Saints - March 2023

CATHOLIC CONNECTION

CATHOLIC CONNECTION

PUBLISHER

Bishop Francis I. Malone

INTERIM EDITOR

Kirsten Shrewsberry

CONTRIBUTORS

Laurie Nick

Kim Long

Mary Arcement Alexander

Karen Dill

Mike Van Vranken

Dr. Cheryl White

Lucy Medvec

Kathy Schimschock

Karla Alvarez

Polly Maciulski

Trey Woodham

Jordan Harris

Deacon Scott Brandle

Adam Ryland

EDITORIAL BOARD

Deacon Mike Whitehead

Kim Long

Kate Rhea

Rosalba Quiroz

Msgr. Matthew T. Long

Dr. Carynn Wiggins

Fr. Pat Madden

SUBSCRIPTIONS & ADDRESS CHANGES

Contact: Blanca Vice Email: bvice@dioshpt.org

Write: The Catholic Connection

3500 Fairfield Ave. Shreveport, LA 71104

Call: 318-868-4441

Fax: 318-868-4609

SUBMISSIONS

Contact: Blanca Vice Email: bvice@dioshpt.org

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

The Diocese of Shreveport complies with Virtus’ Protecting God’s Children program. (www. virtus.org) Classes are offered every second Wednesday of the month at the Catholic Center in Shreveport. Online sessions are also available. To report child sexual abuse by a cleric or church worker in the Diocese of Shreveport, call your local law enforcement agency and Mary Katherine Arcement, Diocesan Victim Assistance Minister at 318-588-2120. Don’t forget to check your Virtus accounts monthly to stay up to date on your bulletins. You don’t have to wait for an email you can login at anytime to check your training status. Many times, the monthly emails from Virtus are sent to your SPAM folder so please check there as well. Thank you for helping to keep our children and vulnerable adults safe.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Catholic Connection is a monthly publication funded by your Catholic 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 faith community.

When I thInk of SaInthood, I thInk of You from the interim editor

Kirsten Shrewsberry, Interim Editor

When I was a child I thought of the saints often. Some children talked to imaginary friends, but I talked to the saints. I found comfort in talking to young saints like Maria Goretti and thinking of them and the example they provided - young people could be extraordinarily holy. St. Maria Goretti died a virgin and martyr at just 11 years old. On her deathbed she forgave her attacker saying “Yes, for the love of Jesus I forgive him...And I want him to be with me in Paradise.” She had such wisdom and grace at just 11 years old, and she was so influential to me that eventually I chose her as my confirmation saint.

Now when I think of sainthood I tend to think in terms of my vocations and how I not only strive for sainthood but raise up those in my life to sainthood as well. My vocation as a mother has been in a particularly challenging and rewarding season as our family welcomed a new baby just this past month. You never realize the impact you have on those around you quite like when you see your actions and voice reflected in your children. My son prays because he sees me pray, and I don’t think I’ve ever prayed so hard as I did the past nine months I was pregnant with my daughter. My relationship with God is directly impacted by the vocations He calls me to. Whether you’re a parent, a spouse, considering religious life, or simply trying to figure out your next step, God is always calling you to sainthood. I pray you take time to consider what sainthood means to you this month and these articles help enrich and deepen your faith. For me it’s simple, when I think of sainthood I think of my children and my vocation to raise them to be saints.

Sending you prayers and a renewed dedication towards striving for sainthood,

Kirsten Shrewsberry

St. Maria Goretti, Help me to live a life of holiness as you did… To serve others in all that I do, To seek purity, to forgive always, And to want for nothing more than to be with Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE BEST IS YET TO COME

I KNEW A PRIEST WHO, MANY YEARS AGO, PASTORED A PARISH IN FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS. He lived to be 86, having served 30 years in his last assignment. Among his brother priests he was held in high esteem, and was, by all accounts, a joy to be around. He also had interesting and sometimes quirky expressions he would use. I remember on one occasion when he seemed a little frustrated about something or other, he said, “well, it’s just this life and one more!” His use of this phrase was somewhere between being philosophic and a reminder that we shouldn’t dwell on the negative things of life – after all, we have just this life, and one more. And his focus, one could easily see, was that there was always something to look forward to in a positive way.

When I think of the expression, “just this life and one more,” I also think of the ever so positive expression, “the best is yet to come!” This has particularly special meaning in the season of Lent. For some, the Lenten season doesn’t always bring with it a positive tone: we fast, we abstain from meat on Fridays, we are

invited to Stations of the Cross, the priest wear the penitential color of purple (violet) at Mass, we don’t sing the Gloria, and of course, once Lent began, we stopped singing the “Alleluia!” The Church invites us to embrace these various aspects of Lent – not to create a somber tone throughout the season, but to remind us that “the best is yet to come!” What IS that BEST? The “best” is in the awareness that the weeks of Lent pass as quickly as life does, and that before we realize it – the best week of the year – Holy Week – is upon us leading to the celebration of the Lord’s resurrection. Then, seemingly from out nowhere we will feast, and celebrate, and sing our “Glorias,” and our “Alleluias” once again. The Lenten season is a time of penance, for sure, but more than that – a time to prepare ourselves for the best of what the Lord has to give us. Indeed, the best is yet to come.

May your Lenten time, leading to the celebration of Easter - bring you a greater awareness, especially in times of difficulty, that we have just this life and one more – and that “one more” will be forever.

Bishop Francis I. Malone, Bishop of Shreveport

The Care Of All The Churches

address pastoral and civic needs of common concern. The funds from these collections support ministries and programs on the national level, while the monies of our Catholic Service Appeal fund much needed ministries and programs we have identified on our local level.

With all else that Saint Paul is going through, he speaks of his daily concern for all the churches, not just the local community he happens to be in at any given moment. This is the mantle placed on the shoulders of Pope Francis and the College of Bishops. Every Bishop is called upon to be concerned not only for his diocese, but along with the Holy Father, to be concerned for every diocese throughout the world.

There is a vital connection between our local Catholic Service Appeal and our national Second Collections. Our Catholic Service Appeal gathers donations to provide significant, but not complete, funding for ministries and programs provided by the Diocese of Shreveport which benefits parishes, ministry organizations, and diocesan departments.

Our one-time or sustained contribution to our Catholic Service Appeal greatly helps our local mission to be the face, heart, hands, and feet of Jesus Christ to our brothers and sisters across north Louisiana.

The national Second Collections are both the divine mandate and mission of our Lord, Jesus Christ, laid on the hearts and shoulders of the bishops of our Catholic Church. Fifteen of those collections are required of all dioceses of the United States in order for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to respond to the call of Catholics across our great nation to help

Five of the Second Collections are particular to our diocesan circumstances. The funds from these specialized collections address the concerns which the clergy and laity of the Diocese of Shreveport have drawn to our Bishop’s attention:

•Catholic Schools and scholarship access for our Catholic families who greatly desire a Catholic education for their child(ren) but cannot afford to cover the cost of this faith-based education on their own.

•Physical, spiritual, pastoral, emotional, and social care for our temporarily and long-termed sick and infirmed priests.

•Outreach and pastoral care for our Catholic college and university students at the many distinguished institutions of higher learning in our Diocese.

•Pastoral, liturgical, and continuing faith formation for our multicultural ministry i.e., our Asian, African, African American, Hispanic, Native American, Filipino, and Vietnamese Catholics in our Diocese.

•Supplemental financial support for the vocation of our seminarians in their formation toward ordained ministry in the Church and elder priests as they enter their retirement years, while still serving the People of God as best they can in their senior years.

One hundred percent of the donations from these five unique collections remain in our Diocese for our locally identified needs. I must mention that a portion of five of the national collections do benefit our Diocese directly because the national office sends back a portion of those collections for a particular ministry or program.

