CATHOLIC CONNECTION VOL. 31 NO. 11 | JUNE 2022
the little way of eugenia manning
also inside: pope: catechesis on old age saint anthony, please come around legacy: the final installment of the daughters of the cross seies
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CATHOLIC CONNECTION PUBLISHER
Bishop Francis I. Malone
EDITOR
Kierstin Richter
CONTRIBUTORS
Mike Van Vranken Kim Long Mary Arcement Alexander Patti Underwood Rosalba Quiroz Polly Maciulski Jordan Harris Laura Cooper Karen Dill John Mark Willcox Allison Kulbeth Giselle Trejo Jean Woods Lawrence Pettiette
EDITORIAL BOARD Deacon Mike Whitehead John Mark Willcox Kim Long Kate Rhea Rosalba Quiroz Fr. Matthew Long Dr. Carynn Wiggins Fr. Pat Madden
SUBSCRIPTIONS & ADDRESS CHANGES Contact: Blanca Vice Email: bvice@dioshpt.org Write: The Catholic Connection 3500 Fairfield Ave. Shreveport, LA 71104 Call: 318-868-4441 Fax: 318-868-4609
SUBMISSIONS
Contact: Kierstin Richter Email: krichter@dioshpt.org The Catholic Connection is a member of the Catholic Press Association. The Diocese of Shreveport complies with Virtus’ Protecting God’s Children program. (www.virtus.org) Classes are offered every second Wednesday of the month at the Catholic Center in Shreveport. Online sessions are also available. To report child sexual abuse by a cleric or church worker in the Diocese of Shreveport, call your local law enforcement agency and Mary Katherine Arcement, Diocesan Victim Assistance Minister at 318-584-2411.
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 faith community.
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Enjoy the Ride “The important thing is not to think much but to love much; The same can be true with prayer. If we’re constantly and so do that which best stirs you to love.” analyzing and comparing and judging and trying to reason -Saint Teresa of Avila through the logistics of who or what we believe God to be, our prayer time might not be what we want it to be, Unless you’re a professional motocross racer, you’re and we may complain our spirituality has run dry. probably not worrying too much about thermodynamics Words are very clumsy, and we’ll never quite articulate on your Sunday afternoon ride. You’re probably not exactly what or who God is. The only way to truly know thinking about kinetic energy or friction (unless it just God is to love and experience His love. rained) or centrifugal force. You’re typically not too The Hindus have a Sanskrit expression, “of God we can concerned with reasoning with the physics of riding in only say, neti, neti - not this, not that.” We can never quite order to enjoy it. You’re just embracing the nice weather grasp God with our own intellect, but only with love. and the sweet smell of burning rubber. The face of God is revealed in the same way a sculptor Now of course, when you’re starting out, you have to reveals David in stone - by chipping away all that is not. learn the basics - how to shift, not to let out the clutch The heresy of gnosticism hinted that we could come too quickly, don’t brake in a turn, etc. But once you have to know God more fully by pure knowledge, something those down, you’re pretty free to feel it out and just I have always tried to do. enjoy the ride. You learn tips and tricks along the way You see, sometimes it’s easy to go down rabbit holes in concerning navigating bad roads or dealing with drivers trying to figure out “who” God is - as if God is something who don’t see you, but aside from the distraction of or someone to be understood. other drivers, it’s just you and the open road. But it’s this perfect surrender - of not assuming or Once you know what you’re doing, the experience is reasoning or judging or comparing, but embracing the simply flying. No thoughts, no judgments (except maybe grace and the love of God with open arms, without about the random potholes you’ve wanted the city to fix completely knowing or understanding how it came to for years), but it’s just you, the roar of the engine, and the be or how it fits into our weird and wacky world. So if smell of fresh air mixed with a little exhaust and asphalt. you’re an over thinker like me, take a chill pill. Or buy a It’s a beautiful, healing thing. motorcycle. Just enjoy the ride. But if you develop too much anxiety about the inner workings of the physics of the likelihood of your imminent demise, well, you’d either be pretty miserable or at worst, actually crash. JUNE 2022 3
contents
FEATURES
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The Little Way of Eugenia Manning: The Michaelangelo of DeSoto Parish Saint Anthony, Please Come Around
COLUMNS 6 8 14 15 18 20 24
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Bishop: I Love What I Get to Do! Pope: Catechesis on Old Age Poetry: Before the Blessed Sacrament by Laura Cooper Mary’s Mission: Our Father Daughters of the Cross: Legacy Faithful Food: Our Table as Refuge Mike’s Meditations: You are Free to Live your Calling, but What is Your Calling?
NEWS 5 17 24 27 32 34 37 38 39
28th Annual Red Mass Honors COVID Strike Team What Happened to Our Annual Appeal? Catholic Charities: Who We Are School News Hispanic News First Communion & Confirmation Around the Diocese Upcoming Events Seminarian Burses
On the cover: The interior of the Rock Chapel in Carmel, restored by Eugenia Manning. (For more see pg. 8) Contents Collage: (left) Bishop Malone, Tookie Barr, and Saint John Berchmans third-grade choir students, who sang for him on the 45th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. (right) All Schools Mass, Cathedral of Saint John Berchmans
28TH ANNUAL RED MASS HONORS COVID STRIKE TEAM On May 6, 2022, the annual Red Mass, sponsored by the Diocese of Shreveport and the Shreveport Red Mass Society, took place at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.This year’s honoree was the LSU Health Science Center Covid-19 Strike Teams under the direction of John A. Vanchiere, MD, PhD. These individuals have worked tirelessly alongside community partners since March of 2020 to administer almost 650,000 Covid-19 tests across North Louisiana including 89 nursing homes in North Louisiana, achieving one of the lowest infection rates in congregate settings in the United States. The Strike Team continued its work in 2021 partnering with the Louisiana Department of Education to deliver Covid-19 testing in our public schools, offering testing to more than 10,000 students since January 2021. Approximately 123,500 Covid-19 vaccines have been administered by this strike team at over 320 community sites, including the first large scale vaccination site in the State of Louisiana held at the Louisiana State Fair Grounds. Under the direction of Dr. John Vanchiere, pediatric infectious disease physician at LSU Health Science Center, these efforts have saved lives and made a tremendous difference in the general health and wellbeing of our community during these difficult times. In years past, such honorees as Supreme Court Justice Anton Scalia, Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York, and Bishop Michael Coleman of Port Elizabeth, South Africa have attended the Red Mass here in Shreveport, Louisiana.
In addition, local honorees including the men and women of Barksdale Air Force Base, the sisters and staff of Holy Angels, the generosity of the Community Foundation, and the good work among the disadvantaged of our community by the Society of St.Vincent De Paul have been highlighted. According to Larry Pettiette, Red Mass Chairman: “This year’s honoree adds to the strong legacy of the Shreveport Red Mass. To honor a group such as the LSU Health Shreveport COVID-19 Strike Team, locally based with national and international significance, which has done so much to help so many during a very difficult time, is indeed one of the highlights of our 25year history. To have Dr. Vanchiere and his group celebrating with us will make this year’s Red Mass particularly meaningful.” Significantly, Holy Trinity Catholic Church is the parish with stained glass windows memorializing the five Roman Catholic priests who died in the yellow fever epidemic of 1873 in Shreveport, Louisiana. These priests have recently been declared Servants of God, which is the first step to sainthood in the Catholic Church. A fitting venue to honor the modern local heroes who work the front lines of vaccination and testing during the Covid-19 pandemic.
LAWRENCE W. PETTIETTE, JR. is the Chairman of the Shreveport Red Mass Society. JUNE 2022 5
from the bishop
i love what i get to do!
