Bayou Catholic Magazine November 2022

Unknowingly

Charcot Foot

By Janet Marcel

By Janet Marcel

By Janet Marcel

By

Bayou Catholic

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Lawrence Chatagnier editor and general manager

April LeBouef business manager

Janet Marcel staff writer/administrative assistant

Tisha Rachal graphic designer

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It’s November and our thoughts turn to autumn with its cooler, shorter days, football, pumpkins, harvest time and anything and everything to do with pumpkin spice. It is also a month that we take the time to be especially thankful for all of God’s blessings upon us. Thanksgiving Day is a significant day in November when friends and family get together and give thanks for all that they enjoy in life. We have much to be thankful for in a country where we as Americans live out many freedoms daily.

Here in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, we are especially thankful for being spared from a hurricane this year after we received widespread damage from Hurricane Ida last year. As Thanksgiving approaches at the end of this month, we have the opportunity to thank God for our many blessings. Let us also be mindful in prayer for all those who will not have a happy Thanksgiving Day this year that God’s grace and mercy will touch their lives so they may find joy.

The staff of the Bayou Catholic magazine and all who contribute news, events, commentaries and noteworthy reflections are grateful for our loyal readership. We are also very grateful for those who advertise in the monthly publication, and for all those who support our mission to inform, educate, inspire, guide, challenge and unify our readership through print media, our Facebook page and online presence.

The Bayou Catholic magazine is first and foremost designed to be an evangelization tool for the people of the diocese.

Over the past few years the publication has had to rely more heavily on its advertising revenue rather than diocesan support, and since 2015, from

a second collection in all of the church parishes. We are constantly trying to find ways to cut costs and manage the income we receive, always mindful of being good stewards. We are also mindful of how many magazines we print so that there are not too many left at the churches at the end of each month. We have been making every effort to be good stewards of the resources provided to us. By closely watching our income and expenditures, and keeping a keen eye on how many magazines are printed, an overall reduction of costs has been achieved.

But we still need your help. Next month there will be a second collection in all church parishes of the diocese on Dec. 3-4. Your contribution will help the Bayou Catholic continue to be the informative, award winning publication that the people of the diocese are accustomed to receiving. Your participation in the second collection for the Bayou Catholic is greatly appreciated.

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

Lawrence Chatagnier Editor & General Manager

Blue Mass

The Blue Mass honoring firefighters, law enforcement, emergency responders and military personnel, was celebrated recently at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. Very Rev. Patrick (P.J.) Madden was the celebrant of the Mass, which takes place on or near the feast of the Archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

Photos by Maegan Martin

from our Administrator

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

“Oh Sacred Banquet, in which Christ is received, the memory of his passion is celebrated, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.”

Peace be with you all this November day, as we begin a month of mixed emotions: Remembering deceased loved ones, celebrating Thanksgiving, and entering the Advent season!

As we continue our three-year eucharistic revival journey, I start this reflection with the beautiful Aquinas prayer already offered for your own prayer time. However, I want to emphasize the last few words as we remember and pray for our loved ones who have gone before us, marked with the sign of faith.

Every time we celebrate the eucharistic sacrifice (holy Mass), we remember (my emphasis) the death and resurrection of Christ. His death, at age 33, brought untold pain to his Mother Mary and his close friends. But, after three days he rose from the dead, and at each Mass we re – member, that is, we reenact this central mystery of our faith. All we believe and profess begins and ends with the eucharistic sacrifice of Christ, in which we participate every time we come to Mass.

Keeping this in mind, we begin to see how the funeral Mass, though celebrated in grief, is always a celebration of hope. Why? Because Christ, in rising from the dead, conquered death itself. Hence, we can be assured that our participation at Mass, and especially our reverent reception of Communion, confirms Christ’s Pledge of Future Glory given to us! This assurance of sharing the glory of the risen Savior, for ever and ever in

‘A Pledge of Future Glory is given to us’

heaven, is our consolation at all times of pain, suffering and the darkness of losing loved ones from our homes and community.

This is why we encourage visits to the graves of our loved ones, to remember where their soul is now and, while praying for them, to ask them to pray for us. Remember (that word again!), the saints in heaven, and the souls in purgatory awaiting entry there, can make and do make powerful intercession for us to the risen Lord. Add in the prayers of our own patron saints (mine is St. Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower), and of course, the

powerful protection and prayers of our Mother Mary, and we can feel the consolation of our faith in our hearts.

The whole mystery is summed up in the beautiful hymn:

“We remember how you loved us to your death and still we celebrate for you are with us here and we believe that we will see you when you come in your glory, Lord, We remember, we celebrate, we believe.”

I pray especially for all who have lost a loved one in the recent past, and for whom this November is particularly difficult, that this reflection, and your strong faith, will sustain you. I will be remembering you particularly in my Masses on All Souls Day, Nov. 2.

November is also the month in which we celebrate Thanksgiving, when families return home and remember events of childhood and school and making new friends, and to talk of loved ones already living Thanksgiving at the eternal eucharistic table! I wish all of you a very blessed November and Thanksgiving season.

As I write this reflection, I am deeply moved by the number of people who have asked us how we can assist the people who recently suffered from Hurricane Ian, even though we ourselves are still in recovery from Ida. This is rooted in your Cajun sense of family, generosity of spirit, and is an example of our faith in action. I am proud and grateful to lead such a diocese. I wish you all, and our extended family of readers a very blessed and peaceful Thanksgiving!

“May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.” BC

‘

I pray especially for all who have lost a loved one in the recent past, and for whom this November is particularly difficult, that this reflection, and your strong faith, will sustain you. I will be remembering you particularly in my Masses on All Souls Day, Nov. 2.

Houma-Thibodaux

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

‘Una prenda de la gloria futura nos es dada’

“Oh Sagrado Banquete, en el que se recibe a Cristo, se celebra el recuerdo de su pasión, la mente se llena de gracia, y se nos da una prenda de gloria futura”.

Que la paz esté con todos ustedes en estos días de noviembre, en el que comenzamos un mes de emociones encontradas: Recordar a los seres queridos fallecidos, celebrar el Día de Acción de Gracias y entrar en el tiempo de Adviento.

Mientras continuamos nuestro viaje de tres años de reavivamiento eucarístico, comienzo esta reflexión con la hermosa oración de Aquino, ofrecida para este tiempo propicio de oración. Sin embargo, quiero enfatizar en las últimas palabras mientras recordamos y rezamos por nuestros seres queridos que se han ido antes que nosotros, sellados con el signo de la fe.

Cada vez que celebramos el sacrificio eucarístico (la santa misa), recordamos (énfasis mío) la muerte y resurrección de Cristo. Su muerte, a la edad de 33 años, dio un dolor inenarrable para su Madre María y sus amigos más cercanos. Pero, al cabo de tres días, resucitó de entre los muertos, y en cada misa recordamos, es decir, re-actualizamos este misterio central de nuestra fe. Todo lo que creemos y profesamos comienza y termina con el sacrificio eucarístico de Cristo, en el que participamos cada vez que venimos a Misa.

Teniendo esto en cuenta, empezamos a ver cómo la misa de funeral, aunque se celebre con dolor, es siempre una celebración de la esperanza. ¿Por qué? Porque Cristo, al resucitar, venció a la propia muerte. Por lo tanto, podemos estar seguros de que nuestra participación en la Misa, y especialmente nuestra recepción reverente de la Comunión, confirma la promesa de gloria futura ¡que Cristo nos dio!. Esta seguridad de compartir la gloria del Salvador resucitado, por

los siglos de los siglos en el cielo, es nuestro consuelo en todos los momentos de dolor, sufrimiento y oscuridad por la pérdida de seres queridos de nuestros hogares y comunidad.

Por eso animamos a visitar las tumbas de nuestros seres queridos, para recordar dónde está ahora su alma y, mientras rezamos por ellos, pedirles que recen por nosotros. Recuerden (¡otra vez esa palabra!) que los santos

podemos sentir el consuelo de nuestra fe en nuestros corazones.

Todo el misterio se resume en el hermoso himno

“Recordamos cómo nos amaste hasta la muerte y seguimos celebrando que estás aquí con nosotros y creemos que te veremos cuando vengas en tu gloria, Señor, Recordamos, celebramos, creemos”. Rezo especialmente por todos los que han perdido a un ser querido recientemente, y para quienes en este mes de noviembre es particularmente difícil, para que esta reflexión, y su fe firme, los sostengan. Los recordaré especialmente en mis misas del día de los difuntos, el 2 de noviembre.

Noviembre es también el mes en el que celebramos el Día de Acción de Gracias, en el que las familias vuelven a casa y recuerdan los acontecimientos de la infancia y la escuela y hacen nuevos amigos, y hablan de los seres queridos que ya viven el Día de Acción de Gracias en la mesa eucarística eterna. Les deseo a todos un noviembre y una temporada de Acción de Gracias muy bendecidos.

del cielo, y las almas del purgatorio que esperan entrar allí, pueden interceder, y de hecho lo hacen, por nosotros ante el Señor resucitado. Si añadimos las oraciones de nuestros propios santos patronos (la mía es Santa Teresa de Lisieux, la Pequeña Flor), y por supuesto, la poderosa protección y oraciones de nuestra Madre María,

Mientras escribo esta reflexión, me siento profundamente conmovido por el número de personas que nos han preguntado cómo podemos ayudar a las personas que han sufrido recientemente por el huracán Ian, a pesar de que nosotros mismos todavía nos estamos recuperando de Ida. Esto tiene sus raíces en su sentido cajún de la familia, la generosidad de espíritu es un ejemplo de nuestra fe en acción. Estoy orgulloso y agradecido de dirigir una diócesis así. Les deseo a todos ustedes, y a nuestra extensa familia de lectores, un muy bendecido y pacífico Día de Acción de Gracias.

“Que las almas de los fieles difuntos, por la misericordia de Dios, descansen en paz”. BC

‘

Rezo especialmente por todos los que han perdido a un ser querido recientemente, y para quienes en este mes de noviembre es particularmente difícil, para que esta reflexión, y su fe firme, los sostengan. Los recordaré especialmente en mis misas del día de los difuntos, el 2 de noviembre.

Binh luan bang loi

“Ôi Bàn Tiệc Thánh, mà chúng ta được lãnh nhận Chúa Kytô, Sự khổ nạn Ngài được cử hành, Tâm hồn được tràn đầy ân sủng, Và lời hứa sự sống vĩnh cửu dành cho chúng ta.”

Bình an Chúa ở cùng anh chị em mọi ngày trong tháng 11, mặc dầu chúng ta bắt đầu tháng với nhiều cảm xúc khác nhau trong tâm hồn: như thương mến người thân đã ra đi, mừng Lễ Tạ Ơn, và tiến vào Mùa Vọng!

