Bayou Catholic Magazine February 2022 by Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

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The official magazine of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre named a Catholic of the Year FEBRUARY 2022 ~ VOL. 42 NO. 7 ~ COMPLIMENTARY

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Contents

Features 24 Bishop Fabre honored as Catholic of the Year By Janet Marcel

Catholic Charities continues Ida recovery By Janet Marcel

Synod of Bishops 2021-2023 By Janet Marcel

Columns 8 Comfort For My People By Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

Pope Speaks

Questions of Faith

Readings Between the Lines

Overtime

Pope Francis I

By Father Wilmer Todd

By Father Glenn LeCompte

By Ed Daniels

In Every Issue 6 From the Editor 16 Scripture Readings 22 Heavenly Recipes 28 Youth In Action 33 Daily Prayer for Priests,

Deacons, Religious and Seminarians

Guest Columns 18 History of the Mass: Part Four By Father Wilmer Todd

The Good Shepherd: Part Four By Father Michael Bergeron

Announcements 32 Pastoral appointments announced On Our Cover

TYLER NEIL/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre was recently honored as one of Our Sunday Visitor’s 2021 Catholics of the Year. Bishop Fabre joined nine other honorees that Our Sunday Visitor called “shining examples of those who have made indelible marks on the church and the world throughout the past year.” Read our cover story on page 24.

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

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

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

Lisa Schobel Hebert 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

National Catholic Schools Week Jan. 30 - Feb. 5

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

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

From the Editor

‘Let all that you do, be done in love’ Stained glass depiction of St. Valentine

February is here and with it comes Valentine’s Day. Did you know that the St. Valentine who inspired the holiday may have been two different men? Officially recognized by the church, St. Valentine is known to be a real person who died around 270 A.D. However, his true identity was questioned as early as 496 A.D. by Pope Gelasis I, who referred to the martyr and his acts as “being known only to God.” One account from the 1400s describes Valentine as a temple priest who was beheaded near Rome by the emperor Claudius II for helping Christian couples wed. A different account claims that Valentine was the Bishop of Terni, also martyred by Claudius II on the outskirts of Rome. Because of the similarities of these accounts, it’s thought they may refer to the same person. Enough confusion surrounds the true identity of St. Valentine that the Catholic Church discontinued liturgical veneration of him in 1969, though his name remains on the list of officially recognized saints. The saint we celebrate on St. Valentine’s Day is

known officially as St. Valentine of Rome in order to differentiate him from dozens or so other Valentines on the list. The English poet Geoffrey Chaucer may have invented Valentine’s Day. The poet often took liberties with history, placing his poetic characters into fictitious historical contexts that he represented as real. No record exists of romantic celebrations on Valentine’s Day prior to a poem Chaucer wrote around 1375. In his work “Parliament of Foules,” he links a tradition of courtly love with the celebration of St. Valentine’s feast day – an association that didn’t exist until after his poem received widespread attention. The poem refers to Feb. 14 as the day birds (and humans) come together to find a mate. When Chaucer wrote, “For this was sent on Seynt Valentine’s day / Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate,” he may have invented the holiday we know today. Although Valentine’s Day focuses on mainly romantic love, there is much room in all our hearts for love for one another. It’s a great time to think about how much we truly lack loving our neighbors as ourselves. Pope Francis tells us that we must even go further and ask God for strength to love our enemies. During one of his homilies the pope said, “Ask God for the grace to love your enemies. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. This is the Christian innovation. It is the Christian difference.” The pope went on to say that “the

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

worship of God” contradicts the “culture of hatred.” He said one can fight this culture of hatred by not giving into the “cult of complaint.” “How many times do we complain about the things we lack, about the things that go wrong! Jesus knows about all the things that don’t work. He knows that there is always going to be someone who dislikes us. Or someone who will make us miserable. All he asks us to do is pray and love,” he said. The pope added, “Jesus with his limitless love, raises the bar of our humanity. Today let us choose love, whatever the cost, even if it means going against the tide. Let us not yield to the thinking of this world or content ourselves with half measures,” Pope Francis said. “Then we will be true Christians and our world will be more human.” Sounds like great advice for us today when we live in a time of so much hatred and division. Let’s celebrate Valentine’s Day this year and remember “Let all that you do, be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14). 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

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Sacrificial love attains for us a deeper relationship with Christ Comfort For My People Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

The month of February is one month during which we usually get caught up in love! Without going into any detail about the origins of the practice, we are all undoubtedly aware that Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, is a day that focuses on the dynamics that surround expressing love, especially romantic love. During the days leading up to Valentine’s Day, we will see displayed in many ways in the marketplace and in other institutions this focus on romantic love by way of figures of hearts, winged cupids and other decorations that are common for the celebration of Valentine’s Day. All of these things seek to remind us that on Valentine’s Day romantic love between people should be, or even is expected to be, communicated by way of cards, flowers, candy, candles, dinner, balloons or other gifts. Romantic love is a wonderful thing, and it is a good thing in appropriate ways and in appropriate contexts to express feelings of romantic love. We should never tire of telling or showing those whom we love that we love them, and Valentine’s Day and its many practices can be a good opportunity to do so. However, although appropriate expressions of romantic love are good, the danger that is inherent in all that Valentine’s Day and romantic love place before us is to fall into the incorrect belief that romantic love is the only kind of love, or even the deepest kind of love. Romantic

love and all that surrounds it can engender in us the belief that love is only a “feel-good” experience or only a “warm fuzzy” expression that makes us happy. Unfortunately, many people fall into the trap of incorrectly believing that love is only this “feel good, warm fuzzy” experience. Equating all forms of love only with romantic love can

Prayer

lead to the conclusion that once the feel good experience is gone, so too is any love relationship that may have been present. Hopefully we are all aware that there is more to love than simply this. As followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, we should be aware that we are called to a much deeper kind of love, a kind of love that is not as popular or welcomed as romantic love, and this is sacrificial love. Sacrificial love is rooted in denial of self in some manner for the benefit of another. Relationships founded on

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

the full expression of what love truly is in its fullest reality will not only have expressions of romantic love, but even more importantly, these relationships will also have expressions of the deeper sacrificial love. After the “romance of Feb. 14,” the church will quickly call us on March 2, Ash Wednesday, to reflect upon and seek to undertake during the season of Lent a deeper kind of love which calls us to self-denial and sacrifice for the one who is loved, Jesus Christ our Lord. One of the purposes of Lent is to root ourselves again in renewing our relationship with Jesus Christ, who expressed for us in his self-sacrifice a love of great depth, purity and truth. As those who love and are loved by Jesus Christ, we seek to engage in this deeper kind of love as well. At the very heart of the penitential practices of Lent is a desire to transform ourselves through our increased acts of prayer, fasting and almsgiving into those who can more authentically love and be loved by God and others. As disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ and in response to his new commandment that we love one another as he loves us, we are challenged to engage in this sacrificial love that costs us something and is for the benefit of others. So we can and should enjoy the many expressions of romantic love that may be involved in celebrating Valentine’s Day, but may we also be aware of the deeper kind of love that we are called to embrace. Sacrificial love does not attain for us candy, flowers, balloons or any other such things, but rather a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and with those whom we truly love in the fullest expression of the term. True love, sacrificial love, will lead us to eternal life in heaven. May the coming season of Lent transform us so that we can truly love and be loved by God and others. BC

Sacrificial love

In medieval times, one of the favorite images of Christ (and subsequently his holy church) was the pelican. A belief arose that in times when food was scarce, the pelican mother would do something quite unusual to support her brood or young to keep them from dying. The mother would tear into her chest with her beak and feed her chicks her own blood so that they might live. This story about the pelican so resembled our Lord’s death on the cross that medieval artists began using pelicans to symbolize the self-giving sacrifice Christ offers on the cross where his blood flows from his side for our consumption so that we might have life. This image of a pelican feeding her young can be found inlayed on the flooring at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church in Golden Meadow. February 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 9

Comentario

El amor sacrificial nos lleva una relación más profunda con Cristo El mes de febrero es un mes en el que solemos dejarnos llevar por el amor. Sin entrar en más detalles acerca de los orígenes de la práctica, todos somos indudablemente conscientes de que el 14 de febrero, Día de San Valentín, es un día que se centra en la dinámica que rodea la expresión del amor, especialmente el amor romántico. Durante los días previos al Día de San Valentín, veremos desplegado de muchas maneras en el mercado y en otras instituciones este enfoque en el amor romántico por medio de figuras de corazones, cupidos alados y otras decoraciones que son comunes para la celebración del Día de San Valentín. Todas estas cosas intentan recordarnos que en el Día de San Valentín el amor romántico entre las personas debe ser, o incluso se espera que sea, comunicado por medio de tarjetas, flores, dulces, velas, cenas, globos u otros regalos. El amor romántico es algo maravilloso, y es bueno que se expresen los sentimientos de amor romántico de las formas y en los contextos adecuados. Nunca deberíamos cansarnos de decir o demostrar a quienes amamos que les queremos, y el Día de San Valentín y sus múltiples prácticas pueden ser una buena oportunidad para hacerlo. Sin embargo, aunque las expresiones apropiadas de amor romántico son buenas, el peligro inherente a todo lo que el Día de San Valentín y el amor romántico ponen ante nosotros es caer en la creencia incorrecta de que el amor romántico es el único tipo de amor, o incluso el más profundo. El amor romántico y todo lo que lo rodea puede engendrar en nosotros la creencia de que el amor es sólo una experiencia de “sentirse bien” o sólo una expresión “cálida” que nos hace felices. Desgraciadamente, muchas personas caen en la trampa de creer erróneamente que el amor es sólo esta experiencia de “sentirse bien, cálida y pasmada”. Equiparar todas las formas de amor sólo con el amor

Ayuno Fasting

romántico puede llevar a la conclusión de que, una vez que la experiencia de sentirse bien desaparece, también lo hace cualquier relación amorosa que haya existido. Afortunadamente, todos somos conscientes de que el amor es mucho más que eso. Como seguidores de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, deberíamos ser conscientes de que estamos llamados a un tipo de amor mucho más profundo, un tipo de amor que no es tan popular o acogido como el amor romántico, y este es el amor sacrificial. El amor sacrificial se basa en la negación de uno mismo de alguna manera en beneficio del otro. Las relaciones fundadas en la plena expresión de lo que es el amor en su realidad más completa no sólo tendrán expresiones de amor romántico, sino, lo que es más importante, estas relaciones también tendrán expresiones del amor sacrificial más profundo. Después del “romántico 14 de febrero”, la Iglesia nos llamará rápidamente, el 2 de marzo, Miércoles de Ceniza, a reflexionar y a tratar de emprender durante el tiempo de Cuaresma un tipo de amor más profundo que nos llame a la propia negación y al sacrificio por aquel que es amado, Jesucristo nuestro Señor. Uno de los propósitos de la Cuaresma es enraizarnos nuevamente en la renovación de nuestra relación con Jesucristo, quien expresó por nosotros en su propio-sacrificio un amor de gran profundidad, pureza y verdad. Como

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

quienes amamos y somos amados por Jesucristo, buscamos comprometernos también con este tipo de amor más profundo. En el centro de las prácticas penitenciales de la Cuaresma está el deseo de transformarnos, a través de nuestros crecientes actos de oración, ayuno y limosna, en aquellos que pueden amar y ser amados más auténticamente por Dios y por los demás. Como discípulos de nuestro Señor Jesucristo y en respuesta a su nuevo mandamiento de que nos amemos unos a otros como Él nos ama, somos desafiados a comprometernos en este amor sacrificial que nos cuesta algo y que es en beneficio de los demás. Así que podemos y debemos disfrutar de las muchas expresiones de amor romántico que puede suponer la celebración del Día de San Valentín, pero también debemos ser conscientes del tipo de amor más profundo al que estamos llamados a abrazar. El amor sacrificial no nos ofrece caramelos, flores, globos o cualquier otra cosa por el estilo, sino una relación más profunda con Jesucristo y con aquellos a los que verdaderamente amamos en la expresión más completa del término. El verdadero amor, el amor sacrificial, nos llevará a la vida eterna en el cielo. Que el próximo tiempo de Cuaresma nos transforme para que podamos amar de verdad y ser amados por Dios y por los demás. BC