This is just a test to see if anyone reads this article – and the reason for a “test,” is because I hope to use the overall theme of this article in a future homily, and I am hoping either a) you will like the introduction and conclusion of the article, or b) that when you hear me use this “story” in a homily, you’ll be able to say, “I remember reading that in the June Catholic Connection!” …Again, just a test. When you love what you do, you’ll never work another day in your life. Some say that Confucius was the origin of the expression. Others say it was Mark Twain. I first came upon it watching a Humvee commercial. The setting is two military officers, one female the other male. She is standing next to her newly purchased Humvee – he is just standing nearby questioning her about her purchase. Somewhere in the initial dialogue between them, he asks her, with a twinge of skepticism, “why would you want to buy a Humvee?” She, who is clearly a big fan of the vehicle, responds, “when you love what you do, you’ll never work another day in your life.” I have a close friend who recently was attending Mass locally, and the pastor of the church was 6
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lamenting in his homily (with justification) that with fewer priests available in our diocese, there might be a noticeable cut-back in services at the church. My friend told me that after Mass, one of the congregants commented to him, “why doesn’t the bishop get his butt up there to help out?” My reaction was to laugh, but then to wonder if the old adage, “in every bit of jest there is a bit of truth,” applied. You see your pastor at your parish church with regularity. You don’t see me unless there is a Confirmation or another special occasion. Which begs the question, “what does the bishop do when he’s not visible to the other parishes?” I love what I get to do! But, one of the most noticeable changes in my life since becoming a bishop is the reality that I no longer enjoy the frenetic pace of being a pastor of a parish. I loved being a pastor, and I didn’t mind the schedule. This was especially true when it hit me that I was not celebrating daily Mass for a congregation, or hearing confessions regularly, or having a regular schedule of baptisms. I miss that schedule – but it was quickly replaced by my present lifestyle of being responsible for all of the
40+ parishes and missions in our diocese. My weekends are generally full with a visit somewhere between our western Texas border to the Mississippi, or from the southern border of Arkansas to the northern border of the Diocese of Alexandria. Last weekend (from Thursday to Sunday) I traveled from Shreveport to Ruston, to Monroe, back to Ruston, back to Shreveport, and then to Vivian. I offered the sacrament of Confirmation at these churches, and in one case, twice in the same church. The number of Confirmandi varied from two in one parish, to 89 in another – but all required some travel, and each ceremony involved a Mass and a sermon. As I write this article, I have two Confirmations in the diocese 50 miles distant from the other. And still, I love what I get to do! In addition to Confirmations, I have daily meetings in my office and elsewhere concerning the affairs of the diocese, the welfare of our retired priests, the weekly meeting of our Diocesan Trustees, and the regular encounters with people who just want or need to visit. I am up early in the morning, and on a regular basis I offer daily Mass at the Catholic Center for diocesan employees. There is the usual daily mail – and the correspondence that goes along with it. I received my first “nasty” letter from a woman who likened me to Pontius Pilate because I moved her pastor, and another note from someone who just wanted to thank me for my homily at her church recently. Such notes just come with the job! The concerns that come my way as bishop involve virtually every parish and mission church in the diocese – you may not see me every Sunday, but many do. And then, I have meetings with staff, with members of our Priest’s Personnel Board, Priest’s
Council (called the Presbyteral Council), and with various members of my staff. The Diocesan Cemetery Board likes for me to attend their meetings, and, of course, there are always the planning sessions for this group or another. I would love nothing more than to
“If you love what you do, you don’t work another day in your life.” In other words, as busy as I am (and your pastors are too), it doesn’t seem so much like work, as it does doing what the Lord sent me here to do. have the regular contact with those entrusted to my care among the 40,000 + Catholics in our diocese – but the office of bishop doesn’t afford me the opportunity to just travel. That would be nice, but as much as I love my responsibilities as a bishop, there are limitations to what I can do, and where I can go, and in spite of what the gentleman lamented, my “butt” is busy, but I love what I get to do! If you are still reading, please do not read a word of complaint in this article from me – if Confucius and Mark Twain, and the folks at
Humvee are correct (and I believe they are) “if you love what you do, you don’t work another day in your life.” In other words, as busy as I am (and your pastors are too), it doesn’t seem so much like work, as it does doing what the Lord sent me here to do. Even, as right now, my schedule sandwiches me between celebrating the Baccalaureate Masses at Loyola College Prep in Shreveport and then in Monroe at St. Frederick’s. My presence at these Masses and then their graduations is expected, and still, I love what I get to do! Some good souls will ask, “what can I do to help my pastor? Or “what can I do to help my bishop?” or “What can I do when the shortage of priests in our diocese results in a cut back of services we have been use to enjoying?” Pray. Pray for your pastors – we are so blessed to have wonderful priests in the Diocese of Shreveport – just not enough of them. Pray for an increase of vocations to the priesthood – don’t just lament that there are not enough. Pray for Nicholas Duncan, newly ordained to the priesthood. Pray that I will continue to have the time and the opportunity to visit as many parishes as I am able. I love what I get to do! And without complaint. And while I am at it – I love each of you and those wonderful opportunities to visit parishes from Caddo parish to Zwolle, to Ruston and Monroe, and Lake Providence and Oak Grove and every other parish in between. I love what I get to do – (and I pray you do as well). May the Lord continue to make the most of our love for Him! Your brother in the Risen Lord,
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from the pope
catechesis on old age
GENERAL AUDIENCE: St Peter’s Square, Wednesday, 4 May 2022 Dear brothers and sisters, good morning! On the path of these catecheses on old age, today we meet a biblical figure — an old man — named Eleazar, who lived at the time of the persecution of Antiochus Epiphanes. He is a wonderful character. His character gives us a testimony of the special relationship that exists between the fidelity of old age and the honour of faith. He is a proud one! I would like to speak precisely about the honor of faith, not only about faith’s consistency, proclamation, and resistance. The honor of faith periodically comes under pressure, even violent pressure, from the culture of the rulers, who seek to debase it by treating it as an archaeological find, or an old superstition, an anachronistic fetish, and so on. The biblical story — we have heard a short passage of it, but it is good to read it all — tells of the episode of the Jews being forced by a king’s decree to eat meat sacrificed to idols. When it is the turn of Eleazar, an elderly man in his 90s who was highly respected by everyone — a person of authority — the king’s officials advise him to fake it, that is, to pretend to eat the meat without actually doing so. Religious hypocrisy. There is so much religious hypocrisy, clerical hypocrisy. These people tell him, “Be a bit of a hypocrite, no one will notice.” In this way, Eleazar would be saved,
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and — they said — in the name of friendship, he would accept their gesture of compassion and affection. After all, they insisted, it was a small gesture, pretending to eat but not eating, an insignificant gesture. It is a small thing, but Eleazar’s calm and firm response is based on an argument that strikes us. The central point is this: dishonoring the faith in old age, in order to gain a handful of days, cannot be compared with the legacy it must leave to the young, for entire generations to come. But welldone Eleazar! An old man who has lived in the coherence of his faith for a whole lifetime, and who now adapts himself to feigning repudiation of it, condemns the new generation to thinking that the whole faith has been a sham, an outer covering that can be abandoned, thinking that it can be preserved interiorly. And it is not so, says Eleazar. Such behavior does not honor faith, not even before God. And the effect of this external trivialization will be devastating for the inner life of young people.The consistency of this man who considers the young, considers his future legacy, thinks of his people. It is precisely old age — and this is beautiful for old people — that appears here as the decisive place, the irreplaceable place for this testimony. An elderly person who, because of his vulnerability,
accepts that the practice of the faith is irrelevant, would make young people believe that faith has no real relationship with life. From the outset, it would appear to them as a set of behaviors which, if necessary, can be faked or concealed, because none of them is particularly important for life. The ancient heterodox “gnosis,” which was a very powerful and very seductive trap for early Christianity, theorized precisely about this, this is an old thing: that faith is a spirituality, not a practice; a strength of the mind, not a form of life. Faithfulness and the honor of faith, according to this heresy, have nothing to do with the behaviors of life, the institutions of the community, the symbols of the body. The seduction of this perspective is strong, because it interprets, in its own way, an indisputable truth: that faith can never be reduced to a set of dietary rules or social practices. Faith is something else. The trouble is that Gnostic radicalization of this truth nullifies the realism of the Christian faith, because the Christian faith is realistic. Christian faith is not just saying the Creed: it is thinking the Creed, it is understanding the Creed, it is doing the Creed. Working with our hands. Instead, this gnostic proposal is to pretend. The important thing is that you have spirituality, and then you can do whatever you please. And this is not Christian. It is the first heresy of the gnostics, which is very fashionable at the moment, in so many centers of spirituality and so on. It makes void the witness of this people, which shows the concrete signs of God in the life of the community and resists the perversions of the mind through the gestures of the body. The gnostic temptation, which is one of the — let us use the word — heresies, one of the religious
deviations of this time; the gnostic temptation remains ever present. In many trends in our society and culture, the practice of faith suffers from a negative portrayal, sometimes in the form of cultural irony, sometimes with covert marginalization. The practice of faith for these gnostics,
the younger generations is strong. Of course, we know that the practice of faith can become a soulless external practice — this is the other danger, the opposite — but in itself it is not at all so. Perhaps this very important mission is precisely up to us, older people: to give faith back its honor, to make it coherent, which is the witness of Eleazar: consistency to the very end. The practice of faith is not the symbol of our weakness, no, but rather the sign of its strength. We are no longer youngsters. We were not kidding around when we set out on the Lord’s path! Faith deserves respect and honor to the very end: it has changed our lives, it has purified our minds, it has taught us the worship of God and love of our neighbor. It is a blessing for all! But the faith as a whole, not just a part of it. We will not barter our faith for a handful of quiet days, but will do as Eleazar, consistent to the very end, to martyrdom. We will show, in all humility and firmness, precisely in our old age, that believing is not something “for the old,” but a matter of life. Believing in the Holy Spirit, who makes all things new, and he will gladly help us. Dear elderly brothers and sisters — not to say old, we are in the same group — please look to young people: they are watching us. They are watching us. Do not forget that. I am reminded of that wonderful postwar film: The Children Are Watching Us. We can say the same thing about young people: young people are watching us and our consistency who were already around at the can open up a beautiful path of life time of Jesus, is regarded as a useless for them. Potential hypocrisy, on the and even harmful externality, as an other hand, will do great harm. Let us antiquated residue, as a disguised pray for one another. May God bless superstition. In short, something for all of us old people. old people. The pressure that this indiscriminate criticism exerts on
The ancient heterodox “gnosis,” which was a very powerful and very seductive trap for early Christianity, theorized precisely about this, this is an old thing: that faith is a spirituality, not a practice; a strength of the mind, not a form of life.
