October Catholic Connection

VOL. 21, NO.3 OCTOBER 2011

Domestic Church Holiness in the Home

Also Inside This Issue: Good Samaritans in Cedar Grove Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Celebrate 100 Years Questions on the New Roman Missal

October 2011

Contents

Publisher Bishop Michael G. Duca Editor Jessica Rinaudo Regular Contributors Bishop Michael Duca Christine Rivers Kim Long Katie Sciba Fr. Rothell Price Roxie Tabor Rosalba Quiroz Mike Van Vranken Dianne Rachal John Mark Willcox Featured Contributors Ruth Burdges Jerry Rowe Jean Dresley Randy Tiller Martha H. Fitzgerald Sr. Marilyn Vassallo Clary Nash John Vining Kelly Phelan Powell Linda Webster Fr. David Richter Editorial Board Dianne Rachal Cathy Cobb Christine Rivers Rev. Charles Glorioso John Mark Willcox Kim Long Kelly Phelan Powell The Catholic Connection is a monthly publication funded by your Diocesan Service Appeal; mailed to every known Catholic household in the Diocese of Shreveport. Our Mission is to advance knowledge and understanding of our Catholic Faith among the faithful. We seek to foster the application of Christ’s teachings and our Church’s mission in our daily lives and to encourage our sense of Catholic identity within our family, parish, and diocesan faith community.

For a free subscription, address changes or article submissions: EMAIL: jrinaudo@dioshpt.org WRITE: C atholic Connection The Catholic Center 3500 Fairfield Avenue Shreveport, LA 71104 CALL: 318-868-4441

OR 800-256-1542 FAX: 318-868-4609 WEBSITE: www.thecatholicconnection.org The Catholic Connection is a member of the Catholic Press Association.

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From the Chancellor by Christine Rivers.............................................................3 University of Dallas Courses in Ruston by Deacon Clary Nash...........................3 Bishop Michael Duca’s October 2011 Schedule.................................................3 Bishop’s Reflection by Most Reverend Michael G. Duca....................................4-5 Ten Questions on the New Roman Missal, Pt. 2

by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.......................................6 Good Samaritans in Cedar Grove by Randy Tiller................................................. 7 Small Church Profile: St. Theresa Church, Delhi by Linda Webster....................8 Second Collection: World Mission Sunday by Fr. Rothell Price..........................9 Growing Youth Ministry in the Parish Pt. 2 by John Vining.................................10 Meet the Department: Youth and Young Adult Ministry......................................10 School News.......................................................................................................11 Domestic Church: Holiness at Home by Katie Sciba .........................................12-13 Filling Up with Faith by Kim Long........................................................................... 14 St. Pius X Church Hosted Mariazeller Mass by Ruth Burdges.............................. 14 Blessed Seelos Crossed an Ocean to Serve Us by Martha H. Fitzgerald............. 15 New Seminarian Keith Garvin by Fr. David Richter................................................ 15 “Catholic Work Day” Home Dedicated in Allendale Subdivision by Jerry Rowe...... 16 Catholic Charities of Shreveport Welcomes New Development Director

by Jean Dresley................................................................................................ 16 Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Celebrate 100 Years of Service in Louisiana by Kelly Phelan Powell.................................................................... 17 Hispanic Corner by Rosalba Quiroz....................................................................18 News Briefs by Catholic News Service.................................................................. 19 Around the Diocese.............................................................................................20-21 October is Respect Life Month by Roxie Tabor......................................................... 21

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.

Upcoming Events ...............................................................................................22 Vowed Men and Women Share Ideas for Future by Sr. Marilyn Vassallo.................. 22 October 2011 Calendars.....................................................................................23 Eastern Deanery Red Mass Held at St. Matthew Church in Monroe.................... 24 On the cover: The Mainiero family gathers around the dinner table for prayer.

Clockwise from top left: Victoria, Dominic, Lori and Aaron. (Photo by Jessica Rinaudo).

October

From the Chancellor | by Christine Rivers, Chancellor Bishop Michael Duca’s October Schedule

OCT. 2 Mass & Celebration of the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel; Christ the King Church, Bossier City; 3:00 p.m.

OCT. 3 Clergy Luncheon in celebration of A Century of Faith and Service in the State of Louisiana provided by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady; St. Francis Medical Center, Monroe; 12:00 p.m.

OCT. 3 Mass in celebration of A Century of Faith and Service in the State of Louisiana provided by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady; Anna Gray Noe Park, Monroe; 2:00 p.m.

OCT. 3-7 Diocese of Shreveport Priests’ Retreat; St. Charles Retreat Center, Lake Charles.

OCT. 6 Meeting of Notre Dame Seminary Board and St. Joseph Seminary Board; Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans, LA; 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

OCT. 7 The Monsignor Terry J. Tekippe Theological Forum; Francis B. Schulte Auditorium at Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans; 7:00 p.m.

OCT. 19 Investment Committee Meeting; Catholic Center; 10:00 a.m.

OCT. 20 ULM Scholars’ Mass; Christ the King Chapel (Campus of ULM), Monroe; 6:00 p.m.

OCT. 24 Diocesan Finance Council Meeting; Catholic Center; 12:00 p.m.

OCT. 26 St. Francis Medical Center Board of Directors Meeting; St. Francis Medical Center; 11:30 a.m.

OCT. 30 Mass and Dedication of New Organ; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 11:00 a.m.

OCT. 30 Mass in Celebration of Awarding Basic Catechist Certification for Hispanic Ministry; Catholic Center Chapel; 1:00 p.m.

OCT. 30 Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Organ Recital; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans; 3:00 p.m.

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espect Life Sunday is October 2, 2011 and the theme is “I came so that all might have life and have it to the full.” Packets of materials from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have been mailed to each parish.

October is designated as Respect Life Month by the U.S. Bishops and Respect Life Sunday has been observed since 1972. For more information on Respect Life events in the Diocese of Shreveport this month, see page 21 of this issue.

University of Dallas Courses in Ruston

by Deacon Clary Nash, Director of the Permanent Diaconate

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he University of Dallas courses for deacon candidates are also open to others wanting to learn more about our Catholic Faith. The Fall 2011 Semester subjects are: Pentateuch, Fundamental Theology, Introduction to History of Liturgy and Catholic Social Training. The Spring 2012 subjects are Socio-Ministerial Ethics, Intro to Spirituality, Synoptic Gospels and Christian Anthropology. If interested in attending these courses, please contact Deacon Clary Nash at cnash@dioshpt.org or Deacon Oscar Hannibal at oscarhannibal@ gmail.com.

Hesburgh Lecture in celebration of the 25th Anniversary Year of the Diocese of Shreveport Michael S. Driscoll, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Theology University of Notre Dame Guest Speaker

“The Eucharist as the Embodiment of Love”

“Drawing on Sacramentum caritatis, the 2007 apostolic exhortation of Pope Benedict XVI, this lecture discusses the Eucharist as a mystery to be believed, a mystery to be celebrated, and a mystery to be lived.”

Sponsored by the Diocese of Shreveport and the Notre Dame Club of Northern Louisiana

November 10, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

Catholic Center • 3500 Fairfield Ave. Shreveport, LA 71104 CORRECTION: In our September issue in the article “Local Catholics Minister to the Elderly,” we erroneously said Blessed Sacrament Church in Ringgold had two Meals on Wheels Routes. The article should have said “Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Shreveport also has two Meals on Wheels routes.”

La Reflexión del Obispo por Obispo Michael G. Duca

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ste pasado abril cumplí 33 años de ordenado al sacerdocio. Cuando fui de vacaciones este año, pensé con frecuencia acerca de mi vida y de mi vocación. Era como si después de 30 años como sacerdote diocesano y tres años como obispo, finalmente tomara el tiempo para reflexionar en todo lo que el Señor ha hecho en mi vida como sacerdote.

Comencé mi vida sacerdotal pensando ingenuamente que sabía a grandes rasgos lo que esperaba de la vida. Que iba a ser asistente de párroco por unos años, después sería párroco de algunas parroquias en la diócesis de Dallas, después me retiraría en una parroquia y moriría. Por simple y sin eventos que suene como una vida sin incidentes, estaba feliz con este plan y viví mis primeros siete años de sacerdocio así como lo esperaba, como párroco asociado en tres diferentes parroquias. Después mi vida tomó una dirección diferente, en vez de ser nombrado párroco de una parroquia, mi próximo cargo fue ser nombrado Director de Vocaciones y Ministro de Campus de la Universidad Metodista del Sur (SMU). Al final de este cargo de nueve años y en vez de ser nombrado como yo esperaba como párroco fui enviado a Roma a estudiar Ley Canoníca. Después regresé a Dallas como Rector del Seminario de la Santísima Trinidad, y después de servir 12 años como rector, bueno ya ustedes conocen el resto de la historia, sorprendentemente fui nombrado el segundo Obispo de Shreveport.

Pensando en mi vida el pasado verano y en particular en la vida de sacerdote diocesano, sus sacerdotes parroquiales, me vienen algunas reflexiones.

Primero que mi llamado al sacerdocio vino como una voz pequeña dentro de mí un día en la iglesia cuando pensé, mientras veía al sacerdote en la Misa, que “yo quería hacer eso… ser un sacerdote.”

Mis papás me animaron a explorar la idea y al final entré en el seminario.

Cuando tomé mi decisión de ser un sacerdote ordenado, pensé que estaba en control. Sí, estaba haciendo la voluntad de Dios pero pensé que veía claramente

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lo que Dios quería para mi vida. ¡Que ingenuo! Lo que Dios ve en nosotros es mucho mejor y más grande de lo que nos podemos imaginar. Así que viví mi vida como sacerdote y me mantuve tratando de entender sus vueltas y revueltas con mi entendimiento limitado, pero mi vida continuó yéndose en otra dirección. No importa cuánto intenté hacer, Dios me estaba guiando en otra dirección que yo no podía ver claramente. Cuando finalmente pude ver que Dios tenía una dirección diferente y un entendimiento más profundo de mi vida dejé de pelear y de preguntar que dirección mi vida iba a tomar y en lugar de preguntarme abracé la voluntad de Dios. Con esto me vino una nueva libertad y como una clase de sabiduría que me permite aceptar este maravilloso llamado a ser su Obispo aunque frecuentemente me sienta indigno. Confío que Dios sabe lo que está haciendo.

