May 2024 - Diversity in the Modern Age

Diversity in the Modern Age

CATHOLIC CONNECTION

PUBLISHER

Bishop Francis I. Malone

EDITOR

Kirsten Shrewsberry

EDITORIAL BOARD

May 2024

Volume 33, Number 10

CONTRIBUTORS

Tristan Frisk

Cassandra Key

Dcn. Charles Thomas, OFS

Theresa Tran

Mary Arcement Alexander

Delia Barr

Jean Woods

Karen Dill

Jordan Harris

T.C. Veit

Amy Fakhre

Jill Wier

Clayton Cobb

Sharon McCabe

Joe Bulger

Lucy Medvec

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: Kirsten Shrewsberry

Email: doseditor@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) Online sessions are 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 Arcement Alexander, Diocesan Victim Assistance Minister at 318-588-2120. Thank you for helping to keep our children and vulnerable adults safe.

The Catholic Connection is funded in part by a grant from Catholic Home Missions and donations to the Catholic Service Appeal.

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.

Very Rev. Msgr. Matthew T. Long

Dcn. Charles Thomas OFS

Karla Alvarez

Rev. Kevin Mues

Rosalba Quiroz

Cover photo is the Egbedi family, parishioners at St. Joseph Church, Shreveport by Karla Alvarez, Diocesan Director of Multicultural Ministries.

INTRODUCING THE EGBEDI FAMILY

Kirsten Shrewsberry, Editor and Diocesan Director of Public Relations

I hope you don't mind me doing something a little different this month.. . Instead of this page highlighting the editorial direction of this month's magazine, I want this space to honor a family who I feel embodies the theme of this month's magazine. When we discuss diversity it's easy to focus only on what we can see, however, diversity is all of the ways that God made us special and unique, not just in our outward appearance. One of my favorite things about meeting Harriet and her family is if I was to stand next to them in line at the grocery store, you probably couldn't find a thing similar between us. My skin is fair, if I'm not at work I'm most likely in athleisure clothing, and my children are very young. However, the most important trait about Harriet and myself is the same: we are both Catholic. I hope by the time you reach page 36 of this magazine you not only feel the gravity of the many ways we are diverse but united in Christ, but also feel joy in knowing how intimately God knows and loves each of us, to make us so diverse, and yet each loved and called by Him. Peace and joy, my friends. Thank you for celebrating our diverse and beautiful Church with me.

EVERY SUNDAY, YOU CAN FIND DR. PETERS EFE EGBEDI AND HIS FAMILY IN THE PEWS AT ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH, SHREVEPORT, ADORNED IN THEIR SUNDAY BEST AND UNITED IN THEIR CATHOLIC FAITH. They are newer to St. Joseph Church, having only moved to North Louisiana last August. Still, they are hard to miss, always wearing beautiful garments from their home country, Nigeria. Dr. Egbedi's wife, Harriet, takes great pride in seeing her children and husband together at Mass. Many things have changed in their lives since moving to Louisiana, but their deep-rooted Catholic faith is not one of them.

The Egbedi family's journey from Emevor Delta State, Nigeria, to Shreveport, Louisiana, was marked by transformation and adaptation, but their Catholic faith has remained a constant anchor in the sea of change. Amidst their challenges with language barriers, cold weather conditions (during winter), and a lack of African food, their presence in the pews clad in the vibrant attire of their homeland is a lively celebration of the marriage of their culture and continual faith.

While Louisiana is not the most diverse state, with the 2020 census showing 61% of the state population identified as white alone for race and ethnicity, the Egbedi family serves as a poignant reminder of the richness that different backgrounds bring to our communities, not only in the diversity of race and ethnicity but also in the diversity of cultures, language, fashion, and more. Their faith is not just a personal encounter; it's a universal experience, tying them to their roots in Nigeria and joining them here with their Louisiana home parish.

Next time you find yourself at Mass on Sunday, take a few moments to look around. At St. Joseph Shreveport, amidst the familiar faces of families with roots in the first iteration of St. Joseph Church (orange carpet and all), you may notice newer faces, such as the Egbedi family. Whether families traveled two minutes on foot to arrive at Mass or moved thousands of miles away from home to join a parish in our diocese, we can all be welcoming and open to new faces. Take the time to say hello and invite your neighbors in the pews to share a meal or a moment of fellowship together. Whether it's the Egbedi family or someone else, reaching out to someone new will make a difference in your parish community.

At the

Mass at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Bishop Malone announced that Pope Francis has bestowed the Papal Honor Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice upon Fr. Peter Mangum, currently serving as pastor of Jesus the Good

Church in Monroe, as well as the Dean of the

IT IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR PEOPLE TO OVERREACT — IN FACT, IT MAY BE ONE OF THE MOST COMMON WEAKNESSES OF THE HUMAN PERSON. Overreaction generally leads to or emanates from rumors or gossip, with the resulting dynamic of truth being lost. This can come at a price, a risk that the full truth of what is being shared is missed in the conversation. Sadly, it happens in the Church.

I am thinking, in particular, of the Instruction issued by Pope Francis on December 18, 2023, entitled, “Fiducia Supplicans,” in Latin, “Supplicating Trust,” in which the Holy Father writes beautifully about the Church’s practice of blessing people. As a parish priest, and now as a bishop, I would be hard-pressed to count the number of times someone asked me to bless them. There is no limit to the occasions or reasons for such a request. Outside the normal and regular times we ministers impart a blessing during Mass or conferral of a sacrament, a blessing is usually given because someone requested it, and this happens virtually anywhere and on any number of occasions. Frequently, I find myself encountering someone in the hospital, and recently in the waiting room of a doctor’s office, who takes notice of my collar and cross, stops me and asks for a

FROM THE BISHOP

blessing. I know that if the people gave much thought to their request, they would admit that they were really asking me to impart a blessing from God for them in whatever situation they find themselves at the time. These requests even happen in unusual circumstances, like when I was sitting at an airport gate next to an individual who, perhaps a little nervous about the pending flight, asked me to bless them. There’s simply no limit to such times, and I welcome them. It’s people’s way of calling upon God through one of His ministers, who help them by invoking His name upon them.

Is it possible to overreact to such a request on the part of the one asking? Sure! A friend of mine asked me to bless him because he planned to go to the racetrack and was really hoping for success. Someone told me they purchased a lottery ticket and asked me to bless their chances. I am pretty sure that in the mind of God, He does impart blessings upon many things, such as the crop a farmer just planted or student’s success when approaching an exam with anxiety. I am sure there is a “good sense” required when someone asks for a blessing, even simplistically. This “good sense” might even be an awareness of what it is we are asking God to bless.

At the same time, I am often surprised at how some imagine that God is selective about those He chooses to bless, and I am also skeptical that there might be persons God chooses not to bless.

This was clearly present when Pope Francis issued his “Instruction” on “Supplicating Trust,” in which he included those who are deserving when he stated that the Church should be at the ready to impart blessings upon those in same-sex unions. As a priest and bishop, I find it difficult to imagine any situation where, in presenting oneself to God, or to Him through His Church, for a blessing, a person should be denied that blessing. Overreaction to the pope’s “Instruction” lies in peoples’ perception that the Holy Father is declaring such unions as good and natural in themselves. He does not say this. What I find more astonishing is that there are those who, without even reading the Pope’s Instruction, misinterpreted what he taught, or worse, overreacted to what he said.

A good and holy friend reflected on this issue: How can the Church, in good faith, impart a blessing upon people who are associated with the LGBTQIA+ community? This friend, I found, wrote a beautiful reflection on how so many of us form a judgment that the Holy Father was mistaken when he seemed to remove traditional biases against such people and offer his “permission” that they, too, are worthy of God’s

Continued on page 6

Continued from page 5

blessings. He tackled a subject that is so difficult that even I, in writing this article, find myself challenged to say with precision what the Holy Father taught — because so many of us got it wrong.

To be clear, Pope Francis, our Holy Father, “instructed” the Church that there are many, many of us who need God’s blessings in this life, and God would never turn any of us away from that which only He can give. The overreaction, from not too few people, was in their interpretation that the blessing was God giving sanction to a particular way of life, rather than understanding the situation as persons approaching the Church for God’s blessing, regardless of their way of life. The basic question that runs throughout the Pope’s Instruction is whether we are all, that is all, of us worthy to ask God to bless us — some of us more than others — and there are none, none, of us who can sit in judgement of those who we deem should not receive God’s blessings through His Church.

To impart a blessing is in no way to agree with the one asking for it, like my friend at the racetrack, but rather recognizes that when any of us approaches God through His Church, regardless of our station in life, and humbly asks for God to bless us — that’s what He does — that’s always what God does. We have no right to be selective about who God chooses to bless or how He chooses to bless. Our prayers should always be that those who ask God’s blessings receive what God wants them to receive. Our casting aside their way of life, and praying that the blessing they ask for is what God wants for them does not give us a right to deny them the same. When we overreact in this way to what the Pope is telling us, we risk forming judgements about others that lead us to deny God, through His Church, the divine right to impart what He offers to everyone.

One day I, like you, will stand in judgement before God for the lives we lived here. I am well aware that when my time comes I will be found wanting for the mistakes of my past. I do not want to stand before Him and have to answer why I thought this person or that person was not worthy of God’s hand stretching out over them to give them what they need — as He sees it, not as I do. I cannot judge another person’s heart — and I would not want someone to judge mine. Pope Francis has it right — not to impart the Church’s blessing over someone whose lifestyle is contrary to God — but rather to impart the same over those who need God’s blessing the most.

POR EL OBISPO

NO ES RARO QUE LA GENTE REACCIONE DE FORMA EXAGERADA; DE HECHO, ESTO PUEDE SER UNA DE LAS DEBILIDADES MÁS COMUNES DE LA PERSONA HUMANA. La reacción exagerada suele conducir a rumores o chismes, o emanar de ellos, con la consiguiente dinámica de pérdida de la verdad. Esto puede tener un precio, el riesgo de que se pierda en la conversación toda la verdad de lo que se está compartiendo. Lamentablemente, esto ocurre en la Iglesia.

