Bayou Catholic Magazine August 2022 by Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Bayou

Catholic

HONORING ST. KATERI TEKAKWITHA

AUGUST 2022 ~ VOL. 43 NO. 2 ~ COMPLIMENTARY

At the Wellness Center, we’re improving the health of the region one person at a time More game time

And this means...

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Isn’t it time to start living your best life? Change Starts Here.

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For more information, call: 985.493.4400.

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Contents

Features 18 A conversion story By Janet Marcel

St. Vincent 500 fundraiser By Janet Marcel

Columns 8 Message from our Administrator By Very Rev. P.J. Madden

Pope Speaks Pope Francis I

Questions of Faith By Father Wilmer Todd

Readings Between the Lines By Father Glenn LeCompte

Overtime By Ed Daniels

In Every Issue 6 From the Editor 16 Scripture Readings 24 Heavenly Recipes 29 Daily Prayer for Priests, Deacons, Religious and Seminarians

Guest Columns 22 Roe v. Wade is Gone! By Michele Beary

Announcements 28 Catholic Foundation annual distributions

30 33

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

On Our Cover

Aubrey Chauvin, a member of the United Houma Nation, is shown in American Indian regalia at the annual Mass honoring St. Kateri Tekakwitha. For photos of the celebration, see page 26.

Bayou Community Foundation grants awarded Father Florentino Santiago dies at 73

Father Gregory Fratt retires

French Heritage Mass, Aug. 15

August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •3

Bayou Catholic How to reach us: BY PHONE: (985) 850-3132

BY MAIL: P.O. Box 505 Schriever, LA 70395 BY FAX: (985) 850-3232 BY E-MAIL: bayoucatholic@htdiocese.org The Bayou Catholic is published monthly, for the people of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux by the H-T Publishing Co., P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395. Subscription rate is $35 per year. The Bayou Catholic is a member of the Catholic Media Association, the National Newspaper Association and an associate member of the Louisiana Press Association.

Lawrence Chatagnier

editor and general manager

April LeBouef

business manager

Janet Marcel

staff writer/administrative assistant

Tisha Rachal

graphic designer

Becky Thibodeaux accounting specialist

Like us on Facebook or Find us on the web www.bayoucatholic.org

Where to find your Bayou Catholic

Bay u Wellness

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.org

August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •5

From the Editor

Celebrating wellness in August

I was reviewing last year’s August issue of Bayou Catholic. In particular, I read over the Editor’s Welcome, where I wrote about how the Bayou Catholic strives to inspire, challenge and evangelize the Catholic faithful of the diocese with informative, inspirational stories, guest columns and articles to help them grow in their faith. It is a year later and that is nothing new. We are trying to do the same. However, as I read on, there was one point I made that I seriously didn’t know whether or not would still hold true one year later. I wrote about the COVID-19 Pandemic, and how it being August 2021 and there is a resurgence of the virus locally. Mind you the virus first appeared here in the spring of 2020. As I write the Editor’s Welcome in late July 2022 in preparation for the August issue, it seems that we are in another resurgence of COVID-19. This time the variant is not as lethal, but non-the-less it is highly contagious. This is the third year that the virus has made headlines by infecting large numbers of people in our area. Who knows how many more years will pass where we will still be dealing with this persistent menacing virus? Nationally, we celebrate wellness in the month of August. In this issue of Bayou Catholic, we have a special section dedicated to wellness. One of the

articles is about physical and spiritual wellness, by Father Daniel Duplantis. In his column, he writes of the importance of being happy, holy and healthy. We are very fortunate in this area to have the opportunity to live out a healthy lifestyle by joining a gym, participating in group activities that foster wellness by exercising, and having quality healthcare facilities in the tri-parish area that focus on wellness as a means to a healthy life. We have one of the largest wellness centers and outdoor sports complexes, right in our own backyard! A local physician of the area writes that while genetics are a large risk factor, the cornerstone of health is often determined by what we do outside of the doctor’s office. We all want to feel healthy and well. In our special wellness section, a local board certified gynecologist who has been helping women of all ages achieve their optimal state of wellness, writes about the importance of yearly exams for women. It seems that more and more you hear of people struggling with diabetes. In this issue there is an article about monitoring diabetes in order to help keep it in control and help patients continue to lead a healthy lifestyle. Who doesn’t know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer? You hear of friends, family members and people you work with often talking about someone they know who has just found out that they have cancer. The American Cancer Society offers support throughout the Louisiana area and online to help one during and after cancer treatment. We have a local development manager

6 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

writing about the ways the Cancer Society is helping people in our community. What more can you say about obesity? Obesity is a growing health concern. Did you know that about one in three Louisiana residents is obese? We are one of 12 states with an obesity rate of over 35 percent. If you find yourself in that 35 percent, there is help for you. There is an endocrinologist at a local hospital who is the only physician in the region to be certified in obesity medicine. There is an article explaining the treatments available and how the doctor guides the patients through their weight loss process from start to finish. I hope you enjoy this issue of Bayou Catholic. I also want to thank all of the contributing writers who made this issue possible. Please consider patronizing the advertisers whose businesses help support the publication. I want to especially thank the staff who helped put this issue together under difficult circumstances, working remotely for many days and on weekends. Remember, after reading Bayou Catholic, pass it on to a friend or relative who might not be attending Mass. It’s one of the great ways to do your part in spreading the Good News.

Lawrence

Lawrence Chatagnier Editor & General Manager

Church Life

Ecumenical Prayer Service An ecumenical prayer service promoting Christian unity amid a pandemic, disaster and racial tensions was held recently at St. Bridget Church in Schriever. Very Rev. Simon Peter Engurait, V.G., pastor of St. Bridget, welcomed visiting pastors and the congregation made up of people of many Christian faiths. Pastor Joy Frey was the mistress of ceremonies. Very Rev. P.J. Madden, administrator of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, delivered the sermon. Music was provided by the St. Lucy/St. Luke Catholic Churches combined choir. The event was sponsored by the diocesan Office of Worship and its partners in Christian unity. BC

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •7

Comment

‘My spirit rejoices in God my savior’

Very Rev. P. J. Madden

August is Mother Mary’s month, during which we celebrate the feast of her assumption, body and soul, into heaven. For our diocesan family, however, and our friends, we have the added joy of celebrating (on that day, Aug. 15) our Cajun heritage, in particular Mary’s protection and guidance of our people since arriving here after an enforced journey of faith, from France (for a majority of our ancestors), through Acadiana in Canada, through the upper eastern U.S., to this blessed land, flowing, not with milk and honey, but fish and fowl, and oil and gas aplenty! The visible witness to that faith is the line of churches dotting the bayous and our towns and cities. I invite you to join us at St. Hilary of Poitiers Church in Mathews, on Mary’s feast, at 6 p.m., for our annual Mass for People of French Heritage, celebrated in French, and to renew our devotion to Mary and her son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom we have the fullness of life! We never needed Mary more than the present moment in our nation, when such division is evident in the debate over the value of life itself, and the esteem due to every created soul, made in the image and likeness of God, destined for eternity with him, and Mother Mary, after completing the unique life journey mapped out by God himself, before time even began! No one, no matter the circumstances, has the right to second guess the creator as to whose life is to be lived or not! During the Mass of the Assumption we recall, in the Gospel of Luke, how Mary, a model for every anxious, worried or fearful parent to be, sought out her older cousin, Elizabeth, to ensure she was in good health to

deliver her unexpected pregnancy to fulfillment. This, despite her own fear at being pregnant outside marriage, knowing her community might ostracize her. But listen to her prayer when they met at Elizabeth’s front door. Though nervous, confused, even fearful, Mary prayed: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my Spirit rejoices (note that verb) in God my savior because he has regarded the humility of his handmaid and behold, from henceforth, all generations will call me blessed.” For He, who is mighty, has done great things for me, and holy is His name.”

“

No one, no matter the

circumstances, has the right to second guess the creator as to whose life is

“

Message from our Administrator

to be lived or not!

Mary put her trust in God’s divine providence and gave birth to a son, Jesus Christ, who would change human history! All this because Mary, accepting her pregnancy, placed more value on the life she was carrying

8 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

than on her own life. I offer Mary as a model of faith and hope to anyone who has ever experienced an abortion, or who feels so desperate that there is no other way out of a present pregnancy. I also appeal for all of us to reverence the dignity of every person and not to engage in destructive commentary of name calling as the debate continues. Instead, I invite you to ask all who engage you to pray a decade of the rosary asking Mary to make us a caring, compassionate, non-judgmental community, where no one will feel rejected but where we offer support and services for any new child born in need. If you, dear reader, know of anyone who has had, or helped someone to secure an abortion, encourage them to contact a priest, come celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation, and receive the grace which removes any guilt or shame in the memory, and allows Mary to embrace them again, as full members of her son, Christ’s body, the church! There are also agencies in our community which deserve our support, morally and financially, who provide excellent supportive advice, service and resources for anyone with an unintended pregnancy. Men are as welcome there as women. One such agency is Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center in Thibodaux. Now to return to last month’s message. May I remind you we are celebrating a period of eucharistic revival, and I again invite you to find time to visit Jesus in the church, especially to celebrate his eucharistic love at holy Mass, as often as possible, to encourage family members to come at least once a week; to worship and receive the graces we all need in these troubled times, and to stay close to Jesus, who yearns for our loving response to his unconditional love for us! I offer the prayer which closed my message last month for your usage: “Lord Jesus, present to us in the Eucharist, we place our trust in you; make us signs of your presence.” A very blessed and Happy Assumption Day to you all. God bless! BC

Comentario

‘Mi espíritu se alegra en Dios, mi salvador’ Isabel. Aunque nerviosa, confusa, incluso temerosa, María oró: “Mi alma engrandece al Señor, y mi espíritu se alegra (nótese el verbo) en Dios, mi salvador, porque ha mirado la humildad de su sierva, y he aquí que desde ahora todas las generaciones me llamarán dichosa”. Porque Él, que es poderoso, ha hecho grandes cosas por mí, y su nombre es santo”.

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¡Nadie, en cualquier circunstancia, tiene el derecho de adivinar al creador sobre la vida que debe vivir o no!

“

Agosto es el mes de la Madre María, durante el cual celebramos la fiesta de su asunción, en cuerpo y alma, al cielo. Sin embargo, para nuestra familia diocesana y amigos, tenemos que añadir a esta alegría de celebrar (en ese día, el 15 de agosto) nuestra herencia cajún, en particular la protección y la guía de María a nuestro pueblo desde que llegó aquí después de un forzado viaje de fe desde Francia (para la mayoría de nuestros antepasados), a través de Acadiana en Canadá, a través de la parte superior del este de Estados Unidos, hasta esta tierra bendita, que fluye, no con leche y miel, sino ¡con pescado y aves de corral, petróleo y gas en abundancia!. El testimonio visible de esa fe es la presencia de iglesias que esparcen en nuestros bayous, pueblos y ciudades. Les invito a que se unan a nosotros en la Iglesia de San Hilario de Poitiers, en Mathews, en la fiesta de María, a las 18.00 horas, para nuestra misa anual para personas de herencia francesa, celebrada en francés, y para renovar nuestra devoción a María y a su hijo, nuestro Señor Jesucristo, en quien tenemos la plenitud de la vida. Hoy más que nunca necesitamos a María en este tiempo actual de nuestra nación, en el que es evidente la división en el debate sobre el valor de la vida misma, y la estima que se debe cada alma creada, hecha a imagen y semejanza de Dios, destinada a la eternidad con Él, y a la Madre María. Después de completar el viaje vital único trazado por Dios mismo, antes incluso de que el tiempo comenzara. ¡Nadie, en cualquier circunstancia, tiene el derecho de adivinar al creador sobre la vida que debe vivir o no! Durante la Misa de la Asunción recordamos, en el Evangelio de Lucas, cómo María, un modelo para todo padre ansioso, preocupado o temeroso, buscó a su prima mayor, Isabel, para asegurarse de que estaba en buen estado de salud para dar a luz en su inesperado embarazo. Esto, a pesar de su propio miedo por estar embarazada fuera del matrimonio, sabiendo que su comunidad podría condenarla. Sin embargo, escucha su oración cuando se encuentran en la puerta de su prima

