Bayou Catholic Magazine May 2017

INSIDE

Graduation

Bayou

Catholic

Alleluia!

Alleluia!

Alleluia!

The Lord is Risen!

HOUMA, LA ~ MAY 2017 ~ COMPLIMENTARY

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The special collection will be taken at all Masses May 27 and 28, 2017 Thank you for your generous support Copyright © 2015, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Copyright © 2016, United States Conference of Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Todos los derechos reservados.

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

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1977 - 2017

Contents Glynn Hebert

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FEATURES

26

20 Priests Ordination June 3

By Janet Marcel

23 Transitional diaconate ordination

Chicken Stew

Glynn Cooks:

CHICKEN

LIKE MAW MAW 24

This month’s heavenly recipe, chicken stew, comes from Glynn Hebert of Chauvin. Glynn and his wife Nanette are parishioners of St. Joseph Church parish in Chauvin. They have three sons, Christopher, Jonathan and Timothy. Glynn cooks for a living after working in the supply business (hardware) for many years. “I currently work at the Terrebonne Parish Annex where I cook for the Council on Aging for the Senior Citizen meals. Right now we prepare about 800 meals a day, Monday through Friday, for the parish’s Senior Citizen Centers and Meals on Wheels.”

Cooking for a large group is nothing new for Glynn.

Years ago he used to cook for the church parish’s Lagniappe Festival; he would cook the shrimp spaghetti and shrimp stew for the event. In fact, it was at the festival that he learned how to cook for such a large group.

He says one of his greatest joys was cooking at the festival with his grandmother Octavio, who would cook gumbo for Sunday dinner at the festival. “I would like to think that my chicken stew is like my Maw Maw Octavio’s stew.”

He also has cooked jambalaya for the Steubenville on the Bayou Catholic Youth Conference.

Glynn is a member of the Knights of Columbus, a past grand knight and faithful navigator; and Nanette taught CCD for many years and is still involved in parish life.

One of the devotions Glynn loves the most is the Holy Thursday adoration and midnight Benediction that the KCs have been doing for the past 17 years. “We recite the scriptural rosary; we pray the readings of the wounds of Christ in the beginning, then the Divine Mercy

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May 27

By Janet Marcel

26 Rev. Robert Rogers celebrates

INGREDIENTS: 1-1/2 cup oil (for roux) 2 cups flour (for roux) 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 lbs. onions, chopped fine 1 cup bell pepper, chopped fine 1 cup celery, chopped fine 8 cups water or chicken stock 8 to 10 chicken thighs with bone, sprinkle with seasoned salt and pepper 1 cup green onions 1 cup parsley

25 years

By Janet Marcel

28 Bayou Patrons

By Janet Marcel

34 Brenda Tanner retires

DIRECTIONS: After your roux is cooked, add onions and saute until clear. Add bell pepper and celery and saute until tender, approximately 15 minutes. Add the water or chicken stock to the mix with the chicken thighs. Cook for three hours over a medium-low heat to a slow rolling boil. After three hours, debone the chicken if desired and put back into the stew. Add green onions and parsley, and simmer for an additional hour until done. Serve over rice with potato salad. Serves six to eight.

By Janet Marcel

COLUMNS

8

Comfort For My People

By Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

12 Pope Speaks

13 Questions of Faith

chaplet and finish with Benediction at midnight.

That is a special devotion for me.”

He enjoys cooking the meals and working with the trustees provided by the sheriff’s office.

“Many of the cooks and helpers didn’t have the right direction in life. Many of them didn’t have a positive role model in their life; reflecting on their situation gives you an appreciation for life. Many of the trustees are very good workers, most of the head cooks are top notch. You might not have an appreciation for someone until you work with that person. In my work I get to reflect on life and God’s work and the deeper meanings of life.”

By Father Glenn LeCompte

31 Reading with Raymond

By Raymond Saadi

35 Thoughts for Millennials

By Ryan Abboud

46 Overtime

2 O1 7 Gr

By Father Wilmer Todd

14 Readings Between The Lines

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

Pope Francis I

ion uat ad

By Ed Daniels

IN EVERY ISSUE

6 From the Editor 16 Scripture Readings 18 Young Voices 24 Heavenly Recipes 43 Diocesan Events ANNOUNCEMENTS

40 Diocesan 40th Anniversary

36 Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

Bayou

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Catholic Bayou

celebrations, June 3-4

42 Diocesan Pastoral Council announced 42 Food for the Journey is June 6

Rev. Andre’ Melancon speaks

On Our

C OVER The Paschal Candle stands lit during the Easter vigil Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Holy Saturday. A new Paschal candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter, and is used throughout the Paschal season which is during Easter and throughout the year on special occasions, such as baptisms and funerals.

Catholic News Agency photo

Bayou Catholic Vol. 37, No. 11 How to reach us:

BY PHONE: (985) 850-3132

BY MAIL: P.O. Box 505 Schriever, LA 70395

BY FAX: (985) 850-3232

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

Index to Advertisers Advanced Eye Institute ................................ 17

Help Me Pray .............................................. 49

Annual Bishop’s Appeal ................................. 3

Houma Digestive Health Specialists ............. 25

Barker Honda .............................................. 54

KEM Supply House, Inc. .............................. 52

Cardinal Place ............................................. 23

LeBlanc & Associates, LLC ......................... 58

Catholic Communication Campaign ............... 2

Louisiana Travel .......................................... 25

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

Subscription rate is $35 per year.

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

Lawrence Chatagnier

editor and general manager

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

Janet Marcel

staff writer/administrative assistant

Katie DeRoche

Cenac Marine .............................................. 67

Operation Rice Bowl .................................... 41

advertising accounts executive

Central Catholic High School ....................... 59

Patrick Yancey Law Firm ............................. 35

Lisa Schobel Hebert

Charles A. Page & Sons .............................. 52

Re-bath ....................................................... 27

Coastal Commerce Bank ............................. 56

Rod’s Superstore .......................................... 9

Daigle Himel Daigle ..................................... 61

Seminarian Educations Burses .................... 19

Diocesan Outreach Line .............................. 22

Southland Mall ............................................ 68

E.D. White Catholic High School .................. 55

St. Joseph Manor ........................................ 23

Felger’s Foot Wear ...................................... 50

Synergy Bank .............................................. 61

God’s Promises Books & Gifts .................... 40

Terminix ...................................................... 25

God’s Promises Book & Gifts ...................... 58

Thibodaux Physical Therapy ........................ 40

God’s Promises Books & Gifts .................... 17

Vandebilt Catholic High School .................... 51

Haydel Spine Pain & Wellness ..................... 15

Watkins, Walker, Eroche & Hoychick ............ 42

Headache & Pain Center .............................. 46

Woody Falgoust .......................................... 41

graphic designer

Meridy Liner

accounts receivable/payable assistant

Awards

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

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From the Editor 6

Here we are in the month of May and what a wonderful month it is! Spring has set in and in South Louisiana flowers are in full bloom; the trees are thick with foliage and vegetable gardens can be seen along the roadways and bayou sides all across the diocese.

May is also a month for celebrations. High school and college seniors are readying for graduation. In this issue of Bayou Catholic the area’s commencement programs are listed in our special graduation section.

This month there will be an ordination of a young man to the transitional diaconate, which is the final step leading to the priesthood.

Preparations are also underway for the 40th anniversary of our diocese. In his column, Comfort For My People, Bishop

Shelton J. Fabre takes a short trip back in time to 1977 when our diocese was founded, and a somewhat longer look into the past of the founding of this area, its people and the different cultures that made HoumaThibodaux their home and faith community. The bishop also explains the celebrations that are directly connected to the anniversary.

In addition to the regular columns and features in this issue of Bayou Catholic, we are happy to share with our readers Bishop Fabre’s Chrism Mass homily in its entirety.

The Chrism Mass, which is celebrated on Holy Thursday, is a special gathering where the bishop, the priests of the diocese and the laity from across the entire diocese gather in unity. In his homily, the bishop addresses the laity and his brother priests, and reflects on the current state of the diocese. He also expresses his hope for a thriving diocese where he, the priests and laity worship, work and serve God together.

May is also the month in which we honor the Blessed Virgin

Mary, Jesus’ mother. Mary is a role model for all mothers. She is also the great intercessor who can intercede for us to God in our times of need.

This month let’s not forget our own mothers, those who are still with us during their earthly existence and those who have passed on. Pray for all mothers this Mother’s Day. Yes, the month of May is a busy one. It is also a month of transition. Students will be taking final exams and looking forward to summertime.

Families will be making plans for their summer vacations.

Take time during this month of preparation, celebrations and transition to enjoy the peak of spring. To quote poet Edwin Way Teale, “The world’s favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May.” Remember, after reading Bayou Catholic, pass it on to a friend or relative who might not be attending Mass. It’s one of the great ways to do your part in spreading the Good News!

Lawrence

Lawrence Chatagnier Editor & General Manager

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

Bishop’s Message Easter

The glorious days of Easter are upon us again!!! We welcome anew the joyful proclamation of the Lord’s resurrection, and the eternal life and eternal hope that it promises to those who are born of water and the Holy Spirit. May Jesus Christ, the victor over the grave, the Risen Lord and the Light of the World, shine upon us and enlighten our minds and hearts to remain true in our efforts to be faithful to him and to serve others.

As the sounds of Alleluia!!! Alleluia!!! Alleluia!! echo in our minds, hearts and prayer, may we be strengthened for the crosses that we each carry, confident in our own victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord. I invoke God’s abundant blessings upon all during these days of our Easter joy! Peace and blessings to all! Alleluia!!

La Pascua

¡¡Los días gloriosos de la Pascua han llegado!!

Recibimos con felicidad de nuevo la proclamación gozosa de la resurrección del Señor, la vida eterna y la esperanza eterna que nos promete al nacer con agua y el Espíritu Santo. Qué Jesucristo, que ha vencido la muerte, el Señor Resurrecto y la Luz del Mundo brille e ilumine nuestras mentes y corazones para permanecer fuertes con nuestros esfuerzos de permanecer fiel a El y de servir al prójimo. Mientras escuchamos ¡Aleluya!, ¡Aleluya!, ¡Aleluya! en nuestras mentes, corazones y oración, recibamos la fortaleza para sostener la cruz que cada uno de nosotros cargamos confiando en nuestra victoria propia sobre el pecado y la muerte a través de Jesucristo, nuestro Señor. ¡Ruego por las bendiciones abundantes de Dios para todos nosotros durante estos días de gozo en la Pascua! ¡Qué todos reciban la paz y las bendiciones! ¡Aleluya!

Sứ Điệp Phục Sinh Những ngày khải hoàn của Lễ Phục Sinh lại đến với chúng ta!

Chúng ta một lần nữa hân hoan công bố về sự phục sinh của Chúa, sự sống đời đời và niềm hy vọng vĩnh cửu mà sự phục sinh của Chúa hứa ban cho những ai được sinh ra bằng nước và Chúa Thánh Thần. Xin Chúa Giêsu Kitô, là Đấng chiến thắng sự chết, là Chúa Phục Sinh và là Ánh Sáng Thế giới, chiếu soi trên chúng ta và soi sáng tâm trí và linh hồn chúng ta để ở lại trong sự thật, trong những nỗ lực của chúng ta để trung thành với Người và sự phục vụ tha nhân. Như âm thanh của tiếng Alleluia!!! Alleluia!!! Alleluia!! vang vọng trong tâm trí, linh hồn và lời cầu nguyện của chúng ta, chớ gì chúng ta được củng cố cho những thập giá mà mỗi người chúng ta mang lấy, tự tin vào chiến thắng của mình đối với tội lỗi và sự chết nhờ Chúa Giêsu Kitô, Chúa chúng ta. Tôi cầu xin ơn phúc dồi dào của Thiên Chúa xuống trên tất cả mọi người trong những ngày này, niềm vui Phục Sinh của chúng ta! Xin Chúa ban sự bình an và phúc lành cho tất cả mọi người! Alleluia!!

Comment

Diocese has a rich past and a future filled with hope Comfort For My People

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Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

Turning our attention to the celebration of our diocese’s 40th anniversary in June 2017, it seems appropriate that we take time to remember the rich history that is our heritage. How important it is that we do this in our individual families as well as together, as a family of God. In his recent apostolic exhortation on the family, Pope Francis reminds us, “Knowing and judging past events is the only way to build a meaningful future. Memory is necessary for growth: “Recall the former days” (Hebrews 10:32) (Amoris Laetitia, 193).

As your bishop, it is my joy to share with you a few things that stand out to me as I reflect upon the history of our diocese. Carved out of territory that at the time was the Archdiocese of New Orleans, our beloved Diocese of HoumaThibodaux was established as a diocese by Pope Paul VI on June 5, 1977, with the Most Reverend Warren Boudreaux as its first bishop. Recognizing the rich legacy of Catholic faith in this bayou area of south Louisiana, 40 years ago Houma-Thibodaux was established as a diocese with St. Francis de Sales Church in Houma and St. Joseph Church in Thibodaux respectively named its cathedral and co-cathedral.

Over these past 40 years, we have sought to pass on the faith, to serve the needs of others and to build up the Kingdom of God here among us.

The year 1977 was indeed a hallmark for us. However, the

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

wonderful history of the Catholic faith in our area predates 1977 when the diocese was officially established.

The first record of exploration in the area was in 1699, when the French explorer and colonizer Bienville explored Bayou Lafourche, visiting the Washa Indian Villages. The Houma-Thibodaux-Morgan City area became home to peoples of various cultures over the centuries: native Houmas Indians; French from Nova Scotia and France; Germans from the Rhineland and Switzerland; Spanish and AngloSaxon immigrants; African slaves from sugar plantations; Italian families from southern Italy; and Vietnamese refugees. As all of these people from these different ethnic groups settled along the bayous, they established churches and found livelihoods in the farming, seafood and oil industries. Along with countless lay men and women, Father Charles M. Menard and Father Andrew Souby would both play pivotal roles in growing and strengthening the faith in the area of our diocese. As we mark our 40th anniversary as a diocese, we celebrate and pray for those in our area who have nurtured and strengthened the faith in the past, ask God’s blessings on those who nurture and strengthen the faith today, and place our hope and trust in God and in those who will nurture and strengthen the faith in the future.

Like any significant anniversary, our 40th anniversary calls for celebrations that root us in prayer and in gratitude. Our celebrations will take place on the weekend of June 3 and 4, which is the weekend nearest to the actual date of our 40th anniversary, which is June 5.

On Saturday, June 3, at 10 a.m., we will celebrate this year’s ordinations to the priesthood at St. Joseph CoCathedral in Thibodaux, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary as a church parish. On this day, our transitional deacons will be ordained as priests of Jesus Christ. We look

forward to the ordination of these new priests for our diocese, and we joyfully accept and welcome them as great gifts from God as we mark 40 years as a diocese! I encourage more young men to consider serving as a priest here in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, and encourage more young women to consider consecrated religious life in response to God’s call to serve the needs of his people.

The liturgical celebrations of the 40th anniversary of our diocese will commence officially on Saturday, June 3 at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux as we gather at 7 p.m. for Solemn Vespers (Evening Prayer). This solemn prayer service will formally open the liturgical celebrations of our 40th anniversary, and we will honor those who today give so generously of themselves in service to their parish communities in our diocese. On Sunday, June 4, at 2 p.m., at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma, we will thank God for his many blessings poured out upon our diocese in these past 40 years, and also promulgate the Strategic Plan for our diocese, a plan which is the wonderful fruit of the great efforts that the clergy and laity of our diocese have undertaken together over the past 16 months.

We will commit ourselves together to accomplishing the goals of our Strategic Plan, confident in our hope that if we each do our part, the power of the Holy Spirit will bring to fulfillment all that we anticipate and long for in striving for a renewal of church parish life and the forming of missionary disciples of Jesus Christ.

Please join us for the celebrations mentioned above. Remember our diocese in your prayers in a special way at this time. It is my sincere hope that the coming month of June 2017 will be a graced opportunity to celebrate our 40th anniversary, and to place our sincere hope in God, confident that he will bring to fulfillment all that he has promised to us!

Celebrations announced The official diocesan 40th anniversary logo shown above will be used throughout 2017 to mark the celebratory year. Some important events that will take place during the anniversary year include an ordination to the priesthood, June 3, at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux; the 40th anniversary Vespers prayer service on the same day at 7 p.m., at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral; and the 40th anniversary Mass, June 4, at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma, at 2 p.m.

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Comentario

La Diócesis posee un rico pasado y un futuro lleno de esperanza

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En junio del 2017 celebraremos el cuadragésimo aniversario de nuestra diócesis y es apropiado que repasemos el rico legado de nuestra historia. Cuán importante es que hagamos esto con nuestras familias y además, todos juntos en la familia de Dios. En la reciente exhortación apostólica de la familia el Papa Francisco declara que «Conocer y juzgar los eventos pasados es la única manera que se puede construir un futuro firme. La memoria se necesita para crecer: Recordemos los días pasados» (Hebreos 10:32) (Amoris Laetitia, 193).