Mi segunda reflexión considera la vida de un sacerdote hoy, en particular su sacerdote parroquial. Con frecuencia hablamos de un bajo número de sacerdotes pero en su experiencia ustedes tal vez no vean la necesidad ya que ven un sacerdote en Misa todos los domingos. Pero el hecho es que nuestro número limitado de sacerdotes en la diócesis se está comenzando a sentir y sentirse palpable para nuestros sacerdotes. Las nuevas exigencias que nuestros sacerdotes sienten son causadas por la falta de sacerdotes para cargos extra parroquiales, (por ejemplo la falta de un capellán de tiempo completo para servir en el Hospital Centro de Ciencias LSU, esto significa que los sacerdotes parroquiales son llamados más seguido

al hospital) y la falta de sacerdotes que estén libres paras ayudar cuando el párroco está enfermo, de vacaciones, o necesita el tiempo para encargarse de asuntos familiares. Sepan que sus sacerdotes se apoyan unos a otros y hacen sacrificios para asegurarse que todas las Misas Dominicales están siendo celebradas en cada parroquia, pero puede ser que más pronto de lo que pensamos su parroquia necesitará anunciar una celebración alternativa dominical o cancelar alguna Misa simplemente porque no hay un sacerdote sustituto por si su sacerdote parroquial fue llamado de urgencia o está tomando unas muy necesitadas vacaciones. Quiero decirles esto ya que es con frecuencia un estrés que no se ve pero que es causa del bajo número de sacerdotes en la diócesis.

Y finalmente oren por las vocaciones al sacerdocio. Animen a sus hijos a considerar una vocación cuando les diga que piensa que podría querer ser un sacerdote. Apóyenlo y alienten su imaginación para que si Dios lo está llamando pueda el oír ese llamado.

Escuchando y respondiendo a esa pequeña voz que yo escuché cuando era un niño fue el primer paso que di a un camino de fe que nunca me hubiera podido imaginar, y le doy gracias a Dios. La vida que imaginé era pequeña y sin ensueños y el plan de Dios, bueno, solo digamos que Dios tiene una imaginación maravillosa y yo estoy solamente comenzando a ver lo que Él tiene preparado para mí. Yo nunca pude haberme imaginado ser Obispo de Shreveport, pero le doy gracias a Dios todos los días por Su plan que me ha dado la oportunidad de servirles.

Bishop’s Reflection by Bishop Michael G. Duca

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his past April I celebrated my 33rd year of ordination to the priesthood.

While on vacation this year, I thought often about my life and vocation.

It was as if after 30 years as a diocesan Former and current Holy Trinity Seminary Rectors pictured during the Seminarian Welcome priest and three years as bishop, I finally Dinner 2007, l to r: Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan, Bishop Michael G. Duca, Rev. Msgr. took time to consider all that the Lord has Charles W. Elmer and Rev. Msgr. Charles B. King, (Pat Martin, Holy Trinity Seminary). done in my life as a priest.

I began my priestly life rather naïve what God’s will was for my life. How priests for extra parochial assignments (for thinking I knew the general outline of naïve! What God sees in us is so much example our lack of a full-time chaplain the life before me. I would be an assistant better and greater than we imagine for at LSU Health Science Center means the pastor for a few years, then I would pastor ourselves. So as I lived my life as a priest parish priests are called more often to some number of parishes in the Diocese of I kept trying to understand its twists and the hospital), and the lack of priests who Dallas, then I would retire in a parish and turns by my limited understanding, but my are free to help out when your pastor is then die. As simple and uneventful this life kept going in another direction. No sick, on vacation or needing time to take outline of a life sounds, I was happy with matter what I tried to do, God was leading care of personal family affairs. Know that this plan and lived my first seven years of me in another direction that I could not your priests help one another and make priesthood as expected as an Associate clearly see. When I was finally able to see sacrifices to be sure that all the Sunday Pastor in three different parishes. Then that God may have a different direction Masses are celebrated in every parish, my life took off in a different direction. and a deeper understanding of my life, I but it may be sooner than later that your Instead of being named the pastor of a stopped fighting and second guessing the parish will need to announce an alternative parish, my next assignment was to be direction of my life and instead embraced celebration on Sunday or the canceling of named Vocation Director and a Mass simply because there is not Campus Minister at Southern a substitute priest for your parish When I was finally able to see that Methodist University (SMU). priest if he is called away or is taking At the end of this nine year God may have a different direction a needed vacation. I wanted to let assignment I expected to be you know about this since it is often named a pastor, but instead I was and deeper understanding of my an unseen stress caused by the lower sent to Rome to study Canon numbers of priests in the diocese. life, I stopped fighting and second Law. I then returned to Dallas as And finally pray for vocations Rector of Holy Trinity Seminary, guessing the direction of my life and to the priesthood. Encourage your and after serving 12 years as children to consider a vocation instead embraced God's will. rector, well you know the rest, and when one of them tells you he I was surprisingly named the thinks he might want to be a priest, second Bishop of Shreveport. support him and encourage his God’s will. With that came a new freedom Thinking about my life this summer and and a kind of wisdom that allows me imagination so that if God is calling him then in general about the life of diocesan he will be able to hear the call. Listening to accept this wonderful call to be your priests, your parish priests, brings me to a bishop even though I often feel unworthy. to and answering that quiet voice I heard few reflections. as a child was the first step on a journey I trust God does know what He is doing.

First is that my call to the priesthood of faith that I could not have imagined, My second reflection considers the life came as a small voice within me one day and I thank God. The life I imagined was of a priest today, in particular your parish in Church when I thought, as I watched small and unimaginative and God’s plan, priest. We often speak of a shortage of the priest at Mass, that “I might want well, let’s just say God has a wonderful priests but in your experience you may to do that…to be a priest.” My parents imagination and I am only beginning to not see the need since there is a priest at encouraged me to explore the idea and see what He has in store for me. I could Mass every Sunday. But the fact is that ultimately I entered the seminary. When I our limited number of priests in the never have imagined being a bishop in made the decision to be ordained a priest, diocese is starting to be felt quite acutely Shreveport, but I thank God everyday I thought I was still in control. Yes, I was for His plan which has given me the by our priests. The new demands some of doing God’s will, but I thought I saw clearly our priests feel are caused by the lack of opportunity to serve you.

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Ten Questions on the New Roman Missal, Pt. 2 | by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Questions 1-3 were published in the September issue of the Catholic Connection.

4. What is the timeline for the approval and implementation for the Missal?

After the Latin Missale Romanum was published in 2002, the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) began its work of preparing a draft English translation of the text. ICEL presented the first section— the Order of Mass, which contains the fixed prayers of the Mass, including the people’s parts—to the English speaking conferences of bishops in 2004. The USCCB approved the final version in 2006, and the Holy See confirmed this section in June 2008. The remaining sections were approved between 2007 and 2009.

The USCCB completed its approval of the Missal in November 2009. The Holy See granted the final approval of the text in the spring of 2010. Cardinal Francis George, OMI, president of the USCCB, announced that parishes may begin using the revised translation on November 27, 2011.

5. Can we start using the texts approved by the bishops immediately?

The translation of the Missale Romanum could not be used in the celebration of the Mass until the complete text was confirmed by the Holy See. Now that the translation has received the recognitio, the USCCB has established the first day on which the new translation may be used. Use of the revised text requires preparation and catechesis for both priests and the faithful. When the time comes to use the texts in the celebration of the Mass, priests will be properly trained, the faithful will have an understanding and appreciation of what is being prayed, and musical settings for the liturgical texts will be readily available.

6. What will the process of implementation look like?

Now that the recognitio has been granted, final preparation and publication of the Missal will commence. Catechesis on the new translation and on the Liturgy itself will become even more important. Training for priests, music ministers, and other liturgical leaders (liturgy committees and liturgical commissions), as well as formation for all Catholics, will help to ensure the successful implementation of the new text.

7. What will the new Missal mean in my parish?

In the months before the revised translation is implemented, parishes will have to do many things. The parish will have to replace liturgical books and participation aids. Priests will practice proclaiming the new texts and will prepare homilies helping the faithful to understand the new translation and to deepen their appreciation for the Liturgy. The music ministers and the people will learn new musical settings for the parts of the Mass (such as the Gloria and the Sanctus). Catechists and teachers will help parishioners learn the new prayers. Parishes may also use this opportunity to undertake a thorough reexamination of their liturgical practices.

6 7 Catholic Connection October 2011

Literature is displayed on a table during a workshop to prepare priests for the implementation of the third edition of the Roman Missal at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Melville, NY. The new Roman Missal will go into use in the United States Nov. 27, the first Sunday of Advent.

(CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

8. If my parish likes the old translation better, can we continue using that one?

Now that the Holy See has granted the recognitio to the revised translation, the USCCB has established a date for first use and a date for mandatory use. No parish may continue to use the current translation after the mandatory use date.

Parishes will need to use the period before the mandatory use date to help parishioners renew their love for the Sacred Liturgy, to understand the changes, and to develop an appreciation for the revised translation.

9. Do these changes mean that the old translation was not valid and orthodox?

The current translation was approved by the conferences of bishops and confirmed by the Holy See. Until the new text becomes effective, the current translation remains the valid ordinary form of the Liturgy in the Roman Rite. The revised translation attempts to address some inadequacies in the present translation by introducing a more elevated style of language and by retaining many poetic texts and scriptural allusions. The current translation fostered the faith of two generations of Catholics and retains a valid place in church history.

10. What opportunities does the new Missal offer the Church?

Implementing the new Missal will give the Church an opportunity to take a fresh look at its liturgical practice and to renew its celebration of the Sacred Liturgy, which is the “source and summit” of Christian life (Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church [Lumen Gentium], no. 11). The faithful, encountering the Liturgy anew in the new text, can deepen their sharing in Christ’s sacrifice, offering their lives to the Father as they worship “in Spirit and truth” (Jn 4:23).

Good Samaritans in Cedar Grove

by Randy Tiller, Director of Mission Effectiveness

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e all know the parable of the Good Samaritan in the Bible (Luke 10:35-37). Through this parable God teaches us that knowing God’s law does not hold a candle to putting God’s law into action. As Christians we are called to emulate the samaritan in this parable and show our selfless love to others around us. Through partnerships and working together across religious, ethnic and socio-economic lines we can truly live our call to be good samaritans.