Very Rev. Msgr. Rothell Price, Pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church

“Leaving other sufferings unmentioned, there is that daily tension pressing on me, my anxiety for all the churches.”

2 Corinthians 11: 28

Fiscally-minded Catholics have wondered if there is a duplication of funding between the Catholic Service Appeal and the Second Collections. The transparent answer is, no, there is no duplication between these connected opportunities for the faithful to help the Church fulfill its mandate from Christ our Lord, to build the Kingdom of God. Our Catholic Service Appeal does not fully fund any ministry, program, or diocesan department and neither does the roster of Second Collections. Together, these two Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy make many ministries possible.

Our Bishop and Diocesan family are extremely grateful to and for those Catholics of abundant and meager means,

both with generous hearts, who step forward during and at the year’s end to say, “Bishop, what gaps in ministry and program funding can I help fill in?”

The need is great; the funding falls short, but Deus providebit – God provides! The harvest is great; the laborers are few, but Deus providebit – God provides! Our fish and loaf seem woefully insufficient when there are so many, but Deus providebit – God provides!

Thank you for your widow’s mite! Thank you for your fish or loaf! Thank you for desiring and acting to make the presence of Jesus Christ known and felt through the combined efforts of the Second Collections and our annual Catholic Service Appeal.

SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL GOOD FRIDAY WAY OF THE CROSS WALK FOR JUSTICE

Jim Beadles, President, Shreveport Diocesan Council, Society of St. Vincent de Paul

FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS, THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL HAS SPONSORED THE GOOD FRIDAY WAY OF THE CROSS, WALK FOR JUSTICE IN DOWNTOWN SHREVEPORT.

The purpose of the event is to not only follow Christ in his Passion on the Way of the Cross, but also to recognize the efforts of multiple local agencies that put the Passion of Christ into practice by serving those in need.

The event continues to grow with more than 400 people participating. It is truly a community and ecumenical event. We are honored that our friends at First United Methodist Church graciously offer their property as the gathering place for both the beginning and end of the event.

In addition to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and First United Methodist Church, we are also joined by the following agencies: Mary’s House, The Fuller Center, Christian Services, MLK Health Center, The Mercy Center, Hope House, Holy Cross Episcopal, The Providence House, The Hub Ministries, Louisiana Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, Catholic Charities, and VOA Lighthouse.

The event covers approximately 1.4 miles. It is a service of 14 prayers at 14 sites/stations. Representatives from the agencies will lead each station prayer. Another reason to participate is to learn more about each of the agencies and their ministries. We are all called to be more than observers. We are all called to discipleship. Perhaps you will find a calling to the mission and ministry of one of these agencies as they serve those in need in our community.

There is plenty of parking behind First United Methodist Church at the head of Texas Street downtown. We will begin the walk at 9:00 AM., and it should be completed no later than 11:00 AM. If it rains, the event will be moved to Holy Trinity Catholic Church located at 315 Marshall Street, also in downtown Shreveport.

This is a perfect way to move toward Easter. All who attend find it to be a meaningful experience. Please plan to join us at this year’s St. Vincent de Paul Walk For Justice. We hope to see you there.

WAY OF THE CROSS WALK FOR JUSTICE

WHEN: Good Friday, April 7, 2023

WHERE: Behind First United Methodist Church, head of Texas Street, downtown Shreveport

TIME: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

RAIN VENUE: Holy Trinity Catholic Church

100 Year Celebration At Our Lady Of The Blessed Sacrament

OUR LADY OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT IN SHREVEPORT CELEBRATED IT’S 100-YEAR ANNIVERSARY ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2023.

FATHER DUANE PRESENTED THE 1ST EXTRA MILE AWARD TO THE SISTERS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND MARY IMMACULATE. L-R ON THE PHOTO WITH FATHER DUANE ARE SISTERS MARTHA, KAYJO, AND BERNIE WHO ALL SERVED OUR LADY OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT ACADEMY.

IT ALL BEGAN WHEN ST. KATHERINE DREXEL DONATED $10,000 TO PURCHASE THE LAND ON WHICH OUR CHURCH STANDS TODAY.

Cathedral of St. John Berchmans’ Confirmandi Program Saint Reports

Bonnie Martinez, St. John Berchmans CCD Coordinator

This month we are highlighting three home-schooled eighth grade students from the St. John Berchmans’ Confirmandi Program. Below are excerpts from their presentations to their peers and parents at one of the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans’ “Witnessing Sessions,” a part of the two-year preparation for receiving Confirmation.

I chose St. John Berchmans [as my confirmation saint] because he is the patron saint of altar servers. Being an altar server has really changed me. It has made me realize more interesting facts about the Mass and it has made me a better Catholic in general. St. John was also very chaste and charitable. I am choosing St. John Berchmans because I want to follow in his footsteps.

I have chosen [St. Louis IX King of France] as my saint because he fulfilled his role in life very well; his life shows true masculinity, sacrifice, and the virtues of courage and piety. My father’s family is also ethnically French, and Louis is a common name in our family. St. Louis was also my father’s confirmation saint.

I chose Saint Cecilia as my confirmation saint because of her inspirational story of her devotion to God. She is the perfect example of how to live a holy life even during trying times such as these. Throughout her life she expressed chastity, a deep love for God, and undying courage. I pray that she may intercede for me as I grow in my faith.

Lenten Fridays at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Stations of the Cross, 5:30 PM @ The Cathedral Fellowship and Dinner to follow, complimentary, no RSVP, donation basket available

February 24 - Knights of Columbus Fish Fry

March 3 - Soup-er Supper

March 10 - SJB Dads Club Fish & More Dinner

March 17 - Sub Sandwiches & Sides

March 24 - Everything (but the meat) Gumbo

March 31 - Knights of Columbus Fish Fry Cheese Pizza available for Children

St. John Berchmans by Thomas Romanski

St. Louis King of France by Joshua Louis Lirette

Saint Cecilia by Rebecca Romanski

Saints In The Making

Kim Long, Saint Mary of the Pines DRE

THE CATHOLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SAINTS,

except for St. Christopher medals which some of the high school boys wore, was something which was unknown to me as a young girl. Growing up as a Baptist we knew about Lottie Moon, a missionary who served for forty years mostly in China. In my little home church, she was recognized during December when the church promoted special collections for foreign missions. Annie Armstrong, another woman dedicated to spreading the gospel in both spiritual and practical ways, is honored by the Home Missions Board with the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. Special envelopes twice per year held the meager offerings of a small-town congregation spreading the gospel beyond their own four corners. As I navigated my way through OCIA (then RCIA) classes I began to look upon these two women I had grown up hearing so much about as a sort of Baptist equivalent to saints. Years later I still think of Annie and Lottie as a part of my prayer circle.

The communion of saints is a beautiful teaching that takes us far beyond the frantic rhyme of “Tony, Tony come around. Something is lost and needs to be found” (although I still rattle it off when searching for my car keys). It is a glimpse, for me, into the breadth of God’s love and mercy and oneness.

In those early days of RCIA, under the guidance of an earthly team of saints, I began to see how we are all connected in a very different level than I had seen before. It was then that I first reached out to my great grandmothers and asked them to pray for me, to my younger brother who died as an infant to remember me in his prayers; I assured him of my love for him and my longing to meet him one day, on some level.

A few years ago, On All Saints Day, I was blessed to visit Knock in County Mayo, Ireland. I felt more than a little connected to my Irish ancestors, especially the McNulty women whose names are in my genealogy notes at home.