Es mi honor siendo obispo compartir con ustedes algunas cosas que, en mi opinión, sobresalen y que he analizado sobre nuestra historia en la diócesis.

Nuestra querida Diócesis de Houma-Thibodaux ha emergido de la Arquidiócesis de Nueva Orleáns durante el papado de Pablo Sexto el 5 de junio de 1977, con el Reverendísimo Warren Boudreaux, su primer obispo. Al reconocer el rico legado de la fe católica en esta región del Sur de Luisiana, hace 40 años Houma-Thibodaux se estableció como diócesis con la Catedral St. Francis de Sales en Houma y la Catedral St. Joseph en Thibodaux. En estos últimos 40 años, hemos trabajado para comunicar la fe, proveer las necesidades del prójimo y construir el Reino de Dios entre nosotros.

El año de 1977 fue un año trascendente para nosotros. Sin embargo la historia maravillosa de la fe católica en nuestra región abarca más allá de 1977 cuando la diócesis se estableció de manera oficial. El primer récord de exploración en la región fue

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

en 1699 cuando el explorador y colonizador francés Bienville exploró Bayou Lafourche, y las poblaciones de los indios Washa.

El área de Houma-ThibodauxMorgan City se convirtió en el hogar de pueblos de culturas diversas en los últimos siglos: indios Houma, franceses de Nueva Escocia y Francia; alemanes de la Renania y Suiza; migrantes españoles y anglo-sajones; esclavos africanos de las fincas azucareras; familias italianas del sur de Italia y refugiados vietnamitas.

Con el establecimiento de todos estos pueblos en los bayous, ellos establecieron iglesias y vivieron de la agricultura, la pesca y la industria del petróleo. Junto con un sinnúmero de laicos y laicas, el Padre Charles M. Menard y el Padre Andrew Souby desempeñaron un papel importante en el crecimiento y fortalecimiento de la fe en la región de nuestra diócesis. Marcando nuestro cuadragésimo aniversario de diócesis, celebramos y oramos por aquéllos en nuestra región que han abastecido y fortalecido la fe en el pasado, pedimos la bendición de Dios para aquéllos que alimentan y fortalecen la fe ahora y ponen nuestra fe y confianza en Dios y en aquéllos que alimentarán y fortalecerán la fe en el futuro.

Siendo un aniversario importante, nuestro cuadragésimo aniversario será celebrado de manera que subraye nuestra oración y agradecimiento. Nuestras celebraciones se llevarán a cabo el 3 y 4 de junio, el fin de semana más cercano a la fecha original del cuadragésimo aniversario, el 5 de junio. El sábado 3 de junio a las 10 a.m. celebraremos las ordinaciones sacerdotales de este año en la Catedral St. Joseph en Thibodaux, que celebra su ducentésimo aniversario. En esta

fecha, los diáconos transicionales serán ordenados sacerdotes de Jesucristo. ¡Esperamos con alegría la ordenación de estos nuevos sacerdotes en nuestra diócesis y aceptamos felizmente y los recibimos con alegría ya que ellos son dones de Dios en nuestra celebración de 40 años de diócesis! Aliento a más muchachos a considerar el servicio del sacerdocio en la Diócesis de Houma-Thibodaux y aliento a más muchachas a consagrarse en la vida religiosa en respuesta al llamado de Dios para servir a su pueblo. Las celebraciones litúrgicas del cuadragésimo aniversario de nuestra diócesis comenzarán oficialmente el sábado 3 de junio en la catedral St. Joseph en Thibodaux a las 7 p.m. para celebrar las Vísperas Solemnes (Oración nocturna). Esta misa de oración solemne abrirá de manera formal las celebraciones litúrgicas de nuestro cuadragésimo aniversario y honraremos a aquéllos que se entregan a sí mismos al servicio de las comunidades parroquiales en nuestra diócesis. El domingo, 4 de julio a las 2 p.m. en la Catedral St. Francis de Sales en Houma, agradeceremos a Dios por tantas bendiciones derramadas sobre nuestra diócesis en estos últimos 40 años y además, promulgaremos el Plan Estratégico de nuestra diócesis, un plan que es el fruto extraordinario de todos los grandes esfuerzos que el clero y el laicado de nuestra diócesis han realizado juntos en los últimos 16 meses. Nos comprometemos juntos a lograr las metas de nuestro Plan Estratégico, confiando en nuestra expectativa que si cada uno de nosotros hace su parte, ¡el poder del Espíritu Santo hará realidad todo aquello que nos ha prometido!

Traducido por Julio Contreras, feligrés de la iglesia católica Annunziata en Houma.

Binh luan bang loi

H

Giáo phận có một quá khứ phong phú và một tương lai đầy hy vọng

Hãy hướng tâm chú ý về ngày lễ kỷ niệm 40 năm thành lập Giáo phận của chúng ta vào tháng 6 năm 2017, xem ra chúng ta cần có thời gian để nhớ lại lịch sử phong phú, là di sản của chúng ta. Điều quan trọng là chúng ta hãy kỷ niệm làm ngày này trong từng gia đình cũng như chung với nhau, như một gia đình của Chúa. Trong Tông huấn gần đây về gia đình, Đức Thánh Cha Phanxicô đã nhắc nhở chúng ta rằng: “Biết và phán đoán các sự kiện quá khứ là con đường duy nhất để xây dựng một tương lai có ý nghĩa.

Ký ức là điều cần thiết cho sự phát triển: ‘Hãy nhớ lại những ngày đầu’” (Dt 10:32) (Tông huấn Niềm Vui Yêu Thương, số 193).

Là Giám mục của Anh Chỉ Em (ACE), tôi rất vui mừng chia sẻ với (ACE) một vài điều nổi bật đối với tôi khi tôi suy nghĩ về lịch sử của Giáo phận chúng ta. Được tách khỏi lãnh thổ vào thời đó là Tổng Giáo phận New Orleans, Giáo phận HoumaThibodaux yêu dấu của chúng ta đã được Đức Giáo hoàng Phaolô VI thiết lập như là một giáo phận vào ngày 5 tháng 6 năm 1977 cùng với Đức Giám mục Warren Boudreaux là vị Giám mục đầu tiên. Nhận thức được di sản phong phú của đức tin Công Giáo trong khu vực đầm lầy này ở phía Nam Louisiana, 40 năm trước, Giáo phận Houma-Thibodaux được thành lập với tư cách là một giáo phận, có Nhà thờ Chính tòa St. Francis de Sales ở Houma và Nhà thờ Đồng Chính tòa St. Joseph ở Thibodaux. Trong 40 năm qua, chúng ta đã cố gắng truyền bá đức tin, phục vụ các nhu cầu của dân chúng và xây dựng Nước Chúa ở giữa chúng ta.

Năm 1977 đã quả thực là một dấu hiệu xác nhận dành cho chúng ta. Tuy nhiên, lịch sử tuyệt vời của đức tin Công Giáo trong vùng của chúng ta đã ấn định trước năm 1977 khi giáo phận được chính thức thành lập. Tài liệu khám phá đầu tiên vùng này là vào năm 1699, khi nhà thám hiểm và người khai hoang người Pháp Bienville khám phá Bayou Lafourche, viếng thăm các bộ tộc thổ dân da đỏ Washa. Khu vực thành phố Houma-

Thibodaux-Morgan đã trở thành nơi cư ngụ của nhiều dân tộc trong nhiều thế kỷ: thổ dân Houmas; người Pháp từ Nova Scotia và từ Pháp; người Đức từ vùng Rhineland và Thụy Sĩ; người nhập cư tiếng Tây Ban Nha và Anh-Saxon; người nô lệ Châu Phi từ các nông trại mía đường; các gia đình Ý từ miền nam nước Ý; Và người tị nạn Việt Nam. Khi tất cả những người này từ các nhóm dân tộc khác nhau định cư dọc theo nhánh sông, họ đã thành lập các nhà thờ và tìm kiếm kế sinh nhai trong các ngành nông nghiệp, hải sản và dầu mỏ. Cùng với rất nhiều người giáo dân nam và nữ, cha Charles M. Menard và cha Andrew Souby đã đóng vai trò then chốt trong việc phát triển và củng cố đức tin trong khu vực giáo phận của chúng ta. Khi chúng ta kỷ niệm 40 năm thành lập Giáo phận, chúng ta ca tụng và cầu nguyện cho những người trong khu vực của chúng ta, những người đã nuôi dưỡng và củng cố đức tin trong quá khứ, cũng như xin Thiên Chúa ban phúc lành cho những ai nuôi dưỡng và củng cố đức tin ngày hôm nay, và đặt niềm tin cậy phó thác của chúng ta nơi Thiên Chúa và nơi những ai sẽ nuôi dưỡng và củng cố đức tin trong tương lai.

Giống như bất kỳ ngày lễ kỷ niệm quan trọng nào, lễ kỷ niệm 40 năm của chúng ta kêu gọi những tán dương đó phải ăn rễ sâu nơi chúng ta trong việc cầu nguyện và lòng biết ơn. Lễ kỷ niệm của chúng ta sẽ diễn ra vào cuối tuần của ngày 3 và 4 tháng 6, là ngày gần nhất với ngày kỷ niệm 40 năm chính thức của chúng ta, tức là vào ngày 5 tháng 6. Vào Thứ Bảy, ngày 3 tháng 6 lúc 10 giờ sáng, chúng ta sẽ tổ chức các lễ truyền chức Linh mục tại Nhà thờ Chính toà St. Joseph ở Thibodaux, nơi tổ chức Lễ kỷ niệm 200 năm thành lập giáo xứ. Vào ngày này, các phó tế chuyển tiếp của chúng ta sẽ được thụ phong Linh mục của Chúa Giêsu Kitô.

Chúng ta mong đợi sự thụ phong của các Linh mục mới này cho giáo phận của chúng ta, và chúng ta vui mừng đón nhận và chào đón các tân Linh mục như là những ân huệ tuyệt vời của Thiên Chúa khi chúng ta đánh dấu 40 năm thành lập Giáo phận! Tôi khuyến khích các thanh thiếu niên hãy nghĩ đến việc

phục vụ trong ơn gọi Linh mục của giáo phận Houma-Thibodaux và khuyến khích các thiếu nữ trẻ nghĩ tới đời sống thánh hiến để đáp ứng lời mời gọi của Chúa nhằm phục vụ các nhu cầu của dân Chúa.

Các Thánh Lễ kỷ niệm 40 năm thành lập Giáo phận của chúng ta sẽ bắt đầu chính thức vào ngày Thứ Bảy, 3 tháng Sáu tại Nhà Thờ Chính Tòa St. Joseph ở Thibodaux khi chúng ta quy tụ vào lúc 7 giờ tối với Giờ Kinh Tối. Giờ Kinh Tối trọng thể này sẽ chính thức khai mạc các buổi Lễ kỷ niệm 40 năm thành lập Giáo phận của chúng ta, và chúng ta sẽ tôn vinh những người ngày hôm nay quảng đại hiến dâng mình trong việc phục vụ các cộng đoàn giáo xứ trong giáo phận. Vào Chúa Nhật, 4 tháng 6, lúc 2 giờ chiều, tại Nhà thờ Chính toà St. Francis de Sales ở Houma, chúng ta sẽ cảm tạ Thiên Chúa vì đã ban nhiều ơn phúc cho giáo phận trong 40 năm qua và cũng công bố Kế hoạch Thực 11 Hiện cho Giáo phận chúng ta, một kế hoạch là kết quả tuyệt vời của những nỗ lực hy sinh mà các giáo sĩ và giáo dân của giáo phận chúng ta đã cùng nhau thực hiện trong suốt 16 tháng qua.

Chúng ta sẽ cam kết cùng nhau hoàn thành các mục tiêu của Kế hoạch Thực Hiện của chúng ta, tin tưởng vào niềm hy vọng rằng nếu mỗi người chúng ta làm phần vụ của mình, quyền năng của Chúa Thánh Thần sẽ mang đến sự hoàn thành tất cả những gì chúng ta mong đợi và mong muốn trong việc phấn đấu để đổi mới đời sống giáo xứ và sự hình thành các môn đệ truyền giáo của Chúa Giêsu Kitô.

Xin vui lòng tham gia với chúng tôi trong các ngày Lễ kỷ niệm đã đề cập ở trên. Hãy nhớ đến giáo phận chúng ta trong lời cầu nguyện của ACE một cách đặc biệt vào lúc này. Sự hy vọng chân thành của tôi là tháng 6 năm 2017 sắp tới sẽ là một cơ hội tốt để mừng ngày kỷ niệm 40 thành lập Giáo phận của chúng ta và đặt niềm hy vọng chân thành của chúng ta vào Thiên Chúa, xác tín rằng Người sẽ thực hiện đầy đủ tất cả những gì Người đã hứa với chúng ta!

Dịch thuật do Lm. Francis Bui, SDD và Thầy Paul Vu, SDD. Tu Đoàn Tông Đồ Giáo Sĩ Nhà Chúa. www.bayoucatholic.com

Comment

Pope Francis: Stop using the word ‘illegal’ as a synonym for ‘immigrant’ The Pope Speaks

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Vatican City, (CNA/EWTN News) Pope Francis says that when it comes to solving the immigration crisis, the media need to stop perpetuating negative stereotypes and start explaining the big picture, shedding light on the causes behind migration.

“The mass media should be driven by the need to explain the different aspects of migration, also making the public aware of the causes of this phenomenon,” he said in an interview published April 7.

“The violation of human rights, the violent conflict in the social unrest, lack of basic necessities, natural disasters and those caused by man: all this must be told clearly to allow the right knowledge of the migration phenomenon and, therefore, the right approach.”

The Pope’s comments were made in a new interview with the Italian magazine, LibertàCivili, published every two months by the Italian Ministry for Internal Affairs.

In the interview, Francis slammed those in media who perpetuate negative stereotypes about migrants and refugees, especially when based on misinformation.

“How many times do you hear them speak of ‘illegal’ as a synonym for migrant. This is incorrect; it is information that starts from an incorrect basis and

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

that pushes the public to develop a negative opinion,” he said.

This points to the media’s obsession with sensationalism and negative stories which grab the public’s attention, he said. We always hear about any bad thing that an immigrant or refugee does, but it’s a “rare piece of news” that focuses on the good stories about them.

Good information is the kind that can “break down the walls of fear and indifference,” he continued.

Only when the media, through images and stories, presents the human aspect, can we move beyond the stereotypes and the fear, and really encounter and welcome other people.

For Christians, “the peaceful integration of people of different cultures” is a reflection of the Church’s catholicity, or universality, since “ethnic and cultural diversity is a dimension of the Church’s life, which in the Spirit of Pentecost is open to everyone,” he said.

If handled humanely, migration offers an opportunity for encounter and growth for everyone, Francis continued.

“We must not lose the sense of fraternal responsibility. The defense of human beings knows no barriers; we are all united in wanting to ensure a dignified life for every man, woman, child forced to abandon their land. There is no difference of belief that can stand against this will, indeed.”

Europe and other parts of the world at a “critical juncture” when it comes to migration and the management of migration policies, the Pope said. Leaders need “foresight and cohesion” as well as a “vigilant respect for fundamental human rights” to create policies that end the causes of forced migration.

Repeating what he often says about these policies, the Pope emphasized that there must be

international cooperation on the issue that respects both the country welcoming and those being welcomed, and that those coming to the new country respect the laws, customs and traditions of the nation they now reside in.

Likewise, European and other countries should remember how they have also experienced both immigration and emigration “the hard way.”

“How difficult was it after the war for millions of Europeans who left often with the whole family and crossed the ocean to land in South America or the United States!” he said.

“It was not an easy experience even for them. They suffered the burden of being regarded as strangers, they came from far away and without any knowledge of the local language. It was not an easy integration process.”

On January 1st of this year, Pope Francis formed a new Migrants and Refugees Section under the new Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development.

He did this, he said, because “the millions of migrants, refugees, displaced persons and victims of trafficking need special care.”

“The main mission of the Section is to support the Church and pastors – locally, regionally and internationally – in accompanying people at every stage of the migration process,” he said.

The Pope said that he thinks especially of people fleeing conflict, persecution, natural or man-made disasters, as well as traffickedpersons and those in exploitative situations, particularly migrant workers, women, adolescents, and children.

As in the past, migrants are an “enrichment for our society,” he said. “We have much to learn from the past; it is important to act with awareness, without stirring up fear of foreigners.”

Questions of Faith Father Wilmer Todd

Where I work there are several non-practicing and former Catholics. As someone who is an active and faithful Catholic, how can I share my faith with them and others without making them feel like I am judging them?

Unfortunately, this is too often the case of many people who look upon religion as “things we have to do” rather than entering a deeper relationship with the God who loves us, created us and redeemed us. As a faithful and active Catholic, the first thing you must do is show them your joy. The French Jesuit, biologist, and philosopher, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said, “Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.” Your fellow workers need to see God in you.

