Sculpture, Nazareth Hall and Walls of History and Recognition.

by Saundra Nalley 16 Catholic Connection

Every Day is a Thanksgiving

A call to wholeness, laughter and thanksgiving for 'agers'

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ou�re blessed to be a blessing.

Every single thing you do matters.

You have probably begun to enjoy some of the changes of older age like me. What we did at 30, or even 60, no longer counts because as we age we do everything differently. All unborn generations will have their lives shifted and shaped by the moves we make today. What an awesome feeling in my heart as I reflect once more on aging in Italy and another Thanksgiving Day to celebrate silently in my heart.

Become filled with laughter and be happy to face your future and whatever surprises it may bring. Just continue to be a thankful person, even after Thanksgiving. I tell myself constantly that every day is Thanksgiving. “Love the simple joys in life that put a smile upon your face, a light in your eyes, and find happiness in your heart.”

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This will help us through hard times and is so good for the health of our minds and bodies. Laughter is good for the soul, so laugh every day at yourself, first of all, and then with someone else.

This is your call to wholeness, laughter and thanksgiving. Think about that now that you are preparing for Thanksgiving Day with your family and friends, and with the turkey and dressing will come peals of laughter to help your digestion. It should be a part of the menu!

This time of the year has arrived again for those of us who are constantly grateful to the Lord. The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of an elder person is thankfulness.

At least I think so. I asked God, “Where is the greatest treasure in the world to be found?” He answered me saying, “If you have a grateful heart, you have already found it.” There is nothing more honorable than a grateful heart. “In everything give thanks.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Most of us think about food, family and friends during Thanksgiving, and less about pilgrims, Indians and George Washington proclaiming a day for giving thanks to God. Our day should be motivated by the faith and love we treasure, for our families and friends and for our new pope, for family prayer and for a forgiving thankfulness.

Let us not forget where we came from or the people who helped us along the way

and make your day a splendid, grateful one.

In what ways will we show our gratitude this year? What kind of heart will you have on Thanksgiving day? I would like to think that our aging heart would think differently because of our years. It should be an indomitable heart that is grateful, happy, wise, caring, strong, laughing, celebrating, passionate, nurturing, religious, prayerful and beautiful.

Hopefully this is a good description of our hearts this Thanksgiving.

Let�s quiet our hearts and minds and calm our thoughts and say a prayer, and let flow all the things you have to be thankful for. As you reflect, let your feelings of joy and laughter well up inside of you, so a sense of gratitude seems to flow out like a poem or a song. It�s amazing how beautiful an aging heart can be; one of God�s many miracles. Let your day become one of continuous Thanksgiving.

If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is “thank you,” it will be enough.

– Meister Eckhardt.

Take a moment each day to be grateful and reflect on your blessings. Each of you are my blessings from God and I hope I have been a blessing in your lives too. I am sincerely grateful for you and pray to God to constantly be at your side, creating a new heart, new mind and soul for you.

Happy Thanksgiving from Italy!

by Sr. Martinette Rivers, OLS

HISPANIC corner Promesa Cumplida por la Fe

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l último domingo de Noviembre celebramos a Cristo el Rey y este año que cae el día 24 celebraremos también la culminación del Año que el Papa Emérito Benedicto XVI proclamó como “El Año de la Fe”(Creer en Cristo y su Misión de Salvar al mundo) Cerrar el Año de la Fe no quiere decir que ya nos graduamos en la Fe o que la vamos a guardar en un cajón sino que esto debe llevarnos a reflexionar en lo siguiente: ¿Qué esfuerzos tomé para desarrollar más mi fe? ¿Es mi fe ahora más firme y fuerte que antes de Octubre del 2012? ¿O si por el contrario, se me va este año igual que todos los años sin meditar o aprender? ¿Qué es la fe y que significa para mí que Jesús haya venido a salvar al mundo? ¿Cómo puedo yo responder a ese regalo tan maravilloso que es recibir la fe y la salvación?

