November 2021

CATHOLIC CONNECTION Volume 31 No. 4 | November 2021

The Mental Health Issue...

NAVIGATING DEPRESSION

Tips from a Licensed Professional Counselor

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE DEPRESSED CHRISTIAN Finding Your Raft

THE ADVENTURE IN OUR FAITH Finding Our Purpose in the Call to Action

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contents

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31

FEATURES 8

An Open Letter to the

Depressed Christian 10 The Adventure in Our Faith 12 God is Trying to Tell You Something 15 A Five Step Prayer Process 24 The Face of a Caregiver COLUMNS 4 6

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From the Bishop Mary’s Mission: Navigating the Murky Waters of Depression Mike’s Meditations: Our Actions Reveal Our Heart’s True Attitude Catholic Charities: Breathing Life Into Our Mission

18 Your Appeal Dollars at

Work: Seminarian

Education and Vocations 22 Faithful Food: To

Everything a Season 26 Daughters of the Cross Series: The Durier Years 38 Library Notes: Picks for

Black Catholics Month NEWS 28 30 36

Hispanic News School News Around the Diocese On the cover: Loyola College Prep cheerleaders Photo by Jordan Harris

Are you Addicted to Chaos?

This Month from Kierstin “Stay where you are. Find your own Calcutta.

Find the sick, the suffering, and the lonely right there where you are — in your own homes and in your own families, in your workplaces and in your schools.” -Mother Teresa Many of us are addicted to societal chaos.

Before we even make our morning coffee, we’ve probably already scrolled through social media or turned on the news to catch up with what horrible injustices have occurred overnight, thousands of miles away. You may feel triggered by people who seem to “stand by” as if they don’t care about all the terrible things happening in the world.

It’s important to stand up for justice.

However, we are not physically designed to be in the know about every injustice, everywhere, all the time. It’s just not something our nervous systems can handle. We were designed to respond to acute stressors in real-time in our physical environment - not the whirlwind of drama and politics that flood Facebook - an angry cacophony of unsolicited opinions screaming into the void.

The thing is - the world is inevitably a chaotic place. There are always going to be people with whom you do not agree.

There will always be injustice and hatred.

But the decision and the freedom we have is in how we choose to respond to it. And when we choose to tune it out.

Realistically, we can’t donate to every cause or know every perspective on every issue that’s trending this week. We aren’t

gods, although sometimes we tend to act like we are. We have only the viewpoint of our own environment and experiences, right here where we are, the people we know and love.

So what do we do? First, chill out. You are not responsible for every single human rights issue on the face of the planet. And sometimes, promoting everything you see can do more harm than good. We are all here for different purposes with specific gifts and passions that should be channeled into specific causes in real life, real-time.

We are all just different people with different stories. If we were all called to do the same thing, we’d be fighting over who did it best. We aren’t built for competition, but for community and collaboration.

So what do we do? We find our own Calcutta. We find the need that God has placed here in our own little bubble for us to devote our time and attention. It doesn’t matter how many infographics or firey posts you share on Facebook about every social issue on the planet. If social media didn’t exist, and that problem was not presented to you in your daily life - in real life, there’s no need to get fired up about things you can’t presently and physically do anything about.

It’s anxiety-inducing to entertain thousands of realities in our minds when we are powerless to control any of them. As Edgar Allen Poe once said, “I remained too much inside my head and ended up losing my mind.” So be careful what you fill your mind with. That becomes your reality.

CATHOLIC CONNECTION PUBLISHER Bishop Francis I. Malone EDITOR Kierstin Richter CONTRIBUTORS Mike Van Vranken Kim Long Mary Arcement Alexander Patti Underwood Rosalba Quiroz Jori LaCour Polly Maciulski Kate Rhea Karl Yabut Benjamin Luckett Karen Dill Marie Rinaudo Lindy Brasher EDITORIAL BOARD Deacon Mike Whitehead John Mark Willcox Kim Long Kate Rhea Rosalba Quiroz Fr. Matthew Long Dr. Carynn Wiggins 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 www.thecatholiconnection.org SUBMISSIONS Contact: Kierstin Richter Email: krichter@dioshpt.org The Catholic Connection is a member of the Catholic Press Association.

The Diocese of Shreveport complies with Virtus’ Protecting God’s Children program. Classes are offered every second Wednesday of the month at the Catholic Center in Shreveport.

To report child sexual abuse by a cleric or church worker in the Diocese of Shreveport, call your local law enforcement agency and Mary Katherine Arcement, Diocesan Victim Assistance Minister, at 318-584-2411.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Catholic Connection is a monthly publication funded by your Diocesan Stewardship Appeal; mailed to every known Catholic household in the Diocese of Shreveport. Our mission is to advance knowledge and understanding of our Catholic faith among the faithful. We seek to foster the application of Christ’s teachings and our church’s mission in our daily lives and to encourage our sense of Catholic identity within our family, parish, and faith community.

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Bishop Malone at the 70th Anniversary school Mass at Saint Joseph Parish - Shreveport

Approaching Mental Illness from a Catholic Perspective Francis I. Malone, Bishop of Shreveport There was a time in history, biblical and otherwise, that those who exhibited signs of mental illness were considered to be possessed by evil. One example that I clearly remember was how the Church and society in general looked upon suicide. As a result, those who had taken their lives were refused a Catholic funeral.

I remember a woman in our neighborhood when I was a child who chose death over life, and out of 4 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

ignorance for the illness that was hers, people looked upon her family with a sense of shame.

Sadly, mental illness has touched many of our families. Most of us do not have the tools to help them, and in our frustration we give up. I had an aunt and a grandmother who both suffered from manic depression. People would alienate them, put them

schools, occasionally someone will post something about one of the “characters” who lived in our neighborhood. A couple of weeks ago, someone wrote about a man named, “Gussie.” He was an innocent man who exhibited signs of being, well, of being “off.”

And while he had not one evil bone in his body, and was loved by his neighbors, he was also teased or shunned by many people. He had a mental illness, we believed, that prevented him from living what most of Reading the Scriptures, I am often touched by the us who call a “normal life,” and he was treated that tremendous affinity that Jesus had for those who way by many. were sick: physically, spiritually, and mentally. He approached such people with love, He laid hands The point of all this is that when the discussion of on them, He drove out demons from them, He was mental illness surfaces, we, as disciples of Christ absent of any fear in their presence. When I read should always and immediately ask ourselves the these encounters I immediately become self-reflective question about who they encountered when they of how I treat those with mental illness. Sometimes, encountered us. Are we like Jesus to them? Do they even with the best of medical care, total relief is often benefit from our love, our prayers, our gentleness, our a distance from them. I have to ask myself if this is the understanding when it is a challenge to do so? way to treat those, through no fault of their own, to I invite you to search the Scriptures, the Gospels suffer needlessly. in particular, and read those passages where the There is a page on Facebook called “Remembering mentally challenged encountered the Lord, and then Port Richmond.” Port Richmond is the neighborhood ask ourselves what these same people see and hear in Philadelphia where I grew up. And while most of when they encounter us. Is it Jesus they see? the postings are photos of buildings, churches and away in asylums, wash their hands of the sickness with which they suffered.

One of my closest priest friends, in fact my mentor in the seminary, took his life, which he claimed was due to his depression. It’s not all about suicide though.

Many people suffer from depression and anxiety, and any number of mental health issues that prevent them from functioning normally.

“...when the discussion of mental illness surfaces, we, as disciples of Christ should always and immediately ask ourselves the question about who they encountered when they encountered us.

Are we like Jesus to them?”