St. Philip Neri (1515-1595) once said, “Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life. Therefore, the servant of God ought always to be in good spirits.” We need to model for others. A deceased parishioner at St. Luke Church in Thibodaux used to say, “A sad Christian is a sad Christian.” How true!

Hopefully, after they see the joy in your life, they might become curious. They will want what you have.

The second thing you can do is invite them to a church mission or religious event where they will be exposed to a genuine religious experience. Many people grew up as spectators instead of worshipers.

They came to church, sat in the last pew, and watched what was going on instead of entering into the worship of God. Bishop Fabre reminded us in his Advent Pastoral, “We are all searching. Some of us are searching for happiness, some are searching for direction, and

others are searching for comfort in the midst of life’s struggles. What we all have in common is that we are all searching for something.”

These coworkers are searching for real meaning in their lives. Help them find that true meaning in their lives. Invite them to some significant event where they can experience true Christianity or share a good article with them.

Third, don’t be preachy. You don’t want to turn your coworkers away or have them dismiss you as a religious fanatic. Be interested in what they are interested in if it is morally decent. Show them that you are a loving person who cares for others. Show them Jesus’ love.

Remember Jesus’ commandment, “This is my commandment: that you love one another as I have loved you.”

That’s difficult to do. Jesus’ love was unconditional, it was real, it was genuine, it was inclusive, it was life giving. Unconditional love is caring about the happiness of another person without any thought of what we might get for ourselves. That type of love alone has the power to heal wounds, bind people together, and create a relationship that is a starting point for bringing people to the Lord.

Fourth, don’t be afraid to share some insights you received from attending the Eucharist. Maybe there was a particularly good homily. Maybe the homilist said, “Pleasure is the delight and fulfillment of the body. Happiness is the delight and fulfillment of the

mind (the psyche). Joy is the delight and fulfillment of the spirit.” This could lead to a great discussion about what we are really after in life. Anything can be a spring board to a deeper discussion of our direction in life.

Fifth, listen to their pain. Some people have been abused, some are holding on past hurts they might have experienced from a “church 13 person,” some might have had a wild youth that they are now ashamed of, etc. If you have gained their confidence, then listen to their stories without judging them.

Don’t try to “fix them.” Remind them that the church is in the forgiving business that includes self-forgiveness.

Lastly, we cannot change another person. The only person I can change is me. The only person you can change is you. The old saying is true, “You can bring a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.” Still, we can invite and ask God to lead these people to deeper relationship with the divine lover.

Don’t be afraid to share your joy and love with your coworkers.

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

Reflections Readings Between The Lines Father Glenn LeCompte

Like the apostles, we are commissioned to teach the way of Jesus

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The Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord will be celebrated on May 28, which is the Seventh Sunday of Easter. While it is understandable that during the Lectionary cycle wherein we read from Matthew, a reading from that Gospel would be assigned to this Solemnity. There is, however, one problem with assigning Matthew 28:16-20 to the Solemnity of the Ascension: no ascension of Jesus is reported in this passage! However, the risen Lord’s exaltation, which Luke conveys by means of ascension narratives (Luke 24:5053; Acts 1:1-11), Matthew depicts in conformity with his unique theological vision of Jesus.

Having received from the women at the tomb Jesus’ instruction to depart Jerusalem for Galilee (28:16), the disciples, who abandoned him at his arrest (26:56), are now more favorably depicted as heeding Jesus’ command. The sad hint of Judas’ defection (there are now only Eleven, not Twelve disciples, 28:16) will not prevent Jesus from commissioning the disciples for a mission.

That the disciples are summoned to Galilee is significant. The mission they are about to undertake is to begin where Jesus’ own mission began. To move from Jerusalem, (where they defected and were overwhelmed by Jesus’ death

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

[26:31]) to this place where Jesus’ mission began implies that the disciples are about to undertake an activity that entails a positive response to Jesus.

By contrast, Luke portrays Jesus commanding his disciples to begin their mission in Jerusalem (Luke 24:47-49). The mountain, upon which the disciples are gathered, is a theologically symbolic place of divine revelation in Matthew (5:1; 8:1; 14:23; 15:29; 17:1, 9).

Jesus “ordered” the disciples to this mountain (28:16). The Greek word translated “ordered” here can also mean “to appoint or establish in office.” However, Matthew probably has in mind an appointment to a specific task for the disciples rather than the establishment of an office for them.

Verse 17 records the disciples’ reaction, which is a mixture of “worship” and “doubt.”

Interestingly, the only other place in Matthew where these two words appear together is in the episode of Jesus’ walking on the water (14:3133). In both cases (14:31-33; 28:17), the mixed reaction coincides with a manifestation of Jesus in a divine appearance. The disciples have not completely overcome their primary negative character trait, “little faith,” in Matthew (see 14:31). Nevertheless, “worship” is a very positive reaction to Jesus in Matthew. Those who do so are people seeking from Jesus healing for themselves or others (8:2; 9:18;

15:25), one who acknowledges his divine authority (20:20), and the women who recognize him after his resurrection (28:9).

Used with reference to Jesus in Matthew only one other time (after Jesus is transfigured, 17:7), the verb “approached” in 28:18 refers to a manifestation of Jesus as divine.

Having approached the disciples, Jesus begins his commission of them with a statement that justifies his ability to do so. He has “been given authority” (the passive voice indicates God has given it). Perceiving that Jesus was challenging their own authority, the religious leaders questioned the legitimacy of his authority as part of their plot to justify their desire to silence him (21:23). In 28:18, Jesus clearly states what has been hinted at throughout the narrative; he possesses “all authority in heaven and upon earth.” Thus, his authority does indeed surpass that of the religious leaders.

Jesus commands the disciples to “make disciples of all the nations” (28:19), in other words, they are to offer to others the chance to experience the conversion process they have experienced. The word “nation” is often also rendered “Gentiles.” Scholars disagree as to whether the mission is only to the Gentiles or includes Gentiles.

With J. Meier (Matthew, 371), I understand a mission to all nations, including Israel.

In making disciples, the

a

Eleven are to baptize and teach (28:19-20). Whereas earlier they were allowed just to preach and heal, the disciples are permitted

by Jesus to teach only now that they have witnessed his death and resurrection. And in teaching they must hand on only what Jesus has “commanded” them (28:20), for he is the only true teacher (23:8).

The word “command” is carefully chosen to depict Jesus as the new Lawgiver who supersedes Moses.

Finally, Jesus does not depart from his church, because Matthew uniquely views him as “Emmanuel,” “God-with-us” (1:23).

He will be with his church until the “completion of the age,” a phrase used by Matthew only in speaking about the end-time reign of God (13:39, 40, 49; 24:3). The exalted Lord is ever with us as we continue his work.

On the Solemnity of the Ascension, we declare that Jesus, risen from the dead, is also Lord and ruler of the universe. This is why at the end of Matthew’s Gospel he declares that he has authority to do what in the Old

Testament only God could do: to summon all nations to himself. We have been the beneficiaries of the apostles’ work; through baptism we entered into the new life Jesus offered us by means of his death and resurrection. We have received Jesus’ teaching and thereby been informed of God’s will. Have we truly lived what we have been taught?

As in the case of the apostles, we are sent by Jesus to call others to conversion and to teach the way of Jesus. Are we acting on

this commission? What would have happened if the apostles had done nothing? How many might not have the opportunity to turn their lives around or even to know what it means to live in a right relationship with God? If we truly believe that Jesus has been given full authority by the Father, then we will indeed want to carry out the mission on which he sends us.

We never should fear that we have to do this alone, because Matthew’s Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us, always, until the end of time.

estions Reflection Qu

ted Lord ct Jesus as exal pi de w he att M ng into n How does him as ascendi of k ea sp not es although he do does? ke heaven as Lu Jesus has on “only what d an h e w do gave no n How s for which he n io at tu si in commanded” g? explicit teachin continue his first disciples to is h ed on si is y? n Jesus comm mmission toda rry out this co ca u yo do ow work; h

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Monday

16

ScriptureReadings Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

and a listing of Feast days and saints

Friday

24 April

25

26

27

28

1 May

2

3

4

5

Saturday

29

Third Sunday of Easter Acts 2:14, 22-33 1 Peter 1:17-21 Luke 24:13-35

6

7

Memorial of Saint Athanasius, bishop and doctor of the church Acts 7:51—8:1a John 6:30-35

Feast of Saints Philip and James, apostles 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 John 14:6-14

Easter Weekday Acts 8:26-40 John 6:44-51

Easter Weekday Acts 9:1-20 John 6:52-59

Easter Weekday Acts 9:31-42 John 6:60-69

8

9

10

11

12

13

18

Easter Weekday Acts 11:1-18 John 10:11-18

Easter Weekday Acts 11:19-26 John 10:22-30

Easter Weekday Easter Weekday Acts 12:24—13:5a Acts 13:13-25 John 13:16-20 John 12:44-50

Easter Weekday Acts 13:26-33 John 14:1-6

Easter Weekday Acts 13:44-52 John 14:7-14

15

16

17

19

20

Easter Weekday Acts 14:19-28 John 14:27-31a

22

23

29

30

Easter Weekday Easter Weekday Acts 16:11-15 Acts 16:22-34 John 15:26—16:4a John 16:5-11

Easter Weekday Acts 19:1-8 John 16:29-33

Easter Weekday Acts 20:17-27 John 17:1-11a

Easter Weekday Acts 15:1-6 John 15:1-8

Easter Weekday Acts 15:7-21 John 15:9-11

Easter Weekday Acts 15:22-31 John 15:12-17

Easter Weekday Acts 16:1-10 John 15:18-21

24

25

26

27

Easter Weekday Acts 17:15, 22—18:1 John 16:12-15

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord Acts 1:1-11 Ephesians 1:17-23 Matthew 28:16-20

Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, priest Acts 19:9-18 John 16:20-23

Easter Weekday Acts 18:23-28 John 16:23b-28

31

1 June

2

3

Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Zephaniah 3:14-18a Luke 1:39-56

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

Memorial of Saint Justin, martyr Acts 22:30; 23:611 John 17:20-26

Easter Weekday Acts 25:13b-21 John 21:15-19

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Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the church Acts 6:1-7 John 6:16-21

Easter Weekday Acts 6:8-15 John 6:22-29

Easter Weekday Acts 14:5-18 John 14:21-26

Sunday

Fourth Sunday of Easter Acts 2:14a, 36-41 1 Peter 2:20b-25 John 10:1-10

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Fifth Sunday of Easter Acts 6:1-7 1 Peter 2:4-9 John 14:1-12

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Sixth Sunday of Easter Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 1 Peter 3:15-18 John 14:15-21

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Seventh Sunday of Easter Acts 1:12-14 1 Peter 4:13-16 John 17:1-11a

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May

Holy Father’s prayer intentions

Evangelization

QUENTIN FALGOUST, MD

Cataract and LASIK Surgeon

RICHARD ARCENEAUX, MD

Cataract and LASIK Surgeon

ADVANCED EYE Christians of Africa, witnesses for peace. That Christians in Africa, in imitation of the merciful Jesus, may give prophetic witness to reconciliation, justice and peace.

See www.apostleshipofprayer.org

INSTITUTE

HOUMA 985.879.2393 268 CORPORATE DR THIBODAUX 985.446.0506 1101 AUDUBON AVE, STE N-5 VACHERIE 225.265.8555 22140 HWY 20, STE B WWW.FRIENDLYEYECARE.COM

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Shop Early for the Best Selection of Confirmation and First CommunionGifts

BIBLES VROSARIES VPHOTO FRAMES VROSARY BOXES ALBUMS VPLAQUES VJEWELRY VCARDS VCROSSES Serving the Diocese since 1991

God’s Promises Books & Gifts

Galliano Religious Supply House

God’s Precious Word & Gifts

648 B Corporate Drive

18210 West Main Suite 13 (985) 632-3040 Galliano

601 St. Mary Street

(Behind Target)

(985) 876-1283 Houma

(Next to Politz)

(985) 449-0618 Thibodaux

Donald & Tammy Plaisance, owners V Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9-5 Sat. 9-4

www.bayoucatholic.com

Young Voices One thing that my family and I do for Easter is that we go to church on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The reason that got me really loving the Easter season is my family pushed me about two years ago to go along with my church to different adoration chapels at different churches on Holy Thursday, and I have gone every year since. This is what my church calls a pilgrimage. Another thing my family and I do every day is read a daily devotion together, which brings us all closer to Christ, and acknowledging all that he did for us. I really thank Christ and all my family for everything they have done for me, and I’m happy to spend every Easter with them!

Jordyn Dupre, 15 years old St. Anthony of Padua Church parish Terrebonne High School

As a family we participate in the Hike for Christ at Christ the Redeemer Church. We attend Mass as a family and pray for our loved ones and those who need prayers. During Easter we love being with family and friends. My family is a group of people that helps me grow and strengthen my relationship with Jesus Christ. When I am with them I feel strongest in my faith.

Caroline Bernard, 16 years old St. Thomas Aquinas Church parish E.D. White Catholic High School

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What is one of your family’s Easter traditions that help to bring you all closer to the church and Jesus Christ?

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

One of my family’s Easter traditions is spending the day with each other. We give thanks as a family to God for sending his son Jesus to die for us in hope that someday we will have everlasting life. We remember all the past years of Easter gatherings and enjoy each other’s company. My family is thankful we are able to come together and get along like God wants us to.

Gaven Guidry, 16 years old St. Joseph Church parish, Chauvin Homeschooled

Easter is a great time during the liturgical year to bring us all closer to Jesus Christ. Every year, my family and I attend Mass to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior. Then after Mass, we all come together with my aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins to spend quality family time together. There’s no better way to grow closer to Jesus Christ than to attend Mass as a family and to spend time together.

Jacob Toups, 17 years old St. Thomas Aquinas Church parish E.D. White Catholic High School

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 call Darby Robichaux at the Office of the Bishop at (985) 8503124 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

March 2017 Burse Contributions

Note: Numbers stipulate the amount of completed burses.*

Minor Sr. & Lou Ella Cheramie Maude & Edith Daspit Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis family (3)* Clay Sr. & Evelida Duplantis C. Remie Duplantis Marie Elise Duplantis Warren J. Harang Jr. Msgr. Raphael C. Labit Msgr. Francis J. Legendre Rev. Charles Menard Dr. & Mrs. M.V. Marmande & Family Donald Peltier Sr. (3)* Harvey Peltier (30)* Richard Peltier The Peltier Foundation (5)*

Orleans & Louella Pitre Msgr. Joseph Wester Robert R. Wright Jr. Rev. Kermit Trahan St. Bernadette Men’s Club Diocesan Knights of Columbus Leighton Delahaye Mrs. Shirley Conrad Bishop Shelton J. Fabre Elizabeth Hebert Callais Family Fund Rev. Joseph Tu Tran Endowment Fund - $119,136.90

Rev. Anthony Rousso ........$50.00 Bernice Harang ..................$100.00 Edna W. DiSalvo ..................$50.00

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Open Burses with Balance as of March 31, 2017 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 ........................$11,200.00 Harvey Peltier No. 31 ........................................$10,486.91 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 ............................ $9,200.00 Elie & Dot Klingman ............................................ $9,140.00 Rev. Victor Toth ..................................................... $7,000.00 Brides of the Most Blessed Trinity ................ $6,598.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ........................................ $6,200.00 Rev. Peter Nies ....................................................... $6,000.00 Rev. Guy Zeringue ................................................ $5,400.00 Catholic Daughters .............................................. $5,225.00 Msgr. Francis Amedee ........................................ $5,150.00 Mr. & Mrs. Love W. Pellegrin .......................... $5,000.00 Anonymous 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 Society of St. Joseph ............................................ $5,000.00 Rev. Kasimir Chmielewski .................................. $4,839.00 Rev. Gerard Hayes ................................................ $4,786.00

Joseph “Jay” Fertitta ............................................. $4,450.00 Rev. Henry Naquin ............................................... $4,311.00 Harry Booker No. 2 .............................................. $4,138.00 Kelly Curole Frazier ............................................... $3,610.96 Msgr. James Songy .............................................. $3,575.00 J. R. Occhipinti ........................................................ $3,400.00 Anawin Community ............................................. $3,400.00 Mr. & Mrs. Galip Jacobs ..................................... $3,060.00 St. Jude ....................................................................... $3,000.00 Diocesan Knights of Columbus No. 2 ......... $2,894.62 James J. Buquet Jr. ................................................ $2,650.00 Rev. Peter H. Brewerton ..................................... $2,600.00 Mr. & Mrs. John Marmande ............................ $2,500.00 Warren J. Harang Jr. No. 2 ................................ $2,300.00 Willie & Emelda St. Pierre ................................. $2,000.00 Rev. H.C. Paul Daigle ........................................... $1,900.00 Deacon Connely Duplantis .............................. $1,675.00 Alfrances P. Martin ............................................... $1,650.00 Preston & Gladys Webre ................................... $1,650.00 Msgr. Francis J. Legendre No. 2 ..................... $1,645.00 Rev. Robert J. Sevigny ......................................... $1,600.00 Rev. John Gallen .................................................... $1,600.00 Rev. Hubert C. Broussard .................................. $1,550.00 Msgr. Emile J. Fossier .......................................... $1,545.00 Dr. William 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 Judge Louis & Shirley R. Watkins .................. $1,050.00 Ronnie Haydel ........................................................ $1,035.00 Rev. Clemens Schneider .................................... $1,000.00 Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux No. 4 .............. $1,000.00 Msgr. John G. Keller ............................................. $1,000.00 Deacon Willie Orgeron ..........................................$800.00 Ruby Pierce ..................................................................$800.00 Rev. Joseph Tu Tran No. 2 ....................................$764.00 Deacon Roland Dufrene ........................................$750.00 Juliette & Eugene Wallace ....................................$700.00 Deacon Edward J. Blanchard ...............................$700.00 Edna W. DiSalvo ........................................................$700.00 Bernice Harang ..........................................................$600.00 Deacon Raymond LeBouef ..................................$550.00 Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Cannata ..............................$500.00 Anne Veron Aguirre .................................................$380.00 Dean Joseph Chiasson ...........................................$350.00 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 Deacon Eldon Frazier ............................................... $ 50.00 Deacon Nick Messina .............................................. $ 50.00 Rev. Warren Chassaniol .......................................... $ 50.00

Overall Seminarian Burse Totals: $1,639,038.02 www.bayoucatholic.com

Three to be ordained priests at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral on June 3 Story by Janet Marcel The Rev. Mr. Brice Higginbotham, the Rev. Mr. John David Matherne and the Rev. Mr. Jean-Marie Muzeyi Nsambu will be ordained to the priesthood Saturday, June 3, at 10 a.m., at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. Bishop Shelton J. Fabre will be the ordaining prelate.

