Bayou Catholic Magazine December 2022

Bayou Catholic

The official magazine of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

‘Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord’ ‘Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord’ ‘Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord’

On Our Cover

The Advent wreath is a familiar symbol of the season of

administrator, says in his monthly column that Advent is, at

our hearts to join the shepherds and wise men who, prompted by grace, find Jesus, a beautiful newborn baby, in a stable at Bethlehem.

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 BayouCatholicis 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

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

The power of Christmas

December is here. What a grand month it is! We usher in the new liturgical year with the season of Advent;

and Christmas is only a few weeks away. What a wonderful time Advent is for us to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. What a wonderful time it is for us to prepare our hearts for one another. A time for us, through prayer, to begin loving one another again and to strive for peace in our world, our communities and our families.

As Father P.J. Madden says in his column this month, “the challenge we face this Advent and Christmas is to be open and tolerant, not closed and condemning those who may differ from us religiously, politically or nationally.”

I have always viewed the Christmas season as a powerful time for peace among people. The power of an infant redeemer coming into the world to bring peace can change hearts and minds of those who wish to let him into their hearts and soul.

There was a time in history during World War I when the fighting stopped for Christmas.

The following is an excerpt from an article entitled “WWI’s Christmas Truce: When fighting paused for the holiday,” by A.J. Baime and Volker Janssen.

On Christmas Eve 1914, in the dank, muddy trenches on the Western Front of the first world war, a remarkable thing happened.

It came to be called the “Christmas Truce.” And it remains one of the most storied and strangest moments of the Great War, or of any war in history.

British machine gunner Bruce Bairnsfather, later a prominent cartoonist, wrote about it in his memoirs. Like most of his fellow infantrymen of the First Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, he was spending the holiday eve shivering in the muck, trying to keep warm. He had spent a good part of the past few months fighting the Germans. And now, in a part of Belgium called Bois de Ploegsteert, he was crouched in a trench that stretched just three feet deep by three feet wide, his days and nights marked by an endless cycle of sleeplessness and fear, stale biscuits and cigarettes too wet to light.

“Here I was, in this horrible clay cavity,” Bairnsfather wrote, “… miles and miles from home. Cold, wet through and covered with mud.” There didn’t “seem the slightest chance of leaving, except in an ambulance.”

At about 10 p.m., Bairnsfather noticed a noise. “I listened,” he recalled. “Away across the field, among the dark shadows beyond, I could hear the murmur of voices.” He turned to a fellow soldier in his trench and said, “Do you hear the Boches (Germans) kicking up that racket over there?”

“Yes,” came the reply. “They’ve been at it sometime!”

The Germans were singing carols, as it was Christmas Eve. In the darkness, some of the British soldiers began to sing back. “Suddenly,” Bairnsfather recalled, “we heard a confused shouting from the other side. We all stopped to listen. The shout came again.” The voice was from an enemy soldier, speaking in English with a strong German accent. He was saying, “Come over here.”

One of the British sergeants answered: “You come halfway. I come half-way.”

What happened next would, in the years to come, stun the world and make history. Enemy soldiers began to climb nervously out of their trenches, and to meet in the barbedwire-filled “No Man’s Land” that separated the armies. Normally, the British and Germans communicated across No Man’s Land with streaking bullets, with only occasional gentlemanly allowances to collect the dead unmolested. But now, there were handshakes and words of kindness. The soldiers traded songs, tobacco, and wine, joining in a spontaneous holiday party in the cold night.

Bairnsfather could not believe his eyes. “Here they were, the actual, practical soldiers of the German army. There was not an atom of hate on either side.”

And it wasn’t confined to that one battlefield. Starting on Christmas Eve, small pockets of French, German, Belgian and British troops held impromptu cease-fires across the Western Front, with reports of some on the Eastern Front as well. Some accounts suggest a few of these unofficial truces remained in effect for days.

For those who participated, it was surely a welcome break from the hell they had been enduring. When the war had begun just six months earlier, most soldiers figured it would be over quickly and they’d be home with their families in time for the holidays. Not only would the war drag on for four more years, but it would prove to be the bloodiest conflict ever up to that time.

Christmas is truly a powerful time. Let’s not waste this time with petty reasons to hate one another. Christmas is a time for joy and celebrations. Take the time this Christmas to be a part of bringing about peace in the world in which we live.

Remember, after reading Bayou Catholic, pass it on to a friend or relative who might not be attending Mass. It’s one of the great ways to do your part in spreading the Good News. BC

Lawrence Chatagnier Editor & General Manager

RED Mass

The annual Red Mass honoring all judges, lawyers and those in the legal profession was celebrated recently at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. Very Rev. Patrick J. (P.J.) Madden was the main celebrant of the Mass, which was concelebrated by priests of the diocese. Father Joseph Palermo, J.D., M.Div., of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, was the homilist. BC

by Lawrence Chatagnier

2022

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Photos

Message from our Administrator

Very Rev. Patrick J. (P. J.) Madden

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, peace be with you! Having just completed the Thanksgiving weekend, we enter our Advent journey to prepare for the celebration of the birth of the prince of peace, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Despite all the noise of the season, with stores inviting us to rush out and purchase all kinds of good things, we must not forget that Advent is, at heart, a quietening down time; a time to prepare our hearts to join the shepherds and wise men who, prompted by grace, find Jesus, a beautiful newborn baby, in a stable at Bethlehem! It is a time for prayerful anticipation, which, I think, is beautifully expressed in the First Reading of the First Sunday of Advent Mass. Please read it prayerfully and slowly over the next few weeks and your heart will, indeed, be open to share the joy and peace of Christmas. It is from the prophet Isaiah, who lived about 700 years before Christ and is known as the Christmas prophet. It is he who prophesied that Mary would bear a son, who would be known as Emmanuel, God is with us!

I now offer you this beautiful reading to make it your own this Advent, as your heart swells with hope for a peaceful and Christ centered Christmas.

“This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it; many peoples shall come and say: ‘Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.’ For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He

‘Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord’

shall judge between the nations and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord” (a reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, 2: 1-5).

We are invited, every Advent season, to “stream” toward the Lord’s moun tain, Jerusalem, a metaphor for com ing to Christ, who will offer us a share in his peace. All our readings at Mass for Advent are Christ calling us that he “may instruct us in his ways.” In a world at war with itself, his message has never been more urgent! For people of faith and hope, which all Christians are, we need to use the time of Ad vent to reset our minds and hearts to thoughts of peace, inclusion, tolerance, compassion, forgiveness and justice.

In that way, our hearts and homes (yes! very importantly, our homes, too) will be places of welcome and openness to all. This is the challenge facing us now, in a world of technology which has driven us to individualism and iso lation from one another, even within families. It’s a time to remind our selves, again, that Google is not God! The best Christmas gift we can receive and give, which is Christ’s gift to us, is his peace

What a gift it would be if we truly believe that, through prayer, we can cause it to happen that “they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.” This is the challenge we face this Advent and Christmas: To be open and tolerant, not closed and con demning those who may differ from us religiously, politically or nationally!

I earnestly invite you to find time daily to pray for world peace during Advent, not a vague prayer but an ur gent prayer, knowing that Christ died for our peace! He took on himself all our sins and offered us the grace to live as families with hearts filled with hope that we will leave a better world for our children than we ourselves inherited!

Again, as I have done in previous messages, in this time of Eucharistic Revival, I invite you to drop into your local church during the week to pray for a few moments, with Jesus, truly present in the tabernacle, for peace this Christmas. If this is not possible, pray a rosary or a Chaplet of Divine Mercy, or any other prayer in your heart, for peace. It is Christ’s gift to us each Christmas. I pray that his year, you will open and share the gift so that others, following your faith-filled ex ample will do the same in 2023!

I close by again leaving you the beautiful eucharistic prayer, “O Sacred Banquet, in which Christ is revealed, the memory of his passion is celebrat ed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us. Lord Jesus, present to us in the Eucha rist, we place our trust in you; make us signs of your presence” (empha sis added this time!).

Remember, as we celebrate Christ’s birth at Christmas, we anticipate, in hope, our own entry into everlasting glory with him in heaven! As we celebrate, please remember those who are hurting or grieving the loss of a loved one at this time. I pray that you, your family, and friends will experience the peace of Christ, which is “beyond all understanding.”

I will, of course, hold all of you in my heart and prayers at my Christmas Masses. To all a very happy and blessed Christmas and prosperous New Year. BC

‘Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord’

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

‘Venid, caminemos a la luz del Señor’

Mis queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo, ¡la paz sea con ustedes! Tras el fin de la semana de Acción de Gracias, nos adentramos en nuestro camino de Adviento para preparar la celebración del nacimiento del príncipe de la paz, nuestro Señor y Salvador, Jesucristo.

A pesar de todo el ruido de la temporada, con tiendas que nos invitan a salir corriendo a comprar todo tipo de cosas buenas, no debemos olvidar que el Adviento es, en el fondo, un tiempo de tranquilidad; un tiempo para preparar nuestros corazones para unirnos a los pastores y a los Reyes Magos que, impulsados por la gracia, encuentran a Jesús, un hermoso bebé recién nacido, en un establo de Belén. Es un tiempo de anticipación en la oración, que, creo, está bellamente expresado en la Primera Lectura de la Misa del Primer Domingo de Adviento. Por favor, léanla en oración y despacio durante las próximas semanas y su corazón se abrirá para compartir la alegría y la paz de la Navidad. Es del profeta Isaías, que vivió unos 700 años antes de Cristo y es conocido como el profeta de la Navidad. Fue él quien profetizó que María daría a luz un hijo, que sería conocido como Emmanuel, ¡Dios está con nosotros!

Ahora te ofrezco esta hermosa lectura para que la hagas tuya en este Adviento, mientras tu corazón se hincha de esperanza por una Navidad tranquila y centrada en Cristo.

“Esto es lo que vio Isaías, hijo de Amoz, sobre Judá y Jerusalén. En los días venideros, el monte de la casa del Señor se establecerá como la montaña más alta y se elevará por encima de las colinas. Todas las naciones fluirán hacia él; vendrán muchos pueblos y dirán: ‘Venid, subamos al monte del Señor, a la casa del Dios de Jacob, para que nos instruya en sus caminos, y caminemos por sus sendas’. Porque de Sión saldrá la instrucción, y de Jerusalén la palabra del Señor. Él juzgará entre las naciones e impondrá condiciones

a muchos pueblos. Convertirán sus espadas en rejas de arado y sus lanzas en podaderas; una nación no levantará la espada contra otra, ni se preparará para la guerra. Casa de Jacob, vengan, caminemos a la luz del Señor” (lectura del libro del profeta Isaías, 2, 1-5).

En cada tiempo de Adviento se nos invita a “correr” hacia el monte del Señor, Jerusalén, una metáfora de la llegada a Cristo, que nos ofrecerá una participación en su paz. Todas nuestras lecturas en la misa de Adviento son Cristo llamándonos para que “nos instruya en sus caminos”. En un mundo en guerra consigo mismo, su mensaje nunca ha sido más urgente. Para las personas de fe y esperanza, que son todos los cristianos, necesitamos utilizar el tiempo de Adviento para reajustar nuestras mentes y corazones a pensamientos de paz, inclusión, tolerancia, compasión, perdón y justicia.

De este modo, nuestros corazones y hogares (¡sí! muy importante, nuestros hogares también) serán lugares de acogida y apertura para todos. Este es el reto al que nos enfrentamos ahora, en un mundo de tecnología que nos ha llevado al individualismo y al aislamiento de los demás, incluso dentro de las familias. Es el momento de recordarnos, de nuevo, que Google no es Dios. El mejor regalo de Navidad que podemos recibir y dar, es el regalo de Cristo para nosotros, es su paz.

Qué regalo sería si creyéramos de verdad que, a través de la oración, podemos hacer que ocurra que “convertirán sus espadas en rejas de arado, y sus lanzas en hoces; una nación no levantará la espada contra otra, ni volverán a prepararse para la guerra”. Este es el reto al que nos enfrentamos en este Adviento y Navidad: Ser abiertos y tolerantes, no cerrados y condenar a los que puedan diferir de nosotros religiosa, política o nacionalmente.

Los invito encarecidamente a encontrar tiempo diariamente para

rezar por la paz mundial durante el Adviento, no una oración vaga sino una oración urgente, sabiendo que Cristo murió por nuestra paz. Él tomó sobre sí todos nuestros pecados y nos ofreció la gracia de vivir como familias con el corazón lleno de esperanza de que dejaremos a nuestros hijos un mundo mejor que el que nosotros mismos heredamos.

De nuevo, como he hecho en mensajes anteriores, en este tiempo de reavivamiento eucarístico, los invito a pasar por su iglesia local durante la semana para orar unos momentos, con Jesús, verdaderamente presente en el sagrario, por la paz en esta Navidad. Si esto no es posible, reza un rosario o una Coronilla de la Divina Misericordia, o cualquier otra oración en tu corazón, por la paz. Es el regalo de Cristo para nosotros cada Navidad. Rezo para que este año abras y compartas el regalo para que otros, siguiendo tu ejemplo lleno de fe, hagan lo mismo en 2023.