Binh luan bang loi

Tình yêu hy sinh đưa chúng ta gần Chúa hơn Tháng hai là tháng mà trong khoảng thời gian đó chúng ta thường bị lôi quấn vào tình yêu! Xin miễn bàn về chi tiết nguồn gốc tập tục đó, tất cả đều nhận ra rằng ngày14 tháng hai, Ngày Lễ Tình Yêu, là ngày mà tính năng động của nó là xoay quanh sự diễn đạt tình yêu, đặc biệt là tình yêu lứa đôi. Trong những ngày dẫn đến ngày Lễ Tình Yêu, chúng ta nhìn thấy sự trưng bày đồ đạc hoa mắt trong các cửa tiệm và ở những tổ chức khác, sự trưng bày diễn đạt tình yêu lứa đôi này qua các hình ảnh như trái tim, thiên thần tình yêu, và các trang trí khác mà chúng liên hệ đến mừng lễ Ngày Lễ Tình Yêu. Tất cả mọi trưng bày này giúp nhắc nhở chúng ta rằng sự yêu đương giữa hai người mà Ngày Lễ Tình Yêu truyền đạt cần phải có, hay muốn nó xảy ra, là được biểu lộ qua những tấm danh thiếp, hoa, kẹo, nến, bữa ăn tối, bong bóng hay quà tặng khác. Tình yêu lứa đôi là cái gì đó rất đẹp, và nó tốt đẹp trong phạm vi của nó và trong môi trường biểu lộ tình yêu tình yêu lứa đôi. Chúng ta không nên mệt mỏi nói về tình yêu và bày tỏ nó với người mình yêu, và Ngày Lễ Tình Yêu và những tập tục vây quanh là cơ hội tốt lành để chúng ta hành động. Tuy nhiên, mặc dầu diễn đạt tình yêu lứa đôi rất thích hợp nhưng sự nguy hiểm là chỉ xoay quanh Ngày Lễ Tình Yêu và tình yêu lứa đôi mà chúng ta có dẫn đến sự lầm lẫn là tình yêu lứa đôi là duy nhất và chỉ tình yêu đó là sâu thẳm nhất. Tình yêu lứa đôi và tất cả những gì xoay quanh nó có thể thu hẹp chúng ta trong phạm vi với niềm tin rằng chỉ tình yêu đó mới cho chúng ta cảm giác tố ̉ t đẹp hay “ấm áp” – đưa đến hạnh phúc. Tiếc thay, rất nhiều người đã rơi vào cạm bẫy lầm tưởng tin rằng chỉ có tình yêu lứa đôi cho mình cảm thấy dễ chịu,

ấm cúng. Đặt mọi tình yêu khác ngang hàng với tình yêu lứa đôi có thể đưa chúng ta đến kết luận rằng khi tình yêu lứa đôi không còn nữa thì những thứ tình khác cũng biến mất. Hy vọng rằng chúng ta nhận ra tình yêu còn bao quát hơn nhiều. Là những môn đệ của Chúa Giêsu Kitô chúng ta nên biết rằng chúng ta được kêu gọi nhận ra một tình yêu cao

Almsgiving Bố Thí

cả hơn, một tình yêu mà nó không được ưa chuộng hay biết đến nhiều như tình yêu lứa đôi, và đây chính là tình yêu hy sinh. Tình yêu hy sinh bắt nguồn bằng sự hãm mình để mang lại lợi ích cho kẻ khác. Những sự liên đới được gầy dựng trên nền tảng bằnh tình yêu chân thành và bao quát không chỉ bao gồm tình yêu lứa đôi, nhưng quan trọng hơn nữa, tất cả những liên hệ tình yêu đó sẽ diễn đạt được bằng tình yêu hy sinh sâu thẳm nhất. Sau cái ngày tình yêu lứa đôi 14 tháng hai, Giáo hội sẽ

mời gọi chúng ta vào ngày 2 tháng ba , thứ Tư Lễ Tro, để suy tư và quyết tâm khám phá ra tình yêu sâu đậm hơn trong Mùa Chay mà tình yêu đó mời gọi chúng ta hãm mình và hy sinh cho Đấng của tình yêu, Chúa Giêsu Kitô. Một trong những mục đích Mùa Chay là tìm về nguồn gốc một lần nữa hâm nóng lại sự liên hệ giữa chúng ta với Chúa Giêsu Kytô, Người đã bày tỏ cho chúng ta qua sự hy sinh bản thân với một tình yêu có chiều sâu, tinh trong và chân thật. Vì là những người yêu và được Chúa Giêsu yêu, chúng ta cũng đi tìm và yêu với tình yêu đậm sâu. Trọng tâm của sự sám hối trong Mùa Chay là sự ao ước thay đổi bản thân qua sự gia tăng cầu nguyện, ăn chay và làm việc bố thí được nhìn thấy qua lăng kính của người biết yêu và được Chúa yêu và người khác nữa. Là môn đệ của Chúa Giêsu Kytô và để đáp lại điều răn mới của Ngài rằng hãy yêu tha nhân như Ngài yêu ta, chúng ta được thách thức dấn thân trong tình yêu hy sinh mà vì nó làm cho chúng ta mất mát nhiều thứ và để mang ích lợi cho kẻ khác. Vì thế chúng ta nên cảm nhận nhiều cách diễn đạt trong tình yêu lứa đôi mà nó xoay quanh mừng Lễ Ngày Tình Nhân, nhưng mình cũng nên biết rằng có một tình yêu cao cả hơn mà chúng ta được kêu gọi ôm ấp. Tình yêu hy sinh không mang lại cho chúng ta kẹo, hoa, bong bóng hay những thứ tiêu biểu, nhưng sự liên hệ mật thiết với Chúa Giêsu Kytô và với những người mà chúng ta thật sự yêu mến họ trong ngôn ngữ trọn vẹn của chữ yêu. Tình yêu đích thực, tình yêu hy sinh, sẽ dẫn chúng ta đến sự sống vĩnh cửu. Xin Mùa Chay thánh tới này biến đổi chúng ta để rồi chúng ta yêu và được yêu Chúa và tha nhân. BC

February 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 11

Comment

Pope Francis’ advice to Christian business executives The Pope Speaks

By COURTNEY MARES Vatican City (CNA) Pope Francis on Friday offered advice to business leaders who want to live out the Gospel in the workplace, where he said “the Church needs your witness.” In a meeting at the Vatican with French Catholic entrepreneurs recently, the pope said that he wanted to share some teachings to help “carry out your role as leaders according to the heart of God.” “I realize how demanding and difficult it can be to implement the Gospel in a competitive professional world,” Pope Francis said. “Nonetheless, I invite you to keep your gaze fixed on Jesus Christ through your prayer life and the offering of your daily work. He had the experience on the cross of loving to the end, of fulfilling his mission to the point of giving his life.” The pope said that Christian business leaders had their own crosses to bear, but encouraged them to endure them with the grace and confidence of knowing that Jesus has “promised to accompany us ‘to the end of the world’ (Matthew 28:20).” “Do not hesitate to invoke the Holy Spirit to guide your choices,” Francis added. The pope met with entrepreneurs participating in a conference

entitled, “The Journey of the Common Good,” which brought 200 people together in Rome for discussions on “how to transform your company to put it at the service of the Common Good.” Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, papal preacher Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, and French bishops’ conference president Archbishop Éric de Moulins-Beaufort attended the conference, along with a number of other French bishops, including Bishop Dominique Rey of Fréjus-Toulon. Pope Francis outlined pairs of concepts that he said appeared to be in tension but can help bring unity to the life of a Christian. One example he gave was “authority and service.” “Exercising authority as a service requires sharing it. Here too, Jesus is our teacher, when he sends his disciples on mission endowing them with his own authority,” he said. “You are invited to put into practice the subsidiarity which enhances the autonomy and the capacity for initiative of all, especially of the least. … Thus, the Christian executive is called to carefully consider the place allotted to all people in his company, including those whose duties may appear to be of minor importance, because each is important in God’s eyes.” The pope also encouraged Christian executives to be close to their employees, “to take an interest in their lives, to become aware of their difficulties, sufferings, anxieties, but also their joys, projects, hopes.” “The mission of the Christian leader resembles, in many respects, that of the shepherd, of whom Jesus is the model, and who knows how to go before the flock to show the way, knows how to stand in the middle to see what is

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happening there, and also knows how to stay behind, to make sure no one loses contact,” he said. “I have often urged priests and bishops to have ‘the smell of sheep,’ to immerse themselves in the reality of those entrusted to them, to get to know them, to be close to them. I believe this advice also applies to you.” Last April, Pope Francis recognized the heroic virtue of Venerable Enrique Shaw, an Argentine businessman with a cause for sainthood. Shaw was born in Paris, France, in 1921, and emigrated to Argentina, where he established himself as a businessman of outstanding integrity. He founded the Christian Association of Business Executives in 1952 and sought to apply Catholic social teaching in the workplace. The businessman had nine children, including one who became a priest. He wrote numerous books and articles, and established a pension fund and a healthcare plan to provide 3,400 workers with financial support in the case of illness, and loans for important life events such as marriage, birth and death. Pope Francis oversaw the diocesan phase of Shaw’s cause while he was serving as archbishop of the Argentine capital. “I find it very beautiful and courageous that, in today’s world often marked by individualism, indifference and even the marginalization of the most vulnerable people, some entrepreneurs and business leaders have at heart the service of everyone and not just private interests or inner circles,” Pope Francis told the entrepreneurs. BC

Comment

Questions of Faith Father Wilmer Todd

The church and astrology Last month we celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany where the Magi from the east followed a star to find the child Jesus. The Magi were astrologists who studied the movement of the stars and their application to life. Why does the church condemn astrology today? Before I answer the question, I want to tell you my favorite Boudreaux/ Thibodeaux joke. Boudreaux and Thibodeaux went on a camping trip. After an enjoyable meal cooked on their camp fire, they were tired, so they set up their tent and went to bed. Some hours later, Thibodeaux wakes his faithful friend. “Boudreaux, look up at the sky, and tell me what you see.” Boudreaux replies, “I see millions of stars.” “What does that tell you?” Boudreaux ponders for a minute. “Astronomically speaking, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo. Time-wise, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, it is evident the Lord is all powerful, and we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you?”

Thibodeaux is silent for a moment, then says, “Boudreaux, you’re dumber than I thought; it means someone stole our tent.” Stars have a magical, mysterious character. A starlit night can evoke a sense of wonder and awe. On this past Christmas the James Webb Space Telescope was launched into space to study the stars and the beginning of the universe. This space telescope was developed by NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency at the cost of 10 billion USD. The thought of high-poweredtelescopes looking for how the world began and the presence of black holes sweeping up matter in the universe deepens this notion of mystery. It’s no wonder that our ancestors regarded the stars as pointing to God’s activity in creation. The following is NASA’s description of the logic that led to the creation of the familiar zodiac signs we know today: “Imagine a straight line drawn from Earth through the sun and out into space way beyond our solar system where the stars are. Then, picture Earth following its orbit around the sun. This imaginary line would rotate, and point to different stars throughout one complete trip around the sun or one year. All the stars that lie close to the imaginary flat disk swept out by this imaginary line are said to be in the zodiac. The constellations in the zodiac are simply the constellations that this imaginary straight line points to in its year-long journey.” What is the difference between astrology and astronomy? For centuries, astrology (looking for signs based on the movement of the celestial bodies) was considered the same thing as astronomy (the scientific study of those objects). For example, revolutionary 17th century astronomer Johannes Kepler, who studied the motion of the planets, was at the time considered an astrologer. That changed around the beginning of the Enlightenment in the late 17th century. Copernicus (1473-1543) was not the first person in “modern times” to claim that the Earth rotates around the sun. After Sir Isaac Newton (16431727) invented the reflecting telescope

in 1688, it soon became clear that the Earth was not the center of our solar system. That started a new scientific approach to looking at the sky and the motion of planets. That is the point at which astronomy became known as a science, and astrology was acknowledged as not a science. A recent National Science Foundation poll found more than half the millennials think astrology is a science. Even if astrology’s answers are not based on scientific study, the reason people keep turning to the sky for answers is the human phenomenon for self-selection, the search for interpretations that match what we already hope to be true. The Catholic Church teaches that reading, consulting, and drawing horoscopes, interpreting omens, and consulting mediums or psychics “all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and in the final analysis, other human beings.” They are considered violations of the First Commandment because they “contradict the honor, respect and loving fear we owe to God alone” (CCC 2116). The belief of astrologists is that we are born into a zodiac sign, and our personality stems from being born on that day. The Bible is clear that God created us, and the almighty gives us our personalities. The psalmist says, “For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139: 13-14). God has made each person unique. We are all endowed with different gifts and different missions. No one else on earth is like you. Use your gifts and talents wisely. BC

