CATHOLIC CONNECTION Vol. 31 No. 1
A Pandemic School Year in Review
ALSO INSIDE: CATHOLIC SCHOOLS MONTH: WHY CHOOSE A CATHOLIC SCHOOL? SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST CELEBRATES 150TH ANNIVERSARY With a Special Visit from Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Christophe Pierre
August 2021
Who Will Fill These Shoes? Bishop Malone reflects on the call for vocations Also Inside: A moment with our newest priest, Father Raney Johnson THE HOME STRETCH Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton welcomes Deacon Nicholas Duncan for his final year of priestly formation
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35 FEATURES
contents
10 I Surrender All: Presence over Productivity 17
A Year of Firsts: Father Raney Johnson Ordained First Native Born Priest of the Diocese of Shreveport
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The Home Stretch: Deacon Nicholas Duncan Finishes Final Year of Priest Formation
30 14 Faithful Food: Making Memories, Charting a Course 24 Catholic Charities: The Road to 902 Olive Street 25 Daughters of the Cross Series: Civil War Aftermath NEWS 30
School News
22 “Our Nation Has Never Been More 35 Divided.” Or Has it? 26 A Pandemic School Year in Review: Catholic Schools Annual Report 36 COLUMNS 38 4 Bishop: Who Will Fill These Shoes? 40
Saint John the Baptist, Many Celebrates 150 Years with a Special Visit from Papal Nuncio
6 Pope: Paul, The True Apostle
Upcoming Events
8 Mike’s Meditations: Jesus & Compassion 12
2 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION
Mary’s Mission: Why Choose a Catholic School?
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A Blessing Bag Lock-In Around the Diocese Hispanic News
ON THE COVER: Bishop Malone and newly ordained Father Raney Johnson at the Cathedral of Saint John Berchmans, see pg. 17
CATHOLIC CONNECTION
Letter from the Editor
PUBLISHER Bishop Francis I. Malone EDITOR Kierstin Richter
CONTRIBUTORS Mike Van Vranken Kim Long Mary Arcement Alexander Patti Underwood Brian C. Jones, PhD Rosalba Quiroz Jori Lacour Polly Maciulski Amy Fakhre Benjamin Luckett Shelly Schmidt EDITORIAL BOARD Deacon Mike Whitehead John Mark Willcox Kim Long Kate Rhea Rosalba Quiroz Fr. Matthew Long Dr. Carynn Wiggins
Pleased to Meet You I LIKE TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING. Although I love ice breakers and opportunities to tell corny jokes in lieu of an introduction, I never actually introduced myself and said hello in my first September issue of 2020. The only identification I supplied was my name at the top of the page, which warranted many a, “Oh! Richter? Like Father Richter?” You got it. The Star Wars Afficiando. Godfather who would call me every year on my baptismal birthday. Alas I am the shorter, feminine, less familiar with Star Wars niece without a J.C.L. in Canon Law. But I do have jokes. And a little bit of theology knowledge. A little. Enough to write a fun article every now and then. But as Deacon Mike Whitehead mentioned in our last editorial board meeting, people connect with a face, and I’d never taken the time to formally introduce myself. I’d spent these last eleven issues speaking from a faceless name. So hello everyone, my name is Kierstin - that’s me, up there in the box. Welcome to Volume 31 of The Catholic Connection. To give a little bit of backstory, I was editor of my college yearbook, as well as copy-editor for the newspaper, writing a weekly advice
column that I’m sure no one actually took the advice from. I was then a college recruiter for a year after I graduated and lived solely off of Billy’s Boudin, crawfish pies, and Popeye’s. And now, finally, I have a job that allows me to design cool things, write stories, and drink coffee with the coolest coworkers, especially those who bring me theological materials to read (shout out to Father Pat). I like rollerskating and longboarding and anything with wheels (except NASCAR, which terrifies me - sorry Dad). I love motorcycles, but I cannot drive a standard (hence the NASCAR terror), but I can parallel park. I also can quote every line to The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and every single line from the entirety of the Harry Potter series. All in all, it’s a great time here on this round planet, and I’m so thankful to have met so many cool people here in our diocese over the course of the past year. So yes, I know I’m a year late, but hey, better late than never, right?
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.
AUGUST 2021 3
from the bishop Bishop Francis I. Malone
Bishop Malone ordains Raney, his “first born” to the priesthood at the Cathedral of Saint John Berchmans.
Who Will Fill These Shoes?
T
he story is told of the celebration of a priest’s 50th anniversary of ordination, coupled with his retirement. The Church was filled with congregants: family, friends, members of the many Churches he had served over the course of a half-century. It was a beautiful liturgy, marked by one curious event that marked the conclusion of the Mass. The 4 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION
priest-jubilarian, prior to leaving the sanctuary, approached the Altar to kiss it, as is our custom. But he stopped, and to a silent congregation, he took off his shoes and placed them upon the altar. He then walked to the front of the altar, and faced the congregation, and pointing to his shoes on the altar asked the question, “Now, who is going to fill them?” Since I have been your bishop, I have presided over the funerals of
two of our priests, both retired, both aged, but priests nonetheless: Father Ken Williams and Father Patrick Scully. I have been informed that the Franciscan Fathers who have served in our diocese for many years will begin, this coming September, to leave and return to their Franciscan home in St. Louis. Over the next two years, we will lose the remaining two Franciscan priests. I am moved to ask the same question of you, my dear brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Shreveport, the same question asked by the retiring priest I cited as I began this article, “who will take their place?”
My hope is that young men will hear that question and in that moment believe that the Lord is calling them to that moment, to that altar, to fill those shoes: To give their lives in service of others, to celebrate the Eucharist, to baptize, to absolve the sinner, to anoint the sick and dying, to comfort the dying, to encourage the young, and give solace to the elderly…and so much more. I want each of us to ask that important question, “who will fill those shoes?” In the early part of this summer I had the privilege of ordaining to the priesthood my first “son,” Father Raney Johnson. Next year I will, God willing, welcome another, Nicholas Duncan. I know you can do the math – our diocese, which spreads from Texas to Mississippi, and from Arkansas to the Diocese of Alexandria, needs more priests to become your parish priests, and those who accompany those entrusted to their care, from this life to the next. One of the best weapons we have is our devotion to the Eucharist and the time you spend in His presence at your parish churches. And we have you – to see in the faces of the young men of our Church a potential priest of our Lord Jesus Christ. Talk to them, encourage them, and tell them about the shoes on the altar – by God’s grace may they fill them, and may we daily pray for them to listen to the voice of the Lord, calling them to His Altar.
One of the best weapons we have is our devotion to the Eucharist and the time you spend in His presence at your parish churches. And we have you – to see in the faces of the young men of our Church a potential priest of our Lord Jesus Christ. AUGUST 2021 5
from rome Pope Francis, Vatican Information Services
paul, the true apostle
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e are delving into the Letter to the Galatians, a little at a time. We have seen that these Christians find themselves in conflict on how to live the faith. The Apostle Paul begins writing his Letter by reminding them of their past relationship, his unease at being far from them, and the unchanging love he retains for each one of them. However, he does not fail to point out 6 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION
his concern that the Galatians should follow the correct path: it is the concern of a father, who has generated the communities in the faith. His intention is very clear: it is necessary to reaffirm the novelty of the Gospel, which the Galatians received through his preaching, to build the true identity on which to base their existence. And this is the principle: to reaffirm the newness of the Gospel, which the Galatians had received from the Apostle. We immediately discover that Paul has a profound knowledge of the mystery of Christ. From the beginning of his Letter he does not follow the shallow arguments used by his detractors. The Apostle “flies high” and shows us, too, how to behave when conflicts arise within the community. Only towards the end of the Letter, in fact, is it made explicit that at the heart of the diatribe is the question of circumcision, hence of the main Jewish tradition. Paul chooses the path of going deeper, because what is at stake is the truth of the Gospel and the freedom of Christians, which is an integral part of it. He does not stop at the surface of problems, of conflicts, as we are often tempted to do in order to find an immediate
solution that gives us false hope that everyone can agree with a compromise. Paul loves Jesus and knows that Jesus is not a man-God of compromises. This is not how the Gospel works, and the Apostle chooses to take the more challenging route. He writes: “Am I now seeking the favour of men, or of God’s?” He does not try to make peace with everyone. And he continues: “Or am I trying to please men? If I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ” (Gal 1:10).
the traditions and the law, he was called to become an apostle to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But we see that Paul is free: he is free to proclaim the Gospel and he is also free to confess his sins. “I was like that”: it is the truth that gives freedom to the heart, and it is the freedom of God.