Bishop Michael G. Duca signs over two diocesan-owned lots in Cedar The Diocese of Shreveport, including the St. Catherine Grove to Lee Jeter with the Fuller Housing Foundation. These lots will Community Center and Catholic Charities of Shreveport, has be used to build new houses for families who would normally never be formed a good samaritan partnership with the Fuller Housing able to buy their own homes.

Foundation. This faith-based ministry exists on grants and ministry is the Greater Blessing Program. This is strictly a rehab donations and endeavors to make home ownership a reality for program for those families who already own their homes, but due many people who would otherwise be unable to purchase their to limited incomes are not always able to do the necessary repairs own home. and rehabilitation necessary to keep the homes energy efficient or The Bible was very clear that neighbor should help neighbor. in good repair to protect their investment.

Matthew 22: 37-40 states that two simple commands, love God People in the Cedar Grove neighborhood are able to apply for and love your neighbor, are the basis of God’s law. Our love of the new construction. Once they have applied, credit checks and neighbor should flow naturally from our love of God. background checks will be completed and a personal interview The Diocese of Shreveport, the Cathedral of St. John with the Fuller Foundation will be conducted. Applications are Berchmans and the former congregation of St. Catherine of Siena available through contacting the Fuller Foundation at 318-221Church donated two lots in Cedar Grove on the corner of E. 72nd 7474, or picking up applications at the Catholic Charities Office Street and Henderson Avenue to the Fuller Housing Foundation. at 331 E. 71st Street, the St. Catherine Community Center at The foundation has had the lots re-surveyed and staked off for 7109 Henderson Avenue, or various other locations and churches the construction of two new homes in the near future. As soon throughout the Cedar Grove area. as funding is in place the construction will begin. Other Catholic The first meeting for this project was held at the St. Catherine parishes are invited to contribute financially and volunteer to help Community Center Gym on September 8. Additional meetings these two houses, especially since they were donated from the will be announced at that location, A. B. Palmer Park and other Catholic community. locations through flyers and announcements.

Other partners in the Cedar Grove neighborhood will The greatest need is for volunteers to help with construction include Community Renewal International, the City of and donors to fund the projects. Help give a family in need the Shreveport through the donation of adjudicated properties in the lasting gift of health, security and happiness. Congregations of neighborhood, and other Cedar Grove neighborhood churches all sizes are invited to sponsor and lead projects, from simple through donations. No federal or state dollars are used to fund wheelchair ramps to major rehabs. Business owners are needed these houses. Over the next several years it is anticipated that 40 to become Corporate Builders by sponsoring a Greater Blessing to 50 new homes will be constructed in the neighborhood. project and inviting your employees to volunteer with The The poor will always be with us. This ministry, founded Fuller Center. in December 2005 four months after Hurricane Katrina by The Millard Fuller Legacy Build is an annual, internationallyMillard Fuller, brings the essence of neighborly love to our own recognized week of backyard. After Katrina building that brings and the devastation in New attention to the need Orleans, a keen awareness for simple, decent and of reaching out to others affordable housing. less fortunate took shape During this special in the mind of Mr. Fuller. week, the Fuller Center Since his death, others, for Housing covenant including Lee Jeter, the partners around the staff of Fuller Housing and world set goals to help many volunteers, carry the build or rehabilitate 100 baton. Mr. Fuller stated, homes.

The event will “For a community to be take place October 17whole and healthy, it must 21. Registration is now be based on people's love open. With your help and and concern.” support the two homes in A sister program that Cedar Grove can begin in goes hand in hand with One of the Fuller Center for Housing’s builds in the Allendale neighborhood of October too. the new construction Shreveport.

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SMALL CHURCH PROFILE: St. Theresa Church, Delhi

by Linda Webster, PhD During the 25th anniversary year of the Diocese of Shreveport we will be profiling small churches around the diocese.

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t. Theresa in Delhi is an unusual interpretation of a small Catholic church architecture. Even with a traditional red-brick exterior, the modern look of the faux bell tower and the clean lines of the building hint that the sanctuary holds a visual surprise for any Sunday visitor.

“In 1996, thanks to a benefactor, the church was gutted and fully renovated,” said Eva Dawson, the parish Social Ministry and St. Vincent de Paul liaison. “At that time, the roof was leaking and splitting, and the church was in very poor St. Theresa Church in Delhi, Louisiana condition.”

The interior of the sanctuary is full of light – light from the look at the back of the church and not see that curtain.” crystal-clear windows with themed flower motifs in the centers She also remembers the statues and amber windows that and light from the soaring beamed ceiling that leads the eye to a created a very traditional church atmosphere for most of her suspended glass crucifix above the altar. Two shadow forms from childhood in Delhi. the crucifix are thrown onto the white wall behind the altar.

“When I was growing up most of the parishioners were elderly.

“That’s my favorite part of this church,” said Fr. Philip My mother was 40 when I was born and there were families Pazhayakari. When I walked into the church for the first with five and six kids each whose parents were already older. I time and saw the three-fold crucifix up on that wall, I was remember Miss Josephine who would keep all of the children mesmerized. It’s so beautiful.” quiet, although anyone could speak to any child and they would Like the huge crucifix, other traditional elements of the obey. Then, in the 1970’s, there were a whole lot of kids who sanctuary have a modern twist. Bold white line drawings on grew up and went off to college. The older people are almost all glass squares mounted directly onto the walls represent the 14 gone and the younger generation didn’t come back.”

Stations of the Cross. Instead of statuary, the niches at either side The organ loft disappeared during a modernization in the of the altar are filled with fresh flowers, gathered each Sunday 1980s when the stairs and the loft were deemed unsafe. They morning from gardens all over town and arranged by volunteers were removed prior to a wedding, Anderson remembered. under the direction of Dawson in the tiny hall just off of the During the year the most recent renovation was occurring, robing room. parishioners worshipped at the Manger, a developmental center “Everyone learns how to arrange flowers,” said Dawson, nearby. And when the renovation was done, more than the explaining that the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) organ loft and the confessional had been changed. classes, held at 9:00 am during the school year, are small and “We could see that the windows were different,” she said, include children in mixed age groups. Often, children in CCD “but we didn’t know what was going on with the renovation. will help with the flowers while they study their lessons because The parish was not involved. When I first saw the new interior, space for CCD is limited with just one small classroom, a tiny I got furious. Where were the statues? I know that statues don’t office, and the “hall” make a church but which is about the when I go to Mass in size of a modest board South Louisiana and I room. Classes and see all of that beautiful Mass preparation art, I still miss the occur together. statues.”

The “old” church Anderson got had an organ loft used to the new above the main door interior and is now and a confessional comfortable with located just inside the “open and airy” main entrance. look of the modern “I remember there interpretation. was a curtain across “The windows the opening to the really needed to come confessional,” said out and the interior Emmie Lou Anderson walls used to be brick, who has lived in the so those changes are parish for over 50 very welcome,” she Inside St. Theresa Church. years. “It’s strange to added.

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Delhi originally prospered during WWII as Sun Oil developed the Delhi oil field. According to diocesan records, Rev. Walfrid Boesche, OFM, who was serving as pastor to the Sacred Heart congregation in Rayville, began ministering to a group of Delhi Catholics by offering Mass in a private home. In spite of a grant from the Franciscans and private money enabling the small congregation to purchase land, building a church was a challenge because of WWII restrictions on building materials.

Construction finally began in 1945 and the first Mass was offered in the church on December 8, 1946. At one point, a house trailer served as a rectory and guest residence.

“We’ve always been a small parish,”

SECOND COLLECTION: World Mission Sunday

by Fr. Rothell Price, Vicar General Announcement Dates: October 9 & 10 • Collection Dates: October 22 & 23

“

Father Philip Pazhayakari at the altar.

explained Anderson. “Maybe 25-35 people. And it varies depending on the time of the year. Some members of the original families are homebound and can’t get to Mass any longer. But we’ve had an interesting history. In the late 1950s, the Ku Klux Klan burned a cross in front of the church. I didn’t see it but I was very young – maybe five-years-old – and I remember hearing about it. It’s hard to forget!”

Eva Dawson, with daughters Isabel and Dora, and Emmie Lou Anderson, finished arranging flowers for the small gathering.

“This is now a rather low-income area,” said Dawson. “We get visitors to the lake in season who come to Mass but we don’t have a large group of regular parishioners coming to Mass each week.

That’s why we all pitch in.”

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hen Jesus approached and said to them, ‘Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

And behold I am with you always, until the end of the age.’” Matthew 28: 18-20.

This passage from Matthew’s Gospel is commonly called The Commissioning of the Disciples, or The Great Commission.

The World Mission Sunday Collection is a principle way we help with this commissioning of Christ’s Church. Our sacrificial generosity makes it possible for laity, associations of the Christian faithful, religious men and women, deacons, priests, bishops and the pope to proclaim the Good News and bring others into the sheepfold and household of God. World Mission Sunday, organized by the Propagation of the Faith, is a day set aside for Catholics worldwide to recommit themselves to the Church’s missionary activities through prayer and sacrifice. World Mission Sunday is celebrated annually on the next-to-last Sunday in October. As described by Blessed Pope John Paul II, World Mission Sunday is “an important day in the life of the Church because it teaches how to give: as an offering made to God, in the Eucharistic celebration and for all the missions of the world.”

Every year the needs of the Catholic Church in the Missions grow as new dioceses are formed, new seminaries are opened, areas devastated by war or

natural disaster are rebuilt, and as other areas, long suppressed, are opened up to hear the message of Christ and his Church. That is why the involvement of Catholics from around the world is so urgently needed.

In his message for World Mission Sunday 2011, given from the Vatican on January 6, 2011, the Solemnity of the Epiphany, Pope Benedict proclaimed that, “the proclamation of the Gospel is intended for all peoples…. She [the Church] exists in order to evangelize…

We cannot reconcile ourselves to the thought that after 2,000 years there are still people who do not know Christ and have never heard his Message of salvation….And this is not all: an increasing number of people, although they received the Gospel proclamation, have forgotten or abandoned it and no longer recognize that they belong to the Church….It is important that both individual baptized people and ecclesial communities be involved in the mission, not only sporadically or occasionally, but in a constant manner, as a form of Christian life. May World Mission Sunday revive in each one the desire to go and the joy of ‘going’ to meet humanity, bringing Christ to all. ” In the spirit of our 25th anniversary year’s theme, “Christ Yesterday, Today and Forever,” I invite you to participate generously in this collection which allows us to individually and collectively fulfill Christ’s mandate to “Go.” And we rejoice that in our “going” and “giving,” he is with us always.