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

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

Reflections

U.S. Bishops respond to a waning faith in Christ’s presence in the Eucharist, and reverence for the sacrament Readings Between the Lines Father Glenn LeCompte

“And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” These are the very last words of the risen Lord to his disciples in Matthew’s Gospel (28:20). One of the ways that we as Catholics recognize the fulfillment of the risen Lord’s words here is in his eucharistic presence. “To reflect on Christ’s gift of himself in the Eucharist and our response to that gift” (No. 7) is the stated purpose of the U.S. Bishops’ 2021 document, The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church. In one of the grossest misrepresentations I have ever seen regarding a church document, many secular media sources would have us believe that the document was about whether or not to deny the sacrament of the holy Eucharist to certain people. Actually, the bishops are concerned about renewing the church’s faith in and reverence for the sacrament. Recent public polls, whose results must be carefully scrutinized, seem to indicate a waning faith in Christ’s presence in the Eucharist and acknowledgment of its importance in the life of Catholics. In addition, the bishops cite the challenges the pandemic has posed to communal sharing in the Eucharist. For a time in 2020 we could not have Mass with a congregation greater than one person besides the priest. When we were able to congregate again, it was with restrictions on seating, and some, for health reasons, were concerned about mixing with crowds. Many parishes tried livestreaming Masses, which had

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

the benefit of helping people to stay in touch with the eucharistic celebration when they were not able to be present. But this practice has generated concern, inasmuch as it has led to misunderstanding of the importance of gathering for Mass, of the significance of the assembly’s role at Mass, of what true participation in liturgy is, and to self-deprivation of the sacrament of the holy Eucharist. Moreover, Hurricane Ida has caused many parishes to celebrate the Eucharist in less-thanideal worship spaces. In this article, and others I will write this year, I would like to supplement the bishops’ effort at renewing our faith in the Eucharist. Since this column is supposed to deal with Scripture, I will reflect on some biblical foundations of the Eucharist. “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion in the body of Christ? Since one (is the) bread, we, the many, are one. For we are all partake of the one bread” (1 Corinthians 10:1617, translation by Father Glenn LeCompte). This passage emphasizes the unity of the community which gathers to share the Lord’s Supper. The teaching Paul presents here is probably a bit of the Gospel tradition the Corinthians were taught, and

14 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • February 2022

which they embraced. Paul is not telling them something new here. Why do I say this? It is because he is using this bit of tradition about eucharistic sharing to admonish the Corinthians regarding the partaking of meals in pagan sacrifices (10:14-15, 18-22). In the Greco-Roman society in which the Corinthians lived, this would not have been uncommon. Paul maintains that idols are not divine, yet he implies that when people sacrifice to them they are sacrificing to demonic spirits. He probably derives this teaching about sacrifices to demons from Deuteronomy 32:17, which occurs in the context of a speech attributed to Moses. In this speech Moses points out the ingratitude of the Israelites, in particular, by sacrificing “to demons, to no-gods.” Participating in sacrificial offerings involved eating the meat that was cooked once the animal was sacrificed. To do so implied fellowship with the being to whom the sacrifice was being offered and with the other participants. The Corinthians would have understood, both from their experience in pagan culture and from Paul’s (or some other Christian evangelist’s) teaching about the Eucharist, that when they share in the cup of blessing and the one loaf of bread they have communion with Christ and through Christ with

Reflections

each other. Therefore, they should not establish communion with demons by participating in pagan sacrifices. The communion that is realized by sharing in the Eucharist is an important aspect of the Eucharist itself. Unity is an essential quality of the Christian community. Paul has already asserted this truth by rebuking the Corinthians about forming factions by pledging allegiance to various evangelists (1:10-17). In Chapter 12, he will reprove them about divisions arising over the diversity of spiritual gifts among them. Such divisive behavior is contrary to the nature of the Christian community. The eucharistic meal, of which the Lord commanded his followers to partake in memory of him (1 Corinthians 11:23-25), symbolizes the unity of the community. They partake of a single loaf of bread, broken and shared among them, and drink of the one “cup of blessing.” This means that if they claim to belong to

Christ, if they claim membership in the church community, if they share in the sacrificial meal of Christ’s body and blood, then they are united with Christ and each other. Additionally, their unity must be manifest in their relations with one another outside of their eucharistic gathering. Otherwise their sharing in the eucharistic meal is robbed of its unitive symbolism. Not only is their eucharistic sharing a symbol of their union as a community, it actually unites them. In order to heed the Lord’s command, “Do this in memory of me,” they must physically gather and participate in the ritual. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1325, “The Eucharist is the efficacious sign and sublime cause of that communion in the divine life and that unity of the People of God ... .” Unless there is serious and just cause for not doing so, it is essential that we gather, that is, be physically present for the eucharistic celebration (as opposed

to watching a broadcast or just being absent), because doing so expresses our unity and realizes it in a particular way. When Mass ends, we are sent forth to live our lives in union with one another, even as we express our oneness at the Eucharist. BC

Reflection Questions v How do you experience unity with other Catholics when you participate in the Mass? v What challenges to unity does the Christian community face? v What benefits of gathering for the Eucharist are lost when a person who is not impeded from participating in Mass sits alone at home and watches a livestream broadcast of the Mass?

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

February Scripture Readings and a listing of Feast days and saints

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Weekday 2 Samuel 18:910, 14b, 24-25a, 30—19:3 Mark 5:21-43

Weekday Fifth Sunday in 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13 Ordinary Time Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8 Mark 6:53-56 1 Corinthians 15:111 Luke 5:1-11

13 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jeremiah 17:5-8 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20 Luke 6:17, 20-26

20 Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 Luke 6:27-38

27 Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Sirach 27:4-7 1 Corinthians 15:54-58 Luke 6:39-45

14 Memorial of Saints Cyril, monk, and Methodius, bishop James 1:1-11 Mark 8:11-13

21 Weekday James 3:13-18 Mark 9:14-29

8 Weekday 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30 Mark 7:1-13

15 Weekday James 1:12-18 Mark 8:14-21

22 Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle 1 Peter 5:1-4 Matthew 16:13-19

28 Weekday 1 Peter 1:3-9 Mark 10:17-27

16 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • February 2022

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Malachi 3:1-4 Hebrews 2:14-18 Luke 2:22-40

9 Weekday 1 Kings 10:1-10 Mark 7:14-23

16 Weekday James 1:19-27 Mark 8:22-26

23 Memorial of Saint Polycarp, bishop and martyr James 4:13-17 Mark 9:38-40

Weekday 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12 Mark 6:7-13

10 Memorial of Saint Scholastica, virgin 1 Kings 11:4-13 Mark 7:24-30

17 Weekday James 2:1-9 Mark 8:27-33

24 Weekday James 5:1-6 Mark 9:41-50

Weekday Sirach 47:2-11 Mark 6:14-29

11 Weekday 1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19 Mark 7:31-37

Memorial of Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr 1 Kings 3:4-13 Mark 6:30-34

12 Weekday 1 Kings 12:26-32; 13:33-34 Mark 8:1-10

Weekday Weekday James 2:14-24, 26 James 3:1-10 Mark 8:34—9:1 Mark 9:2-13

25 Weekday James 5:9-12 Mark 10:1-12

26 Weekday James 5:13-20 Mark 10:13-16

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

Special

Bishops gathering during the Second Vatican Council

The history of the Roman Catholic Mass: Part IV Guest Columnist Father Wilmer Todd

(This is the final installment of a series of articles on the history of the Roman Catholic Mass.) The 19th Ecumenical Council of Trent assembled in the city of Trent in Northern Italy for 25 sessions between 1545 and 1563. The Council issued key statements on the church’s doctrinal teachings, Scripture, sacred tradition, original sin, justification, salvation, the sacraments, the Mass, and the veneration of saints. The Council also reformed the inner life of the church by addressing the abuses that had developed in it. In 1565, Pope Pius IV issued the Tridentine Creed, clarifications on church doctrine. Pope Pius V issued the Roman Catechism in

1566 and revisions to the Breviary in 1568. In 1570, Pope Pius V promulgated the Tridentine Mass that remained the church’s only form of the Mass for the next 400 years. It replaced about 200 different forms of the Mass that sprung up during the middle ages. The Missal of Pope St. Pius V was developed from the Gregorian Sacramentary. Copies of all the ancient manuscripts of the Mass that we have today were not available to scholars at that time. The Pope Pius V Missal contains the Ordinary (texts that remain the same for each Mass) and the Proper (texts that change for different liturgical feasts). Two forms of Masses existed: The Solemn High Mass and the Low Mass. The High Mass was sung by a choir and was celebrated by a priest, deacon and sub-deacon. The priest celebrated the Low Mass in a low spoken voice and was assisted by altar servers. As Protestant services began to use the vernacular, Catholic liturgies remained in Latin to maintain Catholic identity. The celebration of the Eucharist emphasized the sacrificial element: The

18 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • February 2022

sacrifice that Jesus Christ offered once for all on the Cross is made present in the Mass. Outward signs like the use of bells, incense, and kneeling when receiving holy Communion became common practice. In 1914, Pope St. Pius X issued the document that encouraged the faithful’s active participation in the liturgy by frequent reception of holy Communion and congregational singing. He also encouraged the earlier reception of holy Communion given at the age of reason. He gave priority to Sunday Masses over the feast day of the Saints and published a revised Missal. In 1955, Pope Pius XII revised the rites for Holy Week to its present form today. The church’s 21st Ecumenical Council was called the 2nd Vatican Council because they held it in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. The Council formally opened under the pontificate of Pope John XXIII on Oct. 11, 1962, and closed under Pope Paul VI on Dec. 8, 1965. The liturgy was revised with the intention that the people would be active

Special

participants in the Mass, be fully aware of what they are doing, be actively engaged in the rite, and be enriched by its effects. In the mid-1960s, the Mass began to be celebrated in vernacular languages. Latin remained the official liturgical language. A three-year Lectionary was introduced increasing the amount of Scripture read during the Mass. The celebrant faced the congregation and contemporary liturgical music was sung during the Mass. Lay people were commissioned to be lectors and extraordinary ministers of holy Communion. The ancient custom of the Precious Body received on the hand was restored. The church also permitted females to become altar servers. In 1964, the Prayers of the Faithful were restored, and the Our Father was said by all; in 1965, the concelebration by priests was restored. In 1968, three new Eucharistic Prayers were introduced. In 1970, the Novus Ordo or the “Mass of Pope Paul VI” was published. The number of Prefaces was increased, and the Sign of Peace was restored to all the faithful. Lay people were allowed to receive both the Precious Body and the Precious Blood in the form of bread and wine. Hopefully this brief history of the Mass will help you enter more fully into the celebrations. (Father Wilmer Todd is a retired priest of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.) BC

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

In the mid-1960s, lay people were commissioned to be lectors and extraordinary ministers of holy Communion.