Thinking back on his story, Paul is full of wonder and gratitude. It is as if he wanted to tell the Galatians that he could have been anything but an apostle. He had been Firstly, Paul feels it is his duty to remind the Galatians brought up as a boy to be a blameless observer of Mosaic that he is a true apostle not by his Law, and circumstances had led him to own merit, but by God’s call. He fight the disciples of Christ. However, recounts the story of his vocation and something unexpected had happened: conversion, which coincided with the God, by His grace, had revealed to apparition of the Risen Christ during him His Son who had died and rose the journey to Damascus (cf. Acts 9:1again, so that he could become a herald 9). It is interesting to observe what he among the Gentiles (cf. Gal 1:15-16). affirms of his life prior to that event: “I persecuted the church of God violently How inscrutable are the ways of the and tried to destroy it. I advanced in Lord! We experience this every day, Judaism beyond many of my own age but especially if we think back to the among my people, so extremely zealous times when the Lord called us. We was I for the traditions of my fathers” must never forget the time and the (Gal 1:13-14). Paul dared to affirm way in which God entered our lives: let that in Judaism he surpassed all others, us keep fixed in our hearts and minds he was a truly zealous Pharisee, “as to that encounter with grace, when God righteousness under the law blameless” changed our existence. How often, (Phil 3:6). Twice he emphasises that he in the face of the Lord’s great works, was a defender of the “traditions of the does the question spontaneously arise: fathers” and a “staunch upholder of the but how is it possible that God uses a law.” This is the story of Paul. sinner, a frail and weak person, to do his will? And yet, none of this happens On the one hand, he insists in by chance, because everything has been underlining that he had fiercely prepared in God’s plan. He weaves our persecuted the Church and that he history, the story of each one of us: he had been a “blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of weaves our history and, if we correspond with trust to violence” (cf. 1 Tim 1:13). He spares no adjectives: he his plan of salvation, we will become aware of it. The describes his own self in this way. On the other hand, he calling always implies a mission to which we are destined; highlights God’s mercy towards him, which led him to that is why we are asked to prepare ourselves seriously, experience a radical transformation, well known to all. knowing that it is God himself who sends us, it is God He writes: “I was still not known by sight to the churches himself who supports us with his grace. Brothers and of Christ in Judea; they only heard it said, ‘He who once sisters, let us allow ourselves to be led by this awareness: persecuted us is now preaching the faith’” (Gal 1:22- the primacy of grace transforms existence and makes it 23). He converted, he changed, he changed his heart. worthy of being placed at the service of the Gospel. The Paul thus highlights the truth of his vocation through primacy of grace covers all sins, changes hearts, changes the striking contrast that had been created in his life: lives, and makes us see new paths. Let us not forget this. from being a persecutor of Christians for not observing
He does not stop at the surface of problems, of conflicts, as we are often tempted to do in order to find an immediate solution that gives us false hope that everyone can agree with a compromise.
AUGUST 2021 7
mike’s meditations
jesus & compassion Mike Van Vranken, Spiritual Director
T
he small Eastern Arkansas town where I grew up experienced racial tensions throughout the ’60s and ’70s. The years I remember most were 1967 through ’69. Amid boycotts and marches, a parishioner of our church became one of the lone white faces in the protests for equal justice. Each day as Mary (not her real name) eagerly and passionately joined the day’s fight for African Americans to be seen and heard, she received verbal and physical threats from white
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citizens, many from her own St. Francis of Assisi Parish family. Our pastor, the late Father Joseph Biltz, not only supported Mary with his own engagement in the marches, he even offered our church as a place to rest and sleep for the protestors. When a reporter asked Mary how she found the courage to walk in the boycotts and protests, her answer was simple and concise: “Catholic Compassion.” In her book, Boundless Compassion, Sr. Joyce Rupp, O.S.M., says that when our attitude includes mindfulness of another’s suffering without bias, our responses can begin to include the practice of compassion. By definition compassion is a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. Notice the words “without bias” and “a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.” Compassion is not the same as pity. It’s not about feeling sorry for someone’s misfortune and then moving
on. No, it includes such a deep and personal feeling for the other, the heart desires a movement or action to remove the suffering altogether. Jesus was deliberate to show us what compassion looks like compared to other responses to suffering. “As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd sternly ordered them to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, “Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!” Jesus stood still and called them, saying, “What do you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him” (Mt. 20:29-34). The story here has the crowd ordering these two men who cannot see as the crowd does to be quiet. In other words, be invisible. Keep your mouths shut. Don’t mess with our status quo here. Jesus, as he always does, turned their attitude of exclusion on its head. Why and how did he do this? Compassion. A movement of love in him was so strong he agreed to remedy their suffering. He did not ask if they were sinners. He did not ask where they went to the synagogue. He did the unimaginable. He reached out and gently, intimately, and physically touched them. He touched them! He wanted to show them he is one with them; that he is connected to them; that he loves them. I am sure some in the crowd left Jesus that day. Their position of privilege caused them to see a different view than Jesus and the two blind men. Some though, probably with hearts open enough for conversion, were themselves moved with compassion after seeing Jesus physically and emotionally encounter the two blind men and they continued to follow him. This story is one of many gospel examples of what it means to follow Jesus. When someone cannot see what I see, I am to move with compassion and touch them so intimately that they begin to see with new eyes, new lenses, with a new perspective.
Spiritual Practice for August Who in my life right now has such a different perspective or “viewpoint” than I do, that I refuse to talk to them; refuse to have a relationship with them; I even judge them? In what situations today am I the blind man? Am I willing to allow another to intimately touch me so I can be healed and converted? Am I so hard-hearted that I will not even let Jesus touch me and heal me through conversion? I encourage you to sit with these three questions and others that God places on your hearts. Have frank conversations with God and be sure to write down and journal your experiences of prayer.
“lord, let our eyes be opened” AUGUST 2021 9
I Surrender All In a world where productivity is prioritized over all, we sometimes forget the humility that comes with surrendering our time and schedules to Christ - to be fully present.
W
Kim Long, Saint Mary of the Pines DRE
hen I was in RCIA in 1987, I was introduced to many new terms, among them were the words Kairos and Chronos, put very simply God’s time and clock time respectively. I found the concept interesting, but my thoughts were taken up with other new terms, and those were pushed aside to make room for the Blessed Mother, purgatory, reconciliation, and holy communion. They occupied my thoughts, showed up in my journal, and commandeered the direction of my prayers as well as conversations with my sponsor.
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In the years between then and now I have heard lots of songs extolling the ups and downs of “time.” From the Rolling Stones assuring their listeners that time was on their side to Jim Croce crooning about time in a bottle to Jimmy Buffett and his imagery of time melting off the clocks. Juxtapose that with taking care of four children, being involved in their school activities, teaching CCD as we called it, going to Mass with my children, and a million other tasks, all of which I took as a matter of course, quipping that I could rest when I was dead. In those years my prayers often consisted of frantic pleas involving what seemed at the time a make or break situation, cajoling and bargaining with God, and many decades of the
rosary, sprinkled with heartfelt exclamations of “thank you Jesus.” I knew my prayer life was lacking but I reasoned some prayer was better than no prayer and I told myself I could work on developing this later. So focused was I on the here and now that I was almost completely immersed in clock time. As the years rolled on I learned to embrace other types of prayers, novenas and litanies which are wonderful and yet I was still “doing,” still approaching prayer very much on clock time. Fast Forward to 2021 and I found myself at the beginning of a very busy week. Armed with a long list and an almost zealous determination, I plunged ahead that morning only to have the first of three major interruptions. I sat and listened to someone and then as theologian, storyteller, and poet, John Shea says, something happens. I became or more correctly allowed myself to become fully present to this person, their story, their need to connect with someone. I leaned into the conversation and when it ended, I was astonished that I had given no thought to my list, my watch, or my zeal to plunge foreward; rather I was present, attentive, and enjoying the opportunity to connect. In the deep corners of my mind I heard the scripture from Matthew, Lord when did we see you lonely? I moved forward in my day. When I am alone, I sing. I do not sing well or on pitch, but when I am alone I sing. I found myself warbling away and realized I had not thought of this song in decades. I Surrender All was a standard altar call hymn when I was growing up. I surprised myself by remembering verses one and two. Driving home later that evening I realized with a shock that despite -or perhaps due to-the interruptions that day everything that needed to be accomplished was accomplished. Driving up to the mailbox I retrieved the day’s mail and in it was a copy of another diocesan magazine. I flipped through it and the word surrender caught my eye in one of the article’s titles. Turning to it I read it while I was still in the car. It spoke of a surrender novena. I was intrigued. I ordered a copy of it right away. Two weeks later with the beads and prayer nestled in the side pocket of my purse, I was running my Saturday morning errands. Standing in a store attempting to be efficient, I made my way quickly up and down several aisles when I stopped in my tracks, frozen, for on the sound loop was playing the hymn I Surrender All. I had a realization that I was not now and perhaps for two weeks on clock time alone. This was a “God thing” and thankfully I had not been to busy to see it. I looked up at the ceiling of the store and smiled, silently I
prayed thank you, message received and understood. At St. Mary’s we talk with our students about “God sightings” and “holy moments,” encouraging them to see God present in their own lives. We comfort one another with the sure and steady belief that when prayers don’t go the way we hoped for, longed for, and prayed for, that God’s time is not our time. A dear friend reminds me (usually when I don’t want to hear it since I am disappointed my prayer didn’t go according to my own human design!) that God’s timing is perfect. The word kairos can be defined as the right or critical moment or the appointed time for the purpose of God. I have not believed in coincidence for most of my life, being more so a signs and omens person. Just as in the story of Mary and Martha’s attributes of being and doing both clock time and God time are present in our lives. I learned that the trick for me is balance. I cannot live in only one, for I am not exclusively a workaholic or a mystic, but I see now that surrendering was a message that had been waiting for me until I was ready. One of the prayers I had added years ago was the “Suspice” prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola, in which he pleads to God to take everything professing that God’s grace is sufficient. When I read the prayer I might not make it to the end, stopping to think, do I mean that line? My grandmother shared with me years ago that when she prayed the Our Father there were times she could not finish it because if she was honest with herself on that particular day, she could go no further and be sincere. At the time I was shocked since she seemed so composed, so trusting, so comfortable and at home with the Lord and her relationship with Him. When I asked her what she meant she smiled and told me that God is always here but we are not always ready to see, hear, or know it. I have begun to realize that surrendering has been with me all along, I just couldn’t see it, I wasn’t ready, and honestly I’m probably not as ready as I will be later. After all scripture reminds us that there is a time for everything. Today I understand more fully what she meant. So while I hang on to my spreadsheets and schedules and plan my weeks to within an inch of my life, my surrender novena beads and prayer card are with me always as a reminder that clock time and God time, like Mary and Martha’s attributes, are a “both/and” rather than “either/or.”
