Bayou Catholic Magazine August 2019 by Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

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‘Savior of church artifacts’ AUGUST 2019 ~ VOL. 40 NO. 2 ~ COMPLIMENTARY

2 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

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Contents

Cover Story 24 ‘Savior of church artifacts’

By Eric Ordoyne

Features 30 Mona Moss retires

By Janet Marcel

Columns 8 Comfort For My People

By Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

Pope Speaks

Pope Francis I

Questions of Faith

By Father Wilmer Todd

Readings Between the Lines

By Father Glenn LeCompte

A Deacon’s Wife’s Confessions

By Angie Lefevre

Reading With Raymond

By Raymond Saadi

In Every Issue 16 Scripture Readings 20 Youth In Action 22 Heavenly Recipes 31 Daily Prayer for Priests,

Deacons and Seminarians

Diocesan Events

Announcements 27 Catholic Foundation Update 33 Diocesan director of Finance

and Accounting named

Lift 3:16 Adult Conference

On Our Cover

Raceland native Eric Ordoyne stands beside one of the Stations of the Cross that he restored for St. Mary’s Nativity Church in Raceland. See page 24 of this issue for Ordoyne’s LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

4 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

story about his passion for restoring church artifacts.

Bayou Catholic Heavenly Recipes How to reach us: BY PHONE: (985) 850-3132

BY MAIL: P.O. Box 505 Schriever, LA 70395 BY FAX: (985) 850-3232

Dana Chiasso

BY E-MAIL: bayoucatholic@htdiocese.org The Bayou Catholic is published monthly, for the people of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux by the H-T Publishing Co., P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395. Subscription rate is $35 per year.

Dana Prepares a:

QUICK FIX MEAL

The Bayou Catholic is a member of the Catholic Press Association, the National Newspaper Association and an associate member of the Louisiana Press Association.

Dana’s Muff

Lawrence Chatagnier

editor INGREDIENTS: and general manager

1 loaf of French bread April LeBouef

1 jarmanager of Boscoli Italian Olive Salad business

(use about 2 cups per loaf) Janet 1/2Marcel lb. salami, thinly sliced staff writer/administrative assistant 1/2 lb. Virginia deli ham, thinly sli 7 to Lirette 8 slices of mozzarella cheese, Brooks to 8 slices of provolone, thinly s advertising7accounts executive 3 tbsps. Olive oil Lisa Schobel Hebert Mayonnaise graphic designer Mustard This month’s heavenly recipe a comes from Dana Chiasson, Salt and Meridy Linerpepper a native of Thibodaux and parishioner of St. Genevieve Church. Dana is sharing her muffuletta recipe just in time accounts receivable/payable assistant for football season and tailgating. “I usually make a chili or Football DIRECTIONS: pasta salad to go with the muffuletta. I got this recipe from Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slic 2019 Like us on Facebook my sister-in-law, tweaked it and made it my own.” Dana says lengthwiseorand on one side remo she learned to cook from her father-in-law who was a cook middle make room for fillings. S Find to us on the web in the Navy, and her mother and grandmother. “I learned of www.bayoucatholic.org mayonnaise and mustard on ea to bake from my grandmother. She always told me it takes Layer the olive salad, meats and c patience to bake. She taught me everything about baking.” half of bread; drizzle with olive oil; a Dana began volunteering at St. Genevieve when herWhere to find your with saltBayou and Catholic pepper. Replace top children were enrolled in the CCD program. “I volunteeredBayou Catholic magazine can be found wrap sandwich in aluminum foil. Ba at all Catholic churches and Catholic schools my time by counting the money in the parish office from the is warmed throughout and chees throughout the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. weekend collections. When the kids started CCD, I began minutes. can also To pick up a 30 copy, you may The also sandwich visit the teaching. I then became CRE at St. Genevieve. I did that for merchants who advertise in our Slice issue. Those temperature. in pieces to serve nine years. I would work part time at a financial consultant’s wishing to receive the magazine by mail can call Janet Marcel at (985) 850-3132 or write office in the morning and the afternoon at the church parish. to Bayou Catholic, P.O. Box I served on the church’s evangelization Lane was up; we carried 505, Schriever, LA 70395. committee and worked with the RCIA and extended family w Subscription price is $35 program for years. I learned a lot from annually. For the online edition, Rachel’s friends would co go to www.bayoucatholic.com Sister Fionnuala Quinn, O.P., who was talk to us for at least a the director of religious education for the They didn’t understan diocese at that time. The faith formation August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • sense Bayou Catholic • 5 puts eve of it. God classes were great. Now that I have to heal you. The kids ca grandchildren, I help my daughter by caring

Church Life

Youth Formation Leadership Summit The diocesan Office of Parish Support sponsored a Youth Formation Leadership Summit entitled “Through Him, With Him, In Him,” recently at the Pastoral Center in Schriever. Nick Labrie, from Family Missions Company, in Abbeville, LA, and members of the Office of Parish Support lead the participants during the three-day event. Full coverage of the youth leadership summit will be available in the September issue of Bayou Catholic.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

6 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

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Bayou

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NOTICE In accordance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) regulations, each of the 12 Catholic schools, within the parochial school system of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, has a copy of its Asbestos Management Plan on file in the Principal’s Office. Anyone interested in reviewing a particular schools’ Asbestos Management Plan should first contact the school’s principal to schedule a time for the review. This notice applies to the following individuals:

For more information Call or email us at 985-850-3136 or blirette@htdiocese.org

• Parents of children who attend one of the 12 Catholic schools within the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. • Teachers and all other employees within the parochial school system of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 7

Comment

Trust the Lord in all seasons of life

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

Life at times is hard, complicated, messy and confusing, and at other times joy-filled, fulfilling, peaceful and harmonious. Overall, however, life also seems to have its ‘seasons.’ At the most basic level, life has seasons just like the year. As we move along, some parts are easier and we thrive; while at other times, life is difficult and we feel stuck, lost or in decline. There is also a deeper way to look at this. There are clear seasons as we mature through life. Take for example the life of King David. He experienced three clear portions to his life: The shepherd boy (1 Samuel 16—17:31); the soldier (1 Samuel 17:31—31:13); and the king (2 Samuel). In the shepherd period, David tends his father’s flocks, learns to play music, and most importantly falls in love with the Lord. As he moves into his soldier period as part of King Saul’s army, David brings the lessons of his childhood and learns totally new skills as a soldier. This becomes the first point where David can look back at the cost of maturity. He leaves behind the ways of childhood (1 Corinthians 13:11) because now his fellow soldiers and friends are counting on him. After serving in King Saul’s army, David is himself anointed king. Here he transitions from the one who listens to orders to the one who gives the orders. He moves from soldier to general. Notice that David’s greatest mistakes come during the prime of his life when he was not where he was supposed to be. Of greatest significance is the incident with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 1112). Scripture makes it clear that David

“

Life has seasons. We cannot expect to always be able to do the things

of childhood or youth. Likewise, we should expect life to change where youthful

vigor gives way to experience and wisdom.

was supposed to be out in the field with his men at least as the king-general of his soldiers. Instead, he is comfortable in the city. This is already a mark against him, but it is in this setting that he sees Bathsheba and begins to covet her. David is in this situation because of his decision not to be in the field with his men as he should have been. The whole event plays out badly for Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, as he is in essence murdered. After this, David and Bathsheba know sorrow in their lives. Yet, all of this could have been avoided if David had been disciplined and lived out virtuously his season of life. This is not to say that the seasons of our lives are set in stone from the day we are born or that we even should expect to go through all of the experiences of David. It does, though, bring our attention to the reality that life has seasons. We cannot expect to always be able to do the things of childhood or youth. Likewise, we should expect life to change where youthful vigor gives way to experience and wisdom. However, it is difficult and emotionally challenging when we go through one of these changes. We tend to look back on the past in general and personally with fond memories and maybe even mourn a little of how much has changed. Saying a last good bye to a school or town leaves a bittersweet

8 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

“

Comfort For My People

mark. However, this is why maturing is so painful. To go to college, we must close the door on high school. To take a job, we must give up some or all of our free time. To say yes to one good, we have to say no to others. Confusion can come in when we do not have a clear idea of what season of life we are in. Again, this is how David found himself in such terrible situations. He was supposed to be out in the field; that is what he had committed himself to by becoming king. When we are in confusion about what life is supposed to be like, it can be helpful to take stock of the past to see where we have been. What major changes have happened to me? Get a full story and write out my obligations, hopes and fears. In getting the full story, a place or two might pop out where we are holding onto a part of our life that has actually come to a close, or we might not have fully embraced a part of life that has recently started. Seeing clearly where you are is the surest way to feel out what needs to come next. And always relying on the Lord in whatever our season of life will assist us in transitioning from one season of earthly life to another, and then finally from earthly life to eternal life. Turn to the Lord and trust in him in all the seasons of life. BC

There are clear seasons as we mature through life

Comentario

Confía en el Señor todas las etapas de la vida

“

La vida tiene etapas. No podemos esperar poder hacer siempre las cosas de la infancia o de la juventud. De la misma manera, debemos esperar que la vida cambie donde el vigor juvenil da paso a la experiencia y la sabiduría.

no estar en el campo con sus hombres como debería haber estado. Todo el acontecimiento se desarrolla mal para Urías, el marido de Betsabé, ya que en esencia es asesinado. Después de esto, David y Betsabé conocen el dolor en sus vidas. Sin embargo, todo esto podría haberse evitado si David hubiera sido disciplinado y vivido virtuosamente su época de vida. Esto no quiere decir que las etapas de nuestras vidas estén grabadas en piedra desde el día en que nacemos o que incluso debamos esperar pasar por todas las experiencias de David. Sin embargo, llama nuestra atención sobre la realidad de que la vida tiene etapas. No podemos esperar poder hacer siempre las cosas de la infancia o de la juventud. De la misma manera, debemos esperar que la vida cambie donde el vigor juvenil da paso a la experiencia y la sabiduría. Sin embargo, es difícil y emocionalmente desafiante cuando pasamos por uno de estos cambios. Tendemos a mirar hacia atrás en el pasado en general y personalmente con gratos recuerdos y tal vez incluso lloramos un poco de lo mucho que ha cambiado. Decir un último adiós a una escuela o pueblo deja una marca agridulce. Sin embargo, esta es la razón por la que la maduración es tan dolorosa. Para ir a la universidad, debemos cerrar la puerta de la secundaria. Para aceptar

10 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

“

La vida a veces es dura, complicada, desordenada y confusa, y otras veces llena de alegría, satisfactoria, pacífica y armoniosa. En general, sin embargo, la vida también parece tener sus “etapas”. En el nivel más sencillo, la vida tiene etapas como el año tiene estaciones. A medida que avanzamos, algunas partes son más fáciles y prosperamos; mientras que en otros momentos, la vida es difícil y nos sentimos atrapados, perdidos o en declive. También hay una manera más profunda de ver esto. Hay etapas claras a medida que maduramos a través de la vida. Tomemos por ejemplo la vida del rey David. Experimentó tres partes claras de su vida: El pastorcito (1 Samuel 16-17:31); el soldado (1 Samuel 17:31-31:13); y el rey (2 Samuel). En el período de pastoreo, David cuida los rebaños de su padre, aprende a tocar música y, lo más importante, se enamora del Señor. A medida que entra en su período de soldado como parte del ejército del Rey Saúl, David trae las lecciones de su infancia y aprende habilidades totalmente nuevas como soldado. Este se convierte en el primer punto en el que David puede mirar hacia atrás al costo de la madurez. Él deja atrás los caminos de la infancia (1 Corintios 13:11) porque ahora sus compañeros soldados y amigos cuentan con él. Después de servir en el ejército del rey Saúl, David es ungido rey. Aquí hace la transición del que escucha las órdenes al que las da. Pasa de soldado a general. Note que los errores más grandes de David vienen durante la plenitud de su vida cuando él no estaba donde se suponía que debía estar. De gran importancia es el incidente con Betsabé (2 Samuel 11-12). Las Escrituras dejan claro que David debía estar en el campo con sus hombres al menos como el rey general de sus soldados. En cambio, se siente cómodo en la ciudad. Esto ya es una marca en su contra, pero es en este escenario que ve a Betsabé y comienza a codiciarla. David está en esta situación debido a su decisión de

un trabajo, debemos renunciar a parte o a todo nuestro tiempo libre. Para decir sí a un bien, tenemos que decir no a los demás. La confusión puede llegar cuando no tenemos una idea clara de en qué época de la vida estamos. De nuevo, así es como David se encontró en situaciones tan terribles. Se suponía que debía estar en el campo de Batalla; a eso se había comprometido al convertirse en rey. Cuando estamos confundidos acerca de cómo se supone que debe ser la vida, puede ser útil hacer un balance del pasado para ver dónde hemos estado. ¿Qué cambios importantes me han ocurrido? Obtener una historia completa y escribir mis obligaciones, esperanzas y miedos. Al obtener la historia completa, un lugar o dos puede aparecer donde nos estamos aferrando a una parte de nuestra vida que realmente ha llegado a su fin, o puede que no hayamos abrazado completamente una parte de la vida que ha comenzado recientemente. Ver claramente dónde nos encontramos es la manera más segura de saber qué es lo que tiene que venir después. Y confiar siempre en el Señor en cualquier etapa de nuestra vida nos ayudará en la transición de una etapa de la vida a otra, y luego finalmente de la vida terrenal a la vida eterna. Vuélvete al Señor y confía en él en todas las etapas de la vida. BC

Binh luan bang loi

Hãy tin cậy Chúa trong tất cả chặng đường đời

“

Cuộc sống có các chặng đường. Chúng ta không thể mong đợi lmãi là mình có thể làm những điều của thời thơ ấu hoặc tuổi trẻ. Tương tự như vậy, chúng ta nên mong đợi cuộc sống thay đổi nơi sức sống trẻ trung nhường chỗ cho kinh nghiệm và trí tuệ.

đã nhìn thấy bà Bátsêba và bắt đầu thèm muốn cô. Đavít đang ở trong tình huống này vì quyết định không ra chiến trường với binh lính của mình như lẽ ra ông phải có mặt. Toàn bộ sự kiện diễn ra một cách tồi tệ cho ông Uria, chồng bà Bátsêba, đã bị sát hại. Sau này, Đavít và Bátsêba đã ray rức trong cuộc sống của họ. Tuy nhiên, tất cả những điều này có thể tránh được nếu Đavít sống theo kỷ luật và sống một cách đạo đức trong chặng đường đời của mình. Điều này không có nghĩa là các chặng đường trong cuộc sống của chúng ta được sắp đặt từ ngày chúng ta được sinh ra hoặc chúng ta thậm chí sẽ mong đợi trải qua tất cả những trải nghiệm của Đavít. Mặc dù vậy, nó làm chúng ta chú ý đến thực tế rằng cuộc sống có các chặng đường. Chúng ta không thể mong đợi lmãi là mình có thể làm những điều của thời thơ ấu hoặc tuổi trẻ. Tương tự như vậy, chúng ta nên mong đợi cuộc sống thay đổi nơi sức sống trẻ trung nhường chỗ cho kinh nghiệm và trí tuệ. Tuy nhiên, thật khó khăn và đầy thách thức về mặt cảm xúc khi chúng ta trải qua một trong những thay đổi này. Chúng ta có xu hướng nhìn lại quá khứ nói chung và cá nhân với những kỷ niệm đẹp và thậm chí có thể thương tiếc một chút về sự thay đổi. Nói lời tạm biệt cuối cùng với một trường học hoặc thị trấn để lại một dấu ấn buồn vui. Tuy nhiên, đây là lý do tại sao trưởng thành thì rất đau đớn. Để vào đại học, chúng ta phải đóng lại cánh cửa của trường trung học. Để có

