Bayou Catholic Magazine October 2022

Bayou Catholic

The official magazine of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Mammograms are the best tool for early detection.

On Our Cover

Features

26 Seminarian House of Formation

By Janet Marcel

30 “The New Isle”

By Janet Marcel

Columns

8 Message from our Administrator

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

12 Pope Speaks Pope Francis I

13 Questions of Faith

By Father Wilmer Todd

14 Readings Between the Lines

By Father Glenn LeCompte

46 Overtime

By Ed Daniels

In Every Issue

6 From the Editor

16 Scripture Readings

Heavenly Recipes

Daily Prayer for Priests, Deacons, Religious and Seminarians

Youth in Action

Guest Columns

37 World Mission Sunday

By Father Robert-Joel Cruz

32 Diocesan awards presented

36 Sister Rosario Endowment created

Red Mass, Oct. 20

Wedding anniversary celebration, Oct. 23

44 Padre Pio relics at Christ the Redeemer, Nov. 16

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Father Mitchel Semar, diocesan director of the Office of Vocations to Priesthood and St. Joseph’s House of Formation, is pictured with seminarians Ethan Henry, Wayne Romero Jr. and Chad Cheramie at the House of Formation in Thibodaux. See page 26 for cover story.

Houma-Thibodaux

MONTH October 2022

Bayou Catholic

How to reach us:

BY PHONE: (985) 850-3132

BY MAIL: P.O. Box 505 Schriever, LA 70395

BY FAX: (985) 850-3232

BY E-MAIL: bayoucatholic@htdiocese.org

The Bayou Catholic is published monthly, for the people of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux by the H-T Publishing Co., P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395. Subscription rate is $35 per year.

The BayouCatholicis a member of the Catholic Media Association, the National Newspaper Association and an associate member of the Louisiana Press Association.

Lawrence Chatagnier editor and general manager

April LeBouef business manager

Janet Marcel staff writer/administrative assistant

Tisha Rachal graphic designer

Becky Thibodeaux accounting specialist

Like us on Facebook or Find us on the web www.bayoucatholic.org

Where to find your Bayou Catholic

Bayou Catholic magazine can be found at all Catholic churches and Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. To pick up a copy, you may also visit the merchants who advertise in our issue. Those wishing to receive the magazine by mail can call Janet Marcel at (985) 850-3132 or write to Bayou Catholic, P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395.

Subscription price is $35 annually. For the online edition, go to www.bayoucatholic.org

From the Editor

Each October the church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month, and the first Sunday of October is observed as Respect Life Sunday. As Catholics, we are called to cherish, defend and protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning of life to its end and at every point in between. During this month, the church asks us to reflect more deeply on the dignity of every human life.

We live in a very hostile world today. In many instances proclaiming your beliefs on many issues can be met with resistance. The church’s teaching on topics like abortion, assisted suicide, and the death penalty can provoke challenging and emotional responses from those who disagree.

When we watch the news or surf through social media, we are swamped by stories of violence against human life. The attitude of public debate and discourse disrespects the dignity of the human person. We can often feel that sorrow surrounds us as abortion, assisted suicide, the death penalty, and other offenses to the dignity of the person find wide public support.

Let us not forget during this month that we are celebrating the sacredness and dignity of all human life. As mentioned before, we are called to defend life from its beginning to its end and every point in between. This means that we are called to defend the lives of those who are terminally ill and stand against assisted suicide. We are called to defend the lives of those who have been handed down the penalty of death because of a crime committed. We must stand against the death penalty.

If we truly believe that all life is sacred and that we respect the dignity of all humans, we must stand

against the terrible actions of human trafficking, which is defined as the trade of humans for the purpose of forced labor, sexual slavery or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others.

Let us also not forget the dignity of immigrants worldwide who are fleeing their homeland seeking personal freedom or relief from political or religious persecution. There are also many who are fleeing their country because of violence and civil unrest.

There are many unjust situations and issues that cripple the human population in our country today. If we really claim to be Pro Life, we will show concern for those who suffer because of poverty, unjust wages, racism, homelessness, addiction and unmet mental health needs. The list is long and can be overwhelming to contemplate in its entirety.

Through prayer and action, changes can be made to help those who struggle through life daily. If we all live and act out the Gospel values of Jesus with one another and especially those who are less fortunate we can bring about hope for many.

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 Lawrence Chatagnier Editor & General Manager

Mass for Peace in Our Communities

A Mass for Peace in our Communities in memory of St. Peter Claver was celebrated on his feast day at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. Very Rev. Patrick J. (P.J.) Madden was the main celebrant of the Mass, which was concelebrated by priests of the diocese. St. Peter Claver was a Jesuit missionary who spent his life in the service of African slaves brought against their will to South America during the 17th century.

October 2022

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Bayou

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

Message from our Administrator

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

My brothers and sisters in Christ, we have already begun to see the signs of autumn in nature, demonstrating that, whatever we do in life, nature follows the pattern laid out by a loving, creating God and shows forth his beauty in the kaleidoscope of color along the roadside, as trees reflect the autumnal sunshine!

But, as beautiful as this is, it is nothing to the beauty of a newborn baby smiling up at doting parents, filled with wonder that their love has been blessed by such a gift from God. Many times have I said, to those questioning the existence of God, that, to prove his existence, all you have to do is look at the face of a new born baby! For we are, each and all, made in the image and likeness of God and our main purpose in life is to thank him for his goodness and give him glory by our life well lived!

Yet we live at a time when, for many, life is no longer seen as a gift but a burden and this attitude belittles us all. We believe and teach that each human being is an irreplaceable, never to be replicated, unique expression of God’s creating love!

For those who fail to see this I offer the story of Mary and her cousin Elizabeth, from Luke’s Gospel (1: 39–55). Each woman had an unexpected pregnancy, yet, when they met, at Elizabeth’s home, she greeted Mary with an astonishing and beautiful prayer: “And who am I that the Mother of my Lord should come to visit me? For the moment your voice reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy.” That child, John the Baptist, recognized Jesus in Mary’s womb, before either was born!!! This story is the answer to anyone who talks about a fetus as if it is not a new being capable of birth and full maturity.

Elizabeth was beyond childbearing

‘The child in my womb leapt for joy’

age, and Mary was yet a young virgin of about 16 years. Were they scared? You bet they were, yet they trusted God would take care of them so Mary could respond by her well known Magnificat! “My soul magnifies the Lord and my Spirit rejoices in God my Savior” she replied!!! I offer this Magnificat to all expectant mothers, especially those who are anxious in their pregnancy.

for example, needs to be clear, firm and passionate, for at stake is the dignity of a human life, which is always sacred and demands love for each person, regardless of his or her stage of development. Equally sacred (my emphasis), however, are the lives of the poor, those already born, the destitute, the abandoned and underprivileged, the vulnerable infirm and elderly exposed to covert euthanasia, the victims of human trafficking, new forms of slavery, and every form of rejection” (Gaudete et Exultate, No. 100).

It is from this story we can come to understand what we mean by the right to life, which we celebrate this month. But this right must be understood as applying to all aspects of life, from conception to natural death (which itself is the true birth into everlasting life!). Pope Francis has made this clear when he stated, and this is worthy of repeating in full:

“Our defense of the innocent unborn,

For the past few months I have been emphasizing our need to rededicate ourselves to Christ in the Eucharist and in our tabernacles. There is a direct connection here. We are told by Jesus in the Gospel that he came “that we may have life and have it to the full.” Mary and Elizabeth both said yes, in the darkness of unexpected pregnancies, and world history was changed forever! We need to declare, unequivocally, that all life matters, all life is sacred, all life is a gift and gifts are to be shared and celebrated. Our eucharistic celebrations are always a celebration of life, and from that celebration we learn to treat every human being with their dignity, which is his or hers as a child of God, created to give him glory and share that glory in its fullness for eternity. So I conclude by again offering you, dear reader, the prayer to St. Thomas Aquinas, to pray for an appreciation of the gift of life itself and in thanksgiving to the God of life and his Son, Jesus who died that we might live forever, Amen!

O 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. Lord Jesus, present to us in the Eucharist, we place our trust in thee; make us signs of your presence. BC

“

“ Yet we live at a time when, for many, life is no longer seen as a gift but a burden and this attitude belittles us all. We believe and teach that each human being is an irreplaceable, never to be replicated, unique expression of God’s creating love!

¡Mis hermanos y hermanas en Cristo, ya hemos empezado a ver los signos del otoño en la naturaleza, lo que demuestra que, hagamos lo que hagamos en la vida, la naturaleza sigue el patrón establecido por un Dios creador y amoroso, y muestra su belleza en el caleidoscopio de colores a lo largo del camino, mientras los árboles reflejan el sol del otoño!

Pero, por muy bello que sea, no es nada comparado con la belleza de un bebé recién nacido que sonríe a sus padres, llenos de asombro porque su amor ha sido bendecido por un regalo de Dios. Muchas veces he dicho, a quienes cuestionan la existencia de Dios, que, para demostrar su existencia, basta con mirar la cara de un bebé recién nacido. Porque todos y cada uno de nosotros hemos sido creados a imagen y semejanza de Dios y nuestro principal objetivo en la vida es agradecerle su bondad y darle gloria con nuestra vida bien vivida.

Sin embargo, vivimos en una época en la que, para muchos, la vida ya no se ve como un regalo, sino como una carga, y esta actitud nos menosprecia a todos. Creemos y enseñamos que cada ser humano es una expresión única e irremplazable del amor creador de Dios.

Para aquellos que no ven esto, ofrezco la historia de María y su prima Isabel, en el Evangelio de Lucas (1, 39-55). Cada una de ellas tuvo un embarazo inesperado y, sin embargo, cuando se encontraron, en casa de Isabel, ésta saludó a María con una sorprendente y hermosa oración: “¿Y quién soy yo para que la Madre de mi Señor venga a visitarme? Porque en el momento en que tu voz llegó a mis oídos, el niño saltó en mi vientre de alegría”. Ese niño, Juan el Bautista, reconoció a Jesús en el vientre de María, ¡¡¡antes de nacer!!! Esta historia es la respuesta a todos los que hablan de un feto como si no fuera un nuevo ser capaz de nacer y madurar plenamente.

Isabel estaba más allá de la edad fértil, y María era todavía una joven virgen de unos 16 años. ¿Tenían

miedo? Claro que sí, pero confiaron en que Dios las cuidaría y María pudo responder con su conocido ¡Magnificat! “Mi alma engrandece al Señor y mi espíritu se alegra en Dios, mi Salvador”, ¡respondió! Ofrezco este Magnificat a todas las futuras madres, especialmente a las que están ansiosas en su embarazo.

y exige amor para cada persona, independientemente de su etapa de desarrollo. Pero igualmente sagrada (énfasis mío) es la vida de los pobres, de los ya nacidos, de los indigentes, de los abandonados y de los desfavorecidos, de los enfermos vulnerables y de los ancianos expuestos a la eutanasia encubierta, de las víctimas del tráfico de seres humanos, de las nuevas formas de esclavitud y de toda forma de rechazo” (Gaudete et Exultate, No.100).

Es a partir de esta historia que podemos llegar a entender lo que entendemos por el derecho a la vida, que celebramos este mes. Pero este derecho debe entenderse como aplicable a todos los aspectos de la vida, desde la concepción hasta la muerte natural (¡que es el verdadero nacimiento a la vida eterna!). El Papa Francisco lo ha dejado claro al afirmar, y esto es digno de repetirse en su totalidad:

“Nuestra defensa de los inocentes no nacidos, por ejemplo, debe ser clara, firme y apasionada, pues está en juego la dignidad de una vida humana, que es siempre sagrada

En los últimos meses he estado enfatizando en la necesidad de volver a dedicarnos a Cristo en la Eucaristía y a nuestros sagrarios. Hay una conexión directa con esto. Jesús nos dice en el Evangelio que ha venido “para que tengamos vida y la tengamos en abundancia”. María e Isabel dijeron que sí, en la no claridad de los embarazos inesperados, y ¡la historia del mundo cambió para siempre! Tenemos que declarar, de forma inequívoca, que toda la vida importa, que toda la vida es sagrada, que toda la vida es un don y que los dones deben ser compartidos y celebrados. Nuestras celebraciones eucarísticas son siempre una celebración de la vida, y de esa celebración aprendemos a tratar a cada ser humano con su dignidad, que es su vida como hijo de Dios, creado para darle gloria y compartir esa gloria en su plenitud por la eternidad. Concluyo, pues, ofreciéndote de nuevo, querido lector, la oración a Santo Tomás de Aquino, para que aprecien el don de la vida misma y en acción de gracias al Dios de la vida y a su Hijo, Jesús, que murió para que viviéramos eternamente, ¡Amén!