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the little way of eugenia manning “the Michelangelo of DeSoto Parish” In March of this year, St. Joseph Parish in Mansfield, Louisiana lost a treasured parishioner. Mrs. Eugenia Manning, a celebrated local artist and devoted Catholic matriarch, died a few days before her 99th birthday. As a teacher in DeSoto Parish during the 1970s, I knew her as the coordinator of the art programs in the public schools. As a fellow parishioner at St. Joseph Parish in Mansfield, I knew her as the quiet little lady who showed up each Sunday to worship with her family. And as someone who has several beloved family members buried in the little cemetery at Carmel, I knew Mrs. Manning as the dedicated artist who humbly took on the huge task of renovating the interior of the beautiful and historic Rock Chapel that lies hidden in the woods behind the old Immaculate Conception Church. But I never knew about all of the contributions that this remarkable woman made in her quiet way until the accolades poured in after her death.
God gave Eugenia the eye of an artist and a heart for Jesus. Throughout her life, she used these gifts to enhance the lives of people who knew her. As a young mother, she made elaborate Valentine boxes for her daughters to take to school. She painted signs around town. She painted portraits of Louisiana festival queens which were later displayed at the National Gallery in Washington. She touched up photographs for a local photographer. She even painted a portrait of the late Bob Hope! These endeavors made her enough money to support her family, and she became locally famous. But wealth and fame were never her goals; serving her Lord was always her priority. In 1959, Fr. William Kwaaitaal, pastor of the CarmelRambin Catholic Church, launched a drive to restore the small stone chapel built by the Carmelite monks in 1856. (pictured left) Hidden deep in the woods near Smithport, it stood as a reminder of the Carmelite community of JUNE 2022 11
monks and nuns who had built several buildings on the site in the second half of the 19th century. The restoration was complicated by the vandalized and nearly ruined state of the only remaining building, the chapel itself. Fr. William called on Eugenia to help restore the intricate artwork that had once decorated the chapel’s interior. After six months of piecing together and studying the remaining scraps of the deteriorated fresco, she spent months going out to the chapel on nearly a daily basis to hand-paint the ceiling and walls of the historic chapel. The before-and-after pictures in the book she published 12
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later depict the fine attention to detail she poured into this task. She had never taken an art class, and she didn’t own a car. Her fellow parishioner Nelda Laffitte picked her up regularly to deliver her and her art supplies down the gravel road and up the ladder to restore the chapel to its former glory. Completed in 1961, the renovated Rock Chapel is the crowning jewel of Eugenia Manning’s many contributions to her Catholic community. Today, the Rock Chapel is often used as the site of religious services and family picnics. Hundreds of visitors come from points near and far to learn its history and
“she isn’t just an artist; she’s a work of art herself.”
admire Mrs. Manning’s work. But her work doesn’t stop there. A visit to St. Joseph Church in Mansfield will offer several other of her artifacts. She helped paint the stained glass windows. She painted beautiful canvases that adorn the altar. She retouched religious statues in the sanctuary. The activity building behind the church displays several of her paintings. Several of the priests who have served there past and present have sung her praises. Fr. Richard Norsworthy said, “she isn’t just an artist; she’s a work of art herself.” Fr. John Paul Crispin, a recent pastor, lauded her as “the Michelangelo of DeSoto Parish” during his funeral eulogy. Fr. Phil Michiels remembers her as being “humble, unassuming and gracious.” Their remarks make me think of Mrs. Manning as being a spiritual sister of St.Therese of Lisieux, the little flower saint whose “little ways” of loving and serving others resulted in her being named a Doctor of the Church. Mrs. Manning has certainly left her artistic mark on DeSoto Parish. Her story inspired me to imagine what my legacy will be in my own church and community. As St. Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 12:27: All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. God gave Eugenia Manning inherent artistic talent
which she put to use throughout her life to serve Him by serving others. Each person in every pew has some God-given talents. When I think of my own parish, I think of the many people who donate their talents frequently to create the living body of Christ that is represented by our parish. Some arrange flowers for the altar; some help serve food for various parish events; some teach religion classes; some take the Eucharist to the homebound and hospitalized; some sing in the choir; some serve as liturgical ministers at Mass. The list is almost endless, but the good news is that the Holy Spirit has equipped us all to perform some sort of service to others in our church and/or immediate community. If you aren’t sure what your talents are, I encourage you to pray about it! Ask God to make you aware of the unique abilities He’s given you, then imagine the many ways you can put them to use to glorify Him and build up His kingdom on Earth. What legacy will you leave behind by donating your God-given talent in some “little way?” What will your former priests say about you? KAREN DILL is a spiritual director in the Diocese of Shreveport. JUNE 2022 13
BEFORE THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Laura Cooper, Jesus the Good Shepherd This time of adoration is so precious to me! I know He is telling me who I need to be. The signs of Him are everywhere. My heart screams inside, Why can’t I be THERE? As I arrive in this sacred place, The tabernacle is in its regular space, At first, I barely see it. As I sit quietly, It begins to show itself, bit by bit. It becomes all aglow, It has a power source from above. Then, is when I know. I am truly on a lifelong trip. I always strive to be THERE, As I partake of His love, sip by sip. Where is THERE, anyway? It is wherever God takes us gently Day by day! As my hour passes, and I leave, I know in my heart, Something greater is here than I can perceive! I leave this place, So full of joy, love, and peace. I feel so full of our Savior’s grace!
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our father
I have a great dad whom I affectionately call “Daddy.” I am immensely grateful that God chose him to be the first man I would love. My dad is the one who showed me how a man should treat a woman; he is a man of his word, a man with a strong work ethic, a man who speaks in truth and love. My dad was the one constant man in my life all 44 years as I waited anxiously for my future husband. He has loved me unconditionally since day one, he has taught me right from wrong, and most importantly, he instilled in me a strong love for God and my Catholic faith. He was the silent leader of our family. Although he is small in stature, I never doubted that he could and would defend me and protect me. I know, even now at 83 years of age, he would still do anything he could to protect me, if needed. He is simply “that kind of guy.” I am a lucky girl. With that said, after 51 years of life and 20 years of counseling, I know so many others who are not as fortunate; perhaps you are one of them. If so, I write this for you. Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation .Ps. 68:5 In my practice, I have worked with many people whose father is one or a combination of the following: deceased, emotionally absent, abusive, addicted, narcissistic, and/or abandoned the family.They struggle mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually as a result. The lack of a father in a person’s life can be detrimental and yet, so many people want to diminish the importance of having a loving father in your life. I do not believe a mother is more important just because she gave birth, rather, I believe God gave us both because of their equal importance. With that said, why then does God allow children to have unworthy fathers? Why does God allow an abusive, hateful, drug addicted man to be a father? Why would God allow a child to lose an amazing father to cancer or other forms of death? I am sorry to say I do not have the answer because only God knows for sure. Despite this truth, I will attempt to answer anyway. First, I think we can all agree that being a faithful Christian is hard! Walking with our Lord is not an easy walk, but one I would take with no other. He does not promise our time on earth will be rainbows and sunshine. He does not promise we will not suffer. He does not promise to give us
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all amazing earthly fathers. However, He does promise to love us like no earthly father. Second, because of the fall, sin is forever present until the Son’s second coming. As a result, humans will hurt, grieve, and suffer. For some, the hurt, grief and suffering will feel unbearable. For others, it will feel relatively easy. God does not choose to hurt some more than others, rather He allows it to happen while simultaneously waiting for us to turn to Him in our pain. Brothers and sisters, He is waiting for you. Thirdly, there is hope! No matter what kind of dad you have or do not have, God is giving you hope. Hope in the possibility of having a wonderful life despite it all. Hope in the possibility of your children having the father you never had or being the father you did not have. Hope and faith are essential parts in our walk with God. If you feel weak in either of these areas, I suggest one or more of the following: focus on what you do have, focus on the good man (men) God has brought into your life, thank Him while in your pain and suffering (sounds odd, but so worthwhile), make healthy connections with your priestly father, spend time in adoration with Jesus talking about your mutual heavenly Father, and lastly, pray and then pray again. He hears you, He is with you, and He will never abandon you. He is not dead, emotionally absent, abusive, addicted nor will He ever abandon you. God is good all the time. And all the time, God is good. MARY ARCEMENT ALEXANDER is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a private practice in Shreveport, LA. She is also the Victim Assistance Coordinator for the Diocese of Shreveport. JUNE 2022 15
saint anthony, please come around All my life, I’ve had a hard time keeping track of my “stuff.” As a child, I was always losing things: toys; shoes; my homework; books. When I grew older, these losses became more expensive: checkbooks; driver’s licenses; credit cards; keys; jewelry; e-mails; addresses…the list is endless. Shortly after I joined the Church in my early twenties, a relative encouraged me to turn to the good Saint Anthony for spiritual assistance whenever I found myself searching for a lost (or even stolen!) article. I was intrigued! A patron saint of lost articles??? I needed to get to know this guy! When I read about his life, I quickly realized why he has been named a Doctor of the Church. This 13th century Franciscan traveled widely over Europe and became famous for his oratory skills. The last few years of his life were spent at a monastery in Padua, Italy. One anecdote about his life explained why he is associated with finding things. He had a treasured psalter in which he had written many notes in the margins throughout the years. A novice at his monastery decided to leave and take Anthony’s psalter with him. When St. Anthony discovered the loss, he prayed fervently for both the book and the novice to return to the monastery, which they miraculously did after a short time. He is often depicted with the baby Jesus on one arm. According to another of his fellow Franciscans, he was praying one night when the Christ child appeared in his room. The light surrounding the baby Jesus was so bright that a passing friar peeked in Anthony’s window and witnessed the scene.