Pienso, en particular, en la Instrucción publicada por el Papa Francisco el 18 de diciembre de 2023, titulada "Fiducia Supplicans", en latín, "Confianza suplicante", en la que el Santo Padre escribe bellamente sobre la práctica de la Iglesia de bendecir a las personas. Como párroco, y ahora como obispo, me sería difícil contar el número de veces que alguien me ha pedido que le bendiga. No hay límite para las ocasiones o las razones de tal petición. Fuera de los momentos normales y regulares en los que los ministros impartimos una bendición durante la Misa o al conferir un sacramento, normalmente se da una bendición porque alguien lo ha pedido, y esto sucede prácticamente en cualquier lugar y en cualquier número de ocasiones. Con frecuencia, me encuentro con alguien en el hospital, y recientemente en la sala de espera de la consulta de un médico, que se fija en mi alzacuellos y mi cruz, me detiene y me pide una bendición. Sé que si las personas pensaran mucho en su petición, admitirían que en realidad me están pidiendo que imparta una bendición de Dios para ellos en cualquier situación en la que se encuentren en ese momento. Estas peticiones se producen incluso en circunstancias inusuales, como cuando estaba sentado en la puerta de embarque de un aeropuerto junto a una persona que, tal vez un poco nerviosa por el vuelo pendiente, me pidió que la bendijera. No hay límite para este tipo de ocasiones, y yo las acojo con agrado. Esto es la forma que tiene la gente de llamar a Dios a través de uno de Sus ministros, que les ayuda invocando Su nombre sobre ellos.

¿Es posible que el que pide esto reaccione de forma exagerada? Claro que sí. Un amigo mío me pidió que le bendijera porque pensaba ir al hipódromo y tenía muchas esperanzas de éxito. Alguien me dijo que había comprado un billete de lotería y me pidió que bendijera sus posibilidades. Estoy bastante seguro de que, en la mente de Dios, Él imparte bendiciones sobre muchas cosas, como la cosecha que acaba de plantar un agricultor o el éxito de un estudiante cuando afronta un examen con ansiedad. Estoy seguro de que se requiere un "buen sentido" cuando alguien pide una bendición, aunque sea de forma simplista. Este "buen sentido" podría ser incluso la conciencia de qué es esto que estamos pidiendo a Dios que bendiga.

Al mismo tiempo, a menudo me sorprende cómo algunos imaginan que Dios es selectivo con quienes elige bendecir, y también soy escéptico en cuanto a que pueda haber personas. Dios elige no bendecir.

Esto estuvo claramente presente cuando el Papa Francisco emitió su "Instrucción" sobre la "Confianza Suplicante", en la que incluyó a aquellos que lo merecen cuando afirmó que la Iglesia debería estar lista para impartir bendiciones a aquellos en uniones del mismo sexo. Como sacerdote y obispo, me resulta difícil imaginar ninguna situación en la que, al presentarse ante Dios, o ante Él a través de Su Iglesia, para recibir una bendición, se le niegue a una persona esa bendición. La reacción exagerada a la "Instrucción" del Papa radica en la percepción de la gente de que el Santo Padre está declarando tales uniones como buenas y naturales en sí mismas. No dice eso. Lo que me parece más asombroso es que haya quienes, sin siquiera leer la Instrucción del Papa, malinterpretaron lo que enseñó, o peor aún, reaccionaron exageradamente a lo que dijo.

Un buen y santo amigo reflexionaba sobre esta cuestión: ¿Cómo puede la Iglesia, de buena fe, impartir una bendición a personas que están relacionadas con la comunidad LGBTQ? Este amigo, según descubrí, escribió una hermosa reflexión sobre cómo muchos de nosotros nos formamos el juicio de que el Santo Padre se equivocó cuando pareció eliminar los prejuicios tradicionales contra esas personas y ofrecer su "permiso" de que ellos también son dignos de las bendiciones de Dios. Abordó un tema tan difícil que incluso yo, al escribir este artículo, me encuentro ante el reto de decir con precisión lo que el Santo Padre enseñó, porque muchos de nosotros nos equivocamos.

Para ser claros, el Papa Francisco, nuestro Santo Padre, "instruyó" a la Iglesia de que hay muchos, muchos de nosotros que NECESITAMOS las bendiciones de Dios en esta vida, y Dios nunca rechazaría a ninguno de nosotros de aquello que sólo ÉL puede dar. La reacción exagerada, de no pocas personas, estuvo en su interpretación de que la bendición era Dios sancionando una determinada forma de vida, en lugar de entender la situación como personas que se acercan a la Iglesia en busca de la bendición de Dios, independientemente de su forma de vida. La cuestión de fondo que recorre toda la Instrucción del Papa es si todos, es decir TODOS, somos dignos de pedir a Dios que nos bendiga -unos más que otrosy no hay ninguno, NINGUNO, que pueda sentarse a juzgar a quienes consideramos que no deben recibir la bendición de Dios a través de su Iglesia.

Impartir una bendición no es de ninguna manera estar de acuerdo con quien la pide, como mi amigo en el hipódromo, sino reconocer que cuando cualquiera de nosotros se acerca a Dios a través de Su Iglesia, independientemente de nuestra

posición en la vida, y pide humildemente que Dios nos bendiga - eso es lo que Él hace - eso es SIEMPRE lo que Dios hace. No tenemos derecho a ser selectivos sobre a quién Dios elige bendecir o cómo elige bendecir. NUESTRAS oraciones deben ser siempre que aquellos que piden las bendiciones de Dios reciban lo que Dios quiere que reciban. El que nosotros dejemos de lado su forma de vida, y oremos para que la bendición que piden sea la que Dios quiere para ellos, no nos da derecho a negarles lo mismo. Cuando reaccionamos de esta manera ante lo que nos dice el Papa, corremos el riesgo de formar juicios sobre los demás que nos lleven a negar a Dios, a través de Su Iglesia, el derecho divino de impartir lo que Él ofrece a todos.

Un día yo, como tú, seré juzgado ante Dios por la vida que hemos vivido aquí. Soy consciente de que, cuando llegue mi hora, seré juzgado por los errores de mi pasado. No quiero presentarme ante Él y tener que responder por qué pensé que esta o aquella persona no eran dignas de que la mano de Dios se extendiera sobre ellas para darles lo que necesitan - como ÉL lo ve, no como yo lo veo. No puedo juzgar el corazón de otra persona - y no me gustaría que alguien juzgara el mío. El Papa Francisco tiene razón en esto - no impartir la bendición de la Iglesia sobre alguien cuyo estilo de vida es contrario a Dios - sino más bien impartir la misma sobre aquellos que más necesitan la bendición de Dios.

Sister Julieta

Your Name: Julieta Rocha Juárez

Nombre Y Apellidos: Julieta Rocha Juárez

Where Are You From: I'm originally from Romita, a small town in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico.

De Dónde Eres: Soy originaria del estado de Guanajuato, México, de un pequeño pueblito llamado Romita.

Can You Share Your Discernment Journey: My path of discernment was very much influenced, first of all, by my mother, who, in her simplicity and from her own experience of faith, was guiding me to have a close relationship with God. However, I did not actively participate in my parish; we were one of those families known as "I go to Mass when I feel like it." Still, nothing is impossible for God; when He calls you, He calls you. He used great men to show me the way: with Pope Saint John Paul II, I discovered that my life would not be only for myself but given to others, from the hand of Saint Francis of Assisi and my uncle Father Jesús Emanuel Hernández, eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord . I confirmed that the Lord wanted me for His service as a religious sister. Above all, the testimony of life that my uncle, Fr. Jesús, left me pushed me to say yes. During his life as a priest, he showed me a dedicated man, in love with Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, always giving of himself until the moment of his death; he was the one who helped me in my discernment and introduced me to the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Ad - Gentes, the Congregation to which I belong. That is why, for me, the figure of the priest is of great value.

Comparte Tu Camino De Discernimiento: Mi camino de discernimiento estuvo muy influenciado primeramente por mi madre, quien en su sencillez y desde su propia experiencia

INTRODUCING THE SISTERS

Karla Alvarez, Director of Multicultural Ministry Directora del Ministerio Multicultural

Thanks to the Congregation of Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Ad Gentes, for sending us sisters to help with our mission to help our diocesan parishioners have authentic encounters with Christ here in the Diocese of Shreveport. Your presence in our diocese is already making a difference.

de Fe, fue guiándome a tener una relación cercana con Dios. No obstante no tuve una participación activa dentro de mi Parroquia, éramos de las familias que se conocen como “voy a misa cuando me nace” pero para Dios nada es imposible y cuando te llama te llama, se valió de grandes hombres para mostrarme el camino: con San Juan Pablo II descubrí que mi vida no sería sólo para mi misma sino entregada a los demás, de la mano de San Francisco de Asís y de mi tío Jesús Emanuel Hernández sacerdote Q.E.P.D. confirmé que el Señor me quería para su servicio como religiosa. Sobre todo, el testimonio de vida que me dejó mi tío Jesús me empujó a decir sí. Conocí su andar desde el seminario hasta su ordenación sacerdotal, durante su vida como sacerdote me mostró a un hombre entregado, enamorado de Cristo y de la Santísima la Virgen María; donándose siempre hasta el momento de su muerte, él fue quien me ayudó en mi discernimiento y me presentó a las Misioneras del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Ad – Gentes Congregación a la que pertenezco. Por eso para mí la figura del sacerdote tiene mucho valor.

If You Could Have Dinner With Any Saint, Who Would It Be And Why: St. Francis of Assisi and St. Pope John Paul II because they have accompanied me on my religious journey and many years before.

Si Pudieras Cenar Con Cualquier Santo, Quién Sería Y Por Qué: Con San Francisco de Asís y San Juan Pablo II porque son quienes me han acompañado en mi camino como religiosa e incluso mucho antes.

Tell Us A Little About Your Religious Order: Our Congregation of Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Ad - Gentes is a Mexican community founded on December 12, 1949, in Chietla, Puebla, by Msgr. Manuel Aguilar Vergara, a diocesan priest, and Mother Evangelina de la Cruz Que -

vedo García, a Franciscan nun of the Immaculate Conception, both shared an ardent zeal for the salvation of souls through evangelization. They dreamed that their missionaries could show them the way to heaven, always united to the Heart of Christ, to his Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and to the Church. Our Father and Founder put it this way in one of his letters: "Dear daughters, never forget the missions and the souls who are waiting for the missionary to show them the way to heaven. Always remember that it was for souls that the Divine Word came and became man". Our evangelizing work is carried out by bringing the first proclamation of the Gospel to those places where they do not yet know Christ. We help to preserve and increase the Faith of those who already know Him through education, Catechesis, the formation of ecclesial groups and liturgical education. Our spirituality, as I have already mentioned, is based on living and making known the infinite Love of Jesus Christ manifested in His most beloved Heart wounded by our sins. We minister in different countries: Mexico, the United States, Angola, and Italy.