Independientemente de cuanto hayamos aprendido este año sobre la “Fe”, tenemos que seguir diariamente y por el resto de nuestra vida, buscando ocasiones para aprender a vivir con más fe en Dios. Hacer esto como lo propuso 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

por Rosalba Quiroz

Directora Ministerio Hispano 318-219-7288

el Obispo Michael Duca en sus visitas a las parroquias por El Año de la Fe: “…al final del día preguntarme, ¿Sentí gozo y paz de obedecer a Dios cuando Él me lo pidió?”

Los invito que al terminar cada día y a la hora de nuestra muerte podamos decir como dice San Pablo: “Pues por Cristo gozamos del favor de Dios por medio de la fe, y estamos firmes, y nos alegramos con la esperanza de tener parte en la gloria de Dios. Y no solo esto, sino que también nos alegramos en el sufrimiento; porque sabemos que el sufrimiento nos da firmeza para soportar, y esta firmeza nos permite salir aprobados, y el salir aprobados nos llena de esperanza. Y esta esperanza no nos defrauda, porque Dios ha llenado con su amor nuestro corazón por medio del Espíritu Santo que nos ha dado” (Romanos 5:2-6).

Eventos Especiales del Mes de Noviembre 1

Día de todos los Santos.

Misa de Obligación. (Centro Católico está cerrado)

15-17 Retiro Experiencia Cristo especialmente para Jóvenes mayores de 18 años pero también pueden participar los adultos de todas edades.

Campamento de Retiros Harris en Minden, LA 17-18 Película gratis “Mary of Nazareth”, Centro Católico a las 6:30 p.m. Domingo y Lunes.

20-24 Conferencia Nacional para Adolescentes de Estados Unidos, Indianápolis, IN (Inglés) 20 Taller “Protegiendo a los Niños de Dios” Cristo Rey 6:00 p.m. para padres de familia y es obligatorio para toda persona que ayude con cualquier programa de la parroquia.

24 Culminación del Año de la Fe y Celebración de Cristo el Rey 28 Celebración en Estados Unidos de Día Acción de Gracias. (Centro Católico está cerrado)

MISAS Mansfield: St. Joseph Church 305 Jefferson Street, Mansfield 2do Domingo 2:00 p.m. y 3er Martes 6:30 p.m.

Juanita Ibarra Tel: 318-872-5390 Oak Grove: Sacred Heart Church 201 Purvis St., Oak Grove Domingo 5:00 p.m.

Feliciano y Rosa Alviso Martinez Tel: 318-428-2137

Ruston: St. Thomas Aquinas Church 810 Carey Ave., Ruston 2do y 4to Domingo 2:30 p.m.

Soledad Broyles Tel: 318-243-1958 Shreveport: St. Mary of the Pines Church 1050 Bert Kouns Indl Loop, Shreveport Domingo 11:30 a.m.

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

Lorena Chaparro Tel: 318-651-9136

Oficina del Ministerio Católico Hispano: Rosalba Quiroz, Directora 318-219-7265 Marcos G. Villalba, Pastoral Juvenil 318-219-7288 • Jeanne Brown, Secretaria 318-219-7257 November 2013 17

NEWS

Mary of Nazareth Movie Coming to Diocese Donations to support local youth outreach summer camp

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gnatius Press and the Diocese of Shreveport are happy to report the showing of the soon to be released full length movie presentation, Mary of Nazareth. The film depicts the life of the Blessed Mother. We have secured screenings for the Catholic Center, located at 3500 Fairfield Ave. in Shreveport, on November 17 and 18. There will be two showings on Sunday and two on Monday – a 2:30 matinee and a 6:30 evening showing.

Tickets are free, but donations will be accepted for the Summer Enrichment Program and Camp at the St. Catherine Community Center, a program that reaches out to impoverished youth in the Cedar Grove area of Shreveport.

Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, considered one of the foremost experts on the life of Mary, had this to say about the film, “In light of the reality that the Virgin Mary is God�s created masterpiece and the pinnacle of the feminine mystery, there is no harder person to portray in a movie than her and, yet, Mary of Nazareth offers the best presentation of Our Lady I have ever seen. Mary of Nazareth is an absolute theological and Mariological masterpiece! It will make you want to love her more than ever. Mary�s beauty is pure and ageless; her feminine mystery filled with wonder and virtue, and her divine motherhood is both tender and captivating. Without a doubt, this is the most stunning portrayal of the Virgin Mary on film!”

Tickets are available through the Catholic Center. Call today to reserve yours, 318-868-4441.

It is a fantastic movie and a chance to close the Year of Faith, while looking toward the beginning of the Advent and Christmas Seasons.

by Randy Tiller, Director of Mission Effectiveness 18 Catholic Connection

New Bishop for HoumaThibodaux DIocese

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of New Orleans to lead southern Louisiana diocese

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ope Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Sam G. Jacobs of HoumaThibodaux and named Auxiliary Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of New Orleans to succeed him. The resignation and appointment were announced in Washington, Sept. 23, by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Bishop Fabre, who was ordained Titular Bishop of Pudenziana and Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans by Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes of New Orleans, at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans in February 2007, was installed as the fourth Bishop of HoumaBishop Shelton J. Fabre Thibodaux Wednesday, October 30, at 2:00 p.m., at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma.

Bishop Jacobs says he is grateful to Pope Francis for appointing Bishop Fabre as the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

“I have personally known him since his ordination as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. I believe that he is the right person at this time of the life of this great diocese,” said retiring Bishop Jacobs.

As required by Canon Law, Bishop Jacobs tendered his resignation on his 75th birthday in March of this year. He was born March 4, 1938, in Greenwood, MS, and was reared in Lake Charles, LA. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Lafayette in 1964, and was ordained to the episcopacy and became the 10th Bishop of Alexandria in 1989. He was installed as the Third Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux in 2003.

“I am grateful to God for my 10 years as shepherd of this diocese. I have been blessed in many ways by the ministry and cooperation of the priests, deacons, religious and laity. At this point in my lifetime I know it is time for me to pass the torch of administration and embrace more fully the priestly ministry I was ordained for. My plans are to live in Houma and continue to serve the Church until the Lord calls me to him,” adds Bishop Jacobs.

At a press conference at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Schriever, Sept. 23, Bishop Fabre said, “I am humbled and excited by this appointment by the Holy Father, and I pledge to serve the needs of the Church here in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux to the very best of my ability. In all that we do, it is the Lord Jesus Christ whom we praise and serve, and I am confident that together we will grow in faith. … I look forward to making the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux my new home, and I rejoice in the opportunity to become a part of this local Church and this unique area of our state of Louisiana. … At this point in the history of this wonderful diocese, let us renew our trust in the Lord and again pledge to serve him by serving one another. In God we place our hope and our trust, and we can be confident that God will never leave us to endure anything alone. I look forward to this faith journey with all of you.

As I pledge my prayers for all in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, I ask your prayers for me as well.”

“Comfort my people” from Chapter 40, Verse 1 of the Book of Isaiah is Bishop Fabre�s episcopal motto, which he intends to keep. He says, “I chose that because I think there are many, many ways to give comfort. Life can hurt a lot sometimes and I think that is one of the roles of the Church – to comfort people not only by speaking the truth, but speaking the truth in love. That phrase has always spoken to me on many, many levels. I just love it.”

by Janet Marcel, Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

across the FRANCIS CONVENES EXTRAORDINARY SYNOD ON THE FAMILY FOR OCTOBER 2014

by Vatican Information Services

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atican City – The Holy See Press Office announced that Holy Father Francis has convened the Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, to be held in the Vatican from 5 to 19 October 2014, on the theme “The pastoral challenges of the family in the context of evangelization.”

In the Chapter of the Code of Canon Law relating to synodal assemblies, the Synod of Bishops meets in an extraordinary general assembly when the matter under consideration, while related to the good of the universal Church, requires rapid definition.