That day, as I prepared to make the stations, I pulled out my phone with an app that would help me with

that devotion. I got to the second station and put my phone away. Moving to the third station I stood before it (they are almost life-sized) and a situation, a person, something for which to be thankful presented itself in my mind’s eye; standing there I held the image in prayer until it faded and I moved to the next station and the next, the process repeating. I left exhausted; it felt like one of the most honest and powerful prayer experiences of my life. That night the little church, St. Mary’s, on Achill Island was stuffed to the brim for Mass. All around me were strangers, yet they weren’t. We were Catholic, we shared an Irish heritage to some degree or another. We were all striving for obedience, holiness, peace. When I think back to that image, I think of all the prayers going up to heaven and the saints. I felt them all around me, and like a cloak from the cold we sheltered in those prayers, the Mass, and all of it. The wind blew the rain hard against the building but in that moment, we were a spiritual wall safeguarding one another. As we scurried to our cars and then home and a cup of tea I felt so filled with the hunger, the desire for God.

Time passes, life changes, fast forward to a month ago. I kept my second youngest grandson while my daughterin-law was with her family at the hospital. I wondered how at two years old he would handle going to adoration with me. He did well but toward the middle of my hour he began to fight sleep. I scooped him up and began to rock him. I told him Jesus had been a little boy a lot like him once. Before my story could go much further, I felt the heavy drooping of a sweet little blond head on my shoulder. I sat there on the pew letting him sleep while I finished my hour. A peace settled over me, I did not want to leave. As the wind and rain battered the side of a different and much larger St. Mary’s I realized my hunger had in that moment turned into contentment.

One of my favorite quotes about saints is from Oscar Wilde- “every saint has a past; every sinner has a future.” One of my favorite quotes by a saint is from St. Catherine of Sienna- “be who you were created to be, and you will set the world on fire.”

The Church speaks of the communion of saints as the spiritual solidarity which binds together the faithful on earth and the saints in heaven. What a wonderful sentiment, what a beautiful reality.

Will little Harper remember that day? Doubtful. Will I remember it? Assuredly I will. We are called to holiness,

never to perfection. And that day, a two-year-old helped me see that we can all be saints in the making.

May your Lent bring you closer to all God has in store for you as we journey on this road to sainthood.

A PROPER LENTEN TEA BREAK

I must tell you, gentle reader, that there is a big difference in Barry’s Irish tea and the Lipton’s tea which was the gold standard in my grandmother’s home. Barry’s is much smoother, no bitterness, and full bodied without being brutal. I like mine with cream and sugar and brewed just until I cannot quite see the bottom of my mug. But whatever your choice of tea is here is a good bite of something to accompany it. Since this is a Lenten recipe no sugar, no icing, just a little bread to enjoy with that tea we talked about!

IRISH SODA FARLS:

(farls means quartered, these are cut and then cooked on a hot griddle)

2 cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup of buttermilk

Directions:

Preheat a heavy flat griddle or black iron skillet

Place flour and salt in a bowl and sift in baking soda

Make a well and pour in buttermilk

Work quickly to mix into a wet dough; knead very lightly on a well-floured surface

Form into a flattened circle, about ½ inch thick and cut into quarters with a floured knife

Sprinkle a little flour over the base of the hot pan and cook the farls for 6 to 8 minutes on each side until golden brown.

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash

Catholic Charities of North Louisiana Volunteer Appreciation

Kathy Schimschock, CCNLA Development Director

Catholic Charities of North Louisiana celebrated our volunteers with a luncheon on Valentine’s Day. Our volunteers are recruited and welcomed without regard to faith, race, ethnicity, marital status, or condition in life. All volunteers MUST complete a background check and

the “Protecting God’s Children” training through the Diocese of Shreveport. If volunteers have any questions, please contact Kathy in our Development Office at development@ccnla.org or call 318-865-0200 ext. 109.

CCNLA’s Volunteer Applications can be found on our website CCNLA.org

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

•Gabriel’s Closet: Help sort and organize donated items, work with clients, teach parenting classes.This program serves low-income parents, their infants and small children up to age 4. The shop, which is largely run by volunteers, is open Monday and Thursday from 1 – 4 pm and helps parents get off to a good start by supplying necessities such as diapers, formula, clothing, books and toys.

•ESL: Teach English as a Second Language classes. Classes are held at our office on Monday and Wednesday from 6 – 8 pm.

•Immigration Services: Office duties including filing, translating documents and data entry.

•Office Assistance: Answer phone calls, assist clients, make Money $chool® folders, filing and other office duties.

•Teach Money $chool®: Review qualifications for the program with potential clients, teach the class about money management, and offer financial advice and guidance.

•Translation Services: If bilingual, be an on-call volunteer ready to help interpret for a client who is non-English speaking or translate documents in the office.

•Events Assistance: Promote, acquire prize donations, or auction items for our Annual Silent Auction, write thank you letters, and other assorted duties for our fundraising events.

When The Saints Go Marching In

I am going to take a wild guess and bet that as you read the above line, you were actually singing it in your head. Am I right? You almost cannot help it. I know I cannot. As both a Catholic and a Saints football fan, I am all too familiar with this song. I am sure many of you are as well. As I was thinking about what to write for this month’s conversation on saints and becoming a saint, this song immediately popped into my head. I thought it would interesting to know more about this iconic song before diving deeper into my thoughts on becoming a saint. According to multiple pages on Google, the original writer of this song is unknown. Most of what I read speculates that its derivation is from slaves, which actually makes a lot of sense to me. Another site stated it might have been inspired by a chant in the old Catholic requiem mass. This too makes a bit of sense to me. Perhaps it is a combination of both: a black slave who was also Catholic. Either way, I know its original author is not as important as what the song means and has meant for many over the years. I love singing it for it says what I pray happens at the time of my death, “… to be in that number when the saints go marching in.” What does it mean to become a saint? For many years, I did not believe sainthood was for me due to my sinful ways. It did not make any sense to me that I could possibly fall in line behind some of our greatest saints: St. Mother Theresa, St. John Paul II, St. Augustine, St. Ignatius, and so many others. As time continued, I began to read more on the saints of our faith and realized very quickly that many were “big time sinners.” This does not mean that their sins are greater than my own; rather it simply means they too sinned in “big time” ways. For example, before his conversion, St. Ignatius of Loyola lived a life full of pride, materialism, and womanizing (to name a few). St. Augustine had a mistress, fathered a son and

Mary Arcement Alexander, Licensed Professional Counselor &

Diocesan Victim Assistance Minister

“O when the saints, go marching in, O when the saints go marching in, O Lord, I want to be in that number when the saints go marching in.”

lived briefly as a Manichean before his conversion. Their stories along with many others are reminders of how God calls each of us to sainthood. In the words of another great song (“Only the Good Die Young”), are you laughing with the sinners or crying with the saints? The sinners may be more fun, but the saints will get you to heaven. Brothers and sisters, fun is temporal, heaven is eternal. Choose wisely. I would like to give a bit of a back-story for context. From college until roughly my early thirties, I struggled with my Catholic faith. During college and most of my 20’s, I did not have many strong Catholic friends nor was I dating men strong in their Catholic faith. In fact, of my two most serious boyfriends, one was a southern Baptist and the other a lax Catholic. As a result, I avoided Mass on a regular basis. I often made excuses about how I did not like the priest or how I did not like going alone. All of it was a lie. I simply fell into a rebellion against the Catholic faith and was too lazy in my spiritual life to do anything substantial about it. When all the scandals broke out in the early 2000’s, it almost nailed the proverbial coffin shut. Thankfully, God did not allow that to happen and instead He drew me ever closer to my faith. Little by little, He nudged me to go to Mass every Sunday, which resulted in me ever slowly inching my way from the back pews to the front pews. All of it was so subtle, organic and surprisingly welcoming. I share this part of my life’s journey because it is my conversion story. When I look at the ways in which I was sinning against God during my 20’s and 30’s, I can say with an honest heart, it looks a lot different from my current sinful ways. With that said, I am definitely still a sinner for sure! However, because of my conversion, I can now see a clearer path to sainthood. The path is still rutted and dirty, but instead of walking with blinders on and allowing myself to fall into the potholes of sin, I see more clearly, which allows me to walk around them.