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Growing Youth Ministry in the Parish Pt. 2

by John Vining, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries Part 1 of this series stated: “To have a spiritually effective ministry you will need good leaders. You will need leaders who pray, work at their ministry, communicate, serve and maintain a positive attitude.

These leaders will also need to be supported by their pastors and parishioners. Youth ministry is a comprehensive effort.” This second article will point out some of the virtues addressed in St. Paul’s letter to Titus (1:7-8), such as being hospitable, prudent, devout, blameless, upright and attention is invariably drawn there and the self-controlled, that are exemplary for any negative is always reinforced. Your parish of God’s stewards as well as recognizing will lose zeal over time. When a leader temptations and pitfalls that work against is constantly criticizing others, they are the virtues such as cynicism, oversensitivity, modeling a critical spirit for their people. anger, prideful or full of self.

Unfortunately, defeatism sets in. How electing spiritual leaders is one of can a people reach their potential when a the most important things your leader has no faith in them? pastor and parish will do. To avoid Oversensitivity is another pitfall. Of pitfalls you must prayerfully discern. A course, we need to be sensitive to other’s good leader will not be prideful. The sin needs, but we don’t need to return spite for of pride may just be the leader’s worst a verbal injury. We all know these kinds of enemy. It is subversive and can easily be people. We call them high maintenance. couched in pious terms. Pride will tempt They tend to gossip as well. They will leaders to take credit from others. They make sure people that can help them with have an inability to recognize others their revenge know of how they have been for their efforts. Proverbs 27:2 reminds slighted by someone. Insults and injuries us to, “let another praise you and not are never pleasant and our carnal reaction your own mouth.” People are important is to lash out. It happens every day, and we and those who labor in your church all are culpable at some point. However, ministries deserve to be respected. Pride those characterized by oversensitivity can become downright insidious when a should be eliminated from the selection ministry grows. The corruptive influence process. can shake the very foundation of it. The Anger goes right along with temptation comes in when the leader feels oversensitivity, but those who are prone their dynamic personality, compelling to quick anger are detrimental to any vision, good management skills, or even ministry taking place. Often people will savvy marketing strategies has caused hide behind the notion of righteous anger, their success. They direct attention to but how often do you see anger being themselves rather than God. Pride will expressed in a proper manner? Consider also make your leader un-teachable. what St. Paul’s letter to Titus says in 1: They’ve done it all before, they’ve seen 7-8, “For a Bishop, as God’s steward, must it all, they are extremely confident.They be blameless; he must not be arrogant or will be unwilling to learn anything new. quick tempered or addicted to wine or This will also lead to the idea that they are violent or greedy for gain, but he must be self-sufficient. Sadly, it will lead to a loss of hospitable, a lover of goodness, prudent, compassion for others. The people become upright, devout, and self-controlled.” Is a mere commodity in their schemes. If you this standard for a bishop only? If you want an example of this read Ezekiel 34:1- have leadership with these qualities in 10. God castigates the unspiritual leaders. your parish, you have a fine parish indeed.

Cynicism is another quality to avoid These should serve as guidelines for us. when selecting a leader. You are not Will you ever have a perfect candidate? asking that someone who serves with you Probably not, but the prayer of a righteous have an overly idealistic attitude about man or woman avails much. We should everything, but you want to avoid those always strive toward a better standard. who always focus on their organization’s Look for part 3 of this article in our problems and weaknesses. People’s November issue.

MEET THE DEPARTMENT: Youth & Young Adult Ministries During the 25th anniversary year of the Diocese of Shreveport we will be profiling those who work in each department for the diocese. We hope this helps you get to know the people who work for you.

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Left to right:John Vining, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries and Brandy Wood, Assistant to Youth and Young Adult Ministries.

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outh and Young Adult Ministries serve adult and youth leaders in parishes by providing leadership training, access to professional resources, information networking and program support.

John Vining: I serve as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. I have been married to Monique for 19 years and have two beautiful children, Bethany and John Luke. I attend Mary, Queen of Peace Church in Bossier City. We recently moved here and have met a lot of wonderful people. I’ve only been on board since November 2010, but I’ve already seen God working in the lives of others. That is the best part of my job, seeing the Holy Spirit touch lives in our Catholic community.

Brandy Wood: I serve as Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. I am married to Matt and have one daughter and three sons. I have worked for the Diocese of Shreveport since August 2009. I enjoy working with and getting to know the parish youth leaders within our diocese.

If you have any questions or need help concerning youth or young adult ministries please call me at (318) 868-4441 and I’ll be happy to assist you.

School News

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School has begun and ST. FREDERICK HIGH SCHOOL is going strong as usual! There have been some amazing physical changes to the entire St. Frederick campus over the summer. Everything is looking great and students and staff are excited about the 2011-12 school year!

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for a sprinkler system, something much needed in the Louisiana heat. We will also be hosting Sharing and Caring on the third Thursday of each month. Each student will be asked to bring in one nonperishable food item to donate to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

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Loyola College Prep held a 9/11 Prayer Service on September 9 Another great year is on projection as students and faculty gathered in front for jesus the good of the school to remember the events of shepherd school as Assistant Principal Aimee Anthony welcomed back 10 years ago. Part of the event, which was organized by the Student Government students on the first day of school!

Association, was to honor local first responders who were represented at the The 2011-2012 ST. john service. The memorial featured scripture berchmans school Student readings and music. The event concluded Council has a very busy year planned with the singing of the National full of service projects and fundraisers.

Anthem and God Bless America. A The main goals of Student Council are 9/11 remembrance was also held at the to help our principal, Mrs. Cazes, and football game that night. to improve our school in every way possible. As part of Grandparents Day, The students and faculty at our Student Council held a prayer service to lady of fatima school commemorate those whose lives were remembered all of the fallen heroes of lost in the terrorist attacks on September 9/11 at an all school Mass led by Fr. 11, 2001. In November, we will be Sebastian Kallarackal. holding a school dance to raise money

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St. Joseph School commemorated the events of September 11, 2001, with its 10th annual flag ceremony on Friday, September 9, 2011. Brigadier General Everett H. Thomas, Vice Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, served as the guest speaker for the ceremony. The Barksdale Color Guard also took part in the ceremony, as well as members from the musical quartet Cypress Bend. Firemen from Shreveport Fire Station #11 attended the event and brought a fire truck to be toured by students in grades K-3, K-4, and K-5. As part of the ceremony, middle school students read poems and essays, and the first graders sang patriotic songs.

The ceremony ended with a school-wide balloon release of balloons and prayer cards.

Pictured: Brigadier General Everett H. Thomas, Vice Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, poses with seventh grader Madison Landry, her mother Melissa, and grandmother, Dorothy Landry.

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Domestic Church Holiness in the Home

by Katie Sciba

The Mainiero family gathers around the dinner table to pray before a meal.

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amily is sacred – a concept that is widely believed, but Make it a habit to fold laundry for your spouse, pray the rosary is it fully understood? Everyone knows that family together after dinner, and keep TV and computer use in-check is important, but why? It goes much deeper than so you can talk with your kids more often. Everyone has heard togetherness at holidays and far beyond laughter at the the adage “The family that prays together stays together.” Such dinner table. The reasons for the sanctity of family are present a simple thought carries marvelous truth. In praying together, throughout Scripture, founded at the very beginning in members bring their offers of gratitude and petition to God Genesis. Because “it [was] not good for man to be alone,” the before the family, who can offer prayers for each individual.

Lord blessed Adam with a wife St. Paul wrote, “He is before all things, and commissioned them both to and in him all things hold together” "In praying together, co-create with Him, fashioning (Colossians 1:17). The family that has members a family. By God’s holy charge, Christ has a strong bond and there mankind is meant to have families are many graces to be obtained from and keep them close to Him. praying together. Praying the rosary as Blessed Pope John Paul II wrote, before the family, a family has the unique attachment of a “It is in the family that one learns plenary indulgence with it; this in itself who can offer prayers for the love and faithfulness of the is extraordinary because such a blessing Lord...” The family serves several is not bestowed in praying the rosary each individual." purposes; support and drawing with any other group of people. one another to Christ are among the most important.

Blessed Pope John Paul II also wrote that “the family forms The family is the “cradle of life and love,” said Blessed Pope man in the fullness of his personal dignity,” and to bring each John Paul II, meaning the origin of each is meant to be here member this fullness, everyone contributes! Love should be for everyone – from those with new tiny toes to members wise ever-present, regardless of calm or conflict. Of course, I realize with age. So it naturally follows that essential to this “life and that it’s more easily said than done and no renewed effort love” is support for one another, coming in every form. Acts toward familial support will affect drastic changes overnight. of service, frequent prayer, and common conversation leave It’s true, however, that every family can steadily push for the lines of love and communication wide open, which is a more solid, Catholic lifestyle; and the answer to every conducive to a family-life lived more abundantly (John 10:10). challenge along the way is Christ – encountering Him in the

bring their offers of gratitude and petition to God

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Eucharist, in prayer, and in others.

It is the responsibility of every family member to charitably draw one another to Christ, which is a HUGE gift! It’s often taken for granted that spouses, siblings, parents and children are blessings to each other; and it’s my belief that once this is more fully grasped, the understanding of the family’s sanctity will be restored. I think most parents would agree that the blessing every child brings is helping others better understand God’s love.

There is remarkable joy in witnessing a child’s growth; my husband and I were over the moon when our toddler started walking and we beam with pride when we see how quickly he catches on to new skills.

With our little man’s development comes the realization that whatever he does, we’re going to love him. And so it is with God and us, the souls He created.

The blessings that parents bring to children are innumerable– it’s you who are your children’s first exposure to life itself, the most essential aspect being faithful. What you do, your kids will do and where you place priorities, so will they. It’s important to note that this connection is not by any means limited to the parent-child relationship either: spouses, siblings, and friends will mimic each other’s behaviors, so evaluate your own example and pay attention to the goodness in your loved ones. Are you obedient to laws? Is attending Mass a priority for you? How often do you lead your family in prayer?

