Bayou Catholic Magazine May 2019 by Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

INSIDE

Graduation

Bayou

Catholic

Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day is May 12 MAY 2019 ~ VOL. 39 NO. 11 ~ COMPLIMENTARY

& V

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Contents

Features 18 Priest Ordination June 1

By Janet Marcel

Transitional Diaconate Ordination May 25

By Janet Marcel

Two Catholic school principals to retire

By Janet Marcel

Fourteen to retire in Catholic schools

By Janet Marcel

Columns 8 Comfort For My People

By Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

Pope Speaks

Pope Francis I

Questions of Faith

By Father Joshua Rodrigue

Readings Between the Lines

By Father Glenn LeCompte

Thoughts For Millennials

By Ryan Abboud

Reading With Raymond

By Raymond Saadi

42 Overtime

By Ed Daniels

In Every Issue 6 From the Editor 16 Scripture Readings 22 Heavenly Recipes 24 Youth In Action 40 Diocesan Events Guest Column 32 A Pro-life response

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

On Our Cover

May is a month that is devoted to our Blessed Mother Mary. Mother’s Day, May 12, is the day this year which is set aside to honor all mothers. Helen Terrebonne, a parishioner of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral parish in Thibodaux, enjoys a spring-like day with her son Avery and daughter Andie. 4 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • May 2019

By Father Joseph Tregre

Announcements 33 Bishop Ronald Herzog dies 38 Catholic Foundation update 39 St. Genevieve has new principal 39 Food Drive May 11

Amy Port

Amy prepares an:

APPETIZER

Bayou Stuffed Wine Islan Catholic INGREDIENTS:

2 dozen medium to large shrimp 4 tbsp. butter How to 1 reach small us: green bell pepper, finely BY PHONE:1(985) small850-3132 onion, finely chopped BY MAIL:6 Ptbsp. .O. BoxItalian 505 bread crumbs Schriever, LA 70395 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 cup850-3232 crab meat BY FAX: (985) 1 tbsp. chopped parsley BY E-MAIL: 2 tbsp. mayonnaise bayoucatholic@htdiocese.org Salt and pepper to taste This month’s heavenly recipe comes from Chauvin native The Bayou Catholic1isegg published monthly, for Amy Portier, administrative assistant for the Catholic the people of the Roman Diocese GratedCatholic Parmesan cheese Foundation of South Louisiana. Amy has been working for the of Houma-Thibodaux by the H-T Publishing foundation a little over a year. She is sharing her grandmother Paprika Co., P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395. Pat Chauvin’s recipe for a great appetizer, stuffed Wine Island Subscription rate is $35 per year. shrimp. Amy has been living in Houma now for the past two DIRECTIONS: and a half years with her husband Josh and their daughter The Bayou Catholic is a member of the Catholic Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Re Press Association, the National Newspaper Drew. back of shrimp, cutofback Association and an associate member the the length “I love to cook. My favorite thing to cook is chicken sausage tablespoons butter in pan and saut Louisiana Press Association. gumbo,” she says. Amy says that she learned how to cook onion and cook about 3 minutes. by watching her grandmother and her dad cook. “We lived Lawrence Chatagnier sauce, crab meat, p Worcestershire right across the street from my grandparents. I would go editor and general manager there often. My dad also did most of the cooking at home.” salt, pepper and egg to bind toget Amy is the youngest of three. She has an older brother and Spoon stuffing onto shrimp. Spri Janet Marcel sister. “Growing up on Bayou Petit Caillou was fun. We had staff writer/administrative cheese. Meltassistant remaining butter and the opportunity to experience things that many kids don’t do Sprinkle with paprika for added Brooks Lirette today. We rode four wheelers, swam and fished.” degrees for 10 minutes. Serve im Amy says that her husband Josh likes to grill and boil advertising accounts executive servings. seafood for the family. He also likes to cook when given the Lisa Schobel Hebert opportunity. However she enjoys cooking and does most of the

graphic designer

cooking at home. Amy’s husband works offshore on a 14 and 14 schedule. Meridy Liner “It is a normal situation for us. We have a routine which accounts receivable/payable assistant works for us. It’s a different type of parenting situation which is probably not meant for everyone. It’s a different lifestyle.” Amy taught CCD in the Chauvin community i o n at St. Joseph d uat Church in the past and has also taught G r a at Maria Immacolata Church, where she and her family are parishioners. “We Like us on Facebook enjoy the weekly family adoration that Maria Immacolata or Find us on the web offers. Working at the Pastoral Center also gives me the www.bayoucatholic.org opportunity to attend Mass daily. It has opened my eyes on the importance of daily Mass, adoration and reconciliation and how to incorporate it into everyday life. Working here makes it Where to find your Bayou Catholic is easier to balance work and family life. It has worked well for

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us because the importance of family is valued here.” BC 22 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • May 2019

Bayou

Catholic

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

May 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 5

From The Editor

Survey says

We asked and you answered. A readership survey was included in the October 2018 Bayou Catholic Magazine. There was also an online version of the survey which was posted on our diocesan website. Since that time the surveys, which included over 500 responses, were compiled and analyzed. The analyzed responses came from Catholic faithful all across the diocese. Seventy-four percent of the responses were female and 26 percent were male. Ages 18-25 made up two percent of the responses; 26-35, four percent; 36-45, seven percent; 46-55, 14 percent; 5664, 27 percent; and 65 plus, 46 percent. Readers were asked to rank all regular columns and segments appearing in the magazine. The top five most interesting according to readers are: 1) Questions of Faith, 2) Comfort For My People, 3) Heavenly Recipes, 4) Diocesan Events, and 5) The Pope Speaks. In addition to our regular columns and features, readers were asked to rate our special sections which appear periodically. The ranking from first to seventh is as follows: Bayou Wellness, Catholic Schools Week, Graduation,

Fall Outdoor Guide, Summer Outdoor Guide, Football and Bridal. Our readers were also given the opportunity to express what they liked the most about the magazine, what they liked least about the magazine and any suggestions for ways we can improve the Bayou Catholic. Space does not permit the inclusion of all comments; however the following is a general consensus of the comments. What do you like most about the magazine? Testimonies, answering questions about the faith. Concern for current issues and the courage to address even the toughest ones. It is part of my daily prayer time. I take one article every day and devote a time of prayer and try to use the information in my daily life. Everything about the publication is top notch! The articles are interesting, well-written, timely, and cover a wide variety and scope of interest. The interesting thing of it all is that it has been this way from the beginning! I find it difficult to throw out, and I used to keep every issue; now I keep the ones that have articles that I want to go back and read or share with others. Even now, my stack is becoming large. Kudos to the entire team who puts this wonderful publication together each month!! You all do a GREAT JOB!! Able to read the print easily – a very “classy” magazine. See it in various offices. I save them and pass on to my daughter who lives out of state – she takes home a stack when she visits. Inviting appearance. I can pick up and read an article in a few minutes. The magazine format is a great improvement over the old paper issue, and the photos are a great asset to the

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

magazine. I especially enjoy the feature articles on our diocesan priests. It keeps me current in my faith and what’s happening in our diocese and beyond. I love everything about the magazine! The magazine is beautifully laid out. I love all the articles. I read the entire magazine each month. It is very informative. The format - its frequency - the look. It’s about our own community but covers topics far and wide. We hear from local priests, bishop and laity. I love the recipes and books columns. It covers a little bit of everything Catholics would be interested in. Keeps us on track in our daily lives. I like the bishop’s letter to us and I like the explanation of new programs that are being implemented in the diocese. I also like Q & A of questions readers send in. The Bayou Catholic, in general, is a great magazine. What I like best is to know what is going on in our diocese and the bishop and pope’s columns. I usually read every issue. I keep them for a while, then recycle them by bringing them to the Lockport Library. I love the format; the articles are interesting. I have used them in the past in my teaching of CCD classes. It’s about our diocese and the people who live here. It is free. High school articles spotlighting the kids! We use the articles every month in class at E.D. White and the kids love reading about their peers. I really like the articles about religious activities, the recipe, and Reading with Raymond. I am an avid reader and like seeing other books recommended. Seems every time I pick it up I know someone in there. Look forward to reading it every month. Truly appreciate the time and work put into the magazine. Very professional! The Pope’s message and the Questions of Faith. I think it is well done, appealing and informative. My wife reads it cover to cover and she suggests which articles I should read since I am usually

From The Editor

pressed for reading time. It has a nice balance of topics. Overall, everything is interesting, not just one subject. I use the Scripture readings calendar every month. Well done, colored and after each segment you want to continue reading. Questions of Faith – very interesting subjects. The photography. As part of the Hispanic community, I appreciate the bishop’s column in Spanish. Cover to cover. I read it all. Questions of Faith, because uncomplicated answers using simple language, not theological terms. Informative – convenience of delivery. The photos that supplement the articles. Many of the Questions of Faith are questions that I have considered. I have learned what the rituals mean and why we do certain things. The magazine is well laid out. Pictures, even ads are nice to read. Very informing! Good presentation! What do you like least about the magazine? Since I’m not a sports fan and don’t hunt or fish, these would be the least for me. Catholic schools biased; alienates public school students. Readings Between the Lines is written in too high an education, it needs to be written more simply for all to understand. It would be an important part of the magazine if it was more easily understood. Too much sports and fishing. More representation of what local parishes are doing to keep Catholics in their faith. More about youth events and activities. Sports. More content on the adult singles: support groups available, information, encouragement, enlightenment, etc. Needs to cover more news on the church. Like it all. Not enough is written about specific events in some parishes – I’m curious about activities in other areas of the diocese.

Not enough info with pictures. I don’t care for long articles. I find smaller articles more appealing. I miss the featured saints of the month. It would be nice to have information included for children/on a child’s level. FAR TOO LITTLE coverage of what good works many lay people are doing (in the world and not just in the church) and innovations parishes are undertaking. All of the advertisements. I like everything. I am proud to be a Catholic. I used to love reading the Clarion Herald and now I love reading the Bayou Catholic. I do miss Claire Joller’s column, however. Sports. Bayou Outdoor Guide. Any suggestions for ways we can improve Bayou Catholic Magazine? Less focus on primarily Catholic schools. The largest percentage of Catholics attend public schools. Focus on teens in general. Keep doing what you are doing! God’s work! A beautiful magazine! God bless you! Articles dealing with relevant issues that teach the truths of the faith (like this issue’s Humanae Vitae article); more theological writing. A feature periodically, a witness by a layperson about what brought them closer to their faith and how it affects a change in involvement in their local church. Articles by priests in layman’s terms about what leads their own personal spirituality and being a eucharistic person. Feature more about our parish priests. More information on individual parishes and the great things they are doing. I really don’t know of anything else that could be done to enhance this magazine. Maybe a coloring page for children, or information on the saints, etc., on their level. How are Catholics addressing the needs of the poor? Should list ideas to help the poor in the parish. More about the other Louisiana dioceses.

A witness story; everyday miracle story; aha, spiritual moments. Elderly in Action – many are still active in church work. I would not change a thing. Best magazine ever. More national and world issues – Rome; not enough Vatican news. I would love more specific, local content, like more in depth priest and parish, and event spotlights. More on home and family ways to share faith. More kid friendly ideas. How about something with the seminarians? Just a “get to know” on a one-on-one basis. They have a story that just might inspire not only another young man, but the people in the pews, too. Thanks to everyone who took the time to fill out a survey. Many were placed in collection boxes at the churches, many of you completed the survey online and a large number of readers took the extra effort to mail the surveys to the Bayou Catholic office. Bishop Fabre, our entire Bayou Catholic staff, we well as the diocesan director of communications, will be meeting to determine how to respond to the comments and suggestions given by our readers. Such things as printing costs, glossy paper, magazine versus newspaper, and mailing directly to parishioners will be explained in upcoming issues of the magazine. As the official publication of the diocese, it’s our mission to evangelize, educate, inform and continue to challenge the Catholic faithful of the diocese to become missionary disciples. It is our hope that we are able to continue providing the people of the diocese with a publication that will help them grow in their Catholic faith. Remember, after reading Bayou Catholic, pass it on to a friend or relative who might not be attending Mass. It’s one of the great ways to do your part in spreading the Good News! BC

Lawrence

Lawrence Chatagnier Editor & General Manager

May 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 7

Comment

How do you handle change?

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

Springtime has arrived again, and spring invites not only the annual rebirth of nature, but also the annual celebration of events unique to this time of year. Each May I have the privilege to attend the commencement exercises for Central Catholic, E.D. White and Vandebilt Catholic Schools. High school graduation is an age old rite of passage from schooling into adulthood; thus, it serves as one of our first major life transitions. It is the first real significant change that we know in life. Changes in life tend to stir up anxieties within us as we face what is unknown to us. While change is never easy, it does not have to be overwhelming. The two major reasons that we struggle with change are that change: 1) represents the unknown; and 2) forces us to modify our routine. As each student leaves behind their high school years either to embark on the intense learning at a college or into the responsibilities of work life, they face a whole host of challenges that they have never experienced before. College brings new places and people while simultaneously somewhat overshadowing the relationships relied upon for years, and the student is now more responsible for his or her own learning. Moving into the workforce likewise presents new places and people with the same adjustment in support network. Likewise, the birth of a couple’s first child is also a major change. They are now responsible for this budding human life that simultaneously taxes all of their energy and attention, yet is also a

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We go through changes all of the time and most of them have some major components that are unknown. Take a deep breath. You have this. You have the capacity to overcome whatever difficulty is facing you. If you do not have the support you need, go look for better support.

tremendous source of joy, fulfillment and pride. They love their child deeply even though the new baby requires much of them. In these circumstances, forces outside of the person changed the details of their daily lives. Understandably, the new college student could be caught off guard by newfound freedom and responsibility, the new worker shocked by the expectation of having to follow the direction of the new boss, or the new parents surprised by the energy needed to care for the baby. They will all need time to adjust. However, with each of these the change was known to be coming for some time. What we see here is that with all the warning in the world sometimes we are still not prepared for the full impact of change in our lives. At the same time, with all of these common experiences we should be prepared for our lives to change when the circumstances of our lives change. Put another way, we should not be surprised that our routine changes when other parts of our life changes. While we may not be able to totally eliminate the difficulty of change, we can better prepare ourselves for it. First when a change is coming, remember that change always feels scary. We go through changes all of the time and most of them have some major components that are unknown. Take a deep breath. You have this. You have

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

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Comfort For My People

the capacity to overcome whatever difficulty is facing you. If you do not have the support you need, go look for better support. Every new thing is difficult at first, but eventually we rise to the challenge and succeed. Second, go talk to someone. Express what you are feeling, thinking, and hoping for to another person. This will help you concretize your challenges and allow you to face them head-on. At the same time, have the same talk with God. God enjoys it when we spend time with him; and prayer is good for us. Further, God can guide you through the difficulties. Success or failure, time with God will help you endure. Third, actively adjust your expectations. Most of why we are hurt by changes is because our expectations are not in line with reality. Am I trying to do too much? Is there a better way I can focus? What do I need to know? Fourth, remember that this life is meant to be a pilgrimage to heaven with God as guide and goal. Be confident and trust that God will not leave you to face any challenge alone. Remembering these things will assist high school graduates, college graduates, new parents and everyone to endure changes in their lives in order to continue to become the gift God has created each of us to be. May God’s peace and blessings be with all! Be assured of my prayers for you, even as I ask your prayers for me. BC

Comentario

¿Cómo manejas el cambio?