I cannot live in only one, for I am not exclusively a workaholic or a mystic, but I see now that surrendering was a message that had been waiting for me until I was ready.
AUGUST 2021 11
mary’s mission Mary Arcement Alexander, LPC
why choose a catholic school?
I
grew up in a small South Louisiana town with three school options. It was more like two-anda-half options (Bayou Lafourche Academy had about 20 kids total!). My then options were the local public school or Ascension Catholic School. Considering how both my mom and her dad attended ACS, the options quickly narrowed down to one. My class was the first kindergarten class at ACS,
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and I loved it! Ms. Sue was my teacher, and I can still see her sweet smile. My siblings all went to school several years before me, and this left me super jealous. I wanted to be in school with the big kids so badly that I would annoy my mom constantly about when she was going to let me go to school. As soon as ACS opened its doors for kindergarteners, my mom quickly signed me up. From day one, I was the kid jumping out of the car quickly waving bye to mom without
“The mission of the Catholic school is the integral formation of students, so that they may be true to their condition as Christ’s disciples and as such work effectively for the evangelization of culture and for the common good of society.” St. John Paul II one tear shed. Looking back now, I had no idea I was in a Catholic school until second grade when I made my First Communion. I knew I was in school and that was enough for me. Fast forward to 1985, I was over the Catholic school experience. I realize now that the primary reason I was “over” Catholic schools, was more about my restlessness and less about the school itself. I did not appreciate then the great fortune I had to have parents who valued a Catholic education for their children over taking fancy vacations. My twelve years at ACS were mostly good ones. I pretty much went to school with the same group of kids all the way through. I have fond memories of the nuns, namely Sisters Angelle and Marguerite. Their calm demeanors still stand out all these years later. I also have not-so-fond memories of nuns, namely Sister Mary Philip. During the years leading up to 5th grade, I heard horror stories from the older kids about Sr. Mary Philip that truly had me wanting to stay in 4th grade forever! As I entered middle school in the fall of 1980, all my fears dissipated when word got out that she was no longer the principal. Hallelujah! I never actually met her, so in all fairness, she probably was a very lovely person (kids are guilty of exaggerating a lot). In hindsight, I see where having the nuns in school truly did make a difference in my education. To date, one of my best teachers was Sr. Natalie, or as we affectionately called her, “Sr. Nat.” Although at the time she did scare me, she also had another side that made her likable despite the fears. I truly believe today’s schools all need at least one “Sr. Nat!” If you are a parent reading this and you are currently asking yourself, “Why should I send my child to a Catholic school when public school is free?” Here is a list of my “Top Five” reasons why Catholic education is one of the best educations:
1. Smaller environment. Your child will be in a smaller environment where he or she can get the proper attention they need without falling through the cracks.
2. An additional weekly Mass. I think going to daily Mass is a great way to deepen your Catholic faith. This one additional mass (although not daily) can do the same thing for your child.
3. Daily prayer. In a Catholic school, your child will be able to pray aloud every day. Our prayers are our conversations with God. How awesome to know your child will be conversing with God throughout their school day.
4. No fears about what is being taught. In a Catholic school, you can rest assured that your child is not only getting a great education about the basics (reading, math, etc.), but also a great lesson in Godly, Christian values that will carry them throughout life.
5. It’s Catholic! When your faith is important to your family, having your Catholic children attend a Catholic school just makes sense. Trust me when I say it is better than any fancy vacation. AUGUST 2021 13
Making Memories, Charting a Course Kim Long, Saint Mary of the Pines DRE
“But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.” 1st Thessalonians 5:21
I
missed it. I was too busy, time was not on my side, the dog ate my homework, I had a flat tire or whatever other scenario which seemed important and prevented me from driving three hours away and spending more time with my oldest two grandchildren. I was blessed to spend a week with them this summer and like many grandparents, they did not behave exactly as I envisioned. I was caught unaware. They were not five and six years old anymore, eager to go on walks and find treasures in the form of beautiful flowers, leaves, or pinecones. They are both entering the tween years later this year. Oh, I don’t mean they were ill-mannered, they were polite and pleasant and loving. However they had their own opinions and ideas, they were growing up and in a world in which I did not have a great deal of familiarity. I nearly gave in to the mentality and the kiss of conversational death which closes the ears of the intended audience by employing these two statements “when your father was your age….” or its equally deadly companion “when I was a child…” Thankfully I resisted.
sibling rivalry is still around (not too bad though), that my granddaughter has inherited, like many firstborns (I speak from experience), a desire to please, and sometimes hugs, and that ice cream and pizza can be a balanced enough diet. “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:14 I took them home, and as I drove west on the ribbon of gray also known as I-20, I promised myself I would not let so much time elapse between visits. I teared up a little throughout the week when they did something which reminded me of their dad when he was little. I squeezed my eyes shut and wondered where all that time had gone. I loved spending time with my grandmother. I was blessed more than I ever realized since we lived in the same town, attended the same church, and shared many daily conversations. At the end of her life, I was blessed to care for her. One of the things she shared with me was something called a cold plate. This was a popular item “back then” for bridal luncheons, baby showers, and generally, anytime women (without their menfolk) came together to share a meal in the hot delta summers. This plate consisted of two or three salads on a chilled luncheon-sized plate. Heavy contenders for the cold plate included chicken, ham, or tuna salad, pimento cheese, deviled eggs, and captain’s wafers (saltines were for every day!), and grapes.
This week turned into an exercise not so much in finding common ground, we do love one another after all, but rather finding a common language that bridges not only time and space but events which have happened in our lives was, not exactly a straight and well-lit path. We stumbled a bit, we began several times, and in the end, we laughed, played Here is a recipe for chicken salad. I have worked on it and changed it a little bit and when I bring it to any event it is games, visited local sites, enjoyed being a family. always well received. I hope you like it; feel free to adjust any I discovered that pre-teen angst is not much different than seasonings to your family’s taste. Serve it on a chilled plate I remembered it, that my grandson is a comedian, that and happy memories and a glass of lemonade. 14 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION
Ways to Stay Connected with your Long-Distance Grandchildren: • Skype/Facetime/Zoom • Most kids don’t like talking on the phone, but they do like getting mail. • Write a letter, send an article of interest. • Surprise your grandchildren by showing up (prearranged w/the parents so everyone is home!) for seemingly no reason at all. Let them know they are the reason. • Pray for them and let them know they are prayed for and loved by God and by you. • Be aware of what is happening at their school, in their hometown so you can discuss it with them. • Try reading a book together and discussing it. • Meet them somewhere “in the middle” for a movie, a meal, or an event. • Learn something new together. • Pray for their parents. • Educate yourself on something which interests your grandchildren. • When sad, tragic events happen as they will in our lives and in theirs it is good that they know they can count on you at those times too. Recently I attended a funeral for a relative, my former daughter-in-law, who my grands were very close to. The look on their faces when they saw me was amazing. One of them even said “you came” and I said of course I came. I love you.” It sounds simple, but it was impactful and the right thing to do.