María puso su confianza en la divina providencia de Dios y dio a luz a un hijo, Jesucristo, quien cambiaría la historia de la humanidad. Todo ello porque María, aceptando su embarazo, dio más valor a la vida que llevaba que a su propia vida. Ofrezco a María como modelo de fe y de esperanza a todas las personas que alguna vez hayan sufrido un aborto, o que se sientan tan desesperadas que no tengan otra salida a un embarazo actual. También hago un llamamiento para que todos reverenciemos la dignidad de cada persona y no nos enredemos en comentarios destructivos de insultos mientras continúe el debate. En su lugar, les invito a pedir a todos para

que se comprometan a rezar una decena del rosario pidiendo a María que nos convierta en una comunidad solidaria, compasiva y sin prejuicios, en la que nadie se sienta rechazado, sino que ofrezcamos apoyo y servicios a cualquier nuevo niño que nazca y lo necesite. Si usted, querido lector, conoce a alguien que haya tenido, o ayudado a alguien a practicar un aborto, anímelo a ponerse en contacto con un sacerdote, a que se acerque a celebrar el sacramento de la reconciliación, y a recibir la gracia que borra cualquier culpa o vergüenza en el recuerdo, y permita a María abrazarlo de nuevo, como miembro pleno de su Hijo, el cuerpo de Cristo, la iglesia. También hay organismos en nuestra comunidad que merecen nuestro apoyo, moral y financiero, que proporcionan un excelente asesoramiento de apoyo, servicio y recursos para cualquier persona con un embarazo no deseado. Los hombres son tan bienvenidos como las mujeres. Una de estas agencias es el Centro de Recursos para el Embarazo Crossroads en Thibodaux. Volvamos al mensaje del mes pasado. Permítanme recordarles que estamos celebrando un período de avivamiento eucarístico, y les invito de nuevo a encontrar tiempo para visitar a Jesús en la iglesia, especialmente para celebrar su amor eucarístico en la santa misa, tan a menudo como sea posible, para animar a los miembros de la familia a venir al menos una vez a la semana; para adorar y recibir las gracias que todos necesitamos en estos tiempos difíciles, y para permanecer cerca de Jesús, que anhela nuestra respuesta amorosa a su amor incondicional por nosotros. Les ofrezco la oración con la que terminaba mi mensaje del mes pasado para que la utilicen: “Señor Jesús, presente en la Eucaristía, ponemos nuestra confianza en ti; haznos signos de tu presencia”. Un muy bendecido y feliz día de la Asunción para todos. ¡Que Dios los bendiga! BC

August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •9

Binh luan bang loi

‘Tâm hồn tôi vui mừng trong Chúa Đấng Cứu Độ tôi’ Mẹ khi họ gặp nhau ngoài cửa. Mặc dầu lo âu, bối rối, kể cả sợ hãi, Maria cất tiếng: “Linh hồn tôi ngợi khen Đức Chúa, và thần trí tôi hớn hở vui mừng vì Thiên Chúa, Đấng cứu độ tôi. Phận nữ tỳ hèn mọn, Người đoái thương nhìn tới; Từ nay hết mọi đời sẽ khen tôi diễm phúc. Đấng Toàn Năng đã làm cho tôi biết bao điều cao cả. Danh Người thật chí thánh chí tôn! Mẹ Maria đặt niềm tin vào sự quan phòng của Chúa và hạ sinh một con trai, Giêsu Kytô, một vĩ nhân

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Không ai, trong mọi hoàn cảnh, có quyền phán đoán ý Tạo Hóa ai được sống hay ai không.

“

Tháng tám là tháng của Mẹ Maria, trong tháng này chúng ta cử hành Lễ Mẹ Lên Trời, cả hồn lẫn xác. Tuy nhiên, với gia đình giáo phận và bạn hữu chúng ta được thêm niềm phấn khởi vì vào ngày đó (15 tháng 8) mừng ngày lễ truyền thống gốc Pháp, với ý chỉ cá biệt về sự che chở và hướng dẫn của Mẹ dành cho chúng ta từ khi đặt chân đến đây sau cuộc hành trình đức tin từ Pháp Quốc (phần lớn tổ tiên xuất thân từ đó) qua ngã Acadiana nước Gia Nã Đại, xuyên qua đông Bắc Mỹ, xuống tận mảnh đất yêu dấu này, nơi không đầy sữa hay mật ong, mà với tôm cá và chim trời, cùng nhiều dầu hỏa và khí đốt. Một điểm nổi bật về đức tin là những thánh đường được xây dựng bên bờ sông và các thành phố và làng mạc. Tôi kính mời anh chị em tới nhà thờ Thánh Hilary thành Poitiers ở Mathews cử hành Thánh Lễ Mẹ Lên Trời vào lúc 6 giờ chiều, đây là Thánh Lễ truyền thống hằng năm được cử hành bằng tiếng Pháp và cùng lúc đó hâm nóng lại lòng sùng kính Mẹ và Con ngài, là Giêsu Kytô Chúa chúng ta, trong Ngài ta có sự sống đồi dào. Chúng ta chưa bao giờ cần Mẹ hơn cho lúc này khi chính quốc gia mình đang gặp sự chia rẽ thấy rõ qua sự tranh cãi về giá trị cuộc sống, và phẩm giá dành riêng cho mỗi linh hồn, được tạo dựng giống hình ảnh và phẩm giá Thiên Chúa, được tiền định sống với Ngài vĩnh cửu, cùng với Mẹ Maria sau cuộc đời trần thế đã được Thiên Chúa vạch ra trước khi tạo dựng vú trụ. Không ai, trong mọi hoàn cảnh, có quyền phán đoán ý Tạo Hóa ai được sống hay ai không. Trong Thánh Lễ Mẹ Lên Trời chúng ta nhắc lại trong Phúc Âm Thánh Luca về Mẹ Maria, một cái nhìn cho mỗi âu lo, bận tâm và sợ hãi của một người sắp làm mẹ, tìm đến người chị họ lớn tuổi là Elisabét, quan tâm cho bà chị có đủ sức khỏe sinh con lúc tuổi già cho trọn vẹn. Mặc dầu lo âu trong lúc mang thai ngoài hôn nhân như bị cộng đồng tẩy chay. Nhưng hãy nghe lời tôn vinh của

thay đổi vận mạng loài người. Tất cả ứng nghiệm bởi vì Maria chấp nhận bào thai trong lòng mình, đã đặt giá trị sự sống mà Mẹ cưu mang hơn sự sống của mình. Tôi tôn vinh Mẹ Maria là gương mẫu đức tin và niềm hy vọng cho bất cứ phụ nữ nào với kinh nghiệm mang thai, hay đang có cảm giác tuyệt vọng mà cảm giác đó như đi vào ngõ bí trong lúc mang thai. Tôi cũng xin anh chị em cần tôn trọng phẩm giá của mọi người và xin đừng ăn nói gây ra đả thương cho bất cứ ai trong khi sự tranh cãi về sự sống đang sôi động. Thay vào đó tôi kêu gọi anh chị em tham gia đọc mười kinh

10 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

mân côi xin đức Mẹ cho chúng ta trở thành người biết quan tâm, thương xót, một cộng đồng không xét đoán, nơi mà không ai có cảm giác bị bỏ rơi nhưng giúp đỡ và cung cấp dịch vụ cho bất cứ em bé nào sinh ra cần được quan tâm. Thưa anh chị em, quý độc giả, nếu biết ai đó đã từng phá thai, hay biết ai đã giúp thành công phá thai, khuyến khích họ liên lạc với một linh mục đến với bí tích hòa giải, lãnh nhận ơn tha thứ, xóa đi mọi ân hận hay cảm giác xấu hổ trong tâm hồn và để Mẹ ôm ấp họ trở lại, như những con chiên hoàn toàn hiệp thông với con Mẹ và thân thể Ngài là Giáo hội. Trong cộng đồng chúng ta có những trung tâm cần được sự nâng đỡ của mọi người bằng tâm hồn chân chính và tài chánh, mà các trung tâm đó cung cấp tham khảo, dịch vụ và tài liệu rất hữu ích cho bất cứ phụ nữ nào mang thai ngoài ý muốn. Nam giới cũng có thể đến các trung tâm đó. Một trong những trung tâm đó là Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center tại thành phố Thibodaux. Trở lại bản tin tháng trước. Xin cho tôi nhắc nhở anh chị em là chúng ta đang trong thời gian hâm nóng lại Bí Tích Mình Thánh Chúa, và một lần nữa xin anh chị em dành thời gian kính viếng Chúa Giêsu trong nhà thờ, đặc biệt tham gia cử hành Thánh Lễ càng nhiều có thể, khuyến khích mọi phần tử trong gia đình tham dự Thánh Lễ ít nhất một lần/tuần; thờ phượng và lãnh nhận ân sủng Chúa trong thời gian bấp bênh, và sống gần Chúa hơn, Ngài mong chúng ta đáp lại tình yêu vô biên của Ngài. Tôi chia sẻ câu kinh mà nó gần gũi với bản tin của tôi tháng trước: “Lạy Chúa Giêsu, hiện diện với chúng con trong Mình Thánh, chúng con đặt niềm tin vào Ngài; hãy làm cho chúng con là dấu chỉ Ngài hiện diện. BC

SEMINARIAN EDUCATION BURSES SEMINARIAN SPOTLIGHT Chad Cheramie Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Golden Meadow  When did you hear your call to the priesthood? Many times in my life from my ﬁrst Mass returning to practicing my faith in 2017, and in January of 2020 during a Mass celebrated by Father Patrick Riviere at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Thibodaux.  Who is your favorite saint and why? I think my favorite would be Saint (Mother) Teresa. Mainly because she is an inspiration for me to persevere through desolation when Christ allows me to experience it for my growth. So I turn to her who was in desolation for most of her ministry serving the poor, yet she never strayed away or doubted that God was right there with her guiding her every step.  What is your biggest pet peeve? When people fold the corner of pages in a book  Do you have a secret talent? Singing and playing guitar

DID YOU KNOW? SEMINARIAN EDUCATION COSTS ON AVERAGE $45,000 A YEAR FOR EIGHT YEARS SEMINARIAN ENDOWMENTS CAN BE NAMED ENDOWED FUNDS/BURSES. EACH YEAR INTEREST EARNED FROM THE ENDOWMENTS ARE GRANTED TO THE DIOCESE TO COVER ANNUAL COSTS OF THEIR EDUCATION. CATHOLIC FOUNDATION OF SOUTH LOUISIANA MANAGES SEMINARIAN ENDOWMENTS FOR THE DIOCESE.

ALL COMPLETED SEMINARIAN EDUCATION BURSES CAN BE VIEWED ONLINE AT WWW.HTDIOCESE.ORG/VOCATIONS For more information contact the Catholic Foundation at 985-850-3116 or aponson@htdiocese.org August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •11

Comment

‘For the moment, no really!’ Pope Francis dismisses resignation rumors, says health is improving

The Pope Speaks

By HANNAH BROCKHAUS Vatican City (CNA) Pope Francis has said he has no plans to resign soon and that his knee injury is healing. Reports of Francis resigning began to spread last month in light of three events to happen in late August, including the creation of new cardinals and a day trip to the Italian city of L’Aquila, which Benedict XVI visited in 2009, four years before announcing his own resignation. Pope Francis told Reuters in an interview published in early July that “all of these coincidences made some think that the same ‘liturgy’ would happen. But it never entered my mind. For the moment no, for the moment, no. Really!” The pope did say, as in the past, that he would consider resigning one day if he could no longer run the church due to poor health, but only “God will say” when that might be. The 90-minute interview with Reuters took place in the Vatican’s Santa Marta guesthouse, where Pope Francis lives. He frequently holds meetings in a reception room on the building’s ground floor. According to Reuters, the pope arrived for the interview using a cane. He joked, “I’m still alive!” when asked how he was doing. He also explained that he had suffered “a small fracture” in his right knee after stepping wrongly with an inflamed ligament. The fracture is healing, he said, with the help of laser and magnet therapy.

“I am well, I am slowly getting better.” Pope Francis expressed regret that, due to the knee injury, he had to cancel a trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, scheduled for early July, saying the decision caused him “much suffering.” The decision came after doctors said he needs 20 more days of therapy and rest for his knee before he travels to Canada July 24-30. The pope also brushed off rumors that he has cancer. Some reports have claimed Francis is suffering from colon cancer after he underwent an operation to remove part of his large intestine due to diverticulitis one year ago. “(The operation) was a great success,” he told Reuters, adding with a laugh that “they didn’t tell me anything” about the supposed cancer, which he dismissed as “court gossip.” He added that he does not want to have surgery on his knee because of the negative side-effects of general anesthetic. In the interview, Pope Francis also addressed the U.S Supreme Court’s

12 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

recent Dobbs decision, and answered a question about pro-abortion Catholic politicians receiving holy Communion. He also spoke about the war in Ukraine and reiterated his desire to visit Kyiv and Moscow. No pope has ever visited Moscow, but Francis hinted that there may now be an opening, even if Russian authorities told the Vatican several months ago it was not the right time. “I would like to go (to Ukraine), and I wanted to go to Moscow first. We exchanged messages about this because I thought that if the Russian president gave me a small window to serve the cause of peace,” he said. “And now it is possible,” he said, “after I come back from Canada, it is possible that I manage to go to Ukraine. The first thing is to go to Russia to try to help in some way, but I would like to go to both capitals.” The pope said Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin has been in contact with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov about a possible trip to the Russian capital. BC

Comment

Father Wilmer Todd

Back pew Catholics I am a Protestant who attended Our Lady of the Isle Church in Grand Isle with a friend this past summer. We arrived about five minutes before Mass and I noticed that people filled the back pews before the front ones. The priest invited those standing to sit in the empty front pews. Very few did. Why do so many Catholics prefer the back seats instead of sitting in the front pews? I believe there are four reasons why many Catholics do not choose “the best seats in the house” of God – Motivation, an Insufficient Understanding of the Mass, an Inadequate Work Ethic, and Personal Reasons. Let’s look at all four. 1) Motivation: Like in all things, “it’s not what you do, but why you do it.” If someone’s motivation for celebrating the Eucharist is, “I go to Mass because I do not want to commit a sin,” or, “Let’s go to the early Mass to get it over with,” then they are spectators and not worshipers. The Vatican II document on the liturgy says, “So that the liturgy can produce its full effects, it is necessary that the faithful come to it with proper dispositions, that they should attune their minds to their voices, and that they should cooperate with divine grace lest they receive it in vain.” “Mother Church earnestly desires that we (pastors) should lead all the faithful to that fully conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations that the very nature of the liturgy demands. Such participation by the Christian people as ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people’ (1 Peter 2:9) is their right and duty because of their baptism.”

