Bayou Catholic Magazine June 2018 by Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

INSIDE

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Bayou

Catholic

Pope Francis: ‘Nothing can erase baptism, that is why it only happens once’ JUNE 2018 ~ VOL. 38 NO. 12 ~ COMPLIMENTARY

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Contents

Features 18 Laity in Action

By Janet Marcel

New Diocesan School Board

By Janet Marcel

Two accepted to Yale

By Janet Marcel

Columns 8 Comfort For My People

By Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

Pope Speaks

Pope Francis I

Questions of Faith

By Father Wilmer Todd

Readings Between The Lines

By Father Glenn LeCompte

Reading with Raymond

By Raymond Saadi

Thoughts for Millennials

By Ryan Abboud

42 Overtime

By Ed Daniels

In Every Issue 6 From the Editor 16 Scripture Readings 24 Diocesan Events 26 Heavenly Recipes Announcements 34 Catholic Foundaton update 35 Unified diocesan school named 39 Bishop Fabre to chair USCCB committee On Our Cover

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

4 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

Rev. Vicente DeLa Cruz, M.C.L., J.C.L., pastor of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux, baptizes Mila Jules Tate on the feast of Pentecost, while her parents, Eric and Carolina, and her godparents, Christopher Ross and Christina Tesel, look on. Pope Francis explains that nothing can erase baptism, which is why it only happens once. See The Pope Speaks on page 12.

Bayou Catholic How to reach us: Heavenly Recipes 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

Heather Anderto

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.

Heather Cooks an:

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

EASY HorS d’oEuvrE 26

Lawrence Chatagnier

editor and general manager

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

Janet Marcel

Mini Crawfis

staff writer/administrative assistant

Brooks Lirette

advertising accounts executive

INGrEdIENTS:

Lisa Schobel 1 (14 Hebert oz.) package of refrigerated graphic designer

1/2 (16 oz.) package thick cut ba cut into 1/8 inch pieces Meridy Liner accounts receivable/payable assistantcheddar cheese 2 cups shredded 3 tbsp. chopped chives Heather Anderton, a 30 year-old Houma native and 1 tsp. salt parishioner of Annunziata Church shares her recipe for Bayou 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper mini crawfish pies. Heather grew up in Annunziata parish O U T D O O R 3 tbsp. all-purpose flour and has been a bookkeeper and youth minister there for the cup milk Like us1/2 on Facebook past six years. She SUMMER got the recipe from her dad’s sister who 2018 2 or large eggs is also her godmother. “I tweaked the recipe a little from the Find us1/2 on the (16web oz.) package of crawfish original version. I’ve made them for events at the church, and www.bayoucatholic.org also made a batch for the St. Joseph Altar. It’s a simple recipe dIrECTIoNS: that’s quick and easy, even for a beginner.” Where to find Preheat your Bayou Catholic oven to 375. Unroll pie Heather’s mom taught her how to cook. She is confident Bayou Catholic magazine can beCut found floured surface. 25 (3-1/2 inch that desserts are her specialty. “My specialty is ooey gooey at all Catholic churches and Catholic schools and press into 24 mini muffin cups throughout the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. squares. When I was a child at St. Francis de Sales School withyou a fork. large To pick up a copy, may In alsoa visit theskillet, cook b I would always participate in the bake off there and I would merchants whoheat advertise in our issue.isThose until bacon cooked and cris win. I remember learning how to make them by helping wishing my to receive the magazine by mail canbacon, chees a medium bowl, add at (985) 850-3132 or write mom. Now I have a daughter who is almost eight and shecallisJanet Marcelpepper, milk and eggs. Whisk to c to Bayou Catholic, P.O. Box learning how to prepare them.” in crawfish to com 505, Schriever, LA 70395. Heather enjoys working at Annunziata. “I am an active Subscription price is $35 evenly amon annually. For the online edition, the botto youth minister at the church parish that I have always go to www.bayoucatholic.com golden called home. I was born into this parish. It’s good minut to see how the parish has changed and grown June 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 5 over the years as I have grown. Father Mike Tran is good for Annunziata. The parishioners

GUIDE

From The Editor

Happy Father’s Day

The month of June is here and it brings with it the end of another school year, a time for vacations, lazy summer days and Father’s Day. Dads all across America will celebrate their day this year on June 17. Make no mistake it’s not easy being a dad these days. The role of a father has changed through the years. It seems that fathers are taking active parts in family life more and more; and that’s a good thing. Gone are the days of the father being the provider for the family and nothing more. My dad’s generation was one where the father went to work, and the wife stayed home, made sure supper was on the table and the children were cared for. I’m not saying it was the norm but my dad worked hard, provided for the family and made sure we had everything we needed and most everything we wanted. However when it came to parenting he gave the reins to my mom. He was a quiet man. It’s not that he didn’t love us. I know he loved his children and would have done anything for us. Some of the best moments of my childhood are when my younger brother and I

would go hunting and fishing with our dad. We would go on vacations during the summer and it was then that he seemed to open up a bit. Maybe he needed to get away from his work routine to loosen up. Maybe some of us need to loosen up a little more in our everyday lives with our children. Quality time fathers spend with their children is priceless. I know I should have spent more quality time with mine. Now that my children are grown I am much better at communicating with them; much like my dad was with my siblings after we had grown up. To all the fathers out there who are still young and have children at home: Give them your time. Also, fathers, don’t forget that mom appreciates all the help she can get. Being a mother is a full-time job. Besides being a mother, many women work outside the home and try to balance work and family life. You know the saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” For all you dads out there, if you recognize some of your ways as being familiar with your own dad’s ways, don’t be surprised. It seems as we get older we tend to turn into our parents. I have three sons and two are dads. Believe me they are better dads than I was when I was their age. I guess you could say they learned from my mistakes. If there is any consolation at all you get a second chance when grandchildren arrive. I think fathers may become a bit more mellow when they have grandchildren. It is great to spend time with them; and if you

6 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

look deep in their eyes you can see your children when they were the same age. Here is a prayer for fathers that I found recently: Fathers in Our Lives We give our thanks, Creator God, for the fathers in our lives. Fatherhood does not come with a manual, and reality teaches us that some fathers excel while others fail. We ask for your blessings for them all and forgiveness where it is needed. This Father’s Day we remember the many sacrifices fathers make for their children and families, and the ways—both big and small—they lift children to achieve dreams thought beyond reach. So too, we remember all those who have helped fill the void when fathers pass early or are absent; grandfathers and uncles, brothers and cousins, teachers, pastors and coaches and the women of our families. For those who are fathers, we ask for wisdom and humility in the face of the task of parenting. Give them the strength to do well by their children and by you. In Your Holy name, O God, we pray. Amen. 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! BC

Lawrence

Lawrence Chatagnier Editor & General Manager

Special

Graduation

2018

The three diocesan Catholic high schools recently held graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2018, which included a baccalaureate Mass celebrated by Bishop Shelton J. Fabre and concelebrated by priests of the diocese.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

June 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 7

Comment

‘Life is what happens to us when we are involved in or planning for something else’

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

For many reasons, certainly among them challenges that I have been recently called upon to address, I have been reflecting again upon when things in life unexpectedly arise and demand our attention and our focus. Though there are many variations to it, and I am not sure who first stated it, I am reminded of the saying which in some manner states, “Life is what happens to us when we are involved in or planning for something else.” The basic idea of this quote is that some of the events of life are either wonderfully surprising or terribly interrupting, and do not occur according to our own personal plans. We have all had the experience of planning to do one thing, and then something else quite suddenly demands our attention and energy. And the older we get, the more likely it is that we forget what we first set out to do anyway! It is certainly true that sometimes our plans are interrupted by a pleasant surprise, and we willingly set aside our scheduled activities to relish the joy that comes with being surprised. However, we also know that there are interruptions in our lives that are not always joyous occasions or pleasant surprises. Sometimes interruptions are a dire emergency and a need must be quickly accomplished. There are other times when things occur that require us to rearrange our entire schedule to accomplish the important task or tasks suddenly revealed as a need. The thing that most of us probably

find most challenging is that in it all we are ultimately called to endurance and patience, and to humbly and attentively seek to accomplish what sets itself before us. Though we may be initially taken aback by it all, more often than not when the surprise is not pleasant, our energy is better spent taking care of what needs to be done rather than being put off and simply complaining about the occurrence of the unexpected. In the end, endurance, patience and action will win the day.

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How great it would be if we could all respond to life’s more challenging interruptions with the patience that Jesus shows to so many.

“

Comfort For My People

Life is what happens to us when we are involved in or planning for something else. This is a dynamic that Jesus must have ultimately known very well because it is such a part of our lives. With his full human nature, I am certain that Jesus must have known what it meant to be interrupted by the various and many concerns of life, most notably the needs of others. However, in contrast to my usual reaction, it is clear from sacred Scripture that Jesus always responds to these interruptions and other concerns with only patience,

8 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

compassion and a desire to accomplish whatever needs to be done. How great it would be if we could all respond to life’s more challenging interruptions with the patience that Jesus shows to so many. It is emotionally and spiritually beneficial to us to remember that when the unexpected cares and concerns of life impose themselves on us in spite of our plans, we can nonetheless be patient and kind in our efforts to work ourselves and others through some of these concerns, just as Jesus did. The summer months bring the joyful event of ordinations to the diaconate and priesthood. Last month, we rejoiced in the ordination of four permanent deacons – Larry Callais, James Lefevre, Timothy Vedros and Timothy White – and two transitional deacons – Brett Lapeyrouse and Patrick Riviere. Though it is the same holy order of deacon that is received by all who are ordained deacon, those who are ordained “transitional” deacons are celibate men who are anticipating ordination as priests in the near future. Those who are ordained “permanent” deacons are usually married men who are making themselves available for ministry as a deacon in an ongoing way, and do not anticipate being ordained priests. We are grateful for the ministry of deacons, and I urge more men to consider the possibility of serving as a permanent deacon in our diocese. Early in the month of June, we will ordain two men as priests – Paul Birdsall and Joey Lirette. We rejoice in the ordination of these two priests and beg the Lord to send more laborers into the harvest as ordained priests. Please pray for all these men as they begin ordained ministry here in our diocese. Please also pray for all of our priests, deacons, consecrated religious and seminarians! BC

Comentario

‘La vida es lo que nos sucede cuando nos involucramos o planificamos otras cosas’ bien porque es parte de nuestras vidas. Estoy seguro que, por su naturaleza humana, Jesús debió haber sabido que se siente ser interrumpido por los

“

Qué bueno sería si todos respondiéramos a los problemas más grandes de la vida con la paciencia que Jesús demuestra. Es un beneficio emocional y espiritual recordar que cuando los problemas inesperados y difíciles se interponen sobre nuestros planes, podemos ser pacientes y benevolentes al esforzarnos por resolver los desafíos como Jesús lo hizo.

