CATHOLIC CONNECTION
CATHOLIC CONNECTION
PUBLISHER
Bishop Francis I. Malone
EDITOR
Kirsten Shrewsberry
EDITORIAL BOARD
CONTRIBUTORS
Deacon Mark Coudrain
Karen Dill
Mary Arcement Alexander
Rev. Charles Ssennyondo
Lucy Medvec
Rosalba Quiroz
Very Rev. Peter B. Mangum
Diane Libro
Mike Van Vranken
Elise Reis
Cassandra Key
Amy Fakhre
Polly Maciulski
S. Germain Cassiere
NOVEMBER 2024
Volume 34, Number 4 THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED
Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention For
The Month Of November
FOR ANYONE WHO HAS LOST A CHILD
We pray that all parents who mourn the loss of a son or daughter find support in their community and receive peace and consolation from the Holy Spirit.
Cover photo is at St. Joseph Cemetery in Shreveport. Photo by Sophia Romanski, Digital Communication Specialist for the Diocese of Shreveport
SUBSCRIPTIONS & ADDRESS CHANGES Blanca Vice bvice@dioshpt.org 318-868-4441
SUBMISSIONS Kirsten Shrewsberry 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 Coordinator 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.
NOVEMBER SECOND COLLECTION
November 16/17 – Catholic Campaign for Human Development
The Collection addresses the root causes of poverty in America through promotion and support of communitycontrolled, self-help organizations and transformative education.
Very Rev. Msgr. Matthew T. Long
Dcn. Charles Thomas, OFS
Karla Alvarez
Rev. Kevin Mues
Rosalba Quiroz
FOR MORE EVENTS CHECK OUT THE AROUND THE DIOCESE SECTION ON PAGE 22
NOVEMBER
Fr. Raney Johnson Dalton Endowment Committee Meeting; Bayou DeSiard Country Club, Monroe; 12:00 PM MONDAY
Msgr. Rothell Price Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop Fr. Gabriel Cisneros Campos St. Frederick High School Board Meeting; Library, St. Frederick High School, Monroe; 6:00 PM
Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop Fr. Fidel Mondragón United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Meeting; Baltimore, MD (through November 15)
Fr. Michael Thang’wa Mass in Celebration of 75th Anniversary of St. John Berchmans Catholic School; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 11:00 AM
The Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles; Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, Virgin Fr. Peter Romanus Mallya
Fr. Kelby Tingle Catholic Charities of North Louisiana Joint Luncheon Meeting: Board of Directors & Members Board; Catholic Center, Shreveport; 12:00 PM
Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr Fr. Jerry Daigle
Fr. Nicholas Duncan Our Lady Queen of Palestine Mass; Holy Trinity Church, Shreveport; 5:30 PM
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin Fr. John Paul Crispin
All Saints Bishop Francis I. Malone All Saints’ Day Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 8:15 AM
The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day)
Msgr. Matthew T. Long
Fr.
Feasts & Solemnities Priest(s) in the Diocese of Shreveport to pray for daily
Bishop Malone's Calendar Special Events in the Diocese of Shreveport
Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr Fr. Joseph Martina, Fr. James Moran
Fr. Jean Bosco Uwamungu Loyola College Prep Board Meeting; St. Vincent’s Hall, Loyola College Prep Campus, Shreveport; 5:15 PM
Fr. James Dominic Thekkemury, Fr. LaVerne “Pike” Thomas
SUGGESTED PRAYER FOR OUR PRIESTS:
Gracious and loving God, we thank you for the gift of our priests. Especially ___________________________________ (insert name(s) here) Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments.
Fr. Charles Ssennyondo School Mass at St. Joseph Catholic School; St. Joseph Church, Shreveport; 8:15 AM
Fr. Keith
Fr. Kevin Mues Presbyteral Council Meeting; Catholic Center, Shreveport; 2:00 PM
Fr.
Fr.
The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Fr. Mark Franklin, Fr. Joseph Maddala
Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr Fr. James McLelland, Fr. Karl Daigle
Fr.
Fr.
Fr. Richard Norsworthy, Fr. Rigoberto Betancurt Cortés
Thanksgiving Day
Fr. Philip Chacko Theempalangattu, Fr. Joseph Ampatt
Fr. Adrian Fischer, Fr. Patrick Madden
Saint Andrew, Apostle
Fr. Philip Michiels, Msgr. Earl Provenza All deceased priests of the Diocese of Shreveport
Help our priests to be strong in their vocation. Set their souls on fire with love for your people.
Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom.
Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel.
Allow them to experience joy in their ministry. Help them to become instruments of your divine grace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest. Amen.
Saint
Saint Clement I, Pope and Martyr; Saint Columban, Abbot; Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, Priest and Martyr; BVM
Mark Watson,
Charles Glorioso
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Timothy Hurd, Fr. Peter Mangum
The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica Fr. Duane Trombetta
Saint Margaret of Scotland; Saint Gertrude, Virgin; BVM
Tobias Omondi Obado
Fr. Calistus Barasa Makokha
Garvin Saint Albert the Great, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Do Minh Vu
Rev. Charles Ssennyondo
Praying It Forward
Deacon Mark Coudrain shares about the important ministerial work happening at Abbey Casket at St. Joseph Seminary.
18
Servants of God
Very Rev. Peter B. Mangum shares a recap of his speech from the Red Mass Reception - stay tuned for part two next month!
FROM THE EDITOR
LAST YEAR, I HAD THE SOLEMN RESPONSIBILITY OF SUPPORTING MY FRIEND AFTER THE PASSING OF HER FATHER. Her pain was complicated and heavy. Her father had been suffering; undoubtedly, his death was a mercy to him. Still, she is now a daughter without a father – it’s a hole your heart cannot comprehend until you’re standing at the edge of the chasm. As a child with two living parents I found it hard to grasp her pain, it felt unimaginable, but I was grateful that our faith provides both hope and solace in times of loss such as this.
We believe in the promise of eternal life, a comforting assurance that death is not the end but a passage to a fuller existence in communion with God. This conviction invites us to hold fast to the hope that our faithful departed are at peace, enveloped in God’s loving embrace.
In the midst of grief, those of us who remain can create sacred moments of remembrance. These can include offering a Mass intention, praying and lighting a candle in your parish sanctuary, or sharing stories that celebrate the lives of our faithful departed. In these small ways, we can honor their legacy and reinforce our belief in the communion of saints, reminding us that everyone — living and dead — is part of a larger family united in faith.
As we reflect on our faithful departed this month, let us be sources of light and support to one another. This edition includes some incredible articles - stories of personal loss and helpful explanations of why we believe what we believe. Together, we can find hope in the promise of resurrection, which transcends even the greatest chasm of loss.
FROM THE BISHOP
I REMEMBER SISTER VINCENT IMMACULATA
WELL. A Sister of Saint Joseph, now well into her 80s, she taught me in fourth and fifth grade, and I learned several of my life lessons from her. One in particular, born of wisdom and fitting for a life’s journey, was a saying I still hear her repeating, almost 65 years later: “Show me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are.” It has stayed with me largely because of the truth behind it.