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Special

The Good Shepherd Guest Columnist Father Michael Bergeron

(This is the final installment of a series of articles about the relationship of a shepherd with his flock.) 23rd PSALM The story of the good shepherd is a good one – the 23rd Psalm is familiar to all of us. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose.” This first line is understood in relation to what sheep need. What do sheep need? Well, that’s simple. Sheep mostly eat, and they start very early. The shepherd leads them out at 3:30 in the morning. They are still groggy and undiscriminating at that time, so he leads them to eat rough herbage. As the day moves on, and their taste develops, he gradually leads them to finer weeds and eventually to the sweet, smooth pasture grass. Now deep in their ovine hearts, the sheep have a sense that the day gets better as it goes along (cause the food gets better), and they trust that the shepherd will do it again tomorrow! Humans also need a deep sentiment that life does not go from bad to worse. We need to trust that, after every rugged

journey, there is a restful pasture. We need to trust our Good Shepherd. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose.” “Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.” Now sheep are skittish about running water. Even if they are very thirsty, they will not drink from moving water (in other words, a flowing stream) because they are innately fearful of falling in, and with their heavy wool, drowning. A bad shepherd will force them to the stream and force them to drink. A good shepherd will collect rocks and build little dams at the stream to create small pools of still water. It is the same water, in the same place, but now it is safely calm. Even the smallest lamb will not be afraid to drink. “Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.” Humans also need to be on the tranquil side of life now and then. We must struggle out of the raging torrent and find shelter in a quiet cove. Sometimes we are so bone-weary that someone else has to construct those havens for us. That someone is our Good Shepherd. “He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the valley of death, I fear no evil for you are at my side.” Did you know that there is really a valley of death for sheep in Israel? It is a narrow pass four miles long between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. The walls of this pass are 1,500 feet high, the width about 15 feet. Twice a year, the sheep have to pass through this narrow

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

pass on their way to milder climate. “With your rod and your staff that give me courage.” Danger lurks along the path. First, there is a ravine that frightens the sheep. The shepherd has to coax them to jump. The sheep cannot be taught to overcome a present fear for a future benefit. Sheep are not that smart. They simply have to be coaxed across. Humans also have to be coaxed into the future. The promise of love does not automatically create a good marriage. There is no guarantee that the new job will work out. We can never promise our children that everything will be fine if they just make that fearful leap beyond adolescence. Some things cannot be taught or proven; sometimes, we must simply be coaxed, lured, led, prodded into what is best for us. That’s why we need to be shepherded – especially by one who has been there – our Good Shepherd. Do you understand that “leading us in the paths of righteousness” is a form of protection? We can be intelligent people, welleducated people, even religious people, yet like a sheep, somehow we may stray from the path of right living just long enough to become ensnared in a destructive relationship, a destructive habit, a destructive lifestyle. One of the most important prayers that many of us can pray is the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray, especially that petition, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” We need a shepherd. This is not to say that we can abdicate responsibility for our lives. It is to say that because

Special

Part Four we are humans we are flawed. There comes a point where we need a shepherd to provide for us and to protect us—to keep us on a right path. “With your rod and your staff that give me courage.” “You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes.” Now the most immediate danger for sheep is poisonous grass. Sheep cannot distinguish between healthful and harmful consumption, so they depend on the shepherd to pull out the deadly weeds, leaving a healthy banquet. “You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes.” The most insidious evil in our human environment might be harmless pleasure. Children are especially apt to ingest indiscriminately everything the culture offers, and adults may encourage them instead of shepherding them. A European observer noted of us: “You Americans don’t “raise” children – you “incite” them! You give them food, clothes and applause.” If the shepherd frolics with the sheep, everyone gets eaten alive. “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Now another danger that lurks in this valley that must be traveled comes from jagged rocks. No matter how sure-footed the animals may be, they will suffer some cuts and gashes as they navigate the four-mile narrow passage. The shepherd checks each one of his flock and rubs healing oil in their cuts. “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” No matter how careful we are, we get bruised by life. We are wondrously

self-healing in many cases. But, in others cases, there is no cure unless someone holds out their hand. And then some broken things simply cannot be mended, some things cannot be fixed. They simply must be forgiven. That’s where our Good Shepherd comes in. Is the good shepherd image useful in our day and age? On the immediate level, it may be easy to imagine ourselves as innocent little lambs safe on a laughing shepherd’s shoulders. But our shepherd has to lead us through a wild and wooly world, so sometimes, not always, he has to have a lean, sometimes more serious look. Christ the Good Shepherd calls us to listen to his voice: To listen consciously, deliberately, wisely for his voice in the midst of the noise and busy-ness of our lives; to listen for his voice in the love and joy, the pain and anguish, the cries for mercy and justice of those around us. In responding to the voice of Christ in acts of generosity, love and forgiveness, we proclaim the good news of hope and grace that is the Easter miracle. “Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come.” In the book A Psalm of an Old Shepherd, H.W. McLaughlin tells a beautiful story of an experience he had in the land of Palestine. While talking to an elderly sheep herder, he asked the sheep herder how his staff comforted his flock. The man explained that in the daylight he always carried his staff across his shoulders. This reminded the sheep of his presence, for he had guided and directed them with it when they traveled over a rough stretch of ground or had to pass through a narrow ravine. When night overtook them, or if they were caught in a heavy fog so that the animals could no longer see the staff, he would lower it; and as he walked, he would tap on the ground with it. By the sound of the staff, the sheep were once again guided and comforted. It told them that their protecting shepherd was up ahead picking out a safe pathway. Blood of the Lamb We have all heard the phrase, “I’ve been washed by the blood of the lamb.” What does that mean? Lambing time comes around every spring, and it’s the hardest time of year. In the morning a shepherd awakes to find that the female sheep has given

birth to a lamb . . . and the lamb has died. In another portion of his flock the shepherd finds another sheep that gave birth during the night and the mother died! So, on one hand the shepherd has a childless mother who will probably die of a broken heart. On the other hand, he has an orphan who will probably starve to death without his mother’s milk. All logic tells him to put the orphan with the childless mother. Should work, shouldn’t it? It will not work, not at all. The mother knows the child is not hers and the child itself is confused and starving. The old prophets and the old shepherds, saw in this regular event in their flock a perfect image of our relationship to God. We lambs are so alienated from one another that we are dying from starvation and God, the mother sheep, is dying of a broken heart. (Well, God cannot die, but you get the imagery.) One and only one thing can be done. If the shepherd takes the dead lamb and drains its blood, he can then wash the orphan in the blood of the dead lamb, and the mother, smelling her own, immediately moves so that the orphan may suckle. In other words, the orphan is brought to table and to life by its adoption through the blood. The early Scriptures promised that a Messiah would come and be the lamb by which we were brought to an intimate relationship with God. Adoption by blood. What a powerful concept. And the people of ancient Palestine understood this concept completely. It is us who are confused. Christ’s blood makes possible an intimate relationship with God. Christ’s blood is sign and symbol of the union Christ has established between humanity and God. Certainly, if nothing else, the shedding of Christ’s precious blood forces us to face the urgency of our relationship with God. It calls us to face our own sinfulness. Jesus is our Crossing Guard. It is he who makes it possible for us to reach the Father through his total surrender to God and through his shed blood – “adoption by blood.” And we have been washed by the blood of the lamb. We know our God and our God knows us. (Father Michael Bergeron is a retired priest of the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux.) BC

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

Heavenly Recipes

Story and Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

Grandma’s apple pie

Nicole Naquin

This month’s heavenly recipe, Swedish apple pie, comes from Nicole Naquin, administrative assistant for the diocesan Office of Worship. Nicole got the recipe from her grandmother Una Naquin. Nicole, a native of Pointe-aux-Chenes, now resides in Houma. Her grandmother was very influential in Nicole’s life being that she and Nicole’s father raised Nicole from the age of about four and a half years. “My grandmother helped raise me and my two sisters who are younger than me.” Nicole graduated from South Terrebonne High School and attended Nicholls and Fletcher for a few semesters. Nicole says that God called her to be a full-time mother shortly after. “My favorite thing is to bake. I love to bake homemade cinnamon rolls. It’s special. It is so special that the recipe from my grandmother is a family secret. Our whole family has it, and now since my grandmother is 93, it is up to us to continue the tradition of making the cinnamon rolls,” says Nicole. “I grew up in Pointe-aux-Chenes and still attend Mass at St. Charles Borromeo.” Nicole is a big part of the music ministry there. “I am the choir director, organist and cantor since 2006. I joined the choir there when I was 11 or 12. I was the youngest one in the choir for many years, in fact I still am.” A self-taught musician, she leads the choir and plays the organ. “I took choir for two years in high school. That has helped me.” Nicole has two children, Angel who is 18 and Juliana who is 16. “They both have my open heart. They are quick to help when help is needed. Their father is Hispanic and

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

Heavenly Recipes

Swedish Apple Pie Ingredients: 1/4 cup butter or margarine 1 tbsp. sugar 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 egg 1 cup sugar 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1 cup flour 1/2 cup chopped nuts (whatever nuts you happen to have on hand) 2 medium apples, thinly sliced

Directions: Melt margarine or butter. Fill a pie plate 2/3 full with peeled, sliced apples. Sprinkle apples with sugar and cinnamon. In small bowl, beat egg, one cup of sugar, baking powder, salt and one cup of flour. Add melted butter or margarine. Add nuts. Spread over apples and bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes.

they have acquired some of the Hispanic culture. They are culturally diverse between Cajun and Hispanic. They have helped me in the kitchen since they were very young and both know how to cook and bake.” “My dad was a large part of my Catholic faith. He was a reader in church and was always active in pro-life movements. He was a leader when it came to us learning our faith.” Nicole enjoys working in the Office of Worship. “It has been my dream for a long time to work in the Office of Worship. I was hired in October 2017. I have learned a lot about music and music ministry from Father Glenn LeCompte. He has helped me tremendously in my understanding of music.” “The Pastoral Center staff is like the other half of my family. They are great in good times and difficult times. Someone is always here to lift your spirits. It gives you hope to continue your day. It is nice to have so many diverse people to work with here. Since I have been working here, I have been baking a lot more. I enjoy baking things and sharing it with my coworkers at the Pastoral Center. They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. I think it works for both men and women. You bake it and they will come and enjoy it.” BC

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

Cover Story

Bishop Fabre named one of Our Sunday Visitor’s 2021 Catholics of the Year Cover Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Tyler Neil Bishop Shelton J. Fabre was recently honored as one of Our Sunday Visitor’s 2021 Catholics of the Year. Bishop Fabre joined nine other honorees that Our Sunday Visitor called “shining examples of those who have made indelible marks on the church and the world throughout the past year. Each of their stories inspired others to persevere in faith and offered, in their own way, a witness to the power of following the will of God and the fruits that blossom from doing so.” According to Scott Warden, managing editor of Our Sunday Visitor, the publication has been choosing Catholics of the Year for as long as he’s worked there. “Every year in late November or early December, a group of editors gets together to look back on the past year. What have been the big stories, and who has shown remarkable 24 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • February 2022

leadership within the church over the past 12 months? Who has shown remarkable faith in the face of adversity? Bishop Fabre checked all the boxes and was an easy choice for us,” says Warden. “His leadership during and after Hurricane Ida was a remarkable witness to his love of the people of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. As Dr. Augustine says in the tribute to his friend and mentor, Bishop Fabre showed the world what servant leadership looks like. It was an honor for us to include him as one of Our Sunday Visitor’s 2021 Catholics of the Year.” Bishop Fabre, who was recognized for his strong faith and leadership amid a difficult year in Louisiana, says he is humbled by the honor given to him by Our Sunday Visitor. “However, the honor does not belong to me personally as much as it belongs to the many, many people in our Catholic

Cover Story

Charities, church parishes, and diocesan offices who have been working tirelessly to respond to the great ongoing need in our community after Hurricane Ida,” says the bishop. “I remain grateful to them, and vigilant in prayer for them and for those who are continuing to rebuild their homes and communities, as well as their lives and livelihoods. God grant to us all strength, comfort and hope as we continue on our journey to recovery.” Dr. Ansel Augustine, who has served the church in various capacities for over 20 years and presently serves as the area director of Vagabond Missions, authored the following article: Proverbs 3:5-7 states: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart / on your own intelligence do not rely; / In all your ways be mindful of him, / and he will make straight your paths. / Do not be wise in your own eyes, / fear the Lord and turn away from evil.” This Scripture passage perfectly summarizes the life and personality of Bishop Shelton Fabre of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana. I have had the pleasure of knowing Bishop Fabre as a friend, mentor and supervisor when he became the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 2007. He was also best friends with my “Dad,” Father Michael Jacques, SSE, who served as our pastor at St. Peter Claver in New Orleans for almost 30 years until he died in 2013. Since 2007, I have seen Bishop Fabre weather various personal challenges in his life, from deaths, tough diocesan decisions, chairing the anti-racism work of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and now rebuilding after Hurricane Ida. Throughout all these trials, I have witnessed a man so close to God that his faith has “moved mountains.” In fact, it is this faith that inspires those around him to grow closer to God as well. This past August, Hurricane Ida devastated our region; although New Orleans was affected, we were nowhere near as distressed as Houma-Thibodaux, which is about 40 miles southwest of New Orleans. Here we are, several months

later, and much of that area is still being rebuilt from scratch. It is in this reality that we witness Bishop Fabre submitting to the will of God to help the people he is called to shepherd. Not only has Bishop Fabre been in meetings with FEMA and other agencies to try to get help for his people, but he has also been in the trenches with the people serving. There is a popular picture that was run throughout the country of Bishop Fabre carrying a large bag of ice to help during the rebuilding process. Bishop Fabre is a true witness to the goodness of God. He is very worthy to be included as one of Our Sunday Visitor’s Catholics of the Year. For as the Scripture states, his trust and submission to God’s will continues to help make the paths straight for all those he has been called to serve. (Excerpt from “[Meet Our Sunday Visitor’s 2021 Catholics of the Year]” by [Various Authors] from [Our Sunday Visitor] [Dec. 13, 2021] © Our Sunday Visitor Publishing. 1(800) 348-2440. www.osv.com. Used by permission. No other use of this material is authorized.) BC