“

Por varias razones, y en especial los desafíos que he tenido que enfrentar, he estado en reflexión ya que surgen cosas en la vida que requieren atención y enfoque. Aunque no sé quién lo dijo primero o cómo lo dijo, hay un dicho que dice, ‘La vida es lo que sucede cuando estamos involucrados o estamos planificando algo más.’ La idea primordial de esta cita es que hay eventos en la vida que son maravillas sorprendentes o pueden ser interrupciones horribles y estos no suceden según nuestro plan personal. Todos hemos tenido la experiencia de planificar una cosa, pero algo más brota y requiere atención y energía. ¡Lo mayores que somos, lo más probable que vamos a olvidar el propósito que teníamos al principio! Es cierto que nuestros planes son interrumpidos con una grata sorpresa y ponemos a un lado las actividades programadas para celebrar con alegría lo que viene. Sin embargo, sabemos que se llevan a acabo interrupciones en la vida que no son siempre ocasiones o sorpresas gratas. Algunas interrupciones son emergencias graves y una necesidad debe cumplirse con rapidez. Hay otras veces que se requiere cambiar todo nuestro horario para lograr la tarea pendiente o las tareas repentinas que surgen. Lo que solemos encontrar más difícil para muchos de nosotros es que se requiere tener resistencia y paciencia para buscar con humildad la solución al problema presente. Aunque al principio encontremos el problema abrumador, cuando la sorpresa no es agradable nuestra energía se usa mejor solucionando el problema en lugar de dedicarse a quejarse del problema y no hacer nada. En fin, la resistencia, la paciencia y la acción serán las cosas que nos harán triunfar. La vida es lo que sucede cuando nos involucramos o planificamos algo más. Es una dinámica que Jesús supo muy

problemas de la vida y sobretodo las necesidades de los demás. Sin embargo, la diferencia de la reacción de Jesús a la mía es que,

10 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

según las Sagradas Escrituras, Jesús siempre responde a los problemas con paciencia, compasión y el deseo de lograr lo que se necesita hacer. Qué bueno sería si todos respondiéramos a los problemas más grandes de la vida con la paciencia que Jesús demuestra. Es un beneficio emocional y espiritual recordar que cuando los problemas inesperados y difíciles se interponen sobre nuestros planes, podemos ser pacientes y benevolentes al esforzarnos por resolver los desafíos como Jesús lo hizo. Los meses de verano nos brindan el evento de ordinaciones para el diaconado y el sacerdocio. El mes pasado no regocijamos por la ordinación de cuatro diáconos permanentes- Larry Callais, James Lefevre, Timothy Vedros y Timothy White- y dos diáconos de transición- Brett Lapeyrouse y Patrick Riviere. A pesar que es la misma santa orden de diáconos que reciben todos los diáconos al ordenarse, aquellos que se ordenan diáconos transicionales son hombres célibes que anticipan su ordinación en el sacerdocio. Aquellos que son ordenados diáconos permanentes son hombres casados que se ofrecen al servicio del ministerio y no esperan la ordinación sacerdotal. Agradecemos mucho al ministerio de diáconos y con urgencia les pido a más hombres que consideren la posibilidad de servir en el diaconato permanente en nuestra diócesis. En los primeros días de junio se ordenarán dos sacerdotes- Paul Birdsall y Joey Lirette. Nos regocijamos en la ordinación de estos dos sacerdotes y le ruego al Señor que envié mas obreros a la cosecha de sacerdotes ordenados. Rueguen por todos ellos que comienzan su ministerio aquí en nuestra diócesis. ¡También rueguen por todos nuestros sacerdotes, diáconos, religiosos consagrados y seminaristas! BC

Binh luan bang loi

‘Cuộc sống là những gì xảy ra với chúng ta khi chúng ta tham gia hoặc lên kế hoạch cho một điều gì đó’ Cuộc sống là những gì xảy ra với chúng ta khi chúng ta tham gia hoặc lên kế hoạch cho một điều gì đó. Đây là một động lực mà Chúa Giêsu cuối cùng phải biết rất rõ bởi vì nó là một phần cuộc sống của chúng ta. Với bản tính con người trọn vẹn của mình, tôi chắc chắn rằng Chúa Giêsu hẳn đã biết ý nghĩa của gián đoạn qua nhiều mối quan tâm khác nhau của cuộc sống, đáng chú ý nhất là

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Thật là tuyệt vời nếu chúng ta có thể đáp trả trước những gián đoạn khó khăn hơn của cuộc sống với sự kiên nhẫn mà Chúa Giêsu bày tỏ nhiều lần.

“

Vì nhiều lý do, chắc chắn trong số những thách đố mà gần đây tôi đã được mời để chia sẻ, tôi đã suy đi nghĩ lại khi những thứ trong cuộc sống bất ngờ nảy sinh và đòi hỏi sự chú ý và sự tập trung của chúng ta. Mặc dù có nhiều biến thể và tôi không chắc ai là người đầu tiên tuyên bố, tôi nhớ lại câu người đời thường nói: “Cuộc sống là những gì xảy ra với chúng ta khi chúng ta tham gia hoặc lên kế hoạch cho một điều gì đó.” Ý nghĩa chủ yếu của câu nói này là một số sự kiện của cuộc sống thì hoặc là ngạc nhiên tuyệt vời hoặc bị gián đoạn ê chề, hay chúng không xảy ra theo đúng kế hoạch của chúng ta đã đề ra. Tất cả chúng ta đều có kinh nghiệm lên kế hoạch để làm việc, và sau đó một cái gì đó khá bất ngờ đòi hỏi sự chú ý và sức lực của chúng ta. Khi càng lớn tuổi hơn thì dường như càng dễ quên mất những gì chúng ta đã đặt ra trước đó! Điều chắc chắn đúng là đôi khi các kế hoạch của chúng ta bị gián đoạn bởi một bất ngờ thú vị, và chúng ta sẵn sàng tạm hoãn các hoạt động theo lịch trình của mình để tận hưởng niềm vui bất ngờ đó. Tuy nhiên, chúng ta cũng biết rằng có những gián đoạn trong cuộc sống của chúng ta không phải lúc nào cũng là những lúc vui vẻ hoặc bất ngờ thú vị. Đôi khi những gián đoạn là một trường hợp khẩn cấp nghiêm trọng và cần phải nhanh chóng hoàn thành. Có những lúc khi mọi thứ xảy ra yêu cầu chúng ta phải sắp xếp lại toàn kế hoạch để hoàn thành nhiệm vụ quan trọng hoặc những công việc cần thiết bất ngờ xảy đến. Điều mà hầu hết chúng ta có thể thấy trong sự khó khăn nhất là tất cả chúng ta cuối cùng được gọi đến là sự chịu đựng và kiên nhẫn, và một cách khiêm nhường và chăm chú tìm cách hoàn thành những gì đặt ra cho chúng ta. Mặc dù ban đầu chúng ta có thể bị sửng sốt, nhưng thường không phải là khi sự ngạc nhiên khó chịu, sức lực của chúng ta tốt hơn là nên để dành cho việc cần phải làm, thay vì chỉ ngồi phàn nàn về sự việc bất ngờ xảy ra. Cuối cùng, sự chịu đựng, kiên nhẫn và hành động sẽ chiến thắng.

nhu cầu của người khác. Tuy nhiên, trái ngược với phản ứng thông thường của tôi, rõ ràng là từ Kinh Thánh Chúa Giêsu luôn luôn đáp trả trước những sự gián đoạn này và những mối quan tâm khác bằng sự kiên nhẫn, nhân hậu và mong muốn hoàn thành bất cứ điều gì cần phải làm. Thật là tuyệt vời nếu chúng ta có thể đáp trả trước những gián đoạn khó khăn hơn của cuộc sống với sự kiên nhẫn mà Chúa Giêsu bày tỏ nhiều lần. Về mặt cảm xúc và tinh thần, đó là điều lợi ích

cho chúng ta để nhớ rằng khi những quan tâm bất ngờ và mối quan tâm của cuộc sống áp đặt chúng trên chúng ta bất kể đến kế hoạch của chúng ta, tuy nhiên chúng ta vẫn có thể kiên nhẫn và nhẹ nhàng trong những nỗ lực của chúng ta để làm việc cho mình và những người khác qua những mối quan tâm này, giống như Chúa Giêsu đã làm. Những tháng mùa hè mang lại sự kiện vui mừng của các ngày lễ phong chức Phó tế và Linh mục. Tháng trước, chúng tôi vui mừng trong sự phong chức của bốn Phó tế vĩnh viễn - Larry Callais, James Lefevre, Timothy Vedros và Timothy White - và hai Phó tế chuyển tiếp - Brett Lapeyrouse và Patrick Riviere. Mặc dù đó là chức thánh Phó tế được tiếp nhận bởi tất cả những người được thụ phong Phó tế, những người được phong Phó tế “chuyển tiếp” là những người đàn ông chọn đời sống độc thân sẽ được phong chức Linh mục trong tương lai gần. Những người được phong Phó tế “vĩnh viễn” thường là những người đàn ông đã kết hôn, sẵn sàng cho sứ vụ Phó tế vĩnh viễn và sẽ không chịu chức Linh mục. Chúng tôi biết ơn về sứ vụ của các Phó tế, và tôi khuyến khích thêm các thầy có khả năng phục vụ với tư cách là thầy Phó tế vĩnh viễn trong giáo phận của chúng ta. Đầu tháng sáu, chúng tôi sẽ phong chức Linh mục cho hai thầy sáu - Paul Birdsall và Joey Lirette. Chúng tôi vui mừng trong sự phong chức của hai Linh mục này và khẩn cầu xin Chúa gửi nhiều thợ gặt hơn vào mùa gặt giống như các Linh mục được phong chức này. Xin mọi người hãy cầu nguyện cho hai tân chức này khi họ bắt đầu sứ vụ linh mục trong giáo phận của chúng ta. Xin hãy cầu nguyện cho tất cả các Linh mục, các thầy Phó tế, các Tu sĩ và các chủng sinh! Dịch thuật do Lm. Francis Bui, SDD và Thầy Paul Vu, SDD. Tu Đoàn Tông Đồ Giáo Sĩ Nhà Chúa BC

June 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 11

Comment

Pope: ‘Nothing can erase baptism, that is why it only happens once’ The Pope Speaks

Vatican City, (CNA/EWTN News) Pope Francis said that nothing can take away a person’s baptism or the identity they thereby gain as a child of God, which is why this sacrament cannot be repeated. “Baptism is not repeated because it imprints an indelible spiritual sign: This sign is never erased by any sin, though sin prevents baptism from bringing the fruit of salvation,” the pope said during his general audience recently. Just as parents give their children earthly life, the Church gives spiritual life through baptism, making each person a son of God through Jesus Christ, he said, explaining that at the moment of baptism, God tells each person that “you are my beloved child.” “This paternal voice, imperceptible to the ear but well audible to the heart of those who believe, accompanies us for our entire lives, without abandoning us,” he said, adding that this is why the Church believes in only one baptism for salvation. The belonging a person obtains from baptism “is something you never lose,” Francis said, even if a person sins with something as serious as murder, their belonging to God and his Church never goes away, “he continues to be a son.” Even though everyone is a sinner and there is a great need for conversion in life of each person, “God never rejects his children,” he said, and asked the crowd to repeat the phrase with him out loud. Speaking to pilgrims who braved a rainy forecast to join him for the audience in St. Peter’s Square, the

PHOTO/L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO

pope continued his catechesis on baptism, focusing this week on the moment a person is actually baptized when the priest invokes the Trinity, saying “I baptize you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” He then pointed to the biblical passage in St. Paul’s letter to the Romans in which the apostle asked: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” The baptismal font is the place where one actually rises with Christ, he said, adding that in baptism, “the old man is buried, with his deceptive passions, so that he is reborn as a new creature.” “At the same time you die and are born, and the same salutary wave becomes for you tomb and mother,” the pope said, quoting St. Cyril of Jerusalem. Man’s rebirth as a new creation, then, naturally “demands that the man corrupted by sin is reduced to dust,” he said, adding that the images of the tomb and of the maternal womb referred to by St. Cyril are “incisive” phrases which express the reality of what happens during baptism.