Ruminating over that often led me to consider those life events that shaped me into the person I am today. There’s simply not enough pen and paper to detail them, and even as I prepare to share one, I experience an emotional challenge to writing it down. We all have those moments that remain close throughout our life, some very pleasant and others not so pleasant, but they are inseparable from the person we have become.
As October gives way to November, we are annually given that month to remember the dead. I am the first to say that the approaching All Souls Day draws me back to events associated with death that stay with me into my adulthood; some so impactful that, as painful as they are, I cannot separate myself from them. They stay with me.
The evening of March 14, 1963, is indelibly fixed in my mind. As much as I have tried for over sixty years to push it from my mind, I think about it frequently. Safe to say, the night my mother died shaped me, but in both good and not-so-good ways. Mom had given birth to our brother, Bernard, three weeks earlier, and doctors warned about blood clots that developed in her legs. Countering their best advice, she walked upstairs, and a clot made its way to her heart and lungs. She called to my father downstairs, “Joe, I’m sick.” He ran up the stairs to help her, but she collapsed and died in his arms. While trying to resuscitate her, he told my oldest brother, “Call an ambulance!” and then “Call a priest!” The rest of that evening is as vivid as if it was last night.
As much as Sister Vincent’s words remain with me about my friends, so do the words, “Tell me about the most difficult events of your growing up, and I’ll tell you who you have become.” That night’s sad part was my mother died, leaving her husband and nine children behind. That night’s joyful part, in retrospect, was giving me the gift to appreciate others who suffer through a loved one’s death; I have been told more times than I can recall that one of God’s gifts to me is ministering to those who suffer through death and having the right words for such moments. Only God knows those words’ truth – but I can attest that my mother’s passing inscribed an indelible mark on my life.
When drawn back to that evening in 1963, my heart is sometimes overcome with sadness, but it is mostly filled with joy in realizing that from her place in eternity she played an integral role in my vocations as a priest and bishop. I miss her every day, but I can say that, even from where she is now, she has remained my mother and my advocate.
A wonderful prayer read at Mass comes from a preface (prayer preceding our praying of the “Holy, Holy, Holy”): “The Eucharist is the foretaste and promise of the paschal feast of heaven.” I pray it often for its meaning: every time we receive Communion at Mass, we share it with our loved ones who are eternally in communion with the Lord. Our Communion is their Communion, and their prayers for us in that moment directly impact us as we journey through this life.
Might I suggest that, as we approach the month of remembering our dearly departed, we have a sense that all sadness is eradicated by our belief that they remain with us forever, perhaps even more during difficulties, and a sense of how joyful that awareness can be for us. May they rest in peace. Amen.
RECUERDO BIEN A LA HERMANA VINCENT
IMMACULATA. Hermana de San José, con más de 80 años, me dio clase en cuarto y quinto curso, y de ella aprendí varias de las lecciones de mi vida. Una en particular, nacida de la sabiduría y apropiada para el camino de la vida, era un dicho que todavía la oigo repetir, casi 65 años después: «Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres». Se ha quedado conmigo en gran parte por la verdad que encierra.
Reflexionando sobre ello a menudo me lleva a considerar los acontecimientos de la vida que me han convertido en la persona que soy hoy. Sencillamente, no hay suficiente papel y lápiz para detallarlos, e incluso cuando me dispongo a compartir uno, experimento un desafío emocional al escribirlo. Todos tenemos esos momentos que permanecen cerca a lo largo de nuestra vida, algunos muy agradables y otros no tanto, pero son inseparables de la persona en la que nos hemos convertido.
Cuando octubre da paso a noviembre, se nos concede anualmente ese mes para recordar a los muertos. Soy el primero en decir que la proximidad del Día de Todos los Muertos me hace recordar acontecimientos asociados a la muerte que permanecen conmigo hasta mi edad adulta; algunos tan impactantes que, por dolorosos que sean, no puedo separarme de ellos. Permanecen conmigo.
La noche del 14 de marzo de 1963 está marcada indeleblemente en mi mente. Por mucho que haya intentado apartarla de mi mente durante más de sesenta años, pienso en ella con frecuencia. Puedo decir con seguridad que la noche en que murió mi madre me marcó, tanto en lo bueno como en lo no tan bueno. Mamá había dado a luz a nuestro hermano, Bernard, tres semanas antes, y los médicos le advirtieron de la formación de coágulos en las piernas. A pesar de los consejos de los médicos, subió las escaleras y un coágulo llegó hasta el corazón y los pulmones. Llamó a mi padre abajo: «Joe, estoy enferma». Subió las escaleras para ayudarla, pero ella se desmayó y murió en sus brazos. Mientras intentaba reanimarla, le dijo a mi hermano mayor: «¡Llama a una ambulancia!» y luego: «¡Llama a un sacerdote!». El resto de aquella noche es tan vívido como si hubiera sido anoche.
por el obispo
Tanto como las palabras de la Hermana Vincent permanecen conmigo sobre mis amigos, también lo hacen las palabras: «Cuéntame los acontecimientos más difíciles de tu crecimiento, y te diré en quién te has convertido». La parte triste de esa noche fue que mi madre murió, dejando atrás a su marido y a sus nueve hijos. La parte alegre de esa noche, en perspectiva, fue darme el don de apreciar a otros que sufren por la muerte de un ser querido; me han dicho más veces de las que puedo recordar que uno de los dones de Dios para mí es atender a los que sufren por la muerte y tener las palabras adecuadas para esos momentos. Sólo Dios conoce la verdad de esas palabras, pero puedo dar fe de que la muerte de mi madre dejó una huella indeleble en mi vida.
Cuando me acuerdo de aquella tarde de 1963, a veces me invade el corazón la tristeza, pero sobre todo la alegría al darme cuenta de que, desde su lugar en la eternidad, ella desempeñó un papel fundamental en mis vocaciones de sacerdote y obispo. La echo de menos todos los días, pero puedo decir que, incluso desde donde está ahora, ha seguido siendo mi madre y mi defensora.
Una oración maravillosa que se lee en la Misa proviene de un prefacio (oración que precede a nuestro rezo del «Santo, Santo, Santo»): «La Eucaristía es el anticipo y la promesa de la fiesta pascual del cielo». Lo rezo a menudo por su significado: cada vez que comulgamos en Misa, la compartimos con nuestros seres queridos que están eternamente en comunión con el Señor. Nuestra Comunión es su Comunión, y sus oraciones por nosotros en ese momento nos afectan directamente en nuestro viaje por esta vida.
Me permito sugerir que, al acercarnos al mes de recordar a nuestros queridos difuntos, tengamos la sensación de que toda tristeza queda erradicada por nuestra convicción de que permanecen con nosotros para siempre, quizá incluso más durante las dificultades, y la sensación de lo gozosa que puede ser para nosotros esa conciencia. Que descansen en paz. Amén.
Para obtener más información sobre las oportunidades del Ministerio Multicultural en la Diócesis de Shreveport y para encontrar nuestros horarios y lugares de misa en español, por favor escanee el código aquí.