“

Cuộc sống đôi lúc thật khó khăn, phức tạp, lộn xộn và khó hiểu, và đôi khi lại tràn ngập niềm vui, trọn vẹn, bình yên và hài hòa. Tuy nhiên, nhìn chung, cuộc sống dường như cũng có ‘mùa’ (hay chặng đường) của nó. Ở cấp độ cơ bản nhất, cuộc sống có các mùa giống như một năm. Khi chúng ta tiến về phía trước, một số phần dễ dàng hơn và chúng ta phát triển mạnh; trong khi ở những thời điểm khác, cuộc sống thật khó khăn và chúng ta cảm thấy bế tắc, lạc lõng hoặc suy sụp. Cũng có một cách sâu đậm hơn để xem xét điều này. Có những mùa hay chặng đường rõ ràng khi chúng ta trưởng thành trong suốt cuộc đời. Lấy ví dụ về cuộc đời của Vua Đavít. Ông đã trải qua ba phần rõ ràng trong cuộc đời mình: là cậu bé chăn cừu (1Sm 16-17:31); là người lính (1Sm 17:3131:13); và là vua (2 Samuel). Trong thời kỳ chăn cừu, Đavít chăm sóc đàn cừu của mình, học chơi nhạc và quan trọng nhất là yêu mến Chúa. Khi bước vào thời kỳ binh lính như là một phần tử của quân đội Vua Saolê, Đavít áp dụng những bài học thời thơ ấu và học hỏi những kỹ năng hoàn toàn mới lạ khi là một người lính. Điều này trở thành điểm đầu tiên mà Đavít có thể nhìn lại cái giá của sự trưởng thành. Ông bỏ lại đằng sau thời thơ ấu (1Cr 13:11) bởi vì giờ đây những người lính và bạn bè của ông đang trông cậy vào ông. Sau khi phục vụ trong quân đội của Vua Saolê, Đavít được xức dầu làm vua. Từ đây, ông chuyển từ người nghe lệnh sang người ra lệnh. Ông chuyển qua từ hàng binh lính lên cấp tướng. Chú ý rằng những sai lầm lớn nhất của Đavít xảy ra trong giai đoạn rực rỡ của cuộc đời khi ông không ở nơi mà ông đáng lẽ phải ở. Điều quan trọng nhất là sự việc xảy ra với bà Bátsêba (2Sm 1112). Kinh thánh cho thấy rõ rằng Đavít đáng lẽ phải ra ngoài chiến trường với binh lính của mình, ít ra với tư cách là vị tư lệnh tối cao của các binh sĩ mình. Thay vào đó, ông sống thoải mái trong thành phố. Đây đã là một dấu hiệu chống lại ông, và chính trong bối cảnh này, ông

một công việc, chúng ta phải từ bỏ một số hoặc tất cả thời gian rảnh của mình. Để nói có với một điều tốt, chúng ta phải nói không với người khác. Sự xáo trộn có thể xuất hiện khi chúng ta không có ý tưởng rõ ràng về chặng đường chúng ta đang sống. Một lần nữa, đây là cách Đavít thấy mình trong những tình huống tồi tệ như vậy. Lẽ ra ông phải ở ngoài chiến trận; đó là những gì ông đã cam kết khi trở thành vị vua. Khi chúng ta đang bối rối về cuộc sống này sẽ như thế nào, rất có thể hữu ích để nhớ lại quá khứ xem chúng ta đã ở đâu. Những thay đổi lớn nào đã xảy ra với tôi? Hãy tạo ra một câu chuyện đầy đủ và viết ra những nghĩa vụ, hy vọng và nỗi sợ hãi của mình. Để có được câu chuyện đầy đủ, một hoặc hai nơi chốn có thể sẽ nảy sinh nơi chúng ta đang nắm giữ một phần của cuộc sống đã thực sự đến gần, hoặc chúng ta có thể không hoàn toàn chấp nhận một phần của cuộc sống gần đây đã bắt đầu. Hãy nhìn rõ bạn đang ở đâu là cách chắc chắn nhất để cảm nhận những gì cần phải đến tiếp theo. Và hãy luôn luôn cậy dựa vào Chúa trong bất cứ chặng đường đời nào của mình sẽ giúp chúng ta trong việc chuyển tiếp từ chặng đường này sang chặng đường khác, rồi cuối cùng từ cuộc sống trần thế sang cuộc sống vĩnh cửu. Hãy hướng về Chúa và tin tưởng vào Ngài trong tất cả các chặng đường của cuộc đời. Dịch thuật do Lm. Francis Bui, SDD và Thầy Paul Vu, SDD. Tu Đoàn Tông Đồ Giáo Sĩ Nhà Chúa BC

August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 11

Comment

Pope Francis: Migrants are people, not just a social issue The Pope Speaks

Vatican City, (CNA) Pope Francis called for an end to the rhetoric which views migrants as something ‘other,’ saying they are human beings and among those Christ has commanded his disciples to love and assist. “They are persons; these are not mere social or migrant issues!” he said recently. “‘This is not just about migrants,’ in the twofold sense that migrants are first of all human persons, and that they are the symbol of all those rejected by today’s globalized society.” In a homily, the pope said his thoughts “go out to those ‘least ones’ who daily cry out to the Lord, asking to be freed from the evils that afflict them.” “These least ones are abandoned and cheated into dying in the desert; these least ones are tortured, abused and violated in detention camps; these least ones face the waves of an unforgiving sea; these least ones are left in reception camps too long for them to be called temporary,” he stated. “In the spirit of the Beatitudes we are called to comfort them in their affliction and offer them mercy,” he urged, “to sate their hunger and thirst for justice; to let them experience God’s caring fatherliness; to show them the way to the Kingdom of Heaven.” He explained that Jesus taught his disciples the need for a “preferential option for the least,” who should be given “the front row in the exercise of charity.”

Pope Francis celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica July 8 to mark the sixth anniversary of his visit to Lampedusa, a small Italian island 90 miles off the coast of Tunisia. Because of its location, Lampedusa has been the first port of entry for many African migrants coming to Europe, thousands of whom have tried to reach the island by boat in recent decades – including more than 20,000 who have died at sea in the attempt. During his 2013 visit to the island, Pope Francis said these deaths occur “all too frequently” and that they “come back to me like a painful thorn in my heart.” “I felt that I had to come here today, to pray and to offer a sign of my closeness, but also to challenge our consciences lest this tragedy be repeated,” he said July 8, 2013. At Monday’s Mass, Francis reflected on trust in God above all else, noting that the security offered by the world “has little worth.” God “is our refuge and our strength, our shield and our armor, our anchor in times of trial,” he said.

12 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

“God alone opens up heaven for those who live on earth,” he said, adding that “Only God saves.” Pope Francis noted the day’s first reading from Genesis, when Jacob lays down to rest, and in his dream sees a ladder reaching up to heaven with God’s messengers going up and down it. The image of Jacob’s ladder recalls that in Jesus Christ the connection between heaven and earth “is guaranteed and is accessible to all,” he said. “Yet climbing the steps of this ladder requires commitment, effort and grace. The weakest and most vulnerable must be helped,” he continued, adding that it is the role of Catholics to take “under our wings the little ones, the lame, the sick, those excluded.” He concluded his homily by thanking those who assist migrants for their “beautiful example of humanity, gratitude and solidarity,” stating that “this is a tremendous responsibility, from which no one is exempt if we wish to fulfil the mission of salvation and liberation in which the Lord himself has called us to cooperate.” BC

Comment

Questions of Faith Father Wilmer L. Todd

I have a friend who thinks pornography is harmless adult entertainment. I disagree with him. Who’s right? Pornography is a problem that is difficult to deal with because we don’t know how to talk about it. In the old days, porn was confined to graphic novels, magazines or DVD’s. Today 71 percent of adults, 85 percent of teens and young adults who have viewed pornography did so using websites or smartphones. Viewers can watch porn whenever and wherever they want. For some teenagers their distorted sexual education has come from pornography. An Alberta University study found that one-third of 13-yearold boys admitted viewing porn. Teenage girls are more likely to view soft porn. These erotic male and female actors are following a script, doing sexual acts that are meant to arouse the viewers. Absent are any intimate expressions of love by committed couples who understand each other’s needs and likes, and respond accordingly. Most teens are “sexting” - either on the receiving or sending end of sexually explicit images. About 60 percent of teens and young adults have received a sexually explicit image and 41 percent have sent one (usually from/to their boy/girlfriend or friend). People use porn for various reasons, the most obvious being sexual arousal, but also for boredom, curiosity and fun. The pornographic industry is basically run by men, for men using sex acts as a way to cause sexual arousal that is usually accompanied by sexual self gratification.

Harmless entertainment? The porn companies want people to become completely addicted to their product. An addicted customer keeps coming back for more. Their porn images excite, arouse and get the hormones flowing. No needles or drugs are necessary to get addicted to porn. Our bodies will make its own drugs just by looking at the pictures. Psychologist Dr. Victor Cline says that sex and pornography can be a more difficult addiction to break than cocaine. Family therapist, Dr. Jill Manning, in her research, found six primary harms to marriage associated with using porn: 1) Increased marital distress and risk of separation and divorce. Porn presents unrealistic sexual activity that is far from two committed people giving themselves to each other in a loving act. 2) Decreased marital intimacy and sexual satisfaction. Sexuality is much more than a physical act. It involves the whole person - emotions, feelings, likes and dislikes, knowledge of the other person’s sexual preference and background. 3) Infidelity. When some people are not getting the satisfaction that they see on porn, they look elsewhere. 4) An increased appetite for more graphic types of pornography and sexual activity associated with abusive, illegal or unsafe practices. 5) Devaluation of monogamy, marriage and child rearing. People try to imitate the abusive sexual acts they see on pornographic videos. 6) An increasing number of people struggling with compulsive and addictive sexual behavior. Dr. Manning also found that children living in a home where

pornography was being used were more likely to suffer from decreased parental time and attention, and had a higher risk of seeing pornographic material, parental separation and divorce, and parental job loss. In his book, The Centerfold Syndrome, psychologist Gary Brooks identified the relational impact on men who consume a steady diet of pornography: 1) Voyeurism: An obsession with visual stimulation that minimizes all other features of a healthy relationship. 2) Objectification: An obsession with body parts at the expense of the whole person. 3) Validation: A condition in which a man needs beautiful, sexy or sexually submissive women to validate himself and his masculinity. 4) Trophyism: Treating women as collectibles and property. 5) Fear of Intimacy: An inability to get beyond centerfold images of women in order to enter a real relationship. God gave us our sexuality to continue the human race and to express our love in a committed relationship. The use of porn is a distortion of God’s purpose. Like all evil, it is seductive and toxic to becoming a real human person. Pornography is not harmless entertainment. BC

Readers are encouraged to send their questions to our local Bayou Catholic columnists by email to bayoucatholic@htdiocese.org.

August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 13

Reflections

Luke urges us to reflect on the destructive capacity of greed Readings Between The Lines Father Glenn LeCompte

“I recently watched interviews with the family of a man who ran a Ponzi scheme. He was sentenced to 150 years in prison after a massive scheme that cost investors billions of dollars. What captivated me was the devastation done to his family. He had a wife and sons who trusted him. Not only did they trust him but they put him on a pedestal and never questioned him. His greed destroyed all that trust” (https:// awesomemarriage.com/blog/ 7-deadlysins-and-your-marriage-2-greed). The foregoing example, provided by Christian counselor and author Dr. Kim Kimberling, illustrates the devastating effect of greed (avarice), which is listed among the seven capital sins in the Catechism of the Catholic Church No. 1866. In the Gospel reading for the weekend of Aug. 3-4 this year, greed is the heart of the issue in Jesus’ instruction to the crowd (Luke 12:13-21). Jesus distances himself from a request to arbitrate an inheritance dispute. Since passages from the Law, such as Genesis 31:14-16 and Numbers 27:8 deal with inheritance, the request that Jesus, who presents himself as a teacher of the Jewish faith, adjudicate an inheritance issue is not unusual. But he sees such a request as insignificant compared to the greater issue of inheriting the Kingdom, and the preoccupation with stockpiling possessions as even a hindrance to acquiring the Kingdom. He illustrates his point by means of a parable (12:16-20), because parables have a way of presenting truth

The Rich Fool by Rembrandt objectively. The main character of Jesus’ parable is a man who is “rich,” a character trait which disposes him to spiritual danger. He has an abundant harvest and, as in the case of people who win the lottery and find themselves with a windfall of money, is faced with a question of what to do with his bounty. The self-posed question, “What shall I do?” has critical implications for this man’s spiritual life. He stands at a spiritual crossroad, for his decision about how to deal with his possessions will prove to be either wise or foolish and will either dispose him to eternal life or bar him from it. He decides to build larger storehouses for his bumper crop and other superfluous goods whereby he can bask in comfort. His vision of the comfortable life is expressed in his soliloquy. The man prides himself on the fact that he has abundant goods which he anticipates will supply his comfort for a long time, during which he plans to “rest, eat, drink and be merry.” His decision, however, is one born of worldly wisdom. The man’s anticipated long, good life is interrupted by God, who tells the man that he is to die that night. God asks the man to whom does he think the things he has prepared will belong. The implication here is that they will not only not belong to him (since, “you can’t take it with you”!), but he will not receive the benefits from these temporal goods that he anticipated. Consequently, the

14 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

man is deemed foolish. Either the early church or Luke himself supplied the application appended to the parable in verse 21, an application which asserts that the parable illustrates the fate of those who place their trust in temporal goods, whose benefit is temporary, rather than in eternal, spiritual goods. The application harks back to Jesus’ original conversation regarding an inheritance dispute. The plaintiff was foolishly expending a lot of energy over goods whose benefit is limited rather than seeking to secure an eternal inheritance. Luke 12:13-21 urges us to reflect upon the destructive capacity of the vice of greed. The Rich Fool’s greed has caused him to fixate on himself: “Self, you have many goods laid up for many years” (12:19). If this translation sounds awkward in English, the oddity of it underscores the fact that the Rich Fool is out-of-touch with what is truly valuable in life. The element of greed enters the scene when the Rich Fool hoards for his own benefit more than he needs, a hoarding that produces a domino effect causing his tumble into spiritual bankruptcy. His greed leads to a kind of narcissism, which blinds him to others’ needs and, worse yet, causes him to view his material surplus as self-generated, not God-given. Greed, especially when it is focused upon material things, can lead a person to value temporal goods over

Reflections

human beings. The U.S. Catholic you the kingdom. Sell your belongings wealth and making comfortable lives Bishops recognized this problem in and give alms. Provide money bags for for ourselves, not unlike the Rich relation to U.S. corporations when yourselves that do not wear out, an Fool in Jesus’ parable! Consequently, they said, “In U.S. law, the primary inexhaustible treasure in heaven that secular society is moving toward a responsibility of managers is to no thief can reach nor moth destroy” redefinition of greed; it only exists if the exercise prudent business judgment (Luke 12:32-33). BC law is broken and people are materially in the interest of a profitable return injured by avaricious acts. To amass an to investors. But morally this legal overabundance of profits and material responsibility may be exercised comforts without regard for others is, only within the bounds of justice to in some circles, deemed “the reward of LIMITED TIME EVENT v Has an attachment to material employees, customers, suppliers, hard work,” and a measure of success. goods caused a spiritual L I M I T E D T I M Estruggle EVENT and the local community” (Economic Why would such an idea persist? for you? How can you address this Justice for All: Pastoral Letter on Perhaps such people have traded faith spiritual difficulty? Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S. in the true God for a “golden calf” or v Can you cite examples of how Economy, §305, http://www.usccb.org/ they have manufactured a god that greed is being ignored in our society? upload/economic _justice_for_all.pdf). fits a self-determined criterion, which Oturns N Q materialism U A L I F Y I N Ginto WO L F P R O D U C T S What are the effects of ignoring How often are workers objectified and a virtue. greed? seen as expendable commodities? The Rich Fool in the parable and O N Q other U A L I Fperson Y I NL IG W O L F P VREO DUCTS M Itempted T E D T I M E Eto Ntrade T In U.S. society, we are becoming numb every v What can we do to encourage to the problem of greed, except when a desire for the Kingdom for temporal people to seek to “grow rich in what it affects us directly. The “American comfort can avoid spiritual peril by matters to God” rather than storing Dream” is often re-envisioned as a heeding Jesus’ advice in the Gospel up for ourselves treasure which is quest for material abundance without reading for the weekend of Aug. 10-11, corruptible and of only temporal concern for others or society at-large. 2019: “Do not be afraid any longer, little value? ON QUALIF YING WOLF PRODUC TS The new dream is focused on acquiring flock, for your Father is pleased to give

Reflection Questions

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August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 15

Scripture Readings and a listing of Feast days and saints

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

1 August

3 Weekday Leviticus 25:1, 8-17 Matthew 14:1-12

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23 Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11 Luke 12:13-21

Weekday Numbers 11:4b-15 Matthew 14:13-21

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Wisdom 18:6-9 Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 Luke 12:32-48

Weekday Deuteronomy 10:12-22 Matthew 17:22-27

Twentieth Sunday in Weekday Judges 2:11-19 Ordinary Time Matthew 19:16-22 Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10 Hebrews 12:1-4 Luke 12:49-53

6 Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 2 Peter 1:16-19 Luke 9:28b-36

13 Weekday Deuteronomy 31:1-8 Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

20 Memorial of Saint Bernard, abbot and doctor of the church Judges 6:11-24a Matthew 19:23-30

Weekday Numbers 13:1-2, 25—14:1, 26-29a, 34-35 Matthew 15:21-28

Memorial of Saint Dominic, priest Numbers 20:1-13 Matthew 16:13-23

Weekday Deuteronomy 4:3240 Matthew 16:24-28

Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, priest and martyr Deuteronomy 34:112 Matthew 18:15-20

21 Memorial of Saint Pius X, pope Judges 9:6-15 Matthew 20:1-16

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 66:18-21 Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13 Luke 13:22-30

Weekday 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8b-10 Matthew 23:13-22

Memorial of Saint Monica 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Matthew 23:23-26

Memorial of Saint Augustine, bishop and doctor of the church 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 Matthew 23:27-32

16 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

Solemnity of the Weekday Assumption of the Joshua 24:1-13 Blessed Virgin Mary Matthew 19:3-12 1 Chronicles 15:34, 15-16, 16:1-2 1 Corinthians 15:54b-57 Luke 11:27-28

Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary Judges 11:29-39a Matthew 22:1-14

Weekday Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14b16, 22 Matthew 22:34-40

Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13 Mark 6:17-29

Weekday 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 Matthew 25:1-13

10 Feast of Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr 2 Corinthians 9:610 John 12:24-26

17 Weekday Joshua 24:14-29 Matthew 19:13-15

24 Feast of Saint Bartholomew, apostle Revelation 21:9b14 John 1:45-51

August

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August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 17

Youth

14th Annual

Steubenville

on the Bayou The annual Steubenville on the Bayou Catholic Youth Conference was held at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center recently. The three-day event featured speakers from all around the country. The worship band More than Sunday led attendees in worship throughout the weekend. Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, Bishop Emeritus Sam G. Jacobs, priests and deacons from the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and beyond celebrated Masses for the event.

18 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

Photos by Jeffery Miller

Youth

August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 19

Youth

in action

How do you stay active in your faith during the summer months? I stay active in my faith during the summer months by attending church services every weekend and witness worship programs. I also work with the vacation Bible school program for grades Pre-K 3 through fourth grade. BC

20 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

Caitlyn Picou

School: Central Catholic School Grade: 12th Church parish: Holy Cross, Morgan City Describe your family unit: Michele, mother; William Jr., father; Taylor, sister. Favorite Hobby: I enjoy spending time with family and playing sports. I have been the manager of the volleyball team for five years, and I also play basketball and softball. Favorite Movie: The Legend of Tarzan Favorite T.V. Show: Grey’s Anatomy Favorite Genre of Music: Country

Seminarian Education Burses What is a seminarian burse/endowment fund? A seminarian burse/endowment fund is an invested sum of money where the interest is used in perpetuity to help fund the education of men to the priesthood in the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux. How does someone establish a seminarian burse/endowment fund? Very simply, a burse/endowment fund may be established and

named for anyone you choose, be it family, friend, bishop, priest, deacon, religious, etc. Who do I contact to contribute to or establish a fund? To contribute to or establish a burse/endowment fund, send funds to the Pastoral Center, Attn: Catholic Foundation, P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395 or contact the Catholic Foundation office at 985-850-3116 or aponson@htdiocese.org for more information.

Completed Burses and CFSL Named Endowment Funds Note: Numbers stipulate the amount of completed burses.*

Anonymous Mr. & Mrs. C. Thomas Bienvenu Harry Booker Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux (3)* Mr. Eledier Broussard Rev. Adrian J. Caillouet Rev. James Louis Caillouet Bishop L. Abel Caillouet Judge & Mrs. L.P. Caillouet Msgr. Lucien J. Caillouet Abdon J. & Ada B. Callais Harold & Gloria Callais Family Paul A. Callais Peter W. Callais Vincent & Fannie Cannata Minor Sr. & Lou Ella Cheramie Maude & Edith Daspit Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis family (3)* Clay Sr. & Evelida Duplantis C. Remie Duplantis Marie Elise Duplantis Warren J. Harang Jr. Msgr. Raphael C. Labit

Msgr. Francis J. Legendre Rev. Charles Menard Dr. & Mrs. M.V. Marmande & Family Donald Peltier Sr. (3)* Harvey Peltier (30)* Richard Peltier The Peltier Foundation (5) Orleans & Louella Pitre Msgr. Joseph Wester Robert R. Wright Jr. Rev. Kermit Trahan St. Bernadette Men’s Club Diocesan Knights of Columbus Leighton Delahaye Mrs. Shirley Conrad Bishop Shelton J. Fabre Elizabeth Hebert Callais Family Fund Rev. Joseph Tu Tran Society of St. Joseph Endowment Fund - $119,136.90 James J Buquet Jr Julius & Marie Pauline St. Amant

Elie & Dot Klingman Bishop Sam Jacobs Endowment-$32,840.43 Giardina Family Foundation Sem. Endowment-$4,337.62 James J. Buquet, Jr. Family Sem. Endowment-$27,979.95 Diocesan Seminaria Endowment-$3,502,699.11 Mary and Al Danos Foundation Sem. Endowment-$38,621.30 Msgr. Amedee Sem. Endowment-$314,838.43 The Peltier Foundation-$14,482.97 Leo & Ethel Hebert Jane and John Dean Sidney J. & Lydie C. Duplantis Msgr. Stanislaus Manikowski Leon “Ponoke” and Marlene Champagne Sem. Endowment-$2,225.00 Society of St. Joseph

June 2019 Burse Contributions Preston & Gladys Webre .................... $550.00

Open Burses with Balance as of June 30, 2019 Donald Peltier Sr. No. 4 .................................$13,000.00 Joseph Strada Memorial ...............................$12,642.63 Msgr. Raphael C. Labit No. 2 .....................$11,560.00 Claude & Lucy Mahler Family .....................$11,100.00 Joseph Waitz Sr. ...............................................$11,000.00 Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier ........................$10,700.00 Harvey Peltier No. 31 .....................................$10,486.91 Clay Sr. & Evelida Duplantis No. 2 ............$10,000.00 C. Remie Duplantis No. 2 ..............................$10,000.00 Marie Elise Duplantis No. 2 .........................$10,000.00 Maude & Edith Daspit No. 2 .......................$10,000.00 Msgr. George A. Landry ................................$10,000.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ..................................... $7,700.00 Rev. Victor Toth .................................................. $7,000.00 Catholic Daughters ............................................. $6,980.00 Msgr. Francis Amedee ..................................... $6,850.00 Brides of the Most Blessed Trinity .............. $6,598.00 Rev. Gerard Hayes ............................................. $6,286.00 Rev. Peter Nies .................................................... $6,000.00 Rev. Guy Zeringue ............................................. $6,000.00 Mr. & Mrs. Love W. Pellegrin ........................ $5,000.00 Anonymous No. 2 .............................................. $5,000.00 Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis Family No. 4 .......$5,000.00 Rev. William M. Fleming ................................. $5,000.00 Mrs. Ayres A. Champagne .............................. $5,000.00 Rev. Kasimir Chmielewski ............................... $4,839.00 Joseph “Jay” Fertitta .......................................... $4,450.00 Rev. Henry Naquin ............................................ $4,311.00 Anawin Community .......................................... $4,200.00

Harry Booker No. 2 ........................................... $4,138.00 Msgr. James Songy ........................................... $4,075.00 Kelly Curole Frazier ............................................ $3,610.96 Mr. & Mrs. John Marmande .......................... $3,500.00 J. R. Occhipinti ..................................................... $3,400.00 Preston & Gladys Webre ................................ $3,400.00 Mr. & Mrs. Galip Jacobs .................................. $3,060.00 St. Jude ................................................................... $3,000.00 Diocesan Knights of Columbus No. 2 ....... $2,894.62 Warren J. Harang Jr. No. 2 ............................. $2,700.00 Rev. Peter H. Brewerton .................................. $2,600.00 Willie & Emelda St. Pierre .............................. $2,000.00 Rev. John Gallen ................................................. $1,950.00 Rev. H.C. Paul Daigle ........................................ $1,900.00 Deacon Connely Duplantis ............................ $1,700.00 Alfrances P. Martin ............................................ $1,650.00 Msgr. Francis J. Legendre No. 2 ................... $1,645.00 Rev. Robert J. Sevigny ...................................... $1,600.00 Jacob Marcello .................................................... $1,600.00 Rev. Hubert C. Broussard ................................ $1,550.00 Judge Louis & Shirley R. Watkins ............... $1,550.00 Msgr. Emile J. Fossier ....................................... $1,545.00 Ronnie Haydel ..................................................... $1,535.00 Dr. William Barletta Sr. ..................................... $1,525.00 Deacon Robert Dusse’ ..................................... $1,450.00 Rev. Anthony Rousso ....................................... $1,300.00 Msgr. John L. Newfield .................................... $1,200.00 Rev. Joseph Tu Tran No. 2 .............................. $1,094.00 Msgr. John G. Keller .......................................... $1,050.00

Rev. Clemens Schneider .................................. $1,000.00 Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux No. 4 ............ $1,000.00 Edna W. DiSalvo ................................................. $1,000.00 Bernice Harang ................................................... $1,000.00 Deacon Willie Orgeron ........................................$900.00 Ruby Pierce ...............................................................$800.00 Dean Joseph Chiasson .........................................$800.00 Deacon Roland Dufrene .....................................$750.00 Juliette & Eugene Wallace .................................$700.00 Deacon Edward J. Blanchard .............................$700.00 Deacon Raymond LeBouef ................................$550.00 Paul & Laura Duet ................................................$550.00 Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Cannata ............................$500.00 Robert Walsh ...........................................................$500.00 Anne Veron Aguirre ..............................................$380.00 Deacon Harold Kurtz ............................................$300.00 Richard Peltier No. 2 .............................................$300.00 Claude Bergeron ....................................................$250.00 Rev. Michael Finnegan .........................................$200.00 Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Naquin ..................................$150.00 Deacon Pedro Pujals..............................................$100.00 Rev. Warren Chassaniol .......................................$100.00 Deacon Eldon Frazier............................................... $50.00 Deacon Nick Messina ............................................. $50.00 Grant J. Louviere ........................................................ $50.00

Overall Seminarian Burses Total: $1,757,243.02 ~ CFSL Seminarian Endowments Total: $4,038,435.75 August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 21

Heavenly Recipes

Dana Chiasson

Dana Prepares a:

QUICK FIX MEAL Story and Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

This month’s heavenly recipe a comes from Dana Chiasson, a native of Thibodaux and parishioner of St. Genevieve Church. Dana is sharing her muffuletta recipe just in time for football season and tailgating. “I usually make a chili or pasta salad to go with the muffuletta. I got this recipe from my sister-in-law, tweaked it and made it my own.” Dana says she learned to cook from her father-in-law who was a cook in the Navy, and her mother and grandmother. “I learned to bake from my grandmother. She always told me it takes patience to bake. She taught me everything about baking.” Dana began volunteering at St. Genevieve when her children were enrolled in the CCD program. “I volunteered my time by counting the money in the parish office from the weekend collections. When the kids started CCD, I began teaching. I then became CRE at St. Genevieve. I did that for nine years. I would work part time at a financial consultant’s office in the morning and the afternoon at the church parish. I served on the church’s evangelization committee and worked with the RCIA program for years. I learned a lot from Sister Fionnuala Quinn, O.P., who was the director of religious education for the diocese at that time. The faith formation classes were great. Now that I have grandchildren, I help my daughter by caring for them during the day. I volunteer now by helping clean the church and I lead the environment team there. Dana’s husband is Lane and they have a daughter Jessica who has four children. Dana and Lane’s daughter Rachel died suddenly in 2006 at age 16 from a brain aneurysm. Losing their daughter was the toughest thing the Chiasson family has endured. “It is a test of faith. I never felt like God left me or Rachel left me. It challenged us. When I was down, 22 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

Dana’s Muffuletta INGREDIENTS: 1 loaf of French bread 1 jar of Boscoli Italian Olive Salad (use about 2 cups per loaf) 1/2 lb. salami, thinly sliced 1/2 lb. Virginia deli ham, thinly sliced 7 to 8 slices of mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced 7 to 8 slices of provolone, thinly sliced 3 tbsps. Olive oil Mayonnaise Mustard Salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice bread loaf in half lengthwise and on one side remove enough of the middle to make room for fillings. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise and mustard on each half of the loaf. Layer the olive salad, meats and cheeses on bottom half of bread; drizzle with olive oil; and season to taste with salt and pepper. Replace top half of bread and wrap sandwich in aluminum foil. Bake until muffuletta is warmed throughout and cheese is melted, about 30 minutes. The sandwich can also be served at room temperature. Slice in pieces to serve. Lane was up; we carried each other. Our family and extended family were there to help us. Rachel’s friends would come over and visit and talk to us for at least a year after she passed. They didn’t understand or couldn’t make sense of it. God puts everything in front of you to heal you. The kids came and that lifted us.” It was through the family’s darkest moments when they felt the compassion and support of community. “The St. Genevieve community has sustained us through the years. The outpouring at that time was tremendous. I know what it means to be lifted up. We learned to trust God. He will take you through it. It’s easy to give up. The hard part is going on, to keep going on.” The Chiasson family is grateful to the extended family of St. Genevieve parishioners. They feel it is a place that is friendly and all are welcome. BC

Special

The consecration to a life of virginity for a woman living in the world

Consecrated virginity A Mass of the consecration to a life of virginity for a woman living in the world was celebrated recently at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux, with Bishop Shelton J. Fabre as main celebrant. Jennifer Ely has chosen to live the life of a Consecrated Virgin. Consecrated Virgins, in being called to a specific diocese, may live “alone, with their family, together with other consecrated women, or in other situations that facilitate the expression of their vocation and the fulfillment of their plan of life. They support themselves from the proceeds from their own work and their personal resources” (Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago, 37).

Photos by Olivia Gulino August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 23

Special

‘Savior of church artifacts’ Preserves history and beautifies St. Mary’sNativity Church By ERIC ORDOYNE I have had an active and growing interest in the history of St. Mary’s Nativity Church in Raceland since the year 2000 when I completed an eighth grade history project on the 150th anniversary of the church parish. My interest peaked in 2005 when I began locating artifacts from the old church (a portion of the altar and tabernacle, as well as life size statues) which I restored and placed in the present church in 2006. My interest in saving church artifacts has continued to increase and I have been nicknamed the “savior of church artifacts.” My goal became to save anything that could be salvaged and restored. Pre-Vatican II church art has a certain quality about it that cannot be duplicated. The artifacts have an “old world” feel about them and when you surround yourself with them you can feel God’s presence. As the years passed I began meeting the right people and discovering the sources that would lead me to the right places. I have hauled trailer loads of statuary and other artifacts across the country. For trips that were deemed too far, I have had deliveries made here to Raceland. My personal collection now consists of hundreds of Pre-Vatican II artifacts, over 100 plaster statues

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Eric Ordoyne with restored Station at St. Mary’s ranging from one-foot-tall to nine feet tall. I also have three sets of Stations of the Cross, candlesticks and other brassware, tabernacles, altar railings, an exquisite carved walk-in pulpit with stairs. Pieces of old high altars, carvings, light fixtures and murals removed from the walls and ceilings of churches. My goal is to build a chapel behind my house where the faithful can come to pray and view the artifacts. For now, some items are rotated in and out of St. Mary’s Church for special occasions. On Holy Thursday, I had a 100-year-old set of electric candelabras delivered to St. Mary’s Church. They were shipped on a boat

24 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

from France. I was able to make the necessary repairs to them in one day and they were used to enhance our church’s sanctuary for Easter. I also restored one of the rescued statues of the Risen Christ which was also used for Easter. Then came the major discovery of the Stations of the Cross from Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Southbridge, MA, — a once-thriving parish established in 1908 to serve French Canadian immigrants who worked in the area mills. Due to the declining Catholic population and the population of priests, church officials announced in May 2010 that Sacred Heart would close and be merged

Special

with Notre Dame Church. A final Mass at Sacred Heart was held May 22, 2011. The contents of the church were purchased by a church reclamation company. In April 2018, I noticed that the Stations of the Cross were listed as clearance priced. So I called and hooked up the trailer and drove up to north Georgia. I came back to Louisiana with two sets of Stations of the Cross and over a dozen statues. After that trip, I made three additional trips with a trailer and hauled over 50 statues home from the large liquidation of statues they were holding. When I came home with the Stations, I had no formal plan in mind, but once I saw the quality of them, I realized that they were intended for something special. Without a doubt, I knew I had to speak with our pastor at that time, Father Charles Perkins, about the possibility of having them displayed in our church. Father Charlie has been so receptive to preserving history and beautifying the church with the many projects I have spearheaded. He has been a true blessing to this

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ERIC ORDOYNE

A Station before restoration

Ordoyne on a trip back from Georgia parish. I told him I would be up to the task of restoring them and allow them to be displayed in the church where they can be appreciated by many. For this to happen, 40 pieces of steel tubing around the perimeter of the church had to be removed so that the new Stations could hang on the outside walls. Originally, a screen with wooden panels created a hall that separated the outside walls from the main body of the church and also blocked the beauty of the stained glass windows. I contacted my friends at R&R Renovations about my vision and told them if they would donate their time and materials to help me remove the steel, I would donate my time and materials to restore the Stations, and we could probably get the project approved and complete the transformation without any costs to St. Mary’s Church; and we did just that. The restoration process was a daunting task and took nearly an

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ERIC ORDOYNE

entire year. These plaster stations are six feet tall and weigh 100 pounds each so they are very difficult to handle. I purchased carts to move them around as I worked on them. Once uncrated, each was evaluated and then the process of removing all of the flaking paint began. It required a good amount of sanding, but the work has to be articulate because they are made of plaster. It truly is a labor of love. All of the holes and broken pieces were repaired with plaster. In some cases, some ornamentation had to be remolded and casted to replace missing parts. I had to surgically remove some of the ornamentation, make a mold out of silicone, then cast the new part out of resin. Each Station was then cleaned, degreased and sprayed with primer. Next, the frames were sprayed in a beautiful pearl white finish. Once these steps were complete, the Stations were moved into my house so I could paint the scenes and the gold highlights on the frames.

August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 25

Special

‘Savior of church artifacts’ PHOTO PROVIDED BY ERIC ORDOYNE

Statues in Ordoyne’s home My wife Alyssa has been most patient with me and my biggest supporter as I used the kitchen island as my space to paint. It was an ordinary scene in my home with three to four Stations on the counters and dining room table at one time! She has been with me since I started collecting these items years ago and has always accompanied me on all of the road trips to haul the artifacts home. The ornate frames are gilded around all of the ornamentation which is a very tedious process. I am thankful for the Lord blessing me with a steady hand. The time consuming part is painting the scene. You don’t realize what Jesus went through until you stare at each station for about 4050 hours while painting it. You start

noticing things—little details such as the expression on his face and the look in his eyes that comes to life when you have the brush in your hand. You can see the pain in his face. It really makes you reflect on his Passion. The stations still had the French lettering on them, and I chose to repaint the letters in French when I restored them. Our French heritage is equally shared with Sacred Heart in Southbridge. I find it ironic that a set of Stations of the Cross from a French Canadian parish are once again in a parish where the Acadians settled. I’m sure the former parishioners of Sacred Heart would be excited to know that a small part of their centuries old church lives on. I will try to reach out to someone and send them pictures; it

26 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

may help with the healing process of the loss of their beloved church. This has been a really rewarding task. God has blessed me with many talents, and it has taken so many of them to complete this project. I am very blessed and I hope the many faithful parishioners of St. Mary’s Nativity Church parish will be moved as they reflect on these beautiful scenes of the Passion of our Lord. (Eric Ordoyne is a native of Raceland, LA, and a lifelong parishioner of St. Mary’s Nativity Church parish. If someone is interested in locating any specific church artifacts, or has questions about his personal collection of religious items, he asks that you call the church parish office at (985) 5373204 and he will contact you.) BC

Announcement

Tuition assistance endowment established Catholic Foundation Update Amy Ponson

As our students are gearing up for a new school year, the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana (CFSL) is excited to announce its first endowment for Catholic Elementary School Tuition Assistance, created in remembrance of Mrs. Nell Talbot Legendre. Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux serve over 5,000 students each year, making it the largest evangelization ministry in our diocese. Each year hundreds of families make a sacrifice in sending their children to one of 12 Catholic schools to ensure they receive a faith centered education in the classroom. Many times, this sacrifice becomes challenging for parents, and in an effort to provide assistance to families in great need the Legendre family has established the first ever tuition assistance fund for Catholic elementary schools within the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, in memory of the late Mrs. Nell Legendre. Mrs. Legendre was a native of Franklin, LA. When she moved to Houma abruptly for her fifth grade year

of school due to family health issues, she was in need of school uniforms to begin classes the next day at St. Francis School. Since it was a Sunday, most stores were closed. A kindly shopkeeper noticed her outside the locked door of his store and decided to open the store for her, even generously extended a discount to her to help her pay for her full set of uniforms. Mrs. Legendre Nell Legendre and family always spoke of this event fondly and reciprocated in Houma and sent her children to St. similar kindness to many through the Genevieve Catholic Elementary School years. and E.D. White Catholic High School in Whether she was Nell, Mrs. Nell, Thibodaux. Aunt Nell or Momma to you, all who The Nell Talbot Legendre Tuition knew her felt her love, zest for life and Endowment has been established sweet humor. Through her social work, with the CFSL to provide Catholic she helped those in need. Through her elementary schools a tuition assistance nursery school, Building Blocks, she fund that they can use for students in nurtured hundreds of children who need. Starting in the spring of 2020, passed through its doors. Through her Catholic elementary school principals ministries as sister, wife, mother and can request grant funds from the Nell grandmother, she inspired strength, Talbot Legendre Fund for tuition caring and creativity in the souls luckily assistance for student(s) in their schools. blessed to be born into her care. This As the fund grows, more families will be endowment will allow her love to able to receive tuition assistance funds. continue long after her passing, helping If you are interested in contributing to elementary school students in the the elementary school tuition assistance diocese through tuition assistance. fund, please contact Amy Ponson at Mrs. Nell was a graduate of St. (985) 850-3116 or aponson@htdiocese. Francis de Sales Elementary School and Vandebilt Catholic High School org. BC

Faith in Our People

A Coastal Scientist

Who will ensure continued funding for restoring our coast and protecting our homes, businesses, and our way of life. Dr Babin believes it is time to stop studying the coast and start doing something.

Vote

#BabinForTheBayou August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 27

Commentary

Infatuation A deacon’s wife’s confessions Angie Lefevre

I love a priest. I am drawn to this man, I can’t wait to see him and talk to him. He makes me happy when I am near him. Now, I am happily married to a deacon. Not just happily married, but I deeply love my husband. I want to be with him and share my thoughts and experiences. So when I found myself having similar feelings for a priest, I was confused and concerned! So I thought about my feelings and talked to God. My conclusion is: This man, this priest, is the embodiment of Christ. When he speaks – his words are filled with love for others, his actions are to help those around him, his goal is to save souls and get them closer to Christ. Does this sound familiar? This is how Jesus lived his whole life. We do not often meet people who actually live out their faith. Luckily, this priest came into my life and makes me a better person. That’s why I am drawn to him! That’s why I want to be near him! He is my closest link to God here on earth. Now that I have realized why I have these feelings, I have

noticed there are a few other priests in our diocese that also exude this magnetism. My husband and I say that these priests are “on fire.” Meaning that they are so filled with the joy and love of the Holy Spirit, they seem to be “on fire.” Being on fire with love for the church and on fire with love for God, they are barely able to contain their enthusiasm. This is who I want to be near – someone on fire! Because it is contagious! So, the next time you are leaving Mass and headed out to eat, ask your priest if he would like to join you. I know it can be a little scary… What are you going to talk about? Are we going to have to discuss religion? What if I accidentally curse in front of him? These are all valid concerns. But remember – if he judges you, he has to go to confession! In fact, we hosted a crawfish boil for the deacons of our diocese, and I have never been more relaxed hosting a party. Because I knew that these good Catholic deacons and their wives would never judge me on the cleanliness of my home! My conclusions regarding infatuation are: It’s okay if you are infatuated with the right things. We get in trouble when we are infatuated with the wrong things. Things that get in the way of our path toward God. We all know what it’s like to obsess over something (like binge watching the second season of This Is Us). Just stop to think if your obsession is getting you closer to God or farther away? (Angie Lefevre is the wife of Deacon James Lefevre, who was ordained to the permanent diaconate in May 2018. They are parishioners of St. Bernadette Church parish in Houma.) BC

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28 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

Book Reviews

Cemetery Road

Reading With Raymond

By Greg Iles William Morrow $28.99 Marshall McEwan had it made; a prize winning newspaper and television star in Washington, D.C., a long way and time from Bienville, MS, his home town, to which he vowed never to return. But when his father became terminally ill, he returned to take over the family newspaper and immediately plunged into an effort to derail plans by the county’s bosses to finance a Chinese paper mill to be built on an archaeological site. He further enraged the bosses when he attempted to solve the murder of his friend, the archeologist who discovered the plot. An exceptional stand-alone novel by the author of the Natchez Burning Trilogy. BC

Raymond Saadi

The Pioneers By David McCullough Simon and Schuster $30 Two American pioneers who never earned star billing in history books, the Rev. Manasseh Cutler, and General Rufus Putnam, receive due recognition here in McCullough’s masterful work. It was Cutler who persuaded Congress to pass the Northwest Ordinance moving the boundary of the United States westward and Putnam was the man who got it done, resulting in the government gaining over 265,000 square miles of unbroken wilderness, doubling the size of the United States, enough territory to create five new states. Settlers, given free land, flooded the territory, taming the forest, cultivating the fertile soil and building homes and towns. They found adventure and peace even with most (but not all) of the native Indian tribes. Except for the fact that it is history, this would be one fantastic novel. BC

The Better Sister By Alafair Burke Harper $26.99 It’s not unusual for sisters to share what they have but, a husband? When Nicky and her husband, Adam, divorced, their young son, Ethan goes to live with her sister Chloe who, incidentally, has now married Adam. Got that? So, when the husband of both sisters is murdered, suspicion falls, first on them, then on the fifteen-yearold Ethan. Now, the two previously estranged (wonder why?) sisters must put bygones behind and join forces to save the kid. Somewhat dizzying but hang on for a thrilling finish. BC

Murder by the Book By Claire Harman Knopf $26.95 On the sixth day of May 1840, Lord William Russell, an elderly, wealthy and respectable man, was found decapitated in his bed, his death quickly causing panic among Londoners. Even though this story is true and the killer quickly suspected and eventually convicted, there remained some doubters like contemporaries Dickens and Thackeray who entertained their own theories. What will you decide? BC

The Way of Forgiveness Readings for a Peaceful Life Michael Leach, James T. Keane, Doris Goodnough Orbis $18 This small book contains over 40 essays on why and how to forgive, a third of which suggest “Forgiving Yourself.” Some thoughts: Father James Martin, “Forgiveness is what you give the other person and yourself.” Actress Marlene Dietrich, “Once a woman forgives her man, she should not reheat his sins for breakfast.” Harry Potter, “Dumbledore says people find it far easier to forgive others for being wrong than being right.” And, summing up, writer Jon Mundy, “There is no future in the past.” Comforting observations on an essential theme. BC

August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 29

Feature

Mona Moss retires after 39 years of service Story by Janet Marcel Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier

New Iberia native Mona Moss has served the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux as secretary, office manager, business manager and event coordinator at Maria Immacolata Church parish in Houma for the past 39 years. She says it’s the only job she ever had. “I began working there in 1980, and what started as a job quickly became a ministry for me. It is impossible to work so closely to people in a faith community and it not become personal. You walk with people through times of great joy and great sorrow. I was able to bear witness to people’s lives and made great friendships while working to better the church parish for the people it serves. That is what I enjoyed the most about working at Maria Immacolata Church parish,” says Moss. When she began her tenure, she says the administrative offices were housed in the priest’s rectory, and the atmosphere was very casual as people would come and go in and out of the house during the day. Things were also done very differently in the office. “Technology was very limited,” she recalls. “We had an ink drum to make the bulletins and used carbon paper to make duplicates of letters. Mass was celebrated in the school’s cafeteria. In the beginning we still had the church fairs, which took many months of planning and many volunteers to carry out. And when the new church building on Corporate Drive was built in 1988, it changed the boundaries of the parish to include many new families.” Moss describes her most memorable time working at the church parish as walking alongside Father Richard 30 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

Hemenway in his illness and death from cancer. Father Hemenway served as Maria Immacolata’s pastor from July 1980 until his death in March 1996. “After serving our parish for 16 years, his loss impacted the parishioners tremendously. We came together to support each other in our grief. I learned a lot about dying through Father Hemenway and had not really experienced loss of a significant person in my life at that point,” says Moss. “Father would say he was not afraid of dying, but was afraid of suffering. I realized then that even a person of such tremendous faith had fears and doubts. He once told the parishioners that through his journey in death he realized he had sympathy, but not empathy. Through his dying, he became a better priest. He also wanted to share his death process without losing his parish. Bishop (Emeritus) Michael Jarrell honored this request and I have always been so grateful to him for allowing our parish to have the gift of Father Hemenway until his passing.” Moss says even though she plans to continue volunteering her time in various ministries, she will miss being on the frontlines and seeing projects through to completion. “I really enjoyed seeing the fruits of our labor and contributing to special projects that made our parish a special place. That is what I will miss the most.” She says now that she is retired, she is looking forward to being a little more leisurely and just letting the day come to her. “I have been blessed with a beautiful family that I look forward to spending more time with.” BC

Daily Prayer for Priests, Deacons and Seminarians

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

1 August

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

Very Rev. Jay Baker

Rev. Paul Birdsall

Rev. Toto Buenaflor Jr.

Rev. Duc Bui

Rev. Joseph Chacko

Rev. Cody Chatagnier

Deacon Malcolm Andry

Rev. Carl Collins

Rev. Robert-Joel Cruz

Rev. Vicente DeLa Cruz

Rev. Dean Danos

Rev. Sovi Devasia

Seminarian Rusty Bruce

Msgr. Cletus Egbi

Very Rev. Simon Peter Engurait, V.G.

Deacon Ambrose Ayzinne

Rev. Gregory Fratt

Very Rev. Alex Gaudet

Seminarian Stephen Castille

Rev. Rholando Grecia

Rev. Brice Higginbotham

Rev. Rajasekar Karumelnathan

Deacon Brent Bergeron

Rev. Noas Kerketta

Rev. Thomas Kuriakose

Rev. Baby Kuruvilla

Rev. Brett Lapeyrouse

Rev. Alex Lazarra

Deacon Brent Bourgeois

Bishop Emeritus Sam G. Jacobs

Daily Prayer for Clergy and Religious Lord Jesus, hear our prayer for the spiritual renewal of bishops, priests, deacons, brothers, sisters, lay ministers and seminarians of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. We praise You for giving their ministry to the Church. In these days, renew them with the gifts of Your Spirit. You once opened the Holy Scriptures to Your disciples when You walked on this earth. Now renew Your ordained and chosen ones with the truth and power of Your Word. In Eucharist you gave Your disciples renewed life and hope. Nourish Your consecrated ones with Your own Body and Blood. Help them to imitate in their lives the death and resurrection they celebrate around Your altar. Give them enthusiasm for the Gospel, zeal for the salvation of all people, courage in leadership and humility in service. Give them Your love for one another and for all their brothers and sisters in You. For You love them, Lord Jesus, and we love and pray for them in Your Holy Name, today especially for _______________________. Amen.

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of the Word 506 Cardinal Drive, Thibodaux, LA • (985) 447-6564

August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 31

Diocesan Events

www.bayoucatholic.com

August

n Acadian Cultural Mass, Thursday, Aug. 15, 6 p.m., St. Hilary of Poitiers Church, Mathews.

September

n Women’s Giving Circle Mass, St. Teresa of Calcutta feast day, Thursday, Sept. 5, 9 a.m., St. Lucy Church, Houma. n Annual diocesan Blue Mass, Thursday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m., Cathedral of St. Francis of de Sales, Houma; Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, presider.

October

n Sunday, October 6, Respect Life Sunday, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre will celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma, at 11 a.m. n Diocesan Marriage Preparation Day, Sunday, October 6, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., diocesan Pastoral Center, Schriever. n Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana 2nd Annual Dinner, Thursday, Oct. 10, Nicholls State University ballroom, Thibodaux, cocktails, 6 p.m.; dinner, 7 p.m. n Annual diocesan Red Mass, Friday,

Oct. 11, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma, 11:30 a.m.; Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, presider. n Annual White Mass, Oct. 12-13 or Oct. 19-20, celebrated in individual diocesan church parishes. n Annual diocesan wedding anniversary prayer service and celebration, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2 p.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma, for couples celebrating 25, 40, 50, 60 and beyond years of marriage this year.

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Farewell celebration A Mass and farewell celebration was held recently for Rob Gorman who retired as executive director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Retired priest Father P.J. Madden was the celebrant of the Mass, which was attended by the staff of Catholic Charities. After the Mass a luncheon with the theme “My Tie,” (where staff wore mix matched ties in honor of Gorman) was enjoyed by Gorman, his wife Carolyn and staff.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier 32 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

Announcement

April LeBouef named director of Finance and Accounting for diocese

Outreach Line In response to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is offering an Outreach Line (formerly known as the Child Protection Contact Line). The Outreach Line is an effort to continue the diocesan commitment to support healing for people who have been hurt or sexually abused recently or in the past by clergy, religious or other employees of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Outreach Line operates from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. A trained mental health professional responds to the line. Individuals are offered additional assistance if requested.

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Outreach Line Telephone number is (985) 873-0026 or (985) 850-3172

April LeBouef

April M. LeBouef, who has been serving as the comptroller for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux since October 2008, has been appointed as the new diocesan director of Finance and Accounting, effective immediately. According to Jon Toups, diocesan chief operating and financial officer, LeBouef’s new position will entail overseeing office staff involved with accounts payables/receivables, bookkeeping, casualty and property insurance, payroll and the accounting of Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana funds. LeBouef obtained a bachelor’s degree in personnel administration from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux in 1984. She previously served as bookkeeper at E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux for five years from 2003 until 2008. The Thibodaux resident has been married to Barry LeBouef for 34 years and they have one daughter, Samantha, 32, and two sons Lee, 30, and Stephen, 24. They are parishioners of St. John the Evangelist Church parish in Thibodaux. BC

Línea de Comunicación Diocesana

Con el fin de cumplir con las Políticas de Protección de Niños y Jóvenes de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Los Estados Unidos, la Diócesis de Houma-Thibodaux ofrece una Línea de Comunicación (antes Línea de Contacto para la Protección de los Niños). La Línea de Comunicación es parte del esfuerzo diocesano de comprometerse con el mejoramiento de aquéllos que han sido lastimados o abusados sexualmente recientemente o en el pasado por miembros del clero, religiosos u otros empleados de la Diócesis de Houma-Thibodaux. El horario de la Línea de Comunicación de la Diócesis de Houma-Thibodaux es de 8:30 a.m. a 4:30 p.m., de lunes a viernes. El encargado de esta línea es un profesional capacitado en salud mental. Se ofrece asistencia adicional al ser solicitada.

Línea de Comunicación de la Diócesis de Houma-Thibodaux Número de teléfono (985) 873-0026 o (985) 850-3172

Ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi Cöùu giuùp Giaùo phaän Ñeå höôûng öùng Hieán chöông Baûo veä Treû em vaø Giôùi treû töø Hoäi ñoàng Giaùm muïc Hoa kyø, Giaùo phaän Houma-Thibodaux ñang chuaån bò ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi Cöùu giuùp (luùc tröôùc laø ñöôøng daây lieân laïc baûo veä treû em). Ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi Cöùu giuùp laø moät söï coá gaéng cuûa giaùo phaän nhaèm cam keát haøn gaén naâng ñôõ nhöõng ai ñaõ bò toån thöông hoaëc bò laïm duïng tính duïc hoaëc gaàn ñaây hoaëc trong quaù khöù bôûi giaùo só, tu só hoaëc caùc coâng nhaân vieân cuûa Giaùo phaän Houma-Thibodaux. Ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi Cöùu giuùp Giaùo phaän hoaït ñoäng töø 8:30 saùng ñeán 4:30 chieàu, thöù hai ñeán thöù saùu. Moät nhaân vieân chuyeân nghieäp veà söùc khoûe taâm thaàn traû lôøi treân ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi. Nhöõng caù nhaân seõ ñöôïc trôï giuùp naâng ñôõ theâm neáu caàn.

Ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi Cöùu giuùp Giaùo phaän Soá ñieän thoaïi: (985) 873-0026; (985) 850-3172

August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 33

Announcement

First annual Lift Adult Conference is Sept. 27-29 By SHAWN LAPEYROUSE Lift 3:16, Inc. is excited to announce the first annual Lift Adult Conference, with the theme “Deeper,” to be held Friday, Sept. 27, through Sunday, Sept. 29, at the Houma Terrebonne Civic Center in Houma. Anyone 18 years of age and older is invited to attend! This event will feature a ministry team made up of nationally renowned speakers and musicians including: Jackie Francois Angel, Sean Forrest, D.J. Bernal, Bishop Emeritus Sam G. Jacobs, More Than Sunday leading worship, and Kathleen Lee as host for the weekend! The weekend’s events will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, following dinner provided to all registered participants. The Friday evening session will begin unpacking the weekend’s theme, “Deeper,” by

our host and offering confessions to participants before departing for the night. Saturday morning is centered around Mass. After lunch is provided to the participants, there will be a full afternoon of workshops and keynote talks. The evening begins with dinner, also included with your registration, followed by a keynote before transitioning into time before the Blessed Sacrament for Holy Hour. The full spiritual experience will conclude Sunday with a final keynote and Mass! We invite you to take part in this life-changing opportunity, a chance to encounter Christ and begin a journey into a relationship, or to grow in your faith, with Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For more information, visit www.Lift316.com (click the “Adult

34 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

Conference” tab) or email us at info@ lift316.com. Registration is $175/person (includes three meals) before Sept. 23 (before you register, email us and mention this article – we’ll give you $20 off of your registration!). Anyone who would like to organize a group, we invite you to do so. For every paid 12 spots you have within your group, you’ll receive the 13th one free. Visit our website for more information on forming a group! All priests are invited to attend for free, including meals. We would ask if you can spare any time to offer confessions throughout the weekend, we would greatly appreciate it. We’ll be sending out more information about specific confessions times shortly! BC

Football 2019

Football Contents

Nicholls State University Colonels

Central Catholic School Eagles

40 E.D. White Catholic High School Cardinals

Vandebilt Catholic High School Terriers

South Lafourche High School Tarpons

46 Thibodaux High School Tigers

H.L. Bourgeois High School Braves

South Terrebonne High School Gators

Central Lafourche High School Trojans

36 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

58 Tulane University Green Wave

52 Ellender Memorial High School Patriots

Louisiana State University Tigers

48 Morgan City High School Tigers

Terrebonne High School Tigers

New Orleans Saints

August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 37

Football

2019 Louisiana College Team Schedules Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

McNeese Cowboys

Saturday, Aug. 31 .........................University of Texas at Austin Saturday, Sept. 7 ...................................... GRAMBLING STATE Saturday, Sept. 14 ................................................ Bowling Green Friday, Sept. 20 .... FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNVERSITY Saturday, Sept. 28 ................................................................Rice* Saturday, Oct. 12 .UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST Saturday, Oct. 19 ......................................... SOUTHERN MISS* Saturday, Oct. 26 ...................... University of Texas at El Paso* Saturday, Nov. 9.......................................NORTH TEXAS (HC)* Friday, Nov. 15 ................................................................Marshall Saturday, Nov. 23 ........University of Alabama at Birmingham* Saturday, Nov. 30 .UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO*

Saturday, Aug. 31 ................................................... SOUTHERN Saturday, Sept. 7 ...............................................Oklahoma State Saturday, Sept. 14 ...........................................ALCORN STATE Saturday, Sept. 21 .........................................Abilene Christian* Saturday, Sept. 28 ............................ SAM HOUSTON STATE* Saturday, Oct. 5 . SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY* Saturday, Oct. 12 ...........................................Central Arkansas* Saturday, Oct. 19 ....................................HOUSTON BAPTIST* Saturday, Oct. 26 ..........................................Stephen F. Austin* Saturday, Nov. 16 ............................. Nicholls State University* Saturday, Nov. 23 ..............................................................Lamar

*Denotes Conference USA Games HOME GAMES IN CAPS

UL Lafayette Rajun Cajuns Saturday, Aug. 31 ............................................ Mississippi State Saturday, Sept. 7 ......................................................... LIBERTY Saturday, Sept. 14 ..................................... TEXAS SOUTHERN Saturday, Sept. 21................................................................. Ohio Saturday, Sept. 28 .........................................Georgia Southern* Wednesday, Oct. 9 .............................. APPALACHIAN STATE* Thursday, Oct. 17 .............................................. Arkansas State* Thursday, Nov. 7.............................................. Coastal Carolina* Saturday, Nov. 16 ............................................. South Alabama* Saturday, Nov. 23............................................................. TROY* Saturday, Nov. 30. UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE* *Denotes Sun Belt Conference Games HOME GAMES IN CAPS

Grambling Tigers Saturday, Aug. 31 .....................University of Louisiana at Monroe Saturday, Sept. 7 ........................................................Louisiana Tech Saturday, Sept. 21 ................................................... Alabama State* Saturday, Sept. 28 .............................................Prairie View A&M* Saturday, Oct. 5 .........................................................Jackson State* Saturday, Oct. 12 .................................................ALABAMA A&M* Saturday, Oct. 26 ................ University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff* Saturday, Nov. 9 ..................................................ALCORN STATE* Saturday, Nov. 16 ................. Mississippi Valley State University* Saturday, Nov. 30 ..............................................................Southern* *Denotes Southwestern Athletic Conference Games HOME GAMES IN CAPS

38 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

*Denotes Southland Conference Games HOME GAMES IN CAPS

Southern Jaguars Saturday, Aug. 31 ..........................................................McNeese Saturday, Sept. 7 .......................................................... Memphis Saturday, Sept. 14 ...................................... EDWARD WATERS Saturday, Sept. 21 ..................................................Florida A&M Saturday, Sept. 28 ......... University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff* Saturday, Oct. 12 ................................... PRAIRIE VIEW A&M* Saturday, Oct. 19 ..............................................Texas Southern* Saturday, Oct. 26 ................................................... Alcorn State* Saturday, Nov. 9 ............................... VIRGINIA-LYNCHBURG Saturday, Nov. 16 ................................................Jackson State* Saturday, Nov. 30 ........................................... Grambling State* *Denotes Southwestern Athletic Conference Games HOME GAMES IN CAPS

Football

About our

sports writers Ed Daniels has been sports director at WGNO Channel 26 in New Orleans since 1993. A native of New Orleans, Daniels graduated from Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie and later received a degree from Loyola University in New Orleans. Daniels started in television in 1977 as first sports intern at WVUE Channel 8 in New Orleans. In 2001, Daniels created “Friday Night Football,” the first high school football show in New Orleans. He was named Louisiana Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association in 1997.

Jeremy Becker, a native of Thibodaux and resident of Schriever, graduated from Nicholls State University in 1995 with a degree in marketing and in 1997 with a master’s of business administration. While working on his master’s, he was a graduate assistant with the Nicholls Colonel Club and is currently president of the Colonel Athletic Association. Becker is the executive director of the Nicholls Foundation for Nicholls State University in Thibodaux.

Steve Caldarera, a native of Vacherie, has been the Bayou Catholic’s Tulane columnist for many years. He graduated from Nicholls State University with a degree in communications. Caldarera has experience in announcing sports for radio and doing playby-play for Nicholls State University. He was the first advertising manager for the Bayou Catholic and currently works in insurance and investments with the Steve Caldarera Group.

Wil Touchet, a native of Houma and resident of Thibodaux, is a graduate of Vandebilt Catholic High School and Nicholls State University with a degree in mass communication and a master’s in educational leadership. He has been a Bayou Catholic contributor since 2009 and served as sports correspondent for many years at The Courier and Daily Comet. Touchet currently teaches and coaches at Bayou Blue Middle School.

Visit us e m A G e h t r Afte ur o f o y n A t A LocAtions! • 1107 Grand Caillou Rd. Houma, LA • 5974 Main St. Houma, LA • 377 North Canal Blvd. Thibodaux, LA • 13926 West Main Larose, LA • 1005 Greenwood St. Morgan City, LA • 141 Linda Ann Avenue Gray, LA • 1079 R Hwy. 90, East Bayou Vista, LA • 1228 St. Charles St. Houma, LA • 4720 Hwy. 1 Raceland, LA

August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 39

Football

Nicholls football looks to reach new levels in 2019 By JEREMY BECKER The success of the 2018 Nicholls State University football team was a continuation from the previous year as the Colonels beat their first ever Power 5 team, the Kansas Jayhawks of the Big XII, claimed the program’s second Southland Conference championship and won a home playoff game for the first time before falling on the road to eventual national championship runner up Eastern Washington. Now the challenge for this year, can the Colonels not only continue the success, but can they improve upon it.

Nicholls State University Colonels Coach Tim Rebowe Saturday, Aug. 31 ...........................................................................Kansas State Saturday, Sept. 14 ................................................................. Prairie View A&M Saturday, Sept. 21 ................................................................Stephen F. Austin* Saturday, Sept. 28 ............................................................................ Texas State Saturday, Oct. 5 .......................................................... CENTRAL ARKANSAS* Saturday, Oct. 12 .................................................. NORTHWESTERN STATE* Saturday, Oct. 19 ................................................................Sam Houston State* Saturday, Oct. 26 .........................................................ABILENE CHRISTIAN* Saturday, Nov. 9 .............................................................HOUSTON BAPTIST* Saturday, Nov. 16 ............................................................................. McNEESE* Thursday, Nov. 21 .....................................Southeastern Louisiana University* *Denotes Southland Conference Games HOME GAMES IN CAPS

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Football

Maintaining the level of success goes back to the 2016 recruiting class, which many in the regional media called the best recruiting class in the history of Nicholls’ program and many of those same media would agree that the class has lived up to the title. In this senior class’ first three years, they have won 22 games (tying a school record over a three year time period), lost only three home games (setting a school record), nearly beat Georgia and Texas A&M of the SEC, won a conference championship, hosted the program’s first two home playoff games and are picked to repeat as conference champs for 2019. With all of the team success, comes individual recognition to the point that four seniors from the ’16 signing class have either already set all-time Nicholls records for their position or are on pace to set them. Leading the way is senior quarterback Chase Fourcade, from Metairie, who is already the alltime leading passer in school history, has the most 200 yard passing games, is second in touchdown passes and holds many other game, season and career records. Additionally, Fourcade was named the Southland Conference Player of the Year last year, the first ever Nicholls player to earn that recognition in program history, and he begins 2019 as preseason 1st Team AllSLC and 3rd team All-American. Joining Fourcade on the offensive side of the ball is senior running back

Dontrell Taylor out of White Castle. While Taylor has been forced to battle through some injuries and has been asked to sit out of the end of many games due to the Colonels having big leads, Taylor has a school record nine 100-yard rushing games with five coming last year tying the record for a single season, averaged a program record best 7.2 yards per carry in 2018 and is currently ninth in all-time rushing yards. If Taylor, a 2nd team All-SLC preseason pick, duplicates his performance from last year, he will become Nicholls’ all-time rushing leader. On the defensive side of the ball, senior defensive lineman and Grammercy native Sully Laiche has garnered All-American status for his play since his freshman year when he was named a 1st Team Freshman All-American. While Nicholls does not have an all-time sack leader category, Laiche would likely be at the top after only three years as he is the current career sack leader in all of the FCS among active players. Laiche enters this season as a preseason 1st Team All-SLC and 1st Team All-American pick. Also creating havoc for opponents is senior linebacker Evan Veron from LaPlace, who in addition to creating big plays is also one of the more vocal and emotional leaders of the team. Veron is coming off an impressive 2018 that saw him lead the Southland and

finish third in the FCS with 22 tackles for a loss including seven sacks. For his past success, Veron, like Fourcade, is a preseason 1st Team All-SLC and 3rd Team All-American selection. While these four players are definitely leaving their mark in Nicholls football history, there are seven other Colonels on the preseason 1st and 2nd All-SLC teams giving Nicholls the most selections in the Southland. Along with the individual accolades, the Colonels are also receiving high expectations from national media such as HERO sports picking Nicholls to win the SLC and giving them a No. 12 national ranking in the FCS. Improving on the success from last year will not be easy for the Colonels for a couple of reasons. First, Nicholls will now be a program that teams will have extra focus for as the Colonels will likely be one of, if not the best team on most of their opponent’s schedules. Secondly, the Colonels will have an extremely difficult 12 game regular season schedule including the first four on the road. Once again, Nicholls will open the season in the state of Kansas as they will take on Kansas State. Following their only open week of the season, Nicholls will then travel to Prairie View A&M and then open SLC play at Stephen F. Austin before playing their last non-conference game and second FBS opponent in Texas State. Nicholls will be the last team

August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 41

Football

in the country to play their home opener as they host Central Arkansas on Oct. 5. The other home games will be against Northwestern State, Abilene Christian, Houston Baptist and McNeese State with road games at Sam Houston, Incarnate Word and Southeastern Louisiana. One way to overcome a difficult schedule is to have coaches and players who know what to expect and Nicholls will have both. This will be head coach Tim Rebowe’s fifth year at the helm and impressively, it will also be the fifth year for most of the coaching staff including both the offensive and defensive coordinators. As for the players, Nicholls will return five offensive starters and six defensive starters along with well over 40 lettermen to provide important depth at all positions. Offensively, Nicholls will be led by Fourcade and Taylor, who is part of arguably the most talented running

back group in the SLC and possibly in school history with senior Kendall Bussey and sophomore Julien Gums. The talent level stays high with the wide receivers led by junior and preseason 1st Team All-SLC Dai’Jean Dixon. The one area that will see some new faces in starting positions will be along the offensive line as two starters return in juniors P.J. Burkhalter, a preseason 1st Team All-SLC pick and Jair Joseph, a preseason 2nd Team AllSLC selection. Just as they have been the past few years, the defensive side of the ball will be a strength for the Colonels. With the already mentioned Laiche and Veron, senior linebacker Allen Pittman and junior defensive back Darren Evans are also preseason 1st Team All-SLC picks along with senior defensive back Khristian Mimms, a preseason 2nd teamer. The Colonel special teams will return

preseason 1st Team All-SLC punter Winston Jones, an E.D. White product and senior returner Stefano Guarisco, from Central Catholic of Morgan City. The biggest question mark on the team will be at place kicker as there will be preseason camp battles for kicking duties as Nicholls will have to replace their All-American kicker from last year. After winning eight games in 2017 and nine in 2018, the consistency level of excellence the Nicholls Colonels have created is now apparent. The challenge for 2019 will be to not only maintain that high level of play, but to improve upon it. With leadership coming from an experienced coaching staff and numerous players who are creating Nicholls Hall of Fame careers, the Colonels are primed to repeat as Southland Conference champions and to reach levels of the FCS playoffs that the program has never achieved. BC

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Football

Big senior class will lead Central Catholic By Wil Touchet The Central Catholic Eagles will be a senior-laden football team in 2019. Of the Eagles’ 48 players, coach Tommy Minton said 17 of them are seniors. “That is a very big senior class for us. We had between nine and 12 seniors my first couple of years here,” Minton said. “They are providing a lot of leadership so I am excited about that and most of those seniors are returning starters so that is a good thing for us. We are starting to have a little bit of depth, too.” The Eagles, who played nine regular season games last year, were 5-5 overall in 2018 and 4-2 in district and made the first round of the Division IV playoffs where they fell to Ouachita Christian. Minton said he is looking for more consistency from this year’s squad. “Showing up every day is consistency,” Minton said. “With the number we have had showing up to summer workouts, it leads me to believe they are buying into that. We played some ball games last year where we were very, very good and we played some ball games last year where we were very, very bad. We need to find that even keel and stay on that even keel. We talk about kids holding themselves accountable. When the kids hold themselves accountable instead of the coaches holding the kids accountable, that’s a big deal.” Minton said the Eagles will look to limit big plays on defense this season, something he said hurt the team last year. “We have to take the big play out of the equation,” Minton said. “We changed our scheme a little on the back end as far as coverages to help with that, and I have a couple new coaches who have coached with me in the past and played for me at Patterson. So I think that will help us. We just want to contain teams and make them drive the field on us.” Central Catholic returns its entire

Central Catholic Eagles Coach Tommy Minton Thursday, Sept. 5 .......................................................................LOREAUVILLE Friday, Sept. 13 .............................................................................West St. Mary Friday, Sept. 20 ..........................................................................................Vinton Friday, Sept. 27 .............................................................. ST. STANISLAUS, MS Friday, Oct. 4 ......................................................................... Ascension Catholic Thursday, Oct. 10 ..............................................................................Centerville* Thursday, Oct. 17 ......................................................... HANSON MEMORIAL* Friday, Oct. 25 ......................................................... COVENANT CHRISTIAN* Friday, Nov. 1 ......................................................................... Highland Baptist* Friday, Nov. 8 ........................................................... VERMILION CATHOLIC* HOME GAMES IN CAPS *Denotes District 8-1A games offensive line, led by Michael Anthony Hill and Kaden Scott, for 2019 and its top rusher from last season, Davidyione Bias, who went for over 1,500 yards on the ground. Ryan Miller, a starter at free safety last season, is set to start at quarterback for the Eagles.

“We played some ball games last year where we were very, very good and we played some ball games last year where we were very, very bad. We need to find that even keel and stay on that even keel.” “We want to be able to control the ball and throw off play action,” Minton said. “We want to keep the ball away from the other teams and I think we should be able to do that. We need solid, consistent play at quarterback. We don’t need Ryan to win the game for us. We need Ryan to manage the game for us and give us steady play.”

On defense, the Eagles return middle linebacker Nathan Hebb, who is entering his fourth year as a starter, and Minton said the team is working to fill some spots following some key losses on the defensive line in order to avoid playing offensive linemen in those spots. The Eagles will now compete in the six-team District 8-1A with Centerville, Covenant Christian Academy, Hanson Memorial, Highland Baptist and Vermilion Catholic. “We lose Lafayette Christian, a twotime state champion, but we still have Vermilion Catholic who is perennial state championship contender. That is a big rivalry for us and that is a good football game every year,” Minton said. “We pick up Covenant Christian. They are a good football team. We have scrimmaged them in the past. Randy Boquet does a good job and they are physical. Centerville has improved every year and Mark Millet has done a great job. I think people better be on the lookout for them. The district is tough. There is always an upset along the way. You have to prepare every week, can’t take anyone lightly and come out and play football every Friday night.” BC

August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 43

Football

Ledet takes over Vandebilt Catholic football program By WIL TOUCHET Lance Ledet was ready and the Vandebilt Catholic administration agreed with him. After 20 years as an assistant coach, Ledet, a Schriever native, was named the 16th head coach of the Vandebilt football team in early February. Ledet, an E.D. White Catholic graduate who started his coaching career as a student assistant at Nicholls in 1996-97, comes to back to the area from Brother Martin in New Orleans, where he was an assistant. He also previously assisted

Vandebilt Catholic Terriers Coach Lance Ledet Friday, Sept. 6 ..................................................................................E.D. WHITE Friday, Sept. 13 ................................................................................WESTGATE Friday, Sept. 20 ....................................................................................... Berwick Friday, Sept. 27 ..................................................................................Dutchtown Friday, Oct. 4 ........................................................................................... WELSH Friday, Oct. 11 ...............................................................SOUTH LAFOURCHE* Friday, Oct. 18 ......................................................................................Ellender * Friday, Oct. 25 ....................................................................... South Terrebonne* Friday, Nov. 1 .................................................................................. Assumption* Friday, Nov. 8 ........................................................................... MORGAN CITY* HOME GAMES IN CAPS *Denotes District 8-4A games

44 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

Football

at Destrehan High School on a state title football team and at St. Pius X Catholic School in Houston where he won two state championships as defensive coordinator, was part of a state championship baseball team as an assistant coach and was also the athletic director. “This was a great opportunity for me and my family to get back to our roots. We believe in a Catholic education as a family. My wife and I are both educated by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and my son is a Catholic school kid,” Ledet said. “There is nothing better than being home and being in a situation where you can give young men the same guidance I was given in high school. I am happy I get to continue to do those things I believe in as a coach and as a mentor. The timing could have not worked out better. The school is really blossoming right now and it’s a great opportunity to be a part of it. I thought it was a perfect fit.” Ledet replaces former Terriers coach Jeremy Atwell, who in five seasons was 29-26 overall at Vandebilt. The Terriers are coming off a 5-6 overall season and lost to De La Salle in the first round of the Division II playoffs and have over 80 varsity players with 12 seniors. Ledet said he has gotten a good reception from the team. “The kids are coachable,” Ledet said. “I think they are hungry to be good and hungry to be coached. I think the ones who stuck around after the first seven weeks of the summer want to be disciplined and molded to be part of those programs like I was at in Texas, at Destrehan and at Brother Martin.” Ledet said he and his coaching staff will be working hard to get the Terriers ready for the season. “With no spring, we still have to install the offense, defense and special teams,” Ledet said. “We have had the kids in the weight room and that is big for us. We get the extra week with the pads on before the season because we didn’t have spring. When we put the pads on, it will be a smooth transition.” Ledet said at quarterback Gavin Daigle and Jean-Luc Lapeyre are both in the mix for the starting job and both bring positives to the position. He also said either of them will also be a key receiving weapon for Vandebilt. Other offensive players for the Terriers expected to

contribute are wide receivers Jacorey Wells, Hayes Thompson and Hunter Porche. On defense, Ledet said players like linebackers Chandler Rhodes and Chris Bonvillain and defensive backs Thad Cornes and Kenney Franklin will lead the way. Ledet said getting solid quarterback play, having the Vandebilt offensive line play mentally and physically tough, winning the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and winning the special teams battle each week are four keys to success for the Terriers this season. Vandebilt will compete in a new six-team District 8-4A with Assumption, Ellender, Morgan City, South Lafourche and South Terrebonne in 2019. “You have to dethrone Assumption,” Ledet said. “They are big and physical up front on defense. They run to the film and offensively they are going to run at you and take shots and get the ball in the hands of their athletes. The league is a little different than I am used to. I am used to seeing teams spread the field. It is nothing out of the ordinary, just a little different. We know South Terrebonne has a great tradition with a coach who won a state championship. South Lafourche is always tough and physical. I am overall impressed with the league. It is a balanced league until someone dethrones Assumption.” BC

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August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 45

Football

Lasseigne happy to be back as head coach of Cardinals By WIL TOUCHET Kyle Lasseigne is back as the head coach of the E.D. White Catholic High School football team. But he never left the Thibodaux school. Lasseigne was head coach of the Cardinals from 2005-14 and in 10 seasons was 66-49 overall, which included an 8-9 playoff mark, but spent the last five years at E.D. White in different roles. “I missed being around the kids. I missed the excitement of Friday nights. I missed the game planning,” Lasseigne, who led E.D. White to the Class 3A semifinals in 2009, said. “I missed the character building and relationships with the kids. I learned a lot in my 10 years as a head coach. I was able to take the negatives and get rid of them and take the positives and keep them rolling.” Lasseigne, who coached eighth-grade football the last five years at the school, takes over after former head coach Chris Bergeron, who spent five years in the head-coaching spot, resigned in January.

E.D. White Cardinals Coach Kyle Lasseigne Friday, Sept. 6 ...................................................................................... Vandebilt Friday, Sept. 13 ........................................................................... H.L. Bourgeois Friday, Sept. 20 ...........................................................................ASSUMPTION Friday, Sept. 27 ..................................................................................St. Charles Friday, Oct. 4 ............................................................... SOUTH TERREBONNE Friday, Oct. 11 .................................................................DONALDSONVILLE* Friday, Oct. 18 .................................................................................... Patterson* Friday, Oct. 25 .................................................................................. LUTCHER* Friday, Nov. 1.........................................................................................Berwick* Friday, Nov. 8 .................................................................................. ST. JAMES* HOME GAMES IN CAPS *Denotes District 9-3A games Bergeron, previously an assistant under Lasseigne, will stay on the E.D. White staff as an assistant. “I was able to see the program flourish with Chris and him staying on made me feel more comfortable,” Lasseigne said. “And now I am able to get back into it and put my own stamp on it again. I just couldn’t pass it up. I have been here close to 18 years. I am a graduate of this

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place. My kids are here. To me, there is no place like this.” E.D. White is coming off a season in which it went 8-4 overall and 5-1 in district. The Cardinals beat St. Michael in the first round of the Division II playoffs and fell to St. Thomas More in the second round. This season E.D. White has

Football

105 players on its roster, including 22 seniors. “We have some kids who are coming in fresh and I think it has given them a different perspective,” Lasseigne said. “Of the 22 seniors, there are very few who were full-time players last year. So if that doesn’t make you hungry, something is wrong. I think that has made them realize they have to give great effort and I have seen that in these seniors. We have a lot of talent and some better size. We also have some good skill guys. I describe our team as sneaky fast. I think it will come down to how we develop on the offensive and defensive lines, but from a skill perspective, we are going to hold up O.K.” Lasseigne, a run-oriented coach in his past, said the Cardinals, who will focus on improving its passing game, will also work together to compensate for the absence of former star quarterback Brandon Legendre, entering his freshman season at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. We have to find a quarterback that makes good decisions. Players vying for the quarterback spot are Devin DeSandro, Cailun Griggs and Dominic Archila. In addition to the quarterback, some of the offensive leaders are expected to be running back/wide receiver Branton Vicknair, running back Hunter Becnel, wide receivers Grant Gauthreaux and Conner Richard, and offensive linemen Bo Bordelon, Rylee Reulet and Gavin Clements. Lasseigne said the Cardinals will run the same defensive scheme with some of the leaders being defensive end Caleb Hagen, defensive tackle E.J. Howell and defensive backs Quinn

Strander and Brandon Boudreaux. “We still have Coach Bergeron here,” Lasseigne said. “We don’t have great size but we have that sneaky speed. We are going to have to move around on defense. I know with Coach Bergeron we will always be fundamentally sound on defense. I feel confident about our defense, and Coach Blaine Hymel is taking over our special teams and I told him I want our special teams to be the best special teams unit in the state. I think we have the ability to do that. We are going to make people prepare for us on special teams.” The Cardinals are moving down from Class 4A to Class 3A this season and will play in District 9-3A with Berwick, Donaldsonville, Lutcher, Patterson and St. James. “I know tradition and it may seem like dropping down from 4A to 3A is a drop down in competition but it is absolutely not going to be,” Lasseigne said. “St. James and Lutcher always have good teams and there is no reason to doubt they won’t again. Patterson and Donaldsonville always have athletes and Berwick is playing its best football in school history. You can’t look at any of these games as bye weeks because there are none. It will be all about how we develop during the season and move toward the playoffs. We know it’s a tough schedule and we are in a tough playoff situation, but we are not going to accept what has been normal or the results we had in the past. If your goal is not to be a state champion, then you are not doing this profession correctly. My goal is to play for a state championship and I am looking forward to seeing how far along we get this year.” BC

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Football

Tarpons determined to improve after tough 2018 By Wil Touchet South Lafourche High School football coach Blake Forsythe might not have as many players on his roster as other teams in the area. He also may not have the biggest of athletes at his disposal. But he surely likes the players he does have. The Tarpons are coming off a 2-8 overall record last season, which included a 2-4 mark in district, and this season Forsythe said the Tarpons have around 60 players (ninth-12th grades) preparing for the season, but that they are doing their best to greatly improve for 2019. “Our numbers are down a little bit,” Forsythe said. “But the ones that we have, they are here every day and they are doing what it takes. We have a lot of guys with a lot of hustle. They want to turn it around after last year and they are determined to not have another season like that.” South Lafourche has 10 seniors after losing 17 seniors last season, but Forsythe said those 10 seniors have upped their leadership roles. “I think a big strength for us will be our locker room chemistry,” Forsythe said. “Our seniors have really stepped up into leadership roles. They have really developed that aspect for our team. I think that will be big for us.” Forsythe said some of the expected offensive leaders this season will be wide receiver Eric Thibodaux, full backs Brody Angeron and Derin Doucet and offensive lineman Jhy Orgeron. “We struggled at times offensively last season, but I think we are going to surprise some people on the offensive side of the ball,” Forsythe said. “We are primarily a running team and at quarterback we have two guys battling it out and both have pluses and minuses. That probably won’t be

South Lafourche Tarpons Coach Blake Forsythe Friday, Sept. 6 ..............................................................................ST. CHARLES Friday, Sept. 13 ............................................................................. THIBODAUX Friday, Sept. 20 ......................................................................Central Lafourche Friday, Sept. 27 ....................................................................................... Lutcher Friday, Oct. 4 ...................................................................................Belle Chasse Friday, Oct. 11 .................................................................................... Vandebilt* Friday, Oct. 18 ........................................................... SOUTH TERREBONNE* Friday, Oct. 25 ......................................................................... MORGAN CITY* Friday, Nov. 1 .................................................................................ELLENDER* Friday, Nov. 8 ..................................................................................Assumption* HOME GAMES IN CAPS *Denotes District 8-4A games settled until close to Week 1. It will be a battle all the way through the end.” On defense, Forsythe said he wants the Tarpons to tighten up on tackling before the season begins. “I think the big thing coming out of the spring game was that we didn’t tackle really well,” Forsythe said. “We are hoping that can be corrected with a lot of reps and some practice time. We can’t put pads on for a while so that is a little bit of a challenge to fix, but I think we will. We also need to be better on special teams than we were the last couple of years. We are going to be outmatched physically offensively and defensively, so we need to be better in some of the little aspects of the game. I think that is where special teams come in.” He said some players to watch for the Tarpons on defense are nose guard Elijah Barnett, linebacker Austin Danos and free safety Jake Pitre, who could also carry the ball on offense and return kicks and or punts for the Tarpons. Forsythe said sticking together no matter what may be the biggest factor on whether the Tarpons find the kind of success they are looking for in 2019.

48 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

“I think the biggest key for us will just be believing in each other and having that trust in each other in the locker room,” Forsythe said. “We are a smaller program than we were last year. We have less coaches and players. We have to block out the negativity from outside places and just trust the guys in the building, trust each other and take care of each other. I think if we do that, we will have a chance to surprise a few people this year.” The Tarpons will compete in a new six-team District 8-4A with Assumption, Ellender, Morgan City, South Terrebonne and Vandebilt Catholic. “We lost E.D. White in the district, and Vandebilt has a new coach in Lance Ledet and he has lots of experience and will build up the program,” Forsythe said. “You know Coach Tony Paine at Assumption, the reigning district champs, will be big and physical and well-coached. They will be a force. Morgan City and Ellender are just waiting for you so you have to be prepared for a dogfight each night in district.” BC

Football

Speedy defense could lead way for Braves this season By Wil Touchet Ryan Fournier is excited about plenty things involving his H.L. Bourgeois High School football team heading into the 2019 season. But the coach really gets worked up about the Braves’ defense, more specifically the overall speed of the unit heading into the season. Fournier said it could be one area that helps H.L. Bourgeois improve on a 2-8 overall record last year which included a 1-5 mark in district. The Braves are expected to have between 75-80 players on their varsity roster this season, which includes 20 seniors after losing 17 seniors last year. “I love our speed on defense,” Fournier said. “We run really well. We have gotten better at a couple positions and we have guys who can run. We have speed across the defensive front all the way to the back end so I am really excited about that. We are excited about that group. We try to be aggressive defensively and get to the football and play team defense.” Some of the defensive leaders for the Braves are expected to be defensive linemen Matthew Singletary, Tre Sims and Erique Wilson, who will also play linebacker, linebacker Nathan King and defensive backs Cameron Douglas and Ron Celestine. On offense, quarterback Jordan Rainey enters his first season as the full-time starter and he will have help from the team’s leading rusher from last season Will Babin and young playmaker Demarcus Singleton, a former standout at Evergreen Junior High School. “Offensively, we will be a lot more improved in the passing game,” Fournier said. “We have a quarterback in Jordan Rainey who has a live arm. He throws a great deep ball, a very accurate deep ball. He has gotten better

H.L. Bourgeois Braves Coach Ryan Fournier Friday, Sept. 6 ........................................................................ South Terrebonne Friday, Sept. 13 ............................................................................... E.D. WHITE Friday, Sept. 20 ............................................................................... ELLENDER Friday, Sept. 27 ............................................................................ East St. John* Friday, Oct. 4 ...............................................................................DESTREHAN* Friday, Oct. 11 ...................................................................... Central Lafourche* Friday, Oct. 18 ..........................................................................TERREBONNE* Friday, Oct. 25 .................................................................................... Hahnville* Friday, Nov. 1 .............................................................................. THIBODAUX* Friday, Nov. 8 .......................................................................... Archbishop Shaw HOME GAMES IN CAPS *Denotes District 7-5A games with the underneath stuff. I think our passing game will be much improved from last year. I think with a guy like Jordan leading this group makes us a good offense. And with Will Babin, who was our leading rusher last year, and the playmaking ability of Demarcus Singleton, I think our offense will be much improved. I think our Wing-T gives people something they may not see all year. Fournier said the Braves must work to get better on both the offensive and defensive lines before the season begins. “We have to get better up front on the offensive and defensive lines,” Fournier said. “Last year we were stout up front on defense, but we lost three all-district caliber players so we are going to have to replace them but have had guys step up. On the offensive side of the ball, our offensive line has been an Achilles Heel. We have a great, young offensive line coach who has done a great job since he has been here, but we need some players to step up. It has been a weak spot, but if we can be better on the offensive line and those young guys can step up on the defensive line and play well, I think we will be a tough football team.”

The Braves are back in the seventeam District 7-5A this season with Central Lafourche, Destrehan, East St. John, Hahnville, Terrebonne and Thibodaux. “You have to work your tail off from a coaching standpoint because this district is so talented from top to bottom,” Fournier said. “At Central Lafourche, Coach (Keith) Menard is one of the best coaches in the state and always puts a quality product on the field. On the River, you have the three big boys in Destrehan, Hahnville and East St. John. Destrehan and Hahnville have been there but Coach (Brandon) Brown at East St. John is doing a tremendous job. Then back to the Bayou, Thibodaux returns a lot of starters and Coach (Chris) Dugas does a great job, and then Terrebonne could be as talented as anybody in the state. The district is insanely tough. We have a great group of coaches in the area and a lot of guys I have a lot of respect for, like Stephen Robicheaux at Destrehan, who I see as a mentor. I think we have the toughest district in the state and I think we are close to establishing ourselves as a program on the rise.” BC

August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 49

Football

Thibodaux working to bounce back in 2019 By WIL TOUCHET After a tough season in which the Thibodaux High football team suffered numerous major injuries and went 3-7 overall and 1-5 in district, the Tigers are looking for a bounce-back 2019. This season the Tigers have around 75 players (27 seniors) on their roster and plenty of players who gained varsity experience in one way or another last year and who are putting in the work to get better. “I think our offseason is going to be a big strength for us,” Tigers coach Chris Dugas said. “I see us getting stronger than we have been in a while. We kind of needed that. We were a little on the smaller side last year up front and smaller everywhere with a lot of young guys. Having guys who are, not only a year smarter with game experience, but a year bigger, is going to help us.” Dugas said while the Tigers are working hard and are developing physically, there are plenty of things to improve on. “The experience is good, but we need to work to clean some things up as far as penalties,” Dugas said. “We had a lot of stupid penalties at bad times last year. Only having eight seniors last year, leadership was a big thing for us. We just didn’t have a lot of leadership. There wasn’t a big enough voice. But with the 27 seniors we have this year, you can see the leadership in the locker room. We have a common goal now and I think guys are maturing and growing up.” Offensive leaders for the Tigers are expected to be offensive linemen Kobie Berger, Bryce Clement, Jacob Chamberlin, Dorian Hawkins and Cameron Hebert, quarterback Luke Alleman (who tore his ACL last season as a sophomore starter), running backs Feronte Miller and Rimond Thompson, wide receivers Kyren Lacy (LouisianaLafayette commitment), Tyren Young (who played quarterback last season when Alleman went out), Maurquel Price, Darwin Davis and Ian Steele.