12 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

To be incorporated in the body of Christ through baptism means one must also conform to him, Francis said, adding that the action of the Holy Spirit during the sacrament purifies, sanctifies and justifies the person in order to bring them into one body united to Christ. This dynamic is expressed when the priest anoints the baptized person with oil after reciting the phrase: “God himself consecrates you with the chrism of salvation so that inserted into Christ, priest, king, and prophet, you will always be members of his body for eternal life.” Pope Francis closed his address saying the entire vocation of a Catholic can be summed up as the necessity to live united to Jesus Christ and his Church “in order to carry out the same mission in this world, bringing fruits which last forever.” “Animated by the only Spirit, the entire People of God participate in the functions of Jesus Christ, priest, prophet and king, and carry the responsibility of the mission and service that derive from them,” he said. To participate in the kingly and prophetic priesthood of Christ, he said, means above all “to make oneself a free offering to God, giving testimony through a life of faith and charity, putting them at the service of others in the example of the Lord Jesus.” BC

Comment

Questions of Faith Father Wilmer Todd

Is living biblically possible?

indicating that this crayfish was dead before they boiled it. It’s important to know how different cultures speak about their everyday life. In the culture Jesus grew up in, rabbis and teachers often used exaggeration to get a point across. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3). We know we cannot have a log in our eye, but we get the point Jesus is making. “Look at your own faults and failures; don’t judge others.”

death. Here are a few: drinking alcohol in holy places; eating or touching the carcass of any seafood without fins or scales; going to church within 33 days after giving birth to a boy or within 66 days after giving birth to a girl; having sex with a woman during her period; holding back the wages of an employee overnight; mixing fabrics in clothing; cross breeding animals; getting tattoos; mistreating foreigners; selling land permanently. Of course, this was all changed when Peter had a vision of a sheet coming down from heaven. “In it were all kinds

When Jesus was bawling out the Pharisees, he said, “You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!” (Matthew 23:24). No one can swallow a camel but the point is: “You’re nitpicking and not paying attention to the bigger picture.” Various passages in the Bible cannot be taken literally. They must be understood in the spirit in which they were written. In the Old Testament many foods that we eat today were forbidden. They include: meats such as pork, bacon, ostrich, ham, sausages, emu and imitation meat. Fish and sea foods such as fried fish, breaded fish, eel, shark, crab, clams, oyster, mussels, lobster, shrimp, scallops and crayfish were prohibited. They also restricted poultry such as fried chicken and breaded chicken. The Book of Leviticus also listed 76 banned activities, some punishable by

of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. Then he heard a voice saying, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ But Peter said, ‘By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.’ The voice said to him again, a second time, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call profane’” (Acts 10:12-15). Trying to understand all this is difficult for a person beginning a spiritual journey. That’s why the priest laughed. BC

I watched the television program “Living Biblically” and when the main character went to confession to the priest and told him he wanted to live according to the Bible, the priest laughed. Why did he laugh? Many problems can arise when we read the Bible. If a person came to me and told me that he or she wants to read the Bible, I would tell them not to start at the beginning with Genesis; start with the Gospels. Genesis might be interesting but when the authors prescribe the Jewish Kosher Laws, a person might get discouraged and give up reading the whole Bible. God did not dictate the Bible like a boss would to a secretary. God inspirited the writer to convey an idea in the only way he could. He had to use his own language, his own culture, and the type of writing that would best get across the inspirited idea. He could use fiction, history, poems, ideas from popular culture, songs, parables, etc. To understand the message that God was making through the ancient author, the reader has to know something about the author’s world view and the type of literature he was using to get the message across. For example, if we invite an outsider to a crayfish boil, and after the person learns how to peel a crayfish, if he or she picks up a crayfish with a straight tail, someone may say, “Don’t eat a dead one.” The person might think, “These people are crazy; I hope they are all dead.” It’s a local expression

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

June 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 13

Reflections

The Bible: What it means to God and to us Readings Between The Lines Father Glenn LeCompte

While I am not proficient in this discipline, art interpretation fascinates me. Artists often include symbols or paint objects or people in certain ways to communicate something to the viewer of the artwork. In Medieval religious art, for example, St. Joseph can be recognized by his characteristic carpenter’s square and an Easter lily. However, many modern abstract artists distance themselves from explaining the “meaning” they intended to convey by their paintings. They would prefer that the viewer say what the artwork “says to them.” Usually, such interpretations emerge from psychological responses the viewer has to the artwork. Now let’s consider the Bible, a great work of literary art. Many “Bible Studies” have tended to take the approach of abstract art interpretation I described above. We are invited to hear a passage and articulate “what it means to me.” This approach may appeal to many beginning Bible students, because it does not require the effort involved in learning about the production and literary characteristics of the biblical work and what the implied author intended to convey in his writing. After all, many people getting into “Bible Studies” want to know how the Bible can inform their faith and teach them how to live their lives. However, caveat lector et auditor; “let the reader and hearer beware”! A “what it means to me” approach will not succeed in providing the guidance one may seek in matters of faith and Christian living. The “what it means to me” approach takes a biblical

passage, often out-of-context (yikes!), presents it to the hearer or reader, who responds in a way similar to the way I described people reacting to abstract art. A sentence, phrase or even a single word from a biblical passage evokes a response because it stimulates something in the person’s conscious or sub-conscious mind. The response has more to do with the person’s psyche than it has to do with an understanding of divine revelation. We hear a Bible verse and it seems to connect with something in our life experience and we think, “There I have it! I have learned something about the Bible and how it applies to my life!” Unfortunately, what often happens in this case is that we apply our own experience and understanding of the world (worldview) to the Bible passage. As in the case of looking at the world through a red-colored filter and everything looks red, so in the method of biblical “study” I described above, we are seeing and understanding the Bible through the filter of our life-experience. While there is a sound method of biblical interpretation that involves a reader’s response, I will get to that later. Although I respect the method of abstract art interpretation which depends on the viewer’s response alone, such a method applied to Bible interpretation loses sight of an essential characteristic of the Bible–it is divine revelation. Vatican II’s Constitution on

14 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

Divine Revelation (hereafter, CDR) No. 12 tells us that “God speaks in sacred Scripture through men in human fashion.” To impose upon the Bible an understanding from the filter of our life-experience forgets that sacred Scripture is one of the means through which God communicates not only his message, but also his very being with humanity. One might respond to this, “But if I have considered what the passage means to me, has not God communicated a message to me for my life.” I would respond to this assertion that the content of the message came more from the reader than from God. CDR No. 12 goes on to explain that “the interpreter of sacred Scripture, in order to see clearly what God wanted to communicate to us, should carefully investigate what meaning the sacred writers really intended, and what God wanted to manifest by means of their words.” In other words, before we can “apply the Scriptures to our lives” we first have to understand what God intends to communicate to us through them. Once we have a proper grasp of the divine message, then can we consider its implications for our lives. But even here we have to be careful that the application we make is consistent with the message of revelation. If we are going to engage in a form of “Bible Study,” wherein we seek ultimately to understand how the biblical message can “apply to our lives,” that Bible study first

Reflections

needs to help the students come to an understanding of the message God sought to communicate through the human author. Only then can we make an attempt to consider the implications the message has for our lives. Every Bible Study should have a learning experience about the scriptural texts under consideration. This can be accomplished with a good commentary. I mentioned above a method of biblical study which involves the reader’s response. This method is based on our understanding of the interaction between the implied author and implied reader. The implied author of the Gospel of Mark, for example, is a Christian believer who purports to know the story of Jesus, especially as suffering Messiah. He seeks to convince us that Jesus, surprisingly, manifests his status as God’s Anointed One through his passion, death and resurrection. As Mark composes his Gospel, he has a particular kind of reader in mind, a

person who has the background and capacity to comprehend the message in the way Mark presents it. Mark writes his Gospel in such a way that he seeks a response from the implied reader. For example, in Mark 10:43 Jesus teaches his disciples, who are jealously grumbling over the request made of Jesus by James and John to have the places of honor beside him when he comes in his glory, that the greatest among them must be the servant of the others. Mark desires that his implied reader, then, will see that service of others is an essential characteristic of Christian life, a characteristic which must be manifest in a person’s relations with others if that person desires to be an authentic follower of Christ. We as “real readers” might not readily grasp the value of service, because we live in a world which often sees service as weakness and productive of lost opportunities for ourselves. Therefore, if we are truly to engage Mark’s text we must respond as he expects his reader

to respond. A good commentary that approaches Mark’s Gospel in this way is The Gospel of Mark as a Model for Action by John Paul Heil (reprint ed. Wipf and Stock Publishers). Happy reading and studying! BC

Reflection Questions v What are the implications of CDR No. 12’s statement: “God speaks in sacred Scripture through men in human fashion”? v What are some of the challenges inherent in attempting to comprehend a biblical author’s intended message and then applying that message to our daily living? v How does a consideration of the historical context in which biblical texts were generated help us to get a better grasp on a particular text we are reading or studying?

Michael S. Haydel, M.D. FIPP, ABIPP • Michael P. Charlet, M.D., FAAN Daniel R. Clayton, PA-C • Donovan J. Matherne, FNP-C • Brandi B. Degruise, FNP-C

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June 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 15

ScriptureReadings and a listing of Feast days and saints

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

1 June

Saturday

Weekday Jude 17, 20b-25 Mark 11:27-33

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) Exodus 24:3-8 Hebrews 9:11-15 Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

Weekday 2 Peter 1:2-7 Mark 12:1-12

Memorial of Saint Boniface, bishop and martyr 2 Peter 3:12-15a, 17-18 Mark 12:13-17

Weekday 2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12 Mark 12:18-27

Weekday 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Mark 12:28-34

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9 Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19 John 19:31-37

Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary 2 Timothy 4:1-8 Luke 2:41-51

Memorial of Saint Barnabas, apostle Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3 Matthew 5:1-12

Weekday 1 Kings 17:7-16 Matthew 5:13-16

Weekday Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, 1 Kings 18:41-46 priest and doctor of Matthew 5:20-26 the church 2 Kings 18:20-39 Matthew 5:17-19

Weekday 1 Kings 19:9a, 11-16 Matthew 5:27-32

Weekday 1 Kings 19:19-21 Matthew 5:33-37

Weekday 1 Kings 21:1-16 Matthew 5:38-42

Weekday 2 Kings 17:5-8, 13-15a, 18 Matthew 7:1-5

Weekday 1 Kings 21:17-29 Matthew 5:43-48

Weekday 2 Kings 19:9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36 Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Weekday 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, religious Sirach 48:1-14 Matthew 6:7-15

Weekday 2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20 Matthew 6:19-23

Weekday 2 Chronicles 24:1725 Matthew 6:24-34

Wednesday, June 27 Weekday 2 Kings 22:8-13; 23:1-3 Matthew 7:15-20

16 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, bishop and martyr 2 Kings 24:8-17 Matthew 7:21-29

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, apostles Acts 12:1-11 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18 Matthew 16:13-19

Sunday

Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Genesis 3:9-15 2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1 Mark 3:20-35

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Ezekiel 17:22-24 2 Corinthians 5:610 Mark 4:26-34

Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Isaiah 49:1-6 Acts 13:22-26 Luke 1:57-66, 80

June

Holy Father’s prayer intentions

Life is great ~

Get busy living.

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June 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 17

Laity in Action

Sharon Rodrigue shares her passion for ministry Story by Janet Marcel Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier Sharon Hebert Rodrigue, parishioner of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church parish in Chackbay for 43 years, has been involved in church parish ministry for 31 years. Originally from Thibodaux, she and her husband Victor (V.J.) moved to Chackbay after they were married. Sharon worked as a paraprofessional for Lafourche Parish School board until shortly after the birth of their first child, Wade, who is 37. She and her husband also have a 28 year old daughter named Victoria. Over the years, Sharon has been involved in numerous ministries in the parish. She taught CCD for 28 years and was the Vacation Bible school director for 20 years. She currently is in charge of youth ministry, facilitates the adult Bible study group every Wednesday morning, organizes the rosary rally for Our Lady of Fatima every October, is in charge of church prayer line, facilitates the parish’s Memorial Mass in November, and is a member of the parish’s strategic planning implementation team. She is also currently working on putting together a library of Catholic books for parishioners to use. She became involved with youth ministry after she picked up her daughter from youth rally when she was in eighth grade. “When I saw all of the teens together praising the Lord, I was sold. I have a heart for the children and for sharing Jesus with them. It keeps my faith strong. Going to events and seeing the teens so engaged and so in love with Jesus warms my heart and gives me hope for the future,” says Sharon. The first and most important thing to do in reaching the youth today, she says, is to teach them to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. “Once they have that relationship, they will learn how to connect Jesus’ message to their life.” Sharon explains what she’s been doing in her parish since she took over youth ministry is having teens work at different fundraisers throughout the year to earn their way to events 18 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

like youth rally or Steubenville on the Bayou. “Each youth has an event account and they have to work to earn their way to these different events. Parents love it and the teens like it, too, because it gives them a sense of responsibility and ownership. If they really want to go to an event, they will work for it.” She says she is still involved with the youth because “the Lord hasn’t told me not to be yet.” Sharon has been in charge of church parish’s prayer line since May 2005. They started off using a phone chain. Now there is a specific email address that people use to send in their prayer requests, which are then distributed to members of the prayer group and printed in the church parish bulletin. Sharon says that even though OLOPS parish hasn’t begun working on its specific strategic plan yet, seeing the plan as a whole and the way it’s going to work, she feels as though the people are really coming together to implement it. Last year she began facilitating the Memorial Mass that is celebrated every year in November. She collects the names of the parishioners who have died or been buried in the parish during the year, sends the family a letter, creates an invitation to the Mass and calls to remind the family about the Mass. “This beautiful Mass is something we do to show these families that they’re not forgotten. During the celebration, family members are given a three-day candle to bring home with them.” Sharon and her husband were recognized two years ago when they received the Our Lady of Prompt Succor Knights of Columbus Council 8743 volunteer(s) of the year award. “Working for God is the best thing I’ve done in my life other than getting married and having children,” says Rodrigue. “I have been very blessed … in so many ways. Saying yes to Jesus doesn’t take away life’s struggles, but it helps you handle life so much better.” BC