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Pasamos por cambios todo el tiempo y la mayoría de ellos tienen algunos componentes importantes que son desconocidos. Respira hondo. Tú tienes esto. Tienes la capacidad de superar cualquier dificultad que se te presente. Si no tiene el apoyo que necesita, busque un mejor apoyo.

nuevo estudiante universitario se vea sorprendido por la nueva libertad y responsabilidad, el nuevo trabajador conmocionado por la expectativa de tener que seguir las instrucciones del nuevo jefe, o los nuevos padres sorprendidos por la energía necesaria para cuidar al bebé. Todos ellos necesitarán tiempo para adaptarse. Sin embargo, desde hace tiempo cada uno de ellos sabía que el cambio venía. Lo que vemos aquí es que, con todas las advertencias del mundo, a veces todavía no estamos preparados para el impacto total del cambio en nuestras vidas. Al mismo tiempo, con todas estas experiencias comunes debemos estar preparados para que nuestras vidas cambien cuando las circunstancias de nuestras vidas cambie. Dicho de otra manera, no debería sorprendernos que nuestra rutina cambie cuando otras partes de nuestra vida cambian. Aunque no podamos eliminar totalmente la dificultad del cambio, podemos prepararnos mejor para ello. Primero, cuando se aproxima un cambio, recuerde que el cambio siempre da miedo. Pasamos por cambios todo el tiempo y la mayoría de ellos tienen algunos componentes importantes que son desconocidos. Respira hondo. Tú tienes esto. Tienes la capacidad de superar cualquier dificultad que se te presente. Si no tiene el apoyo que necesita, busque un mejor apoyo. Cada cosa nueva es difícil al principio, pero con el tiempo nos ponemos a la altura del reto y lo logramos. Segundo, ve a

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

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La primavera ha llegado de nuevo, y la primavera invita no sólo al florecimiento anual de la naturaleza, sino también a la celebración anual de eventos únicos de esta época del año. Cada Mayo tengo el privilegio de asistir a la graduación de las Escuelas Católicas Centrales, E.D. White y Vandebilt. La graduación de la escuela secundaria es un rito de paso de la escuela a la edad adulta; por lo tanto, sirve como una de nuestras primeras transiciones principales en la vida. Es el primer cambio realmente significativo que conocemos en la vida. Los cambios en la vida tienden a despertar inquietud en nosotros al enfrentarnos a lo que es desconocido. Aunque el cambio nunca es fácil, no tiene por qué ser abrumador. Las dos razones principales por las que luchamos con el cambio son: 1) representa lo desconocido; y 2) nos obliga a modificar nuestra rutina. A medida que cada estudiante deja atrás sus años de escuela secundaria, ya sea para embarcarse en el aprendizaje intenso en una universidad o en las responsabilidades de la vida laboral, se enfrentan a una gran cantidad de desafíos que nunca antes han experimentado. La universidad trae nuevos lugares y personas al mismo tiempo que eclipsa un poco las relaciones en las que se ha confiado durante años, y el estudiante es ahora más responsable de su propio aprendizaje. La vida laboral también presenta nuevos lugares y personas con el mismo esfuerzo de adaptacion. Del mismo modo, el nacimiento del primer hijo de una pareja es también un cambio importante. Ahora son responsables de esta vida humana que, al mismo tiempo, pone a prueba toda su energía y atención, pero que también es una gran fuente de alegría, satisfacción y orgullo. Aman profundamente a su hijo aunque el nuevo bebé requiera mucho de ellos. En estas circunstancias, los acontecimientos en las persona cambiaron los detalles de su vida cotidiana. Es comprensible que el

hablar con alguien. Exprese a otra persona lo que está sintiendo, pensando y esperando. Esto le ayudará a concretar sus desafíos y le permitirá enfrentarlos. Al mismo tiempo, tenga la misma conversación con Dios. Dios disfruta cuando pasamos tiempo con él; y la oración es buena para nosotros. Además, Dios puede guiarte a través de las dificultades. El éxito o el fracaso, el tiempo con Dios le ayudará a perdurar. Tercero, ajuste activamente sus expectativas. La mayoría de las razones por las que los cambios nos perjudican es porque nuestras expectativas no están en línea con la realidad. ¿Estoy tratando de hacer demasiado? ¿Hay alguna forma mejor de concentrarme? ¿Qué necesito saber? Cuarto, recuerda que esta vida está destinada a ser una peregrinación al cielo con Dios como guía y meta. Ten confianza y confía en que Dios no te dejará solo ante ningún desafío. Recordar estas cosas ayudará a los graduados de la escuela secundaria, a los graduados de la universidad, a los nuevos padres y a todos a soportar los cambios en nuestras vidas para continuar convirtiéndose en el regalo que Dios ha creado para cada uno de nosotros. Que la paz y las bendiciones de Dios sean con todos! Tengan la seguridad de que rezaré por ustedes, aun cuando yo les pida sus oraciones por mí. BC

Binh luan bang loi

Bạn xử lý sự thay đổi như thế nào?

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Chúng ta trải qua tất cả các thay đổi của thời gian và hầu hết trong số chúng có một số thành phần chính chưa được biết. Hãy hít một hơi thật sâu. Bạn làm được điều này. Bạn có khả năng vượt qua bất cứ khó khăn nào đang đối diện với bạn. Nếu bạn không có sự hỗ trợ cần thiết, hãy tìm kiếm sự hỗ trợ tốt hơn.

công nhân mới bị thách đố vì họ phải theo sự chỉ dẫn của ông chủ mới, hoặc vợ chồng son ngạc nhiên về khả năng cần thiết để chăm sóc em bé. Tất cả mọi người sẽ cần thời gian để hoàn chỉnh cho phù hợp. Tuy nhiên, với mỗi hoàn chỉnh này, sự thay đổi sẽ đến không sớm thì muộn. Những gì chúng ta thấy ở đây là với tất cả các cảnh báo trên thế giới đôi khi chúng ta vẫn chưa chuẩn bị cho tác động đầy đủ của sự thay đổi trong cuộc sống của chúng ta. Đồng thời, với tất cả những trải nghiệm chung này, chúng ta nên chuẩn bị cho cuộc sống của mình thay đổi khi hoàn cảnh sống thay đổi. Nói cách khác, chúng ta không nên ngạc nhiên vì thói quen của chúng ta thay đổi khi các phần khác trong cuộc sống của chúng ta thay đổi. Mặc dù chúng ta có thể không thể loại bỏ hoàn toàn khó khăn của sự thay đổi, nhưng chúng ta có thể chuẩn bị tốt hơn cho nó. Trước hết, khi một sự thay đổi đang đến, hãy nhớ rằng sự thay đổi luôn cảm thấy đáng sợ. Chúng ta trải qua tất cả các thay đổi của thời gian và hầu hết trong số chúng có một số thành phần chính chưa được biết. Hãy hít một hơi thật sâu. Bạn làm được điều này. Bạn có khả năng vượt qua bất cứ khó khăn nào đang đối diện với bạn. Nếu bạn không có sự hỗ trợ cần thiết, hãy tìm kiếm sự hỗ trợ tốt hơn. Mọi điều mới mẻ lúc đầu đều khó khăn, nhưng cuối cùng chúng ta cũng sẽ vượt qua thử thách và thành công. Kế đến, hãy đi nói chuyện với ai đó. Hãy bày tỏ những gì bạn đang cảm thấy, suy nghĩ và hy vọng với một người

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Mùa xuân một lần nữa lại đến, và mùa xuân không chỉ mời gọi sự tái sinh hằng năm của thiên nhiên, mà còn là kỷ niệm hằng năm của các dịp nổi bật cho thời điểm này trong năm. Cứ mỗi tháng Năm, tôi được vinh dự tham dự lễ phát bằng tốt nghiệp cho 2 trường Công giáo, trường Central Vandebilt và trường Edward Doughlas White. Tốt nghiệp trung học là một nghi thức trải nghiệm từ khi đi học đến tuổi trưởng thành; do đó, nó phục vụ như là một trong những chuyển tiếp cuộc sống chính đầu tiên của chúng ta. Đó là sự thay đổi đáng kể thực sự đầu tiên mà chúng ta biết được trong cuộc sống. Những thay đổi trong cuộc sống có xu hướng khuấy động những lo lắng trong chúng ta khi chúng ta đối mặt với những gì chúng ta chưa biết. Mặc dù sự thay đổi không bao giờ dễ dàng, nhưng nó không phải là không thể khắc phục được. Hai lý do chính mà chúng ta đấu tranh với thay đổi là vì nó: 1) đại diện cho điều chưa biết; và 2) buộc chúng ta phải sửa đổi thói quen của mình. Khi mỗi học sinh bỏ lại đằng sau những năm trung học hoặc bắt đầu vào việc học tập căng thẳng ở trường đại học hoặc mang lấy trách nhiệm của cuộc sống công việc, họ phải đối diện với hàng loạt thử thách mà trước đây họ chưa từng trải qua. Đại học mang đến những nơi chốn và con người mới đồng thời phần nào làm lu mờ các mối quan hệ dựa trên nhiều năm, và giờ đây sinh viên có trách nhiệm hơn với việc học của chính mình. Đi làm việc cũng có những nơi chốn và những người mới có cùng chí hướng trong mạng lưới hỗ trợ. Tương tự như vậy, khi một cặp vợ chồng sinh ra đứa con đầu lòng cũng là một thay đổi lớn. Bây giờ họ chịu trách nhiệm cho sự sống con người vừa chớm nở này đồng thời đòi hỏi tất cả năng lực và sự chú ý của họ, nhưng cũng là một nguồn vui, sự thỏa mãn và niềm tự hào to lớn. Họ yêu thương con của họ thắm thiết mặc dù đứa trẻ mới sinh đòi hỏi họ rất nhiều quan tâm. Trong những trường hợp này, các áp đặt bên ngoài con người đã thay đổi các chi tiết của cuộc sống hằng ngày của họ. Có thể hiểu, sinh viên đại học mới có thể mất cảnh giác bởi sự tự do và trách nhiệm mới được tìm thấy, người

khác. Điều này sẽ giúp bạn cụ thể hóa các thách thức của mình và cho phép bạn đối mặt trực tiếp với chúng. Đồng thời, hãy nói những điều đó với Chúa. Chúa thích điều đó khi chúng ta dành thời gian với Ngài; và cầu nguyện là điều tốt cho chúng ta. Hơn nữa, Chúa có thể hướng dẫn bạn vượt qua những khó khăn. Thành công hay thất bại, thời gian với Chúa sẽ giúp bạn chịu đựng. Thứ ba, hãy tích cực hoàn chỉnh những kỳ vọng của bạn. Hầu hết lý do tại sao chúng ta bị tổn thương do những thay đổi là vì những kỳ vọng của chúng ta không phù hợp với thực tế. Tôi đang cố gắng đòi hỏi quá nhiều chăng? Có cách nào tốt hơn tôi có thể tập trung không? Tôi cần biết những điều gì? Sau hết, hãy nhớ rằng cuộc sống này có nghĩa là một cuộc hành trình lên Thiên đàng với Thiên Chúa là sự hướng dẫn và mục tiêu. Hãy xác tín và tin tưởng rằng Chúa sẽ không bỏ mặc bạn phải đương đầu với bất kỳ thử thách nào. Việc ghi nhớ những điều này sẽ giúp các học sinh tốt nghiệp trung học, đại học, vợ chồng son và mọi người chịu đựng những thay đổi trong cuộc sống của họ để tiếp tục trở thành món quà mà Chúa đã tạo ra cho mỗi chúng ta. Cầu chúc sự bình an và muôn phúc lành của Chúa ở cùng tất cả Anh Chị Em! Hãy tin rằng tôi luôn nhớ tới ACE trong những lời cầu nguyện, ngay cả khi tôi xin mọi người cầu nguyện cho tôi. Dịch thuật do Lm. Francis Bui, SDD và Thầy Paul Vu, SDD. Tu Đoàn Tông Đồ Giáo Sĩ Nhà Chúa BC

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

Comment

Don’t let your cell phones become an addiction, pope warns high schoolers The Pope Speaks

Vatican City, (CNA) Pope Francis met with a group of high school students recently, encouraging them to monitor their cell phone use, so as not to create obstacles to a culture of encounter. Students from Visconti High School visited with the pope at Paul VI Hall on April 13. The meeting comes a month after the 450th anniversary of the birth of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. The saint was known for his charitable work with the poor, which resulted in him contracting the plague and dying at the age of 23. The school’s building in Rome houses the remains of Gonzaga, who is the patron saint of the youth. Gonzaga himself attended the school. Pope Francis praised the saint for his willingness to encounter those around him, particularly those in need. In modern times, the pope warned, we must be cautious of anything that tears us away from encounter and authentic relationships. While cell phones can be a valuable tool for communication, they can also reduce our freedom and present an obstacle to true dialogue, he said. “Free yourself from dependence on your mobile phone, please!” Francis said. “You have certainly heard of the drama of addiction…This one is very subtle.” “Be careful, as there is the danger that, when the telephone is a drug, communication is reduced to simple ‘contacts.’ But life is not for ‘contacting,’

it is for communicating!” The pope emphasized the importance of the school system as a place of communication, especially between cultures. The Church promotes fraternity, he said, noting that this requires a foundation of freedom, truth, solidarity, and justice. “The dialogue between different cultures and different people enriches a country, enriches the homeland and enables us to move ahead in mutual respect, enables us to go ahead looking at one earth for all, not just for some,” he said. Pope Francis also commented on the important role modesty and fidelity have within friendships. He stressed that love is not solely an emotional reality but a responsibility. “The sense of modesty refers to a vigilant conscience that defends the dignity of the person and authentic love, precisely so as not to trivialize the language of the body. Faithfulness, then, along with respect for the other, is an indispensable dimension of every true relationship of love, since one cannot play with feelings.” Pope Francis’ concerns about cell phone addictions echo those of technology experts in recent years, as computer and phone use have become more prevalent among children and teens, raising concerns about academic performance, social wellbeing and overall quality of life. Psychologist Jean Twenge, author of “iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy--and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood,” spoke to CNA last September about trends in technology. The average daily screen time for teenagers is high above the recommended two hours, Twenge