Oh, sagrado banquete, en el que se recibe a Cristo, se celebra el recuerdo de su pasión, se llena la mente de gracia y se nos da una prenda de la gloria futura. Señor Jesús, presente en la Eucaristía, en ti ponemos nuestra confianza; haznos signos de tu presencia. BC

‘El niño salto de alegría en mi vientre’

“

“

Sin embargo, vivimos en una época en la que, para muchos, la vida ya no se ve como un regalo, sino como una carga, y esta actitud nos menosprecia a todos. Creemos y enseñamos que cada ser humano es una expresión única e irremplazable del amor creador de Dios.

‘Em bé trong bụng tôi nhảy mừng’

Anh chị em thân mến trong Chúa Kytô, chúng ta đã bắt đầu thấy một vài dấu hiệu mùa thu trong thiên nhiên, chứng tỏ rằng, bất cứ mình làm gì trong đời, thiên nhiên theo bước mà nó đã được định đoạt do bởi tình yêu từ Đấng Tạo Hóa và nó trưng bày những nét đẹp của Ngài qua muôn vàn sắc hoa cạnh con đường, mà cây cối phản ảnh ánh nắng mùa thu!

Tuy nhiên, dù là vẻ đẹp như thế, nó không thể so sánh với vẻ đẹp khi một em bé mới chào đời cười với cha mẹ đang bỡ ngỡ, được tràn ngập kỳ diệu rằng họ được diễm phúc đón nhận món quà Chúa ban. Nhiều lần tôi đã chia sẻ, với những ai thắc mắc về sự hiện hữu của Chúa, rằng để chứng minh Ngài có thật thì tất cả nhìn vào khuân mặt em bé vừa sanh ra! Vì Chúng ta, từng người và tất cả, được tạo dựng giống hình ảnh và căn tính của Thiên Chúa và mục đích chính trong đời là cảm tạ sự tốt lành của Chúa và vinh danh Ngài trong đời sống tốt lành!

Hẳn chúng ta đang sống trong thời điểm, mà với nhiều người, sự sống không còn được coi như món quà, mà là gánh nặng và cái nhìn đó làm cho tất cả bị hạ cấp. Chúng ta tin và dạy rằng mỗi người không thể bị thay thế, không bao giờ bị thay thân phận, nhưng độc nhất do Đấng Tạo Hóa thương ban! Những ai không nhận ra điểm này thì tôi hướng dẫn họ đến câu chuyện của Đức Mẹ và bà chị họ Êlizabét, trích từ Phúc Âm Thá́nh Luca (1:39-55). Mỗi phụ nữ này đều mang thai ngoại lệ, nhưng khi gặp mặt tại nhà bà Êlizabét, bà đã chào Maria với lời kinh ngạc nhiên và tuyệt vời: “Và tôi

Thiên

lúc

trong

Maria thì vẫn là thiếu nữ cỡ 16 tuổi. Vậy họ có sợ không? Đố bạn đó-họ sợ chứ, nhưng họ đặt niềm tin vào Chúa vì Ngài sẽ lo liệu, vì thế Maria mới có thể đáp lại bằng Lời Ca Tụng! “Linh hồn tôi ca tụng Chúa và thần khí tôi vui mừng trong Chúa Đấng Cứu Độ tôi. Tôi tặng Lời Ca Tụng cho các bà mẹ tương lai, đặc biệt cho các chị em mang thai với tâm hồn ưu tư.

“ “

Hẳn chúng ta đang sống trong thời điểm, mà với nhiều người, sự sống không còn được coi như món quà, mà là gánh nặng và cái nhìn đó làm cho tất cả bị hạ cấp. Chúng ta tin và dạy rằng mỗi người không thể bị thay thế, không bao giờ bị thay thân phận, nhưng độc nhất do Đấng Tạo Hóa thương ban!

và tế nhị, vì tiềm lực của nó là phẩm giá của sự sống, sự sống đó là linh thiêng và đòi hỏi sự yêu thương cho từng người, không cần biết sự sống đó trong giai đoạn nào. Ngang hàng với sự sống linh thiêng (điểm nhấn riêng tôi) thêm vào đó bao gồm sự sống của những người nghèo, đã được sinh ra, kẻ bần cùng, bị bỏ rơi và kém cỏi, người bệnh tật và già yếu hay bị cám dỗ để được chết êm dịu, nạn nhân buôn bán người, một cách nô lệ mới và bất cứ hình thức bỏ rơi nào” (Gaudete et Exultet, No. 100).

Trong mấy tháng qua tôi hay nhắc về sự cần thiết hâm nóng lại sự tôn sùng Chúa Kytô trong Bí Tích Thánh Thể, cũng như chầu Mình Thánh. Đây chính là sự kết nối. Chúa Giêsu nói với chúng ta trong phúc âm rằng Ngài tới “để chúng ta có cuộc sống và sống cho dồi dào.” Maria và Êlizabét cùng nói lời xin vâng, trong bóng tối khi thụ thai ngoài ý muốn, và lịch sử thế giới đã thay đổi hoàn toàn từ đó! Chúng ta cần tuyên bố, không ngại ngùng gì, rằng mọi sự sống đều có giá trị, tất cả sự sống đều linh thiêng, và là món quà mà các món quà sự sống đó cần được chia sẻ và sống tốt. Cử hành Bí Tích Thánh Thể luôn luôn là cử hành nghi lễ sống, và bởi đó chúng ta học đối diện với mỗi người xứng đáng với phẩm giá của họ, mà họ được lãnh nhận như là con của Chúa, được tạo dựng để làm vinh quang Ngài và chia sẻ vinh quang đó trọn vẹn nơi vĩnh cửu. Vì thế tôi gác bút bài chia sẻ này với lời cầu nguyện của Thánh Tôma, thưa quý bạn đọc thân mến, cầu nguyện cho sự hài lòng với mỗi cuộc sống, và cảm tạ Thiên Chúa của sự sống và Con Ngài là Chúa Giêsu, Người đã chết để chúng ta có sự sống đời đời, Amen!

Tẩy

đã nhận ra Chúa Giêsu trong bụng Mẹ Maria, trước khi chào đời!!! Câu chuyện này là câu trả lời cho bất cứ ai nói về bào thai như cái gì đó không phải một người sẽ được sinh ra và trưởng thành.

Êlizabét thì đã quá tuổi mang thai và

Từ câu chuyện vừa nói chúng ta có thể tiến đến sự thông hiểu ý nghĩa quyền được sống, mà chúng ta tưởng nhớ trong tháng này. Nhưng quyền được sống này cần phải hiểu là phải áp dụng cho mọi tình huống trong cuộc sống, từ lúc thụ thai tới khi chết tự nhiên (mà sự sống thật của nó là sinh ra trong sự sống đời đời!). Đức Thánh Cha Phanxicô nhấn mạnh về điểm này rất rõ ràng, và cần trích dẫn cả đoạn:

“Bảo vệ những thai nhi chưa sinh ra, tuy nhiên, cần phải minh bạch, chắc chắn

Ôi bàn tiệc thánh, mà nơi đó chúng con được rước Chúa Kytô, để ghi nhớ cuộc tử nạn Ngài, tâm trí được tràn đầy hồng ân và một lời hứa ban ta sẽ được vinh quang. Lậy Chúa Giêsu, hiện diện với chúng con trong Thánh Thể, chúng con tin tưởng nơi Ngài; hãy làm cho chúng con là sự hiện diện của Ngài. BC

Houma-Thibodaux

Binh luan bang loi

The Pope Speaks

Pope Francis: God can speak to us in the unexpected

“We listen to the television, the radio, the mobile phone; we are experts at listening, but I ask you: Do you know how to listen to your heart?” he asked. “Do you stop to ask: ‘But how is my heart? Is it satisfied, is it sad, is it searching for something?’ To make good decisions, you need to listen to your heart.”

By HANNAH BROCKHAUS

(Rome CNA) God can speak to us in the unexpected moments of our lives if we learn to listen well to what he is telling us in our hearts, Pope Francis said recently.

“I will give you a piece of advice: Beware of the unexpected,” the pope said during his weekly public audience.

“Is it life speaking to you, is it the Lord speaking to you, or is it the devil? Someone,” he continued. “But there is something to discern, how I react when faced with the unexpected.”

The pope opened and closed his encounter with the public by riding the popemobile around the square. The audience marked his second week of catechesis on the theme of “Discernment.”

As part of discernment, the pope encouraged people to reflect on their reactions to even small, unexpected circumstances, such as the surprise arrival of one’s mother-in-law.

“I was quiet at home and ‘Boom!’ my mother-in-law arrives; and how do you react to your mother-in-law? Is it love or something else inside? You must discern,” he said. “I was working well in the office, and a companion comes along to tell me he needs money: How do you react? See what happens when we experience things we were not expecting, and there we can learn to know our heart as it moves.”

Pope Francis said knowing how to really listen to your heart is an important part of discernment in making a judgment or decision about something.

To illustrate his point, the pope recalled the story of the conversion of St. Ignatius of Loyola, a soldier enamored with stories of knights and chivalry who was forced to confront his future happiness after he was badly injured in battle.

Bored while his leg was healing, Ignatius read stories of the saints and the life of Jesus when other books were not available to him.

Francis quoted from Ignatius’ autobiography, in which the future saint wrote about himself: “‘When he thought of worldly things’ and of chivalrous things, one understands ‘it gave him great pleasure, but afterward he found himself dry and sad. But when he thought of journeying to Jerusalem, and of living only on herbs and practicing austerities, he found pleasure not only while thinking of them, but also when he had ceased.’”

“In this experience we note two aspects, above all,” the pope said. “The first is time: That is, the thoughts of the world are attractive at the beginning, but then they lose their luster and leave emptiness and discontent; they leave you that way, empty. Thoughts of God, on the contrary, rouse first a certain resistance ‘But I’m not going to read this boring thing about saints’ but when they are welcomed, they bring an unknown peace that lasts for a long time.”

He emphasized that “discernment is not a sort of oracle or fatalism, or something from a laboratory, like casting one’s lot on two possibilities.”

Francis also said that some of life’s big questions often arise after “we have already traveled a stretch of the road in life.”

Sometimes, we can get stuck on one idea and end up disappointed, he pointed out, adding that doing something good, such as a work of charity, can get us out of that rut by bringing us joy and happiness, feelings that can lead to thoughts of God.

The pope also shared a piece of wisdom from St. Ignatius: To read the lives of the saints.

“Because they show the style of God in the life of people not very different to us, because the saints were made of flesh and blood like us, in a narrative, comprehensible way. Their actions speak to ours, and they help us to understand their meaning,” he said.

Sometimes, he added, “there is an apparent randomness in the events of life: Everything seems to arise from a banal mishap there were no books about knights, only lives of saints. A mishap that nonetheless holds a possible turning point.”

“God works through unplannable events, and also through mishaps,” he said. “Mishap: What is God saying to you? What is life telling you there?”

At the end of his general audience, Pope Francis expressed his closeness to all mothers, and “in a special way, to those mothers who have children who suffer: Those who are sick, those who are marginalized, those who are imprisoned.”

“A special prayer goes to the mothers of young detainees: Let hope never be lacking. Unfortunately, in prisons there are many people who take their own life, at times also young people. A mother’s love can save them from this danger. May Our Lady console all mothers distressed by the suffering of their children,” he said. BC

Questions of Faith

Each person is precious in the sight of God

I have a friend who claims to be a staunch pro-lifer. She is antiabortion and believes that life begins at conception. However, she does not have a problem with the death penalty. She feels that we should put murderers to death: A life for a life. How can I explain that all life is sacred?

This is a great question for Respect Life Month. This beautiful time of the year reminds us that each life and each person is precious in the sight of God: The unborn child, the frail, the aging parent, those with disabilities or deformities, those dying with fatal diseases, those who are pure and innocent, and those who are wicked and evil, and who have caused great harm to others.