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mary’s mission

navigating the murky waters of depression Mary Arcement Alexander, LPCProfessional Counselor Mary Arcement Alexander, Licensed

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or the month of November, the Pope’s monthly intention is for those who suffer from depression. This topic is very familiar to me given my line of work. I would love to be able to say that depression is not a problem in our culture; sadly, I cannot. I would love to say that depression has not increased since March of 2020; sadly, I cannot. I would love

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to say that suicide rates are at an all-time low; sadly, I cannot. The truth, my brothers and sisters, is that mental illness as a whole has been steadily increasing since the pandemic hit last year. I will not bore you with statistics but I will tell you that I earned my highest income in 2020. This reality is not a bragging right but rather a telltale sign of the enormous negative impact the pandemic and lockdowns are

having on our mental health. This is a much-needed 3. Move your body. Many people sit for a living, such conversation. I am grateful Pope Francis sees it as well, as myself. It is vital that you intentionally move your thus this monthly intention. body each day: go to the gym, walk or run outside, do floor stretches, take the stairs at work, park further Over the last 15 years as a private practice practitioner, away from the store entrance, etc. Living a sedentary I have counseled countless people. Many of my clients life will exacerbate depression. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) have been and are Christians. In the beginning, I never thought much about this, but roughly five years ago it 4. Be around people, especially those you love. I hit me: why do so many Christians struggle with fear, totally understand that sadly, people frown upon this anxiety, and depression almost as much if not equal because of COVID, but I still encourage you to do so. to non-Christians? If we truly believe we are made in God did not create us to be islands; He created us to God’s image and that we are wonderfully made, why connect with one another in person. Perhaps you have then do we struggle much like non-believers? The a yard visit or a car chat in a parking lot. I do not care answer is obvious; the common thread woven among how you choose to be with others, I care only that you Christians and non-Christians is the fact that we do so in a manner that feels safe for you. Isolation are all human beings. Fallen, sinful, broken human is detrimental to your mental health. (1 Corinthians beings desiring happiness and joy yet falling short 12:27) of it because of our humanness. It becomes a bit of a paradox. We know in our hearts that the answer to 5. Meditate. Did you know that the rosary is a moving our problems is God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, yet meditation? I often recommend to my Catholic clients we allow our humanness to get in the way. We allow to pray either a full rosary or one decade. In addition, ourselves to seek happiness and joy anywhere and Hallow is a wonderful Catholic app that has many everywhere but God. We tell ourselves we are not forms of meditations. When you meditate, you force worthy of Christ which allows us to fall deeper into your mind to focus on something other than your our despair. Fear not, brothers and sisters, there is problems or the problems in the world. This shift in absolute hope. focus is a must to help reduce your depression. (Ps. 119:15) If you are currently in the beginnings or the depths of depression, I encourage you to choose one of the seven following options. Whichever you choose, commit to 6. Journal. I recommend one of two options: write doing it daily, and then as your new habit forms, add down your thoughts and feelings daily or weekly in an actual journal or regular notebook or write it all another and then another: out on paper and then discard through shredding or burning. (Job 19:23-25) 1. Five to fifteen minutes of prayer. Use this prayer time to have a conversation with Jesus, read scripture, read a devotional, and/or journal your thoughts and 7. Eat real food. Whether you realize it or not, feelings. For me, a daily prayer life is the lifeline for what you eat directly affects your mental health. If my mental health. In time, increase your prayer time. you fill your body with processed foods, high sugar, loads of unhealthy fats, and unhealthy carbs you are (Philippians 4:6) exacerbating your depression and anxiety. Before you eat anything ask yourself this, “Did God make this or 2. Three to ten minutes of stillness and silence. This man?” (Genesis 1:29) is different from prayer because it is an intentional time to quiet your mind, completely unplug (that BONUS: Cultivate Gratitude! Every day, no matter means NO phone near you), be alone, take slow your day, thank God for at least three things. Learn to intentional breaths, listen to the sounds of nature (if be grateful now. Do not wait for the pandemic to end you are outside) and just be. (Ps. 46:10) or for COVID to go away. Thank Him in the mess, in the awful, in the terrible, in all things.

Choose God. Always. For everything.

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An Open Letter to the Depressed Christian

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Benjamin Luckett, Cathedral Director of Communications

his article isn’t meant for the average Christian - feel free to read it if you’d like - but it’s for the one who goes to Mass every day. Who receives the sacraments on a very regular basis. The Christian who prays and prays and prays and wonders, “God, why can’t I stop being depressed?” This is for you and the shadow you carry inside your head. So without further ado, let’s start with a joke.

There was a man in town who was a faithful Catholic.

He went to Mass every day, celebrated the sacraments, and prayed unceasingly. Everyone in his parish admired him for his faith, “Surely, a saint in the making.” Then one day, the town was hit by a drastic flood. The streets filled with water, and every rooftop became an island. The man stayed atop his roof and began to pray, “Lord, deliver and save me!”

An hour went by, a man on a raft drifted by and said, “Sir! Do you need some help?” The man on the rooftop replied, “No, my Lord will save me,” so the man on the raft continued on his way. A day went by, and a national guard

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boat passed. “Sir! Do you need some help?” he asked. “No, my Lord will save me,” said the man. Another day went by, and a helicopter was flying by and spotted the man. Letting down a rope, the pilot said, “Sir! Do you need help?” Again, the man on the roof replied, “No, my Lord will save me.”

Another day went by, and the man on the roof died from heat exhaustion and dehydration, but he found himself in front of the pearly gates and spoke to God. “Lord, I prayed for you to save me, but you did not come - why?” And then, “My child,” He said, “I sent you two boats and a helicopter.

What more did you want?”

I think it’s easy for us to over-spiritualize what’s wrong with us. Perhaps you think you’re gloomy because you made a mistake or sinned against someone. Maybe you believe that you wouldn’t have been so void of purpose today if only you had prayed for a little bit longer.

You’re probably right. You deserve this darkness that you carry with you. That joy sucked out of your life? You’ve had enough happiness for this week. God is punishing you because you haven’t devoted enough of your time to Him. And the truth is, He never thought you were special in the

first place. Everyone else is a snowflake, and you, you’re a dirt clot.

These are all things I used to tell myself- that I didn’t deserve God, that I didn’t deserve to be happy - that my prayers were the only medication to a wound that was only growing. And while prayer and the faith were and still are an instrumental part of my mental health journey, we can’t solely rely on them.

Now before I’m burned at the stake, hear me out.

There are two parts of this reality we call life: the material and spiritual. Often we put an overemphasis on the latter because, well, we hope to end up there one day. However, we can’t forget to take care of what is in front of us, what we are - material.

You see, God not only communicates to us through spirituality and immaterialness but also through the here and now. God gives us a way to help us- whether that be an idea on how to approach an action, a person who says the right thing at the right time, or institutions and services set up for us.

There are times in the Bible where God just *poofs* things into existence- miracles- for the betterment of His people. When Elijah was running to Mt. Horeb but fell asleep under a tree - POOF - there was cake and water for him to be replenished. When Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den - POOF - it’s more like Daniel’s den now. When Jesus was feeding the five thousand with only a couple of Olive Garden breadsticks and Long John Silver’s fish sticks, POOF, they were all fed. God can work in such a miraculous way as the above, but how else does He work?

God told Noah about the flood and instructed him to build a boat. The Philistines were about to defeat the Jewish people. Then David slew Goliath with a slingshot.

A rich man went up to Jesus and asked him how to get to heaven, and he gave him counsel.

Yes, God can poof away our depression, anxieties, and mental health issues, but you know what He can also do?

Provide you with a raft.

Our prayers are worthless if we don’t put in an effort to show God that we want to work on ourselves and others.

And because of this, I want to provide you with a few things that I found helpful for me in my journey.

Community

From a sociological standpoint, man is not an island. We are a communal species - and what does our species need to survive? Each other. So when you go to Mass, strike up a conversation with the person next to you. (After, of course.)

Make friends and enjoy the ones you have. And for the love of all that is good, HAVE FUN. Laugh, allow yourself to let your dopamine receptors let loose. And when you feel down, talk with your close friends. Your struggle isn’t supposed to be a lonely one.

Get Help

I don’t know if you’re like me (if you are, don’t forget your laundry) or not, but whenever I’d go to confession, I’d treat it like a mini-counseling session. Yes it is good to go to your priest for reconciliation, yes it’s good to get advice from your spiritual Father, but sometimes that’s not enough: www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists and www.catholictherapists.com are great resources to find professional help. Although it was a tremendous difficulty for me to actually meet with a counselor, my life has been made a thousand times better because of it.

Be Healthy

This isn’t a cure-all, but just like with man not being an island, man is not supposed to be a couch potato too. It is statistically proven that eating healthy, getting sunshine, and working out boosts your mental health. Don’t know where to start? I’d suggest following one of my favorite workout YouTubers, Athlean-X, for workout tips and perusing any clean eating YouTube channel for help (fruits and veggies are always a good place to start).

Limit Social Media and News

This one is more anecdotal than the above, but for me, it’s easy to compare myself (even subconsciously) to others online and come out on the other side hating myself. This goes for news too. There’s a lot of bad things in the world, and the news seems to only cover that. What I do is limit my social media use (or completely get rid of it) and check the news maybe once a day. Surround yourself with positive things instead, and you too will be positive.

Pray

Don’t give up on your prayer life - please. I know it may be tempting sometimes to stop with the thought, “this is going nowhere,” but trust me when I say that prayer was my anchor through my darkest times, and should be for you too.

I say all these things not to mitigate what’s going on in your life, but rather to show you the things that helped me in mine. And even today, when I do all of these things, sometimes life sucks. The sky could be beautiful, my workout could’ve been amazing, my smoking hot girlfriend could’ve made some spectacular spaghetti, and yet, life could still suck. And that’s okay. One thing that keeps me going is the thought that mental health is a process.