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We gather not as individuals but as a body of believers bound as brothers and sisters in Christ, all equals before God. If everyone believed and acted on these principles, people would be “fighting” over the first pews in church.

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Questions of Faith

2) An Insufficient Understanding of the Mass: The Eucharist can be complicated. We listen to the Word of God; we apply it our lives. We profess our belief in the triune God. We pray for the needs of our world. We enter a holy place with the saints and angels. We ask the Holy Spirit to change the bread, wine, and us into Christ. We identify with Jesus being “broken for us” and “poured out for us.” We remember what Jesus did to save us. We offer ourselves with Jesus to the Father. We remember the members of the church living and dead, and we sing the great “Amen.”

Just because our Mass is in English does not mean that everyone understands what is going on at Mass. Pastors need to instruct their people on what is happening at Mass. Again the church says, “When we celebrate the liturgy, we require something more than the mere observation of the laws governing a valid and lawful

celebration; it is the pastor’s duty to ensure that the faithful take part fully aware of what they are doing and so they can actively engaged in the rite. 3) An Inadequate Work Ethic: To pray well takes hard work. It takes hard work to listen to the Word of God, the homily, and to apply it to our lives. Our minds can easily drift off to what we are going to do after Mass. It takes hard work to be a worshiper and not a spectator. The Mass is not the “priest’s” Mass. It’s the church’s Mass and everyone is a potential celebrant. 4) Personal Reasons: The Mass is difficult for those who have been away from the church and are who returning but are afraid of being judged. The Mass is difficult for the single mom who could be surrounded by families that seem perfect. The Mass is difficult for people who feel they are never good enough. Mass is difficult for the person who looks like they have it all together, but they don’t. Mass is difficult for the woman who can’t find her way out of an abusive marriage. Mass is difficult for those who have an addiction and who don’t know how to break the vicious cycle that they are experiencing. Mass is difficult for the teenager who is struggling in a world full of temptations and judgements. Mass is difficult for the persons struggling with bladder problems or other physical disorders. Mass is difficult for a young child who sits with his/her family in back of church and who can only see the backs of the people in front of them. Pastors need to teach their people that the church is a gathering of sinners who are all loved by God and who want to become more like Jesus. We gather not as individuals but as a body of believers bound as brothers and sisters in Christ, all equals before God. If everyone believed and acted on these principles, people would be “fighting” over the first pews in church. BC

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

August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •13

Reflections

Greed can make people slaves to their possessions

Readings Between the Lines Father Glenn LeCompte

“The point is, ladies and gentleman, that greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right, greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, for knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA. Thank you very much” (the character, Gordon Gekko, in the movie Wall Street). Those words stand in stark contrast to the teaching of Jesus, who in Luke 12:15 exhorts his audience, “Take care to guard against all greed,” then spins a parable about a foolish person who fails to do so and suffers the consequences of his avaricious choice (12:16-21). Last month, I pointed out that the rich fool in Jesus’ parable chose temporal goods over lasting spiritual ones, became desensitized to the needs of the poor (thereby rejecting almsgiving, a standard of Jewish piety) and, because of his folly, ended up not even being able to enjoy the material comforts he sought for his life due to his untimely death. I also suggested that, among the seven Capital Sins listed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1866, greed, especially in U.S. society, is the most ignored, and yet its perpetuation has wreaked havoc on our society. Brad Bannon in an op. ed. piece for the online news publication, The Hill, in February of this year writes, “Last year was the best of times for corporate America and the worst of times for hard-working American families. New reports on corporate profits and inflation demonstrate the fundamental problems in the U.S. economy. Big business reaped big profits while hard-working Americans wept over their declining standard of living.” The corporations which are

seeking “cushy” profits at the expense of ordinary people (gasoline prices!) are not unlike the rich fool in Jesus’ parable. Moreover, the tendency toward oligopoly (control of the market by a few large firms which eat up the smaller ones) impairs competition and leaves us with increasing prices. The words of the U.S. Bishops Conference in its 1986 pastoral letter Economic Justice for All still apply: “Americans are challenged today as never before to develop the inner freedom to resist the temptation constantly to seek more. Only in this way will the nation avoid what (Pope) Paul VI called ‘the most evident form of moral underdevelopment,’ namely greed.” Additionally, Pope Francis, during a meal he shared with homeless people, pointed out that greed is widening the gap between rich and poor and further impoverishing the latter. The damage done by greed runs much deeper, though, than the suffering of financial hardships. Recall again the “rich fool” in Jesus’ parable. His greed causes him to turn in on himself, away from God and other human beings.

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Ultimately it makes people slaves to their possessions, because there are never enough of them. Avarice impairs a person’s ability to love, because greedy people will often, for the sake of maintaining possessions, or not forsaking an increase in them, fail to consider how their actions adversely affect others. The greedy develop a defense against any healthy remorse over such actions, because the prime value in life becomes an obsession with material things. The occasion for Jesus’ telling of the parable of The Rich Fool is an inheritance dispute between a person and his or her siblings which Jesus refuses to arbitrate (Luke 12:13). We see similar disputes tearing apart the survivors of families today. Saints Thomas Aquinas, Jean Vianney and Francis of Assisi all bear testimony to the danger of greed to corrupt people. In Summa Theologiae II-II, A. 118, St. Thomas explains that in everything what is “good” is apportioned to a certain measure. Too much or too little can constitute a vice. The appropriate measure for material possessions is what is necessary for life. Thus, to exceed this measure

Reflections is a sin. St. Thomas adds that to desire more (“covetousness”) is sinful. St. Jean Vianney, in his Little Catechism, says that avarice “is an ill-regulated love, a fatal love, which makes us forget the good God, prayer, the sacraments, that we may love the goods of this world– gold and silver and lands.” Regarding St. Francis of Assisi, the often overly-romanticized namesake of our current pope, many people forget that the lifestyle of voluntary poverty which he and his followers adopted was a bold counter-cultural statement in his day. Europe was relishing the spoils of the Crusades and a merchant class arose which was growing wealthier by the day. The cancer of opulence even invaded monasteries. What were the standards of status in St. Francis’ time and place? Wealth and military valor! Francis’ father, Pietro Bernadone, wanted this for his son, but Francis, a soldier, after being wounded had a conversion experience. With contempt for neither his father nor anyone else, Francis, at a public hearing prompted by his father, stripped off his clothes,

handed them over and returned the fine armor his father had given him. This was only the beginning of the statement made to opulent medieval European society by the mendicant (begging) religious orders which emerged at this time. We have become desensitized to greed in U.S. society because of the way we interpret the “American Dream.” Economic super-productivity is often viewed as the standard of “success.” When that happens we become infected with a spiritual virus that is more lethal than COVID-19 is in a physical sense. Some have even created a false version of Christianity which professes a “Gospel of Prosperity.” Wealth is a sign of blessing and social superiority. Compare that idea to the following words of Jesus: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours; woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation” (Luke 6:20, 24). How far are we from an economic holocaust, when the standard of people’s usefulness to society will be a certain level of

economic productivity, and those who do not measure up considered a drag on society and worthy of a Nazi-like extermination? Yet, Proverbs 28:25 provides us with wisdom regarding the problem of greed: “The greedy person stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will prosper.” BC

Reflection Questions v Are only certain types of people prone to greed, or is this vice a struggle for all people? Why? v How does corporate greed influence greed in individuals? v What are the spiritual remedies to the vice of greed?

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August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •15

August Scripture Readings and a listing of Feast days and saints

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, bishop and doctor of the church Jeremiah 28:1-17 Matthew 14:13-21

Weekday Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22 Matthew 14:22-36

Weekday Jeremiah 31:1-7 Matthew 15:21-28

Memorial of Saint John Vianney, priest Jeremiah 31:31-34 Matthew 16:13-23

Weekday Nahum 2:1, 3; 3:13, 6-7 Matthew 16:24-28

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Wisdom 18:6-9 Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 Luke 12:32-48

Memorial of Saint Dominic, priest Ezekiel 1:2-5, 2428c Matthew 17:22-27 August 9

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10 Hebrews 12:1-4 Luke 12:49-53

Weekday Ezekiel 2:8—3:4 Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

Weekday Solemnity of the Assumption of the Ezekiel 28:1-10 Blessed Virgin Mary Matthew 19:23-30 1 Chronicles 15:34, 15-16; 16:1-2 1 Corinthians 15:54b-57 Luke 11:27-28

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 66:18-21 Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13 Luke 13:22-30

Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 11-12 Matthew 23:13-22

Weekday 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3a, 14-17 Matthew 23:23-26

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29 Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a Luke 14:1, 7-14

Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Mark 6:17-29

Weekday 1 Corinthians 2:10b-16 Luke 4:31-37

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Feast of Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr 2 Corinthians 9:610 John 12:24-26

17 Weekday Ezekiel 34:1-11 Matthew 20:1-16

24 Feast of Saint Bartholomew, apostle Revelation 21:9b14 John 1:45-51

31 Weekday 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Luke 4:38-44

Memorial of Saint Clare, virgin Ezekiel 12:1-12 Matthew 18:21— 19:1

18 Weekday Ezekiel 36:23-28 Matthew 22:1-14

Weekday Ezekiel 16:1-15, 60, 63 Matthew 19:3-12

19 Weekday Ezekiel 37:1-14 Matthew 22:34-40

Weekday Weekday 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 1 Corinthians 1:17Matthew 24:42-51 25 Matthew 25:1-13

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 2 Peter 1:16-19 Luke 9:28b-36

13 Weekday Ezekiel 18:1-10, 13b, 30-32 Matthew 19:13-15

20 Memorial of Saint Bernard, abbot and doctor of the church Ezekiel 43:1-7b Matthew 23:1-12

27 Memorial of Saint Monica 1 Corinthians 1:2631 Matthew 25:14-30

August

Holy Father’s prayer intentions

Life is great ~

Get busy living.

For small businesses. We pray for small and medium sized businesses; in the midst of economic and social crisis, may they find ways to continue operating and serving their communities.

See www.apostleshipofprayer.org

Independent Living Community

1201 Cardinal Drive ~ Thibodaux, LA 70301 (985) 446-9050 ~ www.stjosephmanor.org

For More Information Contact: Natalie Barbera natalieb@stjosephmanor.org

THE FISH ARE BITING

WE CAN HELP FINANCE YOUR NEEDS TO GET THERE

August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •17

Dr. Devin Owens at his office in Houma

A family’s story of searching, conversion and spiritual blessings Story by Janet Marcel ~ Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier Dr. Devin Owens is a family physician who practices at the Family Doctor Clinic in Houma. He currently lives in Thibodaux with his wife Ashley, a pain management doctor for Thibodaux Regional Health System, and their two children, Evelynn, 7; and Peairs, 6. He and his family are recent converts to Catholicism and his story is an interesting and inspiring one which led the family to the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. The Homer, LA, native is a graduate of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. After receiving his master’s degree in clinical anatomy and his medical doctorate at LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport, he completed a residency in Family Medicine at Baton Rouge General. Devin was raised Baptist; his wife Ashley was raised Methodist, but her mother was Catholic. So they were both brought up with a strong Christian background. After college, he says they both were experiencing periods of spiritual apathy. The two met in medical school while studying in the anatomy cadaver lab. Two years later they were married in a Methodist church in Baton Rouge. During their medical residency, he says their faith unfortunately took a back seat and they were not really practicing any faith. They both felt an emptiness, so they began going to different churches and exploring different Christian denominations. They moved to North Carolina for Ashley’s fellowship and at that time Devin stayed at home with the children. “We befriended a devout Catholic family who through their witness drew us into learning more about their daily practice of the Catholic faith, which included following the 18 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

liturgical calendar, intercessory prayer, studying the lives of the saints, and a devotion to Mary. They also introduced us to the sacraments. We saw that they had something special and began to ask more questions. Our friends were bold enough to share their faith and once they knew we were interested, we had many great discussions with their family,” says Devin. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic as Ashley was finishing her fellowship in North Carolina that she accepted a job at Thibodaux Regional. During that time, they experienced a series of family hardships that put their lives into a spiritual turmoil. Devin says the combination of these hardships, moving across the country, starting new jobs, and Ashley studying for board exams created a perfect storm of stress and uncertainties for their family. “It became even clearer to us that we needed to trust what God had begun in our lives with this spark of searching into the Catholic faith,” he says. They moved to Houma in August 2020. Their friends from North Carolina had just moved to Jackson and they invited them to a Healing Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Luling, with Father Anthony Odiong. “We went to this Mass with very little knowledge of what a Catholic Mass was and even less knowledge of what a Healing Mass was, so we just had to take this leap. We followed along as best we could and after the Mass, we followed a group of people into a small chapel who were praying the rosary for the Healing Mass. We explained our situation to Father Anthony, who prayed and blessed each of our family members. He asked that we pray the rosary every day for the following 30 days. It was hard to