Brothers and sisters, the path to sainthood is one we should all be on together. Let us all be intentional in seeing our sins through our Father’s eyes. He looks beyond them, He sees our worth, and through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we can be saints. So let us all go and join in as the saints go marching in!

“On that hallelujah day, on that hallelujah day, O Lord I want to be in that number, when the saints go marching in.”

THE APOSTOLATE OF THE SMILE: A Lesson from St. Therese

Karen Dill, Spiritual Director

Last September I attended a three-day retreat at Grand Coteau to study her life and book in depth. I have to admit I was less than enthusiastic at the beginning. But the presenter, Robin Hebert, began by telling us that several famous Catholic leaders and writers (Thomas Merton and Bishop Robert Barron just to drop a couple of names) had started off reading St. Therese with the same reaction that I had experienced. After further thought and study though, they embraced her theology wholeheartedly and had become two ardent fans. I began to sit up and take notice. Maybe she had a message, a lesson, for me as well.

By the time the retreat ended, I was won over. I finished reading her book and learned about the posthumous impact she had on the Church. I ordered several more books about her and encouraged my Bible study group to do the same. Her “little way” of living the gospel has stuck in my conscious brain.

Most Catholics are at least somewhat familiar with St. Therese of Lisieux, often known as “The Little Flower,” one of the four female saints who have been designated Doctors of the Church because of the significant contributions they have made to the development and implementation of our faith. I had heard of St. Therese. Her name sometimes appeared in the litany of saints we pray to. I had even picked up her autobiography, The Story of a Soul, a few years ago and put it down when I was halfway through it because, in my humble opinion at the time, it wasn’t “speaking” to me. I found it sentimental and often difficult even to accept as truth her description of her holy lifestyle at such a young age. She gave her life to Jesus at the age of three and entered the convent when she was fifteen. I skeptically thought that she was a little too good to be true.

A touching episode in her life story happened when she was ten years old. Her mother had died; her older sister had left for the convent; she began to suffer symptoms that today would be described as a nervous breakdown. After many days of being bedridden and distraught, she looked at a statue of the Blessed Virgin by her bedside and suddenly, miraculously, saw Mary smile at her. Immediately her symptoms disappeared and she thanked God for this supernatural healing. She experienced the power of a smile and wrote in her memoir: “A word or a smile is often enough to put fresh life in a despondent soul.”

She resolved to make smiling part of her “little way” of dealing with difficult people in her life. She sought out the difficult nuns in her small community and took great pains to be nice to them by anticipating their needs and serving them with a smile. One particularly unpleasant old Sister asked her one day, “What do you find so attractive in me? Whenever we meet, you give me such a gracious smile.” Therese wrote, “What attracted me?

It was Jesus hidden in the depths of her soul, Jesus who makes attractive even what is most bitter.”

Her words pierced my conscience. How often do I go around smiling at the people in my life who are getting on my last nerve? How often do I go around smiling at total strangers for no reason other than that, if I look hard enough with spiritual eyes, I might see Jesus in them? I decided to make a concerted effort to start smiling more often. I wanted to join “the apostolate of the smile.”

On my next trip to the grocery store, I resolved to smile at people. Usually I plow through the aisles with my head down and my mind on my grocery list. But that day, I slowed down, made eye contact and smiled at my fellow shoppers. I wish I could say that everyone smiled back. Some people gave me a suspicious glance or averted their eyes completely. Many others, however, beamed back at me. A few even said hello before walking on. The cashier was nice to me, and the young man who helped me sack my groceries grinned from ear to ear

and called me “young lady.” When I reached my car a few minutes later, I was smiling to myself. What usually was a dreaded chore had become a pleasant outing thanks to St. Therese.

The week after Christmas, I went to my doctor’s office for some lab work. When I left, I saw a young woman getting out of a delivery van with a stack of pizzas in her arms. I smiled at her as I passed. A few steps later, I heard her say, “Ma’am?” Puzzled, I turned around. “You have a Happy New Year!” She exclaimed and gave me a radiant smile. I think we were both filled with something that can only be described as love.

When Therese read the words of St. Paul in Corinthians about the body of Christ having many members, she decided she wanted to be His heart. “In the heart of the Church,” she wrote, “I will be love.” With grace, we can all follow her “little way.” I encourage all Christians to join the apostolate of the smile and see how the world can change.

DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL

LAURIE NICK, DIOCESAN DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRY

Congratulations to the following youth who have been selected for the 2022-2023 Youth Advisory Council for the Diocese of Shreveport! The Youth Advisory Council is a team of committed young people who assist the Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry in providing the vision, direction, planning, and implementation of youth programs for the Diocese of Shreveport.

Carolanne Adams

–St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church

Melanie Aguilar

–Christ the King Catholic Church

Ashtyn Bierwirth

–Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church

Maeve Chmielewski

–St. John Berchmans Cathedral/St. Joseph Catholic Church (Shreveport)

Jaqueline Espinoza

–Christ the King Catholic Church

John Patrick Frantz

–Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church

Pricila Mondragon

–St. Paschal Catholic Church

Milynda Sanchez

–St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church

Claire Sawyer

–Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church

Stephen Schmidt

–St. Paschal Catholic Church

Brayden Vickers

–St. Jude Catholic Church

Matea Whittington

–St. Joseph Catholic Church (Zwolle)

Aiden Woods

–St. Jude Catholic Church

MEDITATE ON LOVING GOD

MIKE VAN VRANKEN, DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT SPIRITUAL ADVISOR

The great commandment invites us to love God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our mind (Mt. 22:37). Jesus says this is the most important of all. I ask myself, have I fallen so deeply, madly, and passionately in love with God that I am consumed with giving my entire self to God? And what would that look like, feel like, and actually be like? Am I willing to set aside some time each day to take a long, loving, look at my own love of God? How about you? Are you willing to do the same? The following is a quote from the book Encounters with Silence, by Father Karl Rahner, SJ.

“Only in love can I find you, my God.

In love the gates of my soul spring open, allowing me to breathe a new air of freedom and forget my own petty self.

In love my whole being streams forth out of the rigid confines of narrowness and anxious self-assertion, which make me a prisoner of my own poverty and emptiness.

In love all the powers of my soul flow out toward you, wanting never more to return, but to lose themselves completely in you, since by your love you are the inmost center of my heart, closer to me than I am to myself”

One example of how you might use this prayer of love is to sit quietly in your prayer space and read through it completely. Take in its overall meaning. What is it saying to you about loving God?

Now, slowly begin reading it again. During this second reading, highlight or underline any words or phrases that seem to be touching you, or seem to be standing out to you. See what those words and/or phrases have in common. Is there some thread of feelings you are experiencing as you read those words or phrases? Write those feelings down and sit quietly with them.

Finally, read it a third time, giving emphasis on those words and phrases you highlighted. Paying special attention to the feelings they evoke, talk to God about them. Are these feelings coming from God or from somewhere else? Ask for the grace to continue to fall in love with God even deeper and deeper.

After you’ve prayed, savor the moment, and continue to embrace God with your presence. Commit to going back to this prayer on a regular basis. It will never get old. It will never become stale. Because God is infinite, so is our love for God. Are you willing, right now, to give God your everything? Don’t worry, just dive in. It will come.

