Bayou Catholic Magazine March 2018 by Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

INSIDE Marriage

Bayou

Catholic

Do this in remembrance of me MARCH 2018 ~ VOL. 38 NO. 9 ~ COMPLIMENTARY

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Ways to Give: By Mail: Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Annual Bishop’s Appeal Office Post Office Box 505 Schriever, LA 70395

At your Parish: Place your envelope in the In-Pew collection on Sunday Your pledge is key to continued growth in ministries that strive to live the Lord’s Mission.

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Contents

Features 18 Ministry in Action

By Janet Marcel

Students of the Year

Advertisers Spotlight

By Janet Marcel By Janet Marcel

Columns 8 Comfort For My People

By Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

Pope Speaks

Questions of Faith

Readings Between The Lines

Reading with Raymond

Thoughts for Millennials

Pope Francis I

By Father Joshua Rodrigue By Father Glenn LeCompte By Raymond Saadi By Ryan Abboud

51 Overtime

By Ed Daniels

In Every Issue 6 From the Editor 16 Scripture Readings 20 Youth In Action 22 Heavenly Recipes 26 Diocesan Events Guest Columns 24 Pro-Life March

By Father John David Matherne

Announcements 38 St. Joseph Altars 41 Associate director named 46 Holy Week services 52 Financial Report On Our Cover

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

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

The stained glass depiction of the Last Supper comes from the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma. At the last supper Jesus told the Twelve Apostles “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new convenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:23-29).

Carrie Lou

Carrie Cooks a:

CREOLE DISH 18

Bayou Shrimp and Cr Catholic INGREDIENTS:

1 quart peeled shrimp

pound How to1 reach us:crab meat

stick850-3132 butter BY PHONE:1(985)

3 cups chopped onions

BY MAIL: P.O. Box 505 1-1/2 cups chopped bell pepper Schriever, LA 70395

1/4 cup chopped celery BY FAX: (985) 850-3232

1/4 cup chopped green onions

BY E-MAIL: 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley bayoucatholic@htdiocese.org

28 oz. can crushed tomatoes

The Bayou Catholic 14 is published for oz. can monthly, fire roasted tomatoes This month’s heavenly recipe, shrimp and crab creole, comes the people of the Roman Catholic Diocese 10 oz. can Rotel from Kraemer native and resident Carrie Loupe. She learned of Houma-Thibodaux by the H-T Publishing oz. cans Juice Co., P.O. Box 505,2-11 Schriever, LA V8 70395. to cook from her grandmother and great aunts. “My father Subscription rate is $35 per year. 2 cups chicken broth or water

used to cook at home. He is the one that taught me how to cook 1 tsp. liquid crab boil a sauce picante. I started to cook when I was about 12 years The Bayou Catholic is a member of the Catholic 1thetablespoon creole seasoning Press Association, National Newspaper old. While I enjoy cooking things such as gumbos, pot roast Association and an 2associate member of the tsp. garlic powder and white beans, I really love baking, especially tea cookies,” Louisiana Press Association. 1 tsp. sugar she says. 1 tsp. cayenne pepper Lawrence Chatagnier Carrie and her husband Eugene have six children, three boys editor and general manager and three girls; one child, a twin, died at birth. “Eugene and I DIRECTIONS: will celebrate our 69th wedding anniversary in May. I pray to Glenn J. Landry, C.P.A. Sautémanager onions, bell pepper and cele business God that he keeps us healthy and gives us six more years so tender. Add remaining ingredient that we will be able to celebrate our 75th anniversary.” Janet Marcel shrimp and crab meat. Cook on m The 87-year-old recalls learning from the nuns at Mount staff writer/administrative assistant about one hour. Add shrimp. Coo Carmel Academy in Thibodaux. “My parents made sure that to 10Lirette minutes. Add parsley. Gently Brooks we went to church every Sunday. We lived across the bayou. advertising accounts executive meat. Lower heat and cook for ab There was no bridge; we had to cross by boat then walk about longer until crab meat is thorough a mile to get to church, rain or shine. The best months of the Lisa Schobel Hebert uncovered, graphic designer stirring occasionally. year were during Lent. The nuns taught us very much about the Catholic faith.” Meridy Liner Through the years Carrie and Eugene have had their accounts receivable/payable assistant share of sorrow and tragedy. “We lost a child at birth and we have also lost two grandchildren. Father for the al Domingo Cruz, Father ‘Ding,’ helped us through She s a very difficult time when our granddaughter large fam drowned. I have learned to put things in God’s members Like us on Facebook hands, to trust in God. He does not sleep and is and disag or all powerful.” However th Find us on the web Carrie’s love for baking led her to helping with www.bayoucatholic.org tragedy, her fa the traditional St. Joseph Altar at St. Lawrence the been closer to one a Martyr Church parish in Kraemer. “I used to bake the breads each other. “Throughout our Where to find your Bayou Catholic for the altars over the years. Every year I would pray to St. our prayers Bayou answer Catholic magazine can be the foundway we wa Joseph asking for the courage and the will to bake the bread helps in ways that are best for us.” BC at all Catholic churches and Catholic schools

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

throughout the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. To pick up a copy, you may also visit the merchants who advertise in our issue. Those wishing to receive the magazine by mail can call Janet Marcel at (985) 850-3132 or write to Bayou Catholic, P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395. Subscription price is $35 annually. For the online edition, go to www.bayoucatholic.com

March 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 5

From The Editor

Lent: A time for personal realignment

It’s March and we find ourselves in the middle of the Lenten season. Hopefully it’s been a good season for all, as we strive to fulfill our mission to pray more, fast and be more generous to those who are less fortunate. We go into Lent with the best intentions, although it’s easy to go astray, to go off course and lose our direction. During the Rite of Election on the first Sunday of Lent, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre congratulated the catechumens and candidates on their journey of faith and also cautioned them saying, “temptation and sin do not go away easy. It is not something that is easy to get rid of.” I would like to use the analogy of a car that’s out of alignment and how we as humans get out of alignment with our lives. Like our car tires that need to be realigned every now and

then, the season of Lent is a time for personal realignment of our lives. Wheel misalignment can be seen as one of those pesky problems that come along with car ownership. And while wheel misalignment can occur naturally over time, it’s more likely that there’s a specific reason behind out of alignment tires. Our driving habits or the tendency to neglect our car, are big reasons for misalignment … or that time you bumped a curb in the parking lot. When tires are out of alignment, it basically means they aren’t pointing in the right direction. You may notice your vehicle pulling to one direction or that your steering wheel is crooked even though you’re driving straight. This all negatively affects your steering, suspension and tires, but more importantly, it compromises your safety on the road. And that’s never a good thing. Like a misaligned car, in life sometimes we aren’t pointing in the right direction. It’s easy to be pulled in the direction of temptation. There are bumps in the road of life; we are all sinners. Remember, temptation and sin do not go away easy. Like our bad driving habits, we have bad habits in life that can lead to sin and distance us from God and

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the people who love us. Like the car that pulls to one side when you let go of the steering wheel, sometimes we find ourselves being pulled in the wrong direction. Temptation and sin do not go away easy. Much like the misaligned car that has its steering affected and its safety compromised, we can find ourselves being compromised by choices we make in our lives that lead us to sin. Temptation and sin do not go away easy. As we enter the homestretch of Lent and draw near Holy Week, let’s remember that Lent gives us the perfect opportunity for a realignment of our lives. We have Christ to lead us in the right direction, the Holy Spirit beside us to be our helper in times of temptation, and a community of people to support us along the way. 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

The collection will be held March 30, 2018 Thank you for your generosity.

Comment

This Lent let us remain faithful to the mission given to us by God

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

“The temptations of Jesus in the desert recapitulate the temptations of Adam in Paradise and the temptations of Israel in the desert. Satan tempts Jesus in regard to his obedience to the mission given him by the Father. Christ, the new Adam, resists and his victory proclaims that of his passion which is the supreme obedience of his filial love. The church unites herself to this mystery in a special way in the liturgical season of Lent. (Compendium on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 106) When you receive this issue of the Bayou Catholic, we will be deep into the heart and penitential practices that are a part of our observance of the season of Lent. As I have stated before, no other season captures the focus, the attention and the imagination of Catholics and non-Catholics like the season of Lent. All recognize that there is something different and special about the season of Lent and deep within their hearts they desire what the Lenten season promises to those who will be faithful to its call. While there are many correct and incorrect understandings of what the season of Lent and its call are about, the statement above from the Compendium on the Catechism is a really wonderful reflection of several of the things that are at the very heart of the season of Lent. Let me share a few thoughts on some of the points about Lent that the quote lifts up for reflection. The quote reminds us that we enter

into the season of Lent not in isolation, but as part of a long history of our ancestors in faith who struggled to deal with the power of temptation and sin in their lives. We can certainly remember the temptation of Adam and Eve, who gave in to all that was “dangled” before them by the evil one, and thereby sin entered into the world. How quickly Adam and Eve forgot and strayed from what God had commanded them regarding the tree of knowledge of

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In his passion, death and resurrection, Jesus ransomed us from the power of death, and through him we can overcome the power of temptation, sin and death in our lives.

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Comfort For My People

good and evil. The Israelites were no different. After being set free from bondage in Egypt, the Israelites soon gave in to temptation and sin, producing a false god, a golden calf, to whom they bowed down in worship. In addition, during the years of their sojourn in the desert, the Israelites often offended the Lord as they surrendered to temptation and sin in the desert. Like Adam and Eve, and like the Israelites, we also surrender to temptation and sin in our lives.

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However, we are reminded by the quote and also by the season of Lent that Jesus Christ, the new Adam, overcame the temptations of Satan, and broke the power of sin and death to reign unchecked over us. I find a deep spiritual resonance in the manner in which the Compendium states that Jesus remained faithful. It states that Jesus remained faithful and obedient to the mission given him by the Father. In suffering and dying for our salvation, Jesus shows his selfless love for the Father and for us. Jesus, the new Adam, remained obedient even unto death to the mission given him by the Father. In his passion, death and resurrection, Jesus ransomed us from the power of death, and through him we can overcome the power of temptation, sin and death in our lives. Each of us has been given a mission by the Father, and therefore we are truly missionary disciples. The mission at the very center of our relationship with the Father is to remain faithful to our relationship with God, faithful to the promises of our baptism. The season of Lent prepares us to recommit to our baptismal promises during the celebrations of our Easter joy. By our special prayer, fasting and generosity to the poor and needy during the season of Lent, we are strengthened through Jesus Christ to be faithful to the mission given to us by the Father; to be faithful to living out the responsibility placed upon us by our baptismal promises. I know that at this point in the season of Lent, we can fall away from our penitential practices and other prayerful observances of the season of Lent. However, should we fail we can always begin again. Any effort on our part to remain faithful to the call of Lent pleases God and obtains for us his assistance through the power of the Holy Spirit to grow in our faith and to remain faithful to the mission given to us by God. BC

March 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 9

Comentario

Seamos fieles a la Misión que Dios nos ha dado en esta Cuaresma fueron diferentes ya que después de haber sido liberados del yugo egipcio, los israelitas se rindieron a la tentación y al pecado produciendo un dios falso y un cordero de oro al que los israelitas prefirieron adorar. También, durante

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En su misión, muerte y esurrección, Jesús nos rescató del poder de la muerte y a través de El podemos vencer el poder de la tentación, el pecado y la muerte en nuestras vidas.

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«Las tentaciones de Jesús en el desierto recapitulan la tentación de Adán en el Paraíso y la tentación de Israel en el desierto. Satanás tienta a Jesús a no obedecer la misión que el Padre le ha encargado. Cristo, el nuevo Adán, resiste y su victoria proclama su pasión que es la obediencia suprema de su amor filial. La Iglesia se une a este misterio de manera especial durante la temporada litúrgica de la Cuaresma. »(Compendio sobre el Catequismo de la Iglesia Católica, No. 106) Cuando usted reciba la publicación del Bayou Catholic, estaremos en el corazón de la penitencia que es parte de nuestra celebración en la Cuaresma. Como he dicho antes, no hay otra temporada del año que captura el enfoque, la atención y la imaginación de los católicos y los no católicos como la temporada de la Cuaresma. Todos reconocen que hay algo diferente y especial sobre la temporada de la Cuaresma con un deseo fuerte de vivir las promesas para aquellos que cumplen con fidelidad el llamado de Dios. Mientras hay mucha comprensión correcta e incorrecta sobre lo que es la Cuaresma, la declaración sobre el Compendio sobre el Catecismo es una reflexión maravillosa sobre las cosas que se encuentran en la Cuaresma. Voy a compartir algunos puntos sobre la Cuaresma que se prestan para la reflexión. La cita nos hace recordar que entramos en una temporada de Cuaresma y no de aislamiento y que la historia de nuestros ancestros fieles que lucharon para combatir el poder de la tentación y el pecado en sus vidas. Podemos recordar la tentación de Adán y Eva que se dejaron tentar por los “enredos” del diablo y permitiendo la entrada del pecado al mundo. La rapidez con que olvidan los mandatos de Dios sobre el árbol del conocimiento del bien y el mal. Los israelitas no

los años en el desierto, los israelitas ofendían al Señor y se rendían a la tentación y el pecado en el desierto. Adán y Eva como los israelitas se rindieron a la tentación y el pecado de nuestras vidas. Sin embargo, debemos recordar la

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

cita y que la Cuaresma nos dice que Jesucristo, el nuevo Adán, venció las tentaciones de Satanás y quebró el poder del pecado y la muerte para reinar sobre nosotros. Encuentro una similaridad espiritual en la forma que el Compendio declara que Jesús se mantuvo fiel. También declara que Jesús se mantuvo fiel y obediente a la misión que le dio el Padre. Al sufrir y morir por nosotros y nuestra salvación Jesús nos demuestra su amor ilimitado por nosotros y su Padre. Jesús, el nuevo Adán, mantuvo su obediencia aun durante su muerte y la misión que el Padre le dio. En su misión, muerte y resurrección, Jesús nos rescató del poder de la muerte y a través de El podemos vencer el poder de la tentación, el pecado y la muerte en nuestras vidas. Cada uno de nosotros ha recibido la misión del Padre y por eso somos discípulos misioneros auténticos. La misión en el centro de nuestra relación con el Padre es permanecer fieles a nuestra relación con Dios y fieles a las promesas de nuestro bautismo. La Cuaresma nos prepara a volvernos a comprometer a las promesas bautismales durante las celebraciones de la Pascua. Con nuestra oración especial, el ayuno y su generosidad al pobre y al necesitado en esta Cuaresma, somos fortalecidos a través de Jesucristo para que seamos fieles a la misión que nos dio el Padre; siendo fieles a las promesas hechas durante el bautismo. Sé que en este momento de la Cuaresma solemos abandonar la penitencia y otras costumbres de oración durante la Cuaresma. Sin embargo, si fracasamos podemos comenzar otra vez. Cualquier esfuerzo por parte nuestra para permanecer fieles al llamado de la Cuaresma complace a Dios y recibimos el poder del Espíritu Santo para poder crecer en la fe y permanecer fieles a la misión de Dios. BC

Binh luan bang loi

Mùa Chay này chúng ta hãy giữ lòng trung thành với sứ mạng Thiên Chúa đã trao ban cho chúng ta Cập, người Do Thái đã sớm đầu hàng trước cám dỗ và tội lỗi, tạo ra một vị thần giả, một con bò vàng, và họ thờ lạy. Ngoài ra, trong những năm lưu trú trên sa mạc, người Do Thái thường xúc phạm đến Chúa khi họ đầu phục sự cám dỗ và tội lỗi trong sa mạc. Giống như Ađam và Evà, và giống như người Do Thái, chúng ta cũng đầu hàng trước cám dỗ và tội lỗi trong cuộc sống của chúng ta.

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Trong cuộc khổ nạn, sự chết và phục sinh của mình, Chúa Giêsu đã cứu chuộc chúng ta khỏi quyền lực của sự chết, và qua Ngài, chúng ta có thể vượt qua sức mạnh của sự cám dỗ, tội lỗi và cái chết trong cuộc sống của chúng ta.