Feature Story describe what happened in that small chapel, but we left knowing we had found what we were searching for and what we desperately needed: A renewal of our relationship with Christ and an infinite well of strength to depend on. During the following month we prayed the rosary daily with our family (after googling “what is the rosary” and printing small cards for everyone to read from). It became evident very soon that this consistency of prayer and new devotion to Mary was providing our family with some powerful healing, forgiveness and an abundance of God’s grace,” says the doctor. Devin explains that in hindsight it was clear that they were being drawn back to God in preparation for incredibly difficult times that would continue to come. They now had this experience and a feeling that they needed to pursue joining the Catholic Church. They googled the closest Catholic Church to their home and that was St Bernadette in Houma. They met with Father Andre´ Melancon, pastor, and began the RCIA process almost immediately, in the fall of 2020. “Father Andre´ has been a huge part of this conversion process,” says Devin. This was all taking place at the same time Ashley was studying for two board exams. During the RCIA process, he says they had a great team of catechists at St. Bernadette that helped them build a strong foundation. They added resources like Father Mike Schmidt videos on Youtube and the Formed app, that were instrumental in helping them learn the foundations of the Catholic faith. “At this point, we were realizing we would not have made it through the difficult times our family faced without God drawing us near and allowing us to lean on his strength and the resources of his church.” They continued through the RCIA process and were confirmed April 3, 2021, with their friends from North Carolina in attendance as their sponsors, who coincidentally knew Father Melancon because he had been recommended to them for marriage counseling. The Owens family’s time of spiritual growth continued as they transitioned from Houma to Thibodaux and began to meet many young families practicing the faith daily. Father Melancon suggested they meet the Dawson family. David Dawson, the diocesan director of the Office of Parish Support, and his wife Kate have nine children, five boys and four girls. “David has a great family and just has a wealth of knowledge about the Catholic faith,” says Devin. “After our families became fast friends, Kate mentioned that David did a ‘workout F3 thing’ on the front lawn of their neighborhood. David casually mentioned it was at 6 a.m. and sent me a google map drop in. The workouts last about 45 minutes. They are outdoors and we usually do push-ups, sit-ups, running and calisthenics. The group’s motto is ‘Come for the fitness, but stay for the fellowship and faith.’ I’ve been attending ever since and now we are preparing for our first big community fundraiser event to support the St. Vincent de Paul Tri-Parish Community Pharmacy.” Devin says that David sent him an email in May about a grant that F3 does each year and asked him for ideas about what they could do this year. He thought about it for a while, remembering that he had volunteered for St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) pharmacy during his residency in Baton Rouge. Something told him to call the SVDP Tri Parish

The Owens family with Father Andre’ Melancon Community Pharmacy in Houma. When he finally spoke to the secretary, Colleen Lewis, he says, “She told me they were struggling and she didn’t know why I called, but that they had been praying for some type of help.” (For more information about the fundraiser and F3 Thibodaux, see page 20.) Knowing this article would be appearing in the issue with our Wellness Special, Dr. Owens discusses the importance of physical wellbeing along with spiritual wellness as an important aspect for the complete healing of mind, body and spirit. “We deal with physical versus spiritual wellness a lot. Mental health – it’s been the invisible pandemic inside the pandemic. First, we have to consider … is there a treatable mental illness? Do we prescribe meds? Offer counseling, therapy? Use prayer or a spiritual guidance approach?” Spiritual wellness plays a vital role in all aspects of physical wellness, says the doctor. During an annual wellness visit, they often cover topics like diet, exercise, healthy daily habits, and keeping track of one’s progress through a diary or app. These help patients pinpoint weakness, encourage strengths and look at their health from a “zoomed out” point of view. “It is just as critical during a regular complete health checkup to discuss similar parameters, but in a spiritual sense. What does your spiritual input/output look like daily? Does this leave you feeling drained or energized? What is a spiritual muscle you need exercise with? Am I around the people who nourish these goals? These questions can often open a discussion further about religion and spiritual direction and can aid us in helping patients find the correct resources for complete healing,” he says. “There is a temptation to view these as independent categories of wellness, but we must remember we are both body and soul, and need considerations as such. We must also continue to be mindful that our physical bodies are both made in the image of God and built for the Holy Spirit to dwell,” says the doctor. “By honoring God’s creation in maintenance of our physical bodies we glorify him with body and spirit!” BC August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •19

Feature Story

St. Vincent 500 fundraiser scheduled for Aug. 12-13 Story by Janet Marcel A fundraising event sponsored by F3 Thibodaux is being held August 12-13 to benefit the St. Vincent de Paul TriParish Community Pharmacy located at 201 Canal St. in downtown Houma, one block off of Main Street between Barataria Avenue and Canal Street. The pharmacy, which opened Sept. 25, 2001, is open every Tuesday from 9–11 a.m., to serve residents of Lafourche, Terrebonne and St. Mary parishes who do not qualify for Medicaid, prescription insurance or veteran’s benefits, and who are on limited incomes. Interviews to determine eligibility for service are conducted at the pharmacy on an individual basis. With the help of an all-volunteer staff of pharmacists, pharmacy assistants and screeners, the pharmacy has filled 186,478 free prescriptions at a retail value of $15,953,216.22. On average, the pharmacy spends $10,000 – $14,000 a month to purchase medicines not donated by nursing homes and physician samples. For more information about the pharmacy’s services, call (985)8722253 during pharmacy hours.

On Friday, Aug. 12, F3 Thibodaux will host an outdoor Community Cookout from 6-8 p.m. at the Settlement at Live Oak neighborhood’s greenspace on Highway 308 in Thibodaux. There will be live music and family friendly games/activities. Burger plates will be sold in advance, as well as during the event. An additional fundraising component will be a raffle to be announced at the event. There will also be some classic fun kids’ races (sack race, three legged race, balance the egg) to get the kids involved “F3” style. Beginning at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13, will be The St. Vincent 500, a two-man race event that will follow the structure of an F3 boot-camp style workout, with a unique race component. The stations are sponsored by local businesses or individuals and each station will have options for points on various reps of an exercise. The event is open to all men and will be held outdoors (rain or shine). It will be free to participants, but there is a recommended donation of $25/ participant. It will be up to you and your teammate to decide which station to pick and what level of points you will

20 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

strive for. The course total will equal a near impossible 500 points. Highest point total wins. The registration page for the St. Vincent 500 event, https://f3thibodaux. regfox.com/the-st-vincent-500, allows you to register, donate and have your family and friends pledge money to your specific two-man team. The highest team pledge total will earn a bonus 20 points to start the event. There are multiple options for donations as well as sponsorships. F3 is a national network including 3,274 free, peer-led workouts for men in 252 regions. Its mission is to plant, grow and serve small workout groups for men for the invigoration of male community leadership. The three Fs in the name stand for Fitness, Fellowship and Faith, the last of which is defined as not one specific religion or faith system, but simply a belief in something outside oneself. For more information about the fundraising event, contact Dr. Devin Owens at 1(318)245-6480. BC

August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •21

Special

Roe v. Wade is GONE! Guest Columnist Michele Beary

God is good, and abortion is no longer the law of the land! For almost 50 years, the pro-life movement has fought to overturn Roe v. Wade, and now we celebrate the good news! But, even after Louisiana is abortion-free, we know our work is not done. This isn’t the end of our fight … this is only the beginning. What does this mean for Louisiana? Through Louisiana voters, the Love Life Amendment was passed in 2020 to ensure no right to abortion can be found in the Louisiana Constitution. With the Supreme Court decision on June 24, Louisiana law immediately went into effect, safeguarding the right to life of precious children waiting to be born. On June 27th, Louisiana’s largest abortion business, Hope Medical Group for Women in Shreveport, filed a lawsuit against the 2006 Human Life Protection Act, as well as the recent 2022 Reaffirmation of Human Life Act. A temporary restraining order (TRO) was granted but was lifted by Judge Ethel Julien on July 8th. Benjamin Clapper, executive director of Louisiana Right to Life, made the following statement after the TRO was lifted: “We are happy that Louisiana prolife laws are back being enforced protecting babies from abortion. We thank Judge Julien for her fair and impartial assessment of Louisiana Law. It is disappointing that the abortion business wasted time and taxpayer dollars in this lawsuit. While we expect further legal proceedings in Baton Rouge, we look forward to our laws prevailing in Louisiana.” What does this mean for

Jubilant women gather outside the US Supreme Court after Roe v. Wade is overturned.

Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center? I’ve always believed that the life affirming work we do is somewhat irrespective of what happens in Washington D.C. or in Baton Rouge. What we do in the Bayou Region is what matters and we will continue to provide accurate information, free services, and practical support with a holistic and compassionate approach. ?We give each of our clients the care and attention they need; empowering them to make an informed decision for themselves and their future. Now, more than ever, women are going to be searching for practical help that shows them they don’t need abortion to survive, succeed or thrive in life. Women need to know how much their lives are worth and how they have value, oftentimes before they can value the life of the baby inside of their womb. Now, more than ever, we need your help meeting the essential needs of our clients which is crucial to the heart of our ministry—promoting the sanctity of life by offering life affirming options, and providing practical, financial, emotional and spiritual

22 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

assistance to those faced with an unplanned pregnancy. Being pro-life is just a stance. Being pro-love is an action. We must continue to let our actions show that we intend to support and provide resources for women with unplanned pregnancies. Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center will continue to lead with love, standing shoulder to shoulder with our pro-love community, and embrace a post Roe America by showing up for these women in the ways they need us most.We are energized and determined to continue fulfilling our mission – providing hope and real, tangible help to all who come through our doors. God chose us to live in this time. We are here for a purpose, and I ask that you work with Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center as we continue to bring life-affirming care to women in our community. Our work has just begun! Will you join us? What does this mean for our churches? The pro-life movement has been working for decades to welcome, protect, and care for babies and their mothers. However,

Special we know that becoming truly abortion-free cannot rely on laws but resides in a huge cultural shift. A critical place in society that has the resources, the influence, and the responsibility to propel this cultural shift is the churches. How can churches ensure this cultural shift? How can churches be better prepared to help a woman in a crisis pregnancy, so she does not feel pressured to choose an abortion? An overwhelming number of women quietly go to church on Sunday and the abortion clinic on Monday. A survey sponsored by CareNet, a nonprofit organization supporting more than 1,100 pregnancy centers across America, found that more than four in 10 women who have had an abortion were churchgoers when they chose abortion. Right now, you can save this information in your phone and share with your parish and across social media: FindHelpLa.com. There, you can find your local pregnancy centers, adoption agencies, and many other private and public social services. Click the “Resources” tab for listings of statewide and national resource information. The 24/7 helpline is: 1(855)449-4003. Among others, two resources for churches to help mothers are Amy Ford’s Embrace Grace, Inc. and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ program, Walking with Moms in Need. Embrace Grace, Inc. EmbraceGrace.com: The mission of Embrace Grace is, “To inspire and equip the church to love on single and pregnant young women and their families.” Their vision is “For every girl with an unplanned pregnancy to have a church to go to for spiritual, emotional, and physical support.” Website visitors are encouraged to start an Embrace Grace group at their church or host an outreach centered on assembling “Love Boxes,” a box filled with items meant to inspire a woman to “be brave and choose life for her baby.” Women in crisis pregnancies who are visitors to their website are invited to join a support group program for at least 12 weeks. You are also able to ask Embrace Grace to send an assembled Love Box to a local crisis pregnancy center, like Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center. The Louisiana Regional Rep for Embrace Grace is Dawn Smith. Contact her for more information: helpher@embracegrace.com Walking with Moms in Need WalkingWithMoms.com: This program lays out its mission: “Pregnant and parenting moms in need are in our parishes and neighborhoods. As Pope Francis reminds us,

our parishes need to be “islands of mercy in the midst of a sea of indifference.” Everyone in the parish community should know where to refer a pregnant woman in need.” The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops created thorough guidance for individual church parishes to fold this service project in their workload of existing ministries. They created an introductory webinar, a few different action guides for the person taking charge of this ministry, an inventory tool for all found and documented local resources, and a suggested timeline of completing this and publicly advertising as a source of comprehensive help for moms in need. When a complete and simple inventory of their local resources are made, the USCCB asks these churches to assess the results and identify gaps, and plan and implement a

parish response based on their findings. Additionally, they have a prayer and encyclical reflections program so that their church parish can be made aware of this ministry and unite with the effort spiritually. If churches are looking for a place to start gathering local resources for moms in need, first check with the pro-life coordinator of the local diocese. Many have already begun the process of encouraging their churches to implement this program and have gathered lists of resources. Additionally, visit FindHelpLA.com for local pregnancy centers, adoption agencies, and many other private and public social services. Click the “Resources” tab for listings of statewide and national resource information. (Michele Beary is the executive director for Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center in Thibodaux.) BC