Thibodaux Tigers Coach Chris Dugas Friday, Sept. 6 ............................................................. RIVERSIDE ACADEMY Friday, Sept. 13 .........................................................................South Lafourche Friday, Sept. 20 ....................................................................... McDONOGH #35 Friday, Sept. 27 .................................................................... Central Lafourche* Friday, Oct. 4 ............................................................................TERREBONNE* Friday, Oct. 11...............................................................................HAHNVILLE* Friday, Oct. 18 .............................................................................. Breaux Bridge Friday, Oct. 25 .............................................................................DESTREHAN* Friday, Nov. 1 .............................................................................H.L. Bourgeois* Friday, Nov. 8 ............................................................................... East St. John* HOME GAMES IN CAPS *Denotes District 7-5A games Defensive leaders for the Tigers are expected to be linebackers Hunter Trosclair, Khalil Brisco and Spencer Boudreaux, defensive linemen Malik Burrell, Lamar Winston, Jayden Harry and Tykee Williams and defensive backs Josh Holden, Price, Young and Rolaun Richard. Dugas said staying healthy, something that did not happen for the Tigers last year, will be of the utmost importance this season and that the Tigers are looking to regain some respect. “Staying healthy will be key,” Dugas said. “Last year was just horrible for us with injuries. We had so many seasonending injuries, but playing with a chip on our shoulders will also be key. A 3-7 year was not a typical Thibodaux year. We are not used to that. We are not even comfortable saying that was our record last year. The guys want to compete for district and be back in the playoffs because 3-7 is not acceptable for Thibodaux football. We are trying to carry that chip on our shoulder through each week of the season. We feel this is our year to make some noise in the district and hopefully in the state, too.” Thibodaux is back in the seven-team District 7-5A with Central Lafourche, Destrehan, East St. John, Hahnville,

50 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

H.L. Bourgeois and Terrebonne. “We know about the River schools. You always talk about them first. Coach Salt at Hahnville is only a couple years removed from playing in the state title game and they have a really good defense with Coach (Carey) Melvin coordinating the defense,” Dugas said. “We know Coach Robe at Destrehan will always be on top. They have another Division I running back over there and another big-time receiver. They always reload. East St. John and Coach Brandon Brown are going to be scary. They always have talent and speed and now they have a coach doing a good job. Terrebonne’s Coach (Gary) Hill is a good friend of mine. I was a coordinator there under him. They had a great year. They lost two games, both to Destrehan last year, so that says something. Coach (Keith) Menard at Central Lafourche is another good friend of mine. They have a big offensive line and (running back) Deon Jenkins, and Coach (Ryan) Fournier at H.L. Bourgeois has the program rolling. They were more competitive last year and have a lot of guys coming back. With our pre-district schedule and with this district, there are no easy weeks for us.” BC

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Football

Tigers look to continue to improve in Stroud’s second year By WIL TOUCHET With veteran coach Chris Stroud back at the helm of the Morgan City High School football team, the Tigers are looking to take another step forward in his second year. But Stroud said it won’t be easy. The Tigers, who went 2-8 overall last season and 0-6 district, had 36 players finish spring drills and 30 consistently made summer workouts. “Hats off to the kids that are committed and working hard, we just don’t have enough right now,” Stroud said. “The requirements that they must go through during spring football and attending summer weights and conditioning has weaned out lots of potential players. We are hoping to get a few more freshmen when school starts so we can have around 48 to 50 kids.” Top offensive players for the Tigers, who have 12 seniors on the roster, are expected to be wide receiver/

Morgan City Tigers Coach Chris Stroud Friday, Sept. 6 .................................................................................... BERWICK Friday, Sept. 13 ........................................................................ WHITECASTLE Friday, Sept. 20 ...........................................................................................Erath Friday, Sept. 27 ...................................................................... Hanson Memorial Friday, Oct. 4 ................................................................................. PATTERSON Thursday, Oct. 10 ...........................................................................ELLENDER* Friday, Oct. 18 ........................................................................... ASSUMPTION* Friday, Oct. 25 .........................................................................South Lafourche* Thursday, Oct. 31 ................................................................. South Terrebonne* Friday, Nov. 8 ..................................................................................... Vandebilt* HOME GAMES IN CAPS *Denotes District 8-4A games running back Devonta Grogan, a player who Stroud calls, ‘the real deal,’ quarterbacks Khai Hartley and Kane Sanchez, offensive lineman Gerrett Aucoin and Cesar Lozano, running backs Dylan Tingle, Lorenzo Johnson and John McNeely and wide receivers Victor Aucoin, Jhai Robinson, Adrian Garrison and Chris Pitre. Top defensive players for the Tigers

are expected to be defensive end/ linebacker, Nathan Campbell, Tingle, Johnson and McNeely at linebacker and Grogan, Garrison, Aucoin, Shemar Navarre and Taaj Delaune at defensive back. “I think we have some quality kids at skill positions that I feel can play with anybody in our district, but we don’t have a lot of depth and on our

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Football

“I think we have some quality kids at skill positions that I feel can play with anybody in our district, but we don’t have a lot of depth and on our lines we are very small. The defensive line will have to grow up fast.”

lines we are very small,” Stroud said. “The defensive line will have to grow up fast. They will be young, quick and undersized. We can’t make the same mistakes we made last year. We need to play fundamental football and run our system. If we do that, we will have a tremendous improvement. I am counting on our seniors to provide a lot of senior leadership.” Stroud also said he is looking forward to working with the incoming freshman class at Morgan City to try and establish its junior-varsity program with a four-year work ethic and experience. The Tigers will compete in a new six-team District 8-4A with Assumption, Ellender, South Lafourche, South Terrebonne and Vandebilt Catholic in 2019. “We know Assumption, South Terrebonne and South Lafourche are always tough, physical football teams so it is a little concerning as to how we will matchup with those guys,” Stroud said. “They are also always well coached. Ellender always has great skill guys, but I was impressed with their size on the lines last year and Vandebilt has a new coach coming in so that will always bring excitement and a few changes. They always have great numbers and a great program. We are hoping we can stay healthy in pre-district and make a little run in district and take games into the fourth quarter.” BC

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Football

Playoff berth has Gators looking for more in 2019 By WIL TOUCHET After a three-year playoff drought, the South Terrebonne football team earned a postseason berth in 2018 and finished 5-6 overall. That playoff appearance proved to be a nice boost for the Gators, who went 3-3 in district, lost 17 seniors and are looking for more in 2019. This season the Gators, who fell at Northwood of Shreveport in the first round of the 4A playoffs in 2018, have about 70 players on their roster, including around 15 seniors. Longtime South Terrebonne coach Richard Curlin said the

South Terrebonne Gators Coach Richard Curlin Friday, Sept. 6 ....................................................................... H.L. BOURGEOIS Friday, Sept. 13 .......................................................................................Berwick Friday, Sept. 20 ..........................................................................TERREBONNE Friday, Sept. 27 .................................................................................... Patterson Friday, Oct. 4 ......................................................................................E.D. White Friday, Oct. 11 ........................................................................... ASSUMPTION* Friday, Oct. 18 .........................................................................South Lafourche* Friday, Oct. 25 .............................................................................. VANDEBILT* Thursday, Oct. 31 .................................................................... MORGAN CITY* Friday, Nov. 8 ....................................................................................... Ellender* HOME GAMES IN CAPS *Denotes District 8-4A games

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Football

Gators defensive backfield will be a major strength led by David Michael Lirette, Cortez Smith and Lance Pellegrin. “We have those guys back,” Curlin said. “I think that will be the strength of the defense.” Other defensive players the Gators will count on this season are defensive lineman Dylan Authement and linebacker Tyler Melancon. “We have a couple young kids who I think are going to be pretty solid on the defensive line too,” Curlin said. “They just have to grow up and hopefully they put in the work over the summer and will be ready to go. Defensively, we need to get as many kids to the ball as possible. Last year, we had a lot of missed tackles. We have to be better tacklers than what we were last year.”

“I think the running game will be our strength. But we need to improve in everything really. We need to get better in the passing game and we need to get the offense working the way it needs to be working.”

Some of the key offensive players for South Terrebonne are expected to be running backs Colby Chelette and Jamal Ricks, quarterback Trey Gautreaux, tight end Cameron Trosclair and offensive lineman Brady Picou. Curlin said running the ball will again be what the Gators want to do this season while he hopes to improve in the overall passing game. “I think the running game will be our strength,” Curlin said. “But we need to improve in everything really. We need to get better in the passing game and we need to get the offense working the way it needs to be working.” The Gators will compete in a new six-team District 8-4A with Assumption, Ellender, Morgan City, South Lafourche and Vandebilt Catholic in 2019. “Assumption is probably going to be the standout team this year,” Curlin said. “They have always had athletes but they have been putting it together the last few years. Hopefully going into the district, we have some success in some of the pre-district games and we can build some confidence and stay healthy. We have to avoid injuries, especially to key players. It’s not like you have a lot of players on the depth chart.” BC

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Football

After historic 2018 season, Terrebonne only looking forward By WIL TOUCHET The 2018 football season was a historic one for Terrebonne High School. The Tigers went 11-2 overall, 5-1 in district, won two playoffs games and had one of the best seasons in school history. The Tigers and their 23 seniors lost only to district foe Destrehan – once in the regular season (49-20) and once in the quarterfinal round of the Class 5A playoffs (31-14). But Terrebonne coach Gary Hill is not looking back, only forward. The Tigers have 60 players on the varsity roster this season, including 15 seniors. “I tell the guys that last year is last year and this year is this year,” Hill said. “The teams who didn’t win much last year are saying last year is over. I am having to tell our guys last year is last year and this year is almost here. Where we end up depends on how hard we work now. We just need to

Terrebonne Tigers Coach Gary Hill Friday, Sept. 6 .........................................................................................JESUIT Friday, Sept. 13 ...................................................................................... Ellender Friday, Sept. 20 ...................................................................... South Terrebonne Friday, Sept. 27 ............................................................................HAHNVILLE* Friday, Oct. 4 .....................................................................................Thibodaux* Friday, Oct. 11 .............................................................................DESTREHAN* Friday, Oct. 18 ............................................................................H.L. Bourgeois* Friday, Oct. 25 ................................................................... BROTHER MARTIN Friday, Nov. 1 ............................................................................... East St. John* Friday, Nov. 8 .......................................................... CENTRAL LAFOURCHE* HOME GAMES IN CAPS *Denotes District 7-5A games be committed and disciplined and do what we are asked to do. We need to compete. We have some talent but we need to make everything gel together and be able to get on a roll because confidence means a lot to these young kids. We need to execute and have our young guys play like experienced players. They have to be consistent

and make things happen.” Led by do-it-all player and Florida State commitment Ja’Khi Douglas, who will likely again play at quarterback and other positions for the Tigers this year and who has his choice of big time colleges to attend, Hill said Terrebonne features a talented group of skill players.

Best of Luck to all area teams for a safe and fun season 104 St. Patrick Hwy. • Thibodaux, LA 70301 • (985) 446-8826 • www.thibodauxfuneralhome.com 56 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

Football

Joining Douglas as key skill players for the Tigers are running back Jahon Johnson and wide receivers D’Jon Scott, Jaylin Lucas and Keith Robinson. “A lot of those skill guys are back and Ja’Khi just brings so much at the (quarterback) position because of his leadership,” Hill said. “We graduated a lot of linemen and a few skill guys. A lot of them are quality guys who played a lot. Danny Dehart will have to lead that offensive line. They will be young and inexperienced. We are now just trying to find four offensive linemen and we want to be able to throw the ball a little better this season (to take pressure off the running game).” Some of the key players on defense for Terrebonne will be Scott, Kwan Allen and Jakobe Carter at defensive back, junior defensive lineman Maason Smith, another big-time national recruit for the Tigers, linebackers Isaiah Oubre, Justin Navy and Justin Deroche and defensive lineman Kaden Lewis.

“The teams who didn’t win much last year are saying last year is over. I am having to tell our guys last year is last year and this year is almost here. Where we end up depends on how hard we work now.”

On defense, Hill said he wants to make teams drive the ball to earn first downs and not give up big plays and he is looking for consistency from a talented but relatively inexperienced linebackers group. The Tigers are back in the seven-team District 7-5A this season with Central Lafourche, Destrehan, East St. John, Hahnville, H.L. Bourgeois and Thibodaux. “This is not an easy district,” Hill said. “Every team has someone on it that is getting college looks, some more than others. As compared to when I got into it 13 years ago, it seems like there are more quality coaches on the staffs and they are being led by great head coaches. Coach (Keith) Menard at Central Lafourche always has a quarterback and some receivers playing well and they have a good defensive group coming back. They will be tough. Thibodaux had injuries last year so a lot of them are back and a lot of young guys got some experience. They will be just tough as ever with Coach (Chris) Dugas. H.L. Bourgeois took some bumps and bruises, but they have grown up and the coaching staff has been there a year longer. You have to go out and play well every Friday night or you can get beat real quick.” BC

August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 57

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Patriots will look to wide receivers, linebackers to lead way By WIL TOUCHET The two position groups that the Ellender football team will lean heavily on this season are the wide receivers on offense and linebackers on defense. The Patriots went 2-8 overall and 1-5 in district last season and have 42 players, nine of which are seniors, on the roster. Ellender coach David McCormick said receivers like Hunter Parfait, Nykee Johnson, Tamaj Vergin and O’Ryan James are expected to lead the Patriots on offense. “On the offensive side I am looking at our wide receivers as a strength,” McCormick said. “We have some pretty good wide receivers and we are pretty deep. They will be the strength of our offense. They are really gelling as a unit and seven-on-seven really helped them get their timing down and helped with their footwork. We are also looking to get consistent quarterback play from (sophomore) Ryan Williams. That will be a big factor for us, too. He is young and picking up the system really well and he has a great arm.” On defense for Ellender, linebackers Jared Whitrack, who led the team in tackles and was the team MVP last season, and Kirk Chester will join defensive lineman Jaden Lyons and defensive back Kameron Adkins as leaders on that side of the ball. “On defensive, I am looking at our linebackers as being our strength,” McCormick said. “We are looking for some good things from our linebackers.” McCormick said shoring up both offensive and defensive lines before the start of the regular season will be critical for the Patriots. “We need to work on our offensive line gelling as a unit,” McCormick said.

Ellender Memorial Patriots Coach David McCormick Thursday, Sept. 5 ....................................................................Thomas Jefferson Friday, Sept. 13 ..........................................................................TERREBONNE Friday, Sept. 20........................................................................... H.L. Bourgeois Friday, Sept. 27 ................................................................. ELEANOR McMAIN Friday, Oct. 4 ............................................................. CENTRAL LAFOURCHE Thursday, Oct. 10 ...........................................................................Morgan City* Friday, Oct. 18 .............................................................................. VANDEBILT* Friday, Oct. 25 .................................................................................Assumption* Friday, Nov. 1 ..........................................................................South Lafourche* Friday, Nov. 8 ............................................................ SOUTH TERREBONNE* HOME GAMES IN CAPS *Denotes District 8-4A games “We have two seniors, two juniors and a sophomore. Them coming together as a unit will play a big part in how well we do this season. We also lost some defensive linemen from last year, so we have to come together along our lines

“We fear no one and respect everyone. Hopefully we will be in the mix for that championship this year. We just need to be mentally focused and play good, consistent football.”

on both sides of the ball. We really need to work at improving in the trenches.” Ellender will play in the new District 8-4A this season with Assumption, Morgan City, South Lafourche, South Terrebonne and Vandebilt Catholic.

58 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

“It will take being disciplined and consistent to be competitive in this district,” McCormick said. “Every week was a battle last year. There were no off weeks. Assumption is either winning it or is runner-up every year. Coach (Tony) Paine has been doing a great job with the program. He always finds ways to put those guys in the right spots and make things happen. Coach (Richard) Curlin at South Terrebonne is always in the mix. They have hardnosed kids, who will run through a wall for you. It’s always a battle against those guys. Vandebilt has a new coach coming in (Lance Ledet). I hear great things about him. They were solid to begin with and now they have more excitement. South Lafourche is never down for long. Coach (Blake) Forsythe has those guys fighting until the end and it’s Coach (Chris) Stroud’s second year at Morgan City and kids are starting to buy in so it is only up from there. We fear no one and respect everyone. Hopefully we will be in the mix for that championship this year. We just need to be mentally focused and play good, consistent football.” BC

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Trojans coming off playoff season, hoping to get back with help from Jenkins, others By WIL TOUCHET The Central Lafourche High School football team has a not-so-secret weapon this season – senior running back Deon Jenkins. And Jenkins, who ran for 361 yards and six touchdowns in one game last year on his way to a monster season, has some other offensive skill players around him. “Deon is going to be a three-year starter for us,” Central Lafourche coach Keith Menard said. “He is just so dependable. He is going to be a guy we can lean on and he is a guy who has proven to be a top-notch running back in the area. With him back as a senior, that is a positive thing for us and we have some other skill guys offensively like (wide receivers) Peyton Loredo and Jansen Folse and (Tyler Wilcox). They all caught the football well for us and have done a lot of good things for us so we are excited about that.” Other key offensive players for the Trojans are quarterback Ashtrein Duncan and tackles Gaven Adams and Chris Cenac. Menard did say Central Lafourche, which went 6-5 overall, including a first-round playoff loss to Slidell and a 2-4 district mark, must develop depth on the offensive line. This season, the Trojans have 70 players with around 20 seniors. Menard said the majority of his defensive group did a lot of growing up the last two years. “A lot of those guys started as sophomores and went through the fire and got better as juniors last year,” Menard said. “We need to find some depth in the secondary, but as a group, we have to feel good about them. That is a defensive unit that has a chance

Central Lafourche Trojans Coach Keith Menard Friday, Sept. 6 ......................................................................... WHITE CASTLE Friday, Sept. 13 ................................................................................ FRANKLIN Friday, Sept. 20 .............................................................. SOUTH LAFOURCHE Friday, Sept. 27 ............................................................................. THIBODAUX Friday, Oct. 4 .................................................................................. A.J. Ellender Friday, Oct. 11 ..................................................................... H.L. BOURGEOIS* Friday, Oct. 18 .................................................................................... Hahnville* Friday, Oct. 25 ........................................................................ EAST ST. JOHN* Friday, Nov. 1 .................................................................................... Destrehan* Friday, Nov. 8 .................................................................................. Terrebonne* HOME GAMES IN CAPS *Denotes District 7-5A games to be solid because of their experience.” Some of the defensive leaders are expected to be defensive linemen Kobe Guidroz and Trevor Allemand and linebackers Caleb Thibodaux and Devin Wescott.