Chúng ta đang trong giai đoạn ba năm canh tân Bí Tích Mình Thánh nên tôi bắt đầu bài suy niệm này bằng lời nguyện tuyệt đẹp của Thánh Tôma mà nó đang giúp anh chị em trong kinh nguyện cá nhân. Tuy nhiên, tôi muốn nhấn mạnh một vài từ cuối để chúng ta tưởng nhớ và cầu nguyện cho người thân đã ra đi trước, mà họ mang ấn tín đức tin.

Mỗi lần chúng ta cử hành cuộc tử nạn (Thánh Lễ), chúng ta tưởng nhớ (điểm nhấn do tôi) sự chết và phục sinh của Chúa Kytô. Cái chết của Ngài, khoảng 33 tuổi, mang đến cho Mẹ Maria và người thân cận tận cùng đau khổ. Nhưng sau 3 ngày Ngài sống lại, mà qua Thánh Lễ chúng ta tưởng nhớ, nghĩa là, chúng ta làm sống lại trọng tâm mầu nhiệm đức tin. Mọi niềm tin và tuyên xưng đều bắt đầu và hoàn tất bằng Thánh Lễ của Chúa Kytô, mà chúng ta được tham dự khi chúng ta cử hành Thánh Lễ.

Nên ghi nhớ điều này, là khi dâng Lễ đám tang, mặc dù dâng Lễ trong đau đớn nhưng luôn là sự cử hành trong niềm hy vọng. Tại sao thế? Vì Chúa Kytô, đã khải hoàn từ cõi chết, chiến thắng sự chết. Vì thế, chúng ta có thể tin chắc rằng khi tham dự Thánh Lễ, và đặc biệt lãnh nhận Mình Thánh Chúa sốt sắng, đảm bảo Lời Hứa Vinh Quang Tương Lai của Chúa Kytô dành cho chúng ta! Sự đảm bảo cùng chia sẻ vinh quang của Chúa Phục Sinh mãi mãi trên thiên đàng, là sự ủi an trong mọi lúc khi đau khổ,

chua chát và tăm tối trong lúc mất người thân trong gia đình và cộng đông. Đây chính là lý do chúng ta cảm thấy an ủi thăm thân nhân ở nghĩa trang, để tưởng nhớ linh hồn họ hiện đang ở đâu và trong lúc cầu nguyện cho họ, cùng xin họ cầu nguyện cho chúng ta. Xin nhớ lại nữa, các Thánh trên thiên quốc, và các

nên chúng ta có thể cảm nhận sự ủi an của đức tin trong tâm hồn.

Tất cả mầu nhiệm được tóm gọn trong bài ca đẹp này:

“Chúng ta tưởng nhớ vì Ngài đã thương chúng ta đến chết

Đặc biệt tôi cầu nguyện cho anh chị em nào đã mất người thân trong thời gian qua, và cho những anh chị em mất người thân trong tháng này cảm thấy đau lòng, rằng bài suy tư này, cộng với đức tin kiên trì, sẽ giữ vững anh chị em. Tôi sẽ nhớ cách riêng anh chị em trong các Thánh Lễ Các Linh Hồn ngày 2 tháng 11.

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linh hồn trong luyện ngục đang mong đợi lên Thiên đàng, có thể và cầu nguyện cho chúng rất mạnh mẽ trước Chúa Phục Sinh. Cộng thêm những lời nguyện của các Thánh quan thầy, (quan thầy của tôi là Thánh Têrêsa Thành Lisieux, Bông Hoa nhỏ), và dĩ nhiên, sự bao bọc vô biên và lời chuyển cầu của Mẹ Maria,

và cử hành vì Ngài vẫn ở với chúng ta và chúng ta tin rằng chúng ta sẽ nhìn thấy Ngài tận mắt khi Ngài đến trong vinh quang, chúng ta tưởng nhớ, chúng ta cử hành, chúng ta tin.”

Đặc biệt tôi cầu nguyện cho anh chị em nào đã mất người thân trong thời gian qua, và cho những anh chị em mất người thân trong tháng này cảm thấy đau lòng, rằng bài suy tư này, cộng với đức tin kiên trì, sẽ giữ vững anh chị em.

Tôi sẽ nhớ cách riêng anh chị em trong các Thánh Lễ Các Linh Hồn ngày 2 tháng 11.

Tháng 11 cũng là tháng mà chúng ta mừng Lễ Tạ Ơn, khi các gia đình cùng về với nhau và nhớ lại những kỷ niệm ấu thơ và học đường và kết bạn, và tâm sự với người thân mà họ đang sống trong sự biết ơn nơi Bàn Tiệc Thánh! Tôi mong rằng từng người trong anh chị em một Lễ Tạ Ơn và mùa Tạ Ơn êm ấm.

Trong lúc biên bài suy tư này, tôi cảm nhận được sự xúc động lớn lao bởi rất nhiều anh chị em hỏi tôi là làm thế nào giúp các nạn nhân gặp nạn sau cơn bão Ian vừa rồi, mặc dầu chúng ta còn chưa gầy dựng lại sau bão Ida. Sự quan tâm này có nguồn gốc từ gia đình gốc Pháp, rộng tay trong thần khí, và điển hình đức tin trong hành động, tôi cảm thấy hãnh diện và mang ơn hướng đi đó trong giáo phận. Tôi ước ao tất cả, và quý thân nhân của anh chị em đọc bài suy tư này một Lễ Tạ Ơn thánh thiêng và bình an!

“Xin cho các linh hồn đã ra đi, qua sự quan phòng của Chúa, nghỉ yên.” BC

‘Lời hứa sự sống vĩnh cửu dành cho chúng ta’

Pope Francis: ‘Saints do not come from a parallel universe’

The Pope Speaks

By COURTNEY MARES

(Rome CNA) What does it look like to be a Catholic saint today? A Vatican conference taking place in Rome recently has been discussing just that.

Speaking to the “Holiness Today” conference in October, Pope Francis underlined that saints are not disconnected from the realities of daily life but faithfully live the Gospel to the fullest within the communities in which they find themselves.

“Saints do not come from a ‘parallel universe’ but are believers who belong to God’s faithful people and are firmly grounded in a daily existence made up of family ties, study, and work, social, economic and political life,” Pope Francis said in the Apostolic Palace.

“In all these settings, the saints strive constantly, without fear or hesitation, to carry out God’s will.”

Pope Francis pointed to the example of Blessed Carlo Acutis, who died as a high school student in 2006, as “a model of Christian joy for teenagers and young people.”

Holiness “is not primarily a matter of struggle and renunciation,” the pope said. “First and foremost, it is the realization that we are loved by God and freely receive his love and mercy.”

The pope also shared the less contemporary example of St. Francis of Assisi. He emphasized that the witness of the church’s canonized saints is timeless and never loses its relevance.

“The saints are precious pearls … they provide a fascinating commentary on the Gospel. Their lives are like a

catechism in pictures, an illustration of the Good News that Jesus brought to humanity,” he said.

The pope highlighted how the universal call to holiness was at the heart of the Second Vatican Council.

“Today, too, it is important to appreciate the sanctity present in God’s holy people: In parents who raise their children with love, in men and women who carry out their daily work with dedication, in persons who patiently endure sickness and infirmity, and in the elderly who keep smiling and sharing their wisdom,” he said.

prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, spoke at the conference’s opening on “the fame of holiness in the digital age.”

The cardinal said that a solid and widespread fama sanctitatis, or reputation for holiness, has always been a fundamental requirement for initiating a cause for beatification and canonization, but that the issue is especially topical as “the digital age poses new and urgent challenges.”

Pope Francis addressed some of these challenges in his speech to the conference participants. On one hand, he said that media could help more people to learn about the Christian life of individual candidates for beatification or canonization.

“However, in the use of digital media, and social networks, in particular, there can be a risk of exaggeration or misrepresentation dictated by less than noble interests,” he added.

“Consequently, there is a need for wise discernment on the part of all those who examine the contours of the reputation of holiness.”

Semeraro noted that this prerequisite for opening a cause for beatification had “taken a back seat” in recent decades. In response, the Vatican’s saints office issued a letter to all of the world’s bishops last year requesting that they verify the consistency and authenticity of a sainthood candidate’s reputation for holiness.

“The witness of a virtuous Christian life given daily by so many of the Lord’s disciples represents for all of us an encouragement to respond personally to our own call to be saints.”

The papal audience concluded the Holiness Today conference, an event organized by the Vatican to discuss what “heroic virtue” looks like in the 21st century and how devotion to candidates for sainthood has spread via social media.

Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, the

When speaking about the “heroic virtue” required for canonization today, Semeraro quoted St. John Henry Newman: “If you ask me what you are to do in order to be perfect, I say, first — Do not lie in bed beyond the due time of rising; give your first thoughts to God; make a good visit to the Blessed Sacrament; say the Angelus devoutly; eat and drink to God’s glory; say the rosary well; be recollected; keep out bad thoughts; make your evening meditation well; examine yourself daily; go to bed in good time, and you are already perfect.” BC

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The witness of a virtuous Christian life given daily by so many of the Lord’s disciples represents for all of us an encouragement to respond personally to our own call to be saints.

I have a teenage son who is considering a vocation to priesthood or religious life. He believes that it is a call from God. As a parent, what should I do to help him discern whether God is actually calling him to consider a life of a priest or religious?

Discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life would not be the “normal” path the majority of teenagers would choose for after graduation. How their peers would respond, their teachers, their family— especially their parents, are concerns in responding to the Lord’s call for various reasons, fear being a major factor.

For example, I didn’t want my friends to find out before I graduated because I was afraid I wouldn’t get a date for prom. I also hesitated to tell my parents because I didn’t know how they would respond. I dropped the idea on different occasions while they were distracted—Mom was cooking at the stove; Dad was lying down on the sofa half asleep while watching a golf match.

The difficult part for the teenager discerning priesthood is getting the courage to tell his parents. The difficult part for the parents is responding the right way to support their son’s discernment. “Mom and Dad, I am thinking about being a priest,” or “I am thinking about being a religious.” Honestly, how would you respond if your child said that to you? Would this be a dream come true or your worst nightmare?

Knowing and understanding your

own feelings and your reasons for them is an important step in knowing how to respond to your son. The vast majority of teens today feel their parents would be completely opposed to the idea, laugh at them, or in some other way not take them seriously and say it’s a phase they’re just going through because of some “spiritual high.”

