The Catholic Connection November 2019

Connection The Catholic

In this Issue...

2019-2020 Youth Schedule

Lumen Christi Award

Vol. 29 No. 4 Nov 2019

Vocation Highlight

Contents

FEATURES

16 2019 Lumen Christi Award from Catholic Extension

22 Recording the Remembered

by Kate Rhea

COLUMNS

4 MIKE’S MEDITATIONS

24

He Loves us Wherever We Are

by Mike Van Vranken

20

5 LIBRARY NOTES

by Kate Rhea

6 FAITHFUL FOOD Gratus

by Kim Long

7 SECOND COLLECTIONS

Second Collections for November

by Father Rothell Price

8 ACROSS THE NATION

15 14 Mary’s Mission

Vocation Awareness Week by the USCCB

Should Self-Care be One of Your Duties in Life

10 CATHOLIC CHARITIES

by Mary Arcement Alexander

Season of Growth and Transition

15 Youth Corner

Erin Smith

Youth Events for 2020

11 FROM THE POPE

from the Vatican Press Office

NEWS

26 Around the Diocese 28 School News 30 November Calendar

On the Cover

9 Seminarian Burse

12 Hopelessly Devoted Padre Pio

20 Leading in Research and

by John Mark Willcox

Education on the Shroud of Turin

by Dr. Cheryl White, Ph.D.

13 Hispanic News

Parroquias con Ministerio Hispano en la Diócesis de Shreveport por Rosalba Quiroz

25 #IGiveCatholic

23 Ryan Smith Award 24 Holy Trinity Catholic Church Celebrates Dedication

2 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Mack McCarter poses with children in front of a Friendship House

Prayer for a New Bishop

for the Diocese of Shreveport

Connection The Catholic

Publisher Fr. Peter B. Mangum Diocesan Administrator Editor Samantha Maiette Contributors Mary Arcement Kim Long Fr. Rothell Price Rosalba Quiroz Kate Rhea

Erin Smith Randy G. Tiller Mike Van Vranken Dr. Cheryl White John Mark Willcox

Editorial Board Lisa Cooper Kim Long Fr. Matthew Long Dianne Rachal Melina Sanchez Randy G. Tiller Deacon Mike Whitehead John Mark Willcox Mission Statement The Catholic Connection is a monthly publication funded by your Diocesan Stewardship 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.

All glory to You, Lord our God, our eternal Shepherd and Guide.

In your faithfulness, grant to the Diocese of Shreveport a shepherd whose watchful care and kindly zeal will be a constant witness of faith and love to the people entrusted to his care. In Your love for us, may he strive to live more and more each day with holiness of life and heroic virtue so that he will lead Your holy people in all truth by being Christ's heart of mercy, voice of hope, and mind of justice.

Prepare him, we humbly pray, to fill our minds and hearts with the truth of the Gospel, the power of the sacraments, and the desire to actively work to build up your holy Church. Through Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Subscriptions & Address Changes Contact: Samantha Maiette, Editor Email: smaiette@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.

NOVEMBER 2019 3

MIKE’S MEDITATIONS

He Loves Us Wherever We Are

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By Mike Van Vranken

hen they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying: He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner Luke 19:7. This passage from the familiar story of Zacchaeus the tax collector and Jesus having dinner at Zach’s place might lead us to assume that Jesus is not doing his Jewish duty (keeping the more than 600 Mosaic Laws) which forbid him to dine with sinners. To them, this was both a physical and spiritual betrayal or separation from other law-abiding, righteous Jews. Why wouldn’t Jesus just do his duty and abide by the law and keep his distance from these sinners?

A single mother raised her three daughters teaching them from early childhood the importance of family relationships. Sunday meals became such Van Vranken a tradition that once the daughters were grown and married, the mother still prepared Sunday dinner for everyone. After many years, during one such Sunday meal, the mother asked her three daughters why they had been so faithful to bringing their husbands and children to these dinners each week.

The youngest began: “Mom, you know we are so busy with school-work, soccer games, our own jobs and many other responsibilities. But we know you would be very upset if we didn’t show up on Sundays, and we would never want to make you mad at us. We feel it is our duty to be here.”

The middle daughter followed with: “Well, our family is just as busy as our baby sister’s family is. But you’ve always been there for us, so we feel like we owe it to you to at least be here on Sundays for you.”

The oldest smiled, walked over and hugged her mother and responded: “Yes, mom, we are all very busy, and we know how important these meals are to you and how wonderful you have always been to us. But, for me, over the years I have fallen in love with you and all who you are. I bring my family to Sunday dinners because I love you so much that I want what you want.

I find joy wherever you find joy. Sunday dinner with you is an expression of my love for you, not because you might get upset if we don’t come, nor is it some duty I owe you. I’m here solely because I love you and love being with you.”

The mother beamed with joy and love as she walked over and hugged and kissed each of her daughters. She said: “I love all three of you so much, and you have all filled me with joy and consolation today.”

Which one of the daughters do you think the mother loved the most? She loved them all three equally. That’s what mothers do. They each have a relationship with their mother that inspired them to be present each Sunday. It brought her joy and happiness.

This story can somewhat mirror our own relationship with 4 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

God. In our youth, it is necessary to learn discipline in our prayer practices, acts of charity, and our attendance at Sunday Liturgy. It begins as our duty. I believe this is good and holy to be trained this way.

As we grow in our relationship with God, sometimes we look back and realize all of the continuous and many graces God has blessed us with over the years and is still blessing us with today. At this point of our journey, we might feel so loved

by God that we want to be with him from a perspective of “we owe it to him.” After all, how can we ever repay him? Again, I believe this is a good and holy approach to our being with God in prayer, loving others, as well as worship.

And then sometimes, we find ourselves so madly, intimately and totally in love with God that we want only what he wants.

We’ve grown from receiving the sacraments and going to Mass as a result of duty or even a debt, and find we experience the sacraments, Mass, and works of mercy because they are part of our love relationship with God. In Jesus’ case, he loved the Father so much, having dinner with Zacchaeus and his friends was his way of loving God as his neighbor.

Which of these is better? They are all good and holy.

The beauty is, wherever we are on this continuum with God, he loves us unconditionally and infinitely. We don’t compare ourselves to or judge each other. We are here to serve God by loving him and loving all of his creation, including all people.

Each day, we just try to do it, with God’s grace, the best we can.

In your daily prayer time this month, remember to thank and praise God for loving you no matter where you have been, or are now in your journey with him. He loves you no matter what inspires you to serve him.

Mike Van Vranken is a spiritual director, author, speaker and teacher. You can contact him at mikevanvranken@comcast.net

LIBRARY NOTES

Theological Studies Thrive Through Slattery Library News & Notes Rahner’s Writings

By Kate Rhea

What's New?

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heological Investigations features over 20 volumes, expertly translated and edited for publication in English. The complete set is housed in Slattery Library & Resource Center as part of the WBF Collection, donated by the Most Reverend William B. Friend, first bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport.

Among the subjects covered in this series by Fr. Rahner are the development of dogma, Christology, Mariology, nature and grace. This groundbreaking collection is sought by serious students of theology no matter what their personal faith.

Karl Rahner, SJ (1904-1984), was a German Jesuit and theologian who, alongside Bernard Lonergan and Hans Urs von Balthasar, is considered one of the most influential Roman Catholic theologians of the 20th century.

Before the Second Vatican Council, Rahner had worked alongside Yves Congar, Henri de Lubac and Marie-Dominique Chenu; theologians associated with an emerging school of thought called the Nouvelle Théologie, elements of which had been criticized in the encyclical Humani Generis of Pope Pius XII. Theological Investigations, published after World War II and translated in the 1980s for publication in the US, is not a systematic presentation of Rahner's views, but, rather “a diverse series of essays on theological matters characterized by his probing, questioning search for truth,” according to the Karl Rahner Society.

For more information on this or other collections and resources at Slattery Library, call the Catholic Center or e-mail Kate Rhea at krhea@ dioshpt.org

Kate Rhea, administrative assistant for the library and cemetery, is available to help patrons research information, search and select reading material, and even host group meetings in the library. With themed displays each month and many newly cataloged materials ready to borrow, our library is revitalized and ready to serve our patrons.

To sign up for the newsletter featuring topical and seasonal collections, information on newly catalogued books, book and movie reviews, information on book clubs, and more, please e-mail Kate at krhea@dioshpt.org.

Visit the Slattery Library Visit the Slattery Library inside the Catholic Center!

The library is open Monday Friday from 9am to 4:30 p.m.

3500 Fairfield Avenue Shreveport, LA 71104 318-868-4441 NOVEMBER 2019 5

FAITHFUL FOOD

Gratus

By Kim Long

“Behold, I am making all things new.”

Revelation 21

I

Joanne Sigler’s Bereavement Bean Salad

n our “post-modern” secular driven Ingredients: society it is even more difficult • 2 cans regular cut green beans to be, as St. Paul tells us, “in the • 1 can LeSuer English peas world but not of the world;” - more • 1 can baby lima beans difficult to live the life of a believer.