of my favorite stories involved my Toyota Camry. My husband and I had decided to trade it in for a newer model. On my way home from work the night before the sale, I arrived only to discover that the hubcap on the front tire was missing. My husband was mildly annoyed; this would mean that we would probably receive a slightly lower trade-in value. As I left for work the next day, I asked St. Anthony to help me find that hubcap. As I drove to work, I kept searching the shoulder of the road to spot the hubcap but had no luck. A few minutes after I arrived at my desk, my husband called to tell me that one of the neighboring farmers had spotted the hubcap in his field that morning. Knowing that we owned a Camry, he brought it by my husband’s shop to see if perhaps we were missing one. Thank you, St. Anthony! In June of 2013, I had the opportunity to tour Italy with a group of friends. I made a point of setting aside a day to take a side trip to Padua as a pilgrimage to my favorite saint. He is buried in a beautiful old basilica that bears his name. I noted in my travel journal that his tongue and lower jaw, complete with teeth, were displayed incorrupted behind a glass near his tomb. I bought a tapestry depicting him with the Christ child at the gift shop to take home and add to my small shrine to him in my living room. A beautiful marble statue of him stands in the back corner of St. John Berchmans Cathedral. I give him a tap on his foot whenever I pass him there as a small gesture of thanks for his many intercessions. On his feast day, June 13th, I plan to invite my family over to celebrate the many wonderful miracles he has “St. Anthony, please come around. Something is lost that performed for us, major and minor, as we try to keep must be found! Please find my….” track of our”stuff.” And in my imagination, I see myself getting past St. Peter at the gate of heaven only to find St. This is the prayer that I say automatically now the moment Anthony there to greet me with open arms. that I realize I have lost yet another thing, big or small. I could write a volume of the many times this prayer has KAREN DILL been answered, often in a supernatural fashion. One is a spiritual director in the Diocese of Shreveport.
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A Big Thank You to our 2022 Appeal Committee!
What Happened to our Annual Appeal? You may have been looking for your Annual Appeal campaign this year and I am happy to report it has not gone away but has been delayed so that we can prepare our Appeal effort to better serve you, the faithful, as we strive to represent Christ in this region.The Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal has not yet taken place this year so that we could study our Appeal and make the future approaches more effective and comprehensive. Your Annual Appeal has been on the decline in the past few years and has suffered from a diminishing number of the faithful providing pledge support of Appeal programs and ministries. With only 25% of our families providing Appeal support, we need to involve more of the faithful in this critical effort. Late last year, Bishop Malone chose to hire the Steier Group to help strengthen our Appeal throughout the diocese. Since January, the Steier Group has been able to solicit hundreds of responses, i.e., through personal interviews, mailings and online surveys about our Appeal with clergy and members of our combined faith Community. This information has allowed us to make some needed changes. One result of the responses received was the formation of an Annual Appeal Committee made up of clergy and laity from all parts of the diocese. With their guidance, we are working to orchestrate an approach to gain support for the Appeal through personal invitation along with written and media-designed aids appealing to a broader base which would allow our Appeal to be more successful. We are looking to identify potential Appeal donors, especially younger donors to replace our rapidly aging giving base.
JIM BEADLES CATHERINE CAVELL RICK CAVELL MATT COUVILLION FR. RANEY JOHNSON DEACON BILL KLEINPETER TAMARA LAMB WALTER LAMB LUCY MEDVEC FR. KEVIN MUES MSGR. EARL PROVENZA VAN SANDERS FR. MIKE THANG'WA FR. PIKE THOMAS FR. DUANE TROMBETTA The need for funding does remain for established ministries and programs that have become the hallmark of our appeal. Your generosity is still needed and appreciated, and you will have an opportunity to support this year’s appeal with materials coming out very soon. Good stewardship means we must take ownership of our appeal and the fiscal health of our diocese and outreach programs. A strong sense of community is a key part of this effort. We want to challenge our faithful with a transparent response to the needs of our faith community by making our Appeal more visible, with digital offerings that will attract the younger donors we need for the future. The people of the Diocese of Shreveport have been so good to our Appeal over the past three decades and I fully expect that dedication to continue and increase. This very publication always depended entirely on appeal funding so that it can be provided to every Catholic with knowledge throughout the diocese free of charge. On behalf of the many people who benefit from Appeal support, I thank you.
JOHN MARK WILLCOX is the Director of Communications & Development for the Diocese of Shreveport. JUNE 2022 17
daughters of the cross
the final installment:
legacy
Crowds of the faithful welcome Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, St. Vincent’s Academy, 1949 Courtesy of Sister Sharon Rambin, SFCC, Edited by Madeline Howard Elford
When I began studying the history of the Daughters of the Cross in 2016, I was preparing for a paper in a course on local history at LSU Shreveport. Ever since seeing “The Shape of Shreveport,” a series of documentary short films shown at the Strand Theatre in the summer of 2015, the idea of researching the influence of Catholic religious orders in Shreveport had been haunting me. On the evening after receiving my assignment, a chance encounter with Msgr. Earl Provenza led to my introduction to Sister Sharon Rambin, SFCC, and through her to Sisters Maria Smith and Lucy Scallan, Daughters of the Cross. Although I had attended St.Vincent’s Academy, 18
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I knew very little about the Order. I had no idea that they had operated other schools in Shreveport and across north Louisiana, dating back to 1856. The more I learned and the more I came to know the Sisters and their story, the more I came to realize that their impact on Shreveport, north Louisiana, and beyond cannot be quantified or circumscribed. How many former students, like me, can say that their association with the Daughters of the Cross was a factor in their decision to come into the Catholic Church? Having attended public schools for eleven years, I noticed the superior quality of the texts and instruction at St. Vincent’s, as well as a spirit of community that I hadn’t seen in my former schools. The Sisters’ dignified presence in their habits, some short and some long, and their evident care for their pupils and for the elderly Sisters in the convent, impressed me. Most of all, I could never forget the old Sisters in their long habits working in the heat in their garden, who I often glimpsed as I entered the parking lot from our air-conditioned school. Somehow, that sight spoke to me of their faith, of their unity, of their sacrifice. From the very first, the educational and religious foundation provided by the Daughters of the Cross
prepared their pupils for success in their personal and professional lives. From Avoyelles Parish to Isle Brevelle to Shreveport, Monroe and Lake Providence, they have produced leaders in business, medicine and healthcare, law, government and the military. Their pupils have excelled in debate, science, sports, music, and art. One of their former pupils has inspired the building of a chapel in Dallas. One became a priest and missionary to Sri Lanka, even serving as Superior General of the Jesuit province there. Another met with Mother Teresa of Calcutta and convinced her to establish her Sisters in Dallas. The primary goal of the Daughters of the Cross was always to educate in order to save souls. St. Francis de Sales told Marie de Villeneuve that there was a vacancy in the church. In Louisiana in 1855, the truth of that statement was magnified exponentially. When she came to Louisiana, Mother Hyacinthe observed that many residents were Catholic in name only, not knowing their prayers, not attending Mass, not seeking out the sacraments, even for the dying. Her goal was to educate girls academically, morally and spiritually, in order to prepare them to be wives and mothers who would pass the treasure of faith on to their husbands and children. Before long, the mission field included boys, as well. Gradually, as their families learned to pray and to practice their faith, they produced vocations for the Church: priests, brothers and sisters. As the sisters’ schools multiplied, that effect spread. Through their charity and perseverance, the sisters won advances against antiCatholic prejudice. As other Catholic religious orders arrived in the area, the Daughters of the Cross, who had paved the way, helped them become established. In every parish, one is likely to find parishioners who have ancestors or family members educated by the Daughters of the Cross. In our diocese, three of the schools opened by the Daughters of the Cross are still thriving under lay leadership: St. John Berchmans in Shreveport, and St. Frederick’s and Jesus the Good Shepherd in Monroe. In the Diocese of Alexandria, Sacred Heart School in Moreauville, operated by the sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows, continues to form good Catholics. Madame Marie l’Huillier de Villeneuve, foundress of the Daughters of the Cross, told her spiritual daughters that the cross would always be their portion. In imitation of Our Lord, the Daughters of the Cross have given their lives for us. We are their legacy. By the grace of God, may we live our lives in such a way as to be worthy of their gift.
