From the Editor

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 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.

Celebrating wellness in August

Lawrence

Lawrence Chatagnier Editor & General Manager

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