“If there are artisans in the monastery, they are to practice their craft with all humility...”
- Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 57
IT FORWARD Praying
WE ALL KNOW THAT GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS! Leaving St. Joseph Abbey Seminary college (St. Ben’s) after one whole semester, I entered trade school to learn cabinetmaking. I felt fortunate to be asked to build numerous specialty consoles and cabinets for WLAE TV, a new television station founded by Archbishop Hannan. Initially bringing my equipment, building sets and other needs for the station, I ended up a tape operator, then
many years later became the president and general manager. At a certain point, however, God had this crazy idea that I should return to woodworking and approach St. Joseph Abbey about starting a casket-making business. Why in the world would I do that?!
Aware that the monks lost their forest, a source of revenue, to Hurricane Katrina, I also knew they requested burial in a “monk casket” but lacked sufficient human resources to build them.
Since we all know God always has a better plan, after two years of discernment and collaboration with the Abbey, we started St. Joseph Woodworks (now St. Joseph Abbey Caskets).
I never dreamed how God would make this such a faith-filled operation! Twenty-five volunteers help make caskets and urns, with monks occasionally helping as their schedules permit.
Providing caskets, urns and having a cemetery enable us to accompany families through a difficult time in their lives. We were privileged to supply a yellow casket for a young girl dying of cancer and assist a family whose child was killed in an accident and had loved purple and unicorns. Teaming up with a men’s prayer group, we supply caskets for babies and miscarriages at no cost to the families.
We all pray for the individual who will be placed in each casket we work on, knowing it could be any of us. At lunch we read the names of those for whom we delivered works that day to remind us that someone’s loved ones are having to deal with a death in their family.
St. Benedict reminded his monks that they should keep death before them every day—all of us will be called home at some point. Our daily conversations in this ministry remind me that we should be ready with plans so our loved ones do not have to make difficult decisions at a difficult time. We also have to be spiritually ready. I understand that many don’t want to think about the reality that God will call us home, as if it is the greatest fear we live with. God’s original plan did not include death; that is something we brought on ourselves. But through the life and human death of Jesus, we have nothing to fear when we die if we are trying to live the life God called us to.
So, remember that God works in mysterious ways, and He is in charge — thank God for that!!
For more information about St. Joseph Abbey Caskets and their ministry please visit: saintjosephabbey.com/caskets
Deacon Mark Coudrain is the Director of Abbey Caskets at Saint Joseph Abbey in Saint Benedict, Louisiana.
In Praise of a Faithful Priest
IN SEPTEMBER OF 2005, LOYOLA COLLEGE PREP (LCP) FELT HURRICANE KATRINA’S AFTERMATH WHEN OVER 150 CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM NEW ORLEANS LANDED ON OUR DOORSTEP. Suddenly, we were understaffed and overcrowded while trying hard to meet the educational needs of these evacuees, many of them traumatized by what they had just experienced. And in the middle of a chaotic week, God sent us Father Norman.
Fr. Norman O’Neal, SJ, was born and raised in Shreveport and baptized at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans. He graduated from Springhill College in Mobile and became a Jesuit priest at Grand Coteau, Louisiana. After teaching at multiple schools, he settled at Jesuit High School in New Orleans and taught chemistry and religion for 55 years, then served as chaplain. Katrina stranded him and several others at the school for four days before a jon boat rescued him, to drop him off on the I-10 overpass. He somehow found his way back to Shreveport, where his remaining family members took him in.
Quite an adventure for a 76-year-old! But Fr. Norman recounted this hardship with relish as we got to know him in the weeks that followed. Showing up at my office door every morning with a cup of coffee and a smile, he was ready to visit for a few minutes then lend a helping hand wherever needed. He taught classes, celebrated Mass for the students, heard confessions, and gave a sympathetic
ear to students and families who had just lived through horrific experiences. Our “Friday night lights” saw him on the sidelines, praying for and cheering on our football team. He made many friends in the few months he graced our hallways, so we were all sad to see him return to New Orleans, where he felt his work for Jesus wasn’t finished yet.
When I began summer classes in 2019 at Grand Coteau to become a spiritual director, our former principal relayed that Fr. Norman was there, receiving palliative care for an illness. When I asked Fr. Ostini, the spirituality center’s director, to point him out among the other retired Jesuit priests, he cautioned that Fr. Norman was now wheelchairbound and very hard of hearing. That evening, I saw
Fr. Norman wheeling himself into the dining hall for dinner while conversing with the other elderly priests.
Cautiously approaching him, I reintroduced myself after all those years. His filmy eyes lit up with recognition as he feebly grabbed my hand. “Oh, Karen!” he exclaimed. “My friend from my Katrina days!” We visited several more times over the next few months, until another storm, COVID-19, descended upon us. What I wouldn’t give for one more of those conversations! He always reached for my hand as he asked what I was doing, and I filled him in about his LCP friends back in Shreveport. His hearing was impaired, but his memory was excellent, and he still had that twinkle in his eye when he’d leave me with a joke or two.
We mourn his passing from our lives at the age of 95. He is buried in the Jesuit cemetery behind St. Charles College at Grand Coteau where I have occasional retreats, so I visit him and pray for him at his gravesite. I reflect on what he and his fellow Jesuits accomplished during their years of service as “soldiers for Christ”: The studies they completed. The books and articles they left behind. The children they baptized. The couples they married. The many funerals they conducted – before the call came to join their fallen comrades. And the hurricanes they calmed in other people’s lives.
on a Pilgrimage to
The Diocese of Shreveport invites you to celebrate the Jubilee Year of 2025 with an unforgettable pilgrimage to Italy alongside thousands of young adults to rediscover the beauty of our Catholic faith!
Fr. Norman lives on in the memories of over three generations of students that he taught in New Orleans and in Shreveport. He was truly “A Man for Others.”
Karen Dill is a spiritual director for the Diocese of Shreveport and a parishioner at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
JULY 26 - AUGUST 5TH, 2025
TICKET $5 PERSON
ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE SEMINARIANS
To purchase tickets scan the code or visit our website:
Until Next Time
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
REVELATION 21:4
Several years ago, I heard a story of a priest presiding over a funeral Mass for a young child. He approached the parents in the front pew during his homily and spoke directly to them, asking a series of questions: Do you believe in heaven? Do you believe that the Father, Son, Blessed Mother Mary, St. Joseph, and all the angels and saints are in heaven? Do you believe that suffering and death do not exist in heaven? Do you believe that in heaven no one is ever in pain? Do you believe that in heaven we only experience love, peace, joy, and eternal happiness? Do you believe your child is in heaven? Do you believe she is free from pain, suffering, illnesses, and sadness? Do you believe she is experiencing the pure joy, peace, and love that can only come from our Savior, Jesus Christ? With each question, the grieving parents whispered a soft yes, nodding their heads in agreement as tears streamed down their faces. Lastly, he asked, if all of this is what they believe to be true, would they still want her to leave heaven and return to earth. It was this last question’s answer that appeared to surprise them both: No.