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, “It is in the bosom of the family that parents are ‘by word and example . . . the first heralds of the faith with regard to their children. They should encourage them in the vocation, which is proper to each child, fostering with special care any religious vocation’” (1656). It adds, “Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God” (2226). So, what should a parent do to help the teenager discover and discern his vocation?

trust, or the vocation director. A helpful book available from Vianney Vocations is A Priest in the Family: A Guide for Parents Whose Sons Are Considering Priesthood by Father Brett Brannen.

Be a Patient Listener: Initially your son may not share much: Some because it is so personal, others because they are anxious, and some from fear of rejection or mockery. Let him know he can talk to you about his vocation anytime. Listen without judging or criticizing and reassure your son that whatever the decision, he will be loved and accepted by you. A helpful question is, “Is your discernment of priesthood something that you’d like me to keep confidential at the moment?” This will assure your son of your respect for his “pace” of discernment and of its public knowledge.

Be Prayerful: Talk with the Lord in prayer. Be honest with him regarding how you feel about your son’s vocation. Pray for your son each day that he may come to know clearly the Lord’s calling. Don’t neglect praying also for your other children’s vocation. Ask for the Lord’s guidance in helping with your son’s discernment.

Pope Francis reminds us, “Behind and before every vocation to the priesthood or to the consecrated life there is always the strong and intense prayer of someone: A grandmother, a grandfather, a mother, a father, a community” (Regina Caeli, 21 April 2013). BC

Be Supportive: Your support as a parent is most likely valued more than that of any other figure in your son’s life. Communication is important. Don’t start treating him differently and be honest with him about your worries and concerns about his vocation. One helpful question is, “What is the most important thing I can do to help and support you?” This simple question will mean a great deal to your son and is a further sign of your unconditional love as a parent. Encourage him to explore his vocation through prayer, diocesan retreats and events for vocations, and seminary visits.

Be Informed: Ask questions but be aware that your son may not have many answers initially, so perhaps talk to your pastor, another priest you

S.T.L.

Reflections

Readings Between the Lines

Thanksgiving Day is approaching. In 1789, President George Washington, acting on the recommendation of Congress, declared Nov. 26 of that year a national day of thanksgiving to “almighty God” for his care and protection of the people prior to the Revolutionary War, the manifestation of his mercy, his providential guidance, especially regarding the establishment of government, for tranquility, unity and plenty experienced after the War, for civil liberties, for “the means of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge,” and for divinely granted favors in general. This proclamation was instrumental to the establishment of our national observance of a day of thanksgiving to be offered to, yes, “almighty God!” Giving thanks is something Jesus is said to do in John 6:11, a verse which occurs within the context of Jesus’ feeding of a multitude in John 6:1-15. John tells us that Jesus takes five barley loaves and two fish, gives thanks, and distributes them to the crowd. The Greek word translated as “gave thanks” is eucharistein. Note how close this Greek word is to the English word, “Eucharist,” which is derived from the Greek word. Curiously, John’s description of Jesus’ actions is similar to that reported by Mark (8:6) and Matthew (15:36), where Jesus also gives thanks with the loaves and fish before feeding 4,000 people. In Mark’s (6:41), Matthew’s (14:19) and Luke’s (9:16) accounts of Jesus’ feeding 5,000 people, Jesus “blesses” (eulogein in Greek) the loaves and fish.

Biblical scholar Raymond Brown points out that a typical Jewish meal blessing is “Blessed are you, O Lord, king of the universe, who bring forth bread from the earth” (The Gospel according to John, vol. 1, pg. 234). Brown also quotes J.P. Audet (Revue Biblique 65, 1958), who observes that

the New Testament use of the verb “to give thanks” reflects the Jewish verb, “to bless.” By the 2nd century A. D. in Christian circles the concept of “giving thanks” began to predominate. Brown also notes that John has a preference for the verb eucharistein. By giving thanks Jesus acknowledges that the loaves and fish are provided ultimately by God. In his thanksgiving Jesus honors God, who provides human beings with food to sustain their lives.

Jesus’ act of giving thanks with food might be a typical thing to do before a meal, but in the context of the episode of feeding a multitude in John’s Gospel it has a deeper significance. In John’s Gospel, Jesus performs a number of signs, such as changing water to wine at a wedding in Cana (2:1-11) and healing an official’s son (4:45-54). These signs reveal something about his identity and suggest that God works through him. As I noted above, stories about feeding multitudes are found in the Synoptic Gospels, but Jesus’ feeding a crowd

in John’s Gospel is one of the signs he performs. In the dialog to follow, the crowd will compare Jesus to Moses, who fed their ancestors in the desert with manna. Jesus tells the crowd that although the manna sustained the lives of the Israelites’ ancestors in the desert, God now gives them the true bread from heaven, a bread which can sustain people for eternal life. The life-giving effect of the bread God now provides surpasses that of the manna in the desert. Jesus is the bread of life, and his giving thanks with the loaves before distributing them points to his action as a divine sign.

Jesus’ act of giving thanks before distributing loaves of bread points to the Eucharist, which is an act of expressing thanks to God. The entire Eucharistic Prayer at the Mass is an expression of thanksgiving to God for the gift of salvation through the redemptive acts of Jesus Christ.

Offering thanks to God is not only important; it is necessary. At

We gather to offer thanks to God a

Father Glenn LeCompte

the beginning of his proclamation, President Washington states that it is “the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor.” This statement provides the motive for his declaration of a day dedicated to thanking almighty God.

For Christians, regular participation in the Eucharist is even more necessary, because the eucharistic celebration enables us to express the thanks we owe to God. Moreover, it is imperative that we offer thanks as a community. One of the effects of salvation is that the barriers among us are broken down and we are united through Christ. As we read in the Letter to the Ephesians (3:14-16), “For he (Christ) is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh, abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims, that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile

both with God, in one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it.” Not only do we thank God for our personal salvation, we express gratitude that part of the experience of salvation is reconciliation and unity.

The offering of thanksgiving to God has many implications for our lives. First, offering thanks to God for the blessings of our lives constitutes a recognition that God is the source of those favors. Many in our society who have let themselves be overtaken with an agnostic, or even atheistic, materialism tend to attribute the goodness they experience in life to their own efforts or even to chance. Our nation, however, still observes Thanksgiving as a day to make a fitting response to God for all he has done for us. Secondly, offering thanks keeps us in a spiritual communion with God. Thirdly, thanking God helps us to look to the future with hope, even in the midst of life’s challenges and tragedies, because we believe that the God who has blessed us up to this point will, out

of love, continue to do so.

As we gather to feast and visit with family this Thanksgiving Day, let us not forget the most important reason for which we gather—to offer thanks to God. BC

Reflection Questions

v For what do you need to thank God in your life?

v How can we share with others why it is important to offer thanks to God through the Eucharist?

v What can we do to emphasize to our whole society that expressing gratitude to God on Thanksgiving Day is something beneficial for us all?

November Scripture Readings

Solemnity of All Saints

Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14

1 John 3:1-3 Matthew 5:1-12a The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed All Souls’ Day

Any Readings from the Lectionary for Mass, the “Masses for the Dead” Nos. 1011-1016

Weekday Philippians 3:3-8a Luke 15:1-10

Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, bishop Philippians 3:17— 4:1

Luke 16:1-8

Weekday Philippians 4:10-19 Luke 16:9-15

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

2 Maccabees 7:12, 9-14

2 Thessalonians 2:16—3:5

Luke 20:27-38

Weekday Titus 1:1-9 Luke 17:1-6

Weekday Titus 2:1-8, 11-14 Luke 17:7-10

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12

1 Corinthians 3:9c11, 16-17 John 2:13-22

Memorial of Saint Leo the Great, pope and doctor of the church

Philemon 7-20 Luke 17:20-25

Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, bishop

2 John 4-9 Luke 17:26-37

Memorial of Saint Josaphat, bishop and martyr

3 John 5-8 Luke 18:1-8

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Malachi 3:19-20a

2 Thessalonians

3:7-12

Luke 21:5-19

Weekday Revelation 1:1-4; 2:1-5 Luke 18:35-43

Weekday Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22 Luke 19:1-10

Weekday Revelation 4:1-11 Luke 19:11-28

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, religious Revelation 5:1-10 Luke 19:41-44

Weekday Revelation 10:8-11 Luke 19:45-48

Weekday Revelation 11:4-12 Luke 20:27-40

Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

2 Samuel 5:1-3

Colossians 1:12-20 Luke 23:35-43

Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Revelation 14:1-3, 4b-5

Luke 21:1-4

Memorial of Saint Cecilia, virgin and martyr

Revelation 14:1419

Luke 21:5-11

Weekday Revelation 15:1-4 Luke 21:12-19

Memorial of Saint Andrew DũngLạc, priest, and companions, martyrs Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a Luke 21:20-28

Weekday Revelation 20:1-4, 11—21:2 Luke 21:29-33

Weekday Revelation 22:1-7 Luke 21:34-36

First Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 2:1-5 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:37-44

Advent Weekday Isaiah 4:2-6 Matthew 8:5-11

Advent Weekday Isaiah 11:1-10 Luke 10:21-24

Feast of Saint Andrew, apostle Romans 10:9-18 Matthew 4:18-22

Thibodaux, LA 70301 www.stjosephmanor.org cherieg@stjosephmanor.org

Red Bird Ministries helps parents who have experienced the loss of a child

Two parishes in diocese offer support to grieving parents

Story by Janet Marcel ~ Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

Individuals and couples in the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux who have experienced the loss of a child from pregnancy through adulthood will now have a local resource to help them through the grieving process.

Red Bird Ministries (RBM), a non-profit, pro-life and profamily, Catholic grief support ministry, co-founded by Ryan and Kelly Breaux of Breaux Bridge, LA, is now being offered at St. Hilary of Poitiers Church parish in Mathews and St. Gregory Church parish in Houma.

This past summer, a Red Bird Ministries 1-Day Couples Workshop was held at St. Hilary of Poitiers Church parish after parishioner Brittany Bollinger discovered Red Bird Ministries on the internet while researching types of grief ministries. She asked her friend Sarah Matherne if she would be willing to be a part of the ministry if it would be offered in their church parish.

In September, Red Bird Ministries hosted a retreat at the Lumen Christi Retreat Center in Schriever for mothers who have lost a child entitled “I Am Restored,” for approximately 48 women from all over the country.

Red Bird Ministries, which is approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and listed in the Official Catholic Directory, was formed to help people understand grief, how to navigate through it, and most crucially, how to begin the healing process. It is Catholic because of the critical role the church’s sacraments play in conjunction with the other disciplines in its approach.

