March 2022

CATHOLIC CONNECTION Volume 31 No. 8 | March 2022

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CATHOLIC CONNECTION PUBLISHER

Bishop Francis I. Malone

EDITOR

Kierstin Richter

CONTRIBUTORS

Mike Van Vranken Kim Long Mary Arcement Alexander John Mark Willcox Patti Underwood Rosalba Quiroz Polly Maciulski Kate Rhea Julia Vanchiere Deacon Scott Brandle Father Peter Mangum Karl Yabut Sr. Carol Shively Kathy Schimschock

EDITORIAL BOARD Deacon Mike Whitehead John Mark Willcox Kim Long Kate Rhea Rosalba Quiroz Fr. Matthew Long Dr. Carynn Wiggins Fr. Pat Madden

SUBSCRIPTIONS & ADDRESS CHANGES Contact: Blanca Vice Email: bvice@dioshpt.org Write: The Catholic Connection 3500 Fairfield Ave. Shreveport, LA 71104 Call: 318-868-4441 Fax: 318-868-4609

SUBMISSIONS

Contact: 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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COLUMNS 4 6

Saint Joseph, Patron of Good Death Vocations: Come and See Events Reveal Truth About Seminary Life 11 Mary’s Mission: How to Have a Healthy Lent 13 Daughters of the Cross Series: The Vocation of Earline Smith 17 Mike’s Meditations: Here He Is: The Man 19 Synodality: Holy Skepticism 22 Faithful Food: We Ain’t Got No Hard Times…

27 Library Notes: Picks for Lent 37 Catholic Charities: Lenten Almsgiving

NEWS 20 24 28 30 33 34 35 36 38 42 43

SEEK and You Will Find Congratulations to our Students of the Year Hispanic News Gloria Patterson Celebrates 33 Years of Teaching at Saint Joseph School Saint John Berchmans News: February is for Celebration Want to know more about Tuition Assistance at Loyola College Prep?

Saint Frederick High School: Hard As Nails More School News Catholic Charities Annual Report Around the Diocese Seminarian Burses MARCH 2022

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from the pope

Saint Joseph, Patron of Good Death GENERAL AUDIENCE: Paul VI Audience Hall; Wednesday, 9 February 2022 In last week’s catechesis, once again inspired by the figure of Saint Joseph, we reflected on the meaning of the communion of saints. And starting precisely from this, today I would like to explore the special devotion Christian people have always had for Saint Joseph as the patron of a happy death; a devotion that arose from the thought that Joseph had died, comforted by the presence of the Virgin Mary and of Jesus before he left the house of Nazareth. There is no historical data, but since we no longer see Joseph in public life, it is believed that he died there in Nazareth, with his family.

And Jesus and Mary accompanied him up to his death.

A century ago, Pope Benedict XV wrote: “through Joseph, we go directly to Mary, and through Mary to the origin of all holiness, who is Jesus”. Both Joseph and Mary help us to go to Jesus. And encouraging pious practices in honor of Saint Joseph, he recommended one in particular, and it went like this: “Since he is deservedly considered to be the most effective protector of the dying, having expired in the presence of Jesus and Mary, it will be the concern of the sacred Pastors to inculcate and encourage [...] those pious associations that have been established to implore Joseph on behalf of the dying, such as those ‘of the Good Death’, of the ‘Transit of Saint Joseph’ and ‘for the Dying.” (cf. Motu proprio: Bonum Sane, 25 July 1920): they were the associations of the time.

Dear brothers and sisters, perhaps some people think that this language and this theme are only a legacy of the past, but in reality, our relationship with death is never about the past — it is always present. Speaking

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about himself a few days ago, Pope Benedict said, that he “is before the dark door of death.” It is good to thank Pope Benedict, who at 95, has the clarity [of mind] to tell us this. “I am before the obscurity of death, at the dark door of death.” It is good advice that he has given us. The so-called “wellness” culture tries to remove the reality of death, but the coronavirus pandemic has brought it back into focus in a dramatic way. It was terrible: death was everywhere, and many brothers and sisters lost loved ones without being able to be near them, and this made death even harder to accept and process. A nurse told me that a grandmother with Covid was dying, and she said to her, “I would like to say goodbye to my family before I leave.” And the nurse bravely took out her mobile phone and put her in touch with them. The tenderness of that farewell…

Nevertheless, we try in every way to banish the thought of our finite existence, thus deluding ourselves that we can remove its power and dispel fear. But Christian faith is not a way of exorcising the fear of death; rather, it helps us to face it. Sooner or later, we will all pass through that door.

The true light that illuminates the mystery of death comes from the Resurrection of Christ. This is the light. And Saint Paul writes: “Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain” (1 Cor 15:

12-14). There is one certainty: Christ is resurrected, Christ is risen, Christ is alive among us. And this is the light that awaits us behind that dark door of death.

Dear brothers and sisters, it is only through faith in resurrection that we can face the abyss of death without being overwhelmed by fear. Not only that: we can restore a positive role to death. Indeed, thinking about death, enlightened by the mystery of Christ, helps us to look at all of life through fresh eyes. I have never seen a removals van behind a hearse! Behind a hearse: I have never seen one. We will go alone, with nothing in the pockets of our shroud: nothing. Because a shroud has no pockets. This solitude of death: it is true, I have never seen a hearse followed by a removals van. It makes no sense to accumulate if one day we will die. What we must accumulate is charity and the ability to share, the ability not to remain indifferent when faced with the needs of others. Otherwise, what is the point of arguing with a brother or with a sister, with a friend, with a relative, or with a brother or sister in faith, if then one day we will die? What is the point in being angry, in getting angry with others?

Before death, many issues are put into perspective. It is good to die reconciled, without grudges and without regrets! I would like to say one truth: we are all on our way towards that door, all of us.

The Gospel tells us that death comes like a thief. This is what Jesus tells us: it arrives like a thief, and however much we try to keep its arrival under control, perhaps even planning our own death, it remains an event that we must reckon with, and before which we must also make choices.

Two considerations stand for us Christians. The first: we cannot avoid death, and precisely for this reason, after having done everything that is humanly possible to cure the sick, it is immoral to engage in overzealous treatment (cf.

Catechism of the Catholic Church, no.

2278). That phrase of the faithful people of God, of the simple people: “Let him die in peace,” “help him to die in peace”:

such wisdom! The second consideration instead concerns the quality of death itself, the quality of pain, of suffering.

Indeed, we must be grateful for all the help that medicine is striving to give, so that through so-called “palliative care,” every person who is preparing to live the last stretch of their life can do so in the most humane way possible. However, we must be careful not to confuse this

Nevertheless, we try in every way to banish the thought of our finite existence, thus deluding ourselves that we can remove its power and dispel fear. But Christian faith is not a way of exorcising the fear of death; rather, it helps us to face it.

Sooner or later, we will all pass through that door. help with unacceptable drifts towards killing. We must accompany people towards death, but not provoke death or facilitate any form of suicide. Remember that the right to care and treatment for

all must always be prioritized, so that the weakest, particularly the elderly and the sick, are never rejected. Life is a right, not death, which must be welcomed, not administered. And this ethical principle concerns everyone, not just Christians or believers.

I would like to underline a real social problem.That “planning” — I don’t know if it is the right word — but accelerating the death of the elderly. Very often we see in a certain social class that the elderly, since they do not have the means, are given fewer medicines than they need, and this is inhuman; this is not helping them, it is driving them towards death earlier. This is neither human nor Christian. The elderly should be cared for as a treasure of humanity: they are our wisdom. Even if they do not speak, or if they do not make sense, they are still the symbol of human wisdom. They are those who went before us and have left us many beautiful things, many memories, much wisdom. Please, do not isolate the elderly, do not accelerate the death of the elderly. To caress an elderly person has the same hope as caressing a child because the beginning of life and the end are always a mystery, a mystery that should be respected, accompanied, cared for, loved.