Daughters of the Cross who came to Louisiana in November, 1855, St. Vincent’s Museum, Catholic Center, Shreveport, Courtesy of Madeline Howard Elford
Original Presentation Convent and Academy, Cocoville, Louisiana Daughters of the Cross Collection, The Northwest Louisiana Archives at LSUS, Noel Memorial Library
Mother Marie Hyacinthe le Conniat, Foundress, Daughters of the Cross in Louisiana, Archives, Diocese of Shreveport
PATTI UNDERWOOD is a lover of history and is blessed to be a graduate of St. Vincent’s Academy and LSU-Shreveport. JUNE 2022 19
faithful food
Our Table as Refuge There also you and your households shall eat before the Lord your God, and rejoice in all your undertakings in which the Lord your God has blessed you. Deuteronomy 12:7 Gathering for weekly family dinners was not standard practice in my childhood. We ate together at my grandmother’s home for the “high holy” days of Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday and at my Mamaw’s for lesser noted days. The food, the atmosphere, the menu were vastly different, one formal, the other cloaked in its own sense of value. Throughout my children’s childhood years, I tried to establish a strong tradition of eating at the table. As my three part-time jobs substituted for a full time one, time became even more precious, still I hated the idea of eating in front of the television, so I kept at it.There were no conversational taboos at the dinner table; no forced 20
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polite talking points. I wanted my children to know that we could discuss anything and the table seemed a good place for this exercise in trust. We have discussed everything from recess in elementary school, to politics, to who gets the last biscuit. I know it sounds comical. I think in those days I was aiming somewhere between the relationship dynamics of the Waltons and Roseanne. Fast forward to another place and time, dateline Shreveport 2022. Our family composition has changed, we have added daughters in law and grandchildren. The table, however, remains. On Sundays, in the late afternoon/ evening the table is laid with the requisite utensils and flowers and heartfelt laughter are added in memory of my two grandmothers, passionate discussions bring my mother into the mix. Another change in our dinners is today I don’t have to do all the cooking. Each one present offers a special dish, either a childhood favorite, a new dish tested by their
friends now shared with the family, or a healthier way to enjoy old favorites. In every case it is all eaten and a culinary victory is proclaimed. These smaller parts come together as a living study in Paul’s verses about the parts of the body not being more important than each other, instead working together as a whole. And it is true, we are certainly stronger and happier together. If for some reason schedules conflict and we cannot all eat together, there are texts flying to confirm our next meal, offers of having it at their homes “if it is easier for you mom,” or occasionally there are “make-up” meals when the absent child shows up with pizza, burgers, or hunger, and we rustle something up together, something unplanned but filling us up in every way. Years ago I heard a priest speak at the Catholic Center on the Mass and what we bring to it. He invited us to look past the offering envelope and see what else we symbolically brought. He stated that as we transferred the bread from one dish to the next indicating we would receive communion, we also put our joys, concerns, troubles, and triumphs into the dish whose contents would be offered to God. I realized later that in life and at our table God does what he always does, takes what I bring, what we all bring, blesses it and returns to us abundance in a form we can recognize (sometimes!) and accept (sometimes!) I realized God is working through every avenue possible in my life, in all our lives, always offering abundance, which turns out to be harder to accept than our fantasies and fears would have us believe. In our weekly dinners, we have grown together and laughed and cried and been angry and reconciled together. The table and our actions around it have become a refuge from the work week, from the world and its stress. It has become a place to come home to, a place we can allow ourselves vulnerability and acceptance, a place where we can learn to bless not just our food but one another. At our table the formality and orderliness of my grandmother and the warm embrace of my mamaw which was given without reservation have come full circle and working together are guiding us. KIM LONG is the Director of Religious Education at Saint Mary of the Pines Parish.
cole's chicken The first time Cole insisted on making the main dish, he was in college. This was his go to dish. It isn’t fancy, but it is filling, and it is spicy! Fill up your glass with iced tea and enjoy! • Your pick of the chick (your favorite pieces) • One bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, finely crushed • Place a parchment sheet on a baking pan. • Roll your chicken pieces in crushed Cheetos • When completely (or nearly) coated, place on baking sheet • Bake at 350 degrees until done (time will vary depending on individual oven temps and thickness of pieces). • To test for doneness, cut into the middle of a piece, and if juices run clear, it’s ready. If you would like to adjust the spice, use a mixture of plain and spicy cheetos or all plain.
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You are Free to Live Your Calling. But Just What Is Your Calling? It was May of 1965 when I attended my 8th grade retreat with my six classmates from our small Catholic school. By the end of the day, I knew God was telling me I had a specific calling on my life, but I had no idea what it was.Through high school I became convinced it was not a calling to the priesthood or religious life, but still, no clue of what it might be. After college and well into my career, I constantly asked God “what are you calling me to?” I was in my fifties before I seriously devoted time to study, pray and grow to discern what this calling would be. As it morphed and developed, I knew beyond doubt I was to become a spiritual director. Ironically, had the availability of a spiritual director – one who could help me through this discernment – manifested in my twenties or thirties, how many people might I have served by now?
also assist us in sifting through all the movements of our lives to live each day loving and serving each other. That’s it! St. Paul says above that the entire law of God is fulfilled in loving and serving our neighbor. But the opportunities to do this are infinite. We can use our Christ gifted freedom to find and live out exactly how God desires us to carry this out. And for many of us, if not most, the freedom to engage with a trained spiritual director allows us to be open to God’s unique and loving desire for each of us. A spiritual practice you are free to use each day this month would be to read the scripture above and sit quietly in meditation asking God to enlighten your heart and mind to hear his call to love and serve. And eventually, know exactly what that call is. If you need help with this, contact a trained spiritual director for assistance. You can For freedom Christ set us free . . . find a complete listing on our diocesan website using the For you were called for freedom, brothers, and sisters. . . . “Ministries” tab, and then clicking on “Spiritual Direction.” serve one another through love. Do you want to know more about what it takes For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, to become a spiritual director? See the following page namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ for our next “virtual” informational session. From the (Gal 5:1, 13-14) comfort of your own home, you can hear and discover what spiritual direction is and become a little familiar with Christ came to set us free. We usually consider “free the ministry of being a spiritual director. from what?” But I believe a more important question is: MIKE VAN VRANKEN “free to do what?” And the answer is the freedom to is a spiritual director, a member of the teaching staff follow Christ’s call on our lives in how we love and serve for the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center of New one another. We are free to love and serve one another Orleans Formation of New Spiritual Directors, an using the path God gifts to us. A trained spiritual director author and a speaker. not only can help us discern what that path might be, but 22
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JUNE 2022 23
Catholic Charities of North Louisiana:
who we are
Did you know that the first Catholic charitable institution in the United States was founded in the territory that later became the state of Louisiana? In 1727, the French Ursuline Sisters founded an orphanage in the area that would later become New Orleans. In the centuries since then, the Louisiana Catholic community has grown and expanded our services, but the sisters’ mission and Catholic Charities of North Louisiana’s mission are one in the same: To bring Christ’s message of love to the poor and vulnerable by providing quality social services to families and individuals, without discrimination, and in accordance with Catholic Social Teaching and professional standards. Catholic Charities of North Louisiana serves sixteen civil parishes from our Shreveport location and two satellite offices in Monroe and Lake Providence. The parishes we service are the poorest in the state, according to the latest Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed 24
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(ALICE) report, with the Lake Providence area (East Carroll Parish) being the most impoverished in America according to TIME magazine. Our Lake Providence satellite office is only open Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and is managed by Sister Bernie Barrett. Sister Bernie is originally from Ireland and came to Louisiana over a decade ago bringing with her a background in education. Our Monroe satellite office is the Diocesan Center for the Eastern Deanery that serves Union, Lincoln, Ouachita, Morehouse, Jackson, Richland, East Carroll, and West Carroll parishes. Most of this area is rural. Thanks to effective communication, we collaborate with a myriad of community partners that facilitate outcome-oriented activities that promote financial literacy, community integration, family strengthening, and housing stability. To expand our community outreach, we are currently looking for a Community Outreach
Coordinator to assist in our Monroe office with rural community engagement, financial literacy and completing the Emergency Assistance applications, and SNAP benefits. If you are interested in applying for this position, please send a cover letter and resume to Kirsten Gladen at regionalmanager@ccnla.org. Our main location is our Shreveport office which recently relocated to 902 Olive Street. We have several programs available including, but not limited to, Emergency Assistance that starts with Money $chool®, Gabriel’s Closet, State Benefit Application Assistance, Immigration Legal Services, and Disaster Relief. You can follow us on Facebook and check out our website at www.ccnla.org for additional information and upcoming events.
Please join us on August 5, 2022 at 6:00 pm for BINGO on the Bayou! We are back in person at East Ridge Country Club in Shreveport. If you would like additional information on becoming a sponsor, purchasing tickets or donating auction items, please contact our Director of Development, Kathy Schimschock at 318-865-0200 ext. 109, or development@ccnla.org. CO-WRITTEN BY ALLISON KULBETH, GISELLE TREJO AND JEAN WOODS JUNE 2022 25
NORTHEAST LOUISIANA VETERANS HOME RESIDENTS HONORED WITH R.E.D. T-SHIRTS MONROE, LA. – “When we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll be there forever.” The men and women that live at the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (LDVA) Northeast Louisiana Veterans Home (NELVH) understand the cost of freedom because they sacrificed time away from their loved ones in order to proudly serve our country. Recently, the local Monroe Council No. 1337, Assembly 329– Knights of Columbus honored these veterans with gifts of red t-shirts so that they could help honor their fellow brothers – and sisters-in-arms who are deployed all across the world. In 2005, military supporters across America started wearing red on Fridays to show support for the service members who protect our freedoms and way of life around the world, especially for deployed service members. RED stands for “Remember Everyone Deployed.” 26
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LDVA’s NELVH would like to thank volunteer Margaret Horne and the Monroe Council No. 1337, Assembly 329 – Knights of Columbus for remembering everyone deployed.We encourage everyone to show their support for our deployed service members by wearing red every Friday until they all come home! Pictured left to right: Jody Lofton (KC), Bobby Brinkerhoff (KC), Wayne Vickery, Leon Auguson, William Floyd, Darrell Waldrop, Bobby Emerick, Raymond Horne, Cecil Moak, Jack Gustafson (KC), Mike Inzina (KC), Sam Terracina (KC), Harris Segal, Christy Hamby-RN Supervisor.