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

noted. “Beyond that, the risks increase, topping out at the highest levels of use,” she said. She pointed to a 2015 study from the research group Common Sense Media. It stated that over half of teens in the U.S. spent at least four hours in front of a screen and 25% were reported to have been in front of a screen for more than eight hours a day, with detrimental effects. “For example, teens who use electronic devices five or more hours a day are 71% more likely to have a risk factor for suicide than those using devices less than an hour a day,” Twenge said. “They are also 51% more likely to not sleep enough. Teens who are online five or more hours a day are twice as likely to be unhappy as those online less than an hour a day.” Pope Francis has spoken on the moderation of technology in the past. During a 2016 homily, he highlighted the damages television and cell phones can have on family encounters. “In our families, at the dinner table, how many times while eating, do people watch the TV or write messages on their cell phones? Each one is indifferent to that encounter. Even within the heart of society, which is the family, there is no encounter.” He said it is the responsibility of the family to seek out dialogue in which the person is truly seen and heard rather than treated as an object of indifference. “We are accustomed to a culture of indifference and we must strive and ask for the grace to create a culture of encounter, of a fruitful encounter, of an encounter that restores to each person his or her own dignity as a child of God, the dignity of a living person,” he said. BC

Comment

Questions of Faith Father Joshua Rodrigue

Good times, bad times, where is God? Why is it that when someone makes an unexplainable recovery from an illness or accident, we’re told to praise or thank God for this miracle; but when someone doesn’t recover from an illness or accident, we’re told it wasn’t God’s doing? At the beginning of the vigil Mass for Easter when the celebrant is inscribing the paschal candle with the cross, symbols, and numbers of the current year, he proclaims, “Christ yesterday and today, the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega. All time belongs to him and all the ages. To him be glory and power through every age and for ever. Amen.” All time and all that exists within that time belongs to Christ, who is our beginning and our end. All that we say and do throughout our lives must have as their goal— their end—union with Christ, who draws us also to the Father through the Holy Spirit. “And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself” (John 12:32). Jesus has care and concern for us at every moment of our lives, from the beginning of our existence in our mother’s womb until the moment of our death. The paschal candle, reminding us of Christ’s presence and guidance throughout our lives, is lit for us both at our baptism, when we begin our Christian journey of discipleship, and at our funeral, when we celebrate the

end of our earthly pilgrimage. Keeping this understanding of our ultimate end being in union with Christ may help us to arrive at the answer to the question above. There are many things that we will never know nor understand until we come face to face with the Lord at the end of our lives, such as why some people are healed and others are not. When a crisis arises in our lives, it can put our faith to the test. The word crisis comes from the Greek meaning a choice or a decision. Pertaining to our faith, a crisis provokes us to choose or decide to turn toward God in those difficulties or not. Being people of faith, we readily give thanks and praise to God when healing happens after an illness or accident. It reminds us of God’s providence in our lives and confirms that the Lord really does care for us. The difficulty comes when the good results for which we were praying and hoping do not happen. God seemingly gets the credit for the good results but none of the blame when they don’t happen. First, we cannot think that if a person is healed it is because the illness or accident wasn’t supposed to happen and God fixed life’s mistake. The correlating thought also holds true. If a person does not recover, we cannot believe the illness or accident was supposed to happen because the person perhaps did not have faith or sinned and so therefore God would not intervene. The truth is that we live in a fallen world marred by sin and evil. Bad things do happen to both saints and sinners alike, and illness and death affect all of us. While God does not cause illnesses and accidents, he will use these moments as an opportunity to fulfill our end—to draw us to himself. Miraculous recoveries can move the patient and others associated with the one cured to faith or greater faith and union with God. Even when an accident or illness does not result in healing, God allows for a greater good to come about in his plan for salvation. It is difficult for us to see this in the moment of a seemingly unanswered prayer or even a sense of abandonment

by God. We are tempted instead to ask God, “Why me,” or “why not me?” As time passes we can reflect in prayer and often see God’s guiding hand in our lives. When I was about to turn 13, my grandfather was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given a few months to live. Every night I prayed for his recovery and believed with all my heart that it would happen. When he died on Thanksgiving Day that year, I was angry with the Lord and couldn’t understand his “no” to my sincere prayer. Others were cured; why not my grandfather? Reflecting after 30 years have passed, I see God’s greater plan. Upon my grandfather’s death, the way I prayed and my relationship with the Trinity changed. Gradually I went from feeling hurt by God to trusting him and loving him. Had this not happened and I experienced a newfound way of praying, I doubt I would be a priest today. Consequently, the moments of joy and sorrow in people’s lives that I have been privileged to be invited to share in and bring Christ into as a priest would be different. The Lord sees the entire plan for salvation, in which we all play a part. Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross on Good Friday appeared to be a failure; however, his resurrection on Easter Sunday serves as a reminder that God will grant us in our personal Good Friday’s an Easter Sunday, rising to a newness of life. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away. Behold I make all things new. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 21:4-5a, 6a). BC

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

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

Reflections

Luke’s story of salvation and ours Readings Between the Lines Father Glenn LeCompte

The entire month of May this year is within the Easter Season, 50 days during which the church contemplates the mystery of Christ’s resurrection. In this article, I intend to unpack that mystery by considering how Luke’s 24th chapter plays a pivotal role between the part of the story that preceded it (Luke’s Gospel) and that which follows (Acts of the Apostles). Luke’s account of the finding of the empty tomb (24:1-12) contains a number of connections with the previous part of the story. The temporal setting for the empty tomb episode is “daybreak” (24:1). The contrast between the emerging light of daybreak and the darkness that enshrouded the land between Jesus’ crucifixion and death (23:44-45) symbolizes that a new beginning is about to occur. Additionally, some important characters will bridge the crucifixion and empty tomb episodes. The same women who come to the empty tomb (24:10) witnessed Jesus’ death and burial (23:55). That these women are witnesses to both Jesus’ death and absence from the tomb is important, because the significance of each event depends on the other. But what did the women discover at the tomb? Perhaps the body was stolen. However, the women encounter two men in dazzling garments in the empty tomb (24:4); the quality of their garments recalls that of Jesus’ at the scene of his transfiguration, an event which anticipated the glory of his resurrection (9:29). Luke specifies that Moses and Elijah conversed with Jesus about his “exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem (9:31),”

meaning his transit to the Father through his passion, death, resurrection and ascension. The divine messengers address the women’s consternation about the missing body by telling them that they should seek a living person rather than a dead body (24:5). The messengers remind the women of Jesus’ earlier announcement to his disciples, words these women followers of Jesus would have heard, that he would go to Jerusalem, be handed over to sinners, be crucified and rise on the third day (cf. 9:22). The women “remember” Jesus’ words, and this is a first step toward their comprehension of the empty tomb’s meaning, but they do not yet understand fully. In other words, Jesus the Prophet, accurately prophesied that he would suffer, die and rise. In addition, both 9:22 and 24:7 specify that all that happens to Jesus “must” happen, that is, it is part of God’s predetermined divine plan. Jesus’ death and resurrection are connected again through the concept of their necessity when Paul proclaims to the Thessalonians that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead (Acts 17:3). Finally, the women go to the Apostles and tell them about their experience, but the Apostles are incredulous at the news. Peter, however, the Apostles’ leader runs to the tomb and examines the scene, but comes away “amazed,” that is, with no greater understanding

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

than the women. However, Peter is now a witness to the emptiness of the tomb. In 24:34, the disciples in Jerusalem will tell Cleopas and his traveling companion, who encountered the risen Lord on the road to Emmaus and at table in the town, that the Lord had appeared to Simon (Peter). Peter’s coming to faith in Jesus’ resurrection is critical to his “recovery” whereby he would be enabled to strengthen his brothers (22:32). Indeed, the disciples’ faith in Jesus’ resurrection is vital to the continuation of Luke’s story in Acts. Consider Acts 2:32-36 where Peter declares that Jesus, who was crucified and raised, is both Lord and Messiah. If the presence of the women both at the crucifixion and the empty tomb provides continuity between the parts of Luke’s story before and after Jesus’ death, so too do the meals the risen Lord shares in with his disciples. Having reached Emmaus the two disciples invite the stranger who accompanied them on the road to dine with them. During this meal, Jesus performs the same actions he did at the Last Supper (Luke 22:19); he takes, blesses, breaks and gives bread to the disciples. By means of these actions, the two disciples recognize that the one who is breaking bread with them was the same as he who did so at the Last Supper. Gathered with disciples at the Last Supper he declared the bread

Reflections

his body, which would be given for them and the wine his blood, which would be shed. Now as he breaks bread with disciples again, he manifests his risen presence. Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection are drawn together by the two meals chronologically on either side of these events. At another meal (24:36-49) the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus are again brought together when the risen Lord appears to the Eleven and the other disciples gathered with them, as well as the two disciples from Emmaus who were in the process of recounting their experience. The disciples are startled at the risen Lord’s appearance. In response, Jesus not only confirms his resurrection but demonstrates that he is one and the same as the Jesus who was crucified. He shows them his wounds, invites them to touch him so they may know that he is risen bodily and then eats food in their presence. After Pentecost

in Acts, in the disciples’ proclamation of God’s act of salvation through Jesus, the connection of his resurrection with his crucifixion and death, as well as all else Jesus said and did, is crucial. Another important theme that pulls together Jesus’ death and resurrection is the concept of fulfillment of Scripture. On the road to Emmaus Jesus instructs the disciples that “Moses and all the prophets” foretell the necessity of the Messiah’s death and resurrection (Luke 24:26-27). The presence of Moses and Elijah (the fullness of the Jewish Scriptures) at the anticipation of Jesus’ resurrected glory (the Transfiguration) suggests the same idea. Acts 3:18; 18:28 reiterate the concept that the Messiah’s suffering, death and resurrection fulfills Scripture. Viewed as a fulfillment of Scripture, these interconnected events are depicted as part of a long-developing divine plan for the world’s salvation. The disciples had to come to

understand and believe in the divine plan and evidence for Jesus’ Messiahship through the combination of his death and resurrection if they were to disseminate the good news of salvation. The same is true for us today. BC

Reflection Questions v In what ways are Christ’s death and resurrection recalled in the liturgy? v How do we experience dying and rising with Christ in everyday life? v What does it take today to proclaim effectively that Jesus, by virtue of his death, resurrection and ascension is demonstrated to be Lord, Messiah and Savior of the world?

Rod’s supeRstoRe Name BraNd TV & appliaNces 879-2403

808 Barrow St. • Houma, LA 70360 May 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 15

ScriptureReadings and a listing of Feast days and saints

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

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

Easter Weekday Acts 7:51—8:1a John 6:30-35

Easter Weekday Acts 8:1b-8 John 6:35-40

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

Saturday

1 May

Friday

Easter Weekday Acts 6:1-7 John 6:16-21

Third Sunday of Easter Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41 Revelation 5:11-14 John 21:1-19

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

Feast of Saint Matthias, apostle Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 John 15:9-17

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

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

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

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

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

1 June

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

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

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord Acts 1:1-11 Ephesians 1:17-23 Luke 24:46-53

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

Sunday

Fourth Sunday of Easter Acts 13:14, 43-52 Revelation 7:9, 14b-17 John 10:27-30

Fifth Sunday of Easter Acts 14:21-27 Revelation 21:1-5a John 13:31-33a, 34-35

Sixth Sunday of Easter Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 Revelation 21:1014, 22-23 John 14:23-29

May

Holy Father’s prayer intentions

Evangelization

Church in Africa. That the Church in Africa, through the commitment of its members, may be the seed of unity among her peoples and a sign of hope for the continent.

Strike Out Termites this Spring! Call the Terminix Team for a Free Quote.

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See www.apostleshipofprayer.org

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

Church Life

Two to be ordained priests at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales June 1 Story by Janet Marcel The Rev. Mr. Brett M. Lapeyrouse and the Rev. Mr. Patrick Riviere will be ordained to the priesthood Saturday, June 1, at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma. Bishop Shelton J. Fabre will be the ordaining prelate.

The Rev. Mr. Brett Lapeyrouse is a 27 year old native of Chauvin/Bourg and a graduate of South Terrebonne High School in Bourg. He is the son of Deacon Gary and Michelle Lapeyrouse, and has one biological brother and two adopted sisters. He attended St. Joseph Seminary College in Saint Benedict where he received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and the liberal arts, and is currently attending Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans where he will receive a master of arts in theological studies this month. As part of his priestly formation, the Rev. Mr. Lapeyrouse has served at Annunziata Church parish in Houma, the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, St. Mary’s Nativity Church parish in Raceland, Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church parish in Houma, and St. Genevieve Church parish in Thibodaux. He has also been a cantor and choir member at both seminaries he attended and has done a couple of musical compositions. “I am most looking forward to celebrating Mass and hearing confessions; and also providing spiritual direction and pastoral counseling,” says the Rev. Mr. Lapeyrouse.

Rev. Mr. Brett Lapeyrouse Born: March 30, 1992 Home parish: St. Joseph, Chauvin Seminary: St. Joseph Seminary College (Saint Benedict) and Notre Dame Seminary (New Orleans) Favorite field of study? Liturgical theology, because the liturgy of the church is the source and summit of everything we do as Christians, and by properly understanding and celebrating the liturgy, we more clearly encounter our Lord through the liturgy Favorite saint? St. Thomas Aquinas, because of his incredible intellect, but most of all because of his immense love for the Eucharist Hobbies? Reading, listening to audiobooks and podcasts, like Pints with Aquinas “We are so proud of Brett’s perseverance in following through with his discernment process,” says his parents, Deacon Gary and Michelle Lapeyrouse. “It is difficult to hear God calling especially as a young man in today’s society, but to listen and follow him is a great accomplishment. He signed up to be an altar server when he was in fourth grade. As a young boy Brett was always reverent and loved serving in the liturgy. As a teenager he attended various retreats and conferences and always felt a call to explore his options as a future priest. As parents I think we had an idea that priesthood was definitely an option for Brett’s future.” When asked if they have any reservations about their son’s decision to become a priest, they say, “Yes. In today’s world we understand the struggles that will be a part of Brett’s life from day one through his entire life as a priest. The environment

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

we find ourselves in, as a church, is scary to say the least. We see society as a whole moving away from organized religion but we also know, as does Brett, that being part of the Catholic Church is being a part of Christ, no matter what. Reservations? Yes. Fear? No.” He will celebrate his first Mass at St. Joseph Church in Chauvin, Sunday, June 2, at 2 p.m. The Rev. Mr. Patrick Riviere is a 26 year old native of Thibodaux and a graduate of E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux. He is the son of Robert and Mary Riviere and has one younger brother, Benjamin. He earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. He attended St. Joseph Seminary College in Saint Benedict where he received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and theological studies, and is currently attending Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans where he will receive a master of arts in theological studies this month. As part of his priestly formation the Rev. Mr. Riviere spent two summers at the Institute for Priestly Formation (IPF) in Omaha, NE; one summer as chaplain at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center while in residence at Christ the Redeemer and participated in a 30-day silent retreat. He also served at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales and completed his diaconate internship at Annunziata Church parish in Houma. “I am looking forward to getting to know people and seeing how God is actively working in their lives, especially through privileged encounters through the sacraments and confession,” says the Rev. Mr. Patrick Riviere. “I am so grateful to