Why is all life precious to God? God created each person in his divine image and likeness and declared, “You are very good.” Secondly, Jesus died on the cross for everyone to show his love for even the worst sinners.

The belief in the sanctity of human life and the underlying dignity of the human person is what Jesus tried to teach us when he said, “This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Jesus did not put restrictions on whom we should love. He even pushed us to love even our enemies.

In the Sermon on the Mountain, Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ Nevertheless, I say to you, do not resist an evildoer. If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also” (Matthew 5:38-39). Jesus is not asking us to be doormats. He is asking

us not to resort to revenge that does not solve anything. To quote Richard Branson, “Why do we kill people who kill people to show that killing people is wrong?”

In the video announcing his prayer intention for September, Pope Francis said, “Each day, there is a growing, ‘no’ to the death penalty around the world. For the church, this is a sign of hope.”

In the video, the Holy Father maintains that the death penalty is not necessary “from a legal point of view.”

He argues that “society can effectively repress crime without definitively depriving offenders of the possibility of redeeming themselves.”

He adds that there must be “a window of hope” in every legal sentence. Capital punishment “offers no justice to victims, but rather encourages revenge. It prevents any possibility of undoing a possible miscarriage of justice.”

Pope Francis goes on to say that the death penalty is “morally inadmissible” because it destroys life. He insists that “up to the very last moment, a person can convert and change.” The pope argues further that “in the light of the Gospel, the death penalty is unacceptable because the commandment ‘Thou shalt not kill’ refers to both the innocent and the guilty.”

Pope Francis concludes his message

with an appeal for all people of goodwill to mobilize for the abolition of the death penalty throughout the world. “Let us pray that the death penalty, which attacks the dignity of the human person may be legally abolished in every country.”

Because Christians believe that each life is precious, we oppose any type of action that threatens the sacredness of life. This would include abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, torture, starting unjust wars, opposing expanded health care for children, cutting school lunch programs, and standing by while hard-working Americans are losing their jobs and retirement protections.

Jesus was totally pro-life and not just pro-birth. He associated with sinners and despised tax collectors. He took the side of the poor and those with repulsive illnesses. He treated women with equality and allowed them to be his followers. He forgave those who were guilty of serious crimes. By treating every person with dignity, we will be following our Savior’s example.

We need to speak out against anything that threatens the dignity of a human person. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10). Let us stand up and defend all human life!

Father Wilmer Todd

Readings Between the Lines

Father Glenn LeCompte

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed, broke and gave it to his disciples and said, “Take (and) eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup and gave thanks; he gave it to them and said to them, “Drink from it, all (of you); for this is my blood of the covenant, being poured out on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I shall indeed not drink from now on from this cup of the produce of the vine until that day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.” Then they sang hymns and went out to the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:26-30, translation by Father Glenn LeCompte).

There is a tension in our lives with regard to preparing for the future. We value living in the present moment, but failing to consider our future can be disastrous. There are lots of temporal ways we prepare for the future, such as being schooled for a career or planning for stability in retirement. It is even more important to anticipate our eternal destiny, and the ultimate state of our life when the fullness of the Kingdom Jesus proclaimed is manifest.

The Eucharist is important to us, in part, because it enables us to anticipate our ultimate life in God’s Kingdom. Matthew’s version of the institution of the Eucharist supports this truth about the sacrament. The evangelist takes the episode of Jesus’ institution of the Eucharist from Mark, but adds his own coloring to it. For example, Matthew follows Mark closely when Jesus says of the contents of the cup, “This is my blood of the covenant which is being poured out on behalf of many,” but then adds a phrase, “for the forgiveness of sins.” The phrase about remission of sin specifies the meaning of the outpouring of Jesus’ blood on behalf of many. In the context of Matthew’s story, the fact that Jesus’ blood is poured out for the forgiveness of sins points to his kingly status and authority. In Matthew 1:20-

Reflections

The Eucharist: Anticipating our life in God’s kingdom

21, an angel reveals to Joseph that he is to complete the marriage contract with Mary and take her into his home. After explaining to Joseph that the child conceived within her womb by divine power is holy, the angel instructs Joseph that once the child is born he is to name him, “Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Although it originally meant, “The Lord helps,” the name Yěšûâ came to mean, “The Lord saves.” Jesus’ identity as savior is implicit in the name given him. In addition, Joseph’s completion of the marriage contract with Mary and naming of her child makes him the legal father of Jesus. The genealogy (1:1-17) which precedes the episode about Joseph’s dream depicts multiple generations of David’s descendants ending with Joseph, who assumes legal paternity of Jesus, who in turn is therefore portrayed as the ultimate descendant of Abraham and David. Thus, Jesus is legally adopted into David’s royal lineage, and as savior will fulfill the expectation of the coming of an anointed king like David (Jeremiah 30:8-9; Ezekiel 34:23-24; Acts 13:22-23) to restore God’s people.

In sum, Jesus fulfills the role of the

Messiah-King precisely by offering himself on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, an act of ultimate salvation for people! Thus, the offering of his body and blood are a regal act on his part. The kingly identity associated with Jesus in Matthew’s first chapter is confirmed here in the evangelist’s narration of the Last Supper.

If Jesus fulfills a regal role in his sacrificial death, he also looks beyond his death to life in his Father’s royal realm. After commanding the disciples to drink of the cup whose contents are his blood of the covenant, he tells them he will not drink of it again until he drinks it new in his Father’s kingdom, where his regal status will continue. Jesus images God’s kingdom as a banquet, a festive experience where there is abundance and all present are satisfied. In 22:1-14, Jesus speaks a parable which compares the kingdom to a royal wedding feast given by a king for his son. In the context of Matthew’s story, this parable reflects the regal status of God’s Son in the kingdom. Moreover, Matthew’s Jesus emphasizes that when he drinks of the cup in the kingdom banquet he will drink it “with you,” that is, with

his disciples. Matthew adds the phrase “with you” to Mark’s text because Matthew emphasizes the concept of “the church,” a fellowship among the disciples with Jesus, their Master. Matthew’s emphasis on the fellowship between Jesus and his disciples here reflects Jesus’ status as “Emmanuel” (“God with us,” 1:23) who, as risen Lord, will be with his church until the end of the age (28:20). One aspect of the coming kingdom, which Matthew’s Jesus proclaims and for which he instructs his disciples to pray (6:10), is that it is an experience of joyous fellowship among those who adhere to Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom and between disciples and their royal Lord.

Jesus’ death will temporarily interrupt the table fellowship between himself and his disciples. But upon his resurrection, the disciples are to share table fellowship, partaking of the Lord’s body and blood, in anticipation of their joining with him in the kingdom banquet.

The Eucharist, then, is important to us because it causes us to focus on

our ultimate destiny–fellowship among believers and between them and God’s regal Son in the coming kingdom of God. Our eating and drinking of the sacred elements in the Eucharist here and now anticipates our life in God’s kingdom. We set career goals for our lives. In order to achieve them we know we first need proper education. Then we need to exercise the principles we learned and engage in the best practices of the profession. We also must learn from our mistakes. If the goal for our lives is participation in the kingdom Jesus came to establish, it is important that we are first formed in the ethic of the kingdom Jesus taught. Then we need to live that ethic every day of our lives and learn from our departures (sin) from that ethic. Participation in the sacrament of the holy Eucharist is essential for us. At the Eucharist we hear God’s word which prepares us for life in the kingdom and experience a table fellowship which anticipates that life. Before coming to the Lord’s table we offer a sign of peace, a sign that symbolizes our unity or, if that

unity has been damaged, our striving toward healing. The kingdom values we celebrate and experience in the Eucharist are then to be transferred into our everyday lives as we anticipate our life in the kingdom. BC

Reflection Questions

v Do you anticipate life in God’s kingdom? What do you imagine that to be? How are you preparing for that now?

v In what ways does your participation in the eucharistic celebration help you anticipate life in the kingdom of God?

v In Romans 14:17, Paul says, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of food and drink, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit ... .” How do we make these attributes of the kingdom present in our daily lives?

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Hebrews 1:2-3, 2:2-4

2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14

Luke 17:5-10

Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2 Kings 5:14-17

2 Timothy 2:8-13 Luke 17:11-19

October Scripture Readings and a listing of Feast days and saints

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Exodus 17:8-13

2 Timothy 3:14— 4:2 Luke 18:1-8

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

Luke 18:9-14

Weekday Galatians 1:6-12 Luke 10:25-37

Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi Galatians 1:13-24 Luke 10:38-42

Weekday Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14 Luke 11:1-4

Weekday

Galatians 3:1-5 Luke 11:5-13

Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary Galatians 3:7-14 Luke 11:15-26

Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child

Jesus, virgin and doctor of the church

Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17 Luke 10:17-24

Weekday Galatians 3:22-29 Luke 11:27-28

Weekday Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31—5:1 Luke 11:29-32

Weekday Galatians 5:1-6 Luke 11:37-41

Weekday

Galatians 5:18-25 Luke 11:42-46

Weekday

Ephesians 1:1-10 Luke 11:47-54

Weekday Ephesians 1:11-14 Luke 12:1-7

Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, virgin and doctor of the church Ephesians 1:15-23 Luke 12:8-12

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr Ephesians 2:1-10 Luke 12:13-21

Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist

2 Timothy 4:10-17b Luke 10:1-9

Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests, and companions, martyrs

Ephesians 3:2-12 Luke 12:39-48

Weekday Ephesians 4:32— 5:8 Luke 13:10-17

Weekday Ephesians 5:21-33 Luke 13:18-21

Weekday Ephesians 6:1-9 Luke 13:22-30

Weekday Ephesians 3:14-21 Luke 12:49-53

Weekday Ephesians 4:1-6 Luke 12:54-59

Weekday Ephesians 4:7-16 Luke 13:1-9

Weekday Ephesians 6:10-20 Luke 13:31-35

Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, apostles Ephesians 2:19-22 Luke 6:12-16

Weekday

Philippians 1:18b26 Luke 14;1, 7-11

30 31

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Wisdom 11:22— 12:2

2 Thessalonians 1:11—2:2

Luke 19:1-10

16 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • October 2022 Weekday Philippians 2:1-4 Luke 14:12-14

Holy Father’s prayer intentions

For church open to everyone. We pray for the church; ever faithful to, and courageous in preaching the Gospel, may the church be a community of solidarity, fraternity and welcome, always living in an atmosphere of synodality.

www.apostleshipofprayer.org

Houma-Thibodaux

RESPECT LIFE MONTH

October 2022

Crossroads offers light, hope and life

By AMANDA GARCIA

The Catholic Church recognizes October as Respect Life Month. This month, the church is encouraged to consider more deeply why every human life is valuable and reflect on how to build a culture that protects life from conception to natural death.

At this year’s Respect Life Month, we have much to be thankful for as we are now a postRoe America! On the day of the Supreme Court ruling, the United States Conference of Catholic of Bishops said, “Today’s decision is also the fruit of the prayers, sacrifices, and advocacy of countless ordinary Americans from every walk of life … (USCCB Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson). It is no coincidence that this long awaited moment was declared on June 24, 2022, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In anticipation of a Supreme Court ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, Louisiana legislation worked very hard to pass several trigger laws to immediately make Louisiana an abortion-free state following the ruling. One such law is the 2006 Human Life Protection Act that explicitly removes the option of abortion by stating:

No person may knowingly administer to, prescribe for, or procure for, or sell to any pregnant woman any medicine, drug, or other substance with the specific intent of causing or abetting the termination of the life of an unborn human being. No person may knowingly use

or employ any instrument or procedure upon a pregnant woman with the specific intent of causing or abetting the termination of the life of an unborn human being.

In the weeks following the ruling, legal disputes ensued and abortions continued in Louisiana. The Shreveport abortion facility, Hope Medical Group for Women, filed a request with the Louisiana Supreme Court asking them to reverse the First Circuit Court of Appeals decision that shuttered the three abortion facilities in the state pending further legal challenges. As of August 12, the Louisiana Supreme Court denied the request, keeping the First Circuit’s decision in place. Louisiana’s prolife laws will remain in effect pending further legal proceedings in the First Circuit Court of Appeals on the preliminary injunction.