Rev. Mr. Brice Higginbotham Born: March 1, 1990 Home parish: St. Thomas Aquinas, Thibodaux Seminary: St. Joseph’s Seminary College (St. Benedict) and Notre Dame Seminary (New Orleans) Favorite field of study: Sacred Scripture Favorite saint: Saint Joseph - The mission or charism of the diocesan priest is to assist the bishop in the care of souls. He is to care for the church (the pilgrim people of God) with fatherly tenderness. In that sense, St. Joseph is a model for the priest insofar as he was entrusted by God with care for Mary, the image of the Church, and Jesus, the leader and life-giving head of the church. St. Joseph has been a powerful intercessor, incredible inspiration, and immense comfort for me for many years now. It is because of his great example of celibate fatherhood, giving everything for Jesus (and Mary), that Joseph is my favorite saint.

Hobbies: Reading; studying Scripture, languages and philosophy; exercise, cooking, amateur graphic design and writing

The Rev. Mr. Brice 20 Higginbotham is a 27 year old native of Church Point and a graduate of Church Point High School. He is the son of Sammy and Amber Higginbotham.

“I first felt a call to priesthood at a weekday, ‘school Mass’ when I was six years old in the first grade,” says the Rev. Mr. Higginbotham. “I ran away from that call for a long time, but when I was 18 years old, I began to pray with the Bible every day. As I was daily encountering Jesus both in Word and sacrament, I fell in love with him more and more. He was continuing to call me to the priesthood and I wanted to do his will because I was coming to love him more than anything in the world.”

At the same time, he recalls that he was engaging in a significant amount of ministry—youth ministry in his home parish, testimonies at missions, campus ministry at the University of Louisiana, and the like. He says he found himself most happy in prayer, when engaging in ministry, and when mentoring young people.

“I shared the feelings of a Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

calling to the priesthood with my spiritual director and he pointed out that I felt most alive when doing ‘priest-like things’ insofar as I was capable as a layman. The movements of my prayer and the practical movements of my life coincided, making clear God’s call for me to apply for seminary so as to further discern and to aspire to the gift of the priesthood.”

In the past eight years, he says that call has been confirmed and strengthened over and over again and he finds himself as ready as can be to receive the sublime gift of the priesthood.

His greatest challenge thus far while studying for the priesthood was adjusting to life without ministry. “I accepted the call to priesthood in the midst of prayer and ministry,” he explains. “Then I was sent to seminary at a Benedictine monastery (St. Ben’s) where, spiritually, I entered into the hidden life of Nazareth with Jesus. I still had prayer, but I had very little ministry. The rhythm of life was very different from what I was used to and I longed to be in a parish with God’s people.”

He engaged in ministry as he could, made friends and, most

importantly, took the advice of Brother Michael, an old monk who would sit outside every afternoon to share his wisdom and his jokes. “I ‘persevered in prayer’ in response to Brother Michael’s constant exhortation. God blessed the time in ‘Nazareth’ and I look forward to being in full-time priestly service to God’s people very soon.”

The Rev. Mr. Higginbotham says he is most looking forward to experiencing the day to day lives of the people of God as together they strive for holiness, offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass— with and for God’s people, bringing God’s forgiveness to his people in confession and learning from the wisdom of the people I am called to serve. “In other words,” he says, “I can’t wait to truly be a spiritual father for God’s children, trusting in his grace that he will use me (with my many sins and imperfections) to show his love, his mercy, and his power to his people.”

He will celebrate his First Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Thomas Aquinas Church parish in Thibodaux, Sunday, June 4, at 10:30 a.m.

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Rev. Mr. John David “J.D.” Matherne Born: May 9, 1989 Home parish: St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland Seminary: St. Joseph’s Seminary College (St. Benedict) and Notre Dame Seminary (New Orleans) Favorite field of study: Spirituality of the laity and vocation Favorite saint: Pope St. John Paul II… His writings and reflections on the nature of man have revolutionized the way I experience our faith, both as a member of the clergy and as a member of the human family. I was first introduced to his genius through the Theology of the Body, but I have come to a greater understanding that his focus on the deepest identity of mankind is more transformative than I could have ever imagined. Seeing ourselves as good, as children of God, and as gifts to others literally touches every part of life and injects the Gospel wherever we find ourselves.

Hobbies: Big time sports fan, especially my LSU Tigers. From football to gymnastics, LSU is where my loyalty lies on the field. I also really enjoy hanging out with my friends, brother seminarians and (future) brother priests for movie outings or dinners.

The Rev. Mr. John David “J.D.” Matherne is a 27 year old native of Raceland and a graduate of Central Lafourche High School.

He is the son of Jody and Aline “Yogi” Matherne, and has one sister, Jackie M. Robichaux.

The Rev. Mr. Matherne says that growing up, his family was always close to the priest, so he was familiar with the friendly, human side of priests. “As I grew older, their examples of living out a fatherhood that was rich, fulfilling and complete attracted

me. The best priest I ever met was my grandfather, who epitomized all of these things in his relationship with his family. It takes the same stuff to serve as a priest of a home with a family as it does to serve as a priest with a parish. I want nothing more than to love my parish family in the same way he loved his biological family.”

The Rev. Mr. Matherne says his greatest challenge while studying for the priesthood is not falling into laziness in the little things (daily holy hour, praying the Liturgy of the Hours faithfully, meetings with a spiritual director, etc.), especially when he is so busy in ministry and when compliments are abundant. “Complacency becomes a very easy trap in which to fall. My ministry as a priest of Jesus Christ will only be as effective as my relationship with him is deep, so being faithful in the private and daily expressions of love must be my first priority in serving the church.”

As he looks forward to his ministry as a priest, The Rev. Mr. Matherne says, “I am very excited to be a minister of God’s mercy through the sacrament of reconciliation. In my life, it has been through the grace of this sacrament that I have been able to grow in such a deep relationship with Jesus,” says The Rev. Mr. Matherne. “I am grateful to the priests who have heard my confessions (and continue to hear them) over so many years, and I hope to make myself radically available to the faithful as a conduit of the mercy of God.” He will celebrate his first Mass of Thanksgiving Saturday, June 3 at St. Mary’s Nativity Church parish in Raceland at 4 p.m.

Rev. Mr. Jean-Marie Nsambu Born: July 27, 1973 Home parish: St. Genevieve, Thibodaux; Our Lady of Africa, Mbuya Catholic Church, Kampala Seminary: Kisubi Minor Seminary for part of my high school (Uganda); a Propaedeutic Year of Discernment with the Consolata Missionaries (Nairobi); and Notre Dame Seminary (New Orleans) Favorite field of study: International law and diplomacy in secular studies, and bioethics in my theology Favorite saint: Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney is my favorite saint because he is the model for parish priests. But, more so I have prayed through him ever since I learned that my immediate patron saint, Jean-Marie Muzeyi, one of the first 24 Catholic Uganda martyrs was given the name after the Curé d’Ars Vianney, at baptism, when the French White Fathers introduced Catholicism in Uganda almost 140 years ago.

Hobbies: Writing, soccer, music/singing, cultural interactions/immersions, and advocacy

The Rev. Mr. Jean-Marie Nsambu is a 43 year old native of Kampala, the capital of Uganda in the eastern part of Africa. He attended high school at a number of colleges in Uganda, including Kisubi Minor Seminary and Makerere University in Kampala where he obtained a bachelor of laws degree and a master’s degree in international relations and diplomatic studies. He is the son of Hillary and Justina Wannyana Nsambu and has four sisters and three brothers.

The Rev. Mr. Nsambu says he was attracted to the priesthood by the Comboni Missionaries who run Mbuya Parish, where

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www.bayoucatholic.com

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Priests’ ordination he was born, raised and had the opportunity to work as managing editor of the oldest publication in Uganda, Leadership Magazine.

“The predominantly Italian missionaries did a lot to protect parishioners and other people during the turbulent times of the 1970s and early 1980s, when citizens would randomly be killed,” says The Rev. Mr. Nsambu.

Where many foreign nationals evacuated the country, the Italian missionaries stayed on with the suffering population, often speaking against the excesses, and relentlessly carrying out works of mercy. I wanted to be like some of them.”

Being a long way from home, in a completely new culture, was initially a big challenge for me, explains the Rev. Mr. Nsambu.

“Matters were not made better 22 with giving up my job and having to depend on the goodwill of friends and benefactors to take care of my needs during formation.

However, the blessings from family and close friends with which I came, encouraged me in much the same way as the people of the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux and other places readily received and supported me.”

The Rev. Mr. Nsambu says he is most looking forward to serving the people as a priest.

“I can’t wait to embrace my assignment, and there, celebrate the sacraments of the Eucharist, penance and anointing, which I have anticipated from the very first pulse of my desire to serve as a priest of Jesus Christ, back when I was only eight or nine years old.

I am looking forward to employing my humble gifts to draw more people toward the cross of Jesus, and thereby, salvation.”

He will celebrate his first Mass of Thanksgiving, Sunday, June 4, at St. Genevieve Church in Thibodaux, at 10:30 a.m.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

Outreach Line In response to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is offering an Outreach Line (formerly known as the Child Protection Contact Line). The Outreach Line is an effort to continue the diocesan commitment to support healing for people who have been hurt or sexually abused recently or in the past by clergy, religious or other employees of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Outreach Line operates from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. A trained mental health professional responds to the line. Individuals are offered additional assistance if requested.

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

Línea de Comunicación Diocesana

Con el fin de cumplir con las Políticas de Protección de Niños y Jóvenes de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Los Estados Unidos, la Diócesis de Houma-Thibodaux ofrece una Línea de Comunicación (antes Línea de Contacto para la Protección de los Niños). La Línea de Comunicación es parte del esfuerzo diocesano de comprometerse con el mejoramiento de aquéllos que han sido lastimados o abusados sexualmente recientemente o en el pasado por miembros del clero, religiosos u otros empleados de la Diócesis de Houma-Thibodaux.

El horario de la Línea de Comunicación de la Diócesis de Houma-Thibodaux es de 8:30 a.m. a 4:30 p.m., de lunes a viernes. El encargado de esta línea es un profesional capacitado en salud mental. Se ofrece asistencia adicional al ser solicitada.

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

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

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

Rev. Mr. Paul Birdsall to be ordained transitional deacon May 27 Story by Janet Marcel The Rev. Mr. Paul Birdsall will be ordained to the transitional diaconate Saturday, May 27, at 10 a.m., at St. Joseph CoCathedral in Thibodaux.

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre will be the ordaining prelate.

The Rev. Mr. Birdsall is a 28 year old native of Cut Off and a graduate of the Seminary of Christ the King High School in Rev. Mr. Paul Birdsall British Columbia, Canada.

He is the son of Dr. Gary and Wanda Birdsall and has three brothers and two sisters. He is currently attending Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.

As part of his priestly formation, the Rev. Mr.

Birdsall has worked at St. Genevieve Church parish in Thibodaux, Sacred Heart Church parish in Cut Off, St. Joseph Church parish in Galliano, St. Anthony of Padua Church parish in Bayou Black, St. John the Evangelist Church parish in Thibodaux, and St. Hilary of Poitiers Church parish in Mathews.

His responsibilities at these parishes included serving at Masses, setting up for and cleaning up after Masses, youth ministry, youth events, teaching CCD and vacation Bible school, leading and helping with parish Bible study groups, mission trips, Communion, nursing home and hospital visits, helping parish staff, office work/administration, serving and attending parish and diocesan meetings and committees, door to door evangelization, witness and theological talks and seminars, and homiletic reflections on Mass readings. The Rev. Mr. Birdsall says after he is ordained to the transitional diaconate he is most looking forward to celebrating the sacraments and serving the great people of Houma-Thibodaux.

His ordination to the priesthood is scheduled for 2018.

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www.bayoucatholic.com

Glynn Hebert

Glynn Cooks:

CHICKEN

LIKE MAW MAW Story and Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

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This month’s heavenly recipe, chicken stew, comes from Glynn Hebert of Chauvin. Glynn and his wife Nanette are parishioners of St. Joseph Church parish in Chauvin. They have three sons, Christopher, Jonathan and Timothy. Glynn cooks for a living after working in the supply business (hardware) for many years. “I currently work at the Terrebonne Parish Annex where I cook for the Council on Aging for the Senior Citizen meals. Right now we prepare about 800 meals a day, Monday through Friday, for the parish’s Senior Citizen Centers and Meals on Wheels.”

Cooking for a large group is nothing new for Glynn.

Years ago he used to cook for the church parish’s Lagniappe Festival; he would cook the shrimp spaghetti and shrimp stew for the event. In fact, it was at the festival that he learned how to cook for such a large group.

He says one of his greatest joys was cooking at the festival with his grandmother Octavio, who would cook gumbo for Sunday dinner at the festival. “I would like to think that my chicken stew is like my Maw Maw Octavio’s stew.”

He also has cooked jambalaya for the Steubenville on the Bayou Catholic Youth Conference.

Glynn is a member of the Knights of Columbus, a past grand knight and faithful navigator; and Nanette taught CCD for many years and is still involved in parish life.

One of the devotions Glynn loves the most is the Holy Thursday adoration and midnight Benediction that the KCs have been doing for the past 17 years. “We recite the scriptural rosary; we pray the readings of the wounds of Christ in the beginning, then the Divine Mercy Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

Chicken Stew INGREDIENTS: 1-1/2 cup oil (for roux) 2 cups flour (for roux) 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 lbs. onions, chopped fine 1 cup bell pepper, chopped fine 1 cup celery, chopped fine 8 cups water or chicken stock 8 to 10 chicken thighs with bone, sprinkle with seasoned salt and pepper 1 cup green onions 1 cup parsley

DIRECTIONS: After your roux is cooked, add onions and saute until clear. Add bell pepper and celery and saute until tender, approximately 15 minutes. Add the water or chicken stock to the mix with the chicken thighs. Cook for three hours over a medium-low heat to a slow rolling boil. After three hours, debone the chicken if desired and put back into the stew. Add green onions and parsley, and simmer for an additional hour until done. Serve over rice with potato salad. Serves six to eight.

chaplet and finish with Benediction at midnight.

That is a special devotion for me.”

He enjoys cooking the meals and working with the trustees provided by the sheriff’s office.

“Many of the cooks and helpers didn’t have the right direction in life. Many of them didn’t have a positive role model in their life; reflecting on their situation gives you an appreciation for life. Many of the trustees are very good workers, most of the head cooks are top notch. You might not have an appreciation for someone until you work with that person. In my work I get to reflect on life and God’s work and the deeper meanings of life.”

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ayou Blue’s native son celebrates his 25th anniversary

Story by Janet Marcel Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier Bayou Blue native Father Robert Rogers, pastor of St. Louis Church parish in Bayou Blue since July 2015, is celebrating his 25th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood this year. He was ordained June 13, 1992, by the late Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux, first bishop of Houma-Thibodaux.

Father Rogers says his decision to become a priest was influenced directly

by God. “When I was in the third grade, I was attending Mass with my mother in this church (St. Louis, Bayou Blue) and I looked up at the altar and said, ‘I think I want to be a priest.’ I just felt it in my heart … I thought if God made us and he loves us, then the most important

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thing would be to serve him, and from that day on I began praying about it every day. I asked my mother immediately if I could become an altar boy; she asked Father Manikowski, and he said yes.”