“

“Những cám dỗ Chúa Giêsu phải chịu trong sa mạc thu tóm cơn cám dỗ của Ađam trong vườn địa đàng và những cơn cám dỗ của Ít-ra-en trong sa mạc. Satan cám dỗ Chúa Giêsu về sự vâng phục sứ vụ mà Chúa Cha đã trao phó. Ðức Kitô, Ađam mới, đã chống lại cơn cám dỗ, và chiến thắng của Người báo trước chiến thắng của cuộc khổ nạn, là sự vâng phục tuyệt đối trong tình yêu con thảo của Người. Trong thời gian Phụng vụ Mùa Chay, Hội thánh kết hợp với Mầu nhiệm này cách đặc biệt” (Tóm lược Giáo lý Giáo hội Công giáo, số 106). Khi Anh Chị Em nhận được tập san Bayou Catholic này, chúng ta sẽ được dìm sâu vào trọng tâm và các việc thực hành thống hối là một phần của việc chúng ta tuân giư trong Mùa Chay. Như tôi đã đề cập trước đây, không mùa nào thu hút sự tập trung, chú ý và trí tưởng tượng của người Công giáo và người không Công giáo như Mùa Chay. Tất cả đều nhận ra rằng có một cái gì đó khác biệt và đặc biệt về Mùa Chay và sâu thẳm trong trái tim, họ mong muốn những gì mà Mùa Chay hứa hẹn với những ai sẽ trung thành với lời mời gọi của nó. Mặc dù có nhiều sự hiểu biết chính xác và không chính xác về Mùa Chay và lời kêu gọi của nó, nhưng lời tuyên bố trên đây từ Bản Tóm lược Giáo lý là một phản ánh thực sự tuyệt vời về một số điều nồng cốt của Mùa Chay. Tôi muốn chia sẻ một vài suy nghĩ về một số điểm của Mùa Chay mà lời trích dẫn trên đây phản ánh. Lời trích dẫn nhắc nhở chúng ta bước vào mùa Mùa Chay không phải trong sự cô lập, nhưng là một phần của một lịch sử lâu dài của tổ tiên chúng ta trong đức tin, những người đã đấu tranh để đối phó với sức mạnh của sự cám dỗ và tội lỗi trong cuộc sống của họ. Chắc hẳn chúng ta có thể nhớ tới sự cám dỗ của Ađam và Evà, người đã chịu thua tất cả những gì ma quỷ “nhử mồi” trước mặt họ, và do đó tội lỗi đã xâm nhập vào thế giới. Ađam và Evà nhanh chóng quên đi và lạc xa những gì Thiên Chúa đã chỉ dạy họ về cây hiểu biết điều thiện và điều ác. Dân Do Thái cũng không khác gì. Sau khi được giải thoát khỏi ách nô lệ ở Ai

Tuy nhiên, chúng ta được nhắc nhở bằng lời trích dẫn trên và cũng bởi mùa Chay rằng Chúa Giêsu Kitô, Ađam mới, đã vượt qua những cám dỗ của Satan, và đã phá vỡ quyền năng của tội lỗi và sự chết để hướng dẫn chúng ta một cách tự do. Tôi tìm thấy một tiếng âm vang linh thiêng sâu xa theo cách mà Bản Tóm lược Giáo lý tuyên bố rằng Chúa Giêsu

vẫn trung tín. Nó nói rằng Chúa Giêsu vẫn trung tín và vâng theo sứ mạng mà Chúa Cha đã trao cho Ngài. Trong đau khổ và cái chết vì sự cứu rỗi của chúng ta, Chúa Giêsu biểu lộ tình yêu quên mình của Ngài dành cho Chúa Cha và cho chúng ta. Chúa Giêsu, Ađam mới, vẫn vâng phục cho đến chết cho sứ mạng mà Chúa Cha đã trao cho Người. Trong cuộc khổ nạn, sự chết và phục sinh của mình, Chúa Giêsu đã cứu chuộc chúng ta khỏi quyền lực của sự chết, và qua Ngài, chúng ta có thể vượt qua sức mạnh của sự cám dỗ, tội lỗi và cái chết trong cuộc sống của chúng ta. Mỗi người chúng ta đều được Chúa Cha trao ban một sứ mạng, và do đó chúng ta thật sự là những môn đệ truyền giáo. Sứ mạng chính yếu về mối quan hệ của chúng ta với Chúa Cha là trung thành với mối quan hệ của chúng ta với Thiên Chúa, trung thành với những lời hứa của phép Rửa tội của mình. Mùa Chay chuẩn bị cho chúng ta để tái cam kết những lời hứa của phép Rửa tội trong ngày cử hành niềm vui Phục Sinh. Nhờ lời cầu nguyện, ăn chay, và lòng quảng đại đặc biệt đối với người nghèo và người thiếu thốn trong Mùa Chay, chúng ta được củng cố qua Chúa Giêsu Kitô để trung thành với sứ mạng mà Chúa Cha trao phó cho chúng ta; trung tín để sống trong trách nhiệm được trao cho chúng ta bởi những lời hứa của phép Rửa tội. Tôi biết rằng vào thời điểm này trong Mùa Chay, chúng ta có thể xao lãng những việc thực hành sám hối và những buổi lễ cầu nguyện khác của Mùa Chay. Tuy nhiên, dù chúng ta có thất bại, chúng ta vẫn luôn có thể bắt đầu lại. Bất kỳ nỗ lực nào từ phía chúng ta để duy trì sự trung thành với lời mời gọi Mùa Chay đều vui lòng Thiên Chúa và nhận được sự trợ giúp của Ngài cho chúng ta qua quyền năng của Chúa Thánh Thần để lớn lên trong đức tin và để trung thành với sứ mạng mà Thiên Chúa trao ban cho chúng ta. Dịch thuật do Lm. Francis Bui, SDD và Thầy Paul Vu, SDD. Tu Đoàn Tông Đồ Giáo Sĩ Nhà Chúa BC

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

Comment

This Lent, revive your enthusiasm for the faith, Pope says The Pope Speaks

Vatican City, (CNA/EWTN News) In his message for the upcoming Lenten season, Pope Francis urged people to renew their enthusiasm for the faith, using this season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving as an opportunity to stoke the flame of charity in their heart. “Above all, I urge the members of the Church to take up the Lenten journey with enthusiasm, sustained by almsgiving, fasting and prayer,” the Pope said in his message, published recently. “If, at times, the flame of charity seems to die in our own hearts, know that this is never the case in the heart of God! He constantly gives us a chance to begin loving anew.” At the Easter Vigil, we will light the Easter candle, he said, explaining how it symbolizes a “new fire,” and will “slowly overcome the darkness and illuminate the liturgical assembly.” “May the light of Christ rising in glory dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds,” he continued. “By listening to God’s word and drawing nourishment from the table of the Eucharist, may our hearts be ever more ardent in faith, hope and love.” Written on the Solemnity of All Saints, the Pope’s message for Lent is on the theme: “Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold (Matt. 24:12).” In the message, he warned against both cold hearts and “false prophets,” which he said tempt us to be led

and enslaved by our emotions, or by a desire for wealth. “How many of God’s children are mesmerized by momentary pleasures, mistaking them for true happiness!” he wrote. Seeing the problems in the world and within ourselves, the solution is to turn to the Church, Pope Francis said, because along with the truth, she “offers us in the Lenten season the soothing remedy of prayer, almsgiving and fasting.” One of the biggest obstacles to charity, he continued, is the evil of greed of money, which is what almsgiving helps to counteract. “How I would like almsgiving to become a genuine style of life for each of us!” the Pope said. “How I would like us, as Christians, to follow the example of the Apostles and see in the sharing of our possessions a tangible witness of the communion that is ours in the Church!” Almsgiving is very fitting during Lent, he continued, but added that he hopes that “even in our daily encounters with those who beg for our assistance, we would see such requests as coming from God himself.” Almsgiving, along with prayer and fasting, are intended as instruments to fight both sin within ourselves and its effect on the world. For from greed, follows “the rejection of God and his peace,” he said. We begin to prefer “our own desolation rather than the comfort found in his word and the sacraments.” Greed also may lead us to violence, he noted, pointing to how we lash out, in particular, at those we think threaten the “certainties” of our lives, such as the unborn child, the elderly and infirm, the immigrant, or even just the neighbor “who does not live up to our expectations.” Almsgiving is a way of setting us free from greed, acknowledging that “what I possess is never mine alone.”

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

In fasting, too, we are given the opportunity to grow, he said, both by experiencing the hunger that many people around the world experience daily, and by expressing our own “spiritual hunger and thirst for life in God.” “Fasting wakes us up. It makes us more attentive to God and our neighbor. It revives our desire to obey God, who alone is capable of satisfying our hunger,” he said. He explained that devoting more time to prayer also helps us to root out vice from our hearts and to find consolation in God, who is our Father and who “wants us to live life well.” “Lent summons us, and enables us, to come back to the Lord wholeheartedly and in every aspect of our life,” the Pope said. “With this message, I would like again this year to help the entire Church experience this time of grace anew, with joy and in truth.” He also said that the Church would again be celebrating the “24 Hours for the Lord” initiative, which is a day for the whole Church to focus on the celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation, within the context of Eucharistic adoration. This year, it will take place March 9-10, he said, inspired by the words of Psalm 130:4, “With you is forgiveness.” In each diocese, at least one church will remain open for twenty-four consecutive hours, he said, offering opportunities for adoration and sacramental confession. Led by Pope Francis, “24 Hours for the Lord” is a worldwide initiative which points to confession as a primary way to experience God’s merciful embrace. It was launched in 2014 under the auspices of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization. BC

Comment

Questions of Faith Father Joshua Rodrigue, S.T.L.

Can salvation be earned? I know that we cannot earn our salvation. It is a gift from God. Having said that, what is the role of works on earth if our salvation is already promised? When Adam and Eve first fell from grace with their disobedience, humanity has deeply longed for that union once again with God. But because that rupture was so great, only one who was like us in all things but sin could restore us through his obedience upon the cross. By Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection—his Paschal Mystery—he has reconciled us to the Father, redeemed us, and granted us salvation. This was from no merit of ours but from his great love for us and his desire to show that love through the gift of his mercy. In St. Paul’s letter to Titus, he explains, “But when the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. This saying is trustworthy” (3:4-8). Redemption, salvation is the Lord’s gift to us, but do we truly believe that? Do we have faith in Christ? This faith in the Lord’s gift of salvation is often confused with

a person’s good works. Some will misconstrue a person’s desire to do good works as someone trying to earn salvation. St. Paul is often pitted against St. James in this way. St. Paul’s emphasis on faith is heard in his letter to the Romans, “For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (3:28), while St. James in his letter offers, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works” (2:14, 17, 18b). Who’s right? They both are, and this is where the gift of salvation and our works come together. The work of the Lord is the cause for our salvation. The good work of Christians is the effect of salvation. The grace of salvation comes first before our changed, converted life gives evidence to its cause. We are not doing good works to receive more grace; instead, the grace one receives from the sacraments enables Catholics to live for Christ and one another, to do more good works prompted by our faith. Faith alone saves, but faith that is alone, that is without living an authentic Christian way of life, is not the saving faith. Our faith, our belief that Christ grants us salvation does not come from the proclamation alone from our lips that Jesus is Lord, but that our very lives proclaim it by how we live out the gift of salvation. Lip service alone is not

enough. Jesus warns, “Not everyone who says Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but rather he who does the will of my Father” (Matthew 7:21), or “This generation honors me with their lips, while their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:18). It takes our cooperation with God’s grace in doing God’s will, and that is hard work. Even St. Paul, the one who emphasizes faith, knows work is involved. He writes, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work” (Philippians 2:12b-13). It is living out the new law of love in the gift of God’s grace through love of God and love of neighbor. When we go before the Lord on the day of judgment, he is looking at the way we lived out our professed faith, how we worked out our salvation. May on that day we hear from Christ his loving words resonating in our hearts, “For I was hungry and you gave me food … Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:35, 40). BC

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

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

Reflections

Lent, a time of ongoing conversion in preparation for Easter Readings Between The Lines Father Glenn LeCompte

This year on Sundays, March 4th, 11th and 18th, parishes who have people declared elect for the sacraments of initiation at this year’s Easter Vigil Mass (on the night of March 31) will celebrate with the elect three scrutinies. The scrutinies are among the Rites for the Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). They are “meant to uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective or sinful in the hearts of the elect; to bring out, then strengthen all that is upright, strong and good. For the scrutinies are celebrated in order to deliver the elect from the power of sin and Satan, to protect them against temptation, and to give them strength in Christ, who is the way, the truth and the life.” Because the wording of the scrutinies is intertwined with the Gospel readings from Lectionary cycle A, these readings must be done when the scrutinies are celebrated, although this year we are in cycle B. First Scrutiny. The Gospel reading selected for the first scrutiny is that of John’s dialog between Jesus and the Samaritan woman (John 4:542). This Gospel is quite appropriate to the elect’s situation because the Samaritan woman’s encounter with Jesus mirrors that of the elect. The first intercession in the scrutiny is that the elect may imitate the Samaritan woman in “reviewing their lives before Christ and acknowledging their sins.” The woman’s sin could be marital infidelity or false worship. In either case, the woman is in need of a healing which can come through faith in Jesus.

Calling Jesus a prophet, she starts to show signs of faith. Similarly, the elect’s acknowledgment of their sinfulness before Jesus and turning to him in faith can lead them away from what was contrary to Christian life in their past, especially “idolatries” to a worship of God “in spirit and in truth” (4:23), meaning that they can offer authentic worship, because endowed with the Spirit of Jesus they are committed to the truth. The fourth intercession prays that the elect will be “worshipers in spirit and in truth.” The intercessions and dual forms of the exorcism prayer request that the elect will experience enlightenment even as the Samaritan woman does. The fourth intercession prays that they will move from false to authentic worship in Jesus Christ. The filling of the void caused by a want of the word of God in the elects’ hearts is the subject of the sixth intercession. Form A of the prayer of exorcism requests that those who thirst for living water will have their thirst slaked as sin and the consequent spiritual dryness sin produces is replaced with a “hearing” (i.e. understanding and acceptance) of God’s word. Form B of the prayer acknowledges that the mercy Jesus offered the Samaritan woman is available to the elect that they too might drink of the living water through endowment with the Spirit’s power

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

leading to a personal knowledge of the Father, and through a true faith that expresses itself in love. Second Scrutiny. The second scrutiny is based on John 9:1-41, Jesus’ healing of a man born blind. The period of the elect’s formation in which the scrutinies occur is called the “Period of Purification and Enlightenment.” Through this scrutiny the elect are enlightened inasmuch as they are led to see Christ as the world’s light, as is the blind man in the Gospel reading. The themes of purification and enlightenment permeate both the intercessions and prayers of exorcism, which comprise the major parts of the scrutiny. In the third intercession in form B (the second of two alternative sets of intercessions given in the rite), we pray that the elect “may open their hearts to God and acknowledge him as the source of light and the witness of truth” (RCIA § 167). The blind man’s true blindness was his lack of knowledge of Jesus and his word. That he is blind from birth is an indication of his participation in the universal ignorance of Jesus and his word. All of us must engage in a journey toward enlightenment by Christ. Third Scrutiny. The final scrutiny is the most climactic of the three. On the one hand, acceptance of Christ as the living water which quenches spiritual thirst (first scrutiny) and as the light which dispels

Reflections

darkness (second scrutiny) both represent significant movements toward a deeper life in Christ. On the other hand, the final scrutiny envisions the totality of the process; the elect are being raised from death to life. In the exorcism prayers of the third scrutiny, Lazarus’ death is viewed as a symbol of death in sin and slavery to the forces of evil, out of which the elect are being raised by Christ. While at first glance it may appear that the scrutiny interprets the concept of death differently from John’s 11th chapter, this is not altogether true. While Jesus’ signs in John’s Gospel take place on a physical level, they are meant to teach about spiritual realities. In John 11:41-42, Jesus states that the purpose of this sign is to lead people to faith in him as God’s emissary of salvation. Thus, by raising Lazarus, Jesus conveys to the bystanders that to move from disbelief to faith in him is to move from death to life. Jesus, who

raises Lazarus is, of course, the one who initiates this spiritual movement. More specifically, Jesus calls people in the story, especially Martha, to believe that he is the source of resurrection and life (11:25-26). Those who develop such a faith enter into a life that never ends! The first intercession in form B expresses a desire that the elect “be given faith to acknowledge Christ as the resurrection and life,” and the final intercession in form B holds out this hope for the entire world. The third intercession in form B associates the elect’s movement from death to life with their upcoming baptism at Easter. Dead to sin, they will live forever in God’s sight, yet this process will be effected by means of their baptism, wherein they will fully commit themselves to Christ in faith. While the scrutinies are specifically pertinent to the elect, the ongoing conversion of the fully-initiated requires that we review our lives, allow

Christ to heal the blindness that has reemerged in us, and be raised out of our return to death-dealing behaviors so that we may stand at Easter honestly renewing our baptismal promises. BC

Reflection Questions v What prayer can you offer the elect and/or candidates for Christian initiation at your parish, or if your parish has none, within the diocese? v How can you be of support to the elect in “finding living water,” coming to “enlightenment” regarding Christ and his word, and “being raised from death to life”? v What aspects of your ongoing conversion need attention as you prepare to renew your baptismal promises at Easter?