Education is at the top of the list when it comes to blessings that parents can give children. Parents are called to be primary educators for their kids, meaning that children should witness Catholicism in their parents first; that teaching of faith isn’t left only to PSR teachers, friends, or school. Since parents are primary educators, they should strive to be learned in the faith and they should seek higher education for themselves. Two of my favorite quotations from the saints go hand in hand: St. Francis said, “Preach the Gospel at all times, use words when necessary,” and it was St. Jerome who said, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” While you should set an excellent example for your family, it should be founded on Scripture and Church Teaching. One of my favorite aspects of the Catholic Church is that there is always something more to learn, more to wrap your mind around. The Church holds endless truths to be studied and practiced until death. Contrary

to popular approach, the Sacrament of Confirmation isn’t the end of religious education; it’s then that our initiation has ended and we’re given the graces to keep going! To keep diving deeper into Catholicism, attend adult education classes through your parish, visit www.catholic.com and check the forums for Q&As, read the Catholic for a Reason series, follow St. Jerome’s advice and pick up your Bible.

Supporting your family through education and prayer has to be a significant part of home life, as the effects will spread from your own house to your parish, ultimately forming the Catholic Church as a whole. Blessed Pope John Paul II emphasized, “By exercising its mission to educate, the family contributes to the common good and constitutes the first school of social virtue, which all societies need…”

What happens in the family will ultimately affect the rest of society, on small and large scales. It’s through studying Sacred Scripture, praying together, and heeding the words of Church Teaching that holiness as a family, as a Church, can be obtained.

“What you do, your kids will do and where you place priorities, so will they.”

“Parents are called to be primary educators for their kids, meaning that children should witness Catholicism in their parents first...”

(CNS Photo/Nancy Wiechec)

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Filling Up with Faith | by Kim Long, DRE, St. Mary of the Pines

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ears ago when I started working for my church one of my responsibilities was to offer a Baptism seminar. I was unsure of what to say, how to proceed.

I felt I knew the basics, but in those “early” days I wasn’t sure I could convey them. So I did something I have done for most of my life, I opened my Bible and began to thumb through hoping for inspiration. My Bible fell open to Luke’s gospel with all those meal passages. Hum….

The appointed day came. Depending heavily on some handouts and the Holy Spirit, we began the general introductions and exclaiming over the babies. I asked each of those present how their families celebrated “big” events. Without missing a beat the response I got was, “We go to mama’s and eat.” “Do you eat in silence?”

I asked. “No we laugh and tell stories.”

“When you leave, how do you feel?”“Good, full, happy” were some of the responses. I rearranged these statements on the board asking them if I heard them correctly, “You gather, share stories, share a meal, and when you leave you feel full and happy. Is that right?” All nodded in agreement. I asked them what that series of events reminded them of while pointing to the board. With no hesitation and a little amazement they chimed in “It looks like Mass.” That broke any ice and we began to talk about Church with a capital “C” and church with a small “c”.

That moment has stuck with me, has humbled me and has helped me see the beauty of God’s grand design for us. I think that day we verbalized, crystallized something we all know: when we share a meal we are sharing God with each other on the most fundamental level. When we share our stories with one another, we open ourselves up to intimacy and even a bit of vulnerability; not unlike Jesus who ate in questionable company and shared his understanding of God’s love to people who may or may not have accepted it at that moment.

The fact is it’s difficult, though not impossible, to bring to the parish what we don’t have at home! If a family doesn’t sometimes eat together at the table it will be a little more difficult to hook into the concept of our Spiritual banquet at Mass. If we don’t share our family stories with our children, it will be more difficult for us to feel that “all those people in the Bible” are our spiritual ancestors. If we don’t celebrate

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the sacredness of family we miss out on some of that grand design.

The Church in her wisdom has always known this. In Acts of the Apostles and Paul’s letters we have descriptions of the first believers gathered to celebrate Eucharist and they did that in homes. In the 4th century St. John Chrysostom said the family is ecclesia, using the Greek term for church to describe the family. At the Second Vatican Council this tradition was “re-discovered” and Catholicism began to return to this way of thinking, and being.

John Paul II of Blessed Memory stated that the family is meant to “constitute the church in its fundamental dimension.”

Families are what the Church is made of.

This is a beautiful understanding and reality not just a concept for formal theologians. One that we can participate in every time we hug our children, bless them before a big day at school or even when an adult child checks in via cell phone with a problem or an accomplishment, when we tell our spouses via whispered benediction that we prayed for them, when we visit older family members to assure them they

(CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec) (Feb. 6, 2009)

are still a part of the family, or any number of daily occurrences that are done almost unconsciously but that are done with love.

Domestic Church is never meant to replace or compete with the parish or the Universal Church, but to help build them up with strong believers, believers in love, in trust, in hope, in forgiveness and in that grand design.

St. Pius X Church Hosted Mariazeller Mass | by Ruth Burdges

Sheveport Chorale in Montreal.

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f you weren’t at St. Pius X Church on August 21, you missed a wonderful collaboration of the St. Pius X Choir, the Shreveport Chorale, the Texarkana Regional Chorale and the Chorale Orchestra in the presentation of F. J. Haydn’s Mariazeller Mass. This was not a traditional Mass of celebration, but a Mass with beautiful music written by Haydn in the 1700’s.

Marc-Andre Bougie, St. Pius X’s choir and music director and conductor of both Chorales, led the inaugural concert in the church’s new sanctuary. The concert fulfilled the expectations of the parish and choir, who worked hard. It was even more momentous because it also marked the Feast Day of the church’s patron saint, St. Pius X. The beginning of the concert was

introduced by Bougie as a series of French dance music written by J.S. Bach. The main part of the concert, the Mariazeller, was comprised of five parts of the traditional liturgical Mass, the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus and the Agnus Dei. The litanies of verse were beautifully presented and moved some to join along.

Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus from “Messiah” was a fitting conclusion to the program and drew everyone to their feet in appreciation. The acoustics were superb and the space captured every note and carried the crescendos as if they floated on angels’ wings. Hopefully the concert will mark the beginning of many more such concerts at St. Pius X and give many more people an experience they won’t soon forget.

Blessed Seelos Crossed an Ocean to Serve Us | by Martha H. Fitzgerald New Seminarian Keith Garvin | by Fr. David Richter, Director of Church Vocations

Wall painting on the Franz Seelos Haus in Füssen, Germany, owned by a local church parish. (Martha H. Fitzgerald).

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ÜSSEN, Germany—Murals abound in this Bavarian village, and many of them are religious. Centuries-old images of saints, Christ, the Blessed Virgin, the Trinity. We were searching for something more contemporary, however, and finally we found it.

“Turn around and look,” directed one of our band of pilgrims, which included three Shreveporters. There, high on a threestory building, was a scene from antebellum America. The young Redemptorist priest Francis Xavier Seelos, born in Füssen in 1819, proclaims the Good News to immigrants young and old. Several carry bundles of belongings from their ocean voyage. Two, of African origin, are seated on theirs, the better to hear the words Seelos preaches.

The mural depicts the life and missionary work of Blessed Francis Seelos, beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2000. It does not depict his death, which is of particular significance to Louisiana Catholics. Seelos died of yellow fever in New Orleans in 1867 after tending to victims of that summer’s epidemic. Many of the faithful across Louisiana ask for his intercession in a health crisis. Redemptorist Fr. Byron Miller leads the National Shrine of Blessed Francis Seelos in New Orleans and directs the cause for his canonization, now under investigation in Rome.

Seelos left his family and crossed the Atlantic to join the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a missionary order.

We pilgrims had crossed that same ocean to honor Seelos and a fellow Redemptorist: St. John Neumann, a native of what is now Czech Republic, born 200 years ago. We’d already paid a visit to the Seelos birthplace and were soon to attend a private Mass in the Basilica of St. Mang, his parish home and site of Germany’s Seelos shrine. Ahead of us were seven days of visits to Redemptorist churches and Marian shrines in Bavaria, Austria, and Bohemia, the province of Neumann’s birth.

This Neumann Bicentennial Year Pilgrimage underscored for me not only the

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he Diocese of Shreveport has accepted as a seminarian and possible candidate for priesthood ordination Keith Garvin. Keith, 51, grew up in Shreveport, where his mother still resides. He is a former Episcopal priest, having worked in ministry in that capacity for almost 12 years. He has 36 hours in counseling, received a Master of Divinity in Theology from Nashotah House Episcopal Seminary, and was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1999.

Keith worked as an assistant priest in a parish church in McKinney, TX, served as a Navy chaplain aboard the USS Nashville, headed up campus ministry in two colleges in Denton, TX, and served a mission church in The Colony, TX. He also has a background in youth ministry, counseling adolescent and adult patients in a psychiatric hospital, and did juvenile probation officer work at a runaway shelter in Dallas.

Having thought and prayed about becoming a Catholic for some time, Keith entered the Catholic Church in September 2007. He was accepted as a seminarian for the Diocese of Fort Worth and was assigned to study Catholic theology in Washington, D.C. as well as familiarize himself with Catholic ministry and practices. He served a pastoral year at Sacred Heart Church in Wichita Falls.

During this time, his family connections in Louisiana were exerting more influence on him than before. He discussed his leanings with the vocation director for Fort Worth and approached the Diocese of Shreveport to ask that he be considered for completion of pastoral training.

After some months of contact with the bishop and vocation director of Ft. Worth, Keith was accepted for further training and assigned by Bishop Duca to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Shreveport, where Learn more about the Seelos shrine at www.seelos.org.

Martha Fitzgerald’s pilgrimage blog may be found at http:// he will be supervised by the pastor, Father Phil Michiels. www.redemptorists.net/news-detail.cfm?id=313. faith of Seelos and Neumann, but also their courage. Both left their homelands as young men with seminary training but not yet ordained. They braved physical hardship in urban settings and on the frontier. They were targets for nativist anti-Catholic bigotry and violence. But their trust in the Lord did not waver.

Neumann became bishop of the Diocese of Philadelphia in 1852. Seelos, after parish and seminary work in Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Annapolis, led a band of missionaries venturing as far west as Wisconsin and as far south as Louisiana. Both became U.S. citizens before their early deaths, in 1860 and 1867, respectively.

From the inception of our country, U.S. Catholics have been well served by foreignborn priests an ocean away from their families and parish homes. To this day, such priests celebrate Mass for us and baptize our children. Natives of Kenya, India, Ireland, and other countries serve as priests in north Louisiana, in our own mission diocese. This trip impressed upon me the dislocation such priests must feel upon arriving in America— and their longing to someday see loved ones again. Seelos never saw his parents or siblings once he left Bavaria in 1843.