Currently, the atrocities of abortion can no longer legally take place in the state of Louisiana—Victory! The USCCB’s Statement on the U.S. Supreme Court Ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson says “now is the time to begin the work of building a post-Roe America; it is a time for reasoned reflection and civil dialogue, and for coming together to build a society and economy that supports marriages and families, and where every woman has the support and resources she needs to bring her child into the world in love.”

aUnfortunately, abortion is still accessible in some states, therefore we must continue to address the reasons women choose abortion

and then do our best to eliminate the challenges and help moms in need.

They are struggling financially or feel they cannot afford a baby.

Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center sees women and families from all walks of life, including single moms with children and even happily married couples who feel they cannot afford a baby right now. Choosing an abortion often stems from a desire to take care of their family and the cost of another baby is daunting.

They have experienced trauma.

While there are many heartbreaking reasons why women find themselves in an unexpected pregnancy, we advocate for life no matter what. Abortion adds trauma on top of trauma and only leads to more hurt and shame.

They feel unsupported to be a mom.

They are told they must choose their dreams, their school, their career, a boyfriend or spouse over their baby. Abortion is the only choice that says, “You’re not strong enough, capable enough or smart enough to do both. You must sacrifice your child for your future.”

They feel forced, pressured or coerced.

Although the law protects women from forced abortion, we know it still happens. Many of our clients have shared that they never wanted their abortion but felt coerced or pressured by a boyfriend, parent, or even the abortion clinic worker.

They do not understand when life begins. They don’t believe abortion kills a growing human being worthy of value and dignity.

Education is a key way we help change culture, open people’s eyes to the truth about abortion, and help moms choose life for their babies.

During Respect Life Month, we invite you to join us in

prayer for such women who may be contemplating abortion for some of these reasons and for the protection of all unborn children. We pray in thanksgiving for the current laws enacted in Louisiana and pray that our public officials will recognize and uphold the dignity of all human life and for an end to all abortion in our country and the world.

We know that ultimately our battle is spiritual. Our enemy wants people to give in to a culture of death and darkness, and we offer light, hope and life. To do this, though, we need your prayer support. Please join our team of Crossroads Prayer Partner’s today: https:// friendsofcrossroadsprc.org/support/pray/.

Most sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Jesus I trust you. BC

RESPECT LIFE MONTH

October 2022

Called to serve moms in need

Our Blessed Mother models a profound witness to love and life in the Gospel account of the Visitation. Luke’s Gospel tells us that, when Mary learns that her cousin Elizabeth is pregnant, she travels to the hill country “in haste” (Luke 1:39). Despite being unexpectedly pregnant herself, Mary responds to this news with urgency.

She embarks on a long and perhaps difficult journey to be with her cousin during her time of need, bearing Christ to her as he lay quietly hidden in Mary’s womb. And, although Jesus is veiled from view, when Mary first arrives John the Baptist leaps for joy in Elizabeth’s womb, recognizing the presence of Christ (Luke 1:44). Mary, with Jesus, spends the next three months at Elizabeth’s side.

The witness of our Blessed Mother invites us to become more aware of the needs of pregnant and parenting moms in our own parishes and communities. A woman with an unexpected pregnancy may have any number of fears and challenges: Facing judgment from her friends and family, losing her job or housing, or being abandoned by the father of her child.

Following Mary’s example, we can ask ourselves how to better know these mothers, listen to them, seek understanding, and help them obtain the necessities of life for themselves and their children (Lori, Most Reverend William E. 2022. Homily for the Opening Mass of the 2022 National Prayer Vigil for Life. Delivered

at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2022. Https://www.usccb.org/prolife/ archbishop-william-e-lori-opening-mass-2022national-prayer-vigil-life). How can we, like the Blessed Mother, lovingly support mothers in welcoming and caring for God’s gift of life?

Throughout the whole of Scripture, Mary’s words are few. Yet, in her sacred encounter with Elizabeth, a powerful declaration pours from her lips. Mary proclaims to all generations that the Lord lifts up the lowly, fills the hungry with good things, and remembers his promise of mercy from age to age (Luke 1:46-56). In both word and deed, Mary speaks a message of hope—not only to Elizabeth, but also to every mother in need and to each of us.

Mary’s witness is an invitation to step out in love and compassion. It is a summons to make haste to help vulnerable women who may be isolated and alone. By doing so, we too can bear Christ within us and help others experience his presence.

Inspired by the Blessed Mother’s example and guided by the Holy Spirit, may we offer Christ’s presence and love to mothers in their time of need through our faithful service and support.

NABRE © 2010 CCD. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2022, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. BC

Top reasons to oppose assisted suicide

A Deadly Mix with Our ProfitDriven Health Care System

Some patients in Oregon and California have received word that their health insurance will pay for assisted suicide but will not pay for treatment that may sustain their lives.

Puts Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse and Coercion

Once lethal drugs have been prescribed, assisted suicide laws have no requirements for assessing the patient’s consent, competency or voluntariness. Who would know if the drugs are freely taken since there is no supervision or tracking of the drugs once they leave the pharmacy and no witnesses are required at the time of death? Despite a reporting system designed to conceal rather than detect abuses, reports of undue influence have nonetheless surfaced in Oregon.

Elder abuse is considered a major health problem in the United States, with federal estimates that one in 10 elder persons is abused. Placing lethal drugs into the hands of abusers generates an additional major risk to elder persons.

Assisted suicide laws often allow one of the two witnesses to the request for lethal drugs to be an heir to the patient’s estate. Therefore, an heir or friends of the heir can encourage or pressure the patient to request lethal drugs and then be a witness to the request.

Dangerously Broad Definition of Terminal Illness

Assisted suicide laws typically appear to limit eligibility to terminally ill patients who are expected to die within six months but don’t distinguish between persons who will die within six

months with treatment and those who will die within six months without treatment. This means that patients with treatable diseases (like diabetes or chronic respiratory or cardiac disease) and patients with disabilities requiring ventilator support are all eligible for lethal drugs because they would die within six months without the treatment they would normally receive.

Pain not the Primary Issue

Untreated pain is not among the top reasons for taking lethal drugs. Per official annual state reports, in 2016, 90 percent of Oregon patients seeking lethal drugs said they were doing so because they were “less able to engage in activities making life enjoyable” and were “losing autonomy,” and 49 percent cited being a “burden” on family, friends or caregivers. And in Washington, 52 percent cited being a “burden” as a reason, while only 35 percent cited a concern about pain.

No Psychiatric Evaluation or Treatment Required

Despite medical literature showing that nearly 95 percent of those who commit suicide had a diagnosable psychiatric illness (usually treatable depression) in the months preceding suicide, the prescribing doctor and the doctor he or she selects to give a second opinion are both free to decide whether to refer suicidal patients for any psychological counseling. Per Oregon’s official annual report, from 2013-2016 less than four percent of patients who died under its assisted suicide law had been referred for counseling to check for “impaired judgment.”

If counseling is provided to patients seeking assisted suicide, its goal

isn’t to treat the underlying disorder or depression; it’s to determine whether the disorder or depression is “causing impaired judgment (emphasis added).”

The doctors or counselor can decide that, since depression is “a completely normal response” to terminal illness, the depressed patient’s judgment is not impaired.

Threatens Improvement of Palliative Care

There is compelling evidence that legalizing assisted suicide undermines efforts to maintain and improve good care for patients nearing the end of life, including patients who never wanted assisted suicide.

Fosters Discrimination

Assisted suicide creates two classes of people: Those whose suicides we spend hundreds of millions of dollars each year to prevent and those whose suicides we assist and treat as a positive good. We remove weapons and drugs that can cause harm to one group, while handing deadly drugs to the other, setting up yet another kind of life-threatening discrimination.

There are many more reasons why legalizing assisted suicide is a bad and dangerous idea. For further information, visit www. usccb.org/toliveeachday and www. patientsrightsaction.org.

Reprinted (excerpted) from  Respect Life Program, copyright © 2017, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.

Cutting someone’slife short before theirtime deprives themof God’sopportunitiesunknownfor grace to workin their life.

RESPECT LIFE MONTH

October 2022

Now and at the Hour of our Death

We prepare for eternal life by choosing to love and follow God now, in our daily lives and decisions. For example, through prayer and regular reception of the sacraments, especially confession and the Eucharist, we obtain grace to live in ever-deeper communion with God and with one another in lives of faith, charity and justice. We ask for Our Blessed Mother’s help now, and we entrust ourselves to her further as we “surrender ‘the hour of our death’ wholly to her care.”

Forming Our Consciences

Our journey with Christ naturally includes equipping our consciences to make morally good judgments and acting accordingly. Learning about the dignity of human life and the indispensable respect for it, as well as applicable principles for medical care, is particularly important in preparing for our eventual passing.

Some bishops offer guides applying moral principles to local legal options. Parish and online resources are also widely available for careful and prayerful study, and the Ethical and Religious Directives from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops give direction for health care services to those who are seriously ill or dying.

A Note on General Principles

No summary can substitute for thorough catechesis, but some general principles are clear. We are entrusted by God with the gift of life, and in response, we care for our lives and health in obedience and gratitude to our Creator.

This obliges us to make use of appropriate, effective medical care. However, even effective treatments may at times impose such a great burden that we, in good conscience, may forgo or discontinue them. This applies even to lifesustaining treatments. Of course, nothing should be done or deliberately omitted to hasten death.

The church affirms the inviolable dignity of every person, regardless of the duration or extent of the person’s incapacity or dependency. Nothing diminishes the unchangeable dignity and sanctity of a person’s life, or the obligation to protect and care for it. In principle, assisted feeding and hydration should be provided unless it cannot sustain life or is unduly burdensome to the patient, or if death is imminent whether it is provided or not.

Moreover, no one should choose suicide, nor counsel or assist another to take his or her own life.

Discerning Treatment Options

Judging the effect and burden of treatments can be difficult, especially as death draws near. To understand health facts and treatment

options, we need professional medical advice. To understand Catholic moral teaching, we need to consult church teaching and those who can faithfully explain it.

Speaking with Loved Ones

After informing our consciences, we need to inform our families. If we are unable to make decisions, they most often have legal authority to make surrogate decisions on our behalf. Or we may designate a health care agent by a durable power of attorney.

Though it is often helpful to also have written, signed documentation, no living will “check box” can ever replace clear conversations about our faith-guided principles. The best option is to choose an agent who will make medical decisions on our behalf in accord with our Catholic faith and church teaching.

We should also inform family of our pastoral care preferences, and make clear that after death, we desire prayer, funeral rites, and Christian burial.

Accompaniment before and after Death

Those who are sick should not be alone, as multiple popes have reminded us in messages for the annual World Day of the Sick. Patients who have serious or life-threatening illnesses, as well as their families, can be provided with physical, psychological, and spiritual care through teambased palliative care. Hospice care can provide similar integrated care for those nearing death and for their families.

Charles Faucheux, (GYN)

Pastoral care is integral to both palliative and hospice care, and includes making available the Eucharist, confession, anointing of the sick, and viaticum. It also includes supportive prayer and support for decision makers. It may be helpful to familiarize ourselves with local services available in preparation for our own passing or that of loved ones.

Charles Faucheux, MD (GYN) Gregory Morris, (OB/GYN)

Even after death, accompaniment continues. Our prayers can help those who are being purified in Purgatory, so it is a spiritual work of mercy to pray for those who have died.

Hope in the Resurrection

Those who die in God’s grace and friendship live forever with Christ. Heaven is not an abstract idea, but a true and lasting relationship with God that is beyond all earthly description and understanding. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead and everlasting life by preparing now, in hope, for our passage from this life into eternal life.

We need not fear. Christ is with us.

Reprinted (excerpted) from  Respect Life Program, copyright © 2017, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. BC

IT’S All ONLINE: appointment Visit my.ochsner.org

IT’S All ONLINE: With appointment and communicate with Visit my.ochsner.org

committed to great beginnings.

Elena Mann, MDNatasha Goss, MDKellin Reynolds, MDMD (OB/GYN) (OB/GYN) (OB/GYN)

Faucheux, MD

Being pregnant is one of the most exciting times of your life and how important it is to find the right OB/GYN. At Ochsner St. Anne, our physicians will make you feel at ease throughout the stages of your pregnancy and answer all of your questions.

(OB/GYN) (OB/GYN) (OB/GYN)

Ochsner St. Anne offers free prenatal classes, skin-to-skin and breastfeeding support. Clinic locations are available in Raceland and Luling.