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

ScriptureReadings and a listing of Feast days and saints

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

1 March

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Lenten Weekday Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Third Sunday of Lent Exodus 20:1-17 1 Corinthians 1:2225 John 2:13-25

Lenten Weekday 2 Kings 5:1-15b Luke 4:24-30

Lenten Weekday Daniel 3:25, 34-43 Matthew 18:21-35

Lenten Weekday Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9 Matthew 5:17-19

Lenten Weekday Jeremiah 7:23-28 Luke 11:14-23

Lenten Weekday Hosea 14:2-10 Mark 12:28-34

Lenten Weekday Hosea 6:1-6 Luke 18:9-14

Fourth Sunday of Lent 2 Chronicles 36:1416, 19-23 Ephesians 2:4-10 John 3:14-21

Lenten Weekday Isaiah 65:17-21 John 4:43-54

Lenten Weekday Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12 John 5:1-16

Lenten Weekday Isaiah 49:8-15 John 5:17-30

Lenten Weekday Exodus 32:7-14 John 5:31-47

Lenten Weekday Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22 John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Lenten Weekday Fifth Sunday of Lent Jeremiah 11:18-20 Jeremiah 31:31-34 John 7:40-53 Hebrews 5:7-9 John 12:20-33

Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 1214a, 16 Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22 Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Monday of Holy Week Isaiah 42:1-7 John 12:1-11

Lenten Weekday Numbers 21:4-9 John 8:21-30

Tuesday of Holy Week Isaiah 49:1-6 John 13:21-33, 36-38

Lenten Weekday Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95 John 8:31-42

Lenten Weekday Genesis 17:3-9 John 8:51-59

Lenten Weekday Lenten Weekday Jeremiah 20:10-13 Ezekiel 37:21-28 John 11:45-56 John 10:31-42

Wednesday of Holy Week Isaiah 50:4-9a Matthew 26:14-25

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

Holy Thursday Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-15

Good Friday Isaiah 52:13— 53:12 Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 John 18:1—19:42

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord Mark 11:1-10 Isaiah 50:4-7 Philippians 2:6-11 Mark 14:1—15:47

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

Ministry in Action

Operation Lent: Helping the needy inMorgan City Holy Cross ministry active for 12 years Story by Janet Marcel Operation Lent, a ministry of Holy Cross Church parish in Morgan City, was established in 2006. Peggy Acosta, church parish religious education coordinator, says after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the church parish was preparing meals and collecting much needed items for the many displaced people who had come to the area. That’s when they began to realize that if they could do that for those who had been displaced, then they could do it for their own residents of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, as well. “Operation Lent is a way for the people of the Morgan City area to help lift the burden of those in need, especially during these difficult economic times, at least until a better opportunity comes along for them. Generosity has always been part of the spirituality of this parish and our parishioners have always been very generous. It is one way for us to practice what we preach,” says Very Rev. Clyde Mahler, V.F., pastor of Holy Cross Church parish. The church parish was contributing to Operation Rice Bowl, says Acosta, but they weren’t getting a lot of participation and wanted to do something as a parish during Lent that would benefit this area. “Operation Lent is an opportunity for our parish to work together to reach out to those less fortunate. In the past, when asked about the Rice Bowl, the response was always an individual one, ‘I gave.’ With Operation Lent the response is always ‘we gave,’” she adds.

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Goods are already coming in for the Operation Lent ministry at Holy Cross Church parish in Morgan City. Pictured are Chris Templet, junior at Central Catholic High School; Peggy Acosta, parish religious ed coordinator; Gavin Wisdom, junior at Central Catholic; Very Rev. Clyde Mahler, V.F., pastor of Holy Cross; Cohen Cline, first grade, Holy Cross Elementary; Mason Wisdom, kindergarten, Holy Cross; Sawyer Lemoine, first grade, Holy Cross; Kristi Wisdom, campus minister, Central Catholic; and Amanda Talbot, principal, Holy Cross.

18 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • March 2018

Ministry in Action

Holy Cross Elementary School students collect goods for Operation Lent. Operation Lent begins with a monetary collection on Ash Wednesday taken at the parish to raise money for the project. Acosta contacts the organization being assisted to ask what their needs are. Then a list is published in the weekly church parish bulletin and in Central Catholic High School’s and Holy Cross Elementary School’s newsletters. At Holy Cross Elementary School the ministry is also part of a Lent Activities sheet that goes home with the students. The items needed are collected throughout Lent from parishioners, CCD students, and both of the school’s students, faculty and staff members. The items are usually delivered during the first week after Easter. Because of the amount of items collected, the coaches and their teams at Central Catholic High School have been volunteering to deliver the items. “Central Catholic High School has participated in Operation Lent since it began in 2006. This year will be my first year facilitating the collection along with the retreat team. We send a list of the items to be collected out in our newsletter, announce it daily, and this year the retreat team will be able to promote it amongst their peers. This service project is usually extremely successful as the students like to donate to the community and make a difference,” says Kristi Wisdom, campus minister at Central Catholic High School. “The faculty, staff, and students of Holy Cross Elementary have participated in Operation Lent since its inception. We are humbled and delighted to know we are helping members of our community,” says Amanda Talbot, principal of Holy Cross Elementary School. In the past, Operation Lent has benefited organizations

such as the St. Louis Infant Center, Covenant House, Ozanam Inn, Chez Hope, The Claire House and St. Mary Outreach, Inc. Acosta says for the past couple of years because of the downturn in the economy they have been concentrating on the Morgan City area through St. Mary Outreach, Inc., who will again be this year’s recipient. St. Mary Outreach, Inc. is a private, nonprofit, emergency service agency that was established in October 1985 as primarily a food bank. Today it offers a food pantry, a clothing closet, hygiene, cleaning supplies, diapers, formula, rent and utility assistance, as well as life-sustaining medications. Its mission is “to assist patrons in their dire time of need, to prevent hunger and homelessness and strive to obtain adequate care for the needy.” The agency relies on donations from foundations, civic organizations, churches, local businesses, as well as individuals in the community. St. Mary Outreach typically serves approximately 350 to 450 individuals a month. “We are so very grateful for Holy Cross Church parish, as well as Holy Cross and Central Catholic High School’s collection during the Lenten season and so glad that they have chosen us as the recipient of their ministry … for several years now. They typically donate items that we don’t get a lot of like hygiene products such as toothbrushes and hairbrushes, and men’s and children’s clothing, underwear and socks,” says Brenda Liner, executive director of St. Mary Outreach, Inc. “I just want to thank the church for all that they do for our community. Because we are a private entity, we couldn’t do anything that we do here without the help of donations.” BC March 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 19

Youth

in action Mallory Dardar School: E.D. White Catholic High School, Thibodaux Grade: 12th Church parish: St. Genevieve Describe your family unit: My parents are Tommy and Juli Dardar and I have an older sister Kaitlyn Dardar Zorn. Favorite Hobby: Bible study, writing, and spending time with my friends Favorite Movie: The Greatest Showman Favorite T.V. Show: Grey’s Anatomy Favorite Genre of Music: Any old throwback songs

Discipleship: Sharing the love of Christ with the world When I think of the word “disciple” I think of someone who chooses to follow Christ and leads others to encounter Christ … someone who is willing to give up anything to help someone in need. A disciple is someone who is not afraid to share the love of Christ with the world. There are many people that come to mind when I think of a disciple of Christ. But a very important one in my life is one of my really good friends, Destinee. We met a few years ago at TEC and ever since then she has impacted my

life in such a powerful way. Since then we worked many retreats and went on a mission trip to Jamaica together. No matter how busy she gets she always finds a way to put God first. She is the most humble person I know and is willing to do whatever it takes to help someone encounter Christ. It is easiest for me to follow Christ’s example when I surround myself with holy people like at retreats, church, bible studies, etc. However, it is hardest for me to follow Christ’s example when I have a busy

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

schedule with school, sports, friends and other extracurricular activities. But I always make time for Jesus in my day. I energize my faith with the many different activities our diocese has for the youth, such as TEC, CLI, and youth rally. I teach religion (CCD) to 4th graders in my church parish. When I’m at school I often go to morning Mass in our chapel, attend adoration, and surround myself with holy people who help each other grow in Christ. BC

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The collection will be held March 10-11, 2018 Thank you for your generosity.

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esus

IN DISGUISE As an Arab Christian living in Lebanon, Fr. Makram Kozah has throughout his life reached out to Muslims to create interreligious dialogue. Here he holds a copy of the Gospels in Arabic—a translation he and a team of fellow Maronite priests carried out over a six year period. Fr. Kozah is now teaching seminarians and encouraging them to live and work in Muslim countries like Egypt and Sudan to experience life through the eyes of Muslims. Copyright © 2017, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Photo: © CRS/David Snyder.

70200200

Heavenly Recipes

Carrie Loupe

Carrie Cooks a:

CREOLE DISH Story and Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

This month’s heavenly recipe, shrimp and crab creole, comes from Kraemer native and resident Carrie Loupe. She learned to cook from her grandmother and great aunts. “My father used to cook at home. He is the one that taught me how to cook a sauce picante. I started to cook when I was about 12 years old. While I enjoy cooking things such as gumbos, pot roast and white beans, I really love baking, especially tea cookies,” she says. Carrie and her husband Eugene have six children, three boys and three girls; one child, a twin, died at birth. “Eugene and I will celebrate our 69th wedding anniversary in May. I pray to God that he keeps us healthy and gives us six more years so that we will be able to celebrate our 75th anniversary.” The 87-year-old recalls learning from the nuns at Mount Carmel Academy in Thibodaux. “My parents made sure that we went to church every Sunday. We lived across the bayou. There was no bridge; we had to cross by boat then walk about a mile to get to church, rain or shine. The best months of the year were during Lent. The nuns taught us very much about the Catholic faith.” Through the years Carrie and Eugene have had their share of sorrow and tragedy. “We lost a child at birth and we have also lost two grandchildren. Father Domingo Cruz, Father ‘Ding,’ helped us through a very difficult time when our granddaughter drowned. I have learned to put things in God’s hands, to trust in God. He does not sleep and is all powerful.” Carrie’s love for baking led her to helping with the traditional St. Joseph Altar at St. Lawrence the Martyr Church parish in Kraemer. “I used to bake the breads for the altars over the years. Every year I would pray to St. Joseph asking for the courage and the will to bake the bread 22 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • March 2018

Shrimp and Crab Creole INGREDIENTS: 1 quart peeled shrimp 1 pound crab meat 1 stick butter 3 cups chopped onions 1-1/2 cups chopped bell pepper 1/4 cup chopped celery 1/4 cup chopped green onions 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes 14 oz. can fire roasted tomatoes 10 oz. can Rotel 2-11 oz. cans V8 Juice 2 cups chicken broth or water 1 tsp. liquid crab boil 1 tbsp. creole seasoning 2 tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. sugar 1 tsp. cayenne pepper

DIRECTIONS: Sauté onions, bell pepper and celery in butter until tender. Add remaining ingredients except parsley, shrimp and crab meat. Cook on medium heat for about one hour. Add shrimp. Cook for about five to 10 minutes. Add parsley. Gently stir in crab meat. Lower heat and cook for about 20 minutes longer until crab meat is thoroughly heated. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally.

for the altar.” She says that like many large families sometimes family members tend to drift apart and disagree with one another. However through the times of tragedy, her family has come together, been closer to one another and are there for each other. “Throughout our life God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we want but he hears us and helps in ways that are best for us.” BC

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Special

A pro-life generation marches in Washington, D.C. Guest Columnist Father John David Matherne

On the morning of Jan. 15, four buses of pilgrims met at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Schriever to embark on a journey to our nation’s capital to be bold advocates for life. While the expectation in many of the young people’s lives was that they would be simply protesting the 1973 Supreme Court legislative decision, which legalized abortion in the United States, little did these young people know that the trip to Washington, D.C., would transform from a quest of being a voice for the voiceless to being an encounter with the person of Jesus Christ. There have always been three major goals in this pilgrimage: pro-life advocacy, vocational discernment, and personal holiness. Our Catholic tradition is littered with the practice of the pilgrimage, where a pilgrim sets out on a journey usually to a holy site, which is meant to symbolize our earthly journey to our heavenly destiny. The teenagers, chaperones, volunteers, seminarians and clergy who said yes to this pilgrimage followed in the footsteps of so many faithful men and women that have gone before us. We made stops in some of the most hallowed places in our nation’s psyche, such as Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam Memorial and Korean War Memorial. We remembered so many soldiers who had fought and died to protect the right to life, and it was hard not to reflect on the lives that have been lost in this battle for our culture. Throughout our stops, we were able

MATTHEW PROSPERIE/BAYOU CATHOLIC

The Houma-Thibodaux pilgrims participating in the annual March for Life are shown at the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in the D.C. area. to reflect on the sins against humanity that have stained human existence over the last two centuries, slavery in the southern United States and the Holocaust which cost the lives of so many innocent people in Germany some 80 years ago. All three of these social sins are related to the abortion debate in our society in that they were cases in which human dignity was being robbed from a group or class of people. Slaves were seen as less than human during the southern slave trade of the mid-19th century, just as Jewish people were in Nazi Germany, and like many pro-abortion advocates dehumanize the baby in a mother’s womb. During the pilgrimage, our young people were able to learn some

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

of these sorts of historical connections and visit the Lincoln Memorial and Holocaust Museum. In this way we were best able to fulfill the goal of prolife advocacy. Our second goal was that we wished for our young people to better listen to the Lord’s voice in their discernment of where he may be calling them. This year brought a new opportunity for our group. In addition to our annual stop at the Dominicans of St Cecilia in Nashville, TN, we were given the wonderful opportunity of visiting the Juniorate House of the Servants of the Lord, which is where Sister Sacré Cœur (formerly Lauren Neil, graduate of Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma). Sister Sacré Cœur

MATTHEW PROSPERIE/BAYOU CATHOLIC

The Houma-Thibodaux pilgrims were given the opportunity to visit the Juniorate House of the Servants of the Lord where former Vandebilt Catholic High graduate Sister Sacre’ Coeur spoke to the group. and another sister were able to join us for the duration of the trip as well, where our youth visited, laughed, and learned from these wonderful witnesses of Jesus. Through the entirety of the trip our sisters, seminarians, priests and lay people served as witnesses to the life to which God might be calling our youth. For any discernment to be fruitful however, the person discerning must have an active prayer life and a deep relationship with Jesus Christ, which brings me to our final and most important goal. Everyone on this pilgrimage grew in their relationship with God. It is an amazing thing to see the young people from our diocese come to know the Lord better and to have an encounter with him. We visited some of the most beautiful Catholic sites in Washington, D.C., and the surrounding areas and we encountered in him in the sacraments, in his churches, in the prayer time, and in each other. This trip … this group was special in their commitment and openness to the Lord. In many ways, our goals were fulfilled and surpassed, but the true merit of this pilgrimage is the fruit that it will bear. If we are a pro-life generation, let’s usher in a new culture that loves all life from conception until natural death. (Father John David Matherne is the associate pastor of Sacred Heart Church parish in Cut Off.) BC

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Diocesan Events

www.bayoucatholic.com

March

n Holy Hour of Adoration for Men, Sunday, March 4, 7-8 p.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma. n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, March 6, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311 in Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

April

n C.E.N.T.S. will be offering the small Business course beginning in April through Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. This course is designed to help people who are interested in starting a small business. It will be held one evening a week for six weeks. A different business topic will be discussed each week. The

May

n Holy Hour of Adoration for Men, Sunday, May 6, 7-8 p.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma. n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, May 8, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311 in Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. n E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux will hold its

n Youth Rally, Saturday, March 24, Vandebilt Catholic High School, Houma, beginning at 1 p.m. n Chrism Mass, Thursday, March 29, 10:30 a.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma.

fee to enroll in this course is $20. Anyone interested in participating should call Paula Ringo at (985) 876-0490 to register. n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, April 3, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311 in Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

graduation ceremony Friday, May 18. n Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma will hold its graduation ceremony Saturday, May 19. n Central Catholic High School in Morgan City will hold its graduation ceremony Saturday, May 19.