Háblenos Un Poco De Su Orden Religiosa: Nuestra Congregación de Misioneras del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Ad –Gentes es una comunidad mexicana fundada el 12 de diciembre de 1949 en Chietla, Puebla, por Mons. Manuel Aguilar Vergara sacerdote Diocesano y la Madre Evangelina de la Cruz Quevedo García religiosa Franciscana de la Inmaculada Concepción, los dos compartían un celo ardiente por la salvación de las almas a través de la Evangelización, soñaban con que sus misioneras pudieran mostrarles el camino al cielo unidas siempre al Corazón de Cristo, a su Madre la Santísima la Virgen María y a la Iglesia. Nuestro Padre Fundador así lo expresa en una de sus cartas “Queridas hijas: nunca olviden las misiones ni a las almas que esperan al misionero o misionera para que les muestre el camino al cielo. Recuerden siempre que por las almas vino el Verbo Divino y se hizo hombre.” Nuestro trabajo evangelizador se realiza llevando el primer anuncio del Evangelio en aquellos lugares donde aún no conocen a Cristo y ayudamos a conservar y acrecentar la Fe de quienes ya lo conocen a través de la Educación, la Catequesis, la Formación de los grupos eclesiales y la Educación Litúrgica. Nuestra espiritualidad como ya lo mencioné se fundamenta en vivir y dar a conocer el Amor infinito de Jesucristo manifestado en su amadísimo Corazón herido por nuestros pecados. Nos encontramos en diferentes países: México, Estados Unidos, Angola e Italia

What Is Your Greatest Hope For Your Time In North Louisiana: I hope with God's grace to be able to fulfill the dream that our Founders began. I aspire to be a true reflection of that infinite Love.

Cuál Es Su Mayor Esperanza Para Su Tiempo En El Norte De Luisiana: Espero con la gracia de Dios poder cumplir con ese sueño con el que iniciaron nuestros Fundadores, espero poder ser realmente el reflejo de ese Amor infinito.

How Can The Parishioners Of The Diocese Of Shreveport Support You And Help You Feel Welcome: I ask you to pray for me so that I can truly be the instrument of God this diocese needs.

Cómo Pueden Los Feligreses De La Diócesis De Shreveport Apoyarle Y Ayudarle A Sentirse Bienvenido: Les ruego que oren por mí, para que pueda ser realmente el instrumento de Dios que necesita esta Diócesis.

Sister Catalina

You Name: Catalina Alatorre Barajas

Nombre Y Apellidos: Catalina Alatorre Barajas

Where Are You From: Jalisco, Mexico De Dónde Eres: Jalisco, México

What Has Been Your Greatest Support In Your Vocation: Prayer, not only mine, but that of my family and of so many people who, without knowing me, pray for my perseverance.

Qué Ha Sido Tu Mayor Apoyo En Tu Vocación: La oración, no sólo la mía, sino la de mi familia y la de tantas personas que, sin conocerme, rezan por mi perseverancia.

If You Could Have Dinner With Any Saint, Who Would It Be And Why: Saint Toribio Romo (martyr of the time of the Cristero persecution in Mexico) I believe that his life was a constant consecration to God; he entered the seminary at 11 years old, was ordained at 22, and was martyred at 28. He was courageous at a time when nobody wanted to go to the parish where he was killed; he accepted for the good of the people who needed religious services and,

above all, the sacraments. He was always aware that if God asked him for something, He would help him to get by.

Si Pudieras Cenar Con Cualquier Santo, Quién Sería Y Por Qué: Santo Toribio Romo (mártir en la época de la persecución Cristera en México) Creo que su vida fue una constante consagración a Dios; entro al seminario a los 11 años, fue ordenado a los 22 y martirizado a los 28 años. Fue valiente en una época cuando nadie sentía la seguridad de ir a la iglesia, específicamente a la parroquia donde después él sería asesinado; aceptó su destino por el bien de la gente que necesitaba los servicios religiosos y, sobre todo, los sacramentos. Siempre fue consciente que si Dios le pedía algo, Él le ayudaría a salir adelante.

What Has Been Your Favorite Part Of Your Stay In North Louisiana: The welcome of the people, who are always cheerful and warm when they see us.

Cuál Ha Sido Tu Parte Favorita De Tu Estancia En El Norte De Luisiana: La gente amable, que siempre nos reciben con alegría y cariño.

What Is Your Greatest Hope For Your Time In North Louisiana: That people will come to know God more, strengthen their faith, and love him more.

Cuál Es Su Mayor Esperanza Para Su Tiempo En El Norte De Luisiana: Que la gente conozca más a Dios, fortalezca su fe y lo amen más.

How Can The Parishioners Of The Diocese Of Shreveport Support You And Help You Feel Welcome: By letting us know their needs and concerns, participating in proposed activities, and giving feedback on what is being done well and what is not.

Cómo Pueden Los Feligreses De La Diócesis De Shreveport Apoyarle Y Ayudarle A Sentirse Bienvenido: Haciéndonos saber sus necesidades y preocupaciones, participando en actividades propuestas y dando su opinión sobre lo que se hace bien y lo que no.

Sister Valentina

Your Name: Valentina Cervantes Torres

Nombre Y Apellidos: Valentina Cervantes Torres

Where You Are From: I'm from the state of Tlaxcala, Mexico

De Dónde Eres: Soy del estado de Tlaxcala, Mexico

What Has Been Your Greatest Struggle In Your Journey Towards Religious Life: The biggest struggle I have had is to achieve the love of poverty and humility of heart. Achieving these two things is not easy because of the magnitude involved. To be poor is not to have nothing, but to not let what you do have get attached to your heart. To be humble doesn't mean you can't have luxuries. It is knowing how to value others without feeling superior or better than them. It is forgetting about yourself in order to help others.

Cuál Ha Sido Tu Mayor Lucha En Tu Camino Hacia La Vida Religiosa: La mayor lucha que he tenido es lograr el amor a la pobreza y la humildad de corazón. Lograr estas dos cosas no es fácil por la magnitud que implican. Ser pobre no es no tener nada, sino no permitir que lo que tienes se apegue a tu corazón. Ser humilde no significa no poder tener lujos. Es saber valorar a los demás sin sentirse superior o mejor que ellos. Es olvidarse de uno mismo para ayudar a los demás.

Who Has Been Your Greatest Support In Your Vocation: My mother, my brothers and sisters, and all the people I have known throughout these 31 years of religious life who have supported me. Of course, God is the only one who is unconditionally supporting my vocation. In the most difficult moments, prayer and my personal encounter with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament have been for me a profound and enormous love for holy poverty as He used to call it. Renouncing everything He gave Himself to God.

Quién Ha Sido Tu Mayor Apoyo En Tu Vocación: En e inicio mi madre, mis hermanos y toda la gente que a lo largo de estos 31 años de vida religiosa he conocido y me han apoyado. Se que siguen orando por mí. Por su puesto que Dios es el único incondicional en sostener mi vocación. En los momentos más difíciles la oración y el encuentro personal con Jesús Sacramentado han sido para mí profunda y un amor enorme a la santa pobreza como la solía llamar él. Renunciando a todo se entregó a Dios.

If You Could Have Dinner With Any Saint, Who Would It Be And Why: This is a difficult choice, but if there was the slightest opportunity, I would not hesitate to dine with St. Francis of Assisi. He is the saint who reformed the Church of his time with profound humility and an enormous love of holy poverty, as he used to call it. Renouncing everything, he gave himself to God.

Si Pudieras Cenar Con Cualquier Santo, Quién Sería Y

Por Qué: Esto es difícil, pero si existiera la mínima oportunidad no dudaría en cenar can San Francisco de Asís. Porque es el Santo que reformo la Iglesia de su tiempo, con una humildad profunda, y un amor enorme a la santa pobreza como la solía llamar él. Renunciando a todo se entregó a Dios.

What Is Your Greatest Hope For Your Time In North Louisiana: That we may work in all the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with all who desire and need it. Spreading love, faith, and hope in God and the Blessed Virgin. Transmitting the desire to learn in order to serve. Just as scripture says, what you were given in grace, give in grace.

Cuál Es Su Mayor Esperanza Para Su Tiempo En El Norte De Luisiana: Que trabajemos con todo el amor del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús con todos aquellos que lo deseen y necesiten. Difundiendo el amor, la fe y la esperanza en Dios y la Virgen Santísima. Transmitiendo el deseo de aprender para servir. Lo que recibiste de gracia da lo de gracia como dice la escritura.

One and Many

Tristan Frisk, Diocesan Seminarian

THE BODY OF CHRIST IS ONE AND, AT THE SAME TIME, MANY. What does this essentially mean, you may ask? Let us first look at what Pope Francis wrote in his encyclical Fratelli Tutti (All Brothers), which is about universal brotherhood and friendship. At the end of paragraph 95, he writes, "As Jesus told us: 'You are all brothers' (Mt 23:8). 96. This need to transcend our own limitations also applies to different regions and countries. Indeed, ‘the ever-increasing number of interconnections and communications in today's world makes us powerfully aware of the unity and common destiny of the nations. In the dynamics of history, and in the diversity of ethnic groups, societies and cultures, we see the seeds of a vocation form a community composed of brothers and sisters who accept and care for one another'." Pope Francis is speaking about recognizing the need for the inter-

dependence of people, seen in the past up until now, that shows forth the (necessary) present and future reality of a diverse and united Humanity and/in the Catholic Church. This is because the Catholic Church, which is the Body of Christ, like Humanity, is One and Many simultaneously, meaning that each human being can be their own person in the One Person of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, Humanity not only resembles the Body of Christ (or should resemble) but should one day become the Body of Christ. This happens through the understanding that the more we recognize ourselves as One Humanity. However, the more we realize the truth, the more we understand that the One Body of Christ is made of Many members who only complement and find fulfillment in each other.

Sister Pori: A Living Witness To Our Faith

Cassandra Key, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans School Director of Communications & Development

SISTER PORI WAS BORN AND RAISED IN BANGLADESH. From an early age, Sr. Pori was around the Sisters with Our Lady of Sorrows and attended their missionary school. This is where she first became inspired by religious life. She noticed that the sisters were always happy and served the children joyfully, even with the little things, such as wiping runny noses and making plates of food. "I was in 5th grade when I first considered religious life. I was with the sisters all the time, and I was so inspired by them that I wanted to be a missionary. God heard my prayers! He sent me as a missionary to the United States. So, wherever I go, I do the little things with joy. This is what I try to do.”

Doing things with joy is contagious! Sister Pori’s kind smile and eagerness to help creates a calming presence which is felt all over the school. The students benefit from her example of following God’s call. “When I first came to this school, the kids asked me many questions, especially about religious life. They were almost scared of me at first. It took some time, but they warmed up and now know me. They are used to seeing me here, and I get lots of hugs, but they still have many questions." Sister Pori is a constant reminder of what a religious vocation is like,

and she's always ready to answer any questions the students may have. For example, "Do you sleep in the habit?" or "What does your hair look like?" and "What do you do at the convent for fun?"