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Church Alive

Diaconate ordination

20 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

Church Alive

Four men were ordained to the permanent diaconate recently at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. Pictured with Bishop Shelton J. Fabre are, from left, Deacon Timothy J. White, Deacon Larry J. Callais, Deacon Timothy J. Vedros, and Deacon James G. Lefevre. Deacon Larry Callais has been appointed deacon at Sacred Heart Church parish in Morgan City. Deacon James Lefevre has been appointed deacon at St. Bernadette Church parish in Houma. Deacon Timothy Vedros has been appointed deacon at St. Hilary of Poitiers Church parish in Mathews. Deacon Timothy White has been appointed deacon at St. Ann Church parish in Bourg.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

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Church Alive

22 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

Church Alive

Diaconate ordination

June 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 23

Diocesan Events

www.bayoucatholic.com

June

n Ordinations to the priesthood, Saturday June 2, 10 a.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma. n Evening Prayer and Eucharistic Procession for the feast of Corpus Christi, Saturday, June 2, following 4 p.m. Mass, St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux. n Global Solidarity Ethical Trade event, Sunday, June 3, after 11 a.m. Mass, Annunziata Church in Houma. n Holy Hour of Adoration for Men, Sunday, June 3, 7-8 p.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma.

n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, June 5, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311 in Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. n Women’s Cursillo Weekend, June 7-10, Lumen Christi Retreat Center, Schriever. Cost for the weekend is $150, which includes meals. Visit www.htcursillo.weebly.com for more information. n SANKOFA – Diocesan Day of Reflection, June 23, diocesan Pastoral Center, Schriever, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Contact Christine Streams (985) 446-0487, Ext. 202 for registration and additional information.

July

August

n Holy Hour of Adoration for Men, Sunday, July 2, 7-8 p.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma. n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, July 10, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311 in Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. n Kateri Mass, Friday, July 13, 6:30 p.m., Holy Family Church, Grand Caillou.

n Holy Hour of Adoration for Men, Sunday, August 5, 7-8 p.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma. n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, August 7, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311 in Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. n Acadian Mass, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 6 p.m., St. Hilary of Poitiers Church, Mathews.

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24 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

Book Reviews

Reading with Raymond Raymond Saadi

Billy Graham An Ordinary Man and His Extraordinary God

Teche

The 17th Suspect

By Shane K. Bernard University of Mississippi Press $25

By James Patterson & Maxine Paetro Little, Brown $29 The “Women’s Murder Club” can always be counted on to deliver fascinating cases of murder and mayhem and this time does it in spades. A faceless killer who murders apparently at random specifically challenges Sgt. Lindsay Boxer. When a witness comes forward pointing suspicion at her own police department, Lindsay becomes wary of her fellow officers and high command. Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Yuki Castellano crosses the line of professional boundaries attempting to win a conviction. BC

Subtitled A History of Louisiana’s Most Famous Bayou, the author describes the Teche as the principal waterway for the passage of cotton, sugar and people during the Civil War, all which faded with the advent of cars and highways. The most fascinating picture of the bayou is the second part of the book devoted to Bernard’s own canoe trip down the entire 125-mile course, illustrating with numerous photos today’s view of life on the Teche. BC

By Lon Allison Paraclete Press $21.99 Author Allison describes his initial meeting with Billy to finalize his appointment as Director of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College in Illinois: Told that Allison earned his doctorate at a school Billy helped start and that his thesis was on evangelistic preaching, Billy asked the author if he could teach him how to preach his sermons better. Stunned, Allison replied, “No sir, I don’t think so, since most of my work was predicated on your example.” Graham’s humility resonates throughout Allison’s book, ministering to crowds from people with little religious background to serving as “pastor to presidents” and “spiritual guide to celebrities.” This slim volume is filled with warmth and inspiration in the prayers and commentaries of Billy Graham. BC

The Flight Attendant

Sunday Silence

By Chris Bohjalian Doubleday $26.95

Cassie is a flight attendant with an attitude and altitude problem. She is also an alcoholic, thief and liar who connects with an attractive passenger en route to Dubai and awakes the next day to find him bloody and definitely dead. Having blacked out the night before, she can’t remember if she killed the man or not. Terrified, instead of calling for help, she rushes to join her flight crew flying back to New York where, the FBI is waiting. Cassie now desperately needs her friends, lawyer and especially … a drink. BC

By Nicci French William Morrow $26.99 When gifted psychologist, Frieda Klein, discovers a body underneath the floorboards of her house, she instantly ceases to be a police informant and becomes instead, a person of interest. Although the corpse is only months old, the chief suspect supposedly died more than seven years ago, but Frieda knows he’s alive and suspects a copycat is a killer who won’t let Frieda go while another killer can’t let her live. Suspense builds quickly in this fascinating thriller. BC

June 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 25

Heavenly Recipes

Heather Anderton

Heather Cooks an:

EASY Hors d’oeuvre Story and Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

Heather Anderton, a 30 year-old Houma native and parishioner of Annunziata Church shares her recipe for mini crawfish pies. Heather grew up in Annunziata parish and has been a bookkeeper and youth minister there for the past six years. She got the recipe from her dad’s sister who is also her godmother. “I tweaked the recipe a little from the original version. I’ve made them for events at the church, and also made a batch for the St. Joseph Altar. It’s a simple recipe that’s quick and easy, even for a beginner.” Heather’s mom taught her how to cook. She is confident that desserts are her specialty. “My specialty is ooey gooey squares. When I was a child at St. Francis de Sales School I would always participate in the bake off there and I would win. I remember learning how to make them by helping my mom. Now I have a daughter who is almost eight and she is learning how to prepare them.” Heather enjoys working at Annunziata. “I am an active youth minister at the church parish that I have always called home. I was born into this parish. It’s good to see how the parish has changed and grown over the years as I have grown. Father Mike Tran is good for Annunziata. The parishioners love him. His homilies are great – he speaks to and touches each person’s heart. I would love to see the youth become more involved and pick up where the older generation has left off.” Heather is happily married to her husband Christopher who is also involved in youth ministry. “It’s nice to know I can share my faith with him. It’s great to grow in faith with your spouse.” BC 26 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

Mini Crawfish Pies INGREDIENTS: 1 (14 oz.) package of refrigerated pie crusts 1/2 (16 oz.) package thick cut bacon, cut into 1/8 inch pieces 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 3 tbsp. chopped chives 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper 3 tbsp. all-purpose flour 1/2 cup milk 2 large eggs 1/2 (16 oz.) package of crawfish tails, chopped

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 375. Unroll pie crusts on a lightly floured surface. Cut 25 (3-1/2 inch) circles from crusts, and press into 24 mini muffin cups. Prick sides of crusts with a fork. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until bacon is cooked and crisp, 20-24 minutes. In a medium bowl, add bacon, cheese, chives, flour, salt, pepper, milk and eggs. Whisk to combine. Gently stir in crawfish to combine. Divide mixture evenly among crusts. Bake on the bottom rack until lightly golden and puffy, about 15 minutes. Serve warm.

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June 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 27

Catholic Schools

Members of the new Diocesan School Board pictured with Very Rev. Simon Peter Engurait, V.G., coordinator of Catholic Schools (at far left); and Suzanne Troxclair, diocesan superintendent (at far right); from left, are, David Duplantis, Steve Crispino, Very Rev. Clyde Mahler, V.F., pastor of Holy Cross Church in Morgan City; Renee Gautreaux, Ed Richard, Clara Brady, Clyde Hamner, Dr. Judy Theriot, Judith Hidalgo, and Father John Nambusseril, pastor of Holy Savior Church in Lockport. Members not pictured are Very Rev. Jay L. Baker, rector of the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma; Dr. Maria Cruse, and Glenny Lee Buquet.

New Diocesan School Board is established in accord with the strategic planning process Story by Janet Marcel Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier As part of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux’s strategic planning process which began in 2015, various commissions were formed to address needs that had been identified through focused listening sessions held throughout the diocese. One of the needs identified was in the area of Catholic education. According to Suzanne Troxclair, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools, the Catholic Schools Commission, which was the largest of the 12, worked diligently to formulate 28 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

a strategic plan specific to the mission of Catholic schools. Under the guidance of Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, Very Rev. Simon Peter Engurait, V.G., coordinator of Catholic Schools; Troxclair and Catholic Schools Management consultant Richard Burke, over 200 members of the diocese worked to produce a comprehensive plan to help guide the growth of the Catholic schools in the diocese for the next five years and beyond. Troxclair explains that using the four pillars of the

Catholic Schools

National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools – Mission and Catholic Identity, Governance and Leadership, Academic Excellence, and Operational Vitality – as the framework, a plan to strengthen and support the Catholic schools was created. One of the areas addressed in the strategic plan, Governance and Leadership, encompassed several goals and objectives. Goal No. 5 of the plan states, “The Office of Catholic Schools, with the approval of the diocesan bishop, will establish a Diocesan School Board with clearly defined roles and responsibilities, designed to ensure diocesanwide planning, collaboration among schools, and consistent approaches to policies, communication and reporting.” Under the advisement of the national Catholic schools consultant, and in consultation with the bishop and the superintendent, the bylaws for the new Diocesan School Board were ratified. The mission of the Diocesan School Board is to further the advancement of quality Catholic education for students in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux by providing leadership, direction and support to the bishop and the superintendent. The Board is established by the bishop to be advisory to him and the superintendent. Regular business meetings are held bi-monthly or as otherwise decided by the Board. Members of the Diocesan School Board were carefully

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selected by Bishop Fabre in consultation with the superintendent and other diocesan leadership from the clergy and laity, giving careful consideration to representation from important aspects of school life, including Catholic identity, curriculum, finance, development and marketing, as well as representation from each of the three deaneries. Members are as follows. Very Rev. Jay L. Baker, rector of the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma and vicar for clergy, was ordained a priest June 13, 1992. The Houma native attended St. Francis de Sales Elementary School and graduated from Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma. He earned a bachelor of fine arts from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, a master of divinity degree from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, and studied canon law at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada. Father Baker has served in five parishes with Catholic schools. Clara Brady is a parishioner of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Larose and a retired school teacher who taught at Holy Rosary Catholic School for 14 years. She previously served on the diocesan school board for one term in the 1980s, was the PTC treasurer for many years for fair and bingo activities, as well as an original founding member of KITCHEN Friends of the Rosary.