Concluyo dejándoles de nuevo la hermosa oración eucarística: “Oh Sagrado Banquete, en el que se revela Cristo, se celebra el recuerdo de su pasión, se llena la mente de gracia y se nos da una prenda de la gloria futura. Señor Jesús, presente en la Eucaristía, ponemos nuestra confianza en ti; haznos signos de tu presencia” (¡énfasis agregado esta vez!).

Recuerden que, al celebrar el nacimiento de Cristo en Navidad, anticipamos, con esperanza, nuestra propia entrada en la gloria eterna con él en el cielo. Mientras celebramos, por favor recuerden a aquellos que están sufriendo o llorando la pérdida de un ser querido en este momento. Rezo para que usted, su familia y sus amigos experimenten la paz de Cristo, que es “más allá de todo entendimiento”.

Por supuesto, los tendré a todos en mi corazón y en mis oraciones en las misas de Navidad. A todos una muy feliz y bendecida Navidad y próspero Año Nuevo. BC

Binh luan bang loi

‘Hãy đến, chúng ta cùng bước đi trong ánh sáng của Chúa’

Anh chị em rất thân mến trong Chúa Kytô, bình an của Chúa ở cùng anh chị em. Vừa kết thúc cuối tuần Lễ Tạ Ơn chúng ta lại bước vào hành trình Mùa Vọng để chuẩn bị mừng Lễ sinh nhật thái tử bình an, Chúa và Đấng Cứu Độ, Chúa Giêsu Kytô. Mặc cho những ồn ào, với nhiều cửa hàng mời gọi chúng ta tuôn vô và mua sắm mọi thứ hấp dẫn, chúng ta không nên quên rằng Mùa Vọng, trọng tâm của nó, là thời gian thinh lặng, chuẩn bị tâm hồn liên kết với các mục đồng và các nhà khôn ngoan, những người mà do sự thúc đẩy của ơn thánh tìm được Chúa Giêsu, một trẻ thơ rất xinh đẹp, nằm trong hang đá tại Bê Lem. Đã đến lúc nên cầu nguyện trong mong đợi, mà tôi nghĩ những lời có ý nghĩa đã được diễn đạt trong bài đọc một, tuần thứ nhất Mùa Vọng. Xin anh chị em đọc trong suy gẫm và chậm rãi vài tuần tới và tâm hồn anh chị em thật tình sẽ được mở ra chia sẻ niềm vui và bình an Giáng Sinh. Điều này được tiên Isaiah nhắc đến, người đã chào đời 700 năm trước Chúa Giêsu, với biệt danh là tiên tri Giáng Sinh. Chính tiên tri đã tiên báo rằng Mẹ Maria sẽ cưu mang một con trai, Ngài được gọi là Emmanuel, Thiên Chúa ở cùng chúng ta.

Tôi đề nghị với anh chị em bài đọc ý nghĩa này mà anh chị em có thể thâm hiểu nó trong Mùa Vọng, để tâm hồn anh chị em tràn đầy niềm hy vọng mà trọng điểm của Giáng Sinh là Chúa Kytô và bình an.

“Điềm của Tiên tri Isaiah, con của Amoz đã nhìn thấy về Giuđa và Jêrusalem. Điềm sẽ xảy ra vào những ngày sau hết là nhà Chúa được xây đắp trên đỉnh các núi và núi đó sẽ cao hơn các ngọn đồi. Mọi dân tộc sẽ đổ về đó; nhiều dân tộc sẽ đến và nói rằng. “Hãy đến, chúng ta cùng lên núi của Chúa, và lên nhà của Gia cóp, để Ngài hướng dẫn chúng ta, và để chúng ta bước đi trong đường lối Ngài.’ Và luật pháp sẽ ban ra từ Sion, và lời Chúa sẽ phát ra từ Guêrusalem. Ngài sẽ phán xử các dân ngoại và sẽ khiển trách các dân tộc. Họ sẽ lấy gươm mà rèn nên lưỡi cày, lấy giáo rèn nên lưỡi liềm, nước này không còn tuốt gươm ra đánh nước kia nữa;

người ta cũng sẽ không còn thao luyện để chiến đấu nữa. Hỡi nhà Gia cóp, hãy đến, và chúng ta hãy bước đi trong ánh sáng của Chúa” (Isaiah 2:1-5).

Chúng ta được mời gọi, vào mỗi Mùa Vọng, tiến về núi Chúa, thành Giêrusalem như biểu tượng ngày Chúa đến, mà Ngài sẽ chia sẻ cho chúng ta bình an Ngài. Tất cả bài đọc trong các Thánh Lễ Mùa Vọng vạch ra rằng Chúa Giêsu kêu gọi chúng ta là Ngài sẽ “hướng dẫn chúng ta trong đường đi của Ngài.” Trong thế giới mà con người gây chiến với nhau thì lời nói của Ngài không gì cấp bách bằng. Bởi những người có đức tin và niềm hy vọng, nói cho đúng tất cả những người Kytô, chúng ta cần thời gian Mùa Vọng điều chỉnh lại bộ óc và tâm hồn để được bình an, chấp nhận mọi người, đả thông sự khác biệt, từ tâm, tha thứ và công lý. Trong tình thế đó, tâm hồn chúng ta và nhà nữa (phải! nhà cũng rất quan trọng) vì sẽ là những nơi của sự mời gọi và rộng mở cho mọi người. Đây chính là sự thách thức mà chúng ta đang đối diện, trong thế giới kỹ thuật, mà nó tạo ra cho mỗi người chủ nghĩa cá nhân và sự cô lập với nhau, kể cả trong phạm vi gia đình. Đã tới lúc nên nhắc nhở mình, lần nữa, Google không phải là Chúa. Một món quà Giáng Sinh tốt nhất mà mình có thể nhận và cho đi là món quà của Chúa Kytô cho chúng ta, chính bình an Ngài. Còn món quà gì bằng nếu chúng ta thành thật tin rằng, qua kinh nguyện, mình có thể làm cho nó thành hiện thực rằng “họ sẽ rèn gươm thành lưỡi cày và lấy giáo rèn nên lưỡi liềm; nước này không còn tuốt gươm ra đánh nước kia nữa; người ta cũng sẽ không còn thao luyện để chiến đấu nữa.” Đây chính là thử thách mà chúng ta gặp phải trong Mùa Vọng và Giáng Sinh: Hãy rộng mở và nhường nhịn, đừng đóng kín và phán xét những ai khác với chúng ta như tôn giáo, chính trị và màu da.

Tôi tha thiết kêu mời anh chị em tìm kiếm thời gian mỗi ngày cầu nguyện cho hòa bình thế giới trong Mùa Vọng, không bằng lời kinh vô vọng nhưng cấp bách, ý thức rằng Chúa Kytô đã chết cho bình an của chúng ta. Ngài mang trên Mình tội

lỗi của chúng ta và ban cho chúng ta ơn thánh để sống như những gia đình tràn đầy tâm hồn hy vọng, rằng chúng ta sẽ để lại cho con cháu một thế giới tốt đẹp hơn mà chúng ta đã thừa hưởng.

Một lần nữa, như tôi đã làm trong những lời nhắn nhủ trước đây, trong thời gian hâm nóng lại bí tích Thánh Thể, tôi mời gọi anh chị em ghé vào nhà thờ nơi mình sống trong tuần để cầu nguyện đôi chút, dành thời gian cho Chúa Kytô, Ngài thật sự hiện diện trong nhà chầu, cầu bình an trong Mùa Giáng Sinh. Nếu điều này không thể thì lần hạt mân côi hay đọc kinh lòng thương xót Chúa, hay bất cứ lời kinh nào trong tâm hồn anh chị em, cầu cho hòa bình.

Món quà mà Chúa Kytô ban cho từng anh chị em. Tôi cầu xin rằng năm nay, anh chị em mở lòng và chia sẻ món quà với người khác, như thế khi bước theo gương sáng của anh chị họ sẽ sống như thế trong năm 2023!

Tôi xin tạm chào tạm biệt anh chị em với lời kinh thánh thể đẹp, “Ôi Bữa Tiệc Thánh, trong đó Chúa Kytô được mạc khải, tưởng nhớ cuộc khổ nạn được cử hành, tâm tư được tràn đầy hồng ân, và lời hứa vinh quang tương lai dành cho chúng ta. Lạy Chúa Giêsu, hiện diện với chúng con trong Thánh Thể, chúng con đặt niềm tin vào Ngài; hãy làm cho chúng con là dấu chỉ hiện diện của Ngài (nhấn mạnh thêm lần này).

Hãy nhớ, khi chúng ta cử hành Lễ Sinh Nhật Chúa trong Mùa Giáng Sinh, chúng ta dự đoán trong hy vọng, ngày chúng ta tiến vào đời sống vĩnh cửu với Chúa trên thiên đàng. Khi dâng Lễ, xin nhớ đến anh chị em đang đau lòng hay khóc thương vì đã mất người thân vào trong thời gian này. Tôi cầu nguyện cho anh chị em rằng gia đình và bạn bè sẽ cảm nhận được bình an của Chúa Kytô, bình an đó “ngoài sự hiểu biết của mọi người.”

Tôi sẽ, đương nhiên, nhớ tất cả anh chị em trong tâm hồn trong các Thánh Lễ Giáng Sinh. Nguyện chúc tất cả một Mùa Giáng Sinh thánh đức và Năm Mới tài lộc. BC

December 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

‘Lazy, tepid, sad’: Pope Francis explains how desolation can be turned to good

The Pope Speaks

By HANNAH BROCKHAUS

(Rome CNA) Pope Francis explained recently how times of spiritual desolation — described by St. Ignatius of Loyola as feelings of unquiet, temptation, sadness — can also help bring us closer to God.

“No one wants to be desolate, sad. We would all like a life that is always joyful, cheerful and fulfilled. Yet this, besides not being possible — because it is not possible — would not be good for us either,” the pope said during a recent general audience.

In fact, he added, feelings of sadness or remorse can be the impetus for turning away from a life of vice.

Pope Francis continued his lessons on discernment with a reflection on spiritual desolation at his weekly gathering with the public in St. Peter’s Square.

Quoting from St. Ignatius of Loyola’s spiritual exercises, he said desolation is defined as “darkness of soul, disturbance in it, movement to things low and earthly, the unquiet of different agitations and temptations, moving to want of confidence, without hope, without love, when the soul finds itself all lazy, tepid, sad, and as if separated from its Creator and Lord.”

He said one thing to know about desolation is that it is an invitation to self-reflection.

“It is important to learn how to read sadness,” Pope Francis said. “We all know what sadness is — everyone. But do we know how to read it? Do we know what it means for me, this sadness of

today?”

“In our time, (sadness) is mostly considered negatively, as an ill to avoid at all costs, and instead it can be an indispensable alarm bell for life, inviting us to explore richer and more fertile landscapes that transience and escapism do not permit,” he added.

The pope also pointed to St. Thomas Aquinas’ definition of sadness in the Summa Theologica as a “pain of the soul: Like the nerves for the body, it redirects our attention to a possible danger, or a disregarded benefit.”

He compared the feelings to a red traffic light warning us to stop.

Pope Francis said we should also be aware of how the devil may try to use feelings of sadness or desolation to tempt us away from intentions to live with virtue.

“For those, on the other hand, who have the desire to do good, sadness is an obstacle with which the tempter tries to discourage us,” he explained.

“Think of work, study, prayer, a commitment undertaken: If we abandoned them as soon as we felt boredom or sadness, we would never

complete anything,” he continued. “This is also an experience common to the spiritual life: The road to goodness, the Gospel reminds us, is narrow and uphill; it requires combat, self-conquest.”

He described a common experience: “I begin to pray, or dedicate myself to a good work, and strangely enough, just then things come to mind that need to be done urgently.”

“It is important, for those who want to serve the Lord, not to be led astray by desolation,” he warned, encouraging people to first pause and consider their state of mind before making any drastic decisions.

“A wise rule says not to make changes when you are desolate,” he said, without the help of a good spiritual guide.

The pope concluded by paraphrasing the encouraging words of St. Paul, who wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that no one will be tempted beyond his or her ability, because the Lord never abandons us, and with him near, we can overcome every temptation.

And if we do not succeed today, he said, let us rise up and try again tomorrow. BC

Knee pain keeps Pope Francis seated during weekly audience.

Questions of Faith

When to take the decorations down?

I am a practicing Catholic, but I am confused about when to take down my Christmas decorations. Some people take them down the day after Christmas. When is the proper time?

The problem we face in the U.S. and other Christian countries is the fact that we have two Christmases: 1) the commercial or secular Christmas and 2) the religious celebration of Jesus’ birth. Unfortunately, these two Christmases can often get entangled and confusing.