May Saint Joseph help us to live the mystery of death in the best possible way. For a Christian, a good death is an experience of the mercy of God, that comes close to us even in that last moment of our life. Even in the Hail Mary, we pray to ask Our Lady to be close to us “at the hour of our death”.

Precisely for this reason, I would like to conclude this catechesis by praying together to Our Lady for the dying, for those who are experiencing this moment of passage through this dark door, and for the relatives who are experiencing bereavement. Let us pray together: Hail Mary…

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Come and See' Events Reveal Truth About Seminary Life Spending the weekend at a college seminary this past November helped 76 teens from 18 southern dioceses realize the seminarians there were just like them. Three of them were from the Diocese of Shreveport.

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"Come and See" participants at Saint Joseph Seminary College include: Eli Broussard, Michael Calvaresi, Miguel Allen, Fr. Peter B. Mangum (Vocations Director), Tristan Frisk (Diocese of Shreveport seminarian) and Karl Yabut (chaperone).

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ometimes guys think priesthood is so far beyond their level of holiness. They misunderstand what true holiness is and what constitutes a good spiritual life. Weekend retreats like “Come and See” help young men realize the reality of seminary life. This year’s discernment retreat took place at Saint Joseph Seminary College (“St. Ben’s”) in Covington, November 5-7, 2021.

Retreats like these help the young men to see that the seminary is not a strange place.

Most seminaries offer events like these for young men who might have a call to the priesthood. Saint Joseph offers them twice a year. The next will be the weekend of Palm Sunday.

As vocations director, I enjoyed my first “Come and See,” weekend, and I look forward to taking a new group in April. Many just assume they have to be 100% sure about the priesthood by the end of high school and if they’re not, they decide not to enter the seminary.

However, no one enters with complete certitude he will become a priest. At the college level at least, they’re still discerning, so the seminary’s really a place to discern a vocation to the priesthood. You go because you feel there’s a possibility that you’re being called.

The highlights for many of those attending included: a crawfish boil, soccer match, talks on discernment led by the seminarians about prayer and academic life, adoration, praying the Liturgy of the Hours, and an Emmaus Walk, which allowed each student oneon-one time with a seminarian to ask questions and seek advice. They learn that seminarians are just regular guys they can relate to. The young men even got to sit in on philosophy and theology classes.

One student said, “I went in expecting them to lecture us and have no fun, just praising God all the time.” Instead, he said the seminarians were friendly and funny, and he was relieved to see how much he had in common with them. “They joked around MARCH 2022

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like me, and just made me feel like I belonged. Now after the visit I really feel like I could see myself going there.”

“When I first got there, I was surprised with the place, the abbey church, and the cafeteria. Everything was just outstanding,” said Miguel Allen, a parishioner of the Cathedral Parish. “We had plenty of free time where you could do anything, go on a hike, play some sports or walk around the campus. The place is very peaceful and quiet, and that makes it easier to feel a connection and easier to have a conversation with God. There I realized that Fr. Peter is a person just like us - he was playing ping pong with us at 11 pm. And the food was very good.”

Another highlight for everyone was the Benedictine monks of Saint Joseph Abbey for evening Vespers and Mass and receiving a blessed St. Benedict medal from the rector of the seminary.

“The students really got what it was like to be a seminarian,” said chaperone, Karl Yabut. “A ‘Come and See’ weekend is a great weekend,” he said, and he will encourage more Catholic high school students and college students to attend this April.

The majority of those who participate in the weekend do not enter the seminary, but they will 8

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always have a better appreciation for seminary life and be quick to encourage each other.They will have their relationship with the Lord nourished.

Tristan Frisk, a seminarian for the Diocese of Shreveport, attended the retreat several years back and, because of the experience, decided to apply to the seminary. “I would recommend a ‘Come and See’ trip for anyone,” he said.

There is a lot of maturing that needs to happen in college, along with developing a prayer life. Seminary formation is designed for that purpose. Even if a young man attends college seminary and decides not to be a priest, he has still received a great education in the process.

“Not only is there academic formation there but there’s spiritual formation, human formation, and apostolic formation, it’s all there,” Tristan said. “It develops them into good, fine, Christian men.”

Please pray for these young men as they make lifechanging decisions over the next few years.

VERY REV. FATHER PETER MANGUM, JCL is the Vocations Director for the Diocese of Shreveport, rector at the Cathedral of Saint John Berchmans as well as Chancellor for Canonical Affairs.

Come and See Discernment Weekend St. Joseph Seminary College Covington, LA April 8, 2022 - April 10, 2022 Calling all young men!

Have you ever thought you might be called to be a priest? Not sure if seminary life is right for you?

Come and See! The Diocese of Shreveport wants to take you on an all-expense paid trip to see what seminary life is like and help you discern God's call.

When: April 8, 2022 - April 10, 2022 (leaving Friday morning, returning Sunday evening) Destination: St. Joseph Seminary College (75376 Rover Rd., St. Benedict, LA 70457) Who can attend: Young men (high school and college age) 16 years old to mid-20s.

Cost: Free Note: This can qualify as a college visit for those in junior and senior year of high school.

For more information or to register contact: Your youth leader, DRE or Pastor for assistance Email Fr. Peter B. Mangum: fathermangum@yahoo.com MARCH 2022

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How to Have a Healthy Lent

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mary's mission

Priest: What are you giving up for Lent this year?

Parishioner: Facebook Priest: Ah, yes. Because giving up Facebook is just like being nailed to a Cross (insert laugh) In honor of Lent, I decided to do something different by beginning with a little humor (hopefully you at least smiled).

In all seriousness, if you gave up Facebook or other social media this Lent, know that you are doing great! I doubt Jesus is judging you for it. I think we should all give up social media at least once a week all 52 weeks of the year. With that said, what are you giving up this year? Is it something you struggle to go without on a daily or weekly basis? Is it something that you do not care too much about but at least you are giving up something? On the other hand, maybe you are deciding to do things a bit different this year like adding to your Lenten experience along with or instead of giving something up. I want to challenge you to think outside the box this Lent. What do I mean? I mean think bigger or different from chocolate, alcohol, TV, junk food, etc. As a mental health professional who also happens to be a cradle Catholic, I want to suggest different ideas for Lent in addition to our traditional Lenten ideas.

First, for the next 40 days make the intentional choice to slow down and just be instead of doing. If you do not already have a practice of daily prayer, this is an excellent time to not only begin this amazing practice of faith but also give you ample time to develop it as a habit. In case you did not know, it takes around 66 days for something to become a habit. The forty days of Lent will help you get more than halfway there. A daily practice of prayer is an excellent way to simply be; be yourself in front of the Lord, be present with the Lord, be open-hearted towards what the Lord may be asking of you. You may now be asking yourself, “So does that mean I just don’t do anything and be lazy instead?” The answer, of course, is no. The act of being versus doing is less about laziness and more about intention. For example, if you are a busy body (like me) and you find it difficult to sit for too long, when you have the urge to fill up your Saturday with this thing or that thing, intentionally choose to not follow your to-do list and instead follow the Lord. Perhaps He is telling you to go for a walk in your neighborhood without your phone, which allows you to be present in nature. On the other hand, He may be calling you to be present with your children and/or spouse without phones, television, laptop, or other. Above all else, trust He is speaking these words to you, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Ps. 46:10).

Secondly, go to the Adoration chapel at least once a week and spend as little or as much time as you have with Jesus. Once there, I challenge you to sit before Him with

palms facing upward (a gesture of receiving) and say these words, “Thy will be done, not mine.” I must confess I stole this idea from Edward Sri (a well-known Catholic speaker), who told his story on discernment. He said that after much angst regarding a then very important decision, he finally fell before the Lord and spoke those words. I know firsthand that it is very powerful. This simple yet profound act of giving up your will so God can do the work He set out to do from the moment of your conception, frees you in an unexplainable way.

Thirdly, give up being hard on yourself. If I had a dollar for every person who has ever sat in my office telling me all the terrible, horrible, very bad things about themselves, I could retire today. We as people are so very hard on ourselves and please know, I am preaching to the choir! I spent too many precious breaths tearing myself apart piece by piece.

It was not until I became a counselor and committed myself to be the healthiest version of myself to be a healthy counselor that I learned to stop such behavior. Moreover, it was during this same time that God did some of His best work in and through me. If you commit yourself to the 40 full days of Lent to stop negative self-talk and replace it with positive and loving thoughts, I can promise that you will be a changed person on Easter morning. Brothers and sisters, if you believe that God made you in His image and that God is perfect in every way, why would you ever believe you are worthless or not enough. It truly does not make any sense yet hundreds and hundreds of Christians around the world think so little of themselves. Decide to stop being one of those Christians this Lenten season.

Lastly, in honor of the enormous sacrifice made by Jesus, sacrifice something for another. Sacrificing can sound very scary to some people because they deem it as something big. Sacrifices can come in big and small packages. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us, no need for you to do the same. For a small sacrifice, allow your spouse, child, or other to have the last piece of your favorite pizza. Instead of spending $7 on a ridiculous Starbucks beverage, spend $7 at Carpenter Coffee House and buy a beverage for a friend. I think you get where I am going here. Pause each day during Lent and ask yourself, “What kind of sacrifice can I make today for another?” Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (Hebrews 13:16) Have a happy healthy Lenten Season!!

MARY ARCEMENT ALEXANDER is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a private practice in Shreveport, LA. You can read more on her blog, www.throughhiseyes.love MARCH 2022

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The Vocation of Earline Smith The year is 1935. In a wood-frame house in the small town of Rambin, Louisiana, the cry of a newborn pierces the taut atmosphere. The baby is blue. Hurriedly, the child’s grandmother carries her to the kitchen sink, where she administers an emergency baptism. Earline Smith, the only child of Earl and Myrtle Rambin Smith, survives and grows into a happy, independent girl.

When Earline is five, she has the first glimpse of her vocation.While visiting her mother at Schumpert Hospital in Shreveport, she catches sight of a nun, a Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word. Turning to her father, she announces, “That’s what I’m going to be!” (left) Sister Maria Goretti Smith, D. C., Novice June 12, 1954 Courtesy of Sister Maria Smith, D. C.

At the age of six, Earline learns to ride on her black Shetland pony. She enjoys listening to St. Louis Cardinals games with her father and helping him milk the cows on their dairy farm in Gloster. On Sundays, Mr. Smith drops off his wife and daughter at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Stonewall before he heads to the Baptist church. The Irish priest, Father Cahill, brings them home after Mass and stays for dinner. Earline and her mother always attend First Saturday Mass, and the family prays the rosary together every night.

When Earline is fifteen, her parents enroll her in St. Vincent’s Academy as a boarding student. She soon settles into her daily routine: rise at 5:30 a.m., Mass (optional, but she always attends), then working in the first-floor dining room until breakfast and classes.

After school, the boarders are served a snack, such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. A sister eats with them at meals, and the sisters help them if MARCH 2022

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Earline Smith, 1st Grade, Courtesy of Sister Maria Smith, D. C.

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needed at study hall after supper. On certain nights they can go swimming in the pool.

Earline, who has always attended public schools, appreciates the advantages offered at St. Vincent’s. In addition to daily Mass, Catholic traditions such as the Advent wreath ceremony and the May crowning are observed at St.Vincent’s. She feels a closer bond with the students and the sisters by spending so much time with them. Earline enjoys getting to know the sisters, in particular, Sister Miriam Caplis, her sophomore homeroom, English and religion teacher; Sister Bernardine Riley, her junior and senior homeroom and English teacher, and the principal, Sister Cornelia Cashore, who is said to have eyes in the back of her head. One day in math class, a pupil on the back row whispers to her neighbor, “What time is it?” Sister Cornelia, writing on the board, doesn’t miss a beat as she answers, “It’s a quarter to twelve.” A few times, the girls try taking the elevator to the fourth-floor dormitory instead of using the stairs, but they always find Sister Cornelia waiting at the top. During her senior year, Earline works in the principal’s office, which she refers to as “our office.” In the summers, Sisters Mary Anne Gaudin and Patricia Tynan invite

Fifth Grade Class, 1957, Sister Maria Goretti, D. C., Instructor, Presentation Academy, Marksville, Louisiana

Earline to assist them with Vacation Bible School in Rambin, distributing materials, helping with snacks, and handing out prizes for correct answers.

After graduation, Earline spends one last summer at home before entering the convent as a postulant on the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, September 8, 1953. The following year, she takes the habit and receives the white novice veil, and she pronounces her temporary vows on the feast of St. Francis de Sales, January 29, 1957, taking the name Maria Goretti. In the fall, she is given her first class, fifth grade at Presentation Academy in Marksville, where she picks up the local Cajun accent.

After school, she has the girls and boys basketball teams. Presentation has a dirt court, so for practice, they borrow the public school gym, which is only available on Saturday mornings. The next obstacle is obtaining funds for uniforms for the teams. Sister Maria Goretti solves this problem by selling green construction paper shamrocks for a quarter on the street corners on St. Patrick’s Day in Cajun country.

After two years at Presentation and one year at St. John’s in Shreveport (where she coaches a girls basketball team), Sister Maria Goretti professes

Earline Smith, June 12, 1954, Courtesy of Sister Maria Smith, D. C.

her final vows on August 15, 1960, in the chapel at St. Vincent’s. Immediately after the ceremony, the other sisters leave for their schools, but Sister Maria Goretti stays behind to celebrate with her family.

The following day, a family from Monroe arrives to bring her to her assigned school. As they near their destination, they exclaim, “There it is!” But all Sister Maria Goretti can see is cotton fields. Finally, it comes into view, the brand new school, Jesus the Good Shepherd.

PATTI UNDERWOOD is a lover of history and is blessed to be a graduate of St. Vincent’s Academy and LSU-Shreveport.

Earline Smith, May 28, 1953, Courtesy of Sister Maria Smith, D. C.

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HERE HE IS: THE MAN MEDITATIONS ON THE QUESTION OF MANHOOD 16

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Normally translated “Behold, the man,” (Jn. 19:5), the Message Bible translates Pontius Pilate’s words as: “Here he is, the man.” Most commonly heard during Lent and Holy Week, Pilate points to a beaten, bloody, broken Jesus, his head adorned with sharp thorns, his body covered in a purple cloak. The complete opposite of a royal figure, this image of Jesus captures who he really is. He asks us to follow him. His ministry encourages us to imitate him.

But the world pulls us in another direction.

It seems everyone has their own particular definition of manhood. You know, to many, men are supposed to be strong, decision-makers, providers, and leaders. We should be rugged, non-wavering, and have a desire to take control to make things right. How often are we told to “Be a Man?” To me, there may be no more valuable practice during Lent than to compare my own male characteristics, attitudes, and activities to those of the man Pilate referred to when he said: “Here he is: the man.”

Be a man, and “learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Mt. 11:29). Is being meek the same as being patient and kind? Does it mean gentle and mild?

In Jesus’ world, and to some in ours today, meek, and humble were not manly virtues. Humility happens when we are led by love and not our ego. Jesus was humble to his heart. His humility was built on intimate love. To be a man in Jesus’ eyes, I must be gentle, mild, selfless, and loving. Am I anywhere close to becoming the “Man” that Pilate was referring to? One could argue Pilate was being a prophet here, calling each of us to be more like Jesus, the man.

Be a man, and live the beatitudes. Be poor and poor in spirit, be one who hungers and thirsts for righteousness, be merciful, be clean of heart, be a peacemaker. We are called to live all of these beatitudes if we want to be like Jesus. And if living these brings us insults and every kind of persecution, we are told to rejoice and be glad. This is the kind of man I’m called to be.

Be a man and “Stop condemning” (Lk. 6:37). How did Jesus live this? “Has no one condemned you?” he asks the woman caught in adultery. “Neither do I condemn you,” he adds (Jn. 8:11). Do I ever condemn anyone because of their actions? When I do, I have rejected being “the man” Pilate pointed to.

Be a man and “Stop judging;” “Be merciful just as your father is merciful” Lk. 6:37, 36). To be a man, we must stop judging and start forgiving. Yet a huge part of our

mike's meditations

national system is judging and punishing. We literally elect and appoint people to judge. Yet, “The Man,” said not to judge. We also have an entire penal system used to punish. However, “The Man” very clearly said to forgive.

Are we even close to “being a man?” Do we consider nonjudgment, as well as forgiving, to be manly virtues?

Be a man and “put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Mt. 26:52). Our tongue and the words we say can be our sharpest swords. Am I a man who inspires people and lifts the lowly and depressed? Or am I not a man at all as I tear down and break people into submission to my ways of thinking and doing?

Be a man and “be moved with compassion” for others (Mt. 14:14). The man Jesus had deep compassion when he saw a crowd of hungry people. Nowhere does it say he called them lazy or uneducated or that the people just do not want to work. No! He had heartfelt compassion for them and loved them so much he fed them.

Be a man and long to gather God’s children “together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings” (Lk. 13:34).

Do we realize that “being a man” like Jesus means loving and caring like a mother loves and cares for her children?

As men, do we look for ways to take on motherly characteristics as Jesus did? Would it embarrass you if you acted motherly?

Be a man as “Jesus wept” (Jn. 11:35, Lk. 19:41, Heb. 5:7-9). Are you afraid to openly cry? Would crying cause you to question your manhood? Jesus, the Christ, cried like a human being. His intimate emotions were part of who he was, and those same emotions are part of us men too. When you are moved to tears, just be a man and cry.

I imagine the only way to follow Jesus is to build a relationship with him and live as he did in the gospels.

See how he acts. Hear what he says. Follow his lead.

Very simply, he was a man of love and forgiveness. He welcomed everyone yet allowed them to reject him if they so desired. The next time you want to be more of a man, sit in the quiet and listen to Pilate and imitate the one he is referring to when he declares: “Here he is: the man.”

MIKE VAN VRANKEN is a spiritual director, a member of the teaching staff for the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center of New Orleans Formation of New Spiritual Directors, an author and a speaker.

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Holy Skepticism 18

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synodality When you are praying, how does it feel to know, that you know, God is actually listening to you? For me, it feels like an overwhelming immersion in God’s unconditional, forgiving love. It makes me smile, it grabs my attention and often brings me to tears. God is listening to little, ole me! Similarly, how does it feel when another human being places all their attention on you and they, too, listen intently to your story? Again, for me, I experience those same feelings as when I am convinced God is listening to me. I ask you to ponder: what would the world look and feel like if more of us listened to and walked with each other?

When I first read, in May of 2021, that Pope Francis had called a Synod on Synodality, I laughed out loud. It sounded like we were going to have a synod on synods.

What? Did I hear it right? Is this some kind of double-talk to sound religious? What new changes were in store for us with a synod to discuss synods?

However, I quickly learned the real meaning of this process and excitingly devoured every article, podcast, and video I could find. And while it all sounded much better, I was still a skeptic. How would this work, and again, how would the Church change in light of such a process? And the question many of us ask: why should I get involved just to be, once again, disappointed in the outcome?

I may be a slow learner, but if I give something enough time to sink in, I can finally get the point. And the point here, as always, is not about changing the Church.

My involvement in the process is not about changing Catholicism or keeping it the same. My experience is a self-experience. In other words, how will I change? This synod on synodality is designed to help me learn to listen to and walk with you, with others, with everyone, all so that my heart will change. I’m not in this to change your heart.That’s between you and God. If I enter this process while having an open ear, mind, and heart, I will begin to engage in my own inner search for God and, with great expectations, I will long to be resurrected with a new mind and a new heart of my own.

You see, we do not change the Church or keep it the same by worrying about hierarchical matters. We’ll leave those decisions up to the hierarchy. That’s what they do. No, we change the Church by changing ourselves; by changing the way we listen; by changing the way we accompany others; truly by changing our consciousness of experiencing Christ in other human beings.

As Catholics, we are sacramental people. We engage in the Church by encountering Christ in the sacraments.

Then, we live the graces of those sacraments by engaging in encounters with Christ in the people God places in our paths. We are called to live our faith; to live our sacramental nature in the world just like we do in church.

We are called to encounter Christ in other humans.

When we do; when we listen to and walk with them, all in the consciousness of the presence of Christ, our own minds and hearts are converted. We personally are the ones who are graced with change. And, because the people of God are also the Church, when we change, the Church changes. If our consistent practice is to listen to and walk with each other, then it becomes the consistent practice of the Church as well.

How about you? In what ways are you skeptical about the listening sessions going on around the diocese right now? Be honest with yourself; how are you skeptical about all of this? You do not have to forgive yourself for being skeptical. There is no sin here. It’s brutal honesty that brings us before God so we can first listen to and walk with him.

What gets in the way of allowing your own heart to change? Is it fear? Fear of what? Is it ego? Are you willing to let God change your heart in this process? What would a changed heart look like?

I believe a changed heart opens my eyes a little. I begin to see others not by what they do (salesperson, working mom, custodian of a building, political leader, etc.). When a changed heart opens our eyes, we begin to see others in their authentic, God-created identity. We finally see each other as beloved, unconditionally loved daughters and sons of God. This is our true and only identity. We are the loved children of the Father, sisters and brothers of Christ the Son, and temples of the Holy Spirit.

Being made in God’s image and likeness, and being adopted as his children is a gift, a divine grace. If I can see you as God’s loved and beloved, then I can listen better, I can hear what you are saying, I can feel where you are coming from, and I can better understand your perspective. This is what a synodal church will look like.

Will you join us, and invite others to join us as well?

MIKE VAN VRANKEN is a spiritual director, a member of the teaching staff for the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center of New Orleans Formation of New Spiritual Directors, an author and a speaker.

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SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND College and professional students across the diocese gather to attend SEEK, a virtual conference hosted by FOCUS This past weekend (February 4-6, 2022), students from ULM,Tech, Centenary, LSUS, LSUHSC-S, and young adults came together in community to watch Catholic keynote speakers during the SEEK22 conference hosted by FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students). The groups were divided among three main groups: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Young Adult Group, Medical/Professional School Students, and Undergraduate Students. There were over 50 in attendance that participated as their schedule allowed them. The purpose of SEEK22 virtual conferences extends deeper than the thought provoking, inspiring messages, or personal testimonies that every Catholic keynote speaker provided over the weekend. It 20

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allowed participants to encounter Jesus Christ amongst their community and peers.

As a quick recap of the weekend, we started by gathering for Mass on Friday afternoon at either St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, virtually, or at the Cathedral of Saint John Berchmans.

Then dinner was shared among the small groups, while listening to the keynote speakers throughout the night.

Saturday consisted of morning Mass, breakfast with their respective groups, then launching straight into keynotes and small group discussions. On Saturday evening, there was an hour of Eucharistic Adoration at the Cathedral, St. Joseph’s Adoration Chapel, and at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. For the undergraduate and professional student

side, the sacrament of Reconciliation was also offered during adoration by Fr. Jerry Daigle, and we capped the night off with hot-chocolate and a movie followed by evening prayer. Sunday, we attended Mass at St. Joseph’s in the morning, finished the last keynote with a small group discussion, and ended the weekend with dinner before parting ways.

Throughout the entire weekend, many tears were shed from the laughter and sharing of struggles, the joy from being in community and fellowship was inspiring, there were moments of peace and warmth that simply no words can describe. This weekend was truly impactful to all the participants throughout the diocese, but most importantly to the student’s attending college or professional school here in Shreveport. This weekend gave them the opportunity to not only grow closer as a community, but to finally start seeing what an authentic, Catholic community looks like. Over the span of the last several months, I have frequently met with students and discussed what community means to them and what it can look like here in Shreveport, but oftentimes they have failed to see it because they never experienced it with one another.

Among those who volunteered their time this weekend were the Catholic young adults of the Diocese of Shreveport, many of whom were active in their Catholic Campus ministry communities during their college years. I wanted their presence to be substantial

so that the undergraduate students would see that the purpose of their organization and their activities are more than just about having fun and creating memories.

Rather the purpose is that they may truly live out the call which we have all been given as life-long missionary disciples of Jesus Christ. Fr. Mike Schmitz was the closing keynote speaker for SEEK22, and in his talk he asked the question, “If you believe that eternal life is possible, how much would you have to hate someone not to tell them about it?” I believe we succeeded in beginning to show our college students that campus ministry is not merely about being part of a community of friends but growing closer to Christ together as a community of disciples and striving to live out Christ’s call to spread the Gospel message among their peers.

I truly want to thank everyone for your support and encouragement by allowing the Catholic college students in the Diocese of Shreveport to experience SEEK22. I ask that you continue to pray for the faithlives of these students and the seeds that the Lord has planted over the weekend may bear the necessary fruits for these students and the path the Lord has for this young community.

KARL YABUT is the Campus Minister for the Western Deanery.

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We Ain't Got No Hard Times…

When I was a child, Captain Kangaroo, the precursor of Sesame Street and other children’s programs, was on each morning and we seldom missed it. The lessons offered by the characters of the show, Mr. Green Jeans and Captain Kangaroo helped carry me through elementary school. It was in this, one of the longestrunning children’s programs, where I first encountered the classic story “Stone Soup ‘’ by Marica Brown. The premise is that three hungry soldiers come into a village where fear and shortages motivated everyone to hide their food. The soldiers realized what was happening and decided to spin a tale beginning with a large pot of water and three-flat stones for their soup and ending up with a pot of soup to which everyone finally contributed an ingredient, and in the end, a feast ensued. This has been a favorite story of mine ever since I first heard it. I have purchased the book many times for baby shower gifts so important was the lesson.

Once I asked my children what a favorite childhood memory was and one piped up: “the soup bucket.” I was uncertain if I should share this memory but here goes…

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faithful food The years when my children were young were my leanest financial years. I have always known that God is the source of all strength, but during those years I often felt rather than leaning on God I had collapsed at his feet. Those were the times when I consoled myself with the age-old truth that God will make a way. God always does that. What made my life significantly more difficult is that I tended to want to try my way first.

Only after several failed attempts using my way did I yield. How much easier would it have been if yielding was my first line of defense. But herein lies one of those valuable lessons I suppose.

The soup bucket was a fixture in our deep freezer.

An old ice cream bucket with a lid into which every bit of leftover vegetables, gravy, or rice found its way.

When the bucket was about 2/3 full I made soup. This is the root of the family joke that my food is usually good but rarely tastes the same way twice. The soup, you see, was in the details.

I am happy to tell you that while my situation is not quite as hard as it was, the lesson I learned from that experience tends to stick with me. I loathe wasting food, and on the few occasions when work and family have kept me too busy to be prudent with any leftovers, I have begged God’s forgiveness for the waste. I still have the bucket. I still make the soup. I still stir, taste, and season. My prayers now are more often gratitude than desperation. And if I am honest I must tell you that I still collapse from time to time when I am reluctant to yield.

I enjoy Lent and the lessons which await me. At this time of the year, a little scheduled deprivation has its place in the liturgical year and our lives. After all the King Cake, gumbo, and Carnival food this seems a welcome clean sweep. Even in unplanned hardship, this season of Lent serves to remind us that in any difficulty there is something to be learned and learn more quickly if we can yield. And in that reminder, I am comforted.

KIM LONG is the Director of Religious Education at Saint Mary of the Pines Catholic Church.

Dice, Mince, (Re)pea(t) Peas are reputed to be a very nutritionally dense vegetable, full of protein. Even at a little over a dollar, a can for some brands it is still less costly than meat. Also, omitting the meat and adding a little more cheese or a red pepper for color makes this a great choice for our Lenten meatless Fridays!

This, like our favorite sweater or dress or slacks, is a forgiving dish. It expands or contracts like our pantry does. The recipe below is one I made Sunday for the family, but you can half it for a smaller amount.

6 Potatoes- peeled, sliced, diced very small ½ to ¾ cup of bacon pieces cooked ¼ cup dried minced onion (my kids say they don’t like onion, but they will eat it this way) Salt and pepper to taste Add all ingredients to a deep skillet, add some water, or stock whichever you prefer. Put a lid on the skillet and turn on a low flame. Stir so it does not stick.

When potatoes are done, add 1/3 stick of butter, 1/3 cup milk, and whatever cheese you have on hand. I used about ½ bag of shredded Italian cheese blend because this was in the fridge. Adjust to your taste.

Replace the lid and continue to cook on a low flame. Ten minutes before serving, add 2/3 can of very early small English peas (any brand) drained and gently combine (you want to avoid smashing the peas). Replace the cover and let cook for another 10 minutes, so all is heated. Serve immediately.

This dish can be made with ground beef, ground pork, sausage, or no meat at all.

I used peas because they are the densest nutritional value for the money. I used potatoes because I like them. I hope you will give this a try and put your own spin on it. May your Lent lead you where you need to be!

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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR STUDENTS OF THE YEAR Sister Carol Shively, Superintendent of Catholic Schools

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Shreveport have much to be proud of by having three students advance as regional finalists this year in the Louisiana Department of Education Student of the Year competition.

and has a judges’ committee that selects one student for each of the three categories from local Catholic and private school nominations to send first to regionals.

Fifth-grader, Harrison Tarver, from Jesus Good Shepherd School in Monroe, eighth-grader, Ellie Franks, from St. Joseph Catholic School and Declan Chmielewski, twelfth-grader from Loyola College Prep, are regional finalists in the state’s annual “Students of the Year” from public, charter and non-public schools.

As a regional finalists, the candidates were selected, based on the electronic portfolios they submitted detailing their academic achievement, leadership skills, character and service to their schools and communities.

They also submitted a writing sample and participated in an online interview to assess their “communications and critical thinking skills.”

The diocese hosts the nonpublic school Student of theYear competition

Good luck Harrison, Ellie and Declan in the next level of competition.

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Ellie Franks

Declan Chmielewski

Saint Joseph School Loyola College Prep 8th Grade Student of the Year 12th Grade Student of the Year Diocesan 8th Grade Winner Diocesan 12th Grade Winner

Jada Ballard

Our Lady of Fatima School 8th Grade Student of the Year

Aiden Clomen

Our Lady of Fatima School 5th Grade Student of the Year

Harrison Tarver

Jesus the Good Shepherd School 5th Grade Student of the Year Diocesan 5th Grade Winner

Rosemary Manning

Kenny Black

Julianna Tan

Ella Claire Leckie

Saint Frederick High School Saint John Berchmans School 12th Grade Student of the Year 8th Grade Student of the Year