Beloved in his day as a pastor and confessor, Seelos was strict enough to delay absolution for the unrepentant, but gentle and merciful with the repentant. “One must treat many people softly,” he said. His grace-filled manner inspired a generation of Redemptorist missionaries. “The priest who is rough with people,” he once wrote, “does injury to himself and to others. … Hundreds of souls turn away from him, from God and from religion.”

I encourage you to learn more about Blessed Seelos, the “cheerful ascetic,” as I continue to do. He truly feels a man of our times, transcending the 144 years since his death.

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“Catholic Work Day” Home Dedicated in Allendale Subdivision | by Jerry Rowe

Catholic Charities of Shreveport Welcomes New Development Director

by Jean Dresley, Director of Catholic Charities of Shreveport

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The Rochelle family at the dedication of their home built by the Fuller Center for Housing in Shreveport’s Allendale neighborhood.

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oon Saturday September 3rd, 2011 marked the dedication of a new home in the Allendale subdivision of Shreveport. The 43rd house construction began back on March 26th of this same year with the Fuller Center of NWLA breaking ground at 1937 Alston Street. The transformation of this house to a home was completed with the help of many volunteer partners and individuals. This group included many of our faith that participated at various times and with various means, but most notably Saturday April 30 in support of the Fuller Center of NWLA’s “Catholic Work (Service) Day”. The Fuller Center counts on days such as this one to bring forth the volunteer and donor support that ultimately makes each of their construction projects possible.

September 3 was special in so many ways for Mr. and Mrs. Willie Rochelle and their family. They realized their investment of 700 hours of “sweat equity” in the construction and care of this house held a value that was not measured in just dollars and cents. It was even more special for Mrs. Rochelle in that this day was also her birthday.

The entrance ribbon was cut after the traditional Fuller Center welcome gifts of a blanket, Holy Bible and the keys were presented. The blanket represents the warmth and comfort and shelter that a home provides for a family. The Holy Bible represents a home built with the hands and feet of Jesus and reminds us that his presence must continue with God’s word filling our heart, mind and spirit with his promise. And lastly, the presentation of the keys to the house marks the transformation of a structure to the beginning of a new family home.

Listed among the Home Sponsors is Holy Family Catholic Parish – Barksdale Air Force Base Chapel. There were representatives from this parish along with the parishes of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament and Holy Trinity present for this dedication. They remembered and represented all of those of our Catholic faith that supported this effort that could not be present on this particular day.

This truly was a blessed day of celebration for all involved in this project and the success stories of the past. Please consider this and any future projects presented by The Fuller Center for the unique opportunity they truly represent for us all to be charitable with our time and support.

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atholic Charities of Shreveport is continuing to build on our first year of efforts to improve the lives of people who live in our diocese.

Please join us in welcoming Theresa Mormino, our new Director of Development. She knew about Catholic Charities from her childhood in Memphis.

Her father was an active supporter and volunteer for Catholic Charities there, and Theresa Mormino as Theresa grew up she also worked as a volunteer with him in various Catholic Charities programs.

“Working with Catholic Charities of Shreveport is a real desire of my heart, and I also want it to honor my father, who lived his daily life as a Christian example,” Theresa said.

Our Director of Development will be responsible for both promoting the mission and presence of Catholic Charities throughout the Diocese of Shreveport and also for fundraising.

Theresa’s background includes 20 years in advertising, and she was a sales manager for a local cable company for 12 of those years. She brings a proven track record in marketing, revenue generation, and cost control, as well as strong set of creative skills that includes writing and photography. She was awarded the Shreveport Regional Art Council’s Literary Fellowship in Poetry in 2000, and continues to be a member of their Juried Artists Roster. Until now, Theresa’s business acumen and creativity have had separate roles.

“As Director of Development for Catholic Charities, I will have to wear many hats. I love that I will get to use so many of my skills to make a real difference in people’s lives,” Theresa said.

“In my work in advertising, I was happy to help people become more successful with their businesses, so they and their employees could take care of their families. In my work as a manager, I was happy to help my team be successful with their own goals in life as well as helping their clients. But now I am most happy to know that my work can impact people directly.”

As we increase our presence in the community, we have been able to receive more support for our programs. We were recently awarded a small grant to assist more people with emergency assistance. We hope to receive additional grants from this program in the future. As much as we are committed to growing Catholic Charities of Shreveport, we want to do so at a rate which we can most effectively deliver our services.

Of course, the heart of Catholic Charities is the people of the Diocese of Shreveport.We appreciate all who have given in the past year to help the poor and vulnerable of our area. Your gifts and support have made an incredible difference in the lives of those who live among us. Next month we will have our first annual Thanksgiving fundraising drive to begin preparing for the many needs that are present during the winter months as well as the rest of the year. You will notice an envelope enclosed in this issue of the Catholic Connection for your convenience. We hope that you will prayerfully consider a gift to Catholic Charities of Shreveport as you begin preparation for your Thanksgiving holiday celebration and thank God for the many ways in which He has blessed you in the past year.

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Celebrate 100 Years of Service in Louisiana

by Kelly Phelan Powell

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he Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady (FMOL) founded this region’s largest healthcare provider, St. Francis Medical Center, now a $1.3 billion operation, but this small group of sisters is little known outside of Louisiana. Within six weeks of their arrival in the U.S. in 1911, they had settled in Monroe, LA, at the request of Bishop Van de Ven of Alexandria, because the area needed a hospital. Despite setbacks, they opened the St. Francis Sanitarium and Training School eight days ahead of schedule, and Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady in Monroe in 1923. thus began their century-long legacy of providing healthcare to anyone in need.

Francis, and if I joined a community, it would be a Franciscan The order traces its origin back to 1854 in Calais, France, one,” she said. She entered FMOL 43 years ago in 1968, though where a congregation formed that called itself Franciscan Sisters her interests leaned more toward business administration than of Calais (the group officially changed their name to Franciscan healthcare. Eventually, she found ways to nurture both; for Missionaries of Our Lady in 1964). At the turn of the 20th instance, she became an attorney, formed a law corporation and Century there were about 800 sisters living in France. When they practiced heathcare law for about eight years. “The church needs received Bishop Van de Ven’s message, six set out for America. a varied set of men and women to serve in it,” she said. “If you The sisters reached Monroe, LA, on Sept. 30, 1911. They feel you have a calling, there is a place for you in the religious traveled to Pineville, where they expected to build their hospital, communities. Franciscans are of service…we’re continually on a just a couple days later. Though they certainly sensed a calling journey.” from God, the decision to settle in Louisiana was partly practical, On September 30, the FMOL will celebrate the 100th said current Provincial Kathleen Cain – they felt they might be anniversary of the day they arrived in Monroe. Archbishop more at home among the French and Irish immigrants who were Gregory Aymond of New Orleans will be the main celebrant of an so numerous in South Louisiana. Unfortunately, they found the outdoor Mass held on the provincial grounds in Maryville, and culture of North Louisiana to be quite different, and they were four bishops and 30 priests as concelebrants will join him. The unused to the region’s subtropical climate. To make matters worse, sisters are expecting 800 to 1,000 guests and perfect weather. Cain they learned that the funding for their hospital had fallen through. explained that she put Sr. Magdalene O’Donovan, who passed Undeterred, the sisters returned to Monroe, where they found away in April, in charge of weather. “And she is still in charge of funding through a generous priest named Father Ludovic Enaut, weather,” she said. and in just a few months, the construction of the hospital began. It Another outdoor celebration Mass will be held at the Anna opened in 1913, and their first patient was a 10-year-old girl with Gray Noe Park in Monroe on October 3. Bishop Michael Duca appendicitis. However, Cain said, the sisters started visiting and will celebrate that Mass at 2:00 p.m. ministering to the sick long before it was ever built.

The original six sisters could never have imagined the state “We are now the largest private healthcare provider to people in of the healthcare system today. What they began with $50,000 Louisiana,” Cain said, serving about 40 percent of the population. in 1911 is now a $1.3 billion operation. “Fortunately, we had Louis Bremer, president and CEO of St. Francis Medical Center, visionary women,” Cain said. said they have 545 licensed beds on two campuses, and they see But while much has changed for the FMOL, their core values about 50,000 emergency room visits per year. SFMC is not only remain unchanged. Cain said, “It’s always been a collaborativethe most comprehensive service provider in the area, it is also type approach, and it still has to be for us to survive the the largest private employer, with 2,100 employees, including 32 environment we’re in. [We] care not just for the poor, but for doctors. anyone in need – medically, “There are some hospitals that spiritually, psychologically, you have exist for the purpose of making to take care of the whole person. money; that’s not our end game,” Serve the people first, then worry said Bremer. “The sisters are a about the business aspect.” constant reminder as well as an As the FMOL go forward toward inspiration relative to what our the next 100 years, they remember ministry is – healing everyone, that although their six founders especially those in need. They also were instrumental in establishing provide us with some spiritual their extraordinary legacy, they had motivation. We’re carrying out a lot of help along the way. “The a mission that started with Jesus opening song for the celebration is Christ.”

‘Companions on the Journey,’” Cain Cain, who became provincial said. “We’ve had lots of people, our on May 22, 2010, said she was own religious, the church…it’s really drawn to the Franciscan way been a journey for us, and it hasn’t Sister Mary Ann Sepulvado and Sister Margiya Ageto in the of life. “Growing up, I loved St. been alone.” pharmacy at St. Francis Medical Center.

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Hispanic Corner | por Rosalba Quiroz

Bossier City: Christ the King Church 425 McCormick St. Bossier City Sábado 7:00 p.m.

Domingo 3:00 p.m.

Lunes 7:00 p.m.

Confesiones 45 minutos antes de Misa Marilú Rodriguez Tel: 318-286-1492

UN RAYITO DE ESPERANZA

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a administración Obama ha anunciado la forma en que se comenzará a aplicar el memorando emitido el 17 de junio por el director del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE), John Morton. En respuesta a las peticiones de familias y estudiantes que han estado esperando que el Congreso actúe sobre el Acta de los Sueños (DREAM Act) o una reforma migratoria amplia y humana, el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS) finalmente emitió una respuesta a carta enviada el en abril del 2011, por un grupo de senadores urgiendo al gobierno que detuviera la deportación de estudiantes elegibles.