faithful faithful food
kim’s chicken salad Bake well-seasoned chicken breasts (about 4 depending on size) When cool enough to handle, shred and set aside. In a separate bowl whisk together ½ cup mayo (we only like Duke’s since it has no sugar), ½ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream. Mix the two together, combining thoroughly. Now the fun begins! Add ½ jar (if you have not used chutney before start with a big tablespoon) of Major Grey’s Mango Chutney (or make your own- it’s very easy and there are many recipes available) and taste. Add to this mixture ½ teaspoon curry powder. Keep mixing until well combined. Chill until ready to serve. Sometimes I add pecan chips and real bacon pieces which we enjoy and which gives a different flavor. As you enjoy this bask in the memories of summertime however you have spent it and give a prayer of thanksgiving for what was, what is, and what will be. AUGUST 2021 15
catholic charities
The Road to 902 Olive Street Jori Lacour, CCNLA Development Director
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or several years talk of relocating the headquarters for Catholic Charities of North Louisiana has floated down the halls of the current office at East 71st Street, the former St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Shreveport. The new location comes to CCNLA as a donation from CHRISTUS Foundation to the Diocese of Shreveport. Originally the location at 902 Olive Street served as an imaging center for CHRISTUS Health System. As imagined, transforming a medical facility into a functional office space has proven to be a costly feat, making the move appear nearly impossible. One challenge that caused the move to be delayed repeatedly was the process of environmental remediation of mold and asbestos. This required all interiors, from walls and ceilings to HVAC systems and floors, to be removed. Nine-year CCNLA veteran Carl Piehl has remained optimistic for the future of CCNLA’s new office
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throughout it all. Piehl says, “it is a far better location—a central location so we know we’ll be able to serve more clients. It puts us in a location where a variety of other non-profits are. It is a safer environment for our friends in need to visit us. It will have even more space to serve the community.” Now a light at the end of the tunnel is coming into view as a target move-in date for January 2022 has been set. After gutting every inch of the future CCNLA office, the building’s interior sits as a blank canvas. Though blank, the architectural plans have reignited excitement for the future home of CCNLA. The progress of 902 Olive Street parallels the work done by the dedicated staffoften seeming to be impossible to fix problems, yet with God’s grace the light at the end of the tunnel emerges. The goal to strengthen families is easily accomplished by remembering our mission to bring Christ’s message of love to the poor and vulnerable by providing quality social services to families and individuals without discrimination and in accordance with Catholic Social Teachings and professional standards. CCNLA is eternally grateful for the consideration and guidance of the Diocese of Shreveport during this transition. We are currently seeking individuals interested in joining the fundraising committee for 902 Olive. Please contact Jori LaCour at (318) 865-2001 ext. 109 or development@ccnla.org for details on how you can join our efforts to become a member of the committee or a donor for our future home.
A Year of Firsts
Father Raney Johnson is not only the first priest to be ordained from the Diocese of Shreveport, he’s Bishop Malone’s first ordination, or as he would refer, his first born son.
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Kierstin Richter, Editor
eing called ‘Father’ will take some getting used to. When I’m with another priest, and someone else says ‘Father,’ I assume they’re talking to him, not me. But then, it turns out they are talking to me.” Ordained earlier this summer, Father Raney Johnson has been stationed at Saint Mary of the Pines in South Shreveport since July 1. We sat in the dark church, lit only by studio lights and two rolling cameras, and I had the opportunity to film a vocations video with Father Raney on his first month of being a priest.
The Diocese of Shreveport has only been independent of the Diocese of Shreveport-Alexandria since 1986, celebrating its 35th anniversary year in 2021; as a result, the children born from the birth of our diocese are just now coming of age. Father Raney, once a student of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Academy, right here in Shreveport, has now been ordained the first nativeborn priest of the Diocese of Shreveport. Coincidentally enough, he is Bishop Malone’s first priest ordination as well, referring to him as his “first-born son.” “We got to know each other over the past year, even though the pandemic made that difficult,” he says. With AUGUST 2021 17
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Father Long as his spiritual director, Father Raney was reminded by him that he was also Bishop Duca’s first ordination. Johnson first started thinking about his vocation in the seventh grade when a religious sister asked if he had ever thought about the priesthood. “Sometimes when people ask you about it or say you’d be a good priest, that could be God speaking through them,” he says. “You have to be willing to move and be obedient.” Fast forward to high school, and he started seriously discerning the vocation. He kept in contact with religious orders and discerned the process while in high school and college, where he took coursework in philosophy, a necessary foundation for studying theology. He says Catholic school also gave him a nurturing background and a solid foundation that set him up for success in his later education. “God works through people to help guide you,” he says. “Deacon Charles Thomas and his wife, Nadalie, were a big part of my formation growing up,” he says. “It’s a community process. We discern with the church - it’s not just me.” Discerning God’s call can be tricky because you wonder, “Is God really calling me, or am I just making this up in my head?” Johnson says the best way to navigate that confusion is to talk through your fears and concerns with a spiritual director, and that another obstacle you have to face while pursing the priesthood is overcoming any fears from the past such as questions like: Am I good enough? Am I holy enough for this? What if I can’t do it? He says working through God’s mercy to know God forgives us sounds easy, but it’s a tough process. You grow a lot spiritually, and because of this love of penance, he says he is really looking forward to hearing confessions and being an instrument for God’s mercy, “allowing people to realize that they are forgiven and to grow in holiness, and not allowing their sins to bog them down.” He is excited to be that instrument in Christ and give people opportunities where they can grow in their faith and leave their sins behind them. When I asked what qualities or characteristics it took
to be a priest, his first word was, “sacrifice.” “When you offer the Body and Blood, you are also offering yourself your life is no longer your own. You have given yourself completely to God and completely to people. You have to be there for them. The people have a right to the sacraments.” “You have to be willing to give your life for the Church. You do the things that need to be done, you sacrifice your time and allow yourself to be open to others and willing to grow. You have to be flexible.” Since becoming a priest, although it’s only been a month, he feels he was well prepared. The moments that catch him off guard are the ones which he was told would happen, and when they do, you’re not always sure what to expect in this responsibility of spiritual fatherhood. “The moments when you get a call from the hospital - or a parishoner approaches you in need of a confession you weren’t expecting. You’re never truly prepared, but you have to be flexible. Gotta go with the flow.” Taking a step back, when you go to the seminary, are you bound to stay? Johnson says the first year of seminary is truly an open time to simply grow in your spiritual life and begin to discern. It’s okay not to know, and usually it’s best not to, because then you could be open to more - which could be encouraging for someone who may be hesitant. “You can always go and try it out and if it’s not for you, then it’s not for you.” “Sometimes we can get impatient and we want answers now of what God wants from us,” he says.” “But it’s something you learn - to be patient and open.” His advice to other seminarians approaching ordination stresses the importance of community. “It can be a danger to be a lone wolf and isolate yourself,” he says. “Reach out to other people and continue that into the priesthood.” As our interview comes to a close, I ask him what he prefers to be called, and he says “Father Raney. Johnson is such a common last name, so it would be easier for people to differentiate.” So say hello to Father Raney, everyone. Pray for his success in his first assignment and pray we support him as he leads us in the faith! AUGUST 2021 19
The Home Stretch Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton welcomes Transitional Deacon Nicholas Duncan in his final year of priestly formation. Kierstin Richter, Editor
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gone to confession once before college, and he wasn’t sure in his belief. He didn’t start discerning until he was about twentyseven, after a plan to “be a professional athlete with a smokin’ hot wife,” didn’t seem to be God’s plan for him. God was calling him to something greater.
So how did that happen? Thirty-five years old and a former football coach and teacher, Duncan had only
While many priests say they felt the call from a very young age, Duncan never envisioned himself in the role. “It was for people that came from holier, more
eacon Nicholas Duncan stopped receiving communion in college - and went on to not receive for eight years. He is now a transitional deacon, serving at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Southeast Shreveport for the home stretch of his final year of priestly formation.
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Catholic families,” he said. “It’s not for me, it’s not for the Duncans.” While he grew up Catholic, he never felt his faith was emphasized in such a way that he was expected to discern the priesthood. He attended public school and played rugby off and on for about fifteen years. In a sort of quarter-life crisis, Duncan felt he hit the bottom. He reevaluated his aspirations - not sure of what to do or where to go. “I had to become helpless,” he says. “I tried to do things my way and the way society says we should do things. That’s where God lifted me out of it.” “I rejected prayer before seminary because it seemed more like a vending machine.” He knew if prayer was true, it had to go deeper than asking God for wishes like a genie in a bottle. He began this search for faith, this search for God, and as a result, has reached the conclusion that if he wasn’t Catholic, he wouldn’t even be Christian. “If you’re gonna be Christian, it’s the only way to go.” Duncan describes himself as “unapologetically Catholic,” and now that he’s found that faith, he is never letting it go.
thought they couldn’t be themselves around me.” he says. Aside from your daily communicants and devout Catholics, generally, he says he is met with a sense of shock and awe. He’s even had some Catholics tell him, “I can’t believe you would do that.” Duncan says the vocations materials are not necessarily directed at young men, but rather their parents, who need more of the convincing. “It’s always someone else’s kid,” he says in reference to a parent’s common perspective on vocations. The prayer for vocations is always a general wish, for across a nation or across a world, but never here within your own family.
“If you’re gonna be Christian, [being Catholic] is the only way to go.”
When he told his family he was considering the priesthood, they were surprised, but supportive. “They saw my spirit change in me,” he said, and they knew it was good.
After you begin the vocations process, you may be treated a little differently. “When you encounter Protestants,” he says, “and you tell them you’re becoming a priest, they are usually congratulatory and ask questions and are very interested.” What really surprised him was the reaction he got from other Catholics. “People distanced themselves or
The priesthood is a holy calling - one that is so counter-cultural to the priorities we hold as a society today. It takes courage and intellect and perseverance to first accept a totally sacrificial life, and second to push through years and years of the seminary.