JIM ADDISON is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Monroe Council No. 1337, Assembly 329.
CHMIELEWSKI NAMED LOYOLA COLLEGE PREP FLYER OF THE YEAR
The Flyer of the Year award is the highest achievement a student can receive at Loyola. The Flyer of the Year is chosen by the faculty and given to the student who best shows the qualities that reflect Loyola’s mission and is a man or woman for others in every sense. The 2022 Flyer of the Year is Declan Chmielewski. Declan was recently named Student of the Year and went on to compete at the state level competition. He was recognized for academic excellence on the National Spanish Exam and received regional recognition at the Louisiana Literary Rally. In addition to his academic achievements, he was also involved in Student Government all four years and was in National Honors Society for the last two years. Declan is passionate about giving back to the community and has been a part of the Catholic Youth and Catholic
Rosary Groups, was a hurricane relief coordinator with Catholic Charities, a Blood Drive Coordinator, and a Eucharist Minister of Holy Communion and Lector. Declan does it all -- even athletics. He served as captain on the Flyer soccer team and ran cross country. “Since day one when I came to Loyola, I knew I was entering into a family. And every day since then, I am always reminded that the people here are not only my friends, but my brothers and sisters. Every day at Loyola is something to look forward to,” he said. As a part of the Loyola tradition, the Flyer of the Year always receives the first yearbook. JORDAN HARRIS is the Director of Communications at Loyola College Prep in Shreveport.
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SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL NEWS SJS sees 8 students enter the Catholic Church The Easter Vigil is always a beautiful Mass, but this year’s Paschal Candle seemed a little bit brighter as eight of our students entered the Catholic Church with their families: Peyton and Arrie McCrea; Parker and Amelia Suckle, Greenlee and Jackson Rodgers, Christopher Randle, and Sophie Ximenez. We are so happy to welcome you to our faith family! Other notable events this month included the annual Marian Procession/May Crowning/Mothers’ Day Mass on Thursday, May 5th. We processed into the church singing “Immaculate Mary,” led by our special choir for the occasion, and banners displaying colored images of various Marian devotions were carried in by students in grades K3-8th. In just minutes, the church was filled with the students’ red and white roses, as well as countless mothers, grandmothers and mother figures. Afterwards, students and faculty were recognized for their example in living the Virtue of the Month for April: Loyalty.
8th grade class treated to lunch with our priests It’s hard to believe, but by the time readers pick up this copy of The Catholic Connection, our 8th grade class will be official 28
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alumni of our school, and our beloved Parochial Vicar, Fr. Kevin, will have begun his new assignment in Ruston. Thankfully, our 8th grade class had the chance to enjoy lunch with him and with Fr. Long before these farewells took place. On Thursday, May 5th, they dined on a catered meal in the Family Life Center and Fr. Long and Fr. Kevin had one more chance to share a meal and visit with them. Perhaps the best part was the ending: as we took this picture beneath the balloon arch backdrop that had been used for our Teacher Appreciation Luncheon a day earlier, the students asked if they could “dismantle” it, and Fr. Long gave his permission. The laughter that ensued was only outdone by the sound of seemingly countless balloons being popped for the next several minutes (my apologies to the church staff!). But it was a memory they will not soon forget from their time with our clergy at SJS.
Third grade learns how great a “Taste of Louisiana” really is In late April, our third graders demonstrated in many different ways some of the things that make Louisiana great. The students researched the various parishes of our state, then in the last week of April, presented their parish posters and floats throughout the week and ended it with “A Taste of Louisiana!” These kids worked so hard on their projects,
and we could not be more proud of them! Louisiana sure is a wonderful place to live! Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Fifth graders soar at Starbase SJS has for many years enjoyed taking our fifth graders to Starbase at Barksdale Air Force Base for its outstanding programs that “allow fifth grade students to explore the worlds of science, technology, engineering, and math.” This year was just as impressive as ever, as this year’s fifth graders were involved in rocket launches, robotics, and exploring Newton’s Law of Motion. The program chooses one student from each participating class as the “STARBASE Shining Star” and this year’s award went to Justin Copeland! Way to go, Justin! Don’t lose that enthusiasm!
It’s not “good bye,” just “See you later” The month of May provided many opportunities for reflection, especially for those graduating, receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, and those moving onto new chapters in their lives when summer begins. Our 8th grade class has been a joy to teach and to watch as they have grown in their years with us at SJS, and on Thursday, May 19, we
saw them “turn the tassel” and make the transition from SJS student to alum. A week earlier, 21 of them became fully initiated into the Church as they received the Sacrament of Confirmation. The departure of Fr. Kevin from our campus is one that saddened us all, but the memories and lessons he gave us will stay with us always. We hope our “farewell gifts” conveyed our love and our hopes for him as he continues in his vocation. We know we will see you again, Fr. Kevin - once a Falcon, always a Falcon!
Class of 2018 Alums Return to Celebrate LCP Graduation A new tradition was begun this year at SJS: our Class of 2018 came back to campus to celebrate their upcoming graduation from Loyola College Prep! They were treated to applause as they walked through past our current student body, followed by a reception at the Family Life Center, where some of their former teachers (and principals!) were anxious to get hugs from our former students. It was a great day for them, and for us! May God bless you all as you start this next chapter in your lives.
POLLY MACIULSKI is the middle school religion teacher at St. Joseph School in Shreveport.
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A YEAR OF SERVICE FOR ACTS Brother Mike Ward, Campus Minister
Every year, the Association of Catholic Tech Students (ACTS) celebrates one of the tenets of its mission statement: Joy, Evangelization, Sacraments, Unity, and Service. The first letter of each of these tenets spells out “Jesus.” This year, the students centered themselves on “Service”. All three of the retreats used this as a point of reference on which to reflect and act. Most prominently, the students organized a local mission experience called “Reaching Ruston +” serving the local community and Monroe.
Members of ACTS also participated in the annual university outreach day, “The Big Event” and helped take care of the grounds of St. Thomas Church and Student Center. Additionally, the students participated in a mission trip to “A Simple House” in Kansas City over spring break and visit the Valley of the Angels Orphanage in Guatemala each August. ACTS also prides itself on the fact that for the “Student Masses” on Sundays and Wednesdays, all of the liturgical ministers are college students.
LOYOLA NAMES NEW GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH Jaila Leaven named the first female basketball head coach in the school’s history Jordan Harris, Loyola College Prep Director of Communications
Loyola girls basketball will enter into a new season next year with a new head coach - Jaila Leaven. After 12 years as head coach following nine years as assistant coach, Kyle Tanner is stepping down from his role as the Lady Flyers head basketball coach. Leaven will take the reins as head coach for the 2022-23 season. She joined Loyola as a physical education teacher and assistant basketball coach in 2020, and will be the first female basketball coach in the school’s history. “It’s a great feeling to be the first female basketball coach at Loyola,” she said. “We need more women to take on leadership roles to show 30
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young girls that they can do it too. There is a long history of great coaches here at Loyola, especially in basketball, and I am grateful to be among them.” Prior to joining Loyola, Leaven was a student basketball coach at East Texas Baptist University and has coached basketball for Thrive 360, a nonprofit organization that helps at-risk teens. She also played college basketball at LeTourneau University. “Basketball may be just a game for some people, but to me it is a lifestyle,” Leaven said. “The game teaches you so many valuable life lessons that will help you excel at life off the court. My goals for
our girls is for each of them to gain confidence, love themselves for who they are, and fear nothing for anyone but God. I want them to trust and love each other unconditionally, and be the best versions of themselves. If they achieve this, I know we will do great things on the court.”
Congratulations
to our 2022 Mr. & Ms. Saint Frederick James Mayronne & Rosemary Manning
The St. Frederick High School Discipleship Team refurbished the cross in front of the school on their last day of school!