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Catholic Schools

School Board Glenny Lee C. Buquet is a lifelong resident of Houma and parishioner of the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales. She graduated from St. Francis de Sales High School and from ULL in speech and English education. Buquet served on the St. Francis Elementary School Board and several committees at Vandebilt. She was elected to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) from 19912011, and served as its president for five terms. During that time she chaired many committees including finance, accountability, teacher certification and special education. Buquet was awarded Vandebilt Catholic High School’s Alumna of the Year in l998, received the ULL College of Education Centennial Recognition award for distinguished achievement, and was selected Outstanding Citizen of Terrebonne Parish. She is best known for her work in the field of literacy, particularly programs for dyslexic students. Buquet is the mother of three children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Steve Crispino is a lifelong resident of Terrebonne Parish, a 1984 graduate of Vandebilt Catholic High School, and a 1989 graduate of Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. Crispino is employed as executive vice president of South Louisiana Bank and has been there for 21 years. He has served on many boards including the YMCA, Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Le Petite Theater, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Terrebonne Parish Port Commission, and Vandebilt Catholic High School. He has also served on the parish council and finance committee for Annunziata Church parish in Houma and is a current member of the finance council of St Anthony of Padua Church parish in Bayou Black. Maria B. Cruse, MD, APMC, psychiatrist, is a parishioner of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. Dr. Cruse’s three children were all educated in Catholic schools with her youngest graduating this year. She has served as member and president of the school advisory council at E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux during which time the school’s debt was retired and iPads were introduced. She is a previous member of St Joseph Co-Cathedral’s pastoral council and served as president. Dr. Cruse is currently on St Joseph Manor’s board of directors. David Duplantis is a parishioner of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Thibodaux and is the CEO of Duplantis Design Group, PC. He attended St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School and E.D. White Catholic High School. He says the mentoring, fellowship and examples of Christian faith by the Sisters of Mt. Carmel, Brothers of the Sacred Heart and the lay faculty and staff of these schools molded his faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and he is forever grateful to his parents for the sacrifices they made to send him to Catholic 30 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

Schools. He believes his spiritual growth was equally or more important than his academic enrichment and says it is his desire to assist the Diocesan School Board to make this experience open to as many children as possible with the results being as positive as his own personal experience. Renee Gautreaux is a parishioner of St. Thomas Aquinas Church and a retired speech language pathologist and medical imaging office manager. He says his family has always attended Catholic schools and supported Catholic education. Both sides of their family attended Holy Savior Catholic School in Lockport. His children attended Holy Savior and Holy Rosary Elementary in Larose and are currently attending E.D. White Catholic High School. He says Catholic education has given countless blessings in their lives. Clyde F. Hamner is a parishioner of the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales and a graduate of Vandebilt Catholic High School. He is a retired Terrebonne Parish School System teacher and administrator of 33 years. Before he retired, he served for 20 years on the Board of Trustees of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana. Currently he is active in the Louisiana Retired Teachers’ Association, the Louisiana Association of Educators, serves on the Executive Committee of the Terrebonne Retired Teachers’ Association and the Education Committee of the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce. As a parent and a Catholic, he says he believes strongly in the mission of Catholic education. Judith Bergeron Hidalgo is a parishioner of Holy Cross Church in Morgan City and a graduate of Nicholls State University where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in secondary English education and a master’s of education degree in curriculum & instruction. She has been teaching in St. Mary Parish for 27 years. Hidalgo has served both Holy Cross Elementary and Holy Cross Church parish in many capacities as a volunteer. She is married to William Hidalgo Jr. and they have three children, Jeanne Marie, Blake and Elise. Very Rev. Clyde Mahler, V.F., pastor of Holy Cross Church parish, was ordained a priest May 22, 1999. The Kraemer native graduated from Thibodaux High School; earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph Seminary College, a master’s degree in theological studies and a master of divinity from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. Father Clyde has served in four parishes with Catholic schools. He also served on the diocesan school advisory council from 2004-2010, and on the school advisory councils at Vandebilt Catholic High School and presently at Central Catholic High School. Father Mahler believes that all quality academic education matters, but that a component offered by Catholic schools and Catholic education is in providing an excellent Christ centered daily formation through spirituality and activities. Students are taught to know God, to love God and to serve God, and that

Catholic Schools

good Christian choices do make a difference at home, in our communities and in the world. Father Thankachan (John) Nambusseril, C.M.I., was ordained a priest Dec. 29, 1993. The Kunhome, India, native has a bachelor’s degree in education from St. Joseph’s College in Mahathma Ganghi University in Kottayam, India; a bachelor of arts degree in English literature, Hindi literature and sociology from Ravi Shankar University in Raipur, India; a master of arts degree in Hindi literature from Akhilya University in Bhopal, India; a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from Fordham University in New York; and bachelor’s degrees in theology and philosophy from Dharmaram Pontifical Institute in Bangalore, India. Father Nambusseril also served as principal of Vidya Jyoti School in Jagdalpur, CG, India, for three years. Father Nambusseril believes the aim of education is the all-round and well-balanced development of the child. Man is made up of body, mind and spirit; therefore, education should aim at the physical, intellectual and spiritual growth of a person. Catholic education is important because it helps our students to develop spiritual and moral values. Absence of this will result in disaster, destruction, selfishness, aggression and hatred in the world. I agreed to serve on the Diocesan School Board to bring this

much-needed perspective to the Catholic school system in the diocese and to make the best use of my knowledge about school administration. Ed Richard has been a parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Bayou Black for 30 years. He was employed by the Terrebonne Parish school system for 37 years, serving as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, central office administrator, and superintendent of schools. He retired in 2009. He currently serves as a lector/ commentator, eucharistic minister, altar server and usher. He says it is a privilege and honor to serve on the Diocesan School Board. He is married to Elaine Authement Richard. Dr. Judy Theriot is a parishioner of St. Charles Borromeo Church in the St. Charles community and a retired professor and head of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Nicholls State University. She is married and has two adult daughters and five grandchildren. Two of their grandchildren are graduates of E.D. White Catholic High School. She says as an educator all of her life, she wants to see all schools succeed because she is a firm believer that all students deserve an opportunity to reach their full potential and she knows that this normally is possible if all students receive a sound education. BC

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June 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 31

Commentary

Rest, relaxation and routine Thoughts for Millennials Ryan Abboud

The month of June for many of us is a time of newfound freedom. It’s often the first full month of summer for many students and symbolizes a period of rest and relaxation. In most situations, summer leads us to a tendency to throw our normal schedules and routines out of the window. This isn’t a bad thing by any means! It’s always good to kick our feet up and take some time off from the usual hustle and bustle of our student lives. However, this laidback mindset can be a slippery slope that leads to a neglected spirituality. If we allow ourselves to relax in all aspects of our life during the summer, then we will soon be too laidback to participate in daily conversing with the Lord. We may soon find justification in having

lazy days where we just do absolutely nothing. The lack of normal routine can very likely become our spiritual demise. As creatures of habit, many of us rely on the consistency of a typical school/ work day to fit our prayer time in, but summer can very likely become a lull in our prayer lives. Soon, we may find ourselves struggling to make it to Mass on Sundays or when we’re on a weekend vacation. Not only can summer be a time of spiritual negligence, but it may also be a time where we tend to develop new routines, habits, or trends that may differ from our “disciplined, midsemester” routines. If we are not strong and diligent, we can very easily fall into a complacency that can be detrimental to our spiritual lives. We may find ourselves during this month of June running around with our bad habits and hindering our spiritual growth. With the lack of a normal routine, all of our newly found time can lead to the picking up of a new, negative schedule. Brothers and sisters, despite how busy or lazy our summers are, we must stay rooted in our relationship with the Father. We must actively pursue a deeper understanding of our faith,

we must seek our theological role on earth, and we must strive to be a better Catholic than we were yesterday. Pope Francis reminds us to, “keep the flame of faith alive through prayer and the sacraments: let us make sure we do not forget God.” This quote from the Holy Father is especially pertinent during these summer months of rest and relaxation. I invite you to take the extra time that you have this summer to maximize the use of your time with the sacraments and in prayer, and to also reflect on the image of the Father looking down upon us. Consider the mercy and patience that he has for us during these summer months (or the rest of the year), and imagine seeing all of us down here on earth “chasing our tails” and “scratching our itches.” But God doesn’t strike us down. He does not condemn us. He remains. Arms open wide. Waiting for a prodigal son’s return. No matter what routines or habits we’ve established or how bad they are, never be afraid to drop it all and run back to the Father’s arms this June. (Ryan Abboud is a 2015 graduate of Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma and a senior at LSU in Baton Rouge.) BC

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32 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

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

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

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

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

Marie Elise Duplantis Warren J. Harang Jr. Msgr. Raphael C. Labit Msgr. Francis J. Legendre Rev. Charles Menard Dr. & Mrs. M.V. Marmande & Family Donald Peltier Sr. (3)* Harvey Peltier (30)* Richard Peltier The Peltier Foundation (5) Orleans & Louella Pitre Msgr. Joseph Wester Robert R. Wright Jr. Rev. Kermit Trahan St. Bernadette Men’s Club Diocesan Knights of Columbus Leighton Delahaye Mrs. Shirley Conrad Bishop Shelton J. Fabre Elizabeth Hebert

Callais Family Fund Rev. Joseph Tu Tran Society of St. Joseph Endowment Fund - $119,136.90 James J Buquet Jr Julius & Marie Pauline St. Amant Elie & Dot Klingman Bishop Sam Jacobs Endowment – $32,840.43 Giardina Family Foundation Sem. Endowment – $4,337.62 James J. Buquet, Jr. Family Sem. Endowment – $27,979.95 Diocesan Seminarian Endowment – $3,502,699.11 Mary and Al Danos Foundation Sem. Endowment – $38,621.30 Msgr. Amedee Sem. Endowment – $314,838.43 The Peltier Foundation - $14,482.97

April 2018 Burse Contributions Msgr. John G. Keller .................................. $50.00 Elie & Dot Klingman ........................... $5,860.00 Rev. Warren Chassaniol .......................... $50.00 Msgr. Francis Amedee .......................... $200.00 Claude & Lucy Mahler Family ......... $200.00 Paul & Laura Duet.......................................$500.00

Open Burses with Balance as of April 30, 2018 Sidney J. & Lydie C. Duplantis .................... $13,000.00 Donald Peltier Sr. No. 4 ................................. $13,000.00 Joseph Strada Memorial ............................... $12,642.63 Msgr. Raphael C. Labit No. 2 ..................... $11,320.00 Claude & Lucy Mahler Family ..................... $10,500.00 Harvey Peltier No. 31 ...................................... $10,486.91 Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier ........................ $10,200.00 Joseph Waitz Sr. ................................................ $10,100.00 Clay Sr. & Evelida Duplantis No. 2 ............ $10,000.00 C. Remie Duplantis No. 2 .............................. $10,000.00 Marie Elise Duplantis No. 2 .......................... $10,000.00 Maude & Edith Daspit No. 2 ....................... $10,000.00 Msgr. George A. Landry ................................ $10,000.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ......................................$7,200.00 Rev. Victor Toth ....................................................$7,000.00 Brides of the Most Blessed Trinity ...............$6,598.00 Rev. Peter Nies ......................................................$6,000.00 Catholic Daughters .............................................$5,995.00 Rev. Guy Zeringue ...............................................$5,900.00 Rev. Gerard Hayes ...............................................$5,586.00 Msgr. Francis Amedee .......................................$5,350.00 Mr. & Mrs. Love W. Pellegrin .........................$5,000.00 Anonymous No. 2 ...............................................$5,000.00 Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis Family No. 4 .... $5,000.00 Rev. William M. Fleming ...................................$5,000.00 Mrs. Ayres A. Champagne ...............................$5,000.00 Rev. Kasimir Chmielewski ................................$4,839.00 Joseph “Jay” Fertitta ...........................................$4,450.00 Rev. Henry Naquin ..............................................$4,311.00

Harry Booker No. 2 .............................................$4,138.00 Msgr. James Songy .............................................$4,075.00 Anawin Community ............................................$3,700.00 Kelly Curole Frazier .............................................$3,610.96 Mr. & Mrs. John Marmande ...........................$3,500.00 J. R. Occhipinti .......................................................$3,400.00 Mr. & Mrs. Galip Jacobs ...................................$3,060.00 St. Jude .....................................................................$3,000.00 Diocesan Knights of Columbus No. 2 ........$2,894.62 Rev. Peter H. Brewerton ....................................$2,600.00 Warren J. Harang Jr. No. 2 ...............................$2,500.00 Preston & Gladys Webre .................................$2,350.00 Willie & Emelda St. Pierre ................................$2,000.00 Rev. John Gallen ...................................................$1,950.00 Rev. H.C. Paul Daigle ..........................................$1,900.00 Deacon Connely Duplantis .............................$1,700.00 Alfrances P. Martin ..............................................$1,650.00 Msgr. Francis J. Legendre No. 2 ....................$1,645.00 Rev. Robert J. Sevigny .......................................$1,600.00 Rev. Hubert C. Broussard .................................$1,550.00 Judge Louis & Shirley R. Watkins .................$1,550.00 Msgr. Emile J. Fossier .........................................$1,545.00 Ronnie Haydel ......................................................$1,535.00 Dr. William Barletta Sr. ......................................$1,525.00 Msgr. Stanislaus Manikowski ..........................$1,525.00 Deacon Robert Dusse’ ......................................$1,450.00 Jacob Marcello ......................................................$1,400.00 Rev. Anthony Rousso .........................................$1,250.00 Msgr. John L. Newfield .....................................$1,200.00