“I love being around the children. Just being where they are, whether it is on the playground or in the cafeteria, hallways, or gym, being near them is my favorite part of being here at SJB.”

We are fortunate to have Sister Pori here at SJB as our campus minister for the elementary grades. Her presence here on campus has been a blessing for all the staff and the students. She said, "A religious presence here at school makes a difference. Just being there, interacting with the students and the families. It makes a difference." Mr. Veit said, "Sister Pori is such an asset to our school. She helps in many ways; her presence at the school is a living witness to our faith. I would describe Sister as someone who has rockstar reliability; no matter what, she and her sisters will get it done, whether that is painting the backdrops for our Christmas play or making sure VBS runs smoothly. She has become a staple at our school, and I am thrilled she will return next year."

Diversity in the Catholic Church

IF YOU LOOK UP THE WORD DIVERSITY IN THE OXFORD DICTIONARY, IT SAYS: THE PRACTICE OR QUALITY OF INCLUDING OR INVOLVING PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT SOCIAL AND ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS AND OTHER GENDERS. However, the best definition of practicing diversity comes from the Gospel of Mark 12:30-31, when Jesus tells the scribe, "the Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." The second is this, "'you shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." How often in Sacred Scripture do we hear about light, about being a light to others by showing the love of Christ? Are we as a Church a light of God’s love to others who may be different than us?

We are one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church of many races, ethnicities, and social backgrounds. With that we bring our customs and traditions, whether it is the choir singing with a gospel influence, liturgical dancers, a celebration of St Brigid, or even a Mariachi group celebrating the ordination of one of our Hispanic brothers to the priesthood. We are united in faith, though we should not forget where we came from or our history. According to the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles when the disciples were gathered in the upper room, Christ appeared to them. Though they were Jews from every nation and spoke different languages, they spoke and heard each other in their native language. Christ didn’t command them to speak one language, but he sent them out together to preach his message of love. Pope Francis's monthly intention in January said, "Don’t see what others do or way of worship as a threat to the Catholic Faith.” Pope Francis asks us to pray to the Holy Spirit "to help us recognize the gift of different charisms of Christian communities and to discover the wealth of different ritual traditions within the Catholic Church.”

St Francis of Assisi also speaks of dialogue, listening to each other, though we may not agree with each other, take time through faith and think about the other person's point of view, and you may arrive at some common ground together. Understanding diversity takes dialogue, empathy, and a willingness to be open to another perspective. Meaningful conversations and the openness to walk in another’s footsteps can help clear the way to arrive at common ground. Once we understand how diverse we are, we can work together to be a light of Christ to others. God reminds us that we are all brothers and sisters that share in the Father in Heaven, and we are all disciples that follow the teachings of one Master, our Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ. Through baptism we’ve all received an equal dignity in the eyes of God, and when any member of the Church forgets that, other members of the Church suffer. Once again it is not about me or you, we are in this together. We are all called as disciples of the Lord, to teach God’s two greatest commandments of love.

Dcn. Charles Thomas OFS, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church Deacon

CHÚC MUNG NĂM MOI – Happy New Year 2024

Theresa Tran

THE VIETNAMESE COMMUNITY IN MONROE CELEBRATED THEIR LUNAR NEW YEAR ON FEBRUARY 11, 2024. This year is the 'Year of the Dragon', and the Lunar New Year brings wealth, prosperity, and good luck.

The Northeastern part of Louisiana has a small population of Vietnamese communities. On this great day, the Vietnamese community gathered in ULM - Catholic Campus Ministry Center (CCM) to celebrate this family-oriented and fun-filled day with many friends and families. Around 85 people gathered for this event. The day began with Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Martin Thanh, followed by delicious Vietnamese cuisine, fun, music, and the exchange of lucky money and gifts. The celebration consisted of traditional gowns worn by the community. The colors red (firecrackers) and yellow (apricot flowers) bring forth the magnificent celebration. We give thanks for the Vietnamese community in the Diocese of Shreveport, especially in Monroe.

Living In The Truth

THE UNITED COLORS OF BENETTON. Growing up in the 1980s, the clothing company Benetton was very popular. The main idea of the company's marketing was to promote diversity. As a child of the '80s, I did not think much of it at the time. I could appreciate seeing all the different ethnicities portrayed in their advertisement, but honestly, I just wanted to say I shopped there. It was the cool thing to do. Growing up in Donaldsonville, the only diversity I was exposed to included blacks and whites who were all (minus a family or two) Catholic. I remember only one Baptist church as well as one Methodist church. I have no recollection of any other religious denominations in my hometown. I was almost 19 years old before I ever met a Jewish person. To say my world was very small and primarily homogenous is an understatement. When I first arrived at Louisiana Tech, I was in awe of all the different people from different walks of life. I realized then just how much I love learning about people who are different from me. I am fascinated by various foods, customs, religions, languages, and the people who represent them. It is also one of the things I love most about being Catholic.

Did you know that out of 195 countries, more than 50% of them have Catholics? Granted, the numbers are small in certain countries like Armenia and Bulgaria, but they are still represented. This means the Mass is spoken in dozens of different languages on any given day. We are, in my opinion, one

of the most diverse churches in the world. Our history is rich in various cultures, languages, foods, and customs. Although my current parish is not the most diverse church in the diocese, I notice parishioners from different cultures, such as West Africa, Mexico, Puerto Rico, India, and the Philippines, each week. Over the 15-plus years I have attended St. Joseph Church Shreveport, we have had priests from Africa, India, and Mexico. Again, we’re not the most diverse parish, but we definitely welcome many different people.

With all of that being said, the word “diversity” has taken on a different meaning in our secular world. For some, it's the most significant word ever that needs to be spread far and wide, while for others, it has become a "four-letter word.” I am in neither camp. I believe we should be a diverse Church; as mentioned, we already are! We have been since her inception 2000 years ago. For me, the importance is not about being diverse but about being a faithful Catholic. As Catholics, it does not matter our age, sex, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, abilities, or disabilities. What matters is that we adhere to the Truth. The Truth is the Church's teachings, the teachings that directly derive from Jesus Christ. If, at this point, you are still wrestling with diversity and what it means for us as Catholics, let’s look at two different scripture verses to help expound upon this idea. In Galatians 3:28, St. Paul tells us: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Although I am not a theological scholar, the message St. Paul is conveying is this: what is most important is that we are all one in Jesus Christ. The second scripture verse comes from 2 Timothy 4:3 and reads: "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions." This speaks volumes about what is happening in our culture today. More and more people say their relative truth “to suit their own passions” versus the actual Truth. It is true that we are called to love all people. It is true that we are called to bring all to the wedding feast. It is true that we are called to be witnesses of Christ’s teachings. It is true that God created us to be different and unique. Brothers and sisters, do what is true while living the Truth.

Mary Arcement Alexander, Licensed Professional Counselor & Diocesan Victim Assistance Minister

Photo courtesy of benettongroup.com

Welcome To The Newest Catholics In The Diocese of Shreveport

WESTERN DEANERY

Blessed Sacrament

Church – Ringgold

Autumn Faircloth

Lewis Lawson

Cathedral of St. John

Berchmans

Jordan Dalton-Ray Burns

Christopher Bryce Hooper

Landry Claire Hooper

Bryce Harris Sutton

Dynver Dior Williams

Rilee Amore’ Bradley Williams

Jesse Zenon

Yvette R Bradley

Diane Elaine Cranmore

Felicia Chembles Edwards

Kaylee Jordan Hooper

Madison Grace Hooper

Matthew Landon Hooper

Stacy Garrett Hooper

Nicholas Vincent Lococo

Chidimma Rhoda Nwutobo

Peyton Wilder Pearson

Jeffrey Rowan Springmeyer

Marisa Gail Wilson

Alonzetta Antrell Bradley

Jacqueline Marie Lococo

Christopher Blake Restovich

Hunter Truitt Mason

Christ the King Church

Alejandro Lopez

Blanca Angel

Diana Rocio Patlan Aldama

Emilia Zamora Guzman

Maria Zamora

Guillermina Rodriguez Gaona

Holy Trinity Church

Kelly Hedglen

Deana Darnell

Meghan Davis

Pam Gardner

Mary, Queen of Peace Church

Michael Long

Ava Burdges

Donna Carlisle

Jeff Green

Gregory Jones

Brandon Pederson

Daniel Stephenson

Sacred Heart of Jesus Church – Shreveport

Holly Thompson

St. Clement Church

Ethan Brock

Taylor Brock

St. Elizabeth Ann

Seton Church

Lucas Bordonali

Derek Edwards

Jason Edwards

St. Joseph Church –

Shreveport

Lilah Barnes

Lisa Doyal

Austin Hamilton

John McCullar

Fon McKinsey

Vilo McKinsey

Kristina Reich

Uriel Vargas

Weslee Wilson

Haley Bordelon

Beau Dawson

Kristina Henry

Toby Quarles

Estefanny Rodriguez

Chip McDonald

Becky Aycock

Connie Aycock

Kevin Aycock

Karl Bilderback

Christian Lamb

Michelle Lamb

Yecica Moyer

Chris Newberry

Molly Newberry

Chloe Ramsey

Steve Whitelaw

St. Jude Church

Brayden Tippen

Gabriel Smith

McKenzie Zachary

Clay Guillot

Emily Louviere

Johnathan Louviere

Paisley Procella

Mason Procella

Quinn Eason

Annie Deramus

Carlee Holsted

Lynn Lindsay

Joy Williamson

Melanie Petchak

Jeremy Deramus

Lorraine Tomlin

St. Mary of the Pines Church

Janie Ann Lea

Nathan David Tucker

Jesus Epifanio

Kevin Sosa

Alejandra Abigail Miranda

Lizet Hernandez

EASTERN DEANERY

Christ the King Chapel at ULM

Tyler Kirk

Makynzi LeGros

Melinda Elizabeth Jambois

Jesus the Good

Shepherd Church

Lary Barefoot

Madison Smith

Meghan Foote

Ian Lindsay

Hope Marler

Patrick Rizzo

Mack Thompson

Little Flower of Jesus Church

Audrey Ryley

Our Lady of Fatima Church

Tobias Nicholas Danna

St. Joseph Church –Bastrop

Hunter Simmons

St. Lawrence Church

William W. Ramey

Jayden Maloney

St. Lucy Church

Rachel Shively

Angie David

Bradley Sessions

Michelle Sessions

Heather Caskey

Adam Dominique

London Dominique

St. Matthew Church

Nathen Travis Reed

Dennis Doughty

Tedra Doughty

Dianne Fraley

Abigail Marie Hatfield

Montgomeri Hendon

Cole Smith

Taylor Smith

Bryan Lensing

Demario Lewis

St. Paschal Church

Cheryl Burkett

Shawn Jefferson

Aislynn Pelkey

Logan Cupp

Juan Carillo Jr.