Papal Parenting Advice By Thomas J. Neal, Ph.D. Making the decision to have a child – it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body (Elizabeth Stone). (Stone’s quote has always been my wife’s favorite way to describe being a parent.) Just recently, Pope Francis offered some superb advice to parents: How important it is for parents to reflect on God’s way of acting! God loves young people, but that does not mean that he preserves them from all risk, from every challenge and from all suffering. God is not anxious and overprotective. Think about it: God is not anxious and overprotective; on the contrary, he trusts young people and he calls each of them to scale the heights of life and of mission. We think of the child Samuel, the adolescent David or the young Jeremiah; above all, we think of that young 16 or 17 year old girl who conceived Jesus, the Virgin Mary. He trusts a young girl. Dear parents, the word of God

shows us the way: Not to shield our children from the slightest hardship and suffering, but to try to communicate to them a passion for life, to arouse in them the desire to discover their vocation and embrace the great mission that God has in mind for them. It was precisely that discovery which made Elisha courageous and determined; it made him become an adult. The decision to leave his parents behind and to sacrifice the oxen is a sign that Elisha realized that it was now “up to him,” that it was time to accept God’s call and to carry on the work of his master. This he would do courageously until the very end of his life. Dear parents, if you help your children to discover and to accept their vocation, you will see that they too will be “gripped” by this mission; and they will find the strength they need to confront and overcome the difficulties of life. All love involves risk, letting go. Nothing is harder. Nothing. BC

August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •23

Heavenly Recipes

Kim’s Homemade Ice Cream Story by Lawrence Chatagnier Photos by Maegan Martin

Kim Zeringue 24 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

Kim Zeringue, a native Chackbay and a resident of Thibodaux, shares her grandmother’s recipe of homemade strawberry ice cream in this month’s heavenly recipes. Kim has been working as the receptionist at the Pastoral Center since May of this year. Kim and her husband Glenn have been married for 21 years and have five children, three girls and two boys. Three of their children still live at home. Kim says her husband does most of the cooking for family gatherings. “Glenn likes to boil seafood and grill. I learned how to cook from my mom. I usually cook many of the same meals that she cooked when I was growing up. Many of the meals are basic Cajun style foods.” Kim and her husband Glenn met while they were out with friends in Thibodaux. Glenn is a turnaround planner for CF industries in Donaldsonville. He has been working on the river for the past 25 years or so. This recipe has been passed down from Kim’s grandmother, Elise, to her mother Judy; and now Kim makes the homemade ice cream for her family. “I remember sitting on the ice cream maker while my mother would crank the handle of the maker. We used to make it often. The tub was packed with ice then draped with a large towel to keep it cold. Now I make the ice cream with an electric maker. We used to add cherry vanilla or crushed pineapple to the ice cream. Now we tend to stick to the original recipe.” Kim did not grow up in the city. “I grew up in a rural area. We grew up playing outside in the yard. We played until the streetlights would come on at night. I was an only child. I had a dog named Renee, a white poodle which we owned from the time I was four for about 14 years.” She has a fond memory of the day she got her pet poodle. “I used to look at the animals in the pet store at the

Heavenly Recipes

Old Fashioned Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream Ingredients: 4 12 oz. cans of evaporated milk 4 12 oz. measured cans filled with whole milk 1 14 oz. can of condensed milk 1 – 2 cups sugar to taste to your liking 4 eggs 2 tbsp. vanilla Flavorings of your choice This recipe will fill a 4 qt. electric ice cream maker. You will need ice cream (rock) salt and a bag of ice, as well. To make, pour all cans of milk into a large pot. In a mixing bowl, cream sugar and eggs together to form a creamy texture. Pour egg mix into milk mix and whisk together. Turn heat to med/high to bring mix to a boil while stirring, making sure bottom isn’t sticking. Once it reaches a boil, turn to low heat and continue to stir a few minutes until it thickens. Turn off heat, add vanilla and allow to cool; then add fruit or flavorings such as thawed strawberries in sugar, a can of crushed pineapple, a jar of crushed maraschino cherries, or chocolate chips, etc. Transfer into a large pitcher and refrigerate for a few hours to get cold. Pour into ice cream maker, prepared with the ice and salt to keep it ice cold while spinning. If any mixture is left, pour into an ice cube tray for a bite size snack. When maker stops spinning, let it set for a few minutes in ice. You can eat the ice cream soft serve or spoon into a gallon container and put it in the freezer for a few hours to harden. Either way, it’s delicious!

mall in Houma. One day my dad and I were in the pet store while my mom was shopping. When she finished her shopping and met us outside the store, we had a brand new poodle puppy. A tiny white teacup poodle.” Kim worked at a couple of jobs before being employed by the diocese. “I worked at State Farm Insurance in Vacherie for 13 years, then had twins. I also worked at the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office for two years collecting property taxes. I enjoy working at the Pastoral Center. I feel like I have been welcomed here. Being able to attend Mass and morning prayer is a great thing.” Kim and her husband were youth mentors at Christ the Redeemer for a few years. “We went to Mass at Christ the Redeemer one Lent. After we went there we became parishioners of that parish. We were involved with youth formation during the diocesan strategic plan. We attended many meetings at the Pastoral Center during the planning process.” The Zeringues are now parishioners of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Thibodaux. “After the COVID-19 Pandemic, we went to St. Thomas Aquinas and have been going there since. It is a very welcoming parish.” BC

a August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •25

Church Life

Mass honoring St. Kateri A Mass honoring St. Kateri Tekakwitha was celebrated at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Dulac recently. Very Rev. P.J. Madden, administrator of the Diocese of Houma Thibodaux, was the main celebrant of the Mass, which was concelebrated by priests of the diocese. The Mass featured traditional American Indian dancing and regalia, as well as native drumming by the Miracle Drum Group. Fourth Degree KC members provided the Honor Guard. BC

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier and Maegan Martin

26 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •27

Announcements

MAEGAN MARTIN/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Pictured with a check in the amount of $130,246.29 for Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux (CCH-T) are from left, Karen David, CCH-T board chair; Amy Ponson, executive director of the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana; Chamon Williams, executive director of CCH-T; and Very Rev. P.J. Madden, administrator of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

The Catholic Foundation makes annual distributions to ministries The Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana (CFSL) made its annual grant distributions this month, exceeding more than $1.3 million in grant distributions in the past five years for restricted ministries. As a Catholic community foundation, CFSL was established to promote philanthropy, empower priests, and inspire our community. Each year through the support of many gracious donors, endowments for our church parishes, schools and diocesan ministries continue to grow. The Catholic Foundation’s board of directors recently distributed the interest earned on the endowments in which many donors have entrusted the Foundation to manage in support of the many restricted ministries within the diocese. More than $580,000 was distributed this July and it is the hope of the Foundation that these funds will greatly assist these ministries, especially after the challenges faced these past two years. The following are several of the restricted ministries that have received annual distributions this year: • $269,137.70 to the Diocese of

Houma-Thibodaux for seminarian education • $103,096.46 to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • $37,561.62 to E.D. White Catholic High School, Thibodaux • $19,111.61 to St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School, Thibodaux • $16,220.72 to Vandebilt Catholic High School, Houma • $14,014.24 to Catholic Charities Good Samaritan Food Bank of Thibodaux • $14,006.63 to the Works of St. Vincent at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux • $13,135.59 to Assisi Bridge House with Catholic Charities • $13,105.44 to the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux for priest retirement • $1,502.16 from Nell Talbot Legendre granted to St. Gregory Catholic Elementary School, Houma • $1,476.95 to St. Hilary of Poitiers Church parish in Mathews for youth formation • $2,865.65 to Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church parish, Chackbay • $690.90 to St. Genevieve Catholic School, Thibodaux

28 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

• $624.30 to St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux “Supporting our parishes, schools and ministries within the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is the primary mission of our Foundation. It is with great honor that our Foundation has earned the trust of thousands of our Catholic faithful to build a legacy of these ministries and support their efforts perpetually. While we are proud of making these distributions, we know that to whom much is given, much is expected. These funds are the gifts of our parishioners, and we are honored to continue to see these gifts grow and support the good works of the church year after year. We sincerely thank our Catholic faithful for trusting in us and allowing our Foundation to continue to live out its beautiful legacy,” says Amy Ponson, executive director of the CFSL. For more information about the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana and how your gifts can support your parish, school or favorite ministry, please contact the CFSL at (985) 8503116 or email aponson@htdiocese.org. BC

August Daily Prayer for Priests, Deacons, Religious and Seminarians

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Very Rev. P.J. Madden

Rev. Stephen Castille

Rev. James Rome

Deacon James Brunet Jr.

Rev. Mitchel Semar

Rev. Antonio Maria Speedy

Rev. Carlos Talavera

Rev. Joseph Liem Van Than, C.R.M.

Rev. James Thien Van Nguyen, C.R.M.

Very Rev. Mark Toups, V.G.

Rev. Mike Tran

Rev. Joseph Tregre

Rev. Joe Varghese

Rev. Billy Velasco

Rev. Shenan Boquet

Rev. Thomas Bouterie

Rev. Stuart King

Rev. Joshua Rodrigue, S.T.L.

Deacon Stephen Brunet

Rev. Michael Bergeron, retired

Msgr. Frederic Brunet, retired

Rev. Domingo Cruz, retired

Rev. Dean Danos, retired

Seminarian Ryan Thibodaux

Rev. Wilfredo Decal, retired

Rev. Scott Dugas, retired

Rev. Roch Naquin, retired

Rev. Ty Nguyen, retired

Sister Mary Immaculata Man Nguyen, F.M.S.R.

Rev. Charles Perkins, retired

Bishop Emeritus Sam G. Jacobs

Daily Prayer for Clergy and Religious Lord Jesus, hear our prayer for the spiritual renewal of bishops, priests, deacons, brothers, sisters, lay ministers and seminarians of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. We praise You for giving their ministry to the Church. In these days, renew them with the gifts of Your Spirit. You once opened the Holy Scriptures to Your disciples when You walked on this earth. Now renew Your ordained and chosen ones with the truth and power of Your Word. In Eucharist you gave Your disciples renewed life and hope. Nourish Your consecrated ones with Your own Body and Blood. Help them to imitate in their lives the death and resurrection they celebrate around Your altar. Give them enthusiasm for the Gospel, zeal for the salvation of all people, courage in leadership and humility in service. Give them Your love for one another and for all their brothers and sisters in You. For You love them, Lord Jesus, and we love and pray for them in Your Holy Name, today especially for _______________________. Amen.

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August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •29

Announcement

Bayou Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $327,100 to 32 nonprofit organizations working in Lafourche, Terrebonne and Grand Isle recently to fill critical needs in our coastal communities, particularly as our area recovers from Hurricane Ida. Pictured are agency members who received awards, donors and members of the Bayou Community Foundation.

Bayou Community Foundation grants $327,100 to 32 Bayou Region nonprofits Bayou Community Foundation (BCF) recently awarded grants totaling $327,100 to 32 nonprofit organizations working in Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes, and Grand Isle to fill critical needs in our coastal communities, particularly as this area recovers from Hurricane Ida. Grants from the Foundation’s 2022 Annual Grants Program fund food and medicine distribution; baby supplies and parenting resources; housing for the homeless, and women and children in crisis; mental health counseling; addiction recovery programs; education and job training for at-risk youth; and other services that fill growing needs of residents most impacted by the hurricane. Among the grant recipients from BCF were the following agencies affiliated with the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux: • Catholic Community Center, Galliano – $6,000 for Food Bank shelving and storage; distribution of food and supplies to needy • Caritas Food Pantry, East Houma – $10,000 for distribution of food and household supplies to needy

• St. Vincent de Paul Tri-Parish Community Pharmacy, Houma – $10,000 for the distribution of 3,600 free prescriptions to the poor and elderly Since 2013, BCF has funded 242 grants for $1.97 million through its Annual Nonprofit Grants Program, helping nonprofit organizations deliver critical human services, education, workforce development and coastal awareness programs. In addition, BCF has funded nearly $6 million in grants from the Bayou Recovery Fund since 2020, to support relief and recovery efforts following Hurricanes Ida and Zeta, and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Faced with unimaginable challenges in the wake of Hurricane Ida, nonprofit organizations are working harder and shining brighter than ever before. Today, Bayou Community Foundation celebrates our local nonprofits that work tirelessly to help the neediest among us and demonstrate the compassion and resiliency of our unique Bayou community,” says BCF President Henry Lafont. “Thanks to the amazing generosity of our donors,

30 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

BCF is delighted to fund $327,100 in grants to 32 organizations that are feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, protecting the vulnerable and making our entire community an even better place to call home.” “This is truly the most wonderful day of the year for Bayou Community Foundation as we witness the power of philanthropy at work! With generous gifts to our Grants Fund and Bayou Recovery Fund, donors have opened their hearts and pocketbooks to help sustain these critical nonprofit programs and support our community on our road to recovery,” says BCF Executive Director Jennifer Armand. “We thank our grantees for their important work and our donors for making these grants possible. Giving makes great things happen!” Donors to Bayou Community Foundation’s 2022 Grants Program include The Gheens Foundation, Callais Family Fund, Chevron and many generous individuals, families, businesses and private foundations who are passionate about our coastal community and our hurricane recovery. BC

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Bayou Catholic

Outreach Line

The ofﬁcial magazine of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

A MAGAZINE THAT SUPPORTS YOUR FAITH

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

www.bayoucatholic.org

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.

facebook.com/bayoucatholic www.htdiocese.org 32 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