Church Life

the people of the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux for their prayers and support over these last six years of formation. I wouldn’t have made it without you! Please continue to pray for us and the other priests and seminarians. I promise to do everything I can to serve you faithfully!” “To say that we are proud of Patrick is an understatement. It takes a special person to receive and respond to the call to religious life. We feel humbled that God chose our son to be a leader of our Catholic faith. It is extremely rewarding now to watch Patrick when he is with the people professing God’s Word. His happiness is apparent on his face – he seems to radiate joy. Nothing could make us prouder than to see our son fulfill his vocation with such joy and happiness,” says the Rev. Mr. Patrick Riviere’s parents, Mary and Robert. “Patrick always had a deep love for the Mass. He served as an altar boy

Rev. Mr. Patrick Riviere Born: June 22, 1992 Home parish: St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary: St. Joseph Seminary College (Saint Benedict) and Notre Dame Seminary (New Orleans) Favorite field of study? Why? I enjoy spiritual theology. Prayer has been something important in my own discovery of how God was speaking to me and calling me, and learning about the interior life has always been a passion of mine. Favorite saint? Why? St. John of the Cross has been a special patron of mine. His writings inspire me in my undivided love for God and a willingness to pursue him above all else. He also has been a source of great help in times of struggle, offering a light to help me to see God’s presence in them. Hobbies? I enjoy reading and just hanging out with friends. since making his first Communion and continued through high school. He especially seemed intrigued by the special holiday celebrations. How many high school kids look forward to serving Mass at the Easter vigil? Even though he had a love for the Mass, we never discussed in any depth a religious vocation. Patrick was studying to become a medical doctor and we assumed that was going to be his path in life. Not that we couldn’t have imagined that he might chose the religious life, it just wasn’t anything we discussed in any great detail. We always taught our children to pray

and try to discern what God had in mind for them and if they followed God’s plan, they would find true happiness in this life. Patrick decided to study biology and aspired to become a medical doctor. We were actually a bit surprised when he announced in his junior year at college that he had made the decision to leave Nicholls and enter the seminary.” As far as reservations, the only reservation was that his father felt he should complete his studies at Nicholls. He only had one year left to obtain his degree and if after graduating he still felt called, they told him he should enter the seminary then. “As parents we always want to protect our children from the ‘what ifs’ and what if later you discern that this isn’t the call for you, then you always have your college degree to fall back on. However, Patrick was determined to enter the seminary immediately and looking back we feel that he was not wavering in his conviction. Other than completing his college degree, we had no reservations at all about his calling. We pray all the time for an increase of vocations and we certainly need more priests. We feel humbled that our son would be one of the ones who answered the call to religious life.” He will celebrate his first Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Thibodaux, Saturday, June 1, at 5 p.m. BC

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

Church Life

Two men to be ordained transitional deacons May 25

Rev. Mr. Rusty Bruce

Rev. Mr. Daniel Duplantis

Story by Janet Marcel The Rev. Mr. Rusty P. Bruce and the Rev. Mr. Daniel J. Duplantis will be ordained to the transitional diaconate Saturday, May 25, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. Bishop Shelton J. Fabre will be the ordaining prelate. The Rev. Mr. Rusty Bruce is a 29 year old native of Cut Off, and a graduate of South Lafourche High School in Galliano. He is the son of Paul A. Bruce and the late Marsha Hebert Bruce. He has one older sister, Tricha Bruce Gross. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in history from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, attended St. Joseph Seminary College in Saint Benedict and currently attends Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. As part of his priestly formation, the Rev. Mr. Bruce was assigned to work at the Summer Day Camp at St. Bernadette Church parish in Houma. While assigned to St. Charles Borromeo Church parish in the St. Charles Community, he trained altar servers and extraordinary ministers of holy Communion, lectured on the Mass and liturgical roles, worked at Vacation Bible School, and visited the sick. He also did a summer internship as a hospital chaplain at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. He says he is looking forward to carrying out many of the diaconal responsibilities such as assisting the priest at Mass, baptizing people into the faith, witnessing marriages, proclaiming the Gospel and preaching the Word of God after being ordained to the transitional diaconate. He is most looking forward to the opportunity to spread a greater devotion to the Eucharist among the faithful through adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The Rev. Mr. Daniel Duplantis is a 25 year old native of Bayou Blue, and a graduate of Central Lafourche High 20 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • May 2019

School in Raceland. He is the son of Clyde III and Denise Duplantis, and has a twin brother Matthew and a younger sister Emily. He attended St. Joseph Seminary College in Saint Benedict and currently attends Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. As part of his priestly formation, the Rev. Mr. Duplantis was assigned to serve at St. Genevieve Church parish in Thibodaux, St. Joseph Church parish in Galliano, and Maria Immacolata Church parish in Houma. He is a chaplain candidate in the Air Force and will be serving the first month of his deacon internship at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi this summer. He will also be doing sacramental ministry for the airmen and their families stationed there. He says what he is most looking forward to after being ordained to the transitional diaconate is preaching and working with families. Their ordination to the priesthood is scheduled for June 2020. BC

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May 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 21

Heavenly Recipes

Amy Portier

Amy prepares an:

APPETIZER Story and Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

This month’s heavenly recipe comes from Chauvin native Amy Portier, administrative assistant for the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana. Amy has been working for the foundation a little over a year. She is sharing her grandmother Pat Chauvin’s recipe for a great appetizer, stuffed Wine Island shrimp. Amy has been living in Houma now for the past two and a half years with her husband Josh and their daughter Drew. “I love to cook. My favorite thing to cook is chicken sausage gumbo,” she says. Amy says that she learned how to cook by watching her grandmother and her dad cook. “We lived right across the street from my grandparents. I would go there often. My dad also did most of the cooking at home.” Amy is the youngest of three. She has an older brother and sister. “Growing up on Bayou Petit Caillou was fun. We had the opportunity to experience things that many kids don’t do today. We rode four wheelers, swam and fished.” Amy says that her husband Josh likes to grill and boil seafood for the family. He also likes to cook when given the opportunity. However she enjoys cooking and does most of the cooking at home. Amy’s husband works offshore on a 14 and 14 schedule. “It is a normal situation for us. We have a routine which works for us. It’s a different type of parenting situation which is probably not meant for everyone. It’s a different lifestyle.” Amy taught CCD in the Chauvin community at St. Joseph Church in the past and has also taught at Maria Immacolata Church, where she and her family are parishioners. “We enjoy the weekly family adoration that Maria Immacolata offers. Working at the Pastoral Center also gives me the opportunity to attend Mass daily. It has opened my eyes on the importance of daily Mass, adoration and reconciliation and how to incorporate it into everyday life. Working here makes it is easier to balance work and family life. It has worked well for us because the importance of family is valued here.” BC 22 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • May 2019

Stuffed Wine Island Shrimp INGREDIENTS: 2 dozen medium to large shrimp, peeled 4 tbsp. butter 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped 6 tbsp. Italian bread crumbs 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 cup crab meat 1 tbsp. chopped parsley 2 tbsp. mayonnaise Salt and pepper to taste 1 egg Grated Parmesan cheese Paprika

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove black vein on back of shrimp, cut back the length of shrimp. Melt two tablespoons butter in pan and sauté green pepper; add onion and cook about 3 minutes. Add bread crumbs, Worcestershire sauce, crab meat, parsley, mayonnaise, salt, pepper and egg to bind together. Spoon stuffing onto shrimp. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Melt remaining butter and drizzle over shrimp. Sprinkle with paprika for added color. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Serve immediately. Makes 8 servings.

The special collection will be taken at all Masses June 1 and 2, 2019 Thank you for your generous support.

Youth

in action

How do you share your faith in your family? One major thing that makes a family a good one is community. There is a difference between living in community and sharing a space. What is the difference? Sharing a space looks like this: One member of the family is never home or is always busy, another isolates themselves with distractions like technology or obsessive hobbies, and everyone in the family hardly speaks to each other. Living in community looks like this: The members of the family each have their own individual routines every day. Their routines involve each other at certain times. However, every now and then someone needs to bring the family together to do something out of routine like go to a movie, eat out, go bowling, etc. This forces them to temporarily break what they are used to, challenge the ideas and standards that they hold their family to, remind them that these people are beautifully unique, and that God has blessed them with the opportunity to grow in relationship with them. Living in community is beautiful;

however, it is rarely easy. When we see the same person every day, it becomes easier to forget to do the little things like say “thank you,” “please,” and “I love you.” It gets even easier to become irritated and rude toward our family when they do not live up to the standards we create for them in our minds. We do not let them be who they are if it is inconvenient for us. An important part of living in community is being present. That is one of the hardest things for me in my family. I often fill my schedule with so much stuff that the only time I am home is to sleep. So often, I only talk to my family to say, “bye,” and “goodnight.” I struggle very much with only sharing a space, and I long to live in community. So now, I must work to live in community. How do I plan on doing that? Well, I am a human “being” not a human “doing.” When Moses asked God who he was to tell the people God was,

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

Jacques Dupre School: South Terrebonne High School Grade: 12th Church parish: St. Joseph, Chauvin Describe your family unit: Monique, mother; Gary Dupre Jr., father. Favorite Hobby: Video Games Favorite Movie: Monty Python and the Holy Grail Favorite Genre of Music: Metal

God responded, “I am who am.” He did not say, “I am who do.” God revealed to Moses that to be in relationship with God, what God does and what we do is less important, what is more important is that we are, and we are together. What God does and what we do is important, but our actions should spring forth from the fact that we are and more important that God is. How does that apply to sharing my faith with my family? Well how can I share my faith with my family if I am never with my family? First, I need to be with my family. I need to be home enough to grow in relationship. So that means eating at the table together with the television off, going out with the intention to break routine, and loving them for who God created them to be not how I might want them to be. All of this is a lot harder said than done; however, that is what Catholicism is: Easier said than done. Our faith is difficult in practice, because the hard things in life are the only true things that last. BC

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

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

Completed Burses and CFSL Named Endowment Funds

March 2019 Burse Contributions

Note: Numbers stipulate the amount of completed burses.*

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

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

James J Buquet Jr Julius & Marie Pauline St. Amant Elie & Dot Klingman Bishop Sam Jacobs Endowment-$32,840.43 Giardina Family Foundation Sem. Endowment-$4,337.62 James J. Buquet, Jr. Family Sem. Endowment-$27,979.95 Diocesan Seminarian Endowment-$3,502,699.11 Mary and Al Danos Foundation Sem. Endowment-$38,621.30 Msgr. Amedee Sem. Endowment-$314,838.43 The Peltier Foundation-$14,482.97 Leo & Ethel Hebert Jane and John Dean Sidney J. & Lydie C. Duplantis Msgr. Stanislaus Manikowski

Rev. Anthony Rousso...................................$50.00 Bernice Harang..............................................$100.00 Preston & Gladys Webre.......................$200.00 Dean Joseph Chiasson ...........................$100.00

Open Burses with Balance as of March 31, 2019 Donald Peltier Sr. No. 4 ................................$13,000.00 Joseph Strada Memorial ..............................$12,642.63 Msgr. Raphael C. Labit No. 2 ....................$11,440.00 Joseph Waitz Sr. ..............................................$11,000.00 Claude & Lucy Mahler Family ....................$10,900.00 Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier .......................$10,700.00 Harvey Peltier No. 31 ....................................$10,486.91 Clay Sr. & Evelida Duplantis No. 2 ...........$10,000.00 C. Remie Duplantis No. 2 .............................$10,000.00 Marie Elise Duplantis No. 2 ........................$10,000.00 Maude & Edith Daspit No. 2 ......................$10,000.00 Msgr. George A. Landry ...............................$10,000.00 Msgr. William Koninkx .....................................$7,700.00 Society of St. Joseph .........................................$7,500.00 Rev. Victor Toth ..................................................$7,000.00 Catholic Daughters ............................................$6,800.00 Brides of the Most Blessed Trinity ..............$6,598.00 Rev. Gerard Hayes .............................................$6,286.00 Rev. Peter Nies ....................................................$6,000.00 Rev. Guy Zeringue .............................................$6,000.00 Msgr. Francis Amedee .....................................$5,350.00 Mr. & Mrs. Love W. Pellegrin ........................$5,000.00 Anonymous No. 2 ..............................................$5,000.00 Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis Family No. 4 ........$5,000.00 Rev. William M. Fleming .................................$5,000.00 Mrs. Ayres A. Champagne ..............................$5,000.00 Rev. Kasimir Chmielewski ...............................$4,839.00 Joseph “Jay” Fertitta ..........................................$4,450.00 Rev. Henry Naquin ............................................$4,311.00

Anawin Community ..........................................$4,200.00 Harry Booker No. 2 ...........................................$4,138.00 Msgr. James Songy ...........................................$4,075.00 Kelly Curole Frazier ............................................$3,610.96 Mr. & Mrs. John Marmande ..........................$3,500.00 J. R. Occhipinti .....................................................$3,400.00 Mr. & Mrs. Galip Jacobs ..................................$3,060.00 St. Jude ...................................................................$3,000.00 Diocesan Knights of Columbus No. 2 ........$2,894.62 Preston & Gladys Webre ................................$2,850.00 Warren J. Harang Jr. No. 2 .............................$2,700.00 Rev. Peter H. Brewerton ..................................$2,600.00 Willie & Emelda St. Pierre ..............................$2,000.00 Rev. John Gallen .................................................$1,950.00 Rev. H.C. Paul Daigle ........................................$1,900.00 Deacon Connely Duplantis ............................$1,700.00 Alfrances P. Martin ............................................$1,650.00 Msgr. Francis J. Legendre No. 2 ...................$1,645.00 Rev. Robert J. Sevigny ......................................$1,600.00 Jacob Marcello ....................................................$1,600.00 Rev. Hubert C. Broussard ................................$1,550.00 Judge Louis & Shirley R. Watkins ...............$1,550.00 Msgr. Emile J. Fossier .......................................$1,545.00 Ronnie Haydel .....................................................$1,535.00 Dr. William Barletta Sr. .....................................$1,525.00 Deacon Robert Dusse’ .....................................$1,450.00 Rev. Anthony Rousso .......................................$1,300.00 Msgr. John L. Newfield .....................................$1,200.00 Rev. Joseph Tu Tran No. 2 ..............................$1,094.00