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26 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • March 2018

Book Reviews

Leonardo da Vinci

Reading with Raymond

By Walter Isaacson Simon and Schuster $35 Fortunately for readers, Isaacson, the famed biographer, presents the story of the great Leonardo da Vinci, making the amazing Renaissance man more accessible to our generation. Leonardo had immense talents: architect, engineer, inventor and in an application for a job, he is said to have added to his resumé, “I also can paint.” Indeed! The Last Supper and Mona Lisa were more than enough proof of that. The book is solidly bound with lavish illustrations and art. Truly magnificent. BC

Raymond Saadi

What Jesus Saw from the Cross By Rev. A.G. Sertillanges Author, Father Sertillanges, a priest who lived in Jerusalem, creates vivid images of what Jesus might have seen as he hung from the cross: Jerusalem, where jostling crowds who cheered him only days earlier, now yelling recriminations and curses; the Mount of Olives; Gethsemane; and the indifference of so many. Still, he must have found comfort in the tender love revealed in the sorrowful face of his Blessed Mother. BC

The Woman in the Window By A.J. Finn William Morrow $26.99

Thirty-eight-year old recluse Anna Fox spends her days indoors viewing old movies or at her window keeping her eyes out for whatever her neighbors are up to. She’s terribly excited when new neighbors move into the house next door but terrified when she sees something horrible happen in their living room. She telephones the police but neither they, nor anyone else will believe her and soon she fears she’s losing her mind. But, is she? BC

The Wife By Alafair Burke Harper $26.99 Fresh from the news headlines of female abuse by superiors comes this story of the effects on the forgotten wife. Angela, who loves her husband Jason, but must decide whether or not she’ll support him when he is accused of molesting a college intern and later is charged with a more serious crime. Seen through the eyes of the victims and the accused, it’s a gripping pageturner. BC

The Novel of the Century By David Bellos Farrar, Straus & Giroux $27 Bellos fittingly calls Les Miserable, The Novel of the Century. Victor Hugo’s classic is the story of Val de Jean, imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving family. The penalties were cruel and relentless as his nemesis, Inspector Javier, hunts him throughout the novel. The story captivated audiences of several movies, TV adaptations and even a Broadway musical. Bellos lends an extra dimension to the novel by describing how Hugo himself struggled for years to finally complete the book. BC March 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 27

Special

Outstanding Students of the Year 2018

Sarah-Grace Couvillon

Mason Himel

Gabe Hohensee

Cooper Bennett

Alyssa Burton

Patrick Carmichael

Paulina Chavez

Margaux Diebold

Carmen Duet

Blake Grabert

Olivia Hatch

Luke Huddleston

Story by Janet Marcel Outstanding fifth, eighth and 12th grade non-public school students from within the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux were recently chosen to represent their schools as 2018 Students of the Year. The Students of the Year Awards program recognizes outstanding elementary, middle/junior high and high school students who have demonstrated excellent academic achievement, leadership ability and citizenship in their school and community. The program is sponsored by the Louisiana State Superintendent through the State Department of Education and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Every public and approved nonpublic school in the state with students enrolled in fifth, eighth and 12th grade is invited to submit nominees. All 13 Catholic schools in the diocese and Houma Christian School participated in this year’s awards program, which resulted in 22 students from the three grade levels competing at the district level. Three candidates from schools within the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux were selected to represent Region VI – Nonpublic Schools – in the regional competition. Fifth grader Sarah-Grace Couvillon, daughter of Wendy and Michael Couvillon, Maria Immacolata Catholic

28 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • March 2018

Special

Vivian Katz

Hayden Lefort

Rylee Methvin

Karishma Nathaniel

Jadyn Robicheaux

Franco Saleme

Zoe Sissac

Tyler Voisin

Anna Weimer

Adele Zeringue

School, Houma; eighth grader Mason Himel, son of Jennifer Himel, Vandebilt Catholic High School, Houma; and 12th grader Gabe Hohensee, son of Garett and Becky Hohensee, Vandebilt Catholic High School; competed in the regional screening in Baton Rouge. The regional interviewing committee is made up of individuals from across the state. Winners at the regional level will participate in the state competition April 10-11. In addition to the district winners, students selected to represent their school in district competition are as follows.

Fifth graders: Cooper Bennett, son of Ernest and Tracee Bennett, St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School, Houma; Paulina Chavez, daughter of Trinidad and Gabriela Chavez, St. Gregory Catholic School, Houma; Blake Grabert, son of Barrett and Elise Grabert, Holy Savior Catholic School, Lockport; Olivia Hatch, daughter of Keith and Crystal Hatch, St. Bernadette Catholic School, Houma; Hayden Lefort, son of Kenneth and Kay Lefort, Holy Rosary Catholic School, Larose; Rylee Methvin, daughter of Nicole and Ronald Methvin, St. Mary’s Nativity School, Raceland; Jadyn Robicheaux, daughter of Jeffrey and Kay Robicheaux, Houma Christian School, Houma; Franco Saleme, son of Tony and Chelle Saleme, Holy Cross Elementary School, Morgan City; Anna Weimer, daughter of Greg and Tori Weimer, St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School, Thibodaux; Adele Zeringue, daughter of Guy III and Myra Zeringue, St. Genevieve Catholic School, Thibodaux. Eighth graders: Patrick Carmichael, son of Tracy and Adam Carmichael, Central Catholic High School, Morgan City; Carmen Duet, daughter of Scott and Christie Duet, Holy Rosary Catholic School; Luke Huddleston, son of Christopher and Jamie Huddleston, Holy Savior Catholic School; Vivian Katz,

March 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 29

Special

Outstanding Students of the Year 2018 daughter of Christine Katz, St. Mary’s Nativity School; Karishma Nathaniel, daughter of Raj and Leena Nathaniel, E.D. White Catholic High School, Thibodaux; Zoe Sissac, daughter of Amy Shely and Scott Sissac, Houma Christian School. 12th graders: Alyssa Burton, daughter of David and Melissa Burton, Central Catholic High School; Margaux Diebold, daughter of Guy and Catherine Diebold, E.D. White Catholic High School; Tyler Voisin, son of Maggie and Casey Voisin, Houma Christian School. A selection committee reviewed each of the candidate’s application portfolios and interviewed each of them individually, before choosing the district winners. At a minimum, candidates must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 on a four point scale. Winners on the district

30 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • March 2018

level were evaluated on the basis of their application portfolio which includes a biographical sketch, academic achievement, leadership, activities, recognitions, service/ citizenship and a writing sample, and on the manner in which they presented themselves during the interview. Assisting with judging at the district level were Sister Carmelita Centanni, M.S.C., Ph.D., diocesan victims assistance coordinator; Monica Percle, retired educator; Marga Toloudis, Catholic school alumnus, parent and retired educator; and Yvonne Weimer, retired Catholic school administrator and educator. The diocesan Office of Catholic Schools sponsors an annual breakfast to honor these outstanding students at the Lumen Christi Retreat Center in Schriever. Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, students and their parents, school principals, pastors and selection committee members attend the breakfast. BC

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Commentary

Spiritual storms: An unfortunate beauty Thoughts for Millennials Ryan Abboud

Throughout the course of our lives, we are all bound to experience occasions of pain, suffering and loss. These instances can be spiritual, physical, mental or emotional, and they will most definitely be a personal period of great trial and tribulation. As humans, we know that life is not going to be “sunshine and rainbows” all of the time. Therefore, the low points of our lives—the pains, sufferings and loss—are what I like to refer to as the “storms” of life. Some of us are faced with more “storms” than others, but no matter the frequency, we all experience these phases of struggle. Whether it’s a rough week during a tough semester, the passing of a family member or loved one, or maybe even a period of spiritual stagnancy, we all go through it. Moments like these are what make or break us as individuals, both spiritually and otherwise. Our human nature is to think of how big the “storm” is or how tragic it is as the defining feature of how it shapes us; however, the way

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and manner in which we respond to these “storms” are the true defining characteristics. During these moments in our lives, we are left feeling drained and beat down. We look up at the sky and wonder if God is there, or if he’s even listening. We throw our hands up and walk away. It’s so easy to resent God for putting us through such a terrible situation. We’ve all been there, and odds are that we’ll all be there again one day in the future. However, I’m here to tell you that God is there and he is walking beside us every single step of the way through our (seemingly) hopeless journey. I encourage you to take comfort in the fact that the Lord is doing exactly what needs to be done in that moment in time. My favorite example of God’s timing was one that I heard growing up from my mother; she always explained to us children that God’s timing is much like a Mardi Gras parade. Imagine yourself as a member of the crowds at this parade. We are the people on the sides of the road that are catching beads. As the audience, we see one float at a time as they pass in front of us. That one float is all we see and know for the time being. Now, imagine God as the man on the float throwing beads. God is much higher than the crowds due to his positioning on the float. Since God has a better vantage point, he can look ahead and see where the parade is going and he can see where the parade came from.

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The man on the float (God) has more knowledge about the parade route than the crowd since he can see more. Think of the parade route as our lives. God has a greater advantage; because he can see our future and past, but we can only see the present. That’s why we can rest in the knowledge that God does not make mistakes, and he does not make us suffer unnecessarily. This reminds me of the age old saying that “if God brings you to it, then he’ll bring you through it.” We also see the Lord promising to never leave our side in the Gospel of Matthew (28:20) when Jesus commissioned the disciples and he told them, “ … and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” To me, it sounds like, “to the end of the age” implies a promise that lasts far beyond just the disciples, but instead includes all of us many centuries later. All in all, though life throws many curves and twists at us through the “storms” that we face, we can always count on the hands of Jesus to “calm the storms” just like he does in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. Trust in the Lord’s timing, and remember to enjoy life, “one float at a time.” Be not afraid, brothers and sisters, for God is with us. (Ryan Abboud is a 2015 graduate of Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma and a junior at LSU in Baton Rouge.) BC

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Announcement

Catholic Foundation Update Amy Ponson

The Catholic Foundation continues to build the seminarian education endowment

The Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana’s mission is to financially sustain and enhance the many ministries of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. One ministry in particular which impacts all of us throughout our diocese is our seminarians. Currently the Diocese of Houma–Thibodaux has 13 seminarians who are dedicated to serving the Lord and the people of our diocese. Responding to the call from the Lord requires a strong trust and faith in the Lord’s mission, and the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux is incredibly blessed to have so many dedicated men who have responded to the Lord’s calling to vocations and have committed their lives to serving the Lord. One of the many blessings our diocese provides to its seminarians is covering 100 percent of the costs of their tuition, books, healthcare and financial assistance, which on average is $44,000 per seminarian a year. The Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana continues to build its seminarian education endowment to ensure a perpetual gift to assist the diocese with the annual costs of educating its seminarians. Your gifts to the Foundation in support of seminarian education directly impact each of the 13 men who have committed to serving us in our diocese. Our Catholic Foundation wants to introduce you to one of our incredible seminarians that your gifts help support, Patrick Riviere. Patrick is 25 years old. He was born and raised in Thibodaux, and is a graduate of St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School and E.D. White Catholic High School. Currently Patrick is in his third year at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans and he previously studied for two years at St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict. Patrick says that he most looks forward to helping more people in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux find and form a deep relationship with God. “It’s humbling and inspiring to know of the constant prayers and generosity of the people of Houma-Thibodaux. Seeing all that they do for the church fills me with a deep gratitude – especially the sacrifices made for the seminarian education endowment, giving me and my brother seminarians the opportunity to study so that we can all walk forward in the Lord together. There is definitely an atmosphere of hope in our diocese,” says Patrick. Patrick is just one of the many men who are committed to serving the Lord and the people of the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux. It is our hope that the Catholic Foundation’s seminarian education endowments can continue to grow in support of each seminarian and ministry within our diocese. The prayers and gifts given to the Foundation are directly 34 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • March 2018

transforming lives, including men like Patrick. For more information about the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana and how your gifts can help provide hope and directly impact the lives of others, please call (985) 8503116 or email aponson@htdiocese.org. The current Catholic Foundation endowments supporting seminarian education are the Seminarian Education Endowment, Bishop Sam Jacobs Seminarian Education Endowment, Giardina Family Foundation Seminarian Education Endowment, James J. Buquet Jr. Family Seminarian Endowment, Msgr. Amedee Seminarian Education Endowment, Mary and Al Danos Foundation Seminarian Endowment. BC

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Seminarian Education Burses What is a seminarian burse fund? A seminarian burse fund is an invested sum of money where the interest is used in perpetuity to help fund the education of men to the priesthood in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

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

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

Who do I contact to contribute to or establish a burse fund? To contribute to or establish a burse, send funds to the Pastoral Center, Attn: Seminarian Burse, 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 of $15,000 each 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

Jan. 2018 Burse Contributions

Note: Numbers stipulate the amount of completed burses.*

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

Rev. Gerard Hayes ................................$100.00 Rev. John Gallen ......................................$350.00

Additional Contributions from Dec. 1-31,2017 Mr. & Mrs. John Marmande ........$1,000.00 Judge Louis & Shirley R. Watkins ..$500.00 Ronnie Haydel ...............................................$500.00

Open Burses with Balance as of January 31, 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 Harvey Peltier No. 31 ........................................$10,486.91 Claude & Lucy Mahler Family .......................$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 Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier ..........................$10,000.00 Elie & Dot Klingman ............................................ $9,140.00 Rev. Victor Toth ..................................................... $7,000.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ........................................ $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 ................................................ $5,600.00 Rev. Gerard Hayes ................................................ $5,386.00 Msgr. Francis Amedee ........................................ $5,150.00 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 ................................... $2,200.00 Willie & Emelda St. Pierre ................................. $2,000.00 Rev. John Gallen .................................................... $1,950.00 Rev. H.C. Paul Daigle ........................................... $1,900.00 Deacon Connely Duplantis .............................. $1,675.00 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 Msgr. John L. Newfield ....................................... $1,200.00

Rev. Anthony Rousso .......................................... $1,200.00 Rev. Joseph Tu Tran No. 2 ................................ $1,094.00 Rev. Clemens Schneider .................................... $1,000.00 Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux No. 4 .............. $1,000.00 Msgr. John G. Keller ............................................. $1,000.00 Edna W. DiSalvo ........................................................$900.00 Leo & Ethel Hebert .....................................................862.83 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 Bernice Harang ..........................................................$700.00 Deacon Raymond LeBouef ..................................$550.00 Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Cannata ..............................$500.00 Robert Walsh ..............................................................$500.00 Dean Joseph Chiasson ...........................................$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 Deacon Eldon Frazier ............................................... $ 50.00 Deacon Nick Messina .............................................. $ 50.00 Rev. Warren Chassaniol .......................................... $ 50.00

Overall Seminarian Burses Total: $1,696,020.85 March 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 35

Advertisers Spotlight

Daigle Himel Daigle Physical Therapy celebrates 50 years Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier Daigle Himel Daigle Physical Therapy & Hand Center (DHDPT), the longest established physical therapy practice in the Houma-Thibodaux area, is celebrating its 50 year anniversary in 2018. The practice, originally named The Physical Therapy Center, was established in 1968 by Leslie Daigle, PT, with its original location in Thibodaux. Leslie received his undergraduate degree from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, then went to North Carolina and earned his physical therapy degree from Duke University Medical Center in 1968, since there were no physical therapy schools in Louisiana at that time. He was the first physical therapist in the city of Thibodaux. Leslie, who was a coach at St. Francis de Sales School for boys in Houma for five years in the early 1960s, says coaching is what got him interested in physical therapy. “While coaching, I saw so many kids get hurt playing football … that’s when I became interested in knowing more about athletic injuries and helping people recover from their injuries. When I returned to Louisiana, I had a very hard time starting off; I had to go looking for patients.” His practice was located near the old St. Joseph Hospital so he started going there and got several patients that way. Leslie worked with a lot of the local doctor’s wives and starting getting referrals from those doctors. He worked with high school football players at E.D. White Catholic High School alongside Dr. Richard Morvant, the team’s physician, for over 30 years. Leslie also treated athletes at Thibodaux High School. In 2000, Leslie was named as an E.D. White Catholic High School Cardinal Great and was Vandebilt Catholic High School’s Alum of the Year in 1998. Leslie says that in order to gain a patient’s trust you have to start off with a good evaluation and then decide which treatment is best. Sometimes, depending on the injury, treatment may take several months. “I used to tell my patients, ‘you don’t want to leave any vegetables in the garden.’ You want to get everything you can out of therapy, because once you leave treatment, you won’t be able to do it on your own.” In January 1995, when Leslie’s son Eddie Himel Jr., joined the practice it was renamed and a new location was added in Houma. After Leslie retired in December 2005, his sons Eddie and John Daigle, bought the practice from him. John says using Gospel values in treating his patients is just second nature to him. “I’m proud of my Catholic faith. A lot of our clientele are priests and brothers, and we also treat athletes at E.D. White and Vandebilt. Our treatment is not only physical, it’s spiritual, also. We talk a lot about religion; it’s a very vital part of our practice.” Eddie, who obtained a master’s degree in pastoral studies from the Loyola Institute for Ministry extension (LIMEX) 36 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • March 2018

Eddie Himel Jr., Leslie Daigle, John Daigle

program, says his Catholic faith is an integral part of who he is. “I start the day off by asking God to give me the strength to be a good therapist and be able to respond to the needs of my patients. Jesus is always on my mind when I’m talking to my patients and I even pray with some of my patients.” When someone comes to him in pain or with some type of injury, John says it’s a blessing to be able to help them recover. “It’s a blessing and a calling; it just feels natural. I grew up in this environment and I feel blessed to have been able to learn from Eddie and Daddy.” Eddie says now that patients can come to them without a referral, physical therapists have a really close collaboration with the medical doctors. Now they’ve gotten into the practice of referring patients back to their physicians. “A good evaluation/examination helps patients to understand their prognosis. It’s important to develop trust with all of your patients so that they have faith in you and your ability, and especially when you know it’s going to be a longterm process and they won’t see ‘immediate’ results. It’s also important to pay attention to their emotional concerns and be up front with them about their therapy.” Looking back over his career, Leslie says, “It’s a good feeling knowing that you helped someone with a serious injury get back to doing what they were doing before their injury. When you have a patient and you hang in there with them and they hang in there and the outcome is great - you don’t forget that. People have come up to me and said, ‘You saved my life’ and I always give the credit back to them by telling them that they worked hard at it and they got everything they could get out of it.”