New Book Highlights Martyr Priest of 1873 Shreveport Yellow Fever Epidemic: Father Louis Gergaud

Cheryl H White, Ph.D.

A NEW BOOK JUST RELEASED from The History Press of Charleston, South Carolina, highlights the letters and primary documents of one of five heroic priests who gave his life for the citizens of Shreveport during the 1873 Yellow Fever Epidemic – Father Louis Gergaud, pastor of St. Matthew’s Church in Monroe, Louisiana. Shreveport Martyr Father Louis Gergaud: In His Own Words, was edited by Father Peter Mangum, W. Ryan Smith, and Dr. Cheryl White, the co-authors of the previous book, Shreveport Martyrs of 1873: The Surest Path to Heaven. The co-authors also feature in the award-winning documentary, The Five Priests. This book on Father Gergaud is the next in a sequence of forthcoming books to further explore the individual heroic virtue of these priests, who are all now in the Vatican’s canonization process. The Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, authored the Foreword to the book.

For more information, contact:

Cheryl H. White, Ph.D. (318)-465-2337; Cheryl.white@lsus.edu

From 1854 to 1873, Servant of God and Shreveport martyr Father Louis Gergaud served as a dedicated missionary priest in northeast Louisiana, and was the first pastor of St. Matthew’s Church in Monroe. Those years, fraught with hardship, culminated in his decision to offer his own life for the people of Shreveport during the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1873.The narrative of his life during this time, drawn from his archival letters and papers, provides insightful commentary on issues as diverse as CatholicProtestant relations in the nineteenth-century South, the economics of commerce in an expanding nation, and the social impacts of the Civil War. Gergaud’s papers offer an invaluable glimpse into the character of a man whose heroic virtue led him to the sacrifice of his own life for strangers.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT REMINDER

Amie Lee, Admin. Asst and Safe Environment Coordinator

All employees of the Diocese of Shreveport and any volunteers who have contact with children must complete the VIRTUS Online, Protecting God’s Children Training for Adults. A background check is required as well, at no cost to the individual. You may sign up for the 90-minute course at www. virtusonline.org.

Once you have taken the initial 90-minute training, each month you will receive an email notifying you of a new bulletin to be read. If you have any questions please call the Safe Environment office, 318-219-7288. Thank you for all that you do to help keep our children and vulnerable adults safe.

Favorite Saints From Our Diocesan Seminarians

You’re invited to join us for the Ordination to the Priesthood for Deacon Kelby Reece Tingle and Deacon Gabriel Cisneros Campos

JUNE 24, 2023, 10:00 AM

ST. JOHN BERCHMANS CATHEDRAL

Deacon Kelby Tingle

Deacon Gabriel Cisneros Campos

Saint John Berchmans

Saint Benedict

Our Lady of Guadalupe

INTRODUCING KARLA ALVAREZ, DIOCESAN DIRECTOR OF MULTICULTURAL MINISTRY

KARLA ALVAREZ, DIOCESAN DIRECTOR OF MULTICULTURAL MINISTRY

HOLA, I’M KARLA ALVAREZ, I come from Little Rock, AR, and I’m the new Director of Multicultural Ministry. The Multicultural Ministry, formally known as Hispanic Ministry, is a new addition to the Diocese of Shreveport. The Diocese wants to expand our resources to our brothers and sisters from other countries that reside within our Diocese, and I am beyond excited to be a part of this expansion. I am a daughter to immigrant parents and am one of four girls and a boy. Growing up, it was tough to find where I fit in culturally since my parents taught me their Mexican traditions at home while I attended schools where the American culture was taught. During my younger years I sought to favor one culture more than the other instead of embracing both cultures as I do now. Due to this experience, I look forward to creating an environment where all cultures such as the Hispanic, Native American, Filipino, African American, Vietnamese and others feel welcomed, loved, and heard. I’m looking forward to working with all of you and meeting you, as together we can make this ministry great. With the information provided below I encourage you to contact me with any questions or comments.

May God continue to bless you,

Karla Alvarez

Saint Peter

Saint Martin de Porres

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2022-2023 STUDENT OF THE YEAR WINNERS

The Office of Catholic Schools is pleased to announce the Diocese of Shreveport 20222023 Student of the Year school and diocesan winners. The school winners participated in the diocesan interview process that occurred on Friday, January 27, at the Catholic Center. The diocesan winners will advance to the state competition in Lafayette on Thursday, March 2, to compete in the inaugural Louisiana Catholic Student of the Year Program.

The competition is open to Catholic schools in the state’s seven dioceses — Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Houma-Thibodaux, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Archdiocese of New Orleans, and Shreveport. The program is designed to recognize outstanding students in 5th, 8th, and 12th grades who have demonstrated excellence in discipleship, leadership, service, citizenship, and academic achievement. Congratulations to all the winners.

DIOCESAN WINNERS

PEYTON REYNOLDS

GRADE 12

ST. FREDERICK HIGH SCHOOL - MONROE

PARENTS: BRIAN AND RACHEL REYNOLDS

BROOKE BULLOCK

GRADE 8

CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN BERCHMANS CATHOLIC SCHOOL

PARENTS: RICHARD AND TRACI BULLOCK

ROSEMARY PAXTON

GRADE 5

JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD SCHOOL

PARENTS: ALBERT AND LILLIAN PAXTON

SCHOOL LEVEL WINNERS

ABIGAIL ANDERSON

GRADE 12

LOYOLA COLLEGE PREP IN SHREVEPORT

PHILLIP TOSTON, III

GRADE 8

OUR LADY OF FATIMA SCHOOL IN MONROE

ARCHER ASHBROOK

GRADE 8

ST. FREDERICK HIGH SCHOOL IN MONROE

SCHOOL LEVEL WINNERS - CONTINUED

COME & SEE VOCATIONS RETREAT AT ST. JOSEPH SEMINARY

MARCH 31 - APRIL 2

Open to young men, 15-22 years of age

REAGAN LOCKLEAR

GRADE 8

ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN SHREVEPORT

ANIYAH SAMUEL

GRADE 5

OUR LADY OF FATIMA SCHOOL IN MONROE

BRYCE RIVERS

GRADE 5

CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN BERCHMANS CATHOLIC SCHOOL

VERA JOHN

GRADE 5

ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN SHREVEPORT

Attendees will join in on regular seminary events, tour St. Joseph Seminary, hike, and enjoy other outdoor activities. The Spring retreat always includes a huge crawfish boil!

Transportation and expenses are fully covered by the Diocese of Shreveport.