February 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 25

Special

Catholic Charities continues to address needs of those affected by Ida Story by Janet Marcel Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

After Hurricane Ida devastated much of the area that makes up the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, many people were temporarily unable to live in their homes because of the damage; and some were left homeless after their houses were completely destroyed. To address the housing needs of the people in this area, the diocese quickly began working with the National Council of the United States Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP), and its sister company, the Disaster Services Corporation (DSC), to set up Parish Recovery Assistance Centers (P-RACs) in the diocese. At the P-RACs, case workers documented victims’ damages and assisted them in registering for federal and state programs. According to Lee Bultman, disaster recovery case worker and coordinator of the Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux (CCH-T) Case Management program, approximately 3,100 applications were collected at the P-RACs, and subsequently loaded into a spreadsheet whereby the data could be more easily managed and analyzed. As a result of analyzing the data, the administration at CCH-T is making data driven decisions to determine where and how to use the limited resources that are available. 26 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • February 2022

The goal is to assist as many people as possible, while being responsible stewards of our limited resources, Bultman says. “That’s where the recently implemented CCH-T Case Management program process comes into play. Utilizing a structured, comprehensive, assessment process, critical information is gathered and utilized to determine which cases we can most effectively address and which are more appropriately referred to other agencies.” Currently, there are five case workers/managers on staff at CCH-T contacting the 1,371 applicants who indicated the need for mold remediation and/or “muck and gut” assistance – the process of removing storm damaged items from homes such as wet carpet, ruined furniture, etc., and then gutting the houses to the extent needed – removing saturated, infested sheetrock – to prepare the home so that contractors can begin repairs. “Of course, there are two sides to case management work,” explains Bultman. “First there are the technicalities of the people who need a place to stay or they need to have their house gutted. And, the other side of the story is the psychological and emotional aspects of recovery. It’s the disruption to their lives, the trauma aspect, the faith aspect … the human side of the story. Their sense of security has

Special

been impacted. In some ways, we are helping to rebuild the person by helping them rebuild their house and give them back some level of comfort and security.” At present, the disaster response efforts are largely focused on muck and gut activities, says Bultman, however, the other ministries of CCH-T – food, clothing, shelter and comfort – continue to function and assist those in need. “I’m not sure that the Cajun people realize how distinct their culture is,” notes Bultman, who is a native of South Carolina. “The faith, sense of resiliency and the generosity of the people here, in my experience, is like no other place I’ve been. I haven’t heard anyone complain; and the ‘attention to neighbor’ is remarkable. People genuinely want to help each other. They all have this ‘I’m just hanging in there and trying to move forward’ kind of attitude.” Emergency management has four phases: Mitigation, preparedness, response, and finally recovery, which is where the diocese currently is. The recovery phase occurs once the event that created the emergency has passed and the resulting threats to safety, security and well-being have been addressed and stabilized (response phase). During the recovery period, restoration efforts occur concurrently with regular operations and activities. Examples of recovery activities include: Preventing or reducing stress-related illnesses and excessive financial burdens; rebuilding damaged structures, utilizing knowledge obtained from previous disasters, e.g., improved

building techniques to mitigate damage from future storms. The recovery period from a disaster can be prolonged. The next steps in the recovery phase are at least threefold, explains Bultman. n Continue offering assistance to individuals and families based on the information collected at the P-RACs. n Assist individuals and families with navigating the FEMA application and appeals processes. n Adjust CCH-T Case Management program processes and foci as the ever changing needs of those seeking help are identified. “Hurricane Ida created nearly incalculable, seemingly insurmountable need, and we receive new requests for assistance daily. Resources are limited and CCH-T largely depends on donations from those who embrace Catholic social teaching and want to support those in need,” says Bultman. “With critically needed donations, CCH-T can provide for others. Those in need are not strangers from across the country or globe. They are our friends, our families, our neighbors! To donate for their benefit, wellbeing, and recovery, please go to https://catholiccharitiesht. org/disasterrelief.” For more information on the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux’s Hurricane Ida response and recovery efforts, to receive assistance, or give assistance, go to https:// catholiccharitiesht.org/ida. BC

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

Youth

in action

How has attending St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School helped to strengthen your faith and prepare you academically for the next step in your educational journey? As a student at St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School, my Catholic faith has grown tremendously over the years. I have attended St. Joseph since Kindergarten, which has given me multiple opportunities to become an active member of the Catholic faith. Since I attend a Catholic school, I practice my faith daily through a variety of prayer experiences. As a school family, we pray every morning and afternoon. We pray a decade of the rosary every Monday; we pray before each of our classes, and on Fridays and Holy Days of Obligation we attend Mass. I am a member of our school choir, which allows me to share my prayers with others through praise and worship at our weekly school

Masses. This school year, my faith has been strengthened through the incorporation of music in my religion class. Reflecting on “Music Monday’s” and songs from a variety of genres has helped me to see God in others and in myself, and in my everyday life and encounters. School sponsored grade level retreats have also helped to deepen my relationship with God. I am thankful for all the opportunities that I have been provided with at St. Joseph to develop a strong faith. St. Joseph has helped to prepare me for the next step in my educational journey through interactive, hands-on learning and through teachers who are dedicated to helping their students achieve success. My teachers have always made me feel confident in my

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

Rylee Abadie

School: St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School, Thibodaux Grade: 7th Church parish: St. Joseph CoCathedral, Thibodaux Describe your family unit: Scott, father; Sera, mother; Paxton, brother; and Sammi is my dog Favorite Hobby: My favorite hobbies include playing soccer, babysitting and reading. I play goal keeper for my travel soccer team and I also play goal keeper for my school soccer team. In my spare time, I enjoy babysitting. I babysit for my neighbors across the street and enjoy helping them with their homework. I enjoy reading action and adventure books because they are fast-paced and allow me to use my imagination when reading. Favorite Movie: The Greatest Showman Favorite T.V. Show: Full House Favorite Genre of Music: I enjoy a variety of music. I like to listen to country music, Christian music, and modern pop music. academic studies and have encouraged me to always reach my potential. As a student at St. Joseph Elementary, I am most proud of my grades and being chosen as the 5th Grade Student of the Year in 2020. I am very thankful to my parents for providing me with an excellent Catholic education that will help me to be successful in my high school years. I look forward to continuing my Catholic education journey at E.D. White Catholic High School next year. BC

Seminarian eDucation burSeS Seminarian Spotlight Ryan Thibodaux n What church parish are you from? I am from Our Lady of the Rosary in Larose. n When did you hear your call to the priesthood? I first heard the call to priesthood the summer before I started high school at a Steubenville conference. n Where are you studying and in what year of your studies are you? I am in my first year of theology at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. n What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten? The best advice I’ve ever gotten was from a Benedictine priest, Father Simon Baker. He told me, “Don’t believe the lie that Jesus will not be enough for you. He will fulfill all of your desires.” n If you could travel to any point in history, what time period would you go to? If I could travel back to any time period, it would be ancient Greece because I love learning about that time of history.

DiD you know? Seminarian eDucation coStS on average $45,000 a year for eight yearS Seminarian enDowmentS can be nameD enDoweD funDS/burSeS. each year intereSt earneD from the enDowmentS are granteD to the DioceSe to cover annual coStS of their eDucation. catholic founDation of South louiSiana manageS Seminarian enDowmentS for the DioceSe.

all completeD Seminarian eDucation burSeS can be vieweD online at www.htDioceSe.org/vocationS For more information contact the Catholic Foundation at 985-850-3116 or aponson@htdiocese.org February 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 29

Special

The 2021-2023 Synod: We start by listening Story by Janet Marcel Pope Francis celebrated Mass in Rome in October 2021 to begin the preparation process for the upcoming Synod of Bishops, officially titled “Synod 2021-2023, For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission.” The Synod of Bishops was established by Pope Paul VI, on Sept. 15, 1965, in response to the desire of the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council to keep alive the spirit of collegiality engendered by the conciliar experience. The word “synod”, derived from two Greek words syn meaning “together” and hodos meaning “road” or “way,” means a “coming together.” The Synod, generally speaking, can be defined as an assembly of bishops representing the Catholic episcopate, having the task of helping the pope in the governing of the universal church by rendering their counsel (https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/synod/ documents/rc_synod_01011995_profile_en.html). In the words of Pope Francis, the Synod of Bishops is a body that “manifests the solicitude of the College of Bishops for the needs of the People of God and for communion 30 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • February 2022

among the churches.” Furthermore, the role of the Synod of Bishops is primarily that of “listening to the people of God,” and as such is the “suitable instrument to give voice to the entire people of God” (https://www.vaticannews.va/en/ church/news/2019-10/what-is-synod-bishops-faq.html). Bishop Shelton J. Fabre explains that this year Pope Francis has decided to do something new with the synod. “This year’s topic is to reflect on the church’s role in listening and journeying with others – a concept that he calls ‘synodality.’ The desire of Pope Francis is to provide an opportunity for the worldwide church to reflect on how the church fosters this gathering of people from all backgrounds, listens to them, and accompanies them in their walks of life.” Father Patrick Riviere, diocesan director of the Office of the Priesthood and liaison for the diocesan Office of Parish Support who is serving as diocesan contact for the Synod of Bishops, says the purpose of the Synod of Bishops is to assist the pope in reorienting the church in a posture

Special

of accompaniment and journeying together. Part of this process involves each diocese around the world listening to their people to see what the Holy Spirit is saying through them, based on several focus questions. “By journeying together and reflecting together on the journey that has been made, the church will be able to learn through her experience which processes can help her to live in communion, achieve participation, and open herself to mission. Our ‘journeying together’ is, in fact, what most effectively enacts and manifests the nature of the church as the pilgrim and missionary people of God” (Preparatory Document, Synod of Bishops). The Diocesan Phase The goal of the diocesan phase is simply to hear the hearts and desires of the people, to see how the church has accompanied them in different areas and seasons of life, how they have “journeyed together” with their church community, and to see how the church can better accompany both those in the pews and those not in the pews. Pope Francis has put particular focus on reaching out to those we don’t ordinarily hear from for this reason, explains Father Riviere. “We want to hear from as many people as possible! Our involvement with the Synod will be done primarily at the parish level. Because of all that our area has been through in the last five months, the church parishes will be participating in a variety of ways at the discretion of the pastor based on the needs and desires of their particular communities,” says the priest. Some options include scheduling parish listening sessions; utilizing pre-existing small groups or parish councils to gather feedback; having one-on-one conversations to receive feedback from the people; and creating a form or survey for people to fill out.

Bayou

Father Riviere encourages everyone to check with their church parish to see how they can participate in this phase of the Synod. “The Synod is providing all of us with an opportunity to listen together as a church to the movements of the Holy Spirit in our lives today,” says Bishop Fabre. “So often, we are quick to do what we think rather than first stopping to listen – both to the Spirit and to others. This process gives us a reminder to always remain in the posture of listening before the Lord. I encourage the people of our diocese to make their voices heard in the synod process as we take this journey together.” As the diocesan contact, Father Riviere will serve as a liaison between the diocese and the church parishes throughout the process. The pastors will listen to the people, compile the themes and thoughts they hear based on the questions that have been provided to them. Father Riviere will receive all of the feedback from the church parishes and compose it into a report to send to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) by the end of June 2022, to be included in their report. The reports will go through several phases of review and revisions before the final document is presented in 2023. “This Synod is providing an opportunity for us to develop a posture of listening that shouldn’t be a one-time thing, but an ongoing reality so that we’re continually listening, continually praying and discerning with people,” says Father Riviere. “I think the most important thing is not going to be the final document the Synod produces, but that the parishes see the fruits of the process and let it be an ongoing process as opposed to a one-time thing.” For more resources and information about the Synod of Bishops, visit htdiocese.org/synod. BC

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February 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 31

Announcements

Pastoral appointments announced After consultation with the priests’ personnel board, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre has announced the following pastoral appointments, effective immediately.

Father Francis Kayaye

Father Brett Lapeyrouse

Father Francis Kayaye, who has been serving as associate pastor at St. Bernadette Church parish in Houma, has been appointed associate pastor at Holy Cross Church parish in Morgan City. Father Kayaye, a native of Uganda, was ordained to the priesthood Jan. 23, 1999.