• Small jar pimento beans Gratitude... I seldom see it • ⅔ cup salad oil coming. And let me tell you I • ⅓ cup tarragon vinegar absolutely didn’t see it this time. It • 1 tsp. salt crept up on my blind side and hit me • ½ tsp. Paprika over the head.

• Pepper to taste The church was pretty full, especially for a funeral Directions: these days. The cantor 1. Drain beans and pimento and place in bowl got us on our feet and 2. Combine salad oil, tarragon vinegar, salt, paprika and pepper we began almost with 3. Pour over beans and gently combine automation, singing 4. Cover and chill until ready to serve the time-worn verses Long of “Amazing Grace;” its everyone who was full of comfort has returned to work. phrases and comforts sealed in my The house can seem too empty and quiet. Perhaps this is heart since childhood. I watched as the family struggled down the aisle in varying stages of numbness and raw grief. why we lingered, first in the vestibule, then down the steps and finally in the Parish Hall where some food awaited the As the reader that day I whispered a prayer: “Please family and friends.

God let them hear you and not me.” The Mass of the In the coming days, I will hold this family in prayer Resurrection was moving right along. Time now for the and for the first time in my life, I will pray for everyone Liturgy of the word. The First Reading posed no problem, an easy “two-pointer:” the Psalm, a favorite, sounded fresh who is going through this, that they feel the healing touch on my ears and I seemed to really hear it for the first time. of God. I am sincerely thankful for the many times I have felt His touch in my own life.

I chose the Second Reading as a safe bet - a lesser-known Driving home I thought how gratitude had come into passage from Revelation. Looking up I caught sight of my play with this funeral. It wasn’t that I was grateful “it friend who was grappling with the loss of her husband and wasn’t happening to me,” for as brothers and sisters in best friend. I faltered. Glancing up from the text my eyes rested on his daughters. I stumbled a second time. The rest Christ, each death affects us on some level. I was suffused with gratitude that I responded to God’s invitation to the of the words caught in my throat and I breathed deeply.

Catholic faith and its particular way of life; grateful that I Finishing up, my reading bouncing off the rim, merely had taken time from my busy schedule to be present in a passable.

Returning to the ambo for the intercessions, I felt, and small way to this family at this difficult time. I am grateful not for the first time that day, tears pricking my eyes. Soon my path is laid out; that from baptism to the celebration of life in the world to come we are guided by, among other I was back in my seat, the song for the preparation of gifts things, the liturgy which I see today so clearly, as alive and reminding me that God is truly my stronghold and I shall breathing life into us. not be afraid at all. And I do not believe I am afraid, but Behold we are all being made anew. neither am I ready to look my own mortality in the face and if I am honest, for the first time it felt as if we were staring one another down.

The Mass of the Resurrection was at a close. I know Kim Long is the director of Religious Education at St. Mary of the Pines Parish from experience that the hardest days are still to come in Shreveport, LA. for this family. Those ordinary Tuesdays, “the rest of us barely register” when the casseroles are on the wane and

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SECOND COLLECTIONS

Second Collections for November

by Father Rothell Price

Catholic Campaign for Human Development Collection Dates: November 23rd & 24th Announcement Dates: November 10th & 17th The Catholic Campaign for Human Development Collection occurs annually in the month of November.

My attention was drawn to a constant theme of CCHD, “Helping People Help Themselves.” The Gospel-inspired goal of the Campaign for Human Development is to help individuals and their communities permanently rise out of poverty. “CCHD requires that projects develop community leadership and participation so that their solutions Archdiocese for Military Services to poverty will be long-lasting and Collection Dates: November 9th & 10th effective.” As a Catholic, I am proud Announcement Dates: October 27th & November 3rd that my Church is actively laboring to make the presence of the kingdom of he National Collection for the Archdiocese for the Military God a true and full reality. This is what Services (AMS) is taken up in Catholic parishes throughout CATHOLICS and the CATHOLIC the United States once every three years since it was CHURCH are doing to make the world Price established in 2013. The proceeds from this national collection a better place. will support pastoral care and ministry to Catholic families stationed all around The work of CCHD and the the world, as well as to Catholic patients in the Department of Veterans Affairs contributions of people of faith, like Medical Centers throughout the United States, Guam and Puerto Rico. Since you, puts flesh and bones on the saying, the Archdiocese for the Military Services receives no funding from the U.S. “pray as if everything depends on God; Government or the U.S. Military, the AMS is entirely dependent on private giving act as if everything depends on you.” from Catholics such as you and me.

“Working on the Margins” is the theme Archbishop Timothy Broglio, the Ordinary of the AMS, wrote: “Increasing for the Catholic Campaign for Human the Catholic community’s awareness about the Archdiocese for the Military Development Collection.” “Your Services, USA, and its sole responsibility for the spiritual care of approximately 1.8 generosity to the Campaign is building million Catholic men, women and children who hail from all 50 states and U.S. more meaningful and just communities. territories – including those from your own parish – is of critical importance.”

With your support, people living on Please participate willingly and generously in the National Collection for the the margins can create real change in Archdiocese for the Military Services. their lives.” Most Reverend David P. We American Catholics have a unique opportunity to support Catholic Talley, Chairman, Subcommittee on ministry in the U.S. military and to all who seek treatment at VA Medical the Catholic Campaign for Human Centers. Through your participation in the National Collection for the Development.

Archdiocese for the Military Services, active duty and retired veterans from East The Catholic Campaign for Human Texas, Southern Arkansas, North and Central Louisiana, and West Mississippi are Development is our unified effort to spiritually cared for. end poverty right here at home. Are Please help the AMS meet an assortment of pressing financial challenges. you aware that your donation has you Above all, make it possible for them to bring the presence of Jesus Christ and “Working on the Margins” with Jesus His Church to our active and retired military families. Give generously to the and His Church? Thank you for your National Collection for the Archdiocese for the Military Services. generous participation in the second collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

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NOVEMBER 2019 7

National Vocation Awareness Week Highlights Vocation as Gift from God from the USCCB

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he Catholic Church in the United States will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, November 3-9, 2019.

During this week, dioceses across the U.S. lead the effort in parishes and schools to uphold and encourage the fostering of vocations among the faithful and to pray for those currently discerning a call to marriage, ordained ministry or consecrated life.

In his message for the 2019 World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Francis reminded the faithful that unlike a secular career, a vocation is a gift born from God’s own initiative: “The Lord’s call is not an intrusion of God into our freedom; it is not a ‘cage’ or burden to be borne. On the contrary, it is the loving initiative whereby God encounters us and invites us to be a part of a great undertaking.”

Whereas choosing a career requires much “doing” – such as the accomplishment of various tasks and goals – vocational discernment requires much “being.” At its core, vocational discernment is a process of self-discovery.

Assisted by divine grace, each person is invited by the Lord to receive the gift of a specific vocation whereby they manifest God’s love in a particular way to the outside world. In the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony, the husband and wife image the Trinity by their communion of love that produces new life; in ordained ministry, priests and deacons are called to minister in the person of Christ, the High Priest and Servant; and in consecrated life, each member is called to bear Christ’s love through a particular charism.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., of Newark, and Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations, echoed Pope Francis's definition of vocation as a gift. “Discerning a vocation is not the same as completing a checklist. It is a process of learning how to receive the greatest gift God could offer us – the gift of living in accordance with our true identity as a son or daughter of God.” For those currently discerning a vocation, Cardinal Tobin suggested that one always stay close to the Blessed

8 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Mother. “Entrust your vocation to Mary, the Mother of all Vocations. She will always direct you to her Son and intercede for you along the path the Lord has for you.”

Observance of Vocation Awareness Week began in 1976 when the U.S. bishops designated the 28th Sunday of the year for the celebration. In 1997, the celebration was moved to the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and in 2014, the Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations moved the observance of National Vocation Awareness Week to November to engage Catholic schools and colleges more effectively.

For more information regarding vocations please reach out to Fr. Jerry Daigle: jdaigle@ dioshpt.org or 318-868-441. You can also reach out to your local pastor.

Diocesan Seminary Burses

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he Diocesan Seminary Burse program provides the faithful of North Louisiana the opportunity to invest in the education and formation of our seminarians into holy and effective priests to serve the Diocese of Shreveport.

What is a seminary burse, and how do they contribute to seminarians?

A seminary burse is an endowment used to pay tuition, room and board for the seminarians of the Diocese of Shreveport. The principal amount donated is not touched, but invested, and the support for our seminarians comes from the earned interest. Each donation to a burse is truly a gift that will continue giving as more men enter priestly formation in the years to come!

Who can establish a burse?

Anyone can establish a seminary burse, and name it in honor of loved ones (e.g., family members, teachers, mentors, pastors), in honor of organizations and faith or social groups (e.g., Knights of Columbus councils, ACTS, schools, church parishes), for themselves or their families as an instrument of personal giving, or in memory of a deceased loved one. Burses and their balances, and new contributions, are listed monthly in The Catholic Connection.