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

Announcements

Father Florentino Santiago dies at age 73 in the Philippines Father Florentino Santiago Father Florentino (Amang) Santiago passed away Sunday, July 3, 2022, surrounded by his family and friends in the Philippines. The Nueva Ecjia, Philippines, native was 73 years old. Father Santiago was ordained to the priesthood Dec. 28, 1978, in the Philippines, and was incardinated in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux June 29, 1994. Prior to his retirement in June 2016, he served the following church parishes in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux as administrator of St. Lawrence the Martyr, Kraemer; associate pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Morgan City, and St. Genevieve Church, Thibodaux; and pastor of Holy Savior, Lockport; St. John the Evangelist, Thibodaux; and St. Eloi, Theriot. A funeral service was held in the Philippines and a memorial Mass in his honor was celebrated at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux, Friday, July 22. BC

Father Gregory Fratt announces his retirement Father Gregory Fratt Father Gregory Fratt, who has been serving as pastor of Sacred Heart Church parish in Cut Off since July 2016, has announced he is retiring from active ministry, effective Aug. 15. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Emeritus Michael Jarrell, June 13, 1998, at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma. He has served the diocese as associate pastor of Sacred Heart Church parish in Cut Off, and as pastor of St. Andrew Church parish in Amelia, and Sacred Heart Church parish in Morgan City. BC August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •33

Announcement

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Mass for people of French Heritage August 15 The annual Mass for People of French Heritage will be celebrated in the French language at St. Hilary of Poitiers Church in Mathews, Monday, Aug. 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, patron feast of the Acadian people. The Mass will begin at 6 p.m., with Father Daniel Duplantis as the presider. A reception will follow the Mass at the St. Hilary parish hall. BC

34 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

Announcement

Knights of Columbus Houma Council 1317’s Catholic Youth Leadership Award Knights of Columbus Houma Council 1317 presented its 2022 Catholic Youth Leadership Award to Emma Bridget Gottschalk, Vandebilt Catholic High School senior. Presenting the award is Houma Council 1317’s C.Y.L.A. Chairman Jay Luke. BC

August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •35

Sports Story

Overtime Ed Daniels

Brian Kelly and staff stocking the roster for the future The panic was palpable in the world of purple and gold, as LSU football had few commitments for the class of 2023. But, in what seemed like a snap of Brian Kelly’s fingers the Tigers celebrated a host of commits, including five star wide receiver Jalen Brown from Miami. LSU, according to the website 247, had nine other commits inside the top 300 players in the country. The Tigers vaulted to number nine in the rankings as of July 11. Meantime, the vaunted Texas Aggies, who according to the Alabama coach, bought all of their players in the class of 2022, were down at number 60 in the rankings, with only three four star recruits. There’s still some angst among Louisiana recruiting watchers. LSU may not get a commit from any of the top four players in the state in the class of 2023. However, two of them, Arch Manning (Texas) and Eli Holstein (Alabama) are quarterbacks. And, for the next year or two, LSU is going to have difficulty recruiting signal callers. Garrett Nussmeier is a redshirt freshman, and Walker Howard is a true freshman.

The LSU quarterback room is stocked for the foreseeable future. What to make of it all? Who knows? In the class of 2020, LSU, coming off a national championship, signed three of the top 20 players in the country. Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte of New Iberia is the only one still on the LSU roster. Two transferred. They are cornerback Eli Ricks (Alabama), and tight end Arik Gilbert (Georgia). In the class of 2020 in Louisiana, the sixth ranked player in the state, running back Ashaad Clayton of Warren Easton transferred from Colorado to Tulane. The ninth ranked player in Louisiana, defensive tackle Patrick Jenkins left TCU for Tulane. Number seven was defensive back Major Burns of Madison Prep, who left Georgia for LSU. High school seniors will always be a big part of the LSU recruiting efforts, but so will the transfer portal. In what seemed like overnight, LSU rebuilt its secondary. Joe Foucha (Arkansas/McDonogh 35), Jarrick BernardConverse (Oklahoma State/Evangel), and Greg Brooks Jr. (Arkansas/West Jefferson) bring a wealth of experience to the LSU secondary. As does Mekhi Garner, who had 19 starts for LouisianaLafayette. Last month, draft kings posted its college football win totals for the 2022 season. LSU’s total was seven. You can bet the over, or the under. Remember, last season, with a tsunami of issues and a mid-season coaching change, LSU still won six. That the Tigers can’t win at least two more doesn’t seem like a high mountain to climb. And, even though he and his staff have yet to coach a game in Baton Rouge, Brian Kelly and company seemed to be doing fairly well stocking the roster for the future. BC

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36 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

Bay u Wellness August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •37

STAY 37 IN TOUCH

Bayou Wellness Contents

ON OUR COVER Thibodaux Regional recently opened its Sports Complex, which is Phase II of the Wellness Center. The complex constructed on approximately 12 acres, features 12 tennis courts, and 12 beach volleyball courts built to NCAA standards. There is also a turf surfaced football field to accommodate soccer and an eight-lane track, as well as an outdoor basketball court.

INSIDE Marriage

Bayou

Catholic

Cover photo courtesy of Thibodaux Regional Do this in remembrance of me MARCH 2018 ~ VOL. 38 NO. 9 ~ COMPLIMENTARY

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Wellness Center makes positive difference

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Comprehensive Fitness

40 Obesity a growing health concern

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Advertise in the Bayou Catholic. Help spread the Good News. Call 985.850.3136 (985)850-3132 for more info. 38 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

A woman’s guide to optimal health

Bayou Wellness

Guest Columnist Father Daniel Duplantis

When most people hear the word fitness, several images usually come to mind. We associate fitness with going to the gym, going for a walk or run down the street, or playing a sport. If you served in the military, perhaps fitness brings back memories (for better or for worse) of early morning PT sessions and physical fitness tests. No matter what we associate fitness with, most people would agree that it is an essential part of everyday life. When I completed Air Force Officer Training School and my Chaplain Candidate Intensive Internship, we were taught that fitness goes beyond physical fitness. In fact, the Chaplain Corps emphasizes four areas of “comprehensive” fitness: Mental fitness, physical fitness, social fitness and spiritual fitness. For now, our focus will be on physical and spiritual fitness. In order to understand the relationship between these two areas of fitness, we must understand that we are beings with both a body and a rational soul. These two dimensions of our being are intertwined to the point that one affects the other. We are our bodies just as much as we are our souls. The tradition of Christian prayer utilizes this dynamic in the form of various postures. Kneeling is a posture of worship and adoration. Standing is a posture of readiness. Sitting is a posture of listening. Our physical posture in prayer helps to direct our spiritual posture. The same relationship between the physical and spiritual dimensions of being applies to the realm of fitness. Our fitness in one area is affected by our fitness in the other. New Year and Lent tend to be times when people make resolutions in either area. The number of gym memberships increases because of New Year’s resolutions to get in shape. During Lent, Catholics are encouraged to incorporate various

COMPREHENSIVE FITNESS mental, physical, social and spiritual

spiritual practices since Lent is naturally a time of intense prayer in preparation for the celebration of the Triduum. In other words, our efforts in one area can either help or hinder the other. For someone whose spiritual life is in a good place, it may be much easier to recommit to going to the gym or whatever physical activity they enjoy. On the flip side, physical activity has a way of fostering growth in the spiritual life. Most physical activities help to foster virtues and attitudes that greatly maximize our experience of prayer including focus, perseverance and endurance. It’s no wonder Saint Paul uses the analogy of running a race in his epistles. I think he was on to something! With everything that has been said so far, there is a glaring question most people have regarding both physical and spiritual fitness: Where do I start? The beginning of a journey brings challenges all its own. It is easy to be overwhelmed by both a gym packed with complex exercise equipment and the rich spiritual treasury of the church, but the same advice can apply to beginning our journey in both areas of fitness. First, show up. Whether it’s going to the gym or going to the chapel, we have to show up if we are going to

get fit. Second, start with baby steps. You will not get ripped or be able to make it through an Ignatian 30-day silent retreat overnight. Start with small, manageable goals. Finally, and this is probably the most important, do not be discouraged by a perceived lack of results. Exercising and praying are victories in themselves. Sometimes we might have to take a step back and re-evaluate our goals, but do not let this stop you putting in 100 percent effort. This is where accountability is extremely helpful. One of the hidden gems of both exercise and prayer is the community that can be found in either. Whether it be a gym partner or a prayer partner, it is always helpful to have someone keep us accountable. Often times, small groups in either area can be formed. I consider myself fortunate that there is a Catholic young adult group built in to my martial arts training. Our community in the dojo (a room or hall in which judo and other martial arts are practiced) and outside of it has been beneficial to all of us. Saints inspire and form other saints, and God desires that we be happy, holy and healthy. (Father Daniel Duplantis is the associate pastor at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma.) BC

August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •39

Bayou Wellness

Thibodaux Regional Wellness Center making a POSITIVE DIFFERENCE in the health of our region

Guest Columnist Katie Richard, MA, BSN, RN

Thibodaux Regional Wellness Center is making a positive difference in the health of the region. Thousands of individuals have started and are continuing their journey to improved personal health and wellness. The Wellness Center addresses wellness at every level, including prevention, education and rehabilitation, combined with medically directed services. Integrating clinical care with wellness, a significant number of health care services are available in the Wellness Center including

rheumatology, endocrinology, cardiac rehabilitation, physical rehabilitation, imaging, orthopaedics, sports medicine and aquatic therapy. WellFit, a customized eight-week plan that includes nutrition and fitness, helps participants achieve their highest quality of life. This physician-referred program can be beneficial to those suffering from chronic pain, arthritis, diabetes, obesity, heart conditions, orthopaedic conditions, cancer, breathing disorders, after surgery or those seeking a lifestyle change to improve overall health. Awareness, education, detection and diagnosis are critical to improved health. The Wellness Center hosts multiple health and wellness events including free blood pressure and glucose screenings, prostate screenings, healthy cooking demos, healthy lifestyle classes, and more. The Fitness Center offers access to some of the most technologically advanced workout equipment

40 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

available, as well as hundreds of various group classes, a lap pool, and gymnasium. The Sports Complex, Phase II of the Wellness Center, recently opened and was designed to further Thibodaux Regional’s efforts to improve the health and wellness of the region and enhance quality of life. Built to benefit the community, Thibodaux Regional has implemented state-of-the-art sports facilities that complement services offered in the adjacent Wellness Center. The Sports Complex focuses on offering additional and innovative aspects of sports and fitness to provide people of all ages the opportunity to engage in physical activities that can lead to longer, happier, healthier lives. Constructed on approximately 12 acres, the Sports Complex features 12 tennis courts and 12 beach volleyball courts built to NCAA standards. The recreational complex also features a multipurpose field with a revolutionary

Bayou Wellness

turf surface to accommodate football and soccer and an eight-lane track as well as an outdoor basketball court. Memberships to the Sports Complex are available as well as opportunities to participate in league and tournament play and receive tennis, volleyball, soccer, and other sports specific activities, lessons and instruction. Athletes of all abilities can utilize the Complex to enhance sports performance in a competitive setting. Additionally, the facility is available for athletic organizations and clubs as well as school-affiliated programs. In addition to the physical component of athletics, Thibodaux Regional offers athletes and community members the opportunity to receive valuable information from a certified sports dietitian, as well as medically integrated nutrition and exercise for those individuals who are dealing with or recovering from a health-related setback. Also, wellness education is available for those who are looking for weight control, healthy choices, or who would like to simply improve their overall health. Change is difficult, yet we have seen so many become engaged in their journey and make progress toward improving their health and wellness.