Father Brett Lapeyrouse, who has been serving as associate pastor at Holy Cross Church parish in Morgan City, has been appointed associate pastor at St. Bernadette Church parish in Houma. Father Lapeyrouse, a native of Chauvin/Bourg, was ordained to the priesthood June 1, 2019. BC

Excellence in Religious Education Fund The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus of the HoumaThibodaux diocese presented Bishop Shelton J. Fabre with a donation of $2,580 for the 2021 Excellence in Religious Education Fund, which was made possible by the eight Fourth Degree Assemblies of the diocese. Participating in the presentation from left are Kervin Voisin, Holy Family Assembly, Grand Caillou; Houma-Thibodaux Diocese District Marshal Rocky Bush, Bishop Fabre, and Louisiana District Master Kell Luke.

32 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • February 2022

February Daily Prayer for Priests, Deacons, Religious and Seminarians

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Very Rev. André Melancon, V.F.

Very Rev. John Nambusseril, V.F.

Rev. Jean-Marie Nsambu

Rev. Joseph Pilola

Rev. Benie Rebosura

Deacon Timothy Vedros

Rev. Patrick Riviere

Rev. Robert Rogers

Rev. Henry Sebastian

Rev. Mitchel Semar

Rev. Antonio Maria Speedy

Seminarian James Rome

Rev. Carlos Talavera

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

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

Very Rev. Mark Toups, V.G.

Rev. Mike Tran

Bro. Patrick McGinity, S.C.

Rev. Joseph Tregre

Rev. Joe Varghese

Rev. Billy Velasco

Rev. Shenan Boquet

Rev. Thomas Bouterie

Deacon Timothy White

Rev. Stuart King

Rev. Joshua Rodrigue

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

Bishop Emeritus Sam G. Jacobs

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

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of the Word 506 Cardinal Drive, Thibodaux, LA • marianservantsoftheword@gmail.com

February 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 33

Vatican

Three Rome events to look forward to in 2022 By HANNAH BROCKHAUS Vatican City (CNA) Although the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect many people around the world, the beginning of a new calendar year is also a good time to look forward to joyful events to come. In Rome, the Vatican is planning three important international occasions with Christian hope. Though crowd sizes may have to be controlled, modern technology and the ability to connect remotely or through livestreaming means that participation can be unlimited. Here are three Rome events that Catholics can look forward to in 2022. The canonization of Charles de Foucauld The canonization of Bl. Charles de Foucauld and six other blesseds on May 15 will end a stretch of two years and seven months since the most recent canonizations, those of St. John Henry Newman and four others in

A pilgrim attends the canonization of St. John Henry Newman in Rome, Oct. 13, 2019. October 2019. A canonization — when the pope recognizes that a holy man or woman is in heaven — is always a blessed

Bl. Charles de Foucauld 34 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • February 2022

occasion for the church, and many Catholics are likely to rejoice as the French soldier and adventurer, who later became a Trappist monk and Catholic missionary to Muslims in Algeria, is declared a saint. After his reversion to the Catholic faith, Foucauld wanted to imitate the life of Jesus. He spent his last 13 years living among the Muslim Tuareg people, a nomadic ethnic group, in the desert of French-occupied Algeria. Also known as Brother Charles of Jesus, Foucauld was killed in 1916 at the age of 58. On May 15, Pope Francis will also canonize Devasahayam Pillai, a layman from India who was martyred after converting from Hinduism to Catholicism in the 18th century. Pillai, who is also known by his baptismal name, Lazarus, was beatified in 2012 in southern India. He will be the first lay Catholic from

Vatican

India to be declared a saint. Seven years after his conversion, Pillai was killed at the age of 40 by gunshot, after he had been falsely accused of treason, arrested, and tortured for three years. Two religious sisters will also be canonized on May 15: Bl. Maria Francesca di Gesù, the foundress of the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of Loano, and Bl. Maria Domenica Mantovani, the co-foundress and first general superior of the Institute of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family. Bl. César de Bus, Bl. Luigi Maria Palazzolo and Bl. Giustino Maria Russolillo — three priests who founded religious congregations and institutes — will also be declared saints. 10th World Meeting of Families Though the continued spread of COVID-19 means physical attendance in Rome will be limited, the 10th World Meeting of Families, on June 22-26, will offer ways for any Catholic family to participate. Organizers have planned hybrid in-person and online meetings, and bishops have been encouraged to hold parallel events in their dioceses. This will be Rome’s third time hosting the international gathering, which started in 1994. Around 2,000 people will attend the 2022 edition, which is on the theme of “Family love:

Pope John Paul I in an undated file photo

The official website of the 2022 World Meeting of Families in Rome. Screenshot from romefamily2022.com. A vocation and a path to holiness.” Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, the vicar of Rome, said: “Choosing the city that holds the memories of the Apostles Peter and Paul as the main venue for the meeting highlights the original vocation of the church of Rome which ‘presides over the communion of the churches.’” The World Meeting of Families

will also mark the end of the Amoris Laetitia Family Year. The beatification of Pope John Paul I Venerable John Paul I will be beatified on Sept. 4 by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica. Often called “the smiling pope,” John Paul I died unexpectedly on Sept. 28, 1978, after just 33 days in office. A priority of his short pontificate was carrying forward the work of the Second Vatican Council. But even before he was elected pope, Albino Luciani was known for his humility, emphasis on spiritual poverty, and dedication to teaching the faith in an understandable manner. In October, Pope Francis recognized a miracle obtained through John Paul I’s intercession and gave approval for him to be declared “blessed.” Though beatification ceremonies usually take place in the country most associated with the life of the new blessed, John Paul I will be beatified at the Vatican because he served as a pope. The miracle attributed to John Paul I’s intercession is the 2011 healing of a girl in the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires, Argentina, from a severe form of encephalopathy, a disease affecting the brain. BC

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

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

Sports

Overtime Ed Daniels

Saints successful despite adversity Any way you slice it, the Saints season was a resounding success. Jameis Winston started seven games. When he departed, the Saints were on their way to a fifth victory. The Saints lost running back Alvin Kamara for four games. New Orleans lost all four. Offensive tackles Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramczyk, two of the best at their position in the NFL, started a

total of 18 games. Four Saints quarterbacks started at least one game. The Saints used four placekickers. Wide receiver Michael Thomas, who set an NFL single season receptions record in 2019, didn’t play a down in the 2021 season. Defensive tackle David Onyemata, the club’s best interior pass rusher, was suspended the first six games of the season. Running back Latavius Murray, who refused to take a pay cut, was waived. He then signed with Baltimore, and rushed for 501 yards, six touchdowns, and averaged 4.2 yards per carry. The Saints got a minor contribution from first round pick Payton Turner, who had one sack. His season ended in early November with an injury against the Falcons. And, in December, the Saints had so few players available for a game against Miami due to COVID-19, they had only one inactive, Terron Armstead, for the game. Yet, it took the second largest comeback in the 2021 season, by the 49ers against the Rams, to knock the Saints out of the playoffs. So, you would assume that if the Saints have better luck with injuries, they will once again be not only a playoff contender, but a playoff factor?

Maybe so. What the Saints 2021 season showed us all, is that despite a rash of bad luck, New Orleans has a talented roster. Especially on defense. All the Saints need to do now is get some help at wide receiver, and trade for quarterback Russell Wilson. If that means the Saints send the Seahawks a first round pick and more, then I say, so be it. Jameis Winston, before he got hurt, completed 59 percent of his passes. Taysom Hill, in 12 games, completed 58.2 percent of his passes. We have, and so does Sean Payton, a large enough sample of their abilities. By the way, in his last five years as a Saint, Drew Brees completed at least 70 percent of his passes, and was at 74.4 in 2018. So, there’s a huge gap between average and excellent. Wilson doesn’t celebrate his 34th until November of 2022. Which means he has at least five more years of top shelf football, maybe more, ahead of him. The Seahawks need to rebuild. The Saints need to win now. Make that deal, and a year later, we aren’t writing in January, about the Saints season ending. Because it will still be, in progress. BC

Your personal financial goals deserve a personal approach. Walters & Associates A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC 985.446.1968 132 Rue Colette, Ste A Thibodaux, LA 70301 waltersplanning.com

National Catholic Schools Week Jan. 30 - Feb. 5

Catholic Schools Week

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Catholic School Administrator-Ministers

Marissa Bagala

Peter Boudreaux

Kelli Cazayoux

Michelle Chiasson

Jeremy Gueldner

Lydia Landry

Cathy Long

Dr. Cindy Martin

Tim Robichaux

Gerard Rodrigue Jr.

Amanda Talbot

St. Mary’s Nativity

President, Vandebilt

Ginny Medina-Hamilton

Central Catholic

St. Bernadette

Vandebilt

President, E.D. White

Cheryl Thibodaux

Tricia Thibodaux

St. Genevieve

St. Francis

Holy Rosary

St. Joseph

E.D. White

St. Gregory

Central Catholic

Holy Savior

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

Catholic Schools Week

Bishop Fabre with students Bishop Shelton J. Fabre is pictured chatting with Catholic school students after celebrating Mass, visiting students in their classroom and also reading the book Everyone Belongs to students in their classroom.

Photos by Tyler Neil

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

Catholic Schools Week

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

Impart the Catholic Faith

ESTABLISHED IN

1855

MONTHLY CELEBRATION OF SCHOOL-WIDE LITURGY

UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE BROTHERS OF THE SACRED HEART AND THE SISTERS OF MT. CARMEL

Promote academic excellence FAITH SERVICE EXCELLENCE 2021 NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS

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FOR ADMISSION CALL

(985) 446-8486

555 Cardinal Drive - Thibodaux, La 70301 42 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • February 2022

AP SCHOLARS WITH HONORS

VISION STATEMENT In God we base our goals in life and then we carry on...in faith, through service, with purpose.

STUDENTS ATTEND DAILY MASS AND WEEKLY ADORATION

THE CLASS OF 2021

WAS OFFERED ADMISSION TO

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EARNED A TOTAL OF

IN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

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E. D. White Catholic High School is open to all students and does not discriminate on the basis of race or national origin. February 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 43

CentrAL CAthOLiC where Central Catholic School in Morgan City fosters a Christ-centered atmosphere with a focus on faith formation, academic excellence and service development in prekindergarten through high school. We provide students, faculty and parents with opportunities for faith, excellence and service. Students at Central Catholic are forming and sharing their faith by participating in weekly Mass, praying for vocations with the Traveling Chalice, having organizations for students to participate in such as Sisters in Christ and the Campus Ministry/Retreat Team, facilitating grade level retreats, praying throughout the day, leading a living rosary annually, facilitating a Eucharistic Procession through the school, and hosting a community Christmas Pageant. Central Catholic is also excited to utilize a program called Virtue=Strength, which is a Catholic virtue-based formation program for Catholic schools. Our students create cards for our community leaders—police, ﬁre and medical personnel—as well as our veterans. During Lent, students visit and pray with elderly or ill members of our community who are located in the school neighborhood, attend a penance service, which in addition to grade level retreats gives them multiple opportunities for reconciliation throughout the year, and participate in a walk-through Way of the Cross.