The Breaux’s own personal journey of loss propelled them to establish this ministry in 2018, after a decade of darkness in their lives. Ryan and Kelly Breaux gave birth to a set of twins in 2005, a son Talon and a daughter Emma Grace. Talon died after 15 days, with Emma Grace joining her brother in heaven three years later. Kelly says their children were able to receive the Christian Rite of Burial from the church, but after their funerals, there was no support.

“This forced us to make sense of death and dying in the

secular world. Despite the help from traditional therapy, we still felt like there was a gaping hole in our lives that nothing satisfied. In the aftermath of our children’s death, the desire for heaven intensified. Never before had I thought about such profound things that made me stop and wonder why I even existed,” says Kelly. “Although I wanted to go to heaven to see my children again, I was so angry with God. Losing a child can affect your thinking process, cause doubt within

your faith, and make you question God’s goodness. These are all the normal and common reactions, feelings, and thoughts associated with the loss of a child.”

Everything changed when Kelly and her husband encountered Jesus in adoration during their Cursillo weekend. “Our emotional and spiritual wounds were healed through the sacraments, reconciling us back to sanctifying grace. We truly found the peace we were in search of. My truth then became that God did not will my children to die, but he will allow me to be sanctified through it,” she says.

Red Bird Ministries teaches families how to live a sacramental life, and that suffering has purpose if you know what to do with it. “We believe grief support ministry is the missing touch point to evangelization that has not been addressed by the church,” says Kelly. “Death has no meaning without God. Faith is the only thing that can give people hope during their grief process.”

In her role as president of the ministry, Kelly wears many hats. In addition to supporting families of loss, she helps equip leaders in other dioceses to minister to families in their communities, and she also manages organizational needs, fundraising and mission activities.

“To have the ability to sit with others in the sacredness of their grief and to be trusted with the altars of their hearts is such a blessing. It has been my experience that the kindest, most compassionate, empathetic, and strongest people are those who suffer greatly. Seeing families of loss persevere and work through their suffering with their faith gives me hope, and it is an honor to minister to them,” Kelly says.

Red Bird Ministries offers many opportunities for families of loss.

• Virtual: A branded app is available in the Apple App and Google Play Stores (search Red Bird Ministries). Inside the app are opportunities to connect for support: One-on-one comfort calls, one-on-one spiritual direction calls, weekly check-in calls (day and evening times), retreats, webinars, etc.; as well as prayer opportunities, daily meditations, daily readings, and a community of grieving families to connect with.

• Resources: Hiding in the Upper Room (Kelly’s healing journey), Restoring Love (Couples Consecration), and Beloved, not Broken (Lenten Journal).

• In-Person: 10-Week Grief Program, 1-day Couples Workshop, Small Group Resource Options.

Red Bird Ministries offers many opportunities for parochial leaders, laity and clergy.

• Training and Onboarding for leaders to be able to offer support in their church parish or diocese.

• Leader formation and support to be in community with other leaders and to grow as a national team.

• Programs and Resources that allow leaders to have the tools to equip them to minister and serve grieving families.

Red Bird Ministries offers opportunities for family members and friends of child loss.

• Gift someone with the support of a healing box through our shop.

• Virtual support inside our app.

Some of the other programs that are in the works or awaiting funding are:

• The Good Shepherd program in partnership with Divine Mercy University to train and help with the formation

of our clergy to be able to minister to grieving families.

• The Grief Journey is a catechetical journey through grief while also ministering to the wounds of loss. Having a language of grief and also an understanding of suffering changes the perception of grief. When families of loss come to know that God did not will their child to die but allowed it, it helps them to carry the heavy cross of child loss.

• The Grieving Dad’s Guide is a book for men who have experienced loss. The book will be used as a resource for men after the loss of their child of any age.

Father Rusty Paul Bruce, administrator of St. Hilary of Poitiers Church parish, celebrated Mass and the sacrament of reconciliation for the mothers, and also listened to their stories throughout the weekend retreat that took place in September.

“My experience ministering to the women at the retreat was a humbling opportunity for me to learn more about this particular area of grief (child loss). I realized very quickly in preparing for the retreat that it was going to be a life healing opportunity in many ways for both the retreatants and those leading it. Getting there and praying with the core team before the retreatants arrived gave me a great sense of peace and the impression that we were about to be walking on sacred ground together in this journey,” says Father Bruce.

The priest says as he began meeting with the women and listening to their stories, he could not help but think, and comment, how incredibly strong they are for living through each of their experiences. “I walked away from that retreat with not only more tools to help others in ministry, but also an increased gift of faith and trust in God. To have gone through one child loss is difficult to say the least, but some had experienced the loss of numerous children, yet all of them have incredible faith and trust in God. It was a great blessing to my own priesthood to see the strength of these women lived out. They made present for all of us the theology of suffering and the gift of grace that comes from redemptive suffering as we journeyed together that weekend from Calvary to the Empty Tomb.”

Father Bruce says he is thankful that his parish of St. Hilary of Poitiers is helping to lead the way in bringing this vital ministry to our area, as it is much needed and long overdue.

“I am also relieved that this ministry equips priests with the necessary tools and experience to better minister to those who have a particular grief in early child loss. Individuals who experience child loss are often lumped into grief ministries that do not address their particular needs. Most of us can reason through the loss of an elderly person we love, even if we struggle to accept it. The loss of an infant or child, however, leaves us with more questions and less answers. The beauty of Red Bird Ministries is that the ministry itself is not the answer to those questions, but it is a vessel to point those searching for the answers to their ‘whys’ to the only person who can provide adequate answers: Jesus Christ.”

Red Bird Ministries is not a program; they are a ministry in the true sense as they are committed to accompanying each person through the stages of grief, explains Father Bruce.

“Community is an important aspect of their ministry, as those grieving often feel alone in their struggle. What I appreciate most as a priest is that Red Bird Ministries understands the importance of healing the whole

a

person—body, mind and soul. They do this by providing those grieving with not only needed counseling and spiritual direction, but they also encourage the individual to participate in the sacramental life of the church where God pours out abundant grace.”

Sarah Matherne, coordinator of parish life at St. Hilary of Poitiers Church parish, and her husband Nick who lost their seven-year-old son Owen in June 2015 in a drowning accident, attended the 1-day workshop, and Sarah attended the mother’s retreat in September. Sarah and her husband Nick are now trained Red Bird Ministries leaders at St. Hilary of Poitiers parish. For more information, contact Sarah at (985) 537-6002.

“After Owen died there was a tremendous amount of support from the community … but just being able to sit with women who have been through something similar to what you’ve been through and be able to be real with them and not have to sensor what you’re thinking and what you’ve gone through because you know they understand … is such a relief and just a beautiful experience,” she says.

something and it has a purpose,” explains Sarah. “Because we are entering into his suffering, we are entering into his redemption, also.”

Denise Dehart, secretary/bookkeeper for St. Gregory Church parish in Houma who lost her 36-year-old son Reggie Jr. to COVID-19 in August 2021, attended the 1-day workshop and the mother’s retreat. Denise is now trained to be a Red Bird Ministries leader at St. Gregory parish. For more information, contact Denise at (985) 876-2047.

Sarah wants to be involved in Red Bird Ministries because she hopes to prevent others from feeling alone after the loss of a child. “Grief is a tangled ball of mess and you go in and out of all the stages … but when you have someone walking through it with you, it’s not as overwhelming and not as exhausting as when you have to do it by yourself. I believe we are called to build the Body of Christ, all of us … every part of it. We are Christ’s hands and feet, and we have to be willing to help others.”

Because of her grief and suffering, Sarah knows she can connect to other people who are suffering. “One of the most important and profound things we talked about at the retreat was Christ’s redemptive suffering and us uniting our suffering with his, and knowing our suffering means

“After Reggie died, the one thing I wanted was to connect with other women who had been through what I was going through, and I hadn’t been able to do that. But at the retreat, I was able to bond with those women and that’s what I needed,” says Denise. “And I needed to find Jesus again because sometimes you hurt so bad and you want to blame someone … and I didn’t even realize it, but I was blaming God. I couldn’t pray anymore. Red Bird Ministries helped me find what I needed. The key is Jesus. You have to have faith that God will help you through this.”

Even before she lost her son, Denise says she felt a strong calling to do some type of bereavement ministry at St. Gregory, because she felt it was an important ministry that was missing in her church parish. However, after Reggie died she says she was so angry with God that she told him to find someone else to do the ministry because she wasn’t doing it. However, going through the grieving process herself, she realized how important it is to be there for other people who are in the same situation she is in and she knows she has to do it.

Red Bird Ministries will be hosting a retreat for fathers who have lost a child entitled “Follow Me” on Dec. 2-4 at the Lumen Christi Retreat Center. For more information about Red Bird Ministries or any of their events, visit https://www. redbird.love/. BC

Denise Dehart

Sarah Matherne

November: The season of Hallowtide

Guest Columnist

Father Michael Bergeron

In the Catholic tradition, November is traditionally a month of remembrance of the dead. The month begins with the Solemnity of All Saints on Nov. 1 and the Commemoration of the All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), on Nov. 2.

All Saints

All Saints’ Day used to be called “All Hallows.” Hallow, in Old English, means “holy” or “sacred.” Therefore, “Hallows’ Eve,” or “Halloween” simply means “the evening of holy persons” and refers to the evening before All Saints’ Day. The traditional activity on All Hallows Eve is to hold a vigil and pray for the martyrs and saints. Churches often hold celebrations for children in which the children dress up as saints as an alternative to the secular celebration of Halloween.

The tradition of declaring a special day for saints started in the 4th century. By that time, so many Christians in the Roman Empire had been martyred that the church set aside a special day to honor them. In 607, Emperor Phocas presented the Roman Pantheon temple to Pope Boniface III. The pope removed the statues of Jupiter and the pagan gods and consecrated the Pantheon to “all saints” who had died from Roman persecution in the first 300 years after Christ. Many bones were brought from other graves and placed in the rededicated Pantheon church. Since there were too many martyrs for each to be given a day, they were lumped together into one day. In 609 Pope Boniface IV declared May 13 the Feast of Holy Martyrs. Pope Gregory IV included all the saints to the Feast of Holy Martyrs and renamed it the Feast of All Saints while moving the date to Nov. 1 in 837.

All Saints’ Day recognizes those whose sainthood is known only to God. Even so, Catholic observances tend to focus on known saints – those canonized by the Catholic Church. Regardless, on All Saints’ Day, Christians remember all “men (and women) of good will” (saints). These may be great ones, forgotten ones, and those who have died as martyrs for the faith. They are men and women of all ages and all walks of life who we believe went to heaven.

All Saints’ Day is a holy day of obligation. Whenever Nov. 1, solemnity of All Saints, falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the obligation to attend Mass is lifted. At Mass on All Saints’ Day, we praise and thank God for their example, their selflessness, and their holiness. We express our faith that they are now around God’s throne, where they “sing his praise forever.” And we ask them to give us “both strength and good example” so that one day we will meet them when we enter eternal life with God.