Msgr. John G. Keller ..........................................$1,050.00 Rev. Clemens Schneider ...................................$1,000.00 Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux No. 4 ............$1,000.00 Edna W. DiSalvo .................................................$1,000.00 Bernice Harang ...................................................$1,000.00 Deacon Willie Orgeron ....................................... $900.00 Ruby Pierce .............................................................. $800.00 Deacon Roland Dufrene .................................... $750.00 Juliette & Eugene Wallace ................................ $700.00 Deacon Edward J. Blanchard ............................ $700.00 Dean Joseph Chiasson ........................................ $600.00 Deacon Raymond LeBouef ............................... $550.00 Paul & Laura Duet ............................................... $550.00 Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Cannata ........................... $500.00 Robert Walsh .......................................................... $500.00 Anne Veron Aguirre ............................................. $380.00 Deacon Harold Kurtz ........................................... $300.00 Richard Peltier No. 2 ............................................ $300.00 Claude Bergeron ................................................... $250.00 Rev. Michael Finnegan ........................................ $200.00 Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Naquin ................................. $150.00 Deacon Pedro Pujals ........................................... $100.00 Rev. Warren Chassaniol ...................................... $100.00 Deacon Eldon Frazier .............................................$50.00 Deacon Nick Messina .............................................$50.00 Grant J. Louviere .......................................................$50.00

Overall Seminarian Burses Total: $1,746,993.02 ~ CFSL Seminarian Endowments Total: $3,914,893.07 May 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 25

Commentary

Stepping out of the boat Thoughts For Millennials Ryan Abboud

It is with utmost sincerity that I inform everyone this is my final contribution to Bayou Catholic. For nearly three years, the Lord blessed me with the opportunity to explore my own spirituality through these columns, an opportunity for which I am forever thankful. Thank you for the words of affirmation that flooded my inbox; they pushed me through writer’s block more times than you could imagine. Your prayers were felt when I needed them most. As I graduate from LSU (B.A. Political Science), I feel the Lord is calling for the closing of these two chapters to coincide. Thank you all for journeying with me these last few years. Brothers and sisters, as we enter into the month of May, we enter into one of the most dynamic months that a student can ever experience. For

many, the month of May can be a very transitional time. Whether graduating high school, moving on from middle school or getting a college degree, it can be scary, stressful and intimidating. In this month for many students, chapters will close, and new adventures will begin. The reason why all of this can cause great stress in young adults’ lives is due to the simple fact that as a student in this position, we stand at the outset of a new beginning. New beginnings are daunting; the unknown is scary. And, there are a lot of details about our next phase of life that are unknown. Will I enjoy high school? Will I make friends in college? Will I land a job after graduating? Truth be told, I don’t know. Truth be told, you don’t know. But there is someone who does know. We recall the story of Peter from the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 14, where Jesus urges Peter out of the boat. In this passage, Jesus speaks to his disciples saying “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord,

save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And, when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” It is clear to see the parallels between a very scared Peter and a very scared student that is nearing his/her time to “step out of the ‘boat.’” For many of us, the boat is our comfort zone. It is our current school, our current home, our current lifestyle. It is highly likely that if we’re transitioning to a new town, school or chapter of life that Jesus is also calling us to take that step out of the safety zone and “come.” As we step into this new chapter of our lives, there will be moments when it gets hectic, frightening and allconsuming. Through these moments, it is imperative that we keep our eyes locked on God; he must remain at the forefront of our daily thoughts or else we can very easily end up like Peter. We can begin to sink into the rushing waters of our new endeavors. But, just like Peter, all it takes is a conscience effort to call out to the Lord, to ask him wholeheartedly to save us, and he will never let us drown. BC

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

Book Reviews

Reading with Raymond

Looker

Raymond Saadi

By Laura Sims Scribner $25

Imagining Jesus in His Own Culture

Two women; neighbors; one, a beautiful movie star with a handsome husband and lovely daughter; the other, a barren woman, desperate to have a child, living alone, abandoned by her husband and her job in jeopardy, is not only jealous of her beautiful neighbor but wants to be like her; maybe even, be her. Obsessed, she slowly begins to lose her grip on reality and ultimately turns her malevolent thoughts into action. BC

By Jerome H. Neyrey, SJ Cascade Books $22 Relying on advanced cultural studies of Jesus’ world compared to ours, Father Neyrey describes scenes unlike the images we have from book illustrations and paintings. Did Jesus laugh? Who were his friends? Did any become disciples? Although carpenters, Joseph and Jesus built mainly boats and houses, not furniture “since all slept on the hard packed ground and sat on their haunches for meals.” Betrothals were, in fact, marriage requiring no further ceremony and if there was a reception, it was for men only. Experience a fascinating new look at Jesus’ biblical world. BC

The Travelling Cat Chronicles By Hiro Arikawa Berkley $20 I’m not particularly fond of talking cats, especially ones who only speak Japanese. Luckily, Philip Gabriel’s more than adequate translation allows me to follow Nana the cat as he accompanies Satoru, his owner, for a friendly visit to three old friends, or so he’s told. Truth is Satoru is desperately ill and is seeking a new home for Nana. Only Nana isn’t buying it; making such a nuisance at every stop nobody wants him. Clever cat. BC

MicroShifts By Gary Jansen Loyola $14.95

The sub-title of this little book suggests you can change your life, if you do it a little at a time. In other words, in “micro shifts.” The author features 42 short suggestions from No. 1, “Be kind to others” (to be expected) to No. 23, “Own Frank Sinatra’s Songs for Swinging Lovers.” (Not expected) but I agree listening to Sinatra can really buoy your spirits. No. 26, Read every day, but not too much. (Whoa. What?) Give the book a try; but read all you want. BC

This is the Year I Put My Financial Life in Order By John Schwartz Avery $27

Sound familiar? Like your annual New Year’s Resolution? Well, darn it, it is hard. Yes, unless you’re young, still finding your way with few finances to complicate your planning. At middle age (don’t ask), you definitely should have a solid idea of your net worth, savings, and a will. Schwartz’s single volume is the excellent guide you’ve been hoping for, so get it and get started. BC

The Incomplete Book of Running By Peter Sagal Simon and Schuster $27 Not a guide to becoming a champion runner, but rather a serious yet often hilarious tale of one runner, the author. Sagal’s tale of moving from the couch to the streets offers plenty of advice on succeeding in the sport, if that is what it is. One very memorable mention is of his running the 2013 Boston Marathon as a guide for a blind runner and finishing only moments before the bombings. Enjoy it and keep moving. BC

May 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 27

Feature

Two Catholic school principals to retire Story by Janet Marcel ~ Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier Chris Knobloch, principal of St. Genevieve Catholic School in Thibodaux for the past 10 years, and Deacon Vic Bonnaffee III, principal of Central Catholic School in Morgan City for 19 years, have announced they will be retiring at the end of this school year. Chris Knobloch Before being named principal, Knobloch served as assistant principal at St. Genevieve for 10 years. She worked in the field of education for 45 years, 20 years in Catholic education and 25 years in public education. The native of lower Golden Meadow says that first and foremost her mother had the greatest influence on her decision to become an educator. “My mother was a fourth grade teacher who taught for 31 years. There was never any doubt in my mind that I would be a teacher. From the time I was a little girl, I played school. My mother would bring home school supplies and I even had a string of desks that I used. I put my baby dolls and stuffed animals in the desks as students and I taught school every day.” She says the one thing she has enjoyed most about teaching has just been helping kids. “I often worked with struggling kids and that was so gratifying to help kids succeed who had difficulties succeeding … particularly in the area of reading.” Knobloch has enjoyed absolutely everything about being an administrator. “There is no part of being an administrator that I didn’t enjoy,” she says. “The other principals think I’m crazy, but this is truly a ministry and a vocation for me. I was blessed to come here. I had no intention of ever leaving teaching, but Miss (Caroline) Cappel, former St. Genevieve principal) called me and she was persistent in her conviction that this is what the Lord wanted for the school. And I never had one second of regret since taking the job.” “Miss Cappel has had an incredible influence in my life and continues to be a dear friend; she was my mentor. When I started here she told me she would give me five years and she gave me 10. I was adamant from the beginning that I did not want to be the next principal, but when she decided to retire, she told me, ‘You have to consider applying.’” Her son was in fifth grade at St. Genevieve School when she started working there. Knobloch says St. Genevieve Church parish was, and still is, so ingrained in their lives. Her husband’s father was one of the people who went to the bishop to ask that the parish be established and her husband was in the first, first grade class at St. Genevieve School. Knobloch says the most challenging aspect of being an educator has been the changing world, the things parents and educators have to deal with in today’s world. “The kids haven’t changed; they’re the same as they were 45 years ago; it’s the world that has changed. If it comes to school, we have to deal with it.” 28 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • May 2019

Chris Knobloch Knobloch earned a bachelor’s degree in kindergarten and elementary education and a master’s of education degree plus 30 hours from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. Knobloch loves to read and garden, but says what she is most looking forward to after she retires is “just the unknown and waiting to see what the Lord has in store for me, because I know there is something out there for me. I look forward to just relaxing and being able to connect with old friends.” She is also looking forward to taking a family vacation to Hawaii later this year. Knobloch has been married to her husband Jim for 32 years and they have two children, James, 31, and Emily, 26. “St. Genevieve is a beloved school. The community is so good to us. I’ve said I’m retiring from being the principal, but not from the capital campaign that we’re embarking on to raise money for a new media center, which will include a computer lab that will double the capacity of our current computer lab, a library and a band/music room. It will consist of two phases and our ultimate goal is to get rid of the early childhood portable buildings. I want to see this project through until the end,” says Knobloch. “I love these children, I adore them. They are my babies,” adds the administrator. “They give me so much love, and I will miss them terribly.”

Feature

Deacon Vic Bonnaffee III In addition to serving as principal for the last 14 years, Deacon Bonnaffee also served as Central Catholic’s principal from 1977 until 1982, for a total of 19 years at the school. He received a bachelor of arts in history, English and education from Tulane University in New Orleans, and a master of education in administration and supervision from Loyola University in New Orleans. He was ordained to the permanent diaconate in June 2000 for the Diocese of Lake Charles. The New Orleans native has been involved in Catholic education for 52 years. While he was a boarder while in eighth grade at St. Stanislaus High School, Deacon Bonnaffee met Brother William, a Brother of the Sacred Heart and retired teacher who would occasionally walk around the campus. Deacon Bonnaffee would sit with him on a bench and chat; and from those discussions, his desire to be an educator was born. Deacon Bonnaffee became the principal of St. Charles High School in Destrehan at just 26 years old. The pastor of the church parish was Msgr. Roland Boudreaux whom he says became one of the greatest motivators he has ever had. “The first thing he said to me when I went to visit him for the first time was, ‘Do you know that you are responsible for the formation of everybody in that school – students, faculty and parents?’ He blew me away,” says the deacon. “But he introduced the word formation to me. It made me realize that if I wanted to be a Catholic school administrator I had to learn all I could about what formation was and what ministry really was all about. So, with that comment, Msgr. Boudreaux inspired me and motivated me to learn all I could about ministry. And that’s how it all started.” While serving as diocesan superintendent of Catholic Schools in Houma-Thibodaux in the 1980s, he met (the late) Sister Paula Richard, O.P., who was diocesan director of religious education. “Sister Paula was also influential in my life. She introduced me to the five stages of formation and helped me understand that students, teachers and parents are all at different levels (in their formation) and you have to try find out where they are to be able to address them,” says the principal. He adds that his experience as superintendent in the diocese was wonderful. “I especially enjoyed the decentralization and uniqueness of each school and working with them where they were in their development.” Deacon Bonnaffee says he what he has enjoyed most about being an administrator is being a part of the students’ lives, not only during school but also at co-curricular and extracurricular activities, seeing the gifts and talents they have and how much they give back. The most challenging aspect of being an educator has been dealing with parents. “I believe that after Vatican II, the church didn’t do a very good job of informing parents about the changes going on in the church. So now we have a lot of parents who haven’t had any truthful understanding about what Vatican II was about and all of its rules, regulations and guidelines,” says Deacon Bonnaffee. “We have a school whose mission is built on these guidelines and regulations, and some parents don’t understand that this is ultimately about the formation development of their children, so they

are more concerned about grades and scholarships. And sometimes that was difficult to deal with.” Deacon Bonnaffee believes every Catholic school principal needs to understand that they are a minister in the church, a minister of service, and they have to be available at all times for the people they serve. As principal of Central Catholic, Deacon Bonnaffee was invited to serve on the executive committee for the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA). He served for five years before being selected as vice president and then as the first ever nonpublic school principal in the history of LHSAA, a position he held for three years. “I became a facilitator who believed very much in the constitution and following the rules and regulations of the organization,” he explains. “I tried to keep the association as it was originally designed by its founders, but unfortunately was not successful, as the association voted to split private and public school football teams when they reach the playoffs.” Deacon Bonnaffee has been married to his wife Diane for 51 years, and they have three children, Bart, Jennifer and Vicki, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He is looking forward to spending more time with his family, moving to Covington to be closer to his son, and possibly working part-time. “I’ve had a magnificent life and a lot of great experiences. I feel really blessed to have been principal of Central Catholic and it was with a lot of mixed feelings that I came to the decision I did. The people here have been so generous to me. I would like to say if I hurt anybody during this time, it was never intentional, and I’m sorry,” says Deacon Bonnaffee. BC

Deacon Vic Bonnaffee III May 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 29

Feature

14 to retire in Catholic Schools with 20 plus years of service Story by Janet Marcel

Deacon Vic Bonnaffee III

Marilyn Brown

Gwen Bye

JoAnn Chiasson

Pam Fields

Cathy Hebert

Liz Hebert

Lori Hue

Crystal Knight

Chris Knobloch

Lozia Richard

LIsa Robinson

30 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • May 2019

Patricia Tucker

Connie Veillon

Feature

Fourteen educators in the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux are retiring at the end of the 2018-19 school year with 353 combined years of service in Catholic education. Deacon Vic Bonnaffee III, principal of Central Catholic School in Morgan City, will retired with 20 years of service in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. He served as principal of Central Catholic for 19 years and as diocesan superintendent of Catholic Schools for one year. Marilyn Brown, teacher assistant at St. Mary’s Nativity School in Raceland, will retire with 29 years of service to the school. She served as a pre-K three teacher for seven years and a teacher assistant for 22 years. Gwen Bye, first grade teacher at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School in Houma, will retire with 29 years of service to the school. JoAnn Chiasson, kindergarten teacher at Holy Savior Catholic School in Lockport, will retire with 34 years of service in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. During her career, she served 15 years at Holy Savior; nine and a half years at Holy Rosary Catholic School in Larose; and nine and a half years at St. Hilary Catholic Elementary School in Mathews that closed in 1993. She taught first, third, fifth and sixth grades. Pam Fields, academic enhancement aide at E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux, will retire with 21 years of service to the school. Cathy Hebert, administrative secretary at E.D. White Catholic High School, will retire with 21 years of service to the school. Liz Hebert, bookkeeper/financial secretary at St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School in Thibodaux, will retire with 21 years of service to the school. Lori Hue, third grade teacher at St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School, will retire with 32 years of service to the school. Crystal Knight, first grade teacher/choir director at St. Mary’s Nativity School, will retire with 20 years of service to the school. Chris Knobloch, principal of St. Genevieve Catholic School in Thibodaux, with retire with 20 years of service to the school. Knobloch served as principal for 10 years and as assistant principal for 10 years. Lozia Richard, director of the Media Center at E.D. White Catholic High School, will retire with 26 years of service in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. During her career, Richard served 10 years at E.D. White, eight years at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School as a sixth and seventh grade math and science teacher; and eight years at Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma as a physical science teacher. Lisa Robinson, first grade teacher at St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School, will retire with 29 years of service to the school. Patricia Tucker, maintenance personnel at E.D. White Catholic High School, will retire with 28 years of service to the school. Connie Veillon, academic enhancement aide at E.D. White Catholic High School, will retire with 23 years of service to the school. Veillon also served the school as a library aide. BC