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Leslie has 50 years of experience as a physical therapist. Eddie, who says he decided in the sixth grade he wanted to be a physical therapist, has 37 years of experience. John studied accounting for one semester before changing to physical therapy and he has 27 years of experience. Between the three of them they have 114 years of experience. DHDPT is a rehabilitation clinic offering physical and occupational therapy, as well as work hardening, preemployment screens, and functional capacity evaluations using the WorkSTEPS System. They have three clinics which provide private hands-on therapy sessions by physical therapists that are professionally trained and certified to treat and work with a large variety of clients and patients. DHDPT currently has eight PTs at its three locations: Leslie Daigle, PT; Eddie Himel Jr., PT, DSc, OCS, Cert. MDT; John L. Daigle, PT, OCS, COMT; Tracy Peltier, PT, CMT; Steven Landry, OT, CHT; Ben Schexnayder, PT, DPT; Joshua Grabert, PT, DPT; and Shayne Higginbotham, PTA. Some of the services the clinic provides include the treatment of neck and back injuries; muscle and ligament sprains and strains; sports, work and auto injuries; postsurgical conditions, trauma, orthopedic conditions/foot care, hand injuries, degenerative joint disease, TMJ and headaches, and vertigo. BC

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808 Bayou Lane, ThiBodaux

1321 Grand CaiLLou, houma

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www.ptcenter-la.com March 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 37

Church Life

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

St. Joseph Altars

The feast of St. Joseph is being celebrated Monday, March 19 this year. Many church parishes in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux observe this feast day by creating St. Joseph Altars that are available for viewing by the general public. Following is a list of the St. Joseph Altars that will be on display throughout the diocese this year.

Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma The St. Joseph Altar will be on display Sunday, March 18 from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Monday, March 19 from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Tupa Tupa will be March 19 at 8:30 a.m. The Society of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary, will be handing out goodie bags. Plates of cake and Italian cookies will also be on hand, as well as booths selling handmade

Ready for viewing March 19 rosaries, bracelets, and other items to benefit seminarian education. St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux A St. Joseph Altar will be on display in the church Monday, March 19 following a blessing after the 6:30 a.m. Mass and will be available for viewing until the 5:30 p.m. Mass. All visitors to the altar are invited to bring a canned good which will be donated to the Good Samaritan Food Bank of Thibodaux.

38 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • March 2018

Annunziata, Houma A St. Joseph Altar will be blessed and available for viewing after every Mass the weekend of March 17-18 and throughout the day, Monday, March 19. There will be a meatless dish parish potluck at 6 p.m., March 19. Christ the Redeemer, Thibodaux A St. Joseph Altar will be on display inside the vestibule of the church, beginning with a blessing immediately after the 7:30 a.m. Mass Monday, March 19, with viewing until 5 p.m. Holy Cross, Morgan City A St. Joseph Altar will be available for public viewing Saturday, March 17 in the Life Center from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., with a light traditional meal. On Friday, March 16, Holy

Church Life

7 a.m. Mass, Monday, March 19, in the church hall. Seafood gumbo will be served for lunch at 11 a.m. and the altar will be on display until 3 p.m. Our Lady of the Rosary, Larose The annual St. Joseph Altar will be held Monday, March 19, in church. Mass will be celebrated at 7:30 a.m. Blessing of the altar will follow Mass, with breaking of the altar at 4 p.m. Sacred Heart, Cut Off The viewing of the St. Joseph Altar will be held Monday, March 19 beginning at 9 a.m. The blessing of the altar will take place at 10:30 a.m. Lunch will be served beginning at 11 a.m. and viewing will close at 4 p.m.

Cross Elementary and Central Catholic High School students will view the altar. Holy Savior, Lockport A St. Joseph Altar will be available for viewing Monday, March 19 in the church, beginning after 8 a.m. Mass and will close at 3 p.m. Holy Savior School, Lockport A St. Joseph Altar will be on display in Room 119 at Holy Savior School, Monday, March 19, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Maria Immacolata, Houma A St. Joseph Altar will be blessed Saturday, March 17 after the 4:30 p.m. Mass and will remain open until 7 p.m. at the Maria Immacolata Community Center. The altar will be on display Sunday, March 18 and Monday, March 19 from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. A traditional meal will be served. Our Lady of the Isle, Grand Isle A St. Joseph Altar will be blessed at the 5 p.m. vigil Mass on Saturday, March 17, and at the 9 and 11 a.m. Masses Sunday, March 18. The altar will be available for viewing after each Mass. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Chackbay The blessing of the St. Joseph Altar will be held immediately following the

Sacred Heart, Morgan City A St. Joseph Altar will be available for viewing Monday, March 19 in the church. Blessing of the altar will take place at the 6:30 a.m. Mass with viewing available until 3 p.m. St. Bernadette, Houma A St. Joseph Altar will be available for viewing Monday, March 19 in Herbert Hall. Blessing of the altar will take place at the 9 a.m. with viewing available until 3 p.m. St. Bridget, Schriever A St. Joseph Altar will be blessed Sunday, March 18 at 11:30 a.m. with viewing until 6 p.m. Jambalaya will be served. The altar will be open again at 8 a.m. Monday, March 19 until 6 p.m. A beignet breakfast will be served. St. Eloi, Theriot A St. Joseph Altar will be available for viewing Monday, March 19 beginning at 10 a.m. with Mass and blessing of the altar in the Community Center. Breaking of the altar will be at 6 p.m.

St. Joseph, Chauvin A St. Joseph Altar will be on display Monday, March 19, beginning with Mass at 7:30 a.m.in church, followed by blessing of the altar at 8 a.m. at the parish center. A meal will be served at 11 a.m. and the altar will close at 4 p.m. St. Joseph, Galliano A St. Joseph Altar will be on display Monday, March 19, in the recreation center behind St. Joseph Church, 17980 West Main Street in Galliano. The altar will be blessed and open for public viewing at 9 a.m. and will close at 3 p.m. A shrimp spaghetti meal will begin at 11 a.m. St. Lawrence, Kraemer A St. Joseph Altar will be available for viewing at the Life Center Monday, March 19 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. St. Mary’s Nativity Church, Raceland A St. Joseph Altar will be on display at St. Mary’s Community Center Sunday, March 18 beginning with blessing at 7:30 a.m. Viewing will be until 4 p.m., and again from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., Monday, March 19. Clement Home, Thibodaux The Battaglia family will host a St. Joseph Altar Monday, March 19, at the home of Randy and Margo Battaglia Clement, 812 Jackson Street in Thibodaux, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. This year’s altar will be outdoors. The public is invited to join in honoring St. Joseph on this special day. BC

St. Genevieve, Thibodaux A St. Joseph Altar will be on display Monday, March 19, with a school Mass and blessing of the altar at 8:15 a.m. The altar will remain on display until 7 p.m. St. Hilary, Mathews St. Hilary’s St. Joseph Altar will be available for viewing Monday, March 19, in the multipurpose building from 8 a.m. until 5:15 p.m. March 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 39

Catholic Schools

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER PHOTOS/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Those participating in the ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication of the E.D. White Academic Enhancement Center are from left, Fran Naquin, academic enhancement director; Michelle Chiasson, principal; Bishop Shelton J. Fabre; and Suzanne Troxclair, diocesan superintendent of Catholic Schools.

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

E.D. White’s Academic Enhancement Center doubles in size The Maxine and Jacob Giardina Academic Enhancement Center on the E.D. White Catholic High School campus in Thibodaux opened in 2004 to help students in the academic enhancement program who have various learning differences such as dyslexia and attention deficit disorder develop skills that are necessary to succeed in the E.D. White curriculum. All students receiving modifications to their academic program take part in the Academic Enhancement Program, which offers modifications, skills classes with limited enrollment, and special monitoring of academic progress. Because of the success of the program, the school’s Media Center was repurposed to allow the Academic Enhancement Center to gain an additional 3,000 square foot mezzanine

learning commons area. The new Center, which doubled in size, has a state-of-the-art floor plan with lighting and furniture designed to be more conducive to learning for students with learning differences. “The foundation of our school established long ago by Father Charles Menard is rooted in the philosophies of the Sisters of Mount Carmel and the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. Our goal is to develop the whole child, to develop all children including those with learning differences. This new Academic Enhancement Center helps us to achieve that goal,” says Tim Robichaux, president of E.D. White Catholic High School. A ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication of the new center was held recently at the school. BC

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

Tim Robichaux

Announcement

Associate director of Parish Social Ministry named

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.

Agnes Bitature

Uganda native Agnes Bitature has been named the associate director of Parish Social Ministry for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux. She has been in the United States for more than 12 years and worked for the Cenacle Retreat Center in the Archdiocese of New Orleans as part of the ministry team, and at St. Margaret Mary Church parish rectory in Slidell, after some time in a religious community. Bitature worked with vulnerable and disadvantaged people, especially women and children, for the Government of Uganda and for the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). She has also done voluntary retreat and teaching work with homeless women recovering from addiction. Her background is in social work, communication, hospitality and spirituality. She has a bachelor of arts degree in social work and social administration and a master’s of science degree in health promotion sciences from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine at the University of London. In addition, she recently completed a master of arts degree in pastoral leadership and a two year certificate program in lay ecclesial ministry at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans BC

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

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

Special

Pro-Life Mass Knights of Columbus Houma Council 1317 held its annual Pro-Life Mass at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Emeritus Sam G. Jacobs. The Council presented Archer and Adeline, children of Rickey and Kayla LeBlanc, as their Pro-Life children to open the Pro-Life and Right to Life season and celebration. Houma Council Culture of Life Chair Couple David and Mary Daigle, along with their children Emily and Ethan, facilitated the event. Members of the Houma-Thibodaux Diocese Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus were also present.

Local students participate in the Louisiana Life March South 2018 in Baton Rouge

CAROLINE LUKE/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Over 60 youth from Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma and church parishes in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux attended the Louisiana Life March South 2018 in Baton Rouge. In the photo at right are former Vandebilt students, currently attending LSU, at the Life March. 42 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • March 2018

Many are Called, Few are Chosen This Easter season, there will be a Diocesan Collection for Education to Ministry March 31 and April 1, 2018

Announcement

Hall of Fame Central Catholic High School in Morgan City held its Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony recently. Recognized for their Lifetime Meritorious Service were Burt and Jodi Adams, Kenneth Duval, Cedric LaFleur and Edward. J. Patterson Jr. Those inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame were Shane Beaudean, Greg Bergeron, David Burch Jr., Michelle Hensgens, Joseph “Buzzy” Joy, and Curtis Randall. Jonathan Jones, brother of Randall, accepts the award on his behalf.

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44 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • March 2018

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Church Life

Sister Caterina enters the novitiate

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1001 School Street, Suite 201 Houma, LA 70360 Phone: 985-850-1285 Fax: 985-850-1286 therapy@GCOphysicaltherapy.com

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER PHOTOS/BAYOU CATHOLIC

A Mass of entrance into the novitiate of the Little Friars and Little Nuns of Jesus and Mary, and investiture with the habit was celebrated on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord for Allison Curth who took the name Sister Caterina Maria Adelaide. Bishop Shelton J. Fabre was the presider of the celebration. Sister Caterina is the daughter of William and Missie Curth of Houma.

www.GCOphysicaltherapy.com

March 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 45

Holy Week

Holy Week services and parish Lenten missions throughout the diocese Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma Palm Sunday, March 24 & 25: Blessing of the Palms Holy Thursday, March 29: Chrism Mass, 10:30 a.m.; Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m.; followed by adoration until midnight Good Friday, March 30: Veneration of the Cross, 3 p.m.; Way of the Cross, 6 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 7, 9, 11 a.m., 5:30 p.m. St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux Wednesday, March 28: Brown bag lunch with Lenten reflections, 1 p.m. in the Life Center Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m., followed by adoration in the Life Center until Midnight Good Friday, March 30: Way of the Cross, 10 a.m.; Passion and Veneration of the Cross, 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 7:30, 9:30, 11:30 a.m., No 6 p.m. Mass Annunziata, Houma Monday, March 26: Living Way of the Cross, 6 p.m., followed by reconciliation service Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m.; Adoration Chapel open from 8 p.m. - Midnight Good Friday, March 30: Service, 3 p.m., followed by Way of the Cross Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 9, 11 a.m., 7:15 p.m.; Hispanic Mass, 1 p.m. Christ the Redeemer, Thibodaux Wednesday, March 28: 33:11 eucharistic adoration, 6:30-8 p.m. Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m.; Tenebrae & confession, 8 p.m.-Midnight Good Friday, March 30: Hike for Christ, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; confession, Noon-3 p.m.; service, 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Confession, Noon-3 p.m.; Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: Sunrise Mass-TBA, 9, 11 a.m., Spanish Mass, 3 p.m. Community of St. Anthony, Gheens Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 9 a.m. Holy Cross, Morgan City Wednesday, March 28: Seder Meal, 6:30 p.m. Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m., adoration until 11 p.m. Good Friday, March 30: Passion and Veneration, 3 p.m.; Way of the Cross, 5:30 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 8, 10:30 a.m. St. Rosalie Chapel, Morgan City Easter Sunday, April 1: 9:30 a.m. Holy Family, Grand Caillou Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 6 p.m.; adoration, 7 p.m. - Midnight Good Friday, March 30: Way of the Cross, 2:30 p.m.; Passion, 3 p.m.; Live Way of the Cross, 3:45 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 10 a.m.

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

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Holy Week

Services Holy Savior, Lockport Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 6:30 p.m., followed by eucharistic adoration until Midnight; confession, 8-9 p.m.; pilgrimage of churches after Mass until 11 p.m. Good Friday, March 30: Walking and church Way of the Cross, 10 a.m.; Veneration of the Cross and holy Communion, 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 7, 10 a.m.; Easter egg hunt after 10 a.m. Mass Maria Immacolata, Houma Wednesday, March 28: Seder Meal, 6:30 p.m. Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m.; adoration, 8-11 p.m. Good Friday, March 30: Passion, 3 p.m.; Way of the Cross, 6 p.m.; Guided view of the Passion, 6:30 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 8:30, 10:30 a.m.; 5:30 p.m. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Chackbay Monday, March 12: Lenten Mission, 6:30 p.m., Father Andre Melancon Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m.; adoration until Midnight Good Friday, March 30: Passion, 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 7, 10 a.m.; No 5 p.m. Mass

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Golden Meadow Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m.; eucharistic adoration until 9:30 p.m. Good Friday, March 30: Eucharistic adoration, 8 a.m. until; Passion, 3 p.m., followed by Way of the Cross Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 8, 10 a.m. Our Lady of the Isle, Grand Isle Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 6 p.m., followed by adoration until Midnight Good Friday, March 30: Way of the Cross, 2:30 p.m., followed by Veneration of the Cross, 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 9, 11 a.m. Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Houma Palm Sunday, March 24: Blessing of the Palms, 4 p.m. vigil Palm Sunday, March 25: Blessing of the Palms, 8, 11 a.m.; 6 p.m. Monday, March 26: Living Way of the Cross, Community Center, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 27: Reconciliation, Noon – 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 28: Reflections on the Way of the Cross, 6 p.m. Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m., adoration, Community Center, 8 p.m.-Midnight Good Friday, March 30: Morning prayer, 8 a.m.; service, Veneration of the Cross, 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Morning prayer, 8 a.m.; Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 8, 11 a.m.; Easter egg hunt, Noon

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March 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 47

Holy Week

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Services Our Lady of the Rosary, Larose Tuesday, March 27: Holy Rosary School Passion Play, 2, 6:30 p.m. Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m., adoration 8 p.m. - Midnight Good Friday, March 30: Passion and Veneration of the Cross, 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 7, 10 a.m. Sacred Heart, Cut Off Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m.; adoration until Midnight Good Friday, March 30: Outdoor Way of the Cross, Tarpon Heights subdivision, 10 a.m.; Passion, 3 p.m., Way of the Cross, 6 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 7, 9, 11 a.m. Sacred Heart, Montegut Monday, March 5: Lenten Renewal – Night of Witness, 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 26: Anointing Mass, 6:30 p.m. Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m.; adoration until 10:30 p.m. Good Friday, March 30: Passion, 3 p.m. followed by Way of the Cross Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 9 a.m. Sacred Heart, Morgan City Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m., followed by adoration until Midnight Good Friday, March 30: Service, 3 p.m., followed by a viewing of the statue of Jesus under the altar; Way of the Cross, 6:30 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Viewing of the statue of Jesus under the altar, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 8, 9:30, 11 a.m. 48 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • March 2018

St. Andrew, Amelia Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m., followed by adoration from 8-10 p.m., with a reflection from Father Duc Bui at 9 p.m. Good Friday, March 30: Way of the Cross, 2:30 p.m., followed by a service Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 9 a.m. St. Ann, Bourg Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m. Good Friday, March 30: Way of the Cross & Passion (indoor and outdoor) 2:30 p.m.; Way of the Cross (in church) 6 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 8, 10 a.m. St. Anthony of Padua, Bayou Black Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m. Good Friday, March 30: Passion, 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 8, 10:30 a.m. St. Bernadette, Houma Monday, March 26: Way of the Cross with reflections, 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 27: Lenten Mission, “What Wondrous Love: Entering the Paschal Triduum,” 6:30 p.m., Dr. Tom Neal; Children’s (K-5) Mission, Herbert Hall Wednesday, March 28: Lenten Mission, “What Wondrous Love: Entering the Paschal Triduum,” 6:30 p.m., Dr. Tom Neal; Children’s (K-5) Mission, Herbert Hall Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m., followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel until Midnight; Vigil for youth until 11 p.m.; Teen Event, 6 p.m. – Midnight, includes pizza, Mass and adoration Good Friday, March 30: Street Way of the Cross, Noon; Veneration of the Cross, 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 7, 9, 9:05 (in the gym), 11 a.m.; No evening Mass

Holy Week

Services

St. Gregory, Houma Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m. Good Friday, March 30: Passion, followed by Way of the Cross, 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 8:30, 10:30 a.m.