Saint Frederick High School 8th Grade Student of the Year

Saint Joseph School 5th Grade Student of the Year

Blake Graff

Saint John Berchmans School 5th Grade Student of the Year MARCH 2022

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library notes The Story of a Catholic World War II Hero is more than that — it is the story of true faith and real virtue, born of a love for God and others, which gave the young Captain Euart the fortitude to do what was needed when the How do we listen to God speak to our hearts, minds, time came. and wills--especially above the noise and stress of the modern world? What is the process of discerning God’s GIVE UP WORRY FOR LENT! BY GARY ZIMAK will? Best-selling author and popular EWTN host Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ, tackles these and other questions in Catholic author and self-described “recovering worrier” this comprehensive book on discernment. Fr. Pacwa Gary Zimak combines practical spirituality, daily scripture draws from St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises, using plenty of readings, and simple action steps to help you kick the everyday examples as well as stories from Scripture to worry habit as part of your Lenten renewal. He shows help clarify his points. He encourages readers to develop you how to let go of the anxiety-producing areas of a rich prayer life and says we can learn to listen to God’s life in order to find the lasting peace that comes from powerful voice and hear him speaking lovingly to us even trusting God. During the season of Lent, Catholics and other Christians frequently give up something they enjoy when we are suffering in some way. as a measure of penance or self-discipline—and often fall back into old habits at the first “Alleluia!” In Give Up ELWOOD: THE STORY OF A CATHOLIC WORLD Worry for Lent!, Zimak offers fellow worriers practical, WAR II HERO BY SISTER LUCIA TREANOR FSE scripture-centered advice on how to relinquish the need Elwood Euart was born in 1914 in Pawtucket, Rhode to control the uncontrollable—not just for Lent but for Island, the second of seven children in a faithful Catholic good—and how to find peace in Christ. family. Athletic, responsible, and likeable, Elwood was just an ordinary guy growing up in the 1920s and ’30s. He had his share of victories and defeats, accomplishments and setbacks, joys and heartaches. He went to Mass, helped his family, went to college, embarked on a military career, KATE RHEA is the Library/Cemetery Administrative Assistant for and advanced to the rank of captain in the U.S. Army.

Slattery Library and Saint Joseph Cemetery at the Sister Lucia Treanor, a direct relative of Elwood, tells of his Diocese of Shreveport. extraordinary heroism in the face of danger. But Elwood: HOW TO LISTEN WHEN GOD IS SPEAKING: A GUIDE FOR MODERN-DAY CATHOLICS BY FR. MITCH PACWA S.J.

Slattery Library has re-opened to the public! Our hours are 9am-Noon Monday through Friday. 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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hispanic news

Enseñanzas del Papa Francisco sobre la Cuaresma Rosalba Quiroz, Directora

La Cuaresma comienza este año, el Miércoles de Ceniza - 2 de marzo. Les invito a visitar la página del Vaticano que tiene varios artículos del Santo Padre sobre Cuaresma. A continuación, les comparto solo unas pinceladas de su mensaje para la Cuaresma del 2021:

su vida en la cruz y que Dios resucita al tercer día, “dispuestos siempre para dar explicación a todo el que nos pida una razón de nuestra esperanza” (cf. 1 P 3,15).

La caridad es don que da sentido a nuestra vida y gracias a este consideramos a quien se ve privado de lo necesario como un miembro de nuestra familia, amigo, hermano. Lo poco que tenemos, si lo compartimos con amor, no se acaba nunca, sino que se transforma en una reserva de vida y de felicidad.

La Cuaresma es un tiempo para creer, es decir, para recibir a Dios en nuestra vida y permitirle “poner su morada” en nosotros (cf. Jn 14,23). Ayunar significa liberar nuestra existencia de todo lo que estorba, incluso de la saturación de informaciones —verdaderas o falsas— y productos de consumo, para abrir las https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/es/messages/ puertas de nuestro corazón a Aquel que viene a lent/documents/papa-francesco_20201111_messaggionosotros pobre de todo, pero «lleno de gracia y de quaresima2021.html verdad» (Jn 1,14): el Hijo de Dios Salvador.

Recorriendo el camino cuaresmal, que nos conducirá a las celebraciones pascuales, recordemos a Aquel que «se humilló a sí mismo, hecho obediente hasta la CONTACTO DIOCESANO: muerte, y una muerte de cruz» (Flp 2,8)… acoger y vivir la Verdad que se manifestó en Cristo significa ante Rosalba Quiroz, Directora todo dejarse alcanzar por la Palabra de Dios, que la 318.219.7265 rquiroz@dioshpt.org Iglesia nos transmite de generación en generación…

Vivir una Cuaresma con esperanza significa sentir que, en Jesucristo, somos testigos del tiempo nuevo, en el que Dios “hace nuevas todas las cosas” (cf. Ap 21,16). Significa recibir la esperanza de Cristo que entrega 28

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Maria Ivelis Sanchez, Secretaria 318.219.7257 isanchez@dioshpt.org

Calendario del mes de marzo, 2022 Retiro para servidores parroquiales 11-12, Springhill, LA

misas en español 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 11:30 am Coordinadora: Alma Mendoza 318.678.9306 SAGRADO CORAZON: OAK GROVE Rev. Jean Bosco Uwamungu 318.428.2983 Oficina, Domingo 1:00pm SAN JOHN THE BAPTIST, MANY Rev. Francis Kamau, FMH 318-256-5680 Oficina • primer domingo 5:00pm

SAN PABLO: MINDEN Rev. Rigoberto Betancurt 318-458-6045 Cell 2do Domingo 4:00pm Coordinadora: Dora Rodriguez 870-904-9137 SAN JOSE: MANSFIELD 305 Jefferson Street Mansfield, LA 71052 Rev. Rigoberto Betancurt 3118-458-6045 3er Domingo 3:00pm

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Gloria Patterson Celebrates 33 Years of Teaching at SJS The SJS family has been blessed with many reasons to celebrate during our 70th anniversary year.

As anniversaries often do, this year’s milestone has us reminiscing about our past: the people who have given of their time, talent or treasure to our school, and an appreciation of their place in our story.

This year, one of our teachers celebrates her 33rd year of teaching at SJS. This teacher has worn - and

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still wears - numerous hats during her time on our campus: first as a student, then as a parent, next as a teacher, and now as a grandparent!

Gloria Maranto Patterson, our Elementary Religion teacher, first stepped onto the campus of St. Joseph Catholic School in 1965 in first grade. After graduating from SJS, she continued her Catholic education at St. Vincent’s Academy (Class of 1977). Gloria then went

on to earn her Bachelor of Arts Degree at Louisiana Tech University, and married Bob Patterson, now her husband of 39 years. She and Bob have one beautiful daughter, Stephanie Patterson Pringle, whose children with husband Andrew now attend SJS: Alexis (5th grade) and Towner (2nd grade).

Gloria remembers an SJS campus with fewer buildings and more grass; only one Kindergarten House

(not quite a village); and most notably, when the Sisters of Divine Providence were the teachers and principals. She has received all of her Sacraments here, and is now the one preparing her students for such milestones in their faith journeys.

Hired by Principal Carmen Heflin in 1988, Gloria began her tenure as a first grade teacher with Ann Wright and Alvina Buck, just as daughter Stephanie was beginning school

here. In 2003, a position opened as an Elementary Religion teacher. She made the switch, and has been in that position ever since. Her students remember her for making them feel special, for always expecting the best from them. Former student Aubry Carmody had this to say about his time in her classroom: Although it has been 25 years since I was in Mrs. Patterson’s first grade class I will always remember

the cherry sandwiches she made us on President’s Day, her eating the tootsie rolls off my “100 Day” project, and most importantly the life lesson of “always go with your first instinct, cause it is most likely the right one.”

Mrs. Patterson has always been a teacher I look back on with the fondest memories. She always made sure to make each one of us feel special and I am positive every student she has encountered shares MARCH 2022

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that same sentiment. I might be biased as I do remember her letting us stay outside for a longer recess a time or two.

Mrs. Patterson was and is still one of my favorite teachers and I am so thankful that she has been teaching for over 33 years. She had a profound impact on me that I still carry with me to this day. Thanks for being you Mrs. Patterson, you are truly the best!