Rev. Joseph Tu Tran No. 2 ...............................$1,094.00 Msgr. John G. Keller ...........................................$1,050.00 Rev. Clemens Schneider ...................................$1,000.00 Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux No. 4 .............$1,000.00 Edna W. DiSalvo .......................................................$900.00 Leo & Ethel Hebert .................................................$862.83 Bernice Harang .........................................................$800.00 Deacon Willie Orgeron .........................................$800.00 Ruby Pierce ................................................................$800.00 Deacon Roland Dufrene .......................................$750.00 Juliette & Eugene Wallace ..................................$700.00 Deacon Edward J. Blanchard ..............................$700.00 Deacon Raymond LeBouef .................................$550.00 Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Cannata .............................$500.00 Robert Walsh .............................................................$500.00 Dean Joseph Chiasson ..........................................$500.00 Paul & Laura Duet ....................................................$500.00 Anne Veron Aguirre ...............................................$380.00 Deacon Harold Kurtz .............................................$300.00 Richard Peltier No. 2 ..............................................$300.00 Claude Bergeron ......................................................$250.00 Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Naquin ....................................$150.00 Deacon Pedro Pujals ..............................................$100.00 Rev. Michael Finnegan ..........................................$100.00 Rev. Warren Chassaniol ...................................... $ 100.00 Deacon Eldon Frazier ..............................................$ 50.00 Deacon Nick Messina .............................................$ 50.00

Overall Seminarian Burses Total: $1,704,205.85 ~ CFSL Seminarian Endowments Total: $3,935,799.81 June 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 33

Announcement

The perfect way to honor a loved one Catholic Foundation Update Amy Ponson

Leaving a legacy that impacts the ministries a donor or their loved ones care about, allows their memory to live on while making a difference in the lives of others. If one has a friend or family member whose life has been touched by a church parish, school or other diocesan ministry, consider making a gift to the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana (CFSL) in his or her name to

benefit that ministry. Memorializing some of the most important people in one’s life, such as a mother, father, spouse, mentor or other special loved one, as part of a gift to the CFSL, n honors that special person; n supports the CFSL mission; and n possibly has personal financial benefits for the donor. There are Choices The three basic methods available for establishing an honorary gift are: A gift today — an outright gift can help fund immediate needs or an upcoming project. The financial benefits include an income tax charitable deduction (if itemized) and the possible elimination of capital gains tax. A gift through one’s estate plan — a gift can be included in one’s will or living trust, stating that a specific asset, certain dollar amount or

percentage of one’s estate will pass to the CFSL at the donor’s death in honor of his or her loved one. A gift that lives on forever — honorary endowments can be made now or through one’s estate plan. Endowments are structured so that a small portion of the donor’s gift, rather than the whole amount, is used each year to fund a particular purpose. To perpetuate the fund forever, the majority of the fund always remains intact and is invested for the future. (This information is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in examples are for hypothetical purposes only and are subject to change. References to estate and income taxes include federal taxes only. State income/estate taxes or state law may impact individual results.) BC

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34 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

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Announcement

The name ‘Central Catholic’ is given to unified diocesan Catholic school The new unified diocesan Catholic school in Morgan City, PK3-12th grade, will now be known as Central Catholic, it was announced recently by Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, who approved the recommendations from the branding subcommittee, communications and marketing committee, board of trustees, and superintendent of Catholic schools. In addition, the unified colors of red, white and blue along with “Eagles” as mascot were also approved. Specific references to the school’s activities and functions at the different grade levels will be addressed as follows: 9th – 12th: Central Catholic High School; 6th – 8th: Central Catholic Jr. High School; PK3 – 5th: Central Catholic Elementary School. “I am happy to accept and confirm these selections made by the board of trustees for the new unified diocesan Catholic school in Morgan City,” says Bishop Fabre. “I am grateful for the work of the board of trustees in this regard and for all that they are doing to advance the foundation of a new unified school in Morgan City.” “What an exciting time this is for Catholic education in Morgan City and its surrounding areas! We are blessed to offer a strong academic education in a Christ-centered environment for students in grades Pre-K3–12 at Central Catholic beginning in the 2018-2019 school year. The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, along with the entire Central Catholic school family, is united in our ever-important ministry of forming missionary disciples of Christ,” says Suzanne Troxclair, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools. BC

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

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

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

June 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 35

Announcement

Thibodaux Regional Medical Center unveils plans for new Cancer Center

Thibodaux Regional Medical Center recently held a news conference where plans were unveiled for a new $35 million cancer facility. The five-story building will occupy nearly 100,000 square feet and will be located where the existing Cancer Center is on N. Acadia Road. CEO Greg Stock said groundbreaking for the project is expected at the end of this year, and the new facility, which will offer services including radiation oncology, chemotherapy, and house clinic space for oncologists, an education center, activity center, library, diagnostic center, conference center, laboratories and a chapel, is projected to open in December 2020.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

36 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

Catholic Schools

Two Catholic school grads accepted to Yale

Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier Two students who graduated from Catholic schools in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux this year were accept to the prestigious Yale University – an American private Ivy League research university located in New Haven, Connecticut, whose acceptance rate for the Class of 2018 is 6.3 percent. Margaux Diebold of E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux, and Gabe Hohensee of Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma, will both be attending Yale University in the fall. Margaux says she found out that she had been accepted through a video playing the Yale theme song. “There’s this video that pops up when you login and at first it wasn’t loading, so all I saw was a little black box. Then my mom started screaming and getting really excited when she saw the letter in the background, and the video started playing and we all started laughing. It was a fantastic afternoon.” Margaux applied to a few other schools, but Yale was her first choice. Her father attended graduate school at Yale, so it’s kind of been a dream of hers since she was in grade school to follow in his footsteps. Margaux says she doesn’t know exactly what she’s going to major in but the general area of chemistry and science research is her main interest right now. “My Catholic education has definitely shaped me into a better person and helped me to be more globally focused,” says Margaux. “I would love to go into research and try to solve some big global problems, like global warming. This 38 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

environment has helped to put that drive in me to help others and make the biggest and best impact I can. Because of that desire I want to go to the best school I can and go as far as I can academically.” What Margaux is most looking forward to are all of the opportunities attending Yale will present. “The professors there really want to help the students expand their horizons as much as they can. They are all committed to giving their students the best, most well rounded education they can and helping them experience as much as they can. I’m so excited to be a part of that; I can’t wait,” she says. Maria Montet, junior and senior high counselor at E.D. White, says, “Margaux and I have worked closely together throughout her college admissions process. I am so proud of her and all of her accomplishments! She had a goal in mind and she worked hard to accomplish that goal of attending Yale University. Margaux is creative, inquisitive, intelligent and passionate. I know she will be successful in her college endeavors and whatever the future has in store for her.” Margaux is the daughter of Dr. Catherine and Guy Diebold. They are parishioners of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Thibodaux. Gabe says he was “all kinds of excited” when he found out he had been accepted to Yale. “I was totally overwhelmed. For the first two days I was kind of still in shock and disbelief. When I logged on to the admissions website there was this video playing the Yale theme song and telling me congratulations. Everyone at my house was screaming. I called

Announcements

a few friends to tell them. It was just crazy at my house.” Gabe says he really didn’t even entertain Yale as a first choice because it was such a selective school. “I was kind of like, I’m going to apply and if I get in, I get in; and if I don’t, I don’t.” He says part of the college application process, especially for out of state schools, is to really be able to look inside yourself and understand yourself. “Having a Catholic education gave me a good basis for that because in understanding God, you have to understand yourself, what you need and what is demanded of you as a person. Having that understanding of myself and my community on a deeper level helped me to communicate that to admissions counselors.” Gabe says he would like to major in international relations or political science or do the pre-med track to become a doctor. However, he eventually would like to be involved in healthcare policy and administration. Gabe says when he visited Yale everyone was so welcoming and it was such a dynamic community of people. “It was just such a cerebral place. There was intelligent discussion everywhere, even outside of the classroom. Everyone there is in pursuit of bettering society.” Wendy Matherne, senior guidance counselor at Vandebilt, says Gabe is an incredibly humble young man. “He is always putting others before himself. He’s appreciative and doesn’t take anything for granted. No matter what is thrown at him he remains upbeat, friendly and optimistic. He knows that all of his gifts were given to him by God.” Gabe believes that behind every person who has achieved a level of success, there is always a team of people behind them. “I absolutely acknowledge the people that have been behind me … my family, my friends, my teachers who were there for me in different ways; if one of them wasn’t there, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” Gabe is the son of Garett and Becky Hohensee and he has two younger brothers, Hayden and Jack. They are parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Bayou Black. BC

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre to serve as chair of the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has appointed Bishop Shelton J. Fabre to serve as chair of the USCCB’s Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism. The appointment was made following the resignation of Bishop George Murry, S.J., of Youngstown, previous chair of the Ad Hoc Committee, after his diagnosis with a form of acute leukemia. “Our most heartfelt prayers are with Bishop Murry and his loved ones,” Cardinal DiNardo said. “We ask all people of faith to join us in praying for his full recovery. I am grateful to Bishop Fabre for his dedication and commitment to now lead the work of the Ad Hoc Committee.” Bishop Fabre will serve as chair of the committee for the remainder of Bishop Murry’s term. Bishop Fabre currently serves as chair of the USCCB Subcommittee on African American Affairs. He has been a member of that committee since 2010 and a member of the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church since 2013. Bishop Fabre was born Oct. 25, 1963, in New Roads, LA. He was ordained a priest Aug. 5, 1989, an auxiliary bishop of New Orleans on Feb. 28, 2007, and bishop of HoumaThibodaux Sept. 23, 2013. Bishop

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

Fabre is a 4th Degree Knight of St. Peter Claver and a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus. “My thoughts and prayers are with Bishop George Murry, S.J., who had to resign as chairman of the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism because of his treatment for acute leukemia,” says Bishop Fabre. “I look forward to serving as the chairman of this committee and assisting in addressing the evil of racism. I am confident that empowered by the Holy Spirit we can bring about racial harmony and healing. Let us join together in both prayer and action in seeking to end racism.” BC

Father Joseph Pereira dies at age 72

Rev. Joseph Pereira

Father Joseph Pereira, a native of Segamat, Malaysia, who served in the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux from 2005 until 2013, died May 16, at the age of 72, following complications from a stroke. He was ordained to the priesthood Jan. 25, 1974. While in this diocese, he served as associate pastor of Sacred Heart Church parish in Cut Off, administrator of Our Lady of the Rosary Church parish in Larose, and as pastor of St. Joseph Church parish in Galliano. A Mass of Christian burial was held Saturday, May 19 at the Church of St. Joseph Sentul in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, followed by interment in Holy Family Catholic Cemetery in Kajang. BC June 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 39

Catholic Schools

70 E.D. White students receive scholarships

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

The fourth annual E.D. White Catholic High School Academic Scholarship Signing Day was held recently in the school’s Student Union in Thibodaux. Seventy students who were offered one or more scholarships from a college or university for academic or leadership reasons were acknowledged. Each senior had his/her own table and at least one table sign indicating the college from which they accepted a scholarship. Seniors attending the signing day are: Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX: Addison Welborn; Clemson University, Clemson, SC: Grace Falgoust; Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge: Natalie Angelette, Matthew Caldwell, Layne Gravois, Whitney Hicks, Matthew Holland, Madelyn Hopkins, Sarah Hubbell, Madison Konur, Caroline Naquin, William Peltier, Nicholas Robichaux, Morgan Rodrigue, Brady Theriot, Noelle Toups, Dexter Troxclair; Louisiana Tech University, Ruston: Luke Babin, Joshua Becnel, Caleb Chiasson, Gabriel Theiss; Loyola University, New Orleans: Elliott Clay, Camryn Crosby; Millsaps College, Jackson, MS: Victoria Oliphant, Hunter Tabor; Mississippi