Mrs. Amanda Talbot, Elementary Principal (985)384-1933 44 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • February 2022

2100 Cedar Street Morgan City, LA 70380

Mr. Peter Boudreaux, High School Principal (985)385-5372

students strive to lead by faith, excellence, service

Central Catholic students are afforded many opportunities to excel in many areas. We have a 1 to 1 student to iPad ratio, Chromebooks, STEM classes, and AP opportunities. Central Catholic also offers Senior and Junior BETA as well as National Honor Society and 4-H. We have Million Word Readers in addition to having a Hometown Spirit Art contest, St. Mary Parish Art Show, and Literary Rally. Central Catholic students, faculty and staff focus on service to others by generously donating food items for Thanksgiving baskets for local families; collecting coats for the needy; donating and packing items in shoeboxes for underprivileged children around the world through Box of Joy to educate them about Jesus Christ; providing nursing home residents with clothing and personal items; collecting toys around Christmas for Toys for Tots; collecting items for the needy during Lent in conjunction with Holy Cross Church through a program called Operation Lent, as well as many other service opportunities throughout our community. This year especially, our students were able to work hands-on throughout the diocese with not only collecting items, but delivering those items and helping with clean up from the devastation from Hurricane Ida. At Central Catholic, each child is seen as a unique gift from God, and all missions are possible with God. Central Catholic embodies the theme of Catholic Schools Week: Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service. If you want your child to receive spiritual formation and academic excellence, consider Central Catholic. Your children and your family will be enriched by the experience of a Central Catholic education! Central Catholic admits students regardless of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin. February 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 45

CELEBRATING Catholic Schools Week

January 30 - February 5

For over 150 years Vandebilt Catholic has served this area while providing students with a holistic education that is rooted in religious values, structured through friendly discipline, nurtured by personal attention, and committed to academic excellence. The school’s rich history in the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux began in 1870 when the Marianite Sisters of Holy Cross opened Sacred Heart Academy with an enrollment of 25 girls. The school’s name was changed to St. Francis de Sales Academy in 1879 and boys were admitted for the first time in 1890. With the arrival of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in the early 1950s, the school divided into St. Francis de Sales Boys’ and St. Francis de Sales Girls’ High Schools. As enrollment increased in the 1950s and 1960s, a new facility was needed, and the two schools merged in 1965 under the name Houma Central Catholic High School. In 1966 the school was dedicated as Vandebilt Catholic High School, named in the memory of Fr. August Vandebilt who was a longtime pastor of St. Francis de Sales Church. On Sunday, August 29, the Vandebilt Catholic campus, along with our entire community, was heavily impacted by Hurricane Ida. As we look to rebuild our campus, we do so with the next 150 years in mind. The campus will feature a new student union, which we hope will create more of a college or university feel to our campus and allow students to not only enjoy incredible food, but also give them a space to study and congregate. Additionally, we will feature a Digital Media Center, which will allow students to collaborate on projects, including video and music production, both print and digital media, and graphic design work. Our new Physics, Chemistry, and Biology labs will be far more than traditional lab spaces featuring 3D printers, drones, and an increased focus on engineering. Our families will have access to a brand new Counseling Center and Student Resource Center, which will allow Vandebilt Catholic to serve the diverse needs of our student population. The recent modern updates to our classrooms and hallways also create a more conducive learning environment and a great sense of pride for our students and teachers. Vandebilt Catholic is proud to provide a Catholic, Christian, value-based education for young men and women rooted in the Charisms of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart.

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

Faith Family V day Forever Fa terday Today3 cellence Yest Family Excell 40% ever Faith Fam Today Foreve Finalist Yesterday To 5X ly Excellenc Vandebilt Catholic Faith Family The mission of Vandebilt Catholic High School is to provide students with a holistic education that is rooted in religious values, structured through friendly discipline, nurtured by personal attention, and committed to academic excellence.

Nearly

of our current teachers and faculty are proud Ginny Medina-Hamilton ‘91, Vandebilt Catholic VCHS principal with her daughter, Laura Hamilton ‘23. alumni who now share the mission and values of their alma mater with the next generation.

2 year winner and

Bayou’s Best of the Best for Best Private School in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes.

Registration

V a w

Excellence Yesterday ToVandebilt Catholic: aith Family Excellence Yesy35 Forever Faith7Family Ex15 sports terday Today Forever Faith lence Yesterday Today Formily Excellence Yesterday 150 24 er Faith Family Excellence oday Forever Faith Famice Yesterday Toda Forever Jan.31 - Feb.14 Yesterday ToExcellence Call 876-2551 for a tour today. A Catholic School of Faith, Excellence, and Service.

Vandebilt Catholic considers clubs, organizations, sports, and activities an important part in the development of the whole person and offers

Since 2010,

co-curricular activities and

Terrebonne Parish Teenagers of the Year have been Vandebilt Catholic seniors.

for students to participate in, including Catholic-based groups such as campus ministry and pro-life club.

Katherine Bonvillain, 2020 Graduate and 2019 Terrebonne Parish Teenager of the Year

Vantastics dance team members perform at a pep rally.

Each Vandebilt Catholic student receives approximately hours of faith instruction per year through daily religion classes.

The ACT average composite score from the VCHS class of 2021 was a

which was nearly 6 points higher than the state average and almost 4 points higher than the national average.

Catholic spirituality and Christian values are also integrated into the curriculum through annual Christmas and Lenten projects, class retreats, and school-wide liturgies.

Brandon Nguyen, 2021 Graduate and 2020 National Merit Finalist and Sacred Heart Scholar recipient (30+ ACT score)

Seniors participating in the annual Christmas Project.

www.vandebiltcatholic.org Vandebilt Catholic is open to all students and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, or ethnicity.

February 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 47

Catholic Schools Week

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

Catholic Schools Week

Holy Savior Catholic School

Creating God’s masterpiece Throughout the long, rich history of Holy Savior Catholic School in Lockport, students have been given a special gift of being able to unite their hearts with the heart of Jesus through faith, excellence and service. We are called to walk with him in service to each other. In the book of Ephesians, it expresses that we are God’s masterpiece, each a unique piece of art. This represents our theme for the 2021-2022 school year and embodies our calling as Catholics. This theme helps us to recognize the innate beauty in each other and the world around us even through all the challenges we face this school year. Once again, we were faced with a school year like no other. Through it all, our school has continued to embrace the ability to encounter Christ in various ways. The need to truly encounter others has fueled our commitment to being present on our campus in a way that fosters growth in our students’ faith. Since we cannot physically be on our home campus, we are lucky to have been embraced by the St. Hilary community that has allowed us to keep our students safe and growing in their Catholic identity.

HOLY SAVIOR CATHOLIC SCHOOL Temporary Address: 359 Twin Oaks Drive ~ Raceland, LA 70374 Phone: (985) 537-2222 www.htdioceseschools.org/holy-savior

Established in 1879

Celebrating over140 Years

Within our temporary school walls, students continue to attend weekly Mass and receive religious instruction daily. Our teachers have fully embraced and built upon this year’s theme in their own unique ways in each classroom. In November, our 4-H club held a canned food drive to collect non-perishable items which were used to create Thanksgiving baskets for the less fortunate in our community. We have been blessed to have the support of numerous schools and organizations during this trying time of recovery after Hurricane Ida as well as our local priests and our children throughout this school year. Together,

our

school

family

grows

together

both

academically and socially through their relationship with Christ and his church. All that we do at Holy Savior is illuminated by the joys of the Gospel. It is the joy of knowing that each of us is a unique creation of God, his masterpiece. BC

State Approved Curriculum ~ Grades K-6 State Certified Teachers ~ Grades K-6 Full and Part-Time Structured State Approved Nursery and Pre-K Program for one, two, three and four year olds Daily Religious Instruction & Weekly School Masses Children’s Choir Band/Music Program Pre-K4-6th P.E. Classes Weekly Library Class Instruction with Certified Librarian Academic Enhancement, Tutoring Program Before & After School Care Program Reasonable Tuition Rates Gym Facilities Parent/Teacher Activities Committee For more information or to request a tour of our facility, please contact Tricia Thibodaux, Principal ~ tthibodaux@htdiocese.org Kelly Mize, Bookkeeper/Secretary ~ kelly.mize@htdiocese.org Holy Savior does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national or ethnic origin

Excellence in Academics + a God-Loving CATHOLIC Environment = Success

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

Catholic Schools Week

Holy Rosary Catholic School

A safe, nurturing, Christ-centered environment Holy Rosary Catholic School (HRCS) in Larose is blessed to be covered with the Mantle of Mary, our mother in heaven. Through her intercession and by teaching the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, HRCS recognizes students’ talents and abilities and strives to develop their highest potential. Quality academics in a safe, nurturing, Christ-centered environment is offered to students two years old through eighth grade. Holy Rosary Catholic School continues to carry out the mission of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception who began offering a Catholic education to the South Lafourche community in 1963. The current administrator, Cathy Long, and a united teaching staff, are dedicated to providing a quality education that combines our Catholic faith and teachings along with academic excellence. The school sets high standards for achievement and assists our students in developing a relationship with Jesus Christ. Selective enrichment programs help to provide a balanced foundation which integrates faith, social and physical development along with service opportunities which focus on the seven Catholic Social Challenges and Directions presented by the U.S. Catholic Bishops. The goal of these programs is to help students grow in faith and wisdom while preparing them to be productive citizens and leaders. Programs include: DARE, social studies fair, award-winning 4-H and Jr. Beta club, Altar Servers, Nativity Play, Passion Play, Literary Rally, along with numerous art and essay contests. Holy Rosary recognizes Christ as the heart of its mission. Traditions of an active and exemplary religious program are professed through weekly liturgies, monthly adoration, and daily instruction in the Catholic faith, service clubs, and its mission work. HRCS is recognized as an instrumental supporter of Veterans, the Holy Childhood Association, Knights of Columbus and St. Vincent de Paul Society, to name a few. The school expands its faith experiences in the school chapel and Jesus Prayer Garden. The combination of a caring staff working with the support of parents in the faith and academic formation of their children has proven to be a formula for success. Through the collaborative efforts of staff, parents and all stakeholders, HRCS joins Catholic schools across our nation in celebrating faith, excellence and service found within our Catholic school education. BC 50 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • February 2022

OFFERING TRADITIONS OF CHRIST-CENTERED, CHALLENGING ACADEMICS SINCE 1963

COME GROW WITH US Open House for New Families is on Monday, March 7 from 9 a.m. – 1 p. m. Registration for New Familes will be Monday, March 7 – Friday, March 11 www.holyrosary.org 985-693-3342 12925 E Main St • Larose, LA 70373 HRCS adheres to the non-discriminatory policy set by the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

Catholic Schools Week

St. Bernadette Catholic School Where students build and deepen their relationship with Christ From Jan. 30 to Feb. 5, St. Bernadette Catholic School in Houma will celebrate Catholic Schools Week. We will be joining Catholic schools across the nation in celebration with Mass, Open House, and student activities that focus on the rich traditions and incredible values of Catholic education. The theme this year is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.” We aspire to achieve success in all three areas as stated in our mission statement: “St. Bernadette Catholic School is a Christ-centered faith community that fosters spiritual growth and academic excellence. We instill in our students a lifelong commitment to Christian values, discipleship, learning, and community service.” Faith. It is our goal as a Catholic school to provide a faithbased education, in which students build and deepen their relationship with Christ. Here at St. Bernadette Catholic School we start and end every day in prayer. More importantly

than providing the education of faith, we provide students with the opportunity to experience living the faith. Faith strengthens us during trials and fuels what we do going forth. Excellence. It is important to strive for excellence, not perfection. When we strive for excellence, we learn from our mistakes and have more opportunities for growth. We are proud to say that in 2021 on the ACT Aspire standardized assessment, our percent of students who scored exceeding or ready was higher in all subject areas than the national and diocesan percentiles. Although academic excellence is an important aspect of who we are as a school, we also want our students to strive for excellence in life through their morals and values. Service. There are many benefits of service such as connecting to others and raising social awareness. Many school-wide service opportunities are available to all students. Our upper grade students complete community service hours each nine weeks, providing them with the opportunity to truly make a difference. It not only allows the students to help those in need, but it allows them to support the very community that often supports them with school activities. We want them to learn that they can make a difference in changing the world. In conclusion, we are confident that St. Bernadette students are faith-filled community servants and lifelong learners who are open to intellectual challenges. BC

FOSTERING SPIRITUAL GROWTH & ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE!

Open House for New Families February 3, 2022 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Registration for New Families Monday, February 21, 2022 through Friday, February 25, 2022

St. Bernadette CatholiC SChool 985-872-3854 309 Funderburk Avenue Houma, LA 70364 Visit our website to schedule an open house tour! www.saintbernadettepandas.org

St. Bernadette School does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex or religion.