Gloria exemplifies what it means to live a virtuous life, and was actually voted Faculty Christian Witness of the Month for exemplifying the Virtue of Meekness. As my “partner in crime” in the Religion Department at SJS, I know that she is always there when I need her, whether that be planning for next week’s school Mass, a Marian procession, Catholic Schools Week events, or to be a shoulder to cry on.

It did not take long for our principal, Mr Clayton Cobb, to recognize the value of having Gloria on our faculty.

“While I have only been at St. Joseph Catholic School for a short amount of Mrs. Patterson’s time here, I have come to greatly value her commitment to educating young people in the Catholic faith. As a principal, a parent, and as a religion teacher, I know that she is not only qualified to do what she does, but she desires to do her job - her apostolate - quite well, by sharing the love of Jesus each and every day.”

Amen. She taught both of my children when they were here, as well as my youngest brother - something I have come to appreciate more and more as I see our graduates return and reminisce. In 70 years our school has seen ups and downs, triumphs and tragedies, and teachers who stay at the same school throughout such times are the ones you look to for stability; I know she has provided that for me on more than one occasion. A teacher so passionate about her faith, her family and her students as Gloria Patterson is a “pearl of great price,” and St Joseph Catholic School is blessed to have her.

Thank you for your many years of service, Mrs. Patterson!

POLLY MACIULSKI is the Middle School Religion teacher at Saint Joseph School in Shreveport.

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SJS ANNOUNCES 2021-22 STUDENTS OF THE YEAR St. Joseph Catholic School congratulates our Students of the Year for 2021-22: 5th grader Ella Claire Leckie and 8th grader Elizabeth (Ellie) Franks. Both students went on to compete in the next level, and on Friday, January 14, we learned that Ellie Franks won Diocesan Student of the Year/Student of the Year for Private Middle Schools in North Louisiana! In April we will learn how she fared in that level of competition. We are humbled to have two such outstanding students to represent SJS, and we pray for their continued success in and out of the classroom.

FEBRUARY IS FOR CELEBRATION The month of February has been a month full of celebration for St. John Berchmans School! We started the month with our celebration of Catholic Schools Week. We celebrated Mass together, had donut parties, and finished the week off with Cardinal Krewes. Cardinal Krewes is a school competition where students are assigned to mixed-grade teams to compete and build community. It is one of the events our school family looks forward to each year. This year, Cardinal Krewes was followed by a snow-day which brought joy to our school family as they looked forward to an unexpected long weekend and the Read-A-Thon starting the next week.

When we got back to school on Monday, we began tracking our school minutes. Students compete to win by tracking their reading on Read-A-Thon bookmarks and collecting donations through Love My Library. The class with the most average minutes read and the class with the most average donations each has a party in the library to celebrate their achievement! Also the students in each class with the most minutes read and donations raised are invited to a special “lunch with the librarian” event!

This year, donations raised in our Read-A-Thon will primarily support the nonfiction collection. We have been blessed with a large and varied collection through the efforts of librarians from our school opening in 1949 to today. It is time to continue that tradition by replacing out-of-date books and updating our collection for the modern student-reader! We are so excited to see what we can do together to continue to build readers in our school community.

Interested in seeing our Library?

Schedule a tour at https:// sjbcathedralschool.org/visit/

COMING UP AT ST. JOHNS

March 2 - Ash Wednesday Mass with Loyola March 14 - Lenten Penance Service March 21-25 - Spring Break April 1 - Spring Sing April 11-15 - Holy Week April 20-22 - Starbase JULIA VANCHIERE is the school librarian at Saint John Berchmans Cathedral School.

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Want to know more about Tuition Assistance at Loyola College Prep?

At Loyola College Prep, we intentionally strive to keep our tuition affordable and accessible by charging less than the actual cost of education for all students. Loyola offers a variety of tuition assistance options.

Need-Based Assistance Provided by independent outside sources There are two other forms of outside assistance that Loyola accepts – ACE and ARETE scholarship.

These two programs are available for students who attended public school in the previous school year before attending Loyola and have a financial need based on the programs’ income limitations. Families must apply directly to ACE and ARETE and name Loyola College Prep as their school of choice.

For more information on the ACE and ARETE Scholarship programs, visit their websites: aretescholars.org and scescholarships.org.

Need-Based Assistance Provided by the Catholic Diocese of Shreveport Catholic applicants who request financial assistance consideration though the TADS application process are automatically considered for Diocesan assistance.

Discounted tuition rates are also available for Catholic families.

“We want to make options available for all students who seek a Catholic high school education, and at Loyola we have a dedicated team who is willing to work with each individual family and their needs,” said John LeBlanc, Principal at Loyola College Prep. “We have very generous alumni, parents and friends of Loyola who help provide tuition assistance to students through financial donations to our school. We are grateful for their contributions and dedication.”

Assistance Not Based on Need Provided by Alumni Organizations

Need-Based Assistance Provided by Loyola

Both scholarships are merit-based and awarded to students who exhibit good character in scholarship, citizenship and involvement with their church.

Loyola College Prep’s tuition assistance program provides tuition relief to deserving students who are qualified for, but cannot afford the full cost of a Loyola education.

The primary source of tuition assistance comes from the interest income from Loyola’s Endowed Scholarship Fund. Income derived from investments is earmarked for financial assistance and also helps to offset school operating expenses.

In addition, financial contributions to Loyola’s Community Scholarship Fund provides additional funding for needbased aid.

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Each year, the Flyer Alumni Association and St. Vincent’s Academy Alumnae Association awards scholarships to Loyola students. These scholarships are for current or incoming students who are children or grandchildren of alumni/alumnae of St. John’s, Jesuit, Loyola and St. Vincent’s Academy.

If you have any questions about tuition assistance opportunities at Loyola College Prep, call the Loyola Business Office at 318-226-6293. We look forwarded to speaking with you and helping you complete the application process. Applications are due by 3/15/2022 for the first round of funding.

JORDAN HARRIS is the Director of Communications at Loyola College Prep in Shreveport.

HARD AS NAILS Energizing! Inspirational! Amazing! these are just a few of the words used by the attendees at the Hard As Nails Team event Tuesday of Catholic Schools Week at St Frederick High School.

While each day of CSW was filled with special activities, the mission team from Syracuse, New York and their energetic, interactive presentation was the highlight of the week.

The HAN Team of 9 college aged missionaries together with speaker Justin Fatica motivated, inspired, and enlivened the students with interactive contests and games, moving personal testimonies, prayer, and reflections.

Hard as Nails Ministries was founded in 2002, and since that time, Justin Fatica has impacted over two million people.

He’s been a motivational / inspirational speaker for 20 years, ministering in 4 countries and 46 states. Justin has been featured on numerous media outlets such as Good Morning America, ABC Nightline, TBN, EWTN, and was the subject of an HBO film called “Hard as Nails,” as well as a 10-episode television series on EWTN called “You’re Amazing with Justin Fatica.”

“When can we have them back?” Olga Trejo, St Frederick Spanish teacher heard this statement from numerous students in the days following the event.

Kids went across the gym floor to ask forgiveness of fellow students with whom they had been struggling over one issue or another. The healing was powerful!

“We love each other again,” said one student.

Principal, Dr. Carynn Wiggins said: “This was a very powerful event. The presence of God was tangible in our gym as the team shared with our students how amazing they are.

The young missionaries reminded our students that they are unique children of God, loved by Him and that we are called to recognize how amazing all those around us are! The message to be less self-focused and more other centered lead our students to reach out to forgive one another and ask for forgiveness…. The event had a profound effect on our students.”

The team divided up the day into two sessions. Two hours in the morning were spent with the high school students and two hours in the afternoon were devoted to the junior high.

Both sessions ended with the students kneeling before an image of the crucifix thanking God for the gift of His salvation and love, and then praying for one another as the missionaries moved through the crowd to pray with individuals.

“It was great!” said senior student Noah Neil: “It was like they customized a mini retreat just for us and fit a whole day’s worth of activities into two hours. This was very entertaining, very engaging, very inspirational!”