Locations:

Locations:

Elena Mann, MDNatasha Goss, MDKellin Reynolds, MDGregory Morris, MD (OB/GYN)

Ochsner Women’s Health Center – Raceland 104 Acadia Park Drive Raceland, LA 70394 985.537.3211

Ochsner Women’s Health Center – Raceland 104 Acadia Park Drive Raceland, LA 70394 985.537.3211

COMING SOON! Our “NEW” Family Birthing Center will include 6 luxurious private birthing suites. The new rooms will offer a more home-like, comfortable setting with state-of-the-art technology for monitoring mother and baby.

Ochsner Specialty Health Center – Cut Off

Ochsner Women’s Health Center – Raceland 104 Acadia Park Drive | Raceland, LA 70394 985-537-3211

102 West 112th Street Cut Off, LA 70345 985.632.1070

Ochsner Specialty Health Center – Cut Off

St. Charles Parish Hospital 1057 Paul Maillard Rd. | Luling, LA 70070 985-785-6242

102 West 112th Street Cut Off, LA 70345 985 632 1070

you can schedule your next with your OB at anytime.

Through MyOchsner, our online portal, you can schedule your next appointment and communicate with your OB at any time. Visit my.ochsner.org

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Heavenly

Wendy makes a fall favorite

Wendy Romero, a native and resident of Houma, shares her recipe of potato and broccoli soup in this month’s Heavenly Recipes. It is a recipe that she made on her own. “I thought one day I would just try it. I didn’t have a recipe to follow. I thought it would be a good idea to combine the two ingredients to make a soup.”

Wendy is the administrative assistant for the diocesan Office of Worship. She has been working for the diocese a little over seven years. She has served as youth coordinator for St. Gregory Church in Houma and secretary/bookkeeper at St. Ann Church in Bourg.

Wendy and her husband Wayne are parishioners of St. Gregory in Houma. They have seven children.

Wendy learned to cook from her dad Andrew. “I can remember chopping bell peppers and onions for my dad when I was about eight or nine years old. My favorite thing to prepare is a taco ring. It is the favorite among the children. I also enjoy making potato salad.”

Wayne has medical issues and is unable to work because of his health situation. “Wayne enjoys cooking now that he is home every day. He helps cook during the week while I’m at work.”

Wendy comes from a family of three. Being a parent of seven children Wendy finds time management the most challenging. In addition to working outside of the home, Wendy has the task of homeschooling two of her children.

The Romero’s son Wayne Jr. is studying to be a priest for the diocese. He just finished his junior year in the seminary and is currently in the Formation House.

“Mass was always important to me when I was growing up. I found my Catholic faith took off whenever we began homeschooling our children. We use Catholic Home a

Story and Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

Wendy Romero

Potato and Broccoli Soup

Ingredients:

5lbs. potatoes

32 oz. bag of broccoli florets

26 oz. can cream of mushroom soup

15 oz. jar of cheddar cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Seasoning blend (onions, red & green peppers, celery)

32 oz. chicken broth

Directions:

Peel and cut potatoes. Boil potatoes using chicken broth as your liquid. Add the seasoning blend to the boiling potatoes. (Let the potatoes cream naturally, stirring minimally, and adding more broth or water as needed.) Cook/steam the broccoli separately. When the potatoes are tender, add the cream of mushroom soup and the desired amount of cheese and let simmer until it’s a creamy consistency. Add cooked broccoli to the potatoes and stir. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Note: This dish is easy and versatile and can be made for a small or large crowd. Add bacon, sour cream and/or chives as an optional topping to the soup. Its quick, easy and delicious. Serve as a side dish or as a meatless main course dish.

School, which is a private Catholic home school program. I was always involved with the church. When I was 15, I sang in the youth choir. When the children were of age to be a part of youth ministry, we began our journey into youth ministry.”

Wendy enjoys working at the Pastoral Center and especially for the church. “I love working for the Catholic Church. I had to leave working for the church for a little over a year. During that time, I had to take a medical leave to help care for Wayne while he was ill. I love working at the Pastoral Center. The atmosphere is great. It is peaceful.”

Wendy feels that there is responsibility that comes with having a son in the seminary. “I think having a son in the seminary draws me closer to Jesus. I want to pray for him to be successful. It keeps me on my knees in prayer. I feel like I’m more of a teacher now than ever before. I try to help him and all of my children make the right choices. Faith for us is not just on Sundays. Faith and parenting are gifts from God and I take those very seriously.” BC

Diocese implements new concept in seminarian formation

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux’s Office of Vocations to Priesthood recently began implementing a new concept in the diocese with the opening of the St Joseph the Worker, Seminarian House of Formation, which is located at 309 Dunboyne Place, just a couple of blocks from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux.

Father Mitchel (Mitch) Semar, diocesan director of the St. Joseph House of Formation and Office of Vocations to Priesthood says this change in seminarian formation comes at the request of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) governing document for seminary formation worldwide.

The Program of Priestly Formation (PPF), 6th edition, developed by the USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations, sets forth the nature and mission of the ministerial priesthood, norms for the

admission of candidates, norms for the formation of candidates, and norms for the governance and administration of seminaries (https://www.usccb.org/ committees/clergy-consecrated-lifevocations/priestly-formation).

“This is a bold, but necessary and needed change on the part of the bishop’s in the area of seminarian formation. It truly has the ability to transform seminarian formation as we know it; it’s a gift,” says Father Semar. “The document shows us that the Bishops really do have a pulse on seminarian formation. In our day and age and in our culture, with everything young men go through, from technology to communication skills to lack of basic human relationships … because our phones have hijacked communication … seminarians need this preparatory stage.”

The 6th edition of the Program of Priestly Formation (PPF) speaks

of four stages of initial formation: Propaedeutic, Discipleship, Configuration and Vocational Synthesis. Since formation is a lifelong journey, it is important to lay a solid foundation for this journey in the Propaedeutic Stage, especially in the human and spiritual dimensions. This stage allows the seminarian to lay a foundation for a new way of life through prayer, study, fraternity, and appropriate docility to formation.

“The propaedeutic stage seeks to provide seminarians with the basic groundwork they need to engage in priestly formation. Through no fault of their own, the requisite qualities for formation are often missing in new seminarians. A significant imbalance is present between the lifestyle promoted by contemporary society and priestly formation” (Program of Priestly Formation, No. 119).

Story by Janet Marcel ~ Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier a

The House of Formation will be

Roch Gernon, associate director of the Formation House, instructs the seminarians during one of their human formation classes.

Cover Story

home for most of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux’s seminarians during their first year in priestly formation. However, pastoral reasons may govern a seminarian’s formation in this house at a different year during their formation. There are three flexible models for the Propaedeutic Stage:

• Model No. 1: For men entering seminary with an undergraduate degree:

Propaedeutic Stage: One year

Discipleship Stage: Two years (at major seminary)

• Model No. 2: For men entering seminary without an undergraduate degree:

Propaedeutic Stage: One to two years

Discipleship Stage: Two to four years

• Model No. 3: For men entering seminary without an undergraduate degree, two years of full-time academic studies of a general nature, followed by one year focused on the human, spiritual, and pastoral dimensions of formation (these three years, taken together, constitute a complete Propaedeutic Stage which would then lead into a two- year Discipleship Stage).

Regardless of the model, the foundations established during this stage will allow for a more integrated seminarian and greater depth of formation ((Excerpted from USCCB, Principles of the New PPF)

This year (2022-2023), St Joseph the Worker’s will house three of the diocese’s seminarians: Chad Cheramie, Wayne Romero Jr. and Ethan Henry.

At the Formation House, the seminarians will live in community and they will follow an intensive rule of life with a regimented prayer schedule. Structure is super important in the house, says father Semar. They’re up at 6 a.m.; they pray the first part of the Liturgy of the Hours, then there’s Holy Hour. They will attend formation classes three times a week, study the lives of saints, learn about the art of communication and how to be effective communicators.

They will take human formation classes where they will study a wide variety of issues, such as etiquette, the art of conversation, cell phone usage, etc. They will also be working on presentation and public speaking skills throughout the year. The main textbook for the year is the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and sacred Scripture. The book Theology of the Body will also be used.

Another part of their formation will be engaging in ministry. One will be involved with campus ministry at Nicholls State University, one will facilitate small group Bible studies with families, and one will serve as a chaplain for E.D. White Catholic High School’s football team.

While living in the House, they will also have household chores and responsibilities, visit parishes on the weekends, and be involved with various families throughout the diocese. “With this concept, the laity is part of the formation team so this is helping the seminarians build relationships; and it’s also impacting the laity and getting them involved with vocations in the diocese,” says Father Semar.

Overview of the Propaedeutic Stage

Prayer, Trust and Fraternity

As the name implies, the Propaedeutic Stage is introductory in nature, but also intensive through its focus on significant times of growth in prayer, trust, and fraternity. This stage should last at least twelve consecutive months but could be extended for a longer period if circumstances require it.

While all four dimensions are present in every stage, the focus should be on the foundation of the human and spiritual dimensions The study of philosophy must be avoided at this stage, which has as its objectives intensive vocational discernment,

Seminarian Wayne Romero Jr.

Seminarian Ethan Henry

Seminarian Chad Cheramie

growth in relationship with Jesus Christ and the church, and growth in self-knowledge.

Propaedeutic Benchmarks

A Capacity for Relationship

The Propaedeutic Stage, which is always the first stage of formation, and should last no less than 12 months, seeks to provide seminarians with the basic groundwork they need to engage in priestly formation. This stage should have dedicated priest formators and an appropriate number of seminarians to support a healthy community.

Each stage has benchmarks which should be used to determine a seminarian’s depth of maturity before considering him for the next stage of formation. The benchmarks are intended to help all those involved in

the preparation of seminarians for the priesthood, including the seminarians themselves.

Human Formation Benchmarks:

• Self-Awareness

• Relational Skills

• Self-Discipline

Spiritual Formation Benchmarks:

• Prayer

• Chastity and Celibacy

• Vocational-Awareness

Intellectual Formation Benchmarks:

• Scripture and Doctrine

• Study Habits

Pastoral Formation Benchmarks:

• Pastoral Charity

• Cultural Competency

(Excerpted from USCCB, Principles

of the New PPF).

“At the beginning of 2021, once Bishop (Shelton J.) Fabre made it clear that he wanted a diocesan house for the Propaedeutic Stage of seminarian formation, we started having small group home gatherings with the laity of the diocese to share our vision for the house and for vocations. Within two months, through the generosity of parishioners of our diocese who have a passion for seminarian education, we had received enough money to fully fund the purchase of the house,” says Father Semar.

For more information about the Formation House, go to www. htvocations.org or call the diocesan Office of Vocations at (985)850-3129.

Formation House Chapel

Seminarian eDucation burSeS

Seminarian Spotlight

Davis Ahimbisibwe

St. Bridget Church parish, Schriever

n When did you hear your call to the priesthood?

I heard a call to the priesthood two times in my life. The first time was in 2003, and the second time in 2013.

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

My favorite topic to study is the Trinity: One God, three persons. My favorite subject of study is Scripture.

n What is your ideal Saturday morning?

My ideal Saturday morning would be cleaning, doing laundry, and calling my family and friends.

n What is your favorite Bible quote?

1 Corinthians 9:16: “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel.”

n What is your favorite hobby?

I enjoy reading autobiographies, especially of the saints.

DiD you know?

Seminarian eDucation coS tS

average $45,000 a year for eight yearS

enDowmentS can be nameD enDoweD funDS/burSeS

each year intereS t earneD from the enDowmentS are granteD to the DioceSe to cover annual coS tS of their eDucation.

founDation of South louiSiana manageS Seminarian enDowmentS for the DioceSe

ucation b ur S e

can

ioce S e . org / vocation S

Catholic Foundation at 985-850-3116 or aponson@htdiocese.org

Isle de Jean Charles residents begin relocation to the ‘The New Isle’

Father Roch Naquin, retired priest of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and member of the Biloxi Chitimacha Choctaw Tribe, recently relocated to “The New Isle,” an Isle de Jean Charles Resettlement Community in Schriever, which is made up of the residents who formerly inhabited Isle De Jean Charles, an island located in Terrebonne Parish, about 40 miles south of the new community.