You don’t reach a “finish line” of mental health and then everything is good. You must keep taking care of yourself that’s just the life we live. And that, I believe, is how God is teaching me humility and joy (that Rascal).

That to me is my raft.

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The Adventure in our Faith Karl Yabut, Western Deanery Campus Minister

Growing up, I felt empty. Video games and tales of other worlds filled up my time and consume me, but why? Because there was a void, a huge gaping hole in my soul, that I didn’t know how to fill. On this earth, there was an aching, a longing to understand what I was made for.

When we are young, so many things captivate our attention and mold us. For many boys, it was the introduction of sports into their life that eventually led to those falling in love with them. The early t-ball and high school games have the potential to develop a greater passion that can lead someone to pursue a professional career in that sport, while many others will stop after high school and college see it as a chapter closed. Those in the group find themselves honing their skills through every practice, drill, and skills camp.

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I was never big into playing sports growing up, and not to mention I was morbidly obese until a few years ago, so athletic wouldn’t have been the word to describe me.

Growing up in a single-income household with two other siblings made things financially difficult, so the thought of a medical bill after injuries, or the expenses on gear - cost and travel was just not something my parents could afford early in my childhood.

Sports were out of the picture for me so video games like Runescape or movie series such as the Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Narnia took up my time.

A life with Christ is a wonderful adventure- St. John Paul II I never realized the similarities in these movies or games until I was trying to pinpoint what exactly I was called to. For those reading, and who have never heard what Runescape is about, it’s an open-world game that invites individuals to a world that is filled with adventure, to do anything and everything that they desire to do in the world of Gielinor. One of the more iconic quests that is required for you to progress in the game as a Gielinorian, is to slay the dragon Elvarg in his cavern filled with giants and skeletal warriors. After defeating the dragon, the player is granted entrance into the Champion’s guild that opens a realm of adventures for the character. I would spend waking hours playing video games, getting lost in their worlds and what they had to offer.

active discernment can become overwhelming because it may feel like you may not know where to start and how to start. For me, I found that the best place to start was in silent prayer in the presence of the Eucharist. However, if daily adoration is not available to you, silent prayer is still powerful. In silence, we allow God through the Holy Spirit to speak to us.

You may never receive a clear answer on what God may want of you, but if what you desire is to bring glory to the Father through what you do, then maybe you’re already doing what God has desired of you all along. The greatest mistake we make as Catholics is to believe that our faith ends as soon as we walk out of those double doors, but we should live out our call by glorifying God through our life.

Unfortunately, I began to realize that video games consumed my life. I desired to play these games not only for the sake of enjoying the content and excitement they provided but because something was missing in my life. Growing up, I felt empty. Video games and tales of other worlds filled up my time and consumed me, but why? Because there was a void, a huge gaping hole in my soul, that I didn’t know how to fill. On this earth, there was an aching, a longing to understand what I was made for.

For those of you struggling to see the purpose of your current career, I invite you to reflect on the life of a saint whom I consider to be my greatest role model and a person whose silent life story I constantly contemplated - and that is St. Joseph. St. Joseph was no more than a mere carpenter, a laborer who accepted God’s call to be the earthly father of Our Lord. His daily task of building woodworks was no longer mundane for it served the greater purpose of providing, presiding, and protecting Our Lord and Blessed Mother. His purpose grew deeper because he accepted God’s call and allowed Him to be the center of his life. Just as St. Joseph’s handiworks were given greater purpose through God, so can the career you may currently have. Your daily task may seem mundane, but if you were to spend the money earned by ministering to those in need or by witnessing to those in your workplace, your daily tasks are no longer without greater purpose for it gives you the opportunities to glorify God.

This aching, this missing thing, was in front of me all along. It was at the beginning of every retreat I teamed on as I hoped I would impact the lives of the retreatants.

It was present in every moment of surrender in the sacrament of reconciliation. It throbbed whenever I gazed at the beauty of Our Lord during adoration and in the moments He grabbed my heart and filled it with love for Him. It was at the start of every fall semester for bible studies and student meetings for our Catholic Student group, in the uncertainty of how many new people would join and have the chance to Your purpose is not your career, your purpose is your grow a relationship with. vocation and at the root of our vocation is to love, for Our God is love.

I realized that what I longed for was never a lucrative or prestigious career, but has always been ADVENTURE. So as I embark on this new career in ministry and I was being called to live out an adventure with our trailblaze a path for a part of my diocese that has Lord. There was no great revelation, however, just never had Campus Ministry, it is the beginning of a placing the pieces that have been given through active new adventure. discernment and contemplative prayer. Practicing NOVEMBER 2021 11

God is Trying to Tell You Something

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Karen Dill, Spiritual Director

o many stories in scripture describe various dramatic ways that God has reached out to people to give them a special directive. For Samuel, it was a wake-up call in the middle of the night. For Jonah, it was a three-day stay in the belly of a whale. For Saul, it was a blinding encounter with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. Sometimes He goes to great lengths to get our attention!

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For me, it was that white dry-erase board that was hanging on the wall across from my hospital bed in September of 2015. You know, the one where the nurse writes the date every morning along with the names of the people who will be on-call that day. A few months earlier, I had undergone neurosurgery to remove a grapefruit-sized tumor from the frontal lobe of my brain. Miraculously, I recovered quickly and resumed my semi-normal life until another round of seizures put me back in the same hospital.

For three days, I was put through a series of tests –

MRI’s, EEG’s, CT scans –to determine my current level of brain functioning. All that caused an offthe-chart level of anxiety that led to panic attacks.

On the third night of my hospitalization, I was convinced I was dying. My mind was racing and I struggled to breathe. As I felt a sedative injection slowly putting me to sleep, I promised God that if I woke up the next morning to see that the nurse had changed the date on that white board, I would do whatever it was that He seemed to be keeping me around to accomplish.

periodically to help me notice the daily ways God shows up in my life.

One of my all-time favorite movies is Stephen Spielberg’s “The Color Purple.” I love the scene that takes place in a full-gospel church where the choir is energetically singing, “God Is Trying To Tell You Something!” After a panic attack and four spiritual directors later, I can look back and see that God told me something when I woke up to see that the date had changed on that dry-erase white board in my hospital room. I’ve heard Him say that He still can use me even in my retirement years. He speaks to me in scriptures, in chance encounters with strangers, in dreams or sleepless nights, in hymns at church, in homilies, in spiritual reading, in art, music, … even posts on Facebook!

Sometimes He even uses the difficult people or circumstances I experience to whisper a new lesson in my ear.

Spiritual direction has helped me hear His voice more clearly and powerfully.

I am so thankful that our diocese now has several welltrained spiritual directors available to assist anyone who is interested in pursuing a closer relationship with God. If you’ve made it to the end of this article, I know He’s trying to tell you something, too. Maybe a spiritual director can help you hear His voice more clearly and discern His will for your life.

After a panic attack The next morning, I woke up to a room full and four spiritual of sunshine and a new date on the board. I was directors later, I can convinced that God wasn’t finished with me yet, but look back and see what did He want me to do? For several months that God told me one of my daily prayer requests was to discern something when what path He wanted me to take. Then a friend of I woke up to see mine at church casually mentioned her experience with spiritual direction. that the date had My ears perked up! I had no idea what spiritual changed on that direction involved, but I felt compelled to learn dry-erase white more about it. board in my hospital Over the past six years, I’ve met with a series of room. four spiritual directors.

One introduced me to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Following her suggestions, I began to see how God had me on His radar screen long before I had ever given Him a second thought. My second director helped me to discern whether or not God wanted me to pursue a formation program to become a spiritual director myself. The third, a Your [spiritual] ears will hear a word behind you director I was assigned to as part of a silent retreat, saying,”This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you helped me to further practice and appreciate the turn to the right or to the left. Isaiah 30: 21. methods of meditative and contemplative prayer.

My fourth, and current, director meets with me NOVEMBER 2021 13

A Five Step Prayer Process Marie Rinaudo, Spiritual Director

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“Do you believe God loves you?” the spiritual director had the calm assurance of someone prepared for any response.

I hesitated, thinking of my many weaknesses and failures, my sins; I finally answered with another question, “Why would He?” Hoping that she did not take my words as flippant or dismissive, I waited. She set me at ease, “Because God is love.”

Thoughtfully, I recalled my favorite passages on my relationship with God: He “called you by name, you are mine,” (Isa 43:1) “You knit me in my mother’s womb,” (Ps 139:13) “God is love,” (1 Jn 4:8) “He first loved us.” (1 Jn 4:19) I asked myself why I had doubted that God loved me. Did I know, really know, God? Was my relationship with Him so shallow that I didn’t understand His boundless love? These thoughts remained with me as I began my first directed retreat.