The secular Christmas “officially” begins on the first week of November. (Some stores start decorating with a Christmas theme even before that.)

The emphasis is on Santa Claus, elves, lights, Christmas trees and buying. The songs are also secular: “Jingle Bells,” “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas,” “Frosty the Snowman,” “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Blue Christmas,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” etc.

For most merchants, the Christmas season ends on Dec. 26 when they try to sell at reduced prices all the Christmas merchandise they did not sell during the last two months.

The religious celebration of Christmas begins on Christmas Eve, December 24. It includes the Feast of the Holy Family; the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God; the Solemnity of the Epiphany, and the Baptism of the Lord. Some religious songs are: “Silent Night, “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “What Child is This?” “Joy to the World,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “O Holy Night,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” etc.

The four weeks before Christmas, Catholic Christians observe the Season

of Advent. Expectation and waiting are the themes for these weeks. In the darkness part of the year, we look forward to the Light of the World coming to us in three ways: History, Mystery and Majesty.

• History: What are the implications for our lives that the Son of God became a human being 2,000 years ago? Jesus came in history to Mary and Joseph. He took on human flesh and became human to unite his nature with ours. St. Athanasius wrote, “Through this union of the immortal Son of God with our human nature, God clothed all human beings with incorruption in the promise of the resurrection.”

• Mystery: What are the implications for us that Christ comes to us today in the Eucharist as food and drink, in the sacraments, in Scripture, in the stranger, and in the events of life? Jesus comes to us in mystery each time we receive him in the Eucharist. St. Augustine preached, “Recognize in the bread what hung on the cross, and in the cup what flowed from his side.”

• Majesty: Are we prepared to meet Christ when he will come at the end of the world to administer eternal justice? Our Gospel reading gives us a glimpse of Christ coming in majesty with power and with glory at his second coming. When Christmas arrives, we will rejoice in the promise that the sun of

justice will come again in majesty to dispel the darkness of injustice, sin and death. During these four weeks, we reflect on these three comings of Christ and their meaning and implications for our lives.

It is during the Advent Season when things get a little messy. Some pastors or church personnel often display a crib inside or outside the church during the Advent Season. Church Christmas parties usually happen during Advent. Sometimes both religious songs and secular songs are played on various media outlets. What often happens is when the real celebration of Christmas takes place people are so worn out that they have had enough Christmas celebrating.

Another confusion in south Louisiana is the end of the “12 days of Christmas,” Jan. 6, the former date for the Feast of the Epiphany, that used to mark the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of the Mardi Gras Season. The church moved the Feast of the Epiphany to the Sunday because of the importance of this feast, but the Mardi Gras people still speak of “the 12th night” as the beginning of Mardi Gras Season.

We should take down our Christmas decorations after the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which in 2023 is Jan. 9. BC

Father Wilmer Todd

Reflections

Readings Between the Lines

“Then the angel said to (the shepherds), ‘Stop fearing, for behold I announce good news to you of great joy, which is for all the people, because today is born for you a savior, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this is the sign for you; you will find an infant swaddled and lying in a manger’” (Luke 2:10-12, translation by Father Glenn LeCompte).

No doubt you are quite familiar with this passage from Luke’s Gospel wherein a heavenly messenger makes a joyful proclamation to shepherds about the birth of a savior in Bethlehem. The shepherds will be able to verify the angel’s message by means of a sign for which they are told to look—an infant swaddled and lying in a manger. A key word in this passage is “sign.” The shepherds’ finding of the infant as described by the angel will confirm the angel’s announcement. But we may ask, “Why this sign in particular?” What is the deeper meaning of an infant swaddled and lying in a manger?

To answer this question let us consider one of the primary aspects of Luke’s story–prophecy and fulfillment. At times Luke depicts characters in his narrative uttering prophecies which find fulfillment within the course of the story. Jesus himself announces beforehand several times that in Jerusalem he will suffer, die and rise again on the third day (9:2122, 43-45; 18:31-34). In other cases, Luke demonstrates that events which happen in his Gospel story (as well as in Acts) fulfill Old Testament prophecy (Luke 4:16-20; Acts 2:14-36). In the Lucan narrative of Jesus’ birth (2:114) prophecy and fulfillment occur when the shepherds find the child as the angel announced. The focus here is not on predicting the future but that what God intends and reveals comes to fulfillment.

The scene of the infant Jesus lying

in a manger might also represent a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, namely, Isaiah 1:2-3: “Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth, for the Lord speaks: Sons have I raised and reared, but they have rebelled against me! An ox knows its owner, and an ass, its master’s manger; But Israel does not know, my people has not understood.” Isaiah is addressing Israelites probably during the reign of King Joram (742-734 B.C.) when Judah enjoyed an age of prosperity, an age which lent itself to the wealthy abusing (3:15) and extorting the poor (5:8-23) while the former lived opulently (3:16-17). Because of these crimes, Isaiah announces that Israel is without understanding. In other words, they are foolish in their refusal to heed the covenant law. To emphasize their folly, Isaiah compares the people to unintelligent, stubborn animals (ox and ass) who at least know to feed from the food trough their master provides. Judah’s level of understanding is below that of oxen and asses who know where to find food. In other words, Isaiah is suggesting that the people learn once again to savor the Lord’s wisdom, to

begin doing what is right.

The laying of the infant Jesus in a manger may symbolize a fulfillment of the desire expressed by God through Isaiah. The coming of Israelite shepherds to see the infant swaddled and laid in a manger at the direction of the divine messenger is an image of Israel coming to embrace God’s justice, reversing the situation of Isaiah’s day. In particular, Israel will find the food of ethical wisdom by accepting the infant swaddled and laid in a manger as its savior.

In several passages in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus offers ethical wisdom in the setting of a banquet. In 14:1-6 Jesus, attending a banquet at a Pharisee’s home on the Sabbath, heals a person with dropsy to point out that the Sabbath work law does not preclude helping a person in need. Jesus likewise uses the occasion to teach a lesson on humility, when he sees guests scrambling to get the places of honor at the banquet (14:7-14). The lesson Jesus teaches here is not only for behavior at banquets but for life in general.

Eucharist and Christmas: Visible signs of spiritual mysteries a

The Eucharist is a spiritual food to which we are drawn not only to

Father Glenn LeCompte

eat physically but also to savor ethical wisdom. Our partaking of the body and blood of Christ at the Eucharist means not only that we receive consecrated elements into our bodies. We are also saying by our participation in this sacrament that we agree to take into our lives the food of ethical wisdom that Jesus offers. John 6:26-59 is usually referred to as the Bread of Life Discourse. When Jesus uses the phrase “Bread of Life” in verses 26-50 he is using the phrase to refer to his teaching. In other words, in John 6:2650, a food metaphor is used for Jesus’ instruction. He refers more specifically to the Eucharistic meal in verses 5159. Why is this metaphor used here? Just as we ingest food and it becomes a part of our physical bodies, so we take Jesus’ teaching into our hearts and minds and let it become the guide by which we live life. When this happens, we present ourselves as God’s faithful people who come to feed on the wisdom of Jesus, who symbolizes that he is the food of wisdom by lying in an animal

food trough. In other words, the visible symbol (infant lying in a manger) points to a spiritual reality behind it (Jesus will provide the instruction that will enable people to do God’s will). Thus, the infant reclined in a feeding trough serves as a “sign” for the shepherds.

We use the word “sign” also in reference to the sacrament of the Eucharist. Christ is present under the forms of bread and wine. What appears as bread and wine says something about how we encounter Christ who is hidden behind what we see. It is not only that Christ is present; he is present as spiritual food for our lives. To receive Christ in the Eucharist is not only to receive him in the consecrated elements; it is to receive everything about him, his teaching and example as a way of life for us. The teaching of Christ is spiritual nourishment for our lives. Therefore, the sign of bread and wine that Jesus appointed as the visible sign under which he would be present to us says something about the nature of that presence.

Jesus’ birth is also a visible sign of a hidden spiritual reality. The human Jesus is the visible sign of the invisible God. The disciples’ faith in Jesus’ divinity was discerned through their experience of his humanity. In Luke 10:24, Jesus says, “... many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.” BC

Reflection Questions

v How has your participation in the sacrament of the holy Eucharist lead you to the ethical wisdom Jesus offers?

v At Christmas we celebrate the truth that the invisible God has been manifested to us in the birth of his divine Son. What implications does this have for our lives?

v What relationship do you see between the infant lying in a manger and the sacrament of the holy Eucharist?

December Scripture Readings

and a listing of Feast days and saints

Second Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 11:1-10 Romans 15:4-9 Matthew 3:1-12

Advent Weekday Isaiah 35:1-10 Luke 5:17-26

Advent Weekday Isaiah 40:1-11 Matthew 18:12-14

Advent Weekday Isaiah 26:1-6 Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Advent Weekday Isaiah 29:17-24 Matthew 9:27-31

Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, priest Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26

Matthew 9:35— 10:1, 5a, 6-8

Third Sunday of Advent Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Zechariah 2:14-17 Luke 1:26-38

Memorial of Saint Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the church Isaiah 40:25-31 Matthew 11:28-30

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Genesis 3:9-15, 20 Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12 Luke 1:26-38

Memorial of Saint Lucy, virgin and martyr Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13 Matthew 21:28-32

Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, priest and doctor of the church Isaiah 45:6b-8, 18, 21c-25 Luke 7:18b-23

Advent Weekday Isaiah 54:1-10 Luke 7:24-30

Advent Weekday Isaiah 48:17-19 Matthew 11:16-19

Advent Weekday Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11 Matthew 17:9a, 10-13

Fourth Sunday of Advent Isaiah 7:10-14 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-24

Advent Weekday Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a Luke 1:5-25

Advent Weekday Isaiah 7:10-14 Luke 1:26-38

Advent Weekday Song of Songs 2:8-14 Luke 1:39-45

Advent Weekday

1 Samuel 1:24-28 Luke 1:46-56

Advent Weekday Isaiah 56:1-3a, 6-8 John 5:33-36

Advent Weekday Genesis 49:2, 8-10 Matthew 1:1-17

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord Isaiah 52:7-10

Hebrews 1:1-6 John 1:1-18

Feast of Saint Stephen, the first martyr Acts 6:8-10; 7:5459 Matthew 10:17-22

Feast of Saint John, apostle and evangelist 1 John 1:1-4 John 20:1a, 2-8

Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs 1 John 1:5—2:2 Matthew 2:13-18

Advent Weekday Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 Luke 1:57-66

Advent Weekday

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 Luke 1:67-79

Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord 1 John 2:3-11 Luke 2:22-35

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

Seventh Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord 1 John 2:18-21 John 1:1-18

Holy Father’s prayer intentions

For volunteer not-for-profit organizations. We pray that volunteer non-profit organizations committed to human development find people dedicated to the common good and ceaselessly seek out new paths to international cooperation.

See www.apostleshipofprayer.org

Life is great Get busy living.

~

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

For More Information Contact: Cherie Gloriso cherieg@stjosephmanor.org

Camino de Santiago

“Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1: 2-4).

These words from St. James at the beginning of his epistle speak to the journey that he walked through his decision to follow Christ. Jesus called James and his brother John as they were fishing with their father Zebedee and his life was never the same. Tradition holds that St. James brought the faith all the way to Spain and after he was martyred in Jerusalem, his remains were brought to Galicia, Spain, to be buried. There is a great cathedral built over his body and the city where he is buried is named after him, Santiago.

Since around the ninth century, pilgrims have traveled from different parts of Europe to Santiago to venerate the burial sight of St. James the Apostle. They would carry a Galician scallop shell to signify that they were “pelegrinos” on the “Camino de Santiago.” Twelve hundred years later, thousands of pilgrims continue to make the journey walking the footsteps of St. James with Santiago as their destination. This past summer, I was blessed to be able to make this pilgrimage.

I heard about the Camino many years before and always had it in the back of my mind as something I would like to do. Watching the movie “The Way,” which is about the Camino only increased this desire. I decided I would try to walk the Camino on the10th anniversary of my ordination, but COVID-19 backed it up a year. I began my journey on June 25 with the hope of finishing the 30-day journey around the feast of St. James on July 25.

I finished the 500-mile journey four

days early on July 20. Walking into the cathedral square in Santiago after 26 days of walking was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I felt as though I had done something truly great. It is a feeling I hope I never forget. As you can imagine, there was a tremendous amount of preparation that happened before walking the Camino. I spoke with lots of people that walked it before and watched many YouTube videos.

I tried to do a fair amount of physical training and even lost 25 pounds

‘God offers me everything that I need to love him with all my heart, mind, soul and strength’

Father André Melancon reflects on the

Very Rev. André Melancon, V.F.

Day 22 was a 14-and-a-half-mile journey from O Cebreiro to Triacastela. Father Melancon is pictured here with the spectacular views of the Cebreiro mountains behind him.

in preparation for the walk. A significant part of my preparation though was spiritual. I viewed the Camino as akin to a 30 day retreat. I knew that there were spiritual graces to receive on this journey and prayed for an openness to receive what the Lord had in store for me.