Isle de Jean Charles, like much of coastal Louisiana, is rapidly disappearing into the Gulf of Mexico due to coastal erosion and sea level rise. The island once encompassed more than 22,000 acres, but today only 320 acres of Isle de Jean Charles remain. The sole connecting road to the mainland—Island Road, built in 1953—is often impassable due to high

winds, tides, sea level rise or storm surge. Residents of the island are predominantly of American Indian ancestry, who represent an incredibly unique and diverse culture of people who have lived there for hundreds of years (https://isledejeancharles. la.gov/).

Governor John Bel Edwards along with other state and local officials were on hand at the end of August as a dozen homeowners met with attorneys to sign the papers necessary for them to take ownership of their newly built homes in The New Isle neighborhood in Schriever.

“This is the very first program of its kind in the nation’s history, where we’re having to move people because of climate change. I wish it wasn’t necessary, but it is,” Governor

Edwards told those present. “To understand how a once sprawling and vibrant community of thousands of acres has dwindled to little more than a few hundred is to understand the real consequences of climate change. The residents of Isle de Jean Charles did not want to leave their island; on the contrary, the island left them. They deserved and needed help, which is why our state invested years of planning, outreach, design and construction into The New Isle resettlement community. This is a nationally and internationally observed and eagerly awaited event for us all.”

Father Naquin says his family has had a home on Isle de Jean Charles his entire life.

His parents raised six children in a 12 ft. by 18 ft. house there. In

Retired priest Father Roch Naquin, a resident of “The New Isle,” poses for a photo on the front porch of his new house in Schriever.

Story by Janet Marcel ~ Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier a

1957, they built a new, bigger home on the island. Even though he grew up on Isle de Jean Charles, he says it hasn’t been too much of a transition for him to move to The New Isle because as a priest he was used to moving around from parish to parish.

Regarding the new settlement in Schriever, Father Roch says he is definitely in favor of it and wishes every resident who lives on Isle de Jean Charles would have taken advantage of this great opportunity.

“It’s a blessing from God that we were invited to move to higher ground and a safer location,” says Father Naquin. “I tried to get the message across to those who didn’t want to leave now that if something bad happens in the future and your home is destroyed, you won’t be able to ask them to build you a house then. It will be too late you’ll be on your own. You will have missed out and then what are you going to do?”

Even though he has been living there for less than a month, Father Naquin says it has been great so far. “I am surrounded by family here. All of the homes are very well built and energy efficient. My home is plenty big enough … I have an extra bedroom for guests.”

The residents of Isle de Jean Charles were part of the design process for the homes and the community, and they met regularly to discuss the options for their homes, he explains.

Father Naquin, who retired Oct. 31, 1997, turned 90 years old Sept. 25, and is the second oldest priest in the diocese. He says he hasn’t quite figured out how much he plans on being involved with his new church parish, St. Bridget in Schriever.

“One day, I plan to offer my services to Father Simon Peter

I just haven’t given him that privilege yet,” the priest says with a smile.

Louisiana was awarded $48.3 million in Community Development Block Grant funds in 2016 to work with residents of Isle de Jean Charles to develop and implement a structured and voluntary retreat from the island into safer communities. After extensive research, evaluation and input from island residents, the Louisiana Land Trust, on behalf of the Louisiana Office of Community Development, purchased 515 acres of rural land near Schriever, a higher, safer and more resilient location to serve as the site for the Resettlement community, which includes the new homes, sidewalks, ponds, walking trails, a community center, and other amenities designed in conjunction with the Island residents. In November 2019, Isle de Jean Charles residents agreed to name the Resettlement community “The New Isle” (https://isledejeancharles.la.gov/).

Residents of the New Isle receive the homes, which are built to withstand 150 mph winds, and the lots free, but must cover property taxes and insurance. They own the homes outright if they occupy them for five years.

Thirty-seven of the island’s 42 households decided to move to The New Isle, with one family choosing to resettle on their own by purchasing a Louisiana home with the state’s assistance that is not in a flood zone. Residents of the New Isle will still own and have access to their original houses on Isle de Jean Charles. BC

Very Rev. Patrick J. (P.J.) Madden, diocesan administrator, greets Governor John Bel Edwards during the governor’s visit to “The New Isle,” a resettlement community for the residents of Isle de Jean Charles. Also pictured is Very Rev. Simon Peter Engurait, pastor of St. Bridget.

Pictured are Al and Mildred Naquin (center), New Isle residents, and Cheryl Boquet and Chief Albert Naquin.

Diocese recognizes adults and youth with service and leadership awards

During the month of August, Very Rev. Patrick J. (P.J.) Madden, diocesan administrator, along with pastors, presented the Diocesan Service and Youth Leadership Awards to lay men, women and youth in each of the church parishes in appreciation of their many unselfish contributions of time and talent to the life of the parish. Each pastor was asked to nominate two adult and two youth recipients for these awards, which are modeled after the diocese’s two patron saints and their charisms: St. Joseph (hidden service) and St. Francis de Sales (spirituality of the laity).

The recipients of this year’s diocesan service and youth leadership awards are as follows.

Service Award: Kenneth Breaux, Julie Authement, Youth Award: Robert

Clement, Malory Solet, Annunziata, Houma;

Service Award: Julien Barrilleaux, Karen Toups, Youth Award: Connor Chiasson, Katherine Jones, Christ the Redeemer, Thibodaux; Youth Award: Abigayle Couvillion, Kyra Keller, Community of St. Anthony, Gheens;

Service Award: Paul Vella Jr., Lori Case, Youth Award: Presley Bruni, Sofia Saleme, Holy Cross, Morgan City;

Service Award: Jimmy Richard, Robert Rogers Jr., Holy Family, Grand Caillou;

Service Award: Warren Vedros, Delores Legendre, Youth Award: Keagan Griffin, Baylee Perrillioux, Holy Savior, Lockport;

Service Award: Kathleen Pullaro, Maria Immacolata, Houma;

Service Award: Joseph Perque, Thelma Boudreaux, Youth Award: Kory Trosclair, Kade Trosclair, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Chackbay;

Service Award: Salvador Gonzalez Jr., Kristy Myers, Youth Award: Cameron Badeaux, Connor Gisclair, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Golden Meadow;

Service Award: Lonny Babin, Lisa Danos, Youth Award: Connor Chiasson, Joshua Pierce, Our Lady of the Rosary, Larose;

Service Award: Tony Duet, Nollie Lasseigne, Youth Award: Braden Perez, Kendall Smith, Sacred Heart, Cut Off;

Service Award: Ronnie Lirette, Wenda Lou Lirette, Youth Award: Austin Champagne, Makenzie Clement, Sacred Heart, Montegut;

Very Rev. Patrick J. (P.J.) Madden addresses the congregation during the recent youth and leadership awards event at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux.

Story by Janet Marcel ~ Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

Service Award: Chris Landry, Florina Bergeron, Youth Award: Jolie Boudreaux, Ethan Seymour, Sacred Heart, Morgan City;

Service Award: Elward Gaudet, Amber Cavalier, St. Andrew, Amelia; Service Award: Eric Lapeyrouse, Christine Rodrigue, Youth Award: Anna Bascle, Henry Lirette, St. Ann, Bourg;

Service Award: Michael Coston, Nicole LeBouef, Youth Award: Hannah LeBlanc, Alex LeBouef, St. Anthony of Padua, Bayou Black;

Service Award: Matthew Bourgeois, Theresa Becnel, Youth Award: Emily Baudoin, Aidan Pitre, St. Bernadette, Houma;

Service Award: Kerry Naquin, Youth Award: Brianna Dupre, St. Charles Borromeo, Pointe-aux-Chenes;

Service Award: Randall Hebert, Helen Richard, Youth Award: Ethan Boudreaux, Macie Thibodaux, St. Charles Borromeo, St. Charles Community;

Service Award: Charles Boudreaux,

Patricia Vice, St. Eloi, Theriot; Service Award: Rene Rhodes, Roxane Haydel, Youth Award: Logan Arnold, Laura Hamilton, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma; Service Award: Brandon Allemand, Donald Barrilleaux, St. Genevieve, Thibodaux; Service Award: John Walker, Susan Clark, St. Gregory, Houma; Service Award: Mark Thibodeaux, Nancy Curole, Youth Award: Jacob Davis, Zachary St. Pé, St. Hilary of Poitiers, Mathews; Service Award: Walter Richard, Carolyn Filce, St. John the Evangelist, Thibodaux; Service Award: Charles Bergeron, Tracie Bergeron, Youth Award: Colton Breaux, Lindsey Ledet, St. Joseph, Chauvin; Service Award: Howie Guidry, Beverly Cheramie, Youth Award: Sierra Williams, St. Joseph, Galliano; Service Award: Barry Hebert, Danette Hebert, St. Joseph CoCathedral, Thibodaux;

Service Award: Loney Grabert, St. Lawrence, Chacahoula;

Service Award: Gary Cortez, Natalie Labat, St. Lawrence the Martyr, Kraemer;

Service Award: Alsida Cortez, St. James Mission, Choctaw Settlement;

Service Award: Gary Daigle, Carolyn Daigle, St. Louis, Bayou Blue;

Service Award: Teresa Bergeron, Beverly Joyce, Youth Award: Jessica Howard, St. Lucy, Houma;

Service Award: Roland Every, Henrietta Every, Youth Award: Blake Banks, Malaysia Lewis, St. Luke the Evangelist, Thibodaux;

Service Award: Robert Babin, Marion Babin, Youth Award: Noah Benoit, Laila Zirlott, St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland;

Service Award: Ricky Blanchard, Susan Blanchard, St. Thomas Aquinas, Thibodaux.

Youth Award: Spencer Hebert, Olivia Black, Central Catholic School, Morgan City. BC

Sister Suellen Tennyson, M.S.C.

Sister Suellen: ‘Thank you!’

By PETER FINNEY JR. Clarion Herald

During her nearly five months of captivity in Burkina Faso, West Africa, Marianite Sister Suellen Tennyson wondered aloud where God was hiding in the midst of her isolation and loneliness.

Then, in an instant, she looked down at her feet, where one of her toenails had been battered and bloodied during a harrowing post-kidnapping motorcycle ride deep into the forests of West Africa, after which she was turned over to a rival Muslim group.

Her new captor saw her gouged toe and, inexplicably, began washing her feet.

“He washed my feet,” Sister Suellen told the Clarion Herald Sept. 13. “I’m sitting there, and this Muslim man is washing my feet. And I said, ‘God, is something going on here?’ It was like God was using him in some kind of way. I was just taken aback.”

In a pre-dawn raid by 10 armed men between April 4 and 5, Sister Suellen, 83, was abducted from the

medical mission residence in Yalgo that she shared since 2013 with two other Marianite sisters and several lay employees.

After five months of her congregation hearing nothing about her whereabouts or her condition, Sister Suellen, the former international leader of the Marianites of Holy Cross, was freed peacefully in neighboring Niger to the east of Burkina Faso and released into the custody of the FBI and personnel of the U.S. embassy and Air Force.

No ransom was paid, Sister Suellen said, another one of the inscrutable mysteries of her captivity and release.

Speaking from a safe haven in the Archdiocese of New Orleans where she returned quietly on Aug. 31 via medical transport Sister Suellen said she was full of gratitude that her life was spared and for her safe treatment in captivity and the invisible actions of the thousands of people who prayed and worked for her release.

“That’s what I want to say ‘Thank you to all these people,’” Sister Suellen

said. “I am truly humbled by all of this. And the only way I can say thank you is ‘thank you.’ My heart is filled with gratitude.”

Living nightmare unfolds

The kidnappers, part of the first Muslim group, grabbed her from her bed without her shoes, glasses or medicine. They blindfolded and gagged her to keep her from yelling out to the two other Marianite sisters Sister Pauline Drouin, a Canadian, and Sister Pascaline Tougma, a Burkinabé who were locked in their rooms.

“I thought maybe they were going to leave me sitting on the porch, but all of a sudden they wrapped me up and took me,” Sister Suellen said. “Whoa, this was not what I thought was going to happen. But from the beginning, I was asking God to please use this for good. I don’t understand why it’s happening; I don’t understand why they took me. And a lot of good has happened all these people praying.”

Sister Suellen was placed on the back of a motorcycle and told to hang on. Her captors rode through the a

night and for most of the early morning until she was handed over to the second group, which treated her reasonably well and did not physically harm her.

