Comment
‘Most sacred heart of Jesus, I trust in you’
Very Rev. P. J. Madden
June, my sisters and brothers in Christ, is the month of the Sacred Heart! Despite all the unfinished recovery tasks yet to be completed, the bright sun of summer, the lively chattering of children, the singing of the birds, the longer evenings, all lift our spirits! And how timely that it starts with the feast of Pentecost, who powers the church into mission, telling the world that Christ is risen and we have received the grace of sharing his new life, as we acclaim Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! This new life is seen in the pride of parents presenting their children for the sacraments of baptism, first penance, Eucharist and confirmation. All our hearts swell with hope when watching maturing teens, dressed and behaving so reverently, standing to profess and claim for themselves the faith their parents prayed for at baptism. Even as the birds sing joyfully in our yards and trees, angel choruses rise joyfully in heaven. Christ is risen and walks among us through all these sacred moments of our lives. How blessed are we to know, believe and share this through our lifestyle. As we start another hurricane season, I offer this reflection to allow us to celebrate all the good things happening in our communities at this time. And I didn’t even mention weddings, which bring us together to celebrate as each young couple pledges
their lives to each other, with Christ as their bond! This issue appropriately covers this special sacrament. To all recently married and to all June brides and grooms, I wish you every blessing you wish for yourselves. I am a great believer of tradition, which is a vital element in our distinct and beautiful culture. May I suggest a reawakening of the practice of having a picture of the Sacred Heart in your home, preferably in a prominent place, and draw children’s attention to it. It is a beautiful thing to consecrate a home to the Sacred Heart! Of course, equally beautiful is the image of the Divine Mercy, and the simple chapter which goes with it.
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This new life is seen in the pride of parents presenting their children for the sacraments of baptism, first penance, Eucharist and confirmation. All our hearts swell with hope when watching maturing teens, dressed and behaving so reverently, standing to profess and claim for themselves the faith their parents prayed for at baptism.
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Message from our Administrator
As always, this is also the month when priests are ordained, transferred
8 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • June 2022
and retire. Please keep them, and their affected parishioners in your prayers. I thank them, and all our priests, for their faithful ministry. Brothers of the Sacred Heart It is with great sadness, but a full understanding of their need to reorganize their mission, that I have been informed by their provincial, Brother Ronnie Hingle, S.C., that their mission in Houma-Thibodaux closes at this time. After over a century of teaching, counselling and social ministry, there are no words adequate to express our heartfelt gratitude to them. In God’s divine design, it is no coincidence that they leave in the month of the Sacred Heart! But they leave a legacy, as do the Sisters of Mount Carmel, of deep and abiding trust in God’s plan for our unique culture and faith. The best tribute is to live that faith to the fullest in our ordinary lives. Brother Ronnie and I have agreed to have a joint public celebration of thanks and hope in the fall. Meanwhile please keep the four brothers who are moving in your prayers. May the glow of the Spirit of Pentecost light your hearts and homes as summer unfolds and new life abounds. Please pray that Pope Francis will send us a good shepherd in God’s good time. BC