During the next eight days, the spiritual director guided me as I spent time in silent prayer, journaling, and reflection. It was during this prayer time that I began to recognize my failure to know God. By praying I gradually changed my thinking. From this point, I was determined to learn to pray and develop a sound relationship with God. A few years later, I completed an internship in spiritual direction focusing on Ignatian spirituality. I have not been disappointed—and I am still learning.

Being able to pray has been my goal for so long that I take advantage of every opportunity to broaden the various ways to pray. One of the simplest but yet profound methods I took from St. Theresa of Avila, mystic, saint, and doctor of the Church. In her writings, she regards praying as a conversation with God. Many spiritual writers refer to a similar approach emphasizing familiarity and intimacy.

Fr. Rodney Kissinger, S.J., in his pamphlet, “God: The Incomprehensible Obvious, writes that “We experience God in our desire to pray….” He goes on to clarify that “Spiritual direction provides help “in discerning what this experience means and how we should respond.” (16) This process is a powerful tool to determine if the communication is from God and to figure out the right action to take.

A Diocesan priest, Fr. Jerry Daigle, associate pastor at St. John Berchmans Cathedral, recently offered a playful device at a session for catechists on how to “pray like a pirate.” Using a pirate’s growl: “ARRRR!” he provided a 5-step process for praying:

There is no better place than the gospels to experience Christ’s presence and love for His lost sheep and fallen, frightened followers.

Engaging with the narratives of Christ’s life and death and resurrection gives me the freedom to talk to Christ, ask what He wants from me, and how He wants me to live my life. With a spiritual director’s guidance, I can respond.

In a world vexed by discord and doubt, conflict and division, it is not surprising there is a need for spiritual guidance. The everyday challenges and disappointments are fertile ground for prayer and discernment. Making the right decision pleads for help. In losses such as death or separation, a sudden career change, the sadness of alienation, or a crisis of faith, a director can provide me the opportunity to express feelings and doubts, to receive affirmation, or to make a challenging decision.

Regardless of the difficulty in praying with the perfect words or making decisions, I know without a doubt that God’s love for me is everlasting and abiding, and He is listening with mercy and love no matter how I may stumble.

A - Acknowledge your feelings as you begin to pray.

R - Relate your experience to God: tell God your reaction as you pray.

R - Receive as you listen with attention to God. R - Respond with thanksgiving to God for hearing the prayer.

R - Reject distractions from the evil spirit and remain attentive.

Using such prayer methods and under the guidance of a spiritual director, I have slowly developed a deep friendship, a true relationship, with Christ. My daily prayers give rise to questions, concerns, decisions that are among the points I want to share with my director in our next meeting.

NOVEMBER 2021 15

mike’s meditations

Our Actions Reveal Our Heart’s Real Attitude Mike Van Vranken, Spiritual Director

W

e’ve heard it said that actions speak louder than words. The meaning here is that the attitude of our hearts can be disguised by our words, but what we repetitively do (or don’t do) reveals our deepest heart-felt desires and beliefs. We can audibly articulate credal statements unceasingly. But what others listen to is what we do or what we fail to do. When Jesus

16 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

asked, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter replied “You are the Christ” (Mk 8:27-35). Peter’s words were eventually backed up by his actions which included healing, teaching, loving and even dying for Christ.

When Jesus asks you, “Who do you say that I am?” how do your actions say, “You are the Christ?” How does what you and I do identify Jesus as the Christ?

Jesus publicly told us that Christ came to “preach the message of good news to the poor . . . to announce

pardon to prisoners and recover sight to the blind, to set the burdened and battered free and to announce, ‘this is God’s year to act!’” (Luke 4:16-20 MSG). These verses are essential for us to memorize in our brains, so we never forget their calling. However, we truly express these verses by how we live them; how we share them in our everyday actions. How do our actions reveal Christ in others as well as in us? The author of 1 John 3:18 sums it up nicely: “. . . let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love” (MSG).

Each of the groups the Christ came for, the poor, prisoners, blind, burdened, and battered, are all represented in many ways in our world today. We can, and should, spend the rest of our lives imagining and begging God to show us how we can say by our actions “You are the Christ” to every person in our world. As an example, we ask ourselves “who are the burdened we are called to set free?” Are we willing to ask God to explicitly show us who are the burdened in our communities?

As I prayed with this recently, he showed me one of the largest segments of our population who are burdened are those suffering from mental illness.

First, I had to acknowledge the millions, maybe tens of millions who are burdened with mental illness. And many others are burdened taking care of those with mental illness. How often is the Christ in them asking: “Who do you say that I am?” In what ways might I see each of them as Christ, and at the same time, in what ways am I called to be Christ and set any of them free?

The examen for me was to ask, how do I, by my actions or by my inactions, reveal Christ in the mentally ill?

The other question is, how do we collectively, as a society, as a country, as a planet reveal the dignity of Christ in those who suffer this disease? How do we treat their burdens? How do we treat them as the image and likeness of God? This month, let’s open our hearts to Christ speaking to us where mental illness is concerned. Let’s ask him to give sight to any blindness we may have and recognize some of the many manifestations of mental disorders in those around us. Ask Christ to show himself in those who suffer this disease. Finally, sit with all of this and ask Christ what he wants you to do about it.

In all this, there are a few things to consider. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness in 2019, before COVID, 20.6% of U. S. adults experienced mental illness. 8.4 million more Americans provided care for them. About 2 million times each year, people with serious mental illness are booked into jails, while 70% of youth in the juvenile justice system have a mental health condition. Our prayer this month asks who are all these people to us? Do we see Christ in them? Do they see Christ in us?

With every person you see this month, at every moment you encounter anyone, listen for the voice of Jesus asking: “And who do you say that I am?” Then we answer, not just with words, but by our actions.

This month, let’s open our hearts to Christ speaking to us where mental illness is concerned. Let’s ask him to give sight to any blindness we may have and recognize some of the many manifestations of mental disorders in those around us.

NOVEMBER 2021 17

Your Appeal Dollars at Work

SEMINARIAN EDUCAT Our seminarians love and appreciate letters! Be sure to send them a note at their addresses below to show your love and support!

Deacon Nicholas Duncan Notre Dame Seminary 2901 South Carrollton Avenue New Orleans, LA 70118 Birthday: November 24

Kelby Tingle

Pontifical North American College 00120 Vatican City State Europe

18 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Gabriel Cisneros Campos

Notre Dame Seminary 2901 South Carrollton Avenue New Orleans, LA 70118 Birthday: August 12

Matthew J. Vitacca

Notre Dame Seminary 2901 South Carrollton Avenue New Orleans, LA 70118 Birthday: February 24

Tristan Frisk

St. Joseph Seminary College P.O. Box 567 St. Benedict, LA 70457 Birthday: May 3

John Dopieralla

Notre Dame Seminary 2901 South Carrollton Avenue New Orleans, LA 70118 Birthday: June 30

ATION & VOCATIONS John Mark Willcox, Diocesan Director of Communications & Development

How do my appeal donations contribute to the education of our future priests?

One of the many challenges of recruiting new seminarians to serve as our future priests of the diocese is finding the means to afford the education and training they must receive prior to ordination. Thankfully, we have our Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal to help provide the required tuition, room and board to assist these men with their education at both the college and theologate level. The average cost of one year of seminary training is about $50,000 so you can see how important Appeal support is among the faithful. Our Appeal has a long tradition of caring for the needs of our seminarians and support for our Diocesan Office of Vocations, which continually seeks to identify and enlist men and women for a lifetime of religious service to the Church.

religious life. Know that the six men we currently have in seminary formation will continue to depend heavily on your Appeal generosity and be aware that your Appeal dollar also makes a big difference in our ability to support other members of the faithful who feel they have a call to serve.

Your generosity is deeply appreciated by Fr. Mangum and our Vocations Office as well as your seminarians who are striving to be your future priests!

If you would like to contact our current men studying for the priesthood you can simply reach out to the Diocesan Office Vocations by calling 318-868-4441. Our seminarians love to hear from you and appreciate your prayers and support. You can also visit the seminarian web page (www.dioshpt. org/meet-our-seminarians) to learn more Our Diocesan Vocations Director, the about your future priests!

Very Rev. Peter B. Mangum is available for anyone who feels they have a call to

For more information on vocations, please contact Father Peter Mangum by calling the vocations office at 318-868-4441.

NOVEMBER 2021 19

catholic charities

faith with works: breathing life into our mission Jori LaCour, CCNLA Development Director Almost a year ago from today, Catholic Charities of North Louisiana’s Director, Meg Goorley, shared a word with our devoted followers that Catholic Charities of North Louisiana would remodel a former breast-imaging center at 902 Olive St. in Shreveport— with the remodeled building to serve as the new CCNLA headquarters. Immediately following the 20 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

announcement, plans to move forward came to an abrupt halt at the request of Bishop Malone—granting him time to weigh the option of CCNLA relocating to the Catholic Center.