He says that as a youth he was inspired by his church parish, which just happens to be the same parish he is pastor of today. The people of the parish encouraged and supported him. The church was like a home to him; it was what he wanted to be a part of. He volunteered a lot as a youth in the parish doing things like cleaning and decorating the church, sometimes serving at all the Masses on a weekend, cutting grass, and working at the fairs and other parish activities. He always saw his involvement in the church as the most important thing.

Father Rogers says that even though he was tested and pushed in the seminary, being there was a real blessing in his life. “My world opened up in many ways. … I was able to be around other young men that had the same desire in their heart as I had to become a priest. We had wonderful teachers and monks that influenced our lives. I began to learn to pray with and for the church. The monastic liturgies drew me in, along with the powerful witness of the monks. I was brought into the sublime meaning of the liturgy by the monks. I felt drawn to the monastic life; however I thought I could bring aspects of it to my life as a parish priest.”

Father Rogers says he never had any strong desire to do anything else with his life. Whenever he thought of other things, he felt like he was running away from what he knew deep in his soul was his calling. “There have been ups and downs but through it all I never lost that desire to be a priest.”

Recalling the day he was ordained, he says he had a “holy fear.” “I remember feeling how unworthy I was ... having a reservation about entering in to something that I knew was humanly impossible for me to carry out. I was praying to God that I could do this well and be pleasing to him, but I knew that as a human being, I couldn’t do it without God. I knew I always wanted to have the humility, docility, trust and desire to go where he wants me to go.”

The most challenging aspect of being a priest, says

SINCE FAST st Intere Free cing Finan

Father Rogers, has been growing in personal holiness … how to be a better man before God, how to surrender to God, give up vices and be able to really live the life of virtue.

Another aspect of being a priest that he finds challenging is drawing a soul closer to Jesus, walking with them and helping them. “If God has chosen me to do this, the challenge has been how do I lead others to God,” says the priest, adding, “One of my greatest joys as a priest is to see someone who has been far away come back to life and become so devoted to Christ and his work … being a pastor of souls and being able to lead people to the Good Shepherd.”

Father Rogers says the highlight of his life as a priest, outside of the Mass, is when the people of the parish form a community of faith and love and charity while they are working together, ministering to others or just cooking and cleaning. “Community life is important to me; I want the parishioners to do things together. I enjoy functions with the people where we can all socialize and they see me not only as their pastor but also as their friend. The greatest blessing has been the human relationships and friendships that have been forged through my life of being a priest.”

Father Rogers has five siblings and his parents still live in the Bayou Blue parish where he was raised.

His vocation is so ingrained in him that he says the things he loves most are the things of God. He reads a 27 great deal about the saints, spiritual things, philosophy, science, art and church history, and also likes to study about different cultures, visit with and have conversations with people.

He says he is enjoying being back as a pastor in his home parish. “It has been delightful. Overall, I think being from this community gives me an edge on getting things accomplished. I know a lot of the people, but the community that I grew up in is different than it is today. Many people have moved in here that I didn’t know; I didn’t come back to what was. The people have been very cooperative and respectful of me as their pastor, and I have tremendous gratitude for the elders of the parish and what they accomplished here,” says Father Rogers.

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St . Bernadette Soubirous

Bayou Patrons

Patron saint of illness, poverty, shepherds and Lourdes, France

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Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

Continuing our Bayou Patrons series, this month’s featured saint is Bernadette Soubirous, who is best known for her visions from the Virgin Mary.

Bernadette was born in Lourdes, France, in 1844, 28 the first of nine children. As a toddler, she contracted cholera and suffered extreme asthma, living the rest of her life in poor health.

When Bernadette was 14 years old, she claimed that a beautiful woman appeared to her, smiled and made the sign of the cross with a rosary of ivory and gold.

Bernadette fell to her knees, took out her own rosary and began to pray. Three days later, Bernadette saw the woman again. She said “the vision” asked her to return to the grotto each day for a fortnight. With each visit, Bernadette saw the woman and the period of daily visions became known as the “holy fortnight.”

After a week, Bernadette had a life-changing vision.

The vision told her to “drink of the water of the spring, to wash in it and to eat the herb that grew there” as an act of penance. The next day, the grotto’s muddy waters had been cleared and fresh clear water flowed.

At the 13th of the apparitions, Bernadette told her family the woman said “a chapel should be built and a procession formed.” During her 16th vision, Bernadette claimed she asked the woman her name and the woman said, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” Though many townspeople believed she had indeed been seeing the Virgin Mary, Bernadette’s story created a division in her town because others believed she had a mental illness and demanded she be put in a mental asylum.

Church authorities and the French government interviewed Bernadette extensively and after some time confirmed she was telling the truth. Since Bernadette first caused the spring to produce clean water, 69 cures have been verified by the Lourdes Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

Medical Bureau, and after what the church claimed were “extremely rigorous scientific and medical examinations,” no one was able to explain what caused the cures.

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, which was built at the site of her visions, is now one of the major Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world. Following the miracles and constructions, Bernadette decided she did not like the attention she was getting and went to the hospice school run by the Sisters of Charity of Nevers, where she was taught to read and write.

In 1866, Bernadette joined the Sisters of Charity at their motherhouse at Nevers, where she spent the rest of her life working as an infirmary assistant and sacristan.

People greatly admired her humility and spirit of sacrifice. A sister once asked her if she had temptations of pride because she was favored by

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the Blessed Mother, to which she answered, “How can I? The Blessed Virgin chose me only because I was the most ignorant.”

Bernadette died in the infirmary of the convent in 1879 at the age of 35 while praying the rosary.

Bernadette’s body was buried in the crypt of the small chapel dedicated to Saint Joseph within the confines of the convent. Thirty years later, two doctors and a sister of the community exhumed her body.

They claimed the crucifix and rosary she carried had been oxidized but her body remained incorrupt.

The incorruption was cited as one of the miracles supporting her canonization.

The church exhumed her body two more times and the last time relics were sent to Rome and an imprint of her face and hands were molded to be used for the presentation of her body, which was placed in a gold and crystal reliquary in the Chapel of Saint Bernadette at the mother house in Nevers (www. catholic.org/saints).

According to the history of St. Bernadette Soubirous Church parish in Houma, prior to its establishment in June 1958, the Archdiocese of New Orleans had established a presence in the Bayou Cane area.

Priests from St. Francis Church celebrated Sunday Mass in the Bayou Cane School. Later the parish celebrated Mass at the Broadmoor School Cafeteria.

On Feb. 11, 1958, Archbishop Joseph F. Rummel called a committee meeting in New Orleans to present Father George Herbert as the new pastor of the Bayou Cane area. Archbishop Rummel further suggested that the name of the new parish be St. Bernadette Soubirous, because it was on the morning of Feb. 11, 1858, exactly 100 years earlier, that the Blessed Mother appeared to Bernadette Soubirous.

Very Rev. Carl Collins, V.F., pastor of St. Bernadette Church parish in Houma since June 2012, says after he was ordained to the priesthood,

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he had the opportunity to make two pilgrimages to Lourdes. “Prior to these pilgrimages, I didn’t know a lot about St. Bernadette. Coming to know her story I admire how she was both persistent in her belief and persevering in communicating the message of the vision she received. In communicating the message, Bernadette’s humility and compassion are to be admired. When she joined the sisters of charity, even though she was ill herself, she reached out to the sick as part of her duty and assisted in the infirmary.

One can see the spirit of Bernadette’s compassion at Lourdes in how the sick are always treated as the most important persons.”

Saint Bernadette is often depicted in art praying with a rosary or appealing to the Virgin Mary. She is the patron of illness, people ridiculed for their piety, poverty, shepherds, shepherdesses, and Lourdes, France. Her feast day is April 16. www.bayoucatholic.com

Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops issues statement: The death penalty is not acceptable (Statement Issued April 18, 2017) Three centuries ago in the year 1722 our state of Louisiana performed its first recorded legal execution. Since that act we have dealt with this stain of the death penalty carried out by our state in the names of its citizens. This current legislative session allows us in a renewed way to move beyond this dark reality of our state’s history and toward a state that affirms life without exception.

Therefore the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops unequivocally supports both Senator Claitor’s SB 142 and Representatives Landry and Pylant’s HB 101. Saint Pope John Paul II, in his historic papal encyclical Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), discussed at great 30 length the distinction between a culture of life and a culture of death.

In truth, our culture oftentimes mirrors a culture of death rather than one of life. It is clear that the use of the death penalty does not serve as an instrument to address the deep-rooted issues that are the cause of widespread violent crime within our society. Instead it is a “solution” that seduces us into believing that the taking of a life solved a problem, and in fact forces us further into a culture of death.

Saint Pope John Paul II proclaims “that not even a murderer loses his personal dignity, as God himself pledges to guarantee this. For this reason whoever attacks human life, in some way attacks God himself” (Evangelium Vitae, No. 9). In making this statement, Saint Pope John Paul II reminds us of our call to the foundational theme of Catholic Social Teaching–The Life and Dignity of the Human Person– and that we are to uphold human dignity which does not discriminate between the innocent and guilty.

Given that life is valued above and Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

beyond all else, we must advocate for an alternative to the death penalty. Strong statements of Pope Francis echoes the foundational principles laid out by Saint Pope John Paul II’s, Evangelium Vitae.

In a 2015 letter to the president of the International Commission Against the Death Penalty, our Holy Father stated that the death penalty “is an offense against the inviolability of life and dignity of the human person, which contradicts God’s plan for man and society …

It does not render justice to victims, but rather fosters vengeance. For the rule of law, the death penalty represents a failure, as it obliges the state to kill in the name of justice.

Justice can never be wrought by killing a human being.” To this end, we must ask ourselves whether or not there is vengeance in our hearts. In many ways that which we fear–violence itself–has forced us to become proponents of violence.

Just as the pursuit of justice should never be perverted by vengeance, fear should never darken the evershining light of life. We remain deeply aware of the pain and grief that victims suffer, especially those who have lost a loved one through the crime of murder or crimes of violence. We pledge to deepen our commitment to persons who have suffered such violence, anguish and pain. Our opposition to the death penalty is not intended in any way to diminish what victims and their families have suffered.

On the contrary it is a statement which affirms the lives of those lost and the ultimate value of life in general. The stark reality is that capital punishment fails to bring back life that has been lost. It does not provide healing, reconciliation, or even peace to those impacted.

Our merciful heavenly Father does provide such things to us when we

turn to him and ask for his love to be poured out onto us. The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls us to recognize the balance that must exist between a state which needs to protect its citizenry as well as the appropriateness of the punishment it uses to do so. “If, however, nonlethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people’s safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means … Today, … the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity are very rare, if not practically nonexistent” (CCC 2267). We believe that in Louisiana, a just alternative to the death penalty already exists. In 1979, Louisiana adopted a statute requiring all persons convicted of first degree murder to serve a life sentence without benefit of parole if they were not executed for such crimes.

Therefore life imprisonment is the appropriate alternative given that it reflects a culture of life by valuing life itself. The Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops asks all men and women of good faith, especially those members of the Louisiana legislature, to search their heart in an effort to seek mercy and love to support the repeal of the death penalty and aid in building a culture of life. We renew the call issued in our 1994 statement Violence in Our Society: Death is Not the Answer. “We must believe in the all-powerful redemptive love of God which can change hearts, convert people, and renew all things … We must be a people who see the value of a human life that others might think to be worthless. We must be a people who give praise to the God of all possibilities whose powerful spirit of love can renew the face of the earth.” The time is upon us to affirm life without exception here within our great state of Louisiana.

Book Reviews

A Gentleman in Moscow Reading with Raymond Raymond Saadi

The Miracle of St. Genevieve

By Woody Falgoux Stockard James $27.95 Beginning inauspiciously in 1959 with its’ first standing room only Mass in a warehouse, Falgoux traces the growth of St. Genevieve Church parish in Thibodaux from its’ founder, John Newfield, followed by pastors Winus “Rootin Tootin” Roeten, Robert Melancon and Wilmer “Willie” Todd. Struggling with finances, new rules from Vatican II and the individual quirks of each new pastor, St. Genevieve grew to its’ large congregation today in its’ contemporary open arch church building. Growth of the church and school relied heavily on an annual fair until all such fundraisers were cancelled

by Bishop Warren Boudreaux. Despite the serious money problems this created, the church and school survived and thrived with the generous support of individual parishioners and families. And, that’s the miracle.

By Amor Towles Viking $27 An absolutely wonderful novel despite the fact it concerns a man sentenced to spend his life confined to an attic room in a hotel. But, not just any hotel, the Metropol, Russia’s finest across the street from the Kremlin. And not just an ordinary prisoner; thirtyyear-old Count Alexander Rostov, turns the tables on his Bolshevik captors by uncannily adapting to his impoverished surroundings. He soon is enjoying the company and tastings of the hotel chef along with the finest wines in the hotel as well as a beautiful actress with whom he bonds easily. His life is untroubled until fate puts the life of a young girl in his hands. Filled with moments of pathos, humor and characters not easily forgotten.

The Acadian Miracle & the True Story of the Acadians Both by Dudley J. LeBlanc: 50th & 90th Anniversary Editions Revised & Edited by M.M. LeBlanc (Biz Entine Press. Com) If you’re too young to remember Dudley J. LeBlanc (Cuzin Dud), you missed one of the most colorful Cajuns who ever lived. Whether young or old, all is not lost as LeBlanc’s story of the Acadians is beautifully and accurately told in these anniversary editions revised and edited by his granddaughter, M.M. LeBlanc.

A James Patterson trio Three New and Current Novels Little and Brown $28 & $29 Although Patterson calls The Black Book his best in 20 years, I think Cross the Line is even better, perhaps because he wrote it alone or because it brings back Alex Cross and his wife, Bree. Black Book is no slouch by any means as it deals with the disappearance of a local Madam’s little black book; and, in his glimpse of the future, Humans Bow Down, The “Great War” is over and the robots have won. Fans are booked for the beach.

I am Brian Wilson Da Capo $26.99 This memoir of the iconic leader of the Beach Boys will have you humming “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “God Only Knows,” “In My Room” and many more, as Wilson shares the stories of the Boys’ beginning, trials, break-ups and reunions. Revealing and refreshing. www.bayoucatholic.com

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32 Hundreds of youth from across the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux attended the annual diocesan youth rally held recently at Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma. The featured speaker for the event was Tony Melendez, a Nicaraguan motivational speaker who was born without arms. Bishop Shelton J. Fabre spent the day with the youth.

The bishop and priests of the diocese celebrated the closing Mass.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

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Photos by Caroline Nini

www.bayoucatholic.com

Life-long educator, principal of 17 years, retires Story by Janet Marcel Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier Brenda Tanner, principal of St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School in Houma, is retiring after 33 years of service at the school, 17 of those years as principal.

The Houma native says as long as she can remember she has always wanted to be a teacher and she can’t imagine doing anything else. “When I was five or six years old I would play school. I had a chalkboard and students and I was the teacher … that was always my dream and it never changed. I truly love being in education and I love the students.”

Tanner’s first teaching job was at St. Gregory Catholic Elementary School in Houma where she started out teaching 2nd grade then went on to teach 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th grade English. She taught there 34 for six years until she decided to take some time off to be at home with her children.

Tanner says what she has enjoyed most about being principal at St. Francis is getting to know all of the different students and their families, watching them grow and trying to keep up with them after they leave. And, the most challenging aspect of being an educator has been dealing with the changes that go on in the lives of the students and their families. “Every student and every family has different needs and different struggles. We just try to find out what we can about each student and help them in the best way that we can,” she says.

Tanner says she’s actually a little nervous about her impending retirement, however, one of the things she is looking forward to is being more active in the lives of her children and grandchildren. She hopes to be able to help them out more, babysit more and just be there for them more. Tanner has a son in Lafayette, a son in Baton Rouge, a daughter in Houma and six grandchildren. She also loves to read and work in her yard and is looking forward to doing more of both.

“In the letter I wrote to the parents,” explains Tanner, “I told them this was probably the hardest decision I’ve ever made. The people here are my family; I can’t even imagine not being here. It’s going to be so hard to leave … to let go. I’m going to miss the students, the parents, the faculty and all of the relationships I’ve formed along the way. I’ve been lucky to have great relationships with all of the Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

pastors and each of them has always supported the school and trusted me to do the job I was hired to do.”

She goes on to say how grateful she was to have the school community’s support after the death of her husband. “I thanked God every day that I had a place to come to and a school family that was so understanding and supportive of what I was going through. It truly is a family here. I don’t know if I could’ve gotten through it just being at home.”

Tanner says she is proud of the growth that’s taken place at the school under her leadership. “We have a beautiful, updated new technology center; we have some amazing programs; and we’re always updating the facilities, all the while trying to keep the history of the school alive.”

One of Tanner’s sons has always promised her that one day he would take her to Europe and he is making good on his promise this summer. Tanner says it has always been a dream of hers to go to the Vatican and she is so excited that her dream is finally coming true.