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Commentary

A response to New York’s ‘Reproductive Health Act’ Guest Columnist Father Joseph B. Tregre

On January 22, 2019, the 46th Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, New York passed the most progressive and destructive abortion law in America’s history. Since abortion in America became legal by the appellate decision of the Supreme Court (1973) in Roe v. Wade (see also Griswold v. Connecticut 1965), abortion has been allowed during the first trimester (12 weeks) without restriction. During the second trimester (13-24 weeks) abortion is permitted in cases where the health of the mother is concerned. During the third trimester, the viability of the child is recognized, and abortion is only permitted if the mortal life of the mother is at risk. On January 22, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York signed into law the “Reproductive Health Act” permitting abortions without restriction, even late-term abortions. The Reproductive Health Act places the “life and health” of the mother, even for non-mortal risks, above the life of a viable fetus in the third trimester. The Reproductive Health Act allows for abortion if one of three criteria are met: 1) the abortion is during the first trimester; 2) the abortion is prior to “fetal viability”; 3) the abortion is necessary to protect the health and life of the mother. Previous state laws protected the mortality of the mother, but the current law protects not only the mortality of the mother but the “patient’s life or health” which could be interpreted by a “reasonable and good faith professional judgment” to be the emotional or psychological health of the mother. Moreover, the Reproductive Health Act removes the

requirement for a physician to conduct an abortion and opens abortions to any “health care practitioner (e.g. nurse practitioner, physician assistant) licensed, certified or authorized” under New York’s medical licensing laws. Is an abortion ever truly needed to save the life of the mother? Over 1,000 physicians and health care professionals have signed the Dublin Declaration: On Maternal Healthcare “As experienced practitioners and researchers in obstetrics and gynecology, we affirm that direct abortion – the purposeful destruction of the unborn child – is not medically necessary to save the life of a woman. We uphold that there is a fundamental difference between abortion, and necessary medical treatments that are carried out to save the life of the mother, even if such treatment results in the loss of life of her unborn child. We confirm that the prohibition of abortion does not affect, in any way, the availability of optimal care to pregnant women.” A direct abortion is never needed to save the life of the mother. For example, even in the case of cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the ability of the heart to pump blood is weakened, and the health risk of the mother is heightened, good healthcare management (with cardiac specialists) can offer acceptable risks for the mother to carry a child to term or to a pre-term C-section. One silver lining in the Reproductive Health Act is why New York was so eager to pass a new state law to replace previous laws that restricted abortions. From its beginning, America was and is a pro-life nation, with a strong religious and Christian heritage. Our Christian heritage can be seen in many of our state laws that do promote and preserve the gift of life. With the passage of Roe v. Wade, the federal law allowing for abortion at all three trimesters superseded state laws that restricted abortions. Many states, like New York, are now seeking to overturn long-standing state laws

32 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • May 2019

that restricted abortion in fear that the new conservative White House Administration and Supreme Court may overturn Roe v. Wade. Many states, like Louisiana, have trigger laws that would go into effect if Roe v. Wade were overturned that would immediately make abortion illegal in those states. Many states have also passed “heartbeat bills” that restrict abortions up to the time that a heartbeat can be detected in the fetus. A dozen states, including Mississippi and Georgia, have passed or have pending heartbeat laws. In response to the possibility of the overturn of Roe v. Wade, while many states are seeking to expand abortion, many states are also seeking to restrict abortion. In 2012, Louisiana passed the “Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act” to restrict abortions for children that can feel pain in the womb (20 weeks). The current state legislative session will also be considering proposing a “heartbeat bill” for Louisiana that would restrict abortions for up to six weeks or when the infant has a heartbeat. You can take action by visiting “prolifelouisiana.org” and sending an email to your state legislature letting them know you support for life. You can also visit “usccb.org” and take action by messaging your support to state legislators in support of the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act” (H.R. 962) – a bill that would protect children born-alive from failed abortions from being terminated unlawfully after birth. You can also take action by visiting the new website “lovelifevoteyes.com” and signing the petition to pass the Love Life Amendment that removes any so-called right to abortion in the Louisiana State Constitution. (Father Joseph B. Tregre is the medical ethicist for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and chaplain of Thibodaux Regional Medical Center.) BC

Announcement

Bishop Ronald P. Herzog dies at age 77 Bishop Emeritus Ronald P. Herzog passed away Friday, April 12 at the age of 77 after a brief illness. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, April 22 at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Alexandria, with Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond as the principal celebrant. According to the diocesan website, Herzog was named the 11th bishop of Alexandria in 2004, and was ordained Jan. 5, 2005, by Archbishop Alfred C. Bishop Ronald P. Herzog Hughes of New Orleans. In 2016, Pope Francis granted a request from Herzog to retire early. Bishop David Talley was appointed as coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria on Sept. 21, 2016, and took possession of the diocese as its 12th bishop upon Herzog’s resignation Feb. 2, 2017. Talley was recently reassigned to the Diocese of Memphis. Archbishop Gregory Aymond of the New Orleans Province will serve as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Alexandria until a new bishop is appointed. BC

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Chrism Mass

ishop Fabre’s BChrism Mass homily

Hundreds attend the Holy Thursday celebration

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

On a recent trip to Ireland, I viewed what is considered to be Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure: The Book of Kells, which is an illuminated manuscript of the four Gospels created around 800 A.D. An “illuminated manuscript” is a manuscript in which the transcribers hand copied a text in intricate calligraphy and included elaborate artwork in their text. Viewing the Book of Kells, I appreciated the vision that the creators of this illuminated manuscript were presenting in both written word and

artwork. A vision of faith in Jesus Christ poured forth from the Book of Kells. I was struck by the fact this illuminated manuscript offers us a vision into the person of Jesus Christ that is presented by the elaborately scripted text and by the intricate artwork. The vision presented in religious illuminated manuscripts captures the reader and draws the reader to Jesus Christ. There is one author who refers to illuminated manuscripts as “painted prayers,” and

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

I believe that these painted prayers offer a vision, a vision supported by both text and artwork. Vision is a powerful reality. In the yearly Chrism Mass, it is the vision of the church that as we join ourselves during Holy Week to the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, we remember that we most profoundly accomplish this union with Jesus by joining ourselves to his church. The unity of the church in this Chrism Mass is witnessed in our presence here together to celebrate the

Chrism Mass

Eucharist, to bless and distribute holy oils, and to witness our beloved priests renew their ordination promises. This vision of the reality of the church nourishes our unity during the ensuing year, and serves as a healing balm when disagreements arise among us. Vision is a powerful reality. In this Chrism Mass as we remember the vision of the reality of the church, I take this opportunity to remind us of another vision - the vision that we forged together for our diocese. Our diocesan vision is of missionary disciples enlivening our church parishes and building up the Kingdom of God. This diocesan vision has been compiled, one might even say “illuminated,” through the vision found in our Strategic Plans of Hope. This vision of who we are called to be as a diocese was forged in response to what we have seen and heard in our current experience and context of pastoral ministry and life as a follower of Jesus Christ. And today what is the context of pastoral ministry and our lived reality as a follower of Jesus Christ? In response to this question, I would like to use one of the books of Lewis Carroll

to convey my thoughts. Lewis Carroll authored the book Alice in Wonderland and its sequel entitled Through A Looking Glass and What Alice Found There. In this second work, Lewis Carroll conveys in his fictional writing what we might feel through our factual experience of pastoral ministry and faith life today. In Through A Looking Glass, after Alice steps through the looking glass, or mirror, she encounters a world where things are reversed. Just as a mirror reflects images in the reverse, Alice experiences the reverse of what she knows in the world outside of the mirror. In a similar way, there are countless examples in life today where from the perspective of the church the values promoted by society seem over the years to have reversed. Allow me to present a few examples. To come to know how values are reversed, one need only recall the increasing disregard for the sanctity of all human life as witnessed in current efforts to expand abortion almost to the moment just before birth, as well as in the rise in racism, racist acts and ever-increasing racial tensions.

Consider as well the reversal that is the ongoing breakdown in family life, and the ever-decreasing number of marriages as couples simply choose cohabitation outside of marriage. In thinking of how things are reversed, of course we must humbly and truthfully own the scandals in the church, the suffering and sin brought about by some religious, priests and bishops with regard to their action or inaction in response to past abuse by church leaders. Additionally, as we examine reversals in values, let us not forget the ever-increasing drive to ideologically, politically and practically reject objective universal truth in favor of subjective experiences and individualistic thought in many ways, among them the God given gift of gender and the distinction of being male or female. With all these reversals in society’s values today, we might stand in great alarm wondering how these values have become inverted. However, to wonder how they became inverted is not as important as seeking to respond by bringing to these new realities the enduring truth of the Gospels,

May 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 35

Chrism Mass

the wisdom and teachings of the church, and compassionate hearts willing to listen and lovingly respond to those who live in the confusion and storms of life in our current context. As we witness this widespread cultural reversal of values, a reversal from those values and truths we know as foundational to our faith, it can seem very dark. The task of “reversing the reversal” can seem daunting. The temptation can be to despair or to feel it is overwhelming. But we know that the Lord does not leave us alone. In Romans chapter 5, we hear “where sin increased, grace overflowed all the

more.” This is the nature and reality of God. When we find ourselves in the darkest of situations, we must learn to look for and expect God’s movement. God is always laboring to bring us back to himself, to restore us to truth, and to bring unity and order. We must learn to look with right vision. We must learn to see where God is moving so that we can follow him, and thus each become the living Gospel. Our lives and actions become the “illuminated manuscripts” and the “painted prayers” which reveal and illuminate the beauty of the truth of the Gospel. This past year in the crisis in the

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

church, we have faced the awful reality of sin, and seen how this reality of a reverse in values so deeply affects people and society. Over the past year, in searching deep within, I have had to remind myself that in challenging situations, I need to look for the faithfulness of God’s movement and follow him. God will never forsake or abandon us, and this past year I have witnessed God’s movement and grace in a way that has illuminated and brought to life even more profoundly the truths of the Gospel. In response to the need for the reversal of the reversal of values, I again lift up one way I have witnessed God’s movement and response. It has been through our diocesan vision, our Strategic Plans of Hope, which has unified us, given us direction, and continues to call us to personally undertake all that is necessary to embrace the new evangelization as missionary disciples. It has urged us on to proclaim the Gospel and to bring the person of Jesus Christ to an increasingly cynical and secularized world. I know that this task is not easy, and it can seem more daunting with the passing of each day. Again, I encourage us to look for and expect God’s movement so that we might follow him. I recognize bringing the Gospel to situations today is a task that wears heavily upon us all, but wears upon our priests in a uniquely heavy manner. My dear brother priests, I thank you sincerely for your continued commitment to the renewal of our diocese, and for the ways we have continued to grow as a presbyterate. In you, I have seen God’s movement. I thank you for your commitment as we grow in fraternity and collaboration. Thank you for your openness to depth and to going where the Lord invited us during our January Convocation. I thank you for your continued efforts as we all face this task of evangelization in today’s climate. It has demanded that all of us learn new ways of doing things, develop new skills. It is stretching all of us, and has meant radical reliance on the Lord. You have courageously taken on this challenge to personal and communal growth to further the Gospel.

Chrism Mass

I am deeply grateful for your courageous efforts. In you, I have seen an “illuminated manuscript” as you have brought to life ever more fully for people the vision of the reality of God, who responds to our needs and empowers us for the tasks at hand. I ask that we honor the ways God is moving in our midst and remain ever more committed to Jesus Christ. I ask that we honor the movement of God that has united us as a presbyterate, and that we remain united. I ask that you remain faithful in your efforts in the parishes to implement our Strategic Plans of Hope. This is important to me. I believe this plan is the vision God has given us in response to these challenging times, and I ask that you continue to look to see God’s movement in this regard. My dear brothers and sisters in Christ in the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux, I thank you for your commitment to Our Lord. I ask that you open yourselves to our Strategic Plans of Hope. I believe it is God’s vision and response to our current needs. As the one who serves you as bishop, this is my vision; and I pray that it is also your vision, thereby enabling it to be our vision, our diocesan vision together. We are seeking as missionary disciples to bring about a “reversal of the reversal” of society’s values today by bringing about a new understanding and willingness to embrace how we are called and challenged to serve the Lord as his missionary disciples today. I also ask you to be open to recognizing God’s movement in your midst and to consider how God has been moving in your own lives, and in your parish and community. Look for God’s movement so that you might follow him. The vision of our Strategic Plans of Hope was strengthened by the participation of our priests in the Good Leaders Good Shepherds program, nourished by the participation of our parishes in the Disciple Maker Index, and structured in the participation of parish leadership on Parish Implementation Teams. Finally, the diocesan Office of Parish Support has been established to drive and guide our efforts to be true to our vision. Through wide consultation, prayer and

discernment, ours is a unified effort that I see as the response to where God is moving and calling us to follow him. In this way, we can say God is gifting us with our own “illuminated manuscript” and “painted prayers” of the vision of hope for our diocese. In conclusion, let me state that this annual Chrism Mass does the following: Places before us the vision of the reality of who we are called to be as a diocese and as a part of the universal church; feeds us with the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist to nourish us for the task; invites us to pray for our priests; and provides holy oils for anointing to strengthen us

for the tasks of ministry. As we now enter ever more deeply into the Sacred Triduum, let us bring our hearts and our need for renewal to the altar of God and to prayer during these days. May we see with transformed vision all that the Lord and this Chrism Mass provide to us. What other need have we apart from seeking to accomplish all these things, and more, together? May God make it so, and gift our diocese with the most beautiful “illuminated manuscript” or “painted prayer” the world has ever seen. May its beauty captivate and draw hearts back to Him. Amen. BC

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

Announcement

A parishioner’s story becomes a financial legacy Catholic Foundation Update Amy Ponson

Bernadette Mabile is a lifelong parishioner of St. Bridget Church in Schriever. When she was growing up, there was no youth ministry in the parish, so it became important to her to ensure that the youth of today have a program to strengthen their faith. Bernadette, a longtime volunteer in the parish, has been teaching CCD for 40-plus years, where she fell in love with the children of the parish. Although she is single and has no children of her own, Bernadette has four siblings and 10 nieces and nephews who mean the world to her. Knowing that she does not have children to inherit her assets, Bernadette wanted to plan a legacy for her church parish to ensure that her support would continue and keep the mission of the parish going forever, so she decided to leave a percentage of her estate to the parish. It was important for her to leave a legacy to the parish that would keep her passion for her faith and children alive. “It was important for me to create a legacy for St. Bridget, so that the parish can continue to do the great work for our parishioners that we are doing today. Allocating a percentage of my estate was easy and the least I could do to support the parish that has helped me grow into the person I am today,” says Bernadette. A Flexible Way to Give If there is one thing we can count on in life, it is change. Life’s constant changes can make it difficult to balance providing for your family and supporting the organizations you care about. Fortunately, there is a solution. Instead of giving a fixed