“What tongue, human or angelic, may ever describe a power so immeasurable as that exercised by the simplest priest in Mass? Who could ever have imagined that the voice of man, which by nature hath not the power even to raise a straw from the ground, should obtain through grace a power so stupendous as to bring from Heaven to earth the Son of God?” — St. Leonard of Port Maurice Please continue to pray for Deacon Nicholas Duncan as he finishes up his final year of priestly formation. And if you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the priesthood, contact Father Peter Mangum, Vocations Director for the Diocese of Shreveport at fathermangum@yahoo.com. AUGUST 2021 21
“Our nation has never been more divided.” Benjamin Luckett, Cathedral Director of Communications
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think this is a lie we tell ourselves to rationalize our hatred for our neighbors. Our impatience with those we disagree. Often times I have caught myself bemoaning celebrities, politicians, and even my college friends because of their differing views of the country. On life. Instead of thinking about what I want to say, I rush to condemn them. “How dare he say that,” “How can she live with herself?” I let my sweeping emotions carry my rage to new heights while I shake my fist at my computer screen. Perhaps you’ve been there? I buy into that same phrase we see on the news, in blogs, in shows, and even at the pulpit. Yet, this phrase, isn’t exactly true. And regardless if it is, should we care? Since the conception of the thirteen colonies, America has seen constant strife and conflict amongst itself. In 1776 half of the country was divided on whether or not to serve the crown or become independent. In 1861 some in the North believed that the South should be left well enough alone as its own government. Even in both of the 22 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION
Great Wars, Americans disagreed on whether to engage in the cause or not. And those are just the big events! Have we not disagreed over the gold standard, whether to have a federal bank, and other regulations? And yet, America still stands. The world is intact, and we are okay. We look to the issues of today and see them as signs of end times instead of like leaves that fall from trees and grow back again. I was reading Ecclesiastes yesterday and Chapter 1 verses 10-11 stuck out to me in particular, “Even the thing of which we say, ‘See, this is new!’” has already existed in the ages that preceded us. There is no remembrance of past generations; nor will future generations be remembered by those who come after them.” All these things we read in the newspaper, see on late night television, see on social media, will pass and is nothing new. It is hard to hear, but it’s true. So because of this, be kind to the person next to you. Smile at the one with whom you disagree. And pray for the conversion of your own heart, that you may love the ones you hate.
“And yet, America still stands.”
AUGUST 2021 23
daughters of the cross series
Old pull ferry at Labadieville, Louisiana on Bayou Lafourche. (State Library of Louisiana historic photograph collection.)
civil war aftermath Patti Underwood
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he year is 1860. The Daughters of the Cross are approaching the fifth anniversary of their arrival in Louisiana. Mother Marie Hyacinthe le Conniat is faced with a dilemma. The three schools already established in Cocoville, Isle Brevelle and Alexandria have been successful. Father Jean Pierre at Holy Trinity in Shreveport is pressing his request for Sisters to open a school there, but she does not have any to spare. The Daughters of the Cross in Treguier, France, who had promised to support the
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Louisiana mission, have let it be known that they cannot fulfill their contract. Hoping to come to some agreement with them, Mother Hyacinthe journeys to France. Her efforts at reconciliation are unsuccessful, but the trip is not fruitless. She returns with three Sisters and three postulants, and she has the joy of being accompanied by her brother, 33-year-old Father Yves-Marie le Conniat. With the new Sisters added to their number, the Daughters of the Cross can open St. Mary’s Academy for Father Pierre. Father Pierre, who in three years has built a small brick church and a rectory, has a nine-room house ready for the Sisters when they arrive on November 30, 1860. Classes are scheduled to begin on December 3. The school opens with 15 students, of whom one-fourth are Catholic. In four months, enrollment nearly doubles. Because of a lack of vocations in Louisiana, Mother Hyacinthe plans to establish a novitiate in France to provide Sisters for her mission. However, the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 leads Bishop Auguste Martin to postpone his approval for the proposal. The bishop
assigns Father Yves-Marie to the college at Natchitoches, where he teaches classes and assists the poor and the Ladies of the Sacred Heart, a religious congregation from New Orleans which operates a school there. On December 8, 1861, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, he is installed as curate of the Cathedral, chancery-secretary of the bishop and acting vicar-general. He writes that the sermon on the Blessed Virgin that day, given by Father LeVezouet, is the most profound he has ever heard. The following year he falls ill with tuberculosis and dies. The war brings hardships to the missionaries. Communication with New Orleans, which is the source of their provisions, is cut off. Mail to France must be routed through Mexico, causing delays of a year or more. Shortages of food and materials bring exorbitant prices and deprivation. In April 1863, Mother Hyacinthe writes that the enemy is encamped five miles from Presentation Convent. The streets are empty, as all males from age 16 to 50 have been drafted. Three Daughters of the Cross are lost in 1862 and 1863, two to illness and one to “malnutrition.” On May 16, 1864, the Sisters realize that they are directly between the Federal and Confederate armies. Aware of the danger, Mother Hyacinthe sends the children into the woods to hide with Father Janeau and all but four of the Sisters. After the first cannonball tears through the Convent, the Sisters, with Father Rebours, scurry to hide in the large oven, under which they have hidden their sacred vessels and vestments. When the fighting ceases, they emerge to find the Convent damaged and the chapel destroyed except for one statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The following day, the Federal troops return to tear down and burn their fence, trample their garden, and steal their corn and livestock. But all of the children, the Sisters and the priests are safe. The academy, however, is closed the following year. One year later the war ends, leaving poverty and destruction in its wake. St. Francis de Sales Academy in Alexandria is destroyed by fire, along with most of the city. St. Joseph Academy in Isle Brevelle is closed. Presentation Academy in Avoyelles Parish is struggling to remain open as the people have no money to pay tuition. Only St. Mary’s in Shreveport is still thriving, with 80 or 90 pupils. Because the Federal army is defeated at Pleasant Hill in 1864, they never reach Shreveport, and it is spared the devastation of the war.
Father Pierre, needing more space for boarders, sends news to Mother Hyacinthe of a 100-acre plantation near Shreveport being sold for the bargain price of $13,000. Since Bishop Martin has gone to France to recruit more priests, Mother Hyacinthe obtains the approval of his Vicar General, Father Dicharry, so that she can purchase the property. While traveling to the Red River to take the steamboat to Shreveport, the carriage in which she is traveling slides off the ferry while crossing a bayou. Although she remains on the shore, her $8,000 down payment is under the carriage seat. Placing her trust in St. Joseph, she prays for his protection. When the carriage is retrieved from the water, the money is found safe under the seat. The sale is completed on May 3, 1866.
The Battle of Baton Rouge (www.worldhistoryproject.org)
Mother Hyacinth, Diocesan Archives
AUGUST 2021 25
A Pandemic School Year in Review What a year our schools have experienced during a pandemic, a hurricane in the Monroe area, and snowstorms. It seemed like we couldn’t catch a break! Our teachers and students were able to shift and change to respond to the “signs of the times.” “As I reflect upon this school year, one word creeps into my mind... challenging. My teachers became exhausted because they had to make sure students were effectively learning in two different settings. There was little involvement from parents and others too much involvement, which made virtual learning that much harder. Procedures were put in place such as wearing masks, social distancing, no water fountains, temperature checks, excessive sanitizing. Since we’ve had these policies in place, the number of illnesses altogether has dropped significantly. Each year there are always several stomach bugs that wreak havoc 26 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION
on the school. Also, strep throat, the common cold, and of course the flu flies through schools like crazy, but not this year. We had just a few cases each except for the flu, of which we had none... and it’s ok to say ‘spread out, you’re too close’ 750 times a day.” - Stephanie Haney, Our Lady of Fatima “It is challenging to meet all needs through a screen, no matter how welltrained the teacher may be. The spiritual needs of a student require them to encounter God in the sacraments. Catholic schools prepare students
for the Sacraments and permit them to encounter them each week while fostering a life of prayer and service. In-person learning has allowed St. Joseph Catholic School to continue to promote life in Christ every day and has done so more effectively due to an in-person learning environment.” - Clayton Cobb, Saint Joseph School “I am very proud to say that while the entire Caddo and Bossier Parish public school systems had to delay their openings for at least two weeks, our Shreveport Catholic schools were ready to open as originally scheduled.
“They learned to love one another and to help one another.” On top of opening as scheduled, 100% of our Shreveport Catholic school students were given the option to be educated in person which is a huge deal as many public-school families can attest. Furthermore, not a single student or faculty member at St. John Berchmans Catholic School tested positive for Covid-19 during our entire first semester. Due to the many safety features we put in place we did not have to quarantine any of our classes for the duration of the 2020/2021 school year. The next big challenge was trying to figure out a way to allow students who had been exposed to Covid-19 to continue their education virtually while in-person learning was taking place. With our teachers prepared for this scenario it was a seamless transition for them to continue teaching their in-person students while the virtual students were able to join in via Zoom. St. John Berchmans created a system that allowed families to pickup their books and supplies with no contact with SJB faculty, and also provided Chromebooks for students to use while they were learning from home.”
school and the normalcy of the ordinary everyday school day in a way that I have never seen before. They no longer took school or friends for granted because as soon as they did, their class would have to quarantine, or they would have to isolate because of possible exposure, and then back home, they would go again. Teachers, students, and families shared both physically and emotionally a new appreciation of our precious school. As winter approached, we had yet another reason to send everyone home in isolation again. The great winter snowstorm of 2021 brought five days of snow and ice that closed our entire community.