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

Catholic Schools Week

St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School

Students continue to live their lives as missionary disciples St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School in Houma, now in its 151st year, continues to carry on the long tradition of providing a faith-filled learning community dedicated to the education, development and spiritual formation of all students. St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School addresses the unique and diverse needs of all students in both our Pre-K 3 through 7th grade classrooms and our Gift Program. Children of all abilities are gifts from God. By placing an emphasis on Catholic faith and respecting the uniqueness of each child, St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School provides a Catholic education with a strong academic curriculum and a variety of co-curricular activities that allow our students to be examples of faith, excellence and service. The opportunities to learn and live out our Catholic faith at St. Francis are endless. From daily prayers and religion classes to weekly class Masses and everyday interactions, students not only learn about God but are able to live out his word. Additionally throughout the day, students are immersed in engaging, hands-on collaborative learning activities that foster both academic excellence and spiritual growth. Teachers stay on top of the latest educational trends in order to provide a variety of effective teaching methods to ensure student success. Last year, SFCS students in third through seventh grade scored on average 22 percent higher than the national average in the areas of English, reading, science and math on the ACT Aspire Summative Assessment, a tool used to measure student progress toward college and career readiness. Furthermore, in striving to live as Jesus would, St. Francis students give of themselves through service. This year our school family not only collected coats and blankets for the Kiwanis Club, but our 4-H club sold Christmas ornaments to raise money for those affected by Hurricane Ida. In addition, the school celebrated Geaux Pink Day to raise funds for the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Houma. St. Francis students are successful learners of both academics and faith. Through every opportunity that students are given at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School to be models of faith, excellence and service, they are able to continue to live their lives as missionary disciples. BC 52 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • February 2022

A Tradition of Excellence     

Creating Missionary Disciples Sustaining High Academic Standards Engaging Classrooms Certified Teachers in all Classes Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4, Kindergarten, 1st-7th, Gift Program

Scheduled tours last approximately 20 minutes.

Febr uar y 2, 2022 Febr uar y 3, 2022 Please visit our website to schedule a tour.

300 Verret Street

Call us at

Visit us on the web:

Houma, Louisiana 70360

985-868-6646

www.sfcshouma.org

St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School is open to all students and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national , or ethnic origin.

Catholic Schools Week

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

Catholic Schools Week

St. Genevieve Catholic School

Where students have a sense of service to others St. Genevieve Catholic School in Thibodaux strives to create an atmosphere that promotes a community of faith, excellence and service. Our primary mission is the teaching of the Catholic faith. We offer a quality Catholic education for families in our area. We seek to know Christ in our daily school experiences and honor him in each individual. Our students are nurtured in all developmental areas – spiritually, intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally. Christ is the center of our school as evidenced by the deep spirituality that is developed here. The students are given opportunities to grow in their faith through adoration, weekly liturgies, the sacrament of reconciliation, Rite of Passage, Jesse Tree teaching, enrollment in the Brown Scapular, and the Children of Mary. Our students know that they are loved and share that love as they greet visitors in a warm and caring way. At St. Genevieve Catholic School, we strive for excellence. As a learning community, we set high standards for our students and ourselves. We know that we are held to a higher degree of responsibility and accountability, and accept the challenge. Our teachers are given many opportunities for professional growth through workshops and seminar attendance which will enhance instruction. Our students are afforded the opportunity to share their excellence by participating in school events such as Face the Facts, the spelling bee, sidewalk art, and essay contests. Important to our mission is to instill in our students a sense of service to others. Through our student job program, students are given responsibility for the operation of their school. We know that when students are included in the daily operation of their school, they have a sense of pride and ownership. They also learn to take care of our community by visiting local nursing homes to enlighten the lives of the residents and supporting several nonprofit organizations such as Hope for Animals, the Missionary Childhood Association, and lower Lafourche residents that suffered Hurricane Ida damage. We truly believe that when the family, school and church are working together, we have an unbeatable combination. We want to be all that we can be and are thankful to all those who will help us on our journey, most especially, our Lord. BC 54 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • February 2022

St. Genevieve Catholic School “Lord, it is good that we are here.”

2022-2023 Registration February 21, 2022 - February 25, 2022 “My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there.” - Charles F. Kettering Ponder a moment this quote from an elementary student’s point of view. How seriously we must take our role in their future! We are here to touch that future, dramatically. We hope that you see our school as an investment in the future. 807 Barbier Avenue • Thibodaux, Louisiana 70301 (985) 447-9291 stgenevieveschool.org St. Genevieve Catholic School does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin and is open to students who share our values and traditions.

Catholic Schools Week

St. Mary’s Nativity School

Where faith is alive! St. Mary’s Nativity School has been a beloved educational choice in Raceland since 1963. The school is a tight-knit family of students, teachers, staff, parents and grandparents. This is a school family that never hesitates to help. This year the help was needed in the continuing COVID-19 crisis and after August’s widespread losses from Hurricane Ida. Faculty and staff have nimbly made changes required as buildings were put out of commission and then renovated, and as protocols continue to change. From the moment the student arrives at St. Mary’s, faith is emphasized. Our theme this year was the Cajun culture, and families were welcomed with bags of Zapp’s potato chips and prayers. Every morning, prayers begin with a remembrance of those who have asked for our help. Weekly prayer circles instill in students their ability to reach out to those in need through prayers. Students often ask for help with pets, grandparents’ illnesses, and even occasionally for help with grief in the loss of a loved one. Though our students excel in subject-matter knowledge, as proven by success in high school and by standardized test scores, and service becomes a habit that carries forward, the basis for all their success is the bedrock of our Catholic faith: We teach it; we practice it; we live it. Our virtuebased discipline program makes students aware of their responsibility for their actions and for how they treat others. Students and families completed a major service after the hurricane, helping with cleanup of the campus. Because our church has been out of service since Hurricane Ida, Father

Faith. Excellence. Service.

Clyde Mahler has turned the school cafeteria into a beautiful place of worship. School Masses are held twice a week, and students participate in readings and songs. Students also delight in service to each other: Eighth-graders held an outdoor Halloween Trick-or-Treat for younger students, complete with a scary graveyard and games. For the second year the annual Christmas pageant could not be held, so the children participated in a Drive-Through Live Nativity. Many community members commented on the lovely scenes, live action, and singing. Yes, faith is alive at St. Mary’s Nativity School, and our working together so closely despite tragedies, loss, and illness proves it. BC

St. Mary’s Nativity School 3492 Nies Street • Raceland, Louisiana 70394 (985)537-7544 https:www.plusportals.com/StMarysNativity

2022-2023 Registration Current Students February 7-11, 2022 New Students February 21-25, 2022 Pre-K 3 through 8th grade

St. Mary’s Nativity School is open to all students and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion or ethnic origin.

February 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 55

Catholic Schools Week

St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School

Forming faith-filled missionary disciples Our Vision: St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School in Thibodaux is dedicated to forming missionary disciples of Christ while providing a rigorous academic program and promoting a virtuous life focused on service to others. Our Mission: With Jesus as our role model, St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School exists to educate the youth of the area spiritually, morally, academically and socially, in a safe, Catholic, Christ-centered environment. Faith: Our faith, hope and love for one another in our school family, parish community, state, and world has grown deeper over the past two years as we have faced many challenges and unprecedented times. Each day begins and ends in prayer. A decade of the rosary is recited as a school on Mondays. Videoed recordings of Worship Wednesdays include the Gospel of the day being read followed by a reflective,

56 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • February 2022

meditative song. Our weekly Friday Masses remain the focal point of our school faith community and formation. Students are reminded that we all make mistakes and in learning from our mistakes we become stronger individuals and missionary disciples of Jesus Christ. Excellence: Faculty and staff members embrace learning methodology and technology advancements to ensure students are prepared for the demands and rigor set for them in the larger world. Our school utilizes the very latest in educational technology to enhance in-person learning as well as possible virtual learning where needed. Students are challenged academically and are exposed to real life hands-on learning experiences. A full-time school counselor, curriculum specialist, and religion coordinator are on staff. Service: Random acts of kindness and service by students is acknowledged through our Paws-i-tive Prints program where recipients are recognized for their virtuous acts. Some projects to promote service and giving from the heart include the Giving Tree project at the co-cathedral, collections for hurricane relief, the missions, and local food drives. These are all living examples of our mission to educate the whole child while promoting social interaction and service to those in need. BC

February 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 57

Catholic Schools Week

St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic School

Building God’s kingdom one child at a time At St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic School in Houma, we develop a community of faith, excellence and service. Faith – Students learn and practice faith each and every day through prayer, words and actions. We pray together for each other, our families, and community when we start and end our school day. The children are taught that “God is Good, All the Time.” Students participate in the weekly school Mass and our pastor, Father Alex Lazarra, is active in the daily operations of the school. In addition to our religious education curriculum, students take part in special religious activities and observances throughout the school year. St. Gregory faculty and staff are dedicated, caring, spiritual and effective in the education and social growth of the children. Excellence – We promote spiritual academic processes by which students are motivated to learn in ways that make

Building God’s Kingdom. One Child At A Time!

ST. GREGORY BARBARIGO CATHOLIC SCHOOL

substantial and positive influences on how they think, act and feel. We strive to elevate students to a level where they learn deeply and remarkably because of our teachings. Every student has learning opportunities that promote

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individual success. We provide individualized instruction

February 2nd and 3rd 5:30-7:45 p. m. by appointment only. Call for appointment

each day in addition to our whole class environment. All students set personal academic goals in various areas and

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receive the support to attain those goals. Our students have opportunities to prepare them in religious, academic, social,

February 7-11, 2022

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personal and service areas to become well-rounded, spiritual, successful individuals.

February 21-25, 2022

Service – Student-lead service projects have increased

Educating students age 3 through 7th grade

an awareness of the needs of others in the community and

Principal: Dr. Cindy Martin, NBCT

other areas around the world. We have a “baby shower” and donate items to a local family shelter. The students donate canned goods for the church food pantry for distribution at Thanksgiving. They bring gently used coats for children. The students also participate in many other charitable activities from making cards, painting inspirational rocks, and fundraising to make monetary donations. Our students also take part in prayer ministry for the sick in the community. Our students are involved in giving of themselves, just as Jesus taught us. BC 58 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • February 2022

Small Class Sizes Morning and Midday Prayer Time Family-Oriented Environment SmartBoard Technology iPads and Chromebooks Computer Lab & Library Weekly School Mass

Monday School Assembly Music Ministry STEM Program/Robotics Yearbook Club Art Classes Royal Ministers of Christ Parent Teacher Organization

Award Winning Junior BETA Club Award Winning 4-H Club Buddy Programs Before/After School Care Program Academic Enrichment Small Group Interventions

441 Sixth Street ~ Houma, LA 70364 ~ (985) 876-2038 www.stgregoryschool.org

America’s Best in Outpatient Experience Three Years in a Row!

Terrebonne General Health System has been named one of America’s Best Hospitals for Outpatient Experience by the Women’s Choice Award®, America’s trusted referral source for the best in healthcare. The award recognizes Terrebonne General’s excellence in outpatient experience, which includes: • Patient satisfaction scores that are higher than the national average. • Outstanding experience throughout the patient’s journey of care. • Our doctors and nurses are recognized for their exceptional patient communication. Women are often the healthcare decision-makers for their families, and over 70% are employed. Terrebonne General is here to make it easy for them to receive the best outpatient experience and simplify their life. We’re proud to have earned the women’s vote three years running!

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Terrebonne GENERAL HEALTH SYSTEM

Visit tghealthsystem.com for more information or follow us on

Spinal Implant Procedures including • INTRATHECAL PUMP IMPLANT • SPINAL CORD STIMULATOR IMPLANT • VERTIFLEX -

(MINIMALLY INVASIVE TREATMENT FOR SPINAL STENOSIS)

DR. HAYDEL IS 1 OF ONLY 3 PHYSICIANS IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA & IS 1 OF ONLY 20 PHYSICIANS IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY THAT HAS EXCEEDED OVER 100 VERTIFLEX PROCEDURES

Interventional Pain Procedures including: • EPIDURAL STEROID AND OTHER SPINE INJECTIONS • PERCUTANEOUS DISC DECOMPRESSION • RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION • KYPHOPLASTY FOR COMPRESSION FRACTURES • DISCOGRAM

Wellness/Osteoporosis Clinic Lafayette Location:

Houma Location:

Thibodaux Location:

1101 S. College Road, Suite 202 Lafayette, LA 70503 Phone: (337) 233-2504

1022 Belanger St. Houma, LA 70360 Phone: (985) 223-3132

2100 Audubon Avenue Thibodaux, LA 70301 Phone: (985) 223-3132

www.painspecialty.net

Michael S. Haydel, M.D. FIPP, ABIPP Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians American Board of Anesthesiology

Bayou Catholic Magazine February 2022

Articles inside

Daily Prayer for Priests Deacons, Religious and Seminarians

Youth In Action

Bishop Fabre honored as Catholic of the Year

Synod of Bishops 2021-2023

Pastoral appointments announced

Catholic Charities continues Ida recovery

Heavenly Recipes

Readings Between the Lines

The Good Shepherd: Part Four

Pope Speaks

Comfort For My People

From the Editor

Questions of Faith

History of the Mass: Part Four

Scripture Readings