Thoughts for Millennials

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Ryan Abboud

For many young people, the month of May symbolizes a time of great transition. For students, we find ourselves at the conclusion of a long and exhausting school year. We face countless “last minute” graded opportunities while the burden of final exams looms over our heads. However, we also look forward to this time of year with cheerfulness because we know that freedom is on the horizon!

After we suffer through those finals, we can ultimately kick our feet up and relax for a few months while we enjoy summertime.

This time of the year that we experience is truly a threshold from our student lives into our summer lives. However, this isn’t the only threshold that we have the opportunity to experience during this time of the year. As Catholics, the month of May has the potential to be a very transitional month and a time of great transformation for us.

For starters, the month of May is dedicated to the Blessed

The ‘May threshold’

Virgin Mary. Now is a great time to look into building a personal and intimate relationship with Our Lady. The commitment to a relationship with the Blessed Virgin is so extremely significant to the furthering of our relationship with Christ. Not only can we can look to Mary for insight on how to love her son, but Mary also takes our intentions straight to the Lord and intercedes for us at the throne of grace.

We have the opportunity to encounter Our Lady through praying the rosary and through practicing prayer through her. That being said, I definitely invite you to dust off those rosary beads and begin the journey to a relationship with Mary during this month of dedication to her. It can start with a simple prayer asking for the desire to be able to love like she does and for the help of her intercession to the Father. I promise that the bond created will be worth it!

Also for this year, the whole month of May falls into the Easter Season. Liturgically, Easter is a time of rejoicing and happiness for the Messiah has resurrected!

We see the weather around us reflecting those traits of joyfulness when flowers bloom and the sun shines as we march on toward summer. Also in our churches, we see a change of decorations that symbolize joy through the color

white: the color of the season of Easter. The white decorations in the churches and the white vestments on our priests symbolize not only the joy and light of the Easter Season, but also the purity and innocence of the resurrected Christ.

This symbolism is a direct invitation to transform our own lives during this special time of year. We’re called to embody the color white into our spiritual lives and wash away the stains of sin as we move forward into new liturgical seasons. In addition to the Catholic Church, I invite you to pray for the desire for your soul to be restored to the immaculate white color that we see symbolized in this month. May the blood of Christ wash us clean of our sins and the stain of iniquities so we can once again bloom like the spring flowers.

All in all, the month of May can be one of trial and tribulation as students face the rough ending of the school year, but the troubles 35 are so trivial when the Blessed Virgin Mary is interceding for us.

I hope you all encounter her during this month of devotion, and may we all enter into a restored sense of spiritual cleanliness during this Easter Season. Happy May! (Ryan Abboud is a 2015 graduate of Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma and a sophomore at LSU in Baton Rouge.)

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ishop Fabre’s Chrism Mass homily Hundreds attend the Holy Thursday celebration

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Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

We gather together on Holy Thursday morning to celebrate this Chrism Mass. One focus of the annual Chrism Mass is understood to be that it is a manifestation of our unity as a diocese with one another and with our Lord Jesus Christ, as we enter together as a community of faith into Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection.

During the Chrism Mass, we bless the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of the Catechumenate, and the Oil of Chrism. These oils are all for use in sacramental anointing in our diocese for the coming year. It is a sign of our unity as a diocese when, at the end of this Mass, the Holy Oils are sent to all church parishes in our beloved diocese.

Furthermore, as we celebrate this Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

Chrism Mass, the unity between the lay faithful, the priests serving the diocese and the one who serves as bishop is also called to mind as together we join ourselves to Jesus Christ and enter into the holiest days of our liturgical year, the three days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

As we celebrate our union as the church in the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux, as well as our union with the universal church, please allow me to share reflections with you as we come to these most significant days for the church, and for all of us who are a part of the church in the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux.

To the lay faithful in the diocese, I would like to say “thank you.” I

don’t always get the opportunity to speak with you as I am doing today. Please receive my heartfelt gratitude. Thank you for sharing with me your dreams and desires, as well as your fears and concerns. I want to assure you that I have listened and that I am listening to you. Whether I have heard you through the Disciple Maker Index, our diocesan-wide listening sessions, or through your service on the strategic planning commissions, I have indeed heard your heart. Thank you for sharing your heart. Thank you also for the previous gift of your time, as so many of you, over 800 of our lay faithful, participated in the strategic planning process, giving many hours to this process

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37 because of your love for the people of our diocese.

I also want to thank you for your prayers for and support of the priests who serve our diocese.

Because of the prayers and support of our lay faithful, many healing breakthroughs came during the August 2016 and January 2017 priests’ convocations. Hundreds of our lay faithful prayed for the success of the convocations, and I want you to know that your prayer was felt, and that your intercession had a profound impact on these priests’ convocations. My dear members of the laity, I am proud of you, and I am grateful for you and for your love for our priests. I am honored to be the one who serves you as bishop, and I am deeply grateful to be a part of this diocesan family. You are a beautiful people, and we are a beautiful diocese. The hope I expressed in my Advent Pastoral Letter is, by God’s grace, beginning to be fulfilled. I know that there is a lot at stake and that there still remains a lot more

to accomplish. However, I have great hope for our future and the upcoming promulgation of our diocesan strategic plan.

I would like to share a few personal words with my brother priests, as on this day we celebrate the institution of the ordained priesthood by our Lord Jesus Christ at the Last Supper. Brothers, I am proud of you. I mean that. I am so proud of you. As I reflect on our August convocation, I have vivid memories of men forgiving one another and asking to be forgiven.

When I think about our January convocation, I have clear memories of our embrace of a common vision for the renewal of our church parishes. I am grateful for the effort you have put into achieving a high level of participation from parish implementation teams and all things strategic planning. I am proud of you.

When I first arrived to serve as your bishop, I was immediately aware of the particular challenges found within our presbyterate. I

remember the first time you came to my residence for those small lunch conversations. I remember the deep passion with which you spoke, and the desires for our diocese that you shared with me. I also remember my one-on-one meetings with you this past Advent, which for me was a cherished time when we were able to speak more personally. I hold all of these memories in my heart.

As I behold you today, on this Holy Thursday when we will recommit ourselves to the call of our ordination to priesthood, a priesthood that we are privileged to share and that always is a gift, I – with deep emotion within me – am thankful because, brothers, you are wonderfully different. Among us, I see more joy. I see more purpose.

I see and I have experienced more authentic fraternity and comradery. I sense among us a reawakened hope. I sense a longing to move forward. I sense men ready to be shown how to take the next step. My dear brother priests,

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you have grown. The laity can see it. I can see it. You can see it. You are different.

Yes, I am very proud of you. I am proud of your commitment to God. I am also proud of your trust for the strategic plan. I am proud of your willingness to be leaders, to be shepherds, to be pastors. I stand before you today as one who serves among you as bishop, and I can honestly say there is no other place I would rather be. There is no other presbyterate I would want to

Chrism Mass 38

be a part of. We are different, and have grown together. My brother priests, I am proud of you – and I am proud to be one of you.

Different. The lay faithful seem different. Our priests seem different. Our diocese seems different. There are few things as influential in our lives as the reality of different. Some people love different. Some people dislike different. Some people embrace it.

Some people resist it. However, like it or not, different has an influence

in our lives. Perhaps the theme for us today is just that – different.

Allow me to explain. One of the themes of today’s readings for this Chrism Mass is “anointed.” In the first reading from the Prophet Isaiah we heard: “The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me.” Later, in the Gospel, we heard Jesus quote these words of the Prophet Isaiah, referencing that he himself is the “anointed one” by proclaiming: “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Anointed. What does this word mean? Why does it bring us here today and what are its implications in our lives? The word anointed is theologically understood through the word consecrated, for to be anointed is to also be consecrated.

The word consecrated means “to make sacred” or “to set apart for the sacred.” Things that are consecrated are set apart from the rest so as to reveal – precisely in this separation – the reality of the sacred. Consecrated things are purposely set apart so that we might revere them as different.

Things can also be consecrated.

Altars and churches are anointed and consecrated and set apart for worship through the use of the Oil of Chrism.

People can be consecrated.

David was anointed with oil and set apart as the one consecrated to serve as the King of Israel.

Aaron, the brother of Moses, was anointed along with all of his sons, and they were consecrated for priestly service in Israel. Aaron and his sons were set apart from the rest of Israel because, through anointing, they were different. The priests who serve our diocese were anointed and consecrated and set apart to serve the needs of others.

Time - hours, days, weeks and years – can be consecrated. A Holy Hour is “set apart” for reflection, prayer and communion with God. Days can be “set apart.” Sunday, the Lord’s Day, is set apart from the other days of the week because it is consecrated by God and consecrated for God. Sunday is set apart and it is supposed to be different from the rest of the week.

Weeks can be set apart. Holy Week is different. The very reference “Holy Week” illustrates that

a

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

the week in which we find ourselves at present is in a very special way “holy” because it is set apart from the other weeks of the year because it is different.

Years can be set apart. In the Old Testament, the Book of Leviticus mentions consecrated “Jubilee years,” which were set apart from other years. These Jubilee years, celebrated every 50 years, had two fundamental characteristics: first, what God was doing; and second, how Israel was to respond to God’s actions. During a Jubilee Year, God promised to forgive sins, to bestow new life, and to bring his people out of exile back to the Promised Land.

Israel’s response to God during the Jubilee Year was in some special manner to mirror what God was doing, and so they were to forgive the debts of debtors, return land back to those who lost it and free slaves from bondage.

The concept of a Jubilee year has much to say to us because these years were holy and different. On June 5, 2017, we celebrate our 40th anniversary as the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. While I do not want to equate our local 40th anniversary with the technical biblical concept of the 50th Jubilee year, I do want to acknowledge their similarities because people and things in our beloved diocese are different. I want you to hear me well today: God is moving among us. I am convinced that our diocesan strategic plan is more a gift from God than it is the fruit of mere human laboring.

I see God inspiring our pastors, calling them to be who they are in the authority of the Office into which they were ordained. I see God inspiring our lay faithful, calling them to let go of what “wasn’t” happening so as to dream about what “could” happen. I see a diocese – all 90,000 of us – hungry for more. I see God ready to bless us, as St. Paul states, “with more than we could ever ask for or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). Yes, I see God doing something different.

This calls for each one of us to respond different.

My brothers and sisters, now is a time for us to respond to what God is doing. With our 40th anniversary fast approaching, I stand before you and ask that we

39

all move forward together. Our church parishes are on the verge of renewal and all we have to do is further partner with God so that he can work miracles. Our people are ready. They are hungry for more in their relationship with God. All we have to do is further partner with God so that he can show us how we can take the next step. Our diocese – right now – is in the midst of a special season where things are different and where things can be different. All we have to do is come together and further partner with God. Imagine if we have the courage to be who we are, to trust God and to be different as God calls us to be.

Imagine if we have the courage to truly be consecrated, set apart by God and for God. Imagine if we have the trust that God can and will work miracles in our diocese.

Imagine if on our 50th anniversary people looked back on our 40th anniversary as a time that altered our course in history and set us more firmly on the path God is calling us to travel.

Do we want this? Can we go forward together? If our answer is “yes,” we can trust that God will bless us today with the grace he wants to bestow upon us. For this day, the week, this year, this time that we are in is, by God’s grace, different. Amen. www.bayoucatholic.com

Diocese to celebrate its on Pentecost weekend, June 3-4 The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux will celebrate its 40th anniversary on Pentecost weekend, June 3-4.

This milestone celebration includes the ordination of three seminarians into the priesthood, the Rev. Mr. Brice Higginbotham, Rev. Mr. John David Matherne and Rev. Mr. Jean-Marie Nsambu. There will also be a Vespers prayer service, the bestowing of diocesan awards to parishioners from each of the 39 parishes, and a 40th anniversary Mass.

The ordinations will be celebrated at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 3, with Bishop Shelton J. Fabre as ordaining prelate. During the 40th anniversary Vespers prayer service at 7 p.m. that evening at the co-cathedral, the diocesan awards will be presented to two parishioners from each of the 39 parishes in the diocese.

The award is given as a tangible expression of appreciation to Catholic lay men and women for their many unselfish contributions

of time and talent to the life of the parish. The award is patterned after our two patron saints and their charisms: St. Joseph and St. Francis de Sales. A reception will follow.

The 40th anniversary Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Fabre at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma at 2 p.m., Sunday, June 4. A reception will follow at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

Everyone is invited to the weekend’s events.

40

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Three educators in the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux are retiring at the end of the 2016-17 school year with 87 combined years of service in Catholic education.

Mary Ellen Jennings, kindergarten teacher at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School in Houma, will retire after 23 years of service to the diocese.

Jennings also taught preschool, first grade and was an afterschool aide at the school. In addition, she taught for three years at St. Gregory Elementary Catholic School in Houma.

Brenda Tanner, principal ofTO St. THE Francis de Sales CLOSING TABLE Cathedral School in Houma, will retire after 39 years of service to the diocese. Tanner also served as Tu jornada assistant principal and taught 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th and de encuentro 7th grade at the school. In addition, she taught for six Tu jornada cambió vidasSchool in de encuentro years at St. Gregory Catholic Elementary esta Cuaresma. cambió vidas Houma. esta Cuaresma.

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41

First ever diocesan Pastoral Council announced Bishop Shelton J. Fabre announces the founding of a first ever diocesan Pastoral Council.

The purpose of the Diocesan Pastoral Council is two-fold. First, the Council will, in essence, hold the diocese accountable to the implementation of the strategic plan. Secondly, the Council will serve as an additional consultative body for the bishop. The members of the Pastoral Council are as follows.

Pastoral Council Executive Committee: Dr. Glenn Manceaux, chairman; Mike Barker, vicechairman; Jennifer Armand, council secretary.

Pastoral Council Members at Large: Bonnie Babin, Dr. Matt Beyer,Tina Callais, Justin Corte, Nick La Rocca, Mary Riviere, Glenn Vice, Faithia 42

Williams, Dr. Guy Zeringue.

“I am deeply grateful to the 12 men and women who have agreed to serve the people of our diocese on our first ever Pastoral Council,” says Bishop Fabre. “I look forward to benefiting from their personal expertise, as well as their unique ‘view from the pew.’ The strategic plan is an important gift to our diocese. I look forward to collaborating with the Pastoral Council in the on-going implementation of the plan. I also anticipate having a group of lay voices with whom I can consult regarding matters of pastoral importance. May the Lord bless our work together. May the Lord bless the members of our Pastoral Council. ‘Allons!’ We’re in this together!”

Bishop Fabre to celebrate vigil Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, May 13 Bishop Shelton J. Fabre will celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma, Saturday, May 13, at 4 p.m., the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady to three shepherd children in the small village of Fatima, Portugal in 1917. She appeared six times to Lucia, 9, and her cousins Francisco, 8, and his sister Jacinta, 6, between May 13 and Oct. 13, 1917.

Food for the Journey is June 6 Those who plan to attend the June 6th event should RSVP with their name, phone number and church parish by Thursday, June 1. To RSVP, email FoodForTheJourney@htdiocese.org or call (985) 8503178.

Doors open at 10:45 a.m. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. The program begins at Noon with the speaker’s presentation from 12:10-12:45 p.m. Cost is $15 and includes meal, drink and tip. Only cash or checks will be accepted.

All are invited to come “eat and be fed.”

Rev. Andre’ Melancon

The diocesan Office of Religious Education sponsors a monthly lunchtime speaker series on the first Tuesday of the month at the Ellendale Country Club Restaurant located at 3319 Highway 311 in Schriever.

The speaker for June 6 is Houma native Father Andre’ Melancon.

Father Melancon currently serves as pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church parish on the Nicholls State University campus in Thibodaux and diocesan director of the Vocations Office assigned to the seminarians at Notre Dame. He also served as associate pastor of the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales Church parish in Houma. He was ordained to the priesthood June 4, 2011.

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Diocesan Events

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May

n Mass for the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, Monday, May 1, 6:30 p.m., St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, May 2, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311 in Schriever, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Speaker, Deacon James Brunet Jr. n “A New Start,” a reconciliation workshop for American Indians, May 5-7 at the Lumen Christi Retreat Center in Schriever. Encounter

June

n Ordinations to the priesthood, Saturday June 3, St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux, 10 a.m. n Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux’s 40th anniversary Solemn Vespers, Saturday June 3, St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux, 7 p.m. n Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux’s 40th anniversary Mass with Bishop Shelton J. Fabre promulgating the Strategic Plan, Sunday,

July

n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, July 11, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311 in Schriever, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Speaker, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre.

Christ in the core of your spirit and develop a deeper relationship with yourself, others and God’s creation. For more information, call (985) 688-8145. n Holy Hour of Adoration for Men, Sunday, May 7, 7-8 p.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma. n Ordination to the transitional diaconate, Saturday, May 27, St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux, 10 a.m.

June 4, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma, 2 p.m. n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, June 6, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311 in Schriever, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Speaker, Father Andre’ Melancon. n Steubenville on the Bayou Catholic Youth Conference, June 16-18, Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, Houma. Go to www.

SteubenvilleOnTheBayou.com for more information.

n Kateri Mass, Friday, July 14, 6:30 p.m., Holy Family, Grand Caillou.