Elizabeth Carillo

Jonathan Hayden

David Funez

Stephanie Paul

Amber Jeansonne

Sandra Eileen Moore

Steven Schmidt

Martha Lozano

Susan Ramos

St. Thomas Aquinas Church

Brad Ham

Avner Lopez

Mileyby Martinez

Noumy Mujica

Mayreli Ramirez

Kimberly Simon

Heidi Gonzalez

Alonzo Pedro

Redel Mujica

Adam Cutrer

Nicholas Evans Jr

Aaron Lawrence

Kathryn Lawrence

Jackson Neal

Gracie Barrientos

Chad Puckett

Tina Puckett

Johnathon Sheffield

Sarah Bourgeois

Timos Braun

Dixie Williams

Ethan Williams

Johnathan Alvarado

Eric Amaya

Govanni Amaya

Joshua Bourgeois

Romeo Gabriel

Axel Garcia

Urilemi Gomez

Noe Lopez

Amalia Perez

Abraham Priego

Roberto Zuniga

Daleyza Ajanel

Izael Gabriel

Jaden Izaguirre

SOUTHERN DEANERY

St. John the Baptist

Church

Tiffany Carnline

Sarah Koss

Robby Lang

St. Joseph Church –

Zwolle

Melissa Meshell

Millie Tanner

Bruce Tedder

Kaylee Atwell

Jada Atwell

Amanda Owens

Kate Strebeck

Caroline Walsh

Garrett Walsh Jr.

Jeffrey Bartch

Danyell Sepulvado

To Jesus Through Mary

Delia Barr, Diocese of Shreveport Director of Faith Formation

LAST MAY, WE CAME TOGETHER AS A DIOCESE TO PRAY THE ROSARY AS WE JOURNEY THROUGH THIS NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL. We prayed the rosary through the month of May using special intentions for our diocese and the Eucharistic Revival. During the month of May, we prayed 3,743 Rosaries! Bishop Malone is encouraging us to offer our rosary prayers again this May, and let’s double our numbers! Could we push it to 10,000?

He is asking our parish communities to intentionally pray the rosary in the community, Catholic schools, or Parish Schools of Religion while in front of the Blessed Sacrament, before daily or Sunday Mass, and especially reaching out to our homebound community. There are special intentions for each decade of the rosary for our diocese as we pray this month dedicated to the Blessed Mother.

vival website (https://www.dioshpt.org/eucharistic-revival), by phone (318-219-7266), or by email (Eucharistic-Revival@dioshpt.org)

Prayer works! We know it, and the graces will be bountiful if we gather with our intentions as a diocese. Our prayers in community and in private will be lifted, heard, and answered.

Youth Youth Congress Congress Experience for The

Rosary Guides with the intentions will be distributed to parishes and available online.

The challenge for all of us is to sacrifice a daily devotion of the rosary during May!

A GENERATIONAL MOMENT FOR THE YOUNG CHURCH

At the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, teens will have a life-changing encounter with Christ in the Eucharist. Experiencing his healing and mercy along with tens of thousands of Catholics, our young people will come to know where—and to Whom—they belong.

As a church community, if you pray the rosary before daily or Sunday Mass, count the number of people who prayed the rosary and record it. If Eucharistic Adoration is offered, leave the books with the mysteries and intentions in the pews and encourage other adorers to pray the rosary with the special intentions during their time. Catholic Schools and Faith Formation programs may offer a rosary in your classrooms and then tally the numbers. Our most fruitful prayer warriors may pray the rosary daily with these special intentions for those who are homebound. Collectively or individually, rosaries may be reported via the form on the Eucharistic Re -

This part-retreat, part-youth-conference experience will include:

Exclusive morning and afternoon sessions tailored to teens

Dynamic worship experiences

Opportunities for prayer and the sacraments

Powerful Revival Sessions in Lucas Oil Stadium with Fr. Mike Schmitz, Matt Maher, Bishop Barron, and more

The exclusive youth sessions feature popular speakers like Oscar Rivera, Jackie Francois Angel, Brian Greenfield and music by Andrew Laubacher and Ricky Vazquez.

This historic moment for the Church in the U.S. needs the whole Church represented—and that includes our youth!

Sacred Heart Of Jesus Catholic Church Catholic Black History Celebration

Jean Woods, Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Shreveport, Parishioner

IN RECOGNITION OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH, FATHER MARK WATSON, PASTOR, AND SPIRITUAL ADVISOR FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL, ALONG WITH THE PARISHIONERS OF SACRED HEART OF JESUS CATHOLIC CHURCH IN SHREVEPORT, HELD A SPECIAL CATHOLIC BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION MASS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH. The committee selected to honor Bea Cernigliaro, former conference president, for her outstanding service and commitment to Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and our surrounding African American communities for the past 25 years.

It was a joyful and memorable day for the “Little Church with the Big Heart!” Special

BELOVED

JULY 11-14, 2024

guests included Bea’s husband, Pete Cernigliaro, her family members, Jim and Suzanne Beadles, Corey Arcement, Kirsten Shrewsberry, Tom and Maryann Gleason, Ben and Kierstin Luckett, Society of St. Vincent de Paul clients and the parishioners of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.

The parish, which contains eleven diverse cultures all within an active faith community, worked together with loving dedication to ensure it was a special day for Bea Cernigliaro and Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. The celebration continued with a reception held in Gabriel’s Hall. We are committed to enriching our parish and communities, and we welcome all our brothers and sisters created in God's divine image and likeness.

Father Mark Watson and the parishioners of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church recognize and express our heartfelt thanks to Bea Cernigliaro for her faithful and outstanding service to God, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and “The Little Church with the Big Heart!”

SET THE WORLD

ON FIRE

Experience life-changing camps packed with awesome activities and authentic Catholic spirituality! Two camps, one for girls and one for boys, are held at King’s Camp in Mer Rouge, where a top-notch ropes course is flanked by the bayou and a picturesque pond. The days include competitive games, great food, Catholic devotions, and time at the pool. Don’t miss these three days of faith-filled fun! For rising freshmen through graduating seniors

MISSION POSSIBLE

JULY 14-17, 2024

RAIN, SLEET, OR SHINE, ST. MARY OF THE PINES CHURCH WILL ALWAYS HAVE A VOLLEYBALL GAME GOING ON IN THE BACK PARKING LOT FROM 5:30 P. M. UNTIL DARK. When I first moved here in 2023, I was looking for a fun way to engage with our community. I was invited to play volleyball in the parking lot of St. Mary of the Pines, and I was immediately excited. I have always been an avid volleyball fan and have been playing for the past two years and I was excited to have found a community that enjoyed playing volleyball almost every day! I have met some incredible people and have even participated in the tournaments. If you are looking for a way to relieve some stress after work or just catch up with some friends, stop by St. Mary of the Pines from Monday –Friday, around 5:30 p. m. and visit with us while you play some volleyball.

-Karla Alvarez, Diocesan Director of Multicultural Ministries

CRISTO REY: BOSSIER CITY

Rev. Fidel Mondragon

318.221.0238 Oficina

Domingo 1:00pm

Lunes 7:00pm

Sabado 6:00pm

Coordinador Jacova Saucedo

318.773.8205

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

Coordinador: Sergio Seinos

318-393-2331

SAGRADO CORAZON: OAK GROVE

318.428.2983 Oficina, Domingo 1:00pm

Rev. John Bosco

318-402-1585

SAN JOHN THE BAPTIST, MANY

Rev. Tim Hurd

Oficina: 318-256-5680

primer domingo 5:00pm

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

Our Church’s Coat Of Many Colors

Karen Dill, Spiritual Director

SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I ATTENDED A CONFERENCE WHERE THE PRESENTER SHOWED US A CLEVER ANIMATED FILM. In the story, God knew that His children were unhappy. They sent up a steady stream of complaints to Him every day: "He's driving me crazy!", "She gets on my last nerve!", "They have more than we do!", "It's not fair!", "It's too hot!", "It's too cold!", "We're bored!" So, in His loving kindness, He decided to recreate the world.

In this new creation, everyone looked exactly the same. No more battle of the sexes! Everyone lived in identical houses. The sun shone every day, and the temperature was a constant 75 degrees. Best of all, everyone played golf. All day, every day! Surely, God thought, My creatures will be happy now.

However, He quickly began hearing some new complaints: "We can't tell each other apart!" "I want my house to look different from the one next door." "We need rain!" "We're tired of playing golf all the time!" Soon, He realized that His new creation wasn't working very well. The world was pretty boring when everyone looked and acted the same all the time.

When I think about that film, I'm grateful for my parish. During Mass, I look around and see many people from different races, cultures, and nationalities. Over the years, even our priests have had widely different backgrounds. I can either grumble about this or embrace the wide variety of fellow worshipers God has blessed me with. They represent the face of the global Church in the 21st century.

A few weeks ago, the Bible study group at my parish studied the extraordinary account of Jesus feeding the 5,000. I searched the internet for this particular image of that event,

a story appearing in all four gospels. This particular one stood out to me because it represents the diverse people fed that evening. Women and children weren't included in the headcount, but they certainly must have been present. Romans, Pharisees, Samaritans, Orthodox Jews—all these different groups had probably come out to see who this Jesus person was and what He had to tell them. Poor shepherds sitting next to wealthy tax collectors, lepers, paralytics, blind people hoping to be healed. Rich young rulers clinging to their possessions. Innkeepers and merchants. Teachers and scribes. Carpenters and fishermen. All of them hungry, all of them seeking the Truth. All of them loved sinners in the eyes of Jesus.

In 2017, two men, Ron Hall and Denver Moore, collaborated on a best-selling book, Same Kind of Different as Me . Ron was a wealthy art collector in Texas; Denver was the son of a poor sharecropper from Red River Parish, Louisiana. Their paths crossed one night when Ron's wife persuaded him to join her in serving food to the homeless at a shelter in Fort Worth. At first, Ron was afraid of Denver, a large black man who was given to outbursts of rage. But as months passed, they began to get to know one another and became close friends. Denver started working for Ron and eventually helped him care for Ron's wife, who was stricken with cancer. Their story is a beautiful, moving example of how two people from incredibly different backgrounds can find common ground through love.

Praise God that we belong to a church that welcomes and celebrates these differences. I love the line from the old hymn "In Christ There is No East or West" that tells us: Join hands, then, people of the faith, whate'er your race may be. All children of the living God are surely kin to me.

Loyola College Prep

Jordan Harris, Loyola College Prep Director of Marketing and Communications

EACH YEAR, LOYOLA COLLEGE PREP STUDENTS

PUT THEIR FAITH INTO ACTION FOR LOCAL FAMILIES IN NEED DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON. This year, Fritze Olsan, Carigan Carr, Elle Dart, and Ava Bauer will take the reins as the chairmen for Flyers Aiding the Hungry (F.Ai.T.H.) 2024.

For the past 30+ years, F.Ai.T.H. has worked to provide a holiday meal for disadvantaged families in the Shreveport-Bossier area. Supported by fundraisers, donations, and basket sales, the F.Ai.T.H. organization can raise more than $60,000 necessary to sponsor this event.

Since its inception in 1988, and through partnerships with area businesses, local elementary schools, and middle schools, and the generosity of our many Loyola families and alums, F.Ai.T.H. has been able to serve over 20,000 families in our community.

The chairs have already started planning for the December 2, 2024 event. Let's hear from them about their vision, passion, and what they are looking forward to most for this year's F.Ai.T.H. event.

Fritze Olsan

I wanted to become a F.Ai.T.H. Chairman because of my love for the community built around the club and the opportunity to play a role in our Faith in Action pillar of our school. I hope to gain an appreciation for everything that goes into planning F.Ai.T.H. and learn how to use my strengths and other people's strengths to plan the best event possible.

Carigan Carr

I am excited to be a F.Ai.T.H. Chairman because I love serving my community and helping the less fortunate. I am blessed to be an important part of this event that allows the Loyola community to share the love and joy of God with people who do not have as much as we do. It is so important to understand how blessed we are with every single opportunity and hardship that God places in our lives, and this is a wonderful way to show that in our lives.

Elle Dart

I wanted to become a F.Ai.T.H. chairman because I felt God was calling me to fill this role. I could feel him pulling my heart in this direction. I listened, and here I am! This year, I want to learn how to help lead. I have such big shoes to fill after last year's chairmen, and I hope to be more like them.

Ava Bauer

F.Ai.T.H. is one of the number one clubs at Loyola. Since I was unable to participate in it my freshman and sophomore years, I wanted to be a F.Ai.T.H. Chairman not only to be able to pull my weight, but to also do what I Love, which is to serve those with less than me. This year, I am so excited to fill the role of a F.Ai.T.H. Chairman by bringing about new fundraisers to help those in need, thus carrying out God's will.

To learn more about F.Ai.T.H., visit loyolaprep.org/faith

MODERN CATHOLIC THOUGHT AND CONSIDERATION OF DIVERSITY SEEM TO CARRY WITH IT A PRE-SUPPOSITION THAT WE HAVE ADVANCED BEYOND CATEGORIES OF RACE AND ETHNICITY TOWARDS THE DIVERSITY OF STATE. The diversity that Pope Francis so often likes to speak of is the experience of the immigrant, the downtrodden, the elderly, the unborn, the forgotten, and the brushed aside.

Today in the United States and especially in Shreveport, it rings true that we often fixate on topical conditions that, while valid, should not be the end of our discussion. It is time that we move beyond the issue of external appearance and into offering assistance. Indeed, this is Catholic; this is our calling- to humble ourselves to wash the feet of the visitor, feed the hungry, heal the sick, minister to the woman at the well, and so on. But what does that look like for us in 2024?

When talking about washing the feet of the visitor, we in our modern world can advocate for policies that seek the humane treatment of immigrants and refugees while still protecting the rights of our citizens and our borders. Consider participating in ministries that offer ESL classes or citizenry prep.

When we speak of feeding the hungry, we and Shreveport can experience this in a very tangible and visceral manner. As you are able to safely do so, offer a meal to a homeless person you pass on the street corner. Participate in ministries, such as the Highland Blessing Meal or the various food pantries throughout the diocese and parish. Donate clothing that has been taking up extra space in your home to Gabriel's Closet.

While the average person may not be able to heal or cure the sick, we can certainly visit nursing homes and minister to the elderly in our community. We can also visit children's clinics and spend time with patients or offer donations to ease the burden of childhood illness. Within your own families, focus more time on elderly grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

Finally, one of the more challenging tasks here would be ministering to the Samaritan woman at the well. How many people in our day and age- even in our own lives - are living lives incongruent with the Gospel message? Beyond the obvious need for prayer without condescension, listening is the most significant ministry we can provide. Just as in the time of Christ, some lifestyles are simply at odds with the Truth He brings. It is important to note that Christ shows His charity not by endorsing but through conveying Truth. But as in every dialogue, we must acknowledge the state of the woman he's speaking to. It is very evident that she is open to his message

and recognizes the truth that he brings, and it is only through listening that we can determine that state. This is the challenge of Pope Francis - an attempt to walk with all people in all states of life and not just those who can provide us with a sounding board for our thoughts and ideas. This should not be seen as a compromise of truth but a recognition that truth can only be shared and received through relationships.

At the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Catholic School, we have set out to be the hands and feet of Christ in our community.

In the fall semester, our sixth and seventh-grade students ventured to Mary's House to assist with preparing their Fete For Life. There, we learned about their mission and how we can actively live a pro-life ministry. That same group went to Catholic Charities to assist in organizing Gabriel's Closet, prepare materials for financial literacy and parenting, and learn more about their mission to assist all who come to their doorstep.

SJB has a monthly Sharing is Caring drive to provide resources to local charities in and around our community, such as Shriners Hospital, Providence House, Loyola's F.A.i.T.H. day, and many more.

Our first graders recently walked across the street to Ochsner LSU Health - St. Mary’s Medical Center and gave small gifts to the children in the Pediatric and PICU units, spreading so much joy to boys and girls their own age.

Our choirs have visited the elderly in various nursing homes around Shreveport/Bossier, bringing the universal joy that comes through music.

Shreveport's great diversity of needs knows no age, race, or sex. Pope Francis calls all Catholics to seek to alleviate this diversity in all regions of the world. Here in Shreveport, our need is great, and at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Catholic School, we seek to do our best to alleviate it.

Jesus The Good Shepherd School

Amy Fakhre, Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic School Development Office

IN THE SOLEMNITY OF HOLY WEEK, THE CORRIDORS OF JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD SCHOOL

ECHOED WITH REVERENCE AS FIFTH AND SIXTH-GRADE STUDENTS UNVEILED THEIR STIRRING RENDITION OF THE LIVING STATIONS OF THE CROSS. This cherished tradition, led by our students, has become a hallmark of our school's spiritual journey each year. With unwavering dedication, they delivered eight poignant performances over two days, captivating audiences with their heartfelt portrayal of Christ's journey to Calvary.

We sincerely thank our remarkable students and the devoted teachers who guided them – Mrs. DiGiulian, Mrs. Frantz, Mrs. Medlin, Mrs. Galligan, Mrs. Worley, and Mrs. Weaver. Their tireless efforts have instilled a profound sense of faith and reflection within our school community.

Special thanks also go to Mr. Mike Inzina for his eloquent narration, adding depth and poignancy to the public showing of this sacred production.

The Living Stations of the Cross are a testament to the spirit of dedication and faith that defines Jesus the Good Shepherd School. It is a tradition we hold dear, showcasing our students' exceptional talents and heartfelt commitment. As we reflect on this powerful portrayal, we are reminded of the profound significance of Christ's sacrifice and the enduring message of love and redemption.

St. Frederick High School

Jill Wier, St. Frederick High School Director of Development

FOUNDED IN 1965, ST. FREDERICK HAS REMAINED ONE OF THE TOP PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN NORTHEAST LOUISIANA. St. Frederick is anchored by the four pillars: Academic Excellence, Faith and Service, Student Involvement, and Cultural Awareness. Graduating students can distinguish themselves from their peers and call upon their Catholic education as they move forward in their life pursuits.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

St. Frederick's rigorous college preparatory curriculum caters to many learners. From honors and Advanced Placement to regular and essential-level courses, SF meets students where they are and accelerates their academic achievement. In addition, SF's extensive dual enrollment program enables students to earn college credit from the convenience of the SF campus. Approximately 99% of SF students attend college after graduation.

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

Students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities and organizations. SF emphasizes belonging, and the organizations are student-led and feature opportunities for

student engagement, leadership opportunities, mentorship, and camaraderie on campus. The students give back to our community, grow closer to their peers, and have fun! From athletics and spirit groups to clubs and discipleship team, our students are well-rounded and seek any chance to be more involved at school and in our community.

FAITH AND SERVICE

As the Northeast region's only Catholic private junior high and high school, SF pulls faith and our Catholic identity into all we do. We have weekly Mass and religion courses for each grade and teach our students to give back to our community through service hours.

CULTURAL AWARENESS

SF students explore cultural diversity, global interconnectedness, and human commonality. SF teaches students that each person's uniqueness is a gift and inspires us to strengthen our culture of belonging to the community. We are committed to enhancing young minds for a brighter future by promoting high levels of academic achievement, servant leadership, and cultural awareness. Schedule your private tour today to experience the St. Frederick Difference for yourself!

www.stfrederickhigh.org/tour

I

St. Joseph Catholic School

Clayton Cobb, St. Joseph Catholic School Principal

WISH THE WORLD WERE MORE LIKE ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL. Specifically, I wish the world were more like my fifth-grade son Chase's recess time. There, you will find the most eclectic group of innocent and fun-loving children who represent a wide array of God's creation. They are a most precious community that appears to be a loving and accepting group, never wishing for anyone to be or feel excluded. Of course, they are silly. They are 11 years old, and I would not expect anything different from them, and I would not want anything different from them.

No greater joy can come into a child’s life when they can have fun. Each child in this group experiences a profound joy when spending leisure time with their friends. Even the boys and girls will come together for an innocent game of tag. Why? Because they choose, willfully, to include all in their pursuit of joy. The only way they can describe it is that they "have fun together." It brings them so much joy that they show concern when a child wishes to not join their pursuit, hoping that everything is okay.

Let me pause here. I am not so naïve as a father or a principal that I believe there is never an ounce of drama. It would be foolish to think that no one ever gets mad at the other or that someone doesn’t say something unkind like name-calling or a word they learned from an older sibling. They are quick to call out something that is not in their natural and fun order. What can be learned from them is that joy can be found when it is shared, no matter our height, status, where we live, or how we got here. We have our differences. Where the world sees differences as obstacles, a child in this group would see differences as "cool." What is not "cool" to them is when a particular behavior upsets the group- not because it

is different, but because it is wrong. They do not enjoy when something upsets the natural order of fun.