Contact Director of Vocations to reserve your spot: Father Peter Mangum, mangum@sjbcathedral.org

PRESENTAMOS A KARLA ALVAREZ, DIRECTORA DIOCESANA DEL MINISTERIO MULTICULTURAL

Karla Alvarez, Directora del Ministerio Multicultural

HOLA, SOY KARLA

ALVAREZ, vengo de Little Rock, AR, y soy la nueva Directora del Ministerio Multicultural. El Ministerio Multicultural, formalmente conocido como Ministerio Hispano, es una nueva adición a la Diócesis de Shreveport. La Diócesis quiere expandir nuestros recursos a nuestros hermanos y hermanas de otros países que residen dentro de nuestra Diócesis, y estoy más que emocionada de ser parte de esta expansión. Soy hija de padres inmigrantes y soy una de cuatro mujeres y un hombre. Al crecer, fue difícil encontrar donde encajaba culturalmente ya que mis padres me enseñaban sus tradiciones mexicanas en casa mientras yo asistía a escuelas donde se enseñaba la cultura americana. Durante mis años de juventud busqué favorecer una cultura más que la otra en lugar de abrazar ambas culturas como lo hago ahora. Debido a esta experiencia, espero crear un entorno donde todas las culturas como la hispana, nativa americana, filipina, afroamericana, vietnamita y otras se sientan bienvenidas, amadas y escuchadas. Estoy deseando trabajar con todos ustedes y conocerlos, ya que juntos podemos hacer grande este ministerio. Con la información proporcionada a continuación les animo a ponerse en contacto conmigo con cualquier pregunta o comentario. Que Dios los siga bendiciendo, Karla Álvarez

Calendario de Marzo, 2023

MARZO 4, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Reunión del 4to día Emaús Mujeres (Cristo Rey)

CRISTO REY: BOSSIER CITY

Rev. Fidel Mondragon

318.221.0238 Oficina

Domingo 1:00pm

Lunes 7:00pm

Sabado 6:00pm

Coordinador Oscar Gomez 972.567.2710

SAN PASCUAL: W. MONROE

Rev. Luis Jost, OFM

Domingo: 4:00pm

Coordinadora: Lorena Chaparro 318.267.4018

SANTO TOMAS AQUINO: RUSTON

Rev. Kevin Mues

318.225.2870 Oficina

Domingo 1:30pm

Coordinadora: Luz Martinez 318.224.0980

NUESTRA SEÑORA DEL PEPETUO

SOCORRO: FARMERVILLE

Rev. Luis Jost, OFM

Sabados 7:00 pm

Coordinadora: Paola Gonalez 817.801.3499

STA MARIA DE LOS PINOS: SHREVEPORT

Rev. Mark Watson

318.687.5121 Oficina

Domingo 12:30 am

Coordinadora: Alma Mendoza 318.678.9306

SAGRADO CORAZON: OAK GROVE

318.428.2983 Oficina, Domingo 1:00pm

Rev. Rigoberto Betancurt

318-458-6045 Cell

SAN JOHN THE BAPTIST, MANY

Rev. Rigoberto Betancurt

318-256-5680 Oficina

primer domingo 1:00pm

SAN PABLO: MINDEN

Rev. Rigoberto Betancurt

2do Domingo 4:00pm

Coordinadora: Dora Rodriguez 870-904-9137

SAN JOSE: MANSFIELD

Rev. Rigoberto Betancurt

305 Jefferson Street

Mansfield, LA 71052

3er Domingo 3:00pm

Por el Obispo

Lo Mejor Está por Venir

YO CONOCÍ UN SACERDOTE QUE HACE MUCHOS AÑOS CUIDABA DE SU

PARROQUIA EN FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS.

Vivió hasta los 86 años y sirvió sus últimos 30 años en esa parroquia. Era muy estimado por sus hermanos sacerdotes y era para todos un completo gozo estar con él.Tenia expresiones chistosas que le gustaba usar. Recuerdo en una ocasión que parecía poco frustrado acerca de algo y dijo, “¡pues lo bueno, es que es solo esta vida y una mas!” El uso de esa frase era de una manera entre filosófico y a la vez un recordatorio que no debemos quedarnos estancados en las cosas negativas de la vida – después de todo, solo tenemos esta vida, y una más. Su enfoque, podríamos decir era más bien el de ver siempre todo de una manera positiva.

Cuando pienso en la expresión, “solo esta vida y una mas,” también pienso en la expresión positiva de, “¡lo mejor está por llegar!” Esta frase tiene un significado particularmente especial en la temporada de Cuaresma. Para algunos, la temporada de Cuaresma no siempre viene con un tono positivo: ayunamos, nos abstenemos de comer carne los viernes, somos invitados a las Estaciones de la Cruz, el sacerdote se viste para la Misa de color morado que es el color penitencial, no cantamos el Gloria, y por supuesto,

una vez que comienza la Cuaresma, dejamos de cantar también el “¡Aleluya!” La Iglesia nos invita a atesorar estos varios aspectos de la cuaresma –no para crear una temporada sombría, sino para recordarnos que “¡lo mejor está por venir!” y Que es eso MEJOR? Lo “mejor” es el estar conscientes de que las semanas de Cuaresma pasan tan rápido así como se nos pasa la vida, y que ya cuando nos damos cuenta – la mejor semana del año – que es la Semana Santa – llegó y nos dirige a la celebración de la Resurrección de nuestro Señor. Entonces, como de un de repente, celebraremos, cantaremos nuestros “Glorias,” y “Aleluyas” una vez mas. La temporada de Cuaresma es un tiempo de penitencia, es por seguro, pero no más que eso – es un tiempo para prepararnos para lo mejor que el Señor nos da. En verdad, lo mejor esta por venir.

Que su temporada de Cuaresma, que nos lleva a la celebración de la Pascua – les recuerde siempre, especialmente en tiempos de dificultad, que tenemos solo esta vida y una mas - y esa, la vida venidera, será para siempre.

Mary, Our Blessed Mother – The Ultimate Steward

Lucy Medvec, Diocesan Director of Development

Throughout this issue of The Catholic Connection, you have been reading and learning about saints in the Catholic Church. Some may be familiar to you and some you may be hearing about for the first time. All of them share an important characteristic: unselfish devotion to God through their thoughts, actions and words, which can also be described as stewardship.

When we talk about stewardship, it is defined as a gift of time, talent, or treasure. Each of these gifts are equally important and were willingly sacrificed by the saints during their time on Earth, but when it comes to the ultimate steward of our gifts from God, we only need to look as far as our Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary.

In all that she did, Mary lived stewardship – the giving of her time, talent, and treasure – in every aspect of her life. Her unwavering devotion to God’s will is an example to all of us as we strive to enter the kingdom of God.

When the angel Gabriel visited Mary, she willingly

accepted God’s plan for her and then gave of her time to travel to her cousin Elizabeth. She then stayed with Elizabeth for several months to help her plan for the birth of her son, John.

We can consider her devotion to mothering Jesus as a talent. From his birth in a manger, to presenting him at the temple, and finally, encouraging him to perform his first miracle at the Wedding of Cana, her love and support as a mother shows all of us how to love our family and to serve God without question.

The gift of her greatest treasure, her Son, Jesus, was the ultimate sacrifice. This gift that was given without question, yet with extreme sorrow, allows each one of us to experience true redemption.

As a steward of her gifts, Mary responded to the call of God without hesitation. She prays for each of us to share our gifts and to answer God when He calls us by name.

Let us all strive for a life of stewardship like the one that was lived by the saints and our Blessed Mother.

Saint Joseph Catholic School

Polly Maciulski, Middle School Religion

THE SAINTS SHOW US WHAT IS POSSIBLE FOR GOD

Last year, St. Joseph Catholic School held its firstever Religion Fair, a project for our sixth grade students that is essentially a Social Studies Fair, but with only Catholic topics. Our theme in 2022 was “Significant Figures in the Spread of the Catholic Church in North America” and included such names as Venerable Archbishop Sheen, the Five Yellow Fever Priests, Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Bishop Charles Greco, and Servant of God Thea Bowman. The students learned volumes from these people who were so vital to the growth of the Church on our continent, and even were inspired to write about them in later school assignments, and to consider them for Confirmation saints. This year our theme is “Saints of the Early Church” and the projects include Saints Scholastica, Benedict, Agnes of Rome, Cyril of Jerusalem, and Augustine of Hippo. The research has been more difficult, due to the time period in which these individuals lived, but our students have once again shown how much we all have to gain in learning about the lives of the saints. They teach us that nothing is impossible for God, and that no one is too young to become a saint.