St. Bridget Schriever Wednesday, March 28: Seder Meal after 6 p.m. Mass Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m., followed by eucharistic adoration until Midnight Good Friday, March 30: Outdoor Way of the Cross, 10 a.m.; Passion, 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 8:30, 10:30 a.m.

St. Hilary of Poitiers, Mathews Palm Sunday, March 25: Blessing of the Palms at all weekend Masses Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m.; adoration, 8-10 p.m. Good Friday, March 30: Passion, 3 p.m., Living Way of the Cross, 7 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Confessions, 9-11 a.m.; Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 7, 9, 11 a.m. St. John the Evangelist, Thibodaux Tuesday, March 27: Mass, Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, 6 p.m. Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 6 p.m.; followed by adoration until 10 p.m. in the chapel Good Friday, March 30: Service, 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: Sunrise Outdoor Mass, 6:30 a.m. (weather permitting – otherwise in church), 8:30, 11 a.m.

St. Charles Borromeo, Pointe-aux-Chenes Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m.; adoration, 8 – 11 p.m. Good Friday, March 30: Walking Way of the Cross, 10:30 a.m.; Passion, 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 10 a.m. St. Charles Borromeo, St. Charles Community Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 6 p.m. Good Friday, March 30: Outdoor Way of the Cross/Veneration, 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 6, 10 a.m.

St. Joseph, Chauvin Tuesday, March 27: Lenten mission, 6-7:30 p.m. in church Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m., followed by adoration Good Friday, March 30: Live Way of the Cross, 2:15 p.m.; Passion, 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 8, 10 a.m.

St. Eloi, Theriot Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m. Good Friday, March 30: Chaplet of Divine Mercy & Way of the Cross, Noon; service at 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 8, 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

St. Joseph, Galliano Wednesday, March 28: Confession, 6-8 p.m. Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m. Good Friday, March 30: Service/Passion, 3 p.m.; Way of the Cross, 6 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 7, 10 a.m.

St. Genevieve, Thibodaux Wednesday, March 28: Confession, 6-7:30 p.m. Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 6 p.m.; followed by adoration until Midnight Good Friday, March 30: Outdoor Way of the Cross, Noon; Veneration of the Cross/Passion 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 8, 10:30 a.m.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux 1220 Aycock St. ~ Houma, LA 70360

St. Lawrence, Chacahoula Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m. Good Friday, March 30: Service, 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 9:30 a.m.

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Position Available The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is currently seeking a full-time

Office MAnAger in THe Office Of cATHOlic cHAriTies

The Office Manager will: • Manage the day-to-day affairs of the CCHT Office under the direction of the Executive Director. The Office Manager deals directly with staff of CCHT, other diocesan offices and parishes and maintains good relationships with all. • Maintain data bases, prepare mail, handle correspondence, maintain files and complete tasks as requested by the Director. • Maintain annual leave and sick leave records, approve timecards and leave requests. • Prepare weekly check requisitions, income receipts, reconcile St. Lucy tuition and send to business office in timely and correct format. Monitor various program spreadsheets and requisition funding as needed. • Coordinate receptionists’ schedules. • Keep up office supplies and postage. • Monitor office equipment and handle maintenance and repair calls. Keep maintenance contracts up to date. • Prepare and distribute notices of board and staff meetings. • Act as receptionist once a week or as needed. • Prepare CCAFP annual contract and monthly reports and assist St. Lucy CDC Associate Director with monthly billing. Prepare annual School Readiness Tax Credit reports for St. Lucy CDC parents.

• Prepare annual CCUSA program survey. • Coordinate and distribute United Way correspondence, applications, allocation meeting notices and fund raising events. Prepare monthly and annual United Way reports and deliver to United Way on time.

The candidate shall possess: • Minimum education of high school diploma; 1-3 years of office experience. • Competence in Microsoft Word and Excel software and web-based applications with excellent computer skills. • Excellent organizational skills, written and verbal communication skills, including grammar and spelling. Ability to multi-task and work with a variety of vendors, contractors, funders, donors, and program staff. • Courteous and professional manner when answering phone and greeting visitors. • Awareness of Catholic social teaching and Catholic Charities’ work. The position requires a work schedule of 35 hours per week; Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm. Excellent benefits and generous paid time off included. Salary is commensurate with experience and education. Position begins May 1, 2018.

For consideration, please submit a cover letter, including salary requirements, and a resume to hr@htdiocese.org. Applications are now being accepted until position is filled.

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

Holy Week

Services St. Lawrence the Martyr, Kraemer Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 6:30 p.m., followed by holy hours Good Friday, March 30: Way of the Cross, 2:30 p.m.; Passion, 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 9 a.m. St. James Chapel, Choctaw Good Friday, March 30: Way of the Cross, 5:30 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 7:30 a.m. St. Louis, Bayou Blue Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 6 p.m.; adoration until 10 p.m. Good Friday, March 30: Passion, 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 8, 10:30 a.m. St. Lucy, Houma Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 6 p.m. Good Friday, March 30: Service, 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 8:15 a.m.

Vietnamese Community, Larose Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 6 p.m. Good Friday, March 30: Passion, 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 12:30 p.m. Vietnamese Community, Thibodaux Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 8 p.m. Good Friday, March 30: Passion, 6 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 8 a.m. BC

‘The Light is On for You’ All church parishes in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux will participate in “The Light is On for You” this year during Lent as a means to encourage all Catholics who are eligible to come back to a regular and renewed celebration of the sacrament of penance and reconciliation. The sacrament of reconciliation will take place in most church parishes across the diocese Wednesday, March 21, from 6 – 8 p.m. Please check your church parish bulletin for the date and time in your own parish. BC

St. Luke the Evangelist, Thibodaux Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 6 p.m. Good Friday, March 30: Service, 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 10:30 a.m. St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland Palm Sunday, March 25: 8 a.m., 10 a.m. with procession, and 7 p.m. Monday March 26: Confession, 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 27: School Mass with anointing of sick parishioners, 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, March 28: Adoration in the chapel, 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m., with church remaining open until Midnight Good Friday, March 30: Passion, 3 p.m.; Way of the Cross, 6 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 8, 10 a.m.

COMPANIONS ON THE JOURNEY

St. Thomas Aquinas, Thibodaux Monday, March 26: Tenebrae, 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 28: ADOREMUS – Confessions, 6-7 p.m.; adoration/praise and worship, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 6 p.m., eucharistic adoration in the library, 7:30 p.m. - Midnight Good Friday, March 30: Service, 3 p.m.; Way of the Cross, 6:30 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 8, 10:30 a.m. No evening masses

Photo by Daniel Helfer for CRS

crsricebowl.org/begin

Thanh Gia, Amelia Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 6 p.m. Good Friday, March 30: Passion, 3 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 10 a.m. Vietnamese Community, Houma Holy Thursday, March 29: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 8 p.m. Good Friday, March 30: Passion, 6 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 31: Easter Vigil, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1: 10 a.m. 50 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • March 2018

LOCAL DIOCESAN Robert Gorman CONTACT <<contact name>> rgorman@htdiocese.org <<email address>> 985-876-0490

<<phone>>

Sports

Overtime Ed Daniels

Local talent shines on national signing day National signing day seems to be all about the four and five star players announcing their college choice. But, in many locales, it is so much more than that. In St. Charles Parish, students from Destrehan and Hahnville announced their future destinations, but also showed a level of maturity and awareness that they do not get enough credit. Offensive lineman Larry Dixon of Hahnville signed with Southern University. Dixon said he thought of giving up football, and is sure glad he did not. He thanked his coaches and the administration for keeping him on track. It was impressive stuff. And he wasn’t finished. He thanked his parents and his friends. “Let’s be honest,” said Dixon. “We do this to make our friends and our parents happy.” Destrehan lineman Samson Matthews, who signed with West Hills Community College in California, made us all laugh. “I wanted to thank you all for coming,” said Matthews. “I know you didn’t come for me.” Hahnville cross country coach Shaun Crochet paid his top distance runner, Emily Blanchard the ultimate compliment. “Before her, we didn’t believe we could win district. With her we expected to win every year.” Destrehan offensive coordinator Greg Boyne tipped his hat to his archrivals. He looked toward Dixon and receiver Jamel Byrd. “I am glad you guys are going.” Then he gave a long look at Hahnville star Pooka Williams. “And you, I will help pack.” It was great stuff. St Charles Parish (schools) was the first of our many stops that day. I left impressed, with a super group of students, teachers and administrators. It was on to McDonogh 35 where running back Eddie Tillman had a surprise for his close friend, quarterback LeJohn Howard. The two buddies thought they were going their separate ways, but Tillman would surprise Howard by announcing his decision to follow him to Florida A&M University. Tillman told reporters of his plan, then smiled. “He (Howard) doesn’t know,” said Tillman. “Don’t tell him.” The two would be teammates again.

Hours later media would huddle at Rummel for the announcement of 5 star wide receiver JaMarr Chase. Chase chose LSU, giving the Tigers a bit of a lifeline on a disappointing day. But, his teammate Aaron Brule was just as interesting a story. Brule committed to Georgia, but the Bulldogs later pulled their scholarship offer. Brule signed with Mississippi State, where he will be reunited with longtime friend, quarterback Keytaon Thompson. Aaron Brule handled a difficult time with a great deal of aplomb. And, he was being rewarded. It was then on to Curtis, where several students signed in various sports. They included defensive back Brandon Davis, an impressive young man if there ever was. Davis signed with the University of Tennessee. After a reporter offered congratulations, Davis pointed to his head coach, J.T. Curtis. “All because of him,” said Davis. In my travels across the state, I often hear laments about young athletes not being as hungry as the previous. But, I am not buying it. On National signing day, I saw the future, and know that it is in very good hands. BC

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

Financial Report

Guest Columnist Glenn J. Landry Jr. CPA, CDFM, CGMA

It is with pleasure I join Bishop Shelton J. Fabre and the entire diocesan staff in presenting the financial highlights of the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux. The mission statement of the Office of Finance and Accounting states, “to be of service to the parishes, schools and agencies of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux through proper planning, monitoring and safeguarding of the gifts of treasure entrusted to us by the people of the diocese.” The diocesan Finance Office remains committed to the highest standards of fiscal integrity and accountability and is responsible for adherence to accounting policies, procedures, and strong internal controls to ensure safeguarding of church assets. I also would like to take this opportunity to emphasize the use of a centralized approach to many pastoral and administrative programs. This approach allows the diocese to efficiently utilize all resources for the benefit of each and every diocesan entity. Diocesan staff uses a very strong system of internal procedures to properly record the activity of this diverse organization while maintaining separation between all locations. Financial oversight is provided by annual financial statement audits and the diocesan finance council, who are directly responsible to the bishop. This article tries to capture, in summary form, financial highlights of operations this past year. It is my prayer that this summary is of value to you, the parishioners of Houma-Thibodaux and illustrates our commitment to the mission statement of our ministry and service to the church. Through ministry, each and every one of the diocesan offices and programs exists to provide support and service to our parishes, schools and institutions. I encourage each reader to review the diocesan website, www.

Diocese htdiocese.org, or the Catholic Directory that is published each year. Each is a comprehensive guide to diocesan operations and illustrates the offices and programs providing pastoral and administrative services to each parish, school and institution of the diocese.

The Audit and the Auditor’s Opinion

The financial statements were audited by an independent certified public accounting firm. Diocesan management chooses to hire these auditors to help fulfill its role as good and responsible stewards of the generous funds contributed by its parishioners. The auditors expressed an “unmodified” opinion on the diocese’s financial statements. An “unmodified” opinion means the financial statements are fairly presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The complete audited report is available to all on the diocesan website, www.htdiocese.org. Click as follows: Offices and Ministries, Finance, then scroll down.

Financial Highlights ASSETS

Cash and investments include deposits from parishes, schools and institutions of the diocese for the

52 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • March 2018

year ended June 30, 2017, totaled $50.5 million – a decrease of $1.7 million. One should not be misled by these large figures which includes the deposits and endowments owned by parishes, schools and institutions. These funds are commonly referred to as Central Finance and are managed by external investment managers in order to provide stable income for the highest possible rate of return without undue risk. Central Finance is the operation of an internal banking system for the benefit of church parishes, schools and institutions whereby funds not immediately needed for current operations are deposited with Central Finance. Each location is required to participate in savings, endowments and loans through the program. Central Finance assets are also recorded with a corresponding liability to properly reflect the outside (location) ownership of these funds. The endowments held in Central Finance for diocesan locations increased approximately $23,000 from 2016. Seminary Burse funds increased by approximately $80,500, and the Catholic Charities Endowment increased by approximately $37,000. Please see Chart One for a listing of total diocesan assets.

Financial Report

remains stable

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

LIABILITIES

Liabilities at June 30, 2017, totaled $74.1 million with $59.1 million belonging to parishes, cemeteries, schools and third parties for deposits and endowments in the diocesan Central Finance program as described above. The liability for priests’ postemployment retirement and healthcare is determined by an actuary each year and is reduced by assets designated for this purpose. The total liability is $19.7 million with designated assets totaling $7.1 million for a net liability of $12.6 million. Please see Chart Two for a listing of total diocesan liabilities.

NET ASSETS

Temporarily restricted net assets are restricted by donors for support of a particular operating activity or donor restricted use. Permanently restricted net assets are restricted indefinitely for diocesan ownership and/or support of a particular operating activity. The diocese maintains several operations that are funded by sources other than general diocesan revenue. The revenues and expenses incurred by these programs are internally segregated, and the programs having revenues in excess of expenditures are reflected as designated net assets to be used in the future by the specific program. These

programs are typically referred to as funded operations. Please see Chart Four for a breakdown of net assets.