Who can contribute to a burse?

Anyone can contribute any amount to any established burse.

How can I establish or contribute to a burse? You can

establish and name a burse with a donation of at least $250, or you can contribute any amount to a burse simply by designating its name when the contribution is made. Contributions may be mailed to the Office of Church Vocations, Diocese of Shreveport, 3500 Fairfield Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71104. Be sure to note the name of the burse in the memo line.

When is a burse completed?

Seminary burses are completed when the balance reaches $10,000.

Once this goal has been reached, and those who established the original burse wish to continue their donations, a new burse in the same name may be opened.

Thanks to Our Recent Donors (014) John G. Semmes ($450) (015) M. Adron & Dixie Ebarb ($500) (020) Greyhound Adoption League of Texas, Inc. ($250) (020) Mr. & Mrs. O. Michael Owens ($25) (020) Kathleen L. Lindley ($25) (020) Fran & Duncan McRae ($50) (020) Jim & Sandi Hill ($15) (020) Dr. & Mrs. Randy Kirchner ($25) (020) Leatrice Jones ($30) (020) Virginia M. Papa ($20) (020) Shreveport Medical Society Alliance ($25) (020) Deacon Charles & Nadalie Thomas ($50) (020) Roslyn P. Cotter Mee ($25) (020) W. R. & Tamara Lamb ($50) (020) William T. Murphy III ($50) (020) Mary Alberts Knoop ($50) (020) Thomas H. Murphy ($50)

Completed Burses

(001) Fr. Mike Bakowski Memorial Burse #1 ($10,000) (006) Msgr. J. Carson LaCaze Memorial Burse #1 ($10,000) (010) Memory of Rita Scott from the John Scott Family ($10,000) (011) Rev. David Richter Memorial Burse #1 ($10,000) (012) Jack E. Caplis, Jr., Memorial Burse ($10,000) (013) Mary Evans Caplis Burse ($10,000) (014) Bob & Peggy Semmes Memorial Burse ($10,000)

Incomplete Burses

(001) Fr. Mike Bakowski Memorial Burse #2 ($1,100) (002) Joseph & Antoinette Bakowski Memorial Burse ($2,500) (003) Sam R. Maranto Memorial Burse ($1,400) (004) Kathryn Atherton Cook Memorial Burse ($350) (005) Cathedral of St. John Berchmans ($450) (006) Msgr. J. Carson LaCaze Memorial Burse #2 ($3,082.12) (007) Dr. Carol Christopher Memorial Burse ($1,300) (008) St. Jude Parish ($5,718) (009) St. John Berchmans Knights of Columbus Council 10728 ($550) (011) Rev. David Richter Memorial Burse #2 ($2,104) (015) Bishop’s Seminarian Burse ($1,235) (016) Elaine Malloy Frantz Memorial Burse ($1,000) (017) Msgr. George Martinez Knights of Columbus Council 1337 ($7,521) (018) Knights of St. Peter Claver Council 144 ($850) (019) Margaret Glenn Memorial Burse ($1,250) (020) Dr. James V. Ward Memorial Burse ($890) NOVEMBER 2019 9

CATHOLIC CHARITIES

Season of Growth and Transition

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By Erin Smith

lthough it may not feel quite like fall yet, autumn is officially here. Spring and fall are often seen as times of transition and new beginnings, both in our physical world and the spiritual one. In spring, we have new plant growth, warmer temperatures, and the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. In fall, we have the changing of the leaves, cooler temperatures (hopefully), All Saints Day and the coming celebration of the birth of our Lord.

Just as the earth and our spiritual calendars are transitioning, Catholic Charities of North Louisiana is also experiencing change.

JoAnn Worley, the program coordinator in the Monroe CCNLA office, will be retiring later this month. JoAnn has served the organization for three and a half years and helped open the Monroe satellite office. She teaches the budget session for Money School in Monroe but attributes their success to the entire team. Executive Director Meg Goorley mentions that JoAnn “has the most compassionate heart of anyone I know. Her sincerity makes people feel safe in her presence. What a gift she has been to Catholic Charities!”

One of the highlights of her work at CCNLA is when a former client approached her in the store after work. The client explained to JoAnn that because of the information gleaned from the Money School budget session, she was able to find and keep a job, while paying bills on time.

“That made my day!” said JoAnn. “I can honestly say with a very grateful heart, that the beauty of the last three and a half years was seeing how God has brought all these individuals and agencies together to meet the needs of our fellow neighbors in our community,” JoAnn recounts. “Providing hope to our clients is what we do best, and it is through your generosity that this is being accomplished.”

Taking the vacant helm in Monroe will be Kirsten Gladen, a parishioner at St. Paschal’s in West Monroe.

“I prayed that God would send me the perfect person to expand the office in Monroe from three to five days a week, and He sent me Kirsten Gladen,” Goorley said. “Kirsten’s experience with behavioral health and business made her the ideal candidate for us.”

“I’m excited to get out in the community and spread the word about Catholic Charities in Monroe,” Kirsten said. Mica Williams, a member of Jesus Good Shepherd, has transitioned to full-time so that she and Kirsten can better serve clients in Northeast Louisiana.

Another new face joining the organization is that of Erin Smith. Erin joins CCNLA as the new development

10 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Gladen

Worley

coordinator, taking the place of Katherine Stringer-Davis.

Erin’s background includes work with various nonprofits in the Shreveport-Bossier area as well as public relations and marketing efforts for various businesses. “I’m excited to help grow CCNLA,” Erin said, “and further our message of love, hope and help for the most vulnerable among us.”

CCNLA will soon begin work to ready the charity’s new location in Shreveport. The building at 902 Olive Street in Shreveport, a former breast-imaging center, is a gift from the Diocese of Shreveport. Thanks to a generous donation from the Christus Foundation in 2017, the Diocese was able to deed the property to CCNLA in September. Renovations may take up to 18 months.

While transitions can sometimes be scary, Catholic Charities is meeting their changes with excitement and anticipation for a season of growth. “Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:1214)

To volunteer, locate, donate or are looking for more information about Catholic Charities please visit www.ccnla.org.

FROM THE POPE

Pope at Angelus: Every baptized person cooperates in the proclamation of the Word

By Christopher Wells, Vatican News

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orld Mission Day “is a good opportunity for every baptized person to become more aware of the need to cooperate in proclaiming the Kingdom of God through a renewed commitment”, Pope Francis said at the Angelus on Sunday.

The Holy Father reflected on a passage from the Second Reading in the Mass of the Day: “Preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction,” taken from St. Paul’s Second Letter to St. Timothy. “The tone is heartfelt,” Pope Francis said.

“Timothy must feel responsible for the proclamation of the Word”.

A new impetus He referred back to the Apostolic Letter Maximum illud, promulgated by Pope Benedict XV, which gave a “new impetus to the missionary responsibility of the whole Church”. Pope Francis said that, “in today’s changed context, Benedict XV’s message is still relevant and stimulates us to overcome the temptation of any selfreferential closure and any form of pastoral pessimism, in order to open ourselves to the joyful novelty of the Gospel”.

Pope Francis said that this means “hearing strongly the call to the mission towards all peoples and towards all those who, here among us, live on the margins”. He warned that living fraternity “only in our own closed circle means to suffocate the Spirit, who unites us to proclaim to all that Christ is our peace and in Him every division is overcome, in Him alone there is the salvation of every person and all peoples”.

Prayer, the indispensable condition for mission He then reminded us of the “indispensable condition” for “living the mission to the full”, namely, prayer “a fervent and incessant prayer, according to the teaching of Jesus proclaimed in today's Gospel as well, in which He tells a parable on the need to ‘pray always, and not give up’”, the Pope said. “Prayer, he continued, “is the first support the People of God can give missionaries”.

World Mission Day, he said, “is also a good occasion to ask ourselves, Do I pray for missionaries? Do I pray for those who go far away to bring the Word of God with their witness?”

Pope Francis concluded his reflection with the prayer that “Mary, Mother of all nations, might accompany and protect the missionaries of the Gospel every day”.

NOVEMBER 2019 11

HOPELESSLY DEVOTED

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Padre Pio

By John Mark Willcox

ne of the most well-known and controversial men of our faith is Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, O.F.M., Cap.; also simply known as Padre Pio. He has always held a special part of my heart because of his brave suffering with ill health, the persecution he endured for his holiness, and the thousands of lives he changed through the sacrament of reconciliation. There was an incredible demand on his time and energy from adoring Catholics world-wide during most of his lifetime, and yet he was still able to accomplish so much for the Gospel. We also share May 25th as our date of birth which makes him even more special to me.