All Souls

According to tradition, there was a pilgrim returning from the Holy Land. He took refuge on a rocky island during a storm. While there, he met a hermit who told him that among the cliffs was an opening to the infernal regions where flames ascended and groans

of the tormented could be heard. The pilgrim told Odilo, the Abbot of Cluny in France about this. The abbot then appointed the following day of Nov. 2, 998, as All Souls’ Day, a day to be set apart for “all the dead who have existed from the beginning of the world to the end of time.” This includes all those in purgatory. At Mass on All Souls’ Day, we pray that through Christ’s loving mercy, God’s “departed servants … may be granted pardon and peace, and be brought to the joy of God’s eternal home.” All Souls’ Day is not a holy day of obligation.

According to the teachings of the Catholic Church, Catholics can shorten the time a soul spends in purgatory (a place where souls are purified before entering heaven) by visiting a church and praying the Our Father and the Creed on All Saints’ or All Souls’ Day.

One of the early All Souls’ Day traditions was “souling.” Poor people would go door-to-door among the homes of wealthy families who would give out soul cakes (small, sweet cakes spiced with cinnamon) and ask that the recipient prays for the souls of the family’s deceased relatives. As the years went on, it became an activity primarily for children. Children who went out on All Souls’ Day would go door-to-door asking for treats like a

money, food and drink. Today, we know this as “trick-or-treating” which takes place on Halloween.

In many Latin countries, All Souls’ Day is a national holiday - the Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos. It’s the climax of three days of celebration: All Hallow’s Eve, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. People often dress as skeletons as a way of remembering the dead and celebrating their ancestors. Altars are set up in homes to honor dead relatives. These are adorned with food and drinks (ofrendas), photos, candles, flowers and candy skulls inscribed with the name of the deceased. Incense sticks are lit to help the departed find their way.

Superstition had it that on All Souls’ night, the dead revisit their homes. So that night people would light candles and leave them out to guide them. Meals and wine were left out for them.

According to Hungarian superstition, all work and housework is forbidden on All Souls’ Day. It is seen as disrespectful to the dead, and it is believed that any work done will be sabotaged by them.

Life and Legacy

According to a superstition from the Philippines, when it rains on All Souls’ Day, the raindrops are tears of the dead.

Hallowtide

All Saints’ Day, together with All Souls’ Day are collectively known as Hallowtide (Hallow meaning holy and tide meaning time or season). In earlier times, people visited their loved ones’ graves on All Souls’ Day. This has gradually changed to visiting on All Saints’ Day, the day the cemeteries are blessed. Cajuns observe All Saints’ Day in the traditional French manner by laying wreaths and bouquets and lighting candles on even the most obscure graves. In Latin communities, families bring favorite foods of the deceased to the gravesite. In Italy, All Saints’ Day bread is baked and shared among loved one. In France and Germany, people have the work day off and businesses are closed.

The month of November is traditionally a time in which the Catholic community remembers those who have died. It is related to the fact

that the end of November is the end of the Liturgical Year with a new year starting the First Sunday of Advent – the four-week period of preparation before Christmas. The church then uses this end of the year period as a time to think of the end of life and the end of all things and the great hope that our earthly end is a transition into a new life in God’s heavenly reality. We give thanks for those who have gone before us and we look with prayer and hope to their new life in heaven and our desire to join them there one day.

In his homily on All Souls’ Day in 2018, Pope Francis’ said: “Remembering is what strengthens a people because they feel rooted, they have an identity and history. Memory reminds us that we are not alone. We are part of a people. Let us ask the Lord today, to give us the grace to never lose or hide the memory of loved ones, the grace to continue to hope and the grace to understand what are the lights that can accompany us on the journey so that we do not err and so we can arrive where they await us with such love.” BC

Heavenly Recipes

Mom’s pineapple upside down cake

Theresa Leboeuf, a native of New Orleans and resident of Houma, shares her mother’s recipe for pineapple upside down cake in this month’s Heavenly Recipes. Theresa is the receptionist at the Pastoral Center in Schriever where she has worked for the past month. Previously she was the receptionist at Catholic Charites Diocese of HoumaThibodaux where she worked for a year.

Theresa and her husband Glenn, who is a retired, have been living in Houma since May 2021. The Leboeufs are Katrina survivors. They lived in Slidell at the time of Hurricane Katrina and were displaced after the storm.

Theresa has the distinction of working in three dioceses in Louisiana: The Archdiocese of New Orleans, Diocese of Baton Rouge and now Houma-Thibodaux.

Theresa and her husband both enjoy cooking. The also enjoy cooking together. “I learned baking from my mom at an early age. I learned to cook from Glenn, especially Cajun cooking. I myself am not a Cajun. Glenn is from Montegut; he taught me how to cook Cajun food.”

They met at a Cajun dance at Tipitina’s in New Orleans. They have been married for 21 years.

Theresa has an interesting story concerning one of her cousins. “My cousin Steve Foley played football for Jesuit and Tulane. He also played professional football for the Denver Broncos. My mom was his godmother. He would always ask my mother to please bake the cake for him. When he was playing for Tulane, my mother baked a pineapple upside cake for him. He invited a football player friend over and the two of them brought a half gallon of milk, cut the cake in half, and ate the entire cake in one sitting.”

Story and Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

Theresa Leboeuf

Heavenly Recipes

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Ingredients:

1 box of a butter recipe yellow cake mix

Butter, eggs and water, according to the cake mix

1/2 tbsp. butter, for the baking dish

3/4 cup dark brown sugar

1 10-oz. jar maraschino cherries, without stems

1 20-oz. can pineapple slices, in pineapple juice

Pecan halves (about 2 dozen)

Directions:

Drain the cherries and pineapple slices (reserve the pineapple juice) and set aside.

Butter the bottom and sides of a glass 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly on the bottom and going up the sides of the dish as well. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare the cake mix as directed, except, for the amount of water; use half water and half of the reserved pineapple juice.

Assemble the cake by laying four pineapple slices lengthwise down the center, with the two ends going up the side of the dish; put three more slices on each side of that row, also going up the side of the dish. Inside of each pineapple slice, put a cherry. Arrange the pecan halves around the pineapple rings (see photo).

Using a spatula, gently spoon the batter into the dish, without disturbing the pineapples, etc. Bake 3545 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let sit about 10 minutes. Place an aluminum foil covered tray on top of the baking dish and flip over the cake. Gently lift the baking dish, using oven mitts, as steam will rise from the cake. Let the cake cool before cutting. Enjoy!

When asked what her favorite food to cook is, Theresa’s answer was an easy one. “Soup in general is my favorite thing to cook. I love to cook with the John Folse cookbooks. I have about four or five of his cookbooks that I use.”

The Leboeufs are parishioners of St. Ann in Bourg, the church parish where they were married. “Father Cody Chatagnier is wonderful,” says Theresa. “His love of the Lord and knowledge of the faith is so wonderful.”

Theresa has a background in graphic design work. “I like graphics and printing. I enjoy designing pieces of artwork. I have done furniture refinishing and needlepoint. My dad was an interior decorator. He taught me how to paint. I also enjoy home restoration.”

Theresa says her parents were instrumental in forming her Catholic faith. “I am very grateful that my parents loved the church and their faith. They passed that along to us. That’s what got me through my teenage years. We lived two blocks away from the church, which was the center of community life. When I was a young girl, a boyfriend broke up with me and I thought, why was life worth living? My faith helped me through this difficult time, and I have been close to the Lord ever since.”

Theresa says she was very involved in faith formation through her adult years. “My faith has grown through the years with nurturing, adult formation classes, Bible study classes, etc. There is such joy in the faith. It doesn’t make life perfect; but you see the silver lining behind the clouds. My favorite saying is ‘Let nothing come between Jesus and you, and you will always find joy.’”

As the Leboeufs enter the golden years they have much to be thankful for. “Though I don’t have children of my own, I have two stepchildren and seven grandchildren that have brought me so much joy. The hardest part is that they don’t all live near here.” BC

God will fulfill all your desires

Guest Columnist

Ryan Thibodaux

During my last year at St. Ben’s, a priest told me, “Don’t believe the lie that God will not be enough for you. He will fulfill all of your desires.” These words really resonated with me as I, up to that point, was in a tough spot thinking that I would be happy and fulfilled as a priest. Before I entered seminary, I spent a year at Nicholls State University instead of entering seminary right out of high school. I did this because I did not think that the Lord would fulfill my desires to be part of a family and to teach. So instead, I was at Nicholls dating, joining a Fraternity, and majoring in secondary education. All these things were good, but there was still something missing; it was not what God had planned for me and my happiness.

I eventually took the leap of faith and entered seminary not because I

believed God would fulfill my desires, but because there was something missing in my heart. My three years at St. Ben’s were great, and God was indeed fulfilling my desires providing for me a brotherhood to be part of and even opportunities to teach the faith! However, I was blind to it and still did not believe that God would be enough. This is where I was when I heard those words, “He will fulfill all of your desires.” That brief encounter with this priest began to open my eyes, but very slowly It was not until an amazing summer in Omaha, NE, that I began to believe this was true. That summer was spent in a nine-week intensive spiritual program called the Institute for Priestly Formation (IPF). It was during this summer that I encountered the love of Christ personally for me. I came to realize that if God loved me so much, wouldn’t he ensure that I had the opportunity to live life to the fullest and be happy and fulfilled in it? The answer is an emphatic yes! I began to see my discernment and following of God’s will through this new realization and began to notice the many opportunities the Lord gave me to be part of a family and to teach.

The biggest opportunity that the Lord has given me is the brotherhood that I am privileged to be a part of

within my own diocese.

I may have entered seminary as the only seminarian for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in the fall of 2018, but I have four brothers who have joined after me, whom I now have the privilege of being an older brother to. The fraternity I have with them is without a doubt the most fulfilling part of my life. The gift of their brotherhood, the Lord has beautifully used to fulfill the two desires of my heart. I am now part of a family because of their yes to follow the Lord, and boy do we have fun! I have come to love these brothers as if they were my own family, and I hope that they feel the same. I have also had the opportunity to be a mentor for these guys, teaching them how to be a seminarian and pursue friendship with the Lord. This has even allowed me to teach them in a classroom setting things like the liturgy and prayer. The Lord indeed knew what he was doing, calling me into the seminary and eventually the priesthood. I firmly believe that in two short years, as a priest, God will fulfill, in ways that I cannot even imagine, all of my desires.