REVENUES AND EXPENSES

The diocese has various sources of revenue which include cathedraticum, investment return, donations, grants and program service fees. Cathedraticum is essentially an assessment levied on ordinary income and certain extraordinary income of parishes within the diocese. Investment return includes earnings from Central Finance investments. Donations include Annual Bishop’s Appeal, special collections and other gifts. Grants and program service fees are generated by diocesan programs or offices for a specific purpose and comprise the majority of diocesan revenue. Please see Schedule A for a summary presentation of all diocesan revenues and expenses. Formation Ministries include the following programs/offices: Formation, Family Ministries, Worship, Catholic Schools, Religious Education, Strategic Planning, Conferences, Evangelization, Youth Ministries, Communications, and Bayou Catholic, as well as grants to parishes. Social Ministries include the following programs/offices: Hospital Chaplains, Assisi Bridge House and Independent

Living, St. Lucy Child Development Center, Disaster Services, Catholic Housing, Micro Enterprise, Foster Grandparent, food banks and Catholic Charities. Clergy and Religious include Seminarian Formation and Education, Vocations, Permanent Diaconate, Continuing Education, bishop’s residence, bishop emeritus, and retired and other priest’s benefits. Administration Ministries includes the following programs/offices: Computer and Technology Support, Construction, Archives, Tribunal, Safe Environment, Cemeteries Trust, Cemeteries, St. Joseph Cemetery, Casualty Insurance, Central Finance, Lumen Christi Retreat Center, and Human Resources and Employee Benefits. General Administration includes the offices of the Bishop, Chancellor, Vicar General, and Finance and Accounting. There are certain expenses that are included in General Administration and Administration Ministries that have not been allocated to other offices and/ or programs. As mentioned last year, the church is still feeling the decline in the local economy. During our budget planning process for the two previous years, we estimated significant decreases in revenues and implemented appropriate spending reductions. The process was a difficult but necessary part of our responsibility of good stewardship of the funds entrusted to us by the good parishioners of this diocese. I am happy to report that the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux is financially stable. The prayers, support and unity of each location and all parishioners of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is a very important component of success. All are gratefully acknowledged and appreciated in helping us fulfill the mission as set forth for us in the Gospels as part of our mission statement of the diocese. BC

GLENN J. LANDRY JR., CPA, CDFM, CGMA Coordinator of Administration and Diocesan Finance Director/Business Manager

March 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 53

Financial Report

Some notes regarding the Diocese’s assets: The Diocese’s assets are comprised primarily of investments and property, plant and equipment. The source of the invested funds stems mainly from the Diocesan Central Finance program. Deposits and endowments in the Central Finance program account exceed the total balance of cash and investments. Property, plant and equipment includes property received from the Archdiocese of New Orleans upon the formation of our Diocese in 1977. Also, it includes the cost of fixed asset additions made since the formation of the Diocese (exclusive of replacements), net of depreciation.

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Assets Assets Property, plant & equipment, net, $10,140,196

Parish loans, $2,017,670

Other assets, $2,435,368

Other current assets, $1,275,651

Cash and investments, $50,488,819

Chart One

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Liabilities

Central finance deposits, $40,924,072

Priests' postretirement benefits liability, $12,572,279

Insurance program reserves, $518,551

Endowments held for others, $18,177,607

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

Accounts payable and other current liabilities, $1,926,064

Some notes regarding the Diocese’s liabilities and accruals: Eighty (80%) of the liabilities of the Diocese result from the inclusion of deposits in the Diocese’s Central Finance program and endowments in the liability category. The liability for priests’ postretirement benefits other than pensions (mainly health insurance and long-term care) have historically been paid and will be paid in the future through the Diocese’s normal annual budgetary process. Chart Two

Financial Report

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Diocese Houma-Thibodaux Central of Finance Deposits

Central Finance Deposits

Parishes $7,993,648

Cemeteries $4,783,741

Schools and others $27,405,453

Some notes regarding the net assets of the Diocese: Net assets represent the difference between the Diocese’s assets and liabilities. Net assets are also commonly referred to as “net worth.” The net assets of the Diocese are segregated into net assets that are restricted as to use by donors and those that are not. For those net assets that are not restricted, the Diocese has designated net assets to fund Diocesan programs and projects. The remaining net assets not designated are classified as “unrestricted, undesignated.” “Unrestricted, undesignated” does not mean that the Diocese has this amount in reserves. Rather, this figure represents total assets minus total liabilities and net assets that are restricted and/or designated.

Some notes regarding Central Finance Deposits: Deposits from schools are comparatively larger at June 30 than they are at most other times during the year. This is due to the prepaid tuition program in which most schools in the Diocese participate. Approximately 78% of the deposited funds for schools will be drawn by the schools during the year to pay for their operations. Chart Three

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Net Assets

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Net Assets $15,000,000 $10,000,000 $5,000,000 $$(5,000,000) $(10,000,000) $(15,000,000) $(20,000,000) $(25,000,000) $(30,000,000)

$11,636,896 $4,893,997

$1,382,061

Permanently Temporarily restricted net assets restricted net assets

Unrestricted, designated net assets

Unrestricted, undesignated net assets

$(25,673,823)

Chart Four March 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 55

56 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • March 2018 41,810

(751,189)

Bond interest and amortization 1,771,380

Telephone

Total expenses

Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenses

Emergency assistance and disaster relief

1,027

66,300

123,316

Central finance interest expense

Depreciation

Contributions and grants

Papal quota and Catholic Conference

Copying and printing

4,000

48,611

1,973,822

21,730

288,093

53,538

618

53,623

81,525

33,548

103,398

41,703

39,813

33,186

30,877

171,125

44,628

33,215

620,051

2,022,433

51,357

764,142

21,869

21,258

Insurance

Other operating expenses

1,185,065

323,151

170

Occupancy expenses

629,357

Maintenance and repair

Supplies

Program expenses

7,495

49,466

Conference and travel

32,643

Business allowance/reimbursement

142,185

35,891

Pension and benefits

Group insurance - retired priests

Group insurance

Payroll taxes

493,662 122,800

Salaries - lay personnel

1,020,191

571,340

Salaries - religious

Expenses:

Total revenues

Net assets released from restrictions

Program service and other income

Oil and gas royalties

448,851 -

Ministries

Investment income

Donations and grants

Cathedraticum

Revenues:

Social

Formation

(1,731,288)

2,083,004

592

12,621

16,936

4,709

8,079

9,774

565,500

25,133

58,578

22,408

1,296,452

4,989

1,181

40,143

15,909

351,716

8,908

23,251

319,557

Religious

Clergy and

Program expenses

1,173,705

11,093,017

492,585

76,510

186,150

76,469

56,592

64,029

9,135,418

9,918

32,259

40,215

160,212

46,756

20,000

695,904

12,266,722

11,326,354

893,309

47,059

Ministries

Administration

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Unrestricted Revenues and Expenses Year Ended June 30, 2017

Total

(1,260,161)

16,921,223

22,322

288,093

492,585

143,696

66,300

123,934

298,519

166,703

33,548

168,239

136,764

10,653,426

82,359

173,489

126,143

1,296,452

478,511

128,456

216,158

1,825,526

15,661,062

51,357

12,670,744

938,429

2,000,532

Program

General and

659,005

2,917,992

1,569,029

12,252

286,184

12,307

71,025

31,793

414,274

45,819

54,390

21,709

22,770

14,476

23,462

12,103

66,353

15,196

35,589

209,261

3,576,997

405,181

426,298

215,718

2,529,800

Adminsitrative

700,173

307,661

3,627

2,068

257

183,916

1,784

6,143

4,352

11,098

6,606

87,750

1,007,834

Stewardship

99,017

20,146,876

1,569,029

34,574

288,093

492,585

429,940

78,607

71,025

159,354

714,861

212,522

33,548

222,886

158,473

10,860,112

98,619

203,094

142,598

1,296,452

555,962

150,258

251,747

2,122,537

20,245,893

51,357

13,075,925

426,298

938,429

3,224,084

2,529,800

Total

Schedule A

Financial Report

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Unrestricted Revenues and Expenses Year ended June 30, 2017

Marriage

EGGPLANT PHOTOGRAPHY

Marriage Contents

Meet our couples

60 Partnership The importance of communication

Commitment

Sacrament

What makes marriage work?

Marriage as a Sacrament

Preparation Frequently asked questions

For more articles on strengthening your marriage, visit www.foryourmarriage.org

Advice Date ideas for married couples

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

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:7-8

We have gifts for the following occasions: WEDDING V GRADUATION ANNIVERSARIES V BAPTISM FIRST COMMUNION V CONFIRMATION PLUS OTHER SEASONAL ITEMS

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3319 Hwy. 311, Houma, LA 70360 ~ 985.876.4392 ~ www.ellendalecountry club.net March 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 59

Marriage

Couples featured in our Marriage Special

MAKE YOUR MARK PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLLIE LAPEYROUSE

Our love formed and continues to grow through our relationship with Christ in our family. Making the commitment to take the sacrament of marriage was very important to us. We built a connection based on love and most importantly faithfulness. We have made a bond together to become each other’s gatekeeper to heaven. We build each other’s faith in every way possible. Cody and Carley Charpentier Prejean St. Gregory Church parish, Houma Wedding Date: May 8, 2015

CRYSTAL SANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY

EGGPLANT PHOTOGRAPHY

The sacrament of marriage is important to us because we both believe that God needs to be the center of our marriage. This journey hasn’t always been perfect or easy. We knew early on in our relationship that the relationship will only work if we have faith in God. Tyler and I both know that no matter how hard life may get as long as we have God and each other to rely on we can make it through just about anything!

Growing up in families with strong Catholic beliefs, we knew from early on that we always wanted to experience our marriage in the presence of God. Having the three become one is something that we both take seriously as we pray each day to not only grow closer to each other, but to also bring each other closer to God. Being married in the eyes of the church, helps us to fulfill this covenant to one another.

Tyler and Ashley Gisclair Burke Sacred Heart Church parish, Cut Off Wedding Date: December 9, 2017

Jonah and Katie LeBouef-Giroir St. Joseph Co-Cathedral parish, Thibodaux Wedding Date: November 17, 2017

60 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • March 2018

Marriage

What makes marriage work? Communication What is the one indispensable ingredient for making marriages work? Family life educators usually answer: communication. This is good news, because effective communication can be learned. Skills such as active listening, using “I” statements, paying attention to my feelings and those of my spouse, and learning tips for “fighting fair” make marriage easier. Some couples use these skills intuitively because they saw them modeled in their own upbringing. Others can learn them through classes, workshops and reading. Of course, the hardest part of communicating usually comes when there is disagreement between the two of you. Commitment and Common Values Some ingredients, if missing, can doom a relationship from the start. Two primary ones are commitment and common values. Commitment bonds a couple together when you are tired, annoyed, or angry with each other. Sometimes, remembering your vows can prompt you to push past these problems and try to forgive and start again. Common values are important. If you aren’t together on basic values such as children, honesty, fidelity, and putting family before work, no amount of learning or effort of the will can resolve

MAKE YOUR MARK PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLLIE LAPEYROUSE

the conflict. For example, constant tension will result if one spouse wants to live simply while the other wants life’s luxuries. Spirituality/Faith You might not consider yourself a spiritual person; however, anyone who seeks the deeper meaning of life, and not a life focused on personal pleasure, operates out of a spiritual sense. For many this desire is expressed in commitment to a specific faith tradition.

Here one joins with others to worship God and work for the common good. Although being a person of faith is not essential to making your marriage work, it’s a bonus. Certainly good people throughout the ages have had happy marriages and not all of them have been religious. But it helps to have faith principles to guide you and a faith community to encourage your commitment. BC

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Call Toll Free 1-800-JET TOUR March 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 61

Marriage

The importance of communication between spouses Guest Columnist Lonnie J. Lapeyrouse, LPC

And the two shall become one. How many times do we hear this line at weddings and let it coast by, entangled among the other familiar wedding Scriptures and sayings that we have come to know as the typical nuptial jargon? However, there is a tangible vulnerability that comes with this concept of two becoming one. In order for two to truly become one, there must be a “giving up of oneself.” That is to say, there is a necessary sacrifice on both parts that must be made in order for the two – to become something unique, something original, something new. At the heart of this sacrifice can lie great concern and even fear for the parties involved that there will be a loss of identity that may never be regained. All too often couples find themselves in the first years of marriage struggling with such concerns and wondering if they have what it takes to make it work. So what does it take to make it work? What is the proverbial “magic dust” required to produce longevity in our relationships? How do we embrace the idea that we are now in a permanent partnership? How do we welcome the idea that we have become something new? Answers to these questions can vary greatly, but many have found that such answers are highly correlated with the quality of communication between spouses. Efficient and effective communication between spouses is the

EGGPLANT PHOTOGRAPHY

cornerstone and key to a successful marital relationship. We are taught so many lessons and skills in life, but rarely are we taught to communicate in healthy ways. This lack of ability

62 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • March 2018

communicate

effectively

has

unfortunately hindered many in their relationships and has contributed to the rising divorce rate we see today. However, our God, in his infinite

Marriage

goodness, has given us the power of reason and the ability to acquire and use new skills. We need to begin to develop and use communication as an instrument, a literal tool, to guard and mend our most precious relationships. Effective spousal communication can seem complicated, even intimidating, so when the honeymoon periods wear off, it is imperative to have a grasp on what comes next when trying to co-exist with this “other half” that we have become one with. The very first tool of communication is to avoid the “trap of assumption.” Even though two have become one, we are still individuals from completely separate backgrounds and families of origin. Therefore, we should avoid thinking that we “know” how or what another person is feeling. It is true enough that if a person is crying, he or she may be sad, and if in a violent rage he or she is probably angry. However, the level of communication we are talking about usually involves subtle differences that are harder to read. It is important for spouses to set up communication ground rules as soon as possible in the relationship with the expectation that miscommunication troubles will come sooner or later. This is especially true considering that spouses are coming from different backgrounds and unfortunately, possible different levels of learned dysfunction and insecurities stemming from those backgrounds. The truth is that assumptions can be dangerous. We may begin with an assumption that

our significant other is upset, which may lead to various other untrue snowballing assumptions about how our spouse thinks we have failed in some way. These thoughts come at us quickly and usually are not based in much reality. Enter the communication ground rules! When such agreed upon guidelines are in place, the couple has a reliable system to avoid these snowballing thoughts of insecurity and distress. First, spouses should strive to obtain an accurate message of the other’s current feeling. Questions like “Help me, I want to understand how you’re feeling right now” can let a spouse know that nothing is assumed and there is a desire to clear the air and get things back on track. The use of “I” statements are another helpful tool, where one spouse will say “When (event in question) happened, I felt (current feeling). Using “I” statements helps couples to communicate while avoiding accusations. When building communication guidelines we must also consider the importance of responsiveness. Responsiveness refers to our actions when one spouse is reaching out for connectedness and attention. When we acknowledge what someone is saying and focus to understand how it is important to them, we are practicing responsiveness. Responsiveness can include conversations that are fun, lighthearted, intimate, sexy, loving and more. Studies suggest that in marriages lasting for the long-term,

partners practice responsiveness 80 percent of the time, and in unsuccessful marriages, partners practice responsiveness less than 50 percent of the time. This is good news to us better half wannabes out there. This means we do not have to get it right all of the time, just most of the time. Finally, couples shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help. When we consider all of the investments we make in our adult lives, what could be more important than investing in our marital relationship? Couples should never view the need for help as weakness. In fact, those who seek professional marital counseling are the most responsible partners, who are investing in the relationship that is supposed to last the rest of their lives. Regardless, there is a stigma associated with marital counseling, even though (as stated earlier) most of us are never taught these communication skills. Professional marital counseling would be better thought of as skill building, a way to enhance the relationship with that someone we say “forever” to. It should be seen as a place of healing, where we, according to God’s plan, find more ways to become one. (Lonnie J. Lapeyrouse, LPC, is a state licensed mental health counselor with a private practice in Houma and is also a clinical manager at Magnolia Family Services, LLC, in Thibodaux. He is a worship leader, former campus minister and has a passion for helping couples, families and individuals with varying emotional disturbances and difficulties.) BC

Why rent when you can own? 605 West 3rd St. ~ Thibodaux, LA 70301 ~ 985.446.1144 March 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 63

Marriage Preparation in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux In the past 18 years, 5,238 engaged couples have participated in the diocesan Marriage Preparation program, reports Cathy Klingman, L.C.W.S., diocesan director of the Office of Family Ministries.

Marriage Preparation Day Some engaged couples may view the Marriage Preparation Day as something they “have to do,” but there are many benefits for an engaged couple if they really invest themselves in and fully participate in the process, says Cathy Klingman, L.C.W.S., diocesan director of the Office of Family Ministries. Some of these benefits are: v A witness from other married couples – a connection with other married couples who hold the same beliefs and values as they do; v Faith based preparation about the sacrament of marriage; v Get a better understanding of marriage as a “sacrament,” Why do you want to get married in the church? There is more to it than just pretty pictures; v Helps them to understand that there is a whole other family unit that wants to help them be successful in their marriage; v Build a strong faith based foundation for their marriage; v A connection back to the church – why it is important to be a part of the church and register in a parish.