40 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

College: Annie Alexander; Mississippi Valley State University: Nikolas Shanklin; Nicholls State University, Thibodaux: Gracie Agosta, Andre Bourgeois, James Brady, Connor Cheramie, Norah John Cheramie, Mason Clark, Grace Anne Clement, Madison Daigle, Hudson Gravois, Jacob Hagen, Calista Hebert, Julianne Hull, William Lanier, Amanda Ledet, Rachel Lefort, Lucy Lyons, Cameron Melancon, Ethan Naquin, Marianna Nguyen, Jamie Oubre, Alec Plaisance, Hailey Richard, Zachary Robichaux, Spencer Rome, Rebecca Ruester, Elizabeth Schouest, Caroline Scorsone, Isabel Soignet, Ashlyn Sutton, Collin Toups; Tristan Wong; Oklahoma State University: Donald Robichaux; Thomas More College, Crestview Hills, KY: Joseph Cruse; University of Louisiana-Lafayette: Madison Breaux, Alexander Cutrone, Grant DeGravelle, James Leonard, Mary Kathryn Sevin, Alexander Tregre; University of Louisiana-Monroe: Mary Lo; University of New Orleans: Olivia Bergeron; University of North Carolina-Charlotte: Olivia Lawless; Yale University, New Haven, CT: Margaux Diebold. BC

Announcements

Your First Choice For Exceptional Physical Therapy

Catholic Youth Leadership Award The Knights of Columbus Louisiana State Council recently conducted the Catholic Youth Leadership Award state finals in Baton Rouge at St. Joseph Academy. During the contest one Catholic senior from each diocese in the state competed in the State CYLA finals for the distinction of being the 2018 Knights of Columbus State CYLA winners. During this event Ethan Naquin, a student at E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux, placed second and received a $500 check, a $3,000 check and a certificate. Pictured from left are State Deputy, James Reinte; Naquin; and State CYLA Chairman, Delmas Forbes.

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Elevator/elevated walk project A contract signing for an elevator and elevated walkway addition to Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma was held recently at the Pastoral Center in Schriever. Those present for the signing seated from left are, Lou Ledet, donor; Very Rev. Simon Peter Engurait, V.G., coordinator of Catholic Schools; Dain Fontenot, B.E.T. Construction, Inc.; and Suzanne Troxclair, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools. Standing from left are, Judge Randy Bethancourt, advisory council president; Wendie Darcey, donor; Melanie Prentice, advancement director; Jeremy Gueldner, principal; David Boudreaux, president; James Danos, diocesan director of Building and Construction; and Craig C. Hebert, architect.

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June 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 41

Sports

Quality quarterback play is needed if Tigers want to return to top of the SEC Overtime Ed Daniels

It was a tell-all visit by a free agent quarterback. When Ohio State transfer Joe Burrow stepped on campus at LSU in mid-May, Tiger head coach Ed Orgeron was telling all, how he feels about the quarterbacks currently on campus. Myles Brennan, who was being groomed to take over the spot, had an up and down spring and didn’t separate himself from the others. Lowell Narcisse, the best runner, still has to improve his passing. And, Justin McMillan, a fourth year junior, may be the best option, now, but isn’t the long term answer. Can it be that difficult to find quality quarterback play at a school that has won two BCS national championships since 2003, and reached another championship game? Apparently so. LSU’s slide from the top of the SEC West can be directly traced to its inability to find that player, while others in the division and in the league seem to have no trouble. The father of Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts touched off a pigskin dust storm when he told Bleacher Report that his son “would be the biggest free agent in the history of college football.” Hurts was benched in the national championship game against Georgia. True freshman Tua Tagovailoa came off the bench to throw the winning touchdown pass in overtime. Auburn has won two SEC titles and an SEC West championship since 2010. All three starting quarterbacks on those teams were transfers. Cam Newton (2010) led Auburn to a national championship. Nick Marshall (2013) led Auburn to a national runner-up finish. And, in 2017, Baylor transfer Jarrett Stidham was 21 of 28 for 237 yards passing, and added 51 yards rushing and a touchdown in a 26-14 win over Alabama. That victory won the SEC West for the Tigers. Mississippi State has won two of the last four meetings with LSU. 42 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

In those wins, in 2014 with Dak Prescott, and 2017 with Nick Fitzgerald, the Dogs were better at quarterback. When Georgia lost quarterback Jacob Eason with a knee injury early in the 2017 season, the Dogs plugged in Jake Fromm, who took the job and kept it. 2018 was the year that LSU was supposed to have two very good young quarterbacks, Brennan and Narcisse, battle for the job, with the lefty McMillan as insurance. And, either Brennan and/or Narcisse may still be the answer. But, in the spring game, McMillan appeared to be best. And, that may have left a queasy feeling in the stomachs of Orgeron and offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger. Thus, the visit from Joe Burrow. So, for now the purple and gold quandary at quarterback continues. And, if Orgeron and Ensminger can’t solve it, LSU can’t return to the top of the SEC. BC

Bayou

O U T D O O R

GUIDE SUMMER 2018

Bayou Outdoor Guide Contents

On Our

COVER Redfish can be caught all year long in south Louisiana. Whether you fishing deep or shallow, bayou or marsh, there will be plenty of redfish to catch in 2018. Christine Flores shows off a beautiful summer redfish. Cover photo by John Flores

2018 Ex-Speck-Tations Another great summer for specks

Must have tips for Saltwater Fishing 44 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

Saltwater Fishing Rodeos

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Bayou Outdoor Guide

2018 Louisiana Saltwater Fishing Rodeos

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CASA of Lafourche Fishing Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: June 2 Headquarters: Bridge Side Marina Contact: Bridge Side Marina (985) 787-2419

LA Pipeliners Association Fishing Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: June 22-23 Headquarters: Sand Dollar Marina Contact: Sand Dollar Marina (985) 787-2500

Offshore Marine Service Association Fishing Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: June 3 Headquarters: Bridge Side Marina Contact: Bridge Side Marina (985) 787-2419

Creole Classic Fishing Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: June 22-23 Headquarters: Bridge Side Marina Contact: Bridge Side Marina (985) 787-2419

Swollfest Fishing Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: June 7-9 Headquarters: Sand Dollar Marina (985) 787-2500

Wounded War Heroes Fishing Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: June 29-30 Headquarters: Bridge Side Marina Contact: Bridge Side Marina (985) 787-2419

10th Annual Bubba Dove Fishing Rodeo Place: Bayou Dularge Date: June 7-10 Headquarters: Falgout Canal Marina Contact: Falgout Canal Marina (985) 223-5040 Third Annual Tradewinds Marina Kids Fishing Rodeo Place: Cocodrie Date: June 9-10 Headquarters: Tradewinds Marina Contact: Debra Duplantis (985) 466-3862

Krewe of Houmas Invitational Saltwater Fishing Rodeo Place: Cocodrie Date: June 29-30 Headquarters: CoCo Marina Contact: Charlie Pitre (985) 226-8788

46 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

Golden Meadow – Fourchon International Tarpon Rodeo Place: Golden Meadow (Port Fourchon) Date: July 5-7 Headquarters: Port Fourchon Marina Contact: Chris Moran (985) 396-2728 Fourchon Oilman’s Association Annual Fishing Rodeo Place: Port Fourchon Date: July 12-14 Headquarters: Moran’s Marina Contact: Port Fourchon (985) 396-2792 Louisiana Dental Association (LDA) Fishing Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: July 13-14 Headquarters: Sand Dollar Marina Contact: Sand Dollar Marina (985) 787-2500 South Lafourche High School Cheerleader Fishing Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: July 21 Headquarters: Bridge Side Marina Contact: Bridge Side Marina (985) 787-2419

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Bayou Outdoor Guide

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48 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

Bayou Outdoor Guide

Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: July 26-28 Headquarters: Rodeo Pavilion near the Sand Dollar Motel and Marina East end of Island Contact: Heather Martin (985) 306-0535 Terrebonne Sportsman’s League 68th Annual International Fishing Rodeo (freshwater, offshore, shoreline, saltwater bowfishing, scuba) Place: Houma Date: Aug. 3-5 Headquarters: East Park Recreation Center Contact: Troy Bonvillain (985) 804-7504 Mike Bourgeois (Big Daddy) Memorial Fishing Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: Aug. 4 Headquarters: Bridge Side Marina Contact: Bridge Side Marina (985) 787-2419 The 30th Annual Hercules Fishing Rodeo Place: Houma Air Base Arena Date: Aug. 10-12 Headquarters: Houma Air Base Arena Contact: Mark Pitre (985) 637-0683 Third Annual Bow Fishing Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: Aug. 11 Headquarters: Bridge Side Marina Contact: Bridge Side Marina (985) 787-2419

Dufrene Building Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: Aug. 18 Headquarters: Bridge Side Marina Contact: Bridge Side Marina (985) 787-2419 Ninth Annual “Ride the Bull” Kayak Fishing Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: Aug. 25 Headquarters: Bridge Side Marina Contact: Bridge Side Marina (985) 787-2419 The 56th Grand Isle Original Redfish Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: Aug. 31 and Sept. 1-2 Headquarters: Bridge Side Marina Contact: Bridge Side Marina (985) 787-2419 The Annual Caminada Redfish Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: Sept. 21-23 Headquarters: Sand Dollar Marina Contact: Sand Dollar Marina (985) 787-2500 12th Annual Grand Isle Ladies Fishing Rodeo Place: Grand Isle Date: Oct. 5-6 Headquarters: Bridge Side Marina Contact: Bridge Side Marina (985) 787-2419

Annual KC Council 8779 Fishing Rodeo (Freshwater, saltwater, offshore and children’s divisions) Place: Theriot-Houma area Date: Oct. 5-7 Headquarters: Knights of Columbus Home Theriot, LA Contact: Michael Hebert (985) 709-1390 Tradewinds Marina Third Annual Diva Fishing Rodeo Place: Cocodrie Date: Oct. 13-14 Headquarters: Tradewinds Marina Contact: Debra Duplantis (985) 466-3862

Attention Rodeo Chairperson:

If you would like to have your rodeo listed in the Summer 2019 Bayou Outdoor Guide email information to: bayoucatholic@ htdiocese.org

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June 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 49

Bayou Outdoor Guide

2018 eX-SPECK-TATIONS Anglers can expect another great summer for specks By John Flores On a late afternoon two summers ago, a couple of buddies and I skated through slick-calm waters in Southwest Pass on the western edge of Marsh Island. The only waves were the ones we created at the back of the boat from our wake. We were headed back to Cypremort Point following a pretty decent day catching redfish when suddenly, well off in the distance, I spotted birds diving. A short disagreement ensued with one of my shipmates who happened to say it wasn’t trout underneath those birds, but probably gaftops. I insistently pointed to the birds, while tying a 1/4 ounce jig head to my line and quickly attaching a three-inch plastic H&H Cocahoe to it. Reluctantly, my partner turned our vessel toward the birds. I was casting into the thick of things, before the boat was barely in position. What’s more, I was two speckled trout ahead of my buddies by the time they made their first casts. It was a feeding frenzy and we caught 22 fish in short order. And, just like that it was over. Big Lake angler and Egret Baits president, Ken Chaumont, says, “Coming off the springtime, where we are chasing trophy trout, it’s time to start looking for birds. As the shrimp populate the bays, large schools of fish will be gorging on the easiest prey. This is no doubt one of the best times to catch limits of trout.” Captain Bill Lake, owner/operator of Bayou Guide Service, echoes Chaumont

JOHN FLORES PHOTO

when it comes to summer trout. Lake and his charter captains fish mainly Racoon Island, Pickets Reef and the Ship Shoal offshore rigs for trout. And, according to Lake most summers are similar when it comes to catching large numbers of specks. Lake said, “We never have a bad summer when it comes to speckled trout. We sit right between both of the rivers. We have the Atchafalaya to the west and the Mississippi to the east and we’re kind of hunkered down back in a cove between the two. Our years are pretty similar. We don’t really see

50 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

a big influx or decrease in trout each year, so our fishery is pretty stable. But, once the springtime bite is over the fish migrate out to the coast for the rest of the summer.” One of the best baits to use on specks during the summer is an Egret Baits Vudu Shrimp under a popping cork. When set about 20-inches under the cork and employing a “pop-pop-stoppop-pop-stop” retrieve it can be deadly on trout whether drift fishing or under birds. Top water baits like Egret Baits’ Zombie Ghost, Mirrolure She

Bayou Outdoor Guide

Dog and Catch 2000, and Heddon’s saltwater Super Spook are all great for catching speckled trout under birds during the summer. Lake said, “We fish anywhere from Whiskey Pass all the way to the Ship Shoal platforms. We don’t fish much of anything south of Cocodrie like Lake Pelto and Timbalier Bay. But, May is a terrific month for us. Those fish have one thing on their mind and that’s eating – eating and spawning on that full moon in May. And, they’re pretty ferocious. We catch them all on double rigs, two at a time. We very rarely ever use live bait ever. But, if you’ve got shrimp, you’ve got lots of trout.” To the east in the Delacroix, Hopedale, Reggio, Shell Beach and Biloxi Marsh areas, like the central coastline where Lake and his Bayou Guide Service captains fish, the trout come in to these areas during the summer as well, according to Sal Fontana owner/operator of Gotcha Hooked Guide Service.