One significant day on my journey was the day of the anniversary of my father’s death. I realized that it was his anniversary and that also soon, I would turn 39, the same age that he was at the time of his death. It led me to reflect upon my life as a journey with heaven as my true destination. This is the reflection from my journal that day.

I am almost positive that a month out from his 39th birthday, my dad did not think that birthday would be his last. He had done well in his treatments for melanoma and I am sure was excited about life. But almost two months away from his 40th birthday, he died. My dad was a man who loved the Lord very much and he had a holy death. I know he was spiritually well prepared. But it caused me to have a good reflection about my own readiness.

I sincerely hope my next birthday will not be my last, but we are not guaranteed anything. I would love to tell you that I live every day of my life ready for my master’s return, but unfortunately this is not always the case. There are times that I am laxed in my walk with the Lord. I realized today that when this is the case, it is usually caused by a laziness and/or a lack of faith, hope and love.

The Lord helped me to see today how he offers me faith, hope and love every day. He offers me everything that I need to love him with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. I imagined today ways that I can be more consistently open to God’s grace.

This reflection I think sums up the Lord’s spiritual grace for me on my walk.

One of the most significant spots on the Camino is the Cruz de Ferro, which is situated at the highest elevation along the whole Camino. The Cruz de Ferro is a cross where people drop stones, often brought from home, which symbolize a burden that they want to release. Father Melancon says he thought a lot about what burden he wanted the stone he would lay at the cross to symbolize. But, as he threw his stone, the petition that came to his heart was something totally different than what he thought he would say. He explains that it was as if the Lord spoke the burden through him that he wanted Father Melancon to release. He was reminded of the power of the Holy Spirit interceding through us. “If we trust God and give him permission to show us how he wants to work in us, he will work and often he will surprise us. God is the great physician and he knows how we need to be healed. He only asks that we trust him.”

a

As I walked into the cathedral square, my desire for heaven was so strong. I experienced the reality that the pilgrimage of the Camino was a metaphor for our earthly journey to heaven. As the 500 mile journey

required much sacrifice and commitment, our journey to heaven requires even more. But as I quoted St. James at the beginning of this article, “the trials and testing of our faith produces perseverance.”

As we enter this season of Advent, we remember that we are on a journey to heaven. The Lord will come and we want him to find us ready. I am grateful for the opportunity to have walked the Camino. So many people prayed for me and encouraged me along the way. I hope to one day walk it again. I know that the journey changed me for the better and for that I am truly grateful.

(Very Rev. André Melancon, V.F., is the pastor of St. Bernadette Church parish in Houma, and the dean of the Terrebonne Deanery.) BC

All of the Camino’s different routes end in the front of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. The city’s main square, Praza do Obradoiro, in front of the cathedral, is the final destination for many pilgrims. Father Melancon finished his journey in 26 days.

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Father Melancon passes the Monument of the Alto del Perdón, the famous sheet metal statues of pelegrinos (pilgrims) who have journeyed the Camino Santiago in different periods of time, some accompanied by horses, mules and even dogs. The statues are located southwest of Pamplona, Spain.

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Sister Aracely’s Mexican dish

This month’s heavenly recipe, Mole, comes from Sister Aracely Lobatón Rodriguez, M.C.S.H., diocesan director of Hispanic Catholic Ministry. Sister Aracely belongs to the Missionary Catechists of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

Sister Aracely has been in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux for a little over a year. Previously, she was ministering in religious education at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in the diocese of Fort Worth for nine years.

Sister Aracely says that Mole is a popular feast food that comes from Old Mexico. It is often prepared for weddings, baptisms and Quinceaneras. In the older states of Mexico, it is prepared in many different ways.

Sister Aracely learned to cook from her mother. Sister is from Tlaxcala, Mexico. It is a rural area of South Mexico. “My mother is a very good cook. She did all the cooking for our family when I was growing up. She enjoys cooking for the family, which is large.”

Sister Aracely says she began thinking about becoming a religious when she was a young woman. “I was 18 years old when I received a call to a religious life. I prayed about it until I was 23. It was when I was 23 that I entered the convent.”

Sister Aracely says that the sisters in her order value the importance of a community. “We live a communal life, where two or more sisters live together. The community support helps support my faith, and ministry, in turn. We talk about our joys, challenges, troubles. We are there for one another.”

The sisters work with Catholic Hispanics throughout the diocese. “In Houma-Thibodaux we support four Hispanic communities. We work with Hispanics in formation a

Story and Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

Sister Aracely Rodriguez, M.C.S.H.

Mole

Ingredients:

6 chicken legs or thighs

225 grams of mulato pepper

200 grams of ancho pepper

115 grams of pasilla pepper

85 grams of sesame seeds 85 grams of peanuts

1 piece of bread, hard 200 grams of butter

Directions:

1 chocolate cube 250 grams of onion 6 cloves of garlic 5 pieces of cloves

1 cinnamon stick 4 liters of chicken broth 1 pinch of salt to taste 85 grams of almonds 1 handful of raisins

Wash the chicken; remove the skin, and boil it in water until it is completely covered. Add a piece of onion, 2 cloves of garlic and salt to taste so that the meat acquires a touch of flavor. Separately, wash the peppers and let them drain. Remove the stalk from the peppers and devein them. Put a frying pan on the stove over medium heat. Place a spoonful of butter and begin to fry the chiles lightly. Once fried, soak them in a little of the broth left over from cooking the chicken. In another frying pan, toast the sesame seeds, the almonds, peanuts and raisins in butter to continue with the mole sauce, then add the pepper, cinnamon and cloves. Separately, roast the onion and the garlic.

Next, grind the peppers and add the fried and roasted ingredients to prepare the mole. Strain the sauce and return the residue to the blender to continue grinding.

We continue grinding the peppers and add the bread. To facilitate the grinding, add the broth from the boiled chicken.

Once everything is ground, put it on the stove over medium heat. It is important to keep moving the mole sauce to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Continue cooking for approximately 40 minutes. During this time, the mole will get darker.

When it starts to boil, add the chocolate and salt to taste. Continue boiling the mole with chocolate for 20 minutes more and add the cooked chicken.

Serve the mole with chicken, red rice and warm tortillas.

for sacraments, weddings, baptisms and confirmations. We prepare Hispanic leaders for the Catholic church. We also facilitate activities in the Hispanic community. We work with engaged couples for marriage preparation. Our sisters also direct RCIA classes in the community.”

The sisters offer a wide range of help to the Hispanic people of the diocese. “We help people with their needs. We provide interpretation for many Hispanics when they visit the doctor or when they find themselves needing help in the broader community.”

This month Hispanics all over will be celebrating a feast which is central to their faith. “Our Lady of Guadalupe is the mother figure for many Hispanics. We look to Our Lady who always points us to Christ. We pray the rosary in our homes for 46 days. During the celebration, the bishop or the priest helps us to focus our faith in Jesus. Our Lady guides us to Jesus.”

Sister Aracely feels at home in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. “I am happy in HoumaThibodaux. I love the people. I love my vocation. I hope to be here for many years. I feel very welcomed here.” BC

Wedding Anniversaries

All couples married in the Catholic Church who are celebrating their 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th and beyond wedding anniversary during 2022 were invited to a Liturgy of the Word sponsored by the diocesan Office of Worship. Very Rev. P.J. Madden presided over the liturgy where 227 couples were honored.

25th Anniversary Jubilarians

Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma: George and Sandra Medley Falcon; Holy Cross, Morgan City: Tate and Michele Daigle Besse; Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Golden Meadow: Carl and Tammy Toups Gaspard, Robert and LaShone King Plaisance, Jeff and Renee Hebert Trosclair; Our Lady of the Rosary, Larose: Darby and Audra Nickole Rushing Chiasson; Sacred Heart, Cut Off: John and Erin Ledet Danos, Kerry and Denise Dominique Gaspard, Peter and Bonny Guidry Louiviere, Jarod and Dawn Doucet Theriot; St. Bernadette, Houma: Mark and Gwendolyn LeBlanc Naquin; St. Genevieve, Thibodaux: Dean and Inger Marie Hoffman Matherne, Jeromy and Amy Pitre Barker; St. Gregory Barbarigo, Houma: Robert and Emily Henry Stoufflet, Douglas and Bridget Clune Breaux; St. Hilary of Poitiers, Mathews: Tony and Jamie St. Pe’ Cheramie, Kevin and Melanie-Angel Daigle St. Pe’; St. Joseph, Galliano: Harold Sr. and Rae Rousse Dufrene; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Davey and Kimberly Boudreaux Arabie, Steven and Nicole Breaux Hebert, Robert and Phyllis Autin Kliebert; 40th Anniversary Jubilarians Cathedral of St Francis de Sales, Houma: Thomas and Charlene Champagne Chauvin, Stephen and Judy Bonvillain Kelton; Christ the Redeemer, Thibodaux: Farrell and Wanda Bourgeois Alleman, Gerald and Nancy Becnel Miller, Paul III and Donna Bourgeois Naquin; Community of St. Anthony, Gheens: Douglas and

Very Rev. Patrick (P.J.) Madden presided over the annual wedding anniversary celebration recently at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux, which honored 227 couples. Anniversary couples with Father P.J. are Tate and Michele Besse, 25 years; Gerald and Nancy Miller, 40 years; Rickie and Gwynne Pitre, 50 years; and Gary Sr. and Marcelle Labat, 62 years.

Janice Hammel Delatte; Holy Cross, Morgan City: Kevin and Tammy Williams Verrett; Maria Immacolata, Houma: Gene and Carlin Boquet Martin, Vincent and Sally Cancienne Dagate Jr.; Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Chackbay: Randal and Corinthia Robinson Reulet, Randall and Jennifer Hymel Zeringue; Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Golden Meadow: James and Connie Charpentier Bouziga, Thomas and Tina Louviere Crosby, Kent and Nanette Pitre Ledet; Sacred Heart, Cut Off: Aubrey and Tammy Dufrene Eymard, John and Rachelle Orgeron Hebert, Rodney and Torey Bruce Terrebonne; Sacred Heart, Morgan City: Ronald and Mary Russo Berry; St. Anthony of Padua, Bayou Black: Mark and Bernardine LeBlanc Morgan; St. Genevieve, Thibodaux: Lane and Dana Hidalgo Chiasson, Dale and Robyn Oubre Cooley, Joel and Cindy Benoit Toloudis; St. Hilary of Poitiers, Mathews: Danny and Edna Bonvillion Boudreaux,

Paul and Nancy Autin Curole, Jude and Annie Pitre Dufrene, Rhett and Moraine Adams Griffin, Scott and Sharon Robichaux Guidry, Mitchel and Robin Hebert Guillot, Nga and Johnna Detillier Le; St Joseph, Galliano: James and Lydia Hebert Gaspard; St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux: Troy and Anne Prejeant Baronet, Jerome and Betty Borne Danos, Barry and Danette Rogers Hebert, James and Louise Richard Ledet;

St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Joey and Karen Bourgeois Breaux, Danny and Melissa Monier Hymel, Timothy and Janie Dufrene Martin, Dennis and Tammy Bourgeois Plaisance, Randall and Leslie Blanchard Robichaux, James and Susan Duplantis Saucier, Allan and Kim Morvant Walker; 50th Anniversary Jubilarians

Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma: Wilson and Karen George Maloz; Annunziata, Houma: Larry and Mary Kay Brooks Frederick; Christ the Redeemer, Thibodaux: Randy and Geraldine Scioneaux Himel;

Diocese honors 227 couples a

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Community of St. Anthony, Gheens: Dally and Brenda Pierce Breaux Jr.; Holy Savior, Lockport: Chris and Gayle Gaudet Arceneaux; Maria Immacolata, Houma: Kenneth and Yolanda Vita Trahan;