FOCCUS Couples Married couples may be invited to participate actively in the marriage preparation of engaged couples in their church parish as FOCCUS couples. FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study) is a premarital instrument designed to help assess a couple’s readiness for marriage; it is a “snapshot”

Marriage as a

Sacrament

Marriage as a Sacrament Marriage as a sacrament is a serious and sacred commitment that calls a couple to each other in the most profound and permanent way. Their mutual love is a reminder of the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. By the grace of their sacrament, they become able to love one another as Christ has loved them. As a married couple, they become a visible sign and reminder of Christ’s sacrificial love for all people. The Engaged Couple A couple desiring to be married is encouraged to contact their priest/ deacon at least six (6) months (or more) prior to the proposed date of their wedding. This interval allows time to prepare well for such a sacred commitment. The engaged couple must take an active part in all the steps of these guidelines which apply to them. With the assistance of their priest/deacon, they are to: v Identify and cultivate their strengths, v Deal with the areas of difficulty in their relationship, v Participate in assessment and preparation, v Recognize that marriage is essentially characterized by unity, fidelity, permanence and an openness to children, v Attend a formal marriage preparation program, v Participate in premarital evaluation and counseling when recommended. A tentative wedding date may be set at the time of this initial contact with the priest/deacon. When the couple has completed phase two of the marriage preparation process, the tentative wedding date will be confirmed or changed. Responsibilities 1. Priest/Deacon The church has the pastoral obligation to assist those desiring to marry to make a prayerful and mature judgment concerning their marriage. In particular, the priest/deacon, who plans to witness a marriage, is personally responsible for the complete marriage preparation process. He has the serious moral and ministerial responsibility to assist the engaged couple in understanding the meaning of Christian marriage in its human, spiritual, canonical and sacramental aspects, and to provide a liturgical experience that truly celebrates and manifests the momentous step that the couple is taking. 2. Community The faithful in each parish share in the pastoral responsibility to help engaged couples prepare for their life together. Married couples have a particular responsibility to witness the holiness of their sacramental life of intimacy, unity, self-sacrificing love and commitment. They may therefore be invited to participate actively in the marriage preparation of engaged couples in their parish. 3. Parents The church recognizes the unique and vital role of parents in the psychological, social, moral and spiritual development of their children. Renewal in the church has included attempts to make sacramental preparation more family centered. Parents are therefore encouraged to respond to the invitation of the priest/deacon to participate actively in the assessment and preparation of their children for marriage in the church whenever possible.

64 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • March 2018

of where the couple is in their relationship at that moment. The diocese uses this instrument to help couples identify issues that need to be discussed, etc. FOCCUS couples are trained by Office of Family Ministries personnel and their number varies from parish to parish and priest to priest.

Attendance at Marriage Preparation Day A maximum of 35 couples per date are able to attend Marriage Preparation Day which is offered eight times throughout the year in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

Marriage Preparation on the Internet

CRYSTAL SANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY

The Marriage Preparation Process All engaged couples are required to receive sacramental preparation and must meet with their priest/deacon at least six months (or more) prior to the desired wedding date. This marriage preparation process consists of four phases. 1. Phase One: Initial contact with priest/deacon will: v Establish rapport with you in order to support and counsel you at this most important time in your life. v Examine your motives for marriage. v Explore any special circumstances that may affect marriage, e.g., age, cultural background, pregnancy, military service, physical or emotional problems, levels of faith and religious issues. v Explain the marriage preparation process. v Obtain personal information, explain what other documentation is needed, and determine whether any dispensations or permissions will be necessary. 2. Phase Two: Assessment process with priest/deacon will: v Administer a Premarital Instrument* to assist in beginning the assessment of your readiness to marry. v Discuss the results of the FOCCUS instrument. v Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your communication process. v Examine the sacramental aspects of your human covenant. v Assess your readiness for marriage and complete the prenuptial questionnaire. v Begin the liturgical wedding plans and present to you the parish guidelines. Inform you of the cost and suggested offering. *A premarital instrument is a tool designed to help you assess your readiness for marriage. It is not a pass/fail indicator. Instead it is meant to help you discover more about yourselves and each other in a non-threatening and objective way. Our diocese utilizes the FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication Understanding and Study) instrument to help you identify issues that need to be discussed, reflected on, understood, studied for problem-solving, skill-building and decision-making. Your priest/ deacon will give you more information at your initial meeting.

Catholicmarriageprep.com is an online program based in the Diocese of Colorado Springs, CO, that is featured on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website as a valid marriage preparation course. This program is approved by the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux for couples with extenuating circumstances.

Updating the program The diocese is constantly looking to update the Marriage Preparation Program and revise its marriage policies in response to changing circumstances in our society, in our economy and in the universal church. The sacrament part doesn’t change, but other factors are constantly changing.

Pre-Cana

Pre-Cana, the name the diocese used for its marriage preparation program for many years, is still the name many parishes and dioceses give to their marriage preparation program. The term is derived from John 2:1-12, the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee, where Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine. Continued on pg. 63

March 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 65

Marriage

EGGPLANT PHOTOGRAPHY

getting

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Double Halo Oval Engagement Ring with Rose Gold Accent

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Marriage as a Sacrament

Catholic Engaged Encounter

During phase two, the priest/deacon will make the decision to proceed or delay the marriage. If he proceeds, the wedding date will be confirmed and the process continues. If his decision is to delay the marriage, he will follow the procedure found in Delay of Marriage. 3. Phase Three: Formal marriage preparation This instructional phase, formal marriage preparation, presents the essential human and Christian aspects of marriage so that the couple becomes aware of the total dimensions of the marriage covenant. Formal marriage preparation includes reflection on the nature and sacramentality of marriage, married love and family life, couple prayer, marital responsibilities, communication within marriage, personal expectations, natural family planning and other practical considerations. There are two approved options in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. If you are unable to attend such a formal marriage preparation program, you must discuss this with your priest/deacon immediately. These are the approved options: v Diocesan Marriage Preparation program v Engaged Encounter Weekend Retreat in the surrounding dioceses Schedule of the Day for Marriage Preparation in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux v Location: 2779 Hwy 311 - Schriever, LA 70395 - Pastoral Center Conference Hall v Arrival Time: 8:45 a.m. (The day begins promptly at 9 a.m.) v Dismissal Time: 3:15 p.m. v Registration Fee: $120 (check or money order) If you are engaged and would like to begin your marriage preparation, you will need to meet with your parish priest or deacon at least six months before your desired wedding date. The priest/deacon will give you a marriage preparation booklet which will include all of this marriage prep information and a registration form to attend the diocese’s marriage prep, “Day for the Engaged.” Complete the registration form, detach it and mail the form with your registration fee at least three months before the date you would like to attend. Your fee can be paid with a check or money order made payable to the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Do not send cash! Come dressed comfortably. Saturday, March 17 Saturday, April 14 Sunday, June 3 Saturday, Aug. 18 Sunday, Oct. 7 Sunday, Nov. 11 4. Phase Four: Completion of marriage prep process with priest/deacon will: v Discuss with you what you have learned and experienced at your formal marriage preparation program. v Discuss with you your understanding of sacrament in light of your formal marriage preparation. v Discuss with you your responsibilities as members of God’s people, as spouses and future parents. v Complete all documentary requirements. As appropriate, grant permission for mixed marriage and/or apply for appropriate permissions or dispensations. v Discuss the reception of penance and holy Eucharist as a fitting preparation for the sacrament of matrimony. v Finalize the wedding liturgy and discuss the wedding rehearsal. BC

This weekend retreat for engaged couples is an in-depth, private, personal, marriage preparation experience within the context of Catholic faith and values. During the weekend retreat there is plenty of alone time for couples to dialogue honestly and intensively about their prospective lives together – their strengths and weaknesses, desires, ambitions, goals, their attitudes about money, sex, children, family, their role in the church and society – in a face to face way.

Want to get involved? “The married couples who work with marriage prep really enjoy it. It brings them enrichment in their own marriage, reconnects them to their own spouse. Helps them to see where they are now compared to where they started,” says Klingman. Please contact the Office of Family Ministries if you are interested in working with the diocesan Marriage Preparation program.

Gratitude Prayer for

Married Couples Dear Lord, Thank you for marriage. I pray right now that I would always have a heart of thankfulness. I realize that thankfulness and gratitude fuel joy in my heart! Help me to be appreciative of my spouse. I pray that there would be encouraging words on my tongue to share with my spouse. I am thankful for my spouse’s love, hard work and encouragement. Holy Spirit, fill my heart with gratitude. May you help me to be thankful every day in Jesus’ name. AMEN!

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Marriage

Tips and advice:

Date ideas for married couples Although having a weekly date may seem like a no-brainer, many couples’ good intentions quickly get put off to some future time, when life is not so busy or there’s more money. Pretty soon the kids are grown and couples find they’ve grown apart. Make a commitment to a weekly date. It doesn’t have to always be on the same night, but it’s helpful to pencil in one night each week on your calendars; you can always change the night if a conflict comes up. Below are some ideas that go beyond the usual dinner and a movie. Many involve little or no cost. Not all dates have to involve going out, but if you have young children, getting a break from the kids is a stress release in itself. Getting a babysitter, however, can be a burden. Alternate who gets the sitter and develop a pool of sitters. ABSOLUTELY FREE If you’re the responsible, conscientious type, do something together that’s whacky but legal. If you’re already the risktaking type, do something responsible, for example, pick up litter around a park or volunteer at a soup kitchen together. Try star gazing in your own back yard or out in the country. Just bring a blanket and gaze upwards together. If you’re the scientific type, you might get a star map and try to identify constellations. Go to a public place (a train station, airport lobby, downtown gathering place) and people watch. Make up stories about the people who pass you, as if you’re writing a novel. If you see someone who looks sad or distressed say a prayer or lend a hand. Each spouse privately creates a funny costume from what you have around the house. (No need to buy anything, just use pots, paraphernalia, jewelry, and even root through your spouse’s clothes to put items together in weird or scary ways.) Then come together and reveal. Rake leaves together. Make a big pile and jump in them. Let go of any inhibitions about being neat and tidy. Don’t have any fallen leaves? Find someone who does and volunteer to rake theirs. Find an empty, open church. Sit, kneel, explore, pray. Let peace and reverence seep into your being. Quietly pray for each other. If you like, discuss your deepest spiritual beliefs afterwards. Waiter’s Night. Pick a night to “wait” on your spouse. You get the drinks, the snacks, his/her slippers, favorite game, etc. You can even dramatize your role as servant. Just make sure that you alternate the favor sometime soon. Traditionally, parents fill their children’s shoes with treats on St. Nick’s eve. Try walking in your spouse’s shoes for an evening – perhaps more of a challenge for the husband. Try to understand life from your spouse’s perspective. Even if you don’t exchange shoes, at least change roles for the evening. Commit to a “tech free” night. Turn off your cell phones, computer, the TV, and the lights. Use your imagination to see 68 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • March 2018

CRYSTAL SANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY

what’s left to do without electricity. CHEAP DATES Go to an amusement park or arcade. It doesn’t have to be one of those fancy, expensive parks. Go without the kids and BE kids again. Do those silly arcade games like skee ball or whacka-mole. Impress your spouse with your strength or cunning… or laugh at your ineptitude. Play a game from your childhood – croquet, badminton, hide

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Marriage

and seek, miniature golf. Reminisce and be playful together. Pretend-You’re-a-Tourist date. Look around your city and do the things a tourist might do – go to an overlook, a quaint neighborhood, the botanical gardens, a museum, whatever is special about your hometown. Gawk if you like, after all you’re a tourist. (Inspired by Co-op America). Build something together – ice cream sundaes, a pizza with your favorite toppings, a tower of blocks. Perhaps you will find a chuckle over the odd or weird combinations that reflect your different approaches to food, building, and life. Plan a “Favorites Night” around your favorite food, clothes, games, sports, etc. Each spouse could choose a favorite activity which you then combine into one evening, or the wife could propose her favorite activities for one date and the husband plans the next date with his favorites. Ride a city bus for the whole route. Reflect on the sights you see and the lives of the people who are your fellow passengers. Debrief your insights afterwards. Wait for snow and give yourself permission to make snow angels or make a snowman. Don’t live in a snowy climate? Go roller blading or revisit your childhood by visiting a roller skating rink. Visit a pet store together. This is usually good for stirring up warm fuzzy feelings. Restrain yourself from buying, however, unless you’re really ready for a new family member. Talk about any pets you had as a child. Ever gone midnight bowling? It’s more than just bowling. Some places have special music, lighting, and gimmicks. Even without these, it can be a ball of fun if you don’t take it too seriously. Look through old photo albums and tell each other stories of your childhood and families. If you feel really energetic, make it a time to put all those loose photos in albums or on a disc. It’s a big job but your children will appreciate it one day. During Lent, go to a fish fry. The fish is not the point. Seeing a community work together to feed the multitudes is a miracle in itself. Are you a member of a faith community? You don’t have to like fish to check it out. Hang out at a bookstore. Browse through your favorite sections. Many bookstores have cozy reading spots or a café connected with them. Assume an erudite persona for an evening. Do something to nurture your spiritual life. Go to a church

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service, spend an hour in silence, pray the Way of the Cross in a church or walk in a poor neighborhood to seek Christ’s presence there. Visit your local zoo. Spring is often an especially engaging time since your likely to see some endearing zoo babies and glorious flowers. Try a theme date like one around “quarters.” Think of all the things you can do that use quarters like play a juke box, wash the car, take your picture together at a photo booth, play video games at an arcade. (Inspired by Co-op America) Thrift Store Date. Pick a spending limit (like $5 each) and see what crazy gift(s) you can put together for your sweetheart. Try creating a crazy or luxurious outfit for each other and wear it home. It may be the only time you wear it (other than Halloween) before you donate it back to the store. (Inspired by Co-op America) Volunteer somewhere together – a nursing home, a soup kitchen, clean up litter from a park or along your street. Pray a simple litany of thanks together, i.e. For our family, we thank you Lord. For a safe home, we thank you Lord. For our health, we thank you Lord… OUTDOORSY DATES Water and moonlight can be romantic. Is there a lake, a river, a fountain near your home? Take a walk along a body of water at night. Pause and gaze at the light shimmering on the water. Dream and imagine together. Do something silly that reminds you of your childhood. Climb a tree together, catch lightning bugs, or feed some ducks. Try an old fashioned picnic in a secluded spot. Lay out a table cloth, some snacks or a meal. Some wine might be a nice touch. Perhaps read some romantic poetry to each other. It need not be original, just something you took the effort to find. Take an early morning or evening bike ride together. Explore your neighborhood or the countryside. Stop at a quaint café for breakfast or get an ice cream cone or other treat along the way. In fact stop whenever you feel the urge. It’s not a race, just a time to discover together. If tent camping is a new experience for you, try it, you might like it. Borrow a tent, sleeping bags, and some advice from a veteran camper and spend a night in the woods – or at least a backyard. Snuggle, tell ghost stories, and roast marshmallows. BC

Call us today at 985-446-5566! March 2018 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 69

Marriage

Frequently asked questions by engaged couples How do I know if I’m ready to marry? n Do most people consider you emotionally mature, able to compromise, communicate well, share your feelings, and handle anger constructively? n Do you love this other person so much that you are willing to put his or her happiness before your own? n Are you marrying out of strength (I know who I am and am happy with myself) rather than weakness (I need someone to fill the gaps in my personality)? n Have you developed strong friendships that have lasted over time? n Are you able to keep commitments and delay gratification? n Do you struggle on a regular basis with harmful habits or addictions, e.g. to alcohol, drugs, or pornography? That’s not necessarily a reason not to marry, but it is something that left untreated can seriously weaken your ability to have a healthy marriage. n Is God calling you to marriage? Have you prayed and discerned about this? How do I know if this is the right person? n Do you share similar basic values about respecting human life, fidelity, commitment, what’s right and wrong, honesty, life goals, and lifestyle? n Does your significant other bring out the best in you, and you in him or her? n Are you physically attracted to this person? n Can you imagine growing old together? n Do your trusted family members and friends support your relationship and affirm that it’s healthy and respectful? n Do you experience ongoing conflict or, worse, violence and abuse in your relationship? That is a red flag to slow down and seek advice and help, ensuring your safety if necessary. n Is God calling you to marriage with this person? Have you prayed and discerned about this? Is it necessary to feel “chemistry”

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between us for this to be the right person to marry? Chemistry, or feeling like you “click” with another person, is a natural part of a deepening relationship, and a wonderful part of falling in love, but unfortunately, chemistry is sometimes confused with infatuation, which can be fleeting. In the good sense, chemistry means you feel a strong physical and emotional attraction to the other person and want to become closer to him or her. You feel happy in his or her presence and enjoy your time together. This sense of unity and joy at the other’s presence can be a great foundation for a happy marriage. In contrast, infatuation means you are consumed with thinking of the other person to the point of doing silly or risky actions to be together. You are blind to the faults of the other and consumed with being noticed by him or her. Your

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need to be liked is so strong that you are willing to give up your own personality or morals for the other’s affection. Often infatuation is an unequal relationship between the object of adulation and the infatuated person. If this describes your relationship, you may want to step back and reevaluate. Doesn’t living together before marriage prevent me from marrying the wrong person and thus getting divorced later on? Although it may sound counterintuitive, studies show that cohabiting couples: n Increase their risk of breaking up after marriage (46% higher divorce rate) n Increase the risk of domestic violence for women, and the risk of physical and sexual abuse for children n Have lower levels of happiness and well-being compared to married couples BC

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