Bayou Catholic Magazine February 2017 by Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

INSIDE

Mardi Gras

Bayou

Catholic

St. Joseph Co-Cathedral Our first 200 years ~ A future full of HOPE

HOUMA, LA ~ FEBRUARY 2017 ~ COMPLIMENTARY

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

www.blackandindianmission.org/nationalcollection

BLACK AND INDIAN MISSION COLLECTION

BUILDING Our Mission to the Missions

Thank you for your generosity.

The collection will be held March 4 and 5, 2017

• Muchas personas benefician de su apoyo a la CMAI: • Los estudiantes de la escuela misionaria pequeña en el Sur Profundo. • La Comunidad Católica servida por un diácono nativo en Alaska. • La parroquia nativo americana en la llanura. Su apoyo ayuda a todas estas personas a conocer a Jesús. • La CMAI ayuda a traer a buenos profesores a las escuelas que de lo contrario lucharían para quedar abiertas. • El financiamiento de la CMAI ayuda a las diócesis a formar a ministros laicos y a catequistas para propagar el Evangelio en sus propias comunidades. • Apoyar a la CMAI ayuda a alentar a jóvenes afroamericanos y nativo americanos a dar sus vidas al Señor como sacerdotes, hermanos o hermanas.

La Colecta para las Misiones Afro-Americanas e Indígenas (CMAI) existe para ayudar a los obispos y las diócesis a edificar la Iglesia en comunidades afro-americanas, nativo americanas y nativas de Alaska.

• Many people benefit from your support of the BIMC: • Students in the small mission school in the Deep South. • The Catholic community served by a native deacon in Alaska. • The Native American parish on the prairie. Your support helps all of them come to know Jesus. • The BIMC helps get good teachers in schools that would otherwise struggle to stay open. • Funding from the BIMC helps dioceses form lay ministers and catechists to spread the Gospel in their own communities. • Supporting the BIMC helps encourage young African Americans and Native Americans to give their lives to the Lord as priests, brothers, or sisters.

The Black and Indian Mission Collection (BIMC) exists to help bishops and dioceses to build the Church in African American, Native American, and Alaska Native communities.

Nothing is more practical

“

than finding God,

that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you will spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in Love, Stay in Love and it will decide everything.” - Father Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Former Superior General of the Society of Jesus

Need help praying? Don’t know where to start? Visit our webpage htdiocese.org/helpmepray

1977 - 2017

Contents FEATURES

28 Local graphic designer’s

anniversary artwork chosen

By Janet Marcel

36 Annual youth rally April 8

By Janet Marcel

38 Bayou Patrons

20 7

COLUMNS

Comfort For My People

By Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

12 Pope Speaks

By Janet Marcel

Pope Francis I

13 Questions of Faith

By Father Wilmer Todd

14 Readings Between The Lines

Shawn Whitney

By Father Glenn LeCompte

19 Reading with Raymond

By Raymond Saadi

40 Thoughts for Millennials 4

Shawn Cooks a:

DELICIOUS DESSERT

Shawn Whitney, a Houma native who now lives in Theriot with his wife Naomi and their daughter Shelby, is somewhat a handyman who also has a fishing charter service and does alligator hunting on the side. The Whitneys also have a daughter Leeanne who attends Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. Shawn is well known in the Dularge area for his cooking, especially for groups. He began cooking at hunting camps in the area. It was at a hunting camp that he picked up a bread pudding recipe that he did a little tweaking to and made his own. He is now known for his delicious bread pudding that he prepares for various occasions. Shawn, a member of the St. Eloi Knights of Columbus, enjoys life on the bayou. “The people of Theriot and the Dularge area as a whole really have a sense of community. The people of the bayou community are known to pitch in, in times of need.” Shawn bakes his bread pudding for the bereavement ministry in the church parish. “I always try to bring something for the funeral meals, especially if I know the person who has died or if I know the family. It’s good to be able to put a smile on someone’s face during such a difficult time in their life.”

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

Camp Style

By Ryan Abboud

50 Overtime

Bread Pudding

INGREDIENTS:

By Ed Daniels

IN EVERY ISSUE

9-13 inch aluminum pan Three eggs 2-1/2 cans evaporated milk (Carnation 12oz) Stick of butter (Land o’Lakes) 1-3/4 cups sugar 1tsp. vanilla 1 loaf stale French bread

DIRECTIONS: Beat eggs and melt butter. Add in milk, sugar and vanilla. Tewar bread into small pieces and add to mixture. Stir in to allow bread to absorb. Pour into pan and bake at 350 degrees for about an hour or until top is brown.

TOPPING INGREDIENTS:

6 From the Editor 16 Scripture Readings 18 Young Voices 22 Heavenly Recipes 35 Diocesan Events GUEST COLUMNS

stick of butter (Land o lakes) 12 oz. white chocolate morsels 3/4 cup of powdered sugar 1/8 cup of water

24 St. Joseph celebrates 200 years

TOPPING DIRECTIONS: Cut butter into chunks and add all into a sauce pan. Melt together on low to medium heat stirring constantly. Pour on top of bread pudding. I like to use a spoon, and make cuts into pudding to allow the sauce to get into the bread.

By Very Rev. Jay L. Baker, V.G.

32 Catholic roots of Mardi Gras

By Father Michael Bergeron

ANNOUNCEMENTS

42 Bishop Oscar Solis appointed

to Salt Lake City

45 Food for the Journey March 7 46 Sacred Heart lenten mission

March 20-21

On Our Cover St. Joseph Co-Cathedral parish celebrates its 200th anniversary this year with its theme “Our First 200 Years - A Future Full of Hope.” Very Rev. Jay L. Baker, V.G., pastor of the Co-Cathedral has written a guest column for this issue of the Bayou Catholic remarking on the rich history of St. Joseph. His column appears on page 24. Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier

Bayou Catholic Vol. 37, No. 8 How to reach us: BY PHONE: (985) 850-3132 BY MAIL: P.O. Box 505 Schriever, LA 70395 BY FAX: (985) 850-3232 BY E-MAIL: bayoucatholic@htdiocese.org

Where to find your Bayou Catholic Bayou Catholic magazine can be found at all Catholic churches in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, at the three Catholic high schools in Houma, Morgan City and Thibodaux, as well as the 10 elementary schools throughout the diocese. You may also visit the merchants listed in the Advertisers’ Index to pick up your copy. Those wishing to receive the magazine by mail can call Janet Marcel at (985) 850-3132 or write to Bayou Catholic, P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395. Subscription price is $35 annually. For the online edition, go to www.bayoucatholic.com

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

Lawrence Chatagnier

editor and general manager

Glenn J. Landry, C.P.A. business manager

Index to Advertisers Advanced Eye Institute ................................ 37

Houma Digestive Health Specialists ............. 40

Annual Bishop’s Appeal ................................. 9

LeBlanc & Associates, LLC ......................... 17

Black & Indian Mission Collection .................. 2 Cannata’s ................................................... 23 Cardinal Place ............................................. 49

Patrick Yancey Law Firm ............................. 44 Re-Bath ...................................................... 48

Charles A. Page & Sons .............................. 34

Rod’s Superstore ........................................ 17

Courtesy Toyota .......................................... 33

Seminarian Education Burses ...................... 41

Daigle Himel Daigle Physical Therapy .......... 47

Southland Mall ............................................ 52

Diocesan Outreach Line .............................. 45

St. Joseph Manor ........................................ 49

Diocesan Website ....................................... 49 God’s Promises, Books & Gifts ................... 43 Haydel Spine Pain & Wellness ..................... 15

Synergy Bank .............................................. 46 Terminix ...................................................... 49

Headache & Pain Center .............................. 50

Thibodaux Physical Therapy ........................ 37

Help Me Pray ................................................ 3

Watkins, Walker, Eroche & Hoychick ............ 43

Janet Marcel

staff writer/administrative assistant

Katie DeRoche

advertising accounts executive

Lisa Schobel Hebert graphic designer

Meridy Liner

accounts receivable/payable assistant

Awards

CPA First Place General Excellence 2013 - 2014 LPA First Place General Excellence 2015 www.bayoucatholic.com

Welcome

Let your love grow

From the Editor 6

February has its share of special days during the month. Groundhog Day was celebrated on Feb. 2. Did you know that Hershey’s Chocolate was founded in February 1894? Umbrella Day is Feb. 10. President’s Day will be celebrated on Feb. 20. This year Mardi Gras falls on the last day of the month, Feb. 28. Possibly the best known day of the month is Valentine’s Day which is celebrated on Feb. 14. Much has been said about Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day for florists is something akin to Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving when most retailers post their biggest profits all year. February 14, a day to celebrate romance, is the second busiest day of the year for florists. Only Mother’s Day is busier. When thinking about inspirational suggestions or advice for Valentine’s Day, I was reminded of a

guest column by Nancy Diedrich, marriage and family counselor for the diocesan Office of Family Ministries, which appeared in the February 2014 issue of Bayou Catholic. There is nothing I could write that would be as helpful as this: “ … Valentine’s Day is the right time and the right reason, and usually on this romantic day, people are in the right mood, too! So here are a few suggestions from a hopeless romantic who knows that most relationships could be more satisfying and fulfilling with a little ‘nudge’ from Cupid! Some possible resolutions could be: l I resolve to never stop courting my wife (or my husband). l I resolve to never take my wife/ husband for granted. l I resolve never to get lazy in my love. l I resolve to always LISTEN. l I resolve to always be really PRESENT in my relationship. l I resolve to protect my partner’s heart from harm. l I resolve to never stop growing together.

l I resolve to be the first to forgive. l I resolve to always put my husband/wife FIRST. l I resolve to accept more and to expect less. l I resolve to accept responsibility for what I do or say. l I resolve to let go of the past. l I resolve to CHOOSE LOVE. l I resolve to be the person I promised I would be. Wouldn’t you like your loved one to make those resolutions? They may sound like a bit too much (or too mush), but I promise you, everyone wants to know that they are loved … most people would also enjoy knowing how much they are loved. So open your heart to your loved one this year. Make your ‘Valentine Resolutions,’ and live them throughout the year. At the end of the year, not only will you feel satisfied and improved, your relationship will be tighter, stronger and more rewarding than ever!” Remember, after reading Bayou Catholic, pass it on to a friend or relative who might not be attending Mass. It’s one of the great ways to do your part in spreading the Good News!

Lawrence

Lawrence Chatagnier Editor & General Manager

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

Church Life

St. Lucy

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre was the main celebrant of the Masses at St. Lucy Church parish in Houma and St. Luke the Evangelist Church parish in Thibodaux recently for the preservation of peace and justice in remembrance of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Father Carl Diederichs, administrator of St. Lucy and St. Luke, concelebrated. Deacons Linwood Liner and Martin Dickerson assisted.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

St. Luke www.bayoucatholic.com

Comment

Let’s work together as partners in hope Comfort For My People

I 8

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

I often hear people refer to the “diocese” as if the “diocese” were some-thing and not some-one. Some people refer to the “diocese” as administrative leaders with rules and regulations who tell us what we can or cannot do. Some people refer to the “diocese” as a building on Highway 311. Still more think of the “diocese” as something abstract. Yet, the reality is that WE are the “diocese.” The “diocese” is you and me. We are 90,000 Catholics together. We are 39 uniquely beautiful church parishes together with the bishop who serves you. I pray that you understand that the “diocese” is a people, not a category. The Diocese of HoumaThibodaux is a particular people with a rich history and a unique personality. We are all in this together and I would like us together to be partners in hope. The 2017 Annual Bishop’s Appeal (ABA) is an opportunity for us – you and I – to work together as partners in hope. Now I am aware that each of us has a particular history with “things from the diocese” and campaigns such as the ABA. Therefore, let me very quickly address three simple questions. The first question: “What is the ABA?” The Annual Bishop’s Appeal is just that: it’s an appeal. I, as the one who serves you as bishop, am appealing to you as a people. We are in this together and I am appealing to you to help

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

us. Our parishes – including your own parish – are all doing the very best that they can. However, we all need help. So, simply put, the ABA provides funds so that I can support parishes just like yours. The second question is: “How does the ABA help? How does your helping the ABA help your parish?” Throughout the past 18 months I have listened. I have listened in large groups and small groups. I have listened to you privately and corporately. I have heard you say lots of things, but one of the things I have heard most is that you want better formation. I have heard you say that we need more for our youth. I have heard you say that adults themselves need to learn more about their faith. And, I have heard your concerns about families and family life. Your Annual Bishop’s Appeal dollars go directly to our diocesan response to youth formation, adult formation and family ministries. As bishop I am working hard to reshape the culture in our Pastoral Center. We want to serve. We want to serve you. We want to serve your parish. Your ABA dollars fund services from our Pastoral Center to help your parish have better youth ministry. It helps us equip your parish for better adult formation. It helps us in our Family Ministries so we can provide assistance with marriage prep, marriage and family counseling and other resources. Yes, the ABA helps you because it serves your parish – specifically with youth training, adult formation and family ministries. And, of course, let’s not forget about our retired priests. After giving their life to the church – to parishes just like yours and to people just like you – your ABA dollars also assist in funding our priests’ retirement, assuring that our 10 retired priests have the supplemental support they need to live their retired years in freedom and

security. Not only do the services from the Pastoral Center assist your parish, but I am pleased to announce that we will continue to share a portion of the ABA funds with your parish! Here’s how it works. If the diocese reaches its overall goal, then all parishes that meet or exceed their own particular parish goal will be eligible to receive back a percentage of the amount exceeding their goal. Funds that are reimbursed to parishes will be unrestricted and your parish leadership will be able to decide how best to use the funds. Following the 2015 appeal, we were able to give back to parishes over $70,000. I have shared with you often that I am a man of hope. I have hope in the midst of the economic struggles that I know affect so many of us personally. I have hope even though I am fully aware that many of us carry heavy burdens and suffering. I have hope even though I know that the future may present challenges that we have yet to see. I have hope because of the reality and person of Jesus Christ. As we continue through this “Year of Hope,” I ask that you remember that hope gives us all something to look forward to regardless of what we are facing. When facing any type of challenge in life, we can all look to Christ who is within us all. I have shared why we have the Annual Bishop’s Appeal, how the funds given to the ABA are used and why you should support the appeal. I pray that you now have a better understanding of the Annual Bishop’s Appeal and that you feel comfortable making a commitment to the ABA. Please be assured of my gratitude and my deep appreciation for your faith and sacrifice. God’s peace and blessing be with you!

1977 - 2017

Comentario

E 10

Trabajando juntos como compañeros en la esperanza

Escucho a muchos hablar de la «diócesis» como si la «diócesis» fuese una cosa y no una persona. Algunos hablan de la «diócesis» como líderes administrativos con reglamentos y leyes que dictan lo que podemos y no podemos hacer. Otros hablan de la «diócesis» como un edificio en la Carretera 311. Aún muchos piensan que la diócesis es abstracto. Sin embargo, la realidad es que NOSOTROS formamos la «diócesis». La «diócesis» somos tú y yo. Somos 90,000 católicos unidos. Somos 39 parroquias bellas y únicas que están unidas con el obispo que se encarga de servirles. Pido con mis oraciones que ustedes comprendan que la «diócesis» es un pueblo y no una categoría. La Diócesis de Houma-Thibodaux es un pueblo singular con una historia grande y una personalidad única. Todos estamos juntos y quiero que todos nosotros seamos compañeros en la esperanza. La Apelación Anual de Obispos (Siglas en inglés, ABA) nos brinda la oportunidad- tú y yo- de trabajar juntos como compañeros en la esperanza. Ahora sé que cada uno de nosotros posee una historia singular con «cosas de la diócesis» y campañas como la ABA. Por tanto, les hago estas tres preguntas sencillas. La primera pregunta: « ¿Qué es ABA?» La Apelación Anual de Obispos es simplemente eso: una apelación. Yo que les sirvo como obispo le apelo al pueblo. Nosotros estamos juntos en esto y les apelo que nos ayuden. Nuestras parroquias- que incluye su propia parroquia- hacen lo mejor que pueden. No obstante, Necesitamos toda clase de ayuda. Por tanto, ABA provee fondos que puedo asignar para mantener parroquias como la suya. La segunda pregunta es: «Cómo ayuda la ABA? ¿Cómo ayuda a la parroquia su contribución a ABA?» En los últimos 18 meses,

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

les he escuchado. He escuchado en grupos grandes y en grupos pequeños. Les he escuchado a ustedes de manera privada y pública. Les he escuchado decir muchas cosas pero una de las cosas que he escuchado más es que ustedes desean una mejor formación. Les he escuchado decir que necesitamos más para nuestros jóvenes. Les he escuchado decir que los adultos necesitan aprender más sobre su fe. También he escuchado sus preocupaciones sobre las familias y la vida de familia. Los fondos obtenidos por la Apelación Anual de Obispos se dirigen a la formación de jóvenes, formación de adultos y los ministerios para familias. Como obispo trabajo para cambiar la cultura de nuestro Centro Pastoral. Queremos servir. Queremos servirle. Queremos servir a sus parroquias. Los fondos de la ABA mantienen los servicios que el Centro Pastoral provee a sus parroquias para mejorar el ministerio de jóvenes. Nos ayuda a equipar sus parroquias para crear una mejor formación para adultos. Ayuda al Ministerio de Familias para que podamos proveer asistencia con la preparación de matrimonios, consejo para matrimonios, familias y otros recursos. Sí, la ABA les ayuda porque le sirve a sus parroquias- a la preparación de jóvenes, formación de adultos y al Ministerio de Familias. Por supuesto, no olviden a nuestros sacerdotes jubilados. Después de entregar sus vidas a la Iglesia- a parroquias como la suya y a feligreses como los suyos- sus fondos de ABA también ayudan con los fondos para el retiro de los sacerdotes, asegurando que nuestros 10 sacerdotes jubilados tengan el apoyo financiero que necesitan para vivir sus años de retiro con seguridad y libertad. Felizmente les anuncio que de ahora en adelante no solamente podrá el Centro Pastoral ayudarle a sus parroquias, sino también

¡continuaremos a compartir una fracción de los fondos de ABA con sus parroquias! He aquí cómo funciona. Si la diócesis alcanza su meta entonces todas las parroquias que alcanzan o sobrepasan su propia meta se considerarán para recibir un reembolso del porcentaje de la cantidad que sobrepasó su meta. Los fondos reembolsados a las parroquias no serán restringidos y los jefes de estas parroquias decidirán cómo invertir estos fondos de la mejor manera. Luego de la Apelación del 2015 tendremos la capacidad de devolver $70,000 a las parroquias. He compartido con ustedes con frecuencia que soy un hombre de esperanza. Tengo esperanza entre la crisis económica que sé que está afectando a muchos de ustedes. Tengo esperanza aunque sé plenamente que muchos de nosotros cargamos pesares y sufrimientos. Tengo esperanza aunque sé que el futuro presentará desafíos que tendremos que enfrentar. Tengo esperanza por la realidad y por Jesucristo. En nuestro camino por el «Año de la Esperanza,» les pido que recuerden que la esperanza nos alienta a todos a ver el futuro con optimismo sin importar lo que estamos encarando. Cuando se confronta cualquier tipo de desafío en la vida, podemos ver a Cristo que está dentro de nosotros. He expresado por qué tenemos la Apelación Anual del Obispo, cómo los fondos otorgados a la ABA se invierten y por qué ustedes deben apoyar la apelación. Ruego que ustedes tengan una mejor comprensión de la Apelación Anual del Obispo y que sientan la disponibilidad de contribuir a la ABA. Les quiero expresar mi aprecio y mi gratitud por la fe y el sacrificio que ustedes demuestran. ¡Ruego que Dios los colme de paz y bendiciones! Traducido por Julio Contreras, feligrés de la Iglesia Annunziata en Houma

Binh luan bang loi

Hãy cùng làm việc với nhau trong hy vọng

Tôi thường nghe người ta gọi “giáo phận” như thể “giáo phận” là một vài cái gì đó chứ không phải là một vài người. Có người đề cập “giáo phận” như các nhà lãnh đạo hành chính với các quy tắc và quy định, họ nói cho chúng tôi biết những gì chúng tôi có thể làm hoặc không thể làm. Một số người đề cập “giáo phận” như một tòa nhà trên quốc lộ 311. Và vẫn còn nhiều suy nghĩ nữa về “giáo phận” như một cái gì đó trừu tượng. Tuy nhiên, trên thực tế chính CHÚNG TA là “giáo phận”. “Giáo phận” chính là Anh Chị Em và tôi. Chúng ta là 90,000 người Công giáo với nhau. Chúng ta là 39 giáo xứ xinh đẹp độc đáo cùng với vị Giám mục, người phục vụ Anh Chị Em. Tôi cầu nguyện để Anh Chị Em hiểu rằng “giáo phận” là một nhóm người, không phải là một thể loại. Giáo phận Houma-Thibodaux là một nhóm người đặc biệt với một lịch sử phong phú và một tính cách độc đáo. Tất cả chúng ta đều ở trong giáo phận này và tôi muốn chúng ta đều là những thành viên trong hy vọng. Quỹ quyên góp 2017 hằng năm của Giám mục (ABA) là một cơ hội cho chúng ta - Anh Chị Em và tôi - cùng làm việc chung với nhau như các cộng sự viên trong hy vọng. Lúc này, tôi nhận thức rằng mỗi người chúng ta đều có một lịch sử riêng biệt với “những công việc từ giáo phận” và các cuộc vận động như quỹ ABA. Vì vậy, tôi sẽ đề cập nhanh gọn, trả lời cho ba câu hỏi đơn giản sau đây. Câu hỏi đầu tiên: “Quỹ ABA là gì?” Quỹ kêu gọi hằng năm của Giám mục: là một lời thỉnh cầu. Tôi, là người phục vụ Anh Chị Em với tư cách là Giám mục, đang thỉnh cầu đến Anh Chị Em. Chúng ta đang sống với nhau trong cùng một giáo phận và tôi kêu gọi Anh Chị Em hãy giúp đỡ chúng tôi. Các giáo xứ của chúng ta – trong đó có cả giáo xứ của Anh Chị Em - đang làm tất cả những gì tốt nhất mà họ có thể. Tuy nhiên, tất cả chúng ta cần sự giúp đỡ. Vì vậy, nói một cách đơn giản là quỹ ABA cung cấp những ngân khoản để tôi có thể hỗ trợ các giáo xứ, chẳng hạn như giáo xứ của Anh Chị Em. Câu hỏi thứ hai là: “Quỹ ABA trợ

giúp như thế nào? Sự trợ giúp của Anh Chị Em dành cho quỹ ABA sẽ giúp giáo xứ của Anh Chị Em như thế nào?” Trong suốt 18 tháng qua, tôi đã lắng nghe. Tôi đã lắng nghe các nhóm lớn và nhóm nhỏ. Tôi đã lắng nghe Anh Chị Em cách riêng hay đoàn thể. Tôi đã lắng nghe Anh Chị Em nói rất nhiều điều, nhưng một trong những điều tôi đã nghe nói nhiều nhất là Anh Chị Em muốn cơ cấu tổ chức được tốt hơn. Tôi đã lắng nghe Anh Chị Em nói rằng chúng ta cần quan tâm nhiều hơn cho giới trẻ. Tôi đã lắng nghe Anh Chị Em nói rằng người lớn chúng ta cần phải học hỏi thêm về đức tin của mình. Và, tôi đã lắng nghe mối quan tâm của Anh Chị Em về gia đình và cuộc sống gia đình. Số tiền giúp cho Quỹ ABA của Anh Chị Em sẽ được giúp trực tiếp vào sự đáp trả của giáo phận chúng ta cho sự giáo dục và đào tạo giới trẻ, cho người lớn và các việc mục vụ gia đình. Với tư cách là Giám mục, tôi đang làm việc chăm chỉ để định hình lại truyền thống tại Trung tâm Mục vụ của chúng ta. Chúng tôi muốn phục vụ. Chúng tôi muốn phục vụ Anh Chị Em. Chúng tôi muốn phục vụ giáo xứ của Anh Chị Em. Các dịch vụ tài trợ cho Quỹ ABA của Anh Chị Em từ Trung tâm Mục vụ sẽ giúp giáo xứ của Anh Chị Em có được việc mục vụ giới trẻ tốt hơn. Nó giúp chúng tôi trang bị cho giáo xứ của Anh Chị Em cho sự đào tạo người lớn tốt hơn. Nó giúp chúng tôi trong các việc mục vụ cho gia đình, vì vậy chúng tôi có thể cung cấp sự hỗ trợ cho: chuẩn bị kết hôn, tư vấn hôn nhân và gia đình và các nguồn lực khác. Vâng, quỹ ABA giúp Anh Chị Em bởi vì nó phục vụ cho giáo xứ của Anh Chị Em - đặc biệt là đào tạo thanh thiếu niên, người lớn và các việc mục vụ gia đình. Và, tất nhiên, chúng ta không quên các Linh mục về hưu của chúng ta. Sau khi tận hiến cuộc sống của mình cho Giáo hội – cho các giáo xứ, như giáo xứ của Anh Chị Em và cho những người giống như Anh Chị Em - tiền giúp cho quỹ ABA của Anh Chị Em cũng hỗ trợ trong việc tài trợ hưu trí Linh mục của chúng ta, bảo đảm rằng 10 Linh mục về hưu của chúng ta có sự hỗ trợ bổ sung mà các ngài cần để sống những năm tháng nghỉ hưu của mình trong tự do và an vui.

Không những chỉ các dịch vụ từ Trung tâm Mục vụ hỗ trợ cho giáo xứ của Anh Chị Em, nhưng tôi vui mừng thông báo rằng chúng tôi sẽ tiếp tục chia sẻ một phần của quỹ ABA với giáo xứ của Anh Chị Em! Dưới đây là cách quỹ ABA hoạt động. Nếu giáo phận đạt được mục tiêu tổng thể của nó, sau đó tất cả các giáo xứ nào đã đáp ứng hoặc vượt mục tiêu sẽ đủ điều kiện để nhận lại một tỷ lệ phần trăm của số tiền vượt quá mục tiêu của mình. Kinh phí được hoàn trả cho các giáo xứ sẽ không bị hạn chế và ban lãnh đạo giáo xứ của Ông Bà Anh Chị Em sẽ có thể quyết định cách tốt nhất để sử dụng số tiền đó. Dịp gây quỹ năm 2015, chúng tôi đã hoàn trả lại cho các giáo xứ hơn 70,000 dollars. Tôi vẫn thường chia sẻ với Anh Chị Em rằng tôi là một người hy vọng. Tôi hy vọng giữa các cuộc khủng hoảng kinh tế mà tôi biết ảnh hưởng đến rất nhiều người trong chúng ta. Tôi hy vọng mặc 11 dù tôi hoàn toàn nhận thức được rằng nhiều người trong chúng ta mang những gánh nặng và đau khổ. Tôi hy vọng mặc dù tôi biết rằng tương lai có thể đưa ra những thách đố mà chúng ta vẫn chưa thấy. Tôi hy vọng vì thực tại và con người của Chúa Giêsu Kitô. Khi chúng ta tiếp tục đi qua “Năm Hy Vọng” này, tôi xin Anh Chị Em hãy nhớ rằng hy vọng mang đến cho tất cả chúng ta một cái gì đó để mong đợi, bất kể những gì chúng ta đang phải đối diện. Khi phải đối diện với bất kỳ loại thách đố nào trong cuộc sống, tất cả chúng ta có thể chạy đến với Chúa Kitô, Đấng đang ngự trong tất cả chúng ta. Tôi đã chia sẻ lý do tại sao chúng ta có cuộc gây quỹ hằng năm của Giám mục, cách thức tiền đóng góp cho quỹ ABA được sử dụng như thế nào và lý do tại sao Anh Chị Em nên hỗ trợ cuộc gây quỹ. Tôi cầu nguyện rằng giờ đây Anh Chị Em có được sự hiểu biết rõ ràng hơn về cuộc gây quỹ hằng năm của Giám mục và Anh Chị Em cảm thấy hứng thú thực hiện lời cam kết với quỹ ABA. Hãy tin chắc về lòng biết ơn sâu sắc của tôi về đức tin và sự hy sinh của Anh Chị Em. Cầu mong sự bình an và phước lành của Thiên Chúa luôn ở cùng Anh Chị Em. Dịch thuật do Lm. Francis Bui, SDD và Thầy Paul Vu, SDD. Tu Đoàn Tông Đồ Giáo Sĩ Nhà Chúa www.bayoucatholic.com

Comment

Pope Francis: Prayer is an act of hope that leads us to God The Pope Speaks

V 12

Vatican City (CNA/EWTN News) Pope Francis said hope in salvation is what leads us to turn to the Lord in prayer, trusting in faith particularly in moments when we are faced with the fear generated by death or injury. “Prayer brings you forward in hope and when things get dark, there needs to be more prayer! Then, there will be more hope,” the Pope said Jan. 18. Continuing his catechesis on the topic of Christian hope, the Pope reflected on the story of the Prophet Jonah and how his obedience, even if it came after he initially tried to run away from God’s request, helped to bring others to God through prayer. The passage from the Book of the Prophet Jonah, read during the general audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI hall, centered on when Jonah is in the boat trying to flee Nineveh. A dangerous storm develops, and the “pagan” sailors begin to fear for their lives. In the passage, it says they began to pray, each to his own god, and the captain of the ship woke Jonah, pleading with him to pray to his God to save their lives. “The reaction of these ‘pagans’ is the right reaction before death, because that’s when the man has a full experience of his own frailty and of his need for salvation. The instinctive horror of dying reveals the need for hope in the

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

God of life,” Francis said. Too often and easily we don’t turn to God when we are in need, he said, because we are worried it will just be a prayer based on selfinterest, and therefore “imperfect.” “But God knows our weakness, knows that we remember him for help, and with the indulgent smile of a father responds graciously,” Pope Francis reassured. In the end, when Jonah confesses the truth – that he was running away from the Lord – his witness of faith and his sacrifice of being thrown into the sea lead the sailors to pray to the one, true God. “Hope, which had led them to pray not to die, reveals an even more powerful person and a reality that goes well beyond what they hoped: not only do they not perish in the storm, but it opens them to the recognition of the one true Lord of heaven and of earth,” the Pope said. In his greetings to pilgrims in different languages after his catechesis, Pope Francis noted that Jan. 18 marks the first day of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which runs through Jan. 25. In his comments to Germanspeaking pilgrims specifically, he recalled his recent trip to Sweden for a joint commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the

Reformation. Recalling the joint ecumenical prayer said Oct. 31, he said “the Gospel of Christ is at the center of our lives and unites people who speak different languages, live in different countries and live the faith in different communities.” “In the spirit of the joint commemoration of the Reformation, we look more at what unites us, what divides us, and we continue our journey together to deepen our communion and give her an increasingly visible form,” he said. When it comes to Europe, “this common faith in Christ is like a green thread of hope; we belong to each other.” “Communion, reconciliation and unity are possible,” he said, adding that “as Christians, we have a responsibility to this message and we have to bear witness with our lives. May God bless this desire for union and guard all the people walking on the path to unity.” To close the weeklong event Pope Francis will preside over Second Vespers in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Wall Jan. 25 to mark the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. Representatives from the different churches and ecclesial communities in Rome will take part in the prayer, which is also open for the clergy and faithful of Rome.

Questions of Faith Father Wilmer L. Todd

I have an elderly parent who is sickly. Can he receive the sacrament of anointing of the sick or is that reserved for the dying? In the old days before Vatican II, when a person was dying, the family would send for a priest to do the “last rites.” That could include confession, extreme unction, (the old name for sacrament of the sick), Viaticum, (the Eucharist as given to a person near or in danger of death), and the apostolic pardon.

more than once if their situation worsens. The sick person’s family should be involved in praying for the healing of the infirmed. In the ritual for the anointing of the sick a special prayer is available for people advanced in age. The sacrament of the sick is a very powerful sacrament. A family once called me to a hospital to anoint the mother of the administrator of the hospital. She had been in a coma for a couple of days. During the anointing, she came out of the coma. The sacrament can also effect the spiritual life of a person. I anointed a person with cancer and the people who loved him were expecting a physical healing. However, he was a person with many prejudices and the sacrament helped him to become a more loving person. When someone is dying, we now have special prayers commending them to Almighty God.

I know that Lent begins next month and that Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. What’s so special about receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday?

Vatican II restored these sacraments to their original intent. We no longer have the “last rites.” The sacrament of the sick is for all those in a sickened condition that includes the elderly in a weakened state. It can also include people with a mental sickness. It’s not meant for people who have a slight cold or are “run down.” The sickness should be grave. The sacrament of the sick is meant for healing of body and spirit. The priest can give it to a person

When we make resolutions, it’s easier to keep them if we are doing them with others. Lent is a time when we as a church family, resolve to rid ourselves of anything that is not of Christ, and to become more Christlike. In other words, to be the best person God wants us to be. The ashes that we receive on Ash Wednesday are like a pledge card. We pledge to rid ourselves of any hate and evil within us. The ashes do not do anything of themselves. We bless them because our conversion is a holy enterprise. If we are sincere, then we have to be willing to change our lives so God can work with and through us. That might take more than giving up chocolate or alcohol. Lent is a time to get in touch with our dark side. We know the power of sin, how it keeps us from being the persons God wants us to be. Despite our sins, God continues to love us hoping that we will change our lives. Lent is a great opportunity to

change, to grow. Lent is a good time to forgive that person who hurt us, to share with a homeless person, to mend relationships. Lent is the right moment to take time for 13 someone we love (or we do not love), to open our hearts to God. We need to be self-giving, not just giving up things. Love is the solution to sin in our world. Sometimes we go through the motions and forget why we are doing our Lenten observances. Lent should move us to see God’s love again, to find a new passion for life, to deepen our prayer life. Lent invites us to pray, to fast, to give alms, to renew our relationship with God, self, neighbor and the world.

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

Reflections Readings Between The Lines Father Glenn LeCompte

A giant has died, yet will live on!

‘I 14

“I will now praise the godly, our ancestors, in their own time, the abounding glory of the Most High’s portion, his own part, since the days of old. Subduers of the land in kingly fashion, renowned for their might, counselors in their prudence, seers of all things in prophecy, resolute princes of the flock, lawgivers and their rules, sages skilled in composition, authors of sharp proverbs, composers of melodious psalms, writers of lyric poems; stalwart, solidly established, at peace in their own estates—All these were glorious in their time, illustrious in their day” (Sirach 44:1-7). In this poem, Jesus’ Ben Sira extols the greatness of those human beings, of many and varied skills, who were champions of Israelite faith. Each one, in his own way, provided insight for understanding God’s will and inspiration for living it. Ben Sira’s poem is of the genre of an “encomium,” a speech that gives enthusiastic praise to an individual. In this article I wish to deliver an encomium for a man of great stature in the world of biblical studies, Father Joseph A. Fitzmyer, S.J. I am sure many of you who are reading this are asking, “Who?” One of the foremost American Catholic biblical scholars, Father Fitzmyer is described by John W. Martens, in an article in the December 2016 issue of America

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

Father Joseph A. Fitzmyer, S.J.

Magazine, as a “giant of biblical scholarship.” Father Fitzmyer died at the age of 96 on Dec. 24, 2016, at Merion Station, PA. I knew Father Fitzmyer personally, because he was one of my professors at The Catholic University of America. I learned a tremendous amount from him in the two courses I took from him, and much more from his numerous books which I have read and used for research, quite often in writing this column. Father Fitzmyer published a plethora of books and articles, mostly on the New Testament and some on the Dead Sea Scrolls; I had a class with him on the latter topic. Probably the work for which he is most famous is the Jerome Biblical Commentary (published in 1967), and the revised edition of the same work, the New Jerome Biblical Commentary, which was published in 1989. Father Fitzmyer co-edited this work with Father Raymond E. Brown, S.S. and Father Roland E. Murphy, O. Carm. Father Fitzmyer published a massive volume on St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans for the Anchor Bible series, and later linked his Jesuit roots to his biblical scholarship by applying the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola to the Letter to the Romans. I once made what I would consider a very spiritually edifying retreat by using Father Fitzmyer’s Spiritual Exercises Based on St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans as the guide for my retreat. It was like being on retreat with Father Fitzmyer himself. Father Fitzmyer was among the earliest Catholic scholars to

study the Bible according to the Historical Critical Method. This method seeks to determine a text’s meaning by analyzing the historical circumstances that gave rise to it, whether that be at the level of the original source documents, the oral stage, or the stage when sources were incorporated into the text. In 1893, Pope Leo XIII, in his encyclical Providentissimus Deus, encouraged Catholic biblical scholars to make a cautious use of the critical methods which had emerged over the course of the 19th Century to address controversial results that had emerged from a use of the methods during that time period. In 1943, Pope Pius XII (in his encyclical Divino Afflante Spiritu) reaffirmed Pope Leo XIII’s encouragement of the use of the critical methods and also supported scholars’ study of literary forms as another tool to unpack the meaning of the Scriptures. Father Fitzmyer contributed to the increased use of the Historical Critical Method in Catholic biblical studies and produced for us deeper insights into the biblical texts he studied. His studies still enjoy respect among biblical scholars inside and outside of Catholicism, although, as is always the case, some would contend with his findings. In his two-volume Anchor Bible commentary on The Gospel according to Luke, Father Fitzmyer comments on each passage according to the three stages of Gospel tradition defined by the Pontifical Biblical Commission in 1964. The three stages: 1) the historical Jesus, 2) the

oral preaching of the early church, 3) and the editing of oral and preliminary written traditions into written Gospels by the evangelists. One of the greatest lessons I have learned from studying Father Fitzmyer’s commentary is to determine what are valid and invalid questions we can ask of a text. For example, the major point of the parable of The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:1931) is the divinely just reversal of the fortunes of Lazarus and the rich man between their earthly lives and the afterlife. According to Psalm 41:2, the rich man would have been delivered had he attended to the needs of poor Lazarus. To ask why Lazarus was poor in order to determine whether or not he deserved help is an issue that transcends the parable’s scope. Neither the historical Jesus nor the evangelist was concerned with the reason for Lazarus’ poverty. He simply is poor, and the parable clearly depicts the Old Testament teaching that God cares for the poor (e.g. 1 Samuel; 2:8; Psalm 10:17; 14:6), therefore, God relieves

Lazarus’ misery in the afterlife, while uncaring people such as the rich man experience a negative reversal of their situation. Father John P. Meier, professor of New Testament studies at Notre Dame University and another of my professors at Catholic University, praises Father Fitzmyer as, a solid scholar who, nevertheless, had a “pastoral dimension” about his work. While he at times raised controversial questions concerning the Scriptures, he was also “a deeply compassionate Christian

always ready to help those in need.” While at Catholic University, I was humbled to receive back from Father Fitzmyer a research paper on the Book of Revelation with a grade of “A” and his comment that he had “no argument with my work in the paper.” Father Fitzmyer was truly a Catholic biblical scholar because he properly understood Catholic biblical scholarship, according to the church’s documents. In the words of Luke 19:7a, on which Father Fitzmyer commented, I say of him, “Well done, good servant!”

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ScriptureReadings and a listing of Feast days and saints

Monday

Wednesday

Thursday

Memorial of Saint Paul Miki, and companions, martyrs Genesis 1:1-19 Mark 6:53-56

Weekday Genesis 1:20— 2:4a Mark 7:1-13

Weekday Genesis 2:4b-9, 15-17 Mark 7:14-23

Weekday Genesis 2:18-25 Mark 7:24-30

Memorial of Saint Scholastica, virgin Genesis 3:1-8 Mark 7:31-37

Weekday Genesis 3:9-24 Mark 8:1-10

Weekday Memorial of Saints Genesis 4:1-15, 25 Cyril, monk, and Mark 8:11-13 Methodius, bishop Genesis 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10 Mark 8:14-21

Weekday Genesis 8:6-13, 20-22 Mark 8:22-26

Weekday Genesis 9:1-13 Mark 8:27-33

Weekday Genesis 11:1-9 Mark 8:34—9:1

Weekday Hebrews 11:1-7 Mark 9:2-13

Weekday Sirach 17:20-24 Mark 10:17-27

Weekday Sirach 2:1-11 Mark 9:30-37

Weekday Sirach 35:1-12 Mark 10:28-31

Saturday

Weekday Sirach 1:1-10 Mark 9:14-29

Friday

1 February

Tuesday

Weekday Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21 Mark 6:30-34

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 58:7-10 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Matthew 5:13-16

Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle 1 Peter 5:1-4 Matthew 16:13-19

Memorial of Saint Polycarp, bishop and martyr Sirach 5:1-8 Mark 9:41-50

Weekday Sirach 6:5-17 Mark 10:1-12

Weekday Sirach 17:1-15 Mark 10:13-16

1 March

Ash Wednesday Joel 2:12-18 2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

Thursday after Ash Wednesday Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Luke 9:22-25

Friday after Ash Wednesday Isaiah 58:1-9a Matthew 9:14-15

Sunday

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Sirach 15:15-20 1 Corinthians 2:610 Matthew 5:17-37

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18 1 Corinthians 3:1623 Matthew 5:38-48

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 49:14-15 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 Matthew 6:24-34

February

Holy Father’s prayer intentions

Universal Welcome the needy. That all those who are afflicted, especially the poor, refugees, and marginalized, may find welcome and comfort in our communities.

See www.apostleshipofprayer.org 17

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Young Voices The young Catholic Church is flourishing within the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Retreats such as TEC, CLI, Junior High Faith Experience and youth rally are provided to students to help them deepen their faith. Our church parishes offer ways to get involved through altar serving, music ministry and youth groups. Worldwide, even Pope Francis is getting on social media to keep up with modern trends and to spread the Lord’s message. Though the church is partially founded upon tradition, it is also important for the church to continue to keep up with today’s changing society. Through the programs offered in our diocese and in my Catholic school, I feel I have learned how to be a disciple of Christ and what it means to be a Catholic.

Connor Cheramie, 16 years old St. Hilary Church parish E.D. White Catholic High School

I ﬁnd there are many ways the church is focusing on the young church. There are many retreats that can help us live out our faith. I have been to the Junior High Faith Experience, and I also went to TEC. TEC has shown me that there are a lot of people that believe in the same religion that I believe in. This experience has prepared me to go out and spread God’s word. The Lord will not just speak to you in a loud deep voice. He speaks to us through our hearts and our minds. The retreat that I attended showed me that the Lord is always there to guide me and walk with me while I am living out my faith.

Carlo Dupre, 15 years old Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church parish, Houma Vandebilt Catholic High School

In what ways do you see the Catholic Church focusing on the needs of the young church? How has this prepared you to go and live out the Catholic faith?

Tori Estay, 16 years old Holy Cross Church parish Central Catholic High School The Catholic Church is giving so many opportunities for youth to encounter Christ. In our communities, we have many retreats and youth groups that young people can attend. Just recently I went to a retreat that changed not only my life, but every other young person that was there. This experience taught me that even as a teen, I am able to spread the word of God to all those around me. It’s amazing to see young people coming together to teach and learn about God!

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

Rae Harman, 17 years old St. Genevieve Church parish Keystone Virtual School The Catholic Church provides greatly for the youth in many amazing ways! The church is always seeking new ways to engage and bring together the Catholic young church such as holding youth adoration. Another way is holding Catholic events such as TEC, CLI and Steubenville. There are also family and friend get-togethers held such as movie or game days. This has prepared me to live out the Catholic faith because the church has taught me the essentials of living as a Godly young woman and spreading his love. The Catholic Church has taught me to stand strong in my faith and how communicating with other Catholic Christ followers will help!

Book Reviews

Bullseye By James Patterson Little, Brown $28

Reading with Raymond Raymond Saadi

NYPD Detective Michael Bennett it seems is the only agent who can possibly protect the president of the United States when he visits the UN in New York. Hmm, where was the Secret Service you’re asking? For this operation, protecting the prez from an announced terrorist attack requires the services of a cop highly trained enough to “trace the source of a threat that could rip the country apart.” Patterson, the most prolific author of crime stories, pens another thriller.

Long Shot

Volume I By Christopher E. Cenac Sr. with Claire Domangue Joller $80

By Tyler Bridges and Jeremy Alford The Lisburn Press $26.95 Who would have ever thought it: A virtually unknown Democrat House Member defeating a well known, (too well known perhaps), incumbent Republican U.S. Senator, for Louisiana Governor? Despite all odds, John Bell Edwards, a small town legislator from the North Shore defeated front-runner David Vitter, accusing him of choosing “prostitutes over patriots” – referring to Vitter’s consorting with females for hire. Louisiana politics can be ugly, fascinating and even, funny, but we love it.

Hardscrabble to Hallelujah Legacies of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana

In Sunlight or in Shadow Pegasus $19.70 Editor Lawrence Block has cleverly collected 17 excellent mysteries, each inspired by paintings of Edward Hopper. Authors include Stephen King, Lee Child and Block himself.

The Rain in Portugal By Billy Collins Random House $26 While the rain may stay in Spain, former poet laureate, Billy Collins chooses to have it rain in Portugal … “how it falls on the hillside vineyards, on the surface of the deep harbors.” No wonder this American poet’s books are veritable best sellers since he speaks in terms accessible even to people who “don’t like poetry.”

Dr. Chris Cenac and his collaborator, Claire Domangue Joller, have scored again with this biography of Bayou Terrebonne. It follows its’ course from its’ beginning with the influx of waters from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers to its’ arrival in Houma, and beyond to the once thriving coastal playground of Sea Breeze. Its’ population grew with deposed Acadians joining the Native American Houmas tribe and the plantations of large, wealthy French families. In this impressive collection of essays, maps, photographs, newspaper clippings and more, we follow the growth and prosperity of Terrebonne and Houma, which, during WWII, was simultaneously, home to the United States Blimp Base and German Prisoner of War Camps. Each page, each chapter, each photo combine to make this coffee table book an indispensable resource for every home.

www.bayoucatholic.com

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

Junior High Faith Experience 2017was held recently at E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux. More than 800 sixth through eighth graders throughout the diocese attended this year’s event. “This gathering gave those present an opportunity to find an event that accepts them as they are and celebrate what it means to be a Catholic teen in today’s world,” says Mike DiSalvo, diocesan director of the Office of Youth Ministry.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

www.bayoucatholic.com

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Guest Columnist Very Rev. Jay L. Baker, V.G.

‘F 24

“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plans to give you a future full of hope. When you call me, when you go to pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, you will find me with you, says the LORD” (Jeremiah 29:11-14). Jesus of Nazareth was a faithful, observant Jew. The Scriptures speak of his frequent journeys to Jerusalem. In fact, every Jew – in the Holy Land and throughout the ancient world – was duty-bound to make at least one pilgrimage to Jerusalem every year. Why? Simply, the orthodox Jews believed that God lived there in the Temple built under King Solomon – resting his feet on the wings of the Cherubim which stretched out from each corner of the Ark of the Covenant. True, there were synagogues all throughout the Holy Land and across the ancient world … but there was only one Temple – the Temple of Solomon – and it was in Jerusalem. Even after the Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. in one final push to crush the Jewish rebellion, Jews would still go to the retaining wall on the western side of the Temple Mount to pray and, some even, to strike their breasts and lament the fact that there is no Temple anywhere on Earth to house God’s. This wall is often referred to as the Wailing Wall or the Western Wall. Faithful Jews still go there in pilgrimage to this day. Following upon the fall of the Roman Empire, various

St. Joseph Co-Cathedral

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

celebrates 200 years the oldest parish in the diocese kingdoms and countries made forays into the Holy Land and claimed it as their own. Jerusalem then fell under various jurisdictions, most notably: that of the Ottoman Turks. As such, various Caliphates were established under Islamic rulers. Then at the Council of Clermont in 1095, Pope Urban II called for the First Crusade to reclaim the Holy Land. But in 1187, Saladin captured Jerusalem and the Holy City was once again under Islamic rule. Yet even prior to that, Christians felt unsafe to travel to the Holy Land in general and to Jerusalem specifically. And so, there began to spring up all over Europe, pilgrimage churches to which the faithful could journey in lieu of going to Israel. To that end, construction on Chartres Cathedral was begun in 1145 – after the first crusade and prior to Saladin’s siege. And so – as inspired by Robert Fulghum – “the story is told of a pilgrim from Italy who went to Chartres, France, to see the great cathedral he heard was being built there. Arriving at

dusk, he entered the site just as the workers were leaving for the day. As he encountered them, he asked each one what they did. The first man replied that he was an English stonemason and he spent his days carving rocks to form walls and shape columns. Another man said he was a glass-blower from Germany. He spent his days making slabs of colored glass which he then fashioned into windows carved into the wall. Still another man – a Spaniard – answered that he was a blacksmith who pounded iron into latches and hinges for a living. “Wandering deeper into the darkening gloom of the unfinished structure, the pilgrim came upon an elderly woman – who it was clear, by her dress – was from the city of Chartres itself. She was badly stooped and armed with only a broom. Obviously, she spent her days sweeping up the tiny stone chips and the glass shards and the iron filings from the work that each of the master artisans had completed. “Sensing someone staring at her, the woman stopped

The legendary Pere’ Charles Menard

mid-stroke, and looked up. So the pilgrim asked her – just as he had every other person he had encountered – ‘What are you doing?’ “The woman straightened up, wiped her brow, and gazed up toward the heavens. ‘Me? I’m building a cathedral to the glory of Almighty God!’ “The people of Chartres had magnificent vision: they began something they knew they would never see completed; the cathedral took hundreds of years – several generations – to build. Despite that, they had a vision of building not just a church but a bridge to the future – so that those who came after them would have a place to worship and to continue ministry” in the spirit and name of Jesus. The people of Chartres looked at the world all around them: the upheaval in the Middle East, plagues and epidemics on their continent, even civil strife in their homeland … and beyond that, they saw a future full of hope, a world worth living in. It was a similar vision that led the priest in Plattenville to look down the bayou in 1803 toward a trading post that had developed and was growing rapidly: Thibodauxville. With magnificent vision, the priest from Our Lady of the Assumption Church visited the area as their parish mission outreach and provided for the spiritual needs of the residents. At that time – according to the history as recorded by Albert J. Robichaux – Masses were celebrated in the

private homes of S.B. Perrot (one-half mile above the post) and Francois Gaude (three miles below) on the left bank and in the home of Widow Bellotte (seven miles above) on the right bank of Bayou Lafourche from then until 1815. The following year, Jean Baptiste Hebert donated a parcel of land measuring three acres in width and four in depth (where St. Joseph Cemetery in Thibodaux now sits). In 1817, the parish was erected and construction was begun on the first St. Joseph Church in Thibodaux. The City of New Orleans was 99 years old at the time; the United States, only 41! The future was full of hope. Four years later, Bishop Dubourg took a steamboat up the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Donaldsonville and turned left where the river forked at Lafourche de las Chitimaches and made his way to Thibodaux, as it was then known. He stayed three days – Feb. 14, 15 and 16, 1821 – and confirmed 387 parishioners! During that time, the bishop realized the need for a resident priest and – building upon that magnificent vision for the future – appointed Father Antoine Potini as our first pastor. The priests of St. Joseph parish then served the area from Labadieville to the Gulf of Mexico and from the Atchafalaya River to Jefferson Parish. In 1845, Peré Charles Menard was appointed pastor. To minister to the needs of this huge parish, Peré Menard was always on the move – on foot or on horseback, in a pirogue or on a steamboat. In 1847, the movement was afoot to build a larger church. It was dedicated two years later. Including his three 25 years as an associate pastor, Peré Menard served St. Joseph parish for 54 years. Through his missionary outreach during those 51 years as our pastor, Peré Menard established nine parishes in what is now the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. “Plans for your welfare, not for woe.” During that tenure, he and his parish-ioners persevered and survived two Yellow Fever epidemics (1853 and 1878), the Isle Dernières (Last Island) Hurricane of 1856 and subsequent tidal wave, Federal Occupation during the Civil War (1862-1865), and the Hurricane of 1893 – which killed 779 people on Cheniere Caminada alone. Yet like the inhabitants of a decimated Jerusalem to whom Jeremiah prophesied – whose Holy City lay in waste, whose Temple had been destroyed, whose power had been obliterated – the parishioners of St. Joseph continued to see and build toward a future full of hope. Assuredly, it must have been embracing that same magnificent vision of a church coming to life that St. Joseph Parish – after 87 years – produced her first native son to be ordained to the priesthood of Jesus Christ. On Jan. 21, 1900, Most Rev. Gustave Rouxel – the Titular Bishop of Curium and Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans, serving under Archbishop Placide Chapelle – invoked the Holy Spirit and laid hands upon Francis de Sales Badeaux in the sanctuary of Old St. Joseph Church on the banks of Bayou Lafourche. It was that same future full of hope, no doubt, which allowed our pastor Msgr. Alexander Barbier to wake up on Friday, May 26, 1916, after the devastating fire the night before that burned Old St. Joseph

www.bayoucatholic.com

The old St. Joseph Church that was situated along Hwy. 1 in Thibodaux was completely destroyed by fire May 26, 1916.

Church to the ground … to rise up from the soot and 26 ashes with only the wax figure of St. Valerie housing her relic and three Stations of the Cross … to rise up and celebrate Mass for his parishioners that Sunday in the basement of Thibodaux College – it was the first time in 99 years that the parishioners of St. Joseph attended Mass in a place outside their own church. “Plans for your welfare, not for woe” must have been what Msgr. Barbier would rely upon as he undertook the planning, groundbreaking and construction of “New St. Joseph Church” – as the current structure was first known. Taking shape along what was then the canal that connected Bayou Lafourche to Bayou Terrebonne, it must have seemed as if phoenix was rising from the ashes. Until its dedication, Masses were held in the parish hall which had been enlarged after the fire to accommodate the congregation. Then on Jan. 25, 1923, – 94 years ago – Most Rev. John Shaw, Archbishop of New Orleans, dedicated the New St. Joseph Church. At the same time, the parish also observed its Centennial Celebration since the Old Church had burned in the 99th year of the parish. Fittingly, that same year, Msgr. Barbier celebrated his 25th anniversary of ordination here at St. Joseph. He was 50 years old and had been pastor for 12 years thus far … through both the fire and the rebuilding and then for 10 years more thereafter. He shared that same magnificent vision he had glimpsed with Mother Katharine Drexel who came to St. Joseph in 1922 to meet with him and discuss building a church and school specifically to minister to African-Americans. Mother Drexel returned in 1923 to provide funding to purchase land and build St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church and school. Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

The two-story structure housed the church on the first floor, the school on the second story. The religious order that Mother herself had founded – the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament – would teach in the school and the Josephite Fathers would minister in the church. The future, indeed, was full of hope! Over the 94 years since the dedication of their church, the parishioners of St. Joseph have continued to actively express their faith by being “dedicated to the Gospel through service.” Since the memory of man runneth not to the contrary, parishioners have gathered on Sunday mornings to discern requests that have been made during the week by the poor and needy within our parish boundaries for financial assistance with food, rent or utilities. During the week, these parishioners visit the people seeking help and assess their needs. Then, using funds donated by the parishioners, assistance is given to continue the works of St. Vincent. As our parishioners began living longer, they were increasingly faced with the need to make their homes wheelchair accessible. Heaven’s Handymen was born of that. To this day, volunteers continue to build ramps and do minor home repairs for the elderly in our parish and throughout Thibodaux. Indeed, the future is full of hope. As the threat to the unborn continued to escalate following Roe vs. Wade, parishioners formed a ministry to reach out to women in crisis pregnancy situations and provide services for them that supported the right to life. In time, the ministry separated from St. Joseph parish and incorporated independently as Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center to be eligible for federal funding.

St. Joseph Co-Cathedral

The present day St. Joseph Co-Cathedral which is located along Canal Boulevard in Thibodaux was dedicated Jan. 25, 1923.

For 26 years now, the Gumbo Gang has been going strong and continues to sell lunches during Lent. In the last 13 years alone, this ministry has provided the Thibodaux Good Samaritan Food Bank with over $300,000 in donations for those men, women and children in our city who are food-insecure. “Plans for your welfare, not for woe.” Beyond these ministries, parishioners are eager to reach out to and help our sisters and brothers as the need arises. When so many residents of New Orleans were evacuated to Stopher Gym and Shaver Gym on the Nicholls State University campus in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, parishioners joined many local citizens in picking up and washing clothes for evacuees there. It was also in that milieu that parishioners – guided by Heaven’s Handymen – built a home through Habitat for Humanity for a local citizen so that volunteers from across the country could build HFH homes in the development along Bayou Blue. Following Hurricane Gustave, St. Joseph became a food distribution site where parishioners helped prepare plate lunches for local residents without

power. This past August when 20 Louisiana Parishes were declared federal disaster areas due to unprecedented flooding, parishioners immediately provided bottled water, snacks and cleaning supplies for those affected. In for the long haul, parishioners of St. Joseph assisted owners in pulling out drywall, cleaning out their homes, and washing clothes which had been salvaged from flooded homes. Ours is a world of fragile peace and broken promises. Our own day and age is rife with uncertainties and insecurities … with a struggling economy, from the specter of terrorism, to unbridled violence on our streets. But like the people of Chartres, the people of St. Joseph parish share in a magnificent vision that has been given life time and again over our first 200 years. As living members of the Body of Christ – with St. Joseph Co-Cathedral as our home – we ourselves are building a bridge to the future. And from where we stand and kneel and pray … we, too, see a future full of hope … for our next 200 years. (Very Rev. Jay L. Baker, V.G., is pastor of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux.) www.bayoucatholic.com

Local artist’s 200th anniversary designs selected Banners will be displayed on Canal Boulevard Story by Janet Marcel St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux is celebrating the 200th anniversary of its establishment this year, with the theme “A Future Full of Hope.” “The theme is based on Jeremiah 29:11-14,” explains Very Rev. Jay L. Baker, V.G., pastor of the Co-Cathedral since June 2004. “On behalf of God, the prophet speaks to the Nation Israel in crisis. Nebuchadnezzar – the King of Babylon – had captured Jerusalem and carried her King Jehoiachim off into exile. A strong pro-Egyptian party then urged Zedekiah to revolt against the Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

occupation. The Babylonian King took swift and terrible vengeance: he destroyed the Holy City in 587 B.C. and sent her leading citizens into exile as well. From the ruins of his beloved home, Jeremiah prophesies to his compatriots in exile a future full of hope for a restored Jerusalem.” After deciding on a theme, the anniversary planning committee turned their attention to a logo and artwork to illustrate it. Father Baker says he learned about the Nicholls State University Art Department’s Service Learning project through their work last year on Thibodauxville.

Joseph “Joey” Blake, lifelong parishioner of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux, is pictured working on his winning design that 29 will be used throughout the parish’s 200th anniversary year.

“Wondering whether or not our 200th Anniversary was a project they could help us out with, I contacted the department … and they said ‘yes!’” says Father Baker. The purpose of the service learning project is to give students the opportunity to work with real clients in the community, give them something they can carry over to their professional lives and put on their resume. It’s also a way to showcase the students’ designs to the community. The artwork of Joseph “Joey” Blake, a lifelong parishioner of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, was selected as the winner. “Both the anniversary theme and the winning design were chosen by a committee representative of the wide spectrum of St. Joseph parishioners: a grandparent, a professor, an artist, a Baby Boomer priest, and a Generation X healthcare professional. The designer is a millennial college student and the artwork is easily identified, even by our Generation Z elementary school students,” says Father Baker. Joey is a graduate of E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux and will be graduating from Nicholls State University in May with a major in art and a specialty in graphic design. “I am very happy that my design was chosen. From the beginning, I worked very hard on my design because I wanted it to be chosen, mainly because it is my home parish I was creating something for, so it was personal for me,” says Joey. “I didn’t have to

go out and do research for this design. I went to St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School and E.D. White Catholic High School so I’ve been learning about all the Bible and Catholic imagery since I was very young. I guess you could say I already had a 21 year understanding of what I was designing for and what kind of imagery was appropriate.” He says he chose the image of the bell tower for one of his designs because it is a very prominent symbol of the parish and the skyline of the City of Thibodaux that even people of other faiths recognize. His other design features the baldachino, the tabernacle and the altar because that is the centerpiece of the church. He explains that the beams radiating out in the background of the design are symbolic of the hope of the Holy Spirit, and the fleur de lis above the logo is symbolic of the tongues of fire at Pentecost. His artwork will also be featured on a prayer card and parish stationary set which will be used for this anniversary year. “Joey’s designs will be on display all year long and can be found up and down Canal Boulevard. In all, five designs were presented to the committee. Each student’s work clearly answered the design assignment laid out before them; however, Joey’s work stood out because he understood the church. As a life-long parishioner of St. Joseph, his intimate appreciation of the Co-Cathedral was evident,” says Father Baker. www.bayoucatholic.com

Houma Maria Immacolata Catholic School Krewe of MICS Friday, Feb. 24, 1:45 p.m.

Houma

Bayou Vista Krewe of Dionysus, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2 p.m.

St. Bernadette Catholic School Krewe of Pandas Friday, Feb. 24, 12:30 p.m.

Chackbay/Choupic Krewe of Choupic, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 1 p.m. Chauvin Krewe of Bayou Petit Caillou, Saturday, Feb. 18, Noon

Houma St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School Krewe of St. Francis Wednesday, Feb. 22, 9:30 a.m.

Galliano/Golden Meadow Krewe of Neptune, Tuesday, Feb. 28, Noon Gheens Krewe of Gheens, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 11 a.m. Golden Meadow Krewe of Des Petite Lions, Sunday, Feb. 12, 1 p.m. Krewe of Athena, Friday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m. Krewe of Atlantis, Saturday, Feb. 25, Noon Krewe of Nereids, Sunday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m.

Houma St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic School Krewe of Royals Friday, Feb. 24, 1 p.m.

Larose Holy Rosary Catholic School Holy Rosary Kindergarten Parade Friday, Feb. 24, 2 p.m.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

Grand Isle Independent Parade, Sunday, Feb. 26, 1 p.m. Houma Krewe of Hercules, Friday, Feb. 17, 6 p.m. Krewe of Aquarius, Saturday, Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m. Krewe of Hyacinthians, Sunday, Feb. 19, Noon Krewe of Titans, follows Hyacinthians Krewe of Aphrodite, Friday, Feb. 24, 6:30 p.m. Krewe of Mardi Gras, Saturday, Feb. 25, 6:30 p.m. Krewe of Terreanians, Sunday, Feb. 26, 12:30 p.m. Krewe of Cleopatra, Monday, Feb. 27, 6:30 p.m. Krewe of Houmas Tuesday, Feb. 28, Noon Krewe of Kajuns, follows Houmas

2017 Labadieville Krewe of Xanadu, Monday, Feb. 27, 6 p.m. Larose Krewe of Des T-Cajuns, Saturday, Feb. 18, Noon Krewe of Versailles, Sunday, Feb. 19, Noon Krewe of Du Bon Temps, Saturday, Feb. 25, 6 p.m.

Lockport Holy Savior Catholic School Krewe of Eagles Friday, Feb. 24, 2 p.m.

Morgan City Holy Cross Elementary School Krewe of Spirit Friday, Feb. 24, 12:30 p.m.

Lockport Krewe of Apollo, Saturday, Feb. 25, Noon Montegut Krewe of Montegut, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2 p.m. Krewe of Bonne Terre, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 5 p.m.

Raceland St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nativity School Krewe of Kiddies Friday, Feb. 24, 12:30 p.m.

Morgan City Krewe of Adonis, Friday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m. Krewe of Galatea, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2 p.m. Krewe of Hephaestus, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2 p.m. Thibodaux Krewe of Shaka, Sunday, Feb. 19, 1:30 p.m. Krewe of Ambrosia, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2 p.m. Krewe of Cleophas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 12:30 p.m. Krewe of Chronos, follows Cleophas Krewe of Ghana, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 1 p.m. Krewe of Maasai, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2 p.m.

Thibodaux St. Genevieve Catholic School Krewe of Pre-K Friday, Feb. 24, 1:15 p.m.

Thibodaux St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School Krewe of Pre-K Friday, Feb. 24, 2 p.m.

www.bayoucatholic.com

Guest Columnist Father Michael Bergeron

T 32

This guest column appeared in our first issue of Bayou Catholic magazine which was published February 2012. There is no celebration in the world which is as much misconstrued as Mardi Gras. Like all of our holidays (Christmas, Easter and Halloween), Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday rooted in ancient festivals. Mardi Gras most likely began with a 3,500-year-old Greek spring fertility celebration. It got into pagan Roman hands, which was eventually transformed into a church celebration. In the past, there has been harsh criticism that the Catholic Church has sinister reasons for eclipsing and absorbing pagan festivals. But that criticism is unjustified. The church had a practical reason for this: to keep from being persecuted by the Romans when they practiced their religion and to also appeal to the pagans to convert to Christianity. Regardless of its past, Mardi Gras is filled with wonderful symbolism and rich with religious parallels. Although originally a Greek festival of atonement, in the second century the Romans began observing a fast of 40 days, which was preceded by a brief season of feasting, costumes and merrymaking. The church leaders took the holiday, kept the original Greek motive of atonement and the Roman idea of an acceptable feasting before the Lenten season. The concept spread rapidly throughout Europe. Christianized Roman and Greek leaders had medals struck and dispensed them along the roadside while masked revelers paraded and pelted one another with confetti and candy. By the time of the

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

Middle Ages, Florence and Venice had parades with boats. One thousand years after the papal change making it a Christian holiday, carnival arrived in New Orleans through the French. Pierre LeMoyne D’Iberville explored the Gulf Coast and remarked in his 1699 journal, “March 3rd Mardy Gras Day.” D’Iberville, who was exploring the mouth of the Mississippi River, proclaimed a bayou that he discovered on that day as “Point du Mardi Gras.” On that day, tradition dictates, the explorers opened a bottle of wine and toasted their king, King Louis XIV. By the late 1700s pre-Lenten masked balls and parties flourished in New Orleans and the first “parade” began in 1837. Most people believe that the celebration spreads over a few days before Ash Wednesday. In reality, carnival is similar to the Fasching of Germany which begins on the twelfth night (Epiphany) and continues until Shrove Tuesday (from “to shrive” or to hear confession and make absolution). According to a pre-1000 A.D. English Ecclesiastical Institutes: “In the week immediately before Lent everyone shall go to his confessor and confess his deeds and the confessor shall so shrive him as he then may hear by his deeds what he is to do in the way of penance.” Shrove Tuesday became Mardi Gras – French for Fat Tuesday. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the word “Carnival,” is derived from the “taking away of flesh” (camera levare) which marked the beginning of Lent. In other words, the word came from the idea that meat would be taken away beginning on Ash Wednesday. The season begins at Epiphany. “Epiphany” comes from the Greek

word epiphaneia, which means “showing forth” or “manifestation.” The feast is about the manifestation of Jesus as Messiah and Savior of the world. In many Catholic countries, Epiphany is called “Little Christmas.” It is on that day children receive their presents and they do not come from Santa Claus, but from the Three Kings. It marks the day the Magi brought gifts to the Christ Child. One of the most popular customs was to bake a special cake in honor of the three Kings – “a King Cake.” The cake contains a baby which represents the child Jesus. Tradition evolved through time to obligate the person who receives the baby inside to continue the festivities by hosting another party. It is only a recent phenomenon that Catholics go to communion every Sunday. In the not too distant past, many people rarely went to communion. They did, however, perform their “Easter duties.” So, with the King Cake, week after week, they were nourished on the gift of the Divine Child by the person who found him in their cake. The colors represent the gifts of the Magi: Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh – Gold, Green and Purple – Power, Faith and Justice, respectively. The Magi represent us on our life journey. Balthasar carried the gift of gold. He was the young man at the bloom of his youth filled with enthusiasm for life. The second, Gaspar, the dark man, bears the gift of frankincense. It is us in mid-life who are led to deal with our “accommodated self” – the persona behind which our authentic self has been hiding. It is here we are called to integrate all aspects of ourselves and embrace the presence of God. Then there is Melchoir, the elderly man

carrying myrrh, the spice used in burial. He is pictured most closely to the child – often shown on all fours before the infant. He has doffed his crown, he has cast aside human pride and reputation and has become like a child. He has passed through mid-life and integrated himself. He speaks wisdom. There is a sort of “communion” in the King Cake which is filled with symbolism. There was also a practical aspect of Fat Tuesday. Remember, there were not always refrigerators and freezers. Lent was coming and there was no way to store meat and butter for six weeks. And wasting it would be unthinkable. Rich foods such as eggs, meat, oils and butter were strictly prohibited during the 40 days of Lent. It thus became customary to eat all that remained of these foods in the house and enjoy one last feast on the day before the 40-day fast. Unlike contemporary interpretations, it was not an excuse for gluttony, it was an opportunity to be good stewards of God’s gifts by not wasting food. In England, Mardi Gras is known as Pancake Day when people covered their pancakes with butter. In Germany and France people ate doughnuts fried in deep fat. In Mardi Gras parades there are the gaily dressed butchers on a float with a huge ox. Tuesday became the day to use up all the fat (butter and meat) before the rigid abstinence of Ash Wednesday. Thus, Fat Tuesday. Let’s face it, people love celebrations. Even Jesus loved a good meal with friends or the fun of a wedding. In ancient Israel, a wedding ceremony began when the bride and groom arrived, the doors were shut and the party lasted until the wine ran out. Jesus found himself at one in which the wine ran out early. So he changed water into wine – thus, extending the life of the party. Scripture encourages us to set aside special times for celebration, although not in the excess we sometimes find in Mardi Gras. On Ash Wednesday morning, the debris of Mardi Gras in

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the streets lie in sharp contrast to the people walking around with a smear of ashes on their foreheads. But Mardi Gras has provided a lesson to everyone. When you go to those parades and catch a trinket, you are delighted to have caught something. Then you want one of those longer necklaces or a pearl one. Then you want the stuffed animal, the coconut or some other coveted item. And frantically, people scramble for the “treasures” flying from the float. They seem so important at the moment. And people walk away so satisfied. But the next morning, we look at that junk and realize it is just junk. It’s not important and we don’t even know what to do with it. We throw it in a closet and head to church for our ashes. The city seems so silent. On our walk to church, if we are even slightly astute, we will realize that only two things in life are important. Those two things are our relationship with God and our relationship with each other. And we realize that even though it was a great game of “let’s pretend” at the parades, all that stuff doesn’t matter. When we get to church, we are reminded that we are dust and unto dust we shall return. We realize that money, power, position, possessions all dim in comparison to our relationship with God and with other people. We realize that LOVE is the only thing that matters. Love, God and people are the only things that are eternal. We forget the junk, and remember the fun we had with our loved ones – with families and friends. We forget the junk and concentrate on Lent and our relationship with God and his Son who loved us to his death. What a marvelous lesson Carnival and Mardi Gras teaches us. It teaches us what truly matters in life – God and other people. Everything else, including all the trinkets of life, are not important. There is a lot to be learned about faith and about life by looking at Mardi Gras. (Father Michael Bergeron is a retired priest of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.)

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

you

Diocesan Events

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February

n Pilgrimage Walk, Saturday, Feb. 4, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma, beginning at 7:30 a.m. with rosary and confession; Mass at 8:30 a.m.; walk begins at 9:15 a.m. n Holy Hour of Adoration for Men, Sunday, Feb. 5, 7-8 p.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma. n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, Feb. 7, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311 in Schriever, 10:45 a.m.12:45 p.m. Speaker, Father Joey Pilola. n Adult Faith Formation: Ecclesiology, Wednesdays, Feb. 8, 15, 22, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall in Schriever, 6-8:15 p.m. Speaker, Father Robert Rogers. n Adult Faith Formation: Church History, Thursday, Feb. 9, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall in Schriever, 6-8:15

March

n Celebration of the Feast of St. Katharine Drexel (who visited St. Joseph Church parish in 1918 & 1923), March 3 at 6:30 p.m., St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. n Pilgrimage Walk, Saturday, March 4, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma, beginning at 7:30 a.m. with rosary and confession; Mass at 8:30 a.m.; walk begins at 9:15 a.m. n Rite of Election, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma, Sunday, March 5, 3 p.m. n Holy Hour of Adoration for Men, Sunday, March 5, 7-8 p.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma.

April

n Pilgrimage Walk, Saturday, April 1, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma, beginning at 7:30 a.m. with rosary and confession; Mass at 8:30 a.m.; walk begins at 9:15 a.m. n Holy Hour of Adoration for Men, Sunday, April 2, 7-8 p.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma. n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, April 4, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311 in Schriever, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Speaker, TBA. n Adult Faith Formation: Pastoral Theology and Administration, Wednesday, April 5, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall in

c i l o h Cat

p.m. Speaker, Father Danny Poche. n In commemoration of the first 387 conferrals of the sacrament of confirmation in St. Joseph church parish in Thibodaux on Feb. 14, 15 and 16, 1821, by Most Rev. Louis Dubourg, bishop of New Orleans, St. Joseph Co-Cathedral parish will celebrate the sacrament of confirmation Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. n Free income tax preparation and e-filing is available every Tuesday (Feb. 7 – April 11) from 9 a.m.–3 p.m., on the second floor of the Terrebonne Parish Main Library, for individuals/ families making up to $55,000. n TEC 78 Retreat, Feb. 17-19 at Lumen Christi Retreat Center’s Souby Building in Schriever.

n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, March 7, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311 in Schriever, 10:45 a.m.12:45 p.m. Speaker, Deacon Lloyd Duplantis. n Adult Faith Formation: Pastoral Theology and Administration, Wednesdays, March 15, 29, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall in Schriever, 6-8:15 p.m. Speaker, Kathy Lirette. n Celebration of the Feast of St. Joseph, Sunday, March 19 at 9:30 a.m., St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, presider.

Schriever, 6-8:15 p.m. Speaker, Kathy Lirette. n Youth Rally, Saturday, April 8, Vandebilt Catholic High School, Houma, beginning at Noon. Onsite registration is accepted. n In commemoration of the first celebration of the sacrament of matrimony in St. Joseph parish in Thibodaux, April 11, 1820, when Felicité Breau married Joseph Heber, anniversary couples celebrating 25, 40, 50, 60 and beyond years of marriage will be honored Tuesday, April 11 at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, 6:30 p.m. n Chrism Mass, Thursday, April 13, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma, 10:30 a.m.

For great results advertise with us. Call 985-850-3136 www.bayoucatholic.com

Annual diocesan youth rally to feature Tony Melendez April 8 event scheduled at Vandebilt Catholic High School Story by Janet Marcel “Bless the Lord – Our Hope is in Him,” is the theme for the 36th annual youth rally for eighth through 12th grade students in the tri-parish area. The event, which is sponsored by the Office of Youth Ministry 36 in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, will take place Saturday, April 8, at Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma, from 12:30 to 10 p.m. Keynote speaker will be Tony Melendez with music by Abundant Praise. Mike DiSalvo, diocesan director of the Office of Youth Ministry, explains that over the past 15 years he has often used a “rally call” at diocesan events; this statement when proclaimed requires a response by the young Catholic Church that lets him know how they see the God of the universe. This “rally call” is “God is good – all the time! All the time – God is good!” When the young church responds, says DiSalvo, typically the proclamation is loud and definitely heard. As the Office of Youth Ministry staff began to pray about the theme for the 2017 youth rally, DiSalvo says this statement crossed his mind and heart. “I began to think what if it wasn’t just a ‘shout out’ but a calling to live that way. Imagine if the response wasn’t just a loud voice but was taken as a responsibility to live the Catholic faith out loud. Imagine if we understood that all of creation was designed to bless the Lord and live according to his design and purpose. Even more than living according to his design and purpose, we are called in such a way that we should embrace our giftedness and glorify him with those gifts in all that we say and in all that we do, knowing fully that he has and will provide us with whatever we need as his sons and daughters. This revelation of God’s fidelity accompanied with Bishop Shelton J. Fabre’s desire for us to know that in God is our hope is how we decided on the theme for this year’s rally.” Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

Tony Melendez

Keynote speaker Tony Melendez, who ministers through his music and voice, will open with a personal witness of God’s love for him. Because of the blessings that God has poured upon him, he uses his entire life to bless the Lord. Melendez, a native of Nicaragua, was born without arms because his mother was prescribed the drug thalidomide to help calm her morning sickness and she had no idea how it would affect her unborn child. He was brought to the Los Angeles area from Nicaragua to be fitted with artificial arms. He wore them until he was 10, when he disposed of them because he said he didn’t feel comfortable and that he could use his feet so much more. In high school he began playing around with the guitar and harmonica and also began writing his own songs. It was also in high school that he became

deeply involved in the Catholic Church and even considered becoming a priest but learned that he couldn’t because priests were required to have an index finger and thumb. He used his talents as a guitarist and composer for Masses and church related events. Demand for him increased to the point where he was directing and singing in music groups at up to five Masses on a given Sunday. This caught the attention of many including someone with the group organizing activities for the monumental visit of Saint Pope John Paul II to the United States. On Sept. 15, 1987, Melendez played his guitar for Saint Pope John Paul II in Los Angeles, CA. The song Never Be the Same was an appropriate song, for those few moments changed Melendez’ life and brought his abilities as a guitarist into national attention. Since then Melendez has traveled across the world making countless television and personal appearances. He has recorded five albums and written an autobiography entitled A Gift of Hope. He has been featured worldwide in newspapers and magazine articles and has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors. Melendez resides in Branson, MO, with his wife Lynn and two children. “The youth rally is a great way for teens to CONNECT to a community of young people in their own parishes and beyond that share their passion and desire to know Jesus,” says DiSalvo. “It is made possible through engaging faith activities, praise and worship music, and down time with other teens in

attendance. It offers many opportunities for the teens to ENCOUNTER the living God through fellowship with one another, and in the opportunities through adoration, reconciliation and a powerful Palm Sunday Liturgy. Young people have had and witnessed CONVERSION of hearts as the day unfolds and an awareness of how to live for Christ is revealed. It is the prayer of the Office of Youth Ministry that this event be just one way to aid our young people to GROW stronger in their faith and understanding of their gifts so that together we can fulfill their MISSION as his disciples – to love as he loved and to ‘Bless the Lord’ with their lives. If you have never attended youth rally before – this is the year to say ‘yes’ and be open to what the Lord has in store for you.” The closing Mass, which will be celebrated by Bishop Shelton J. Fabre and concelebrated by priests of the diocese, begins at 7:45 p.m. Cost to attend the youth rally is $50 per person which includes all rally materials, event T-shirt, meals and transportation to and from the event. Youth can register online with their parish groups by linking to the sign-up page at www.htdiocese.org/ym. Early registration is strongly encouraged. After March 13, all registrations will take place at the door beginning at Noon the day of the rally. Cost will be $60 per person; T-shirts are not guaranteed and only hamburgers will be available for dinner. For more information about youth rally, call (985) 850-3151. 37

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St . John t he Evangelist

Bayou Patrons

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Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

Continuing our Bayou Patrons series, this month’s featured saint is John the Evangelist, also referred to as St. John the Apostle and St. John the Divine. He is the author of three letters, the Fourth Gospel, and the Revelation to John in the New Testament. John was the son of Zebedee, a Galilean fisherman, and his mother’s name was Salome. They lived on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. John and his brother James were among the first disciples called by Jesus. His mother was among those women who ministered to the circle of disciples. John and his brother, together with Simon Peter, came within the innermost circle of their Lord’s friends, and these three were suffered to remain with Christ when all the rest of the apostles were kept at a distance. Peter, James and John were with Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. The mother of James and John, knowing our Lord’s love for the brethren, made special request for them, that they might sit, one on his right hand, the other on his left, in his kingdom. To John was committed by our Lord the highest of privileges, the care of his mother. John and Peter were the first to receive the news from the Magdalene of the Resurrection, and they hastened at once to the sepulcher, and there when Peter was restrained by awe, John impetuously “reached the tomb first.” It is thought that Saint John remained at Jerusalem until the death of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Irenaeus says that Saint John did not settle at Ephesus until after the death Saints Peter and Paul in 97. In the persecution of Domitian he was taken to Rome and was placed in a cauldron of boiling oil outside the Latin gate, without the boiling fluid doing him any injury. He was sent to labor at the mines in Patmos. At the accession of Nerva he was set free, and returned to Ephesus, and there it is thought that he wrote his Gospel. In his old age, when unable to do more, he was carried into the assembly of the Church at Ephesus, and his sole exhortation was, “Little children, love one another.” Saint John’s official date of death is unknown, but it is certain that he lived to a

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

Patron saint of love, loyalty and friendships

very advanced age. (From The Lives of the Saints by the Rev. S. Baring-Gould, M.A., published in 1914 in Edinburgh.) Rev. Josekutty “Joe” Varghese, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church parish in Thibodaux since July 2016, says Saint John the Evangelist has a special meaning to him. “Since Saint John was the beloved disciple of Jesus, he was very close to our Lord. Being the pastor of a church parish named for him encourages me to have a deeper relationship with the Lord and causes me to want to know more about my people. Ever since I became pastor of St. John the Evangelist parish, I ask for his intercession for the parish as well as for myself.” According to the parish’s history, in 1876, Pere’ Charles Menard, pastor of St. Joseph Church parish in Thibodaux, had a small building constructed that was called “Ecole St. John” (St. John School). Two sisters of Mt. Carmel taught at the small school. Once a month, they used the building as a chapel for Mass. As the congregation grew, two additional rooms were

built for school purposes and the chapel was used just for the celebration of Mass. St. John Church was formally and legally established as a separate entity June 14, 1919. No records have ever been found that verify when and how St. John Church received the full name of “St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.” Saint John is usually depicted in art as a young man accompanied by the symbol of an eagle. The use of the chalice as a symbol for Saint John is sometimes interpreted with reference to the Last Supper. He is the patron saint of love, loyalty, friendships and authors. His feast day is Dec. 27. www.bayoucatholic.com

Thoughts for Millennials Ryan Abboud

M 40

God’s beautiful

Many of us have felt the harsh and painful effects of an unanswered prayer. These unanswered prayers can be such a hard and difficult aspect of our faith lives, and they go a little something like this. We put a large amount of our time thinking about and praying for a specific topic. Maybe there’s a hard test coming up, a certain outcome that we desire, or maybe we’re praying that our local sports team can make a successful championship run. After days, weeks or even months of us begging God for the outcome we want; ultimately, the outcome is definitely not what we expected or wanted. We’re left feeling drained and beat down. We look up at the sky and wonder if he’s even listening. We throw our hands up and walk away. It’s so easy to resent God for not answering this prayer that we’ve cared so much about. We’ve all been there and odds are that we’ll all be there again one day in the future. However, I’m here to tell you that he was listening. He heard every word, but it’s important to know that he isn’t saying “no” when he doesn’t give you what you wanted. He’s saying “Wait, I’ve got something way better on the way.” You see, God will never take anything away from you without the intention of replacing it with something much better. And knowing that will definitely help us through the temporary disappointment that we feel when we don’t get our outcome. Imagine a Mardi Gras parade. Imagine yourself as a member of the crowds. We are the people on the sides of the road that are catching beads. As the audience, we see one float at a time as they pass in front of us. One float at a time is all we see and know for the time being. Now, imagine God as the guy on the float throwing beads. God is much higher than the crowds due to his positioning on the float. Since God has a better vantage point, he can look ahead and see where the parade is going and he can see where the parade came from. The man on the float has more knowledge about the parade route than the crowd since he can see more. Think of the parade route as our lives. God has a greater advantage because he can see our future and past, but we can only see the present. That’s why we put our trust in him … because he truly does know what we need more than we know. Ultimately, it’s important to realize that above all

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

“no”

else, God is a parent. And there’s no parent on this earth that would purposefully allow their child to endanger themselves. So God will not answer a prayer if he knows that it will endanger our lives, bodies or spirits. All in all, it’s okay to be temporarily disappointed in an outcome not being what you desired, but at the end of the day we must understand that he knows much better than us. And sometimes an ugly “no” from God can one day be a beautiful “yes” dependent upon his timing. (Ryan Abboud is a 2015 graduate of Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma and a sophomore at LSU in Baton Rouge.)

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Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Seminarian Education Burses

What is a seminarian burse fund? A seminarian burse 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 Houma-Thibodaux.

How does someone establish a seminarian burse fund? Very simply, a burse may be established and named for anyone you choose, be it family, friend, bishop, priest, deacon, religious, etc.

When is a seminarian burse complete? A seminarian burse fund is complete once it reaches $15,000. If you choose to continue to contribute, a new burse will be created for you.

Who do I contact to contribute to or establish a burse fund? To contribute or establish a burse, send funds to Pastoral Center, Attn: Seminarian Burse, P. O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395 or call Jeremy Becker, Director of Stewardship and Development, at 985-850-3155 for more information.

Completed Burses of $15,000 each

Note: those wtih a number stipulates the number 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 & Fly - 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 K of C - Leighton Delahaye - Mrs. Shirley Conrad - Bishop Shelton Fabre - Elizabeth Hebert - Callais Family Fund - Rev. Joseph Tu Tran - Endowment Fund - $119,136.90

December 2016 Burse Contributions Mr. & Mrs. John Marmande ........................... $1,000.00 Deacon Connely Duplantis ................................ $500.00 Catholic Daughters ............................................ $320.00 Rev. Joseph Tu Tran #2 ..................................... $253.50 Elie & Dot Klingman ......................................... $140.00 Msgr. Raphael C. Labit #2 ................................. $120.00 Judge Louis & Shirley R. Watkins ..................... $100.00 Bernice Harang .................................................. $100.00 Warren J. Harang, Jr. #2 ..................................... $100.00

Open Burses with Balance as of 12/31/16

Sidney J. & Lydie C. Duplantis ........... $13,000.00 Donald Peltier, Sr. #4 ............................ $13,000.00 Joseph Strada Memorial ...................... $12,642.63 Msgr. Raphael C. Labit #2 .................. $11,200.00 Harvey Peltier #31 .............................. $10,486.91 Joseph Waitz, Sr. ................................. $10,100.00 Clay Sr. & Evelida Duplantis #2 .......... $10,000.00 C. Remie Duplantis #2 ........................ $10,000.00 Marie Elise Duplantis #2 ..................... $10,000.00 Maude & Edith Daspit #2 .................... $10,000.00 Msgr. George A. Landry ...................... $10,000.00 Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier ................. $9,200.00 Elie & Dot Klingman .............................. $9,100.00 Rev. Victor Toth ..................................... $7,000.00 Brides of the Most Blessed Trinity ......... $6,598.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ........................... $6,200.00 Rev. Peter Nies ..................................... $6,000.00 Rev. Guy Zeringue ................................ $5,400.00 Catholic Daughters ................................ $5,225.00 Msgr. Francis Amedee ........................... $5,150.00 Mr. & Mrs. Love W. Pellegrin ................. $5,000.00 Anonymous #2 ...................................... $5,000.00 Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis Fmly.#4..... $5,000.00 Rev. William M. Fleming ........................ $5,000.00 Mrs. Ayres A. Champagne ..................... $5,000.00 Society of St. Joseph .............................. $5,000.00 Rev. Kasimir Chmielewski ..................... $4,839.00 Rev. Gerard Hayes ................................ $4,786.00

Joseph “Jay” Fertitta .............................. $4,450.00 Rev. Henry Naquin ................................. $4,331.00 Harry Booker #2 .................................... $4,138.00 Kelly Curole Frazier ............................... $3,610.96 Msgr. James Songy ............................... $3,575.00 J. R. Occhipinti ...................................... $3,400.00 Anawin Community ............................... $3,400.00 Mr. & Mrs. Galip Jacobs ........................ $3,060.00 St. Jude ................................................. $3,000.00 Diocesan K of C #2 ............................... $2,894.62 Rev. Peter H. Brewerton ........................ $2,600.00 Mr. & Mrs. John Marmande .................... $2,500.00 Warren J. Harang, Jr. #2 ......................... $2,300.00 Willie & Emelda St. Pierre ...................... $2,000.00 Rev. H. C. Paul Daigle ........................... $1,900.00 Deacon Connely Duplantis ..................... $1,675.00 James J. Buquet, Jr. ............................... $1,650.00 Alfrances P. Martin ................................. $1,650.00 Preston & Gladys Webre ........................ $1,650.00 Msgr. Francis J. Legendre #2 ................ $1,645.00 Rev. Robert J. Sevigny .......................... $1,600.00 Rev. John Gallen .................................... $1,600.00 Rev. Hubert C. Broussard ...................... $1,550.00 Msgr. Emile J. Fossier ........................... $1,545.00 Dr. William Barlette, Sr........................... $1,525.00 Msgr. Stanislaus Manikowski ................ $1,525.00 Deacon Robert Dusse’ ........................... $1,450.00 Msgr. John L. Newfield .......................... $1,200.00

Jacob Marcello ....................................... $1,200.00 Rev. Anthony Rousso ............................. $1,150.00 Judge Louis & Shirley R. Watkins ........... $1,050.00 Ronnie Haydel ....................................... $1,035.00 Rev. Clemens Schneider ....................... $1,000.00 Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux #4 ........... $1,000.00 Msgr. John G. Keller .............................. $1,000.00 Deacon Willie Orgeron ............................. $800.00 Ruby Pierce .............................................. $800.00 Deacon Roland Dufrene ........................... $750.00 Juliette & Eugene Wallace ......................... $700.00 Deacon Edward J. Blanchard ................... $660.00 Edna W. DiSalvo ....................................... $600.00 Rev. Jospeh Tu Tran #2 ............................. $551.00 Deacon Raymond LeBouef ...................... $550.00 Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Cannata .................... $500.00 Bernice Harang ......................................... $500.00 Anne Veron Aguirre ................................... $380.00 Dean Joseph Chiasson ............................. $350.00 Deacon Harold Kurtz ................................ $300.00 Richard Peltier #2 ..................................... $300.00 Claude Bergeron ...................................... $250.00 Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Naquin .......................... $150.00 Deacon Pedro Pujals ................................ $100.00 Deacon Eldon Frazier .............................. $ 50.00 Deacon Nick Messina .............................. $ 50.00 Rev. Warren Chassaniol ........................... $ 50.00

Overall Seminarian Burse Totals: $1,638,335.02 www.bayoucatholic.com

Pope Francis appoints Bishop Oscar Solis to head the Diocese of Salt Lake City By Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City (CNA/EWTN News) On Tuesday, Jan 10, the Vatican announced the appointment of Filipino-born Bishop Oscar A. Solis, currently an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, as the new head of the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Bishop Solis, 63, will fill a more than 20-month vacancy in Salt Lake City, after the previous bishop, John Charles Wester, was tapped to lead the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, N.M. in April 2015. In an interview with L.A. diocesan newspaper Angelus 42 News, Solis called his new role as the 10th bishop of Salt Lake City “a recognition of the diversity of the church in America and the universality of the church.” “I know what it means to be a pastor, a shepherd of a particular diocese,” he said. “It is a tremendous blessing and a responsibility and a privilege to be of service to the local church in the United States of America, coming from the Philippines.” In 2003, Bishop Solis became the first Filipino to be appointed a bishop in the United States when he was named as an auxiliary to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles by Pope St. John Paul II. He will now be the first Filipino to head a U.S. diocese. In a statement on the appointment, Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez said “our loss will be a gift to the family of God in Salt Lake City.” “I know that Bishop Solis will be for them a model of prayer and compassion and a great bishop. And I fully expect that he will become the leading voice for the millions of Filipino Catholics in this country, who are a beautiful sign of growth and renewal in our church and in Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Bishop Oscar Solis served the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in various capacities from 1988 until 2003 including as associate pastor of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux, pastor of Our Lady of Prompt Succor in Golden Meadow, and pastor of the Co-Cathedral. He also served the diocese as a member of the Diocesan Personnel Board, the College of Consultors, the Priests Council, and as Dean of the South Lafourche Deanery and the Upper Lafourche Deanery. “Congratulations to Bishop Oscar Solis on his appointment as Bishop of Salt Lake City. His 15 years of service and pastoral counsel to the people of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux are affectionately remembered and deeply appreciated,” says Bishop Shelton J. Fabre.

our country.” Bishop Solis was born in San Jose City in the Philippines Oct. 13, 1953. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Cabanatuan April 28, 1979. From 1979-1984 he held significant positions within the diocese, including serving as rector of the diocesan high school and college seminary, the vocations director, a professor, and on the

diocesan priests council. He was sent to Rome in 1984 to pursue doctoral studies in Canon Law. He also took time to visit family in the U.S. where he carried out some pastoral work, which led him to discern a new direction in his vocation. “I fell in love with parish life,” Solis said in the interview. “I never did parish work in the Philippines.” “That’s the mystery of

God’s grace,” he said. “Just be open and be ready for surprises because our God is a God of surprises. Just like now!” Moving to the U.S. in 1984, he served as parochial vicar of a parish in Union City, N.J. and later in parishes in Louisiana. In 1992, with permission from the Ordinary of his diocese in the Philippines, he was incardinated in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana. He served there until 2003, when he was appointed Titular Bishop of Urci and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. As Bishop, he served as Episcopal Vicar for Ethnic Ministry from 2004-2009. Since 2009, he has been Episcopal Vicar of the San Pedro Pastoral Region within the Archdiocese of L.A., and also served on the USCCB Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Island Affairs, first as chairman and later as a member. He speaks English, Tagalog and Spanish. “I will miss friends and priests and L.A.,” Bishop Solis told Angelus News, “but I know God has something in store for us when he leads us to a new place. I have wonderful priests in Utah and wonderful people. I know we won’t go wrong if we work together as a church, as a community. God will provide the rest.” Archbishop Gomez said that he could not be happier for Bishop Solis. “He is a fine priest and a good bishop. I have relied on his good advice and pastoral judgment, and I am inspired by his love and dedication to the people of the San Pedro Pastoral Region and the whole family of God here in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. We are all going to miss him greatly.”

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Father August Vandebilt’s chair donated to school’s namesake The Caillouet family of Houma recently made a special donation to Vandebilt Catholic High School in memory of their late father, L. Philip Caillouet Sr., who passed away in 2001. Mary Claire C. Randazzo and L. Philip Caillouet Jr. presented an antique walnut high back swivel chair with arms that once belonged to Father August Vandebilt, after whom the school is named. According to the Caillouets, the chair was in the St. Francis de Sales rectory at the time of Father Vandebilt’s death in 1938. The age of the chair is unknown; however it is thought to predate Father Vandebilt’s tenure as pastor from March 1914 until April 1938. After the pastor died, the chair was going to be discarded because it was in need of repair which would cost more than its estimated value. L. Philip Caillouet Sr., nephew of incoming pastor 44 Msgr. Lucien Caillouet who as a boy had been an altar server of Father Vandebilt’s, insisted that the chair should not be thrown out. He took charge of the chair, restoring it and putting it in a place of honor in his own home on Verret Street in Houma. His children, along with his late wife who died in 2011, remembered his great diligence toward the chair. The family hopes that the chair will now serve as a further reminder of Father Vandebilt’s devotion to St. Francis, to Catholic education and to the school that now bears his name.

Pictured with Father August Vandebilt’s chair from left are Jeremy Gueldner, principal; L. Philip Caillouet Jr. and David Boudreaux, president of Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma.

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Food for the Journey to feature Deacon Lloyd Duplantis March 7

Outreach Line Deacon Lloyd Duplantis

The diocesan Office of Religious Education sponsors a monthly lunchtime speaker series on the first Tuesday of the month at the Ellendale Country Club Restaurant located at 3319 Highway 311 in Schriever. The speaker for March 7 is Deacon Lloyd Duplantis. Deacon Duplantis serves at St. Mary’s Nativity Church parish in Raceland. He is semi-retired and serves as a consultant/contractor pharmacist for Lloyd’s Remedies Apothecary Pharmacy in Gray, where he was the former owner and operator. He earned a degree in pharmacy from Northeast Louisiana University School of Pharmacy in Natchitoches and has been a registered pharmacist since 1969. Deacon Duplantis also helped formed Haiti Mission, Inc., which aims to provide humanitarian aid to numerous villages in the Jeremie region. Those who plan to attend the March 7th event should RSVP with their name, phone number and church parish by Thursday, March 2. To RSVP, email FoodForTheJourney@htdiocese.org or call (985) 850-3178. Doors open at 10:45 a.m. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. The program begins at Noon with the speaker’s presentation from 12:10-12:45 p.m. Cost is $15 and includes meal, drink and tip. Only cash or checks will be accepted. All are invited to come “eat and be fed.”

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

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

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Sacred Heart, Cut Off

Lenten Mission March 20-21 A Lenten mission will be presented by John Angotti at Sacred Heart Church in Cut Off, Monday, March 20 and Tuesday, March 21, at 7 p.m. each day. John Angotti is a full time music missionary. He travels throughout many parts of the world providing inspirational music and witness to all ages through concerts, workshops, retreats, missions, conferences and liturgies. John is originally from Clarksburg, WV, and now resides in Memphis, TN, with his wife and two children. He is a graduate of West Virginia University and the U.S. Military School of Music, where he was a member of the U.S. Navy Band as lead vocalist. John received his master’s degree in pastoral studies from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in 2013. John’s music expresses hope and love for those longing for a deeper relationship with God. “My passion is to not only provide music for worship, but music that sings of the true witness of my experience of Christ in my life, that leads me to the table in faith. I have found that people relate through both music and testimony. All of us have a cross, even though we may try to hide it. But there is no hiding place from God, who is with us all the time,” says Angotti (www. jspalich.com). A love offering will be collected during the performance.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

Pastoral appointments announced Father Simon Peter Engurait

Father Glenn LeCompte

The Rev. Simon Peter Engurait, diocesan moderator of the curia and coordinator of the diocesan department of Christian Formation, who has been serving as associate pastor of Christ the Redeemer Church parish in Thibodaux since July 2016, has been appointed administrator of St. Bridget Church parish in Schriever for a period of one year, effective Feb. 1. It is expected after one year’s time that Father Engurait will be named pastor of St. Bridget. He will remain as moderator of the curia and coordinator of Christian Formation. Father Engurait, a native of Uganda, East Africa, was ordained to the priesthood May 25, 2013.

The Rev. Glenn LeCompte, diocesan director of the Office of Worship, who has been serving as pastor of St. Bridget Church parish in Schriever since July 2016, has accepted an offer to join the faculty/ formation staff at St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, LA, on a full-time basis effective immediately. He willcontinue as director of the Office of Worship, which will remain at its current location at St. Bridget. Father LeCompte, a native of Houma, LA, was ordained to the priesthood May 24, 1986.

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From addiction to ordination: A homeless man’s journey to priesthood

Montreal, Canada (CNA/EWTN News) - Claude Paradis was impoverished and homeless, living on the streets of Montreal, Canada. He struggled with addiction to both alcohol and drugs, with a future so bleak, he considered ending his own life. He did not end his life, however, and today he is a priest who dedicates his time to serving the physical and spiritual needs of those trapped in poverty, prison and prostitution. “The street brought me to the church and the church in the end brought me back to the street,” the priest told the Journal Metro. This past December, as a sign of his closeness and solidarity with the homeless, Father Paradis decided to sleep on the street for the whole month, to care for the homeless people there with solidarity and charity. His hope was that he could 48 accompany people in a difficult situation while also making the citizens of Montreal aware of the harsh reality faced by those living on the street. Father Paradis founded an institution called Notre-Dame-de-larue (Our Lady of the Street). Each night, he goes out to bring food and shelter to those living on the streets. He also administers the sacraments, celebrates the Eucharist and even presides at funerals. The priest is accompanied by one of his co-workers, Kevin Cardin, who also was addicted to drugs, but found

SINCE FAST st Intere Free cing Finan

help, changed his life and now has a family. Notre-Dame-de-la-rue has the support of the Archbishop Christian Lépine of Montreal, who has described the initiative as “a presence of the church to give encouragement.” It also has the support of the city. “Our mission is especially to give encouragement. Unlike the shelters, we go out to the people, a bit like a door-to-door service. We talk to them, sometimes we pray together before they go back to face the harshness of the street.” Father Paradis knows how hard life on the street is. After growing up in the Gaspé region and working in Cowansville as a nurse, he came to Montreal 25 years ago. However, he was unable to find a job. “Isolation and despair took hold of me,” he said. Living on the street, he thought about committing suicide. “I started doing cocaine and then crack,” he recalled.

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In a letter posted on the website of La Victoire de l’Amour (the Victory of Love), Father Paradis tells how he met the Lord. “I had the privilege of meeting God just at the moment I was doubting him. On a little back street in Montreal, abandoned by people, there was nobody there. Passing by the old church, impelled by I don’t know what instinct, I turned back in there.” At that moment, he had a deep and intense encounter with God. He realized he did not want to die, but rather wanted to become “a man of the church.” Father Paradis went on to fight his addictions and now ministers to many people who face the same challenges he struggled with years ago. The 57-year-old priest has dedicated the rest of his life to serving the poor, saying “on the street is where I want to be, until I die.”

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Sports

Overtime Ed Daniels

W 50

Whether you think Sean Payton is still one of the best coaches in the NFL, or you think not, one thing is for sure. If Payton and the Saints part ways (and my guess is it could very well happen after the 2017 season), he will have several suitors on the open market. The offseason coaching hires have once again proven that a quality head coach, with experience, is a commodity. Of the first five head coach openings filled this offseason, four went to assistant coaches who had never been full time NFL head coaches. The Los Angeles Chargers hired 48 year old Anthony Lynn. The Denver Broncos hired 44 year old former Archbishop Shaw Eagle, Vance Joseph. The Buffalo Bills hired 42 year old Sean McDermott. And, the Los Angeles Rams hired 30 year old Sean McVay. Of the first five hires, only one, Jacksonville’s Doug Marrone, had significant head coaching experience. Marrone, a former Saints assistant, won 15 and lost 17 in two seasons as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills. The above five coaches may all turn out to be outstanding head coaches. But, none have the resume’ of Payton, who has 100 wins with the Saints, including six in the post season. The four highest paid head coaches in the NFL, Payton, New England’s Bill Belichick, Seattle’s Pete Carroll, and Kansas City’s Andy Reid all had either won at least one Super Bowl or coached in the Super Bowl.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

How long will the Payton/Brees party continue? Super Bowl on the resume’ will get a head coach several mulligans. John Fox reached one Super Bowl with the Carolina Panthers. Since, he’s coached the Denver Broncos (with one Super Bowl appearance) and now the Chicago Bears. Fox was retained in Chicago for the 2017 season, despite winning only nine games the last two years. So, were their flirtations involving Sean Payton and the Rams? My guess is there were. The Rams had a lot to offer. They had Southern California sunshine, a rookie quarterback (Jared Goff) with lots of upside, a solid defense, and one of the wealthiest owners in the league (Stan Kroenke). Forbes Magazine said in 2017, Kroenke was worth $7.4 billion. So, paying $9 million a year for a head coach who has proven he can turn a perennial loser into a big winner, was certainly doable for Kroenke. Payton told WWL Radio he plans to honor the final four years of his contract. But, what happens if the Saints miss the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season? Quarterback Drew Brees would be a 39 year old free agent. And, the Saints would likely listen to offers for Payton. Sometimes, organizations need to turn the page. If the Saints win 10 or 11 games next season, and make a deep run in the playoffs, the Payton/Brees party will likely continue. If not, both could hit the market with multiple suitors. The winningest coach in the Saints history and a quarterback who has thrown 465 NFL touchdown passes would be an interesting available duo.

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From Our Archives

Our First Issue

The beauty and tranquility of the bayou country is displayed in this photograph of a moss draped tree. This photo, taken by Louis G. Aguirre, appeared on the front page of the Bayou Catholicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first issue July 17, 1980.

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • February 2017

Spine 3 different sizes BAYOU CATHOLIC • HOUMA, LA

FEBRUARY 2017

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