“Coming off the springtime, where we are chasing trophy trout, it’s time to start looking for birds. As the shrimp populate the bays, large schools of fish will be gorging on the easiest prey. This is no doubt one of the best times to catch limits of trout.” Fontana said, “The shrimp are coming in and the trout are coming in right behind them. From May through the summer you’ll catch plenty of fish. There are plenty of 1-1/2 pound to 2-1/2 pound fish caught on the inside and when you go outside to places like Black Bay and Bay Eloi the trout are a little bigger.” Throughout the summer Fontana’s crews catch plenty of trout in the Biloxi marsh. One of the things they try to do is match the hatch when fishing for specks. On one occasion while fishing with Fontana, to make a point he emptied the contents of a trout’s stomach. Little 1-1/2 inch to two inch long minnows came pouring out. In order to mimic what the fish were eating, Fontana cut a perfectly good four inch H&H Cocahoe minnow in half and used the two inch long tail section. What’s more, it worked. The summer bite for trout has already begun from one end of the Louisiana coastline to the other. What anglers can expect is another great summer for catching specks. BC

JOHN FLORES PHOTO

Speckled trout action can be fast and furious at times.

JOHN FLORES PHOTO

Often matching the hatch is the best way to catch trout.

June 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 51

Bayou Outdoor Guide

r o u o y Ba Marsh There are plenty reds to cathch in 2018

By John Flores Several years ago, on a hot Friday morning in August, me and seven other outdoor writers spent a few hours with Captain Bill Lake, owner/operator of Bayou Guide Service, on Blue Hammock Bayou fishing for redfish. It was almost too easy. Lake and one of his boat captains had their preprogrammed troll motors holding us on specific GPS coordinates along a shallow bend in the bayou with a deep drop off towards the middle. Our two bay boats, positioned side by side were so close together we could talk to one another without shouting. We simply took a piece of cracked crab fixed to a 4/0 hook and lowered it off the side of the boat. Within seconds, “BAM!” You had a fish on. In approximately two hours both boats had limits totaling 50 redfish. Absolutely dumbfounded, I asked Captain Lake what I thought was a stupid sounding question.

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“Bill,” I said, “What if we hadn’t caught reds in that location? What would have been our tactic?” “I knew we were going to catch,” Lake said. “Yeah – I know, Bill. But, what if we didn’t,” I said, trying to rephrase my question thinking he didn’t understand me the first time. Lake said, “I knew the fish were there. We caught there every day this past week.” Finally, I said more assertively, “But, what if we didn’t? What was Plan B going be?” That’s when I got the answer I was looking for. Lake went on to tell me that he had 18 to 20 locations just like the one we fished and if we didn’t catch immediately we would have gone on to one of his other holes. What’s more, the fish are in those same locations every year during the summer. Recently, Lake let me know that since early May, though the water temperatures hadn’t reached 80 degrees in the lakes and bayous yet, redfish were already beginning to stack up in the deep-water holes he fishes. Moreover, 2018 was shaping up to be another great summer for the central part of the state where he and his boat captains fish. To the east near Delacroix, Hopedale and Reggio, Gotcha Hooked Guide Service’s owner/operator, Sal Fontana, says the slot size redfish (16 in. to 27 in.) have been piled up in the marshes he fishes since early May.

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r o u o y a B Marsh

Fontana, whose charter boats fish from Pointe á la Hache to the Biloxi Marsh tells how one group of anglers he recently took out had to catch over a 100 redfish to get their threeman limit of 15. “We have an enormous amount of redfish in the interior marshes right now,” Fontana said. “They caught and released so many 14, 15, and 15-1/2-inch fish. The bigger bull reds are all on the outside in deeper water in places like Breton Sound and Black Bay. But, from right now through the summer you’ll catch plenty of good fish on the inside and it will be the same on the outside, too.” Egret Baits president and managing partner, Ken Chaumont, fishes mainly Lake Calcasieu (Big Lake) in southwest Louisiana. Chaumont says summer is his favorite time to target reds.

Chaumont said, “Weather patterns have become predictable and so have the redfish. Shorelines at high tides usually harbor lots of bait and that’s where the reds will be. I love the calm mornings. It allows you such an easy visual on reds chasing shrimp and finger mullet along the grass. And, that’s when I like to use a bait that has lots of vibration like our Egret Baits Mambo Mullet. It runs very shallow and you can chunk it along the weed line with ease. The vibration will draw them out of the edges.” As temperatures rise, Chaumont says he moves out into the main lake and looks for schools of shad during the hotter summer pattern. “Giant balls of shad are easy to spot, where redfish bust them into the air. Birds are a dead giveaway and you should never turn away because there is only one bird. Often there aren’t a lot of birds working pods of reds. But, the later it gets into summer, the larger this fish will be,” Chaumont said. Lake says it’s not uncommon to catch 25 to 30 redfish in a couple of hours every day during the summer in the region around Bayou Dularge where his lodge is. The good news this summer is, just like last year, there are sure plenty of them to catch. BC

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54 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

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h t a s ve u M

Tips

for Saltwater Fishing

Tough Knot

The Bimini Twist (also known as the Twenty-TimesAround knot) is the only knot that maintains 100 percent strength under all conditions. Use it to double the line for a strong leader connection.

Lures That Look New and Bright

Fish bite best on lures that look new and bright. Buy only lures you know you will need, and buy just enough to last a few trips. Rinse used lures and dry them before returning them to the tackle box.

Cut Back that Front Part

Change monofilament often. Once it begins to look dull or feel rough, it is no longer strong. At the very least, cut back that front part of the line to remove the weaker section, then retie the leader.

Soak It in a Bucket

Before storing a reel for any length of time, soak it in a bucket of fresh water for several hours to get all of the saltwater out of the line and the interior corners of the reel.

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Big Fish With Rough Lips

Big fish with rough lips require extra-heavy monofilament. It takes 80 to 100-pound test to land 100-pound tarpon, or 50 to 80 to land a really big snook. But casting a long length of that stuff is difficult, so divide the leader into two stages. Keep the heavy stuff short - 12 to 20 inches, for example and use lighter (e.g., 30 to 40-pound-test) for the secondary section that is essential when fishing around heavy cover or structure.

Set the Hook

Many anglers set the hook before the fish has the bait or lure well inside its mouth. Better to wait an extra second or two if you cannot see the fish, or wait until you actually see the bait or lure disappear inside the fish’s mouth. A good way to time this is to wait until you feel a lot of pressure on the line from the fish.

Understanding Tidal Currents

Understanding tidal currents and how they affect the areas you fish is critical, because the movement of water does not always precisely follow high and low tides. In many spots, especially inlets and channel entrances, the tidal current may lag the actual tide by an hour or more. In areas like this, fish often respond more to the direction and speed of water movement than to the actual height of the tide. But in open water the height of the tide can be most important.

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Marine Charts

You’ll find fish in places where food is readily available. The mouth of a creek, channel, inlet, or estuary during falling tide is a prime example. Structure of almost any type is another. Marine charts and maps are indispensable for locating such potential hotspots.

Noisy Lures

When fishing turbid water, try noisy topwater lures. Lures with a rattle or pop worked slowly are easy for the fish to locate. Smaller is sometimes best on calm days, but bigger is better in choppy water.

Quick Sinking

Gel braid lines are more sensitive than monofilament. They also have a smaller diameter that offers less resistance in current, which makes them an excellent choice for fishing lures that sink quickly, especially jigs. They have become very popular with heavy jigs in extremely deep water. Some anglers fish them in depths in excess of 300 feet.

Lubricate a New Reel

Lubricate a new reel to make sure no critical areas were overlooked at the factory. Lube it again at the end of the fishing season or every six months if you fish throughout the

year. Bait casting reels may need a touch on the level wind gears more often. Always use light oil in those areas where grease is not required.

Use What You Know

Use only brands of fishing line that you are familiar and comfortable with. Unknown bargain lines will often let you down at the worst moment.

Don’t use a Wire Leader

Don’t use a wire leader if you can get by with monofilament. You will get more strikes this way. Wire also kinks easily, which may cause it to break. Even toothy fish like Spanish mackerel and bluefish can be caught on mono leaders if the material is heavy enough (at least 50- or 60-pound-test), and if you cut back the mono whenever it begins to look gnawed.

Skip the Swivel

If you must use a wire leader, skip the swivel if possible. Make a loop in the wire with a Haywire Twist, and tie the doubled mono to the wire loop with an Albright knot.

Larger Diameter Line

The Connector knot is the best way to attach a larger diameter line to a smaller one because it slips through guides easily.

June 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 57

Bayou Outdoor Guide

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Circle Hooks

Hook sizes and shapes are critical with all types of bait. Circle hooks, for instance, are popular because they very rarely hook fish in the throat, and their hookup rate is as good or better than the conventional J-hook. Treble hooks are a poor choice for bait fishing since they are easily swallowed and do far more damage than when attached to a lure. Any fish that escapes with a treble hook in the throat is a dead fish.

Live Bait Stays in Top Condition

Live bait stays in top condition longer if kept in a well with good circulation. Incoming water is always best, but if that’s not possible, use an aerator. Warm water cannot hold as much oxygen as cool, so temperature is critical. In an aerated, noncirculating system, the water must be changed every few hours to remove waste material that replaces oxygen in the water.

Lures Work Better

Most lures work better if attached to the line or leader with a loop knot. This allows a more natural action for bait as well.

Feel It Move

A fish that appears tired and lethargic needs some help. If you simply toss it back in the water, it will likely sink and die. Moving it back and forth in still water or facing it upstream in current will get its respiratory system back in operation a lot faster. Wait until you can feel the fish beginning to move on its own before letting it go.

Shrimp, Crabs and Crustaceans

Shrimp, crabs, and other crustaceans can be kept alive and

58 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2018

healthy for many hours in an ice chest if they are packed in wet newspaper or damp vegetation so they do not make direct contact with the ice or ice water.

Three Ingredients for Chumming

Chumming requires three ingredients: fresh or freshfrozen material, a current to carry it, and judicious use. The idea is to create a line of food that draws fish from far away. Toss in too much food over a short period of time, and the fish may hang too far back and simply enjoy a free lunch. Too little chum may not move them at all. Start slowly and gradually increase the chum until you get results.

How to Release

Use wet hands, a wet soft towel, or a wet cotton glove to release fish. Use long-nose pliers or some other device designed for hook removal wherever possible. If the hook is in a location where removal would require too much time or cause injury to the fish, cut the leader as short as possible and put the fish in the water as quickly as you can.

The Best Striking Motion

The best striking motion is sideways, not up. Sweep the rod smartly to the side until you feel the line come tight, and then hold firm pressure until the fish begins to take line.

Rinse Your Rod and Reel

Thoroughly rinse your rod and reel with fresh water immediately after fishing the salt. A gentle wash will do the job better than a hard spray. Make sure you pay close attention to the metallic frames of the rod guides; they are thin and can be easily damaged by corrosion if not properly cleaned. BC

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