The world we live in should be a fun place. We adults do not see it with the eyes of a fifth grader. Political views, faulty upbringing, and cultural differences we see as odd all lead to judgment. When we encounter others who don’t have to work as hard as we do to provide for our families, or maybe we think others don’t work hard at all, we distance ourselves. There is the person we either don’t want to make eye contact with or don't want them to know we are staring at them. Instead of seeing them as a beautiful part of God's creation, we judge them, and judge them harshly. Maybe they intimidate us, scare us, or we were taught not to be accepting of them. Yet, we judge them without reflecting, don’t go to confession, and still hop in line for Holy Communion.

What is my point here? We live in a world where Christ, who asked us to be His students, His disciples, has called for the Church to "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations." It is not our role to sit in judgment of differences. Sure, some things may always be weird. Have you ever talked to an old Cajun man about the ingredients of ponce? Our differences should not stand in the way of joy or fun. It is a shame that something happens that creates a lack of appreciation for our differences and acceptance of a diverse classroom that later turns into prejudice. We see the diversity as a reason to halt instead of spread the Gospel.

Rather than teaching prejudice, let us teach our children how to live a joyful life. We may teach them to see the good in each person and appreciate what makes us different. I recall the same son hanging out with a friend; my son was the only one "different." They said to him, "Don't worry, Chase! You're just a light-skinned cousin tonight!" He knew clearly that they saw the good in him, and he understood it was okay to be different.

This does not mean we ignore the things that are not good and pleasing to God. As I said, it appears upsetting to them when someone does not follow the proper order. We should all strive to follow the words of Christ. If you recall, our Lord said not to judge, but also said “Go and from now on, do not sin no more.” (John 8:11). We are all imperfect and flawed men and women, boys and girls from all walks of life. We are all called to share the joy of the Gospel with others. Maybe these teachers, SJS fifth graders, who are as diverse as Mother Church, can teach us how to live as disciples of Christ.

St. Jude Day School

Sharon McCabe, St. Jude Catholic Church, Pre-K3 Instructor

WE ALWAYS LOOK FOR WAYS TO TEACH KINDNESS TO THE CHILDREN AT ST. JUDE DAY SCHOOL AND MOTHER'S DAY OUT. During March, we had a week of celebrating Dr. Seuss. As a classic children's writer, Dr. Seuss has written so many books that have become favorites of children, parents, and teachers. One among them is Horton Hears a Who . Hearts were melted when, on National Kindness Day, Ms. Kara's students expressed their love and surprised the St. Jude staff with unique homemade cards. During this week celebrating Dr. Seuss, some of the Mudbugs, players of the local hockey team, visited our school to read to the children. After the assembly, the children received autographs to take home and treasure.

Every year during Lent, Marcie's Feast Ministry seeks volunteers to help provide Easter meals for our area's needy families. When we heard of this, we reached out to the parents of St. Jude Day School. Through their generosity and kindness, five baskets were full and donated to bless families. This op -

portunity allowed us to encourage almsgiving with the children, especially during this Lenten Season.

The children and the instructors always look forward to our Tuesday chapel time with Fr. Kelby. On the Feast of St Joseph, Fr. Kelby enlightened us all with the story of St. Joseph, head of the holy family. During our Chapel time, Ms. Gwen, St. Jude’s music director, helped us practice the songs for our Easter Program. What joy to hear the children praising the Lord in song.

The children continued each day to practice the songs and the play, to present to their families on Holy Thursday, our last day of school, before Easter break. Our Easter program was a success! We started with the play, telling the story of the

Resurrection, followed by an Easter egg hunt on the playground. Before heading to the playground, the children and parents were surprised by a visit from the Easter bunny! God blessed us with the perfect weather for an Easter egg hunt, and the children had a blast! After enjoying a special Holy Thursday, the children and staff went home to spend the rest of Holy Week and Easter with their families.

If you are interested in a tour of our school or more information about St. Jude Day School and MDO, please contact Amanda Chapa at 318-746-2508 ext 201 or

sjds@stjudebossier.org

From Every Nation Under Heaven

ONE OF MY FAVORITE CELEBRATIONS OF THE LITURGICAL YEAR IS THE FEAST OF PENTECOST.

At Pentecost, the birthday of the Church, the followers of Jesus received the Holy Spirit and became a community of missionary disciples, going out to preach the good news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, not just in Jerusalem or to the Jewish people, but throughout the world.

In the Acts of the Apostles, Luke tells us that "there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven" (Acts 2:5) in Jerusalem that day, all of whom could hear the apostles "speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God." (Acts 2:11) Through the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit, barriers of language and culture were no longer an obstacle to the proclamation of the gospel and the growth of the new people of God. The Church is the people born of this moment, this opening of the gospel to the world. The Catechism notes that "from the beginning, this one Church has been marked by a great diversity…. Within the unity of the People of God, a multiplicity of peoples and cultures is gathered together" ( CCC 814).

At Catholic Charities of North LA, we contribute to this gathering together of people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds by offering classes in English as a Second Language (ESL). Leading these classes, we have a diverse and dedicated team of volunteers and one staff member. Carl Piehl began teaching ESL at Christ the King 14 years ago.

When he was hired by Catholic Charities two years later, he brought the program with him and has been our lead teacher ever since. Gilda Rada, a Venezuelan-born U.S. Citizen who worked in various roles at Catholic Charities for almost ten years, quickly took on the program’s administrative support and recruitment efforts. When she got a new job last year, she stayed on as an ESL volunteer and began teaching classes. Gavilan Jewitt, a Master Sergeant in the Air Force, has volunteered as a teacher with us since 2021 and does a wonderful job. Most recently, we have been joined by Bella Hall, an energetic young woman with a BA in Modern Languages who gives our team expert advice and assistance.

Over the years, our ESL classes have helped hundreds of people improve their English. What they learn here opens up job prospects and educational opportunities, enabling them to support their families and communities. One of our students, Miguel, entered the program at an intermediate-beginner level (level 3 of 6). After 2 or 3 years of faithful attendance and diligent study, he was able to graduate, testing out of the most advanced level. A stucco and stone mason by trade, he has always dreamed of owning his own company. Though that dream is not yet a reality, Miguel’s English lessons have enabled him to begin lining up odd jobs for a little extra income on the side, as well as helping his eight-year-old brother with his homework.

Classes are taught every Monday and Wednesday from 5:30-7:30 PM for 16 weeks in the spring and 14 weeks in the fall, beginning in early September. If you or someone you know could benefit from these classes, please call (318) 865-0200 ext. 115 for more information.

Joe Bulger, Operations Manager, Catholic Charities of North Louisiana

Miguel, a graduate of our ESL program with Carl Piehl and Joe Bulger

De todas las naciones bajo el cielo

Joe Bulger, Gerente de Operaciones, Caridades Católicas del Norte de Luisiana, traducido por Gilda Rada

UNA DE MIS CELEBRACIONES FAVORITAS DEL AÑO

LITÚRGICO ES LA FIESTA DE PENTECOSTÉS. El día de nacimiento de la Iglesia, cuando los seguidores de Jesús recibieron el Espíritu Santo y se convirtieron en una comunidad de discípulos misioneros, saliendo a predicar las buenas nuevas de la resurrección de Jesús. Cristo, no sólo en Jerusalén o al pueblo judío, sino en todo el mundo.

El Libro de los Hechos nos dice que “había judíos devotos de todas las naciones bajo el cielo” en Jerusalén ese día, y todos pudieron escuchar a los apóstoles “hablar en nuestras propias lenguas de los milagros de Dios”. Gracias al poder milagroso del Espíritu Santo, las barreras del idioma y la cultura ya no fueron un obstáculo para la proclamación del evangelio y el crecimiento del nuevo pueblo de Dios. La Iglesia es el pueblo nacido de este momento, de esta apertura del evangelio al mundo. El Catecismo señala que, “desde el principio, esta única Iglesia ha estado marcada por una gran diversidad…. En la unidad del Pueblo de Dios se reúne una multiplicidad de pueblos y culturas” (CIC 814).

En Caridades Católicas del Norte de Luisiana, contribuimos a este encuentro de personas de diversos orígenes culturales y lingüísticos ofreciendo clases de inglés como segundo idioma (ESL). Al dirigir estas clases, contamos con un equipo diverso y dedicado de voluntarios y un miembro del personal. Carl Piehl comenzó a enseñar ESL en Cristo Rey hace 14 años. Cuando Caridades Católicas lo contrató dos años después, trajo el programa consigo y ha sido nuestro maestro director desde entonces. Gilda Rada, una ciudadana estadounidense nacida en

Venezuela que trabajó en diversos roles en Caridades Católicas durante más de nueve años, rápidamente asumió el apoyo administrativo y los esfuerzos de reclutamiento del programa. Cuando comenzó un nuevo trabajo el año pasado, permaneció como voluntaria de ESL y comenzó a impartir clases. Gavilán Jewitt, sargento mayor de la Fuerza Aérea, se ha ofrecido como profesor voluntario con nosotros desde 2021 y hace un trabajo maravilloso. Más recientemente se nos unió Bella Hall, una joven enérgica con una licenciatura en Idiomas Modernos que brinda a nuestro equipo asesoramiento y asistencia expertos.

A lo largo de los años, nuestras clases de ESL han ayudado a cientos de personas a mejorar su inglés. Lo que aprenden aquí les abre perspectivas laborales y oportunidades educativas y les permite ayudar a sus familias y comunidades. Uno de nuestros estudiantes, Miguel, ingresó al programa en un nivel intermedio-principiante (nivel 3 de 6). Después de 2 o 3 años de asistencia fiel y estudio diligente, pudo graduarse, obteniendo el examen del nivel más avanzado. Albañil de profesión, estucador y cantero, siempre ha soñado con tener su propia empresa. Aunque ese sueño aún no es una realidad, las lecciones de inglés de Miguel le han permitido comenzar a conseguir trabajos ocasionales para obtener un ingreso extra, además de ayudar a su hermano de ocho años con su tarea.

Las clases se imparten todos los lunes y miércoles de 5:30 a 7:30 p. m. durante 16 semanas en primavera y 14 semanas en otoño, comenzando a principios de septiembre. Si usted o alguien que conoce podría beneficiarse de estas clases, llámenos al (318) 865-0200 ext. 115 para más información.

Around the diocese...