Bajo este proceso, un grupo funcionario que consiste de personal del DHS y el Departamento de Justicia (DOJ), desarrollará criterios específicos para identificar casos de deportación de baja prioridad que deben de ser considerados para la discreción del fiscal. Estos criterios se basarán en "factores positivos" mencionados en el memorándum de ICE, incluyendo que personas han estado presente en Estados Unidos desde temprana edad (como el caso de aquellos estudiantes que se beneficiarían del DREAM Act, si la persona ha sido víctima de un delito grave, de una violación de derechos civiles, menor de edad, anciana, está embarazada, es madre lactantes, tiene una discapacidad grave o problema de salud. (Incluyendo Violencia Doméstica).

El grupo funcionario desarrollará un proceso para revisar los casos

pendientes ante tribunales de inmigración y federales que cumplen estos criterios. La administración pronto comenzará a revisar los 300.000 casos de deportación pendientes para identificar aquellos que cumplen con estos nuevos criterios. En el futuro, los abogados de ICE llevarán a cabo una revisión periódica de todos los casos que tienen una audiencia programada para determinar futuros casos que cumplan con estos criterios.

Casos que cumplen estos criterios serán cerrados administrativamente, salvo en circunstancias extraordinarias, en cuyo caso el abogado de ICE tendrá que obtener la aprobación de un supervisor para seguir adelante. Las personas cuyos casos sean cerrados podrán solicitar ciertos beneficios de inmigración, incluyendo permiso de trabajo. Todas las solicitudes de beneficios se revisarán caso por caso.

Seguimos en oración porque una Reforma Migratoria se realice en un futuro cercano, mientras tanto pasemos la voz sobre esta decisión del presidente y sobretodo no dejarse engañar ya que no todos los casos migratorios pueden beneficiarse de esta decisión del presidente.

Artículo publicado por CLINIC (Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc)

Calendario Diocesano del Mes de Octubre 21-23 Regional Conference, St. Augustine, FL

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Seguimiento a participantes en retiro Búsqueda, Centro Católico

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Escuela de Ministerios: Teología Moral, Centro Católico

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Misa de graduación y entrega de certificados a participantes a la Escuela de Ministerios, Centro Católico.

18 19 Catholic Connection October 2011

Misas

Farmerville: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church 600 E. Water Street Farmerville Sábado 7:00 p.m.

Rev. Al Jost Tel: 318-243-0115 Mansfield: St. Joseph Church 305 Jefferson Street Mansfield 2do Domingo 2:00 p.m. y 3er Martes 6:30 p.m.

Juanita Ibarra Tel: 318-872-5390 Minden: St. Paul Church 410 Fincher Road Minden 2do y 4to Viernes 7:00 p.m.

Margarita Bratton Tel: 318-377-9684 Oak Grove: Sacred Heart Church 201 Purvis St Oak Grove Domingo 5:00 p.m.

Feliciano y Rosa Alviso Martinez Tel: 318-428-2137 Ruston: St. Thomas Aquinas Church 810 Carey Ave. Ruston 2do y 4to Domingo 2:30 p.m.

Soledad Broyles Tel: 318-243-1958 Shreveport: St. Mary of the Pines Church 1050 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop Shreveport Domingo 1:00 p.m.

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

Lorena Chaparro Tel: 318-651-9136

Rosalba Quiroz, Directora del Ministerio Hispano 318-219-7265 Jeanne Brown 318-219-7257

News Briefs

by Catholic News Service

A member of the New York Fire Department lights a candle during a Sept. 10 ceremony at St. Patrick’s Cathedral to honor New York firefighters who were killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. (CNS photo/Octavio Duran)

Prayers, Commemorations Mark 9/11 Anniversary

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ASHINGTON (CNS) --Churchgoers around the United States Sept. 11 shared in moments of silence, special prayers, homilies and other ways of observing the 10th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks. Official ceremonies at the sites in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania where four hijacked planes were crashed were restricted to family members and invited dignitaries. But smaller events around the country and normal Sunday Masses and church services were devoted to prayers for the victims and for the healing of the United States. In New York, Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan told the congregation at St. Patrick’s Cathedral for morning Mass that 10 years ago it might have seemed that “the side of darkness had conquered, as innocent people perished, as valiant rescuers rushed to their aid, as families were fractured, and as a nation seemed on the ground.” But, he went on to say that “as a matter of fact the side of light actually triumphed, as temptations to despair, fearful panic, revenge and dread gave way to such things as rescue, recovery, rebuilding, outreach and resilience. The side of the angels, not of the demons, conquered. Good Friday became Easter Sunday. And once again God has the last word.” Archbishop Dolan cited the example of the aspirations of many children to follow in the footsteps of their parents: firefighters and rescue workers who were killed as they worked at the World Trade Center.

Military Archdiocese Sees Increase in Catholic Military Chaplains

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ASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services is reporting an increase in the number of seminarians who want to become military chaplains.

For the 2011-2012 academic year, there are 31 co-sponsored and military-affiliated seminarians. Last year there were 23; in 2009-2010 there were 12 and the previous year only three. Co-sponsorship means that a diocesan bishop agrees to accept the seminarian who will participate in the chaplain candidacy program of one of the branches of the U.S. armed forces. The bishop agrees to release him for service as a military chaplain after three years of pastoral experience as a priest in his diocese. When the priest leaves military service, he returns to the diocese. Conventual Franciscan Father Kerry Abbott, director of vocations for the military archdiocese, called the increase one of the “untold stories” of spiritual blessings.

He said Catholic seminaries in the U.S. and the Pontifical North American College in Rome are straining to accommodate the influx of seminarians and many seminaries have converted guest rooms to seminarian quarters. The outlook for future vocations is just as bright, he said. The archdiocese is currently processing hundreds of inquiries from prospective military chaplains. Father Abbott expects anywhere from five to 10 more to enter seminaries next year, with still more to come in years to follow. The timing could not be better. The U.S. armed forces have seen a steady decline in Catholic military chaplains over the past 10 years as priests reach the military retirement age of 62. Their numbers are down from more than 400 active in 2001 to 274 this year.

Church Will Get Through ‘Difficult Moment,’ Archbishop Chaput Says

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HILADELPHIA (CNS) --Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, installed Sept. 8 as the new archbishop of Philadelphia, offered encouragement that members of his new archdiocese will get through the “difficult moment” the local church has endured. Although rain prevented an outdoor procession at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, it did not dampen the spirits of about 1,700 people, including 400 priests and 100 bishops, who attended the installation Mass. The Mass took place after days of rain and local flooding, and many in the congregation faced long detours just to arrive at the cathedral in the heart of the City of Brotherly Love. Outside the cathedral, the struggles the archdiocese has faced in recent months were very apparent. A block away, Catholic high school teachers were picketing during the second day of their strike; in front of the cathedral a group of people protesting clergy abuse marched silently.

Inside the majestic cathedral though, members of the congregation greeted one another as if at a reunion, and they gave their new archbishop, who headed the Denver Archdiocese for the past 14 years, a warm welcome and long, sustained applause. The archbishop in turn expressed his admiration for those in the Philadelphia Archdiocese, thanking them for embracing him with “such extraordinary kindness.” He also repeatedly acknowledged the difficulties they currently face and must continue to cope with.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput receives applause during his Mass of installation at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia Sept. 8. (CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec)

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Around the Diocese

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Bishop Michael Duca poses with students and faculty at a On September 10, clergy, staff and parishioners of St. Joseph LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine program Church joined the efforts of the Shreveport Rotary Club in a on August 29. The discussion, sponsored by the Catholic Medical fun day on the Red River for the 3rd Annual Dragon Boat Festival.

School Association, was entitled, “From Principles to Practice: The The team of 21 rowers paddled their way to an overall 5th place Role of Faith in Our Formation as Doctors.” finish out of 28 teams and placed 1st in the Non-Profit Division.

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Aly Regenold, graduate of Parkway High School, is the recipient of the 2011 Alene Kaylor Scholarship from the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Regenold was recognized for this achievement by Fr. Joseph Ampatt during Mass at Mary, Queen of Peace Church in Bossier City. The scholarship was established in 1986 by Court Msgr. J.V. Plauche #1761 to honor the memory of one of its charter members. The $1,000 scholarship is offered by the Court on a competitive basis. It recognizes the above average high school graduate who is a practicing Catholic in Bossier Parish. Aly is an outstanding student who has taken many honor courses and completed her high school education with an A average. She received many awards during her high school years, all while devoting numerous hours volunteering in both her church and community. Ms. Regenold enrolled at Baton Rouge Community College and plans to finish out her college career at LSU Baton Rouge with a degree in nursing.

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St. Paschal Church’s Rosary group meets every Tuesday after the 8:00 a.m. Mass at St. Paschal’s Catholic Church. The group meets to say the rosary and pray for the needs of the church members and the community. The group has 20 regular members.

After saying the rosary the group meets at a local coffee shop for a social hour. Anyone interested in joining the group need only to attend the 8:00 a.m. Tuesday Mass at St. Paschal Church. For more information contact Althea Dayton, 318-388-8847.

20 21 Catholic Connection October 2011

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On September 4, 2011 St. Jude Church celebrated the 25th anniversary of the ordination of Father Pike Thomas to the priesthood. Fr. Pike has served the Diocese of Shreveport for the entirety of his priesthood. Bishop Michael Duca joined Fr. Pike and several priests to celebrate Mass Sunday morning followed by an old fashioned family picnic on the grounds serving 600 hamburgers and hot dogs. All enjoyed the delightful day!

October is Respect Life Month by Roxie Tabor

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e are called to reflect on the words of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Every human being, at every stage and condition, is willed and loved

by God. For this reason, every human life is sacred. To deprive someone of life is a grave wrong and a grave dishonor to God. Because we are created in the image of God, who is Love, our identity and our vocation is to love. Pope Benedict has called this “the key to (our) entire existence.” Flyer, Respect Life Program (2010) 40 Days for Life Campaign (September 28 through November 6): Bishop Michael Duca spoke words of encouragement to participants at the September 24 kick-off rally for the 40 Days for Life campaign at Loyola’s Messmer Stadium on Clyde Fant. Shreveport-Bossier is uniting with New Orleans, Baton Rouge and hundreds of other cities to pray for an end to the tragedy of abortion.