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Golden Meadow: Randall and Dinah Smith Allemand, Wayne and Paula Birdsall Callais, Chris and Evette Ledet Gaspard, Daniel and Loretta Leger Lorraine; Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Houma: J. Rene’ and Marsha Eschete Williams; Our Lady of the Rosary, Larose: Carl and Susie Lefort Plaisance; Sacred Heart, Cut Off: Lon and Elizabeth Williams Griffin, Wayne and Jerrie Charpentier Tyler; St. Anthony of Padua, Bayou Black: Kerry and Jan Boudloche Bueche; St. Bernadette, Houma: David and Robbie Arceneaux Falgout, Martin and Kathy Fournier Fournier, Harold and Jonell Tranchina Hirsch, Malcom and Peggy Adams Labat; St. Bridget, Schriever: John and Angela Ledet Corbin; St. Charles Borromeo, Pointe-aux-Chenes: Archie and Elwanda Levron Dupre, Ray and Delinda Dupre LeBoeuf; St Charles Borromeo, St. Charles Community: David and Annette Rousselle Champagne, Barry and Susan Hebert Verdun; St. Genevieve, Thibodaux: Nathan and JoAnn Boudreaux Granier, Edmond and Shelia Adams Guillot, Michael and Jeanne Becnel Pittman; St. Gregory Barbarigo, Houma: Stephen and Gloria LeBouef Boudreaux; St. Hilary of Poitiers, Mathews: Benny and Annette Gaudet Adams, Irvin and Judy Rogers Bourg, Clyde and Sylvia Richard Bourgeois, Randolph and Stephanie Forrestier Dandry, Kerry and Laura Martinez St. Pe’; St. John the Evangelist, Thibodaux: Blair and Sher Weeks Broussard, Lawrence and Vanessa Falgoust Loupe; St. Joseph, Chauvin: Craig and Della Henry Authement, Jerry and Regina Manzo Foret, Russell and Jeanie Authement Liner, Terry and Billie Duplantis Matherne, Jerome and Evelyn LeCompte Pellegrin, Allen and Doris Brunet Punch; St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux: Kent and Loretta Rousseau Lirette, Robert and Penny Cutrera Naquin, Ronald and Janet Percle Oncale, Michael and Roslyn Legendre Rhodes, Christopher and Mary Webre Terracina, Manuel

and Elaine Loupe Vedros; St. Lawrence the Martyr, Kraemer: Steve and Marilyn Cortez Delatte; St. Louis, Bayou Blue: Curtis and Dorothy Gregoire Billot, Rickie and Gwynne Eschete Pitre; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Lillier and Linda Babin Adams, Ray and Glenda LeCompte Chiasson, Allen and Shelly Breaux Hebert, Jerry and Diana Sapia Martin; St. Thomas Aquinas, Thibodaux: James and Violet Chauvin Chiasson; 60th Anniversary Jubilarians Cathedral of St Francis de Sales, Houma: Jerome and Carmel Breaux Daigle, Clifton and Kay Evans Stoufflet; Annunziata, Houma: Donald and Betty Houck Chauvin; Christ the Redeemer, Thibodaux: Charles III and Gale Thibodaux Braud, Toby and Garnet Becnel Granier; Holy Cross, Morgan City: Jerry and Denise Parra Bostic; Holy Savior, Lockport: Kenneth and Pamela Zeringue Plaisance; Maria Immacolata, Houma: Irvin and Glorise Hebert Bergeron;

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Houma: James and Jane Cunningham Breaux; Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Chackbay: Elves and Therese Lassere Mars, Larry and Lillian Rodrigue Ordoyne; Our Lady of the Rosary, Larose: Earl and Eva Chabert Legendre; Sacred Heart, Cut Off: Dave and Betty Chouest Bourgeois, Theodore and Joycelyn Badeaux Renois, Elmo and Doris Chabert Robichaux; St. Bernadette, Houma: Whitney Jr. and Janice Blanchard Armond, Donald and Mercedes Leonard Bascle; St. Bridget, Schriever: Harold and Clara Foret Sevin, Leo and Una Gros Terracina; St. Genevieve, Thibodaux: Earl and Vardell Babin Andras; St. Gregory Barbarigo, Houma: Ray and Alice Hebert Leonard, Clay and Carolyn Hebert Theriot; St. Hilary of Poitiers, Mathews: Charles and Carol Schouest LeBlanc, Donald and Clara Brocato Theriot;

St. John the Evangelist, Thibodaux: Earl and Evelyn LeBlanc Navarre; St. Joseph, Chauvin: Leland and Emily Dupre Neil, Donald and Frances Cadiere Tivet; St. Joseph CoCathedral, Thibodaux: Leo and Gaynell Waguespack Bourgeois, Roland and Elaine Sampey Clement; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Roland and Diana Babin Griffin;

61st Jubilarians

Annunziata, Houma: Richard and Mary LeBoeuf Naquin; Sacred Heart, Cut Off: Teddy and Betty Chabert Orgeron, Elson and Priscilla Pierce Trahan; St. Charles Borromeo, St. Charles Community: Rudie and JoAnn Theriot Bourgeois, Philip and Charlene Brown Ledet, Charles and Patricia Ball Zeringue; St. Hilary of Poitiers, Mathews: Herbert and Sandra Hill Theriot; St. Joseph, Chauvin: Carroll and Yvonne Carlos Charpentier; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Kirn and Betty Davis Cavalier, Richard and Lois Mire Gauthreaux, Norman Jr. and Carolyn Folse Legendre; 62nd Jubilarians

Annunziata, Houma: Roy and Mary Jo Smith Burns, Shelby and Celeste Peltier Loyd; Maria Immacolata, Houma: Gary Sr. and Marcelle Ledet Labat; Sacred Heart, Cut Off: Clarence and Genevieve Dantin Artigue; Sacred Heart, Morgan City: James and Elaine Barras Williams; St Charles Borromeo, St. Charles Community: Melvin and Linda Helen Bourgeois Morvant; St. Eloi, Theriot: Robert and Patricia Clement Vice; St. Hilary of Poitiers, Mathews: Norman and Carolyn LeBlanc Gaudet; St. John the Evangelist, Thibodaux: Leonard and Rhoda Leray Zeringue; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Roy and Deanna Foret Griffin, Nessie and Alice Tastet Plaisance; St. Thomas Aquinas, Thibodaux: Terry and Hazel Cheramie Dantin; 63rd Jubilarians

Annunziata, Houma: T.J. and Barbara Songy Nelson; Maria Immacolata, Houma: Gary and Virginia Hungerford Pierce; St Charles Borromeo, St. Charles Community: Leroy and Betty Barrilleaux Andras; St. Genevieve, Thibodaux: Lawrence and Vernie Mae Matherne Torres; St. Hilary of Poitiers, Mathews: Chester and Ena Foret Boudreaux; St. Lawrence, Chacahoula: Julien and Sandra Tauzan Boudreaux; St. Louis, Bayou Blue: Raymond and Anna Triche Himel; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Steve and Myrtle Naquin Bourgeois, Eldon and Mary Landry Breaux, Stanley and Merly Cunningham Foret, Robert and Geraldine Dupre Thomassie; 64th Jubilarians

Cathedral of St. Francis de

Sales, Houma: Gerald and Carol Himel Collins; Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Chackbay: Earl and Judy Benoit Guidry; St. Gregory Barbarigo, Houma: Alva and Felicie Cenac Eschete; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Clifton and Anna Hebert Champagne, Ferrel and Geraldine Rumore Falgout, Cleveland and Joan Baudoin Foret, Leroy and Rhea Terrebonne Foret, Herbert and Ethel Hebert Guidry; 65th Jubilarians

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Chackbay: Joseph and Nellie Gauthreaux Clement; St. Anthony of Padua, Bayou Black: Essie and Marceline Landry Cavalier; St. Charles Borromeo, St. Charles Community: Jerry and Carol Aupied Guillot; St. Gregory Barbarigo, Houma: Carroll and Betty Rhodes Lirette; St. Joseph, Galliano: Claude and Deanna Dantin Blanchard; St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux: Ruben and Shirley Durocher Boudreaux; St. Louis, Bayou Blue: Hartley and Mary Blanchard Dupre, Henry and Dolores Stelly Martin; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Carroll and Gale Sampey Foret, Milton and June LeCompte

Robichaux; 66th Jubilarians

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Chackbay: Albert and Betty Landry Boudreaux; St. Anthony of Padua, Bayou Black: Ernest and Audrey Schexnayder Miller, Jimmie and Janice Gautreau Sullivan; St. Gregory Barbarigo, Houma: Rodney and Shirley Robichaux Bollinger; St. Joseph, Chauvin: Magnal and Mildred Gilfour Martin; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Arthur and Vera Richard Cortez, Martin and Gwen Barbier St. Romain; 67th Jubilarians

Sacred Heart, Cut Off: Numa and Melvina Schouest Breaux; St. Genevieve, Thibodaux: Louis III and Shirley LeRay Adams; St. Louis, Bayou Blue: Julius and Roberta Cunningham Fanguy; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Ricardo and Marion Babin Labat, Rudolph and Rose Guidry Robichaux; 68th Jubilarians

Sacred Heart, Montegut: Lionel and Theresa Hutchinson Pitre; St. Joseph, Chauvin: Eugene and Yvonne LeBoeuf Soudelier; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Eroy and Rosalie Robichaux Benoit, Virgy and Mary Bonvillian

Estay; 69th Jubilarians

St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux: Roland and Frances Blanchard Bourgeois; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Leonard and Alice Robichaux Borne, Benjamin and Gertrude Champagne Matherne; 70th Jubilarians

St. Joseph, Galliano: Kearn and Lolita Guidry Chouest; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Larry and Daisy Pierce Galjour; 71st Jubilarians

St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Dudley and Betty Foret Adams, Harrison and Jeannette Gervais Matherne; 74th Jubilarians

St. Joseph, Galliano: James and Irma Cheramie Cheramie; 76th Jubilarians

St. Joseph, Chauvin: Claude and Merle Lapeyrouse Lirette; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Camille and Aline Borne St. Pierre; 80th Jubilarians

St. Charles Borromeo, St. Charles Community: Joseph and Erline Ledet Toups. BC

Houma-Thibodaux

December Daily Prayer

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

and we love and pray

them in Your Holy Name, today especially for _______________________. Amen.

Jesus,

for

Sponsored by: of the Word

Cardinal Drive, Thibodaux, LA • marianservantsoftheword@gmail.com

Very Rev. Patrick J. Madden Rev. Duc Bui Rev. Stephen Castille

Rev. Joseph Chacko Rev. Cody Chatagnier Deacon John Mattingly Rev. Jackson Cleetus Rev. Carl Collins Rev. Van Constant Seminarian Wayne Romero

Rev. Robert-Joel Cruz Very Rev. Vicente De La Cruz, V.F. Rev. Daniel Duplantis Msgr. Cletus Egbi Very Rev. Simon Peter Engurait Deacon Jeff Pitre Rev. Antonio Farrugia

Rev. Gregory Fratt

Friar Nathaniel Maria Gadalia Rev. Alex Gaudet Rev. Rholando Grecia Sister Miriam Theresa Mire, CSJ Rev. Rajasekar Karumelnathan Rev. Francis Kayaye

Rev. Noas Kerketta Rev. Thomas Kuriakose Rev. Baby Kuruvilla Deacon Chris Prestenback Rev. Brett Lapeyrouse Rev. Alex Lazarra Bishop Emeritus Sam G. Jacobs

for Priests, Deacons, Religious and Seminarians

FILIPINO CELEBRaTION MASS HONORS FILIPINO SAINTS

Filipinos from across the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux gathered at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux for a Filipino Mass celebrating the feast of St. Lawrence Ruiz and St. Peter Calungsod. Bishop Oscar Solis of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, UT, was the main celebrant of the Mass, which was concelebrated by priests of the diocese. BC

Chatagnier

Photos by Lawrence

2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Joyful Reunion

By Louis G. Aguirre Patience is a virtue!

Three priests, one 93, another 92 and the youngest, 88, finally reunited for a memorable get-together in October of this year after waiting for many months, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Msgr. Allen Roy, the senior member in the group was born in New Roads, LA, the same birthplace as Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre, fourth bishop of Houma-Thibodaux and now Archbishop of Louisville; KY; Father Jules Brunet, and his youngest brother, Msgr. Frederic Brunet, both Thibodaux natives. The three were finally blessed with a reunion at Our Lady of Wisdom Health Center on the West Bank in New Orleans, where Msgr. Allen resides.

All three have connections that go back to the 1940s. Msgr. Allen and Father Jules were seminarians at St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict, LA. From there they went to Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans and were ordained to the priesthood in 1954 and 1955 respectively. As the two remember well, the original class was divided into two because otherwise there would not have been ordinations in 1955.

Msgr. Allen and Father Jules kid each other about not being ordained together. The group in 1954 claimed they were ordained earlier because they had “character.” The 1955 group responded that they were “characters.”

Msgr. Fred was ordained on the same day as Father Jules, June 4, but in 1960. All served the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Father Jules was in Baton Rouge and one year later the Diocese of Baton Rouge was created. Msgr. Allen served the archdiocese all his life while Msgr. Fred was serving in Houma-Thibodaux when the new diocese was established in 1977.

Msgr. Allen served in many capacities including associate pastor in two parishes and as pastor in three. He had the pleasure of serving as pastor of St. Joseph in Chauvin from 1966 to 1972 when Msgr. Fred followed him as pastor there. Later, Msgr. Allen served as founding pastor of Holy Spirit in Algiers until his retirement in 2011. Last month Holy Spirit celebrated its 50th anniversary and Archbishop Gregory Aymond was the main celebrant of the Mass. The archbishop praised and blessed Msgr. Allen for his tireless work, as did the parishioners.

Of interest is the fact that Msgr. Allen started Lagniappe on the Bayou fair and festival while in Chauvin. It started small but grew progressively. When Msgr. Fred took over as pastor, the fair became the largest in the diocese.