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43

44

Panamanian youth attend a prayer vigil at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.

Youth raise voices ahead of 2018 synod:

We want to follow Christ

By ELISE HARRIS Rome, Italy, (CNA/EWTN News) At a prayer vigil with youth recently, Pope Francis said the Church needs to listen to the voice of young people, and some of them have responded saying they want to let the world know they are not tired of following Christ.

“There are a lot of young people who feel like the Church is difficult, that it is far off, that it’s something for adults and for serious people,” Nicole Espino, 18, told CNA. But the Pope, she said, “helps us to understand that we are important and that we are part of the Church.”

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

“We feel included and like we are part of the Mass. We feel important, and he makes us feel that the youth count and that we belong to the Church,” she said.

Espino was one of some 300 Panamanian youths who came to Rome to receive the official World Youth Day cross from Polish young people during Pope Francis’ Palm Sunday Mass April 9.

The Mass coincided with the 32nd WYD, themed “The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name,” and is the first step in preparing for the global 2019 WYD in Panama.

The youths were present along with Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa Mendieta of Panama and Cardinal José Luis Lacunza Maestrojuan of David. Their itinerary included not only Mass with the Pope, but a prayer vigil the night before and meetings with the organizers of WYD and the upcoming 2018 synod of bishops on “Faith, Young People and the Discernment of Vocation.”

In a prayer vigil held April 8 in anticipation of this year’s diocesanlevel WYD celebration, Pope Francis told the thousands of young people gathered in the Basilica

a

of St. Mary Major to be protagonists in the preparation process for the two events, because the Church needs to hear their voice.

Espino said that for her, what she would tell the Church, particularly priests, is that “the youth are very important and that it’s an honor that the Pope chose Panama (for WYD).” She said she would also tell them that as youth “we are ready to give everything to give the best possible and to give face to our country.”

Similarly, Paul Tijerino, 24, who was present at the prayer vigil along with a number of other Panamanian youth, said his message to the Church would be that “we do not get tired of following God, of always following his example, of being humble in what we do.”

“We are aware of what we can be the only Gospel that a person reads,” he said, and voiced his hope that “our actions reflect this living Christ and when people see us, they see Christ, and not only that they see Christ, but see that we are guided by Mary.”

Tijerino was one of two youths to shake hands with Pope Francis at the prayer vigil as the Roman Pontiff was leaving, and all he could say about it was “wow!”

For him, Pope Francis is “a model of life, an example to follow in humility, simplicity and in everything that he represents.”

“He has turned the Church,” the young man said, explaining that what impacted him most about the Pope’s message to young people at the prayer vigil was “the message he gave on the syond …because it helps us a lot to know what it is that we want to do in our lives.”

“I feel that this is what young people should look for,” he said. “To know what is the plan that God has for us in order to be able to prepare it.”

“We are waiting for them with open arms,” he said, explaining that he plans to prepare with a lot of prayer and community events, by trying to make his life “an example for others” and by trying “to follow the Pope gives us.”

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family

and Life, said WYD – which will be held in Panama Jan. 22-27, 2019 – needs to be prepared in tandem with the synod on youth “because WYD is for the youth. WYD has a history and a tradition, and now we’re having the first synod on the youth.”

Speaking to journalists during an April 9 meeting on synod and WYD preparations, he said that “We need to prepare with consultation from the youth,” explaining that at nearly 70 years old, “I don’t think like the youth do,” so there is a need to speak with them as well as the priests and bishops who are closer to their reality.

And this means speaking not just with youth who are constant Church-goers, but also those who are perhaps atheists or who no longer go to Church, he said, referring to comments Pope Francis had made on this point during the prayer vigil.

Perhaps the most difficult part of preparing, he said, will be to “enter into contact with the youth, but it needs to be done (and) we need to change the system that we use.”

Rather than just sending out letters to bishops, Cardinal Farrell said the dicastery is looking to develop ways for youth to contribute online.

“We need to do what Pope Fran-

cis says: go out, go beyond the doors of the Church and of all the organizations” in order to reach especially those who are far off.

For his part on the diocesan level in Panama, Cardinal Lacunza said that at this point, things are al- 45 ready moving forward and “there’s no going back.”

“We remain with the task of raising awareness, to make everyone see that they should participate and that everyone can open their doors to welcome pilgrims so that no one feels like a stranger,” he said, explaining that since the country is so small, part of their preparations involve asking locals to open the doors of their homes to those who come for the global event.

To have the synod on youth happen just before WYD, he said, “is another blessing from God.” On the journey from Krakow to Panama “you pass through the synod,” he said, explaining that for him, the synod will be an opportunity for WYD to be “even more meaningful and impactful.”

While there are only a few months in between the October synod and the WYD gathering in January, Cardinal Lacunza said that “if the Pope proposed it and insists, it can be done and it will be a wonderful opportunity to deliver to WYD the result of the synod.” www.bayoucatholic.com

Sports

Overtime

N 46

Ed Daniels

Now, that LSU spring football is in the books, here’s a prediction for the fall of 2017.

If LSU wins nine games, the highly compensated coaching staff will have earned its money.

The Tigers face a daunting schedule. Only six games are played at Tiger Stadium.

After opening the season in Houston against Brigham Young, LSU has five SEC road games.

They are Mississippi State, Florida, Ole Miss, Alabama and Tennessee.

The Tigers lost their two top receivers, their top offensive lineman, and their five leading tacklers.

LSU hasn’t played this difficult a schedule since 2011.

That’s when the Tigers won 13 games in a row, before losing the national championship game to Alabama.

But, that team was stocked with talent. The 2011 Tigers included five first round picks. They were

What’s realistic and unrealistic for Coach Oeaux and the Tigers this season? safety Eric Reid, cornerback Morris Claiborne, defensive lineman Michael Brockers and Barkevious Mingo, and wide receiver Odell Beckham.

That team won its opener against Oregon in Dallas, then won road games against West Virginia, Mississippi State, Alabama, Tennessee and Ole Miss.

It was the best regular season in the history of LSU football.

It would be unrealistic to expect the Tigers to be as good as they were defensively.

LSU finished 10th in the nation in total defense, but first in touchdowns allowed with only 16.

The defensive line will be a strength with Arden Key expected back after a leave of absence.

Key had 12 sacks, and three forced fumbles.

Key is joined up front by All-SEC freshman Edwin Alexander and Rashard Lawrence.

Christian LaCouture’s return after major knee surgery is a plus.

It would be realistic to expect the LSU offense to make a major leap from 59th in total offense in the

Football Bowl Subdivision.

Leading rusher Derrius Guice, who gained 1,387 yards, scored 15 rushing touchdowns and averaged a gaudy 7.6 yards a carry, should thrive in offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s offense.

Last year at Pittsburgh, Canada’s offense was 21 spots higher than LSU, with far less talent.

Canada’s main job is to coax a better season out of quarterback Danny Etling.

Etling threw four of his 11 touchdown passes in the final two games of the season at Texas A&M, and in the Citrus Bowl win over Louisville.

Ed Orgeron won six of his eight games as LSU interim coach.

His motto of “one team, one heartbeat” struck a nerve with the LSU team and the paying customer.

But, the honeymoon is over.

In the SEC West there are no easy days, and the Saturday’s this fall will be extra challenging.

If Oeaux geauxs and somehow wins nine or more, he, his staff, and his team will have done their jobs, and then some.​

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Graduation

Vandebilt commencement is May 20 Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma will hold its graduation ceremony Saturday, May 20 at 9 a.m. at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. The Class of 2017 chose “We didn’t realize we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun,” as its class motto.

50 The class flower is the white rose; class color is gold; and the class song is You’re Gonna Miss This. Senior class officers are Caroline Cazayoux, president; Julie McMahon, vice-president/secretary.

The potential graduates are Farid Abou-Issa, Madison Allemand, Allie Arceneaux, Jean’-Pierre Arceneaux, Gabrielle Authement, Edward Babin, Rhea Babin, Kennedy Barras, Kirsten Bazet, Cara Bascle, Madeleine Bauland, Logan Benoit, Anthony Bergeron, Gabrielle Bergeron, Kevin Besson, Katherine Beyer, Cassie Boquet, Andre Bourgeois, Hayden Breaux, Kaylie Breaux, Danielle Brigoli, Amber Brondum, Brooke Brunet, Emmeline Brunet, Benjamin Bunn, Brenna Butler, Hayden Cagle, Eleana Callejas, Kaelyn Campbell, Reagan Carroll, Caroline

Cazayoux, Jaden Cazenave, Bryan Cenac, Kate Chaisson, Grace Champagne, Mia Charbonnet, Connor Chouest, Jade Cisneros, Adele Clark, Alexander Clement, Cade Collins, Trent Colombel, Madison Colwart, Madison Compeaux, Hannah Cuneo, Nicholas Cuneo, MacKenzee Daigle, Claire Dantin, Jacob DeBlieux, Julianne DeBlieux, Kane Degruise, Devin Desormeaux, Emma Domangue, Allie Dominique, Sabrina Dos Santos, Charles Doskey III, Connor Doyle, Parker Duplantis, Katie Ellender, Susan Ellender, Emily Emerson, Tina Engeron, Ashley Eskind, George Falcon Jr., Benjamin Fanguy, Evan Fanguy, Alyssa Fister, James Fister, Sean Folse, Julia Fondren, Jordan Fox, Evan Freeman, William Galtier, Jordan Gary, Emma Guidry, Lily Guidry, Morgan Guidry, Nathan Guidry, Andréa Hamner, Jacob Hamner, Madeline Haydel, Connor Head, Andre Hebert, Anna Hebert, Caleb Hebert, Cooper Huerstel, Chad Hutchinson, Justin Hutchinson, Katherine Hyde, Francis Hymel III,

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Congratulations to All

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2017 Graduates

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Graduation Madison Johnson, Roland Johnson, Amelia Jordan, Alyssa Kelly, Lauren Kucia, Malcolm LaCoste III, Abigail Landry, Michael LaRose, Parker Lawrence, Lane LeBlanc, Taylor LeBlanc, Rebecca LeBoeuf, Allie LeCompte, Leonard Ledet III, Jonathan Ledet, Matthew Ledet, Brooke Lovell, Mason Luke, Alyssa Lusco, Adam Maloz, Paul Mazarac, Julie McMahon, Jacob McManus, Nicholas Meche, William Miller III, Jared Moise, Taylor Naquin, Vivian Nettles, Kenya Nguyen, Dianna Olivier, Evan Olsen, Kyle Parfait, James Parrott, Jenna Patterson, Grant Pellegrin, Christopher Phillips, Kayla Pitre, Maria Pitre, Hunter Poiencot, Brennan Porche, John Powell, Phillip Prather, Michael Rains Jr., Conrad Richard, Alec Rios, Jonathan Rizzo, Gage Rodrigue, Meg Rousseau, Alexandra Russell, Mary Russell, Abby Saint, Channing Sanders, Camille Scott, Dakota Scurlock, Madyson Self, Courtney Serigne, Matthew Silbernagel, Joshua Smith, Brennan Sonnier, Zoé Spanswick, Spiro Stathes, Dallas Tabor, Abby Theriot, Henri Theriot, Jeremy Thibodeaux, Kyle Thibodeaux, Landon Thibodeaux, Claire Torbert, Lily Torbert, Austin Trahan, Morgaine Trahan, Zachary Trahan, Olivia Trosclair, Angel Vásquez, Stephen Waitz, Mary Catherine Watkins, Julia Wood.

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The latest advancements in college education are happening digitally (BPT) - The face of education in the United States is changing.

Many of today’s universities are embracing digital technology to deliver instruction in ways not available to previous generations.

We have seen the digital instruction methods evolve from the use of learning aides such as computers, digital projectors and DVD players to online learning, which allows students the flexibility to tackle their coursework at a time and pace that works best for them.

Some advanced technologies can seamlessly link two or more classrooms for simultaneous instruction, ultimately expanding student access to courses and professors to participate together in one synchronous learning experience.

An innovative classroom format can instill important virtual collaboration skills and encourage interaction with tools like remote wireless content sharing and two-way whiteboard displays, as are found in DeVry University’s extended classrooms.

Addressing the evolving needs of today’s student Video-connected classrooms are generally equipped with voice-activated motion cameras, facial-recognition software, highdefinition wide-screen monitors - complete with picture-in-picture views, desktop cameras and interactive two-way touch-screen whiteboards. This technology is designed to help students learn and interact with their fellow classmates no matter where they

53

are taking the class.

DeVry also recently launched its new video connected classroom technology that seamlessly links 23 DeVry campus locations for simultaneous instruction - depending on the program, course and extended classroom availability. “Our students tell us they appreciate having a variety of courses available, and taught in ways that fit their schedules and preferences,” said Robert Paul, president of DeVry University. “The connected classroom technology allows students to have real-time visual interaction with faculty and fellow classmates. These high-tech classrooms exemplify our investment in academic experiences that are collaborative yet personalized, with student engagement at the core.”

Preparing for a digital future

DeVry’s extended classrooms are just one example of technological innovations taking place in the classroom setting. Over the next year, the university plans to invest heavily in technology to enhance the student experience by offering these additional on-campus capabilities: n Tech playgrounds at select campus locations throughout the country, putting students in touch with innovative technology in imaginative settings. n Hardware and software upgrades, including adding thousands of new computers in campuses nationwide, to revitalize existing desktop stations and network labs. n Internet bandwidth increases to improve wireless capabilities and provide a faster, more seamless learning experience. www.bayoucatholic.com

Graduation

E.D. White commencement is May 19

54

E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux will hold its graduation ceremony Friday, May 19 at 6:45 p.m. at the Warren J. Harang Jr. Municipal Auditorium. The Class of 2017 chose “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail,” as its class motto. The class flower is the magnolia; class colors are navy and

coral; and the class song is Time of Your Life (Good Riddance). Senior class officers are Maggie Brignac, president; Haley LeBlanc, vice president.

The potential graduates are Emily Adams, Hunter Adams, Kameron Adams, Leah Amedee, Phillip Amedee, Bernard Annis, Hailli Arcement, Alysse Arceneaux, James Ardoin II, Logan Authement,

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Graduation Jay Barrilleaux, Bailey Barrios, Leah Baudoin, Alexandra Benoit, Emma Benoit, Taylor Benoit, Thomas Bergeron, Landen Blades, Teresa Blake, Paige Borskey, Claire Boudreaux, William Boudreaux, Alexis Bourgeois, Carter Bourgeois, Hunter Bourgeois, Madeline Bourgeois, Elli Brady, Haley Breaux, Maggie Brignac, Traci Brown, Ian Buzbee, Olivia Chaisson, Spencer Chiasson, Sloane Clay, Paul Cochran, Maxwell Coffmann, Victor Coggins, Paige Colon, Caroline Constant, Kaylan Davis, Lionel delaHoussaye III, Adeline Delaune, William Dupont, Benjamin Eichler, Miranda Evans, Dex Falgoust, Morgan Filce, Cameron Fontenot, Nicholas Fontenot, Phillip Foret, Falvey Fox III, Jessica Galey, Caroline Gauthreaux, Jane Glover, Blake Grabert, Gabe Gravois, Lane Gravois, Jonathan Gros, MacKenzie Gros, Camille Guidry, Hannah Guillot, Mallari Guillot, Christopher Hebert, Marcel Hebert, Colton Hodges, Jonathan Hodnett, Benjamin Hoffmann, Rachael Hopkins, Kevin Johnson, Michae Jones, Lindsey Kiffe, Ethan King, Alaina Labat, John Landry, Dawson Lasseigne, Eli Lasseigne, Austin LeBlanc, Gabrielle LeBlanc, Haley LeBlanc, Kelsey LeBouef, Paul Lefort III, Rene’ Leonard Jr., Justin Loup, Catherine Loup, Zoe Loupe, Lindsey Lucas, John Lyles, Lucas Marcello, Joseph McGoey V, 56 Michael Melancon, Gabrille Miller, Jordan Moreaux, Louis Morrell IV, William Nuss, Emily Oldag, Jonathan Omer, Garrett Ougel, Taylor Pech, Brennan Pierce, Elijah Pierce, Marlie Pierce, Levin Pinho Jr., Justin Pitre, Connor Plaisance, Chloe Powell, Taylor Powell, Dalton Prince, Cameron Ray, Brandon Robichaux, Jacqueline Robichaux, John Robichaux, Joseph Robichaux, Madison Robichaux, Abigail Rodenberg, Anna Rodenberg, Cole Rodrigue, Dawson Rodrigue, Macki Rodrigue, Gabrielle Rogers, Molly Rogers, Victoria Rogers, Noelie Rome, Sydney Sadowski, Avery Sanders, Lindsie Sanders, Therese Schonacher, Luke Schwaner, Alaina Scioneaux, Nicholas Scioneaux, Julia Simoneaux, Frances Smith, Stephen Soignet, Sydney Sothern, Jordan Szush, Allen Taylor III, Kennedy Taylor, Alyssa Thibodeaux, Mathew Thibodeaux, Hayden Tortorich, Jacob Toups, Morgan Toups, Tomi Toups, Jason Tregre Jr., Dylan Triche, Ryan Utley, Erin Viguerie, Collin Waguespack, Austin Webre, Kristen Weimer, Hali Westerman, Eliza Zeringue.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

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Job opportunities await in tomorrow’s expanded urban areas existing infrastructure into a giant interactive network to include everything from air quality, transportation and energy to communication systems.