CRYSTAL SANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY

People are feeling better and living better. And they are in-turn inspiring others to do the same, encouraging others to join the journey for improved health and wellness. For more information regarding Wellness Center services call (985)4934400. For membership to the Fitness Center and Sports Complex, contact

the Fitness Center at (985)493-4950. If you would like information regarding lessons and league and tournament play, contact the Sports Medicine Center at (985)493-4502. (Katie Richard, MA, BSN, RN, is the Education & Training Coordinator for Thibodaux Regional Wellness Center in Thibodaux.) BC

CRYSTAL SANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY

August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •41

Bayou Wellness

The CORNERSTONE of health is often determined by WHAT WE DO OUTSIDE OF THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE Guest Columnist Dr. Francis Robichaux

Health and wellness in today’s society is of utmost importance. As a practicing family physician who has more gray hair now, I have a better understanding and appreciation of wellness and a healthy lifestyle. Although in medical training there is an emphasis on diagnosing and treating problems, wellness is multifactorial— from visiting your doctor to diet and exercise. In general, men are less likely to utilize routine preventative care. Depending on risk factors, such as family and medical history, it is commonly advised that a routine wellness visit be performed on an annual basis. During a routine wellness visit, screening for common conditions such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes and thyroid problems may be performed. Furthermore, screening for conditions like colon cancer and prostate cancer may be recommended depending on risk factors. More indepth testing with consultants can be arranged at a screening wellness exam, as well as the development of a tailored diet and exercise program. After having practiced medicine for over 20 years, I have come to realize that the cornerstone of health is often determined by what we do outside of the doctor’s office. It cannot be understated that a big risk factor is genetics, which we cannot change; however, we can work to modify or reduce the risk of chronic disease processes that we are genetically predisposed to by incorporating a few simple measures into our lifestyles. The old adage that food is medicine

Men are less likely to utilize routine preventative care. does ring true in healthcare. I can say with confidence that following a healthy diet will lower your risk of developing certain disease processes and will most likely improve any existing conditions. Diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, have proven to be beneficial. This is a diet consisting of increasing consumption of olive oil along with green leafy vegetables, less refined grains, fruits and increasing fish intake. Lowering our consumption of non-fish meats along with moderate consumption of dairy products such as cheese and yogurt is also advised. Moderate consumption of red wine is another part of the Mediterranean diet which may be helpful. It is important to avoid processed foods for the most part. By following a healthy diet like this, it has been shown to lower the risk of many chronic disease processes such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. It is also been shown to lower high risk of developing cognitive impairment and lower a

42 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

risk of depression and anxiety. Also, remember to incorporate water intake into your diet regimen regularly. Another important or simple measure to improve overall health is to be more active—especially after 40 when both men and women tend to lose muscle mass, making it harder to maintain an ideal weight. Is important to incorporate both strength training as well as aerobic training on a regular basis. Core strengthening is the cornerstone of fitness. By increasing your core strength, balance is improved and a risk of common injuries is reduced. It is important, however, to see your physician prior to starting an exercise regimen. In summary, remember that eating a healthy diet and regular exercise is a simple way to lower your risk of many common chronic illnesses and to live a longer, healthier life. (Francis A. Robichaux, M.D., is a family physician at the Family Doctor Clinic of Thibodaux.) BC

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335 Bayou Gardens Blvd., Houma August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic 3/12/20 12:28 •43 AM

Bayou Wellness

Wellness at all ages: A woman’s guide to OPTIMAL HEALTH Guest Columnist Dr. Catherine Diebold

We all want to feel heathy and well. The yearly woman’s wellness visit with her gynecologist can help her achieve that goal. Unlike interactions with a doctor when a problem exists, the wellness visit exists to help set the reset button each year. An account of any changes in one’s personal medical and family history is noted, and based on the past year’s events recommendations are made for the current year. The yearly visit should begin around the age of 12-13 and continue into the postmenopausal years. Many women erroneously believe that once child bearing is complete or if they have had a hysterectomy, that they no longer need the yearly exam. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that women continue the yearly exam as long as they wish to practice preventative medicine. During that yearly exam what is actually done? Medical and Family History Risk assessment: If a patient has certain types of cancers in her family, guidance will be given as how to best screen for and hopefully reduce cancer risks. Genetic testing for certain types of genes which may place an individual at increased risk may be offered if indicated. Lifestyle Risk Assessment: Counseling regarding a healthy lifestyle will be offered. Habits such as smoking, alcohol abuse, lack of appropriate physical activity will be assessed. These habits can negatively effect a person’s risk for heart disease, diabetes, cancer and bone loss (for

Annual physical exams are important. example). A plan can be developed together with the patient if she is interested in getting assistance in developing healthier habits. Vaccination status: Vaccine discussions involving the HPV (Human Papilloma Virus), Flu and Covid may be covered and guidance given regarding obtaining the appropriate vaccine if indicated. Body Mass Index (BMI) assessment: The BMI is a height to weight ratio. A healthy BMI is 1925. Many studies have proven that if we carry extra weight on our body it can increase risk for many diseases: Diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc. Developing a plan when ready to address extra weight can be made at a yearly visit. Studies show that after three months of a healthy diet and exercise, weight loss medications may be required to help a patient lose the extra weight. Physical Exam: In addition to height and weight, and blood pressure, a clinical breast and pelvic exam may be performed if clinically indicated. Young teens often do not have a pelvic

44 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

exam done, but may opt to have a breast exam done so that they may start performing their own monthly self-breast exams. Screening Tests: Screening tests are offered to at risk age groups to help prevent disease. Sometimes this is affected by a patient’s personal or family history. • Cervical cancer screening - or the pap test - begins at age 21 and then every few years based on risk. • Breast Cancer screening - the mammogram - starts at age 40, sometimes sooner if at higher risk. If a patient is at a higher risk for breast cancer, she may also be offered a breast MRI. • Colon cancer screeningcolonoscopy is recommended to begin at age 45 now, it used to be age 50. After the first scope is done, and based on history, the future test frequency is then determined. • Osteoporosis screening - bone density tests - are performed starting after menopause or baseline at age 50. If a patient is at increasing risk for bone fractures, in addition to lifestyle

Bayou Wellness

Medical and family history risk assessment: Part of a wellness plan changes, medication can be discussed and prescribed to help. • Hidden risks: Blood work can help determine hidden risks - for example: Elevated cholesterol or glucose, low Vitamin D, abnormal thyroid tests, abnormal blood counts for anemia or infection, etc. • Hormone blood work - although not considered as wellness by insurance companies, this profile can be very helpful when a woman is not feeling her “optimal self” identified at her wellness exam. Some hormones are part of our metabolic self and may be covered as wellness such as thyroid, Vitamin D and insulin. The reproductive hormones are estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA. Testing these hormones can often get a woman back on track at a follow up visit to optimize hormonal balance through prescription hormones if deficient. Reproductive Needs: • Whether it is avoiding pregnancy, trying to be pregnant, or having trouble getting pregnant - the yearly visit can be a starting point to asses a woman’s needs and develop a plan to match her needs. • Menstrual pattern will be reviewed and a plan to address concerns can be made if abnormal. • Post-menopausal changes that can be interfering with lifestyle (flushing, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, loss of bladder control) will be noted and a plan also can be made to address these concerns. Life Balance: At the yearly visit, occasionally

an imbalance in an overall healthy lifestyle may be identified. Good sleep, good food, good exercise, and a sense of peace and community is optimal. Our lives are overwhelmingly busy at times. Sometimes a reminder to reset into a healthier lifestyle is all that is needed. If feeling overwhelmed has developed into clinical anxiety or depression, then a follow up can be scheduled and a plan can be put into place - sometimes medication can be of assistance. We all want to be healthy and well. Take the opportunity each year to invest in yourself via your well woman exam! (Dr. Catherine Diebold is a Board

certified Gynecologist, who has been helping women of all ages achieve their optimal state of wellness for over 25 years. She also specializes in helping women with hormonal balancing to achieve their most vital self. Recently, she achieved certification from the American Board of Obesity Medicine. Through this certification she can help women with weight loss through the use of FDA approved medications. She has helped many patients develop a weight loss plan assisted with medication at visits targeted for weight loss—not the yearly wellness visit. If you are interested in an appointment, contact the Thibodaux Regional Women’s Clinic at (985)448-1216.) BC

Exercise: Key to balance in life August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •45

Bayou Wellness

Diabetes: MONITORING FOR CONTROL Guest Columnist Mae Hitt, RN, CDE

When someone is diagnosed with diabetes, there are several “things” that need to be monitored to maintain control of your diabetes. Let’s start off by defining what is diabetes. Diabetes occurs when the organ in your body known as the pancreas has a decrease in the production of insulin, stops producing insulin, or your body doesn’t use insulin as it should. This results in high sugar levels in your blood. Insulin is needed to pull the sugar that is produced when we eat certain foods, out of the blood and feed it to our cells for energy. This process of turning food into energy is crucial because the body depends on food for its every action. If a person has diabetes, something has gone wrong with the normal process of turning food into energy. What should you monitor when you are diagnosed with diabetes? • You should monitor your blood sugar levels at home, using a home glucometer. There are many different brands of home monitors, but before purchasing a home monitor, check with your health insurance to find out which brand is covered by your insurance policy. The frequency of how often you monitor during the day, will be ordered by your healthcare provider, based on the levels of your blood sugar and if the provider is trying to regulate your dose of medication, or is starting you on a new medication to control your blood sugar levels. • You should monitor the types of foods and portion size to help keep your blood sugars in an acceptable range. Meeting one on one with a dietician or attending an Educational Diabetes group class, will help you to learn portion control and how to read food labels to determine how many grams

of carbohydrates are in a serving size. There are also many articles and educational materials available on the American Diabetes Associations website to help you with food choices and meal planning. You may also want to keep a food diary of your meals, this helps you to determine if there are specific foods that raise your blood sugar levels, more than other foods. Your food diary is also a form of monitoring that can help the dietician or your diabetes educator to help plan your meals. • You should monitor the amount of physical activity that you participate in during the week. It is recommended that a person with diabetes should be physically active for at least five days per week for at least 30 minutes a day. Exercise can reduce the amount of sugar in your blood. When you exercise, your muscles get the sugar they need, and your blood sugar levels go down. Choices of increased activity can include walking, bike riding, swimming, dancing or sport activities. Monitoring your blood sugars before and after an activity can indicate the outcome the activity has had on your blood sugar levels. • You should monitor yourself for symptoms of high blood sugar and low blood sugars. Examples of high blood sugar symptoms are feeling tired, increased urination, blurry vision, excessive thirst, and headaches.

46 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

Examples of low blood symptoms are feeling tired, jittery, weakness, breaking out in a sweat, and dizziness. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, follow the recommendations of your healthcare provider or your diabetes educator on how to treat these symptoms. The frequency that you are experiencing high or low readings may lead to a change in your medication treatment or a need to get back to following your meal plan or physical activity plan. • You should also attend your follow up visits with your healthcare provider. They will order periodic lab work to monitor how well your diabetes treatment plan is working or if there is a need for a change in your plan. Lab work can also be drawn to monitor if your diabetes is affecting the organs in your body such as your kidney and your liver functions. Uncontrolled high blood sugar levels, over time, can affect different organs in your body. As you can see, monitoring is very important to help keep your diabetes in control and to help you to continue to lead a healthy lifestyle. For more information on diabetes contact the American Diabetes Association at 1(800) DIABETES (3422383). (Mae Hitt, RN, CDE, is the community outreach manager for Ochsner St. Anne in Raceland.) BC

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Bayou Wellness

Leg & Vein Center of CIS improving life for those with

Guest Columnist

VASCULAR ISSUES

Bevi Jimenez

When you think of your cardiovascular system, you most likely think of your heart and your blood vessels. However, your cardiovascular system extends to the arms and legs as well, and includes veins as well as arteries. The Leg & Vein Center at Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) is the premier clinic for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular conditions in the legs, such as peripheral artery disease and venous disease. CIS cardiologists at CIS clinics in Houma, Gray and Thibodaux offer these services. These physicians include Dr. Craig Walker,

Dr. Mohammed Rais, Dr. Al Timothy, Dr. Pradeep Nair, Dr. Ross Melvin and Dr. Akshit Sharma. Cardiovascular conditions in the legs are usually identified by leg pain, cramping or discoloration. In the case of peripheral artery disease, also known as PAD, plaque buildup narrows arteries and reduces blood flow to the legs. Just like clogged arteries in the heart, clogged arteries in the legs puts you at risk for having a heart attack or stroke. Other symptoms include numbness, coldness, sores that won’t heal, discoloration, hair loss, shiny skin or weak pulse. If you have heart disease, you have a one in three chance

of developing PAD. Other risk factors include: Age 50+, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol, and family history of vascular disease. A simple, painless ultrasound called an ankle brachial index (ABI) can diagnose PAD. Once detected, treatment can reduce symptoms, improve mobility and quality of life, and prevent heart attack, stroke and amputation. Just like in the arteries, damaged veins in the legs can also cause vascular leg complications. Vein disease, or venous insufficiency, is a condition when the veins in the legs do not properly return blood back to the heart. Damaged or weakened veins

Dry or weeping eczema on the legs can be a sign of vein disease. Poor circulation can cause itchy, irritated or discolored skin. If left untreated, this condition can lead to painful sores and infections. Trust the specialists at Cardiovascular Institute of the South who treat the root of the problem with minimally-invasive, in-clinic procedures to restore both the health and beauty of your legs.

Schedule an appointment at the CIS Leg & Vein Center today.

Scan the QR code to learn more about vein disease.