Brothers and sisters, what do you believe about heaven? Is it anything like what I just described or, perhaps, even better? Would your answer to this last question also be no? For those of us who have not experienced the devastation of burying a child, I believe we can answer no a bit easier. Although I have experienced the grief of never having children, I am fully aware that it is vastly different. Currently, I am counseling a father who watched his little girl die in his arms, and before each appointment with him, I ask the Holy Spirit to speak through me. Because, even after 22 years of counseling, helping people sort through this level of pain and grief can be beyond challenging, often leaving me without words.
When this article is published, I will be 54 years and one month old. In all of my now 54 years of life, God has spared me from the devastating loss of a loved one (key word is “devastating”). While I have lost people – such as my great grandmother, grandparents, uncles, and aunts – all of whom I loved dearly, I would not describe my pain and grief as devastating. As a result, I can easily answer, no. No, I would not want them to leave heaven and return to earth where they suffered from dementia, cancer, strokes, heart attacks and more. Their deaths are different for me due to their circumstances. If I wrote this article as a widow, I am not so sure my answer would be no. Truth be told, the thought of losing Ryan sooner versus later brings a feeling of panic; even though I know, once in heaven, he would not want to return to me.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, I will leave you with this truth: your son, your daughter, your grandchild, your spouse, your mom, your dad, your sibling, your best friend, your (fill in the blank) who are in heaven do not want to return to earth nor to you. I do not say this to be mean or hurtful; rather, I say it because I believe it to be true, but I also want to challenge you to reframe your grief as you allow the reality of what they are experiencing in heaven, right now, to fully sink into your broken hearts.
And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-43).
Mary Arcement Alexander is a Licensed Professional Counselor & the Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator.
Why We Pray for the Dead
IN NOVEMBER WE MORE OFTEN AND INTENTLY PRAY FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED. But there are two senses to “faithful” departed: all the departed members of the pilgrim church and all who are perfect faithful followers of Christ. Some souls might be in both categories, already in heaven, and thus do not need our prayers. Others could have perished (and are in hell); they do not need our prayers either. The souls who do need our prayers are in the liminal state, purgatory. These poor souls need our prayers every day. I wish to reflect on what could lead one into purgatory.
What is Purgatory?
The term purgatory is etymologically derived from a Latin word ‘Purgare,’ meaning to make clean, to purify, indicating purgatory is a state of purification. It is a transitory state, a state of atonement and expiation/ reparation about which the Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
“All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven” (CCC. 1030).
Basis in Holy Scriptures:
2 Mac. 12:38-46 – Judas Maccabeus praying for atonement of the dead.
Now, if all who died have either perished or gone to heaven, for what reason would one pray for them? Why is it important? Both of those are permanent states, and prayer is intended to help change to another state.
Is. 35:8, 52:1 – No one unclean will go past the holy way; Never will the unclean enter the holy city, Zion.
Those who die in a state of grace are still stained by the sins they committed in their life. While God's forgiveness is perfect, they still need to be purified of the consequences of sinful choices in their earthly lives to enter into the presence of God in heaven.
13:1-2 – A day will come for purifying from sin and uncleanness.
God is sanctity personified; no shadow of sin can endure before His face. God is just and His justice punishes even the most trivial faults. The least sins displease Him infinitely and the slightest transgression demands atonement, so a cleansing is required before entering His presence.
Job 14:13-17 – When a sinful man dies, he would be hidden in Sheol and God would fix a time to remember him.
Job knows that God is at the same time merciful and just. He thus conceives of a place (state) where God will keep those sinful dead who do not perished in eternal fires, and who, after some time, God remembers and takes to His kingdom.
Lk. 12:47-48; 58-59 – Beating of a servant who failed his master’s will; a prison for debtors.
Jesus’ message here was eschatological, referring to an a place outside of time and outside of God's presence in which all those still owing the Lord will be jailed until their debt of incurred sins are paid. Mother Church named this “purgatory.”
1 Cor. 3:15 – Salvation of a person through fire (cleansing fire).
This is definitely not hell fire, for hell fire is not a cleansing fire; if it were, then those who go to hell would someday come to heaven. The purifying fire has been named purgatory by the Church.
Pet.
Judgment is for those not yet convicted. If Jesus comes back to judge both the living and the dead, then among the dead there are those who are not yet convicted, still waiting for judgment.
12:22-23 – Heaven/New
Those to enter heaven will be those made perfect/ purified – whose sins are washed away. But not all cross the gates of death perfect; many may die unclean. Jesus the High Priest, who came to take away our sins, offers us another chance.
The Book of Revelation answers the question of who will be saved; namely, those who have washed their clothes in the blood of Christ, those made pure. This is expressed liturgically in baptism when the celebrant gives the white garment to the baptized and says, "You have become a new creation, and have clothed yourself in Christ. See in this white garment the outward sign of your Christian dignity. With your family and friends to help you by word and example, bring that dignity unstained into the everlasting life of heaven." Our sins, even after being forgiven, stain our soul. Purgatory is where we go to have that damage purified.
In Conclusion, certainly, the essential pain in purgatory is the pain of loss because the souls are temporarily deprived of the beatific vision. Their suffering is intense on two counts: (1) the more something is desired, the more painful its absence, and the faithful departed intensely desire to possess God now that they are freed from temporal cares and no longer held down by the body’s spiritual inertia; (2) they clearly see that their deprivation was personally blameworthy and might have been avoided if only they had prayed and done enough penance during life. So, let us pray for them always, and in turn, when they are in heaven, they will never forget us in their prayers if we happen to be in purgatory one day.
Rev. Charles Ssennyondo is associate pastor at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish and St. Lucy Parish.
1
4:1-8 – Jesus will come to judge the living and the dead.
Heb.
Jerusalem as a city of the living God, angels, and spirits of the just made perfect.
Rev. 21:27 – Nothing unclean will enter the new heaven.
Zech.
End of Life Planning Provides Peace of Mind
EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT HOSTED AN “ESTATE AND END OF LIFE PLANNING” SEMINAR AT THE CATHOLIC CENTER IN SHREVEPORT. More than 50 men and women attended this Saturday morning event to learn about making pre-funeral arrangements, the importance of making or updating their will, and the necessary documents that need to be in place for their survivors. Fr. Mark Watson and local attorney Lauren Reynolds presented the program and answered questions from the attendees.
While thinking about the end of life is never pleasant, planning ahead truly provides peace of mind for you and your loved ones. Having a plan in place and letting your family know where to find important documents creates less confusion during a sorrowful time. Another area to consider is leaving
a legacy through planned giving. Planned giving is a meaningful way to support charitable organizations, like the Diocese of Shreveport, by making gifts using your estate. This could include a gift in your will, a life insurance policy, or a designation of your retirement plan assets as a charitable gift. This type of support requires some planning but may offer tax benefits (the other guarantee in life, right?) Most take effect in the future as a final way to leave your legacy and therefore do not affect today’s finances. Through the power of charitable giving, you can create a lasting legacy that echoes your values and continues to impact lives for generations to come.