In Baton Rouge, Father Jules served as associate pastor in nine parishes and five as pastor. With a big smile he says that serving in all those parishes made him say to his friends “Have chalice, will travel.”

Father Jules retired in 2009 after 54 years of dedicated service to the church. He returned home to Thibodaux where he now lives with his brother Msgr. Fred.

Father Jules has a great love for the Trinity, a subject that he has studied and taught for many years. In our diocese in particular, he has been teaching about the Trinity at St.

Thomas Aquinas Church for over 10 years. He also taught Adult Faith Formation classes in Theology at the Pastoral Center in Schriever.

Msgr. Fred served as associate pastor in three parishes then was a faculty member and eventually rector of St. John Vianney Preparatory School in New Orleans. As pastor in Chauvin he served for 42 years and even to this day is beloved by the people in and around the bayous in Terrebonne Parish. He retired in 2014. Among his many accomplishments, he served the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux as finance officer, as a member of the Apostolic Administrator’s Cabinet and as a Member of the Bishop’s Cabinet from 2003 until his retirement. He has held many other positions, too numerous to list. Notably at different times his accomplishments include member of the Priests Council, Diocesan Consultor, Dean of the Terrebonne Deanery, director of Cemeteries and vicar for Deacons, to name a few.

I am personally good friends with all three priests and it was a privilege to be with them and to see them reminisce, laugh and to listen to their stories of a happy past and present. The day included lunch and lots of fun. They have vowed to, God willing, continue to have these joyful reunions.

I interviewed each and asked them about their impressions. Each and every one of them echoed each others’ feelings of happiness and mutual admiration for their accomplishments in ministering for the church. The three expressed the joy of serving the People of God and their personal love for the priesthood.

May God continue to bless Msgr. Allen, Father Jules and Msgr. Fred. They have been an immeasurable gift to the church!

(Louis G. Aguirre served the church for 45 years in three different dioceses, including Houma-Thibodaux from its inception in1977 until his retirement in 2016. He is the founding editor of Bayou Catholic.) BC

Standing from left are Father Jules Brunet and Msgr. Frederic Brunet. Seated is Msgr. Allen Roy.

LOUIS G. AGUIRRE/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Seminarian eDucation burSeS

Seminarian

Seminarian Spotlight

Ryan Thibodaux

Our Lady of the Rosary Church parish, Larose

n What are you looking forward to most about priesthood?

I am most looking forward to forgiving sins and counseling people in my priesthood … getting the junk out of the way so that there is more room for Jesus.

n Who is your favorite saint and why?

My favorite saint is Saint Ignatius of Loyola because of his soldier for Christ mentality. He always gave more to build the kingdom of God.

n If your brain could download all the knowledge from one area of study, which area would you choose?

If my brain could absorb all the knowledge of one subject it would be foreign languages so that I can talk to any person from any culture.

n What is your favorite hobby?

My favorite hobby is playing any sports. I will be an athlete priest.

n Do you have a secret talent?

I guess you can say that my secret talent is that I am learning to play guitar.

DiD you know?

Youth in action

Patrick Mustin

School: St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic School, Houma Grade: 7th Church Parish: St. Gregory Barbarigo

Describe your family unit: Lori, mother; Brian, father; Parker (10th grader at VCHS) and Preston (2nd grader at St. Gregory School), brothers

Favorite Hobby: Video games, playing sports (on the VCHS 7th/8th grade football team)

Favorite Movie: Jurassic Park

Favorite TV show: Cobra Cai

Favorite Genre of Music: Rock

What are some ways that you can promote the spirituality of Christmas?

It is extremely important to keep Christ in everything we do during Christmas since he is truly the reason for the season. Christ should always be the center of the Christmas.

You can promote the spirituality of Christmas by:

• Reading a daily Advent devotional.

• Reading the story of Jesus’ birth to remember the hardships Mary and Joseph went through, as well as the happiness that was felt in welcoming “the king” into the world.

• Putting up a Nativity or even visiting a nativity.

• Being a part of the school Christmas program

• Attending Christmas Mass with family is the best way to promote the spirituality of Christmas.

Merry CHRISTmas and God Bless! BC

In 2003, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which developed a series of practical and pastoral steps to be taken in prevention of abuse of minors. These steps include development of procedures suitable for assisting with the healing and reconciliation of the victims of such abuse, to guarantee an effective response to allegations of sexual abuse of minors, to ensure the accountability of our procedures and to protect the faithful in the future.

To ensure compliance with the Charter, each diocese/eparchy must complete an annual audit instrument and is subject to an on-site audit every three years.

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux’s last on-site audit was in August of this year and the diocese was once again found to be compliant with the Charter.

The following letter was sent to Very Rev. Patrick J. (P.J.) Madden, administrator of the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux.

“Based on the results of our recently performed on-site audit of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, the diocese has been found compliant with all audited Articles within the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People for the audit period of July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2022.

“The conclusions reached as to the compliance of the diocese are based upon inquiry, observation, and the review of specifically requested documentation furnished to StoneBridge Business Partners of Rochester, New York during the course of this audit.”

“The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is committed to protecting its children from abuse and will continue to screen adults working with children; to develop and provide Safe Environment training for both adults and children; and to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Charter,” says Very Rev. Patrick J. (P.J.) Madden. BC

2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Diocese is compliant with Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

Spiritual epiphany

Faith helps man find solace with disease

By Debbie Shelley The Catholic Commentator

When he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1998, Jack Kellerman wrestled with the natural pull to focus on his condition in terms of it “stripping away” what he can do.

But through a journey of faith, God has given Kellerman the gift of showing him that the Lord is with him and giving Kellerman abilities to do more than he could have ever imagined.

A native of Morganza, Kellerman, 54, moved to Baton Rouge after graduating from LSU with a degree in landscape architecture and land planning. While at LSU, Kellerman dated his wife, Suzanne, a New Roads native whom he already knew. The Kellermans married at St. Mary of False River Church in New Roads.

With an expanding family, the Kellerman’s welcomed a son in 1998, the third of five children. About a week later, Jack got out of bed and was so dizzy he fell. He went to the emergency room and the doctors thought he had vertigo.

Two weeks later Kellerman, who was 30 years old at the time, went to see a neurologist and after an MRI and other medical tests was told he had MS.

Over time, Kellerman’s symptoms have progressed. He went from walking with a cane to using a walker, then to a wheelchair and is now bed-ridden and paralyzed, except for his right hand, which is becoming an increasing challenge.

“When I was first diagnosed I thought how am I going to be able to take care of my family and am I going to die at a young age; what’s going to happen in the future?” said Kellerman.

Once bed-ridden, Kellerman occupied his time with television and

social media.

“After doing that for three years I had a spiritual epiphany,” said Kellerman. “I said, ‘Enough is enough. My body is failing me, but my mind is not.’”

In October 2021, he started praying more and when Communion was brought to him at home, it had much more significance “than it ever had” in his life.

He also began to accept the limitations of his disease.

“It took stripping everything from me to get to a place where I now put my ultimate trust in God,” said Kellerman. “The suffering and struggles that Suzanne and I have been through have brought us closer together and brought me much deeper in my faith.”

The couple prays the rosary together and use the daily rosary mediation app with Dr. Mike Scherschligt.

Kellerman said despite the trials and difficulties, God has made his presence known in his life. As Kellerman was struggling with his worries about his family and his future shortly after his diagnosis, he had a dream.

“I can remember it like it was yesterday,” said Kellerman. “I was in a room and there was no furniture and everything was white. And I heard a voice saying, ‘I will always be with you and I will never leave you.’ And I thought to myself in the dream, is this

God? And the voice said ‘Yes, it’s me.’”

About three months went by and Kellerman began to doubt himself.

But God sent Kellerman a personal confirmation following a youth confirmation at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge, their home parish.

The Kellermans, who actively served OLOM, assisted Kathy Screen, then religious education director, with the confirmation program.

The Kellermans were talking with Screen following the confirmation when Archbishop Emeritus Alfred C. Hughes, then bishop of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, walked up. Archbishop Hughes knew Kellerman, who had received the Mercy Men’s Anchor Award in 2018, through the confirmation program.

“And the bishop said, ‘(then-pastor Father Mike Moroney) has told me about your diagnosis and I have a message from God. And God wants you to know that he will always be with you and he will never leave you,’” Kellerman said.

Someone then came up and requested to have a picture taken with Archbishop Hughes and he walked away.

“We couldn’t even speak; we were all teared up. And the three of us were just looking at each other with awe,” said Kellerman.

He told then OLOM parochial

Jack Kellerman’s family and faith bring him support as he keeps a productive life in the midst of battling Multiple Sclerosis. Pictured with Kellerman and wife, Suzanne, is their grandson, Walter Hogan.

PHOTO PROVIDED BYJACK KELLERMAN

Special

vicar Father Vic Messina about his dream and the archbishop’s message, and Father Messina told him that “God knew that it would carry a lot of weight (in settling the doubt) with a comment from (Archbishop) Hughes.”

As God has blessed Kellerman spiritually he allowed him to use his gifts and talents to invent the Zip Quicker, which makes for an easier, neater process of putting foods and liquids into a plastic storage bag.

Kellerman had the idea for years, before his diagnosis but never acted upon it. The product quickly grew in demand and today he has an “overseas virtual assistant” and works full time managing his company from his bed.

Kellerman said he is grateful to be able to live to his fullest ability and has the love and support of his family.

“Jack is an amazing person who has carried his daily cross with so much strength and grace,” said Suzanne. “He has truly been a witness to God’s grace and goodness, not only for our family but for so many people who see joy through his love for life. Jack has touched so many people through his daily outlook on his faith and on God’s blessings in his life.”

Kellerman shares his story in order to show God’s faithfulness to urge people who are in difficult situations to offer what they can to God and he will “multiply it.”

“I hope that our story will help people in challenging situations to know they can still be productive and have a wonderful life. And hopefully people who are ‘just going through everyday life’ not having any particular health issues or difficult challenges to see how good their life is and to be thankful for that,’” Kellerman said. BC

Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass

Am I not here, I who am your Mother? ¿No estor yo aquí que soy tu Madre?

The Hispanic Communities of Christ the Redeemer Thibodaux, St. Andrew Amelia, Sacred Heart, Cut Off, and Annunziata Houma, Are pleased to invite you and all your family to celebrate together Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast

December 12, 2022

Christ the Redeemer, Catholic Church 720 Talbot Ave, Thibodaux, LA 70301

6:00 PM

Pray the Holy Rosary/ Santo Rosario 7:00 PM Holy Mass/ Santa Misa 8:00 PM

Reception with Matachines and songs/ Recepcion y danzas con matachines y cantos

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Office of Hispanic Ministry

2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

HONORING

ST. MARTIN DE PORRES

Very Rev. Patrick J. (P.J.) Madden was the main celebrant of the St. Martin de Porres Mass for Black Catholics at St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Thibodaux recently. The Mass, which was concelebrated by priests of the diocese, was celebrated in conjunction with the feast of St. Martin de Porres. BC

Houma-Thibodaux

Photos by Maegan Martin

Let’s come together at Mass

Letter to the Editor:

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we were all looking forward to being able to be with all our loved ones again – to listen, to share, to celebrate with a meal.

And why? Because we’re in love.

We’re in love with our family and friends, with the life we share together, with our community, with this wonderful world God has given us. Mere on-line contact is not enough. We’re not content to phone in our love.

And so, the same can be said of our church. Don’t we miss our church family, gathering to celebrate at the table of the Lord? Or are we satisfied with livestreaming our relationship with the Lord and his people?

We know and believe that we have the greatest treasure

ever given to humanity: The real presence of Jesus himself— body, blood, soul and divinity—in the Eucharist. He is there in every tabernacle and adoration chapel, longing and waiting for us to come to him, so that he can share his very self with us and fill us with his sacramental grace. Yes, he is with us always, wherever we are, just as he promised; but in the Eucharist, he enables us to sit at his feet just as the first disciples did.

So come, let us renew our love for the Lord and his church, and come together at Mass to celebrate this wonderful gift, this wonderful life, this wonderful world.

In Jesus and Mary, Glenn and Theresa LeBoeuf Houma, LA BC

CRS and reauthorization of 2023 Farm Bill

At a meeting recently at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Schriever, Very Rev. P.J. Madden, diocesan administrator; Chamon Williams, executive director of Catholic Charities Diocese of HoumaThibodaux; and Very Rev. Simon Peter Engurait met with U.S. Congressman Garret Graves, and his aids Zach Barnett and Christian Bergeron to discuss the reauthorization of the 2023 Farm Bill. Also joining the meeting via Zoom was Catholic Relief Services (CRS) regional coordinator Amelie Desormeaux, and CRS representative Rob Gorman. CRS has played an instrumental role in partnering with the U.S. government to enact important reforms to U.S. food assistance programs. A critical vehicle for

change has been through the Farm Bill process – most recently the 2018 Farm Bill – in which CRS has engaged House and Senate Agriculture Committee members on policy proposals to improve impact and efficiency of programs CRS implements.