WILLIAM PATRICK State Champion
1st place in the long jump with a jump of 22 feet and 6 1/2 inches
BRANDIE EPPINETTE State Champion
1st place in the 1600 Meter Run
ALYSSA DISMUKE State Champion
1st place in the discus and set a new discus record JUNE 2022 31
Mes del Sagrado Corazón y principio del verano Rosalba Quiroz, Directora El mes de junio sobresale por el calor que comienza a agobiarnos, pero también porque tiene muchas bendiciones por las que debemos estar agradecidos. Una de ellas es la celebración de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo, en la devoción al Sagrado Corazón de Jesús. Este año la Solemnidad del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús será celebrada el viernes 24 de junio, curiosamente esa es la fecha anual en que celebramos el nacimiento de Juan Bautista pero este año, la Solemnidad del Sagrado Corazón sobrepasa la de Juan el Bautista por lo que ésta última se moverá al jueves 23 de junio. El mes de junio marca la mitad del año, el comienzo de vacaciones escolares y de clases de catecismo. En muchos lugares es cuando mas se celebran los Sacramentos de Primeras Comuniones, Confirmaciones
y Ordenaciones Diaconales y Sacerdotales. Es un mes donde ya los frutos del verano se ven por doquier, mas flores en los campos; jardines y mercados llenos de refrescantes y deliciosas frutas y vegetales. Los planes de vacaciones se concretan y hay un poco mas de tiempo para disfrutar a la familia. ¿Qué recuerdos hermosos tienes de los veranos de tu infancia? ¿El ofrecimiento de flores al Sagrado Corazón o el haber recibido tus Sacramentos? Cualquiera que haya sido tu experiencia en el pasado este mes de junio, atesórala y celebra su aniversario. Este año has de él uno de los mejores meses de tu vida, agradeciendo a Dios por todo lo que te ha dado y compartiendo de lo que tienes con los mas pobres. En el nombre de Jesús y de su amoroso y Sagrado Corazón.
por el obispo - junio Este artículo es una prueba para ver quien lee – y la razón para esta “prueba,” es porque espero usar después el tema de este artículo en una homilía, y espero que lo siguiente: a). que les gustará la introducción y conclusión del articulo. O b). que cuando escuchen esta historia” en mi homilía, puedan decir, “recuerdo haber leído esto en la Catholic Connection!” … Así que es solo una pequeña prueba. Cuando amas lo que haces no sientes que trabajas ni un solo día de tu vida. Algunos dicen que Confucio fue el inventor de esta expresión. Otros dicen que fue Mark Twain. La primera vez que yo la escuché fue en un comercial de un carro de esos grandes que usa la militar - Humvee. Se trata de dos oficiales militares, una mujer y un hombre. Ella esta parada a un lado de su nuevo Humvee – Él está cerca preguntándole sobre su compra. Cuando comienzan el dialogo, él le pregunta, con un poco de escepticismo, ¿“Porque quisiste comprar un Humvee?” Ella por su parte, y siendo una gran fanática de su vehículo responde, “cuando amas lo que haces, nunca trabajarás ni un día de tu vida.” Tengo un amigo que estaba en Misa hace poco y el párroco de la Iglesia se estaba lamentando en su homilía (justificadamente) que con la escasez de sacerdotes que está sufriendo nuestra diócesis, se van a tener 32
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que eliminar algunas de las Misas en la Iglesia. Mi amigo me dijo que después de Misa, uno de los fieles le comentó “¿por qué el obispo no se para y viene a ayudar?” mi reacción fue de reírme cuando me lo contó, pero después me puse a pensar en el viejo dicho, “en cada comentario, hay un poco de verdad,” ustedes regularmente ven a su sacerdote en su parroquia. Sin embargo, a mi no me ven más que cuando voy a hacer las Confirmaciones o si hay una ocasión especial. ¿Lo que abre esta pregunta, “¿Qué es lo que hace el obispo cuando no está presente en las otras parroquias?” ¡Amo lo que hago! Pero uno de los cambios mas notables en mi vida desde que me convertí en obispo es que ya no puedo disfrutar de la vida acelerada de un párroco. Me encantaba ser párroco y no me importaba el horario pesado que tenía. Me di cuenta especialmente de esto cuando vi que ya no podía celebrar Misa diaria con los fieles de la parroquia, o de escuchar confesiones regularmente, o tener un horario regular de bautismos. Extraño ese horario – aunque este fue reemplazado rápidamente con mi estado de vida presente de ser responsable de las mas de 40 parroquias y capillas que tenemos en la diócesis. Mis fines de semana están por lo general llenos con visitas a algunas de las parroquias alejadas,
Heather Nicole Photography, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
ya que algunas están en la frontera de Texas, otras en la línea de Mississippi, o con la línea divisoria del sur de Arkansas, y hasta la orilla del norte de Alexandria. (por ejemplo, el fin de semana pasado de jueves a domingo) viajé de Shreveport a Ruston, a Monroe, y de regreso a Ruston, dando la vuelta una vez mas a Shreveport para ir también a celebrar a Vivian. Celebré el Sacramento de la Confirmación en estas parroquias y en uno de los casos, dos veces en la misma parroquia. El número de los confirmados fue muy variado ya que en una parroquia solo había 2 mientras que en otra eran 89 – pero todas requieren de viajar, y en cada ceremonia había que celebrar la Misa y ofrecer la Homilía. Mientras escribo este articulo se que tengo dos confirmaciones en la diócesis que están a 50 millas de distancia. Y de verdad, ¡Amo lo que hago! Además de las confirmaciones, tengo reuniones diarias en mi oficina que tienen que ver con las cuestiones de la diócesis, sobre el bienestar de los sacerdotes retirados, la reunión semanal de nuestros administradores y la gente que necesita o quiere hacer una visita conmigo. Me levanto temprano y por lo regular ofrezco Misa en el Centro Católico para los empleados del centro. Recibo correo diariamente – y la
correspondencia que esto implica. Recibí mi primera carta con notas desagradables de una persona que me comparaba con Poncio Pilato por haber cambiado a su sacerdote, y otra nota de alguien que solo me agradecía por la homilía en su parroquia. ¡Cartas como estas, son parte del trabajo! Las preocupaciones que como obispo me llegan involucran casi cada parroquia y capilla en la diócesis – ustedes podrán no verme cada Domingo, pero muchas personas si me ven. Y también, tengo reuniones con los empleados, con miembros de nuestro comité de sacerdotes, nuestro Consejo Sacerdotal (que se llama el Consejo de los Presbíteros), y con varios miembros de mi grupo de trabajadores. Al Consejo del Cementerio Diocesano le gusta que participe en sus reuniones, y, por supuesto, hay siempre sesiones de planeación para uno y otro grupo. Nada me encantaría mas que estar en comunicación constante con todos los fieles que son más de 40,000 católicos en nuestra diócesis y que están confiados a mi cuidado – pero la oficina del obispo no puede darse la oportunidad de hacerlo. Sería muy agradable, y aunque de verdad amaría poder hacerlo, pero mis responsabilidades como obispo, tienen limitaciones de lo que puedo hacer y de los lugares a los que puedo ir, a pesar del comentario de mal gusto que se hizo sobre mí, ¡si estoy ocupado y amo lo que hago! Si aun estas leyendo, por favor no pienses que estoy escribiendo palabras de quejas en este artículo – pues si Confucio y Mark Twain, y las personas del Humvee tienen razón (y sí creo que la tienen) “si amas lo que haces no trabajarás ni un solo día de tu vida.” En
CRISTO REY: BOSSIER CITY Rev. Fidel Mondragon 318.221.0238 Oficina Domingo 1:00pm Lunes 7:00pm Sabado 6:00pm Coordinador Oscar Gomez 972.567.2710 SAN PASCUAL: W. MONROE Rev. Luis Jost, OFM Domingo: 4:00pm Coordinadora: Lorena Chaparro 318.267.4018
otras palabras, a pesar de lo ocupado que me encuentro (al igual que sus párrocos/ sacerdotes), no parece que sea trabajo, ya que estamos haciendo lo que el Señor nos mandó aquí a hacer. Aun en este momento, mi horario me envuelve entre las Misas y celebraciones de Bachillerato de Loyola College Prep en Shreveport y después en la escuela de San Frederick en Monroe. Se espera mi presencia en estas Misas, en sus graduaciones, y así, ¡Amo lo que hago! Algunas almas buenas se preguntarán, “¿Qué puedo hacer para ayudar a mi párroco? O ¿“Que puedo hacer para ayudar a mi obispo?” o ¿Qué puedo hacer cuando por esta crisis de falta de sacerdotes en nuestra diócesis se tengan que eliminar servicios a los que estamos acostumbrados a disfrutar en las parroquias? Oren, oren, por nuestros sacerdotes – somos muy bendecidos de tener sacerdotes maravillosos en nuestra disóciese de Shreveport – solo que no tenemos suficientes. Oren por un incremento de vocaciones al sacerdocio – no se lamenten solamente diciendo que no hay suficientes. Oren por Nicolas Duncan, nuestro sacerdote recién ordenado. Oren para que yo pueda tener el tiempo y la oportunidad de visitar tantas parroquias y capillas como me sea posible. ¡Amo lo que hago! Y sin quejas. Y ya que estoy en esto – también amo a cada uno de ustedes y amo las oportunidades maravillosas que tengo de visitar parroquias desde Caddo a Zwolle, a Ruston a Monroe y Lake Providence, Oak Grove y a todas las parroquias de en medio de estas fronteras. ¡Amo lo que hago! – (y oro para que tu ames lo que haces también) ¡Que nuestro
hispanic news Señor continue haciendo lo mejor de nuestro amor por El! Tu hermano en nuestro Señor Resucitado, Obispo Francis I. Malone Obispo de Shreveport
Calendario del mes de junio, 2022 4
Reunión de Emaús mujeres, Parroquia de Cristo Rey, 9-11am. Encuentro de nuevas mujeres de Emaús 11am. - 2pm.
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Reunión en preparación para Búsqueda # 12.
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Virtus – clase de “Protegiendo a los niños de Dios”, Santa Mary of the Pines 6-9pm. (deben registrarse con anticipación creando una cuenta con www.virtusonline.org
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Reunión en preparación para Experiencia Cristo # 11.