To learn more, please contact the Diocese of Shreveport Development Office at 318-219-7260, for information on how to leave a legacy to your parish or the Diocese of Shreveport, future estate and end of life planning seminars, or one-onone meetings.
Lucy Medvec is the Director of Development and Stewardship for the Diocese of Shreveport.
We Will Meet Again
SOME OF THE SADDEST MOMENTS OF OUR LIVES ARE WHEN WE SAY GOODBYE TO OUR LOVED ONES; WE WILL NEVER HAVE ENOUGH TIME HERE ON EARTH TO ENJOY EACH OTHER. No matter how old someone is when they die, it will always be hard to let them go.
I can’t imagine the emptiness of a child’s heart at the loss of their mother. My mother passed away at 64 years of age, leaving a hole in our hearts, especially in my father and my then 17-year-old brother. She fell ill suddenly and stayed in the hospital for three weeks before taking her last breath.
I was fortunate to be by my mom’s side most of those three weeks, and although I was not present in her last moments, I was close enough to be by her side for a moment before she was taken from her hospital room. Since that day, my thoughts and feelings for our faithful departed have had a much deeper meaning in my heart and mind.
With my mom’s death came a different connection between us; I feel her close to my heart, and I feel her love and prayers all around me; because of my faith in the resurrection and eternal life, I imagine my mom and our loved ones in heaven free of any pain and sorrow; living eternally, only in the peace and joy that surrounds and frees them to see God like He is – all Love. The longing for her touch encourages me to pray for her eternal rest and the fullest of joy.
I know that those who leave us take a piece of our heart with them, but they also leave us a piece of theirs, and these broken hearts look forward to being reunited again, and this time for eternity. I have faith that my mother is at peace, praying for my father, for her children, and enjoying her loved ones who have also gone before us. Thus, until we meet again and in their memory, let's keep them alive in the love we show those around us.
The Word of God asks us to look forward to a tremendous eternal future and freely say with faith and conviction: “I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. He has freed my soul from death, my eyes from weeping; my feet from stumbling; I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living” (Ps. 116:8-9).
Rosalba Quiroz is Vice Chancellor for the Diocese of Shreveport.
The following is the text of the keynote remarks from Very Reverend Peter B. Mangum on the occasion of the 30th Annual Red Mass Society Banquet on May 2, 2024, honoring the Five Servants of God, the Shreveport Martyrs of 1873. In attendance was His Eminence Christophe Cardinal Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, with The Most Reverend Francis I. Malone, Fr. Duane Trombetta, priests from the Diocese of Shreveport, several Louisiana Supreme Court Justices, members of the bench and bar and many who work in the legal realm. Father Mangum serves as the Episcopal Delegate for their Cause of Beatification and Canonization. The complete talk can be found at:
CATHOLIC HISTORY IN LOUISIANA IS RICH, AS WE ALL KNOW, GOING BACK TO THE ORIGINAL SPANISH EXPLORERS OF THE NEW WORLD IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. The first ecclesiastical jurisdiction to care for those living in the Floridas and Louisiana (as in the area of the Louisiana Purchase) was based in Havana, Cuba. In 1793, the “Diocese of Louisiana and the Two Floridas” was formally erected with New Orleans as its see city and the church of St Louis serving as the new Cathedral.
In the 1820s, the Dioceses of St. Louis, Mobile, and Natchez were formed, leaving one diocese for the entire state of Louisiana.
The state was rapidly growing: New Orleans becomes an archdiocese in 1850, and in 1853, the Diocese of Natchitoches is erected (which encompasses what is today the Diocese of Alexandria and the Diocese of Shreveport … the entire northern part of our state). The Holy
See appoints as the founding bishop of the Diocese of Natchitoches the Breton, Auguste Marie Martin from Saint-Malo, Brittany, France.
The new bishop had four priests in his new diocese of 23,000 square miles, a couple of religious priests, and all non-French. He needed more priests. So the following year, 1854, before taking a journey to his homeland where Catholicism has its roots back to the 5th century and any number of saints, and [a] history of plagues and epidemics, Bishop Martin sent out something like this following prospectus hoping to bring back with him recruits from Brittany to serve in the new diocese:
We offer you no salary, no recompense, no holiday or pension. But, much hard work, a poor dwelling, few consolations, many disappointments, frequent sickness, a violent or lonely death, and an unknown grave.
And they came! They were ready for any and everything… a long life or short… as long as they could accomplish the will of God. Then struck the Yellow Fever Epidemic (the third worst in US history); one out of every four people contracted the disease and died. One priest after the other entered the quarantined area to care for anyone who was sick. Each died but not before receiving the Anointing of the Sick as the baton of care of the souls was passed from one priest to the next.
When people begged their priest not to leave Natchitoches to help, saying that he goes to his death, Fr. François LeVézouët replied: “I know it. It is the sure and shortest path to heaven.”
As Fr. Louis Gergaud left Monroe, he who was formerly hated by the people and ostracized, now beloved to Catholic and non-Catholic alike, was met as the stagecoach was prepared to leave from Shreveport. They too pleaded that he not depart to his death, and from the stagecoach (as if his final pulpit) he told them: “Write to the bishop and tell him that I am going to my death: it is my duty and I must go!”
“I know it. It is the sure and shortest path to heaven.” FR. FRANÇOIS LEVÉZOUËT
Go to ShreveportMartyrs.org to learn more about their lives, the Yellow Fever, and see words of the prospectus.
Very Rev. Peter B. Mangum is pastor at Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish and Espiscopal Delegate for the Shreveport Martyrs' cause.
FEBRUARY 8, 10 AM - 7 PM
CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN BERCHMANS, SHREVEPORT
FEBRUARY 22, 9 AM - 7 PM
JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH, MONROE
Open to all young men currently enrolled in high school in the Diocese of Shreveport.
For more information please contact Vocations Director, Reverend Raney C. Johnson rjohnson@sjbcathedral.org or vocationsoffice@dioshpt.org
To register please scan the QR Code here:
The Gifts Ensuring Compassion for Years to Come at CCNLA
AS I WALK THROUGH OUR OFFICE, I AM CONSTANTLY REMINDED OF WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO HAVE GONE ON TO THEIR REWARD. Many of them shaped my life.
My childhood pastor, Msgr. Carson LaCaze, intimidated me when I was young with his gruff demeanor and high standards. He was also the first priest I ever heard swear (it was very mild), which taught me that priests are people, too. His name is on the list of Founding donors in our waiting room. Every time I see it, I hear him teasing me, and I smile.
And I recall Fr. Richard Lombard, who often celebrated the 5:45 p.m. Mass at St. Joseph in the early 2000s.. In my mid-20s then, I met regularly with a group of friends there as we tried to sort out what it meant to be an adult. Fr. Lombard’s homilies frequently recalled the words of the Psalms, and I learned a new appreciation for those prayers.
His picture now hangs in our entryway at Catholic Charities in honor of his generous bequest, which allowed us to renovate our building and withstand financially challenging years.
Names of people I did not know personally are also displayed: Arthur and Joyce Trowbridge, Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Bianca, Fred and Willetta Moffitt, and others. They all chose to support the work of Catholic Charities in meaningful ways, so I know they were people of great faith and love. As Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, "Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be" (Matt. 6:21).
None of these individuals and families could have known what would become of their gift except that it would somehow help make the community better than it was. And it has.
Since those initial investments, Catholic Charities has covered rent or utilities for thousands of people. Hundreds of babies were given a healthy head start through the support and supplies their parents received. And countless immigrants found a new home.
While many of those we serve visit us only once, others come repeatedly. Some refer their family and friends to us. One mom came faithfully of Gabriel's Closet with her daughter, and she later sent her niece, a new mom. Some of our ESL students have been with us for years, increasing their knowledge of English.
A few clients have gone on to become donors themselves. We recently received an anonymous check in gratitude “for help rendered to a family member.” They prove that a small investment reaps enormous rewards for years.
When people make a gift in their will or set up a foundation, they ensure their impact continues on the community they love. They provide an example of faith and compassion that carries on for generations.
For my part, I am eternally grateful for the vision and trust these donors have had in Catholic Charities' work. I pray that we can honor them with each person we serve.
Diane Libro is the Executive Director of Catholic Charities of North Louisiana.
Our Wise Sages
WE CATHOLICS PRAY BOTH WITH AND FOR THE DEAD, A CONTROVERSIAL PRACTICE TO OTHER CHRISTIANS, BUT A TEACHING OF OUR FAITH. I see it as a practice that honors those who have gone before us. We remember their dignity as human beings and their own relationships with the Lord, thus giving them special consideration in our lives. We pray for God’s blessings and graces on some, while asking for intercession and help from others.
My tradition is to honor and revere many of my forefathers and foremothers as wisdom figures. I ask for their guidance and sage advice, request their help to clarify confusion, and ask for words of consolation and hope. They have become, for me, soulmates on my spiritual journey, and so I share with you a few of these holy companions.
Not in order of importance, I begin with my great-greatgrandmother, Elizabeth, who died in 1884. While I never knew her in this physical world, I know enough about her to envision her as a wise, experienced, holy mother. I have spoken with her many times in prayer about who I am as a person and why. I have received a lot of spiritual insight about myself from our quiet and peaceful times together.
Another confidante through my life’s adventure is my eighth-grade teacher, Sister Mary Joseph. During the school year of 1964-65, she taught me how to give presentations and lead meetings, the dos and don’ts of dating, and the Second Vatican Council’s importance to the world. During my working career, she was my spiritual go-to with business decisions and human relationships. I still rely on her advice, even when writing these articles. In my prayer, she is one of my best friends.
In 1982, we lost our baby to miscarriage. In his peaceful and holy pastoral presence, Monsignor Gaston Hebert helped us consider the possibility that we had created a saint, a saint! The image quickly took root in my heart as I pondered the mystery. For no earthly reason, I assumed this saint was a girl. Although I named her, I usually call her “my little saint.” She’s been by my side in every way these last forty-two years, holding my hand as I walk down
the aisle to communion. We’ve shared many intimate moments. Talking to her once about our daughter Emily’s car accident and what a horrible experience it was, I told her I was glad she was not here to suffer through it all. I was then overcome by her sweet voice that said, “Oh, Dad, I was here, walking with you every step of the way.”
Other soulmates who accompany me on this journey include my late mother and father (daily!) and my maternal grandmother. I have strong relationships with two old friends named John – one died of cancer a few years ago and the other drowned when we were seven years old. They both counsel and comfort me. Several other deceased family members and friends also offer their companionship from time to time.
Finally, there are the well-known saints and holy people: The Teresas of Calcutta and Avila, Ignatius Loyola, Francis of Assisi, Julian of Norwich, Meister Eckhart, and Popes John XXIII and Paul VI, to name a few. As I write this, I recall so many more now living in the next life who are sharing their insights and perceptions with me. While among us, Karl Rahner, now a spiritual comrade from the afterlife, said they are all rooting for us. I’m confident that’s true.
My rich and powerful associations with the faithful departed always bring me into a more extraordinary love relationship with God. Each encounter with these dearly beloved invites me to fall more deeply, intimately, and madly in love with our Creator. The accompaniment of these soulmates is the infinite grace of a God who loves us more than we can imagine. These companions have become my wise sages, enriching my life with the presence of the Divine.
Mike Van Vranken is a spiritual director for the Diocese of Shreveport and a teacher of new spiritual directors for the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Around the diocese...
Jini Grace Sujith completed her initial formation and now has become a candidate for permanent profession to the Order of Secular Franciscan of Our Lady of Kibeho Fraternity. Over at least the next eighteen months Jini will continue her formation and decern her calling to permanent profession into the Secular Franciscan Order. Jini is parishioner at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.
St. Joseph School in Shreveport hosted their Hispanic Heritage program. Parents and diocesan representatives were wowed by the performances!
St. Vincent's Academy Class of 1964 celebrated their 60th Anniversary with a Mass and reception at the St. Vincent's Chapel
St. Jude Day School (SJDS) is having a great school year so far, with many celebrations, including Grandparents Day, and students learning about our heavenly mother Mary. The students look very scholarly in the new SJDS plaid uniforms, and we look forward to continuing this fun-filled school year! For more information about St. Jude Day School, please contact Amanda Chapa at SJDS@StJudeBossier.org
60 retreatants
team members made
Second Annual Diocese of Shreveport Awakening Retreat hosted at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans a resounding success!
Your support makes such a difference for new moms and babies. There’s a new weekly class, “Blessed are You” to encourage pregnant women with God’s love for them. The class also gives the young moms practical education for their lives and they love it! Thank you so much for supporting them at Mary’s House.
Our Lady Of fatima SchOOL
OUR LADY OF FATIMA CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN MONROE, LA, CELEBRATED ITS 70TH ANNIVERSARY ON OCTOBER 2, 2024. A Mass was held at 9:30 a.m., celebrated by Very Rev. Msgr. Matthew T. Long and concelebrated by Fr. John Paul Crispin, FMH. The OLFS choir, comprised of 3rd -8th graders, joyfully led the music for the Mass.
Middle school students then presented the Living Stations of Fatima, a play recalling the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima. Missy McKenzie, the middle school religion teacher, directed the play, which was scripted by Stephanie Haney, the principal.
Alums, OLF parents, students, and teachers were all honored with a hamburger luncheon. A huge thank you goes out to the Knights of Columbus Council #1337-Monroe for providing the hamburgers. Thank you to The Catholic Daughters of America, St. Matthew Court #1144, for providing the desserts. We also thank Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School Cafeteria for their efforts and continuous dedication to the students.
Elise Reis is the junior high math teacher at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School.
cathedraL Of St. JOhn BerchmanS cathOLic SchOOL
IT HAS BEEN A BUSY FIRST QUARTER AT THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN BERCHMANS CATHOLIC SCHOOL! This year marks the 75th Anniversary of our school, and we are thrilled to celebrate this important milestone at our November 17th Parish and School Thanksgiving Celebration. We will commemorate 75 years of excellence in education grounded in the Catholic faith.
Here at SJB, our Catholic faith is at the center of everything we do. Weekly Mass, daily prayer, opportunities for confession, Eucharistic processions twice a year, Adoration for middle schoolers, monthly family Masses, and more make up the foundation of our mission and the building blocks of each day. The day-to-day activities that bring vibrancy and life to our school are in full swing, and there is a calm, quiet energy that indicates learning is taking place in every classroom. While the field trips, retreats, and volunteer opportunities allow students to get off campus and engage in different learning opportunities, it is the special events we have on campus that remind us that our school is not only a place for learning and growing in faith, but also for our school and parish community to gather in fellowship and friendship. Those events include our annual Monster Mash, Pancakes with Saint Nicholas, Social Studies & Science Fairs, Science Olympiad, and more. These special days and events enhance the learning experience here at SJB. They build community and friendship. They teach our students that joy is found here and reinforce the Catholic teaching that life is a gift meant to be lived and enjoyed to the fullest.
Here at SJB, our students are learning and growing in their faith. Classes are engaging and productive, thanks to the teachers and staff who are content. Thank you for your confidence and belief in our school. We are striving to fulfill our mission to provide a quality education anchored in the Roman Catholic tradition for another 75 years!
Cassandra Key is the Director of Communications and Development for the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Parish and School.
JeSuS the GOOd Shepherd SchOOL
JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH AND SCHOOL WERE BLESSED TO HAVE HAD MONSIGNOR MOORE AS THEIR GUIDING LIGHT FOR SO MANY YEARS. His decades of dedicated service, spiritual guidance, and unwavering kindness left a lasting legacy on our parish and school, enriching the lives of generations of students and families. He will forever hold a special place in the hearts of the entire community.
For those who had the privilege of knowing Msgr. Moore, their memories are filled with both the profound and the personal. Many have fond memories of him walking through the teacher parking lot, inspecting cars to advise teachers when inspection stickers were close to expiration. While it might seem insignificant, it was a genuine gesture that showed how much he cared about every detail of his teachers’ lives. Msgr. Moore always had a keen eye for detail, likely due to his time in the Navy. He quickly noticed anything out of place, broken, or potentially dangerous. He was a constant father figure with an unparalleled devotion to Jesus the Good Shepherd Church and School.
Msgr. Moore also had an incredible memory, recalling everyone he'd ever married, baptized, or confirmed and knowing exactly who their parents, grandparents, and family members were. It was indeed a gift! He remembered generations of families, showing us that we weren't just parishioners to him but part of a more prominent, extended family in faith. This remarkable gift
made each student, parishioner, and family member feel deeply known and loved. And he had a deep devotion to praying for the souls of the departed, often urging those close to him to pray the Prayer of the Faithful Departed, especially during October.
Though faithfully departed himself, Msgr. Moore's spiritual influence continues to resonate within the halls of Jesus the Good Shepherd. His life was a shining example of faithfulness, humility, and love for God. His memory will forever be cherished. May he rest in eternal peace, knowing his profound impact on this community that is blessed to have called him ours.
Amy Fakhre is the Director of Development for Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish and School.
JOIN US ON A
Celebrating nearly 500 years of the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Saturday, December 14
Time: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Starting Point: The Catholic Center
End Point: Cathedral of St. John Berchmans (Approximately 40 minute walk)
Join our faith community as we honor this profound event with prayer, hymns, and unity. Bring your rosary and your family!
Enjoy the seminarian basketball game at the Cathedral at the end of the procession. For more info contact the office of Multicultural Ministry 318-219-7265
EXPLAINING DEATH TO CHILDREN IS SOMETHING
THAT FEW OF US LOOK FORWARD TO. If we are being honest, most adults don't receive such explanations too well, either. But one of the beautiful things about our Catholic faith is that if we have been formed in even the fundamental truths of who we are and what we believe, the grieving — our ability to support those who grieve — can actually help us grow in our relationship with God and with each other.
Numerous times in the last few years, we have shared pictures and information about trips our 6th and 7th graders made to local cemeteries, visiting them on All Souls Day and cleaning up the gravesites. We also included the Hispanic traditions of Dia de los Muertos, thanks to our wonderful Spanish teacher, Mrs. Betty Sanchez. We made this part of our curriculum because an opportunity exists to encourage students to see death differently and to get a perspective of what it means to mourn and grieve. The kids learn the Prayer for the Faithful Departed and visit the grave of our founding pastor, Msgr. Joseph Gremillion. They also have the opportunity to see the graves of several of the Shreveport Martyrs and both participate often and serve at the altar when Mass is offered at St. Joseph Cemetery. As odd as it sounds, they enjoy the experience, which has become a memorable part of their middle school experience at SJS.
Being connected to a parish has also given our students the unique opportunity to serve at the altar during funerals throughout the year. We talk about the ministry of altar servers and the gift that they can be to the family who is grieving: if they are serving well, they help the funeral Mass or memorial service go more smoothly, allowing the priest to focus his attention on the celebration of the Mass, as well as on the family he is serving at that moment. A couple of years ago, one of our middle school students lost his father suddenly, and the funeral was to be held here during a school day.
This grieving student had many friends who were altar servers, and they understood that their service at the altar at that moment was a beautiful gift to their friend and his father. It also helped them grasp the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, burying and praying for the dead. I was so proud of our students at that funeral Mass: though they fought back tears, they made a beautiful and powerful statement in their service, and I don't think I will ever forget that moment.
Maybe one of our best teaching moments on death comes with a lesson in our Confirmation preparation book, Chosen, by Ascension Press. Most kids have little experience with the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick but have probably heard of the phrase "Last Rites." Our Chosen books address the sacrament's purpose and highlight something the kids can bring to their own families: this is not something that must be saved for one's "deathbed," though that's typically how we see it in movies or on TV. They must know why Jesus Christ gave us this Sacrament: it is not "wasted" on someone if given well before their passing from this life. It can bring peace to the individual and their loved ones preparing to let go. My hope in this lesson is that they can help their own families with it someday and provide some peace in a painful time.
Catholic education presents many lessons for our students, but the best ones are the ones they will take with them throughout their lives. When they learn about God's unchanging love for us and His promise of eternal life to those who believe, they can even handle the painful losses in life with hope and grace.
Polly Maciulski is the middle school religion teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School.
SEMINARIAN BURSES
THANKS TO OUR RECENT DONORS:
(005) Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Burse
The Congregation of St. John Berchmans Roman Catholic Church
(008) St. Jude Parish Burse Charles & Beverly Bennett
(024) Rev. Joseph Puthupally Memorial Burse
Mr. & Mrs. James E. McKeithen
(029) Rev. Kenneth Williams Memorial Burse
Mary Ligon
(050) St. Joseph Shreveport Mary's Workers Burse
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Medvec
(052) Dr. Matthew Ragan Green, Jr. Memorial Burse
Mr. & Mrs. O. Michael Owens
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Medvec
Mr. & Mrs. Laurence F. Hiller
Mr. & Mrs. J Curtis McClure
Help us complete these burses!
Your donation of any amount can help us reach $10,000 to complete the burse.
Burse #8: St. Jude Parish (current balance $8100)
Burse #50: St. Joseph Shreveport Mary's Workers Burse (current balance $7150)
Burse #34: Joseph B. and Lucille Provenza Cordaro Burse (current balance $7650)
Burse #23: Msgr. Edmund J. Moore Memorial Burse (current balance $7000)
To see an up-to-date list of incomplete and complete burses, please scan here
Thank you for the great gifts of generosity, goodwill, and prayers. Through your charity, I have the opportunity to be formed into a closer likeness to our Lord and His Priestly Heart. I hope that one day, I may be gifted with the opportunity to share this formation with the wonderful people of the diocese through priestly ministry. Each of you genuinely blesses me as I head into my final year at St. Joseph Seminary. Please continue to pray for me; prayers which I know the good Lord uses in my life, and please know of my prayers for you all.
-Nathan Lirette, Diocesan Seminarian
The Diocese of Shreveport’s Seminarian Burse Program provides financial support for our seminarians' livelihood and education until they become ordained as priests, a path that can take up to eight years to complete. It currently costs an average of $50,000 per year to educate and support one seminarian.
Donations can be made to any existing incomplete burse at any time. (A burse is “completed” once it reaches $10,000.) A new seminary burse can be opened with a donation of $250 or more and can be established with any amount of money in honor or memory of a loved one, in the name of especially well-loved priests or organizations.
To donate to an established seminarian burse, please scan here
All donations to the Seminary Burse Program remain untouched principal. Only interest and dividends from the endowed fund are used to pay for the annual cost of seminarian formation. For more information on how to establish or contribute to a burse, please contact the Development Office at (318) 219-7260.
THE CHURCH SUFFERING (The Faithful Departed) – How Can We Help?
Thoughts from the Pew by S. Germain
Cassiere, a parishioner at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Shreveport.
THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED ARE PART OF THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS, WHICH CONSISTS OF
• The Church Triumphant (the saints in heaven)
• The Church Suffering (the faithful departed souls in purgatory)
• The Church Militant (the faithful living on earth – us!)
Those faithfully departed souls who are not yet saints need our prayers, sacrifices, and Masses to complete their journey to God. Stories About Purgatory and What They Reveal richly illustrates the Church’s perpetual teaching to pray for these souls as an act of mercy. Compiled by an Ursuline nun of Sligo, Ireland, the book’s thirty chapters correspond with the Month of the Holy Souls’ thirty days, so each day we can read and ponder one chapter to gain greater insight into the Church Suffering and how we can, and should, help them.
Sharing numerous accounts that shed light on the reality of Purgatory, this work urges the faithful to offer prayers – especially through Gregorian Masses, indulgences, and acts of charity – for the deceased.
In one story, a deceased priest appeared to a pious woman and pleaded for Gregorian Masses (30 consecutive Masses) to be offered for his soul. Originating with Pope St. Gregory the Great in 590 A.D., this series of Masses offered for the deceased bring extraordinary graces that hasten the soul’s purification and are considered a most effective means to help souls reach Heaven. After the Masses were celebrated, the priest appeared again, radiant and joyful, and thanked her for the immense grace she secured for his soul. It is a reminder for us of the Mass’ power to assist the faithful departed’s souls, and should encourage us to offer Gregorian Masses for our loved ones.
In another account, a soul suffering from unconfessed faults and imperfections appeared to a nun. Moved by the soul’s suffering, the nun offered her prayers, penances, and indulgences for the soul’s release until the soul reappeared free from torment and thanked the nun for her charity. This story also emphasizes the impact of our indulgences and personal sacrifices in relieving holy souls of their suffering.
A third story tells of a man devoted to praying the Rosary for the souls in Purgatory. One night he saw a deceased relative grateful for his consistent prayers that greatly reduced his time in Purgatory. Each Rosary was like a "key" that opened Heaven’s gates a little more, said the relative. This story recalls the Rosary’s power in helping souls through their purification and into the fullness of God's presence.
So, what can we take away from this article? A few key points: 1) This book is a source of spiritual reading and insight into the Church Suffering; 2) Gregorian Masses, and other prayer and sacrificial devotions, make a profound impact when we pray for our deceased family and friends; 3) Praying for the dead is a profound act of love that should not be reserved for the month of November; 4) We grow in holiness by praying for the holy souls, which deepens our connection with the Communion of Saints. As these stories reveal, the holy souls are grateful for every prayer we offer, and those prayers will one day return to us in God's heavenly kingdom.
To purchase the book Stories About Purgatory and What They Reveal visit tanbooks.com
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Fr. Richard Lombard - A Legacy of Giving
WHEN I FIRST MET FR. LOMBARD AT ST. JOSEPH CHURCH IN SHREVEPORT, I WAS NOT YET CATHOLIC. I attended Mass weekly with my husband, Mark, but I was doing it more out of the sake of family unity rather than seeking God’s word. As I listened more and more each week to Fr. Lombard’s homilies, I felt this yearning to belong – a yearning to become Catholic.
I began RCIA (now OCIA) in August 1995, shortly after Fr. Lombard baptized our oldest son, Andrew. While the weekly classes were led by lay people and volunteers, Fr. Lombard was in attendance every single week to meet people and answer any questions. He was a true shepherd.
The year after I became Catholic, Fr. Lombard wasted no time in asking if Mark and I would serve as St. Joseph parish representatives for the annual Diocesan Service Appeal. We agreed and proceeded to attend committee meetings, the annual reception, and spoke at Mass about the importance of supporting the Appeal. Fr. Lombard was a strong supporter of the Appeal. He believed that everyone in our parish and in our diocese could do their part by making a donation of any amount. Listening to his impassioned pleas from the pulpit, it amazed me then and still amazes me, that our parish’s participation rate only hovers between 25-30%. Fr. Lombard always rightfully believed that we could do better.
Fr. Lombard was known for his fiscal responsibility. When he first came to St. Joseph, he inherited a budget in the red. Over the years, he worked hard to not only erase the deficit, but to also build an abundance of funds that would be used to jumpstart our 2000 Capital Campaign, which would eventually fund the renovation of St. Joseph Church.
I never knew him to spend money frivolously, especially on himself. He drove an older car for many years and his lifestyle was simple. When he gave to charitable causes, he did so quietly. His final gift came upon his death in 2019, with a bequest of $1.1 million to Catholic Charities of North Louisiana. His many years of sacrifice and this amazing act of generosity will impact thousands of people across North Louisiana for many years to come.
In my current role, I often think of Fr. Lombard and thank him for his support and belief in the annual Catholic Service Appeal. The life he lived is a lesson to all of us. Every one of us can make a difference – leave a legacy of giving — by supporting the Catholic Service Appeal with a gift of any amount. It’s just that simple.
Lucy Medvec is the Director of Development and Stewardship for the Diocese of Shreveport.
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PHOTO OF THE MONTH: The diocesan permanent diaconate class began their formation process on September 21st. This program will last approximately five years; please join us in praying for these men in formation.