(Ryan Thibodaux is a second-year theology student at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.) BC

Houma-Thibodaux

TransiTional deacon ordinaTion

The Rev. Mr. Joseph Lapeyrouse and the Rev. Mr. Matthew Prosperie were among 22 men from 17 U.S. dioceses and one from the Archdiocese of Sydney that were recently ordained to the transitional diaconate at the Altar of the Chair at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City by Bishop Austin Vetter of the Diocese of Helena, MT. Family members of the candidates as well as faithful of the diocese who were on a pilgrimage attended the ordination.

Photos by PNAC Photo Service

Youth in action

Olivia Richard

School: St. Mary’s Nativity School, Raceland Grade: 8th Church parish: St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland

Describe your family unit: Sara Richard, mother; Randy Richard, father; Katie Richard, stepmother; Parker Richard, brother

Favorite Hobby: Volleyball Favorite T.V. Show: Grey’s Anatomy

Favorite Movie: Top Gun: Maverick

Favorite Genre of Music: Country

As a young Catholic living in the United States, during these Thanksgiving times I am thankful that our way of life is starting to get back to normal. During the past two years, our community was hit hard with COVID-19. Because of COVID-19, we were not able to come together as a complete community in our church parish, but now that COVID-19 case numbers have gone down, we are able to gather in larger crowds. I am very grateful that the restrictions have eased throughout the country. It

makes me very happy to see everyone gathering with family and friends and having smiles on their faces again.

We also took a direct hit from Hurricane Ida. At my school, many of the students’ houses were destroyed and many are still displaced to this day because their homes are unlivable. I couldn’t be more thankful to everyone around the country who helped deliver much needed supplies that we didn’t have access to at the time.

With Hurricane Ida hitting my town and destroying most of it, I am thankful

that after almost a year we are finally able to move back into my home. With the help of friends and family, anything can be fixed, even if it takes time. Because of the hurricane, our church was also messed up. Although we are not in our church, I am thankful that we have another resource building that we now use for school and community Masses. It might not be the best or most convenient, but it still allows us to have Masses as a school and gather as a family. BC

Seminarian eDucation burSeS

Seminarian

Seminarian Spotlight

Scott Beslin

St. Thomas Aquinas Church parish, Thibodaux

n When did you hear

to the

Really, since I was an adolescent, but it was not until after 33 years of teaching that I answered it!

n What has been your favorite topic/subject of study in the seminary?

My favorite subject was the introduction to the New Testament.

n Where are you from (born and raised)? St. Martin Parish in Louisiana

n What are you looking forward to most about priesthood?

Hopefully manifesting God’s love in service to his people.

n What is your favorite genre of music?

n

go?

DiD you know?

birth of

in Bethlehem

what

Madison’s journey toward first Communion

Transitional deacon works with special needs student at St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School

Story by Janet Marcel ~ Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

Rev. Mr. Davis Ahimbisibwe, who is a fourth year theology student at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood in 2023, has been working with Madison Babin, a 10 year old student in St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School’s GRACE (Giving Respect and Acceptance to Children with Exceptionalities) program. Madison, who has Down’s Syndrome, started her sixth year at St. Joseph in Thibodaux this school year.

Rev. Mr. Ahimbisibwe has been working with Madison on sacramental preparation since August, more specifically preparing Madison for her first Communion. “The first thing I wanted to do is help Madison feel Christ’s love and have experiences where she feels like she is part of the community

of Christ’s love and she is able to recognize and know the people in that community,” says Rev. Mr. Ahimbisibwe. “I also wanted to help her recognize who a priest is and feel comfortable with him. The way I go about sacramental preparation is different for her than for others.”

The second thing he says he wanted was for Madison to recognize the difference between secular signs and sacred signs. For example, could she tell the difference between a cross and Jesus on the crucifix? He taught her to make the sign of the cross and helped her to do that every morning before he taught her to pray the Our Father, by saying it and having her repeat it after him.

The goal in sacramental preparation is to have the

Rev. Mr. Davis Ahimbisibwe and Madison Babin

person encounter the love of Christ in the sacrament, says Rev. Mr. Ahimbisibwe. “So, my job is to unfold the mystery of God’s love for her so that she knows she is loved by him. And I also have to help her understand the difference between the Eucharist and ordinary food so that ultimately she understands that the Jesus she has come to know and love and who loves her, is present in the Eucharist.”

Rev. Mr. Ahimbisibwe says that he has always enjoyed working with people who have special needs. He explains that in the Scriptures it says that God loves everyone. “But you kind of see that God has a preferential love for certain persons. And I have a preferential love for persons such as Madison, also. I have to be the face of Christ’s love for her. I think about how she is going to come to see the face of Christ and I want to be that for her.”

Working with Madison means a great deal to Rev. Mr. Ahimbisibwe. “Ultimately, in everything I do I have to be the human face of God’s love, because for me that is the context in which everything is done. God’s salvation and God’s love is for everyone. People like Madison have to experience God’s love and I want to bring God’s love to them. Christ is inviting me to encounter him in her.”

Madison’s mother Molly Babin says she receives photos of Rev. Mr. Ahimbisibwe and Madison together at school. “When Madison gets home from school and I show the photos to her, she recognizes him. Sometimes she puts her hands together as if she is going to pray … she knows he prays with her.”

When Molly found out that her child might have Down’s Syndrome, she just prayed that God would give her the strength to handle it. “It was scary. We didn’t know what to do because we didn’t know anything about Down’s Syndrome. I just asked God to please put me around people, and put her around people, who would support her. And it seems like every time I had those fears God would put someone in my life to let me know that it was going to be okay. You can’t explain it any other way other except that it is the grace of God.”

She says Madison’s sister went to St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School and graduated from Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma, but the Catholic schools in Houma were unable to accommodate a child with Madison’s special needs.

Molly says the year they had to make a decision about school for Madison was the year they went to a meeting at Vandebilt with someone who put them in touch with people who were starting a program at E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux. At that time there were also families who were interested in starting similar something at St. Joseph. She was sure it was a sign from God because they had no connections with anyone in Thibodaux.

“Just the fact that I could bring my non-verbal child to this place … I never thought she would ever be able to have an opportunity to have a Catholic education … was such a blessing. I see her working in so many children’s lives here and I know this is exactly the plan God had for us. She is exactly where she is meant to be. As a parent, that’s all you can ask for your children. And we are extremely grateful to everyone here.”

Hannah Arceneaux, religious coordinator at St. Joseph

Catholic Elementary School, says “(transitional) Deacon Davis has been the hands, feet and face of Jesus to our entire student body and especially to the students in our GRACE program. He has formed a special bond with Madison, praying with her and preparing her to receive the holy Eucharist. He is a beautiful gift. His presence, his radiant smile, and his desire to bring Jesus to our students has been a tremendous blessing to St. Joseph. He has prayed with our students, and he has played with them. We are so happy for his journey to priesthood. We know he will touch many more lives, and we will be praying for him as he continues to seek Jesus and spread his love.”

Rev. Mr. Ahimbisibwe says everything God gives us is a gift because he loves us. “Many parents of children with special needs don’t realize them as a gift from God, so they are treated differently. They are hidden away. If we really accept these children as a gift from God and if the family embraces this gift, there are very many fruits that can come out of it. Madison brings such joy to the school. If I go outside for recess alone, I am the superstar … if Madison comes, she steals the spotlight! She has a lot of gifts to give. How I wish all families of children with special needs would embrace them as gifts from God, because I want all of these children to experience God’s love and his grace.” BC

Rev. Mr. Davis Ahimbisibwe, Molly Babin and Madison Babin

St. Bridget parishioner turns 100 this month

Story by Janet Marcel ~ Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

Samson Babin will be 100 years old on Nov. 21, 2022.

The St. Charles Community native lived in Raceland for 50 years and has been a resident of Schriever for the past 19 years with his second wife Walterine, who is 92. He is a parishioner of St. Bridget Church parish in Schriever and his wife is a member of the Assembly of God. He and Walterine, who has four children, two boys and two girls from a previous marriage, have been married for 19 years. Babin’s first wife of 50 years died in 2001.

Babin says growing up his family was really poor. “I didn’t know it then, but we were really, really poor. I was raised on a farm off of Highway 308 about a mile from St. Charles Borromeo Church in the St. Charles Community.”

He went to school until the 8th grade. His father developed multiple sclerosis and was paralyzed from the neck down for 12 years, so Babin went to work at the age of 14, while also helping his mother take care of his father. He had one brother four years younger than him who died in 2001.

Babin says the biggest adventure of his life was going to school. “I didn’t know how to read or write before that, and I didn’t know my ABCs. My mother and daddy worked hard all day long. They didn’t have time to teach us that. They went to bed at 7 o’clock and got up at four in the morning. Life was different then.”

His grandmothers didn›t speak any English, but he says his mother and father could read and write English and French, something they were able to learn in school. Babin says he used to speak French, but has forgotten most of what he knew.

Babin started working at the Raceland Lumber Co. in January 1947 and worked there for 50 years. In 1970, his boss sold the ready mix and lumber business to him and two of his coworkers, so he was part owner until he retired in 1988. “Back then you could make a good living running a small business; today you can’t,” says Babin.

After he retired, he was still doing estimates part time for the business, as well as for Morrison Lumber Co. and Robichaux Lumber Co. until around 2002.

Babin says his health was not good in 1943, and he was put on blood pressure medicine. “I wasn’t supposed to live this long; but since January of this year, I don’t take any medication anymore. Something happened to my body … I don’t know what … but I don’t take any heart medicine or any blood pressure medicine. And, my blood pressure is normal, 115/65.”

He had a bout with cancer in his lymph nodes last year and he’s undergoing a special kind of therapy right now. In fact, Samson says, both he and his wife are cancer survivors. They were both operated on for cancer right before Hurricane Ida’s

Samson Babin

landfall last year, him in August and her in July for colon cancer. Samson received radiation treatments and his wife has to do chemotherapy.

His sister-in-law, who Babin says is an angel, takes them to all of their therapy treatments and doctor’s appointments. Babin just stopped driving last year, although he still has a driver’s license. “That’s the hardest thing when you can’t drive and you have to depend on other people for everything,” he says. “Life is not the same anymore when you can’t drive.”

The lifelong Catholic says his father helped build the first St. Charles Borromeo Church in the St. Charles Community. He remembers Father Albert Mauret, the parish’s first pastor, taught him catechism every Friday afternoon after school. Later, when he lived in Raceland, Babin served as an usher for many years, and he became friends with most of the priests who served at St. Mary’s Nativity parish.

Samson recalls that he paid $25 for his first car, which was either a 1928 or ‘29 Plymouth or Dodge. After that car, he bought a 1935 Ford Model A. “Now that was a car!” he says.