(BPT) - Predicting the future can be a Herculean task in its own right, but when it comes to forecasting the growth of urban areas across the globe, research points strongly toward some new truths. One, urban areas will continue to grow.

Two, with continued development of “smart’ technologies for homes, businesses and entire cities, there is expected to be a significant impact on the employment landscape.

The boom of urban areas Today, more than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas, according to the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations’ estimates and projections data reported in the 2014 Revision of World Urbanization Prospects.

And, that figure is only predicted to grow. In fact, experts estimate urban centers will be home to twothirds or 66 percent of the world’s population by 2050.

These same predictions also see more people flocking to larger cities. By today’s estimates, there

are 28 megacities - locales with populations of more than 10 million people - across the globe. However, that number is expected to jump to 41 megacities as early as 2030. And as these cities continue to grow, managing that growth effectively becomes even more important.

The growth of technology and the “Internet of Things” As cities continue to grow, experts forecast they will face challenges. There will be the need for infrastructure improvements to meet the challenges in housing, transportation, energy and employment to continue functioning successfully.

As well as the ability to anticipate and prepare for future job skills requirements. A key factor in addressing both of these dilemmas lies in the continued development of technology, including the Internet of Things (IoT), to help cities utilize resources more efficiently.

IoT can be integral in helping to maintain efficiency in these evergrowing cities by transforming the

Finding professionals to meet the challenges of change To prepare for the new economy, 57 students can learn through coding bootcamps like those offered by DeVry University. Over a 10-week course period, these bootcamps offer attendees coding skills education that can be applied in the growing IoT economy. They also prepare students for the marketplace by helping them create a portfolio, develop an interviewing strategy and fine tune their social media presence. Students can feel more empowered to face the challenges that are ahead.

“Innovative education is critical.

To meet the needs and wants of today’s students, and of employers looking for professionals with targeted skill sets, we continuously explore new ways to deliver relevant educational offerings,” said Shantanu Bose, Ph.D., provost of DeVry University. “Bootcamps are accelerated learning opportunities to augment current knowledge or immerse oneself into new disciplines in a matter of weeks or months. And like degree and certificate programs, bootcamps can be impressive additions to resumes when aligned with the chosen field.” www.bayoucatholic.com

Graduation

Central Catholic commencement is May 20

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Central Catholic High School in Morgan City will hold its graduation ceremony at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Saturday, May 20, at 1 p.m. The Class of 2017 chose “I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday, and I love today,” as its class motto.

The class flower is the rose; class colors are gold and red; and the class song is Rise Up. Senior class officers are Marisa Aucoin, president; Tyrus Anderson, vice president; Jesse Fontenot, secretary; Connor Hebert, treasurer.

Potential graduates are Tyrus Anderson, Drake

Angeron, Emma Aucoin, Marisa Aucoin, Hallie Autin, Bailey Badeaux, Luis Bochas, Blake Byrne, Luke Cunningham, Rebecca David, Ethan DeHart, Adam Dupuis, Jesse Fontenot, Thomas Garber, Parker Green, Connor Hebert, Derwin Hebert, William Hidalgo, Chance Jewett, Ja’len Johnson, Connor Laiche, Gregory Landry, Gregory Leger, Mitchel Lemoine, Sydni Marcel, Liam McCloy, Caroline Nini, Noah Osburn, Samarick Paul, Da’Jia Phillips, Halley Romero, Tanner Ross, Hunter Rulf, Brion’ Skinner, Thomas Stafford, Gage Theriot.

Congratulations to all 2017 Graduates For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you... plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 We have gifts for the following occasions: Graduation • Anniversaries • Baptism Confirmation • First Communion Dance Recitals • Mother’s Day • Father’s Day Weddings • Plus Other Seasonal Items

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

GOD IS GOOD Central Catholic High School Class of 2017 CCHS proudly salutes our Class of 2017.

You carry on a tradition of over 124 years of Catholic education in the Morgan City area, and we wish you continued success for a lifetime of accomplishments and contributions.

Central Catholic High School 2100 Cedar Street Unit 1 Morgan City, LA 70380 985-385-5372 ~ Fax: 985-385-3444 www.cchseagles.com www.bayoucatholic.com

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Graduation

Nicholls spring commencement is May 13 Nicholls State University in Thibodaux will hold its spring commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 13, in John L. Guidry Stadium.

In the event of bad weather, commencement will be moved to Stopher Gymnasium and split into three ceremonies: the College of Education and College of Business Administration at 9 a.m., the College of Arts and Sciences at Noon and the College of Nursing and Allied Health at 3 p.m. Tickets will be required only if the ceremonies are relocated to the gym.

Environmental advocate and educator Jonathan Foret will serve as the keynote speaker for the 100th commencement ceremony. Foret is a Nicholls State University alumnus. He grew up in Chauvin 60 working on a shrimp boat and speaking Cajun French. After graduating from Nicholls, Foret taught English in Houma and Brooklyn, NY. He joined the Peace Corps and served in the Kingdom of Tonga for two years as a community development

coordinator where he taught the native Tongans English as a second language and how to use a cast net.

After a brief stop back in the United States to work with several nonprofits, Foret then moved to Bangladesh to work with disabled individuals and later with the United Nations all across Asia.

He returned to his native Louisiana and spent a year as the grants and program administrator with the Louisiana State Museum before coming home to serve as the executive director of the Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center. Among Foret’s many achievements with the center is the creation of the Rougarou Fest, a family-friendly festival that celebrates bayou folklore each year around Halloween. The festival was ranked as one of the Top 10 Costume Parties in the country by USA Today, a Top 20 Event in the month of October by the Southeast Tourism Society and Best New Event in the state by the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals.

Best Wishes for a successful future.

Bayou Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

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Graduation

Guest Columnist

E 62

Father Andre Melancon

Every year throughout the world, seniors in high school become afflicted with a disease for which there is only one cure.

The disease is “Senioritis” and the only cure for it is graduation.

Our high school teachers know this disease all too well. As the seniors wind down their senior year, they are fixed on the future and ready to move on to the next chapter of their life. Now I often remind seniors that they need to enjoy their senior year because they will never have another one, but one can understand their excitement.

Many seniors are looking forward to college, some to the working world, but all of them are ready for a new adventure.

For our seniors getting ready for college, there is a lot to think about and get excited about. Once they have settled on what college they are going to, they then have to decide on things like a major, Greek life, where they will live, decorating their room and so many other exciting questions.

But one question that doesn’t always get asked is how will I grow in my faith and not lose my faith in college.

There are many sobering statistics about how many young people lose their faith in college.

Some say as high as 80 percent of students will come to college with an active faith but during college abandon that faith. Some of these students will eventually find their way back to the church but many will transition into adulthood and join the increasing demographic of the “nones” who practice no faith at all. Knowing that the odds are stacked against our young people can bring many to fear and desperation, but it doesn’t have to. God is a God of hope and he is tirelessly pursuing

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

C

ommunity:

You can find Christ and his church at college

us especially our college students.

This past January, I was able to experience my first “Seek” Conference with 50 students from St. Thomas Aquinas at Nicholls State where I am pastor. We traveled to San Antonio where we joined 13,000 other Catholic college students for five days of an incredible encounter with God. Students came hungering to learn more about their Catholic faith and to have an opportunity to worship God with their peers throughout the country. I had the opportunity to talk with many of the students that were at Seek. Many of them had come from an active faith in high school but some were brand new in their faith. They had found Christ and his church at college and become part of the statistic of college students who were actually won for Christ during this pivotal time.

As I was thinking about this article and the question, how does a college student not lose their faith but grow in their faith during these crucial years, one word kept coming to mind. Community. We need each other. We hear so often times from people in our culture, I am spiritual but not religious. Well my friends, if you want to make it in this life of faith that will just not cut it. We need the church. We need brothers and sisters in Christ who are with us on the journey.

This is the mission of our churches on campus. To try to provide for our college students a life giving and vibrant community of faith for them to journey with. With all of

the things for our seniors to think about as they prepare for college, I pray that at the top of this list is the urgency to find the Catholic community on campus. And it is important to not just find them but to immerse themselves into the life of the Catholic student center.

They need to get involved. All of our Universities throughout the state have active student centers.

They offer retreats, Bible studies, mission trips and opportunities for conferences like “Seek” so that not only will they not lose their faith in college but they will experience the most powerful years of growth in faith. When they graduate from college, they will not only have learned the skills to be successful in their careers but also be equipped to be a disciple of Jesus Christ!

I know that a large majority of you that are reading this article are parents. When you go to visit the college where your child will be attending make sure that you take them to the Catholic student center during your visit. Reassure them that they can grow in their faith in college. Your love and support for them in faith will mean the world to them. Entrust them to Jesus in your prayers and we have great hope that they will not become lost but will grow to be even stronger followers of him!

(Father Andre Melancon is the diocesan director of the Office of Vocations and pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church on the Nicholls State University Campus in Thibodaux.)

Grand Isle graduation May 28 Grand Isle School in Grand Isle will hold its graduation ceremony Sunday, May 28 at 1 p.m. at the Grand Isle School Gymnasium. The Class of 2017 chose “There is no script. Live your life. Soak it all in,” as its class motto. The class flower is the forget-me-not; class colors are dark black and very red, and the class song is Small Town. Senior class officers are Abigail Rochelle Frazier, president; Canh Minh Nguyen Jr., vice president; Logan Alexander Hernandez, secretary; Ronald Destin Ballard, treasurer.

South Lafourche graduation May 25 South Lafourche High School in Galliano will hold its graduation ceremony Thursday, May 25 at 7 p.m. in the SLHS Auditorium. The Class of 2017 chose “Some 63 have a story; we have a legacy,” as its class motto. The class flower is the white rose; class colors are royal blue and silver; and the class song is Best Day of My Life.

Senior class officers are Gracie Bellanger, president; Alexis Kiger and Brady Levron, vice presidents; Mickayla Navarre, secretary; Logan Collins, treasurer; Brittany Bankson, reporter; Erynn Bossier, Logan Bruce, Morgan Levron, Madison Levron, and Scotty Bouzigard, representatives.

Ellender High graduation May 18 Allen J. Ellender Memorial High School in Houma will hold its graduation ceremony Thursday, May 18 at 7 p.m. at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. The Class of 2017 chose “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory,” as its class motto. The class colors are red, white and blue and the class song is Hall of Fame—The Script.

Senior class officers are Mathieu Tillman, president; Sahar Muhawesh, vice president; Alexis Dardar, secretary; Destinie Jones, treasurer; David Racine III, representative.

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

www.bayoucatholic.com

Graduation

Thibodaux High graduation May 23 Thibodaux High School in Thibodaux will hold its graduation ceremony Tuesday, May 23 at 6 p.m. at the Warren J. Harang Jr. Municipal Auditorium. The Class of 2017 chose “Our lives are before us, our pasts are behind us, but our memories are forever with us,” as its class motto. The class flower is the yellow rose; class colors are gold and burgundy; and the class song is Wherever I Go. Senior class officers are Tatyana Robinson, president; Macy Hebert, vice-president; Karyn Wilson, secretary; Amy Ngyuen, David Pennino, spirit coordinators.

South Terrebonne graduation May 27 South Terrebonne High School in Bourg will hold its graduation ceremony Tuesday, May 27 at 7 p.m. at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. The Class of 2017 chose “2017... The 90’s saved the best for last,” as its class motto. The class flower is the magnolia, class colors are green and black; and the class song is See You Again. Senior class officers are Alyse Baio, president; Allie Hebert, vice president; Jenna Brunet, secretary; Alaina Lanigan, treasurer.

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Morgan City High graduation May 19 Morgan City High School in Morgan City will hold its graduation ceremony Friday, May 19, at 6 p.m., at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium. The Class of 2017 chose “You only live once, but once you live like us, once is enough,” as its class motto. The class flower is the white rose; class colors are ivory and gold; and the class song is Home. Senior class officers are Caylee Deshotel, president; Jennifer Tran, vice president; Lauren Cheramie, secretary.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

H.L. Bourgeois graduation May 22 H.L. Bourgeois High School in Gray will hold its graduation ceremony Monday, May 22, at 7 p.m. at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. Senior class officers are Colby Short, president; Amber Daigle, vice president; Sharday Calloway, secretary; Jeren Johnson, treasurer. As of press time, the Class of 2017 had not chosen its class motto, flower, colors or class song.

Central Lafourche graduation May 24 Central Lafourche High School in Raceland will hold its graduation ceremony Wednesday, May 24 at 7 p.m. 65 at the Warren J. Harang Jr. Municipal Auditorium in Thibodaux. The Class of 2017 chose “Truth will Prevail,” as its class motto. The class flower is the talisman rose; class colors are green and gold. Senior class officers are Joel Weaver, president; Madison Hodson, vice president; Madison Gros, secretary; Karli Goodroe, treasurer; Hailey Verret, parliamentarian; Laney Lee, reporter.

Terrebonne High graduation May 24 Terrebonne High School in Houma will hold its graduation ceremony Wednesday, May 24 at 7 p.m. at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. The Class of 2017 chose “Our lives are before us, the past is behind us, but our memories are forever with us,” as its class motto. The class flower is the white rose; class colors are crimson and gold; and the class song is Time of your Life. Senior class officers are Sara Rodrigue, president; Madison Steele, vice president; Elise Soudelier, secretary; Brittney Liner, treasurer.

www.bayoucatholic.com

Graduation

Six tips for decoding college financial aid award letters (BPT) - Whether you’re a high school senior or an adult looking to change careers, a college degree can be the key to a bright future.

As acceptance letters arrive in the mail, another important document is not far behind: financial aid letters.

“College is a major investment, and many people require financial assistance to pay for it,” says Harlan Cohen, New York Times best-selling author and creator of the Naked Financial Minute. “It’s vital to understand financial aid so you can make informed choices and avoid surprises in the future.”

The average cost of tuition and 66 fees for the 2016-2017 school year is $33,480 at private colleges, $9,650 for state residents at public colleges, and $24,930 for out-ofstate residents attending public universities, according to the College Board.

In order to find out what aid you qualify for, you should start by filing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

After your information is processed, and you’ve applied to the colleges of your choice, you’ll receive financial aid award letters in the mail with the results from each school where you were accepted.

Not all financial aid letters are the same, so deciphering and comparing them can be confusing.

To help get you started, the experts at College Ave Student Loans share tips and tricks for how to easily understand your financial aid letter.

Look carefully at symbols and terms: College award letters may use different wording and abbreviations. For instance, rather than spelling out the word “loan” you could see “L” or “LN”. You might also see “net price” and “net cost.” Look carefully at how each Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • May 2017

school calculates these amounts.

Some schools will subtract loan amounts from these figures. Just remember that loans need to be paid back, usually with interest; loans can help you spread the cost of college over time, but they don’t eliminate the expense.

Know the difference between gift aid and loans: Gift aid is money that is awarded to qualifying students that isn’t expected to be paid back. Gift aid includes things like scholarships, grants, and housing or tuition waivers. Not all applicants will qualify for gift aid, but most will be eligible for federal loans. As a general rule, you should expect that you’ll need to pay loans back, usually with interest.

Be aware of the impact of outside scholarships: If a student is awarded a private scholarship, the financial aid letter may list its effect on the amount of money offered by the school or in federal aid because the student’s financial need has already been partially covered. This could impact gift aid, loan amounts, or both.

Keep an eye out for work-study offers: If you indicated an interest during the FAFSA application, your financial aid letter may list approval for a work-study job that provides money toward your studies and fits with your class schedule. The money you earn is typically applied directly to your school expenses.

Understand your expected family

contribution (EFC): Depending on your personal circumstances, there may be a line item for expected family contribution. This is the amount of money your family is expected to contribute toward your college education based on their tax and savings information. This will impact your overall award package.

Think about additional costs: Your financial aid letter may not include all of the costs associated with going to school. Think beyond tuition and make sure you have an idea of what you’ll be spending on housing, food, transportation, books, supplies, additional fees, and other living expenses.

If you find the amount of financial aid provided isn’t enough (including the amount offered in federal loans), families may want to research and explore private student loans as an option to cover the additional expenses.

Look for competitive interest rates and flexible repayment options that match your budget.

College Ave Student Loans also offers a calculator that showcases how much families can save with various loan options at www. collegeavestudentloans.com.

Finally, if you’re still unclear about the terms and conditions of any college award letter, it’s important to reach out to the school to ask for clarification or discuss your options. You don’t want to leave any money on the table.

“Entrust your Works to The Lord, and your plans will succeed.”

Proverbs 16:3 742 Highway 182 • Houma, LA 70364 (985) 872-2413 www.cenac.com