As Congress embarks on the 2023 Farm Bill drafting process, CRS is asking to reauthorize Title II Food for Peace, including the ability to use the Community Development Fund for nonemergency Title II programs. This food aid reform was created in partnership with InterAction, the largest alliance of poverty-focused INGOs working in the U.S.

Title II Food for Peace (FFP) programs

provide emergency and development food assistance to combat hunger and malnutrition worldwide. Emergency food assistance is delivered primarily to communities affected by recurrent crises such as climate variability, violent conflict, extreme weather disasters, and chronic food insecurity. Development food assistance complements emergency food assistance, working where communities require agricultural system strengthening, improved nutrition services, livelihood diversification, and integrated adaptation approaches to effectively build resilience to unanticipated and recurrent shocks. BC

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

“Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from darkness, and darkness around you will be as bright as day. The Lord will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy. You will be like a wellwatered garden, like an ever-flowing spring” (Isaiah 58:10-11).

In keeping with this spirit, Catholic

Catholic Charities: Putting faith into action

Charities of the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux serves the missionary heart of the church by addressing needs of individuals and families, while providing opportunities for disciples to put their faith into action. Each day we serve our community through four primary pillars: Feeding, clothing, sheltering and comforting our people.

The services of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux are made possible by the generosity of our community, especially through our Christmas Collection. Since of the month of July, our ministries have served the community as follows:

• Feeding Ministry has served 641 households.

• Clothing Ministry has served 20 households.

• Sheltering Ministry served 155 individuals and families.

• Comforting ministries have served 194 individuals and families.

During this season, I ask that you continue to put your faith into action as we serve the less fortunate within our surrounding community. Please join me in supporting Catholic Charities through a financial gift in the Christmas Collection.

Please know that we are eternally grateful for your prayers and gifts. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family abundantly this Christmas and throughout the new year!

(Chamon L. Williams is the executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.) BC

Chamon Williams

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Overtime

What we are hearing from many is that the Southeastern Conference football paradigm has changed.

The Nick Saban era of dominance at Alabama is over. It allegedly ended on the first Saturday night of November in Baton Rouge with a 32-31 overtime loss to LSU.

The Tigers are ready to pass the Tide in the Western Division, and everyone in the league is looking up at the University of Georgia.

When I hear that, I chuckle.

Leave it to Lane Kiffin, former Alabama assistant, and current Ole Miss head coach to put the speculation in perspective. His message is to never underestimate the GOAT (Nick Saban, greatest of all-time).

The last time Alabama was essentially out the running this early in the Western Division was in 2010, after a November loss to LSU at Tiger Stadium.

The following season, LSU beat Alabama in overtime in Tuscaloosa. What followed?

LSU has arrived quicker than thought possible

Five more Bama national titles in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2020.

So, to hear that Alabama is done, and Saban is somehow headed to the exits is laughable.

Alabama will be back.

And, LSU has arrived, much quicker than anyone thought possible.

Against the Tide, the Tigers didn’t do anything special. They ran the football effectively, rode big plays from quarterback Jayden Daniels, played outstanding defense, and didn’t turn the ball over.

And, won the game honestly. Every time Alabama punched, the Tigers punched back. And exposed some Bama weaknesses.

The Tide are not nearly as good on the offensive and defensive lines as in previous years, and their wide receiver group is average at best.

Think back to 2019, when Alabama’s best four receivers were Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, DeVonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle. All four were first round picks in the NFL draft.

Alabama simply didn’t have the players on the edge to threaten the LSU defense.

What followed LSU’s overtime was some interesting scenes. Including Saban speaking to reporters

while Tiger fans chanted L-S-U! L-S-U! outside the Alabama press room. In the future, that will be some extra coal in Saban’s motivational furnace.

Outside on the field, thousands of fans celebrated, many taking selfies with the players. Most fans were respectful, but there were the usual array of idiots.

As a reporter navigating the crowd walked down the east sideline to Brian Kelly’s press conference, he looked over and saw a ring of police officers surrounding the Alabama bench.

The Alabama staff was waiting for the crowd to disperse before rolling their equipment back to the locker room. But, as they waited several LSU fans were screaming and cursing them.

It was disturbing and sad.

And, please don’t tell me this is okay, because it is the norm in college football. Please don’t.

It totally lacked class and common decency. And, if you were one of those, well too bad. Inexcusable, it was.

The LSU Alabama rivalry is heating up again. The Tide isn’t going anywhere and LSU is ascending quickly.

Hopefully, there will be more chances for the purple and gold folks to celebrate, and in the midst of joy, maybe throw some restraint into the gumbo, as well. BC

Ed Daniels

Santa's Helpers

Bring happiness to the needy

Are you looking for a meaningful way to help a family this Christmas? If so, Santa’s Helpers just might be what you are looking for!

Hurricane Ida, along with rental and utility costs skyrocketing this past summer, brought on a new type of poverty to our area. Many families who have been able to make ends meet before have now suffered with the loss of a home and income. As one might imagine, the financial stress of just meeting rent, utilities and other normal expenses is tremendous on these families right now. Many are living in FEMA campers and are paying utilities not only for their camper, but also for the home they are repairing.

Besides the financial stress these parents are facing, the children affected have been through a difficult year as well and are in need of feeling some sort of normalcy. Their need for feeling the love of the Christmas season is stronger than ever before.

For many years, families/businesses/ organizations have reached out to Catholic Charities Diocese of HoumaThibodaux to find a family in need of

Christmas help. The gifts the donors have given have reached deep into the hearts and souls of the families they have assisted. After all, it is more than just a toy or a gift to a child that is provided; it is the thoughtfulness and the love shown by the donors that has let the families know that their community really does care about the burdens they are carrying and has helped to eliminate the additional financial stress the parents were faced with. Please consider bringing the peace and strength of our ever loving Christ child to a family who feels tired and run down.

How to Become Santa’s Helper:

In order to become a Santa’s Helper, the family/business/organization first needs to decide how they wish to help another family in need – with toys for the children, clothes, Christmas dinner, and/or badly needed items for the home. Secondly, they need to know if they have enough money set aside to provide these items. Lastly, the family/ business/organization may call Catholic Charities in Houma at (985) 876-0490 to place their request to be paired with

a family. Jennifer Gaudet, associate director of Individual & Family Assistance, will help match the group with a family that best meets the type and size family the donor is seeking to assist. Once a family is found, Gaudet will provide the donor with the details they need to go shopping or provide them with information needed to send a check to Catholic Charities where Christmas elves will do the shopping for them. The donor can either deliver the gifts to the family themselves or remain anonymous by allowing the elves of Catholic Charities to distribute the gifts to the adopted family.

In lieu of purchasing gifts, cash donations may be made to the program by sending checks to Catholic Charities Christmas Drive, 1220 Aycock St., Houma, LA 70360.

Any small donations will be combined and used to assist a family (or families depending on the amount received) with gifts when a donor does not wish to adopt an entire family themselves. BC

Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma Christmas Eve: 4, 6 p.m.

Midnight Mass: 12 a.m. Christmas Day: 7, 9, 11 a.m. ; 5:30 p.m. Confession: “The Light is On for You,” Dec. 14, 6 p.m.; beginning 30 minutes before Mass and ending 15 minutes before Mass

St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux Christmas Eve: 4, 6 p.m.

Midnight Mass: 12 a.m. Christmas Day: 7:30, 9:30, 11:30 a.m.; No evening Mass Confession: “The Light is On for You,” Dec. 14, 6:15 p.m.; 30 minutes before each Mass – Monday to Saturday morning; before the Sunday vigil Mass from 3-3:55 p.m.

Annunziata, Houma Christmas Eve: 4, 11 p.m. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. Christ the Redeemer, Thibodaux Christmas Eve: 4, 6 p.m. Midnight Mass: 12 a.m. Christmas Day: 7, 9 a.m.; 3 p.m. Spanish Mass Advent Healing Mass: Dec. 13, 6 p.m. Confession: “The Light is On for You,” Dec. 14, 4-8 p.m.;

Christmas Mass and confession times throughout the diocese a

Dec. 21—11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. with Mercy Night; Dec. 22—8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.; Dec. 23—11:30 a.m. –1:30 p.m. and 4-8 p.m.; Dec. 24—Noon – 3 p.m. Community of St. Anthony, Gheens Christmas Eve: 4 p.m. Christmas Day: 9 a.m. Confession: “The Light is On for You,” Dec. 14, 6-8 p.m.; 30 minutes before each Mass Holy Cross, Morgan City Christmas Eve: 4, 6 p.m. Christmas Day: 8, 10:30 a.m. Advent Mission: Dec. 12—Rosary, 6:30 p.m., Healing Mass, 7 p.m., Speaker, Father Robert Cruz St. Rosalie, Stephensville Christmas Eve: 4 p.m. Holy Family, Grand Caillou Christmas Eve: 6 p.m. Christmas Day: 11 a.m.; Spanish Mass, 5 p.m. Confession: Dec. 23, 6-8 p.m. Holy Savior, Lockport Christmas Eve: 4 p.m. Midnight Mass: 12 a.m. Christmas Day: 10 a.m.

Houma-Thibodaux

Story Christmas

Confession: “The Light is On for You,” Dec. 14, 6-8 p.m.; Dec. 24, 3:15-3:45 p.m.

Advent Mission: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 6 p.m., Speaker, Father Michael Champagne, C.J.C. Maria Immacolata, Houma Christmas Eve: 4, 6, Midnight Midnight Mass: 12 a.m. Christmas Day: 8:30, 10:30 a.m.; 5:30 p.m.

Confession: Dec. 7, 14, 5-7 p.m.; half hour before weekend Masses

Penance Service: Dec. 21, 5-7 p.m.;

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Chackbay Christmas Eve: 4, 6, 11 p.m. Christmas Day: 9 a.m.

Confession: “The Light is On for You,” Dec. 14, 6-8 p.m.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Golden Meadow Christmas Eve: 4, 6 p.m.

Midnight Mass: 12 a.m. Christmas Day: 8, 10 a.m.

Confession: 30 minutes before every Mass during Advent Our Lady of the Isle, Grand Isle Christmas Eve: 4 p.m. Christmas Day: 10 a.m.

Confession: Fridays, Noon – 5 p.m.

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Houma Christmas Eve: 4 p.m.

Midnight Mass: 12 a.m. Christmas Day: 8, 11 a.m.

Our Lady of the Rosary, Larose Christmas Eve: 4, 6:30 p.m.

Midnight Mass: 12 a.m. Christmas Day: 9 a.m.

Advent Mission: Dec. 6, 7 p.m., Speaker, Father Joseph Tregre

Sacred Heart, Cut Off Christmas Eve: 4, 6 p.m.; Spanish Mass, 9 p.m. Midnight Mass: 12 a.m. Christmas Day: 8, 10 a.m.

Confession: “The Light is On for You,” Dec. 14, 6 p.m.; 30 minutes before weekday Masses

Sacred Heart, Montegut Christmas Eve: 4 p.m. Christmas Day: 8:30 a.m.

Confession: “The Light is On for You,” Dec. 14, 6-8 p.m.

Sacred Heart, Morgan City Christmas Eve: 4:30, 8 p.m. Midnight Mass: 12 a.m. Christmas Day: 8, 10 a.m.

Confession: 30 minutes before all Masses

Advent Mission: Dec. 14, 6-8 p.m. (reflection, adoration and confession); Speaker, Father Brett Lapeyrouse St. Andrew, Amelia Christmas Eve: 4 p.m. Christmas Day: 8, 10 a.m.

Confession: “The Light is On for You,” Dec. 21, 6 p.m.

Advent Mission: Preparation for Advent, Dec. 1, 6 p.m., Speaker, Father Alphonse St. Ann, Bourg Christmas Eve: 4, 6, 10 p.m. a

2022

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Christmas Day: 9 a.m.

Confession: “The Light is On for You,” Dec. 14, 6-8 p.m. Advent Mission: Dec. 19-20, potluck meal from 6-6:45 p.m., mission, 6:45-7:30 p.m., eucharistic adoration and benediction, 7:30-8 p.m. Speaker, Kerry Beuche St. Anthony of Padua, Bayou Black Christmas Eve: 4, 6 p.m. Christmas Day: 8, 10:30 a.m.

Confession: “The Light is On for You,” Dec. 14, 6 p.m. St. Bernadette, Houma Christmas Eve: 4, 4:05 p.m. (in the gym), 6 p.m. Midnight Mass: 12 a.m. Christmas Day: 8, 10 a.m. Confession: “The Light is On for You,” Dec. 14, 6-8 p.m.; 30 minutes before each Mass; anytime by appointment; during Mercy Nights

Advent Mission: TBD St. Bridget, Schriever Christmas Eve: 4, 6 p.m. Midnight Mass: 12 a.m. Christmas Day: 8, 10:30 a.m.