Babin believes the greatest technological

advancement in his lifetime is the cell phone. “That’s everything … in there,” he says. “I don’t know how to use it and I don’t want to learn. I’m past that … I’m not interested in computers, either. I made money by figuring things out with a pencil and paper, and my head.”

Babin says the best times of his life were the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s, when America was rebuilding after the war and the economy was good.

If he could give any advice to a young person today, Babin says he would tell them to go to school … trade school or college, it doesn’t matter … but take advantage of the opportunity to go to school and learn a trade or get a good education.

When asked what he attributes his long life to, Babin says he doesn’t really know why he’s lived as long as he has, but he does know that he worked hard all his life. “I kept busy all my life. I worked in my garden. I played sports like basketball and baseball, and I exercised my whole life.”

BC

Samson and his wife Walterine

Plans underway for National Black Catholic Congress XIII,

November is National Black Catholic History Month … a time that we as Black Catholics and those who minister to, with, for and among us are called to focus on our role and what it means to be Black and Catholic. This year we are preparing for the National Black Catholic Congress XIII, which is going to be held July 20-23, 2023, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD. The theme for 2023 is “Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive,” which is based on Habakkuk 2:2-4.

The National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus voted July 2, 1990, to designate November as Black Catholic History Month. During this month the church prays for all saints and souls. We also recall the saints and souls of Africa and the African Diaspora.

Our mission is for justice and the ministry of Evangelization for and with Black Catholics.

The decision to designate November as Black Catholic History Month was because several dates this month are important to African descent:

• Nov. 1, All Saints Day: Review the lives of hundreds of saints of African descent in the first 300 years of the church.

• Nov. 2, All Souls Day: Remember those Africans who were lost to cruel treatment in the Middle Passage when they crossed the Atlantic Ocean.

• Nov. 3, Martin de Porres: The first Black American saint canonized by Pope John XXXIII on May 16, 1962.

• Nov. 13, The birth of St. Augustine in 354 A.D.: The first doctor of the

church for North Africa.

• Nov. 20, The death of Zumbi of Palmares of Brazil, South American founder of a free state of Blacks.

The first Black Lay Catholic Congress was held Jan. 1-4, 1889, in Washington, D.C. Two hundred delegates attended. The focus was education for both youth and adults. There was a focus on establishing Catholic schools and the need for trade schools where our youth could be trained. There were also conversations with factory owners and operators, railroad companies and telegraph companies, etc.

We must continue the legacy. In preparation for the National Black Catholic Congress XIII, Black Catholics in every diocese throughout the United States were asked to hold a Focus Day of Reflection/Days of Reflection. The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux hosted its first day of reflection in October.

Under the theme, “Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive,” the Black Catholic Congress invited participants attending the Day of Reflection to listen to God speaking to them through Scripture to become a prophetic people moving toward a vision to thrive. Thus, the Day was designed in the following manner.

• Leaning in: The Path of Reflection

An opportunity to pray, reflect and

unpack Scriptures to grow closer to God

• Leaning out: The Journey Toward Mission

Ponder and look around our world to identify what warrants our attention right now to encourage evangelization

• What did you see and hear today?

Purpose of this task:

• Moving toward writing our vision: Say it loud and clear.

What spiritual wisdom or stirrings did you hear during the day?

• Articulating our prophetic call to action: Name it and claim it.

As a result of these stirrings, what action items were identified to be on mission as our “Prophetic Call to Thrive”?

A second Day of Reflection will be held this month, with Deacon Alfred Adams Sr. as the guest speaker. Deacon Adams is the director of the Office of Black Catholics for the Diocese of Baton Rouge. The theme for the day is “Rooted in Faith.”

For news, current events, and resources on the culture of Black Catholics, visit https://nbccongress. org/.

(Christine J Streams is the diocesan liaison for Black Catholic Ministry.) BC

Christine Streams

Christine Streams, diocesan liaison for Black Catholic Ministry, speaks to participants during one of the days of reflection in preparation for the National Black Catholic Congress.

MAEGAN MARTIN/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Reflections from a young Black Catholic

we can accomplish this and have deeper participation, it could bear great fruit.

Lastly, I would like to talk about our youth. Within my 11 years of being a youth mentor, teacher and confirmation coordinator, I have learned that in order to get the youth involved in the church today, simply ask them what their needs are. We as young adults/adults need to learn how to move out of the way and let the youth lead. The youth aren’t the future; they are our present; they are now. Let them lead, but guide them when necessary.

(Rianna Reed, MBA, is a parishioner of St. Luke the Evangelist Church parish in Thibodaux, and the director of communications and evangelization, and confirmation coordinator, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church parish on the Nicholls State University campus in Thibodaux.) BC

The Legacy Continues

By Therese Wilson Favors

By Rianna Reed

What does it mean to be Black and Catholic today? I mean really … what place do I have in this church for real? For me, being Black and Catholic means there is strength and power in embracing both identities. To be Black and Catholic means to add to the rich tapestry of the Catholic faith. In my praise, there is an echo of my African ancestry and culture. In my worship, there is a depth that has roots in emotion and honor, and in my oration is the whisper of stories told and untold. To be Black and Catholic is to join the richness of my experiences and be with the graces of the sacraments. Moreover, to be Black and Catholic in the church today, in my experience, brings me to a quote from James Baldwin that says: “If I love you, I have to make you conscious of the things you do not see.” Meaning, to be Black and Catholic in the church today, oftentimes I realize that sometimes the chains that our people were shackled in, some of those shackles still exist today. Realizing that at the intersection of race and faith stands a Black woman that has deep pain from feeling alone or like the majority of people who believe the same things I do, don’t relate to me on some fundamental level. We can’t change the demographics of the church overnight, but we can enthusiastically encourage each other to extend a hand and be willing to actively listen and have a dialogue in our parishes. We need to continually engage in discussions on issues that deeply harm and affect communities of color: Issues that are not easy to talk about; issues like mass incarceration; inequity in leadership in our parishes and dioceses; or personal biases. Including Black Catholic history, saints, and stories in main Catholic education will help create a more diverse and richer story of the Catholic experience and provide a narrative of faith that allows for better representation for all. Solidarity must be built by celebrating the richness of diverse cultures. Once

What if they did not rise to hear the calling of their name, that special sacred calling, which mere men cannot portray.

What if they did not surrey here to build that steadfast path, a path which bold and brilliant builders know just how to craft.

What if they did not listen to the rhythm of the drum that thumped out justice for the church and for their own kind.

What if they had not known within that God was on their side. The God who stands for justice and whose power would not grow thin.

Could we tarry here a moment just to listen to the wind, just to ponder in his sacred place of then.

Could we tarry here a moment just to listen, to their voices, for the wind can carry them.

Can we tarry here a moment for their spirits linger here. It is circling all round us in the breathing of the air.

Can we tarry here a moment for the day has just begun. Let us join our arms together with the past and now the young.

Can we bridge the hope of yesteryear with dreams and tears of here? Let us tarry here a moment for the legacy continues.

Let us tarry here a moment for the time will quickly pass, when the future will come and greet us and ask: What did we do to help our people last?

This poem was written for the 100th Anniversary of the Fifth National Black Catholic Congress, held at St. Peter Claver Hall, which was the original site of the Fifth Congress. The anniversary celebration was on Oct. 18, 1994.

Catholic Campaign for Human Development aims to help people help themselves

and in their ability to organize. It is in their hands, which can guide with humility and conviction this process of change … ” (Pope Francis, Address at the World Meeting of Popular Movements, Bolivia).

Catholic Charities have partnered with organizations sponsored by CCHD in the struggle for justice for immigrants.

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) was developed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops working to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ as a domestic anti-poverty program. “The future of humanity does not lie solely in the hand of great leaders, the great powers and the elites. It is fundamentally in the hands of people

The mission of CCHD is to empower communities by providing education on poverty and its causes. It is through the education for justice that a community can formalize and advocate for themselves reflecting the decree of the Scriptures and principles of Catholic social teaching. Since 2013, CCHD has invested nearly $2.5 million to support environmental justice projects such as water pollution, air pollution, energy efficiency, and community development within 22 states throughout 31 dioceses. Nearly 50 dioceses and nearly 300 parishes and 90 Catholic institutions, including

The work of CCHD is made possible by the support of Catholics in the United States through the annual parish collection that will take place in our diocese on Nov. 12-13. The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is an instrumental part of the Catholic Church in the United States’ social mission and commitment to assist low-income communities. Please consider supporting this essential ministry of our diocese. Twenty-five percent of all of funds raised will support anti-poverty efforts within our diocese.

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

Chamon Williams

Copyright © 2020, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Photo: © Dominican Center.

Gratitude is an attitude we adopt

Guest Columnist

Father Rusty Paul Bruce

I knew when I was asked to write this article on gratitude that I wanted to do something different. I did not want to make this into another mere academic exercise. I wanted this to be a reflection that leads us closer to God. Putting aside my inclination to go straight to the comfort of my theological books, I decided instead to ask the input of those I have the joy of seeing often, my daily Mass congregation.

Many of them were eager to share with me after Mass their own thoughts on gratitude. Three individuals surprised me in that they took the extra time after our conversations to text or email me further thoughts and reflections on how they understand this concept. What follows is the majority of their shared thoughts. From them, we can learn three important lessons on gratitude: Gratitude is best lived when we recognize that God will always provide for our needs; gratitude is an attitude that we can choose to live, which can change the way we experience life; and we do not need to look far to find things for which we can choose to be grateful.

God Will Always Provide What We Need

One parishioner texted me that while she was reflecting on our morning discussion, she met someone in the grocery store who told her “God will always provide.” As she reflected on that statement further, she was reminded about the many different ways in which God has provided for her in life. This attribute of God as provider brought her to have a deep sense of gratitude for provisions, like direction,

grace and mercy, that he has given her. She acknowledged that she is grateful for the continual blessings that she receives which often come in the form of what she needs when she needs it, rather than reserving gratitude for being thankful only for things received for which she asks specifically.

She also shared that living in a spirit of gratitude for what God has provided for her has helped her to move from being a victim to a victor. That is a powerful statement! She is absolutely correct. Bad things happen to everyone, things that we cannot always control. We can either allow ourselves to be the victims of these circumstances, which often leave us closed off to what God wants to do for us, or we can acknowledge the situation and choose to rise above it, allowing God to bring about the good that he desires for us.

Faith tells us that God can make straight a crooked line, as Romans says, “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (8:28).

God desires our ultimate good, which is our salvation, that comes through persevering in and with God’s grace through trial and tribulation. At the end of the day, gratitude is an adopted attitude that can change how we view occurrences in life. With this in mind, I would like to turn to our second contributor who further adds to this idea.