Her captor at one point gave her a few pieces of paper and a red pen, which she used to mark her days in captivity on a handmade calendar. Whenever she was moved to a new, unknown location, she would draw a horizontal line to symbolize the latest segment of her journey.

At the end of each week, she drew the numbers 7, 14 and 21 and circled them to keep track of her time.

She had absolutely no idea where she was.

“I told my caretaker, ‘I can’t run away I can’t run, and I don’t know the way!’” Sister Suellen said, smiling.

Faith sustained her

Before the rainy season came in June, she slept outside under a hand-crafted, tent-like structure with branches and leaves for the roof and a cloth that could be moved to keep the direct sun out of her eyes. For most of her captivity, she had no books of any kind to read, so she relied on her Catholic formation to recite prayers she has known since childhood and Bible verses.

She also began every day with the prayers of the Mass remembering what she could and reflecting on Scripture.

“Prayer sustained me,” she said. “I went through my Mass every day. I did each part of the Mass and received spiritual Communion. During the day, at least three or four times a day, I would do a spiritual Communion. That was the thing that kept me going because I had nothing.”

Yalgo is in northern Burkina Faso, not far from the border with Mali. Reliefweb reported in April that in the

last two years, Burkina Faso’s northern and eastern regions had seen a “sharp deterioration in the security situation due to the presence of non-state armed groups.”

Sister Suellen said there was nothing very much out of the ordinary in the days leading up to her abduction.

“We had been having many problems with local terrorists who had been causing trouble, so I thought they were the ones who abducted me,” she said. “I thought they were just coming to rob.”

Sister Suellen said she contracted malaria and lost 20 pounds during her captivity. Her diet consisted of “spaghetti, rice, sardines; spaghetti, rice, sardines but no Italian sauce or good Creole sauce. No red beans and rice. But, I did have my cup of coffee in the morning. I had a piece of bread every day, but I had the hardest time swallowing it. I have no desire for sardines anymore.”

During her loneliest moments, Sister Suellen said she prayed for “peaceful patience,” because she saw no end in sight.

“I had many conversations with God,” she said. “I would say, ‘OK, God, what’s your word to me today at this moment?’ Sometimes it was a Scripture passage or a story from Scripture. But, after a while, it was just messages to me. And the one that stayed with me the longest was ‘peaceful patience. You need to be peacefully patient.’”

“I prayed the mysteries of the rosary and the Way of the Cross many times. And, you know, Jesus felt his father had abandoned him. I said, ‘Have you abandoned me, God?’ And he said, ‘Suellen, I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have called you, and you are mine.’ I said, ‘OK, I know you haven’t abandoned me, but I just don’t

know how much longer I can go on.’”

Inching toward freedom

At some point, her captor found a sofa for her so that she did not have to sleep on the floor.

In August, without warning, she moved again, this time on a motorcycle ride in which she had to cross three rivers. She was so tired at the time she begged for a rest because she was barely able to hang on.

Then, finally, at a rest stop, she saw three men dressed in African garb along with another man dressed in a nice shirt and pants.

“I was thinking, ‘Oh Jesus, is this another group I’m going to have to start up all over again with?’” she said. “But the good news is they had a truck and not a motorcycle. One of the men came to me and said, you can take that jacket off. And he turned to me and he said, ‘You’re free!’ I said, ‘What? I’m free? Who are you?’”

They were now in neighboring Niger, where the men took her to someone’s house.

“We stopped to get something to eat, and the man said, ‘You need to take a shower. Let the woman of the house help you,’” Sister Suellen said. “Oh, I felt like I was in heaven. And then it dawned on me. That was the first woman I had seen in five months.”

Sister Suellen arrived back in the archdiocese on Aug. 31 and went for medical checkups. She is regaining her strength and using a walker to guard against falls, but she is getting stronger.

“I sang ‘Amazing Grace’ I can’t tell you how many times,” she said. “And I would just add the verse and put how many days I had been in captivity. But I still have just one day to praise the Lord today.” BC

Endowment to provide sustainability for the families of St. Lucy Child Development Center Endowment named after Sister Rosario O’Connell, S.H.Sp.

Due to policy changes and funding deficiencies at the state level, the Louis Children’s Crisis Center in Houma closed this past June, along with the Bayou Area Children’s Foundation Inc., whose mission was to provide buildings, maintenance and insurance for the Center’s buildings. Houma attorneys Mike and the late Louis St. Martin’s vision years ago was for a home for small toddlers and young children who were unable to be placed in a foster home. However, with the continued lack of government funding and budget cuts at the state and federal levels, the sustainability of the home became difficult in recent years.

Mike St. Martin and the boards of the Louis Children’s Crisis Center and the Bayou Area Children’s Foundation Inc. have created an endowment to keep

the mission and vision of the Louis Children’s Crisis Center alive; and they have named it after one of its founders, Sister Rosario O’Connell, S.H.Sp., who died in 2016. This new endowment will create sustainability for the families of St. Lucy Child Development Center in Houma and provide tuition assistance for qualified families to ensure they have access to child care.

“The mission of the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana is to provide sustainability for ministries of the diocese. When Mike St. Martin and Paige Marmande began discussing with me their challenges and closing the doors of Louis Children’s Crisis Center, we knew right away that we needed to keep the mission and vision of the Louis Children’s Crisis Center alive,” says Amy Ponson, executive

director of the Foundation. “It was a perfect connection to the St. Lucy Child Development Center, which has over 45 students, and a large percentage of those families are in the low-income level. Mike and Paige have a huge heart for children and making affordable child care available, which is why the creation of the Sister Rosario Endowment was created. The generosity of our community continues to grow abundantly and it is an honor to foster their generosity and transform the lives of these families tomorrow and long into the future.”

A tour of the St. Lucy Child Development Center was held in conjunction with the check presentation, which took place recently. BC

The Sister Rosario Endowment will provide sustainability for the families of the St. Lucy Child Development Center in Houma. A check in the amount of $1,079,700 was presented to diocesan leadership to create the endowment.

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

World Mission Sunday: ‘You shall be my witnesses’

Guest Columnist

Peace!

On Oct. 23, World Mission Sunday joins all Catholics of the world into one community of faith.

At Mass that Sunday, we recommit ourselves to our common vocation through baptism to be missionaries, through prayer, participation in the Eucharist, and by giving generously to the collection for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.

May 2022 marked the 200th anni versary of the world mission society,

the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, founded by Pauline Jaricot, a French laywoman. She was beatified on May 22, 2022, in Lyon, France.

In 1926, Pope Piux XI instituted World Mission Sunday for the whole church with the first worldwide World Mission Sunday collection taking place in October 1927.

Pope Francis’ message for World Mission Sunday this year reflects on the theme: “You shall be my wit nesses” (Acts 1:8). He reminds us that the church is missionary in nature and that we are called at baptism to share in this mission together. The Holy Fa ther exclaims, “Would that all of us in the church were what we already are by virtue of baptism: Prophets, wit nesses, missionaries of the Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to the ends of the earth!”

On World Mission Sunday, we join our Holy Father in supporting his missions. As we pray and respond here

Society for the Propagation of the Faith

Society for the Propagation of the Faith

at home, we share in those celebrations taking place in every parish and school throughout the world. Together, through our prayers and financial support, we bring the Lord’s mercy and concrete help to the most vulnerable communities in the pope’s missions.

In a world where so much divides us, World Mission Sunday rejoices in our unity as missionaries by our baptism, as it offers each one of us an opportunity to support the life-giving presence of the church among the poor and marginalized in more than 1,100 mission dioceses.

Asking the Lord to bless you for your generous missionary spirit, I am Father Robert-Joel Cruz, diocesan director for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, 1220 Aycock Street, Houma, LA 70360.

All for the Greater of Glory of God! Ava Maria! BC

Celebrating 200 Years of Giving Hope

Celebrating 200 Years of Giving Hope

Father Robert-Joel Cruz

October Daily Prayer for Priests, Deacons, Religious and Seminarians

Daily Prayer for Clergy and Religious

Lord Jesus, hear our prayer for the spiritual renewal of bishops, priests, deacons, brothers, sisters, lay ministers and seminarians of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. We praise You for giving their ministry to the Church. In these days, renew them with the gifts of Your Spirit.

You once opened the Holy Scriptures to Your disciples when You walked on this earth. Now renew Your ordained and chosen ones with the truth and power of Your Word.

In Eucharist you gave Your disciples renewed life and hope. Nourish Your consecrated ones with Your own Body and Blood. Help them to imitate in their lives the death and resurrection they celebrate around Your altar.

Give them enthusiasm for the Gospel, zeal for the salvation of all people, courage in leadership and humility in service.

Give them Your love for one another and for all their brothers and sisters in You. For You love them, Lord Jesus, and we love and pray for them in Your Holy Name, today especially for _______________________. Amen.

Sponsored by:

of the Word

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Sponsored by:

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

22

24 25 26 27 28 29

Very Rev. Patrick (P.J.) Madden

Rev. Noas Kerketta Rev. Thomas Kuriakose

Rev. Baby Kuruvilla Rev. Brett Lapeyrouse

Deacon William Dunckelman

Rev. Alex Lazarra Rev. Peter Tai Le

Rev. Glenn LeCompte

Very Rev. Eric Leyble, J.V.

Rev. Joey Lirette Seminarian Joseph Lapeyrouse

Rev. Clyde Mahler Rev. Fernando Anaya

Rev. John David Matherne

Very Rev. Andre Melancon, V.F.

Very Rev. John Nambusseril, V.F. Deacon Randall Jennings Rev. Jean-Marie Nsambu Rev. Joseph Pilola Rev. Patrick Riviere Rev. Robert Rogers

Rev. James Rome Sister Maria Eugenia Leon, M.C.S.H.

Rev. Mitchel Semar Rev. Carlos Talavera

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

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

Very Rev. Mark Toups

Rev. Mike Tran Bishop Emeritus Sam G. Jacobs

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

In response to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is offering an Outreach Line (formerly known as the Child Protection Contact Line). The Outreach Line is an effort to continue the diocesan commitment to support healing for people who have been hurt or sexually abused recently or in the past by clergy, religious or other employees of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Outreach Line operates from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. A trained mental health professional responds to the line. Individuals are offered additional assistance if requested.

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Outreach Line

Telephone number is (985) 873-0026 or (985) 850-3172

Línea de Comunicación Diocesana

Con el fin de cumplir con las Políticas de Protección de Niños y Jóvenes de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Los Estados Unidos, la Diócesis de Houma-Thibodaux ofrece una Línea de Comunicación (antes Línea de Contacto para la Protección de los Niños). La Línea de Comunicación es parte del esfuerzo diocesano de comprometerse con el mejoramiento de aquéllos que han sido lastimados o abusados sexualmente recientemente o en el pasado por miembros del clero, religiosos u otros empleados de la Diócesis de Houma-Thibodaux.

El horario de la Línea de Comunicación de la Diócesis de Houma-Thibodaux es de 8:30 a.m. a 4:30 p.m., de lunes a viernes. El encargado de esta línea es un profesional capacitado en salud mental. Se ofrece asistencia adicional al ser solicitada.

Línea de Comunicación de la Diócesis de Houma-Thibodaux Número de teléfono (985) 873-0026 o (985) 850-3172

Giôùi

Hoäi

Giaùm muïc Hoa kyø, Giaùo phaän Houma-Thibodaux ñang chuaån bò ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi Cöùu giuùp (luùc tröôùc laø ñöôøng daây lieân laïc baûo veä treû em). Ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi Cöùu giuùp laø moät söï coá gaéng cuûa giaùo phaän nhaèm cam keát haøn gaén naâng ñôõ nhöõng ai ñaõ bò toån thöông hoaëc bò laïm duïng tính duïc hoaëc gaàn ñaây hoaëc trong quaù khöù bôûi giaùo só, tu só hoaëc caùc coâng nhaân vieân cuûa Giaùo phaän Houma-Thibodaux.

Ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi Cöùu giuùp Giaùo phaän hoaït ñoäng töø 8:30 saùng ñeán 4:30 chieàu, thöù hai ñeán thöù saùu. Moät nhaân vieân chuyeân nghieäp veà söùc khoûe taâm thaàn traû lôøi treân ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi. Nhöõng caù nhaân seõ ñöôïc trôï giuùp

Youth in action

Michael Trahan

School: St. Francis de Sales

Cathedral School, Houma Grade: 7th Church parish: Maria Immacolata, Houma (since May 2022); Holy Rosary, Houma (from birth until May 2022)

Describe your family unit: Jamie, mother; Brent, father; Jessica, Bradley, siblings

Favorite Hobby: Playing trumpet in the band

Favorite Movie: Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi

Favorite T.V. Show: The Mandalorian

Favorite Genre of Music: Rock

What does respecting all human life mean to you?

Every October during Respect Life Month, we are called to consider why every human life is valuable, from conception to natural death. What does respecting all human life mean to you? What are some ways you can help to create a world where every person is loved and respected?

To me, respecting all human life means treating everyone how they should be treated, and treating everyone with the dignity God gave them. We should always respect people because when you are respected you feel included and like you belong. This means that we should always make sure everyone is being treated the way God intended. This applies in and out

of school. For example, at school, we can show respect to our teachers and peers. We can show respect to our teachers by always paying attention during class, following directions and rules, and always using manners.

At school we can show respect to our classmates by including them in games, making sure everyone plays a part in the game, and including anyone who wants to join in your friend group.

In the community there are many ways we can show respect to others. We can show respect by helping people in need.

A way I have helped people in need is by participating in activities in my school such as the food drive and coat drive. Another way I can show respect

is by helping people affected by natural disasters. Last year, I did this at my church by handing out food, water, and other supplies to those impacted by Hurricane Ida. To see people so grateful for a warm meal, made me grateful for what I had. While donating your time to help others, you get a feeling of joy knowing they received what they needed. Sometimes you can get a lot more out of it than what you put in. I think that the joy you receive is God’s way of letting you know it is what he wants you to do. In summary, showing respect is treating people with the dignity God gave them, and there are countless ways and opportunities to show respect in our lives.

BC

Adult Formation Leadership Summit

Oct. 14-16, at Pastoral Center in Schriever

The 2022 Adult Formation Leadership Summit sponsored by the diocesan Office Parish Support will be held Friday, Oct. 14 through Sunday, Oct. 16, at the Pastoral Center on Highway 311 in Schriever.

The Summit is designed for all those involved in the ministry of church parish adult formation leadership as an opportunity to grow in relationship with God, both individually and communally, and to be coached in the vision and skills for Adult Formation.

The weekend will include formation sessions, time for personal reflection and discussion, and liturgies. It will be more than just a workshop or retreat, there will be a balance between practical experiences, prayer experiences, and growth in community.

The content and practical details for the weekend will focus particularly on both those already active in adult formation leadership (coordinators of Adult Formation, small group leaders, and small group hosts) and also those interested in helping out with current programs in the church parish or starting new ones.

While the weekend is open to anyone interested in Adult Formation leadership, if you are not currently involved, please contact your church parish’s adult formation coordinator or your pastor prior to registering for this event.

The Summit will begin Friday evening with dinner at 5:30 p.m., with sessions starting at approximately 7 p.m. The event will end at Noon on Sunday. Food and materials will be provided free of charge for the weekend event.

Registration is currently open. For more information, call the Office of Parish Support at (985) 850-3155. BC

Central Catholic Beta Club receives honors in national competition

Beta Club is a National Organization for 4th12th grade students. Its purpose is to promote the ideals of academic achievement, character, leadership and service among elementary and secondary students.

The Central Catholic Beta Club won first place in the engineering competition at the National Convention in Nashville, TN, on July 1, 2022. Over 20,000 students participated at the National Convention, with 8,000 of those on the elementary level.

The Central Catholic team qualified in the science/engineering division by building and demonstrating a zip line model. The project had to be completely constructed on site within a 45-minute timeframe without any adult supervision or assistance.

Congratulations to Central Catholic 5th grade students Preston Beattie, Meredith Loupe, Kolton Mason, Stella Saleme and Nathan Theriot, who participated at the State Convention at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette and qualified for the National Convention. Preston Beattie, Meredith Loupe and Stella Saleme represented the team at the National Convention in Nashville.

Special thanks to Central Catholic teacher Enjolie Domingue, the Beta Club Sponsor, and to Burt Adams, Beta Club Team Sponsor, who dedicated his time to mentor the team helping them reach their goals while experiencing the world of engineering and having an amazing time doing it! BC

St. Luke Mass for Medical and Mental Health Professionals

Oct. 15-16 or Oct. 22-23 in individual church parishes

The annual St. Luke Mass for Medical and Mental Health Professionals will be celebrated in all individual church parishes the weekend of Oct. 15-16 or Oct. 22-23 this year.

The Mass will include a prayerful recognition of those in the medical and mental health professions as well as a blessing over them. This Mass in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is traditionally celebrated the weekend before or the weekend after the Feast of St. Luke, which is Oct. 18. St. Luke is the

patron saint of physicians and surgeons.

Medical professionals are asked to wear a distinctive uniform to Mass, and if mental health professionals have something distinctive to wear that represents their profession that they do so as well.

Please check your parish bulletins for the dates and times in your church parish. BC

Wedding anniversary celebration Oct. 23, at Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux

All couples married in the Catholic Church who are celebrating their 25th, 40th, 50th or 60th (and beyond) anniversary during 2022 are invited to a diocesan Liturgy of the Word sponsored by the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux’s Office of Worship.

The celebration will take place Sunday, Oct. 23, at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux, beginning at 3 p.m., with Very Rev. Patrick J. (P.J.) Madden, diocesan administrator, presiding.

The wedding anniversary celebration is not a Mass, but a Liturgy of the Word. All registered anniversary couples will receive an inscribed diocesan certificate in their own church parish during a scheduled parish celebration. BC

Red Mass Oct. 20, at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux

In conjunction with the traditional opening of the judicial season in October, the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is hosting a “Red” Mass for all who work in the legal community, including judges, lawyers, politicians and their support staffs. A Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit, will be celebrated on Thursday, Oct. 20, at Noon at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. Very Rev. Patrick J. (P.J.) Madden, diocesan administrator, will preside and Father Joseph Palermo, J.D., M.Div., will serve as the guest homilist for the Mass. After practicing law for several years, Father Palermo entered Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, where he completed his studies for the priesthood and was ordained in 1994.

All are welcome to participate in this Mass. BC

Marian Servants silent retreat

Nov. 7-11, at Lumen Christi

The Marian Servants of the Word® will be hosting a Silent Ignatian Retreat beginning Monday, Nov. 7 through Friday, Nov. 11, at the Lumen Christi Retreat Center in Schriever. The theme for the retreat is “God Speaks in the Silence of Our Hearts.” There will be daily Mass, daily spiritual direction, evening adoration, and confession will be available.

Cost for the retreat is $580 per person, which includes all meals plus a private room. A non-refundable $100 deposit (applied toward retreat fee) is due at the time of registration. Deadline to register is Oct. 31, 2022.

For more information or to register, email marianservantsoftheword@gmail.com, or call Monica Karns at (985)688-5578 or Sadie Bonvillain at (985)688-9938. BC

Saint Padre Pio relics at Christ the Redeemer, Nov. 16

Christ the Redeemer Church parish in Thibodaux will be hosting the official relics of Saint Padre` Pio of Pietrelcina on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. A Mass in honor of Saint Padre` Pio will be celebrated at 12:05 p.m. Veneration will close with a prayer service beginning at 8 p.m.

For information about the public veneration, please visit www.ctrhtdiocese.org/relics, contact the church parish office by phone at (985) 447-2013, or by email at ctrchurch@ htdiocese.org. BC

Announcements

St. Martin de Porres Mass Nov. 3, at St. Luke

The St. Martin de Porres Mass for African-American Catholics will be celebrated Thursday, Nov. 3 at St. Luke Church in Thibodaux at 7 p.m. Very Rev. Patrick J. (P.J.) Madden will preside.

Martín de Porres Velázquez, O.P., was a Peruvian lay brother of the Dominican Order who was beatified in 1837 by Pope Gregory XVI and canonized in 1962 by Pope John XXIII. He is the patron saint of mixed-race people, barbers, innkeepers, public health workers, and all those seeking racial harmony. BC

Houma-Thibodaux

Bayou Community Foundation celebrates eighth home built for Ida survivors in Dulac

Bayou Community Foundation, Holy Family Church in Grand Caillou, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and other project partners welcomed Hurricane Ida survivors Wayne and Angela Solet and family to their new home in Dulac recently, nearly a year since the family lost everything in the Category 4 storm. The storm-resilient house along Grand Caillou in this bayou community of coastal Terrebonne Parish is the eighth new home completed so far by the volunteers of Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) Storm Aid as part of Bayou Community Foundation’s Bayou Recovery Fund housing efforts. BC

Deacon Jeff Pitre appointed to Our Lady of the Rosary in Larose

Very Rev. Patrick J. (P.J.) Madden, diocesan administrator, has 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 years. BC

October 2022 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Bayou Catholic

Deacon Jeff Pitre

Well, so much for college football, the game as we know it, is over.

Supposedly name, image, and likeness and the transfer portal spelled the end of the sport.

The naysayers, and they were plentiful, said the game as we know it would never be the same.

They are right.

It is better.

The portal has helped spring a string of upsets, led by well-traveled quarterbacks.

Marshall upset Notre Dame. The Thundering Herd were led by Henry Columbi, who began his journey at Utah State, then went to Texas Tech, before landing in Huntington, West Virginia.

Against Notre Dame he was 16 of 21 passing.

Marshall beat a top 10 ranked team for the second time in school history.

At Texas A&M, Appalachian State upset the Aggies.

The win was led by quarterback Chase Brice, who began his college career at Clemson, then transferred to

The transfer portal made college football better

Duke, and then on to App State.

As the final seconds of App State’s 17-14 win at College Station ticked off the clock, students stormed downtown Boone, North Carolina, in a massive show of celebration.

A twitter video of the students going wild had more than 450,000 views two days later.

Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher, who had the number one recruiting class in the country, is 35-15 after 50 games at College Station.

He was rewarded with a contract extension paying him $9 million a season through 2031.

His predecessor, Kevin Sumlin, was 36-14 after 50 games.

At Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, Georgia Southern upset the Huskers 45-42.

The game marked the first time in 214 games that Nebraska had scored 35 points at home, and lost.

Nebraska could have waited till Oct. 1 and fired head coach Scott Frost, and saved $7.5 million.

But, director of athletics Trev Alberts pulled the plug. The school will pay Frost a buyout of $15 million.

The Sun Belt Conference trumpeted the success of Marshall, App State and Georgia Southern on its webpage.

And, for the first time in 21 seasons, the Football Writers Association of America named all three teams, their national team of the week.

In Austin, Texas, the Longhorns lost to top ranked Alabama by a point, despite losing starting quarterback Quinn Ewers for four to six weeks with a left clavicle sprain.

Kentucky defeated Florida 26-16, the Wildcats second straight victory over the Gators. From 1986 to 2018, the Gators won every game in the series.

Led by Penn State transfer Will Levis, Kentucky is a contender in the SEC East.

LSU opened the season with a 24-23 loss to Florida State in New Orleans.

The Tigers, led by Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels, were a blocked extra point from forcing the game to overtime.

In the last 15:08 Daniels led LSU to three touchdowns, including a TD pass to wide receiver Jaray Jenkins with no time on the clock.

The narrative that “the portal” will ruin college football holds no water.

College football is crazier that it has ever been.

So, why not just enjoy? BC

Houma-Thibodaux

Ed Daniels

Where Medical Science Meets the Art of Caring.

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Terrebonne General Health System is committed to providing the latest advances in medical technology with a gentle, caring touch. This is evident in everything we do.

As a trusted healthcare resource we deliver both life-saving, compassionate inpatient services, and life-changing preventive care, while also providing wellness needs and outreach throughout the Bayou Region.

Preventive Care and Clinics:

• Internal Medicine Specialists

• Pediatric Care

• Endocrinology Care

• Neurology Care

Services:

• Terrebonne General | Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center

• Cardiovascular Care

• Emergency Care

• Pulmonology Care

• Wound & Hyperbaric Clinic

• Multispecialty Clinic in Gray

• Healthy Lifestyles Center

• Women’s Health Center / with a Level 3 NICU

• Orthopedics

• Drive-thru Center for testing and vaccines

• Outpatient Rehabilitation

Terrebonne

GENERAL HEALTH SYSTEM

tghealthsystem.com