The overturn of Roe v. Wade last year was great cause to celebrate, but it also brought about unique challenges for those who support the women in unplanned pregnancies. For places like Mary’s House, it meant that more women would be coming to learn about their options in a world where terminating a pregnancy is illegal. This year, as our way of celebrating our community during Catholic Schools Week, SJS held “Money Wars” to raise funds to help offset the costs of some of the technology that Mary’s House had recently ordered to serve their clients. We raised over $1,100 that week! Think of how many more saints our world may now have, when more women are encouraged to choose life, thanks to a place like Mary’s House.

Our mission at SJS is, to paraphrase (a lot), to make “smart saints” of our students. We strive to teach them what it means to be a follower of Christ in their everyday lives, to live their faith by loving their neighbor, offer their gifts and works for His greater glory, to be willing to learn and to grow in their relationship with Him. When as a school community we celebrate the gift of the Eucharist, the source and summit of our Catholic faith, our older students serve as role models for our younger students at Mass as “Big Brothers and Sisters” as they sit together and sing and respond throughout the Mass; students also participate in choir, read, serve at the altar, and bring up the gifts of bread and wine at the Offertory. Middle school students give their time throughout the year in service to others through membership in MiniVinnies (school conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul) or through other Works of Mercy, and through charitable donation drives. The minimum that our middle schoolers are required to give in service to others this school year is 1,300 hours...in November, they had already turned in over 2,200 hours. While some of these hours are earned at school or at the parish level, many of them are earned in the greater community at animal shelters, with special needs students, and food pantries. We also have seen our students’ God-given talents on display at our Talent Show, as well as Christmas programs and at weekly Mass.

As we journey through this Lenten season, the opportunities to grow in faith, in this journey to sainthood, will include class retreats for our seventh and eighth graders; a Living Stations of the Cross offering from our eighth grade class; Reconciliation for grades third through eighth; a school-wide celebration of our patron saint, including a novena; and of course, Religion five days a week. We ask for your continued prayers as we persevere in our mission to educate these “smart saints” to know that, as Pope Benedict once said, “You were made for greatness.”

Jesus the Good Shepherd School

Amy Fakhre, Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic School Development Office

PRIESTLY PRESENCE

Fr. Mike and Fr. Tobias have been making surprise appearances all around campus and at some recent sporting events. From pep rallies to Valentine’s parties to baseball and softball games, our priests have been on hand to participate, support and cheer on our students. We are beyond thankful for their presence, guidance and leadership on and off campus!

Loyola College Prep

Jordan Harris, Loyola College Prep Director of Communications

Three Loyola Students Named 2023 National Merit Finalists

THREE LOYOLA COLLEGE PREP STUDENTS

move to the next level in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program and were announced as finalists in the competition. Maeve Chmielewski, Cooper DeFatta, and Austen Simpson are now eligible to compete for nearly 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered this spring.

To become a finalist, the semi-finalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the semi-finalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A semi-finalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.

“We are incredibly proud of Maeve, Cooper, and Austen,” said Loyola principal John LeBlanc. “They continue to impress our students, teachers, and parents with their achievements, intelligence, and abilities. We wish them luck in this final round of competition for such a distinguished honor.”

All winners of Merit Scholarship awards (Merit Scholar designees) are chosen from the finalist group based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments—without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference. A variety of information is available for NMSC to evaluate: The finalist’s academic record, information about the school’s curriculum and grading system, PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index score, the high school official’s written recommendation, information about the student’s activities and leadership, and the finalist’s own essay.

High school juniors entered the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2021 Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of semi-finalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of semi-finalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.

MAEVE CHMIELEWSKI COOPER DEFATTA AUSTEN SIMPSON

Saint Frederick High School

Jill Wier, Director of Development

2023 SCIENCE FAIR 1ST PLACE - OSEY ANUMELE AND ARCHER ASHBROOK

2023 SCIENCE FAIR 2ND PLACE PARAS ODUDU 2023 SPELLING BEE WINNER - OSEY ANUMELE

CONGRATULATIONS TO SENIOR PAULA PHAM FOR BEING SELECTED AS OUR REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE DAR GOOD CITIZEN AWARD!

St. John Berchmans School

Trey Woodham, Principal

DIOCESAN STUDENT OF THE YEAR – MISS BROOKE ANN BULLOCK

Together with Fr. Peter Mangum and the Cathedral Parish and School, we are delighted to announce that Brooke Ann Bullock has been selected Diocesan Student of the Year for the Diocese of Shreveport in the eighthgrade division. What is impressive is that she humbly competed with finalists in the competition from five other Catholic schools within the diocese. When Brooke travels to Lafayette on March 2, she will carry the prayers of her school, her home parish, and her family to this next level of competition. Brooke is the daughter of Richard and Traci Bullock and sister to Alex and Brayden.

While many of our eighth graders were worthy of the award, Brooke stood above the rest. The virtues of kindness, generosity, hospitality, love, and humility radiate from her. Brooke’s compassion and love for others testify to her love for God. Her good works include being a liturgical minister as a reader for Mass at both the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans and her home parish of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. Brooke has served her church parish in other capacities, including volunteering for the annual Trunk or Treat event and as a shepherd and chaperone during the Blessing of the Pets. She has volunteered at the Highland Blessing Meal, food drive collections for local Veteran charities, and monthly philanthropic outreach programs through St. John Berchmans parish and school. She is also active in work for Volunteers of America, for whom she collected over 100 books from the community for their Lighthouse Program.

At St. John Berchmans School, Brooke is on the cheer squad, serving as captain. She maintains a 3.9 grade point average, an impressive

accomplishment because she challenges herself by taking honor classes such as Algebra and Latin III. Brooke also participates by competing on the SJB Cross Country team and community Cabosa Soccer teams. She is a student council and National Junior Honor Society member and plans to attend Loyola College Prep in the Fall.

The SJB Family is so very proud of Brooke. She is a joy to have in our school and an inspiration to us all. Scripture reminds us to “Be the salt of the earth!” (Matthew 5:1316), and Brooke most definitely lives out that admonition in her faith, actions, accomplishments, and the joy she brings to each challenge she faces.

Brooke, we are so proud of your achievements and look forward to seeing the great heights you will reach as a representative of the Cathedral of Saint John Berchmans Catholic School and the Diocese of Shreveport.

around the diocese

THE SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS CONFIRMATION

CLASS discussed the lives of Saints Damien and Marianne Cope, Hanson’s disease, and prayed for those who have suffered on World Leprosy Day. Paula Martin is the teacher.

The Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem. This Christian ecumenical Order is dedicated to charity, spirituality and tradition and has helped our patients in Kalaupapa. For more information visit: www.st-lazarus.us

Photo of St Mary’s on Achill Island by Kim Long

Diocesan Youth Advisory Council Retreat by Laurie Nick

Loyola students at the Annual March for Life

Knights of Columbus at the Annual March for Life

St. Blaise Blessing of the Throats during School Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church

around the diocese FETE FOR LIFE

RELIGION SCHOLARS BOWL

Thanks to our Recent Donors:

(046) Mr. Matthew Chumley ($5000)

(047) Mr. Matthew Chumley ($5000)

(022) Drs. Edward & Karen Jacobs ($100)

(037) Mr. & Mrs. Larry A. Miller ($1000)

Completed Burses:

(001) Fr. Mike Bakowski Memorial Burse #1 ($10000)

(006) Msgr. J. Carson LaCaze Memorial Burse #1 ($10000)

(010) Memory of Rita Scott from the John Scott Family Burse ($10000)

(011) Rev. David Richter Memorial Burse #1 ($10000)

(012) Jack E. Caplis, Jr., Memorial Burse ($10000)

(013) Mary Evans Caplis Burse ($10000)

(014) Bob & Peggy Semmes Memorial Burse ($10000)