This year has been a year like no other, and we have learned many valuable life lessons during this most unusual time. We find that our endof-the-year ceremonies and field day situations may only allow a limited number of people, but we are happy. We are so glad to have music during our School Masses again. We are happy to play outside without wearing masks. We are happy to attend school every day. We are happy to see our friends and teachers at school. We are happy to discover a new way of learning.” - Lisa Patrick, Jesus the Good Shepherd School
- Trey Woodham, Saint John Berchmans “Our teachers returned reluctantly, and our students returned reluctantly. It was slow at first, but we were open. They learned to love one another and to help one another. They were happy every day and almost appreciated our AUGUST 2021 27
Thank you to our very supporting and caring school pastors and Chaplains: Very Rev. Matthew T. Long, JD, VG, St. Joseph Catholic School Very Rev. Peter B. Mangum, JCL, JV, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans School Rev. Raney Johnson, Chaplain, Loyola College Prep Rev. Jerry Daigle, Co-Chaplain, Loyola College Prep Very Rev. Michael Thang’wa, FMH, Jesus the Good Shepherd Rev. Paul Thunduparampil, CMI, Our Lady of Fatima School Deacon Scott Brandle, Chaplain, St. Frederick Catholic High School Rev. Tim Hurd, Sacramental Minister, St. Frederick Catholic High School
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STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
The schools of the Diocese of Shreveport, Louisiana, admit students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at its schools. They do not discriminate based on race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Thank you to our principals for leading our schools: Mr. Clayton Cobb, MA, St. Joseph Catholic School, PreK38th grade Mr. Trey Woodham, MA, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans School, PreK3-8th grade Mr. John H. LeBlanc, MA, Loyola College Prep, 9-12 grades Mrs. Stephanie Haney, MA, Our Lady of Fatima School Mrs. Lisa Patrick, MA plus 30, Jesus the Good Shepherd School Dr. Carynn Wiggins, Ed.D., St. Frederick Catholic High School, grades 7-12th Most Rev. Francis I. Malone, DD, Bishop
Celebrating School
Anniversaries: 5 Years
20 Years
Daniel Lindow Christa Drake Thomas Atkins, Jr. Tanika Nash Erica Kral Meghan Foote Marcos Villalba John Sella Mark Matlock Delton Dearman Lisa Ware Lucy Hoffman Angie Daniel
Carol Leone Kyle Tanner Tookie Barr
10 Years
40 Years
George Bell Stephanie Johnson Melissa Wolcott Hutson Howell Kathryn Beard Betty Stockholm Angela Green
Glad Alexander
30 Years Gloria Patterson Ann Shockey
33 Years Laura Wolbert
45 Years Michael Mawhinney
15 Years Jodi Pipes
Thank you for your many years of service!
Sr. Carol Shively, OSU, Superintendent of Catholic Schools AUGUST 2021 29
School News
Jesus the Good Shepherd Students Wrap Up Break with JGS Summer Camp
Amy Fakhre, Jesus the Good Shepherd School JGS School is looking forward to a safe, productive and exciting return to school on Monday, August 16 at 8:00 a.m. Students will return to a full-day, in-person schedule from the first day of school. Although some restrictions will still be necessary, our teachers and staff are ready to hit the ground running in August. We are so grateful to our Catholic School
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teachers for the extra effort they exhibited this past year! Our teachers put their heart and soul into each and every child at JGS School and we are blessed to have them. JGS Summer Camp was bursting at the seams this summer with campers and a full PreK2 Daycare Program. Campers have enjoyed so many activities over the summer such
as painting, basketball camp, cheer camp, loads of outside playtime, cake decorating and so much more! We are thankful to every parent who entrusts their child’s summertime safety and entertainment to our care and we are blessed to be able to provide a safe and secure summer camp for our students.
Traditionally Schooling in a New Way Benjamin Luckett, SJB Director of Communications
The only thing more cyclical than a school year is the four seasons, but I’m not a meteorologist nor am I an expert in hotel chains, and with things that are governed by cycles we come to expect the same events to happen around the same time each year. Christmas is in the winter, May Crowning is in the spring, summer break is in, well, the summer, and St. John Berchmans Catholic School starts its school year in August. However, what’s different this year is that St. John Berchmans is not only going to follow its traditional school year cycle but will also bring newness onto the playing field which has set itself up for a terrifically successful academic year. Starting off the year running, SJB is led by its new principal, Trey Woodham, to take the helm and steer it in the right direction. He not only has been an instrumental part in the LSUS and SJB partnership (which I will talk about later), but he has also worked diligently behind the scenes to bring a new and improved website and marketing plan into the fray - which will bear its fruits in the Fall. Not only that, SJB Catholic School, alongside the staff of St. John Berchmans Cathedral, will be celebrating the 400th anniversary of the life and death of their namesake patron saint, St. John Berchmans, through various activities for their students and parishioners from August 13th of this year to November 26th of next year. Coincidentally, Bishop Malone will
SJB Principal Trey Woodham and LSUS Chancellor Larry Clark
also celebrate his FIRST school Mass in the Diocese on August 13th, the feast day of St. John Berchmans. In terms of schooling itself, you may have read in one of the previous issues about the excitingly beneficial partnership between LSUS and SJB school. This partnership will effectively commence when school starts and will cater specifically to 7th and 8th-grade students who will be taught humanities in one of their classes by college professors- to put this into perspective, only a handful of my high school classmates and I were able to be taught by college professors in our senior year, and now the SJB middle school students will have that same opportunity a high schooler has, to grow not only in knowledge but also in preparation for college.
Finally, the physical school building itself is being worked on to bring about a fresher, more refined, look. There are landscaping projects in the works on the North and East side of the building. Classrooms are being remodeled one by one and the school is aiming to produce a preCOVID environment better than its competitors. With the support and prayers of its families and Cathedral parishioners throughout the 2021-22 academic year, St. John Berchmans Catholic School will undoubtedly help lead its home city, its parishioners, and its students (whom it cares for the most) towards greater academic achievements, memorable milestones, and to Jesus Christ who is at the heart of every Catholic School. AUGUST 2021 31
Saint Frederick HS Pursues Authorization as an IB World School Brice C. Jones, Ph.D., St. Frederick High School
St. Frederick High School in Monroe, LA recently became a candidate school for the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme and is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. The program, which was developed in Switzerland in the 1960s, is offered in over 5,000 schools worldwide, with only three MYP programs offered in the state of Louisiana. Once authorized, St. Frederick High School will be the only IB World School north of Baton Rouge. The curriculum will be taught in grades 7-10.
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The IB places a heavy emphasis on inquiry-based learning. This approach differs from fact-based learning which primarily values recall with little application and creativity. In contrast, the IB student is placed at the center of the learning environment and given a responsibility for their own learning. Each unit is governed by a “statement of inquiry” that drives the instructional and learning process and targets specific skills, known as “approaches to learning,” that are prescribed and reflected upon preand post-instruction.
Life skills are also part of the curriculum. Students are taught things like how to work collaboratively, take risks, practice empathy, develop time management skills, and practice focus and concentration. Students are also invited to explore cultural diversity, global interconnectedness, and human commonality. For more information about St. Frederick High School, please visit www.stfrederickhigh.org or call 318323-9636. For more information about the IB and its programs, visit www.ibo.org.
A Legacy of Learning, a Lifetime of Faith: SJS Celebrates 70th Anniversary During the Year of Saint Joseph Polly Maciulski, 5th-8th grade Religion Preparing for the start of a new school year is typically a time of excitement, anticipation, and hope. I can only imagine how much deeper those emotions must have been running for Fr. Joseph Gremillion and the Sisters of the Order of Divine Providence 70 years ago, when they were just weeks away from opening the doors of Saint Joseph Catholic School for the very first time. Even the name “Divine Providence” plays a beautiful part in our history today, as we prepare to celebrate our 70th anniversary during the Year of St. Joseph. These first 70 years have seen growth from five classrooms to over 30, and from a faculty of four to a faculty of 27. Our celebration of the Year of Saint Joseph will continue in the coming months through numerous events and celebrations, including some for our alumni, many of whom have returned to SJS as faculty, council members, coaches, or as parents who sought the same quality Catholic education for their own children that their parents did for them. Today’s SJS community is thankful for the countless hours of work that went into the first day of school in 1951, and for the fortitude, prudence, and love shown by Fr. Gremillion and our first principal, Sister Theonilla, by ensuring that the first year was only the beginning. We are eternally grateful to our Divine Teacher for the
many blessings He has bestowed on us in these first 70 years that have allowed us to carry out 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. Thousands of students have walked these hallways and been formed in the faith; with His grace, we will continue to do so for many years to come, for Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Mt 19:14)
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34 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION
Saint John the Baptist Celebrates 150th Anniversary with a Special Visit from Papal Nuncio
and cemetery, and the installation of the church’s first resident pastor, Father J. A. Aubree. Father Francois LeVezouet is one of the five martyr priests up for canonization for his service during the Shreveport Yellow Fever outbreak in 1873. He traveled from Natchitoches to Shreveport (a long way without a car), to administer sacraments to the sick and care for the dying.