48 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

Bayou Wellness cause blood to flow backwards and pool in the legs. This leads to visible, painful or swollen veins, including varicose or spider veins. Varicose veins are enlarged, bulging or twisting veins, whereas spider veins are smaller and are seen as blue or red lines closer to the skin’s surface. In addition to visible veins, other symptoms of venous disease include: • Swelling or heaviness in legs • Leg pain – Aching, cramping, burning or throbbing, especially after prolonged periods of sitting • Discoloration of skin • Protrusion of enlarged veins with a cord or rope-like appearance • Dry or weeping eczema • Leg ulcers • Restless legs • Itching Diagnosing vein disease relies on a combination of symptoms, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. To confirm the presence of vein disease, a physician will most commonly use tests such as ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance

imaging to visualize how blood travels through the veins. A blood test or venography x-ray can also be done to find potential blood clots. Vein disease can be treated with lifestyle modifications as well as medication. Compression stockings are most commonly used to help relieve symptoms, improve blood flow and reduce swelling. However, to treat the root of the problem, further medical treatment may be needed to reduce symptoms and improve appearance. Cardiovascular Institute of the South offers comprehensive treatment for vein disease with the latest minimallyinvasive procedures, all performed conveniently in a clinic setting. Without treatment, vein disease can worsen due to the pressure of the backflow of blood in the legs. It can cause tissue inflammation, tissue damage or blood clots, leading to ulcers and infections, ultimately

making the condition painful and debilitating. That is why it is important to receive proper diagnosis and treatment from a vein specialist. If you experience symptoms of vascular disease in the legs, visit a cardiologist to determine the cause of the problem. Schedule an appointment at Cardiovascular Institute of the South or learn more about the CIS Leg & Vein Center, at www.cardio.com/ venous-disease. (Bevi Jimenez is the public relations specialist at Cardiovascular Institute of the South.) BC

August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •49

Bayou Wellness

The importance of PHYSICAL HEALTH Guest Columnist Summer James

When it comes to physical health, there are four key components that can help improve well-being and reduce your risk of disease – getting quality sleep, eating well, being physically active and managing your stress. Taking small steps to improve these aspects of your everyday life can have a big impact on your overall health. Getting Quality Sleep Missing out on quality sleep can affect energy levels, mood and can increase risk for certain diseases. Being short on sleep not only sets your brain up to make poor health decisions the following day, but can lead to unhealthy habits. Take these steps to help prioritize sleep: • Stick to a schedule. Aim to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day so your body knows when to expect sleep. Try your best to avoid naps after 3 p.m. to ensure your body is ready for sleep at bedtime. • Unplug. Avoid bright lights and screen time at least one hour before bed. Instead, try reading a book or listening to a guided meditation to relax and prepare your brain for rest. • Limit alcohol. You may fall asleep faster, but alcohol reduces the amount of dream and deep sleep, so you sleep lighter and wake more often. • Avoid eating before bed. Eating late causes your body to digest food while you’re sleeping which can prevent you from getting into deep phases of sleep. Eating well In addition to getting enough sleep, eating well can have a major impact on physical health. With the new hustle culture in full swing, it can be hard

Get up and move. to slow down long enough to make healthy eating a priority. Follow these tips to help avoid making an unhealthy decision when crunched for time: • Prioritize breakfast. Start your day off right by including a protein to keep you full, such as eggs or low-fat Greek yogurt, as well as a serving of fruit and whole grains. If you struggle to make breakfast in the morning, try making it the night before. • Bring your own snacks. To avoid consuming unhealthy convenience foods, stock up on healthy, portable snacks such as whole fruit, vegetables and hummus, or dried fruit and nuts with low-fat cheese. • Make a balanced plate. Aim to fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables, a quarter of your plate with protein, and a quarter with whole grains. • Choose healthy options when dining out. Look for healthier options available on the menu. Ask for condiments on the side, choose grilled instead of fried foods and select water instead of sweetened beverages. Being Physically Active Being physically active can impact

50 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

nearly every aspect of your physical well-being. No matter your current level of fitness, having a physical activity goal can empower you to make impactful changes. When setting goals, consider the following: • Make your goal meaningful. Reflect on why being physically active is important to you. Maybe you want to have more energy, reduce stress, feel more comfortable in your clothes or better control blood sugar. • Make it specific and measurable. Identify the specific action you can do that will lead you to your goal. For example, I will walk for 30 minutes after work four times this week. • Start small. You’re more likely to reach your goal if you set small goals along the way. Choose activities you enjoy and are realistic to achieve. • Write it down. Write out your goal and keep an activity log to monitor your efforts and track progress. Managing Stress Stress is a normal psychological and physical reaction to the daily demands of life; however, it’s important to build

Bayou Wellness

your stress management toolkit by learning successful ways of coping with stress. • Practice mindfulness. Pay attention to the way your body feels, the rhythm of your breathing, your emotions, and thoughts. • Control worry. Give yourself permission to experience worry but create a mental boundary for how long you allow your mind to stay in that space. • Get up and move. When you’re upset, don’t just sit there. Move your body and change your environment to get out of your head for a while. • Practice self-care. Regular sleep, exercise, relaxation and eating well can all help reduce negative effects of stress on your mind and body. • Talk to someone. Find a friend, family member or doctor to talk to about your worrying thoughts or struggles. (Summer James is the Sterling Wellness Solutions communications manager.) BC

Eat healthy foods.

Get quality sleep.

August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •51

Bayou Wellness

American Cancer Society: Help for PATIENTS, SURVIVORS AND CAREGIVERS Guest Columnist Anne Bates

The American Cancer Society offers support throughout the Louisiana area and online to help you during and after cancer treatment. Visit cancer.org or call 1(800)227-2345 for information – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The American Cancer Society National Cancer Information Center offers help as you’re dealing with cancer, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. • Cancer Information Specialist: Our trained staff are available via phone, live chat and video chat to provide accurate cancer information to patients, family members, and caregivers. Staff can answer questions about a diagnosis, provide information on clinical trials, programs and services. Assistance in English, Spanish, and 200 other languages via translation service. • Video Chat: Connect with our trained, caring helpline staff via video chat to ask questions and get accurate, up-to-date cancer information to help you make informed health decisions. To video chat with us, you will need a computer, smartphone or tablet with a webcam and an internet connection. To schedule a video chat, visit: cancer.org/ videochat. • Nurse Support: Oncology and pediatric oncology nurses are available to assist you with more medically complex questions. • Health Insurance Assistance Team: This team is available to help with questions about your options and rights with health insurance and coverage. • Smoking Cessation Assistance

and Resources: The Quitline provides patients assistance with quitting tobacco including telephone counseling, self-help materials and local resources. Cancer.org Our website offers access to the most recent and accurate cancer information and news and helps you find programs and services in your area. A few pages of note are: • Cancer.org/survivors – hub for support and treatment topics, survivorship tools and stories to inspire • Cancer.org/treatmentdecisions treatment decision tools and resources to help manage diagnosis • Cancer.org/support – information about programs and services in your area • Cancer.org/caregivers – information to help caregivers care for patients and themselves Survivorship Guidelines and Resources We have materials and resources for survivors to help with quality-of-life and other needs during and after cancer treatment. Our cancer survivorship guidelines for specific cancers help doctors manage the unique needs of survivors, and our nutrition and

52 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

physical activity guidelines for survivors help you know how to live your best life and reduce your risk for cancer coming back. Caregivers Resource Guide This tool is available for people who are caring for someone with cancer. It helps the caregiver better understand what their loved one is going through, develop skills for coping and caring, and take steps to help protect their own health and well-being. For a free copy of this guide, visit cancer.org/caregivers or call 1(800)227-2345. Day to Day Assistance Transportation Assistance • Road to Recovery is a program that helps patients undergoing cancer care by providing transportation to their treatments and medical appointments. Transportation is provided based on volunteer availability in the community. This program is temporarily suspended in select areas due to COVID-19. • Patient Transportation Grants: Funds are provided to health systems across Louisiana to assist patients to get to and from treatment appointments. Lodging Assistance • Hope Lodge: The Society’s 36 Hope Lodges across the country provide free lodging to cancer patients and their

Bayou Wellness

caregiver, who must travel away from home for treatment. • Patient Lodging Grants: Funds are provided to health systems across Louisiana to assist patients with lodging who are traveling a distance to treatment. Wigs and Head Coverings Tender Loving Care “tlc” offers affordable hair loss and mastectomy products, as well as clothing, along with advice on how to use those products by calling (800)850-9445 or visiting tlcdirect.org. Emotional Support Reach to Recovery Through the Reach to Recovery program, you can connect online or by phone with a trained volunteer who has survived breast cancer and understands what you are going through. Our volunteers provide oneon-one support to help those facing breast cancer to cope with diagnosis, treatment, side effects and more.

Notre Dame Hospice-Bayou Catholic ad(2021).indd 1

On the website and mobile app, you can create an online profile and match with a volunteer who has experienced a similar type of breast cancer, stage and treatment. To learn more, visit reach. cancer.org or search for ACS Reach To Recovery on Google Play or the App Store. Online Communities and Support • Cancer Survivors Network (CSN): A free, safe online community for people with cancer and their families. You can connect with others through our member search, visit chatrooms and over 40 discussion boards, post blogs, and connect privately via CSN e-mail. Create your own personal space to tell us about yourself, share photos, audio, start an online journal, contribute resources, and more. To register for a free CSN account, visit: csn.cancer.org. • Belong - Beating Cancer Together is an app that provides people with cancer and their families

a unique and innovative personalized solution to help manage cancer. Belong users are able to read relevant information that connects them to information and help, along with many other features. • Springboard Beyond Cancer is a new online tool where patients and survivors can create personalized Action Decks, collections of selected information to help them better communicate with caregivers and their care teams to manage their physical and emotional care after a cancer diagnosis. To access, visit: smokefree. gov/springboard. How to Reach Us Call 1(800)227-2345, go to cancer. org, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube. (Anne Bates is the senior development manager for the American Cancer Society, Inc. | South Region.) BC

7/16/21 12:18 PM

August 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic •53

Bayou Wellness

Dr. Bandaru: A distinguished leader in OBESITY MEDICINE Obesity is a growing health concern. It is the second leading cause of premature death in the United States. About one in three Louisiana residents is obese, making it one of 12 states with an obesity rate over 35 percent. It comes with a long list of serious health conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, sleep apnea, liver disease, and certain cancers. The common belief is that obesity is simply caused by overeating and a lack of self-control. However, the truth is that obesity is a chronic, complex disease which can be caused by environmental and genetic factors. Given the nature of the complexity of the disease, patients benefit from seeing a healthcare specialist who truly understands the entirety of the disease and how to treat it. Dr. Sindhura Bandaru, endocrinologist at Terrebonne General Endocrinology Care, is the only physician in the region to be certified in obesity medicine. Obesity medicine combines science-based medicine with individualized obesity treatment, resulting in improved health outcomes for patients. The approach is comprised of nutrition, physical activity, behavior and medication. She received her Obesity Medicine certification from the American Board of Obesity Medicine. To be certified, she was required to undergo thorough training to better understand the entirety of the disease and its causes. The designation represents the highest level of achievement in the field of obesity medicine, and ensures the physician has the knowledge and skills needed to treat obesity. Dr. Bandaru says “Treating obesity is very rewarding. The ABOM certification helped me deepen my knowledge in various aspects of obesity medicine like the underlying pathophysiology, medications available to promote weight loss, lifestyle changes for effective weight loss and so on. Better

understanding of this disease’s pathophysiology and complexity helps me better manage and treat obesity. I am happy that I am now more comfortable and confident in treating obesity.” Dr. Bandaru guides her patients through the weight loss process from start to finish. Initially, patients with a BMI of 30 or greater are prescribed a lifestyle change. She advises them on the importance of meeting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s recommendation of getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, plus at least two days of strength training a week. She also introduces patients to Michelle Briceno, the registered dietitian at Terrebonne General Weight Management department to develop a healthy diet. Over the course of three months, the patient commits to fitness and a healthier diet. If their weight has not decreased enough, Dr. Bandaru then begins to dig further into the issue to find the root cause of the disease. She performs blood tests to determine if diabetes or a genetic mutation are at play and even learns about the patient’s eating history and how it can affect their present eating habits. Using that information, she will prescribe the appropriate medication. There are about five FDA approved weight loss drugs on the market and few medications can be prescribed off label for weight loss. Each of these medications have unique a mechanism of action. Obesity is complex – each patient is unique and requires a customized treatment plan. Dr.

54 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • August 2022

Bandaru understands the complexity and can determine the correct course of treatment. In some cases, lifestyle and medication are not enough to significantly reduce a patient’s weight. At that time, she will recommend weight loss surgery and work diligently with the patient to ensure they are at their healthiest before undergoing the procedure to ensure the best outcome post-surgery. Dr. Bandaru is also skilled in diabetes management. Obesity and diabetes are two closely interlinked health conditions plaguing Louisiana residents. These two chronic conditions increase the risk of other costly health conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Obesity and diabetes can also decrease the quality and duration of life and result in avoidable healthcare costs. In the event the patient is diagnosed with diabetes, Dr. Bandura is highly trained to manage the condition and customize your weight loss plan from there. Dr. Bandaru is here to help patients who feel that they’ve exhausted all weight loss options. She understands it is a complex condition and through careful analysis and a detailed care plan, she is proud to help patients achieve their weight loss goals and achieve overall wellness. Eligible patients do not need a physician referral. To schedule an appointment, call Terrebonne General Endocrinology Care at (985)873-3484. (This article was submitted by Terrebonne General Health System in Houma.) BC

Lose Fat. Gain Health.

Losing Weight is Complex. When a healthy diet and lifestyle are

not enough, an obesity medicine specialist may be able to help.

Dr. Sindhura Bandaru is the only physician in the region who is board certified in obesity medicine. She will customize a weight loss plan for you using FDA-approved medications with individualized treatment to improve your overall health. To schedule an appointment for your scientifically-based weightloss treatment call 985.873.3484 or visit tghealthsystem.com.

Dr. Sindhura Bandaru Obesity Medicine, Endocrinology

Endocrinology Care tghealthsystem.com

Bayou Catholic Magazine August 2022

Articles inside

Catholic Foundation annual distributions

Heavenly Recipes

Bayou Community Foundation grants awarded

Daily Prayer for Priests, Deacons Religious and Seminarians

French Heritage Mass, Aug. 15

Roe v. Wade is Gone

Readings Between the Lines

Message from our Administrator

St. Vincent 500 fundraiser

A conversion story

From the Editor

Pope Speaks

Questions of Faith

Scripture Readings