Padre Pio lived a devout life dedicated to God despite the many physical ailments he endured including the stigmata which he received at an early age. Those fortunate enough to attend the Masses he celebrated reported feelings of spiritual transcendence and pure joy. People traveled from around the world to his Capuchin monastery of San Giovanni Rotondo in Italy just to have Padre Pio hear their confession, which in itself, became a life-changing event in the religious journey of thousands of the faithful.

One of Padre Pio’s greatest admirers was St. John Paul II, who beatified Padre Pio in 1999, canonizing him to sainthood in 2002. This helped bring to an end a long-standing conflict between Rome and the mystic.

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Rather than dwell on his incredible life of service to the people of God, I have chosen to focus on Padre Pio’s words that live on in well-known quotes of his public speaking, preaching and teaching: • • • • • • • • • •

Joy, with peace, is the sister of charity. Serve the Lord with laughter.

Prayer is the oxygen of the soul.

God enriches the soul which empties itself from everything.

If God sees blemishes in even the angels, can you imagine what He sees in me?

Walk the way of the Lord in simplicity, do not torment your spirit. Speak the truth, only the truth.

Do you not see the Madonna always beside the Tabernacle?

My past, O Lord, to Your mercy; my present, to Your

love; my future to Your providence.

God will not allow you to be lost if you persist in your determination not to lose Him. Doubting is the biggest insult to divinity.

After my death I will do more. My real mission will begin after my death.

HISPANIC NEWS

Parroquias con Ministerio Hispano en la Diócesis de Shreveport Por Rosalba Quiroz

E

n esta ocasión y ya que el mes de noviembre cierra el Año Litúrgico con la Festividad de Cristo Rey, es oportuno presentar un poco sobre la historia de esta comunidad en la parroquia con el mismo nombre, Cristo Rey en Bossier City.

La primer Misa se celebró en Marzo de 1991 y se continuó mensualmente bajo el cuidado del padre Walter Ebarb, con el apoyo del Padre Murray Clayton, del Padre Joseph Howard y del Padre Patricio Madden. Esta práctica se terminó en 1996 cuando por falta de sacerdotes, se suspendieron las Misas en Bossier. Sin embargo en 1999, con la llegada del padre Rigoberto Betancurt (padre Rigo) – quien regresaba del área de Monroe, se pudo re-comenzar una nueva etapa que permanecería vibrante hasta hoy.

En la actualidad, la comunidad de Cristo Rey tiene una gran variedad de servicios y parroquiales, tanto para niños como para adultos, asi como Misa varias veces por semana y un sinnúmero de ministerios que son necesarios para crecer en la fe y para tener una vida parroquial plena.

Algunos de los sacerdotes que han sido párrocos en Cristo Rey incluye al Padre Joseph Martina, Charles Glorioso, Rothell Price, Karl Daigle y el P. Mark Watson. Aunque estos sacerdotes han servido por poco tiempo cada uno, el padre Rigo ha permanecido al cuidado pastoral de los hispanos por ya casi veinte años.

Este año, por primera vez en la historia de la diócesis, un sacerdote hispano fue nombrado párroco, y es precisamente la parroquia de Cristo Rey quien recibió al padre Fidel Mondragón como párroco, y agregando el apoyo del padre Rigo, la comunidad está disfrutando de un gran cuidado pastoral.

Gracias a la dedicación de muchos voluntarios y sacerdotes dedicados a trabajar por la Iglesia, esta comunidad continúa creciendo tanto en número de feligreses como en fe, y en hermandad. No se podrían sentir más bendecidos y solo les queda disfrutar de este momento y trabajar arduamente para seguir construyendo el Reino que Cristo vino a comenzar hace más de dos mil años.

MINISTERIO HISPANO CATOLICO - DIOCESIS Rosalba Quiroz, Directora (318) 219-7265; rquiroz@dioshpt.org Melina Sanchez, Secretaria (318) 219-7257; msanchez@dioshpt.org

Cristo Rey: Bossier City

Rev. Fidel Mondragon Rev. Rigoberto Betancurt (318) 221-0238 Oficina Domingo-1:00pm Lunes y Martes-7:00pm Sabado-6:00pm

San Juan Bautista: Many

Rev. Rigoberto Betancurt (318) 458-6045 Cell (318) 256-5680 Oficina 1er Domingo-5:00pm

San Pascual: W. Monroe

Rev. Luis Jost, OFM (318) 243-0115 Cell Domingo-4:00pm Coordinadora: Lorena Chaparro

Santo Tomás Aquino: Ruston

Vicario General para la Diocesis de Shreveport Padre Rothell Price, JCL, V.G. (318)219-7259; rprice@dioshpt.org Coordinador de la Vicaría del Este Padre Luis Jost, OFM (318) 243-0115; pluisofm@yahoo.com

Sta Maria de los Pinos: Shreveport

Rev. Rigoberto Betancurt (318) 458-6045 Cell (318) 687-5121 Oficina Domingo-11:30am Coordinadora: Alma Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Mendoza Socorro: Farmerville (318) 678-9306 P. Luis Jost, OFM (318) 243-0115 Sábado-7:00pm Coordinadora: Paola Gonzalez (817) 801-3499

Rev. Tony Posadas, OFM (318) 225-2870 Oficina Domingo-1:30pm Coordinadora: Luz Martinez (318) 224-0980

Sagrado Corazon: Oak Grove

Rev. Joseph Kallookalam, CMI (318) 428-2683 Oficina Domingo-5:00pm

San José: Mansfield

Calendario Diocesano de Noviembre , 2019 5. Reunión mensual de Mujeres Emaús, Cristo Rey de 8-10ª.m

5. Clase de Ministerio de Intercesión, Cristo Rey de 10:30am -2:30pm 9. Clase de Protegiendo a los

Niños de Dios, Santa María de los Pinos, 6-9pm

11-13. Retiro Búsqueda Scottsville.

17-18. Entrenamiento “Fe en Acción” Wesley Centro de Conferencias en Woodworth, LA.

26. Gran Post-Búsqueda. Cel-

ebración por diez años de este retiro. Cristo Rey, de 10:30am y culminando con la Santa Misa a las 6p.m.

27. Reunión en preparación

para Experiencia Cristo#9. Parroquia Cristo Rey, 9-12p.m.

Rev. Rigoberto Betancurt (318) 458-6045 Cell 3er Domingo 3:00pm

NOVEMBER 2019 13

MARY’S MISSION

Should Self-Care Be One of Your Duties in Life?

By Mary Arcement Alexander

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35.

W

ebster’s dictionary defines duty as one of the following: a moral or legal obligation; a responsibility or a task or action that someone is required to perform. Typically when people think of the word “duty,” work comes to mind as well as parenting, abiding the law, voting and/or paying Alexander taxes. But I would like to pose this question: Is self-care a duty or a choice? Let’s look at this from God’s perspective.

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1Cor. 6:19-20.

Had anyone told me just a few short years ago that I would not only love my time in solitude but I’d love it in the early morning, I simply would not have believed them. But here I am, relishing each day in the wee hours of the morning where it’s just me, my coffee and God. Silence truly is one of the best gifts in life and Jesus knew it all very well. I believe He too relished in His quiet time with His Father. Imagine for just a moment what it must have felt like to have people always vying for your attention? It sounds a bit like motherhood, wouldn’t you agree, moms? I imagine, just like Jesus, you too want to go off to a solitary place and just be. I believe we all do. Taking time for yourself is not a luxury, it is a must! We all have the same 24 hours in the day, which means we all have the time. And although you may not like it, this time just may be “very early in the morning.”

“You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Ps. 139:13-14 Oh how I love this scripture! When I was growing up, my mom’s hobby was sewing and quilting. She would sit for hours carefully weaving together the fabric that would evolve into her creation. Whenever I read this scripture, I have this image of God (much like my own mother), sitting in a chair with two large knitting needles in His gentle hands, carefully moving in and out, up and down, back and forth. His smile is brilliant and proud as He slowly begins to see the formation of my hands (His hands), my feet (His feet) all carefully being crafted. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

“Glorify God in your body.” Let this one phrase sink in, really sink in, and then answer this question: Is how you treat your body glorifying God? I have a strong feeling your answer is probably “no.” So often we as Christians will know and even speak of how we are made in His image or how our bodies are a temple, yet we often fail at living out this belief. As a counselor, I hear from both I pose this question again: Is self-care your duty women and men, mostly women, about how much they hate their or choice?

From what I hear God saying, it is not bodies. For some, the hatred is visceral. We know not to hate people, or for that matter, we know not to hate at all. Yet hating of one’s only our duty, but a way we can best glorify Him. body is a truth for many and this truth reveals itself in both words “God saw all that God had made, and it was very and actions. We have control of only two things, our thoughts and good.” Genesis 1:31 our actions. Our feelings will happen on their own. Feeling hatred towards your body is technically out of your control. However, what you do with this feeling (hence thoughts and actions) circles Mary Alexander is a Licensed back to what you can control. Would you like to glorify God in Professional Counselor who has her own your body? If yes, stop wherever you are right now, close your eyes practice in Shreveport, LA. You can contact and whisper a quiet thank you to God for your body, just as it is. her at mkarcement@gmail.com

14 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

YOUTH CORNER

Youth Events for 2020 The year is winding down and with that our minds start turning towards the new year. Luckily for our youth there are some amazing events for them to attend next year. These events are wonderful opportunities for our youth to form bonds within their faith community, explore their faith and connect with God. For more information about each event check out their website or contact Mark Loyet at mloyet@dioshpt.org or the DRE at your parish.