After careful consideration, Bishop Malone concluded of April this year that: 1. The Diocese

Regions Bank awarded our Lake Providence office a short-term grant, making it possible to assist 5 additional clients in West Carroll Parish in the third quarter of 2021. Thanks to parishioners from Sacred Heart Church, Money $chool® classes have been held in the Hall at Sacred Heart Church in Oak Grove. At Catholic Charities of North Louisiana, we often see As of today, the remodeling progress is underway with clients that lack transportation. With Money $chool® a December 31st completion date in sight! You can taking place at the Hall, Sister Bernie saw that burden stay up to date with building progress on Facebook at lift—which concededly eases the application process for Oak Grove residents. Moments like these remind Catholic Charities of North Louisiana, Instagram (@CathCharNla), and www.ccnla.org. Our team is us how much we can accomplish when the community eagerly looking forward to having reliable internet comes together. access, a working HVAC system, and ADA compliance to better serve the poor and vulnerable in our In Monroe, Regional Manager Kirsten Gladen is experiencing the same effects of servicing clients that community. lack means of transportation. To combat this issue, the We geared up for hard hat tours on October 5th at Monroe office is taking a new approach and beginning our future home at 902 Olive Street. Those interested onsite community outreach. The onsite training took in the investment of 902 Olive’s transformation and place in Richland Parish at the Delhi Civic Center touring the site, please email us at mgoorley@ccnla. on October 13th and October 21st from 9:30 AM-1:00 PM. Training entailed Money $chool® and pledges for org or development@ccnla.org. rent/mortgages and utilities for residents of Richland On the other end of I-20, our Lake Providence office Parish, which will allow their numbers of people is also thriving in this season of CCNLA’s growth. served to grow as well. would continue the sale of the former St. Catherine of Sienna properties in the Cedar Grove neighborhood of Shreveport (where CCNLA is presently located); 2.

The best move for CCNLA headquarters is 902 Olive Street; and 3. CCNLA’s Executive Director will have an office at the Catholic Center on Fairfield Avenue.

NOVEMBER 2021 21

To Everything a Season Kim Long, Saint Mary of the Pines DRE This month our publication focuses on mental health.

I am a proponent of counseling when needed and throughout my life, I have needed it. Though grateful it was available to me, I learned counseling often comes with a stigma. When it comes to seeking outside help, outside one’s self, outside one’s parish priest, trusted friends, or family members this action can sometimes be perceived as a deficiency, as though somehow we should be able to take care of every single thing on our own. I confess to you gentle reader I am no island, I cannot take care of everything on my own. Of course, we are never truly on our own. As Catholics, we have the presence of the Lord, the communion of saints, and of course the strength the sacraments bring. I can 22 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

also tell you, sadly, a few times in my life, those have not felt like enough. When I feel this way I tend to bake. Don’t ask me why.

In Jeremiah there is a verse (7:18) in which the writer describes the communal aspect of the process of baking, “the children gather wood, the men tend the fire and the women knead the dough and bake cakes to the Queen of Heaven.” I am not exactly certain who is referenced as the Queen of Heaven but that bit is not important to me; what I remembered in this verse is that everyone participated and I thought how amazing that little snippet was.

We are all connected whether we like it or think so or not. Just as the sign over the old monastery door reminds us that bidden or not God is present.

There is a process to the art of baking. I think when I am feeling disconcerted, fractured, or just plain blue I default to this activity. There is something about choosing a recipe, gathering ingredients, measuring, incorporating, and kneading, and shaping that offers a template or map of life, my life with God. Like life, baking takes time, we must follow directions, and we must be patient.

Recently, my oven stopped working. While waiting on the arrival of the needed part, I found myself feeling an increasing need to stir, knead, and bake that would not be bound by wait and delivery times.

As I mulled over how I could manage to make bread I remembered that there was a delicacy my mom bought very occasionally called Boston Brown bread.

Sold in my childhood grocery store, The Big Star, it came packaged in a can and was always sold next to Boston Baked Beans. I searched and found a recipe and I was in luck-it is steamed on top of the stove. I was back in business, gathering, mixing, and cooking.

I was skeptical that I could pull this off but I did! The result was delicious. The method was ingenious.

I experimented with variations and found a nifty version of soda bread that can be made this way too.

Isaac, my three-year-old grandson, called it chocolate bread, probably due to its color-no chocolate in it.

My balance has been restored in a simple way but one which is important. I can bake (or steam) bread and in so doing I reflect on my life both now and in the past, and I pray for the present as I mix, stir, and reflect. Balance is defined as the state of having your weight spread equally so that you do not fall. Baking restores that balance for me helping me bring forward memories of taste and moments of love, helping me be present to the physical process that baking requires.

In Ecclesiastes, we are reminded that there is a time for everything and in Jeremiah baking can be seen as communal and connected reminding us that we are never alone even when our inner landscape says otherwise. May November find us giving thanks for the blessings and the burdens and for the presence of God who is with us through it all.

faithful food boston brown bread • 1 cup each of rye flour, whole wheat flour, and cornmeal (not cornmeal mix) • 1 teaspoon salt • ¾ cup molasses • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 2 cups sour milk (buttermilk) • 3 tin cans well-greased • Large heavy pot with a lid In one bowl sift together the dry ingredients except for baking soda.

In a second bowl combine molasses and buttermilk. When mixed well add baking soda and then combine the wet and dry ingredients. At this point, if you want to add a handful of currants. Pour into greased cans until they are filled 2/3 way. Cover tightly with a piece of aluminum foil that you have sprayed with pan spray, using string tie the string around the can to prevent water from bubbling up. Place cans, upright, in a heavy pot and fill pot one third way full of water. Bring to a boil and turn down the heat so that a consistent but not rolling boil is reached. Add water if necessary during the cooking time of about 1 hour. When a tester comes out clean, immediately turn out cans. This has not proved problematic for me so far. Using a potholder turn a can upside down and the loaf should slide out.

Delicious hot, warm, cold, or toasted.

NOVEMBER 2021 23

The Face of a Caregiver Carol Gates, Cathedral Director of Pastoral Ministry Caregivers are our frontline workers who serve in hospitals and nursing homes, and the aides who come to the family’s assistance as they care for their loved ones in their homes.

Caregivers are also those who serve as spiritual companions to the sick and suffering – our priests, deacons, chaplains.

Caregivers are our family members and friends who devote extensive time to help others in need - young parents with a special needs child, a wife/husband caring for their disabled spouse, a middle-aged daughter or son caring for their parents. Each person is a caregiver in their own way!

Pope Francis addressed the World Medical Association (2017) as they were preparing to address end of earthly life issues and how to care for the sick and elderly when a cure is not to be found: 24 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

“ … the supreme commandment of responsible closeness, must be kept uppermost in mind, as we see clearly from the Gospel story of the Good Samaritan (cf. Lk 10:25-37). It could be said that the categorical imperative is to never abandon the sick … this is where, more than anything else, we are called to show love and closeness, recognizing the limit that we all share and showing our solidarity. Let each of us give love in his or her own way—as a father, a mother, a son, a daughter, a brother or sister, a doctor, or a nurse. But give it!”

Give love. Reach out in love.

Most importantly, we reach out with loving care for the patient, and yet as caring Catholic Christians, we recognize the need to extend loving care also to the caregivers.

Statistics reveal that 25% of adults in our nation provide care for another person in need. Think about it this way

“Caregiving can demand so much of a person that the caregiver may suffer spiritually when prayers are seemingly unanswered, or depression, anxiety, and doubt enter in.”

- every fourth person in the pew is a caregiver in some capacity.

Sometimes family members willingly reach out to care for their family members with special needs or illnesses. At other times, family members are not so willing, yet they recognize and accept their responsibility to serve in this way. Caring at first may come naturally and without many issues. However, after a time, caregivers can become weary, reacting to the challenges, which can lead to emotional and physical strain. Caregiving can demand so much of a person that the caregiver may suffer spiritually when prayers are seemingly unanswered, or depression, anxiety, and doubt enter in. Yet there are positive aspects of this ministry, as many report the time spent in caregiving gives them a sense of fulfillment. They may have a warming of the heart to know that they were able to help during a loved one’s great time of need.

If an individual has not yet been called to serve in this way, chances are great that one day each of us may be placed into a caregiver role.

How can we help a caregiver?