“You are going to your death,” someone told him. to which Fr. LeVezouet responded: “I believe it, but I know that I am taking the surest and shortest path to heaven.” As a known consequence, he eventually fell Kierstin Richter, Editor to the fever, and died October 8, 1873, the final of the On June 26, 2021, Saint John the Baptist Parish in Many priests. celebrated its 150th anniversary with a special visit from Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the U.S. Saint John the Baptist is drawing this celebration over Representative for Pope Francis, complete with police the course of the whole year, including a summer speaker escorts and Vatican security. The parish celebrated series that was held in July, a fishing tournament in Mass and was followed by an anniversary luncheon. September, and a St. John’s School reunion in October. Concelebrating were our own Bishop Francis I. Malone Everyone is welcome. of Shreveport, Father Francis Kamau, FMH, Pastor of Saint John the Baptist Parish, and Bishop Robert W. Sunday’s events began with a rosary at 10:30 a.m., Marshall, Jr. of Alexandria. followed by Mass at 11:00 a.m. that was so well attended it needed an overflow tent outside, followed Archbishop Pierre is from the same region of France by a luncheon at noon where everyone could share as Father Francois LeVezouet, who established St. memories and learn about the church history. Thank John the Baptist as a permanent mission in 1871, you Archbishop Pierre for your presence at such a later overseeing its construction of the actual church momentous anniversary!
FROM LEFT: Bishop Robert W. Marshall, Jr., Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Bishop Francis I. Malone, and Father Francis Kamau, FMH Photios by Kierstin Richter
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A Blessing Bag Lock-In Saint Paschal youth and surrounding parishes collect Blessing Bags for foster children in need.
J
Shelly Schmidt
esus tells us in Matthew 25:40: “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” He is calling us to serve others in various capacities in our communities. I’ve often heard it said that we don’t have to cross an ocean to serve others; we have a mission field right here in our own backyard. My eyes were recently opened to a need in our Northeast Louisiana area. As a home schooling mom, I have witnessed many other home school families foster
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children over the years. Their compassion opened my eyes to the needs of children when they are removed from their home and placed in foster care. Most of the time, they leave home with the clothes on their backs and perhaps a few items that are quickly thrown into a trash bag. They often arrive at their foster home without basic essentials. This need was brought to my attention by fellow home schoolers, Jarrod and Jennifer Hawthorne who are parents to 6 children – 3 biological and 3 adopted through the foster care system. Even with a full house, they continue to foster children.
I felt called to act upon this need and asked the other youth ministers in the Eastern Deanery to join our St. Paschal youth in this Foster Care Blessing Bag service project. I contacted DCFS (Department of Children and Family Services) to come up with a list of needed items for the blessing bags – diapers, pull-ups, wipes, bottles, toiletries, underwear, stuffed animals, journals/pens, etc. Stephen Schmidt, St. Paschal youth said, “I learned how harsh and traumatizing it can be for a child to be removed from their home. Hopefully these blessing bags will help ease the transition.” We agreed that everyone in our parishes could buy items for the children as they were shopping and feel good knowing they were helping others (especially when most of our service projects have been cancelled over the past year.) What a blessing to discover that four area high school groups chose our project for their service project this year and made donations to our blessing bags!
Jarrod & Jennifer Hawthorne & their family...they made me aware of this need in our area and inspired me to coordinate this project. He’s a Baptist minister, Hospice chaplain, homeschooled family, VB coach... just amazing folks. They had a brief talk about the foster system.
enough donations left over to donate to six “I learned how additional charities in our area: Catholic Charities, Life Choices, Grace Place harsh and Ministries, Two Penny Missions, Desiard Shelter and a women’s prayer group traumatizing it can Street who will continue to make blessing bags be for a child to be each month! a blessing it was for the youth and removed from their What parishes involved to have their eyes opened need of the foster children in our area! home. Hopefully to“Itthe made me become part of a community cares for each other like brothers and these blessing bags that sisters,” said Paul Pham, JGS youth. After such a successful service will help ease the accomplishing project for our area children, I can relate to St. Mother Teresa’s description of being “a transition.” tiny pencil in the hand of a mighty God!”
We decided to have a lock-in at the St. Paschal gym with the youth to sort and assemble the blessing bags at the end of the collection period. Jada Culpepper, St Paschal youth said, “It was nice to see a bunch of the Catholic Churches come together to help make the bags!” The West Monroe Knights of Columbus donated and grilled hamburgers and the fixings for the lock-in. The college students from the ULM Catholic Campus Ministry came up with games and ice breakers for the youth to play throughout the night. After watching the YouTube video, ‘ReMoved’ about the foster process, John Patrick Frantz, JGS youth, learned “I didn’t know that foster care kids might want to stay in an abusive home. I never thought that it was what they knew and didn’t want to leave.” The youth from area parishes sorted and assembled 350 foster care blessing bags – color coordinated by age and gender! We had
By each of us sharing a little of our time, talents and treasures, we were able to serve ‘the least of our brothers and sisters’ in our Northeast Louisiana communities.
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First Communion at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Monroe, Louisiana on April 25, 2021.
Seminarians Participate in MultiWeek Summer Formation Program
Not many people can say they’ve been around an entire century! A big congratulations to Sister Mary Anne Gaudin SFCC, who is celebrating her 100th birthday this year.
NOTRE DAME - The seminary hosted 20 seminarians who participated in a seven-week formation program that emphasized the Eucharistic dimensions and foundations of pastoral, priestly ministry in the life of the Church. The program began with an eight-day silent retreat led by Father Luke Buckles, OP. Father Jim Wehner led a three-week program in which seminarians had parish assignments in the mornings and participated in afternoon theological reflections, where they discussed documents written by Pope St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis on the Eucharist and pastoral ministry. The final three weeks involved homeless ministry in the city of New Orleans and person-to-person ministry in the French Quarter. The program, led by Father Joseph Krafft, also highlighted the sin of racism with a trip to Memphis to visit the civil rights museum as well as a trip to the Whitney Plantation outside of New Orleans.
Pastor Keith Garvin and Choctaw Apache Tribal Chief, Thomas Rivers, Tribal Council members, Tribal princesses, Kateri Circle Representatives and tribal members in front of Saint Ann Catholic Church - Ebarb. Father Keith celebrated Mass prior to the tribal powwow. 38 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION
Tompkins Awarded Louisiana Catholic Federal Credit Union Scholarship
First Communion Sunday was celebrated at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on June 27th. The 1st Communicants were Carlie Lewis and Ron Belida.
Happy Priesthood to Father Keith Garvin, (May 31, 2021) who is celebrating the 7 year anniversary of his ordination.
Andrew Perez Louisiana Catholic Federal Credit Union offers a scholarship to a local area graduating high school student each year. The completed application is submitted to the Credit Union Scholarship Committee for review. Some of the selection criteria include: academic achievements, character, leadership, community involvement, an original essay, and a letter of recommendation. And of course, the student must be a member of the Credit Union. This year’s recipient of the LCFCU scholarship goes to Ellis Tompkins. He has an outstanding grade point average, scored high on his ACT, and is involved in school and community activities. Mr. Tompkins intends to continue his education at Louisiana State University in the fall. Louisiana Catholic Federal Credit Union is proud to have Ellis Tompkins as a member and honored to award him $1000 toward his
education. The Credit Union looks forward to serving you and your family’s financial needs for many years to come. Louisiana Catholic FCU is a combination of St. John Berchmans and St. Joseph, Shreveport Credit Unions. It is the only Catholic credit union in the diocese of Shreveport. It services the entire Shreveport Diocese, including the schools throughout the diocese. Employees and families registered in a parish and attend the churches in the diocese, and other SEGs are eligible to become members of the Credit Union. Let us service your financial needs with automobile and real estate loans, home improvement loans, checking and savings accounts, credit and debit cards, and ATM accessibility: all under the protection of the NCUA. We look forward to servicing your financial needs!
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Retiro Búsqueda para Adolescentes BY Rosalba Quiroz, Directora
El Papa Francisco nos dice que “La fe Cristiana no es una teoría o filosofía, sino que es el encuentro con Jesús;” un encuentro que todos los jóvenes deberían tener la oportunidad de experimentar. Sin embargo, hay muchos jóvenes que no tienen esta experiencia ya sea porque no se ofrecen estas oportunidades donde viven o porque sus papás no los obligan a participar. ¿Cómo podremos sembrar la semilla de fe en la vida de los hijos/ jóvenes a una temprana edad? Primero: Los que somos papás, como los primeros testigos de esa fe en Jesús debemos mostrar a nuestros hijos lo que es caminar con Jesús llevando una vida cristiana que de ejemplo de lo que es vivir en Cristo. Segundo: La iglesia también como portadora de la Palabra de Dios busca ofrecer oportunidades de encuentro. Por este motivo la Diócesis de Shreveport ofrece cada año BUSQUEDA, un retiro para jóvenes de 14 a 17 años que todavía no hayan 40 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION
tenido la oportunidad de un encuentro con Jesús y que quieran conocer sobre su fe y su religión. Búsqueda es un retiro de tres días, durante los cuales, los jóvenes llegan a conocer a otros jovencitos y muchos de ellos encuentran amistades que perdurarán en su vida y caminarán juntos en su vida cotidiana y su vida de fe. Los jóvenes que ofrecen este retiro, pasaron también por esta experiencia y ahora sirviendo ofrecen la posibilidad a otros jóvenes de conocer también a Jesús y la salvación que Él nos ofrece. En las respuestas de las evaluaciones que llenan los jóvenes encontramos que la mayoría de ellos quieren servir en próximos retiros diciendo “quiero servir para que otros jóvenes experimenten lo que yo experimenté y para que más jóvenes conozcan del amor de Jesús” Estas respuestas nos animan a invitar a los padres de familia a dar la oportunidad a sus hijos adolescentes de vivir este u otro retiro que les ayude a madurar en su fe. El próximo retiro de
Búsqueda será del 15-17 de Octubre y ya pueden registrarlos llamando a la diócesis o comunicándose con el equipo de Búsqueda, o con su coordinador parroquial. ¡Feliz Comienzo de Clases!