In the days following the event, the campus was inundated with students telling one another “you’re amazing!” St. Frederick was blessed to have such a dynamic group here!

The faculty, parents and student body give great thanks to the inspiration of Kym Marsala who had seen Justin and felt it would be a blessing to our school, the efforts of the Mission Effectiveness Committee, and to the Parents Association who played a huge role in making this a reality.

DEACON SCOTT BRANDLE is the school chaplain at Saint Frederick High School in Monroe.

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BARHAM & DISMUKE AWARDED ACCOLADES FOR SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY

Two outstanding St. Frederick High School seniors, Margaret Barham and Alyssa Dismuke were recently awarded accolades for their service to the school and community.

Margaret was selected earlier this month as the recipient of the Good Citizen Award from the Fort Miro Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Every year, DAR “recognizes and rewards individuals who possess the qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities.”

In addition to being named the female High School Heisman winner for Louisiana, Alyssa Dismuke was recently honored with the Louisiana Volunteer Service Award from Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. The Louisiana Volunteer Service Award “recognizes groups and individuals who serve with distinction and demonstrate excellence. Volunteers who have contributed 150 or more hours of service in a calendar year can receive this award along with a volunteer service lapel pin.” We could not be prouder of these two Warriors!

TARVER NAMED 2021-2022 DIOCESAN FIFTH GRADE STUDENT OF THE YEAR Harrison Tarver, son of Justin and Dana Tarver, was selected as the 2021-22 Diocesan Fifth Grade Student of the Year. For the past 10 years, Jesus the Good Shepherd School has honored a 5th grade student with the Student of the Year Award. The student then goes

on to compete for the Diocesan Student of the Year. Harrison competed against all other nonpublic 5th grade Students of the Year that reside in North Louisiana. He was selected based on cumulative grades, 3rd through 5th grades, standardized test scores, volunteer work,

Christian attitude, conduct, and positive leadership qualities.

Harrison compiled a portfolio that was submitted to a selection committee in Shreveport and went through an interview process for selection. We are honored to have Harrison represent JGS School!

OUR LADY OF FATIMA KICKS OFF BLACK HISTORY MONTH Our Lady of Fatima School kicked off Black History Month with some very special people!! Several area barbers and beauticians donated their time to give some of our boys and girls a new hairdo! Thank you so much Charles Prince, Henry Steele, and Mr. Gibson of Upscale Beauty and Barber, Suzzon Jiles, Derick Morrison, Jordanna Coleman and TaShira Hawkins. Our kids were so excited about their new “dos”!

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Lenten Almsgiving with Catholic Charities of North Louisiana

Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving are the Three Pillars of the Lenten Season that we, as Catholics, do from our hearts. Prayer and fasting seem to be the most popular practices during Lent as we decide on something to give up for 40 days, sign up for a Bible Study, increase our prayer time or make the commitment to spend time in the Adoration Chapel.

All of which bring to mind the season of Lent. While fasting and prayer are not always easy, these two are more understood than Almsgiving.

The Catholic Church considers almsgiving “a witness to fraternal charity” and “a work of justice pleasing to God” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 2462).

Almsgiving is the act of donating money or goods to the poor or performing other acts of charity.

During Lent, we are asked to focus more intently on “Almsgiving.”

The staff at CCNLA help to strengthen families across 16 civil parishes in North Louisiana within the Diocese of Shreveport which we serve. By offering a “hand up and not a handout,” we ensure that families of any faith are secure and protected for the future.

At Catholic Charities of North Louisiana (CCNLA) we have several ways you can give to help the poor.

Donate Monthly for the Matthew 25 Partnership.

Your donation can be made by a recurring donation through PayPal on our website ccnla.org/donate or

by direct ACH payments or by simply mailing us a monthly check. Your donation supports all our programs allowing us to be able to give assistance to those whose situations are critical.

One-Time Giving can be made by sending a check to our new office at 902 Olive Street, Shreveport, LA 71104 or by going to our website to donate through PayPal. Stock Donations. Please contact the development office at 318-865-0200 ext. 109 to find out more information.

Kroger Community Rewards. Your Kroger Card can be linked to support CCNLA, and a percentage of your spending will be donated directly to CCNLA. “Please consider this a personal ASK from me to you.

We’ve never needed you more,” says Meg Goorley, Executive Director. “We pray that we will see God in everyone we encounter today, but most especially in the least of our brothers and sisters.”

KATHY SCHIMSCHOCK is the Development Director for Catholic Charities of North Louisiana.

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902 Olive Street Shreveport, LA 71104 318.865.0200

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around the diocese

Members of the Knights of Saint Peter Claver, Council 160 and the Ladies Auxiliary, Court 160, at Little Flower of Jesus Catholic Church, Monroe, LA along with members of the Junior Knights and Junior Daughters have been very busy over the past several months by serving the Monroe, Louisiana community. Projects included providing food baskets for families in need at Thanksgiving and Christmas, 2021; Mrs. Claus reading to young students at Little Flower Academy Day Care; providing Christmas gift bags to residents at a local nursing home; and lending helping hands in establishing the Esther Gallow Community Garden sponsored by the University of Louisiana Monroe and Louisiana Delta Community College in recognition of the Martin Luther King, Jr. day of service in 2022.

Fr. Gallagher’s Lenten Mission at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church The parish of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Shreveport invites everyone to attend a Lenten mission led by Fr. Simeon Gallagher, O.F.M. Cap. on the evenings of March 7-10 from 6:007:30 PM. Fr. Gallagher has done several missions in our diocese over the years and has many loyal fans among us! His topic this year is “Living Fully: Franciscan Spirituality for Everyone.

A nursery will be provided each evening. Fr. Gallagher will also offer a re-cap each morning after daily Mass for anyone who missed the previous evening’s presentation. The evening presentations will be livestreamed on the parish’s Facebook page and YouTube as well. For further information, please contact the parish office at (318)798-1887.

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Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal

A Joyful Response ( ) $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 2022.

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

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

Seminarian Burses Thanks to our Recent Donors:

(036) Mr. Frank M. Cordaro ($1000) (034) Mr. Frank M. Cordaro ($5000) (035) Chris A. Ward ($200) Completed Burses: (001) Fr. Mike Bakowski Memorial Burse #1 ($10000) (006) Msgr. J. Carson LaCaze Memorial Burse #1 ($10000) (010) Memory of Rita Scott from the John Scott Family Burse ($10000) (011) Rev. David Richter Memorial Burse #1 ($10000) (012) Jack E. Caplis, Jr., Memorial Burse ($10000) (013) Mary Evans Caplis Burse ($10000)

(014) Bob & Peggy Semmes Memorial Burse ($10000) (019) Margaret Glenn Memorial Burse ($10000) (020) Dr. James V. Ward Memorial Burse ($10000) (026) Sheryl Seal Sweeney Memorial Burse ($10000) (027) Rev. Richard Lombard Memorial Burse ($10000) (027) Rev. Richard Lombard Memorial Burse #2 ($10000) (031) Pearl Heck & Leona Boudreaux Memorial Burse ($10000) (033) Beryl K. & Joseph D. Ozenne Memorial Burse ($10000) 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 ($6218) (009) St. John Berchmans Knights of Columbus Council 10728 Burse ($1550) (011) Rev. David Richter Memorial Burse #2 ($3629)

(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) (021) Rev. Edmund “Larry” Niehoff Memorial Burse ($2000) (022) Rev. Blane O’Neil, OFM Memorial Burse ($700) (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) (034) Joseph B. and Lucille Provenza Cordaro Burse ($6000) (035) Dr. James V. & Rosemary C. Ward Burse ($2700) (036) Msgr. Earl Vincent Provenza 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.

PHOTO OF THE MONTH: BSA Scout Recognition at the Cathedral with Bishop Malone

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