Bernadette Mabile, CRE for St. Bridget Church parish in Schriever since 2011, is pictured with some of her students. amount to the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana, consider gifting a percentage of your estate, retirement account, life insurance policy or donor advised fund. Percentage Giving and Your Will If you want to remember your parish, school or diocese in your will, there are two ways you can support these entities with a percentage gift: n Leave your church/school/diocese a percentage of your estate in your will or living trust. n Leave the Foundation a percentage of your residual estate (the portion of your estate that remains after all claims of the estate are settled). Give Us a Percentage of Other Assets You can also remember the church in your future plans by naming the Foundation as a beneficiary of your retirement plan assets, life insurance

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

or donor advised fund. Naming the Foundation as a beneficiary is as easy as filling out and returning a piece of paper. Request a copy of the change-ofbeneficiary form from your provider (or download a copy from their website). Fill out the form, naming the Foundation, along with the percentage you’d like us to receive, on the form. Sign and return the form to your plan administrator, insurance company or sponsoring organization. Be sure to keep a copy for your records as well. Notify us of your gift so we can thank you for your support and welcome you to our Legacy Society. Like Bernadette, you may also continue the church’s important work through a gift from your estate. To learn more, contact Amy Ponson, executive director, at (985) 850-3116 or aponson@htdiocese.org. BC

Announcements

St. Genevieve Catholic Elementary School has new principal

Cheryl Thibodaux

Cheryl Thibodaux has been appointed as the new principal of St. Genevieve Catholic Elementary School in Thibodaux for the 2019-2020 school year. She has been serving as assistant principal there for the past 10 years. Thibodaux earned a bachelor of arts in elementary education and a master of education in administration and supervision from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. She also

completed a teacher leader program at Nicholls and will complete the Catalyst Program for Catholic School Leaders this spring through Creighton University. Her areas of certification include principal in elementary education and basic catechist. She is also certified to teach grades 1-8. She taught second grade for seven years at St. Genevieve before becoming assistant principal of St. Bernadette Catholic School in Houma, a position she held for five years. In 2009, she returned to St. Genevieve School to serve as assistant principal. Thibodaux is a member of the National Catholic Educational Association, the Louisiana Association of School Executives, and the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development. She has been married to Gerald Thibodaux for 20 years and they have two daughters Sydney, a sophomore at E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux; and Cassie, a seventh grader at St. Genevieve. They are

parishioners of Christ the Redeemer Church in Thibodaux, where Thibodaux serves as a baptismal seminar facilitator, Bible camp station leader, commentator, lector and eucharistic minister. “I congratulate Mrs. Cheryl Thibodaux as the new principal of St. Genevieve Catholic Elementary School! Mrs. Thibodaux’s passionate and faith-filled commitment to the St. Genevieve school family is evident in all that she does as she works diligently to lead others in the formation of our children. We have been blessed with her prayerful leadership as assistant principal of St. Genevieve and in her dedication to the faculty, staff, students, parents and the larger church community. I look forward to working collaboratively with Mrs. Thibodaux as she continues to build upon the beautiful traditions of St. Genevieve in this important ministry of Catholic education in our diocese,” says Suzanne Troxclair, diocesan superintendent of Catholic Schools. BC

‘Stamp Out Hunger’ food drive is May 11 The National Association of Letter Carrier’s Annual “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive is being held Saturday, May 11. The items collected will benefit the local Food Banks in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Every second Saturday in May, letter carriers in more than 10,000 cities and towns across America collect the goodness and compassion of their postal customers, who participate in the NALC Stamp Out Hunger National Food Drive — the largest one-day food drive in the nation. Led by letter carriers represented by the National Association of Letter Carriers (AFL-CIO), with help from rural letter carriers, other postal employees and other volunteers, the drive has delivered more than one billion pounds of food the past 25 years. Carriers collect non-perishable

food donations left by mailboxes and in post offices and deliver them to local community food banks, pantries and shelters. Nearly 1,500 NALC branches in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands are involved. The United States Postal Service, National Association of Letter Carriers, National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, AFL-CIO, United Way, Valassis and Valpak Direct Marketing Systems are all supporting this year’s Stamp Out Hunger food drive. To donate, just place a box or can of non-perishable food next to your mailbox before your letter carrier delivers mail on the second Saturday in May. The carrier will do the rest. The food is sorted, and delivered to an area food bank or pantry, where it is available for needy families.

With 42 million people facing hunger every day in America, including 13 million children, this drive is one way you can help those in your own city or town who need help. “This food drive is the largest drive of the year for us,” says Kristin LaFleur, manager of the Thibodaux Food Bank. “Without the support of the postal food drive we would not be able to continue to serve 200+ families monthly. Approximately 15,000-20,000 lbs. is collected in one day from the Thibodaux area postal workers.” “The food we receive from the “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive is a huge help to us. It helps to keep us in the front of the community. We receive anywhere from 10-20 tons of food each year from the drive,” says Lawrence Dehart, manager of the Houma Food Bank. BC

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

Diocesan Events

www.bayoucatholic.com

May

n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, May 7, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311, Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Speaker, TBA. n The National Association of Letter Carrier’s Annual “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive, Saturday, May 11, benefitting the local food banks. n Women’s Giving Circle Celebration Mass and Check Presentation, Tuesday, May 14, 2 p.m., Pastoral Center, Schriever. n E.D. White Catholic High School, Thibodaux, graduation ceremony, Friday, May 17. n Vandebilt Catholic High School, Houma, graduation ceremony, Saturday, May 18.

n Central Catholic School, Morgan City, graduation ceremony, Saturday, May 18. n Transitional Diaconate Ordination, Saturday, May 25, 10 a.m., St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux. n “You, Me and Christ,” a Hispanic retreat for married couples, Saturday, May 25, 8 a.m.–6 p.m., and Sunday, May 26, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., diocesan Pastoral Center in Schriever. Registration fee, $50. Call (985)850-3133 for more info. n Diocesan Leadership Awards/Liturgy of the Word, Sunday, May 26, 2 p.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma. n St. Lucy Child Development Center’s graduation ceremony, May 30, Dumas Auditorium, Houma, 7 p.m.

June

July

n Priesthood Ordination, Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m., Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma. n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, June 4, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311, Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Speaker, TBA.

n Kateri Mass, Friday, July 12, 6:30 p.m., Holy Family Church, Grand Caillou. n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, July 2, Ellendale Country Club Restaurant, 3319 Highway 311, Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Speaker, TBA.

Advertise in the Bayou Catholic and help spread the Good News. Call (985)850-3136 for more info. 40 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • May 2019

Announcement

Restore the Mississippi River Delta Louisiana’s coastline—including the incredibly valuable and productive Mississippi River Delta—is vanishing at an alarming rate. Every 100 minutes, a football field of land disappears into the Gulf of Mexico. This coastal land loss is a crisis of national importance, as it affects people, wildlife and jobs not only across the region but also throughout the United States. In her role as the senior outreach coordinator for the National Wildlife Federation’s Restore the Mississippi River Delta, Helen Rose Patterson has worked for the last several years to engage with faith leaders who want to be effective advocates for Louisiana’s coastal restoration efforts. “Most of this worked has centered in the Greater New Orleans area, but of course Louisiana’s coastal crisis impacts communities across our coast, and with that in mind I’m searching for faith leaders in the Houma-Thibodaux areas who want to become more active in advancing much needed coastal restoration efforts,” says Patterson. “In my years with Catholic Charities, I have worked with the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana which is part of the Restore the Mississippi River Delta coalition. I support their work and encourage everyone, especially pastors of our diocese, to get involved,” says Rob Gorman, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. If anyone is interested in further discussion about possibilities for collaboration, contact Patterson by phone at (504) 264-6866 or (504) 2567580 or by email at PattersonH@nwf. org to schedule an on-site informational session. Visit Mississippiriverdelta.org for more information. BC

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

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

Línea de Comunicación Diocesana

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

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

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

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

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

Sports

Overtime Ed Daniels

LSU and SEC basketball life goes on with Will Wade Maybe it is only a coincidence. Within days, the following happened in SEC basketball. LSU head coach Will Wade was reinstated. Kentucky offered a lifetime contract to John Calipari. And, Auburn and Bruce Pearl agreed to a five year contract extension. As part of the deal, Pearl gets a $1.2 million per season bump in pay, up to $3.8 million this season. In college basketball, fans and Universities appear to have a collective case of roundball amnesia. One of Pearl’s former assistants,

Auburn hoops legend Chuck Person plead guilty to a felony as part of the FBI’s on-going investigation of alleged corruption in college basketball. It is the same investigation that Wade, according to Yahoo Sports, was caught on an FBI wiretap talking about a “strong @#&* offer to a recruit, later identified as LSU true freshman guard Javonte Smart. Yahoo sports says that conversation was with Shannon Foreman of Baton Rouge, a person Smart said he has known most of his life. Wade’s initial refusal to explain himself to LSU officials netted him a suspension, one that cost him the chance to coach his team in the NCAA tournament. But, on a Sunday night, in a statement, LSU issued the following declarations about a meeting it had with Wade and NCAA officials. “After answering all questions, he denied all wrongdoing.” “Absent actual evidence of misconduct.” “Satisfied his contractual obligations to LSU.” And, so SEC basketball life, goes on. Calipari won a national title at Kentucky in 2012, and two years later, was the national runner-up. He was hotly pursued by Kentucky even though his Final 4 appearance at UMass in 1996 was vacated, after star Marcus Camby allegedly accepted improper benefits from at least two agents.

It’s time to

fish! 42 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • May 2019

Even though UMass’ 1996 Final 4 appearance doesn’t actually exist in the record books, 20 years later the school retired a jersey in Calipari’s honor to commemorate the achievement. Twelve years later, at the University of Memphis, all 38 of Calipari’s wins that season were vacated after star guard Derrick Rose’s SAT score was invalidated. Pearl was fired by Tennessee in 2011, admitting in a press conference that he gave investigators false information when asked about a cookout at his home attended by high school juniors. There’s no doubt that Calipari and Pearl can produce victories. Pearl was the second fastest Tennessee coach to reach 100 victories. All of the other “baggage” is old news. Maybe it will be so for Will Wade. There’s no question he can recruit, and we may soon find out just how good a floor coach he is. LSU’s current signing class is ranked nowhere near the 2018 class, rated 4th nationally. In it were Naz Reid, Smart, Emmitt Williams, Darius Days and Marlon Taylor. That class helped take LSU from the NIT to the Sweet 16. Will Wade has a lot of support in Louisiana. The FBI wiretap proves nothing they say. LSU apparently agrees. BC

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Central Lafourche

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Congratulations to all 2019 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

We carry a large selection of: Bibles • Crucifixes • Rosaries • Medals Prayer Cards • Holy Water Fonts Indoor Statues • Books • Music Serving the Diocese since 1991

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www.Gulfcoastorthopedics.com • www.GCOphysicaltherapy.com May 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 45

Graduation

Vandebilt commencement is May 18 Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma will hold its graduation ceremony Saturday, May 18 at 9 a.m. at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. The Class of 2019 chose “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good ole days before you’ve actually left them” (Andy Bernard) as its class motto. Class colors are white and gold; class flower is the white rose; and the class song is Five More Minutes by Scotty McCreery. Senior class officers are Rebecca Ledet, president; Logan Babin, vice president; Anna Claire LaRose, secretary. Potential graduates are Parker Anderson, Luke Anderson, Abby Arceneaux, Emile Armand, Kraken Authement, Logan Babin, Joshua Barker, Collin Barnes, Simon Barrett, Emma Beeson, Olivia Benoit, Katrina Beo, Chelsea Bergeron, Mia Bergeron, Lauren Billiot, Savannah Blanchard, Julia Bond, Lauryn Bonvillian, Lauren Boquet, Porter Boudreaux, John Bourg, Adam Bourgeois, Gillian Breaux, Barry Breaux, Sebastian Breaux, Kade Breaux, Kennedy Brewer, Alysia Cacioppo, Landon Callahan, Abby Callahan, Jules Callais, Karoline Calongne, Ross Carroll, Dasha Castillo, Madeline Cenac, Kathryn Champagne, Allie Chauvin, Hayden Chauvin, Taylor Chenier, Darian Cheramie, Samantha Cheramie, Grace Chesnut, Colette Clark, Adeline Clements, Courtney Cole, Samuel Corzo, Jacob Cuneo, Courtney Daigle, Brayden Dantin, Anna DeRoche, Coley Detillier, Henry Dillon, Vanna Do, Alexis Dolese, Kylie Domangue, Lacey Domangue, Daniel Donovan, Maximillian Doyle, Kolby Dufrene, Cullen Duplantis, Carlo Dupre, Soleil Evans, Jazmine Ezell, Nathaniel Folse, Kaitlyn Foret, Eric Francis, Anna-Nicole Fudge, Sadie Ganier, Leah Gaubert, Defne Greer, Austin Guidry, Amanda Guidry, Claire Hamner, Abbigail Hamner, Peyton Harvey, Carlie Hay, Lauren Haydel, Nancy Haydel, Connor Hebert, Corey Hebert, Annelise Henry, Grace Hensley, Anissa Holekamp, Emily Huddleston, Annemarie James, Kadince Kief, Adriana Landry, Luke Landry, Kristen LeBlanc, Logan LeBoeuf, Scott LeBouef,

Rebecca Ledet, Kamron Lirette, Connor Lopez, Timothy Maines Jr, Jenae’ Marcel, Dawson Martinez, Leslie Masters, Cori Matherne, Chyren McGuire, Benson McManus, Logan Mergey, Hannah Miller, Lillie Neil, Shawn Nettles, Cassidy Nguyen, Sarah Olsen, Zoe Ourso, Brennan Patterson, Seth Pellegrin, Chloe Pellegrin, Katelyn Plaisance, Madison Pontiff, Kristen Porche, Katherine Prentice, Lucas Prestenbach, Austin Pullaro, Shawn Purdy, Ellen Ramirez, Baley Reeves, Jordyn Rhodes, Luke Rhodes, Adrianna Rhodes, Jane Rhymes, Drew Rios, Sarah Rizzo, Joshua Rodrigue, Ryan Roger, Ann-Marie Ross, Nicholas Russell, Claire Saia, Haden Saint, Sara Savoie, Sydney Schwab, Joshua Shelly, Mia Shipp, Taylor Smith, Dylan Smith, Jennifer Snyder, Kaleb Sobert, Sierra Songy, Alexander Sonier, Lindsey Spence, Jonathan St. Martin, Reagan Stewart, Jacob Stoufflet, Stephanie Stutts, Leanna Teuton, Bailey Theriot, Noah Theriot, Erin Theriot, Cruz Theriot, Gannon Theriot, Claudia Thibodeaux, William Thompson, Kathryn Thompson, John Trapp, Slayde Trosclair, Andrew Viada, Amelia Viator, William Wade, Jules Weaver, Braden Whatley, Kylee Wheat. BC