(019) Margaret Glenn Memorial Burse ($10000)

SEMINARIAN BURSES

(020) Dr. James V. Ward Memorial Burse ($10000)

(026) Sheryl Seal Sweeney Memorial Burse ($10000)

(027) Rev. Richard Lombard Memorial Burse ($10000)

(027) Rev. Richard Lombard Memorial Burse #2 ($10000)

(031) Pearl Heck & Leona Boudreaux Memorial Burse ($10000)

(033) Beryl K. & Joseph D. Ozenne Memorial Burse ($10000)

(035) Dr. James V. & Rosemary C. Ward Burse ($10000)

(040) Servant of God

Fr. Isidore Armand Quémerais Burse ($10000)

(041) Servant of God Fr. Jean Pierre Burse ($10000)

(042) Servant of God

Fr. Jean-Marie Biler Burse ($10000)

(043) Servant of God

Fr. Louis-Marie Gergaud Burse ($10000)

(044) Servant of God

Fr. François Le Vézouët Burse ($10000)

Incomplete Burses:

(001) Fr. Mike Bakowski Memorial Burse #2 ($1350)

(002) Joseph & Antoinette Bakowski Memorial Burse ($3150)

(003) Sam R. Maranto Memorial Burse ($1650)

(004) Kathryn Atherton Cook Memorial Burse ($350

(005) Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Burse ($1300)

(006) Msgr. J. Carson LaCaze Memorial Burse #2 ($3832.12)

(007) Dr. Carol Christopher Memorial Burse ($1200)

(008) St. Jude Parish Burse ($6318)

(009) St. John Berchmans Knights of Columbus Council 10728 Burse ($1550)

(011) Rev. David Richter Memorial Burse #2 ($4400

(015) Bishop’s Seminarian Burse ($4410)

(016) Elaine Malloy Frantz Memorial Burse ($1000)

(017) Msgr. George Martinez Knights of Columbus Council 1337 Burse ($8021.57)

(018) Knights of St. Peter Claver Council 144 Burse ($1180)

(021) Rev. Edmund “Larry” Niehoff Memorial Burse ($2000)

(022) Rev. Blane O’Neil, OFM Memorial Burse ($1350)

(023) Msgr. Edmund J. Moore Memorial Burse ($2520)

(024) Rev. Joseph Puthupally Memorial Burse ($1600)

(025) Kathleen Hightower Memorial Burse ($400)

(028) Friends-n-Faith Burse ($300)

(029) Rev. Kenneth Williams Memorial Burse ($200)

(030) Ottis and Anne Krupa Littlejohn Memorial Burse ($6000)

(032) Madeline and Joe Tiller Memorial Burse ($5000)

(034) Joseph B. and Lucille Provenza Cordaro Burse ($6100)

(035) Dr. James V. & Rosemary C. Ward Burse #2 ($3000)

(036) Msgr. Earl Vincent Provenza Burse ($4300)

(037) Manuel & Catherine Licciardi, and John & Beverly Miller Burse ($5000)

(038) The Malone Family Burse ($250)

(039) St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Knights of Columbus Council 9260 Burse ($250)

(045) Sister Martinette Rivers Memorial Burse ($200)

(046) Domestic Church Burse ($5000)

(047) Troops of St. George Burse ($5000)

The Diocesan Seminary Burse Program provides the faithful of North Louisiana the opportunity to invest in the education and formation of our seminarians into holy and effective priests to serve the Diocese of Shreveport. Interested in contributing to or establishing a burse?

You can establish and name a burse with a donation of at least $250 or you can contribute any amount to a burse simply by designating its name when the contribution is made. Contributions may be mailed to the Office of Church Vocations, Diocese of Shreveport, 3500 Fairfield Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71104. Be sure to note the name of the burse in the memo line. Burses are completed at $10,000.

FEASTS & SOLEMNITIES

MARCH 3

Saint Katharine Drexel, Virgin

MARCH 4 Saint Casimir

MARCH 7

Saints Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs

MARCH 8

Saint John of God, Religious

MARCH 9

Saint Frances of Rome, Religious

MARCH 17

Saint Patrick, Bishop

MARCH 18

Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

MARCH 20

Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

MARCH 23

Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, Bishop

MARCH 25

The Annunciation of the Lord

upcoming events

FRIDAYS, FEBRUARY 24TH - MARCH 31ST

ULM CCM 20th Annual Lenten Fish Fry @ 911 University Ave, Monroe, LA

Outside dining, drive-thru, or delivery (for 10 or more meals). $12/plate lunch includes: catfish, coleslaw, fries, and dessert. Season tickets available for $65. Online payment available at ulmccm.org

MARCH 4, 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM

BELONG Diocesan Youth Summit @The Catholic Center

Open to all students grades 6-12. Registration is $25/youth, register with your parish youth ministry program.

MARCH 4, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Presentation on the book Signs, Superstitions and God’s Plan: The Search For Meaning by author Brian Schmisek @St. Mary of the Pines - Vandegaer Hall

Please call St. Mary of the Pines to RSVP since lunch will be served (318)687-5121

MARCH 10-11

Engaged Couples Weekend @ The Cathedral of St. John Berchmans

Engaged Couples Weekend is required for all engaged couples and should be attended at least three months before the wedding. Contact Mary Kay Townley at 318-221-5296, ext. 108 or mktownley@sjbcathedral.org

MARCH 27-29

Savior & Sustenance Lenten Mission with Julie Carrick @ Mary Queen of Peace, Bossier City

6:00 PM Supper, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Mission. Free event with free will offering. Wednesday will include reconciliation service and individual confessions.

JOIN OUR NEW EMAIL NEWSLETTER!

Do you want to know more about what’s going on around the Diocese, but don’t want to wait for the next Catholic Connection issue to come out? Join our new bimonthly diocesan email newsletter!

Just go to www.dioshpt.org/newsletter to sign up or email Ben Luckett, Director of Digital Evangelization at bluckett@dioshpt.org

where is bishop malone this month?

SATURDAY, MARCH 4TH

Diocesan Youth Summit; Catholic Center, Shreveport

THURSDAY, MARCH 9TH

Notre Dame Seminary & St. Joseph Seminary Board of Trustees Meetings; St. Joseph Seminary, Saint Benedict, Louisiana; 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM

MONDAY, MARCH 13TH

10th Anniversary of Election of His Holiness Pope Francis Reception; Apostolic Nunciature, Washington, DC; 6:00 PM

TUESDAY, MARCH 14TH

National Catholic Prayer Breakfast; Marriott Marquis Washington; Washington, DC; 7:00 AM

TUESDAY, MARCH 14TH

The Five Priests Documentary Filming; followed by Panel Discussion; Museum of the Bible, Washington, DC; 2:00 PM

SUNDAY, MARCH 15TH

Mass; St. Patrick Church, Lake Providence; 10:00 AM

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22ND School Visit; St. Frederick High School, Monroe

SUNDAY, MARCH 26TH

Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 8:00 AM

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29TH

Canonical Mass of Installation of Most Reverend Mario E. Dorsonville, Fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux; Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma; 2:00 PM

CATHOLIC CONNECTION

DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT

3500 Fairfield Ave. • Shreveport, LA 71104

Catholic Connection USPS 024-824 is published monthly except for July by the Diocese of Shreveport, 3500 Fairfield Ave., Shreveport, LA 71104. Periodicals Postage PAID at Shreveport, LA 71102. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Catholic Connection, 3500 Fairfield Ave, Shreveport, LA 71104.

PHOTO OF THE MONTH: Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Shreveport celebrated their 100-year anniversary and Bishop Malone concelebrated the Mass with Rev. Duane Trombetta, Rev. James Moran, and Rev. Raney Johnson.