If you are aware that a friend, neighbor, or a family member spends many hours each week caring for a loved one, reach out in love to them. Offer to bring them a meal or send a thinking of you card (the patient is rightfully the center of the caregiver’s attention, yet the caregiver needs and deserves care as well). Let them know they are in your thoughts and prayers. Remind them of the importance of restful breaks, the need to replenish their energy, and of seeking help when needed, as this will result in a more positive attitude allowing them to be an even better caregiver.

A Caregiver’s Prayer for whom they care for Compassionate and healing God, help us to see your face in the faces of our sisters and brothers who are sick or injured.

Guide us to reach out to them with hearts of compassion and hands which serve their needs.

When they are anxious, help us to know how to reassure them.

When they feel alone, help us to notice and be present.

When they feel confused, help us to listen and assist in finding answers to their concerns.

When they need comfort, help us to communicate care and understanding.

When they are weak or discouraged, help us find ways to refresh their spirits.

When doubt or darkness touches them, give your Light to guide them and lift them up.

Help us as caregivers to always turn to You as the source of our own strength and compassion as we seek to serve the needs of our sisters and brothers who are vulnerable.

Amen.

Prayer from https://www.chausa.org/ (Catholic Health Association of the U.S.)

NOVEMBER 2021 25

St. Vincent’s Boarding and Day School, ca. 1892; Sisters Arsene Lales and St. Joseph Lavanant, center back; Courtesy of Sister Sharon Rambin, SFCC

The Durier Years Patti Underwood The year is 1884. Bishop Francis Xavier LeRay has been installed as Archbishop of New Orleans. In November, he attends the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore, which urges the establishment of a Catholic school in each parish.

He is accompanied on the trip by Father Antoine Durier, the 26-year pastor of the Church of the Annunciation in New Orleans. In January, 1885, Father Durier is notified of his appointment as the third Bishop of Natchitoches by Pope Leo XIII, and his consecration takes place at the St. Louis Cathedral on March 19, 1885. When the new bishop makes his papal visit, the Holy Father counsels him, “My son, neglect nothing towards providing Christian schools for my children of upper Louisiana.”

Bishop Durier inherits a diocese that has been without a bishop in residence for most of the ten years since the death of Bishop Auguste Martin. Due to the effects of the Civil War, Reconstruction, floods, crop failures and epidemics, several schools have closed and the religious orders that administered them have moved away. His lone asset in regard to religious education is the Daughters of the Cross, who are operating four schools in three cities: Shreveport, Marksville, and Monroe.

26 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Mother Anne of Jesus Nicolas, niece of Mother Hyacinthe Le Conniat, is Superior General, having returned from St. Joseph’s Novitiate in Lambezellec, which she built with her inheritance. The new resident chaplain, Father Napoleon Joseph Roulleaux, appointed in 1883 by Bishop Le Ray, has strengthened the Catholic formation offered by the Daughters of the Cross in heavily Protestant north Louisiana by establishing the Apostleship of Prayer, with a Sister in each school as a Promoter of the League of the Sacred Heart. In addition, he has reorganized the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary to more effectively foster holiness and devotion. In a few short years, enrollment at St. Vincent’s more than doubles.

In 1886, Bishop Durier issues a directive that each Catholic parish in his diocese have a school. The following year, he calls for weekly school visits and annual examinations by the pastor. He also forms the first Commission of Education to facilitate the establishment of Catholic schools, standardize the curriculum, and conduct examinations.

During his 19-year episcopacy, four new schools are begun by various religious orders, including St. John Berchmans

daughters of the cross series College for Boys in Shreveport by the Jesuits in 1902. In that same time period, the Daughters of the Cross open five schools: Immaculate Conception, Mansura, 1887; St. Peter Claver, Shreveport, 1887; St. Anthony, Cottonport, 1889; St. Francis de Sales, Moreauville, 1899; and St. Michael, Shreveport, 1899.

By the second half of the 1880’s, St. Mary’s in Shreveport is bursting its seams, and a new convent and school is erected in 1888 with a loan from the Board of Trustees of Holy Trinity Church. That fall, St. Vincent’s is filled to capacity, and the next spring the gallery is enclosed to accommodate four new boarders. The Superior, Mother M. Eulalie Vandegaer, petitions Bishop Durier for permission to build a larger school, but the good bishop is unwilling to allow the Sisters to assume any more debt. When issue is broached again during the bishop’s canonical visit in the summer, he is unmoved -- until Father Roulleaux steps forward to personally assume responsibility should the Sisters be unable to pay. The spacious and modern new school, built according to plans drawn up by one of the Sisters, is completed in the spring of 1890. The threestory building includes two dormitories, four classrooms, a large recreation hall, an infirmary, and a couple of modern innovations: steam heat and water conveniently piped from the spring into a cistern, which is accessed by a tap.

In 1898, the campus is graced with a beautiful new chapel designed by Father Roulleaux.

With its peaceful setting on Fairfield Hill, nestled among the gardens and pastures, orchards and woods, and its iconic spring, and possessing a spirit of unity under the leadership of Father Roulleaux, St. Vincent’s is a favorite of Bishop Durier. In the spring of 1903, the bishop suffers a stroke. He sends funds to Father Roulleaux with instructions to build an addition at St. Vincent’s so that

he can have a restful retreat. However, before it can be completed, the bishop dies on February 29, 1904.

Some 25 years later, Sister St. Ignatius Le Roux, who came to St. Vincent’s from France in 1881, writes that there is a story that Bishop Durier loved to tell. His father, walking in his vineyard near Lyons, France, lamented that God had not given him a son to care for his lands after his death.

As he walked, a man approached who told him that he would indeed have a son, but he would not care for his lands. The son to be born would be a priest, a missionary, and a bishop. Sure enough, the following year, Antoine was born. And in the course of time, after overcoming his father’s objections, he did become a priest, a missionary, and a bishop. According to his wishes, Bishop Antoine Durier was laid to rest in the cemetery of the Daughters of the Cross at St. Vincent’s Convent. Today, his tomb is in the Mausoleum at Forest Park Cemetery, bottom row, second from the left on the right-hand side.

Bishop Antoine Durier, 3rd Bishop of Natchitoches https://www.diocesealex.org/bishop-antoine-durier-3rd-bishop-of-natchitoches/

[St. Mary’s, Shreveport] From Across Three Centuries by Sister St. Ignatius, D. C.

NOVEMBER 2021 27

hispanic news

28 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

Por el Obispo Hubo un tiempo en la historia, tanto en tiempos bíblicos como en otros tiempos, que las personas que mostraban señales de enfermedad mental, eran consideradas poseídas por el maligno.

Un ejemplo que recuerdo claramente es como la Iglesia y la sociedad en general juzgaba el suicidio. Como resultado, a los que se suicidaban se les negaba un funeral Católico. Recuerdo en nuestro vecindario cuando yo era niño, una mujer escogió la muerte en vez de la vida, y por la ignorancia de esta enfermedad, la gente, inclusive veía a toda su familia con un sentido de culpa.

Tristemente la enfermedad mental ha afectado muchas de nuestras familias.

La mayoría de nosotros, no tenemos las herramientas, y en nuestra frustración, nos damos por vencidos. Yo tenía una tía y mi abuelita que sufrían de depresión maniaca. La gente las alejaba, las encerraban en asilos, y las ignoraban por tener esa enfermedad.

Uno de mis mejores amigos sacerdotes, de hecho, mi mentor en el seminario, se quitó la vida y dijo que era por la depresión. Aunque no es solo la gente que se suicida, sino que mucha gente sufre de ansiedad y depresión, y muchas otras enfermedades mentales que les impiden llevar una vida normal y funcional.

Leyendo las Sagradas Escrituras, sin embargo, con frecuencia me admiro de la tremenda afinidad que Jesus tenía con aquellos que estaban enfermos; física, espiritual y mentalmente. Él se acercaba a esta gente con amor, les imponía las manos, arrojaba los demonios, y no tenía ningún miedo en su presencia.

Cuando leo estos encuentros, me pongo a pensar inmediatamente de como trato yo a los que tienen enfermedades mentales. Algunas aun con el mejor cuidado médico, el alivio completo está muy distante de ellos. Me tengo

Misas en Español que preguntar yo mismo si esta es la manera de tratar a aquellos, que no por su propia culpa sufren más de lo que debieran sufrir.

Existe una página de internet en Facebook llamada “Remembering Port Richmond.” PR es el vecindario en Philadelphia donde yo crecí. Y aunque la mayoría de lo que se publica son fotos de edificios, iglesias y escuelas, ocasionalmente alguien publica algo sobre los “personajes” que vivieron en nuestro vecindario. Hace dos semanas alguien escribió acerca de un hombre llamado, “Gussie.” Era un hombre inocente que exhibía señales de estar, como se los digo, “fuera.” Y aunque no tenía ni un hueso de maldad en su cuerpo y era amado por sus vecinos, también era molestado por mucha gente. Creemos que este hombre tenía una enfermedad mental que le impedía vivir lo que la mayoría de nosotros llamamos “una vida normal,” y era tratado mal por muchos.