On April 16th, Bishop Malone dedicated the renovated St. Vincent's Chapel in the Catholic Center. Thank you to all of the St.Vincent's Academy alumnae who supported this campaign. It was a beautiful evening for our priests, staff, alumnae, and friends as Bishop Malone dedicated this sacred space.

Chrism Mass 2024 at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans

On March 9, 2024, at the age of 79, George Robert Esters became the most senior person to join the Knights of Peter Claver, Council 144. George previously told them that he was not "worthy." However, proving that you are never too old to hear God's call to service, George finally accepted his fellow knights invitation to serve alongside them in unity and Christian charity.

St. Joseph Altar at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Monroe, LA

Over 1,000 faithful Catholics came to St. Jude Catholic Church in Benton to see the arm of St. Jude and ask for St. Jude's intercession. It was a beautiful, faith-filled afternoon. Thank you to Fr. Carlos Martins for bringing this important relic to our diocese.

Coming Together to Answer the Call

Lucy Medvec, Diocesan Director of Development

ONE THING I LOVE MOST ABOUT OUR DIOCESE IS THAT EACH CHURCH AND PARISH IS TRULY UNIQUE. We like to say at my church (St. Joseph in Shreveport) that with five Masses we have five different parishes within our church – each one is different and attended by parishioners who are loyal to that particular time.

This year, I am visiting multiple parishes to talk about the Catholic Service Appeal. I have truly loved meeting parishioners around the diocese and being a part of their communities through attending Mass. I look forward to visiting more parishes in the coming months.

In this month’s Catholic Connection , we celebrate the many cultures throughout our diocese and how we are all a part of one great community. Our parishes do an excellent job highlighting the diverse groups in our diocese through special Masses, events, and celebrations. Still, we can also celebrate the uniqueness of our 27 parishes, 11 missions, their priests, and parishioners in the Diocese of Shreveport. Each church has its own history and its own community, and that's what truly makes our diocese unique.

So, what does this have to do with "answering the call?" This year's theme for the Catholic Service Appeal is "You Are Called." We are all called to serve God in multiple ways. Still, when we ALL come together to serve and support the many ministries in our diocese, we can see the greatest impact and the most remarkable example of God's love.

Our goal for this year’s Appeal is $1.6 million, but the most important goal is 100% participation from families in the Diocese of Shreveport. That’s over 10,000 families making a gift of any amount, any time during this calendar year. Many of you have already donated (thank you!), but the Catholic Service Appeal will not succeed without the support of every family in this diocese.

Your donation helps our seminarians, our priests, our families, our youth, the underserved, and so many more. Please prayerfully consider supporting the Catholic Service Appeal. Great things will happen when we all come together to answer the call.

Donate online at www.dioshpt.org/stewardship

UPCOMING EVENTS

MAY 3, 8:30 AM

Red Mass @ Holy Trinity Church

MAY 3, 6-8 PM

Middle School Dance @ St. Mary of the Pines Vandegaer Hall

Sixth through eighth grade students are invited to a Hawaiian Luau dance at St. Mary of the Pines. Admissions is $5, concessions will be sold. For more information visit the St. Mary of the Pines facebook page.

JUNE 1, 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Magnificat Brunch @ Catholic Center

Tickets are $20 per person, please purchase your ticket prior to May 28th. To buy online visit magnificatministry.net/chapters/la-bossier-city or for questions please contact Sandy at 318-222-0007.

JUNE 24-28

Camp Little Flower @ Scottsville Camp, Marshall, TX

For more information contact camplittleflower@dioshpt.org

JULY 11-14

Beloved Camp

For teen girls, rising ninth grade students through graduating high school seniors. For more information or to register visit shvcamps.com

JULY 14-17

Mission Impossible Camp

For teen boys, rising ninth grade students through graduating high school seniors. For more information or to register visit shvcamps.com

May Second Collections

MAY 11/12 – CATHOLIC COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN

This collection benefits communication channels for the USCCB to continue to spread the Gospel and evangelize across our country, and our world. A portion of this collection is retained by our diocese.

Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention For The Month Of May

FOR THE FORMATION OF RELIGIOUS AND SEMINARIANS

We pray that religious women and men, and seminarians, grow in their own vocations through their human, pastoral, spiritual and community formation, leading them to be credible witnesses to the Gospel.

FEASTS & SOLEMNITIES

MAY 1

Saint Joseph the Worker

MAY 2

Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

MAY 3

Saints Philip and James, Apostles

MAY 10

Saint John of Avila, Priest and Doctor of the Church;

Saint Damien de Veuster, Priest

MAY 12

The Ascension of the Lord

MAY 13

Our Lady of Fatima

MAY 14

Saint Matthias, Apostle

MAY 15

Saint Isidore

MAY 18

Saint John I, Pope and Martyr

MAY 19

Pentecost Sunday

MAY 20

The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

MAY 21

Saint Christopher

Magallanes, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs

MAY 22

Saint Rita of Cascia, Religious

MAY 25

Saint Bede the Venerable, Priest and Doctor of the Church;

Saint Gregory VII, Pope; Saint Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi, Virgin; BVM

MAY 26

The Most Holy Trinity

MAY 27

Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop

MAY 29

Saint Paul VI, Pope

MAY 31

The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Thanks To Our Recent Donors:

(036)3 Mr. & Mrs. James Powell

(049) Robert McGowen

(036)3 Anonymous

SEMINARIAN BURSES

(008) Charles & Beverly Bennett

(049) Linda Bible

(035)3 Mrs. Rosemary C. Ward

(005) The Congregation of St. Johns Roman Catholic Church

(025) Linda M. Scott

(049) Gregory & Ann Weeks

(017) Queenie M. Cascio

Completed Burses:

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

(006) Msgr. J. Carson LaCaze

Memorial Burse #1 ($10000)

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

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

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

(013) Mary Evans Caplis Burse ($10000)

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

(019) Margaret Glenn Memorial Burse ($10000)

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

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

(027) Rev. Richard Lombard

Memorial Burse ($10000)

(027) Rev. Richard Lombard

Memorial Burse #2 ($10000)

(031) Pearl Heck & Leona Boudreaux

Memorial Burse ($10000)

(033) Beryl K. & Joseph D. Ozenne

Memorial Burse ($10000)

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

(035) Dr. James V. & Rosemary C. Ward Burse #2 ($10000)

(036)

(036)

(040)

(041)

(042)

Msgr. Earl Vincent Provenza

Burse ($10000)

Msgr. Earl Vincent Provenza

Burse #2 ($10000)

Servant of God Fr. Isidore

Armand Quémerais Burse ($10000)

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

Servant of God Fr. Jean-Marie

Biler Burse ($10000)

(043) Servant of God Fr. Louis-Marie

(044)

(051)

Gergaud Burse ($10000)

Servant of God Fr. François Le

Vézouët Burse ($10000)

Reverend John Revord

Campion Memorial Burse ($10000)

Incomplete Burses:

(001)2

(002)

(003)

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

Joseph & Antoinette Bakowski

Memorial Burse ($3150)

Sam R. Maranto Memorial Burse ($1650)

(004) Kathryn Atherton Cook

(005)

(006)

(007)

Memorial Burse ($350)

Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Burse ($1600)

Msgr. J. Carson LaCaze

Memorial Burse #2 ($3832.12)

Dr. Carol Christopher

Memorial Burse ($1200)

(008) St. Jude Parish Burse ($7500)

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

Burse ($1550)

(011) Rev. David Richter Memorial Burse #2 ($5200)

(015) Bishop’s Seminarian Burse ($4460)

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

(017)

Msgr. George Martinez Knights of Columbus Council 1337 Burse ($8,271.57)

(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 ($1578)

(023) Msgr. Edmund J. Moore

Memorial Burse ($5100)

(024) Rev. Joseph Puthupally

Memorial Burse ($2150)

(025) Kathleen Hightower Memorial Burse ($800)

(028) Friends-n-Faith Burse ($750)

(029) Rev. Kenneth Williams

Memorial Burse ($200)

(030) Ottis and Anne Krupa

Littlejohn Memorial Burse ($7333.34)

(032) Madeline and Joe Tiller

Memorial Burse ($6100)

(034) Joseph B. and Lucille Provenza

Cordaro Burse ($7650)

(035) Dr. James V. & Rosemary C.

Ward Burse #3 ($1620)

(036) Msgr. Earl Vincent Provenza

Burse #3 ($3790)

(037) Manuel & Catherine Licciardi, and John & Beverly Miller Burse ($6000)

(038) The Malone Family Burse ($250)

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

Burse ($750)

(045) Sister Martinette Rivers

Memorial Burse ($200)

(046) Domestic Church Burse ($5000)

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

(048) Rev. Joseph Kallookalam Burse ($5000)

(049) Rev. Philip Michiels Burse ($1150)

(050) St. Joseph Shreveport Mary's Workers Burse ($6175)

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 or by scanning the QR Code here. Please make all checks payable to the Diocese of Shreveport. Be sure to note the name of the burse in the memo line. Burses are completed at $10,000.

Where is Bishop Malone this month?

MAY 1ST

Confirmation; St. Matthew Church, Monroe; 6:00 PM

MAY 2ND

Red Mass Banquet; Petroleum Club of Shreveport; 6:30 PM

MAY 3RD

Red Mass; Holy Trinity Church; Shreveport; 9:00 AM

Confirmation; St. Jude Church, Benton; 6:00 PM

MAY 4TH

Confirmation; St. Joseph Church; Shreveport; 6:00 PM

MAY 5TH

Confirmation; St. Paul Church; Minden; 11:00 AM

MAY 7TH

Confirmation; St. John the Baptist Church; Many; 6:00 PM

MAY 11TH

Confirmation; St. Thomas Aquinas Church; Ruston; 5:00 PM (Candidates from St. Benedict Church, Grambling also being confirmed)

MAY 12TH

Confirmation; Jesus the Good Shepherd Church, Monroe; 11:00 AM

MAY 14TH

St. Frederick High School Baccalaureate Mass; Jesus the Good Shepherd Church, Monroe; 5:00 PM

St. Frederick High School Graduation; Jesus the Good Shepherd Church, Monroe; 6:00 PM

MAY 15TH – 16TH

Episcopal Support Pause Gathering; Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center, New Orleans

MAY 17TH

Loyola College Prep Graduation; Bossier City Civic Center, Bossier City; 6:00 PM

MAY 19TH

Confirmation; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 11:00 AM

MAY 26TH

Msgr. Earl V. Provenza’s 60th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 3:00 PM

MAY 29TH

Confirmation; St. Joseph Church, Zwolle; 6:00 PM

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: Families in Monroe gathered for Mass to celebrate Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration.

Pictured here, children received traditional red envelopes with money for luck for the New Year.