Confession: “The Light is On for You,” Dec. 14, 6 p.m.; Monday-Friday, Dec. 19-23, 7:30-7:55 a.m. and 5:30-5:55 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 23, 3-3:50 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 25, 7-7:50 a.m.; 10-10:20 a.m.

St. Charles Borromeo, Pointe-aux-Chenes Christmas Eve: 5:30 p.m. Christmas Day: 10:30 a.m. Confession: By appointment St. Charles Borromeo, St. Charles Community Christmas Eve: 4, 6 p.m. Christmas Day: 7:30, 10 a.m. Confession: “The Light is On for You,” Dec. 14, 4-8 p.m. in the Mauret Family Life Center St. Eloi, Theriot Christmas Eve: 4, 11 p.m. Christmas Day: 9 a.m. Confession: Dec. 21, 6-8 p.m. St. Genevieve, Thibodaux Christmas Eve: 4, 6, 10 p.m. Christmas Day: 8:30 a.m.; 4 p.m. Confession: “The Light is On for You,” Dec. 14, 6-8 p.m.; 45 minutes before every weekend Mass, Dec. 2, 7:30-8:30 a.m.

Advent Mission: Dec. 6, 7 p.m., Speaker: Father Stephen Castille St. Gregory, Houma Christmas Eve: 4, 9 p.m. Christmas Day: 8:30, 10:30 a.m. Confession: “The Light is On for You,” Dec. 14, 6 p.m.; 30 minutes before weekend Masses St. Hilary of Poitiers, Mathews Christmas Eve: 4, 6 p.m. Midnight Mass: 12 a.m. Christmas Day: 7, 9 a.m.

Confession: “The Light is On for You,” Dec. 14, 6-8 p.m.; 30 minutes before each Mass St. John the Evangelist, Thibodaux Christmas Eve: 4, 6 p.m. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. Confession: “The Light is On for You,” Dec. 14, 6-8 p.m.

St. Joseph, Chauvin

Christmas Eve: 4, 11 p.m. Christmas Day: 9 a.m. Confession: “The Light is On for You,” Dec. 14, 6-8 p.m. St. Joseph, Galliano Christmas Eve: 4, 6 p.m. Christmas Day: 7, 10 a.m. Confession: “The Light is On for You,” Dec. 14, 6-8 p.m. St. Lawrence, Chacahoula Christmas Eve: 4:30 p.m. Christmas Day: 9:30 a.m. Confession: Dec. 18, after 9:30 a.m. Mass; daily, 10:45-11:45 a.m. Advent Mission: Dec. 18, 10:45 a.m., Speaker, Father Michael Bergeron St. Lawrence the Martyr, Kraemer Christmas Eve: 4, 5:30 p.m. Christmas Day: 7:30, 9 a.m. Confession: Dec. 21, 6-8 p.m. St. Louis, Bayou Blue Christmas Eve: 4, 6 p.m. Christmas Day: 8, 10:30 a.m. St. Lucy, Houma Christmas Eve: 4 p.m. Christmas Day: 8:15 a.m. Confession: “The Light is On for You,” Dec. 14, all day Advent Mission: Dec. 12-13, 6 p.m., Speaker, Father Paul Bergeron

St. Luke the Evangelist, Thibodaux Christmas Eve: 6 p.m. Christmas Day: 10:30 a.m. Confession: Dec. 22, 1—3:45 p.m. St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland Christmas Eve: 4, 6, 11 p.m. Christmas Day: 9 a.m. Confession: “The Light is On for You,” Dec. 14, 6-8 p.m. St. Thomas Aquinas, Thibodaux Christmas Eve: 5, 7 p.m. Midnight Mass: 12 a.m. Christmas Day: 9 a.m. Confession: 30 minutes before all Masses Thanh Gia, Morgan City Christmas Eve: 10 p.m. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. Confession: Communal Penance, after evening Mass, Dec. 20 & 22, 6:30 p.m.

Vietnamese Community, Houma Christmas Eve: 8:30 p.m. Christmas Day: 10 a.m. Confession: Communal Penance, Dec. 23, 6 p.m. Vietnamese Community, Larose Christmas Eve: 5:30 p.m. Christmas Day: 8 a.m. Confession: Communal Penance, Dec. 21, 6 p.m.

Vietnamese Community, Thibodaux Christmas Eve: 7 p.m. Christmas Day: 8 a.m. Confession: Communal Penance, Dec. 24, 6 p.m. BC

Guest Columnist

Father Michael Bergeron

Every year, many Christians feel insulted because they hear the words “Happy Holidays.” What most people don’t realize is there are approximately 29 holidays observed by seven religions (not to mention at least nine other celebrations of non-religious nature) from Nov. 1 to Jan. 15. And “Happy Holidays” simply reflects the increase of religious diversity in our country.

Besides Christmas which is celebrated by Christians around the world, this time period includes: Hanukkah celebrated by Jews, Kwanzaa by African-Americans, Winter Solstice by Native Americans, Yule by Wiccans, the birth of Mohammad by Muslims, Bodhi by Buddhists, Omisoka by the Japanese, Shabe-Yalda by interfaith Iranians, Dhanu Yatra by Hindus, Sinterklaas in the Netherlands, Koročun among the Slavs, or Ziemassvētki by the Orthodox churches, to name but a few.

Saying “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” is not political correctness gone mad, it is simply an acknowledgment of all people, who are celebrating over 38 different festivals during this time.

Nobody said you can’t say Merry Christmas or call it a Christmas tree or celebrate the way you want to. The real “war on Christmas” is not being conducted by other faiths; it is being conducted by companies and people who worship money. So let’s talk about Christmas and how to put Christ back into our “holiday.”

The Advent Season prepares us for Christmas, but unfortunately Christmas arrives in our stores in August, long before Advent. And it stirs in us an enthusiasm for giving and getting, and feasting and fun. So for many, this biggest spending season has no more religious significance than the celebrations of the pagan Romans.

Every year, we hear the slogan

Make your own Christmas miracle

“Put Christ back in Christmas” and it actually stems from the outrage of seeing the word “X-mas.” That abbreviation for Christmas is of Greek origin. The word for Christ in Greek is Xristos. During the 16th century, Europeans began using the first initial of Christ’s name, “X” in place of the word Christ in Christmas as a shorthand form of the word, especially since most people could not read or write. Although the early Christians understood that “X” stood for Christ’s name, later Christians who did not understand the Greek language mistook “X-mas” as a sign of disrespect. But the Christians were using it in the highest respect, even making an “X” on their graves to tell generations to come that they were Christians. So Christ is still in X-mas.

Fussing about semantics is so much easier than actually doing something constructive. We need to restore the word “holiday” to its original meaning

of “holy day.” The Christmas holidays should be the holiest days of the year.

The simplest way to bring Christ back into Christmas is to embrace the Beatitudes and the teachings of Christ. Simply put, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the stranger and unwanted child, care for the ill, love your enemies. The greatest gift at Christmas is not found in the shops or under the Christmas tree. It is found in the hearts and actions of Christians.

Christ is not in Christmas when we have holiday gatherings that exclude family members that we are angry with or whose lifestyle we do not approve. Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners. Christ is not in Christmas when there is bickering, threats to children (“Eat everything on your plate or Santa won’t bring you anything), record keeping on gift giving and gift receiving, or unexpected demands on others that the celebration be a

It's easier than you think

“perfect.” Jesus didn’t say that the world would know us as his disciples by our contentiousness, but by our love for one another.

A television interviewer was walking the streets of Tokyo at Christmas time. Strangely enough, much as in America, Christmas shopping is a big commercial success in Japan – even though the Christian community in Japan is very, very tiny. The interviewer stopped one young woman on the sidewalk and asked, “What is the meaning of Christmas?”

Laughing, she responded, “I don’t know. Isn’t that the day that Jesus died?”

Commenting on this woman’s reply, the interviewer says, “There was some truth in her answer.”

We can put Christ back in Christmas by recognizing that our fellow humans are just as much beloved children of God as we are regardless of their religion. We can recognize that Christ loved those who were considered unlovable, served those who were considered unfit to be served, took on the unwanted task of washing the disciples’ feet, and bore the punishment that we inflicted on him. We cannot call ourselves Christian without demonstrating God’s love for people through service and social justice. We put Christ back into Christmas by abandoning our perceived and petty outrages and focus on actual instances of true persecution. We put Christ back into Christmas by not linking monetary success to God’s blessing and remembering that in God’s economy the needy are always provided for.

So what are some practical, concrete ways to put Christ back into Christmas? Share your holiday festivities with those who may have been forgotten, rejected by their families, live alone or cannot afford to celebrate. Carry some small bills, loose change, or coupon books to hand out to those who are poor. Never waste food; bring leftovers to others who are living on a budget. You can bring extra desserts to the emergency waiting room at the hospital, or the staff at local nursing homes. But remember to maintain the sense of dignity in others and never make someone feel like a “charity case.”

Avoid certain financial stresses if you can help it. Don’t go overboard with gifts. Make things like bread, candy

or gift baskets. Do not buy violent toys for your children, particularly violent video games. Bring small gifts or stuffed animals to be given to children brought to emergency rooms or urgent care centers.

Perhaps there are elderly people in your neighborhood who have been neglected by their adult children, or maybe there is a young couple struggling through school who can’t make it back home for the holiday. Inviting them to share in your family’s joy will make Christmas memorable for everyone.

Every church and many shopping centers have trees adored with tags for gifts for children whose families cannot afford to buy them gifts. Many programs ask the child what they want.

Don’t become indignant when it says a bicycle or a computer. They asked the “child” and the child is simply sharing his or her dream. Do the best you can. But take a tag or two.

Bring your pets inside where it is warm. Animals kept Jesus warm; can we not do the same for them? Visit friends, family and even strangers who are in hospitals or nursing homes. Christmas can be a sad time of the year when family and friends do not visit the elderly. Make a donation of a frozen turkey to the food bank (or fresh fruits and desserts, if you are a vegetarian who objects to killing animals.) Other foods are nice, but these things are rare at the food bank. Not incidentally, by the way, Jesus also instructed us to pay our taxes (Matthew 22:21).

I encourage you to be more loving and to forgive others and be reconciled. Christmas is about love and reconciliation; go and be more loving. Christmas is about peace and goodwill. We talk about putting Christ back into Christmas but we need to ensure that we keep Christ in Christian. It is not “Christian” unless it includes Christ. It is not Christian if it only deals with concepts or principles. It must include the person.

Attending Mass should be our primary concern. But attending Mass on Christmas without receiving the Eucharist (without receiving Christ into our souls) is like going to the best restaurant in town on Christmas and munching on a toothpick while watching others enjoy a hearty meal. All Catholics should do whatever is

necessary for them to prepare for Christmas and to receive the Eucharist on Christmas day. That will “literally” put Christ into your Christmas.

Many people are surprised to learn that the Twelve Days of Christmas are the 12 days after Christmas, not the 12 days before. It is the coming of Epiphany when the Magi arrive. In many countries, it is called “Little Christmas” and that is the day the gifts are given. So it is really distressing to drive around on Christmas day at one o’clock in the afternoon and see Christmas trees in the trash. We can keep Christ in Christmas by leaving our decorations up just a little longer.

Think about all of your Christmases past. What memories do you cherish the most? The love, the kindness, the thoughtfulness, the togetherness, or was it the kind of gifts you received? Do you even remember what gifts you received?

It might sound old fashioned, but I believe that our loved ones would be most happy with a gift of ourselves, which requires that we value them and that our values are rooted in our relationships and grounded in faithfulness and loyalty. Keeping Christ in Christmas is found in the hearts and actions of Christians.

And if truth be told, you do not have to put Christ back into Christmas, he is already there. He is there with the lonely, the depressed, the joyful and the confused. He is there with the widow and the orphan, with you, with me and with the atheist. As people of faith it is in these places, fueled by grace, love and hospitality, we can, not bring Christ back to Christmas, but join with him in the work he is already doing, and sometimes work he is already doing in spite of the best intentions of his people.

We just love to watch those sweet little movies on Hallmark Channel about the true meaning of Christmas – the Christmas miracles that warm our heart. But we forget that we can make our own little movie. And we can make our own little Christmas miracle. It’s easier than you think. Do it this year. Don’t let Christmas be what the Japanese lady thought: The time Jesus died.

(Father Michael Bergeron is a retired priest of the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux.) BC

The votes are in! Terrebonne General Pediatric Care offers the BEST primary care for children and adolescents from birth through 18 years of age. Our clinic’s warm and inviting environment is designed to make even the youngest patient feel at ease. Parents can rest assured knowing that their child’s care team is committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate care for all their child’s needs.

To schedule an appointment, call 985-850-6244 and our friendly staff will assist you. Appointments can also be scheduled online at tghealthsystem.com/mychart.

Voted

Pediatric Clinic

Pediatric Care

Dr. Jill Sutton Pediatrics Dr. Courtnie Seaton Pediatrics

Heidi Cehan, NP