El punto de esta historia es que cuando surge el tema de enfermedad mental, nosotros, como discípulos de Cristo deberíamos siempre e inmediatamente hacernos esta pregunta: ¿A Quién ven ellos cuando nos ven a nosotros? ¿Somos como Jesus para ellos? ¿Se benefician de nuestro amor, nuestras oraciones, nuestra ternura, y de nuestra comprensión, aun cuando es un desafío hacerlo?

Los invito a buscar en las Sagradas Escrituras, especialmente en los Evangelios y lean los pasajes donde las personas con discapacidades mentales se encuentran con el Señor, y después preguntarnos a nosotros mismos qué es lo que ve y escucha la gente cuando se encuentra con nosotros. ¿Es a Jesús a quien ellos ven en mí?

CRISTO REY: BOSSIER CITY Rev. Fidel Mondragon 318.221.0238 Oficina Domingo 1:00pm Lunes 7:00pm Sabado 6:00pm Coordinador Oscar Gomez 972.567.2710 San Pascual: W. MONROE Rev. Luis Jost, OFM Domingo: 4:00pm Coordinadora: Lorena Chaparro 318.267.4018 SANTO TOMAS AQUINO: RUSTON Rev. Edward Shea, OFM 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 11:30am Coordinadora: Alma Mendoza 318.678.9306 SAGRADO CORAZON: OAK GROVE Rev. Jean Bosco Uwamungu 318.428.2983 Oficina • Cada dos semanas, Domingo 5:00pm SAN JOHN THE BAPTIST, MANY Rev. Francis Kamau, FMH 318-256-5680 Oficina • primer domingo del mes Domingo 5:00pm SAN PABLO: MINDEN Rev. Rigoberto Betancurt 318-458-6045 Cell 2do Domingo 4:00pm Coordinadora: Dora Rodriguez 870-904-9137

CONTACTO DIOCESANO: Rosalba Quiroz, Directora 318.219.7265 rquiroz@dioshpt.org

Maria Ivelis Sanchez, Secretaria 318.219.7257 isanchez@dioshpt.org

NOVEMBER 2021 29

School News St. Frederick High School has been named the #1 Private High School in Ouachita Parish for 2022 by Niche. The 2022 Best Private High Schools ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents.

Ranking factors include SAT/ACT scores, the quality of colleges that students consider, student-teacher ratio, private school ratings, and more. Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education, Niche users, and the schools directly. Congratulations, Warriors!

30 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

St. Frederick High School 2021 Homecoming Court:

Standing: Junior Maids (Isabella Moore and Makira Howell), Sophomore Maids (Mallory Mardis and Julia Marsala), Freshman Maids (Marsala Trahan and Finley Ortega) Seated: Football Sweetheart (Grace Tannehill) and Senior Maids (Rosemary Manning, Hannah Burgess and Emery Pipes)

Members of St. Frederick Highschool’s St. Vincent de Paul Club Lexie Bourgeois, Marsala Trahan, Maddie Klaire Ewing and Alyssa Dismuke volunteered at the gumbo supper held at Jesus the Good Shepherd Church. This annual fundraiser benefits the NOVEMBER 2021 31 Community Pharmacy in Monroe, LA.

Bishop Malone Celebrates SJS’ 70th Anniversary Mass Polly Maciulski, 5th-8th grade Religion The Year of Saint Joseph continues to be a truly memorable one for St. Joseph Catholic School. On Friday, Sept. 17th, the actual anniversary of our first-ever day of school in 1951, Bishop Malone joined our pastor and our parochial vicar, Fr. Matthew Long and Fr. Kevin Mues, in celebrating this special school Mass. The students have come to expect a “Q &A” session during Bishop’s homilies, and he did not disappoint (nor did they). As soon as the last line of the recessional hymn, “Oh Blessed St. Joseph” ended, everyone headed to the playground for a drone picture,

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followed by a special presentation of current and former students of SJS, as well as an ice cream party and a pep rally. Msgr. Joe Gremillion and the Sisters of Divine Providence would have loved to see this SJS family so joyously celebrating our first 70 years of academic excellence surrounded by faith.

SJS has also offered a Patriotic Rosary in commemoration of 9/11, and a beautiful procession to celebrate the Memorial of St. Therese of the Child Jesus on Friday, Oct. 1st. During the

Memorial Mass, students also donated to Diocesan Retired Clergy, resuming the collection we began two years ago to support our beloved priests when they reach retirement after a life of service to the Church.

As we begin our fourth year of implementing the Education in Virtue program, faculty and staff of SJS have started a new practice to recognize students who are living the Virtues in their daily lives: Caught Practicing Virtue cards.

We already recognize students for living the Virtue of the Month,

but the virtue cards are for those often-overlooked moments when students show that they know how to become like God: showing courtesy by holding the door open for someone who is a few steps behind you (or your teacher who has his or her hands full); being Obedient by doing what you are told to do immediately, without hesitation or argument; or living Industriousness by giving your best effort to your school work, even if you struggle with it. We even started nominating our peers for living the Virtue of the Month:

Ms. Peggy Gremillion was named Faculty/Staff Christian Witness for the Virtue of Obedience (if you know Peggy, you know it was a nobrainer).

Ice; music performed by Magnolia Mae; and a cornhole tournament.

It was a great night of fun and fellowship celebrating our 70th year.

St. Joseph Catholic Church and School held our first-ever “Falcon Fest ‘21” on Saturday, October 23 on campus. It was a fundraiser for our school, but more than anything, it was a celebration. Falcon Fest offered face painting, bouncies and rides from Duvall’s; food from Dilla’s Primo Quesadillas, Hot Dawg Hut and Sophie’s Italian

We ask for your continued prayers for us as we strive to achieve our mission: to provide an authentically Catholic education directed towards academic excellence and the formation of each child in the virtues of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

NOVEMBER 2021 33

Flyer Community Invests more than $102,000 in Loyola College Prep for its First Giving Day Jordan Harris, Loyola College Prep Director of Communications The Loyola family joined together on Sept. 23 and raised over $102,400 during its first Flyer Giving Day. Close to 200 gifts contributed to the day’s success from donors that included alumni, faculty, parents, grandparents, board members, and community partners.

“We are truly honored and humbled by the outpouring of support from our Loyola family,” said John LeBlanc, Loyola College Prep Principal. “I am not surprised to see how our community rallied together, but I am overwhelmed with gratitude for their dedication to our school and students.” For the first Flyer Giving Day, donors could choose where they wanted their dollars to make the greatest impact: Annual Fund, Community Scholarship, or the Chemistry Lab Renovation. All gifts to the Annual Fund are applied to the school’s most pressing needs and benefit 34 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION

current students in all aspects of their educational experience, in addition to providing resources for academic, technological and athletic support.

The Community Scholarship Fund helps supplement families’ financial responsibility beyond what is available from our limited endowment funds. Loyola is committed to providing all academically qualified students a quality education regardless of their ability to pay full tuition.

The school is hoping to begin work to renovate the existing Chemistry Lab this summer that will take the science program at Loyola to a new level.

“Over the past few years of change, the Flyer Family came together like never before, and yesterday was no different,” said LeBlanc.

“The success of Flyer Giving Day wouldn’t have happened without the commitment, passion, and dedication to Loyola College Prep from our family.”

Saint John Berchman’s Middle School Students Take Graduation Portraits and Prepare for Pines Camp Retreat Benjamin Luckett, Cathedral of Saint John Berchmans Director of Communications At the time I’m writing this, last week, our eighth graders took their portraits in celebration and anticipation of something that seems so far away and yet, will be here in just a moment- graduation.

I don’t remember everything about my graduation ceremony, and I certainly don’t remember my eighth-grade year (except the cringe-filled moment of me asking a classmate to homecoming). And as the years go by, middle school, high school, and even college become more and more irrelevant in conversation. However, the one thing that did stay with me was my faith.

By the time you read this, our eighth graders will have gone on a religious retreat to Pines Camp, where they too will be bolstered in their faith and grow closer to one another. One of our teachers, Amy Vitacca, who has chaperoned the retreat in the past says, “They

will return from camp with the confidence they need to become leaders in our Church and society.”

And while our eighth graders are gone, our 6th and 7th graders, too, will go on their retreats locally.

In the years to follow, they may not recall every talk that happens on these retreats, remember all the jokes they shared while staying up

late in their cabins, or even what prayers and experiences they had with God. But, just as my faith has helped keep me out of trouble these last few years, we pray that their’s will do the same, keeping them safe from evil and continuing to guide them as they become the leaders in our Church and society.