March for Life (Monroe) When: January 26, 2020, 2pm – 4pm Who: Everyone Cost: Free Website: prolifelouisiana.org/louisiana-life-march-monroe/

Beyond the Limits (Alexandria, LA) When: March 7th & 8th, 2020 Who: Junior High youth grades 6th – 8th Cost: TBA (Usually around $125 per person) Website: www.diocesealex.org/beyond-the-limits

Abbey Youth Fest (Covington, LA) When: March 21, 2020 Who: Youth grades 8th – 12th Cost: TBA (Usually around $150 per person) Website: www.abbeyyouthfest.com

St. Joseph Seminary Come and See (Covington, LA) When: April 3rd – 5th, 2020 Who: High school/college age young men (ages 15+) Cost: Free

NOVEMBER 2019 15

When love increases.. crime decreases

Meet Mack McCarter, Winner of the 2019 Lumen Christi

I

by Elizabeth Boo Neuberget, Catholic Extenstion

n neighborhoods across Shreveport, Louisiana, a powerful movement is taking place that is rooted in neighborly love and faith. Based on the conviction that people crave connection and that vibrant communities are built on meaningful relationships, neighborhoods are being dramatically transformed, block by block.

Mack McCarter, who is leading the way, has seen the physical, emotional and spiritual evolution of several communities in the 25 years since he started his ministry.

Mack spent his adult life in ministry, having gone to seminary and been a pastor of an evangelical church in west Texas for many years. He returned to his hometown of Shreveport in 1991 and discovered many neighborhoods— that were once vital and thriving—were in great decline. They were facing gangs, drugs, violence, crumbling homes and people living in isolation.

During his time in Texas, he had 16 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

poured over scripture, counseled members of his flock, and sought to lead them as faithful followers of Jesus. But even within this vocation, Mack has discerned a deeper voice, urging him to pay close attention to the poor.

Christian life, he understands, is more than seeking personal holiness. It is about loving your neighbor, no matter what it takes.

And that’s how he found himself, on a Saturday morning in 1991, walking through the Allendale neighborhood of Shreveport, just trying to be neighborly.

He knew no one, and no one knew him.

But he was aware that the murder rate in this area was at a rate averaging nearly two people every week.

God told him to head toward “the Bottoms,” the toughest area of the city, and go door to door. He thought about taking the easy route first—“drive-by blessings,” he calls them, recalling how he tried to hedge on his promise to God. But God told him to go door-to-door on Saturday mornings, when “the bad guys are hungover,” and try to make

friends. The first people to greet him were kids, who unselfconsciously wanted to play with him. Emboldened by this spontaneous ice-breaker, he began to knock on doors, introducing himself and saying he wanted to be friends.

Many, he said, were more than a little dubious. But the key is that he came by every Saturday. And within three months, people were waiting on their row house porches, waiting for their turn to meet their gregarious neighbor.

Mack decided to enlist the help of the Bishop of Shreveport, William Friend, because in Mack’s experience, “Wherever the poor were, the Catholic Church was.”

He knew that Catholics reached out to the margins to help people. He explained to Bishop Friend his dream to renew their city by helping to establish new relationships among its residents.

The bishop was convinced. He invited Mack to speak in any of the Catholic parishes in the city and gave him a check for $10,000 to get to work.

Mack and the bishop struck up a life-changing friendship.

Not only did the bishop help Mack execute his dream, but he brought Mack to meet Pope John Paul II in Rome in 1998, and inspired Mack to convert to Catholicism.

Community Renewal International In 1994, Mack founded Community Renewal International (CRI) to resurrect the foundation of relationships in neighborhoods. He understands that friendship between neighbors does more than just provide good block parties; they connect people to their faith and to the intrinsic dignity of each person.

Relationships make people feel safe, confident and optimistic. They motivate them to go to church, school and jobs and to be good and productive citizens. Mack believes that strong relationships define all healthy societies.

The areas CRI serves have seen a 52 percent reduction in major crime—but nothing is more transformational than how these neighborhoods “feel” now: children are playing outside, people are smiling, houses look tidy and colorful community gardens have replaced former drug zones.

Outreach to neighbors, like what Mack did in Allendale years ago, is still fundamental to the CRI model. Mack and his team have scaled up that basic insight with three related initiatives: Haven Houses; the renewal team; and Friendship Houses.

Haven Houses More than 1,700 diverse leaders live in Haven Houses

throughout the neighborhoods and provide a broader platform for socializing among neighbors and helping each other. The leaders undergo training to become good listeners and build skills to develop relationships of trust.

The renewal team The Renewal Team consists of more than 50,000 people — who Mack calls the largest gang in town — who have signed “We Care” pledge cards, committing to service towards their neighbors. In 2018, over 2,000 volunteers gave nearly 40,000 hours of service. Members of the Renewal Team have bumper stickers and yard signs to make their commitment visible. Driving through these neighborhoods, one now sees house after house bearing “We Care” signs.

Friendship Houses There are 10 “Friendship Houses” spread throughout Shreveport in low-income, high-crime areas. With live-in leaders, typically a married couple, these houses are popular gathering places and a crucial presence in the neighborhoods.

Children come for after-school programs, teens gather to socialize and anyone in need of comfort or a little socializing, stops by.

The success of CRI is now being replicated in nine other places: Abilene, Texas; Palestine, Texas: Houston, Texas; Shawnee, Oklahoma; Lawton, Oklahoma; Ringgold, Louisiana; Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota; Washington, D.C.; and the country of Cameroon in Africa.

Reprinted with permission from Catholic Extension Society of America

“Mack and his mentors set the tone for my life and showed me a new path. They gave me the chance to make good choices.” -Michael Jackson Michael grew up in the “Bottoms,” the poorest neighborhood in Shreveport—one that was full of “gangs, drugs, prostitutes and a lot of things that kids should never see,” he said. But he had big dreams and wanted to work in law or politics. Deep down, he had a desperate yearning for positivity, and he found it in Mack. When Jackson was 12, Mack showed up on his street to “make some friends.” Mack told Jackson and his pals about the local Haven and Friendship Houses. Jackson eagerly accepted the invitation. “You went into these Houses and you felt safe. They hug you, ask you about your day, share scriptures, talk about the future and take you places to show you life beyond your own neighborhood,” he said. Jackson is now a lawyer, married with three children and a mentor to children. He has been a Haven House leader and is a big advocate for expanding CRI. “We can take this model, share it and keep it going like a domino effect to make this world a better place.”

NOVEMBER 2019 17

cuando el amor aumenta.. el crimen disminuye

conoce a el Senor Mack Mccarter, ganador del premio Lumen Christi 2019

E

de Elizabeth Boo Neuberget Catholic Extenstion

n vecindarios en todo Shreveport, Luisiana, se está dando un poderoso movimiento que viene del amor y fe de los vecindarios. Basados en la convicción de que la gente tiene necesidad de sentirse conectada y que las comunidades vibrantes son construidas en una manera significativa de relaciones, los vecindarios están siendo dramáticamente transformados, cuadra por cuadra.

El Sr.Mack MacCarter, lleva a cabo este proyecto y ha visto la evolución, física y emocional de varias comunidades en los 25 años desde que comenzó.

Mack pasó su vida de adulto en el seminario, y fue pastor de una iglesia evangélica en el Oeste de Texas por muchos años. Regresó a su tierra natal de Shreveport en 1991 y descubrió que muchos vecindarios que una vez eran vibrantes – se estaban decayendo completamente. Había pandillas, drogas, violencia, casas cayéndose, y la gente viviendo en aislamiento.

Durante su tiempo en Texas, aprendió de las Escrituras, aconsejó a muchos miembros de su rebaño, y quiso siempre llevarlos por el camino de fe como seguidores de Jesus. Pero

18 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

aun dentro de ésta, que era su vocación, Mack sentía escuchar una voz más profunda, que le urgía poner más atención a los pobres.

Entiende la vida Cristiana no solo como buscar la santidad personal. Si no que se trata de amar al prójimo, no importa lo que pase.

Y así es como se encontró un sábado en la mañana en 1991, caminando por el vecindario de Allendale en Shreveport, tratando de ser amigable. No conocía a nadie, y nadie lo conocía a él. Pero él sabía que en promedio el nivel de asesinatos en esta zona era de dos personas por semana.

Dios le dijo que caminara hacia “más abajo,” que era el área aún más peligrosa de la ciudad, y que se fuera de puerta en puerta. Recuerda que él pensó en tomar el camino fácil – “manejar y bendecir,” recordando como trató de esquivar un poco su promesa hacia Dios.

