Bayou Catholic | November 2014 Issue by Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Bayou

Catholic

Wedding Anniversary Diocese honors 271 couples

INSIDE

Bayou Christma s Traditio

HOUMA, LA ~ NOVEMBER 2014 ~ COMPLIMENTARY

Daniel A. Cabirac

Field Agent (985) 696-2119 Dan.Cabirac@KofC.org

Set Over 250,000 Fractured Limbs

Even over 60 years, that’s a lot of autographed casts.

H ON ORI N G OUR PA ST S H A PI N G THE F UTURE

14TGMC027_Fractured Limbs_7.25x9.875.indd 1

We’ve been here to pick you up when you stumble and get you back on the straight and narrow. All along, we’ve maintained the genuine compassion that inspires our drive to find better ways of caring for you. It’s a true calling for all the doctors, nurses, and staff that are proud to call this area home. Visit TGMC.com.

7/8/14 12:16 PM www.bayoucatholic.com

Contents

FEATURES

22 St. Joseph Abbey 125th Anniversary

39 Weimers and Richards Love and devotion to the Catholic faith

42 Scouting Focusing on faith component

COLUMNS

Comfort For My People

By Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

12 Pope Speaks By Pope Francis I

13 Question Corner By Father Kenneth Doyle

14 Readings Between The Lines By Father Glenn LeCompte

54 Seeing Clairely By Claire Joller

62 Overtime By Ed Daniels

IN EVERY ISSUE

35 40

6 Editor’s Corner 16 Scripture Readings 24 Heavenly Recipes 26 Diocesan Events 28 Our Churches GUEST COLUMNS

Bayou

Catholic

18 Vocations By Father Andre’ Melancon

44 Thanksgiving By Father Gregory Fratt

45 Family, not materialsim By Gena Vitale

46 Catholic Campaign for Human Development

Bayou Christmas raditions

OLIC

LAWRENCE

CATH ER/BAYOU CHATAGNI

By Margie Duplantis

ANNOUNCEMENTS

47 Food for the Journey Father Robert Rogers speaks

58 Native American Mass Nov. 21 in Pointe-Aux-Chenes

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • November 2014

On Our Cover Charles and Mercedes Stevens from St. Joseph Co-Cathedral parish in Thibodaux, who recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary, was one of 271 couples honored by the diocesan Office of Family Ministries during the annual wedding anniversary celebration held at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral. Cover Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier

Where to find your Bayou Catholic Bayou Catholic magazine can be found at all Catholic churches in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, at the three Catholic high schools in Houma, Morgan City and Thibodaux, as well as the ten elementary schools throughout the diocese. You may also visit the merchants listed in the Advertisers’ Index to pick up your copy. Those wishing to receive the magazine by mail can call Pat Keese 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.com

Bayou Catholic Vol. 35, No. 5 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 HoumaThibodaux by the H-T Publishing Co., P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395. Subscription rate is $35 per year. The Bayou Catholic is a member of the Catholic Press Association, the National Newspaper Association and an associate member of the Louisiana Press Association. National and world-wide news service and photos by National Catholic News Service.

Louis G. Aguirre

editor and general manager

Index to Advertisers Acadian Total Security ................ 67 Advanced Eye Institute ............... 47 Barker Honda .............................. 78 Bella Cosa Fine Gifts ................... 71 Bueche’s Jewelry ........................ 79 Cannata’s .................................... 84 Catholic Campaign for Human Development .............. 11 Channel 10 .................................. 33 Courtesy Toyota GMC ................. 77 Daigle, Himel, Daigle .................. 79 Diocesan Outreach Line ............. 57 Diocese Website ......................... 69 Emile’s Furniture & Appliances ... 82 Fabregas Music .......................... 65 Family Vision Clinic ..................... 76 Felger’s Footwear ....................... 74 God’s Promises Books & Gifts ... 51 God’s Promises Books & Gifts ... 75 Haydel Spine Pain & Wellness ... 15 Headache & Pain Center ............ 35 Houma Digestive Health Specialists .................... 43 Houma-Thibodaux Seminarians... 21

HTeNews ..................................... 27 KEM Supply House, Inc. ............. 80 Knights of Columbus Dan A. Cabirac .......................... 2 Landmark Home Furnishings ..... 81 LeBlanc & Associates, LLC ......... 31 Re-Bath ....................................... 62 Rod’s Superstore ........................ 53 Seminarian Education Burses .... 19 Southern Theatre Arts Guild Entertainment ................ 46 Spotlight ...................................... 43 St. Joseph Manor/ Cardinal Place ......................... 49 Sunshine Equipment Co., Inc. .... 83 Synergy Bank .............................. 73 Terminix ....................................... 46 Terrebonne General Medical Center .......................... 3 The Wishing Well ........................ 80 Thibodaux Physical Therapy ...... 49 U-Drop Packing & Shipping ........ 64 Vision Communications .............. 25 Vocations Office .......................... 20

Lawrence Chatagnier managing editor

Glenn J. Landry, C.P.A. business manager

Peggy Adams

advertising manager

Anna C. Givens

advertising accounts executive

Janet Marcel staff writer

Pat Keese

secretary and circulation

Lisa Schobel Hebert graphic designer

Janet B. Eschete

accounts payable assistant

Meridy Liner

accounts receivable assistant

First Place Winner 2013-2014 General Excellence www.bayoucatholic.com

Welcome

Editor’s Corner Louis G. Aguirre Editor & General Manager

Welcoming Disagreement

The headlines before, during and after the recently concluded Synod of Bishops on the family may paint a picture of in-fighting and discord at the Vatican. At first the press lauded the synod’s liberal stances and, now, they are decrying its conservative tone. The truth of the matter is that the synod’s conclusion is simply a prelude, a guide, even a blueprint for what is to be discussed in 2015. Many fail to understand that the recent synod’s report is meant to serve as an agenda for the more conclusive and final synod yet to come. Different speakers proposed different things, particularly in the areas of care for the divorced and remarried outside the church, those in cohabitation as well as same sex unions. Again, the headlines have swung the pendulum from “anything goes” to “nothing is changing.” Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, told reporters that the absence of a supermajority indicated a lack of consensus and a need for more discussion, but stressed that none of the document carried doctrinal weight. The synod’s final report will serve as an agenda for the October 2015 world synod on the family, which will make recommendations to the pope. Pope Francis said he welcomed the assembly’s expressions of disagreement. “Personally, I would have been very worried and saddened if there hadn’t been these temptations and these animated discussions,” the pope said, “if everybody had agreed or remained silent in a false and quietistic peace.” Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, KY, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in a statement that he was “grateful that the clarifications

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • November 2014

CNA PHOTO/PAUL HARING

Pope Francis thanks the media as he leaves the concluding session of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family at the Vatican Oct. 18.

and deepening of scriptural and theological reflection shine consistently” through the final report. “Now the real work begins!” So where is the church going? What are we to expect when all is said and done in 2015? With Pope Francis at the helm, we can be sure that no matter what is decided, it will be done in a truly pastoral manner, making sure that the dignity of all humans is preserved and enhanced. And, one thing we can count on is that the Holy Spirit will be here to guide the findings, deliberations and decisions. All of this takes time and foils the perceived need of the media to have instant headlines. Let’s keep our synod participants in our prayers, let’s allow them to disagree, to allow themselves to be open to the Spirit. In the end, the Church will be stronger and even more unified.

Bayou Spirit

Filipinos honored

Filipinos from across the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux gathered at Our Lady of the Rosary Church parish in Larose for a Filipino Mass celebrating the feast of St. Lorenzo Ruiz and St. Pedro Calungsod. Bishop Shelton J. Fabre was the main celebrant of the Mass which was concelebrated by Filipino priests of the diocese.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

www.bayoucatholic.com

Comment Comfort For My People

A 8

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre

As I stated before, I enjoy the season of fall the most, and for this reason November is among my favorite months of the year. From pumpkins to pilgrims, from falling leaves to wearing long sleeves, from the first soups and gumbos of the season to visiting cemeteries and enjoying the cherished memories of departed loved ones, November is upon us. November begins by asking us to remember and pray for the dead, and concludes by inviting us to approach God with thankful hearts. Perhaps one of the most noticeable things that occur during November is that nature begins to slip deeper into its winter slumber, and many living things begin to take upon themselves the ‘death’ that is winter. Taking its cue from this ‘death’ of the world of nature that surrounds us, November in the church bears the title the ‘Month of the Dead.’ Ushered in by the celebrations of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, November is the month during which the church invites us to remember and to pray for all of our beloved dead. We recently celebrated All Saints’ Day, which focuses on the countless known and unknown saints who are in heaven and enjoy God’s presence. However, there are those who have died and are being purified of the last vestiges of sin before entering into heaven, and the focus of All Souls’ Day is our responsibility to pray for all of those who are

in the final stage of purification before entering heaven. The Order of Christian Funerals states, “We believe that all the ties of friendship and affection which knit us as one throughout our lives do not unravel with death” (No.87). Therefore, during the month of November, we are all called to offer special prayers for all of our beloved dead in the final stage of purification from the imperfection of sin so that they might enter into the perfection that is heaven. Through our prayer and good works offered for them, we can assist them on their way as they are purged to enter upon the perfection of heaven. To pray for the dead is one aspect of our call during November.

have not heard them, or to recall these stories with those who lived alongside them. To remember and to pray for the dead is a powerful thing, and in it peace, love and joy can be found. The end of the month of November focuses our attention on our call to approach God with thankful hearts. The fourth Thursday in November is our national day of Thanksgiving to God. I remember reading somewhere that one of the keys to being happy in life is to always be thankful. The more I thought and prayed about this, the more I realized it to be true. Those who find great joy in life, in spite of the challenging and difficult circumstances they face,

Another aspect is to pass on our wonderful memories and stories of departed family members to the generations that follow us. To pass on stories of the faith lived by those who have died is to pass on the faith that has been entrusted to us by these very same people. To pass on to future generations the memories of departed family members is to recognize that death is not the final victor because love is eternal. To pass on these stories is to give future generations the important knowledge of their family and their faith. The Month of the Dead invites us to begin or to continue telling these wonderful stories of departed loved ones to those who

are those who are nonetheless always thankful for all the many blessings God has poured into their lives. We all have challenges in life, but in addition to this we have all received greatly from the kindness of the Lord, and for this we must always be thankful. Our national day of Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to thank God for our faith, for our family and friends, for our country, and for all the many blessings that he bestows upon us. I wish to all a wonderful celebration of Thanksgiving that is filled with faith, family, friends, food and gratitude to God for them all! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

November: From remembrance of the dead to approaching God with thankful hearts Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • November 2014

Comentario

Noviembre: Recordando a los muertos y acercándonos a Dios con corazones agradecidos

Como les he dicho antes, disfruto el otoño mucho más y por esta razón noviembre está entre mis meses favoritos del año. Las calabazas y los peregrinos, las hojas secas y las camisas manga larga, las primeras sopas y gumbos de la estación, las visitas al camposanto y disfrutando los bellos recuerdos de los seres queridos que han muerto; noviembre está cerca. Noviembre comienza pidiéndonos que recordemos y oremos por los muertos y concluye con una invitación a que nos acerquemos a Dios con nuestros corazones agradecidos. Tal vez una de las cosas que caracteriza más el mes de noviembre es que la naturaleza comienza a hundirse en un sueño invernal y muchas cosas vivientes comienzan a tomar la característica de la «muerte» del invierno. Tomando esta característica invernal de «muerte» de la naturaleza que nos rodea, la Iglesia toma el título de «Mes de los Muertos» en noviembre. Llevando a cabo las celebraciones del Día de Todos los Santos y el Día de los Muertos, la Iglesia nos invita en el mes de noviembre a recordar y orar por nuestros seres queridos que han muerto. Hemos celebrado recientemente el Día de Todos los Santos que se concentra en los millares de santos conocidos y desconocidos que están en el cielo y gozan de la presencia de Dios. No obstante, hay quienes han muerto y están siendo purificados de los últimos vestigios del pecado antes de poder entrar al cielo. Por eso, el enfoque del Día de los Santos es orar por aquéllos que están en la última etapa de purificación antes de poder entrar al cielo. La Orden de Funerales Cristianos declara: «Creemos que todas las ataduras de amistad y afecto que nos unifica en uno sólo a través de nuestras vidas no se desatan con la muerte» (No. 87). Por tanto, durante el mes de noviembre, somos llamados a hacer oraciones

especiales para todos nuestros seres queridos que han muerto y que están en la etapa final de purificación de la imperfección del pecado para que puedan entrar a la perfección del cielo. Por medio de la oración y las buenas

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

obras que les ofrezcamos, podremos ayudarles a encontrar su camino en el purgatorio para que puedan así llegar a la perfección del cielo. Orar por los muertos es un aspecto del llamado que se nos ha hecho en noviembre. Otro aspecto es comunicar nuestros bellos recuerdos e historias de los familiares que han muerto a las generaciones venideras. Comunicar

estas historias de fe vividas por aquéllos que han muerto significa comunicar la fe que se nos ha confiado a nosotros por nuestros familiares que han muerto. Comunicar los recuerdos de nuestros familiares que han muerto a las futuras generaciones es reconocer que la muerte no vencerá porque el amor es eterno. Comunicar estas historias es otorgarle a las futuras generaciones el conocimiento importante de sus familias y su fe. El Mes de los Muertos nos invita a comenzar o continuar comunicando estas maravillosas historias de los seres queridos que han muerto a los que todavía no las han escuchado o para volver a contar estas historias a los que vivieron con ellos. Recordarlos y orar por los muertos es poderoso y en ello se encuentra la paz, el amor y la felicidad. El fin del mes de noviembre enfoca nuestra atención al llamado que se nos hace de acercarnos a Dios con nuestros corazones agradecidos. El cuarto jueves de noviembre es nuestro día nacional de Acción de Gracias. Recuerdo que alguna vez leí que una de las llaves para conseguir la felicidad en la vida es estar siempre agradecido. Lo más que pensaba y oraba sobre esto, lo más que me daba cuenta que era verdad. Los que encuentran gran felicidad en sus vidas, a pesar de los desafíos y circunstancias difíciles que encaran, son aquéllos que están siempre agradecidos por las bendiciones que Dios ha derramado en sus vidas. Todos tenemos desafíos en la vida, pero además, hemos enormemente recibido la bondad del Señor y, por ello, debemos siempre estar agradecidos. Nuestro día nacional de Acción de Gracias es una época maravillosa para agradecerle a Dios por nuestra fe, nuestra familia y amigos, nuestra nación y por todas las bendiciones que Él nos ha dado. ¡Les deseo a todos ustedes una bella celebración de Acción de Gracias llena de fe, familia, amigos, alimento y gratitud a Dios! ¡Feliz Acción de Gracias! Traducido por Julio Contreras, feligrés de Annunziata Catholic Church en Houma. www.bayoucatholic.com

Binh luan bang loi

Tháng 11: Từ tưởng nhớ người quá cố rồi đến với Chúa trong tâm tình biết ơn

N 10

Như đã chia sẻ trước đây tôi thích không khí mùa thu nhất, và vì thế tháng 11 cũng là tháng mà tôi ưa thích trong năm. Từ trái bí ngô tới hành hương, từ lá rụng đến mặc áo tay dài, từ những tô canh và tô gumbos đầu tiên đến thăm người quá cố ở nghĩa trang và nhớ lại những ký ức mà họ đã để lại, Tháng 11 đã tới với chúng ta. Tháng 11 gợi lại cho chúng ta nhớ đến người thân đã ra đi và cầu nguyện cho họ, và mời gọi chúng ta hãy đến với Chúa trong tâm tình biết ơn. Có lẽ một trong những điểm nổi bật nhất xảy ra trong tháng 11 là khí hậu bắt đầu lún sâu vào mùa đông và nhiều sinh vật từ từ bị ảnh hưởng bởi cái “tử vong” của mùa giá lạnh. Rút tỉa từ cái nghĩa bóng từ chữ “tử vong” của thế giới tự nhiên đang bao trùm chúng ta, tháng 11 Giáo hội cũng có một cái danh xưng ‘Tháng Các Linh Hồn.’ Để tham gia vào những ngày Lễ như các Thánh và các Linh Hồn trong tháng này Giáo hội mời gọi chúng ta tưởng nhớ và cầu nguyện cho các linh hồn người thân. Chúng ta vừa cử hành Lễ các Thánh, nó đã giúp chúng ta nhìn vào vô số các Thánh mà chúng ta biết cũng như không biết mà các ngài đang sống trong sự hiện diện của Chúa trên thiên đàng. Tuy nhiên, có những anh chị em đã ra đi và đang phải trong thời gian thanh luyện do vết nhơ của tội lỗi còn sót lại trước khi được vào thiên đàng, và trọng điểm của ngày Lễ các Linh Hồn là trách nhiệm của chúng ta cầu nguyện cho họ trong giai đoạn thanh luyện cuối cùng trước khi được về trời. Nghi lễ trong đám tang nói, “Chúng ta tin rằng sự ràng buộc và liên hệ với nhau khi còn sống không mất đi qua sự chết” (số 87). Vì thế, trong tháng 11 chúng ta được mời gọi cầu nguyện cho những thân nhân

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • November 2014

của chúng ta trong giai đoạn cuối ở luyện tội từ sự bất toàn của tội lỗi để rồi họ sẽ đạt được sự trọn hảo mà trên thiên đàng mới có. Qua lời kinh và việc hãm mình dành cho họ, chúng ta sẽ giúp họ trên con đường thanh luyện mà họ đang chịu để đi đến sự trọn hảo trên thiên đàng. Cầu nguyện cho các linh hồn chỉ là một khía cạnh của tháng 11. Một khía cạnh khác là truyền đạt những ký ức và câu chuyện đáng nhớ của người đã ra đi cho những thế hệ sau này. Truyền đạt những hành động cụ thể về đức tin của những người đã ra đi là truyền đạt đức tin mà những người này đã sống. Truyền đạt cho thế hệ con cháu những ký ức tốt mà những người ra đi đã sống chính là xác thực rằng chết không phải là sự toàn thắng cuối cùng bởi vì tình yêu là vĩnh cửu. Truyền đạt những ký ức tốt cho thế hệ con cháu chính là nói lên tầm quan trọng của gia đình và đức tin mà họ đã sống. Tháng các linh hồn mời gọi chúng ta tiếp tục chia sẻ những câu chuyện tốt đẹp của người quá cố cho những ai chưa từng nghe, hay gợi lại những câu chuyện những người đã cùng sống với họ. Tưởng nhớ và cầu nguyện cho các linh hồn thì rất tốt lành, và trong đó chúng ta sẽ tìm thấy bình an, tình yêu

và hân hoan. Vào cuối tháng 11 chủ yếu chính là mời gọi chúng ta đến với Chúa trong tâm tình biết ơn. Thứ năm cuối tháng là ngày Lễ Tạ Ơn quốc gia. Tôi nhớ đã đọc từ đâu đó nói rằng một trong những chìa khóa cho hạnh phúc là luôn luôn có lòng biết ơn. Càng suy nghĩ và cầu nguyện về điểm này, tôi càng thấy nó hiệu nghiệm. Những ai đã tìm được sự hân hoan, mặc cho có nhiều thử thách và khó khăn họ phải đối diện, là những người luôn biết tạ ơn những món quà mà Thiên Chúa đã ban cho họ. Chúng ta đều có những thách đố trong cuộc sống, nhưng ngoài những may rủi đó ra, chúng ta cũng lãnh nhận quá nhiều từ tấm lòng quang đại của Thiên Chúa, và vì thế chúng ta nên có lòng biết ơn. Ngày Lễ Tạ Ơn quốc gia là cơ hội tốt để tạ ơn Chúa vì đức tin, gia đình và bạn bè, tổ quốc và tất cả những ơn mà Ngài đã ban cho chúng ta. Tôi hy vọng anh chị em mừng ngày Lễ Tạ Ơn với niềm tin, sự diện của gia đình, bạn bè, đồ ăn ngon và sự biết ơn những gì mình có. Chúc anh chị em Lễ Tạ Ơn vui vẻ!!!

Dòch thuaät: Linh Muïc Pheâroâ Leâ Taøi, Chaùnh sôû nhaø thôø Our Lady of the Isle.

“Never tire of working for a more just world, marked by greater solidarity!” —Pope Francis, Apostolic Journey to Rio de Janeiro, July 25, 2013

The collection will be held November 22 and 23rd Thank you for your generosity.

Comment The Pope Speaks

V 12

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -Beatifying Blessed Paul VI at the concluding Mass of the Synod of Bishops on the family, Pope Francis praised the late pope as the “great helmsman” of the Second Vatican Council and founder of the synod, as well as a “humble and prophetic witness of love for Christ and his church.” The pope spoke during a homily in St. Peter’s Square at a Mass for more than 30,000 people, under a sunny sky on an unseasonably warm Oct. 19. “When we look to this great pope, this courageous Christian, this tireless apostle, we cannot but say in the sight of God a word as simple as it is heartfelt and important: thanks,” the pope said, drawing applause from the congregation, which included retired Pope Benedict, whom Blessed Paul made a cardinal in 1977. “Facing the advent of a secularized and hostile society, (Blessed Paul) could hold fast, with farsightedness and wisdom -- and at times alone -- to the helm of the barque of Peter,” Pope Francis said, in a possible allusion to “Humanae Vitae,” the late pope’s 1968 encyclical, which affirmed Catholic teaching against contraception amid widespread dissent. The pope pronounced the rite of beatification at the start of the Mass. Then Sister Giacomina Pedrini, a member of the Sisters of Holy Child Mary, carried up a relic: a bloodstained vest

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

A tapestry of Blessed Paul VI hangs from the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica during his beatification Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Oct. 19. The Mass also concluded the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family. Blessed Paul, who served as pope from 1963-1978, is most remembered for his 1968 encyclical, “Humanae Vitae,” which affirmed the church’s teaching against artificial contraception.

Blessed Paul was wearing during a 1970 assassination attempt in the Philippines. Sister Pedrini is the last surviving nun who attended to Blessed Paul. In his homily, Pope Francis did not explicitly mention “Humanae Vitae,” the single achievement for which Blessed Paul is best known today. Instead, the pope highlighted his predecessor’s work presiding over most of Vatican II and establishing the synod. The pope quoted Blessed Paul’s statement that he intended the synod to survey the “signs of the times” in order to adapt to the “growing needs of our time and the changing conditions of society.” Looking back on the two-week family synod, Pope Francis called it a “great experience,” whose members had “felt the power of the

Holy Spirit who constantly guides and renews the church.” The pope said the family synod demonstrated that “Christians look to the future, God’s future ... and respond courageously to whatever new challenges come our way.” The synod, dedicated to “pastoral challenges of the family,” touched on sensitive questions of sexual and medical ethics and how to reach out to people with ways of life contrary to Catholic teaching, including divorced and civilly remarried Catholics, cohabitating couples and those in same-sex unions. “God is not afraid of new things,” Pope Francis said. “That is why he is continually surprising us, opening our hearts and guiding us in unexpected ways. He renews us; he constantly makes us new.”

Pope beatifies Blessed Paul VI the ‘great helmsman’ of Vatican II

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • November 2014

Question Corner Father Kenneth Doyle

Selling the sanctuary lamp

Q. The parish I have attended for the last 30 years was recently assigned a new pastor. He puts great emphasis on collecting money, even though it is already a wealthy parish with generous parishioners, and he has started many new cash-generating practices. In addition to offering, for a fee, the remembrance of deceased loved ones through a printed announcement in the bulletin, he has begun “selling” the sanctuary candle for the same purpose. I was always taught that the reason for the sanctuary lamp is to signify the physical presence of Christ in the tabernacle. (Actually, he is collecting on two such candles, as there is another one in our adoration chapel, which can be had for a nominal amount!) What could be the next step, selling indulgences? At this rate, I would expect to be an active participant in the next Protestant Reformation! Am I wrong to feel this way? (City of origin withheld)

A. Your question has caused me to examine my conscience. In our parish, at Christmas and Easter time, we offer people the opportunity to purchase flowers for the sanctuary in honor of departed family members.

The names of the deceased are then published in the parish bulletin with the hope that parishioners will think to pray for them. To my knowledge, no parishioner has ever objected to this practice and many are grateful for it. No profit comes to the parish, since the donation is simply a pass-through to the florist for the poinsettia or lily plant. But flowers are a whole lot different from a sanctuary lamp. You are correct as to its purpose. Following the church’s Code of Canon Law (No. 940), the General Instruction of the Roman Missal provides in No. 316 that “in accordance with the traditional custom, near the tabernacle a special lamp, fueled by oil or wax, should shine permanently to indicate the presence of Christ and honor it.” To offer that candle for another purpose -- even to honor a departed loved one -- just doesn’t have the right “feel” and strikes me as compromising something very sacred. I think you would do well to make your feelings known to your pastor or to a member of your parish council.

Offering day to Jesus and Mary

Q. I am grateful for your column and excited to see what issues you will be tackling that particular week. But as an owner (and reader) of the Catechism

of the Catholic Church, I am sometimes surprised at the level of the questions; perhaps the catechism should be prescribed reading for the laity -- but then you would be out of a job! That having been said, I do have a question myself. (Pride goeth before the fall!) I am a member of the Apostleship of Prayer and the Militia of the Immaculata. Both groups provide a morning prayer of dedication -offering all my thoughts, words and deeds of the day. But one directs this dedication to Jesus, and the other to Mary. Isn’t that mutually exclusive? How can I offer myself totally to both of them? (Craigsville, Virginia)

A. I think you would do best to relax and let Jesus and his mother sort this out. Both practices -offering the day’s activities to Jesus or to Mary -- are noble and good. (Technically, I suppose, in the second instance what you’re really doing is offering the day to the Lord through Mary’s intercession.) You should be comforted by the memory of one of our most 13 recent saints, Pope John Paul II. His papal coat of arms displayed a prominent Marian symbol and his apostolic motto referred to Mary with the Latin words “Totus Tuus,” meaning “totally yours.” The saintly Karol Wojtyla had no hesitation in offering his day and his papacy to our lady. 2014 Catholic News Service

Questions may be sent to Father Kenneth Doyle at askfatherdoyle@ gmail.com and 40 Hopewell St., Albany, N.Y. 12208 www.bayoucatholic.com

Reflections Readings Between The Lines Father Glenn LeCompte

What does it take to enter the kingdom?

Several years ago, Saint John Paul II articulated what many had probably observed: that mysteries related to the public ministry of Jesus were absent from the rosary. So the pope added to the rosary the Luminous Mysteries, the third of which is the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God. The mention of the kingdom in our prayers connotes its importance. Whereas the characteristics of the kingdom of God in Matthew’s Gospel was the topic of my last article, in this column I will explore the requirements for participation in the kingdom as revealed by the Matthean Jesus. Jesus mentions a key requirement of the kingdom at the very beginning of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew, Chapters 5-7). The kingdom of God belongs to the poor in spirit (5:3), a quality which implies a dependence upon God which keeps people focused on God’s will. Also, those who endure persecution for the sake of righteousness are disposed for membership in the kingdom (5:10). Jesus’ message in Chapters 5-7 (the Sermon on the Mount) has to do with developing a new vision regarding the Law. Apparently this new vision was disturbing to some because it raised the question of the

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • November 2014

Sermon on the Mount

continued relevance of the Law. In 5:19, however, Jesus teaches that respect for the Law will result in a status of greatness in the kingdom and lack of respect will render one in the opposite state. It is not the importance of the Law that is at stake, but how one interprets it. In the Sermon on the Mount, however, Jesus intimates that true conversion occurs when people transcend conformity to the letter of the Law and consider the root attitudes that cause one to transgress the Law. Later (22:34-40) Jesus will declare the double love commandment to be the principle of interpretation of the Law. In sum, greatness in the kingdom involves adherence to the Law as Jesus interprets it. At the end of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus makes clear that only those who act on his words, and do not just listen to them, are fit for

the kingdom (7:21). A specific example of love has to do with unconditional forgiveness. Those who would take part in the kingdom must be disposed to forgive others, even as they recognize God has forgiven them. In 18:23-35, Jesus likens the kingdom to the situation of king settling accounts with a particular servant who is greatly indebted to the king and yet is owed a much smaller amount by a fellow slave. When the first slave fails to forgive as he has been forgiven, he is chastised. The point is that only those who forgive as they have been forgiven are properly disposed for the heavenly kingdom. Entrance into the kingdom also requires humility. Greatness in the kingdom is a paradoxical concept, for the greatest one is the person who is least (11:11) and is

the servant of all (20:21-28). Children in their humble simplicity provide a model for true subjects of the kingdom (18:1-4; 19:14). Additionally, one must comprehend the mysteries of the kingdom, mysteries which Jesus teaches, to gain access to the kingdom (13:11, 52). Jesus reveals these mysteries as he teaches about it in parables (Chapter 13). In order to understand Jesus’ parables of the kingdom, one must develop a new vision of life, the vision of life which is inherent in Jesus’ parables and similitudes. Jesus likens the kingdom to a sower sowing seed amid many obstacles to its growth. But some seed falls on good soil, and despite the fact that much of the seeds were impeded from growing, that which falls on good soil will produce the expected yield (13:3-9). Some might tend to think that because the kingdom Jesus proclaims will face numerous obstacles, his proclamation is either futile or false. The new vision that the parable teaches is that God will cause to flourish the word Jesus faithfully and authoritatively

proclaims. Also necessary for participation in the kingdom, chastity is advocated by Jesus in two forms: fidelity in married life and voluntary celibacy for the sake of the kingdom (19:12). Finally, entrance into the kingdom requires constant vigilance, lest one be left behind! This point is made by the parable of The Wise and Foolish Virgins

(25:1-13), who either are included in or excluded from a wedding feast because of their wisdom or folly in the act of procuring oil for their lamps. Vigilance means seeking and actively preparing for the advent of God’s kingdom each day. Far from being burdensome, striving to embrace these requirements will result in a sense of new life for us!

ons

Questi n o i t c e

sets for s Jesus t n e m e r g for g requi lengin n l i a o h g c e r t s he fo the mo ch of t om is d g n Whi n i k nto the ments entry i equire r e s e h t hy? ing of you? W mbrac e ’s e l p o raying can pe when p rent? n How e ff m i o d d g y in on of ociet n the k lamati c o o p make s r u P t “ reflec ing the do you regard y r e t s n How my inous the lum ? gdom” the Kin

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Scripture Readings

and a listing of Feast days and saints

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

1 November 2

Weekday Philippians 2:1-4 Luke 14:12-14

Memorial of Charles Weekday Weekday Borromeo, bishop Philippians 2:12-18 Philippians 3:3-8a Philippians 2:5-11 Luke 14:25-33 Luke 15:1-10 Luke 14:15-24

Weekday Philippians 3:17â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 4:1 Luke 16:1-8

Weekday Feast of the Dedication Philippians 4:10-19 of the Lateran Basilica in Rome Luke 16:9-15 Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12 1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17 John 2:13-22

Memorial of Leo the Great, pope and doctor of the church Titus 1:1-9 Luke 17:1-6

Memorial of Martin of Tours, bishop Titus 2:1-8, 11-14 Luke 17:7-10

Memorial of Josaphat, bishop and martyr Titus 3:1-7 Luke 17:11-19

Memorial of Frances Weekday Xavier Cabrini, virgin 2 John 4-9 Philemon 7-20 Luke 17:26-37 Luke 17:20-25

Weekday 3 John 5-8 Luke 18:1-8

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 Matthew 25:14-30

Memorial of Elizabeth of Hungary, religious Revelation 1:1-4; 2:1-5 Luke 18:35-43

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

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

Weekday Revelation 5:1-10 Luke 19:41-44

Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Revelation 10:8-11 Luke 19:45-48

Memorial of Cecilia, virgin and martyr Revelation 11:4-12 Luke 20:27-40

Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28 Matthew 25:31-46

Weekday Memorial of Andrew Weekday Revelation 14:14-19 Revelation 15:1-4 Dung-Lac, priest, Luke 21:5-11 Luke 21:12-19 and companions, martyrs Revelation 14:1-3, 4b-5 Luke 21:1-4

Thanksgiving Day Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a Luke 21:20-28

Weekday Revelation 20:1-4, 11â&#x20AC;&#x201D;21:2 Luke 21:29-33

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

First Sunday of Advent Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:33-37

Memorial of Francis Xavier, priest Isaiah 25:6-10a Matthew 15:29-37

Advent Weekday Isaiah 26:1-6 Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Advent Weekday Isaiah 29:17-24 Matthew 9:27-31

Advent Weekday Advent Weekday Isaiah 11:1-10 Isaiah 2:1-5 Matthew 8:5-11 Luke 10:21-24

Commemoration of all the Faithful, Departed (All Souls) Wisdom 3:1-9 Romans 5:5-11 John 6:37-40

December

Solemnity of All Saints Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14 1 John 3:1-3 Matthew 5:1-12a

November

Saints

Holy Fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prayer intentions

Martin de Porres 1579 - 1639 feast - November 3

Goggle, public domain

This illegitimate son of a freed Panamanian slave and a Spanish knight became a hero to the people of Lima, Peru, his birthplace, for his compassionate care of the sick and poor. Apprenticed at age 12 to a barber-surgeon, Martin also learned herbal medicine from his mother. After working for several years at a Dominican monastery as a Third Order member, he made his profession as a lay brother in 1603. He founded an orphanage and foundling hospital, ministered to African slaves, practiced great penances and experienced mystical gifts. Martin was carried to his grave by prelates and noblemen and all Peruvians acclaimed him their beloved saint. He is the patron of hairdressers and interracial justice.

Saints

Elizabeth of Hungary 1207 - 1231 feast - November 17

Google, public domain

Lonely Lonely people. That all who suffer loneliness may experience the closeness of God and the support of others.

Elizabethâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s short life was nonetheless full; she had a happy marriage and children, was a secular Franciscan, and was so devoted to the poor and sick that she gave away royal robes and founded hospitals. The daughter of a Hungarian king, Elizabeth married a nobleman of Thuringia, Louis, at age 14. He complained about the expense of her many charities until he witnessed a miracle involving Elizabeth, bread and roses. After he died during a Crusade, she became a Third Order Franciscan at Marburg, Germany, where she founded a hospital to care for the sick. Elizabeth, who was declared a saint in 1235, is the patron of bakers, young brides, widows, those falsely accused, countesses and secular Franciscans.

Saints

Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions 18th - 19th centuries feast - November 24

Google, public domain

Mentors Mentors of seminarians and religious. That young seminarians and religious may have wise and well-formed mentors.

See www.apostleshipofprayer.net

Andrew Dung-Lac was among the 117 Martyrs of Vietnam killed by government officials during persecutions to suppress European ideals and religious values in the 18th and 19th centuries. The group consisted of 96 Vietnamese and 21 foreign missionaries (11 Spanish and 10 French); the martyrs were bishops, priests and laypeople, including a woman. They endured horrible tortures in prison before being beheaded, crucified, quartered or burned alive for refusing to deny their faith. Andrew, a Vietnamese educated in Catholicism, became a catechist and priest. He was arrested and imprisoned with his companion, St. Peter Thi; they were beheaded in 1839. St. John Paul II canonized the martyrs as a group in 1988.

Saints

CNS www.bayoucatholic.com

Special

Vocations Awareness Week

Guest Columnist Father Andre’ Melancon

V 18

Vocations Awareness Week 2014 (Nov. 2-8) is coinciding with the Solemnity of All Saints which we celebrate at the beginning of November. This I think is the perfect time to reflect upon the call that the Lord whispers into our hearts. The church teaches that the primary vocation of every baptized person is to become a saint. To paraphrase the previous Roman Missal, the saint is a living witness to the Gospel, outstanding in holiness, who renews the church in every age by his or her life. This is not the call of just a select group of Christians but the call of every Christian! The church canonizes certain people who they see has given us a clear example of what it means to be a saint. One of the greatest saints that I have known in my life has to be St. John Paul II. I was blessed to be able to see him in person on two different occasions. The first time was at World Youth Day in 2002 in Toronto. This was Pope John Paul’s last World Youth Day before he died. Many young people who have entered the seminary or the convent have attributed their experience at World Youth Day as a catalyst to their answering the call. I would definitely attest to this! I had already made up my mind at that point that I would enter the seminary but World Youth Day was a solidifying experience. I saw that the church was alive! The church was not irrelevant or outdated but was full of youth and life. And I would say that the most alive person there was the 83 year old man dressed in white. Pope John Paul’s words exuded witness, holiness and

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • November 2014

renewal! He challenged us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. He said as salt is used to preserve and keep, we were called to “preserve and keep alive the awareness of the presence of our Savior Jesus Christ.” He said “as salt seasons and improves the flavor of food, we have to change and improve the ‘taste’ of human history with our faith, hope and love, with our intelligence, courage and perseverance, humanizing the world we live in with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” He then challenged us to be light in the midst of

‘

Since the priest scandal broke in 2002, the number of seminarians in the United States has been on a steady incline.

darkness. He acknowledged that darkness could even at times creep into the church. He gave this beautiful challenge to the million and a half young people that I still remember today. “Do not be discouraged by the sins and failings of some of her members. The harm done by some priests and religious to the young and vulnerable fills us all with a deep sense of sadness and shame. But think of the vast majority of dedicated and generous priests and religious whose only wish is

to serve and do good! There are many priests, seminarians and consecrated persons here today; be close to them and support them! And if, in the depths of your hearts, you feel the same call to the priesthood or consecrated life, do not be afraid to follow Christ on the royal road of the Cross! At difficult moments in the church’s life, the pursuit of holiness becomes even more urgent. And holiness is not a question of age; it is a matter of living in the Holy Spirit.” Many people had asked me as I was preparing to enter the seminary in 2002, why do you want to enter the seminary now? Look at what so many priests have done. It was the witness of priests like Pope John Paul II and countless other heroic priests that had been a part of my life that inspired me to say, I will be a priest. I will strive to live a life outstanding in holiness in the priesthood of Jesus Christ. Since the priest scandal broke in 2002, the number of seminarians in the United States has been on a steady incline. This year, St. Joseph Seminary College in Covington has more seminarians than it has had in over 25 years. The men that we have studying for our diocese are men who desire to be Saints and desire to lay their lives down for Jesus Christ and his church. We definitely live in time full of hope! During this vocations awareness week, the church asks every Catholic to pray for the desire to become a Saint. If our diocese is full of men and women pursuing sainthood, then the Lord will raise up many holy priests, religious, deacons, married and single lay leaders for the vineyard. May we pray, hope and continue to place our trust in Jesus Christ.

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Seminarian Education Burses

What is a seminarian burse fund? A seminarian burse fund is an invested sum of money where the interest is used in perpetuity to help fund the education of men to the priesthood in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

How does someone establish a seminarian burse fund? Very simply, a burse may be established and named for anyone you choose, be it family, friend, bishop, priest, deacon, religious, etc.

When is a seminarian burse complete? A seminarian burse fund is complete once it reaches $15,000. If you choose to continue to contribute, a new burse will be created for you.

Who do I contact to contribute to or establish a burse fund? To contribute or establish a burse, send funds to Pastoral Center, Attn: Seminarian Burse, P. O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395 or call Jeremy Becker, Director of Stewardship and Development, at 985-850-3155 for more information.

Completed Burses of $15,000 each

Note: those wtih a number stipulates the number of completed burses* - Anonymous - Mr. & Mrs. C. Thomas Bienvenu - Harry Booker - Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux (3)* - Rev. Adrian J. Caillouet - Rev. James Louis Caillouet - Bishop L. Abel Caillouet - Judge/Mrs L. P. Caillouet - Msgr. Lucien J. Caillouet - Abdon J. & Ada B. Callais - Harold & Gloria Callais Family - Paul A. Callais - Peter W. Callais - Vincent & Fannie Cannata - Minor Sr. & Lou Ella Cheramie - Maude & Edith Daspit - Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis family (3)* - Clay Sr. & Evelida Duplantis

- C. Remie Duplantis - Marie Elise Duplantis - Warren J. Harang, Jr. - Msgr. Raphael C. Labit - Msgr. Francis J. Legendre - Rev. Charles Menard - Dr. & Mrs. M.V. Marmande & Fly - Donald Peltier, Sr. (3)* - Harvey Peltier (30)* - Richard Peltier - The Peltier Foundation (2) - Orleans & Louella Pitre - Msgr. Joseph Wester - Robert R. Wright, Jr. - Rev. Kermit Trahan - St. Bernadette Men’s Club - Diocesan K of C - Endowment Fund - $119,136.90

August 2014 Burse Contributions Judge Louis & Shirley R. Watkins ..................... $600.00 Mr.& Mrs. George C. Fakier .............................. $200.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ..................................... $200.00 Mr. Eledier Broussard ........................................ $100.00 Joseph “Jay” Fertitta .......................................... $100.00 Warren J. Harrang #2 ......................................... $100.00 Joseph Waitz, Sr. ................................................ $100.00 Luke Robicheaux

Luke is a senior at St. Joseph Seminary College. His home parishes are Sacred Heart in Morgan City and St. Thomas Aquinas in Thibodaux. This is Luke’s second year in seminary formation. Please pray for Luke and all of our seminarians.

Open Burses with Balance as of 8/30/14 Mr. Eledier Broussard ................. $14,400.00 Sidney J. & Lydie C. Duplantis ........... $13,000.00 Donald Peltier, Sr. #4 ............................ $13,000.00 Msgr. Raphael C. Labit #2 .................. $10,960.00 Harvey Peltier #31 .............................. $10,486.91 Clay Sr. & Evelida Duplantis #2 .......... $10,000.00 C. Remie Duplantis #2 ........................ $10,000.00 Marie Elise Duplantis #2 ..................... $10,000.00 Maude & Edith Daspit #2 .................... $10,000.00 Msgr. George A. Landry ...................... $10,000.00 Elie & Dot Klingman .............................. $8,400.00 Mr. & Mrs. George C. Fakier ................. $7,900.00 Rev. Victor Toth ..................................... $7,000.00 Brides of the Most Blessed Trinity ......... $5,935.00 Rev. Peter Nies ..................................... $5,810.00 Mr. & Mrs. Love W. Pellegrin ................. $5,000.00 Anonymous #2 ...................................... $5,000.00 Mr. & Mrs. Caliste Duplantis Fmly.#4..... $5,000.00 Rev. William M. Fleming ........................ $5,000.00 Mrs. Ayres A. Champagne ..................... $5,000.00 Msgr. William Koninkx ........................... $4,900.00 Rev. Kasimir Chmielewski ..................... $4,839.00 Rev. Gerard Hayes ................................ $4,786.00 Rev. Henry Naquin ................................. $4,251.00 Harry Booker #2 .................................... $4,138.00 Catholic Daughters ................................ $4,080.00

Mrs. Shirley Conrad ............................... $4,000.00 Joseph “Jay” Fertitta .............................. $4,000.00 Kelly Curole Frazier ............................... $3,610.96 J. R. Occhipinti ...................................... $3,400.00 Rev. Guy Zeringue ................................ $3,200.00 Msgr. James Songy ............................... $3,075.00 Mr. & Mrs. Galip Jacobs ........................ $3,060.00 St. Jude ................................................. $3,000.00 Diocesan K of C #2 ............................... $2,894.62 Anawin Community ............................... $2,700.00 Rev. Peter H. Brewerton ........................ $2,600.00 Willie & Emelda St. Pierre ...................... $2,000.00 Rev. H. C. Paul Daigle ........................... $1,900.00 Warren J. Harang, Jr. #2 ......................... $1,800.00 James J. Buquet, Jr. ............................... $1,650.00 Msgr. Francis J. Legendre #2 ................ $1,645.00 Rev. Robert J. Sevigny .......................... $1,600.00 Msgr. Emile J. Fossier ........................... $1,545.00 Dr. William Barlette, Sr........................... $1,525.00 Msgr. Stanislaus Manikowski ................ $1,525.00 Mr. & Mrs. John Marmande .................... $1,500.00 Deacon Robert Dusse’ ........................... $1,450.00 Msgr. John L. Newfield .......................... $1,200.00 Rev. Hubert C. Broussard ...................... $1,050.00 Rev. Clemens Schneider ....................... $1,000.00 St. Joseph Italian Society ...................... $1,000.00

Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux #4 ........... $1,000.00 Msgr. John G. Keller .............................. $1,000.00 Rev. Anthony Rousso ............................. $1,000.00 Deacon Willie Orgeron ............................. $800.00 Jacob Marcello .......................................... $800.00 Ruby Pierce .............................................. $800.00 Deacon Roland Dufrene ........................... $750.00 Juliette & Eugene Wallace ......................... $700.00 Deacon Edward J. Blanchard ................... $660.00 Judge Louis & Shirley R. Watkins .............. $600.00 Deacon Raymond LeBouef ...................... $550.00 Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Cannata .................... $500.00 Ronnie Haydel .......................................... $485.00 Deacon Harold Kurtz ................................ $300.00 Richard Peltier #2 ..................................... $300.00 Claude Bergeron ...................................... $250.00 Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Naquin .......................... $150.00 Deacon Connely Duplantis ........................ $125.00 Deacon Pedro Pujals ................................ $100.00 Rev. John Gallen ....................................... $100.00 Joseph Waitz, Sr. ...................................... $100.00 Deacon Eldon Frazier .............................. $ 50.00 Deacon Nick Messina .............................. $ 50.00 Rev. Warren Chassaniol ........................... $ 50.00

Overall Seminarian Burse Totals: $1,452,213.39 www.bayoucatholic.com

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Special

FRANK METHE/CLARION HERALD

St. Joseph Abbey, near Covington, LA, celebrated its 125th anniversary recently with a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans.

St. Joseph Abbey Stable presence of prayer for 125 years

By Peter Finney Jr. Clarion Herald

The powerful oasis of prayer that is St. Joseph Abbey cannot be underestimated. For 125 years, Benedictine monks have prayed, formed seminarians and directed retreats in south Louisiana. The 1,200 piney acres near Covington on which they pray and work – a pristine oasis amid suburban sprawl – are a tangible expression of the beauty of God’s creation, all at the service of prayer. “The monastery has been a stable Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • November 2014

presence of prayer throughout all these years,” said Benedictine Abbot Justin Brown of St. Joseph Abbey. “The monks have been praying in southeast Louisiana for 125 years – every day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. That’s quite an amazing thing. Through that, we’ve offered not only to the seminary but to many other people a place for spiritual nourishment and retreat.” The Benedictine community recently celebrated that rich, spiritual history with a Mass of

Thanksgiving in the Abbey church. Archbishop Gregory Aymond, a 1971 graduate of St. Joseph Seminary College, was the principal celebrant and homilist, and was joined by bishops from across Louisiana and Mississippi. Other distinguished celebrants were three Benedictine abbots: Archabbot Justin DuVall of St. Meinrad Abbey, from which St. Joseph Abbey was established in 1889; Abbot Hector Sosa Paz of the Abbey of Jesus Christ Crucified in Esquipulas,

Guatemala, established by St. Joseph Abbey in 1959; and Abbot Vincent Bataille, the president of the Swiss-American Congregation. Prayer is the hallmark of any monastery, said Abbot Justin, who has served as abbot since 2001. The monks gather four times each day – at 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. – to pray the Divine Office, and they celebrate Mass at 11:15 a.m. Quite often the monks are joined by neighbors who immerse themselves in the monastery’s spiritual rhythms. “We have regulars – both Catholics and Protestants,” Abbot Justin said. “The psalms are all from the Bible.” St. Benedict, who lived in the sixth century, called monks to do two things, Abbot Justin said – “to pray and to work within a community.” “Prayer is central to our lives and the most important thing that we do,” he said. “But then, so is our work, and the work can take on many different possibilities.” Preparing seminarians The abbey’s primary work is the operation of St. Joseph Seminary College, which was the reason the monastery was established in 1889 in a small town near Ponchatoula. Archbishop Francis Janssens asked the Benedictines to establish a monastery and seminary so that native clergy could be raised up. The monastery moved to its current site in 1902, and following a 1907 fire, a large brick and steel building was constructed in 1908. The abbey church was dedicated in 1932, the same year that Abbot Columban Thuis became abbot. Abbot Columban served for 25 years, followed by Abbot David Melancon from 1957-82. Abbot Patrick Regan was elected in 1982 and served through 2001. From its establishment, the abbey conducted a six-year program of seminary studies that included four years of high school and the first two years of college. After changes brought about by Vatican II, it converted to a four-year college program in 1964. The K.C. Abbey Youth Camp opened on the abbey grounds in 1960, and the Abbey Christian Life Center opened for retreats in 1965. Besides operating the seminary in conjunction with the Archdiocese

FRANK METHE/CLARION HERALD

Benedictine Abbot Justin Brown greeted well-wishers during a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated at St. Joseph Abbey last month.

of New Orleans, the abbey offers retreats, provides priests for parish ministry, operates a Pennies for Bread bakery, makes soap, and hand-crafts simple cypress caskets. The abbey also has a cemetery available to the general public. “The monastic life is a very simple life together,” Abbot Justin said. “The emphasis is on ‘together’ in the community. Unlike other religious, we take a unique vow of ‘stability of place.’ We stay and live within this community and this monastery

all our lives. Each monastery is a family, and that is very much our charism.” The connection to the surrounding community also is important. “What I hear repeatedly from people is a sense of peace they feel when they cross over the bridge above the Bogue Falaya River, and come onto the abbey property,” Abbot Justin said. “Maybe it’s leaving a very busy, hectic world and coming to a place where the pace appears to be slower.” www.bayoucatholic.com

Heavenly Recipes Father Josekutty “Joe” Varghese’s

& u t t u P y r r u C Chana Chana (chickpeas) Curry

Story and Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

This month’s heavenly recipe comes from Father Josekutty “Joe” Varghese, a native of India. His recipe is Puttu (rice steam rod) & Chana (chickpeas) Curry. Father Joe has been serving in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux for nine years now. Currently he is the pastor of St. Lawrence Church parish in Chacahoula. He was recently incardinated into the diocese and has just gained U.S. citizenship. He has four brothers and one sister all of whom live in India. He says that the southern-most part of India where he grew up has much rice and seafood. “It is great to live here in southern Louisiana. There is plenty seafood here and people eat a lot of rice like we do where I grew up,” says the pastor. He learned to cook while in the seminary in India. “On the weekends the kitchen staff would leave and it was up to those in the seminary to cook for themselves. We would take turns cooking and that’s how I learned to cook.” The pastor at St. Lawrence does not have a housekeeper so he cooks for himself most of the time. “From time to time parishioners cook and bring meals to me. I am very grateful to those parishioners who think of me and bring me food. On special occasions my brother priests and I from India will gather and we take turns cooking a big meal for everyone. I cook mostly traditional Indian dishes but love jambalaya and gumbo. I have even learned to cook jambalaya,” he says. Father Joe says that he had the desire to become a priest as a child. “I left home at the age of 15 to join the seminary. All I knew was that I was taking a step toward God to become a priest.” He says his parents helped him to become a priest. “The unwavering faith of my parents and their prayers for me always gave me the courage to go through the long formation in the seminary,” says the pastor. He says that he has received many blessings from God. “I can tell you from my life story that I have received from God more than what I have given up for God. When you give up something for God and his kingdom, the blessings of God will come down in abundance. No matter what happens in my life I will always be a priest, and that is my calling and that is my vocation,” says the pastor. Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • November 2014

Ingredients 1 (15 ounce) can of Chana (chickpeas) 1 onion chopped 1 tomato chopped 2 green chili peppers chopped 4-5 pieces of garlic chopped 1 inch gingerroot chopped 2-3 curry leaves 1 tsp red chili powder ½ tsp turmeric powder 3 tsp coriander powder 1 tsp garam masala powder 5 tbsp vegetable oil Method of preparation 1. Heat the oil in a pan and fry curry leaves for 30 seconds. 2. Add onion, garlic and ginger and fry on medium heat until it turns into golden brown color (the oil starts separating from the mixture). 3. Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, and salt. Mix well. Fry for 2-3 minutes. 4. Add green chili chopped and tomato chopped and mix it well. 5. Add enough water to make thick gravy. Bring the gravy to boil. 6. Add Chana (chickpeas). Stir well; close the pressure cooker and cook over medium heat for 10–12 minutes. Once it is cooked well, serve it over the rice steam rod and it can be eaten for breakfast. Puttu (rice steam rod) Ingredients 1 (15 ounce) can rice flour ¼ can of grated coconut Method of preparation: 1. Add salt to taste to the rice flour; sprinkle hot water in small quantities and mix the rice flour with water. 2. Put two tablespoons of coconut in the Puttu (rice steam rod) maker and then fill the rice flour half way. Again put two or three tablespoons grated coconut in the steam rod maker and then fill the steam rod maker with rice flour. 3. Boil water in the pot and put the steam rod maker on to the pot and let the water boil. The steam will pass through the rice flour and coconut. Wait for 3-5 minutes allowing the steam to cook the rice flour and the coconut. 4. Take out the steam rod from the pot; push the rice steam rod with a wooden rod from the bottom and serve it hot along with Chana (chickpeas) Curry.

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, Dec. 2, Quality Hotel Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Speaker, Very Rev. Robert Rogers, V.F. n Adore, Wednesday, Dec. 3, Houma Municipal Auditorium, 7 p.m.

Center Conference Hall, Thursday, Nov. 6, 6-8:15 p.m. Speaker, Father Jules Brunet. n Young Adult gathering consisting of Adoration, Mass and a social, Friday, Nov. 7, St. Lucy Church in Houma, at 6 p.m. n Mass for Black Catholics celebrating St. Martin DePorres, Friday, Nov. 14, St. Luke Church in Thibodaux, 7 p.m. n Baptism and Confirmation, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, Thursday, Nov. 20, 6-8:15 p.m. Speaker, Very Rev. Robert Rogers, V.F.

n TEC 73, Friday through Sunday, Nov. 21-23, Lumen Christi Retreat Center, Souby Building, beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. n Native American Mass, St. Charles Borromeo Church, Pointe-aux-Chenes, Friday, Nov. 21, 6:30 p.m. Reception to follow at the KC Home. n FrassatiFest, Friday, Nov. 28, Buquet Distributors, Houma, 6 p.m. Speaker, Dr. Brant Pitre; live music and refreshments. Sponsored by the Young Adult Ministry; open to ages 21-35.

n Young Adult gathering consisting of Adoration, Mass and a social, Friday, Dec. 5, St. Lucy Church in Houma, at 6 p.m. n Priesthood Ordination of Friar Antonio Maria Speedy, Saturday, Dec. 6, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma, 10 a.m.

n Priest Advent Day of Prayer, Tuesday, Dec. 9, Lumen Christi Retreat Center, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Speaker, Archbishop Emeritus Alfred C. Hughes, New Orleans. n Deadline to register for Junior High Faith Experience, Friday, Dec. 12.

jANUARY 2015 n Church History, Wednesdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 28, Diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m. Speaker, Rev. Danny Poche’. n Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Thursday, Jan. 8, Diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m. Speaker, Very Rev. Robert Rogers, V.F. n Food for the Journey,

Tuesday, Jan. 13, Quality Hotel, Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Speaker, Very Rev. Vicente DeLa Cruz, J.V. n Matrimony and Holy Orders, Thursday, Jan. 22, Diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, 6-8:15 p.m. Speaker, Very Rev. Robert Rogers, V.F. n Martin Luther King Jr. Mass, Sunday, Jan. 25, St. Lucy Church, Houma, 8:15 a.m.; St. Luke

Church, Thibodaux, 10:45 a.m. n Pastoral Council meeting for all pastoral council members of the church parishes in the Terrebonne Deanery, Wednesday, Jan. 28, St. Ann Parish Center, Bourg. Meal served at 6 p.m.; meeting begins at 6:45 p.m. Topic: Understanding Stewardship. Speaker, Cory Howat, Archdiocese of New Orleans.

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Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • November 2014

DIOCESAN

n Food for the Journey, Tuesday, Nov. 4, Quality Hotel, Houma, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Speaker, Father Wilmer Todd. n Man of God Gathering, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, Tuesday, Nov. 4. Meal served at 6 p.m.; events begin at 6:30 p.m. Free event; all men over 18 years of age are invited. n Fundamental Theology, diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall, Wednesdays, Nov. 5 and 12, 6-8 p.m. Speaker, Ms. Katie Austin. n The Trinity, diocesan Pastoral

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Thomas Aquinas

Reaching out to the young adult church at NSU

Our Churches

Staff 30

St. Thomas Aquinas Church parish staff members are from left, Transitional Deacon Stephen LeFort, Cynthia Percle, administrative assistant; Mary Graham, missionary; Cissy Atzenhoffer, campus minister assistant; Wade Rodrigue, CRE; and Father Andre’ Melancon, pastor, campus minister. Not pictured is Deacon William Dunckelman and Charlotte Chiasson, maintenance.

Saint Thomas

Located on the campus of Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, the Community of St. Thomas Aquinas Church parish has 550 registered households which include students, administrators, faculty, staff and alumni of the university as well as families from Thibodaux and the surrounding communities who have found a home there. The parish’s namesake, St. Thomas Aquinas was a Dominican priest and doctor of the church and is the patron saint of universities, schools and of students. Campus Ministry began soon after the institution opened its doors on Sept. 21, 1948. Priests from St. Joseph Church parish in Thibodaux and St. Francis de Sales Church parish in Houma served as chaplains to the Newman Club, which alternated its meetings between Houma and Thibodaux. The Newman Club dominated campus ministry activities for about 15 years. As the ministry expanded, the St. Thomas Aquinas Student Center was opened in 1965 with Father Thomas C. Dowling as its first resident chaplain. Five years later on Feb. 22, 1970, a decree signed by Archbishop Philip M. Hannan of New Orleans elevated the St. Thomas Aquinas Student Center to the status of a parish. Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • November 2014

The church is built in a contemporary free form style of architecture influenced by the work of French architect L.E. Corbusier. The stained glass windows of the church depict various images of knowledge, and the tree themed mural was inspired by the story of the tree of wisdom in Isaiah 61:1-3. Father Andre’ Melancon, pastor and director of Campus Ministry since June 2013, says on average there are about 250 to 300 college students who attend Mass every weekend with total Mass attendance being close to 900 people a weekend. There are approximately 3,700 Catholic students enrolled at the university. The parish’s main ministry is campus ministry, but it also offers a full CCD program, confirmation program, a S.H.A.R.E group for the divorced and widowed; men’s and women’s bible study groups, and an annual parish family day. The parish is also in the process of getting Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) missionaries to come on campus to further its evangelization and discipleship efforts. The campus ministry team consists of 30 core student leaders along with several adults and a database of about 200 students who are actively involved in campus ministry.

Some of the events sponsored by campus ministry are the men’s and women’s formation groups that meet twice a week, “Aquinas Nights” which feature talks and adoration, “Ask a Priest” gatherings where Father Melancon talks to students and answers questions in front of the Student Union, and “Praise in the Quad.” Campus Ministry team members also go into the Union to talk with students and invite them to be a part of parish life. Members of Campus Ministry visit area nursing homes where they do service projects, work with Missionaries of Charity in Baton Rouge once a month, sponsor Awakening Retreats every semester along with two other campus ministry retreats, one in the fall and one in the spring; and a silent retreat once a year. They tailgate for football games as a campus ministry group, attend a yearly mission trip to Jamaica and March for Life in Washington, D.C., every year. Daily Mass, Liturgy of the Hours and eucharistic adoration is also offered. Father Melancon says they recently added a 9 p.m. Mass on Sunday nights which has been well-attended. Members of the campus ministry team are also available for spiritual direction and counseling every day, as well as the pastor who is also available for the sacrament of reconciliation. “One great blessing about the parish is that everyone comes together under a common mission trying to grow together in faith as a parish community. We were established to reach out to the young adult church on the Nicholls State University campus. It has been a great blessing that so many people have come together to be a part of this parish community so that we would have an inviting, alive and diverse community to welcome our college students. Every parishioner at St. Thomas takes that ownership to reach out to the young adult church,” says Father Melancon. Another unique characteristic of the parish is that it is a “place of prayer,” says its pastor. “There are so many opportunities for prayer on a daily basis and a lot of fruits have come from the consistency of prayer here. We have had five young men enter the seminary over the last couple of years from St. Thomas who were involved in campus ministry here. It is also a place of community … people really come here not just for Sunday Mass but to share their life; they come and spend time together here. I really see a true sense of family in the parish.” Since it is located on a college campus, St. Thomas Aquinas is different from all of the other parishes in the diocese. “There are a lot of late nights and early mornings, but being able to walk with students in their journey of faith is a lot of fun and very rewarding for me,” says Father Melancon. “I have really experienced my spiritual fatherhood here in helping students find a place where they can feel like they belong.” A special Mass will be celebrated Sunday, Jan. 25 at 10:30 a.m. to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the St. Thomas Aquinas Student Center in January 1965. Following Mass there will be a banquet in the NSU ballroom in which students, parishioners and alumni will have the opportunity to celebrate 50 years of campus ministry and parish life.

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Young Voices

What role do you feel teens play in the Catholic Church today and in the future?

What more can one ask of God than coming down to earth and sacrificing his own life so that we might live? The question cannot be answered because nothing is more selfless and loving than what Jesus Christ did for us. “So we might live” is the exact role that we need to strive to live in our faith. We must commit to our faith firmly for the simple fact that we love our God for who is he and what he has done for us. Patrick Zeringue, 18 years old St. Mary’s Nativity Church parish Nicholls State University Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • November 2014

Teens are stronger in their faith than ever. They aren’t afraid to question their faith, which helps them grow even stronger in their faith. I believe teens bring a new life to the church, bringing it into the modern age. Their faith radiates around them, inspiring others as well. Will Curth, 17 years old Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales parish Vandebilt Catholic High School

Besides attending Mass, many teens are very active in church. They are volunteering to help during Mass as ushers/readers/altar servers/ music ministers/greeters. They volunteer to help with CCD as youth aides. They sign up for events such as parish ministry events, Junior High Faith Experience, youth rally, TECH, CLI, Abbey Youth Fest and Steubenville on the Bayou. Teens who are active now will become better leaders in the church later in life. Blaire E. Fos, 18 years old St. Bernadette Church parish Nicholls State University

We, the youth, are (more or less) the stepping blocks of the Catholic Church. It may sound odd, but we have been formed and built up in our faith by our parents, youth leaders, priests, and everyone else in the church. It is now our turn to grow stronger in that same faith for ourselves, as role models for the younger children, and as a source of guidance for those who don’t yet know or who have strayed away from the love that God has continued to abundantly show us. We are the ones who can make the difference for ourselves, as well as for many around us. Whether it is helping out in our community, or when it comes to the “Today may have been rough, but I shall continue to trust that the Lord has something special and grand planned for me,” instead of “Eh ... what’s the big deal? He’ll understand that I’m too busy to fully commit to him right now,” way of thinking. The youth have the perfect opportunity to bond together and support each other so that maybe one day in the future, not only will we be better people of Christ (and therefore feel better in aspects of everyday life) individually, but also as a whole; that way we can then welcome others onto our (sometimes rocky) path of love, support, service and joyfulness that leads to God himself. Gabrielle Pitre, 17 years old St. Charles Borromeo Church parish, Pointe-aux-Chenes South Terrebonne High School

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Church Alive

Blue Mass The annual Blue Mass, honoring community protectors, firefighters, law enforcement, military personnel, and first responders to emergencies, was celebrated recently at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue, S.T.L., was the main celebrant of the Mass. Community protectors who have died during the past year were remembered in a special way in the Prayers of the Faithful.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

Bayou Catholic â&#x20AC;˘ Houma, LA â&#x20AC;˘ November 2014

“Call us First”

Red Mass

The annual Red Mass, honoring all judges, lawyers and those in the legal profession was celebrated recently at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. Bishop Shelton J. Fabre was the main celebrant of the Mass. The Red Mass, which is usually celebrated when the Supreme Court opens its new term, has its origins in the 1200s when judges and professors wore red. Attorney Mark Plaisance was one of many who was greeted by Bishop Fabre after the Mass.

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Wedding

Anniversaries

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Bishop Shelton J. Fabre presided over the annual wedding anniversary celebration recently at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux which honored 271 couples and was sponsored by the diocesan Office of Family Ministries. Wedding anniversary couples shown with the bishop from left are Robert and Kimberly Barrilleaux, 25 years, St. Joseph Co-Cathedral; Rodney and Clare Acosta, 40 years, St. John the Evangelist, Thibodaux; Wayne and Dolly Duplantis, 50 years, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales; “Rog” and “Sis” Roger, 60 years, St. Joseph Co-Cathedral; and Irvin and Drusella Duplantis, 70 years, Holy Family, Grand Caillou.

Diocese honors 271 couples

The annual diocesan wedding 36 celebration which is sponsored by the Office of Family Ministries was held recently at St. Joseph CoCathedral in Thibodaux. Bishop Shelton J. Fabre presided over the prayer service where 271 couples celebrating 25, 40, 50, 60 or more years of marriage were honored. 25th Anniversary Celebrants Annunziata, Houma: Jon and Annette Stoufflet Walker, Dale and Leslie LeBlanc White; Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma: Cody and Claudette Naquin Kelleher, John and Deirdre Kliebert Warnken; Christ the Redeemer, Thibodaux: Dwain and Laura Bourgeois Andras, Patrick and Amy Corcoran Hagen, David and Tracy Hurst Moon; Holy Family, Grand Caillou: John R. and Dena Dean Foret; Holy Savior, Lockport: Farrell and Karen Griffin Charpentier; Maria Immacolata, Houma: George and Ann Yesso Robichaux, John and Paula Kennedy Shows; Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Chackbay: Wade and Melissa Rodrigue Boudreaux, Clark and Deborah Waguespack Rodrigue; Our Lady of the Rosary, Larose: Royce and Bonnie Walker Guidry; Sacred

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • November 2014

Heart, Montegut: Anthony and Kimberly Lirette Landry; Sacred Heart, Morgan City: Chris and Jeannie DiMatteo Landry; St. Ann, Bourg: Gerald and Melody Ziepke Arceneaux, Bobby and Faye Schouest Champagne, Leroy and Debbie Ellender Trosclair Jr., John and Catherine Arceneaux White; St. Anthony of Padua, Bayou Black: Danny and Karla Zeringue Boquet; St. Bernadette Soubirous, Houma: Jerry and Amy Dugas Belanger, Norbert and Pauline Gregoire Bergeron, Richard and Betty Bateman Simon; St. Bridget, Schriever: Travis and Kim Picou Gros; St. Charles Borromeo, St. Charles Community: Carl and Kelly Taylor St. Pierre; St. Genevieve, Thibodaux: Michael and Lisa Richard Richard; St. Hilary of Poitiers, Mathews: Jerry and Monica Griffin Knight, Gregory and Connie Vedros Plaisance; St. John the Evangelist, Thibodaux: Warren and Catherine LeBlanc Chauvin; St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux: Robert and Kimberly Thibodaux Barrilleaux, Mark and Debbie Aysenne Bourgeois, Keith and Liz Boudreaux Hoffmann; St. Joseph, Chauvin: Curtis and Olivia Yepez Constrantiche; St. Luke,

Thibodaux: Mark and Allison Vaughn Winston; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Darren and Renee Pierce Becnel, Stanley Jr. and Ruth Falgout Breaux, Kerwin and Marsha Duplantis Cortez, Mark and Jeanne Granier Foret, Jeffery and Penny Plaisance Gros, Brian and Alice Pule Martin; St. Thomas Aquinas, Thibodaux: Chris and Trudy Gravois Clement, Robert and Mary Waitz Riviere; 40th Anniversary Celebrants Annunziata, Houma: Louis and Bonnie Chiasson Savoie; Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma: Carroll and Pamela Lirette Dugas, Michael and Sheila Scurto Seely; Christ the Redeemer, Thibodaux: Larry and Shirley Kraemer Bonvillain, Walton Jr. and Malvina Malbrough Guidry, Bert and Maureen McCarthy Sison, Daryl and Donna Oncale Talbot; Holy Family, Grand Caillou: Ernest and Virginia Billiot Verdin; Holy Savior, Lockport: Keith and Cathy Vedros Gros; Maria Immacolata, Houma: Paul and Cammie Cancienne Boudreaux, David and Sharon Lirette Neal, Timothy and Juanita Samanie Pennison; Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Chackbay:

Robert and Jean Fremin Gauthreaux; Sacred Heart, Cut Off: Ronald and Paula Curole Sherman; Sacred Heart, Morgan City: Rickey Adam and Reba Faye Solar Arceneaux, Jerald and Mary Madise Watson; St. Ann, Bourg: Douglas and Judy Ventura Bascle, Herbert and Betty Jeffery Leonard; St. Anthony of Padua, Bayou Black: Carl and Ann Baumgartner Tregre; St. Bernadette Soubirous, Houma: James and Mary Kay Jeanmard Fontenot, Steve and Susan Taylor Guidroz; St. Charles Borromeo, Pointe-aux-Chenes: Donald and Mazie Dardar Dardar; St. Eloi, Theriot: Peter and Martha Falgout Guidry Jr.; St. Genevieve, Thibodaux: Larry and Bonnie Merkel Champagne, Daniel and Janell Trosclair Morvant, Wayne and Connie Gros Veillon, Wayne and Sheila Becnel Zeringue; St. Hilary of Poitiers, Mathews: Neil and Myra Gautreaux Adams, Randy and Nancy Chauvin Breaux, Billy and Lucy Chauvin Chiasson, Rodney and Darlene Dandry Estay, Ronald and Phyllis Bollinger Holman, Wade and Peggy Plaisance Howes, Milton and Susan Dufrene LeBlanc, Richard and Gwendolyn Stierwald Ourso, Robert and Sheila Chaisson Theriot, Chris and Martha Michel Walker; St. John the Evangelist, Thibodaux: Rodney and Clare Chenevert Acosta, John and Paula Wiles Hotard; St. Joseph CoCathedral, Thibodaux: Terry and Karen Lirette Boudreaux, Joseph and Jody Boudreaux Bourgeois, Ellis and Dora Martinez Braud, Jerry and Joan Braud Clement, Randy and Judy Orgeron LeBlanc, Jerome and Denise Rodrigue Olivier; St. Joseph, Chauvin: Robert and Phylis Chauvin Henry; St. Joseph, Galliano: Randy and Jacqueline Gisclair Bourgeois, Anthony and Tina Chouest Charpentier, Aman and JoAnne Gisclair Cheramie; St. Louis, Bayou Blue: John and Ramona Parfait Gregoire; St. Lucy, Houma: Phil and Carmalisa Wolfe James; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Dale and Wanda Plaisance Acosta, Stephen and Joy Champagne Acosta, Larry and Pamela Pitre Cancienne, Nobley and Kathleen Austin Champagne, Paul and Claire Fournier Melancon; St.

Thomas Aquinas, Thibodaux: Terry and Eve Ledet Evans; 50th Anniversary Celebrants Annunziata, Houma: Nolan and Alberta Voisin Bergeron, Edward and Marian Domangue Weisheit Jr.; Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma: Carroll and Sandra Freeman Babin, Alphonse and Jacqueline Callahan Badeaux, Wayne and Dolly Domangue Duplantis, Barry and Earline Foret Hutchinson, Ernest Parker and Janice Chauvin Parra, Donald and Nancy DeFatta Schwab; Christ the Redeemer, Thibodaux: Norris and Marie Chiasson Barrilleaux, Arthur and Priscilla Robichaux Naquin, Russell and Judy Naquin Oncale, Alvin and Floradee Bourgeois Ordoyne, Donald and

Love Himel Thibodaux; Community of St. Anthony, Gheens: Robert and Katie Dufrene Landry; Holy Family, Grand Caillou: Bernard and Betty Voisin Collins, Deacon Harold and Diane Voisin Fanguy; Maria Immacolata, Houma: Dale and Catherine Bourg Bergeron Sr., Daniel and Judy Champagne Gaudet, Warren and Judith Barousse Ortego; Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Chackbay: Freddie and Jewel Mahler Durocher, Alfred and Dolores Boudreaux Folse, Gene and Georganna Pitre Kliebert, Edwin “Eddie” and Carol Gross Luquette, Claude and Judy Parr Richardel; Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Houma: Clark and Ellen Orgeron Bonvillain; Our Lady of the Rosary, Larose: Edward and Melanie Poche Ougel;

Sacred Heart, Cut Off: Roger and Charleen Cheramie Felarise, Elmo and Joylene Bruce Gautreaux, Cledemire and Eleonora Lebouef Verdin; Sacred Heart, Montegut: Horace and Harriet Voisin LeBouef; Sacred Heart, Morgan City: John and Mary Waguespack Weimer; St. Ann, Bourg: Hayes and Gene Rodriguez Badeaux, Christopher and Barbara Lirette LeCompte; St. Anthony of Padua, Bayou Black: Gerald and Janelle Giroir Bonvillain, Richard and Tina Lirette Elfert; St. Bernadette Soubirous, Houma: Joseph “Jess” and Dorothy Matte Bergeron, Eugene and Caroline Sonnier Dudek, Mark and Yvonne Malbrough Portier, Terrance and Paulette Schexnaildre Rogers; St. Bridget, Schriever: Percy and Lucille Nelson Lawless, Richard and Sandra Callahan Picou, Perry and Nina Soignet Richard, Ronald and Marlene Thibodeaux Richard, Henry and Maureen Schouest Smith; St. Charles Borromeo, St. Charles Community: Bobby and Susan Foret Granier, Ronald and Emily Richard Marse, Billy and Teresa Weimer Taylor, Larry and 37 Judy Gaudet Theriot, Raymond and Beulah Gravois Weimer; St. Eloi, Theriot: Freddie and Sherry Cedotal Billiot, Dennis and Elaine DeHart Lirette, Roy and Germaine Hebert Theriot, John and Dorothy “Dot” Stanford Vice; St. Genevieve, Thibodaux: Ronald and Nora Kerne O’Connell, Roger and Linda LeRay Richard; St. Hilary of Poitiers, Mathews: Paul and Sharon Voisin Dupre, Elmo and Elizabeth Dadid Falgout, James and Catherine Champagne Hebert, Eddie and Betty Keller Verret; St. John the Evangelist, Thibodaux: Roy and Vicky Campbell Lirette, Terry and Sharon Babin Oncale; St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux: Roland Jr. and Geraldine Hebert Barrilleaux, Lloyd Jr. and Pearl Bourgeois Doiron, John and Allene Anderson Green, Ellis and Anita Moore LaRose, John and Faye Blanchard Robichaux, Norman and Barbara Ledet Toups, Calvin and Jeanie Resweber Viator, Richard George and Judith Meyn Weimer; St. Joseph, Chauvin: Ronald and Una Lapeyrouse Arcement, Richard and Bonnie LeCompte Robichaux; St. Joseph, Galliano:

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Anniversaries

Eugene and Merlyn Terrebonne Foret; St. Lawrence the Martyr, Kraemer: Hilton Jr. and Daisy Sanchez Chiasson, Ted and Lorraine Cortez Martinez; St. Louis, Bayou Blue: Berwick Jr. and Meryl Usie Levron, Davis and Gloria Samanie Naquin; St. Lucy, Houma: Earl and Artemise Williams Theriot; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Robert and Patsy Ordoyne Babin, Felton and Carolyn Bourgeois Robichaux, Sidney and Shirley Foret Torres; St. Thomas Aquinas, Thibodaux: Noel and Verna Jones Toups; 60th Anniversary Celebrants Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma: William and Shirley Scurto Walsh; Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Houma: Henry and Frances Falcon Rodrigue, Norman and Geraldine Duplantis Voisin; Sacred Heart, Cut Off: David and Valorie Collins Hunter; Sacred Heart, Montegut: Lester and Barbara Voisin Neal, Lionel Sr. and Theresa Hutchinson Pitre; Sacred Heart, Morgan City: Otis and 38 Betty Lovell Rulf; St. Ann, Bourg: David and Rosemary Prosperie Chaisson, Kirby and Helen Muriel Hetherington Fabre, Delvin and Sidney Boudreaux Levron, Berwick and Regina Crochet Olivier, Floyd and Annabelle Foret Trosclair; St. Bernadette Soubirous, Houma: Ray and Barbara Toups Henry; St. Eloi, Theriot: Al and Betty Eschete Poiencot; St. Genevieve, Thibodaux: John and June Martin Becnel; St. Gregory Barbarigo, Houma: Norris and Joyce Bergeron Boquet; St. John the Evangelist, Thibodaux: Eugene and Ruby Naquin Blanchard; St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux: Boyd Sr. and LouAnn Richard Hebert, R. Gibbens and Joann Hebert Robichaux, H. J. “Rog” and Raetta “Sis” Boudreaux Roger; St. Joseph, Chauvin: Melvin Sr. and Norma Jane Stevens Duplantis, Eugene and Yvonne LeBoeuf Soudelier; St. Joseph, Galliano: Jimmie and Renamae Guidry Gisclair; St. Louis, Bayou Blue: James and Jerry Hotard Carrere; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Eroy and Rosalie Robichaux Benoit, Virgy and Mary Bonvillian Estay, Clifford and Doris Arcement Lagarde;

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • November 2014

61st Anniversary Celebrants Holy Savior, Lockport: Edgar and Gloria Gravois Hicks; Maria Immacolata, Houma: Hartwell and Myrtle Babin Aucoin; St. Ann, Bourg: Leward and Margaret Bascle Boquet, Claude and Ezoline Robichaux Bourg; St. Bernadette Soubirous, Houma: Melvin and Juanita Labat Blanchard; St. Charles Borromeo, St. Charles Community: Gleason and Shirley Gros Sanchez; St. Joseph CoCathedral, Thibodaux: Carroll and Mary Morvant Barrilleaux; St. Joseph, Galliano: Ivy and Nancy Griffin Lasseigne; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Calvin and Doris Babin Breaux, Donald and Patricia Grimes Kliebert, Jerry and Mae Ruth LeBlanc Knight, Benjamin and Gertrude Champagne Matherne, William and Faye Elder McBroom; 62nd Anniversary Celebrants Holy Family, Grand Caillou: James and Beverly Authement Trosclair; Maria Immacolata, Houma: Darwin and Geraldine Terrebonne Lafont; Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Houma: Burleigh and Molly Moore Ruiz; Sacred Heart, Cut Off: Raymond and Betty Lefort Melancon; St. Bridget, Schriever: Paul and Marilyn Talbot Thibodaux; St. Gregory Barbarigo, Houma: Wade and Leah LeCompte Use’; St. Joseph, Galliano: Kearn and Lolita Guidry Chouest; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Leonard and Alice Robichaux Borne, Larry and Daisy Pierce Galjour; 63rd Anniversary Celebrants St. John the Evangelist, Thibodaux: Sterling P. and Inez Bourg Aysen; St. Joseph CoCathedral, Thibodaux: Herbert and Rose Lee Brown Toups; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Dudley and Betty Foret Adams, Gus Sr. and Bernice Matherne Falgout, Harrison and Jeannette Gervais Matherne; 64th Anniversary Celebrants Holy Savior, Lockport: Calvin and Anna Rose Guidroz Allemand; St. Hilary of Poitiers, Mathews: Thomas and Rita St. Romain Robichaux; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Joseph and Marie

LeBlanc Champagne, Bolton and Cerita Foret LeBlanc; 65th Anniversary Celebrants Our Lady of the Rosary, Larose: Richard and Jenny Defelice Rodrigue; Sacred Heart, Cut Off: Roman and Mabel Autin Guidry; St. Anthony of Padua, Bayou Black: Richard and Laurel Watkins Breaux; St. Hilary of Poitiers, Mathews: Hubert and Loyce St. Pierre Gaudet; St. Joseph, Galliano: Elphege and Vina Mae Hebert Brunet, Norris and Earline Sanamo Eymard, Eumes and Julia Sanamo Griffin; St. Joseph CoCathedral, Thibodaux: Charles and Mercedes Daigle Stevens; 66th Anniversary Celebrants Holy Savior, Lockport: Raymond and Marion Adams Birdsall, Hubert and Dorothy Boudreaux Gautreaux; St. Gregory Barbarigo, Houma: Melvin and Betty Carlos Abadie; St. Joseph CoCathedral, Thibodaux: Roland and Billie Babin Soignet; St. Joseph, Galliano: James and Irma Cheramie Cheramie, Arsen and Doree Dufrene Lasseigne; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Ivy and Shirley Waguespack Foret; 67th Anniversary Celebrants Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Houma: Evans (Vince) and Miriam Bonvillain Hebert; St. Ann, Bourg: Selwyn and Mabel Nini Gilmore; St. Anthony of Padua, Bayou Black: Harrell and Mary Eloise Babin Cade; St. Joseph, Galliano: Nolan and Octavia Rousse Lasseigne; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Norman and Joyce Grabert Brown; 68th Anniversary Celebrants Sacred Heart, Cut Off: Weston and Doris Richoux Smith; St. Joseph, Chauvin: Claude and Merle Lapeyrouse Lirette; St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Philip and Delta Sampey Monier, Camille and Aline Borne St. Pierre; 69th Anniversary Celebrants Holy Family, Grand Caillou: Evest Jr. and Mary Crochet Voisin; 70th Anniversary Celebrants Holy Family, Grand Caillou: Irvin and Drusella Eschete Duplantis; Sacred Heart, Morgan City: Sidney and Genevieve Martin Boudreaux, Richard and Marian Fields Romaire; 71st Anniversary Celebrants St. Joseph, Galliano: Gilbert and Irene Plaisance Griffin; 73rd Anniversary Celebrants St. Mary’s Nativity, Raceland: Milton and Rita Theriot Bourgeois.

The Weimers and the Richards marry on Feb. 29, By Gena Vitale 1964. She married We have all heard of Dominic Congemi at the show, “Seven Brides St. Raphael Church for Seven Brothers.” in New Orleans and The Weimers and the lived in New Orleans Richards of the Diocese after their marriage of Houma-Thibodaux being the only couple have their own version to move out of the of seven brides and Diocese of Houmathey are all proudly Thibodaux. Richard celebrating 50 years of was the next of the marriage this year. Love, three siblings to devotion to the Catholic marry on June 13, faith and staying humble 1964. He married is what makes these Judith Meyn at families stick together LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC St. James Major through good times The Weimer and the Richard families who are all celebrating their 50 year Church, also in and through bad. The wedding anniversaries this year from left are Richard and Judy Weimer, New Orleans. John genealogy of these two Billy and Teresa Taylor, Ray and Beulah Weimer, Arthur Jr. and Priscilla married Mary Jane families tells a unique Naquin, and John and Mary Weimer. Waguespack a few and fascinating story of months later on Aug. how they came together. 22, 1964, at Holy Savior Church in Lockport. Their story begins in the 1800s with two brothers Raymond, Bernadette and Teresa were three of the named Frank and Clement Weimer. eight children of Frank and Edna. Teresa married Frank married a woman named Lucy Guedry and Billy Taylor on May 9, 1964, at St. Charles Borromeo had five children. Their first born were identical twin Church in the St. Charles Community, and at the boys who were born on Oct. 6, 1908, and were named 39 same church, less than a month later her sister Frank and Wendeline. Lucy had a sister named Cecile Bernadette married Huey Portier on June 6, 1964. who was unable to have children. The sisters had Raymond married Beulah Gravois on Aug. 8, 1964, at a very close relationship and in an act of love, Lucy St. James Church in St. James, LA. promised her first born to her sister. When the twins But if you think they were done eating wedding were born, Frank was given to Cecile to raise but the cake, think again. Edna and Alice had a sister brothers still remained close and spent a lot of time named Mildred Richard who married Arthur Naquin together. and had seven children. Arthur Jr. joined in on the Clement married Marguerite Goodman and they wedding festivities of 1964 when he married Priscilla had two daughters. Tragedy struck both families with Robichaux on Nov. 21 making that grand total of this the untimely deaths of Frank and Marguerite. After family epic, “Seven Brides and Seven Cousins,” a story the death of their spouses, Clement and Lucy married of family which will be told to generations to come. and had two more children. The Weimers and the Richards are families The family tree took a new twist when the twin committed to each other and to their Catholic faith. brothers Frank and Wendeline married two sisters Teresa Weimer Taylor’s husband Billy is a practicing who were the daughters of Lucien and Edna Richard. Protestant, but they agreed to raise their children Wendeline married Alice Richard on Nov. 22, 1934, as Catholics. Collectively, the families have been and Frank married her sister Edna on Sept. 8, 1936. very involved in the church as eucharistic ministers, Frank and Edna had eight children, and Wendeline teaching religion, helping with various charities, and Alice had five. spending time in adoration, helping out the nuns Those children were as close as cousins could be who came in from Vietnam, teaching in the Catholic partly because they all grew up living next door to school system and giving of their time to their faith in one another. It was destiny that they would all grow various other ways. up, fall in love and get married. Little did they know They have eaten a lot more cake through the years that six of them would all fall in love and get married while celebrating anniversaries together and will in the same year. It was 1964, a year full of wedding certainly enjoy a slice or two as they celebrate 50 ceremonies that would certainly keep the Weimer and years of holy matrimony. In addition to anniversaries, Richard families busy celebrating the sacrament of the family has also come together for family reunions matrimony over and over again. But the ceremonies to celebrate the birthday of Frank and Wendeline. didn’t stop there. That special year became even more There is a saying, “The family that prays together interesting when another first cousin also tied the stays together.” This is a motto that the Weimer/ knot making it seven cousins to marry in one year. Richard family has lived by which has helped them Richard, Rita and John were three of the five maintain their faith and love for God and each other. children of Wendeline and Alice. Rita was the first to www.bayoucatholic.com

Special

A day in the life of a ...

catholic School Cafeteria Worker Story and Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier Long before the lunch bell rings school cafeteria 40 workers are busy preparing meals for thousands of students throughout the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Such is the case of cafeteria worker Stephanie Allen who has been cooking at Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma for the past 15 years. Her day begins at 7 a.m. when she and her 16 co-workers start preparations for feeding hundreds of school students. The cafeteria workers are employed through the Archdiocese of New Orleans which contracts its services to this diocese. At Vandebilt the cooks prepare meals for St. Gregory Elementary School and Maria Immacolata Elementary School as well as meals for the Vandy students. Stephanie, “Miss Baby”; or “Miss S,” as many of the kids know her, runs the sandwich line in the cafeteria. “As soon as the kids come in they start calling for me. I get to know the kids. If they need something they know they can ask me,” she says. Stephanie even has a photo album with pictures of many students who have moved on from Vandebilt. “I love working here. The kids make my day. The older students call me “Miss Baby” the newer ones know me as “Miss S” she says affectionately. It’s a fast paced environment for the cooks. Everyone has their specific duties in the kitchen. Some make salads, sandwiches, pizzas and burgers while others cook pans of vegetables and on this day many pans of Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • November 2014

jambalaya. The cooks use large electric braising pans capable of cooking gallons of vegetables at one time. Large ovens are used to bake bread which is made from “scratch.” As the cooks gather the food items from the store room every item is logged in on a form showing how many gallons of a product, how many items of fruit, etc. is being used in order to manage the inventory. This allows the cafeteria manager to keep track of what is being used and when to order more supplies. Every food item that is cooked or baked is checked with a thermometer to ensure it has reached the correct temperature and is fully cooked. The food is then placed in warmers until serving or preparation time. Stephanie has two sons; one is 41 and the other is 27. “My oldest son is a graphic designer and my youngest is finishing law school. I am very proud of both of my children,” she says. “I am from Houma and lived in California for 20 years. I moved back to Houma and started working here at the school. I knew I wasn’t going to make it a life time thing in California. There is no place like home,” she says. Right now home means she comes to school from 7 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. “Miss Baby” has an infectious smile on her face while she zips through the kitchen doing her part to feed the hundreds of kids she loves at Vandebilt.

always busy ... Besides cooking and baking, cafeteria workers sort through the goods being prepared, and keep accurate records of the amount of items being used daily to complete the menu for the day. By lunchtime students are happy and being fed a well-balanced nutritious meal.

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Church Alive

Diocesan Committee on

Scouting focusing on the faith component

By Gena Vitale When we think of words like character, leadership development, strong values, hiking, campfires and s’mores, we think of an organization for the youth of America which began in the early 20th century. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts have been around for a long time. All Scouting organizations focus on positive experiences and leadership in the youth of our country, but the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux along with other dioceses throughout the country add a Catholic/Christian element. Michael DiSalvo, director of the Diocesan Committee on Scouting and the Office of Youth Ministry, says, “We focus on the faith component of the Scouting world.” He says the diocese offers Scouting retreats and one-day gatherings which focus 42 on God in a young person’s life, and the youth have opportunities to earn Christian badges. Nationally, youth ministry recognizes the importance of Scouting as a way to reach teens and also recognizes its contribution to teaching them to make a difference in the world. As with all Scouting organizations, those in the diocese offer community service projects for the youth to participate in, including projects like a coat drive, food drive, bingo with the elderly and Christian based events like the Right to Life Walk. Kelly Rodrigue, university registrar at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux and chairperson/Boy Scout representative for the Diocesan Committee on Scouting, volunteers much of his time to Scouting even though he was not a Scout in his youth. He says he doesn’t have any memory of Scouting while growing up but there were packs and troops around at the time. “I got involved in leadership after my wife took my older son James to a meeting and signed him up back in 2003. I really thought she had set him up for failure as I had no plan to go camping, be outdoors, or anything like that; and since I had no Scouting experience, I simply didn’t know what she could possibly have been thinking,” says Rodrigue. Fast forward 11 years and his son James is now an Eagle Scout with four palms and has attended the 2010 National Scout Jamboree and 2011 World Scout Jamboree in Rinkaby, Sweden. He will also be attending the 2015 World Scout Jamboree in Japan as a Third Assistant Scoutmaster. James has also participated in and staffed many events at the local, Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • November 2014

Eagle Scout James Rodrigue has attended both National and World Scout Jamborees.

district, council and even national levels. Locally, we have many Catholic Churches serving as chartered organizations for packs and troops. Rodrigue runs a pack and troop which are chartered to St. Louis Church parish in Bayou Blue. He says the Scouts in his troop come from public and private schools and some are even home schooled. He adds, “You do not have to be Catholic to be a member of a Boy Scout unit that is chartered to a Catholic Church. Chartered organizations usually provide a meeting place at a minimum and sometimes financial support as well. The unit, in exchange, will hopefully give

Kelly Rodrigue, chairperson/Boy Scout representative for the diocesan committee on Scouting speaks to those attending the annual religious emblem awards Mass for Scouting at St. Thomas Aquinas Church parish in Thibodaux. Bishop Shelton Fabre was the main celebrant of the Mass. Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue, at left, is the chaplain for the Diocesan Committee on Scouting.

some support to the church in the form of community service hours.” An example of that service is when the Scouts and leaders from his troop helped out at the St. Louis Family Fun Day. They also help serve annually at the church’s Veterans/Senior Citizen luncheon in November. Depending on their faith, Scouts can earn specific religious emblems. Catholic religious emblems include the Guardian Angel, Light of Christ, Parvuli Dei, Ad Altare Dei, and Pope Pius XII. More information on Scouting in the Catholic Church can be found at www. nccs-bsa.org. Boys may join a Scouting organization as early as first grade. As they get older they advance from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. Girls may be part of the Girl Scout organization whose mission is to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. At the age of 14, girls and boys can join Venturing Crew. Rodrigue says that Scouting requirements change depending on the age and development of the youth. One such activity is camping in the outdoors. The older Scouts and the leaders serve as role models for our younger Scouts. Some of the other service activities associated with Scouting include following through with an Eagle project to benefit the community, or serving as color guard at any of the many parades throughout the year, whether it is Mardi Gras, Independence Day, Christmas or any other parade. Rodrigue has also officially served as Scoutmaster for Troop 820, pack committee member for Pack 820, unit commissioner for Bayou District, and Council Commissioner for the Southeast Louisiana Council. Scouting is a family-oriented program which builds character. A belief in duty to God and duty to country is part of the Scouting ethics. Rodrigue says that both of his sons, Zachary and James are involved as Scouts and his wife is involved as a leader in both the pack and troop as well. He adds, “I reluctantly became a leader with no Scouting knowledge over 11 years ago, and the benefits that my sons have received from Scouting are innumerable.”

Diocesan Programs This Month “Spotlight on the Diocese” Host: Louis Aguirre With Guests: Rev. Gregory Fratt

Pastor Sacred Heart Church, Morgan and

Katherine Distefano

HTV/VISION COMMUNICATIONS, CHARTER COMM. & COMCAST CHANNEL 10 ALLEN’S TV CABLE MORGAN CITY CHANNEL 71 (Digital Channel 30.1-UHF & Channel 7.1-VHF) Mondays - 9:30 a.m. Thursdays - 9:30 a.m. & 11:00 p.m. Saturdays - 9:30 p.m. If you are not receiving these programs in your area, please contact your local cable provider.

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Guest Columnist

I 44

Father Gregory Fratt

In the Gospel of Luke (17:1119), Jesus is journeying toward Jerusalem and as he passes along the borders of Samaria and Galilee he cures 10 lepers. Only one of them returns to give thanks for having been cured, and Jesus asks, “Were not all 10 made whole? Where are the other nine?” We, as Catholics, know whom to thank, and we know how to go about it. We acknowledge that all life and every good gift comes from God. Here, in the United States, the custom of celebrating a day of thanksgiving traces its origin back to the year 1621 when the Plymouth Colony governor appointed a day of public praise and prayer after the first harvest. President George Washington, at the request from Congress, proclaimed the first national observance on Thursday, Nov. 26, 1789. Thanksgiving Day is an American original. It is the only American holiday which has inescapable religious significance as we appropriately give thanks to God for all his many blessings. This year might be appropriate to also give thanks to God for the principles upon which our country was founded. They are religious principles. They are expressed in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men have been created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights.” George Washington himself, in his first Thanksgiving Proclamation, wrote that it was to be “a day of public thanksgiving and public prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • November 2014

Thanks

‘Eucharist’ means ‘thanksgiving’

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

hearts the many and single favors of Almighty God.” He went on to urge his fellow citizens to “beseech God to pardon our national and other transgressions, to promote knowledge and the practice of true religion and virtue, and to ask God to grant unto all mankind prosperity as he, God, alone knows how to do best.” Our national observance of Thanksgiving dates back to 1621 but the Mass dates back 2000 years. The very word “Eucharist” means “thanksgiving.” The first purpose in offering the sacrifice of the Mass is to give glory to God while also giving praise and thanks. We acclaim every reading from the Lectionary with either “Thanks be to God” or “Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.” This is very significant because just as we set aside one day in our nation to give thanks, at Mass we understand that giving praise and thanks are not marginal

extras but rather the center and core of the liturgy. Just as praise and thanksgiving are the church’s characteristic response to everything God is and does, so we as a nation set one day aside to acknowledge the same. We, as a nation, are made up of many individuals and collectively we have experienced great joys and sorrows, suffering and triumphs over the past year. All of this must be seen not so much as isolated incidents but as our nation’s participation in Christ’s paschal mystery of life, death and resurrection and the working out of God’s plan of salvation. Yet our nation is only a small part of all God’s family. As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day here in our country, let’s remember that we live in a country of plenty in a world of want; we live in a land of religious and political freedom in a world of ethnic cleansing and zero tolerance. We have so much for which to be grateful and for us Catholics, the Mass is the perfect means of giving thanks to God for his many blessings. In doing so, we grow in the love of God because it is in gratitude that we grow in the love of the giver. It is so easy to fall in love with the gift and forget all about the giver, to admire the painting and never think of the painter, to enjoy the music and never know the heart from which it came. As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day this year let us be mindful from whom our rights, our freedoms and our blessings come, to have the wisdom and fortitude to preserve our rights and freedoms, and to give thanks to God as we pray for our nation and our world.

giving

Family, not

Thanksgiving is not traditionally known as a religious holiday. It began in 1621 as a three day feast in which the pilgrims invited the Indians to the table to celebrate their first successful harvest. The menu was quite different than today’s tradition of turkey, stuffing and potatoes. The Indians killed deer as a gift for the celebration and the original menu was probably venison, corn, fowl and barley. Today the holiday is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November and it’s all about food, family, parades and football. Although it’s not centered on Christ, like Christmas or Easter, it does have a sense of religion as we gather as a family, some of us joining hands in prayer and giving thanks to the Lord for the bounty before us. It is one of the few days left on the calendar in which we get together and celebrate one of the greatest gifts that God has bestowed on us and that is the gift of family itself. Personally, Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays, and about 15 years ago I had my own personal miracle on Thanksgiving Day. It was about 9 a.m. and the scent of turkey roasting in the oven filled my home. I was in the kitchen preparing all the traditional fixings for family and friends that would be arriving later that day. It all seemed perfect, but for some reason I was feeling very depressed, possibly due to a few unhappy events of the past year. My family was upstairs getting dressed and ready for the day’s festivities. I was on the

materialism

verge of tears, yet trying to fight them back because I didn’t want anyone to know that I was feeling sad. As I stood there preparing sugared pecans to place on top of the candied yams I heard a strange noise outside of the kitchen window. I stopped what I was doing to go and see what it was. As I approached the window I could not believe my eyes. Exactly one dozen wild turkeys were walking and gobbling down my driveway. It was the very first time I had ever seen a wild turkey in my neighborhood and they happened to show up on Thanksgiving morning just as I was praying to God to give me strength to make it through the day with a smile on my face. I began to scream for my family to come downstairs. They came running to see what all the commotion was about. I couldn’t even speak. I just pointed out of the window. We ran to get a camera and went outside, but by the time we got there, they were gone, as if they had vanished into thin air. I will always believe that God sent those turkeys to me to cheer me up. My Thanksgiving blues disappeared along with those turkeys and it became the most special Thanksgiving celebration ever. In 1989, President George Bush started a new tradition in which he pardoned a turkey on Thanksgiving, sending it into retirement on a farm. These 12 turkeys must have been as grateful as that first pardoned turkey as they strutted up my driveway with their breast up high as if to say, “We are alive and well and won’t be the center of anyone’s holiday feast this year.”

Guest Columnist Gena Vitale

In the past few years I have been disturbed by the possibility of this special harvest holiday becoming extinct. Commercialism has taken a front seat in many of our most sacred holiday celebrations. People are rushing to stores on Christmas Eve to purchase those last minute gifts instead of rushing to church to celebrate the birth of our Lord. Thanksgiving has remained true for years as a holiday about family traditions without the materialism that has plagued other holidays. But for the past few years a trend has developed that can change this day from the focus on family to another day destroyed by the rush to get the latest and greatest gifts for the 45 upcoming Christmas season. Large department stores have opened their doors on Thanksgiving Day, forcing their employees to give up this special family time and come to work. Brainwashed family members are running from the dinner table and rushing to stores to get a head start on the shopping season. Black Friday may soon be a thing of the past and our sacred family day known as Thanksgiving may deteriorate into just another shopping adventure. There is only one way to stop it. Everyone should stay home and enjoy the family just as we have always done. If no one shows up to shop, it won’t be profitable for these giant retailers to open and destroy our American tradition. (Gena Vitale, who has been residing in Pennsylvania for the past 25 years, recently moved back to her hometown of Napoleonville, LA, where she attends Mass at St. Ann Church. Vitale is a freelance writer whose articles have been published in the Assumption Pioneer and Ikea’s in-house newsletter.) www.bayoucatholic.com

Guest Columnist

‘T 46

Margie Duplantis

“To love God and neighbor is not something abstract, but profoundly concrete: It means seeing in every person the face of the Lord to be served, to serve him concretely. And you are, dear brothers and sisters, the face of Jesus” (Pope Francis, Address during Visit at the Homeless Shelter “Dono Di Maria,” 5/21/13). The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is the domestic anti-poverty program of the U.S. Catholic Bishops working to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ” … to bring good news to the poor … release to captives … sight to the blind, and let the oppressed go free” (Luke 4:18). The belief that those who are directly affected by unjust systems and structures have the best insight into knowing how to change them is central to CCHD. CCHD works to break the cycle of poverty by helping low-income people participate in decisions that affect their lives, families and communities. CCHD offers a hand up, not a hand out. CCHD has a complementary mission of educating on poverty

Catholic Campaign for Human Development collection is Nov. 22-23 and its causes. This strategy of education for justice and helping people who are poor speak and act for themselves reflects the mandates of the Scriptures and the principles of Catholic social teaching. CCHD provides the Catholic faithful with concrete opportunities to live out the love of God and neighbor in ways that express our baptismal call and continuing eucharistic transformation. CCHD is made possible by the generous support of Catholics in the United States, especially through an annual parish collection which will be held the weekend of Nov. 22-23, 2014. CCHD is an essential part of the church in the United States’ social mission, and a unique part of the Catholic community’s broad commitment to assist those in need. CCHD is the greatest single source of funding for community organizing for social justice in the United States. Since 1970, over $250 million dollars have been donated to CCHD by American Catholics to fight poverty. For over 29 years, non-profit organizations in the Diocese of

Houma-Thibodaux have received more in CCHD grants than we have sent in the collection. The campaign gives grants to non-profit organizations working to help people to help themselves out of poverty. One CCHD nationally funded group in our diocese is Bayou Interfaith Shared Community Organizing (BISCO). The mission of BISCO is to build a powerful interfaith organization that will serve as a voice for low and moderate income people in South Louisiana. They received a $35,000 grant this year from CCHD. BISCO was successful in getting legislation to pass in dealing with homeowner insurance reform. They are also active in organizing and advocating coastal restoration. “Caring for the poor is not just something nice the church does; it’s a part of who we are and essential to the church’s saving work” (Bishop Jaime Soto, chairman, CCHD subcommittee). (Margie Duplantis is the associate director for Parish Social Ministry for Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.)

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Food for the Journey is Dec. 2

Very Rev. Robert Rogers

The diocesan Office of Religious Education sponsors a monthly lunchtime speaker series on the first Tuesday of the month at the Quality Hotel on Hollywood Road in Houma across from Vandebilt Catholic High School. The speaker for Dec. 2 is Houma native Very Rev. Robert Rogers, V.F.

Father Rogers, pastor of Holy Savior Church parish in Lockport, dean of the South Lafourche deanery, and member of the Priests Council and the College of Consultors, attended St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict, Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans and Mount St. Mary’s University in Maryland. He was ordained to the priesthood June 13, 1992. Those who plan to attend the Dec. 2nd event should RSVP with their name, phone number and church parish by Thursday, Nov. 27. To RSVP, email FoodForTheJourney@htdiocese. org or call (985) 850-3178. Doors open at 10:45 a.m. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. The program begins at Noon with the speaker’s presentation from 12:10-12:45 p.m. Cost is $13 and includes meal, drink and tip. Only cash or checks will be accepted. All are invited to come “eat and be fed.”

Montegut church celebrates 150th

Sacred Heart Church parish in Montegut will celebrate its 150th anniversary Sunday, Nov. 30, at 10 a.m. with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, and concelebrated by Bishop Emeritus Sam G. Jacobs and priests of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. A luncheon, music and entertainment will follow at the Montegut Gym. All are invited to attend. 47

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Church Life

Louisiana Interchurch Conference The Fall Board Meeting for the Louisiana Interchurch Conference was held recently in Lafayette. In photo at left, Bishop Shelton Fabre, president of the Conference, and Father Dan Krutz, executive director of the Conference look over an agenda for an upcoming meeting. In bottom left photo, the bishop confers with Whalen Gibbs, assistant secretary of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. In bottom right photo, Robert Gorman, executive director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, spoke about the issue of unaccompanied minors from Central America coming into the United States.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier Bayou Catholic â&#x20AC;˘ Houma, LA â&#x20AC;˘ November 2014

Pictured at the 2014 annual International Catholic Stewardship Council conference are Rick Jeric, executive director of Development and Planning, Diocese of Columbus, OH, and ICSC board chair; Jeremy Becker, executive director for the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana; Michael Murphy, executive director of ICSC, and Patrick Grace, executive director of Catholic Community Foundation for the Diocese of Cleveland, OH, and conference chair.

Stewardship Council honors diocese

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux recently received the International Catholic Stewardship Council’s Award for Excellence for its “Total Diocesan Capital Campaign Effort.” The award was presented to Jeremy T. Becker, executive director for the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana (CFSL) at the Council’s 2014 Annual Conference in Orlando, FL, in October. The International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC) evolved from a group called the National Council for Diocesan Support Programs (NCDSP) which was formed in 1962 as a way in which dioceses could come together to discuss, exchange ideas and share information about how they approached the challenges of funding the development of their dioceses, parishes and schools. In 1967, the NCDSP was incorporated and in 1991 it became an international organization. ICSC promotes “the concept that Christian stewardship, as is practiced and understood in our Catholic life of faith, is not simply an appeal for funds; it is an essential expression of how we live our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ.” According to Becker, a six person committee of stewardship and development directors throughout the United States voted on the submitted materials that were used to promote diocesan stewardship such as brochures and videos, looked at how a capital campaign is organized and every aspect of how it is run to determine the winner of the award. The Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana has over $6 million in pledges to date.

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Church Life

St. Ann Parish Center dedicated The dedication Mass for the new St. Ann Parish Center in Bourg was celebrated on the feast of St. Ann. Bishop Shelton J. Fabre was the main celebrant of the Mass which was concelebrated by Father Ty Van Nguyen, pastor; Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue, and Father Shenan Boquet. The center was dedicated and blessed following the Mass.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier Bayou Catholic â&#x20AC;˘ Houma, LA â&#x20AC;˘ November 2014

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Church Alive

Life Chain Hundreds of people participated in the annual Life Chain which was held on Respect Life Sunday. In the photos above, people lined the medians of Canal Boulevard in Thibodaux. In the photos below, people stood on the median of Tunnel Boulevard in Houma praying silently and holding signs protesting abortion.

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier Bayou Catholic â&#x20AC;˘ Houma, LA â&#x20AC;˘ November 2014

A group of Vandebilt Catholic High School students took part in the annual Life Chain on Respect Life Sunday. The students gathered on Tunnel Boulevard in Houma in front of the high school.

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Entertainment

Seeing Clairely Claire Joller

If Mama ain’t happy ...

T 54

They entered the family restaurant together, the grandparents in the lead. A younger woman and two little blonde girls followed. When the waitress indicated the table she meant for them, the grandmother spoke loudly enough for us in the vicinity to hear. “In the middle of the room? We have children with us. This won’t do.” The waitress looked around the crowded dining room, and was about to point out a table near the wall, when Grandma spied it at the same time. Grandpa stepped aside and let her take the lead to the wallside table, where she sat first, followed by the younger woman and the younger child, who sat across the table. Since Grandpa hadn’t claimed the fourth spot, the older girl took the seat next to Grandma. Grandpa waited silently while the staff brought an extra chair. Nobody had spoken since they came in except Grandma. Grandpa sat in the aisle and looked content to be there, but at a few words from Grandma, the older girl slinked into the aisle chair while Grandpa dutifully moved next to Grandma. When the waitress appeared seconds later to take their orders, I could see Grandma turn to the wall and shake her head in disapproval when the server asked her to repeat something. To justify my seeing all this, you have to know that my husband’s back was to their table, and I was facing them head on. I could not look up without seeing what was going on there, although

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • November 2014

CHERILYNHAINES PHOTOGRAPHY

during the rest of the meal I didn’t hear anything they said—partly because the restaurant was filled with chatter, and partly because of the silence that hovered over that table. The younger woman, whom I assumed to be Grandma and Grandpa’s daughter, occasionally spoke softly to the three-year-old seated beside her. The eight-or-soyear-old daughter kept her eyes on some game her Grandma had slid to her early on. There was not a smile among them. Although I don’t have a clue about the normal dynamics of that family, what kept going through my mind was a saying emblazoned on T shirts, aprons, and decorative signage of all kinds. “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” The origin of this gem is variously attributed to Ron Hall and Denver Moore from the book Same Kind of Different as Me, Jeff Foxworthy, or

Ferrell Sims (or Sams?), depending upon the quoter. I think it is just a folk saying that some have adopted as their own. Sociologists have varying views on the truth of the statement, citing mitigating factors in the relative happiness of family members. But as a mother, I know its truth. It’s why this Thanksgiving, I’m particularly grateful for having had a cheerful mother. Mama had a ready smile, even in the lowest of times. She sang and hummed while she tackled housework for seven people, and saw humor in spiteful people’s foibles. Amid life experiences characterized by loss and deprivation, Mama Mildred had an even temperament and a happy nature. Not until adulthood did I realize the great gift her sunny presence truly was. So this Thanksgiving season, I will note the blessedness of having had a cheerful mother.

From Our Archives

1984 Vatican Pavilion 55

Construction crews hoist a three-tiered papal cross atop the dome of the Vatican Pavilion at the Louisiana World Exposition in New Orleans. The 110-foot tower was the tallest international pavilion at the fair which opened May 12, 1984 and closed six months later on Nov. 11, 30 years ago this month. www.bayoucatholic.com

Nation By Rico De Silva

Catholic News Service

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CNS) -- Poverty is more than the lack of money, and until we understand its root causes, it cannot be eradicated. That was one of the messages heard by more than 500 representatives from Catholic Charities agencies from across the U.S. who gathered Oct. 4-7 for their annual meeting in Charlotte. In her Oct. 5 keynote speech, Ruby Payne, an internationally recognized author and anti-poverty expert, shared data based largely on her book “Framework for Understanding Poverty: A Cognitive Approach,” and her more than 20 years of experience as a public school educator. Her “Bridges Out of Poverty” approach has been adopted by a number of Catholic Charities agencies across the country as a model for programs to better serve those in need. The program provides workshops and tools to help employers, community organizations, social service agencies, families and individ56 uals address and reduce poverty in a comprehensive way. “One of the reasons in America we have never been able to come up with a solution for poverty is that there is no agreement on causation,” Payne said. She said poverty can be traced to four basic causes: people’s personal choices; economic resources available in the community; exploitation; and people’s personal and financial history. Speaking about the second cause, Payne said, “The subject of economic resources really boils down to jobs. Even if people make all the right choices, if there are no jobs in your community, you’re really in trouble.” Racism, sexism and financial predators also could keep someone from improving their lives, she explained, or they could be held back because prospective employers based their hiring decisions on a candidate’s credit history, for example. “If you are on the political right, you think it’s about the first two (causes). If you are on the political left, you think it’s about the last two. So what happens in the Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • November 2014

community? People start fighting about causation,” she said. However, the causes of poverty are not so ideologically clear-cut, she said. “Actually, all four of them create poverty.” Payne also emphasized that poverty is more than just about the lack of money. Poverty is about “a larger set of resources,” she said. That means that anti-poverty efforts and anti-poverty research must be about “moving from getting by to getting ahead.” “A lot of the data is collected on

Only way to end poverty is to address root causes maintenance, but we have almost no good data on what happens when people transition,” she noted. “We are using duct-tape models of compliance and standardization, instead of models where we develop human capacity and resources.” Key to helping people out of poverty, she said, is understanding their different mindset. One of the main barriers in helping the underresourced is a lack of this understanding, she said. “People don’t understand each other’s environments. And one of the things we do is say: ‘Hey, once you know the other person’s environment, it can help you communicate with them.’ When you are in a survival environment, it’s a very different environment than when you have much too many resources. And this leads to hidden rules. The reason hidden rules become important is they break relationships. And what happens, people get offended. And on the commu-

nity level, then, it becomes very difficult for the community to work together,” she emphasized. Regardless of where or how people live, Payne continued, all people make decisions based on “three things: work, achievement and material security. If you live in poverty, you don’t have material security.” The lack of material security breeds a continual level of fear and stress, which can prompt people to rely more on their instincts and feelings in making choices, Payne said. “Researchers say that early memories, until you’re 9 or 10 years old, are stored in your amygdala,” she said “The amygdala is fascinating. The amygdala has a short-term memory for the incident, but a long-term-memory for the feeling or the experience. And because it happens before you have words to assign to experience, you continue to act on that, even though you don’t always know why.” Payne said that information is useful in understanding people’s behavior because “we know from research that if you have to choose between acting from experience, or acting on new information, you will almost always choose experience.” Anti-poverty efforts must take into account the deep-seated experiences, environments and relationships of those who are poor, and strive to provide them with information, resources and connections to more productive environments and relationships, she said. Improving employment, education and relationship opportunities for the poor are key, she said, because that also will impact their thinking and help them better navigate their reality. But that’s not all, she said. “To address the issue of the unequal-resourced, we do four things,” she said. “Number one, educate the resourced (wealthy people) because that impacts on their decision (to support the organizations that help the under-resourced). Number two, educate the under-resourced. Number three, we are a resource for the community,” she said. “And number four, we ask that individuals from poverty be at the decision table.”

Diocesan Outreach Line

LAWRENCE CHATAGNIER/BAYOU CATHOLIC

Native American Mass Nov. 21 The Annual Native American Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, Friday, Nov. 21 at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Pointe-aux-Chenes, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This cultural heritage celebration will be followed by a reception at the Knights of Columbus Hall. All are invited to attend.

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. For detailed reporting procedures see: www.htdiocese.org. Click on the Safe Environment tab, then on S.E. Forms and Links.

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. Vea el detallado procedimiento de informes en: www.htdiocese.org. Haga clic en Safe Environment y luego S.E. Forms and Links. Brother John Olsen

Brother John Olsen dies

Brother John Olsen, C.F.X., Ph.D., died Thursday, October 9, at Nazareth Home in Louisville, KY, at the age of 85. Brother John served as associate director of the Assisi Bridge House from 19902000 and then again from 2009 until his retirement in June 2014.

Ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi Cöùu giuùp Giaùo phaän Ñeå höôûng öùng Hieán chöông Baûo veä Treû em vaø Giôùi treû töø Hoäi ñoàng 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 naâng ñôõ theâm neáu caàn. Ñöôøng daây ñieän thoaïi Cöùu giuùp Giaùo phaän Soá ñieän thoaïi: (985) 873-0026. Caàn bieát theâm chi tieát veà caùch baùo caùo xin vaøo trang web cuûa ñòa phaän laø www.htdiocese.org. Baám vaøo muïc Safe Environment, sau ñoù tôùi muïc S.E. Forms vaø Links.

www.bayoucatholic.com

Bishop Fabre celebrates anniversaries with simplicity

Photos by Lawrence Chatagnier

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre thanked all who were in attendance for his 25th anniversary celebration as a priest and his one-year anniversary as bishop of the Diocese of HoumaThibodaux during a Mass at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma. The St. Francis de Sales Cathedral Choir provided music for the celebration. In addition to thanking everyone the bishop explained that it is part of his character to celebrate his anniversaries with simplicity. After the Mass he greeted those in attendance at small reception.

www.bayoucatholic.com

Philippine general orders chaplains to pray rosary for Pope Francis’ safety By Simone Orendain Catholic News Service

MANILA, Philippines (CNS) -- The head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Oct. 13 ordered all military chaplains to dedicate their daily rosary for the safe visit of Pope Francis to their country in January. Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. gave the directive during an Oct. 13 Mass at the military headquarters cathedral to commemorate the 97th anniversary of the date of the first Marian apparition in Fatima, Portugal. In a statement, the military said his message also asked all Catholic service members to also pray a rosary daily for the pope’s safety when he visits the Philippines Jan. 15-19. Father Bernardo Odfina, a lieutenant colonel and acting armed

forces chief chaplain, said: “We are very much concerned for the successful visit of the Holy Father, Pope Francis here in the Philippines; and as father of the AFP, General Catapang is responsible for leading the whole armed forces in supporting the government’s efforts to ensure the safe and peaceful visit of the holy pope.” In September, reports surfaced that the Islamic State group announced it was targeting the pope, possibly during his travels. In early October, Catapang said military intelligence officials did not have information regarding any terror threat here to Pope Francis, but a Manila-based security analyst said the government should take the Islamic State fighters’ threat “very, very seriously.” In his message during the Oct. 13 Mass, Catapang also enjoined the

2015 Gulf Coast Faith Formation Conference is Jan. 8-10

The (arch)dioceses of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama invite everyone to the 2015 Gulf Coast Faith Formation Conference, formerly known as the Hofinger Conference, to be held at the Pontchartrain Center in New Orleans, LA, Jan. 8–10, 2015. This conference is an important part of catechetical formation of parish leaders and catechists as well as Catholic school teachers in ministry today. The theme and goals of the conference are “Christ Centered People: Called, Gifted and Sent To Witness, To Proclaim, To Serve.” The conference opens with a clergy track Jan. 8 from 2–6:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza not far from the Pontchartrain Center.

Bayou Catholic • Houma, LA • November 2014

This clergy track is an opportunity for priests and deacons to be a part of a continuing education program that will provide an overview of some of the presentations to be given over the weekend. It will include refreshments and will conclude with dinner sponsored by William H. Sadlier, Inc. for the clergy attending the track. The conference continues on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 9-10 with Mass and keynote presentations followed by numerous opportunities for input from national speakers for all in attendance. For registration forms and fees go to www. gulfcoastfaithformationconference. org.

military to include in their daily prayers kidnap victims they believe are being held by Abu Sayyaf, a Muslims separatist group in southern Philippines. The military says the group is holding several foreign nationals, including Europeans and Asians. Abu Sayyaf was a Muslim rebel splinter group that started in the early 1990s with money from alQaida, but after funding dried up in the early 21st century, the rebels resorted to kidnappings for ransom and became notorious for beheadings and bombings. Meanwhile, on Oct. 12, the Philippine daily Inquirer.net reported that three out of every five prayers for Pope Francis submitted by readers were for his continuous good health. The article said the media outlet would continue to accept prayers until January.

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Pope: Tiny voice in your head? Don’t ignore it; it’s your

n A a i d n r g a e u l G

By Carol Glatz

Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Guardian angels are not the stuff of fantasy; they are really present as wise travel companions helping people navigate life’s journey, Pope Francis said. Don’t ignore the inner voice that says, “Well, you should do this.” “That’s not right.” “Watch out!” the pope said in a morning homily Oct. 2, the feast of the Guardian Angels. “It’s the voice of our travel companion. Be confident that they will take us through to the end of our lives with their advice, and that’s why (people should) listen to their voice, don’t rebel,” he said in remarks reported by Vatican Radio. “All of us, according to church tradition, have an angel with us, who watches over us, and lets us hear” deep inside, wise words meant to help people make the right choices, the pope said during an early morning Mass in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae. People shouldn’t ignore that voice “because rebellion, the desire to be independent, is something we all have and it is pride, the same thing our father, Adam, had” in the Garden of Eden, he said. “Nobody walks alone and none of us can believe we are alone” because there is always this companion right by each person’s side, he said. “Don’t rebel. Follow their advice,” he said. To turn one’s back on a guardian angel “is dangerous because no man, no woman can advise themselves. I can give advice to someone else, but I can’t give advice to myself ” if it’s going to be objective and wise. “The Holy Spirit advises me, there’s the angel who advises me,” he said. A guardian angel isn’t a figment of “imagination; no, it’s reality.” The pope asked people to reflect on how they interact with their guardian angel: “Do I listen to them? Do I say, ‘Good morning,’ in the morning? Do I say, ‘Watch over me while I sleep’? Do I talk to them? Do I ask advice?” Reflecting on the day’s Gospel reading (Mk 18: 1-5), the pope reminded people, especially bishops, that God wants them to be as humble

and meek as children. The reading recounts Jesus’ disciples fighting among themselves over who is better than the rest. “These are the first bishops and they had this temptation of careerism, ‘Hey, I want to become greater than you. ...’ It’s not a great example that the first bishops do this, but it’s reality,” the pope said.

Jesus immediately shows them the right way to behave to enter the kingdom of heaven: to “become like children” and put themselves fully in the hands of God their Father. “Meekness, the need for direction and needing help” in order to go forward are all reflected in a child. “This is the path. Not who is the best,” the pope said. www.bayoucatholic.com

Sports

LSU needs

Overtime

T 62

Ed Daniels

Those days may be gone forever. You know, the days where LSU could rely on its defense and a stout running attack to pile up double digit wins each season. Les Miles’ ability to recruit and develop the quarterback position is critical if the Tigers plan to return to the top of the SEC West. All you need to do is look at the top five teams in the Associated Press Poll. They are quarterbacked by Dak Prescott (Mississippi State), Jameis Winston (Florida State), Bo Wallace (Ole Miss), Bryce Petty (Baylor), and Notre Dame (Everett Golson). Prescott is the early season leader for the Heisman Trophy. Wallace accounted for three touchdowns and no turnovers in a win at Texas A&M. Petty led his team to 24 unanswered points in the last 10:39 as Baylor beat TCU 61-58. In 2013, Golson was suspended. Notre Dame lost four games. The Irish have already avenged losses to Michigan and Stanford. As of the games of Saturday Oct. 11th, those five quarterbacks ranked 8th, 13th, 24th, 14th and 19th in total offense in the

SINCE FAST

DRAMATIC improvement at QB

Football Bowl Subdivision. Meantime, since 2010 LSU has had far more misses than hits recruiting quarterbacks. The 2010 class featured Zach Lee, who enrolled in school in June, but left to sign as a pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Lee’s $5.25 million bonus was the largest in the history of the organization. The 2011 class featured junior college quarterback Zach Mettenberger, Jerrard Randall and Stephen Rivers. Randall enrolled at Northeast Mississippi Community College, and then transferred to Arizona. Rivers did not play any meaningful snaps and departed for Vanderbilt. LSU’s 2012 quarterback signee was Jeremy Liggins. Liggins failed to qualify and signed with Northeast Mississippi. He is now playing at Ole Miss. LSU’s 2013 class included current starter Anthony Jennings,

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and Hayden Rettig. Rettig spent one year at LSU before transferring to Rutgers. LSU’s 2014 signee was Parkway’s Brandon Harris, who made his first collegiate start at Auburn. Texas quarterback Justin McMillan has committed to LSU in the class of 2015. The Tigers have a commitment in the class of 2016 from Floridian Feleipe’ Franks. Franks is ranked number 41 in the ESPN 300 for 2016. Calvary Baptist quarterback Shea Patterson is ranked number 35 in the class of 2016. It was three years ago next month when LSU beat Alabama 9-6 in overtime in Tuscaloosa. That “game of the Century” featured a total of 32 first downs. In three years since, the change in the SEC West has been dramatic. And, for LSU to be relevant again in the toughest division in college football, dramatic improvement at the quarterback position is a must.

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