“It is very important that an extraordinary Synod has been convoked on the theme of the pastoral of the family,” said the director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J. “This is the way in which the Pope intends to promote reflection and to guide the path

of the community of the Church, with the responsible participation of the episcopate from different parts of the world.”

“It is right,” he added, “that the Church should move as a community in reflection and prayer, and that she takes common pastoral directions in relation to the most important points – such as the pastoral of the family – under the guidance of the pope and the bishops. The convocation of the extraordinary Synod clearly indicates this path. In this context, the proposal of particular pastoral solutions by local persons or offices carries the risk of engendering confusion. It is opportune to emphasise the importance of following a path in full communion with the ecclesial community.”

Fr. Lombardi mentioned that Pope Francis attended the meeting of the Secretariat of the Synod, taking place during these days in Via della Conciliazione.

More than a third of U.S. parishes multicultural, notes CARA study

by U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

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embership of Hispanics in the Church is growing, at 38 percent; Non-Hispanic whites are still majority at 54 percent of national Catholic population; Five percent are Asian or Pacific Islander.

The percentage of multicultural parishes in the U.S is on the increase, according to research by the Georgetown University-based Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA).

CARA located parishes that self-identify as serving or are known to serve racial, ethnic, cultural, and/or linguistic groups in the nation to create the first comprehensive listing and mapping of multicultural parishes. This research was commissioned by the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop (USCCB).

CARA estimates there are approximately 6,700 multicultural parishes in the United States, many located in the South and West.

The Official Catholic Directory lists more than 17,400 parishes in the country. In a second phase of this study, CARA will conduct in-pew surveys of parishioners in a national random sample of these parishes.

CARA’s research on multicultural parishes has found these to be, on average, larger than parishes in general. Multicultural parishes average 1,445 registered households, compared to 1,168 for parishes in general.

Overall, about three in 10 U.S. parishes (29 percent or 5,000) celebrate at least one Mass a month in a language other than English or Latin.

Nationally, CARA estimates that: Approximately 42.5 million U.S. residents who self-identify as non-Hispanic white are Catholic, which represents 22 percent of people in the nation of this race and ethnicity.

Some 29.7 million U.S. residents who selfidentify as Hispanic or Latino are estimated to be Catholic, representing about 59 percent of the 50.5 million people of this race and ethnicity in the country.

Vatican Information Services

VAtICAN news & notes • The reform of the Curia and the attribution of more incisive role to the laity were among the principal themes considered October 3 in the meeting of the Council of Cardinals, instituted by the pope to assist him in the governance of the Church. “The direction of their work would not indicate an updating of the apostolic Constitution 'Pastor Bonus', with retouches and marginal modifications”, explained Lombardi, “but rather, a new constitution with significant new aspects. The intention of the cardinals is to emphasize the nature of the service on the part of the Curia and the universal and local church “in terms of subsidiarity, rather than the exercise of centralized power.

The intended direction would be to put this into practice in the service of the Church in all her dimensions.”

• The Holy Father has written a message to Jose Graziano de Silva, director general of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on the occasion of World Food Day, celebrated every year on October 16 to mark the foundation of the FAO, and which this year focuses on the theme: “Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition.”

•On October 15 the pope visited the staff of the Secretariat of State on the occasion of the end of the mandate of Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone as secretary of State, a role in which he will be succeeded by Archbishop Pietro Parolin, formerly apostolic nuncio to Venezuela.

Archbishop Parolin will assume his role within a few weeks as he has had to undergo an operation that prevented him from being present that day.

• On October 12 in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis presided over a prayer on the occasion of the Marian Day convoked in the context of the Year of Faith and received the original statute of the Virgin of Fatima, which normally resides in the Portuguese sanctuary of the same name. The bullet which struck Blessed John Paul II in the assassination attempt of May 13, 1981, is set into the crown of the statue.

November 2013 19

around the DIOCESE

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Larry Pettiette joined with Bishop Michael Duca in presenting two donations from both the Red Mass Society and the Diocese of Shreveport to support the ongoing ministry of Providence House in Shreveport, which seeks to provide a community where no family is homeless.

Director of Programs Rhonda Wells thankfully accepted these two gifts at the Cotton Street location. Not pictured is Red Mass Society President John Nicholson who coordinated the honoring of Providence House this year.

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CHRISTUS NLA region is progressing in the expansion of facilities and services at CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center, as declared in the recent strategic announcement.

At Highland, renovations are complete in the surgical suites, radiology and first floor patient rooms. The new West Annex Hospital building has been designed with groundbreaking expected in December. The new building will house a new Cancer Center, NICU, IP Rehab and expanded labor and delivery services. In addition, the Wound and Hyperbaric Medicine Center, as well as the Breast Center will be relocated from the Schumpert campus into a transformed building on the corner adjacent to the Highland hospital campus.

The folks at the Christ the King Food Pantry had a party for Fr. Rigo Betancurt�s 30th anniversary of ordination and honored a couple on their 63rd wedding anniversary, which was the same day.

As part of the Year of Faith Speaker Series, Msgr. Richard Hilgartner presented “A Flame Divided Yet Undimmed” as the keynote for the annual Diocesan liturgical Conference on September 20. Hilgartner discussed the progression of the liturgy traced over the past 50 years using Council documents. Msgr. Hilgartner is the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Executive Director of Divine Worship.

The Cathedral of St. John Berchmans held their annual Blessing of the Pets on Sunday, October 6 in the Cathedral Prayer Garden. Many parishioners brought their pets to be blessed through the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi.

Pictured: Msgr. Carson LaCaze blesses pets at the Cathedral.

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St. Joseph Nursing Home and Assisted Living centers in Monroe recently held a Holy Mass and rededication and blessing of the chapel. Bishop Duca was the primary celebrant and was assisted by other area priests and deacons. Sister Elizabeth Cahill, the facility religious coordinator, was very pleased with so many friends of St. Joseph�s sharing in this special day. Sister Elizabeth is so proud of the new stained glass windows, new altar, tabernacle, carpet and more.

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On September 23, Bishop Michael Duca completed a successful “Year of Faith” visitation to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Shreveport. In this photo, Charles LaCour poses with Bishop Duca, Roylin LaCour, Virgin LaCour, Patrick Igbokwe, Tim Ford, Mary Randolph and Mack Miles.

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St. Mary of the Pines Church celebrated the Feast of St. Francis with a Blessing of the Animals ceremony. Pastor Rev. Francis Kamau and his Franciscan fellow-priests provided blessings for all animals. Also in attendance were the veternarians from Southern Hills Animal Hospital who provided veterinary services and shots for the animals if needed. Pictured: Fr. Francis received a special blessing when a parakeet brought by a parishioner hopped up on his head to avoid the water! He was delighted, as were all present.

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St. Joseph Church in Bastrop held their annual Blue Mass on October 2 to honor all law enforcement, firefighters and emergency personnel. Bishop Duca led the Mass and was assisted by many priests from the Eastern Deanery.

The AirVac Life Team helicopter even flew in for the special Mass!

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Bishop Michael Duca went for his Year of Faith visit to St. Paschal Church in West Monroe on October 8 and was met with great reception by the church family there!

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upcoming EVENTS November 4: 40 Days for Victory Celebration Candlelight Vigil Hope Medical Group for Women, 210 Kings Highway in Shreveport. www.40daysforlifesb.com

their church. The Western Roundup Dance will be held at the Mary, Queen of Peace Church Hall in Bossier City. For more information, call the church office at 318-752-5971.

November 5: Healing Prayer with Fr. Ubald at the Cathedral Event will take place at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans following the 5:30pm Mass. For more info, contact the church office, 318-221-5276.

November 17 & 18: Mary of Nazareth Movie to Show at Catholic Center Ignatius Press and the Diocese of Shreveport are happy to report the showing of the full length full movie presentation of Mary of Nazareth. The film depicts the life of the Blessed Mother. We have secured screenings for the Catholic Center on November 17 and 18. There will be two showings on Sunday and two on Monday. Donations will be accepted for the Summer Enrichment Program and Camp at the St. Catherine Community Center. Tickets are available through the Catholic Center.

Showings will be at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. It is a fantastic movie and a chance to close the Year of Faith while looking toward the beginning of the Advent and Christmas Seasons.

November 9: The Church in the Making: Keeping Alive the Vision of Vatican II Dr. Edward Hahnenberg, the Breen Chair of Systematic Theology at John Carroll University, will give a keynote speech on "The Church in the Making: Keeping Alive the Vision of Vatican II.He will discuss the influence of the Second Vatican Council which represented the entire Church beyond the documents it produced. Dr. Hahnenberg will also demonstrate how those ecclesial documents at work during the council are also present in the life of the Church today.

This event is part of the Year of Faith Speaker Series. It will take place at the Catholic Center from 8:30am to12pm. To register call Brandy at 318-868-4441, or register online at www.dioshpt. org.

November 9: Eucharistic Day of Renewal Jesus the Good Shepherd Church is hosting a Eucharistic Day of Renewal at their church. The event will include two talks from Vinny Flynn on the secrets of the Eucharist and Eucharistic Adoration. The program is from 9am to 1pm and is free. In recognition of the closing of the Year of Faith, this will be a day to re-invigorate the spiritual lives of Catholics in the area. For more info visit www.vinnyflynn.com, or call the church office at 318-325-7549.

November 9: Magnificat November Prayer Brunch The Magnificat, Nowela Chapter is sponsoring a prayer brunch Nov. 9 from 10:30am - 1:30pm in the Activities Center at St. Jude Catholic Church on Viking Drive in Bossier City.

The guest speaker is Brenda Lites of Bossier City. Brenda began her search for a deeper understanding of Christ during high school as she visited numerous churches and studied various faiths. Upon promising to raise their children in the Catholic faith, she attended RCIA and was confirmed at the baptism of their son in 1987. During her life journey she has experienced the healing hand of the Lord on more than one occasion. These experiences have inspired her to learn more, serve more and, most of all, love more fully our Lord and Savior. Admittance is $12 and reservations should be made by calling Sandy Chapman 318-222-0007.

November 16: Western Roundup Dance at Mary, Queen of Peace Church Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church is sponsoring this Western Roundup Dance to raise money to help support

22 Catholic Connection

December 2-4: "The Mystery and Beauty of Advent" at St. Joseph Church in Shreveport St. Joseph Church in Shreveport invites you to “The Mystery and Beauty of Advent.” Fr. Kerry Wakulich from the Diocese of Tulsa will enrich our Advent season with scripture reflection reminding us of the beauty of this holy season.

Fr. Kerry was ordained a priest in 2010. After graduating from Bishop Kerry in 1994, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served his country for six years. After leaving the Air Force he worked in New York as an engineer. All this time Fr. Kelley was attending daily Mass and listening to the call of the Holy Spirit. He has been referred to as “The Courageous Disciple” for quitting his job, leaving a girlfriend behind and becoming a priest. He is currently the chaplain of the St. Philip Neri Newman Center at the University of Tulsa. Morning sessions: 9am in the Family Life Center. Evening sessions: 6pm in the church.

For more info contact the church office at 318865-3581.

December 3: Traveling Reliquary "Treasures of the Church" at the Cathedral Fr. Carlos Martins will give a presentation and teaching on relics in the Cathedral Grade School Multi-Room.

Attendees can view approximately 150 relics.

Event begins at 5:30pm in the Cathedral and is free to attendees, though donations are accepted. For more info, contact the church office, 318-221-5296.

January 25, 2014: Diocesan Marriage and Family Life Conference Plan now to attend the first ever Marriage and Family Life Conference hosted by the Diocese of Shreveport at the Catholic Center in Shreveport on Saturday, January 25, 2014. Benefit from fantastic presenters and breakout sessions for couples of all ages. Plan now to join us for this wonderful

mission market place supports fair trade

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air Trade is trade that people count on. Fair Trade empowers women. Fair Trade protects the environment. Fair Trade means fair pay and fair working conditions. Fair Trade connects with other cultures. Fair Trade is sustainable local communities. Fair Trade supports local community development.

Fair Trade gives people a choice and a voice.

Join St. Joseph Church and the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, along with First Presbyterian, Broadmoor Presbyterian and Broadmoor United Methodist Churches as they host this year’s Mission Market. All proceeds go either to promote livable wages for people (mostly women) in Third World Countries or to local causes such as Holy Angels and Renzi Education & Art Center. The Mission Market will be held Saturday, November 9, from 10:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. at the St. Joseph Church Family Life Center.

Some of the event�s benefactors include: Sari Bari is a safe place of employment where women who have been exploited in the sex trade or who are vulnerable to trafficking can experience a new life in the making.

SERRV is a nonprofit organization with a mission to eradicate poverty wherever it resides by providing opportunity and support to artisans and farmers worldwide.

BEADFORLIFE puts money into the hands of women in Uganda by creating global markets for recycled paper, bead jewelry and shea butter products. Money becomes savings, savings becomes hope, hope becomes opportunity and sustainable businesses are born.

by Donna Seal

calendar

november 2013

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

SATURDAY

27 28 29 30 31 1 2 ULM Scholars Mass, Christ the King Chapel, 1pm

Sts. Simon & Jude, apostles

The Commemoration Catholic Center of the Faithfully Closed Departed (All Souls' Day) All Saints Day

Year of Faith Visit: Jesus the Good Shepherd Church, Monroe, 6pm

All Souls Day / Nov 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Daylight Savings Time Ends

40 Days for Life Victory Celebration, Hope Medical Group for Women, 6pm

Year of Faith Speaker Series with Dr. Edward Hahnenberg, Catholic Center, 8:30am

Year of Faith Visit: St. Ann Church, Stonewall, 6:30pm

Master Lector Class, Catholic Center, 6pm

40 Days for Life Celebration/ Nov 4

The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 USCCB Meeting Begins in Baltimore (thru 11/16)

St. Josaphat, bishop & martyr

St. Albert the St. Margaret of Great, bishop Scotland; St. & doctor of the Gertrude, virgin Church

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, virgin

St. Martin of Tours, bishop

Hahnenberg Speaker/ Nov 9

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Mary of Mary of Nazareth Movie, Nazareth Movie, Catholic Center, Catholic Center, 2:30pm & 2:30pm & 6:30pm 6:30pm

Year of Faith Visit: St. Joseph Church, Bastrop 5:30pm

The Dedication of the Basilicas of Sts. Peter and Paul, apostles; St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, virgin

National Catholic Youth Conference, Indianapolis (thru 11/23)

St. Cecilia, virgin & martyr

LCCB Meeting, Baton Rouge

St. Clement I, pope & martyr; St. Columban, abbot; Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro, priest & martyr

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Mary of Nazareth Movie/ Nov 17 & 18

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Our Lord Jesus Christ the King

Year of Faith Closing Mass, Cathedral, 11am

Catholic Schools Closed for Thanksgiving (thru 11/29)

Annual Clergy Business Meeting, Catholic Center,

THANKSGIVING

Catholic Center Closed

Catholic Center Closed

St. Andrew, apostle

St. Catherine of Alexandria, virgin & martyr

Thanksgiving / Nov 28 November 2013 23

DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave.

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Shreveport, LA 71104

Fairfield

Photo of the month by Saundra Nalley

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Sisters in front of the centennial art piece, 'Healing Hands" at St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe. The sisters took part in the hospital's 100 year celebration!

24 Catholic Connection