SANTO TOMAS AQUINO: RUSTON Rev. Edward Shea, OFM 318.225.2870 Oficina Domingo 1:30pm Coordinadora: Luz Martinez 318.224.0980
STA MARIA DE LOS PINOS: SHREVEPORT Rev. Mark Watson 318.687.5121 Oficina Domingo 12:30 am Coordinadora: Alma Mendoza 318.678.9306
NUESTRA SEÑORA DEL PEPETUO SOCORRO: FARMERVILLE Rev. Luis Jost, OFM Sabados 7:00 pm Coordinadora: Paola Gonalez 817.801.3499
SAGRADO CORAZON: OAK GROVE Rev. Jean Bosco Uwamungu 318.428.2983 Oficina, Domingo 1:00pm
SAN PABLO: MINDEN Rev. Rigoberto Betancurt 318-458-6045 Cell 2do Domingo 4:00pm Coordinadora: Dora Rodriguez 870-904-9137 SAN JOSE: MANSFIELD 305 Jefferson Street Mansfield, LA 71052 Rev. Rigoberto Betancurt 3118-458-6045 3er Domingo 3:00pm
SAN JOHN THE BAPTIST, MANY Rev. Francis Kamau, FMH 318-256-5680 Oficina • primer domingo 1:00pm
JUNE 2022 33
first communion & confirmation
Cathedral of Saint John Berchmans Confirmation & First Communion
St. Jude Confirmation & First Communion
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Photos by Heather Nicole Photography
St. John the Baptist Confirmation & First Communion
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St. Paschal First Communion
St. Pius X First Communion, Cara Lee Photography
Sacred Heart of Jesus - Shreveport First Communion
St. Joseph - Shreveport Confirmation & First Communion
St. Mary of the Pines Confirmation & First Communion
JUNE 2022 35
Jesus the Good Shepherd Confirmation, First Communion, & RCIA
St. Lawrence & Our Lady of Fatima Confirmation & First Communion
Congratulations to all our First Communicants and Confirmandi! 36
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around the diocese...
“Give for Good” Day Catholic Charities at the Shreveport Aquarium
May Crowning St. Patrick Church, Lake Providence
These students didn’t let prom get in the way of Holy Week! St. Patrick Church, Lake Providence
Welcome our newest U.S. Citizen, Father Mike Thang’wa! Father Mike Thang’wa became a citizen of the United States on April 22 after passing the test in New Orleans. He also turned 50 on Friday. He was gifted with a flag flown over the Louisiana Capitol and other items. Pictured from left: Logan Calhoun, John Ivan Calhoun, Caroline Calhoun, Fred Boley, Carolyn Boley, Father Mike, Mary Ann Van Osdell, David Thomas, Lauren Boley holding the hand of Veronica Calhoun (child). JUNE 2022 37
upcoming events JUNE JUNE 11 World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests JUNE 24 Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus JUNE 22-29 Religious Freedom Week (USA) JULY JULY 1 Saint Junípero Serra, Priest JULY 4 Independence Day
JUNE 4 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM Magnificat Brunch @ Catholic Center
The Magnificat team would like to invite all women to our next brunch, Saturday, June 4, 2022 from 10:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at The Catholic Center, 3500 Fairfield Ave, Shreveport, LA 71104. Our brunch includes a meal, fellowship, praise and worship and a speaker. The speaker will be Melanie Richard and she will share her journey recovering from Covid. Come and hear how the Lord is working in her life. Tickets are $20.00 per person. Checks should be mailed to Magnificat Nowela Chapter P. O. Box 4293 Shreveport, LA 71134 by June 2, 2022. Please include the name of attendees with your check. For questions call 318-564-2672 or 318-222-0007.
JUNE 6 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Grief Support Group @ Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
Sacred Heart has a Grief Support Group on the 1st Monday of each month from 4:30 to 6:00 pm in the Rectory. The next meeting is June 6th at 4:30 pm.
JUNE 8 6:00 PM Protecting God’s Children @ Catholic Center
Protecting God’s Children classes are offered the second Wednesday of every month. They are also available online for those interested. Protecting God’s Children training is required for anyone volunteering around children or anyone who works for the church within our diocese.
JUNE 20-24 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Holy Trinity ‘sKidz Camp @ Catholic Center
JULY 5 Saint Elizabeth of Portugal JULY 14 Saint Kateri Tekakwitha JULY 18 Saint Camillus de Lellis, Priest JULY 25-29 Natural Family Planning Awareness Week (USA) JULY 31 World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 38
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Join us for a action-packed, fun-filled performance music-arts camp this summer for kids grades 1-6 at the Catholic Center! The registration deadline for the camp is June 1. Tuition is $150 per camper. To register or for more information, visit www.holytrinity-shreveport.com/ sKidz-Camp or call Holy Trinity at 318-221-5990.
JULY 8 Copy Deadline for the August Catholic Connection
If you have any questions, contact Kierstin Richter at krichter@dioshpt.org.
JULY 13 6:00 PM Protecting God’s Children @ Catholic Center
Protecting God’s Children classes are offered the second Wednesday of every month. They are also available online for those interested. Protecting God’s Children training is required for anyone volunteering around children or anyone who works for the church within our diocese.
Protecting God’s Children Training Now Available Online! Virtus now offers an online option to complete the course in 90 minutes. Once you open the course, you will have two weeks to complete it. For more information, visit www.dioshpt.org/safe-environment or contact the Safe Environment Office at 318-868-4441.
Seminarian Burses Thanks to our Recent Donors: (022) Mr. & Mrs. Ray T. Garza ($500) (035) Mrs. Rosemary C. Ward ($500) (037) Stacy Fleniken ($1000) (037) Mr. & Mrs. Todd C. Miller ($1000) (030) Mr. & Mrs. Heinz H. Huester ($1000) (035) Mr. Richard W. Ward ($1000) (039) Knights of Columbus Council 9260 ($250) Completed Burses: (001) Fr. Mike Bakowski Memorial Burse #1 ($10000) (006) Msgr. J. Carson LaCaze Memorial Burse #1 ($10000) (010) Memory of Rita Scott from the John Scott Family Burse ($10000) (011) Rev. David Richter Memorial Burse #1 ($10000)
(012) Jack E. Caplis, Jr., Memorial Burse ($10000) (013) Mary Evans Caplis Burse ($10000) (014) Bob & Peggy Semmes Memorial Burse ($10000) (019) Margaret Glenn Memorial Burse ($10000) (020) Dr. James V. Ward Memorial Burse ($10000) (026) Sheryl Seal Sweeney Memorial Burse ($10000) (027) Rev. Richard Lombard Memorial Burse ($10000) (027) Rev. Richard Lombard Memorial Burse #2 ($10000) (031) Pearl Heck & Leona Boudreaux Memorial Burse ($10000) (033) Beryl K. & Joseph D. Ozenne Memorial Burse ($10000)
Incomplete Burses: (001) Fr. Mike Bakowski Memorial Burse #2 ($1350) (002) Joseph & Antoinette Bakowski Memorial Burse ($3150) (003) Sam R. Maranto Memorial Burse ($1650) (004) Kathryn Atherton Cook Memorial Burse ($350) (005) Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Burse ($1200) (006) Msgr. J. Carson LaCaze Memorial Burse #2 ($3832.12) (007) Dr. Carol Christopher Memorial Burse ($1200) (008) St. Jude Parish Burse ($6218) (009) St. John Berchmans Knights of Columbus Council 10728 Burse ($1550) (011) Rev. David Richter Memorial Burse #2 ($4029)
(015) Bishop’s Seminarian Burse ($3410) (016) Elaine Malloy Frantz Memorial Burse ($1000) (017) Msgr. George Martinez Knights of Columbus Council 1337 Burse ($7521.57) (018) Knights of St. Peter Claver Council 144 Burse ($1180) (021) Rev. Edmund “Larry” Niehoff Memorial Burse ($2000) (022) Rev. Blane O’Neil, OFM Memorial Burse ($1200) (023) Msgr. Edmund J. Moore Memorial Burse ($1020) (024) Rev. Joseph Puthupally Memorial Burse ($1100) (025) Kathleen Hightower Memorial Burse ($400) (028) Friends-n-Faith Burse ($300)
(029) Rev. Kenneth Williams Memorial Burse ($200) (030) Ottis and Anne Krupa Littlejohn Memorial Burse ($5000) (032) Madeline and Joe Tiller Memorial Burse ($1000) (034) Joseph B. and Lucille Provenza Cordaro Burse ($6000) (035) Dr. James V. & Rosemary C. Ward Burse ($4700) (036) Msgr. Earl Vincent Provenza Burse ($1000) (037) Manuel & Catherine Licciardi, and John & Beverly Miller Burse ($4000) (038) The Malone Family Burse ($250) (039) St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Knights of Columbus Council 9260 Burse ($250)
The 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. Interested in contributing to or establishing 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. Burses are completed at $10,000.
JUNE 2022 39
CATHOLIC CONNECTION DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave.
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Shreveport, LA 71104
Catholic Connection USPS 024-824 is published monthly except for July by the Diocese of Shreveport, 3500 Fairfield Ave., Shreveport, LA 71104. Periodicals Postage PAID at Shreveport, LA 71102. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Catholic Connection, 3500 Fairfield Ave, Shreveport, LA 71104.
PHOTO OF THE MONTH: JGS School, Daycare - 6th grade, gathered in the courtyard for a bubble and birthday celebration for our beloved Fr. Mike Thang’wa. The children blew bubbles, sang Happy Birthday, and celebrated with birthday cookies for everyone! It was a wonderful morning celebrating our good shepherd, Fr. Mike! 40
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