“I am hoping we step up and continue to play well and take that next step.”

“It starts with that Front Seven on defense,” Menard said. “I am looking forward to how we come together on that side of the football. One thing that will kind of be a question mark for us is a kicker. We are trying to find a kicker. We have been pretty good at that in the past, but we need to try to nail down that situation and we

need to find some guys who can play for us on special teams.” The Trojans are back in the seventeam District 7-5A this season with Destrehan, East St. John, Hahnville, H.L. Bourgeois, Terrebonne and Thibodaux. “For us, we have to play really consistent football for us to have a chance to win on Friday nights in our district,” Menard said. “Top to bottom, I really believe it is a heck of a district. Since I have been here, our guys through the years have competed well. We probably weren’t as consistent as we needed to be. The top guys in our district can go 80 yards with the ball. They make big plays. For us to score on them, we have to be consistent with 1012 play drives. When those break down, it’s tough to have to put your defense back on the field against those cats. We can’t have a bad night. But I am proud of the way our kids have played in this district year after year and I think our kids are going to show up again this year and do the same thing. I am hoping we step up and continue to play well and take that next step. We want to host a playoff game and win a playoff game and do some of those things that have not been done in a while.” BC

August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 59

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Tigers have to prove they have the talent and are better coached By ED DANIELS He hasn’t been in the state of Louisiana but a year, but the LSU quarterback is well versed in his school’s offensive football history. “People aren’t used to LSU scoring 40, 50 or 60 points a game,” said Joe Burrow. “But if we continue to work all camp, we can be one of the best offenses in the country.” That kind of offense is the one that new passing game coordinator Joe Brady was brought in to produce. You know the kind of offense that Clemson produced in the national championship game against Alabama. The kind of offense that puts the Alabama defense on its heels. If you are a skeptic, it is understandable. Alabama is the red elephant in LSU’s room. The Tide has won eight straight in the series. But, even though that game will be played in Tuscaloosa this November, this may be LSU’s best chance for an upset since 2014, when the Tigers squandered a scoring chance inside the Alabama 10yard line late in the fourth quarter.

LSU Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron Saturday, Aug. 31 ........................................................ GEORGIA SOUTHERN Saturday, Sept. 7 ........................................................................................Texas Saturday, Sept. 14 ................................................. NORTHWESTERN STATE Saturday, Sept. 21 ............................................................................Vanderbilt* Saturday, Oct. 5 ........................................................................... UTAH STATE Saturday, Oct. 12 ........................................ UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA (HC) Saturday, Oct. 19 ................................................................... Mississippi State* Saturday, Oct. 26 ...............................................................................AUBURN* Saturday, Nov. 9 ..................................................................................Alabama* Saturday, Nov. 16 ................................................................................Ole Miss* Saturday, Nov. 23 ..........................................................................ARKANSAS* Saturday, Nov. 30 ........................................................................ TEXAS A&M* *Denotes SEC Conference Games HOME GAMES IN CAPS In the meantime, Ed Orgeron continues to do everything he can to bring LSU back to the top of the Southeastern Conference. New offensive philosophy? Check. Recruiting very well? Check. Last year’s LSU class was ranked five in the country, and the class of 2020 is ranked third, on the heels of Clemson and Alabama. Win the state of Louisiana in recruiting? Check, too. In the class of 2019, LSU signed six of the top 10 players in the state, include

the top two, defensive back Derek Stingley of Baton Rouge, and running back John Emery of Destrehan. Both were five star recruits. Rebuild the depth at quarterback? Orgeron has done that, too. In his third season at LSU, Myles Brennan will once again serve as Joe Burrow’s understudy. Even though he played in one game in 2019 (vs Rice), Brennan has had another season to get stronger, and gain more weight and experience. When Burrow departs,

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Much has been written about the talent gap between LSU and Alabama, and at no position has it been more evident thanat quarterback. LSU fans saw more than a glimpse of quality QB play last season. There was no bigger play in the LSU football season than the 71 yard fourth quarter TD pass from Burrow to Derek Dillon at Auburn.

Brennan should be ready to go. Alabama high school star Peter Parrish was part of the class of 2019, and LSU has two quarterback commits, Max Johnson, and Ponchatoula’s TJ Finley, for the class of 2020. Much has been written about the talent gap between LSU and Alabama, and at no position has it been more evident than at quarterback. LSU fans saw more than a glimpse of quality QB play last season. There was no bigger play in the LSU football season than the 71 yard fourth quarter TD pass from Burrow to Derek Dillon at Auburn. That instant offense fueled an LSU comeback that sent the

Tigers to one of their best SEC road wins since the victory at Alabama in 2011. Burrow’s third down completion to Dee Anderson, and a fourth down strike to Stephon Sullivan set up Cole Tracy’s game winning field goal on the final play. LSU has its top four receivers returning and four of its top five tacklers. Plus, stellar defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson returns after a major knee injury in the 2018 opener against Miami. Starting in 2001, LSU has won four SEC football titles. The others were in 2003, 2007 and 2011. All of those title years had something in common. That is, home games against Auburn and Florida, and a road game vs. Alabama. And, so it is in 2019. On the night of Sept. 7, LSU will get its early test on national TV on ABC at the University of Texas. The game is huge for both teams, and for the media, there’s the extra caveat. LSU wanted the Texas coach, Tom Herman. But, hired Ed Orgeron. And, since, both have done stellar work. Each won a New Year’s Day bowl game. Each has its football program believing they are on the cusp of competing for a national title. A win for Orgeron and LSU would be huge. Both whether LSU defeats Texas or not, the fact is Ed Orgeron, in less than three years, has improved the LSU football program in many facets. The Tigers are more talented, and they are better coached. Now, all they have to do is go out and prove it. BC

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August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 61

Football

Football at Tulane is a doggone good ticket By STEVE CALDARERA College football teams have commissioned preseason advertising themes over the years. For this season, we might suggest that Tulane consider Teddy Roosevelt’s old self-described style of foreign policy: “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” With last year’s team achieving the most wins under now four-year head coach Willie Fritz, this season’s aspirations become even higher as visions of a league championship are added to the projection of bowling. The Green Wave continued making incremental improvements under Coach Willie Fritz and landed a bowl invitation in 2018. The Cure Bowl game itself displayed how far along Tulane has come with a solid 41-27 win over UL-Lafayette. The Wave struggled out of the 2018 season’s blocks at 2-5, but closed with five victories in the last six games. The American Athletic Conference (AAC) took notice of Tulane’s 5-3 conference record, tied for first in the AAC West with Houston and Memphis, although the numbers did not favor the Green Wave to get a berth in the conference championship game against eventual overall champ Central Florida. Eons have passed since Tulane fans could boast of a marquee defense and Tulane hangs its hat on the defensive side going into the ’19 season. Credit defensive coordinator Jack Curtis for molding a unit with a line that returns everyone and still brandishes no seniors. OLB/DE Patrick Johnson (10.5 sacks and 2nd team All-AAC) will again join DE Cam Sample in creating havoc for opposing backfields at the outside positions. NT Jeffrey Johnson and DT De’Andre Williams are huge upfront with the push. The depth is strong on the defensive line. Tulane lost their leading tackler in LB Zach Harris, but

Tulane Green Wave Coach Willie Fritz Thursday, Aug. 29 ..................... FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY Saturday, Sept. 7 .....................................................................................Auburn Saturday, Sept. 14 ...............................................................MISSOURI STATE Thursday, Sept. 19 .......................................................................... HOUSTON* Saturday, Oct. 5 .......................................................................................... Army Saturday, Oct. 12 .................................... UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT* Saturday, Oct. 19 ................................................................................ Memphis* Saturday, Oct. 26 .......................................................................................Navy* Saturday, Nov. 2.....................................................................................TULSA* Saturday, Nov. 16 .................................................................................. Temple* Saturday, Nov. 23 ........................... UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA* Saturday, Nov. 30 .......................................... Southern Methodist University* *Denotes American Athletic Conference Games HOME GAMES IN CAPS Marvin Moody and Lawrence Graham are returning to plug the gaps. The most significant graduation losses were in the defensive backfield where CB Donnie Lewis and Rod Teamer ruled. CB Thakarius Keyes and safety PJ Hall are holdovers, but there is, again, plenty of young talent ready to rise up and fill the holes. Forty-one sacks and 12 interceptions were recorded by last year’s defense. The 2019 unit projects to be even better. The offense will have to rely on a rebuilt line. Fritz scoured the transfer portals and came up with a couple of 300-pounders in center Christian Montano, who played three seasons at Brown, and Ben Knutson out of Virginia. There is much competition on the O-line as Corey Dublin is the only returnee. Tulane will brandish an up-tempo attack under new offensive coordinator Will Hall. A huge stable of running backs returns including seniors Darius Bradwell (1,134 rushing yds. in ’18) and big-play artist Corey Dauphine leading the way. Add Stephon Huderson and Amare Jones, both with ample playing time under their belts, to the list along with redshirt frosh Cam Carroll and you’ve got quite a tandem.

62 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

Last season’s leading receiver, Darnell Mooney, will be joined by transfer Jalen McCleskey, who had 167 career receptions at Oklahoma State. The tight ends aim to play a bigger role in the passing game and experienced Will Wallace and Tyrick James, a pair of sophomores, will operate at that position. Justin McMillan slowly and quietly assumed the starting role at quarterback and sparked the 5-1 finish to the 2018 season. The AAC has a bevy of heralded QB’s, D’Eriq King (Houston), Blake Barnett (South Fla.), Brady White (Memphis) and Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati), that overshadow McMillan going into the season. From this view, if he embraces Will Hall’s faster offensive pace, McMillan should be in the middle of the AAC quarterback conversation by the end of November. Note that Tulane has a nice backup in Keon Howard, the transfer from Southern Miss. Long distance punting made a comeback at Tulane with Ryan Wright taking over those duties (44 yd. avg.). Wright’s challenge is to perfect his pooching skills. Merek Glover, now in his third year, leads all placekicking prospects once again. Distance

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has been no friend of Glover as his longest field goal recorded is 40 yards. Amare Jones dazzled onlookers with kickoff returns that routinely set up the TU offense with very good field position. Notable to the Tulane football file is the effort of deep snapper Geron Eatherly who has received preseason All-America accolades by Phil Steele magazine. Tulane will have to carry a few bigger sticks than last season as the 2019 schedule poses to be more challenging. The Wave opens at home on a Thursday night (Aug. 29) with Florida International, who put a 13-point whipping on TU in 2017. The Sept. 7 encounter at Auburn grants Tulane another opportunity to sell itself as a prime time player. FBS member Missouri State (Sept. 14 at home) and a road trip to meet the rising Army Black Knights (Oct. 08) round out the nonconference opponents. The AAC schedule toughens with home games against Houston, UCONN SMU, Tulsa and Central Florida. The Green Wave will journey to Memphis, Navy, Temple and SMU. Most, if not all, of Tulane’s contests will be able to be viewed on network television.

Tulane has the personnel at all positions to make a run at another winning season and to secure a second bowl game. The last time the Green Wave went bowling in two consecutive seasons was 1979 (Liberty) and 1980 (Hall of Fame).

Central Florida, coming off of a 12-1 2018 season, understandably owns the blessings of the preseason pundits to win it all in the AAC. The heat should come from Cincinnati, Memphis, Houston and, softly speaking, Tulane. If you read into what the pundits are saying, “Tulane could be a sleeper” … “Tulane could make a serious run.” It sure is nice to be in the conference title conversation. However, there are a host of barricades to blast through. Tulane has the personnel at all positions to make a run at another winning season and to secure a second bowl game. The last time the Green Wave went bowling in two consecutive seasons was 1979 (Liberty) and 1980 (Hall of Fame). Willie Fritz has won at every one of his coaching stops. He rebuilt Georgia Southern’s program in quicker fashion than he has been able to do in New Orleans, but nothing stops us from believing that he and his staff have the necessary tools to keep advancing the Tulane football program. The word is out that football at Tulane is a doggone good ticket; but for now, the talk remains a bit soft as the Green Wave begins to tote their big sticks. BC

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August 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 63

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Is Saints ‘championship window’ open? By ED DANIELS It will be a recurring theme this summer. How much longer will the Saints “championship window” be open? The no call pass interference against the Rams, and the Minnesota miracle will be pulled out of the video archives for both local and national media to replay. But, my guess is the Saints championship window will be open a while longer. If quarterback Drew Brees, who turns 41 in January, plays past this season, and the Saints can retain the bulk of their young core of outstanding players, there’s no reason for New Orleans not to reside in the upper echelon of the NFC. Over the past two seasons, the Saints have made the transition to be less Brees dependent. No longer does the Saints quarterback have to throw for 300 yards and four touchdowns for the Saints to win. Those shootout games, where the Saints had to match teams score for score, are long gone. Those games were a big part of three consecutive 7-9 seasons from 2014 to 2016. During that stretch, there were many who were wondering if Saints head coach Sean Payton had lost the Midas touch. But, back to back superb draft classes quickly restored the Saints to the top of the NFC South. The Saints have run the football far more effectively, and at times played outstanding defense. And, at the end of 2018, it wasn’t the defense that was faltering down the stretch.

New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton Monday, Sept. 9..................................................................HOUSTON TEXANS Sunday, Sept. 15.....................................................................Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Sept. 22......................................................................Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Sept. 29................................................................ DALLAS COWBOYS Sunday, Oct. 6 .....................................................TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS Sunday, Oct. 13.................................................................. Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Oct. 20............................................................................. Chicago Bears Sunday, Oct. 27.............................................................ARIZONA CARDINALS Sunday, Nov. 10............................................................... ATLANTA FALCONS Sunday, Nov. 17............................................................. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Nov. 24...........................................................CAROLINA PANTHERS Thursday, Nov. 28 .....................................................................Atlanta Falcons Sunday, Dec. 8 ..........................................................SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS Monday, Dec. 16...........................................................INDIANAPOLIS COLTS Sunday, Dec. 22........................................................................ Tennessee Titans Sunday, Dec. 29.......................................................................Carolina Panthers HOME GAMES IN CAPS The Saints scored only 10 points in a loss at Dallas. The Saints won at Carolina 12-9. And, in the playoffs, both games at home, New Orleans scored 20 in a win over Philadelphia, and 23 in a loss to the Rams in the NFC championship game. Lost in the protests over the no pass interference call, were the Saints misses on offense in the NFC championship. With a chance to break open the game against the Rams in the first quarter, the Saints settled for two field goals. And, when overtime began, the Saints got the ball first. A touchdown on the opening drive sends New Orleans to the Super Bowl. Ten years after the Saints won the Super Bowl in Miami, the game returns to South Florida. And, the Saints have a great chance to return. Wide receiver Michael Thomas is 26. Offensive lineman Ryan Ramczyk and Andrus Peat are both 25, as is defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins.

64 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

And, Marshon Lattimore, Marcus Williams, Alvin Kamara, Marcus Davenport, and rookie center Erik McCoy are all 23 years or younger. The Saints ability to win on both lines has caused a chain reaction in the NFC South. Altanta had two first round picks, and used them on offensive lineman. Carolina took an edge rusher first and an offensive tackle second. And, Tampa Bay, with the fifth pick took Butkus Award winning linebacker Devin White of LSU. The message is clear. The Saints have won 24 regular season games the past two seasons because they are better up front. On the road last season, the Saints won six games when Drew Brees threw for 265 yards or less. In five of those wins, Brees threw for 217 yards or less. In a win at Minnesota, Brees threw for 120 yards. The Saints have some question marks this season. Every team does. Can Rankins return to his high caliber of play after tearing his

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Saints Achilles in the playoffs against Philadelphia? Will Latavious Murray be a more than adequate replacement for departed running back Mark Ingram? Can free agent tight end Jared Cook from Oakland be another weapon for the Saints offense? And, can Marcus Davenport, and Tre’Quan Smith, the top two picks of 2018, make big leaps ahead one season later? Many more teams, have many more questions. But, in New Orleans this fall and winter there is only one question worth answering. And, that is, will the final game of the season for New Orleans be played in February or not? BC

Alvin Kamara

Cameron Jordan 66 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2019

Coach Payton and Drew Brees

W i s t h s es e B to all our area’s teams for a safe and winning season!!

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