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around the diocese

Father Mark Watson Celebrates 25 Years of Priesthood This summer, Father Mark Watson celebrated his 25th Anniversary of his ordination, celebrated with two Masses at both Saint Mary of the Pines and Sacred Heart Parish in Shreveport. Thank you Father Mark for all your years of loving service, and we wish you the best in the years to come!

On the Feast Day of Saint Vicent DePaul (September 28) Jean Marilyn Finger was awarded the Saint Vincent dePaul Jubilarian Award at Saint Mary of the Pines Catholic Church. This award started in Phoenix and it is an award to honor those who have served the poor for many years.

Congratulations Marilyn!

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Sacred Heart Parish held their annual ProLife Mass on October 3. L’Anne Sciba from Mary’s House and her husband Joe were in attendance to receive a check.

Sacred Heart raised $773.58.

An Ignatian Expression of Gratitude Lindy Brasher, MRE As I reflected on the past year and the effects of the pandemic, I found myself filled with gratitude and in awe of our Creator’s generosity.

God gifted the Diocese of Shreveport with two compassionate hearts who serve at St. Francis Medical Center in an extraordinary way.

Fr. James Dominic Thekkemury and Fr. Philip Theempalangattu go above and beyond their call

of duty as chaplains by risking their health to offer prayers of healing and the Sacrament of the Sick to those in need.

I am confident St. Ignatius of Loyola would be honored if I attributed his words below to Fr. James and Fr. Philip for their selfless dedication: “Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous.Teach me to serve as you deserve, To give and not to count the cost, To fight and not to heed the wounds, To labor and not to seek to rest, To give of my self and not ask for a reward, Except the reward of knowing that I am doing your will.”

Thank you both for your endurance, dedication, unselfish love and for helping me find God in all things - even in a pandemic.

OLBS Celebrates Transistus of Saint Francis on October 3 The Transitus of St. Francis is traditionally celebrated

by Franciscans all over the world on October 3rd when St Francis crossed over from life on earth to eternal life with the Lord. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Shreveport held the celebration on Oct 3rd.

Father Karl’s blessing of St. Jude’s Pre-School and Kindergarten class.

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library notes: picks for black catholics month 1. BLACK CATHOLICS ON THE ROAD TO SAINTHOOD 2021 BY MICHAEL R. HEINLEIN

—Very Rev. Brian G. Paulson, S.J., Provincial Superior, USA Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus

“Black Catholics on the Road to Sainthood is an inspiring look at six holy Black men and women who mirrored Christ in service to others. All of them persevered, despite the many rejections they encountered, giving Black Catholics today the inspiration to meet the obstacles of racial inequity with equal grace and love, and providing insight to all Catholics, regardless of race, into the effects of systemic racism and the many gifts and talents people of color bring to the Church. The accompanying reflections, written by Catholic laity and religious, provide deeper insight into the lives of the six candidates for Canonization, and how best we can learn from them and emulate their examples in our own lives.”

3. BLACK CATHOLIC STUDIES READER: HISTORY AND THEOLOGY 2021 BY DAVID J. ENDRES, ET. AL.

-The National Black Catholic Congress 2. THE SPIRITUAL WORK OF RACIAL JUSTICE: A MONTH OF MEDITATIONS WITH IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA 2021 BY PATRICK SAINT-JEAN, S. J. “Saint-Jean’s book beautifully weaves together several threads: the author’s personal experience as a Jesuit in formation who is both an immigrant and a Black man; poignant reminders of the long history of race-based violence; calls for racial justice; and the perennial wisdom of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, with their focus on examining our sin so that we are free to love God and neighbor. The end result is an invitation to the interior work necessary to deepen our commitment to racial justice.”

“This first-ever Black Catholic Studies Reader offers an introduction to the theology and history of the Black Catholic experience from those who know it best: Black Catholic scholars, teachers, activists, and ministers. The reader offers a multifaceted, interdisciplinary approach that illuminates what it means to be Black and Catholic in the United States.

This collection of essays from prominent scholars, both past and present, brings together contributions from theologians M. Shawn Copeland, Kim Harris, Diana Hayes, Bryan Massingale, and C. Vanessa White, and historians Cecilia Moore, Diane Batts Morrow, and Ronald Sharps, and selections from an earlier generation of thinkers and activists, including Thea Bowman, Cyprian Davis, and Clarence Rivers.”

4. TAKING DOWN OUR HARPS: BLACK CATHOLICS IN THE UNITED STATES 1998 BY DIANA L. HAYES, ET. AL. A lauded pre-cursor to the Black Catholic Studies Reader: History and Theology, Taking Down Our Harps,”introduces the challenge of Black Catholics to theology and the Church. Contributors examine where Black Catholics have come from and where their futures lie in a church in which they see themselves as coparticipants.”

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Slattery Library has re-opened to the public! Our hours are 9am-Noon Monday through Friday. Please wear a mask when visiting the Catholic Center and as always, if you’d like to inquire about a book or periodical before your visit, please e-mail Kate Rhea at krhea@ dioshpt.org or call (318) 219-7264.

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Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal What shall I return to the Lord? ( ) $15,000 ( ) $10,000 ( ) $7,500 ( ) $5,000 ( ) Other $

( ) $3,500 ( ) $2,000 ( ) $1,500 ( ) $1,000

( ) $800 ( ) $750 ( ) $650 ( ) $500

( ) $400 ( ) $350 ( ) $300 ( ) $250

( ) $200 ( ) $150 ( ) $100

Please list below any special intentions or requests for which you would like prayer assistance:

Enclosed is a pledge payment of: $ for year 2021.

Please make checks payable to Diocese of Shreveport Name Address City/State/Zip Church

Diocese of Shreveport 3500 Fairifeld Ave Shreveport, LA 71104 Or donate online at www.dioshpt.org

Seminarian Burses Thank You Recent Donors: (019) Ms. Beth Glenn ($500) (020) Mrs. Rosemary C. Ward ($1000) (020) Mr. Richard W. Ward ($400) (019) Clare G. Coburn ($75) (020) Chris A. Ward ($100) (018) Charles & Nadalie Thomas ($100) 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) (026) nSheryl 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)

Incomplete Burses: (001) Fr. Mike Bakowski Memorial Burse #2 ($1250) (002) Joseph & Antoinette Bakowski Memorial Burse ($3050) (003) Sam R. Maranto Memorial Burse ($1650) (004) Kathryn Atherton Cook Memorial Burse ($350) (005) Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Burse ($950) (006) Msgr. J. Carson LaCaze Memorial Burse #2 ($3832.12) (007) Dr. Carol Christopher Memorial Burse ($1200) (008) St. Jude Parish Burse ($6118)

(009) St. John Berchmans Knights of Columbus Council 10728 Burse ($1550) (011) Rev. David Richter Memorial Burse #2 ($3404) (015) Bishop’s Seminarian Burse ($2910) (016) Elaine Malloy Frantz Memorial Burse ($1000) (017) Msgr. George Martinez Knights of Columbus Council 1337 Burse ($7521.57) (018) Knights of St. Peter Claver Council 144 Burse ($1180) (019) Margaret Glenn Memorial Burse ($8460) (020) Dr. James V. Ward Memorial Burse ($9015)

(021) Rev. Edmund “Larry” Niehoff Memorial Burse ($2000) (022) Rev. Blane O’Neil, OFM Memorial Burse ($600) (023) Msgr. Edmund J. Moore Memorial Burse ($1020) (024) Rev. Joseph Puthupally Memorial Burse ($1100) (025) Kathleen Hightower Memorial Burse ($400) (028) Friends-n-Faith Burse ($300) (029) Rev. Kenneth Williams Memorial Burse ($100) (030) Ottis and Anne Krupa Littlejohn Memorial Burse ($3000) (032) Madeline and Joe Tiller Memorial Burse ($1000)

The Diocesan Seminary Burse program provides the faithful of North Louisiana the opportunity to invest in the education and formation of our seminarians into holy and effective priests to serve the Diocese of Shreveport.

Interested in contributing to or establishing a burse?

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

Be sure to note the name of the burse in the memo line. Burses are completed at $10,000.

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CATHOLIC CONNECTION DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT 3500 Fairfield Ave.

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Shreveport, LA 71104

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

Congratulations to Holy Trinity Catholic Church for celebrating their 125th anniversary of the dedication of their parish church, as well as their 165th anniversary of the initial founding of their parish. Another congratulations to this year’s first annual “Trinitarian Award” recipient, Lawrence W. Pettitte, Jr., as well as Father Duane Trombetta, who was named Holy Trinity Parish Pastor.

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