Calendario de Agosto, 2021 14 2ª Reunión en preparación para Búsqueda, 11am-4pm. Centro Católico. 29 Reunión Mensual en preparación para Retiro Experiencia Cristo, 9am12pm. Cristo Rey.
Misas en Espanol CRISTO REY: BOSSIER CITY Rev. Fidel Mondragon 318.221.0238 Oficina Domingo 1:00pm Lunes & Jueves 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. Tony Posadas, 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. Darius Pawlouski 903.236.6866 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
CONTACTO DIOCESANO: Rosalba Quiroz, Directora 318.219.7265 rquiroz@dioshpt.org
Maria Ivelis Sanchez, Secretaria 318.219.7257 isanchez@dioshpt.org
hispanic news
Por el Obispo - Agosto Se cuenta la historia de la celebración del 50 aniversario de la ordenación de un sacerdote, junto con su jubilación. La Iglesia estaba llena de feligreses: familiares, amigos, miembros de las muchas iglesias a las que había servido durante medio siglo. Fue una hermosa liturgia, marcada por un hecho curioso que marcó la conclusión de la Misa. El Sacerdote-jubilado, antes de salir del santuario, se acercó al Altar para besarlo, como es nuestra costumbre. Pero se detuvo, y ante una congregación silenciosa, se quitó los zapatos y los colocó sobre el altar. Luego caminó hacia el frente del altar, se enfrentó a la congregación y, señalando sus zapatos en el altar, hizo la pregunta: “Ahora, ¿quién va a llenarlos?” Desde que soy su Obispo, he presidido los funerales de dos de nuestros sacerdotes, ambos jubilados, ambos ancianos, pero sacerdotes, no obstante, el Padre Ken Williams y el Padre Patrick Scully. Se me ha informado que los padres franciscanos que han servido en nuestra diócesis durante muchos años comenzarán, el próximo septiembre, a partir y regresar a su hogar franciscano en St. Louis. Durante los próximos dos años, perderemos a los dos sacerdotes franciscanos restantes. Me conmueve hacerles la misma pregunta a ustedes, mis queridos hermanos y hermanas de la Diócesis de Shreveport, la misma pregunta que hizo el sacerdote jubilado que cité al comienzo de este artículo, “¿quién ocupará su lugar?” Mi esperanza es que los jóvenes escuchen esa pregunta y en ese momento crean que el Señor los está llamando a ese momento, a ese altar,
a llenar esos zapatos: a dar la vida al servicio de los demás, a celebrar la Eucaristía, a bautizar, para absolver al pecador, para ungir a los enfermos y moribundos, para consolar a los moribundos, para animar a los jóvenes y dar consuelo a los ancianos… y mucho más. Quiero que cada uno de nosotros nos hagamos esa importante pregunta, “¿quién ocupará esos zapatos?” A principios de este verano tuve el privilegio de ordenar al sacerdocio a mi primer “hijo”, el Padre Raney Johnson. El año que viene, si Dios quiere, daré la bienvenida a otro, Nicholas Duncan. Sé que pueden hacer los cálculos: nuestra diócesis, que se extiende desde Texas hasta Mississippi, y desde Arkansas hasta la Diócesis de Alejandría, necesita más sacerdotes para convertirse en sus párrocos, y los que acompañan a los confiados a su cuidado, desde esta vida hasta el siguiente. Una de las mejores armas que tenemos es nuestra devoción a la Eucaristía y el tiempo que pasas en Su presencia en tus iglesias parroquiales. Y te tenemos a ti - para ver en los rostros de los jóvenes de nuestra Iglesia un sacerdote potencial de nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Háblales, anímalos y cuéntales acerca de los zapatos en el altar; por la gracia de Dios que los llenen, y que oremos diariamente para que escuchen la voz del Señor, llamándolos a Su Altar.
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You’re invited to theMagnificat Brunch! August 21, 2021 from 10:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. Our brunch includes a meal, fellowship, praise and worship and a speaker. The August speaker is Linda Balistrella, a life long member of St. Joseph's Church.
Upcoming Traditional Latin Masses at the Cathedral Feast of St. John Berchmans Friday, August 13, 2021, 12:10 pm You are welcome to this beautiful Mass in honor of our patron on the 400th anniversary of his death. (Low Mass with music from the early 17th century.) Feast of St. Augustine Saturday, August 28, 2021, 9:00 am Low Mass with Music (Hymns/Motets/Anthems)
Linda and her husband, Sam had a beautiful spiritual journey together while Sam was battling prostate cancer. Come and hear of the amazing graces the Lord shared with them over the years and how He put special people in their lives at just the right time. Tickets are $20.00 per person. Checks should be mailed to Magnificat Nowela Chapter P. O. Box 4293 Shreveport, LA 71134 by August 14, 2021. Please include the name of attendees with your check. The Catholic Center, 3500 Fairfield Ave Shreveport, LA 71104 For questions call 318-564-2672 or 318-222-0007. We are looking forward to being together again! 18th Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, September 26, 5:30 pm Missa Cantata (Men’s Schola) Solemnity of All Saints Mon, November 1, 6 pm Missa Cantata: Cathedral Choir will sing William Byrd’s Mass for four voices listen: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=VXeT2HWpwc4 OR join us via webcam: https://sjbcathedral.org/cathedral/ webcast/ Or Via Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/ cathedralofsjb/ See our website: https://sjbcathedral.org/latin-massextraordinary-form/
Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat November 3-5, 2021
If you or someone you love is hurting from an abortion, please call 318-588-1064 for information, or visit the website at www.rachelsvineyard.org. Absolute confidentiality is maintained by team members and participants prior to, during, and following a Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat. A Rachel’s Vineyard retreat in Spanish is scheduled in the spring of 2022. 42 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION
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 Thanks to our Recent Donors: (019) (019) (022) (008) (028)
Leigh C. Crump ($100) W.A. & E.S. Glenn ($600) Mrs. Suzanne Broussard ($100) Mr. & Mrs. William O. Walker ($100) Terri Culpepper ($300)
Completed Burses: (001)
Fr. Mike Bakowski Memorial Burse #1 ($10,000) (006) Msgr. J. Carson LaCaze Memorial Burse #1 ($10,000) (010) Memory of Rita Scott
(011) (012) (013) (014) (026) (027) (027)
from the John Scott Family Burse ($10,000) Rev. David Richter Memorial Burse #1 ($10,000) Jack E. Caplis, Jr., Memorial Burse ($10,000) Mary Evans Caplis Burse ($10,000) Bob & Peggy Semmes Memorial Burse ($10,000) Sheryl Seal Sweeney Memorial Burse ($10,000) Rev. Richard Lombard Memorial Burse ($10,000) Rev. Richard Lombard Memorial Burse #2 ($10,000)
Incomplete Burses:
(008)
(001)
(009)
(002) (003) (004) (005) (006) (007)
Fr. Mike Bakowski Memorial Burse #2 ($1150) Joseph & Antoinette Bakowski Memorial Burse ($2950) Sam R. Maranto Memorial Burse ($1650) Kathryn Atherton Cook Memorial Burse ($350) Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Burse ($950) Msgr. J. Carson LaCaze Memorial Burse #2 ($3832.12) Dr. Carol Christopher Memorial Burse ($1200)
(011) (015) (016) (017)
(018)
St. Jude Parish Burse ($6118) St. John Berchmans Knights of Columbus Council 10728 Burse ($1550) Rev. David Richter Memorial Burse #2 ($3404) Bishop’s Seminarian Burse ($2760) Elaine Malloy Frantz Memorial Burse ($1000) Msgr. George Martinez Knights of Columbus Council 1337 Burse ($7521.57) Knights of St. Peter Claver Council 144 Burse ($880)
(019) (020) (021) (022) (023) (024) (025) (028)
Margaret Glenn Memorial Burse ($6305) Dr. James V. Ward Memorial Burse ($4915) Rev. Edmund “Larry” Niehoff Memorial Burse ($2000) Rev. Blane O’Neil, OFM Memorial Burse ($350) Msgr. Edmund J. Moore Memorial Burse ($1020) Rev. Joseph Puthupally Memorial Burse ($1100) Kathleen Hightower Memorial Burse ($400) Friends-n-Faith Burse ($300)
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.
Bishop Francis Malone and Father Raney Johnson’s mother, Mrs. Bonnie Johnson, before her son’s ordination to the priesthood. 44 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION