Youth in Action

Youthin 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