Pero Dios le dijo que no era así, sino que fuera de puerta en puerta los sábados por las mañanas, cuando “los delincuentes están crudos de la borrachera del día anterior” y tratara de hacer amigos de esa manera.

Los primeros que lo saludaron

fueron los niños, quien sin pensar como adultos querían jugar con él. Feliz con este buen comienzo, empezó a tocar puertas, presentándose y diciendo que quería que fueran amigos.

Muchos, se mostraban poco indiferentes. Pero el continuó pasando cada sábado a visitar. Y en tres meses, la gente estaba ya esperándolo en sus porches, queriendo saludar a este amigable vecino.

Mack decidió pedir ayuda del entonces Obispo de Shreveport, William Friend, sabiendo que, “donde están los pobres, ahí está la Iglesia Católica.” Él sabía que los católicos ayudaban a la gente marginada. Le explicó al Obispo Friend su sueño de renovar la ciudad ayudando a establecer las relaciones entre los residentes. El Obispo se convenció.

Invitó a Mack a presentarse a cualquiera de las parroquias Católicas en la ciudad y también le dio un cheque de $10,000 para comenzar el trabajo.

Mack y el Obispo se convirtieron en amigos por vida. No solo ayudó el obispo a Mack a llevar a cabo su sueño, sino que llevó a Mack a conocer al Papa Juan Pablo II en Roma en 1998, y lo inspiró a convertirse al catolicismo.

Renovación Comunitaria Internacional En 1994, Mack fundó la organización, Renovación Comunitaria Internacional (CRI en Ingles) para reavivar la base de las relaciones en los vecindarios. Él entiende que la amistad entre vecinos hace más que solo festejar juntos; conecta a las personas con su fe y con la dignidad interior de cada una de ellas.

Las relaciones hacen que las personas se sientan seguras, confiadas y optimistas.

Los motivan a ir a la iglesia, a la escuela y al trabajo y ser ciudadanos buenos y productivos. Mack cree que las relaciones sólidas definen las sociedades saludables.

Las áreas a las que presta servicio CRI han visto una disminución del 52 por ciento en delitos graves, pero nada es más transformador que cómo se “sienten” ahora estos vecindarios: los niños juegan afuera, la gente sonríe, las casas se ven ordenadas y los coloridos jardines han reemplazado las antiguas zonas de drogas.

El acercamiento a los vecinos, como lo que hizo Mack en Allendale hace años, sigue siendo modelo fundamental para CRI. Mack y su equipo han ampliado esa visión básica con tres iniciativas relacionadas: Casas de Refugio; Equipo de Renovación; y Casas de Amistad.

Casas de Refugio Más de 1,700 líderes diversos viven en Casas de Refugio en todos los vecindarios y brindan una plataforma más amplia para socializar entre vecinos y ayudarse mutuamente.

Los líderes reciben capacitación para convertirse en buenos oyentes y desarrollar habilidades para crear relaciones de confianza.

Equipo de Renovación El Equipo de Renovación está formado por más de 50,000 personas, que Mack llama la pandilla más grande de la ciudad, que han firmado tarjetas de compromiso "Nos Importa", comprometiéndose a servir a sus vecinos. En el 2018, más de 2,000 voluntarios dieron casi 40,000 horas de servicio. Los miembros del equipo de renovación tienen calcomanías en sus automóviles y carteles en sus yardas para hacer visible su compromiso. Mientras conducen por estos vecindarios, se pueden ver carteles de "Nos importa".

Casas de Amistad Hay 10 "Casas de Amistad" dispersas por Shreveport en áreas de bajos ingresos y alta delincuencia. Con líderes residentes, generalmente una pareja casada, estas casas son lugares de reunión populares y presencia esencial en los vecindarios. Los niños reciben ayuda después de la escuela, los adolescentes se reúnen y socializan y además, cualquier persona que necesite apoyo o un poco de compañía, entra ahí.

El éxito de CRI se está reproduciendo en otros nueve lugares: Abilene, Texas; Palestina, Texas: Houston, Texas; Shawnee, Oklahoma; Lawton, Oklahoma; Ringgold, Luisiana; Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota; Washington DC.; y en el país de Camerún en África.

Muchas personas y asociaciones están en el corazón de CRI. Con un enorme acercamiento, CRI impacta a una diversidad de personas.

“Yo me veo en estos niños, y sé que puedo darles esperanza.” -Pam Morgan Pam Morgan creció en el barrio empobrecido de Allendale. “No sabía de dónde vendría mi próxima comida. Estaba perdida, sola y sin esperanza”, dijo Pam. Como adulta, se divertía en exceso, tuvo cuatro hijos y sufrió relaciones abusivas. Cuando su madre murió, quien había sido “su gran apoyo”, tocó lo más bajo. Para ayudar a salvar a sus hijos, los llevó a la Casa de Amistad, que era la única luz en su vida.

Mack vio que era una gran cuidadora de niños y, en 2001, le preguntó si le gustaría trabajar en CRI. Desempleada y viendo el poder de este movimiento, alegremente ceptó. Recientemente se mudó a la Casa Amistad, como líder, y con amor dirige el programa después de la escuela para niños de K-5to grado con sus hijas.

NOVEMBER 2019 19

Leading in Research and Education on the Shroud of Turin

I

By Dr. Cheryl White

n early 2018, Fr. Peter Mangum, Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Shreveport and Rector of the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, and Dr. Cheryl White, Professor of History at Louisiana State University at Shreveport and Curator, Museum of the Holy Shroud, were granted access to the Vatican Secret Archives to research medieval papal documents potentially related to the Shroud of Turin. As a result of that initial research, Dr. White presented a scholarly paper they co-authored entitled,“Re-Examining the Record: Contextual Analysis of a Letter by Pope Innocent III,” at the 2019 International Conference on the Shroud of Turin held in Toronto, Ontario. The paper argues that there is contextual and linguistic evidence contained in letters of Pope Innocent III (1198-1216) surrounding the Fourth Crusade which indicate an awareness of the Shroud’s presence in Constantinople at that time. The paper will be published in the proceedings of the conference in early 2020, as well as in other international peer-reviewed sites.

Their work related to this fascinating relic of Christianity has been ongoing and multi-faceted. Fr. Peter Mangum and Dr. White were recently able to consult with both the religious and scientific communities in Turin, Italy, where the Shroud has been kept since 1578. In September 2019, Fr. Peter Mangum and Dr. White met with the president of the Archbishop of Turin’s Commission on the Holy Shroud, as well as members of the International Center for Sindonology.

They were accompanied by Barrie Schwortz, the original documenting photographer on the Shroud of Turin Research Project of 1978, and Fr. Andrew Dalton, professor of Shroud Studies at the Regina Apostolorum in Rome. The purpose of these meetings was to further collaboration between the center in Turin and the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, which houses the Museum of the Holy Shroud (the Richard Orareo Collection), the second-largest publicly available collection of Shroud-related artworks and artifacts in the world, surpassed only by the Museo della Sindone in Turin. Following their meetings in Turin, Fr. Mangum and Dr. White were again given access to the Vatican Secret Archives to continue their research into the Shroud’s so-called “Missing Years” of the thirteenth century. This archival visit is expected to produce at least one more major scholarly paper as a follow-up to the findings presented at the 2019 international conference.

Their educational efforts have extended to public presentations and lectures to diverse national audiences, including seminaries and universities, and religious and secular groups. Their podcast series produced in 2018, Who is the Man of the Shroud? continues to reach a diverse international audience. They are also currently collaborating and consulting with the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C. on a major planned Shroud exhibition. The national kick-off event for that major exhibit is planned for January 2020.

20 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

This past summer, the Louisiana State Senate passed Resolution 124, put forth by Sens. John Milkovich, Barrow Peacock and Ryan Gatti, commending Fr. Peter and Dr. White for their work in advancing knowledge of the Shroud, as well as contributing to the educational culture of the area. Dr. White was able to be present to accept the special resolution on the floor of the Senate.

The Shroud of Turin is believed by many to be the authentic burial cloth of Jesus Christ, the same cloth described in the Gospel accounts that was found in the empty sepulcher. The cloth is the most studied object in history, yet the explanation for the mysterious image upon it, that of a scourged and crucified man, remains elusive to scientists and other academic disciplines. The research and educational initiatives of Fr. Mangum and Dr. White has been in response to these ongoing questions, as they continue to seek opportunities to reach the hearts and minds of many people through the message of the Shroud.

Graphic Novel Series on Shreveport 1873 Yellow Fever Epidemic Martyrs RIGHT: The Catholic Connection is running a graphic novel series each month, featuring the story of five priests who gave their lives in service to others in the Shreveport Yellow Fever epidemic of 1873. The seventh page of this series shows Father Pierre succumbing to exhaustion and illness and sending for assistance. This graphic novel is provided courtesy of the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans and is illustrated by Deacon Andrew Thomas.

NOVEMBER 2019 21

Recording the Remembered

By Kate Rhea

A

s part of an ongoing cemetery restoration project, the Diocese of Shreveport has created a database to collect and maintain information on each grave in St. Joseph Cemetery. With one hundred thirty-five years of history, St. Joseph Cemetery is a cultural treasure to not only Catholics in the area, but the City of Shreveport as well.

Many of the deceased, now resting at St. Joseph Cemetery, were Italian and French immigrants who helped build Shreveport in its early post-Civil War years, from Slattery and Gras to Drouin, Doll, and Maranto. As the late Shreveport historian Eric Brock explains, “An archive of the city’s immigrant population can be found at St. Joseph. Names of many national origins can be found there, such as: French, German, Italian, Greek, Russian, Polish, Syrian and Lebanese, Austrian, Spanish, Mexican, Irish, African-American, and many others. Their one common thread is adherence to the Roman Catholic Faith.”

The importance of archiving information about the deceased at St. Joseph Cemetery is paramount to keeping their incredible histories alive. Gravestones, markers, and mausoleums feature general information, albeit sometimes incorrect or illegible due to years of weathering, but the database project aims to decipher and document the correct information for archival purposes. In the future, limited information will be available to the public for research purposes.

Collecting and documenting information on those interred in St. Joseph Cemetery is an important part of burying the dead, one of the Corporal Works of Mercy. The lives of Catholics who helped advance Shreveport while practicing their faith serve as a reminder of how important those qualities are, in any century.

While St. Joseph Cemetery is long-standing and time-honored, there are still hundreds of plots available in this sacred paragon which are available for purchase.

If you would like information on purchasing burial rights in St. Joseph Cemetery, please call the Catholic Center or e-mail Kate Rhea at krhea@dioshpt.org.

22 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Restorations of the Yellow Fever Priest Graves

By Randy G. Tiller

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ur restoration of the crypts in the Calvary Mound is progressing nicely. You will notice that concrete walls have been poured around the crypts that were brick and mortar. We are now in the process of painting the crypts to reduce fungus, algae, weathering and discoloring. The gray was decided on as it will compliment beautifully the new granite ledgers that are on order to be engraved and placed over them.

The three priest victims of the Yellow Fever Epidemic are awaiting an answer to the application to have them declared “Servants of God,” the first step in the canonization process. The new granite ledgers for those three priests have been paid for through the generosity of a long standing Catholic family in the diocese with family ties to the cemetery.

We are hoping that the ledgers of the other deceased Holy Trinity pastors will also be covered through donations from the faithful.

Another large project at the Cemetery is replacing the clear glass in the Chapel Mausoleum with stained glass and new doors. Another large Catholic family is looking at that project.

No matter what the level of interest or the level of donation, everyone is asked to remember a loved one buried at St. Joseph Cemetery by making a donation to continue the renovation of the only Catholic Cemetery in the Shreveport/Bossier Area.

It has been brought to my attention also there is a marble altar on the East side of Forest Park Cemetery that the diocese placed there many years ago. In future articles look for information regarding the complete new landscaping, cleaning and renovation of that outdoor altar.

If you are interested in the Forest Park project please email: Randy Tiller, Chancellor: rtiller@dioshpt.org.

Job Well Done!

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By Randy G. Tiller

ocal members of the Knights of Columbus came to the aid of the Diocese of Shreveport on September 14th after a request for assistance was sent by the Chancellor of the Diocese. Mike Rose, State Faith Director put together a team from several of the councils including Marian #3779, Santo Nino #16094, Christ the King #16355, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans #10728, Bossier #4873 and Broadmoor #3407; that responded in force to assist in cleaning up a donated piece of property just off of the intersection of Mansfield Road and Highway 3132. Between 20 and 30 brother Knights and staff members of the Catholic Center facilities department reported to clean up an area which had previously been used over many years as a homeless refuge and dump site. Many Knights brought family members to help the cause and assist in the clean-up.

A large commercial dumpster was over filled with furniture, clothing, office equipment, make shift tents and beds, an abandoned fire place and all types of assorted trash. The Diocese rented a “bobcat” earth moving machine and the Knights of Columbus brought in a front end loader to move the big stuff around. With all of the effort put out by those in attendance, the job was completed in less than 3 hours.

The Diocese of Shreveport would like to thank all of those who took part in the clean-up, namely the Knights of Columbus and their family members and the facilities staff of the Diocese of Shreveport.

This is a list of the knights and family members that came to the aid of the diocese that we wish to personally than: Mike Rose, Richard Gust, Tom and Marilyn McKissick, John Selloriquez, Patrick McKinnon, Steve Piraino, Madeleine Wasik, Richard Guzman, Israel Belvites, Oscar Gomez, Ignacio Gomez, PGK Rey A. Pangatungan, Ronald Pradez, Lad Cazedessus, Steve Cadwell, Joe Sepulvado; facility staff members: Ed Hydro, Tyrone McMiller and Dell Harris and Randy Tiller, Chancellor.

Ryan Smith Award

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By Robin Smith

ach year an award is presented to a teacher of Loyola College Prep and St. John Berchmans School; and an employee at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans. The award is given to those who have shown to be an outstanding teacher or an extraordinary employee.

This year, Stewart Maxie won the award for teaching an Introduction to Engineering for the first time in school history at Loyola College Prep.

The award has deeper meaning for Mr. Maxie as he was Ryan’s football coach and instructor throughout his years at Loyola. Catherine Mackey won at St. John Berchmans school. Finally, Pam Schaughnessy is the recipent for the Cathedral employee award.

Ryan William Smith was born in 1985 at Schumpert Hospital, one block away from LCP and SJS. Ryan attended preschool at SJS and continued his Catholic education all the way through 12th grade at LCP. He spent his entire childhood and teen years on that city block. He went on to LSU in Baton Rouge and received a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering.

He moved back to Shreveport, got married and entered an MBA program at LSUS. Then in 2012, Ryan was diagnosed with a type of cancer not many people have heard of. He fought the battle at MD Anderson in Houston and contributed his own genetic materials for scientific research to help find a cure. In June 2014, Ryan passed away.

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Holy Trinity Catholic Church Celebrates Dedication

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By Madeline Elford

he dedication of our present Holy Trinity Catholic Church in downtown Shreveport took place on October 1, 1899. Bishop Durier arrived at Holy Trinity in a carriage along with Fr. P. T. Brannan of Texas and Fr. Scharl, the 3rd pastor of Holy Trinity. They were met by other priests – local and visiting- and also by acolytes. They all marched around the exterior of the church blessing the walls. Back at the entrance they entered and proceeded to the altar and made a tour of the interior – blessing and sprinkling the walls with holy water. They proceeded to the altar and celebrated High Mass. The bishop delievered the sermon that included dedicating the church to the service of God. He was filled with joy and smiles.

The congregation filled the church. The choir lifted their voices in joyful praise and thanksgiving for their beautiful new church. Flowers adorned their place of worship. The interior was unfinished at that time except for the altar, chancel and choirloft. Other than that there were only bare brick walls. Mass would be held in the church from this point on.

Workmen would complete the interior as funds became available. The building is of Romanesque style with solid brick walls, pressed brick exterior and stone trimmings. Our present Holy Trinity was the conception of Fr. Gentille, the second pastor, who died in 1895 before the laying of the cornerstone on Sunday, September 27, 1896. Fr. Gentille is credited with relieving the debt that he found burdening the church upon his arrival. He planned the building of the beautiful edifice and instilled into the congregation the ambition that resulted in the magnificent place of worship that was dedicated on Sunday, October 1, 1899. Special credit belongs to the ladies who raised $14,000 prior to the death of Fr. Gentille for the building of the new church. Fr. Pierre founded Holy Trinity in 1856. His memory is held sacred. He was and is appreciated as a kind hearted, loving, self sacrificing and almost saintly priest. He, along with four other priests and three Daughters of the Cross, died in the yellow fever epidemic of 1873. Fr. Gentille planned our present church and upon his death on October 15, 1895 the plans were continued by the 3rd pastor, Fr. Scharl, who worked long and hard to complete the dream of Fr. Gentille.

Thus we are ever filled with gratitude and appreciation for our beautiful and holy structure and for the many people who made it possible to survive with so many years of labor.

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Holy Trinity in Downtown Shreveport Today

Holy Trinity in the past

This information was taken from the October 3, 1899 printing of The Shreveport Times

NOVEMBER 2019 25

AROUND THE DIOCESE

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Rosary Rally for the Daughters of the Cross

By Patti Underwood

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he First Annual Rosary Rally for the Daughters of the Cross was held at their mausoleum at Forest Park East on their feast day, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, September 14. Forty friends, family members, and former students braved the heat to attend. Sister Lucy Scallan, D. C., 94, gave everyone a rosary. She is the last Daughter of the Cross, not just in Louisiana, but in the world. The Daughters of the Cross were established in Paris in 1640 and came to Louisiana in 1855. There are 68 Daughters of the Cross interred in the Mausoleum, 77 beneath the Mausoleum, 11 in Marksville, 2 in Monroe, and 10

Alliance Against Underage Drinking

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epresentatives from Sabine Prevention Alliance Against Underaged Drinking (Ashley Barnhill & James Wagley) gave a presentation to the Saint John the Baptist Youth Group at their last Faith, Food & Fun meeting. (2)

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in France. Occupying the first spots in their section of the mausoleum are Rev. Maria Josephus Le Biler (whose cause for canonization is being postulated), Msgr. Napoleon Joseph Roulleaux, and Bishop Anthony Durier. The graves were moved to Forest Park from the original convent grounds, where Mall St. Vincent now stands. All were invited to lunch at El Jimador after the Rosary. (1)

Youth Provide Dinner for Volunteers

Food Donations for Elderly

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ecently, our Society of St. Vincent de Paul donated food items to the Sabine Council on Aging Emergency Food Pantry. Shown are SVdP President Madeline Leslie and Secretary/Treasurer Rosie Sullivan with SCOA employee Beverly Sumner. (3)

Birthday Celebrations

t. Joseph Catholic Church, Mansfield, C.C.W was represented by St. Martha’s Circle hosting the September Residents birthday party at the Toledo R & R in Zwolle. Mr. Fred Scott was one of the three celebrating that day on Sept.22.

These ladies love visiting with all the residents and bringing their little helpers along to put a smile on everyone’s faces. (5)

he St Paschal Youth group of West Monroe hosted a volunteer appreciation dinner for the Feed the Youth teams. The teams provide a meal to feed the youth each week during their youth group meetings. Each volunteer was presented with a gift during the dinner. (4)

Faith and Medicine

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r. Jeff & Anita White hosted a Reception in their home for the Catholic Medical Students at LSU Medical School - Shreveport. (6)

Send submissions to "Around the Diocese" to smaiette@dioshpt.org. Please include a photo that has not been resized and a brief description.

NOVEMBER 2019 27

SCHOOL NEWS

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St. Frederick High School Students Qualify for Duke Gifted Program

eventh grade students at St. Frederick High School, Monroe, LA., have been invited to join the prestigious 7th Grade Talent Search for gifted students sponsored

by Duke University’s Talent Identification Program, better known as Duke TIP. Each year a select group of students in the United States are identified as academically gifted based on their exceptional standardized test scores in school and are invited to participate in the TIP program. Only students scoring in the 95th percentile or better on standardized tests qualify. This year, thirty percent of the seventh grade class at St. Frederick High School have been identified as gifted.

Participants are invited to take the above-grade level ACT or SAT tests designed for college-bound tenth and eleventh graders so that their academic abilities and potential can be more accurately evaluated. They also receive a variety of support services and gain access to research and other information about using their academic abilities more effectively.

Blessing of the Pets

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t. Joseph School students distributed their handmade St Francis of Assisi holy cards for the St. Joseph Blessing of Animals at University Veterinary Hospital on Friday, October 4th. They also served as greeters and aided Rev Matthew T. Long as he led the Blessing. (2)

Community Outreach

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he Monroe Fire Dept came to talk to Our Lady of Fatima students about fire safety. Then they played a little basketball with the fourth graders!

They also got to tour the fire trucks and one of our 2nd teachers, Laynie Hopfinger, tried on the suit. (3)

Raising Awareness for the Less Fortunate

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n Wednesday, September 25th, Jesus the Good Shepherd School hosted the SVDP Friends of the Poor Walk/Run. This event each year helps raise awareness of the SVDP organization and pharmacy among our JGS students and parents. Students arrive at 7:30 a.m. to run/walk in support of SVDP. The SVDP Poor Man’s Supper was held on the evening of the 25th at the JGS gymnasium.

We are very proud of our students’ participation and involvement in this wonderful event each year. (6)

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Senior to Play D1 Tennis

ongratulations to Loyola Senior Tennis player Tiffani Nash, who has verbally committed to Missouri State University to play Division I tennis! She plans to make it official on November 13th on National Signing Day!

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The Duke University Talent Identification Program is a nonprofit educational organization that is recognized as a leader in identifying and serving the educational needs of academically gifted youth. Through identification, recognition, challenging educational programs, information, advocacy and research, Duke TIP provides resources to gifted students, their parents, educators, and schools to help gifted scholars reach their full academic potential.

St. Frederick’s seventh graders who have been recognized

by Duke TIP are: Audrey Barron, Ella Bonner, A. J. Jacola, Cullin McCarthy, Ellie Nagem, Stella Neitz, Kathryn Nunnelee, Maggie Rocconi, Tyson Smith, Anthony Jackson, Matthew Malloy, Mareesa Mellino, Baylee Mobley, Aiden Phelps, Marsala Trahan, and Wolf Donald. (1)

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Loyola Retreat

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ur Loyola students spent Monday, September 30, growing closer to one another and to God at our Annual Retreat. (4)

Weekend Trip for Middle School Students

n October, St. John Berchmans held a week of retreats for middle school students. The 8th graders attended The Pines Catholic Camp in the piney woods of Big Sandy, Texas for a 2 night, 3 day retreat away from the hustle and bustle of school and technology. SJB 8th graders have attended The Pines for over 15 consecutive years. The 6th and 7th graders attended local day retreats at The Knights of Columbus Hall with our director of religious education, Mr. Jim Yatcko.

SJB retreats provide days of reflection where students have the opportunity to escape the day to day and experience a deeper appreciation and understanding of their faith. Retreat experiences are an important part of faith development at SJB and an excellent tool for team-building among students. SJB's mission includes nurturing children in Catholic values and faith formation of the whole child-mind, body, and soul. (5) NOVEMBER 2019 29

NOVEMBER CALENDAR Come and See - November 8-10

DIOCESAN EVENTS November 8-10

Come and See All Weekend St. Joseph Seminary 75376 River Rd. St. Benedict, LA 70457 This is a free event for all men 16 years old and older who feel as though they are being called to the priesthood. For more information, please contact Mark Loyet at 318-219-7258.

November 9

FEAST DAYS November 1 All Saints

November 2 All Souls’ Day

November 4

St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop

November 9

The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

November 11

St. Martin of Tours, Bishop

November 12

St. Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr

November 13

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin

November 15

St. Albert the Great, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

November 16

St. Margaret of Scotland; St. Gertrude, Virgin

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November 18

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, Virgin

November 21

The Presentation of the Beloved Virgin Mary

November 22

St. Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr

November 24

Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Universe

November 30

St. Andrew, Apostle

HOLIDAYS November 11 Veteran’s Day

November 28

Thanksgiving Day

Protecting God’s Children 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Our Lady of Fatima Church 3205 Concordia St. Monroe, LA

November 13

Protecting God’s Children 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Catholic Center 3500 Fairfield Ave Shreveport, LA 71104

November 19

Annual Clergy Meeting 1 p.m.

Catholic Center 3500 Fairfield Ave Shreveport, LA 71104

November 21

Mass of the Holy Eucharist 4:30 p.m.

Holy Trinity Catholic Church Corner of Fannin and Marshall Sts. Shreveport, LA 71101

November 21

25th Anniversary Celebration and Lumen Christi Award Banquet 6:30 p.m.

Shreveport Convention Center 400 Caddo St. Shreveport, LA 71101

PARISH EVENTS November 2

Jesus the Good Shepherd Fall Festival 5:30 p.m.

900 Good Shepherd Lane Monroe, LA 71201 Please join us for fun, food, fellowship, bingo and so much more. All proceeds benefit JGS Church and School

Convention of Councils - January 11

November 3

Special Mass 9:00 a.m.

St. Mary of the Pines Church will be hosting its third National Black Catholic History Month Mass 1050 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop Expy Shreveport, LA 71118

January 11, 2020

Convention of Councils 8:00 a.m.

The Diocese of Shreveport will be hosting the Convention of Councils on January 11. The purpose of this event is for parish pastoral and finance councils to come together and swap ideas to improve mission effectiveness in each parish. For more information contact Randy Tiller, Chancellor, at rtiller@dioshpt.org or Linda Sutton at lsutton@dioshpt.org.

Catholic Center 3500 Fairfield Ave. Shreveport, LA 71105

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February 11, 2020

Mary’s House Pro Life Fête for Life Time to be confirmed – evening event Tuesday, February 11, 2020 Bossier Civic Center 620 Benton Road, Bossier City, LA 71111

On the Back

ioccesan Administrator Fr. Peter B. Mangum is pictured with other members of the Shreveport contingency at the Annual Meeting and Investiture of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of JerusalemSoutheastern Lieutenancy of the United States, held in Charleston, South Carolina, on October 18-20, 2019.

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Connection The Catholic

DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave.

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Shreveport, LA 71104

Fairfield

Fr. Peter B. Mangum with the Shreveport contingency at their Convention in Charleston, SC.