40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life campaign that has already mobilized over 400,000 people worldwide, saved more than 4,300 lives from abortion, led to the conversion of 52 abortion workers, and seen 13 abortion facilities close. The campaign is made up of three components: 1. Praying and fasting for an end to abortion for 40 Days.

2. Volunteering to stand and pray for life during the 40 day peaceful vigil outside the Hope Medical Group for Women at 210 Kings Hwy in Shreveport.

3. Reaching out to families and friends about this important life-saving effort.

Check out the pro-life electronic billboard that will be appearing at several key locations in the Shreveport-Bossier area during the 40 day vigil. For more information, contact Chris Davis, campaign coordinator, at chris@40DaysForLifeSB.com or visit the website: www.40DaysForLifeSB.com .

Rosary for Life: On Thursday October 6 at 6:30 p.m. there will be a Pro-Life Rosary recited at St. Joseph Church in Shreveport. The rosary will include intentions for all components of Respect for Life from conception to natural death.

Pro-Life Banquet: Mark your calendars for the Bishop’s Pro-

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St. Thomas Aquinas Church’s Catholic Youth Organization joined Fr. Frank Folino in showing support to school football teams in front of the church.

This pro-life electronic billboard will be appearing at several key locations in the Shreveport-Bossier area during the 40 Days for Life vigil.

Life Banquet to be held on Saturday, February 4 at Eastridge Country Club at 6:30 p.m. Fr. Shenan Bouquet from the Diocese of Houma-Thibodeaux and newly appointed President of Human Life International www.hli.org, will be the keynote speaker.

Intercessions for Life: During this month of “Respect Life” the United States Conference of Bishops recommended these“Intercessions for Life” as a wonderful way of focusing our prayers at home and in groups.

October 2, Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: For those who spread the Gospel of Life: that they may reach all people with their uplifting message; We pray to the Lord.

October 9: Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time: For unborn children: that they will have the opportunity to enjoy the life God has given them; We pray to the Lord.

October 16: Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time: For those in prison; that they repent of their criminal acts and find hope and strength in God; We pray to the Lord.

October 23: Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time: For the hungry and homeless in our midst: that they may find food and shelter through the Church’s ministries; We pray to the Lord.

October 30: Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time: For all medical practitioners: that they recognize the Spirit of God which dwells in every human person; We pray to the Lord.

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Fr. David Richter had a ball playing bingo with the JGS Senior Shepherds as they kicked off a new year!

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Upcoming Events OCTOBER 6: ROSARY FOR LIFE A Rosary for Life will be held on October 6 at St. Joseph Church in Shreveport at 6:30 p.m.

Everyone is invited to attend and pray for continued growth of Respect for Life. Collection baskets will be available for anyone wishing to donate small baby items including lotions, powder, cleansing wipes, gowns and diapers. Baskets will be donated to Catholic Charities and Volunteers of America to be given to babies within our community.

ONGOING THROUGH OCTOBER 12: LIFE HAPPENS ALONG THE JOURNEY GRIEF GROUP St. Jude Church’s “Life Happens Along the Journey” is a free, non-denominational, community grief support group for adults and mature teens on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. The group meets at St. Jude Church in the rectory dining room. Day care available.

To register, call Laurie at 318-549-1082, or email lauriebelle55@ bellsouth.net.

OCTOBER 13: THEOLOGY ON TAP FOR YOUNG ADULTS Theology on Tap is primed and ready to serve.

The young adults of the diocese are invited to come together on October 13 at 7:00 p.m. at Country Tavern Barbeque in Shreveport. This is the kickoff of a four session series on the upcoming changes to the Liturgy, as well as the importance of the Liturgy to our Catholic faith. The speaker for October 13 will be Dianne Rachal, Director of Worship for the Diocese of Shreveport.

Dianne’s topic will be specifically geared toward the changes we will experience come the first Sunday in Advent. Please mark your calendars and come join us for a spectacular evening with young adults from around the diocese and learn about our Catholic faith!

For questions, please contact John Vining at the Catholic Center.

318-868-4441.

OCTOBER 17: THE CENACLE OF THE MARIAN MOVEMENT OF PRIESTS AT ST. JOSEPH CHURCH, SHREVEPORT Fr. Francis Geremia, CS, national director of the Marian Movement of Priests, will be traveling throughout the U.S. to conduct cenacles of prayer. Fr. Francis will be at St. Joseph Church in Shreveport on October 17 at 6:30 p.m. The event will begin with the recitation of the Rosary, followed by the celebration of Holy Mass. During his homily, he will speak about the importance of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the formation of prayer cenacles.

All are invited to attend. There is no charge for admission. For more information, contact Jeanne Brown, in Fr. David Richter’s office at the Catholic Center (318-868-4441 ext. 257 or jbrown@ dioshpt.org). All are welcome to pray at the Marian Cenacle of Shreveport on Thursdays after the 5:45 p.m. Mass at St. Joseph Church in Shreveport.

OCTOBER 31: ST. LUCY FALL FUNFEST On October 31, St. Lucy Church will host its 5th Annual Fall Funfest. The Funfest originally began to give neighborhood children in Hodge, LA a

22 23 Catholic Connection October 2011

Vowed Men and Women Share Ideas for Future | by Sr. Marilyn Vassallo, csj, Coordinator of Religious

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he vowed religious men and women of the diocese will gather in two locations to discuss their role in contributing to the vision proposed by Bishop Duca in his keynote speech presented at the 25th Anniversary of the Diocese of Shreveport in of June of this year.

The first gathering was at the LaVerna Retreat House in West Monroe on September 19, 2011. The second gathering will be at Our Lady of Sorrows Provincial House on October 3, 2011. Both meetings are held from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

The evening will convene with Vespers, the Evening Prayer of the Church. After prayer, our vowed religious will share in some good food and conversation.

After the pot luck supper, a discussion will commence involving various activities and interests of this group.

Central to the discussion will be the topic of Evangelization.

Under the direction of Sister Marilyn Vassallo, Coordinator for Religious, these men and women will explore ideas and needs pertinent to the bishop’s vision for the diocese. A report of these meetings will be submitted to the bishop in mid-October.

safe place to spend the evening on Halloween. However, over the past four years the Funfest has spread to include children from all over Jackson Parish and even some from surrounding civil parishes. Last year’s Funfest was host to over 900 children and adults. Considering St. Lucy Parish has approximately 20 children from grades K-12, this was quite an accomplishment. Each year the Funfest includes free food, games, fun and Catholic hospitality.

There is a hay ride and kids and adults can wear their costumes.

We invite everyone to join us for a good time at St. Lucy Church this Halloween. For more information, please contact the church office at 318-259-2326.

NOVEMBER 5: MAGNIFICAT NOVEMBER PRAYER BRUNCH WITH MARTHA H. FITZGERALD The Magnificat, Nowela Chapter is sponsoring a prayer brunch on November 5 from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in the Activities Center at St. Jude Catholic Church in Bossier City. The guest speaker will be Martha Fitzgerald from Shreveport, LA. Martha Holoubek Fitzgerald is an independent editor and publisher and former journalist. An award-winning editor and writer, she served The Times of Shreveport as associate editorial page editor, columnist, assistant managing editor, business editor, and features editor, among other roles. She is owner of Martha Fitzgerald Consulting (www.marthafitzgerald.com) and Little Dove Press (www.littledovepress.com). She edited and published Letters to Luke: From His Fellow Physician Joseph of Capernaum

by Joe E. Holoubek M.D., winner of the Writers Digest Award for inspirational literature and the Independent Publisher Award for religious fiction. Come hear Shreveport writer Martha Fitzgerald, daughter of the late Drs. Joe and Alice Holoubek, speak about their faith journey and their legacy, the Bible-based novel “Letters to Luke.” Admittance is $12 and reservations should be made by calling either Barbara McAlister at (318) 747-7029 or Helen Langley at (318) 746-6223.

OCTOBER 2011 SUNDAY

MONDAY

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TUESDAY

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Sisters Rose Marie McDermott and Ranjana Ambatt stand with bikers at the annual Run with the Nuns event.

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

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FRIDAY

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SATURDAY

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Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, virgin & doctor of the Church

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3 Priests Retreat Begins, Lake Charles, LA Gathering of Religious, Our Lady of Sorrows Provincial House, 5pm

Respect Life Sunday

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Protecting God's Children, Sacred Heart, Shreveport 2pm Hispanic Ministry Catechist Awards, Catholic Center

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Finance Council Meeting, Catholic Center, 12pm

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Rosary for Life, St. Our Lady of the Rosary Joseph Church, 6:30pm

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Protecting God's Children, Catholic Center, 6pm

17 Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop & martyr

6 Saint Bruno, priest; Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, virgin

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Saint Francis of Assisi, religious

Deadline for the November Catholic Connection Columbus Day

Cenacle of the Marian Movement of Priests, St. Joseph Church, Shreveport, 6:30pm

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18 Diocesan Liturgical Council Meeting, Catholic Center, 1pm Saint Luke, evangelist

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Investment Committee Meeting, Catholic Center, 10am

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Theology on Saint Callistus I, Tap,Country Tavern pope & martyr BBQ, Shreveport, 7pm

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ULM Scholars Mass, Christ the King Chapel, Monroe, 6pm

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Hispanic Ministry Coordinators Meeting, Catholic Center

15 Saint Teresa of Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church

22 Run with the Nuns V, Downtown Shreveport, 8am 2nd Collection: World Mission Sunday

Saint Paul of the Saint John de Brebeuf and Saint Isaac Jogues, Cross, priest priests & martyrs, and their companions, martyrs

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Saint Simon and Saint Jude, apostles

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DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave.

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Shreveport, LA 71104

Fairfield

Eastern Deanery Red Mass Held at St. Matthew Church in Monroe

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n September 6 the annual Eastern Deanery Red Mass honoring lawyers, judges and court officials was celebrated at St. Matthew Church in downtown Monroe, LA. The guest homilist was Reverend Christopher G. Phillips from the Diocese of San Antonio.

Following the Mass, the Fourth Judicial District of the State of Louisiana had their official “Opening of Court.”

Right: Diocesan priests gather around the altar for the consecrating of the Eucharist. Bottom left to right: Judge Wendell Manning prepares the altar; Rev. Christopher Phillips gives the homily; Judges, lawyers and court officials attend the Red Mass.

24 Catholic Connection October 2011