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46 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • May 2019

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985-876-2551 l www.vandebiltcatholic.org May 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 47

Graduation

E.D. White commencement is May 17 E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux will hold its graduation ceremony Friday, May 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Warren J. Harang Jr. Municipal Auditorium in Thibodaux. The Class of 2019 chose “In a world where you can be anything, always be kind,” as its class motto. Class colors are lilac and silver; class flower is the white camellia; and the class song is I Lived by One Republic. Senior class officers are Mallory Amedee, president; Gabrielle Thibodaux, vice president. Potential graduates are Elaina Adams, Karson Adams, Maegan Amedee, Mallory Amedee, Peyton Amedee, Cameron Andrews, Taylor Andrews, Brennan Arcement, Samuel Avants, Matthew Badeaux, Brooks Barrios, Lexie Battaglia, Aaron Benfield, Emma Benoit, Ashley Bergeron, Caroline Bernard, Scout Blades, Aidan Blanchard, Erin Blanchard, Rebecka Bollinger, Cydnie Borne, Adele Boudreaux, Beth Boudreaux, Tyler Boudreaux, Simon Bourgeois, Victoria Bourgeois, Ashley Breaux, Anna Chadwick, Kaylee Champagne, Andre’ Chauvin, Mary Grace Chiasson, Thomas Clause, Michael Clement, Josh Comeaux,

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

Philip Constant, Beth Curole, Alexis Davis, Juliana Davis, Patrick Davis, Caroline DeGravelle, Luke DeHart, Hailey Delatte, Caroline Delaune, Jessica Dickerson, Adriana Domangue, Malori Domingue, Sarah Dufour, Cameron Duhon, Cade Duplantis, Jacob Duplantis,

2018 - 2019 Living Our Mission Imparting the Catholic Faith

Promoting Academic Excellence

Enhancing Self-Esteem

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

Graduation

Adele Dupont, Adam Dupuy Jr., Alexander Durocher, Zachary Falgoust, Hannah Folse, Benjamin Foret, Caitlin Foret, Shea Fournier, Jacob Frey, Ty’Jonae Frye, Gage Gaddis, Grace Gaudet, Lucy Gautreaux, Seth Gautreaux, Natalie Gisclair, Cade Granier, Benjamin Gros, Madelyn Gros, Madison Gros, Mary Gros, Nicole Gros, Camryn Guidry, Seth Guidry, Justin Guillory, Demi Guillot, Sonny Hanson Jr., Caroline Hebert, Ethan Hebert, Faith Hebert, Lilly Hoffmann, Mark Hue, Courtney Hull, Andrew Hymel, Anthony Indovina, Trey Johnson, Nicholas Kearns, Sawyer Kees, Eleanor Kleinpeter, Laban LaGreca, Emily Landry, Alyse LaRose, Emma LaRose, Andrew LeBlanc, Adeline LeBouef, Demi Ledet, Brandon Legendre, Abby Lofton, Miles Loker, Gerard Lotz III, Taylor Marcombe, Evan Martinez, Thomas McGoey, Jack Meyer, Davis Miller, Alexis Naquin, Jaydon Oncale, Isabella Oubre, Adeline Pate, Jenna Pate, Cody Pech, Olivia Peltier, Madeline Perk, Morgan Perk, Mason Pierce, Christopher Pinho, Samuel Pitre, Lucy Plaisance, Ali Poimboeuf, Nathan Rachal, Collin Richard, Kaitlyn Robichaux, Mary Grace Robichaux, Emily Rodrigue, Lane Rodrigue, Matthew Rodrigue, Taylor Roussel, Madison Russell, Tate Russell, Cameron Rutter, Erik Santiny, Stella Schneider,

Ann-Marie Schwaner, Andrew Scioneaux, Callie Shepherd, Michael Sonier Jr., Kaylie St. Pierre, Katie Sylvest, Kenzie Taylor, Nicholas Terracina, Hannah Terrebonne, Meredith Thalheim, Gabrielle Thibodaux, Jenna Thibodaux, Beth Thibodeaux, Kenneth Thibodeaux Jr., Wes Toups, Victoria Truxillo, Trey Turner, Ross Wagner, Adam Waguespack, Sydney Waguespack, Mary Laura Zeringue. BC

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May 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 51

Graduation

Central Catholic commencement is May 18 Central Catholic School in Morgan City will hold its graduation ceremony Saturday, May 18 at 1 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Morgan City. The Class of 2019 chose “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined” (Henry David Thoreau) as its class motto. Class colors are gold and navy; class flower is sunflower; and the class song is Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield. Senior class officers are Elise Hidalgo, president; Sydney Williams, vice president; Alyssa Landry, secretary; Kerrilyn Luc, treasurer. Potential graduates are Cade Booty, Cameron Breaux, Wade Crappell, Hunter Daigle, DesDreian Gant, Caroline Green, Bryce Grizzaffi, Emily Haines, Dustin Hebert, Elise Hidalgo, Alyssa Landry, Chrystian Lewis, Bailee Lipari, Brooke Lipari, Kerrilyn Luc, Dakota Lux, Kade Pichoff, Emily Roy, Carli Solar, Santo Spitale, Elijah Swan, Christopher Templet, Joseph Terry, Brooks Thomas, Leon Williams, Seth Williams, Sydney Williams, Gavin Wisdom, Michael Wise. BC

52 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • May 2019

GOD IS GOOD Central Catholic School Class of 2019 CCHS proudly salutes our Class of 2019. You carry on a tradition of over 126 years of Catholic education in the Morgan City area, and we wish you continued success for a lifetime of accomplishments and contributions. Central Catholic School 2100 Cedar Street Unit 1 Morgan City, LA 70380 985-385-5372 ~ Fax: 985-385-3444 www.cchseagles.com May 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 53

Graduation

Nicholls spring commencement is May 18 Nicholls State University in Thibodaux will hold its spring commencement Saturday, May 18, in Stopher Gymnasium. It will be split into three ceremonies: the College of Business Administration and the College of Education at 9 a.m., the College of Arts and Sciences at Noon, and the College of Nursing and Allied Health at 3 p.m. Nicholls alumnus Dr. Craig Dr. Craig Walker Walker, who founded the Cardiovascular Institute of the South and currently serves as its president, will deliver the keynote speech during the 104th commencement ceremony. After completing his undergraduate work at Nicholls State University in just two years, the Bourg native earned his doctorate from the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans. He began his postgraduate training with an internship and residency at Lafayette Charity Hospital in Lafayette. He continued his training with a cardiology fellowship at Ochsner Foundation Hospital in New Orleans and a research fellowship at Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA. In 1983, Dr. Walker returned to Houma to establish the Houma Heart Clinic as a center for the development of new and improved techniques for the treatment of both coronary and peripheral arterial disease. The clinic grew to be Cardiovascular Institute of the South, a world-renowned practice with about 30 physicians and nearly 450 team members in 19 locations across the region.

Dr. Walker is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, the American College of Physicians, the American Society of Cardiovascular Interventionists, the International College of Angiology, the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions, the American College of Chest Physicians and the Council on Clinical Cardiology. Dr. Walker also founded the internationally renowned cardiovascular conference, New Cardiovascular Horizons, to educate and train medical professionals on the latest techniques to treat coronary and peripheral vascular disease. He also maintains the distinct title of primary investigator for several cardiovascular and peripheral devices. Through his extensive knowledge and research in peripheral vascular disease (PVD), Dr. Walker provides educational training courses to other physicians from around the world and is co-director of the largest PVD teaching course in the United States. Dr. Walker is the author and coauthor of more than 60 medical publications and has delivered hundreds of presentations and lectures to both lay and medical audiences. He is the co-author of Something Old & Something New, Louisiana Cooking With a Change of Heart, a heart healthy cookbook developed in conjunction with internationallyrenowned Chef John Folse. BC

Elevate Your Banking pedestal.bank | 54 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • May 2019

Diocese of Baton Rouge Catholic Schools Office

St. Michael the Archangel High School President Opening: 2019-20

St. Michael High School (SMHS) seeks to fill the newly established position of President to serve as the chief administrative officer of the school. Accountable for the overall operation of the high school, the President will work cooperatively with the Principal in ensuring that Catholic identity remains strong at SMHS. Directly responsible for the external affairs of the school, the President is charged with all aspects of financial vitality and management, facilities, advancement, community relations, and governance. As the chief spokesperson for the school, the President provides visible, personal leadership to the school community and articulates and promotes the high school to the school community and the external public. Founded in 1984, SMHS is a nationally-accredited, co-educational, college preparatory diocesan high school located in Baton Rouge providing students with a traditional, comprehensive Catholic education. With a passionate, experienced faculty and a rich and challenging curriculum, SMHS provides the ideal environment for students to achieve their full potential. Students are encouraged to work hard, to dream big, and to see academic success as an exciting and worthwhile pursuit.

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge…. Evangelize Hearts, Educate Minds, Encourage Talent, and Embrace the Future Basic Requirements and Preferences: • Practicing Catholic with Advanced Degree • Minimum of Five Years of Relevant Experience • Experience in Donor Relations and Cultivation, Alumni Outreach and Planned Giving Full Job Description and Requirements available at www.csobr.org Send resume, copies of all college transcript(s) showing degrees, and three letters of recommendation to SMHS President Search Diocese of Baton Rouge Catholic Schools Office P. O. Box 2028 Baton Rouge, LA 70821-2028

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Better (Banking) Together ayeee.com • 985.851.3434 May 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 55

Graduation

Grand Isle graduation May 16 Grand Isle School in Grand Isle will hold its graduation ceremony Thursday, May 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the school’s gym. The Class of 2019 chose “Is it tea day yet?” as its class motto. Class colors are white and gold; class flower is the sunflower; and the class song is Kings and Queens by 30 Seconds to Mars. Senior class officers are Jasmine Besson, president; Nevaeh Bonck, vice president; Frank Marullo Jr., treasurer; Gabrielle Brown, secretary. BC

South Lafourche graduation May 22 South Lafourche High School in Galliano will hold its graduation ceremony Wednesday, May 22 at 7 p.m. at the SLHS Auditorium. The Class of 2019 chose “You only get one of these!” as its class motto. Class colors are silver and blue; class flower is the white rose; and the class song is Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield. Senior class officers are Jenna Alario, president; Chrissie Bellanger and Harley Lee, vice presidents; Madison Adams, secretary; Camryn Callais, treasurer; Meagan Rousse, reporter; and Abigail Bouzigard, Andrew Guidry, Connor Guidry, Johnnie-Lynn Guidry, Jacie Leboeuf, Taylor Toups, representatives. BC

Ellender High graduation May 20 Allen J. Ellender Memorial High School in Houma will hold its graduation ceremony Monday, May 20 at 7 p.m. at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. The Class of 2019 chose “I am not afraid of tomorrow for I have seen yesterday, and I love today,” as its class motto. Class colors are red, white and blue; class flower is the red rose; the class song is Do You Remember the Time by Michael Jackson. Senior class officers are Zyaé Nelson, president; Tiyana Scott, vice president; Dakota Guidry, secretary; Bernaé Pharr, treasurer. BC

56 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • May 2019

Graduation

Thibodaux High graduation May 23 Thibodaux High School will hold its graduation ceremony Thursday, May 23 at 6 p.m. at the Warren J. Harang Jr. Municipal Auditorium in Thibodaux. The Class of 2019 chose “What feels like the end is often just the beginning,” as its class motto. Class colors are white and gold; class flower is the sunflower; and the class song is I Will Always Remember You by Miley Cyrus. Senior class officers are Bailey Augustine, president; Corinn Colton, vice president; Alden Southall, secretary; Olivia Bilello, Madison Bonvillian, Kobi Johnson, spirit coordinators; Lauren Barrios, Brie Bouquet, Catherine Clement, Abbey Delcambre, Gavin Granier, Andrew Gros, Caroline Guillot, Meah Himel, Peyton Larousse, Gracie Melancon, Shae Naquin, Masyn Oncale, Bailey Ordoyne, Sarah Oubre, Faith Simon and Taylor Thibodaux, executive board. BC

South Terrebonne graduation May 22 South Terrebonne High School in Bourg will hold its graduation ceremony Wednesday, May 22 at 7 p.m. at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. The Class of 2019 chose “Due Tomorrow, Do Tomorrow,” as its class motto. Class colors are green and black; class flower is the white rose; and the class song is CNN 10 Friday End Song. Senior class officers are Abbie Thibodaux, president; Mackenzie Martin, vice president; Brooke Pellegrin, secretary; Kayleigh Authement, treasurer. BC

Morgan City High graduation May 17 Morgan City High School in Morgan City will hold its graduation ceremony Friday, May 17 at 6 p.m. at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium. The Class of 2019 chose “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But by all means, keep moving” (Martin Luther King Jr.) as its class motto. Class colors are dark blue and white; class flower is the sunflower; and the class song is This is Me from The Greatest Showman. Senior class officers are Dru Grow, president; Alisa Julien, vice president; Jake Arceneaux, secretary. BC May 2019 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 57

Graduation

H.L. Bourgeois graduation May 21 H.L. Bourgeois High School in Gray will hold its graduation ceremony Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. at the HoumaTerrebonne Civic Center. As of press time, the Class of 2019 had not chosen the class song, class motto, class colors or class flower. Senior class officers are Hayden Kidder, president; Peyton Ellender, vice president; Connor Verdin, secretary; Joshlyn Oubre, treasurer. BC

Central Lafourche graduation May 21 Central Lafourche High School in Raceland will hold its graduation ceremony Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. at the Warren J. Harang Jr. Municipal Auditorium in Thibodaux. The Class of 2019 chose “Truth will prevail,” as its class motto. Class colors are green and gold; class flower is the talisman rose; the class song had not been selected as of press time. Senior class officers are Rhett Malbrough, president; Isabel Torres, vice president; Taylor Arcement, secretary; Brynne-Noelle Mayet, treasurer; Kevin Sampey, parliamentarian. BC

Terrebonne High graduation May 23 Terrebonne High School in Houma will hold its graduation ceremony Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m. at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. The Class of 2019 chose “Our lives are before us, our pasts are behind us, but our memories are forever with us,” as its class motto. Class colors are crimson and gold; class flower is the red rose; and the class song is You’re Gonna Miss This by Trace Adkins. Senior class officers are Carlie Christ, president; Allyson Cobb, vice president; Rachael Henning, secretary; Claire Thibodeaux, treasurer. BC

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

“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