Gratitude is an Attitude that Keeps us Focused

My second parishioner sent me a compelling email pointing out the importance of recognizing the value of choosing to live in a spirit or attitude of gratitude. She wrote that, “Gratitude is an energy, a mindset, a way of thinking, that when practiced gives focus and centers us on the right things, the important things, the things that God wants us to value and hold dear.” She goes on to write that it was learning to choose to live in the spirit of gratitude that got her through the dark and challenging times of her life, as well as the times of great celebration.

When she began to focus her energy on what she was grateful for, it caused her heart and mind to be lifted as she started to see the many things that she might not have noticed otherwise if she were only focused on what she did not have. In her writing, she acknowledged that she knows that God desires what is best for her and that focusing on gratitude helps her to see his hand in all aspects of her life.

This brings her peace knowing that God is in control and will not steer her wrong. The more she practices living in the spirit of gratitude, the more natural it becomes for her. She believes this is where God desires us to stay. We do not need to look far to find things for which to be grateful.

Giving Thanks for the Simple Things in Life

My last parishioner brings us home as he cautions us to not only think of gratitude as the big or special things that we receive throughout our lives, like the big promotion that we waited for; the ability to afford the new fancy car, or finally taking that dream vacation we always wanted to take. Rather, gratitude for him is being able to give thanks for those big things as well as for the simple things in life such as the opportunity to know, love, and serve God another day; for the early morning sunrises that leave us admiring the work of our creator, or for the life-giving oxygen that we find in the fresh breeze blowing in our faces. He goes on to say that it is the everyday things that God sends our way that we should not take for granted nor forget. Just because we are around everyday things all the time does not mean that we have to become so familiar with them that we lose appreciation for them.

Now is the perfect time to consider how large a part gratitude plays in our daily lives. With the upcoming holiday season, we are called to be intentional about that for which we are grateful. In this spirit of gratitude, let us recall not only those things in life that are extraordinarily pleasing to us, but also remember to give thanks for the ordinary or simple things that help us to more easily choose to live in the spirit of gratitude. This holiday season, we can choose to remember that God has always provided for us and will always provide for our every need.

We should also remember that some of these provisions are crosses that bring us closer to Him. We may not want them, but we need them. We can choose to give thanks to God for the grace to be able to carry our crosses and for the growth that we experience in picking up those crosses daily. Our struggles can then truly become our victories.

A trending practice on social media for the month of November has become what is known as The Gratitude Challenge. This challenge asks us to reflect on and publicly identify, each day of the month, one thing for which we are grateful. This is a beautiful way to practice adopting the attitude of gratitude. In doing so, let us not forget to add to that list the simple things in life, the ways in which God provides for us every day, and yes, even giving thanks for our crosses that are meant to bring us closer to God.

(Father Rusty Paul Bruce is the administrator of St. Hilary of Poitiers Church parish in Mathews and the Community of St. Anthony in Gheens.) BC

Bayou

of

#iGiveCatholic giving day is Tuesday, Nov. 29

By Janet Marcel

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana (CFSL) have joined forces with other dioceses and archdioceses in the United States to host its seventh annual #iGiveCatholic giving day on #GivingTuesday, Nov. 29, 2022.

#iGiveCatholic is a 24-hour online giving challenge that celebrates the work of Catholic schools, ministries, church parishes and other charitable organizations affiliated with the participating dioceses and also helps to celebrate all those who give throughout the diocese. Throughout the giving day, from midnight on Nov. 28 until the stroke of midnight on Nov. 29, Catholics can go to houma-thibodaux.igivecatholic. org and click on a specific ministry listed there to make a donation with their credit card.

Last year’s campaign resulted in 1,412 donors giving $842,878 for the local community. The Diocese of HoumaThibodaux raised the second highest figure of all Louisiana dioceses and was ranked seventh nationally.

“Our diocese and our people are some of the most generous and prayerful people in the country! This is widely evident each

Correction

Very Rev. Patrick J. (P.J.) Madden, diocesan administrator, announced the following permanent deacon appointment.

Deacon Jeff Pitre, who has been serving as deacon at Sacred Heart Church parish in Cut Off, has been appointed deacon at Our Lady of the Rosary Church parish in Larose, effective Sept. 1, for a period of six months.

It was incorrectly stated in the October issue of Bayou Catholic, that the appointment was for six years. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

year when we ask our Catholic community to come together for #iGiveCatholic and support their church parishes, schools and ministries,” says Amy Ponson, executive director of the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana. “Over the past few years, our community has helped raise close to $3 million for our local church. This year as we gear up for #iGiveCatholic on Nov. 29, we invite you to join us in prayer for the success of our local churches, schools and nonprofits. Join us to Give Catholic and help us make a difference right here at home.”

#iGiveCatholic is held each year in conjunction with #GivingTuesday, which is celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the United States) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday. #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.

The Advanced Giving Day Phase begins Nov. 14 and continues through Nov. 28.

For more information about #iGiveCatholic, go to www. igivecatholic.org, email cfsl@htdiocese.org or call (985) 8503116. BC

November Daily Prayer

Priests,

for Clergy and

Seminarians

Very Rev. Patrick (P.J.) Madden

Joseph Tregre

Joe Varghese Rev. Billy Velasco Rev. Shenan Boquet

Gary Lapeyrouse

Thomas Bouterie

Brice Higginbotham

Stuart King

Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue Rev. Michael Bergeron, retired

Mr. Matthew Prosperie

Frederic Brunet, retired Rev. Domingo Cruz, retired

Dean Danos, retired Rev. Wilfredo Decal, retired Rev. Scott Dugas, retired Deacon James Lefevre Rev. Roch Naquin, retired

Rev. Ty Nguyen, retired Rev. Charles Perkins, retired Rev. Caesar Silva, retired Rev. Wilmer Todd, retired

Sister Carmelita Centanni, M.S.C.

Rev. Jerry Villarrubia, retired

Very Rev. Jay L. Baker

Rev. Paul Birdsall Rev. Rusty Paul Bruce Rev. Toto Buenaflor Jr. Bishop Emeritus Sam G. Jacobs

Two locals are finalists for the National Lumen Christi Award

as interim director. Father Engurait, who already wore many hats, was now being tasked with leading the diocese’s disaster response efforts after one of the most catastrophic storms in the state’s history.

Father Engurait asked Karen David, a longtime diocesan volunteer at the Catholic Community Center food bank and thrift store, to serve as his right hand officer.

“Truly the work of God”

Catholic Extension is honored to share the accomplishments of Very Rev. Simon Peter Engurait and Karen David, finalists for the 2022-2023 Lumen Christi Award.

On August 29, 2021, Louisiana was devastated by Hurricane Ida. The Category 4 storm knocked out power, water and gas infrastructures across the state. It demolished thousands of homes, leaving families displaced and vulnerable. The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux took a direct hit. Approximately 75 percent of the diocese’s properties sustained damage.

In these times of peril and uncertainty, the Church’s most compassionate and competent leaders often emerge to the forefront. Such

was the case in the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux, where Very Rev. Simon Peter Engurait and Karen David have led spiritual and humanitarian relief efforts that touched thousands of vulnerable families impacted by Hurricane Ida’s devastation. More than anything, their presence has comforted those who have lost everything.

Answering the call to lead

Just a week after the storm, the executive director position at Catholic Charities Houma-Thibodaux became vacant, leaving no one to navigate these communities through their darkest days. Bishop Shelton Fabre (who was the bishop at the time of the hurricane) asked Father Engurait, a member of his senior leadership team, to serve

David has played a key role listening to people, providing for their needs with supplies and, in several cases, personally “adopting” families to ensure they have food on the table and a roof over their heads. One mother from a family of five remarked, “She has come into my life and made changes in ways I can’t explain. Truly the work of God! I can never thank her enough for all that she has done for myself and my kids.”

In the time since Hurricane Ida made landfall one year ago, Father Engurait and Karen David have spent all their energy and efforts responding to the needs of the underserved, poor and most vulnerable within the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, sharing hope and leading with faith. They truly exemplify how the Church always rises to the occasion, especially in times of difficulty. BC

Karen David

Very Rev. Simon Peter Engurait

Overtime

Ed Daniels

This may be an oversimplification, but here it goes.

The late LSU coach Charlie McClendon loved the two quarterback system, and Saints head coach Dennis Allen should now embrace it.

After Taysom Hill’s three rushing touchdowns, one touchdown pass performance against Seattle, there is no other way.

Have a throwing quarterback, either Andy Dalton or Jameis Winston start, and bring Hill in for a considerable amount of snaps.

Just ask a redhead.

“He’s a weapon,” said Dalton of Hill after the Saints 39-32 win over Seattle.

Hill gashed the worst rushing defense in the league for touchdown runs of 8, 9 and 60 yards.

And, when the Seahawks crept up on the line of scrimmage, he threw 22 yards to tight end Adam Troutman for a touchdown.

The two quarterback system can work.

It worked at LSU for McClendon.

Can the two quarterback system work for the Saints?

There was Steve Ensminger and David Woodley.

And, Bert Jones and Paul Lyons. Woodley, ironically, was known as the running quarterback. But, he had an accomplished NFL career. In 1982, he was then the youngest quarterback, 24, to start in a Super Bowl.

Bert Jones was the first pick in the 1973 NFL draft, but he split time with Lyons, who at times performed superbly.

In 1971, in a 38-28 win at Wisconsin, Lyons ran for three touchdowns, and passed for another. He set an LSU total offense record with 304 yards. Lyons had touchdown runs of 38, 11 and 3 yards. The Tigers had 31 first downs and only punted three times.

Jones was later, the second pick in the NFL draft in 1973, ironically a pick acquired by the Baltimore Colts from the New Orleans Saints (in one of the most lopsided trades in NFL history).

But, Charlie Mac was never afraid to go to Lyons, who often rewarded his coach with stellar play.

Like Hill did on Sunday. And, the Saints have paid Taysom Hill handsomely.

He signed a four year, $40 million deal with the Saints before the 2021 season, with $21 million guaranteed.

In 2022, Hill will be paid a base salary of $1.1 million, and a restructured bonus of $9 million, according to the website spotrac.com.

The move of Taysom Hill to tight end before the start of the season was an intriguing idea. Hill, theoretically, would be a matchup nightmare for linebackers and safeties.

But, not anymore.

The Saints should do the following moving forward.

Have their starting quarterback throw it 22 to 30 times a game.

And, save 12 to 15 snaps a game for Taysom Hill.

When the Saints needed a win, to avoid their first 1-4 start since 2015, Hill delivered.

His days as a tight end, should be, over. BC

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